#first beach in la push was so wonderful

[bagsley]

[fashionteahouse]

i wonder - edward cullen x reader

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Your parent opened the door and widened their smile. You stood there as they pulled you into a hug.

“I’m so happy to see you.”

You smiled in their embrace.

It was transforming into autumn.

They look behind you.

“Hi, Edward.”

He was polite.

Right before it was dinner time, he left, claiming that he had to go do something for his family. Claiming that he would be right back.

“So…You two are…Back to together?” your parent asks. You pick at your food as you nod.

“When did it happen?” they ask.

“After…After the competition…” you admit quietly.

“You look….Good, Y/N.” they say as they look at you. You give them a small smile.

“I’m going over to Charlie’s tomorrow if you want to tag along. Maybe see Bella?” they suggest.

You shrug lightly, “Sure.”

You found the old keyboard that was previously taken away.

At night, you and Edward tinkered around. Trying to create harmony together as you now had two keyboards in your possession.

“Do you want to come with?” you ask after you both lounge in your bedroom.

He thinks about it but you could tell he didn’t want to say outright no.

“You don’t have to…If you don’t want to.” you say quietly.

“I would like to but, Bella already had suspicions of me. Me coming around would just reignite whatever she thinks.”

You take a good look at him.

“She likes you.” you state quietly. He looks to you. He calmly makes a small grin, “Many do.”

“Could you read it from her mind?”

“I can’t…Read her mind…It’s as if she has no thoughts at all.”

You look away as you lean against the pillows instead of him.

“Before I came…You would’ve chosen her…Instead.”

His eyebrows furrowed, “Why would you say that?”

You take a shy glance at him, “I’m sorry…”

“Just tell me…What makes you feel this way?”

“Did you take interest in me because of my whispering mind? Just be honest.” you say very quietly.

“Y/N…” he says as he takes one of your hands in both of his and gives you a warm grin, “What’s the first thing I asked you?”

You look down at your joined hands.

“You asked if I play…”

“Then…You looked up at me…It was you who almost knocked me off of my feet with just one look.” he whispered, “I felt an instant connection….”

You slowly look at him. He was sincere. He searched your face. You leaned back into him.

“We can’t get rid of each other.” he says in your ear. This makes you laugh a breathy laugh.

“Good.” you say to him quietly as he rubbed his hand down your arm.

“I’m not going to lie…I miss my favorite senior.” Bella says shyly. Both parents were in the living room.

“Aw, I’m touched.” you say with a grin. You watch as she goes to grab her keys.

“They’re not much company…I’m going to the beach..Come with?”

“Sure.”

You both talked, the shyness lifting as she drove past the Welcome to La Push sign.

You saw two figures on the beach. It was windy enough to raise goosebumps, but you were confused by the fact that none of them wore at least a jacket.

You and Bella sat on the rock as you both watched the waves.

“Wow…That’s so impressive.” she says after you tell her your latest achievements.

“Thanks.”

“I can’t wait until graduation…I think I’m going to move back with my mom.” she tells you. You nod.

A pair of familiar eyes came into view. You tried to ignore them, but he kept staring.

“Do you..Do you know him? Because I don’t.” Bella noticed as she whispered.

“Somewhat…” you say as you look down.

“Oh…He’s coming over here.” she stated and you pop up and look at her, “Wait, what?”

She looked ahead and he stops in front of you.

“You couldn’t say hi?”

“Didn’t think you would like that.” you state, not looking at his face.

“Who’s this?”

“Bella Swan.” you answer.

“Who are you?” she asks him.

He says his name and he leans against the rock. You watch as he lingered his gaze on her. Her face slowly started to flush as she peaked at him.

“Are you back for good?” he then asks you.

“Just passing through.” you boredly state.

“Oh…So, what school do you go to?” He then asks Bella.

“Forks. You?” she answered back shyly.

“On the rez…” he says. He then looks behind him as he groaned a bit at the two figures who were now looking at him.

“Do you know them?” Bella asks.

“I wish I hadn’t.”

“Why?” she asks with a soft smile.

“Cause they do that shit.” he says, they were staring as if they were waiting for him, “They’re so annoying. It’s like they’re a cult. I wish they would fuck off.”

You and Bella both chuckle out.

“Come on. I don’t want to be here..” he then says, his tone dripping in discomfort.

“Where would we go?” Bella asks as she’s already getting up. You look at her with a hidden smirk.

“Away from them.” he says and she’s following him, she’s looking at you to do so as well. Your name was called by an unfamiliar voice. It startled you.

“Later.” the boy says. Bella shoots you a worried glance but you tell her to go ahead, reassuring her that you were going to be okay. Two muscle bound people were now in front of you.

“How do you know my name?” you calmly ask.

“From Cullen.” he states. He said as if it was a curse word. Your heart drops.

“Yeah? And?” you retort, feeling defensive over him.

“And you should stay away from them.” he says.

You scoff, “Why should I listen to you….? I don’t even know you.” you say and turn but the other boy beside him says, “Wait. Just hear us out.”

You cross your arms.

“You know me..You have seen me…I was in the woods with you.” the man speaks.

You rack your brain as you travel back to that day and you look at him. He stood tall with authority.

“You’re…The black wolf..”

He nods.

“I’m Samuel Uley. People around here call me Sam…You got involved with the Cullens. I’m warning you to stay away. While you have the chance.” he says.

“You're designed to kill their kind…Of course you want me to stay away.”

“Because they kill people.” the boy next to Sam says as if it were the most obvious thing.

“Did you guys not read your own treaty with them? As long as they don’t eat humans, you can’t kill them. Guess what? They do not eat humans.” you say with slight jazz hands for effect.

“A human shouldn’t be involved with them in the first place…I, as a protector, can’t just let someone leave off with them. You should stay here at home. It was assumed by me and the tribe when you left town, that they had something to do with you leaving. They all left right with you.”

“Yeah, because I had a piano competition. If they were going to hurt me, they would’ve done so by now.” you say with an unserious attitude. It all felt ridiculous.

“You don’t understand. You’re playing with fire.” Sam says feeling a bit frustrated.

“If I was, I wouldn’t gotten burnt by now.” you say.

“Y/N…They’re bloodsuckers-”

“Look. I don’t know either of you. I suggest you both leave me alone. You’re even messing with other people, watching them to join whatever you two got going on. You turn into a large animal.”

Sam huffs out a small breath of anger through his nose, “Jared here, has the same destiny as me now. All because of the vampires, like the Cullens, in the area, it triggers the trait.”

“The Cullens has nothing to do with that. We were gone. Don’t worry. We will all be out of your hair by the time the weekend ends.”

Your phone buzzed in your pocket.

Alice.

“Look, I gotta go.”

Sam grabs your arm, you would’ve been offended but his eyes screamed desperation. You look to him. His body temperature was hot. It felt like he had a fever.

“Please. We’re protectors. This is us protecting. Just stay away from them. Live your life as a human should. Cold ones do nothing but dazzle a human. Everything about them pulls their prey in. You think you two are in a healthy relationship, but he’s a leech at the end of the day. You don’t think he’s going to turn you into one of him eventually? It’s either that or he simply kills you.” he says in a hard tone but it was thrown across patiently.

“Yeah..Look, Sam is right. A cold one is not going to fall in love with a human..It just won’t happen. You’re just simply under his thrall. You feel like everything is good, everything is safe. You can’t help it, it’s natural to fall under it. Our wolves understand them well.” Jared says quietly.

You look at them both. You take your arm back and you walk away. You shove your hands in your pockets and go in the direction you had seen Bella in.

You walked closer to the soft laughs and talking.

“Hey. What were they over there talking to you about?” Bella asks.

“Nothing…They claim they haven’t seen me around before.” you say. They both believed you.

“Are you ready to go?” Bella asks you.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

You watch as Bella shyly tells him that she will call him. You’re mind was running a mile a minute.

When you and Bella get back, Edward’s car is in her driveway.

“Whoa..Nice car.” she says as she looked at it and she then opens the front door.

Edward was immediately at the doorway pulling you into his arms. As you heard Bella greet her dad in the living room, you quietly heard him breathe you in, as if he was calming himself.

He steps back. His eyes darken. You’re worried.

“Edward, what’s wrong?”

“Where did you go?” he asks suppressing his voice from being angry.

“La Push-“

He grabs your hand, you’re immediately outside.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” you coo to him as you watch him brace himself against his car. He was on the brink of losing control and he was doing a good job of keeping himself together. It took some time but he eventually says it.

“You smell like them.” he says distastefully.

“Who?” you ask in a small voice.

He clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut before saying, “Y/N, please get in the car.”

“No. If you’re…If you feel this way from me smelling like them, I don’t want to make things worse.”

“Alice couldn’t see you…I really need you with me right now. I need to see you.” he says and he touched you, almost as if he couldn’t believe that you were real.

“I’m right here.” you whispered as his fingers heavily smooth over your face, your eyes slightly closed.

You speak again, “I will wash it off when I get home.”

He doesn’t budge to let you go. His gaze almost scared you and you didn’t want either of you to be scared.

“Edward, please?” you ask in a quiet whisper.

In a flash, he’s opening his car door, still staring at you as if you were going to disappear. You stand outside until he eventually leaves.

You scrubbed your skin immediately when you arrived home with your parent. It seemed as soon as you put the last article of clothing on, that’s when you saw the door twist open.

“I don’t feel safe with you going there.” he says to you after a long embrace. His eyes were the liquid gold that you were used to.

You nod as he pressed his lips to your face.

“I only went to the beach with Bella..I didn’t know that they would be there.”

“There’s more of them….I knew it.” he observed as he sits on the edge of your bed, pulling you in his lap.

“Yeah.. You were right.” you say as you caressed his cheek, “The boy…That I met on the beach…Claims that they’re watching him. He thinks they’re like a cult or something.”

Edward doesn’t say anything. You look to him. He blinked at you plainly.

"He has a thing for Bella now. No need to worry."

"That's not what I'm worried about...You've been around him. He can turn into one at any given time."

"Edward-"

"If anything..Were to happen to you, I wouldn't know what to do with myself." he says.

"Nothing's going to happen." you whisper as you hold his head to your chest, his arms tightened around your waist. You two stay like that for some time.

“Can I tell you something?” you ask quietly.

“Anything.”

“Will you promise to not get upset?”

“I promise to try to control my emotions.” he said.

You get out of his lap and only sit next to him. His hand is now firm on your thigh as you stare into his gaze.

“The wolf…The black one in the woods…His name is Sam.”

His eyes closed as he slowly turns away from you.

“Nothing happened.” you say to ease future worries, “But..He only talked to me.”

He’s up and you rise with him.

“I told him….To stay away from you.”

You look down after he stated this. You couldn’t deny, he did approach you first, even going as far as calling your name.

“What’s a thrall?” you blurt out.

He looks at you. It was as if time had stopped. He slowly settled his eyes into yours. He spoke calmly.

“It’s what makes me a killer. Pulling in my prey is what I do.”

You only breathe quietly, as you looked at him. You didn’t know if you should’ve felt afraid. But, you wondered if that’s what being under a thrall meant. You wondered if it took away your fight or flight response.

“Are you scared of me?”

You swallow and you look down. But then you look back up, you shake your head. You didn’t see him move, he was too fast, but his hands held yours.

He only looks at you, trying to make out what’s going through your mind.

“Are you scared of me?” you ask quietly.

He lifts his lips only a little, but he nods. You match his expression and he cradled the side of your face.

“I’m scared of what you do to me.” he says.

“What do I do to you?” you ask, barely audible to your own ears. You watch as his eyes darken, but not in color. The jolted feeling that you felt was almost scary. Not in a fearful way, but an exciting way.

“Tempt me.” he quietly answered.

No words were said as you both soaked in each other with each other’s eyes for a while.

“What did he say to you?” he asks quietly.

“I don’t want to tell you….”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want you to get upset.”

“I’m not upset with you.”

“I know, but…I don’t want you to get upset at all. I like seeing you happy.”

“Just tell me…We should be able tell each other everything.”

You breathe out softly through your nose as you look down.

“All he did…Was try to convince me to stay here…That’s how I found out about the word thrall…He claims that why I feel so……It doesn’t matter. He basically says it’s why a human and a vampire shouldn’t be together.”

“Do you believe it?” he asks.

“….No.” you answer softly.

“I don’t believe it either.” he says.

The next morning, your parent needed to run to the grocery store. You offer. Edward offered to come with.

As he put the bag in the car, he taps your shoulder.

You look at him, he discreetly points to a woman. You follow his eyes. A woman who could be someone who lived in La Push. She had the same distinct look of them.

She got out of her car. Large slashes were on the side of her face. You held back a gasp. You wondered what happened. They were a reddish pinkish color. They looked recent. They weren’t fully healed but healed enough to where she didn’t need to bandage them. She was beautiful despite the damage.

She walked with her keys, you could tell by her walk, she felt self cautious of people who looked at her. A large man, held his hand out to take them from her. She drops them in his hand. Sam then was right next to her. Keeping a protective arm around her and he looked right in your direction. Glaring right at Edward. It was Sam.

“Y/N, get in the car.” Edward says darkly but you know it wasn’t for you. You look to him, glaring darkly at the man who told you to stay away from Edward at the beach. You watch as Edward slowly start to get angry.

You open the passenger car door, seeing that he’s still giving Sam looks that could kill.

“Come on, Edward.” you whisper encouragingly. You then lower yourself and sit down in the passenger seat, hoping he would follow suit. He finally followed you in the car. Smoothly, but steers away fast out of the parking lot. As you looked out the window, she grabs Sam’s arm as she goes to enter the store. Sam’s eyes never left the car until he entered as well.

You slowly turned to look at him with a commiserate look. He gripped the steering wheel, glaring at the road as if he wanted to kill it.

“Do you know her?” you ask in a whisper.

“No..I don’t…But, she’s a sad example of what happens when you stand too close to one of them..She stood too close to Sam..Residents will tell you it’s from an animal attack. If only they knew the animal at hand.” he says trying his best to not talk to you in a nasty manner.

You felt bad. Your mind was flooded with thoughts of the woman. And Sam. You wondered why he warned you of the Cullens, just to hurt someone himself.

As he drove on the road he speaks again but this time it’s very calm, “I’m not trying to tell you what to do, Y/N. I’m just trying to keep you safe…I get so nervous whenever you do go to La Push. That’s why…I prefer you not to go there…Please…Danger just lurks there.”

You nod silently.

“I also…Prefer you to be careful with befriending Bella Swan…Just because she wants to put herself in danger doesn’t mean you have to follow.”

“I understand.” you say and look out the window.

You think for a moment.

“It would be nice for us to go to the beach together….I get to see your skin shine.” you say to lighten the tense mood. He grins a little, “I’m sure that time will come…Where it’s private.”

You nod with slight happiness.

It was time to leave the next day.

You and Edward made it seem to your parent that you were going back to where you had left from, but you both stayed alone with each other in Forks in the Cullen’s old home.

“Where shall we go next?” you ask as you fiddled with your keyboard.

“Somewhere cold for sure.” he says as he placed a kiss on your neck.

You smile at him, “Of course.”

Alice came to visit you both with Jasper. Her hug was tight, you told her you couldn’t breathe with a small laugh. She was excited to see you. Jasper was happy to see you as well.

“I take it you went on your mini vacation.” Edward tells his sister.

“I did. It was a good visit. They all miss you Edward.” she says with a smile.

“Im sure.” he says in a bit moody tone. Jasper chuckles as if it was an inside joke.

“I told them you were visiting them soon.”

“Why would you do that?” Edward says with annoyance.

“They won’t hurt Y/N..They’re vegetarian.” Alice stated the last statement towards you as she stayed close to you. He glared at her but her carefree nature only made him softly roll the same eyes. He sits next to you and looks at you for a moment. You look with deep curiosity.

“She’s only going if she’s working.” Edward finally says.

“Done!” Alice says with a bright smile.

“Jesus, what did you do?” you ask.

“It’s not prestigious like the one you just did, but it’s a quick competition that you can go to. Just like the small ones you did back home.” she says happily. You look to Edward.

“Do you want to do it?” he simply asks you and waits for your answer.

You nod.

On the way to Alaska, Edward told you the history behind their family’s relationship. How loyal they were to each other, being allies to battles when needed.

The coven was formed by a woman named Sasha. Transforming the women you were about to meet, Tanya, Kate, and Irina.

“Are we going to meet her too?”

“She’s dead.”

“Wow..What happened?” you blinked.

