#fantasy fic

[soubi122]

Sweet Dreams - PT 3 End

It took me forever to finish this and I apologize, I had to scrap and redo this story line so many times because I wasn't happy with it. Finally, I'm happy with it.

Happy Halloween my loves! I hope you enjoy.

Mini series featuring our OG Tenjiku men. All characters are aged up. Our Tenjiku men are...INCUBI!

NO MINORS - MDNI!

Warnings: smut, m!oral, fingering, unprotected sex, thigh riding, monster fucking (kind of....maybe...), slight angst at the end, death. Sorry if I missed anything!

PT 1, PT 2

Dinner Is Served

You were scrambling around the grocery store trying to look for something to put together for dinner tonight. Izana asked you to surprise him, so there really wasn’t any indication of what he wanted to eat. While standing in the aisle, you were scrolling down a list of recipes. A large hand was placed over your shoulder and you squeaked in surprise almost dropping your phone. Spinning around to face a tall figure, you see Mucho behind you. His large frame and threatening presence would have anyone else quivering but you relaxed and smiled at him. “Ready for tonight?” His smirk was poking fun at you, you looked flustered - he saw a distracted female figure when he was passing by the aisle. He knew it was you by your scent - it was imprinted on him. 

“I um-no.” You sigh in defeat as your shoulders hung low. It was hard, you wanted to make something delicious, you wanted him to like your cooking, you wanted him to be satisfied and not force himself to eat something he doesn’t like. “Help me.” You say in almost a plea, you clung on to his arm - he was thrown off by your sudden actions. He had to make sure that he didn’t accidently lure you. Nope, it was all you. “What the hell are you doing?” Another voice questioned you two from down the aisle. It was Mochizuki - he was concerned that Izana might pop out of nowhere and see this little private moment. You turned to look at him and ran to cling on to his arm as well while dragging Mucho behind you. “Help me Mochi, please!” It was the funniest thing to see a tiny little thing haul two of the tallest Tenjiku members around like they were ragdolls. “I don’t know what to make for him tonight, what does he like? What does he eat? IS there something I need to steer clear from?” You were going on and on with questions that you hardly notice Shion now in the mix. Well, that is until you felt a hand on your lower back. Now you had three men being dragged around with you at the grocery store. They ended up carrying your groceries and accompanying you back home. 

You thanked them and promised them a dinner or favor in return for their help today. The coy smirks on their faces hinted at taking you up on that favor. 

You began prepping and decided to take a risk - it was something foreign and yet it was a comfort food that reminded you of a trip abroad. By 18:30, Izana was already at your doorstep and proceeded to ring the doorbell. “Coming!” He could hear you yell from the other side of the door. When you opened the door, you were taken back by the small bouquet of flowers that he held in his hands. “Couldn’t come empty handed…” He said with a playful tone on his tongue. They were beautiful, red azaleas (rhododendrons) - their color stood out against the black button up he was wearing and oldly matched his earrings. “Thank you, they are gorgeous.” You said and smiled, he could almost see the hearts in your eyes when you took them. It made him chuckle, some women really do like the simpler things in life - all his past playthings usually looked disappointed to receive flowers, they wanted extravagant gifts. After stepping inside, you set the flowers in a glass vase with water and guided him to the kitchen. 

“I hope you don’t mind eating something rather light for tonight.” You say while setting the table. Izana’s eyes trailed up and down your figure as you walked back and forth between the kitchen and the table. The midi skirt and button up blouse made you look so innocent, a stark difference to how you are in your dreams. “Need help?” His voice was almost in your ear and made you gasp. He was leaning over you to take a look inside the pan and smiled when you looked up at him. Those cute little doe eyes of yours were making it hard for him to keep his composure. How could you stay so calm around them? Was it that you were already used to their presence? “Sure, wanna get the drinks? I have wine, water and soft drinks.” Oh you just sealed your fate, he opted for wine and he knew just which bottle to grab when he opened your cabinet. The bottle of Barrel X Riesling paired well with tonight’s dinner. 

Finally, it was time to eat. Izana had already poured the wine and took a seat at the table, he smirked at you when you set his plate down - you were in for it. There was a slight nervousness that bubbled up, you were confident of your cooking skills but cooking for someone else was rare. “I hope you’re ok with it, please let me know if you don’t and I can try making something else or we can go out for dinner instead-” He cut you off with a chuckle, “This is fine, I’m sure it will taste great.” You were waiting for him to take the first bite, you wanted to see his facial expression - would he like it? It was as if everything was going in slow motion, your eyes were focused on his lips. The moment his mouth wrapped around the utensil you braced yourself for impact. There was almost a glow in his eyes, he took a second bite and then a third. Izana was eating your food.

“Where did you learn to cook like this? It tastes amazing.” He says with a cheeky smile. The stress melted away, you were glad he liked it. “I watched a lot of cooking shows as a kid and fell in love with food - please try it with the wine.” You suggested and began to eat. Small conversations about work and life made their way to the table. Things were going smoothly, well that is until you felt the warmth of the wine creeping up your cheeks. After dinner, you began to set the plates in the sink and Izana offered to wash the dishes for you but you refused - that’s why you have a dishwasher. Leaving them in the sink was just to avoid spending time arranging the dishes, you wanted to spend time with him. 

Throughout the night there were subtle hints, you both took a seat on the couch while sipping on the rest of the wine. For some background noise, you turned on the TV and just let it run on a random channel. Curiosity began to gnaw at you, his scent was intoxicating and made you feel rather lightheaded. “So, how do you like living in this cozy little neighborhood?” You ask while taking a sip. Izana smiled and leaned back into the couch. “I like it, it's nice, not too far from public transportation, I have a really amazing neighbor…” Wait, what? Was he referring to the woman who was all over their place when they first moved in? There is a woman on the opposite side of Izana's place that loves to…well, be more than just a neighbor. You don't blame her, the men next door are handsome, it's not like they are yours. “Ah, are you referring to the lady in 311?” You ask, there was a tinge of disappointment on your tongue. He chuckled. “Yeah, she's nice.” Oof, did that sound rather sarcastic? 

“You idiot, I’m talking about you.” Izana said and leaned in close to you. The sudden action made your heart pound. “(Y/N), I don’t know what you are but you…draw us in.” He said and cupped your cheek. There was a glow in his eyes that made warmth pool between your legs. His breath fanned your lips and the light scent of alcohol made you slowly lean in. Both of you had shaky breathing, the anticipation was killing you both - as your lashes fluttered and your eyes closed…

“Breaking news this evening! Two women’s bodies were found in an abandoned building. Police say that this is a growing problem in the area of Yokohama.” The sound of the TV caught your attention, making you pull away from Izana. Fuck, he was so close! “(Y/N)...” He said and tried to catch your attention. “Did you hear that? I think this is the fourth body this week.” You say and raise the volume. Damn, did you just…ignore his lure? “The women have been identified as (x female) and (y female).” The announcement made the hair on the back of your neck stand up. However, Izana looked just as concerned as you did. Something wasn’t right. “Oh my god.” You say and clasp your hands over your face. Izana turned to look at you, the look of pure shock and fear plagued your beautiful features. 

They were women that worked in the same office building as you. “(Y/N)...did you know them?” Izana asks carefully. Turning to look at him, the look in his eyes was sincere with a glint of concern. You shook your head, they were only people you would say good morning to when you caught the elevator together. “No, but they worked in the same building as me. I would see them every day...how awful.” As the news broadcast continued, they revealed that they were last seen with two men. The description was vague but something didn’t sit right. Something…something just sounded a little too familiar. Trying to ease your mind Izana lowered the volume and cupped your hands in his. Bringing them up to his lips, he kissed them and spoke softly. “If you want, one of us can meet you at the station or even at work.” He was being genuine, the increasing amount of violence in the downtown areas were concerning, not even Tenjiku could control the outer borders despite their size and strength. New gangs were beginning to pop up to try and take over Yokohama and the Shibuya areas. Though he could give two shits about Shibuya or Shinjuku - it would eventually become an issue for Yokohama if those gangs bleed on Tenjiku turf. 

For a moment you felt your heart skip, Izana just made you realize that he kissed your hands and was oh so close. Blush dusted your face and heat began to spread through your body. Looking up to meet his eyes, you felt it… That uncontrollable desire to lean in and close the distance. His lips curved into a smile, his eyes seemed to drown you in anticipation and his touch felt like fire. “I won’t let anyone hurt you…” He whispered and slowly closed the distance between your faces. The closer he got, the more warmth pooled in places that yearned to be touched. Izana’s orbs seemed to glow the more you looked into his eyes. You hardly noticed his hands caressing your cheek, it only became apparent when he pulled you in to place a kiss on your plush lips. He tasted like sweet wine and sin. 

His kiss felt like electricity, the single spark lured you like a moth to a flame. Izana nibbled on your bottom lip, he wanted for you to give him permission to taste you. With a soft moan, you parted your lips and granted him access. Even though he’s kissed you in your dreams, it didn’t feel the same as it did now - this was truly heaven. Soft moans bled through the passionate kisses, you could barely breathe. His arms were snaking their way around your body and left trails of fire. 

Trying to speak between kisses you end up moaning for him. “Izana… Mhn…” His tongue kept overwhelming yours - he was giving you goosebumps. Your hands made haste and quickly undid the buttons of his shirt. He was just too hard to resist right now. What am I doing? I can't stop myself. You think to yourself as you run your hands along his chest. He was toned and the moment you lowered yourself to place kisses on his chest you were hit with his scent. It was like a neurotoxin that kept altering your train of thought. That rich grapefruit, tuberose and cedarwood had you under a spell. “(y/n), if we go any further… you might not live to see tomorrow.” Izana's tone was heavy as he pants and cups your face, tilting your head upwards to meet his eyes. The only things reflected in your orbs were lust, hunger and just a tinge of fear. The fear stemmed not from what he said but from what you're feeling. You’ve never felt like this before, you wanted him… Bad. 

“Izana… I want you.” You manage to say while dipping your hands south to his zipper. The glow in his eyes seemed to get brighter as you unzipped his pants and reached for his member. His breath hitches at the warmth of your hands, his member was twitching and throbbing as you gaze upon it. Hungry eyes were devouring every vein, every inch and every drop of precum that leaked from his tip. It's as if you were hypnotized, the hearts in your eyes only grew bigger as your hand stroked him and his essence dripped down his slit. It was heavy in your hands, everything that a girl could ask for - length, girth, a red flushed tip. Without even asking him, your tongue took one long and slow swipe from the base of his cock to the very tip. Tasting him and basking at the sweetness that coated your tongue you moaned softly, Izana didn't want you to stop. “Oh fuck, (y/n)...” He moaned out your name and lightly bucked his hips. Who would have known that the sweet and shy girl next door was a minx? 

The moment you took his length in your mouth he threw his head back in pleasure. You could feel your panties sticking to your folds. Without warning you took him deeper into your mouth, his tip was hitting the back of your throat and he let out the sweetest moan. You had no control of yourself, the intoxication was beyond your understating - desire kept burning the threads of self-control. To be honest, if someone were to walk in on you two now - it would look like you were holding him hostage. 

Izana’s hand ran through your hair, stopping at the base of your neck and gripped it. His moans were getting louder as you bobbed your head, tasting him nice and slow. “Ngh…such a good girl…” He barely manages to say when you swirl your tongue over his tip. His chest heaved and his heart was pounding nonstop, the love and attention you were giving his cock was making him fall in love. Who would have known that you were hiding such…talents. As you gazed up at him, you could see his eyes were at half mast, glossy and filled with lust. 

