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soluversworld · 2 days ago

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Bound by Tears, Held by Love- Solivan Brugmansia x Yan! G.N Reader (Smut!)

The kid at the back is a 18+ visual novel Minors don’t interact!-

Words: 16000

Genre: Yandere- Reader is same from the Sol series I wrote!!

(Reader is G.N)-(This one-shot is nsfw!)

Summary : After a long day, For some reason, Sol didn’t come to class today. You missed him terribly! You meet him again? After a nice bath with him ? Will he you make feel better? <3

TW/CW: Mentions of marking, Manipulation, Slight pet-play, Dirty talks, Yandere Y/n and Solivan Brugmansia , Toxic relationship, Unhealthy relationship, Edging turned overstimulation, Suggestive, Manipulation, obsessive behavior, unhealthy relationships/feelings, Clingy, Manipulation, Jealous, Both Reader and Sol are submissive-dominant at one point each, oral sex, rough handling, and marking/branding with bites. It may also touch on themes of possessiveness, dominance.

In short,

Content Warning: This one-shot will contain explicit sexual themes, graphic descriptions of intimate acts, and strong language. It may not be suitable for all audiences.

Please proceed with caution if these triggers could cause distress. If you experience any discomfort

The day had started like any other, but it quickly spiraled into a mess you hadn’t expected. Sol wasn’t at university today. You’d noticed right away—the lack of his subtle smiles, the absence of his quiet presence trailing just a little too close for comfort. It wasn’t until you received a text from him, right as you arrived, that the weight of his absence truly hit.

“Busy today. Don’t wait for me. Be good, pumpkin.”

The message had felt colder than usual, even if he added his usual nickname for you. There wasn’t time to dwell on it, though, because Deryl had immediately intercepted you, going on about how you needed to talk to Crowe. Something about sorting things out, making things right. But you couldn’t—didn’t. Crowe was always so understanding, so kind, and deep down, you felt like you didn’t deserve to lean on him anymore.

Instead, you spent time with Hyugo, grateful for the distraction. His bubbly energy kept things light, even as you carried the weight of your emotions silently. He’d thanked you again for helping him keep his family off his back, allowing him to do what he loved without their interference. Hyugo was a good soul, and you were glad you could be there for him. But as the hours passed, he too had to leave, off to his mysterious errands.

This part of lore is locked <3

Alone now, you wandered aimlessly, the campus feeling too big and too empty without Sol. You thought about your friendship with Crowe, about how things had unfolded. You hadn’t meant to hurt Sol, but it was clear now that your closeness with Crowe had struck a nerve. Sol had always been possessive in his quiet, brooding way, and you’d been too caught up in your own thoughts to notice. He will kill him.

If he kills Crowe.

You would kill him.

You felt like a terrible person. Guilty. Torn. You’d never meant to make him jealous or sad, but you were delusional about the whole situation. You’d let your feelings and uncertainties cloud your judgment. And now, you were left with this gnawing ache, the realization that you’d hurt the one person who always tried so hard to be there for you.

The sky opened up, rain pouring down in heavy sheets. At first, you welcomed it—maybe it would cleanse the suffocating guilt weighing on your chest. But then the tears started, mingling with the rain as they slid down your cheeks. The world around you blurred, and you were thankful no one could see you like this.

The rain might have hidden your tears, but it couldn’t hide the pain. Not from yourself.

The rain fell like a curtain of sorrow, soaking through to the bone, but you barely felt it. Each step homeward was heavy, burdened by a tempest within. The air was thick with the smell of rain on pavement, a melancholy symphony of muted taps and sighs. Your clothes clung to your skin, hair plastered against your face, as if the storm itself sought to keep you captive to your despair.

From the shadows, unseen by your drenched and wandering gaze, Crowe lingered. His dark eyes followed your figure, his usual calm replaced by something raw and unspoken. Beside him, Deryl nudged his arm, his voice low and insistent, “Go. Give it to them. Say something.”

Brittney and Jess, ever the voices of gentle encouragement, echoed Deryl’s sentiment. Crowe exhaled, the weight of their words pushing him toward resolve. He took the umbrella in hand, its promise of shelter feeling heavier than its frame. Slowly, he stepped forward, his polished shoes splashing through shallow puddles.

Yet he stopped.

It wasn’t hesitation that froze him, but the sight that awaited him just ahead. You had paused, your head bowed, lashes fluttering closed against the rain’s assault. A moment of peace amidst the chaos. And then, as if conjured by some unspoken wish, there he stood—Sol.

His silhouette emerged from the haze of rain, an umbrella poised like an offering, a silent guardian come to reclaim his place by your side. Your eyes opened, catching sight of him, and Crowe saw it—the transformation. The way your sorrow melted into joy, the way your lips curved into something radiant, unburdened.

A laugh escaped you, light and unrestrained, and before Crowe could comprehend it, you had flung yourself into Sol’s arms. The man caught you as if it were the most natural thing in the world, his embrace firm yet tender, his hand cradling the back of your head as if you were something precious.

Crowe’s breath caught. For a moment, his grip on the umbrella tightened, knuckles pale against its dark handle. But then, as your laughter rang out again, he forced himself to smile. A smile forged from steel, brittle at its edges, but sincere in its core. You were happy. That was enough. It had to be enough.

You were happy with Mr Brugmansia.

Sol’s gaze lifted then, catching sight of Crowe standing just beyond your bubble of bliss. Sol’s eyes were cold, darkened by the storm, and Crowe felt the weight of his disdain like a physical blow. But Crowe, ever the gentleman, merely inclined his head, a gesture of quiet acknowledgment.

Sol, however, looked away, his jaw tight. To him, Crowe was a specter, a name he hated to utter—Ichabod, the shadow that lingered too close to you for comfort. Sol held you tighter, burying his face in your damp hair as if to remind himself, and you, who truly held your heart.

And so, Crowe turned, his shoes splashing once more through the puddles as he retreated into the rain. The umbrella remained unopened in his hand, its purpose unfulfilled. He carried it as a memento of a chance unclaimed, a reminder of the moment he realized the truth.

You were someone else’s.

But as Crowe disappeared into the storm, the sound of your laughter lingered, like the faintest chime of a distant bell. And for that, he smiled once more, his heart both heavy and light.

He was happy, you were..happy.

The rain cascaded around you, creating a private world where the rest of the universe ceased to exist. You squealed in delight, clutching Sol tighter, your wet clothes making the embrace all the more intimate. Sol’s faint smile deepened, though his cheeks flushed a soft pink that reached to the tips of his ears.

“Did you miss me that much?” he murmured, his voice low, almost teasing.

You pulled back just enough to look at him, your fingers lightly brushing his damp hair from his face. “Of course I missed you! What kind of question is that?” you teased, your tone playful yet edged with sincerity.

Sol’s blush deepened, and he turned his face away, his free hand gripping the umbrella handle tightly. “I… I didn’t mean to stay away. I… If you’re mad, I—” He hesitated, his voice cracking slightly as his gaze found yours again. There was something almost desperate in the way his soft orange eyes searched yours, as though afraid he’d ruined something precious.

“Pumpkin, how… How would I make it up to you?” he asked, the pet name spilling from his lips with a rawness that made your heart flutter.

You couldn’t help it. His flustered expression, his genuine guilt—it was all so endearing. Before he could ramble further, you wrapped your arms around him again, burying your face in his chest. His heart thundered beneath your ear, and you smiled against him.

“You don’t have to make anything up, silly,” you whispered, your voice muffled but laced with affection. Tilting your head up, you pressed a soft kiss to his jawline, lingering just enough to feel him stiffen in surprise. “I’m just so happy to see you, Sol. That’s all that matters.”

The kiss made him freeze for a moment, his wide eyes darting to meet yours. Then, as if the realization of your closeness hit him all at once, he turned away again, his ears burning. “Y-You’re going to kill me,” he muttered, though his lips curved into a shaky smile.

But you weren’t done yet. Your mischievous streak took over, and you decided to lean into his adoration just a little more. With a playful pout, you clasped your hands behind your back and tilted your head, letting the rain streak down your face.

“You know,” you said, your voice teasing, “I could still be mad. Maybe you need to try a little harder to make me forgive you…”

Sol’s eyes snapped back to you, and for a split second, something flickered in his gaze—possessive, intense, and entirely Sol. His blush didn’t fade, but his grip on the umbrella tightened as he leaned slightly closer, his wet hair casting shadows over his face.

“What would it take, pumpkin?” he asked, his voice lower, almost velvety, as if he were daring you to push him further.

Your heart skipped a beat, but instead of backing down, you stepped closer, closing the already narrow gap between you. With a playful laugh, you brushed your fingers against his chest, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

“Hm… Maybe I’ll tell you if you promise not to disappear on me again,” you said coyly.

Sol’s expression softened, his gaze melting into something utterly smitten. “I promise,” he murmured, the sincerity in his voice making your chest tighten.

For a moment, the rain and the world around you disappeared again, leaving only the two of you standing there, drenched but completely lost in each other. Sol reached out, tucking a strand of wet hair behind your ear, his touch featherlight. His lips parted as though to speak, but instead, he just smiled—soft, adoring, and completely yours.

The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle by the time you and Sol began your walk home together. You clung to him, your arms looped around one of his, leaning so close your head brushed the curve of his neck. Sol stiffened for a moment, his breath hitching audibly, but he didn’t move away. If anything, he seemed to relax into your touch, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the blush creeping up his cheeks.

You could feel his pulse quicken under your cheek, and it made your heart flutter. He liked this—you knew he did. The way his fingers tightened ever so slightly on the umbrella handle gave him away. Sol might have been soft-spoken and shy, but there was no hiding how much he adored you.

“You know…” you began, your voice playful and light as you tilted your head to glance up at him. “You’re really cute when you blush like that.”

Sol’s steps faltered, and he let out a soft, embarrassed laugh. “I-I’m not…” he murmured, his voice trailing off as he tried to glance at you but failed to meet your gaze. His blush deepened, and he looked away, biting his lip.

You leaned in closer, your cheek brushing against his damp collarbone as you smiled mischievously. “Oh, but you are,” you teased, your voice dropping to a whisper. “And I think you like when I say it.”

He didn’t deny it. Instead, he let out a shaky breath, his free hand twitching at his side as though he wanted to hold you closer but didn’t quite dare to.

The idea of pushing him further made your heart race, not out of cruelty but because you loved seeing this side of him—the side that was so completely wrapped around you, so utterly devoted and vulnerable. And if you were honest, you liked knowing just how deeply he wanted you, how much he was willing to unravel for you.

“Hey, Sol?” you said suddenly, your voice light and cheerful as though the tension from moments ago had evaporated.

“Hm?” he hummed, glancing at you with those soft, doe-like eyes, still tinted with hesitation.

“Let’s hang out at your place,” you said brightly, tugging on his arm like a child asking for a treat. “We’ve never done that before, right? And it’s only fair since you already know my house so well…”

Your grin widened at the way his eyes widened, his face going from pink to a deep crimson in an instant. He opened his mouth to say something—probably an attempt to deny or explain his little habit of keeping tabs on you—but all that came out was a soft, incoherent sound as he averted his gaze again.

You giggled, delighted by his reaction, and grabbed his hand, interlacing your fingers with his. “It’s fine, Sol,” you said, your voice teasing but reassuring. “I don’t mind. Actually, I think it’s kind of sweet.”

“Sweet?” he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. His grip on your hand tightened, as though afraid you’d slip away if he didn’t hold on.

“Yeah,” you said with a shrug, swinging his hand slightly as you walked. “You care about me so much. I like that about you. You’re always thinking about me, even when I don’t know it.”

His steps slowed, and he glanced at you with an intensity that made your breath hitch. For a moment, you thought he might say something, but instead, he just smiled—a small, soft smile that held a hint of something deeper, something darker.

You felt your heart race, and the realization hit you like a jolt of electricity: you wanted this. You wanted his obsession, his unrelenting need to be near you, to protect you, to make you his. It was intoxicating, the way he looked at you like you were his entire world.

As you reached the edge of the neighborhood, you tugged on his hand again, pulling him along as you skipped ahead. “Come on, Sol! Don’t look so serious,” you said with a laugh, turning to grin at him. “I’m happy to be with you. Isn’t that enough?”

He blinked, his expression softening as his blush returned. “Y-Yeah,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s more than enough.”

But you could see it in his eyes—the unspoken promise, the depth of his feelings.

Sol wasn’t just happy to be with you; he was complete with you.

You love that about him don’t you?

Maybe god loves you to keep out of your delusional thoughts.

Suddenly,

The sound of the car speeding by echoed through the street, its tires splashing through a puddle with reckless abandon. Before you could even react, mud splashed across your clothes, the brown sludge staining your uniform. A scream escaped you, frustration and annoyance bubbling up as you wiped at your drenched clothing.

“FUCK YOU, CAR DRIVER!” you shouted, your voice carrying through the rain, though your words didn’t seem to make any difference to the speeding vehicle.

You huffed, feeling a little defeated, and looked down at your ruined clothes. “Ugh, this was my main one,” you muttered to yourself, trying to rub at the stains, but it was no use. Your frustration didn’t last long, though, because Sol was already by your side, his worried gaze soft and focused on you.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice surprisingly concerned, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes that made you pause.

You looked up at him, still damp from the rain and the mud, and his lips were curving into a grin that made you roll your eyes. “What now?” you snapped, shaking your arms in frustration, but it only made him laugh even more.

His laugh was soft and melodic, the kind of sound that made your heart flutter despite the annoyance you were feeling. “You’re so cute when you’re mad,” he said, wiping a tear from his eye as he tried to suppress his laughter.

Your face heated up at his words, and before you could even stop yourself, you let out a loud, flustered kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa that was far too loud for the public setting. You nearly died from embarrassment, the sound escaping your lips before you could catch it.

But before you could even think about what was happening, you found yourself leaping at Sol, your hands cupping his face as you kissed him right in the middle of the street, the rain still coming down around you.

His surprised gasp was the only thing you heard before you melted into him, your lips moving against his with a newfound urgency. The entire world around you disappeared, and all you could think about was him—his warmth, his sweetness, the way he smelled like rain and something uniquely him.

Sol, though still caught off guard, didn’t pull away. Instead, he seemed to fall into the kiss with you, his arms wrapping around your waist as he pulled you closer. He was blushing furiously, his hands trembling slightly as he held you against him.

“You’re so cute…” he muttered between kisses, his voice strained with emotion as he kept his hands tightly on you.

You pulled away for a brief second to catch your breath, your chest heaving as you looked at him. His face was still flushed, but the joy in his eyes made your heart race.

“I can’t help it,” you whispered, a little breathless from the kiss. “You’re just too cute, Sol.”

Sol’s smile was so soft, so genuine, and in that moment….

You both walked into his apartment, the warmth from the inside contrasted sharply with the cold, damp air clinging to your clothes. You could feel the wet fabric clinging to your skin, making you wince slightly, but your attention was focused entirely on Sol. You couldn’t help but apologize for the mess you’d made. “I’m sorry about ruining your apartment,” you murmured softly, trying to keep your voice light.

Sol looked at you, his expression softening, and with a little tilt of his head, he replied, “It’s fine, pumpkin,” his voice gentle but filled with warmth. “I’ll make some soup for you. Go take a bath and relax.” He paused, clearly concerned for your well-being.

But you shook your head quickly, stubborn as ever. “No, I’m fine. I don’t need it.” You huffed, folding your arms in a little pout, looking at him with a half-hearted glare.

Sol raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by your refusal. “Are you sure? You’re wet, too.” He glanced down at you and then his own drenched clothes, his eyes flicking back up to meet yours. “It’s not a good idea to stay like this.”

You hesitated for a moment, then an idea popped into your head. Smirking mischievously, you stepped closer to him. “I’m not the only one who’s wet.” You tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling it just enough to expose the tight muscles beneath.

Sol was caught off guard, stumbling forward slightly as the shirt pulled and he nearly fell into you. His face was suddenly inches from your chest, and his breath hitched, caught in a mix of surprise and something much more heated. You held him close, your arms wrapping around him, the warmth of your body soothing the chill that still lingered on his skin.

He was so cute in that moment, face flushed and body stiff, but still allowing you to hold him. He almost whined, the softness of his voice barely a whisper as he murmured, “Y-You’re… so close…” His chest rose and fell with every shaky breath he took, clearly affected by how close you were.

You couldn’t help but smile at his reaction, feeling a sense of triumph as he melted into your touch. He was usually so calm, so composed, but now, he was so vulnerable. It was almost as if you held the power to break down his walls completely. The way he whimpered, the way his face flushed with embarrassment—he was so cute.

“You’re so adorable, Sol,” you whispered into his ear, squeezing him tighter. “I’m not going anywhere.”

His eyes fluttered shut, a small, contented sigh escaping his lips. “I… I know,” he murmured faintly, his voice soft but full of warmth. “You’re mine…”

You smiled softly, leaning in to kiss his forehead.

You could feel the tension between you and Sol, the air thick with an intensity that was both intoxicating and thrilling. His shyness, his hesitation—everything about him right now was exactly how you wanted him to be. The way he leaned into your touch, the warmth of his body pressed against yours, the way his eyes sparkled with confusion and admiration—it was all so perfect. Your heart raced, your thoughts dizzying with the thought of him.

You smiled softly, your gaze locking onto his as you saw the way his pupils dilated, his breath quickening ever so slightly. There was a flicker in his eyes, something almost desperate, and that only made you want to drive him wild with even more affection. You needed to make him fall harder.

Leaning forward, you brushed your lips against his cheek softly, just a light kiss, then moved to his other cheek, and his jaw, kissing him in soft, slow motions, letting the intensity of each kiss linger. You could feel the heat radiating from his body, his pulse quickening in a way that only spurred your actions further.

His breath hitched, a tiny whimper escaping his lips as you pulled away for just a moment. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated with a mixture of longing and hesitation, and you couldn’t help but smile, the thrill of seeing him like this making your heart race.

“I think you like this, don’t you?” you whispered, teasing him as you gently cupped his face, feeling the warmth of his skin against your fingertips. You kissed him again, this time on his lips, more fervently than before. Your lips moved against his with a feverish hunger, wanting to consume every ounce of him.

He couldn’t stop himself from groaning softly into the kiss, his hands finding their way to your waist, pulling you even closer, his body trembling. His fingers flexed with barely contained desire, but it wasn’t just desire—it was obsession. You could see it in the way his grip tightened, in the way he held onto you like you were the only thing that mattered in this world.

Sol was obsessed—you knew it, and now he was helpless to hide it.

With every kiss you planted on his face, you felt him unravel just a little more. He was no longer the stoic, controlled man you had known. He was yours, body and soul. And you, oh, you were going to make sure he stayed that way.

His face flushed even more, his expression dazed, his eyes half-lidded with a love so deep, it almost seemed like it was suffocating him. His breathing was shallow, and his lips trembled as he tried to form words, but they only came out as a soft, desperate mumble, “Y-You’re… everything. Don’t leave me… please.”

Your lips curled into a slow smile, satisfied with how easily he was slipping into your grasp. You kissed him once more, this time lingering on his lips a little longer, before pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. Those eyes—those sweet, heart-shaped eyes—were all for you. Completely for you.

“I’m not going anywhere, Sol,” you murmured against his lips. “You’re mine. And I’ll never let you go. I’ll make sure of that.”

His grip on you tightened, his heart pounding as he pulled you into a desperate kiss once more.

You smiled softly, knowing you had him right where you wanted him—lost in his obsession, lost in you. And there was no going back now.

The bathroom was warm, steam curling in the air and soft droplets of water trickling down from the walls. You sat on the edge of the tub, a towel loosely draped around your body, watching Sol as he leaned back into the shallow water. His hair clung to his forehead, his cheeks faintly pink from the heat, and his shoulders glistened with droplets. For once, the usually put-together Sol looked vulnerable, stripped bare in more ways than one.

Your eyes wandered to his neck—the spot where his choker usually rested. Without it, the faint bruises and marks stood out on his skin Body, and your heart gave a quiet lurch. They were like shadows of something darker, and while you had questions—so many questions—you held them back. Sol was complex, his past layered with secrets, and you knew better than to push. What mattered wasn’t what the bruises meant, but that they were his. They were a part of him, and you adored every piece of Sol, scars and all.

Sol shifted under your gaze, his movements subtle but telling. He had noticed you looking. His fingers flexed against the tub’s edge, his posture tightening slightly as though he were bracing himself. “What?” he murmured, his voice quiet but tinged with nervousness. “You’ve been staring.”

You tilted your head and smiled, your expression soft and reassuring. “Just admiring you,” you said simply, your tone light but warm enough to wash away any tension that might’ve been building.

He huffed, averting his eyes, his face turning red. “Admiring?” He sounded skeptical, almost incredulous. “I look like a mess.”

You stood, your towel swishing softly as you approached the tub. “You always say that,” you teased gently, kneeling beside him. “And yet, somehow, you keep being wrong.”

He didn’t reply, though you caught the way his lips twitched like he was holding back a smile. His eyes darted to yours briefly, searching, before quickly looking away again. That was just like him—always reluctant to let you see how much your words affected him.

Your gaze fell to his body again. The bruises were darker up close, scattered unevenly along his skin. Some were fading, others still there, and your heart ached at the thought of what might’ve caused them. But as much as you hated the idea of him being hurt, you refused to let it overshadow the truth: bruises or not, Sol was beautiful. Every mark on his skin, every imperfection, every flaw—they were all his.

Reaching out slowly, you let your fingertips brush against his neck, featherlight. Sol tensed immediately, his eyes snapping to yours in alarm. “What are you—”

You silenced him with a kiss, your lips pressing softly against the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t about stopping his words; it was about showing him that there was nothing to fear. Your lips moved to his cheek, then his jaw, each kiss tender and unhurried. And then, finally, you kissed his neck, right over..

Don’t talk about it? It would hurt him.

Sol jolted, a sharp gasp escaping him as his hand flew up to your shoulder, not to push you away but to steady himself. His eyes were wide, his lips parted in shock, and you could feel the way his body trembled slightly under your touch. “W-What are you doing?” he whispered, his voice barely audible, shaky with something that wasn’t quite fear but wasn’t quite anything else either.

You didn’t answer. Instead, you kissed another bruise, and then another, your lips trailing softly along his neck. Each time, his reaction was the same—a quiet hitch of breath, a faint shiver, a look in his eyes that was equal parts bewildered and entranced. He didn’t stop you, though. If anything, his grip on your shoulder tightened, as if anchoring himself to you.

When you finally pulled back, your eyes met his, and you smiled. It wasn’t a teasing smile, nor was it one of pity. It was simply you, looking at him with all the warmth and love you could muster. “You’re beautiful, Sol,” you said softly, your voice steady and sincere. “Every part of you.”

His face crumpled slightly, his expression caught between disbelief and something far more vulnerable. “You… don’t care?” he asked, his voice so small it was almost a whisper.

You frowned, tilting your head. “Care about what?”

