#five card stud

[theglitterdome]

Sammy Davis Jr, Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, James Garner, and Paul Newman on the set of Five Card Stud - 1968

[kingofdorkville]

that movie sucked so much gin didn't help 2/10

[dilfsisko]

(image ID: a picture of lorne greene)

do you see what i mean when i say lorne greene is a ferengi,

[moistvonlipwig]

i guess this is an unpopular opinion but i really wish people would stop making jokes about sub rosa aka the ~Scottish Ghost Sex Candle~ episode as if that were just a funny haha silly little thing that happened or, even worse, as if it were one of the campy goofy star trek plots that newer trek should seek to emulate...it's a ludicrous premise to be sure but the candle ghost quite literally rapes beverly in that episode and possibly mind-controls her as well, and the episode portrays that as romantic. the episode is a stunning failure to properly grapple with consent and a prime example of how rape culture infects popular heterosexual romance narratives. and you can call me a killjoy if you want but i simply don't think that's funny!

[peachylynnie]

what jewelry they like on you

word count: ~300-400 per lead contains: lads men x non!mc reader, established relationship, they all adore you, jewelry descriptions, fluff, suggestive themes (sylus, rafayel, and caleb), and did i mention fluff? make it toothrotting. a/n: it's midterm season so headcanons it is. again, these are headcanons so i'm not saying i'm right. just my silly little interpretations. inspired by my impulsive buy of a bracelet the other day. no, my wallet hasn't recovered. reblogs and comments are always appreciated! tagged: @vvintqz (a little headcanon for xavier, lmk if u want me to stop tagging) lads masterlist

sylus

necklaces all the way

has a preference for silver chains with red or black charms

it's his signature colors on your pretty neck

loves it even more when the charm rests between your collarbones

if you want his nose to bleed, wear a long necklace

yes, the one that goes all the way down to your chest

but if you really want to get him going

wear a choker

doesn't even have to be a chain type or have charms

if it's a choker, he'll fold, like dogs to a bone

you can't blame him

it enticingly accentuates the rest of your neck and collarbones, the two places he likes to leave marks on

don't worry if you're hypoallergenic (like me)

he only ever gets you the finest of materials, even if you point out the cost

not that you mind or anything

"sylus," you whine.

you're going to be late. again. all because of this silver-haired man who's refusing to leave your neck alone.

"sylus!" you gasp when he tugs down the choker, his dewy lips taking advantage of the newly exposed spot.

you're starting to regret wearing a choker (not really). you thought it went well with your outfit. and it did! it added a little pop to your look, and you were excited to wear it for the first time in a while.

"hey!" you squirm in his embrace when you feel the poke of his teeth. "no marks!"

"does it really matter, sweetie?" he asks nonchalantly before continuing his assault on your neck. he loves how his tongue occasionally meets with the smooth fabric of your choker. "this," he tugs on it some more, eliciting a soft whimper from you. "will cover them."

sighing, you make a mental note to apologize to your friends for being late when you meet them.

xavier

earrings

especially studs or the mini drop ones that come in cute graphic designs.

there's just something about the way the adorable little charms hang from your ears

really, he thinks they complement your face shape

and he loves to cup your face whenever

but when you wear the ones that are star-themed

he's looking at you as if you're the one who hung them up in the night sky

seriously, he's never seen anything more beautiful

it also strokes his jealousy (?) in a way (cuz yk he's all abt the stars)

but that's worth like...less than 1% of the experience

he just really loves seeing you wear them

don't worry if your ears aren't pierced

clip-ons are a thing, and he'll make sure to get that ones that are both high quality and comfortable

he also loves watching you put them on

his cheeks hurt from smiling too much. he tries to cover his rosy face when you lean towards the mirror.

you're adjusting the backing of your new star stud. furrowing your brows, you tilt your head to the side for a better look.

xavier swears he's never seen anything more beautiful in his life. here you are, making something so simple as adjusting an earring look so skillful and charming.

"done!" you secure the backing and spin around to show your boyfriend. "what do you think?"

"yeah," he nods softly. "i think you're glowing."

you giggle and embrace him tightly.

"thanks for surprising me with them," you chirp, peering up at him.

the stars on your ears shine. no different from your eyes.

"anything for you, starlight," he whispers, stroking your cheek with a thumb. "anything for you."

rafayel

bracelets

listen

we all know this man is a FIEND for our hands

i may not have all of his five-star cards

but tell me why it is that in all the ones i have, he's YEARNING for our hands at some point

jumps at every chance to help you put one on

has a thing for cuff bracelets

like the metal swirly ones that hold a jewel in the middle

they exude the sense of royalty in a way (he's a god so)

most definitely has designed some for you too

and by some, i mean numerous

what's really heartwarming about that though is that he collects the materials himself

the amount of seashells he has preserved for you

but back to him being down bad for our hands

there's something about the way cuff accompanies the bare skin of your wrist and gently presses against your pulse

he's in heaven whenever he nuzzles against your wrist and feels the cool metal graze his heated skin.

"wait," you squint at the bracelet rafayel just secured around your wrist. "did you design this?"

"yup," he answers with a puffed chest. "good eye, cutie. how'd you know?"

you roll your eyes lovingly.

"first of all, i'm your partner, raf." turning your wrist, you admire the intricate swirls of the cuff. "second of all, your works normally have a trademark."

"oh?" he grabs your wrist and pulls you to him, his lips already tracing your wrist. "and what would that be?"

you try not to shudder when his siren eyes meet yours.

"isn't this from one of your lemuria collections?" you shakily gesture towards the sapphire seashell crested on top. "you always reference lemuria in your works, right?"

"wrong," his tongue darts out, savoring your quickened pulse as punishment for your incorrect answer. "it's not just lemuria i always reference in my works."

he tightens the cuff.

"it's you, cutie."

zayne

rings

he loves the subtlety of them

especially the ones made out of thinner bands

they bring out the beauty of your fingers

he loves the way they shine whenever you move your hands too

let's say the two of you are at a cafe

sitting across from each other and reading novels

except he gets distracted (in a good way) whenever your flip a page

your ring glimmers in the sunlight that's peeking through the window

oh wow, not only is there a halo over your head, there's a halo around your finger too

he can't help but reach out at some point

and trace your left ring finger

imagining what it would be like to gift you one

a simple one that conveys an impactful message

one he hopes you'll say yes to

and bound not only both his and your left ring fingers

but also your souls to each other

"zayne? are you alright?"

he snaps out of his thoughts, lifting his chin from his palm.

"sorry," he apologizes as smoothly as he can. "could you repeat that?"

you smile endearingly. his heart beats rapidly.

"i asked if you were alright."

"yes," he answers before clearing his throat. "yes, of course. why?"

"oh, it's just," you giggle. "you're still tracing my finger."

zayne immediately retracts his hand.

"sorry," he apologizes again. this time profusely. "did i make you uncomfortable?"

"no, no," you immediately reassure. "i liked it. it's just you were doing it for a while..." you pause before continuing. "i thought you were checking for dead skin or something."

zayne blinks.

"you thought i was checking for dead skin?" he repeats incredulously.

you nod slowly. now it's your turn to be flustered.

at that, he chuckles with a shake of his head and returns to tracing your left finger, ignoring your amusing assurances about how you always wash your hands thoroughly.

yes, he's most definitely going to marry you.

caleb

anklets

this totally wasn't inspired by that one scene in the main story where he pins our leg down with his evol

nope not at all

i don't know what you're talking about

he likes the ones that come with dangly charms

this is because he can hear you whenever you move

interpret that however you want

but really, he loves how the sound gets louder and louder

because that means you're moving TOWARDS him

he wants to gift you a whole bunch of charms

specifically apple and sky themed

it's over for him if you wear it while your legs are exposed

that man is on the floor, his hands haphazardly roaming up and down your bare skin

and when he notices the anklet with the charms that he gifted?

it's over for you

his fingers are slipping underneath the anklet, wrapping around your ankle, and pulling you to him

where's his face at?

uhhhhh

you're trying to control your breathing. you really are. but it's hard to when there's a man, an incredibly gorgeous one with lavender eyes deep enough to engulf you whole, settled in front of you, specifically in between your legs.

thankfully (not really), he hasn't done anything yet. he's just kneeling there with his metal fingers snaked around your ankle and his eyes transfixed on the anklet you decided to wear.

