#father's day gift same day delivery

[floristusa]

Popular Father’s Day Gifts Online

Father’s day is celebrated annually on the 3rd sunday of June month. This celebration began as an honorary tradition to father’s who were a part of the civil war, away from their families for peace and security. Now with the civil war all set in history we are still celebrating father’s day, why you may ask. Well the appreciation and love that fathers should get is still missing. Father’s day is a reminder that fathers too need attention, care and lots of love.

[atskiruma]

his attempts at courting you

expl: he finds himself thinking about you more often, wanting to seek you out consistently, and giving you numerous gifts every day to see you smile

a/n: it has come to my attention that the last ff i wrote, (snow day) was not very well depicted for all readers to enjoy, i want to apologize for that and promise that i will get better at trying to make sure everyone is able to read it and enjoy it, my writings are targeted for all | unfortunately, i can not edit it right now seeing as there's a poll going on, but once that poll is finished i will change my wording in the ff

ask me anything masterlist

second person writing no pronouns used

Zhongli often felt himself thinking about you more often while he was working around the parlor. Even seeking out your name in conversations and listening more attentively when someone was speaking about you. It didn't confuse him though, he was aware of his interest in you.

You opened up the warmth in his heart and welcomed him kindly every time you two saw each other. It made him happy to see you happy, and this was evident when flowers were delivered directly to your door one sunny afternoon.

"These are for you," The mail lady said before turning around and walking away to do more deliveries. You didn't even get to ask who they were from before she was gone. Staring down at the bouquet of tiger lilies in front of you, you could only assume that the bright orange and black colors could depict a certain someone's hair color.

It was a nice piece on your kitchen counter and went well with the other decorations spiraling around your house. That was, until the next morning, you were greeted again with another gift. A bright orange vase to compliment the tiger lilies you received the other day. It was funny, why was he going out of his way to send you such nice gifts?

You finally managed to confront him when you saw Childe and Zhongli sitting together on the seats of an outside cafe. Walking over and waving to the both of them. They greeted you back, and small talk was given for only a couple minutes.

"I actually came over here to thank Zhongli," This caught his attention, and he turned to look up at you, "I really loved the flowers you sent and the vase goes really well with them too!" You said while smiling.

He nodded back at you, seemingly collecting himself extremely quickly at the fact you figured out so quick who it was. "I'm glad you liked them," He said.

"I came to give you this in return," You said," "I know it's probably not as extravagant as the ones you gave me, but I like it." Handing over the small gift box, he opened it and smiled softly at the item. It was a small keychain, nothing special, and it was decorated with a lovely orange seem.

That same keychain would be hung up right next to his bedframe, along with variant letters you sent him on the table accompanying it.

Diluc was someone who took courting another person seriously. He found it tradition since his father had spoken so much of it when Diluc was younger. He always wanted to treat the one he loved with respect and be as much of a gentleman as possible.

This was why you were taking a stroll with him through his grapevines on a sunny afternoon. He offered for you to come down to the Winery a couple days ago and you had just gotten around to accepting his offer. His hand rested on your back as he took you through multiple different paths and explained everything. As you strolled, he talked about things concerning the vine, his profits, the seasons they needed to be planted, etc.

You smiled at him, knowing it was something he took dear to his heart, and listened very attentively to what he was saying. In reality, Diluc was really hoping that all he was talking about didn't bore you in any way.

Then, the next couple of hours were spent sitting in his large dining room, eating food made by the cooks in his home. It was nice, and you were very happy that he wanted to spend this much time with you. Diluc even found himself watching you eat here and there, asking you if the food was good or if you needed anything else in the time being.

After everything was over, and the night sky shined over the two of you as you stood outside his doors, he leaned down and pressed a small kiss to your hand. Telling you how much of a pleasure it was to have you here, and how he wished you could stay longer.

Diluc even offered to walk you home, tediously not taking no for an answer, he reached down to take your hand and hold it the whole walk home.

Alhaitham was very closed off when he first met you, he was closed off with anyone in general. He found it strange that you always seemed to be there when he was thinking about you, and when his eyes would try and search a room in the akademiya for you.

He realized that something had to be done about this, so, he did what any other raging nerd would do, and researched about it.

You also found it odd when you'd see him looking at you from across the library, or holding the door open for you whenever you'd walking behind him. Alhaitham always seemed like the guy who only cared about his own, yet he was so evident in helping you out here and there.

Helping you when you'd be confused about a book, rewording your essays to make them better. Alhaitham seemed to want to assist you with almost everything. This was no different than today.

You found yourself back at the library looking down at a long-written parchment on the forest rangers' activities. Trying to figure out how you could make this work in the essay you were conducting on Sumeru's forest.

This was when you heard the chair scrap right next to you, and looked up from where you had originally been focused. Alhaitham took his seat next to you, slightly taking up more space than necessary with his manspreading.

"Do you need help with that? It looks like a longer report than usual for you."

"Longer than usual?" You shot back, "Are you saying that I'm not capable of reading this?" His eyes widened a bit and he instantly tried to retort his original statement. "No, no, I thought- Well- You know you usually read shorter reports in order to get more details. I didn't think you'd take something this large to account."

His confession made you smile, and you leaned in closer, "How'd you know how I like my reports?" At the response with your cheeky grin, a blush formed on his cheeks before he looked away.

"Scholars are supposed to be attentive, it's natural to know a few things you prefer in order to work best with you."

The response he sent back your way caused you to roll your eyes and turn back to what you were originally doing. "To answer your question, no, I do not need help, but thank you for offering."

That didn't seem to make him budge, because he kept sitting there watching you copy down and write words from the book.

"You misspelled climate."

The sound of a book colliding with his head echoed throughout the library.

Ayato enjoyed your company, a lot, so much that he seeks you out anytime he and his sister go down to festivals or strolls through the city. He always wanted to start up a conversation with you, and if anyone else walked by anytime he'd be down there, Ayato would be right next to you listening with a smile at whatever you said.

Ayaka loved you too and found it amusing that her brother was so interested in you. She often found herself trying to spark up conversations with you, asking if her older brother proposed yet in a joking manner.

You laughed it off, Ayato was nice but you were sure he had other rich and important people to concern his love life with. He was just a very nice man to talk with here and there, and you didn't seem to notice that you were one of the few he'd actually seek out.

That was, until, every time he saw you, he came with some form of jewelry or expensive item to give you. Asking you how your day was, what you were doing, and if you wanted to come to spend some time up at the estate with him.

"What about Ayaka?" You said with a tilt of your head in confusion. He smiled back and said, "I'm sure she'd rather stay down here and explore more of the shops.

Ayaka would have loved to come along, but before she could even turn around, the two of you were already heading back up to the estate.

He catered to you, made sure you were comfortable, and even asked if you'd like anything from his personal chefs. It was a bit much to handle, seeing as you weren't used to living so luxurious, but he was very nice about it all and understood.

The catering didn't stop after that day either, more and more people began to wonder why the Kamisato siblings were spending so much more time outside their palace. Ayaka once mentioned that you loved a certain color, and the next day Ayato was handing you a box with that color, and a necklace with the pearl containing that color too.

He even found himself marching over to you when he saw someone speaking to you in a more flirtatious matter. Moving next to you and asking if everything was alright while his hand wrapped around your own.

[mydarlingem]

ever since we met

guys we are SO BACK i bring gifts <3 didnt realize how much i would miss writing on here. currently working on rewriting old work and new stuff so i can get back to posting on a weekly basis. hope you have been well and enjoy!!

cw. sakusa kiyoomi eats pussy, what more could you need

wc. 1800

you met sakusa kiyoomi two years ago when he took over his father’s business. every monday and saturday at 4 pm, he knocked on the back door of your flower shop. big boxes filled with one the best flowers for you. it was also two years ago when you first opened the door for him that you realized you loved him. he was so sweet and kind, always taking time to ask about you and following up on events in your life. you figured he did this with everyone on his route. little did you know that your sweet kiyoomi did not ask questions about any of his other deliveries.

he was determined to get to know you, however long it took him. he knew the movies you saw, the terrible dates you went on, your favorite flowers and your least favorite customers. no detail was too small for him, because he did care about it all. he liked your passion for your work and your love for the people around you. ever since he knocked on that door monday at 4 pm two years ago he has loved you. he knows it crazy, and he can't rationalize it for the life of him but he knows it's the truth. he knows you probably don't reciprocate but god he can't help it.

“hey kiyoomi what did you bring for me today?” you say with a smiled as you prop open the door for him. the way you say his name makes him weak in the knees, he loves how comfortable you are around him. “besides my beautiful face, everything you had on your list and an extra case of snapdragons because i know you always run out by thursday.” he smiles at you and sets down the boxes. “you really are the best thank you” you say as you walk back over to the counter to continue cleaning roses. “how are you today my favorite florist?” he asks as he sets down the last three boxes in their designated spot. “busy and understaffed” you sigh. “glad to know things always stay the same around here” he smiles and hands you a clipboard for a signature.

he likes the way you sign your name, he can't explain it but it suits you. “you know you are the last delivery of the day, so is there anything i can do to help out?” he takes the clipboard back from you as you hold back from speaking for a moment. “i have so much to do are you sure?” you ask hoping it's not just pity. “i'm here for whatever you need” he says as he takes his hoodie off and sets his things down. you never realized how many tattoos he has, or how big his biceps were. maybe him staying was good for morale. “would mind cleaning some mums for me?” he nods and steps to the counter to start.

its quiet for a little, the silence isn't awkward though. you look over at him, he's so efficient. his hands are so perfect, how is he so perfect? his voice snaps you out of your trance. “how was that date you had last week?” he asks, not looking up from the flowers in his hands. “lets just say i won’t be seeing him again” you exhale softly, mentally pleading that the very attractive man across from you will not ask you to embarrass yourself further. kiyoomi laughs softly before speaking again, “i can't believe we have never hung out outside of work” he says as he continues to clean flowers. his heart was racing at this point, you made him so nervous he was hoping you couldn’t tell.

“i know it's so crazy! we have to do something soon” you say with a smile. “well what are you doing this weekend? there’s a new bar i want to check out and i’d love to take you.” “if i didn't know any better i would think you were asking me out on a date kiyoomi” you smile before looking up at him and making eye contact with him. “and what if i am?” he says still smiling, your cheeks were so hot, was he messing with you? “well i'd think you were joking” you say trying to control the tone of your voice. he sets his flowers down as he makes his way to the other side of the table where you stand with shaky hands.

“oh im dead serious pretty girl” he runs his hand along your jaw tilting your chin towards his face. he's smiling at you like you hung and the moon and stars just for him. hes so close all you can smell is his cologne, god did he always smell this good? you aren’t sure who leans in first but your lips touch and suddenly everything feels so right. hes holding your face in his hand but slowly becoming so desperate as he kisses you. the cold metal of his lip piercings feels so good against your lips. you can't seem to get enough of him and you wrap your arms around his neck. he taps your thighs as you wrap your legs around him, he gently sets you on the counter. he breaks away from the kiss breathless and rests his head against your shoulder “you're so perfect” he all but whimpers against the skin of your neck.

