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mochikeiji · 4 years ago

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Forever Between Promises

Request: "Hi!! sorry but are your event still open??? if yes, could I request angst fics with prompt no. 26,42,95 for Geto?"

26. "I would give up everything if it means having you by my side"

42. "Don't leave me"

95. "I don't want to be alone again"

↠ Pairing: Getou Suguru x F!Reader

↠ Warning: angst, minimal mentions of suggestive themes, gojo's arc spoiler!

↬ Word Count: 1.2k

↳ from Go! Go! Gogatsu Event

Sweet smiles and light teasing. Intelligent in the fields of battle and on human emotion. The kind of gentleman anyone would fall for. Geto Suguru was a rare gem to be found by the likes of you. Unlike Satoru, he had welcome you with such kindness you hadn't felt in a while. He was the first and only person to show you around the grounds of Jujutsu Tech— even shared witty remarks and intriguing histories here and there while walking by your side.

During class, he would be the one to come up to your spot and sit comfortably by the window side. He'd greet you with a soft, "good morning." every now and then which he adapts as his every day habit. When Gojo isn't looking, he'd snatch a few of his stacked candies and goodies with reflexes. The brush of his hand against your thighs would never fail to shock your entire being when he's simply smuggling them in your pockets; winking at you claiming that you might enjoy some of them since he's the one who bought them after losing a bet to the loud male next to him.

It was in those moments of yours fresh in second year that made you fall deeper for the second most strongest shaman in the world. Suguru was one of your many firsts in both devilish and angelic times. Shoko would point out as if to mock Satoru how Suguru preferred you to be his duo than him. She wasn't wrong though, not when they had their backs turned, you and him happened to be sneakily holding onto each other's pinkies from behind. He always loved seeing your reactions when he does stuff like this out of the blue. Your escapades didn't last long hearing a gag from the little girl you three were assigned to escort.

So obvious how the two of you made googly eyes to each other and the sly excuses to be closer, Riko claimed as Satoru was bursting in tears from laughing. Suguru didn't mind as the two continued to rile you up. It was on that day from the corner of his eye he gave you your first kiss in front of them rather than in the hidden alleys or bedroom. Those butterflies that had filled your surroundings were lovely, but the sight of his smile was a temptation to capture and protect forever. Moments like these you wished would last for a life time.

Geto had this belief he shared with you from the beginning of your relationship. Though he adores how small your hands are when he held them in his, he's a sucker for the linked pinkies. He firmly believes that through that little connection there were unspoken promises beneath them. That belief rubbed onto you as you would have the tendency to reach for his longer pinky. No matter when and where, there was always a promise between you both.

"I would give up everything if it means having you by my side"

One of those was loyalty to each other, thick and thin as you stared to the once soft, light eyes glower with a void of darkness. You could've sworn there was still a pinch of emotions solely for you only. What had been such a nurtured, heart feeding start come to a withered end. The loss of Riko had shaken much more than your relationship with your friends and lover. No, it caused more that it came with the price of killing and becoming a wanted man. You've once thought he was easy to catch remembering how welcoming he was of you. Now you find yourself endlessly chasing after the man that had the remaining string of bright crimson on his pinky.

"Don't leave me." you pleaded, knees on the concrete floor and your head bowed as you got soaked in the rain the night you've caught onto his trail once more. "Please, Suguru. Just let me stay by your side."

As a man whom slaughtered a village and plans for the death of those who were not part of his vision of his own world, no one would think twice to believe how easy it was to have him still wrapped around your fingers. Suguru would never want to drag you away from being the women he's fallen for just to follow his deeds with the devil. He knows at some point in life, there will be a price to atone for his sins. Yet the first strongest women to ever come in par of him and Satoru, kneels before him as the love confessions spill from her lips. Suguru finds himself greedy as he again like all times, welcomes you in warm arms away from the rain. His own guilt of causing you this much mixes with the droplets from above.

In the midst of what people claim, "evil" You were far from it. The nights of worshipping the scars and bared feelings were much more intense; needy. From the eyes of his newly profound family, he was a man with strong, promising visions for a better future. Little did they know how he cannot be those without the woman who's sold herself to the devil just to walk in the fires of hell with him. The innocent escapades of yours turned into a game of ride or die having to change locations and stay ins to avoid being caught. Worse, killed on the spot.

You didn't mind living this second life. You've lost yourself at the first— lost the family that also loved you dearly as Suguru, but risking it all as long as you had him by your side was worth it. This life was what people feared, but you cherished. You were not about to lose the only ray of light you have left as his eyes flicker the smallest amount he has as he's slouched next to you the most loved, and the one and only best friend.

Take, take and take. That was all the world has done for you and you have done for your world. Part of the reason why he's only ever wanted to reset the world was for you to live in happily. No more hurting. Maybe now wasn't yours nor his lifetime of enjoyment. Born in misery of being robbed with every thing you've never had, you took what you can to live even if it was for nothing. Given the potential of being third of the strongest and landing a spot on a prestigious school, you strove and from there you were alive the moment he's linked his pinky with yours.

"I don't want to be alone again.." the life you've lived shortly became full of every thing, every second because of him. Who would've thought it'll end just the same faith as he did when he utters out an apology, weakly trying to grip onto your pinky when it was obvious that the used to be crimson colored string fades to a melancholic grey.

"I'll find you in a better world, my love."

He was a criminal indeed. Evil, so evil it had ruined every thing you've held onto. Geto Suguru was your plenty of firsts, but who knew he'd be the last you'd ever see the light in every thing ever again as he takes all of the promises from you to his afterlife.

#geto suguru #geto suguru x reader #geto x reader #getou suguru #getou suguru x reader #geto angst #jjk geto #geto scenarios #suguru x reader #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #getou x you #jujutsu kaisen suguru #jjk suguru #raines: gogatsu event

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illyaana · 3 years ago

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Cursive Ink - Yamaguchi Tadashi

Collab: Pain Tolerance by @haikyutiehoe

Thanks for making this collab, hun! the idea of pierced and/or tatted anime characters got me squealing~! Do check out the other works involved in the collab in the link up there~

Tags: Yamaguchi's POV, Angst, Fluff, Yamaguchi x Tattoo Artist! Reader, Binaural

Synopsis: Love never really goes the way we plan it to be - and Yamaguchi was no exception. His failed confession to his former best friend left him heartbroken. However, his decision to go to a tattoo parlour may have been the best (and craziest) choice he's ever made in his life. (I also believe Yamaguchi is pansexual, so don't get so confused XD)

Word Count: 2552

A bit of context: In Japanese, 'Yama' means mountain, 'Tsuki' means the Moon

⋯⋯ ⫍ Masterlist ◍ Navigation ⫎ ⋯⋯

Want to get a personalized drabble about your love life with an anime character you like? Check out my 50 followers event's post here! You can choose any character from BNHA, Haikyu!!, AOT, JJK and Kuroko no Basketball <3

“Yamaguchi, no,” Tsukishima said, pulling his hand away from my hand.

“Why are you lying to yourself? I know you feel the same way, Tsuki - don’t lie to yourself.”

“I don’t, Yamaguchi,” Tsukishima said, eyes turning cold, “I am not gay - I am a straight, heterosexual male. I love women and women only.”

Lies.

You are lying to me.

You are in love with me.

You are already mine, Tsuki - just wake up and see it.

I know you can.

what was that kiss under the tree when we were kids?” I whispered, not wanting my voice to break, “If you never loved me, why kiss me, Tsuki?”

“We both agreed that it was a mistake, didn’t we?” The blonde male said, anger rising, “We both agreed - not just me.”

I said yes - I know I did.

That doesn’t mean I meant it.

You know me, Tsuki - I’ll agree to everything you’ll say.

Why aren’t you realising it?

I’ve waited for so many years for you to ask me out, but you never did.

I’m here, right in front of you, asking you to be mine - just say yes.

I don’t want to wait anymore - it’s too painful.

“I lied, okay?!” I scream, “I loved you ever since we were kids, Tsuki. I want to be the one you come back to when you leave, the only one you kiss, the only one you hug, the only one you dream about - I want to be that to you. Is that so hard to believe?!”

I hugged myself, not wanting to break down anymore.

That small hug was the only thing stopping me from letting all hell break loose.

I had kept this in ever since I knew Tsuki - ever since he saw him in that park.

I knew everything about the tall male. The way he smiles, the way he hides his anger when he wants to be respectful, his secret love for dinosaurs, his soft side, his small quirks - I knew it all like the back of his hand.

I knew what he needed to be the middle blocker’s lover, and I was willing to sacrifice myself to be the best thing for Tsuki.

One thing was clear in my head; Tsuki felt the exact same way.

“Yamaguchi, I’m sorry. I don’t love you the way you want me to,” Tsukishima said, kneeling beside the green-haired male.

“I don’t believe that.”

I forced his lips on Tsukishima’s.

I closed my eyes, trying to memorise how the lines of his soft and pale lips felt on his - how it softly caressed my lips without even responding to the intimate kiss I was trying to initiate.

I felt Tsukishima trying to push me away, but I didn’t let go of the male’s collar.

He already took my first kiss - what is the difference if I took another?

The second our lips left each other’s, Tsukishima punched my nose.

Blood dripped from my nose, but I couldn’t care less.

“Don’t you fucking call me Tsuki ever again, dumbass. Better yet, don’t call me.”

My last day of high school ended with blood and tears, but the pain in my heart from losing my best friend hurt more.

⁜

I stared at the stars, lying down in the little treehouse we made as kids in my backyard.

I tried to cry it all out, but I couldn’t.

I feel cheated by you, Tsukishima Kei.

You made me make you my everything.

My voice was tuned to calm you down.

My hands we moulded to keep you warm.

My life was made to keep you safe, but you don’t need me to be you.

But I do - I need you to be me.

One-sided crushes are the worst form of love, aren’t they?

You give it all for that one person - to please and cherish them.

They just think it’s just a form of showing how strong your friendship is, but you want more.

You are the only one who wants more.

You are the one crying at night about how you wished they were by your side.

You are the one craving for their touch.

You want them, but they don’t want you.

I don’t care about you bruising my face, Tsukishima-san.

I care about you fucking me up like this.

I will no longer wait for your messages.

I will no longer look at your tweets and be the only one giving reactions.

I will erase you from my narrative, Tsukishima-san.

You can wonder about how much you’ve hurt me when I have reached somewhere you can’t even touch me.

⁜

“You are absolutely sure about this, right?” Hinata said, worry laced in his words.

I open the doors to the tattoo parlour and I was instantly mesmerized. The walls were filled with such intricate designs - sizes ranging from as small as a finger to as big as my whole body. The smell of fresh ink slowly hit me, reminding me of my schooling years.

“I am sure, Hinata. I was planning to do this ever since I was small, either way. I just wished it was under better circumstances,” I reply, eyes locked on all the flower motifs.

I always wanted a tattoo - it didn’t matter how big or small it was. I always thought of how beautiful the idea was - to have something permanently inked on your skin to remind you of who you were. Flowers drew with such hidden meaning, curved lines speaking words of poetry, ideas brought into life - tattoos are an artist’s masterpiece meant to paint on my skin as a canvas.

“Do you want me to stay? I don’t mind waiting here with you - “

“Weren’t you supposed to meet up with Kageyama later today?” I remind him, chuckling.

“That man is late for everything. I think he can handle me coming late for once.”

“I’m seriously okay, Hinata! Go get ready, I’ll send a picture when it’s done,” I say as I push him out of the shop.

“Okay, okay - make sure to send me that picture!” He said as he ran out of the shop.

Why follow me if you’re itching to leave?

“That friend of yours has really bright orange hair - is it dyed or natural?” I hear someone say.

Holy shit, you’re hot.

“Oh - uh- um- It’s natural,” I say, forming some space between us.

Holy shit, you’re hot.

You tied half of your hair in a small bun, showing me the small, intricate designs on your neck. Flowers decorated your soft skin, moving down under your shirt’s sleeve. Small golden piercings decorated your ears. They were encrusted with gems of various colours that shifted under the soft lighting gracing your skin.

You looked so beautiful I couldn’t stop staring.

“So, do you have an appointment?” You asked, breaking my train of thought.

“N- no.”

Stop stuttering, Yamaguchi Tadashi.

“First time, huh?” you smiled, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. The pain is different for everyone, but I think you can handle it.”

“T-Thanks.”

God, stop stuttering.

“God, you’re cute,” you laughed while looking at my frazzled face, “Don’t worry, my dearest client - you’re in capable hands. Come - let’s discuss your design, shall we?”

You grabbed my wrist and brought me to your corner, leaving me blushed mess.

Cute.

They called me cute.

I’m breathing, right?

Okay, I’m breathing.

As we were walking, I got to see the back of your neck - more specifically, a part of your tattoo.

It was a blossoming rose - a huge one. It had vines that grew from it, encircling your whole neck, moving down your shirt and reaching the tips of your fingers. Smaller roses grew from it, branching even smaller vines surrounded by leaves.

I wanted to know the story behind that tattoo. It looked so beautiful yet so dark. The thorns that came from certain vines alarmed me, but I kept my thoughts to myself. My attention was brought to your piercings - more specifically, the design of the encrusted jewels. They were flowers, as well. In the middle of each jewel held a line of gold that branched out, just like the vines of your tattoo.

“Oh, you’re looking at my tattoo and piercings, aren’t you?” You ask, eyebrow raised.

“Is it okay if I am?” I ask, worried.

You laughed.

“Of course it’s fine. Who would get a tattoo and not prepare for all the staring? Not going to lie, here - these piercings and that tattoo help me fuel my ego. After all, everyone’s staring at them,” you joke, playing with your hair.

You sit on your chair, pointing at the one opposite you.

“What are you waiting for? Sit.”

⁜

“So, you want some small vines surrounding a moon, right?” You ask as you brought out your tablet.

“Yeah, on my middle finger.”

I had enough of his little orders - I’ll twist his words into something much more meaningful. If the Moon isn’t willing to dance with the mountains, let the vines make the Moon feel the mountain’s pain from its rejection.

“That sounds really pretty,” you say, smiling at me, “Give me a minute - I’ll do a rough sketch and you can tell me if it’s to your liking.”

You took out the tablet’s pen tool and began to sketch. I eyed your eyes as you continued to sketch what would be my tattoo.

Thanks to the light from the tablet, I could see a part of another tattoo hidden under your shirt.

It was multiple birds flying across your collarbones, but there was one bird that moved to your neck. It was a smaller bird - much, much smaller. However, its wings were bigger - bigger than the other birds’.

“My family isn’t very appreciative of my more artistic side,” you began, knowing I wanted to know the story behind it.

“I love art - all types of art. Writing, drawing, painting - I loved how you could make a whole new world just with a few lines. My family…” you paused, “As much as they loved me, they couldn’t see a world where I could make a living from it. They tried to throw away this side of me, but the more they pushed it away, the more I needed it.”

You raised your tablet, showing me your sketch.

I loved it.

It was a crescent moon, wrapped in vines. Vines grew both upwards and below, accompanied by stars. Small buds were growing from the ends of the vines, leaves surrounding them.

I don’t know how you did it, but you captured all I felt about him in a few minutes - it astounded me.

“I took a few creative liberties, but-”

“It’s amazing - don’t change it.”

You’re amazing.

You smiled, getting off your chair.

“Head to that room,” you pointed to the smaller room right beside us, “I’ll get all the tools ready.”

⁜

“You ready?” you said, placing the pen right above my middle finger.

Why did I choose my middle finger for my first tattoo? It’s literally right on a bone, it’s going to hurt like hell.

“I guess…” I whisper.

“It won’t be that painful - trust me. People overexaggerate,” you say, trying to calm me down.

People weren’t overexaggerating - it hurt.

It hurt a lot.

I bit my lip, holding back the scream on the end of my lips.

“Hold on,” you said, removing the pen.

You soon came back with candy and began to unwrap it.

“Open your mouth, my liege.”

After chuckling, I opened my mouth and you plopped the sweet in my mouth.

Ooh, mango.

“Focus on the sweet, okay?” You said, patting my back.

It felt less painful, surprisingly. Focusing on the sweet rolling in my mouth helped reduce the pain significantly.

I raised my head slightly so that I could see your intense focus on my finger. You were biting on your lower lip as you slowly moved the pen on my finger, following the temporary tattoo you made earlier as a guide. You were annoyed by a strand of your hair that refused to stay behind on your ear - your anger-filled expression said it all.

Using my other hand, I pushed it behind your ear to help you focus.

A soft thank you came from you as you continued.

Blood rushed to my cheeks the minute those words left your lips.

So cute.

“You didn’t finish your story…” I asked, trying to end the awkward silence.

“It was that interesting to you?” you smiled.

You’re interesting, Y/N.

I nod.

“I asked them if I could draw again. I didn’t want to lose that skill I finetuned all my life - it felt so wrong. They thought I’d never succeed in life if I focused on ‘these useless hobbies’ and shouted at me. I remember crying for hours, but they didn’t care,” you say as you turn off the pen, wiping the tip.

“I began to spend more hours in school just so that I could scribble and draw. They’d never know what I did there - all the drawings I did, all the stories I wrote, all the songs I sang. I am not like my parents. I strayed from the thought of ‘art is useless’- I am the bird moving away from the flock,” you said, turning your chair towards me.

“Why did they hate art? It’s something that makes you happy - If it’s something you like, you should do it,” I said, slightly pissed.

Thank God they didn’t listen to them.

“Best part - they have paintings all over the house,” you snickered.

You sighed, stretching your arms in the process.

“I don’t really care about their opinion about it, anyway. I’m no longer under their wing - I’m my own person. I get money by doing the thing I love, and that’s so fulfilling. The only thing they’re paying for right now is my college education - that’s it,” you said as you pressed a wet cloth to my new tattoo.

“Wait - we’re the same age?”

“Yeah, we are,” you smiled.

“I expected you to be way older,” I say, embarrassed.

“I am utterly offended, sir,” you say, feigning sadness.

“Come on!” I say, laughing.

“I am expecting a tip,” you say, walking towards the door.

You’re amazing, Y/N. I just wish I met you earlier…

⁜

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Yamaguchi Tadashi,” you say, closing the cash register in front of you.

“And I you, my friend.”

I walk to the door, gripping on the door handle.

I want you in my life, Y/N. Even if we spent just a few hours together, you’ve made me so happy. If you are open to the idea, I want to be friends with you - and who knows? We might become something…

I walk back to the cashier.

“Oh, did I forget something?” You ask, worried.

“No, no…”

Come on, say it.

“Hey, wanna exchange numbers? I wanna hang out with you - of course, only if you want to,” you say smiling.

Holy shit.

“Yes, please.”

You held back your laugh the minute you saw my face.

How many times have I made you laugh just by you looking at my face?

“Here’s my number,” you passed me your card, “Message me so that I get your number, too!”

“Okay!” I smile.

Holy shit. I did it.

“See you again, ‘guchi.”

⁜

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echoes-of-the-clockwork · 4 years ago

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Book One: Gold (Prompto x Reader) Chapter I

A/n: This series is inspired by my oneshots, "Mythological Mayhem," (Can be found on my Wattpad) which is also why it will have the same name. You won't be able to choose your eye color in this series since they'll correspond with what gem/mineral each book represents. I hope you all enjoy! Love you all!!! •••••••••••••••••••••

"You can't keep me hidden forever, Prompto."

(Y/n)'s words rang inside Prompto's head as he stared up at the dark ceiling of the caravan. It had been only two days since he, Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis left Insomnia to head to Altissia for the prince's marriage to the Oracle. They were currently resting in Hammerhead, waiting for the Regalia to be repaired so they could head to Galdin Quay.

Lifting his arm, Prompto stared at the bracelet located on his right wrist. In the center stood a lone golden fragment that resembled a gemstone. Even in the darkness, a faint light radiated from it. With his left hand, he traced his index finger over the golden fragment as he continued to listen to (Y/n)'s words on repeat.

He couldn't sleep, wishing to see the girl he had come to cherish so deeply after the many years they'd spent together. The (h/c)-haired guardian has been with him ever since he could recall his earliest memories of his life. He could feel his strong, unwavering bond with (Y/n) and couldn't help but smile.

Prompto, to (Y/n)'s dismay, had kept her a secret their entire lives. No one except for him knew of her existence, not even his adoptive family or Noctis. Although she was residing in the gemstone whenever he left to go anywhere with his friends, he was saddened because she wasn't physically with him. He couldn't bear to be apart from her, not even for a simple stroll.

These past two days have been torture since he didn't wish to reveal the guardian to his companions. It wasn't because he didn't trust them, but he didn't want to be bombarded by tons of questions he wouldn't have the answers to or for (Y/n) to feel like an outcast.

A few minutes passed and Prompto debated whether to leave the caravan for a little while to see (Y/n). Unfortunately, he didn't realize what time it was until he saw Ignis was gone. The advisor was always the first to wake, his ebony coffee being the main reason why he was able to rise at such early hours of the morning and trudge through the day with no signs of exhaustion. He truly desires to have the stamina Ignis possessed after drinking a single cup of coffee.

Prompto lowered his arm with a sigh, nestling his head back into the pillow. He closed his eyes and tried to get a few more minutes of sleep, but his bustling mind kept him from finding peace.

With a groan, he dragged his body out of bed and grabbed his camera. He left the caravan and greeted Ignis before making up an excuse so he could get some alone time with (Y/n) without him or the others seeing her. He told the tactician how he wanted to take a few pictures of the rising sun and quickly excused himself to find a secluded location.