“She created an immortal child, their brother, Vasilii…It’s against the law with our people, to create immortal children. They will easily reveal our secret to outsiders.”

“I can only imagine…The tantrums were that great, huh?”

He cracked a smile.

“The law? Who’s the police in your terms?” you then ask.

“The Volturi.”

“Are they vegetarian as well?”

“Sure, if hell freezes over.” he says and you both chuckle.

“For reason, I would’ve thought.”

“Sure they uphold the law, but they live a chaotic lifestyle themselves. They show no mercy. It’s just for the best to be on their good side unless you’re asking for a death sentence.”

You nod in acknowledgment.

“So, which members have powers?”

“Kate and Eleazar.”

“Only two?” you ask. He nods.

“Kate has a power where she can project painful jolts throughout her body with touch. Eleazar has ability identification. He feels the powers of others and is able to detect what they are.”

“Electric jolts.” you say.

“Yeah.” he says.

Eyes took in the remote scenery. It looked surreal by how beautiful the nature looked. The coven really reminded you of the Cullens in a way. You know understood why they considered the coven to be their cousins.

It seemed as though they knew that you two were coming. Four women and a man. Their eyes shined with liquid gold. They embraced Edward, telling him how great it was to see him again. One of them with strawberry blonde hair, tried to keep Edward in a hug for too long before he forcibly detached himself from her.

They looked at you with great curiosity. You felt small in a way. Edward held your hand with a tight grasp.

“A human.” one says with a grin.

“A choice indeed.” the woman with the strawberry blonde hair with an accent says. She steps to you, looking at you with interest.

“What’s your name?” she asks. You tell her. She looks at you and to Edward, it was soft grin, almost flirty. She looks to you, “I’m Tanya.”

The other one with long pale blonde hair, straight as corn silk, who seemed very laid back, gives you a side a hug, “I’m Kate.”

“Y-You didn’t shock me.” you say in surprise. You hear the perfect sounds of laughter surround you.

“It’s only for battle.” she says with a humorous grin.

“So, Edward here has told you about us?” Tanya asks, almost honored.

“A summarized version.” you say.

“We only heard that he met someone. How nice to finally meet you.” the woman with black hair says to you with a warm smile. You find out that her name is Carmen. The man next to her, who you presumed to be Eleazar, stared at you with such concentration but yet you felt he was trying to figure you out. He says a friendly hello.

“That’s our sister, Irina. Don’t feel bad about her stand-off nature. She’s only missing her lover.” Kate tells you in the cozy home as Edward went off to set your belongings in a guest room. You nod, “I get it.”

“You might know him. Laurent. Carlisle says he’s an acquaintance of his.”

You nod, “When we were playing baseball, Laurent and his coven came.”

“You were playing baseball? With them?” Irina asks. You look over to her, nodding, “I was just the ref with Esme, but me and Edward had left when they joined the game.”

“Why?” Tanya asks.

Edward speaks then, “You’re all set Y/N. Are you tired?” You turn to look at him and he interlaced his hand with yours.

“Come on, Edward. Let us get to know each other.” Kate says in a carefree manner.

“Yeah. You want to pull her away when things had gotten good.” Tanya says and Edward displayed an impatient attitude.

You suppressed a smile as you then chose to tug him in the direction of the room that was provided for you.

“It’s going to be easy. Do you want to practice today or tomorrow morning?”

“What? Teacher Edward is giving me a choice?” you say humorously, he gives you a handsome smile.

“Well, I won’t seriously practice until tomorrow but I will still tinker about.” you continued.

“Okay.”

You look at him and he could tell you had questions. He knew that you couldn’t ask because of the lingering ears.

“Do you want to explore with me?” he asks quietly. You nod with a slight smile.

You both sat in a beautiful field. You could see the tall mountains from afar. Just absolutely breathtaking.

“Where is Laurent? You didn’t want to come here because he was here.”

“Take one guess.” he says and you match his grin.

“Mm…He went to kill a human.”

“You’re kind of right…Him and Irina were hunting together. She lost him. She’s not a good tracker.”

“She misses him.” you state as you remember her hint of sadness that was imbedded in her face.

“She does.”

“So….Eleazar…I must’ve rubbed him the wrong way…”

Hearing his laughter, you look over, twitching your own mouth as his laugh started to tickle you.

“What?” you say with a slight chuckle.

“Why would you rub him the wrong way?”

“I don’t know….He kept staring but…Like…Did I do something?”

“He was only figuring you out. They have no problem with having you around.”

“Okay.” you say and look back towards the distance. You chuckle under your breath, “Okay…I’m not jealous of Bella Swan..But I have to admit..I’m jealous of Tanya. Did you two used to date or something?”

“God, no.”

This makes you bubble out a chuckle, “I seen the way she looks at you. The way she acts around you.”

“Tanya is Tanya.” he says and shakes his head.

“She’s beautiful.” you say and you grin at the look he gave you. He seemed to not be interested in hearing that.

“She’s so lustful, it’s off putting…If you two were to talk, you will know my claim is right. I only ask you to only take what she tells you with a grain of salt.”

“Noted.” you say and pull your knees to your chest.

In the morning after a study session of the piano keys that was in the home, Edward leaves off to hunt with Carmen and her husband Eleazar as Kate and Tanya came back in with Irina.

“Oh, hey Y/N.” Tanya says as she sees you at the piano bench. She plops next to you. You smile and reply a hey back.

“I didn’t know you play.” she says. You nod, “Do you?”

“Yeah.”

“We heard you as we were on our way back.” Irina states quietly. You felt bad for her sorrow and shoot her a kind grin.

Tanya scoots you over with her hip and begins to play a fast combination. You look at her fingers and her self satisfied expression.

“Wow.” you breathed.

“How long are you and Edward staying anyway?” Kate simply asks. There was no ill intent, just a simple question.

“I’m…Honestly not sure. I’m here to go to a competition soon so…”

“I can be your coach if you want.” Tanya says with excited energy.

“No, Edward is my teacher. I can’t cheat on him.” you say playfully and walk in the direction of your spare room. You see that Tanya and Kate follow you.

Tanya looks at your ring. Her eyes shine like the blinging jewelry.

“Have you two did it yet?”

“…..Did what?”

You thought she was talking about marriage.

“Sex.”

“Tanya.” Kate says and muffled a chuckle.

“What? This looks serious.” she says and lifts your hand. You felt embarrassed. A thought of you and Edward performing such activities haven’t really crossed your mind. You just liked being in his presence.

“That is a nice ring.” Kate comments.

“No…We haven’t.” you answer as you take your hand back.

Tanya looked shocked and then she laughs, “Edward really hasn’t changed.”

You nervously laugh with her. Mostly in hidden confusion.

“Ignore her.” Kate says.

“What? It’s not like it’s something that one should be afraid of. It’s natural.” Tanya defends.

“What did you mean that Edward hasn’t changed?” you ask her.

“She throws herself at him. It’s why the Cullens haven’t settled here for long.” Kate rolls her eyes and Tanya gives a somewhat shocked look, “I wouldn’t say I throw myself on him. Pursuit is the classy word.”

“Admit it, Tanya. You do.” Kate says and Tanya shakes her head and turns her attention on you, “He hasn’t done it with anyone.”

You don’t say anything. There wasn’t much to say.

“What about you?” Tanya asks curiously.

“Um….No…I haven’t really…” you say and look down with embarrassment, “Plus, it wouldn’t work. I’m a human and he’s a vampire after all. It’s not like we could do anything anyway.”

“It can be done.” Tanya says as she looks at Kate, who wore a smug expression.

“But, you guys are like…Strong..” you say as you take a look at their heightened beauty.

“That’s why you have to go slow. Well, he would have to go slow…but, you could help him with that. Slow and steady wins the race after all.” Tanya tilts her head with a smile.

“I bleed and then what? He will drain me.” you say.

“Not everyone bleeds on their first time. Especially when you’re properly aroused.”

You felt a pit in your stomach. The thought of Edward making you feel that good..You shake your head to dismiss such thoughts about lust.

“Am I about to get a sex lesson from vampires?” you joke.

Kate laughs lightly.

“You should if you’re dating one. We know the do’s and dont’s of intercourse with human men. It’s not like Edward would ever come to us for advice anyway.” Kate says quietly.

You look at them both with curiosity.

Tanya chuckled to herself and says in a playful tone, “We’ll talk more.”

Tanya and Kate was then leaving out of the room as Edward walked through the doorway. Immature giggles were made and it made you feel even more embarrassed.

Edward shuts the door as he rolled his own eyes.

“If they’re too much for you, just scream for help.” he says to you as you both embrace.

“They’re not…I didn’t know Tanya could play as well.” you say to steer the subject of what you were really thinking.

“Yeah.” he says unimpressed.

“She’s really good.” you say and he counters back with, “She a pig head.”

You nudge him, “Don’t be rude.” you scold him in a hushed manner. He takes your hand and sits down with you.

“She only learned and had gotten good after she turned.”

“Still.” you say quietly, feeling bad.

“At least the kitchen isn’t going to waste.” Irina comments as you and Edward finished making a dish for you.

Edward pulls out a chair and you have a seat. You watched as Irina kept looking out of the window, checking her phone. It was abnormal to your eyes to see a somewhat anxious vampire.

“When are you turning her?” Tanya bluntly asks as you pause your playing from the question. The day was young and you and Edward got started with practicing right away. Tanya came in as soon as the keys were being played.

Edward huffed softly a bit, “We can’t focus with you in here.”

“No need to be uptight. It doesn’t seem like Y/N doesn’t mind me in here.” she says as she goes to touch his arm but he dodged her touch. She sniggered.

You look at her with a neutral expression, “I need to focus.” Edward slowly brings on a smirk.

“Alright, alright.” she says holding up two defensive hands. She’s out of the room.

“Alright.” Edward says and tells you to start from the top.

You miss a key. Edward makes way to place his arms over you, telling you how the certain part goes. Your heart quickened by the close proximity.

“Got it?” he softly asks. You nod. He placed a kiss on your cheekbone, you felt yourself get deliciously nervous.

You play slower than the initial tempo and he noticed but he didn’t say anything. You just wanted to focus but your heart wouldn’t slow down.

He placed two hands on your shoulders when you were finished. You completed the song without any hiccups. You sat still as you blinked at the keys.

“Why slow?”

“I um…I wanted to make sure I got it right. I’ll speed it up.” you say nervously.

“You don’t have to be nervous. You could do this in your sleep.”

“It’s not….This…” you whisper. You felt his hands leave your shoulders and your eyes closed as he sits down next to you.

“What’s on your mind?” he asks and wraps an arm around you, scooting you close to him.

“You’re killing me.” you whisper. Your body jerked at soft kiss he gave you on your ear. You shoot a playful glare at him and he’s grinning from ear to ear.

“Should we pretend we’re not together..So you could focus?”

“God, no.” you say.

“Let’s take a break..I have something to tell you anyway.”

You follow him and you slide off of his back, sitting in a beautiful landscape away from the house.

You sit as the breeze dance on your skin.

“Eleazar..Said something that was interesting.”

“Hm?”

“Why your mind is like whispers.”

“Oh…”

“He’s not too sure..But, the real reason Tanya asked when I was going to…Change you…Was because he says you might be able to…Project…Voices into other people’s heads. What’s crazy is…He says it has the potential to drive someone insane mentally, which he thinks is what makes it so gripping.”

“Really?” you ask but not immediately. He nods.

“Is it like a malicious type of thing?” you ask.

“Yes and no. Personally, I think it’s good to defend with. It would be nice to hear what you’re thinking, but he just said voices. Is it a collective of your voice? I just wonder if it’s a thing that can do more bad than good.” he passionately says.

“So…I’m assuming..That’s out of the window.” you plainly say as after he’s spoken.

“I wouldn’t do it out of selfish reasons.”

“Not even…So that we can be together?” you ask as you look down.

“We’re together now.”

You don’t say anything after that. You didn’t want to go back and forth about this particular subject.

“Laurent should be coming back soon..Alice will tell me if it’s sooner than planned.”

You nod your head in silence.

You rise up and he holds your hand as he stared at you.

“Do the shapeshifters…Live forever as well?”

“I don’t think so. The ones that we have came across, are long dead.”

“Oh yeah..Of course.” you say.

“I want you to have a good human life Y/N. I don’t want you to change just for me.”

“Yeah..I know.” you say and give him a quick smile.

The night before the competition, Kate and Tanya joins you in your room as you fiddled alone with your keyboard. Edward was away hunting with Irina, Eleazar, and Carmen.

“You’re leaving right after?” Tanya asks.

“I think so.”

“Why so soon? You’re fun.” Kate casually says.

“Um not really.” you say with a small laugh.

“When was the last time we had a human cook in our kitchen?” Tanya asks Kate. Kate chuckles.

“Did Edward tell you when you were going to be become one of us?” Tanya asks. She really wanted to know.

“He’s not going to.”

Silence was met.

“Why?” Kate asks in blatant ignorance.

“He wants me to stay human. I’m not going to force him. I guess…I would have to outgrow him.” you say as you think about the talk you two did have.

She speaks in a language you didn’t understand and shakes her head, “He’s such a worrier.” Tanya says under her breath.

“Plus, we have to leave before Laurent gets back. He wasn’t a vegetarian when he met the Cullens and if he finds out I’m human. He might relapse if he hasn’t already.”

“I can understand that. But that should be the more reason to change you. A human automatically is in danger. Doesn’t he want to spend forever with you?” Kate says as she looks at Tanya.

“Laurent was having trouble…With the diet.” Tanya says.

“I think that’s where he veered off to. To help himself to a nice little buffet.” Kate chuckles.

“So, did Carlisle get you guys to convert to animal blood?” you ask.

“No..Tanya did. We met Carlisle afterwards, we’ve never encountered a coven that had the same diet as us before.”

“Tanya started it all?” you ask with grin and look to her.

“Why do you seem shocked that I’m good for something?” she responded and you break out a full smile.

“So like how did it happen?” you say.

“Long version or the short version?”

“Long. I want to know the details.” you say getting comfortable.

“That gives us an excuse to treat you out after your recital.”

“Cliffhanger. 0/10.” you throw a thumbs down.

“That’s why you need to stay longer.” Kate says.

“Laurent.” you remind her.

“I doubt he will come back. He already has his own coven. It’s going to always come first. I just wish Irina would look at that. I’ll talk to her. Again.” Tanya says.

Kate subtly gives off the idea to Tanya that they’re on their way back.

“Wait.” you say.

They both instantly look at you. It was uncannily clear.

“Will…Will you tell me about what Eleazar thinks about projecting…Voices into other people’s heads?”

Tanya and Kate definitely knew something as their eyes light up.

“Looks like we’re staying out late.” Kate tells Tanya and they’re off.

You didn’t hear anything for some time as you lie back in your pillows. Suddenly, you hear the door open.

You immediately sit up. You don’t even process the fact that he’s suddenly connected to your mouth.

“It’s still not too late…. Can we practice?” you ask.

He nods and lights you to your feet.

“Just because it’s small..Doesn’t mean that you can be cocky.”

You go to start from the beginning but Edward stops you.

“There’s good people everywhere. Remember that.” he says and then gives you the encouragement to play again.

The look on his face when you were executing the songs, made you feel fuzzy inside.

“Let’s get some rest.” he says to you and you’re in his arms.

You both slowly tease each other’s lips with your own, as you both lie in bed together.

You’re almost laying on top of him and his hand is a bit under shirt, touching the skin of your back.

“I love you.”

You freeze.

You move away from him and flick on the lamp. He sits up and you turn to him.

“You do?” you whispered.

“Yes. I do…” he says with a breathy but small chuckle. The gaze in your eyes made you feel like you were the only jewel in the universe.

Your heart pounded in your ears.

“I love you too.” you say confidently.

You wondered if have always felt this way. You didn’t know it was possible to be with someone this intensely.

Slowly you both lean in, crushing in each other’s lips. You lay back, his never detach from yours as he halfway hovered over you. His smooth skin let your hands skate over his body and he hooked your leg over his hip, poking the back of your knee in the process. A light sigh comes out and he immediately but gently placed open mouth kisses on your neck.

He didn’t want to, but he pulled away as you were feeling the pressure of the effects of your pressed body onto him. He was starting to feel the full effects of temptation.

You breathe heavy as you look up at him. The faint sappy smile didn’t miss his eyes. You began to fall into peaceful slumber as he held you tight.

“Okay….I have to go….” you say to him as he continued to kiss you.

“Just have fun.” he says and you nod.

The Denali Coven sat in support. You owned the stage as you worked the piano to your advantage. It was definitely less pressure than the last competition you. You felt right in your backyard.