“The bruises, The-” he said, his hand moving to cover his neck instinctively. “They’re ugly, aren’t they? They make me look…”

“Human,” you finished for him, cutting off whatever self-deprecating thought was about to leave his lips. You reached out, gently prying his hand away from his neck and holding it in yours. “They make you look human. And I love that. I love you. Bruises, scars, everything. It’s you Sol.“

He stared at you, his eyes wide and glassy, like he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. Then, slowly, his lips curved into the faintest smile—a real one, not the awkward, forced grins he sometimes used to deflect. This smile was soft, genuine, and so filled with emotion that it made your chest ache.

“You’re… unbelievable,” he murmured, his voice thick with something you couldn’t quite place. He shook his head, his wet hair clinging to his forehead, and let out a soft laugh. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” you asked, your tone playful as you leaned in closer.

“Make me fall for you all over again,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Your heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, all you could do was look at him, your chest swelling with so much love it felt like it might burst. Then, without a word, you leaned in and kissed him again, your lips moving against his with a tenderness that spoke louder than any words ever could.

Sol melted into the kiss, his hand coming up to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing softly against your skin. When you finally pulled away, his eyes were hazy, his expression dazed but utterly content.

You leaned down, your breath ghosting over his skin, and kissed one softly. Sol tensed beneath you, his muscles twitching under your touch, and you smiled to yourself. He was so easy to unravel, and you loved it.

Your lips moved lower, trailing over the bruises with deliberate care, each kiss a whisper of devotion. But your movements weren’t entirely selfless—there was a dark satisfaction in watching him squirm, in hearing the soft gasps and shaky breaths he couldn’t suppress. You wanted him to need you, to crave you, to be as lost in you as you were in him.

“Y-You’re—ah—doing this on purpose,” Sol stammered, his voice trembling as his hand gripped the edge of the towel wrapped around his waist. His face was flushed, his breath uneven, and you could see the way he was struggling to hold himself together.

You didn’t answer. Instead, you kissed another bruise, just above his hip, and felt the way his body shivered in response. Your mind was swimming with thoughts—dark, possessive thoughts about how much you wanted him to belong to you entirely. Not just his body, but his mind, his heart, his soul. You wanted to consume him, to make him forget anything else existed but you.

But then, suddenly, he moved. Before you could react, Sol sat up and wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a tight embrace. The abruptness of it snapped you out of your spiraling thoughts, and for a moment, all you could do was sit there, stunned, as he buried his face against your shoulder.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice muffled but heavy with emotion. “Thank you for… accepting me.”

His words hit you like a wave, washing over the darker corners of your mind and leaving something softer in their wake. You blinked, your hands instinctively moving to rest against his back as his grip on you tightened. He was trembling slightly, and you realized that this wasn’t just a hug—it was a lifeline.

“I… I’ve always hated these,” Sol admitted, his voice quiet but raw. “The bruises, the scars… Every bruise was worth it. I thought… I thought when you see them would think I was… ” His voice cracked on the last word, and you felt your chest tighten painfully.

You didn’t say anything, but your arms tightened around him, your hand moving in slow, soothing circles over his back. He sighed, the sound shaky but relieved, and pulled back just enough to look at you. His eyes were glassy, his expression vulnerable in a way that made your heart ache.

“But you don’t see me like that,” he continued, his voice steadier now. “You don’t treat me like I’m… less because of them. And that means more to me than I can ever say.”

Your heart fluttered at his words, and for a moment, you felt like you couldn’t breathe. You’d always known Sol had his own darkness, his own pain, but hearing it laid bare like this was almost too much. And yet, at the same time, it made you love him even more—not just the parts of him that were easy to love, but the parts that were messy and complicated and broken.

But that scared you. Because as much as you loved his obsessive side, as much as you reveled in the way he clung to you, you were terrified of falling for him completely. Fully. You weren’t sure you could handle that—weren’t sure what it would mean if you did.

Sol was watching you, his gaze searching, and you forced yourself to smile, leaning in to kiss his ear softly. The reaction was instant—he gasped, his body jerking slightly as his hands tightened on your waist. “Y-You can’t just—” he started, but his words were cut off as you kissed him again, this time lower, just below his ear.

“You’re so easy to kill with affection.” you murmured, your voice low but tinged with teasing affection. His cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, and you couldn’t help but smile.

For a moment, neither of you spoke, the only sound in the room the faint drip of water from the faucet. Then, quietly, you mumbled, “Thank you.”

Sol blinked, clearly caught off guard. “What?” he asked, his tone soft but curious.

You pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze, and smiled again. “Thank you for existing,” you said simply. And then, before he could respond, you pressed a soft kiss to his lips, cutting off any words he might’ve tried to say.

Sol didn’t speak again after that. He didn’t need to. The way he held you, the way he looked at you—

The bathwater rippled softly as you guided Sol to sit down in front of you, his towel still loosely draped around his waist. He obeyed without hesitation, his long hair cascading down his back like a silken curtain. His trust in you was absolute, and it made your heart race in the quiet intimacy of the moment. The thought of him being so compliant, so willing to let you care for him, stirred something darkly possessive within you.

With a gentleness that belied the turmoil in your chest, you reached for the shampoo, pouring a generous amount into your hands before running your fingers through his damp hair. Sol sighed softly at the sensation, leaning into your touch as you worked the lather through his locks. His hair was thick and slightly tangled from the water, but you didn’t mind. In fact, you relished every second of it—each tangle you smoothed out felt like another piece of him you were unraveling, another part of him that was undeniably yours.

Your fingers massaged his scalp, his body relaxed further, his shoulders slumping slightly as a soft sigh escaped his lips. The sound was so sweet, so achingly tender, that it sent a thrill through you. You leaned forward without thinking, pressing a kiss to his forehead. His skin was warm beneath your lips, and he made a small, almost contented noise in response. It was domestic in a way you hadn’t expected, and the realization made your chest tighten.

You could feel your thoughts beginning to spiral again, the possessiveness bubbling up as you watched him sit there so obediently, so sweetly. Sol wasn’t just letting you care for him—he was surrendering to you completely, trusting you in a way that no one else ever had. And God, how you loved it. The sight of him like this, vulnerable and utterly at your mercy, made something primal and obsessive stir deep within you.

He was yours. He had to be. No one else could ever see him like this, touch him like this. You wouldn’t allow it.

“Sol,” you murmured, your voice low and husky as you continued to work the shampoo through his hair. He hummed in response, tilting his head slightly to the side as if to give you better access. The gesture was so unthinking, so natural, that it made your breath hitch.

“You’re perfect like this,” you said softly, almost to yourself. He didn’t respond, but the slight flush that crept up the back of his neck told you he’d heard. You leaned down again, pressing another kiss to the crown of his head before rinsing the shampoo out of his hair. The water ran down his back in rivulets, and you couldn’t resist trailing your fingers along the path it made, watching as his skin shivered under your touch.

“You’re spoiling me,” Sol said after a moment, his voice quiet but tinged with affection.

“You deserve it,” you replied simply, reaching for the conditioner. You poured some into your hands before running your fingers through his hair again, taking your time as you worked it in. Sol sighed softly, the sound so content and trusting that it made your chest ache.

It felt almost too good to be true, this moment with him. You’d always loved his obsessive devotion to you, the way he clung to you like you were the only thing keeping him grounded. But now, sitting here with him, washing his hair and hearing the soft sounds of his breathing, you realized something terrifying: you weren’t just obsessed with him. You loved him. Fully, completely, and with a depth that scared you.

You reached for the soap, lathering it in your hands as you gestured for Sol to sit still. His body glistened with water under the soft light of the bathroom, and as you began to wash him, your fingers trailing over his shoulders, he let out a soft sigh. His head tilted slightly, his long hair cascading over one side as if to give you better access.

“Relax,” you murmured, a small, knowing smile playing on your lips. He obeyed immediately, his body pliant under your touch. The sight of him like this—his skin warm and damp, his eyes fluttering shut—sent a quiet thrill through you. You’d never tire of how easily he surrendered to you, how completely he trusted you.

Your hands glided down his arms, the lather spreading as you worked it over his skin. His breathing slowed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as if he were falling into a trance. You took your time, letting your fingers explore every curve and line of his body, as though committing it all to memory. When your hands brushed over his chest, you felt the soft hitch in his breath, the faint quiver of his muscles beneath your touch.

“Sol,” you teased, your voice soft but playful. “Are you falling asleep on me?”

“N-No,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes remained closed, and a faint blush crept up his neck.

You chuckled, the sound low and intimate as your hands trailed lower, over his ribs and toward his stomach. His body shivered under your touch, and you couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride at how responsive he was to you. Sol was like putty in your hands, utterly enchanted by your touch.

But just as you let your fingers glide over the taut planes of his stomach, spreading the lather in slow, deliberate circles, his eyes shot open. The spell broke, and he blinked at you as if he’d just realized what was happening.

“Hey,” he murmured, his voice tinged with both embarrassment and something softer, something deeper.

You grinned, a mischievous glint in your eyes as you leaned in closer. “What?” you asked innocently, your hands still trailing over his skin. “I’m just making sure you’re clean.”

His blush deepened, spreading across his cheeks and down his neck as he averted his gaze. “Y-You’re too good at this,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

You laughed softly, the sound warm and teasing as you reached up to cup his face. “Sol,” you murmured, your voice dropping into something softer, more intimate. “You’re adorable.”

His eyes flicked back to yours, wide and uncertain, and for a moment, he looked so vulnerable, so utterly disarmed, that your heart skipped a beat. But then the mischievous glint returned to your eyes, and you leaned in, pressing a quick, playful kiss to the tip of his nose.

He let out a startled noise, his blush deepening even further as he stared at you, utterly flustered. “W-What was that for?” he asked, his voice high-pitched and incredulous.

You shrugged, a sly smile curling your lips as you reached for the water to rinse him off. “Just because,” you replied simply.

The water cascaded over his skin, washing away the soap as your hands followed the trail of the water. He shivered again, his body instinctively leaning into your touch despite his obvious embarrassment. When you were finished, you grabbed a towel and began patting him dry, taking your time as you worked your way from his shoulders down to his arms and chest.

Sol squirmed slightly under your touch, his blush still burning brightly as he mumbled, “You’re treating me like a kid.”

You grinned, tilting your head to the side as you looked at him. “Oh? Is that so?” you teased, patting his cheeks with the towel.

“Stop!” he protested, his voice flustered as he tried to swat your hands away.

But you didn’t stop. Instead, you leaned in closer, your smile turning downright mischievous as you patted his face even more, the towel brushing against his warm, flushed skin. “You’re too cute when you’re embarrassed, Sol,” you said, your voice full of teasing affection.

He groaned, burying his face in his hands as he mumbled, “You’re impossible.”

You laughed, the sound light and genuine as you ruffled his hair with the towel. “And you’re spoiled,” you shot back, your tone playful but fond.

When you finally pulled back, letting him breathe, you noticed how he avoided your gaze, his blush still firmly in place. He looked so sweet, so utterly flustered, that you couldn’t resist leaning in one last time, pressing a soft kiss to his temple.

The air was warm after the bath, the scent of lavender soap lingering as Sol wrapped a towel around himself and turned toward you. His damp hair clung to his neck and shoulders, his expression soft as he stepped closer and, without warning, pulled you into a hug. The embrace was firm, grounding, and for a moment, you melted into his arms.

Before you could do anything more—tease him, pull him closer, or whisper something playful—he scooped you up and dropped you gently onto the bed. Your body bounced slightly against the mattress, and you looked up at him, smirking.

“You’re bold,” you teased, reaching for him instinctively. Your hands brushed his wrist as you tried to tug him down toward you, but he hesitated, stepping back. The way his ears turned red betrayed him, though.

You sighed softly, letting your hands fall to your sides. “Alright, alright,” you murmured, slipping off the bed and heading to grab some clothes. You rifled through the pile of garments he had stolen—or rather, borrowed—during his… more obsessive days, you found a hoodie of yours that you recognized instantly. It was one of your favorites, worn and soft, and it smelled faintly of detergent and something uniquely Sol.

It was obvious he had cleaned it meticulously, almost reverently. That thought alone sent a small shiver through you as you pulled it over your head. It hung loose and comfortable, perfectly worn in. You smiled, shaking your head softly. Of course, he’d take care of it so well. Sol, with all his odd little habits and quirks, always had a way of surprising you.

Beneath the hoodie, you slipped into your undergarments, feeling comfortable enough in the privacy of his room. Though you spotted pants folded neatly nearby, you ignored them. You were decent enough, and the hoodie covered what it needed to.

The room was cozy, his scent mingling with the fresh linen and faint hints of candle wax. You flopped onto the bed, burying your face in his pillow. It smelled so much like him that it made your chest tighten in a way you weren’t prepared for. Your arms curled around it instinctively, hugging it close as you let yourself relax.

Sol excused himself to dress, leaving you momentarily alone. Your eyes wandered, they landed on the walls. Among the minimalist decorations were posters of classic horror stories—The Headless Horseman and a strikingly eerie illustration inspired by the Grimm brothers’ fairy tales.

You smiled softly. Of course, Sol would have a taste for horror fiction. There was something so fitting about it, considering how quiet and unassuming he could be, yet with that darker edge lurking beneath his calm demeanor. You liked it. More than that, you liked that it was such a unique part of him.

When Sol returned, his hair still damp but neatly combed, his gaze immediately darted toward you. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of you sprawled on his bed, his pillow hugged tightly to your chest, wearing his hoodie.

“Uh… I-I can make some soup,” he stammered, his voice awkward and shy. His eyes flicked away from you as though looking directly at you was too much. “If… you want something warm.”

You propped yourself up on your elbow, grinning mischievously. “That sounds nice,” you replied, your voice light. Then, you noticed his gaze drop briefly before he looked away again, his blush deepening.

“If you need pants, I… I could give you a pair,” he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck.

You laughed softly, sitting up and adjusting the hoodie. “I’ve got undergarments on,” you said, winking at him. “I’m not naked, Sol.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as though trying to compose himself. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, but his lips curved into the faintest of smiles.

Instead of heading for the kitchen, he sat down beside you on the bed, his shoulders tense. His gaze flicked to the posters on the wall as if trying to avoid meeting your eyes.

“You seem tired,” he said softly, his voice quieter now.

You tilted your head, studying him for a moment before deciding to ask. “The posters,” you said, nodding toward the wall. “You like horror fiction?”

He froze slightly, his lips parting as though he wasn’t sure how to respond. Then, with a soft sigh, he nodded. “Yeah. It’s… something I’ve always liked,” he admitted.

You smiled, leaning against the headboard. “I already knew,” you said casually, your tone light.

His head snapped toward you, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and apprehension.

“Don’t worry,” you continued, your voice calm and reassuring. “I’ve stalked you too, Sol.”

“Oh, I keep…”

You shifted closer to him, your smile softening. “I still can’t believe we’re together,” you said quietly, almost as if speaking the words to yourself. “It feels… like a dream.”

Sol’s gaze flicked toward you, his expression unreadable for a moment before he looked away, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. But then, he smiled—a small, shy smile that made your heart ache.

Without thinking, you reached for him, pulling him into a hug. His head rested against your chest, and you let your fingers trail through his damp hair.

“You’re too sweet,” you murmured, your voice teasing but filled with affection.

He didn’t say anything, but the way he melted into your embrace told you everything you needed to know.

You began to toy with his hair, gathering it into your hands and tying it into a loose ponytail. The strands were silky and soft between your fingers, and you couldn’t resist brushing them aside to press a kiss to his forehead.

“Why do you like me?” he asked suddenly, his voice barely above a whisper.

The question caught you off guard, and for a moment, you were silent, your hands stilling in his hair. Then, you smiled, your lips curving into something soft and tender.

“It doesn’t matter,” you said simply, leaning down to press another kiss to his forehead.

He looked up at you, his eyes wide and searching, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he smiled.

Sol settled against you, the closeness between you became almost unbearable. His head rested on your chest, the soft rise and fall of your breathing syncing as though you were two halves of a whole. Slowly, his hand reached out, brushing against yours tentatively at first, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed this level of intimacy.

But when your fingers curled instinctively around his, his hesitation melted. His hand tightened around yours, his thumb brushing softly against your knuckles in a silent reassurance. His warmth radiated into you, and you couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Then, without a word, he shifted slightly. His legs intertwined with yours, his movements slow and careful as if testing the waters. The heat of his skin against yours sent a shiver up your spine, and you had to bite your lip to keep from making a sound.

“Sol,” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

He looked up at you, his eyes soft yet intense, his expression unreadable. His head tilted slightly, and before you could say anything else, he leaned closer. His forehead rested against yours, his damp hair falling slightly over his face.

The way he looked at you, so full of quiet devotion, made your heart race. Your breaths mingled, and the air between you felt thick with something unspoken.

“Is this okay?” he murmured, his voice so soft it was almost a breath.

You didn’t trust your voice, so you nodded, your eyes fluttering shut as you let yourself sink into the moment.

His hand tightened slightly around yours, and his leg shifted, pressing more firmly against yours. The closeness was overwhelming, intoxicating, and you couldn’t help the soft noise that escaped your lips—a quiet, almost inaudible moan that you couldn’t suppress.

Sol froze for a moment, his eyes wide as he pulled back slightly to look at you. His face was flushed, his lips parted in surprise.

“Did you just—?” he began, his voice tinged with both surprise and embarrassment.

You felt your cheeks heat up, and you quickly averted your gaze, trying to brush it off. “Don’t get too cocky,” you muttered, your voice laced with playful annoyance.

But he didn’t let it go. A small, mischievous smile tugged at his lips, and he leaned in closer, his breath warm against your ear. “Was that because of me?”

“What was that sound?” he asked softly, as if he wasn’t sure whether it was intentional or not, but he was enjoying the effect it had on you.

Your heart raced, and you almost cursed yourself for how easily he could reduce you to a mess of emotions. You bit your lip, trying to keep quiet, but it was becoming harder by the second.

His hand slid down to your neck, gently pressing against the sensitive skin there. His thumb stroked over your pulse point, and you couldn’t hold back the soft gasp that escaped your lips.

Sol’s eyes widened slightly as your breath hitched, his grip tightening ever so slightly. “Is that… making you nervous?” he asked, voice dripping with mischief.

You turned your head to the side, avoiding his gaze, but his fingers remained on your neck, steadying you. You felt the tension between you, the way his presence seemed to wrap around you like a gentle, but inescapable, force.

His chuckle rumbled softly in his chest, and you could feel it against your skin as he leaned in once more. “You’re cute when you try to hide it,” he whispered, his breath hot against your ear.

Another involuntary noise slipped from your lips—a soft whimper that you couldn’t control.

Sol’s smirk deepened, and he pulled back just enough to catch your eye. “So sensitive,” he murmured, almost like a revelation. “I didn’t think I’d get you this flustered so easily.”

Your face flushed with embarrassment, but you couldn’t find it in you to pull away from him. You were stuck in a whirlwind of emotions, of desires you didn’t want to face. It was so easy for him to turn your insides into a tangled mess with just a few touches, a few words.

He leaned in again, pressing a soft kiss to your ear, then your jaw, trailing down to your neck. Each kiss was slow, deliberate, and it made your heart beat faster. With every movement, he pushed you closer to the edge of restraint, knowing just how far to go before pulling back.

“You’re making it hard for me to resist,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with longing. “But I think you like this, don’t you?”

“Sol…” you breathed, and you couldn’t help but sound desperate. You hated how easily he had you on the edge, how quickly he could make you lose control of yourself.

He smiled softly, sensing the change in your tone. “You’re mine,” he said, his voice just above a whisper, but it felt like a declaration. His words wrapped around you, and the possessiveness in his voice made your heart race even more.

You couldn’t find words, couldn’t fight the overwhelming desire that was building between you both. You could feel his pulse quicken, his breath becoming more erratic, and you knew that you were both slipping further into something you couldn’t pull back from.

Sol’s hand slid down your back, pulling you closer once more. You gasped, the closeness of your bodies making everything feel more intense, more urgent. You could feel his lips on your skin again, each kiss deeper than the last.

Sol’s fingers danced along your spine, sending tingles through your body with each light caress. He leaned in close, his warm breath ghosting over your ear as he whispered, “I’m going to make you feel so good, Pumpkin.”

His words sent a shiver down your spine, and you let out a soft moan, arching into his touch. Sol chuckled, the vibrations causing your sensitive skin to prickle with delight. “Like that, huh?” he teased, nipping playfully at your earlobe.

His other hand came up to cup your cheek, turning your face towards his. Your lips met in a slow, sensual kiss, tongues dancing together in a heated dance. Sol’s hands roamed your body, tracing the curves of your hips and thighs before sliding up under your hoodie to explore the smooth expanse of your stomach.

“Ah-”

Sol’s fingers trailed lower, dipping beneath the hem of your skirt to brush against the sensitive flesh of your inner thigh. He smiled against your mouth, feeling your muscles tense in anticipation. “Patience, my dear,” he cooed, his breath hot against your skin.

Slowly, deliberately, his hand crept higher, until his fingertips grazed the damp fabric of your panties. You cried out, your hips jerking involuntarily as electric pleasure zapped through you. Sol’s eyes darkened with lust at the sound of your desperation, and he pressed a final, teasing kiss to your lips before pulling back.

“Shh, relax,” he soothed, his voice low and husky. “Let me take care of you.” With a deft motion, he teases your sex, baring you completely to his hungry gaze.

Sol’s eyes gleamed with wicked intent as He raked over your exposed sex, drinking in the sight of your exposed….. Without warning, He dipped between your thighs, spreading you open further for their exploration.

“Ahhh!” you gasped, back arching off the bed as their skilled fingers found your most sensitive spots. They stroke? circled? applying just the right amount of pressure to send waves of ecstasy crashing through you.

Sol’s free hand slid up your body to palm one of your chest, rolling the nipple between his fingers as they continued their relentless assault on your clit. The dual sensations were almost too much to bear, and you felt yourself teetering on the edge of a precipice, desperate for release.

“You’re so responsive,” Sol murmured, their voice a husky growl of approval. “I can’t wait to see you come undone.”

Sol groaned, his fingers faltering in their delicious torment of your clit as you suddenly turned the tables, your small hands wrapping around his neck and pulling him down into a searing kiss. Your tongue dueled with theirs, a playful dominance asserting itself even as your laughter bubbled up from within you.

When you finally broke the kiss, panting and grinning up at Sol, there was a mischievous glint in your eye. “Did you have fun, hmm?” you teased, your fingers trailing down his chest to wrap around the thick length of his erection. Sol’s breath hitched, his hips bucking instinctively into your touch.

“Oh, I think it’s time we even the score,” you giggled, giving his cock a squeeze that made him grunt. Your hands moved with frantic energy, stroking and twisting, exploring every inch of his heated flesh.

Sol’s eyes rolled back in bliss as your skilled hands worked their magic, coaxing his member to full, throbbing hardness. Each stroke sent jolts of electric pleasure coursing through his veins, making him tremble with anticipation.

