#but the lack of passion behind everything is the chefs kiss

[yikes077]

Love visiting my grandma in her residencial apartment. A bunch of old people giving me weird looks, and learning about dog shows, love, and bad acting on the hallmark channel

[ginxyy]

Recipe of love

Cooking classes, jealousy and confessions with Mingyu



A soft hum resonated in the air, dancing around the cozy cooking studio where the intoxicating scent of herbs and spices mingled with the sweet melody of laughter. I stood there, inhaling the rich aromas that twisted around me like a tender embrace. Today was a special day a day for love, laughter, and a dash of culinary romance. Mingyu, my vibrant and charming boyfriend, was bubbling with excitement as we’d signed up for a couples cooking class together, a surprise he’d arranged to indulge his passion for cooking.

“It’ll be fun! You’ll see,” he had promised me that morning, his eyes sparkling with anticipation, and I couldn’t resist his enthusiasm. Mingyu had a way of turning every ordinary moment into something extraordinary, simply by being himself.

As we entered the main room filled with colorful ingredients laid out on rustic wooden tables, I felt an exhilarating wave of excitement wash over me. I turned to him, my heart fluttering as I watched his broad smile light up the entire room. He was everything I had ever dreamed of and more the kind of guy who could cook up a storm and make my heart race all at once.

After a cheerful introduction from our charismatic chef a young man with an infectious grin we were divided into groups, and Mingyu wasted no time diving into the experience. He loved cooking, and I adored watching him lose himself in it. His hands moved deftly as he chopped vegetables, his focus unwavering, his laughter echoing as he playfully teased me about my culinary skills or lack thereof.

Just as the lesson began, Mingyu excused himself to fetch some fresh ingredients from the pantry nearby. I stood at our station, eagerly mixing and attempting to keep up with the rest of the class. It was during this moment of solitude that I found myself in conversation with the chef, who was offering advice and patiently helping me understand the nuances of flavor.

“So, do you cook often?” he asked with casual charm, his hands deftly showcasing a chef’s technique. I found myself smiling, enjoying the light banter, oblivious to Mingyu's return until I felt a presence beside me.

I turned to see him standing there, arms crossed, his expression a mixture of curiosity and barely concealed jealousy. It was endearing and a little funny, watching this usually laid-back guy transform into a protective lover. His brows were knitted together, and I could see the slight pout on his lips.

“Mingyu!” I laughed, waving him over with excitement. “The chef was just giving me tips on how to chop onions!”

But my boyfriend's demeanor didn’t soften. Instead, the intensity in his eyes made my heart race. He took a step towards me, placing a gentle but firm hand on my waist, pulling me protectively against him. “You’re doing just fine, right?” he asked, his tone slightly sulky, glancing pointedly at the chef, who, luckily for him, seemed obliviously engaged with another couple.

“Right,” I said, trying to hold back my laughter at his adorably jealous nature. “But it’s just cooking class. You know I love how passionate you are about it.”

“I know.” His voice softened a little, but I could feel the tension in him. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, a gesture that sent delightful shivers down my spine. “I just… I don’t want you getting too cozy with him.”

“Mingyu,” I sighed, looking up into his deep, brown eyes that radiated warmth, yet flickered with uncertainty. “You have nothing to worry about. You are my everything.”

At that moment, I could sense he still didn’t fully believe me. So, I took a leap, caught up in my emotions. I leaned closer, tilting my head just slightly, and pressed my lips to his. It was a kiss filled with all the longing I had felt bubbling beneath the surface, a soft spark; I wanted to reassure him, to silence the little fears swirling in his heart.

When I pulled back, I looked straight into his eyes. “I only have eyes for you, Mingyu. I love you.”

The words hung between us, heavier than I had anticipated, yet oddly liberating. The flicker of surprise in his gaze was quickly replaced with joy that illuminated his entire face. It felt monumental, as if we had crossed an uncharted threshold together, finally admitting the love that had been slowly brewing between us for months.

“I love you too,” he said, his voice barely a whisper but rich with sincerity. He took my face in his hands, kissing me fervently, sweetly, as if sealing a promise. “I love you so much. I can’t believe you said it first.”

Our class seemed to fade away as we lost ourselves in each other’s presence. I felt his warmth envelop me, the world outside our little bubble blurring into a distant memory. His kisses deepened, full of affection and relief; with each press of his lips against mine, I felt the weight of his jealousy lift, replaced by a comforting surrender to our bond.

Once we pulled away, faces flushed and hearts racing, I couldn’t help but chuckle at our earlier moment of tension. “I think you have a future as a jealous boyfriend, you know,” I teased, still breathless from his kisses.

“Well, I’ll have to work on that.” He chuckled, brushing his thumb softly along my cheek. “But only for you. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”

As our smiles faded into a comfortable silence, I knew we were just getting started. We returned to our cooking, the atmosphere now laden with the sweetness of our confessions a heartwarming blend of love and longing, just like the spices in our dishes.

Every laugh, every playful jab exchanged between us as we stirred and sautéed felt like the beginning of many shared memories to come. That day, amidst the chaos of cooking and clattering pans, we discovered not just the basics of culinary art, but the ingredients of a relationship fortified by love a love that would grow, season after season, meal after meal.

From that moment, I realized with certainty that no matter what lay ahead, it would always be Mingyu and I, embarking on this delightful journey together, hand in hand, heart to heart.

[little-tealing]

WAAHH THE ANGST THESE TWO GIVE ARE ASTRONOMICALLY GORGEOUS

(honestly, I need to catch up because the kr fandom is brutal with their spoilers and I'm not okay)

...maybe I'm just a little judgemental towards casey because I believe she's already had her chance to choose between what's "good" and "doing what's right."— a great example would be her denial when judging moriarty as a character (before the whole memory spiel); as a detective, she failed to comprehend to search for the bigger picture and focused solely on getting answers out of moriarty (understandable, she's human after all and just couldn't believe someone close to her would do such a thing) and didn't bother to tell people off when they'd hailed her as their saviour for "killing" him, especially when she already had her own doubts of being saved by him (as mentioned). She was so fixated on wanting to know what went wrong that she forgot to do the one thing she was passionate about— dig deeper, which again, is proven to be incredibly difficult with how witty and sly moriarty is. also how literally no evidence was left behind after the crime scene crumbled and got buried.

on another note, I personally like to think that casey didn't reveal his return to the public solely because she's already seen how his existence turned a kingdom upside down. not to mention, kunst auction house happened before the memory arc, so it's safe to assume that she still stood with her side of justice— especially with the whole, "I'll arrest you" thing.

opinion wise? casey is a well built character, but she lacks real and emotional responses to certain situations, while having completely logical ones in others (in terms of her character at least)— especially with the whole marriage arc; I know rudger probably doesn't care that she tried to kill him— but she did nonetheless, and I'd say that's pretty worthy for never wanting to show your face to someone again (especially if you believe what they did is right— post memory arc). She's trying to make amends but rudger clearly doesn't want the end of it, which is why I prefer the whole executioner idea thing— she's going to have to realise he's wrong (by law) eventually, whether or not he's saving people. (another interesting divergence that we could potentially see is casey siding with him over the “law” she swore to abide— grr, come on sayren, bring back my girl)

as for the acts of murder— she wouldn't have felt pity if she believed what he was doing was the right thing. rudger constantly takes up the role of being an executioner for people who he believes (and rightfully so) deserves it.

this discussion did make me realise that casey is no different, considering the fact she was so god damn ready to put an end to moriarty.

which correlates with the whole "bird cage" god thing— we've been told (as of the time this was posted) that rudger wants this barrier gone, and we (the readers) were told that the barrier in a sense was lumensis trying to control the development of humans; but I don't see why sayren would use such powerful language just to imply that he was trying to save all of humanity. looking at everything rudger's been through, it's starting to seem like he wants to destroy the gods and the world they've created, instead of lumensis alone.

then again, this is another thing that befuddles me— who is the antagonist of his story? does he even have one with all the possible endings that we've been predicting for? there's casey, surna, the heretic god, lumensis, the church of lumensis and there's even the possibility of himself. (credits to @/stonespears because *chef kiss* that idea of him just formatting his og life like a phone is 🤌🤌)(edit: the gist of this idea is that he returns to his og world with no memory of what happened)— honestly speaking though, although casey's one of the characters with the most screen time, I can't really see how she'd play a part in the life rudger has set out, especially when we already have characters with lesser screen time but a major role for suspense etc (grander, surna, rene). not jinxing this because I beg you sayren, don't offscreen my watergirl.

++also your annoyance is very relatable— especially as an mtl reader, I must say some comments on chapters make me want to pull my hair out/lh

(please keep talking to me, I love these kinds of conversations jebdkndksndnd :dies:— also, I sometimes get the feeling I'm not saying what I'm thinking, so I'm a little sorry for that jahaha,, )

+++ and omg thank you for rambling this much with me, you have no idea how much I appreciate it.

(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)/♡

this entire conversation makes me want to start a discussion about machiavelli—because rudger babe, taking that name after pulling everything as moriarty was not a good idea; especially with the whole, "killing for a reason is killing nonetheless" idea (from the irl Machiavelli).

on casey selmore & ludger cherish:

the more i read into the novel, the more i wanna scream at the manhwa for missing out the context for caseys grievance over moriarty/ludger, and thus making the readers think she is annoying for it. despite their rivalry/bickering before moriarty was deep into the things™️, considering caseys personality, she still prolly saw moriarty as her best friend (or someone who gets her the most). and if my best friend suddenly changed 180° and became a notorious villain, yet still trying to save me when we were supposed to be nemesis, i as someone whose whole career is pursuing the truth would also wanna chase them into the end of earth and make them confess their reasons. ludger's assessment of casey obsessively chasing him out of her pride may contain a part of truth, but i find it unfair to say that's her whole deal. (if you are familiar with ace attorney, i dont think its incorrect to say their relationship after falling out is similar to phoenix wright and miles edgeworth after DL-6.)

spoilers for 268+: i personally dont think casey was at fault for falling for moriartys bit when for his whole life lying is his whole expertise and the gods also bless him with auto crits on deception.

spoilers for 356+: i do hate that casey was the one who ended up apologizing when between the two, ludger was clearly in the wrong. i suppose at the time it made sense since casey needed ludgers forgiveness for closure and full mental recovery, so i wont dwell much on this.

spoilers for 497+: since ch268, casey was the only one actively trying to mend their relationship while it became clear and clearer in ch497 that ludger was the one actively pushing her away. i think after the moriartys bit, ludger ended up seeing himself as someone who is irredeemable and one day poetic justice will become his downfall. based on ludgers past behaviors during their reichenbachs falls and now his last convo with casey, he seems to be building casey up to be his executioner. i dont wanna say this is end game foreshadowing or ludgers death flag but fuck if thinking about it doesnt make me screaming crying throwing up eating drywall.

[beetthereet]

an analysis on alice oseman’s writing in radio silence (only radio silence since i’ve yet to read any of her other books) because wow this human can wRITE:

(this will contain spoilers so don’t blame me if i did spoil you<3)

this will just be split up to sections because i have a lot to say and this is how i organize my thoughts best.

The way she writes first person P.O.V;

The entirety of ‘Radio Silence’ is written from the perspective of our main character, Fraces Janvier, speaking from a future stand. The entire story is written in a past tense from the perspective of an older Frances who knows what will end up happening, who knows everything.

From someone who enjoys writing, first person point of view is sO HARD TO WRITE. I was honestly mesmerized by the way Oseman wrote this book. Another thing about the writing is that the first-person point of view, truly made the story feel genuine and real. I don’t know what was Alice Oseman’s age while writing this book but it honestly feels like such a true experience of a 17-18 year old who goes a huge change in her life and doesn’t really know what to do with herself, and then finds something she’s passionate about. Truly passionate. It just really feels genuine and true and so I wanted to point it out.

The way the plot builds up;

I think, one of the main reasons Radio Silence is a comforting and fun book that many people enjoy reading _and _rereading, is because of the way the plot is built. Because the book is written in the point of view of Frances, in first person, she describes the plot of the book like she experienced it. It was getting to know someone from ‘saving his drunk ass in a pub’ to ‘this is my very close friend that I truly cherish and don’t want to lose’. And because of that, the entire feel to the plot up to when the universe city fandom figures out that Frances is Toulouse and through that, that Aled is the person behind the anonymous podcast, is so... organic in a way. 

The way this book is written truly makes you feel like you’re a little speck of dust in the air, looking down at these two absolute nerds slowly become so close. You have fun with them, you laugh with them, you get shocked with them, you feel with them. You feel with Frances throughout the book in its entirety. Feeling with these characters as they slowly build their friendship is what makes the big blow when tumblr (and the internet) find out Aled’s identity. An identity he wanted to keep secret. He needed to keep that secret. Because there he could be anyone he wanted. He didn’t need to think of what X, Y or Z would think about him after he said this or that. It was his space. And through Frances, we learn that. And we learn how much it matters to him. And like Frances, we want Aled to have this space. To have this bubble. 

And as the plot moves forward from that big blow of that tumblr post revealing who Radio is (aka, Aled), we feel with Frances and for her. Because after the action of some anonymous user on the internet, she lost her closest friend at the time. She lost a person she cared so much for. And that is emphasized so well when Aled snaps at Frances outside the pub. When he yells and shouts and says things until Raine takes Frances away. And we feel so bad, with Frances. Because Aled lost his bubble, Frances lost her friend and her safe space, and everyone lost something from the situation. 

This is brilliantly brought to light even more with the ‘Childhood Kisses’ episode, where we finally see Daniel talking. We see how bad and heartbroken he feels, and we feel so bad for him because he doesn’t deserve this. None of the main cast of characters did. 

And so, Alice Oseman made us feel for her characters. From Aled, to Frances, to Daniel, to Crays, to Raine. We feel for the characters because we care for them.

The stakes;

The stakes in Radio Silence are directly tied into my last point — the way that the plot was built up. Because, if we hadn’t seen Frances and Aled build their friendship like we did we would’ve never cared about how Aled snapped at Frances. We wouldn’t have had any connection to him, and I mean yeah, losing a friend is hard, but if we hadn’t seen that the personal level of empathy to both Frances and Aled would’ve been lacked in this situation.

This is also very well seen in both the time Aled was struggling to keep his identity a secret and the time Carol almost took Aled with her on the train from uni (at the very end). We know Aled and we know how important it is for him to 1) have universe city, 2) be able to keep universe city a secret from the world and his mom specifically, and 3) not go “home” with her because that’s dangerous for him. If we hadn’t seen Aled and Frances grow close (as I’ve mentioned before), these situations would have had no emotional affect on the reader because you wouldn’t have known Aled.

Basically Alice did an amazing job, I’m in awe<33

Alice Oseman will have you falling for each and every one of her plot twists;

In the entirety of the book Alice has planted multiple little ‘traps’ for you, the reader. These ‘traps’ are just pieces of information that are never confirmed to be true, but are assumed to be based on what we know from Frances and the story so far.

Examples; the whole ‘who is February Friday ordeal’, wtf is going on with Aled and Daniel’s relationship, what’s going to be Frances and Alex’s relationship status, whether Aled was going home or not, and so much more because she is good with this shit.

Using the correct tone to convey whatever she wants to, Alice Oseman managed to keep the reader at the edge of their seat, making them think “oh this is so obvious! I know this!” thinking they had figured it out when she is ten steps ahead of you the entire time. That’s such a smart way of keeping your readers interested and invested and she did it in a way that didn’t feel annoying or ‘ugh i didn’t get this right as well damn it’ but in a interesting and enticing way because the clues — and the solution — to the actual answer were and are right in front of you the whole time.

More on the tone of the whole book;

This book can pride itself on correct tone usage with its writing. Something I personally love to look for while looking at writing critically is the tone of the writing. Does the writing feel like this or that, specifically in dialogue or first person point of view. Does it actually feel like different characters speaking or thinking or narrating, if it’s one person, is the narrating consistent? And with radio silence I can say it just checked all of the boxes.

With every chapter I can feel the exact tone Fraces would say this in if this was spoken, I can understand exactly why it’s her speaking and when she’s speaking to her mother, or Aled, or Raine or Daniel I know who’s she’s talking to and why. There’s so much personality splattered through their words both while speaking (and in Fraces’s case) while narrating honestly it was so brilliantly done I was just having so much fun the entire time.

A little conclusion since I tend to ramble;

In her book, ‘Radio Silence’, Alice Oseman tackles the first person point of view as if it’s a piece of cake, builds the plot brilliantly in a way that makes you connect to the characters and feel like they’re just chatting and enjoying their time together while actually building a plot so nicely, and when it comes into play it’s so well executed, not out of the blue, just *chef’s kiss*.

Through the first part of her book, Alice creates stakes to further conflicts so well and so smoothly it’s honestly mesmerizing, and plants little traps, tricking you into thinking one thing without confirming it while the answer is right under your nose. It’s just so well done I’m gonna sob smh.

+ the tone usage of the entire book was superb.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed my ramble. Have a good day babes <3

[spockandawe]

beefleaf me

Oh man, beefleaf!! I think I’m going to actually answer this in the order of cons, then pros, so I can end these things on a positive note.

Downsides:

This isn’t necessarily a downside to the ship itself, more what canon gave us, but it kills me that we get so little insight into He Xuan’s feelings about Shi-Qingxuan-in-particular, as a distinct entity from Shi Wudu, and independent of the impact Shi Wudu’s actions had on everyone’s lives. Which isn’t super fair of me, it’s me wanting clarity that I don’t especially need, but it does make me sad that such an important part of He Xuan’s internal world has to be inferred with fairly minimal textual support.

Part of that is what makes the ship fascinate me so much, because the ambiguity of ‘was our friendship all a lie, or was some of it real’ is a HELL of a draw. And it leaves a lot of emotional space for fandom to play with in a way that hualian doesn’t. But the closest we get to something illuminating He Xuan’s emotions after the black water arc is him being willing to pass Shi Qingxuan energy to keep the barrier up, and it’s still not clear if he just does it because it’s simply necessary, if he’s awkward because he has some regrets, or if he’s cold because he doesn’t want to see Shi Qingxuan ever again. I crave! Clarity!!!

And similarly, it kinda makes me drag my nails down my face how little we get to see of Shi Qingxuan in the aftermath of the arc. They are such a sweetheart, honestly, and are so open to accepting that they didn’t earn the life they were given, and they’re perfectly willing to give it up and make reparations. But they drop off the stage for so long, and they’ve had time to think and process by the time they come back, and there’s also an emergency to keep everyone moving. It’s impossible to tell how angry they are over what happened to their brother (whether at their brother or at he xuan), how they’re coping with grief, how they’re coping with losing their supposed best friend, how they’re coping with the idea that this whole extended friendship could have been a lie, and they have no way to get closure on whether it all was a lie or not.

It is important for my own fandom purposes that I have some idea of the headspace both of these characters are in re: each other as the novel finishes, and I’m left almost completely without a clue, haha

Upsides:

But everything being left so wide open isn’t necessarily a bad thing! It does mean that if I write them (I do want to write them), it’s going to be a struggle for me to pin down which variations on feelings I want them to both be experiencing. My personal favorite headcanon is that He Xuan didn’t realize how genuinely important Shi Qingxuan was to him until he burned everything down, and even now, isn’t sure whether his feelings are positive or not, and that Shi Qingxuan has been aggressively coping and spends a lot of energy not thinking too hard about the bruises that still hurt too much to poke. But I could write all kinds of things! I could write a He Xuan who was in love but thought that backing out of the plan would betray the memory of everyone else he loved! I could write a genuinely angry Shi Qingxuan, if I wanted to, which is hard to visualize, but it would be absolutely justifiable!

It’s kind of a weird situation for me to be in, where a ship is central enough that I’ve got loads of material to play with, but ends on an open enough note that I could justify just about any headspace I want for either of them. Their backstory is so loaded and complex that this dynamic can go in all sorts of interesting directions, but I don’t even need to work out a canon divergence to make it happen, I can just pick up from where the book leaves of, and it’s almost impossible to tell me that I’m wrong.

And just... that backstory, man. ‘You were born in a shitty situation, and to get you out of it, your brother fucked over me, my parents, my sister, and my fiancee, all to elevate you to a position of unmatched comfort and luxury, while I was left behind to suffer and struggle and watch everyone I loved die. Then I died too, and my resentful energy was strong enough to keep me going, and strong enough to make me a ghost king. Then I pretended(?) to be your best friend for years, until I could find the perfect opportunity to make you understand a fraction of what I was forced to endure for your sake, and take some measure of revenge for everything I lost.’

Meanwhile, Shi Qingxuan is just bouncing happily along without a care in the word, enjoying spending time with their best friend. I don’t want to just rehash the whole black water arc, but the way Shi Qingxuan reacts as shit gets real and the way they understand where He Xuan is coming from really, really sealed this as something I could ship passionately. I love a ship with emotional baggage, and beefleaf delivers. After a setup like that, I’m not relying on canon to feed me, I can ship it myself. 

But then Shi Qingxuan’s reaction... both their understanding/sympathy, and their lack of blame towards He Xuan, it makes me perk up my ears like WHOA. And their easy willingness to give everything up! It would have been so easy for Shi Qingxuan to reject responsibility or to resent He Xuan for holding a grudge over ancient events, or anything like that. But their reaction balances what a decent, kind person they are and the degree of care they have to have already felt for Ming Yi, and even though they’re learning all of this as the readers do, and are off-balance and terrified, they still react without lashing out or blaming He Xuan, and still seem to cherish their friendship, and it’s just.... *chef kiss*

[toomanystoriessolittletime]

Heal me

Summary: When Loki disappeared after the attack in New York and found himself in an alternative Universe, he hadn’t planned on staying for long. But then he met her.

Pairing: Loki / F!Reader

Words: 3.007

warnings: angst; verbal abuse

A/N: This is based on following request: A loki x reader where loki’s s/o has an abusive mother To clarify: verbally abusive mother  (anon)

Masterlist

Taglist:

@the-thighs-of-betrayal / @imupintheclouds/  @rjohnson1280​ / @mishaandthebrits​ / @ladyreapermc​ / @theolsdalova​ / @greenmanalishi​ / @itsmydreamlifethings​

When Loki took the Tesseract back in New York after he was to be taken back to Asgard for his punishment, he didn’t have a specific location in mind. All he wanted was to be far away from those so-called heroes, that included his brother. Away from the mind control, the Titan had over him. Just… far away.

That he landed in an alternative universe was a pure accident as well as landing in New York City again. Nothing of what he had done to humanity, therefore the city had happened in this universe. First, he didn’t intend to stay long. Just for a little breather. But the longer he stayed, the more fascinated he grew with the city. And yes, also its people. Well, one of them particularly.

It had been a rather rainy day close to what the Midgardians called Christmas when he was searching for a place to have something to eat. That was when he met her.

Loki was sitting in the far corner of the little café. His nose deep in the menu and getting rather irritated by the fact he had been sitting here or over 20 minutes without anyone taking his order. The cakes listed on the menu sounded rather delicious. That was the only reason he hadn’t gotten up and left already. Thinking back, maybe it had been fate that he stayed.

“I am so sorry. We are totally understaffed today. For the long wait, the cake is on the house.” He heard the bubbling voice of a woman talk before he set the menu down and had to be reminded how to breathe when his eyes met hers.

From the moment she woke up on that day she knew it was going to be one of those days. You know, one of those you couldn’t wait for it to be over. Her mother had been gone for a full month by then. To France. To learn the receipts of some of the finest pastries that she wanted to sell at her café. A café she left in the hands of her daughter. Because she had no other choice.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t trusted by her mother. It was more of a dislike. But for the lack of alternatives, it had been her who had been trusted with taking over the role of the boss for the time of her being away. Much to her delight. She loved the café. The preparation of new cakes and pastries. Even if her mother made sure to tell her just how bad she was at it at every chance she got.

Why she didn’t leave and searched for another job, another life really, she couldn’t quite understand herself. She had an inhuman urge to please, impress her mother. And she was scared that leaving could make her live an even more miserable life.

She wasn’t pretty. She wasn’t very intelligent. She had no real friends and her mother had been the only constant in her life, even if she had made it her life’s purpose to point out every little flaw there was in her daughter. One day her mother had told her how much she hated her eyes. Because they were the same as her father’s. A father she never knew. And something she couldn’t change about herself. And oh had she tried to change. With every piece of clothing she bought she hoped it would at least get a little smile from her mother. But that never happened. Thinking back the only positive word her mother ever spoke to her was on the day she had left for a 6-week exchange to Europe.

“Thank god I don’t have to see your face every day for 6 weeks.” She had said before she had closed the door of the taxi that had dropped her off at the airport almost an hour later.

She wanted to leave her. This place. Maybe even this country to bring an ocean between them. Deep down she knew that she would never be truly happy if she stayed. But she was much more scared of being alone than of her mother.

It was a rainy day in New York and the café was fully packed. Thankfully she had prepared more pastries yesterday as if she knew three of the waitresses wouldn’t be in today.

She had served every single customer with a smile, even though she felt like crying.  The man who was waiting at the table in the far corner of the café had been reading the menu for at least 15 minutes.

“I am so sorry. We are totally understaffed today. For the long wait, the cake is on the house.” She said, hoping to ease his by sure coming complaints when he lowered the menu and she saw the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were emerald green, with specks of grey and gold. Blinking she took in the rest of his face. His nose, the sharp cheekbones, his mouth that had been opened as if he was about to speak. Shaking her head a little, she smiled at him and breathed in deep as if she was doing it for the first time today.

Loki was struck. Struck by the beauty of the woman standing in front of him. Her hair in a tight bun on top of her head. He wondered how long her hair would be if he would undo them. Run his finger through the locks. Her kind face, the small smile plastered to her lips. But her eyes. Her emerald green eyes, that looked so much like his own were the most intriguing thing about her.

“I’m absolutely paying for the cake if it tastes as good as it smells.” He said and smiled at her.

She blushed as he spoke, making his smile widen a little.

Goosebumps ran over her whole body as he spoke for the first time, making her breath hitch and a blush creep to her face.

“Then I should get you the chef´s favorite.” She smiled shyly at him.

“And an earl grey tea please.” He added.

“Very well. Coming right up.” She nodded at him before she slowly turned around and walked back to the kitchen, trying to hide the goofy smile on her face.

Loki, as she learned his name was later that day after his third piece of cake, slowly sneaked his way into her heart in the coming 3 weeks. She didn’t know if it was the day he had waited for her outside of the café for the first time to make sure she got home safe. Or if it was the day he had gotten her a single sunflower as he got in, like almost every day, and told her it had reminded him of her. Sometime over the 3 weeks, she had fallen for him. He was the one reason that made her get up in the morning, even if she didn’t know if she would see him that day. It was his smile she dreamed of, his touch she longed for.

The night he had first kissed her after he escorted her home like nearly every evening from the first time he did, she was sure she couldn’t live without him.

Loki had picked her up at the backdoor of the café like every night that week, hugging her close to his body, before they walked down the street.

“Loki?”

“Yes my love?”

“When do you know that you're in love?” She had asked, making him gasp slightly, before he looked down at her. She was holding his hand, walking close to him.

“That's hard to say. You just know one day. It's different for everyone I suppose.”

“How do you know you're in love?” She whispered, afraid of what he might answer.

He sighed.

“When every thought I have is filled with the other person. When I can't concentrate on a simple task because I wonder if she is okay. When all I can do is wonder if she feels the same way. Then I know, I'm in love.” He answered passionately.  Quietly they walked side by side and Loki saw the small smile on her face.

As he was about to leave her, kissing her cheek like every night before he made his way back home, he felt her hand on his wrist, holding him back.

“Loki?” She had asked, looking down at her feet as she continued to talk.

“I have never been in love. And I think I have never been loved by someone else.” She said quietly, visibly swallowing as she continued to talk.

“But every thought I have is filled with you. I even think about you when I'm cleaning the coffee machine, which is extremely odd if you ask me.” She chuckled. Loki smiled at her. She was still looking at her feet.

“What I'm trying to say is that I like you. Very much.” She said, finally looking up at him, her eyes unsure.

“I like you very much too.” He smiled, stepping closer to her, the back of his hand stroking her cheek, making her sigh.

“Can I kiss you goodnight?” Loki asked. Breathing in deep she had nodded. Leaning down his lips brushed over hers. His arm coming around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

“Thank you, Loki.” She smiled dreamily up at him as they parted.

“Everytime.”

Loki almost had forgotten what it was like to be in love. When every fiber of his body was longing for her. When he was missing her even when he was holding her hand. It must have been a century ago that he had been in love for the last time. He also saw the changes in her. How she seemed to look more alive with each day. How the smile she gave all the customers seemed to be more genuine.

Until one day when he got in, it was like everything she did was forced. He was sitting on his usual seat in the far corner of the café, his book in his lap when she finally came to him with his tea and seemed to be trying to act like everything was okay.

“Is everything all right my love?” He asked.

“It’s…” She began to talk as her name was called by a woman standing behind the counter he had never seen before.

