#but i guess it’s the whole FoRbIdDeN rOmAnCe thing again

[nana-au]

𝐈 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄...

 𝜗𝜚 Satoru Gojo Prince AU ♡ part four

 𝜗𝜚 Summary: satoru has an announcement to make to the royal court. you don't think you could've ever prepare yourself for what it could be. the two of you see each other after months of no contact and the result is bitter sweet. story summary based off of this drabble

𝜗𝜚 Warnings: forbidden love, unspoken feelings, heavy angst, intense emotions, suggestive flirting, heated make out, cussing, depression symptoms, misguided anger, jealousy.

 𝜗𝜚 wc: 4,323

𝜗𝜚 an: there is a surprise guest from the jjk cast being introduced.. heh. dw he is just for the story and holds no interest in reader.

┊p1┊p2┊p3┊p4┊𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠... p5┊

“How do you like kitchen duty, my dear?” the Queen asks, the royal blue wallpaper of her study behind her head seems to shift like the ocean waves; rising and falling - dancing in the reflection of your pupils as your tea is poured for you. With a wave of her hand the Queen��s servant is dismissed and it’s just the two of you alone. The silence is unsettling as much as it is intoxicating. The kitchen is noisy - pots and pans clanging together, the repeated motion of knife hitting cutting board, and the bubbling sounds of a roiling boil. But then there is your room at night; the bed you climb into is decently soft and the covers keep you warm enough but you’re missing the noise of Satoru’s words. Before everything changed you would lay awake and replay every conversation with the Prince; your heart would pound remembering every brush of his hand or intense gaze he didn’t bother to hide. Instead now even your own thoughts have quieted, leaving your night void of any stimulation. 

“It’s been pleasant,” you respond, blowing on the hot tea you’ve brought to your lips. You don’t try very hard to sound convincing but if the Queen notices she doesn’t comment on it. 

“I’ve heard you have been getting pretty close to one of the men in the kitchen,” she wiggles her eyebrows, like you’re her girl friend and she’s genuinely interested in your potential love life. You’re not entirely sure where she got such information from; but it’s been clear to you for a while now. She has eyes and ears everywhere. 

“Forgive me, I’m not quite sure who you are referring to,” the tea is hot as you sip it, burning the taste buds you’ve barely been using these days. 

“Well, Nanami, of course,” she takes a moment to sip her own tea. “He’s handsome… quite burly too for working in a kitchen,” she’s smirking describing the man like it's the most entertaining gossip in the whole world. You guess it's not the worst thing she could potentially hear about you. All though, the worst had already been said. 

“He’s knowledgeable,” you tell her, stoic and devoid of any real emotion, “I enjoy learning what I can from him,” it’s a boring answer but your life is boring now. She frowns, almost a little disappointed that you won’t bite and indulge in ‘boy talk’ with her, but she continues on anyway. 

“That’s how your parents met, you know,” another long sip of her tea, “your father used to volunteer in the kitchens just to see your mother,” she’s obnoxiously giddy again and you can’t fight the sour taste of disgust. It feels more like she’s describing a silly little romance novel and not real people’s lives. It’s almost amusing knowing that as soon as your ‘silly little romance’ got too close to her son it was no longer exciting to her. You kept silent - having nothing worth commenting aloud as you waited for her to get to her point. She didn’t invite you here to gossip, your life had hardly been entertaining since 3 months ago when you were banished from Satoru’s presence. Her lips purse for a moment before she talks, “Well that’s not why I invited you here anyways,”

No shit. 

“I wanted to say thank you. I’m sure you’ve heard of our upcoming event in which Satoru will announce who he is courting,” you could have choked on air if you were not incredibly aware of yourself around the Queen. Instead you sucked in a quick breath. You had obviously been preparing for the event seeing as it was tomorrow and everyone in the kitchens scrambled around to get everything set for it - but you missed the part where it involved Satoru and his new potential partner. “I was incredibly worried for the future of our kingdom, and I appreciate your diligent work in securing that,” her words danced around the true meaning - but you weren’t a dunce. She was thanking you for hurting Satoru - and yourself in the process. A truly noble sacrifice indeed. You had to fight the desire to strangle yourself in front of her.  

“Of course,” is all you muster, not bothering to put on a brave face. 

“Remember the blonde Princess I talked about all those years ago?” she says, observing her pristine nails, “I knew Satoru would warm up to her if he tried,” your tea was gone by the end of her sentence and you lacked the stimulation now required for this conversation; your uneasiness eating away at your insides. 

“I’ve heard she’s lovely,” your throat is dry despite downing an entire cup of tea. 

“Oh more than lovely, if you could even imagine. I’ve never seen Satoru more at peace than when he’s listening to her playing piano. She’s quite the pianist!” 

𝜗𝜚

Satoru did indeed enjoy the times she played for him. The melody left no room for chatter. It was the only moment the two of them were together that he could close his eyes and rest; shutting down after hours of struggling to be present. He didn’t need to pretend to listen to how her day went or care about her childhood. He didn’t need to make up details about his day or share stories of his own youth that he struggled to edit you out of. He could just be. And that’s how Satoru preferred it. 

You would never know about it because ‘how could you?’ - but Satoru was a new man. Gone were the days of acting out or scoffing at his lessons. Gone were the days he preferred fencing to etiquette lessons. He now spent his time indoors because that’s where his bed was closest. His new favorite activity was painting. It was quiet and kept his mind occupied. He enjoyed painting with the new Princess the most - she would play while he would paint and as her hands created beautiful melodies Satoru’s created melancholy works of art

She peers a glance at his canvas over the piano, eyebrows furrowing as she notices the brooding blues, “You do realize this song is meant to elicit joy?” she inquires playfully, and Satoru apologizes. 

“Forgive me, I don’t have much experience with music theory,” his brush dips into the blue oil paint before dabbing it onto the course fabric. 

“Blue seems to be your favorite color,” she comments, her hands walking over each other as the keys come alive from her touch. 

Satoru nods, “I do enjoy reds too. Deep reds,” he murmurs. 

The color of his bleeding heart. 

𝜗𝜚

When the King and Queen announce a new ball, Satoru already understands the reason without being told. He had to fix his blunder - the one where he abandoned his duties and prioritized the pleasure your presence gave him. He hadn’t seen you since that day - but he was sure your face would bring him anything but pleasure nowadays. He was agreeing to the expectations of this new event without listening. It didn’t matter to him anyways. His life wasn’t his - this was a fact he could no longer be gullible about. 

That’s why he stood there in the center of the ballroom, fingers interlaced with the Princess as he smiled down at her like she meant something to him. Because his life wasn’t his and there were worse women in the world to be arranged to. The Princess really wasn’t all that bad. She was intelligent, respectful, charitable and incredibly humble. She knew there was more to life than her appearance all while being a sight for sore eyes. Satoru couldn’t have expected anyone more perfect for the role of his wife. With his heart now out of the picture - there was no better option than her. He could see that clearly now.

She nuzzled her head against his shoulder, hiding her blush as Satoru talked about the first day they met to an inquiring older man and that is when you finally see the two of them together. Surprisingly, you’re allowed out of your metaphorical cage - the King and Queen now fully entrusting you in the same room as Satoru after you successfully stomped out his light. You’re with the kitchen boy, Nanami, who was the Queen’s new show pony she liked to trot around; insisting he was there to describe the new hors d'oeuvre he created himself. Neither of you were entirely convinced the Queen thought that highly of the dish - rather than the idea of having such an esteemed cook now residing in her royal kitchen. Your jaw drops seeing the two of them next to each other. You had only seen paintings of the Princess, and even those did not prepare you for the intensity of her eyes and the silkiness of her hair. You were right all those years ago; next to Satoru wearing his family’s signature blue - she fit perfectly. 

And Satoru. Your Satoru. He looked so sorrowfully beautiful. His jaw was sharper and his eyes were darker but he was still Satoru and that fact alone made it impossible to look away. You had no right - but your watery eyes threatened to spill over watching the Prince hold hands with the Princess. A pitiful feeling fell over you once you realized you couldn’t read his expression. There had never been a day that you couldn’t skim his face like the pages of a book and pinpoint exactly what he was thinking - but now being in the same room with him after so long - you realized you were no longer privy to his thoughts like you used to be. Perhaps that ability was now reserved for the woman who held his hand. If it wasn’t so devastating you might have considered thanking the Queen for what she made you do. You had to have looked so silly beside him seeing the Princess in front of you now - appearing to be a piece of the same puzzle by his side. 

“Are you doing okay?” a deep voice prods your ear and you turn to see Nanami, standing by your side with a look of worry. The Queen wasn’t entirely wrong when she spoke of rumors that the two of you were close - you were in a lot of ways. Just not in the way she found most interesting. Nanami taught you a lot of skills in the kitchen. He showed you the best ways to cut vegetables and the importance of never looking away from milk boiling on a stove top. He told you stories of his travels in search of the best ingredients and his experience being raised on the country-side of a faraway nation whose people were dying of hunger. How his life as a child shaped him into who he was to this day: a seasoned cook who the highest of society paid a pretty penny to grace their kitchens. For some time you spared him the details of your life and he took it well - waiting for the moment you decided he was someone you could trust - and once you did it seemed to flow out of you and never stop. He knew all about your childhood with Satoru and how things became the way they are now. He didn’t scoff at you for daring to imagine yourself next to a Prince or gawk at the audacity it must take to delude yourself into believing your life could possibly be different than those before you. He just listened while he prepared a snack for the two of you. It was cathartic being around someone who carried as much baggage as you. The two of you were stronger than ever by each other’s side, and that is why you stood with him while he talked to the snobs he couldn’t stand and he stood with you while you watched the Prince make his love interest known to everyone. “Go take a moment for yourself, I’ll cover for you,” he offered and you shook your head.

“I promised I wouldn’t leave you alone with these assholes,” you say, earning a chuckle from the blond man next to you. You look up at him and all though he’s laughing his eyes don’t contain humor - more concerned for you while witnessing the same display you had to. He knew it couldn’t be easy.

He leaned in once more, “Well if you change your mind, I won’t be mad,” you smile at him, grateful that you weren’t entirely alone in your new reality. 

𝜗𝜚

Just like the two of you could see the royal couple they could see you too - if they knew what to look for. You caught the Prince’s eye while he took a sip of his champagne, using it as a moment to take in the scene around him until he spotted you. He didn’t know what to expect when he first considered the possibility of running into you again; you two inhabited the same estate and though it was big you had your whole lives to bump into each other. Originally he thought his anger would get the better of him once he finally laid eyes on you. Or he considered that given enough time had passed, looking into your eyes wouldn’t elicit any kind of emotion in him - completely indifferent to your role in his life, like all other servants. What he didn’t expect was for his heart to fail him, the once slow pace now jump started with adrenaline. His heart rate was wild and his pupils dilated. The bubbly drink that usually burned on the way down had effortlessly passed his throat and entered his stomach that grew weak with just one look at you. If he wasn’t careful the Princess beside him would take note of how he completely removed himself from their conversation - but careful he could not be. He wanted to curse his cheeks for warming up at the mere thought of breathing the same air as you… how could he be present? Satoru wouldn’t have even noticed the man standing next to you if not for the way his tall form towered over you, blocking you from the Prince’s view. That’s when Satoru began to grow just a little more aware of his surroundings - or more so your surroundings. While he repeated the words you said to him that day like it was a prayer he couldn’t help but retell before bed - lest he forget - he still fought the logical side of him begging him to accept your words as fact. But he couldn’t because he couldn’t accept your own interpretation of your feelings while you shook and sniffled in the stables. He believed you wanted nothing more to do with him - but he thought the pressure of fighting for your rightful place in his life was one you could no longer stomach. That was what caused him the pain he felt each passing moment. That you lost your fight because Satoru wasn’t worth it. But how could he believe you lost your fight when you had no one in your life pressuring you to move on like he did - yet there you stood seemingly cozy next to the tall man beside you. Perhaps the thought of you giving up on Satoru hurt his heart less and that was why he settled on that thought, instead of the earth-shattering possibility that you could have actually wanted nothing to do with him.

So why would you have kissed him?

𝜗𝜚

It was a quiet afternoon when the two of you decided to stroll through the garden’s after Satoru’s tea break. You often found it beneficial to have Satoru spend time outside inbetween his lessons - he would have a new found focus when given the chance to allow his mind to wander in the cool air that the spring time offered. His fingers would busy themselves with the petals of a flower and you would walk in silence beside him, listening to him ramble or letting him bask in the tranquility nature offered. 

That day was one of those times Satoru pondered silently and you let him, enjoying the unique flowers the Gojo’s had planted from all across the globe while you walked by his side. His face was scrunched in thought and his hands were busy with the stem of a lily, using his thumbs to pry the plant open to feel around its sticky insides. You two were deep in your walk, the garden trail extending surprisingly far on the Gojo’s lawn. The estate was now hidden by the yards of thick bushes that separated the trail from other parts of their extensive property. Satoru let out a breath you didn’t realize he was holding, and you turned to look at him. 

He seemed anxious, the tips of his ears were deep red and his face was scrunched with worry. “Did you get a sunburn, Satoru?” you ask him, stopping him in his tracks to get a better look at his ears. They were hot to the touch as you inspected them but he was antsy rather than in pain from the grip you had on his cartilage.

“What do you think about kissing?” he asked, his cheeks turning as red as his ears. You giggle at him, not because it was random - no that was normal for Satoru - but the topic was a bit suspicious.

“Why do you ask?” you all but flirt - finding the confidence to since you had the upper hand.

“I don’t know… it just kept coming up in the book I’ve been reading,” he puts simply, trying to end the conversation he brought up. It was rare for Satoru to embarrass himself like such, and it was going to be hard for him to get you to ignore it. 

“You've been thinking a lot about kissing, haven't you?” you continue to tease, and he scratches the back of his neck. 

“No!” he scoffs, “Just.. nevermind,” the flower he was dissecting was discarded for a new one - his fingers plucking the petals before tearing into the ovule roughly. 

“I don’t know what I think about kissing, I’ve never kissed,” you answer his original question, engaging him back into the conversation. 