Your fingers danced along the sensitive underside, teasing the frenulum until it twitched beneath your touch. Then, with a wicked grin, you wrapped your thumb around the head, applying just the right amount of pressure to make him see stars. Sol’s hips jerked erratically, seeking more of your tantalizing friction.

Lost in the haze of lust, he tangled his fingers in your hair, tugging gently as he guided your mouth closer to his aching cock. “Please,” he begged, his voice husky with need. “I want to feel those sweet lips around me.”

Despite Sol’s pleas, you continued to deny him direct contact, instead focusing on tormenting his neck with tender bites and languid kisses. His whimpering only seemed to encourage you, fueling the fire burning within.

With a particularly sharp nip to his jugular, you murmured against his skin, “Not yet, my love. We’re going to take this nice and slow.” Your hot breath ghosted over his pulse point, causing it to race further out of control.

Sol’s body tensed, straining for release even as he knew it was futile. The combination of your teasing touch and maddening kisses had him teetering on the edge, desperate for more. But you remained resolute, determined to draw out his pleasure until he was writhing in ecstasy.

Sol’s breath came in ragged gasps as you toyed with him, your fingers tracing patterns along the shaft of his cock while your lips left a trail of love bites across his throat. Each delicate touch and nip sent shockwaves of desire rippling through him, threatening to shatter his composure.

“Please, Pumpkin,” he whimpered, his voice cracking with desperation. “I can't… I need…”

But you simply chuckled, the vibrations humming against his skin as you peppered his neck with open-mouthed kisses. Your hand slid lower, cupping the heavy weight of his balls and rolling them gently between your fingers.

Sol’s knees nearly buckled at the sensation, his mind clouding with pleasure.

Sol’s body shook like a leaf in a storm as you expertly manipulated his most sensitive areas. The gentle caress of your fingers against his testicles sent waves of euphoria crashing over him, each passing second drawing him closer to the brink of climax.

“Y/n…” he groaned, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so close… Don’t stop, please…”

Despite his urgent pleas, you continued to tease and torment him, refusing to grant him the release he so desperately craved. Your fingers tightened around his balls, applying just the right amount of pressure to keep him hovering on the precipice of orgasm.

Sol’s hips bucked wildly, seeking friction anywhere he could get it. His cock throbbed in your grasp, the head a deep, pulsating purple as it strained towards your palm.

With a sudden, decisive movement, you pulled your hand away from Sol’s aching cock, leaving him bereft and shaking with unfulfilled need. He let out a strangled cry, his body arching off the bed as if trying to follow the path of your retreating fingers.

“No, wait!” Sol pleaded, his voice raw with desperation. “Don’t stop now, please!”

But you merely smiled enigmatically, your gaze locked onto his tortured expression. Slowly, deliberately, you began to remove your clothes, revealing inch after inch of creamy, unblemished skin.

Sol’s eyes widened, drinking in the sight of your naked form. His gaze lingered, the gentle curve of your waist, and the tantalizing hint of your sex peeking out from between your thighs.

Sol watched, transfixed, you slipped out of your remaining garments, leaving yourself bare and beautiful before him. His breath caught in his throat at the breathtaking sight, and he couldn’t help but drool slightly in anticipation.

But instead of closing the distance and indulging in the carnal delights offered, you suddenly adopted a playful, domineering tone. “Now, pet, it’s time for your punishment,” you declared, a wicked gleam in your eye.

Without warning, you grasped Sol’s wrists and pinned them above his head, holding him in place with an iron grip. “Be a good boy and accept what’s coming to you,” you cooed, your voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Leaning in close, you whispered hotly against his ear, “Good boy, Sol. Such a naughty, needy little pup, aren’t you?”

Sol’s eyes widened in confusion and frustration as you giggled, the sound like music to his ears despite the torment you were inflicting upon him. “What…what are you doing?” he stammered, his chest heaving with exertion.

Just as he thought you might finally give in to his desperate needs, you leaned down and wrapped your fingers around his throbbing cock once more. Sol’s back arched off the bed, a guttural moan escaping his lips as your warm touch enveloped him.

But then, you spoke, your voice low and commanding. “Remember, pet, you’re not allowed to cum. Not until I say so.”

Sol’s mind reeled, struggling to comprehend the twisted game you were playing. His body, however, responded instinctively, already tensing and preparing for the inevitable release.

Sol’s world tilted on its axis as your plush lips closed around the head of his cock, your tongue darting out to lick the sensitive underside. He cried out, his fingers digging into the sheets as he fought the urge to thrust deeper into the heavenly warmth of your mouth.

“P-pumpkin, oh god, yes!” he gasped, his voice a hoarse whisper. “More, please, I need…”

But even as the plea left his lips, you pulled back, denying him the intense pleasure he so desperately craved. Your lips hovered just inches from his aching flesh, and you looked up at him with a mischievous glint in your eye.

“Not yet, pet,” you purred, your breath ghosting over his sensitive tip. “We’re going to take this slow and savor every moment.”

With a sly smile, you resumed your sensual assault on Sol’s cock, lavishing attention on the throbbing length with your lips, tongue, and teeth. Each kiss, each lap of your tongue, sent jolts of electricity coursing through his veins, driving him closer to the edge.

Your hands roamed his body, exploring every contour and crevice with a hungry curiosity. Fingers danced across his nipples, tweaking and tugging until they pebbled beneath your touch. Lower still, you traced the lines of his abs, dipping into his navel before continuing downward to tease the sensitive skin behind his balls.

Sol’s moans grew louder, more desperate, as you worked him over with skillful precision. His hips bucked reflexively, seeking more of your tantalizing touches, but you held firm, maintaining control over the pace of his pleasure.

“Please, Y/n, I can't… It’s too much,” he begged, his voice breaking on a sob. “Hurry, make me cum, I need it so badly!”

Sol’s entire being was consumed by the overwhelming sensations coursing through him. His muscles clenched and released in rhythmic spasms, searching for purchase as his mind fogged with lust. Whimpers and gasps spilled from his lips, punctuating the air with his desperate need for release.

Despite his impassioned pleas, you continued your deliberate, torturous pace. Your mouth slid up and down his shaft, coating it in saliva as you hummed a seductive melody against his sensitive skin. Meanwhile, your fingers pressed insistently against his virgin hole, coaxing it open ever so slightly.

Sol’s vision blurred, his senses overwhelmed by the dual stimuli.

Just as Sol was about to surrender to the impending orgasm, you abruptly ceased all contact, leaving him aching and empty. He whined in protest, his hips jerking erratically as he struggled to process the sudden withdrawal of pleasure.

“No, no, no!” you chided gently, your voice a soothing balm amidst the turmoil. “Not yet, my love. We have to hold it for me, okay?”

Sol’s gaze snapped to yours, desperation etched across his features. “But why?….” he asked, his words slurring together in his haste to understand.

You reached out, cupping his cheek tenderly. “Because I want to see how far we can push ourselves, darling. How deep our love can go when we’re willing to explore the darkest, most forbidden corners of desire.”

With a sultry smirk, you returned to worshipping Sol’s cock, your lips sealing around the swollen head once more. He groaned, his fingers tangling in your hair as you began to suckle him with renewed vigor.

Your tongue swirled around the sensitive crown, lapping up the precum that had begun to leak in response to your teasing. The taste of his arousal filled your mouth, a heady elixir that only served to heighten your own desire.

You bobbed your head along his length, your free hand resumed its exploration of Sol’s body. Fingers trailed down his stomach, circling his navel before delving lower to stroke the delicate skin behind his testicles.

Sol’s thighs trembled, his legs falling open wider in invitation.

Sol’s body was a living, breathing flame, every inch of him burning with need as you continued to worship his cock with your skilled mouth. Your lips and tongue worked in perfect harmony, drawing out moans and whimpers of pure bliss from his tortured soul.

The sensation of your fingers dancing across his skin, tracing patterns of pleasure, only added fuel to the inferno raging within him. His hips rocked involuntarily, seeking more of your tantalizing touch, even as he struggled to maintain control over his rapidly unraveling composure.

“fuck, your mouth feels incredible,” Sol gasped, his voice strained with the effort of holding back his climax. “I don’t know how much longer I can… Ahh, god, yes, just like that!”

Sol’s cries of pleasure echoed through the room, a symphony of desperation and need. His body shook like a leaf, every muscle tensed and coiled as he teetered on the precipice of ecstasy. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, his vision blurring with the intensity of his emotions.

“Oh, please, I can't… I’m going to…!” he wailed, his voice high-pitched and trembling. The pitiful sounds of his sobs and whimpers mingled with the wet slap of your lips on his cock, creating a perverse harmony of lust and anguish.

“Now, Sol, give it to me,” you commanded softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “Cum for me, my love.”

At your words, Sol’s control shattered. With a hoarse cry, he exploded, his hot seed spurting into your eagerly waiting mouth. You swallowed every drop, relishing the salty-sweet taste of his release as it coated your tongue.

Sol’s orgasm subsided, you released his softening cock from your lips with a gentle pop. A shiver ran through you at the sight of his spent form, his chest heaving with exertion. Almost imperceptibly, a whimper escaped your own lips, a sound of raw, unbridled desire that seemed to come from the very depths of your being.

Sol stared at you in awe, his glazed eyes drinking in the sight of your cum-streaked lips and flushed cheeks. A soft, dazed murmur escaped his lips as he tried to process the intensity of what had just transpired between you.

“That was… incredible,” he breathed, his voice shaky and laced with wonder. “Seeing you take my cum like that, smiling at me with your mouth still full of it…”

He trailed off, his gaze fixating on your tongue as it lazily licked across your lower lip, cleaning away the remnants of his essence. The erotic display sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through Sol’s veins, leaving him feeling weak and utterly spent.

His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the bed, his body limp and pliant beneath the covers.

Sol lay there, lost in the aftermath of his intense climax, you crawled onto the bed beside him, your movements slow and sensual. You leaned in close, your warm breath ghosting across his skin as you whispered huskily in his ear.

Your hand drifted down his torso, tracing the contours of his abdomen before dipping lower to brush against the sensitive flesh of his inner thigh. Sol’s eyelids fluttered shut, a soft sigh escaping his parted lips as he surrendered to your touch.

Sol’s senses were overwhelmed by the intoxicating aroma of your skin, the scent of your very essence enveloping him like a comforting embrace. It was a fragrance unlike anything else, a unique blend that spoke directly to his soul, igniting a primal hunger within him.

His nostrils flared, drawing in deeper breaths as he inhaled the heady musk. It was a smell that made his heart race, his pulse pound, and his loins throb with desperate need. This was the scent of his soulmate, the one thing capable of reducing him to a panting, whimpering mess.

Sol groaned, his voice thick with lust. “Your smell is driving me crazy. I need to bury my face in you, to lose myself in it forever.”

With a wicked grin, you pressed closer, allowing Sol to breathe in your scent more deeply. His hands instinctively reached for you, eager to pull you flush against his heated body, but you deftly evaded his grasp, trailing your fingers along his skin instead.

In an instant, you found yourself on your back, Sol looming above you with a triumphant glint in his eye. His hands pinned your wrists to the mattress, holding you in place as he towered over your prone form.

“What did you expect, Ame?” he growled, his voice low and menacing. “After the way you tormented me today, leaving me a sobbing, cum-drunk mess, you thought you could escape retribution?”

Sol’s free hand slid down your stomach, his fingers tracing the curve of your hip before dipping lower, seeking the heat between your thighs. You shivered, a gasp escaping your lips his touch sending jolts of electricity through your nervous system.

“You deserve this, every tease and taunt coming back tenfold,”

Your eyes widened in shock. You squirmed beneath him, trying to wriggle free from his grip, but he held fast, his gaze burning into yours with a fierce intensity.

“No, wait!” you stammered, your voice trembling with a mix of fear and arousal. “I didn’t mean it like that, I swear! I just…got carried away, okay? It wasn’t supposed to lead to this!”

Sol’s expression softened slightly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he listened to your frantic protests. He released your wrists, allowing you to move, but only to slide his hand further up your thigh, pushing your skirt higher in the process.

“Oh, I think it’s exactly what you wanted,” he countered, his tone gentle yet persuasive.

“Don’t try to deny it, Pumpkin,” Sol murmured, his fingers brushing against the damp lace of your panties. “Your body’s reaction tells a different story. You’re just as desperate for this as I am.”

Without waiting for a response, Sol leaned down, his hot breath fanning over your sensitive flesh as he pressed open-mouthed kisses along your inner thigh. Each tender touch sent sparks racing up your spine, leaving you quivering and aching for more.

“Sol…” you whimpered, your hips bucking involuntarily as his warm breath ghosted over your most intimate area. The sudden onslaught of sensations had your mind reeling, thoughts scattering like leaves in a storm.

“It’s not fair, I swear!” you managed to gasp out between moans, even as your body betrayed your words, arching into Sol’s ministrations. “We were just…playing around, having fun! This isn’t part of the game!”

Despite your protests, your fingers threaded through Sol’s hair, urging him closer, silently begging for more of that exquisite torture. The conflicting emotions warring within you - guilt, excitement, need - created a dizzying cocktail that left you breathless and helpless beneath his skilled touch.

Sol chuckled darkly, the vibrations sending shivers down your spine as he continued his sensual assault. “Oh, but it feels so good, doesn’t it?” he purred, his tongue darting out to taste your essence, savoring the tangy sweetness of your arousal.

You cried out, your back bowing off the bed as Sol worked you open, claiming you as his own.

“That’s it, ” he coaxed, his voice a seductive rumble. “Let me in, let me make you mine.”

You felt your mind clouding, thoughts fragmenting into nothingness. All that remained was the intense pleasure coursing through your veins, the overwhelming urge to surrender completely to the man dominating your body.

“Y-yes, Sol, please,” you begged, your voice barely recognizable, consumed by a possessive fervor. “Make me yours, fill me up, mark me as your own!”

In your haze, you couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else experiencing Sol’s touch, his passion. The very idea sent a surge of jealous rage through your bloodstream, fueling your desperation to claim him just as fiercely.

“I’m yours, only yours,” you declared, your nails raking down Sol’s back as you pulled him closer, crushing your mouth to his in a bruising kiss.

Sol groaned into the kiss, his tongue plundering your mouth with wild abandon as he drove his fingers deeper, hitting that sweet spot within you that made stars explode behind your eyelids. Your body convulsed, a scream tearing from your throat as the first wave of your climax crashed over you.

But Sol wasn’t done yet. He withdrew his fingers, leaving you empty and aching, before replacing them with his thick cock. With a single powerful thrust, he buried himself to your aching hole, stretching you wide around his girth.

“Ahhh fuck, you feel incredible,” he rasped, his hips beginning to piston in and out at a relentless pace. “So tight, so perfect. Mine.”

he pounded into you, Sol’s hands gripped your hips hard enough to leave bruises, marking you as his territory.

“Please, Sol, harder!” you pleaded, your voice ragged with desire and something deeper, more primal. “Fill me up, make me yours forever!”

With a guttural growl, Sol obliged, his thrusts becoming brutal and unrelenting as he chased his own release. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, punctuated by your cries of ecstasy.

Just as Sol’s movements became erratic, signaling his impending climax, he paused, his cock still buried deep within you. He cupped your face in his hands, forcing you to meet his intense gaze.

You were lost in the throes of passion, your body writhing beneath Sol’s, when his movements suddenly halted. Confused, you opened your eyes to find him staring intently at you, his piercing gaze searching your features.

“Y/n..” he prompted, his voice low and urgent. “Will we make a good family, together always?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with meaning, until the shrill ring of a phone shattered the moment. Sol cursed under his breath, pulling out of you and reaching for the device on the nightstand.

You watched, bewildered, as he answered the call, his expression darkening with each passing second. His jaw clenched, and a vein pulsed in his temple, betraying his growing anger.

“Who is it?” you finally managed to ask, though you already suspected the answer based on Sol’s reaction.

Sol ended the call abruptly, tossing the phone aside with a snarl. He turned to you, his eyes blazing with a fierce, possessive light.

“Crowe,” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “Thinks he can just call here, now? After everything? Didn’t you stop talking to him? Why is he bothering you..?”

Before you could respond, Sol’s lips crashed against your neck, biting down hard enough to draw blood. You gasped, a mix of pain and pleasure coursing through you as he claimed you once more.

Sol’s jealousy was palpable, a living thing that wrapped around you both, squeezing tight. In that moment, you reveled in it, in the knowledge that Crowe’s interference had sparked such a raw, primal reaction in your lover.

“You’re mine,” Sol growled against your skin, his teeth scraping lightly over the wound he’d inflicted.

Sol’s grip on your waist tightened, his fingers digging into your flesh as he held you close, his hot breath fanning over your ear. “He thinks he can have you, after all this time? After everything I’ve done for you?”

His voice was a low, menacing purr, laced with dark promise. You could practically feel the obsessive hunger radiating off him, the sheer intensity of his desire to keep you, to possess you utterly.

“Hmmm? Only you of course! But you’re jealous thats so cute!!”

Sol’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light at your teasing words, a low growl rumbling in his chest. He captured your mouth in a searing kiss, his tongue invading, staking his claim.

When he broke away, his lips curled into a smirk, a hint of fang visible. “Cute? You think my jealousy is cute?”

His hand slid up your ribcage, fingers closing around your throat in a gentle but unmistakable grasp. “I’ll show you cute,” he purred, leaning in close. “I’ll worship every inch of you, until you’re begging me to stop.”

Sol’s breath washed over your face, You felt yourself melting into his touch, your body responding eagerly to his dark promises.

Sol cupped your cheeks, but his eyes never left yours, burning with an intensity that made your heart race. “You want my obsession,” he whispered, his voice low and husky. “You want to be consumed by it, to feel like you’re the only thing that matters in this world?”

Without waiting for a response, he captured your lips again, kissing you with a ferocity that stole your breath. His hands roamed your body, touching you everywhere at once, claiming every curve and contour as his own.

Sol’s teeth scraped against your bottom lip, tugging gently before soothing the sting with his tongue. He explored your mouth with renewed urgency, as if trying to map every inch of you, to memorize the taste and feel of you.

Breaking the kiss, Sol pressed his forehead against yours, his breathing ragged.

Sol’s eyes gleamed with a manic intensity, a crazed devotion that sent shivers down your spine. He leaned in closer, his nose brushing against yours as he spoke in a fervent whisper.

“I love you, I love you so much it hurts. Every breath I take is for you, every heartbeat, every thought.” His hands framed your face, thumbs stroking your cheekbones with a tender reverence that belied the wildness in his gaze.

“You’re my everything, my reason for existing. Without you, there’s nothing. No purpose, no joy, no life.” Sol’s voice cracked, emotion raw and exposed. “I’d do anything for you, kill anyone who tries to take you from me and I’m yours, forever and always.”

Sol’s declaration hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his all-consuming love. He pulled back slightly, his fingers trailing down your neck, leaving a path of tingling heat in their wake.

With that, Sol’s mouth descended upon yours once more, kissing you with a desperate hunger. His hands roamed your body, kneading your flesh, claiming you as his own.

Sol’s gaze drifted down to your exposed neck, his eyes darkening with primal desire. Without hesitation, he leaned in, his teeth grazing the tender skin before sinking in just enough to leave a mark. A claim, a brand, a promise of possession.

He repeated this ritual along your collarbone and shoulder, each nip and suckle punctuating his devotion. Your skin prickled with goosebumps, a mix of pleasure and trepidation as you felt his love etched into your flesh.

Finally, Sol’s attention turned to your inner thigh, his mouth seeking out the delicate skin just above your knee. He nuzzled and kissed the area, his tongue darting out to taste the saltiness of your sweat before closing his lips around the tender flesh and sucking gently.

Before you could react, Sol shifted positions, pinning you beneath him. He ground his hips against yours, the thick length of his cock…

Without warning, he pushed forward, breaching your tight entrance with a single, forceful thrust. You cried out, shocked by the sudden intrusion, your body struggling to accommodate his girth.

Sol didn’t pause, not even for a moment. He began to move, his powerful thrusts driving him deeper into your willing depths. The burn was intense, but you welcomed it, reveling in the feeling of being so thoroughly possessed.

“Fuck, You feel so good”

“Sol, you keep teasing me- This isn’t fair..” you wailed, tears of pleasure streaming down your face as Sol continued to pound into you with ruthless abandon. Each brutal thrust sent shockwaves of ecstasy through your body, your walls clenching around his invading length.

Despite your protests, you couldn’t deny the intense arousal building within you. Your moans grew louder, more wanton, as your body surrendered to the overwhelming sensations.

Sol’s hands gripped your hips, holding you steady as he drove himself deeper, chasing his release. “Fair? Life isn’t fair, Ame,” he panted, his breath hot against your ear. “But I’ll make you mine, completely, irrevocably. And you’ll love every minute of it.”

His words ignited a fire within you

Sol’s thrusts grew more erratic, his hips snapping forward with a primal urgency as he chased his impending orgasm.

With a guttural roar, he buried himself to the hilt, his seed erupting deep within your quivering passage. The sensation of him filling you, marking you as his, sent you spiraling further into rapture.

Sol quickly adjusted your position, flipping you onto your stomach and pulling your hips back to present yourself to him. He settled between your spread thighs, the head of his still-hard cock nudging insistently at your dripping entrance.

Without preamble, he surged forward, burying himself to the hilt in one powerful thrust. A low groan escaped him as he savored the tight heat enveloping his length, your inner walls clinging to him like a velvet vice.

He began to move, his thrusts deep and deliberate, each stroke driving him impossibly farther into your core. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the air, punctuated by your muffled moans and gasps.

Sol’s hands roamed your back, fingernails digging into your flesh as he claimed you, owning every inch of you.

With a gentleness that contrasted with his earlier passion, Sol’s movements became languid and measured. He savoring each slide of his engorged length within your welcoming warmth, relishing the way your slick channel adapted to his shape.

He rocked slowly into you, Sol’s fingertips traced tantalizing patterns along your spine, sending shivers down your nerves. His breath tickled your ear, his murmurs of affection weaving a spell of tranquility around you.

“Don’t tense up,” he cooed, his tone soothing. “Just relax and let me in. I promise I’ll take care of you, make it good for you.”

His hips undulated in a sensual rhythm, the subtle grind of his pelvis against your buttocks sparking pleasant friction.

With a final, brutal thrust, Sol buried himself to the hilt, his cock pulsing as he released a torrent of hot semen deep inside you. Your body clenched around him, milking his shaft for every last drop as you both trembled on the brink of ecstasy.

Sol pulled out of you with a wet squelch, his spent cock glistening with your combined fluids. He turned you over, his hands roaming your curves possessively as he positioned himself between your thighs once more.

“Again,” he growled, his eyes blazing with unquenchable hunger. “I won’t stop until you’re screaming my name and begging for mercy.”

With that, he plunged back into your waiting heat, his renewed erection stretching you open once more. Your legs wrapped around his waist, ankles locking at the small of his back as you met his thrusts with equal fervor.