The moment Ignis turned his back, Prompto made a mad dash toward the garage. He headed around the side and took cover behind the garage. Looking around, the blonde made sure the coast was clear before summoning (Y/n). He whispered her name, the gold gemstone located on his bracelet pulsating with a warm glow.

Once the gemstone's radiance disappeared, a girl with (h/c) locks and gold-slitted eyes appeared in front of him. She combed a few stray locks out of her face and behind her ear with a sigh. "You know this would be easier if the others knew about me, Prom. I could also help you guys fight. And that gemstone is rather uncomfortable..."

"The guys would freak out if they saw your, y'know...real form!" Prompto argued. "I mean, I haven't even seen it yet! I've only read about the possibilities..."

(Y/n) sighed, crossing her arms. "If you're afraid of them attacking me, explain to them what I am! I'm sure they know about spirits. All humans should! We're not fictional characters in a fairytale. There's actual texts that explain who and what we are. If we continue to hide this from them, our time apart will only grow until after we return to Insomnia." She turned her back to him and stared up at the vast, colorful sky. The sun was rising and the sky was being painted with an array of shades of orange, red, and yellow. "After all the years we've spent together, I guess you've finally grown tired of me. I'm not surprised, really. To be honest, I'm not the easiest person to live with and I sometimes can be really annoying. I mean, you've-"

Two arms wrapped around her body, silencing her. She tensed up slightly when feeling her back flush against his body. A small gasp slipped from her lips when she felt Prompto nuzzle his face into the crook of her neck. His warm breath grazed her skin, causing her body to shudder. His blonde locks tickled the side of her face as his arms tightened around her. In her left ear, she heard him whisper, "I'm not tired of you, (Y/n). I could never get tired of you. You've been with me since the beginning and...and I can't believe you haven't left yet. I never thought someone like you would still wanna hang around a loser like me even now..."

(Y/n) pried his arms off her and turned around to face him. Cupping his cheeks in her palms, she stared into his cerulean eyes. "Even if I wasn't your guardian, I know we were destined to find one another. If I was human, maybe we could...never mind."

"Tell me," Prompto begged, gazing into her glistening golden eyes.

She shook her head with another sigh. "Sorry, it's nothing. I'm letting my imagination run wild again."

All of a sudden, she heard footsteps and acted quickly. Her body vanished, returning to the gemstone in Prompto's bracelet. The blonde also heard the footsteps and promptly picked up his camera, acting like he was taking pictures of the surrounding area.

Ignis walked around the corner, his emerald eyes analyzing the photographer. "Is everything all right, Prompto?"

"Uh, y-yeah!" The marksman's voice cracked, afraid his friend had overheard his conversation with (Y/n). "Just takin' some pics of the scenery!"

The strategist's eyes ventured over to the camera in the younger boy's grasp. "You are mindful of the lens cap, are you not?"

Prompto looked down at his camera and chuckled nervously as he removed the lens cap. "I-I knew it was on..."

"Of course," Ignis replied. The advisor detected the blonde's strange behavior and was able to see through his lie with ease. However, he simply spun on his heels and left his companion without questioning him.

The shutterbug sighed in relief when Ignis left. "That was too close..."

"I'll say," (Y/n) said as she reappeared beside him. "You're a terrible liar. Always have been."

"H-Hey, I tried my best."

"I know, but..." The golden-eyed girl looked around at the desert-like landscape. "You realize this isn't a scenic view, right? It's nothing but dirt, rocks, and a few plants scattered about. I'm pretty sure I saw a tumbleweed earlier, too."

"As an avid photographer, it's my job to capture everything," Prompto replied. "Even the ugly parts."

(Y/n) glanced at the boy from the corner of her eye. "A photographer captures the beauty in everything. Even the ugliest parts of this world have beauty hidden somewhere. I'm sure you can turn this desolate landscape into something beautiful. Just make sure you get some breakfast before becoming lost in your photography. Your stomach's growling."

Prompto, having been distracted, finally felt and heard his stomach grumble. A rosy hue dusted across his face, embarrassed at how obnoxious his stomach sounded. "I'll grab a bite at Takka's. What about you?"

"What about me?" (Y/n) replied with her own question.

"You haven't eaten since we left the city. You should come with me! If the guys see us, we can just pretend we're strangers who decided to share a meal together."

She smiled reassuringly at him. "I'll be fine, Prom. I can go a couple more days without eating." She bumped her hip against his, nudging him forward. "Now go get something to eat."

Prompto knew how stubborn the girl was. He didn't stand a chance against her and hung his head with a sigh. "Okay..."

<-----------<<<<<

A couple days later, the royal retinue arrived at Longwythe Rest Area after the Regalia was repaired. They delivered a package as per requested by Cindy and received a visit from Umbra. Seeing as the day was turning to night, the boys headed over to the Crow's Nest Diner to enjoy a quick dinner before checking in at the motel across the street.

Around ten o'clock, Prompto realized the others were all asleep and quietly made his way out of the room. With the spare gil he received from Ignis after their successful hunt yesterday, he headed back over to the Crow's Nest and stood outside the entrance. He summoned (Y/n), who appeared in front of him in mere seconds.

Turning her head, the spirit hummed in curiosity as she peered over her shoulder at the small diner. "The Crow's Nest? What're we doing here?"

"You're hungry, right?" Prompto asked. "It's been four days since you've ate anything so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for you to get a bite to eat. With the guys asleep, it'll also give us some alone time."

"All right, but it's getting late. As much as I would love chatting with you for hours upon end, you'll need to get some sleep. Once I'm done eating, you're heading straight to bed."

"Deal."

Prompto and (Y/n) entered the diner, taking a seat at one of the booths. The man behind the counter walked over and took their order. The blonde asked for a simple glass of water while the girl ordered the salmon with a soda. As they waited for their order, the two chatted nonstop.

A few minutes ticked by and their order arrived. (Y/n) enjoyed every bite of her salmon, listening to Prompto as he shared what she had missed during her time slumbering in the gemstone. She clung to every word even after finishing her meal.

By the time midnight rolled around, the (h/c)-haired girl's eyes widen in shock. "I lost track of time!" She scurried out of the booth after Prompto paid. "You need to get some sleep. We'll be heading to Galdin Quay tomorrow and I wouldn't want to be the reason why you lost sleep."

"I know," Prompto sighed dejectedly. "I just...really wanted to spend some time with you."

She smiled at him. "Prom, we've been by each other's side for a very long time. Besides, I'm not going anywhere. Now go back to bed so you have enough energy for tomorrow. I'm really excited for Galdin Quay! I've always wanted to visit the ocean. I'd love to relax on the beach."

"Me too!" Prompto chanted excitedly. "I can't wait to take so many pictures!"

"All the more reason you should get some rest," she remarks.

He nodded. "Yeah. 'Night, (Y/n)."

Her smile blossomed. "Goodnight, Prom." Her body vanished, returning to the golden gemstone.

Prompto rushes back to the room and crawls into bed. He closed his eyes, delving into the world of dreams.

Almost two hours later, Prompto was startled awake by a nightmare. A cold sweat consumed his body as he flew up into a sitting position. Trailing his hand across his forehead, he wiped off the small sweat droplets before climbing out of bed and slipping his boots on. Leaving the room, he headed up to the roof to clear his head.

On the rooftop, Prompto sat down and let the cool breeze dry his body, calm his racing heart, and clear his head. He stared across the street, noticing the Crow's Nest was still open. He watched as a couple of hunters pulled into Longwythe Rest Area in a truck and parked just outside the diner. Once they entered the eatery, the blonde looked away with a heavy sigh. With his attention no longer focused on anything, the images from the nightmare filled his mind.

"Bad dream?"

Prompto turned his head and saw (Y/n) standing a few feet away. "Yeah," he replied halfheartedly.

"What was it about?" She pried.

"Noct, Gladio, Iggy, and I were facing off against a horde of daemons. I kept getting in the way and then...they abandoned me." The boy stared down at his hands as he clasped them tightly together. "Am I...worthless?"

(Y/n) clutched her hands behind her back as she focused her attention on the daemons prowling the darkness just beyond the rest area. "You're not worthless, Prom. Everyone is unique in different ways. You may not possess the strength of your friends, but you have your own special abilities that make up for their weaknesses." She hopped on to the ledge of the roof, walking down the narrow strip of concrete. "A team is like a puzzle. If one piece is missing, it's incomplete."

"H-Hey, be careful," Prompto muttered nervously as he felt his anxiety skyrocket just by watching her walk along the edge of the roof.

The guardian continued walking until she reached the end of the ledge. She stared down at the asphalt below. "You may think you're worthless, but in reality you aren't. You might not see it, but the others and I do. You've convinced yourself you are worthless and that's why you dream of such horrific scenarios." Turning around, she stared into his cerulean eyes with her golden ones. "No one is perfect. We all have our flaws. They may appear perfect in your eyes, but that's because your combined strength is able to hide them."

"But you're perfect," Prompto unconsciously said.

She smirked at him. "If I'm perfect, so are you. After all, I am a fragment of your soul."

The blonde's eyes widen at her words. Even though he's known the girl all his life, not once has he heard the real story about guardians. "What do you mean, (Y/n)?"

Hopping off the ledge, the (h/c)-haired girl walked over and sat beside him. She hung her legs off the roof, swinging them back and forth. "The fairytales about guardians are false. We're not almighty beings sent from the heavens by the Astrals to watch over the people of Eos. Guardians are spiritual beings manifested from a fragment of a person's soul. Our duty as a guardian is to protect the very soul that created us. Not everyone possesses the power to forge a guardian, though. Very few humans do, and you're one of them, Prompto. When a human does shape a guardian, we take the form of their choice. My appearance is a result of your cognition."

"So, the reason you look like this is...?"

"I've taken the form of your deepest desire. I must say," (Y/n) examined her appearance and grinned. "I look pretty good. At least you didn't make me look like a chocobo. I don't know what I'd do if I was a yellow bird."

Prompto's cheeks ignited a deep crimson and he immediately looked everywhere but at her. He couldn't remember a single time when his imagination created a strong, intelligent, beautiful person. He cleared his throat, eyes still darting around to avoid her gaze. "U-Um..." The boy's mind was blank as he tried to think of a response, but not even a single word came to mind.

(Y/n) realized this and smiled. "I know this is the first time we've really talked about spirits, but I hope I was able to explain it clearly. If not, we can always search for actual text. There are many documented existences of spirits and books that have been published."

Prompto found his voice and said, "I never really asked because, well...I kinda forgot you were a guardian."

"You treat me like a normal person," she stated. "Which I'm grateful for, even though I'm not human."

"You look like a normal girl to me," he answered honestly, finally being able to look at her.

"Yeah, well, your cognition thought of a normal girl."

"Does that mean if my deepest desire was a chocobo, you really would've been one?" He asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.

"No, I was just messing with you. A guardian's human form is based on their master's deepest desire, but it has to take the form of a human. All spirits have a human form and a true form. Alas, our master doesn't determine our true form."

"Y'know, I've never seen your true form," Prompto commented. "Is it scary?"

"Um, well..." (Y/n)'s voice trailed off. She watched the two hunters from earlier depart the Crow's Nest and drive away in their truck. "I...want to say no, but it might frighten you. But trust me, Prom, I would never hurt you or the others."

"I know," he smiled gently. "Now I'm really curious what your true form is! Is it a chocobo?"

The spirit giggled, nudging her elbow into his side. "Don't get too excited. And no, it's not. Guess you'll just have to wait."

The blonde released a dramatic groan as he hung his head. "Aw, man...!"

Next Chapter || Masterlist

#ffxv #ffxv x reader #final fantasy xv #final fantasy xv x reader #prompto x reader #prompto argentum x reader #prompto argentum

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petri808 · 4 years ago

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Inukag Royalty Au

A few months passed by comfortably and Kagome felt settled into her new role. She felt so much happier than she’d been in a long time, enough to rarely think about what brought her there in first place. Being a Lady in Waiting came with responsibilities, but Rin never felt like work. If anything, Kagome treated her like her own daughter or thought of her as the little sister she never had. Maybe even a bit too comfortable... If she wasn’t with Rin, she was with Inuyasha. They talked a lot and a crush had developed. She could tell he liked her too, but they both knew it wouldn’t work because he believed she was just a servant, and he was already spoken for. So, Kagome did her best to push away those sadder feelings and focus on the positives. She was in a safe environment, happy, and living freer than ever. It wasn’t worth stressing over.

“Where’s Rin?” Inuyasha asked Kagome when he found her sitting in the garden alone at mid-morning.

“Oh, hello Inuyasha.” Kagome looked up from her book. “This morning Rin decided to go with her mother to the neighboring city for shopping. They told me I didn’t need to accompany them, kind of like a mother, daughter fun day, I assume.”

“So that means you’re free right now?”

“I guess you could say that,” she chuckled. “They’ll probably be back around dinner time.”

“In that case, would you like to join me for a horseback ride? You haven’t had a lot of chances to see the surrounding areas, right?”

“No, I haven’t. But I guess Buyo wouldn’t mind getting out of the stable either. He hasn’t been worked much lately since I’d arrived.”

“Then it’s settled.” Inuyasha held out a hand to help her to her feet. “We can grab some lunch from the market before heading out.”

Within the hour, the pair were on horseback trotting along the road that led away from the castle city. There were a few areas close by that Inuyasha thought Kagome would enjoy seeing. For him it was days like this when he could forget that he was a Prince and just enjoy life. The woman had truly brought out a new side of him and it wasn’t going unnoticed, but so far, the palaces gossip mill didn’t dare to make it publicly known. It had steadily grown harder and harder to remember life before Kagome’s arrival and Inuyasha didn’t want to think about the day he’d have to leave her behind for some Princess he didn’t even know. Ugh! Before Kagome, he’d accepted his fate subserviently to his fathers will, but now, the frustration grew like a weed in his heart. He’d rather die alone at home, in the castle with Kagome around then be married in an unfamiliar kingdom on a loveless throne.

“Where’s Miroku?” Kagome asked after some time. “Isn’t he supposed to be with you when you leave the castle?”

“Yeah…” Inuyasha smirked with a glint in his eye. “But I ditched him. He’s probably still looking for me,” he laughed. “Wouldn’t want a third wheel when I’m with you.”

The comment brought a blush to Kagome’s cheeks as the man’s tone hinted more than an innocent rambling. “Oh…” she ducked her head in embarrassment. “It is nicer without anyone else around. So, um, where are we going?”

“There’s a pond,” Inuyasha pointed in a general direction. “It’s not much farther, with a small waterfall where we can relax and eat our lunch.”

“That does sound really nice! I’ve never seen a waterfall before,” she sheepishly admitted.

“Wow… you really haven’t seen much, have you?”

“Let’s just say I was… sheltered for most of my life.”

“Because you’re a girl?”

“Yeah, they wouldn’t let me go anywhere by myself.”

“I see. So, after they passed away you decided to do the opposite?”

“I know it’s odd for a woman to travel alone, but I didn’t have anyone to turn to and I just… needed to get away.”

Inuyasha leaned back a little in his saddle using his legs to steady himself. “I can completely understand that. Everyone wondered why I used to be so irritable before Rin came along. She gave me a reason to stick around, but I really don’t enjoy being a prince.”

“You don’t?” Kagome spoke slowly to hide the tremble in her tone. It was nice to hear someone else unhappy with that kind of life.

He shook his head. “So many rules and traditions to follow. Everyone thinks our life is easy but the pressures… and being told what to do, being watched constantly— I hate it and then the whole arrangement—… never mind.” His ears folded back as he glanced skyward. “What I wouldn’t give to be free from all of it.” He turned to look at her. “Like you— oi, did I say something wrong?” Inuyasha questioned when he saw the moisture filling Kagome eyes.

“No, no,” she shook her head and smiled. “I get it. Freedom to choose how we’ll live our lives is just, such a wonderful thing.”

Ever have a sense of connection while time stood still? Just for moment as the pair trotted side by side, their eyes holding a gaze like the world could fall away at any moment, but it wouldn’t be noticed. Inuyasha didn’t know how, and despite coming from such different worlds this woman… he knew she spoke the truth. She was feeling the same longing emotions as he was, the same which had driven her to leave home. What a strength to possess in standing up to traditions! Inuyasha let out a held breath. Kagome truly was one of those once in a lifetime meeting, he’ll never find again. If only…

Inuyasha snapped out of the daydream when he realized they’d reached their destination. “F-follow me, it’s right through this tree line.”

He led them through a thicket of trees with the sounds of moving water guiding him towards the source. This hidden gem was easy to miss from the road, but it made for a perfect hideaway. Inuyasha would sometimes slip away from the castle and go there whenever he was upset. Not even Miroku knew about it and the prince wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible. They tethered the horses near the water on a patch of grass, before finding a flat rock outcropping to sit down. Inuyasha then laid out a blanket he’d brought, and Kagome unpacked a travel basket of food.

“This really is a beautiful place,” Kagome commented. “Thank you for showing it to me.”

“You’re welcome. I’m just glad you like it.”

Kagome stretched out her legs and held herself up with her arms behind her relaxing and listening to the sounds around her. The pond was maybe four or five horse lengths from one side to the other, with a short waterfall that fed the pond, but it had no visible outlet. Perhaps it was connected to an underground stream that came out elsewhere. Not that she cared about such details. What mattered was the serenity of the area, so calming, soothing, the gentle rumbles of the waterfall, the birds in the trees, even the frogs croaking, or water bugs buzzing around in a strangely harmonious cacophony. As they ate their lunch amidst this entertainment, she couldn’t help but think about coming back here again.

“I bet Rin would love this place,” Kagome sighed in contentment.

“She probably would, if I was willing to share it with anyone else.”

She turned her head and was about to respond when she realized what Inuyasha was insinuating. “Oh… so no one else knows about this place?”

Inuyasha shook his head no. “Just me and you. Only special people allowed,” he smiled.

As she adjusted her body to sit up, Kagome’s voice quieted with hopeful undertones. “You think… I’m special?”

“Kagome, look at the effect you’ve had on my entire family. Rin loves you. My parents think you’re great, even Kagura likes you and that says a lot. It’s pretty clear that you’re a very special person.”

“Ah, I see,” Kagome breathed out a sigh mixed with relief as well as disappointment. “Everyone has been very nice to me, and I’m blessed to have been so accepted.”

Inuyasha didn’t respond immediately and when Kagome glanced up to look at him, she noticed he was staring at the water with a serious, almost pained expression. His brows were slightly furrowed, and jaw tightened. Should she say something? Maybe he was thinking and wouldn’t want to be interrupted. Minutes ticked by, but the prince kept his eyes trained on the water. So, Kagome pulled her knees up and rested her arms on them to wait, letting the scenery pull her back into a daydream.

It frustrated Inuyasha that he kept having to reign in his emotions like this. He wanted to just tell her the truth, not cover it up with truthful lies. His family did love her, just not in the way he was beginning to. She was special to him, but it would be wrong to lead her on when there was no hope of developing anything more. He’d do anything to make her happy and feel special every single day for the rest of her life. Finally, after several awkward minutes, he spoke up. “Someone like you deserves the world Kagome, and if I could give it to you, I would.”

The comment made Kagome’s heart melt, for she knew those words were coming from his own. Now she understood the turmoil lying just below the surface but appreciated Inuyasha trying to keep things platonic for both their sakes. She smiled softly as she fidgeted with her fingers. “I know you would, Inuyasha, and I’d do the same for you if I could. These past few months have made me happier than any other time in my life, but even if this is all I get, I’ll still cherish the memories.”

Inuyasha let out a drawn-out exhale, his head hung, and ears drooped. “And I still wish things could be different. Fate sucks sometimes.”

Kagome surprised him by reaching over and placing her hand over his. “Let’s focus on the good stuff while we can.” She genuinely smiled although behind it there was a hint of sadness to it. “At least we got to meet each other, and we get to enjoy moments like this one. That’s something no one can ever take away from us.”

He flipped his hand over and took hold of hers, giving it a small squeeze. “I don’t know how you do it,” Inuyasha chuckled quietly. “But I know you’re right. For you, I’ll hold out hope that things will work out the way they’re supposed to.” And he meant it. Anything to keep a smile on Kagome’s face.

Once Inuyasha noticed the sun had moved halfway towards the horizon, they decided it was time to head back to the palace. The pair trotted out of the tree line but pushed the horses into a light gallop after making it back to the main road. It was fun, albeit disruptive to Kagome’s hair as it came undone and flowed behind her. Inuyasha had to hold back his admiration because she simply looked breathtaking like that. They slowed down as they neared the castle gate and he instantly saw a very annoyed Miroku standing next to his horse waiting for them.

“Where the hell have you been!” Miroku flailed his hands at the prince. “Are you trying to get me in trouble?!”

Refusing to acknowledge the man’s tirade, Inuyasha just rolled his eyes. “What’s the big deal. Did my dad come looking for me or something?”

“No—”

Inuyasha cut him off. “Then where’s the fire? What’s got you so damn riled up?”

“Because it was only a matter of time. And what are you doing with Ms. Tanaka?” Miroku questioned with an accusatory tone.

“Look, she hasn’t seen much more than the castle, so I took her out riding. Nothing wrong with that, so don’t be projecting your sick perverted mind on me,” Inuyasha growled back. “Now are you done grilling me cause we’d like to be on our way.”

