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holycatsandrabbits ¡ 8 months ago
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Cover reveal! "Sherlock is a Girl's Name" from Clan Destine Press! 20% off on preorder
The anthology
What would the Great Detective be like if Sherlock Holmes was a woman? That's the question answered in Sherlock is a Girls’ Name, an anthology imagining Sherlock Holmes as female, in tall tales that follow the great detective across time and even space.
The stories in this collection, selected by long-time Sherlockian editors Narrelle M. Harris @221b-hound and @atlinmerrick, imagine Holmes in deep space, 1990s Russia, Victorian London, contemporary USA, worlds of magic and more.
Holmes' many Watsons include ghosts, robots, a young boy who doesn’t speak, a teenage tuba player, a stranger on a plane – and that's just to start. In each story Holmes and her Watson do what they do best: solve crimes and have adventures!
Amazing cover art by Andrea L. Farley.
My story
I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful anthology! My story is "The Case of the Man Who Wasn't Dead": Modern-era medium Sherlock Holmes solves the murders of the dead who contact her via her spirit guide, Jane Watson, a nurse who died in 1944.
“You don’t have to be so rude,” Jane said. The light from the kitchen window didn’t affect her, didn’t set her red curls aglow or brighten her pale skin. But she was unfailingly lovely all the same, in that white sundress, with her hair swept back from her face and her lips bright red. If Jane were alive today, Sherlock thought, she’d probably be a fan of glitter lipstick, going around looking like she’d kissed one of Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
Sherlock did attempt not to make a habit of thinking about Jane Watson kissing things.
(Sherlock has a Crush.) And that's her on the top left of the back cover!
DannyeChase.com ~ AO3 ~ Linktree ~ Weird Wednesday writing prompts blog ~ Resources for Writers
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'The Case of the Toxic Teacake' is out now!
https://karenjcarlisle.com/2024/05/09/the-case-of-the-toxic-teacake-is-out-now/
The Case of the Toxic Teacake is my latest short story, published is in the Sherlock is a Girl’s Name anthology by Clan Destine Press – out now in both eBook and paperback. https://books2read.com/u/3nMNNx
I’ll have a limited number of copies for sale, direct from me at upcoming events.
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atlinmerrick ¡ 8 months ago
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SHE IS HERE!
A baker's (street) dozen Sherlock's are now avaialbe for your reading pleasure in Sherlock is a Girl's Name, now deducing at Clan Destine Press and Improbable Press.
And she's 20% off until April 29, 2024!
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My story is called "The Game is a Foot" and those are 'my' Sherlocks on the right bottom, to the left. There are also stories by these wonderful writers:
Verity Burns, Narrelle M. Harris (221b_hound!), Tansy Rayner Roberts, Eugen Bacon, Sarah Tollok, Dannye Chase, Kenzie Lappin, JD Cadmon, Stacy Lawhorne, Karen J Carlisle, Millie Billingsworth, and Katya de Becerra.
(DM me if you want to review, too!)
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Call for Submissions: Sherlock is a Girl's Name
It's time to climb up into your brain attic, hone your intellect, and in our latest call for submissions, tell us what the Great Detective would be like if she was a woman.
We're seeking stories by female-identifying people, writing about a female-identifying Sherlock Holmes, set in any time, place, or culture!
Of course, where there's Holmes, Watson must follow – in this anthology Watson might be nonbinary, female- or male-identifying, queer or straight. Whatever suits your setting.
Who is Ms Sherlock Holmes in your story? Who is her Watson? Her clients? And what are the mysteries only she can solve?
Pull out your magnifying glass, have a close read of our call for submissions, and send commissioning editors Narrelle M Harris and Atlin Merrick your tale for Sherlock is a Girl's Name by 30 September 2022.
(If you submit fic, please be sure it's superbly-scrubbed and stands on its own. Sometimes folks scrub but leave lots of in-world things unexplained.)
We can't wait to read your words!
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jenmedsbookreviews ¡ 2 years ago
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Dark Deeds Down Under edited by Craig Sisterson
Today I'm sharing my thoughts on Dark Deeds Down Under, a collection of short stories sent in Australia and New Zealand, edited by Craig Sisterson @craigsisterson #books #BookTwitter #booktwt #shortstories #DarkDeedsDownUnder
Today it is my great pleasure to turn the spotlight on a fabulous short story collection, pulled together by Craig Sisterson, and featuring some absolutely brilliant writers and stories from Australia and New Zealand. I picked this up at Bute Noir last year and have been savouring the individual stories over a few weeks. Here’s what it’s all about: Source: Owned CopyRelease Date: 01 July…
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margysmusings ¡ 2 years ago
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My latest book review
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sttoru ¡ 11 months ago
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‘your lover may not be the best in showing his affection for you, but when he does try, it’s always in the ways you least expect.’
☀︎|tags. toji fushiguro x female reader. fluff, slight angst, suggestive. subtly implied age gap (reader early 20’s, toji early 30’s). size difference. mentions of hickeys. reader gets called ‘princess / little girl.’ based on an anon request.
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“am home.” toji announces under his breath after locking the front door. he kicks his shoes off and makes a beeline towards your shared bedroom. as expected, you were there, body wrapped in a thick blanket to protect it from the recently cold temperatures.
you smile and toji’s fatigue becomes nonexistent. it was like he hadn’t just fought for his life for almost two hours straight — making money to quite literally survive. and to provide for you in the best way he could.
“ah, hi, babe! welcome hom—” your sentence was cut short by a heavy weight settling down atop your chest. toji’s body presses you back into the mattress, big hands instantly searching for their desired destination; that being your waist.
his warm breath - the heavy sigh that carried his worries - instantly softens the look in your eyes. it was this vulnerable side of your lover that you adored most. it wasn’t a sight you got to see often after all.
toji wordlessly attaches his lips to your exposed neck as he withdraws the blanket from your body. even though he has yet to utter a single word to you, his actions told you all, “missed you, toji.”
he mumbles something incoherent in response which you could guess were words of acknowledgement. you were ticklish, your skin tingling with every peck left by the dark-haired man whom you loved dearly.
“were ya waitin’ for me?” toji’s voice was muffled, his mouth busy kissing and sucking your skin. his rough fingers move under your clothes and run up to your shoulders—freeing them from the straps of your top.
you tilt your head to the right so he could gain more access to your skin. you didn’t protest nor said anything about toji’s sudden display of affection. you rub his back and allow a hum of satisfaction to escape your throat, “mhm. was waiting for you all night.”
your voice sounds like a soothing lullaby to the older man. a heavy breath leaves his lips and his sloppy kisses on your neck and shoulder blades abruptly come to a halt.
toji rests his head in the crook of your neck. the pad of his thumb travels up and down the marks he had left—his saliva subtly glistening under the light from the bedside lamp.
“tsk. i told ya not to stay up f’me, princess.” your lover grumbles with his tired eyes half-closed, fingers not stopping their rubbing motion, “but i guess there’s no point in tellin’ you that right now.”
toji still can’t understand why you go to great lengths to show your love for him. he’s a cold hearted assassin, a man whom is feared by many including his own clan and yet you love him unconditionally.
despite it all — he still appreciates the fact that you stay up to welcome him home. even if he may not directly show that said appreciation.
“‘i told ya not to stay up for me,’” you teasingly mimic toji’s deep voice and can only laugh at your own antics afterwards. however, a sudden pinch to your side makes you squirm and yelp. it didn’t stop there; toji took the opportunity whilst you were caged underneath him to remind you of who’s boss.
soon enough your high pitched squealing and broken giggles is all the noise that fills the room.
“whadd’ya say there, little girl?” toji grunts as he blocks your futile attempts to escape. he could see the tears gathering at the corners of your eyes, your body writhing around the best it could and your little hands trying desperately to push him away.
you shake your head and continuously apologise between loud giggles, vision blurry from the tears of joy. there’s a triumphant smirk on toji’s face once he notices how quickly you gave up your act of confidence, “heh, that’s what i thought.”
one of his hands gathers both of your wrists and effortlessly pins them above your head. with a grin, your lover kisses his way down to your neck again — this time being more passionate.
you take the chance to calm yourself down, chest still heaving with each breath. a pout forms on your lips, but was swiftly replaced by a content smile due to the giddy feeling in your chest.
it’s playful moments like these that remind you of the many reasons why you’ve fallen in love with a man like toji. to others, he might be nothing but a monster—a ruthless and cruel individual—but to you, he’s everything you need and vice versa.
toji’s lips were soft, yet lightly rough to the touch. they’re chapped from the cold temperature he had to withstand when he was outside. you felt bad; you had been laying in bed all night, wrapped up in multiple blankets whilst your lover was quietly suffering.
you know that if you tell toji your current worries, he’ll brush it off with a simple ‘tha’s just how it is’ or a ‘don’t worry ‘bout stuff like that’. still, you cannot help but be concerned about the way he easily disregards his own health.
“toji,” you call out his name as his kisses reach the curve of your breasts. the older man lifts his head in response, eyebrows slightly raised at the sound of his name leaving your lips.
you push down the lump in your throat. your warm hands cup his face and you could feel his stubble prickling your palms. you lower your gaze to the rest of his body — finally getting a good look at his worn out physique.
there were faint droplets of blood hidden right under the collar of his shirt. ones toji probably forgot to wipe away after his mission. his black shirt clings to his torso, the dark spots of sweat subtly evident and the small tears in the fabric proof of his hard work.
you could care less about the fact that toji hadn’t taken a shower before cuddling with you. the first thing he did when stepping into the apartment, was to search for you. that alone told you enough: he needed the comfort your presence brings him — he just didn’t know how to convey that message.
“kiss me.” you whisper and your lover immediately complies with zero hesitation; that’s exactly what he had waited for you to say. his lips crash down onto yours, his large hands hold you by your waist and his tongue brushes against yours like it was the first and last time you’d kiss.
toji’s breath hitches the moment he feels you tenderly scratch his arms with your nails. you always do that to calm his nerves after a stressful day—grazing the tips of your nails back and forth against his bare skin. and it works wonders each time.
“fuck,” the dark-haired man curses in a low tone. his grip tightens on your body and his lips detach from yours. you notice the look in his eyes once he opens them; the look of pure love for you, “i missed you so much — so fuckin’ much.”
you softly giggle at his passionate words and steal another kiss from him before settling back against the pillows. your hands travel upwards to play with his damp hair whilst your legs wrap around his waist.
toji gladly accepts your affection and settles down on top of your body again, careful not to completely crush you with his weight. his face was buried between your breasts, taking in the familiar scent of you which calms him down even more.
“i’m glad you’re back home.” you whisper lovingly whilst continuing to massage his scalp. your tired lover answers with a curt nod and a sigh — this time one of content instead of exhaustion.
“yeah, home.” toji wasn’t referring to your shared apartment. he was referring to you; his forever home. there was an overwhelming amount of love in his heart for you and only you.
if only he could properly express those feelings to you. if only he could express himself.
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thaoworra ¡ 6 months ago
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The Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association recently released the poems that made it to the finalist stage for consideration for the 2024 Rhysling Awards for Short and Long Speculative Poems of the year. Congratulations to all of the nominees! This will be the 46th year these awards have been conferred!
Short Poems (50 finalists)
Attn: Prime Real Estate Opportunity!, Emily Ruth Verona, Under Her Eye: A Women in Horror Poetry Collection Volume II
The Beauty of Monsters, Angela Liu, Small Wonders 1
The Blight of Kezia, Patricia Gomes, HWA Poetry Showcase X
The Day We All Died, A Little, Lisa Timpf, Radon 5
Deadweight, Jack Cooper, Propel 7
Dear Mars, Susan L. Lin, The Sprawl Mag 1.2
Dispatches from the Dragon's Den, Mary Soon Lee, Star*Line 46.2
Dr. Jekyll, West Ambrose, Thin Veil Press December
First Eclipse: Chang-O and the Jade Hare, Emily Jiang, Uncanny 53
Five of Cups Considers Forgiveness, Ali Trotta, The Deadlands 31
Gods of the Garden, Steven Withrow, Spectral Realms 19
The Goth Girls' Gun Gang, Marisca Pichette, The Dread Machine 3.2
Guiding Star, Tim Jones, Remains to be Told: Dark Tales of Aotearoa, ed. Lee Murray (Clan Destine Press)
Hallucinations Gifted to Me by Heatstroke, Morgan L. Ventura, Banshee 15
hemiplegic migraine as willing human sacrifice, Ennis Rook Bashe, Eternal Haunted Summer Winter Solstice
Hi! I am your Cortical Update!, Mahaila Smith, Star*Line 46.3
How to Make the Animal Perfect?, Linda D. Addison, Weird Tales 100
I Dreamt They Cast a Trans Girl to Give Birth to the Demon, Jennessa Hester, HAD October
Invasive, Marcie Lynn Tentchoff, Polar Starlight 9
kan-da-ka, Nadaa Hussein, Apparition Lit 23
Language as a Form of Breath, Angel Leal, Apparition Lit October
The Lantern of September, Scott Couturier, Spectral Realms 19
Let Us Dream, Myna Chang, Small Wonders 3
The Magician's Foundling, Angel Leal, Heartlines Spec 2
The Man with the Stone Flute, Joshua St. Claire, Abyss & Apex 87
Mass-Market Affair, Casey Aimer, Star*Line 46.4
Mom's Surprise, Francis W. Alexander, Tales from the Moonlit Path June
A Murder of Crows, Alicia Hilton, Ice Queen 11
No One Now Remembers, Geoffrey Landis, Fantasy and Science Fiction Nov./Dec.