“Me neither,” he responded, defiling the poor flower a little less since you had his attention. ‘What do you think it’s like?” It’s your turn to blush and he definitely realizes his newfound control over the conversation - turning the tables on you as he begins to poke you about it. “It’s probably wet, right? Well if you used tongue,” you’re a blushing mess listening to your best friend describe something such as tongue-kissing and he’s smiling at you. His pearly white teeth sparkle under the sun while he continues his torture, “I’d imagine it’s warm too - and soft. Your lips look soft,” he comments and you could feel yourself struggling to hold back your bashful reaction. He knew how to work you up just like you knew how to work him up. Unfortunately he was a little bit better at it than you - or you were just more susceptible under his gaze. He comes in closer to you - you think just to tease you further and get your heart to racket against your chest and you’re not entirely wrong. It’s hard to focus when his broad shoulders contrast yours and when you feel the palm of his hand touch your sternum to feel the pounding of your heart - you can’t fathom how you’re still standing on your own. “Your heart rate is fast,” he comments, pretending he has no concept as to why that could be. 

“You flirt too much, Satoru,” you grumble at him, trying and failing to steady your heart beats with him so close. His breath smells sweet like the candies he eats and you can’t protect your nose from the pleasant musk that clings to his skin. 

“I’m not flirting. I’m just asking you a question,” he’s somehow closer and his hand won’t leave the spot between your breasts. 

“Yeah. Kissing is probably warm and wet and whatever else you said,” you mumble, desperate to crawl away from him while simultaneously scared of losing physical contact with him. 

“Maybe we should test our hypothesis,” he’s still smiling but his eyes don’t match; half lidded while he observes the twitch of your lips at his words. You gulp, unable to keep yourself from looking at his own pair of lips. You note that they look soft too, even when he bites at them upon noticing you’re doing the same as him. “It can just be a quick one,” he says, almost like he’s trying to convince you now like he’s already convinced himself years ago. Unbeknownst to him you needed very little convincing. 

“Just a quick one,” you all but breathe out, and the two of you are leaning in without realizing it until your lips meet. Your lips feel plump against his, soft like the pillow he lays his head on at night and he doesn’t want it to end. His hand meets your jaw, holding you still while his lips get used to the feeling of yours against them. Your hands come up to grip his shirt, bracing yourself while he slowly deepens it, testing the waters by slowly poking his tongue inside your mouth. You pull back, yelping at the unexpected intrusion. 

“Do you trust me?” he asks, voice sultry and deep and you nod at him, going back in for more. He starts slowly again, pecking your lips softly before working his way up to prodding his tongue cautiously against your sweet lips. You let him in and he all but groans, gripping your waist with his other hands so he can feel you pressed up against him. You both have no idea what you’re doing, teeth and tongues hesitantly clashing as you explore each other’s mouths. His pulse quickens when you let out a weak moan muffled by his mouth hot against yours. His hand on your jaw slowly works its way down your neck, across your collarbone, before hesitantly stopping at the start of your breast. You’re both clouded by the haze created between the two of you, unaware of your surroundings until you hear the scurry of an animal. You both pull away - scanning the area with no luck of finding the creature that caused it. You clear your throat and try your best to pull yourself together - but it’s hard when his eyes are so dark and his lips are so red and glossy from your spit.

“Let’s get back, Satoru. Your teacher will be expecting you soon,” and off you go, with Satoru trailing behind you.

𝜗𝜚

Satoru had never felt the foreign concept of competition in regards to you. It must be the reason he felt such vitriolic jealousy seeing you next to another man. He had no time to consider himself a fool. He wanted nothing more than to see his nose smashed in and your eyes on him again. 

But Satoru had to remind himself he was different. He was no longer the old Satoru whose emotions reigned over his logic. While the new Satoru was born through pain, it would do him good to act on the new things he learned; like patience. 

And patience he needed when later that night he found himself wandering into the kitchen for a glass of water - expecting the room to be empty and overcome with shock when he saw you there. You’re not alone either. The man from earlier guided your hand as you two fileted a fish. And what an odd sight it was - seeing your back pressed up another man’s chest as he carefully guided your knife against the belly of a salmon. Nanami notices the Prince first, respectfully removing his guiding hands and you look up, mouth agape at the sight of the unimpressed Prince in front of you. “Prince Gojo,” you both say, bowing respectfully at him. “How can we be of service?” Nanami asks, still stuck in his bow to Satoru. For the first time in your life you see Satoru ponder his next words and it is almost as shocking as being in the same room as him for the second time after going no-contact all those months ago. You aren’t used to him thinking so long about what to say; you’d always known him to speak his mind unfiltered. It made you incredibly uneasy.

“Are they aware you two occupy the kitchens after they’re meant to be closed,” he asks and you’re even more confused. Satoru? Becoming a stickler for rules? Your jaw hung open just for a moment when you remembered to pick it back up. 

“We’re very sorry, your royal highness. We will be sure to clean up and head off to bed,” Nanami is nothing short of respectful but Satoru still can’t hold back a scoff, turning his head to glance your way. His eyes miss their softness you’ve always been used to and you cower under his eyes, keeping your gaze on the ground until he finally turns around and leaves. 

𝜗𝜚

That night is the first night you let yourself think about Satoru again, now having many things to think about as you lay awake in your bed. 

He looked… almost disappointed in you? You try to fight the idea of him caring what you chose to do, chalking it up to your hopeless wanting that he was as stuck on you as you were stuck on him. But you saw him tonight with the Princess; getting close to her like he only ever did with you and you know you can’t let yourself get caught up in misguided optimism - Satoru had moved on and did exactly what you needed him to do… So why did that realization have to be so unbelievable to you?

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┊p1┊p2┊p3┊p4┊𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠... p5┊

(ty for all the support! comment to be added/removed)

[kurosstuff]

As much as I adore romance with al. This is al were talking about. I adore the horror aspect of him after all

Warning(s): NO ROMANCE, horror, blood, cannibalsm. Alastor fucks with you, this is dark♡ like real dark, murder, trickery, ending is left up to you

Summary: haven't you ever been told to not touch what's not yours? To not go searching?

Alastor x gn!reader: the Boogyman.

@scoutswritingcorner hope you enjoy lovely

Sight seeing is fun. You get to see all sorts of interesting things and places.

Go places you've never been to or seen before - finding new and old things, like now. Your search for a very old artifact is now here. In front of this antique shop- you grinned, glancing at your phone

"New Orleans- the old and new antique shop.. this is it right?" Glancing back at your Taxi driver who grimaced at the building nodding slightly uncomfortable. For some reason or another. He wouldn't drive to close almost in fear of something

"You sure ya wanna be here? Alone? I mean.. these places ain't safe. Especially for a tourist, " the man spoke again, warning you of the dangers of this town. As he did the whole way. Yet the closer he got to the shop? He spoke of it more and mire. As if to get you to not do it. Smiling at him, he sighed, knowing nothing will change your mind "i' I mean even this place is forbidden from tourists!"

"I've come so far! It's the last piece of the puzzle!" You grinned happily, showing him your phone yet again blabbing on the reason why your here- "-I mean! The very last old artifact of the mysterious creature that plauged the town? Is here? I wanna see it!"

"Ya really wanna risk it all for a old busted thing? Who knows if it even works." He grumbled softly, staring at it. The story was well known to the townspeople, of course.

Wanting it swept under the rug as much as possible for the horrors that took place during the time.

Seeing you nod he grumbled softly again itching to tell you. To warn you. To try and again to shake you off this silly dream. He sighed. Under the unspoken hidden rule. He couldn't tell you. "Don't say I didn't warn you" before driving off

Grinning, you turned, walking up the path humming once you spotted the very building you were trying to find. You couldn't help but be nervous. What if this wasn't the right place? And you were being scammed?

Such a late thing to think as you opened the door stepping inside the small hut of a cabin. The inside somehow looked so much bigger and smaller, given the old nick nacks inside. The old antiques laid perfectly all around, almost untouched for centuries yet perfectly preserved. Cleaned and polished. Looking bright, almost brand new, but the items you spotted you knew. They were quite old.

You were curious- how did they touch? Smooth as you imagined or-

"Welcome to the shop- pick your items or look around," a grumpy voice called out, making you jump, yelping turning you flushed in embarrassment an old man sat at a booth drinking from a cup eyeing you annoyed "don't touch anything- their all fragile. You break you pay" he gestured to you grumbling as you disrupted his solidute.

"Uh- yeah, of course," you stumbled out, clearing your throat nervously going up to him. "I'm looking for uh something, Sir." Pulling your phone out ignoring his eye roll grumbling mumbling something before showing him the radio you were hunting for "this! Says here you'd have i-"

"It won't show unless it fucking wants to" he interrupted grumbling "don't bother searching only the unlucky finds the damned thing" he huffed out annoyed- rolling his eyes he waved you off "go on. Whatever you want carry it gently here I'll bag it for ya"

Blinking you huffed turning. The old man was of no luck whatsoever. Should have guessed from how uninterested he seemed to be. Looking around at all the items in thought a shiver ran up your back. Your legs felt not of your own walking as If you knew where to go- to walk. To look.

Walking until you wandered down a dark hallway. Bare of items as you followed swallowing your nerves. The uncomfortably feeling your not alone. That your doing something bad.

So? You decided to hum. To bring yourself comfort. To distract yourself from whatever you felt as you entered another part of the shop

Humming in the shop, you grinned. "Ah hah!" Lifting out an old radio - a red old themed radio. A deer themed one. You assumed it meant something but didn't know what - ignoring the shiver up your back, you held it up - smirking, you turned it around to look around "perfect condition ~" before frowning. No price tag. Sighing, you went bqck to the main room up to the counter, and the grumpy old man glanced over at you blankly

"Whatd you want?"

What a total grump. You hummed softly, placing the radio on the counter, staring up at him happily. "How much?" He slowly blinked as if he was in some sort of slumber. As if you woke him from his nap when you came up- which? You wouldn't be surprised if that was the case

Glancing down, he grimaced, glaring at the old thing as if it disgusted him. Like he never wanted to see it. "..you sure you want this? I'll let you take whatever else in the shop. Half off, " glancing up at you. Staring as if through you. As if staring at something else. Before you could ask, he groaned, waving you off, turning away. "Take it. Its free." Going back to cleaning leaving no room for any more talk.

Grinning you didn't think much of it. How odd it was he'd just hand it over to you for nothing. But you came here for this. So it was a good deal..

Right?

-

The second you got home you gently carried the surprisingly light radio into your home excitedly- rushing to your table putting it on it. Looking at how unbelievably odd the thing was.

How weird it looked. The first you suspected at the time period to have such a design

Sitting at your table, you stared at the old radio. Feeling it stare right back. You were curious of the old thing. Would it work? Was it broken? Was that why you were given it for free? Or was it something else? Just pure luck? Not

Grumbling, you looked around for the buttons, the almost ray of buttons forming a smile of sorts, if you looked just right. Pushing a button, you grinned a soft tune echoing from the old radio. "finally~ some old-time music~" you mused. Maybe it was one of those ones that only had a certain amount of stations? Running a hand over the antlers on the top of it in thought.

What an odd design. The dark red paint with the deer like appearance to the thing- you were at least glad it was small- "oh fuck-" you cursed the sharp part of the antler, piercing your finger, cutting you- your blooded finger you stood. Cursing in annoyance as you walked off to clean it

Unaware of the blood that got on the radio sucked it in. Evaporating into the old timed thing. As if feeding it.

-

You suspected the old radio was broken in some way. How it randomly started to play. Or to stop- looking it up gave the impression it was a faulty wiring. You grumbled rubbing your sleepy eyes as the loud Jazz started once more. It felt more like it was mocking you at this rate. But- it's common with old stuff you found out. So- deciding if it's just jazz music. You can handle that.

At least for the party with your friends next week itll be ok. It won't be too much of an issue.

A booming laugh escaped the radio yet again as if reading your mind. Finding amusement in your sleepless annoyance. Grumbling you turned blinking "what the-" how'd the radio get from the dining room to the kitchen? You didn't put it there.

You need that space to cook? So.. how the hell did it get there? Of all places? Rolling your eyes you picked the heavy radio up walking back to its temporary place. You assumed it was just your tiredness. How little you slept

-

You didn't wanna believe it. But you think maybe just.. maybe the things haunted like you've been warned about. Odd things have been happening. This whole week has been hell for you since you bought the thing.

How things have been going missing. How things have been moving. The bruises forming on your body.

The dreams

The nightmares to be more exact

Of this man. This tall Grey man. You couldn't make out much of his appearance, yet you knew he had antlers. Long antlers. And that smile. God that horrible smile- just way to wide- to sharp for anyone to have.

How he always watches you yet stands in the shadows watching. Unmoving yet you know he's there. You know it.

Shaking your head shivering of the odd feeling at how ever other day.

He's getting closer

-

And that damned smile gets wider.

Something is off about this nightmare.. you knew it was one from the devoid of color all around. The static like feeling that youd feel with the radio close by. Walking around your "home" quietly cautiously. The hallways feeling longer- so much longer. Like your in a maze.

Maybe you were.

The doors stretched our longer wider the more you turned. The hair on your neck standing slowly in a panic. Your only clear sign. That thing is here. Behind you like always- looking back you saw the shadow of the creature peaking at you- a smile on its face once it say that you noticed it. A sound was heard- swallowing you took a deep breath. Your heart pounding.

It was that of a cane. Tapping getting louder and louder. He spotted you. Not Like he never knew where to look but from what you gathered. He loves the chase. The thrill of the hunt it seemed. Why? You don't know. But you knew. He found his prey.

You.

Quietly you went into the room silent. Knowing from the past dreams if they were that. He hated it when you spoke. Speaking seemed to be that of "cheating" to him. His ears(If that's what those were) would easily catch you. Catch your voice ending the game so much later them planned

Not that I'd need to hear you

A radio rang out making you freeze- turning slow the cursed radio sat almost mockingly at you. Watching you- you shook violently bur why? Why are you so scared? It's just a nightmare. You can't die in a nightmare- you cant get hurt in a nightmare.

-

Can you?

This "dream." Feels like a warning. But? What for? A tap on the door caught your attention turning slowly you watched as the door creaked open a sound of echoed laughter from the radio played.

Mocking you. Shaming you for your choice. Bur what did you pick?

You feel like your going mad. Crazy. One day the horrors begin unending nightmares nightly but then it was like everything is fine. That nothing is wrong with the radio.

With you.

But something is wrong you just can't figure out what exactly. A soft tone played from the radio that once again started on its own. You hummed a rare peaceful moment that day from the laughs it played out. Made you feel like ir was laughing at your mocking you

The jazz was good. Distracting from what was happening but fluent. The old radio dispite it being old as fuck you assumes was good. Humming along peacefully to it before- the radio glitches out yet again.