You smiled brightly the gold medal was snug in your hands.

Your cheeks hurt when Edward gave you flowers and a smooch that he wasn’t shy about.

As you both got the car alone, Edward asks if he can take you out to dinner.

“I promised Kate and Tanya that I would go with them.”

“Go with them where?”

“They just said they wanted to treat me. Even have some girl talk.”

“I’m picking you up in an hour…After tonight you will thank me. You also see for yourself.” he says.

You grin.

Irina came to distract her wandering mind. You still enjoyed her company as you all sat high on stools at the round table. They pretended to be drinking alcohol. Every guy looked their way but they gave you their attention.

The low lights in the public setting let them be comfortable.

“A succubus…What the heck is that?” you ask.

“According to the “people”, it’s a female demon who has sexual intercourse with men to drain their life force or energy. We’re the creators of the said myth.” Kate says.

“What happened?”

They had many lovers. Some that they had fun with, some that they have developed feelings for.

Their bloodlust would win everytime. Their strength would win everytime.

“It took a lot of practice..We were always lonely after the loss of one.” Tanya says.

“That’s why I’m strongly attracted to Laurent…To me, he’s the one.” Irina speaks.

“I put together that mammals have blood. It’s like a substitute. You have a…Soda..Then you have diet soda. Enough of it, I can get used to it and I don’t have to hurt anybody else when I just want to have fun.”

You nod.

“Whenever you and Edward do decide to become intimate, just tell him slow…Let him feel your body. Specifically his hands. His fingers. Your body will react positively to him because you both love each other. He also knows the human anatomy, knowing where things are. You shouldn’t have to worry like some poor girls do when they’re stuck with guys who don’t have a clue in the world.”

You nod again.

“How many times have you had fantasies about him doing that to you?” Kate teases. Tanya waves her off.

“Anyway, Y/N, you did wonderful today. You made your older cousin proud.” Tanya says.

You snigger, “Thanks.”

“You wanted to know about your gift.” Tanya then says.

“Yes. That. I don’t understand. He said voices. Is it my voice?”

“What it seems like he described is something like inundation. I could be wrong but it’s definitely something close along those lines. If you’re going to be making people go insane, it could be powerful.” Kate says.

“Interesting. Edward told me it could be used as defense.”

“Yeah…Or you know, you could get on his nerves for fun.” Tanya says.

“Alright, I’m going to ask the guy who keeps staring how pretty he thinks I am.” Kate says.

“Which one?” you and Irina ask.

She gives you both a humor look as Tanya follows her. Irina gets up and tells you, “Sorry..I have to make sure they’re not too reckless.”

You give her a small smile.

You turn on your stool and a guy who was trying to approach you, smiled at you.

“Hi.”

“H-hi.”

“Can I get you a drink?”

“Um..I’m too..Youn- I don’t drink.” you quickly say. “Do you enjoy company?” he asks with a smirk.

You open your mouth to say you have a boyfriend but Edward is already sitting next to you on a stool. You hug him with a smile.

“You came.”

“I told you I would.” he says. He then steals a glare at the man who’s walking away. You use your hand to turn his face back to you, you press a kiss to his lips that he had no problem returning.

You sit back in your stool and he gives you a flirty grin. He pulls your stool closer to him as your legs were crossed. Both knees are touching. He almost hit the spot that made you feel sappy.

“Bored yet?” he asks you.

You look over to the men who were dying to get the attention of the three sisters.

“Yeah.” you say with a chuckle. He smiles and lets you rise up as he holds your hand.

You both sat at in your designated room. The house was empty as you both kissed each other. This time, he hovered over you, with his knee between you.

Your hands glide under his shirt, he held you extra tight as he focused on kissing you.

You take his hand and make it go under yours. He retracts it like he touched a fire. You sat up as he was distant from you.

“What’s wrong?” you ask breathlessly.

He closed his eyes and grunts a little.

“Y/N…That almost made me…”

“Sorry.”

“No it’s not you…Its me…” he whispered as he looked at you.

“Stop blaming yourself.” you coo to him as he lets you get close him again. He closed his eyes to the touch of your lips on his face.

“Come on…Play me something.” you say to him in his ear and kissed him there like how he does for you.

His hand grabbed the nape of your neck and forcibly gives you one last passionate kiss before taking you to the piano.

He sat at the piano bench and gestured for you to sit next to him. You both stare at each other silently with excited eyes.

You see that his hands were clenched on his knees. You smother your hand. They immediately loosen. He watched closely as you move his hand and put it on your own thigh. He was still but his hand wasn’t. You didn’t have to continue to forcibly move his hand and once he graced his touch on your covered center, he stands.

He faced the window.

“It’s me.” you say in defeat to his back as you stand behind him.

“It’s not you, Y/N….Its hard…This is so hard…”

“You won’t hurt me.”

He turns back around and faces you. He takes your hands in his and pulls you close to him.

“Y/N…When we make love…I want us to do it when you’re my wife.”

”…Your wife..?” you whisper.

He caressed the feel of your hands that made your breath slightly shaky.

“I want to marry you…It’s what I want more than anything..”

You’re speechless.

“I do believe that we will continue to be happy together. I want us to.”

You nod.

“I like being by your side. I like having you by my side. I like us to be partners.”

“I like it too.” you say quietly.

“I love you so much.”

“Edward.” you say shyly to him. It was overwhelming. But, it was great. You felt that you were dreaming this moment.

His thumb brushed across your bottom lip as you peer up at him. He glided his hand to cup your face, each other’s gaze felt like a magnetic pull. Contentment.

“I love you too.”

You both hug. His face buried in your neck. It was bone crushing but you felt safe. It felt like a weighted blanket was hugging you tight.

He lifts his face some, his hands keeping you in place as he kissed you hard.

You felt each other’s feet walk backwards. Your back is on the wall. This time you both take your time with letting your mouths get to know each other.

You both sighed out as you both learned the outline of each other’s lips.

His hands are flat on the wall about you as you put your arms around his neck to keep him in the kiss. You felt him hold back, you so badly wanted him to be free.

He rests his forehead against yours as he breath in your pants. Your soft pants hit his lips as both lips were so close, they could brush up against each other.

He backs away, pulling you with him and into his chest. He holds you as you heard the others come in from being out.

You greet everyone with Edward.

Kate and Tanya stood near the front door with Irina. She had a look of her mind made up.

“He will come back sister.” Kate says.

Irina shakes her head at this claim.

“I’m going to see if I can find him. I have to…I can’t stand around….” Irina then pauses as she has an idea, “I’m going to check Forks first.”

“Do you want one of us to come with you?” Tanya asks.

“I’m just going to tell him to come home. There’s no need.”

The two other sisters nod once.

As soon as she left, Edward’s phone rings.

“It’s bad. It’s really bad. Why did you let Irina go by herself? I can’t see her future!”

Tanya hangs up with a worried look.

Tanya looks at Kate and they’re immediately following the same direction that Irina went.

“Will they be okay?” you ask Edward.

“She hasn’t been gone long…” he says but he himself is not sure.

“Do you want to stay?” he asks you as you two lie in bed. You were surprised. You whisper out a yes in the darkness. He held you tighter. You wondered when they were coming back.

Two days.

You cheekily smile at Edward as you two made conversation and the look on his face transformed yours into worry.

You didn’t know if it was a good idea or not, but you follow Edward with a run as he stared wide eyed at the sight.

“Irina!” you say in panic. Carmen and Eleazar were immediately at the sight.

Her clothes were covered in blood.

She sobbed. You wondered if she relapsed on her diet. But you knew the sisters to have amazing self control for them do something so impulsive.

Her sisters carried her away. For a strong vampire, she was weak emotionally.

“What happened?” you ask once Carmen and Eleazar is already to her aid.

“Let’s go somewhere.” he says quietly.

You hold his hand as he pressed your back to his chest. It was dark, the moonlight shined down on you in the huge landscape, was something that you sworn you could only dream of.

“Is she okay?” you ask in a whisper.

“I don’t know…I don’t think she will be for a while.” he says. You turn in his arms and hold his face.

He closed his eyes as he pressed your hands to his face.

“Laurent is dead.”

“W-….What? How?” you ask.

“…He did curve his diet. He was…drinking from…A human but….The wolves got him.” he reveals.

You look down in defeat.

You crept in the doorway. Irina’s face was dissociative. She was completely devastated.

”What’s wrong?” you say tearing up. Your parent continued to cry. You barely ever heard them cry. It made you extremely worried.

“Your friend died, Y/N.”

“Who? What?” you ask.

“Bella…She lost…She…She lost too much blood.” they choke out.

“What happened?” you ask with your voice quivering, “Just tell me… What happened?”

“She was attacked by some wild animal hanging in the woods….Charlie told her not to go by herself…He told her.. I was there with Harry Clearwater when she exclaimed about animals not being bears…So many animal attacks were happening…It could’ve been one of those stray animals.”

“Poor Charlie.” you say as a few tears drop.

“I wish you were here Y/N. I need to hug you right now….I would lose my mind if I lost you Y/N. You’re my child….That was his only child..That was his only baby.” they choke out.

You stayed on the phone as they cried.

You stand in front of Edward. You dodge a kiss as he leaned in. Something that you never have done before. You felt distressed. But, you felt it wasn’t fair to him. You felt bad so you immediately place a quick kiss on his face.

“What is it?”

“Just tell me Edward….Did you know that Bella died?” you ask quietly.

He looks at you. He knew.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” you ask in a heartbroken tone.

He stops you from pacing and he holds your upper arms, “I didn’t feel comfortable doing that. I’d rather you know from someone who’s close.”

“You’re close to me…”

Edward immediately embraced you and you didn’t know why you couldn’t cry as your face was pressed to his chest. You wanted to. You felt incredibly sad. You didn’t even know if you could handle her funeral. She was the daughter of the chief of police.

“Irina wants to see us.” Edward whispered after moments of embracing each other.

You nod and let his hand enclose in yours.

You’re propped up with him on the couch, as Irina stands in the middle of the spacious sitting area.

Kate and Tanya look at their sister in support. Carmen and Eleazar are patient.

“Y/N, you know about the wolves. Edward, I need you. I also need you to see if the other Cullens will join us.” Irina says seriously. She wasn’t as grieve stricken as you saw her last night. She instead looked determined.

Edward looked blankly at Irina, “We have a treaty with them. Carlisle will have a fit.”

“They killed the love of my life!” Irina says passionately.

“Laurent didn’t have a treaty with them. There was no reason for them to kill him. You said they know Y/N. It could’ve been a get back for a human to choose one of us.” Kate says quietly.

“I only know two of them.” you say.

“There were more than two.” she spat out in anger.

“I told you Y/N. They grow in packs.” Edward says in your ear.

“That quick?” you ask in surprise.

“Are you both with us or not. Y/N can lead us to them. They wouldn’t suspect her…Then we attack.”

“Have you talked this over with Carlisle? After all, you’re getting Y/N and Edward involved.” Eleazar speaks reasonably.

“I will make the call before anything happens.” Irina confirms.

“It’s better if you see him in person. He will only talk you out of it over the phone.” Tanya says.

Irina nods.

“Edward isn’t doing it.”

“Y/N isn’t doing it.”

You look at each other.

“And why not? If this was one of the two of you, there would be no questions asked.” Irina demanded.

“If Edward get hurt-”

“Edward is skilled in combat. I know. In fact we all know.” Irina says.

“It’s unnecessary for Y/N to get involved. The human, was a distant friend of hers.”

“I think she should. They see one vampire, they’re going to be ready to attack. Especially, after Laurent. They’re already an existing threat to us.” Tanya says.

“Talk to Carlisle.” Carmen reinforced.

As you both lie in bed, Edward asks, “Do you want to go back?”

“What do you want to do?” you ask.

“Whatever you want to do.” he answers.

“That’s not helping…I don’t know what I want to do….”

He brushed his knuckles against your cheek as he slowly blinked at you.

“I feel bad for her. I don’t want Carlisle to be disappointed in us.”

“It’s up to him in the end.” he says quietly.

Carlisle ended up coming there in the morning. With Esme.

Esme and Carlisle still showed you a warm welcome. Though, they stood side by side as they faced Irina and her coven.

“No. Y/N and Edward are to not get involved.”

“We need them!” Irina hissed out in frustration.

“We come in peace. You know that-”

“You have been our allies before. Why the sudden change now?” Irina asks.

Carlisle sighs a patient sigh, “They were other vampires. This is different. We’re bound to a treaty that we made with them. If we break it, to seek revenge, then it will disregard everything that we have morally built for.”

“If it were Edward…If it were Y/N….You would attack back.” Tanya says slowly in support of her sister.

“I’m sorry…I just won’t allow it. If you do decide to…Take action…I can only wish you the best.” Carlisle says and Esme gives an apologetic nod.

As things settled down since the decision was made, you sat alone in your room.

Esme asks if she could come in. You pat a spot next to you.

“Are you okay? I know that she was friend of yours.”

“I don’t know to be honest….I just saw her not too long ago…Why would she be in the woods after her dad told her not to?” you wondered.

Esme shows a look of sympathy.

“Are you coming back? For the funeral?”

“I don’t think I can handle that…I’d rather remember her alive.” you mused. She rubbed your back.

“That’s okay…Don’t force yourself.”

You nod.

“How is everyone?” you ask quietly.

“They’re okay. Some of us are split up. Rose and Emmett are on their own vacation.” she says.

You give her a small smile.

Edward held you tighter than never before that night. His nose stayed to the nape of your neck as you slept.

You woke up the next morning with him gone.

You rise and you hear his voice going back and forth with Irina. You try to hear as you were in the bathroom but the word Volturi kept getting thrown around.

“Don’t get them involved.”

“I will. I’m in good standing with Aro. Hell, we all are.” Irina counters back.

“Stay out of it son. It’s her decision.” Carlisle calmly says and they all look to you as you enter. Edward immediately is at your side.

“We’re leaving.” Edward says and tugs your hand before you could process the responses in the room.

You watch as he packed everything in a flash.

“I’m not letting us stay here if she’s going to the Volturi.”

“We can’t go to Forks…That’s close to La Push..” you say to him.

“I know..I know. We’re going where Alice and Jasper are.”

You nod.

Sad hugs were thrown your way. As you hugged Irina, you expressed, “If you don’t make it out alive, I will kill you.”

You got to see her genuinely crack a smile for the first time you have been there, it was beautiful.

“Keep in touch.” You also heard from the coven.

You sat with Alice as she was frozen. Jasper held her hand as he stayed concentrated on her. You held her other hand. You thought she was going to break it from how hard she squeezed.

Edward was focused as well. His eyes shifting as Alice was in an almost trance like state.

You wondered what she saw. Jasper wondered just as much as you did.

“It’s so…Chaotic.” she says after some time of silence.

“Are they…Okay?”

“Yes but…The Volturi…They…It was so…Sinister.” she whispered, “They’re going to come here after. They’re going to find out Y/N is human, Edward.”

“I’m not changing her.” he says stubbornly.

Alice looked up at him and he glared back.

“Come on, darling.” Jasper says and Alice is leaving out of the room with him as he consoled her.

“It all goes back to me.” you say quietly.

Edward kneeled and meets your eyesight, “Don’t say that.” he whispered.

“I don’t want to let you go.” you whispered to him and he placed a kiss on your mouth repeatedly. He then lays his forehead on yours as he holds your face.

“I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going anywhere.” he vowed.

You both stay in a close embrace. You knew it was for a very long time. You wondered how your life would change after this moment. You wondered if you should go home for the funeral, but you wondered if that would cause more problems since you knew that the Volturi coven were going to agree to go to war for Irina. You would have to be around the sad sniffles when you were used to the happy times. You wondered if Charlie was taking it harder than you imagined. All you could was wonder in that moment.

[sethsclearwater]

Maddie I was wondering what do you think that would be Paul's reaction when he met his imprint for the first time?? Would he accept immediately or he would be too nervous to do something? Could do a blurb for that?

🪻

oh this man would most definitely be freaking out LMAO

...

"and this is paul lahote, he went to the res school and he was in the grade above you so you probably didn't see him much," your friend embry finished introducing you and you smiled over at paul, suddenly feeling a bit flustered when you saw the way he was looking at you.

you'd known of paul lahote through a few mutual friends but had never actually met the man yourself and you suddenly realized why half of la push was pining after the man. he was absolutely gorgeous and was watching you with a soft gaze that completely contradicted his hard, muscular exterior.