“Ahhh, yes!” you cried out, your nails digging into Sol’s shoulders as he pounded into you with unrelenting ferocity. “Harder, Sol, please!”

A high-pitched keen tore from your throat as Sol’s precise aim sent shockwaves of pleasure radiating through your entire being. Your inner walls fluttered and clenched around his pistoning cock, trying desperately to draw him in deeper.

Sol’s response was to redouble his efforts, fucking you with a wild abandon that bordered on feral. The sound of skin slapping against skin and your wanton moans created a filthy cacophony that only served to spur him on.

With a final, earth-shattering thrust, Sol buried himself to the hilt, his cock throbbing violently as he emptied himself inside you once more.

With a playful smirk, you reached up to toy with the delicate silver studs piercing Sol’s nipples. Your fingers danced across the metal, tracing the ridges and points, sending sparks of pleasure shooting straight to his already sensitive cock.

“Mmm, do you like that?” you purred, your breath hot against his chest as you leaned in close. “Feeling my touch on your pretty piercings?”

Sol let out a low groan, his hips bucking involuntarily as your teasing fingers sent jolts of electricity coursing through his body. “Pumpkin-,” he gasped, his voice thick with need. “Keep doing that and I might just come again.”

Sol’s eyes rolled back, a guttural moan escaping his lips as you continued to torment his sensitive nipples with your clever fingers. The combination of your touch and the gentle tugging on the piercings proved to be his undoing.

“I can't…fuck, I’m gonna…” he warned, his words trailing off into a strangled cry as his orgasm hit him like a freight train.

His cock jerked and spasmed, painting your stomach with streaks of hot cum as wave after wave of intense pleasure washed over him. You watched, mesmerized, as Sol came undone in your arms, his body shaking with the force of his release.

When the aftershocks finally subsided, Sol collapsed against you, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. “That was…incredible,”

………After some time.

The aftermath of your shared intimacy left Sol visibly glowing, his cheeks tinted with a gentle pink hue that added to his already endearing expression. He nestled his face into the crook of your neck, sighing contentedly as his arms looped tightly around you. His touch was firm yet tender, a silent plea to stay close.

“You’re so good to me,” he murmured against your skin, his voice soft and dripping with affection.

You smiled, your fingers gently threading through his damp hair, brushing away any lingering strands clinging to his forehead. His vulnerability in moments like this was a stark contrast to the teasing and reserved Sol you’d come to adore. Here, he was open, raw, and so utterly lovable it made your chest ache.

“I love you like this, Sol,” you whispered, pressing a feather-light kiss to his temple. His arms tightened slightly around you in response, and you could feel his heart racing against yours.

Still wrapped in his warmth, you coaxed him to lay back, sitting beside him on the bed. “Let me take care of you,” you offered with a mischievous smile that made his blush deepen. He tried to glance away, but you caught his face gently, guiding his gaze back to yours.

“You always take such good care of me,” he murmured, his tone laced with shyness.

As you began tending to him, your touch was deliberate and soft, showing your affection with every small gesture. You wiped his face with a warm cloth, pressing soft kisses to his forehead and cheeks after each gentle stroke. His eyes fluttered shut, and he leaned into every touch, his lips parting slightly with a breathy sigh.

“You’re glowing,” you teased, earning a soft chuckle from him.

He opened his eyes slightly, still hazy with warmth and affection. “That’s because of you,” he replied earnestly, making your cheeks flush.

You shifted, positioning yourself to better reach him. He lay still, watching you with an almost reverent gaze as you kissed his shoulder, letting your lips linger to reassure him without words. You traced the outline of his arm with your fingers before pulling him closer.

“You’re perfect,” you said softly, meeting his gaze. The sincerity in your tone made his eyes widen before he hid his face in your chest, groaning softly.

“Stop saying things like that,” he mumbled, his voice muffled but undeniably affectionate.

“Why?” you teased, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. “Because you know it’s true?”

He groaned again, this time hiding his reddened ears. “Because you’re going to spoil me.”

“I already do,” you replied without missing a beat. “And I’m not stopping anytime soon.”

He let out a soft laugh, his body finally relaxing completely against yours. You took the opportunity to pull him back onto the bed, cradling him as you traced lazy patterns along his back. His breathing slowed, and for a moment, the world outside of your shared space didn’t matter.

Sol was practically glowing, his usual composed demeanor entirely replaced by something softer, something utterly endearing. A wide, boyish grin spread across his face as he buried himself into the crook of your neck, arms wrapped tightly around your waist like he couldn’t bear to let go. His warmth radiated against you, his breaths slow and content as he nuzzled closer.

“You’re so warm,” he murmured, his voice muffled against your skin. You could feel the slight curve of his smile pressing against you, making your chest tighten with affection.

“Look who’s talking,” you teased gently, running your fingers through his hair. It was soft to the touch, and he leaned into your hand like a cat seeking affection. “You’re practically burning up.”

“That’s your fault,” he shot back playfully, his cheeks darkening despite the confident tone. He shifted to look up at you, his glowing smile giving way to something more bashful as his gaze flickered between your eyes and lips. “You make me like this.”

You couldn’t help but smile, your hand cupping his cheek as you pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Good,” you whispered against his skin, savoring the way he shivered at your words. “I like you like this.”

The comment made his ears flush bright red, and he hid his face in your neck again, letting out a muffled groan. “You’re unfair,” he mumbled, though you could feel his grin widening against your skin.

“Me? Unfair?” you replied, feigning innocence as you trailed your hands down his back in slow, soothing motions. “You’re the one clinging to me like this.”

“Because I don’t want to let go,” he admitted softly, his vulnerability catching you off guard. He tilted his head just enough to look at you, his half-lidded gaze brimming with affection. “I feel safe like this. With you.”

Your heart swelled, and you leaned down to press a soft kiss to his lips. It wasn’t hurried or passionate, but something slower, deeper—full of all the unspoken emotions you couldn’t put into words. When you pulled away, his grin was even wider, his expression utterly smitten.

“See?” you said softly, brushing your thumb against his cheek. “You’re glowing.”

“You keep saying that,” he murmured, but the way he hid his face against your chest again betrayed how much he loved hearing it.

You chuckled, cradling him as he melted further into your arms. “That’s because it’s true.” Your hands resumed their gentle path along his back, tracing small circles that made him sigh in pure contentment.

After a small bath, You had to pull Sol. He said he didn’t mind being covered..in whatever. You pushed him to the bathroom.

Sol was focused on the soup, carefully stirring the pot with a steady hand. The steam curled up around his face, his usual sharp features softened in the kitchen’s warm glow. You sat on the counter nearby, swinging your legs lightly as you watched him with a mischievous grin. He looked so domestic like this, a stark contrast to his usual composed self, and you couldn’t help but want to mess with him just a little.

Leaning forward, you reached out and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. His hand froze mid-stir, his body stiffening for a moment as his ears turned red. “W-What are you doing?” he mumbled, not looking at you but clearly flustered.

“Nothing,” you replied innocently, already leaning in again. This time, you aimed for his jaw, letting your lips linger just long enough to make him squirm.

“Y/N…” he said quietly, his voice shaky but lacking any real resistance. He finally turned his head slightly, his dark eyes meeting yours, wide and full of embarrassment. “I’m cooking.”

“I can see that,” you teased, your grin widening as you kissed the corner of his mouth. “But you’re also very kissable right now.”

He flinched again, his grip on the spoon tightening as he tried to keep his composure. “You’re not making this easy,” he muttered under his breath, though his lips twitched upward in a small, shy smile.

You chuckled, leaning back slightly to give him a moment of reprieve. “Need anything?” you asked, feigning nonchalance as you played with the hem of your shirt.

“Pepper,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He still wasn’t looking at you directly, but the blush on his cheeks was impossible to miss.

“Pepper, huh?” you repeated with a smirk. Hopping off the counter, you made your way to the spice rack, grabbing the pepper and handing it to him with a flourish. “Anything else, Chef Sol?”

He sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he took the pepper from you. “You’re too much,” he said, but there was no malice in his tone. If anything, he sounded amused, even fond.

“Too much for you to handle?” you teased, leaning closer once more. This time, you kissed the shell of his ear, your breath warm against his skin. He shivered, his hand faltering as he almost dropped the pepper.

“Y/N…” he whispered, his voice somewhere between a warning and a plea. “I need to finish this.”

“Fine, fine,” you said, stepping back with a dramatic sigh. “I’ll behave. For now.”

The kitchen was filled with the comforting scent of the soup, the two of you sitting at the table, sipping from your bowls. The warmth of the meal matched the warmth between you both, and as you took a small spoonful, you couldn’t help but smile at the taste.

“This is really good,” you said, eyes bright as you looked over at Sol. He glanced up at you, a soft smile on his lips, but he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, gazing at you more than the food.

His face was still flushed, his dark eyes following your every movement. He looked so content in the moment, so at peace, and it made your heart flutter.

“You’re smiling,” you said playfully, raising an eyebrow. “I think you’re happy about my approval.”

He shifted his gaze slightly, his cheeks still rosy as he lowered his spoon. “I’m happy you like it,” he said softly, his voice just barely above a whisper. “I wanted to make it perfect for you.”

You couldn’t help but beam at him, warmth spreading through your chest. “You always go out of your way for me,” you teased, “I think that’s pretty cute.”

The words tumbled out of your mouth before you even had a chance to stop them, but they felt right. You leaned in, setting your bowl down as you placed a hand over his on the table. “You know, we should just get married,” you said with a playful smirk, tilting your head slightly. “We should just be together forever. Don’t you think?”

Sol froze for a moment, his eyes going wide, before his gaze flicked away. His cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of pink, and you could see his fingers twitch slightly where they rested on the table. “What… what?” he stammered, clearly flustered but not outright rejecting the idea. “W-We don’t have to—”

“No, no!” You laughed, teasing him further. “I was just joking. But, wouldn’t it be fun?” You winked, nudging him playfully with your shoulder. “I can already imagine us together forever, making soup for each other, and you cooking for me every night.”

His face was so red now, his expression a mix of surprise, embarrassment, and something else—something deeper that he wasn’t quite ready to admit. “I… I didn’t mean to… I wasn’t…” His words stumbled over themselves, and you could tell he was too flustered to finish his sentence.

But, seeing him like that made you feel a warmth deep in your heart. You couldn’t help but smile more, your eyes softening as you looked at him. “You’re so cute,” you said gently, your voice full of affection. “You know that, right?”

Sol finally looked up at you, a nervous laugh escaping his lips as he tried to compose himself. “I’m not cute,” he muttered, still trying to look away, but his smile betrayed him.

“Yes, you are,” you replied, leaning in just a little closer, your voice soft and loving. “You’re ridiculously cute, Sol.”

His breath caught for a moment, his cheeks still burning with embarrassment as he finally managed to meet your gaze. “You’re the one who’s… making me feel like this,” he mumbled, shaking his head in a failed attempt to hide his smile. “I’m not used to this…”

You let out a soft laugh, feeling your heart swell with affection for him. “It’s okay,” you whispered, your voice low and soothing. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are.”

Sol’s blush didn’t fade, but there was a small, shy grin tugging at his lips as he looked at you. “You’re making me all mushy,” he admitted, his voice a little more tender than before.

A rush of warmth spread through your chest at his words, and you couldn’t stop the smile that broke out across your face. “I think I’m already there,” you whispered back, your heart racing as you reached over to hold his hand, feeling the softness of his skin under yours.

You thought teasing him, pushing him just a little further, might reveal that obsession lurking beneath Sol’s shy demeanor. Maybe you’d catch a glimpse of his desperation, his possessiveness—the part of him that craved you so deeply it bordered on uncontainable. Instead, what you saw was a smile.

Not just any smile. It was as bright as the sun, as if the entire weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders. His eyes shimmered, brimming with emotion, and before you could even process it, he was crying.

“You’re…” his voice cracked, trembling with overwhelming sincerity. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

His words hit you like a bolt of lightning. For a moment, your heart froze, and your yandere-like thoughts—the need to possess him, to keep him yours and only yours—shattered into something else entirely. Something soft. Something pure.

Your lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, tears welled up in your eyes, spilling over faster than you could stop them. A choked sob escaped your throat as you lunged forward, wrapping your arms tightly around him.

“Sol…” you whimpered, burying your face into his chest as you began to cry in earnest. The tears wouldn’t stop. You were overwhelmed—by his words, his vulnerability, his love. All of it crashed into you at once, leaving you raw and open in a way you hadn’t expected.

“Hey, hey,” Sol stammered, startled by your reaction. He wrapped his arms around you instinctively, holding you close as his own tears quietly slipped down his cheeks. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” His voice was soft, full of concern, and he rubbed small circles on your back as you clung to him.

You couldn’t answer right away, too caught up in the storm of emotions swirling inside you. All you could do was clutch him tighter, sobbing into his shirt as he held you like you were the most precious thing in the world.

Finally, you managed to speak, your voice muffled and shaky. “I… I don’t know. I just… I’m so happy, Sol. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you.”

“Don’t say that,” he whispered, his voice firm but tender. He pulled back just enough to tilt your face up to meet his gaze, his thumbs gently wiping away your tears. His eyes were red-rimmed, but they shone with a love so pure it took your breath away. “You deserve everything, everything, and more. Don’t you dare think otherwise.”

His words made you cry harder, and he only hugged you tighter, resting his chin on top of your head as you both stayed there, locked in each other’s embrace. You could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against your cheek, grounding you, soothing you.

“I love you,” you finally whispered, the words slipping out between quiet sobs. “I love you so much it hurts.”

“I love you too,” he murmured, his voice filled with so much raw emotion that it sent a shiver down your spine. “More than anything. You’re my everything.”

The two of you stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, holding each other as your tears slowly dried….

It’s up to you to think if you want to love him.

I hope you know “Me��- me?

#sol x reader #solivan brugmansia #the kid at the back sol #the kid at the back sol x reader #the kid at the back vn #tkatb #tkatb sol #tkatb vn #tkatb x reader #tkatb smut #tkatb sol x reader #the kid at the back smut #tkatb sol smut

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thoughtfultyrantlove · 3 days ago

Text

I LOOK FOR YOU IN EVERYTHING ft. geto suguru

you navigate a world hollowed by loss, where memories haunt every corner, and healing emerges through the smallest, most fragile moments of possibility.

contents→ sashisu and reader (though hints at past suguru/reader), gn!reader, angst angst angst, slight comfort, canon au, slow healing, reader is numb and introspective, themes of isolation and yearning, reader is struggling but determined to survive!!! shoko and satoru are here for reader! yumi is back!!! (those who know, know), again very introspective!!! emotional depth and a hint at a hopeful ending (not really...)

word count→ 6.5k

ring. ring. ring.

the sound cuts through the fragile veil of unconsciousness, sharp and relentless. it claws at your skin, dragging you into the waking world—a place heavy with a melancholy so profound it feels tangible. a gray weight presses against your chest, sinking into your very bones.

the alarm screams beside you, shrill and insistent:

get up. get up.

each piercing note feels like an accusation, a grating companion to the misery of morning.

your hand moves on instinct, silencing it with a clumsy slap. the motion is mechanical, practiced—an unthinking ritual repeated countless times. the sting of impact lingers in your palm.

ouch.

poor little device—it’s only doing its job, though it always seems angry with you.

but today, this rickety clock isn’t the only one disapproving of your existence.

you feel it before you see it—grief, your ever-faithful companion. its presence burns against your back like a silent glare, scorching and unyielding. you don’t need to turn around to know it’s there. it waits patiently on the windowsill, a shadowy warden poised to deliver its daily sentence.

watching.

waiting.

your eyes flutter open slowly, reluctantly.

the fan spins overhead, its steady rhythm a monotonous backdrop to your morning—a soft hum that fills the silence but offers no comfort. shadows dance lazily across the ceiling, tracing patterns that feel both familiar and foreign.

the space beside you is hollow.

emptier than usual.

no warmth lingers there—no soft breathing or steady heartbeat to ground you in the present. it’s a void that aches like an old wound reopened—a constant reminder of what you’ve lost and what will never return.

even your cat is absent this morning. she isn’t here to paw at you impatiently, to demand breakfast or break through the oppressive quiet with her small but insistent presence. her scent lingers faintly in the sheets—an apparition of comfort teasing you with the illusion that she might still be around the corner.

but she isn’t.

a sigh escapes your lips—heavy and unspoken, carrying something too fragile to name aloud. your lashes flutter as you blink away the remnants of sleep clinging stubbornly to your consciousness. your back presses into the resisting embrace of your sheets, letting the silken touch hold you momentarily against the tide of reality.

your gaze drifts upward to the ceiling above—a landscape carved with grooves and imperfections that frown down at you in silent judgment. each line feels like a scar etched into plaster—a testament to moments suspended in time, memories that refuse to fade no matter how desperately you try to erase them.

a lump rises in your throat—thick and unyielding—but you swallow it down and turn toward the window instead.

at least out there, there’s some semblance of calm.

birds chirp faintly in the distance; wind whistles through unseen cracks in buildings long weathered by time. once upon a time, this symphony might have stirred something inside you—joy or wonder or even just a fleeting sense of peace.

but now?

now it stirs nothing but irritation—a low-burning resentment at how casually indifferent the world remains to your grief.

stuck in this haze of anticipation, reality creeps closer—gentle yet devastating—and dissolves what little comfort remains holding together your fragile sanity. cruel on its part, really.

you close your eyes again shutting out the light hoping everything else follows suit.

and then…

you hear it...

footsteps echo down the hallway—confident and deliberate, each step loud enough to shatter what little peace lingers in this not-so-peaceful sanctuary of yours.

the external world.

it barges in without invitation—the memory of yesterday’s voicemail from your mother reverberating through your mind like an unwelcome guest:

“you haven’t been taking care of yourself,” she’d said.

her voice carries disappointment like a blade—not sharp enough to cut but heavy enough to bruise.

the accusation lingers in the air now, mingling with the familiar tightness coiling around your chest—the weight of unmet expectations pressing down on you like an invisible hand.

this is all my fault, whispers a voice inside your head—a voice that sounds suspiciously like every criticism you’ve ever internalized.

you remember how the universe turned away from you a long time ago—how gloomy skies swallowed a black-haired figure lost among an indifferent sea of faces. there was no acknowledgment then; there is none now either. the world continues its endless pulls and pushes without sparing even a glance for those left behind in its wake.

at this point, you can’t tell if this is some ugly truth about life or just another cruel play staged by your subconscious—a punishment born from guilt too heavy to bear or perhaps a curse whispered by someone long forgotten.

either way… it doesn’t matter anymore.

(or so you tell yourself.)

you’ve grown accustomed to this particular brand of nonsense—the weight of despair settling over you like an old coat worn threadbare from overuse.

peeling off suffocating blankets feels like shedding armor too heavy for battle as you stagger toward the bathroom on legs weighed down by weariness that goes beyond mere exhaustion. duty calls—even on days drenched in despair.

the tiles beneath your feet are cold—biting into bare skin with sharp clarity as though trying to remind you that yes…you are still here.

the golden light from above flickers faintly—casting uneven shadows across walls painted with echoes of mornings just like this one. the faucet drips steadily into porcelain below—a rhythm so precise it feels mocking:

time doesn’t wait for you.

it never has.

you pause before the mirror—its surface dull and unkind—and stare at what greets you there: red-rimmed eyes blinking back hollowly; cheeks sunken with fatigue; lips that have long forgotten how to curve upward into anything resembling joy.

the reflection feels warped somehow—as though even glass itself has grown tired of reflecting this version of you day after day after day.

but it isn’t just your face staring back at you—it’s everything else too: every mistake etched into lines around tired eyes; every regret shadowed beneath hollow cheekbones; every moment survived when survival felt impossible.

your fingers tremble as they reach up toward cold glass—a fleeting thought crossing your mind: what if it shattered under your touch? would cracks spiderweb outward until they consumed this distorted version staring back at you?

but no matter how hard you press…the mirror holds firm.

unyielding.

unforgiving.

a cruel reminder that some things cannot be broken—no matter how desperately we wish they could be.

and deep down… you’ve always known this truth.

haven’t you?

the answer was always there—hidden beneath layers of denial—but acknowledging it feels impossible even now…

even here…

even when there’s no one left but yourself to face it alongside.

the walk to the kitchen feels endless today. each step drags like wading through a river of ghosts, their unseen hands clinging to your legs, pulling you deeper into the weight of yourself. the air in the house is thick—dense with something you can’t name. it presses against your skin like a second layer, suffocating yet inescapable.

when you finally reach the living room, she’s there—your cat. perched atop the dining table like a queen surveying her kingdom, she greets you with a soft meow. her tiny frame vibrates with purrs as she stretches lazily before pawing at your uniform, her claws catching on the fabric.

a faint smile tugs at your lips despite yourself.

at least someone is happy to see you today.

in the kitchen, life stirs again—tentative and fragile—as breakfast begins to take shape under your deliberate hands. the sizzle of eggs meeting hot metal cuts through the silence, and the rhythmic clatter of utensils pulls you back into reality, piece by piece.

the scent of butter melting into salt fills the air, mingling with faint traces of houseplants and dust motes that drift lazily through beams of sunlight. for a fleeting moment, the weight on your chest lifts—just enough to let air fill your lungs again.

your cat leaps onto a chair beside you, her wide eyes tracking your every move with curiosity. her presence is grounding in a way that nothing else seems to be these days—a small anchor tethering you to this fractured world.

the aroma of breakfast lingers as you set a plate on the table: eggs cooked just right, toast slathered with jam. you move toward the cabinets, rummaging for tea packets hidden among forgotten treasures—a collection of expensive blends brought by a certain white-haired troublemaker and traditional teas gifted by a tired girl who doesn’t visit anymore.

your clumsy hands knock over several boxes, their contents spilling across the counter and floor in a chaotic tumble. but one catches your eye—a familiar brown package that stops time itself for just a moment too long.

it’s his tea.

your breath falters as you reach for it, fingers trembling against the worn edges of the packaging. the seal tears easily under your touch, and pu’erh leaves scatter like fragments of memory across cold tiles. you sink to the floor, knees meeting unyielding wood as you clutch these remnants of what once was.

grief doesn’t announce itself—it doesn’t knock or wait for permission. it lingers quietly in shadows, resurfacing uninvited to remind you of what’s missing in life’s smallest moments.

the earthy scent rises into the air—rich and familiar—and suddenly it feels like he’s here again. suguru. sitting across from you at this very table, his hands wrapped around a steaming mug as he laughs at something silly you just said.

the memory crashes over you like a tidal wave—relentless and all-consuming.

you can almost hear his voice—soft and teasing—as he recounts his day or asks if there’s any honey left for his tea (there never was). you can almost see him leaning back in his chair with that easy smile—the one that made everything feel okay even when it wasn’t.

you can almost feel his gaze on you—violet eyes drinking in every detail with an affection so quiet it felt sacred.

but when you blink…

he’s gone.

all that remains is silence and the dry texture of pu’erh leaves scattered across cold tiles like ashes from a fire long extinguished.

your cat pads over to where you sit on the floor, her tiny paws making no sound against the wood. she nudges her head against your arm—gentle but insistent—and lets out another soft meow. her warmth pulls you back just enough to remember where you are:

here, now, alive.

not whole.

not healed.

but alive.

you take a deep breath—shaky but steady enough—and begin gathering up the spilled tea leaves with trembling hands. the kettle whistles softly in the background—a sound so simple it feels almost soothing—and for just a moment…there is peace.

not healing. not forgiveness.

just… possibility.

possibility that tomorrow might be easier than today.

possibility that one day this ache will dull into something softer, something manageable.

possibility that maybe—just maybe—you’ll learn how to live again without feeling like half of yourself is missing.

for now… possibility is enough.

you pour hot water over fresh tea leaves and watch as they unfurl slowly in their new home—a quiet transformation unfolding before your eyes. pain softens into something transient and mellow, carried away on steam rising toward an indifferent sky.

it isn’t much. but it’s something.

and for today…

that will have to do.

the train rumbles beneath your feet, a low vibration that travels up through your legs and settles deep in your chest. it’s a familiar sensation—one you’ve felt countless times before—but now it feels heavier, as though the weight of memories has seeped into the tracks. the train carries not just passengers but ghosts, their presence woven into the very bones of this rattling machine.

your phone buzzes against your leg—a faint buzz buzz that pulls you from the haze of your thoughts. you glance down at the screen, its dim light cutting through the shadowed cab. shoko’s name glows softly. her message is short, simple:

"i can pick you up."

your thumb hovers over the keyboard, but no words come to mind. what could you even say?

for a moment, you let the message fade back into darkness. your reflection stares back at you from the black glass of your phone screen—that same face, worn down by time and emotion.

so foreign.

you turn toward the window instead. outside, the world blurs together—gray skies bleeding into green trees, flashes of neon signs smearing across rain-streaked glass like watercolors left out in a storm. the rain slides in uneven trails, catching faint glimmers of light from passing buildings.

and then, unsolicited, comes the memory.

he always sat by the window on these rides. always. his fingers would trace patterns in the condensation—spirals and shapes that disappeared almost as soon as they were made. his eyes would follow the city as it slid past, his expression a mix of wonder and something else entirely—something quieter, harder to name.