"uhm," you start, nervously shifting on the couch. "is there something wrong with my ankle, caleb?"

he finally looks at you. you can't tell if he's angry. definitely not with your foot resting against his broad shoulder.

"nothing's wrong, pips." he speaks after an eternity.

you sigh in relief. eager to get out of this compromising position, you try to put your foot down. keyword: try.

"caleb, what-"

"when did you put the charm on?"

"oh, uh," you notice him looking at the anklet again, but more at the apple charm. it has a snake coiled around it. "a while ago? i think as soon as you gave it to me."

he breathes in sharply.

you think it's over when he releases you. you're proven wrong when he grabs both of your ankles and drags you to the end of the couch, his chin dangerously close to your core.

"you really don't make it easy for me, pips."

[rika-mmendmethings]

・・・・LOVE AND DEEP SPACE・・・・

╰┈➤ Sylus 𓅇

_-🖋 Feline Hexes (one-shot; fluff, bf!Sylus)

A prolonged game of kitty cards angers the kitty gods, who curse Sylus to become a cat, which leads to a series of misadventures and an un-fur-gettable day.

_-🖋 Risqué Sketches (one-shot; smut, bf!Sylus)

You're an artist at heart with your boyfriend, Sylus, mostly being your choice of muse. What happens when he comes across a sketchbook that holds your innermost desires and has provocative drawings of him?

_-🖋 Against Blood and Water(series; angst with a happy ending, slowburn, strangers to lovers, reader is Luke and Kieran's bio mom)

CH 1 | CH 2 | CH 3 | CH 4 | CH 5 I CH 6 COMING SOON

Seventeen years ago, your life had taken a turn for the worse when your newborn twins were separated from you by a cruel twist of fate. The same fate had led you to the N109 Zone, to your children who were all grown up now. Reconciliation with your boys would've been slightly easier had they somehow not acquired a father figure over the years who wasn't letting them go anytime soon.

_-🖋 Lethe Récords (one-shot; angst with no happy ending, the reader is a record shop owner, mc included)

In the forgotten shadows of N109, Lethe, a humble record shop, becomes a sanctuary for secrets and records. Amid its vinyl aisles, a quiet connection forms between the shopkeeper, you, and Sylus over choice of vinyl and trade of thoughts. But it had been just your delusion, for the woman beside him was just the proof of that.

_-🖋 Baby Boss-Man (or Boss Baby?) (one-shot; request; fluff, bf!Sylus)

One misfire of another one of Philip's odd inventions and Sylus is aged back to a five-year-old bundle of chaos version of himself. But as you try to survive his oversized cuteness, you can't help but catch baby fever. When the antidote arrives, you're sure that you'll be rid of those thoughts. The only difference is that Sylus intends to make them real.

_-🖋 Terms & Conditions Apply (series; mild angst with a happy ending; crime; cheating but not between the main leads; reader is Sylus and MC's baby's surrogate)

Prologue | CH 1 I CH 2 dropping on 10 July

What begins as a financial lifeline quickly transforms into an emotional labyrinth once you agree to become both the surrogate and ova donor for the Qin family. With an entire year remaining under their roof, you begin to unravel the hidden truths behind their seemingly perfect façade. Worse still, you find yourself confronted with things that were never outlined in the terms and conditions.

_-🖋 Belly Dance (one-shot, suggestive, fluff, bf! Sylus)

Sylus unearths a college-era belly dancing outfit during your move-in to his house. After you reluctantly agree to perform, his awe and love help you rediscover the fun, confident person you were. The night ends in passion and sensuality as Sylus shows you just how beautiful you have always been.

_-🖋 Death Comes For Us All (series, Goddess of Death! Reader x Sylus, mild angst with a happy ending, enemies to lovers, love triangle)

Prologue | HIATUS!

You, the Goddess of Death, are given six months to capture the one soul who's escaped countless times or give up your mantle. What begins as duty transforms into obsession as you chase the one deathless man because of a love-bound oath.

_-🖋 Req 2 halted for some time, I apologize.

╰┈➤ Rafayel 𓆝

_-🖋 Interdimensional Epiphany (series; heavy angst, slowburn, self!aware, fluff, slight smut)

CH 1 | CH 2 l CH 3 l CH 4 l CH 5 I CH 6 coming soon

A fortnight of compensated leave from your company was supposed to be a rejuvenating experience. Things take an unexpected turn when Rafayel, your choice of ML, starts becoming self-aware. His love knows no bounds, not even interdimensional ones.

_-🖋 Third Time's the Charm (one-shot, au, fluff, Idol! Rafayel x Idol! Reader)

Star-studded music shows, nosy cameras, misinterpreted gestures, and three different fated meetings between you and Rafayel.

╰┈➤ Caleb ✈︎

_-🖋 Mirage (series; heavy angst, enemies to lovers, slowburn, major character death(s), extreme violence, yandere themes)

CH 1 l CH 2 I CH 3 COMING SOON

In a world where power is survival's currency, you are a former top Colonel in the Farspace Fleet, now demoted to lieutenant colonel. You've lost your rank to Caleb, a newcomer who has taken your place. But when fate takes, it also gives. You discover that the man you despise is linked to the very organization you've been trying to expose for years. Yet, you find yourself being deterred from your mission as the line between loathe and love blurs.

_-🖋 One-shot releasing 🔜

╰┈➤ Xavier ⚔︎

_-🖋 Series 1 releasing third week of June

_-🖋 One-shot releasing 🔜

╰┈➤ Zayne ❄︎

_-🖋 Heart Shot (one-shot, Zayne x Nurse! Reader, lots of pre-relationship fluff)

It started as a coping mechanism — a secret, anonymous flirtation you expected to burn out with the help of a pink bow and silly notes. But every arrow you fire lands closer to something real — and the man you thought was untouchable suddenly isn’t dodging anymore.

_-🖋 Series 1 releasing third week of June

_-🖋 One-shot releasing 🔜

[heian-era-housewife]

Synopsis | It was Toji's idea to play strip poker in the first place, so why is he so bad at it?? But hey, who's complaining? Certainly not you!

Content | mdni 18+, g/n!reader x toji x shiu, gambling, no sex, just drunk naked men~

Word Count | ~600

"Wanna make it interesting?" Toji said with a devilish smirk.

It wasn't the first time you'd found yourself playing post-kill poker with your handler and fellow assassin after a good day's work.

"Yeah? With what money, Fushiguro?" Shiu mocked.

The three of you sat, crosslegged on the floor, around the low tea table in Shiu's office. The one typically used for a different kind of transaction.

"I'm not talkin' about raising the bet." Toji snickered. "I'm just talkin' about changing the game a little."

"I just barely got the hang of five card stud!" You protested. You stared down at your hand, a good one at that.

"What are you proposing?" You vaguely heard Shiu ask. No way you wanted to change the game now. Not with three of a kind right in front of you.

"Strip."

Your brain was working hard to remember the ten hands of poker Shiu had taught you not long ago. Three of a kind was good, but there were still several higher ranking hands...

"Strip?!" Shiu nearly choked.

...not to mention Toji's propensity to cheat. At least you had finally managed your poker face, so you supposed you could try to get them to fold before you- wait...

"Strip." Toji repeated.

You had stopped paying attention, distracted by your strategy. Did he just say "strip"? As in "strip poker"?? Slowly, you looked up from your cards, eyes darting from one man to the other.

"You're not scared, are ya?" Toji teased.

•♤•♡•◇•♧•

What ensued was utter chaos.

Shiu was down to his white tee-shirt, socks, and boxers. Meanwhile, Toji had just his left sock and a tight fitting pair of black boxer briefs. Everyone's cheeks were flushed with drink from the now empty cans that scattered the floor and table. You sat fully clothed, a fat stack of cash piled up in front of you.

"I fold!" Toji exclaimed, ripping off his last sock a little too enthusiastically.

"YOU HAD A STRAIGHT FLUSH!" Shiu practically screamed, pulling at his own hair.

Toji shrugged.

"Fuckin' exhibitionist..." Shiu murmured. "Alright, let's see what you've got." You laid down another three of a kind. "Damnit, how do you keep doing that?!" Shiu threw down his two pair, reaching to peel off one of his socks.

•♤•♡•◇•♧•

The final round was no different.