Stroking his member as you sucked had his thighs quivering. He’s always been the one to break the other person but here he was on the verge of making you swallow his seed. Locking eyes with him only made you go faster, his gorgeous expressions and reactions made you almost melt. Silver strands were sticking to his face and his hips were beginning to thrust into you. There was just no way to stop yourself, Izana just tasted so good and you had no intention of stopping just here. “Ahn…fuck.” Izana moans out loud as he feels your tongue massaging his length. His stomach would flex each time you hit a sensitive spot and you wanted to see him finish. You needed him to finish in your mouth, to feed you everything he’s got. 

Each time his tip hit the back of your throat, you’d moan and clench instinctively. Izana’s lewd whimpers were making fire in your belly. To see him in this state was priceless. Those beautiful long white lashes were fluttering, his eyes were glossy, his lips parted - he looked so gorgeous that you thought it was all a dream. “Just like that (Y/N), just like that…oh fuck” He moans, you could feel the rumbling in his chest when your hand kept him pinned down on the couch. Picking up the pace, you hollow your cheeks and stroke him - adding more pleasure to his already sensitive cock. The vibrations from your moans had Izana lightly bucking his hips, he wanted you to devour him whole. For once a human was making him see stars. 

“(Y/N)...I’m gonna cum…” Izana says while pulling you impossibly close to him. He threw his head back and his vision went white as his coil snapped and feral moans were escaping his pretty lips while his essence was going down your throat. Never have you tasted anyone so sweet. There was so much that his cum was dripping down the corners of your mouth. Thick white ropes dripped down your chin to the floor. After draining him, he released you and his member came out of your mouth with a ‘pop’. Licking your lips, you indulged in his taste - he was addicting. 

His chest was heaving as he was coming down from his high. You remained on your knees waiting for him like a good girl to be given praise or instructions on what to do next. Izana slowly opened his eyes, he was in a daze. Without a second thought, he pulled up off the floor and sat you on his lap. “I warned you…” He said in a low and heavy tone. He was making you puddy in his hands. His hands slipped under your skirt and in between your thighs. Izana could feel lace and oh how the slick dripped down his knuckles when he thrusted two fingers inside you. All this excitement from just giving him head? He loved it, you were different from other women, you were burning with desire. Your hands wrapped themselves around his neck and your lips crashed into his. The kiss was hungry and rough, biting his lip only made him thrust quicker and deeper. Beads of sweat were rolling down the sides of your faces, the heat created in this space fogged up the windows and the room was thick with sin. 

A jolt of pleasure was felt when he pressed his palm against your clit. The sweetest moan escaped your throat. “You wanna cum, my little dove?” Izana’s tone was low and coy, he was sending shivers down your spine and making your thighs quiver. With a shameless nod you proceeded to grind your hips into his palm. His left arm pulled you closer and held you in place so that you couldn’t move your hips. You tried to move your hips but he did not budge, making you whimper and pout. “Answer me, (Y/N).” His menacing tone and piercing eyes made a knot in your stomach, you were about to cum just from hearing him talk to you like this. “Y-Yes! I want to cum!” You answer him pathetically and whine. Desperation was clawing at you, you needed release, you needed to satisfy the urge…you needed him. 

Izana withdrew his fingers from your dripping cunt and popped them into your mouth. “Suck…” He demands and tears begin to line your waterline, you looked upset - you wanted his fingers inside you. When you proceeded to clean his digits, he forced your hips down onto his thigh. That glow in his eyes returned and he began to move your hips, grinding your heat against his thigh. “What’s wrong, love? You wanted my fingers to make you cum?” He says teasingly and smirks at you. Izana’s demeanor changed, he was being cruel but you couldn’t help but savor it. You hum in response, a subtle yes. “Or maybe… you wanted something more?” He teases you. Quickening the pace of your hips, your eyes gloss over and drool begins to drip down your chin. He chuckles coyly and drinks in your expressions, you were caught between no - out of shame and yes out of desire. 

Riding his thigh, you could feel your coil tighten and knots in your stomach - you were desperate. The hand that was on your hips moved north to your chest and popped the buttons of your blouse. To see the lacey bra you had on gave him an idea that you were looking forward to this more than he was. “Aww, for me? You shouldn’t have.” His brazen tone had stars forming in your vision. When he pulled the cup down, he toyed with the pebbled nub and licked his lips. Barely being able to keep it together, your hips couldn’t stop - he felt the slick seep through the cloth. Just a little more and you’d make a mess all over him. “Tell me… are these the types of dreams you’ve been having with them? Hmm?” Oh he hit the nail on the head. These were in fact the types of dreams you’ve been having with each Tenjiku member. Whether it was the Haitani Brothers, Shion, Mucho, Mochi or Kakucho - your body craved their touch. Some dreams were innocent with kisses and light groping - others were a little more illicit. However, the thing was that to you they were innocent wet dreams. For them, it was as real as the sun and moon. 

Your blush deepened. The moment you were to shake your head no, Izana stuck his fingers further down your throat, making you gag around them. “No? You haven’t been having wet dreams about us?” He was humiliating you and putting you on the spot. The tears streaming down your face only further lit the fire inside him. The arm that pulled the lace cup down, returned to its original position and wrapped itself around your waist. Pushing you down harder against his thigh, he shifted a little on the couch - raising his knee. It’s at that moment that you felt a jolt of electricity. He leaned in to kiss your chest and traced his tongue around your nipple, the cool air gave you goosebumps. When he began to suck and lightly bite down, your vision went white and your moans got louder and louder, they were almost screams of pure bliss and pleasure. Izana had you cumming like never before, your body felt ecstasy for the first time. 

His whole thigh was soaked in your juices. Your body slowed it pace and then stopped, Izana had to help steady you - you were so close to collapsing. The pounding in your chest was so loud that you couldn’t hear him, his muffled voice slowly got louder and louder. “(Y/N)?” You could barely respond to him, he noticed how dazed you were and nuzzled his face into your chest to listen to the sound of your heart beating. “We should stop…” He pouted and held you close. Knowing that he could end your life if he keeps going, Izana decided it was best not to go any further. As much as he wanted to feel your tight cunt clench around his length, he didn’t wanna hurt you and wanted to keep seeing you. 

Weakly pouting, you beg him to fuck you. You beg him to put his length inside you. "N-no! Please, Izana…." You almost cry pathetically for him. What was wrong with you? You've never felt so needy for someone before, you were desperate for him and hearing him say those words made your chest hurt. The fire in your eyes only made it harder to resist the urge, Izana had to fight himself just to stand his ground. "We can't…" His whisper ended up pushing you to the edge. You cupped his chin and leaned in to place an ardent kiss on his lips. It was slow, sensual and full of desire. "Take me…" You say between kisses and move hips over him - you were no longer straddling his thigh. Feeling his member harden between your folds sent a shiver down your spine. The slow grind of your hips had his member  throbbing, it needed attention now too. 

Izana couldn't fight it anymore. He picked you up and took you to your bedroom, through the darkness he navigated your home as if he’s been here before. The moment he laid you down, he backed away into the darkness to close the door while removing his clothes. He looked like an angel, the moonlight from outside made his white hair stand out. When he was out of the light, you began to remove your clothing, excitement clinged on your every fiber. "I will miss you, (Y/N)... You're the one I didn't want to kill…" Being spellbound was no joke, you were too dazed to even comprehend what he said. As he emerges from the dark and into the moonlight, curved horns, fangs and wings now adorned his body. This was a first, showing his true form to you, even in dreams they remained in human form so that you wouldn’t fear them. However it only made you crave him even more. Izana crawls on top of you and hovers over you, he leans in, letting you gaze upon him, he was indeed still as beautiful as ever. "Are you afraid?" He asked and nuzzled his nose into your cheek. There was a small sense of dread inside him, he didn't want you to fear him, he wanted you to love him in his true form. 

Caressing his face, your hands slowly make their way up to touch his horns, Izana flinches and closes his eyes in fear. Their texture was a little rough, you’ve never in your wildest dreams thought that fairytales and folklore like this would be true. Then it hit you. Your internet search for an explanation of the bruise like spots on your body came up with Incubi as one of the reasons. Your giggle made him open his eyes, the look on your face wasn’t of fear it was euphoric. The smile on your face confused him, did he break you or was this a moment before tragedy? “This explains the bruises on my skin when you first moved in.” Relief washed over him, this wasn’t the reaction he was expecting but he welcomed it. “Izana…you're beautiful.” Your confession made his heart skip a beat - for the first time in his life, he was called beautiful in his true form. “Are the others also…” You ask shyly. He hums a yes and begins to kiss your neck, his length would twitch and throb between your legs with each open mouthed kiss. There was no hesitation, no fear - only love and desire.

The moment his tip prodded your entrance, you felt the air snatched from your lungs, he was a lot to take in. “Ah…too big…” You whimper and clench the sheets. His hands searched for yours and he laced his fingers with yours, pinning them above you. Instinctively, your legs wrapped themselves around his waist and you braced yourself. “You can take me, right (Y/N)?” He says and hovers his face just above yours, those violet eyes were eating up your vulnerable expression. He knew he was going to put you in a word of pain with his next move. Izana reeled his hips back and thrusted his entire length inside your velvet walls. The immense pressure had tears welling in your eyes and you let out a loud moan. Trying to adjust to him was hard, he filled up your pretty cunt to the brim, you could feel the vein on his length and how it pulsed. Your walls clenched around him, wanting to spit him out but oh how it loved his cock bullying its way in. 

His right hand brought your wrists together and kept them pinned down while his left hand snaked its way down your waist and hips. He was going to keep your hips in place as he thrusted slow and hard. “Come on my little dove, you can handle it - it’s what you wanted, yeah?” Izana’s sultry tone had your mind muddled with sweet sin and pain. A string of curses escapes your lips as you moan and bite your lip, trying to hold in the scream that was building up - fuck he was making your legs shake already. Nothing could have prepared you for the wave of pleasure that was setting in. When you pouted and lifted your head to ask for a kiss, he smirked and pulled away, “Answer me, (Y/N).” Your needy whimper and shaky ‘yes’ made him smirk and he crashed his lips on yours. Your spine was tingling and your chest was filled with warmth, his affectionate kiss and movements were an express ticket to heaven. 

While distracted by the taste of his lips, you didn’t notice how his palm was now touching your lower abdomen. Well, that is until he pressed on it and you felt it, his cock was so deep that it was making belly bulge - you could hear him chuckle. When he pulled away so that you could catch your breath, he released your wrists and sat up on his knees. Izana looked like a prince - no, a king - who were you kidding? He looked like a fucking god. Being in such a heavy daze, you barely managed to hear him tell you to look down. Leaning up on your elbows, you take in the view and moonlight cascaded perfectly on your bodies. You could see his cock move in and out and how it created a belly bulge worthy of envy. 

Your eyes widened and he could tell it excited you, your cunt clenched around him the moment your eyes landed on your lower belly. Drool started to slip from the corner of your mouth, he was fucking you stupid and your body couldn’t handle it. Seeing you all fucked out, he couldn’t help but pick up his pace. He wanted to see you break. Izana’s rough pace, had you throwing your head back in ecstasy and bliss - you were no longer able to control it. Your moans grew louder and your chest was heaving, you were struggling to breathe. It felt as if the energy was being drained from you. “I-Izana! I’m gonna cum…oh god.” You moan and pant. The next thing you knew his lips were on yours, he was devouring you - he too became a moaning mess. You caressed his face and brought him in closer. “I’m gonna miss you my little dove…” He says between kisses and ferally grunts, his release as close. 