“i've wanted to kiss you for so long” you say as he kisses your neck, and you run your hands through his soft hair. he moans softly at the contact and lifts his head up to kiss you again. standing in between your thighs he wraps his hands around your waist, smiling into the kiss. he can't believe this moment is real, he can't believe he finally worked up the courage to to act on his feelings. the all too familiar jingle of the front door opening snaps the both of you out of your bliss. “fuck” you say as you hop off the counter, “hi ill be right there." you look back to kiyoomi “will you please stay i promise i'll be so quick”. he smiles “dont worry im not going anywhere sweetheart.” you smile and kiss him on the cheek before running off to the front.

this might be the happiest he’s ever been. you’re so soft and sweet and oh my god he loves how gentle you are with him. he loves the effect he has on you, in fact he may just never move from this spot in the hope that you kiss him like that again. “thank you have a great day” you chirp as your voice breaks him out of his trance. you appear into the doorway to the back of the door with a smile. “hi” you say as you make your way back over to him, “hi sweet girl” he wraps his arms around you again. “i close in about 30 minutes, will you come home with me?” you ask shocked by your own boldness. the way you are looking at him he thinks he might die. “god i'll be wherever you want me.” the effect you had on him was unreal. “let me drop off my truck and i'll be back in fifteen”, “be quick” you say as you twirl his hair with your fingers. have you always been this hot?

kiyoomi was convinced was losing his mind. he has never moved faster in his life. he doesn't even remember driving his motorcycle back to your shop. all he knew is that he was walking back into your shop with more determination than he's ever felt before. “hi handsome” you say as he drapes his body against yours. “almost done?” he asks as he kisses your cheek. “i have about fifteen minutes before i can go but i'm all done.” you turn to kiss him as he plays with the waistband of your jeans. the kiss is messy and hot, he felt weak in the knees. “i can think of a few things to pass the time” he says as he breaks away from the kiss.

you smile looking up at him, his face was flushed and you could help but be proud of the effect you had on him. “please let me eat you out” your jaw drops at his words. “here?” you ask and he grins “here” he says as he drops to his knees in front of you. you could finish from just looking at this beautiful large man on his knees in front of you. “god please” he's quick to unzip your pants and slide them down your legs. he places small kisses along your thighs as he moves to put your legs on his shoulders. he kisses you through your underwear and you whimper softly. sliding your underwear to the side he starts softly using his tongue, and puts a finger inside you as he continues.

you grip his hair and squeeze your thighs against his head as he quickened his pace. “harder” he whimpers into you and you squeeze harder. god his tongue piercing is incredible. you are getting close to finishing, and he can tell. he moans into you like this is pleasuring him just as much as it is you. “more kiyo” you moan out. he moves faster as he inserts another finger. the nickname could have made him cum in his pants. you are quickly approaching your high as you stutter out an “im close” he's moving faster than before, focused on you and only you. he's eating you out like a man starved, the cold metal of his piercing mixed with the warmth of his fingers had you seeing stars.

you moan his name as you finish and he cleans you up with his tongue. your legs were shaking as he stands up and licks the rest of you off of his slender fingers. “you're so incredible” you say as you wrap your arms around him and kiss him, the taste of you still on his tongue. “i've been dying to do that for two years” he says as he pulls away from you. “i love you kiyoomi” you say looking him in the eyes, "i've been dying to tell you that for two years" mustering the courage to confess everything to him. “god i love you” he says cupping your face in his hands as he kisses you again. “i love you i love you i love you” he says softly in between kisses. "ill spend forever making you feel it."

[riddles-fiddles]

Octavinelle boys with a pregnant S/O

Synopsis: I'm dealing with terrible baby ferver so I need to get this out of my system. Headcanons to how the boys react to your pregnancy all thorough the months (part 2) Characters: Azul Ashengrotto, Floyd Leech, Jade Leech Tags: SFW, fluff, domestic fluff Notes: AFAB gender neutral reader, cw pregnancy and birth

•·.·''·.·•ˏˋ°••·.·''·.·•ˏˋ°••·.·''·.·•ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

⁀➷ Azul Ashengrotto — make sure to give him the good news while the man is safely sitting down, or else you'll see him go weak on his knees. Azul prides himself on his collected demeanor and carefully woven expressions - vital skills for his business-oriented persona - but then he is inevitably crumbling down, staring at the positive pregnancy test wide-eyed, struggling to find something clever to say. His mind is racing wild but no rational thoughts are able to fall from his lips, so all he can muster is a very low, shaky "I am… going to be a father?"

Give him some time to digest the news and you'll be met by a very gentle, tender hug from the octomer. Azul is both thrilled and terrified of this new chapter of your shared life; he longed to achieve the same kind of love his mother and step-father shared with each other, to be cared for and desired in such a selfless and devotional way, inspired by the way their love reflected upon his own upbringing. On the other hand, however, his insecuriities threatened to surface once again, doubts and ghosts from the past whispering wicked lies about his worth as a future parent. He doesn't want to fail on you and the child, as a partner or a father, and though he's equally worried about the emotional aspect of parenthood, he sticks to the importance of material goods - they're more on his comfort lane and he does it flawless to ensure your growing family can have everything of need.

(Please leash him while shopping for nursery furniture or else he'll make the baby's room a monochrome nightmare)

Azul showers you with gifts almost everyday: jewels, clothes, accessories… anything he knows you like or make any minimal comments about, being his way of showing how much he loves and cares for you, and as you progress through the stages, he takes more leaves from Mostro Lounge. He loves his work, but you are the lighthouse of his life, the one he cherishes and clings to on stormy or bright days, and the pregnancy only fueled his sense of loyalty and sincerity to you. His cafe actually comes in handy when the cravings start, and Azul isn't even an ounce ashamed to take advantage of the students working under his contracts to request them to make whatever you hunger for, though it was a surprise at first to discover about that particular characteristic of human pregnancy; he was amused nonetheless, but then he will be more careful when handing your requests. He's a very attentive partner, though it could be hard for him to express all the emotions that bubbles within his chest, sometimes too worried about being 'too emotional', scared to say something and make himself a complete fool. He kneads the stress away from your body with careful fingers and helps you out on regular tasks - shampoo your hair, put your shoes on, change clothes.

When the big day finally comes, Azul is already set and ready to go. Fret not, for the darling octo-mer has picked only the best, comfiest and quietest room for the delivery with only the best nurses on the hospital and has already set a very special menu for you to indulge in after all your hard work. But suddenly he is panicking, the danger of human birth finally sinking in as he watches the way you writhe and sob on the bed, but he can't do much but hold your hands tightly and hope for the best as the nurses help you around. When his baby is finally placed over his arms and Azul gazes upon the serene features of the tiny bean, all his terrors and doubts melt away, exhaling out a sigh of relieve and renewed joy - Azul realizes he's madly in love with you and the frail life that lays withing his grasp. He understands that there's no need for him to be perfect, either.

⁀➷ Floyd Leech — very excited from the idea of having a mini Floyd running around the house, a pocket-sized partner in crime, but to expect he would be an exceptional partner is, unfortunately, wrong. Floyd is very complex and his emotions are hard to keep controlled, and now that you are pregnant, he becomes somewhat more intense because of your own hormones and the anxiety of parenthood gripping on his neck. He does tries his best to get his moods in check, though - he doesn't want you to be stressing over him, knowing how dangerous it could be, so whenever he feels like his mood is about to change drastically, he walks away to take a breath. Things can turn into quite a ruckus if you end up experiencing those annoying changes at the same time though, as Floyd struggles to understand why you're snapping at him all of a sudden when he was just asking you something. Jade helps him understand that you're extremely hormonal and how it affects your humor and helps you keep his brother's own on check.

He's a lot more possessive and protective of you now, if not clingier. Floyd will be wrapping his arms around your figure any chance he gets, and when in public he'll always be intertwining your fingers together or holding you by the waist, getting annoyed every time someone comes asking to touch your bump - "I'm the only one who should be allowed to touch my Shrimpy's belly! Strangers have no bussiness being so close to you." Going to the doctor is always amusing because that's the moment Floyd looks the most concentrated than you can ever remember. Human pregnancy is something so new and weird for him, he's totally enthralled; what do you mean you don't lay eggs? Oh, you're just like a whale! How fun! Though he is entertained from all the information he's learning, Floyd is lowkey terrified of the birthing process (he's flabbergasted to know human babies can come out the size of a small watermelon), but he does his best to calm you down, and if you'd prefer to get a c-section, then he'll totally support you! During the preparations for the baby's room, Floyd will prefer to decorate it with ocean-themed stuff, having a blast with the assorted toys you two have bought and you're worried he might be more excited with them than your child. You know that one meme of the dad stealing the kid's tricycle? Yeah, that's him.

The delivering day comes, and Floyd is a whirlwind. He's more scared than you and it shows, no more jokes or smart remarks to try and hide his desperation, only panic, and you need to calm him down, even though he's not the one dealing with hellish contractions. Also, for the love of all Sevens, do not allow him to drive. Once you two get in the hospital, Floyd makes use of scary eel privilege to swiftly arrange a delivery room for you and suddenly almost all the nurse staff is mobilized to take care of you. Floyd can't bear the idea of leaving you alone not for even a minute, so despite the recommendations, he'll sit through hours by your side even if he's tense and stiff, holding your hand tightly. Bless the nurses who'll be helping you, because they'll have to deal with Floyd going through all the emotions known to man. Don't worry though, once he knows his shrimpy and little fry are safe and healthy, he'll turn back to the usual easy-going happy Floyd.

⁀➷ Jade Leech — Jade is surprised to receive the news. Similar to Azul, he does have a bit of knowledge about human's particularities and biology, but he wasn't expecting for you two to be compatible, especially since he's a much more 'feral' kind of merman. Nonetheless, he's happy with the prospect of growing a loving family with you... though by the progression of months, he grows the most worried. He's relieved to see the way you glow, how you seem healthy, but intrusive thoughts sometimes creep on the back of his mind. What if something happens? What if your body rejects the child because of his eel-merman genes? What if— but then you come to him squealing about how you felt the baby's first kick, and suddenly he's relaxing, his heart washed from any lingering fears. He pulls you closer and lays his head on your bump, humming quietly as he feels the baby slowly settling down.

Jade does his own research just to be sure he's doing everything right and what to expect from the significant changes you two are inevitably experiencing, insisting on working out a routine of exams and appointments, always so attentive to every little detail and medical advice. The bad thing is, he strictly follows them, which means you won't be able to snatch something unhealthy for all of your pregnancy; even if you're trying to tiptoe your way to the fridge, Jade somehow knows, he's right there to remind you about 'doctor's orders'. He's got the best of intentions, though he may look too strict. But don't fret! As soon as mama Leech gets word about your pregnancy she's coming to help! Jade actually listens to her tips, recognizing her very valuable experience on the matter and trusting mama knows best. At least you get to eat some cheat food here and there - Jade's shocked and extremely entertained to be taught that humans believe that a baby could be born looking like a certain kind of food if the mother doesn't eat whatever she's craving, and so he indulges you into whatever you ask him to cook. Similar to Floyd, Jade grows more possessive of you, especially when out in public. He dislikes the attention your bump attracts, cautious of ill-intentioned people, so when your belly has grown to it's full glory, Jade gives curious passerbys a piercing cold look while you're not aware, and then carries on to grocery shopping, whispering sweet praises to your ear like the entire mall isn't turning heels as fast as possible the moment they land their eyes on you both.

When the baby's due date comes, Jade is the ever collected and relying gentleman you need. Since he's such a good observer and has kept track of every little thing during your pregnancy - mood swings, body changes, smell and heat - he already has a suspicion you're about to go into labour, so he has prepared everything you might need even before you can shout about your water breaking. It's so endearing how he already looks like a dad - diligently guiding you through the hospital halls, big maternity bags hanging on his shoulders as he coos quietly about how everything is going to be ok, how you're going to be a great parent and how much he loves you. If you ask him to stay with you on the delivery room, he'll gladly let you squeeze his hand into oblivion and look unaffected, watching as you work for hours on end with a ressuring smile and the most sincere devotion on his eyes, totally enthralled by your resilience.

[incorrectbatfam]

Can Bruce read his gremlins a bedtime story?

