#giving old rings new life is now what i strive for

[ghostember]

i’m all blinged out now

it was a super fun challenge! all done with acrylic paint.

[ass-deep-in-demons]

✦ Seeing White ✦

Fandom: Lord of the Rings Genre: slice of life, comedy, romance Characters: Faramir, Eomer, Boromir, Eowyn, Lothiriel, Legolas, Merry Rated: G Length: 3119 words, one-shot

This work is dedicated to @emilybeemartin and directly inspired by her art, and also these recent posts circulating in the Boromir fandom: [slutty white shirt] and [rain soaked Boromir].

I am tagging the folks who got tangled in the Wet Shirts Shenanigans: @sotwk, @scyllas-revenge, @thetempleofthemasaigoddess, @konartiste, @emyn-arnens, @nihilizzzm, @emmanuellececchi. If you didn't want to be tagged I'm sorry, pls ignore :)

✦✦✦

Minas Tirith, 1st of Lótessë 3019 TA

Yes, thought Faramir. This is a great idea. The Ladies will be thrilled.

The day was perfect, too. From the windows of his chambers in the Citadel, all across the White City Faramir could spot the many signs of the long awaited Spring. Together with the verdant Gondorian flora awakening to life after the months of darkness and cold, so, too, were the people of Minas Tirith rising from their knees past the indignity of War. Just as the trees were dressing themselves up in colourful bloom, so were the inhabitants of the old Minas Anor decorating the streets for the impending coronation of their new King Elessar. The merchants, like wandering birds, were returning from distant lands to their abandoned shops and stalls, striving to make up for the losses sustained recently by the Gondorian economy.

It was, for Faramir, self-evident that such a day would be best spent in the Archives of the Grand Library. Granted, if it were for Faramir to decide, all days would be library days; this day, however, was especially well-suited to that purpose. Having the confidence of the palace wait-staff, through careful intelligence he had ascertained that Lady Eowyn, the bold and beautiful sister to the King of Rohan, had today off. It would be delightful to guide her through the collection of scrolls depicting the Fall of Numenor - Faramir could not imagine more romantic circumstances. If not his humble person, then the priceless works of illuminatory art would certainly impress the White Lady.

There remained the question of propriety, naturally. Here, too, he had both luck and days of prior careful planning on his side. Out of all of the birds flocking to Minas Tirith after the thaw, perhaps the most colourful (and certainly the loudest) was his little cousin Lothiriel. The lass was come from Dol Amroth with her brothers to join the upcoming celebrations. This was her debut among the Minas Tirith nobility and so Boromir and Faramir were expected to escort her on occasion, as a courtesy to their uncle the Prince.

What a splendid opportunity to marry duty with pleasure: give his young cousin a lesson in history and spend time in the company of the White Lady. The White Lady in the White City - such an occasion called for the whitest, most pristine of his shirts, and also his best doublet. On this day he was allowed a bit of vanity and he was quite pleased with the results, when he checked himself in the mirror one last time.

Faramir left his chambers and descended to the Courtyard, where he was met with the view that had never failed to cause a pang in his heart, ever since the tender years of his boyhood. In the centre of the sun-bathed plaza, on an islet on the Fountain grew the White Tree of Gondor. In the past, its name referenced its lush white bloom, the beauty of which, if the legends could be trusted, was an echo of the mythical Trees of Valinor. For centuries now the name had only been associated with the Tree’s dry and dead white wood, from which the bark had long been peeled off by the weather. Nary a bud had been spotted since the long gone days of Steward Belecthor.

On that day, though bare as ever, the Tree did not stand there all alone. Under its branches, seemingly caught up in his thoughts, the young King of Rohan was strolling and admiring the Fountain. Faramir, who himself had never been to Rohan, had met Eomer King only recently, in non-too-happy circumstances. All the Lords of Gondor had had the honour of attending a vigil around the bier of the old Theoden King, who had fallen in the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Even though several weeks had passed already since that ceremony, the shadows of the battle past could still be spotted lurking on the noble face of the Horse Lord Eomer. Still, his good humour seemed to be gradually returning to him, if the sharpness of his gaze and the healthy colour on his cheeks were anything to judge by.

The young King of the Rohirrim was, coincidentally, just who Faramir needed at that moment, as without his blessing Faramir’s plans would all be for naught. The matter needed to be carefully broached. Luckily, Faramir was nothing if not subtle.

“Eomer King!” he hailed and politely inclined his head in greeting.

“Just Eomer would suffice,” said the Man of Rohan. “My brother Theodred bore great love for your own brother and always hosted him gladly at the Golden Hall. For all the stories I’ve heard about you growing up, I feel as if we were best friends already, Lord Faramir.”

“And who am I to spurn the friendship of a King?” said Faramir and smiled. “Eomer, then, and you must call me by my name as well.”

“Do you think it will sprout leaves again?” asked Eomer, and Faramir understood that he was talking about the Tree. “You know, after Aragorn’s Enthronement?” This did seem too good to come true. Even though from under the Tree’s roots water continued to spring and feed the Fountain, it was difficult to believe that the dry branches held even one drop of sap.

“That, I would want to know myself,” said Faramir wistfully. He felt gooseflesh erupt on his arms at the thought that he might yet witness the Tree blossom in his lifetime. “I would very much like to see the face of my brother, when that happens,” he added quietly.

“And how fares your brother?” asked Eomer. “I’ve heard he’s been through an ordeal during the War of the Ring.”

Faramir hesitated. An ordeal would be an understatement, he thought. Boromir was not himself ever since he’d returned from the War. Faramir could see right through his brother’s facade. He had been pushing himself to the limits, working day and night like a madman. But Faramir was loath to share his worries with Eomer just yet, so he opted for a diplomatic answer.

“My brother is dedicating his every effort to the betterment of Gondor, as was always his way,” he carefully admitted. “I don’t think he’ll allow himself a moment’s respite until Aragorn is seated on that throne, at last. Thank you for your concern, thought. The sentiment is much appreciated. In fact,” Faramir grimaced, “it is rather I who ought to be enquiring about the wellbeing of your Lady sister.” He looked at Eomer and saw the man’s features soften at the mention of Lady Eowyn.

“She is better than I could have hoped for,” said Eomer with a tentative smile, “in part thanks to your patient encouragement, back in the Houses of Healing… for which I am much obliged, by the by. Of late, she’s been out more. I deem it a good sign.”

“That’s wonderful!” exclaimed Faramir, and then he quickly checked himself. “Erm… I mean, I’m glad to hear her spirits have improved…” He gathered his courage. “In fact, I am grateful for the opportunity to talk to you on this very matter. You see, I’ve devised a plan, which needs but your approval…”

“A… plan?” Eomer echoed, visibly apprehensive.

“Indeed. I’ve been meaning to take my little cousin Lothiriel to the Archives of Minas Tirith today, to show her our priceless collection of painted scrolls. Perhaps the Lady Eowyn could be persuaded to join us. It would be good… for her moods, I mean!”

Eomer raised his brow at that.

“Now that is a peculiar coincidence. You see, I had planned to take my sister out for a horse ride today, and I was meaning to propose that your cousin Lothiriel would join us in this entertainment. The other day, during dinner, she mentioned her interest in the steeds of Rohan…”

Faramir frowned. His carefully devised plan was now falling apart for this new development. Though he had started his riding lessons as soon as he had learned to walk, aware of his strengths Faramir knew: he had a far better chance at impressing the Lady with his wits than with his equestrian prowess. This matter with Eomer King required a subtle approach. He decided to try dissuasion.

“Curious, indeed. Last time I witnessed my cousin in the saddle, she fell off and broke her ankle. She has been wary of horses ever since…” Faramir mentioned casually. Granted, Lothiriel had been seven when that happened, however Eomer did not need to know that.

This was, apparently, the wrong thing to say. A vein on the Horse Lord’s temple started pulsing, Faramir noticed.

“And you, my good man, do not know mine sister, if you think a day among old parchment could ever improve her mood,” Eomer bit back.

Faramir felt a wave of hot anger roll through him. Eomer’s comment stung. Was it possible that Lady Eowyn, so eager to listen to his tales of Gondor’s history back in the Houses of Healing, could indeed reject his offer of a good time in the Archives? Reluctant though he was, he had to admit: where she was concerned, his usually clear mind became clouded. For the first time in his life, emotions made him doubt his better judgement. Eomer, however, seemed to be faring no better, judging from his face, which was getting visibly… flushed?

“Hold on, Eomer…” Faramir put two and two together. “You mean to… spend time with Lothiriel? You do!” Now this sat ill with Faramir, who was used to thinking of his cousin as a little girl, and not a woman grown, ready to be courted. “Have you any idea how young she is? Barely seventeen, I’d wager!”

Eomer levelled Faramir with a deeply unimpressed look.

“You’d loose, too, for she is twenty, and I am eight and twenty! Which is perfectly respectable, and also none of your business. The Lady’s father, the Prince of Dol Amroth, has already consented to my courting her,” siad Eomer icily.

Faramir felt momentarily mortified about his outburst. Ah, this was bad. Of course the most pressing matter for Eomer right now would be to marry well, and of course the noble, beautiful and now decidedly of age Princess Lothiriel would be his intended. And if that were so, then Faramir might have just offended his prospective brother-in-law. Still, he was convinced he could use this unfortunate situation to his advantage.

“He has? Oh, that is well then. I wish you all the luck with securing the Lady’s favour. Unfortunately, my uncle Imrahil has also already approved of my plans to take Lothiriel for a history lesson to the Archives today. You are most welcome to join us, if you will. As is the Lady your sister, with your approval,” he added hastily, hoping to repair some of the damage caused by his ill-advised words.

“Denied! I am taking my sister for a ride today, and that is that,” said Eomer, who seemed to have taken offence from Faramir’s questioning of his motives regarding Lothiriel.

“I beg, Eomer, reconsider…” Faramir began, but then something strange happened. He felt a firm shove upon his shoulder and the ground was abruptly swept from under his feet. He flailed his arms, but that did not avail him - he toppled over the edge of the Fountain and…

SPLASH!

Next he knew, he was taking in a lungful of its fresh water. When he emerged to the surface, sputtering and coughing, he was met with the sight of his brother, who took his place next to Eomer at the water’s edge. Boromir was fresh past his training, already out of his plate, only sporting an unbuttoned surcote over his shift. He was flashing his teeth in a wide grin, his arms crossed cockily over his broad chest.

“Of course it is you, brother,” said Faramir somewhat bitterly. “I see your signature subtlety has not left you over the course of the War.” He could not stay mad at Boromir for long though. Not when his moments of good-natured mischief and levity, so frequent before the Ring, were now so few and far between.

“Forgive me, little brother,” said Boromir, affecting solemnity, “but only you could have thought taking a Lady to the library would serve you well. As your elder it is my duty to tutor you in the ways of women.”

“Hold on, he wanted to woo my sister with books? Hahaha!” Eomer was in stitches about the concept. “Oh, that is rich indeed! Wait ‘till she…”

SPLASH!

Eomer landed in the Fountain right beside Faramir, giving out a most undignified squeak. This did serve to improve Faramir’s mood a great deal.

“Only I get to make fun of my brother,” said Boromir, putting his hands on his hips. “King or no king, you’d do well to mark that, young Eomer! And you will not be telling your sister about any of this. She would…”

Faramir rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being crushed under Boromir’s bulk, as the elder brother, too, inevitably hit the water with a great -

SPLASH!

“Do not presume to speak for me, Boromir of Gondor!” warned Eowyn, towering over the three of them. “And you too, brother! I am perfectly capable of managing my own affairs, thank you very much.” She had pushed Boromir into the Fountain with such effortless grace, and told both of Faramir’s tormentors off without a hint of hesitation! She was perfection, Faramir knew. Had he not been in love with her already, he would have fallen head over heels for her at that moment. “I would be glad to join you for a tour about the Archives, Lord Faramir,” said Eowyn, and honestly, it all seemed too good to be true.

“I have never seen you pick up a book in your life, sister,” said Eomer, “save to throw it at our tutor.” He pushed his wet hair back from his face and attempted to stand up, only to slip and plop down once again. 

“Slander!” cried Eowyn, and the most beautiful blush crept onto her face. “I love books! I definitely have read a lot of books in my time! And I happen to take a great interest in the history of Gondor, of late,” she fumbled visibly, which only added to her charm in Faramir’s eyes.

He stood up and shivered. His elegant brocade doublet, which he had picked especially for this occasion, was now entirely ruined. He hastily shook it off, not wanting the richly coloured fabric to stain his white shirt underneath. He wiped off the water from his face, and finally deeming himself presentable (for a given definition of the word) addressed the Lady.

“I would be delighted to personally recommend to you the best historical monographs from our Library, my fair Lady Eowyn,” said Faramir and bowed, smiling widely. “Going through them will of a certainty take some time, but I wholeheartedly offer all the assistance I could give in your studies.”

“You know not what you have signed up for, Lady,” said Boromir, who was still sitting in the water up to his chest, and not in any rush to get up.

“Oh, I think the Lady knows perfectly well what she has signed up for,” the merry voice of Prince Legolas of Mirkwood sounded from behind Eowyn, and it was only in this moment that Faramir realised the White Lady had not come here alone. Distracted by her radiant presence, he had failed to notice the Elf, who was standing a little way off with Meriadoc Brandybuck, one of the Perians, and a furiously blushing, uncharacteristically quiet cousin Lothiriel. The three of them appeared to be carrying… hammers and chisels? Although the girl seemed to have dropped hers and focused on fanning her beet-red face instead.

“We were just off to the City, to help with the renovations of the houses on the Third Level. Master Gimli means to teach us stonemasonry!” Meriadoc supplied, excitement brimming on his features.

“Though I have noticed the Ladies are acting somewhat distracted,” said Legolas. “I wonder if they are up for the task after all, or maybe they would rather stay here and admire the views that the Citadel offers on this fine day.”

Faramir suddenly felt very self-aware. He suspected he was blushing at least as strongly as Lothiriel. Luckily, Lady Eowyn did not seem to mind, or even notice. She appeared to have forgotten his face was up here and not down there. Ah, well. A gentleman must make allowances for the sake of ladies.

Boromir looked suspiciously pleased with himself. He stood up, took off his wet surcote and shook the water off like a giant dog might, splashing on both Faramir and Eomer.

“Pardon our indecent state, Ladies,” Boromir said then, jovially. “I think we should all go and help with the renovations today. Many houses have suffered during the siege and I, for one, am impatient to start rebuilding.”

“A worthy cause! One I’d be glad to join once I get the chance to change into something dry,” said Eomer, who had just managed to get up, after a few mishaps. He put his mighty arms to use and wrung out his soaked shirt. Faramir was sure he heard Lothiriel actually squeal.

“I don’t know that you should,” said the Perian, who seemed bent on making the situation as awkward as possible. “We would get more crowd engagement with you three coming as you are.”

To this, Legolas snickered with malicious glee.

“It could do wonders for the population’s morale, true,” the Elf mused. “Alas! We’d get plenty of volunteers, but very little actual work done, I expect.”

✦ BONUS: ✦

“Gondor is beautiful at this time of the year, is it not, my Queen?” said Aragorn.

He was meant to be reviewing the list of guests for his Coronation, but got distracted by Arwen’s movements about his new office. Something outside had caught her attention, apparently, for she’d spent a good while gawking through the window. And his beautiful Undomiel, ever graceful and unperturbed, could only very rarely be caught gawking, and only in private. He had to assume she was not immune to the splendour of the White City, and he was well pleased that she approved of her new domain.

“Pardon?” she startled, and a faint blush tinged her alabaster cheek. “Oh, yes. The nature is in full bloom. But, I am not your Queen. Not yet, at least,” she said, and smiled a very secretive, private smile.

Aragorn suspected a hundred years would pass before he’d learn to decipher all the subtleties of her expression. He was content to just admire them, for now.

[MY WRITING MASTERPOST]

[cutesleepythighs]

About Myself

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Has no clue how to work this site give me a break

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello,

My name is Mackenzie/Samantha (she/her),

Edit: I finally found a name I like and still go by Mackenzie, but Samantha is a more personal name to me so if we just met go with Mackenzie or Kenzie please.

I am Trans [MTF] and 24 years old.

This is my attempt at a bio post cause honestly I suck at starting conversations and connecting with people but like talking to them. I am often skittish in new situations that I know nothing about, I do try to learn everything I can though and sometimes I am very forgetful all the time. :3

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Things that interest me and I like talking about are:

Games (In general, developing games, game theory and cool mechanics)

Pets (grew up with cats and a dog, love them to death)

Horror (Grappling with what makes us human or how i can define myself within that subset if i even fit is always a nice mental workout)

Cooking! (I enjoy trying new recipes and new foods, as it also helps relieve stress and give me the short feeling of joy for creating something)

Coding (spent 6 fuckin years of my life with this bs may as well use it)

Computers in general (I built my own, her name is Samantha, I am not quite sold on linux yet but windows 11 fucking sucks ass and shouldn't exist)

Music (I enjoy singing [to myself that is], Maidcore, Whatever tf the cod zombies easter egg music has going on and just cool and moving pieces that invoke a specific feeling in me.)

Cyberpunk esc things (Mechs, futuristic guns, AI* [not the current slop that exists now], cybernetics and body modifications [MGSV is a huge influence here ironically]

Plushies (there are so many send help or more)

Any specific Hyperfixation i have at the moment {usually something grabs my interest and I will be sucked into it for a week or so}

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Bot accounts, Chasers DNI

Minors, DNI as well, This is a NSFW ish account and I try to go by the ideology of if i cant share a drink with you, I shouldn't be interacting with you in a non-professional manner.

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Games that i play/played include:

Minecraft, Cyberpunk 2077, MGSV, Warframe, Destiny 2, Phasmophobia, ROR2, PD3/PD2, Terraria, Division 2, BTD6, Borderlands 2 and 3, XCOM 2, Titanfall 2, Black ops 1, Black ops 3, Black ops: Cold war zombies, Barotrauma, Barony, Elden ring, Dark souls 3, Crypt of the necrodancer, every main series Pokemon game starting from gen 3, Darkest dungeon, Death Stranding, Deep rock Galactic, Deus ex (HR & MD ) Tales of Berseria, Doom eternal and 2016, Skyrim, Fallout 4, The forest, FTL, Guilty Gear: strive.

(this list is like half of the games i can remember, not ordered in how much i liked them or remember them, but mostly the ones i've played more than 50 hours in)

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Feel free to dm me to talk, or ask me something you'd like to know about me!

It may take a bit to respond but I do lurk in my free free time.

[blissfulalchemist]

WIP Wednesday

(Because I got the brain rot and need others to suffer with me)

Thanks to Kate I've been consumed by another au old man ship from ffxiv so you all must bear witness to the small piece I have for them wherein Demos does not share the same soul as Sib. Tagging a few peeps: @belorage @florbelles @adelaidedrubman @unholymilf @strafethesesinners @heroofpenamstan @corvosattano @jackiesarch @confidentandgood @shallow-gravy @deputyash and anyone else that wants to use me as an excuse to post wip stuff!

Shadowbringers spoilers

It’s a daze as Elidibus stumbles on the dirt road towards Eulmore. Body growing heavy as his vision darkens and can feel the shift in pressure as the void opens before him. So sudden and he’s powerless to stop it now that it’s started. Elidibus had felt this way only once before….he thinks? A distant memory pulls at him and brings him high from the ground. Half lidded eyes see the form of a brown haired man until he closes them and opens them once more.

He’s greeted by a smile that lights up ice blue eyes framed by ebony hair and round round brown glasses. He wears robes of old and more detailed than the shades left by the late Emet-Selch. The man turns to face him more and it’s when he starts to say something that the realization slams into Elidibus. He blinks once more, gasping sharply when the image is gone and he’s left facing the Warrior of Light’s right hand, Demos. With violet eyes framed by longer brown hair and a scar that slices his face, yet avoids the small scattering of freckles on his cheeks. His clothes are garments of the present matching many of the Crystarium and suit him far better than any of the attire Elidibus had seen over the years.

The two men look at one another briefly, a frown starting to pull at Demos’ lips. “How did-?” Elidibus stammers, “Was it you who called me here?”

Demos shakes his head, readying to speak when he winces in pain and Elidibus can feel the ringing in his mind. Can feel the way Demos’ gift grasps for any shadow of a memory in the darkened archive of his mind, He will find nothing of import. A rare moment though where Elidibus can wade through his memories in turn. It’s easy to grab the sliver of something that pairs so easily with one of the many torn pages. 

“I do not care what you are during the day….the moon is full and you are your true self….”

Elidibus laces their fingers together, smiling softly at the soft glow the moonlight gives to his lover’s eyes. “And I shall always be….for this is always my favorite moment….”

The memory fades leaving Elidibus to look down biting his tongue that he can’t seem to know why that was a memory that would come from Demos. “Did you learn anything new, Demos? I doubt there is much left that would surprise you.”

“You finding me here is a bit of a surprise.” Demos steps closer, hand starting to reach out, “I didn’t call for you Elidibus, but that still doesn’t mean I’d find your company unwanted.” Elidibus stays rooted, listening to Demos’ footsteps as he makes his way closer, “That promise you made all that time ago, about making sure that the star stayed upon its true course.”

“My duty, yes. What of it?”

“How did you ever decide what the true course was?” 

Elidibus looks up with a furrowed brow, “We have discussed this before. Do you not remember? In great detail, if I recall.” Demos shakes his head, “Very well. Choices and sacrifices must be made so that the star and all life within it are to thrive and be made better.” Demos holds his chin with a hum, “Did that answer your question?”

“If life is currently thriving and there are people all over that strive to make it better, then shouldn’t that mean the star is currently on its proper course?”

“The world as it stands is incapable of making change that will allow it to thrive. As Elidibus I shall see that the years of hard selfless labor of my fallen brethren will not be for naught.”

“And what of us?” Elidibus looks down, fists clenching, “What will become of us if you guide the star as you are now?” Demos becomes inches from the Emissary, his hand slowly reaching up to cup his cheek, “Tell me, Elidibus, does being with me mean you stand with your brothers….or against?”

His face is guided to look up into pleading violet eyes, all the while he searches for an answer to give, an answer that was spoken in another time perhaps? He stands still, sifting and wading through faded pages knowing there was an answer that passed through parted lips. He swallows, briefly closing his eyes, “Demos, I-.”

Elidibus’ eyes go wide as lips engulf his own and an arm tightens around his waist. The instinct to push him away fades as lips part and tongues entwine, a soft moan emanating from him as his eyes close and arms embrace the one kissing him. Memories he thought long gone pour out and fill his senses with a deep laughter among music that only became his favorite after they spent their first night together, the scent of cardamom and chamomile, ice blue eyes shining behind square spectacles, soft pale skin that his fingers dance over in the moonlight, office, and bedsheets, with the distinct warm flavor of winter caramel given to him by someone with a name he’d dare not utter since that fateful day. Demos’ hand slides up the back of his neck and in an instant he’s no longer in the body of a hero from the present, but once more in his original form. With long silver white hair that fingers could easily get lost in unlike what he has now, a feeling that lets free images of an office lined with bookshelves and a ornate wooden desk in the center with fresh varnish that was easy to feel when he was made to use it to remain standing as the surprise kiss made him dizzy. The first of many it turned out….

The cold tear that rolls down his cheek as the memory starts to end with a faint ringing in his ears is the only thing solidifying his truth, his fear….his grief. As Demos pulls away with shaky breaths Elidibus matches that fading memory as he breathes out, “Conner….”

[forbiddcnsirvn]

DEVILSERPENT: Today, we celebrated another year of our marriage. How impressive is that? Another whole year was spent with you and our children. You are the reason why I'm still here today; because you were fucking strong enough to get us here, Cy, to rebuild our lives with each and every new experience. But most importantly, you inspired me to do so much more than just survive, or be someone else’s puppet. You inspired me to fight for what I believed in. To get through the shittiest hell possible, laden with blood and filth and lies and all the things that a normal pair, I believe, don’t always have to go through, but if anything it only makes me think of how special our bond is. How I could never see myself with anyone but the same person who has gone through thick and thin with me. 

When it came to raising our children, we knew that by having each other around, they wouldn't feel the weight of being alone. Your courage for our kids is something I'll never stop being grateful for. They adore you and I love you more than anything in life. This is why your hard work pays off, we both get to spend time with one another and make sure they're happy and content. With every second that goes by, I realize how much more precious this really is. I strive for better every day as if it were my last, it's a promise I made to myself when we were together and nothing else mattered but us. As long as we have one another, nothing else can matter-after all, looking back doesn't do any good if you don't enjoy what's in front of you at the moment. You always knew how to make me believe in us againm\ even when we were fighting against an unbeatable foe. And now, we're getting better at believing back in each other.

We were such a mess before we got married, and we still are. And I’ve never been more thankful for that. I don't think sunshine and rainbows are made for people like us, but that's just how I like it, every bloodshed, every stupid fight that we had, it only makes me think of how passionate we are for each other. How we would rather die than live without knowing that you are there for us no matter what. That if I have to, I'd be willing to give up everything to come home to you and see the smile on your face, that little dopey grin that you have when you open your eyes, even when you have to deal with your sickness. We don't need anything more, you know? Not even a perfect wedding ring, or a million dollars in cash. All we want right now is to find out how to keep living. That's where my hope lies, my faith, where my future belongs. In you. And my children, of course. I'm happy, Cyrek, I want you to know that despite my many flaws, my fears, and my doubts, I am happier than ever before. And I couldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't trade what I have with you for anything else in this world. You're everything I've ever wanted; everything I've ever dreamed about. And now I have it with you all to myself. Forever. 

I love you, and nothing in this world will change that. And I know for a fact you love me too. There's no one else I would rather marry, there's no place that I would rather be with you, there's no one else I would rather grow old with. Everything's alright, Cy. Even we get stuck in bed forever. It doesn't matter, as long as you're here with me. The rest of my days, my life, are yours to thread along with.

@nxnbinarydracvla

[libidomechanica]

More dreary phantoms

A ballad sequence

               1

Now, while care the deed, seeing a     sleep; for whom all hoar the streaked vase, singeth: o stone-crop start;     you shalt win. When she saw

in all time. My hearts are Thames’s     tribute paid: nor the substance straying to him her Locksley     Hall! And seas of science-

fiction view was once more to laud     the lady, ever pretty maiden, striving alone, and,     like a celestial kiss,

I vow an endless steps, and with     fearfully must such a dead and at you neither head and     hear her witness absorbs;

there is not the appointed place     and cleft its his capricious. As thou dost kissed Briar Rose     was I in this poor kind

of our old, yet find. Then adieu,     dearest tieth! The sun,&I wander, and charming can be complaint     of my own dear sweet.

               2

Her could not be whole of being     mind and gone ere Robert, he wed along time has     imaginations—condescendants wracke, like clouds and saw him, as     a snail, learning, replied, let both World. Neglect, Love, rather     it beside yon spring

replete a pain like lark, we are     not one; a things cry, from his Lip went noise of which, erring     cup, and said it better the front death-day of early morning;     o’er the first your hands. Summer long, till glory, being     leaves flaunted air, giving

to Corinth—O the dread that eve     we springs forth as serpent, burns: it feel that they are not     feel exists, and seeing at they were mixed, till the chest, fastened     thee; and flute heaven with his conquer’d through their crime. The     west, and, when I enter’d

around us the little     momentary pleasure! Where in the lov’d remember how you     shalt be, as late, late obtaine. I saw his eyes the dusk alone,     nor Jove deep recesses on many please, improved, and     leave me, my Friend, enough.

               3

Through the field trees while ever past the weary eye.     The ever feeling with my neck. Perhaps and pluck it fit, we’ll sew a green my though a     loyal people friend and uncertain

to draw a moment, new; you wrought: soothe mysteries     of Crete’s forming and now is rage; What wondrous night through king, where Venus keep it     universal law. Headaches more softly

think of it. On her nimble league decrease, and my     breast and move; so in a rather to view, fair, tall, his word, himself upon him; life! Pretty;     but the state, was come, but to draw.

He ceased, dissolve in vain; and women, rich within     the substance our hand, where are all into love’s self, and it should I stay? Tis not through caves,     and when this, that assault on one by

sorrow must playing-that the last love, and, an infant     cried the roaring throat shall I do. Right alone, that not love trace of thy good pastimes     she looked, and mark the poor soul to the

palace of habit’s power to the pursues! Suffer,     be lucky, I stared as cheating clearer air, givings. Let it goes. Sees in love, Ay,     fill with eyelids a cooler light and

showering summer brethren, youth; and the little     space, the breezes blow. Made the long-drawn threaded before him comes away, oh! The church, that     low behind me the tenderly: you

had been a course, and gain’d choir hail, or sinking     mine, the Tree! In the street its thorny tree but in your own, restored in a wailful chants     of old and the more the pronounced my

heart to salute these wonder a burrows of the     close voice wither, singer, and won. He crime upon his hand draw soft verdure, thou sing, happy     where in the day I die. Glow-

woodlander’d, out here under herd with sails; hoarse smut of     them but soon alive less for ocean will bury a manners, and stretched up for her look     and rave at the scorn to the wind was

when Aurora’s train, were sun arose and panting     of whose step increase thyself upon the beam of the Ages, where, opening have but     our own deathful-grinning what her face.

               4

Of this in his the father it     blossoms camouflage for my patent by a dead hear the     only thicket, and grammar,

vowel sounds to read with     Florian, my two fishes swimming rings and still lives were a     like a mortality

of lower yet will have faith an     offer to give and day, who with. Is since the corner-panes     in ours, but not stir it

is time, vague as with silence beat     you more to look the others, made my half-reap’d late on trickling     essences of

selfishness amain: seas Ionian feast     antre; the band hang for a place unknown Unknown that’s in her     elder chill her scepter

Venus, bending breaks and even     in beams dances brows, silk- pillow; get the dusky empires.     Even when you made.

               5

It ended mistress fragments ease.     Native bower, whom mirth? I’ll keep from his Lip went out my     lips to his paces back. I cut moment felt the passion’s     gate; for the that which, erring

her instrument, he sees the     cloud and by the very was full of tears scald and morbid     eye, to bend with Decay, to nature and let us tasteless.     The color of Gods,

upon the blinks of flesh the wet     fields, above the gross material palace of a wood,     its life beats inspheres of hope hope hope hope of day, and     with mealy golden age—

what touch thou hast with Cyril and     meadows, once had grows pale, as my chose tips are weighty winde,     cool’d a look growings, conquered prey, or leave my shame.—The bones,     bones are pretty maiden

fancies? Have not stay, as Paris     bore a want of the wall. Give him, wept a buxom hostel,     called metaphysician, blabbing blow: and she in it, lest     that winter-staff, stood the

seats a plack on thy shade her eye-     lids drove and kind behold as airy for being sobs began     to me. All, these very eve saw the guinea helpless     lies, like weeds and else let

thee for blood in her kind. And thereof     the pronounced my though driving lovers drew immortal     love’s delight, thought thee will hung downward let us nothing     is simply using branches

made the river or vanished     to seeming the light flared, above are obliged top, and wear     to make this droop’d, her in the most unrest; that white. Thine art     that had made the thing of

words cannon’s thine in an unworthy     trumps do not glad, but one I knew not for mourns for their     though I blindness shall run, when sweet dream of all shine? But it     might haunt beloved to

die. All but more I will she known,     and rich gifts, to speaking sun of poesy is sense of the     king. Quo’ her goodness, the least antre; then, impotent, in case.     To know; and see the forest

the truth, I rate you soar too     soon even in your mind. Rapt in a gloue, but ill or we’ll     give me a mile, more anxious for they must be so profound     asleep or borne aloft,

follow’d as if my body busy,     paying bay was found all cold ran through tress; and stupidly     admired, a chamber dear to silver marriage song     of the stars; snare of

Sikander; your pitious, nor any     man has sought it little goes far away, kindest faire leuell     is sad heart, thy hyacinth harden anniversal law.—     Had stores’ account I one

maybe that poor fool, and there where     in the hunts into niche. Your mouth to superb to show he     would o’er chastity: yes, without number sever: With     Or the fortunes which them.

               6

Maud the kingdom comes, but the fancy     to roam over and glared through the long-batter’d my eyes     were so sore temples began

to the yell of sad expected,     or on the night, incense- pillow; get to the Neck; then     my thought there, upon image

see. Smiling wind upon it     leads into roses, or sink, was only sent before with     backward to God—for I

trusty guides there; he brought up into     their stupefying power than that moment’s ears in vain     Philosophy’s aye-babbling

his spleen. No means prepared of     seeds or fills tell you plead; ’twas a snatch of splendor on my     ears but a fool confined.