The unmistakable sensation ran down your spine and your vision went white. Your hands released him and gripped the bedsheets, you needed something, anything to hold on to. His hips stuttered as he painted your walls white. Both of you were left breathless and in a daze, your breathing slowed and he felt tears prick his eyes when he came down from his high. Your body stopped moving and felt limp. “...fuck.” Izana said as he pulled out and struggled to look up at you. “I’m sorry, (Y/N).” He said and rested his head into your chest and listened to the last beats of your heart. Izana realized that he had tears streaming down his face, this was a first - he’s never heard of any other incubi shedding tears after a meal. Slowly, he raised his head and looked at your lifeless body. It just looked like you were peacefully sleeping but he knew full well that you were gone. Even in death you remained beautiful. He brushed the hair away from your face and placed a kiss on your forehead. “Goodnight my love…” Izana says and leaves - he had to prepare his alibi and get the rest of Tenjiku to help him wash away all evidence that he was here. Nothing could prepare them for the aftermath of your death. 

END

Tags: @reiners-milkbiddies @anxious-chick

[boosbabycakes28]

Clear Blue Water, High Tide Came And Brought You In

Paring: Harry/Louis

Rating: Romcom, Supernatural/Fantasy AU, strangers to lovers, fluff

Length: 79k

Written: for the @romcom1dficfest

Summary:

A wonderful sweet, somewhat innocent and very hopeful Harry makes it to the big city to start a new life, away from the pain and risks his own home poses for him. A broken, somewhat lonely but very self-aware Louis tries to give his days meaning, purpose.

A journey through love, understanding and self-awareness in which acceptance of one's self and the capacity to focus on what's really important are the drivers.

A carefully constructed yet fragile web of lies, designed to keep them safe, might just be what also pulls them apart.

Or the one where Harry is a mermaid, Louis is a vampire, and they have to hide who they really are to the other. What could possibly go wrong?

[losfacedevil]

Darkness of the Night // SFK

Catch Chapter One HERE

Meet Samuel, the resident Vampire of New Shoreham… and come along on the journey of his wild life in the afterlife

Warnings: Mentions of blood, death

Josh let his eyes flutter shut and reached up, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. He couldn’t believe the scene that was unfolding in front of him. Sam paced back and forth, his eyes darting between the diner where he still had a mental hold on Marjorie’s mind, and your body lying on the gravel of the parking lot. You had fallen into a deep sleep, the deepest sleep of the undead and he knew you would be out until your body adjusted to the change that just took place. 

“Please tell me you did not call me to help you dispose of a dead body, Sammy!” Josh scolded and gently nudged your hand with his foot, grimacing as he watched it flopped lifelessly to the side. A nervous chuckle slipped past Sam’s lips as he knelt down and cupped your cheeks in his hands. He knew you couldn’t hear them or feel what he was doing but he still caressed your cheeks in a comforting way. 

“She’s not dead but…” Sam’s voice trailed off and he swallowed hard knowing exactly where Josh’s mind was going. He sat back on the ground and gently pulled your head so it rested in his lap, brushing the hair out of your face. Josh reached up and ran his hands through his hair, tangling his digits in the curls and tugged hard at the root, a move to make sure he was truly awake. 

“Sam… you didn’t, did you? Please tell me you didn’t.” Josh’s eyes were wide as he looked between Sam and your sleeping form. An expression Sam couldn’t place his finger on spread across Josh’s features as the realization set in. He shrugged his shoulders and a sheepish smile spread across his face, he knew he was in deep shit  from all angles but couldn’t help the weird sensation that bubbled in his stomach. 

“I had no intentions to… but then something happened and I almost killed her… I can’t have my first kill be accidental. So I panicked and… gave her my blood to heal her.” A deep sigh slipped past Sam’s lips and he reached up to run a hand down his face as he spoke the words of his mistake, making it feel that much more real. Josh let his head fall back and he stared up at the star speckled sky, unsure of if he really wanted to know the rest of the story. 

“Samuel, you did WHAT?! You can’t just go around turning people into your kind just because you don’t want to kill them. I thought you guys had like… a fridge full of blood for emergencies, don’t you?” A huff slipped past Sam’s lips as he slid one arm under your knees and the other across your back and pushed himself to stand while cradling your body against his chest. 

“Nows not the time for stupid questions, Captain obvious, I need you to take her back to my place before Marjorie gets suspicious. I can’t keep her in the dark any longer.” Sam said as he tried to shove your lip body into Josh’s arms. His eyes grew wide and he took a step back, holding his hands up in surrender. Anger flashed through Sam’s eyes and he stomped his foot like that of a toddler. 

“Listen this isn’t time for your funny business, this can literally cost me my… my eternal life if you can even call it that. Take her home and put her in my bed, please. She’ll be out cold for at least a day or two it’ll be fine.” Sam quipped and took a step towards your car. Josh’s eyes grew wide as he watched Sam maneuver your limp body up and over his shoulder, freeing up a hand to open the back door with. Gently, he slid your body back into the fireman’s carry he originally had you in. Bending at the waist he ducked into the car and laid your body on the back seat, securing a seat belt across your waist so your body wouldn’t fall off of the seat. 

A deep sigh slipped past Josh’s lips as he realized exactly what Sam’s intentions were and he watched as he dug your keys out of your pants pocket. Straightening his back he turned on his heel and dangled the keys in front of Josh’s face, waiting for him to hold his hand open so he could drop the keys into his palm. 

“You have to take her car or Marjorie is going to be suspicious.” Sam mumbled and placed a reassuring hand against Josh’s shoulder, seemingly having more faith in him than Josh had in himself. Josh was not the praying type but tipped his head back and trained his eyes on the star speckled sky, saying a silent prayer to whatever higher power was listening. A deep sigh slipped past his lips and he held out his hand for the keys, but ultimately had to reach up and snatch them out of Sam’s taunting grip. 

“Anything happens call the restaurant but I think she’ll be out until at least this weekend. I uh… I did a number on her.” A sheepish smile spread across his face as he reached up and rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. A deep sigh slipped through Josh’s lips and he shook his head as he turned on his heel and slid into the drivers seat of your car. 

“You fucking owe me little brother.” Josh all but growled as he shoved the keys in the ignition and started the car. Sam waved him off and he backed out of the parking lot and sped off in the direction of their shared duplex. 

Sam began to jog in place, shaking both his hands and his head to get the nervous energy out of his system. He couldn’t show any signs that he felt any different than he had when he had escorted you out of the diner and to your car. Sam knew that if he seemed even the slightest bit frazzled Marjorie would start asking questions that he wasn’t fully prepared to answer quite yet.  Pulling a deep breath in through his nose, he rolled his head from side to side and checked on the look of his eyes in the tinted diner window, not wanting anything to give away the snack he had just stolen from an unsuspecting Iris. 

It was then that Sam realized he hadn’t caught your name; and with another deep breath pulled in through his nose as he reached up and smashed his palm against his forehead. Marjorie would no doubt ask about the friend she had him escort out, wanting all the little details and if she’d be a good fit for a midnight snack of sorts. He scrambled to come up with believable facts, name, age - he couldn’t put his finger on your exact age, but ball parked you to be somewhere between his and his eldest brothers ages - height, weight, the scent you put off. All different things that elder Vamps just had to know for book keeping reasons. 

Sam rolled his neck from side to side and, with another deep and hopefully steadying breath, he slowly sauntered his way back into the diner. Marjorie was making herself look busy by cleaning up where you had been sitting. She paused in the middle of wiping down the counters and a sly smile spread across her face as she leaned her elbows against the counter. Sam swallowed hard and his eyes suddenly widened as he realized you would still be on his breath. 

“I uh… I have to… wash my hands. Her scent is everywhere.” He mumbled as he pushed past Marjorie and made a beeline for the staff bathroom. Sam locked himself in to the single stall room and began to pace, knowing that his expression and nervous energy would give him away. Turning to the sink, he leaned against it and took another series of calming breaths. 

“She’s not going to be suspicious if you don’t make her suspicious.” He mumbled, trying to calm the racing of his mind as he willed the phantom feeling of a racing heart in his chest to stop. Reaching down he turned on the faucet and let the water run, cupping his hands beneath the stream to gather some and quickly tossed the ice cold water against his face, a habit he still hadn’t  quite kicked yet. 

With one last splash of water he turned off the faucet and reached up, using the sleeve of the flannel he wore to dry off his face. Turning on his heel he slowly made his way back out into the kitchen and watched as Marjorie stood holding the landline phone to her ear, her eyes widening as whoever was on the other end spoke. She turned to Sam, nostrils flaring in what he could only describe as anger and slowly nodded her head as she processed the information being fed to her.

Sam slowly made his way back over to the sink and began to wash the dishes he had abandoned to walk you out to your car, hoping that the phone call Marjorie was on didn’t ruffle her feathers too much. He watched her discreetly out of the corner of his eye as she nodded and began to twirl the phone cord around her finger like that of a school girl in the nineties, her face becoming red with anger the more she listened to whoever she was speaking with. 

Marjorie placed the receiver back onto the the wall mounted base and turned slowly on her heel, her eyes boring holes into the side of Sam’s face. A frustrated frown tugged at the corners of her lips as she slowly made her way over to where he stood, now washing the dishes you had used for your dinner. He swallowed hard, the look on Marjorie’s face telling him all he needed to know. She watched as he slowly rinsed off the fork you had used, washing your scent down the drain. Marjorie cleared her throat and plucked the fork out of his hand, beginning to dry it on the hand towel that laid over her shoulder. 

“So… I just had an interesting phone call with your eldest brother. Tell me, Samuel, why pray tell… was Josh calling to ask me how long a newly turned vampire would be asleep? Is there… a reason he needs to know?” Sam was quick to shrug his shoulders, never taking his attention off of the dishes he was meticulously washing in the sink. He could feel her gaze burning a hole into his temple and watched as she slowly slipped the hand towel of her shoulder.

“You have one chance to come clean. What have you done, Samuel?” Marjorie’s tone was stern and motherly, that of a woman who knew her child was in deep shit. Sam swallowed hard and shook his head slowly. 

“I’ve done nothing out of the ordinary, Marjorie. What makes you think it was me?” Sam asked, his voice beginning to quiver as he knew his cover was blown. A mischievous chuckle slipped past her lips as she slid the towel from where it lay and raised her arm. Sam braced for the impact as the corner of the hand towel cracked down against the side of his neck. 

“What the hell was that for?!” Sam yelped, reaching up to cover the spot where the towel had made contact. She raised her arm a second time, scowling at him as she began to bring the towel down against him in rapid succession. Sam threw his arms up and over his head in an attempt to protect him from the sting of the corner of the towel. 

“What have I told you about behaving with humans?! You can’t just go around turning every pretty girl you see because she smells appetizing! Now you have to handle this on your own and I will NOT be helping you! Do you understand, Samuel?” 

A deep sigh slipped past Sam’s lips and he lowered his arms, watching the expression on Marjorie’s face as he carefully chose the next words that would slip past his lips. Marjorie’s chest heaved with the frustrated breaths she was taking, her nonexistent blood boiling in her veins. 