orion conquers the sky, Maria Zoccula, On Spec 33.2
Pines in the Wind, Karen Greenbaum-Maya, The Beautiful Leaves (Bamboo Dart Press)
The Poet Responds to an Invitation from the AI on the Moon, T.D. Walker, Radon Journal 5
A Prayer for the Surviving, Marisca Pichette, Haven Speculative 9
Pre-Nuptial, F. J. Bergmann, The Vampiricon (Mind's Eye Publications)
The Problem of Pain, Anna Cates, Eye on the Telescope 49
The Return of the Sauceress, F. J. Bergmann, The Flying Saucer Poetry Review February
Sea Change, David C. Kopaska-Merkel and Ann K. Schwader, Scifaikuest May
Seed of Power, Linda D. Addison, The Book of Witches ed. Jonathan Strahan (Harper Collins)
Sleeping Beauties, Carina Bissett, HWA Poetry Showcase X
Solar Punks, J. D. Harlock, The Dread Machine 3.1
Song of the Last Hour, Samuel A. Betiku, The Deadlands 22
Sphinx, Mary Soon Lee, Asimov's September/October
Storm Watchers (a drabbun), Terrie Leigh Relf, Space & Time
Sunflower Astronaut, Charlie Espinosa, Strange Horizons July
Three Hearts as One, G. O. Clark, Asimov's May/June
Troy, Carolyn Clink, Polar Starlight 12
Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary, John Grey, Medusa's Kitchen September
Under World, Jacqueline West, Carmina Magazine September
Walking in the Starry World, John Philip Johnson, Orion's Belt May
Whispers in Ink, Angela Yuriko Smith, Whispers from Beyond (Crystal Lake Publishing)
Long Poems (25 finalists)
Archivist of a Lost World, Gerri Leen, Eccentric Orbits 4
As the witch burns, Marisca Pichette, Fantasy 87
Brigid the Poet, Adele Gardner, Eternal Haunted Summer Summer Solstice
Coding a Demi-griot (An Olivian Measure), Armoni “Monihymn” Boone, Fiyah 26
Cradling Fish, Laura Ma, Strange Horizons May
Dream Visions, Melissa Ridley Elmes, Eccentric Orbits 4
Eight Dwarfs on Planet X, Avra Margariti, Radon Journal 3
The Giants of Kandahar, Anna Cates, Abyss & Apex 88
How to Haunt a Northern Lake, Lora Gray, Uncanny 55
Impostor Syndrome, Robert Borski, Dreams and Nightmares 124
The Incessant Rain, Rhiannon Owens, Evermore 3
Interrogation About A Monster During Sleep Paralysis, Angela Liu, Strange Horizons November
Little Brown Changeling, Lauren Scharhag, Aphelion 283
A Mere Million Miles from Earth, John C. Mannone, Altered Reality April
Pilot, Akua Lezli Hope, Black Joy Unbound eds. Stephanie Andrea Allen & Lauren Cherelle (BLF Press)
Protocol, Jamie Simpher, Small Wonders 5
Sleep Dragon, Herb Kauderer, The Book of Sleep (Written Image Press)
Slow Dreaming, Herb Kauderer, The Book of Sleep (Written Image Press)
St. Sebastian Goes To Confession, West Ambrose, Mouthfeel 1
Value Measure, Joseph Halden and Rhonda Parrish, Dreams and Nightmares 125
A Weather of My Own Making, Nnadi Samuel, Silver Blade 56
Welcoming the New Girl, Beth Cato, Penumbric October
What You Find at the Center, Elizabeth R McClellan, Haven Spec Magazine 12
The Witch Makes Her To-Do List, Theodora Goss, Uncanny 50
The Year It Changed, David C. Kopaska-Merkel, Star*Line 46.4
Voting for the Rhysling Award begins July 1; a link to the ballot will be sent with the Rhysling Anthology, as well as with the July issue of Star*Line. More information on the Rhysling Award can be found here.
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sweetsbfreex ¡ 2 years ago
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only to be with you
summary: Netyam has been training with his father incessantly. He just needs this one moment to be with you, and only you. 
pairing: neteyam x gf!omaticaya! reader
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•
You’re in the midst of cutting up dried fruit when you feel it: Two hands gripping your waist, and without a thought the knife in your hand presses against the throat of whoever’s behind. 
“Neteyam, you skxawng! I could’ve hurt you!” You drop the knife quickly, softly slapping the side of his head with the other. 
“It’d be the best way for me to go out, no?” He chuckles, taking the knife from your clutch, throwing it behind you with a smug smile on his face, as he gathers your now empty hand in his. 
“Don’t do that again.”
“I promise I won’t,” he rolls his eyes, that stupid smile still on his face while making a show of crossing his fingers behind his back. 
His free hand feathers down your arm, “What are you doing back? I wasn’t expecting you for two more days.” 
Neteyam has been off training with his father and brother. Not only was his father your clan’s Olo'eyktan, but Neteyam would be next in line as the eldest son. So taking these training sessions seriously was crucial to his future. 
“We finished early, but we go back out tomorrow. I needed to see you.” 
You smile at his endearment. 
“Let’s go, I want to go to Utral Aymokriyä,” he tells you suddenly.
“Right now?! It’s nearly eclipse,” but he drags you out in the absence of concern. 
— 
“Ma ‘Teyam! The sun has already set. Your father will kill us— you if he determines we are out here.”
“You worry too much, yawne (beloved).” 
“You are not worrying enough,” you huff, as he slows both of you to a stop, once you have reached your destination. 
The Tree of Voices is a magnificent sight, but at night, you marvel at how Eywa could have created something so beautiful. Watching as the willow tree glows its breathtaking purple hue. Surrounded by glowing green cherubs. Against Neteyam, his green eyes glimmer softly, as does his skin. 
He sits on his familiar spot, resting against a rock facing Utral Aymokriyä. He tugs you down with him, placing you against his toned chest. A teasing smirk on his face as he throws an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer. 
“You have training tomorrow with your father. I don’t want to be the reason—“
Neteyam can’t help but grow irritated (in a loving way, of course) at your worrisome ways. He hasn’t seen you in a week, since training with his father and younger brother becomes more frequent and tiresome. He just needed this moment to relax, and who better to do it with than his yawne.
He cups your jaw gently, silencing you in the moment, tilting your face to him. “I have not seen you in what feels like forever. Let yourself be the reason I am happy and easy. Hm?”
You smile shyly at his admission. Letting yourself relax in the arms of Neteyam entirely. 
“I have missed you.” He murmurs, the pads of his thumbs running over the apples of your cheek. 
“So have I. More than you know.” You reply, placing a hand behind his neck. Watching as his eyes become heavy lidded, inching his face— more so his lips— towards you. 
In a blink, Neteyam wraps another arm around your trim waist, pulling you even closer. And his lips latch on top of yours in a rush. 
“Neteyam,” you gasp, your hand squeezes his arm as he trails kisses down the side of your neck. 
“Y/n,” he groans against your pulse point before he fastens your lips with his, cupping the back of your head. 
It’s scandalous and a little degenerate to do what you do at such a sacred site. Neteyams kisses only grow fervent at the sounds you emit. The way you grip his arm or allow your tongue clash with his, just as he’s taught you. 
— 
Neteyam laughs at your joke, his lips never far from your temple. Your hands swim together in the air gently. 
“How are singing lessons?” He asks, bringing the back of your hand to his lips. 
Inwardly, you shudder at his affection. But the way the tips of your ears flicker gives you away. 
“It is alright. My mother believes I will be just as good as her one day, maybe even better when I master my breathing.” 
Your mother, Ninat. 
“You will be. You are.” Your Neteyam assures you with conviction, his fingers dropping yours to grasp your chin. 
“Thank you, ma Nateyam.” 
You kiss his swollen lips, cupping his face in your palms. Lost in anything and everything him.
Yet, the sound of a clearing throat causes the two of you to jump away. Your hands drop from Neteyam’s face. Your fingers covering your lips as if it could hide what the two of you had been doing, at the sight of your clan’s Olo'eyktan: Jake Sully. 
Lo’ak stands at his father's side. A guilty look on his face. He had no choice but to snitch. His father was a convincing man. 
“Dad—“
“Neteyam. You should’ve been home by eclipse, what are you doing out here— never mind, don’t answer that.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “We have training tomorrow morning, did you forget?” 
Neteyam rises to his feet, lending a hand to you. 
“I didn’t forget. It is my fault. I— I lost track of time.” 
Your stomach stirs at the sight of an intimidating Jake Sully. Your tail tucked low and ears pinned back. 
Jake sighs in reply. “Lo’ak, See to it Y/n gets home safely, and make your way back home quickly. Understood?” 
“Yes, sir.”
You look up at Neteyam in question, but when he squeezes your hand and nods softly. You know to follow his father’s orders. 
“Make sure she gets home safe.” Neteyam calls after your retreating figures.
“Yes brother.” Lo’ak replies exasperated as if he didn’t already know it would be his head if anything were to happen to Y/n.
“Goodnight, Y/n.” Jake smiles, bowing his head curtly. 
“Have a goodnight Mr. Sully. Goodnight Neteyam.” You reply, waving as you follow closely behind Lo’ak. 
When the sound of their footsteps is no longer heard, Jake can’t help but let out a short, frustrating sigh.
“What’s going on with you son. I can expect this behavior from your brother, but you? You’ve been slacking.” 
“I’m sorry, dad,” Neteyam can’t help lowering  his head at the disappointment he’s embarked on his father. “I’m trying to learn to balance it all. I barely get to see her.” He raises his head once again. 
Jake sighs again, unsure of what to say. How to fix this without coming off a complete jackass. Anything pertaining to his kids’ romantic lives was usually appointed to their mother. He wasn’t hopeless, but Neytiri was far better off. 
But he knows one thing. With the love he feels for his mate, he’d never want to get in the way of whatever it is between you and his son. 
“We’ll figure out a compromise. How does that sound?” Jake slings an arm around his eldest, letting a hand rest on top of Neteyam’s head. 
“Thank you, dad.” He smiles, throwing an arm around his waist. 
“Let’s head back, your mother is worried sick.” He kisses the top of his head and the two trek home. 
—
if you enjoyed pls don’t forget to reblog or give feedback <3
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death---dealer ¡ 5 months ago
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Taken. ( Noa x Human!Reader ) Part Twelve.
*sobbing into my breaksticks*
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Title: Taken. Fandom: ( Kingdom of the ) Planet of the Apes. Rating: T. ( Sexual implications, injury, mentions of blood. ) Pairing: Noa x Human!Reader. Words: 8.1K ( ha ha I'm in danger ) Summary: You had accepted that you were going to die. The future was such a stingy thing, even now as it flashed in front of you like a thousand lives were being lived at once. Noa was never going to know. Never going to see what you saw. And for that, you were so sorry.
READ THE SERIES HERE.
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Death was not something that you admittedly confessed to your conscious mind about often, one of those innate fears that seemed to be festering in every being on the green Earth, but only a few who were daring really thought about it on a day to day basis. It happened to all living things, you thought to yourself and pressed your forehead against the heated ground below you skull to kiss whatever was left for you goodbye. There was no point anymore, the mind was willing to give itself up in an effort to save some semblance of who you were, who you were going to become at the end of the day.
Nothing, your eyes squeezed shut. You were to become nothing. Another score on the card of the sky, another tender moment that flashed before someone else’s entire vision, encasing to the outer edges of their peripheral, there one minute and gone the next even though you wanted to stay longer, just to make sure they knew what happened to you. Puffing out air hurt as you did just that, the dirt dancing from the ground below and chapping itself against your lips. With what moisture, you were unsure. The flames were taking that, too along with the sweep of the entire Eagle Clan. At--- At least they appeared to get out, there was an utterance in the back of your mind you had been tugging to ignore since you fell to your knees and then to your stomach. Cautious fear tore through you, not quite willing to let yourself be burned alive as was evident by the skid marks on the ashen laid ground below as you had managed to grasp yourself but less than a meter were the inevitable was coming for you. Maybe… Your lips parted and it appeared like you were physically kissing the ground where the young Master of the Birds had previously been, sensing the drip of iron against your tongue which you were unable to deduce as being your own, or his, this was meant to happen. When… He had accepted you into the Eagle Clan, pre-destined to be the star to help consume it all but then take it all away in an instant of self-gratification as you sacrificed your entire life force for the count of many others.
Not that it mattered, there was bitterness rising along the crown of your forehead as the blood began to seep from there, down the curve of your forehead, captivating in a dance with your eyebrows before it leaked into your eyes and you were forced to hold them shut as to not cry your own agony to the Earth.
She… She had seen enough today, fighting that tore at her flesh like yours had been, crying as the ash sunk into the dirt below and became one with something it was not meant to be, like you had wished, blood pouring into the torrents of browned and gunked soot that smeared along your face as you cried to vast cradle of empathy for the ground where you laid; riding along your senses as your fingers pressed themselves into the dirt once more, your fingernails unable to carry anymore underneath them and the numb tingling of your hands driving you insane as you were unable to tell what you were holding onto, if anything at all. You just wanted him safe; your eyes managing themselves to look towards the forest of where Soona had carried your cherished heart, having torn it right out of the warmth and security of the ribcage it pounded so heavily against when you were in his presence, even in the instant that you had pulled his heavy, dead-weight over and then atop you like a shield of protection. With him, ran your will to live any longer. With Noa, leaving the notch in your chest vacant and empty. Soona would care for him as she always did. Care for Noa and Anaya… Your irises blacked and you dropped your eyelids, not even enjoying the shutter of your eyelashes against the toppened height of your cheekbones.