The intruder entered from the back door of the poor unfortunate soul. Sad they forgot to check the lock.

You sighed. There it goes again. You frowned before you stopped. "Wait.. what?" Hearing the exact date it is. Today

The homeowner was well unaware of the horrible act that took place. How they were cleaning. How the plates were red. Stained

What you were doing right now. You shook your head- "nope. Nope nuh uh not- not listening" you teared up, shaking trying to turn the station- must be some sick joke- a similar thing couldn't LEAD to something horrible..

Right?

Turn around

Turning the dial, you frown. Static. "Damn it." You grunted, ignoring the glitches from the old thing. How jumbled words came out of it as if speaking to you- but radios can't do that. No radio's aren't like that-

I said. Look behind you.

Slowly you turned nothing seemed out of place. Seemed normal. Walking into the back as the radio went back to the tune before like nothing took place. Taking a deep breath turning the corner "just check. Then.. then it's fine. The doors locked."

Walking down the hall which oddly felt familiar- of course it would. This is your house yet. It felt like the nightmare all over again. The closer you got the louder your heart pounded in your chest. Slowly you turned the know. Locked.

A laugh was heard down the hall making you shakily sigh.

It was fucking with you again.

-

The day your friends came for the party not a big crowd just a small one. Just the three of your to celebrate your finding of thr radio- the door opened as rhey came in-

Laughing having a great time. Easily forgetting about the strangness that happened during the weeks of having the radio. Yet something felt off.

Not once today did it act up. Was it just in your head? Or was it giving you time with your friends?

"Oh sick this is it dude?" Your friend spoke lifting the radio up as he sat on the couch shifting it to the counter beside him. You nodded answering the questions you answered before abour it. Like on instinct. You didnt know half of the information you spoke.

Where'd you learn that?

Turning the radio on he hummed leaning back against the couch turning the TV on as well. Grumbling something about you needing more drinks in the kitchen

It was quiet. Before the radio came to life. Starting out normal before the voice began to speak through it

The day of the crime. It was unexpected. A normal Tuesday night between friends turned into a blood bath

You scrunched your nose up at the radio station. What a poor choice of a station your friend picked. "Hey. Gonna get the stuff in the car. Dont eat without me, ok?" You grumbled, patting your friends' arms, who shooed you off, laughing jokingly, walking out, you felt..

Off

The killer moved to the shed retrieving the ax hidden inside

The radio played in your head, making you panic. This isn't right. Your legs started to move. Against your will. Going to the car, you grabbed the item coming back inside, sighing

"Got it, dude!"

The killer came back inside. Slaughtering the first one in the house they saw. The poor soul sitting watching a show- unaware of their fate

"Oh, silly. You spilled your drink-" you grumbled, staring at your friend after they spilled their drink all over the ground

This isn't right

Hearing your friend in the kitchen call for you. You turned. "Oh yeah, I have it!" You smiled. Tearfully. Smile to wide coming into the kitchen

The next and last victim in the kitchen. Cooking up a lovely dinner for the house hold. Before they were turned into the meal itself. Killed and cooked

Blinking you found yourself in the dining table your two friends at the table *quiet* as you ate the pie your friend baked. "How long did this take you, dude?"

The killer committed a horrible act. But sources state. They weren't even aware

They didn't answer

Finishing the whole plate, you hummed, looking down "is this.. apple pie?" You hummed seeing how red the plate was. Licking your lips, you gagged. That... didn't taste like apple pie...?

Looking down at the plate in their hands. The police stated that they finally figured it out. What they did. The horrible crime they commited

Sobbing covered in blood- your friends blood all around. In your hands. Skin. Clothes even your hair. And worse of all-

Your mouth

"Oh- oh god i- no- no no no" you repeated shaking, dropping the bloodied ax on the ground screaming out in agony "NO- NO I- I DIDN'T FUCKING DO IT- OH GOD" you sobbed out shaking as the silence deafened you.

Before a static broke through the air. How it laughed. Mocked you - "Shut up!" you choked out, turning to the old radio shaking in disgust- you murdered..no. ate. Your friends. The ones you knew since childhood. Your family. Gagging, you sobbed harder, shaking

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME-" you screamed yelling at the radio getting more distressed - panicked - what is that noise? Your heart pounded in your ears shaken up the acts repeating in your head how you murdered them.

"W-why? Why are you doing this? I- I didn't do anything to you!" You screamed out sobbed out bloodied from his attacks. Yet he never moved. It was like again the shadows danced around your bloodied form. Mocking you. Laughing

Ate them

Sirens were heard in the distance you sobbed spitting the blood in your mouth out knowing you were caught. Gonna be framed.

Standing you grabbed the axe staring at the radio who laughed loudly at you mockingly repeating the crimes you committed aloud as you heard it spoken.

I would not do that if I were you~

Stepping forward shaking something told you this was a bad idea. That you shouldn't do this. But you will. Even if it kills you. You will destroy that fucking radio. Lifting the axe up you were abour to swing as the radio grew silent

Screaming you dropped the axe in pain. Looking down you saw what looked like a tendril piercing into you from behind. Falling to the ground bloodied mixed with yours and your friends blood you sobbed.

What was to happen to you? Were you gonna die?

Looking back you shook "no no- your- your not REAL" you screamed see omg the very figure that plagued you. Plagued your dreams.

He's quiet watching you. His sickening smile growing fhe barley lit room showing just his outline but. His eyes. That smile. Glowed like he WANTED you to see him. As the tendrils hit you over and over. Yet careful to not hit anything important.

He wanted you alive

You had your chance. Your single chance

For the first time since he began this torment. This torture, which was three months ago yet. Felt longer. He began to move. Silently walking to you- the only thing that broke the silence besides your cries and screams was the tapping of his cane.

The static growing from the old radio as he moved

He was in a good mood. Why didn't you agree? Stop that idea?

The closer he got. Those horns on his head grew - blinking, you shook, feeling like you were gonna be sick - his body began to crack. Reforming himself to tower over you. His broken looking body staring down at you as if he found this humorous tilting his head again the radio played a soft familiar tune.

Where did you hear that?

"Because you pressed play,"

-

his voice spoke for the first time. Echoing in and out. As if he himself was a radio. You sobbed as everything went black.

You've felt off. Tired. Way more tired then usual.

And now Two weeks after...the accident. You could barely leave the bed. At first chalking it up to depression but...somethings wrong

The radio has been more active lately too after the silence after you attempted to attack it. Saying phrases you were to tried to hesr. But you know.

It was watching you.

Sighing, you walked, yawning your chest heavy as you passed the radio in the living room. Where it was not last night

"Stop it. Not in the fucking mood' shivering you felt colder then usual glancing in the mirror seeing how pale you look. How exhausted you were.

The poor soul was truly trapped in my palms!

A laugh.

Or.. shall I say.. my stomach?

Glancing at the radio you grimaced at that. What it reminded od what you did. You sighed. The trail was today.

You don't even know how you were able to stay home after the police busted through. Saw what you were tricked into doing.

-

You were to tired to care of what would happen to you. How your phone blew up from people shaming you for the murders.

You had one last play to attempt after all.

Praying- that's all you did the whole day. Not stopping even as your knees ached. Burning to get up. You prayed to God. To get rid of this demon.

This entity that plagued you. That wouldn't let you go.

Hunted you.

Made you do horrible things.

You just knelt. Repeating the words given to you from the Father you spoke to beforehand. Tearing up your neck felt like it was closing from the lack of a breath you took.

You hopped in your final moments if they decided to kill you. Execute you. That you'd be safe. Free of the demons. And spend your afterlife in peace.

Sitting in jail, you sobbed. Not in fear, no. In relief that the fucking radio no where to be seen. No where around you- you can finally rest well. Sleep well. Eat well without the fear of it not being what you thought

-

The trial up to your imprisonment. The radio never played once. Never went off even after you threw it in the box to hide away.

You were free of it

Wandering around for a couple days, you couldn't help but feel free. Dispite being in jail. In prison- you were free.

Away from those cursed thoughts. Thst damned demon.

Weeks went by. You smiled. You truly were free. Didn't need to look over your shoulders. Made new friends with the...better.. inmates. You made a "family."

Entering your room, you hummed, almost missing the box on the bed looking around. You went up to it. No note. Nothing. Smiling happily must have been a gift- opening it you froze. Dropping the box as you sobbed backing away from the item that laid untouched in the box

"No NO I DONT WANNA DO IT ANYMORE. YOU HAD YOUR FUN-" you screamed the radio. The very one you Sought to never witness. Sat staring at you

Why end the game this soon ~ you have more friends now then ever beter?

You paled shaking your head

Oh but that's where the game truly starts ~ and remember

Laughter echoed through the room as the shadows grew longer grinning laughing Mockingly

I will never. Ever. Let you go~

[murmaiderii]

A BETTER WORLD CHAPTER 2: MABEL'S NONDENOMINATIONAL HOLIDAY BASH

NSFW, MDNI, also available on ao3

Dipper and Mabel's parents' names courtesy of @lomy-bloom

Ford packs the last of his shirts for his trip away. He was only planning on taking two outfits, one to sleep in and one to wear through the day. Odyssey, his girlfriend of just under a year, refused to let him wear the same unwashed outfit three days in a row. He insisted it was a more efficient use of space. She insisted that that was ridiculous. He looks at his girlfriend’s much larger suitcase on the bed and wonders how she can go through so many clothes in such a short trip.

“Honey, are you done packing?” Ford yells.

“One more thing!” She rushes into their shared bedroom and stuffs a toiletry bag in a suitcase pocket.

“I’ll pack up the car. Can you grab some snacks for us?”

“Gotcha.” Odyssey darts to the kitchen. Ford goes outside and drops their suitcases in the trunk. He waits for her in the driver’s seat. After a longer wait than he was expecting, she stumbles into the passenger seat and lets out a shuddering breath.

“What’s wrong, dear?” Ford takes her hand and rubs it with his thumb.

“Just… Jesus, I just know your family is gonna hate me,” she sighs. 

“That’s not true. Mabel and Dipper already like you,” he reassures her.

“Yeah, but they’re kids. It’s the adults I’m worried about. Everyone’s gonna accuse me of being a gold digger.”

“Let them think what they want. All that matters is what we think of each other.”

“They’re gonna call you a dirty old man, you know. People get super judgemental about age gaps.” Ford sighs.

“I admit, that has been on my mind. But we can’t hide from my family forever. Mabel would never forgive me if I missed one of her nondenominational holiday bashes.” Odyssey giggles at the name of the party. That niece of his sure has a flair for the dramatic. 

“Do we really have to stay at the house with everyone?”

“Mabel insists.”

“We won’t have any privacy. I dunno how I’m supposed to keep my hands off of you for three days,” she complains.

“We’ll just have to sneak out when we can,” Ford says with a blush.

“That’s kinda hot, actually. It’s like forbidden romance. Wanna get some practice fucking in the car before we go?” Ford chuckles.

“Odyssey, we’re already running late,” he reminds her.

“Fine, we’ll sneak out in the middle of the night. I guess let’s get this over with.” Ford gives her a kiss on the knuckles and starts the car for the seven hour drive.

“God, my ass is sore,” Odyssey complains. Ford parks on the crowded street outside of his nephew’s house. They get out of the car and unload their luggage. Despite her full bladder, Odyssey hesitates to go into the lively home. Ford puts a hand on the small of her back.

“Come on, honey. Stalling won’t make this any easier.” She groans and drops her head.

“Right, let’s rip the bandaid.” Ford slips his hand from her back to hold Odyssey’s. They approach the door. Ford squeezes Odyssey’s hand and knocks on the door. Ford and Odyssey are both relieved to be greeted by Mabel.

“Great uncle Ford!” She launches herself into Ford’s arms. He fondly laughs. “It’s been too long!”

“Good to see you again, Mabel. Now, I know you’ve been eager to meet Odyssey.” Mabel lets go of her uncle to give Odyssey a big hug.

“Heya, Mabel. Thanks for inviting me to your party,” Odyssey says. 

“Pfft, don’t mention it. I’ve been waiting my whole life to be able to invite one of Fordsy’s girlfriends.” Mabel leans into Odyssey’s ear to whisper. “There haven’t been any until now.”

“Mabel!” Ford whines.

“It’s okay, babe. She’s not telling me anything I didn’t know.”

“Wow, ‘babe.’ You guys are the cutest.” Mabel flicks her wrist and guides the couple inside. All sorts of family members whose identities Odyssey doesn’t know mingle through the house. 

“Uncle Ford, you’re finally here!” Mabel’s father, Ford’s nephew, walks through the foyer and gives his uncle a quick hug. “I see you brought your… friend.” Odyssey smiles awkwardly at her boyfriend’s nephew, who is more than a decade older than her.

“Nice to meet you…” She extends a hand for him. He curtly shakes it and proceeds to act like she isn’t there. Mabel kicks her dad in the shin.

“Dad, be nice,” she says through gritted teeth.

“I am being nice. Why don’t you take your great uncle’s friend to their room while I catch up with him.” Mabel rolls her eyes.

“His girlfriend , dad. She’s his girlfriend .” Mabel grabs Ford’s suitcase from him. “Follow me, Odyssey.” Mabel brings Odyssey to an upstairs bedroom. There are two blow up mattresses on the floor, along with an actual bed. “It’s a good thing you’re with Ford. It means you get an actual bed.”

“My boy is that much of a VIP, huh?”

“No, it’s because he’s old. All the older guests get actual beds,” she explains.

“Hah! Don’t tell him you said that. He’s already a little embarrassed to be dating someone so much younger.” Odyssey lines the suitcases up to the side of the bed. Sharing the room with several strangers is one of the top things she was dreading about this trip, but she’ll suck it up for Ford. She’s taking the side of the bed against the wall, though. “Now, onto the most pressing issue; where is the bathroom?”

“Down the hall and to the left,” Mabel instructs. “Hey, if anyone says anything all dumb and judgemental to you and my great uncle, just find me. I’ll give them a piece of my mind.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks, Mabel. You’re a real one.” Odyssey and Mabel fistbump.

“You know it, dawg.” Mabel goes back downstairs to socialize while Odyssey uses the bathroom. The relief she feels in there is intense, not just because she’s needed to pee for an hour, but because this is the only room where she’s alone. She’s only met Mabel and Ford’s nephew so far, and she’s already worn out. If Mabel’s dad is a sign of things to come, she’s in for a very long vacation. At least with this many people around, no one will notice if she sneaks out to the car with her laptop a few times a day. She can lounge in the backseat and write up a short horror story about a family gathering when she needs a moment away.