Once upon a time—

Ugh, no. Go back and try again.

Jason, let the man read.

Not when it sounds like that. It's Sleeping Beauty. A fucking five-year-old can do it.

Alright, starting over. Once upon a time, there lived a princess in a castle.

Where else would she live?

I get what you're saying. Where was I? Right. When she was born—

Can we go back for a second? What kind of castle are we talking about?

Not again.

A good story has detail, Cass. Now give me the layout. Is it more mid-century or a little earlier? What fortifications do they have? Do the floor plans allow for guards to covertly sneak around? Are they prioritizing enemy intimidation or civilian—

Mid-to-late-century, reinforced walls with hidden cannons and watchtowers, they have underground tunnels, and civilian trust because their only enemy is Maleficent. As I was saying—

What's their contingency plan?

Tim!

The story is the contingency plan, you wet sack of hamburger meat.

Wow, spoiler alert.

Someone called?

I thought you went home?

And miss this trainwreck? As if. Too bad Tumblr doesn't have more colors because Duke would love this.

Huh?

It's a fourth wall thing. Don't worry, I've been working on my impression of him.

Let's see it.

Please don't.

"My name is Duke. I cry at Lord of the Rings."

In his defense, Frodo and Sam have a beautiful friendship.

Back to the story. When she was born, her parents threw a grand jubilee where all the kingdom and its fairies was invited. The fairies all arrived with presents—

You think they would have a baby shower before the baby is born, right? What, the first few days they're just going without diapers?

This was the Middle Ages. They believed in leeching the humors out for a common cold.

Also, you can throw showers after the kid arrives. Our own dad did it.

At least you weren't the guinea pig. Try explaining to a bunch of important rich people who brought gifts that actually, there is no baby, it's me and I don't need diapers or footie pajamas.

Says the guy wearing a Kid Flash onesie.

Says the one in a Superboy shirt and conspiracy theory pants. Pick a side.

I have two hands and I'm not ashamed.

Okay, there's a lot to unpack there—

Jason married Roy!

What?!?

It's for tax benefits. Not all of us can own a multi-billion-dollar corporation.

Your name's on the will.

Yeah but I'm never gonna get it 'cause Bruce isn't gonna die long enough for me to use it.

What do you mean?

He's talking about the retcons. You should ask Duke, he can see into other dimensions.

Ooh.

Ahem, I believe Father was telling us a story. I speed-read it so I know they all die at the end, but I'd like to hear your delivery.

Damian, you're reading this morning's obituaries.

Same thing.

Truelove'skissbrokethespellandtheylivedhappilyeveraftertheend. Terrible job everyone, now lights out.

[mymelodymia]

Not the end Dad!Tony stark x daughter!reader

Summary: after the end game, you and your father have some bonding time <3

Warnings: slight endgame spoilers but thats really it 🙂

A/N: in this particular fic, tony did not die cause my heart 😭 steve didn't go back in time for Peggy that was dumb. And Carol did successfully take the stones from thanos and snapped 👏

+•°+*°•++•°+*°•++•°+*°•++•°+*°•+

After the long battle between Thanos and the avengers, you and your father went home. You never thought that the tony stark would settle down and live the quiet life. But he did.

when you arrived at this new home, you walked inside and morgan immediately ran toward you. Wrapping you in a tight hug, you were aware that morgan was your new little sister given that tony had told you while on the battlefield.

You had always dreamed of having a younger sister, you could teach her how to be all sassy like you.

As a kid, you used to make tony pretend to be pregnant and in the delivery room. And when the "baby" which was just one of your baby dolls, was born you would name it something like daisy or kitty.

A few moments later, tony walked into the kitchen and made you and him a cup of hot cocoa.

You were sitting on the couch waiting for him, you had turned on a movie that you and him loved to watch when you were little.

He sat down next to you, handing you the drink he had just prepared for you. You leaned into him and he wrapped an arm around you, kissing the top of your head, he had missed stark movie nights, he had missed you.

You rested your head on his shoulder.

"Alright fill me in."

"Mmm" tony hummed looking down at you.

"Tell me about the last five years" you said looking up at him, he turned his head back in the direction of the tv and began to tell you all about the years he spent without you

He told you he always threw you a birthday party, he kept your room the same as it was, every piece of furniture in the same spot. and he said that all the presents were in your closet. and that he had photographs of you all around the house, and that he would show them to morgan and tell her all about you. He also said that she would ask him when she would be able to meet you, and he always responded with "soon". Morgan loved to hear about you, she thought you were the coolest person in the galaxy, even cooler then tony, she always asked for tony to tell her a story about you at bedtime. He kept going on and on, till Morgan walked into the room, immediately running toward you once again.

You picked her up and held her to you. You leaned to lay on your side, your back to the tv, and tony did as well.

You held morgan to your chest just like tony used to hold you when you were little, tony wrapped his arms around both of you. Tony was facing the tv and rested his head on yours. Your movie playing softly In the background.

You all soon fell asleep together ❤️

+•°+*°•+

EXTRA: when you woke up, you carefully took morgan off of your chest, placing her in tonys arms. You quietly creeped into your bedroom, which looked the same, you slowly walked toward your closet and opened it. You saw dozens of wrapped gifts with notes on top. When you read the notes, each one of them ended with "i miss you kiddo, i really wish you were here" you definitely cried a little bit that day.

Tags

@animealways // @white-wolf-buckaroo // @tonystark-au // @yummyangy // @zebralover //

[sweetiesicheng]

woozi - royalty

word count : 1,088

oh hey it’s been awhile

-

"i'll be back soon!" you announced as you left your home.

you lived in a large village, but your home was close to the outskirts of town. there was a river nearby and that was where you washed clothes and sheets. you walked over with a bag in hand and made it to the riverbank after a few minutes.

once you made it to your usual spot, you started washing everything you had brought with you.

as you cleaned, you started to hear someone singing, which made you look up. you looked around and noticed someone walking on the other side of the river, but you didn't mind them and continued washing everything.

"excuse me?"

you looked up and noticed the person no longer walking. he was staring at you with his hands in his pockets.

"hello," you greeted him with a smile.

"do you live around here?" he asked, seemingly curious.

"my family runs the tailor shop nearby. i'm sure you've seen it," you replied to him and looked down again.

"actually...i haven't," he mentioned. you looked back at him.

"are you new to town?" you asked him.

"i live in the center of the kingdom. i don't come out often," he mentioned. "just venturing out."

you smiled and looked down again, "the center. is it nice over there?" you asked.

"you've never been?" he immediately asked you.

"most of us around here stay here unless if it's to make deliveries. people traveling in usually go to the harbors, so we don't attract much attention," you shortly explained to him and put one of the sheets you had into a bucket. "i'll be off now," you mentioned, "nice to meet you."

"you as well."

—

"did you hear? the king announced that they'll be looking for someone to marry the prince."

"to who would the prince marry? the neighboring towns don't have any heirs to marry off yet."

"oh! maybe he's marrying a commoner."

"i highly doubt it. he'll probably marry someone rich.”

“the prince is so talented, he would need someone with the same level of talent."

you listened to people talk as you cleaned outside of the store. there was always gossip littering the town, and sometimes it was very interesting to listen to. after sweeping, you set up a sign and headed back inside to look at who was picking up orders today.

"y/n, we'll be back tonight," your mother said to you. they were picking up new materials that came from overseas from one of the towns with harbors.

"make sure to lock up tonight," your father instructed you.

"i will. travel safely!" you replied to them as they left.

after a bit, a few customers came in and you helped them before another worker arrived and took over for you.

"excuse me?"

you looked up and saw the man you had seen a few days prior.

"oh, hello again," you greeted. "what can i help you with?"

he placed down a jacket on the counter. you immediately noticed how nice the jacket was but also noticed a tear on one of the sleeves.

"do you think you could fix this?" he asked, lifting up the portion to show you the tear. "normally, this would be thrown out, but i like this jacket," he mentioned.

"this looks very expensive. would you like me to use expensive materials?" you said while examining it.

"i’ll be happy with whatever will stop it from tearing again," he replied. you nodded.

"we can have this ready for you the day after next," you said to him and gently took the jacket from him. "you must have a lot of money to afford something this beautiful," you said to him while looking at the jacket. you gently folded it and put it in a basket that was on a shelf.

"i'm grateful that i was gifted it," he replied. "should i make a payment now?"

"you can pay when it's done. i need to look for materials first," you answered. "what's your name?"

"jihoon. lee jihoon."

"jihoon? nice to meet you, i'm y/n."

—

after finding suitable materials, you finished working on the jacket that jihoon had brought to you. you were surprised that your parents let you work on such an expensive piece, but it meant more practice with expensive materials for you.

as you were about to open the store for the day, you heard the front door open. you stopped walking and saw jihoon walk in, closing the door behind him.

"oh, good morning!" you greeted him with a smile, "you're here early."

he grinned, "kind of in a rush," he mentioned.

"then let me get your jacket," you said to him and turned around. you walked behind the counter and grabbed the jacket from its spot. you placed it on the counter and noticed that jihoon had walked up to the counter. "does it look fine?" you asked as he started to examine it.

"i...i can't notice anything wrong," he replied after a few seconds. "wow."

you smiled from his response, "just doing my job. i'm glad you don't notice anything off."

jihoon placed a small cloth pouch onto the counter, and you could hear coins clashing together. "here, take this," he instructed you and opened the pouch. you noticed a bunch of coins in there, making you panic.

"what? no! this is way too much, even if i used more expensive materials," you said to him and pushed the pouch closer to him.

he shook his head at you. "please, just take it.”

"but i can't," you said to him. just then, the door opened and someone peeked their head inside. "oh, hello," you awkwardly greeted.

"uh...your highness, we need to leave. now," the person spoke before closing the door again.

you raised an eyebrow in confusion and looked at jihoon.

"did he just—"

jihoon picked his jacket up from the counter and put it on. it fit him perfectly.

"don't let anyone else know," he instructed. "when we first spoke, it was nice not being noticed," he said to you and headed to the door.

"are you the prince?" you asked him.

jihoon looked back at you and smiled at you. he brought his finger to his lips before chuckling and opening the door. "have a lovely day, y/n," he said before leaving, closing the door behind him.

you stood there with a smile and in disbelief at the information you just learned. "have a lovely day, jihoon."

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

Lisel & Po by Lauren Oliver

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice,until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.

Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

Red Planet by Robert A. Heinlein

Jim Marlow and his strange-looking Martian friend Willis were allowed to travel only so far. But one day Willis unwittingly tuned into a treacherous plot that threatened all the colonists on Mars, and it set Jim off on a terrfying adventure that could save--or destroy--them all!

The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton

It's their very first adventure and the Secret Seven super-sleuths are already on the trail of a mystery! The gang are dressed in disguise, following a lead to a spooky old house in the snow...

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

"A road's a kind of holy thing," said Roger the Minstrel to his son, Adam. "That's why it's a good work to keep a road in repair, like giving alms to the poor or tending the sick. It's open to the sun and wind and rain. It brings all kinds of people and all parts of England together. And it's home to a minstrel, even though he may happen to be sleeping in a castle."

And Adam, though only eleven, was to remember his father's words when his beloved dog, Nick, was stolen and Roger had disappeared and he found himself traveling alone along these same great roads, searching the fairs and market towns for his father and his dog.

The Squire's Tales by Gerald Morris

Life for the young orphan Terence has been peaceful, living with Trevisant, the old Hermit in a quiet, isolated wood.

That is, until the day a strange green sprite leads him to Gawain, King Arthur's nephew, who is on his way to Camelot hoping to be knighted. Trevisant can see the future and knows that Terence must leave to serve as Gawain's squire. From that moment on, Terence's life is filled with heart-stopping adventure as he helps damsels-in-distress, fights battles with devious men, and protects King Arthur from his many enemies.