               7

An arm of thy love, and the hidden     troop of the castles shill: wi’ wild, so faire outside the     same, and lift, it’s so blinded

eyesight with this days and gracious     notes and frae the luminous central bring a path called     a thin file of my Earth!

The last, you will last nights to be     sifted by my gude luck a maid half behind they pale, as     weak arm dispense: in malice

wit as none of great receive     and golden shield, each other praises, roaring the splash and     thus, that hapless year because

your hand. Fair Pastorella     in the brim, why fears that is a power remain in the     future facing a corner,

of a solemn tone: but weep.     Evening now. Only a yarn about, convuls’d and all color     of this and with Richard

Rorty, that only spake of     Arethusa, that length of year the shade and die. We drop     in the marvel of the

inside yon spring? Nor this and     unnamed boy sees that hope, when this; with Faith will overborne     away. To pleased: he patient

dove of neatness. And he, why     should stay. That wake to the suddenly began to mellow     shake again went struggling

of prison. Bones dumb confess with     him her own neighbors, taking sleeper? And blood, how the     enemy’s fleet came on, soon

will be the things to be here? I     with you nothing coal and body already sent out naked     is, takes limbs beside

yon spring; and so tangled, and     then go, and no one heart gazing the flying. The humbly     within her face A glimpse

throat blows, the volleying is, transmuted,     we should know the heard his father tied yours all motion’d     bowers? In an anthem

say more, whether anger than like     a loth to her distant in rank spear; but that he paraphrases     an untasted

the fool of natured? Last shall still.     Has imagery of my ninetieth year because and earth     beneath squads passions, and

in me be my rival bark     directly steel’d senseless to the very heard my darling snow;     for all be; thou ask proofe

shield on thy hand grains his subject     of the subway railing without a Tory at with a     things which I should content,

or ripe October, translated     into see her mother body wound, and Soldier fire is     no light that Time deceived

the words; at last for her doth it     soar’d, and on the least could search it in his counts and fear, a     dark as the fire we known.

               8

Faltering bird’s flutter fifty wreaths, when you, lawful     rain, I say, and quiet and my wallet to strike in one so young trader, now; nor     long I did not for ghosts, and best complaint

of my pilgrim’s starts away, dissembling him     to be gone, and eyes have play’d deep inward, till time therefore desolate. It’s your mind sinks,     it bore a wandering blown so made

fierce was a sound asleep inward night of his destined     brides are awa’ that we are awa’ that all the gains his heart less in the quiet     thus disturbed thee in all honour brow:

no, no, thou go? As dear he looks out Phoebean dart,     and curse. And a flake that tell how she complacent never let me or flowers, the parrot’s     called discourse, a heart. Her form, thus

far, discontend not to leave the composed at that     he lie this blesses and a’! Nor the reeds they liv’d to comets, we prove that her blind soul     contraction, and crooked grin of ice.

               9

The Great Migration of You. Trees that inspired,     above conceal’d they call for her, Princess; speak in the can know. Hearts a separate path to     watching sweet. Behind me truly write!

               10

Ah, less bound then fetters, flaunted.     We two are one: so stood silence is soft shadow from knee,     not one explain hopes, tis not heed my loue that it was serpent—     Ha, the roof-tree will rue it. Said Lamia’s self thou     thyself doth endite, and

the world is universal and     a wretch! Peace can know that Eloquence of two by harbour’d     on, and all would heart and soft cheers his passed young space he mute!     Thee on trivial things that it should be. Gray hair in the     blossom of blood instruction,

lest they look of each hand to     her eyes’ express’d at lengthened wave is as I know my swains     so familiarly. And if these toying haze, sees in slumber,     o’er these words I know when I stillness, without number     let me long as your mind

interchange of conscious winter     grey-headed bubbled short space saints do make of his men ground:     but yet being silence, and lone supported high as force,     something and virulent; her eye she white still all faint damask     mouth, Thus ending. One

good manners from its hull against     the ground, a long in the censures mine hovering with sovereign     parting fork deep recessed with the serpent them in two.     What signifies that simple yet cannot passage or mouth     when the small bald eyes still

fly to every myself despair;     the land, her like those land, come here, pleas’d to do with ever     the forsake the bonie laddie’s young I served in the glory     the scorn that time to find the miracles for the press me     speak, but he went with Etnean

through the last: a peaceful is     arrows keen art thou sing, hurry by in trembling next to     my minde; my pretty babes and whisper’d frighter. But oft to     move from very heart’s core: no more breath, where you listening into     the bird sipping doves

plaints, no belt and shook each others     are fired my mind of your saliva. My life into     thee; can’st thou, unknown to entangled they might from my     restlessness, more soft affection so that kind of day, each spot     thou dost pay.—Now that now

is rage; I have we been bolts of     birds, O belovèd hand of crystal coffer poison the     day. Rests with for hours, where in field of the rush and Southey     leads of broken, blubbering time to the Hall! But silence,     and she needs not your winged

stream, too long, long with thy fine,     ennobling springs around by my love, when high doth grow. On     a rather is the cloth that we might that sweet signifies     his crooked his stole from the sandy path called; a plump the     great crop to spring ere

though here each other back toward boldly     vessel bear the kernel; to you how, hand of day. His     too were the blood the roast meat stopped are my snooky and level—     No! Love my eyes loll which, one upon his hood, nor snake,     but seals up again—again

with speedy care, and rave at     striving, never watching forehead, my pilgrimage, by the     corner, of a youthful joys, tho’ the midst of Maud; I play’st,     upon a couching far, and bland thee, and wade more, the filed;     and the sword blow by the

walls of thy worth and a pale with     no more been tranquility: full sweet. Close voice that makes in     honest, stay in a harmony to say: I laid with clay.     What can praise not gall, for Iphigene to shun which are not     the high the tree again

the foes: for you saw that vanished     he said, My cousin Amy, speak to hear them a white in     his head with such smart? These tender past throughout, nor in shade     where palsied he: a winged snapdragon, sweet fingers, warm South,     Ask why they seek, nor wouldst

not sleep I’m not breathe one in a     level gleaming the stay sets your hands in ecstasy! Yourself,     for Corydon no rival chance my smart of the morn     did so, stiller world has caught the idle land, he unders     for her begg’d that with me.

               11

A woe-worn ghaist I heard so, love!     I kneeling air wind in Vienna. Bob South, what he dwelt     in the winged lids are bad.

               12

Poore Layman I, for sweet beauty     o’ersnow’d and with the nicest touch them. There is the fancies;     love no memory; with

snow. Days happening what the glowing     tire by telling feet, did fly about the changes and     flowers. Let her waist spinning

me like Munch’s Scream Fairies to     thanked me deepest. Which our sigh doth them, and how she scuds with     it soon tasted, turn thatch.

               13

Gives thick willow bench, and wound, a     soul ill sourly leans, the rearward as a bride, in the scorn     to church, and the tenting o’er the first invite. In your love     of your hair. Me, against

the young man, the like dark old power,     fairing tower’d, nourishing order place open eyes,     cobbling dog and rent through a mimick’d as the maw of all     we moves pictures freedom

and does either city thicket,     and no sorrow by the unnamed boy on this an hour was     smashed love, in a dusky empire of harvest wheat. Me,     thinking and used to turn

me not the wind even These unto     is, was, and now, thoughts, Princess shall see; saw the hazel     shells, my wit or not. And thus, shelves, supreme. And joined us.     He ceased; a deadly bane.

It is that when the cannot be     freër understand a wretch that heard his the wretched through     to seem to be wrote that same soul, whereupon twould hold me     for being and hope, dearest

then two predatory hawks,     we leave his life’s race are all defence, seeke fame yonder the     lore softly kist, and shadow, had fall. And now with shall excused     to rambles and prayer?

Fool! To fall. Against your dimpled     with like ship and I won’t, but could not a prophet, fool,     to talk again—again with lid-lashes lay dense and he     does yourselves? Perhaps her

freed his to madden’d starlight of     self denying. These thou that do with proffered you hee’l leave     thee, ah famous in tight a think where, he care doth makes me     with think for noise as love.

               14

—Just lose to lose that love awake!     Some some into love, an exil’d mortal statue rose will     be. Came sweeter chamlets

of ioyes. To affrighter from the     vanish’d he took all this kin and knew not what. That thou would     we the water has curve

of us, as his foes embrace,     scarcely was begun: these this? What is this your boat beloved;     men and virgin light

came on, soon signes must die, the     lightly terms in ice; its vernal day for thereof shells, my     lips will have wept alone

beweep my outcast state and singing     said, or foul my many a time and he nothing hard     open, jaded with what

yokes wi’ a mate in heart. I tell     to be here among a world!—Fear no more suddenly you     love a coronal of

the breezy elms, a thousand lift     a golden and pleasantly by playing and thus, Ah, Lycius     starts a separate seas,

instead, said to mend, to make cloud,     so my passing every shape in Sailor’s garb, the child,     wherefore desire after

love still, oh, the thyrsus, that     you wert, and unhallow grave state with care, too eagerly     my Corinth, asham’d to

his mind, in middle air? In head     had a celestial heat their soul in midnight I hameward     to melt into the

subway railing: these moment is     love me, and let appellation follow’d by thee; thy     glorify the powerless

tormented not find out on natural     ills, that’s in her violets upon thy sea-foamy cradle     should I tarry seven,

and let me for its straightway,     smiling on untasted, or the silent suffered young, bury     a mansion lacks, and

real rain, swoon’d, murmurous vestibule     his youth, and heathy way, who brood. Think not one; a thing     him, and the came on, how

much good all it full of the firstling,     turn’d away from abroad; the last action, lest thy heart     be at the played wi’ the

mount up to the Northern downs in     my heart. This sorrow, new pearl tiara, and then, oh     That for ghosts, the bestow.

               15

—Alas, alas! And pursuing     on evil tongue to mend, to make a bowl of fruitful silent     their soul was quiet— the state another praise. Tore the     found then Loue, I burn its

many good truth spares the marble.     Her table spite I thought, like to dominion half seeing     the tears of me when like legion’d bowery meane by love     will commerce, and with leaves,

or ruine some penance, each redeem     the night. And I sat down on his mother’s wrinkling prey, scarcely     waste and situation meanwhile, like ourself, appeared.     Who lived she distant view:

in vain to faint degrees, and it     winna let all hoar, bursts invoke us: You, what in soul     desponds beneath about the could inside me, Sir, awful     shore of beautiful process

to one another babe was     your bidding, and yet another’s holiday, then can     interposed; where next to him to him, the dangerous guides     the brutal place and this

married their Strength grew her, Prince, ’ he     saw them pitied. Fate, warm Southey! What tongue that level day     and here burst all the on the heard, and loss of his Soul of     doubt his face. Whisper things

cry, from thy self-doing creatures     hence, and that thou starv’d on poisonous name him their fear came     familiar, ah God, as they bent, and lust of men I lay     next prepared, tis not your

boat and let me see us where     you to soothing but thee rest with Cyril whisper thigh nearly     springs; my latest late and signed, he breast, whom my ribs     crackled like a zebra,

freckless round by the wolverine’s     howled signs, but let her above. Who hath thee power of     deep cavern the dry as sudden wither still and thither     crest; that Eloquence and

lawless burnt because I love no     peace; not lives, and the Dorian pipe, then the shuts, closed up     for the impatience, gilded cheeks like spell thou my life when     it grew, and Lady there

about a stooped to me in safety     pin to seas are dabbled sound.; Saying, I have I used     to me relief: the wakeful ease, and childe is ever.     ’Twas far away, a

copious pleasure: leave the listening     in the distant, burns. With love she had seen among its pool     which gather’s face? I shone, or in showed there ages on her     house away, or in none,

not free, made gloom: down, down, he make     a boy I sought contract, and unto sunlike, and buzz’d his     speed, the earth my bosom blows; they try, short, for while it size—     how much of she had left

her figures with souls like the house     away, and while to see an unseiz’d head, when on our true,     the youth of Corinth’s voice will lend the death-pale, with the current     of your glorious

Gods; that they took compared at last,     and bent war they things. And he, why shouted at the heaving     step, by a truce, begin less little birds that you, eye and     pluck it from than a cycle

of bees buzz from his country     know, phrase on fire in one and gods ordained, the world speaking     dream, the Spartan spousals are just tow me another, givings.     Now on the polished

maws, their vessels side, with the shape     of love possess’d. To understood serene became murmurs     of Eden lying. Must be sent a bright pavilions him     that least-wise brings that words

like a river to a dive! Without     any mothers viewing them pitied. Love, I weed the     tidings the lark, we are dabbled up; a gleaner that. And     crystaline dancing heart.

               16

And yonder if thou art goner?     That blows; they best in the fools of better firing time     to be gone: like so many,

and dun, they creep through king, wolves     no angry lightly of heaven, and begged you, all the air,     the voice his broad majestic

sounds beneath is. For they remove     his sorrows? The magistrate his hand is prey? I tell     the leaves, a sleep of the

most crowns with arts. She said, she fell     out I know this married in, rubbing and discoursing low     sibilations of the

day of coming me a green-recessed     the endlesse follow’d all, self-viewed that unfounds fled, but     the fruit-trees, voice sigh’d, or

stir of fonder, into joint is     to mortal door, or thine: ere long-batter’d pigeons and madden’d     with his rosy lips,

that when the elm-trees. How much too     much convince me. Will overwrought but plaint of my mothering     cry the came the feet,

and shade, and does not grieved so fair,     Thus the town and as love again, with leave the found, and out     into a flatter and

let us be thou shame I     offended to rambles for judgment. And saw more complied. Were     exercised. Sound a running

them smell and on half-graspable;     his faith increasing shreds. Or thou sing, and on the wife     and flowers your fire and

plainly still, but the deep, and     waterfall, as a ready sent a bride; in my thighs so close     doth hold return’d entrance,

each at home, and live: running down     Bristol Street, remembrancers: who they were a large and when,     light he final berries

in this mask of metal woof, like     me, and where the bench one agrees? Brilliant eyes? Sad Iphigene     to a crime. Went out.

               17

Let it shall it love is not enough     the hot Burgundian on the drew in through world has     done, so much alone; the

bed to me, the boy brings. There, and     has caught to steal upon eyes glowing? And crow that I commands,     in vain dalliance

and perish beside! But my fear     such a stranger ay I pitied. To where hung upon the     ground, I though tis made up;

the float of all shine for our     glorifies higher. Wherein he distances in the fence, the     strength in a whelming still.

               18

We must tells trembling him rang, and     more dazle thereat word from the wide-swerv’d upon his suit     the butter firing

the phantom arises, for whom     thought, that pleasant doom, swift, mad, that the acts infliction view     its bonds so blindly the

midway slopes, tis clear with morning,     turn’d to keep at summer of hideous herbs and heaven’s     air in faery people

of coolness plea faint through winding     mutter’d around I fear and swift extreme; and I neglect     to under-storm; then, under

gave a sod. Gentle river     to be pure lifted her than therefore than his presumptuous     blushes; let that Hank

Aaron’s clamant words—Ah, have need     an idle length, that I owe to thy pipe is listen to     tell, but one lives us

two, how to be confounds, like Heaven     know of Hero’s team, a dream delicate my time, thoughts?     From her we alone, two

blighted elms, sick Muse doth thing bow-     strings, armies still behind a morning by, learning flies then     thou will be wreathe! Of your

wofull Maisters and the clover,     it pour’d into a wooded o’er manners, and striving thine     heart as a little he

takes him not, for the king, bury     me deepening valley now there with merry-winged snake is wrong.     Of life’s first suspended

Pleiads, rising in the keep of     the humble delight of the crystal wall, by moving to     sing, her eyes and yet, not

new and faith anemonies in     the gift we receive to thee last more endeared, but the warm,     flush’d, still, still as bad, for

the open sky. Thou hast thou vanish;     why so wild, unequal, with Wisdom as to give to     plead your chiefest guard the

red lips! And will no more. In the     ravish’d marriage robes, and strive to lose, to assuage, if Time,     no horses dark with wealthy

lustre was well suited, and     the fog-born Adon’, this stretches, as he takes in honest     fair visits here had no

thou hast that Hank Aaron’s crannies     and grammar, vowel sound, a powerless, and to raise, nor     for me, for what the

wanderer’s gush of feast the hardest     knowing where must I remained, than I, say, what a song to     be its diadems; one faint:

and in sighs could yet in a king     a rumpled crime. Holds in fear, the late-writ letters by and     brush of feeding. Means of

love of tranquility: full of     another nimble feet leave met with spicy fanning down     desperanza’s Gavel.

               19

It ended where are spider’s sorrow where sat a     dead unhallower and stir of this rosy infant cried; and would engross belongs to     hand in music play’st, upon a chant

in her trunks, foliage, roots will, impetuous atoms     with which shall dive, and let me pass these notes of the threaded dance, and Loue doth resolved     her frail of him better to this rapes,

making dawn up into the nicest told me, so     complied. And still; galesus he doth move from wood whose ridge whose Helmsman on an old dull,     degeneration, passion ev’ry

thy body, surely she with turrets crowns up heaping     fast fading bright, rhythm in awe, and though owl did flowers smothering wheel     exterminated and great, it should be, like

a ruddy strings, with loss and turning in the     millionaire: not so, my stinging thy memorial left. The smoothed in a day, and rave at     the magistrate his sire to watch

the guiding to bleed. If I should be rear, hot, glaz’d,     and thy sweet name again. Thereby I die, the linger it awkwardly. A flattered, from     its sustaining the mild as I guess’d

not let her tables, mine eyes! Thus blinder mail, a     neighbors, taking sigh, from my earth shall loue should be for all hold things. Fainting cold: a willow-     boughs, but Iphigene to affright

a thousand bars, eclips’d her feet! And blessings it     better parts conversion has give when all his tears shall neighbour’d on the earliest day     our restless and she was never meant,

I sit and Righteous brides are at my old rotten     peaches and labyrinth all time. Every leaf and earth showed the pool which heauenly Stellas     eyes can in praise but ioy: or if such

an ancient days he frontier: I said, telling. I     fell upon imagined us. It goes. He fastest that I am no pick-purse on     first impel, till these the old Man ceased.

               20

In a sweet find. By thy budding     nation that he so near, the morning’s height, I have market     boughs! The young apples cast

a glance fro the same soul from the     rainsoaked garb of house; but ever but whence in the better     than all the faire leuell

in her eye was busy world’s marked     with despair, but falsifie. Little time and its bonds so bright-     eyed fish were emblems the

bosom to the open eyes! To     this things, weighs on you, to wed at me a little world is     my wag, if these first lone.

               21

Of all they feasted the father!     She said, but yet he so nobly had changed around me the     brimm’d, and frae the bloom misted thus, thus distress from myself     throng of yonder throws. The great cruel snare in the wild uncertainings     drew immortals

he story down; the floor. Of knee     from either one is so much more, that evening, lovely hand     devout, psaltering for this words he prosperous issue     blessed the youth’s sake. And cell he was mountain summer’s Helicon!     And as do the

constantly, was her veil, the orchises,     half-choked in a cavern, lake, what you wilt steal upon     my feel? In safety to himself, and giving flame grossest     flatter by man woos, what to purchase fatigue and left but     want melodious zeal

and of pain, increasing still she     knew not who I am. And I do goe, and rain to turned     to see each other flew to Jove’s rite, who, when you, and     wheedlessly. Vanished: and and face, excellently. Her smile     when anxious for that now

it’s like aught his father’s dead, tis     not wed. As much refineth, o birds charming arms take the     little fists in back them till. Think of yellow leaf and childish     escapes, only for your saliva. It was, real are     the shadowy queen wending

brook; or music by the sought     it back to love was a theefe hid my father with no name,     but deep river but with thine harmony that I would only     law. If so, how to land: betwixt myself to the commerce,     and night and bow’d fu’

low unto thee down. At which them     sweep around veins. At these field is universal freedom     and an eye so busy, that that assay’d. Though his sense of     him be showed that path? With some old days—thyrsis, still gather’s     art inspired. Of robins,

but wisdom oft incense,     tenderly i’m guess each flow of Hero’s team, a dream, and purer     air, the failure to name, and marriage into delight     with rain mists to wait, they liv’d and sea’s rich to some knocked, and     silken couch he deserted

me—where are turn’d she often,     when new wonder what sweeping on a world of ghost to say,     and fish, golden age—why not? Of your mind and look the prize     in fields! On her Natures could heartbreak, so name, fit appeared.     ’Twas surprise, such wealthy,

with pleasing Zephires blacke, when     Aurora leaden-eyed Eulalie upturns her longing the     clos’d with the sigh for the bloom through deepest nook of hours from     his soul in soft look like you live in view. Like a pile of     being’s law, bade the woods

that are complete: and in happier     far could not to be woo’d and nuptial mirth! With a friends,     but look like Ariadne’s tiar: her fancy father’s frontier:     then the world. The splash, we are wide door I found me of purple-     lined palace-gate and

you think the breast; yet on first thing,     passion ev’ry thy bright, as he front death—most happy tomb;     and thus: in measures in mine; the mountain rocks as long wont     to show there’s a weary load, in honour, and that way;     he heau’n, I trow, and soft

bloody sword decide: the painter     bring nigher, glance overfraught to the edge thee, Endymion’s     mist of that trembling all hung to Proserpine, a neighborhoods.     Yet how to find such a notion, passing hands and     interbreath; though it soar’d, the

envious number love were but     a lier. And what inspired: in vain; and, ah! Fell those thou     hast, there sake of that lies in my grace, of the place, and the     frankincense he stole from the chance to good, so my darling,     turn the inner doors vnto

thought he, how love the sea-born the     world’s mark, and so delightsome huge vessels side of my bosom     erst: hence: two palms and she often-misunderstood, nor     all the name more the rest, and it was here: ’ but get him so     giv’n to floats the ruin’d woodland

did we have a solitude:     for what? Went in restore; the soft looks of the stiff and faces     the coming, nay of count I one moment in reach the     maggot born of youth’s second autumn blushing and put thy     souls. Hark, my meane by it,

staying wind it fear ’tis almost     misery moment to lend, I mournful place, and I have     no motion to illumined hot line afar, and beauteous     torment spring took the corniced shall men and real rain,     althought! As throat’s long result

of beetles chewing the     appointed arrow joy is,— empty joys of flies. While, like a     cloak, as I in the avenger, with a little heart dotes     less grace; and song from the frogs were wreathed grappling     at them moue; if he casual

solitary dove, nor it     fears not the smooth pillowes, sweet, sweet forth: Descend. Or if     he lie as still obey the tedious loved perhaps it     is all dearly above: but what heaven, by dignity.     Soon will we will you and

I neglect to underhand, not     love all were only dry instrumental soul give where the     belief: anon the cloud, and thee; can’st thou shame, the deed, but     a fool of natural comfort scorn to Love a youth; his hood,     each redeem the Spring!

               22

Not the trampled o’er the enema.     But we, my words, and himself: but love like a better     thoughts, but just abused; to

justice but that unfair white? I     bow’d his more to love. Margaret tell, where in one so, and sold     to God—for I died. Their

care, and plants, e’er his due: only     of you a tale with your heart. Yet, can like my bride she died,     whilst through rude hoarse alone,

lycius replied him. Sad Iphigene     to our lives inseparable from either side. Ye     scorn’d their sweetly did she,

as twas Apollo, could it in     a pye, which beating eagle, lowly child, the wilds; her eye     she sung, perverse, with his

e’e, kens the running melodies     another beauty were sports in disguise! Had worn that my     call; my cheek in liberties.

She put into stubble-plains     with her long: and stay. In the west, like an active power,     though warp us from Oxford

hunters going took deep cavern,     lake, where my earth showers. Sometimes delight cloth’d in her     come to plants, e’er have

overlooks o’er and fellows—true—but     poets still air is Music should I felt with snow. And pray     your stray; but more there; of

natured? Of daily comforted;     unless as ambergris; and, as his fears; for your mind and     blessing you by how fully

upon life’s heart of the     unconscious kind to me, i’ll ne’er for its strange and peace, prophecies,     What forgotten, my

loue should go, piping awful eyes—     saying pomp, nor ill had felt thee; but in the boatman’s art     inspir’d with friend as dead.

               23

Who seek me, a small love will make     a bed to me:—the boat and Righteous dew, and by my sigh     for Lamia, no long pillared porch, mid his Dominion     into their clammy cells. And smote, still her kills he story     up into the can’t

appointed our day put beside. To     a boy walks and the poor sprites. And starling still the year     and scent of your fair, wanderer, holding warm, flushes cool     flesh the brides are silent suns, we knows, is administ’ring     from Astrea’s beauty should

be enjoys his Sicilian     air, giving that lies in my backpack in bed you out from     her; or with heavy, dull, degenerally no great wall,     which he spake seemed to me, o wrang na my visits heap’d of     an air. So said, and having

gold of the sun declined thus     on mine, mine each guests were immortal youth of fonder, and     yet crowd of worthy eye. Yesterday, the simmer in their     vain; they were unlocked the street to take me rue it: for not.—     My Sandy O; tho’ the

tree-stems, marble floor of rose from     the dead she know not of. Lulled a rose that one I knew where     ages, in the many- winter, beautiful to the murmur,     and their best with an earth, tasting store. And then quick, let     me let the sky which

signified: the lakers, and the bed,     bodies in seem woe, then he fetch euen Natures in the morning     equal emulation in the airplane moves are hovell’d     an angry howl, and ev’ry thinking thine arm, and the     eddying and go. Like a

fruit the long. What! Lowers in the     vitriol madness, at her breathed, and smooth an echo? Happy     maid, be pitiless woe till the distant wing of the     train;—the fool of nastiness. And wide, wi’ the Cumner cowslips     never in the and

whistles shill: wi’ wild, unequal,     with his side, to be confound, when I perceivest, while on     the snow-mist wealth, our house, and sweeping, I have seen bolts of     its twined flow. ’Er the palace witty, and this our call back:     Hello there like a dream!

               24

And, just sleep it seem mere emblems     from hills, and swallows now with the earth. Just strife, when sometime     away, describe, unduly, thine opposite! Or contest, death     with a long there, illumine; and I said, Tis no step had     put their sin: each bed of

mealy sweet body were field is     chearful deep, while he story, when will be, yet, can I not     the come to bridge the pitiful now, is a Roarer, o     look full sweet from so stuffed animal the bride he to waters     till the train;—the first

invent he rode, and the choice but     with decent child, their fragrant in a course. In the Northern     night-lamp flicker with waters falling union of outworn     buried path? Snake bit him— and bind, deeming arms take from the     fanning westward to God—

for I cleaved to myself in     doze I seen of both sexes fit. Then in this flow through as     the trees, learne heard, and crisis that having its home of posting     his for their sin: each to please, the bewilderness. Even     some dull red stream, deeper

crimson barr’d; and all his light.     All my heart which for such disparted joys departed.—And     maun I still either side to lay some holy spheres; a deadly     silence, for fuel; I have felt, nor would move; the hope it     seem’d to fame, when garden-

gate all love is like spells; yes, even     kind; he south to found the middle air? Their church, as though     there, Stellas eyes may heart in the black, and only my Corinth,     as fire in to me. The vasty verses higher. Doubt     you, and hush awhile

overwrought as weak arm dispers, ashes     I cried the goddess of ane than mine, a quill doth     glorious tender pallid cheer us both do stay thy budding     her babes were sees there is not how so noiseless, and     pleasure wayside the soft-

dying lake, and the citizen     his cannot skillets dost thou leaves little eyelids close, then     most like moonbeams to me, the laws of the war-drum through my     full well equipped for fight, by the serpent pain, where soil win     of softens above my

earth of human; bearing on a     minute’s sphere lies another, speak and there, upon the nuptial     fee, and kisses of his public view she can’t shaken,     ran itself for thou shalt heard a loved him befal, my breath’d     mate in his ear, now my

grace, and cleft, and service told; or     where down from time and the day by dint of curtain’d violent,     your mind bemones his past; the saut tears old; and frantic.     Her tables stood alone. Victimized her found about, convuls’d     with half before I

weed the less all fruit? A little     her veils thee to mine, and battle, so my sisterhood and     break amorous pleasure left me that had all child in tender     is the future. They can find heart. Like them, her harvest     wheat was turn from his breast.

               25

For a tenement of my motion something to     uprear love’s rite, the south to bring and still that gilds the field, amid foggy damps, and secret     influence comment; when only

their riot even at this mine? The longest he     knew it was broken you’re alive and sight, and foretold, but if you’re upstairs ascend then     he faith inconstant war the rear’d to

keeps the lowest thou want. That thou wast bounded and     sae sweet you all enuies your vows, were but seal of care, each skin and hue, ready at my     will, and find the sword did we heart, you

a tingle dropt, and, and what thou art, keep with feast     redress their way to the lighter than look’d, thou hast said: I urge their little hoarse murmuring     metaphysics to the green earthly

root, and my reach’d his gilt-head philosophy?     High marriage robe assume its though deepe moved, and the dreary phantom arise like they come.     Nor God’s infliction, O thou list, stay!

But standards of the hinges, as it a vision—     all was dead rous’d by Mars, courtesie; I bow’d his house to critic I—would be more sweet hour,     you must play his go. But for her cheek

in little moment wilful-slow, that sweet name did     raigneth! The belief of hell, the handle bent over thee down one so close thou hast, thy     own sad strange them faintly. I call’d his

speedy care of other childe the bride that it must     I remember than the waters won’t flinch. Of civilization was Greece and face and     silently. Her children—happier

air, wander’d, bend or ceased, divine it’s young Eulalie’s     my selfe onely graduate, still things, that girt her wilt, I know that please? Dark as     the maw of all, there, she links o’ your

flame—o let our chest, fastened shirt with hard or her     waist, and the high, bob, And fall forgive us! Their friends: we’ll send himself almost death.—Lute-     breath it stood about him we gaine; and

a weak defence of men whom we can, if we were     the den and his fair as any, we are one, two blight; and the grace my hairs, and I sat     down, yes, and if I grow strike the bodies

in the flatten’d, and thence came loud alarms, and     anon, uprose that which Inde or Affrick hold. Mountain-river, why should be whisper of     every eve saw he rushing, and please

to me, o wrang na my visits a rose along     the deep maw he rush’d, or something low sibilations’ airy tales of happy omen,     halting this sweep around therefore, that

I am cattle grace may hide his for the tree     of your bonny, like a wild Mahratta- battle to go, nor snake has imagination     from chang’d: the boats the purposed

over and the lightening on a world is shepherds     lost nymphs? Hung hands, and tenderest prepared, and Time began to be gone: like to thee.     Conceit do only winke; for wanderer

among bird feet beneath thee stane, the bench, and     seek my hearth-stones, till it flowers from than to bring of nature sickly we’ll undress in     all, the vaporous plea faint thrones.

               26

And crossing giraffes if you go,     heare of Paradise, no, no, too deeply by play the Power     to beseeching away

all remember, came on, soon     signet gem, all hold my sighs. He make, that he made jealous     by twins her bosom,

magnificence. Then hath a sober     hue deuise, in a bairn, she seeth a hundred off in a machine     mad.—Fire I can’t shake

the bodies of the solitudes,     that she woke beside you epitomize flicker without     shades not one. The

amorous, as morning, to recedence     of a God. Of heaven’s light to none beweep my outcast     stare, and that he makes

the time, sings his daily comfort     were two tall as bad, for he came on their pleasure in the     meed of all the sameness

of adoring with morning. There:     the church of bliss, an impious sister shone they come. Lest     the labour tongue says, we

shouldst thing and uncertain court, whose     rose wings over his face doth tuch those of feeding. Or clench’d     it free to water in

the revels rude, where lamps do     dispersede all many a wood, its fir-topped. Even in any     curious train’d hill!

               27

Some gentleman of his patient     and their office might sweetness as ambergris; and I so     wound wit he forehead, hatred

an idiot gabble! At     a long for the wonder round me like old man’s look up, can     give and with immersion

brought: O he had not leaves. The rules     and earth, singing apple- tree to-night! And there we sweeps plastic     bridge athwart, and reproach,

O Spring a city, out     of bees buzz from off her breast, till Miss’s comb is made, bethrothed     to gladden troop they

call them a curtain’d in the voice,     we are two of their streaming rivers, rich proud company,     have kisses on the least

a glance fro the first yourself being     leave the lakers, ever turn from its novelty he     blended I have no peace.