“like a painting in motion,” he’d said once, his voice so soft you almost didn’t hear it over the hum of the train.

to him, these rides weren’t just journeys from one place to another—they were moments suspended between movement and stillness, between reality and something more ephemeral. they were spaces where time seemed to pause just long enough for conversations about everything and nothing to unfold without interruption.

(the very essence of him: transient and beautiful.)

your thumb hovers over shoko’s message again. a simple no sends itself before you can second-guess it. the screen blinks off, leaving only your reflection staring back at you once more.

the train jolts slightly as it slows for its next stop. a passenger brushes past you with a muttered apology—soft and hurried like a skittish bird taking flight. you nod absently but grip your phone tighter, as though her words might spill out if you’re not careful.

the seat beside you feels louder than any sound in this rattling space—a hollow echo of his presence that once filled it so completely it was impossible to imagine it ever being empty.

but now it is.

(and it feels impossible to get used to that.)

the train begins to slow as your station approaches. outside, familiar landmarks come into view: cracked pavement glistening with rainwater, a weathered sign bearing the station’s name in peeling paint.

it’s all so common yet suddenly so alien—like looking at an old photograph through someone else’s eyes.

you gather your bag as the train comes to a halt. your movements are mechanical—unthinking—and each step off the train feels like leaving another piece of him behind.

the platform is damp beneath your feet, puddles reflecting fragments of gray sky and muted scenery. your steps trace a path you’ve walked countless times before, automatic and unfeeling.

in the distance looms jujutsu high.

and with it comes a silence louder than any memory.

the halls are just as you remember them: wide and echoing, their polished floors reflecting faint glimmers of light from overhead fixtures. but today they feel different—colder somehow, emptier.

each step reverberates like a hollow drumbeat against walls that seem too vast for their own echoes. for a fleeting moment, you wonder if even these walls miss him too.

it isn’t just his absence—it’s what his absence has left behind: an ache that lingers in every corner he once occupied. every shadowed alcove where he leaned or stood or laughed now holds its breath in mourning.

you pass by the classroom where he used to sit.

his chair is still there—tucked neatly under his desk as though waiting for him to return. dust gathers on its surface—a quiet betrayal of time moving forward without him—and for a moment, you hesitate in the doorway.

your fingers brush against the doorframe as if stepping inside might summon him back from wherever he’s gone.

and for just a second…

he is there.

you see him so clearly: dark hair falling into his eyes as he leans back in his chair with that lazy confidence only he could pull off. arms crossed over his chest; smile teasing yet disarming—a look that always made you shy away despite yourself.

the image blooms so vividly it makes your chest ache—makes something stir inside you that feels almost like hope—but then you blink…

and he’s gone again.

the chair is empty.

the room is empty.

you force yourself to move on because standing here won’t bring him back.

(but as you turn down the hallway, you swear you hear his voice call out to you.)

the training grounds stretch out before you: wide open spaces where laughter once rang sharp and unrestrained—a sound so uniquely his it could slice cleanly through even the thickest tension.

even now, small remnants remain: vending machines humming softly with familiarity; shadows cast by trees swaying gently in the breeze; echoes of choices made at snack machines that once felt monumental simply because he made them.

right here—this is where everything changed.

this is where he changed.

but not everything has shifted beyond recognition.

familiar faces linger around corners like ghosts refusing to leave their hauntings behind.

there’s satoru—a moon disguised as the sun—his laugh rippling through air thick with memories before he even steps into view. when your eyes finally meet across the hallway…

something is different about him now.

his grin is still wide—still bright—but behind it lies something fractured: cracks running through armor no one else seems able to see but you.

he passes by whistling some half-forgotten melody and squeezes your shoulder gently as he goes. his hand lingers just a second too long—as though letting go might unravel everything holding either of you together.

no words are spoken.

none are needed.

in that moment, everything is understood:

i’m here.

but what good is being here when neither of you knows how to bridge this chasm between griefs too heavy to share? his pain feels too vast to touch; yours too fragile to expose.

you pause at the courtyard—the old tree swaying softly in the breeze catches your eye.

his tree.

the one he used to sit under when life became too heavy to bear alone. head tilted back against its trunk; eyes closed as if seeking solace in leaves whispering secrets only they could understand.

its branches sway gently now—a quiet rhythm carrying words meant only for him. their rustling fills spaces words cannot reach anymore no matter how hard you try to find them.

you clutch your sleeve tightly—a futile anchor against storms raging within—and close your eyes against tears threatening to spill over.

even now…

he lingers behind closed eyelids.

but when they open again…

there’s nothing.

just wind.

just leaves.

just silence breathing heavy on your chest with everything unsaid between breaths too shallow for comfort.

you take one last look at his tree before stepping away—letting its whispers carry what they can into skies too vast for understanding yet small enough for hope lingering somewhere unseen but felt all the same.

it’s the lunch break.

bells ring out, loud and sharp, shattering the quiet that had settled over the building. chaos erupts in its wake—voices rising, footsteps echoing through hallways as everyone rushes for a much-needed reprieve.

you rise slowly from your slouched position, every movement deliberate, as though shaking off the weight of the morning. hours spent arranging files with yaga or keeping an eye on the first years while satoru was whisked away to yet another clan meeting have left your body heavy with fatigue.

your stomach growls—a low, insistent protest that pulls you forward.

megumi rushes past with a curt nod, his expression as stoic as ever, while itadori and nobara yell a boisterous “good afternoon!” their voices carry a warmth that surprises you, and before you realize it, you’re returning their greeting with a small curve of your lips.

a genuine smile.

ah…

youth.

(and what wouldn’t you give to experience it all over again? just for once.)

the cafeteria greets you with its familiar stillness, empty save for the kind lady behind the counter. the glass doors swing shut behind you with a quiet click, sealing you into this space where time feels delayed.

you don’t need to look at the menu—it’s been etched into your memory for years. the same dishes, unchanged:

japanese delicacies mingled with fast food staples.

nothing new. every flavor tasted and cataloged long ago.

you settle on takoyaki—simple, comforting. the steam rises from the tray in soft tendrils as you carry it away, its rich scent filling your lungs and stirring something deep within you. a memory flickers at the edges of your mind—shared laughter in these very rooms—but you force it aside before it can take root.

your feet carry you without thought, guided by muscle memory rather than intention, until you find yourself at a familiar block:

the medical wing.

the air here feels different today—sterile and suffocating.

the faint hum of fluorescent lights buzzes overhead, persistent and invasive, like a sound that worms its way into your thoughts and refuses to leave. the antiseptic smell lingers—sharp and clean—but it does nothing to mask the heaviness pressing against your chest.

the pale green walls are meant to soothe, but instead they remind you of hospital waiting rooms from years ago: stiff chairs lined up in neat rows, ceilings with too many tiles to count, and time dragging on endlessly as you waited for something—anything—to happen.

you slip quietly into one of the rooms—the only room you know here.

shoko doesn’t look up when you enter. her hands move with practiced precision as she organizes medical supplies on a nearby tray.

each motion is deliberate, careful—as though she’s constructing something invisible between herself and whatever unspoken truth hangs heavy in the air between you.

her fingers hesitate briefly on the edge of a vial before continuing their work. the tension in her shoulders betrays her calm exterior; even her steadiness feels strained under the weight of shared grief.

you hover behind her, unsure of what to do with yourself. your presence feels intrusive here—as though you’ve interrupted something sacred.

your shoes squeak faintly against the polished floor as you shift your weight from one foot to the other. shoko doesn’t react to the sound—but you know she hears it.

she always does.

“how are you holding up?” she asks finally, her voice soft but steady—a question crafted with care only she could manage.

your throat tightens at her words. shoko doesn’t want an empty “i’m fine,” and both of you know it.

but no words come out.

the silence stretches between you—thin as glass—waiting for even the slightest touch to shatter it. shoko doesn’t press for an answer; instead, she slides a cup of water toward you—a quiet acknowledgment of everything neither of you can say aloud.

her fingers tap softly against the tray in a rhythmic pattern as she sets it down—a grounding motion against the stillness that fills the room.

“c’mon,” she says after a moment, gesturing toward a cluster of chairs haphazardly placed in one corner. “sit.”

you follow her without question—like always—and sink into one of the cold metal chairs that creaks faintly under your weight. its frame presses uncomfortably into your back, but you don’t adjust yourself.

“do you want to talk?” she asks again, her tone gentle—an invitation rather than a demand.

you shake your head—a simple gesture dripping with everything unsaid.

in the silence that follows, memories surface unbidden: pale green walls from years ago; his large hand squeezing yours during stitches; his voice steady as he reassured you:

“it’s just another challenge.”

back then, those words felt like truth—like medicine could hold back inevitability if only for long enough.

shoko knows this history without needing to be told. some stories are written not in words but in how people carry their grief—in silences that linger too long or hesitations that speak louder than any confession ever could.

her presence has always carried a particular gentleness—not pity but understanding—and for that alone, you are grateful beyond words.

the untouched glass of water sits between you both like a silent witness. droplets bead along its surface before trailing down in uneven lines—a quiet metaphor for something neither of you can name but both understand instinctively.

outside, sunlight shifts across tiled floors in long shadows that stretch and breathe with their own rhythm. time feels suspended here: outside this room, life pulses forward; inside it…everything stands still.

shoko moves again—a subtle shift as she rises from her seat to busy herself once more with supplies on nearby shelves. her brown eyes meet yours briefly before darting away again—not out of discomfort but because she knows better than anyone that sometimes being seen is enough.

“take your time,” she murmurs before disappearing behind rows of cabinets again.

her words settle over you like a thin blanket—not warm enough to comfort entirely but enough to shield against some small part of the cold creeping into your bones.

eventually, the bells ring again—a sharp reminder that life moves forward whether or not you're ready for it to do so.

you sigh softly as your body protests against standing once more—the ache in your bones heavier now than when you'd first sat down. the untouched glass remains on the table behind you as if bearing witness to everything left unsaid between two souls bound by shared loss.

your steps echo faintly through empty halls as they carry you back toward your office—a journey so familiar yet so foreign all at once.

and somewhere deep within yourself…

you wonder if this ache will ever truly fade—or if it will simply become another part of who you've always been meant to be.

the day dissolves like watercolors bleeding into twilight—each passing hour a soft, indistinct blur. your office breathes its quiet resignation, a contained universe of stillness.

the clock ticks—a metronome measuring grief's endless rhythm—while your fingers dance across the keyboard, creating soft percussion against silence.

something hangs in the air.

a tension.

as though the walls themselves hold their breath, waiting for your departure.

outside, the sun has surrendered—its final breaths painting the sky in amber and crimson. streaks of molten light filter through window blinds, casting fragmented patterns across your desk. kaleidoscope shadows too beautiful for a moment so heavy.

you lean back. your chair creaks—a sound both familiar and strange.

the city beyond feels distant.

muted.

its distant hum barely penetrates this contained space where memories and paperwork blur into one indistinct landscape. contracts. reports. forms. they mesh together—an abstract painting of professional grief.

your mind drifts.

to him.

to suguru.

memories curl around you like smoke, soft and suffocating.

your thoughts drift like autumn leaves—weightless yet laden with memory. how different would everything have been if life had been gentler? if it had spared him the weight he carried alone, silent and unbroken?

you dream of alternate moments. suguru sitting across from you, his voice teasing, pulling you from the darkness of your own making:

"let's get you out," he might have said, "before you turn into these chairs."

the vision lingers—so clear you can almost taste it, yet so distant you cannot touch. a phantom possibility suspended between what was and what could have been.

the memory feels like a bruise—tender when touched, sharp with remembered pain. you can almost hear his breath, feel the warmth of his proximity. but proximity is a luxury long stolen from you.

the door swings open with sudden violence—a bang that shatters your delicate remembering.

satoru appears, leaning against the doorframe. one hand buried in his pocket, the other clutching a bag of snacks. his hair slightly disheveled, bandages over his eyes loose—suggesting he's come directly from the meeting, some world you're no longer part of.

"still here?" he asks.

his voice carries its usual casual amusement, but underneath—something careful. something fragile.

you do not comment.

a wordless nod is your response—your voice a fragile thing, liable to shatter if pressed too firmly.

satoru enters without permission—he never asks, never waits—dropping into the chair across from you with a heavy sigh that feels like a universe of unspoken understanding.

the snack bag rustles—a sound sharp against the room's muted stillness. he pulls out a packet of pocky, tossing it onto your desk with a practiced motion that speaks of countless similar moments.

"for you," he breathes simply. "thought you might need some sugar."

the pocky sits between you—a small offering, a bridge across the landscape of grief. you turn it in your hands, examining it as though it might contain some hidden message, some secret code that could unlock the weight pressing against your chest.

"thanks," you murmur. your voice barely rises above the room's quiet hum—a whisper so soft it might dissolve into the gathering shadows.

satoru only watches you.

his sharp blue eyes scan your face like he's trying to read something written between the lines of your expression—a text of pain, of memory, of something both fragile and unbreakable.

his gaze feels like a physical touch—searching, probing, yet somehow gentle. a familiar silence stretches between you filled with everything neither of you can bring yourself to say.

suddenly, he moves. standing with an exaggerated stretch that reminds you of a cat—all fluid motion and deliberate grace. his arms reach overhead, fingers brushing the ceiling, breaking the room's careful stillness.

"come on," he says lightly, circling back to you. "i'll drive you home."

you hesitate. the unfinished paperwork calls to you—a siren song of responsibility, of distraction. "i'll manage," you start, your voice thin and unconvincing.

but satoru cuts you off with a dismissive wave, something both stern and tender in his gesture.

"don't argue," he says, mock severity barely masking genuine concern. "i'm not taking no for an answer."

your resistance crumbles—not from weakness, but from a sudden exhaustion that feels bone-deep. the kind of tired that transcends physical space, that lives in the marrow of grief itself.

he helps you gather your things—movements practiced. the office lights click off behind you, casting long shadows that seem to reach out like desperate fingers trying to hold onto something already gone.

the hallway breathes its own quiet language. same fluorescent lights flicker—pale ghosts illuminating empty corridors that feel more like memory than physical space. your footsteps echo softly, each sound a delicate percussion against institutional silence.

satoru moves ahead with his characteristic grace—hands tucked into pockets, body moving like water between shadows. he whistles something again that hangs in the air like a fragile thread connecting you both to something lighter than grief.

behind him, you trail like a shadow.

your mind drifts—caught between the unfinished work left on your desk and the promise of something that might resemble home.

the building feels different at night.

intimate.

holding its breath.

walls that have witnessed countless moments of human fragility now stand as silent witnesses to your particular landscape of loss.

outside, rain begins—soft droplets painting the world in shimmering grays. each raindrop feels like a memory sliding down invisible glass, collecting stories too delicate to be spoken aloud.

satoru's car waits in the parking lot—a sleek silhouette against the night's dark canvas. he opens the passenger door with a flourish, bowing slightly—part chauffeur, part court jester attempting to break through your carefully constructed walls of grief.

"your chariot awaits," he says, that familiar grin playing at the edges of his mouth—not quite reaching his eyes.

you roll your eyes, but the faintest tug at your lips betrays you—a ghost of a smile, fleeting and fragile. you slide into the passenger seat, the door closing with a soft thud behind you.

the scent of the car wraps around you—a mix of leather and something distinctly satoru—like a hug.

the engine hums to life, a low purr that fills the quiet space between you. as the car pulls out of the parking lot, you cast one last glance at the building behind you. its windows glow faintly in the rain-soaked night, a beacon of light holding secrets and memories within its walls.

the drive begins in silence. the rain falls steadily now, streaking the windows with uneven trails that catch and refract the golden halos of streetlights. the rhythm of the tires against wet asphalt becomes a kind of music—soft, steady, unrelenting.

satoru fiddles with the radio, his fingers moving absently over the dials until he settles on a station playing soft jazz. it’s an unexpected choice for someone like him, but somehow it fits—the muted trumpet notes weaving through the quiet like threads of something almost forgotten.

he talks after a while—something about training earlier in the day, about itadori accidentally summoning an army of curses during an exercise gone wrong. his words are light, his tone playful, but there’s an undercurrent to it—a deliberate effort to fill the silence with something other than grief.

you don’t laugh—not fully—but there’s a faint pull at the corners of your mouth that doesn’t go unnoticed. satoru glances at you out of the corner of his eye, his grin widening just slightly.

“see?” he says softly. “you can still smile.”

the words hang in the air between you like a fragile thread—delicate but real. you don’t respond, afraid that speaking might break whatever tenuous connection has formed in this moment.

the rain picks up, its rhythm growing louder against the windows. droplets race each other down the glass, their paths illuminated by passing headlights. the city blurs around you—buildings and streets melting into streaks of light and shadow.

when he finally pulls up outside your apartment building, he leans back in his seat and looks at you with an expression you can’t quite decipher—part concern, part something deeper that he doesn’t let surface fully.

“if you need anything,” he says finally, his voice low but steady, “you know where to find me.”

you nod slowly—gratitude swelling in your chest but refusing to rise to your lips. instead, you open the door and step into the cool night air. the rain greets you immediately—soft and persistent—as satoru rolls down his window.

“don’t forget to eat that pocky!” he calls out teasingly before driving off into the night.

your phone buzzes as you climb the stairs to your apartment—a message from shoko:

“take care of yourself.”

simple words that carry more weight than they should coming from her. you pause at your door before typing back: “i will. you too.”

and for once…

you mean it.

the apartment greets you with its familiar stillness—a quiet that once felt suffocating but now feels like a reprieve. your cat waits by the door as if she’s been expecting you all along.

her tail flicks lazily as she lets out a soft meow—a sound equal parts greeting and reprimand for making her wait so long.

“hey,” you murmur softly as you crouch down to scratch behind her ears. she leans into your touch with a contented purr that vibrates through her small frame—a warmth that settles somewhere deep within your chest.

the weight on your shoulders eases—just slightly—as she follows you into the living room on silent paws. she leaps onto her usual spot on the couch while you set down your bag and shrug off your coat.

for a moment, you just stand there—still caught between memory and reality—as the low hum of electricity fills the quiet space around you. then she meows again, insistent this time, pulling you back into the present.

you sink onto the couch beside her without thinking too much about it. she curls up against your side almost immediately, her warmth grounding in a way nothing else seems capable of these days.

your gaze drifts toward the window where rain continues its quiet descent—each droplet catching faint glimmers from distant streetlights before sliding out of sight. the city stretches beyond—a vast expanse of twinkling lights and darkened silhouettes, each one holding stories you'll never know.

your fingers flutter against the cool glass as though tracing invisible paths across its surface. the gesture reminds you of suguru—the nights spent beneath canopies of rain and stars as he whispered dreams too afraid of daylight.

it still aches—the memory of him—but it’s no longer sharp enough to cut through flesh and bone. instead, it sits within you like an old scar: tender when pressed but no longer bleeding.

behind you, the apartment remains still—as if mourning his absence alongside you. your cat pads softly across the room before leaping onto the windowsill beside you.

you reach into your pocket and pull out the pocky satoru gave you earlier. its wrapper crinkles loudly in the hush as you unwrap it—a sound startling against this newfound calm. you break off a piece—the sweetness melting on your tongue feels almost sacrilegious against memories so bitter.

your fingertips press lightly against your lips, trying to hold onto something slipping away—the shine of suguru's smile, the way his breath would catch just before he kissed you, how vulnerability bloomed between shared silences.

the memory doesn’t shatter you now; a tamed beast locked behind the bars.

your cat’s soft purring draws your attention back to her green eyes—knowing and patient as if she understands what even words cannot convey:

it’s okay to remember.

and perhaps…

it’s okay to move forward too.

you whisper into the darkness—not for anyone who can hear but simply because it feels right:

“good night… suguru.” your voice trembles but doesn’t break.

“i miss you—i always will—but i’m learning how to carry this without letting it destroy me.”

an inhale.

“a—and i hope... that's okay.”

the city lights flicker faintly in response as though offering their silent acknowledgment. and for just a moment—you let yourself believe that somewhere beyond this world…

he hears you too.

you let the night wrap itself around your body— a heavy blanket—not stifling but comforting in its weight. grief sits beside hope now—not as enemies but companions sharing space within your chest.

tomorrow will come with its own burdens and blessings—a new mix of joy and sorrow waiting just beyond this moment's reach.

but tonight…

tonight is yours to simply be.

goodbye, suguru.

a/n→ i looked over some research papers for this... wanted to get this as accurate as possible lmao!!! i had to change some sections so many many times... things just won't work out... anyways im happy i manged to flesh this out on his birthday!!! happy birthday suguru <333 will be taking a break for midterms :(((

#gojo x reader #geto x reader #shoko x reader #gojo satoru #geto suguru #ieri shoko #gojo satoru x reader #geto suguru x reader #ieri shoko x reader #jjk x reader #angst #comfort #jujutsu kaisen #gojo satoru ☆#geto suguru ☆#ieri shoko ☆#my writing ☆

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sundaysconsort · 13 hours ago

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Sunday theme?! 👀✨ohhhh

Can I request for sunday x ghost! Fem reader who is already with him since childhood, like she is Imaginary his friend, but she is still with him when he became astral express member.