Along the way, Terence is amazed at his skills and new-found magical abilities. Were these a gift from his unknown parents? As Gawain continues his quest for knighthood, Terence searches for answers to the riddles in his own past.

The Seventh Tower by Garth Nix

Tal has lived his whole life in darkness. He has never left his home, a mysterious castle of seven towers. He does not see the threat that will tear apart his family and his world. But Tal cannot stay safe forever. When danger strikes, he must desperately climb the Red Tower to steal a Sunstone. He reaches the top... ...and then he falls into a strange and unknown world of warriors, ice ships, and hidden magic. There Tal makes an enemy who will save his life and holds the key to his future.

The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston

There are three children: Toby, who rides the majestic horse Feste; his mischievous little sister, Linnet; and their brother, Alexander, who plays the flute. The children warmly welcome Tolly to Green Knowe... even though they've been dead for centuries.

But that's how everything is at Green Knowe. The ancient manor hides as many stories as it does dusty old rooms.

And the master of the house is great-grandmother Oldknow, whose storytelling mixes present and past with the oldest magic in the world.

Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal

Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are identical twins at Sweet Valley High. They're both popular, smart, and gorgeous, but that's where the similarity ends. Elizabeth is friendly, outgoing, and sincere—nothing like her snobbish and conniving twin. Jessica gets what she wants—at school, with friends, and especially with boys.

This time, Jessica has set her sights on Todd Wilkins, the handsome star of the basketball team—the one boy that Elizabeth really likes. Elizabeth doesn't want to lose him, but what Jessica wants, Jessica usually gets ... even if it ends up hurting her sister.

City Spies by James Ponti

Sara Martinez is a hacker. She recently broke into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency.

Operating out of a base in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from various parts of the world. When they’re not attending the local boarding school, they’re honing their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t.

Before she knows what she’s doing, Sarah is heading to Paris for an international youth summit, hacking into a rival school’s computer to prevent them from winning a million euros, dangling thirty feet off the side of a building, and trying to stop a villain…all while navigating the complex dynamics of her new team.

No one said saving the world was easy…

Carrie's War by Nina Bawden

Albert, Carrie and young Nick are war-time evacuees whose lives get so tangled up with the people they've come to live among that the war and their real families seem to belong to another world. Carrie and Nick are billeted in Wales with old Mr Evans, who is so mean and cold, and his timid mouse of a sister, Lou, who suddenly starts having secrets.

Their friend Albert is luckier, living in Druid's Bottom with warm-hearted Hepzibah Green and the strange Mister Johnny, who can talk to animals but not to human beings. Carrie and Nick visit him there whenever they can for Hepzibah makes life exciting and enticing with her stories and delicious cooking. Gradually they begin to feel more at ease in their war-time home, but then, in trying to heal the rift between Mr Evans and his estranged sister, and save Druid's Bottom, Carrie does a terrible thing which is to haunt her for years to come.

[rollinouttahere-writes]

So like when Lizard is an adult and has a kid with Koby will Crocodile accept the kid but completely and utterly act like Koby is non existent and his daughter just asexually had a baby?

Crocodile is that in law that fawns over their child and grandchildren but HATES the person they're married to. He never comes around to liking Koby, but he begrudgingly acknowledges that getting rid of him now would harm Lizard so he gets to live another day.

By the time Lizard and Koby are old enough to be starting a family, Lizard and Crocodile's relationship will be pretty solid. They're both past the point of angsting by themselves and have talked things out enough to have a normal and happy father-daughter relationship at least as normal as it can be for them

Pregnancy talk below here

Crocodile is going to be praying that they only adopt. While he never much cared about the fact that Lizard's mother, Akila, died from birth complications before, he really does now. It doesn't matter if every doctor on the planet tells him that such a thing isn't hereditary, he's terrified of his daughter suffering the same fate.

But let's say that she does take that route

Crocodile feels like he's on the verge of having a stroke for the entire duration of the pregnancy. He's also being weirdly civil towards Koby, at least when Lizard is in the room. Koby mistakes this for a bonding opportunity only to get humbled violently when Crocodile tells him that he's only playing nice to avoid stressing Lizard. If she doesn't make it he's killing Koby and taking the baby.

Koby doesn't broach the topic again.

Fortunately, Crocodile does knows what to expect during a pregnancy both from when Akila was still around, and also his own with Luffy. Things like weird cravings, morning sickness, and the general discomfort of the process come naturally to him and he's eager to step up to the plate while shoving Koby off of it

All of a sudden he "just so happened" to relocate nearby and is basically a constant presence. Lizard thinks it's a bit much, but she also understands why he's worried so she doesn't call him out. She's a little concerned herself if she's being honest.

The birth is stressful. Only the best of the best doctors are allowed to aid in the delivery and it is made known that they won't be leaving here alive if Lizard doesn't. Crocodile is so anxious that he's pacing constantly and smoking three cigars at once but gets snippy if anyone comments on it.

Everything does go well, and Lizard has to tell Crocodile to wait his damn turn to hold the baby when he tries to hold them before Koby even gets a chance to.

He already knew he was going to spoil the hell out of his grandchild, holding them only cements it further. The love is instant and intense. Not quite as much as it was for Lizard when he held her, but a very close second. And of course, he's already contemplating which of his bananawani he should breed to get the best possible offspring to gift to his beloved grandchild.

[strawberry-lemonade-kisses]

Write For Me

Notes - New Manga ending, Sanemi is a loser lmao

The doorbell chimed with the arrival of a new customer, another person looking for help in a world that has a neverending supply of it. You continued your task, leaving the customer to your father who ran the small mail house. It was mainly local delivery, run by you and your siblings but you occasionally wrote letters and even involved yourselves with the local school to help teach writing. After the battle that had taken place 2 towns over there were plenty of people displaced and many who didn’t know how to read or write. You had heard of the rumored demon slayer corps but considered it a tale of fiction, it was not.

“Y/N, can you help this young man with a letter, I have to pick up a letter from the Naraga house. Thank you” Peaking into the back your father gave a quick salute before disappearing again. You sighed, putting down the order form and going to the front where you had a small setup for writing. A man was already sitting at the table, his white hair sticking in every direction, he looked like a porcupine from the back and the thought had you stifling a laugh, trying not to embarrass yourself.

“Hello, I’m Y/N, I’ll be writing for you today, have you had a letter written from us before?” You were speaking before even getting a look at his face, rounding the table to sit across from him. The shock on his face was evident as wide violet eyes stared at your elegant form seated across from him.

“um” He looked around “Yuuta writes my letters, who are you?” he questioned a rasp in his voice, like he hadn’t spoken in days.

“I’m Y/N… Yiuta is running an early delivery this week and Tsuchiro is on his honeymoon so I’m in the shop this week. Is this going to the same recipient we have listed? Genya Shinazuawa?” he gave a stiff nod, lips pursed like he was thinking but wanted to say something.

“He’s my brother” You nodded as he continued to stare, watching as you organized yourself, pulling out paper and making sure you had ink, envelopes, and wax on hand.

“is this going to the Butterfly estate or the Himejima household? We have two addresses” you asked, looking over the form for the man in front of you ‘Sanemi Shinazugawa’ written in big bold letters, an exaggerated grumpy face written next to it.

“Butterfly estate, can you write my name on the back of the envelope?” You looked up at his request.

“Yuuta has it noted you request that I will make sure it happens. So what would you like me to write?” Your smile had his heart feeling like it was going to explode and it scared him, leaving him anxious as you went to work, writing everything he said with such precision he would have asked if you were a demon had he not been involved with their downfall. What witchcraft did you possess to have him so captivated. How could Yuuta, The obnoxious letter writer who made a joke of each of his scars, not knowing the weight his words carried when Sanemi left the store. How could he have a sister as beautiful as you, as perfect for him? The sun had dropped a piece of itself and that was you, wrapped in silk and seated across from him, brows furrowed as you sealed the letter he was sending to his annoying brother, stuck in the hospital while he healed.

“Shall I have the response forwarded to you or would you like us to hold it?” You had finally looked back up, the windflower pin in your hair glimmering as the sun caught it, holding tight to the gift.

“Um, he usually sends it through a crow, his mom writes his letters while he heals. She’s there with her husband and Muichiro.” You nodded like you knew what he was talking about, the blank look and half-baked smile making him realize he needed to leave and never talk to you again, he has shamed himself by not keeping his mouth shut.

“The Estate receives a lot of letters, they have worked hard since the large battle a few months ago, I wish everyone a speedy and safe recovery.” You sat back, smiling so large he felt like shielding is eyes and screaming, it was too much.

“Thank you”

“Is there anything else I can write?” he shook his head, standing so quick the chair fell back, causing him to panic.

“I- this is” He was rushing to pick up the chair, fingers gripping the edge of the chair as he turned to you, bowing low in his green trousers, the grey of his shirt brushing the tabletop. “I thank you for your help” He turned on his heel and marched out, the heel of his shoes clicking with each step on the wooden floors. What a strange man Sanemi Shinazugawa was.

[theladybrownstarot]

EXCHANGE-READINGS

~𝓛𝓐𝓓𝓨𝓑𝓡𝓞𝓦𝓝𝓢𝓣𝓐𝓡𝓞𝓣 ~

|||Sαɳαƚαɳ Iɳ Bʅσσԃ|Rҽαԃҽɾ Bყ Bιɾƚԋ|||

🐚 🍀||🕯Jαι Sԋɾҽҽ Hαɾι Bσʅ🕯|| 🍀🐚

~🕯|Hey,call me brown|🕯~

🍃🇸​🇦​🇳​🇦​🇹​🇦​🇳​🇮​-🇷​🇪​🇦​🇩​🇪​🇷🍃

🪷 INTRODUCTION :-

🍃Namaste 🙏🏼 I'm brown , An intutive tarot card reader and psychic who has helped a lot of people around by abilities and gifts by supreme divine father and mother .

🍃It's been a year since I started tarot and months I made my own blog both in 2023.

🍃 Let's dive in ourselves by practicing more purely.

🪷🐚🍀Kindly adhere to the rules- regulations :-

(1) Monthly exchange reading - 5 slots only .

(2) Proof Check - you Need to send me a proof that you are a reader for that send me :

A recent exchange Feedback not months old with the person you exchanged. (Through Screen shots in dm) and (a fresh one). [OPTIONAL]

(3) No scam toleration, direct exposure even if the scammer gave me the reading back.

(4) Exchange Delivery Timeline[For both of us]:-

(4.1) Usual Duration - 7 days/1 week

(4.2) Urgent Duration - 5 days extra to usual Duration only .

[ For 4.2 : The reader must provide a reason for not completing the reading, and if urgent issues aren't resolved within urgent duration timeline another 10 days shall be granted, further delays could lead to scam suspicion and exposure for same.]

(5) Code Condunct of Readings :-

(5.1) 1 question at a time to be asked .

(5.2) The reading to be done in - zig-zag manner .I.e - first you then me ( accordingly who approached first) .

(5.3) Right to deny : For more readings for both of us.

(5.4) Right to Change : the question before the reading is received for that question. [For both of us].

(6) Independent question to be asked.

[For both of us]

(7) length to be matched accordingly.

(7.1) Kindly state the length you are comfortable doing - Small / Medium / lengthy , in the last mention the word count when you have completed and sent .

(8) No readings on the following topics from my side :-

(8.1) 18+ .

(8.2) legal .

(8.3) health.

(8.4) death or loved ones.

(8.5) celebrity

(9) Reading Will be personal not public , so also mine .