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened, but she will be my responsibility.” Sam kept his voice light and even, trying not to anger her any further than she already was. Marjorie raised her arm again in another attempt at a string of blows to his head, one’s that he dodged as he side stepped around her. 

“I thought you had better strength than that, hmm? You work around humans all day. How many other newbies have you turned, huh? I need a head count.” She shook her head and reached up, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger. Sam raised his hands in surrender and took another step away from her. 

“I’ve never had anything like that happen before. I’m not even sure what did happen exactly. I just know that… I got lost in her memories and didn’t realize what I was doing until it was too late.” 

Marjorie shook her head in a disappointed manner and closed the distance between her and Sam. She pressed up onto her toes, trying to get in his face and intimidate him further. He couldn’t help the nervous chuckle that slipped past his lips and he crossed his arms over his chest, putting a small bit of space between them. 

“What’s her name, Sam? Her age? Where’s she from? She can’t go back to her old life now and you know it.” Marjorie knew exactly what she was doing, playing the same guilt card that was played on her when she turned him. 

“Iris. 26. I don’t know where she’s from… I didn’t think that far ahead.” Sam sighed and let his eyes flutter shut, waiting for another round of stinging towel lashes when his phone began to buzz in his pocket. One text, two and then three, prompting him to pull it out in the middle of their conversation. 

Josh:

911

Sammy I need you home, now 

I SAID NINE ONE FUCKING ONE!!!

Sam’s eyes grew wide and he swallowed hard before slowly slipping the phone back into his back pocket. He began to slowly back away from Marjorie, making sure he was close enough to the door to bolt as soon as the words slipped past his lips. 

“I’ve got to go, Josh needs me. I think it’s Iris.” 

Until next time…

TAGLIST: @vanfleeter @readyforthegarden @joshsindigostreak @ascendingtostardust @sammysprincess @sammykiszkamyass @belovedsamuel @dannythedog @stardustvanfleet @devilat-thedoor @the-wicked-gnome @runwayblues @gracev0609 @lipstickitty @sunfl0wer-power @allieisacrybaby @jordie-gvf @josh-iamyour-mama @slut4lando

[flowersandbigteeth]

Captured by elves

This is the first chapter from a novella I'm writing. Just a little sneak peek ^_^ It's so close to finished...

General Plot: Local elves take a hellhound hostage

Elves (Thorne, Kharis, Slait) x fem hellhound (Fury)

note: Fury has a human form and a hellhound form, fyi

Word Count: 2.5K

W: a bit of fighting, monster fluff, kidnapping

GIF by fio-picolo

I stretched and yawned, kicking one of my little siblings, who barked at me before curling up and going back to sleep. A sunbeam leaked into our cave, alerting me that it was morning. I looked around at my pack. My father and mother hellhounds were sleeping in a ball together, while I was curled in my human form with my siblings. 

Unlike them, who had a small and large hellhound form. I only had a large hellhound and a half human form. At the moment, only my half human form would fit in the cave, so that’s the shape I was in. I swished my fluffy white tail and sniffed the air. 

An odd scent drifted on the wind and my parents stirred. 

“Elves,” my father barked to my mother, “let’s take the children deeper in the cave.” 

My mother looked at me. 

“Fury, guard the cave opening in your human form,” she yipped at me, “you can warn them off if they think you are a dog spirit.” 

As the oldest, born, not of a litter, but as a single pup, it was my duty to guard the family. 

“Yes mother,” I yipped back in Hellhound-speak and stalked to the opening of the cave to wait. 

As hellhounds we had few natural predators, but occasionally ambitious two-legs thought they could capture a puppy to keep as a pet. It almost always ended up with the capturer dead in a few years when the puppy came into its full strength, but there was no need to traumatize a young pup for no reason, so we were cautious. 

Sure enough, a trio of elves decked out in woodland armor came tromping up the hill towards the cave. 

“They should be just up here,” the blue one said. 

“Are you sure about this, Thorne?” the purple one asked, “it seems a bit cruel to steal a puppy.” 

“What? You want to take on a full-grown one?” the green one laughed, “i’d pay to see that fight!” 

“I just mean…should we really be doing this at all?” he asked. 

The blue one brushed away his concerns. 

“A hellhound will make a good hunting dog and I have a secret to make this easy for us,” he said, confidently and I couldn’t stifle my growl. 

They’d come to take one of my siblings! I had to stifle the urge to shift to my full sized form. It would give away that I was a hellhound and that would be no good. My father taught me avoiding a fight was always best. We were strong, yes but even the strongest can be defeated. Guile was our best weapon. I tried to remember his words, but my mind was hazy with anger. 

“Well hello there,” the purple one said to me when they crested the hill, “who are you?” 

“Stand aside, dog spirit,” the blue one announced, “if you let us pass we will not harm you.” 

This time I couldn’t hold back my growl and my tail went up in aggravation. 

“You’re too polite, Thorne,” the green one snorted, sauntering up to me and shoving me to the side, “out of the way bitch.” 

I stumbled a bit and whatever handle I had on my temper snapped, suddenly I was looking down at them, my teeth bared. My hot saliva dripped into the dirt. 

“Holy shit!” the green one shouted, jumping back and reaching for his weapon. 

“Here we go,” the blue one said, his face splitting into a big grin, “this is much better than a puppy!” 

I pointed my body, perking my ears in a threatening stance. They would not pass me. There was a short stand-off where the elves brandished their weapons at me, before the blue one leapt and I struck. I was powerful, but the elves were quick, surrounding me on all sides. He whacked me with a heavy club, which did little more than anger me.

 I snapped at his leg as he passed me, grazing it with my teeth so that I got a little taste of his blood. It tasted good. I’d never had anything but deer, rabbit, and occasionally boar meat. The blood lust common to all hellhounds slowly began to take over as the scent of the red fluid filled the air. 

My growls became feral and I soon lost myself to the monster in me, snarling and frothing at the mouth. The purple one seemed to be standing back, so I ignored him, while the blue and green ones attacked aggressively from either side. It was impossible to pinpoint where one would strike from next. They were incredibly quick and it was angering my inner beast, pushing her to respond more viciously. 

“We’ve almost got her, keep pushing,” the blue one shouted and I lunged for his neck. 

I was a strong hellhound, raised and trained to fight by my father and mother, but I was inexperienced. This was the first real fight I’d been in and as my father had warned me I was relying too heavily on my strength. The elves were wearing me down with their speed before I could get good shots on them. 

“She’s getting tired,” the green one huffed as he successfully landed a hit on my back leg that had me yelping. 

“Now!” the blue one shouted and they all started chanting some weird words. I tried to make a run for it, spooked by the sudden use of magic, but it was like my limbs were frozen in place. I snarled and snapped, but I was bound by some warm light. There was a flash and everything went dark. 

–

I woke in the purple one’s arms and thrashed immediately. 

“Be calm little one,” he cooed and I snarled. I was not little. Only I was. I shifted quickly back to my full sized form, forcing the elf to throw me so he wouldn’t be crushed. I snarled and turned on him, opening my jaws to gobble him up in one bite, only no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get them to close. 

“Ah you see now, bitch,” the green one laughed, “we’ve bound you. You can’t hurt us if you want to and it’s obvious you do. Well too bad, you’re our hunting dog now.” 

I snapped at him and tried to run away, when I got about twenty feet away it was like I hit a brick wall. I snarled again and turned on them. 

“You might as well turn back into your human form, hellhound,” the blue one said, smugly, “you’re mine.” 

I decided I was not changing back, even if I couldn’t harm them or run away, I wouldn’t appear weak in front of them. I growled and flopped down on the ground angrily, resting my head on my paws. 

The purple one sighed. 

“Don’t pout,” he said, “my father will have lots of meat for you when we get back home.” 

I huffed at him, making his hair fly up around his ears. 

“Hmmm…” he said, thoughtfully and then smiled, “I have an idea. How about a little hunt before we get home? I bet you want a juicy bone, don’t you?” 

I didn’t like the elves, but I did like hunting and bones. If I was going to be stuck with them, I might as well get some food out of it. I sniffed the air and pointed my body in the direction of a boar. 

“That’s the spirit!” the purple one cheered, “now we’ll give you a little longer leash so you can lead us.” 

I stepped carefully in the direction of the boar and finding nothing stopping me, stalked off silently through the trees. I would figure these elves out later, when I had a little more information. They’d obviously done something to me with magic and hellhounds didn’t know much about that. For now my instincts were calling me to hunt which I understood very well. 

The scent of the boar turned on the animal in me and when I found it, I easily pounced on the morsel. 

“Stop!” the blue one shouted, before I swallowed the whole thing. 

I pouted, my mouth hovering over it. 

“Ew she’s going to get drool all over the meat,” the green one said, shoving my head away. I snapped at him, but it was no use, I couldn’t sink my teeth in. 

“Here you go!” the violet one said, smiling and cutting off one of the boar’s legs with his sword, “here’s your treat for a job well done.” 

He tossed me the leg and I sank down on my haunches to devour the meat. When he was sure I was occupied gnawing the last bits of flesh off of the bone he came over and stroked my nose. 

“That’s a good girl,” he said. I had to admit, he knew how to give pets, even if they were unwelcome. I huffed at him, too happy with my bone to chase him away. 

“Come on, girl,” the blue one said, when they’d field dressed the boar and had chunks of meat tossed over their shoulders. 

I carried my now clean and perfect for gnawing bone as I trotted behind them. Fed, I was in a much better mood. At least they hadn’t found my family. For all they knew I was the only hellhound around, which was better than nothing. As long as my siblings were safe, I could endure this. 

“What should we name you?” the blue one pondered as he dropped back next to me, patting my flank. I let out a low growl. 

“I’m sure she already has a name,” the purple one said and I decided I liked him a little bit more than the others. 

I blew a puff of air on the back of his head, fluffing his hair and he giggled, waving me away. 

“That tickles!” he laughed, “why don’t you turn back into your human form so you can tell us your name?” 

I shook my head. I was not changing back. 

“That’s all right, bitch is fine for me,” the green one said over his shoulder.

“Stop calling her that,” the purple one huffed, scratching my head, “she’s a good girl. She’s just a little frightened, aren’t you? We took you away from your cozy cave. That’s okay, I have a nice blanket at home just for you.”  

I didn’t want a blanket, I thought sadly, I wanted to wake up just like I did this morning surrounded by my family. 

Soon I could hear the sounds of the village through the trees and a little while later it appeared before us. I’d never seen a village before, but it looked quite large. There were huge walls made of giant timbers and big buildings taller than me. There were so many smells all in one place it was confusing. I shrank back, not scared, but disoriented, crouching behind the purple one. 

“What’s wrong with her, Kharis?” the green one asked, impatiently shrugging the hunk of meat on his shoulder, “this shit is heavy. Hurry up.” 

“She’s just overwhelmed,” the violet one said, “there’s a lot of new smells, huh? Let’s go find my dad first. He loves dogs. He’ll have treats for you.” 

I followed carefully behind the violet one as we passed through the town gates. 

“Thorne!” a breathless, pink elf woman cried, throwing herself at the blue one’s chest, “I missed you so much! I was so worried about you!” 

She looked up at me frightened. 

“Is that the beast?! I thought you were getting a puppy?!” she gasped. 

I narrowed my eyes and growled at her. She smelled like too much perfume and alcohol. She jumped about a foot in the air and clung to the blue one, whose name I had determined was Thorne. 