"hi," you blushed, leaning into embry's side a bit as you mentally prayed you weren't looking like too much of an idiot with how red your cheeks most definitely were now.

"sorry he's a little slow sometimes," embry teased, laughing when paul immediately snapped out of whatever trance he was in and moved his gaze over to embry so he could roll his eyes. he looked like he was about to tear him a new one but embry jumped in before he could, "y/n, i need to go grab the rest of the stuff from the car. you okay with staying here with paul for a minute?" he asked as he turned his attention back to you, chuckling when you quickly nodded.

"okay i'll be right back," he reassured before he was walking back to the car and leaving you and paul to yourselves for a bit.

"so you're in embry's little gang?" you asked softly, a teasing undertone to your voice that had paul letting out a breathy chuckle as you sat down next to him in the sand, just close enough so your legs were barely brushing against eachother.

"kinda," paul said softly, allowing his gaze ot drift from the sand back up to you, "so you're in embry's little friend group?" he asked, mirroring your question which had you giggling softly.

his demeanor changed at your laugh, suddenly seeming a bit more confident in himself as you smiled at him, "kinda," you responded, copying paul's response which had both of you letting out breathy laughs.

"he doesn't take me out often," you added teasingly, giggling, "you know how he is," you mused and paul nodded, also laughing at your comment about your mutual friend.

"yea he's a strange guy," paul responded with a happy sigh, "have you been down to second beach yet?" he asked as you allowed your hand to drop and subconsciously draw little shapes in the sand.

you hummed before shaking your head, "not yet," you murmured, peeking back up at him as you mentally prayed he'd be asking you to come with him there.

as if he read your mind, he responded, "we should go there sometime, you'd like it," he added and you nodded, trying your best to contain your enthusiasm over the whole ordeal so you didn't look ridiculous.

"tomorrow?" you responded, smiling when he nodded.

"it's a date," he teased and you giggled, rolling your eyes as the infamous embry call called both of your names. you looked over your shoulder to see him standing by the fire and waving the two of you over.

[sareeen]

The perfect look

Pairing: Azriel x fem!reader

Summary: If Azriel's mate needs help, he will help her, whatever it takes. Even when it's about women's things.

Warnings: Absolutely nothing. Fluff, fluff, fluff. Sweet boy Azriel.

Masterlist

A/N: My late night writing, which I like and which warmed my heart. I hope it puts a smile on your face too. :)

English is not my first language so I apologize for any mistake.

Y/N muttered angrily to herself as she washed off her makeup for the sixth time. Tomorrow was the annual charity ball, organised by a friend for orphaned children of soldiers killed in the war, and everything had to be perfect, because it was so important. However, when she decided today that she would try to prepare her makeup for tomorrow to match her outfit, she never imagined she would face so many obstacles. First, she ran out of her favourite foundation, which she went to the store to get, but it wasn't until she got home that she noticed the shop assistant had given her the darker shade and when she put it on her face she looked like she had been lying on the beach for at least a month. Secondly, she was unable to choose the perfect shade because she felt none of them fitted the colour of her dress. Thirdly, she couldn't get a decent eyeliner line and they all looked like something a two-year-old had scribbled on her eyelids rather than a fully grown adult woman and her hands were shaking with frustration. Fourthly...she was fed up with it all, her eyes hurt from all the rubbing and different makeup going into her eyes.

Who says makeup is easy, Y/N raged in herself and yelped when someone behind her spoke.

"What are you doing?"

The someone was none other than the mysterious Azriel, who was now leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded across his chest. In the mirror, Y/N surveyed his tattooed, muscular torso, thick taut biceps and strong legs. It was a sight she could never get tired of and she loved it when Azriel was around like this. A little underpants and nothing else.

"I'm putting on makeup" Y/N sighed and wiped the red lipstick from her lips that had left a stain on the skin of her face when she accidentally smudged it. Now a pale pink stain remained behind.

Wonderful, just what was needed.

She was on the verge of hysterics and tears, which didn't bode well. She was a heartbeat away from packing everything up and curling up under a blanket on the couch for a long nap.

"Does makeup involve picking out your eyes?" Azriel raised his eyebrows. "Or do you have to draw a black line on your eyeballs too now?"

The spymaster teased her, which she probably would have returned at another time, but now her mouth curled down and she leaned wearily against the basin.

"I can't manage a decent makeup," she said in frustration. "Tomorrow is so important and I don't want to ruin it."

"Sweetheart" Azriel pushed away from the door and wrapped her in his arms. Y/N inhaled his scent, which soothed her frazzled nerves a little and burrowed her face into his muscular chest. His skin was warm and soft beneath her cheek and she smoothed her hands over his body with pleasure. "You're beautiful and there's just no way you're going to mess up the ball."

"I know I'm blowing things out of proportion" Y/N whispered, embarrassed by her behavior. She felt stupid for freaking out so much. "I just can't figure out what the perfect makeup would look like. Somehow none of them look right."

Azriel said nothing for a long moment, just stroked her back and kissed into her hair.

"Would it help if you practiced on someone else?" he murmured.

"What?" Y/N raised her head to look at him. She couldn't believe that he was offering to be her mannequin.

"You heard me right" Azriel chuckled and his golden brown eyes sparkled lovingly as he looked down at her.

Y/N was suddenly seized with excitement at the idea and grinned happily.

"Yes" she replied, carried away. "It would help a lot if I could put makeup on you."

Azriel closed his eyes, laughing, and shook his head in disbelief that this sentence had actually, really been uttered.

"I'm ready" he announced and sat down firmly on the edge of the tub so that Y/N could easily reach his face. "Make me breathtakingly beautiful. It's terrible to suffer this ugliness."

Dramatic sighs erupted from the depths of his chest and he even ruffled his midnight black hair in a pout for good measure. Laughing at his performance, Y/N took one of the makeup brushes in her hand and tickled his nose playfully, causing Azriel to sneeze so loudly that even passers-by on the street probably heard. Y/N doubled over with laughter and even shed a tear, but Azriel joined in too and his deep, melodious laughter reached to her very soul.

"I'm sorry" Y/N gasped for breath and took Azriel's head in her hands. Giggling, she pressed a kiss to his nose, then to his lips. "I had no idea it would have such an effect on you."

"When it comes to you, surprising things always happen" he replied with a grin. "But that's why I love you."

"Just like I love you too"

She took the brush in her hand again, but this time she started to work the makeup on his face and Azriel sat still. First she applied the foundation, then the blush and finally she took the powder box in her hand. The spymaster watched dubiously as she tapped the compact into the white powder, which left a small cloud of dust behind. However, he sat patiently waiting for it to spread over his face.

"Which one do you think would look good with the colour of my dress?" asked Y/N, showing him the makeup palette, which had like forty colours ranging from bright pink to pitch black. "I was thinking gold and this brown" Y/N poked her finger at the colour.

"Yes" Azriel said, puzzled, for he was very much at a loss for this sort of thing. "It's nice"

Y/N worked on his eyes for about a quarter of an hour, using different brushes, pads and even dragging something across his lashes. Finally, she nodded in satisfaction when she'd got it right and told him not to move now. Azriel stiffened like a statue, but flinched slightly when something small like a wet brush stroked first across his left and then his right eyelid.

"Open your eyes," Y/N pleaded, and then watched raptly as the golden brown eyes she held so dear trembled open. The makeup accentuated the warm colours of his eyes and even brought out that hint of green that is rarely seen.

"You are so beautiful," Y/N whispered, mesmerized.

"Well, thank you" the shadow singer furrowed his brows as if he couldn't decide how to respond to that. "Are we done?"

"Wait, the lipstick!" Y/N forgot all about it and hastily took it in her hand, then turned back to him. "Now squeak your lips."

Azriel giggled in compliance, pursed his plump lips and leaned towards Y/N. Y/N carefully smeared the slightly glistening lipstick on him and stepped back to admire her work. It was odd to see Azriel like this, but he still looked stunningly masculine in full ball makeup and tiny black underpants.

"Well, do you fancy me?" Azriel fluttered his eyelashes and even smacked his lips.

Y/N laughed and agreed.

"You've never looked better," she said and handed him a small oval mirror. "I don't think I'll wash it off you, it looks so great on you."

Azriel looked at himself in the mirror and even under the layers of makeup she could see him blushing.

"Sweet gods" he mumbled shaking his head as he looked at himself. The makeup was really nice, but if he had seen any of his brothers he would have been listening to this for the rest of eternity.

However, a sneaky idea occurred to his mind and Y/N squealed in surprise when Azriel grabbed her around the waist and pulled her towards him.

"You know, I'd love to test this lipstick" Azriel's face was serious, but his eyes were mischievously twinkling. "I think it's important to know if I can kiss you tomorrow night without my lips glistening afterwards."

He didn't even wait for her to answer before he leaned in and kissed her. It was a sweet, delicate kiss that tasted like strawberries thanks to the lipstick and she giggled into his mouth. Azriel pulled away from her lips and then targeted every corner of her face from her forehead to the base of her neck and Y/N squirmed trying to get free, but he held her tightly and laughed as he continued to torture her.

"No, Azriel" Y/N screamed panting and laughing as his kisses tickled her. When she managed a glance in the mirror she saw that the lipstick was not kiss-proof, for her whole face was covered with Azriel's mouth marks. Finally, Azriel leaned over and pressed his cheek to hers, so they could look at themselves in the mirror together. She wished they could stay like that forever.

"I think we look really good," Azriel growled. "Especially you"

"Can't beat you now" Y/N replied with a smile as she watched him in the mirror. "That color really suits you"

Azriel hummed in agreement, but the corners of his mouth curled upwards in amusement. However, this quickly disappeared when two huge figures appeared in the doorway.

For a moment, all four of them stood frozen, Azriel still with his arms around her waist in makeup and she with her arms around his neck with lipstick marks on her face. It was like they'd been caught having sex, but it was even more awkward than that.

Finally, one of the men burst out laughing and within a moment the other followed. They pushed their way into the bathroom and pointed at Azriel.

"Brother" Rhysand chuckled. "What an amazing look. Maybe you have a date tonight?"

"I think he's going to a ball instead" snorted Cassian. "Where's your dress? I would recommend the side-slit piece that shows off your beautiful legs. Perhaps you waxed that as well?"

Y/N stifled a laugh with difficulty. After all, she had put poor Azriel in this position and it would be ugly if she betrayed him like that.

"I-" began Azriel, but he was speechless. "No, I have no excuse for that."

Y/N took pity on the poor man, but before she could rise to his defense, Rhysand cut her off.

"Come on" the High Lord wiped his eyes with a smirk and shrugged, "I model nude for my mate's paintings every week. Compared to that, a little makeup is not a disaster."

"Not small, big" Cassian hummed with a sly smile, but his eyes were friendly as he surveyed them.

"You don't say a word, Cassian!" retorted Azriel pointing at him. "You're probably dressing up as some book character from one of those novels Nesta reads and doing something dirty I'd rather not hear about."

"Hey, do you know how well those tend to end?" asked Cassian, offended, but he was already turning to Rhysand, who was now starting to tease him.

Y/N was watching their bickering, but Azriel distracted her by leaning over and whispering in her ear.

"I think it was good fun."

"Yes" Y/N said softly and gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you for sacrificing yourself and helping me."

"For you anytime"

[elsaellaelys]

Staying

summary: JJ meets Y/N's big hispanic family.

pairing: JJ Maybank x Hispanic (spanish) fem!reader

690 words

a/n: As you asked, @vqxleria. I just used what a know about hispanic people in this fic, so it might be too labeled, but I gave my best. I'm open to requests!

--★--

Y/N was the new waitress at The Wreck, JJ was hooked the minute he saw her. Wild hair that she tried to get together in a ponytail, pencil behind her ear, uniform shirt with loose low rise jeans, closed face expression, she was taking his order and he made a comment about how she looked chic with golden hoop earrings, she blushed and for the first time since he entered the restaurant he saw her smile. He knew he had to do something to see it more, he wondered how her laugh would sound, if she could want to kiss him like he wanted to kiss her, plumped lips with brown gloss.

Day after day JJ made sure he would find a way to see her, talk to her everytime, always volunteering to pick Kiara in the restaurant just for a chance to flirt with his crush, Kiara's dad was pissed with him for keeping Y/N distracted both of them getting caught multiple times all in giggles and hand touches, then Mr. Carrera just gave JJ the push with "Ask her out and get your butt away from the restaurant." And he did, and she accepted.

It took just one date for JJ be completely obsessed with Y/N - if he wasn't already - charmed with the way she laughed, the way she talked, how she would always say "si" instead of "yes" as in a reflex, how she pushed her hair back when it was falling in her face. Soon they were hanging out all the time, it wasn't one single day they went without seeing each other. The pogues mocked him everyday for being so head over heels, but could they blame him when she looked just like heaven? Made he feel just like heaven when he was with - and in - her.

That day, JJ showed at her house in the afternoon, ready to take her to go boating with the pogues like always, but it was different, there were at least six kids running through the garden, a noticeable hubbub inside the house. He carefully crossed his way to the door, still kinda scared of how fast the kids were running, and openned it, he only had been inside her house twice, but it surely didn't looked like that, with bags all over the living room, some forgotten in the stairs, a box of Jesus candles in the stand and a lot of people, he could count eight without the kids outside, one of them passed by him murmuring a spanish greeting and left a rosary in his hands. He was to confused to move when a old lady came to him, arms wide pulling him in a hug.

"Ah, you're Y/N guest? Her boyfrriend! Finálly!" she exclaimed holding his shoulders to give another hug.

"Tita, no! No, not boyfriend, friend." Y/N appeared, taking him away from her gradma grip. "Ve a ver la sartén, apuesto a que se está quemando!" she warned, pushing JJ to her room, locking behind her. She looked the same, but JJ always felt a thrill when he saw her, like she was way more hotter than he remembered, the wild hair fitting her so nicely, glossy kisseable lips, low rise jeans tied in the back with a shoe lace, he guessed she was getting unready from the beach outfit cause she still had a bikini top under the off shoulder white top and flip flops on.

"A friend, uh? That hurted." he mocks.

"Oh, sush, she won't let you alone now that she saw you."

"Yeah, with all the respect, they're loud, right?" He laughed, she followed him, that sweet sound going through his ears straight to his heart.

"Uhum, guess you gonna have to go out without me."

"No way. I'm staying. What your Tita is cooking? Smells good." he said living the room before she could stop him.

JJ never knew what is like to have a energetic family like hers, full of fun histories, nice traditions and food, he liked the way they prayed the rosary and he was keeping his one for sure. They made he feel like he was a person, a interesting, nice one.

In the end of day, it was almost dawn, he said he was going home, but instead he entered her room through the window. Y/N sitted up in the bed, looking confused, he just kissed her, deeply, hands pressing her messy hair against her cheeks. "Can I stay?" he asked, hearing his own voice sound like a beg. "Si." she quickly answered, opening space for him under the cover. She smelled like Spring Water Dial bar soap, he snuggled his head in her neck, her arms rounded him, stroking his hair, so close...

He just wanted to stay forever.

[blainesebastian]

time away (ccg universe)

words: 1,791 ship: austin butler x reader summary: (anon request) “they take a family trip to *Disney World and Luci gets lost while austin and ccg argue about a new role he accepted without talking to her about it” warnings: none notes: doing my best out here ya’ll idk lol enjoy xxx tag list: @killerqueenfan, @karamelcoveredolicity, @elizabethrosecresswell, @gigisworldsstuff, @stylespresleyhearted

It’s supposed to be a family vacation, one of the first you’ve taken to a place that’s a bit more hectic than the beach. You’re not complaining, you love Disney World, have loved it since you were a kid—so sharing all of this with Luci is one of your top ‘to-do’s.

Luci’s been handling the long park hours well, got her face painted with cheetah print at Animal Kingdom, found all the hidden Remy statues in Epcot, insisted on far too many Mickey Ice Cream bars in Hollywood Studios. She loves Magic Kingdom the best, especially when she’s dressed as a princess and you find that putting her in a dress that matches Cinderella or Belle makes you want to cry.

There’s something that reaches deep into your chest and squeezes at being here with Austin, at sharing this with him, at watching Luci hand him a Mickey balloon or putting Mickey ears on his head. At having him hold her sleeping body as you all walk out of the park or take the bus back to the resort. Makes you fall a little bit more in love with him—as if that were at all possible.

It’s been wonderful so far, more than you could have ever asked for.

And then Austin mentions he’s interested in a film that will take him across the country—he’s already said yes. To a movie he’s never spoken about before.