“Everything is as it should be.” She said quietly, a forced little smile on her face, her eyes seemingly screaming at him desperately.

“I’ll be waiting for you after work as usual.”

“You don’t have to…” She began, only to be interrupted by the woman behind the counter again. She sighed ad closed her eyes.

“Thank you, Loki.” She nodded at him and walked away.

Loki couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong for the rest of the day. She refused to even hug him goodbye as he left which seemed odd to him. It was as if the last weeks hadn’t happened and he grew irritated about it.

He still hadn’t told her who he really was. How do you tell someone you’re a god from another universe who had tried to destroy this city in another timeline with the help of aliens? Sighing he looked up at the sky and wondered if Heimdal could see him here. What he would give to hear his mother's advice right now. As much as Loki loved to stay on Midgard for her, it got on his nerves that he couldn’t use the abilities he had without limitations.

He figured it was best to stay under the radar for a while before he would try to get back to Asgard. Yes, he would go back. It was his home, even if his so-called father would probably throw him in a prison cell right away. It was a risk he was willing to take to finally feel home again.

Hidden in the dark of the street, he watched the café, he saw the last customers leave and that woman close the door and lock it. Making his way across the street with the intention of waiting for his love he rounded the café to wait at the backdoor when he heard a woman yelling. Holding his breath he carefully got closer to the door.

“Is there anything you can do right?!” A woman nearly screamed and the breaking of dishes was heard.

“I can’t believe I let you alone to take care of my café for my time abroad. I should have known you wouldn’t be up to it.” The woman continued. Loki furrowed his eyebrows, making himself invincible as he stepped to the window to have a closer look.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you, mother.” He heard a weak voice he knew all too well, fury running through his veins as he spotted her almost hiding in the corner. Could it really be that this woman was her mother?

“I can’t even blame you. I should have known better. Never in your life you did something right. I should just have closed the café.” The woman shook her head.

As Loki looked back at his Love he saw the tears in her eyes.

“Deciding to keep you was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. You ruined my life ever since I first set my eyes on you. You ruined my body. You ruined my life. And now you’re ruining my career.” The woman mocked.

“Look at you? You’re a grown-up woman and can’t even follow the simplest instructions. I should just fire you. You’re the biggest disappointment to me.”

By now Loki was struggling to keep himself invisible. How dare someone could talk down to her like that? Breathing through his nose he tried to calm down.

“You’re too ugly and fat to find a husband or any man. I thought that would be my way to get rid of you, but no. You can’t even do that.” Her mother sighed. That was it. He had to show that woman just how it felt like to be abused like that. How dare he talked to her, the woman he loved, like that?

He caught her eyes across the room as she was looking directly at him, which was impossible because he was still invincible and saw a change in her teary eyes.

“I would say I’m sorry for ruining your life, but it’s not like it was my decision to be born. It was yours.” Loki heard her voice growing stronger all while she kept looking at him. By now he wasn’t sure if he still was invincible, but he didn’t care.

Stunned her mother looked at her. Breathing in deep, she looked at Loki who was standing behind the window, glowing green.

“I never received any love or praise from you, even if it was the only thing I so desperately wanted. To be loved. To know what it feels like to be safe.” She shook her head.

“But I know now what it feels like to be loved.” She said. Her mother raised an eyebrow at her.

“Oh do you?” She mocked.

“I do. That’s why I’m finally strong enough to leave you, mother.” She swallowed, opening her apron and folding it neatly, laying it on the table between them.

“Leave me? Oh please.” The mother laughed.

“You’ll come back crawling to me within a day. All of this is in your head. You will never be good enough for anyone.”

“Apparently I was good enough to fill in for you and make the highest sales you ever had in three weeks, but you somehow spun this into a big disappointment.

“How dare you talk to me like that you unthankful brat?” The mother yelled angrily.

Loki saw the mother stepping closer to her and decided it was time to intervene. Opening the backdoor, making himself visible to the outside world, he stepped into the kitchen, making her mother turn around about to yell when a fake smile plastered to her face.

“I’m sorry Sir we are closed.” She said sweetly.

“I know. I’m here to pick your daughter up.” He said as he turned his head to smile at her. She was already walking towards him, waiting to feel his arms around her, to feel safe.

“Thank you, Loki.” He heard her whisper as she took his reached out a hand, visibly relaxing when she felt his touch.

“So this is what makes you so brave my beloved daughter?” Her mother asked. Loki looked into the green eyes he loved so much before he turned around.

“She had always been brave. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have survived living with a disgrace as a mother such as yourself. But this ends now. I’m taking her with me.” He said dangerously low, making her mother swallow.

Loki felt a hand on his chest and looked at her again.

“Take me away Loki. Far away and never let me return here.” She whispered. Kissing her temple he nodded.

“I’ll never leave you, love.” He said as he guided them outside and called out for the only thing that ever made him feel safe.

“Hold on close to me. If this is going to work we will never be coming back. I promise you.”

Feeling her arms tighten around him, as he pulled her closer to his chest he looked up the sky.

“Heimdal. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m ready to go home.” Loki said.

“Yes, Prince Loki.” He heard the watcher’s voice in his head before a bright light illuminated them as the Bifrost opened and took both of them away.

[atlas-of-a-human-soul]

Wicked, part two (DT Royal AU)

Summary: Grayson soon realized the only way to outwit his bride is to seduce her mind as well as her body in hopes of finding a way to change her heart. Can he really save his throne and keep his wife or will he have to do the unthinkable and try her for treason?

Warnings: swearing, SMUT, angst

Word count: 5400

WICKED - SERIES MASTERLIST

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Grayson stirred in the bed and opened his eyes with the sound of her voice, the words of hate she uttered had him in shock. At first he did not recall where he was. He turned his head, noticing the emptiness beside him.

She had gone, but he heard her clearly!

Every inch of his skin tightened until he noticed Y/N in front of the fireplace. He did not think of his sudden fear and her wretched words but was relieved that she was still with him. She seemed to be in another world and did not hear him turn onto his back. The sheets were sprinkled with blood, too much blood and Grayson couldn’t help but frown at them. He knew he'd hurt her, but he didn't understand why. He was gentle, as gentle as he could be when his mind had gone with desire and she didn’t stop him at all. Realizing he was perhaps too harsh, Grayson’s eyes brimmed with tears.

With a tightness in his chest, he looked back at his wife, so small, so alone. He would never admit it openly, but he had already a sliver of love for her and knowing she did not had hurt him. He wouldn’t let her know he heard her, that much was obvious. He would play the part of the foolish king she wished him to be…for now.

"Come back to bed," he said softly, smiling a bit. He would make love to her slowly, apologizing to her for his unrestrained behavior earlier.

Y/N straightened her back, rolling her shoulders further back.

"No, I will not," she said firmly. She mustn’t let him control her – not her mind and not her heart. She can play the dutiful wife, but he will not be her master.

Grayson stared at her back, aghast. The woman was impossible! She made every word that passed her lips a contest of wills. His jaw set, he rose from the bed to stand before her. He looked formidable with the relentless, firm brown eyes, too hard in comparison to what she had seen in bed. He looked like he could kill her without even putting a hand on her…something she still expected him to do. She couldn’t harm him without the crown matrimonial or her punishment would be death and war for Dracovia…but what stopped him from killing her? She had no army with her nor would her death reach her father in years to come should Grayson will to hide it. She was alone and she was unprotected in this strange land and all she had was the mercy of this one willful man who watched her as a lion watched a gazelle.

''I do not expect you to bow to me, but when I call, I do expect you to show up.“

She lifted her chin and met his eyes. "Have you not learned that I am not a broodmare?" she countered.

Grayson stretched out his hand placed it at her hip, adding pressure to it as he pulled her near. The sheet fell away and he pulled her bare skin against his. And then he kissed her. It was not the hardened kiss from before, but one of gentleness.

At first, Y/N refused to react to him but her hands went to his arms. They were hard, the muscles prominent, and his skin was so very warm. She became aware of the hair on his chest against her breasts.

As his kiss deepened, he loosened his hand from her hair, his arms encircling her shoulders. He moved her so her head tucked into the curve of his shoulder. Y/N gave up thinking. She was a mess of sensations he provided, every feeling new, strange and undreamed of. She pressed herself closer, running her hands over his bare back, feeling the way the muscles moved, so different from the smoothness of her own back. He began to kiss her ear, nibbling on the lobe until he heard her stifle a giggle.

Grayson gave a low, throaty chuckle once her knees turned to jelly and she collapsed against the strength of his arm behind her back. He bent, put his other arm beneath her knees, his mouth never leaving her neck, and carried her to the bed. He kissed her body from her forehead to her toes and she couldn’t believe how easily he swayed her beliefs and pushed her into the same mindset she was trapped in when he had his hands over her the first time.

Before long she could bear no more kissing. She ached all over and she pulled his hair to better meet his mouth. She fastened on his lips hungrily, greedily, ready to feel him inside her, around her, to completely numb her senses with Grayson Dolan, her mortal enemy.  

Grayson’s senses were reeling, his body on fire. Never had he had the leisure to make love to a woman as he did tonight, and never had he imagined the pleasure of it. Y/N's passion was as fierce as his own, yet neither rushed their lovemaking. When he moved atop her, her arms held him tightly, pulling him nearer. There was no pain for her this time; she was ready. She moved with him, slowly at first, until they reached their highs.

Eventually, despite her initial distrust for the man, Y/N fell into a deep, exhausted sleep, her leg thrown over Grayson's, her hair twisted round and round his arm.

But Grayson did not fall asleep immediately. This was the first time for this soft woman he held, but in a way, he felt as if he had just lost his virginity, too. And that was certainly an absurd notion. He could not possibly remember every woman he had taken to his bed, but tonight was infinitely different. He had never experienced such passion. With other women, when he felt he’d come, they drew back. But not Y/N for she had given as much as he gave.

He picked up a lock of her hair from across his neck and held it up, letting the firelight play though the strands. He held it to his nose, then to his lips. She moved against him and he snuggled closer. Even in sleep, she wanted him nearby and it drew a smile to his lips. His eyes grew heavy. For the first time he could ever remember, he was completely content.

Until he remembered why he woke up in the first place...He woke up because of treasonous words that she uttered in the silent night, unaware he felt the lack of her warm body atop of his.

Running a hand through his hair nervously, Grayson sat up slowly. It's been almost an hour since his new bride finally settled back in the bed, her breathing evening out rather quickly after. His heart beats loudly, deafening so, his mind unable to slow down even for a moment. How could he fall asleep now when he knew this angel beside him was simply a devil in disguise?

'Dragon', Grayson corrected himself, shaking his head at the very notion. How could he ever trust her, love her, when he knows she had come with a plan of her own? Despite what Ethan had warned him about, Grayson ignored it all and opened his heart to her. It didn't do him much good, especially now when he knew she would never love him, not even like him. He went into this marriage blindly, hopeful and willing to change if it meant it would create a bridge between them and their kingdoms as well.

Foolish, that's how he felt. Like the biggest fool in this world, but he closed his eyes and laid back slowly. He didn't want to alarm her to his conscious state as she alarmed him when she left his embrace. Grayson wanted to promise the world to her, to offer her everything she could ever dream of and all he expected in return was her heart.

'That's not going to happen now, is it?' Grayson sighed as his mind turned on his heart, his hands rubbing his eyes tirelessly as he hoped he'd wake up and see it was nothing but a dream – a horrible nightmare.

Propping himself up on his elbow, he looked over at the peaceful looking woman who seemed to be oblivious to the heartache she caused him as she fought tears and plotted his downfall by the fire. He truly thought she might like him when she let him take her. Grayson gave her choice when it would happen for a good reason – because he wanted her to want him back just as badly as he wanted her.

Unlike his twin, Grayson knew she'd be a beauty – an exquisite beauty that no man would be able to look away from. He made sure to see her before he was ever made to be a king and while he was losing in the trials, Grayson swore he'd win to have that crown because having that crown meant having her and he knows that motivated him to defeat Ethan in the end. Perhaps Ethan would have fought harder had he tasked his Dracovian spies to send him an image of their dragon princess too? After all, Grayson wasn't blind to the lustful looks his brother sent Y/N's way from the moment he set his eyes on her and it didn't sit well with him at all.

Shaking his head, Grayson didn't know what to do now. After all the work he's put into becoming king and staying on the throne, he finds himself with everything he's ever wanted. So why does he feel like he's stuck in a nightmare?

Because she will never love him.

No amount of love and kindness he offers would ever be enough to extinguish the hateful flame within, but Grayson refused to give up. Looking at her moonlight illuminated face, hearing her soft breathing and feeling her smooth skin? Grayson swore he'd change her mind.

If he can't?

He'll do what every good king does....He will put his kingdom before his heart and give her the proper punishment for treason.

Hoping that can be avoided, Grayson decided to start his charms as soon as she opens her eyes, sending his chef a text to make a proper breakfast early on, sure to have his bride fed. Another thing he's decided to do is break the rule he knew she expected him to uphold – sleeping in separate chambers was the worst thing for them now. He had to be in her bed every night, regardless if she wanted to let him between her legs or not. He wouldn't force her, that much would be true, but he wouldn't sleep in his own room anymore. It's a risk, a dangerous one, but he knew she wouldn't kill him before she gets the crown matrimonial and without that? He would be safe in this bed as long as he's careful what he's signing.

Happy with his decisions, he finally closed his eyes and released a heavy sigh. If anything, he will at least try and fight for the love he had developed for the dragon princess that no image could do justice. Even with the knowledge of her stunning looks, Grayson was speechless when he finally set his eyes on her.

'There is no such creature in this world that's as captivating as she is.'

A single ray of sunshine came through the window, its heat tickling Y/N’s nose. Sleepily, she brushed at it then tried to turn away but something held her by the hair. She lazily opened her eyes and saw the strange bed canopy overhead. When she remembered where she was, she felt her face grow hot as blood rushed to her cheeks. Even her body seemed to blush.

She moved her head toward the other side of the bed and looked at her sleeping husband. His lashes are long, thick and dark, a shadow of a beard starting on his cheeks. Asleep, his cheekbones were not as sharp, his face much more welcoming and relaxed. He didn’t seem as the formidable foe she imagined him to be.

Grayson laid on his side, facing her. Pursing her lips, Y/N allowed her eyes to roam over him. His broad chest had a small area of dark, curling hair. His muscles are made large, shapely mounds. His arms are capped by a round, firm muscle. Biting her lower lip, her eyes drew down to his hard, flat stomach with a built-in six-pack, making her swallow thickly. It was only after a moment that her eyes went lower. What she saw did not seem so powerful as it felt the previous night, but as she watched, his manhood began to grow.

She gasped and her eyes flew back to his. He was awake, watching her intently with a smirk, his eyes growing darker by the moment. No longer was he the relaxed boyish-looking man she had awakened to, but a man of passion, the warrior. Y/N tried to move away but Grayson still held her trapped by her hair. What was worse, she didn’t even want to fight him. She remembered that she hated him clearly; but more than that, she remembered the pleasure he had given when he made love to her.

"My dragon," he whispered and the tone of his voice made chills run along her arms. It’s more than the tone he used or the look of his dark eyes that had her insides turning, but the words he had spoken…dragon? He called her a dragon. And whether it was his intention or not, her heart had melted an inch with his recognition of her true nature.

He kissed the corner of her mouth boldly, waiting for a sign of resistance. Her hands pushed weakly against his shoulders but even at his slight touch, her eyes closed in surrender. Seeing her so, Grayson smirked before he kissed her cheek, her ear lobe. Then, as she gasped for breath, his mouth came down on hers. His tongue sweetly touched the tip of hers and she drew back, startled. He smiled at her as if he understood how strange the sensation must be for her.

Last night she had thought she learned all there was to know about love between a man and a woman, but now she thought, perhaps she knew very, very little. There was much more to learn from this man and of this man and how to use that knowledge for her own gain, but right now? She just wanted to let herself go.

His eyes are nearly black as he pulls her to him again. He ran his tongue along her lips, touching the inner corners especially. She parted her teeth for him, desperate for a taste of him. He was better than the richest honey; hot and cold, soft and firm. She explored his mouth as he had explored hers, no longer shy or reserved with him. How could she be when his fingers have delved lower, pushing inside her?

She ran her hands over him as he lowered his head to her neck, running his tongue along the pulsating beat of her carotid, the only friend he had of her – her pulse couldn’t hide how nervous or excited he made her. Instinctively she leaned her head back, her breathing turning deeper, quicker.

When his lips and tongue touched her breasts, she nearly cried out. She thought perhaps she might die under such torture. She tried to pull his head back to her mouth but he gave a deep, guttural laugh that made her shiver, her insides turn and her heart? Her heart felt warm, big and incredibly full.

Maybe he did own her.

When she thought that she would lose her mind, he moved on top of her, his hand caressing the inside of her thighs until she was shaking with desire. When he pushed himself inside her, she cried out; there was no relief to her torment. She clutched at him, her legs pressing around his waist as she rose to meet each thrust. Finally, when she was sure her heart would explode, she felt the pulsing throbs that released her and soon after, Y/N felt his dick twitch and his own release followed. Grayson collapsed on top of her, holding her so close that she could hardly breathe. But at the moment she didn't really care if she ever did breathe again.

Grayson didn’t move, still buried deep inside her as if she is his saving grace. It’s insane to think he could fuck her into submission and feelings, but he had only one way of making her stay with him, committed to him and in the last twenty-four hours she had only ever seemed to care for him when he was inside her. He would have to use that for his own agenda to work. Some women have their hearts in their vaginas and while he sensed she wasn’t one of them, he hoped she’d associate him with pleasure instead of hate.

A knock on the door had startled them both, enough for them to both open their eyes and for Grayson to catch the strangest look in her eyes. It looked like clarity, total and complete sobriety from the ecstasy he tried to give her and the self-loathing in her previously warm eyes had turned them back to the ice she held when she first laid her eyes on him. With a single knock against the wood, Grayson had lost her again.

“I’ll get it.” He murmured, nearly wincing as he pulled out. She wrapped herself up in the sheets again, her eyes wide as she thought about how badly she’s already failing. Grayson tied his bathrobe hastily, moving to the door as fast as he could. Peeking through a small crack, he was ready to draw blood from whoever thought it would be a smart idea to interrupt the king so early after his wedding night.

“What?!” Grayson hissed at the elderly man who cast his eyes down at his feet almost immediately as he caught the wrath of his king.

“You’ve told me to bring breakfast bright and early, I’m so sorry to be interrupting you.” Bowing, the chef stepped back in fright and Grayson softened immediately. He did make the order and it must have taken a while to make the food that made his stomach growl with the delicious smell.

“It must have slipped my mind. Thank you, chef. I’ll get it inside.” Grayson smiled mercifully, opening the door to pull the wheel carried table filled with so much food that several people could overeat and still there would be too much left.

“What’s happening?” Y/N’s tone is dark and low, her lips set in a firm line. She tried to look as regal as possible but Grayson nearly laughed out loud at her current disheveled appearance. She looked like a woman would after she was well taken care of in the sheets and he believed he had done just that. Instead of insulting her by laughing, Grayson decided to do a little show of all the food he had made for her, pointing and smirking at everything on the table with a self-satisfied look in his chocolate brown eyes, much lighter now when he wasn’t lost in his desire for her.

Frowning as she shifted and felt Grayson’s semen leave her, Y/N cleared her throat. She felt disgusted with herself, like she needed her skin rubbed off with scalding hot water and peeled off if that didn’t work. She could feel him, smell him on every inch of her skin and the worst of it all? She loathed just how cold she felt when he wasn’t wrapped around her or how giddy her heart felt when she saw the shit-eating grin on his face as he proudly pointed out his favorite food – banana pancakes and avocado toast.

“We do have food in Dracovia.” She lifted an eyebrow, her left eye narrowed ever so slightly in amusement. He was too immature, too kind, too ready to fall in love with her that she actually felt a little remorse over her initial plan…not enough to cancel her vengeance, but enough for it to sting as she imagined a world without him or his big, strong arms.

“Nothing like Astros food! I will stand by this claim till my death!” Grayson exclaimed and by the force of some unknown entity, Y/N actually giggled at his claim before putting a robe on herself, joining him for breakfast. If love and sweetness is what he wants, that’s what she’ll give him…In the bedroom at least. But her dragon spirit will never be tamed, not by anything he says or does for she had been foolish enough to trust Astros to keep their promises before and they rewarded that trust with her friend’s death and possibly her mother’s too.

Before she came to Astros, Y/N was convinced she wouldn’t lie with Grayson nor bear him children. She knew now that being his lover would be essential for her mission, but children were non-negotiable…she refused to give this man children, especially when she knew she’d have to stain her hands with his blood.

As they ate in relative silence, Y/N could only dream of a bath, one that came right after she had finished her food. Grateful, she allowed lady Mareen with her to scrub her clean from the feeling of Grayson on her skin, but Grayson had other things to attend to. He simply showered and dressed as a royal should for he had official business to handle, being shirtless wasn’t an option and neither was not wearing his crown.

''So? How is the dragon princess in bed, huh? Is she a lady in the streets and freak in the sheets? Oh, wait! Did you even delve into her dragon cave?!“ Ethan laughed obnoxiously loud as Grayson rolled his eyes, but he had no patience to gossip, especially not about Y/N.

''Watch your mouth, bro. She's your sister in law and my wife and whether you like it or not, she's a step above you as my consort and you have to show her respect she's deserving of.“ Grayson brushed Ethan off, putting him in his place effectively. For a while, Grayson had wondered if he should tell Ethan about what he heard, but knowing his brother, Grayson knew he'd have her in the dungeons before he finished his confession and he'd lose her before he even had a chance to have her.

''Woah, what happened with bros before hoes?“ Ethan frowned, not seeing how his words irked his brother's temper. In a matter of seconds, Ethan found himself pinned against a wall, Grayson's anger twisted face the only thing in his view.

''Watch. It.“ Grayson spoke through gritted teeth, fighting his temper with every ounce of sanity he's left with after a night he's had, still unable to allow anyone say a bad word about her. Grayson would be her husband and protector until she proved it impossible.

''Got it.“ Ethan stared right back at him, unrelenting and stubborn as well. Grayson knew Ethan was jealous of more than just his wife, but his throne as well. In everyone's eyes, Ethan was the clear favorite, the adored, more sensible twin. Grayson proved them wrong for now, but he still had a long way to go and having a brother who he wasn't sure he could trust anymore and a wife who had vowed to kill him was going to age him faster than anything else could.

''Good.“ Releasing his twin, Grayson stepped back and huffed. He was finally back in control and he could breathe easy.

''Now, we have a meeting with the contractors for the bridge. I want it to open in the next six months.“ Grayson explained, rubbing his chin as his light stubble always caused an itch and he hardly had any time to shave after spending his entire morning with the woman who had already sunk her claws into him.

''What's the hurry?“ Ethan said, his voice crackling after the intense moment he had shared with Grayson. And yes, Ethan was unhappy about his current position as a simple prince and advisor, but he wouldn't hurt his brother. He couldn't hide his envy about the woman who keeps his bed warm, but until there was an heir, Ethan wouldn't go near her in such a manner. After? No one will stop him from charming her as it was clear she wasn't quite keen on Grayson's company as much as he believes she is.

''We could never approach Dracovia with airplanes because they'd crash due to the strange magnetic field around the kingdom and the water route had proven a bad idea because they have a more advanced navy than us. So...land option made for a peace treaty would be proven useful. That way, we have a direct route that's fast and in case we ever need to, we can send an army their way within five hours.“ Grayson spoke in hushed tones, sharing his strategies with Ethan.

''Are you thinking about invading?“ Ethan whispered, looking around paranoically for possible spies who might hear. Talk of war soon becomes acts of war and Ethan had enough decency and wits to know that would be unbeneficial for the kingdom.

''No...but if need arises...“ Grayson sighs, defeated as he remembers his bride's promises made in the dark. ''If the need ever arises, I want a clear route. I don't want to be blindsided.“ Grayson added, determined he's doing the right thing. ''It will also be a good way for Y/N to visit her kingdom too. She isn't just some girl, she's a princess and she is also a daughter who misses her father.“ Grayson remembered how sad and lonely she seemed whenever she thought he wasn't looking and he wanted to give her hope of a quick visit home. She must miss her family and he wanted her to see them whenever it became too hard to be away.

''Hope you know what you're doing.“ Ethan patted his brother on the shoulder, leading him toward the meeting room.

Once they're out of sight, Y/N finally comes out from behind the wall, unsure what to think. She knew why their planes would crash and the reason why must remain a secret. Dracovian navy was far more developed than any other, but this land route? It would be a danger for her kingdom. A peril she'd never let come to be. The road will do her good, but if she finds Grayson wants to start a war? She'll blow the whole bridge and the army to kingdom come...her husband too. But she couldn't help the small ache her heart felt when he spoke of her missing her father...she did miss him and his wisdom, as ruthless as he is...she wondered if he's be disappointed at how willingly she gave herself to this king and how much she craved him. In a way, she wanted to believe in him, that Grayson was a good guy and that she would find Andrea's blood wasn't on his hands, but it was a slight possibility. But if he's not at fault? She'd love him with all her heart. She knew she would...had she let herself, she'd love him even now, after a single night spent under him.

As night came, she found herself in his arms, again and again, her mind numbed by the way he touched her. She didn't fight it, but embraced it. She met every thrust with equal desire and passion, moaned without hiding how good he makes her feel.

Grayson watched in awe as she came undone under him, fascinated by her. She wears her strength and darkness equally well. But what really brings him to his knees is the knowledge she's most definitely not a simple woman – she's always been half goddess, half hell and he couldn't get enough of her.

Just like the previous night, he remained in her bed, his arms wrapped around her tightly. She wondered if it was an Astros tradition for a man and woman to stay in the same bed or if it was just this man who craved love and affection more than any man she had ever met. Dracovian rulers had always had separate chambers connected with a small, hidden passage for the King to come to visit his wife for three nights in a month about ten days after her monthly bleeding. Sex was made to create heirs and it wasn't as tender or slow or caring as Grayson had shown her. She knew only of sex that was made to use a body for the reproductive reasons, but she knew now that there was a way to say I love you, I need you without ever uttering the words.

The nightly stays and joined breakfasts have become a tradition for the newlyweds, one that Y/N secretly loved. She barely saw the king during the day as he went about his duties and she was tasked with getting to know the castle, the people inside and every chance she got Y/N listened in to Grayson's conversations to Ethan. She never got a whiff of something useful, but she had quickly learned he'll only ever tell his twin if he plans a sinister move. Lady Mareen had been another set of eyes and ears in the castle for her, gathering information as well.

A month had passed, two months, the third one on the horizon. Grayson was no longer a guest in her bed, but a resident. She had gotten used to his loving kisses and tender whispers, but that's where the issue had become clear.

''You seem quite unwell, highness.“ Lady Mareen noticed as Y/N pressed a palm against her mouth to stop the churning of her stomach that seemed to want nothing more than to empty the breakfast Grayson had filled her up with – both from his own body and the one after.

''How long had it been since you last bled?“ Mareen whispered lowly, looking around to make sure no one notices the princess and her state. Y/N's pale, shaky and her skin is covered in glistening sweat as she leans against the walls.

''It can't be. I'm...I'm on the pill.“ Y/N states, remembering she wouldn't bleed while on the pill anyway. But she couldn't help and wonder if gods are so cruel that she would now be carrying a child.

''I'll get you a test. Go to your room and speak to no one.“ Mareen whispered, rushing off down the hall and Y/N shook her head, her chin quivering. Walking slowly, holding onto the wall, Y/N tried to be inconspicuous as she neared her room. Her stomach was turning, nausea unrelentingly strangling her as she swallowed thickly, disgusted as she began salivating. She didn't want a child now, nor with Grayson.

It would be a lie if she said she didn't start feeling something for the man who she started to trust, to actually feel comfortable with, but she hardly knew him. She hardly knew his heart and his mind and she decided to change that. She had to, baby or no baby, she had to know who he truly is beneath the handsome charmer he presents himself as.

She waited for what seemed hours, vomiting twice before the lady arrived. The box said a minute would decide her fate, but she had seen the white turn to pink almost immediately after she peed on the stick and she knew that no matter what she had tried to stop, she failed miserably.

''Well?“ Lady Mareen was impatient, just as scared as her princess was. She knew how important this mission was to the young girl, but even more, she knew what it meant to have a child in a loveless marriage. It was a soul-exhausting trap for any woman and she didn't know that her princess had long caved to the gentle caress of this strange king.

Tears in her eyes, Y/N outstretched her shaky hand with terror and spoke with fear.

''I'm definitely pregnant.“

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~           ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~      

Tags: @graysavant​​ @yaren-ates​​ @beinscorpio​ @dolandolll​ @godlydolans​ @dolanstwintuesday​ @accalialionheart​ @peacedolantwins​ @heyits-claire​ @graydolan12​ @gia-kerks​​ @justordinaryjen​

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

IPKKND & Angst - Top 9 Scenes

Angst: A feelings of anxiety and frustration that isn’t specific.