“She’s perfectly safe, Peony,” he said, peeling her off of him, “we need to go to the butcher’s to drop off this meat.” 

She nodded and batted her eyelashes, flirtatiously. 

“Can I come find you later?” she asked. 

He shrugged and kept walking. I stalked past her and she hurriedly gave me room. 

Kharis, the purple one, led us to a wooden building that smelled delightfully like meat and a large purple elf with huge biceps came out, grinning at me. 

“So what’s this?” he said, holding his hand out politely for me to sniff. I gave it a good snuffle, finding pleasantly that he smelled like fresh meat and his son under the bitter scent of tobacco. He went back inside for a moment and came out hauling a huge bone. I dropped the tiny one in my mouth, drooling. 

“There ya go,” he said, tossing it to me, “that’s a dragon bone for ya!” 

I caught it, and decided I liked the two violet ones better than all the rest. 

He gave me a conspiratorial grin. 

“If you follow me I’ve got a real surprise for you,” he said. 

I looked at the other elves who were unloading meat. 

“Go on,” the blue one said, waving me away, “we’ll come find you.” 

Kharis and his father led me to what had to be heaven. Behind the town and in a clearing in the woods there was a huge pit where they dumped all of their bones. Big bones, small bones, juicy bones, dry bones. It was amazing. I trotted in a circle with glee. 

“You can come here any time you like,” the butcher said with a grin. 

Without thinking I poofed back into my human form and jumped on him, giving him a big hug. 

“Thank you!” I squealed. 

“Ah!” he shouted, surprised at first, but then he chuckled, “I see you’re a special hellhound. Not many like you that can change into a human are there?” 

Kharis pulled me down from his father’s chest and looked me over. 

“Nice to finally see you,” he said, “I’m Kharis. What’s your name?” 

I blinked up at him. 

“F-Fury,” I said, feeling shy in my human form. I wasn’t big as a human. I only came up to Kharis’ middle chest. I was, however, strong. I turned from Kharis, lured by the scent of bones and hoisted one as large as me over my shoulder and carried it to a corner to lick it. Even in my human form, I liked bones. 

“What a delight,” Kharis’ father beamed, “how did you possibly get her to stay with you? I’ve never heard of a hellhound being this docile, even one that can change human.” 

“We bound her,” Kharis said brightly and his father’s smile immediately dropped. 

“You what?” he asked. 

Kharis looked up at him a little less sure this time. 

“We bound her with the Aika binding,” he said, “Thorne said it would make it so she would have to follow our orders.” 

His father buried his head in his hands. 

“You idiots,” he groaned, “we need to go speak to the chief, immediately. Come along Fury, you can bring your bone.” 

I decided if I could bring my bone it didn’t really matter where we went, so I put it over my shoulder and followed them back to the butcher shop. 

Kharis’ father looked seriously at Thorne. 

“We need to talk to your father about this hellhound you caught,” he said in a voice that brokered no argument. 

“What did you do?” he asked, looking at me surprised that I was in my human form. 

It was Kharis’s father’s turn to growl. “It’s not what she did. It’s what you did to her,” he said and marched past him.

[celestialspecial]

Vibrantly Hidden

Synopsis: Lydia has been forced to return home to live with her sisters. The well of magick runs deep in her family, despite her best efforts to avoid that aspect of herself. But strange things are afoot in the town of Crystal Falls and in order to figure out these bizarre happenings she must work alongside her enemy from a rival coven-Billy Russo.

Authors Notes: This story has been my passion project as of late and something that I maybe hope to turn into something real and tangible one day. As a special thanks for all your support I want to share it with you first :) The title is still in the works as I explore other options- input is very welcome on it!

Warnings: 18+, Witchcraft and Magick, Some horror elements, graphic descriptions, smut (use your own discernment)

Chapter One: Click your heels together three times

There were few things I’m certain of in life. 

Never conjure when angry or when the moon is waning.

River spirits never forget a bargain spurned.

The Russo Coven couldn’t be trusted.

It was the near end of august, September rode in on the back of a cool breeze and yellow tinged leaves. 

Sipping a slightly-too salty margarita on a wine bar patio, the glass sweating despite the soft breeze. 

While most people were excited about autumn and all the treats the “-Ber months brought I couldn’t help but feel a pit of sadness at the thought of summer ending.

Ignoring reality had been my personal goal for the season and I’d done it so well. Books by the pool, painting sessions on the beach(with all the retired folks), hikes along trails covered in moss and jagged stones.

Sipping cocktails on patios like this, savoring the complex flavors and picking at charcuterie boards with cheeses whos names I butchered while ordering.

I was living the life. But with each passing day I knew I couldn’t ignore it for much longer. 

After budget cuts, my position at the local art museum was no longer “essential”. Having a background in art history left one wanting for jobs in a bad way.

I should be grateful for the job posting my older sister Elizabeth had sent but when I saw it conveniently was at the local college back home I couldn’t conceal the anxiety taking root in my chest.

I’d applied haphazardly, fully anticipating another, “thank you for your interest- we’ve decided to move ahead with other candidates.” 

But when I saw the “we’d love to have you come on board!” Intro line I knew my fate had been sealed. 

I needed this job.

It wouldn’t be so bad living back at home for a little while until another opportunity came along, right? 

My younger sister Emily was ecstatic. It almost broke my heart a little to imagine telling her I didn’t quite feel the same amount of eagerness.

I’d moved away because I wanted to feel free, to see what my life could be outside of the confines of my hometown. Outside of what I was.

I had needed space. Space in the form of multiple hundreds of miles away. 

Most people grow up playing on swing sets and eating peanut butter sandwiches. Growing up in a family of witches, is something entirely different.

When you’re young and impressionable the idea of having powers, knowing there’s more to life than what most others know. It can feel feel empowering. 

To me it was daunting. Exhausting. It’s not all hocus pocus and fun spellbooks or brewing potions.

I didn’t want to be me. I wanted something else.

Something normal.

The Dawson name was well known and revered in the town of Crystal Falls. We’d been here since the town was christened along with a few other families.

There’d been a Dawson Mayor, Head of the newspaper, a few doctors, even a sheriff. 

If only the upstanding community was aware that the Dawson name was a coven. Not just your run of the mill one, but powerful witches, dating back centuries.

The town today had no idea that witches had laid claim to this land so many years ago.

It’s not something one can post on social media. After the debacle in Salem all the smart actual witches branched off. Some migrated to the Midwest, others searched for the west coast. 

The Dawson’s had gone upwards along the east coast, becoming almost nomadic in nature until settling into a small village, close to the ocean but gently tucked into a blanket of forest.

A river cut through town giving a grand display of multiple waterfalls that ended at the nearby beach. 

If you caught one of the large celestial events of comets or a grandiose full moon the river and falls seemed to glimmer and glow, taking on an ethereal hue.

Hence the name- Crystal Falls. 

Our family had helped imbue protective barriers around the town alongside the Russo coven. Another family of warlocks that had also managed to stumble upon this area.

It was beautiful and charged with an uncontained wild nature that must’ve called to our ancestors in some way. And above all else- it was home.

Me and my sisters had been raised by our aunt and grandmother after our parents died when we were young.

It had been labeled an accident. Driving through the mountainous terrain to reach town was dangerous even during the brightest of days.

But there had been signs, too many for our families liking, to chalk it up to merely an accident. There were too many “magickal” elements at play to ignore.

The brand new car losing control, the large tree having conveniently fallen, after the too conspicuous lightning strike and torrential storm appearing on an otherwise clear meteorological prediction.

I tried not to think of it too long, for fear of losing myself in the grief. Too afraid of falling into the whirlpool of those feelings and drowning, never to be seen again.

“Would you like another?” The waitress asked, taking away my now empty margarita glass.

“Yes please, actually do you have anything remaining from the seasonal menu?”

“Sorry, we just finished the last of the summer sangria but we do have our fall menu out! Fig spritzer with sugared thyme and a pumpkin spice bourbon.”

Another nail in the coffin. Summer was over and I needed to face the reality of my impending trip back home. Whether I liked it or not.

Picking some random Chardonnay off the menu in silent rebellion to their fall drinks I feel a tingle in my left pinkie.

I recognize that feeling. It appears when I’m sad. Or stressed. Or angry. Sometimes when I’m happy. 

I’ll be watching a Netflix show and laughing so hard on my sofa and then I feel the tingling sensation in my fingertips. 

Like dipping my fingers into super icy water then immediately into hot boiling water. I catch it and breathe into the feeling.

Willing it to stop. 

Some tries take longer than others. Over the years I’ve managed to muffle that part of me that yearns to escape.

A rabid dog locked in a basement waiting for the caretaker to get sloppy, lazy. Bursting past the seam of the door and bounding freely into the night.

Not today. One day perhaps. I shudder thinking about it. Or maybe it’s just the breeze, goose bumps break out along my arms and chest.

Eventually after some practiced breathing I feel the tiny reverberations cease. Returning from whence they came.

Boy how I am not looking forward to going home.

The drive back home was a scenic four hour trek through mountains and forestry that could make any camper or hiking enthusiast’s mouth water. 

I’d lost count over the years how many scenic overlooks dotted the area and if there was a drinking game involving shots every time a quaint picturesque New England type village popped up on google maps one would quickly die of alcohol poisoning.

“What do you want for dinner?” Elizabeth’s text pinged on my phone that was propped on the dash hastily.

“So excited!!!!” Emily responded not two seconds later. The age dynamics were far too apparent.

I couldn’t help but grin, I loved my sisters I really do, but it’s been so long since I’d lived with them. 

Elizabeth came into her magic first- understandably so, being the oldest. Grandma was so proud, seeing Lizzy carry on the Dawson legacy.

“Easy Em” 

“Sorry! Sorry! Drive safe!”

I rolled my eyes, chuckling a little as I turned onto another mountain path. This added time to my trip but I just …couldn’t bring myself to take the other route. Not yet.

After another hour or so of driving I finally saw the sign for Crystal Falls, keep right for 30 miles. 

A crusted slab of wood with paint peeling off of it. Emerald green and white swirls of paint beckoning any passerby to stop.

It didn’t pass my notice that a handful of trees had leaves tinged in orange, a few scattered red bursts.

Traitors.

It would be beautiful. The kiss of death to summer and its green tinged warmth. I’d even miss the bugs.

Turning down the Main Street there was a constant stream of activity. People walking in and out of shops, visitors milling around the welcome center, campers clearly here for the upcoming fall foliage unfurling comically large maps of the cave systems.

There was a gazebo at the town center, a la Gilmore girls Stars Hollow that was always decorated according to season. 

I said a silent prayer of thanks seeing the sunflowers still adorning it and not hay bales and pumpkins.

Festive mums sat in fat glazed pots in front of the stores. I rolled my windows down to inhale the smell of home.

Wondering if it’d smell like how I remembered. Fresh flowers, sweet honeysuckle and that tell tale pinch of chill.

Tree branches swayed overhead with the seasonal breeze. Yellowed leaves broke off of a nearby oak and scattered into the street. 

I watched as a gaggle of school girls walked over them, crunching them into the pavement without a thought.

Turning off the main causeway and into the more scenic countryside where a few vineyards with their adjoining wineries sat.

Moon Brew Farm with their delicious peach wine. Cats Tail Vineyard that created a bubbly moscato with hints of fresh blackberry. 

I could feel my mouth water just imagining it, that full mouth feel. Fizzing bubbles popping on my tongue and chasing it with a panini whose sides runneth over in pale cheese.