You kinda stare at him, your hand halfway into a popcorn bucket shaped like a Cinderella’s castle as you take a small break from walking around Magic Kingdom.

“Mama popcorn,” Luci pouts from standing between you and Austin, tugging on your shirt.

You’re trying not to distract yourself from what he’s telling you, glancing down at Luci and lowering the popcorn bucket that’s attached to your shoulder by a strap. You just feel—there are so many overwhelming and conflicting emotions. You’re undeniably happy for him, have always been incredibly supportive of his endeavors and have rarely questioned him about logistics. You get how crazy it can get; you’ve dipped your toes into the industry yourself.

But you’re also…confused and frustrated because it’s very unlike Austin to accept something without talking to you first.

“What do you mean you ‘agreed to it’ already—last time I checked, we lived in New York, not LA.” And alright, there’s really no need to be petty about geography but, you’re really having a hard time with processing this ‘across the country’ thing.

It’s not like Austin hasn’t done longer trips before to distant places, it’s the ‘untold’ part sitting uncomfortably in your chest, pushing your ribcage apart.

He takes in a short breath, his jaw working a moment as he chews on words, selecting them carefully, “I know. This was a last-minute swap—filming was supposed to be on the East Coast but then,” Austin trails off, shaking his head, looking out towards the crowd of people in the park. You can tell as he takes a moment that it’s convoluted, nothing is as it seems. “Got pushed to LA to fit some setting requirements?”

His voice is a little less sure as he talks, almost like he might regret it? But it doesn’t change the fact that he has agreed—that he’s doing this, with or without your support. You know it’s not always that simple, painting situations black and white is dangerous, it lives in a world of gray. Austin didn’t make this decision flippantly, regardless of how much it stings to hear it.

But you don’t understand how this is going to work—you can’t go with him, you can’t uproot Luci like that, but the alternative is what? Months at a time where he’s gone? You know this is all part of it, as an actor, but you’re also much more used to planning something out together. Not jumping in after him.

You know your reaction is based on fear alone, you don’t like the feeling of things slipping through your fingers.

“I might be involved with a project at the end of the month,” You tell your husband, his eyes slightly widening in two-fold because—for one, he’s happy for you, but on the other hand, it’s a factor that he hadn’t considered. Both of you being busy.

“I didn’t know.”

And you let out a snap of a laugh because, “Yeah, that sucks, doesn’t it?”

The muscle in Austin’s jaw works, “Y/N.”

“I was finalizing things with my agent; I was going to tell you when we got back from our trip.” Which…you hate that it feels slightly ruined, you’re gonna have to stop being dramatic. You get can it back to that perfect place, right?

You shake your head, hating that you feel flares of annoyance lick at your nerve endings when none of these conversations should be happening now, on vacation. You take a deep breath, pushing down emotions, focusing on having a good day with Luci—

Glancing down, you go to run a hand through her hair, and freeze. A hiccup of fear instantly settling in your throat because—Luci is gone. She's...not standing between you and your husband anymore. You look up, this frantic feeling building in your chest as you do a quick sweep around you but she's not here, she's not anywhere.

Your hand instantly comes down on Austin's wrist, squeezing hard, "Austin."

It takes a second for Austin to spring into action, gently taking your hand and squeezing as he moves, eyes alert as he takes in the crowd. He starts calling for her, his voice calm and collected and…honestly, he’s stronger than you are, because you don’t think you can open up your mouth without emotion choking your windpipe.

You’re not gonna cry, because that’s not going to help anything, but you definitely feel tears well in your eyes because how could you be so selfish in what you were arguing with Austin about that you didn’t even take the time to hold account of your daughter?

Deep down you’re aware you can’t blame yourself, that neither of you were paying attention, that Luci felt safe standing between your bodies.

There are so many people everywhere and your heart jumps into your throat and Austin’s voice sounds too far away when he says ‘don’t worry, we’ll find her’ because every worst possible scenario is dancing through your head right now.

And ten minutes feel like hours and Austin is tugging you towards a Help Desk to talk to someone when—

“Mommeee.”

You turn sharply at the voice because you know it like the back of your hand and a large gasp of air tumbles into your lungs as you take four steps forward and take Luci out of a cast member’s arms. You don’t really realize how hard you’re crying, in relief but also mixed with too many other emotions, until Austin comes up beside you and turns you both into his chest. He wraps an arm around you, keeping you close,

“Thank you.” Austin tells the woman, running a hand along your back.

“Oh of course, saw her wander into the shop and after a few questions, figured she was lost. Super polite though, even though the tears.”

She gives you both a small smile before walking through the shop doors and you only pull back when you feel Austin gently cup both sides of your head. He presses a kiss to your forehead, looking down at Luci. You sniffle, getting a better look at her—you can tell she’s been crying too, pink cheeks and wet eyelashes, and the cast member must have bought her a stuffed Mickey because she’s clutching it against her chest.

You shake your head, too overwhelmed to talk. Austin draws in a breath, brushing Luci’s hair out of her face—he’s not angry, but his voice is firm,

“Luci, what have we talked about before? We do not wander off like that, not without mommy or daddy.”

Luci kind of babbles as she talks, clearly the experience wasn’t too great for her either, she’s shaken regardless of being found by a nice woman and bought a Mickey stuffed animal. She seems to know that she messed up and upset her parents, along with giving herself a fright.

You let out a shuddering breath, trying to calm yourself down, running your hands over Luci’s hair and kissing her cheeks, “Please don’t scare us like that again, okay baby?”

“Okay mommeee.” Luci mumbles, “No thank you.”

You can’t help but let out a laugh, running a hand over your face. “Right.” Austin smiles, cupping your cheek to run his thumb along the bone there before drawing you both close.

--

It’s quiet on the Disney transportation bus ride back to the resort. Dark out, the bus packed, Austin seated against the window with a sleeping Luci on his chest and an arm wrapped around you, your head resting on his shoulder. You know that both of you could arrange a personalized SUV, take you from place to place as you do at home but…there’s something so normal about all this that you crave.

Austin shifts against his seat, a soft sigh leaving your nose as you tuck your face against his neck. He tilts his head down, brushing his lips along the spot near your ear,

“You alright?” He asks, pressing a kiss there.

You swallow, nodding, quiet for a few moments more. There’s still leftover adrenaline leaving your body, making you feel slightly shaky. You reach out and touch Luci’s leg, running your thumb over her calf in a calming motion for yourself, assuring that you found her, that she’s okay.

“M’sorry about before,” Austin says after a moment—and God, none of that even feels like it matters right now, but you appreciate that he’s trying. “Everythin’ happened so fast but…you’re right, I should have talked to you about it first.”

You close your eyes, breathing him in, “We’ll figure it out,” You pull back just a little, tilt your face up so you can take a look at his face. It’s dark in the bus but there’s the flicker of orange streetlamps, the light of the moon outside.

And you know that’s so much of a larger issue, so many things at play in terms of Austin’s obligations and your own commitments, but it’s the point of the matter, isn’t it? That you’ll both slow down and have that conversation? Come to a conclusion together. Might not specifically work out this time, you know that, but…

You give him a soft smile, comforted by the closeness of your family—regardless, this is how you know deep down, that whatever happens, it’ll be okay.

[domesticatedanimal]

FFXIVWrite2024

Prompt 3: Tempest

Content of an adult nature, Shadowbringers Spoilers

Girls Uninterrupted

Bark exploded from the tree as Sif’s spine collided with it. She rolled across the ground, rapier skipping off the dirt to fall somewhere in the nearby brush. The exhausted Viera lay there for a while, ragged breath pushing soil and sweat from her lips.

Her tutor, X’rhun, leaned over her reclining and motionless form. Gray and black spots swirled in the edges of her vision, framing his aged and disappointed face. Despite the strenuous training, he hadn’t yet broken a sweat, and not a single strand of ivory hair was out of place.

“You’re still holding the cast too long,” he offered in his usual melodic tone. “This isn’t as clumsy of an art as you are used to. Red magic requires dexterity, restraint… poetry.”

“Nng,” Sif replied. X’rhun frowned and removed himself from her vision. She heard the whisper of his soft leather boots across the grass. She felt a presence to her left, and let her head roll in that direction.

“I think you’re getting closer,” Arya smiled, squatting demurely with one hand against the injured tree. She glanced up at the dent Sif’s back had made into the wood. “I wish I had your strength. X’rhun says I balance the magics well, but my casts are so much weaker than yours.”

Arya stood, offering a hand to the Warrior of Light, bracing herself against the tree to keep her balance. But she was able to lift the taller woman easily.

Mercifully, their teacher allowed a brief break, which both women greedily accepted. They shuffled quickly between the trees, headed for the soothing cool waters of the cove nearby. La Noscea was largely abandoned this time of year - at least compared to the summer months - and they knew that this more secluded beach would be free of tourists and sailors alike.

Under the eyes of the colibri circling above, both women began discarding their equipment. Arya building a neat pile of leaves under her weapon and boots, and the more experienced adventurer simply piling her gear atop a slightly less sandy hillock. Once she had stripped down to her under tunic, Arya turned to ask if Sif would be comfortable sharing the waters this underdressed, and was shocked to see the adventurer’s bare shoulders already appearing from beneath her shirt.

From behind, the storied Warrior of Light was shockingly scrawny. Arya wondered how she could possibly heft swords and axes taller than she without collapsing. But as Sif stretched, tossing her woolen shirt aside, Arya could see the wiry muscles that twisted under her skin. Though thin for her height, Sif’s flesh was wound as tightly as leather around a hilt.

That was when she first noticed the scars. Burns, cuts, and half-healed bruises crisscrossing her arms. A nasty wound just above the waistline of her tights, as if she had been run through by the twisted horn of some beast.

Arya’s eyes followed the lines of the Warrior’s back, to the gentle dimples at her waist, the strong but tantalizing curve of her buttocks. There was a gentle cough, and Arya’s eyes darted up to meet Sif’s cold gray stare as she smirked over her shoulder. Arya felt the blood rush to her face, and she desperately searched for some words to stammer out.

But Sif saved her from her own embarrassment. With a gentle laugh and a nod, Sif turned toward the water, stepping swiftly toward the pale sand of the beach. Arya quickly tugged the heavy tunic up and over her head, dropping it on top of her weapon and boots before she could realize how scared she was to do so.

She looked up in time to see Sif dropping her second boot casually into the sand, and slipping her thumbs under the waist of the snow white tights that seemed to somehow swim across her thighs like oil on silk.

By the time Arya felt the first laps of cold water at her feet, Sif was already in the water, leaning back, legs stretched out in front of her, the ends of her long ebony hair floating on the gentle waves of the tidal pool. She lowered herself down nearby, one arm modestly across her chest.

Sif glanced over, and smiled.

“You know, I hated the ocean for most of my life.”

“Oh?” Arya wasn’t sure where this was going.

“My only experience with the water was sailing on it. And rarely by choice.” Sif watched the horizon, as if considering the large ships that floated out past the sandbar that separated them from the ocean proper. “But I have to admit, few things feel as good as this for aching muscles and drained aether.”

“I see.” Arya let the words hang between them. She felt suddenly inexperienced. They may be closely matched in skill with red magic, but Sif’s presence made it plain that she carried centuries worth of experience that Arya did not. How could she carry such confidence, even now, at her most vulnerable? Unarmed, depleted of aether, breasts bared to the sun, and carrying an energy that implied that she could still best any attacker with ease?

Breasts bared to the sun? Arya realized she was staring again, but this time it went unnoticed.

“Could you help with this shoulder?” Sif asked a few moments later, “I can’t quite reach the pain.”

“Oh, um, of course.” Arya scooted a bit closer, until her arm brushed against Sif’s.

“That last attempt at Verthunder really put this arm through the paces.”

Before she could react, Sif had reached over and grasped Arya’s hand, guiding it up toward her left shoulder. Arya followed the direction, wrapping her fingers over the taut skin and testing it with a gentle squeeze. With even that light touch, Sif let out a long and satisfied sigh.

Arya focused, trying to lose herself in the work. Channeling whatever white mana she still had into her fingers, she began squeezing the Warrior’s shoulder, kneading her hands down the upper arm, and back up until her thumb brushed against the nape of Sif’s neck. As the minutes pressed on, she felt Sif slowly melt into her, relaxing more and more. Compared to the water, Sif’s body was incredibly warm, and Arya pressed into her, their sides coming together like puzzle pieces.

She found that she was holding her breath, and forced herself to relax. Sliding behind Sif, Arya moved her right hand up and began massaging both shoulders. The Warrior of Light did not object, and leaned back into Arya’s embrace, her back pressing up into her.

For a while, they stayed like that, Arya slowly steadying her nerves, Sif allowing their bodies to fall closer and closer together. Neither woman had come to this beach with this goal in mind, but they both seemed to realize where they were headed at the same time. Sif’s lifted to meet Arya’s as the younger woman’s arm wrapped around her. They kissed over Sif’s shoulder, a fast and hungry embrace. Arya leaned in again, but Sif pulled away, a cloud of concern in her steel eyes.

“I need you to tell me that you know this can’t last,” she said, her iron confidence dropped. “I don’t have the luxury of relationships. That’s not a gift that Hydaelyn shared with me.”

“We’re friends,” Arya replied after a moment. “We’re working out stress. It doesn’t need to be more than that.”

Sif smiled, and nodded. She parted her lips and turned to accept Arya’s kiss.

Arya’s hands found muscles that she didn’t know existed. She marveled at the soft skin over Sif’s modest breasts.

For her part, Sif was happy to give in to Arya’s every touch and desire. She was not in the mood to lead, today. Not an army, not a lover. She could feel Arya’s breasts against her back every time the Hyur breathed, and she longed to see them, to caress them, but Arya remained behind her. She shuddered suddenly as Arya’s fingers found the hypersensitive fur of her ear and stroked it.

“Hold still,” Arya whispered, her lips against Sif’s cheek. And she shifted, until she was sat with one leg on either side of the Warrior of Light, and pulling Sif back against her. She held Sif around the waist, fingers open across bare stomach, and began planting kisses along her neck and shoulders. Sif reached behind her to hold Arya’s head with one hand, her own legs spreading slightly to press thigh against thigh. Arya’s other hand lowered, running down skin until it broke the surface of the water, and then beneath.

---

X’rhun sighed as his newest pupils stepped out of the trees’ shadow. He tossed a polishing cloth down with frustration and mustered up his most effective glare. He stood and strode toward the two tardy women as he slipped his freshly cleaned rapier back into its sheath.

He observed the sand on their clothes, Sif’s wet hair, the flush on Arya’s cheeks. He glanced at his pocket watch with animated disgust.

“Half the afternoon gone, and you didn’t even clean your equipment.” The great duelist sighed, questioning if selfless dedication even existed among this generation. “I hope you at least cleaned your minds, and regained some energy. We have more drills to run.”

The two women shared an expression with each other that he chose to ignore. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw Sif step forward, drawing her sword with practiced ease.

“With all due respect, ser,” she returned his smile. “Try me.”

[wxlfbites]

• The Unexpected Imprint •

[ Paul x Bella fanfiction・PG-13・Paul POV ]

Isabella Swans' whirlwind romance with the vampire, Edward Cullen, has come to an end when he and his clan leave Forks, Washington after a birthday party gone wrong. Months of depression are quelled by the presence of Jacob Black, but he doesn't fall in love with her... Paul does.

Chapter Two: The Redhead

The pack met at the clearing where we had killed the leech with the dreads, all of us phased and ready to take down the red headed one next. Sam had ordered us to be ready for the hunt at a moments notice the night Jared and I told him that we'd caught her scent close to the treaty line, and the Alpha's orders were never disobeyed. Two days after we'd done that perimeter check, Sam caught the leeches scent again, this time in our territory. We could hear his howl from miles away. I'd been at the Clearwater house, Harry's water heater had blown and I knew a thing or two about repairs, Embry and Jared had been with Emily down at La Push beach, watching some rare comet, Jacob was slumming it on his couch, which must have been nice, and Quil, the newest member of the pack, had been in his wolf form since his first phase just hours earlier; he was reveling in it. It took mere minutes for the five of us to reach each other.

"The redhead's after Bella," Jacob thought quickly. "The Cullen's killed her mate and now she wants to kill Bella for revenge".

An anger flared inside me. I could feel Jacob's own rage and anxiety, but this was more than that. I had met Bella only a few times, she wasn't anything special, nothing stood out about her. She was Jacob's friend, that was all. Yet the urge to protect her rushed through me the way it did when my brothers lives were in danger. Everyone looked at me for a moment, they knew what I was thinking without even thinking it.