In the serial verse, this is exactly why “kyun dard hai itna, tere ishq main?” (why does it hurt to be in love with you?)

Words fall short to praise the writers, actors, production team for the moment they were able to express anguish and sentiments through the facade of denial and ignorance. 

“Angst is not the human condition, it’s the purgatory between what we have and what we want but can’t get.”  ― Miguel Syjuco, Ilustrado

1. The first promo. Nafrat paas aane na de, mohabbat door jaane na de. This is angst, personified. 2. She tells she’s leaving for Lucknow, forever. He hears she’s leaving him, forever. (S1, E45) 3. He tells her it’s his engagement, and whether it happens or not, how does it matter to her? She tells that it doesn’t matter, with tears stinging her eyes. (S4, E10) 4. When he compels her to marry him. And she agrees. (S6, E4 - S6, E8) 5. When he passionately dances with his wife. The woman he supposedly hates. (S6, E33) 6. "Khushi, please stop crying. Khushi I... I love you.” (S7, E27) 7. “That I love you damnit!” (S8 , E30)

8. “No, Arnav ji will come. I have faith in him. Today is our wedding.” (S9, E30 - S10, E2) 9. “Arnav and Khushi will always stay together.” (S10, E30)

Read more for in-depth thoughts.

“Nafrat paas aane na de, mohabbat door jaane na de.”

“Hate prevents us from growing closer, love forbids us from growing apart.”

This promo had me hook, line and sinker. It was refreshing to watch a rich romance drama, sans any fanciness, that delved deep into symbolism and almost added a sense of forbidden in their love story. In the first image the power play - the financial and status difference is highlighted (brilliant framing) because Khushi literally looks up to Arnav, him unaware of her. And you’re sure that this might be an innocent love, a hidden attraction that is not returned. 

Yet, once Arnav leaves the elevator (and is aware that no one is looking at him), he turns to catch a glimpse of her. So he was aware, very much so, of her gaze. And boy oh boy, the feelings aren’t just returned - they’re intensified! And it’s this continuous push and pull that sets the course of IPKKND. She is wary of his approach, but does not believe his arrogance is all to him. He rebuffs her, but is always pained by her despair. 

She wishes to love him, despite his apparent flaws. He wishes to hate her, despite her apparent perfection. 

Let’s take a moment to appreciate that the shadows of rain fall on her, putting the torn photograph together. She treasures it and holds it against her heart, her eyes wide, afraid and lost. 

While he is in the middle of nowhere, drenched in rain, holding a photograph in his hands. Unable to look more, he crumples the photograph, his eyes tightly shut as if he’s crushing something that’s causing him immense pain.

*chef’s kiss to this promo*

What does a person want apart from two rich characters in a rich storyline with rich layering? You are not just invested in the day the confess their love to each other, rather the journey that takes them there. 

*dreamy sigh*

"Nafrat hai na aapko humse? Humari aukaad se? Humari shakal nahi dekhna chahte hai na aap? Toh khushi ho jaiye, hum aapki nazron se hamesha ke liye door jaa rahe hai. Lucknow jaa rahe hai hum, hamesha ke liye.” (S1, E45)

“So you hate me? My status? You don’t want to see my face, right? Then rejoice! I’m going to be out of your sight, forever. I’m leaving for Lucknow, forever.”

This sounds like a woman wobbling on the edge of feelings for a man. And it awfully sounds like a breakup (which is funny because the story hasn’t even started, or technically it did when their eyes met?)

One of the most interesting thing about this exchange is the way Khushi words her departure. She never says “I hate you,” or “I am leaving with my family to go back home,” or “my stay in Delhi has come to an end.” It’s almost like as if she lived in Delhi all along as was leaving to a new city because of him.

Her departure is attached to his hatred. To her, her status, her face - three things that has hurt Khushi the most. She literally says that she’s going away from his sight, forever.

It’s no wonder Arnav hears something else, that she’s not going home, she’s leaving him. In most waysIPKKND has been heavily biased to Arnav’s point of view - so when she declares the bg score quickly shifts to a soft, instrumental Rabba Ve.

The impact? His world stops for a second and he literally just says one thing, trying to get a hold of her, “Khushi, you can’t leave like this. Khushi!”

This conversation haunts Arnav till no end. He spends every moment henceforth playing everything wrong that he did with her. 

This episode is my favorite because their inner struggles are so visible.

When Lavanya asks Arnav if he loves her the way she is, Arnav looks at Khushi’s desk and says “Yes, I like you the way you are.”

This is the first time Arnav and Khushi develop their sixth sense towards the other - something that manifests deeply over the months to come. Khushi tells herself not to look at Arnav but she does, and is unable to look away. Her feet gives away at his voice, her logic abandons her (talk about pushing a door outward when it opens inward).

When Shyam, over the phone, tells her how much he thinks about her she’s immediately alarmed until he covers his words. With Arnav she’s not afraid of the physical intensity but of his anger, definitely his anger.

It’s the first time Arnav sees how much he affects her, negatively as well.

And their romantic, delicate moments is a scene stealer. Her self respect does not allow him to take his extended hand. His awareness of her pulls him to return her dupatta to him, a gesture that means so much. When they’re both quiet, something else happens altogether.

And then both are disturbed by the thoughts of each other. She’s stunned by his softness. She had noticed when he stopped his rant. And the first woman Arnav thinks of when Anjali tells her about love is Khushi. It’s his anger and personality that prevents Khushi from thinking more about Arnav. 

And it’s also his personality and beliefs (that are now on very shaky grounds) that stop Arnav from accepting the corner of his heart that has, unexpectedly, softened for Khushi. He only allows himself to completely think of her when he’s alone.

*double dreamy sigh - eating butter popcorn for the sigh*

“Khushi meri sagai ho ya na ho, kal ho ya ek saal baad ho, tumhe usse kya farak padta hai?” (S4, E10)

“Khushi, whether I get engaged or not, whether it’s tomorrow or the next year, how does it matter to you?”

The first thing that Khushi replies if, “Why should it matter to me if it’s your engagement?”

It’s not a no. It’s a question she asks him in turn. What does he expect? Why is he asking her this? Why… when it’s too late? And she quickly covers it up with “No, it makes no difference.”

It’s a lie. The minute she looks at him she knows he knows it’s a lie. Big props to the background scorers. We know the question hits Khushi hard because it’s the question she has been avoiding all along. We know that even though Arnav knows it’s a terribly hidden lie, he cannot help being hurt - a big credit to the soft, painful background score apart from the fantastic actors.

And when Khushi justifies her actions with scattered sentences and tears stinging her eyes, Arnav knows the truth. She knows the truth. And they both wait for the other to acknowledge it. And they both know neither can do so. 

The most beautiful, painful and almost tragic part of this scene is that they’re both completely aware and struggling with the weight of their denial. His desperation, perhaps, is a mirror image to Khushi’s desperation when she wanted to know why he nearly kissed her on Diwali. But his desperation is also triggered by the fact that she is engaged to another man. 

One might also wonder that once she can validate her emotions, perhaps break her loveless engagement (which he correctly assumes is forced), then he might get the strength to break his? One might also wonder that Khushi, at this point, has lost all hope for whatever it was between them - yet at his prodding she can only hope if he can ever speak up his mind. And his inability to do so pushes him farther away from her. 

One of the loveliest things about Arnav and Khushi is that they can be interpreted a thousand ways. In one way Arnav’s fury post that scene does not really come from him believing that he does not matter, but rather on her denial. And he’s clearly not thinking clearly. Not ever since he learned her engagement. And Khushi, on the other hand, seems to have accepted her gloomy future, and seems to be sinking onto the thorn she has held onto. 

If you see one of the promo posters, the creatives modified it to Khushi holding a thorned rose that injures her hand (so it’s bleeding) but her gaze is transfixed to the man behind her who’s staring at her too. 

I think that is Arnav and Khushi’s journey. Poetic tragedy. 

A story you’re almost afraid will not have a happy ending. A story where everything wrong happens. So it’s only a bigger pay off that they do end up together, in their happily ever after. 

And honestly, Khushi’s refusal to accept her feelings post their marital status kind of prevents Khushi from seeming immoral or as the ‘third’ woman in Lavanya’s life. Also - I love Anjali at this time who is really the only person constantly worried about Khushi’s lack of happiness for her impending wedding. Not even Lavanya senses Khushi’s despair. 

*I always, always tear up at this scene.*

“Haan ya na? Haan, ya na!” (S6, E4 - S6, E8)

“Yes or no? Yes, or no!” 

The elopement episodes legit kill me. It’s so painful, and it’s painful because it was avoidable! And it’s all built of misunderstandings! There’s so much regret and what ifs that stem from here that this phase alone has inspired so many fan fictions across the world. 

This moment reminds me of Shakespeare’s Othello on how Desdemona was painted as a lose woman by a jealous Iago. And convinced the Othello who had loved his wife endlessly that she was having an extra marital affair with Othello’s best friend and right hand man, Casio. 

In IPKKND, Casio and Iago is built into one Shyam Manohar Jha - a man Arnav trusts immensely. A man so manipulative that it’s almost impossible to believe his vile side until we see it ourselves. It often makes me wonder what if we, the audience, never saw the conniving side of Shyam Manohar Jha? It’s frightening to realize that like Anjali, a lot of us might have had difficulty to understand what could be the truth. 

There are so many reasons why this episode hurt. Khushi expected a proposal. Arnav wanted to propose. And it wouldn’t just be a confession of love, it would be marriage - it was hinted all along with the mehendi, haldi, new bangles for a bride to be and his duty as a damaad to look after his in laws’ relatives. He had behaved so innately as if he were already married to Khushi that it hurt to see their dreams of marriage come true, as a nightmare. 

The push and pull between pain, empathy, betrayal is heartbreaking. Also, I believe it is also one of the few television shows to completely highlight the reason for a sudden, forced marriage. Yes, Arnav technically ‘gains’ agency of Khushi by claiming her as his wife - but that is never physical. 

To be physically close to her is what they both wanted and dreamed off so it’s the first thing he shatters between him and Khushi. They wouldn’t be in the same side of the room, forget the bed. 

Barun and Sanaya’s performance is impeccable in these sequences. Arnav’s constant shift from a cold, calculative monster a man whose heart breaks on his beloved’s tears is so visible. Khushi’s disbelief, to heartbreak to helplessness and ultimate ruin pulls the most of us to run and hug her for the longest time.

When Arnav asks Khushi to marry him, the pose is romantic - with her pressed against him, dressed in the similar shades - much like how they had danced a few nights ago. But it’s all a nightmare, the green tint adds the feeling of nausea, despair and gloom. 

Of course, most of the anger shifts to an Arnav who torments Khushi endlessly for the months to come but most of my hatred at this point is fixed on Snake Jha instead. That man, singlehandedly, destroyed the most beautiful relationship out of his own villainy. 

And if there’s anything I’m unsatisfied with in this serial, it’s how Arnav and Khushi never end up punishing Shyam directly for ruining their individual lives (and for perennially harassing Khushi over a period of seven months). 

When he passionately dances with his wife. The woman he supposedly hates. (S6, E33)

“Bheegi bheegi si hai raatein bheegi bheegi

Yaadein bheegi bheegi baatein bheegi bheegi

Aankhon mein kaisi nami hai,

Aa ha ha ha ... aa ha

Sapnon ka saya palkon pe aaya

Pal mein hasaya pal mein rulaya

Phir bhi yeh kaisi kami hai

Aa ha ha ha ... aa ha Na jaane koi kaisi hai yeh zindagani, zindagani

Hamari adhuri kahani.”

The nights are drenched, so are the memories, the conversations. My eyes are strangely damp. A shadow of my dreams flashed before my eyes. It made me laugh, it made me cry. And yet, there’s something missing. No one knows what this life is. The one of our incomplete story.

This is the song that ran in my head when I watched them dance, painfully similar to way they danced when they were deep in love, in their Teri Meri. The steps are hauntingly same, but the emotions are vastly different. 

For me in this moment Khushi is taken aback at her own feelings. She was so sure she had killed every memory, every feeling of that fateful night when he had danced straight from her fantasies into her heart. And boy she was wrong - those feelings rose back with a vengeance. 

And for Arnav, it’s funny how the dance almost seems like a move to claim Khushi for himself, to exercise his possessive right over her in front of that vile Snake. 

Once they start dancing though, everything fades away apart from the burning intensity they have for each other. This is something private. It’s the thin line between love and lust that they have always walked on. 

His eyes are sharp yet intoxicated, drinking her face like nothing else. Her body is soft, and fluid, melting at his slightest touch. The wonder never leaves her eyes, neither does the sudden hunger. 

Although the idea of the Delhi main Bali and Snake giving her roses *ewww, why didn’t she make an excuse!!!*  and a part of me really wished that Khushi wore a pink saree instead of a salwar (she carries those so well - in that sexy, naive way!), and I wish that Snake disappeared from the planet - this dance was worth it. 

The contrast between Akash Payal’s honeymoon night versus theirs does provide some much needed comic relief, it’s in the little moments such as a lit matchstick or them sharing a couch that kinda shows that the after effects of the dance lingered long in their heads. 

Would I have been happier to have seen them directly carry out the palpable tension and angst that simmered during the dance to the privacy of their room? YES

Would that be possible on Indian television? Probably no

Do I respect the writers’ decision? Yes

Is this a perfect combination of angst and sexual tension? Heck yeah, why do you think I’m writing this! 

Why do I love this scene - it has everything synonymous to Arnav and Khushi; the angst, passion, conflicted emotions and a hope that the fire hadn’t dimmed out. 

*totally fanned myself and mentally thought that they were gonna blow up in flames or sexual frustration or the angsty thing of this whole situation at this point*

"Khushi, please stop crying. Khushi I... I love you.” (S7, E27 - S7, E28)

This was not a confession of love. This was a man’s last words. Arnav knew he would never get another chance to speak to her. As they say, death often brings about the biggest realizations and the biggest regrets. Yet again, this was a situation that could have been avoided. 

If he listened to her.

If he had trusted her. 

If he had allowed her to take him back home. 

The ‘what ifs’ were too much. There was nothing more for Arnav to lose. And he couldn’t die without telling the only woman he ever loved that he never hated her. That he only, ever, loved her. Nothing else mattered. 

On the other side Khushi had lost every hope of ever getting her love returned. His acerbic words and accusations had clawed her insides so much that logic, reasoning and even his hatred had fated away. He had to have known that she had always loved him. But she was so afraid to say anything that she could only cry when she heard his voice. And even before she could say what she wanted, he said the impossible. 

He loved her. 

Despite everything. 

The angst is so heavy over here because Khushi’s joy and Arnav’s tragedy are so well put next to each other. On one end Khushi is floating with the thought of being loved and on the other Arnav is drowning for the very same reason. It’s one thing to verbalize your love, and another to never get the opportunity to live it. 

True, Arnav wouldn’t have confessed his love if his life wasn’t in danger. He definitely would have come to that conclusion long after. It’s just that his brush with probably death broke away every hesitation, fear, doubt, betrayal he faced. 

And nothing apart from an ‘I love you’ would’ve rendered Khushi speechless. It’s also disheartening that she realizes he would have never told her the same if things were normal. 

The frustration, the pain, it’s beautiful! 

Also one thing I found very interesting is that he cuts the call before Khushi can reply to him. Maybe her shock, her tears, her happiness (now that they are immensely in sync with each other), reveal that his feelings were returned (yup I’m an optimist!)? Maybe that’s why they didn’t need to say anything to each other apart from knowing that they’ve both been blind (once they meet each other into that legendary hug)? 

It’s interesting that out of all the things that haunt him when he’s kidnapped - it’s how he reacted after knowing her version of truth. And Khushi, dear Khushi, she sees everything at his one confession - and perhaps it tells us all what she ever wanted to hear all along. Just like Arnav could forgive her everything at the possibility of never seeing her again, Khushi could forgive his anything at the slightest chance of him loving her back.

Also, one quick side note - I love how this parallels to the first promo. There Khushi held the torn photo together and held it against her heart. Here, Khushi’s belief in their broken relationship gets a 180 turn and she grasps her phone against her heart. There Arnav crumples the worn photo and closes his eyes in pain. Here, he cuts the call and grips the phone and closes his eyes in pain, again. 

Full circle much? 

*nope, totally didn’t cry when this happened, just some water leaks on the glands outside my eye ok*

“That I love you damnit!” (S8 , E30)

Isn’t it funny that the two most angsty moments in the show are the two times that Arnav ‘confesses’ his love to Khushi. And in fact it’s not that he’s confessing his love, it’s something they both know, it’s always more than that. 

Totally negating the fact that there was an awkward-almost-forced-no-communication-what-the-heck-hate-it that-they-look-hot-weird-consummation sequence, let’s jump to Khushi overtly persisting Arnav about the necessities of marriage and rituals and Arnav finally breaking it to her that he loves her.

Given what happened (when he blamed her for everything wrong that happened in Anjali’s marriage) it’s perhaps easy to understand why Khushi would, again, need verbal assurance of who was she to him and what was her place in life.

In her mind it makes absolute sense that even if he proclaimed several times that he is her husband and she is his wife after that, she needed his words as his actions and words have contradicted a lot over time. 

In his mind everything also makes sense. He married her (terribly, might I add), things were going better, they have shared a bed and are used to each other’s physical spaces and were always pretty close to kissing, if not sex (to be canon compliant, we can always imagine a much more eager Khushi and less creepy Arnav actually ready to bang in the hut). 

So over here, in this scene, it’s the height of their frustrations and their differences in ideologies. Arnav has been a man of actions, Khushi has been a woman of words. 

We can see how different they are, fundamentally and in a way it’s hilarious because both want the same thing. It’s kinda crucial to see that despite wanting the same thing - they really can’t understand each other at this point. He wants her to act. She wants him to say. And neither are getting the other in this process. 

And even though he yells at her and stares at her with this intense release of their bubbling emotions - it was hot. Strangely it was because we’ve all heard of the calm before the storm, this was more like a calm after the storm. 

And what’s sweet is that Khushi is always stunned. She stares at him and slowly lets it sink in about what he said. (I wish Arnav stuck around than swagger walked away because she went back into the room and positively glowed).  So although this might not be my most favorite angst moment, the time when they just stare and Khushi goes through this phase of shock, understanding and a ‘why-didn’t-you-tell-me-before’ and he goes through irritation, understanding and then back to annoyance is the last bit of angst that they have against each other. 

And for some reason, he does leave before he can hear her reply. Again. 

*they looked so, so hot. Can’t believe this episode was nearly ruined by the forced suhaagraat. So glad she gets to tell him ‘I love you’ in this same outfit.*

“Jiji, agar woh waapas nahi aye toh hum kya karenge? Agar woh waapas nahi aye toh hum kya karenge?!” (S9, E30 - S10, E2)

“Jiji, what will I do if he never returns? What will I do if he never returns!?” 

In this context it can loosely be translated to what will happen to me if he never returns as well. 

Oh God these episodes tug my heartstrings so much. As I said, everything terrible seems to be happening to these two. And just as they resolved every bit of doubt between themselves, fate played them into the hands of the things that mattered most to them - family.

One of the reasons why I truly love this episode is because how ferocious Khushi is. She loves him, after the massive journey they’ve had, and heck will she allow anyone to destroy that. Her paranoia, fear and almost maddening level of love was such a refreshing change. 

It’s not that she was just sobbing - no, she was constantly shifting between anger, denial, cries, yells, silence - everything. She nearly lost her mind at the thought of never getting him back again. And YES! This is my most favourite Khushi - the passionate, determined, vulnerable, strong, vocal Khushi. 

And Arnav, oh God I truly cried for him. His struggles, his tears - I loved that he collapsed and cried his lungs out. I loved that he kept on trying to make sense of his life and collect the pieces of memory floating around to give an answer. 

The angst, the fight against the past, the ultimate payoff - completely worth it. He made the right decision and he was still shaken by everything. Khushi, despite yelling at Dadi when that woman had the audacity of orchestrating this event, still murmured her apology to Arnav - respecting his family relations. They’re both quintessentially who they are, but at this point of time they understand each other in a completely different level.

(Which is why the future tracks don’t make much sense. Neither does the situation of Ek Jashn because no way would Arnav forget this day, out of everything.)

This day could have gone so, so wrong. But it does not. The angst of the two episodes builds up so well that I was crying when Arnav met with an accident - because he running his way back to his Khushi. The symbolism is flowing so heavily in these scenes. 

It’s literally what keeps on happening in their lives. Khushi keeps her hope until it’s impossible and Arnav proves her wrong (delightfully so) by saying the most important things to her or even by making the most important decision. An optimist and a responsible decision maker - life looks good for them. 

Kudos to the sound team for the way they handled the music - especially when Khushi rubbishes her thoughts of the broken bangles, is over excited at Arnav’s arrival and rushes down the stairs to meet him (breaking every single ritual cause rituals actually didn’t matter) and despite all the joy the dread in the background score is so good and effective. 

Would I have liked if Arnav kept his hair up, if the phere flashback was omitted cause we just proved that pheres weren’t the issue and if the frothy pink white background was something different and darker - even like just the simple mandir as the mandir wedding aesthetic was prettier - definitely. BUT, that’s just minor irrelevant details. 

*lets out a soft breath when Arnav kisses Khushi’s forehead after they marry... yes, angst is gone... totally gone. Thank God*

“Arnav aur Khushi hamesha saath rahenge.” (S10, E30)

“Arnav and Khushi will always stay together.” 

Damnit, I’m getting emotional! Look at what the last angsty moment is between them. The first time I sensed angst, it was the impossibility of them getting together. And now, it’s the impossibility of them living apart. 

That’s exactly why I am in love with this series - this is called growth. 

I so sincerely wished the rest of the Aarav track was dealt with this much of maturity instead of the stupid comedy that was off putting. But you have to give the props to the writers, actors and production team for coming up with this soft, slightly angsty, emotional moment about the two characters who are so true to their nature yet fear another external force pulling them apart. 

It’s a beautiful insight to the future. That Khushi would accept her vulnerabilities. That Arnav would reassure her and have his life knocked back into him when she would be next to him. That Arnav and Khushi would discuss everything together, now their differences remained superficial and their understanding was skin deep. 

They understand all that without saying much. No humor, no belittling Khushi, no family harping on Arnav 2.0, no Khushi losing her maturity/intelligence/brains and no Sheetal becoming besties of Raizada for no reason.

This scene is such a beautiful moment between the both of them - precisely why the Mrs. India track felt like such a terrible downfall in their relationship. It didn’t make sense based on what was established in this episode. 

Arnav and Khushi need each other. There’s no ego, no pride, just a deep level of understanding and a connection that rivals almost everything else. Over here Arnav isn’t angry at Khushi for making crazy connections, he’s speaking the possibilities with her and how futile her fear is because they are married and in love - she should be with irrespective of the consequences.

Over here Khushi isn’t hiding her thoughts or lying to him, she’s exposing her fears and worry. As an orphan she feels the necessity of making sure Aarav has a parent - especially if his father is hearty and alive. And she allows herself to be strengthened from the faith Arnav has in them and himself. 

This one scene immediately made me empathize with both Arnav and Khushi. This is perhaps one of their very few soft conversations that happen on screen. Is there anything called soft angst? That hug made me weak in my knees. That’s love folks, that’s love. That’s how we envision Arnav & Khushi in future. 

*imagines the soft kisses and moments these two might have had. Cries because it’s fluff meets smut and feels and damn they’re gorgeous*

PHEW! THAT’S THE END AND THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH FOR STICKING ONTO THIS ONE! One last, final, quick note - all of this is obviously from my point of view and no way am I even right in perceiving the show - everyone has their own opinions so feel free to add notes! 

[dumbchickwrites]

Be Mine — part 3

Pairings: Erik Stevens x Reader.

Warnings: soft! Erik.

Requested by @wakanda-inspired.

A/N: Again, no keep reading tag, sawry!😬 About this part, I was going to leave it at that but I was like.... ‘this lacks drama’. So beware, unnecessary drama below lol.

Part One Part Two

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Erik realised that he needed to change the idea that you had of him. He needed to show you that you were special, that only you held his heart in your hands.

So with the help of T’Challa and Kemi, two of your best friends, he organised a little surprise dinner for you, at sunset, your favourite moment. Kemi, more than happy to spend a few minutes with Erik immediately following him and T’Challa to the kitchens.

As Erik and Kemi talked to the chef, T’Challa couldn’t help but think something was off with the handmaiden. Last he heard, you were telling him how much she liked Erik. And just the day before, you told him that someone’s advice kept you from kissing Erik that night.

“Kemi,” he called.

“Yes, kumkani?”

“Would you come with me, please?”

Once they were out of Erik’s earshot, he pulled her around a corner.

“(Y/N) told me she came to you for advice after she talked to N’Jadaka. Would you mind telling me what you told her?”

“My King, these are private conversations,” she tried to laugh the request off but T’Challa kept a straight face.

“Alright then. As your King, I command you to tell me what was said. And I’ll know if you lie.”

Your best friend gulped. “Well, she came to me, told me what happened. I was sceptical at first because, well, we all know about the Prince’s... activities. So I told her that maybe he was not sincere.”

“Hm,” T’Challa crossed his arms, one of hands going to fiddle with his beard. “Isn’t it true that you are... infatuated with N’Jadaka?”

“I...” Kemi opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say. “I wouldn’t say ‘infatuated’—“

“You’re dismissed.”

“... I’m sorry?”

“You can be. N’Jadaka won’t need you anymore, you can go.”

With that, he left her in the hallway. He went back in the kitchens to find Erik studying a piece of paper. With a little smile, his cousin handed it to him.

“What do you think?”

“I’m sure she’ll love it,” T’Challa smiled, giving the menu back to Erik.

*

You kissed your lips as you huffed and puffed on your way to the massive panther statue on the other side of the mountain. Had you known T’Challa would call you there — for what exactly, you didn’t know, you wouldn’t have worn heels that morning. Scowl set on your face, you stepped off the elevator, ready to cuss his head off.

Except it wasn’t T’Challa on the cliff. It was Erik, standing in front of a table. He was wringing his hands, looking at the table, but the moment he saw you he dug them in his pockets, a close-mouthed smile on his lips showing off his dimples.

He looked absolutely adorable.

“Wh... What’s going on?” you approached him with small steps.

“Will you have dinner with me? ... Please?”

You could have cried. That had to be one of the sweetest things anyone had done for you.

“Oh, Erik...”

You threw yourself in his arms, your own circling his torso. With your ear against his chest, you could hear the beats of his heart quicken as you squeezed him tighter.

Erik immediately hugged you back, burying his nose in your hair, inhaling the scents of shea butter and coconut oil. Finally. Holding you felt so, so good. Better than he ever imagined.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he chuckled.

“You did all of this for me?” you asked with watery eyes as you took in the setup.

“And I wouldn’t do it for anyone else.”

If you weren’t falling in love with Erik before, you sure as hell were now. A burst of confidence shooting through your body, your hand found the back of his head and pushed it towards yours, making your lips collide in a passionate, breathtaking kiss.

Erik moaned in your mouth as your tongue started dancing with his and he embraced you tighter, if that was even possible.

“Erik, I have to ask,” you said in the middle of dinner. “Why me? Why all of this?”

“‘Cause you got me, Princess. You’re the only thing that keeps me sane these days, you keep me grounded. When I’m with you I feel safe, I feel heard and seen. I want you to feel all those things when you’re with me. I want you to be mine, just like I’m yours.”

You couldn’t help it. You left your chair to sit on his lap, your legs dangling on one side.

“I’m yours,” you whispered against his lips before kissing him again.

*

You and Erik had officially been an item for a few weeks now. You couldn’t get enough of him, of his touch, of his lips, his warmth. Happiness had you glowing and giggling to yourself like a school girl as you thought of him. You were over the moon.

Kemi kept telling you to just wait. Wait until he slips up, because he will. He’s a womaniser. And you haven’t even laid with him yet! He will never settle down with you. But honestly you couldn’t care less about what she thought, and she saw it.

“Looks like someone had a great night,” Shuri teased as you entered T’Challa’s office.

Once a week the three of you would sit down and catch up on gossip and your respective lives. It didn’t look like it but the King of Wakanda loved juicy gossip, he also had the best too.

“Yes, we slept together. I mean we slept together, literally slept, but we didn’t — you know.”

“Bast, (Y/N), I’m not a child anymore!” Shuri rolled her eyes.

“Alright, alright!” you raised your hands in surrender as you sat down on T’Challa’s desk.

“Eh, I already told you, there are chairs here and a sofa over there! Both of you!” the King huffed, gesturing towards you and Shuri, who sat on the other end of the desk.

“Yes, yes,” you waved his remark away. “So, what’s new?”

“We need to find another handmaiden,” Shuri said.

“Why?” you frowned. “What’s wrong with Kemi?”

“She’s becoming sloppy, you do all the work around here. She gets distracted, and I don’t like her energy.”