You--- Releasing another shot of air onto the ground, you felt a shutter trail its way down your spine as you released a gut-wrenching cry that mimicked the sound of Eagle Sun crying above you. Not able to turn your head towards the Heavens, you made the safe bet that you were imagining things, that your racing brain was trying to remember the smaller details about your life before you were gone. One more flash, it told you on your eyelids as you stared into the pitch black, now swirling with stars. One more good look at everything you have done in your life, everything… 
Sobbing, you knew your shoulders were moving but you were unable to detect the motion as you willed your arm to lift to the right side of your body and into the bowels of your tactical pants, so warm and flooded with your own being, gushing at the sight of your mangled calves as blood smeared and poured out of you without care, your fingers couldn’t tell if you were brushing against the blue feather that you carried with you, the last piece of him you were ever going to have or if it was flushing against the cotton base of your pants themselves.
Like you ever did leave the feather to its own devices, you wanted to retort to yourself in sarcasm but even that was lost to yourself in the muddled mess of the possibility that it was even obtainable to you. The day Noa gave it to you became the day you said goodbye for the first time. 
There was nothing else for you to feel here, eyes opening into slimmed slits as you cried a weakened ‘help’, coarse, your throat was too dry to even make anymore please and your whimpers began falling to the crackling of the destruction of the village behind you, a wave of embers running along the side of your body and singing off the small hairs that were exposed to the air as the Eagle Enclosure finally brought itself down under the heavy weight of expectations. The cracking of the foundation was felt against your chest, deep in the ground. 
You wanted to give it… one more fleeting attempt… Something… Anything to get yourself to move forward, to… To… Live to see everything you were meant to be instead of a marauder for a Clan of which became a piece of you. Anaya, his smile and jokes, never taking himself too seriously as he showed you the collection of Echo items that he had scavenged, your fingers tickling against the delicate nature of what appeared to be a very, very old stuffed animal. Soona, her fingers brushing through your hair on the evenings after dinner as she talked to you softly about the Eagle Clan itself, even taking in some gossip she had heard and managed to pry out of---
The hand you had tugged into your pocket, seemingly stuck in the tight space, stiffened as you brushed the lightest edge of the feather he had given you months and months ago. Noa… He--- There was the feeling inside of you that he was alive, somewhere out in the woods that surrounded the village that was nothing more than simmering huts that were crumbling down just like the last relics of civilizations were within the Echo Ruins.
They… Were to become ruins themselves, you philosophized and chortled, feeling ash tug itself way to the back of your throat as you let a strangled cough out in an attempt to stop your lungs from liquidating the particles into a fine mix of concrete and suffocating you from the inside out. Noa, the very heart of these ruins, was still alive. You knew, you knew. 
Otherwise all you had done was for nothing. You needed that, the last bit of reassurance you were able to promote yourself to. That… was okay… A dry smile parted on your lips as you subsided and rested your forehead against the ground once more, letting the night imagine that you were pressing it against Noa’s, you were sinking into him, giving him whatever life you had left in a bid to get him to survive. 
Yes… You were always meant to save him, it was true, and that meant… He had to live. For his Clan, for his future that you were not going to be apart of and take in the delectations of him getting other in front of your eyes, the once warmth nature of his fur peppering countless white hairs in a tanglement of wisdom, your stomach turning in on itself out of an incredible sheer will of oddly placed jealousy as if you were now seeing Noa’s life flash before your eyes, two circling Eagles in the long abyss of the blue sky that rounded the Earth, always destined to meet wings, but never destined to truly glide side-by-side. He was going to be great, you felt tears crawling into the cracks around your mouth, into the open wounds where you had been beaten within an inch of your life.
Noa--- Noa would grow. His gait would strengthen, he would teach his fellow Apes of the world beyond the Eagles and assure them there was nothing to be afraid of, your lips whispering to his ear what to say to them for the past year. It was a deepened feeling that you had, assured that the Ape would do what he needed to, almost feeling a sense of pride and you could see the dance of his shoulder as he boasted to you when you were destined to meet again, allowing the soaring to take place again above the Earth, that he had done good by you. That Noa had learned, that Noa… Had lived a full life. Finally, your fingers managed to tug the feather of your pocket out and you drew it upwards towards your face, wanting it to be the last color against the blaze that your eyes were able to comprehend. 
Noa would find another more suitable for him, your heart turned in on itself, beating harder than it needed to to keep you alive for the last sustained minutes you were able to spare to think about him, there had to be another if destiny allotted you the privilege to die for him, to die for the Clan to survive. Maybe even Soona, you laughed at that inside of your mind, she would be good for him.
Smart, funny, caring… An Ape herself, able to give Noa what he’d never admit to wanting but was always there in the animalistic pull you had towards each other. With the thought of your laughter came the inconsequential visual of your head tilting back with knowledge that Noa was piercing right to your jugular with the motion vivid and clear like you were living that moment from the many times it happened in the past. Another Mate, he’d be happy, the white vivid coldness that consumed you began spitting back memories of the future that were not going to live. 
There were moments you wanted to hold onto, knowing they were never yours to being with. 
Noa grasping the back of your head and holding your forehead against his own, explaining in his own terms that… There was more here, your hands digging themselves flushed into the fur of his forearms to keep you steady against the hold he had for you, the hold that was tethering you to the Earth, no longer worried about gravity. 
Spliced, taking from your grasp.
Your lips ghosting over his own as Noa brought his thumb up to your bottom lip, your legs… Bare and naked around his tapering waist as he was positioned under you for assurance that you were not hurt as he asked, so soft and so tangled with adoration mixed with carnal desire that was also speaking in his pupil's blown eyes as the Ape looked right at your naked chest, the hackles of his fur-lined body raising in anticipation of the moment. “Are you… sure… I am what you want?” That wasn’t a question, you wanted to whisper but as your hips drew themselves down in assurance you were spat to another remembrance of the future that was not meant to be.
Never to be and you were chasing the pieces of faded obscurity. 
The lazy sun pierced your eyes as you squinted at the crystal clear blue of the sky above you, head resting in the surprisingly familiar lap that you had grown accustomed to. The ripping of the thigh muscles ensuring that you were always going to be safe, mouth curling itself into a content smile as you looked at your mated beloved. Echo behavior, Noa’s voice rang in your ear as you felt a pull towards that nature as your lips parted as you whispered the smallest utterance of an ‘I love you’.
Time will forget all things Echo, they were all dying.
‘Child? My…?’ Noa’s voice was barely more than a whisper in your eardrum as you nodded in acute fear and confirmation. His own, your own. Two species sharing in something kind and gentle that would be raised as both. The idea that he could… That he--- Was able to do this with you running rampant as you were pulled so tightly to his chest, your hands drawing themselves into the fur at the base of his muscular neck, ripened now with age as you figured time had passed now as things were going linarily forward, rubbing it in your death-ladened brain that you were never going to experience these moments yourself. The running film in your mind came to a stuttering stop, no more your subconscious told you. Those were going to be reserved for the day you met again and he told you what he had accomplished, letting you, a measly little Echo that blipped his heart for a year, live vicariously through because deep down, Noa would be able to admit that it should have been you.
He’d… Your lips closed themselves as you no longer wanted to taste your tears. Noa would become a father, some day. Hopefully soon, you wished. The Eagle Clan deserved preservation of their greatness, their goodness and kindness that they had shown you despite your differences.
Their acceptance… Would be graced onto a baby Chimpanzee, Noa proud beyond belief, but scared… You swallowed hard. You knew he was going to be so afraid, the feelings drastic in your mind. Failure is always on the horizon in his acute self-deprecation and you could feel your hands holding his baby, so vivid like the softened fur was encasing your senses as you looked down at them with tendered eyes. Their features were not clear, but the green of their eyes was always going to be alight with curiosity and obsession just like Noa’s.  
You… are going to become the future that Noa wants, you whispered to the baby you held carefully, maternal in all aspects as you loved the blessed wispfulness of fur that laid upon their hair. Bringing your forehead down to touch them so gently was the easy part, like you were giving them your blessing, your mergerance with Noa so clear that you knew death was coming for you. The future that he deserves, Echo and Ape alike, no animosity… Be… kind to him, he’s doing his best…  You told the baby in your arms. Please, do this for me since I cannot do it myself.
You shared them with him as intended, Noa coming into vision out of the corner of your eye, but they were torn from your grasp at the moment of fruition once you had reached for him and handed the baby Chimp back to the Ape with solemn sadness and he said nothing in your hallucination but gratefully accept the invitation you gave him, his arms strong and caressing the child, so small against his chest as their hands grasped at his chest, the bare nature of his scar, downwards to nestle deep into their fathers chest to sleep… To bond…. He would be afraid of failing them like he feared failing his own Father, but you hoped that he…Would… Remember this, that he knew you had seen this and that things would be okay, and that you were going to be with him without actually being there. 
I hope he does know that. You looked at the feather between your bloodied pointer and middle finger and gave it a twirl which seemed to deplete you of all other energy as your eyes blurred and the feather and its fine detailing became nothing but a blur in your vision. Don’t become the rage that rests beneath the surface of guilt. Shutting your eyes, you brought the feather in and lightly placed it to your face. Nothing was felt, nothing was brushing or tickling at your skin and you knew it was time then.
Duty was served, your eyelids were heavy even though they had been shut. No, you wanted to cry, it wasn’t a duty! It was a privilege to sacrifice but you were still clinging to that notion of fear mentioned before. How afraid you were to let Noa go, afraid to let Noa live another life without you, afraid to let Noa endure love from his child when you were not there to help him understand. You calmed yourself though; he’d remember you. Until he didn't.
Until that life that you had spliced together in your own crying and jealous mind became a reality with another and you were left to be forgotten, just another Echo in the long history of your staggering clinginess as you were holding onto an Ape you never had confirmation of feelings with regardless. Fantasies were tearing themselves apart, reality was falling from under you. Yeah, your breathing was shallow and slow now, shoulders barely rising and falling, Noa would forget… And… You wanted him to. It would be unfair to say otherwise. 
●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・●・○・
Eagle Sun squealed as he came to rest on top of Noa’s shoulder that was dulled to the misery that was still tearing through the muscles there. A plump of small ash rose into Noa’s nostrils as he himself were teetering between sleep and lucidity, taking in no conversations with those around him as he had dragged himself in parallel to seclusion behind a toppled over boulder. Soona had tried to get him to stay, she tried to convince him to conserve whatever strength he had, Dar tried to get him to stay, telling him that the Clan needed his guidance but there was nothing there for him at the moment. 
The Clan was fine, he said sharply, eyes coming in and out of focus as he looked at Soona first and then his own Mother with aggravated animosity. He would be fine, he needed--- Nothing else was said and he was gone, leaving them to deal with what he was unable to process.
Mourn, his body told him, mourn for the Clan, mourn for the Eagles of the past, mourn again for your Father, but more factually, mourn for you. Green eyes were falling ahead at nothing in particular anymore, even the dim light of the flames of the village were nothing more than a scape of black and white to the Ape, his fur crying to be brushed of the ashen wood particles of his people’s history that rained down from the gray heavens, no stars to be seen, no clarification for Noa to look upon and ask advice as if there were any. There was not, he was stupid and childish to think that there would be any advice out of the drill of ‘you need to be strong’ or ‘you need to lead your people.’ 
He did not! Noa bared his teeth and felt them grit together, his canines drilling so hard into the gummed enclosure that he caused himself pain to take away from the ripping of his chest that he felt. Anything--- His hackles were rising and falling with each thought that ran through his mind, the sweeping wrinkles under his eyes incredibly prominent as they were now highlighted red and were dripping moisture down his entire face, catching on the fur of his beard. Noa did not bother wiping them away, the clear vision of your fingers pressing under the delicate skin under your eyes and doing just that, not leaving the forefront of his mind. Such an Echo thing. Such a foreign thing. 
He--- would not think about that. About Echo’s. About how… Right his Father was, his heart blistering itself into grief ridden paranoia and hatred that was not justified if he were in his right mind. Echo’s brought nothing more than destruction with every step they took, even you. 
Every glance you gave him set him on fire from the inside out until he was charred with nothing but thoughts of what it was going to be like once Noa actually had you, every touch you gave him caused him to feel bile of want to rise in his throat especially when it was fleeting, when your shoulder did nothing but swiggle against his own furry shoulder, something that should have never happened, every smile you flashed him were ingrained into his retinas and Noa was sure to keep his eyes stagnant as to not see it. To not let himself remember that at the end of the day, this destruction of his Clan and his very own self-being were caused by you.
The Eagle Clan’s leader  wanted it so badly too, for you to step on him and take what was yours. What he had given you. Noa would still beg for it if it meant you would come back to him this very night and even with a heavily injured body, he’d somehow make you his, awkward and rigid, his blood smearing into your own as Noa desperately brought his weight down on you, crushing to the point where you had no room for air any longer, face contorting the way that was remembered in his own mind, and the Chimpanzee would ride you until the sun came up out of self-gratification and indulgence. Mine. This beautiful onslaught of hatred, muddled with adoration and perfection, leaking around the very edges of the glass with brimmed primal intent… Was all his.