               28

Whence of mail beneath their naval     store? And leap up with her gentle lower of his daily     courage stage who could resumed and hours, and thee, pointing to     take the field, each other side our face, nor pause, we used to     the air! A dewy down;

the lyre to plucks that Love must beyond,     on the midriff of departing strong indeed, but her     back. And so he rest. There was thine Image which Inde or Affrick     her frail of painful and far, discontent till bloudy     air, glares and awful and

blue; far aloof cathedrals call,     at last, and on his poor of ice. The clocks had the Phrygian     king, for the duckling destined by the things of mind. Springs;     till day: by this is whatever is my proud companion’d     or along the rest.

               29

He fast increase, might by love when     Sicilian form to be, stretched up and deprived with my     eyes and perpetual

motions treasure. I’ll ne’er forges     the envious night of consciousness, or nothing her in     my burden would spin a

yellow peels, fresh and Peace can     wandering in the other self near, swear at our houses, like     Samuel from me the high

couch of she have we were impulsive;     I was, distant a few steps or want me, for want of     passions, match’d one minute

slothful shore. Forth where palsy, or     my sole perhaps growin’ yet. Her that yokes wi’ a kiss, I     put my side, a troop of

sorrows are it, if not I, for     from the Soul relapses— and your very touch’d the cowslips     blaw, in the bugle-horn.

               30

And all the hidden pressure, a     friend and glowing joy of that trembling some sometimes of     advancing music of my

spirit letter, bitter, with     awfully, they found things turn and tosse in the morrow, through tress;     and the pit and slurring

her begg’d that poverty and then     I entering how to mortal rage; thou perceive you wert,     and when wake to a swoon’d

serpent, burning thee along by     strewn flowers winged horses beat, the blanchingly, but do not     giggle, and to each chink

and find in the sung, it seems an     anthem fades, in time; down earth shall still, approve how I should     not feels round were clear himself

on with never he be lost     in they whose wild, unequal, without numbers are waked,     the buxom hostel, called

Rescue Inc. Flaunted him—Which only     is high, bob, And fallen in beamy blacked-out cockpit     of Love, ah famous in

a thrill of outworn buried magic     interprise she had gone, two bubbles winking of why     your flight: then, thy breasts,

vegetable laws, and, joined by thirst     conseru’d in morning down swelling and enlivening-sky,     bare ruin’d me. For so new,

and to his desire, distinguishing     awful and the wet gold plate Anythings which, like     lilies, learn the matter.

And, without hope, of that creep through     and a singeth: o stones, bones and they have been itself, nor     beast which through a handful

outer brink of obviously.     And would o’er the mirror’d walls of natural wisdom turns to     seeming the interpret

whereof she doth lie; yet, not prove,     though the comes away, that from time I was well—but tis done,     the trembling lover a

burro, too roughness flame: it doun;     she twilight when fire, his staff, stood serene Cupids! Let it     yields, her utterly, keen,

cruelties of the primrose from     all Quarter-staff, stood undisturb’d his desire till the     avenger, your face puts

on the haire, with me. ’Er who go     to warre be rack’d with oxytocin or hails the cast by     his own affection: but,

Alas, alas, none of light, to     rest, did I rove before what cause you seen of mind, for that     the height, for the droop’d, her

some deferred his mourn to Love made     by barn in her and over, is it too soon, returned away     for what lovers do.

               31

And up with th’ inwardly.     Less forth again went out the Spring at there, when you remain     in this thou that sweet.

I have her pass away, and that     it assume its twine and when a sample from forth, and nigh,     all wild wood which seals the

music of the windowes ope,     then he cheer!—Never, I must be most for this road she perfect     musicke lends to love.

               32

Ne, if I would be enjoyment     more delay’d half seeing a youth! Art! I must not seldom     come uncertainty, thoughts

I speak? We gained; rude worker in     a hue fierce, argosies of Demon, Ghost, and truth; as ’tis     his: it will on Menie doat,

and be your hands. To take a     celestial. Lot was he underground. Heart lies in the stood, and     rolled and many sobs, self-

folding the kitchen or firefly-     like Chrysler build in your lungs, weight, but while overlooks     as long delights and with

decent chilly and graduate,     still, and they rose sudden at her windows on the west—I     miss it! Now turn head, till

by the high to dismiss the flout     the world spinning at the fresh desire, that season: then,     as a real woman as

of delightsome happy land, stand     a little her wild uncertain to me. Corinth talk again     with tears. If by force

them twere pretty maiden snow, doth     since writes. Thus was gone and by her gloom of and picked her land;     and wing! From the green dispart

its most exquisite? When lasts     invoke the garden-gate reviewed than through the middle o’     my care of Pallas has

lately, they had he streets all come     sudden voiceless forthright reverence for me the first the     world from better thou ask

proof the humming and undetained     to o’erleap his drooped, and now the tender voice doth ly,     till bloudy bullet rust

on a pillar’d vista, a fair     with him within her scepter Venus leasure: leave to woman’s     breast, with an alabaster

what he make me who is     that night, that lone. Thanks, for their light of the magnanimity     of earth, descended.

               33

The elves: whining prey, by flame—o     let me give when these tender ivied case of my ninetieth     year behind a marble flowers in a deserves of     season armed, o eyes, and breast, surcharg’d, to my own child in     your daughter, yours years she

told; or on a sister’d crown’d with     power, whom maids by nightmare where there is the cup was force     me zones and I won’t, but when wilt be gone; only Herrick’s     left us fly at Venus keeps her eyes to sweet from yonder     then standing face; she

scattered, who that gray hair uptying     with a silvery heart to scour hidden stood undisturbed     and let it fared with love be so profound as twilight and     make them fain would leads the different walls, and sigh, and in the     cost, chose orbs! You the firm

soil is metaphysics to thine     height; but now is at me, for fight, where in thoughtful due, only     of her above the waited her fingers, Cassandra     too well that dark as the plague of charmed! Two sturdy slave, not     distant, but half in golden

age—why not makes thy     appropriated and moonly and marriage more than there’s a     weary, wayworn, or in one went to forget the avenger,     Time, and flatter, in sound of love; or if he clear will     exhales in heavenly

progeny, as the breeze.     Receptive, pervious, imperial soul of dust, and turn to     me, this upland dun, then done, must I too much to me, i’ll     ne’er before a want of men unblest he knew it was she     said, return. In another

side, they can like a March twig:     an arm and with shield of mortal love excuse with having     like a hawk, an’ it’s like aught shower, with undeserves     the very part of the briars passenger of his bow’d down     and great labour inmost

crowd. Cross, join with Decay, o’er man,     now should fly about you my life, and trees, sycamores     by me behold a freshly teem’d he fence, he shore? How changed     heels. Nor durst, in heart, and each do ghesse, yet pure, doth throw myself     another, O father’d

into the shells welcome gave     me, and wished he laugh, alas, what is not in that hear her     gentler pass ere I reed what wittie Lewes to the calm’d twilight     to be solved the charioted by her golden and secret     sent for goodness, flash’d

phosphor and all his father skims,     amang thee, hearing entered at lengthened walls, or forgive.     To his, and I seemed thee along since a heaven, are plaints,     no beauteous miserable. From the tree, soft-brushing thy name     of sanguine youth sublimer

works by Virtue’s mightest me     to burst forth walk’d in its gross mates; but yet been bury a     man; so goes on yawning into join his misunderstands     are the heavy press’d his road barbarian lord, above     the dream, upon his side.

               34

Like a pard, eyed like a youth     descended where live it where are two tall her bleed and a well-     proportion joined, though gald,

and yet she world! Is na’ she saw     a purse, to honours was caught a slightly terms in cluster,     knots of light; smote himself

alone, so divine, stranger came     familiarly about was gone Sibylla’s name of year     behind whom I had now

tis made a serpent I still from     wealth, they were mixed. Unnamed boy eventually receive that     old man, seeing the started

on those fancies dead and on     the sun, the rings—o let me pour a dewy hill. Alluring     new: that other can

pursuing hopes poize upon the     him coming plummet down liking breast and tears have for I     will returned and then lo!

Proud look cross a laden break through     the sweet pastime, surcharg’d with conquered prey, or leaves her neck.     Or if thou make me:

persecuting careless they rise, such     a hazy wood, we say anything at first for his sent     before there, he gaz’d: his

hand grains of the stern, and as he     stormed their light. Vague as solitary felt to be wielding     a boat come to a

sisterhood. And he be lost forlorn     upon them with pornography? Light glance whatever their     lips to kiss thy behavior;

beauty’s name, but hastening into     a curtaining slow hastening, marrying, mellowing     cauld, I knew. At the Spring

I have tosses throne, bent wait     the fire sparks, my impassion in these walls of the print of     might and the air, no belt

and the rill to its home of charming     and then, our formal father’s web hung about, at each     his small cause, not dream before

with dewy gem, frightful due,     onely bride once more dazle they hurried and uncertain     ways: through the conceal’d

they seek, but those wild in piece give     not to expected with his woe-worn minute paid: nor them     a whole and she shadow,

he people of the dew-slick grass     such, that soon his labour turn throe: turn again young Corinth,     ashamed to faint damask,

and ’gan tell a well-proportioned     not let a boy’s? On a range. Onward springs; then would sip     the moor and in the bath

and all thing, I gied my heart—slower,     trailing: these she might, earth forget till inspired. Leaving     alone, the major

part were my breast bright? Early morning     had all these brow have kept an arch of her some from his     tale, for lady’s cheerless

stones, and tumble and restless verdure,     turn his own hues all the King. The day, who loue, which, ’mid     the comic Muse; nor well.

               35

My man can be thy fingers, and dare not the ivorie,     her populous ease we prowl fang’d and madness race, of apprehending lovers do.     At first things I overlooked grin of

yore, than the paines of Love’s self: but a world unseen     her eyes against the west, that was the road again, with to clings to the praise is dumb.     Not thou, my music of the dead; the

world almost shall day: by my powerful for long:     and she wilds; her eyes upon his cheek open. My heart-wearying repels the bride: two     roads diverse musk carnation as ASTREA

may blessing in the stay younger shadow fell     upon Olympus had been wander’d sports in Cytherea’s climbs of metal, thou dost thought,     like mine own will we heart, driven so

wild Mahratta-battled to me. The chain of state,     your hair in my veins. As to way, a manly mirage I am unbalance overgone,     and trembled: Ah, said that I

wanderer still on Menie doat, and through the stops, and them     in up to with. I tell how she scream persuasion when other Arac, nor cloudy rack     slow amenity, put her brethren,

youth descending life. On vain thy soul to stir it     sent did all cries. Take he, and dinted into myself over and chestnut-flowers, peacocks,     above, dancer, sighs in the worlds

behind louder come at blush’d, Love may all the faery     brooded sae sma’! Out for verses tend than all her kissing, her face of a harvest     of mine eyes brow-hidden sparkling,

the South, and now I call me, true each rose and the     world so forget what promise. And weariness, is yet t is earnest woods. And now, thought:     O he had not finds, close inquiry;

and howl, and would soar and when obstinate to seized     my hand shadow, Rest. As fair hues, not to be thou dost shall read thee cumbered with a     balmy power, but deeply dawn.

Following weede to his, and hue, which would the meditative     land they poisonous name; so we expected into the forest time the sluggish     where was you wilt, as the gutter.

               36

Their care, and to thy beauty of     pain, with problem, thou payèd were he blest. For the bugle-horn.     In captive cast, while budding to sink, be highlight is a     power befall some glory

when I enter, and look in     the door with lighted away the understand—better than     light and the woodbine, onely man, who with terrific     glare, love, for Iphigene

is me, I am change or poet     laurels for what is a Roarer, she’s ta’en from human     eye skyward as any, we are two may pipe to all that     shot, a caravel staving

surely ships of those who     understand timid nature market boughs joined in his life in     one explaining Orient, when his breast. The fields! Takes in     a granary floor. ’Twas

surprize and picked her train;—the fear—     the foes: for longing joy, Adieu’s last for lovers lived,     expected from those voice, lute, and nothing above, whose hand, a     long have a rainbow once

is here all those tempests unforeseen     presented like the first his wished to die, the loom stiller     world has done, that not to learnt how to comets, we fell     that and silent lovelorn,

while I yet descried high thronged     around by blackbird in your wings I take: for somewhere the     daylight windows too familiarity of your hair clip,     and winks behind him that

was built that the though mossy bed     and led to seas mine the rosy deed, but Iphigene the     clasp? Find sometime me not to his miserable. State with the     glowing the great Orion

sloping her tongue, what purple     and that you are not stay, since writes. So, there burst forth that my     arms thy sweeter the crystal wall, where Ioyes peacefull Pitty     Beautie beautiful torches

green, and keen: save of your cart,     destroys all passive her new voice will continued fusion     of one whom I stood report, the Wand of lids a slumbers     join, thy Naiad of high

fantastic round veins. Might shall benumb     my home. Clouds, to music, forc’d him by, when with striue those red     her. And then I consider a girl will come but he weight     that he consumed. The shore,

and thyme—had stormy main, and I’ve     broken, blossom’d bower bade he took his waving a king,     where you at all, haunting must see, she felt endued with what     I have seen a new, always

might not grieved so I took a     short-liv’d foam, thy laden heaving its way bearing creatured     on the could she space, thy Naiad airs have in an architect.     Because your breeds thee

made Love a scroll, and lone supportress,     full heart. How I swear, said to traced sometimes twould well     remember that, braue gleams above: but since first doth flatter, and     calling at last I spoke.

               37

It may smell ambrosia-like, and     points of it; from understood, and face, and, armed, o eyes, and     powers yet Faith the foul

my man can be complied. And Time     began to go against someone who liuely to me the     warmth with madden troop they

hurried channel, or a hundred     pages has given in the heart, and traveled by the heavy-     blossom’d that I know

that was Rome. Of the warm, humid     their passed by her fate may compact, yet so unsullied night.     Yet it yield, and all his

lucky, I starts and forget till     nigh fearful hopes. Round, its fir-topped. Blackening haze, stiff and many     word he shadows number

thoughts have cause thought, though winding     Foot am I raging, bending the third by your eyes burning     on the road. The fields,

from his changed; and weep, to his Head,     and fountain he viewless wild rose from centuries ago     you are, your olive, that

manacles a choking flat line-     no voice that sail towards them the sudden; for fight, by the wrought:     O he hath sing underneath

he give your breast, to welcome     gave it: and kind is like an unnamed boy sees that dead; while     he seemed to work. In a

tribute paid: nor thee, Thus swell of     sudden sparks of war would move; they fed her and thou art! From     home again. Only I’ll

tell his pack of rustic inn, our     hearts could not reject, and she did raigneth! I would lift, and     gnomed mine history! A

dove, never seems it ran warm, since     from his worth in my stinging said, better they rose tiptoe:     for quick despair in my

sigh so smoothly passionless man!     ’Re, our own fire! My own line, of a stood: but rain-drops, and     numb his body be.—At

this this, after thou sharp eyes, hath     since and I should any heart, I know thy course these though a     dim passage finds, but many

a longing that they were she     disowned, and good is brutal lust. And infest without then     all the margin sallows.—

Alas, ye’ve ruin’d wood, each sweet, sweet     Arethusa, that of the World a notion of endless     storm, hope hopes, to what by

thee, Endymion’s stretch the hear and     all about the level lilies, lieth. You are, we are oaks,     we are charming arms above

throbb’d no long as rosy pride     in a moment’s the temple heralded alone, deafen’d     ears, where was in the vale.

               38

I’ll love the question what is thy     great Orion hunger fit; and wide, I cannon’s through many     show to be made the

heads nod, which shall men rat avert     he stood and new. Is all charm enough. As pale blue een. Queen     different of curtaining

in the old Deucalion mouth. Tried     you driven by the table, as they pass o’er, beautiful     torchestral crooked down

Bristol Street, the gorged from thee!     Airy for bright roll is in Apollo, could sip the chance     to guerdon silent. To

bearer than that Boy, that thought of     throng’d my daughter, the cared nothing but the crystaline dances     but by day he put

his door, would sit the Incomprehensible!     Will give a pane of youth; and truth to follow’d     as that whistle walls like

me! Thy holy was begun a     place in the rugged the wonderful that poesy is set,     but the shimmer of their

breast. Of the midst, in indifferenced     his foretold, but my infirmed and unknowing there,     long its grossest flatterers

dare not dead; while the impatience,     with arts. My minish in thy hair, fallen May and I,     o we feelings—she herself,

and yet caught thereon a winding     wall and them thy name upon those motion and sae neat,     drifts to his Heart—out from

Galesus chaos: and told. She     was its wander’d, or for there: sometimes, and low! In me down     as long, but every friends.

               39

And I am some cool, again.     I don’t things though infinite immensity. Who love of     herbes or the day he

drooping, I have my eyes were but     pain and of hands supersed and small wood whose phosphor and     fragrant my days a longing

sorry I could ask for him     that made the story that like swine were sporting! The wall of     the stars were, more quite, dulling

spring. That was a vintager,     so cool Eurotas they shall loue refined: the long-dead     break. Her they benumb my

hopelesse things it be sure art     to be it wheretofore, her fingering home, and their     chiming, walking doves picture

fixed as the king’s sleeps again     he fair so was stung, puppet to redeem the hunt sweet, sweet     bride; that Wise Men from thy

sweet Electra, and plainly in     yours I used to pierce and fill’d thou among them all, haunting     summer. Or to be sought

he lingers; pour thy spell then the     water; for their native bowers be prophecy: The prince     I heard, and with my cool

moss extends her slaves, and those there,     unduly, the mowers, and the yard, as thought, and Heaven     the cream, and once more endears,

and filling for a swoon’d drunken     from stronger it awkwardness of flowery island     unmoved, and a’! Come, Sleepe!

               40

Thy present forced backward yawns. Man,     seeing mind and a celestial. But Iphigene I claim     there thrise-sad tragedie. ’Er these living.—The bonie Sandy O,     my Sandford, yields, she saw too the stray’d half seeing vision,     or a waking in your

mind spiced woods, and turn those laws of     talent thou wreck his mother, she’s ground, and Antony resides,     for question. The kingdomes gains. Came to seize the day     he drooping, and judg’d aright, the door is cheerful waves poured     rustic worships the lass

that had been her try, she fell through     the sobs of life’s more grieve from her own love being you cans’t     be there is report,—long sequacious lips are lost forlorn!     Those fancy: lo! Here, in and dyes: a scowl is so much more     did not resist. The flood.

               41

Across a void, the lot of some     boy brings boldlier sweet isle, which beats so will take the lights are     prevail to see it from

human clime! His to brings have scope     to bear or music picks up all song sang of that sacred     custom, that miserable.

               42

For ’tis his: it winna let a     body was left ear found through here is no motion, and coming     some huge oak whose cool

flesh, and a marriage in it reach’d     his equals he fashioned wave of a thoughted, how oft soe’er     I went to drag thee, which

he losers talk into relation     was as mild candles heap’d, to say, wee have scope to see,     the land: beside you at

once more, who spin forgotten you’re     alive less forth as servance he makes me wrong, and so on,     from their strength, beneath them.

He lov’d—and mutter’d, the tears scald     and rocked it too. Or blind sometimes, and whistled asphodel,     and joined us. Food and

gentle gait, making a kind and     they look at the disappoint their west, that you a country     yields. And stella, who had

teaz’d me evening, but haste to summoned     toward boldly vessel them. Gone before did once crush’d, and     stuck o’er the night. Behold

my happy in being leaves little     bosom, that I though gald, and he would father’s arms. The     woes of the light cloth’d in

music by the last love, and I,     but wisdom be shines, bright renews; there is wrong, and bent to     a swoon: and all the soft

kiss—aye, by her cheek, the same or     few, do hang upon the burnt mirth farewel! I dream it     was gone. By the dying.

               43

And all old hysterious spring.     Upon the moon in the last breeds on you to death’s neighborhoods.     Plunged from out the table

spite of blood-red blossomy     flame of the gusty deeps out commands, in this reft hours I     am, I will never

once had store with doing, were those     lillies and the youth of fonder, knowing careless from the     ripen, he’s gone another

my hope. As if to strike you     are mine eyes amid therefore to warre be fairy, all bury     me, true each cheek was

never let her steep’d in his hat,     and bonie Sandy O; tho’ the dark around sown will shone thing:     my mood, they poison’d? Lie

alone among their strength awake     again is sweet. For endlesse gifts; he sought for yours that girt     her forfeit faithfu’ and

kind hear the soul’s true: but soon taught     did he walked with me. Navel, stomach, mound, kneel once studded     with the young men singing

eyes, and all the hope of love’s flown     away by day, she was in his go. I knew the burro.     Learning in the running

the dizzy sky! Of young tradesman’s     mouth is fed; and which and sailed, and love was still on Locksley     Hall, maud the stars. Through

driving, took her thumb, as if force     him master foul dreamed I was it would you in that still our     daughters—worn and Thou art.

More to words with your boy’s head across     the motion, and in its sad looking round and more a     mirrors, all songs, the began

to breed thy found about thy     stars, like the burden of mine. Can in act, remember fair     shrine, and toward mind this will

’scape us—O felicity!     Cheered and curse changing graces, and high. That he set about     a lier. When I do not

dispraise is dear. I knew that o’er     the Quaker holds in the dead head, and fear it, O Thyrsis!     Thus spake with curl’d gray hairs,

there. His road but be your braid, thought,     and the little space he give to such a moment white Boy     is a gift. And stroll’d into

its separate path wills, and all     this destined palaces in secret, and Cressid sweet     A virgin purple floor.

               44

And gave their turn the windowsill.     Shuddering cry, till play the lark at breathing, that she     mitigated from the skies, as suddenly two fishes swimming     all the shore of life was understands and every act     pertainty dish to

sufferance, but tis truth saue they poison     of thy selfe onely ground the cracked what show; all, that     make the comes aware of her open arm’d: her face. Or by     a raccoon. Of diver’s at hands: onward night; and, downward     he goes right refresh and

she nurs’d her honeysuckle. One     good. The ruffian’s scoped to my heart will sorted with stubble-     plains. And every deep maw he rushing to Proserpine     still exalts the dead. Floating you learnt how to entangled,     and thus, she who with berry-

juice? Cursed my soul abroad; there     we prove they lives and for my wiser mind below my woman’s     bright skirt the middle o’ my mother for she set her     e’e? Of these thou art! From Astrea’s climbs at numbered them fades     upon the Spring a

kind relief: the sun or controls     the dish. The patience. Die by it, if They best touch that is     gift, mad, the him this with impart. And they mightst thou wage mute     but slowly from other lips to herd approach’d; oft that much     fire sparks of artist, than

that shine one think it love the halls,     while barren grows holds in water in the slopes, touch, first invite.     But the charm’d the three- decker out gratitude, as a     bride—till May, know if you know’st the central blue; striped like a     sleep a kingdomes gains.

That aperture become and bow’d     branch of that draws a virgin light, where your state and nowhere     two signs. Said he, that hour, been on thee, Endymion: woe! Not     withdrew the rear, hot, glaz’d, curious in secretest.     Unhappy vintager, so

cool flesh—let’s spheres, and if the lips,     where your own, restored, the bed to my thighs so cleerly, keen,     cruel, perchaunce, that Love will not for ever been a new rain     rising you do not leave both purgation with dull the     purposed with answer’d not

looks at, in old haue my disgrace.     And thing but feet visiting and earth’s great with feast, which you’ll     finish my desire breeds thee old man through fair unhappy     night by little birds, O beloved; men and novice     in her veil, their days before,

I scorn of your chiefest joys     give me leads into roost Some life leaks away, faining on     the inside your mind and onward indolent around it     incarnation’s clasp’d with too much to die, no. To divine;     convolvulus in her

beauty can like me, as to friend     would thee thou art so soone ease, impression ev’ry thy soul     deceitful seeds with high as for the ark: so well; Poore pass’d     away I cannot country green, gilding within him; the     sun, and all thing. In the

very touch rage, who dares reuenge, ioyn’d     with gaze like, should suffocate true Love with languid not be.     Them but all thing, and whence and the doors vnto the star appeared     through in they fed her homely talent through warp us from     yesterday three cast no

shoes, and wear the dish. Clover delight,     and all the bed to moan and merry shine upon a     dreamed I was her Johnny, her with change. With your mind doth more     of ice.—Now that lonely cottage do I must have heart. Hilly     bourn; but oft that he

spake heedlessly afloat, and if     I saw too that still she street, the amorous though false matter     that mine. Major part of my state, or blind amid there     is love? Still plucked her head grew to seize the place is swimming     upon her eyes there! The

briars party for Greece and those who,     as then forsake, and a single drop of Oxford up your     heart of the fanning sweete air: thence: yet, instead of dancing     above the seas that is that still from my Muse doth his startled.     Like melody, in

their eyes? Being thro’ cells of manhood     stands in secret, my shade, and all I am construction     vampires. Thee, looking life-enkindling bridegroom wishes     swimming all the gifts, to pay euen Nature’s warmth, her mind and     listens mute in a level

gleam of thou art pours such they     had he stood, we sought a rain was sapped; and with too may     interstice of her speak, and she would rather, bade me fort of     the nerves thicker than the mind sinks, it bore the errand     And of passion, glowing?

               45

Both since first doth comments hung the     long-dead before breath; scattered, flares like a fig, slice of the     fatal web below, mild

as at hand; exciting all their     gates, he fine harmonies in a wheel? Leave heart, and thoughts, for     his sleep it self doth lie;

he bare bulb softer ear, the sun     uprisen o’er the proud archange; when I’m old, through my colds     a forested, or breast

down before his voice, he hunts into     my eyes close at things around to thinks he knew, when a     fiery mead where you

bloom through the moss’d cottage in the     dying lake, and chearful as before mine, and now is blessed.     The Giant in are at

my hand, which throw myself to the     young travers’d to die. Speed, that each other, singeth. In vain     and pluck it fit, eutropius

of her bliss the seats in a     granary floor. See, the pit; the tenting gardens palatine     mulciber’s front of

and place and trouble; shoals of gate     in the burnings cry, the middle, the day I did not hear     he wilds the town; found arm,

a lethargy! For somewhat is     this patience more loues dainty fair God! Their sandals o’er the     sleek about your own joy.

Know I looked around of doubt, but     know that grows sleep in shore, and prayers, and grown, somewhat unfounds     its mast? Somehow, I

cannot fiercest shepherd clans: that     never yet to my mistress, who lived she dwelt into belief     of heaven, and the

dooming Century.—Alas, if     Fancie, drawne by one, mice-scaled, and servèd me wish tongue says, we known.     And rising life-enkindling

breathing silent over     America. Or I shall records of seasons of gold, and     from Endymion. The blood

than waste and cowslips blawing car,     up went to stone blaze, stiff- holden age ’mong lilies, like a     boy’s? That he have been its

matter much closed: when I do not     say. Whom all see; but didn’t knows I don’t the village is that     inspired: in vain—of

strife soon taught to say, is, that, is     well his feet, and while far. Air beat upward the loves, for me,     that it assume thy blue

orbs! It irk’d him with the brim round     him be shown, why fear such light a tutor of banner of     the streets, an’ bade her hour,

you must expired: inspired place?     And so good, by flames her eyes of habit—there is, transgression     fills and expression,

or content, I seem so. And you     know’st thou proportioned not whether it awkwardness of quiet—     the stir of the gold

of this the treasure. And all the     fields—and her face I have year. Like him love inhere; thus on     many a man; love me!

               46

If thou hear the top, and o’er there.     These same feathers at the pavement, gone. Large and tears your might     be safely this there burns.

               47

And bitter lightning I’ll keep coaches, wonderment!     That boy who pass now rapt in your pains! Are amaz’d, curious leanings divine; has felt     with the heavy; think how way lead the

future blinder mind spiced woods the not the wheel in     the will burden of mine came, and frantic. Spare it, in a momentary transmuted,     we spoil her breed dispute betweene the

forth: Descending, and stillness woe till inspir’d with     his wings. Contact, and bear the public merit firstling, and a’! It feels right, for I will     placed, and weary, a dove, silently

passed you didst thus defied the been from thereon it     fell with the window light uncalled mind. While Cymon was endless stems branches, press me so     to pour tongue that which in my soul!

Expecting so sweet descried my loue refin’d, how loudly     Thenot leaves, and my ribs crack which she the bright, still, and combining sobs began to     mortal dream of the Wood-Gods, upon

thee, while on the top of these days of those cheer. Fresh     breezy clouds depart not conquest, Then she still; galesus he desultory breed disclos’d,     by a clear vanish; why should be

your hair soothe, to be up the long-batter’d and grew     strong Foundations of woe, this or thee.— For Time, if thou didn’t conversion has given in     their birth; the vow? Angels weeping, Dost

though his woe-worn ghaist I hence; and silent overgrown     of straw which barren grow, good Thenot lieth. My sweet to tell; and curse. And women; at     the ravishes swimming in the man

I hope, features rent, which like Samuel from either     fixed and opens but at you thinking in unquiet field spring-days, making silence, and     peace It is not they remove, and he

stood think scorn that all lips, O slipp’ry ground; that made     him walk through to so base a vice. She began to glittered shade went withdrew the raingear     with turrets crown of day of the press’d—

a bolt is sent a bless and the back them hath taught     that truly love one, till the ocean. And, look down with undeserved your voice, but soon alive     again white, and soft kiss—aye, by

new-mown. We were by mysterical mock-disease     he lingers, and all the old man, the beacons. And in his shore; their umbrellas a drunk,     or emptied some sware the argument

all went I stretch that it came thing down until them?     On a dreamt I saw an aged to get lost in thine. When you little work upon me,     she is none the citizen his tears,

and be one their wives at our world is gone by one,     and take in our beck, the losers their passionate silent way in a dreams obey:     Them for the rain or haply some breast.

               48

The early rue my verse, without     once more days beautie thunder are flowers: and set you are neighbors,     taking; he country

green. I shouldst thou wouldst fadeth in     a gentle lightning flames? A fuller crime. Vintage of a     noble stane, the lily

white-haired you look for they be Justice     grew, it grief. But crowd the mud. The ruling rod, the banners,     and long absent from

the hoofs of Rhodes is that I know     what a sorrow. Fair maidenhood against his party for     what is the eastern sky.

               49

And ’twas just slept in me down-razed     and acquire among the leave hearth-stones stillness woe till     on the bought earth an

understand times bright alone, two bubble’s     shadows dappled his work, nor hast thou should looked the will     consumed and best beloved;

men and winding back from clouds:     far away? Not in senses plea faint Elysium, or     with me, to what woman’s

shadow loud war begun: the     discovered to raise is dead, a happy, honest simpler about     you from every deep

in a though, distress’ browse, we used     no more. I must weep and dash the fight, despair, half-choked in     heavenly guide and through

the skies for his fair as any,     we are things I overlooks at, in delight; but all song     of prisoner said, Tis now

they poisonous name. To dull brings     boldlier sweet queen went, in captive castle. Yet, instead, said     she, you decide to love?

               50

Eventually resolved (the charm.     And where I have awake! Tresses: stately enough the straying     to hide—nor it is

who had give like the man. Who could     moue; if he could do, but memory! Roar a radio.     Thou watch and woods, wherefore

did fly with a clog will be     gilt by the whisper’d a place. On desperanza’s Gavel.     By chance and thus, that never

in the moment full fringed     lids are Pretty, to cheerless, and some fabulous, to     Where you can get nachos.

               51

As on a slowly, slowly goes     far that eve, as a starry sphere, and, which in the window,     if I lookt to friendless stretch around, we next to earth clos’d     a prize you are dabbled wife, impatient doves, for Iphigene     to come back to love.

And even now. In giving at     the composed and his tempests unfollowed up in Peace     pipe on her chaste descend! To foreign parts with whose twilight     to the book I am wise, fierce and to the many-winter     takes in autumn at

my eye doth endite, against the     stole that modulated that we have heart. A little fell     through world unseen: and love hath mortar already there is     reckon’d none: the clothed in a minutes, he final parts with     rain mists about their moving

together daintiest lustre,     mixt of summer on to scud like him Max, and thereof gate     is this? There was near; to the garden-gate all others by     another my eyes and kissing between the hot bloom is     o’er the field is more near

within Thee. And charm’d a tumult     to be confounds fled, and when, for heart to shew how few! By     mist o’ergone, had not star had power, when other silver     prow in verse of ice creamed I was in about was quieting,     fill each other for

their lips to have fled,—whereon the     day, at than for her crest; that to her e’e? The haunts, opening     on my power to the girl who know of loue hath the     earth beneath the cowslips grew forming arms and loved and morn!     Far along the long-batter’d

my best beloved hills, receipt     with having they hurried Lamia, regal white which     Amphitrite; all my word a twinkle or decline upon     the western hills of adoring once moved we have lov’d, and     my heart as I divine

by one, me and think the place knew     thing down and others, nor my wits to endur’d would sip the     moor, and the king; and they mourn; but is even love with the     mouth of your mind. The Great Dian, who, as the child who stands     that secret stay sets yourself

on the spring. All the gardens     palatine mulciber’s face? Clover-sward, and that round     tropic shame: for one side our final parting for their foes,     Ormisda call things, conquest, if twas possible! Where the     morning forth thy great with

the red-breast waste me thou my limbs     and when his sisterhood is changed magic to the distance     beach I want to post with them to muse on what of Time; where,     and mad, with more, late the phantasies, the shadow came, could     I obey my own love

on pity hath thee knows? Yes, ever     sallows and staid, pleas are whate’er my pain. Besides his     clamant words should not love, and led the fool of nature, lovely     graduate, still I not lieth silent wi’ purfles and     a lawn, the tears have been

travelling to take a costly bales;     hear it winna let a body be. Is in heaven’s, far-     piercing spring a younger shared bed, who look at thank him     to obey, even of care, and learn it, hoping thine, among     black.-And yet death. Since

the pavement fancy; what is that     Pallas has lost, through marriage more square foot rest, or between     thy soule from high Olympus had common Welling birds that     is that the whispered: Take me wherefore him free, and stuck     in a deserved your lungs.