"She crossed up the mountain, the scent is fresh so I doubt she's gotten far," Sam thought, shaking his head to get my thoughts out. He snarled, disgusted by the idea that she'd made it into our territory.

"Well let's go then!" Embry snapped.

"Not yet! We can't afford to let her get away," Sams' tone was urgent. "She'll be expecting us all to follow her scent trail, we need to split up and catch her off guard".

"Jacob and I can ambush her, we'd be able to cut her off", I suggested.

"Good, take the north side" Sam huffed, his claws digging into the dirt with anticipation. "Jared, Embry, Quil and I will push her up to the peaks where you'll be waiting to take her out."

We all growled our agreement with the plan. It had to work, she'd evaded us this far, but I was confident now. That filthy bloodsucker would be so focused on the distraction Sam and the others would provide, she wouldn't even see Jacob and I coming. We'd have her in pieces before she even knew what hit her. With one last look at each of us, Sam took off. Jared, Embry and Quil followed close behind.

"Ready when you are", Jacob thought with a smirk and we bolted to the north, tearing through the ground beneath us.

We'd never said it out loud, but the pack knew all too well how strange it felt to be a giant animal. It was something you never got used to. It took some adjusting to see ourselves and each other in our wolf forms, even when the magic that made it all possible coursed so naturally and deeply in our veins. The wind whipping through your fur is not the same as it flowing through your hair, walking barefoot in the woods is not the same as digging your claws into mountain rock, ripping your enemy in half with your teeth is not the same as getting into a fist fight with some asshole at school. I wonder how Emily rationalized being in an interspecies relationship. I heard Jacob laugh wildly in his mind.

"What are you laughing at?" I snapped, pushing my body into his to throw him off balance.

"You. It's not like they do anything nasty when Sam's phased." Jacob shook off and caught back up to me.

"How do you know?"

"Focus!" Sam's voice was distant but strong. I held my head low, as if I were a small child and my father was reprimanding me. I knew I'd overstepped with that thought.

[Page 1]

The adrenaline fully took over when we reached the top of the mountain; I had to get my head in the game. I huffed and panted, the air so cold here I could see my breath in front of me. My body vibrated with the anticipation of getting to kill the bloodsucker. Any minute now my teeth would break into her crystalline flesh, shattering it with my bite.

"Be ready!" Sam and Embry thought together.

"She's coming," I heard Jared call.

Jacob and I took our positions. The wind blew her sickening scent directly at us and I knew she was close. I planted my paws in the snow and grew almost deadly silent. She burst over the peak in the blink of an eye and I saw the uncanny smile on her face. She knew. I sprung, jaws wide open. She seemed to fly through the air above me, just out of reach. In the split second it took me to regain my footing, Jacob had clamped his teeth down on her pants leg and slammed her down onto the ground. She was flailing as Jacob tried to pin her; her face engulfed in the flames of her hair. I had to kill her. It had to be me. I had to protect Bella.

I froze. I had to protect Bella?

"Paul!" Jacob screamed, a strain in his voice as he tried to keep the leech down.

"Paul!" Sam had caught up to us now.

I shook my head and snarled. "I'm good!" My hesitation was all it took for the leech to gain the upper hand. Somehow Jacob had lost his grip on her and she slid right out from under him. A snake escaping a bird of prey. I steadied myself, this wasn't over.

"She knew we were waiting for her!" I thought as we pursued her.

"How did she know?" Sam thought loudly back.

"I don't know, but she was smiling like she knew".

"She said something to me" Jacob chimed in. This took all of us off guard. "She said 'I do love it when men chase me'".

We all cringed at this. She was acting like this was all a game to her. It sent us all into an even hotter rage, we would not let her play with us. Sam led the pack, I followed close behind with some bit of shame for even letting her escape in the first place. I could see the vampire ahead, zigzagging through the trees lower down the mountain. She was heading toward the ocean, her escape plan no doubt. We had to catch her before she reached the beach. I felt my paws carry me faster than they ever had before, coming shoulder to shoulder with Sam now.

"She'll get away", I snarled.

"No, she won't," Sam reassured. I wasn't so confident anymore.

She flew into the branches above, which seemed to slow her down a bit; another move in her game. Sam and I got so close, if she had been on the ground, either one of us could have had her. She was taunting us. Soon we'd reach La Push and she'd be gone again, our opportunity gone and our efforts a complete waste. Who knows when we'd get another shot like this. I pushed myself harder, there was nothing stopping me from breaking every bone in my body. I could feel it too, my joints screamed at me, my lungs felt like they'd burst at the seams, and my paws begged me not to hit the ground any harder. I didn't listen. I would kill this thing if it was the last thing I ever did. I passed Sam, which I could tell surprised him, it surprised me. I don't think any of us had ever outrun him. I shut my thoughts off, shut the rest of the pack out. It was now or never in my mind. I let out a deafening snarl and just before we breached the edge of the forest to La Push beach, slammed myself into the next tree in the vampires course, uprooting it entirely. She faltered for only a moment, but not long enough for it to make any difference. She flew from the trees and landed in the black sand like a cannonball, her body heavier than it looked. Sam and I were close at her heels but it was useless, we hadn't been able to touch her since she'd freed herself from Jacob's hold on her. Bella was right when she told Embry and Jared that this one was fast. Probably the fastest I'd ever seen.

It was over. I knew it, Sam knew it. We skidded to a halt as the vampire disappeared into the water before us. Jacob and the others were just making it onto the beach when Sam threw his head back in a frustrated howl. We all joined in, our own frustrations amplified by our shared hivemind. What the hell were we going to do now?

[End of Chapter Two]

[goldeneyedgirl]

I hope this question isn't too specific, but since the last snippet you posted of the babyfic, I've been wondering if Alice and Jasper are the kind of parents who throw birthday parties for their kid with a bunch of little children in their house or if Alice would be the kind of mom who goes to bake sales or whatever in the pre-school, or if this all would be too much of a risk for them. It's funny and curious to think about how they'd deal with all the needs and wants of a tiny person who actually grows up (and I assumed Alice, just like Jasper, doesn't age in this universe). Also I just think is funny to imagine Jasper going to pick up his son at school and all the other kids are scared of him because he's all murderer-like and then out of a sudden he's all soft because his kid is running towards him with a big smile :)))

Hi Anon!

So, when it comes to public-facing things, Alice and Jasper can only be Ollie's parents until he's in first grade. Alice's genetics are fucky, and she does stop aging when she hits 21 (though, spoiler alert, she is not immortal), so at a certain point she looks too young to be Ollie's mom. So they are a lot more involved before Ollie starts first grade.

By second grade, they've moved with the Cullens and Ollie has a bunch of different cover stories (Jasper's half-brother from foster care; Esme and Carlisle's biological son; cousin etc - Ollie looks way too much like a mini-Jasper for him to convincingly pose as only being biologically related to Alice, which is bittersweet for her.)

So when Ollie's in pre-school and kindergarten, Alice is juggling college, a part-time job, and her family. She definitely attends all his open days and school plays etc, but Esme and Alice's stepfather Simon are definitely more likely to be the ones that volunteer in Ollie's classroom, and contribute to bake sales. Honestly, Alice's cooking and baking is pretty hit or miss most days, so she wouldn't inflict her baking on innocent school children.

Jasper attempts a box-cake mix once for a bake sale and it's an event remembered with horror by all the Cullens. No one is sure what he did wrong, but that cake was not fit for consumption.

Jasper tends to keep his distance from the school for obvious reasons, but he has absolutely done school-pick ups, and he's always in the back of the auditorium during Ollie's school plays, filming everything.

Unfortunately, he's not serial-killer-looking enough when he does collect Ollie from school because a couple of the teachers have a bit of a soft spot for him, and how he and Ollie light up when they see each other. (There's definitely more than one mom at pick-up, waiting to see if its Alice or Jasper that picks Ollie up because they all think it's so unfair how good looking and happy the Brandon-Hales are. "I'm not sure if I want to be them, or be their bff, or do them, or what," - more than one bewildered, dazzled onlooker.)

Ollie socializes a lot with kids on the Res because Alice's stepfather lived there as a kid, the Pack obviously knows about Ollie's genetics, and Alice can be acknowledged as his mom at all times there. There is a single birthday party when Ollie is three held at La Push, where Jasper is allowed by the Elders to attend for sixty minutes with the Pack guarding him. None of the other Cullens are allowed to attend. It's a very precious memory, and one that Jasper knows the Pack did not make without long consideration and a lot of concerns. It's something he can never repay them for, and he treasures getting to be there to watch Ollie body surf and roll around on the beach.

There is also a singular entire-class birthday party for Ollie when he's in kindergarten that is held at the Brandon home. Jasper lasts for about half of it before he needs some space. Alice has more than one glass of adults-only punch because the only kid she likes is her own. Rosalie and Emmett have the best time ever.

After that, birthdays tend to be a family-only affair.

[braveclementine]

La Push and Port Angeles

Warnings: None

Copyright: I do not own any Twilight characters or locations. I do own Davina Mikelson and Marcel. I also own the backstory for my OC. I do not condone any copying of this.

Davina P.O.V.

Dr. Cullen had been surprised when I had turned my folder into him on the same day that he had given it to me. I supposed I was supposed to have finished it over the weekend. Oh well, he should've made the questions harder then.

The week had been rather uneventful and now, I was riding up to La Push on my motorcycle. I hadn't wanted to go in Mike's car so I decided it would be better just to meet them all there. And that was exactly what I was doing.

I was ecstatic with how things were going. School was fine. I was alternating between sitting with the Cullens and sitting with Bella and her friends. Tyler and mine friendship wasn't as strong as mine and Sam's, but we still hung out a little bit.

And then of course, there was the hospital which was starting to become one of my favorite places on Earth.

I couldn't care less if Dr. Cullen and his family were vampires. Honestly, I reveled in the fact that these magical creatures existed.

I had done my research of course: Vampire Diaries, Dracula, Blood Ties, Vampire Academy, even I am Legend!

Hopefully, my hard work paid off and I knew a little more about what sorts of vampires the Cullens could be. It also got me to wondering if there were any other magical creatures that existed and whether or not they were dangerous or what sort of creature they'd be.

Part of me even suspected Sam was some sort of magical creature. He was startling tall when he'd been a shrimp at ten. Not to mention the sickening almost magical love between him and Emily. And of course, the heat of his skin. As a doctor in training, I knew he should be running a temperature and he was just fine.

But anyways. . .

Today was truly a wonderful day. It was maybe seventy-five degrees out- almost boiling hot for a place like Forks. The sun was shining and First Beach water was dark gray. I could see the rocks that made up the beach instead of sand. I knew that even though they were gray from far away, they were actually brilliant colours up close.

There were driftwood trees that were scattered hap-hazardely on the beach, white washed and bleached from the years in the sun and salt combined.

There was a forest off to the side that I was sure the Forks residents would want to go hiking through eventually. Meanwhile, there were actually quite a few people out on the water, surfing. I would have to get out on the water.

I loved the water. I loved swimming, I loved surfing and snorkeling and anything else you could do on water. I felt at home on the water.

I pulled up in the parking lot, parking next to Mike's van and then made my way down to the beach in my bathing suit and a wrap around my waist.

Mike and Bella were sitting next to each other as Mike started a driftwood fire. I watched the blue and green flames flicker up and heard Bella gasp.

". . .salt does it. Pretty, isn't it?" Mike asked, sitting back down on the log before Jessica turned to claim his attention.

"Hello Davina." Bella said as I sat down next to her.

"Hello Bella, how are you liking the sun today?" I asked cheekily.

"It's nice." Bella said quietly.

"You invited Edward on the trip, didn't you?"

"Yes, but he got all weird when I mentioned the beach." Bella replied.

"Hmm, that is strange. You're not going to prom either are you?" I asked.

"No, I plan on being out of town." Bella said. "You?"

"Eh. Tyler asked." I said, stretching back on my arms. "Along with a few dozen other boys. But I don't want to go to prom."

Bella and I chatted for another half hour about small things, sometimes with Angela chiming in on the conversation. However, as the boys got angsty about staying around the fire pit, they wanted to go hiking.

I thought that my cue to go up to the shop and rent a surfboard and wet suit. I zipped myself up in the black and blue suit, tucking the gun surfboard under my arm, making my way towards the ocean.

The minute my feet touched the water, my entire body relaxed and I closed my eyes. I was very quick to make my way out to sea, going out farther than the tourists and even the native residents.

My hands parted the water easily as I pushed myself against the waves as I prepared to stand. Once I did lift myself into a standing position, I could feel a swell of breeze as I made my way back towards the beach.

The waves weren't large today, much to my disappointment, so the ride was only gentle and calm, not adrenaline rushing like I preferred. But I wasn't really expecting anything else from Forks.

I stayed out on the water for most of the day, even when the others came out of the forest. I only went off when I saw Bella leaving with Jacob, Billy's son.

I padded over to the campfire, wincing when my feet hit the rocks. I did see an absolutely beautiful dull gold one and I picked it up.

There weren't may people from school left. Tyler and Lauren were the only ones, rummaging through CD's together.

"Hey Davina!" Tyler said as I came up, stretching. "How were the waves."

"Pathetic." I said with a grin. "I'm going to have to drive down to California to get monster waves."

I heard a sigh and I looked over to see Sam sitting with a few boys.

"Well hello Sammy boy."

One of the boys who had been drinking spit out his drink in a laugh. The other grinned.

"Hey shorty." Sam replied.

I scowled, "I can't help it if you're freakishly tall. I'm average height."

Sam laughed huskily.

"Anyways, food?" I asked.

Sam grinned, "Maybe we ate it all."

"I know you didn't because I know you knew I was on the waves which meant you knew that I was going to be hungry and you love me so where's the food?" I demanded, setting the gun board down.

Sam sighed, reaching behind him and handing me nacho doritos and a rootbeer.

I nearly squealed. "You got me rootbeer!"

"It's your favorite drink." Sam muttered.

I grinned. "Anyways, who are the ugly guys on either side of you?"

Sam snorted, "Jared and Paul."

I tried telling them apart before finally turning to the boy I suspected was Paul. "You're Paul?"

"How did you know?" Paul asked.

"You're still as scrawny as you were when you were a kid." I smirked, "I bet I could still beat you in a wrestling match."

"Oh you're on." Paul said, a maniac glint in his eye. "You're not a little girl anymore."

"No." Sam said shortly. "Not today Davina."

"Fine." I said exaggeratedly, sitting down next to Sam, making Paul budge over. I noticed his skin was also boiling hot.

"Sam said you got an internship at the hospital?" The other boy who must've been Jared asked. "How. . . is that?"

"Fine." I said with a shrug. "I've learned a lot. Dr. Cullen really knows what he's doing so-"

I closed my eyes and flinched as I felt the sticky soda explode on my left side. Paul had squeezed the can so hard it had exploded.

"Paul." Sam barked.

"I'm going to return my surfboard." I responded coolly, getting up without looking at Paul and picking up the surfboard. I made my way back to the shop, giving back the wet suit and the surfboard. I now wished I had a towel that I could use to wrap around me.

Oh well, it was just about time to go home anyways. I debated saying good-bye to Sam but decided against it.

I made my way over to the motorcycle and saw Sam leaning against it.

"Down boy." I said with a bit of a smile.

He rolled his eyes. "So endearing. I wanted to apologize for Pauls' behavior tonight. He has a lot of anger issues and he's still sorting them out."

I was quiet for a moment, looking at the sun setting, making Sam's bronze skin almost glow in the faint light. His eyes, dark and warm, yet slightly haunted from his past and possibly whatever he was going through now.

"Sam?"

He blinked at my serious tone. I was never serious.

"Yeah?"

I paused and then asked, "What are you?"

Sam didn't move a muscle staring into my eyes, gauging my reaction. I tilted my head slightly, analyzing his build. "I know. . . I know you're different. You're not the same as when we were kids. And I don't mean the build of your body, although I think the height and muscle probably contributes a bit. . . but the heat of your skin. I thought maybe it was just a native thing. . . but the man at the surfboard shop had normal temperature. And you hate the Cullens."

"I can't- Davina go home." Sam said, getting up off the motorcycle. "You watch to many movies."

"Really? I watch to many movies and I'm the fool for believing you're different? Says the guy who believes the Cullens are vampires because of your Quileute legends!"

"That's different." Sam said shortly.

I felt like I would cry. Sam was my closest friend, almost my brother. And yet he wasn't going to tell me what was with him?

"S-Sam." My voice cracked and we both winced. I sucked in breath and whispered, "Fine. I'll figure it out on my own."