“One more thing.” Miroku moved closer so he could keep his voice low. “A visiting King from a small kingdom will be here by dinner time, so your father may call on you to greet the guest.”

“What king?”

“Naraku, from the Komorigumo kingdom.”

“The creepy one?”

“Yeah, that one. He’s supposedly just passing through for the night on his way to the coastal port city and stopped out of respect.”

“I never did trust that guy.”

“Neither does your father, so that’s why he’ll probably ask you to greet him and keep an eye on him.”

“Alright… thanks,” Inuyasha mumbled. “Now if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” Miroku then winked at Kagome. “Ma’am.”

“Mr. Hoshii,” she nodded her head.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Inuyasha grumped and drove his horse forward. “We should get inside.”

“Okay,” Kagome responded and followed along.

After putting away their horses, the pair parted ways. Kagome went straight to her room to freshen up before Rin arrived home and Inuyasha went looking for his father. He wanted to find out if there was more to this visit than Miroku had known about, because King Naraku had a sullen and untrustworthy reputation. It was customary for visiting guests to stay in the palace, but Inuyasha wondered if they should increase the guards or put them on alert for mischief. He found the Inutaisho in his war room, but after several questions, Naraku’s visit appeared to be for a benign reason, just like Miroku stated. But he still didn’t trust the man.

“Fine,” Inutaisho acquiesced. “I’m not increasing the guards but have them instructed to watch for anything suspicious or unusual and to notify you immediately if they come across something.”

“Thanks, I’ll make sure it’s done. Oh, will Naraku be at dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Make sure he’s on the opposite side of the table from Ms. Tanaka. Wouldn’t want him making her uncomfortable.”

“Inuyasha, I still think you’re being paranoid.”

“Better paranoid and be wrong, then miss something and bad things happen.”

Inutaisho laughed. “I guess I can’t fault that logic too much. See you at dinner son.”

With Miroku’s help, the palace guards and staff were put on notice under the guise of simply being on the alert with such a high-profile guest at the palace. When King Naraku arrived shortly before dinner, Inuyasha merely watched from the dining room doorway as his father and brother greeted the fellow king. His concern was intercepting Rin and Kagome as they arrived for dinner to make sure they avoided contact.

“Uncle Inu!” Rin bounced up and hugged him.

He picked her up, holding her with one arm. “Did you have fun shopping?”

“Yeah! I got some pretty new dresses!”

“That’s awesome,” Inuyasha smiled. “And good evening Ms. Tanaka.”

“Good evening, your highness.”

“Due to a guest, the normal seating has been slightly rearranged,” he gestured for her to follow him. “I’ll show you both to your seats.”

“That’s kind of you,” Kagome smiled and did as she was told.

As the trio walked through the dining room. Inuyasha kept his side gaze trained on Naraku to see how he would react to an unfamiliar face. The man was already seated next to his father and brother chatting, but clearly aware of their entrance. For just a brief second Inuyasha swore Naraku was staring hard at Kagome but caught himself quickly once he saw Inuyasha looking in his direction and pretended not to notice Kagome at all. ‘Weird,’ Inuyasha thought to himself. With human curiosity it’s normal to react to a new face, but not to ignore, especially a pretty one like Naraku had just done. He knew he couldn’t say anything out loud about it, so he just stayed observant.

The rest of dinner went without incident until the Inutaisho invited Naraku to join he and Sesshomaru in another room for more official business. Inuyasha watched carefully as the three men left the room, but just outside of the door and his hearing, he saw Naraku stop his personal guard and whisper something in the man’s ear. The guard then glanced back at the dining table where the rest of them were still seated, and yet again he could have sworn the men were looking at Kagome!

Inuyasha leaned over and whispered to Kagome. “Once you put Rin to bed, stay in your room and keep the door locked.”

“Is something wrong?” She whispered back. “Is it because of who you and Miroku was talking about earlier?”

“Yeah. I’m probably just being paranoid, but he just gives me really bad vibes.”

“O-Okay. Sure, I’ll just stay in my room reading.”

“Good.”

The following morning, Inuyasha woke up early to watch Naraku and his entourage leave. According to Miroku, no incidents were noticed, so he could breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps he had been a little paranoid… that is until his father mentioned something. Naraku had asked the Inutaisho about Kagome before leaving. Inuyasha’s father assured his son that it was just an innocent question since Rin had a different attendant the last time the foreign king had visited. Innocent or not, why would Naraku care about a servant? Inuyasha chalked it up to the fact Kagome was a beautiful woman, so it must have just gained that kings attention. But since nothing more came from it, he filed it away in the back of his mind for future reference.

#inukag #inukag au #inukag fanfiction #inukag fan fic #inukag fan fiction #inuyasha #Kagome higurashi #royalty au #ch 4 #the irony of fate #petri808

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atlafan · 4 years ago

Text

My Everything - Part Fifteen

A Take it Slow Sequel

What happens with Harry and Y/N after he proposes? How will the two navigate the engaged life while also continuing to juggle their jobs, friends, and families? Let’s find out.

Warnings: little bit of angst, fluff, and of course smut

Words: 5.4K

a/n: it’s back! thank you all for your patience, I’ve that written for a bit, but it felt good to take a break and work on some other things. I hope you enjoy this part!

Masterpost

“He’s gotten so big!” Anne says as you and Harry come through the door of her home. “Hi Jack!” She takes him in her arms.

“Grammy!” He nuzzles into her.

“So much better than FaceTime.” She chuckles. “How was he on the flight?”

“Fussy as shit.” Harry grunts and brings the bags upstairs.

“Don’t mind him.” You roll your eyes. “Jack freaked out before we took off, and didn’t like that it made his ears feel weird, and then he couldn’t decide if he wanted to sit in my lap or Harry’s, even though we gave him the middle seat so he could be next to both of us. He slept for a little bit, but then woke up needing to use the bathroom. We didn’t want him watching TV the entire time either, so after one movie he cried after we told him it was enough. Needless to say, it was much easier before he could talk.”

Harry comes back downstairs and shakes his head at Jack.

“Course now he’s gonna be good for Grammy, right?”

“You know, if you two need a little break, you can leave him here with me for a few days. I can always drive him out to London, or I can pass him off to Gem.”

“It’s not that we need a break.” You explain. “It was just a long flight, but we’re definitely open to letting him spend some extra time with you. I loved spending time with my grandparents when I was little, and I definitely want him to have that with you.”

“Hungry, mumma.” Jack whines.

“Okay.” You sigh.

“Oh, Jack. Grammy’s taking everyone out for dinner tonight. Auntie Gem’s coming too. Let’s get you washed up, hm?”

She takes him down the hall into the bathroom.

“I love him to pieces, but next time I’m giving him something to make him sleep.” Harry says, going into the kitchen for some water. “He’s never been so fussy on a flight before, never.”

“He’s over two years old now, it’s just what happens. He’s starting to do things for himself, and he gets frustrated when he can’t or we tell him no. We have to deal with him being fussy and he has to deal with not getting everything he wants when he wants it.”

“He’s gonna be bored without Buster. I wish we could’ve brought him, but it’s too expensive now.”

“I know.” You sigh. “At least we have Sarah and Niall.”

Anne comes back with a cleaned up Jack. You and Harry both go to freshen up, and out the door you go. Jack gets very excited to see Gemma and her husband. He’s a good boy during most of dinner, and you were thankful he didn’t cause a scene.

You and Harry gave Jack a bath when you got back to Anne’s house. It helped tire him out. He had a room at Anne’s but he wanted to sleep with you and Harry.

“We’re on vacation, I think it’ll be alright. He’s not used to sleeping here yet.”

“True, yeah, he can sleep with us.” Harry shrugs. “I do like snugglin’ up with him.”

You and Harry both get ready for bed, and you read a story to Jack to help him fall asleep. When you hear his soft snores you put the book down.

“Remember when you used to sit between my legs and tell him about your day while he was still in my tummy.” You pout. “When I get pregnant, will you do that again? It was so cute.”

“Course I remember. And yeah, I’ll do it again.” He turns the lights off. “Sorry, you got your period last week. I for sure thought that day we screwed when Niall and Sarah watched him was gonna be it.”

“It’s okay. We’ll just keep trying. At least I don’t have my period now. When we have a few days alone at the flat we can get to it.”

“Yeah.” He leans over Jack to kiss you goodnight. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Jack woke up fully on top of you the next morning. Like father like son. You snuggle him close to you and stroke the mop of curls on his head. He nuzzles into you and sighs. Harry’s eyes flutter open as he reaches for you. He smiles at first at the sight in front of him, and then he feels a little jealous. Jack got a lot of your cuddles these days.

“Mornin’.” Harry whispers, and you hum your response. “Turn over with him so I can spoon you.” You smile and do as he says. He kisses the back of your neck as you adjust into him. This was pure bliss.

“No!”

“Jack, come on, don’t you wanna spend time alone with Grammy?” Harry pleads with him. You had spent an entire week with Anne, it was time to head to the flat.

“No!”

“Jack, Grammy has lots of fun things planned for you. Don’t you wanna see what they are?”

“Don’t go, mumma.” He lets crocodile tears fall from his eyes.

“God, Harry.” You look at Harry.

“Go wait in the car.”

“But he’s gonna-“

“Go.” Harry scoops up Jack and takes him over to Anne who was trying to not to get involved. “Here, mum. He should be fine.”

“He’ll tire himself out. Jack, Grammy’s got some new coloring books for you. Don’t you wanna see?”

“Okay.” He sniffles.

“We love you Jack, it’ll only be a few days.” Harry kisses him and heads out the door. He sees you sobbing in the front seat of the car and sighs. “He’s fine, darlin’. Mum’s gonna color with him.” He puts his hand on your thigh as he drives off towards London.

“I know, I just feel terrible when he looks at me like that.”

“Clingy little thing, huh? Wonder where he got that from.” He winks at you and you can’t help but laugh.

“He’s truly learning by watching, that’s for sure.”

“Can’t help it that both your boys wantcha all the time.”

“I guess not.” You chuckle and wipe your eyes. “What’s the plan for tonight?”

“Drinking, lots of drinking. Gem’s got the flat all set up for us, stocked us with plenty of wine.”

“She’s the best.”

“We’ll see her in a couple of days. We’re not leavin’ that flat while we have this time alone.”

“Sounds good to me.”

You both sigh heavily when you come into the clean flat. Harry opens up a bottle of wine right away and pours you a glass. You clink them together and take a sip.

“Mm, this is nice.” You plop down on the couch and he joins you. “Like old times.”

“Mhm.” He takes a nice big sip. “I’ll never forget the first time we made love here. I was so nervous.”

“Me too. I’m happy it was here though.” You start laughing. “Didn’t I kick you in the stomach?”

“Yeah, and I came all over you.” He shakes his head. “It was perfectly imperfect.”

“Yup, and then we couldn’t keep our hands off each other after that. Jesus, do you remember when Niall walked in on us when we were moving you into my place?”

“Don’t remind me.” He rolls his eyes. “Major blue balls.” You burst out laughing and take another sip of wine.

“It’s crazy how quickly time passes. I mean, I’ll be thirty soon, it’s wild.”

“I try not to think about it too much.” He takes a sip of his wine. “Not you being almost thirty, I mean how quickly time passes.” He laughs. “It’s like you’re always sayin’, age is just a number.”

“I feel like a real grown up now, though. Like, I thought I was so grown when we met because I was able to live alone and I had a good job, but, I was pretty childish.”

“We both still had some growing up to do, it’s okay.” He sets his glass down on the coffee table, and puts his hand on your knee. You finish up your glass. “More, babe?”

“Mm, please.”

It was nice to just sit and chat with Harry. You didn’t have to worry about Jack interrupting, or taking Buster out. It was like how things were before all this responsibility came into your lives. You felt slightly guilty for enjoying it a little, but you knew you wouldn’t change a thing. As hectic as things got, you loved your life and what it had turned into. You cherished your time as a family, but you cherished these times as well. After two more glasses of wine, you found yourself just watching Harry’s lips move as he talked.

“Y/N?”

“Hm?”

“Are you listening?” He chuckles.

“Yeah! I’m sorry, I was just distracted.” You scoot a little closer to him.

“By what?” He moves some hair behind your ear.

“You.” You whisper. “You’re just too handsome, it’s hard to concentrate sometimes.”

His hand moves to cup your cheek so he can bring you in for a kiss. He tasted like the sweet wine you had been drinking, and you wanted more so you part your lips for him. He parted his so you could lick into his mouth. He groans against you, and pulls you into his lap. You straddle his thighs as his hands move up and down your bare ones. You had opted for a sundress today since it was so hot out. Your hands lace through his hair and you tug slightly as his mouth moves to your neck.

You didn’t compare yourself to other couples often, but you wondered if people who had been together for almost seven years still had the same passion as you and Harry. You weren’t as intimate as often as you used to be, but when you got going like this you were always brought back to when you were twenty-four and things were insanely hot and heavy. Sometimes when Jack would smile at you, you couldn’t help but think of the first time you “met” Harry on your first date, and the smile he flashed you. You wondered if you’d be raising a heartbreaker, but something told you even if he grew to be as handsome as Harry, he would be the sweetest boy.

Harry pushes his hips up to yours, and you roll yours down on him. He sinks his teeth further into your skin, and it causes you to gasp.

“You need to be careful.” You pull his head back to look at you. “We’ve talked about this. Hidden spots only.”

“What’s the fun in that?” He cocks an eyebrow at you. “Jack’s still little, he won’t notice.”

“He notices more than you think, trust me.”

“Fine, hidden spots only.”

He moves your dress off your shoulder and attaches his lips there. Your hands roam up under his shirt to run your nails up and down his torso as his hands squeeze your ass.

“Alright.” He says and picks you up. You squeal slightly and wrap your legs around your waist.

“What are you doing?” You giggle.

“Bringing you to the bedroom, obviously.” He grunts as he continues to carry you.

He drops you onto the bed and you reach to undo his shirt for him. He wasn’t expecting you to be so desperate for him, but his head was swimming so he wasn’t going to question it. You tug his cock out of his boxers and look up at him as you kiss on his tip.

“Christ, Y/N.” He groans as he blushes.

You suckle on his tip and slowly take him further down your throat. His eyes roll into the back of his head when he feels you swallow around him. You bob your head up and down, spit and precum dripping down your chin. He pulls you off of him, and watches as the trail of spit slowly detaches from your lips.

He reaches for the hem of your dress and he lifts it off you. Your breasts were practically spilling out of your bra. He loved the way your body looked these days. You weren’t as fit as you used to be, but god, he loved every inch of you. You unhook your bra and let it fall off you. Harry pushes you back on the bed and kneads your breasts as he climbs on top of you. He kisses you quick before working his mouth down your body. He practically rips your panties off and spreads your legs open in one swift motion. Before you can say anything his tongue was on you, lapping you up. You arch back from the sensation.

He was licking away at you sloppily, really making a mess of things, but who were you to ruin his fun? If he liked the way you tasted, even after all this time, you weren’t going to tell him to be a little less vulgar about the noises he was making. Besides, it felt really fucking good.

“Ngh, Harry, I…I’m, fuck.” You groan and grit your teeth as you pull and tug at his hair.

He doesn’t let up on you, though. He continues sucking on your clit and moving his tongue back down to your center to fuck you with it. He had his hands pressed down your thighs to keep you as wide open as he could.

“Oh god, oh my god, Harry!” You scream as you come undone. He removes his mouth from you and just uses his hand to rub around the now sensitive area as your body convulses under him.

“Like that, babe?”

“So much, thank you.” You breathe. You scoot back further on the bed and he moves with you. He smooths some hair away from your now sweaty forehead. “Harry…?”

“Yes, my love?” He lips ghost over yours, and then move to your cheek and neck.

“I wanna make another baby with you, so bad.” You cup his cheeks so he’ll look at you.

“I do too. I love you so much.” He turns to kiss one of your palms.

“I love you too, and our life, and I want it to keep growing.”

“So do I, angel.” He lines himself up with you and pushes inside. “I’m gonna give you everything yeh want, okay? Including another baby.”

His tongue finds yours as he rocks in and out of you. You wrap your legs around his waist to pull him even closer. He grabs both of your hands and pins them on either side of your head. You move your hips up and grind against him so you’re moving in sync together. Love making at its finest. The two of you were grunting and panting, and just enjoying not having to keep it down for a change.

Harry waits for you to come at least two more times before he fills you up. You were drenched in sweat, but you didn’t you care. You rest your legs up against the headboard for a few minutes making sure nothing leaked out of you before going to the bathroom to clean up. That’s how things were for the next few days without Jack around. And it really wasn’t even about making another baby, you and Harry were just enjoying the time to explore each other and make love like how you used to. It was nice.

“There’s my baby!” You exclaim when you see Gemma pull up with Jack. “Were you a good boy for Grammy?” You ask him as you take him out of the car seat.

“Mumma!”

“Yes, hi, I know!” You snuggle him to you. You really did miss him.

“Daddy!”

“I’m right here.” He takes him from you and holds him close. “Thanks for bringin’ him.” He says to Gemma.

“Oh, no worries. We had a nice car ride together. We stopped off for some lunch so he shouldn’t be hungry. He’s quite talkative. He mostly babbled, but it was nice nonetheless.” Gemma pokes the dimple in Jack’s cheek. “A rambunctious two year old, but he’s a love bug too, according to mum. She really enjoyed the time alone with him.”

“That’s great.” You say. “We like him too.” You tickle Jack’s belly and the sound of his giggle soars through you. “Think it’s nap time, darling boy. Thanks again, Gem.” You take Jack from Harry and head upstairs to the flat.

“Was it nice to have a little break?”

“Yeah, it was. You sorta feel guilty at first, you know? We love him so much, but neither of us realized how badly we just needed some time alone.”

“I get it. S’gotta be different now that he’s really becoming a child. He’s not a baby anymore. He’s exploring and learning all the time.”

“His routine is just completely different in the summer. During the school year he has day care and stuff so by the time he gets home he’s pooped. And then I feel bad because Y/N is home with him all day. I’m able to come home early most days, but then I feel guilty about the business. It’s tough, but I wouldn’t give any of it up.”

“How is the business doing?”

“It’s great! Our numbers go up every year, we have loyal clients who spread the word. Nothin’ really to worry about there, I just feel bad when Mariah and Isaac have to pick up my slack.”

“You could hire another person, you know? You’re the owner and the boss, you have a lot of other responsibilities. Like my friend who owns that hair salon? She does way less hair than everyone else because she’s busy runnin’ the business. You might have to take less photos for people, Harry.”

“I know that.” He sighs. “I’ll have to have a meeting with Isaac and Mariah to see what they think and how they feel. It’s been the three of us for so long, but maybe I could hire a part timer…maybe even get an intern from Y/N’s university.”

“There yeh go. Just think it over so you can take some pressure off. Also,” she puts her hand on his shoulder, “he’s not gonna be this fussy forever. Give yourselves a break, you’re both doin’ a great job.”

“Thanks, that means a lot.” The two hug and off Gemma goes. Harry goes upstairs with Jack’s things and smiles when he sees you lulling him to sleep on the couch. “I think we should take him on the London Eye tomorrow.” He whispers.

“Oh, he’d enjoy that for sure.” You whisper back. You stroke his cheek as his eyes continue to droop. “Such a precious boy, isn’t he?”

“Sometimes I still can’t believe we made him.” Harry says, sitting down next to you.

“Me neither.”

The next day you get a ton of sunscreen on Jack, and you take him to the London Eye. He was scared at first, but when he saw how relaxed you and Harry were, he realized there was nothing to be frightened of. Harry picks him up and points different buildings out to him. You make sure to take lots of pictures. You had taken Jack to London before, but he was still a baby. Even when you brought him for the holidays, he still wasn’t present the way he is now. You loved watching his eyes widen as Harry continued to point things out.

“Mumma, look!” Jack points like Harry does and you giggle.

“I see, Jack, isn’t it pretty?” Jack nods to you and continues to look out the large window.

He was fast asleep by the time you got him back to the flat. You and Harry had a full day with him, and he barely fussed. You tuck him in and leave the bedroom door open only a crack. You join Harry out in the living room and snuggle up to him.

“He was so good today.” You say.

“Mm, the long plane ride must’ve just messed him up.”

“Maybe something to put him to sleep on the way back wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

“Yeah, wouldn’t want him to be jet lagged.” Harry scoffs. “He’s lucky he’s cute.” He jokes as you shake your head at him.

The school year would have been off to a great start if you didn’t feel nauseous almost every morning you needed to get up. It was difficult pulling yourself from the warm bed and getting Jack up. Harry was up before you most mornings to catch the train. You hadn’t told him about your symptoms yet, in fear of getting too excited over nothing.

The day you had to leave class to go run down the hall to the bathroom to puke, though, was when you knew you needed to take a test. You pick one up from the school’s bookstore before grabbing Jack from day care.

“How was your day, honey?” You say to him as you drive home.

“Good, Mumma.”

“Did you play nice with the other kids?”

“Mhm.”

“That’s good.” You smile. “You like playing with the other kids?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a best friend?”

“Yes.”

“What’s their name?”

“Ryan.”

“That’s a nice name.”

“Mhm.”

“Would you ever want to have Ryan over for a playdate?”

“Oh, yes, Mumma!” He exclaims.

“Okay, I’ll speak with Ryan’s Mummy or Daddy next time I pick you up.”

“Yay!”