“Well, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation to all of this. I’ll talk to her.”

“How can you defend her after what she’s done to you?” T’Challa tilted his head towards you.

“What she’s done to me? What has she done to me?”

“She put her interests before your happiness,” T’Challa stated, as if it was as simple as one plus one.

“I don’t understand,” you shook your head, the crease between your brows deepening.

“She is putting toxic thoughts about your relationship in your head because she wants N’Jadaka to herself. Don’t you think it’s strange that her behaviour is changing just when you’re perfectly happy in your relationship?”

You were livid. Not Kemi. Not your best friend since middle school. But when had T’Challa ever lied to you? Betrayal hit you first. A blow in your stomach which knocked the air out of your lungs. Then anger. You were angry that if it hadn’t been for her, you would have been with Erik long ago.

“I need to talk to her. Where is she?” you asked Shuri.

The Princess raised her wrist and a 3D hologram of the Palace came out of one of her kimoyo beads. She zoomed on the little blue dot and your blood ran cold.

“She’s in Erik’s chamb— (Y/N), wait!”

Without thinking, you kicked your heels off your feet and sprinted out of the room.

“Ugh!” Shuri groaned, hopping off her brother’s desk. “Eish, what are you doing?” she watched him walk at a normal pace. “Don’t you have superhuman speed? Aren’t you going to stop her?!”

“No,” T’Challa simply shook his head.

Shuri groaned again and rolled her eyes.

They found you in front of Erik’s door, fumbling with your kimoyo beads. You placed one on the massive door and the other in your ear. You were practically fuming. Kemi was using that voice, the one she used to lure her one night stands back to her house on nights out.

“What the hell are you doing?!” you heard Erik say.

“Oh, come on, your Highness! What has it been, weeks now? A man like you must miss it.”

“I don’t wanna hurt you, man. Get off me.”

That was enough.

You barged into the room, breath heavy and nostrils flaring. Kemi was sitting on Erik’s lap as he sat on his couch. They both had a look of pure horror on their faces.

Driven by adrenaline, you yanked Kemi off your man by her puff, making her cry out in pain.

“(Y/N), it’s not what you think, I swear!” she cowered on the ground.

“No? Weren’t you just trying to seduce my boyfriend?!”

“No! I— I just wanted to—to show you he’s not trustworthy!”

“Baby, you know that’s bullshit!” Erik exclaimed from behind you.

You raised your hand to make him stop talking. He immediately thought that that was it. You’d break up with him and he’d be back to square one, but this time with no hope whatsoever.

“I can’t believe I spent all these years calling you my best friend, my sister, only for you to go around my back like this and play your twisted mind games with me!” you spat, blood boiling.

Her mask of tears and pity melted, leaving in its place a nasty scowl.

“You always had everything you wanted, everything you dreamed of was handed to you on a silver platter. Even the damned King is a your feet! So yes, I wanted something for myself. I wanted him,” she pointed her finger at Erik. “And in order to have him, I had to keep you as far back as I could.”

“Crazy ass,” Erik muttered under his breath.

As you rolled your eyes, Kemi saw an opportunity. In a flash, she was off the ground and her hand about to collide with your cheek. Instead, it was met by a golden spear.

“You do not. Lay hands. On the Princess,” Okoye, who had followed Shuri and T’Challa, warned.

Kemi huffed, her face contorted by fury. With a dark look sent your way, she stomped out of the room.

“Feel free to never come back!” Shuri yelled after her.

You thanked Okoye for her protection and she gave you a curt nod, then left followed by the royal siblings, leaving you with Erik. You turned around to face your boyfriend, hands on your hips.

“Baby, I swear, nothing happened—“

“I know,” you smiled.

Erik exhaled, relieved.

“That bitch is crazy.”

A laugh escaped your lips as you buried your face in his chest, your arms around his torso. “You can say that again. But don’t worry about it. I’m still yours if you’re still mine.”

Erik hugged you back, leaving a kiss on the top of your head. “I’m yours, baby. I ain’t going anywhere.”

A smile stretched Erik’s lips as he held you, gently rocking your bodies back and forth.

He had won the girl.

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Tags: @fonville-designs @ohliyaxoxo @bidibidibombaclaat @chaneajoyyy @heykillmongerluhme @ljstraightnochaser @deansbbysblog @honeytoffee @raysunshine78

[beautcous]

Thread 06 - (Ringing In The New Year)

While he normally preferred to spend New Years Eve in the comfort of his own home, tonight was too important for Ezra to miss. He was taking Sydney to the Stonehill Beach soiree, and to his utter surprise, she’d agreed to go with him without much of a fuss. Ever since the day that he spent at her home, they seemed to be making strides forward. There was still a little resistance on her end, but with time, he was more than positive that he would be able to change her tune. But that was a problem for another day, for now, he was focusing on tonight. He’d brought along a bouquet of roses with him and while he waited for her to open the door, he breathed in deeply in an effort to calm his rapid heart rate. His eyes went wide once she was in front of him, his jaw growing a little slack. It took a few ticks before he was able to address her, but not before he blinked his eyes a few times. “You look great, Syd.” Before Ezra could get swept away again, he presented her with the bouquet. “These are for you. Whenever you’re ready to go we can leave…”

Sydney had done it again, broken every rule she had set forth for herself in her interactions with Ezra. Going so far as to sleeping with him yet again, and not once but three times and try as hard she could, she still couldn’t resist him. It was so goddamn frightening how easily he was able to gain the upper hand by simply putting his hands on her. But still, that day she had spent with Ezra had been quite possibly had been one of her best ones. It was in a moment of weakness that she had agreed to do the New Years with him but more so because she couldn’t bring herself to say no when she still wanted to go with him. When Sydney saw his car pull up, she was ready to go, opening her door to find a rather dashing-looking Ezra with a bouquet in hand. She felt herself go warm all-over at the way his gaze lingered on her then came his compliment and in turn, she smiled at him taking the bouquet. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She teased before nodding, “These are so gorgeous…” she murmured inhaling the flowers before disappearing inside to place them on her table and appearing again, “I am now, thank you for the flowers.” She met his gaze a bit shyly before walking towards him to his car.

Ezra knew that his soulmate was beautiful, had known it even before he came to know the woman behind that Twitter photo. But this was beyond what he could ever imagine. Donned in a long navy blue dress, she was a vision. For a moment, all he could do was stare, like one of those star struck teenagers who were constantly approaching him. It was a wonder he didn’t end up drooling as his hues took in every inch of her lithe frame. He finally snapped out of his stupor when she spoke to him, the right corner of his lip lifting to form a smirk. “I look normal compared to you. You’re just spectacular.” And he really meant that. He didn’t get tongue tied very often and for Sydney to be able to pull it off effortlessly was a huge feat. “I’m glad you liked them.” He waited for her to put the roses away before taking her hand in his and lacing their fingers together; as if it was the more natural thing for him to do. “There’s no need to thank me.” They fell into step easily, their strides unhurried as they walked towards his car. “I hope you can dance in that dress because I plan on dancing the night away with you.” That and stealing a kiss at midnight, but that was a given. What else would he be doing on the first minutes of the New Year?

Sydney admired his lean yet muscular built, in that form-fitting tuxedo, and dare she say she almost had half a mind to pull him inside so no one else would see him looking as he did tonight. Where that possessive thought came from, Sydney had no clue but she quickly pushed it away simply at how ridiculous she was being. It had to be a result of his own staring, she hadn’t missed the way his gaze lingered on her that she felt warm all over as a shiver went down her spine. Her smile growing a bit at the word he used to describe her, but even after receiving so many from it she was still not used them mostly because she had no clue what to do with them. “You look handsome, dashing.” She told him firmly and then she let him take her hand, surprised when she felt him link them and for once Sydney didn’t pull away. Long making up her mind that she’d enjoy his company yet again tonight. At his remark, she looked over at him curiously she’d heard him but the words made her nervous for some odd reason. “What if I told you I’m not much of a dancer?” Raising a brow at him, she knew how of course but it wasn’t something she did often. “The dress is comfortable, the heels not so much, you might have to re-think that plan.” Sydney deadpanned just as they arrived at his car, she climbed inside and then waited for him to come around. Once he was inside, the brunette turned to him, “Actor, chef, and a dancer too? What other talents does the Ezra Meyer posses huh?”

“Then I guess, I’m lucky to have you by my side. Dashing and spectacular, makes for a perfect pair, don’t you think?” Ezra said in returned, teasing Sydney with a smile that he knew would be able to melt anyone’s heart. He had to force his mind from veering to the erotic, so he mentally slapped himself a few time. Try as he might, every time he would see her long legs peek out of her navy blue dress, his heart would pound behind his chest and his mouth would water. Who could blame him however? He was a red blooded man who’d already gotten a taste of his soulmate and despite it not being her attention, he could still remember what it felt like to have her legs wrapped around his waist as he took her. Whether it be gentle or hard and fast, the memory was still fresh and whenever he peered at her legs, he was tempted to drag her back into her home and have his way with her again. But nope, not tonight. He was intent on showing her good time. “If you can’t dance, I’ll just show you.” He retorted without any hesitation. “You don’t have to wear your heels to dance with me. We’ll only dance to the slow songs.” Plus, he took up a few classes in ballroom dancing for a role, and had gotten really good at it. He would be able to lead without much trouble. “I’m a man of many talents, but for you to learn all of my secrets, you’ll just have to spend more time with me.” As if luck was on his side, they arrived by his Porsche. He went to open the passenger door, but as he reached for the latch, he had a change of mind and instead, barricade her body with his own, gently pressing her lithe frame against the door. Leaning forward, he spoke to her in a tone that was filled with desire as his gaze flickered between her eyes and plump lips. “I forgot to do this…” his words trailed off as his mouth found hers in a gentle yet passionate kiss.

“As I said before, you have a slick response to everything.” Sydney quipped with a grin now lingering at her lips and try as she did to not react to his gazes. The entirety of their walk to his car, she felt his eyes on her and Sydney honestly counted lucky her stars that she managed to keep her embarrassment off her face. But she couldn’t deny she liked the effect she had on the man. Not that she had went out of her way to entice him but as she had readied herself, Ezra’s face appeared in her mind for some odd reason. But as him, Sydney wasn’t immune to him either and how she managed to keep herself composed she had no idea. At his reassurance of showing her how to dance, she chuckled a bit, “You promise you won’t be angry if I ended stepping on you over and over?” Sydney wasn’t a klutz by any means but she didn’t trust herself to move with him without inflicting some sort of bodily damage. It was his words of spending time him that had her look over at him, “Is that right?” Why did his words thrill her yet again? They shouldn’t have and nor should the prospect of spending more time with him should be something she wanted still. Hadn’t she selfishly spend already spent more time with then she allowed herself to? Sydney didn’t get a chance to think on it when she found herself pinned between the door and his taller frame, her pulse picked and so did her heart as his face dry closer, the look of desire in his eyes sending her own flying as her breath caught in her throat. Yet again, Sydney didn’t stop him and instead let their lips mold together, it was gentle but she felt the passion Ezra poured into to it that had her suddenly wished they were going and instead let him do this to her some more. Eventually, Sydney broke the kiss mostly due to lack of air and soon they were on their way. The car ride had been pleasant enough and soon they had arrived at their destination. Sydney climbed out first but before she could make a move to walk, she felt Ezra link their hands together once more and once more had her heart founding at the gesture.

“I wouldn’t call it slick. I suppose I’m just talented that way.” Ezra was obviously pulling her legs, he actually had no idea why he could easily flirt with Sydney. Maybe it had a lot to do with how he felt about her. There was always this magnetism between them–whether she wanted to acknowledge it or not. He felt it, and was more than certain that she did too. Although in her case, she was trying to fight it. He could tell that she was starting to lose her willfulness, so perhaps the way to placate her was simply to be there. In a way, he was a little worried about giving her space, because if he did that, she might take that opportunity and run with it. On the other hand, if he gave her enough freedom, and yet, was still a constant presence in her life, she wouldn’t have such negative thoughts, and that in his book was win. “I promise that I won’t be mad if you step on my toes. I never took you for a klutz to begin with.” The Sydney that he knew was graceful and beautiful, but even if she was a klutz, he would view her in the same light, and would love her the same.

“Come on, don’t tell me that you’re not a little excited to unearth all of my secrets. After all, you did say you had a crush on me.” Someday very soon, he was going to turn that crush into something more; something that had his heart beating faster as he thought about that one word, love. Yes, she was going to love him someday, the way that he loved her. He wouldn’t accept any other conclusion. They were meant to be together, to fall in love and have a great future together. For now, he just had to bide his time. It wasn’t so bad when she was kissing him, just like she was doing right now. Their lips and tongues moving together in a slow and passionate dance. He could stay here, kissing her for the rest of the night, but the lack of oxygen forced him to pull apart, and before he could allow himself to get carried away again, they were on their way to Stonehill Beach. The drive there was filled with easy conversation, and before he knew it, they had arrived. He took her hand then, fingers intertwining with hers as they made their way to the tents where the party was being held. Once there, one by one, strangers approached him asking for photos. He had to let go of Sydney’s hand then, and excused himself. For the next ten minutes his attention was focused away from her and he felt guilty for having to leave her alone. “I’m sorry about that.” He apologized after the last of his fan was gone. “Would you like to dance now?” He offered up his right hand then, a wide smile ever present on his face.

Sydney playfully rolled her eyes at his comeback but really by now she didn’t expect anything less and found herself grinning at his words. Oh, the man was talented, in many ways and she had a feeling she was only seeing part of his talents. That train of thought caused her cheeks to heat up for a moment when she realized where she had experienced most of his talents. Quickly pushing the thoughts away as quickly as they came when Ezra reassured her, he wouldn’t be put off if she happened to step on him during their dance. Once more, she wasn’t surprised, Ezra kind as always still did his best to make her feel at ease, but really he had no idea how easily he did that. His bright smile was enough to ease her worries away, god, each time he smiled at and he gazed as he was now nothing in her world seem so out of place. “Hold that thought until you’ve danced with me.” She told with a short chuckle before she heard his next remark, but she gave him an innocent smile, “I do want to know about you, but I think you might be stretching it by saying “all”, what I want to know, I’ll know. Oh and Ezra, I wouldn’t use the word crush.” She was just pulling his leg, and once more the two fell into a conversation during the car ride. Sydney continued her train of thought form the day she had spent with him and fired more questions in his direction to which he easily answered. Sydney wasn’t going to lie and say she didn’t like how he took her hand when they arrived, still keeping her by his side until the hoards of fans spotted him and somehow she found herself stepping aside while he posed for fans and signed autographs.

This went on for about ten minutes or so and while she did miss having his attention, she wasn’t annoyed by any chance. Until she spotted a stunning woman approach him, she was a fan but one that seemed to want to get cozy with Ezra, placing her hand on his arm and leaning in to speak to the actor. What she felt in that moment something she couldn’t name all she knew was that watching the two laugh and talk made her want to punch something. Sydney was not a violent person, so then why did she feel like physically moving the woman away from Ezra? Was she jealous? She shook the thought off, what reason did she have to be jealous? She wasn’t with him and that was her choice but still, the sight of had her ire rising. She hadn’t realized until now that her fingers had curled up into her fist but forced herself to relax when he made his way back to Sydney. The brunette stared at him for a few seconds, her eyes then darting over his shoulder to see the gorgeous women’s eyes still on Ezra before she spotted Sydney furrowed her brows. Oh, Sydney had no interest in keeping Ezra around this woman, so she turned to him and gave him a small smile before reaching up to cup his neck to tug his head lower. Her lips right by his ear, “We can dance after, there’s something else I think you might like first.” Pressing a kiss to his jaw, she linked their hands together and proceeded to tug him away from the crowds and into a secluded corner area where the trees began behind the tent. She could feel his confused gaze on her and Sydney forced her nerves away before she had him pinned against one of the trees keeping them hidden. Still, for a second she found it hard to meet his gaze because she was afraid she would lose her nerve. Thus, giving him in a quick but passionate kiss pulled away and settled herself on her knees, rearranging her skirts so it didn’t ruin in the dirt. She then swiftly began unbuckling his dress pants ( that he looked absolutely sinful in) and loosened it enough to free his length. Sydney then gently wrapped her hand around his cock, letting her fingers feel it’s shape and within a few seconds, she felt his cock began to stiffen under her gently pumps. Seeing his reaction honestly made her a grin a bit, relishing that even after being in the presence of the stunning woman minutes before, Sydney sill had this effect on Ezra. “Relax, Ezra.” She murmured to him, finally meeting his gaze her own hues dark with lust as she admired his impressive length in her hands and then began pumping his stiff length.

Although Ezra felt bad for having to ditch Sydney in order to sign autographs and take photos with his fans, it could not have been avoided. This was his life. As much as he wanted to be selfish, his fans mattered and he could only hope that his other half could forgive him. Tonight was all about her, he wanted to show her that he could give her everything that she ever desired. Not only was he her soulmate, but he could make her very happy as well. And he planned on doing just that by dancing with her. He tried being charming with the way he asked her, but even then he could clearly tell that she was upset. Oh boy, this was not a good start for him. He was only trying to do the right thing by entertaining his fans, but he supposed he could have excused himself, and told them that he was with Sydney. She had every right to be pissed off, and it was now his job to grovel. However, his brows furrowed in confusion at what happened next. His other half smiled at him before tugging his head down and whispering that there might be something else he would like. What did she even mean by that? He was still confused when she kissed his jaw and even more so as she took his hand and led him away from the event tent and to a secluded area of the beach.

“What’s going on, Syd?” He asked when his curiosity got the best of him. Ezra was now standing under one of the palm trees, his eyes still questioning, and watching his soulmate intently. He didn’t get an answer. However, what he did get was a kiss that lasted too short for his liking. When Sydney got down on her knees, his heart began racing and his mouth grew slack. No. She couldn’t be. Could she? He finally found clarity as she unzipped his pants and took out his semi hard cock. “Christ, Syd…” He murmured, watching her with darkened hues as she stroke his length to its full mass. A part of him wanted to question her, but her remark about him relaxing stopped him from doing so. Instead, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment, and he reached out to stroke her cheek, letting his thumb trail over her full red lips. “Show me what you can do with your mouth.” He encouraged, keeping his gaze on her. What brought this on, was still a mystery to Ezra, but for now, he was going to enjoy what she was offering him. Those questions would be answered later, he kept that as a mental note and waited for Sydney to react.

Sydney hadn’t missed his confusion nor his shock once she had him pinned against a tree in a secluded location. And truth be told, she was still mildly at what she was about to do once she had herself planted on her knees. Not that this hadn’t occurred to her before, oh, she had wondered plenty of times of what his cock would feel like in her mouth. The previous times they were together, Ezra never gave her the chance to explore him and now she was getting that chance to do so. Right now, it had been her jealously that drove her to do this and while Ezra hadn’t been interested in that woman it was still a chilling reminder that he could lose interest in Sydney quickly- not that she’d blame him. Now, normally that thought would’ve relieved her even as it ached her but now that she had his interest, Sydney had gotten a bit greedy. Her jealousy was irrational but it looks like at this moment it was winning as was her desire for him. She kept her eyes on him once she had his impressive length free as she stroked and pump once his cock grew to it’s fully aroused state. Her green eyes, she was sure, were dark with desire, letting the man see exactly the sort of effect he had on her. She could still the question in his eyes but it appeared her request of relaxing worked and she saw the look of anticipation on his features as if knowing what was about to come as soon as he urged her on. She leaned into his touch and she gave him what she hoped to be was a coy smile, “My pleasure.” She whispered out huskily before her mouth descended on his shaft but not before pressing a kiss at the tip. Then letting her lips down his length, nibbling along the thick veiny sides before she took him fully in her mouth. Now, she was certainly not used to having such a size in her mouth but it felt so good - he felt so good in her mouth that a deep moan vibrated from her throat as she began moving her mouth over him. Tongue stroking his length inside of her as her teeth also nibbling before she reverted back to the deep sucking motions. It was his moans that encouraged her to continue, the sounds so deliciously erotic in her ears and she snuck a peek at his pleasure-filled expression before focusing on the task. It was a few minutes later did her hand, cupping his balls in her hands and gently massaging them as her mouth never ceased its sucking.

What was going on? His Sydney acting really strangely. Not that Ezra was complaining. Of course he wouldn’t dare do that, but as he looked down upon her beautiful face, questions kept emerging. The first thought that went through his mind was that she might be angry with him. But if that were the case, why would she be pulling him aside to give him a blowjob in the middle of Stonehill Beach? So it clearly wasn’t anger. If that wasn’t the answer then what was? He supposed he could have easily questioned her, but that would require that he stop her from what she planned on doing, and he wasn’t dumb enough to do that. No, his questions could wait till later. For now, he was trying not to lose it before she even wrapped her pretty little mouth around his cock. The hot hand of lust trailed to his veins and throughout his body. His gaze darkened and he kept stroking at her smooth ivory cheek that now held a hint of redness to it as her hues clashed with his. He couldn’t read her expression. The only thing that was clearly visible to him was her desire; it was evidently featured in her eyes, and as she lowered her head, taking the tip of his shaft into her mouth, a strangled moan was ripped from his diaphragm. “Fuck, Syd.” He murmured, his hands balled into fists as he resisted the urge to grab a hold of her locks and ultimately messing up her hairdo. Although he had received blowjobs before, nothing could compare to what he felt at this very moment. There was something alluring about the whole act. Perhaps it had a lot to do with how much he loved Sydney, or maybe even the bold way she had taken charge. He’d never seen this side of her, and to be on the receiving end of her passion made the act all the more pleasurable in his eyes. “Just like that.” He hissed as his gaze took in the sight before him and his hips jerked forward to feed her more of his length. “Take all of me into your mouth.” If he was the sort of man who would easily lose control, he would have released prematurely, but Ezra wanted the experience to be memorable, so in spite of the urge to climax growing with every hot lick of her tongue, he resisted.

Normally, Sydney would never pluck up the never to do the sort of thing in public. But maybe it was the adrenaline that gave her the courage to do this while there was an entire crowd gathered. Along with the paparazzi, all of whom were hoping to score scandalous phots of the who’s and who’s of society. That fear was there that someone would discover the two in this position but she easily pushed it aside to see Ezra’s look of absolute pleasure thanks to her mouth. Even with the questions raised in his eyes, she could see him start to lose focus once her lips closed over the tip of his cock. Licking the drops of pre-cum that had appeared before she slowly began taking him inside of her mouth, inch by inch. He was so well-endowed and it wasn’t until she had him in her mouth halfway did she appreciate just how well he endowed he was, feeling his cock growing hard the longer her tongue and teeth moved over it. If her mouth wasn’t occupied she’d been smiling at his response, as he Ezra continued to encourage her. Tongue licking and lapping up his entire length while her teeth gently nibbled the sides. It was then Sydney heard his demand of taking him in all the way and she did exactly that. Rising a bit on her knees to sliding her mouth forward until his entire length was buried in her mouth causing a moan to reverberate from her throat as soon as she felt the tip of it brush in her throat. She would be lying if she said this didn’t arouse her in return, feeling her folds start to moisten as she continued to pleasure him with her tongue and mouth. Her head bobbing as she made suction with her mouth, her eyes darting upwards to see his expression every so often she felt his hips jerk forward urging her to push himself deeper into her mouth. Every now and then moans still vibrated from her as Sydney took her own pleasure by fucking him with her mouth. Ezra’s pleasure groans were more than enough for Sydney to want to continue this for as long as she could, relishing in the exquisite sensation of his thick hot length inside of her mouth and look of pleasure was etched onto his features.

As if Ezra’s encouragement was all that Sydney needed, her actions amped up by a mile. He tried to keep his eyes open, wanting to watch her every movement, but the pleasure coursing through his body made him close them. At this point, his focal point was how well her hot mouth worked at his cock as she slid her tongue back and forth along his length. Try as he might, he quickly lost the ability to hold back and before he could control his urges, he was shifting, hips thrusting, feeding her more of his cock. His heart was racing now, breath coming in ragged as he felt his desire mounting. Sweat beaded along his skin–all this in spite of the cool air that desert weather brought them. “So fucking good.” Ezra groaned, his eyes popping open finally, needing to watch the scene unfolding before him. That had been a bad idea because the moment his gaze locked with hers, he was done for. The tell tale signs of his climax intensified as he watched her normally subdued eyes filled with desire. Never had he witnessed such a breathtaking sight that all of his resistance snapped. With his hues still trained on hers, he growled her name quietly and spilled his seed into her mouth.

Sydney noticed him struggle to keep his eyes open and it pleased her to see him struggle to keep himself composed. Thus, she continued her ministrations, sucking, biting, and licking his shaft whilst her hand massaged his balls which had gone stiff under her hands. Her head still bobbing up and down and as his hips still moved, essentially fucking her mouth in an effort to push himself deeper into her mouth. Sydney moaned against as she squeezed his balls and sucked him harder than before, the more frenzied his hips grew the harder she sucked him. By now, she felt his cock began to glide along her throat and she moaned again, surprisingly not having any sort of gag relax. Her body felt heated against the cool air and god she was so turned at both the taste of him in her mouth and the way he was responding to her. And Sydney swore she never seen anything hotter than the sight of Ezra completely immersed in pleasure all thanks to her. She would have smiled at his compliments had her mouth not been busy and then she felt him growing near to her climax. To help him along, she increased her speed sucking even vigorously because she wanted Ezra to come in her mouth, she then squeezed his balls harder. It was then she felt his gaze on her and then met it, her own eyes still dark with desire, a desire she didn’t bother hiding as she met his haze and continue to suck him. Then in an instant, she felt his hot seed spill into her mouth which caused another moan to leave her lips, she held him in her mouth as he growled her name and it was when she saw body slump against the tree did she finally release him. The movement making an audible ‘pop’ sound with her gaze locked on his, she slowly locked her lips, licking every drop of him as she swallowed. As she gently began to stand, she could feel her heart thumping hard against her ribcage but still, she cleared her throat and smile at him, taking a step closer to him. “So, it’s safe to assume you enjoyed that?” Her eyes twinkling and she hoped her nervousness wasn’t displayed in her features as cupped his jaw and let her thumb brush it.

Seeing the absolute pleasure in Sydney’s eyes as she took him into her mouth, her hot tongue lavishing its attention on his hard cock was the catalyst to Ezra’s climax. Never had he seen such lust in a woman’s eyes as she pleasured him and not only that, the innocence that she exuded was completely gone, in its place was a vixen. He had always found his soulmate desirable, but not to this extent, even now in spite of his recent release, he wanted her again. “Christ, Syd. That mouth of yours is going to be the death of me.” He growled as she stood up once more, her dark hues meeting his as she gently ran her thumb over his jaw. He closed his eyes and burrowed against her soft touch, loving the fact that not only had she given him so much pleasure, but just moments later, she was being tender towards him. Her question had him reacting instantly, pulling her against him, his fingers tightly gripping at her soft waist and he lowered his head, “Enjoyment is too small of a word.” He murmured along her lips before his own crashed with hers, tongue colliding against hers hungrily. Although he could taste himself in her mouth, it didn’t repulse him, if anything, it made him ravenous for her. For a time, he allowed the kiss to be prolonged until he had to pull back for a breath. “God, you have no idea what you do to me.” He said with his heart hammering loudly, his forehead now pressed against hers while he tried to calm the raging desire still burning within him. It took a few minutes before he was calm enough to ask her the question that had been stuck in his mind, “What brought this on? I thought you might be angry at me for leaving you. I would’ve understood if you were, but this? This came as a complete surprise to me.” His tone was gentle and beseeching as his hues peered into hers needing to understand what was going through her mind.

Sydney had no doubt that her sudden actions had surprised him, she who was always so shy towards his advances and even when they were tangled in each other’s arms her shyness always lingered. She had no reason to be embarrassed of course, Ezra always made her feel so beautiful and wanted - with his gaze alone, the way he looked at her as if she was the only thing worth looking at. Still, this was something that was new to her but she was thankful her courage hadn’t failed her while she had pleased him with her mouth. Smiling at his words and she loved how breathless he sounded in that moment and how his pleasure still lingered in his voice. And she stood and stroked his jaw, her eyes still studied him whilst her heart hammered against her chest, then he leaned into her touch and her pulse raced even harder. Really, the brunette was still in shock she was doing any of this going down on him and then being so tender, something she’d never done with him but for reason she felt guilty for. He was always so good to her and she had given him nothing but aloofness and harsh words.So, when he tugged her closer, Sydney leaned into him for once allowing her to be near him and as their lips met, she chuckled, “Not to be cocky of course, that’s your field of expertise.” She murmured just before she kissed him hungrily as he was kissing her but when it broke she found herself peering into his eyes once more. Sydney found herself lost in his gaze, almost mesmerized that she hadn’t even heard his question until he had pulled back from their eye lock. “Why would I be angry? You have fans, I wouldn’t want you to ignore them nor would I ever ask you too.” She told him sincerely, that bit was the truth she was always happy seeing him surrounded by his fans because she could see how much he cherished them all. “You adore your fans sincerely, I admire that about you. As for this, well, I just wanted to.” Still, Sydney felt a bit nervous not all wanting to admit it was her jealously that drove her. “I surprised myself too.” she muttered under her breath. “I just saw something earlier with you and I realized…nevermind, it’s not a big deal because I wanted to do this for awhile now…” The temptation to avert her gaze was strong but still he kept her trapped and she was sure her nervousness was evident now.