She is someone who sunday trust about his secret and when he want to making a plan about the dream world, he search a solution to make fem reader can be alive again, he just want to thank her for be with him all these years . Ghost! Fem reader just feeling okay that she is not alive, she just want sunday to be happy thats all and when he became one of trailblazer member she is still there for him. Their feelings are mutual like romantic type.

Entry: " No Death May Do Us Part "

Pairing: HSR! Sunday | Reader

Information: You have been a figment of his imagination for as long as he can remember—a figure who comforts him during his darkest nights. Over time, he comes to realize that you are more than just an image created in his mind; you are something much greater. He is determined to bring you into his ideal realm. However, even he has limits, and you remain a beacon of light, guiding him on his journey. | 2.2k Word Count

Tags: Slow Burn, Tenderness, Mutual Pinning, Admiration, Hurt/Comfort, Self Doubt, Longing, Appreciation, Confession, Childhood Friends, Fluff, Ghost Reader.

Sunday was entangled in a haunting belief that he had lost you forever, cast away from the radiant paradise he had once envisioned—not solely for his people but for you as well. In the depths of his mind, that dream had imploded into fine, shimmering stardust, the weight of his perceived failure draping across him like a heavy, dark shroud. You, the spirited woman who had once curled up beside him as he poured his soul into the ivory keys of his childhood piano, had now morphed into a mere echo, flickering in the pits of his fading memory. Each frustrated note he struck reverberated with an ache, an attempt to breach the daunting chasm created by his tumultuous journey yet to come aboard the Astral Express.

Oh, how he longed to hear the familiar tones of your voice again, each syllable a soothing melody that played like a gentle breeze across his senses. Memories steeped, echoing in his mind like the sweet chime of distant bells, stirring feelings of warmth and joy that enveloped him like a cherished embrace on a cold winter's night. Those moments shared—conversations filled with love—wrapped around him, creating a cocoon of comfort that he yearned to revisit, reminding him of a connection that transcended time and distance.

“No death may do us part.'” This whimsical vow once uttered with joy between you and him as mere children, a promise made by the young boy version of himself and his 'imaginary friend', now holds a profound weight in his heart. The words echo through his thoughts, a haunting reminder of the bond you shared, intertwining your souls in a love that transcends even the boundaries of mortality.

He often found himself engulfed in a profound introspection, questioning the very essence of your existence. Were you merely a figment of his chaotic imagination, conjured by the loneliness that enveloped his heart, yearning for companionship and understanding? Or could you be something far more transcendent—a divine blessing from Xipe?

Nestled deep within the tangled labyrinth of his emotions, he battled with a bittersweet reality: you were a spirit trapped in a merciless limbo, a wandering ghost gliding through the lit streets of Penacony. The city, once a beacon of hope and joy in his mind, now felt like a deceptive paradise, a place where beauty was tinged with sorrow. Each corner he turned seemed haunted by echoes of you, intertwined with the melancholy of your fate, leaving him to ponder the fragile line between longing and despair.

Though you never overtly revealed your fragility, he felt it in the weariness of your fading existence, the way your spectral form flickered like a fragile candle struggling against the suffocating embrace of encroaching darkness. He clearly recalls the precious moments when you reached out, yearning to wipe away his tears with your trembling hands, only to find that the effort was always too monumental, an insurmountable challenge. You appeared sorrowful, yet fiercely determined, lingering in a half-life, steadfastly remaining by his side, your voice a whisper that trailed behind him, echoing encouragement and heartfelt concern throughout his childhood.

What fascinated him most was how you seemed to age gracefully alongside him, your essence maturing within the fabric of the realm you existed in. Sunday ached to rescue you from the twisted chains of solitude that ensnared you, to liberate you from the cruel fate that had snatched away your life. As vivid memories of youth and giggles surged back, he held them close to his heart, even as he wrestled with the heavy burdens of guilt and regret that had haunted him since embarking on the Astral Express. All he could have done better.

Sunday carries a deep-seated disdain for the person he once was, haunted by the echoes of his past mistakes and shortcomings. Yet, he knows you possess a remarkable heart, one that sees beyond his flaws. One that is capable of embracing the possibility of redemption. You chose to care for him despite his imperfections, recognizing the strength they reveal in him. He is no monster. Perhaps this clarity comes from the innocence of youth, a belief that genuine goodness can emerge from even the darkest struggles. You, too, saw the beauty in his dream—a vision of a better world that he strives to achieve. Every day, he tirelessly searches for a way to manifest that dream, no longer for the ideal of Penacony, but primarily for you and his dearest baby sister. The two most important elements within his life.

After enduring defeat and comprehending the repercussions of his actions—how his misguided intentions had led to the suffering of those he cherished—he decided to pursue his own redemption. He yearned for the chance to apologize to you, to communicate his deep gratitude for the tenacious companionship that had stitched together the fragile seams of his heart. Once, you were two innocent souls intertwined by fate, and the question that nagged at his mind was: where could you be now?

Days bled into nights as he roamed the streets of Penacony, driven to conceal his identity in a land he once governed with authority. His heart was heavy with the fear that you might still be waiting at the piano you once shared in a place he nostalgically dubbed home. The mere thought of you, patient and hopeful as you had been in your shared childhood, tugged insistently at his heartstrings. How could he bear the burden of knowing you possibly lingered there? Were you destined to remain trapped in this twilight world? Is this separation punishment for his failure to embrace harmony? Amid all the struggle, he sought order under the guidance of Gopher Wood—ultimately a grave miscalculation that ensnared those he loved in his misguided vision of paradise.

He desperately dreamed of creating a world where you could take tangible form.

Upon his return to the express, a twist of fate awaited him. The lobby lay enveloped in shadows, an eerie silence wrapping around him like a thick fog until a familiar, haunting note drifted through the air like a ghostly breeze. It flowed gently, beckoning him toward its source. As he approached the empty piano bench in the Express, he was astonished to see your faint image—a vision of focused concentration, your hands tremulously grazing the keys, having difficulty applying enough weight.

Relief washed over him like a gentle tide, melting away the icy grip of doubt that had tightened around his heart. As he looked at you, sitting across from him, warmth flooded his being. Your presence radiated a beauty that seemed untouched by the passage of time, each feature as striking as he remembered. It was as if, in his darkest moments, your image would materialize to guide him, no matter how far he roamed.

"'See? Just let it flow out of you, like this,' he heard you softly murmur to yourself, your voice barely above a whisper yet carrying the weight of cherished memories. You sensed his presence nearby, and a wave of sentimentality washed over you. He had spoken those very words to you—each syllable a soothing balm that lingered in your mind. 'You can do it too. Come, give it a try.'"

As your gaze intertwined with his, the atmosphere transformed, charged with an electricity that sparked in the air. Everything around you faded into a soft haze, the vibrant colors and distant sounds melting away until it felt as though you were enveloped in a warm silence. In that suspended moment, it was just the two of you—intensely connected, as if the universe had conspired to freeze time and hold you in this perfect stillness, face to face once more.

Your focus returns to the piano, fingers dancing across the keys with grace. A rich tapestry of nostalgia wove itself around you, the melody resonating deeply within both your hearts. The sound fills the room, echoing off the walls, each chord a brushstroke, a masterpiece of emotion, painting the atmosphere with warmth and yearning.

"...this song is familiar to me; I believe I've encountered it once before," Sunday said, his eyes widening with a mix of nostalgia and wonder. It was as if he had been whisked away to a simpler time, a time when every sound carried a hint of magic. He looked at you, a faint smile playing on his lips, as the weight of time momentarily lifted, letting him relive those precious memories that felt so far away yet still lingered in his heart.

"A long time ago, you taught me how to play it," you replied, a gentle smile blooming on your lips, illuminating your ethereal form with a warmth that reached out to him, even from the veil separating your worlds. "I had time to practice while you were busy this passing year. I'll admit, I did miss you..."

His brow furrowed in thought, a hint of sadness shadowing his features. "I see… though I have little recollection of this melody in particular," he confessed, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a forgotten melody.

"I'll teach you," you assured him, your smile unwavering—a beacon of hope amidst the shadows. At that moment, the distance between your two worlds felt as fragile as glass, shimmering with the potential for connection. You reminisced with each note, your bodies almost touching; the warmth of his physical presence starkly contrasted with the coolness of your spectral form.

As if attuned to the unspoken doubts rolling through his mind, you felt compelled to address the silence that hung between you. With a gentle tone, you spoke again, instinctively grasping the complexity of his emotions and the weight of his unexpressed words.

"You are not obligated to carry the burden of my circumstances, Sunday. My deepest desire has always been for you to follow the path that resonates with your heart, rather than succumbing to the expectations of your family or the pressures of Penacony. More than anything, I want you to find true happiness in the choices you make and to embrace the life that fulfills your soul." It was a bittersweet blend of past and present, memory and longing, as the music continued to flow, bringing your hearts together once more.

You didn't crave an apology; that wasn’t what mattered to you. Instead, what you truly yearned for was simply his presence beside you, the warmth of companionship that brought comfort in moments of uncertainty. You understood that sometimes words were unnecessary; it was the connection that counted.

"And if the one I have been seeking, the bearer of my deepest desires, is the very person who can grant me that fulfillment, would she too share this feeling?" Amidst the enchanting melodies that surrounded him, Sunday made a solemn vow—to find the way to restore your essence so that you could finally embrace him as he had always longed to experience. "Would you, in turn, reciprocate my feelings?"

As you shift your position, a soft sigh escapes your lips, carrying with it a mix of longing and tranquility. Your faded hand gently rests atop his, fingers hovering close, as if trying to form a bridge between two worlds. The room is thick with unspoken emotions—a silence that feels charged, one where every heartbeat resonates with the weight of your connection. Though you can't touch him like another living soul might, a spark of hope flickers within you, illuminating the space between your hearts like a gentle flame in the dark.

"Of course," you reply, your voice steady, woven with warmth and an undercurrent of yearning. You sense his gaze shift towards you, eyes filled with an emotion that’s both tender and penetrating. He raises his free hand to brush the air between you as if he could touch the essence of your spirit.

Sunday smiles, a flicker of vulnerability dancing behind his charming exterior, his eyes momentarily betraying a depth of feeling that goes beyond mere charm. The soft glow of his halo seems to shimmer with ethereal light as if it were reflecting his genuine affection for the moment shared between them. “Then let’s not let this moment slip through our fingers,” he suggests, his voice steady but warm. “Can we promise to hold onto this? To each other?” His words hang in the air, inviting a sense of commitment and connection that feels both fragile and profound, urging them to embrace the bond forming in their hearts.

You take a deep breath, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins as your heart pounds like a drum in your chest. The air is thick with anticipation, and a sense of the unknown hangs tantalizingly in the space between you. "More than anything," you say, your voice steady yet infused with emotion, "I want to explore this… whatever ‘this’ is, together." The words linger, heavy with possibility, as you meet his golden gaze, hoping they share your desire to uncover the mysteries that lie ahead.

His eyes soften, revealing a glimmer of paradise within their depths. The warmth of his gaze envelops you, making your heart flutter as if dancing to an unheard melody. "Together it is, then," he murmurs, his voice a gentle caress that fills the space around them with an electric tenderness.

At that moment, the world fades away—the worries, the noise, all of it dissolves like mist in the morning sun. There's a palpable connection as if their souls are intertwined, each breath they take syncing in a rhythm that feels both exhilarating and comforting. He shifts closer next to you on the bench, and you can feel the warmth radiating from him like the sun breaking through a cloudy sky, banishing shadows and illuminating everything in its path.

Every heartbeat reflects the promise of shared dreams and whispered secrets. The piano, once the center of attention, now stood silent and neglected. In that moment, you both felt an unspoken connection—two kindred spirits intertwined in a bond that transcended words.

A/N: I hope this was to your taste! Ended up finding inspiration from other series, including Anohana and Wuthering Waves for this. I'm not the most satisfied with this, but I'll leave you to be the judge of its quality. I hope you enjoyed it. <3

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aventurineswife · 18 hours ago

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Here's a request, reader gets reminded of their mother either by looks or just general characteristics. Their mother is still alive, reader is just travelling across space and misses her. Mainly with Gallagher and Welt Yang, but also anyone else you want! All just platonic and familial bonds!

The Distance Between Here and Home

Tags: Gallagher x Reader, Welt x Reader, Platonic Bonds, Found Family, Nostalgic, Familial Comfort, Emotional Conversations, Quiet Moments.

Warnings: Melancholy Themes, Discussions of Missing Family, Emotional Vulnerability.

The bar was dimly lit that evening, its quiet hum and faint scent of aged wood welcoming you after a day that felt endless. The familiar clink of bottles and the faint scratch of leather as Gallagher leaned on the counter greeted you. He was a monument of calm in a chaotic world, his meticulous movements as he mixed drinks almost hypnotic.

You sank into the barstool, and he glanced up. His eyes, though perpetually shrouded in quiet melancholy, softened when they met yours. “Long day?” he asked in that measured tone of his, sliding a glass of water your way.

You nodded, sighing. “Yeah. But it’s not just that.”

Gallagher didn’t press, his hands deftly working on a new concoction. There was comfort in his silence, a kind of unspoken understanding. You stared at the glowing purple/pink lines peeking from under his sleeve, your mind wandering to memories of your mother. She had always been the steady hand in your life, the person who could turn chaos into calm with nothing but her presence. Gallagher reminded you of her in ways you hadn’t expected—not just in his quiet strength, but in the way he cared without making it obvious.

“She used to do this,” you murmured.

Gallagher paused, his scar catching the light as he looked at you. “Do what?”

“Make drinks,” you explained, smiling faintly. “Not like this, of course. Just simple things—tea, cocoa, sometimes something stronger for my dad. She’d hum while she worked. It always made me feel... grounded.”

Gallagher nodded slowly, his expression unreadable but his hands steady as he slid a glass toward you. The drink was a soft amber, its aroma warm and inviting. “Sweet Dream Special,” he said simply. “Might not be tea, but it’s something.”

You took a sip, and for a moment, you could almost hear your mother’s humming. The warmth spread through you, both from the drink and the thoughtfulness behind it. “Thank you,” you said softly.

Gallagher inclined his head, his gaze shifting back to the bar. “It’s nothing.”

But it wasn’t nothing. It was a reminder that even in the vastness of space, with its endless stars and cold voids, there were still places—and people—that could feel like home.

The Express was quiet tonight, its usual hum of activity reduced to the occasional whisper of footsteps and the faint rustle of paper. You found Welt in the library, sitting by the window with a book in one hand and his cane resting against his knee. He glanced up when you entered, a small smile breaking his otherwise solemn face. “Trouble sleeping?”

You shrugged, settling into the chair across from him. “Not really. Just... thinking.”

He nodded knowingly and marked his place in the book before closing it. “Thinking can be dangerous at this hour,” he said with a wry smile, his glasses catching the soft light.

You laughed, though it was faint. “Yeah, it can be. I was thinking about my mom.”

That caught his attention. His expression softened, and he leaned back, resting his hands on the cane. “You miss her.”

“I do,” you admitted, staring out the window at the stars streaking past. “She always knew what to say. Even when I was being difficult or when things got hard. She had this way of making me feel like everything would be okay. I guess being out here makes me realize how much I took that for granted.”

Welt’s gaze turned thoughtful. “Mothers have a way of shaping us, whether we realize it or not. They carry a strength we often don’t see until we’re far from home.”

You nodded, the lump in your throat easing slightly. “You remind me of her sometimes.”

His brow furrowed slightly in surprise. “Me?”

“Yeah,” you said, smiling faintly. “Not in how you look, obviously. But in how you carry yourself. You’re steady. Wise. You don’t say much, but when you do, it’s... grounding. It feels like you’ve seen everything and still know there’s hope.”

Welt’s lips quirked into a small, almost bashful smile. “That’s... kind of you to say. Though I imagine your mother would be far more deserving of such praise.”

“She is,” you said, your voice firm with pride. “But it’s nice to have someone here who reminds me of her. Makes the distance feel a little smaller.”

For a moment, the two of you sat in silence, the quiet hum of the Express filling the space. Then Welt leaned forward, his voice low and earnest. “Cherish those memories, and don’t let the distance keep you from them. Write to her. Share your journey. She’ll want to know you’re thinking of her.”

You smiled, feeling the weight in your chest lighten just a little. “I will. Thanks, Mr. Yang.”

He inclined his head, his gaze returning to the book in his lap. “Anytime.”

And in the quiet of the Express, with the stars as your witness, you felt a little closer to home.

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broidobe · 3 days ago

Text

𝔭𝔢𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔢𝔩𝔢 𝔡𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔴𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔦𝔫𝔠𝔩𝔲𝔡𝔢

requested! this is mid-2000s specific!

⁎⁺˳✧༚80s-90s rock masterlist

peter, always a lover of deep, melancholy music, loves to introduce you to his favorite classic albums.

he’ll make a playlist for you, mixing goth, industrial, and classic rock, and you'll spend hours listening to it while curled up in his dimly lit apartment.

he’d often say, this is music that speaks to the soul and you’d both get lost in the haunting melodies.

despite the age gap, peter’s got a playful side.

he’ll joke about how "young" you are by asking if you even know what "real" music is, and then mockingly ask you, what’s next? you gonna show me your ipod nano playlist?

he might tease you about trends that were popular when he was younger, but he’ll always be affectionate about it.

peter is a deep thinker, and he loves to engage in thought-provoking conversations about philosophy, life, and art.

you’ll find yourself staying up late, discussing everything from nietzsche to the meaning of love.

sometimes, he’d get a little carried away with his ideas, but his voice is so captivating that you just let him go.

peter’s protective of you, though he won’t admit it at first.

if anyone disrespects you, he’ll give them a cold, brooding stare.

at concerts or shows, he’ll stand close to you, ensuring you’re safe while also giving off that cool, untouchable aura. if someone’s being too loud or obnoxious, he’s quick to quietly lead you away, making sure you’re comfortable.

peter doesn’t do the typical “dinner and a movie” kind of date. instead, he’ll take you on spontaneous midnight drives, heading to a random place, whether that’s an old cemetery (because goth, right?), a quiet park, or a hidden speakeasy that’s been around for decades.

his idea of a good time is something off-the-beaten-path, making every date feel like an adventure.

romantic, in his own way

peter’s not the type to flaunt his affection publicly, but when you’re alone, he’s unexpectedly tender.

he’ll gently brush your hair behind your ear, kiss your forehead, or hold your hand while he’s driving.

every gesture feels meaningful, but understated. he may not say it often, but his actions speak louder than words.

he’s a master of sarcastic, dry humor, and his flirting is no exception.

he’ll make sly comments about how you're “too young to understand” certain things, but you can tell it’s just his way of getting your attention. there’s always a playful smirk after every teasing remark, and he knows exactly how to make you blush.

peter’s pretty private, so he’s not the type to want to hang out with your friends all the time.

but, if you ask him, he’ll make an effort to show up for your events or gatherings.

he’ll mostly sit back and observe, throwing in the occasional dry remark, making everyone laugh without ever breaking character. you can always count on him to be your rock in social situations.

in between all the sarcastic banter and intense talks, there are these rare, soft moments where peter’s completely at ease with you.

you’ll be sitting next to each other, maybe watching a movie, and you’ll catch him staring at you with this intense, almost longing look in his eyes. he doesn’t say anything, but you can feel the weight of his emotions in those moments.

loves to surprise you

peter’s not the biggest fan of over-the-top romantic gestures, but every once in a while, he’ll do something unexpected, like sending you a rare album he knows you’ve been looking for, or showing up with your favorite obscure band’s vinyl. he’ll act like it’s no big deal, but you know it’s his way of saying he’s thinking of you.

you’ll go to underground goth clubs, but it’s never about the party scene—it’s about the music, the atmosphere, and the quiet connection between you two.

peter doesn’t really enjoy the chaos of being "the star," so he prefers to stand off to the side, watching you enjoy the music. his hand will be casually on the small of your back, making sure you're safe, but also allowing you to feel free.

peter doesn’t need to say much. there’s a level of understanding between the two of you that transcends words. sometimes, just a look is enough. you can feel him noticing when you’re upset or in need of comfort, and he’ll quietly take your hand, pulling you close, offering his presence as solace.

he’s so fucking proud of you

despite his tough exterior, peter is so proud of your accomplishments.

whether it’s a career goal you’ve hit or a creative project you’re working on, he’ll show his pride in subtle ways—by bragging about you to his close friends or making a comment about how lucky he is to have someone so driven by his side.

if you’re into music, art, or writing, peter’s the kind of guy who’ll reluctantly offer advice, guiding you with his own experiences.

he may act like he doesn’t care, but he’ll be genuinely proud when you take his advice to heart. if you’re a musician, he’ll sometimes sit and show you guitar riffs or vocal techniques, teaching you little tricks without ever boasting about his own talent.

peter’s not one for heavy pda, but you’ll still see moments where he shows his affection. it might be as simple as putting his arm around your waist while you’re walking together, or giving you a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out the door.

these little moments feel like he’s keeping you close, even in public, without ever drawing too much attention.

#broidobe #peter steele x reader #peter steele #peter ratajczyk #type o negative #gothic metal #type o negative x reader #big ass gothic man headcannons #dating headcannons

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ewanmitchellcrumbs · 15 hours ago

Text

Fire on the Mountain - Chapter Two: Gods and Monsters

Pairing: Otto Hightower (House of the Dragon) x OFC (Lia Costayne) Warnings: Angst, arranged marriage, canon typical sexism. Word count: ~10.2k

Chapter summary: A terrible secret threatens to bring an abrupt end to Lia's friendship with Rhaenyra and Alicent, and Otto finally shows his hand with regards to his intentions for her.

Author's note: Header by @foxinthegodswood who also beta read this for me - this story would be nothing without you. Thank you for the care and attention you have put in both myself and my writing. I love you.

“My darling Lia,

I hope you are faring well. By the time you read this, it shall be your name day. I can hardly believe that you are now fifteen. It seems as though it was just yesterday that you were placed into my arms, red faced and squawking – Ser Otto tells us you are growing into quite the young beauty, I hope that we may lay our eyes upon you ourselves soon. Alas, we cannot make the journey to the capital to deliver our warm wishes in person. I have recovered from my fever, but my health remains delicate – I must remain abed until I have regained my strength. Short walks in the sea air are helping to keep my spirits lifted, but I fear a journey across the continent would be too much for me. I hope you understand. Please do not be disheartened, and try not to worry.

Enclosed is a gift for you – a token of our love, but also a reminder of your house, so that in your absence you do not forget it. “The First to Rise”. I hope you shall wear it with pride. Your father and your brothers, Robert and Leon, send their love and their well wishes. I hope you are conducting yourself in a manner that would make us all proud.