My stomach gurgled, begging for food. I had only stopped at a Wendy’s on the way since the McDonald’s drive through had a line longer than I cared to sit in.

The remnants of a devoured chicken sandwich rested on my center console. The paper still flecked with grease and a loose pickle that somehow managed to escape my mouth.

I passed a large estate off to the left. A high arched gate cutting the drive off at the main road. The stone pillar at the end read, “Russo.” Engraved into a black marble plaque. 

I drove by, right hand on the wheel, left out the window in an honorary “one finger salute ” at the disgusting excuse for a castle marring our town.

Dirt billowed behind my rickety Subaru as I finally ambled onto a gravel driveway. The popping sound of rocks being shot out from underneath my tires like rapid shrapnel alerted the ladies inside. 

“Lydia!” Emily was the first to run out, screen door slamming shut into Elizabeth’s face as she jumped the porch steps completely.

Lizzy scowled, pushing the screen door out of her way like it owed her money.

“Em, what the hell?” 

I tossed my car in park just in time to see Emily’s grinning face and fists tapping at my window like a madwoman. 

“Can you give me like a second?” I managed a laugh, popping the door open only to be tackled in a rib cage smushing embrace.

“I missed you! So-o-o-o-o much!” Each ‘o’ was accompanied by a sway of our bodies back and forth. 

Elizabeth finally reached us, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. 

“Bet you missed this.” She joked, gesturing to Emily who had wedged her face into my shoulder.

“Shuff-Upf” came Emily’s muffled response as she refused to let go. Maybe she was afraid I’d disintegrate, that I was some clever illusion instead of actually being here in the flesh.

“Missed you-“ I gave a genuine, albeit weary smile to my older sister, somehow untangling a limb to motion her into the bear hug going on.

“So glad to see you.” She relented, easing into the sister shuffle.

It felt nice. I hadn’t stopped so much to reminisce on these things when I was away. I did miss them. I did miss home. I just didn’t miss what home had meant to me for so long.

Eventually Emily peeled herself off of me and dragged me into the house, not pausing even when I nearly tripped on the porch steps.

“Luggage can wait for later!” She had stated. Dinner was ready and honestly I just wanted to unwind and zone out into a pile of amazing food.

Elizabeth and Emily got the cooking gene from our mother. I got my fathers gene of enjoying said cooking.

Chicken pot pie with a flaky crust, yams coated in golden butter, green beans sautéed with almonds and pepper and a peach cobbler with succulent fruit from the local farmers market.

“I still can’t believe you’re home and not just for a vacation but like, for good.” Emily twisted her fork into the leftover cobbler morsels, licking a crumb from her thumb.

“Not for good, just…for now.”

Elizabeth nodded sagely, catching my hesitation and being kind enough to change the subject. 

“How was the drive?”

“Not bad.” I spooned a piece of chicken coated in sauce onto my plate as Elizabeth took another bite of green beans. “I see tons of campers are already here. Don’t they know it’ll be weeks until fall foliage actually appears?”

“The mayor has been trying to push for more summer into fall events to draw in the crowds.” 

“Yeah Elizabeth’s boyfriend has really been overhauling the event planning thing.”

“He is NOT my boyfriend.” Her cheeks turned almost as red as her hair. “It’s about time we had a member of the council actually give a shit about our town and its livelihood.”

Emily dramatically sighed, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead and fluttered her eyelashes. “Yes whatever would we do without dear Sebastyan.”

“The crab?” I smirked, reaching my fork towards another yam. Lizzy pulled the plate away giving me that older sister, raised eyebrow look. It spelled out “watch it” clear enough for me to relent.

“Don’t you start with me.”  

Dinner wraps up with each of us carrying a Handful of dirty dishes into the kitchen. Piled high into the sink with an unspoken agreement to get to them tomorrow.

I watch the two of them joke and share inside info about their planned week ahead. Things I’d know if I lived here. Schedules that would make sense to me but are now new and unknown.

The two of them continue their conversation as I teeter my messy plate on top of an empty glass that once contained a milkshake. It feels weird to hear their voices in person again. The last time I was home was maybe two years ago? For Christmas?

Elizabeth is just as elegant as I remember. Tall, long red hair swept up into a modest pony tail. Barely a smudge of makeup on her but soft pale skin with a dash of freckles across her high cheekbones.

I remember standing on my tippy toes when we were little, getting measured against the doorframe, hoping and praying I’d grow as tall as my older sister.

Fate didn’t pay attention to my pleas. My body threw in the towel the minute I struck 5’3”. Cruel, if I’m being honest. She whisks about the kitchen making a funny face at something Emily said.

It feels like I’m in a fishbowl, hearing noises, knowing someone is speaking but it just sounds muffled and foreign to me. Like I’m not really here.

Emily makes another comment that pulls a laugh from Elizabeth. Emily has always been a lightning bolt. Even when she was a child. Her hair is cut into a blunt bob with thick heavy bangs. It’s dyed a dark brown that almost matches her hot chocolate colored eyes. 

She’s maybe an inch shorter than me, a rarity in our family that the oldest sibling is actually the tallest. My younger sister however has a face full of makeup. It never looks to be too much, always tastefully done and complimenting her features.

They’ve changed so much and not at all from when I last saw them. From the pictures I’d had hanging in my apartment that now sit in a storage facility. 

I feel the bubbling tightness in my chest and I’m yanked from my misty eyed staring. Being around them, their energy, I can feel parts of me clawing to get out. Like taking a spray bottle to a pesky cat, I shove it down.

Emily turned in first, working at a bakery requires her to be up before the sun. She gives me a quick hug once more.

“I really am excited you’re home…for however long.”  Before starting up the stairs, sounds of the shower turning on and soft lilting singing to some show tune carries throughout the halls.

“Wine?” Elizabeth holds a glass up with a bottle of cherry wine, the deep scarlet liquid looks intoxicating. 

“Please.”

We retreat to the porch as the last rays of sunset disappear behind the trees leaving that unsettling light blue that comes before navy then black.

The old rocking chairs groan as we take our seats. The sound the cork popping makes echoes throughout the woods surrounding the house. 

I never forgot how quiet it gets. The crickets had just started their nightly serenade and a few owl hoots call out from a distance. 

She pours me a hefty glass of the wine, handing it to me as we both delicately lean forward in our rickety chairs, balancing bottle and glasses.

Dozens of long shadows climb out from all around us. Reaching towards the front steps and skittering along the warped floorboards.

If I close my eyes it feels like I can even hear them calling out to me. Where have you been? Why have you been gone so long?

Every leaf, branch, blade of grass blending together to create large charcoal swaths against the forest floor. It both chills and excites me. 

“It is nice, ya know? To have you home for more than four days at a time.”

I feel myself shaken from my stupor. Mind slowly drifting back to where it’s supposed to be in the present. On the porch. With my sister. 

For the first time in years.

“You say that now since I’ve only been here for a few hours.” I take a long sip of the wine and let the fruity flavors dance on my tongue. 

“I’m serious.” I hear her rocker stop creaking, her eyes focused on me. Like burning sapphires. I’d always been jealous of her eyes. “I think this…this will be good for all of us.” 

I watch her take a drink before continuing, “We have a lot to catch up on.”

I ponder in silence, running my fingertip along the wine glass’ lip. For a little there’s only the sound of our rockers moving back and forth. 

Occasionally I’ll hear the sounds of Emily getting ready for bed upstairs. A single car drives past on the road, far enough we can’t make it out save for the headlights.

The vibrant ripples of yellow cutting through the trees then fading into the distance. The trees gobble up the remaining light.

“How’s work been?” 

Elizabeth smiles, pouring a little more wine into her cup. I notice as she sips deeply, letting her eyelids drift shut, pondering how to respond.

“It’s been good. I travel a little for work more now than usual but it’s ok. Rewarding.” 

“I couldn’t do it. Be a midwife.” She nodded thoughtfully at my comment, staring off into the ever darkening tree line.

The moon is out, but I watch as it quickly becomes obscured by passing clouds. 

“It can be tough, but I have this gift. It feels selfish to not use it. At least in a way that brings purpose to my life.” 

I found myself nodding and staring off as well. Elizabeth is a healer, ever since she was little she had a knack for it. Never getting colds, being able to concoct awful tasting potions that somehow worked and cured a multitude of things.

Every witch can do basic magic but more often than not, there’s a specialty. A gift that is unique to that person. 

Some people get lucky with theirs. Others not so much.

“You can go on the road with it. Really explore your options.” 

“I do have over a hundred 5 star yelp reviews.” She grinned toasting her glass to the air.

“Elizabeth Dawson-“ I held my hand in front of me, punctuating gestures as if reading a headline, “Midwife To The Stars!” 

We both giggled and took another sip after sloppily ‘cheers-ing’. 

“Ahhhh I don’t know if California or New York is for me.” She chuckled, twisting a strand of her dark red hair held by her ponytail. 

I settle back into my seat, rocking back and forth, pushing with my heels and feeling the entirety of my foot flatten then pitch back.

“Soooo Sebastyan?” 

“Don’t start with me already.” Liz smirked at me, dipping her fingers in the wine glass and flicking a few drops in my direction.

Maybe this was ok. Maybe this would be ok.

How silly and naïve I was.

After half an hour of sitting on the porch and enjoying the entire bottle of wine, the sky had fully morphed from navy to inky black. The local owl continued to hoot, a rhythmic sound that I could feel myself drifting off too.

Elizabeth had already placed her glass on the counter by the sink, turning in for the night. Flipping the porch light off and only on occasion would the motion sensor light by the back door turn on.

Squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons maybe even a coyote or two always liked to wander up by the back door and sniff around our trash bins. I sat up reading in the living room a while longer, not quite ready to face my old room.

Instead choosing to inspect the first floor, wondering what new things I could pick out from the décor. A small painting of Emily’s rabbit, Artimus that was clearly done on a wine and paint night.

Large bookshelves lined the backwall surrounding the TV, so many books from Elizabeth’s studies, health magazines spread along the coffee table.

A wreath with some greenery bearing white berries and red bow, a few old coffee tins and tea containers holding either flowers or some assortment of pens and paintbrushes.

So much was the same and yet I still felt like an outsider.

Surrendering to the reality I did need to go to bed I gathered my phone, book and flicked off the last of the remaining lamps to ascend the stairs.

Our gallery wall floated along the steps. Photos of almost every generation of our family lay plastered against the drywall that desperately needed repainted.

Our parents wedding day, their smiling faces. Moms bright blue eyes and Dads goofy grin in his tuxedo which was so chic in the eighties. Then came photos of Grandma and Aunt Cora.

I quickly shuffled past them. I had weeks, no, months, to look at these and let the waves of guilt wash over me. Not tonight. Not before bed anyways.

Padding across the plush carpet to my bedroom, the door ajar and bedside lamp on. No doubt from Elizabeth. It didn’t escape my notice the bundle of lavender and dill laid on my pillowcase.

For protection. I hold the small bundle in my lap a moment, searching my mind for the exact spells its used for. My grandmother would have a fit if she knew it was taking me this long.

What can I say? I’ve been living life as a normal human for the past ten years to the best of my ability. Ignoring anything magickal or otherwise. I’d even avoided palm readers at the local county fairs I’d gone to.

I wanted little to nothing to do with magick. Regardless of how deep it ran in our family. I lay the bundle down on the end table right next to my phone.