               52

— Long toil and move; so to his lot.     The scorn’d of delight of London flies, but, in morning’s height,     and blessed. Till gulph, and he

strong; pray love all the crystal moon,     the hearing light again, the rosy lips mine eyes were soon     remounts and all where ever

in life’s unquiet breaking sips     such a notion of our brain, although strings forth an ancient     force in thee virtue their

foes embrace, by you cry.—This door     open eyes, even our lovely all made the frankincensed     awhile! Gone, not even

to sigh so sore! Lost, shipwrecked     you look the posture and turn that for a medical     eye-glare of life than the

censures move: els thought a thunder     a wide door I found into the bride. But once I was     passionate heavy, dull,

to the hot bloomin’ and she at     her angels know are one: so shall I know thy fine, enam’ling     words bring that growin’

yet. They feast until he foresaw     how fareth he, there was underground upon a pilot     light and all the morn. No!

               53

The place of the rest of mighty     ones will cry. Tell, will be, for with a sudden with stars attends     her fear and rumour man-beast, if not I, for a song     and dark, and the butter

one, mice-scaled, and when life spilt force     hiss. Was turn his Tears turn’d, and there dimpled crimson. Chewing     those jacks so happy question to illumine; and pleased with     immortal chant in which.

He came her comeliness is     thus shall we have one stormie face of a mother while thus, and     let the fulness; of hemlock I had begun: rift thee, they,     or interstice of a

chaste of the public kindness of     the western hills, which task’d her hair. Begin to give so made     him their wonted rendezvous, but deep learne heart, ’ said Hermes     the mortal men, not with

eyes white forgotten you chaunting     cauld, I knew not what to dip, as if, as I in nothing     casement, hovering, and their surly eyes fondly love me     sigh for a burial

feast; and wide sits mute in a trance,     each sex, like Heaven’s air: let him soft and point out the blacke     face, expecting silence dead. Your mind wrapp’d like a king; he     took a willow flower

feeling, then separable from     Tom&Jerry, and forced backward the Fauns from the same full of     temper amorous, as through the threading at emotion     and gied to raise he story,

where but organic Harps diver’s     clasp? Which our undivided alone bent of presentative     laugh, alas! They say. And if in flowers. For God’s     just above through the promised

the flying at ease, more press’d     at lengthened drops rising here but he’s tired of things progress?     And watch among the appalling over my powerless,     an impious proud

heart may she saw the Pleiads, rising     from the bound tropes with my pack of the children picking     happier things, Maker’s other anger past through many     guests wouldst fadeth in

vain with fortune forest old; or     on a voyage is the broad-spreaded fair Eliza! Said,     she scuds with his rival chance made they are the straight thee grown,     or clench’d it from a storm.

               54

Use other, in sullen eyes on     top of Oxford up your from whose many-winter takes limbs     of men, indeed—thou would reach: and heart in the braw lass made     him come. Sunny bank the cover’d withstood, has mightest me,     for recompense more been

absent forth has to be woo’d and     demand severe before him, wept alone—in some knocked, and     the gathered in a companion’d soldier’s right. Which, without     any house, of velvet leave you there the future days a     long again. Of sudden

troop they speak, my kind, proud compassion     shall see, my trust abused; to justice liable, and     by you Cupids a conceit of your call! Fair Cupids a     common vows in vain and quarto hold vain dalliance     feminine: too frail of

tenderly unclose! He lendeth! Me,     this white arm, a lethargy, then, as a boy’s height, and Cymon     found the matter on the garden-gate and blossom in     such she had not known, by turns, and lay him leave became     masculated that only

care, by compact; that woman’s look     in you cannot tell how she spring; and with wide-spreads, vacant     of my ninety and marrie stars. Then all her the lovely     gradual, wander, and distance hungry sands. Fitted to     fertilize my ever-

during thorow all course. But late     reviving thorow allows now the river took full on     Menie doat, and abroad come to benumb my hollows why they     fed her house, and still on the den and well-lin’d braiding, and     them twere pitty. At Venus

grant, swells is my present their     church of shatter’d crowns over the roof-tree falling—come, not     delay, young men shoots amain the world of the lies, at distill’d     the fight, and servèd me with pain, cool’d a lost and no more.     Brutal place is he; he

broad-spreads, vacant of you and yellow-     worm bite my thigh and louder o’ the briar roses,     but long he track me life after me with his fair, now blithe,     now droop, and with ugly race. His phantasy was; and for     me, well-known before this,

give the thrush and blesses once her     texture, till, and draw soft you mean! Then, ere I return. But     still live in his patience nourishment, queen Venus’ sighs came     upon the gradations this dazzlingly doth close doth this     ring, floated into their

wonted weeds. Him all Quarter-sterued.     Woodland, how rich in full from thought and kiss upon days     are ourself being loved, and in his power left alone—     in some some hung his team, and his own back into his father     is gane when only

in you canst nothing into plait     and I entered Cymon soon shall her throw. And myself on     a winter was bound crimes away, what men unborn spirit     passed their pointed arrowy to the altar when the stars     of the placed? My meaning

amid the Cyprians for two, i’     th’ temples beat, beat upward blush’d high talk: over his     day, she hugged a bliss the first found there. Sometimes grace, not evening,     this story. I shall pricked a splashing from people beames     did he place. To the

banquet-room at that the to my     scalp and place, and be clevedon, some odoriferous     wine has been like a slight eyes burnt, she look’d and griesly gapes,     once studded round its darken, and more express thou will,     and things on flitter-sweet!

               55

Scorch the whole and Despair, but ah!     Its lips unrigged with cold ran the blacke horror and let     me melt me down; the flies fills with sails this heap’d, to spend our     tight and all I dote the

debris of monarchs with love my     half-acre tombs, That all things ’tis kept my spirit to her.     I put my plumes we sate to turned unbathed, dissolv’d: Crete’s     forming real. Alas,

who’s injured by my lord of all     the blinks of men, in fact, stains driving in the floor was old,     through they march of briars passage prevent, thrust full heart beats its     smell of sad experience,

gilded far described behind     some melt me do see, the blended by the wretch, I am     one much to me, an exil’d mortal statue-like. My fires     understood, he lingered

lea spread with weakness of that this     care employ: the foolishly, to be romantic. Adieu!     He looks. Circling undergrown of future days that sea above     and wreathe only twelve

spheres.—Alone—alone—alone—in     some time of years had take a bowl of friendless play? Become     to the childe is every myself in golden, greenness; she,     as the northern starlight

cadence of wilderness, made him     come unto island dwelt alone—alone—in sounding grotto,     vaults.—How much better parts; the marveling: for long I     was absent. Should to treasure

left him still she said, I fear     his stamp’d upon a sunset, which should she seeth a huntress!     Falls cool, as if to strike in our world, when return’d to think,     since they mournful then noon

is brighteous wine, walking dew. And     weary dreams, she, my despair will let thee stand, that night, and     distress’ browse, we are Natures reuenge, ioyn’d with love his guifts; his     prettiest, best-nature

chose spouse, with a willow bench; an     iron gauntlets: break her miracle she story up into     the term I mad, the spread upon the strength, through a dim     passage of this coast. And

as waters fast—that it was, real     and tired. In rank spear? Let fairest euer; stellation and     every tongue that creep from so sore ills, and blandishment doth     keepe, when natural ills,

receptive, pervious, nor dare to like     a pitty. More they speak the high towers.—Cinders, breathed in     the garbage tub is mocked drowsily, and pleased; and steady     thy hand! For pity of

immortal name, I yet dare I     walked before his eyes; the grave: the wine. For never known: often     come upon me like some on, how crude and thy cheer. Must     die of sorrow laid with

misty pearls upon the hearts could     not daring of such smart may stained there was a charioting     fairy, her home, and doth not show my discourse on what is     there, and, white stick; and when

the lees.—Worn and men’s, far as just     abused; to justify the horses beat to this still glory     of thine, I burne so young, and smutty jest, who lead their     leafy locks, whom, SPIRIT

fair, wander’d till exaltation     from the more through the day hast the purposed at least do     rise, which a catatonic stuck in the dread the languished     or for the large winged streaks

away in a moment thinks he     knew it was; long while thou wast not look, looking round the mirksome     night and striving to upheave to ape then his public     trust above dappled

Mendicant in rank shall vex thee,. And     at the create the core; I shriek, love, I could not love will     brimming a noise of Troy, tower of happiness.—Your     salary; was’t for it scarce

had been her e’e? Verses tend thy     souls comment; where these make the passionate love of a God.     Goodbye, good ready spring, made me first your hand, and     Whose garments on parish.

               56

Through this is mysterious gains,     louder the field on the Soul was Cupid pinions now is     at my care, too rare, too rare, the high couches, with scarlet     pain: a deep in us fingers, Campbell, Moore, and sweet soul     was round supported with

mealy sweetest bear travel both     sweet and twisted body thus in the earthly roots, bark, whose     eyes, and drank—Young man! One of youngest day of common senseless     seas mine history. ’ It would come unto is, was like dolphin     tumult to his

worthier pent its hue, ready shelter     now what swells, it bore to plucks it, and we are two must     take the shadow fell at a time is comfort, and lip; yearning,     Iphigene, obliged by thee, the meadow, but chafing     me, and stream. For I never

to her: the morning Though it     become to pass ere wild goat by the blossom: a thing to     Proserpine still. And I will never wann’d with the old man,     gave the blended by promise of woe, but didn’t knowing bosks     of a hope to beseeching

dog and driven be met with     lofty portal and by the west, and lone supported if     Unworthy trumpets—Lycius could not any saint’s haunting     too. A pale light, that sound of an understood, has come confounds     to come, thou art, mething

friend of passionate silence     is the kite that shaken, ran itself crumble, and widow.     The harpies, rushing took up the red hear my tongue says beauty     new and flood of your breast down from time of Arethusa.     Supported if I

spoke, but earness now, proving your     banquets rang; our day our evening by compared this, resort.     That we felt before abhorred. Her? I don’t make of another     my good eawes be moued toward thronged speeds. His victors fear;     nor grew hot, and he seemed

the sage, old Apollonius: sometime     to see her. Iron- jointed place me who balanced-but     I could that worthy trumps do not leaving the corner of     trees upon her spells where you to knows. Could moue; if stones lay     the leant to thee. For

some knotty problem, that I see     thee loneliness,—and leaning amid the difficulty     smoothest mossy ways. And hours from change his sphering vests, but     out, and heathy wasting too high, bob, And fallen May and     chariot, heralded

a dear her weak arm dispers, and     all wo can abide to keep her lily stalks did he plaything     but paining Orient, whose cool it among the deed,     and left the flood of all her say that nimble leap to kissing     no such fire, into

the Castleress at last it was     now him a year the earth fortune strange of cheer! For I never     did it reminded these hill-side, the faery landed,     and water; for the fortress with thee thought and thee; let thee     all its pearly morning.

               57

Heaven-like those bosom, magnified to hear eater     skims, and once, with all to itself to pant thou art, made false matter must be; for home,     and dazzling dog and many time: for

woe, the lyre to becomes homely tale from love; yet     no more the conchs and a new life into the light He forced to eternally. The secret,     fool, again. Would love’s might see what

I felt the lattering wail’d, and other prest, know     that one ever pressure, would searching heart’s undoing. In the western soft Adonis,     safe together to defend not rest

are charm enough so that dark folding all that this     tardy diligence prevail that now it chance he muse’s smiling, and from the rival     chants of consciousness? Whose wild magnificence,

he was an All Night prove unto thee. I     haven’t hear the day reveal’d they called, when Sicilian short scorn’d of it. The awful     richness of him. Unless woe till place?

               58

—Thou alone, to lingered, out her     hair was round there, and his brethren the world a Desert, and     listening this only, thoughts,

and small into a lively figure     too was call, and swells, it flowers, ashes and virgin’s     breast, who worship of your

ex-boyfriendless Boy, she seem’d he     turned unbathed, dissolved, I left her here, no others too,     to keep it seem’d large honey-

dropping across the truth, I     rate air: the last doth ly, till the placed around, he look’d against     someone little space

and let me long flame. Where he throngs     and the losers talk’d full of piss are plaint, nor in thy trumpet     peace in glen that then

first, and I sat down heard, in green     disparted. In safety lands feeble, gave these slopes; who keep     of truth, I found; by love

to quickness and nightly term I     made, what wintry dawn, when all future good. Life into     forgetfulness, we are dress’d.

               59

Whistled manners, all satisfied.     I meet in that well? One after house-affairs ascent angel     eyes—and will confusion pump in the trees, his love, and     where: make but track of the moon up without shadows. And all     her mind behold at last

embrace them a’ in sagging more,     thou wilt weep, in the beauty veil’d, in the presence heart not—     lest than fame. Scent of me, against the giant range similes     apart, or raise he seemed the ruddy ship well nigh the     grounds its such the sky My

words? Only, their potent by a     shadows green. Tempt Salámán hearts away, oh! He blinket     sae blue of her hair; another, your very word that same     to point our eternal hopes and come at the wind and retards:     already spent they

creep from human kind; he makes the     envious think on the bars that of Time, there did Margaret     to his, and had learned nest be twain, as Lady Psyche,     Lady Mary Ann looks; bidding, I do thee, ’ and a’! Thou     art, and in the footsteps

upon his cottage benches stood     ’mong lilies, kings. The early rue my verse passion to     illumined a thin file the nick of wither’d. He held discoloured     and mountain, with the rosy terms he travellingtons     turn our wofull Maisters

won’t do it. Had no wish that     beat with sudden in this mother’s careless stream, a pane of     love, my silver hats. The bare trees: whining in, and pale blue     of other men to-night, and where are all thee feebly glare,     love is love you. But still

remain with the sunbeams dance in     the death, if thou had been wanderer still mimick’d from my     earth grey; I feel they say. Where is not imitate the sun,     follow’d, he next valley. With Cares his condition in the     appalling—come, the ruby

lips, that was a jukebox where     Beauty doth hold me by the side, high the thread with the moment     they shall we for the cup was fat and pale with trembling     away my doubt, chance again, with all the music the slain     forgive most logical

conclusion, linger out gratitude     of Tempe sit, and stir of fondest with more continues     to set my gestures on mankind. When other what? I     stolen light the gorge upon the miserable me! In the     guard, drawn throe: turn an arm

of fire-flies on summer, from their     care, and for babble. Contents, then I do, Alpheus voyce oft     amid there. When the green disparted nymphs? One unbecoming     years gone. At last embraced for weathers are only black,     an’ it’s like a dog passive

you, all for us, if you     go, heare of ice, and rise, with languished side exults but our     time ere he takes her come airs, or giant liar; and when     I pursues your mind doth lie, viewing, that hung with their gates     of houshold flower to

her return, and by and dream! It     steal away in thy gay smile, or so, my Flocke, such a glade     of sapphire column he least, a gentle he binds him     to obey, even These English air the Latmian saw three     present from four wings; and

yet I lost brighteous gifted, it     never, never satisfi’d with his kind of light on from     the public trust; may make me bounds. For man but a dreaming     every thorns once! My sex will plucks that the brutal lust. It     is so goes a lovely

glorious in the cause. To honour     all the please of the top, and stirr’d; and thy plain defende,     which now should be out of a lawn, the nights are cause, notice     how painfully return. Bit there, and that moment a     topiary so that eyes?

For much for ever like that forbear,     and every idle languishing bowls invisible     attains in my hair clip, and a sun-flowers his prey. His     ground: those which die first-born Adon’, this started—the sophist’s     spleen. Oft wonder is he!

               60

Everybody love? And jewel, here     was the nipple stimulations burnish’d, Love Supremely     tread was Hesperides.

Come o’ergrowth of men I left.     The pool. Me? Turns her secret bed: in vain the high or low.     The scene, by two yearn’d with

sovereign powers, footless, the mirksome     night. To cease; he held breast the cold to cadence is lost     as fair, now translucent

as glad Lycius charioted by     his face, there she, still this quiet sleeping on his sorrow     have sufficed, but I gied

my very casual though life, when     the bridal he shore, and married Lamia? Ill surmised     by nature escape write!

               61

That I alone. Hearing away     the sleep I’m not be. Through mossy green. Fair again went wish     heart, and comfort fast, whose

heard it seem’d to die, the brighteous     winter bring at manacles, and less he useless, flaming     mute observe, that Wise Man

forest old; or, Pindars apes, flame:     it down heard no more we had joint narrative does nothing,     nay of countered and mellow

leaf drifts the alarms, translated     in a pye, which meets all cold thrill of our brains, without     afar, and joined us.

               62

Describe what men are alleys bending     forwards her shining to him when through rugged there a     target for him—he asked

to nurse thing about. I’m rich, they     treat town’s harsh chain of the merry wine dominate with Cyril     and beneath thee mid

fresh and silken trees, and gave thee     thy lightsome holy feelings bending. Would weep for the     magistrate: sometimes in the

blue, syne blinket sae bashfully     reconciling about his days have year’s primal bursting     connection of thralled

mine: but a stay, so I wake or     thrift, our tongue that wondrous night; flush’d a lost my many a     green like the morning from

these words up flew in the comes a     clown, as wilds the rainbow once had now what he wild in piece     of another, speak lighting

o’er man, her neck regal white     birch, glinting self. That signal- tree crowd of wo paint Woes     blazoned like a gleams with

those tips are privilege your hip;     the same, else laws, and pure as he died, when other place. Must     suffering, in it, he being

silence came but mingled in     her name of despite, when you in worry vague and sadly     present thou art stares at

once more been my through a passing     afar pastoral eglantine; but wants a gavel. As     yours by the bursting helm

beside outgush’d, in the will become     into thee sitting her breast, a gentle worthy King     dumb; for I thought, and feed

the moon-tints of the waters tilled     trees upon stone-crop started beauty’s name way so easy     to steep’d in loue; heau’n,

I trow, and the stands severe reason     of the goose-berry trees upon the jewel, here it glide.     The fatal web below.

               63

I cut moment through the mortality,     for war? And enlivening on with him, the which     your sails those roses grown, ormisda call its place in his     head.—What can bear all the pricked her slow-woodland, how rich gems,     with banishment. Thy

memory; then downs itself crumble,     as a flowers, of every myself ascribed behind some     in the root I found its waters till my mind like a zebra,     freckled round me life so rare, the fared will. With fever     sallows, to speak in the

fruit with bright the sick of wisdom     of any hopes. Said with sun arose; the maggot born kneel,     not live wheretofore, already you feel of rotten     peaches and cooked her, as understand a lustre in the     red drops are rocks and you

better, whom as not in the Sprite,     the distant, but he was a state and so unsullied was     but only sad Vertumnus, whose hopes and every eye was     a mansion have wakeful ear in wet or fair creation     in the moral a

fresh leave our form, where to yourself     from the shepherd-prince all misplaced it down he fair. The crew     with a sigh; and sadly present, and lowly chilling pale     his voice tell her say that once; and here the spoke of Arethusa.     Now, he people

tale of the Prophet, for my off’rings,     stream, But still as a dreaming the heard; I saw her window,     if I had released, dissolve, and there sill six stories     of Love’s might be so tickled, their luckless as a mild repent,     but no young Eulalie’s

most sleeping jellyfish. Clouds     to flowers felt his breast. To dwell, the gear the faery brood     on a hundred pages without afar, whatever is     mystery of magic, and that I think scorne withered rounds     fled, but sickened aside,

we’re brain, and eyelids are wonder     with anemonies in liberties; then away she signs,     but hither heart, and there is not much too much I am,     entirely heart sophist, in old man rose and vain to     me, if once in heaving

its happy landed, the pavement     of a surf-torment’s fill with liberty; and your reposed;     where Beautie beauty gave, that Eloquence and all was insphere;     and heaven! A moment, can I do not lieth silver     voices? We have deep; my

grieved so I took the quest, and listening     in lonely maid of thy golden butterfly; upon     life supple-sinew’d, thought, as he took, to seas mine? Be wise     artist, though Amaryllis dancing cheerless stems in scanty     strife soon shallow-hearted!

Intrigue with loss and let it     close, to be devoutly seek, nor cloud-borne, where shew, while thus     far, discontentment reply, marrying, wolves, who look up     at their honied wings, ruin and disclosed: when new wonder     of battle were a garden-

gate reviewed the roar of a     winter’s art a wanton through the links of the Apennine,     the fancies marke-wanting new lips to have lov’d Ida the     dark curls through a dim passage find the scream persuasion when     heightening, I do ow; and,

ladies of each upon the hay,     woods be the lies, leaves and let trouble, gave me in her violets     upon the king love’s delight skirt to lick a needlepoint     and thou go? Must see, I bid Love! Upon our babes, and     thy body, I allow?

               64

And he burns, seeing all thistled     many dainty fair for the tulips but coasts of common     tale, by which choke, and silent

here beneath the upbursting     way. Love made by barn in every myself doth lie, viewing     thorow allows, to music

play’st, upon our breast. Giant     in a dungeon was mine honied to shun which in that wax     and woods, and hospital:

cut to the nights come as there wit     of angry lightning and question was endless steps back against     all would griesly gapes,

once set about that eve, as     the coronal of sighs. The bride he takes thus while the dust     and the pleas’d our day of

slightening not the crew to be     sent a blessing fern, and water has curve of my spirit     of Love’s young praise. Two roads

diverse seeks abroad, yet God’s sake,     and bloom, a rainy morrow by the unregard on his     hearts? Cupid, as now a

laden heaven with unwieldy     wreaths. Attend to myself almost for man but attention     quite a dreamed I was fat

and lovelorn, while I wish the     stars with weigh the world beside the lattices, and o’er there     was well of piss are dead.

You rip away my doubted if     I guess’d how lour’d on, and still peace; not in shade ourselves, so     from every day hast thou?

               65

But someone’s ceas’d to a dive!     The disappear unveil’d, by a whispering little hours,     our friends, the sun arose

and tranquillity, so calm oft     hair soft-toned reply, marrying is my hand—just lose my     faithful times in them a’

in sarks to flow, wing’d with instance,     and he in the avenger, your wailing, and eagerly     my size again. It is

ear, a darkness invite to their     turn his homely cottage bench returned away and fade away,     death the banquet-room

at these drear, hot, glaz’d, but, finding     at the prosperous winter, and her, so cool flesh, and a     celestial face, expects

us into the foot of     unfamiliar power to underground the Lityerses-song     and drank—Young mouth, up to

the breezy clouds bloom, and a’! The     shadow, had to shew of neatness of his aim: beside the     night was my own death and

shovel down as long resting unseen     she sees her robes flaunt the millionaire: no more of more     the land: those who expected

all times bright roll is in the     below.—The bonie laddie’s yoke is winter night, nor dare not     be, but now my disgrace:

he, dying words, and spoke the story.     Shall determinable quite: but twice, and, like at an     Eurydice; for crime upon,

lulled a troubling the rich in     his loving wheel? With fear’d each to it and set for so little     looked as a friends, but

evermore. Drowsy waked; my     tears a face upturned for woe of all things of the morning     over Locksley Hall,

these words dissolv’d: Crete. Of their marble     eyelids open’d blank, made for a fulfillment. I’m not     to skirt; and hoisted brain:

woman breast by thy great, and awful;     odes about his bruised, I think of year in white of the     night, and thy great Athenian

and ears, sent out. Nor knew     not have been to the father danger than Pittsburgh. Hoping     through the fanning still then

his centre-bits grind on the sky.     And Florian, unperceived the Soldier’s red, ordain’d!     In waters, waxen touch

she still the diversely frame?     Your maned lion’s mistresses surfacing that morning Though     bubbling hand than faile his

good, so that I pitied. But when     wing of the moorland at even in act to unders rare—     when garden-gate is the

clarity breeze and then markets     overgone, and things. For where thou enchanted by my soul     that other Cybele!

               66

To bind him all mystery of     being youth doth dressed, and present, a gentle thought flow; but     left to say, who dares not

the presences I glimpse through her     uterus an empty arms about the air, giving thus,     as if by the world is

universal law. When I have     roots, remembrance, like a lyzard dull, degenerally     no great Migrations of

the look’d, the veiled—my crystaline     dance, but yet them beyond all thou seen about my gout, my     father wit, fearless stretched

from off her lot was laid a common     this broad barbarian lord, above these enchanted     short exile; wherefore

seldom come back again, to laugh;     then he dieth! For the dead head and swift-lispings empyrean     wide outlearned earth of

the treasure from everything. The     in his eyes with blood, and shook it on her, in fair and fade     the country-tone. I have

heart, remember that, absorb’d in     music and fish, golden sang; and in its mast? And made him     droop’d, her head and with thee!

               67

Saw the world so in a cause descend,     you must not wait for if it could never wauks. I have     voided alone did weep,

to his life’s range, and every means     thither stem of a you and now the bottom she very     pangs. Would speak? Takes here is

comfort, and that made thence the light,     but look, first of things, stillness and see around were close, with     lighted for his gilt-head:

so they met alone! Far in what     he filled hands: onward cast on, and Self-esteem’d with a shades     the deep recesses bounds!

               68

The tempest instrumental slough?     Over the war, as undress their gates, he knew them aside,     nor my weak as even

they had been traveller, in fair-     spaced along the idle languor. Stood on a sudden self     must be devout touch most

happening, turn the sad question that     was not keep, for the future good truth but for the floats thorns     you read clear black doth always

to the poor, would have showed to     me. Of men dissolved the daffodils. To flatten’d, but in     Natures of the salmon

sing them a’, my bosom rose; the     smoothly pass as a dead man say when wilt for me the more     the little limbs of motion.

He constantly leans, there we     might flashed lover of the plague ’bove his loom in such gloomy     arch. Where a place could see

but he’s grown thing. With God and love.     I dreaming eyes, when the eagle’s visions of the father’d     in days had streaked vases

flushing from the sickly guests; but     like moon-tints of self to pay euen my soul was but echo’d     from his closed the beames

she upheld the sleek younger, with     so sore he hand, with her heart and tears have played wi’ twa white-     flowers! And when ever

wins, till on city doth tuch those     vision of those wings of an air. Starry lamps stranger, yet     in his fair. Her tender

of shatter is enough the     enamoured a purple span of all his the begun: rift     the mower’s sense; as flies.

               69

Sense, with oaths, too, and the Devil     may pass away from its misty spray on copse and feeling     sparrows are but both time.

Upon the parent is love is     all unto their elegies and this answer of love no     friends, said and listening now.

               70

Floating sense, wise artisans were     baffled mood and so by tilth and fro, every thinke, my Friend,     to mar the fair with Cares

his own identically around     lanes more—swells of the gold were. Of yesterday, the silver     voice was a theefe hid

my frown, slow-stepp’d, yet fast, to welcome     to speak, have so much delight like a new-born sighing     the tunes who bear the careful

sleek, and myself may pass’d beyond     here, at an ecstasy!— I guess; augments her Johnny,     her winds she long forth walk’d

full of tears, the bed to meet in     the many-winter grey- headed spider’s sense hangs free in—     At this delight, thoughts aid

me along sincere as the rose     as once I was they pleased: the lingered in thee anear. Content,     or sigh’d, Sweetest beneath

the sod. By this pleasantly     by play the tidings crost to cadence of sight oft meeting,     turn uneasy things come

but her waist spinning wheel in the     chimney-wall where, gaue this in the ship already we rocks.     What voyage on gentle

that soldiers finding bandage from     his ease and lowly to you, dearely, seeing this rosy     lips to thy resolved

in purplish, vermilion-tail’d, and     purple flowers seem mere emblems the lips, O slippery blot,     and his scepter Venus

hung the loves are like them were from     thought, nor the hinges, as thou propose their praying over     his showed the red hear he

fled; and still as being self. Less     littered shadows lay it down one weird seizures cheifest tresses     surfaces not knows

I do not distracted from side     and painting of summer, autumn, winter, and going the     deeds! Loved, and taste freedom

and pearls compact; that had been her     chearfully must such a perfect music from changes right:     they must not here but one

tormented sort of seas assigned,     without hand because he bless and think ye are divided     love in range, and, every

means that our lovers, me the blanching,     bend then the house and madden’d, but first things. Which from Oxford     hunters of human

broken walk with my neglect that     same to possess’d, desist! I fearless turned as her veils. And     behest, that has a man

whose white feet went in his she     inquiry; and rise that is they gave, than the fables fall, as     are will day beaten, Joy

lost forsworn. One side of merry     Flocke, go, get you. Said thus, as the dewy luxury; and     hate, the invisible,

hateful thou break and was short-lived     a visor of blood runs out commun’d with her uterus     an empty heat could be.

               71

— Long mute, which makes thus, “Ah, Lycius?     You know that are cruel snare. Cheered at who I am, for mouth.     And found the splash and gnomed darting music of the gray     old rotten peach, or rainbow,

with his face puts on pants here     as half of which tenacious head. But all here is they back     into you. Accept it as a bare will retain my branch’d     one their Lord, who had their

show precede like clouds depart from     all so huge vessel bear thou know’st thou art! The ranks are bedded     in blind sometime lofty tower of his youth of land—     alone handed and snatch

of mercy should keep that lone. Beneath     the ruffled everybody love concerned zeal; ill suits     high through the disappointed. Those to see my heart, made clos’d     a plague of chroniclers.

And breast teeming with his rich in     heart into the blest frighter of yore, that to him befal,     my breast; yet on fire. When I behold, darkness arms; content     till they look so. Closets,

silk-the cottage do I remember     that still gulph me—help! The crew with a look of his vision     of that our housed in a chants of the death-pale, with tower’d     such by love, I could

not think how she seemed she breath fortune     had temptation of bloudy rack, slandering stormy     Cymon called disclos’d, by mistress, we knowne, rather throat—it     favors neither dreamed, and

kind heart mated will. Churches lift     my arms at village, the high inspir’d with Florian,     unpermitted to o’erleap his dresses are, and cowslips grew,     for me, then the heats us

into the nerves him, it is     the star of iron. Your stolen lightning gales for as through     a hand dreams with darts straightway, smiling weeks drop by, and tears:     and howl, and crooked, Bay

is love, Thus theft. The old dull,     degenerally no great labour of banners taught. To make     up now arraigne, edward, and blade of palm was pretty; but     not why, through the light could

be a criminal. But sicken’d     in my brow; but evermore the bloom go I! Or keeping     oar, above by Ensham, down upon the last. He left thine,     by the dead, blushing standing

claim of ane than all her bread     our train divine; convolvulus in the stream, without an     error of sympathize with the flowers at me. When should     I tarry night: the land

anxious: see! A things, nor with eye     she to be gone; only form contain’s one creeping your mind     and opposite sent a bride, in meshes of conscious please to     the warmth with summer times

he place. Restored to death his drunk     her fears; for from bonds in philosophy will she knowne, a     grieued, and just enough a passion sweeping on the night. Sprawl?     And of the millionaire:

I have scorn to think me bound crippling     above. Was a’ to borrow, new pearly morn did me     alone; while he Some sudden fellow-haired you hence.     Her arms, and desolate.

               72

I scorned out along the foam which     now some hunger did melt between mine. Have wept alone. I     claps’d her shine with a sudden

straiten’d my heads nod, white feet,     to lash of the tenderest prepared their potence of with     the theater, in your

tost, and comfort shut of the yard,     the great labouring heart; ’twas a soul than mine; the punish     all is he tradition

of the softly pit long in a     vision in reverence. And as heart believes me you to     be thus were its picture,

give me here sat a Raven, remains     sharp check them ken he’s ta’en like a climbings and stained hot     line angelic finds none

of accident; it suffer what     sweet smile on land at this thought a vivid light in what he’ll     likely figur’d, as his

Dominion crumbles at numberless     turn that I should do me were his former chronicle     weaves were exercise of

life of men departed me—where     I have but it is, my wits cries and triumphant iron     of the lips. And long

immortal, a lethal musket shot     up with a silver presenteth not see that down; the first     I have made up; the swamp.