When you get home, you get Jack set up with his coloring book on the kitchen floor while you start to put dinner together. You think Caesar salad would be a good dinner, and you could make some chicken nuggets for Jack. Just as you’re finishing everything up, you hear Harry coming up the stairs from the basement.

“Daddy!” Jack sprints over to him and hugs Harry’s legs.

“Hey, buddy.” He says tiredly and scoops him up. “Hi, angel.” He kisses your cheek. “Ooo, Caesar salad, yum.”

“I crisped up some tofu for us too. I’m just waiting for his chicken nuggets to finish in the toaster oven.”

“Alrighty, Jack what do you say we wash up for dinner, hm?”

You smile as Harry takes him down the hall to the bathroom. You clean up the crayons and coloring books from the kitchen floor, and get everything plated up. Harry puts Jack down in his booster seat and cuts up his chicken nuggets.

“Buster!” You whistle for him and he comes trotting in. “Here’s your dinner, baby.” You pat the top of his head before sitting down. “How was your day?”

“Good, really busy though. Our intern started today so I was runnin’ around showing them everything. You know how that goes. In a couple of weeks he’ll be a bigger help.” You hum your response. Just as you’re about to bite into the salad, you get a whiff of the dressing you usually love. You gag slightly and stand up. “What’s wrong?”

You shake your head and run down to the bathroom to throw up. Harry gets up and calls for you. You rinse your mouth out and come back out to the kitchen.

“I’m so sorry, I’m fine.” You dig into your purse for the item you bought earlier and toss it on the table.

“Are you serious?” He perks up.

“I think so. I’ve been puking a lot, just like how I did with him.”

“Why didn’t you say anything to me?” He frowns.

“I didn’t wanna get your hopes up…I don’t know. I’ll take it now.” Harry nods and sits back down to continue making sure Jack ate all his food. You come back out shortly.

“Three minutes.” You say. “I can’t eat this, ugh.”

“Can I make yeh anything else?”

“No, it’s fine. I might just munch on some crackers.” You look at Jack. “He needs a bath. Let’s get that all set before we look at the test, okay?”

“Alright.”

You and Harry give Jack a nice tubby time before reading him a story and getting him tucked into bed. You change into some pj’s, as does Harry. You both go into the downstairs bathroom to look at the test that’s been sitting there waiting for you. Harry snatches it from the counter and his eyes gloss over. He grins as he shows it to you.

“Oh my god.” You gasp.

“Guess you’ll need to see Dr. Johnson soon, huh?”

“Harry!” You squeal as you wrap your arms around his neck. He wraps his around your waist and holds you close. You kiss him and nuzzle into his chest. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“We should keep it quiet for a bit like we did last time…just in case.”

“I agree, we won’t say anything.”

“I’ll call Dr. Johnson tomorrow. I’ll see if she can fit me in Friday since I don’t teach.”

“Sounds good, then I can meet you in town.”

Friday morning you drop Jack off at day care. You and Harry agreed even though you didn’t teach on Fridays, it was still a good idea for him to go to day care five days a week. It gave you a day to yourself to do whatever you needed to do.

Harry meets you at Dr. Johnson’s, and just like last time she was able to give you the good news. You were roughly eight weeks along. You could hear the baby’s heartbeat, which made you both tear up. As you left the doctor’s office, Harry joked around that you had to have conceived in London. The two of you grab a late lunch together before you go to pick Jack up. His friend Ryan would be coming over tomorrow to play.

Not many people had the pleasure of knowing your husband since you were always picking up and dropping Jack off. Only your students had ever really seen Harry. Ryan’s mother comes in for a few minutes to chat. She was a staff member in the registrar’s office.

“Jack’s been so excited. Would you like to come outside? Harry put together a jungle gym for Jack, they’ve gotta be playing on it already.”

“Sure! Thanks.” Her name was Lisa, and she was lovely. “Oh, that’s a good one. We have a similar one at our house.” She says as she steps out the sliding glass door. Harry was standing off to the side watching the boys play. “That’s your husband?” Her jaw nearly drops.

“Mhm.” You beam. “Harry, come say hello to Lisa.” You wave him over.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet yeh, Jack talks about Ryan all the time…or at least he mumbles about him.” He shakes Lisa’s hand.

“Nice to meet you too. So…wow, you’re, uh, British?”

“Yeah, grew up a few hours outside of London.”

“How did you two meet, I know you go to London quite a bit, were you on a trip?” The three of you sit down at the glass table you had in the shade on the patio.

“Oh gosh, no.” You giggle. “We met through a mutual friend. Harry went to college here. Our best friend Niall, who actually lives right down the street, set us up. Niall and I used to work together, and he and Harry went to school together.”

“Oh, I see.” She chuckles. “That’s cute, so it was a blind date then?”

“Mhm.” Harry puts his hand over yours and gives it a squeeze.

“How did you and your husband meet?” You ask.

“He’s a professor, like you. He’s in the Environmental Science department. We had kept emailing back and forth about the course catalog, and one day we finally decided to meet in person because emailing just got annoying. After the meeting he asked me if I wanted to get coffee and the rest was history. We’ve been together about ten years now. Ryan has two older siblings, he was sort of a surprise.” She laughs.

“How old are your other kids?” Harry asks.

“My oldest daughter is eight, and my other son is seven. Sort of had them back to back. Thought we were done, but here we are. Ryan thinks Jack is hilarious.”

The three of you look over at the two boys playing in the sandbox near the jungle gym. Jack comes trotting over and pulls on Harry’s shirt.

“Swing, Daddy?”

“Sure.” Harry gets up and puts Jack and Ryan on the swings and pushes them both lightly.

“He’s great with them.” Lisa says, almost in shock.

“Yeah, he’s a really good dad. We do our best to do things as equally as we can.”

“Must be nice.” She scoffs. “Arthur’s too tired to do anything half the time. He helps the kids with their homework, that’s about it. Sometimes I feel like he forgets we have a toddler.” She sighs.

Every day you knew you were lucky to have Harry, but sometimes when some of the people you interacted with talked about their husbands, you thanked God for him. You weren’t sure how people fell into certain situations or tropes, but you sure as hell couldn’t wrap your head around marrying someone misogynistic. Maybe love can just be blinding sometimes.

Jack and Ryan enjoyed their play date, and you enjoyed getting to know Lisa. She said you could definitely do it again some time. That night when you and Harry crawl into bed you both let out big sighs.

“You looked cute pushing them on the swings earlier.” You boop his nose and he chuckles, turning to face you.

“Yeah?”

“Mhm.”

“When do you think we should tell Jack he’s gonna be a big brother?”

“Probably when we tell everyone else, after my first trimester.” Harry hums his response.

“I wanna teach him all about being a good big brother, being respectful, all that stuff. He’s just so little still.”

“He’ll learn by watching. You’re a good person to watch.” Harry rubs your lower tummy and smiles.

“Think it’ll be another boy, or a girl this time?”

“I don’t know, I’m not sensing anything either way yet. I think I’ll be able to tell once the bump starts growing. Jack sat really low, if this one’s higher up we could assume a girl.”

“It’ll be nice to have one of each, don’t you think? Have a little family of four.”

“I’m sorry, what happened to having like eight kids?” You laugh.

“You know I’ve come to realize something about twenty-six year old me.”

“What’s that?”

“He was batshit crazy.” You burst out laughing. “No really, I was. In fact, I don’t even think I was twenty-six when we first talked about kids, I might have still been twenty-five. Fuckin’ idiot. I don’t know how you didn’t run for the hills, love, really.”

“I thought it was sweet. It’s nice knowing when a guy sees a future with you.”

“I was a lunatic.”

“Realistically, you only seeing us have the two?”

“I wouldn’t be upset if we had more, of course. Might be nice to see how we handle having two so young at once. I mean, Jack will still only be going to day care by the time this one’s born. They’ll have similar birthdays too.”

“Yeah, Dr. Johnson said it could be April or May when I’m due.”

“You always said you didn’t wanna be an old mom.”

“I definitely don’t wanna be thirty-five and pushing out another kid, that’s for sure. I’ll be almost thirty-one when this one comes…I could see us having three, maybe. But we’ll see. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, right?”

“Exactly.” He shifts down in the bed to give your stomach lots of kisses. “Make no mistake, though, I’m very excited. Love makin’ babies with you.” He comes back up to kiss your lips before getting off of you. “And this time around it only took us two months of trying instead of five.”

“I know! I’m really happy about that. I think the first time had to do with me having been on the pill for so long, it had to have been. This’ll be good for Jack, to have someone to grow up with. You and Gemma were so close, I love seeing it now.”

“You really don’t wanna see large age gaps do you?” He chuckles.

“And be like Lisa, having an eight year old and a two year old? No thanks. I don’t know how accidents happen anymore these days, truthfully. The second you and I are done making these kids, that IUD is staying in there. Or you can get a vasectomy.”

“Wouldn’t you miss the way my come feels?”

“Hmmm, an invasive procedure for my IUD every five years, or you getting a really quick snip?” You tap your tap your chin. “A truly tough decision.”

“Okay, okay, we said one step at a time, right?”

“Give me a kiss goodnight, you goober.”

#my everything #harry styles #harry styles x reader #harry styles x y/n #harry styles y/n #harry styles series #harry styles imagine #harry styles fic #harry styles fanfic #harry styles angst #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry styles smut fic #dad!Harry

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mimik-u · 4 years ago

Text

“Rose Buds” Thoughts:

The fact that this episode is kicking off with Steven trying desperately to relocate the portrait of his mom because he “doesn’t know if he wants her hanging over” them makes me think that this episode is going to end up hurting me in new and exciting ways.

THE ZOOMANS?????????????? HELLO?!

“You mean since you didn’t choosen us? Don’t you have some sound discs to listen to on your wheeled conveyance?” OWOWSOSKSJSJJAAN.

AWHWHWH, the Quartzes and humans have gone full vacation mode. And as was the case in “Guidance,” it’s really nice to see gems and humans coexist side by side!!

HOLLY BLUE!!!! This episode is really hitting all the nostalgia notes, isn’t it?

“I’d give anything for an order from the Diamonds, but all they talk about is Steven, Steven, Steven, STEVEN?!” This was funny, but also, 😭😭😭. Thank you, Crewniverse, for giving me this little breadcrumb. I’m going to think about it all day now.

AMETHYST AND THE FAMETHYST!!!

OH, MY GO. D. A ROSE QUARTZ WHO LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE, WHO LOOKS EXACRLT LIKE—

Steven’s face nearly ended me.

“Yes, this is the look I wished to see.” WOEODODOFIDODJDJ.

I’m goin g to cry every time they show a shot of not-Rose Rose in this episode. Cheers.

AND THEN AMETHYST’S FACE. GOD.

(Is the implication that our Rose probably saw this Rose, and was, like, lmao, I’m just gonna shapeshift into her?)

The lines beneath Pearl’s eyes. 😭 Be still, my Pearlrose beating heart.

“I can feel the rest of my hair falling out.” WKSKDJSJ.

“Wait, Dad! Do you wanna join us for dinner?” / “NOPE!” And then Greg yeets out. It’s funny, but it’s also really fucking sad. We don’t talk about it enough, but Greg buries so much of his grief under the surface of his general easygoingness. And he has an especial stressor in seeing likenesses of Rose, I think. I look back to “Maximum Capacity” and his strained expression during the concert scene in the movie. And now here.

“But thank you, R-uh-ooose.” Shout-out to Dee Dee Magno Hall for bringing me to the verge of emotional collapse.

“Excuse me, Pearl, are you feeling okay?” She has such a soft voice. 😭

“I’m going to the bathroom.” WOWOISJSS. But this is also sad, and I am now both in my Gregrose and Pearlrose feels because this show hates me.

“I’m also going to the bathroom.” OWWOOEJDJDIDIEIDJFJEJS. I can’t do this.

“I know it’s wrong, but I’m overwhelmed.” Hhhhhhhhh, there’s a bit of a comical tint in the delivery here, but I think there’s something to be said about the importance of this statement here. Being overwhelmed is an absolutely valid reason to have to step away from a situation which stresses you out.”

“They are like her. She made them.” I think one of my favorite tidbits about gem lore is that gems’ personalities are influenced by the Diamond who made them. It’s just really interesting to think about what trait of the Diamonds certain gems reflect and the different ways individuals begin to diverge from their inheritances.

Not-Rose Rose is really perceptive to other’s emotions. She glances at Steven’s freaked out face and then at the portrait which bears her likeness and realizes that this is not a good situation.

“I am dead Rose Quartz.” / *Steven, chuckling nervously:* “What the fuck?”

OH, MY GOD. THE ROSE VIDEO. CREWNIVERSE, STOP HURTING ME.

“Can’t you guys take a hint? He doesn’t want us to be here?” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I’m effed up, y’all.

Also, r Garnet and Pearl still in the bathroom.

“I’ve been pretending that I’m fine because it’s not your fault... but I’m not fine.” 😭😭 It is so rare that Steven ever voices his emotions like this.

“Your mom created us too... and then got us all bubbled for being Rose Quartzes.” The Rose Quartzes were all literally bubbled for simply being who they are.

Siblings!!!!!!!!

He moves the portrait to Lion’s mane, and that last shot of the shadows of the leaves playing across the canvas is simply stunning... but, man, the symbolism of this movement is incredible, too. For Rose, Lion’s mane was a place to both store the items she cherished most (the video, the Mr. Universe shirt) and a hidden receptacle for the parts of her experience she felt like she had to hide away (Bismuth). And I think it’s probably fair to say that, well, her portrait embodies a mixture of these two emotions to Steven.

This episode was simply incredible.

#steven universe #s: future #mimiku #steven universe future

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shinobirain24 · 4 years ago

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Water and Ice- Chapter 9: Visions

Author's note: Warning, rated T for fanservice. Apologies to any of the viewers.

The Visions

Neptune has once again have his eyes closed for another slumber. Where he have seen his brother leading him to the falls. Jupiter keeps walking through the caves, where the falls are being held. Much to his younger brother's dismay for him to cover himself with his jacket.

He then pointed to the pond, where it lifts by the sunlight. Then a shining object is beaming underneath the water. It gets brighter for every second. Then the vision got white. Blinding the brothers.

Neptune woke up from the dream again. He was seen sleeping on the floor while Weiss is on his bed. Same old strategy about having guests. Neptune rubbed his head in tiresome.

It's that dream again. I cannot believe Jupiter is actually talking to me. Or is he really a ghost? He then looks at Weiss, who is sleeping soundly. Holding onto a pillow and snuggled it. He couldn't help but smile as he watches her. Turning to her head to where he was facing.

She seems to be having a sweet dream. She really is a snow angel when she sleeps. He thought.

Weiss is dreaming about a man with blue hair like Neptune's, but this time, it's not him. But rather a man with scaled armor that resembles fish fins, holding a trident on his back. As if Weiss becomes the eyes of an unknown woman, following him into the night. The man offers her a hand. "Follow me, Avalora. I'll show you around." The woman, now named, Avalora took his hand and entered a temple.

It turns out to be the Ocean Temple, where it was well built during the Great War. Like the dream is taking her back in time. They were in Poseidon Island. It was all too quiet. No one around to guard the place. The aisle has streams between the narrow floors, clean water with falls from each side fillers.

It took a lot of steps to climb the stairs after walking through the maze. But Avalora is too interested to give up the sightseeing. They reached the inner chamber to see a stoned table with a panel full of four gemstones; white, green, yellow and red. The four colors of seasons.

"These are the moon stones of the four seasons. Entrusted by the maidens to keep the oceans at balance. They are said to be the pieces of the shattered moon. Fallen from the skies." The man explained.

"They look so beautiful in person. I thought they were a myth." Avalora was in awe to see the brilliance of the gems. Glowing at the light of the moon. The source of the tides rising. "With the moon stones, it can empower anyone with semblance. You can find them anywhere for every meteor shower." Said the man.

"Is that so?" She asked.

"Of course." He nods. "However, these moonstones are the source of our tides to be in balance. They must never be removed." He explained the cost of the removal of the moon stones in the temple. "There's a reason we created this maze in the first place. To keep our enemies from breaking in. If these stones are removed, then the whole island will be flooded. On top of it, not only the island will be flooded, but the entire world of Remnant with a series of storms. There's a reason why we do not trust the kingdoms in Vale, Vacuo, Atlas, or Mistral. Because then there's a possibility that they can send enemy spies to steal the stones. Chances are that without the stones, our bodies will be reduced into water for a century after." Explained the man. He then turned to Avalora. "Avalora, even as an heiress and warrior to the throne of Atlas, there's a reason for why I trust you with this secret."

"Why is that, Cascade?" She asked again after the man, now called Cascade, affectionately touched her cheek. As Avalora gently places her hand over his.

"Because I owe it all to you, for many years we have grew to distrust outsiders. But you, after you saved my life. You are the first person I can ever cherish for the rest of my life. All I wanted to do now is to find peace between our lands. And I would die for your life to be preserved. However, no one must find out. I cannot put you at risk." He knelt down while he held her hand. "Your highness." She smiles in delight to the man who stole her heart. She knelt down in the same position and lifts his chin to gain the eye position.

"Stand up. There's no need for you to bow. Not this time. If there's anything I can wish for, is that there's no such thing as war, or monarchy." She said softly. They held each other looking into each other's eyes. Avalora then rests her head on his armored chest. Cascade then caresses her hair. "Only freedom." The eyes that are blue as the ocean that captivated her for the rest of her life. But eventually, would led to their impending doom. "That freedom we will fight for, so that no one can separate us." She leaned up and pressed her lips against his.

Weiss just woke up stirring he eyes. She rose from the bed to find Neptune already gone from his bedroom. That dream however, left her pondering about the meaning of the visions. The moon stones, the temple. Curse of the seas. In spite of it all, it was still beautiful. "What a strange dream. I must be very tired from last night." She yawned.

The moon stones, the Ocean Temple. They were there during the time of the Great War. What does this mean? She thought. She then got up from the bed and get dressed to make the next move. Sheathing her rapier to her belt full of dusts. She went downstairs to greet the Vasilias family. Only to find that Saturn and Lydia have already left home before they woke up. The only person she found in the kitchen is Neptune. Writing on a blank piece of paper. "Morning, Neptune. What are you doing?"

"Leaving my parents a note. We can't stay here for long. They'll get into trouble with the Mistral authorities. Hopefully this note will be a mislead, in case your sister tries to look further." He replies.

"Are you sure about this? It must be hard for you to leave them." Weiss points out.

"I have to, what else can we do?" Neptune places a note on the coffee table in the living room before leaving the house. Once again, Neptune puts on the hoodie and goggles exiting the house with Weiss.

Saturn and Lydia returned home with groceries. "We're home! Sorry we're late, your father and I have been picking up some new materials for his shop!" Called Lydia. There was no response. Saturn went to the living room to check to see his son is there. But all he found is a note. He then reads it.

Hey Mom and Dad,

I know this is all sudden for you to find me gone. Weiss and I cannot stay for long. I won't let you guys get into a crossfire because of me. Even if I am a criminal in everyone's eyes. To tell you the truth, I left my team to find Jupiter. I'm not giving up the search as everyone else had a long time ago. Can't let them get into the deep end either. I'm not going to give up until I bring my brother back home. I'm sorry that I have to leave, you guys are probably excited that I returned home for the night. Don't worry, I won't get caught. We'll be on the run for a while in Vacuo. But I won't forget you guys. Don't come looking for me, for your sakes. Just wanna let you know that I love you, no matter what. I'm not going to be the same little boy who will be hiding in fear anymore. I'll fight hard to be the huntsmen I wanted to be since I was 4.

-Your son,

Neptune.

Saturn then looks away and head to his wife to tell her about the note he left. "Lydia?!" He called. Walking to the kitchen to show her the note. When he did, her eyes shimmered and she fainted as if it's the end of the world. Losing one child is bad enough, but losing another is one way for her to go catatonic. Saturn catches her before she hits the floor. She was hoping that it was all just a dream.

Later, Neptune and Weiss entered the cave behind the falls. After walking on stones that serves as a path. From what the visions Jupiter have supposedly given him, it must be in the pond. Weiss looked around in amazement of the biome. Water drops are falling from one bedrock to another. Neptune is still disturbed by the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. "There, that's what I saw while I was asleep. Or rather what Jupiter is showing me." Neptune said pointing to the water pit. "So this is where the object is hidden." Weiss adds. She then turns to him where he was shaking, looking at the water.

"I think the best idea was to swim there. To get it." Neptune said, while still frozen in fear. His hand is pulling up his shirt, the object is too tempting for him to refrain from swimming. His eyes squinted as it went blurry. "I can't." He said.

"You don't have to do it. I'll go." Weiss insisted, making Neptune relax that he didn't have to go. "Look away." Weiss told him and turn before looking behind to see him still looking. "You heard me, look away." She warns while blushing. Neptune immediately turns away and covers his eyes. He could hear her stripping off her clothes. Then there was splashing. "What's this about? Huh?" He said, but no reply.

He uncovered his eyes. Only to find Weiss swimming into the pit with her bra and underwear. As if it were a bathing suit, with her clothes lying on the rock. It's amazing how she was able to dive under. Like some kind of Olympic athlete. The deeper she gets to the grounds, the brighter the object glows. It was between three boulders. Despite coming from the worse background of childhood, she was taught by one of the best tutors in Atlas. Swimming is a useful skill for survival to be a huntsman or a huntress. The ex-heiress then summoned her glyphs to lift off the boulders from the object. To her surprise, it's a green moonstone. The same one that she saw in her dreams.