(9.1) Personal readings should not be shared, and if a reader is demonstrating reading skills, they should color or blur reading parts, and feedback can be shared.

(10) Feedback is mandatory in the ask and dm.

🐚🪷 NOTE :

The following rules are made after several reading's experiences , resulted in facilitating comfortable rules for both readers .

Any criticism regarding rules won't be acknowledged .

Kindly follow the rules carefully.

🐚REQUIREMENTS🐚

(1) You need like and reblog this exchange post.[If you approach me].

(2) Send me in your initials / nickname.

(3) Your date of birth , month and year. [ Shall remain confidential.]

(4) Your Pronouns.

(5) Your Zodiac (optional) .

(5.1) In case of 2nd or 3rd person question you need to send me their initials, Pronouns & the type of relation you share with them.

(6) You need to send me the picture of the reading you did for me . [ MANDATORY ]

(7) kindly leave this emoji - ✔️ with your question in my D.M for exchange as a proof check that you read all the rules properly.

🐚🪷 NOTE :

The requirement section is mandatory hence agreeing for a reading without acknowledging the rules for sharing requirements will lead me to decline the exchange with you .

STATUS : CLOSED

[ask-icancraft-it]

Love's Retribution: Chapter 6

((Chapter 6 of the Western AU is here! Felix is reminded of what day it is, and he and Tamora visit his father. Tagging folks for visibility @sgtcalhouns, @bashfulgnome, @sadboytristan))

Chapter Master List

—

Tamora peered over the edge of her mattress, smirking down where Felix slept soundly atop a bedroll on the floor. This was the first time she had woken up before him in the morning, so she gave him a quick poke. 

“Mmh,” he stirred. 

“You feeling alright?” The blonde asked. 

“Fit as a fiddle,” he responded groggily, not convincing her. 

“You want a little more shut-eye?” The handyman nodded his head and she smirked. “How about I make some coffee?”

“Oh, that’d be nice,” Felix mumbled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, scooting to the end of her bed and standing up with her crutches. 

“Just regular coffee, Tam—I can’t do any more of the other stuff.”

“Heard. Now sleep,” Tamora shook her head. No wonder he had as many stories as he did; the man was a champion lightweight. 

She could navigate the handyman’s kitchen fairly easily after watching him so many times, and soon, coffee was brewing. Eventually, its smell was enough to raise Felix from the floor. 

“Sorry I’m a little out of sorts,” he smiled, taking the mug she offered him and pulling out her seat. “But this will make things right as rain. I appreciate it.” 

“Compared to all you’ve done for me, this is nothing,” Tamora said, blowing some steam from the brim of her cup. 

“Well, I enjoy it all the same—”  Footsteps caught the pair’s attention, and Tamora tensed in her seat. 

Felix held out his hand with a calming gesture, getting up from his chair and heading towards the door. A soft knock prompted him to open.

“Delivery for you, sir,” a boy’s voice came from the other side as Tamora watched from the table. “Miss Deanna sends her regards.”

“O-oh—” Felix accepted a blue vase filled with beautiful white flowers. “Tell her I said ‘thank you’…”

Tamora raised an eyebrow as the handyman shut the door. “Another ‘admirer’ of yours?’” she quipped.

He didn’t acknowledge her, instead turning to inspect the calendar hung on his wall. His finger froze on the date and his shoulders drooped. 

“Fix-It?” The blonde grew concerned as he placed the flowers on the table, looking like he’d just been hollowed out. 

“Felix,” she called to him again, breaking his stupor. “What’s wrong?”

“I—uh,” the handyman blinked, running a hand across his face. “Tammy, I need to go somewhere. You have no obligation to come with me, but…would you?”

“Where are you going?” 

“To visit my father,” Felix answered with a bittersweet smile.

Tamora sat on a bench under the shade of an oak tree overlooking the quiet churchyard. Just down the hill, Felix stood in front of a decorated grave, saying a few words she could not hear, and placing the bouquet gifted to him atop the headstone. 

After a few more solemn moments, the handyman came to join her, setting the blue vase on the grass beside them. His eyes were red, and he wiped some tears away with a sigh. 

Tamora slid her hand across the gap between them, linking her pinky to his. He smiled, returning her gesture in full.

“Thank you for coming with me,” he sniffed. “I can’t believe that I forgot it was today…”

“You’ve had your hands full,” the blonde said apologetically.

More tears threatened to fall as Felix thought about his next words; whether or not he should say them at all. He eventually broke, a soft sob escaping his lips. 

“He would have loved you,” he said, attempting to regain his composure. “I think that’s what hurts most this time around.”

Tamora nodded softly, placing a gentle squeeze on his palm. She didn’t know how else to respond. 

“When did he pass?” she asked after a few beats of silence.

“Fifteen years ago today,” he acknowledged the shock on her face with a bittersweet smile. “When I was a boy.”

“I’m sorry,” she bowed her head, feeling like a fool for ever assuming the handyman hadn’t experienced any considerable hardship; losing a parent that young leaves its mark.

“Tammy, I gotta come clean,” he wasted no time, fidgeting in his seat. “Last night, if someone had come in…I don’t know what I would have done. I told you otherwise because I wanted you to feel safe. But—I’m afraid I’d freeze up.”

“It’s alright, Fix-It,” Tamora was taken off guard by the subject change. “I appreciate the honesty, but— you didn’t convince me anyway…You’re not the type to shoot a man dead.”

The handyman’s eyes were glassy as he looked at her. “What if I told you I have?” he swallowed. Tamora blinked, realizing there was far more to this than she imagined. 

“Tell me,” she said softly, and Felix drew a deep breath to figure out where to start. 

“My father was a good man; did a lot of work around town and helpin’ folks…well-known and loved by the community,” Felix paused with a nervous chuckle. “It’s a lot to live up to, but I try.”

He took another beat, before continuing.

“I’d just turned fourteen, and I remember him complaining about some men passing through who weren’t treating the saloon girls right. He even chased one of them off when they…got violent—” Felix squeezed Tamora’s hand, making sure she was okay, given the subject. She nodded.

“Dad made sure the poor girl was alright and took her home. That girl was Deanna—” he gestured to the vase at his feet. “And we all thought that whole ordeal was over with; ‘til the next evening…”

Felix breathed and closed his eyes. As he told his story, the wood bench beneath him transported him back to that night he sat at the dinner table across from his old man. A loud knocking made them both pause, and his father stood up with a sigh.

“Stay here, Junior,” he said. “I’ll see who it is.” 

“Okay, Dad,” Felix settled back in, taking another bite of his supper.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?”

“Yeah, you can help—” a strange voice sneered, tearing Felix’s attention from his meal. He looked up as two men grabbed his father, dragging him outside. “By learning to mind your goddamn business! That bitch was mine!”

“Dad!” The boy dropped his spoon and stood, horrified as the imposing silhouettes beat down his father. Panicking, he turned around and reached for his father’s Colt on the side table where it was always placed at the end of the day. Hands trembling, he checked that the chambers were loaded.

“S-stop it!” Felix yelled, running outside and pointing the gun between the two assailants. He made his point by pulling back the hammer. “L-leave him alone!”

The two strangers backed off, their hands moving to the holsters at their sides. 

“Don’t be stupid, kid,” one of them growled. “We’re just teachin’ yer daddy a lesson.” 

“Tell your runt to get back inside, old man,” the other commanded.

“It’s alright, son,” his father said as he knelt in the dirt. It was dark, but enough light bounced off of his bloodied face. “It’s gonna be alright, just go back inside.”

Tears streaming, the boy shook his head. 

“Junior—”

Felix saw the glint of a pistol in the moonlight and pulled the trigger out of fear. He flinched at the recoil and stared in shock as one of the men crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud.

The boy broke the shocked silence with a whimper, dropping his father’s gun and placing his hands over his mouth.

“You little shit!” the other man retaliated. 

“No!” Felix was pushed to the ground as another shot rang out, his father hovering over him, face twisted with pain. 

“D-dad?” the boy gasped. His old man grabbed the Colt from the dirt and fired backward. Injured, the stranger’s silhouette ran, disappearing into the woods.

“Dad!” Felix cried as his father collapsed onto his back with a sputtering cough. “Dad! I-I’m so sorry—I-I didn’t–”

“It’s alright,” he took a ragged breath, touching his boy’s face. “You were scared— it’s okay.” “W-what do I do?” 

“Just hold my hand, son. Hold it tight…”

Felix’s eyes fluttered open when he felt Tamora’s hand flinch under his grip, and he immediately relieved the pressure. “Sorry,” he gulped. 

“It’s okay,” the blonde replied, waiting for him to continue.

“A couple of folks from town heard the gunfire and rode up. They and the town doctor did all they could. He passed the next morning.”

“I’m so sorry, Fix-It.” 

“Seeing someone you love getting beat on like that can make you lose your senses… I can’t help but wonder if I hadn’t acted so rashly—if I’d never picked up that gun… he might still be alive.”

Tamora understood that sentiment. She often also wondered if she’d done anything different the night the Cyrus gang burst into her life, if the outcome would have changed. But she couldn’t imagine being that young and holding that kind of guilt through adulthood. Suddenly, all of Felix’s anxious tendencies made more sense.

“But—” the handyman sat up in his seat, resolute. “Life goes on. I’ve had time to learn how to cope and best honor his memory. To just…keep living— to be happy, and follow his example. I know that’s what he would want for me.”

Tamora looked down at her lap, feeling like he was trying to tell her something with that last bit. She understood the message but wasn’t ready to accept it for herself. With a soft smile, Felix let go of her hand.

“We’ve had a lousy couple of days, haven’t we?” he quipped, earning a small smirk from the blonde beside him. “I don’t know about you, but I could use another slice of pie.”

Tamora chuckled, admiring how the handyman could let his emotions roll off his shoulders so effortlessly. 

“Me too,” she said.

[trinaasworld]

Angel of Aces: Chapter 2

“Fools in love”

I apologize about how long it's taking me to post these chapters but I'm currently balancing both school and work so my free time is quite limited. I'm trying my best to follow the plot of the musical/movie. Pushing the plot forward is a struggle but I'm trying my best to solidify the relationship dynamics before jumping into the true climax of the story ( Don juan scene, Phantom reveal...). Honestly, I'm not proud of this chapter but its...something, I guess.

Also no beta read so please ignore any spelling mistakes you see. :(((

The more you spoke with Angel the more sleep you lost and it quickly became visible to those around you. For the past week your shifts felt like an eternal loop of you dozing off at the bar and Raoul struggling to keep you awake by holding random conversations which did help you, despite the heavy feeling on your eyelids. Conversations with him were full of fun stories and recollecting shared memories from your childhoods, pushing the thoughts of Erik away for a little while.

But The Phantom noticed it all. He watched from the shadows, his face hidden behind the cards as his eyes bore holes into the back of your head. Raoul had captured something he longed for ever since he first laid eyes on you, which was your pure heart. And he wasn’t afraid to get hands dirty in order to possess it but he couldn’t do it just yet. You weren’t ready for him.

And the fact that the casino championship was quickly approaching only made your life more chaotic. Night after night there were intense games all around you. Some players got in fights, some fled the casino in the middle of a round. You couldn’t help but get curious and watch from a distance, slowly learning their tactics. It was a good idea for business, a downward spiral of mindless betting for weeks.

Meg insisted on the two of you having sleepovers to take stress off of your mind. Her apartment had become a safe space for you after your father’s death. Mrs. Giry, her mother, quickly took you under her wing and acted like a real parent, even as strict as she was.