When exiting the bathroom, her head kept down, she collides with another woman. “Crap! Sorry!” She apologizes. She looks up at the woman, who shares some features with Mabel, but not with Ford. “You, uh, must be Dipper and Mabel’s mom.”

“And you must be uncle Ford’s… friend…” She says with a sneer.

“His girlfriend, yeah,” she corrects. “I’m Odyssey.” She extends a hand. Mabel's mother shakes it in the same manner as her husband did. She knew the adults wouldn’t like her.

“Right, nice to meet you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Mabel’s mother goes into the bathroom, freeing Odyssey. Now she needs to find Ford and not leave his side all night. People might at least pretend to not be disgusted by her if he’s around. 

Downstairs, she finds her boyfriend talking with his nephew and great-nephew, who is the only person she’s excited to see other than Mabel. Dipper looks at his great uncle with an adorable adoration in his eyes. From what she’s heard, Dipper has always idolized Ford. Ford has confided in her that he feels guilty for not being able to see Dipper more, having rejected several invitations to family functions, as well as limiting visitation from Dipper and Mabel. He’s a busy man, sometimes not even having time for his own girlfriend, so it’s to be expected. That doesn’t mean he can’t feel bad about it.

“Odyssey! Hey!” Dipper walks up to Odyssey and gives her the first proper handshake she’s gotten tonight.

“‘Sup, Dipper!” She gives him a friendly smack on the arm. 

“Honey, Dipper was just asking me about my recent research on banshees. Odyssey is the one that edited the article you read.” She walks over to her boyfriend and wraps an arm around his waist.

“Reading that thing nigh on gave me a heart attack. Do you know what your crazy uncle had to do to get those banshee tonsils?” Odyssey asks Dipper. Dipper grins widely.

“What did he do? Tell me!” Dipper’s father clears his throat.

“I hope this story is appropriate for kids, Uncle Ford.” Dipper frowns at his dad’s killjoy attitude.

“Come on, dad, I know that his work is a little dangerous. Let me at least hear the story since he won’t let me go on expeditions with him anyway,” Dipper rants.

“It’s for your own good, my boy. I won’t even bring Odyssey out on most research trips, and she’s a grown woman,” Ford tells Dipper. Dipper’s father scoffs.

“Is she, though?” He says under his breath.

“Dad!” Dipper chastises his father for being rude.

“You know what, babe, why don’t we go get some food?” Odyssey drags Ford to the kitchen, gripping his side. She pours glasses of wine for her and her boyfriend and guzzles it down. Ford rubs her shoulder. “Jesus fucking Christ…”

“I’m sorry, dear. I wasn’t expecting him to be that bad.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” She rubs her temples. “I just needed to get out of there before I started getting mean in front of his kid.” Ford plants a kiss on her jaw. A few other people in the kitchen gawk at them. She takes another glass of wine and pops a piece of cheese in her mouth.

“You have exceptional judgment, my dear. You would have absolutely humiliated him if you ‘got mean’ with him.” Ford chuckles in her ear.

“It would’ve been a bloodbath. Why don’t I just… stay in our room before I do something rash? I’m sure your nephew won’t be the only one who has something to say to me.”

“I don’t want to be away from you. Let’s just grab a plate of brownies and sneak off somewhere until someone notices,” He suggests. She shakes her head.

“You should be spending time with your family. Mabel wouldn’t be happy if you hid away all night.”

“She wouldn’t want you hiding away, either.”

“She’d prefer it to me giving someone a verbal beatdown in the middle of her party. Go, socialize for a change. I’ll abscond with this bottle of wine and calm myself down enough that I might be able to play it nice tomorrow.” She gives him a quick peck on the lips and makes her way through the crowd. Ford sighs as he watches his girlfriend leave him to fend for himself tonight. Now it’s his sole responsibility to defend his relationship. Odyssey is certainly right that she can’t be unleashed when she’s mad. He’s still traumatized from the time he watched her dismantle the matriarch of the Northwest family for implying Ford was a cradle robber.

No one notices Odyssey’s absence, other than Ford and Dipper. Dipper is pretty understanding of Odyssey’s need for isolation. He would much rather be playing video games in his room than be passed around from distant family member to distant family member. He wanders into her room a couple of times with some snacks and some questions about the previously discussed banshee research.

“He should’ve been bed bound for a week after that, but the maniac refused to stay put for more than three days. He would’ve been back at work the day after if I hadn’t forced him back into bed.”

“I wish he’d let me come to help. I could’ve distracted the banshee before it hit him.” Dipper puffs out his chest. 

“I’m sure you would,” Odyssey giggles. “Don’t tell your parents I told you this, alright?”

“Yeah. Sorry they’re being such dicks to you. Don’t tell them I said dicks.”

“Our little secret,” she promises.

“Dipper! Come help me with the music!” Mabel shouts from the bottom of the stairs.

“Ugh, I gotta go before I blow both of our covers.” Dipper runs off, waving to Odyssey. At least she has a couple allies here. She sits back and relaxes until people start turning in.

“Baby, remind me I hid the empty wine bottle under the bed,” Odyssey whispers to Ford as he gets into bed. “I don’t need them thinking I have a drinking problem on top of everything else.

“Of course, dear.” Ford wraps his arm around Odyssey from behind and nuzzles his head into her back. They lie awake in bed, occasionally sneaking quick kisses, both stressing about the coming days. She could get away with hiding for one night, but she’s going to be expected to participate in the daytime events. One of the men staying in the same room starts snoring violently.

“Oh my god, that’s so bad,” Odyssey quietly cringes.

“It puts mine to shame.”

“Your snoring is cute. His is ear shattering. What the hell? How do you not wake yourself up with that?”

“Do you want to… sneak out to the car for a little while?” Ford asks, tracing circles in Odyssey’s skin.

“God, yes.” They get out from under the blanket and creep through the room, down the stairs, and out the door. No one seems to wake up. Ford unlocks the car as silently as possible, and they both slip into the backseat. Odyssey rubs her man’s upper thigh. “I’ve been wanting to touch you all night.” Ford pulls Odyssey into his lap. They share passionate kisses. Odyssey grinds into Ford’s lap.

“Ohh, my love. I missed you tonight,” Ford moans into her mouth. “All I could think about was joining you in bed.” Odyssey reaches down and tugs the waistband of Ford’s pants down enough for his dick to spring out. She contorts to pull her shorts and panties off. “My Odyssey…” He rubs circles into her clit.

“Yeah, Ford… god, you’re so good, baby.” She lifts herself up to sit on his dick, bringing erotic groans out of both of them. He grips her hips roughly. “Wanna savor the moment, but… not very comfortable in here. Gotta make this quick.” She rocks on his lap. He gives her those sad little whimpers of his that she loves so much.

“Won’t be a problem,” he pants. He erratically massages her clit as she bounces on him. He buries his face in her clothed breasts. “Yes… Odyssey… my—” He lets out a loud groan. “My beautiful Odyssey.” His fingers work faster, bringing her over the edge. She buries her face in his shoulder to muffle her screams as she comes.

“Ford!” She shouts into the fabric of his shirt. The force of her walls clenching around him brings him to his own orgasm. With a heavy grunt, he finishes inside her. They relax all of their muscles and sit in each other’s arms while they come down from their highs. “Tissue, tissue…” She feels around on the ground for the packet of tissues she always leaves there specifically for moments like this. She awkwardly maneuvers off of his dick and cleans up his semen.

“God, I really needed that.” She slips her panties and shorts back on. Ford lies down, resting his head in her lap. She snakes her fingers through his hair.

“So did I. Seeing my family… it’s always stressful.” He sighs heavily into her stomach. “You’re really getting along with Dipper, aren’t you.”

“He’s a great kid. They’re both great.”

“Yeah, they are,” he says quietly. Being around them must remind him of his own twin brother. Ford never spoke much of him. All that Odyssey knows is that he exists and they’re estranged. She never pushed him to reveal more. God knows she doesn’t want to talk about her family either. 

“The rest of your family I could do without. No offense,” she says in an attempt to lighten the mood. His chuckles vibrate through her stomach.

“I mostly stay in contact with them for the kids. I don’t think I saw any of them for years before the twins were born. I’m sure you’ve noticed why.”

“Yeah, I was ready to fight within minutes of meeting them. Still better than my family, though.” They bask in the comfort of each other for a few minutes, Odyssey gently stroking his gray hair and scratching his scalp. “I guess we should go back to bed.” Ford sits up and pulls Odyssey in for a romantic kiss.

“I love you,” he whispers into her mouth.

“I love you, too.” They stumble out of the car on numb legs and try to go back through the front door without alerting anyone.

“Is everything alright?” A female voice startles them both. It’s Dipper and Mabel’s mom, dressed in a pink robe, staring the two of them down. Luckily, Odyssey can lie on her feet.

“One of our roommates was snoring like a jackhammer. We needed to get away from the noise.” It’s a half truth.

“And what were you doing out there?” She scrutinizes Odyssey and Ford with her eyes.

“We just went for a little walk, Betty. I don’t know how we’re expected to sleep in the same room as whoever that is,” Ford says.

“That’s my cousin. I’ll see about changing the sleeping arrangements for tomorrow night.” They can tell she doesn’t believe them. “Do you need anything, or will you be going back to bed?”

“Back to bed. I think I’m tired enough now to sleep through the sound. Goodnight, um, Betty.” She takes Ford’s hand and drags him back to the room. The room hasn’t quieted down at all. “Aaand he’s still going,” she sighs. They crawl back into bed for a night of awful sleep.

[samthepotterhead]

am I dumb or does beorn not look like a bear but more like a warg? and in man form he looks like a half transformed werewolf (like fenrir greyback in the movies).

sometimes I can't tell fili and thorin apart. I mean, they are related!

I only just remembered the spiders from the forbidden forest. another parallel between hp and lotr, but I totally glossed over that while reading the hobbit.

I don't know if I've said this before, but martin freeman is so perfect for this role. this inherit englishness and bourgeois vibe. and his body language and facial expressions!

elvish (I don't know which dialect/branch this is ok) sounds not so ethereal when spoken. I mean it was based on finnish, so…

that kili is considered tall for a dwarf works well with the fan theory/headcanon that he isn't fully dwarf.

was the silvan elf king featured this much in the book? and was he mentioned in thorin's back story at all? I honestly recall so little of the hobbit already... but again if it wasn't mentioned, it makes a lot of sense in the movie.

I think tauriel is a bit too human acting for an elf, they are usually so mysterious (legolas and the king are doing that). ok the guards were also in the book and not so elvish. maybe it's just a nobility thing.

I like the romance tbh. a pity they created the only female elf in the movie (apart from galadriel) for that, but better than zero like in the hobbit...

I always wonder how there are not a trillion elves since they can procreate but are basically immortal? like even if they go to the grey havens every once in a while, I'm sure many stay on?

is that balin's tomb? where is gandalf here? I'm a bit confused. but in general, the tie-in with the lotr plot works so well in this one.

ok the plot is quite significantly deviating from the book now. I'm not against it bc the lake town plot was super info-dumpy in the hobbit, but I also don't really need another basic male hero... but stephen fry I approve of! the counsellor gives off a very wormtonguey vibe. was this intentional? but man that was a lot of grossness in a few minutes.

the elves have exactly the weird springly step I imagined, I love the attention to detail :)

ok the secret door looks not so secret in this… but these sets are so intricate, I can't say it enough!

pretty sure the dwarf ring plot was not in the hobbit. will it be in lotr?

smaug, guarding a plot-wise important item is exactly like the dragon in gringotts in dh. though that is of course also originally from norse mythology. at any rate, I didn't remember that smaug could talk? and bilbo has learned not to tell a random being his full name and species. good job, bilbo.

man this movie is long… feels much longer than the first one. they are stalling with these dragon scenes. the liquid gold and statue part was cool, but unneccessary.

they really kept the women-belong-to-the.house theme going here :/ only bard's son is allowed to run around town. and how come no one else in lake town saw the orcs on the roofs?

saving kili's life has become a full time job for tauriel. in general, the kili/tauriel scenes are cute, but adding nothing to the pregression of the plot at this point. but now it seems they've know each other before? maybe I'm misinterpreting.

oh my god, it's ed sheeran. why is he in every fantasy thing? (ok, only in got as well, that I know of, but still - weird that it happend twice right? etc.) wait, I actually know this song, this was in the charts. I never knew this was from the hobbit! it honestly sounds like an ai generated song though, with the words "fire", "mountain" and "desolation" put in as a prompt...

too stunned by this revelation to properly rate the movie now, but I guess I liked as a whole, it was only a bit too long and not as well plotted as the first one.

[zenkindoflove]

Summer Heat - Chapter 17

Title: Summer Heat Relationships: Elain x Lucien, Eris x Male OC Rating: E Status: Multichapter - WIP Summary: Summer Court is hosting the Summer Solstice Summit and the Night Court is sending their best emissaries to attend. It will be Elain's first time mingling in another court, and it's a good thing she has an expert guiding her: the mate she's been ignoring for the last two years. Meanwhile, Eris has been sent to the summit to spy on Summer's developments. What he doesn't anticipate is entangling in a steamy, forbidden romance.

READ ON AO3

Chapter 17 excerpt

A realization sunk in her gut, one that didn’t occur to her until this moment. Lucien needed protection. He had lived his whole life jumping from one trauma to the next both mental and physical. His body was covered in scars, something that seemed incredibly rare for Fae with their fast natural healing and magic. Eris’ own words from their dance echoed in her head. He told her as much, that she needed to protect Lucien. At the time she was distrustful, but Elain could see the clear need now. She had to get stronger so that she could make sure no one would hurt Lucien again.

“When we get back to Velaris, I want to start working on controlling my magic,” Elain announced. “And figure out what I can even do.”

Lucien dropped another kiss on her head, “Of course. I want to help you in whatever way I can.”

“And I want to go to Day. To research. Alexius says there is a Seer who still lives there. They’re very old, and I think it’s a secret. Or if not a secret, they’ve been in hiding so long people have forgotten they exist. But Alexius thinks it might be possible to meet them.”

“Really?” Lucien’s eye ticked, a sound she had noticed when he was thinking hard about something. “That is a huge secret. I’m surprised he told you so willingly.”

Elain shrugged her shoulders, “I guess I’m just a very good courtier and emissary.”