Toji knelt, butt ass naked, save for Shiu's tie now tied snuggly around his head. "I fold!" He yelled in a drunken chuckle despite being out of the game.

"Oh, shut up!" Shiu sneered, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead as he sat in nothing more than just his underwear, a gleam of determination in his wild eyes. Slowly, confidently, he laid down four of a kind. "Show 'em." He said.

You bit your lip, both men leaning forward in hushed anticipation. Then, with a guilty smile, you threw your royal flush onto the table.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Shiu yelled, burying his face in his hands. Toji laughed, dancing nakedly in taunting fashion. Defeated, Shiu stood to strip away his final layer. Toji whistled.

"Thanks, Fushiguro. This was a good idea!" You gave him a wink, pulling your loot toward your fully clothed self. Toji, in turn, gave a prideful look followed by a mock bow, Shiu's tie still swinging from his head.

"Now to sit back and enjoy the view." You gloated.

Sure, it was Shiu who had taught you the rules. But it was Toji, afterall, who taught you to cheat.

Idea credit to the illustrious @noodles-even-less-stable

Tag | @queentoji

[onlyangel4]

red, white and ruin. part five. cody rhodes.

dark!cody rhodes x make up artist!reader.

synopsis: on the surface, cody is everything clean-cut. honour, legacy, gold. but you saw the mask slip once, and now you can’t unsee it. he wants you because you see him, the ambition, the darkness, the violence under the white light. and when he decides you’re going to be his, he wraps you in red, white, and ruin.

warnings: 18+. cursing. smut. p in v. voyerism, window sex. ownership kink. filthy dirty talk. fingering.

part one // part two // part three // part four // part five // part six

you must've drifted off again at some point, because when you opened your eyes next, cody was gone.

the hotel room was empty, eerily still.

you sat up slowly, the bed a wreck around you, heart hammering strangely hard against your ribs.

something was wrong.

you could feel it, that crackling tension in the air, like a storm rolling in.

you swung your legs over the side of the bed and

your breath caught.

sitting at the foot of the bed, carefully arranged like some kind of altar, were boxes.

three of them.

big, glossy, expensive-looking.

each one wrapped in deep red ribbon, the kind you only saw in stupidly fancy jewellery stores or in those luxury brand ads that aired around christmas.

a single card was perched on top of the largest box.

your name, written in cody’s unmistakable, aggressive scrawl.

your hands shook a little as you picked it up.

inside, two words:

"mine. always."

your stomach dropped.

you opened the first box with trembling fingers.

a necklace.

diamond-studded, delicate, horrifyingly expensive.

the kind of thing that didn’t belong anywhere near you.

you didn’t dare put it on.

the second box, a pair of shoes.

custom.

designer.

the kind of shoes a woman wore when she was supposed to be owned, heels sharp enough to make your ankles bleed, black and brutal.

and the third box

you gasped.

it was a dress.

silk. blood-red.

cut low in the front made to cling to every inch of you like a second skin.

you sat back on the bed, dizzy.

what the hell was happening?

you then looked further, finding a small folded note

"wear these tonight, show everyone who you belong to."

you were so fucked.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

you barely had time to shower, barely had time to put the red dress on. but you had time to stare at yourself in the mirror and wonder when exactly you'd lost your mind. before the knock came at the door.

three sharp raps. no hesitation. no courtesy.

your heart stuttered against your ribs.

you moved without thinking, opening the door with trembling fingers.

and there he was.

cody.

dressed ready to go out black suit , tie loose, shirt unbuttoned just enough to flash that strong column of his throat.

but it wasn’t his clothes that made your blood freeze, it was his face.

cold.

fierce.

hungry.

he didn’t say a word.

he just stepped forward, forcing you back into the room with nothing more than the weight of his body.

you stumbled once, caught yourself, and then his hand was around your throat, not squeezing, just holding, as he kicked the door shut behind him with a dull thud.

"you think you can ignore my gifts, sweetheart?" his voice was low and dangerous, soft the way a wolf’s growl is soft just before it tears your throat out.

"you think you can look at what I give you, touch it, breathe it in... and still act like you're not already fucking mine?"

you tried to speak, you really did, but nothing came out except a little gasp.

your hands flew up instinctively, grabbing at his wrist, but he didn’t tighten his grip.

he just kept you there, trembling under the weight of his stare.

"you wore the dress."

his thumb dragged slowly along your jaw, making you shiver.

"but not the jewellery"

he clicked his tongue, disappointed.

"and no heels. barefoot. like a little brat who doesn’t know what she’s worth."

you managed a broken whisper, "i was going to put them on"

wrong answer.

cody's hand slid from your throat to your hair, fisting it brutally and forcing your head back until you were looking up at him, helpless.

"you were going to" he repeated mockingly.

"you were going to obey me? after i spent all night making sure you couldn’t even fucking walk straight?"

the possessiveness in his voice wasn’t subtle.

it was a storm, a black tide rising up to swallow you whole.

"you think this is some little game?" he snarled.

"you think i don’t mean every fucking second i put my hands on you?"

he yanked you closer, your bodies colliding hard enough to knock the air from your lungs.

"you want to test me, baby?"

his mouth was right at your ear now, every word a burning brand on your skin.

"you want to see how far i'll go?"

you whimpered without meaning to, your knees already buckling, every instinct screaming at you to submit.

cody laughed, low and cruel.

"that’s what i thought."

and just like that, you were done.

melting into him.

breaking apart at the seams.

every shred of pride, every excuse, every half-formed protest crumbling to ash in his hands.

you didn’t remember how your back hit the bed.

you didn’t remember how he peeled the dress from your body like it was paper, discarded on the floor.

you didn’t remember breathing because you weren’t. not when Cody looked down at you like that.

like a man starved.

like you were the only thing he’d ever eat again.

"look at you" he growled, shedding his jacket, his shirt, undoing his belt with a snap that made you flinch.

"you let me touch you twice and now you can't even fucking think straight, can you?"

you shook your head helplessly.

you couldn’t think straight.

not when his body was laid bare for you, strong arms, broad chest, the tattoos across his pecs flexing with every furious breath.

not when he was already hard, heavy, dripping against his abdomen.

he grabbed your ankles, dragging you to the edge of the bed.

your bare skin burned against the sheets.

cody loomed over you, towering, unstoppable.

"you know how many men looked at you every day"

his voice was low, dangerous.

"you know how many of them want to fuck you?"

you opened your mouth, no idea what you were going to say but he was faster.

"but they won’t."

he shoved your knees apart, exposing everything, not giving you a second to hide.

"they can't."

he wrapped one big hand around his cock, stroking himself slowly, almost lazily, as he stared between your legs.

"you're mine now."

it wasn't a question.

it wasn't a demand.

it was a fact.

you whimpered, lifting your hips toward him without even meaning to.

"say it" he ordered.

"i'm yours", you gasped, voice breaking.

cody smiled, dark, wicked.

and then he wrecked you.

no teasing.

no slow build up.

he lined himself up and pushed inside in one brutal thrust, burying himself to the hilt, making you sob out a broken, desperate sound.

he was thick, stretching you wide, splitting you open and he didn't stop, not even when your nails dug into his biceps, not even when your thighs shook against his ribs.

"you'll take it", he grunted, snapping his hips forward.

"you'll take all of it. every fucking inch."

you cried out, a sound too raw to be anything but real, and he shuddered above you, his hand wrapping around the back of your neck, forcing you to look up at him as he pounded into you.

"i want you to remember this", he growled.

"i want you to remember who fucks you like this."

your mind was blank, pure white noise, nothing existed except the wet slap of his hips against yours, the obscene stretch, the burn and bliss tangled so tightly you couldn't separate them anymore.

"mine" he snarled again, like he needed to hear it, needed to brand it into your fucking soul.

"yours", you sobbed, clinging to him, nails raking down his back.

and that did it.

cody slammed into you harder, faster, his rhythm brutal, relentless until the only thing you could do was break.

your orgasm tore through you without warning, without mercy, shattering you apart under him, through him.

he didn't stop.

he fucked you through it, kept you pinned and helpless as he chased his own end.

the dirty, broken sounds coming from you only pushed him higher.

"you feel that?" he growled against your throat.