Not that Ezra was complaining, but there was something off about how Sydney was acting. He couldn’t deny that he enjoyed this bold part of her, of course he did. He was a red-blooded man who desired his soulmate. However, there was a difference between him desiring her and her sudden need to have an erotic interlude out in public no less. Was it a kink of hers that he didn’t know of? For some reason that didn’t sound right. But then again, how would he know, they were just in the beginning stages of getting to know each other. There was no telling what his soulmate liked sexually. So far, from what he could tell, she had responded well to everything that he’d done to her, whether it be soft or hard, not once had she complained. Still, until he got a full explanation, he would keep wondering, needing the answers that only she could give him. At least she wasn’t angry with him for spending time away from her earlier while he was meeting his fans and signing autographs for them. “I’m glad that you understand, but please know that no matter what, you will always come first.” She might freak out on him for what he just told her, but he couldn’t regret his statement, not when he meant them wholeheartedly.A quizzical brow rose and he tilted his head while he inspected her features. There was hesitancy in her remark. Why did she look so nervous? “You just wanted to…?” For some reason he couldn’t bring himself to believe that her need to give him a blowjob overtook her out of nowhere. There were a million places she could have done that, but she chose tonight, right here, where anyone could walk pass and catch them, to do it. “That’s all?” He heard her trying to explain herself further, and yet, before everything was revealed, she stopped herself. Reaching out, he placed a hand over her cheek, and gently caressed it with his thumb. “There’s more to this, isn’t there? You said there was something you saw earlier. What was it, Syd? You know you can tell me. I won’t judge.” He kept his voice low and coaxing, hoping to entice her into making a full confession.

She could see the relief that crossed his features when she reassured she wasn’t angry for giving some of his time to his fans but it was his next words that had her almost flinch. She stared at Ezra for a few seconds longer, not quite sure how to respond but she could feel her panic return but she pushed it down. “You don’t owe me any of that, Ezra but I appreciate you saying that.” But her words were gentle this time because she didn’t intended to start an argument with him or worse, hurt him. Now, Sydney wasn’t sure how convincing her words were but admitting to him she’d been jealous for no reason sent another wave of embarrassment to her. Now, she knew Ezra wouldn’t make fun of her per say, she imagined he’d only be more confused perhaps as to why she was jealously. Especially considering she had no reason to be when she’d told him over and over she would not be with him. But still, the artist found it a bit difficult to confess such a thing to him. She could hear the question in his response, but of course her own words didn’t sound convincing in her own ears. She was silent for some seconds until she felt his hand on her cheek and she could see his gaze probing hers for answers, but she suppose the least she could do is be honest with him.She knew Ezra didn’t mind her stunt just minutes ago but he deserved to know and his assurance that he wouldn’t be upset nor would he judge her what she had to say, so Sydney took a deep breath. “Yes, Ezra, I wanted to but also because I was…jealous.” She bit down on her lip before she straightened her posture, and still met his gaze. “When you were with your fans, towards the end there’s was another woman, gorgeous one too I might add, trying to get your attention. You didn’t notice her?” She raised a brow at him, “The way she was putting her hands on you, leaning into you while you were speaking to her…she was still watching you when you walked over to me.” Really, Sydney fought back at her wince at just how ridiculous she sounded to herself, “Now, that I’ve officially embarrassed myself, shall we go inside?”

Ezra hoped that his gentle coaxing might help Sydney feel a little more comfortable and in turn would make her want to make a full confession. There was still hesitation in her eyes, and he could tell that she was unsure whether or not she should confide in him, but eventually she relented, and the answer behind her strange behavior, stunned him silent. His mouth opened and closed, eyes blinking a few times as he stared at her in awe. She was jealous. Sydney was jealous! He I was at a loss for words. A part of him wanted to jump in joy. He felt like he had just won the lottery knowing that his soulmate was jealous of some woman who didn’t even cross his radar. The way she described this woman, while her voice dripped with annoyance, made his heart fill with joy. He had to stop himself from smiling, so instead, he shook his head and answered her question. “No, I didn’t notice her.” God, watching her now, she had never been more beautiful with her cheeks slightly tinted red as she tried to steer the subject away from her jealousy. Was it bad that he was turned on by her? Not in his eyes. “We’re not going back inside.” Came his response before he took her hand, once more lacing his fingers with hers and headed straight to his Porsche. Once outside his vehicle, he heard the loud cheers of party goers ringing in the New Year, so he stopped short, pulling his soulmate into his arms and kissing her senseless. “Happy New Year, Syd. I’m taking you home with me.” He told her hoarsely, his lips nipping at hers for a few moments before he helped her into the passenger side, hopped in as well and drove to his house. There was no attempt at a conversation as he broke the speed limit to get home, his heart beating a mile a minute as his desire mounted. When they got there, he led her inside and straight to his bedroom which was where his passion was finally unleashed. His lips found hers immediately, hands pulling her close as he backed her onto his bed where they both landed not too long afterwards. “I want you so fucking badly…” He growled against her lips while his hands greedily mapped out every inch of her exposed skin and his erection rubbing along her panty covered pussy.

Sydney held her breath as she watched Ezra’s expression carefully, her heart still pounding harshly against her rib cage almost expecting the worst. But really, she knew just how ridiculous her words were and how she was feeling, jealous over a man whom she continued to push away. Well, that as a bit of lie she wasn’t doing job considering she had yet to stop sleeping with him. Finally, after what felt like ages did he speak and his words had her gaze at him curiously, and she assumed it was because he was now annoyed and needed to be away from her. Sydney tried not to let those thoughts enter her mind but her worries were short-lived as he grabbed her hand and led her to his car, she had no chance to ask before this mouth descended on her in all-consuming kiss. She hadn’t realized the countdown had begun until she hard the shouts coming from the tent and Sydney kissed him back with equal hunger and passion. “Happy New Year.” She managed to get the well wishes in before she heard his last bit and froze. Still she had no time to process the words before they both had climbed into his car and the ride was silent but most because Ezra seemed determined get them to his place within a few minutes. Sydney felt the world around them fly by at the rate he was driving but despite her racing her heart she smiled a little to herself. Relieved that he hadn’t been put off by her somewhat ridiculous behavior and dare she say, he had looked pleased at her confession? They arrived within in minutes, or what it felt like to Sydney at the speed in which he was driving in and before she knew it, his large frame covered hers and their lips met in a ravenous kiss. Sydney grew wet in anticipation both at his words and the look of hunger in his eyes that a soft whimper left her lips. Her arms coming around him as she felt his hands explore her body and then she felt his hot cock rubbing against the lace of her panties. Thanks to the thin material she felt the heat of it despite the annoying fabric in the way. “Ezra, I want you.” She managed to breathe out as felt herself grow wetter, tugging him on her while her hands tired to remove his blaze and as his shirt. “Get this all off.”

The tug and pull that Ezra had been subjected to since coming to know that Sydney was his soulmate was enough to push any man away, and yet here he still was, standing firm, not wanting to give into defeat. There had been a reason why he was so attracted to his soulmate to begin with. It started physically, he noted her beauty and radiance, but the longer he got to know her, the more he fell. It was as if everything had been laid out for him. Sure, his path was not going to be easy, but he couldn’t even begin to conceive a life without his soulmate, and so he decided to wait, to allow her time to get used to being with him. Over the past couple of days, she had slowly opened up, and tonight having to witness how she reacted to some insignificant woman, how her jealousy had reared its ugly head, it all made Ezra feel as if his efforts were not spent in vain. Sydney cared. It had him reacting, allowing his hunger for her to take over. Once he got her to his house he didn’t spare another minute giving her a tour–even though he knew she hadn’t been there before. He quickly took her to his room, and it was there that he ravaged her mouth, growling out how much he wanted her. When he heard her response, admitting that she wanted him too, all bets were off and without thinking he ripped her clothes off her body and had his way with her. His lips descended down to her pussy where he ate her out until she was screaming his name. Then he demanded that she take him in her mouth again, taking him just close to the edge before he pushed her onto her back and fucked her senseless. He didn’t know how long the session lasted, all he felt was complete and utter ecstasy. Their moans echoed throughout his room as he took her over and over that night in every position he knew. They had to take a break in between to hydrate and as they stood in his kitchen their eyes meeting, he attacked her once more, lifting her up onto the kitchen island and fucking her senseless yet again. Somehow, they ended up in his living room in front of his lit fireplace and it was there that he took her without hurry, his thrusts slow but deep. Their lips never parted until they both were overtaken by their orgasms. Seeing how tired Sydney was, he curled up next to her, and with their bodies still tangled in an embrace, they both drifted off to sleep. If what transpired the night prior was any indication, Ezra could tell that the year 2020 was only going to bring good things for their relationship.

COMPLETED

[carry-on-my-wayward-imagines]

A Normal Day

Originally based on: “Imagine Dean breaking up with you for your safety but pretending it’s because he doesn’t love you anymore” 

A/N: I’m trying to get back in the mood for writing one-shots so I decided to do this for therapeutic reasons, for lack of a better word. I’m not taking the blame though, this was completely inspired by doing a re-reading of reactions to “Untitled” and @thefreshprinceofmirkwood 

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Word count: 2,104

Warnings: any warnings outta “Untitled” are fair game in here. Some angst, some fluff. You know me ;)

Untitled (Part I), Part Two (Part II), 2,629,745 (Part III)  Conclusion (Final Part)

----

“Kids aren’t that bad, Dean,” you chuckled. “You just got to know how to calm them down. Once you’ve figured out how to do that, it’s pretty nice to be around them.”

If Dean couldn’t see you blush as you kept your head pressed against his chest, he sure felt it. After four years of marriage, you were still shy to his compliments, and he loved it. He loved telling you how amazing you were, how brave and different and fearless you kept on being even after you left the hunting life. But he mostly loved the shy smiles that came with his compliments, so soft and genuine that he could swear his heart would stop for a moment. It was reassurance that he was keeping his promises. Dean sometimes felt as though he had failed so many people, even you, but that would never happen again. Especially after he vowed to do his best to keep you happy all those years ago.

“I’ll take your word for that, then,” he finally replied to your comment, the corners of his lips gently tugged up.

Even if you weren’t a substitute teacher, Dean had no doubts you would be great with any children you’d have together. It was a topic you didn’t bring about too much, so he didn’t either, but he was finally feeling ready. Your fifth anniversary would be in six months, maybe enough time to start trying and get some happy news around the date. His smile widened as he thought about starting the talk today. Maybe he’d take you out to a nice dinner.

“Are you still going out with Charlie tonight?”

“Yup.” Dean’s smile faltered, but then picked up again. Tomorrow night. There was plenty of time. “Are you sure you don’t want to go see the new Marvel movie with us, though? Sam and Miranda are still on their honeymoon, and I don’t want you all cooped up here by yourself, babe.”

“I can always call Cas,” Dean shrugged, kissing the top of your head. He would need sometime by himself to get some plans ready. “Breakfast?”

“Yes, please!”

Dean chuckled at your enthusiasm, seeing you light up. His cooking was the only thing that would ever bring you close to being a morning person, and he took pride at that. He began untangling himself from your embrace with a slow kiss to your lips, missing the other part of his puzzle piece even as he got out of the bed and threw a shirt on. Dean felt your eyes on him, gave you a crooked smile as he turned back to you, and then another kiss.

“I was thinking of banana pancakes,” Dean mumbled against your lips when you finally parted. Your smile gave him the approval he needed.

“Well, you’re the chef,” you said. Dean chuckled as you leaned forward and captured one last kiss from him. “You’re welcome to make whatever you want as long as I don’t do anything.”

“And you’re welcome to walk into the kitchen at any time as long as you’re still in only my shirt.”

He knew he was being cocky, but he couldn’t help throwing you a wink as you shooed him out of the bedroom. It was truly a sight that would never get old.

----

To anyone else, you might have seem excited about the movie, but Dean knew otherwise. He didn’t want to pry as he watched you nervously doing your makeup, or when you couldn’t stop tapping your foot against the floor as you ate pie together. You were going to be picking Charlie up, although you hadn’t seen her in months. Maybe it was that.

“Don’t forget your wallet,” Dean gave you a small grin, watching you almost head out of the door and straight past where it laid on the table. His smile was quickly replaced with a frown though, and he approached you cautiously. “You seem a little off today, sweetheart. Are you sure you can drive?”

You sighed, looking away from Dean.

“I’m okay to drive, babe,” you said quietly. “I’m just, well… I’m honestly a bit nervous since I haven’t hung out with Charlie in a while. I know it’s stupid, we’re both adults and dorks, but I also don’t want it to be awkward, you know? And Sam usually hangs out with us.”

“You’re going to be alright, darlin’,” Dean reassured you, happy that there wasn’t anything more drastic worrying you. “If you really want to, I could come with you.”

“Oh no, mister, that offer was in the morning when there were still tickets. You’d be crazy to get some now,” you half-joked, more confident.

“Alright, get going then! I held you up enough.”

Dean leaned in to give you the usual departing kiss, but was surprised when you pulled him in more passionately than normal. Perhaps he should give you motivational speeches more often. He could still feel the taste of the cherries on your tongue, so sweet and fresh that he was sure you took out another slice after brushing your teeth. His mind was filled with only the smoothness of your lips and the comfort of your hands around his neck. And the only thing to convince him that the kiss was fleeting instead of several days long was that the darkened sky outside had remained the same when you stepped back.

He had never seen you looking more happy.

“You know,” you said, closing off the space between you once more, but this time with a hug. “I think I made the right decision all those years ago. You’re the best husband ever. I love you, Dean.”

“I love you more, my cheesy warrior,” Dean smiled. “Now, drive safe and say hi to Charlie for me.”

Your car was soon a quiet rumble in the distance, growing ever so tiny as you drove away. Dean watched until you had disappeared, his heart feeling full, before he went into the house again and locked the door behind him. He had a couple calls to make, perhaps maybe try and make a special reservation at one of your favorite restaurants. He had to plan fast before businesses closed out for the night.

And soon, the long hand of the clock hung straight down, pointing at the plain six while the shorter one signaled the two identical pairs of ones. With a sigh, Dean grabbed the remote of the TV and turned the monitor off, the black screen faintly reflecting the movement of his body as he stood up. He wasn’t particularly tired, but he did have to work at the mechanic shop the next day, so he drained the leftover beer he hadn’t finished in the sink and turned off the living room’s lights.

After a quick check of the devil traps at the entrances of the house, he headed toward your shared bedroom. A yawn stretched Dean’s lips apart as he closed the door of the room, flicking on the lights with one hand and rubbing his eyes with the other. He slipped off the worn pair of jeans and threw them in one corner, making a mental note to remember that it was his turn to wash this week.

He was deciding between saving time and just throwing everything that needed to go to the dry cleaner’s in a bag right now, or choosing to do that when you finally got home from the midnight premier, when he finally saw it. Sitting on top of his pillow was a rectangle envelope, and, judging by the faded yellow color and the bent corners, Dean guessed it must have been at least a few years old.

Curiosity pulled him towards it, the corners of his lips curving up as he read the words written on the front of the envelope: “To my dearest Orion.”

Dean took the old item into his hands and sat on the edge of the bed, observing your handwriting for a moment and chuckling to himself as he noticed that it hadn’t changed a lot despite the passing of time. Then, sure that what was inside wouldn’t fail to amuse him, Dean opened the letter.

It surprised him to see that the date on the corner read from four and a half years ago, but he kept on reading.

     Dear Dean,

     Well, I guess we finally did it! Okay, maybe not from my point of view, but from yours. I also think I should explain what I’m talking about, since this must be really weird for you. Anyways, if I didn’t freak out (or you) then we’re probably married by now. I don’t know if you noticed it, but tonight (or at least for me) is the day before we’re getting (or hopefully got) married. It would be a lie if I said that I’m not scared as hell of messing up tomorrow, but really none of this is what I wanted to talk about.

Dean’s smile started to fade as he continued reading. It wasn’t long before his hands were shaking, tears welling up in his eyes as he read, completely blurring out the words. This was wrong. This had to be wrong. It wasn’t just his vision that felt blurry, but everything else too. His head was spinning, the ticking of the clock was too loud, and his heart hammered against his chest with a pain he hadn’t felt before. It was constricting him, stealing every last bit of oxygen he had.

I’m sorry that I can’t be with you anymore.

He didn’t finish reading the letter.

“Y/N, what have you done?” Dean whispered to himself as he fumbled to find his phone, hands still shaking. This couldn’t be happening. He quickly began to call, feeling like his heart was stabbed with every ring. “Answer, god-fucking-dammit!”

But you didn’t pick up.

Dean quickly threw his pair of jeans on again, slipping into an untied pair of boots and running down the hallway with the phone still pressed against his ear. His could feel the heat growing on his neck as desperation crawled like a swarm of insects up his back in into his chest. You couldn’t be gone.

“Cas! Castiel!” Dean screamed into the empty house letting the phone fall to his side as his knees gave out. No one came. He was alone. “Please! I need you! Y/N is in trouble!”

Moments passed with Dean still on the floor, shoulders sagged. The shock was too much. He had to do something, but what could he do? Where did you go? Why didn’t you tell him sooner?

Dean heard his heart pulsing in his ears as he grabbed the phone once again, barely feeling the sobs racking through his body as he continued dialing your number. The tenth missed call didn’t make a difference. He couldn’t stop himself. He had to hear your voice say this was all an elaborate prank, that you would be home soon, safely tucked into his arms. That your hands would rub his back when he woke up in the middle of the night, dreaming about the terrors that weren’t supposed to be in his life anymore. He would never let go of you after this again.

He never imagined that morning that this was how he would end the day, what was supposed to be a perfectly normal day.

And in the days that followed, when he finally got a hold of Castiel, and when Sam cut his honeymoon short for a flight and frantic drive down to your home, Dean wanted to imagine that that wasn’t how the day ended. That you would come back despite your letter, running through the door to tell him about your movie night with Charlie. Charlie, who was five states away.

Your car, which was 60 miles away from your house.

Your phone, which was in the backseat.

Your ring–sitting undisturbed on the hood of your car.

It was the ring that broke him. Your promise to always keep it on was broken, just like the promises of protecting you, his wife, had been completely cut through. No matter what your letter said, he would never bury you in the back of his head, even if the weight of the pain dragged around his ankles like metal chains. Even if he had to pretend to carry on eventually, put up a facade to everyone else that met him, and imagine that the day would be a normal day like that day was supposed to be. Even then, his heart would never forget.

He would always be your hunter.

———

Tags:

General

@itsbubbaog @xxmy-day-dreamxx @lamme0456 @deannotmoose @15wiishes

Dean Winchester

@akshi8278 @Justanotherdogperson @justanothersepticeyefan

[loyalflutist]

The Importance of Education (F!Byleth x Edelgard - NSFW)

Rating: Explicit Archive Warning: N/A Words: 7,698 Summary: Edelgard must learn everything around her in order to become an efficient emperor for the Adrestian Empire. However, what she didn’t know was just how inexperienced she is in the form of passionate lovemaking.

A/N: It’s been 6 years since I’ve last sinned. Have fun with this! I feel like my age is slowly catching up to me since I’m having even more difficulty writing in this genre compared to my 17-year-old self back then.

--

Education is important to a person’s growth. Without it, a person’s growth is stunted. Types of conversations would be limited. Actions would lack variety. The next generation would lose plenty of opportunities and lessons. Lacking education could easily lead to ostracization from the community. The consequences are fatal. However, a human’s brain is unable to store countless information. It isn’t a supercomputer. A supercomputer wouldn’t even be able to store limitless data into its system either.

That means it’s okay to not know everything, right? Dimitri, Claude, and even her professor, Byleth, admits that there was nothing wrong with this.

“Edelgard, even I don’t know everything. My family has ruled over the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus without worldly knowledge. I am certain I can follow after their footsteps.”

“Nothin’ wrong with not being the all-knowing-goddess, right? Sometimes it’s better to be ignorant. Knowing too much could lead to your downfall…”

“Edelgard, there’s so much to learn in this world. As a professor, even I don’t know everything. I don’t even think I’m a good professor— Oh, you flatter me. I’m glad you think otherwise. Still, I learn alongside my students. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, okay?”

For Edelgard, this is unacceptable. She must allow her brain to absorb all that it could. For the Adrestian Empire future emperor, a single detail not known could very well lead her nation into demise. The 18-year-old was like a sponge. Various tactical plans and ideas were tested in chess duels. Subjects ranging from complex physics in the field of magic to survival skills needed for the wilderness are mastered. Extracurricular activities such as the art of being a seamstress and singing in a choir are sought after. Interactions with Byleth’s colleagues and volunteer positions (such as being a weekly chef at the monastery’s kitchen) expanded her social network.

Edelgard snagged at every single piece of knowledge like a hungry beast.

She would become an emperor.

She would reclaim what her father had lost.

She would lead a fulfilling life with her lover, Byleth.

Yes… Knowledge was especially crucial for their relationship.

It was a dinner during the time of her birthday that led to the planted seed. Edelgard had not hoped for much. Actually— she foresaw that there would be no results! They had spent countless hours together, but none dare led to a relationship beyond platonic. A student and a professor. A noble and a commoner. A princess and a mercenary. The only thing they had in common was their status as warriors on the battlefield. Otherwise, they were never on equal footing.

Edelgard wanted to close the gap. The birthday date was the most opportune of time to confess her amorous sins to the very person she fell for. A small cake dashed with whip creams and decorated with strawberries sat between the two. Had it not been for the cup of sweet herbal tea found in the mountains, Edelgard would have lost so much of the confident composure. The tremors in her delivery, the rapid heartbeat, the occasional twitch from her eye, the chewing of her lower lip, and the gnawing fear were evident.

“I love you, Byleth.”

Dread overcame her thoughts as the older female no older than by three years hardly reacted. There was no flushing of the cheeks, there was no change to the respiration rate, there were no subtle movements… She simply stared back at the recently-turned 18-year-old. Edelgard had balled the hands on her lap into fists. How humorous. Was her professor disgusted with her? Same-sex relationships were not uncommon, but that does not mean everyone agreed to it. It just wasn’t their preference.

The girl remembered her palms becoming clammy. Edelgard felt her mouth go dry as that particular reason crossed through her mind.

What if Byleth wasn’t into girls?

“I love you too, Edelgard.”

But it never came to that. Byleth embraced Edelgard’s forward nature and never once shamed the young lady of her sexuality. The unfolding scene almost felt like it came out of a left field. Yes, to an extent. Byleth had never once expressed romantic feelings to any of her students or colleagues. Not even Sylvain or Dorothea could rattle the ex-mercenary with their flirtatious personality. To respond with a smile, a tinge of pink discoloration upon her cheeks, and the sudden hug was not how her professor would have acted!

What Edelgard had forgotten was Byleth’s true nature. Despite the facts that a concrete slab has more expression than Byleth in her waking hours, underneath the stoic demeanor is that of a young woman who wishes to be with others. The mercenary life and community that she used to surround herself with thickened the outer shell. Making allies was easy. Making friends was not.

Edelgard had noticed how much time the instructor met with Jeralt and Manuela during days off after Byleth’s explanation.

“I didn’t know how to approach you.”

She was, in a way, emotionally stunted. Expressing them was difficult as she was used to concealing them as a mercenary. That stunt came to erode and was replaced with growth during the first two months at the monastery. The cheeky personality that everyone has come to adore bore fruit. What Byleth was not prepared for was the concept of love. Yes, she loves her father. However, the older male would always remark to his colleagues and curious students from all three Houses about the lack of physical affection she showcased to him.

“Love is a foreign concept to her,” he shook his head after Edelgard had approached him one day. “I can tell how she is feeling, but only because I’m her father. I could only hope she meets someone special like my wife to help break her out of her shell.”

Edelgard had no way knowing that that special person was none other than herself… and she would have never known had she not initiated.

They shook hands on a deal. The two made a promise to keep their relationship a secret until Edelgard graduated. Both did not want to be at the center of gossips, especially in the case tension arises between the three nations and church. Comically, Byleth and Edelgard were unable to pry the hands from the rest of the Black Eagles as their curious nature were too much to handle. Not that the Black Eagles weren’t supportive, of course. They cheered on for the two and sealed their lips about the private affair to the rest of the students and staffs. Even Hubert gave the green light… once he had given Byleth a long, brother-like lecture on dating Edelgard in private.

“If I ever see, hear, or sense Edelgard in distress because of you, I will have no choice but to remove you.”

How brotherly of him!

Nevertheless, nothing could prepare her for a very green relationship with her professor. Textbooks held little to no knowledge about love. In lieu of it, fairytales and wondrous legends substituted the dense material. It’s unfortunate that the ones she’s heard of never went beyond a kiss… Not that Edelgard even knew that you could do something more intimate than share a pleasant peck on the lips. It was only recently that she decided to pursue this new concept thanks to the encouragement from Ferdinand and Dorothea.

“So long as Hubert doesn’t hear about this, then you’re totally fine!” Dorothea chirped when the three ate lunch together. The fashionable commoner tucked a stray brown hair behind her ear as she sipped on her juice. “Still, I can’t believe that you didn’t know about THIS.”

“It’s a shame my rival is so oblivious about it,” Ferdinand shut his eyes and shook his head, a hand rested on his temple. “My Edelgard won’t be able to get married and have kids!”

Edelgard’s brow twitched.

“How entertaining for you to speak like I am not present,” she stared at the male. “I am also not yours, Ferdinand. I have—”

“Teach,” he finished. His eyes opened and a playful grin ran across his lips. “Yeah yeah, we got the message.”

“If you had known, I prefer you focus that energy on finding someone special yourself.”

“Relax~ I will. No promises that it’ll just be as scandalous as yours with Teach~”

“Ferdinand! Why must you make everything a competition between us both?”

Before the two nobles were able to launch into verbal warfare, Dorothea immediately interfered with a long and theatrical “okay!” It’s astonishing that no one else in the cafeteria turned their heads towards the noisy trio’s direction.

“Goodness, both of you, please have some class!” the young lady scolded. It was something of a sight to see someone in her social standing act this way. It almost feels like the role was temporarily reversed… Dorothea shifted her focus onto Edelgard and raised an index finger up like an older sister. “Edelgard, I recommend that the best time to attack is during the evening.”

“I can’t do it now?”

“Unless you’re a rabbit in heat, I suggest you do this privately with the professor. I’m sure you don’t want anyone to hear you both.”

And so Edelgard heeded to their advice after one last review of her battle plan with Ferdinand and Dorothea. She admits, there were three moments in her life where she felt the jitters. The first was the inevitable fate of becoming an emperor for the Adrestian Empire. The second was the dangerous practical lessons against bandits and rebels of the monastery. The third is facing Byleth with an outlandish request. Edelgard felt the palms of her hands moistened. She placed them on her lap and did her best to wipe the sweats away, only to no avail.

Should she back away from the plan? The rubbing of her palms increased its pace. No… That wouldn’t be right. All that hard work of owing her shameful romantic inexperience to Dorothea and Ferdinand cost dearly. Edelgard’s hands slowed down to a stop. Maybe she should delay this. But how long can she push it back?

The sun eventually began to set on a Friday evening as she pondered long and hard. Time was running extremely short. Edelgard needs to decide her next course of action right here, right now. As for her professor, the young lady in her early 20s had just finished preparation for tomorrow. This upcoming weekend consisted of the usual field trips to train for Saturday and a day off for Sunday. It was the usual schedule as a teacher.

‘ Why am I always out on the field, but the other professors aren’t? ‘

Correction: it was the usual schedule as a teacher for Byleth exclusively. Because she was a professional mercenary alongside her father in the past, it made her an ideal model to guide the future prince and princess of their nation compared to other educators. Though Manuela and Hanneman were in charge of the Blue Lions and Golden Deers, they weren’t frequently chosen to handle sensitive missions and tasks ordered by the archbishop herself. It was always “Byleth this” and “Byleth that.”

Byleth loves to teach her students. She really does. She may have various hiccups in her teaching methods, and she is eccentric due to her lack of knowledge in social normality, but she cares for her students. Though it doesn’t hurt to have a break for a bit… right? The other professors were cycled through in a way to spread their workload for Saturday. Why can’t she have that same treatment? She can get tired too!

A weary sigh. The instructor adjusted her hold on the notebook. At least there’s Sunday to look forward to… Byleth let a small smile crack through her frustration. She continued through the empty field and into a hidden narrow passage as a short-cut, her mind set on spending this luxurious day off with fishing on a Sunday.