“Leave… me alone…” His voice was tearing itself apart with self-loathing riding along the very edges with regret seeping into the more puddled middle. He did not want the sympathy of an Eagle who had lost their Master. Any rational thought was eradicated, his gaze sliding to intensely stare towards the bird who was perched on his right shoulder, talons now seeping into the wound that would not care to stop bleeding. Noa seethed at that, baring his teeth towards Eagle Sun, and in one sharp and twisted motion, Noa was on his feet and flew his free and uninjured hand into the air like he was going to take off himself and shouted at Sun. “LEAVE ME.” The sun would come up soon, he thought ha-hazardly, now drawing back down to the ground to resume the crumpled up position that he had been in before… Noa growled and rolled his shoulders despite the screams that he was getting from the tendons to stop movements so they could begin healing. That stupid bird bothered him! Stupid, dumb… Pointless… Bird… Noa felt a chuckled sob swipe the back of his throat. You… Loved that bird even if Eagle Sun was cautious of you. The attempts you had made to get close to him, your fingers being pecked into oblivion. That… Noa tilted his head and sniffed, the air condensed with thick burnt undertones. That was the first time that he had seen you bleed, your very first attempt to get Eagle Sun to come to you and his beak caused your fragile skin to break.
The blood was vivid in front of Noa’s eyes as he thought about that time, months upon months ago. You… bled just like an Ape, gasping loudly and letting out a strangled cry, just like an Ape as you pulled yourself away from the Eagle, muttering under your breath as you brought your finger in for inspection as Noa heard you say ‘what a jerk’. 
Your blood… The scent was still heavy to Noa like you were there with him and he was the one responsible for your breaking down form. That he had done what he carnally wanted, canines sinking themselves into the most tender piece of flesh that he was about to find upon inspection of your jugular. The pressure point pulsating for him headily, Noa’s eyes falling shut as your sweat encased his taste buds first and then the gush of crimson that he imagined would come from digging straight into the light veins that traced your skin.
‘What am I supposed to do?’ Noa signed towards nothing in particular, there was no one around to see the words that fell deftly into the world, now tracing themselves with the words that you had spoken so freely and so affectionately towards him. They felt like they meant everything but nothing anymore…
Noa drew a hard breath in and felt the flooding of his lungs and the pushing of the shattering of his ribs against the flesh that rested not outside his bruised body, but inside of it. Maybe his Father, Noa thought vaguely. That’s who he was talking to. In life, he never sought advice from Koro. He--- Never understood Noa. Never took the time to understand the way that Noa thought and for good reason! The young Ape stiffened when his body racked itself with an intense wash of keen agony at the viciousness of his thought. 
For good reason… It was Noa’s mind and his openness, his want to understand Raka, to understand the way of Caesar, that got him to this point. It made no sense, he began down that trail that was laid down with the skulls of fallen Echo and fallen Ape, arm in arm in death, but never eye to eye in life. Why… keep the teachings of the first Ape to deny the embrace of being locked in cages?
Why were… Raka’s ideas are so important to Noa, why… did he get so obsessed with them when his Father’s words were so clear? Even in his death, Noa felt he disrespected his people and refused to listen and heed any good advice from Koro. He was… Naive… You had made him naive and made him believe in the ways that Raka spoke about, perhaps taken a bit too literally as there was never emotions that equated into the agreement that was sealed in a handshake, something so Echo that Noa, thinking about it now, could only feel the imprints of your palm against him. Urging him upwards, urging him to look at the sky and he felt the glazing of your forehead against his, green, lush and remarkably alight eyes imagined how it must have felt for his half-conscious state to feel that. The kiss of your bloodied forehead against the Apes, a symbol and a mark that was never to be broken but it was when you chose to let him live in place of your own self. Noa peered at the sky, longing for something to make sense, longing for you to be there with him, to tell him that it was alright and that the emotions he were feeling were all justified.
Noa wanted to feel the tender caress of your fingers so far into his fur that there was nothing else that mattered… Because… Bringing his eyes back down, they shut for a few moments as they stung with the ash that clung desperately to the air that wanted nothing more than to cause aggravated assault. Nothing here mattered without you. Noa squeezed himself tighter and felt a snap in his shoulder, something that would have caused him to double over but it felt good compared to the rundown nature of the rest of his nerves that were flaring and desperate to start their journey to heal him. He did not care then, it felt so good to have some form or relief. Green eyes that were always so lively with color that flitted the most beautiful gold were now dull and driven to despair. Where did he draw the line in the sand?
Where did you fall into this, death coming for you twice? Once when he found you, once again when he was forced to say goodbye in Soona’s arm as he had heard your last declaration to have her save him instead of you? You were death itself, walking around him and tempting him over again with your lips against the shell of his ear, your mouth licking at the fur below and skyrocketing fear and electricity through his senses. Temptation drew him in, the idea that Echo were the same as Apes and over time it became more and more clear that it was the case, that both sides refused to see that. Temptation placed itself in your actions as you cleaned him of all doubt that he had made a mistake to offer you refuge. Greed… Seeped into every pore of his body, every fluttering aspect of his fur down to the very small hairs that lined and coated closer to his skin.
Noa was greedy and now he was willing to admit that. He had done what he wanted out of greed and desperation to break the norm and to prove to himself and others that Echo were good because you showed him that they were! You--- Noa shut his eyes and felt himself tear into an open sob. You were good… So good for him, so good to him and now he needed to grapple that there was no longer a future to envision. You were gone, you were dead, assured by his Mother for only a moment as he tore himself open to be exposed to the elements of bereavement. You were gone, the breeze was no longer bringing your scent to him and he was holding his hand out for you to take but you were so far under the water that he wasn’t even able to feel your fingertips grazing against his.
Noa rocked his body- front and then backwards viciously to get himself to stand- To motivate himself to turn his face forward and look at his Clan and admit that he had made such a drastic mistake and to promise that… He would serve them in the future and never serve himself. Noa would force himself to find a mate, maybe one of the Elders' daughters who had interest and knew the ways, Noa would force himself to bear children with them and never take in the delectations that were associated with what he imagined Echo mating to be like. The sweet caress of your body against his leathered and callus skin, the rolling of your head backwards as you arched against him and desperately pleaded for him. No more, to be forgotten. Noa would love his children surely, he would support them and give them what they needed unlike what he felt happened with his own Father but he would never let himself forget the idea that even if it wasn’t possible with an Echo - he could at least try. Noa could have at least tried to drive himself into you as many times as it took to assure the future of his Clan that seemed so bleak and droughted now to him. Noa needed to stand, to face his people instead of turning his back on them… They… He thought and looked over his good shoulder and finally turned himself into the bustle of the Apes behind him, a few meters to the west as they were being tended to by Soona and Dar. They needed him… They needed their leader to take them to the promised land and to raise them from the very ashes of history. “Noa---”
That… Narrowing his eyes, there was a wash of panic that rested in his fellow Apes that he had been so ignorant of, voices overlapping each other as twigs broke underfoot as they shuffled in the dark, soon to be twinkling with the dawn that was at the cusp of the horizon, he could hear the drawing of chittering from deep in their chest, a form of communication that was verbal but used no words followed by harder barks of aggression.
Something--- Noa’s eyes amply lit themselves up at the sight of a torch that was lingering too close to the Clan now. That voice was Soona calling his name, his eyes forcing themselves onto her movements as she was hunched on all fours, skidding to a stop on the floor of the woods and tore into the dirt and sediment below.
 “Another! There is another!”
He opened his mouth to say something, to ask anything but his voice was gone as he felt terror resting in the back of his throat at the realization. Echo. There… had been more. They… Came to seek revenge for their fallen comrades and were going to kill the rest of the Clan! Noa stiffened, “Must hurry. Get---” He grunted as he stood, his knees buckling under the sheer weight that he carried, only muscle and no fat. ‘Any ape…’ He signed to Soona and followed her closely back towards where the Clan were gawking at the appearance of another devil. ‘That can fight.’ 
The female Ape beside Noa only nodded and broke apart from him once up the small embankment of the boulder he had secluded himself behind earlier. Noa felt his movements to be slow and shining with aggravation that he was priming his taut muscles again to fight, this time, he accepted, to the death. The Earth moved below his weight, not helping the fact that he was already unbalanced beyond what he was capable of correcting in his right mind. Another assault and it would end in either their own demise, or his. The latter seemed to realistically attainable, he wanted to see you, wanted to greet you and finally tell you all the things that had been plaguing his mind since he handed you that blue feather, setting in motion a very tangly dance of courting that neither of you were actually aware of happening. 
The brushing of his shoulder against yours that would displace his scent against your sweetened notes, the stares you gave one another as you spoke of things outside of your own cultures, hands inching closer, one by one, feet stepping one motion at a time before the entire world shifted and you were gone from in front of him and Noa’s reaction time was too slow to grab at any idea that you were even there in the first place. The Master of the Eagle Clan only had one thing to fight for left. It was a male Echo that Soona drew worry to, that was the first deduction. Male, not armed…? Nothing cased his smaller body, thinned from malnutrition as most Echo were. That’s what made them so easy to hunt and kill as a sport. Noa’s brow hardened as he stared down the small hill at them as he heard a few hisses from the Apes that the Echo was passing as they were brought to Noa’s utmost attention, his brain feeling nothing more than a scrambled Eagle Egg on a hot simmering rock.
“You---” Their voice caught in their throat, nothing more than a jumbled mess of high pitched noises as they looked up at him, Noa feeling a drench of intimidating factor radiating off him, even from the very tips of his fur were they shivering and shoving down this Echo’s throat. “You’re-you… You’re the leader?” “What do you want?” Noa barked at them, letting his canines slip into display as his eyes were turned from the softness of thinking of you to the bitterness that this Echo had the audacity to come find them to finish the job as if taking you along the waist side with them wasn’t bad enough. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?!”
The tenacity in his vocals surprised everyone, the Echo falling nearly flat on his back but that was nothing compared to the stares that he was garnering from the Apes themselves. Chimpanzee eyes were widened with fear that he could kill them if he chose, if they did not pull their weight in the Clan, Bonobo green glances were shared amongst each other as no one knew Noa to be aggressive, to use force. He was an intelligent fighter, hackles began to arise on all the Apes' fur in thinned anticipation of what this meant, all minds like a hive sharing the same notion and idea of radicating revenge.
The fact that Noa was displaying such an air of arrogant hatred and encroachment evident in his powered stance, his thighs pained but willing to put forth one more effort, his shoulders, one rendered completely useless in the idea of another tussle, but the other rolling as to show the Echo that even one handed, he was more than capable of tearing their face off. “S-She’s alive!” The male held his hands up as Apes began to enforce themselves into their personal space, the clear indication of fear rising and hitting all their noses. Sweat and adrenaline as if that were going to save them if they decided to attack him. Noa’s mouth opened for only a moment as he stared at him, their eyes afraid to look into the soul of an Ape as a Bonobo next to him hissed nearly directly into his ear before his lips drew themselves back together to keep rational though his train of conductive thought began tearing itself apart. You… were alive? Where?! He wanted to rattle this Echo by the neck. TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!!!! Noa’s eyes widened minutely before resuming their narrowed glance. The Echo whimpered and shifted away but only caught the attention of another bonobo on his other side. 
“What.--- did you say?” The control in his voice was gone and Noa knew that he was running the risk of being played again but the greed he had discussed in introspection earlier was rising in the back of his skull, tickling at the notion that… The male Echo here spoke the truth. You were alive. Breathing, succulent as ever in wafted graces of smell, but hurt beyond compensation to the point where Noa wanted to rip this Echo’s face off and lick the blood off the insides for even speaking of you. No one was allowed to anymore, it was law. You were reserved in memory encased glass now, to be locked in Noa’s mind for the rest of his lie.
“The one th-that got us here! She’s AH!” A Chimpanzee grasped his forearm, looking up at Noa as they did and Noa did not give them the time of day, waiting for more baited words from this man. “I--- Was never a part of them, they threatened to kill my family… My…” He looked around frantically at the Apes around him, “My family… I cou-couldn’t do it, so I hid in the for-forest… I---” It was clear that he was bargaining with Noa, with all of them. Probably to save his pathetic little life as Soona came rounding to Noa’s right side and stared alongside with him.
“Could have saved her before---”
“They would have killed me!” “They should have.” Noa snapped back without empathy or remorse leaking out. They should have killed this worthless excuse of an Echo. No, not that affectionate in nature. This absolutely disgraced Human who probably came here to save his life rather than to be hunted by another group of ruthless Apes that would gut him alive. Noa gestured with his muzzle to take the Echo away, to let him die out in the wilderness.
A death by the hand of an Ape would come too swift to this creature, Noa decided, his eyes widening as the Echo dragged his hand into his pocket, shifting aggressively against the Apes that had a hold on him. Everyone assumed a weapon, the flashing of several pairs of teeth indicative of that along with raised fur, hardened breath and heavy beady weight drawing flat and wide feet into the ground. Echo weapon like what injured Noa so badly.
“She gave me this!” Blue. Noa’s eyes were broad with reminiscent melancholy. Eagle… Sun’s… Feather… 
“Where did you---” Soona shot Noa’s side profile a glance as his voice wavered unconfidently, not believing what she was hearing.