"feel how you’re squeezing me? fuck, baby, you were made for this. made for me."

it was messy, desperate, violent, and when he finally came inside you, grinding deep and filling you up with a broken, guttural groan, it felt like the entire world tilted sideways.

he didn’t pull out.

he just stayed there, buried inside you, panting against your skin, his arms wrapped tight around your body like he was afraid you’d slip away if he let go.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

the room was spinning.

your body felt boneless, ruined, every inch of you tender, buzzing, alive.

cody hadn't moved far.

he pulled out slowly, hissing through his teeth at the mess he left between your thighs, then collapsed beside you, dragging you onto his chest without a word.

you lay there, still trembling, your ear pressed over his heart, listening to the wild, unsteady beat hammering beneath his ribs.

he smelled like sweat and sex and something deeper, yours.

"you alright, baby?" he murmured after a long moment, voice thick, raw with emotion.

you nodded against him, but he wasn't satisfied with that.

he tilted your chin up, forcing you to meet his eyes.

they were soft now, so different from the way he looked when he was fucking the soul out of you but no less intense.

"talk to me," he said lowly.

"you good?"

you swallowed hard, nodding again, but this time you found your voice too.

"i’m good" you whispered.

"I’m better than good."

cody smiled, small, crooked, devastating.

"you wreck me" you breathed without thinking.

the smile dropped from his mouth, replaced with something dark and tender.

He leaned down and kissed you slow, deep, savouring you.

he kissed you like you were a prayer he hadn't realised he needed until you were already in his hands.

"that's the idea", he whispered against your lips.

he helped you sit up, even though your legs felt like jelly, his big hands steady at your waist.

you whined a little at the dull ache between your thighs, the soreness, the overwhelming stretch he left inside you.

cody's jaw tightened.

He brushed his thumb between your legs, where his cum was dripping down your thighs, and you jerked with a soft gasp.

"you’re fucking perfect," he muttered, mostly to himself.

and then, impossibly tender he cleaned you up, using a warm cloth from the bathroom, murmuring soothing nonsense against your temple as he worked.

every second felt like being stitched back together.

every touch said, you’re mine. i’ll take care of you. always.

once you were clean or as clean as you could be when your body was still singing from what he'd done to you he pulled you into his lap, cradling you against his chest like you weighed nothing at all.

you could've stayed there forever.

safe.

wanted.

claimed.

but cody had other plans.

"baby", he rumbled, nuzzling into your neck.

"we’ve got dinner."

you blinked at him in disbelief.

dinner?

after that?

he chuckled at the look on your face, pressing a kiss under your jaw.

"i made a reservation" he said casually.

"you're gonna put on that little dress i bought you, and i'm gonna take you out and show the world who you belong to."

something about the way he said it, not jealous, not insecure, but possessive in a way that made your toes curl, sent a thrill racing up your spine.

still you hesitated.

"what if people notice?"

cody pulled back to look at you, and grinned.

"that’s the point, sweetheart."

you stared at him.

and that's when he dropped the bomb.

"i might've made a few calls" he said

"press'll be there. couple of paparazzi too."

your jaw dropped.

"you... what?"

"you’re mine", cody said simply, his voice low and certain.

"time everybody else knew it too."

you should have been embarrassed.

you should have been furious.

but all you felt was heat, blooming hot and dangerous in your chest.

because when cody claimed something, he didn’t do it halfway.

he made damn sure the world understood.

you were about to be put on display, on his arm, in his world, and you’d never been more ready.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

cody watched you get dressed like a man on the edge of losing all self-control.

you barely made it into the tight little red dress he’d picked out short, sleeveless, clinging to every inch of your body like a second skin.

Ii wasn't even subtle, it screamed taken, touched, ruined.

your thighs still trembled when you stepped into your heels.

your lips were still kiss-swollen.

and between your legs you could still feel the faint, aching drip of him, a filthy reminder of what he'd done to you.

cody ate it up with his eyes, so possessive it almost knocked you off your feet.

he looked like trouble.

he was trouble.

and he was taking you out looking like this.

god help anyone who even looked at you wrong tonight.

the car ride to the restaurant was a slow burn.

cody’s hand never left your thigh, heavy, warm, fingers flexing just enough to remind you he was right there, in charge, in control.

when you pulled up, flashes started instantly, photographers camped outside the entrance, cameras raised like a goddamn army.

your heart kicked in your chest.

cody felt it.

he leaned in close, lips brushing your ear.

"smile, baby", he murmured.

"let 'em see who you belong to."

and then he climbed out, came around, and opened your door.

the second you stepped out, cody took your hand in his, large, firm, possessive and pulled you into his side like you were the most natural thing in the world.

he didn't rush.

he wanted the cameras to catch it.

his hand slid down your back, dangerously low, guiding you up the sidewalk.

flashes exploded around you, but you barely noticed, all you could feel was cody’s body heat, his steady grip, the tension rolling off him in waves.

inside, it wasn’t much better.

eyes followed you everywhere, whispers, stares, and cody welcomed it.

at your table, tucked into a private corner but not too private, cody sat close.

way too close.

his thigh pressed against yours under the table.

his hand casually rested on your knee and then, lower, sliding higher until your breath caught.

you shot him a warning look.

cody just grinned.

"relax," he said.

"nobody can see under the table."

and then, slowly, deliberately, he hooked two fingers under the hem of your dress and dragged it higher up your thighs.

you nearly choked on air.

"cody," you hissed.

he gave you a look that dared you to stop him.

"you’re dripping down your legs, sweetheart" he murmured low enough only you could hear.

"you think i don’t know what kind of mess i made?"

your whole body flushed hot.

"you’re mine", he said simply.

"you stay wet for me, you stay messy for me. that’s how it’s supposed to be."

you whimpered, actually whimpered and Cody smirked like he’d won a prize.

the waiter came over and somehow, somehow, you managed to order without falling apart, though cody's hand never moved, staying just under the table, warm against the bare skin at the top of your inner thigh, dangerously close to the place you wanted him most.

through appetizers and drinks, he kept you right there, trembling, needy, on edge while he stayed perfectly calm, like he wasn't slowly dismantling you in public.

he leaned close while you picked at your food, brushing your hair behind your ear so nobody could see his mouth move.

"after this," he murmured, voice like velvet, "i'm taking you upstairs."

you swallowed thickly.

"i'm gonna fuck you against the window", cody said, like he was promising you a damn gift.

"let 'em all look up if they want. let 'em see who owns you now."

your breath hitched.

he chuckled darkly.

"you like that, baby? you like bein’ my dirty little secret they can’t touch?"

you nodded helplessly, thighs clenching.

cody squeezed your leg, hard enough to make you whimper.

"good", he said, sitting back like nothing was wrong, like he wasn’t planning to ruin you again the second you were alone.

"you better finish your dessert" he added with a wink.

"you’re gonna need the energy."

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

cody threw some bills on the table, way more than needed and stood, towering over you with that dark, hungry look in his eye.

when he offered his hand, you didn't even think.

you took it.

the second your fingers slid into his, he pulled you in tight against his side, possessive as hell, like he dared anyone to even look at you the wrong way.

outside, the flashes were even worse, an ocean of lights and shouting voices, people calling his name, your name, snapping pictures like they couldn’t get enough.

cody didn’t rush.

he slowed down, made a show of it, his hand firmly on your ass now, fingers spreading possessively, dragging you close like you were his prize, his trophy, his property.

he tilted his head down, mouth brushing your temple, making sure the cameras caught every second.

"mine" he growled under his breath, low enough that only you could hear.

you shivered.

reporters yelled questions, are you together? who is she? are you serious, cody??

he didn’t answer a single one.

just kept walking, hand on you, body crowding you, claiming you in front of the whole damn world.

when you reached the black suv waiting at the curb, he opened the door and practically shoved you inside.

the second it slammed shut, the outside world disappeared, and cody’s hand was back between your thighs, rough and impatient.

"you’re fuckin’ soaked" he muttered, sounding almost angry about it.

"can’t believe you sat through dinner like this. all messy and needy for me."

you gasped when he pushed your legs apart, fingers teasing the inside of your thigh, so close to where you were throbbing for him.

"cody" you whimpered.

he leaned in, breathing hard, his mouth brushing your ear.

"you wanna be good for me, baby?" he murmured.

"yes" you gasped.