An imaginary thought bubble floated above her head, a poorly doodled version of Byleth smiling with a fishing rod in one hand and a fish in another. Oh, how she misses this peaceful hobby. Maybe she should invite Edelgard out too.

That seems to have brightened her dull features. The thought bubble began to include the poorly drawn noble shuffling next to the teacher. Edelgard also held a fishing rod in one hand and a smaller fish in another. Just like Byleth, she too was grinning from ear to ear.

‘ Let’s do just that. ‘

She nodded to herself.

“Aren’t you lovesick.” The familiar voice of Sothis pierced through Byleth’s eardrums. As if by magic, Sothis appeared out of thin air and floated beside the walking teacher. The young girl crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “You’ve changed since you and Edelgard hooked up.”

It has always intrigued Sothis of Byleth’s and Edelgard’s relationship. Although the green-haired care more for the professor whom she has always watched since the time of birth, she cannot help but find more questions than answers. The concept of love is complex. Not everyone views it the same way as the next person. When Byleth struggled with her emotional attachments towards Edelgard before the confession, Sothis had always comforted her. She knew it was not in her place to tell the young woman what was right and what was wrong. All she could do was lend a listening ear.

Just what exactly drew Byleth to Edelgard, and what drew Edelgard to Byleth? The two had opened up to each other during the birthday date, but Sothis excused herself to sleep out of respect. Now she feels a tinge of regret for the missed opportunity. Not that it mattered much in the end. Whatever sweet nectar they poured together taught her host to express more of her emotions. She was even able to chuckle and laugh! It was a huge improvement from the teasing smirk that glossed over her lips for a split second.

Sothis let out a sigh. “Frankly, I’m in awe that you are able to keep your relationship under the rug.”

Byleth shot a glance at the floating woman. “I think it’s best no one outside of the Black Eagles know about this,” she murmured. “I won’t know what to do.”

“Feel free to use a bit of my power to get out of it if you’re ever in a pinch. It’s meant for battle, but I’ll make it an exception this time around.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Sothis sure acts like a mother to Byleth. Then again, she’s been with the professor since who-knows-when. At birth? After birth? When she became a teenager? No one knew the answer, especially from Byleth herself.

Now out of the short-cut route, the teal-haired spotted her bedroom. Unlike her father and other professors, her sudden transfer into the educational institution gave Rhea and Seteth little room to prepare a private office. The best they could do was squeeze her into a spare commoner room on the dormitory’s first floor. It was small, but warm and cozy at least. The last thing Byleth needed was to share rooms with an unfamiliar face on the first day.

She stood in front of the locked door and fumbled for the key in her pockets. Since it was a Friday evening, many students and staffs all congregate in the cafeteria for today’s special menu, prayed to the Goddess Seiros at the church, and visited the marketplace. The remaining few were either sneaking outside of the monastery’s safety net for a little adventure of their own or practicing in the training arena with Catherine or Shamir. That meant all dormitory floors were completely empty, save it for Byleth.

As Sothis watched Byleth unlock the door, the instructor went back into a blissful, vivid imagination of fishing with Edelgard. Now the scrawled image of the teacher and student sat next to each other on the wooden platform, their fishing rods out and ready for an exciting session.

‘ I hope we can catch a big fish to cook and eat. ‘

“Byleth.”

The daydreaming sequence came to a screeching halt. Byleth tumbled backward from tripping on her own feet and let out a faint yelp. Sothis couldn’t catch her host. The transparent arms aren’t exactly used for catching anything physical! Luckily, Edelgard was there to catch her. Just like a noble figure in various stories, the shorter female had swooped in, Byleth landed into the shorter’s chest face-first, and Edelgard’s arms wrapped around the older woman.

“Are you alright, Professor?”

Byleth blinked in Edelgard’s embrace. A flash of heat trickled into her cheeks.

“You startled me!”

“I apologize for my carelessness. I did not mean to scare you like that.”

“That’s okay.”

The two parted—Temporarily, that is. Byleth was about to reach out, touch Edelgard’s face, and lean in for a small smooch. It was their usual way of greeting each other when no one was around. Since Edelgard had also saved her from the doom of falling, she would express gratitude too. Instead, she was greeted with her back against the dormitory building’s wall near her room, nose centimeters away from her girlfriend’s, and her girlfriend’s hands planted near her head. Since the future lord is shorter than Byleth, from the distant, it looked like Edelgard was bullying the educator. For Byleth, she thinks otherwise!

Edelgard became rough! She’s taking dominance! Just what in the world is going on?!

Their breaths tickled each other’s skin. Edelgard’s expression remained firm. Byleth’s features deepened its shade of red. Beads of sweat begin to form on the teacher’s skin. She gulped. Soon, she felt the corner of her lips quiver. If there was ever a moment when the usually stoic woman would melt into a puddle of mess, it would be whenever Edelgard becomes intimate.

“El? What… do you think you’re… doing?”

“Wall slam.”

Byleth’s eyes nearly boggled out of its sockets.

“…excuse me?”

“This is a wall slam.”

Oh goodness, what is Edelgard trying to achieve here?! Byleth knew what a wall slam too, by the way! The professor isn’t THAT dense! Byleth felt her breath hitch as the young lady leaned forward. She braced for a kiss… only for the student to near her ear. Then, with a tinkly whisper,

“I want to have sex with you.”

“…”

Did she… just…

No, that can’t be it.

“…”

…she said it, didn’t she?

Byleth felt her entire body freeze up. The heat was already unbearable from their proximity, and the ex-mercenary’s hand loosened. A notebook fell onto the cold slab underneath their feet with a faint thud. Other than the item, the air became still and the silence filled it. Byleth heard her heartbeat thumping. It was slow but abnormally loud to the point it reached her eardrums. She’s never been this shook in her life. Not even in the heat of battle, littered with death-defying injuries and mental fatigue had ever shaken her to this extent! She shakily exhaled. Their eyes stared into each other once Edelgard separated from her ear.

“Did you… just say you want to have sex with me?” she blinked. “That’s what I heard… or think I heard, right?”

“Do you doubt me, Byleth?” Edelgard tilted her head. “Your silly expression says otherwise.”

She wasn’t wrong. The Adrestian Empire’s princess hit a bullseye instead. Granted, the teacher had fantasies about doing it with Edelgard, but never really initiated it. Two things had held her back: if Edelgard was ready and if there was ever a time to do it. Having their first time be a quickie would be a real buzzkill. The older female gathered scraps of her logical processes to formulate a rare, squeaky response.

“It doesn’t hurt to double-check.”

It’s no good. Byleth can’t seem to tear her gaze away from Edelgard’s. Those eyes that smolder with intensity, the way the noble angled her body towards the other, the double entendre questions that follow afterward, Byleth is powerless against the empowered female. If anything, their roles are clearly reversed. Another dry swallow came from the teal-haired. That was Edelgard’s cue to affectionately kiss her teacher. Abrupt, but it was much needed. Their eyes closed momentarily at the moment. Another tender kiss on the lips. Simple, but it always seems to draw upon pleasure.

When they parted with bated breaths, Byleth embraced her lover once the other lowered her arms. The instructor buried her face into Edelgard’s shoulder. She deeply inhaled the subtle flowery fragrance. It was not long until she nuzzled into her school’s dark uniform.

“Are you sure about this?” she quietly murmured. “I don’t want you to feel rushed.”

If anything, it would kill Byleth if Edelgard was under the impression that this was a must. Patience is a part of a relationship. She could always wait until Edelgard was ready. Besides, they’re at the midst of growing tensions within this continent. The girls’ love affair could always be in the back burner. The youngster squeezed her girlfriend in response.

“I wanted this, Byleth. If anything, it was my decision.”

There’s nothing wrong with forgetting about the war, even if it’s just for one night.

“Hubert would never allow this though,” Edelgard grumbled. “If he catches us, I don’t think he’ll ever let me out of his sight ever again.”

“Let’s not get caught then.”

When they entered into Byleth’s bedroom, the youngest did not hesitate to lock the door from behind. The room was lit with a nearby lantern. Decorations hung about in the room of the good memories Byleth’s made during her time as a mercenary and as a mentor. Stacks of books and scrolls were tucked in the corner. The desk hosting a personal journal and calendar for the school year. By coincidence, the room upheld an amorous vibe. The professor had to pat herself on the back for keeping the room this way most of the time. It would be awkward if it were a preference to chaos.

Byleth was just able to toss her notebook onto the desk’s surface when she felt a rough tug. The role reversal continued as Edelgard shoved her lover down onto the tidied mattress. Hands by her head, Byleth’s covered chest rose and fell with each breath. The ex-mercenary was opened to the noble. The princess climbed on top of Byleth like a sly cat.

It was clear who was dominant at this moment. Byleth cracked a brief smile in admiration of the brave young lady. The first step into bypassing the boundary and it would be Edelgard who leads. Though there was one little thing Edelgard had forgotten to disclose... and it became prominent when their staring session lasted longer than five seconds.

“El?” she breathed. “Have I lost you to my beautiful eyes?”

“Perhaps.”

But nothing was advancing. The two were fixated in their current position. Not a single inch had budged, and not a single disturbance was felt. She allowed a couple more second tick by from the nearby wall clock.

Still no progress.

Byleth raised an eyebrow.

“Um… Edelgard—”

“Professor, I don’t know what to do next.”

…oh. So, it appears that it slipped from Edelgard’s mind on how inexperienced she is. Ferdinand and Dorothea may have taught her the ropes of getting their professor heated and riled up, but they obviously left out the more explicit contents from their explanations. A shade of red, albeit from embarrassment, discolored the noble’s cheeks. Byleth readjusted her posture so she was able to cup Edelgard’s face. The movement caught the leader of Black Eagles off guard. Then, the educator squished her cheeks.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” she chuckled. “Tell me the truth, El. The reason you want to have sex is that you want to learn more about it, am I wrong?”

Edelgard’s facial features twisted into a mix of shame and timidity. Her eyes began to shift around as she mumbled, “Yes.” And what better way to learn about it than with someone you love? Besides, her classmates told her that it was the next step in bonding together. Edelgard clearly wants their relationship to strengthen without it becoming stale.

“Good girl.” Byleth immediately nuzzled with her girlfriend’s nose. They made brief contact with their foreheads before the teacher slid her hands down to the female’s side. Edelgard let out a yelp once their positions flipped. Now on her back, the youngster’s respiration rate picked up knowing what will happen next. Her professor straddled the noble and began to shed her thick overcoat. “You chose the right teacher.”

Frankly, Byleth had never done this with someone. That doesn’t mean she hadn’t witnessed it being done.

It was accidental. She swears upon the Goddess of Sieros that it was purely an accident. The mercenaries never had roots and were always camping and sleeping outdoors. There was barely any sort of privacy, yet kids were being reproduced in her father’s group. Clearly, the members demonstrated intercourses at the quiet times during nightfall. The majority of the mercenaries were at least courteous enough to step away from the camp so their loud moans and groans weren’t heard. Unfortunately, the minority did it right at the premise. Byleth had seen it all from beginning to end as a teenager.

Traumatizing as it may be, at least she’s gained valuable knowledge. Now it was time to put it to use with someone she deeply cares for.

The older woman had now rid of all her armors and stylistic leggings, leaving her left with a white undershirt and wear. Observing Edelgard, she placed both hands on the female’s abdomen.

“How do you feel?”

“Excited… but also scared,” the noble breathed.

“Scared?”

“I’ve never done it and I’ve never heard about this till today.”

“Huh. How did you learn about it?”

“Ferdinand and Dorothea.”

Byleth blinked. “Why am I not surprised.”

“You aren’t?”

“Ferdinand is always a gentleman who tried his best to woo the ladies. Kind of shocked that he still hasn’t found anyone—well, aside from you, that is. Dorothea is always flirting with everyone, so that was predictable.”

“You know them all too well.”

“It’s my job to know my students,” she shrugged. The professor leaned down and proceeded to undo Edelgard’s top attire piece by piece. As her fingers worked on the buttons, Byleth’s eyes twinkled. “That means I get to know more about you too.”

Edelgard felt beads of sweat fly out of her head.

“Byleth, please go easy on me…”

“I will.” Now that the buttons are off, the ex-mercenary gave a quick peck on the girl’s nose. “Let me know if it’s too much for you. I can stop at any time for you.”

“Okay.”

Once Edelgard nodded, the teal-haired started with the first step. A kiss is in order. They may have smooched many times, but none of them rivaled this one. It started off as something simple. Their lips captured one another. Eventually, Byleth’s tongue began to poke, prod, and suck at the sealed sensitive body part. Edelgard’s eyes widened and her lips instinctively parted for a groan. This newly-form entranceway easily allowed the mentor to slip her tongue in. Accompanied by the hand motions of slowly feeling and brushing the student’s concealed chest, sides, stomach, and arms, this eased Edelgard into a world full of bliss.

“Mm…”

They parted. Hot, fast breaths tickled their noses as their eyes were fixated on one another. Then, they resumed where they left off, their tongues tangled and tasting each other. Faint moans came from Edelgard as she realized just how good it felt. It was nothing like she’s ever experienced in her lifetime! For Byleth, she was somewhat in awe of how she’s making the princess tingle from her touches. Edelgard would groan into her mouth as she pressed onward. No wonder why the mercenaries were always trying to hook up with one another outside of battle. This felt amazing.

“I… I never knew you can kiss this way,” Edelgard panted in-between. “Byleth, please teach me more.”

The professor felt an inner switch click on. It was rare for the rising lord to plead. Byleth felt a strange desire to hasten through the lessons and go straight for the main course. However, she internally squeezed the animalistic cravings to a minimum and planted a peck on the student’s lips with a smile.

“I’ll teach you everything, El.”

The second step, the neck. Byleth leaned in to plant soft, fluttering kisses upon the exposed skin. Edelgard felt the heat rise from her head and crawl down to her core. It was different from receiving it on the lips. Although it was not as sensitive as the pink flesh, their current circumstances intensified her sense of touch. She gasped when her teacher gently sucked on areas where she pressed her lips. It was ticklish. The student immediately grabbed ahold of Byleth’s arms and curled her fingers inward, her body slightly squirming.

“Sensitive, aren’t you?” Byleth breathed upon the bare skin.

Edelgard intentionally tightened her hold on the dominant figure. Between her groans, she mewled, “S-Stop asking me those—ah, those questions.”

Byleth’s eyes darkened like a predator. “You’re too cute.”

The next step was one of the sensitive parts of a human’s body. As they were females, their size was far bigger than those from their male counterparts. Byleth’s hands slowly spread apart the upper uniform as she continued to occupy the girl’s neck, allowing the bountiful, now-bare breasts to bare themselves into this world.

She distanced herself to get the full view of Edelgard’s upper body. The pair are so pure and in pristine shape. Not a single battle scar tattooed themselves on the girl’s skin. (Excluding a surgical operation near her ribcage and arms. Those scars had mostly faded.) Compared to the instructor’s battle-worn body, Edelgard was the definition of perfection. Byleth let the word “beautiful” slip from her mouth. This caused the beet red noble to cross her covered arms almost instantly.

“Do we really need to include this in the curriculum?”

Byleth laughed quietly and gently urged Edelgard’s arms apart. It took some time, but the merciful strength conveyed its message successfully. The white-haired exposed herself once more to her teacher with quivering lips. Edelgard had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next as her teacher continued to shed her top attire. She resisted the temptation to flee half-naked from the bedroom.

“Ah!”

Her breath got caught in her throat. The aristocratic female was startled by her lover’s hands’ contact with her breasts. Though they’ve touched each other before when tending to their wounds or bathing, none of them were meant for reasons far more intimate. Edelgard nearly slapped those naughty hands away. The female fisted the bedsheets in lieu of it. Byleth proceeded to massage the mounds with great care as if she were making pottery. She encompassed the pair and gave it a squeeze. A moan escaped from Edelgard. The instructor’s thumbs soon toyed with the hardened tips, rubbing them with her index. Another moan crackled out from her girlfriend. Seems like the mentor is doing something right. Pleased, Byleth continued to pour affection into them as the noble squirmed underneath. Had it not been for the professor’s straddling, she would have been bucked off the mattress!

Hickeys were carefully littered amongst the royal’s neck, the tortuous pleasant waves continued to assault the young lady. Edelgard’s fists tightened its hold on the crumpled bedsheets as Byleth’s adventurous hands twitched and toyed the sensitive tip of her breasts. Another blissful wave washed in while her mind narrowly focused on the electric touches. She jerked from the ministrations as it grew rougher. Whimpers and ragged panting disrupted the perfect imagery everyone envisioned from the noble. Words won’t ever accurately describe this burning desire to moan every passing second.

One hand was eventually removed. Although it should’ve eased the intensity, it was, instead, substituted with Byleth’s mouth.

“Hnngh!?”

Byleth swirled her tongue around it and gave it the occasional suck. Such a foreign object that circulates around the tip of the prized area, this drove the younger girl crazy. Edelgard squeezed her eyes shut and stifled a much louder groan. Any lingering fear that possessed the student now eroded away. These touches sent chilling sensations that shortly transformed into sweet, burning euphoria.

The spare hand massaged the supple mound one last time before it casually left the premise. Byleth had another goal in mind as it trailed downward. It tickled Edelgard in midst of her sexual high. Her fingertips brushed upon the hems of Edelgard’s skirt. That snapped the royal’s eyelids open as her professor raised her head. Their eyes locked with each other. One was breathing as though she ran a marathon, one was breathing as though she had completed a meditation.

“Edelgard… how are you feeling?”

“Spare me the questions, Professor,” the princess scoffed lightly. “You know I can’t answer that.”

“That’s okay. Your body told me everything.”

“You—”

Edelgard wanted to grab her teacher’s cheeks and pull on them. It wasn’t a very regal way of handling the cheeky attitude of Byleth, but the girl was already flustered enough in her current state, she needn’t any more of it. The ex-mercenary bit the bottom of her lip as she glanced at the skirt. She lifted herself up from straddling Edelgard and clung to the edges of the clothing.

“I’m going to take these off.”

“…okay…”

She didn’t sound sure. There wasn’t any resistant… So that means Edelgard gave the green light. Still, the flushed girl’s expression held a mixture of other emotions. Byleth smirked as she slowly pulled down the piece of article. Pop quiz time.

“As your professor, let me give you a pop quiz.”

“Byleth, really?”

“You’ve asked to be taught.”

“I didn’t mean it THAT way!”

Edelgard shifted her legs as the skirt bypassed her knees. Though her cheeks are flamed, the white-haired felt the tension in her core slightly loosen. She frowned and felt irritated. This was going to kill their mood. Luckily, Byleth isn’t so oblivious as to leave her lover sexually frustrated. The teacher has seen it happen one too many times with her old mercenary allies.

A flick of her wrist chucked the dark skirt out of the way. Now working on the red tights, Byleth presented the question.

“How are babies made?”

“…I’ve always thought the Goddess Sieros bestowed them to the parents.”

“Who told you that?”

“Rhea.”

“Urk…”

That was awkward. Dorothea and Ferdinand could at least help their teacher out by explaining this to Edelgard! Or rather, the blame should be entirely placed on Rhea. Who in Fodlan would use the goddess to explain this natural phenomenon? Sure, the archbishop is a holy maiden that should not be tainted. But wasn’t the main point of the Officer’s Academy was to also teach students the reality of the world? An imaginary bead of sweat ran down the side of her face as she finally took off everything except the undergarment. Byleth gave a little huff.

“That’s wrong. This…” Byleth placed her finger on Edelgard’s exposed stomach. With an index finger, she slowly dragged its tip all the way till it hit the white barrier. It was somewhat moist on the single layer that protects the most treasured part of a woman’s body. The noble jolted and gasped as Byleth gently rubbed the wet fabric with a single finger. “This is how babies are made.”

Edelgard scrambled after a response. Any kind of response, really, to hide the squeaks and inconsiderably loud pants that emitted from her direction. It was a mind-boggling experience. How could a single finger tapping and rubbing lightly spark so much pleasure? It was like firecrackers! A long groan resonated from her throat when Byleth vertically swiped the slender finger at a lazy pace.

“Byleth— Hah…"

It was getting out of hand. The younger girl knew that body wanted this. This body wanted to embrace the spicy touches and feel her teacher’s touches to its fullest extent. As much as Edelgard wished to stay dignified in the middle of intercourse, her desperate expression and wiggling body says otherwise.

“I-It feels good,” she whispered.

Byleth’s eyes blackened once more as she had both hands pull the last lower garment out of the way. Just like the skirt, it was flung to the floor. She then leaned forward and closed in on Edelgard’s ear. Sweet nectar dripped from her faint words. Edelgard shuddered in response.

“I’ll make sure you feel even better, El.”

There was no hesitation in her next action. Using the same index finger that had pressed against the white underwear, Byleth copied her original move set on the bare flesh. The slender finger continued to swipe up and down, left and right with flicks. Unbearable gratification of such delicious feelings shot up from that one spot all the way to Edelgard’s brain in flashes. Edelgard struggled to keep her voice down as her body squirmed. This caused Byleth to drape an arm over one of the legs to keep her girlfriend from launching her to the opposite side of the room. Of course, this was to make sure she has plenty of space to work on the sensitive folds.

“Byleth— Agh!”

Nothing was stopping the pleasure train from crashing in. Soon, it was getting difficult for the young lady to keep her respiration rate consistent. Edelgard’s heart was pounding wildly against her chest. She feared that she might overheat from the session! Alas, that was not the case as she had enough willpower to stay conscious from the sudden spike in euphoria. A cry left Edelgard’s mouth when Byleth’s thumb pressed against the clit. She applied pressure at the nub a few times in successions before resting it between her index and thumb.

A pause. Byleth glanced upward. Past the naturally spread legs, the partially clothed Edelgard trembled. The student’s chest rose and fell at a fast pace, back still laid upon the soft furniture. Edelgard’s gaze was jumbled as she could hardly think. This small break won’t last forever, though. They were in the middle of the course.

“This is the most sensitive part of a woman’s body,” she explained and pinched the clit. That elicits another outcry from Edelgard. Byleth kneaded it between her fingertips as if it were a small ball, causing the poor noble to jerk her hips upward. Byleth grunted. The professor applied extra force into her arm in order to keep the legs from sending her to Brigid. “Y-You see, when we are in our mother’s womb, both male and female don't have noticeable sex during development.”

Not that Edelgard was paying any attention to the lecture. The sensation was powerful and overwhelming. If a man derives extreme pleasure from his testicle, then for a woman, it would be their clitoris. (As Byleth elaborates in the background, it’s an underdeveloped version of a male’s testicle.) It was building up. The strange, alienated bubble that kept on producing tiny fireworks within her core increased its intensity.

“Nnngh—! Byleth!”

“…so as you can see, it’s something to keep in mind.”

“Byleth!”

How could her girlfriend still be chatting away while she’s pleasuring her?! Edelgard would like to have a word with her professor, but she was too bothered to care. All forms of her sanity were thrown right out the window when Byleth slowed her rubdown. The teal-haired woman faintly smiled at the frustrated Adrestian Empire’s princess. Oh, how much she loves Edelgard. Just hearing her scream out her name is music to her ears.

“I’m surprised you’re all riled up from my fingers. There are other ways to make you feel good too.”

“What are you— Hey, w-wait! Don’t go down there— AH!”

This was a first for the ex-mercenary, but she decided to tackle it head-first. The fingers were replaced with something drastically different. A strong, but small, muscular muscle had just brushed its rough surfaces against Edelgard’s most prized area of her body. This made the noble twitch and shake from the new texture. Euphoria coursed through her vein as blood pooled into the fleshed. The noble immediately reached down to hold onto her older girlfriend’s head. Byleth was seen to have both of her hands strongly grip against the thighs of the other female, her face buried at the blooming flower. A couple of licks were given before Byleth paused once again. Edelgard hitched her shoulders at the hot breath in the private sector.

“The mercenaries weren’t wrong… it tastes interesting.”

“BYLETH!”

What is wrong with this woman? Her socialization skills really need some improvements, especially with bedroom talks. Had it been someone else other than Edelgard, they would likely have left Byleth a long time ago! Despite the strange wordings and phrases slipped past the professor’s lips, the teal-haired ignored her girlfriend.

‘ …what do I do next? ‘

Throughout the entire session, it was a lot of work for Byleth. She may have enjoyed it just like Edelgard, but it was her first time too. Memories of the mercenaries work on each other, male or female, threw suggestions into the air. She had to pick and choose what was most appropriate for their current situation. Besides, Byleth didn’t want to sour their first make-out session.

‘ I’ll finish this. ‘

The relentless assaults resumed as she secured her hold on Edelgard’s legs, her fingers digging into the thighs. Byleth indulged once more into tasting the girl’s wet folds. Her tongue ran against the exterior surface in all sorts of direction, a little sloppy in terms of techniques. That matter not to Edelgard. Edelgard right now was battling against the embarrassing noise that proudly proclaimed how pleasant Byleth’s tongue was on her right now. The fireworks were gradually becoming larger and the sparks jolted at an even interval from the sex organ to her core. Her fingers tangled with teal locks as her back arched here and there.

When Byleth buried her tongue into the moist entranceway, Edelgard harshly squeezed her girlfriend’s head.

“A-AH! Haa— Haah! B-Byleth! Oh, Byleth— AH!”

Each thrust that came from the boneless body party went as deep as it physically could. Edelgard repeatedly forced her instructor’s face into the private region. She was intoxicated by pleasure, and she allowed raw instincts to dominant her reasoning. For Byleth, she did her best not to suffocate in Edelgard’s nether region. She responded by pushing against the thighs in order to gain better access. The woman then licked the inside of her walls like a drunken sailor. Edelgard’s bodily fluids were leaking out in preparation for the ultimate climax, the young lady shaking uncontrollably similarly to her moans.

A short-lived scream was heard from the shorter female whenever Byleth’s tongue wiggled and curved either upward or downward. Hearing her girlfriend’s cries turned on the older woman. Though she had never masturbated before, that thought did cross through her mind for a split second. Nonetheless, she shook it off and paid her upmost attention to Edelgard. She expelled her bliss by aggressively tackling the sensitive nub like a suckling.

“H—Haaah! Byleth— I… I can’t— Hah! I can’t hold it— HAH!”

It was driving Edelgard past insanity. Byleth’s tongue and mouth showering love upon her lower region between the legs was all that occupied the student’s mind. Nothing more, nothing less. She breathed rapidly as if she were in a marathon, and the young female arched her back once more. Byleth knew that she was about to be shoved over the edge of the cliff. Who better to do it than the teacher herself? She removed her tongue from the core and focused her entire attention on the clitoris. Enveloping her lips around the small nub, she gave it a few, strong sucking as if she wanted to drain the girl.

“Byleth—! I-I’m— A-AH!”

The fireworks gave a barrage of explosions as the student immediately sat up, curled forward, and trapped Byleth between her legs and partially dressed upper body. Her entire body stiffened as it bore through the explosive sensuality. The professor kept marching forward with the assaults in hopes of dragging her girlfriend’s Cloud Nine experience as long as possible. When Edelgard released her hold and plopped back onto the mattress, Byleth raised her head and felt her body vibrated from the impact. Although she was out of breath from the laborious efforts, that was nothing compared to the white-haired.

Byleth crawled over to the side of Edelgard, faced her, and laid down. As they tried to refuel their lungs with the necessary oxygen, the professor reached out to place a hand on the girl’s chest. It was beating wildly like a horse.

“Are… Are you okay?”

Edelgard wasn’t able to quip in until her breathing slowed down to a reasonable interval. She swallowed and turned her head over to Byleth. She blinked and… smiled.

“I’m more than okay, Byleth.” There was another pause before she added an additional remark. “If anything… I should thank you for teaching me about sex.”

A chuckle emitted from the professor. “Believe it or not, this was my first time.”

“Really? I am honored to be your first. However, you seem experienced enough to have done it with someone else.”

“Back when I was a mercenary, I’ve picked up some of these tips and tricks.”

“…so you’ve watched a couple go at it.”

“It was an accident.”

“Sure, it was. Sure.”

The two then fell into silence, their eyes interlocked with each other. Byleth then leaned in to place a gentle kiss like that of a swan on Edelgard’s lips.

“If you’re up for another lesson, I’m always free for you, El.”

“Since you’ve brought up that offer…” Before the 21-year-old could open her mouth, she found herself straddled by the royal figure. Edelgard began to strip the rest of her upper attire and proclaimed, “I think it’s time I show you what I’ve learned today.”

Meanwhile, Sothis peered from outside of the bedroom's door, her eyebrows raised higher than the ceiling.

"They're STILL at it?! I just woke up from my nap while they had their fun! Guess it's time to sleep again..."