Weiss obtains the gemstone and resurfaces back up. Breathing after holding her breathe for the stone. "Got it." She panted, turning to Neptune. "I thought I told you to look away!" Her face turned red when she realized that he's just opened his eyes. But then he noticed something that is scaring him. "Dah! Sorry, I was just getting worried!" He defended. He covered his eyes again, while still conversing with her. "Anyway, what is it?" He asked. She swam back to shore and puts her clothes back on. Before showing Neptune the moon stone.

"Check this out. What you saw is a moon stone." Weiss replies. Neptune looks at her palm holding the gemstone. "Whoa, looks amazing." He awed. "So you knew about these things."

"You're not the only one who dreamt this up. These things must be very important. It has some connection to Poseidon Island. From what I heard about the stones is that it empowers aura. Without the need of dusts." Weiss explained. "And they say they're impossible to find, it can connect to those born in the seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. This is a spring moon stone."

"Whoa, really. So you have that vision?"

"Well, that's different." This got Neptune to question to the point of visionary conversations that anyone with aura can have. "This got me thinking, do you think it is possible to communicate with someone through your sleep?" This got Weiss confused, as if he was having a fever. Or he's been haunted by memories that makes him think it is impossible to get over. "Okay, never heard of that before. Why are you asking me this? Not that I am ashamed to answer. But that's new."

"I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think I was talking to Jupiter two nights ago, in my dreams." Weiss then blinked for what he just said. "He was the one who led me there. Like we are now. Come to think of it, it's like he's speaking directly towards me. As if he faking his death a long time ago." He theorizes. This got Weiss intrigued with the theory, that his brother is alive after all and thinks he decided to lay low for years. "Now that you mentioned it, it looks like he knew something that we don't. And decides to lay low for a while because nobody would believe him or his team?" Weiss tries to connect the dots to see whether or not that Team ZRVT are alive.

"In any case, maybe we go to Vale. I have to check on Ceres."

"You mean your sister?"

"Yeah. I just need to make sure she's okay. I was thinking, how're you such a good swimmer?" Asked Neptune.

"Sorry to say this. I once have a tutor, but that was before Winter replaced him as my teacher." Weiss replied. "If you want, I can teach you." She offers, knowing he can't swim due to his aquaphobia. The least she can try now is to find the good time to motivate him to overcome it. Neptune thought about it, and nods. "The more you talk about it, the more your sister sounds like a great teacher. Even if she was chasing the wrong guy." Neptune points out. Making Weiss blush.

"Thank you. Let's just hope that Winter doesn't go to far looking for us." Weiss replied. Walking out of the falls for their next stop in Vale.

#iceberg rwby #weiss schnee #rwby fanfic #Icy Seas #neptune vasilias #weiss x neptune #Arctic Ocean

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coffeecomicsgalore · 5 years ago

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25 Days of Adrien (+6 of Marinette)

Forewarning: This chapter is a little sad.

Adrien finally opens up about his Mother.

Part of the MLHolidays2k19 Prompt

AO3

Chapter 4 – Ornament

It was a peaceful Saturday afternoon as they finished the delicious meals the chef created. Gabriel, of course, did not attend the lunch with them, but Adrien enjoyed his girlfriend’s company, nonetheless. For all he cares at this point, is that he was enjoying his meal with at least the one person who actually enjoyed his presence.

As they walked through the atrium to head to his room, Marinette sees the large, empty tree standing tall by the staircase. Marinette couldn’t help but feel sad for the naked tree, but she knew that maybe Adrien wanted to decorate it still.

“Hey.” Marinette poked his side as she called for him quietly.

“Hmm.” Adrien muffled back. He was still somewhat sad over his father’s failed attempt to eat lunch with them.

“Why is the tree naked?” Marinette questioned him innocently.

He started giggling over the weird question. Of course, Marinette flustered as she realized how she asked it, but then started giggling along with him. They broke into fits of laughter before finally calming down a bit.

He looked over to her, then back at the tree. A sigh released from his lungs giving way to a sad demeanor in his eyes.

“Do you remember that Christmas where I ran away?”

Marinette cringed at the memory. She finally found him back at the mansion steps but then mistakenly accused Santa as being an akuma and kidnapping Adrien. It only led to a real akumatized Santa Claws bringing scary gifts to everyone in Paris. “I remember that. Everyone was out looking for you. It was such a scary moment for all of us.”

He continued to stare at the tree. “That was the last time I really decorated it. Even though that night ended up better than most years because I had all my friends with me to celebrate...” he still couldn’t believe his father allowed all the unexpected guests to have Christmas dinner with them, “...I still can’t bring myself to really decorate the tree anymore.”

Marinette saddens at the thought. “Then who decorates it each year?”

“Father hires someone to do it. We buy the tree ahead of time to set it up where he wants it, then Nathalie brings someone in a few days later to decorate it.”

Marinette curls her lips at a thought. “What about if we do it...” she looks over to him, “together?”

Adrien stops staring at the tree to look at her. Could he do it? His mother always trimmed the tree. But would it be okay? Would he enjoy it a little more if Marinette did it with him?

He looked back at the tree for a minute more.

“We don’t have to, Adrien. It was only a suggestion.”

“No, let’s do it. I think it would be better if I did it with someone besides Nathalie.”

Marinette smiled. “Then let’s go and get the decorations.”

Adrien asked Nathalie where the decorations were hidden. When they were able to locate them, both Adrien and Marinette grabbed the boxes and brought them all to the atrium.

They slowly brought up the colorful lights together, careful not to fall as they wrapped them around the towering tree. While Adrien stayed on the ladder, Marinette grabbed the gold tinsel garland from the box and handed it over to him.

As he wrapped the garland around the tree, Adrien started talking. He began telling Marinette the first Christmas he could remember without photographs. He talked well of his mother, describing how she meticulously chose which theme she wanted the tree to be that year. “Golds and reds” he beamed. “She wanted golds and reds. Gold tinsel, red and gold ornaments. Red was her favorite color.”

Marinette agreed. “Red is a beautiful color.”

Once they finished the garland, Adrien climbed down the ladder to look at the box of ornaments.

He smiled as he retrieved the first one. It was a simple cream plaque with a red Japanese symbol adorned to the front of it. It was made of porcelain, with a red ribbon to hang it on the tree and a red fringed tassel tied at the bottom. The symbol was ‘love’. “My mother bought this one when her and Father traveled to Japan for the first time.” He remembers the story she told him. “My father fell down the stairs when he lost his footing. She had to remember that moment as the day she fell for him.”

Oh, the puns! She accidently laughed out loud.

“Hey!” Adrien scoffed.

“I wondered where you got your puns from.” she teased, “because it was definitely not from your father.”

He laughed at the tease. “My mother was always one to poke jokes.”

Next, he pulls out a black, iron-looking ornament. It was a mannequin, with black mock-iron twisted and turned into the shape. It had a silver ribbon tied at the top and a white flower pinned to where the bodice should be. “This was bought when my father started the company. My mother was an actress, but she loved to sew. She had at least three or four mannequins in her studio at one time. Her favorite mannequin was one that always stayed in the corner and it had her very first design on it.” He pondered a bit. “It looked exactly like this ornament. Father was the one to buy this for her. It’s actually her favorite one that he bought her.”

Marinette smiled brightly at his memory. The soft look he gave only warmed her heart.

He continues talking through all the ornaments, relishing at each of the memories of his mother. A pained smiled crossed his lips as tears had run down his cheeks. Marinette stood by him at each moment, wiping the tears from his eyes and kissing the swollen cheeks.

At one point in between all the memories, Gorilla, Nathalie, and Gabriel watched them in awe. This was the first time in years that Adrien really spoke of his mother. Even Gabriel, stoic and poised as usual, smiled at the interactions between the two. They chose to leave them be at their own accord.

When he reached in the box to retrieve the last ornament, the tears started flowing a little bit harder. When Marinette kneeled up beside him, her heart tore a little bit more at the sight. “This- this was the last ornament my mother bought before she passed away.” He started sniffling.

The ornament was a beautiful, ornate angel. It was made of acrylic, almost resembling glass in weight. She wore a long gown that was adorned with gold snowflakes of different shapes and sizes. Her hair was long and flowing with curls at the end. She had these beautiful gold wire wings, shaped in every which way to look like feathers. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Oh Adrien.” Marinette cooed at the priceless gem. “This is absolutely gorgeous.”

He continued to sniffle. “I always said this looked like her. I really truly believe that she bought this for us for a reason.” He held it up to his heart before getting up to place it on the tree. “It is my favorite ornament and I cherish this with my soul.”

Marinette walked up to him and held him from behind. She kissed his shoulder, reminding him that she was there for him and to not be afraid to let his emotions go.

“Thank you getting me to do this and I’m glad I have someone to tell this to.” He turns to hug her in a tight embrace. “Talking about this helps keep my mother’s memory alive. I just wish she was here to decorate it with us. I miss her terribly.”

“Thank you for telling me her stories.” She kissed him lightly. “I’m glad to have brought a smile to your cute face.”

He looked up at the tree as he continued to embrace her. “You have brought the Christmas spirit back into this home. I love you for that.”

#mlholidays2k19 #miraculous ladybug fanfiction #ml fanfic #adrienette #christmas fluff #miraculous ladybug

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officialleehadan · 6 years ago

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Secret Words

Tora passed through the crowd, pausing here and there to murmur greetings or trade a few words with passing dignitaries.

Her gown was heavy with crystal beads that shimmered against silver-grey of her gown. A sheer overgown trailed from her shoulders, so light it might have flown away if the edges weren’t lined with more of those tiny glittering beads. Her face was half-covered by a delicate mask that was woven of spiderweb-fine silver wire and set with diamonds.

An elegant wrapping for a king’s daughter. Halad was in the market for an alliance, and proudly offered up his daughter as an enticing prize to his possible allies.

After all, soulmates didn’t matter, when you were a princess, and the price of your hand could buy an army between two lands. It was a growing trend among the nobility to keep soulmate bonds platonic and to save their romance, or at least their marriage, for somebody more to their advantage.

Of course, this caused problems for those who did not wish to deny their Other Half at least the chance to win their hearts.

Tora ran her thumb over the wide silver cuff that glittered with gems and hid something even more precious. Her soulmark, turned from inky black to shimmering gold upon the words being spoken by a man whose’ face she had yet to even see.

It was a small mercy that Halad cared little for his oldest child and only daughter except as a means to an end. If he was more attentive, he might already know about the secret that bound his daughter to his greatest enemy. The lone surviving son of the ruler he murdered for the throne.

The exiled prince, who was now grown, and hungry for the revenge his youth denied him for so long.

“Stay still, Princaessa,” a man whispered into her ear, and a gloved hand caught hers before Tora could do more than gasp. The words seemed very different now, spoken with longing, rather than menice. “I don’t mean you harm, today.”

The words around her wrist warmed, just a shade under painful.

“You should have grabbed one of the boys,” she whispered back, and turned to meet the eyes of her soulmate, who should not be here under the nose of the king who would do anything to see him dead. “My father would thank you for killing me.”

Like her, his face was covered by a mask, although his was of blackened steel. Behind it, his eyes were green, and his hair deep brown with lighter streaks from his time spent in the sun. Her necklace glittered at his throat, an intricate silver knot on a fine chain. The only token she could spare for him during their brief meeting.

There was something cautious and hopeful in his eyes, like he wasn’t sure what his welcome might be.

Tora understood and found herself nervous, for herself and him.

“Will you dance with me?” he murmured, and bowed over her hand when she offered it by long habit. “I cannot stay long, but I had to see you again.”

“Of course I will,” she said, and ignored the way her stepmother’s eyes focused on her as she stepped onto the dance floor with him. Her dances were not promised to anyone, but she was supposed to be courting favor from the attending nobles.

No doubt, dancing with her own soulmate was not the quickest way to her father’s impossible approval, particularly when Rhaes Fel Dakkheld was a man with a royal bounty on his head.

And yet, with only a few moments filling the space between them, Tora felt like she could breathe for the first time since those first whispered words on the pitching deck of a ship.

“I know your name, and you know mine,” he said as he guided her through the slow dance with only the slightest uncertainty. Exiled as he was, Tora wondered where he had even learned to dance at all. “But we have never met. My name is Rhaes.”

“Tora,” she replied softly, and tangled her fingers with his, the one intimacy they were allowed with eyes, many of them hostile, watching their every move. “Where are your Words?”

“Here,” he brought her hand up, just below his left collarbone. “Guarding my heart. Where are yours?”

“Under my bracelet,” she told him, and ran a fingertip over the place where his soulmark rested. He shivered, and something dark shimmered across his gaze. It was entirely inappropriate, and probably unwise as well, but she let him slip her bracelet up, just enough to see the edges of his own writing on her skin. “I wondered how they would sound in your voice, and then I wondered if I would have to watch my father kill you.”

Rhaes winced at the memory of precisely what he had said to her that first time, and let her bracelet fall to obscure her Words once more. Tora reluctantly kept an ear on the music. Too long, and they would be noticed and he would be in danger.

“I’m not so easy to kill as that,” he promised her fiercely, and squeezed tangled their fingers together tightly. “When my Words appeared, I was afraid for you. That your father would be pleased at your death… I was afraid I would lose you before we ever met.”

“I dared to be born a girl, and look too much like my mother,” Tora admitted, long used to the bitter truth. “And she died without giving him an heir. He will never forgive her for that.”

“Was she his soulmate?”

“Yes.”

Very few survived the death of their soulmate, once the Words were spoken. Certainly, there were those whose’ soulmates died in childhood and who were cursed to live with Words that greyed, and faded slowly into nothing. Sometimes new ones came, but not often.

King Halad survived the loss of his beloved queen through sheer determination, but the loss turned him from a kind, stern man into a vicious one who found joy only conquest.

The same conquest that turned her own soulmate from a prince, to a pirate.

His second marriage was one of convenience. Tora had never quite gotten up the courage to ask her stepmother if she had a soulmate somewhere, thrown aside for the suit of a king.

“He will always be my enemy,” Rhaes said quietly as the music swirled dancers around them like brightly-colored leaves in the wind. “He murdered my father, and would do the same to me. One of us will die before this is settled.”

“I know,” Tora said sadly, torn between the father she cherished in the golden memories of her childhood, and her newly-discovered soulmate. The line between them was fine, and razor-sharp. “And I doubt I can stop either of you. But give me this, if only this. My brothers- they don’t deserve to die for our father’s wrongs against you.”

He almost stumbled, no doubt surprised by her words, although he rallied well. “They are a danger. Their father might be a usurper, but he is still the king, and their claim is true to his supporters.”

“Trust me to keep them from that,” Tora pleaded with him. Her brothers were one of her few true joys, and she would give anything to keep them safe. “Please, Rhaes.”

It was the first time she had spoken his name. She wished it was a kinder moment, but savored it anyway.

He hesitated, battling against the vengeance set so deeply in his bones that it defined him, and the soulmate he risked everything to see, if only for a few stolen moments. Tora wished this conversation could wait, at least until they knew each other a little more. She was asking a great deal from a man who, despite their connection, knew her not at all.

“Only for you,” he agreed at last, and she breathed an almost-silent sigh of relief. “You can keep them from rising against me?”

“Their mother would gladly trade a blood-oath of loyalty for their lives,” Tora promised quickly and held tight to his hand. Their dance was ending soon, and she tried to think of a way to steal just a few more minutes together. Help came in the form of a particularly combative old duke who, despite his difficulties, was one of Halad’s strongest supporters. The king would be tangled up with him until he managed to foist the old man off on someone else. “When this dance ends, follow me.”

The music came to a close, and Tora pulled her soulmate into a secluded corner and a beautifully draped tapestry. Clever building made the corner nearly invisible to the ballroom, which was convenient to anyone using the secret door hidden behind the heavy woven fabric.

Rhaes went along, willing, but surprised. This was not the castle of his own childhood, and its’ secrets were new to him. Not so to her, who grew up the unwanted daughter, barely supervised until she was old enough for a chaperone to be necessary.

The passages she found in the stone walls were, as far as she knew, her domain and hers alone. Rarely used, they were nonetheless a quick way to escape from almost anywhere in the castle.

That they also brought a few precious moments of privacy was a blessing.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Rhaes pulled her into his arms desperately. Tora clung to him, and almost felt the moment their hearts began to beat in unison, one of the earliest marks of an accepted soulbond.

“Say the word and I will take you from this place,” he whispered as she pressed her face into his shoulder and tangled her fingers in his hair. “We can find somewhere- anywhere- I have allies who would hide you if I asked.”

“I have to stay,” Tora said, and held on tighter despite herself. By rights, a bond started the moment the Words were spoken, but the bond took time to develop, even when neither party was fighting it. The longer they could be together, the sooner the bond would settle and ease the distance between them. “How do I help you? What can I do?”

“I can’t ask you to fight against your own father,” he said reluctantly. “My enemy he may be, but he remains your father.”

“Yes,” Tora admitted, and smiled sadly even as she brushed his hair out of his eyes, and carefully unfastened his mask. He closed his eyes under her careful touch. “But give me my brothers, and I will help you overthrow him with no regret in my heart.”

He freed her own mask and set it aside before cupping her face with one hand. His eyes were very serious in the half-dark of the dusty tunnel “It will be dangerous.”

“Defying him is no more dangerous than being Bonded to his greatest enemy,” Tora pointed out, surprised at her own daring, but determined. Sooner or later, her father would find out that she was Soulmated to Rhaes, and she was not foolish enough to believe he would spare her once he knew. “How do I help?”

“I always knew you would be brave,” he murmured, and rather than answer, leaned down to steal a kiss that promised much more when they finally had more than a stolen moment together. “From the first moment when my knife was at your throat and you barely skipped a breath, and then you were saying my Words and all I could think was how close I came to losing you at my own hand.”

Tora held onto him for all she was worth. In a moment she would have to return to the ball, and he would have to go, but this one moment was theirs and theirs alone.

“Tell me how I can reach you,” she said, and pulled him down to take a daring kiss for herself even as she pressed this memory into her mind to cherish while they were apart. “Until he has a reason to notice me, I am invisible, and more than that, I am meant to be here. I can find things out that no one else possibly could.”

“I knew you would be brave,” he repeated, and pressed their foreheads together. “Write to Prince Tallast of Jaeg’lor. He is my closest friend and strongest ally, and he will make sure your letters get to me.”

“I will,” Tora promised, and kissed him once more, already preparing herself for their parting. “I have to go, and so do you. Take the left passage, and then the first right, all the way to the end. It leads out of the castle… or back in. Promise me you will be safe?”

“As safe as I am able,” Rhaes promised, and looked down the dark tunnel, repeating her instructions soundlessly before bringing his gaze back to her. “Be careful, my Princaessa. I will come to you again as soon as I can.”

With that he was gone into the shadowy tunnels, boots quiet on the stone.

Tora carefully tied her mask back onto place, and forced her fear for him into a small, hard knot in her stomach where she could pretend it wasn’t there.

And then she stepped back through the hidden door, a perfect smile on her lips, even as she made a plan to steal the throne out from under her own father.

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musicprompts · 7 years ago

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Sleeping Monsters - Valentine’s Day

—-So this is a bit late, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by. This is basically some ideas and stables about the group and their reaction to Valentine’s Day.

Enjoy :)

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Bucky absolutely loves Valentine’s Day- it’s one of those few days in the year where he and the Grimm are happy to be around people because for some reason, Death likes to let them have a bit of fun. Besides that, the smell of chocolate is fucking fantastic, and he never passes up the chance to watch Steve make some home made chocolate in the kitchen. Though he doesn’t like the overwhelming smell of flowers because then he whines about not being able to smell the chocolate and candy.

Natasha... she has mixed feelings about the holiday. She doesn’t like celebrating it because of personal reasons but does realize that the holiday is important to her clan and so allows them to gift her chocolates and weird little gifts they find in the store. Clint had even given her a Valentine’s Day themed spider plush because he thought it was hilarious.

Nobody knows that it’s one of her favorite gifts and is squirreled away along with some handwritten notes from the twins and memorabilia that she has collected over the years.

Clint both loves and hates the holiday. He used to hate the holiday because the circus didn’t really allow time to celebrate it and then there was the thing with his brother... and yeah, not good memories all around. He likes to brood for a couple of hours every year, the memories consuming him and threatening to drag him down into a deep dark hole...

Wanda usually helps him out, missing her father figure on this day. She tells funny stories that usually ends in pietro’s embarrassment, making Clint laugh and everything seem okay. He celebrates it now for the twins and for the new family he was folded into thanks to the ever exuberant Tony Stark. He’s still thankful for that.

Bruce usually hides around this day, reminiscing about the days when he and the Hulk weren’t one entity, when he was just Dr Bruce Banner with a penchant with the ladies. Tony also usually drags him out by dinner time, both of them laughing about Tony’s past failures with ladies and men before they join everybody else in a heart themed dinner because Tony loves to go all out despite Pepper’s exasperation with it all.

Wanda and Pietro didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day for several years, the grief and anger over their parents barring them from the simple enjoyment. They used to sit together in some quiet corner and talk about the happiest memories they could think of, keeping their parents alive in some way in their hearts.

That was, of course, before Natasha decided on a whim that these two sad sops were now her children and part of her clan, with Clint making them happier and more determined to stay alive the next day, to make sure that their parents hadn’t died in vain. They had forgiven Tony long before they met him thanks to these two.