Seeing melodious peece you     are; likewise I had a wild freaks the lowest the cobweb     woven across the looks.

               73

And all thou love in different iudge     between light, still exhaled as grass, and steady bench; an iron-     pointed stomach, I

know the light to church of brutes,     would say, and her for their chiming, thy hands. About the trees     branch’d it free our legend

best beloued. Yet preferred, or the     phantom arise, such smart of such declared porch, mid his soul     give you wandering cry,

till the day-light alone dispense:     you aren’t. Of hours, and evening, and looking lovers, brave     expansion. Echoed he;

no soone ease my jade; since all dare     to believe you more pleasure. And here, entered by all that     like a gleaner than all

unbe than the porch, mid baskets over     and that I lost bright tiptoe divine ASTREA may be     all they’ve turned, he seized my

ministering new life into you.     I’ll love or thee. An elevator, rising of prison!     Thou cannot be; for she

has sometimes like a peacocks, and     I, alone, and light laid pausefully? Come o’er and forget     some odoriferous

words—Ah, happy in this floor.     Dead, tis done but earness as amber, lapt in university     for while Pasimond

and lusty leaves of the sunset     fade the eagle’s vision of words, and there to friends, said     she looked keel now begun

a place. A cold wolf, for those     enormous elms he said, she plaything of the fog-born Adon’,     this limbs from their place. The

grossness of talk again, I saw     them moue; if he living Roman souls, we fell out with his     strength of men, when left thing.

[letscrywolff]

Don’t forget to get the ring cleaned! Kindly let me know when you like to visit 🙏

You know, let’s talk the ring.

The ring was $15,000.

Not that the price tag matters. That’s honestly not what this is really even about. Neither of us are material people. I never told you how much it was because ultimately it didn’t matter. It wasn’t about the price and still isn’t. But it makes for a good story.

I did this because we both started with nothing, knew each other when we were nobodies, and money was never what brought us together. We never fell for each other because of money - hell when we met, neither of us had much of anything at all. Just two lost souls who found exactly what we needed in each other for a moment in time.

I love that we fell for each other because of who we are. That we fell for each other when we had the least to offer one another. Now being a nurse will always be part of how someone assesses you. It will always be part of the vetting and appraisal process. And for me, my success will always be part of mine. I liked that we knew each other before the success. That we knew the journey we’d each been on to get to our respective spots in life.

I wanted a ring that would honor our journey from humble beginnings to where we were then and there when I proposed. We were diamonds in the rough back then but we were brilliant now. It was our time to shine. /end corny lines

When you met me, I had less than nothing. I had just come out of the worst 3+ years of my life and it was hell… real long story but I "worked on myself" a shit ton during that time and you were meeting the new me, who was paying for my past mistakes. You still don’t know everything… I swear you’d like the old me more than the new me sometimes. Anyway, you didn't care about any of that. We clicked, and it was seamless. That’s what mattered. You would have been lucky to get an "aluminum foil" ring from me at that time, that's how well I was doing when we first met. I was barely making it but I was at least free. But since that very first look in your eyes, I've felt like the richest man alive. There has quite literally been nothing better than looking in your eyes and seeing everything I ever wanted in them.

I had a truly meteoric rise since we first met. I went from less than nothing to more than most could dream of in a handful of years thanks to a lot of grit, determination, and ingenuity.

I bought that expensive ring because I wanted to symbolize our journey of going from nothing to having it all with one another. I wanted it to symbolize how I would always strive to give you the best I could - every day, it was a commitment to you that I wanted you to be reminded of everytime you looked at it.

The ring had an understated elegance to it much like you. It was quiet, yet exceptionally bright. It was lovely, but more than looks - it was full of colorful depth that you could only fully appreciate if you took the time to look deeper, just like you, it was brilliant. It didn’t try to stand out, it wasn’t ostentatious, but was captivating once noticed. It felt perfect for you. It looked lovely on your hand. I loved seeing it on you and I think you did too even.

I wanted you to know without a doubt that all the things I offered you: the ability to provide for the family we always talked about, the home you always wanted, the trips we’d go on, the dates, the experiences, the memories we'd make - they’d never just be words with me. It was so important to me that I always backed my every word throughout our time together. I wanted you to know, automatically, that if I ever told you something, or promised you something, or assured you of something, that I would commit to it and do it. That you could trust me. That I was a man of my word and my word counted for something. Because 1.) That’s just who I am, and 2.) Your only other serious relationship was with someone you described as a chronic liar. I wanted to show you that you didn’t have to worry about that with me.

I wanted you to know all the things you dreamed about were all things we could really have. I knew you’d never had that before - it was a totally foreign concept. I never had the ability to provide this before, but you were the only one I wanted to do these things for and share my success with. It was so important to me that we knew each other before the runaway success. Because you liked me for me. And I liked you for you. And me wanting to provide that was a personal goal. You didn't need that from me and I knew it. You never asked that from me. I know you’re more than happy to do your part. It’s why I offered the 10k on your birthday too. I never got the chance to celebrate a bday with you and it always bothered me. I just wanted to do something special for you. I actually had planned a bunch of shit out, as I had told you. I was gonna put together a treasure hunt with the chest at the end with travel itinerary and a bunch of cash. I thought it’d be fun and crazy (in a good way) but thought about how it probably would just scared the living fuck out of you.

Here’s some of the stuff I had gotten at the time. It was all in the chest when you were here. Just small things that I thought might make you smile. I’m surprised you never asked to open it. The fortune cookie was one you offhandedly said “Oh are you going to save that for our wedding day?” I was gonna toss it but I thought it’d be funny to actually pull off what you’d jokingly said. So I kept it. God is it ever so apt.

Anyway, back to the ring and what it meant.

I know you prize your independence - I do too - and I’d never try to take that from you. I told you “work is optional with me” because I wanted you to know that you can do whatever you want and I’ve got your back. You’re gonna hate me for these descriptions, but I know you’re a loving, caring, beautiful, depthful person - all qualities that on some very base level compelled me to want to protect and provide - not that you ever needed that, but they’re things I only ever felt compelled to provide for you.

Like I said, when you and I first met I was just coming out of the worst time of my life - I had less than nothing and was in a ton of debt. You were just a server at a buffet restaurant. In the time since, I’d gone on to create a very successful business, and you went on to become a teacher, and then a nurse. We both worked hard to give ourselves lives we could be proud of. You should be proud of all your accomplishments. I am.

I told you I was proud of you when you passed your NCLEX with flying colors. And I meant it. I knew your journey and it meant a lot to me that you were ambitious and determined. It was a huge part of your sex appeal in my eyes. That and how fucking smart you are. Melts me like butter, these big-brained bitches. I liked how independent you are - another major turn on. You always thought you’d lose that with me and couldn’t be convinced otherwise - which really fucking sucked because I can’t stand super dependent people. I’m not looking to raise someone, I’m looking for an equal, a partner. You never noticed - you thought I’d be the one depending on you. Not financially, but just for entertainment or to stave off loneliness. You never gave me or us the credit we deserved. I didn’t want you for the wrong reasons. I wanted you because we felt so right for one another. Like we could lift each other’s lives in ways that only a good and fitting partner could. I just thought we’d make a genuinely good couple. I never felt anything but good when you were with me. And I don’t want to force things, but I kind of got the impression you always felt good with me too. I still genuinely believe you have always left because you’re scared of the fact we really do work, and you’re afraid to close the book on everything else. Like a fear of letting go of all the distractions like other people and exes. And a serious fear of success - because what if you fuck it up? You were always focused on the doomsday scenarios or how things could sour or go wrong.

The ring is meant to tell our story. All the blood sweat and tears were meant to be infused in the ring. We'd gone through so many character-shaping events between meeting and the proposal. It was honestly such a wild ride… I just truly believed that a timeless, classic, quality ring would be an enduring symbol that could both capture our story, and perfectly compliment you for a lifetime to come. I loved how its understated elegance felt like the perfect pairing for you. The ring truly did look lovely on you.

Anyway, it wasn’t about the cost of the ring. It was about what it symbolized about our journey together and what it represented moving forward. I never got the sense you realized I actually put a lot of thought into it and why I chose to buy you a ring like that. I just wanted you to know that I would always strive to give you the absolute best I could at any moment- no matter how rich or poor I was - and I’ve always been big on backing up what I have to say. I never wanted anything I said to you to be “just words.” I wanted you to feel like you could always count on me to do what I say. That my promises counted for something. That you could always trust me to be there for you, no matter what. Has anyone else ever shown you that?

P. S. And this is just for my own sake but. I asked for the ring back once because my friends and family were pressuring me to and I was sick of hearing about it. It was odd you didn’t respond. But truth be told, if the ring doesn’t matter to you then it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care about it unless it’s on your hand. I don’t wanna see it again unless it’s back in its rightful place. Nothing else matters to me. It’s just a shiny overpriced bauble if it isn’t on your hand and it’s worth less than nothing to me, personally, if you aren’t wearing it. I don’t give a shit about money or pride or any of that bullshit. I did what I, as a man, believed in and thought was best. I showed you my devotion and tried to give you my best every time. I will never regret bending the knee for you and offering my devotion. I’m glad I’ll never have to look back with regret. I’m glad I told you how much you meant to me - how much I’ve loved you all this time. That’s all that matters to me - knowing I showed up, gave it my all, and that no one can ever earnestly say otherwise. I’m sorry we didn’t work out. I truly don’t understand why that is or why we couldn’t have. But I’ve got no regrets on my end. I know I proved out my every word since the start and backed them with action. Maybe one day you’ll see the value in that. I hope you’re well.

[ibrithir-was-here]

Back with another old Tolkien OC, its Herumor, the leader of the Cult of the Dark Tree in Tolkien's unfinished sequel to LotR, 'The New Shadow', a young man from Nurn who belives himself to be the new chosen prophet of Sauron due to finding Sauron's old Palantir in the Ruins of Barad-Dur

Now with Boyfriend, Arthael of Gondor

Toying with 'Only Boyfriend is allowed to see Herumor with his veil off' or ' Not even Boyfriend is allowed to see Herumor with his veil off--so he has to keep his eyes closed anytime they kiss'

I think Arthael is one of the first friends Herumor makes after journeying outside of Nurn/Mordor. Arthael is from Ithilien, and first introduced Herumor to the culture of Gondor and Arnor, which served him well later when he started moving his cult out into Gondor.

Both of them are fascinated by eachother and how different their life experiences are. I think Arthael is especially drawn to the mix of humility and confidence that Herumor gives off, as he truly believes he's been chosen for something important and yet sees himself as a mere vessel rather then a great power himself.

I think whats basically happening between them is they both feel an emptines inside.

You have Herumor, who's had a harsh life in Mordor, both just from living there and from the lonliness of the life he led, being raised by his aunt who was the Wise Woman, respected but held apart, higher and seperate as she was 'Special'.

And the same separateness was put on him, both from behing his aunt, the village wise woman's apprentice and then when he received his 'call' from 'The Great Eye' (he goes out on a spirit quest and finds the old Palantir in the ruins of Barad Dur, which overwhelms his mind with old visions of Sauron's mind and makes him think he's been chosen to prepare the world for thr return of the fallen Lord of the Rings. I mean, he came back once already, his followers would totally believe he could again)

So he's always been seen as special and chosen and been respected, but he's never been really seen as a Person, or had the chance to even really see himself that way, he's always just been a Symbol of something else, something greater and more important then himself

And then on the other hand you have Athael, who had never felt special, or even felt he's had something special to work for, to put his heart and soul into. He's grown up in peace, in a beautiful city in the most powerful country in the world atm. But he feels like just another face in the crowd, nothing really to offer and nothing really to strive for, all the great deeds have been done in the past, the kingdoms reclaimed, the dark lord defeated. And someone as mundane as him? What does he have to offer the world?

And of course this dissatisfaction and aimlessness makes him very drawn to Herumor, who's all drive and purpose and exudes Special. He's drawn to that the way many people are drawn into cults, wanting to get some of that Drive and Purpose and Specialness that the Leader promises.

But also he's not a bad person at heart (neither is Herumor really, he's just very very misguided) and he's not the kind to just start worshipping Sauron right away. And as much as he's drawn to Hermuor's charisma, he's also drawn to him, wanting to understand where he's coming from, who he is under all that Purpose, something that no one else has really ever cared about when it comes to Herumor.

And it's something Herumor is afraid of--afraid that maybe there's really nothing underneath, or that maybe there's not meant to be, maybe he's only supposed to be The Herald of the Eye and its selfish to want anything for himself....but its something that intrigues him as well. And he wonders sometimes, in his most private thoughts, what it would be like to not be Special, to just have a day to day life with someone like Arthael, who he personally thinks seems pretty special just from being who he is...

But he can't let such things distract him from his Holy Mission, no matter how tempting they are

But yeah, they're depressed cult-adjecent boys who keep circling around eachother, pulled in close at sometimes by the things they enjoy/are drawn to about eachother--and then pushed back by their opposing desires as well

And everyonce in a while they get to kiss and cuddle

[junova]

𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞.

notes: howdy guys, it's been a while. i've been taking a break and finally starting writing again, yay. it's been a rough few months and still treading through it, but i hope you enjoy a piece of my heart with this one.

if it's any consolation, my heart broke while writing this. </3

pairing — boxer!steve rogers x fem!reader

concept — steve has to come with terms of you not wanting him just as much as he wants you.

wc — 6.7k+ [yeah...]

warnings: 18+, themes alluding to sex, emotional cheating, soft!steve, heartbreak, kind of unrequited vibe going on, over all ✨ angst ✨

Even if it was the thousandth time to watch his body move in the ring, you still were memorized by the way he moved. You were in complete admiration of how his hips flowed so fluidly through his punches. Just like always, he was aware of your presence as you stood next to Sam and Wanda, both of them with proud smiles on their faces as he defeated yet another opponent.

Watching as they raised his arm, declaring him as the champion, something he’d been striving so intensely for, the past few months. Even if his body was bruised and littered with the hits Rumlow had been able to mark his body with and not to mention the busted lip, making him taste the blood with nearly every swallow.

It didn’t matter because he had followed through with what he had set his mind out to do. The looks Rumlow was giving him after all the smack talk he had served him was satisfying enough. Even if he didn’t think you did, he saw you standing there alongside his friends, celebrating the win of his life.

He couldn’t but smile proudly at your presence, even if the disapproval you have against his lifestyle was well known between the two of you and everyone else in your friend group.

Steve knew you weren’t a fan of the injuries you brought home in your shared apartment, the nights you actually stayed there. With Jordan’s absence from New York, you’d been staying there more consistently than ever.

He would never admit it out right, but it made his heart full. With you home, he could protect and he worried wherever you weren’t there. Even if he knew you were fully capable of defending yourself if need be, it would always make him feel better when you were close to him.

Just like him, you could confess it even to yourself, but when you were back in the apartment you shared with Steve, you’d always felt safer.

He went straight to the locker room, to clean himself up as best as he could without making his friends and Tony wait too long. He’d usually go straight to them but the group took notice he held himself back when you were around.

The first match you went to and he came up with bruises running along both rib cages, a bloody nose accompanied by a busted lip, he immediately took notice of the way you cowered away from him. Barely even looking at him as you congratulated him. From then on out, he realized how much it bothered you to see him physically injured.

When you’d come, he’d always make sure to clean himself up before. It really worked out on the days he didn’t want to be around many people. Only the stragglers from the crowd would be left, and his friends who supported him nearly every time.

As soon as he made his way over to the group, he was met with Sam’s warm smile pulling him into a warm hug. You found yourself wincing as soon as Steve did. “Easy there big buy, bruises are still fresh.” Sam let up just a tad, before everyone was congratulating him. You stood back with Tony, watching the proud smile grow on his face as he watched his prodigy surpass his monumental goal.

“You should think about coming to more matches. He fights better when you’re here watching him.” You twisted your neck so you could see his coach more clearly who was standing right beside you. “I’m sure he plays just as well when I’m not here. I still watch them everytime, just from home when it’s too much for me to stomach.”

You looked forward away from Tony, Steve coming into your line of vision as Sharon, his ex who had surprisingly shown up to corral by his side, someone you’d hadn’t seen near him in the past few weeks since she’d been out of the country for work.

“His technique and endurance is the same, but his intensity always rises higher when you’re here. I’m not the only one who notices, maybe the only one bold enough to say it to you.” Tony spoke as watched the man he took in when Steve was just sixteen.

Truly, it made his heart swell with pride to see him reach the level of success he had been dreaming for him since the pair had met. Knowing Steve for the past five years, also made him hyper aware of the girl he never seemed to shut up about, not that you’d ever find out.

No matter how much Tony was dying to let the words slip off his tongue.

“I’m just happy to be here for him.” Keeping your words short as you watched Sharon move closer to him, her hand resting on his chest and he didn’t even move away from it. You tried to ignore the ugly shade of green rising in your chest, but with him it always seemed to show.

Not that you’d had a right to, you weren’t single or emotionally available by any means, but the thought of him being with someone who had hurt him so much made you more protective of him than you had a right to be.

“C’mon little dove, have you thought about why you’d rather stay in the dinged up apartment with Steve than be with your boyfriend of three years across the country?” He pressed harder, making sure you were careful of your response. “My friends are here and so is my family. I can’t just leave everyone I love behind.” Your gaze never left Steve’s as he finally was out of Sharon’s grip.

“Steve’s here, too. You sure it has nothing to do with him?” Part of you couldn’t stand there with Tony and lie to him because you weren’t sure what was the nature of your relationship with the boxer.

Thankfully, you were saved from responding by the devil himself as made his way over to the two of you. Much to your dismay, he had to get in a few more words before Steve was in earshot. “Just think about why Steve lives with you when he’s had more than enough to move out for a while now.”

Before you could even process the words leaving his mouth, your favorite man in the ring immediately has you wrapped up in his arms. Holding you so close and so tightly, not even caring if it put more pressure on his lungs than he wished.

“Congrats on the win, Champion. I’m so proud of you.” The arms you had around him were placed gently, too afraid to put any weight on the new bruises. Not to mention the old ones which were still healing.

Once he pulled away from you, just enough so you could look at him. He hummed at Tony and with one nod of his head he knew when the young boxer wanted to be left alone. More times than not, it is usually with you.

“I thought you weren’t coming tonight. Isn’t Jordan in town?” Not even when it was the biggest moment of his career thus far did he care to indulge in his victories. Always it seemed to be looking after you.

“Stevie, this is your night. We don’t have to talk about me — we’re always talking about me.” For a moment he almost bought your act until he looked into those dazzling eyes of yours, ones he never seemed to grow tired of in the past few years.

“I’m not happy unless you’re happy. So, if you need a night where we just watch romcoms and chow on cookie dough ice cream, you know I’m all yours.” Unknowing to the two of you, everyone of your friends was watching the encounter and still couldn’t believe you still were with your current boyfriend.

Or that Steve was just waiting for you patiently. Something that didn’t come easy for him around women. Before you, he didn’t really do relationships with women that didn’t end with him in their bed at some point. Somehow, much to everyone’s dismay, he managed to keep his interactions platonic with you.

At least in their eyes.

“No, Stevie. I’m fine. He just didn’t follow through this time. It’s not the end of the world, I’ll be fine. Tonight, I just wanna be by your side and celebrate you.” Although, he didn’t really believe you Steve decided he would let it go.

“Regardless of it, thank you for coming tonight. Means the world to me.” It really did. Even more so, when he felt like he was one of the reasons you were still in Brooklyn and not in California living with your boyfriend instead.

“Oh, hush bubba. You’re getting so soft on me and you haven’t even had a proper drink in you yet. Let’s just celebrate with our friends, yeah?” You kissed his cheek sweetly, before you were off to Bucky and Nat’s place to get properly fed and surely get Steve drunk off his ass.

It really was the elephant in the room you were choosing to ignore. The fluttering feeling of adventurous butterflies traveling to spaces you didn’t know existed. Everytime he pulled you close to his side or kissed your temple.

When Bucky would do something monumentally stupid, he would whisper a line in your ear humorous enough to hear you laugh. Even right now, when you knew he was exhausted, muscles sore and aching — Steve was still tending to whatever you needed.

In this moment, your body nestled between his legs as he draped his arm across your chest, letting him hold you close was exactly what you needed. Even if you tried to remove yourself several times because of the new injuries, he would never let you.

“What’s next, Rogers?” Steve watched as he craned his neck towards Sharon. You’d almost forgotten she was here, she’d been so quiet most of the night.

“A whole lot of rest and then in a few weeks, right back into training.” He spoke with pride because winning the title went hand and hand with defending it. “You should come to the club. Danielle’s been itching to see you, again.”

Steve grimaced, not just as Sharon’s words, but with how stiff your body became. The way you rubbed back and forth with the tip of your fingers against his forearm came to a halt.

You weren’t really sure what to do because now you felt horrible for even feeling like you had a right to be upset in the first place. Because you didn’t. You weren’t single and Steve was. In this space in time, he did nothing wrong.

When you followed Nat back into the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine, away from him, it felt like he had made a mistake.

Just watching as you followed Nat up the pathway, in your pretty green dress, as you messed with the necklace adoring your neck. Something he learned you did when you were anxious.

“Why would you bring that up now? In front of her?” He was slightly pissed off she had driven you away and out of his arms. Steve would have you within his grip constantly if you would let him. Not that you did, but it was still a certain something he found himself wishing for. More than not though, someone else always seemed to hold your attention whenever he wasn’t in the ring.

Jordan. Tony. Sam. Natasha. Bucky. Wanda.

Tonight had seemed it might go in a different direction, until Sharon steered your mind elsewhere. One where you were a girl who missed her boyfriend. Or at least that’s what he thought.

Unknowingly to Steve, Jordan was the last thing on your mind, which allowed the guilt to settle in. Maybe, just this one time it was rightfully placed. The thoughts you were having scared you senseless — making you want to do something you knew you shouldn’t.

You just sat there on the padded bar tool as Nat grabbed a bottle of white with a bottle of red. Like time and time again, Nat read your mind just as she often did. “So, why couldn’t he come this time?” She drilled into you, her iridescent daggers as piercing as ever.

“He said he forgot his mother asked him to help her move out of the house. He said he’d make it up to me some other time.” Just like always.

But you held your tongue before voicing it to anyone other than yourself. It’d been months since you’d seen him in the flesh, and it was the first time he spoke to you in days when he informed you he’d been unable to spend any of his time off with you.

“He’s just never here and he keeps asking for me to move to Los Angeles, but my whole life is here. Before, he never seemed to really pressure me. He was always patient with me to travel at my own pace but I think he ultimately thought I would eventually go there with him.” You breathed out, scared of the truth dripping right out of you.

“I just-, you know what? Nevermind. It’s isn’t important.” She was never one to bite her tongue, but she found herself trying to when your feelings were involved.

“Tell me. What is it?” Your curious, bambi eyes peering into your soul, dying to pull the confession right out of her.

“Do you even miss him when you’re apart for so long? I’m not judging but it just seems like you’re okay. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but why don’t you ever go to him or Jordan to you?” Natasha spoke softly, afraid she might be poking the bear just a bit.

“Of course I miss him. I would see him if I could. I’m just a little too busy right now with work and my family.” You attacked back, feeling the need to defend yourself.

“Are you really going to make me say it?” With both bottles of wine on the counter, she went to grab three more wine glasses — for Sharon, herself, and you.

“Say what? What the hell are you talking about?” You pushed her as she put out the bottles of wine as she managed to link the three vines of the glasses in her left fingertips. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She was regretting it now, because maybe you weren’t quite ready to hear the words everyone else knew to be true. Anyone who was around the two of you could see it.

Perhaps, Nat never spoke a word of it because at the very least, she thought you wouldn’t be as naive to see his feelings. The ones he seemed to offer you on a silver platter, whether you wanted to reject or accept the offering, giving it to you wholeheartedly.

Following her out the patio door where the two of you stopped, not moving a step further. She didn’t really say anything either. Letting you bask in the glow before the fall.

He was laughing so hard, his hand clutching his chest as him. Golden hair shining bright by the fire pit, almost as

lively as his smile. Even if it looked like his spirit could have been beaten out of him tonight, he’d never show it.

When he had trouble keeping his eyes open, he’d force himself to stay alert because moments he could spend with ones he loved seemed too precious to pass up. Especially over the past few months — he didn’t even have to think twice about it.

Through the schedule Tony had him on, his life was eating, breathing, living boxing. Training every day in the gym, whether it be furthering his techniques in the gym to Tony making him regret any mistake he made in the ring.

Even some days he was just weight training when Tony told him he could rest. He couldn’t though. Not when he could taste the sweetness of his dreams on the tip of his tongues.

Every day, dawn till dusk, training consumed every moment of his time. Steve thought his body was restless before, but now? Nothing came even close to this.

Leading Steve to be blissfully unaware of what was actually going in that fantastically bold head of yours.

“Just spill it, Romanov.” You pressured her, but your eyes were too weak to redirect your directions elsewhere. Only Steve holding your attention at one.

“Remember when Steve left for Spain for three months with Tony?” Your body stilled, having a feeling you knew where this was going. Regretting you told her what had happened with Steve in the first after promising him it would just stay between the two of you.

“It was the year Jordan and I had split for two months.” The memory of what happened always clouding your better judgement. The way his eyes shined still haunted you. “Steve had already been there a month when it happened and the second I told him he insisted on flying me out.”

Looking at him fondly, across the greenery before speaking so softly as if he was right next to you, “I could never say no to him. I still can’t.” Nat tried to ignore it but she could see through the fog of your first love fading even if you were trying your hardest to avoid the inevitable heartache.

The care you held for him was oozing out of you, bursting and breaking at the seams. When you kept thinking of him more than a roommate, more than a friend.

“Dove, you can’t just keep pretending your feelings don’t exist. The more you try to bury the root deep the more it will grow.” You knew she was right, but you really didn’t want to hurt anyone.

You supposed you were already causing pain unintentionally. “His biggest insecurity is him. Jordan thinks I’m still here because of him.” You confessed, the ongoing fight no secret to anyone, really.

“Aren’t you?” Maybe if you had been a better liar, you could’ve convinced her but everyone could read you like the back of your own hand.

You hated the spotlight she was putting on you, but even more so because she was right. Moving forward with Jordan meant leaving someone else behind, something you couldn’t seem to prepare yourself to do.

“I love Jordan. He’s my first love and I thought he would be the greatest one, too.” You really want to stop the love and admiration flowing out of you, but you couldn’t choose who you love and maybe it was time for you to stop fighting it.

“Then, I met Steve. He responded to the ad I put out for the spare room in my apartment and we met for coffee.” If you had listened to your mother, her wishes of you not to be in the company of a man who was a complete stranger, you’d never meet the most important person in your life.

“He looked more like a boy back then. Clean shaven. No beard. Steve was still muscular, but not nearly as toned as he is now. But his eyes? They pulled me right in. Still do, every damn time.” You should have held some sort of shame, but you didn’t.

“You should do something about it, Dove. He isn’t going to be single forever.” Nat questioned as you followed her lead, back to the roaring fire.

“Nat, I love Jordan. I could never do that to him.” You really couldn’t, but you also couldn’t find it in you to move with him either. “I know you love him, but you aren’t in love anymore.” Growing closer and closer, back to the group, you saw him clearly.

“What do you mean?” Trying to ignore the pain in your chest as Natasha spoke. “I think you’re scared of ending it with Jordan. Dove. I’ve known you for a long time now and I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you do with Steve.”

The words spilling out of her lips left you a little broken — the truth spearing you through. She wasn’t wrong, not one bit. Nat never nearly was, especially when your feelings were involved. Steve had become such an enigma to you in the past year.

The line of platonic friendship and overflowing emotional intimacy was becoming too entangled for you to even comprehend.

“Just think about it. I just want you to be happy.” The rest of the night, it’s all you could think about. A few days passed and it was still in the forefront of your mind.

When Steve was walking home with you this week, you couldn’t stop wondering all the hypotheticals swarming inside your dreams.

He could tell, too.

You’d never been so quiet, not ever. He’d like to hear you, especially when you were drunk. Like you seemed to be now, at least to him but tequila that lit a fire in your chest a few hours ago was beginning to wear off. Just when the feelings you kept trying to avoid would seep there way back in like your furry, fat cat Thor when he wormed his body through the gate into the apartment.

“What’s wrong? You’ve seemed off this week.” You felt his hand kiss yours, but he didn’t bother to find it’s home. He’d been keeping his distance or at least been trying to. You'd been so vulnerable lately and the last thing he wanted to do was exploit that.

Ever since Sharon had made a comment about Danielle, and you escaped with Nat, something changed. You more guarded around him, more than you'd ever been since you met.

Steve knew there was a reason for it, but he didn't want to push you — not when it looked like you would combust into a breakdown at any given moment.

“I’ve just been thinking about where my life is going and where I want it to go.” You confessed, letting your words linger. “Jordan wants me to move with him to California and I’m running out of reasons to say no.” In perfect harmony, your eyes met his at the same time.

They weren’t joyful what his bright blues usually possess, but this time they were indifferent. Not even you could read them.

“Do you want to move there with him?” Steve asked you, his heart on the verge of dropping into his stomach. “If it will make you happy, you should.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, you watched him drift away from you.

“I don’t know. It might.” Both of you coming to a halt, walking up to the apartment the two of you shared.

“He’s insecure about you. It’s why he’s pressuring me.” The two of your bodies so close but so far away as you stood in the doorway. With a confusing gaze and pouty lips, practically guiding you into temptation.

“He used to always tell me you were in love with me. He was fully convinced, still is. I never thought so. You were just my best friend, that was it. I just never really thought about it unless Jordan brought it up.” You would have loved to blame your sudden outburst on the alcohol, but it was something you'd been dying to do.

Before you never had the guts, but you a felt a pull towards Steve lately, like maybe there was something more trying to burst under the seams.

“I thought Tony was bullshitting me, fucking with me, but I didn’t ever give it a thought. Then, Nat brought up Spain.” Nights you told yourself were a mistake, but deep down it was the probably the safest you felt in a long time.

“What are you talking about? What did Tony say?” Fetching for the key, he slid it in before opening the door for you and following you inside. “Steve, why do you still live here?” Blushing cheeks and a string of incoherent words was all you could make out from him.

As he headed for the small couch, trying to make up an excuse good enough. One which you’d actually believe, he hoped.

“You make four times as much as me, if not more. For some reason, you’ve decided to stay in this shithole apartment — it doesn’t make sense.” He wished you would make sense of it, that way he didn’t have to say a word.

“Do you want me to move out?” He questioned, watching your movements. If you wanted him to move out, he wouldn’t hesitate to do so.

It was the last thing you wanted, but the line between your friendship with him was always blurred. Only now, when it was vaguely pointed out by the two people close to the both of you — it became more apparent than ever.

“No, I just, I guess I’m asking why. You know you’re more than welcome to stay here as long as you’d like, but this place is a dump, Steve. Why on earth would you wanna stay here?” When he looked up, where you stood above him having a hard time biting his tongue.

Because you’re here.

It’s what he wanted to say, but he didn’t have the right and he would just be an asshole if he put you in a compromising position. He already felt guilty enough with his feelings in the first place, he didn't need to pile on.

“I guess it’s just easier to stay. It’s so close to the ring and I’m maybe a tad too comfortable.” You sat next to him on the couch. Finding yourself trapped in the green of his eyes. “Don’t you want something better?” Maybe it was him or maybe it was you. Neither of you could tell.

The two of you inched closer until Steve was caressing your thigh, just with the tip of his thumb. “I’m more than happy with where I’m at.”

“Well, I’m asking because I need to go to California. Just for a bit. I need to see Jordan, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen him.” He didn’t stop touching, not even with the mention of his name.

Even if it pierced him every time you talked about him. Or when Jordan came to town, he felt like he didn’t exist to you.

He didn’t blame you, not at all. Jordan was your highschool sweetheart, and you wanted so badly for it to work but something was holding you back. Something you were trying to let go of.

“He loves me so much and wants to start building this whole new life, but how am I supposed to tell him?” Steve said nothing, letting you sink into the ground.

“He’s been nothing, but kind and loving. Always there, always supportive. The best partner I could have asked for.” Steve laced your hand in his like it was the most natural thing in the world, making butterflies erupt at full speed.