Happy name day, my only daughter.

Your loving mother,

Lady Dyana Costayne.”

Lia allowed the parchment to flutter down upon the table top;she had read it so many times now that she was certain she could recite it by heart. Once more, she snatched the brooch from the now torn paper it had been wrapped in, turning it around in her fingers, watching as the silver of it caught the light. It was a chalice, one of the symbols that adorned the sigil of House Costayne. It was pretty, but pretty was not enough to placate the hopeless sense of abandonment that plagued her. She allowed the brooch to drop heavily on top of the letter it had accompanied, just as its shape began to blur from the tears that obscured her vision.

It had been six months since the King’s tourney for his now deceased son, six months since Lia had first received news of her mother’s ill health and learned that her family would not be attending. Each month since had delivered news that was much the same;sudden bouts of fever that left her mother confused and bedridden. She knew she should not be surprised that they would not come to see her for an occasion as trivial as her name day, the last time she had seen any of them had been when she had first arrived in King’s Landing. They had come to enjoy the hospitality of Viserys, and to offer Otto their congratulations on his recent elevation to the position of Hand of the King – it had not even been a visit to see her.

She remembered the smell of almond oil that had clung to her mother’s hair and skin as she had pulled her into a tight embrace. It was cloying and sweet, and overwhelmed her senses. She had not seen her mother for two years and, at the age of eight, such familiarity following a long separation was jarring. It had left her feeling sick. A similar nausea settled within her stomach as she cast her eyes away from her writing desk, breathing deep in a desperate bid to will away her melancholy. She would not cry upon her name day, even if she felt she had every reason to. Not a single person, save for her immediate family, appeared to have remembered, and their gift seemed so impersonal; a simple brooch did little to ease the weight of loneliness that fell upon her delicate shoulders. Though, how could they have given her anything else? As her gaze fell upon her bed, taking the crisp, white linens that were pulled taut at every corner, it occurred to her that she was more familiar with every thread that had been woven together to make up the sheets upon where she slept than she was the face of the woman who gave her life. She was as much a stranger to House Costayne as they were to her, and what could you possibly gift someone unknown to you that would hold any meaningful sentiment?

Lia rose from her seat, leaving both letter and brooch discarded upon her writing desk, and walked towards the floor length looking glass that was propped against the wall nearest the privacy screen where she dressed each morning. She leaned towards the reflective surface, dabbing beneath her eyes with the pads of her fingers, ensuring no trace of her sorrow remained before she faced the world. She turned her head, ensuring her raven curls remained fastened into a tight bun at the nape of her neck; satisfied that they had not shifted, she smoothed her hands over the bodice of her powder blue gown, and headed for the door.

Rhaenyra almost fell against her as she opened it, her own hand in the motion of pushing it inwards. Lia rolled her eyes as she caught the other girl by the shoulders, steadying her in the doorway.

“Gods, ‘Nyra, do you ever knock?” she asked exasperatedly. It was a rhetorical question; Lia already knew the answer was a resounding no. Rhaenyra was a princess, and now the heir to the Iron Throne. She never had to ask permission, she just took what she wanted, including her own friend’s sense of privacy.

“You are so ugly when you scowl,” Rhaenyra teased, a soft smile upon her lips as she raised her hand to stroke her fingers across the peachy softness of Lia’s face. “Come with me.”

Her gaze was soft, yet imploring, her blue eyes sparkling with mischievous intent and, as she withdrew her hand, Lia could not help but notice the state of her fingernails – they were clean. It was not unusual for Rhaenyra to stroll about the castle clad in her riding leathers, stinking of dragon, with her hands caked in grime from the pits in which her mount, Syrax, resided. Today, however, she smelled of bergamot. The faint scent clung to her skin, her long silver hair falling about her shoulders but not quite obscuring the loose peplum that adorned the cream coloured gown she wore. She had either just come from a meeting of the small council or was on her way to one. It seemed she was taking her duties as heir seriously. It was an odd sensation to see Rhaenyra lend any sort of care to what others thought of her, like telling the tide not to turn or the moon not to wax and wane.

“Where are we going?” Lia asked, stepping out into the corridor and pulling the door closed behind her.

“To choose the newest addition of the Kingsguard,” Rhaenyra replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Lia wanted to protest, to tell her that it was not her place to decide such things, her involvement was needless. The words died upon her tongue as Rhaenyra interlocked the fingers of her left hand with those of Lia’s right. Her grip was loose yet intimate, allowing for their arms to swing gently between them as they walked. In that moment, as they held hands, all of Lia’s sorrow surrounding her name day seemed to vanish, her entire world narrowed to the sensation of Rhaenyra’s hand in hers. A sense of calm settled over her as she stole glances at her friend as they walked purposefully through the winding labyrinth of Maegor’s Holdfast.

‘I hope you will hold my hand forever.’

“Will Alicent not be joining us?” Lia asked as they stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the inner courtyard of the Red Keep.

“No,” Rhaenyra replied with a dismissive wave of her hand, stepping onto the set of wooden steps that had been placed in front of the stone balustrade to allow her to see over it better.

Lia wanted to press the issue, however, off to their right was Ser Harrold Westerling, his gaze steely, and posture rigid as he stood tall in his armour and white cloak. His presence did not broker a welcoming atmosphere for idle gossip, so she fell silent, allowing her gaze to sweep across the men gathered below, awaiting their audience with the princess.

It struck her as she looked upon them that they were spread out in a similar fashion to how cyvasse pieces are placed upon a board. She wondered if she called out for a dragon to remove an elephant from the board if they would assemble themselves to mirror the move as it is played in the game. She smiled to herself at the thought, blue eyes sparkling with amusement, until she felt the familiar weight and heat of a hand upon her shoulder, causing her to startle slightly. The smile disappeared from her face, her gaze remaining fixed ahead as she willed her heart to cease its sudden thumping against her ribs.

“Is there something that amuses you, Lady Lia?” Otto asked quietly, the subtle disapproval in his tone unmissed by her. His breath was warm against her ear and the gentle brush of his beard against the exposed juncture of her neck sent a shiver up her spine.

She had not been anticipating the Hand’s presence, and silently cursed herself for not having a witty response as she meekly shook her head, a timid sounding “no” leaving her lips.

Otto hummed in acknowledgement, stepping away from her to stand beside Rhaenyra’s elevated platform. She could still feel his hand upon her shoulder like a brand – it happened every time he touched her of late; a gentle hand upon the small of her back to guide her as they walked together, the soft brush of his fingers upon her temple as he tucked away an errant curl, they all left a blaze of heat in their wake, an uncomfortable coiling in Lia’s belly that made her cheeks flush and her mouth run dry. She hated it. She craved more of his touch while simultaneously never wanting for him to ever lay a hand upon her again.

As Ser Harrold called out each of the Knight’s names, listing off their attributes and history of service and battle, Lia’s attention was not focused on the men below, but instead how Otto loomed over Rhaenyra, whispering to her.

“You might thank him for his leal service,” she heard him advise.

She knew that as Hand of the King it was Otto’s duty to help with the recruitment of the Kingsguard, to ensure the best possible knight was placed in service of protection of the ruling monarch, and yet she could not shake her jealousy, nor could she understand it. As Otto leaned conspiratorially towards the princess and she in turn lifted her face to his, Lia was grateful for the long bell sleeves of her gown, for they hid the way her hands balled into angry fists. He used to whisper like that to her. Ever since he had begun orchestrating visits between Alicent and the King, it seemed she was of no use to him; she could not tell him anything he did not already know. A bitter, acrid taste rose up in her throat, enveloping her tongue. She was certain that if she were to speak now then every word would hang in the air, dripping with poison.

Forcing herself to look ahead, she bites back a scoff as Ser Criston Cole steps forward. The very same knight that had looked up at Rhaenyra during the tourney, and requested her favour with moon-eyed adoration. Lia’s head snapped to the side, wide eyed in disbelief and annoyance as she heard Rhaenyra state him as her choice.

“He is the only one to have known true battle, the rest are tourney knights,” she reasoned to Otto.

It was so like Rhaenyra to pick someone who fawned over her, and it was becoming more than apparent to Lia that her presence here was not really needed at all. She pushed away from the balcony edge, stepping quietly back through the doors of the Keep. There were enough reminders of her own unimportance, what with Rhaenyra being named heir and Alicent secretly courting the widowed king, without Lia being given another reason to feel like a spare part.

She walked the winding halls until she found her way to the Godswood, seating herself against the peeling white bark of the trunk of the Heart Tree, and turned her face up towards the vivid red and orange canopy of its leaves. The ground was hard beneath her, the roots lumpy against her backside, doubtless dirtying her skirts, yet she could not find it within herself to care. The sun shone warm and dappled through the branches, drawing Lia into a doze she was powerless to resist, yielding to the heaviness of her eyelids as they drifted closed.

“There you are.”

She awoke to the sound of Alicent’s voice and the gentle touch of her hand upon her shoulder, giving her a careful shake. Her eyes blinked open, vivid blue meeting those of warm brown and, for a moment, she wondered where she was.

‘Such a pretty view, have I died and the Maiden has come to guide me?’

Her brow furrowed in confusion as she took in her surroundings, green grass and gnarled roots in place of soft sheets and pillows. Realisation settled upon her as she looked back up at her friend who wore the slightest smile of amusement upon her lips as she gently plucked a stray crimson leaf from Lia’s dark curls, allowing it to flutter delicately to the ground.

“What are you doing sleeping out here? Rhaenyra and I have been looking for you,” she scolded gently, offering out a hand to help Lia to her feet.

Lia gratefully accepted her outstretched hand, moving to dust off the back of her dress as she stood. Her voice was still sleepy, nonchalant as she answered Alicent’s question while craning her neck behind her to see if her skirts were muddy. “‘Nyra wanted me to help choose a knight for the Kingsguard.It was boring so I left.”

Alicent’s loud, disapproving sigh drew Lia’s attention back to her. She turned, eyes raking over her friend from head to foot. She was wearing another of her mother’s dresses – this one a deep, royal blue with cutouts spanning the length of each sleeve. To Lia, she looked ridiculous, a little girl playing at dress up to appear more grown up than she actually was. She held her tongue, deciding it was not worth the quarrel for her to tell her so.

“Come,” Alicent said, her tone leaving no room for argument as she looped her arm through Lia’s, “your presence is needed elsewhere.”

Lia groaned, yet allowed herself to be led away. “I have had just about enough of my presence being needed today.”

“You will enjoy this, I promise,” Alicent smiled, tightening her arm in Lia’s reassuringly as they walked.

The solar had been filled with wildflowers, delicate hues of pink, yellow and white adorning every available surface. Lia took in the beautiful sight, eyes wide and lips parted in quiet admiration. Rhaenyra stood before the rounded table at the room’s centre, a wide smile upon her face and her hands clasped in front of her as Lia entered.

“You thought we had forgotten, did you not?” Rhaenyra teased, stooping to grab a silver platter laden with lemon cakes and Tyroshi honey fingers and carrying it towards her and Alicent.

“You did all of this for me?” Lia asked in quiet wonder as she turned in a full circle to admire the flowers, before looking upon the assortment of sweet treats held out before her.

“Happy name day, Lia,” Alicent said fondly, finally releasing her arm and reaching up to place a flower crown upon her head of raven curls.

The three girls reclined upon couches set in a semi circle around the table, the cakes and pastries now placed back upon it. Lia watched in quiet amusement as Rhaenyra leaned forward, plucking the candied lemon slices from each square of cake, placing them whole into her mouth. She had always had a larger appetite for everything than her and Alicent, and Lia supposed it was an inevitability of being royalty – when you were worth more, you needed more, an unbreakable cycle, an inherent hunger.

“So, how shall we spend the rest of our afternoon?” Lia asked, plucking idly at the tassel fringe of a cushion she held against her torso, as she sprawled out on her side against the plushness of the couch.

“I thought we might go to the sept,” Alicent offered, her attention focused upon a daisy that she twirled between her fingers. Her head rested against the cushions of the settee she laid upon, her legs bent at the knee.

Lia bristled at the suggestion, unable to stop her disgust from making itself apparent on her face as her features twisted, lips drawing downwards and nose wrinkling as she turned to look for any hint within Alicent’s serene expression that would suggest she was making a rare jest. Lia found none, but was mercifully spared the need to object by Rhaenyra.

“Why ever would we want to do that?” she asked haughtily, licking honey from her fingers as she lounged upon her front, silver hair falling forward around her like a silken curtain.

“I would like to pray for my mother,” Alicent said matter of factly, moving to sit up and swinging her legs over the edge of the couch, “and I thought we might pray for yours too.”

The room fell silent, and Lia immediately felt rotten for having reacted negatively to Alicent’s suggestion. From the way Rhaenyra slowly moved to prop herself up on her elbow, her gaze downcast, it was apparent the sentiment was one that was shared.

“The sept it is then,” Lia agreed softly, tugging her flower crown free from her hair as she rose to stand.

Despite the drafty, old stone of the Grand Sept, it was stiflingly hot within as they descended the steps, the heat of the candles burning bright within making sweat prickle upon the back of Lia’s neck. Alicent led her and Rhaenyra towards the large, circular dais that sat in the room’s centre, the top of it laden with lit votive candles. White wax dripped in enormous stalactites from the edge.

“I come here to be close to my mother,” Alicent told them, taking a wick and lighting her own candle, “I thought perhaps you could do the same, Rhaenyra?”

Lia shifted uncomfortably, twisting the rings upon her fingers as she looked upon the flames. The Hightowers were a pious house, and though the Costaynes followed the faith of the Seven, they did not observe quite as strictly as those they were sworn to – at least Lia did not.

“I would not know what to say,” Rhaenyra confessed, clearly sharing in Lia’s discomfort as she hesitated beside her friend.

“Then do not say anything,” Alicent insisted, giving her sleeve a gentle tug, “just contemplate quietly.”

Lia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as Rhaenyra complied, kneeling beside Alicent and clasping her hands in front of her. She wondered if in some unknown realm, leagues away, a god of Old Valyria looked upon Rhaenyra’s actions with disdain. She pondered how Daemon, or even Viserys would react if asked to do the same, and fought the urge to smile.

“You too, Lia,” Rhaenyra said, turning her head to look up at her.

“I have no one to pray for,” she admitted, shrugging slightly, “none of my family have…have died.”

She felt almost embarrassed to allow the last of the words to leave her mouth, as though she was being prideful in flaunting something she had that they did not. If either Rhaenyra or Alicent felt that way, they did not show it.

“No one needs to have died for you to pray for them,” Alicent explained, keeping her hands folded in prayer as she turned to look at Lia. “Just kneel with us.”

Lia gave a slight nod, sighing softly as she knelt beside Rhaenyra. She placed her hands together and closed her eyes, but she did not pray. Instead her mind wandered to the last time she had visited this very same sept with her mother, when her family had visited King’s Landing all those years ago.

“Now, Lia, you must light a candle and pray for our safe travels back home,” her mother had urged her, pushing her towards the dais with a firm hand upon her back.

Lia had not prayed for her family’s safe return for the Whispering Sound. Instead she had prayed that her family could stay with her, so that she could be as happy as both Alicent and Rhaenyra were, surrounded by loved ones.

Her prayer had gone unanswered, and her family had left the next day. From that point onwards, Lia never prayed again, deciding that if there were any gods at all that they had decided she was unworthy of listening to, in which case she thought they were unworthy of speaking to.

As Lia made her way back to her chambers, she was met by Otto. He strode purposefully towards her door, drawing up to his full height in front of her as she paused at the sight of him. Her hand stilled its movements upon the door handle as she looked quizzically at the small wooden box he held in his hands.

“I had not forgotten what day it is,” he told her, the corners of his eyes crinkled in softness as he looked down at her. “Forgive me for leaving it so late, I have been otherwise occupied, but I have a gift for you.”

Lia’s eyes moved from the box, up to Otto’s face and then back again, a mixture of nerves and suspicion fluttering in her belly at the kindness and warmth he regarded her with. “What is it?”

“Allow me to show you inside,” he gestured towards the door, and Lia nodded, pushing it open and stepping forward as he followed close behind.

She watched curiously as Otto made his way towards her writing desk,her maidservant having long since tidied away her brooch and the letter from her mother, and set the box down upon it, taking a seat in the same chair that she had sat in that very morning.

“Come closer,” Otto gestured, before reaching for a sheet of parchment and the lit candle that sat upon the table.

Lia stepped towards him, her body feeling like a tightly coiled spring. She had never felt so uneasy in his presence before, and a part of her longed to flee from the room, to burst into Rhaenyra’s bedchamber just as the princess had done to her that morning, and demand sanctuary from the uncomfortable sensations that swirled within her body.

She bit back a gasp as Otto’s hands reached for her hips, firmly but not forcefully guiding her to perch upon his knee. It was nothing she had not done before – as a child, she and Alicent had shared Otto’s lap countless times while he read to them from history books. Alicent had always paid rapt attention, while Lia usually fell asleep, lulled into unconsciousness by the comforting scent of sandalwood that seemed to permeate Otto’s very essence. Sitting on his lap now, however, caused a stirring within her that made Lia’s cheeks blaze. She was so tense she feared she may shatter apart at the slightest touch.

“I had this made specially for you,” Otto explained, clearly oblivious to her discomfort as he pulled a block of golden yellow wax from the box and melted it over the candle, letting it drip onto the parchment he had in front of him.

As it pooled upon the page, Lia could see that it was the same shade of yellow as her house colours. Without realising, she leaned back against him, allowing her back to rest against his broad chest as he took a stamp from the box, encouraging her to grip the wooden handle as he wrapped his much larger hand around hers to guide it.

The contact made her breath hitch, and she sat frozen, only able to focus on the sensations of his warm, calloused palm against the back of her hand, and his sturdy thigh pressing into the underneath of her clenched thighs.

Otto pressed the stamp firmly into the wax, holding her hand there for a few seconds, before pulling it back. “If you press too lightly, the stamp will not take,” he explained, “there, can you see that?”

He let go of her hand, taking the stamp from her as she leaned forward over the desk to examine the impression that had been left in the wax. It was a circular sigil, and she recognised within it two roses from that of House Costayne, however, in place of chalices there were flames.

“What are those?” she asked, hovering her finger over a flame, careful not to press it into the still solidifying wax.

“Ah,” he rumbled from behind her, and Lia was certain she could hear a smile in his voice, “those are the beacon flames of House Hightower.”

“But why?” she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion as she twisted around in his lap to look at him.

Otto smiled softly, but his expression gave nothing away. “You will make much use of this, I am sure,” he told her, patting her softly on the hip as he made to move from his seat.

Lia sprang off of him as though she were a cat on a hot roof, though found herself suddenly heavy with disappointment at the loss of his proximity.

“Now, get to bed,” he said cooly, standing and smoothing his doublet, his expression once more becoming the look of stern disapproval she had grown used to, “the hour is late.”

She lifted the parchment as he strode from the room, examining the rose and flame sigil, pondering its meaning. She was overcome by the sense that once she discovered the truth of it, she would not like what she found, and allowed the page to slip from her fingers. It fluttered to the tabletop just as the door closed heavily behind Otto.

Lia came to stand beside Rhaenyra the following morning, as the princess looked out upon the gardens from the wall walk of the Keep. Despite the gentle breeze and warm sunshine that shone down upon them, making the lush greens of the gardens seem more vibrant than usual, Rhaenyra’s expression was pensive, her gaze hardened, mouth pinched in the way it did only when she was annoyed. Lia followed the line of Rhaenyra’s sight, catching a glimpse of Viserys walking beside Laena Velaryon. Laena looked tiny compared to Viserys, and Lia could not help but silently wonder what the King would want with a child.

“Lord Corlys has seen fit to offer a betrothal between his daughter and my father,” Rhaenyra said, as though sensing Lia’s thoughts, her tone was clipped with annoyance, her eyes never leaving the gardens below.

“She is only twelve though,” Lia said, her eyes widening in horror, trying her best to push the images that flashed through her mind away, none of them pleasant.

“Well, apparently, Rhaenys has told her that she will not have to bed him until she is fourteen.”

Rhaenyra turned to look at Lia then, and though her expression remained angry, there was a desperate sadness held within the depths of her gaze. Lia tilted her head sympathetically, reaching out to give her friend’s arm a reassuring squeeze.

“He named me as his heir, why must he remarry?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Lia did not know how to answer that, but knew her silence would offer little comfort either. “He is not attempting to replace you,” she offered gently, “but he is the king, he is expected to take a wife.”

Rhaenyra scoffed, shaking her head as she looked back towards the gardens, her expression hardening to anger once more.

“If not Laena, it will be someone else eventually,” Lia told her.

Lia followed as Rhaenyra walked away. She had meant to offer comfort, but it was obvious that in speaking the truth she had unintentionally hurt her. As they rounded the corner of the wall walk, Rhaenys came into view, sat upon a wooden bench, clearly observing the same view that they had just been.

“It bothers you, does it not?” she asked Rhaenyra with a cat-like tilt of her head.

Lia shot Rhaenyra a look of apology as she slipped away, acknowledging the elder princess with a bow of her head before going back inside. She had never felt comfortable in the presence of Rhaenys. Much like the ferocious Red Queen, Meleys, whose back she flew upon, Lia always had the sense that Rhaenys possessed the ability to tear people apart, though with words instead of rending jaws and blistering fire. She had no desire to hang around for the inevitable dressing down that Rhaenys would give her friend, lest the attention be turned upon herself. Silently, she withdrew without even a farewell to either woman, and slipped into the halls.

Alicent balked at the sight of Lia, her eyes widening slightly and her lips pressing into a tight line as they happened upon each other in the empty corridor.

“Another present for me?” Lia asked teasingly, lifting the lid of the small wooden box that Alicent held in her hands.

“Must you be so nosy?!” Alicent snapped, snatching it away and slamming the lid closed once more, but it was too late, Lia had already seen what was inside.

She recognised the small stone dragon from the model of King’s Landing that Viserys kept within his apartments. Rhaenyra had snuck them into the room when they were younger, and they had giggled raucously as they had moved the little models about the makeshift city streets, finding the very idea of a dragon visiting the Street of Silk so funny that tears of laughter had rolled down their rosy cheeks. It had been less funny when Ser Westerling had happened across them and they had received a scolding for their trespass, mercifully lenient owing to the princess’ involvement.

“Why do you have that?” Lia demanded, her stare piercing as it fixed upon Alicent’s.

“It is none of your business,” she answered simply, leaving Lia to stand there and watch as she walked away.

Really, she did not need to ask, she knew Alicent had continued her visits to Viserys at the request of her father. It was a secret she hated keeping, and for that reason alone she hoped that Viserys would agree to marry Laena Velaryon. Her friendship with Rhaenyra and Alicent would never be the same again if Otto had his way.

Lia kept a distance from Rhaenyra and Alicent over the next few days. She loved them both dearly, but Rhaenyra’s petulance regarding the inevitable betrothal of her father and Alicent’s continued secret courting of him put her in a position that made her squirm with discomfort. She preferred to exist in solitude than endure a situation where she would unleash chaos by speaking the truth or be complicit in deception if she did not.