“She gave it to me, I’m telling you she is alive! She said you would recognize this!”
‘He lies.’ Soona signed towards her sunset brother but Noa raised his good hand and cut her off. 
‘Why risk coming here when he’s alone? Where did he get the feather?’ 
Soona responded but Noa did not pay it any attention as the feather was captivating his reddened eyes. Noa bargained now, washing into a dream-like state at the appearance of something that very clearly carried your scent within the tiny bristles. So warm, the smell was even though it was just a trace of blood, but it was there and it was catapulting the Ape into the great unknown of what lay beyond the offering this Echo just gave. Wanting nothing more than truth so he could see your face, hold your face and tell you that he was sorry for everything knowing fully well that you would say the same thing if you saw him, Noa swallowed hard. 
He felt his heart yearn for that… Even if you were actually dead, he wanted the morbid satisfaction of being the last hands to touch you. You were his and only his, even in death and Noa would never let the mounting guilt that flooded his senses ever forget that. There was always the intent to go back for you, even once the fires dissipated. Alone and torn to shreds the few things that he never cared about. He’d place you next to his Father. He’d--- He looked at Soona with a softened gaze of assurance, he’d hoped that you were with Koro and you were telling him the ways of the Echo just like you had done to his Son. 
Noa…knew that Soona was going to disagree with this much like she disagreed with the agreement you and Noa made nearly a year ago.There was no way to tell her, to describe to her that even though he knew it come be a threat, that he could die, he was more than willing to try. Willing to see you just once more after his harsh abandonment left him feeling more gaped than the wound that inflicted his chest, the blood around itr now drying in heaps and heaps upon the clotted fur that was tangled with dirt. 
She growled at him, a deflection to get him to stop considering what he was about to do. He was playing around with the emotions of one of his closest friends, teetering on the very thin line of distrust. If Soona was right, she’d never believe in Noa’s judgment again, none of the Apes would. But… If this Echo were right then… Noa was wrong, and you were still alive out there, saved by this Echo who came here… He sniffled a bit, the fur that was raised on his shoulder falling down slowly as he tried to keep his breathing rational but the feather’s appearance was dragging him into the ground below, his emotions frayed from no sleep, his brain not comprehending anything outside of getting you back to his side. 
‘I will let him take me to her.’
‘She is dead! Noa.’ Her hands quickened as the human watched them communicate in utter silence, a cruel contradiction to the loudness that Echo seemed to carry with them to all corners of the land. ‘What if he brought more!? We cannot defend ourselves with what we have!’
“You need…” Noa looked at the ground and spoke in nothing but a wistful whisper and felt a stifled cry rise in him as he lifted his tendered shoulder and placed it against Soona’s smaller body, right against her outer shoulder and he pulled her to him languidly, “To trust me… If I do not…” Soona opened her mouth to protest but could see the contemplation written on Noa’s face as he had thought this through as he so often did. And like the conversation of the past to get them all convinced to let you stay, Soona did not agree with his reason or justifications… She did not understand but she chose to do as Noa wanted. Trust.
“If I do not come back, you must take the Clan to the place we scouted out. Let them take me… to save… Eagle Clan.”
“Noa…” Her voice was soft as he tore himself from her, every step he took towards the Echo antagonistic and threatening just to drive home the fact that Noa was indeed a predator and he was willing to do what he needed to do to defend himself. Cross me, his gait said to the male who cowered as he got closer and crouched down, ignoring the sensation of intense crunching of his ribcage from the motion of his body once again closing on on itself and he peered into a set of eyes that should have been so familiar, they were Echo like yours were, but were drawn to fear much like yours had been the first time you laid eyes on Noa and he felt a prickle of familiarity at that.I will be the one to kill your family, every last one of them, his green eyes said, pupils dilated to eclipse any of the color. I will drive them to the very ends of the Earth and put their bodies up on display on wooden sheared spears if you dare.
Spotting Soona one last glance as she moved slowly on all fours towards Noa, her lacked movements evident that she was uncomfortable with his choice but once his eyes set on Dar, who had been moving to help the baby Apes move away from the fight that she sensed could break out, she looked at her Son tenderly. You… Do what you need to do to save your mate, she said softly, Noa feeling the pang hit him at the idea that Dar… 
His own Mother… Wanted nothing more than to turn back time and do the same for Koro, to help aid Noa in the fight in hopes that three against one gorilla would give them any chance. Noa knew - His mind playing the moments of his childhood where he had seen his parents foreheads pressing, his tongue out of his mouth at the display of affection, talking to Anaya and Soona about the lack of interest he ever had in fulfilling that, in setting another female Ape to take his Mother’s position that was garnered with respect and adoration. Noa knew Dar would have done what he could to save Koro and she was giving him the chance, confident her Son would succeed to do just that. 
Noa narrowed his eyes and puffed his breath against the Echo’s face. He cowered again and grunted as he fell almost straight on his back but got caught by another Chimpanzee behind him as Noa’s hand delicately plucked the blue feather right from his shimmering fingertips with acute ease and sacredness of what the item meant to the two of you. It glistened with crimson blood, dark and whispering to him that you were still alive, this blood was fresh and not dried and flaking off. Noa brought it to his lips and let his tongue swipe at it just once, coating it with a glimmer of saliva. Alive, it tasted… Tucking the feather into his armband, careful and gentle as the moistened feather now tangled into the dryer nature of his fur, he muttered.
“Take me to her.”
●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・●・○・
Taglist:
@ohwaitimthewriter @hera-annwn @saturnnie-03 @filliandkili @hadesbabygurl @supergoat12 @moonchild1433
@kaenalsha  @unsteady-bitch  @whamsworld
@yummyfanta @nuhteyam @babylockley @edynmeyer1  @callsignwidow  @moonlightnyx @undecidedcookie
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Sherlock is a Girl's Name - Release Date
https://karenjcarlisle.com/2024/04/16/sherlock-is-a-girls-name-release-date/
We’ve got an official release date: 29 April!
Sherlock is a Girls Name is full of stories about female Sherlocks and their Watsons, through time and space and fantasy worlds. My story: The Case of the Toxic Teacake.
Cover art by @altocello
You can pre-order until 29th via clandestinepress.net (AUS) or improbablepress.com (US)
Cover art by @altocello
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lunaa-runee ¡ 22 days ago
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Stolen Moments
CW: oral (f receive), creampie, porn with a little plot, afab reader, mentions of murder, Gojo in love, secret romance, kinda getting caught
wc: 1.7k
Minors DNI.
“Hey there, love,” Satoru Gojo’s smooth voice greeted you as he crouched outside your second-floor window. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the lanky, white-haired man with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
To set aside the book you were reading, you asked him. He quickly pulled you into his embrace, his hands resting on your hips as he pressed his lips against the shell of your ear. The familiar scent of his cologne filled your senses as he whispered, “Did my girl miss me?”
Satoru Gojo was a man of many facets. He was destined to lead the powerful Gojo clan, held the title of the strongest sorcerer in modern times, and was the man you loved with all your heart. However, fate had different plans for both of you, placing you in families on the verge of war.
Your forbidden romance had begun three years earlier when your eyes first met at a sister school event. It was love at first sight for both of you, and since then, your passion for each other has only grown stronger. You couldn’t imagine life without him as you looked into those captivating blue eyes.
Initially, you were hesitant about Satoru’s advances. The thought of a relationship with a Gojo, especially the future clan head, felt daunting and fraught with potential challenges. You worried about the potentially deadly consequences. Yet, Satoru’s unwavering determination shone through. He genuinely believed that you were worth any risk.
And eventually, you gave in.
“Satoru, what are you doing here? You promised me you wouldn’t come here anymore,” you whispered as Satoru’s lips trailed delicate kisses along your neck.
His lips grazed your neck, sending a shiver through you. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
You tried to push him away, knowing all too well the consequences of succumbing to your desires. “You’re going to leave a mark,” you moaned.
“Good,” Satoru growled, his grip on your waist tightening.
“Satoru,” you warned. “You know we can’t.”
But he ignored your protests, his face buried in the crook of your neck as he held you tightly. “Let me put an end to this them,” he pleaded. “I’m tired of hiding. Let me take out those old bastards so we can be together.”
“Satoru,” you whispered, feeling torn. “We can’t just-”
“Why not?” He stepped back, frustration etched onto his features as he gazed intently at you. “Why do we have to suffer because of some bullshit that happened hundreds of years ago?”
You sneered, lowering your voice as you spoke. “Are you trying to let everyone know you’re here?”
“I don’t care at this point,” he huffed, his shoulders slumping as he averted his gaze. “I’m tired of sneaking around to see you,” he confessed. “We deserve to be happy, to be together. I’m sick of these old bastards dictating our lives and trying to make us hate each other because of something that has nothing to do with us.”
Guilt washed over you, knowing deep down that he was right. But could you really ask the man you loved to commit murder? Satoru was feared and revered in Jujutsu Society for his immense power, but to use it for your benefit?
“I love you, Satoru. With all my heart,” you declared, nervously rubbing your arm. “But I can’t ask you to do something like that.”
He met your gaze, searching your eyes with intensity. Stepping closer, he cupped your face gently in his hands and whispered without breaking eye contact, “You don’t have to ask.”
And with that, Satoru pressed his lips fervently against yours, igniting a flame of desire between you. In a frenzy, your hands roamed wildly over each other’s bodies, and every touch set your skin ablaze.
Satoru guided you backward until the back of your legs hit the edge of the bed. With a gentle push, he lowered you onto the plush mattress beneath you.
His crystal-clear eyes glimmered with desire as he took in your disheveled and naked form. “You’re beautiful,” he breathed, gazing at you possessively. “And you’re all mine.”
He drops to his knees, gently guiding your legs apart and resting them over his broad shoulders. Your body trembles in anticipation as he brushes his calloused fingers against your sensitive folds, eliciting a soft whimper from your lips. “Fuck, I’ve missed this,” he growls.
Leaning forward, his skilled tongue teases and explores every inch of your heat, building intense pressure in your abdomen. Your hands instinctively grip Satoru’s hair, urging him on with desperate moans. He watches you with dark eyes filled with desire and hunger.
He inserts two fingers in your core, and he begins to pump them at a steady pace. At the same time, his mouth attaches itself to your now swollen clit, sending waves of pleasure rippling through you. “Fuck,” you moan out breathlessly. Satoru shows no mercy as he works harder and faster, pushing you closer to the edge. His fingers expertly curl and twist inside of you while his tongue flicks and swirls against your most sensitive bud.
Your entire body tenses as you feel yourself getting closer and closer to your climax. The sensations are almost overwhelming, and your moans become louder. “Shit, Satoru.”
He removes his lips from your throbbing heat, revealing a mischievous smile. “You better not be too loud. We wouldn’t want one of your father’s men to hear us now, would we?”
Despite his warning, it becomes increasingly difficult for you to contain your sounds of pleasure. And Satoru’s relentless pace only adds fuel to the fire. As you’re about to lose all control, he suddenly retracts his fingers. “No,” you whimper. “Please, I was so close.”
“I can’t let you finish yet,” he says, climbing on top of you and pinning your arms above your head with one hand. “But don’t worry, you’ll cum before I’m done with you.”
You’re not sure when it happened, but at some point, Satoru has entirely stripped down. You feel his tip teasing against your slick folds as he uses his hands to glide it up and down, enjoying the power he holds over you. But you were desperate at this point. “Stop teasing,” you whine.
“Oh? What does my girl want?” he teases.
You want nothing more than to wipe that cocky grin off his face. “Please don’t make me beg,” you plead.
“Come on baby, I wanna hear you say it,” Satoru taunts, pulling away from your eager body.
You bite your lip in frustration as he takes the pressure of his girth away from your heat. Honestly, you’re not sure what’s worse: the loss of stimulation or his teasing touch. You try to bring your knees together, seeking some sort of friction, but Satoru doesn’t allow it. “Satoru,” you beg breathlessly. “Please…”
His eyebrow raises in fake curiosity as he continues to torture you with his words and actions. He brings a hand up to your chest, then gently glides it towards your core. “What is it? What does my baby want?”
Your mind is consumed with desire and need for this man who is determined to drive you to madness. With closed eyes, struggling to maintain control, you whisper desperately, “I want you.”
A smug smile spreads across Satoru’s lips as he hears your confession.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that,” he remarks playfully. “Maybe you should say it a little louder…”
“Satoru,” your voice exploded with desire. “I need you. I need to feel you inside me.”
A sly grin spread across Satoru’s face, pleased with your desperate plea. He wasted no time in realigning himself and filling you with his cock.
A sharp gasp escaped your lips as your walls eagerly welcomed him, stretching to accommodate his size. The sensation warmed your body, making every nerve tingle with pleasure. Your mind went blank as he began to move, each thrust igniting a fire within you that grew more intense with each passing moment.
Satoru lowered himself to meet your lips in a passionate kiss, the sound of his moans mixing with yours. The feeling of his body against yours was electric, every touch sending you closer to your peak.
He breaks away from your embrace with unexpected force to flip you onto all fours. He enters you once more; the intensity is almost overwhelming, but you can’t help but desire even more.
One hand gripped your hip tightly while the other snaked up to cup your breast, causing a surge of desire to course through you. Your moans grew louder and more desperate as Satoru’s rhythm became almost unbelievable.