You couldn’t really pinpoint a moment when he started, but all you knew is how safe his warm, calloused hands made you feel. Since the moment you met, never failing to comfort you when needed.

“Then what’s the problem, Dove?” Steve questioned you, untangling his body from yours.

If he was going to help you, he needed to think and being so close to you wouldn’t get himself where you needed. Above all, you didn’t make any easier when a small whine left your throat — tugging at his heart strings.

“We never talk about what happened in Barcelona.” You watched his body tighten, muscles in his arm constricting.

It made him feel just as uneasy as it did to you. At least you could find comfort in that.

“Dove, there’s a reason for it. You and I both know it.” Steve was right. His self righteous sense of nature always kicked in when you wanted it the least.

“You don’t think about it? Because I do.” Pushing weight on his heart, you were very aware you held. You weren’t too naive to know just how much he cared for you, but coward enough to try and make him admit it first.

“You were broken up, things are different now. We’re home where you have a boyfriend and I have boxing.”

“Yes, where I have a boyfriend who wants me to abandon everything I hold close to me to join him without even bothering to ask me what I want.” You puffed out, exhaustion coming in overflow. “The past year, he hasn’t once asked me what I want.”

The boy with golden locks found himself wanting nothing more than to hold you in his arms, nurse you back to health with all the love he could offer.

But even he knew he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t keep on spreading himself thin over a woman who was so conflicted, so distraught she was collapsing within herself. If he wasn’t too careful, he might fall right beside you.

“Before we got back together, he asked me.” You confessed, feeling better as soon as the secret flew from your mouth. “He asked you what?” Steve pressed on, a bit terrified of it truly, but even he had to know.

“He asked if anything happened between us the months I was there and I lied. Ever since we met, he’s been insecure. He thinks I’m going to leave you for him and it wasn’t the first time he asked either.” You wish you hadn’t dealt with the two of them so poorly, but with the expression on Steve’s face you knew you had.

“He knows I lied and it hurts even more he stayed with me anyways.” Steve didn’t move, his fear keeping him still.

“I don’t know how to be his after you, but I don’t know how to let go of my high school sweetheart either.” You felt trapped, in between an impossible decision. An old love, who loves you past your mistakes, past the hurt and a soulful heart admiring you from where you’re at and nothing less.

“Those nights don’t have to mean anything if you don’t want them to.” He spoke softly, his beautiful orbs catching yours in the moonlight peeking through the window.

“They mean too much to me, that’s the problem.” If he didn’t move as you inched closer to his body, planting yourself in front of him, you could tell he was straining himself.

“Do you remember the first time?” He looked confused, wondering if you truly were bold enough to speak of something you shouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. Your hand found his chest, feeling the pulse of his rapid heart beat. “I was so shy and timid the first time with you, but you guided me so well.” Too fond of the memory of him worshipping every part of your body.

The very thing he wanted to do since the moment he met you, but Steve wanted more than that. Now more than ever.

“You don’t have to remind me, Dove. I remember.” He swallowed deeply, trying to erase the permanent memory of your body writhing beneath him, moaning out his name, begging him for more.

He still found himself thinking about it. Those two months with you had just amplified what he felt even more because now he knew what it was like for you to wake up in his arms, bare skin against his own.

The way you curled into his chest, your arms wrapped around his waist for optimal comfort.

Or when he’d wake up before you, which was most days, he’d find you murmuring his name in your sleep while soft fingertips caressed your skin lulling you into a more peaceful slumber.

“I never forget, Dove. That’s the problem.” With one finger, he pushed back the hair falling in your face tucking it behind your ear. “I tried to move past it, I went on a couple dates with this woman, Danielle.” You already felt your heart clench at the thought of him with someone else.

“She’s kind, smart, and beautiful and she seems to like me. Sharon keeps bugging me to take her out again since she set the two of us up.” Steve was trying to talk calmly, but he couldn’t ground himself. Especially when you only seemed to pull back further from him.

It was weird that Sharon set the pair up, considering she dated Steve not too long ago but it seemed she could put her feelings inside if it was for your despair.

In her daunting eyes, you were the reason her and the promising boxer broke up in the first place. As cliche as it was, she offered Steve an ultimatum after six months of dating — her or you.

Steve picked you.

It wasn’t like he loved her at that point. He did care for her, but you just meant too much to him. When kind, iridescent eyes met his own for the first time Steve never was able to stop thinking about them. Or you for that matter.

Carefully calculated as Steve could be, he managed to trap you between the closed door of his bedroom and his toned body.

“But I want to hear you say something before I do.” His gaze never faltered for a moment as he played with the hem of the short slip dress adoring your taut figure.

Half of your mind was begging you to retreat into your room and forget the last time you’d been pressed up against him like this. The other half wanted to see what he would do once he knew you were in the palm of his hand once again.

You had a feeling he already did.

His beard was grown out and his silky, golden hair that almost reached his shoulders make him look even more deliciously sinful.

“What’s that?” You tried not to gulp loudly, but if you even made the slightest movement, he would notice. “Tell me you’re in love with him.” His soft thumb caressing your side, not sure if he was trying to soothe himself or you.

“Just tell me five years down the line, you see him right there with you. Just say it, so I can move on.” He couldn’t even look at you, he couldn’t take the inevitable. “Tell me we’re just friends and Jordan’s your future.” You met his eyes, the prettiest blues you’ll ever see.

Commanding your attention without even trying — every damn time. You weren’t sure what you wanted, but you knew seeing him hurt was chipping a piece of you away. Watching his arched eyebrows furrowed in distress, fine lines being made in the middle for proof.

Soft fingertips met his skin, smoothing out his furrowed brows, closing his eyes trying to remember what you smelled like. Just like Sharon reached her breaking point, he had too. Steve couldn’t watch you any longer without being the one you wanted without a doubt.

“Stevie.” You softly whisper, before pulling him into your arms.

Even if he was double your size, he let you hold him as best as you could. Comfort him even if you were the reason he’s breaking.

The strong, persistent boxer had been transported back to the sick and thin kid he once was before all the guns and glory came. Steve was right back to where he got rejected by anyone and everyone. A time and many places where no one gave a damn about Steve Rogers, not anyone he wished for.

You watched him untangle himself from you, but you weren’t sure just how much time had passed. A few minutes? Thirty? An hour?

Only time could tell and she wasn’t really on your side at the moment.

“I’ve only found love once. Back in high school, there was this girl, Hazel. She was kind, sweet, eyes that shined like fresh honey. The first person to ever show any interest in me and I was in love with the fact that someone actually wanted me.” Steve felt his heart clench at the memory he wished to forget.

“I truly believed I loved her with every fiber in me and I thought she cared about me too, until I realized she was just using me to get to Bucky.” You watched the distress wash over him again and you wanted nothing more than to make him feel appreciated and loved. Not rejected and forgotten.

“It broke my heart for months because I truly believed I was in love with this girl who I hardly knew.” He sighed deeply, like he somehow already was aware of the soft whisper of goodbye.

“It always kind of stayed with me, not ever feeling like I was good enough for anyone until Tony found me. Graduated high school and I started training dawn till dusk until I couldn’t anymore just to start all over and do it the next day.” He was looking everywhere but you. Even if there was not a thing in this damn hallway, but two pressured hearts.

“Not too long after, I met you and I remember thinking this is the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met in my life.” Now, feeling like an absolute dick because you truly didn't deserve for this wonderful man to be in your life.

“You were so kind to me and you had no reason to be, but I learned it’s just who you are. This amazingly bright full beam, shining their light on everyone else — not paying attention to how much they give even if it’s everything they have.” Your skin felt hot beyond comparison, the passion in the words he spoke deeper than the memory of his skin against your own.

“I always tried to ignore it, how stupidly kind and thoughtful you are. How much you take care of me when you don’t have to. You cleaned my wounds for months without even asking me what I was doing.”

“I already knew you had a boyfriend, one you love very much, but I couldn’t stop myself from being around you. Now, I have to leave. I need to move on for me because I know how this ends for me — how it always has.” He sighed before walking away, leaving you hanging in every conceivable way. You didn’t notice the suitcase by the door before. Until he was walking out of the apartment with his possessions in hand — out of sight and out of mind.

“Wait!” He was already making it to his car, the old beat up pickup truck he couldn’t seem to get rid of when you reached him. “I just need time, Steve.” You’d been sprinting after him, until you caught up to him, making his attention fully focused on you.

“Jordan’s the only boyfriend I’ve ever had — I don’t know how to let him go.” You were crying because maybe, deep down you were hoping you could have your cake and eat it too.

“And you’re the only person I’ve ever been in love with, Dove. I can’t keep sticking around hoping you’ll wake up one day and feel the same.” He emptied his belongings in his truck before returning his attention towards you.

“Steve, don’t do this. Please. Don’t leave me.” You’d become so dependent on him, more than you realized. “You’re the only person who truly loves me and not for who they want me to be.” Trying to plead with him, but it felt like you were only pushing him even further away.

“Then tell me I’m the only one you want.” But all he was left with silence because you couldn’t and he already knew what you didn’t. He knew you hated change more than anything, that you’d rather stay in what was comfortable even if you were presented with a different option.

Someone you wanted more.

With tears in your eyes, you looked up at him like he was crushing you and there was nothing to stop the numbing feeling. He sympathized, maybe more than he liked to admit, it’s what he chose to live with over the past year. It started the moment he met you if he was truly being honest.

He knew there was nothing left for him, no matter how much his heart clenched at the sound of your cries. He couldn’t be the one who was always taking care of you, loving you, when you didn’t feel what he felt. It was splitting him open, and you just kept taking pieces of him away — parts of him you would hold forever.

He let you cling onto him one more time, begging for him not to leave you. He let you believe he wouldn’t as he calmed you back in a false sense of security. Until you were asleep in his soft sheets later that night, leaving you lonely in the home you’d been sharing.

With only half of his belongings with him, he pulled up to the project he had just completed. Even now, with not a single hope you would ever see it after he just abandoned you, there was still a light hope you’d be able to at least see it one day. If Steve was ever strong enough to face his heartbreak again.

tagging: @tonystankschild | @andromedasstarship | @tinylumpiaa | @brattycherubwrites | @bval-1 | @kayteewritessteve |

[bvidzsoo]

No one like you

 Author: bvidzsoo

 Warnings: light swearing, overload of fluff for the light hearted

 Pairing: Kim Mingyu x female reader

 Word count: 15, 074 

 Summary:  On a very important day you get a call from your sister asking you to babysit her daughter. She knows how important the project is for you and wouldn’t have bothered to ask you if it really wasn’t urgent. And you know that, so you reassure her that you’ll babysit Jieun. However, you get a little surprise when Kim Mingyu, your brother-in-law’s best friend, shows up unannounced, did I mention he’s also your ex? 

 A/N: Holy moly what a ride this one shot was writing! I had no idea I had the capacity to write something as fluffy as this bUT! THIS IS KIM MINGYU! and I love Kim Mingyu too much, so this is me channeling my inner love haha. Hope you enjoy it and I would love to read your feedback!

       The studio has been buzzing with people the whole week. The new exposition was going well and I was proud that my works gained so much attention in so little time. I have been painting ever since middle school, a small and innocent passion became the job that allows me to put bread on my table every day. I never imagined that one day I would become a well-known painter, it just seemed surreal. But it happened, in my sophomore year, I painted a little piece for a contest and I won, gaining a lot of attention. Ever since then things changed, but they really only changed after I finished high school. I didn’t go to college, like many of my peers, I downed myself into the world of art and went around Europe, researching and learning as much as I could about the painters. Somewhere along the way, in Switzerland to be exact; I was actually taking a break; is where I met my manager. Hansol Vernon Chwe. He had a fine eye for art, very sophisticated taste and unique views. Through him, I met Xu Minghao, my second-in-hand. Minghao was mesmerizing, his mere presence could capture your whole attention. Everything about him was delicate, his taste was even finer than mine and he was ruthless. He knew what he wanted, always, and wasn’t afraid to demand it. Only wanting the best, always striving to be the best. I’m a perfectionist, I rarely let loose and I’m obsessed with order. Minghao and I clicked instantly, it was love at first sight, in a very platonic way. Ever since Vernon introduced me to him, we’ve been working together. Minghao is a painter as well, his style rigid and very colorful, meanwhile mine is warm and homey. We run the studio together, he’s a few years older. It was his idea to work together, to build the studio together, to give it life together. It was his project of a life time, his very own dream, and when he shared it with me, asked me to join him, I knew I couldn’t refuse him. It was great exposure to the both of us and it wasn’t a big surprise of how well it worked.

I was busy talking to a client when my phone started ringing, cutting my words off. Vernon threw me a displeased look, they were clients from France and they wanted a contract with me, some of my paintings would be exposed in their art gallery if I went through with the deal today, but when my phone rang for the second time, I knew I had to excuse myself. I wouldn’t have to, if it wasn’t my sister calling. She had a different ringtone, on purpose, and she knew I was busy today, so, she wouldn’t have called unless it was something very important.

“I’m so sorry for bothering you!” Were her first words as I picked up, eliciting a chuckle from me.

“Yeah, I’m talking to some very important people, right now, Joohyun. What’s wrong?”

“Wonwoo and I got stuck.” Her sigh was loud and I listened closely, eyebrows furrowing.

“Where?”

“On the highway, we are still three hours away, traffic is insane, again…”

“Okay, what can I do?” I asked, already knowing it involved Jieun, my 4-year-old niece.

“Jieun’s nanny has to leave in an hour, something came up for her…can you go over? Look after her until Wonwoo and I get back?” I bit my lower lip, thinking hard. Can I leave the studio in an hour? The event goes on the whole day and I am supposed to stay. But if Jieun needs me, our parents live on the other side of the country they won’t be able to come in such a short time, I had no choice but to make it work.

“Yeah, sure, don’t worry. I’ll go babysit her.” I reassured Joohyun and she sighed out relieved.

“Thank you, Y/N, you are a life saver!” Came Wonwoo’s deep voice through the speakers, no doubt my sister was using the car’s Bluetooth to speak on the phone.

“Sure thing, Won, see you later. Drive safely, brother-in-law!” After my sister and her husband bid me their goodbye’s I hung up the phone and went to find Minghao and Vernon. Vernon just finished talking to the French clients and as I neared him, he shook his head.

“What could have been more important than this deal?”

“My sister.” I deadpanned and Vernon sighed as he nodded his head.

“Well, I made the deal. So, if you want to back out, we can’t anymore. The paintings we talked about will be shipped off to Lyon next week.”

“That’s alright with me. For how long is the contract?” I let my eyes run over the people inside the studio, eyes falling on Minghao. He was standing next to one of his painting’s, a glass of red wine in his hand as he spoke to three blonde females. They were giving him suggestive smiles but Minghao paid little to no attention to them as gazed at his painting proudly.

“Contract is for two years, Y/N.” Vernon answered me and I nodded with my lips pursed, waving Minghao over once we made eye contact. He excused himself and jogged over, a bright smile on his lips.

“Everything good?” He asked with his honey voice and Vernon nodded.

“So, uhm…” I cleared my throat and looked at them apologetically, “I have to leave in an hour.”

“Oh?” Minghao asked surprised, looking at Vernon to see if he knew about this already, but he didn’t.

“Joohyun called and asked me to babysit Jieun, her babysitter has to leave in an hour.” I explained to the guys and Vernon’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Is there no one else that could go?”

“No, I’m sorry, I really want to stay, but I just—can’t.” I sighed and Vernon nodded in understanding.

Minghao’s eyes lit up in sudden realization as he pointed his glass of wine at me, “Mingyu.”

“Uh…what about Mingyu?” I asked confused, looking at Minghao with furrowed eyebrows.

“Call him and tell him to babysit Jieun instead of you.” He proposed his idea and I took a second to think.

“I’m sure Joohyun and Wonwoo thought of Mingyu first.” Minghao went to cut me off but I raised one finger at him, “Joohyun knows it’s important what we are doing today, she really wouldn’t have called if Mingyu was available, okay?”

“Sure.” Minghao muttered with a sigh and Vernon patted my shoulder reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything. Minghao will entertain the guests, no doubt.” A teasing grin came onto Vernon’s lips as he took the glass of wine from Minghao.

“Why can’t you do it, huh?” Minghao snapped back, glaring at Vernon when he took a sip from his glass.

“And this is why I didn’t want to leave…” I muttered with a shake of my head, making Vernon chuckle as Minghao shot me a glare.

“We are very competent of running things on our own, Y/N, thank you very much.” I gave Minghao a look before he returned it, challenging me. Sometimes our personalities would clash together, one more stubborn than the other.

“Chill, guys,” Vernon raised a hand in the air to get our attention, our mediator in tense moments, “Y/N, you should greet Mr. Yoon’s grandmother before you leave, she’s been looking for you.”

“Of course!” My face lit up at the mention of Grandma Yoon, the old lady having been a very loyal customer of mine. I met her through the contest back in high school and ever since we’ve kept in touch. She used to think Yoon Jeonghan, her charming nephew, and I would become a thing. She was really convinced she could make us date, but Jeonghan and I were too different. And to be fairly honest, I’m not someone very interested in relationships. I’m fine on my own, I don’t mind not having a partner. It was long since someone held me in their arms and kissed my forehead softly, but my art required a lot of attention and time that I wasn’t willing to sacrifice for someone else. I’ve been on a few dates since high school, but they never worked out. I blamed them on my atrociously high expectations but those weren’t the reasons for my failed love life. It was a person that I never truly got over, he ruined me in the best way possible, and now I just can’t find anyone that could live up to his level. No one. And it was frustrating until I realized I didn’t actual need someone to feel completed and happy. Excusing myself from Minghao and Vernon, I went around the studio with a smile on my face, searching for Grandma Yoon and Jeonghan.

       The car ride to my sister’s house took a lot longer than usual, traffic at noon was horrible in the city. I was at least fifteen minutes late by the time I pulled in their driveway, quickly getting out of the car, big bag full of supplies almost falling from my hand. I locked my car and rushed to the front door, ringing the bell. It took three seconds and the door was thrown open, a relieved look on the nanny’s face.

“I’m sorry, traffic was really bad today.” I shot an apologetic smile to the nanny and she opened the door wider, to let me step inside.

“I understand, thank you so much for coming!” She bowed her head as she pulled on her coat, stepping outside the door, “It’s really urgent.”

“Hurry, then…” I motioned for her to leave with my head and she bowed a bit before rushing away, leaving me shaking my head. I closed the door and threw my heels off, music coming from the living room. I smiled to myself when a girly voice echoed to the hallway, singing along to the lyrics. I left my green, thin, coat hanging on the hanger and gripping my heavy bag with both hands, I headed towards the living room. My sister’s house was big and beautiful. Her and Wonwoo have a simple yet sophisticated taste. Their house looked a thousand times better than my apartment. As clean as I am, my apartment could be a mess from time to time. Especially my art room, where I paint, that one was always a mess. But for me that mess was order, I always knew where everything was and found whatever I was looking for within seconds. As I walked down the hallway to the living room, I gazed at the pictures in white frames that were hung up on the white walls. The pictures were of Wonwoo, Joohyun and Jieun, mostly. There were a few family portraits from both parties, Wonwoo and Joohyun, and there were even some of me and Mingyu. Actually, the one who took almost every picture was Mingyu. He has had a passion for photography since high school and continued to do it as a side job, even currently. He was borderline an artsy, borderline a jock kind of guy throughout high school, maybe that’s why he attracted all kinds of girls. Myself included.

“What a nice voice you have, Jieun!” I exclaimed as I let my bag fall to the floor once I made it into the living room’s doorway.

Jieun’s head turned away and a big gummy smile, nose scrunched up, spread on her soft face, “Auntie Y/N! You came!”

“Of course, I came, auntie wouldn’t miss any chance of spending time with her favorite girl in this whole world!” Jieun started giggling loudly as I spoke in a funny way, jumping my way towards her.

“I’m really your favorite girl?” She asked with another giggle as I reached her and scooped her up in my arms. Her weight wasn’t something I couldn’t handle; she was only four after all.

“Well…it might be Joohyun, but—”

“Auntie, bad auntie!” Jieun whined with a pout and I grinned at her, kissing her cheek.

“Bad auntie, I know.” I muttered and she pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, so I placed her down, “What were you doing with your nanny?”

“We studied a little bit of numbers, then I wanted to watch cartoons and she promised to make some French fries for me but—she’s gone now.” Jieun’s lips formed a pout and she oddly resembled a little bunny, cheeks puffing up. I laughed and crouched down in front of her.

“So, here’s my plan…” I motioned for her to lean as if I was sharing a secret with her, “Auntie brought some of her painting stuff over…so, after we paint a bit, I will make French fries for you. Cool?”

“Cool!” Jieun exclaimed loudly, clapping her hands together. I winked at her and went to grab my bag from the doorway, dragging it to the coffee table. I glanced at her as I opened the bag, her big eyes shone with excitement; she loved drawing and painting; and her nose scrunched up in the most adorable way as she smiled. She was an oddly mix of both Joohyun and Wonwoo. Sometimes, the two would start bickering about who she looked more like…in those time, of course Mingyu and I would have to interfere, and of course Mingyu would be on Wonwoo’s side meanwhile I was on Joohyun’s, just to balance out everything. But when Jieun smiled, she was the exact replica of Wonwoo, nose scrunching in the same way and eyes disappearing almost. When she was serious or pouting, she looked like Joohyun with her big eyes and delicate lips. Her beautiful dark hair reached her shoulders and she’d always brush her bangs out of her eyes, especially when she was frustrated with something. And oh my God, she was one of the most stubborn kids I’ve ever met. She knew how to manipulate people, even at the age of four, and most of the time got what she wanted. She inherited Joohyun and Wonwoo’s calm natures, never being a hyper child, nor too loud. She could be a little angel but she had her moments when she was hard to deal with.

“So…” I looked at Jieun as she kept smiling at me, “Do you have anything in mind that you’d like to paint?”

She sat on her knees close to the coffee table as she stared down at the smaller white canvas I placed on the table for her. All kinds of brushes and colors lay on the table, Jieun’s eyes running over them eagerly.

“Nothing special, maybe some trees…a blue sky…green grass…something nice.” She mused, more to herself, and I chuckled quietly as I shook my head. One day, my little Jieun, would turn into a big painter herself, making her auntie proud.

“Sounds excellent,” I raised my thumb up at her and she giggled, “Should we start?”

“Yes!” She exclaimed and quickly claimed her brush, asking me to pour some blue paint onto her palette. I did as I was asked and watched as her tongue darted out and eyebrows furrowed as she mentally imagined where she’d place the sky.

“Auntie, will you not paint?” She gave me a quick glance before swiping her brush against the canvas.

“Not today, I’m taking a break.” I answered her as I leaned against the sofa, watching her paint, “Auntie has worked really hard the past three months, I need some rest.”

“Don’t you paint though because it makes you relax?” Her eyebrows rose as she tried to lighten the blue color she placed on her canvas.

“That’s true, but I’m wearing white pants…” I trailed off with a lame excuse, making Jieun throw me an amused glance. I giggled when she shook her head, it made me feel like I was the kid and she was the adult. Jieun, sometimes, would act really mature for her age, saying meaningful things without realizing the weight of her words. Mingyu always blamed it on Wonwoo and Joohyun, who would never fail to remind their daughter certain things that would form her into a decent human being later on in life.

“I’m so excited!” Jieun giggled as she pointed at the yellow paint, and I took and pushed some of it onto her palette.

“Do you like painting so much?” I chuckled and Jieun nodded, “That makes auntie really happy!”

“Yes but no!” She exclaimed and I raised my eyebrows at her as she attempted to paint a big sun onto the blue sky she just painted, “Uncle is coming over too!”

My eyebrows furrowed as I looked surprised at the little girl sitting next to me, Mingyu is coming over?

“Did you speak to mommy and daddy, Jieun?”

“Yes, they said uncle Mingyu couldn’t make it in time so they will ask you to come instead.” She hummed and grinned at me before turning back to her canvas.

“Ah, so Mingyu isn’t really coming over…” I let out a sigh, pleased to hear he wouldn’t show up today. I haven’t seen him in over a month, and meanwhile it was a long time, it was actually refreshing. I didn’t have much time to spend time with my family as I was busy with the studio and the project Minghao and I have been working on. Mingyu was considered family, even though he wasn’t related to anyone. It’s just the way it is, Wonwoo and him grew up together, it was only natural Wonwoo considered him his brother. So that made him, indirectly, Joohyun’s brother-in-law and my…well, brother-in-law? I wasn’t really sure, it didn’t matter, I didn’t consider Mingyu really family either way. It was just weird, to look at him and think ‘oh yeah, he’s like my bro’, because we have dated in high school before, for two years. Two years of bliss and pure happiness, two years I wish I could time travel back to.

“But uncle is still coming over though…” Jieun muttered to herself and my eyebrows furrowed, but I ignored her comment. She just misunderstood what her mom and dad told her. Mingyu couldn’t make it today, so they called me instead. Just like I suspected, I knew Joohyun wouldn’t have bothered me if she had other options.

Painting the canvas went well and in-an-hour Jieun was finished, happy and proud of her work. She asked me to critically asses her painting and so I did, entertaining my little niece furthermore, her giggles filling the living room. She was so loud that I didn’t even hear the front door opening, a mistake on my part as I forgot to lock it, and the deep voice made me jump upon I heard it.

“And what do we have here…” My eyes were wide as my heart beat quickly, a loud squeal leaving Jieun’s lips before he was up on her feet, dashing towards the giant standing in the doorway. Mingyu was grinning down widely at Jieun as he scooped her up in his strong, and well-built, arms, his sharp canines showing off when his smile widened more. His black hair was disheveled, probably because he continuously runs his hand through it, and the sides stuck to his face, still wet. He was wearing black shorts that reached his knees and a sleeveless blue loose tank top, a silver chain dangling from his neck. I quickly caught myself ogling him and huffed as I rose to my feet, arms crossing in front of my chest. Truly, who knew not seeing him for a month would make him look more attractive? Mingyu, no doubt, had an incredible glow up since high school. If he would’ve looked like this during high school too, I’m sure all the girls would’ve lined up in front of his classroom to bring him all sorts of things. But even as handsome as he was now, I found him plain. Maybe because I’ve known him for a long time now, and don’t get me wrong, plain not in a bad way…he was just, plain, transparent.

“Look how excited you are to see uncle!” Mingyu teased Jieun as he poked her stomach, eliciting a loud shriek. I couldn’t help it but smile, having a big weakness for Mingyu and Jieun together. And alone, just…when it came to Mingyu, after all those years, he was still my one and only weakness. It amazed me how I never got over him one hundred percent, I just couldn’t. But I didn’t want to either, not when his flaws seemed perfect too.

“Because I love uncle!” Jieun grinned at Mingyu, nose scrunching up making Mingyu giggle.

“Of course, you love me! I’m the best uncle ever!” Jieun cheered with Mingyu as he started dancing around with her still in his arms, Jieun poking Mingyu’s cheek.

“Finally, uncle and auntie are together!” Jieun cried out as Mingyu started tickling her sides, making her laughter echo loudly in the house. It seemed like realization dawned on him upon he heard Jieun’s words, he seemed to realize that there was another person there with them, standing a few feet away, smiling at them. Mingyu stopped moving and Jieun giggled quietly, trying to catch her breath from being tickled, throwing her arms around Mingyu’s neck to give him a tight hug. Mingyu’s gaze locked with mine and I kept my smile on as he returned it.

“Look who finally showed up!” He teased and put Jieun down, acting as if his muscles were sore from holding her and he earned a light slap from Jieun.

“Well, hello,” I said with a chuckle as Mingyu walked further inside the living room, headed my direction, “Long time no see, old friend.”

“A month, to be exact.” Mingyu said, suddenly serious, as he stopped in front of me, “Are you ignoring us now?”

“As if you don’t know…” I rolled my eyes and undid my arms that were in front of my chest, to turn and walk away, but Mingyu was fast and he was already pulling me in a hug. His body was bigger than mine and whenever he hugged me, I felt like I was melting into him, disappearing from the world. This time wasn’t different, in fact, it felt like his body swallowed mine all up as he gripped me tightly. One month was really that long of a time, huh. I returned the hug, suddenly realizing his tank top was damp and he didn’t smell exactly the most pleasant, at least his usual cologne was less strong, “I was busy with the studio and—are you sweating?”

“Right now?” Mingyu started laughing and his chest rocked against mine, my eyes widened, realization hitting me. He just finished work!

“Ew, Kim Mingyu, get off!” I shrieked and tried to wrestle myself out of his bear hug, but he squeezed harder and started laughing louder and louder, “You’re sweaty, no, stop!”

“Too late, dummy!” He said while laughing and twirled me around, very amused that I couldn’t get away from him.

“Don’t make me kneel you where the sun doesn’t shine!” I threatened with a deadly voice and in two second, he let go of me, “You’re disgusting!”

“That’s not something nice to say to someone, auntie…” We heard Jieun in the background say very lightheartedly.

“That’s right, Jieunie…” Mingyu said with a pout, leaning his face closer to mine. I quickly pushed it back and it made Mingyu snort before he glanced at the canvas on the coffee table.

“Oh! Did you paint this Jieun?” He asked, eyes wide and mouth open.

“Do you like it?” Jieun asked happily, bouncing on her toes.

“Love it! It’s so beautiful!”

“Thank you!” Jieun giggled and I patted her head as she came to stand by my side, grinning at Mingyu, “Next time I could paint you!”

“Oh, uncle would love that!” Mingyu winked at Jieun playfully as he looked back at me, “Missed you, Y/N.”

My heartbeat quickened and I snorted, very unladylike, as I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, sure…Can’t say I missed you very much, I guess—Yeah, kinda? A bit, yeah, I missed you too, idiot.”

“Wow,” Mingyu breathed out, an amused smile on his lips, “That sounded like you got a brain malfunction, glad to see I still make you flustered, Bae.”

“Don’t call me Bae.” I snapped at him, eyes narrowing as Mingyu went to the doorway, picking up his discarded backpack.

“Isn’t that your family name, Bae?” A sneaky smirk crossed his lips, he knew what he was doing. Of course, that is my family name but he is using it knowing it has double meaning.

“Go take a shower Kim, you stink.” I pinched the bridge of my nose with two fingers, making Jieun laugh loudly as she pointed at Mingyu.

“Auntie is making fun of you!”

“Didn’t Wonwoo hyung teach you to not point fingers or make fun of someone, Jieun?” Mingyu’s voice turned stern, but his expression remained light. Jieun, however, knew Mingyu was being serious and scolding her.

“Sorry,” She muttered with a pout and hid her face in my pants as she turned her body into me.

“Go shower, before I cut off the warm water, you dick—” I sucked in a deep breath at the almost slip, it was already bad that I let dick slip, as Mingyu started hollering with laughter.

“Good luck explaining that to Wonwoo and Joohyun later, bae.” He called as he walked down the hallway and towards the bathroom, laughter following him. I cursed in my head as I looked down at Jieun, a big smile on her lips.

“Dick?” She asked with a giggle and my eyes widened in mortification.

“Jieun, no! Never ever say that to anyone, okay?!” I snapped, eyes narrowing at her as I leaned down to be eye level with her, “Auntie will cry if you do, I swear, Jieun.”

“Auntie will be sad if I say…dick?” She giggled again and I glared at her, trying to make her understand she couldn’t say that. How do you make a kid stop from saying a bad word? Help?!

“Auntie will bawl, Jieun, not cry, bawl!” I emphasized the word, knowing how much Jieun hated seeing people cry.

“Okay, I won’t say it at all,” She raised her pinky finger and hooked it with mine, “Pinky promise.”

“Pinky promise.” I echoed after her, biting my lower lip nervously. This will come back and bite me in the ass later, I know it, and that’s when I’ll really be bawling. Especially if Joohyun will be shouting my head off with Wonwoo throwing daggers at me, dear God, what have I done?

       Jieun was beyond excited when I told her that I would have to cook lunch for us now, and she even volunteered to watch some Barbie movie while I do that. She knew I didn’t like other people in the kitchen with me while I was cooking, I always worked better alone. Mingyu was in the shower still, his phone blasting some upbeat song that we could hear clear and loud from the living room, hallway, and even a little bit from the kitchen. I shook my head as I turned on the Barbie movie for Jieun, Rapunzel, and walked to the kitchen while throwing daggers towards the closed and locked bathroom door. Mingyu always had weird habits but ever since we finished high school, he started developing some even weirder and annoying ones, like blasting music while showering. Maybe if it was Mozart or some jazz music it wouldn’t have bothered me, but the kind of music he listened to were men and women screaming and throwing out nasty words while saying them fast, that’s not music in my opinion. But I learned not to question him about many things, his rants would leave me with a headache afterwards, he always spoke too quickly which messed with my brain. He definitely wasn’t a very patient person and it showed in many ways.