She sat upon the settee in her chambers, her legs tucked beneath her as she leaned back against the window sill. The early afternoon light that streamed in illuminated the pages of the book she read, the tome perched precariously within the fingers of her right hand – it was a tale of a heroic knight, rescuing his lady from the clutches of a monster.

Lia scoffed as her eyes trailed over the part where the knight valiantly draws his sword, challenging the beast that holds the maiden captive.

“Wait until he realises she is friends with a princess and rides off to save her instead,” she murmured quietly to herself.

She looked up as a soft knock fell upon her door, snapping the book closed. “Come,” she called out, watching curiously as a timid looking page boy opened her door the smallest of fractions, peering through.

“Apologies for the intrusion, my lady. The Lord Hand has requested your presence in his apartments.”

“What for?” she asked curtly, annoyance prickling at her at the hesitation in the messenger’s tone and body language. It was borne of politeness, she was sure, but she found it far ruder to have to address a floating head than she would if he simply stepped into the room.

“Forgive me, my lady, he did not say.”

The boy’s expression was simpering, apologetic and, unable to stand his presence a second longer, she dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “I shall be there momentarily.”

It was a short walk from the space that Lia occupied within the castle to where Otto resided. She knew the route well, could have traversed it with her eyes closed, and yet she found herself dragging her feet, prolonging the journey. The memory of him pulling her into his lap burned fresh in her mind, if she closed her eyes she could still feel the press of his chest against her back, the touch of his hand as it guided her own. It was not the proximity that she wished to flee from, however, but the way she craved more of it.

“Did the messenger not impress upon you the need for haste?” Otto asked, brow pinched in annoyance as she entered his apartments, keeping her spine rigid against the solid wood of the door as she closed it gently behind her.

“I am afraid he did not,” she said, eyes raking over him from head to foot. He stood before the lit fireplace, which served as the only source of light in the large chamber. He cut a formidable silhouette within the gloom of his surroundings, dressed in the green of House Hightower, strapped into the iron plating that protected his middle.

She wondered how he had looked in his youth, when he had served as a knight, if he had been as stern then as he was now, or if he had charmed his way into the heart of Alyrie Florent with kisses to the hand and demands of her favour.

His lips pressed into a tight line, an expression that made Lia immediately want to grin triumphantly as she knew she had frustrated him. “I need you to assist me with my armour,” he told her, beckoning her closer.

Lia stepped towards him, the heat of the fire coupled with the feverish blush that broke out across her pale skin made her want to claw herself free of it. Instead, she busied herself with tightening the straps that held his faulds fastened. “It looks as though your squire has done most of the work for you already,” she commented, “could Alicent not help you with the rest?”

“Alicent is with the king,” he replied firmly.

Lia was grateful for the fact that Otto had his back turned to her, so that he missed the way her eyes flashed with anger as she glared at the back of his head. He was not even trying to hide it from her anymore.

He turned, holding his arms out towards her, and she reached over to the table where his gloves rested, picking one up and focusing on the feeling of the supple leather beneath her fingertips as she tugged it gently over his large hand. “Where are you going, anyway?” she questioned, attempting to mask her fury with curiosity as she lifted her eyes to meet his intent gaze.

“To Dragonstone,” he replied, as she helped him into his other glove, “and that is all you need to know,” he added quickly, as if sensing she would press for further information.

He was right of course, a thousand questions raced through her mind – what could he possibly need upon that desolate rock? It sat empty, the seat of House Targaryen that Rhaenyra would inherit one day and do as she pleased with. Otto had no business being there.

She sighed, allowing her gaze to drop as she stepped away from him, but Otto was quick to follow, closing the space between them as he gently grasped her delicate jaw in his hand, urging her to look back up at him. The leather of his glove was soft and warm, and she fought the urge to nuzzle into it.

“It is important that you grow accustomed to assisting in this manner, Lia,” he told her earnestly, “it will become a routine for you sooner than late.”

Her brow furrowed in confusion, unable to make sense of his meaning. He raised his other hand to rest upon her cheek, cradling her face as his expression softened considerably, his hazel eyes searching the blue of her own. “You will be good while I am gone?”

Her breath hitched, it felt as though all the air had been stolen away from her lungs. She placed her hands against his chest, her fingers clutching the thick quilting of his doublet, as she forced herself to grin, an attempt to dissipate the tension. “I am always good.”

Lia could still feel the press of Otto’s gloves upon her face as she leant against the balustrade of the wall walk that overlooked the gardens. Despite the crispness of the air, her skin still felt heated, even though more than an hour had passed since Otto had departed from King’s Landing.

“You look as unhappy as I feel,” Rhaenyra’s voice startled Lia from her thoughts, and she turned her head to see the princess coming to stand beside her, resting her forearms upon the stone ledge as she leaned forward to look out to the horizon.

“I would rather not speak of it,” Lia sighed, turning her attention back to the gardens below. “And what of you?”

“My uncle,” Rhaenyra said bitterly.

“I suppose that makes a change from it being your father,” Lia smirked, “but what has he done? Your father told him to return to the Vale.”

“Since when has Daemon ever done as he is told?” Rhaenyra scoffed. “He has stolen the egg meant for my brother and taken up residence upon Dragonstone.”

Lia’s lips parted in shock at the realisation, as the reason for Otto’s swift departure now made sense. She could not envision Otto being able to convince Daemon to stand down without there being significant bloodshed – the two men despised each other. She knew Rhaenyra was well aware of this too and, as she turned to look at her, she could see from the determined set of her jaw and her piercing gaze that it was not something the princess would leave unchallenged.

“You want me to talk you out of doing something stupid?” Lia asked, turning to face her fully.

Rhaenyra shook her head, pushing away from the balustrade and reached for Lia’s hand, keeping it clutched between both of her own. “I would go to Alicent if I needed to be convinced not to do something. I am asking for your support, and your silence in this.”

Lia sighed, her shoulders sagging as she cast a withering look at her friend. “‘Nyra, I–”

“Lia, please,” Rhaenyra begged, her brows arched in a look that bordered upon despair. “My uncle will listen to me, you know he will, but I need to leave here without my father or Alicent knowing, because they will try to stop me. If they ask after my whereabouts I need you to lie. Promise me – promise me – that you will give me time to get to Syrax before you say anything.”

In answer, Lia tugged her hand free of Rhaenyra’s, and pulled her into a crushing hug. The scent of bergamot mixed with smoke filled her nostrils as she pressed her face into her long, silver hair. “Please, please be careful.”

Come nightfall, neither Rhaenyra or Otto had returned yet, and Lia’s thoughts raced, anxiety coiled like a serpent within her belly as she sat up against the pillows in bed, unable to shake the idea that Daemon had hacked them to bits with Dark Sister.

Her door being gently pushed open followed the soft knock upon it, and Alicent stepped tentatively through it, the pink of her nightgown so pale it could easily be mistaken for white in certain light. She held her hands in front of her, her cuticles picked bloody as she stared at Lia with uncertainty in the depths of her brown eyes.

“It has been a long time since I have fallen asleep without both my father and Rhaenyra here,” she explained quietly, shifting nervously from foot to foot, “and…forgive me, it was a childish thought…”

“No, wait!” Lia called out, as Alicent turned back towards the door. “It isn’t childish, I do not wish to be alone either.”

Lia pulled back the covers, patting the space beside her, and Alicent’s face softened, a small smile tugging at her lips as she moved towards the bed and climbed in beside her friend. For a long moment, Lia was convinced that Alicent would simply fall asleep as the silence stretched heavy and uncomfortable between them. Her fingers stroked idly at the soft linen of the bed sheets until finally Alicent spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Do you think I am a good person?” she asked.

Lia huffed back a soft laugh, as though it were the most ridiculous question in the world. “You imbecile.”

‘You are the best of any of us.’

Alicent smiled, though it was a tight and uncomfortable thing that did not reach her eyes. “I fear Rhaenyra will no longer think I am…”

“I am guessing you know where she has gone?”

Alicent gave a slight nod. “Word of it got back to Viserys from the dragon keepers. He is furious.”

Lia glanced sideways at Alicent, it puzzled her how she could speak so casually of the king, as though she was being allowed to peer in on a secret that she had no business knowing.

“Do you wish to marry him?” Lia dared not speak his name or title, to mention either would be to fabricate it into something tangible, something that could not be undone.

“My father wants me to,” she replied simply, clutching the bedcovers tight against her chest.

“That is not what I asked,” Lia chastised softly. It had always irked her the way that Alicent made a habit of avoiding speaking her own thoughts and desires, simply existing through the whims of others. “But you know, Laena may end up being the one, and then…then you would be free.”

“I am not sure free is a word I could ever use to describe myself,” Alicent leaned in, resting her head upon Lia’s pillow, and Lia moved closer. She had no words of wisdom to offer, nothing that could quell the worry in Alicent’s heart, she simply hoped her presence was enough. Sinking down into the bed, she allowed herself to be lulled to sleep by the comforting presence of being cuddled near to the closest thing she would ever have to a sister.

Lia squealed, her heart practically leaping in her ribcage with happiness as she flung herself towards Rhaenyra the next morning. She had strode towards Lia in the courtyard, a proud smirk upon her face, still clad in her riding leathers. She was dirty and smelly, and the stench of brimstone was an assault on Lia’s senses as she crushed the filthy leather of the princess’ chest against the pristine brocade of her own. It mattered not, she had never been more pleased to see her.

“You are a sight for sore eyes,” Lia teased gently as she pulled back, discreetly checking Rhaenyra for any sign of injury.

“I am unharmed,” Rhaenyra reassured her.

“And the egg?” Lia asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“Back where it belongs,” Rhaenyra’s glove clad hands tugged Lia by her forearms into the nearest alcove, her voice becoming hushed. “I have been thinking about what you said, about Laena.”

“And?” Lia urged, unresistant to Rhaenyra’s manhandling of her. She cocked her head impatiently.

“It occurred to me when I confronted Daemon how easily he could have cut me down, to reclaim his position as heir, what he believes is rightfully his,” Rhaenyra explained, never relinquishing her grasp of Lia. Lia wrapped her slender fingers as best she could around the sleeves of Rhaenyra’s riding jacket, an attempt to mirror the gesture. “I am all that stands between Daemon and the throne. Perhaps…perhaps it would not be so bad if my father were to remarry, if only for any subsequent children he sires to push Daemon further down the line of succession.”

Lia felt relief wash over her like a refreshing wave, heaving a gentle sigh. “It gladdens me to hear that, it is inevitably going to happen at some point, whoever it is–”

“It must be Laena,” Rhaenyra insisted, and Lia’s relief dissipated so quickly it may as well have never existed at all, “it would unite the last of the Valyrian houses in the realm and ensure the continuation of our bloodlines.”

Lia gave Rhaenyra a tight smile, hoping desperately that her face did not betray the secret she harboured for Alicent, nor the disgust that roiled within her belly at her friend’s explanation. The incestuous customs of House Targaryen had always seemed strange to her, and something she avoided paying any mind to as much as possible. “Of course,” she said quietly, “it should be Laena.”

“Where are you going?” Lia asked, her arms dropping limply to her sides as Rhaenyra pulled away from her and turned to walk inside.

“To receive the scolding I am owed,” she called over her shoulder with a smile.

‘Gods, please let it be Laena that Viserys chooses.’

The next time that Lia saw Otto, he was striding towards the small council chamber, with Alicent at his side. He did not spare Lia a second glance, his steps quick and purposeful as his daughter hurried to keep pace with him. Alicent never attended meetings of the small council, and as she passed Lia, their eyes met for the briefest of moments. Lia immediately knew from the haunted look in Alicent’s stare and the grim line her mouth was pressed into what was about to happen – Viserys had made his choice.

She felt sick to her stomach, and though she knew it was better to stay away, she was unable to resist the pull towards the closed doors of the chamber. Lia kept a safe distance, so as not to be told to go away by the white cloaks posted outside to keep watch and prevent intrusions. She paced nervously, certain she must be wearing down the stone of the floor as she walked back and forth, twisting the rings on her fingers as she silently prayed to any god who might listen that Viserys would choose the Velaryon girl, and not tear apart the only thing in this lonely place that brought her any joy.

After what felt like an eternity, Lia froze, her pulse racing as the doors to the chamber burst open and the hulking frame of Corlys Velaryon stormed down the corridor, his dark features twisted into an expression so angry it was almost a snarl. It was not the face of a man who had just been given the news that his daughter would be queen; it was the face of a man spurned. Lia’s heart sank like a stone in a pond. For the second time in her life, Lia affirmed that if indeed the Seven did exist, they were deaf to her pleas.

Rhaenyra hurried out shortly after Corlys, and it was the sight of tears streaming down her cheeks that finally spurred Lia into action as she moved towards her friend.

“I hate her, I hate her,” Rhaenyra choked out, not resisting as Lia wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. They remained that way, awkwardly stumbling through the Keep, back towards Rhaenyra’s quarters, as Lia attempted to hush Rhaenyra and soothe her angry sobs with gentle words and calming sounds. The pair were so fixated on one another that neither stopped to notice if anyone else in the castle might take note of their commotion, and if they had then neither Lia or Rhaenyra would care.

Rhaenyra came to perch on the edge of her bed, eyes red and watery as she swiped at the tears upon her ruddy cheeks with jerky, angry movements.

“I am afraid I do not have a handkerchief,” Lia said softly, sitting beside her, their hips grazing slightly. It was a meek attempt at comfort, to lighten the mood, to take Rhaenyra’s mind and her own off of the fact that their happy little trio had been torn asunder. It was unsuccessful.

Rhaenyra’s fists bunched in the skirts of her golden gown, exhaling heavily to calm herself. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “My father is going to marry Alicent. Alicent! Of all people, how could she do this to me?”

Lia reached out, placing a hand over one of Rhaenyra’s hands as it continued to ball up the silk of her dress, and squeezed gently. “It was not her choice. Her father made her.”

She realised what she had said the moment Rhaenyra recoiled from her, blue eyes widening momentarily as she snatched her hand away, as though scalded by Lia’s touch. “You knew.”

It was an accusation, not a question, and Lia could not bear the weight of it. She turned away, placing her hands in her lap as she lowered her gaze. Shame was never an emotion that Lia had worn well, and in this very moment she had never felt uglier than beneath the scrutinising stare of one of her dearest companions.

“You knew and you did not tell me,” Rhaenyra’s voice had grown quiet, voice laced with spiteful anger, the beginnings of a dragon drawing back to spew forth fire.

“It would not have made a difference if I had,” Lia admitted sadly, a look of pleading in her eyes as she finally raised her head to face her.

Rhaenyra was too far gone in her fury to be reasoned with. Her eyes narrowed in contempt as she regarded the girl next to her with something akin to hatred. “Out,” she commanded.

Lia shrank back slightly, but made no further attempt to move, her heart twisting painfully in her chest as tears of her own blurred her vision. “‘Nyra, please–”

“Out! Get out!” Rhaenyra shouted angrily, jumping to her feet and shoving forcefully at Lia. Lia stumbled backwards, grasping fruitlessly at the princess as fat, hot tears rolled down her cheeks. “Get out!”

Lia managed to duck out through the door, quickly closing it behind her just as a hair brush clattered loudly against the wood. She made no attempt to compose herself, walking quickly through the winding corridors of Maegor’s Holdfast, with a hand clasped over her mouth to muffle the sobs that forced their way out of her throat, threatening to choke her. As Lia rounded a corner, she came face to face with Alicent, her own eyes tearful as she pulled to a stop, looking utterly miserable as she stood in front of Lia.

“I am sorry,” Alicent whispered, her fingers plucking absentmindedly at her fingernails as she clasped her hands in front of her.

Lia breathed a watery sigh, lifting her eyes to the ceiling as she smoothed a hand over her curls.

Not now. Not now. Not now.

“So am I,” Lia finally told her, meeting her stare, “but right now…right now I cannot bear to look at you.”

She moved around Alicent, walking away, not trusting herself to look back, selfishly focused upon her own upset. Lia knew that the moment she looked upon her friend’s sad, vulnerable face her resolve would crumble to ash and she would shove all she felt aside to comfort her. Right at this moment she needed to wallow in her own misery, not tend to anyone else’s.

Lia wallowed for weeks, existing within the Keep as a mere spectre, mourning the loss of her friends. She knew that she should reach out to Alicent, that she must be feeling every bit as scared and sad as she was, if not more – after all, she was having to marry a man she had not asked for. But she could not bring herself to take the first step and bridge the chasm between them, the idea of doing so felt like a betrayal to Rhaenyra. She had not spoken to Rhaenyra since she had demanded that Lia leave her room, and Lia doubted that appearing to have taken Alicent’s side would shift them closer to reconciliation. She felt stuck, trapped in her own misery, and she knew that Otto Hightower was to blame – the man who had pushed his only daughter towards the king, in the pursuit of his own ambition. She avoided him as much as she could, speaking to him as little she could get away with, not trusting herself not to erupt at him just as Rhaenyra had done to her. The confusing rush of heat she felt whenever in his presence had not gone away, but it had been dwarfed by bitter resentment.

The morning of Alicent and Viserys’ wedding, Lia caught sight of Alicent as she walked past her chambers. The doors had been left open, to allow for the scurry of maidservants all coming and going as they attended to her, readying her for the ceremony.

Alicent stood elevated upon a wooden step stool, in front of a full length looking glass, draped in a backless gown of ivory lace. Her auburn curls were piled high upon her head, adorned with a high set tiara inlaid with iridescent pearls and sparkling diamonds. She looked beautiful, but it was not this that struck a chord with Lia, it was how tiny, vulnerable and alone she appeared. She still looked every bit the little girl playing at dress up, just as she had in her mother’s clothes when her courtship with the king began. But this time Lia was not left fighting the urge not to mock her, this time she wanted to offer comfort to her friend, because she looked absolutely terrified.

Lia stepped into the room, silently unapologetic as she was met by the frustrated huffs of the maidservants she pushed past in order to get to her friend. She came to stand beside her, meeting Alicent’s gaze in the reflective surface. Alicent remained upon her step stool as a stout woman knelt before her, placing hasty stitches into the hem of her dress, but she reached out an arm, draping it around Lia’s shoulders and pulled her against her waist. Lia clung tightly to her, as though grasping a lifeline after weeks of being set adrift.

“Do you hate me?” Alicent asked quietly as she continued to look at Lia in the mirror.

“You imbecile,” Lia breathed, hugging her tighter. ‘I love the bones of you.’

The ceremony itself was a tense affair. Despite the fact that the grand sept was filled to capacity with well wishers for the impending nuptials, Lia’s gaze was honed in upon Rhaenyra, who sat on the opposite side of the aisle to her. Lia could practically feel the ire radiating off of her. The princess kept her gaze fixed ahead, eyes filled with malice as she watched her father drape his cloak around Alicent’s shoulders. Her lips were drawn into a petulant pout as she kept her arms crossed around her middle.

“You ought to be watching the wedding, not the princess,” Otto leaned in to whisper to her from where sat beside her.

Lia scowled at the flush of pink that dusted across her cheekbones at the brush of his beard against the shell of her ear, and wordlessly turned to face the front. She would not grant him the privilege of her attention or her response.

She barely touched her food at the wedding feast, but the same could not be said of the wine. Seated between Otto and his son, Gwayne, at the head feasting table, Lia did not look at either of them, her attention focused solely upon the jug in front of her. She repeatedly lifted the pewter receptacle to fill her cup with Dornish red. The burn in her throat was a pleasant distraction to the misery that sat further down the table on either side of Viserys. She found the gradual lightheadedness helped her to care less about how subdued Alicent appeared, to pay no mind to Rhaenyra’s sullen face. Were it not for the jaunty tune being played by the musicians in the corner of the hall, the atmosphere could easily be mistaken for a funeral and not a wedding.

“Perhaps you might speak to Gwayne?” Otto urged gently as he leaned in to speak quietly to her. “He has traveled from Oldtown to be here today.”

“I have nothing to say to him,” she said, her tone dripping with petulant defiance, content to ignore the red headed young man beside her.

As she reached forward for the wine jug again, Otto gently grasped her wrist, staying her hand. “I think you have had enough,” he warned, the stern intonation one she was painfully familiar with.

“Allow me to respectfully disagree,” she slurred slightly, a lazy grin spreading across her face as she finally turned to look at Otto, “must you be so boring?”

“Up. Now,” Otto commanded, rising from his seat. Though he kept his voice low enough for only her to hear, the anger that blazed within her eyes as he stared expectantly down at her left no room for argument.

A stone settled in Lia’s stomach as she rose from her seat, unsteady on her feet as she followed him through a side door, into a quiet and empty passageway of the Keep.

He rounded on her as the door closed behind them, the anger in him now at a simmer instead of boiling over. “You are in your cups, and I think it best you retire for the evening, lest you embarrass yourself.”

“I am not yours to command,” Lia bit back, staring up at him defiantly, even as she swayed with the effects of the wine, her limbs feeling much too heavy to cope with the fuzziness that clouded her mind.

“Must you always be so disagreeable?” he demanded, nostrils flaring in irritation.

“Must you always ruin everything?!” she shouted back, hating the way her voice wobbled as a lump formed in her throat.

Otto furrowed his brow, eyes searching her face in confusion. “What exactly do you mean?”

Inhibitions lowered, Lia allowed the floodgates to open, hiccuping around sobs as she lunged towards Otto, slapping her hands weakly against the crushed forest green velvet of his doublet as she raged at him. “You have married Alicent to Viserys! You made her! You took away my friends! Alicent will be queen, but what of me? What of me? You have forgotten me!”

He caught her wrists, holding them tight against his chest, until the fight left her, and she slumped against chest, crying quietly. Only then did he release her, his arms coming to wrap around her, holding her gently against him. The smell of sandalwood surrounded her, soothing her, and she allowed her eyes to close as he gently stroked her hair.

“My darling girl, I could never forget you.”

His voice was the gentlest she had ever heard him sound and she pulled back slightly, her large tearful eyes meeting the soft understanding reflected in his as he looked down at her.

“I wanted to wait until the wedding was over to tell you, but it seems there is no point in delaying any longer,” he said, his hands coming to rest upon her shoulders.

“Tell me what?” Lia asked, feeling dread begin to coil within her belly.

“When Gwayne returns to Oldtown, you will go with him. The two of you are to be married.”

Otto broke the news with a prideful look upon his face, eyes glittering as he smiled down at her, as though bestowing a great gift upon her.

Lia felt the bottom fall away from her world, her heart and stomach dripping endlessly with it.

‘I do not want this. I do not want this.’

She felt as though she could not breathe, the urge to tear at her bodice to ease the restriction of her ribs became almost overwhelming. Pulling out of Otto’s grasp, Lia turned and ran, wanting to put as much distance between herself and the unwelcome news he had just delivered as possible.

For the third time in her life, Lia found herself beseeching to gods she did not believe in.

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