With a guttural cry, you called out his name, begging for him to take you harder. Satoru chuckled lowly, his hand covering your mouth to stifle further outbursts. “Careful now,” he teased, “we don’t want to wake up the whole place.”
Heat rushed to your cheeks at the thought of being caught in such a compromising position. A mischievous glint appeared in Satoru’s eyes as he felt your cunt tighten from his words. This will be something he will have to remember for later.
Satoru let go of your hip, instead wrapping his hand in your throat, pulling your back into his chest. His ragged breaths brushed against your neck as he continued to push inside you with solid and deep thrusts. The intensity of his touch and the overwhelming pleasure bring you closer to the edge. You clung onto his arm, your nails digging into his skin as he kept moving within you.
You bit into your lip, trying to muffle your cries as tears began to stream down your face. Your body trembled, and your mind felt foggy as you desperately begged Satoru to continue.
Satoru released his hold, causing you to fall into the pillow. Not even bothering to try and catch yourself. He moved his hand to your swollen clit, sending you over the edge.
You clutched your pillow, burying your face to muffle your cries. “Oh fuck, I’m coming.”
You were overwhelmed by an intense feeling that made you tremble and writhe uncontrollably. Satoru kept up his relentless pace as your pussy squeezed his cock. “Shit,” he gasped as he came, filling your sticky walls with white hot cum. He collapsed on top of you but quickly caught himself before crushing you under his weight.
The room was filled with your heavy breathing, Satoru’s lips grazing your shoulders. “Are you alright?”
Before you could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps caught your attention. Your stomach dropped as someone knocked on your door and called out your name. It was one of the butlers. “Is everything okay? We heard a scream from downstairs.”
Shit.
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heat---lightning ¡ 23 days ago
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Orc Story pt 6
Many days have past since you've been taken to the Orc stronghold. You've been trepidatious with you interactions around camp but you have grown to see these Orcs from as-of-yet-to-be-determined far off land, as nothing more than a peoples trying to resettle their lives after a tragedy.
Your captor, the old Orc, who you've learned goes by the title Cothor the Angler. From questioning carefully as to avoid offense around the encampment you learn that he and his family were once fisherman who sailed the coasts and deep rivers. This clue along with the architecture of what looked like upturned hulls on some the buildings, gives you the idea that these Orcs may have sailed here from across the see.
You've been kept in Cothor's lodgings since that first night. He treats you well and you wonder of his future intentions with you, but as of now you feel almost relaxed.
Your second day here you rested most of the day, sleeping off the long journey as well as the vigorous sexual encounter you had with the old Orc Cothor. He's showed no particular interest in repeat copulation, you wonder if it's due to his age, his obligations to his clan, or hesitation to bed a human repeatedly.
Either way, you can help but feel the urge again, you spend your nights lying next to him every night, nestled in his big arms, face pressed against his big chest, breathing in his musky armpits. It gets to you, you can't help but feel some way about it. You decide to ask him tonight to lay with you again.
After the camp had died down and the meals had been finished, Cothor began settling him self down for the night. He removed his various garments of animal skin and leathers and was head towards his own private bath which he had built himself. It reminded you of a natural spring, it must have been one of the first things built here given the comparative extravagence of the design and completeness of the structure.
You stop him before he can reach his destination, he's puzzled. "Please, let me bathe you tonight." You say in more of the tone of a question than a statement. The old Orc thinks for a moment and agrees. He stands aside and motions you towards his bath.
You begin disrobing as he sets himself down in the hot water, you follow suit and set yourself down next to him.
You begin washing his body, your hands getting to touch and caress every inch of him from his large biceps, his hairy chest, big belly, thick thighs, and pleasantly ample back side which you spread wide to his bewilderment and amusement.
"What business of yours do you have back there?" He chuckled. "Curiosty" you replied as you unhand his cheeks.
No matter how well you clean him, the inescapable scent of an Orcs musk clings to his skin, it's something you don't mind and in fact actively find attractive.
You move on to the front and take time care to wash his heafty sack and penis in a way in which you hope elicits arousal. Your hopes become a reality as his member slowly begins to raise.
Cothor looks to you and smiles "were your intentions tonight always to get me into this state?" You simply nod and continue fondling the old Orc "Very well! By all means continue!" He says in a satisfied tone.
You work your hands up and down his shaft while occasionally paying attention to his heavy testicles. He's leaning back with eyes closed, enjoying the stimulation. You carry on with this a for a while before your own curiosity and personal depravity get the better and you and you stop to give in order in a tone you never thought yourself capable of making "Stand up. Turn yourself around." You say as sternly as possible. His eyes open and he meets your eye to stare at you for moment before wordlessly doing as told.
There before is Cothor's ass, big, round, firm and slightly hairy. You reach one hand around him to the front, he's so large you come close to being un able to, you firmly grasp his shaft in one hand and begin moving your hand back and forth. Your other hands runs itself up his thigh and onto his ass cheek, where you begin to spread it as much as you can one handedly.
The light is dim, the only source being the candles nearby but you can make out the sight of his hole. You start you adventurous endeavor nose first, you can't help it, his scent draws you in. Your bury your nose between his cheeks as you hear him chuckle to himself "I've not had this experience since I was a young man!"
You take that as good sign as any to go further. You move your mouth over his hole and slowly, nervously, stick the tip of your tongue against the skin.
Your senses overwhelmed, your lust fully controlling you, you drop an pretense of nervousness now and begin kissing and licking Cothor's asshole as if you were making out with him, you push and prod and try working your tongue inside of him but the old Orc's too tight for just your tongue.
With your one free hand you begin wriggling your index finger inside of while trying your best to keep your mouth there aswell, you pay careful attention to any sign or indication to stop, but all you can here from the old Orc are soft, quiet moans of pleasure.
You eventually work one finger in enough to make room for your tongue to explore his hole. His moans grow more audible and dripping with lust
You pump his cock more vigorously now, your tongue buried deep in his asshole as far as you can, you feel him shifting his hips and tensing up, you know his about to cum.
You work his cock over as well as you can and try sticking your finger in again with your tongue, you're working hard for his completion, which happens with a loud roar and a bucking of the hips as he sprays cum all over the floor.
Through heavy breaths he turns around and stares you down with an ominous, predatory look of lust in his eyes. "Now for my turn"
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jjkfemimagine ¡ 3 months ago
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your wedding | fem! jjk x reader
Gojo: Your wedding with Gojo, considering she comes from the extremely wealthy Gojo Clan, would be just that — no expenses would be spared for this day, or rather, entire week. Gojo would want to parade you around, make a huge deal about the two of you getting married (not that she didn’t do that the second you accepted her proposal). 
From the wedding invitations being personally made by some of the greatest artists in the world, to your dresses (or suit, if you’d prefer, whatever you will wear will be custom-made from the finest cloth), to the five-tier wedding cake and the venue being one of the most expensive, the wedding is an entire fairytale. 
When getting married to a woman like Gojo, squash any hopes of this ordeal being small or budget-friendly. It’s not every day the strongest person in the world gets married to the most beautiful woman in the world (aka, you). 
Geto: Your wedding with Geto would be best described as elegant. It’s on the smaller side, but there’s so much attention to detail. You would both invite important people in your lives, and Nanako and Mimiko would act as dual flower girls. They would be the only ones standing by each of your sides, as there would be no bridesmaids to make the wedding less stressful on you both. 
You would exchange matching rings in a simple but ethereal venue, and the cake would be three tiers and on the smaller side to match your very chill wedding. Geto’s vows made you sob like a baby in front of everyone, and as soon as you kiss she starts referring to you as her wife to everyone who comes up to congratulate you two. 
Nanami: If there was a bridezilla, it would be Nanami. She wouldn’t be mean, but completely focused on every single miniscule detail to the point that if a flower looked out of place she’d immediately be calling the florist to exchange a single stem. She would want everything to be perfect because you didn’t deserve anything less. 
The two of you would save up to have it be a destination wedding in Malaysia. It would be on the beach, and Nanami would wear a wedding jumpsuit rather than a dress. She would want to stand at the end of the aisle and watch you walk down it, and everyone (see: Gojo) would release an “Awww,” as Nanami starts crying at the sight of you.
She wouldn’t leave you alone the entire wedding day, holding onto your hand as you make your way around to thank everyone and speak to different guests. She’s waiting on your every movement, holding your champagne glasses if you need her to, and helping put your shoes back in place after you take them off hours later drunk when you’re on the dancefloor with everyone, pressing a kiss on her wife’s ankle. (She would totally carry you over the threshold!) 
Shoko: A city hall wedding. The two of you would still get dressed up, and she gives the energy of someone who would get married in the winter, around the holiday season. You would have matching white long coats that tie at the waist for when you’re outside and your family and friends take pictures of you as soon as they’re done cheering for you two. Shoko gets married around the holiday season because she gets some extra time off, and she decides to be as cheesy as possible and kiss you under any mistletoe hung up for the holidays, which she always follows up with a kiss to your ring finger. 
Yuki: Yuki never thought she would be someone who would want to get married. That changed as soon as the two of you began dating. Your wedding couldn’t even be called a “wedding,” exactly, when she asked you if you wanted to get married at 3 A.M. 
And when she meant “get married,” she meant 6 hours later, when city hall opened at 9 A.M.
You would barely have any time to tell anyone, and luckily, you both owned a pair of nice white dresses. You dressed up as much as you could at a spur of the moment decision, as most things are with Yuki, and got on her motorcycle and drove to the city hall. 
She had booked an appointment online at 2 A.M. before asking you to get married to her. 
What you didn’t expect, however, was that she already had the wedding rings ready, and had for six months. Yuki is someone who does things when the timing feels “right,” by her standards, and she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with you, so why wait?
Choso: Choso would definitely be nervous about your wedding. You two would plan it out, and try to make it a simple but beautiful occasion to celebrate your marriage. You would be the one to propose to her, and she would definitely cry her eyes out. 
You wouldn’t tell her, but you would plan out an entire table that would remain untouched, a setting for each of her brothers who had been lost set up with their pictures. She would once again sob like a baby and kiss you once she saw this. 
Yuji would be her maid of honor, the younger girl cheering when Choso dips you into the most perfect kiss of your life in front of the attendees.
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gooppoo ¡ 2 years ago
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Okay okay so let’s say Neteyem has had an arranged mate since he was younger and they grew up together as best friends who just always knew they were going to get married, but we’re never really lovey dovy or acted like a true couple and l when the Sully’s have to move to the Metkayina clan, Aonung takes a little liking towards y/n and Neteyam is just getting very jealous from afar and one night after he gets a little too touchy, y/n and neteyam make soft love where she reassures him that she’s his and only his and then they mate for the first time and yeah just like jealous protective neteyam and fluff and smut pls
anon you basically wrote this for me! just gonna add some of my thoughts <3
All Yours Baby.
Requests Closed!!
mdni.
warnings: angst tehe, sorta a love triangle? all characters are of age obvi, p in v, love making babeyyyy, creampie
It's been set in stone that you and Neteyam were like destined to be, even before you were chosen to be mates
But like...y'all weren't all that into each other, just sort of aware of each other's existence
Then Jake had the bright idea of moving everyone, and it more or less threw a wrench in things
You meet the Metkayina and tried to incorporate their lifestyle into yours, because adaptability is imperative in this world
As you warm up to this new ecosystem and way of life, you of course meet new friends, while still trying to balance the old connections you cherished
Ao'nung.
Ao'nung was strong, charming, and sometimes a little too confident
He was more or less your teacher - Neteyam's too - but he would take the time out of his busy day to teach you more than the surface level of the Metkayina lifestyle
And Neteyam noticed this...
He also noticed how handsy you'd get with one another
He also didn't miss how Ao'nung kissed you in front of most of the clan one evening after heavily drinking
And as not to embarrass him, you sort of kissed back, then quickly pulled away and said a quick goodnight
Trying to be undetectable, you took to the water and swam far until you reached some rocks peaking from the surface, and perched upon them
You were out of breath from the kiss and from the intensity of your quick leave
Drinking was on the top of your list of regrets
You rested back again the rocks, studying the stars and hoping to find some calm in them
And guess who shows up not long after - scaring you a bit with his near silent arrival
Neteyam
And he's pissed, ugh he's such a bawl baby sometimes, but it's endearing
You yelp and scold him for scaring you
Shortly, he apologizes and makes room for himself on the small patch of land
He stares at you. Not in a weird, threatening way, but like he's searching for the right words through you
Let's be honest, Neteyam isn't the best with words
"I didn't know you and Ao'nung were..."
You felt your body stiffen up, heart skipping a beat painfully
Quickly, you sat up and pressed your brows together at him
"We're not." You said with the same amount of attitude as Tuk
That seemed to ease his expression
He cleared his throat and averted his eyes, "Good."