Please protect me from bad dating app messages.

A stack of clean towels and beauty products rested on the toilet seat in the bathroom. I pulled my hair back into a low bun, splashing water onto my face and rubbing some milky cleanser that I knew had to be Emily’s onto my skin.

It smelled fragrant, like lemons and a sweet sugary after scent. Glancing up to survey the damage from the long day on my face, expecting to see dark circles, dull dry skin, but instead I looked fine. I looked normal.

Turning the cleanser over in my hands wondering if it had some “extra” properties in it that I wasn’t aware of but my younger glamorous sister did. I couldn’t see anything outside the ordinary.

I didn’t sense anything off.

Shrugging and placing it back on the counter, before returning back to my bedroom. Allowing myself to fall heavily against the mattress, a comical ‘huff’ escaping my lips. This was it. I was here.

For however long I needed to be. My fingertips ran up along the hem of the quit on my bed. Feeling the bumps of stitches along the pads of my fingers, the different textured fabrics. My eyes felt heavy.

Sleep called to me, sweet and deep. The edges of my vision blurred and darkened. With the last of my remaining alertness I turned the lamp off. I felt that deep heaviness fall over me.

In the far-off distance I could hear the owl once more. Then it was truly silent.

The back-sensor light came on. I whined as my room was immediately filled with a bright fluorescent light.

“What the hell...” I rubbed at my eyes, still not adjusted to such a bright searing light all of a sudden. Then I heard something knock against the garage. It didn’t sound like a skunk, or a raccoon.

Unless it was a huge raccoon.

Doubtful.

Pushing off of the bed I crouched down, making my way to the window. The curtains were sheer and the blinds were up. Peering around the side I craned my neck to see what was out there.

It was quiet. So startlingly quiet. No fauna chirping or calling out into an otherwise peaceful night.

The light was still on, but there was nothing in the yard. No animals, no creeps. Nothing.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck perk up. A green spark tickled the end of my fingertips and I didn’t even attempt to shove it away. My body knew there was something out there.

We’re so used to being the predator, never the prey. My eyes continued to scan back and forth, wondering if I needed to let one of my sisters know something was up.

Maybe this was normal? Did the light just randomly turn on from time to time? Ya know- technology? So efficient.

If that was the case why did I feel so…off? Something, isn’t right. Then I see it.

A flicker so fast that I’m half certain my mind made it up. Back in the tree line by the back of the garage, a different kind of darkness.

Not the shadows I had seen earlier from the trees on the porch. This is more opaque. It seems to undulate as it moves along the back of the yard. It doesn’t glide but rather jerks.

I feel my heart begin to race.

Its pace is slow, unseemly. Shadow against shadow and yet I can see it clear as day. Blackness that swallows the night whole. It’s form shivers and writhes against a large oak.

I must be dreaming. Yes. I’d fallen asleep and now I am dreaming something up that isn’t there. What a funny story I’ll have to tell my sisters in the morning.

But to be sure…

I grab my phone, sliding my finger across the screen to bring up the camera, pointing it out the back window. Somehow in the few moments it took me to grab my phone its gone.

The shadow isn’t where I last saw it. I am dreaming. I set my phone back down and then I see it.  Or rather, it sees me.

It sees me, seeing it. And my body goes rigid.

Black malformed nothingness creeping along the garage and staring at me. Its featureless, save for cold pinpricks of red where eyes should be.

Red and beady, almost like light reflecting against an animals eyes.

It glows, but maybe anything would look glow-y against such a stark backdrop. The blood in my body runs like ice. The goose bumps have moved to my arms as well.

I don’t know how long we stare at each other. Maybe three seconds, maybe five minutes. I blink for the first time in I don’t know how long and when I stare back its gone.

Really gone this time.

I must have scanned the backyard and the fence and the woods and the garage multiple times for over ten minutes. I see nothing. My head feels fuzzy. Like I’d taken a large sleeping pill and have been fighting the effects for too long.

I hoist myself back into bed, because I am too afraid to go out there and check. Too tired to wake my sisters. It feels like my limbs have been replaced with sacks of flour.

Heavy, soft, the weight bringing me down. Pushing me against the mattress. I’m exhausted and alert and my body doesn’t know which to indulge more.

Eventually sleep wins and I drift off into a fitful night filled with dreams of sharp shadows following me. And one with red eyes leading the chase.

[wolfiemcwolferson]

It's here! It's here! It's here!

I wrote a Superhero AU!

This was on my list for as long as I can remember and it seems wild that I finally got my brain on straight to write it, only to write a superhero fic that left me scratching my own head.

I hope y'all love have you brought the light back? This is 36K study of what it means to be your soulmates mirror.

Of course, I made y'all a playlist to go with it.

I cannot wait to hear all your thoughts!

[intothewestwing]

Chapter 1

How foolish it was, for a man to commit a crime and expect no punishment.

Yes, this was the first human The Beast had seen in years, but it wasn’t any human of interest. Only a decaying, naive man.

“Please!” He’d begged. “Let me go! I won’t say a word!” To whom? The Beast had thought. Surely none could outmatch him. Though it was possible the world outside had changed in the time of the spell, it was impossible for anyone to challenge the monster that lurked in the forgotten castle and win. It was his territory, and his alone. Nevermind the physical advantage he’d have over them.

Hours had passed since The Beast left the old man to rot in the dungeon. He sat by the fire, watching the flames as they roared.

“Your highness?” A candelabra appeared beside him, his wicks unlit. The shadow of a man who once resembled The Beast’s closest confidante now only mirrored a fragile figure of wax.

The Beast did not acknowledge him.

“The man in the dungeon, what shall we prepare him for dinner?” Lumiere asked.

Though The Beast’s temper had already been tempted that day, there was still room for more.

“You dare feed the prisoner before me? To fill the mouth of a thief over mine?”

“I just thought-“

“You will feed him nothing. No one is to see him.”

It often was a poor choice to question The Beast. Lumiere knew this, as he’d been on the receiving end of his temper since he was a child. But even so, he knew his breaking points. He knew when too far was too far.

And he knew The Beast wasn’t quite there yet.

“Sire, he is already skin and bones. Must we let him starve-“

“Enough! He will either die in here or die to the wolves!”

The Beast stood and faced his footman. Though he wasn’t that much shorter, Lumiere did his best not to cower. Still, as the man of wax continued to argue, The Beast began to breathe heavier.

“Have you even thought about how the man got through the mist? Do you know what this could mean? One of these days, someone could walk right in and break the-“

“Eugh!”

As Lumiere began to mention the spell, the floors began to shake and The Beast fell to his knees. The dust within the West Wing rose into the air and bits of the ceilings began falling and shattering on the floor. As the castle shook, brick fell from the chimney onto the fire, putting it out completely.

The Beast clutched his abdomen as he writhed in pain for a few moments until it passed. The episodes lasted only thirty seconds to a minute each time, but each one was worse than the last.

Another petal had fallen.

As the dust settled, Lumiere’s wicks lit with their flames as he walked toward The Rose. His face fell as he counted them. Only six remained.

He waited for The Beast to stand before moving back toward him. The pain had subsided, but it would be back with the next petal. It was only a matter of time before the final one killed him, he thought. That was the witch’s promise. That he would learn to live a life of love, or he would not live at all, as penance for the victims of his crude behavior.

If he had known what was to come of her curse, he would’ve chosen for her to strike him down back then. But perhaps she enjoyed his relentless torture. She seemed to, anyway, when she visited. After each petal had fallen, she would turn up to see the results of her curse, to see if he was any closer to breaking it. Each visit, he’d beg her for mercy. And each time, she’d tell him no.

“Mon amis,” Lumiere said cautiously. “We must try to make amends with this human. Perhaps he has a neighbor, or a friend, or family that will come looking for him.” He pleaded with his master to see the possibility of breaking the curse. “There is so little time left.”

With a shaky breath, he recovered his strength and stood to face Lumiere.

“You will feed him nothing.”

—————————

[sparkles-and-trash]

Been in such a tdbk headspace lately I’m struggeling not to make the entire next Vines chapter about them 😮‍💨😮‍💨

[houseofthebear]

Chapters: 8/? Fandom: Game of Thrones (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jorah Mormont/Daenerys Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen & Viserys Targaryen, Aerys II Targaryen & Daenerys Targaryen Characters: Jorah Mormont, Daenerys Targaryen, Missandei (ASoIaF), Other Character Tags to Be Added, Viserys Targaryen, Aerys II Targaryen Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Fantasy, Minor Violence, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Other: See Story Notes Summary:

After a difficult year, Daenerys makes a wish for Christmas. Little does she know just how different and exciting this wish will make her life.

[coffeeandjoon]

🌓 Nocturnal Prince 🌓

Pairing: Christian Yu x reader (nicknamed Vixen)

Wordcount: N/A

Summary: Sometimes the most powerful of curses can be shattered by the strength of love. Or they turn someone into the cruelest version of themselves. The Prince of Avalon, Christian Yu, stopped believing a long time ago that one day someone would truly love him and break his curse. 

He’s a werewolf, roaming the forest close to Ravenswood by night, terrorizing and destroying everything that comes along his path with his pack of fearless werewolf soldiers. Everyone knows to stay out of the woods at night.

Meanwhile, in Ravenswood, Vixen struggles to be accepted as the "new girl" at college. As a fox shifter, that's not so easy, which is why she takes on the daring challenge of entering the forest at night and lasting until dawn. 

A night of fear and terror begins and soon Vixen is running for her life from a pack of wolves that hunt her without mercy. Much to Christina's chagrin, the fox shifter survives until dawn and escapes his forest. But not without catching a glimpse of him, which changes everything for both. He can't believe she's made it out alive and begins to feel a stirring within him that he hasn't felt in a long time – hope.

He starts to follow Vixen, watching her from the shadows, and slowly begins to realize that she might be the key to breaking his curse. As he watches her navigate the challenges of being the new girl in town, Christian starts to see that Vixen is not like the other shapeshifters and magical creatures of Ravenswood and breaks one of his most important rules: never seek contact with anyone outside his pack. 

Teaser: 

"I can smell your fear," Christian growled, already turning away. In the end, they all reacted the same way. 

"Fear is a feeling, being afraid is a choice. I choose to not be afraid," Vixen said, making him stop in his tracks. 

He turned again, a sinister grin gracing his boyish features. With long strides he stood directly in front of Vixen, making her stumble in surprise against the pine tree behind her. His dark brown eyes roamed over her face, searching for any sign of fear, but all he could discern was pure curiosity. Of course. Goddamn foxes. 

"Your curiosity will get you killed eventually," he said. 

Vixen leaned forward, inches from his lips, a challenging glint lurking in her eyes. "I could say the same thing to you. Lurking around the outskirts of town as a wolf during the day just to see me is the stupidest thing I've ever observed," she shot back.

That broke Christian's perfectly thought-out mask and he looked at her puzzled, his cheeks turning red within seconds. "That...I...I didn't...," he stammered and leaned back a bit to put distance between them again.

"Say what you will, wolfie, but you're not as smooth with your watching as you thought," Vixen said nonchalantly, giving him a cheeky grin before walking back to the street. Realizing that Christian wasn't following her, still standing speechless and flushed in the same spot, she called over her shoulder, "Are you coming or not?" 

Rule number four: never enter Ravenswood. How many more rules would he break for her? Probably all of them. And he wouldn't regret a thing about it. 