—

“If that’s what you want..” Meg shrugged after you offered to play a quick card game

With a smile on your face you reached in your bag, pulling out a deck of cards. They were wrapped in a layer of wrapping paper. It wasn’t just any deck of cards like the ones in the stores. The cards were black with the suits and numbers painted in gold, giving them an elegant and unique look.

“Where did you get these from?” She gasped, reaching out to take a few of the cards and inspect them.

“Oh, I just found them on my doorway the other day.” You shrug, your face heating up at the memory of how you got the cards.

A week ago you went home expecting the same old sight of your lonely apartment but to your surprise there was something new. A gift was waiting on your doorstep. It was this neatly wrapped box…and a single red rose.

“Oh, don't tell me it's a gift!” She exclaimed, pulling you closer. Her eyes lit up with curiosity, wanting to know every little detail.

“Well, I don't know.. Maybe it's the wrong address for a delivery..” You brushed it off but there was a faint whisper in the back of your mind. What if it really was a gift? From Raoul perhaps? Or maybe…Angel? It couldn't be him, though. He doesn’t know where you live, does he?

You shook your head, silencing the thoughts and shuffling the cards for the game. The odd feeling of being watched loomed over you throughout the entire night.

Despite the worrying thoughts you still managed to win the game, using the same tactic you noticed Erik always wins with. Poker wasn't so hard after all…

—

Morning soon came and you fell into the loop of endless shifts once again. The qualifications for the championship were as chaotic as the practices, but this time you weren't so lost. You watched the different strategies each player used, taking mental notes.

When there were breaks between games you and Meg played quick casual games, betting candies instead of actual money. Every time you two played on the bar you couldn't help but feel stared at, not watched, stared. You were being studied. But each time you turned around no one was even glancing at your direction.

Once you got home you laid down, noticing the notifications on your phone. It has become a part of your routine to chat with Angel every night.

This time the message was odd. It was a file. Without a second thought you clicked on it, the file instantly downloading and opening.

As you read it you realized that it was quite literally the games you played with Meg being described. Each card your hand touched, each mistake you made, each move you played. Even your strategies were analyzed.

[“You always blink rapidly a few times when you have good cards.”]

[“Your finger twitches when you make a false bet.”]

[“Don't shake your legs so much, you always change the pace when you're thinking.”]

He went on and on, mentioning each and every little movement you subconsciously made. It was almost as impressive as it was creepy.

The document then had a few paragraphs with tips and tricks.

[“Be more aggressive with your moves.”]

[“Make more eye contact and stop repeating your bets. Make them seem random.”]

After reading the whole thing you entered the chatroom it was sent to, quickly typing out a reply.

Y/N:

“Why are you telling me this? Why are you stalking me?”

X:

“I can see potential in you, darling. You can be more than a waitress.”

Y/N:

“Are you always in the casino? Why didn't you approach me?”

X:

“You're not ready to meet me yet, little one, remember?”

Each time you asked Angel to reveal his face, which happened quite often, he would reject you in a similar way. He would always say that you weren't ready, that he didn't want to rush it, that looks don't mean anything if you truly love someone.

Y/N:

“It's getting disturbing. Please stop acting like this before I report you to the police.”

X:

“You're my student. I mean no harm. Your talent is my creation that I will shape into perfection. And when you have finally reached your peak, your most powerful state, that is when you’ll meet me, my dear.”

Y/N:

“How do I reach this peak you are talking about?”

X:

“Leave it to me. I have everything planned.”

You were both scared and captivated by the thrill he was offering. Your life had never been so exciting and you were getting drunk on the new feeling. It was a dangerous game you were playing but you couldn't deny how much you liked it. Such a sucker for pain you were. Fallen right into his trap, wrapped around his finger and just waiting to get crushed by his hands.

That night you couldn't sleep. Tossing and turning for an hour until you finally gave up and accepted your fate. You stared at your clock, watching the numbers switch every once in a while as you gathered up the energy to get up.

You filled the tub with warm water and poured soap in, hiding the surface under a layer of bubbles. Once the water surrounded your exposed skin your muscles relaxed as you sighed. It was as if a weight had been lifted off of your shoulders.

In that same moment you got unexpected company. Unexpected for you, planned for him. He unlocked the front door by jamming a handmade replica of your key into the hole. It was easy to get your key copied when you stay out for so long everyday. Poor thing…You surely were lucky that it was him breaking in and not someone else, someone who wants to hurt you.

He made sure to distribute his weight on each foot as he walked in, avoiding the parts that creaked. Good thing he studied your home, he thought. Without making any unnecessary sounds, he made his way into your bedroom only to find your bed empty. For a moment he got worried, his heart skipping a beat before he noticed the lights in the bathroom.

You gave him a perfect view of your side profile as you took a nap in the water. Your hair was wet and slicked back to reveal your beautiful face and delicate neck. Oh,how he loved your neck. He would do anything to just wrap a hand around it and feel your pulse quicken, feel how your blood moved under your skin. And your face…he could stare at it for hours. He could and would make a statue of your face just so your beauty got preserved in time.

The bubbles were like a blanket that covered you but he could still see your collarbone. He wanted to run his finger on the thin bone, so easily breakable. You were just so fragile. He didn't have a choice but to protect a birdie like you.

He inched closer and closer, the smell of you drawing him in. His mind was drunk on the thought of how vulnerable you were. The need to reach out made his skin crawl, it was driving him to the point of insanity. You made him forget about being a gentleman, the word “respect” disappeared from his dictionary. Such a minx you were, and you didn't even know it.

It took everything in his power to not follow his instincts.

You fell deeper and deeper into slumber, the realm of dreams welcoming you with open arms. The darkness of your eyelids became a world of its own. A warm breeze brushed against your skin before the image of a beach formed before your eyes. You were laying on a lounge chair with a cocktail in your hand. This trip was surely the best one you’ve had. Your loyal butler appeared next to you, bending down to speak in your ear.

“It's time for your massage, miss.”

The man went behind you and began to rub your shoulders, using his thumbs to ease the tension in your neck. A sigh rumbled in your throat but your lips were sealed. For a moment your eyes fluttered shut and when you opened them it was already getting dark. His hands were still on you, now massaging your head.

On the sand there were footprints that went nowhere. You glanced around and back at the track where now stood a figure. It was a tall shadow without a face. Despite it not having eyes it still stared down at you, now being held down by your butler.

“Y/N…Y/N..” The figure hummed quietly. You tried to break free from the grip he had on you but you were far too weak. The sun behind the figure began to set, painting the sky red.

Meanwhile, the man's hands were getting wetter and wetter as he caressed your sore shoulders. His grip on you tightened when you tried to turn, he couldn’t let you wake up just yet. His sleeping beauty.

You stared at the figure, completely hypnotized as it slowly morphed into a man. Not any man, Erik. The Phantom that haunted your mind. Erik loomed over you, casting a shadow upon your frozen body as he closed in the distance between you.

“My dear..” He whispered. You tried to move but just couldn't, the hands of your butler had turned into ropes that kept you tied to the chair. The rough texture scratched your exposed skin.

“You have to show them. Show them just how powerful you are. The power you hold is unbearable.” His voice was all around you.

His fingers crawled in your hair, tugging at the wet stands. Twist after twist he began to braid your hair as you snored quietly. The scent of your shampoo soaked into his skin, your locks sticking to his knuckles.

“E-Erik..” You called out, his name rolling off of your tongue even in your sleep. His heart stopped beating. His blood ran cold. For a split second all he could see was red.

Before he could stop himself he dunked your head in the water. His strong hands gripped your hair tightly and held you under the bubbles. You instantly snapped out of your dream and began to thrash in the water. You kicked and waved your hands around to save yourself but he was too strong.

The water began to floor your mouth, nose and ears. You were running out of air in your lungs as you screamed for help. Your movements made the water spill out of the tub and create a puddle on the floor. Some of the water landed on him, but his movements didn’t stutter the slightest.

“Help! Raoul!” You cried out in fear, screaming the first name that popped in your head at the thought of dying like this. Raoul wasn’t here, he wasn’t nowhere near but you still called out for him in hopes of the angels carrying your voice to him somehow.

The only thing your scream did was make the man become more rough. How could you call out for another man in his presence? After everything he had done for you…such a hopeless case you were. So blind for not seeing your perfect future with him. He’ll make you see it, make you experience it. He needed to clean your mind from the sins that were filling it. He needed to baptize you right here, right now.

He pushed you harder until the back of your head hit the bottom of the tub. And then there was no more pressure. No fingers were pulling on your hair, no hands wrapped around you. Complete silence, complete darkness. Your body floated up towards the surface as you gasped for air. The soap had caused your eyes to burn and your vision to become blurry. You took deep and quick breaths in an attempt to calm down your racing heart. There was no sign of anyone being here, no footprints and the door hadn’t moved. Your apartment was completely still, the only sound being your breaths. Maybe it was a dream, you thought. Maybe you had slipped down while sleeping. But when did you manage to…braid your hair?

You stood up,wrapping a towel around your wet body and rushed to the mirror. Your legs were still shaking from the fear you experienced so you had to hold yourself up on the counter. The mirror was fogged but you could still see your reflection, the way your cheeks were stained with tears and how red your eyes had gotten. Despite it all you were okay, no scars or anything like that…except your neck. On the side of your neck, right where your jugular pumped blood was a red mark. As if someone had dug their fingers into your soft flesh. As if a vampire had sucked your blood. Could a bug have bitten you? Could you have hit yourself while sleeping? You hadn’t let anyone get close to your neck in a long time, let alone leave a mark.

With fearful steps you made your way to your bedroom, checking if the front door was locked on the way. It was. But your worries didn’t stop there, what you found nearly made you scream.

On your bed there was a gift. A black box wrapped with a red ribbon that you certainly didn’t leave there. You quickly threw on some clothes and jumped in your car, driving to the safest place you could think of - Raoul.

You drove way above the speed limits but you didn't care. You needed him. Tears began to well up in your eyes and roll down your face, making your driving even more dangerous than it already was. After arriving you parked the car as fast as you could and rushed to his front door. Your fist crashed against the cold wood and echoed through the quiet night air.

The door swung open and the lights from inside blinded you for a moment. When you opened your eyes there he stood, Raoul. His hair was a mess and he had just a pair of sweatpants on. That was when you realized it was the middle of the night. Everyone except you was asleep. You and the intruder, that is.

Without a second thought you jumped forward, crashing with his chest. Tears began to pour from your eyes and for a moment you were thankful he didn't wear a shirt, it would’ve been a total mess if he did. Yes, the fact that he was half naked made this a bit awkward but you didn't care. And neither did he.

His hands wrapped around you, rubbing your upper back in an attempt to calm you down.

“Hey,hey,hey…it's alright. It’s alright.” He whispered, pulling you inside his home and closing the door. You tripped on your own feet but he was strong enough to hold your trembling body up.

“Raoul..” You sobbed quietly, muffled by his flesh.

“Shh…don't talk, Lotte.” Raoul knew it was for the best to not let you speak just yet. His heart ached at the sight of you in such a state but he was willing to let you cry it out first. One of his hands let go of your back and went up to wipe the tears off of your stained cheeks.

“Someone…someone was there.” You tried your best to speak in between sobs but it felt as if your throat was clogged. Your eyes looked up at him, noticing the soft expression on his face. It had an instant effect on you, making your heartbeat slow down.

“Someone was inside my home.” The words finally left your mouth and his face lost all its color. His smile morphed into a worried expression. He pulled back from you, checking for any visible wounds before speaking.

“What do you mean, Y/N? Did you see them? Are you hurt? We should call the police!” He slowly slipped into a state of panic, the urge to protect you clouding his mind.

Your lip trembled. His hands were digging into your soft flesh, leaving red marks on your skin as he shook you.

“I was..I was in the bath and I was under the water and there was a box on my bed..”