Lucien smiled with pride at his mate, “You certainly are.” 

[gurugirl]

if someone is looking for a good classic romance which one of your fics do you recommend?

This is an interesting ask! It's difficult to say which I recommend based on it being a classic romance. And because I'm quite literal when I'm thinking about this I'll just mention right off that the basic elements to any "classic" romance are in most of my series (long or short) as well as in my longer one-shots.

Examples from my masterlist are (not linking bc it's too much - just peruse!):

ALL of my long and short series

bfd!harry

ex bf dad!harry

I Guess You're All Mine

The Long Weekend

Mixed Signals

Tell Me You Hate Me

The Handyman (tho we have very little angst/push & pull in this one - it's a soft romance)

Sex Tutor

Baby Daddy

^ And that's just on Tumblr. I have more on Patreon.

Please forgive me for the following. I got wordy about the romance genre. Also, this is my very literal brain answering you. Ignore if you like.

A classic romance usually contains the following elements (this is what I like to use - obviously this is a basic structure but you can bet most romance will include this):

(eventual) Lovers meeting (the meet-cute) - this can be a whole section or just the intro to the story - are they enemies at first, is their attraction forbidden, how did they meet, what steps got them to know one another, were they childhood friends, are they current best friends (so many options)

some kind of denial or push and pull (maybe he or she thinks the other couldn't possibly be attracted to them or even something bigger and deeper that keeps them apart at first - like he's not single or she's a company rival, or they live in different countries - lots of options here)

a "thing" that makes them keep coming back together while still being cautious about the relationship (they work together, their kids go to the same school, they wind up at a party together and are drawn to one another, etc.)

then we get to the relationship exploration part - where there are difficulties to overcome as they get to know one another on a deeper level, setting the groundwork for a more stable relationship later (depending on the level of friction you want this can be drawn out a bit - including a whole 2-steps forward + 3-steps back scenario - OR not) - don't forget to include massive tension

sometimes it's fun to throw in some elements that keep the lovers apart - something that really makes them see how much they love the other person and how they want to be together - but this is the angsty part with tons of tension if you want to include angst - which most romance has

then they come back together - an outside force may bring them together or one of them does something to get the other one's attention - here you can have them falling in love or maybe it happened earlier on - but they'll be in love and wanting to be together by now

you can add another falling out or some kind of sacrifice that needs to be made if you like - something to just infuriate the reader or engage them further (LOL) - but definitely have them making up again and accomplishing some kind of goal that you might have set for them at the beginning to make the extra angst worth it (the extra angst is not necessary but it's in a lot of romance where there's like one last fallout - or something that keeps them apart before realizing they can't live w/o the other)

and of course, the resolution and the Happily Ever After!

xoxo

[missnight0wl]

Seeing the last chapter of Beyond, there's the theory that Jacob's roomate and who will take care of him is Olivia, implying that maybe they could have a romance. What do you think about that?

I think Fugly Slut doesn’t deserve anyone’s care, definitely not Olivia’s. But if it really has to happen, I think he should prove that he deserves it. I mean, Olivia is an intelligent girl, y’know, so Jacob should prove his intellect by getting out of the Forbidden Forest on his own. If he manages to do that, then MAYBE he deserves Olivia.

*random voice from the back* Uhm, but he’s blind, remember? Wouldn’t it be nearly impossible for him to get out of the Forest without being devoured by creatures?

I’m sorry, did I stutter? I don’t think I did, especially since I’m writing all of this.

More seriously though, this is so wrong on so many levels – even if we ignore Olivia for a moment. And I know that Jam City didn’t think twice about any of that, but it won’t stop me from pointing out how stupid it is.

Ok, so this is how the conversation between Jacob and MC went:

So, since MC actually started looking for the flat like days before starting their job, and they allegedly decided to live with Jacob “months ago” and “shortly after” MC’s graduation, I have to assume that it was decided before MC found their current flat. And that means that MC was probably looking for a flat for two – whether it meant an additional room or just more space. Then they kept paying for the flat bigger than they needed, they were preparing for the needs of a blind person… only to hear that THEIR “DEAR” BROTHER CHANGED HIS FUCKING MIND. And to make it even worse, he didn’t even inform us about it. He just… made a decision. He basically said:

“I changed my mind, and I didn’t even bother to tell you about it because that’s how little I care about anyone who’s not me.”

If someone did something like that to me in real life, I’d be absolutely fuming, and I wouldn’t even hesitate before kicking that person out of my life. Again, I know JC didn’t think about it this deep and they probably came up with the whole idea just now, but… how the hell nobody realised that they portrayed Jacob as an even bigger jerk than he already was??

As for Olivia, I guess that V1Ch7 basically confirmed that Jacob lives with her:

And again, it only shows that he’s a fucking jerk. Because imagine that you decide to take care of your blind friend, you come home after a long day of work, you cook for them… and then they fucking complain that your chicken is too dry. Like, what the fuck, Jacob? And before you say that maybe it was more like a joke, or that you can’t get better at cooking without genuine feedback…

OLIVIA WAS SO BOTHERED BY THAT “CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM” THAT SHE KEPT THINKING ABOUT IT FOR THE NEXT DAY. AT WORK. And her face says that she doesn’t think it was a dick move, even if she doesn’t want to admit it yet.

Also, I really don’t understand what JC was thinking because like… they were never even shown as particularly close friends? You could expect that they would get close after they cleared things up between them, but the writers simply did show it. He doesn’t even like her puns! (Of course he doesn’t, he’s the worst.)

Sure, Olivia did visit him at the hospital, but it felt to me more like… just a polite thing to do. I mean, it’s not like she was spending there days or anything. So like… What the hell? It’s just random.

Finally, as for the romance aspect… Yeah, I’m afraid that JC will take it in this direction. Because otherwise, why Jacob wouldn’t want to tell us right away who’s his roommate? And I guess I don’t have to say at this point that I think it’s disgusting, revolting, stupid, and simply makes no sense.

I think that in-game Jacob should cease to exist, and Olivia deserves SO MUCH BETTER – both when it comes to a roommate and a partner. In-game Jacob is a jerk, he's childish, he's egoistic. He's the worst.

(Also, how it’s possible he's even uglier as an adult?)

[shizuu-chann]

I need to write my thoughts, so if you have no interest in Horizon: Forbidden West, then feel free to move along. No worries. But I have Thoughts about the Burning Shores DLC, more specifically the introduction of Seyka as a love interest. Spoilers abound; you've been warned. Also, not looking for a debate. I won't be debating. If you like Seyka and the romance, that's your business. I'm not here to change you mind. I'm just here to express my opinion.

Before anything else, let's address one thing: my opinion on this pair has absolutely nothing to do with it be a lesbian couple, or fuck's sake, Seyka's race. Anyone who knows me or has been following me for a while knows that none of that offends me, and I embrace diversity in all forms. So, for anyone inclined to do so, don't come at me in the comments/reblogs/tags trying to paint me like a villain because of my opinion on the plot and the romance itself as a plot device. Everyone knows this is the website where if you say ANYTHING negative about the above, there are going to be people who decide you're a bad person when you're not, and I don't feel like dealing with that.

Getting into it, I'm sure you could gather from the paragraph above the cut that I am not a fan of the Aloy/Seyka pairing. Seyka has grown on me a bit more since playing through the DLC a second time, but man do I think she makes a terrible first impression (and by "first," I mean the first time playing through the entire main story). I hate how she jumps down Aloy's throat for "keeping secrets" when she does the same thing, and I hate even more that Aloy gives a shit about how upset Seyka gets hearing about Nemesis coming to destroy life on Earth. Like, bitch, she asked. Don't get upset with the person who told you the truth when you asked for it, and don't feel somehow guilty about revealing the info when that's what the person literally wanted! To be fair to Seyka, she says something similar when she said "At least you were honest" when Aloy apologizes (again, why???) for "dropping that on her." So, there's that, I guess.

In general, I just think the whole romance was weird and out of place. If I had to choose between Seyka and no romance, I'd choose no romance. Personally, I ship Aloy with Avad. I really like Avad, I think he's cute and a good person, and I'd be interested to see how they would make that relationship work. Barring Avad, I like her and Erend, or even Talanah (Talanah's crush on Amadis notwithstanding). At least with any of those three, or even just Avad or Erend, there's history there. Aloy knows Seyka for, like, two weeks tops in game (going based purely off how many day/night cycles went by while playing through this time, more like 5-7 days). It feels very much to me like a summer camp fling: something that's fun and new, and you really get along with this person, but then you have to go home and back to reality, and eventually you forget about each other and move on. I'd be okay with her joining the squad back at the Base, but only as a friend. I really don't feel like dealing with that weird tension in the next game.

Which brings up my next point on why this romance is not good, in my opinion: why did they introduce it so late? Now, I enjoy DLCs. If they seem worth it, I'll buy them, because I love new content and places to explore, but I am also of the opinion that devs/writers shouldn't put seemingly important characters or character development into extra, and clearly optional, content. If it wasn't in the base game, then it's not as important. Otherwise, it would have been included, again, imo. There are going to be people who won't play Burning Shores, and if Seyka makes an appearance in Horizon 3, a lot of people are going to be lost, confused, and reasonably annoyed. I've kind of shipped Aloy with Avad for two entire games at this point, but they're going to introduce an actual whole ass love interest for Aloy in a DLC that you can only play AFTER you've beaten the base game/main quest line? That just feels so forced and strange, and I don't understand why they would do that.

I can understand Aloy not having romantic feelings for anyone in the first game. She's on a mission to find out where she came from and why, stopping another end of the world with HADES, etc. And while the second game is similar, this is also Aloy's character growth journey. She learns how to make friends and rely on them. She learns that she doesn't need to take the fate of the world onto her shoulders, that she can share that burden with people she learns to trust. So introducing a love interest in Forbidden West feels reasonable--but not in a DLC at the end of the game. They should have introduced Seyka much earlier. Hell, I might have even accepted her introduction when meeting Alva at the Greenhouse or going to retrieve Alva and delve into Thebes! I would have been MUCH more receptive to Seyka/Aloy then! But after the whole story is over? Why? For what? What was their thought process???

I've already had an attachment to another character for Aloy to fall in love with, and went the entire second game thinking that maybe she and Avad could have something (because, at least the way I play/interpret it, they seem to have something, even if it's only a mutual respect--I mean, Avad clearly has a crush, but I play Aloy like she reciprocates, but is just too busy to think about it). All that only for some random person to show up and get shoehorned into the plot at the last second and go "hey, look at me! I'm hot and badass, AND a carbon copy of you, Aloy! I have all your physical abilities, the same temperament and outlook on life with only minor differences, and we both even have sisters! Isn't that awesome? Aren't I awesome? Now, act like a weird, stuttering mess as you develop this weird and out-of-character attachment to me after knowing me for a week."

I've run out of steam writing this now, but I think I got my point across. This crush of Aloy's just feels so out of place and out of character. It would have been much better had it not been so abrupt and fast. If she'd had the whole game, or at least a decent chunk of the MAIN game to develop it, I would be more receptive, but this? I just can't. I don't like it. ANY romance introduced THIS LATE and THIS QUICKLY is bad.

[fateinthestars]

Happy Halloween!

Well it's Halloween, so there's only one choice for which special stories to cover in one of my thoughts/review/rambling posts: Decadent Kisses on a Devilish Night: Wishes and Decadent Kisses on a Devilish Night: Punishments

Spoilers under cut

Decadent Kisses on a Devilish Night: Wishes

Leon: An Invitation to a Forbidden Ceremony

I know MC wanted you to intervene with the other's teasing Leon but I actually think letting MC go with you was a mistake. Yes she should have thought a bit more but there was no need to put her close to danger in the first place.

Talking of that teasing though it's kinda funny how Leon is more 'eh, whatever, I wanna watch MC squirm' rather than how the others get obviously jealous in their own ways. I know they did actually get to him a little but he's clearly more confident and self-assured than a lot of them.

This is all a bit of a mess really though. MC should have stayed put but if she could only stay there, her being in the heavens seems pretty pointless really.

Still Leon's sweet at the end here.

Teorus: A Night with You, the Black Cat

The insistence on the outfit aside (and even there he realises he needs to keep MC safe), this one trends more towards the Teo I like. He's even really sweet when he turns down the competition prize, although once again he uses his powers without thinking things through. I guess it came from the right place in this one though and if I can't get mad at Ichthys then it'd be hypocritical of me to be annoyed with Teo. It's Halloween after all. What's a little magic gonna matter?

Yes this one is actually really really sweet, and nothing here leaves me feeling exasperated.

(You can probably tell by now that my feelings regarding Teo are all over the place lol)

Huedhaut: A Love Potion's Sweet Trap

Oww. My heart. Poor Hue. I don't think he would have ever forgiven himself if that had gone further at that point.

But Hue, you told MC about that myth regarding that ball. Please talk to MC soon.

I wonder whether anyone's ever done this special story before reading any of Hue's routes. I mean his and MC's linked past is subtley there in other paths but this seems pretty blatant.

And Leon 'not all the potion's fault' indeed. Is that just your way of trying to nudge Hue in the right direction?

(Another timeline note here: Clearly before they are dating but it also can't be in Hue's path timeline because it'd contradict the sequel epilogue. It seem more like this (and Ichthys' story as he has his divine powers without MC being present) happen in a timeline where the marks of sin were solved without any romance being involved).

Decadent Kisses on a Devilish Night: Punishments

Scorpio: Jinxed

The King really enjoys making Scorpio feel awkward and pissing him off if he's the one with MC doesn't he?

But anyway, that's a sideline to what actually is important in this one.

You know Scorpio, maybe instead of warning MC off potential scenarios and mentioning about going to your room, perhaps you could have found a way to more clearly say: that market stall holder? Stay away from her? Just a thought.

Scorpio's tender side really shines through in this one though. Yes he knew MCs thoughts but he could have just ignored it, and he definitly didn't have to use that myth to reassure MC and yet he still does despite making his own feelings on such things clear earlier in the evening.

I seem to be haiving trouble reading Scorpio again though. Try as I might I can't get a blessed ending on this.

Dui: The Magic of Your Kiss

Poor Dui. All he wanted was a quiet night alone with MC, and the others are either being oblivious or willfully obtuse.

I love how genuinely upset he is at the thought that Humans can't eat fresh cherries all year round because they go out of season. The whole shopping scene is sweet actually.