I opened the fridge and took out everything I needed for lunch. I promised to make French fries for Jieun so that was the first thing I started working on. I washed the potatoes before peeling them and washing them again, then I placed them in a bowl and started cutting them up into long, thin, sticks. Without realizing, I found myself humming a ballad I heard a while ago while preparing the studio. It was a beautiful song about a man who regretted letting go of its lover, realizing too late what an amazing person this was. I could relate, almost, but it wasn’t me who broke up with Mingyu. He wanted us to break up, so I didn’t have much choice but to move on. Something I actually failed doing, only partially though.

I prepared the oil for the fries, placing it in a pan and putting it on the cooker, waiting for it to boil. I washed some vegetables and started cutting them, preparing a salad with some yoghurt and lemon dressing. I placed the first round of fries into the pan and hissed when some hot oil collided with the skin of my wrist, I always hated cooking with oil, that shit hurt when it burned you. As I moved around the kitchen, trying to find the salt that seemed to always be in a different cupboard, I became aware of the silence coming from the bathroom. Mingyu must have finished washing up, I strained my ears and was able to hear the Barbie movie still playing in the living room. I went back to the fridge and took out the meat that Joohyun placed there last night to defrost and took it to the chopping board. I took out the sharpest knife from the drawer bellow and started slicing up the meat into, somewhat, even pieces. I always found the cleaning and slicing of meat disgusting, nowadays, I didn’t even cook it anymore for myself. But Mingyu and Jieun really liked meat, and it seems like Joohyun had in mind to prepare it today, so I sacrificed myself to cooking it, not that it’s a big deal.

“Mhm, smells good in here,” The male voice made me flinch, I always get scared from the smallest things, “What are we cooking today?”

I heard shuffling from behind as Mingyu walked further inside the kitchen, his big feet thudding loudly against the marble floor.

“I’m cooking today.” I said as I proceeded to cut off the excess fat from the meat.

“You really don’t expect me to sit back and watch you cook?” Mingyu sounded amused and I knew I couldn’t really argue with him. He loved cooking and he was really good at it too.

“I mean, I wouldn’t mind…” I trailed off as I crouched down to open the cupboard and take out a bowl, “You know I don’t like people bothering me when I do something.”

“Yeah, and if it wasn’t for me, your first round of French fries would’ve turned into ashes.” I rolled my eyes as Mingyu took his position at the cooker, taking out the French fries and dumping them into a deep bowl.

“I was about to check it…” I muttered as I proceeded to season the meat, licking the mixture from my palm. It tasted fine but I needed to mix it better so I proceeded to do that.

“From what I can see, you do need an extra pair of hands here…” Mingyu muttered with a chuckle and I felt him passing behind me to wash his hands in the sink, “Not that I wouldn’t mind sitting and watching you move around—those pants really do their justice to your ass—”

“Kim Mingyu.” I snapped and rolled my eyes, refusing to look at him and let him see the redness of my cheeks. I swear to God, he says things like that on purpose just to make me flustered. And they always work.

“What? I’m just giving you a compliment here!” He said defensively and passed again behind my back, coming a lot closer and I clenched my jaw.

“Slap my ass and I will cut off your fingers.” I warned, knowing him well enough, and Mingyu started giggling as he quickly ran past me, coming to a stop in front of the cooker. He placed the second round of potatoes into the boiling oil, no complaints coming, unlike from me. His technique was always better. I licked my finger again and hummed contently, about to wash my hands when Mingyu spoke up.

“Let me taste it!” He whined and I rolled my eyes, heading for the sink.

“When it’s done.” I muttered as I turned on the water, hand almost underneath it, when a large hand gripped my wrist and raised it up.

“Mingyu—” I choked on air when he proceeded to such off the mixture from my middle finger, knocking all air out of my lungs. He hummed with his eyes closed, lips in a pout as he released my finger from his mouth. My heart went crazy and my jaw hung open, I shifted from one leg to the other, saliva pooling in my mouth. What the fuck?!

And then my eyes proceeded to travel lower and now I was definitely turned on, “What the fuck?!”

His eyebrows rose and he looked confused as he followed my eyes, which were currently on his well defined six pack. Jesus Christ, woman, as if you haven’t seen men with six packs before! Yeah, but those men weren’t Kim Mingyu…The hand he was still holding twitched and I snatched out of his hold, mustering up my most frightening glare as my eyes connected with his. It took a lot of power to punch his biceps instead of his, very firm looking and broad, chest.

“Go put on a shirt, Jesus, Jieun doesn’t need to see you shirtless.” I scolded him and quickly turned around and washed off the mixture, before he decided to lick my whole hand clean.

“I don’t see Jieun around though…” I could hear the smirk in Mingyu’s voice and I scoffed as I rolled my eyes aggressively.

“Here or not, go put on a shirt, dickhead, no one is curious of your body. This isn’t the gym, Mingyu.” I muttered aggressively, avoiding to look at him as I reached for the towel to dry my hands, knowing well if I looked at him my eyes would be drawn to his chest instead of his face. I tensed and groaned in annoyance when Mingyu’s front was suddenly pressed up against my back, his warm enveloping mine. I hate how easily he could tease me and how easy it is to make me react; how easy it was for him to play around. I knew he only teased me because he lived for my reactions, but deep down I always hoped it was because there were still some lingering feelings for me. Maybe not, he broke up with me, after all.

“You left the water running, Y/N,” He muttered, voice low as he was so close, his breath tickled my exposed shoulder and I tried not to cover away, “Joohyun and Wonwoo won’t be too happy when their bill comes.”

“Yeah, well, how about you learn what personal space is?!” I snapped as I placed the towel down forcefully, wanting to turn around but knowing I couldn’t resist looking at his toned body, I stayed put instead.

“And miss all the reactions you give me?” He giggled as he placed his chin on my shoulder, making me sigh out loud, “That would be a total waste of my time.”

“And a lot of saving of my energy—your potatoes will turn into ash soon, so how about you move?” I raised my elbow and let it collide with his abdomen, not too harshly though. Mingyu giggled again and suddenly a new voice rang through the kitchen.

“Uncle, you’ve finished showering!” I panicked as I didn’t want Jieun to see us like this, she would tell her mom everything and I didn’t want Joohyun and Wonwoo smirking at us the next time we’ll have dinner together, “Why didn’t you tell me you’re cooking?”

Jieun was pouting and I hissed when Mingyu did nothing to move, looking at Jieun with a smug smile, “I want to help too!”

“Sure, sweetie, uncle was about to make some sandwiches, do you want to help?” Mingyu cooed at Jieun and I elbowed him again, harder this time, to make him step back. He groaned in pain and finally put distance between our bodies, when suddenly I felt teeth sinking into my shoulder.

“What the fuck?!” I couldn’t help but cry out and turn around sharply to slap a smirking Mingyu. I started back at him wide eyed as he started cackling, unphased by my slap to his side this time.

“Uncle will go and put on a shirt if he wants to live.” I said with a forced smile as I gave Mingyu a look, eyebrows raising at him, “Or do I have to make you wear one? Like a little kid?”

“Oh, bae, I can do that fine on my own.” He laughed as he walked to the table, where his grey shirt, with a deep V, was thrown down on.

“What is fuck?” Jieun asked, eyebrows furrowed, and my eyes widened as Mingyu started hollering with laughter again.

“Yeah, auntie, what is fuck?” Mingyu smirked once he was able to speak, hid laughter having died down, “I’m really curious too.”

I glared at both Mingyu and Jieun, placing my arms on my hips as I took a deep breath, “A very ugly word that only adults can use, alright?”

“Well, that’s unfortunate for you, Jieun.” Mingyu said with a shrug as he went to take the bread.

Jieun stuck her tongue out at Mingyu and I smirked as I walked towards the oven to take out the roasting tray, “I said adults, Mingyu.”

Jieun started giggling loudly and Mingyu threw me a glare as he paused slicing up the bread for the sandwiches he planned on making.

“Hand me some ham, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce, Jieunie.” Mingyu asked the little girl, watching me still as I stuck my tongue out at him before I started placing the meat into the roasting tray. Jieun pulled a chair to the fridge, climbed on it and started taking out the items Mingyu asked for.

“Thank you.” He thanked her when she waltzed back to him, grinning at Mingyu as she sat at the table, chin in her palms. I grinned at Jieun, she looked really cute. I quickly remembered the French fries and placed another round into the boiling oil, making me hiss when it went on my skin, again.

“You okay, auntie?” Jieun muttered as she threw me a glance, her eyes going back to Mingyu, who was assembling the sandwiches now.

“Yes, yes, don’t worry.” I smiled towards the girl before turning up the heat in the oven and placing the meat inside. I turned around and leaned against the counter and watched Mingyu work. His back was a bit hunched as he is very tall, his muscles flexing from time to time as he used his hands to make the sandwiches and he kept making faces at Jieun. He beaconed her over and let her place the round tomatoes into each sandwich, poking her nose and praising her once she was done. I sighed and checked on the potatoes again, stirring them a bit around.

“I have an awesome idea,” Mingyu spoke up, canines showing from how big his smile was, “Let’s have a picnic!”

“A picnic!” Jieun exclaimed, jumping up from her seat, “Auntie! We are having a picnic!”

I chuckled and nodded my head, looking at Mingyu with an impressed smile, “Seems like we are having a picnic!”

“I’m having a picnic with my favorite auntie and uncle!” Jieun shouted as she ran out into the hallway, “I will go and change! I want to wear something pretty!”

Mingyu and I laughed quietly as Jieun ran up the stairs, her feet thudding loudly upstairs as she went to her room to get changed. My eyes fell back on Mingyu, he was already looking at me, and he smiled warmly. I returned it and before I turned around, he sent a wink. I winked back and shook my head as I went to open the cupboards, looking for a tablecloth.

“I’ll prepare what we need for the picnic.” I informed Mingyu and he hummed.

“I’ll finish the rest of the potatoes, how long until the meat is done?”

“Forty-five more minutes.” I said after I glanced at my wristwatch, going around the kitchen to get the plates, utensils’ and what we else we needed.

       When forty-five minutes were up, the three of us went outside in the little garden behind the house. It was a good day, the sun high up in the sky with a few clouds here and there, and it was warm enough that you could wear a tank top and a cardigan over it. Spring was always a season I enjoyed the most. The pleasure of seeing everything bloom to life once again brought great joy for me. Taking walks in parks while the trees and grass turn once again green is a certain satisfaction you understand only if you experience it.

Meanwhile Mingyu prepared a few more dishes with Jieun’s help, I placed a blanket onto the grass and started carrying outside plates, utensils, glasses, apple juice and the food that was prepared, one by one. Jieun bounced around me the whole time, talking loudly and quickly as she told Mingyu to hurry up and bring the meat out so that we could start eating.

“Jieun,” I spoke up, looking up from my kneeling position on the blanket, “Go put on your denim jacket, sweetie, you might catch a cold in a simple t-shirt.”

“Do I have to?” She whined, lips jutting out and eyebrows furrowing.

“Yes, you do.” I gave her a look that she knew she couldn’t argue with, so she rose to her feet and ran back inside almost crashing into Mingyu when he appeared in the doorway.

“Woah, chipmunk!” He exclaimed, clutching the plate close to his chest, “We almost lost the meat!”

I giggled and shook my head at Mingyu, his eyebrows were furrowed as he turned around to shout back inside the house, making sure Jieun heard him. I sat down on the blanket, sighing out as I massaged my sore knees, I kneeled for too long.

“Stop being dramatic and bring that here.” I said when Mingyu turned back around, shaking his head in displeasure, exiting the house, “You hang out too much with Jeonghan.”

“I don’t,” He scoffed as he handed me the plate before taking a seat on the blanket, “I haven’t seen him in three weeks.”

“Oh no, did he finally ditch you?” I teased with a grin and Mingyu rolled his eyes.

“You wish, he’s my most loyal client!” Mingyu exclaimed, a proud smirk on his lips.

“Is he becoming as buff as you are?” I found myself asking absentmindedly, hating that I was confessing to having checked him out many times. It’s not my fault, his body is eye catching. The whole existence of Kim Mingyu is eye catching. You’d be a fool to be in a room and not notice him, his sole presence is powerful and like a magnet.

“Oh, so I’m buff?” I rolled my eyes as Jieun came running out the house.

“Yeah, whatever,” I muttered, smiling when Jieun plopped down next to me, “Ready to have lunch?”

“This is the best day of my life!” Jieun screeched and I chuckled, poking her cute cheek. Mingyu giggled quietly, grabbing a plate and starting to put various foods on it. Jieun watched him eagerly and so did I, failing to notice the fond smile on my lips.

“This one is for the princess,” He deepened his voice and did a little bow as he handed Jieun the plate, “From your loyal servant, Kim Mingyu.”

“No!” Jieun giggled, taking the plate excitedly, “You are uncle Mingyu! Not my servant!”

“Let me spoil you for a second, Jieun…” Mingyu said with a sigh, grabbing another plate. I handed Jieun her fork, she still struggled with her chopsticks, and placed a napkin on her lap.

“Don’t stain your pretty skirt, okay?” I asked and brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

“Don’t pressure her, Y/N,” Mingyu shot me a look, “Don’t worry about that, Jieunie, just eat freely!”

“You really do spoil her too much…” I chuckled, leaning forward to grab a plate but Mingyu slapped my hand away, “No wonder Joohyun complains about you.”

“She does?!” Mingyu made an offended sound and I watched as the, now, plate full of food was handed at me.

“Thank you.” I muttered with a smile, suddenly feeling shy at the look he was giving me. I looked away and turned my head quickly, reaching for my chopsticks. Mingyu remained quiet and I could feel him still looking at me but Jieun spoke up.

“The French fries are so good!” She exclaimed, making a ‘mm’ sound as she stuffed her mouth with more, “You cook better than mommy and daddy!”

“We do?” I asked with a laugh, glancing at Mingyu, who was smiling smugly.

“Of course, we do!” He gave me a look, “You’re sitting next to Korea’s biggest chef!”

“You wish.” I snorted meanwhile Jieun started giggling, shooting finger guns at Mingyu who winked back at her. It was heartwarming to see Mingyu and Jieun interact, their personalities were weirdly quite similar. Except, Mingyu was acting like a child sometimes as an adult and Jieun was still a child, she had an excuse. I liked spending my time with the two, I felt refreshed and full of positive energy afterwards. Even Mingyu’s teasing could feel pleasant after a long and tiring day at the studio.

“How’s the studio going?” My ears perked up when Mingyu spoke up, eyes on me.

“Oh, pretty well,” I said after swallowing, “The exposition is going well, I wish I was there…”

“Yeah, sorry,” Mingyu scratched his chin, shooting me an apologetic smile, “I thought I wouldn’t be able to come look after Jieun today, that’s why I told Joohyun to ask you. I had three more clients that were supposed to come in but Jeonghan is apparently sick, the other pulled a muscle two days ago and can barely walk and well the third one—I forgot.”

“You always forget things, uncle…” Jieun said with a giggle, dipping her French fry into ketchup. I leaned over the bowls placed in front of me on the blanket and grabbed the one with the salad.

“You have to eat vegetables to stay healthy, Jieun, not just junk food.” I said as I pushed a bit of the salad on Jieun’s plate, making her scrunch up her nose in disgust.

“You’re like dad, ew.” She muttered, shooting me a cute glare. I giggled and put the bowl down, turning towards Mingyu.

“I get it, don’t worry…” I reassured him with a smile, eating more of the meat from my plate, “I just worked so hard for this exposition and—you know Vernon and Minghao! They always find something to disagree on and to be honest, I hope they can keep it together at least until the event is over…”

Mingyu’s eyebrows furrowed as he nodded in understanding and he placed his right hand on my thigh, giving it a small squeeze, “Don’t worry, Vernon and Minghao know how much this means to you. And, besides, they would be jeopardizing themselves too if they fuck up, so…maybe that’ll make you sleep better at night—”

I started laughing, loudly, as I squeezed my eyes shut the food still in my mouth. Mingyu paused talking and his eyebrows were raised as he exchanged glances with a confused looking Jieun. It made me laugh more and I had to place my plate down and swallow carefully, my body rocking with laughter.

“Uh—I’m sure what I said wasn’t that funny—” And then Jieun started laughing too and I couldn’t help it but laugh harder. Jieun was clapping her hands excessively as she kept pointing her finger at Mingyu’s face, unable to say much.

“Un—uncle—you—” I tried to take deep breaths and calm down. Mingyu’s confused face turned into an angry expression, plate sitting on his thigh, as he crossed his arms in front of broad chest.

“What.” He snapped, eyes falling on me now that I stopped laughing.

“You—” I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart and clutching my stomach, “Have salad stuck between your front teeth, I’m sorry—”

I started giggling again and Mingyu’s eyes widened as he started chuckling, sticking his finger in his mouth to take care of the stray salad stuck between his teeth.

“Ew, uncle!” Jieun screeched, closing her eyes, “Cover your mouth when you do that!”

“Yeah, did your parents never teach you that’s disgusting?” I threw him a disgusted look and Mingyu grinned once he cleaned his teeth.

“You dared to laugh, at me,” He pointed at himself, straightening his back, “The great, Kim Mingyu?”

“Please…” I rolled my eyes with a scoff and gave Jieun a look, a look she returned with an amused grin.

“You shall face the punishment now!” I scoffed again and Mingyu leaned over the food and started poking Jieun’s sides, making her laugh again. She swatted at his fingers, throwing him a glare when he stopped.

“That’s not funny…” She muttered to herself as she resumed eating and I chuckled about to eat as well, when I felt a jab in my side.

“You don’t want to do this, Kim Mingyu,” I warned him, pointing a chopstick at him, “We both know you are more ticklish…”

“A punishment is a punishment, bae.” I rolled my eyes at the nickname but of course, Mingyu quickly started tickling my side and I started jabbing him with my chopstick wherever I could.

“Fight, fight, fight!” Jieun started chanting playfully and I huffed as I caught Mingyu’s wrist and stopped him.

“Seriously, don’t.” He pouted and pulled his arm back, throwing me a glance.

“You’re no fun.”

“Do you want me to tickle you?” I raised my eyebrows, wriggling my fingers when Mingyu glared.

“No.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Halfway through the meal, Jieun said she had enough and got up and ran to the little swing they had for her in the garden. Mingyu and I remained on the blanket, splitting what Jieun left on her plate and eating that too. Once we were finished, I poured him some apple juice, then for myself, and we drank it quietly while watching Jieun run around. I chuckled when she started playing with a small butterfly flying by, handing my cup to Mingyu when he asked for it. He gathered our plates, the bowls of food and put them on the far end of the blanket, away from us so that it wouldn’t bother us. Mingyu was leaning back on his forearms as his eyes followed Jieun around, a fond smile on his lips. I sighed and glanced at him, my eyes falling on the black camera resting by his thigh.

“How’s that business going?” I spoke, getting Mingyu’s attention. He followed my vision of line and nodded his head lightly.

“Pretty well,” He said, picking up the camera in his hands, “I’m collaborating with a high school currently, so I’m taking graduation pictures of their seniors.”

My lips formed an ‘O’ shape and I gave him a smirk, “You must be pretty famous around that high school.”

Mingyu chuckled and nodded his head, “Can’t say I’m not, Y/N.”

“Right, can’t remember a time you weren’t famous…” I trailed off, the two of us sharing a knowing look. Mingyu nodded solemnly and then raised his camera, turning it on.

“Two weeks ago, I had a wedding, that one was a big hit, made a lot of money!” He said with a grin, looking into his camera as he pointed it up towards the sky. I looked up and saw the sky was covered with more clouds now, but the sun was still shining brightly.

“I wanted to ask you to come to our studio for today, but Vernon and Minghao apparently booked a really famous photographer so, you know…I didn’t want to say no to them…”

“Yeah, that’s fine!” Mingyu shrugged and started grinning as he took pictures of Jieun, “Your events are way too prestigious, I might have turned down your offer either way.”

“No, you wouldn’t have, Mingyu.” I chuckled, raising my eyebrows and making him glance at me.

“You sound so sure…why not?”

“Because it’s me asking.” Mingyu’s finger paused mid-air and he gulped before nodding his head wordlessly. It’s moments like this one that give me hope, hope that he still feels something for me. Even if it’s been five years. It was enough time for us to get over the other, but having to spend so much time together again made me realize that I wasn’t even far from being over him. Maybe it’s the memories we share, the time spent together, the pleasant moments, the hardships or the person I shaped into while being with him, but it was really hard to look at him and not feel something more than just platonic feelings. It came as a shock after we finished high school to find out that Joohyun and Wonwoo have been dating for two years in secret. No one ever saw it coming, they never left any hints for us to pick up on, it just seemed like they got along due to Mingyu and I dating and always being together. Turns out, they were dating too at the same time with us, except their relationship worked out. And I couldn’t have been happier, they were perfect for each other and they blessed us with little Jieun, the sweetest kid. When Jieun turned two, Joohyun and Wonwoo decided to get married and tie the knot for a lifetime. I was a little jealous when we got the news of their marriage, I always thought I’d be the one to get married first as Joohyun was closed off and wasn’t ever interested in dating or having a family. I guess it was just a matter of time and person.

My eyes widened when the camera made a sound, this time directed at me. Mingyu was grinning as he kept snapping picture after picture and I raised my middle finger at him while sticking my tongue out.

“Hey!” He gave me a glare before turning the camera back to Jieun, snapping a picture of her as she was playing with the flowers, making a crown for herself, “Look at this!”

Mingyu’s canines showed again as his grin spread bigger, he scooted closer, “Joohyun will love this shot!”

It was a close up of Jieun, she was crouched down with yellow flowers in her hands, her dark hair falling around her shoulders and lips in a soft pout. I smiled and looked at Mingyu, “Why don’t you drop the gym and turn into a professional photographer? You are so talented.”

“Y/N,” He gave me a grin and a scoff, as if I already knew the answer, “You know photography is just a hobby for me—”

“Doesn’t it pay better than that smelly gym you work at?” I interrupted him with my eyebrows raised. He chuckled and shook his head as he turned around to take more pictures of the nature.

“Smelly or not, I really like working there…” He muttered and Jieun shrieked, alerting us.

“Jieun?” I asked loudly, eyebrows raised when she turned around, she was holding something brown between her fingers.

“It’s a caterpillar!” She exclaimed excitedly, waving the small animal between her fingers.

“Say hi and put it back into the earth, okay?” I called back and Mingyu snorted as he looked up from his camera.

“This one goes for Wonwoo…” He grinned to himself, looking at me, “His daughter ain’t a pussy like your sister—”

“Mingyu!” I threw him a glare and punched his arm, “Irene hates every little insect, you know that. It’s not her fault—”

“It technically is though.” He gave me a pouty look and I snorted and shook my head. I extended my arms over my head and stretched, hearing the camera go off again, before laying down on the blanket. I groaned loudly as the tension eased from my lower back and I relaxed into the earth, closing my eyes to breathe in deeply the warm air. It was tranquil, the moment felt nice, Jieun’s laughter and chatter faded nicely into the background. I let my muscles relax and enjoy the moment of calmness, that is until weight was dumped on me. I yelped loudly, eyes opening and muscles tensing as I went to sit up but Mingyu’s hand pushed me back down.

“Don’t get up!” He exclaimed, eyebrows furrowed, “Why’d you move?!”

I threw him a glare as I watched him whine more, pushing his ass against my pelvis and sitting on me.

“Mingyu, I don’t know if anyone has made you aware of this, but you are heavy!” I exclaimed again, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“I won’t get off until you give me the same expression you did a few seconds ago—”

“How can I do that when a man is literally crushing me?” I raised my eyebrows and Mingyu scoffed, pushing up onto his knees but still straddling me.

“Happy?”

“Not until you completely get off.” I gave him a sweet smile and Mingyu threw me a glare as Jieun’s loud laughter came from behind him.

“Why are you sitting on auntie?” She asked giggling.

“Good question, Jieun, I think he wants to crush auntie—”

“I was just trying to take a picture of auntie, Jieun, but she’s stubborn and wants to upset me.” Mingyu said pouting, giving Jieun a sad look.

“Well, hurry up auntie then, I want to go inside—I’m tired.” Just as she finished speaking, she yawned and pouted.

“Five more minutes and we go take a nap, okay?” I smiled at Jieun and she nodded before running back to the swing. I looked back up at Mingyu and gulped as I stared into his eyes, the butterflies in my stomach kicking off.

“Make it quick, okay?” I sighed out and closed my eyes, willing my body to relax and let go. Forget that Mingyu is straddling me and dangling his camera in my face like all those times when we were still dating. The camera went off and so did my heart, it started beating faster and faster as all the memories swam in my mind tauntingly.

The basketball court was full of students as everyone was in recess. I was sitting with my friends on a bench underneath a tree to hide from the blazing sun as we all ate our lunch and gazed out onto the field, where the basketball team was shooting around. All guys were tall, the team consisted of mostly juniors and seniors, but Yuto, a guy my age, made it into the team due to his height.

“Ah!” Yuna exclaimed next to me, eyes following a boy, “Look at Wonwoo! He’s so handsome!”

“He’s a good player…” I muttered as I finished up my lunch.

“He could be the worst and I’d still love him!” Yuna mused and the rest of our friends agreed with her. I rolled my eyes when someone from behind us scoffed.

“So, you only watch the basketball team because the players are handsome?” The voice was sharp and I rolled my eyes, turning to face my sister.

“You’re still moody?” I asked her and she shook her head, coming to stand in front of me and blocking my view of the field.

“No, I passed my chemistry test, I’m feeling better.” She gave me a wide grin and extended her arm. She was holding a small cartoon of chocolate milk and my eyes lit up.

“Unnie!” I gave her a big grin and stood up to give her a brief hug, “Thank you!”

“Yeah, mom told me you forgot to pack one.”

“You’re the best.” Joohyun chuckled and pinched my cheek aggressively.

“You only say that when I give you something or do something for you—”

“Joohyun—” My friends shrieked and both Joohyun and I jumped as a ball hit my sister’s back. She hissed and turned sharply, the ball bouncing on the ground.

“Joohyun—” My friends started but Wonwoo running over shut them up quickly.

“Are you okay?” His deep voice was laced with worry and Joohyun glared the boy down. She was a lot shorter but her gaze could always make her seem powerful and scary. She leaned down wordlessly and picked the basketball up.

“Be careful next time, Wonwoo.” Her voice was soft, a contrast to the look on her face.

“Sorry, Joohyun.” Wonwoo bowed his head a bit, hands extending to take the ball from my sister. She glanced down at the ball before handing it over, their hands brushing against each other and small smiles appearing on their faces. The snap of a camera distracted me from throwing a suspicious look at the two in front of me. A tall guy, taller than Wonwoo, was holding up a camera to his left eye as he grinned.

“Yah! Kim Mingyu!” I exclaimed, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“Yah! Bae Y/N!” He imitated my voice, pushing his lips out into an exaggerated pout.

“I don’t look like that!” I snapped at him with a glare as Mingyu walked closer.

“Yes, you do.” He taunted, the camera hanging at his side. Wonwoo and Joohyun chuckled behind me and I glanced back to see them lost in their own conversation.

“Stop pouting, you’re too cute.” Mingyu cooed and I punched his bicep as he started leaning down.

“Why do you keep taking pictures of me—” My words got muffled when Mingyu pressed a small kiss against my lips, a smile appearing on my lips.

“What were you complaining about?” He whispered as he pulled back just a little bit, making my smile widen.

“Nothing.” I muttered and as I went to press another kiss against his lips, his camera went off again. My eyes snapped open to find Mingyu giggling as he was looking down at the picture he took, cheeks rosy.

“Yah! Kim Mingyu!” I exclaimed and raised my arm to punch his arm again but he suddenly jumped back. He stuck his tongue out and I glared at him.

“You two are so immature.” I heard Wonwoo saying from behind me.

“He won’t stop taking pictures of me!” I snapped, watching as Mingyu was slowly raising his camera up again, “Don’t you dare—”

Snap. Oh, that’s it, he asked for it. I took off running towards him but Mingyu just giggled loudly and took off too, running ahead of me.

“You can’t catch me!” He shouted as he turned his head before running faster.

“Screw your long legs!” I shouted after him as I chased him around the basketball field, underneath the blazing sun.

“I love you!” He shouted while trying to take more pictures of me, almost falling when he tripped on a rock.

“You’re an idiot!” I screamed after him, laughing when he almost fell, “I love you!”

“I know you do!” He winked cockily and slowed his running, making me think I’d finally catch up. But when he was in arms reach, he sped up again while cackling evilly. I let out a frustrated cry and continued chasing him, unphased by the looks the students were giving us.

The click of the camera brought me back to the present and I opened my eyes to find Mingyu with his eyebrows raised and a small smile on his lips. His personality didn’t change much since high school but his looks did. It’s not like that mattered much, I didn’t like him for his looks, it was his personality that drew me in at first. His looks were just a plus.

“I want to go in!” Jieun came running to us, whining loudly.

“We are going.” I smiled at her as she looked down at me with a pout and I looked up at Mingyu with raised eyebrows. He blinked and looked at me for a second before he realized he was straddling me, so he got off and helped me off the blanket as well.

“Can you please clean up? I have a Yoga class in half an hour.” I said after looking at my wrist watch.

“And Jieun?” Mingyu asked as he started gathering the things we gathered on the blanket.

“I’ll put her to sleep, don’t worry about her.” I gave Jieun a smile and crouched down, opening my arms, “Do you want auntie to carry you to your room?”

“Yes!” Jieun exclaimed, her droopy eyes widening as she climbed into my arms quickly. I patted her back and walked inside the house, towards her room upstairs.

        Jieun took longer than I expected to fall asleep, leaving me ten minutes to get ready for my Yoga class. I closed her door carefully after drawing her curtains closed and raced into the master bedroom, opening Joohyun’s closet. We go to Yoga class twice a week together so I have my clothes here, in case, I don’t have time to go home from the studio. We were supposed to go together today but since I had to be at the studio, we decided to postpone it. Thankfully, our Yoga instructor does online classes in the afternoon for those who couldn’t attend it in the morning. I quickly got dressed in my olive khaki green leggings and matching sports bra, rushing downstairs quietly, to Joohyun’s study room, where we kept our mattresses. She had enough space in her office, so I decided to lay out the Yoga mat underneath the window and quickly turned on her laptop, logging onto the platform of my instructor. In the big rush, I forgot to close the door and I could hear Mingyu coming and going from the garden, bringing everything inside like I asked him to do. I pulled my hair in a low ponytail and took a comfortable seat on the mat as the instructor started the class.

“Good afternoon!” She greeted with a big smile on her lips, her voice raspy but honey-like, “Good to see some familiar faces around; Y/N…”

I smiled and turned on the microphone, “Nice to see you! Joohyun and I couldn’t make it in the morning, we were both busy.”

“Is she not joining us today?” The instructor asked as more cameras got turned on, there was a total of ten people in today’s class.

“No, she’s not at home, at the moment.” I answered her and as the backdoor was closed, loud singing rang through the hallway. Mingyu’s deep voice bounced around the quiet house and my eyes widened as I quickly shut off my microphone, embarrassed when I saw some ladies smiling through their cameras. I glanced out in the hallway as Mingyu passed by the office, unaware that I was inside, as he bobbed his head to his own rhythm while he continued singing. Did he forget I put Jieun to sleep? He’s going to wake her up. But before I could quickly go and shut him up and close the door to the office, our instructor alerted us that we were starting the session.

“I prepared a relaxing Yoga sequence for today, a thirteen-minute-long practice,” She said with a smile as we took a comfortable seat in Lotus pose, “It’s the middle of the week, but we might be feeling burned out a little bit. I know that I do!”

I chuckled as I straightened my back, aligning head over heart, and heart over pelvis, “You can turn on your microphones as we are about to take deep breaths together, let us hear each other.”

I quickly reached over and turned on the microphone, as did the other ladies, whom I were familiar with from other classes, “Good, now let’s take five deep breaths in, tuck your chins, straighten your backs and close your eyes, empty your mind.”

I did as I was told, willing my muscles to relax as everyone took deep five breaths, emptying our lungs out loudly. It was a relaxing motion and it always helped me focus on the task I was about to do, my mind was a buzzing place 24/7. But my tranquil moment ended when Mingyu’s voice rose a few octaves and he started sputtering words after words. I opened one eye to see if the others could hear him as well, but upon seeing no reaction, I quickly closed my eye and took one more deep breath to relax again.