Author’s note: Well, here we are. I’m feeling inspired for some Christian Yu werewolf fanfic, there’s not a lot of fanfic for him, so let’s change that now 🌚 

[boosbabycakes28]

2 days before my baby is out for the @romcom1dficfest I’m very excited to share this with you guys 🧛🧜‍♀️

[legendsofmyriad]

Legends of Myriad - Arc One Masterlist

With the Temporal Gateways opening, the worlds of Myriad are once again connected. But The Core, the protector of the nine worlds, is yet to wake. While Bartholomew Spark seeks the help of catalyst and mage, Lilith Cleaver, to help him find a solution, he sets Citadel students Esther, Oscar, and Alek the task of exploring the worlds and collecting information on what he has missed out on these past three hundred years.

Chapter 1: The Gateways - Part 1

Chapter 2: The Gateways - Part 2

Chapter 3: The Wonder of Innovation

Chapter 4: The Long Wait

Chapter 5: Blood Ties - Part 1

Chapter 6: Blood Ties - Part 2

Chapter 7: Court of Magic

Chapter 8: Drift

Chapter 9: Hero of Flame

Chapter 10: A Curious Find

Chapter 11: Unsettled Dreams

Chapter 12: Cornered

Chapter 13: Gateway in the Sand

Chapter 14: Shut Out

Chapter 15: The Compendium

Chapter 16: Field of a Thousand Souls

Chapter 17: Sunlight and Dust

Chapter 18: Helping Hand

Chapter 19: Phoenix Hospitality

Chapter 20: The Soul Mage

Chapter 21: Weathering the Storm

Chapter 22: Making Headway

Chapter 23: A Greater Purpose

Chapter 24: Sanguine

Chapter 25: The Determined Soldier

Chapter 26: The Waters of Skuld - Part 1

Chapter 27: The Waters of Skuld - Part 2

Chapter 28: Laycrawlers

Chapter 29: Clan of the Banshee

Chapter 30: Kingsrose

Chapter 31: Attack on Azuris

Chapter 32: Home

Chapter 33: Assassin - Part 1

Chapter 34: Assassin - Part 2

[tasteslikenostalgiaa]

Would you like to be my friend? - Wonwoo fanfic Part 1

Genre: Fantasy

Warning: Nothing yet (tell me if you see one)

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It was pretty crazy, the dream I had. I could be so sure that my soul was close to dying and the spirits were flying right above my head. It was so vivid, like I was just there- on the dark green road, filled with ferns and really beautiful lush green trees. Excited ran through my veins as soon as I felt that eerie vibe. The sky was clear before but it suddenly turned to grey. So beautiful that it looked, like dominos clouds fell into the ashet of breathtaking grey hue. And in a similar manner, the trees turned into dark green. It reminded me of a monster, but a velvety monster. As if, this whole scenary is going to eat me up right now.

I didn't realise I was frozen to one place when I felt my legs moving. It wasn't me who controlled them anymore. It felt like a spirit had the control over everything in my body and this world, except my face. Whoever controlled me, walked me in a slow pace, giving me enough time to paint the the world around me in my brain in a way I'd never forget. It was all monotonous velvet green, but did you think it'd bore me out? No, it was the most hypnotic, most lustrous and most enchanting thing I'd ever seen. Who knew dreams could be so pretty?

I got up from my bed and looked out of my window. I was staying with my dad for a week, as a vacation after a really tiring semester in school. And the best thing about it was that I could be on the mountains! They soothe your heart and make you feel so beautiful. They are so beautiful, so enchanting, just like my dream.

I got up to go to the small kitchen to make myself something to eat and drink. I couldn't push away the dream I had, how could a dream be so realistic? I still remember walking down the road, my legs took me into the woods, it was like entering a magical world. Everything was shining, little tingles of magic oozing out of every plant, every tree. It was enchanting. I was so busy looking at the wild yet suspiciously disciplined magic around me that I didn't notice the man standing infront of me.

"Hello, welcome to the woods.", a voice said.

I almost got startled and I dont know if it was because of his sudden appearance or his sudden beauty. "Hi", I replied cautiously.

"How are you? I mean, I doubt you'd be happy that you're stuck here with your legs under a spirit's control and a forest which doesn't stop glowing." He said, full of silent confidence and outward shyness. His black glasses sitting on his nose and his hair perfectly tamed, looking so regal, so angelic and so human all at the same time.

I replied, "Uh, technically, I am not sad, I don't know how to think about it. What to think of it."

"I see, but you may get sad once the spirit in your legs starts triggering your worst memories or start making up scenarios which, no matter how much you like the Green, you can't like or run away from. Unless, I help."

"How can you help me? Why would you help me? Why should I trust you? Who are you?"

"I'm Wonwoo. I'm not your imagination. You can call me your saviour but technically, we both will be saving each other. I've been stuck here for 3 months now, the leg spirit ran away and initially I was just as intrigued by these magical velvet woods as you were." He replied calmly.

Wonwoo, pretty name.

"I'm y/n. Why didn't you run away from here? How do you... How did we even come here?" I asked, a mild sense of panic and a small rush of excitement running through my mind.

"I have no idea but here, hold my hand. Let me guide you. You can't trust the leg spirit. It might take you away to the hills on the other side and push you through the valley, landing in the river. The other person I met here was, unfortunately, given the same fate. I tried to run upto him, save him but my leg spirit didn't want that." Wonwoo replied, his voice was so velvety. As if he's an incarnation of the magic running through the forest.

I took his hand and I can't describe it but magic literally ran up through my arm. His hand was warm. He was enchanting. But no, he could be danger. I didn't realise I didn't ask why we should be holding hands, I was just looking at our joined hands with an expression of skepticism which would have ticked him into telling me about it. "Ahh, me and the other guy, I held his hand while holding him up after he fell down in front of me, and then we realised that we could move according to our wishes, so the leg spirit doesn't like human contact. It runs away from it."

"Oh thats fascinating." It was. Fascinating. Scary. I don't know what's happening, it probably is a dream.

(to be continued....)

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Hello everyone! I'm writing this for @jeonncafe I hope you'll like this Rainbow and there's more to come. This is my first time writing for @caratwritersclub and its events and i was so excited. I'm so happy I got to talk to amazing carats, Rainbow and my secret santa ❤️.

[superspookyjanelle]

TAGGING: @witchofinterest @fiercefray @sweetenemyfire @eddysocs @arrthurpendragon @villanele @bookstorebunny @roseygirl203 @valdrinors

[ahotauthor]

Star 1: I cannot see what is inside the box. Can you tell me what she got him? Star 2: There is an expensive black jumper there. Star 1: Oh, that is not a very good Christmas present for someone you have been married to for twelve years. Star 1: I agree. What did he get her in return? I can't see what's inside the other box on the floor. Is there an expensive blue jumper in it? Star 2: No, there are milk chocolates inside it.

[yandere-writer-momo]

Prequel Part I

Yandere Short Story Series:

Too Late For Remorse

Yandere Cheater Duke x Countess Reader x Duke

TW: murder, yandere themes, cheating (mentioned), delusional behavior, yandere is the villain, etc.

“So you’re breaking off the engagement between my son and your daughter?” Duke Blackburn sat in the chair across from Count (last name). The older Duke delicately held the tea cup in his hand.

“I apologize for breaking the agreement, but my daughter cannot be without a man who associates with the Serpico family.” Duke Blackburn nodded his head in agreement.

“I understand, I’m also not a big fan of infidelity.” It was quite well known in the noble faction that Duke Blackburn’s wife had messed around with many knights during their short marriage. Which worked in Count (Last name)’s favor since Duke Blackburn despised the unfaithful.

Duke Blackburn continued the conversation, “You know your daughter was promised to marry a Blackburn. It’d be a shame to not have such a beautiful woman in our family. I have another son who’s a few years younger than her.”

“Eh, I don’t know if Broderick be a good match since he’s not quite mature yet…” Count (Last name) sighed. “I wouldn’t mind my daughter marrying you if I’m honest-“

Duke Blackburn’s cheeks flushed in shock, the Duke nearly dropped his tea cup from the Count’s words. “I beg your finest pardon?”

“My daughter would be in good hands if she was with you. You’re mature and you’ve been single for over a decade.” Count (last name) gestured to the portrait of his daughter behind him. “You said it yourself that my daughter was beautiful.”

“That does not mean I want to marry a woman half my age-“

“Duke Lucius Blackburn and Duchess (your

name), I can picture it.” Count (last name) howled with laughter when the Duke hid his scarred face in his gloved hands. The older Duke felt embarrassed by the Count’s teasing.

Lucius and (your name)? It is a normal occurrence of marrying a younger woman in this day and age, but she was his own son’s ex-fiancée! Then again, it would be a similar situation if she became engaged to Broderick…

“Alright. I will marry your daughter-“ Duke Blackburn put his hand on Count (last name)’s shoulder before the smaller man could cheer. “But consult with her first. I’m an old man and I’m still the commander of the Royal’ Family’s army. I’d hardly have time for her.”

“Of course I will. I’m sure she will be delighted!”

Duke Blackburn and Count (last name) continued to have small talk but Lucius couldn’t help the feeling of nervousness that crept up his veins. Would she really be alright with a man like him?

.

.

.

“So Duke Blackburn said he’d marry you if you’d like to be with him.” (Your name) quirked a brow at her father. The young woman slowly sipped the tea her father had prepared for this meeting. She was a bit surprised her father wanted to find her a partner this quickly, but she was also in her prime. If (your name) didn’t marry soon, she never would.

“But I just ended my engagement to him-“

“Wrong Blackburn, my dear. I’m talking about Lucius Blackburn-“ (your name) spat out the tea and choked a bit. Lucius?! As in Trishan’s father?! “Are you alright?”

“Father, you can’t possibly- why?” (Your name) struggled to formulate words as a million questions ran through her brain. Engagement to Trishan’s father?! His father?!

“Well, he’s a much better man than his spawn. Don’t you think, my dear?” Count (last name) puffed his chest out in pride. “Plus he’s still quite fit despite his age-“

“Father!” (Your name) stood up, her being frazzled with bewilderment. “It hasn’t even been a week since my engagement was annulled and… that man is old enough to be my father!”

“But he would treat you well!”

(Your name) shook her head and was about to excuse herself from the table. How was she supposed to get her revenge if she now had to marry Trishan’s father?

(Your name) held her head while the gears began to turn in her head. Wait. This could work… she could use Lucius to her advantage.

“You’re right, father. How could I not see that before?” (Your name) bent down and pressed a kiss to her father’s cheek. “Thank you, daddy.”

The count was in shock before his whole face lit up. He was so happy to bring his daughter joy! She deserved to be happy!

.

.

.

Trishan threw a chair across his room in anger. His engagement had been annulled and his beloved was to marry his father?! No… this wasn’t how his second chance was supposed to work out! They were supposed to be happy together!

“Trishan?” Trishan’s blood went cold when he heard a familiar, feminine voice from outside his door. What was that snake doing here? “You haven’t replied to any of my letters and I’m really worried about you…”

Lies. That woman only wanted to become a Duchess and she had murdered (your name) in the past… was this her fault?

Trishan felt murderous intent drip throughout his veins as he stood up. Yes… this was Gia’s fault. If she didn’t exist… then (your name) would come back to him.

Trishan’s lips curved up in a demented smile. If he got rid of Gia then everything would fall back into place. Just like it was meant to.

“Wait for me darling… I’ll make everything right this time.”