To show their gratitude, the twins love to shower Clint and Natasha in chocolates and flowers. Pietro gives the two silly gifts he finds in second hand shops and flea markets, because he believed that something a little more lasting than food or wilting flowers was needed to show his love to his new parental figures. Wanda likes to make little flower arrangements. She knows they won’t last long (most things never did nowadays) but she worked hard on those arrangements and dammit that’s what she could do for Natasha and Clint.

They still go to a darkened corner, but they don’t stay there all day and they no longer have to hide the smell of salty tears because now they have less painful memories to fill their hearts.

Steve is an absolute nut the entire week that Valentine’s falls on. He goes to great things to make handmade chocolates for each and every one of the group he has come to call family. The dullahan kicks everybody out of the kitchen to make said chocolates and absolutely won’t let anyone see what he’s making until he’s given it to them. Somehow, Tony manages to kick him out of the kitchen Valentine’s day to make the special dinner he insists is absolutely necessary.

Steve takes this time to take two very special chocolates he’s made to a willow tree that’s in the nearby graveyard. He would set them both down, one labeled “Mom” and the other labeled “Peggy”, and then send a prayer for both of these wonderful women because he loves and misses them so much. Bucky always follows him to make sure he’s safe. Neither of them mention that sometimes Steve cries standing next to that tree, and Bucky never mentions that there is always a tall dark shadow that smelled a bit like Steve staring from a distance. Still, Steve celebrates the holiday with a smile because lingering in the past only ever hinders him and he can’t do that now.

Sam is a bit weird with the holiday. At least weird to everyone else. He goes out and flirts with every single woman he comes across (some of them not so single when their significan other comes around the corner to see him flirting - those encounters usually don’t end well), buys chocolate for everyone and then shares stories of his past VDay exploits because it’s funny. He always makes sure to call his mom back home because otherwise she would find him in the city and beat him in public for forgetting about his wonderful mother on this glorious day. He believes her when she threatens it every year. Tony kind of finds it funny.

Pepper has to field calls and gifts for Tony on this day. The amount of chocolate and flowers and cards the dreamweaver receives is ridiculous and spends most of her day either giving away the chocolates or burning the cards. Tony gives her a special flower arrangement and some rare gem for her efforts (he honestly keeps surprising her - she thinks he’ll run out of weird rocks to give her eventually) and allows her to pester him however she likes in the next couple of meetings. Jarvis never interferes with this arrangement as it works well for the both of them. Pepper does enjoy the special chocolates she receives from the group though and cherishes them for as long as possible.

Rhodes is usually too busy with military stuff but he always gets a weird song card from Tony every year. The cards range from some weird chicken song to sappy love songs that make Rhodey groan in exasperation. He has a case full of the damn things and nobody in his squad says a word about because he was their leader, their confidant, and damn scary when he needed to be.

Thor enjoys the holiday and likes to spoil his brother with the weirdest things he could find (“Brother look!!! This book talks about Norse love!!” Loki usually would look at him in horror, remembering some of those stories because they happened to him, as Thor laughs because he loves to jest with Loki every year. Loki usually retaliated by hiding his chocolate in weird ass places for Thor to find. It’s become something of a game between the two). Thor also likes to take Jane out to Asgard, show her all the wonders of his home. He enjoys seeing her smile and laughter most because she was his star. (Loki was proud to see his brother grow from the arrogant blonde he used to be - he approves of Jane because she softened Thor and made him better.) Loki doesn’t usually celebrate the holiday, but he loves the chocolate, so sticks around for that. He also enjoys the antics of the group, but doesn’t really tell anybody about that.

Tony.... well, Tony doesn’t really like the holiday. Absolutely hates it sometimes. He stays in the tower because being around too many people on a holiday makes his head hurt and powers react weirdly, but he also kind of mourns this day as well. He remembers his mother, when she was able to be fully coherent, treating him to ice cream when he was younger and his father absolutely spoiling the both of them to show his love to his wife and son. He remembers also getting a special toy from Jarvis, most of them now hidden in the depths of his closet whenever he was feeling especially nostalgic.

Used to it was only Bruce and Pepper he was able to stand on VDay because he had been around them for years. When the holiday comes around he is startled to realize that his powers don’t react to anyone else in the upper tower and the two gods that like to take residence occasionally. Tony doesn’t know how to react to that, so he usually takes over the kitchen (“Alright Steve my turn. Out” “What but-“ “Get!!” There’s usually laughter as some food is thrown in jest. Clint squaks at this because sometimes he’s the one the food usually lands on for some reason.) and makes a huge dinner with beautiful arrangements and the sappiest love songs he could find to play over the speakers.

Tony always takes the time to take a bouquet of flowers, usually sunflowers and roses, to his parents graves because they deserved something nice too, no matter what.

So Tony doesn’t love the holiday, but he now looks forward to more years with his new group. It gives him some kind of hope.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

—-so what did you guys think? I know a bit of it is sad, but I think it gives some insight to the group and their dynamics with each other and the world. Also, surprise? There’s a couple things in here that tell of a few events that happen later in the fic itself ;) tell me what you think!!!

Tagging: @reioka @thunder-the-wolf @harbingerofplagues @icanconfirmihavenosoul @mythlover @emolordisme @illpepper @alittlebitproblematic

If you wish to be tagged, please tell me!! I’ll be more than happy to add you to the list :) And happy valentine’s day to all of you, even if it is a bit late xD

#sleeping monsters #valentinesday #drabble #avengers #avengers au #monster au #magic au #writing #cute #some sadness #musicprompts #musicprompts fic

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lafaiette · 7 years ago

Text

Spicy Joy

In which Solas cooks a surprise.

She misses the spicy spices of the Free Marches.

Her mother, the Hearthkeeper, would often use them in her dishes, since almost everyone in the clan liked their taste and the strong spiciness in the mouth that only those ingredients could create.

Leaves and flowers, little buds and plants, sometimes even squishy beetles – her mom knew everything about those and Scarlet can still taste their flavor under her tongue, feel the heat they created on the roof of her mouth and on her cheeks, all the way down her chest and belly.

The cooks of Skyhold are incredibly skilled at their job and she always gives them her compliments after every meal, but they have to cook and prepare food for an entire fortress and the dishes the servants put on the tables every day are made to satisfy everyone, from her companions to the nobles, from the pilgrims in visit to the ambassadors and soldiers.

There is a great variety of food to choose from and some of it it’s spicy, but not as much as Scarlet would like and it’s a completely different flavor from the one she tasted in her clan. She can feel the herbs and spices used are different, milder, less strong, probably Fereldan, and her heart aches a little bit.

Still, she thinks it would be stupid and disrespectful to request something specifically for herself. The cooks have already too much stuff to think about and ordering special spices from the Free Marches just to satisfy one of her whims – a very childish one – is silly and unworthy of the Inquisitor. She can’t let people think she is a selfish, spoiled ruler like those Emperors of Orlais she read so much about.

And she can’t ask her mother or Keeper Deshanna to send her what she desires, because she would look like a silly child, a homesick da’len who can’t take care of her needs and would let her clan deprive itself of food to satisfy her, her, someone who lives in a large fortress and has armies and agents at her disposal all over Thedas.

She confides this to Solas only once, on a day when she is most affected by homesickness and nostalgia. They are eating in their quarters, on one of the balconies, because the weather is nice and mild and the wind warm enough to be comfortable.

She sits on Solas’ lap, after he insisted a lot, reassuring her that he could eat perfectly well – “I would eat even better if you were on my legs, vhenan.” –, and the dish on the small table they brought outside reminds her of one her mother would often make.

“It’s not spicy like hers, though.” she chuckles softly, before putting one piece of meat into her mouth. “I miss her spices; they burned your mouth like nothing else and you felt like you could walk through a mountain of snow completely naked without ever feeling cold!”

“That would be pretty useful.” Solas smiles, kissing her shoulder, and she giggles, nodding.

“I needed something like that when I got lost at Haven.”

He makes a sad sound at that, remembering all too well the moments of panic and fear when they lost track of her after Corypheus’ attack. He nuzzles her neck, but then he notices the way she’s playing with her food, her eyes cast down, her melancholic smile.

“Vhenan?” he calls her, brushing back a lock of red hair from her face. “What is wrong?”

She hums, a bit embarrassed, but then she takes a deep breath and replies softly: “I miss my clan. My parents’ voices and my friends’ jokes. And I know it’s silly, but I miss the food, too.”

Solas’ heart swells with love and understanding and he moves her head down to his shoulder, murmuring: “Oh, no, my love. No, it isn’t silly.”

He kisses her nose, then her lips, and he tastes the spices of the food they are eating and wonders what her mother used to prepare. He asks her so, as tactfully as he can, and tries to find out the exact names of the ingredients her clan harvested.

A plan is already forming in his mind and he gains even more courage to accomplish it, because Scarlet’s eyes shine brightly as she describes the dishes her mother prepared and their flavor, the herbs she helped her gather, the leaves she and the other hunters would search in the woods to improve the clan’s meals.

He asks her questions, especially about the recipe, but she understands immediately what he wants to do, or so she believes, because she starts to panic and watches him with big, worried eyes.

“Solas, you aren’t going to request this food to the cooks, are you?” She tugs at his sweater, exclaiming: “Don’t do it, it’s a silly thing! I don’t want them to order expensive ingredients from the Free Marches and Rivain, it would be wasted money!”

“It wouldn’t!” he replies, touched by her selflessness, admiring it, because someone else would have ordered all the food, clothes, and gems they could thanks to their power and influence. Scarlet didn’t even ask for a bigger bed and kept the still precious, but simple one they put in her quarters the first day, when Skyhold was still unfurnished and rooms waited to be filled.

That wasn’t his plan, anyway. Simply request the dishes she so misses to the cooks would have been a small, stupid gift, something not even worthy to be called that. Instead, he plans to personally prepare the spicy food she craves, by heading into the kitchens when no one is there and surprising her with the flavors and scents of her clan.

The problem is, he is scared of failing. He can cook many things, but it’s not hard to cook a rabbit on the fire with just a few herbs here and there or come up with a soup of vegetables and stewed meat. He has never been one for complex, overly rich dishes and even in Arlathan he rarely ate the same food as the others, preferring the flavor-changing berries of the wild woods to the incomprehensible recipes the Evanuris requested from their slaves.

The dish Scarlet misses more than anything else sounded pretty simple, though; she even explained the recipe before thinking he was going to ask the cooks to prepare it and it only requires attention, care, and a few special ingredients. He believes he can do a good job and he has always been a fast learner.

After reassuring her he has no intention of asking the cooks, they finish their meal, then they go back to their duties: letters and documents for Scarlet, books and various studies for Solas. They sit at her desk – “Our desk.” she insists whenever he calls it that – and they help each other with passages and words, sharing opinions and ideas with each other and enjoying each other’s company and love.

She sees concepts in the words of his books that he can never find by himself: new answers and questions, curiosities and new information, hidden details and clues that prompt the mind to think of more and more things. He feels lucky and blessed to study and research in her presence and he listens to her, to her ideas and reasonings, with starry eyes while she talks and read passages sitting on his lap.

Sometimes, when she’s sitting on her own chair, he rests his head on the desk, on his folded arms, and watches her and listens to her rapturously, drinking every word, every intake of breath, every smile and focused frown, and cherishes them all in his heart and mind.

And when she complains about the nobles she has to write to, about the letters they sent her and the boring documents, he helps her with all the knowledge at his disposal and they often overcome difficulties together; an old Fereldan dialect that he never heard in the Fade and that she never read before, a curious Orlesian expression they have no idea how to translate in the Common Tongue, mysterious dwarven customs mentioned in a paper without any explanation.

It's a journey and he thinks it’s better than any journey he ever had in the Fade. And his heart bursts with joy when he sees the same happiness and wonder in Scarlet’s eyes as they study and read together.

Night soon comes and they ask a servant to bring dinner there, in their quarters; there is still work to do, but most of all they want to relax and spend the evening together, without anyone else, watching the flames dance in the fireplace and cuddling in bed.

While they eat and kiss and joke and laugh, Solas’ plan takes better form in his mind; he memorized all the ingredients and instructions Scarlet mentioned before, but he made sure to write them down while she was busy with some books. He knows exactly what to do, now.

He extinguishes the flames of the candles with a gesture, leaving only the roaring fireplace, then he snuggles with Scarlet under the sheets and heavy blankets and kisses her eyes. One kiss to wish her a good night and one to wish her a good morning. She giggles and kisses his chin and his smile and blush fill his whole face.

“Will you visit me in the Fade?” she asks, like she does every night.

“Always.” he replies, like he does every night, and they fall asleep like that, safe and warm in each other’s arms.

- - - -

The next day, after having breakfast in the main hall with their friends, Solas heads to the stables.

One of his agents works there, as one of Master Dennet’s assistants: he takes care of the mounts and makes sure Leliana’s agents have the best ones for their missions and quests across Thedas.

Blackwall is still inside the main building and Master Dennet is talking with one of the merchants of the courtyard, so the stables are empty and he and the agent can talk without problems.

The agent immediately stands up when he sees him coming and waits for instructions; Solas quietly hands him the list of ingredients, the ones the kitchens of Skyhold don’t have and Scarlet doesn’t want to order, fearing to bother everyone and spend too much.

“These are… spices from the Free Marches and Rivain.” the agent says, quite puzzled. His statement sounds almost like a question. “Do you want me to find these, sir?”

“Yes, as soon as possible. It is quite important.” He sees the small smile on the agent’s lips and he frowns, asking a bit dryly: “What is it?”

“This is for Inquisitor Lavellan, right?” the young man asks and now a smile blooms on Solas’ face, too, and he blushes.

“Yes.” He looks at the main building of the fortress, where he knows she is currently busy attending to the new refugees and soldiers arrived in Skyhold, strong people that offered their help and services. He can already imagine her taking care of everything with her kindness and professionalism and his heart beats faster.

When he looks back at the agent, he’s snickering, badly hiding it behind a hand. Solas’ blush deepens and he clears his throat, saying curtly: “Please, try to find them as soon as possible.”

“Of course, sir. I will send you word once I have everything.”

Solas nods, grateful, then he hurries to the stronghold, eager to see Scarlet’s smile.

- - - -

One week later, the agent gives him the ingredients and Solas can get to work.

He planned everything to the last detail: he will start preparing the food in the late afternoon, when the kitchens are empty and the cooks still haven’t raised from their nap. It’s the perfect time of day, because lunch is over and dinner is still too far away.

Of course, if some noble requests a particular dish or special concoction, a servant will go to the cooks and then he will get caught, but he will make sure they won’t say anything to Scarlet, should that happen.

He’s going to freeze the door, anyway. That should give him more time to cook in peace.

He chooses a particularly busy day: Scarlet won’t be able to spend the afternoon with him because she promised Cassandra she would train with her. Cole will also participate, because he wants to learn how to make “the knives talk”, something she mentioned a few months ago that struck him ever since.

He sees the cooks leave the kitchen for the blissful long hours that separate them from dinner; the main cook, an elderly, chubby human woman with deceptively stern eyes, laughs with a young assistant, pets her beloved cat, and doesn’t lock the door, just like Solas expected. Almost all doors are left open in Skyhold and the main one of the kitchens is no exception.

Thankfully, the ingredients are just special, thin spices, nothing too large that would immediately catch everyone’s attention; he is able to slip into the kitchens without being seen and heard, the precious bag pressed against his chest. Inside, he put the second note he wrote down the day Scarlet told him about her great homesickness: the recipe, explained to the last detail just like she explained it to him.

Grateful for his good memory, he smiles at the list, already imagining her joy, and freezes the handle of the door so that nobody will be able to enter for the time being. It’s time to begin and he immediately focuses on the task at hand, like he always does when he has to perform something important, especially if it’s related to Scarlet and her happiness. One day, he spent almost two days without sleeping because he absolutely wanted to finish his painting for her before Satinalia.

He looks down at the recipe, licking his lips in deep concentration. The first steps are the easiest: he just has to collect all the ingredients and tools he needs, then proceed with spicing the meat. The following steps are harder, especially for someone like him who never had much experience with cooking, but he reminds himself that this is for Scarlet and that he’s a fast and good learner, so he won’t fail.

But there is already a problem, before he can even truly begin: he has no idea where to find stuff in this kitchen. It’s not a large room by any means – and that always surprised him, because he has no idea how the cooks can prepare so much food for so many people here -, but there are cabinets and boxes everywhere and he doesn’t wish to break or disrupt anything.

But he needs to explore this place if he wishes to continue and finish before the servants get back, so he rolls up the sleeves of his sweater – he put on his old, tattered one to avoid ruining the ones Scarlet sewed for him – and carefully opens every shutter, lifts all the lids, peeks into every box and cabinet until he finds all he needs.

Satisfied, he goes back to the table at the center of the room, only to notice that the cooks have extinguished all the flames in the stoves and ovens. A sensible idea, but he needs fire and the right temperature to cook the meat and let the spicy stew simmer, so he summons his magic and creates a strong flame inside one of the iron stoves, hoping that’s the right way to do it. He saw there was still wood inside, so it should be all good.

With a content sigh, he finally concentrates on the meat, reading the recipe. He frowns, because he has no idea how to cut it in “thick, but precise slices”. He knows what that means, but he has never been good with a knife and he is beyond clumsy when it comes to cutting food. When he cooks for Scarlet and their friends at camp, he either cuts the meat in large, uneven chunks or tosses it like it is into the pot.

He finds the act of tearing away a piece of rabbit or fennec and then biting into it with gusto much more appealing than simply looking for the pieces with a fork, but the first time he cooked like that and said that Varric groaned and rubbed his eyes, muttering something about missing a “hanged man”, and Dorian looked so unimpressed and disgusted he almost felt mortified.

But then Scarlet laughed and kissed his cheek, saying she liked eating meat in the same way, because Dalish elves rarely cared about cutlery and they liked the way a well-deserved and blessed juicy hare could feel under their teeth. He smiled at her, grateful and reassured, and loved her even more.

He goes back to the present, a smile lingering on his lips, and he does his best to cut the meat as the recipe says. His hand trembles a little as he inexpertly handles the knife and makes a bloody mess all over the table, but in the end, the meat looks good and is ready to be spiced.

He needs to prepare the sauce, then. Honey and a little bit of water – he doesn’t know the quantities, though, so he will have to follow his instincts.

He found the honey in the strangest of places – hidden inside a pot on top of a cabinet, probably put there by the cooks to stop people from plunging their fingers into it. He opens the jar and scoops one spoon of the golden substance into a little bowl. He adds water, but he adds too much of it and the sauce is too liquid, leaving him breathless with panic for a moment.

Then he remembers that the solution is easy; he just needs to add more honey, stir well, and the sauce should become dense, thick, ready to be spread over the meat.

Suddenly, he hears a sound and realizes with horror that he didn’t lock the second door, the one that leads to the courtyard. He sees a head peeking into the room and he stays still, fingers sticky with honeyed water and the front of his sweater already bloody because of the meat.

He scowls at Sera’s bewildered face and she quickly returns the expression.

But then she gasps, noticing the jar of honey on the table. A question passes in her eyes – probably a “Where did he find it?” – and Solas knows the cooks have been hiding it from her.

But then her curiosity gets too strong and her next question is for him: “What are you doing here, elfy elf?”

Solas swallows a mortified lump of bile and replies coldly, looking back at the syrup in the bowl: “I’m preparing something for Scarlet.”

“Like, a dish that makes you wanna have sex? I know they have those in Antiva.” Sera cackles, gloating as she sees Solas’ red cheeks and tightened jaw.

“No.” he says, his tone as cold as ice, now. “It’s a gift and I’d like to be left alone.”

“I can do that.” Sera nods, pursing her lips. She seems to be in deep thought as Solas finishes to stir the syrup and that’s not a good sign. “If you give me something in return.”

His head snaps in her direction, faster than lightning, and he glares at her.

“I’m not letting you taste it!”

“Ew, as if! I don’t wanna get poisoned, I know you can’t cook for shit!”

Those words scare him a little – did someone complain, then? Is he that bad at cooking? Will this gift be good? -, but then he remembers who just pronounced them and he sighs, annoyed, and pretends he didn’t hear her.

“I won’t tell anyone you’ve been here if you give me that.” she insists, pointing at the jar of honey. She grins, drumming her fingers on the door; she is still peeking into the room, not even stepping into it for one second, and Solas follows her impish gaze.

He shouldn’t need honey anymore; the recipe mentions it only for the sauce, so there should be no problems in giving it to her and ensuring his surprise won’t be spoiled. The last thing he wants is the entire stronghold knowing what he’s doing, thus ruining Scarlet’s gift.

“Do you promise?” he asks, taking the jar, but glaring at Sera without giving it to her. She glares back at him, but she sounds sincere when she answers: “Yes, yes, I promise! I didn’t see anything and you didn’t see me either. Deal?”

He harrumphs and tosses her the jar, which she catches with incredible speed, before cackling and disappearing beyond the now closed door. He hurries to freeze it with a simple spell, then sighs, breathes deeply three times, and goes back to the recipe.

He spreads the sauce and the precious spices over the slices of meat, then takes a pan and fits it above the now roaring stove. He has no idea what the right temperature and times are, though, and he doesn’t dare look away to prepare the stew while the meat frizzles on the fire. He bites his lips, hoping it’s still early for the cooks to go back into the kitchens, and decides to watch over the meat before doing anything else.