"good. then keep your fuckin’ legs open until we get upstairs."

you obeyed, cheeks flaming, heart pounding sitting there with your thighs spread, dress hiked up indecently, while the driver pulled out into traffic like nothing was happening.

cody sat back, legs wide, watching you, one hand lazily stroking his thigh, the other reaching over occasionally to trace your inner knee, your trembling skin, reminding you who you belonged to.

the ride felt endless.

you were dripping, aching, wrecked, and Cody looked like he was enjoying every second of your suffering.

when you finally pulled up to the hotel, he got out first, circling around fast, opening your door before the valet could even react.

again, cameras flashed, people definitely noticing now how flushed you were, how your dress was rumpled, how cody’s hand never left you.

he kept you tucked against his side the whole way through the lobby, straight to the elevator.

the second the doors closed behind you, cody snapped.

he spun you around, shoving you against the mirrored wall with a thud.

before you could even gasp, his mouth crashed onto yours, rough, bruising, hungry, his tongue pushing inside like he was staking a claim.

you whimpered against him, hands clutching his shirt, feeling the thick, hard line of him pressing against your stomach.

"you’ve been teasing me all fuckin’ night" cody growled between kisses, voice thick, ragged.

you shook your head, you hadn’t done anything, but he wasn’t listening.

"walkin’ around all sweet and messy" he said, kissing down your jaw, nipping your throat, dragging your dress higher and higher.

"drippin’ down your legs. thinkin’ you can look at me like that and get away with it?"

"cody, please" you gasped.

he ground against you hard enough to make you cry out.

"you want it that bad, baby? huh?"

"yes" you whimpered, thighs trembling.

"then you’ll take what i give you," he growled, pulling back just enough to lock eyes with you, wild, possessive, desperate.

"and you’ll thank me when i’m done."

the elevator dinged for your floor.

without missing a beat, cody grabbed your hand and yanked you down the hall, practically dragging you to the room.

the door slammed shut behind you.

you barely had time to breathe before cody grabbed you again, spinning you to face the giant floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering city below.

you could feel him behind you, big, solid, overwhelming.

he pressed up against your back, one hand curling around your throat, tilting your head back so you could see your reflection in the glass.

"you see that?" cody rasped.

"you see who you fuckin’ belong to?"

"yes," you whispered, dizzy, desperate.

"good", he said and then he shoved your dress up over your hips and yanked your panties down in one brutal move.

you gasped, naked, exposed, trembling.

"hands on the window, baby" cody ordered, voice rough and ragged.

you obeyed, palms flat against the cool glass, heart hammering.

behind you, you heard the clink of his belt, the rasp of his zipper.

and then, hot, hard, heavy he pressed into you in one slow, devastating thrust.

you cried out , more from feeling him, being filled, being claimed, than anything else.

cody groaned deep in his chest, grinding his hips against your ass.

"so fuckin’ good" he growled.

"so tight. so messy for me."

he pulled back and slammed in again, harder, deeper and you sobbed against the glass.

below you, the city lights twinkled.

above you, cody buried himself inside you like he was never letting you go.

every thrust was rough, punishing, possessive.

every sound he made, every groan, every growled curse, went straight to your core.

"you’re mine" cody panted against your ear.

"you fuckin’ understand me, baby?"

"yes" you cried out.

"say it."

"i’m yours," you sobbed.

"say it louder."

"i’m yours, cody, i’m yours!"

he groaned, grinding deep, holding you pinned between his body and the window, fucking you hard enough to shake the glass.

and when you came, shattering around him, screaming his name cody wrapped a hand around your throat, holding you tight, chasing his own release with a broken, desperate sound.

he finished deep inside you, grinding slow and possessive, filling you up so full you could feel it.

neither of you moved for a long moment, just breathing, clinging, wrecked.

then cody pressed a kiss to your temple, shockingly soft after everything he’d just done, and murmured, "good fuckin’ girl."

you whimpered, leaning back into him, feeling like you were falling apart in his arms.

and he caught you, just like he always would.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

the world stopped spinning eventually.

cody was the one who moved first, gently, slowly, pulling out with a low groan.

you whimpered at the sudden emptiness, at the loss of him, but he was right there, hands on your waist, steadying you, pressing soft kisses to the back of your neck.

"come here, baby" he murmured, voice rough and low.

you let him turn you around.

your legs shook, too weak to hold you up, and cody just scooped you into his arms, carrying you like you weighed nothing, like you were something precious.

he walked you into the bathroom, setting you gently down on the edge of the wide marble tub.

kneeling in front of you, he wet a warm cloth and started cleaning you up, slow, careful, murmuring little apologies when you flinched from how sensitive you were.

the whole time, he stayed so close, hands gentle, touch reverent.

it was a different kind of intimacy.

no hunger, no roughness.

just care.

when he finished, he helped you into one of his soft black t-shirts, it hung off you, drowning you in the best way.

then he carried you again, back to the giant bed, settling you between the cool sheets, tucking you into his side like he never wanted to let go.

you buried your face against his chest, breathing him in, soap, sweat, cologne, cody.

for a long time, neither of you said anything.

you just laid there, tangled up together, listening to the slow, steady beat of his heart against your ear.

it was cody who broke the silence.

"you good, baby?" he asked, voice so soft it barely broke the quiet.

you nodded against him. "yeah. i’m good. are you?"

he chuckled low in his chest, not cocky, not teasing. just tired, wrecked, a little amazed.

"better now" he said.

you smiled, fingers tracing lazy circles over the lines of his tattooed arm.

another long pause.

you didn’t even realise you were speaking until the words were already out.

"what are we doing, cody?"

his hand stilled on your back.

for a second, you thought he wasn’t going to answer, that maybe you shouldn't have asked but then he sighed, tugging you closer.

"i don’t know" he said honestly.

"but i know i'm not lettin’ you go."

your heart twisted painfully in your chest.

"you sure about that?" you whispered.

cody shifted, turning slightly so he could see your face, cupping your jaw with one big, calloused hand.

"you’re mine" he said fiercely.

"and i'm yours. that simple."

you blinked up at him, throat tight.

"but what about" you started to say, thinking about work, about cameras and contracts and fans and gossip.

cody shook his head, silencing you with a thumb brushing over your lips.

"i’ll handle it" he said firmly.

"all of it. you don’t worry about nothin’. just stay close to me."

you stared at him, breath caught in your lungs.

because for the first time in a long time, you believed someone when they said they’d protect you.

and you knew, deep down, that cody rhodes wasn’t the kind of man who broke his promises.

he saw the doubt flicker across your face, and his expression softened.

"hey" he said, voice low and steady. "i’m serious. you’re not a secret, baby. not to me. never were."

you swallowed hard.

"is that why you called the paparazzi tonight?" you whispered.

he grinned, no shame, no apology.

"yeah. needed everybody to see you with me," he said.

"needed ‘em to know."

you laughed, real, full bodied, tears burning at the corners of your eyes.

"you’re crazy" you said, voice thick.

Cody leaned in, kissing you slow, sweet, the kind of kiss that said I’m not goin’ anywhere.

"crazy for you" he murmured against your mouth.

you melted into him, into the kiss, into the feeling of being wanted, claimed, loved and for the first time in what felt like forever, you felt safe.

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

you were naive. you had assumed that following everything cody would act normal at work.

that he could act like nothing happened.

that was certainly not the case.

you tried to work on like any normal day.

but nothing felt routine when cody rhodes was in your orbit.

you stepped through the loading dock doors, your kit slung over your shoulder, trying to look calm, professional, like you had a job to do even though your skin still buzzed with the memory of him from last night.

you hadn't even made it ten steps into the building before you heard it the heavy, deliberate sound of boots.

you turned your head

and there he was.

hat pulled low, black hoodie unzipped just enough to flash the glint of his chain.

eyes locked on you with that same heated, dangerous look he’d worn when he’d had you pinned against the hotel bed.

your heart stuttered.

"hey" you said, trying for neutral, even as heat prickled up your neck.

he didn't answer.

just stalked toward you, slow, steady, like a predator who had all the time in the world.

you opened your mouth to say something, anything, but cody didn’t give you the chance.

he crowded into your space, caging you against the nearest wall, one hand braced beside your head.

"you really thought you were gonna just walk in here like that," he said low, voice rough with something dangerous, "act like you’re not mine?"

you blinked up at him, heart thundering.

"i'm working," you said, a little breathless. "i have to"

cody leaned in, lips brushing the shell of your ear.

"don’t care."

you shivered.