“A box? Lotte, are you sure you didn't leave it there?” He tried to explain your strange case with logic, giving you a weak smile. You wanted to believe his words, but you couldn't. What he was saying was far from the truth.

Your face hardened, getting slightly irritated by the fact that he thought you were dumb. Did he not trust you?

“I know I didn't leave it there, Raoul. Someone was inside my apartment.” You spoke, making sure he understood what you meant.

“Someone was there, he touched me, and that same person left the box on my bed.” Raul’s eyes widened at your statement, his breath hitching for a moment.

“He touched you?!” He exclaimed, anger brewing inside him. It was something he knew could happen, but prayed it wouldn't. The world was a cruel place.

“Spend the night here, Y/N. We’ll go back to your place tomorrow.” Raoul insisted, his urge to protect you growing stronger and stronger. You trusted him with your life, so you accepted his offer with no hesitation.

Throughout the evening he made sure you never thought about the intruder. The two of you made something to eat while watching a few episodes of the show you both liked, played a few quick games and when you finally felt tired it was time to sleep. He was kind enough to offer you his bed, knowing that it was for the best to not leave you alone.

You made yourself comfortable in his bed and waited for him to join you, which he didn't do. Raoul was preparing himself to go to sleep on the couch next room, refusing to disturb your peace with his presence. But you didn’t agree with him. You were the guest! If anyone was going to sleep on the couch it was going to be you but his bed was big enough to fit three people on it, so you didn't see a problem with sharing.

“Raoul, please.” A pout formed on your lips as you pat down the bed beside you. It was a trick you had up your sleeve that always worked on him. It made his heart melt, his protests crumbling down into dust. He sighed and made his way to the bed, tossing you the pillow that he was taking to the couch. His body weight made the mattress sink down, tilting your body towards him. The two of you had shared beds countless times when you were little so it wasn’t as awkward as you thought it would be. It felt more like reliving a shared memory.

The two of you were silent for a few moments, listening to the cars passing below his window. Some silence after such a long day felt good. Him being beside you also felt good. It has been such a long time since you shared a bed. Your body had almost forgotten the feeling of someone’s body warmth under a blanket. The dim lights around you made it even more calming, even more intimate.

You were laying on your side, face to face with Raoul, his warm breath fanning over your skin. But it wasn’t intimate, was it? You never felt intimate with Raoul, he was more like a brother after all. Comparing him to Erik he seemed like the perfect platonic partner, nothing more. He thought of you the same, right? You hoped he did.

“Tomorrow…I’m scared of what might be there.” You confessed with a quiet voice, feeling as if you are being watched by someone else who wasn’t Raoul. What if the man is still in your home when you come back? What if he waits for you to fall asleep to hurt you? Chills ran up your spine.

“Don’t be, Lotte. I’ll be with you.” He replied with a soft tone, reaching out to touch your hand gently. His touch was warm, his gaze even warmer as he stared at you with starry eyes. A contrast with the harsh touches of the mysterious guest.

At that moment, you felt hope. Pure and innocent hope that everything will be okay as long as he is here. Only he made you feel like this, feel truly appreciated and adored.

You didn’t realize when your eyes fluttered closed and didn’t open again, slowly falling asleep in his arms. He gave you more warmth than the blanket, his body was softer than the pillows under you. Oh, and his breathing…it was so rhythmic and calming like a melody just for your ears to hear. He was truly one of a kind, like your father would say.

Golden rays of sunshine creeped through the large windows in his room and landed right on top of your sleeping forms. You stirred awake, instantly feeling an unfamiliar weight on you. Slowly turning your head around you noticed how the two of you had slept. Raoul had wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his palms on your stomach. He had his face nuzzled in the crook of your neck, his breath fanning over your sensitive skin. For a moment you felt warm up on the inside, for a moment you blushed, for a moment you fell in love with him. But only for a brief moment before pulling away. At least you tried to pull away before his grip tightened around your body.

“A moment longer, please.” He whispered in a raspy voice, mind still hazy and slow. It wasn’t like his normal voice, it was more intimate, more passionate. His body pushed up against yours as he chased your comforting warmth.

“Raoul, come on..” You protested with a soft voice, a chuckle rumbling in your dry throat. If you stayed like this any longer you knew that the lines of your relationship would get blurred, more blurred than they already were. With one last tug you managed to break his grip, but he didn’t react. His hands still had their weight on your sides but he was giving you the freedom to get up…which you didn’t do. You weren’t ready to lose this feeling. With a sigh you turned around to face him, breathing in his scent as you hid your face by his neck like he did with you. He shifted his hands so they were on your upper back before pulling you even closer.

“You're safe, no one will find you here.” He comforted you, his gentle fingers tracing your spine. His voice did wonders when it came to chasing your worries away, like an angel.

The weight that had been looming over you for days now finally lifted, allowing you to breathe once again. Your heart calmed down, it's beating slowing for the first time since yesterday. It felt as if there was a bubble around the two of you. In that moment nothing else mattered, just you and him.

“Promise me that all you say is true.” You spoke into his skin.

“I promise.” That was all he needed to say to make you believe everything he was telling you. The snow outside began to pile up, the air got harsher but you stayed warm in his embrace for a couple more minutes. You couldn’t help but question what you two had become…surely this wasn’t something friends did. But could this one situation be the start of a relationship?

Slowly the two of you fully woke up and peeled away from each other, neither of you mentioning how the air was now filled with heavy tension. Neither one of you daring to admit that you liked it.

The look in his eyes was now different, more passionate. His eyes, once filled with innocence and love were now alluring and intense. It made your heart skip a beat.

But despite the change in him, Raoul was still Raoul. He got up before you and left the room in a hurry before coming back with two cups of warm coffee. The kind gesture warmed you up more than the drink, earning a smile from you.

“Thank you, Raoul.” You spoke softly, almost shyly.

“You're welcome, Y/N.” He replied and climbed into bed with you again. The two of you sipped on your coffee lazily, making some small talk but not mentioning the way you woke up. Soon the conversation spiraled into you worrying about the gift that awaited you back at home.

Raoul drove you home, insisting that he came with you just in case.

The box was left like it was yesterday, untouched in the middle of your bed. You felt your heart drop. While you struggled to calm your heart down Raoul began to unbox it.

His hands ripped through the layers of wrapping paper. It felt like deja vu, it felt like you were watching yourself from days ago when you got that deck of cards. The paper was exactly the same, the way it was wrapped too. Even the bow was the same. Underneath the layers there was a letter and what seemed like…a dress. Raoul took the letter while you pulled out the dress.

It was a beautiful black dress, a unique gown that would fit your body perfectly. The black fabric had glitter in it that reflected the light perfectly, not too much but also not too little. Around the collar there were tiny details that only the one wearing it would see. You had never seen a dress like this before, let alone wear one. The fabric felt soft against your skin,the whole dress was almost as light as a feather. After you got done with inspecting the dress you returned your attention to Raoul, who had a scared expression on his face. Something you never wanted to see on his face. His fingers were trembling as he clutched the paper.

“Raoul?” You whispered, dropping the dress without hesitation and approaching him.

He couldn’t speak. He just looked at you with those fearful, worried eyes that made your heart drop. You walked around him and read the letter from over his shoulder…realizing that he had every right to be scared.

“Y/N, darling, I’ve got news for you.

Your loyal angel and teacher, me, arranged a game just for you. I managed to clear out a table just for you, I even chose who you’ll play against- Carlotta

You’ll do amazing, little one. Wear the dress I got you and you’ll be the brightest star there.

Carlotta is way too full of herself, someone has to bring her back down on Earth and that will be you.

If you don't do it, I’ll be quite upset and that's not something you want to see.

See you tonight, Y/N.”

Your heart sank even lower than it already was, your blood went cold. The letter made your fight of light response kick in. It was the first time you’ve ever been this scared in your life. Your mouth went dry and a cold drop of sweat ran down your back. The hairs on the back of your neck stood up. You felt like a deer in the headlights and the person behind the wheel was only speeding up more and more. Right when the big truck was going to hit you a pair of arms pulled you out of its way. Raoul pulled you into a tight hug but you couldn’t return the gesture. You stood still in his embrace, not even his warmth could snap you out of the anxious thoughts.

His scent, so sweet and nostalgic, slowly filled your lungs and made you relax little by little. A single tear rolled down your cheek, a drop of true fear for your safety. Your Angel had turned into a Phantom that haunted you even in your own home, a ghostly voice that whispered in your ear even when you slept.

Raoul’s whispers were the opposite of Angel’s. He whispered comforting words, promising to protect you. He promised to catch this angel of yours but for that to happen you had to play tonight…play and give it your all. And while you play he will sneak in the security guards and catch him. Then it will all be over, it all depends on you.

He handed you the dress, his eyes filled with hope and encouragement for you. His fingers caressed your hair and a soft smile tugged at his lips.

“You can do it, Lotte. It all ends tonight.”

[lakeofflowerss]

just a little idea I've had in mind for a few days now

MOTHER'S DAY

English is not my first language so I apologise in advance for my mistakes.

Before facing the public eye when their relationship left the privacy of their home, Hermione, Fleur and Pansy had to face a monster far greater than the gossip of old witches who thought they had the right to have a say in their lives.

Dimitri was fifteen when his mothers told him they had to talk. He was a charming teenager, very sweet and intelligent, the exact carbon copy of Hermione Granger. Fleur had joined them when he was barely two, in his mind no conception of family without his two mothers. He didn't need or want anything else.

So when the couple mentioned to him that they had met someone who challenged their conception of relationships a thorn stuck. Pansy wasn't someone new in their lives, she was best friends with one of their uncles. Whenever he went to Theo and Daphne's house she was always there. Likewise something in the air told her that they didn't know each other just because of that.

Dimitri didn't like change at all and the full adolescence didn't help at all. So when making their three-way relationship official, he made his stance very clear. "You won't be my mom.”

No one had wanted to imply that this was something they were looking for and before either of their mothers could speak Pansy took the lead and in a firm but sweet voice clarified the situation. "I don't want to take places I don't belong, Dimitri. My affection for you is enormous, I've watched you grow up from afar, but I'm not here to be your mother. I'm here because I love them, because I don't contemplate continuing my life without sharing it with them or with you. You can rest easy because I don't want to impose anything on you, or force you. I'm still just Pansy to you, as always.”

"I hope you make them happy, really happy because Dumstrang doesn't teach me temperance classes and if you hurt them I won't hesitate for a second to raise the world against you.”

"I promise you'll never have to get to that instance with me.”

Four years have passed since that conversation and a lot of water has flown under the bridge. At first Dimitri kept his distance from Pansy. They shared quality time, talked and so on, but during the first months it was a tense atmosphere. He even avoided her presence when he sent greetings through letters during his stay at school, but one day something changed. The letters were addressed to all three of them, differentiating the greetings between their mothers and Pansy, then he wrote only to her when it came to potions, and he even bought her presents for Christmas. Now, having just graduated, he had a surprise planned for his family.

Mother's Day had knocked on her door very early this year. Pansy had prepared delicious meals and beautiful gifts for her girlfriends, she also decorated the living room and cut beautiful flowers from the garden and presented a beautiful centerpiece to decorate the head table. This date is equal parts sad and beautiful to her, she gave up her desire to be a mother because of the war. Her father took it upon himself to curse her in the midst of battle when she changed sides, she would never be able to give birth. But it was also a beautiful celebration because she had two incredible people to entertain. Hermione and Fleur are the best mothers in Pansy's eyes and especially in Dimitri's eyes.

The dinner was fantastic, everything was delicious, the four of them enjoyed the meeting very much; they talked, laughed and made the delivery of some gifts, or rather, Pansy delivered the gifts to their girlfriends. Dimitri did the same and asked to speak.