But then he realizes that it would become inedible, chewy and hard to bite into, if he let too much time pass. Time is essential not just to cook, but also to eat, and he can’t possibly leave the cooked meat on a plate while the stew simmers in a pot.

Magic. Magic can help him, even in this case. He will just have to enchant the meat, so that it won’t get hard and cold, and everything will be alright. He chuckles nervously under his breath, forcing his panic down, because it clearly makes him forget about the most basic stuff. His desire to make Scarlet happy is so great that the thought of making a mess sounds like a sin, a terrible offense against her.

Breathing deeply, he puts the slices of meat on the pan, yelping when they frizzle loudly and a bit of oil burns his fingertips. His sweater is more soiled than ever, but he doesn’t even see it and keeps going, controlling the meat with extreme precision, careful not to let the spices fall onto the pan.

He read somewhere that meat must not be pierced with forks or knives while cooking, so he moves it around with a spoon, biting his lips and studying the color to see when it’s ready. After a short while, he believes it’s done – Scarlet likes it almost raw, just like he does, so it’s easier for him to know when to stop. He’s glad he kept an eye on the meat, since the flame was definitely too high and strong and the stove is burning madly.

He delicately places the meat onto the best plate he could find, one that reminds him of Dalish art and motifs, with beautiful flowers and leaves and strong colors, then he casts a preserving spell on it. It’s time to make the stew and he hurries to take the rest of the spices, oil, butter (the kitchens don’t have halla butter like the recipe requires, so he hopes the one he found will be alright), then carrots and sweet onions and celery.

He’s good at making stew, he thinks, so he feels more comfortable and less anxious when it’s time to add the hare and potatoes. He cooks and takes care of everything until he’s sweatier than he has ever been and his sweater is a disaster, until his hands and brow are dirty and the floor and table are a mess, while the plate of spiced meat lies safe under a protective barrier.

And then, just as he’s about to taste the stew and a little bit of the meat to make sure everything is alright, he hears the bell in the courtyard that rings with the one in the garden of Skyhold: they indicate when the prayers in the chapel are about to begin, but they are also a signal for dinner. More than two hours and a half must have passed, then.

Solas starts to panic. Soon the cooks and servants will come back and they will try to open the door, and once they realize they can’t, they will call someone to push it open, believing it stuck, and they will find him here, sweaty, stinking, surrounded by a mess. And then his surprise will be ruined and he won’t be able to create the right mood in his and Scarlet’s quarters.

He swallows something that feels like tears, then he hastily pours the stew into a large bowl, casts a protective and preserving spell on it, too, and places the bowl and the dish with the meat on a wooden tray. He adds another plate for himself, cutlery, and two glasses; finally, he covers everything with a cloth, so that nobody will see the food and understand what he did.

The surprise is ready, but he looks terrible and if Scarlet has already left the courtyard after hearing the bell, then he’s done for.

“I must hurry.” he murmurs, forcing himself to think clearly, without panicking. He is usually good at being invisible, since the nobles and guests pay him no mind and the servants and the people of Skyhold tend to speak to him only when necessary. He hopes his weird appearance won’t catch their attention, but he is aware of the fact that people know him as a sort of unwashed hobo – he grunts as he thinks about that -, so he hopes they will think nothing of it, should they notice him.

He just has to cross the hall and reach their quarters. It’s easy, he just has to look ahead, back straight, and carry the precious tray up to the highest part of the tower. Then he has to set the table, undress and wash himself quickly, and ask for Scarlet.

“It’s easy.” he tells himself, taking the tray and approaching the frozen door. “Nobody is going to notice you. It’s going to work.”

Yet he feels like this is the hardest plan he ever devised and his heart beats too fast in his chest, choking the air in his lungs and throat.

He gingerly unfreezes the handle of the door, then opens it and peeks into the long corridor: nobody is there, but he can feel and hear the steps of people above, their voices and laughter, the ceiling rumbling with activity. He takes a deep breath and approaches the stairs, carrying the tray as if it is a little child. The wood is warm and the smell of food is good; he feels reassured, more confident, and he smiles, already looking forward to Scarlet’s joy.

He reaches the top of the stairs and opens the door that leads into the main hall; it’s full of people as usual and he sees servants moving around, getting ready to go back to the kitchens or take care of the guests’ rooms. He nervously looks around, trying to be as nondescript as possible, the quietest creature in Skyhold: Scarlet is nowhere to be seen and he sighs relieved.

He slowly heads towards the door to the quarters, the tray pleasantly heavy in his hands. He doesn’t see anyone watching him and nobody calls him or starts to whisper as he passes along the nobles, servants, and guests. Everyone is busy with their own things and no one pays attention to the soiled elven apostate.

He enters Scarlet’s quarters – “Our quarters!” her voice says in his head – without problems and he lets out a relieved, happy sigh, walking up the stairs with renewed strength, a huge smile on his lips. He can already see her joy, imagine the warmth that will spread in her heart, her homesickness less strong, less painful. If he can do anything to make her feel better, he will do it, no matter what it is.

He places the tray on the small table near the couch, then drags it at the center of the room and puts two chairs near it. He removes the cloth from the tray and starts to set the table, cursing himself when he notices he forgot the water in his haste. Looking around, he finds some unopened bottles of wine that people constantly give to Scarlet as a gift, but he knows she doesn’t like drinking much and he has no idea whether that wine would be a fine match for the food she so loves and misses.

He keeps searching for a bottle of water, whining softly, aware of his terrible clothes, of his dirty hands and face; he finds none, so he just takes a bottle of wine, opens it and pours its content out of the balcony that watches over the mountains. The blinding snow becomes a deep red as he keeps pouring the last drops of wine, then he uses a water spell to fill the bottle again, the same trick he uses to fill the bathtub whenever he and Scarlet want to take a hot, relaxing bath before going to sleep.

The table still looks empty, though, not romantic at all. Scratching his chin – and leaving a long line of grease on it -, he thinks of any possible decoration he might add, then he smiles and runs to the desk, near which Scarlet put a vase of flowers. He takes only four, not wanting to ruin her composition, then he finds a small vase he uses to keep his charcoal pencils and brushes in neat order, pours them all out, hides them on the desk under a pile of documents, and fills it with the flowers. He also summons tiny orbs of warm light and makes them float in the air, like precious specks of gold.

Now that the table is complete, he must take care of himself. Scarlet will soon be on her way here, so he must act quickly: filling the bathtub with hot water isn’t a problem, thanks to his magic, and he finds immediately the perfumed soap she loves so much and the new sweater and pants she sewed for him.

He scrubs his skin and is grateful for his lack of hair which saves him a lot of time; he just has to clean his body, reach every corner of it, eliminate all kinds of grease, oil, blood and spice from his fingers and face and wear those beautiful, warm clothes that Scarlet made for him.

Once he has done everything, he stands ready and clean near the table, fixing the last details, smiling happily and even humming a soft tune, waiting for her to enter the room, walk up the stairs, and discover the surprise.

He almost jumps when he hears the door open. He fixes the collar of his sweater, then studies the table and the food one last time, wondering if some candles would have looked good even if it’s still day outside. He hears Scarlet’s voice and then Josephine’s, the latter sounding rather worried and impatient.

“Please, Inquisitor, it’s extremely important! This Bann is closely tied to the crown, so we must present ourselves at our best.”

“Of course, Josephine. Wait for me in the main hall with him, I’ll join you shortly.”

Solas’ heart leaps into his throat and he stares at the stairs with sad puppy eyes. Won’t she eat here, then?

He hears her close the door, then walk up the stairs. He fidgets near the table, suddenly shy, and waits for her to appear. He catches a glimpse of her face before she turns to him: a bit tired and worried, eyes cast down in deep thought, hair falling near her gentle face.

But then, as soon as she sees him, she looks surprised, then joyful and a huge smile illuminates her eyes, her face, the whole room. The tiredness is gone, only love and happiness remain. He smiles back at her, straightening more his back, still fidgeting.

“Solas!” She sees the table and it takes her only a moment to recognize the food: her eyes widen and she brings a hand to her mouth, gasping.

“Don’t worry, I made it myself! I didn’t ask the cooks.” he hurries to say and a bit of pride slips into his tone. “I… ah, only asked someone to look for the spices.”

Scarlet lowers her hand, then she slowly walks over to him, her eyes never leaving his. He thinks he sees tears in them and starts panicking, but before he can say or do anything, he is pulled into a deep kiss that steals his breath away.

“Wait here.” she whispers, breaking the kiss for a moment before quickly pecking his lips again and rushing down the stairs. Solas stands still, cheeks red, and distantly hears her call out for Josephine. He doesn’t know how much time passes, as he’s still thinking about the kiss and the light in Scarlet’s eyes, but before he knows it, she’s back in the room with him and they are kissing again.

“Solas.” She keeps repeating his name with every kiss she presses on his face. “Solas, Solas, vhenan…”

“I hope you will like it, I…” He suddenly grows anxious and worried and he eyes the food with concern. “I… I didn’t have the time to taste it.”

“I’m sure it will be wonderful.” she says, squishing his cheeks between her warm hands and he smiles at her, his eyes full of the same joy and love her eyes have. She grins at him and laughs, taking his hand and pulling him towards the table.

“Come on, let’s eat! I told Josephine that I can’t possibly join that Bann at dinner today.”

“And what is the excuse you came up with?” he chuckles, moving her chair to let her sit.

“No excuse. I just told her I wanted to eat with you. She will come up with something that the Bann will definitely have to believe.” She sticks out her tongue. “I’m the Inquisitor, after all. One of the perks of the job.”

He laughs with her, leaning down to kiss her again, then he sits next to her, happy to see that the food has been preserved perfectly and it’s still hot and soft, as if just taken out of the pan.

“Oh, Solas!” she sighs, looking at the meat and stew with starry eyes. “This looks so good! And the smell! It’s exactly the same, I can’t believe it!”

She smiles at him, bouncing on her seat, and asks: “Did you really cook it all by yourself? You remembered the recipe? All the ingredients?”

“Yes. I wrote them down.” He smiles shyly, his ears turning red. He’s flustered, timid, and proud at the same time, but when Scarlet giggles and kisses his cheek, saying she’s proud of him, his smile grows more timid and happy and he lets out his snorting chuckle.

Scarlet takes her fork and knife and cuts the first piece of meat, complimenting the look of it and the smell. She looks enthusiastic and there is child-like wonder on her face as she takes the first bite. Solas does the same, eager and curious to see how he fared in the kitchens.

At first, he tastes only the meat: juicy and tasty, the honey syrup adding a certain richness to it. Then, his tongue is suddenly on fire and the flames seem to spread all over his mouth. He coughs and wheezes, reaching out for the water, and he already knows his face must be completely red.

His sight is blurred by the tears, but he’s able to glimpse Scarlet through them… and he’s shocked to see she is eating the meat and stew with gusto, munching and moaning happily as she chews without problems, without even sipping a bit of water. It’s like she can’t feel the spiciness at all.

“It’s delicious! Oh, Solas, it’s just like my Mamae makes it! It’s so spicy and good!” She beams at the food on her plate and he manages to crack a smile, even if his throat is melting away and he can barely breathe. He discreetly coughs some more, then drinks again, trying to regain speech.

“Vhenan, is everything alright?” she asks, worried, and he hurries to reassure her with another smile, hoping his eyes aren’t watering anymore and his face isn’t too much red.

“Yes, vhenan. I just… I wasn’t expecting it to be this spicy.”

“My father likes it even spicier.” she chuckles and he blinks, trying to imagine such a flavor, but failing to do so. Even picturing that taste in his mouth makes his throat clench involuntarily.

Still, Scarlet looks absolutely overjoyed and she never stops smiling; she keeps complimenting the food and thanking him and Solas slowly starts to forget about his own portion to simply watch her, a smile on his face, looking at every detail of her face, every change of expression, listening to every word and putting it all inside his heart and mind.

She notices him, of course, and blushes and babbles until he laughs and looks back at his plate; he is able to eat part of his food, but it’s way too much for him, so he offers the rest to Scarlet, who gladly accepts, finding memories of her clan and family in every bite.

Later, as they cuddle in bed, nuzzling each other’s nose and cheeks, she says softly: “Thank you, Solas. That was a marvelous gift.” She smiles at him, tapping his nose. “I didn’t know you could cook that well!”

“I didn’t know it either.” he chuckles. He swallows and pulls her further into his arms, pressing his lips on her cheek. “I’m glad you liked it, vhenan.”

He’s ready to go back to the kitchens every day if it means seeing her so happy and carefree. He remembers with a slight jolt that he didn’t clean the stove and table before leaving, but the cooks and servants are probably doing it themselves right now. He will ask Cole what they might like and send them an anonymous gift to apologize.

He tells Scarlet so and she kisses him, that same pride from before shining in her eyes. She strokes his cheek, looking at him with wonder and admiration, and he smiles shyly again. Her lips taste so good, like the spices, but milder, like embers and flowers and not fire.

“Ar lath, ma vhenan.” she says and he presses his forehead against hers, his smile growing alongside hers.

“I love you, too, vhenan.”

Long minutes of relaxed, comfortable silence follow, then he timidly asks:

“What is your second favorite food?”

#dragon age #da:i #solas #scarlet lavellan #solavellan #lafaiette's fic #FLUFF #also the idea of solas cooking is UNF #SO GOOD #my domestic dorks #being adorable together #;_;

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readbookywooks · 8 years ago

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The Last Stage

It was on May the First that the two came back at last to the brink of the valley of Rivendell, where stood the Last (or the First) Homely House. Again it was evening, their ponies were tired, especially the one that carried the baggage; and they all felt in need of rest. As they rode down the steep path, Bilbo heard the elves still singing in the trees, as if they had not stopped since he left; and as soon as their riders came down into the lower glades of the wood they burst into a song of much the same kind as before. This is something like it: "The dragon is withered, His bones are now crumbled; His armour is shivered, His splendour is humbled! Though sword shall be rusted, And throne and crown perish With strength that men trusted And wealth that they cherish, Here grass is still growing, And leaves are yet swinging, The white water flowing, And elves are yet singing Come! Tra-la-la-lally! Come back to the valley! The stars are far brighter Than gems without measure, The moon is far whiter Than silver in treasure: The fire is more shining On hearth in the gloaming Than gold won by mining, So why go a-roaming? O! Tra-la-la-lally Come back to the Valley. O! Where are you going, So late in returning? The river is flowing, The stars are all burning! O! Whither so laden, So sad and so dreary? Here elf and elf-maiden Now welcome the weary With Tra-la-la-lally Come back to the Valley, Tra-la-la-lally Fa-la-la-lally Fa-la!" Then the elves of the valley came out and greeted them and led them across the water to the house of Elrond. There a warm welcome was made them, and there were many eager ears that evening to hear the tale of their adventures. Gandalf it was who spoke, for Bilbo was fallen quiet and drowsy. Most of the tale he knew, for he had been in it, and had himself told much of it to the wizard on their homeward way or in the house of Beorn; but every now and again he would open one eye, and listen, when a part of the story which he did not yet know came in. It was in this way that he learned where Gandalf had been to; for he overheard the words of the wizard to Elrond. It appeared that Gandalf had been to a great council of the white wizards, masters of lore and good magic; and that they had at last driven the Necromancer from his dark hold in the south of Mirkwood. "Ere long now," Gandalf was saying, "The Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome. The North will be freed from that horror for many long years, I hope. Yet I wish he were banished from the world!" "It would be well indeed," said Elrond; "but I fear that will not come about in this age of the world, or for many after." When the tale of their joumeyings was told, there were other tales, and yet more tales, tales of long ago, and tales. of new things, and tales of no time at all, till Bilbo's head fell forward on his chest, and he snored comfortably in a corner. He woke to find himself in a white bed, and the moon shining through an open window. Below it many elves were singing loud and clear on the banks of the stream. "Sing all ye joyful, now sing all together? The wind's in the free-top, the wind's in the heather; The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower, And bright are the windows of Night in her tower. Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together! Soft is the grass, and let foot be like feather! The river is silver, the shadows are fleeting; Merry is May-time, and merry our meeting. Sing we now softly, and dreams let us weave him! Wind him in slumber and there let us leave him! The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow! Lullaby! Lullaby! Alder and Willow! Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn! Fall Moon! Dark be the land! Hush! Hush! Oak, Ash, and Thorn! Hushed be all water, till dawn is at hand!" "Well, Merry People!" said Bilbo looking out. "What time by the moon is this? Your lullaby would waken a drunken goblin! Yet I thank you." "And your snores would waken a stone dragon - yet we thank you," they answered with laughter. "It is drawing towards dawn, and you have slept now since the night's beginning. Tomorrow, perhaps, you will be cured of weariness." "A little sleep does a great cure in the house of Elrond," said he; "but I will take all the cure I can get. A second good night, fair friends!" And with that he went back to bed and slept till late morning. Weariness fell from him soon in that house, and he had many a merry jest and dance, early and late, with the elves of the valley. Yet even that place could not long delay him now, and he thought always of his own home. After a week, therefore, he said farewell to Elrond, and giving him such small gifts as he would accept, he rode away with Gandalf. Even as they left the valley the sky darkened in the West before them, and wind and rain came up to meet them. "Merry is May-time!" said Bilbo, as the rain beat into his face. "But our back is to legends and we are coming home. I suppose this is a first taste of it." "There is a long road yet," said Gandalf. "But it is the last road," said Bilbo. They came to the river that marked the very edge of the borderland of the Wild, and to the ford beneath the steep bank, which you may remember. The water was swollen both with the melting of the snows at the approach of summer, and with the daylong rain; but they crossed with some difficulty, and pressed forward, as evening fell, on the last stage of their journey. This was much as it had been before, except that the company was smaller, and more silent; also this time there were no trolls. At each point on the road Bilbo recalled the happenings and the words of a year ago-it seemed to him more like ten-so that, of course, he quickly noted the place where the pony had fallen in the river, and they had turned aside for their nasty adventure with Tom and Bert and Bill. Not far from the road they found the gold of the trolls, which they had buried, still hidden and untouched. "I have enough to last me my time," said Bilbo, when they had dug it up. "You had better take this, Gandalf. I daresay you can find a use for it." "Indeed I can!" said the wizard. "But share and share alike! You may find you have more needs than you expect." So they put the gold in bags and slung them on the ponies, who were not at all pleased about it. After that their going was slower, for most of the time they walked. But the land was green and there was much grass through which the hobbit strolled along contentedly. He mopped his face with a red silk handkerchief-no! not a single one of his own had survived, he had borrowed this one from Elrond -for now June had brought summer, and the weather was bright and hot again. As all things come to an end, even this story, a day came at last when they were in sight of the country where Bilbo had been born and bred, where the shapes of the land and of the trees were as well known to him as his hands and toes. Coming to a rise he could see his own Hill in the distance, and he stopped suddenly and said: "Roads go ever ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon. Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known." Gandalf looked at him. "My dear Bilbo!" he said. "Something is the matter with you! You are not the hobbit that you were." And so they crossed the bridge and passed the mill by the river and came right back to Bilbo's own door. "Bless me! What's going on?" he cried. There was a great commotion, and people of all sorts, respectable and unrespectable, were thick round the door, and many were going in and out-not even wiping their feet on the mat, as Bilbo noticed with annoyance. If he was surprised, they were more surprised still. He had arrived back in the middle of an auction! There was a large notice in black and red hung on the gate, stating that on June the Twenty-second Messrs. Grubb, Grubb, and Bun-owes would sell by auction the effects of the late Bilbo Baggins Esquire, of Bag-End, Underhill, Hobbiton. Sale to commence at ten o'clock sharp. It was now nearly lunch-time, and most of the things had already been sold, for various prices from next to nothing to old songs (as is not unusual at auctions). Bilbo's cousins the Sackville-Bagginses were, in fact, busy measuring his rooms to see if their own furniture would fit. In short Bilbo was "Presumed Dead," and not everybody that said so was sorry to find the presumption wrong. The return of Mr. Bilbo Baggins created quite a disturbance, both under the Hill and over the Hill, and across the Water; it was a great deal more than a nine days' wonder. The legal bother, indeed, lasted for years. It was quite a long time before Mr. Baggins was in fact admitted to be alive again. The people who had got specially good bargains at the Sale took a deal of convincing; and in the end to sav6 time Bilbo had to buy back quite a lot of his own furniture. Many of his silver spoons mysteriously disappeared and were never accounted for. Personally he suspected the Sackville-Bagginses. On their side they never admitted that the returned Baggins was genuine, and they were not on friendly terms with Bilbo ever after. They really had wanted to live inhis nice hobbit-hole so very much. Indeed Bilbo found he had lost more than spoons - he had lost his reputation. It is true that for ever after he remained an elf-friend, and had the honour of dwarves, wizards, and all such folk as ever passed that way; but he was no longer quite respectable. He was in fact held by all the hobbits of the neighbourhood to be 'queer'-except by his nephews and nieces on the Took side, but even they were not encouraged in their friendship by their elders. I am sorry to say he did not mind. He was quite content; and the sound of the kettle on his hearth was ever after more musical than it had been even in the quiet days before the Unexpected Party. His sword he hung over the mantelpiece. His coat of mail was arranged on a stand in the hall (until he lent it to a Museum). His gold and silver was largely spent in presents, both useful and extravagant - which to a certain extent accounts for the affection of his nephews and his nieces. His magic ring he kept a great secret, for he chiefly used it when unpleasant callers came. He took to writing poetry and visiting the elves; and though many shook their heads and touched their foreheads and said "Poor old Baggins!" and though few believed any of his tales, he remained very happy to the end of his days, and those were extraordinarily long. One autumn evening some years afterwards Bilbo was sitting in his study writing his memoirs - he thought of calling them "There and Back Again, a Hobbit's Holiday" - when there was a ring at the door. It was Gandalf and a dwarf; and the dwarf was actually Balin. "Come in! Come in!" said Bilbo, and soon they were settled in chairs by the fire. If Balin noticed that Mr. Baggins' waistcoat was more extensive (and had real gold buttons), Bilbo also noticed that Balm's beard was several inches longer, and his jewelled belt was of great magnificence. They fell to talking of their times together, of course, and Bilbo asked how things were going in the lands of the Mountain. It seemed they were going very well. Bard had rebuilt the town in Dale and men had gathered to him from the Lake and from South and West, and all the valley had become tilled again and rich, and the desolation was now filled with birds and blossoms in spring and fruit and feasting in autumn. And Lake-town was refounded and was more prosperous than ever, and much wealth went up and down the Running River; and there was friendship in those parts between elves and dwarves and men. The old Master had come to a bad end. Bard had given him much gold for the help of the Lake-people, but being of the kind that easily catches such disease he fell under the dragon-sickness, and took most of the gold and fled with it, and died of starvation in the Waste, deserted by his companions. "The new Master is of wiser kind," said Balin, "and very popular, for, of course, he gets most of the credit for the present prosperity. They are making songs which say that in his day the rivers run with gold." "Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a fashion!" said Bilbo. "Of course!" said Gandalf. "And why should not they prove true? Surely you don't disbelieve the prophecies, because you had a hand in bringing them about yourself? You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" "Thank goodness!" said Bilbo laughing, and handed him the tobacco-jar.