Somewhere in the distance, you heard footsteps, other crew members moving equipment, superstars getting mic’d up but cody didn’t seem to notice or care.

his hand came up, sliding over your waist, squeezing possessively.

"you see all these people?" he murmured. "they’re about to see."

"see what?" you asked, even though you already knew.

cody's mouth brushed your temple.

"that you’re fuckin’ spoken for" he growled.

before you could respond, he pulled back just enough to press a hot, claiming kiss to your lips. deep and public and absolutely reckless.

someone wolf-whistled from down the hall.

a door slammed.

laughter echoed somewhere nearby.

you gasped against him, trying to pull away, but cody just chased you, kissed you harder, like he could brand the truth onto your skin with his mouth.

when he finally let you breathe, you were dizzy, chest heaving, pulse pounding.

he grinned, wicked, satisfied thumb brushing your swollen bottom lip.

"now" he said, stepping back just enough to let you move, "go do your job, sweetheart."

you stared at him, stunned, trembling.

cody smirked, cocky as hell.

and then he winked, the bastard, and sauntered off toward gorilla, leaving you flushed and wrecked and so very, very his.

[the--blackdahlia]

Wild Horses (Beetlejuice x Reader)

Title: Wild Horses

Summary: Lydia keeps summoning Beetlejuice away from (Y/n) right when they get to the good part. He wants to know why.

Warning: Hinted sexual content, body image issues

“Mmm babes, you smell delicious,” Beetlejuice started kissing behind (y/n)’s ear, smirking at the reaction he was getting from her. They were both on her bed, where they had been listening to music and talking, but now, Beetlejuice had other things in mind.

“Beej, the door’s open,” (Y/n) was trying to find an excuse to get him to stop. She wanted to go on, she really liked him, but insecurities had a tendency to get the best of her. Beetlejuice snapped his fingers and the door shut, the loud creaking of the hinges echoing down the hall.

“There, that’s taken care of,” He went back to kissing (Y/n)’s neck.

“Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” He heard Lydia summon him. With a loud groan, he left (Y/n)’s side and appeared in the dining room, where Lydia, Barbara, and Adam were set around the table.

“What is so fucking important?!” He snapped.

“We need a fourth for cards. Matilda’s at work.” Beetlejuice stood there for a second, just staring at her. She swore she could see the red spreading across his ashy skin.

“YOU FUCKING SUMMONED ME TO PLAY CARDS?!” He exploded, and the Maitlands could practically see smoke coming out of his ears.

“Yes I did. Now come sit,” Lydia was calm, used to Beetlejuice’s tantrums. She had even set up a little corner in a couple of the rooms for him to throw tantrums in. Matilda had even made signs for them during craft night at the library. Beetlejuice grumbled but took a seat across from Lydia.

“Five card stud? Texas Hold ‘Em? Stripping?” Beetlejuice wiggled his eyebrows.

“We’re playing Spades,” Barbara smiled at him, and Beetlejuice groaned.

“You pulled me away from a fucking sexy woman…to play Spades?”

“Yep. Adam’s dealer first,” Lydia gave Beetlejuice a shit-eating grin. Beetlejuice let out the most annoyed groan before picking up his cards to play the game.

****

That’s how things went over the next few weeks. Every time Beetlejuice started to get intimate, Matilda or Lydia would summon him away from (Y/n). It was really starting to annoy him, especially when he would go back to pick up where he left off and (Y/n) would be asleep or otherwise preoccupied.

Finally, after Lydia pulled him away to go have lunch with Matilda, he just about had enough.

“Why do you keep doing this shit to me Lyds?” He grumbled as the three sat in the parking lot of the Subway close to their house.

“Can’t I just spend time with my friend?” She sounded so innocent, but he knew there was something deeper behind her words.

“You never wanted to do that all the time until I got with (Y/n). So what’s up?” Matilda and Lydia looked at each other.

“Maybe we should tell him,” Matilda took a bite of her Miss Vickie’s.

“Okay, okay,” Lydia took a drink before turning to look at Beetlejuice. “(Y/n) hates the way her body looks. And she’s worried that you’ll find her repulsive.”

“...She does realize I’m a dead guy, right?” Beetlejuice looked at Lydia and Matilda like they had two heads. “I mean, she would legit be fucking a zombie pretty much.”

“Gross,” Matilda commented, making Beetlejuice roll his eyes.

“That’s it. I’ve got to fix this,” Beetlejuice had a look in his eye as ideas came pouring in. He knew what he needed to do.

****

“I’m home!” (Y/n) called out, carrying groceries in. “Hello?” The house was eerily silent. (Y/n) looked at the fridge and saw a note from Lydia.

‘Date night with Matilda. Be back late. -Lydia’

“Hmmm, okay,” She worked on putting groceries away. “Beej, you home?” She called out but didn’t hear him. She sighed and grabbed the drink she had bought herself and headed up the stairs to her room to read and relax.

Upon approaching her door, she could hear what sounded to be the Rolling Stones playing. Pushing open the door, she saw Beetlejuice sitting on her bed, guitar in hand, with dead flowers surrounding him. He was singing, but it sounded more like Mick Jagger than him.

“Wild horses. Couldn't drag me away. Wild, wild horses. Couldn't drag me away,” Beetlejuice sang to (Y/n). She sat her drink on her desk and walked towards him. He stopped playing when she saw by him.

“What’s all this about?” She picked up one of the dying daises and slipped it on top of her ear.

“I thought it’d be…romantic?” He couldn’t stop staring at her. “You’re beautiful.”

“Beej…”

“Nope. No arguing with me. I mean,” The guitar disappeared as he stood up. “I’m literally a dead guy. And you are the most beautiful breather I’ve ever seen.”

“Guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one,” (Y/n) was suddenly taken aback when Beetlejuice took her face in his hands.

“We’re not leaving this room until I prove to you that you are beautiful,” He got a wicked smile on his face. “And babe, I can go all night.”

[monbons]

Stitch Sunday

Happy Sunday all! Although it seems quiet on here today, I did want to share my most recently completed stitch projects. I’m super proud of them, and who doesn’t like a behind-the-scenes post? Everything is below the cut because the first is smut and the second is my Valentine's Day card for the Discord exchange. (I agreed to do the full list, so if you haven't received yours yet, stop reading after naked Simon!)

I am so pleased with how my first submission for EGF turned out. If you haven't seen it yet, find the post here. I created no less than FOUR body designs for Baz while trying to find one where he looked good naked from every angle. As promised, here is EVERY angle.

One of the unexpected challenges I ran into was that once the harness arrived, it was not the perfect fit I'd hoped for. Baz's angle made it so that there was a sizable gap between his back and the leather straps, so another skill I have now added to my repertoire is leather-working! I bought a kit, cut the straps down to the right size, poked new holes where they were needed, and hammered new studs in myself! Progress pic below.

Once I nailed Baz and his harness, I made my Simon pattern. The biggest difference is how exaggerated I had to make every curve in order to give Simon the fluffy body he deserves. Here are his angles!

Look at that little fold of felt where his thigh meets his torso. I love it so much!

As for my valentines, I knew I wanted to lean into my reputation as "the doll artist" somehow, so I sent everyone a Baz finger puppet! While you may have seen a version of this puppet before for COC, he got a slight upgrade for the exchange. I lined his jacket to make it sturdier, developed a better pattern for his widow's peak, and his shirt now boasts three hand-sewn seed bead buttons. (I grew more confident with the later models, so some of those puppets also boast real lapels on the jacket.)

Overall, I am super proud of myself for making just shy of 40 of these adorable puppets and spreading a little bit of the doll joy to as many people as I could!

Until we meet again, hellos and high-fives from the doll factory.

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy

@best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @bookishbroadwayandblind,

@confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @emeryhall, @facewithoutheart

@harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife

@katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @martsonmars, @messofthejess

@mooncello, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @prettygoododds, @raenestee

@rbkzz, @rimeswithpurple, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @shrekgogurt

@skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @technetiumai

@the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @valeffelees

@whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold

[i-heart-yellowstone]

All I Need

Rip Wheeler imagine based on the song “All I Need is You”

I’d love to hear thoughts from y’all. Comments / reblogs really appreciated ❤️❤️ Tag list - just send an ask to be added @tallrock35 @kmc1989 @pear-1206 @frost-queen @chaoticneutral3 @child-of-of-the-sunshine

The Yellowstone wind, a constant, biting presence, whipped strands of my hair across my face. I pulled the collar of my worn denim jacket tighter, the familiar scent of horse sweat and leather clinging to it, a comforting aroma in this unforgiving landscape. Another Montana sunset was bleeding across the sky, painting the jagged peaks in hues of fiery orange and deep violet. It was beautiful, awe-inspiring, but tonight, it felt lonely.