I swung my leg over my motorcycle, backing it out with my feet before starting it.

"Davina." Sam said in a warning voice but I ignored him, bringing the bike to life and roaring out of there.

----------------

I was in a bad mood at the internship the next few days and Dr. Cullen knew it. He said nothing though, leaving me in my peace and silence. And it wasn't like I was mad at him and I didn't bring my anger out on anyone but myself.

Sometimes, I thought maybe he could hear me in the office next to him. Well, that wouldn't be a surprise. In every Vampire movie ever they had amazing hearing so there was that.

Once I finished my work, I headed to his office, taking the long way instead of the short cut, knocking on the door.

"Come in." He said.

He was working behind his desk and he didn't even look surprised to see me.

I loved his office. He had several bookcases in here that were filled with books, not all of them medical. I loved skimming them on the few days I worked in his office, in silence, on the couch. It was a rather comfortable couch and sometimes, I found myself wondering if he ever slept on it when he had long shifts at the hospital. But then I wondered if he could even sleep.

"Hello Miss Michaelson." Dr. Cullen said, putting his pen down and folding his hands on top of his desk. "Are you finished for the day?"

I hesitated and then said, "I was wondering if I could work in here today. I'm. . . just not liking the silence of my office to much. I don't mean we have to have conversation, I just want to be around someone right now."

"Of course."

Merlin I loved his voice.

I gave him a brief smile, settling on the couch. I was in a more relaxed mood and I curled up in the corner of the couch between the back of it and the arm.

The silence was comfortable and I was relaxed immensely. I didn't look at him directly, only listening and also observing.

He went very long periods without breathing and only breathed as though it was a reminder that I was in the room. Often times, when he did breathe, they were shallow and when they were deep, he clenched his pen tightly as though restraining himself. I wondered if it was my blood he could smell and if it was tempting to him.

I noticed that he usually wasn't affected by the smell of blood. He could work rather calmly and smoothly. However, when around me, he seemed to hold his breath. Why was I different? Did I smell different?

After a while, I pretended to finish my office work- cataloging real patients blood work in envelopes to be sent to their houses for cancer tests- and asked quietly. "I have a random question."

"Sure."

"If a Vampire had a mortal enemy, what do you think the magical creature would be?" I glanced at him briefly.

He looked rather taken aback and I noticed that the grip on his pen had tightened even more than when he took in his deep breaths. If he wasn't careful, he was going to crush his pen.

"I suppose a werewolf maybe?" He questioned. "I'm not really sure."

A werewolf. Yes, that made sense. Werewolves and Vampires usually were enemies. Should I go visit Sam on a full moon and see how he reacted?

"Was there a particular reason for this question Miss Michaelson?" He asked, frowning slightly.

"I was trying to figure out what Sam was." I answered honestly. "And you being a Vampire was my best source of information."

Dr. Cullen was completely frozen now and I glanced at him nonchalantly. "Dr. Cullen?"

He seemed to swallow and he asked, "I- did the kids-"

"No. No one told me." I answered, shifting into a sitting position before getting up, and sliding the completed folder onto his desk. "I just knew. Have a good day Dr. Cullen, I'll see you Wednesday."

And with that, I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. I didn't realizing I was smiling until I started home on my motorcycle. And then I realized, Sam's a Werewolf.

-----------------------

"Would you like to go shopping with us tomorrow?" Angela asked me as I sat down next to her at the lunch table. It was day two of the Cullens not being in school which made me wonder if they actually burned in the sun.

"I thought you guys went last night?" I questioned as I helped myself to some pizza.

"Mike asked Jessica out on a date so we're going tonight instead. And even though you're not going to the dance, I knew you wanted new clothes."

"Yes, thank you. I would love to come. Here-" I wrote my address down on a piece of paper and gave it to Angela. "That's my address so Jessica knows where to pick me up."

"I'll let her know. We're leaving right after school. We'll probably pick you up last though so you'll probably have more time to get ready." Angela said.

I chuckled, "Thanks."

I hadn't seen or talked to Sam since our spat so I was stuck driving myself home now. Not that I minded, I loved riding my bike. But I also was starting to feel quite alone. It was bad enough my parents and brother were dead and I had about zero friends.

Well, let me correct. Zero real friends. I was bubbly and hyper and a complete geek and so everyone always thought that just about everyone was my friend. But when you put it to the test, it's not real friendship.

I needed Sam. It was like a heartache. I couldn't live without having Sam in my life, not here. I'd always had Sam, whether it was when we were kids, or when I lived on the army base and we wrote each other letters, or now when I moved back and he was the caring brother. I needed him.

But I was stubborn. I wanted him to come and apologize to me first. He could've just told me he was a damn werewolf. I would've kept my mouth shut. Why didn't he trust me?

My thoughts continued to run wild as I searched for an outfit that I could go out in. Finally, I chose a long sleeved-white shirt with the word Angel written on the collar in black. A red top with a pocket, zipper, and belt on it. The white shirt was tucked into my one and only skirt- which was to short to wear at the hospital.

I wished I had knee high boots to complete the look, but I just slipped on my combat boots instead. I lifted my hair into a ponytail, curling the ends of it quickly before applying dark makeup and grabbing my purse. I shoved my phone, money, and some pepper spray into the bag, slinging it across my shoulder.

I found that Jessica was just pulling up to the house, her eyes wide as she glanced at my house. Was it impressive compared to hers? I had no idea. But most of the houses here were Victorian. This was an older section of the neighborhood. They are also spread a bit further apart with large backyards as they were usually farm houses.

I opened the back door, sliding in next to Angela.

"You look cute." Jessica squealed, her eyes taking in my outfit.

"Thanks." I said, flashing her a grin.

Jessica drove fast so I knew the trip wouldn't be long. She played Led Zepplin on the radio- not really my favorite. Rock's not really my music type- and chatted all about her date with Mike yesterday. And she was talking about how she hopped they were going to get to the kissing stage by the dance.

Maybe it was because I was infatuated with a God like Vampire but I really couldn't see how anyone thought Mike was handsome, good-looking, or even cute.

Angela was a bit disappointed in the fact she was going with Eric. She liked him, but apparently he wasn't her type. I had a sneaking suspicion that her type was actually Ben Cheney, but I didn't say anything. I wasn't Jessica after all.

Port Angeles was a nice coast city. The board walk that led out to the docks and whatnot. However, Jessica and Angela took us straight to the department store. I went off on my own for just a little bit.

I wasn't really the type of girl to try something on. I just looked at it, held it up against me in the mirror, checked if it was my size, and then debated whether or not to buy it.

I bought a few new pairs of jeans, a couple skirts, a few blouses, a new leather jacket, and a few other items that I felt I needed.

I met up with the others in the shoe section, trying on heels as they already had their dresses.

I bought myself a new pair of sneakers that were gray and light pink and would go well with my nurse scrubs. I also bought myself a pair of knee high boots that complimented the outfit I was wearing right now so I tore off the tags and wore them with the outfit.

There were also heel pumps and combat boots with heels that I bought. The pumps would be for at the hospital along with the sneakers.

At the moment, Jessica was at a counter, trying jewelry. Angela was trying on pink heels at the moment.

"Angela?" Bella asked quietly.

"Yes?" Angela asked behind me. I was pretending to be bent over, fixing the zipper on the knee high boots.

"I like those." Bella said.

I glanced behind me to see the pink heel on Angela's foot.

"I think I'll get them- though they'll never match anything but the one dress," Angela muttered.

"Or a white pantsuit." I replied.

"Very true."

"Oh, go ahead- they're on sale." Bella encouraged. She looked like she was hesitating about something so I turned back around, fixing the shoe boxes in my bag. I had several bags filled with clothes and I was hoping I could put it in Jessica's car so I didn't have to carry everything around.

"Um, Angela. . . Is it normal for the. . .Cullens to be out of school a lot?"

"Yes, when the weather is good they go backpacking all the time- even the doctor. They're all real outdoorsy."

So that's why Dr. Cullen hadn't had me come in the past couple days. He had probably known the weather was going to be nice.

So if they went backpacking in the sun, did that mean they didn't burn? Or maybe they didn't go backpacking at all. Maybe they hid in the house.

"Oh." was all Bella said. Angela didn't ask any questions and neither did I. Jessica came back with rhinestone jewelry that I thought looked a bit cheap, but I supposed if it was what she wanted to wear, so be it.

Upon exiting the store laden down with shopping bags, Angela and Jessica said we could go put our things in the car before going down to the bay. Bella on the other hand wanted to go book shopping. She also denied Jessica and Angela going with her, saying she got really caught up in books.

"I'll go with her." I declared. "I absolutely love books so this could be a chance for me to get something new as well. You guys don't mind taking my stuff back to the car, do you?"

"Not at all," Angela replied sweetly and the two of them split my bags between the two of them, giving Bella directions on how to find the bookstore.

Bella and I set off in comfortable silence until we approached the place that Jessica had mentioned. However, upon looking inside, it looked more like a store that would be down on the Quileute rez. Dream catchers hung in the windows, books on healing properties, and the shelves were lined with different coloured crystals.

Bella and I looked at each other before deciding to keep on walking, looking for another bookstore.

I had a bit of a headache and as Bella and I continued to walk, I closed my eyes, hoping for relief. I hadn't drunk as much water as I should've in the past couple of days, but I had never been very good at that. I always got distracted with homework and work, forgetting to eat and drink. Plus a bit of a lack of sleep.

The next time I opened my eyes, I was basically alone. I looked around in a panic and realized that Bella was neither ahead of me, nor was she behind me.

"Ah bollocks!" I cursed. My headache started to pound. I pushed my cool hand against my forehead like that would do anything.

I pulled out my phone, calling Bella but there was no answer. Damnit, I don't even think she had a cell phone, this was her house number.

I figured, based on my slow pace so I hadn't bumped into anything, that Bella was probably ahead of me so I started walking faster, glancing down alleyways to see if I could find her.

I looked up at the sky, trying to guess what time it was. The sky was growing dark, the clouds drawing close. There was still some pink, orange, and purple in the sky so I knew it was getting very close for the sun to set and I was still riddled with indecision.

I could go back, find my way to the Italian restaurant so that I could find Angela and Jessica- and maybe Bella was there, freaking out about me being lost- or I could keep going and search for Bella.

I could hear a group of men wolf-whistling and I was slightly worried about whoever they were whistling at so I hurried around the corner, ducking into the shadows. I saw the back of Bella and felt relief wash over me. I hid as the men passed by, not noticing me crouching in the corner.

"Bella!" I called once I felt they wouldn't hear me.

Bella spun and relief flooded her face, "I couldn't find you!"

"Sorry, I. . . got distracted." I had no way to explain what had happened.

"We should probably go back." Bella mentioned.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm getting hungry. And Jessica and Angela are probably getting pretty worried."

It was definitely darker now and we started back up the way that we had come. My senses were heightened, burning as my eyes darted around, looking for any dangers. My nerves were tingling and my hand crept into my purse for the pepper spray in case I needed to pull it out and give someone a good one.

I let Bella led as my senses were all jumbled and I couldn't exactly remember the way back. I had a tendency to get lost as I usually spaced out quite a bit.

Bella quickened her pace after throwing a glance over her shoulder and I glanced back as well before seeing two men behind us. They weren't close, about twenty feet back, but I started quickening my pace as well.

"We need to get out of here." I muttered, hooking my arm with hers.

She still led, keeping her pace quick as we made our way up. There were no cars, no people, we weren't in the right section of the city. This was bad. My nerves spiked even more and at the pace I was trying to make Bella go, she would trip over her own two feet and that wouldn't be good.

Finally, we darted around a corner before coming to a stop. There were two more men in front of us.

"There you are!" His voice was booming and my headache was back in just a few seconds.

"Yeah," the voice behind us said. "We just took a little detour."

"Right, Bella, I'll distract them. You run and get help."

"That's a bad idea Davina." Bella murmured.

I scoffed, "There's no such thing as a bad idea. Only poorly executed awesome ones."

"Is that a quote from something?" Bella asked in a panic.

"Vampire Diaries. Damon Salavatore. Season two episode 15." I rattled off confidently.

"Never seen it."

"You're totally watching it after this." I muttered. "Alright now go."

Bella took off running, past the two men in the alleyway and the four of them let her go, turning on me.

I gritted my teeth.

Alright then, show time.

[risunsky]

I was wondering how long it takes you to complete a drawing? Especially for some of the more complex/ detailed ones, how do you deal with not getting burnt out? Do you work on one piece until it’s complete or do you bounce around and work on multiple projects at once? Also I love your work. I think it’s so gorgeous and really powerfully conveys emotion 🖤

(sorry, it's a long answer again :x) My most complex drawings, such as the remake of the siege of La Rochelle or the one with winged Papa IV, took between 60 and 80 hours to complete. The Spillways one is probably a record-breaker because I had to start from the beginning several times.

It's also the time I need for a traditional A2 painting (like the one I'm planning to do this summer (wink wink) if the heat doesn't knock me out too much).

For simpler things like a portrait alone without background I try not to exceed 10 hours. Like Copia with his face hidden by his hat, or the one where he's holding a Grucifix. The one on the beach looks just as simple on paper and yet I think I spent more time on it, because I did some lineart to lay down certain details and I spent a lot of time refining the textures.

In any case, even for something very simple I rarely go under 6 hours, I consider myself a slow artist which isn't necessarily a problem, unless you want to make a living out of it.

- Avoiding burn-out is a difficult challenge. In 2020 I think I experienced it, it was my first A2 painting, there was a deadline, I was late and it was very important to me. I worked intensely on this big piece, I didn't do anything other than that, stopping only to eat and sleep. At the time I was having a great time, I was really enjoying myself, thinking I was experiencing the 'true passion of art' and I still have really good memories of that period of a few weeks. But once I'd finished I kinda fell apart, I was always tired, did an artblock for several months, it was difficult to get back to normal and it caused me problems for my job. It's thanks to doing ghost fanarts that I've managed to recover. I really don't recommend pushing yourself like that it's not healthy at all.

To avoid this happening again, I impose a schedule on myself. A break every 2 hours where I get up from my chair and walk around a bit. I don't work more than a certain number of hours a day (8~10) and I don't work at weekends. Well, that's the ideal, obviously it's hard to keep. When I get caught up in the enthusiasm of a project I have a bit of trouble controlling myself, it's like an obsession and nothing else matters.

There's also the fact that my interest in a project fades easily. I need to do as much as possible in one go so I don't risk giving up before it's finished. For commission I can work on several projects at once, jumping from one to another alternately, but I really prefer to be able to concentrate on one thing at a time. The more projects I have in the queue, the more scattered my mind becomes and I don't work well in that state.

Thank you so much for your interest! 🖤🖤

[fashionteahouse]

hi lovely ! i absolutely love your writing ! i was wondering if you could do a paul x reader where the reader is new to la push, and moved from england. the reader goes on a walk to the beach and meets paul there and he imprints on the reader ? you could just make it a one time thing orrrr you could make it a series ? if it has potential ! i love your paul series, the out of my league one, i LOVE IT SO MUCH

heyy honey! thank you so so much, i appreciate you🥹💜 i would love to write this. i’m sure this storyline has potential ;) hope you enjoy :)

skyline to - paul x reader

Crunches of the earth was heard beneath you as you took your steps. Your eyes took in the surroundings as you finally found something to do in your new home. The environment was different. You moved to a different country. You wanted to soak in the memories here.

Thankful for La Push having a beach, the destination to get there was on your brain. The pocket sized music player was in your pocket with headphones attached to the sound. Placing the headphones on your ears, you walk along the beach that you finally wanted to reach. Not too many people were in attendance.

The song was sung in your ears. Calmness and contentment surrounds you. Soon, you hear something louder than the music that was playing, “Watch out!”

You turn and see a ball whizzing right in your direction, you try to move out the way but the ball knocks your headphones off onto the ground. It didn’t hurt physically but just in spirit. You just hoped the blow to them didn’t effect the production of sound.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” you hear a voice and you look up to see a guy with sharp, strong features, you were drowning in his eyes. It felt like he pulled you in his soul with just his eyes. Eyes were the window to the soul, yes, but it felt like everything and anything was promised. Nostalgia, but hopes for the future were mixed into what you were feeling.

“Everything alright?” a voice asks and you and the boy in front you, finally broke eye contact.

“Yeah.” the guy in front of you says and picks the headphones up that was still leaking out noise. He looks at them, extends them out to you and you take them back, “Thanks.” you say in a quiet voice.