#Hobbit

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sahibookworm · 5 years ago

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I’m using the questions that were created for the 2019 survey and you can find the original post at Perpetual Page Turner.

I hope everyone has had a good 2019 and my best wishes to everyone for the New Year…!!! I can’t find a better way to end this year’s blogging journey than to sum up all my reading. It has been a great year of reading and blogging for me, discovering new authors, enjoying more blogs and making some amazing friends who share similar passions as me. I hope this momentum continues on into 2020 for me as well as for all of you.

Enough of my rambling….. Let’s get started with my year end wrap-up..!!!! I’m going to try not to repeat the same books for all the answers, but it’s totally unavoidable for some of my favorites. This post is also going to be pretty long, so have some patience friends…!!

Number of books I read: 180

Genre I read the most from:

From the two graphics above, you can see that I’ve read more Romance by book count, but more Fantasy by page count.

Other Statistics: I also have a few other cool pie charts I would love to share with you all.

As you can see, I read a lot of wonderful books this year. Two thirds of my reads being 4 star and above doesn’t mean I’m a very easy to please reader (though I can be), but that I’ve gotten better at choosing the exact kind of books that appeal to me. I definitely hope I can keep it up.

This chart is actually very surprising because I used to be in the solidly YA column almost until last year. But I guess I am changing as a person, which means my reading tastes are as well. But I don’t change the 26% of YA to go down anytime soon because I still adore my YA Fantasy novels the best.

I thought I read a lot more big books than I actually did, but that’s okay. I can feel a bit intimidated when the page count goes above 500 but I really hope I get over my fear in the New Year and read many more tomes.

This chart truly represents me. I love reading new releases, so it’s no surprise that three quarters of my books read are from this year. But I still have a backlist because there are many more amazing books I could never get to. I definitely wish I can get to a lot more backlist books in 2020 though.

I read about 20% books with no diversity, which I think is okay because quite a few of them are Non Fiction which I couldn’t really categorize. I’m glad I could keep my #ownvoices reads at around 40% but I definitely hope I can make them a majority in the coming year.

1. Best Book You Read In 2019?

This is the toughest question to answer and it’s awful that I have to start with this. I’ll post a more comprehensive list of favorites in January, but for now the best books I think I read this year would have to be Red, White and Royal Blue, The Dragon Republic and Blowout.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

I’m always excited for a Christina Lauren book and I thought this would be another fun read, but Twice In a Blue Moon turned out to be pretty disappointing.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

When our Stars and Sorcery Book Club selected the short story The Paper Menagerie as our BOTM, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it because I don’t always have a great track record with Hugo/Nebula or award winning books in general, and this short story collection is full of winners and nominees. But what a brilliant surprise it was. Reading this collection of stories was an experience I cherish and can’t forget anytime soon. Highly recommend.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

During the India Lit Readathon my friends organized, a couple of us convinced a lot of the others to read A Spark of White Fire (or A House of Rage and Sorrow) and it was amazing to see the whole gang adore this series.

5. Best series you started in 2019? Best Sequel of 2019? Best Series Ender of 2019?

There are probably many more I can choose for these questions, but these three books are the most memorable.

Best series I started: There Will Come a Darkness

Best sequel I read: The Dragon Republic

Best series ender: The Shadow Glass

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2019?

I can’t help but repeat the same books because I discovered Rin Chupeco this year and I just feel blessed to have read her books. There are ofcourse many other authors too and I will come up with a post discussing all of them, but Rin has definitely been the most wonderful.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Classics are probably the furthest from my comfort zone and I haven’t read any in a while, but this year I decided to finally try Agatha Christie. And I have to say, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd blew my mind.

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

The action in Jade City is not all pervasive but when it happens, you feel so immersed in it like it’s happening right in front of your eyes. And once I got used to the pace of the book, I just couldn’t put it down.

9. Book You Read In 2019 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

There’s one which I’ve already reread so many times that I don’t wanna mention it. But I have a feeling that I will be rereading the delightful Bringing down the Duke before it’s sequel releases next year.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?

There are just so many adorable covers to choose from but some of my favorites are King of Scars, The Lady Rogue and Descendant of the Crane.

11. Most memorable character of 2019?

I thought a lot for this question but ultimately realized that Lady Tea from The Bone Witch trilogy is undoubtedly my most memorable character of this year.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2019?

While anthologies can usually be a hit or miss, Hungry Hearts turned out to be utterly beautiful inside and out. Can’t recommend it enough.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2019?

I read some brilliant non-fiction books this year but the most thought-provoking would have to be Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race, and She Said.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2019 to finally read?

I’ve known about The Song of Achilles for a couple of years now but I have no valid reason for not picking it up till the beginning of this year. Wow what a read..!!!

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2019?

I’m a huge highlighter, so I have numerous quotes to choose from. But there’s one from Good Talk that has haunted me since I read the book and it’s this:

“Sometimes the people who love you will choose a world that doesn’t.”

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2019?

I had to look up Goodreads for the shortest one, which apparently is Emergency Skin. But the longest book of the year is obviously The Priory of the Orange Tree.

17. Book That Shocked You The Most

The Test is a short novella set in a near futuristic dystopia with such a shocking premise, that I was left dumbfounded after finishing it.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Credit : Venessa Kelley

Well, this is kinda obvious isn’t it. It has to be Red, White and Royal Blue. I would die for Alex and Henry, my disaster babies.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Credit : Anne-Marie

I think it has to be Nathaniel and Silas from Sorcery of Thorns. They are a master/servant, bound by magic and they deny their feelings a lot, but they care for each other so much and it’s beautiful to read about.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2019 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

There are actually quite a few but I particularly wanted to mention There’s Something about Sweetie and The Red Scrolls of Magic, both of which I found thoroughly entertaining.

21. Best Book You Read In 2019 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure/Bookstagram, Etc.

I’m not a fan of the middle grade genre at all but my dearest friend Nandini convinced me to read Aru Shah and the End of Time and I instantly fell in love.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2019?

This is a pretty recent one, and I now have a huge crush on Silas from Superfan because he is the sweetest and best book boyfriend ever.

23. Best 2019 debut you read?

I’ve actually read some wonderful debuts this year and the list can go on, but I specially want to mention Color Me In because it has some very insightful commentary about finding your voice and identity; the other one is The Merciful Crow which tackles systemic oppression and subjugation of a whole caste of people within the fantasy world while also giving us an adventure and love story.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Another question where I can easily list multiple books but Three Parts Dead is special because the world is utterly unique and the alamgamation of magic, gods and bureaucracy is something I’ve never seen before.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Well, I can’t just stop talking about my favorite book of the year now, can I?? It’s obviously Red, White and Royal Blue. I was smiling so much all the way through the book that my cheeks started to hurt.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2019?

Apparently this is also a huge list which is not surprising because I gravitate towards books that can make me cry. A recent read which made me so emotional that I sobbed through a large part of the book is The Clergyman’s Wife. While A Scarcity of Condors didn’t make me cry as much as the previous books in the series, it definitely was very emotional to experience.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

This one has to be The Candle and the Flame. Not enough people have read this beautiful book and I wish everyone would. Another book which is a bit old but I found adorable and very very one of it’s kind due to the setting is One Giant Leap.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Wow.. I’ve already mentioned some of them above but another book that just about crushed me was the graphic novel adaptation of Kindred. What a brutal book to read and the illustrations make it even more difficult, but I totally understand now why it’s considered a classic of the genre.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2019?

It almost feels like the word unique was invented for This is How You Lose the Time War. What a lovely poetic book this was. Absolutely mesmerizing.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Sita’s character in The Forest of Enchantments made me a little mad because of all the things that she let go just to keep the peace in her marriage. Another reason for my reaction may also be due to the fact that I do a lot of the same things in my real life that she did, and it didn’t feel nice seeing it depicted on page.

1. New favorite book blog/Bookstagram/Youtube channel you discovered in 2019?

I discovered a lot of new blogs this year and have loved interacting with all these wonderful people, some of them being Ahana, Dany, Jane, Caitlin Althea, Krisha and Fanna. The three youtube channels I started enjoying a lot are I Should Read That, Merphy Napier and Daniel Greene.

2. Favorite post you wrote in 2019?

How do I even choose between my own posts… I really do love them all. But my review of Red, White and Royal Blue is a favorite. Other favorites are the reviews of She Said and The (Other) F Word.

Two of my favorite non-review posts are Books That Have Defined my Reading Life, and Books related to the Mahabharata.

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2019?

4. Best bookish event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, etc.)?

I only attended one festival this year – Baltimore Book Festival – and I had such an amazing time there that I wrote a whole post about it.

I also had an awesome time virtually taking part in the India Lit Readathon, which happened to be the only time I ever did an Instagram live.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2019?

The highlight was obviously reaching the 1200 follower milestone and it just happened 2 days ago … I just can’t believe that so many lovely fellow bloggers are interested in what I have to say.

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Being consistent on the blog has always been my biggest challenge alongwith trying to follow a proper schedule. But by the second half of the year, I think I got a hang of it and it’s definitely helped me plan future posts better too.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

Apparently my review of Red, White and Royal Blue is the highest viewed post on my blog this year, which makes me insanely happy because I poured my heart out in it. But it’s also very surprising because reviews usually don’t get so much love. I guess it’s just the magic of this amazing book.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

I always wish that my other reviews get a little more love, but it’s okay. I’m just happy that there are readers out there who like what I have to say about my favorite books.

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I don’t think I’ve had many bookish discoveries other than finding some wonderful new authors and discovering my love for planners and spreadsheets to help with blogging.

I do love the Bookly app on my phone which has many interesting features to keep track of reading, but I always end up forgetting to use it because I’m too much into my book.

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I had three major reading challenges this year and following are my final updates:

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 180/130

Stars and Sorcery Book Club: I read all our BOTMs except one and I think I’m okay with that.

Around the Year in 52 Books: 51/52. The last prompt left was Psychological thriller and I just couldn’t make myself pick a book for it because I hate the genre.

Year of the Asian 2019: 49/30

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2019 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2020?

I really really wanted to read The Tiger at Midnight in 2019 but it didn’t happen. It probably won’t be my Number 1 priority in the New Year, but I definitely wanna read it soon.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2020 (non-debut)?

Ironically, Shorefall was my most anticipated book of 2019 as well but it got pushed to 2020, so it retains the spot. And I just happened to get the ARC a couple of weeks ago, so I’m gonna get to it pretty soon.

3. 2020 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I’m actually very surprised I don’t have a huge list of debuts but hopefully it’ll grow as the year goes by. But two desi author debuts I’m looking forward to are The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel and Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2020?

The sequel I’m really looking forward to is We Unleash the Merciless Storm and my highly anticipated series ender of the year is Night of the Dragon. I have a feeling these two books are gonna break my heart.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2020?

I never thought I would reach 1000 followers but I did, so my next hope is for 1500-1600 in 2020. Other than that, I hope I’ll find some courage to be more open about my opinions and also maybe contact an author or two all by myself for an interview.

6. A 2020 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable):

I’ve been trying to read books closer to the release date so that I don’t miss out on all the rest of the current releases, so I’ve very few 2020 books. But my favorite is The Secret Chapter from the Invisible Library series because it was very very entertaining and it’s such a joy to be back in this world.

If you have stuck through till the end of this looooooong post, THANK YOU so much…!!! This amazing year would not have been possible without all you lovely bloggers and friends who have encouraged and motivated me everyday. I hope our relationship continues in the next year too and I wish everyone a great New Year. Happy Reading..!!!

Annual End of the Year Survey – 2019 I'm using the questions that were created for the 2019 survey and you can find the original post at

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allmymisters · 6 years ago

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For the Love of 2018 - GOOOOOAAAAALS!

I didn’t get the black stallion I was hoping for this year. I tend to have high expectations I suppose. 2018 had its splashes of cherished moments in addition to downright depressing hidden gems. The sudden losses of very dear friends for one. Those were blows I was not prepared to experience and, screw you 2018 for giving me those moments. I’m no stranger to tragedy (have you read this site?), but this year’s tragedies were a vast array of empathetic reassurances that there is no explanation for the sheer magnitude of such occurrences nor through any fault of their own. It just sucks to have to go through it and you’ll be struggling with it for the rest of your life.

I think everyone was stressed the hell out this year. Frustrated and angry, there were a lot of opinions and entertaining thoughts on where we should or should not be, as a society and as a nation. I don’t think I’ve ever felt the weight of the world as I did this year. I didn’t like people before, but 2018 proved how much my contradictory persona could take. Humanity is a raw and evil sort of thing letting way to bursts of sunlight at any given moment which results in confusion and downright rage. I was deleted, blocked, called names, and asked to duel a few times this year, all for, having a valid belief that my truth is not your truth. On the other hand I learned some people I’ve known a majority of my life have some really skewed views of what they support. Speaking of ending relationships…my friend of 15+ years decided that she could no longer remain in our relationship and instead broke up with me on the grounds of…This is unknown at this time as to why our oh so dear friendship came to an abrupt end and was not worthy of any explanation whatsoever. Marriage, babies, narcissism…you know, the silent killers of friendships. It seems pointless to say, but it did open my eyes to how I expect to be treated in life. So, first there was the lack of closure that came with my ex husband and now once again, another uncommunicated shut down. Hmmm…is it me? Did I not give enough? I give too much, more than I should in a lot of instances. People are just weird.

For the first time in a really, wait, ever, I felt like I accomplished something. This little project being one of them. Nobody cares what I write or do or say or feel. I know this. The difference is, I don’t care anymore, it is my therapy, my cathartic medium to deal with my life that will hopefully help others in a relatable and true sense. It truly is the first time I’ve consistently followed through with my own idea, not someone else’s, but mine. What made my year was receiving some very heartfelt thanks yous and that was enough for me. To make another feel better or to move someone with words, that is my art. For the first time in my life I am proud. All the work I’ve done this year, I am proud of, and worked hard for, and it felt like I had just finished a marathon. A marathon I’ve been running for 45 years. What a fulfilling thing, right?

I promise to get to the good parts soon, but not yet, I have to finish through the hard layer first before I get to the chewy center where rainbows shoot out of the asses of babes. Reaching 45 was difficult. Harder than anything I’ve ever done, and with that came a dreadful revelation. I came to terms that my physical self is no longer twe—, I mean, thirty-five. No longer do I feel I can climb fences, dance the night away or have a slap boxing match without being completely winded in ten minutes. The white hair that has accompanied my raven locks is disorienting, and the extra pounds which make me cry on most days because what women doesn’t want to look hot in her skinny jeans, but instead replaces her lacy unmentionables with…COTTON!? It has affected me profoundly. One thing they don’t tell us women getting older is how terrifying it is, physically and mentally. How we don’t feel attractive, how I cannot look anyone remotely attractive in the eye, and how the thought of donning a bathing suit would suddenly feel absolutely horrifying. They don’t tell you of the anxiety, the insomnia, and what the discovery of cellulite does to a woman or that missing a period will make you feel absolutely regretful and sad. How forgetful one becomes as she frantically tries to locate the cell phone she is currently speaking on or wishing for her tiny boobs of 34Bs again instead of this, what is this blob coming out of the side of my bra. I know, I really shouldn’t care. I have a mister who loves me as I am, but ladies as we know they can tell us we are gorgeous all day long but in the end it only matters is we feel uncomfortable, and I know, boo hoo right? Get over it and be stronger right? I will eventually, I just don’t like it.

I suffered my first panic attack and god forbid, my last. I had no idea. For all those who suffer this on a constant basis, I am so very sorry. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced, to be in small out of town diner, while you sit across from your loved one. A regular morning waiting for a server who doesn’t come while you are reminiscing about the spectacular night you’ve had together, and then for no reason at all, it happens. As I sat there with cold hands and irregular heart beating, body feeling disconnected, I imagined how awful it is that I, ME, was going to die in this amazingly terrible diner amongst strangers. For about 30 minutes, I concluded that it would be as easy as that and I looked at him and thought, at least I was loved and had loved again.

It’s a odd spectrum of emotions when you lie in bed at night and what used to be something so easily attainable becomes a labyrinth of questionable moments in life.

Why did I have chocolate tonight? Why did that person not text me back? Am I ever in my life going to fucking be appreciated for the work I do? Why am I so very broke and why did I just spend $14.99 on an Adobe app? Does he still find me attractive? Why didn’t I have children? Was i supposed to have children? Do people think I’m stupid? Did I go over 1200 calories today? How could there have not been one single carton of 2% milk!? Shit, I forgot to buy saline solution again! I hope my parents don’t die soon, what if I die before them��

And it goes on and on throughout the night. So yeah, lots of things occurred in 2018 I’ve never experienced before. Thanks for the new adventures! I found very little to say in 2018, not in person at least. I’ve embraced my Aquarian aloofness this year. I disconnected like I’ve never done before and found myself in very little meaningful conversations in the outside world. It baffled me really. For the first time in my life verbal exchanges were challenging. I just couldn’t connect. It was as though someone had taken my speech and turned it into a whole new non-language causing me tongue tied instances of pure lack of eloquence and articulation…embarrassing. Are you wondering about the good parts?

2018 was transitional to say the least. We got out of a very small apartment with a devil of a landlady into a very beautiful house in a new neighborhood. I really fell in love with being home. This place feels like a haven and despite still looking at unpacked boxes and unfinished furniture, it has become a place to relax and entertain at my whim. I am now the proud owner of a fire pit and a grill! Who knew such small domestic luxuries could bring about such sweet comfort! I tried to buy a house this year which didn’t pan out as I wanted it, but sometimes there’s a bigger plan. In turn, I sold my first house as a real estate agent this year which brought me a feeling of accomplishment. I can do it! Yes I can! A motto that held little weight before. Small, but an endeavor I never thought I’d ever add to my repertoire. I often wonder if I’m just real comfortable doing then jobs at once.

Karaoke. The activity that I refused to do in any public place became commonplace in 2018. Somehow singing Concrete Blonde and Leslie Gore brought a silent release for me and just the sheer gathering of friends in these instances made me genuinely joyous. The fact that people wanted to spend time with me, strange as that may be, was the one thing I felt humanly connected to. I felt strangely isolated most days. I attended a wedding, reconnected with family, and watched a lot of soccer. Simple joys. I was involved in a study about race and gender, wrote about people I admire, and received notes of praise. I read stories at night, saw tons of music, and dreamt of distant lands. I ate delicious meals, watched tons of film, and dove into photography. I wrote words. I said goodbye to the past. I made amends. I attoned and forgave. I laughed harder than ever and I cried seldomly. I felt loved. It went quickly and I suppose as we age it goes by at lightning speed. I long for the days of long summers and spontaneous trips.

What will 2019 be? I can only hope for less death, less loneliness, less heaviness. I am wondering if I too have become nothing but 1s and 0s and perfectly angled moments. Who will reach out, if anyone, to say hello that isn’t summed up in an abbreviated expression. Will the “We need to hang out” become an actual instance of beverages and exchanges of laughable tales or will it be the continuous cycle of empty efforts spread across another year. There are no resolutions for me, there is just a continuous wanting to better the briefness of existence. I want to read more books, see more music, cry at art, take better pictures, write more stories, take more trips, share more experiences, find inspiration, and motivate to healthier habits and less sour cream and onion chips at midnight. I want to shoot bows and arrows, play more pool, and swim in the ocean. I want to see my nieces and nephew, take my mom someplace new, and visit my dad. We always have such high hopes in the beginning don’t we? The ending of one cycle, packed with memories in our virtual treasure box, and the rebirth and renewal of new ones. Isn’t that the beauty of it all? What will this new skin look like? What stories will I tell next…

#trinkets #2018

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