[tg-fal]

Character Introduction via Old Art

I just want to introduce the Team we’re dealing with

I will draw them all (hopefully soon) with my improved art but for now, I can only offer art from 2014 or 15 or something ; 7 ;

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For Starters: The Team’s name is 1.FC Lachshafen

Short explanation: 1.FC is short for 1.Fußballclub (so 1.Footballclub yeet). “Lachshafen” is the made-up town the team plays for. It translates to “Salmonharbor” in English. (As mentioned it’s up in the north of Germany and right at the North sea, by the way. So yes, it’s also partly a harbor although a very small one)

-

So now onto the 11 losers:

Mia Sommer

Full Name: Mia Antonia Sommer

Age: 16

Birthday: 19. May

Height: 1.57 m

Position: Defense

Skills: Barely there

Tricot Number: 6

Due to her bad luck in pulling raffle tickets, Mia became the captain of the football club. She’s not very enthusiastic about it, as the sport doesn’t interest her at all and she also has not much of an idea about it. Mia’s interests are stereotypically girly. She likes pink, flowers and old Barbie movies. One thing that is consistently on her mind is the topic of love. Mia is awfully romantic and daydreams of roses, kisses and sunsets with the credits rolling over them. She strongly desires to experience all that herself, but at the same time her shyness keeps her from talking to boys her age. Mia is rather insecure and cares a great deal about what others might think of her. She’s easily nervous and can be a bit of a coward. She’s overall friendly and a caring individual however, who shows herself helpful towards her friends. Her dream is to become a famous singer in the future and she truly has a beautiful voice. 

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Eric Parker

Full Name: Eric Anselm Parker

Age: 17

Birthday: 7. February

Height: 1.83 m

Position: Attack

Skills: Great

Tricot Number: 3

Eric quickly gets recognized as best player by the team, which simultaneously earns him a ton of admiration by most of the teammates. He and his two friends came out of the neighboring town to join the team. As Eric is very reserved he rather stays around those two certain friends named Mariella and Lars. He’s not very talkative and does not make much effort to get to know the rest of the team. To some his aloof behavior makes him come across as arrogant, to other’s he’s intimidating. He’s quite oblivious to all of the admiration or other mixed emotions the team has about him. Eric is helpful though and does state his opinion here and there if he feels that it helps. He's not arrogant at all and actually very self-critical. Despite popular belief his greatest pleasure is not football, but music and his guitar. 

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Polly Joslawski

Full Name: Polly Angelina Joslawski

Age: 16

Birthday: 7. September

Height: 1.63 m

Position: Defense

Skills: Medium

Tricot Number: 17

Polly is Mia’s best friend who follows her to the small village. She’s a very energetic and joyful girl, who always tries to search for the bright side of everything as she is also very optimistic. Polly is very supportive towards her friends and often behaves like some sort-off cheerleader to them. She's great at cheering people up and giving them an encouragement-talk. She loves good jokes and makes many of them herself. She’s also rather hyperactive and very bouncy, not liking to sit still for long. Polly doesn’t care if you insult her and shows a very long temper when it comes to that. However, if you greatly insult or hurt any of her friends she becomes furious. It takes her a long time to reconcile with people who have greatly wronged people close to her. However when it comes to people who have wronged her, she can be way too forgiving. Her favorite animals are frogs.

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Melanie Lieske

Full Name: Melanie Lieske

Age: 17

Birthday: 16. March

Height: 1.78 m

Position: Defence

Skills: Bad

Tricot Number: 24

Melanie, usually called “Melly”, is a warm and caring young lady who also shows herself as rather selfless. She’s quite mature, well-mannered and usually stays out of unnecessary conflicts, rather searching for ways to solve them. She looks out for others and their well-being, offers help when she feels someone needs it while also making sure to not make them feel uncomfortable. She’s patient and has her temper under excellent control. However she is not afraid to scold and nag people here and there. All of this gives her a sort-off motherly vibe and she is generally well-liked by basically everyone. She tends to forget to look after her own well-being sometimes, however. She’s greatly passionate about gardening and baking. 

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Emma Herbst

Full Name: Elisabeth Emma Herbst

Age: 17

Birthday: 27. September

Height: 1.70 m

Position: Attack

Skills: Very Good

Tricot Number: 25

Emma is bold and daring. She is rather impatient and energetic and often acts without all too much thought behind it. Adding to that her temper is very short and it does not take all too long to make her snap, if you pull the right strings. She’s much of a tomboy and rather uninterested with most stereotypical “girlish” interests. She has a strong sense for justice though and his never afraid to speak up for what she believes is right. Emma also has a good sense for motivating people and get them to actually act instead of sulking in the corner. She herself hates not acting on problems immediately. She also hates the feeling of being chained down and is free-spirited. When she was a child she wanted to be a sailor and holds a fascination for the roaring seas to this day.

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Mariella Caivano

Full Name: Mariella Alexandra Dorotea Caivano

Age: 17

Birthday: 17. August

Height: 1.75 m

Position: Middle

Skills: Medium

Tricot Number: 34

Mariella is confident with herself and shows that a lot. To many she therefore comes across as highly arrogant but Mariella does not really care about what people think about her, if she’s not trying to impress them. She knows her skills and talents and how to utilize them. She was spoiled by her parents and is used to getting whatever she wants. Should a situation occur in which that is not the case, she will desperately try to flip it around in her favor. Sometimes she does fail to realize when things go too far however. She enjoys being envied but can become greatly jealous herself. While she’d never attack someone for no reason, she’s not someone pleasant to have as enemy. She aspires to be a make-up artist in the future. 

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P.K.

Full Name: Patrick Karl “P.K.” Müller

Age: 17

Birthday: 23. February

Height: 1.90 m

Position: Middle

Skills: Medium

Tricot Number: 19

P.K. is a laidback and friendly young man, who has a good understanding on how to socialize. He is open and extroverted and not afraid to take the first step. He's an optimist who perfectly understands how to cheer people up and also pretty well-mannered. At the same time, he’s much of a jokester and always in for some good fun. He always stays true to himself and does not care the slightest what others may think about him. He has a long temper and it takes a lot to actually make him dislike someone. Although he will always stand up against unfair treatment against others. He's also helpful and a great listener. He wants to work for his family’s hotel in the future as a chef, as cooking is his greatest passion.

- 

David Fischer

Full Name: David Martin Fischer

Age: 17

Birthday: 27.April

Height: 1.83 m

Position: Goalkeeper

Skills: Very Good

Tricot Number: 1

David is P.K.’s cousin and despite being the same age, David is a lot less mature. He’s one of the more skilled members of his team and greatly annoyed by the team’s overall lack of skill. At the same time, he himself is quite cocky and arrogant and often acts all mighty and smug. He does not take any damaging of his pride lightly and is also rather easily jealous. He hates when others steal his attention. He’s also one to often voice his opinion without thinking about consequences or wether it’s appropriate or not. Combined with his rather short temper it makes him a person who easily runs into troubles. He can be a bit of an Elitist and hard to get along with first, but deep down he learns how to care about his team more and more and becomes a lot more loyal  and protective over them. He can be fun and also brave. Also he loves video games.

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Lars Geist

Full Name: Lars Geist

Age: 16

Birthday: 9. October

Height: 1.68 m

Position: Middle

Skills: Bad

Tricot Number: 15

Lars is antisocial and uncommunicative. He’s greatly uninterested in making new friends and rather stays safe in the small friend circle he already has. At the same time he’s greatly desperate to keep the friends he already has as his friends. Lars is always nodding along to whatever his two closest friends, Mariella and Eric, say and agrees with them on basically everything. As he is also crushing on Eric, he generally follows him around pretty much everywhere. He can be a bit possessive over the people close to him and is often jealous whenever they make new friends. This can even result in him becoming rather rude towards the new persons. Lars also lacks self-confidence and does barely ever stand up for himself. He loves painting. 

-

Maximillian Beckert

Full Name: Maximillian Beckert

Age: 15

Birthday: 24. August

Height: 1.65 m

Position: Attack

Skills: Good

Tricot Number: 9

Maximilian is an optimistic young boy and pretty much the sunshine of the group. He hates seeing people being down and sad and often goes to make them feel better, even if he should not know them very well personally. He’s a great listener and a good shoulder to cry on. Maxi does care a lot about what others think about him though. Whenever he attempts to make friends he desperately tries to come across as hip and cool instead of just being his normal, much more charming self. This often results in some very awkward conversations. He does always stands up from failures however and takes it on a new with a smile. He owns a dog who he is very enthusiastic about and he would like to work with animals in the future. 

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Annika Förster

Full Name: Annika Luise Förster

Age: 15

Birthday: 3.March

Height: 1.50 m

Position: Middle

Skills: Bad

Tricot Number: 13

Annika is insanely shy and also greatly antisocial. Aside from her childhood friend Maximillian, she barely ever interacts with any member of the team and rather admires most of them from a far. She does not think very highly of herself and is also very soft-spoken. She would never stand up for herself and does not speak up if something bothers her, which some people do see as an invitation to walk all over her. Annika is actually very intelligent and well-read. She reads novel after novel and secretly writes herself, dreaming of being an author someday. Annika is pretty gloomy and melancholic but still caring and always there when Maxi needs her. 

[lolahood]

request/prompt: reddie modern au, some ex-boyfriend treated eddie horrible and now he is insecure about everything he does for richie and insecure on his own looks because that guy was trash. fluff/angst? richie understanding and being nice, trying his best to help?

SORRY THIS TOOK ME SO LONG! this is such a cute idea and I kinda went a little too angsty with it? ah well :) if anyone has any other request, send it in!! i love doing these!! 

word count: 1.8k

Eddie smoothed out the pristine table cloth for the third time in 5 minutes. The short man tapped his foot anxiously on the floor of his one-bedroom apartment. He checked his watch, and stared as the seconds hand ticked painstakingly slow. Eddie groaned and rubbed his eyes. Richie was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, and Eddie was, for lack of better words, anxious as fuck.

The two guys had been dating for about a month. They had met at Bill and Stan’s wedding, and they had hit it off instantly. A completely sober Richie had run to the stage to karaoke Billy Joel’s Only the Good Die Young, and Eddie knew he had to meet this curly-haired stranger. Since then, they had gone on a couple dates: a coffee shop, the Italian restaurant on the corner of Richie’s block, Skyzone (Eddie really loved trampolines and Richie thought that was damn adorable).

Though Eddie had been in Richie’s apartment, this would be the first time Richie had been over to Eddie’s. The thought of the attractive man in Eddie’s living space made Eddie’s skin tingle. He didn’t know if it was anticipation or nerves, but either way, it drove him to rush to oven to check on his tater tot hotdish.

Eddie wasn’t much of a cook, but he was an expert hotdish chef. Bill had been his best friend forever and whenever he couldn’t stand his mother for another second (which was pretty much every other day when they were younger) he would spend time at the Denbrough residence. Georgie had a very weak immune system, so he was bedridden a lot more than anyone else Eddie knew. Whenever the younger boy was sick, Bill and Eddie would make him tater tot hotdish - his favorite food.

Just as Eddie was pulling the heavy pan out of the oven, he heard a sporadic knock on the door. The brown-haired man nearly dropped his hotdish at the sound, and then frantically set it down and ran to the entrance of his home.

He pulled open the door to find curly locks peeking out from behind a large bouquet of white roses. A blush crept across Eddie’s face as Richie’s big brown eyes rose into view. Richie stuck out the roses childishly, and Eddie reached out for them with a smile. His expression quickly switched as he realized with horror that his Scooby Doo oven mits were still encasing his hands. Cheeks burning furiously, he shook off the gloves and grabbed the roses as Richie’s laugh echoed through Eddie’s empty apartment.

“You’re so cute, have I ever said that to you?” Richie teased as Eddie filled a vase with water. Eddie rolled his eyes and snorted, but his blush grew nonetheless.

“Like, every 0.6 seconds,” Eddie shot back. He led Richie over to the table set for two. There were candles spread across the perfectly straight tablecloth. A bowl of red fruit was between the two plates, and Eddie’s steaming hotdish was next to it.

Richie dipped his head low and dramatically took a deep sniff over the hotdish. He put his hand to his forehead and sighed in faux pleasure.

“That,” he pointed a slender finger at the dish, “smells like your mother’s vajayjay. In the best way possible.” Eddie gave the taller boy a playful shove.

“You’re disgusting,” he shrieked.

“Yeah, but you love it,” Richie shot back.

As he felt all of his previous nerves melt away, Eddie felt something in his gut tell him this statement wasn’t as crazy as it sounded.

//////Three Hours Later//////

Eddie and Richie were sprawled on the loveseat in front of Eddie’s TV. Richie was sat facing forward, with his ginormous feet propped up on the coffee table. Eddie had warned him against doing that, but the scrawny lad had disregarded Eddie’s threats. The shorter boy had his feet in Richie’s lap and a bowl of popcorn in his arms. Step Up was playing on the TV, but Eddie was having a hard time focusing on anything but the feeling of Richie’s legs against his. Richie’s eyes danced across the screen with the movements of Channing Tatum. Eddie recognized the music from the final dance scene, so he knew the movie was almost over.

As the final credits rolled, Richie finally turned his gaze to Eddie, his eyes full of delight.

“Ugh, I seriously love that movie more than I love dick,” Richie sighed contently, pulling Eddie’s legs closer to his chest. Eddie giggled at the wacky statement. When Eddie opened his eyes again, Richie’s gaze caught them instantly, something darker suddenly brewing behind Richie’s eyes. “Well, almost.”

Eddie’s next breath snagged in the back of his throat. The apartment suddenly seemed so much smaller, and the brown-haired boy’s heart started to speed up. Richie moved closer to Eddie. He was moving in slow motion. Eddie suddenly felt sweaty all over his body, like he had run a marathon without leaving the couch.

Eddie’s brain was on red alert as Richie leaned in to press his lips against the smaller man’s. Eddie tried to relax into the kiss. This wasn’t the first time the two of them had kissed, but this kiss was different. It was hungry. It was passionate. It was too much. Eddie grabbed Richie’s arm and squeezed, hoping the older boy would understand what Eddie was trying to communicate, but he just pressed his body harder against Eddie and stuck his tongue in his mouth. Eddie choked out a sob. He planted his hands firmly on Richie’s chest and pushed him off with all his might. Richie flew back, fear in his eyes. Eddie’s head spun, his thoughts racing miles at a time as Richie jumped up from the floor. Whyisthismewhyamilikethiswhyisthisme- Eddie gulped for air as Richie rushed to his side.

“Oh god, Eddie, I’m so sorry, Jesus, what can I do? What happened?” Eddie just shook his head and pulled his knees up to his body. Richie looked frantically around the room, desperately trying to find a way to help Eddie. He snatched a blanket laying on an armchair and wrapped it gently around Eddie’s quivering frame, trying his hardest not to touch the smaller boy. Then he waited.

Eddie’s breath began to slow after a couple minutes. His shoulders dropped. He wasn’t afraid anymore, just sad. Richie felt his heart crack in his chest at the dejected form of his boyfriend. Richie stretched out his hand, and slowly, slowly, touched Eddie’s knee.

“I think we have to talk,” the taller boy whispered. Eddie looked up from his lap, his face streaked with tears and his bottom lip shaking. Richie paused, a patient smile on his face while Eddie gathered himself. Eddie blew out a big breath and then began to speak.

“So, before you,” the boy murmured. “There was this other guy - Henry - who I was with for a while.” Richie hated the way Eddie’s voice trembled as he said the other man’s name. “This was a couple years ago. H-h-he-” Eddie’s voice broke as a tear streamed down his face. Richie rubbed his knee, gently urging the boy to continue. “He used to, ah, rough me up.” All of the blood drained from Richie’s face, and his eyes widened in shock.

“Oh my god, Eddie, I’m so, I - holy shit.” Eddie nodded, more heavy tears spilling over his lashes.

“It- it didn’t start that way. He didn’t start that way. W-we were h-happy,” the smaller boy choked out. “But one day, I don’t know, he wanted to have sex. I was 18. I had just graduated from high school a couple weeks before. I had never- I wasn’t-” Eddie’s voice broke again. Richie went to speak, but Eddie held his hand out.

“I wasn’t ready.” Eddie spat out the words. “He was 23. We were in his apartment, and I told him I wouldn’t - I couldn’t do it, but he, he wasn’t gonna,” Eddie gulped down a labored breath. “He wasn’t gonna take no for an answer.”

Shock shot straight down Richie’s spine. How could anyone, sped through his mind.

“E-eddie where is he, I need to- I need to fucking beat the shi-” Richie’s strangled sputtering was interrupted by Eddie laying his hand on Richie’s leg.

“It’s done. He’s in jail. I just don’t- I don’t talk about it that much. Really at all.” Before any more tears could fall from Eddie’s face, Richie pulled him strongly into a tight hug. Eddie pressed his face into the taller boy’s t-shirt as sobs tore through his body. And Richie held him, glad Eddie’s eyes were closed and hidden, so Eddie couldn’t see his tears.

After what felt like an eternity, the two boys pulled apart from each other. Richie waited a moment to see if Eddie was going to say anything.

“Do you want me to leave? I get it if you need to be al-”

“No.” The urgency in the broken boy’s voice surprised Richie. “I need you to stay. Let’s just- let’s just go to bed.” With that, Eddie turned and headed to his bedroom slowly. Richie quickly caught up with him. Eddie pulled off his chinos and fell into bed in his polo and boxer briefs. Richie slowly pulled off his jeans, not wanting to make Eddie feel uncomfortable.

Remembering something Eddie had said earlier, Richie walked back to the kitchen and filled a glass with water and set it on Eddie’s nightstand. He turned all the lights off in the apartment and pulled the closet door shut, knowing it was hard for Eddie to sleep if he didn’t have everything set right in his apartment. Richie had learned all this two weeks ago, when Eddie had first come to Richie’s place and was shocked at the messy organization of the small apartment.

Richie gently pulled himself under the covers on the opposite side of the bed from Eddie, careful not to disturb the smaller boy. Richie closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but the silence was quickly broken.

“Richie?” Richie heard Eddie’s quiet voice from his side. The taller boy turned to see Eddie reaching out with his arms, signaling for Richie to hold him. Richie just smiled and took Eddie in his arms.

The two boys laid together, their chests rising and falling in synchronization. Richie could feel Eddie’s small frame relaxing, and smiled knowing the boy was asleep. Richie pressed his chin lightly to the top of Eddie’s head, and slowly dozed off.

[maevefiction]

Your Light in the Mist - Chapter 11

More than a week had elapsed since my last yoga session, and I was pleasantly surprised at my lack of stiffness. My iPod sat silent in the grass next to my mat…the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks proved to be the only music I required. Especially at six in the morning. The sun had just begun to rise behind us, its warmth exacerbating the flush my workout normally provided.

Simon’s skill level was far, far above mine, and some of the poses he worked through made me stop dead in my tracks as I admired the way his body seemed to defy the very laws of physics. He volunteered to work with me whenever we had the time, and I gratefully accepted, though I fully understood that a grace such as his was something that couldn’t be taught.

We chatted while cooling down, learning that our birthdays were only a day apart, his on October 30th, mine on October 31st. He found my being a Halloween baby hilarious, and I was tickled that we shared the same astrological sign. Fellow Scorpios - no wonder he’d liked my tank top. I tried to get him to reveal his birth year, but he adamantly refused until I offered mine up first. The look of delight on his face as he screeched out ‘me too!’ was adorable, and when he high-fived me and christened me his sister from another mister I embraced him and kissed his cheek, grinning at the lovely blush it caused.

I took a seat at the patio table and opened my laptop with the intention of starting work on Tom’s website design. Simon sat next to me, both of us facing the ocean, and he began typing away on his phone. He harrumphed and gave me some wicked side eye.

My brow furrowed. “For fuck’s sake, what NOW?”

He showed me his screen, scrolling through his inbox. “Seven more since last night. You’ve made an awful lot of extra work for me, woman.” I rolled my eyes. He turned on his chair to face me. “I’m curious, though…I thought you just lectured to and consulted with PR firms, which would mean their actual clients wouldn’t know much about you at all. So, it’s kinda surprising that an artist would be willing to jump ship and leave their current rep in the dust to wind up where you are, wouldn’t you say?”

I sighed and finished editing my open layer in Photoshop before replying. “I started out working directly with clients. My first was Anne Rice. She’s is a family friend and was willing to give me a cha…”

He put a hand on my shoulder and shoved. “GET. OUT. I’m assuming this means you’re from or lived in New Orleans at some point? But it mustn’t have been for long, because you have zero accent.”

“Your assumption is correct. Born there, raised there, relocated to New York City in 1998.”

He nodded emphatically. “So you dumped the accent. Understandable.”

It was my turn for side eye. “I didn’t dump it. It just…faded.”

He snorted. “Whatever you say, Maude.”

I pinched his arm, reveling in the resulting squeal he emitted. “Faded. I’m like a chameleon with accents. Soon I’ll be picking up your dialect and sounding like a pretentious asshat, too. In which case, you have my permission to kill me.”

“You can call me anything you like as long as you solemnly swear to take me to Mardi Gras next year.”

I rolled my eyes and held up my hand, palm towards him. “Simon. Please. I don’t think you’re ready for that sort of thing. But, if you start training now, we might be able to pull it off.”

He tilted his head like an oversized puppy. “Training for what? Drinking heavily? I’ve been training for that for years.”

“No. Throwing beads into the crowd. And doing the princess wave.” I demonstrated both. “Because if we go, you must ride on a parade float. It can be arranged. I know people.” I frowned. “At least, I used to know people. Anyway, what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted was that she was my first client, and it gave me a lot of clout. For which I am eternally grateful. I moved on after three years or so with her and began working directly with clients, most of whom were too small to have a decent PR firm behind them. I did everything, created websites, set up Facebook accounts, provided instructions on how to post, when to post, what to post, yada yada. Lots of hand holding and cajoling. Word spread, and bigger names took notice, which led to PR firms hiring me to work one-on-one with their clients for a specified duration. Most of them already had websites in place, so my focus shifted entirely to social media. In early 2010, I was invited to speak for two hours at a PR conference in San Diego…they wanted me to lecture on enhancing client reputation through social media. It was winter in New York, and they were willing to pay for my travel expenses so I thought, California? Fuck it, why not?”

Simon’s legs were crossed, his upper body leaning in towards me as he listened attentively. I had paused, and he motioned for me to continue.

“So, I spoke for two hours and they handed me a check for three thousand dollars. That was more than I normally made in an entire week and it blew my tiny little mind.  It seemed to be vastly less stressful than dealing with super huge egos and non-tech savvy artists and damn, the money. I adjusted my entire business model, and within a month I was turning down engagements because my calendar was full. PR firms were still asking me for assistance, so I set up a consulting procedure wherein I’d outline a plan for them to implement, collected my fee and was on my way. It was all so…easy.”

He laughed loudly. “And you decided to work for Prosper why?”

“Because my ‘easy’ job and the cash it generated had taken over my entire life. I was the job and the job was me. Much to my surprise, lecturing and consulting long term turned out to be a soul sucking bore…and it transformed me into a miserable drudge. I am, at heart, a creative individual and I missed doing graphic and website design, photography, and learning new things. Terribly. Working for Prosper allows me to do all that again, and then some. That’s why.”

He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin with one hand. “And I’m sure it has nothing to do with the exquisite creature sleeping soundly in your bed right now.”

“No, it doesn’t. He was actually the reason why I seriously considered declining Luke’s offer.” Simon looked puzzled, but I didn’t elaborate. “So. Why did you leave such a prestigious position at the Dorchester to become a PA? Just for Luke? Or is there more to the story?”

He grinned. “Damn, turned it right around on me, didn’t you? Touché, my friend. I went to university for business management and administrative assistance, and worked in the field until 2005. Cooking had always been my passion, and I had some sort of spiritual awakening wherein I decided I absolutely needed to become a professional chef or else I would shrivel up and die. So I did. I moved from place to place, learning, working, partying my ass off, and finally landed the sous chef spot at the Dorchester in 2009. It was dandy at first, but as the years passed I felt like I’d grown stagnant, doing the same thing night after night, having little input on menu changes and so on. Like you, I was bored. I was averaging 70 hours a week in that kitchen, cut off from the world, and it hit me that all I had gotten out of it was a nicely padded bank account…and that there was no one to share it with. I’d always loved being around lots of people, and there I was seeing nothing but the same damn faces day in and day out. In 2013 I happened across Luke’s ad, reworked my resume, and the rest is history. Unlike you, though, I don’t think I would have taken the job if it wasn’t for him, because the salary was abysmal. As soon as I saw him, I knew. He was it. The one. Love at first sight. I thank my lucky stars every single day that he felt the same way.”

After wiping the tears from his eyes, he took hold of my hand. “Maude, I don’t know if he’s mentioned it or not, but Tom’s had a rough time of it lately, and I’m so, so happy that you’ve found each other.”

“Me too, Simon.” I smiled, letting go of his hand. “Now, please, for the love of all things holy, shut your cake hole so I can get some work done, okay?”

“God, you are such a bitch.”

“I am. And you’re still talking. Cease.”

We worked quietly, side by side, until Luke poked his head out the doors to inquire as to when Simon planned on getting his butt in the kitchen and making some breakfast. As he got up from his chair, he peered over my shoulder at my laptop screen. I had a basic layout set and was in the process of choosing a color combination that would contrast perfectly.

“Wow, that’s a right brilliant color palette you have there, Maude. Is that for Tom’s site?”  

I nodded. “Does it look…familiar?”

He stared. “Yes…maybe…should it?”

I opened the tab that contained the HD photo of Tom’s eye that I’d drawn all my color options from. “Tada.”

Simon poked my shoulder and called for Luke to come see. He padded out onto the lanai, looked over my shoulder, nodded, then put his hands on his hips.

“So, when are you going to use your magic to revamp the Prosper site?”

I closed my laptop and put my head in my hands, then pushed my chair back and went to wait in the kitchen, muttering to myself about peace and solitude and how I couldn’t find any even though I was in paradise.

Tom bounded our of our bedroom just as Simon was plating our pancakes and bacon, freshly showered, wearing a pair of faded, loose fitting jeans and a tight, light blue V-neck tee. I leaned back on my bar stool and around the counter to look at his feet. Scuffed, well-worn boots. When my eyes finally made their way up to his face I was greeted with a dazzling, toothy smile. I groaned.

Simon pinched his cheeks. “Lovely of you to join us, Thomas.”

Tom lowered himself elegantly onto the stool to my right, resting his hand on my spandex-clad thigh as he leaned in to kiss me.

“Good morning, Maude. How was yoga?”

“Spectacular, actually. Simon and I had a lovely chat and I even managed to get some work done in spite of it.” He laughed and began slowly sliding his hand up my leg, edging ever closer to the apex of my thighs. Simon set our plates in front of us, raising a brow as he spied what Tom was up to.

“Um, excuse me. This is a fine dining establishment, people. No foreplay is permitted.” I glanced up from my plate and saw Luke directly behind him, hand cupping Simon’s ass.

“Whatever, asshole.” I pointed at my short stack. “Do you have syrup for these?”

He pulled a pot off the stove and spooned some of its contents onto them. “Made with fresh pineapples. Especially for you.”

All eyes were on me as they waited for a reaction. I broke off a hunk of pancake with my fork and shoved it in my mouth. “Mmm, yummy. Thank you.” Luke looked at Tom, who shrugged. I took another bite of breakfast. “Yeah, nice try, losers. I happen to like pineapples. Just not on pizza.”

Tom put his arm around my waist, pulled me to him and kissed the top of my head. “I had nothing to do with this. I swear it.”

I said nothing, ripping off a piece of bacon with my teeth instead. He tapped his fork on his plate.

“So, Maude, I was thinking…maybe we could take a ride out to Talk Story today? I called to see if Alani would be in, and she is.” I spun the stool around in his direction, dumbfounded. He smiled. “I did say I’d go back to meet her, did I not?”

“Yes. Yes you did.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “What an amazingly generous thing to do. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. You’re going to be the one in charge of crowd control.” He stole a strip of bacon from my plate and swallowed it down before I could even muster a protest.

“I’d rather corral a group of a hundred people than have to sit next to you while I’m trying to eat a fucking meal, bacon stealer. And everything else stealer.”

He snickered, and I wolfed down the rest of my food, rinsed my dishes, put them in the dishwasher and headed for the bedroom, finally noticing that Luke and Simon had disappeared. I wrote a giant ‘thanks for breakfast’ on the chalkboard in the kitchen and drew a smiley face to go with it, figuring we wouldn’t be seeing them again before we left.

*************************************** After my much needed shower, I wound up standing in my underwear, staring into yet another wardrobe wondering what the hell to wear. Tom looked too damn good for me to get away with shorts and a T-shirt, and my black tank dress just didn’t scream ‘please behave and listen to the nice lady’. Tom was waiting patiently for me, sitting at the desk answering emails and returning calls. I looked at his boots, then back and my limited selection of dresses. The brown chiffon galaxy print sleeveless wasn’t an exact match, but pretty damn close. I pulled it off its hanger and laid it on the bed so I could unzip the back without it winding up on the floor, chastising myself for giving in to my everything-must-coordinate OCD once again. I slipped it over my head, put my arms through the proper holes and managed to zip it up on my own, then went into the bathroom to figure out a hair strategy.