I was perched on the top rail of the corral, watching the horses mill about, their breath misting in the cool air. The ranch was quiet, most of the hands were already headed to the bunkhouse for supper. It was a peaceful scene, one I usually found solace in, but tonight, a restless unease gnawed at me.

Rip was out. I knew he was, of course. He didn't share his schedule with me, not exactly, but I always knew. When he was gone on some errand for John, some fence-mending mission, or… well, other things that required a darkness that clung to Rip like the dust on his boots.

We weren't…officially together. Not in the way folks in town might understand. There were no dates, no declarations of love echoing across the Montana plains. Our connection was something…deeper, something forged in shared hardship, loyalty, and a silent understanding that ran bone-deep. We were two souls who’d found a haven in each other amidst the chaos and brutality of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.

I’d arrived at the Yellowstone nearly five years ago, a broken thing, running from a past I wanted to bury. John Dutton, in his own gruff way, had offered me a chance, a purpose. And Rip… Rip had become my anchor.

He was a man of few words, a man sculpted from granite and grit. His eyes, the color of a stormy sky, held a depth that both intrigued and intimidated me. He was fiercely protective, brutally honest, and possessed a loyalty to the Duttons that bordered on religious fervor. He was also, beneath that hardened exterior, capable of a tenderness that could knock the wind out of me.

And tonight, I missed him. Missed the quiet comfort of his presence, the way his hand instinctively found the small of my back when we walked together, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he managed a rare, genuine smile. I slid off the fence, the ache in my own soul mirroring the fatigue in my bones. I needed to do something, anything, to distract myself from the gnawing emptiness.

The bunkhouse was lively, the usual card game in full swing, laughter and friendly insults filling the air. I managed a smile for the boys, but the noise and the camaraderie felt hollow. I grabbed a beer from the communal fridge and headed back outside, seeking the solace of the vast, star-studded sky.

I found myself drawn to the creek, the sound of the rushing water a constant, soothing murmur. I sat on a smooth, flat rock, the cold seeping through my jeans, and took a long pull from the bottle.

That's when I heard it. The unmistakable sound of a horse approaching, the rhythmic thud of hooves on the packed earth. My heart leaped. It had to be Rip.

He emerged from the trees, a silhouette against the fading light, riding a big, bay gelding. He dismounted, his movements fluid and economical, and the horse blew softly, nuzzling his shoulder.

He saw me then, his gaze locking onto mine. He didn't say anything, just walked towards me, his boots crunching on the gravel. The closer he got, the more I could see the weariness etched on his face, the shadows under his eyes. Whatever errand John had sent him on, it hadn’t been pleasant.

He stopped in front of me, his presence a wall of strength and quiet reassurance. He didn't reach out, didn't touch me, but the intensity of his gaze spoke volumes.

"You alright?" he asked, his voice rough, gravelly.

"Just...thinking," I replied, the word feeling inadequate.

He nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes. He knew me better than I sometimes knew myself. He knew the weight I carried, the ghosts that still haunted me.

He knelt down beside me, picking up a small stone and tossing it into the creek. The silence stretched between us, comfortable and familiar. Finally, I broke it. "Rip?"

"Yeah?"

"I... I was listening to a song earlier," I said, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "On the radio. It just... it made me think of us."

He turned his head, his eyebrows slightly raised, an invitation for me to continue."It's called 'All I Need is You'," I explained, my voice barely a whisper. "And it's about… well, about how everything else can be falling apart, but as long as you have that one person, you can get through anything." I looked down at my hands, suddenly ashamed of my vulnerability. I wasn't good at expressing my feelings, especially not to Rip.

He was silent for a long moment, and I was sure I'd embarrassed myself, revealed too much. Then, he spoke, his voice low and surprisingly gentle. "Sing it for me," he said.

My head snapped up. "What?"

"Sing it," he repeated, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "If it's about us, I want to hear it."

My heart pounded in my chest. I hadn't sung in years, not since… well, since before I came to the Yellowstone. But something in his eyes, something vulnerable and raw, compelled me.

I cleared my throat, the sound rusty and unfamiliar. I took a deep breath and began to sing, my voice shaky at first, but gaining strength as I went on. "When that sun goes down at the end of the day, There's just one thing I can't lose, If you're by my side, I'm better than alright, Baby, all I need is, You in the morning, you in the night, You every day for the rest of my life, You and me together 'til the day I die, I'm all yours if you're all mine, Baby, you're all mine."

I sang the words, each one resonating with truth. I didn't need material possessions, didn't need the trappings of a perfect life. All I needed was right here, beside me. "Now, baby, look at you, You're my wildest dream, I could give it all up, And still have everything

When that sun goes down at the end of the day, There's just one thing I can't lose, If you're by my side, I'm better than alright, Baby, all I need is you."

I looked at Rip as I sang the chorus, my gaze locking with his. His eyes were intense, focused, as if he was trying to absorb every word, every nuance of my voice. "All I need is you, Baby, all I need is you, All I need is you.” 

The last verse hung in the air, carried by the sound of the rushing creek and the whisper of the wind. I looked up at Rip, bracing myself for his reaction. He didn't say anything for a long moment, just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, he reached out, his hand gently cupping my cheek.

His touch sent a jolt through me, a mixture of longing and tenderness that made my breath catch in my throat. "You mean that?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. "Every word," I managed to choke out.

He leaned closer, his forehead resting against mine. "You're all I need too, Y/N," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "You're the only damn thing that makes sense in this crazy world."

He closed the distance between us then, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was both gentle and fierce, a silent promise of protection and devotion. The world seemed to fade away, the vastness of the Montana landscape shrinking down to just us, two souls intertwined beneath the starry sky.

When we finally broke apart, breathless and shaken, I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling a sense of peace I hadn't known was possible. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight, and we sat there in silence, listening to the creek, the wind, the beating of our hearts. The ranch was still, the bunkhouse quiet, the world outside the circle of Rip's arms seemed distant and unimportant.

In that moment, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, no matter what darkness the Yellowstone might throw our way, we would face it together.

Because all I needed was him. And he, apparently, needed me. And in the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Yellowstone, that was enough. That was everything.

[curses-of-the-void]

Stars Shining - Derek Hale

Fandom(s): Teen Wolf

Wordcount: 1188

Warning(s): Discussions of death, lots of talking, kisses

Summary: Stars shining bright above you. Night breezes seem to whisper, I love you.

Soft jazz plays from her stereo in the corner of the room as she lounges in her bed, book held aloft as she clenches her pencil between her teeth, trying to find the part that she wanted to underline again, when a tapping sound at her window startles her. Rolling over onto her stomach, she narrows her eyes at the window pane as a tapping starts on the window once more. Sliding off the edge of her bed, she grabs the bat at her feet, inching towards the window, and she flinches as the tap of a stone on window makes her startle, before she frowns.

Unlocking the window, she slides it up with the bat still in her hand, dodging another rock as she pokes her head out the window, pausing at sight of Derek Hale standing at the base of the tree outside the Stilinksi house. Frowning, she sets her bat to the side, stepping back as soon as Derek scales the outside of the house, before he leans against the wall beside the window, crossing his arms over his chest as she drops onto her bed.

"What were you hoping to do with that?" Derek asks, jerking his head to the bat on the floor.

"You have claws, I have a bat."

"What is with you Stilinksis and your answers? It's almost like you and Stiles are the same person." Derek says, and she laughs, running her fingers through her hair as she shrugs.

"He's my little brother." She explains, picking up her book from where she had set it, pencil plucked from the spine, where she placed it to mark her place. "What's up? You've never come here like this, before."

"I just needed an escape." He shrugs. "Being alone with Peter can be draining."

"So, you thought I was a better choice?" She laughs, laying back on her bed as she folds her book shut, tossing it onto her bedside table.

"You're calm... mellow." Derek answers.

"You mean boring?" She sits up, carding her fingers through her hair to push it back from her face. "You can say it. I'm boring."