Picking the ball up, and throwing it to the other people who were expecting him and the ball, he looks at you once more to bring his attention back to what’s in front of him.

You’re about to slide them back on your head until he asks you a question, “I didn’t break them, did I?

You reply, “No. They still work.”

He nods, taking note. Then, he furrows his eyebrows, “You’re not from here, are you?”

You shake your head, knowing your accent was a dead giveaway.

“Where?” he asks, genuinely wanting to know.

“England.” you answer back and he raises his eyebrows, impressed.

“Paul, come on!” a different voice says and you look and see that the two people that he’s with are waiting for him.

“I’ll see you around?” he asks, a tad of frustration on his face. You nod and watch him go back to his group.

While listening to music, you decided to tidy up your room, folding and putting things away. One song you picked, turned into other songs flowing through the speakers in your ears.

The lyrics were melodic and you found your mind thinking hard about what they could mean. A face smacked your thoughts and made you shake your head. You didn’t understand why you would think so deeply about the first guy who talks to you in La Push.

Your phone buzzes and you see friends from back home sending you messages.

“Is the weather nice?”

“How’s the food?”

“Send DEETS about the guys there”

You take your time and talk about how you feel at home. How you feel like your life would be different in a great way. You didn’t tell them about your encounter at the beach. You thought the feelings about the guy you were thinking about were going to fade as the cycles of day and nights continue.

The morning sun haunted you with its beams. Looking around your room, you were happy that the task at hand was finished. With the excuse being of wanting to treat yourself, you wanted to take yourself out to Port Angeles.

Window shopping and walking the streets, you smell food hit your nostrils nearby.

Walking past, looking at the skyline to the streets, you hear muffled laughs. You don’t know why, but your head snaps to the noise. You see the same guys you’ve seen at the beach, sitting at a table, poking fun about something and laughing.

The boy who helped picked your headphones up, wandered his eyes and seen you. Him slowly getting up and walking towards the door made you realize that you were watching him the entire time. You turn to walk away, feeling ashamed that you were staring at a stranger.

“Hey!” you hear and and turn around with hesitation deep in your bones.

“You could’ve said hi.” he says and walks steps towards you.

Blushing at the way that he’s looking at you, you debate but decide to lift your hand and wiggle your fingers. Your stomach flipped at the smile he gave you, causing you to feel nervousness a bit.

“What were you up to?” he asked you as he licked your image up and down with his eyes.

“Just..exploring a bit.”

“Are you hungry?” he asks and points to the restaurant that’s behind him. You take a look. It’s not something that you would want to eat. You didn’t want to be rude. You meekly shake your head.

“I can show you around if you want?” he asks.

You take a look at him. He seemed trustworthy to be around. He didn’t look like an ax murderer. To you, at least. His big body was just an outline for strength. The body walking moving closer towards you wasn’t threatening. He tilts his head down to get a better look at you.

“Um..Sure.” you say, feeling a bit small under his intense gaze. Happy with your choice of an answer, you two start a stroll.

You learn that you both love and appreciated the landscapes of the hometowns you two were from. The natural beauty bringing you two together to gush about the distinctiveness.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asks you as you hold the car door.

You shrug a little, not being able to think of anything, “Nothing. Why?”

“Come out to the sea, so we can watch it together.” he tells you and makes sure you look him in the eye. Almost hypnotizing. You nod and form a small grin. He doesn’t take your eyes off of you. The only time he looked away was when he couldn’t see your car lights anymore as they disappeared down the road.

[influencermagazineuk]

Back in the studio, guitarist The Edge says, U2 are joined by longtime drummer Larry Mullen Jr. It's exciting news for fans, especially since Mullen sat out the band's groundbreaking Las Vegas Sphere residency due to injuries. In a conversation with the BBC's Jo Whiley, marking the 20th anniversary of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, The Edge announced that drummer John Mullen is back in action, having recovered from surgery stemming from injuries to his elbows, knees, and neck. Good news all round: "he's taking it easy," says The Edge, "and doing fine. He's great.". He's back in the saddle on the drums," The Edge said, looking back at Mullen's gradual return to form. This is perhaps the first time U2 is recording new material. The Edge referred to this as "crazy," about the freedom, at this point, that he and Bono feel to create what they want. "We're at that great phase where we don't have to overthink it," he said. "We're just making music and loving that process. And then we'll figure out where things belong afterwards, so there's a couple of different projects. Chris Sansenbach (Kurisu) from Huntington Beach, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Among these projects is new U2 material featuring Mullen in the studio. The guitarist added, “Definitely U2, with Larry, which is wonderful. We’ve got him in the studio… still doing some recording with us, and we’ll be doing a bit more of that before the end of the year.” This new period of creativity and co-creation marks a new page for the band. Even though details about their work are yet to be known, U2 have signaled that they would be attempting to infuse their iconic sounds with new direction. Joining band members Bono and Adam Clayton, The Edge has experimented with new styles that he now humorously termed "sci-fi Irish folk music. This will be a return after a tough couple of years. Drummer Larry Mullen opened up back in 2022 about how life as a performer had damaged his body over the years. He described the "damage along the way," which he noticed during the COVID pandemic, thus getting him some time to get the current injuries sorted out. With surgery behind him, Mullen is gradually going back to his usual spot, and fans will be more than happy to hear him contribute to the music of U2 again. This update comes during already eventful times for the band. Their Las Vegas Sphere residency, marked by dazzling visuals and immersive soundscapes, has set a new standard for live performances. The shows were lauded as a groundbreaking feat despite Mullen's absence during the residency, demonstrating U2's continued ability to push creative and technological boundaries. New music with all four original members of U2 is sure to be in high demand. With few details available, experience in combination with Mullen's return and new musical terrain ensures that the journey for U2 into the creative aspects is far from over. As lead guitarist The Edge said, this is the moment when inspiration renewed, the moment when Mullen returned to the studio, and a vision that defines the band uniquely. Fans will look forward to their next moves because, surely, U2 continues to redefine what becomes possible in music. Read the full article

[neeoooon]

FFXIV Write 2024, Prompt 6 "Halcyon"

Summary: Holiday sells timeshares.  Various warnings: Post-dawntrail, spoilers for DT and HW.  1k words

“Normally, I can’t make a deal like this. My boss would be furious.” 

Holiday made a disgusted face, scrunching her nose up and shaking her head at the word “boss.” 

“But, since you and I are the only two here this afternoon…”

She trailed off, pausing to look around the room: A tiny shack off Moraby Bay cooled by an overworked ceiling fan, with a single window facing nothing. If the builders had any sense at all, they would have placed the window facing the sparkling ocean or the towering city of Limsa Lominsa. Truly, any wall other than the one they chose would have provided exponential improvement on the drab, fish-stinking, salt-crusted hovel. 

She looked at the scented candle she had lit earlier for ambiance; a lone decoration on a simple desk. The scent, “Snow Angel,” was supposed to be a hint of fresh pine and “crisp snow on the first Spring flower,” but it smelled like nothing and added heat to the room. The candle was one of the leftover stock from when some knight from Ishgard died a few years back and the storage fees were out of control. No one wanted dead knight candles anymore. Maybe the glass holders could be repurposed into collectable cups?

“Aaheem?” The graying Lalafell man cleared his throat, or tried to and made a strange sound instead. “You were saying…? About your boss…?” He had a bit of a vocal fry. She wondered where he picked that up. 

“Since it’s only us today, I can give you two weeks in a one bedroom, one bathroom, and kitchenette in Tural Shores for our Starlight Celebration price.” There was no boss, no Starlight Celebration price, and barely any Tural Shores. She smiled and pushed a pamphlet toward the gentleman-sucker, which he took and opened. 

Mister Tudino, the Lalafell, poured over the illustrations and buzzwords: gorgeous cerulean waters lapping white sands, a happy couple eating tacos, and a floor plan of a one bedroom/one bathroom apartment, labeled with “a halcyon life at Tural Shores.” He went to fold it up to bring back to his wife, but Holiday leaned over the desk to snatch it from him. Each pamphlet, of which she had three, cost ten thousand gil. Printing, while cheaper thanks to the decorative book demands of adventurer housing, didn’t impress like an original illustration on premium paper.  

Holiday had visited Tuliyollal last Starlight for the new Limsan newspaper, The Port Authority. The fledgling, but popular, paper paid for a 5-week series on Tural cuisine, intending to publish an article a week on her return. The editor hoped a robust Lifestyle section would encourage extended subscriptions from fickle La Noscean residents. When Holiday returned, months later, the editor had disappeared and the paper was out of print. The hefty stipend for travel, lodging, and food for a 3-month adventure in a country across the ocean probably helped sink them. On the other hand, being foolish enough to hire a travel writer based on her single, moderately successful dhalmel recipe spelled larger pre-existing issues.

The lalafell flinched, having the paper taken from him so suddenly, and sat back in his chair. “It all looks very nice, I suppose? But the price?”

Here we go. Holiday smiled sympathetically, her well-groomed eyebrows softening to a practiced position. “150,000g today for the one bedroom, one bathroom, with kitchenette on our Starlight package.”

Tudino grimaced. Two weeks in a foreign land, with a private kitchen(ette) and bathroom, every year for 10 years. Nanali and the children love the beach, but Costa has so many shark attacks... His frown deepened. Two weeks on the boat for the round-trip, two weeks at the vacation home… ten divided by 150,000g… Can we afford it with Susuru’s tutoring?

Noticing the depth of thought her mark had entered, Holiday bumped the bottom of the table with her knee hard enough to make a sudden sound. Tudino jumped slightly, and turned his gaze back to the Hyur woman.

“150,000g, you said?”

She nodded and sent the pamphlet back his way.

“I should mention,” she pointed to the illustration of the pristine beach, “the beaches on Tural Shores feature a fabulously safe lagoon, protected from the outer ocean thanks to the rocky coastline. Very few sharks. If any.”

Shark attacks were hot news all over La Noscea, as of recently. One especially humongous shark happened to swallow fourteen lalafell (disputed number) over the Moonfire celebrations, but Merlwyb refused to close the beaches. She did, however, shoot the shark herself. It was a breathtaking sight to behold: Merlwyb, with skin like moonlight made solid, on the deck of some boat (name unknown) firing guns from both hands into the crystal waters off Costa del Sol’s beach. Blood poured from the giant beast, provoking the smaller sharks to feast in a frenzy on their fallen brother. 

Holiday produced a small stack of papers, tapped them into a neat pile, and began to pass them to Mister Tudino. 

“Here is the contract, and this is your map from the gates of Tuliyollal to Tural Shores–which is hardly a stroll from the city center,” she glanced up at him to wink, “and finally the promised coupon for free dinner for four at the Bismarck.”

Tudino seemed to be relieved at the sight of the coupon. Four long hours ago he arrived at Moraby Dry Docks to meet with Holiday, and three other strangers, after falling for the promises of a Limsan barker offering “free luxury dinner for the family (if you listen to a sales pitch).” Holiday guided the group, now down to two people and herself, halfway around the curve of the bay. A large crab blocked the road, wherein another member of the group fled. Thankfully, Holiday dispatched the large crab (roughly the size of a large boulder) with a swing of her axe. Maybe two or three swings.

Tudino, now the last member of Holiday’s party, collapsed in terror. He awoke hours later in the shack, being shaken down for 150,000g by a blonde Hyur.

[drkroots]

The Brat Pack ( in the 80s setting )

Soren Remmington - The first born of the Remmington twins, a lover of the beach life and the animals that come with it. He’s known as the most chilled out of the group and at face value is seen as Spence’s polar opposite. The general school population has designated him as the most studious.

Laura Remmington - The hardcore music enthusiast party animal, her wildness second only to Spencer’s. If there’s a party or any big event, she’s often the first one there and seemingly goes out of her way to get involved in as much chaos as possible. People who don’t know her often wonder if they can even handle her.

Spencer Anthony - He’s labeled as the erratic bad boy of the group, which is really not what he’s like at all, but it is an image he pushes forward as he’s super specific over who he shares his personal life with because there’s a lot to handle and he doesn’t like his business being everyone else’s business .

Kimberly Wayne - Spence’s on again-off again girlfriend ( it depends on the week in all honesty ) who happens to be the captain of the cheer squad and one of the most popular girls at Malibu Tech. She has the power to make or break someone’s reputation and has no problem with flaunting lt.

Randall ‘Randy’ Bishop - The leader. The group doesn’t have one, but if anyone picked a guy it would probably Randy. He’s the most well rounded of the lot, not afraid to have fun but has enough sense to not go balls to the walls over the top about it. Out of the lot of them, he’s also the most approachable and most accepting of new people into this little teenage found family.

Gabriella Blake - Known for being one of Kim’s lackeys, but is known as the much nicer of the two. She’s not on the cheer squad, but is on the dance team for the school so she spends a lot of time with Spence, Kim and Beth outside of hanging out as a group. Cheering aside she’s on the softer, almost shy side, but is happy to talk to pretty much anyone when they speak to her.

Beth Carmichael - Kim’s second lackey with a reputation of being mean and is generally unliked by pretty much anyone who doesn’t know her. A lot of it is Kim’s influence and its a little known fact that when she’s not in the presence of the captain, she can actually be quite sweet.

Gretta la Beau - From old money and known for being an overachiever, she runs the school magazine and has aspirations of a career in journalism. She’s one to always put her best foot forward with everything she does and can be seen as being rather obnoxious if you’re not used to the energies she has.

[ellewritesandrants]

This is going to be mildly controversial but here’s me subverting some of the tropes I’ve seen involving Dacre, Joe and Joseph and pushing it onto Billy, Steve and Eddie.

Steve is a famous musician who catapults Eddie’s band into fame after they do a tour together and people start shipping them together. They neither confirm nor deny any allegations which makes the rumors a lot worse but fast forward to maybe a year after the tour has finished and Steve’s doing press of his new album while Corroded Coffins just got done with their last tour stop at a sold-out Madison Square Garden Concert.

Imagine the rest of the band deciding to do something nice for Billy who was their first ever manager/back up player who was instrumental to the rise of Corroded Coffins. He had even managed to take over as the drummer on his birthday because Gareth was an idiot who sprained his wrist from a bad landing doing some skateboard tricks for some fans pre-show. They decided to make a thank-you post on their official Instagram, not realizing that Billy and Eddie’s five year long relationship wasn’t public yet.

The internet basically explodes in anger over this supposed random stranger being called Corroded Coffin’s number 1 fan and for being with the boy a lot of fans loved. It also didn’t help that there were a lot of Steddie fans who bashed him for being the reason their favorite couple wasn’t together.

Steve was doing press for his new album so, during his next interview, he was blindsided about the issue. When asked about his opinion on the topic, he laughs at the thought of him and Eddie together because he’s good for a short time but not a long time.

He ends up saying he’d rather want Billy because not only is the man shredded but he has a heart of gold. He basically fanboys over Billy the entire interview, even going so far as to tell the interviewer he’d warned Eddie that if he fucked up with Billy, that Steve would be there waiting in the wings to nab Billy.

Everyone is even more confused and the internet basically implodes this time around, with majority of the fans wondering what was so good about Billy and this is when the Billy stans start coming out, the ones who’d known about his existence in Corroded Coffins and loved getting any chance of seeing him.

They share all sorts of anecdotes, some personal and some from the members of Corroded Coffins as to the type of person Billy was. They share stories of him essentially being the parent whenever Corroded Coffins did a tour, cooking healthy meals whenever possible and making sure that everything was going alright even if it technically wasn’t his job anymore.

The entire time, Billy and Eddie had been on their way to California for a well-deserved week-long birthday celebration for Billy to be spent with their found family. Eddie was alerted of the drama but Billy wasn’t that big on social media so Eddie didn’t tell him in fear of ruining his birthday celebrations.

Instead, Eddie trolled all of his followers by spamming his stories all week with Billy shirtless on the beach, playing with his siblings, surfing and just generally being either hot or adorable. A lot of thirsty fans suddenly pop up because Billy is definitely as built as Steve said he was and seeing pics of him with family and volunteering at animal centers made more than a few girls and guys melt.

Steve was in LA for the interview and after Eddie watched said interview, he got the bright idea that there might be a way for everyone to get what they wanted because Billy’s already confessed that he had a crush on Steve before he’d met Eddie which didn't really go away.

Eddie invites Steve over for dinner and he straight up tells Steve that they are open to polyamory if Steve’s willing to give it a go. They then spend the next nine months trolling social media and the paparazzi by going out in pairs or all together for dates until a brave fan dared to ask Eddie if they’re all dating and he basically confirms it.