Judging by Ichthys' comment I do think they were being willfully obtuse though. At least Hue tries to sort things out. I mean he's not successfull because Leon is also a problem in another way, but at least he tried.

Also MC, wake up! You were clearly put out too, why did you even mention the cake? At least Dui finally worked out what to do.

Ichthys: Bewitching Tricks or Treat

"Is there such a thing as trick or trick?" Oh Ikky 🤣

I fear Ichthys is going to be in a lot of trouble for everything he does here but still it's all a lot of fun.

He did ought to be a tad more careful though!

But yes ignoring something that should be reported, not to mention how risky it seems to hold a party at the mansion with humans present (even if it is only in the grounds), could have seriously backfired.

That said the party itself and the balloons and the costume candy is all really fun. Also, Ichthys totally would be this kind.

I suppose I should do an attempted ranking again, but honestly? All of these are pretty great. I think I'd rank Leon's last, but I'm struggling what order the other's would be in - Unfortunately even though the ending of it is fun and sweet I think I'm going to have to knock Scorpio's down for the lack of warning about the market place itself, and I think I might have to knock Ichthys down a bit for once too even though he did apologise.

So that'll leave us with:

Dui

Huedhaut

Teorus

Ichthys

Scorpio

Leon

Yes you're reading me right I have put Dui top. He deserves it after nearly having his Halloween completely taken over by the others.

[mysticstarlightduck]

Poppy, Rose, and Jam for the world building ask game? 👀

Thank you so much for the Ask, @dreaminggoblin!!! I'll answer this one for my WIP Enchanted Illusions (my Victorian-inspired dark fantasy).

(The Ask Game)

POPPY - What historical event does every student learn about?

I guess that in Ansburke (the main fictional capital city where most of the conflict in Enchanted Illusions takes place) the most important historical event that still haunts the inhabitants of the city (and which caused scars that still affect their society, whether they like it or not) is the centuries-old war between humans and Myths (non-human people, such as vampires, gorgons, faeries, etc), which came to a stop only a 100 years or so before the main book, with a peace treaty that gave start to the "peaceful" coexistence between humans and Myths in the main cities, an event often referred to as The Dawn - even though the truth is much darker, and some humans haven't accepted peace and want the war to start again from the inside out of the city, this being the main conflict of the book the protagonists need to prevent.

ROSE - What is the most known myth?

There are many legends and stories from both sides - both humans and myths - many of which tell the tale of the time before there was peace between humans and creatures. One of the most well-known myths is the tale of a forbidden romance between a human prince and a Myth commoner at the height of the war, centuries ago, and the tragic fate that their love ended in - though slightly hopeful, with their half-human, half-myth child being often seen as the proof humans and creatures could create a brighter future together. To some, that is a cautionary tale of what their society can do to innocent people, to others, a story about finding hope even in the darkest times.

There are also many different versions of how the current peace treaty came to be - some believe one version, others another. Most people have a hopeful or neutral interpretation of that story. However, some of the most belligerent humans say that the peace treaty is a farse, justification for their prejudice.

JAM - Share your favorite piece of worldbuilding information!

Hum... That's a tough one! I like a lot of things about the little world I created for Enchanted Illusions, from the aesthetics, the masquerades, and the different nooks and crannies of a city so full of secrets, lies, and intrigue. From the workings of the cruel Hemlock Society to the grim cobblestone streets of the lower alleys and the social web of the city's inhabitants, there's a lot to discover in this WIPs world. I also like giving my own spin to common mythological creatures, which are the basis for the Myth people in this book!

However, I guess one of my favorite details of this world is the Sorcerer Council, which is the "magical elite" of Ansburke. It's my favorite for a couple of reasons: I love writing political intrigue, especially if it involves the hypocrisies and secrets often associated with high society. The Sorcerer High Council, often known simply as High Council or just the Council, mixes all of that political intrigue and secrecy with the workings of magical hierarchy and spell-casting orders of the city, giving it a whole other layer. It has very strict rules, and its members are expected to be exemplary individuals worthy of representing the magical order they hail from. While, in theory, the Council exists to ensure the safety and common good of the people of Ansburke, some of its members - those with friends in even higher places and a lot of dangerous influence in the city's underworld - have grown complacent and often care more about money than the lives they're supposed to use their talents to protect. A once fair system - when it came to choosing the most talented apprentice from each magical domain/academy - has given way to a cutthroat competition where candidates are often chosen out of nepotism or convenience, rather than raw talent. It parallels some of the core issues with the very city of Ansburke and heavily represents some of the themes this story discusses/criticizes.

Not all of the members of the Council are bad, there are some really good people there who genuinely want to help the city thrive - but they are vastly outnumbered by the others who are more powerful and who are there only to deal with politics/gain money. Those who try to stand in the way of that corrupted side of the Council usually become either expelled from it, "eliminated" (let's just say some Council members made others conveniently disappear), or silenced in some other way. That's why Damien Daemitya chose a silent approach to his dealing with the other Council members - he wants to make a change but realized that if he doesn't pretend to play along with their game, he'll just become another casualty, and that would do no good to the city he wants to protect (that and the fact he wants to shelter his daughter from all of this mess).

I guess I just love writing complicated, often "not what it seems" organizations with dark secrets hidden beneath a gilded facade. It is also the origin of some of the subplots and other main conflicts in the story, so I have a lot of fun developing this aspect of Ansburke! (:

[botheringlevi]

I was scrolling by and I saw you like romance novels, I would’ve never thought. It’s cute. What trope do you like the most?

I’m very into romance/erotica books myself and I love books about love, and this is me rambling on about stuff you probably don’t care about. I am nothing but a curious creature.

I don't see why this is a burning question, but I'll answer it.

Like I said, it's a guilty pleasure. I'll explain what's shitty first—it's impossible not to mention this anyway. The further in the Walls you shop for books, the crazier those kinds of stories become. I think I've mentioned this before... but the most glaring kind is women who fall in love with damaged but attractive men whose dark secret is their ability to Titanize. I could've sworn I was reading that shit wrong, so I flipped through one of those filthy books and it seems like the woman either gets the Titan to change his ways by the end, or he's cured. More rarely, the Titan is a woman... the man is usually a soldier or something, and their love is forbidden. In that case the soldier finds her so disgusting she goes out of her way to cure herself, and it's all the same. I'd collect all these just to get them off the shelves, but it's a waste of money and matches.

Besides the obvious disgusting fact, books in Sina like those tend to have strange... quirks. They always end up married by the end, and with a couple kids. Not that it's bad thing or anything... but it gets old since it happens every time.

The pairing is always between a man and a woman. Variations are more rare in real life, sure... but... this is fiction, isn't it? What's stopping these authors from writing one damn story? Considering the cash they rake in from writing about fucking Titans, it wouldn't hurt their bottom-line, would it?

It'd be annoying to get further into that, and I'm already way off track from what this whole question was about, so forget it.

Maybe you two could help with this. Certain ways characters interact are confusing. It seems like the love interests... especially the man, doesn't treat the woman with decency. I mean lies... or manipulating the situation so she'll end up with him, and the most confusing part is that she eventually agrees. Or... as you said Morgyn, an erotic scene appears from nowhere. The woman might object, but it goes on each time when she's convinced in some way. By that point I've stopped reading.

I'm not an expert, and books including that aren't my thing, but that kind of shit makes no sense to me.

I avoid tragic endings. They're too depressing. Petra is one of those people who obsess over romance stories, so if I'd ask her how an ending—vaguely—goes, and she'll answer. She acts embarrassed when we talk about that sort of thing, but she's my best source of information, so, I have to endure those conversations.

No idea why she gets embarrassed. Of spoiling the ending, if I had to guess. There's Erwin, surprisingly... but it's somehow more awkward to ask him.

Love triangles are a waste of time... but I'll read them if the plot makes up for it. People who've known each other forever—as friends, coworkers, or so on—and are too stupid to realize their feelings for each other... and drag this out through the whole story irritate me. It's a constant pain. My opinion changes if they have other obstacles. Or completely opposite, I like reading about strangers who meet and were... somehow bound to be together, as they navigate conflict that tests their bond.

Despite what I said earlier... forbidden relationships in general aren't bad. Enemies who find common ground, and get attached. And then, one who has no choice but to make an enemy out of the other again despite everything they feel going against that—that fake betrayal. Some battle happens, and the "enemy" ends up injuring the other before coming to their senses. That's the best trope to me.

I ended up rambling too, Morgyn. Don't assume I don't care.

...And thanks for the tea, Milan.

[taegularities]

Hello lovely Rid 💕💕

How have you been? I hope you're happy and that the writing of papers has been going well!

As to your question about the tropes, there's been many that I thought I didn't like but now love a lot lol. And it's the simplest stuff like I used to think I didn't like friends to lovers when I love that now. I'm pretty partial to rommates stuff too and exes to lovers. But I've come to find that as much as I like enemies to lovers or even rivals to lovers, that one is the easiest to get wrong imo because a lot of the time it's not very believable, the same goes for a lot of forbidden romances.

Really, I like most things like fantasy aus, arranged marriages, fake dating but something that really makes me annoyed is miscommunication tbh. Again, a lot of my dislike for it comes from the fact that most times, there aren't any believable reasons for why it occurs, it's just used as a plot device when the whole story and plot would crumble if the characters just had one normal conversation. I understand it when the characters have ulterior motives or personal reasons like trauma, personality traits etc. that prevent them from talking about something, but a lot of the time there really is no reason for it.

I think I've mentioned before that I'm not the biggest fan of angst? Like I wouldn't personally purposefully seek out things with heavy angst (although somehow this is only true for fanfic because the novels that i read are mostly quite sad). So in that way I guess you could say things like love triangles and unhappy endings or major character death aren't exactly my thing. But I've found that if I really like an author's work I am willing to read that kind of thing and I do enjoy it (through tears)! Maybe I'm just not brave enough to pick it up just for the sake of the angst and sadness.

Okay you only asked for one of each and I gave you a ramble like always lol. I'm sure I missed a lot too, there's many smaller ones that I enjoy a lot but can't think of right now, but I think this is long enough anyway lmao.

What are some of your favourite and least favourite tropes/genres? Sending lots of loveee 💞💞

hi, ivi, my love !! i've been okay, today was just a lil odd (and so hot ugh). how are you? how has freedom been treating you? 💕

ahhh, i know that feeling! i used to not read a couple tropes/genres either, but times have changed lmao (like, i couldn't really fck with degradation? not a "trope" i guess, but you know what i mean. and now i love using it lowkey :')). i remember you saying the same when you read c&f !! so true, e2l can be done well or not :')

and yes, you did also mention the angst thing! totally understandable that you wouldn't read these tropes unless they're by someone you really like. i think i'm kinda the same? those stories definitely need one to be brave. and don't worry about rambling jskadhjkad you know i love hearing all about your thoughts. so thank you <3

mmmh, my favourites are college aus, i really love e2l, I ADORE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVES SO SO SO MUCH. and i like romance in general – when you see how much someone means to someone. of course i love angst – those are stories i remember the best. but (and surprise??), i am wary of heavy angst (unless, as you said, it's by someone i like reading!!). like, i could write mcd or love triangles (which i will lol), but reading it? trauma for a week :')

what are your favourite and least favourite genres/tropes?

[dtaegis]

tldr of the thoughts i have of the female to male rivals

osana -> osano: doesn't change much, but osano focus more on the denying aspect than the "it's not like i like you!!!" aspect. if that's a good thing, it's up to personal preference

amai -> amao: by making her the cute baker wife potential, yandev makes her too forced. when changing into a man and taking out the wife potential, amao is a genuine caring person

kizana -> kizano: it doesn't change much, but kizana seems like the character that would expect her loved one to change for her, but her herself would also change a bit. kizano seems like someone who'd only expect his loved one to be perfect for him

oka -> oko: doesn't change much, but oko's chances of taking initiative are a biit higher. again, it's up to personal preference to decide if this is a good thing

asu -> aso: her whole personality is girl who does sports. in the male rival introduction video, aso says he'd put his life in danger for ayano if that'd be ever necessary, so he has more personality than boy who does sports (that's why he's my fave 🫶)

muja -> mujo: muja seems innocent and clumsy, but she can be sensual when it's convenient for her (guess what: because she has tits). since mujo is titless, he turns into a genuine clumsy and rather innocent character. even their tone of voice are different in their respective videos

mida -> mido: already explained

osoro -> osorō: the only downgrade, actually. osorō is cool and all, but osoro is already perfect as a "bad boy" girl falling for a rather common boy. 10/10 trope. osorō is just a bad boy

hanako -> hanakō: like i said, her personality is sister. by making him a character not related to the protag, he turns into friend

megami -> megamo: two sides of a coin. megami's storyline is that she's trying to stop a serial killer, and megamo's is he falling in love with said serial killer. bonus point because i love an intense forbidden romance

[notebookmusical]

Back for Part 2! Gosh..I think the Ragtime casting is so amazing too and I think Joshua Henry will be so great in this role. Haha wow..I remember watching the bootleg and being pretty impressed with the prologue especially. I do find the show a bit confusing or hard to follow so I couldn't imagine going in blind omg. There's just a lot of characters and stuff going on but I can totally see why you cried. Now thinking about it, I might have cried at Wicked or Hadestown..maybe Rent or Color Purple but not sure. It wouldve only been a few tears though and maybe like awe for seeing the show..idk. I'm not really a crier I guess. I remember my sister crying when we watched Finding Neverland bootleg though. Can't wait to hear about the Notebook experience!

I honestly don't remember much about Gypsy except Mama Rose so I'm not too interested in the rest of the cast honestly but she would be great! I only remember a few songs from the musical and can barely remember any other characters singing lol. But I do think Audra will be a star and give it her all so I'm still excited. This is why I like revivals..it reminds me about shows I've forgotten about lol. I am really hoping The Last Five Years will be good..it's the opposite where that's a show I know all of it well mostly cuz it's sung through. I did get pretty used to the movie and Jeremy singing the songs and I think Nick Jonas might not be that bad with these songs or too far from that. I mean..it's not as difficult as Les Mis and maybe he's improved from that or since then lol. Adrienne's voice does not seem very much like Cathy though so I guess we will see. I agree The staging and it only being two people will be hard to do on Broadway and mainly just by yourself singing songs. What else is the stage design supposed to look like or have on it..so things like that, but maybe it doesn't matter too much. Idk what they usually do either.