I’d just wrestled it into a braid when I overheard Tom talking in the bedroom.

“How’s Los Angeles? Elsa? Kids? Good to hear. Oh, she’s unbelievable, Chris. Here, I’ll take you in and you can meet her.” He came around the corner carrying his open laptop.

“Chris Hemsworth, Maude Gallagher.” He turned the screen toward me, and there he was, Thor, God of Thunder. In my bathroom. He held up a hand in greeting.

“Hello, Maude. Nice to meet you. See you? Skype you?” He face palmed. “I have no idea what the correct terminology is.” I heard a woman yell in the background that meet was fine and for him to bring the tablet over to her so she could see me. He got up and walked into another room, and a beautiful blonde woman came into view alongside Chris. She waved madly.

“Look at you, you’re gorgeous. A natural beauty. And that dress…I am in love with it. You must tell me where you found it.” Her accent was a delight. She grinned. “I’m Elsa, by the way. Tom has told us so much about you I feel like I know you already.”

I waved at them. “Hi there. Lovely to meet you both. I’d like to say Tom has told me so much about you, but that would be a big fat lie, so suffice to say I’m sure he will tell me so much about you when we aren’t quite so…so…shit, what’s the word I’m looking for here?”

Tom moved to stand next to me, shifting the laptop so we were both visible, smirking. “Preoccupied. The word you’re looking for is preoccupied.”

They laughed, and Chris grabbed at Elsa. “Remember when we were always preoccupied?”

She slapped his hand. “Oh yes. I do.  And that’s why now we’re preoccupied with three little ones, my darling Christopher.” I heard children crying in the background. Elsa said a quick goodbye and ran off, and Chris followed suit so he could assist.

Tom put the laptop on the counter and pulled me to him, hands on my ass as he pressed me up against his crotch and rammed his tongue in my mouth, then backed away quickly, leaving me panting. “Well, I guess we should get going.”

I shot him a scathing look. “We should. But I have to pee first.” He walked out into the bedroom. As I sat on the toilet, I weighed my options for getting even. I mentally high fived myself as I pulled my underwear off over my feet and left them on the bathroom floor.

*************************************** We parked a block down from Talk Story, and I scouted ahead and left Tom in the Jeep. My gladiator sandals clicked on the sidewalk as I half-jogged to my destination, anxious to see if Alani was at the desk. She was, and I texted him to come on down. He ran to meet me, and I stopped him from holding the door for me and letting me go in first.

“Nope, you should be the first thing she sees.” I had my phone all ready to go in order to capture the moment, planning on sending her a copy as a keepsake. He walked through, and she looked up as the bell dinged to announce that someone had entered the store and the look on her face was one I knew I’d remember forever. He approached her, hand extended, and I was right behind him.

“Hello, Alani. I’m Tom.” She remained motionless. He turned to me. “This is Maude. We were here on Monday, and she told me that you’re a fan of my work and would perhaps enjoy meeting me.” She nodded, gingerly lifting her arm up but unable to make herself grab his hand. He took the initiative, holding it to his lips and kissing it demurely. She squealed, so high pitched I thought my ears might bleed. Four other girls came running out of the stacks, took one look at him, and began jumping up and down, screaming, phones in hand. I stopped filming so I could set the boundaries before any issues arose, stepping between them and Tom.

“Hi, ladies. I’m Maude, Tom’s social media manager. Let’s go over some ground rules, okay?” They lowered their phones and nodded. “Tom wants to be able to take pictures, sign for and chat with all of you, but in order for him to be able to do so you need to make sure you don’t post anything to social media until after we leave the premises. No texting or calling, either. If a crowd turns up, we’ll have to cut things short, and where’s the fun in that?”  

A husky, bearded, bespectacled man came out from the stacks, wearing a white and green palm leaf print Hawaiian shirt and khaki hiking shorts. “Girls, what the heck is going on up here? Why all the screaming? You know people prefer quiet when they…” He stopped short when he saw Tom, his mouth dropping open, then quickly closing as he grew closer, hand proffered. I figured he was the owner, so I let him pass.

“Aloha, Mr. Hiddleston. I’m Roger Marshal, and Talk Story is my baby. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your stopping by again…the girls were so bummed when they learned they’d missed you on Monday.”

Tom shook his hand vigorously. “Thank you for having me. Your establishment is outstanding…I’m a bit of a bibliophile, and if I had my druthers I’d be perusing the shelves here for days on end. My apologies for dashing off so quickly when I was in last, but I had a prior obligation and thought it better to come back when I had more time to spend.” He turned to me. “This is Maude Gallagher, my social media manager.”

I offered my hand and he clasped it gently with one of his, then placed the other on top. “Maude, nice to meet you. Is there anything I can do to make this easier for you both?”

“Actually, would you happen to have a room available that’s a bit more private?”

He nodded, then turned his attention to the desk. “Sure thing. Alani, why don’t you show our guests to the staff lunch room?” Her eyes lit up, and the faces of the rest of the staff fell. “Girls, you go too. I’ll cover the desk.” They thanked him in unison between excited giggles.

I tried to hang back behind Tom, but he slowed and fell into step with me and slipped his arm around me, hand on my lower back, whispering in my ear. “The way you jumped in and took charge did…things…to me, Maude.” His let his hand glide lower and lower, halting when he reached the spot where the waistband of my underwear should be. He felt around with his fingers, over my hip, diving quickly down into the crease of my left buttock then back up to my waist, gripping me just a smidge too hard.

I met his gaze, noting his narrowed eyes and the way his tongue darted out over and over to lick his lips. I smirked and whispered back. “Gosh, I’m sorry. I forgot to mention that I’m not wearing any panties. They sorta fell off back at the house and are lying on the bathroom floor, all alone and unloved.” The hand on my waist began to shake as we reached the staff room and he began breathing deeply as he attempted to keep his shit together. And round two of Friday’s Titillation Tease goes to…me.

Tom spent nearly two hours taking selfies, videos, signing anything the girls could get their hands on, and answering their seemingly unlimited supply of questions. The giant cup of tea I’d had on the ride over had finally hit my bladder, and I excused myself and went off in search of the bathrooms. There was only a one, unisex, located all the way on the other side of the store, tucked into an alcove deep in the stacks. Nice and roomy, too. I envisioned Tom fucking me up against the wall, then scolded myself for my blatant lack of restraint as I texted him precisely what I’d been thinking while I walked back to the staff room.

Roger had come back to check on them, which Tom took as an indicator that it was time to wrap things up. He was hugging each of the girls goodbye in turn as they left the room, saving Alaini for last. She rested her head on his chest, facing me, and mouthed ‘he smells like a FOREST’ while hugging him tightly. Up until that moment, I hadn’t been sure whether she recognized me or not. She stepped back and looked at both of us.

“This has been, like, the best day of my life. I can never thank you enough.” Her eyes shone with tears. “Would it be okay if I took a picture of you guys together?”

I smiled. “Of course. But I think it would be better if you were in it, too.” We posed, and Tom held out her phone to get the shot. I was entering my Prosper email address into her phone so she could send me a copy and she was putting hers in mine so I could send her the video from earlier when she cleared her throat.

She looked up shyly. “Um, I don’t mean to be rude or get in your business or anything, but I was just, you know, wondering…” She swallowed. “Are you guys, like, a couple?”

Tom grinned. “Is it that obvious?”

Her brow furrowed. “Well, you know, I saw what you posted on Twitter yesterday and I was like, hmm, and I know you guys work together and now seeing you in person…yeah. It’s pretty obvious, I guess.”

Tom took my hand. “Yes, Alani. Maude isn’t just my social media manager…she’s my girlfriend as well. And can I let you in on a little secret?” She nodded, awestruck. “When you saw us here on Monday, that was the very first time we met. So you played a rather important role in what turned out to be the best day of my life so far.”

I kissed his cheek. “Mine too, Alani.”

Alani flopped onto the nearest chair, clutching her hands to her chest. “That. Is. So. Romantic.” She leapt back up and hugged me. “We all want him for ourselves, but if he has to be with someone else, I’m really glad it’s you.”  

I patted her on the back. “Thank you. Hearing you say that means so much…honestly, I don’t have the words to express properly how it made me feel.” We let go of each other, and she made her way back to the desk.

I turned to Tom. “I need to hit the bathroom again before we head out.” He nodded and followed my lead. He didn’t mention my text, and I assumed he hadn’t read it yet. We didn’t see another soul on the way there, and the stacks outside the alcove were deserted as well. I recalled my vision of Tom fucking me against the bathroom wall and decided this was going to be my shining moment of public indecency. I opened the door, stepped in, then turned around to face him, left eyebrow raised.

“Want to join me?” I licked my lips. He barged past me into the bathroom, fingers already working to unbuckle his belt.

“I thought you’d never ask.” I locked the door, then did a 180. He held his fully engorged cock in his right hand, stroking it, catching any drips with his left. “I do believe I need to put this somewhere immediately so I don’t make a terrible mess on the floor.”

I bit my bottom lip as I tilted my head to the side. “I think I’ve got just the place for it.”

He ceased his stroking in order to back me up against the wall, growling in my ear. “Oh yes. You most certainly do.” He bent his knees as he lifted the front of my dress up to my waist, and I wrapped my leg around his, grinding my dripping pussy against him while I rubbed my clit. He groaned, and I slipped my glistening finger into his mouth. He sucked on it, and I felt the head of his cock at my entrance and his hands cupping my ass, his full weight on me, pressing me firmly against the cool tile.

He was panting. “Put your other leg around me and your arms around my neck.” I did the latter, but scoffed at the former.

“Um, there is no way in hell you’re going to be able to hold me up.”

He leaned forward to stare into my eyes, and his expression made me whimper. “Leg. Up. Now. Please.” As I complied he sheathed himself fully. I tried to bite back a ridiculously loud moan but was only partially successful. His mouth met mine, tongues dancing around each other. He pulled back.

“Maude, my apologies, but once I start moving I fear I’m going to last all of thirty seconds. If I’m fortunate.”

I clamped down on him. He began thrusting wildly, and I focused all my energy on not coming before he did. I was doing well until he started whispering in my ear using his Loki voice.

“Give in, mortal. Come for me. I know you’ve dreamed of this, me fucking into you for all I’m worth, you pinned against the wall, unable to sway those mesmerizing hips and have your way with me as you ride my cock to find your own selfish pleasure.”

He pounded into me, almost savagely, and as he felt my walls begin to flutter he put his hand over my mouth.

“Not. A. Sound.” I came, my scream trapped beneath his hand, the wet sounds of him moving in and out of me echoing eerily off the bathroom walls. “That’s it. Look at you, coming and coming all over my cock. So, so beautiful.”

He let his hand drop, and I could feel his thrusts becoming more erratic as I stared at him, his face red, jaw clenched, the veins on his neck standing out with his exertion. His head tipped back, fingers digging into the underside of my thighs, and his entire body shuddered as he orgasmed, come spurting hot inside me. I let my legs slide down one at a time, planting my feet as firmly as I possibly could despite the fact that they felt like they were made of Jell-O.  

He rested his head on my shoulder, and I rubbed his back. “I guess this means you got my text after all.” I felt him nod. “Well, if this is what not wearing underwear gets me, I’m never putting on another fucking pair ever again.”

We both laughed, quickly cleaned ourselves up, and I peeked out the door to make sure the coast was clear. Still not a soul around, and we said a final goodbye to Alani on our way out and proceeded to walk back to the Jeep. We sat for a while, neither of us feeling quite capable of driving.

He leaned over to kiss me, hand on the back of my neck, grinning as he pulled away. “I’m famished. Want to grab something to eat before we head back?”

“You already know the answer to that.” I noticed the street getting a bit congested, a small pack of women heading in our direction and what appeared to be a local news crew up the road a bit…I pulled out my phone and checked Alani’s Twitter feed. She’d posted the photo of all of us.

Here’s me just a little while ago with Tom Hiddleston and his girlfriend, Maude. He smells like a pine forest, and she’s super nice. #bestdayever, #thankyoutomandmaude

I showed it to him. “I’m thinking maybe we should stop somewhere a little further down the road. You?”

He started the Jeep, put it in first and stalled it as he tried to pull away from the curb, and then again on his second try. He smiled at me sheepishly. “Perhaps you’d better drive.”

“Gee, ya think?” We got out and switched places. I shook my head. “What a newb.”

He crossed his arms. “I am not a newb. I’m just out of practice is all.”

I patted his thigh as we got to the highway. “Right. Rusty stick skills. I remember.”

He chortled. “Yours remain top notch though, my love.”

I smiled smugly. “They do, don’t they?”

He raised his index finger. “Although, technically, you didn’t actually make use of them this go round, did you?”

“I’ll make up for it next time.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“Well I’d fucking hope you’d hold me to it. That’s the whole point.” I saw a McDonald’s sign in the distance. “Dude, I want some French fries in the WORST way. And a chocolate milkshake. You game?’

“I most certainly am.”

“If you behave I’ll let you have my cherry.”

“Bit late for that, isn’t it?”

“How rude.”

“Perhaps. But true.”

“Not entirely true.”

“What do you mean, not entirely true?”

I turned off the highway and into the parking lot. The drive through line was mobbed, but the lot itself was relatively empty. “I mean that the fact that it’s a bit late for you to have my cherry is only partially correct.”

He stared at me as I engaged the parking brake, puzzled, then shook his head. “I’m not following.”

The left corner of my mouth scrunched up in mock irritation. “Really? Are you sure?” He shrugged, palms up. “Think about all we’ve…done.”

“Maude.”

“Good. Now think about what we haven’t done.” I gave him a few moments to review, watching his face closely so I’d see it dawn on him. 3…2…1…aaaannndd there it was. His jaw slackened, hips lifting almost imperceptibly. “That’s right. I’ve played around, sure, but as far as actually having a cock in my ass…nope. Which means, technically, my anal cherry is still intact.”

He covered his face with his hands, groaning, but said nothing.

I went in for the kill. “So, Thomas…tell me. Would you like my cherry?”

Shaking his head, face still hidden, he spoke in a low voice. “Maude.” He paused, remaining silent for quite some time, seemingly avoiding my question. I wondered if I’d overstepped some sort of boundary, pushing him too far.

My mind was racing, and I frowned. “Wow.  I’m really sorry, Tom.”

He uncovered his face to take my hand, gazing at me with eyes full of concern. “Whatever for?”

“Because I put you on the spot there and just assumed it’s something you’d want to participate in. I didn’t stop to think that it’s something that might not be up everyone’s alley.” I rolled my eyes. “That didn’t come out…shit…DAMN. Anyway, that was incredibly presumptuous and I apologize for letting myself get so carried away. Please don’t feel like it’s something you have to…”

He leaned in to kiss me forcefully, covering my entire mouth with his, tongue darting over my lips, then pulled away before I could fully engage. “May I answer your question now?”

I shook my head. “Tom, you don’t need…”

“I know I don’t need to, but I WANT to. My answer is, with undeniable certainty, yes. Please accept my apology for not answering straight away. I’m afraid I was too busy thinking about how deliciously tight you’re going to feel around me and then I remembered that you aren’t wearing panties and it was all I could do to stop myself from dragging you onto my lap and fucking you right here in the McDonald’s parking lot.”

His eyes met mine, nostrils flaring, pupils blown wide open. Never before had I been able to do this to a man, make him want me so desperately using nothing but words. He squeezed my hand.

“That you’d trust me with something so intimate, bequeathing me such a precious gift, wishing to share something that you’ve not yet experienced with another, is…I’m honored, humbled, awestruck…so very many things.” He smiled timidly. “I’ve never been someone’s first anything before.”

My brows shot up, but I managed to keep my mouth shut.

“Maude, there’s something I’d like to ask you, but…”

“Shoot.”

“All right. This may be terribly intrusive, and feel free to not answer it if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, but…knowing what I do about you, sexually, I’m…surprised…that you…erm, never…anyway, I suppose I’m just wondering why.”

I sighed. Good job, Maude. This is what you get for trying to be a seductress.

“Long story short, you’re only the fourth person I’ve been intimate with. The first two were before I was twenty and not even remotely interested in such a thing. By the third I was very interested, but things fell apart before it happened.” I put my arms on the steering wheel and rested my forehead on them for a moment, then raised my head and turned to him. I couldn’t quite read the expression on his face.

“Okay, I’m not sure if that look means ‘I didn’t need to hear that’ or ‘wow, only three, what a loser’.”

He shook his head. “It’s neither. Well, maybe a bit of the first one, because the idea of you being with someone else is much more unpleasant than I would have imagined, but…it was mostly surprise that such an incredibly beautiful, intelligent, hilarious woman wouldn’t have men lining up to be with her.”

“Thomas. Stop being so fucking wonderful, won’t you? Christ. There was no line, believe me. I’ve always been at least a little chubby, but after I moved to New York I put on a huge amount of weight. There are reasons for that, but that’s another story for another time. By 2003 I was tipping the scales at two hundred and forty-seven pounds. I’ve always been a confident person, and I honestly never cared what anyone else thought about the way I looked, but…you know what I’m getting at here, I think. In late 2008 I started feeling like shit, and Anne, who’d nearly died due to undiagnosed diabetes in 2003, pushed me to see a doctor. Sure enough, that was the problem. It was early, and resolvable with lifestyle modifications. So, I kicked myself in the ass, and over the next year I lost more than eighty pounds, and that was when I…a woman in her sexual prime, in the best shape of her life…met number three. God bless him…I was on a mission, making up for lost time and he could barely keep up with me. One time I actually thought he was going to need an ambulance…sheese, why I am telling you this? Yikes. Sorry. Lord knows I don’t want to hear anything like it from you.” I unbuckled my seat belt. “Let’s pretend this never happened and go get those milkshakes, m’kay?”

He grabbed my arm as I opened the door, and I turned to meet his gaze. “I…Maude…I just…you are…everything about you…” He shook his head. “I fall deeper in love with you with every passing moment.”

“Right back atcha, baby.” He laughed. “Yeah. No way I was going to try and out-eloquent you there. Waste of time and energy.”

We went inside, his arm around my shoulders, and ordered two Happy Meals when we saw the new toys were Minions. Neither of us could resist playing with them as we ate. Tom went back for a Big Mac and chicken nuggets, which I shared. He stuck his fingers in through the lid of my milkshake, deftly picking up the cherry and popping it in his mouth, a huge smile on his face.

We both used the bathroom, separately, and as we were walking back to the Jeep I heard the voice of a young boy.

“Mom, Mom! That man over there! That’s the man you’re always looking at on your computer!”

A woman replied to him. “Mason, what are you talking ab…?” And with that, I knew she’d seen Tom. I pulled at his shirt, and he looked down at me and nodded. We turned around and waved. The woman was about my age, maybe a little older, and she looked like she might die of embarrassment when she realized we’d overheard their conversation. Tom strode over, hand extended.

“Hi there. Tom Hiddleston. And you are?” She moved as if in a trance, hand out, and he grasped it gently and shook.

“I…uh…um…Sarah. I’m Sarah. And this is my son, Mason.”

Tom beamed and shook Mason’s hand as well. “Lovely to meet you both.”

Sarah reached into her purse, dug around and pulled out a Coriolanus program. She cleared her throat. “I heard that you’d be on the island and I’ve been carrying this with me, you know, just in case.”

He took it from her. “Were you in attendance?”

Mason piped up. “We flew all the way across two oceans so she could go see your show. I saw Big Ben. It was really cool.”

Sarah was bright red. “I saw it twice, actually, but didn��t have time to stay after.”

Tom pulled a sharpie out of his back pocket. “May I?”

She grinned. “Please do.” He signed his name, as well as a message. ‘Sorry to have missed you there, but better late than never. Glad to finally have met you. XO’”

As he handed it back to her he asked if she’d like a picture with him. He introduced us, and I volunteered to do the honors so Mason could squeeze in as well. I gave him my Minion to keep him occupied while I took some shots of just Sarah and Tom. He held it up to give it back to me when I handed Sarah back her phone.

“Nope, buddy, that’s yours now.” I held out my hand to Tom and he put his toy in it. “In fact, you can have Tom’s too. This way he gets to stay with his friend and won’t be lonely.” He thanked me so quietly I could barely hear him, eyes full of wonder at what to an adult was such a small gesture.

Tom hugged them both goodbye, and Sarah embraced me as well. She smiled at my surprise. “Thank you, both of you, so much.”

Tom put his arm around my waist as we walked the rest of the way back to the Jeep, placing a quick kiss on the top of my head.

“It is my personal opinion that you’re a much kinder, gentler person than you’d like everyone to believe.”

I sighed. “Yeah, yeah. And it’s all your fucking fault, too.”

[scgdoeswhat]

20 Years Later

Prompt:  Round 43 of #ChoicesCreates: 20 Years Later, hosted by @dopecatcollins and @theroyalwreck.

Summary:  Jake reflects on his own life and his decisions that have brought him to this point, 20 years after escaping La Huerta. (Jake x F!MC)

Rating:  PG-13 (Primarily swearing)

Words: 1,613

Author’s Notes:  This turned out to be more of a character study of Jake and it completely deviated from the original outline I had planned.  This is also my first fic for Endless Summer (and Choices, in general) so I hope I did the characters justice.  No Beta used. Jake and co. belong to Pixelberry, while OCs, some backstory, and plot belong to me.  Thanks for reading and I’d love to hear your feedback!  

Jake McKenzie walked out of his beachfront shack and towards his hammock, beer in hand, ready to relax and do absolutely nothing on his day off.  It had been 20 years since the asinine and unexplainable events of La Huerta.  Time had slowly helped him cope with his emotional scars, though deep down, he knew it was more the whiskey and beer that helped numb everything so he could live.

“Live?” He scoffed. “Fuck that, more like barely survive,” he said to himself while taking a swig of the bottle of beer.

And survive he had. It’s what he was good at.  In those years on the run prior to that fateful charter to La Huerta, he somehow was able to lay low in Costa Rica, procuring odd jobs without putting himself on the map.  This was how he met his pseudo-boss, Manuel, who needed someone to help man a boat after his original worker could not make it that day for one reason or another. Jake had been on the docks, waiting for any opportunity, when he heard Manuel cursing up a storm about losing a couple grand because of that puta madre. That day on the docks started a fruitful partnership that allowed him to obtain Delilah and he was always thankful for the friendship, not to mention Manuel’s lack of questioning over his past.

“‘La Huerta, was it really 20 years ago?’” he thought, eyes looking out over the sparkling ocean.

Ironically, time for Jake meant almost nothing to him these days. Days blended into weeks, weeks into months… hell, he didn’t even know what date it was.  He just knew when to come in and earn his pay check.

Apparently the time spent on that damn island didn’t mean much to the outside world either.  While he and the rest of the group were busy bouncing around the space-time continuum, fighting sea monsters, and altogether not trying to get killed, one week had passed by the time he returned to Costa Rica. One whole fucking week.

Jake chugged the rest of his beer as he reflected, dropping the empty bottle into the sand.  It was going to be one of those days.

“Good thing I brought out the fresh bottle of Jack,” he mused, allowing himself to drown in the memories.

He closed his eyes and the first thing that entered his mind was Her. His Princess.  The way she sauntered into his life, commanding his attention and respect. The way her smile lit up the whole room. The way her eyes lit up whenever she looked at him.  It felt like a lifetime ago.  In reality, it was.

His eyes squinted open, frowning as he blindly felt for the bottle underneath the hammock.  Unscrewing the cap, he took a big gulp of the amber liquid, relishing the masochistic burn down his throat, not unlike the memories that burned into his mind.

Jake had loved her.  Who was he kidding?  He still did.  They were soulmates. He never believed in such foolishness until she walked into his cockpit.  He initially wrote it off as a passing fancy. Who wouldn’t have wanted her?  She was a smoking hot, barely legal college co-ed with a mouth on her.

He smirked, “’What a mouth, indeed.’”

As much as he loved the carnal nature of their relationship, it went far beyond the intense physical attraction.  He didn’t know how or when it happened, but she had broken down his walls and firmly planted herself in his heart.  He loved her so much that he knew he had no business being with someone so amazing. There was nothing he could offer her.  A life on the run?  Always hiding and looking behind their backs?  That was no life.  It would have been a prison for her and he couldn’t be the one responsible if something happened.

So Jake did what he did best.  He ran. After the group escaped the island, they found themselves, much to his luck, in Cuba.  He told her he was still wanted and couldn’t go back, especially now that Lundgren was MIA.  He wanted her to finish her degree; to make a life for herself.  She told him he was her life.

He remembered grabbing her after she said that, kissing her passionately and pouring every emotion he had into it.  They made love – multiple times – that night while waiting for the US authorities to gain clearance in order to pick them up.

It was the cowardly way out, he knew, leaving in the middle of the night. If he had stayed, there was no way he would have been able to say no to her.  He had somehow been able to contact his boss and thanks to a few favors called in, he was on his way back to Costa Rica before she would even wake up.

That was the last time he saw her or anyone from the group, aside from that one time 15 years ago when Estela (how the hell did she find him anyway) searched him out, only to call him weak and a bastard for leaving Her in that manner.  He had nothing to say except that she was right.  Estela never bothered him after that.

He kept tabs on the group periodically through years:  Sean went on to have a hall of fame NFL career, all the while with Michelle by his side.  She wasn’t just a trophy wife, either, as she completed medical school and residency from Stanford.  Craig and Zahra went on to be reality stars (total wtf), winning globe-trotting, adventure seeking shows with Craig’s “Chyeah!” becoming a pop culture phenomenon. Raj became a heralded celebrity chef, with his own show and slew of restaurants.

Aleister proved that he wasn’t the dick that betrayed them on the island. He was a silent donor to many philanthropic causes, dismantling Rourke Enterprises in the process.  There was no need to worry financially anyway, as Grace was even more successful than her mother.  Last he heard of Diego, he was able to use some “discarded” technology from Aleister and Grace that allowed him to be with Varyyn.  (Hell if he even began to try and understand how that worked.) Quinn became a successful author, writing fantastical tales about a group of kids stranded on an island, including a girl who became possessed through the island’s power.

Jake waited to see what his Princess was going to do to shake up the world. She graduated… and nothing.  It wasn’t until a couple months after Estela found him that something finally popped up.

“Delacroix Heir Surprise Wedding.”

His mind went numb at the memory of finding out she married some Richie Rich, stick up his ass, wannabe actor, trust fund baby who lived off of daddy’s money. At the time, he couldn’t stop himself from reading the blurb on whatever stupid blog site.  The post detailed the elopement as best as it could, but more importantly, had a picture of the happy couple.  He stared at the photograph. She was as gorgeous as ever, wearing some expensive Italian designer’s strapless number.

Her face told a different story.  She held a smile, sure, but he saw it never reached her eyes.  Or did it?  Maybe his eyes were just interpreting the picture into what he wanted to believe.  It didn’t matter anyway.  He lost any right or claim to her the night he left.  He stopped keeping tabs on everyone after that.

“’It was for the best.  That guy’s been able to give her the life she deserved to have,’” he thought to himself, taking another drink.  He closed his eyes, drifting off to an uneasy slumber, nowhere near as drunk as he would have liked to have been.

Jake is awakened some time later (one hour, two hours?  Who the fuck knows?) by the sound of someone yelling.

“¡Oye, Lobo!”

The half-asleep man rubs his eyes as he sits up groggily.

“¡LOBO!  ¿Dónde estás?”

“Manny, calmate.  I’m over here.  What’s up?”

“’What’s up…?’ Ayyy…” Manuel starts rapidly muttering in Spanish under his breath, with Jake barely making out a few words, including puta and mierda. The Costa Rican man takes a deep breath, glaring at the best pilot he’s ever had on staff.

“Where’s your mobile.  I’ve been calling you for the last hour.  Ricky esta enfermo.  Necesitas que trabajar hoy.”

“Manny.  It’s my day off.  Come on, man.”

“Lo siento, Lobo.  Big money today.  I’ll give you cincuenta por ciento.  She’s paying $10,000 for basic scenic shit.”

Jake’s eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened after doing the quick math. $5,000 would go a long way.  He rubbed a hand over his face.

“Yeah, okay, I’ll do it.  What time?”

“Una hora,” Manuel smiled as he continued, “la chica es muy linda tambien, go clean yourself up, cabrón. Cuando fue la ultima vez que tuviste la concha?”

Jake flicked him off as he went into his place, hearing his boss’ laugh reverberating through the open air.

“’I guess there’s a reason why I didn’t get stinkin’ drunk today,’” Jake contemplated. “Few grand for a couple hours work ain’t bad at all.

He walked towards the helipad, spotting a solitary figure close to the helicopter… and what a nice figure it was.  She had these long and smooth legs, a nice ass, trim waist, with hair that cascaded down her back.  She looked deep in thought and didn’t hear him approach.

“Excuse me, miss?”  He turned on the charm as he addressed her. “Hi, I’ll be your pilot today. I’m – “

She whipped around, but the world had gone into slow motion for him.

“Jake???”

“Princess???”

FIN.