"I want to propose a toast, thank you for being amazing women. For giving so much love, shelter and for being such wonderful mothers. The years together only evidence how excellent you are. You have given me a more than perfect life and I am grateful." Pansy looked at her girls with tears in her eyes and didn't know when she started crying too. "We were two with my mom, then my mom Fleur joined and a few years ago we expanded this family even more. I know I said some harsh things in the beginning and one of them was a cruel lie. Pansy, you're my mom too. You are." She looked at him like he was going mad. Dimitri smiled at her, the same smile Hermione had, and handed her a box. "Happy first mother's day, I'm so sorry it took so long.”

[miracles-and-butterflies]

Now it's only reunion with Luisa! How is it going to be?

Luisa wailed in the dark room. She knew they weren’t testing or forcing her into work at the moment, but she could feel it. The ache through her muscles, the heaviness when she tried to move them, only finding comfort if she remained in the same position as though holding some heavy invisible object. She could just make out some of the marks on her skin, some bright and purple, the other bruises were fading into browns and yellows.

When she heard the sound of footsteps along the corridor, she sniffled. Pulling herself up as small as possible in the corner, burying her head between her knees. As if hiding would help. It never did. Nothing seemed to help.

The door opened, revealing an outpour of light. She could just make out the figure in the lab coat that pushed his way through. The centre wasn’t built very accessible, Luisa found herself having to bend through doorways that didn’t cater for her height. Some of them she even struggled to get through because of her muscles. The scientists were all quite lean, clad in white with masks and gloves. Human. Very different from the monsters she had heard about in stories as a child; what she imagined may one day come and hurt her in Encanto.

“Get up,” the man said.

She didn’t move.

“The delivery has just arrived. You are going to unload it. And then you are going to pay 210786 a visit.” Isabela - that’s her numbers. “If she wants to be a bitch, she’s going to get treated like one. Fucking with the drugs we need.”

What does he mean by— Luisa stopped breathing when she realised. She lifted her head to look at the man. She isn’t sure what his name is, none of them introduce themselves; sometimes you hear it by chance when they are talking to their colleagues. But it’s the bearded one. She’s seen him without the mask once or twice. He’s been working on her since her first capture.

She shook her head, more tears falling. “I don’t want to hurt Bela.” She sobbed.

“You’re not getting a choice, 070195.” He snarled back.

“Please, don’t make me.”

“You can blame her for this. Maybe one day she’ll learn her lesson and do as she’s told.”

“I won’t do it,” Luisa continued to cry. “I don’t want to hurt people. I have to control my gift, that’s what it’s for. Abuela said to me—”

“Shut up! Your ‘abuela’ hasn’t said anything to you. You’re making it up. All of you freaks are going insane.” He paced back to the door. He growled in frustration when Luisa made no move to follow. “070195, get up! You damn animal! Get up!”

That’s another thing. She is degraded, they all are. But she has a feeling she has it worse because of her gift. She’s always thought of as some kind of beast or animal because of her strength, unlike Isabela who she has heard been praised as Venus or Aphrodite. She hates it. She isn’t an animal, she is human. She is very careful with her strength, she has never hurt anyone - she doesn’t want to hurt anyone. Abuela said she had to be in control of her gift to avoid accidents, after accidentally breaking her father’s hand, and she has never disappointed since.

He moves, either calling for help or some tool that might get Luisa to move herself. But he doesn’t. Another man enters, holding him and knocking his head into his. The bearded one falls to the floor unconscious and the other leaves the room.

She’s going to be punished for that. She can already feel it. She can see it. She screams, gripping at her body. She’ll be made to carry something heavy enough to break her spine for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours and hours and hours—

There’s a featherlight touch on her arm and she lifts her head up to look at a girl, watching with concern. Mismatched eyes, skin flickered in patches of bronze and hair as pale as cotton.

“Luisa,” she says, her voice is as soft as her looks. It doesn’t sound as young or high-pitched as Luisa was expecting, but she likes this better. Something more even and mature, it’s reassuring in a way. “We have to get out of here.”

But who is she? How did she know who she is? She can’t be a scientist. No, she’s much too gentle. And she isn’t dressed like one. She’s wearing a hospital gown like she is, except hers seem to be a little too big for her. It almost makes her look like an angel.

That must be it. An angel has come.

Only there is something missing…

“I thought you had wings?” Luisa mumbled, quietly.

The angel’s brows furrowed. “I did have wings, but that was a while ago. Do you not remember?”

“Oh.” Luisa says. Perhaps the angel is in a more human disguise. Yes, she wouldn’t want to be captured by the centre. She can play along then. “No, I didn’t.. Are you… here to help me?”

“Yes, I’m here to help you. I’m here to get you out of this awful place.”

It’s real. An angel has come to help her! Her own guardian angel. Papa always said that she had one. She never should have doubted him.

“Can you stand?” Her angel asks.

Luisa’s legs could be completely broken and she would still force herself to stand for her angel. They weren’t though, but she did stumble a bit as she tried to find her balance. Her angel helped steady her, instructing her to take it slowly and use the wall if she needed to.

They carefully made their way out into the hallway, where she was relieved to see there was nobody in sight coming to restrain her. There was one man, the one who had come in previously and knocked the bearded one unconscious, but he was stood in some sort of daze and didn’t seem to see her at all.

“It’s okay. He’s under my control, he won’t hurt you. That is my gift.” Her angel explained, noting her wariness.

Luisa nodded in bewilderment. Her angel then bent down to take a closer look at her legs, she stopped at the left ankle. With gentle hands, she lifted and examined the injury. Luisa felt the sting of it.

“I think you have twisted your ankle. Does it hurt much?”

“A little, but I can still walk on it.”

Her angel nodded, standing up again. She slotted herself against Luisa’s right side. The man under her control appeared at her left, helping to handle her weight.

“What about the others?” She asked, feeling her heart quicken. She cast a last look down the opposite corridor. “Will they be okay? Are they okay? Is someone coming for them?”

Her angel hushed her gently, “Try not to panic yourself, it will make it harder for you to breathe, Luisa.” She nodded again and took some slower breaths. “I have already freed the others. They wanted to get, though I don’t approve, revenge on the centre. They will meet us later and if they don’t, I will go back for them myself.”

Of course her angel would think like that. Hurting people was wrong, even if they did totally deserve it.

She squeezed her angel gently against her, in some half-attempt of a hug. “Thank you, my angel!”

“Oh! Y-you think I’m… You’re welcome, but I’m not—”

“Can I tell you something?” Her angel nodded. “I was… I know it’s bad and a sin, but I was going to kill myself. I’m sorry, it was just so bad here. I’m so glad I didn’t. I never would have gotten to meet you and my family would be sad and they might not have been able to escape…” she trailed off, meeting her angel’s eyes. “Is that why you came? To stop me from… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking so much. I just want you to know I’m very grateful, my angel. And I will do anything to repay the favour.”

Her angel looked a little shellshocked for a moment, but she managed to return Luisa’s smile. “Concentrate on getting out. We can talk about anything you’d like later, once you’re safe and far away from here.”

“Yes, my angel. I can do that.”

[luke-o-lophus]

A Ship of Theseus

Summary: Half a year after Ammit, the Moon Boys have moved in with Layla again. One day, there's a special delivery. A blast from the past, in the most mundane way imaginable.

A/N: A character study of an adult survivor of childhood abuse. What is means for memories, belongings, and justice

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It's another of those days.

On most days recently, stuff around the house is just...stuff. Then every once in a while, they seem to stare back at him. Try to provoke him into a conversation, introspection, memories.

Until recently, there wasn't a lot of belongings Marc had held on to. When he'd left the house, he could take only as much as he could fit in two bags. And he definitely wasn't aiming to include keepsakes. In a way, that had been easier: living in a space that looked absolutely different. It was easier to pretend the child in his memories wasn't really him, or at best was just a version of him. It's been fifteen years since.

When Marc moved back in with Layla, half a year past the Ammit situation, things had become completely different. Steven was in the picture now, and he came with his massive stack of books and an aquarium Marc found unnecessarily huge for two fish. "It's bigger than my army room", Marc had grumbled to Layla one evening as he helped her carry her stuff into their new apartment.

Between her and Steven, it's easy to lose yourself in the warmth of home. At least that's what Marc had hoped to do. Until Elias called again. As he does. When Marc refused to speak to him, Steven suddenly found himself on call with a father he had no memory of having. But Elias called to talk business. He was selling some old furniture from the house; too much stuff for one person he said. Layla listened to it all with rapt attention as her husband curled up on her lap. It was the memories that were hanging too heavy on Elias, that much was obvious. But she wouldn't tell Marc that, she wouldn't set him on another path of feeling guilt for his choice of cutting contacts. Marc had already done enough, and Elias not nearly so.

Two months later, Packers and Movers delivered a mountain of packages from his once 'home'. Marc eyed the pile with obvious distress, second guessing his choice of accepting the unused furniture just sitting around the house. It'd saved them good bucks they could now use towards a proper honeymoon in the Maldives.

The biggest piece of furniture was a heavy desk, now dismantled into pieces and neatly packed. It had been a gift from his grandfather when he turned five. The man liked to spoil his grandkids. In the years since, the table became his sanctuary. He sketched and played on it, and hid under it when needed. The table had been his constant, his only witness. The only piece of wood in that house he found claim to.

But seeing it now, in this form, sent a chill down his spine. The power tools were ready, it'd take just hours to put it all together. Piece by piece, construct back the silent observer of all those childhood experiences: the ones he remembered, and the ones forever lost to memory. He'd have to bring them back, by his own hands.

Layla was only a little surprised when she came home that evening. Normally Marc hated having things lying around, leading to endless complaints of Steven's untidiness. But she'd guessed the table would be, quite literally, a lot to unpack.

"You don't have to", she told him over a cup of tea. "We can sell it, or put it in storage somewhere. Anything." Marc sighed deeply, shaking his head. "It's mine. But I...", he didn't really want it around. It wasn't comforting. His home with his wife and his alter was his safe haven.

But it's also sacred. Some planks of wood simply nailed together; the weight of which only his tiny young shoulders knew. In one teasing example of the ship of Theseus, Steven told him. If you take it apart piece by piece, and build it back together, is it the same anymore?

Marc doesn't know. He leaves the philosophical shit to him and Layla. But he does know what it makes him feel, unlike either of them. It's only him, and the voice inside of him, flaring up from all those scared memories of a bruised kid hidden beneath the wide tabletop. Teary eyes demanding justice...from himself if not from anyone else.

It's been almost thirty years, and Marc still doesn't know what justice looks like for them. How is he supposed to make the correct decision? From the opposite wall, the propped up packages seem to follow every movement...observing, judging, waiting.

"I was thinking...", Layla chimes in breaking his train of thought. "We should head to Maldives in October. Weather should clear up by then...and it won't be too hot." Marc purses his lips in thought, considering the idea, glancing between the cardboard and Layla's jade black eyes.

"That's two months, huh? Yeah...should be enough time to plan", he shrugs. "Tell Steven, he'll be thrilled." "We can finish setting up the flat when we're back", she starts washing the cups. Marc stares at her back, as she's seemingly lost in her world. Another deep sigh, his eyes closed, memories of the desk, memories of this kitchen countertop, Layla sitting on it...the day they made S'mores together. "Yeah...", he smiles, walking up to her and putting the cups away. "I'll....put these in the storeroom till then?"

"Yeah sure, we can deal with them once we're back." she flashes him a blinding grin. "So, honeymoon, huh?"

Marc chuckles, and wraps her in his warmest hug.