Those are nice choices! I am not as familiar with some of these shows..I can barely remember Drowsy Chaperone and am only familiar with a few songs from Secret Garden and Wild Party. But your Bridges choice seems great lol and A Chorus Line would be interesting. It is hard to think of older shows to revive sometimes but somehow they are doing Sunset Boulevard again after only like 6 years I think back in 2017 so you never know. I would pick Passion for another Sondheim musical and wonder how that would be since all Sondheim revivals seem successful.

I was enjoying both of these but honestly haven't been reading so I might read more today and tomorrow. My favorite tropes are second chance romance, friends to lovers, right person wrong time, love triangles if it makes sense, and like star crossed lovers forbidden love or secret relationships and poor boy loves rich girl lol. I also like stories that describe the whole characters relationship and how it got there. I'm a fan of past and present timelines mostly. I'm not really a fan of fake dating at all. In YA, I like a lot of mental health and more tragic stuff though and stories about friendships and families. What about you?

So at first I thought the casting was for Beach read and wasn't sure about it but I guess People we Meet on Vacation fits more. I'm not familiar with either of them so I really don't know. But I can try to finally finish the book and maybe try to picture them as the characters so it's like a movie. I'll see how that goes since I only know him from Ballad of Songbirds and he had another hair color lol. I hope it's good cuz they were approved by Emily I think. I also just found out that Every Summer After will have a sort of sequel about the characters brother romance and idk how to feel about it but I guess I'm looking forward to it. I'm enjoying this one but I think Every Summer After would still be my favorite but this didn't seem similar to me. I still haven't read Meet Me at the Lake so maybe will read that will people we Meet too, since that was announced as a movie a while ago too. I guess I'm happy about it cuz I always like romance movies anyway haha.

I honestly don't know what Taylor will do for the recordings either. Both options sort of make sense, but I think I agree with you. my sister even said today and we agreed since we already had a new album, she wouldn't mind waiting a year instead of nothing to look forward to next year when tour is over. I know people might want them done or as soon as possible, but I don't really mind. Well she already announced Speak Now TV and 1989 TV on tour..so I think she would again if it's that soon and of course I would be excited. I agree with your Collab choices too even if I'm not sure which will happen. I could totally see Maggie Rogers or Halsey for rep though. I'm so happy for Maisie and Holly for opening, and could even see them as good choices for debut too haha but she might want to keep it country people. I don't think Kacey likes Taylor though and not sure how their voices would be.

I finally listened to Clairo and enjoyed it. She kinda has a specific sound and voice that makes her music unique. I've listened to Gretta Ray a little bit..maybe I should listen more. I think she's okay but maybe too similar to Maisie to me. I also listened to Kacey's deluxe album which was fine but I think she picked the right songs on the album and they all started sounding alike. This week I am also focused on listening to Beabadoobee's album who also opened for Taylor! I would say this album is almost similar vibes to Taylor and softer than her previous albums. I wasn't impressed at first since I prefer some rock and guitar but it's growing on me now. The song Coming Home kinda had a similar feeling to Sweet Nothing and I really liked her song Beaches which was a good mix of her two styles. If you like Bea, i'd say Soccer Mommy is pretty similar actually! Like she does rock but also has some softer songs and I have a feeling her new album might be like that too. I just love her for her super relatable lyrics and vibes. I can try to give some recommendations if you want too. My favorite color is still pink but I changed it to green in 6th grade for some reason and I feel like it is an underappreciated color. Clearly I was always meant to be a Wicked Stan! I love saying pink goes good with green cuz those are the two colors I wear the most haha. Also omg how were the concerts? That's so cool and fun..I'd love to see Olivia live. Do you have any tips or anything since I am going to my concert next week? I will also send a review after. Actually tour starts tonight and I'm going to try to avoid spoilers if I can! I hope you have an awesome trip in New York if I don't talk to you again!!!

replying under the cut <3

i actually don't know a whole lot about gypsy either so you can take my sondheim stan card away haha. i love revivals but i wish sometimes they were a little more innovative and different! i tend to be a revival enjoyer unless it's like, the recent west side story revival haha. i'm really intrigued by the last five years, and my brain keeps wanting to classify it as a revival but no!! it's a new musical! it's never had a broadway transfer. it'll be interesting to see how it does stacked up against everything else! ooh i would love a passion revival! i think we should always have a sondheim show running on broadway 🙂‍↕️

oh i am so sleepy but i will give you some recs hehe:

second chance romance: this is everything 2 me. i loveeee second chance romance. and also i don't have a lot of good second chance romance recs ASIDE FROM PERSUASION the og :( everything i've ever read that's second chance tends to disappoint me.

friends to lovers: love, rosie (movie), where rainbows end (book love rosie is based off of), people we meet on vacation (book), when harry met sally (movie, perfection), the flatshare (book)

right person wrong time: MY FAVORITE TROPE ......... unfortunately have yet to find it in a book that i think is good enough but. once (movie/musical, which you obviously know). roman holiday (movie). oh it's everything to me. i guess normal people (book, tv) if you squint. kind of.

love triangles: i cannot think of a single love triangle book right now i am so sorry

star crossed lovers/forbidden love/secret relationships: also blanking on this one

poor boy loves rich girl: i don't have any rec recs here for books or movies but if you ever want to suffer through 6 terrible seasons of gossip girl (my beloved) for dan and blair (my most beloved) they're perfect to me i will not take criticism on this one. in hindsight i would also put normal people here.

also have i pitched the seven year slip to you? i'm sorry if i have! i am very sleepy haha. which i think you can tell from the jumbled reply here but i wanted to reply before your concert!!!! anyways, it's perfect and i do think you'd like it it's kind of adjacent to a lot of these tropes but not quite. but i love it dearly.

some of my favorite tropes: right person wrong time, second chance romance, friends to lovers (similar to you)! i don't mind fake dating; i actually love most tropes if done well and especially if they manage to put their own spin on things!

i didn't know every summer after is getting an adaptation!! that'll be interesting! i loveee a good romance movie! especially rom coms! we need the like 90s-2000s rom com movement back!

do we think she's announcing rep tv tomorrow? i guess by the time you see this and reply we'll know! part of me wants to say yes but i really don't think it's going to happen tomorrow. we'll see though! i feel like i keep seeing more things that make me go hmmm maybe and then i'm like no never mind i think she's just messing with us. i would love a maggie collab — i think about her cover of tim mcgraw all the time! i still haven't listened to the new halsey songs, i should do that soon! i'm so proud of holly and maisie both for opening :") i watched both sets on livestream and was just so so happy for them both. andddd yeah i don't think kacey likes taylor much haha

i loveee the new clairo. it's just so good! and gretta and maisie are friends so it makes sense that you think they're similar — and maisie sings backup on one of gretta's songs :) i haven't listened to new kacey yet, but i did listen to the new beabadoobee last week and enjoyed it. i haven't listened to it again since though and i don't think any particular track really stuck with me unfortunately but it is a solid album/listen-through. i also finally listened to the new hozier! i'll check out soccer mommy! i've heard good things but haven't yet! and in return, have you listened to alessi rose? i really like her ep and have been playing that quite a bit lately! that and the new del water gap deluxe songs :) oh and skullcrusher! you know i'll always take recommendations from you my friend!!

my concerts were both really really fun! i loved olivia's set and she's really grown as a performer since she was first starting out :") and the japanese house was so special because i got to see her with a close friend and at the zoo AND it was her biggest headlining show to date!! eep! i think my only concert tips are: bring earplugs! if you don't have them already, i recommend the loop ones but if you forget them no big deal (i forgot mine for olivia and had to ask for some) most arenas/stadiums will have earplugs!! just go to guest services or accessibility 🤍 and triple check the bag policy! sometimes you're allowed to bring a factory sealed water bottle which i love doing. and i personally like drinking a liquid iv when i get home post-concert (liquid iv + tylenol) just because i know i've screamed a lot/need to hydrate more. other tips: wear comfy shoes! bring a backup phone charger! if you're sensitive to flashing lights, try wearing sunglasses so it's not as IN your face — i did that at olivia and it helped a bit i think! but most importantly: be aware of your surroundings and HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!

i can't wait to hear about your concert!! sending love and big hugs!

[the-tomato-patch]

The Hand that Yearns for You ( Ch.2 )

Summary:

"Scourge, his agent, and Wrath had personally seen his death. The Force sang of the finality of that moment in a way that could only be fully understood in hindsight, and it mourned his passing equally. It would take generations for the Force to truly accept and settle once more, and then it would take longer to fill the vacuum." Scourge struggles with the concept of freedom and wonders where he will go now that his three hundred year burden is over.

Pairing:

Jedi Knight x Lord Scourge ( Pre-relationship )

Word Count:

2.0k+

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50967205/chapters/136982368#workskin

Chapter 2

Time flowed, the sun set and the moon rose, days passed and the stars chased away the darkness. And still, things always hung in a state of potential. Potential love, hidden feelings, old grudges, pain not dealt with. Everything existing somewhere, something that would only take a hand, a word, and its manifestation would follow as natural as dawn on the heel of night. Some saw that potential as large as it was small. Either could be a handful of the purest love or a knife twisted expertly into the most vile jealousy. 

For Scourge, it had started slowly, building for years without his notice, from a simple indifference to a grudging acceptance, even companionable tolerance, then a budding friendship that exploded into this all-consuming fire which threatened to devour him whole with the release of emotions long since buried by duty, logic, and necessity.  Festering and ugly, and yet, beautiful. Like an affliction. And how did one approach this inevitable conclusion? How does one see the infection and not cut off their own arm to save themselves from its spread, fear the possibility of what their addiction to the one of their truest hearts desires could inflict upon them? Despite everything telling him it was not the Sith way, Scourge wanted it. It should've been wrong. And it very well could destroy him. But so would the eventual outcome where he didn't indulge this aching need. So long denied, never properly examined, for it had always been a forbidden fruit for a Sith. 

He never had been like the rest though, having dabbled in the passions of romance once before as an acolyte, and perhaps even love, however brief, as an apprentice. How strange was it, he thought wryly as he listened to the wind caress the leaves of the tree he sat under in the dark. That one as cursed and cold as he, filled with so much darkness, could find the brightness that this Jedi's soul, no, more than just a Jedi... Someone he had sworn an oath to, one who had his back unerringly, fought beside him, respected him, the occasional laughs they had shared, the insults, the understanding of what it meant to sacrifice, to walk a line neither the light nor the dark. She had known, had understood even as his lightsaber blade lit up red in the midst of all the chaos of her descent from his former masters fortress, just before his betrayal to the Emperor he'd sworn fealty to three centuries before, that the Force had found their threads and weaved them upon a tapestry for reasons even he couldn't understand beyond the necessity of purging a cancer upon the galaxy. He was to her what she was to him: A catalyst of change.

"I hope I'm not interrupting you," said the voice of his salvation, his penance. He watched her approach silently, unable to summon the energy to answer her beyond a low, welcoming hum. "Thinking again?" Rhiasen guessed when he failed to vocalize his reply. Her words were the warmest breeze in the dark, wrapping around his mind with her calm and pleasant tenor, and suddenly the tree bark at his back felt more solid, grounding. 

"Nothing that couldn't wait," he said dismissively when his Jedi settled next to him. Her robe-clad shoulder leaned against him, a delicate curve where her flesh met his. The heat of her body, a comfort he never quite could admit to seeking, and so did by sheer luck. 

They sat together there, side by side. Silenced by the small gestures of comfort offered through the solace of quiet and companionship. Scourge liked these moments, he would call them tender, even, a rare quality not easily cultivated nor taken lightly in their world of peril.

There was tension there. Tension neither of them wanted. Uncomfortable questions hung in the air unanswered, desires half-voiced in the safety of dreams. Yet none moved, unwilling to break this little illusion of peace they'd managed to acquire. It had been a handful of days since their last moments. In which she'd questioned and he'd struggled to put his mind to words and lashed out in defense of it. They hadn't spoken more than a few sentences to each other beyond the requirements of their work together. Everything had been so busy and now...

The sky was clear tonight. No storms, nor the threat of one. Perfect clarity for all the stars in the sky to shimmer their eternal light down upon the surface, twinkling to mark their attendance to the affairs of mortals. His heart beat in a quickening pace. Each rise and fall of his chest a measure of his doubt.

He was sure that was not the way a Sith ought to feel. Insecurity did not suit him. And yet, there it was, seeping in, threatening to drown him. But her warmth was an anchor to reality, giving him the resolve to face his own. There would not be a future without her presence in it, now would there? How long did one fight an inevitability? And did he want to, even? No... No he did not. Even if it meant destruction, Scourge had reached his conclusion. Now all he had to do was follow through with it. "The other day, I'd meant to spare you from... myself. This..."

"Then don't," the words rushed out, hot, feverish. Like they had been boiling just beneath her tongue, waiting for the right moment to unleash. A krayt dragon, its scales flashed with sparks. And a dragon Rhiasen was, beautiful and terrible. For a second, they just stared at each other. A quick flick of eyes from him to her. Both trying to understand the shift, the air becoming hot and oppressive, and then she looked away first. Not as an escape but-

"Let me finish," he interjected, a bark of a request for silence that could've earned him a baring of fangs. Rhiasen merely sucked in a breath and let it out. Obedient and resigned. All her attention, her regard, fell back onto him once more. It had the desired effect.

"I am going to admit something that is very difficult for me; something only you could get me to confess." He started slow, feeling the prickle of his nerves along his arms, "For all my unnaturally long life, my focus was always singular. All consuming. Duty. Protect Vitiate. Destroy Vitiate. Always laboring towards one goal, for one person. But now Vitiate is gone, and I find myself at the start of many uncertain paths. Where do they lead? Where do I direct the power of these emotions that I have no felt for centuries?" 

Scourge pointedly looked at her then, finally facing her. And with his will, summoned up the energy to let himself be seen, feel, vulnerable. Bare the hollow cavity where his soul resides, still empty, but not void anymore. Because she has filled the spaces, wove him anew from broken shards. They could heal together, even if the scars didn't fade, only ease with time and comfort. And oh how he craved it. To be loved. To be touched and wanted and trusted. And not just solely for the selfish reason of having a body to burn away the hunger of physical pleasure, but her warmth to combat the hollowness left behind by centuries of solitude, the reminder that he was needed and missed when gone. And not just as a Sith, not just a weapon for an Emperor, but as a being deserving of soft words whispered in his ears late at night, lips grazing the sharpness of his facial features, teasing smiles and indulgence of mutual desire. All these little things, a piling, amassing mountain of indulgences he never allowed himself. But would now.