But he could still feel you watching over him, studying him like you had the stars
His electric yellow eyes would dart from his lap to yours bashfully, slightly embarrassed
To ease his discomfort, you slid a hand onto his knee, then scooped up his palm
Like you had done it a million times, your fingers interlaces and your palms met, feeling the heat building between your skin
You decided to scoot a few inches closer
...and so did he
Many inches closer in fact
Then there was a split second where your eyes met again, and they fluctuated until your pupils were as expansive as the night sky
It was like your minds had connected in that moment, because he pulled you into his lap as you had every intention to crawl onto it
Not too soon after came a kiss
The first one shared between you two may I add
So it was a little awkward, but still had butterflies exploding in your stomach
After finding a sweet melody between your lips, tongue, and faint sighs, more suggestive behavior was thrown into the mix
Like you grinding down on his lap...and eventually the tent under his loincloth
Neteyam cradled your back and laid you along the ground with him above you
You didn't dare pull away from your kiss, because you had quickly become addicted to the surge of electricity he had rushing to your heart
His mature hands mapped out your body, spending more time near your thighs and waist
Running his nails along your hypersensitive skin so you'd yelp into his mouth
When you started wriggling your hips toward his hand he knew he needed to escalate things
His fingers dipped below your loincloth and was painfully slow to caress your folds
But he knew to gently circle your clit, and run his tongue along your bottom lip, while his hand cupped your face and his swipe thumb along your cheekbone
There was a gentleness about him that Ao'nung had never once introduced to you, and it left you more hot than you expected
Neteyam could feel the heat you generated and spread it along your center until your sighs were moans
He knew what patterns to trace long enough for your back to rise to his chest, struggling to return his kiss
And while your mind was still swirling with the remnants of your orgasm, Neteyam prepared himself for you
"Is this okay? Are you okay?" He wondered, just as out of breath as you
If he had you cumming with just his fingers, you could only imagine what else he could do
"Yes, please." Your eyes were surveying him with adoration.
He talked you through every step, asking you to speak up when it was too much or uncomfortable, but you didn't need to
Neteyam was gentle and easy, and you were plenty prepped for the stretch he offered you
So much so, you wriggled the rest of his length in you, both of you moaning and laughing one he reached your hilt
He leaned back over you, propped up on his elbows and lips ready to dive back into yours
"Ready for me to move?"
You nodded, and rid the space between you
First he started slow to make sure things were still in order
Then he picked up his pace until neither one of you could continue swirling your tongues together and just breathed into the crook of each other's neck
Your hands felt along the muscles of Neteyam's back, noticing how they flexed and whining
"Neteyam..." you reeled, "Show me I'm all yours."
It was like a connection was made after you purred those words into his ear
He didn't hesitate to take those words to heart and preform accordingly
By accordingly, he tucked a hand under the small of your back and lifted your hips a few inches, and ran his pelvis along your clit with each thrust
Meanwhile, he peppered wet kisses along your neck and chest, even going as far as to nip a few purple marks into your skin
"Mmm gonna cum baby - show you I'm mine."
You didn't object in the slightest, finding yourself nearing that same fate
His rhythm stuttered as he reached his climax, and returned to a snail like pace as he released in you
You both shared a sloppy kiss, feeling each other finish in unison and hold each other impossibly close
"Always gonna be yours..." you murmured between it all, feeling him smile against your lips
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nexility-sims ¡ 4 months ago
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𝐍𝐎. 𝟗   ❛ 𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 ❜   |   CANARÍS, OCTOBER 1991
❧  𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲  /  𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠  /  𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬  /  𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭.
In Canarís, something shifted. Arnaut perceived it as subtle, and he struggled to name it when he wondered aloud to Lorraine. He danced around it, grasping for meaning in observations, but there was a simple explanation. In his gut, he felt that people had been happy to see him. Their family arrived at the train station as the work week ended, emerging like generations before them to a crowd of locals eager to greet royalty. German and Abelina were becoming accustomed to the rhythm of life in Uspana. It was cause for optimism that the newborns would grow up without the adjustment pains that the rest of the family faced. Just as well, their birth inspired a deluge of good press. Arnaut quickly learned the public more readily embraced him as a father than as someone capable or even destined to lead them. Yet, at the train station, the tenor of their shouts was different. The questions they asked were different. He embraced them, old women and teenagers and grinning toddlers, and they gazed at him with what struck him as new—changed, even—eyes. 
❧ we're back !!!!!!! gonna post the magazine covers separately :^) as a reminder, large text will be below the read-more going forward, for ~readability~
𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 & 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 ↓
Such welcomings happened everywhere, but residents of Canarís understood themselves to be reenacting a kind of ceremony when it was their turn. A century after abandoning Canarís, the House of Tecuani remained seemingly divided on where its capital lay. The seat of government was in Nakawe. The ancestral home was in Yaas. Many members preferred in recent decades to live by the sea in Canarís—or to buy second homes, at least. This was where the Hunter went when he descended from the mountains to build the kingdom of Uspana, joining seafaring families whose names were subsumed into the clan they chose to lead them. It was the capital until revolting Uspanians many generations later burned and razed much of it, including the king’s palace. There were no palaces in Canarís anymore. There were still magnificent estates, but everyone politely called them villas or cottages, speaking as if belief alone could render the enduring resplendence quaint and inoffensive. 
It was possible the crowd’s warmth felt so palpable because Arnaut had spent the entire train ride stewing in desperation. This vacation was unearned, he had decided. The Crown positioned holidays as indispensable. Beatriz herself set aside a few days each month to feign relaxation away from the capital; Arnaut held fond memories of those childhood getaways spent in Initizara, surrounded by their ever-expanding family. No one much had the stomach for Initizara these days, but the schedule of vacations remained.
Yet, Arnaut felt anxious. Didn’t it teeter on the dangerous edge of presumptuousness—promising to work hard, to change minds, and then sacrificing time to pleasure instead? He wrote the accusatory headlines in his head. More than just knowing their names, he listened to news commentators enough to conjure up imaginary criticisms in their voices. Should I smile? he wondered. Or would that make it worse, looking sour and ungrateful? They would ask what he had to complain about. They would think, ‘I’d lose my job if I ran off to Canarís for a week!’ Disapproval had a face in his mind. It was an older woman who watched daytime television while her grandchildren played nearby. She was a clan mother. She voted. She used a backstrap loom. She had looked into a television camera and insisted with dismay, ‘People don’t change at forty.’
Still, that was the sense he got as he interacted with the crowd. Some wanted to fawn over him. They said beguiling things about how excited they were to see him, how happy they were he had come to Canarís, how they prayed for him. The mood was distinct. These people were not just eager for photographs and stories to brag about; they hadn’t all joined the crowd amassing at the station for want of afternoon plans. For some of them, enough to matter, Arnaut inspired something positive. He wasn’t an unwanted pretender masquerading as their crown prince. His visit meant something to them because, in an undeniable way, he did. 
Later, he would finally blurt out to Lorraine, ‘I think they were proud of me—really, who knows why or if it’s true, but I believe they were.’
It wasn’t implausible. Arnaut had been hard at work for months, single-minded in his pursuit of improvement. Managing a crowd with charisma had never been an issue for him, but they were too often overcast by a cloud of suspicion and disappointment. On some level, he understood that the smiling faces and enthusiastic waving spoke for themselves and, in reality, his own insecurities were to blame for any misgivings. It was the litany of surveys and polls that shaped his reality, however. He obsessively watched the news, and his head swam with a flood of data pinpointing all the ways the nation found him lacking. It represented the millions of people who didn’t turn out in hopes of having their hand held by a prince for one brief, fleeting moment. Of course, those millions didn’t closely follow his real work, either—weren’t regular readers of tabloid rags like the National Exchange or newspapers of record like Relay. They responded instinctively to what was in the water. If the politicians at Nakawe Palace and the reporters who circled it and the royal family’s true fans found him lacking, the distaste became unimpeachable truth. It was truth to the faceless millions, and it was truth to him.
Lately, he had begun to feel like there was less blood in the water. 
They were joining Martin in Canarís, and the two families spent the time frolicking on the beach and dining under the stars. When they went out onto the water together, Martin confirmed Arnaut’s hunch. He suggested in his characteristic brusque way that Arnaut wasn’t as much of a laughable embarrassment as he had been that spring. Martin's wife was frail and almost a stranger, but she laughed heartily and smacked Arnaut’s arm after teasing out the admission that, yes, he was finally feeling likable. She was kind and likable herself, and her slow but steady decline was one of two dark spots on the vacation.
One morning, Arnaut found Martin out on the deck with remnants of breakfast and pages of print news splayed on the table. He only glance at them long enough to register what they were and remarked, “I thought we weren’t reading the news here,” as he sank down into an open seat. 
Martin’s nose was in a copy of the Fiscal Register. He replied without looking up, “Not really news, is it?” 
Examining the pages, a series of similar headlines grabbed Arnaut’s attention. He slid one of the papers, reorienting it in his direction, and absorbed the cover story with wide eyes. It wasn’t unusual to see Leonor on the front page of tabloids. She had become an exciting subject, and the loyal pack of photographers that trailed her around Nakawe ensured a steady supply of intriguing, occasionally outrageous, exploitable pictures. Arnaut remembered those days. Or, he remembered something akin to what her life was now, so limitless and delicious as to be out of control, with the crucial distinction that the press felt less hungry in his memories. His bad stories came from trustworthy leaks given to reputable journalists, not from candid photographs that spoke—screamed, really—for themselves. He had also never found himself in the mess Leonor appeared to have fallen into almost overnight. These covers offered grainy but unmistakable pictures of her, and Arnaut didn’t need to believe the sensational headlines and captions to be troubled by what the images suggested. 
“Did you see this?” he demanded of Martin, his tone incredulous. He flipped the paper around and pointed at the picture dominating the page. 
Martin lowered his paper. “Obviously. These aren’t here to be decorative.” 
Slowly, Arnaut blinked. “Is that it?” he asked. “You don’t—what, really, no thoughts? It’s shocking, isn’t it? Does anyone know—they do, they must, but what are we doing?” 
He might have continued with this attempt to process the news aloud, but Martin interrupted him. “We’re not doing anything.”
“Aren’t you concerned?” 
Martin shrugged. “It’s a little dramatic, huh?” 
“Is it?” Arnaut shuffled the papers together and read from them. “‘Princess L’s Big Plunge��Almost,’ ‘“Wanted to End It All,” Friend Says,’ 'Drug-Induced Psychosis? Our Expert Speaks on Page 3—’” Arnaut huffed. “I mean, look!”
“We’d know if it was that serious,” Martin replied, untroubled. “You see her all the time, don’t you? Either you can’t be that surprised or it’s all nonsense. You tell me.” 
At this, Arnaut frowned. It was a stretch to say they saw each other that frequently. Leonor’s preference was to behave like coworkers, not like relatives and certainly not like people who had always been bound together by deep love for the same remarkable person. Her hours were erratic at best, but it was difficult to complain when no one else did. The people on their team knew her; she had been gifted their unshakeable trust at birth, it seemed, and he struggled with envy for that. When she jeopardized the infallibility of that trust, she would do something to shore it up—impeccable contributions on the policy front, experience-informed insight in a meeting, effortlessly leveraging valuable connections that Arnaut still bumbled his way through. She was living a double life of sorts, so was the problem that she did it too well?
“Maybe she’s fine,” he ventured, folding his arms on the table. Martin had set aside the Fiscal Register and was looking at the papers Arnaut had reorganized. As he did, Arnaut continued, “You know, she looks thinner, but she seems better? I suppose it seemed inappropriate to comment on that kind of thing—everyone else does, so why would I? Someone would say, if she wasn’t healthy. And, she’s there, she’s present, except for when she’s literally not there, which, frankly, is often, but—” At this, Martin snickered. “Even if she’s not actually—uh, what would you say?” 
“A drug addict?” Martin offered, grinning.
Arnaut groaned. “Right, okay. Even if she's not doing that badly, then ... She's going to get in trouble for this. I haven't talked to Mama lately, but—”
Martin sat back in his chair. “Oh,” he said, making a show of the pause in a way Arnaut found obnoxious. “You don’t get it, do you?”
“What?” Arnaut retorted. “Don’t be an asshole.” 
“Well!” Martin exclaimed, raising his hands. “Look, it’s a mistake to think that this isn’t ... part of the plan.”
“Plan?”
Looking solemn, Martin nodded. “You know Mama reads the tabloids every day. She’s worse than anyone. I think she likes getting mad, or maybe she just likes the gossip that much—” Arnaut waved a hand, and Martin sniffed. “Anyway, she knows what’s going on. Absolutely. I guarantee she knew about this story before either of us did.” 
Their mother was a voracious consumer of lurid slop, Arnaut knew. It was a hobby of hers in the same way other people read literature or advice columns. Copies were delivered nightly, and she read them alongside her stack of briefs and letters. Broadly, she was part of their target audience. Uspana’s gossip rags, especially those with an emphasis on royalty, targeted women of a certain age who had grown up alongside Beatriz, who felt empowered by her unprecedented reign, and who saw themselves as equivalent matriarchs in their own communities. They were gatekeepers. They dispensed advice. They protected order, tradition, and the future itself. In all gossip, they found tools to aid their missions, whether it was identifying local problems or raising new national specters to be exercised from their communities. On a baser level, one that was just as real for Beatriz, witnessing other people’s private messes spilled in public gave them an enjoyable reprieve from cleaning up those that were their responsibilities. 
Arnaut nodded. “But ... This is a problem, Martin. It looks terrible for all of us, and Leonor is—she’s official, not someone on the sidelines.”
To Arnaut’s surprise, this elicited a knowing smirk from Martin. He nodded and said, “That’s right. Think about it, okay? I know this isn’t your strong suit, but there’s a logic here. It’s a simple idea. Give someone enough rope, and they’ll hang themselves, eh?” Martin mimed the tug of a noose, sticking his tongue out. Arnaut winced as he asked, “Does that ring a bell?”