"Since we're saying it, yeah. You are boring. But, maybe boring is what I need right now." She laughs again, leaning back in the sheets as she crosses her legs, staring up at the star-studded ceiling.

"When I was younger, I was never boring." She admits, fingers gripping the sheets to pull at the loose strings, a habit she's always had- it drove her dad nuts when she started doing it, because she would pluck a hole in them, causing it to unravel further, so he'd constantly have to replace them- He never said anything though, because it only started after Claudia died. "I wanted to travel, and do stuff, and now I'm stuck in my hometown, in my childhood bedroom, no less, because I can't leave my brother to run around like an idiot, because his idiot best friend became a werewolf!" She laughs at herself, pressing a hand to her forehead, surprised when Derek sits on the edge of the bed.

"What did you want to do? Where did you want to travel?" He asks, her lips spreading into a smile as she looks up at the blue of her ceiling.

"I wanted to go to the mountains. To Colorado. I wanted to live in a cabin, and walk amongst the stars and trees."

"You can do that, here."

"At the added risk of being bitten, ate, or scratched."

"You could get that anywhere. Especially with bears." He chuckles, and she slaps him lightly on the arm.

"Look," She points at the painted blue ceiling, the stars that stick to the ceiling are meant to glow, but the lamplight is glowing now, so they won't light up. He shuffles down to lay on the bed beside her, and she smiles over at him "There's ursa minor, or The Little Bear, or the little dipper. You see at the tip of the tail there, it's Polaris, and then bup bup bup bup bup!" She points to the cluster of stars, five away from Polaris. "That is Cepheus. That star over there is Navi, and then Shedar, along with those two, it makes up the constellation Cassopeia."

"You really like the stars enough to name em?"

"I used to go outside at night, with my mom, and we'd lay under the stars, and she'd tell me stories about them. Those over there, is The Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters." She bites her bottom lip in thought. "The Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas, a Titan that has forever been cursed to hold up the sky. Zeus turned the sisters into stars to protect them from Orion, the hunter, but one of the sisters fell in love with a mortal, and went into hiding. That's why there are only six visible in the night sky, now."

"So, you know the stories too?" Derek asks, and she sits up, smirking at him.

"There are thousands of legends. But, I prefer the Greek ones. I have a passion for mythology." She shrugs as he looks up at the ceiling again.

"So, you studied the night sky enough, to memorize the layout of the constellations, and replicate it on your ceiling. Although, condensed." Derek frowns for a second. "But, this isn't the sky that's outside your house, is it?" She frowns then, looking away as she rubs her hands on her pant legs, and he sits up. "What?"

"No, it's uh..." She looks back at him with a sad smile. "It's the sky outside the hospital." Understanding flashes in his eyes, and he nods, reaching out to wrap his arm around her shoulders, surprising her when he drags her in for a hug.

"I'm sorry." She lets out a wet laugh, sounding shocked and hollow. "I am."

"I know." She pulls back, reaching up to cup his cheek. "I just find it ironic that you're comforting me. Yeah, I lost my mom, but you lost... everyone." She strokes his cheek as he looks down at her, his eyes flicking between her own. She sucks in a sharp gasp when he leans in, kissing her, and she hums, eyes fluttering shut as she leans into it, kissing him back. "W-Why did you do that?" She murmurs, once they part, and Derek looks down at her, a troubled furrow to his brow as he sweeps his thumb across her chin.

"Because... you're beautiful, and kind, and gentle, and you light up when you talk about things you love, and... I couldn't resist." He leans in to kiss her again, and she sighs as she leans into him, hands clutching his shirt as he tangles his own into her hair.

"You're lucky, Derek Hale."

"Lucky?" He breathes, nose brushing against her own, and she peers uo at him with wide eyes.

"I don't normally kiss on the first date."

[kingofdorkville]

damn...people just hate dino as an actor

[filmjunky-99]

s t a r t r e k t h e n e x t g e n e r a t i o n created by gene roddenberry [all good things... part ii, s7ep26]

'Would you care to deal, sir?' - data

'Thank you, Mister Data. Actually, I used to be quite a card player in my youth, you know. I should have done this a long time ago.' - picard

'You were always welcome.' - troi

'So. Five card stud, nothing wild, and the sky's the limit.' - picard

[belle--ofthebrawl]

Hiya, how about “eyes meeting from across the room” and “a subtle wink” with Dew and Phantom/Aeon?

Hello! This is what happened one night at a fancier bar. :)

“Think our little Bug’s got a crush.” Swiss murmurs under his breath, lips tracing over the rim of his beer bottle.

“No shit.” Dew mutters back, too focused on flicking his thumb in just the perfect way to light his joint. He doesn't want to look up through the window yet, into the building. Doesn't want to meet the sparkling amethyst eyes that have been following him around the bar since they decided to stop in and one drink became three became five. Dew’s sitting comfortable with two beers in his stomach, followed by good old fashioned tavern food, carb-loaded and filling. He just wants a little bit more, he thinks, finally sparking up the top of his finger and lighting the little roll. Something that will make him feel dopey and happy.

“It’ll be good for him to make the first move.” Dew continues after a deep inhale. “Since everyone around here can't keep their hands to themselves.”

“Hey, that's not true.” Swiss tells him with a rich chuckle. “My Rory girl switched keys without telling me and was waiting naked in my room a few nights ago.”

“Oh good for you, stud.” Dew snorts. “You hear if Aeon's been brave enough to approach anyone yet?”

It's silly to gossip like this. They're grown adult hell spawn. But he can't deny the warm feeling of camaraderie in his chest when Swiss sidles close to whisper his next words into Dew’s hair.

“Rory said he wants to impress you.” Swiss confides. “He's just waiting for the perfect moment.”

“Well he better be quick.” Dew says, finally looking into the building. “I'm not exactly known for my patience.” It's warmly lit with a fireplace, dark wood accents and cracked green leather on the stools, studded with tarnished brass. Real nice place. Different from the dive bars they've patronized in the past. Aeon's easy enough to find, his lanky form on a couch in a conversation pit, laughing easily at something Cumulus said. Like he can sense it, and he probably can, the quint glances up at the perfect moment, meeting Dew’s lidded gaze with his own full of mischief and planning. He taps two fingers against his lips, blows a little kiss and winks.

Against his better judgment, Dew’s nose twitches in the way it always does when his pack mates do something adorable.

“Oooup.” Swiss grins, fangs flashing in the light. “Think it's tonight.”

“Maybe.” Dew says, turning away. His body is floating pleasantly, mind going blank. He looks up at the sky, admiring the stars and hardly notices the way Swiss starts rummaging in his pockets for something.

“It's a sure thing.” He says, tapping his key card against the railing. “He traded with me before left the venue.”

Dew considers this information for a moment. Thinks about the way Aeon grinned at him. The way he's been peacocking around for attention ever since their first show together.

“I think I’m alright with that then.” He finally says with a soft smile. “Won’t Aether just love to hear about it.”

“Won't he just.” Swiss says with a wide grin. Behind them, the heavy wooden door is pushed open and none other than Aeon joins them on the little patio, drink of his own in hand.

“Hey guys.” He says amicably. “Enjoying the night?”

“Just gettin’ started.” Dew mumbles, exhaling a long stream of smoke. Don't scare the guy, hey. Aether says into his mind, a recollection from the day before they left. I'm putting a lot of faith in him as my replacement.

So far he's been living up to expectations just fine. He can't wait to tell Aether all about it, as Aeon jostles in between them, saying something about a certain constellation. An invisible tail strokes up his calf and Dew smiles in anticipation for whatever happens next.

[cobalt-knave]

The Mechanized Card Deck is now AVAILABLE!

If you are interested in a deck of playing cards of the mechanisms, it is now available for purchase! Drafts of the face cards and pips are all on my tumblr under the tag "mechanized card deck". The card backs and joker designs are exclusive to those who check out the deck itself.

The price is about $20 USD (plus shipping), but I think you get a discount for buying multiple and can get the different decks purchased shipped to different addresses, so I recommend teaming up with others to buy them to get a cheaper price. I haven't tested those features, but they seem useful.

I have gotten a deck myself and was really pleased with the quality. They have been play tested with Stress, Texas Hold 'Em, Five Card Stud, and a very funny fake tarot reading for a dog.