"I find it difficult... to speak about my personal wants. The possibilites of the future," Scourge spoke quietly. If one wasn't trained in reading non-verbal cues, one wouldn't have seen her shoulders draw in and the widening of her pupils. This is an important moment and they both know it. She is listening, is hearing every word. "As it stands now... there is nothing else but the future. No past I can't go back and no other road to walk, only this one."

 Rhiasen sat transfixed, gazing intently at his face. One look, one touch and she could probably read his mind. And even though his mental shielding was flawless, she seemed to get the idea and simply turned her body to mirror his. One knee touched his. A reminder he could move and take anything, more, deeper. That there was no rejection to be found. There was only trust and welcome. So Scourge decided, to trust, and welcome. And he carefully took her hand, lifted it, and placed her palm over his chest, where his beating heart lie beneath. 

"The answer is you. I am nothing without you." Scourge squeezed, to try and ensure that she can feel the pounding beneath her fingertips, the rise and fall of breath from his lungs. As much a part of her as her skin and bones were. A devotion no other could match, "In this new life of mine, you are the one thing I would die to protect. You are the one thing I would destroy for.. you are the one thing I treasure. And knowing I have this one thing that is so..." He paused, finding no easy words that could articulate the depths of how this realization consumed him. "extraordinary.. it makes this new life worthwhile."

Scourge ended. No more words, because he had already said everything that was needed. Her gaze had softened, turning contemplative. How easy would it be to just sink into those molten amber depths, as bright and piercing as a lantern in a darkened tunnel. Warmth, acceptance. It made Scourge shiver and ache for so much more. But he would not push, no matter how strong his need to bridge the space between and swallow down those soft sighs and-

"You really are a closeted romantic," Rhiasen chided affectionately, voice thick and heady. Like sweet wine, to dizzy the mind and intoxicate. But he wasn't hearing the admonishment, not completely, instead picking up on the affection, and then the briefest tremor of her lower lip, how her brows drew together just enough, and before she could muster up the emotional defenses that she was building to hold back whatever her thoughts had conjured, Scourge closed the distance, pressed their foreheads together, and simply let the touch speak.

"I feel the same way, Scourge. Always. I promise." The Jedi had let down her walls in an instant and all her feelings came forth, as transparent as spring water and refreshing as a bath, but scorching as fire to the mind. There were no grand gestures here, no attempts at seduction. Nothing, but them. A Jedi Knight with her head against a Sith Lord. They breathed, together. Nothing else seemed necessary as they existed in this moment. The great beast of emotion sated into purr with their closeness.

Scourge stroked her cheek. Reverence. That's what he felt with every pass of his thumb. Soft. Delicate. Precious. These feelings were meant for the people and things one truly loves, and never did they have an object until now. He had known companionship in all its myriad forms and shades. None ever elicited this aching joy, this fearful, pounding desire. Scourge didn't have any notion for when they parted ways from the tree or who drew back first to face each other. One moment, they were touching, and the next, sharing breaths as their foreheads separated. And before long, they shared a kiss. A press of lips, too chaste and short for him to explore as he wished. But as good a start as any to ease back into old memories of touching and sighing. Of chasing. Of letting instinct guide him in the language his heart so clearly yearned, so obvious yet buried underneath layers and layers of Sith trappings.

No more of that. His master was gone. Those trappings had all burnt with him on the sacrificial pyre to destroy a Sith spurned god. So he had no one to deny him the indulgence of running a thumb over her bottom lip, holding her gaze in silent entreat. And so under the remaining silence of night, they closed the distance once more to find the fire smouldering between. To savor its glow and invite its warmth closer. In the caress of soft lips and stifled breath.

[thelightningthatjumpsbetween]

Thirty Two

RE8 | Wintersberg | Romance, Slow Burn | Action, Sci-Fi

Sequel of Winters and the Beast, a Resident Evil: Village Story

Table Of Contents

Ethan pondered, feeling as though he should postpone this decision–to bury what was, in a way, left of Mia.  He wanted to think about it, see if he would feel differently later about this one small ritual he could perform in remembrance of his wife.  He didn’t have a headstone for her, didn’t have anything but an old WWII-era tin flashlight casing full of crystal pieces.  

After ten years, three of which she was gone, and another year spent in denial, it seemed so bleak that this is what he had left.  Their last year had been their most important year, the year Rose was born.  The year he learned what he was, what their whole family was.  Their marriage would not have survived… she likely would have been arrested at some point, according to Chris. 

But his heart still ached for his daughter. 

The BSAA had explicitly forbidden both Ethan and Mia from contacting anyone they knew, after they were taken into custody.  They were moved from safehouse to safehouse, gave interview after interview, test after test (and now, he wondered, how much of what Mia knew was either covered up and lied about, or falsified)--all of that, to finally be released to “protected civilian status”.  It had come with a long, grim contract that included never revealing their whereabouts or the truth of the incident to anyone.  Ethan signed on for contracted military training for everyone else's benefit.  

The BSAA would put more trust in the Winters family if they were insiders, wouldn’t they?  He could work next to Chris. Mia’s health was so poor after Dulvey that he wanted to do whatever it took to take care of them both.  

It meant essentially vanishing from his own family and friends, the same way Mia had done years earlier. It had killed him emotionally.  Not that Ethan had much family left.  His father disappeared when he was young, and he had no siblings.  But he was far from lonely; his friend group functioned as his family, and he loved his own mother dearly.  He knew his disappearance, and worse, her inability to ever see or know about her grandchild, were blows to his own heart that he might never recover from.  

 So after all of that, an impromptu burial in a Romanian garden with no ties to any former life seemed like an impulsive, desperate gesture.  

But after Karl left him in the sunset, Ethan surveyed that southern view again; the summer clouds, full of color, arched across the Carpathians and he felt the comforting, protective sensation emanating from the linden tree.  They were sacred in folklore, he remembered; Maricara had even lauded the tree’s spot on the property when helping Ethan plant flowers and herbs in the spring. 

Back then, he realized, he didn’t notice things the way he did now.  He spent time in the garden without sensing the boundaries. 

Was he becoming less human?  More….mold?  

If that was true, he didn’t mind, for now.  

He couldn’t speak to those voices about what Mia might want.  But he’d known her most of his life; he could probably make a guess.  It wasn’t staying in a room, in a tin box.  After all, Mia had loved biology, nature, even if it indirectly led to her demise.  She appreciated the outdoors in a way he admired.  She might also have appreciated the symbology of burial between the edge of mycelial growth, and a mother’s resting spot.   

He moved across the expansive yard toward the tool shed, seeking a shovel.  He would speak to someone later about a headstone, he decided. 

Whether impulsive or instinctive, it felt like the right thing to do. 

—---------------

Karl offered to give Rosemary her bath, while Ethan helped Eva clean up dinner.  The blond took the opportunity, after hearing the running water in the bathroom, to give Eva the signature look.  The ‘I learned something’ look.  Eva’s eyes widened in anticipation, as her hands disappeared in soapy water.  

She washed and rinsed; Ethan had a towel and dried the ornate plates.  Their only accompaniment was the clatter of porcelain.  

“Have you seen….anything, in the garden?  Under the tree?” 

Her expression dimmed and she nodded, facing the sink.  “You mean…her.” 

Ethan’s head ducked down toward the shorter woman.  “You mean to tell me you’ve seen this, the whole time?  Can Rose see her?  Isn’t that…terrifying?”

“Do you feel terrified?”

“No,” he said in a curt voice, drying the bowls a bit more aggressively.  “But it’s still…unsettling.  What is that thing?”

Eva frowned.  After a pause, she attempted to explain with, “Do you know how the Mold corrupts the mind, to make such a yearning for family?  Traps those infected with this survival, the will for it?  Even before the paper, you sensed this.” 

“Yes.”  His tone was dour.  

“She was buried there long ago.  It was very sad.  He was…destroyed,” Eva continued, seeming to choose her words carefully.  “And…I honestly do not know what happened after.  My guess is that there was no contamination there, no way for the organism to pull her consciousness into its own, but Karl is a part of that organism-and so is his brother-there was some sort of a ghost, or a shadow, made from their memory.” 

“So it’s just like how Donna’s family, Moreau’s wife, were?  Just another created…person, who isn’t really a person but a memory?”

“That’s the thing, no, she is different than those. Those are like shadows repeated from memories, with no mind of their own.  This…she? Is more like.”  Eva sighed.  “A very powerful energy, focused on emotion. I don't even know if "she" is a she.  It is a sensation, a force, a power.  Similar to memory, but different. Tell me, what did you feel when you noticed her?”

They moved away from the sink, sauntering to the counter where so many coffee conversations happened.  Ethan huffed.  “It felt very…motherly.  Well.  The good kind of motherly.  Calm, caring?”  He sounded insane.  “Uh…protective?” 

Eva nodded knowingly, her eyes lighting up.  “Do you believe in souls?”

“I don’t know what in the hell to believe in,” he answered flatly.  

She giggled. 

“My best guess is that a real, natural, very strong human soul is standing at the edge of that boundary.  Maybe the mold has given that soul some kind of power, maybe it is the work of the sacred tree. Or maybe it has nothing to do with location, and this force exists in other places as well.  I’ve read of such things.  We all feel this presence, even humans…I have asked Maricara and her family about it,” she added, seeing his eyebrow raise.  

“They cannot see her… It? As we can. Karl cannot see her, but I have told him she is there. Humans simply feel good while there.  This is part of the human experience, to feel good, to feel bad. In places, around death. Humans have their own supernatural realms just as we do, maybe some humans even travel as we can.” 

Ethan frowned but had nothing to say; he couldn’t argue spirituality with someone a full century older than he.  He also couldn’t deny what he’d seen and felt.  The only thing that seemed to be clarified is that he understood why Karl spent so much time standing under the tree.  

—----------------------

The blond’s eyes glazed as he chewed on his pencil; the journal entry was done, and so was the sketch above it–the linden tree.  He glanced at the clock on the wall; it was only ten pm. The house was quiet; Karl had made a fire for him in the bedroom fireplace, and then gone away to work on whatever Karl worked on at night.  

Ethan’s stare went past the clock and through the wall.  Was he really going to leave the coziness of this room and venture to the castle at night, based on the urgings from a faceless, personalityless group of voices?  

His blood ran cold when he remembered the dungeons, but the urge was still lapping at him.  He wondered if Dimitrescu’s consciousness, stored away in the lower stratum, would sense him nosing around in her home again.  Is that how that worked?  He wondered too if he would sense her.  How different Donna and Salvatore seemed without a cadou…what about Alcina?  He really did have a death wish, he mused as he gnawed on the pencil.  He was curious, if he was honest with himself.  Curious about what she was like. 

 Going to the castle may have had something to do with her.  He wasn’t sure.  Or it had nothing to do with her.  Who knew?  His thoughts drifted even more abstractly as he remembered the great structure and his harrowing adventures within it, some less appealing than others.  The last time he’d entered it, he met Godric.  The castle was full of surprises, and he was being pulled toward it.  Which would have frightened Ethan, but his world was too strange for fear of the unknown anymore.  

Confusion? 

Yeah, plenty of room for that.  

The door opened behind him, and he had barely pulled the wooden pencil from his mouth before the broad figure of Karl and the cloud of cigar scent that trailed him, fell behind his chair like a shadow.  Ethan didn’t have time to greet the man with a sarcastic comment; Karl’s mouth was on his neck, moving up to his ear with an intense, sensual trail of probing bites and hot-breathed, wet kisses.  

His exhales on Ethan’s neck were scalding, and the blond’s head dropped to the opposite shoulder.  He sighed, closing his eyes.  The pencil hit the carpet as Ethan reached up to rake his hands through Karl’s soft hair.  How could it feel so soft, and look like steel wool? But it did. 

“What’s this about?” Ethan managed in a slur, not opening his eyes as Karl’s hands landed on his chest, surprisingly gentle as he touched Ethan’s torso all over, gliding his palms up and down.  

“Nothin’,” Karl responded simply.  “You.” 

Halting, snapped words, as his usually were.  But Heisenberg’s thoughts seemed to emanate from him like a bright light, warming Ethans skin; he couldn't help but absorb them. Ethan’s acceptance of calling this place his home.  Karl's pride in Ethan’s healing-not despair, not forfeiting to darkness.  Karl's love for both Ethan and Rosemary.  Ethan smiled at the rush of emotions and he met the other’s crushing lips on his, eagerly stroking the satiny tongue with his own.  

Karl’s restraint was impressive as he caressed the blond’s neck and tenderly held Ethan’s chin while they kissed.  Truthfully, Ethan wished for the familiar hand around his throat, or the bite that would leave a deep mark, but he knew Karl likely wouldn’t indulge his fawning side.  He could probably still beg for it.  But he was too enraptured by the present moment to speak.  And was still tasting the other man’s lips and mouth, inhaling the recognizable combination of smoke and whiskey.  

In a flash the brunette had spun the chair and towered over Ethan, pulling away to finally break the kiss as he moved the blond.  Ethan smiled at the predicament, remembering their volatile history with chairs.  Karl gave him the same shit-eating grin he always gave when he hovered over Ethan.  His hands were planted on the back of the chair while he stared down at the flustered blond. 

Ethan was pleased to see that despite Karl’s restraint, the obvious lust and hunger hadn’t left his expression.  Heisenberg flared his nostrils when Ethan trailed a hand down his chest, and the brunette stood up straighter while running his own fingers through Ethan’s blond hair.  

Ethan paused at Heisenberg’s belt before considering his earlier proposition to himself–to beg with no avail.  Karl caught the pause and put one hand over Ethan’s.  His voice was huskier than usual.  

“What’s on your mind, Buttercup?” 

Ethan was 37 years old and fucking couldn’t stop blushing.  To make it worse, he actually bit his lip.  If possible, those added details made the ravenous look in Heisenberg’s eyes even more intense as he awaited the answer.  The hand paused in Ethan’s hair twitched.    

“Just that I…miss you inside me,” Ethan said with more confidence than he felt, using Karl’s belt loops to pull him closer.  “I know you probably don’t–”

He was cut off by another kiss, and then felt Heisenberg’s wide hands slide around his hips, then underneath his ass.  Ethan couldn’t help but smile when Karl effortlessly picked him up from the chair and carried him, forearms making a seat, over to the bed, where he tossed Ethan down before clambering atop him, the same grin reappearing in the dark.