It did, but it wasn’t clarifying. Arnaut frowned. “I don’t ... Why would that be helpful?” 
Martin shrugged. “Mama’s from the old way. Competition? Neutralize it.”
“What?” Realization dawned on Arnaut as Martin sat staring at him, pleased with himself, and he struggled to beat it back. It was the kind of awareness he didn’t want to have, that would be a burden on his heart, but Martin was determined he have it. 
“What? What!” Martin laughed, mocking, before concluding, “It makes you look better. If our little niece is out ruining herself, less people are going to be daydreaming about the alternate universe where she does a Beatriz and—”
Arnaut held up his hands. “Alright, I get it. That’s horrible.”
“That’s Mama,” Martin quipped. “But, you know—”  
Perhaps as no coincidence, Lorraine and German appeared in the doorway behind Martin’s shoulder. She offered a greeting, and Martin waved before picking up his paper again. The conversation was over. Arnaut looked up at her with gratitude in his eyes, and German leapt over on cue with a large kite in his hands. 
“Can we go?” he asked, looking briefly at his uncle before tugging Arnaut’s hand. “The wind is perfect, and Julian is saying I don’t have the right ‘energy’ for flying kites. I don’t even know what that means. They’re not alive, are they?” 
Arnaut chuckled and stood up. “Let’s go find out, huh?”
TRANSCRIPT:
[Crowd clamoring]
ARNAUT | I thought we weren’t reading the news here. MARTIN | Not really news, is it? ARNAUT | Did you see this? MARTIN | Obviously. These aren't here to be decorative.
ARNAUT | Is that it? You don’t—what, really, no thoughts? It’s shocking, isn’t it? Does anyone know—they do, they must, but what are we doing? MARTIN | We're not doing anything. ARNAUT | Aren't you concerned? MARTIN | It's a little dramatic, huh?
ARNAUT | Is it? "Princess L’s Big Plunge—Almost," "'Wanted to End It All,' Friend Says," "Drug-Induced Psychosis? Our Expert Speaks on Page 3—”
ARNAUT | [huffs] I mean, look! MARTIN | You see her all the time, don't you? Either you can't be that surprised or it's all nonsense. You tell me.
ARNAUT | Maybe she's fine. You know, she looks thinner, but she seems better? I suppose it seemed inappropriate to comment on that kind of thing—everyone else does, so why would I? Someone would say, if she wasn’t healthy. And, she’s there, she’s present, except for when she’s literally not there, which, frankly, is often, but— [Martin snickers]
ARNAUT | Even if she’s not actually—uh, what would you say? MARTIN | A drug addict?
ARNAUT | Right, okay. Even if she's not doing that badly, then … She's going to get in trouble for this. I haven't talked to Mama lately, but—
MARTIN | Oh. You don't get it, do you? ARNAUT | What? Don't be an asshole.
MARTIN | Look, it's a mistake to think that this isn't … part of the plan. ARNAUT | Plan? MARTIN | You know Mama reads the tabloids every day. She’s worse than anyone. I think she likes getting mad, or maybe she just likes the gossip that much—Anyway, she knows what’s going on. Absolutely. I guarantee she knew about this story before either of us did.
ARNAUT | But … This is a problem, Martin. It looks terrible for all of us, and Leonor is—she’s official, not someone on the sidelines.
MARTIN | That’s right. Think about it, okay? I know this isn’t your strong suit, but there’s a logic here. It’s a simple idea. Give someone enough rope, and they’ll hang themselves, eh? Does that ring a bell?
ARNAUT | I don't … Why would that be helpful? MARTIN | Mama's from the old way. Competition? Neutralize it. ARNAUT | What? MARTIN | “What? What!” [laughs] It makes you look better. If our little niece is out ruining herself, less people are going to be daydreaming about the alternate universe where she does a Beatriz and—
ARNAUT | I don't … Alright, I get it. That's horrible.
MARTIN | That's Mama. But, you know—
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angelwhisp3rs ¡ 10 months ago
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⍣ ೋ star crossed
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Pairing: RE4!Leon x Fem!Reader
Summary: Two lovers, destined to not be together all across history
Tags: fluff; angst, a little gory (not descriptive! but tragedies happen); there is a happy ending (i'd kms if it didnt); they just suffer a lot
Notes: imagined that as i listened to a disney songs playlist, and i couldnt hold myself back. This was a little different for me, so any feedback is welcomed (pls be kind ill cry)
Rome, 456.
As the moon reached the sky, shining upon the stars, Empress Serena gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, the future of the Roman Empire: little Leo. He grew to be strong and dashing, a dignified heir to such a impotent throne.
Unfortunately, the royal life proved to be unforgiving with so many obligations, and the certainty that no matter what he did, it would never be enough. 
As the empire went through a rough patch, so did his relationship with the townsfolk - whenever he believed he was doing something helpful, the critics were always the first ones to prove otherwise. 
In a particular evening, an old lady in one of the poorest villages stomped into the castle, and pointed directly at Leo as he sat in his throne, sending a powerful spell on his way: “Your actions ought to be punished for all of your existence, and as long as you live, your heart shall never be free! For all eternity, like the sun and moon, your heart won't be complete!”
With the heavy words, she was escorted away from the palace, as Leo's heart felt heavy. She must be just some crazed lady.
Oh, how wrong he was.
'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'
Through his traveling and diplomatic affairs, Leo met a bright woman in Egypt. Her eyes shined like the brightest constellation in the sky, her wits were unmatched, and her body could lure even the blind. To say he fell in love was an understatement.
“On another visit?” she asked him as they met, her eyebrow arched.
“Egypt is quite successful these days. I can’t miss on opportunities” Leo answered with a knowing smirk, the back of his fingers caressing her jaw.
She looked up at him, her eyes sincere in her feelings as his touch was very welcomed “Opportunities or people?”
“I think you know the answer.” he said quietly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Their shared moments would be forever marked in his mind, appreciative that he could be the man he was with her, not Rome's Emperor. 
After deciding that she was the only one he ever wanted to marry, they met up in a nice flower camp, as he planned to ask for her forever on the same day. 
As they reached the designated place, Leo managed to get on one knee and pour his heart out to her. When he made the important question, as she was about to answer it, raiders invaded Egypt in a surprise attack, and before she could even say “yes”, the clan leader sliced through her heart, making her fall down and soon Leo followed, throat sliced open by another member. 
As life drained from their bodies, they looked at each other as they bled, their hands touching as they said their last goodbyes.
'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'
France, 1789
Leonidas fought against the imbalance that happened between the poorest and royals. The people were tired of poverty, brought by the dumb decisions of the French Monarchy.
As he disseminated his knowledge and beliefs, a royal carriage passed through, with the Princess inside it. She and Leonidas locked their eyes, and a shiver ran through their bodies. 
The monarchs always had empty eyes, but hers was so alive. She gave him a gentle passing smile - even if he was criticizing her existence, making his heart beat fast.
Whenever royal gatherings happened, Leonidas and his followers were the first ones there protesting. The only one who ever dared to meet them and talk was her. It was bad - his heart throbbed whenever she spoke, her voice acting like a sweet melody to him.
“Another one of your hate campaigns, Leonidas?” she asked, smirking, fanning her painted face with a luxurious fan.
“Just fighting for my people and myself” he answered in a dignified voice, his eyes not breaking eye contact with her.
“Just fighting? If you keep following me I might as well think your objectives involve me, but not as in a revolutionary sense” she winked, hiding her face behind the pink fan.
“Don’t even waste your time thinking about false pretenses” he smirked back, pulling her fan down as he watched her pretty features, all worthy of a Princess.
It was satirical - the biggest fighter against her family was the one who managed to catch her heart. She was usually the quickest one to brush off suitors, but the rebellion leader caught her heart, and she didn't want him to let go.
When Leonidas was finally ready to act on his feelings, the fall of the Bastille happened, and soon did the fall of the monarchy. As a punishment, all were to be beheaded in a public gathering, their heads thrown around to celebrate France’s new beginning.
As she was guided to the guillotine, her eyes locked in his as the blade sliced her, a lonely tear running on her cheeks. 
Leonidas, at that moment, felt hollow and empty, wondering what he did to deserve such feeling.
'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'
Italy, 1944
The war was at its peak, causing pain and destruction anywhere it passed by. Lionel fought bravely battle after battle, trying his hardest to stay safe at least till this he'll was over. 
The highlight among all that destruction was the newest nurse, hair always in carefully made curls, and lips adorned in the most lovely shades as she tended every soldier with care.
Whenever he laid on the infirmary in her care, she always spent the longest on him, sharing heartfelt comments and small jokes, hoping to bring a smile to his serious face. Also, she chose not to mention that his heartbeat was always fast with her - they were in a war after all, they had more serious matters to pay attention to.
“Although it makes me happy to see you, it pains my heart that it needs to involve your pain” she said softly, holding his hand with one of her hands as the other one cleaned his wound.
“I’m tough, if I could I would bruise myself completely to be under your care for days” Lionel answered with a whimper as she hit a soft spot.
“Don’t you ever think about that! I need you in one piece, so we ought to live our lives together, in happiness, after all this tragedy ends” she said in a hopeful tone, pressing a kiss to his skin.
“Do you promise me a nice house and delicious dinners?” he asked playfully, an endearing smile not leaving his face
“Better. I promise you a home” she answered quietly, moving away to tend another soldier's wounds.
After a German attack in a secluded village, the soldiers could only try to pray for any survivors - the attack was brutal. The houses were on the ground, some toys and furniture disorganized all over the place, a gray feeling hanging around their heads.
When the troop was ready to leave, Lionel heard a quiet sound under some rubble, calling his colleagues to check it out. Working their way to the sound, an old lady was buried underneath it, breathing with difficulty.
Lionel didn't think twice and fought to work her out of there, but when she was at his hold, it was already too late. On her last breath, she pressed a palm to his face and whispered “son… It's already late for this life, but I banish the dark hold in your destiny. After so much suffering, your hearts deserve happiness” and with that, she was gone.
Lionel cried, so tired with all the tragedy and death around him, he didn't really understand what she meant, but laid her body in respect and moved forward.
Sadly, no one could predict a blitzkrieg, and one that hit exactly where they moved, and also so near their base - their safety. Lionel was unfortunately one of the victims, the bomb hitting near his body.
The last thing he could comprehend was his body being moved as the pretty nurse moved desperately to save him, crying as she held his body and he finally let go, thinking of their home.
'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'︵‿��‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'
USA, 2023
Leon was sore after returning from another mission - one that could be considered a suicide one, but he wasn't that lucky to finally be able to rest peacefully.
He threw his body on his couch, but soon stood up and grunted as he reminded himself that he promised to go to an art exhibition with Claire and Chris, a piece of normalcy in a word reeking with monsters and nightmares.
How Claire managed to get Chris to come to a thing like that? Only God knows, but it would be a welcomed company amongst the bullshit that the art world revolves around.
As they reached the gallery, packed with artists, critics and obnoxious people who saw art in a dot of paint, Claire looked in glee at all the art pieces as Leon and her brother played a game of “blind or high?”, where they tried to guess if the artist was blind while making the piece or just purely high on whatever drug Umbrella passed along the streets to control people.
As they looked at the pieces, Claire stopped specifically at a painting of a couple sitting on a field, a picnic towel underneath them as the sky was purple, with the sun setting down and the moon reaching up. There were some children playing in the background, but much couldn’t be said, as they were mere shadows.
Leon looked at the painting puzzled, something in the art making his heart ache and long for, but he had no idea why. While Chris just whispered a “oh, definitely high” at him, he couldn't answer. The sight felt so familiar, but so painful, that he wanted to cry. Maybe fighting monsters and almost dying everyday was finally getting him.
A lady stopped in front of that painting, and looked at Leon with a witty smile and sparkly eyes “what do you see?”
As he looked at her, it was like the world stopped. She was just an unknown woman, but something felt so familiar in her. His heart was screaming for him to hug and kiss her, and Leon didn't know if he finally went insane or he was just deprived of affection (maybe both, but he didn't want to put a lot of thought into it).
Her hair matched her face perfectly, her makeup was minimal, contrasting with the red lipstick on her inviting lips. Her clothing molded perfectly into her pretty body, and he had to hold himself back from looking at her for too long.
With a deep sigh, he truthfully told her “I'm not good with art… but I think they look like a couple in love. A family, even. Maybe enjoying a picnic on a Sunday” he answered the stranger, holding back a blush.
Claire slapped him, embarrassed “you just described the painting you idiot, she meant more profoundly!”
The lady giggled, making Leon forget how to breathe for a second. She shakes her head and adds “no, I liked his observation. It looks like a dream Sunday, in my opinion” She winked at Leon
Still fighting a blush, he teased back “Okay then, Picasso, what do you see?”
The woman took a long breath and looked at the painting again “I see pain, but also hope. It feels like broken hearts being brought together. Kinda poetic.”
Leon could only look at her and smile, as she did the same. Pain and love. Leon could understand those feelings mixed together.
As they kept talking and walking through the gallery together, they failed to see the owner of the painting, an old woman who watched them with a smirk. 
She turned to her assistant and said “Isn't destiny a funny thing? I guess I have to watch closely for inspiration for my next pieces, I've never gotten the full story before.”
The assistant looked at the artist in confusion, but didn't press the matter. The only thing she could think was: “Guess all the best artists are crazy people.”
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