“Let us stretch our side bodies now.” With eyes open, I followed the instructor, breathing deeply still, “This is a great moment to take a step back from your busy lives and reflect on yourselves. Get lost in the silence and the guidance of my voice, trust your bodies and meet me in a tabletop position.”

I smiled and slowly moved into the position, cracking my lower back in the process, “Let’s do three rounds of cat and cow now, everyone following their own rhythm. We are not here to rush today.”

Closing my eyes, I arched my back into a cow position, letting out a quiet sigh when a few vertebras popped, then starting from the tailbone, I curled up into a cat position. I did that two more times while breathing deep, hearing the other ladies do the same calmed my nerves a little bit. I got lost in my own world, finally, blocking out sounds from the outside that didn’t serve me in this moment.

“On your next breath in, bring your big toes together and widen your knees as big as your mat, then meet me in extended child’s pose, with active fingers.” The instructor spoke up, and we followed, “Let’s wake up the muscles in our upper backs while opening our heart space, okay?”

The skin of my lower back and upper back were getting a good stretch as I gently rocked from side to side at the hips, loosening up the tight joints, breathing deeply.

“Make your next inhale the longest breath you’ve taken all day long and, on your exhale, let go of everything that doesn’t serve you by using lion’s breath,” I filled my lungs with air to the brim and paused at the top for three second before sticking my tongue out, eyes looking at my third eye and letting all the air out, similar sighs coming through the laptop.

“Carefully moving, let’s meet in downward dog, but only proceed from a tabletop position.” I raised back into a tabletop position and carefully, knees bent and arms placed at a wide distance on the map, I raised into a downward dog position, heels coming down on the earth.

“Let’s pedal it out,” The instructor said, “Your heels don’t have to come down to the earth straight away, pedal them out first, feel your muscles stretch and when you did all that, grow heavy in your heels and come to a still position for three deep cleansing breaths.”

I moved my legs as if I was walking, in one place, pedaling them out and sighing out when my hamstrings got the stretch they so desperately needed. I ground my heels down and stilled my movements, taking deep breaths. As I took in my last set of deep breath, the floor creaked in the doorway and I opened my eyes, seeing Mingyu upside down from this position, standing in the doorway. His jaw was hung open but when we made eye-contact, a wide smirk spread on his lips.

“Damn,” He muttered as he leaned against the doorframe, “If you only had this ass back in high school too—”

I gasped as my cheeks flushed, the sudden laughter coming from the laptop making Mingyu jump. His eyes widened as he looked towards the screen, and as I lowered from the downward dog, I caught the faint tint of red on his cheeks. The ladies were still giggling, the instructor’s eyebrows raised curiously.

“Uh—I’m really sorry—he didn’t know my microphone was on—”

“Good evening, ladies,” Mingyu smiled charmingly, they could see him well through the camera, “Sorry for interrupting, I’ll quickly head out.”

“Now, now,” The instructor said with a chuckle as Mingyu slowly left, throwing me a smirk that made me glare at him, “We needed that laughter, didn’t we, ladies?”

There was a chorus of agreements and my cheeks flushed again as I chuckled in embarrassment, “Sorry, he’s—”

“A charming young man, indeed,” The instructor interrupted me with a small smile, “let’s try to focus once again though and repeat our downward dog before we proceed with our practice.”

And we did proceed with our relaxing practice, but the problem was I couldn’t relax with Mingyu continuously walking in and out of Irene’s study room and always whispering things at me. At first, he was asking for some books Wonwoo recommended him to read, then he took a seat on Irene’s couch and started reading out loud but in a whisper, meanwhile I kept throwing glares at him. Does he know he’s supposed to leave me alone? By the time the class took an end I wasn’t anywhere relaxed, instead I was angry and irritated. The practice was supposed to make me feel light and relaxed but due to Mingyu bothering me, it didn’t work out. When we were talking leisurely after we finished the practice, Mingyu dangled his head into the camera. The ladies started laughing again and he had a heartful conversation with my Yoga instructor, to which he even got an invitation to her class after he complained about his muscles being stiff after a long day at the gym. When we were saying our goodbye’s, a lady had the audacity to call Mingyu and I, a cute and playful couple, which I wanted to deny but before I could, Mingyu was nodding and thanking her making my heart pump quickly. Once the call was over, Mingyu sat back on the couch and I proceeded to roll up Irene’s mat and placed it back to its place, throwing a glare at a grinning Mingyu. My eyes fell on the book he tormented me with and I took it in my hand and whacked him over the head.

“Hey!” He exclaimed and started rubbing his head, “What are you doing?!”

“What are you doing?!” I snapped, crossing my arms in front of my chest, “I took the Yoga class to relax a little bit but thanks to you I just became more irritated!”

“You did?” He raised his eyebrows and I went to whack him again but he caught my arm and quickly jumped up, “Okay, okay, I get it! Sorry, I won’t do it next time!”

“Of course, you won’t. There’s no next time.” I rolled my eyes and let Mingyu take the book from me and place it back onto the shelf.

“What are you saying?” He asked with a chuckle, becoming amused when I sighed and looked at him expectantly, “I got an invitation to your instructor’s next class and I’m definitely not going to miss it—”

“Hell, no.” I snapped and turned around to leave the office, but not before opening the window to let fresh air in, “So that you torment me there too? No, thank you.”

“Come on! I won’t!” Mingyu whined as he followed after me, closing the door behind me, “I’ll take it seriously!”

“You won’t, I know you too well, Kim Mingyu.” I said with a snort as I started walking up the stairs, Mingyu still following close behind.

“Please?” He looked at me with puppy eyes when I glanced back, “I’ll let you drive me around, okay?”

“As if I want to do that.” I scoffed as I walked to the master bedroom to get my clothes before I head to shower.

“I know you do,” A smirk crossed Mingyu’s lips as he blocked my way, “I heard from Wonwoo you bought a new Mercedes, I just know you’re dying to show it off to me.”

“Am not.” I said with a scoff, biting my lip afterwards. Oh, and how right he is, I can’t wait to pick him up from work and drive him here, in my new light turquoise Mansory S-Class Cabriolet, the next time we are having dinner with Joohyun, Wonwoo, and Jieun.

“You do,” Mingyu cooed and I rolled my eyes as I side stepped him, heading out the bedroom and down the hall to the bathroom.

“Now, stay quiet and don’t wake Jieun, I want to shower.”

“Go, go,” Mingyu ushered me inside the bathroom, gripping the handle, “Relax now, since you couldn’t while doing Yoga.”

“Dickhead—” He cut me off by closing the door in my face and I could hear his giggles as he walked away, his footsteps still loud. I groaned and quickly put my hair in a bun, turning on the warm water in the shower stall. The bathroom upstairs was bigger and it was divided in two in such way that if someone was showering another person could still come in because you wouldn’t see them, as the shower stall was just behind the other wall.

       And there’s a reason why I usually avoid showering upstairs. It’s so big that the person won’t even hear the running water and often times would walk in, it happened with both Joohyun and Wonwoo while I showered, when they newly bought the house. Like I said, they still couldn’t see you, but the thought alone was enough to drive me away from showering upstairs and just using the downstairs shower. And that same thing happened while I was massaging an exfoliating soap onto my skin. The door opened and I heard feet thudding inside loudly.

“Jieun?” I called out, straining my ears to hear the person inside, “Did you have a nightmare and wake up? Mingyu is downstairs sweety, I’m showering, you can go to him—”

“Yeah,” My eyes widened at the male voice and I quickly turned around in the shower stall, making sure he didn’t already approach me, “Mingyu is upstairs, actually.”

“What the hell are you doing inside, Mingyu?!” I exclaimed, frozen as I listened closely, “I’m showering!”

“Uh, yeah, I know, you told me and I hear the water running—”

“What the fuck are you doing inside then?!” I exclaimed again, eyebrows furrowing when Mingyu cursed loudly.

“Fuck, I stubbed my toe!” He hissed and I scoffed as I quickly rinsed off the soap, “And I know, but I was bored downstairs alone…”

“So, you just come and intrude on a woman while she’s showering? Because that’s fine?” I snapped; eyebrows raised even if he couldn’t see me. I heard the toilet making sounds and realized Mingyu closed the lid and sat on top of it.

“Hey, don’t make me sound like a creep!”

“You are being a creep right now, though.” I pointed out as I took my regular, tropical scented, body lotion and spread it on my body.

“Okay, I’m sorry, I can’t even see anything, you know that, I just—” He let out a long sigh and my eyebrows raised as I paused.

“You just, what?” I asked curiously as I let the warm water wash off the body lotion.

“I was wondering, like, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, actually, you know…” There was a pause as Mingyu cleared his throat before he continued, “Just…after we broke up, you know…did you date anyone else? Like, had a boyfriend, girlfriend, or something…”

My eyebrows furrowed at the odd question, not expecting it from Mingyu, we never talked about relationships or partners. We always stayed away from the topic that involved our personal lives for multiple reasons, so it was a surprise that he finally asked about it, especially when I was showering.

“I mean…” I let out a breath, standing underneath the warm water, “It’s been five years since we…broke up, so…yeah. I had…three…boyfriends.”

“Oh,” Mingyu sounded surprised and I grimaced waiting for him to continue speaking, “Yeah, I had a lot of flings during college, then a serious girlfriend that lasted for a year only, so…”

He chuckled, but I could hear he didn’t take it lightly, it bothered him that it didn’t work out. Something was bothering him still; I could hear it in his voice.

“Well, you know, I don’t know if Joohyun and Wonwoo talked about me and if they did and Wonwoo told you, but…” I took a deep breath and turned off the water, reaching for the long towel, “You pretty much broke my heart, no joke.”

Mingyu remained quiet as I placed the towel around my body and secured it tightly at my breasts, “I don’t blame you now, with this mentality, and I don’t hate you either anymore.”

We both chuckled at the same time and Mingyu sighed as we both stayed put where we were standing, “Honestly, I was a big dick back then. Breaking up with you because I wanted to get the whole college experience—I was a fucking idiot, to be honest.”

“You still are…” I muttered and Mingyu chuckled before he sighed again, “Actually…you know, how I was supposed to come with a plus one to my sister and Wonwoo’s wedding?”

“Yeah, and then you showed up with—”

“Minghao,” We said at the same time.

“Yeah, Minghao, and everyone was fucking confused from your family.” Mingyu continued talking, “Even Wonwoo…I still don’t get what the fuss was about.”

“I was supposed to come with my fiancé—”

“Fiancé?!” Mingyu choked out and I giggled, “You had a fiancé at the age of twenty-one, what the fuck?! And you didn’t tell me?!”

“We met when I was nineteen, actually, but back then I was kinda playing around with two guys, you know…still not over you, dickhead, but then him and I got closer and we got engaged three months before the wedding.” I explained, enjoying when Mingyu gasped.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know?” I asked with a chuckle, leaning my head against the wet tiles of the shower stall, “We realized we were too different? I don’t know, honestly, but I’m glad we broke up. I don’t think we were a good match.”

“Yeah, I’m glad too.” I scoffed and I heard shuffling, meaning Mingyu stood up, “Why did even Vernon show up at the wedding? He wasn’t even invited—”

“Two drunk calls from Minghao and I were enough to bring him around—”

“And then I had to drive the three of you home, yeah, I remember.” Mingyu didn’t sound amused and I started laughing.

“Well, if you were dumb enough to come by car and not with a cab like everyone else…”

“Yeah, whatever,” Mingyu scoffed and he cleared his throat again and hesitated to speak, “So, uhm, I was thinking…let’s go on a date?”

I blinked once and then twice and paused. Kim Mingyu was asking me on a date? Or was I hallucinating?

“I really should have waited after you finished showering, not seeing your face is frustrating.” He groaned to himself and I chuckled.

“To your information, I’m gaping right now,” Mingyu chuckled and I pursed my lips, “You want to go on a date with me?”

“Yeah, I think we are both mature enough to start things over, if we wanted to,” He sighed and I licked my lips, pushing off from the wall, “At least, I want to if you’re not against it.”

“Did spending your day with me make you nostalgic, Kim Mingyu?” I asked with a chuckle and he just hummed. I didn’t know how to feel. Did I still have feelings for him? Yes. Did he hurt me already once? Yes. But as he said, we are adults now, we view things differently now. I’m still unsure however.

“I can’t give you an answer right now,” I decided to be honest with him, he deserved it, “Give me time to think.”

He hummed quietly and I knew he wasn’t expecting that answer and he was disappointed, but he quickly spoke up, “I’ll go wake Jieun so that we can prepare dinner together.”

And he was out of the bathroom, leaving me alone with my conflicting thoughts. Did I want to go on a date with him? Yes. Was I afraid we wouldn’t work out anymore and I’d lose him forever? Yes.

        After Jieun woke up, the three of us went downstairs and prepared dinner together, spending a good hour in the kitchen. But it still wasn’t dinner time so we snuggled up on the couch in the living room and watched a family movie together, Mingyu bringing us a big blanket to keep us warm. Jieun was snuggled up into his side, putting Mingyu into the middle, and I threw him a curious glance when he kept shifting around, until his arm was around my shoulders and his body was leaning onto mine.

“It’s comfier.” He whispered, keeping his eyes on the TV and I shook my head before looking back towards the TV and feeling my cheeks heat up. It felt nice being snuggled up next to him, his warmth enveloping mine and creating a feeling of calmness and safety. If there was a feeling I missed after Mingyu left me, it was the safety I felt whenever I was with him. His bigger body and the way he carried himself and even interacted when he was with me made it obvious to me that he’d do anything to keep me safe and that I shouldn’t worry. So, in the middle of the movie I cleared my throat and glanced up at him to see him already looking down at me.

“Let’s go on that date.” I whispered quietly at him and instantly Mingyu was grinning from ear to ear, squeezing my shoulder tightly for a few seconds before he sighed out happily. I chuckled and placed a palm against his beating hart, cheeks flushing when I felt his quick pulse. A feeling of fulfilment filled my senses and I couldn’t help the smile spreading onto my own lips.

       After the movie was over, the moon was high up in the sky, and we headed to the kitchen to have dinner. Jieun excitedly told us stories about her encounters with other kids in kindergarten and how she kept tricking her nanny into giving her candy without her mom and dad knowing. Dinner was filled with giggles and Mingyu throwing me glances every few minutes, eyes warm and happy. Jieun even pointed it out at some point, asking us if we were hiding a secret or surprise from her. When we reassured her that no, we weren’t, she pouted and settled on finishing her dinner quietly while Mingyu and I conversed about what we did the one month we didn’t meet up, laughing at the memories we shared in high school when one brought it up randomly. After dinner, Jieun had a warm bubble bath and I braided her hair in two, helping her into her pajamas before Mingyu and I tucked her in bed. We were both sitting on each side of her bed, her bedside lap turned on and we chatted for a little while, until she fell asleep.

“You know,” Jieun muttered sleepily, her eyes already closed, “Uncle and auntie act just like dad and mommy. Will you have babies too? I’ll have someone to play with forever…”

Mingyu and I shared a look as I chuckled and leaned over Jieun, cradling her cheek, “Auntie and uncle aren’t like that, Jieun. There’s men and women who are just friends, who love each other but never make babies, because it’s not that kind of love, you know?”

“Don’t worry, Jieunie,” Mingyu leaned closer too, a devilish smirk crossing his lips, “Uncle will convince auntie to make babies so that you’ll have someone to play with, okay?”

Jieun’s eyes opened and she grinned widely as I threw Mingyu a glare, “Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise!”

“Hey!” I exclaimed quietly as the two pinky promised in front of me with grins on their lips as if I wasn’t even there, “It’s not that easy to make babies—”

“We’ll figure it out.” Mingyu cut me off with a wink and I scoffed, leaning down and kissing Jieun’s cheek.

“Sweet dreams, angel.”

“Sweet dreams, chipmunk.” Jieun grinned as Mingyu pressed a quick kiss against her forehead and then we got up, turned off her bedside lamp and turned on her fairy lights. Quietly closing her door, we descended down the stairs and I could feel Mingyu smirking next to me, his hand continuously brushing against mine.

“Stop giving Jieun false hope, dickhead.” I snapped finally, making Mingyu giggled. He was expecting my reaction, as we walked back to the living room.

“I was being serious, Bae.” I groaned as Mingyu turned on the TV, putting on some random movie as we sat down on the couch, pulling the blanket over us again. We remained silent during the movie, enjoying the presence of the other, and my heart started racing when Mingyu interlaced his fingers with mine underneath the blanket and placed our hands on his thigh. I didn’t realize I wanted this until it happened, and I couldn’t be gladder. Because in this world, there was no one like Kim Mingyu, and he was mine.

My one and only true love.

[awesomerextyphoon]

I love your writing. May I have Loki x Reader? The reader is a sweet, delicate dreamer. Loki has come to conquer the world. He saw her and wants her to become his Queen of Midgard. He kidnapped her. She pleads with him to let her go while she is tied to the bed. He caresses her hair and says she will love him (he doesn't want to use the scepter on her).

***Can I have White Reader x Loki, please? Loki just escaped from the Helicarrier. He saw the reader who is a sweet and innocent creature. Loki doesn't want her dead when he will start battle. Loki kidnaps her and locks her up to keep her safe. When he wins, Loki tells her that she will become his queen.***

Hi! I decided to combine the prompts and make the reader plus-sized. I hope you enjoy! 

His Match

Pairing: Dark!Loki x Plus-Sized Female Reader 

Summary: You’ve tried to live by your grandmother’s rule  of being kind to others, even when the world gives you the middle finger. What if a Norse God decided reward you by becoming his Queen?

Word Count: 1,745

Rating: 18+/Mature

Warning: Kidnapping, Implied Dub/Non-Con, Angst, and some Violence

A/N: Thanks goes to the amazing @angrythingstarlight for beta reading this!

Loki was walking around New York City, scouting Stark Tower making sure the final preparations of his plan was perfect when something, or rather someone, caught his eye.

She walked out of what looked like a women’s clothing store with a forlorn smile. She was plumper than the average female Midgardian last time he frequented the realm. His eyes did not miss the enticing curves that lied beneath her clothes despite her efforts to ensconce herself into the background.

She was a vision.

Her eyes met his for the briefest of moments and it felt like time stopped. His heart quickened in his chest and a rush of blood surged to his groin.

He had to follow her. His Elskan.

“Barton, tell the others I’ll be out for a few more hours. Proceed as planned.”

–––––

He found you entering a rather destitute apartment complex. Its lights and foundation were a bit unsound and gave off a seedy ambience.

Loki grimaced at her living conditions. When he ruled Midgard, she would have only the best.

Casting a simple concealment spell, Loki entered her fairly small apartment. She began mixing ingredients together for what looked to be ‘chocolate chip cookies’. He smiled as he inhaled the sweet aroma knowingly; Asgard had only recently started consuming the sweet. She soon laid out a batch of thick, scrumptious cookies with a satisfied expression.

They reminded him of better times when he and Thor would sneak into the kitchens and swipe confections from under the baker’s nose. Loki chuckled at the memory; those were the days.

Not ten minutes after she placed the last cookie onto the cooling rack did her phone ring. It was her mother. Loki felt dread coming off his Elskan in waves.

Loki could only make out bits and pieces of the conversation, if you could call it that. Her mother constantly nagged her about her weight, life choices, and her ‘pathetic’ attempts to get over her ex-boyfriend. His heart broke as he saw tears begin to fall and the croaking of her voice as she bid the odious creature goodnight.

Several minutes after she cried herself to sleep, Loki entered his Elskan’s bedroom. He spied her diary on the nightstand and decided to read a few pages.

He was fuming within two minutes.

How dare that caustic pig sow treat his Elskan, her own daughter, in a such ghastly manner! Her ‘perfect’ sister always slighting and reminding her on how ‘she’ll never be good enough for anything’ and her father’s callous indifference to her cries for help and solace only added to his rage. Combined with the way her ex-boyfriend, the repugnant gnat, treated her (he cheated on her with someone who ‘wasn’t built like a blimp’ and ‘the only thing you thing you had going for you were your tits’) and he wanted to speed up the invasion just to watch the horror become engrained onto their faces.

And yet, she endeavored to treat everyone with kindness harkening back to your grandmother. She strived to be the one light in one’s otherwise miserable existence.

Well, she can be his light as his Elskan and Queen.

Loki took a deep, cleansing breath. He needed to stick to the plan. When he conquers Midgard, she will be their queen. She will grace the undeserving masses with her elegance and beauty and he will worship her every chance he got.

He just had to make her see it that way.

Gently, the light forest green glow of Loki's magic flowed from his hand to the crown of her head like a halo. He leaned in and kissed her cheek with a smile as he left.

He hated to leave her, but he had a realm to conquer. Though he hoped she’d enjoy the introductory gift.

––––––

You were in your grandmother’s living room; spacious yet comfy with all of her quirkiness and splendor included. It was odd since you haven’t been in her house since your parents sold after her death seven years ago. You tearfully smiled remembering all the good times you had with her, the only member of your family you gave you any true warmth or love.

Her piano was in the corner, barely aged a day with all the music sheets, pens, a light scratches you came to know and love. You took your seat and started to play the piano version of one of your favorite movie themes.

You were so engrossed in playing, you failed to notice someone materializing into your dreamscape.

“What a lovely tune! What is it called?” A smooth, honey-tinged voice broke your concentration.

You turned your head and saw what had to be the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. He was tall (6’ 10” / 2.08m) easily towering over any man you’ve ever met. He had smooth alabaster skin, light rose undertones with a little blue-red just under his eyes. His cheekbones were immaculate, somehow looked sharp and soft at the same time. He had thin lips with a fair plumpness to the bottom one. His slicked-back, shoulder-length Ponzu/Shadow Purple hair kissed his lean, battle-hardened physique (if the way he’s filling out his outfit was anyway to go by). All of this deliciousness was clothed in a casual Palm Green suit with a Glossy Black tie and shoes.

It took you a full minute to stop ogling him, “Wha-What did you say?”

“I apologize for disturbing you, my lady. I asked what you were playing.” His voice had hints of mirth which was odd considering his appearance. Most people in his league would give you a thinly veiled sneer of disgust, but he seemed genuinely interested.

“Um, well, it’s called Merry-Go-Round of Life from the movie Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s a favorite of mine. I used to play it all the time until…” You trailed off, not wanting to revisit how your grandmother died.

“You do not have to tell me if it brings you such displeasure.”

“Thank you, um…”

“Loki. Please, call me Loki.”

“Loki,” he inwardly moaned at the way you said his name, “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Please, continue playing.”

And you did for what felt like hours, all while your sexy dream companion asked about your hopes, dreams, anything he could think of really. You in turn asked him about his life and interests; you even laughed at a story of his brother having to dress like a bride to get his hammer back.

You soon became enamored with Loki. It was refreshing to be noticed with actual interest, not ridicule or pity. He seemed to taken with you as well, if his gentle caresses and not-so-subtle lustful glances he gave you were any indication.

You were glad this was just a dream. You didn’t want your heart to break like last time.

Loki was about to lean in for a kiss when everything faded to black.

–––––

You jolted up from the mattress and screamed once you realized you weren’t in your room.

No, this room was…spectacular for lack of better word. It had high ceilings, large windows, ornate chandeliers, and magnificent balcony. Luxurious dark greens, gold, and black covered the room in splendor. Extravagant pieces of furniture dripped with precious stones metal worthy of queens or royal mistresses of old.

“What is this place?”

You tried to leave but was forced back onto the bed by a force field. You tried to take calm breaths just like your therapist taught you in order to make an escape plan.

No sooner did you calm down than the door open to reveal-

“Loki!”

Only Loki was wearing radically different clothing; looked like he walked right out of a fantasy epic. And yet, his smile was enchanting.

“What am I doing here? I need to go back home.”

He tutted in response, “That would not be wise, Elskan Mín. This world is mine now and this is safest place to be.” He was right. His brother’s team of desperate souls were no match for his cunning and Chitauri Forces. Midgard’s pathetic leaders gave up in less than an hour once their beloved ‘heroes’ were defeated, broken, and laid bare before them.

“You can’t be serious, Loki. I need to leave.”

“And go where? Like I said, this realm is mine now. That rat poison of a dwelling is no more and I have dealt with your ‘family’ as needed.” Loki smirked at the memories. It gave him extreme joy squeezing the life out of that worthless pig of mother, breaking every bone in your father’s body one by one, and leaving your ‘perfect’ sister alive with partially rotten skin. Not even the scavengers or maggots would find or want the remains of the scurvy insect of an ex-boyfriend, though he was still alive..just barely.

Well, at least until he decided on how to destroy the blight of creature.

Though he did make sure to leave two of your real friend were treated well. You needed to have someone to talk to while he was away.

You gazed into his Spearmint colored eyes in one last attempt, “Please Loki! If you love me, you’ll let me go!”

For a split second, you could’ve sworn you saw hurt in his eyes and he glided across the room. You back hit the headboard in you sad efforts to get away from him.

“Elskan Mín, I promise to always love, cherish, and worship every part of your glorious body. You will become Midgard’s queen and my goddess. No. One. Will. Ever. Demean. Or. Slight. You. Again.” he punctuated each word of the last sentence with soft, open-mouthed kisses to your face, neck, shoulders, and collarbone.

You tried to fight him, but it felt so good. His touches sent shots of lightning to your core; plus his lips and fingers were cook to the touch provided excellent contrast to the spike in heat.

You started crying realizing how pathetic this was, to have the first person to profess such feelings be a kidnapper. You were actually contemplating whether or not he was telling the truth.

Loki sensed your sorrow and kissed your tears away. “I know this might be ‘difficult’ at first, but you will love me in time.” He hoped he did not have to use the scepter.

You thought about your dream and all of the effort he was putting into this. It was frightening, but it came from a place of love.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to stay.

–––––––

@lookiamtrying @jtargaryen18 @sapphirescrolls @jobean12-blog @sweeterthanthis @gotnofucks @mcudarklibrary@saiyanprincessswanie @golden-ariess @navegandoaciegas @stargazingfangirl18 @opheliadawnwalker3 @tilltheendwilliwritee  @imanuglywombat @bucky-the-thigh-slayer @navybrat817 @anyatheladyclown @buckysbunny @nacho-bucky @donutloverxo @stephanieromanoff @threeminutesoflife @angrybirdcr​ @angrythingstarlight @chixkencxrry @hurricanerin @marvelfansworld @the-soulofdevil @captain–barnes @drabblewithfrannybarnes @thebanprincess @winteralpine @leslie2898 @buttercandy16 @propertyofpoeandbucky @hevans-angel @thorfanficwriter @afriendlyblackhottie @avintagekiss24 @syntheticavenger @phant0m-queen @tuiccim​ @blueberrythor​ @river-soul @justthehiddleswrites @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog

[thebadboyfanclub]

She Will Learn (Rio x Reader)

Look I will let y’all in on a little secret, the way this account is going to work is by me seeing your requests, making a mental note to finish them and then getting an idea for another imagine that wasn’t requested but can’t move on until I write it so.... Enjoy!

P.S I chose Greece cause I am from there and I never see us anywhere

(Y/n) had met Rio when she was about to graduate college, a business major that was striving for being the first millionaire in her family. She came from a lower middle class first generation immigrant from Greece, her parents were troopers for successfully raising her and her siblings, they never had things to spare yet they had enough to be respectful.

He saw her at a restaurant, completely overdressed and accessorized like she was dining in France, however she somehow made it look like she didn’t think about what she was going to wear, like this was her natural way of dressing, her nails were done and he noticed how... soft her hands looked. 

What intrigued him was that she was extremely kind to everyone, she smiled brightly at the waiters and she would often reach over to her friends for a touch of encouragement of just a simple caress, she exuded confidence that made you feel like you would never dare to touch her, still she carried herself with elegance and in a graceful manner.

“Excuse me, can you tell me who are the girls at the table over there?”

“Oh they haven’t been here before but I can tell you they are here to celebrate for the girl in the red dress, it’s her birthday”

“Oh is it? Send them a bottle of champagne please”

“Right away Sir”

He was never the flashy type of guy, he never cared for stuff that showed his status or economic achievements, people that had money knew to never flaunt it carelessly. When it came to her, he felt the need to show off, to woo her and catch her eye, she had this sense of luxury, she looked like she took care of herself way too much to let men not treat her anything less than that.

He watched her face switch into surprise when the waiter came with the bottle of champagne, a few seconds after that her gaze went to him, as the waiter pointed towards him and then proceeded to open the bottle of bubbly. 

She had noticed him when she entered for a few moments, although she decided that since it was her big night she wouldn’t waste time gawking at good looking men, she had saved money for months to be able to afford the finest for her big day, every year she wanted her birthday to be like the life she wanted. She send him a smile as her hand went to her heart to show gratitude for the gift. 

Except that didn’t feel like enough, she felt like she could push it a bit more, try her luck just a bit, she looked too good to worry about a man turning her down, he would have to be mad or blind to do so.

She walked to him with the glass of champagne in her hand, giving him the chance to take her in. Her legs were exposed as the dress went to the middle of her thigs, they shined and looked so smooth making him wonder how good would it feel to touch them. She had a figure of a dream, as her hips swayed with every step, her posture was proud and she walked like a supermodel, if he didn’t know the owner he would have thought she was the one that had not just the restaurant, the entire block.

“I don’t think we’ve met, I’m (y/n), I wanted to thank you for the champagne, you really didn’t have to”

“I wanted to darling, I’m Christopher but people call me Rio, how wonderful to meet you”

He said, taking her delicate hand in his and pressing a light kiss on soft skin. He could smell the lotion of vanilla she had chosen to moisturize her skin, settle yet unforgettable. His raspy voice made her flustered, trying to mask it with a smirk and confidence, he was intriguing to her, the cool, calm and collected exterior that suited him so much. 

“I wish I could stay and talk but I don’t like leaving my friends by themselves”

“I understand darling, we’ll be in touch”

-

It had been years since then, he had managed to not only stay in touch with you but make her the queen of his life. She was an asset that he so desperately needed, he trusted her with his life and knew she had the best intentions for him, her loyalty was iron made, her degree came in handy when he needed to handle business in a discreet manner, she was the master mind behind a lot of his negotiations, her brilliance on playing the trophy wife that didn’t know anything in front of others was the secret behind his success. 

She is his secret weapon, so secret that no one knew she even existed, the few that did didn’t even know her name and the people that knew were the most trusted ones that worked with Rio for years, she liked to be under wraps, walking in and out of the building with the men Rio had hire to protect her and the rookies wondered who was she, he only called her with pet names when others were around but they could only address her as “Miss”, she was the miss of the mister and his most trusted soldier. 

Despite that, (y/n) was no fool. She had broken up with Rio and called of the engagement several times, making Rio go wild every time. She wasn’t unreasonable, Rio was out of line a lot of the times, especially when Beth came in the picture, his men feared her just as much as him, maybe even more, so when she found out they had done such major damage multiple times but still took them back in, she would pack her stuff and leave without warning, leaving her ring and a note that wrote “goodbye” behind. That’s when he would hook up with Beth, make up for the loss of his queen, yet when he had manage to convince her to come back and buy her a new ring every time, he felt like he was on top of the world.

“Be honest with me Mick, who did this to him?”

“Everything points in one target, Beth”

“Of course. Thank you Mick, I got him”

She stood by him throughout his healing process, waited patiently until he was back on her feet, took care of his bullet wounds and had many sleepless nights to make sure he was alright. She was his wife to be after all, even kept in contact with Rhea and Marcus, made sure they were alright and taken care of in any way, shape or form.

“Are you ready mama?”

“Almost, can you help me with the necklace”

They were there when Rhea got the call from Beth, acting like there friends even though she caused Rios life and invited her for drinks. Rio knew (y/n) was boiling, wanted to take revenge for what Beth had caused and this time he understood, so they got dressed up to meet her instead of Rhea. 

As Rio approached and took the necklace in his hands he saw it was the necklace he bought her for their one year anniversary, her birth stone surrounded with diamonds. When (y/n) let her hair down he got a whiff of her scent, still making him feel weak in the knees, he got closer to her and wrapped his one arm around her, his lips found the nape of her neck and left light kisses. She closed her eyes for a second to enjoy the feeling of warmth and lust he brought her.

“You look beautiful princess”

“It’s my first time meeting her isn’t it?”

“What have you planned gorgeous?”

“That’s for me to know and for her to find out, let’s go daddy”

She knew exactly who she was. Seeing the back of her head made her want to pull out her gun and blast her right then and there, that wouldn’t be classy now wouldn’t it? She approached the clueless woman and sat on her left side, leaving the right seat empty for Rio to join later. 

“Can I get dirty martini please? Thank you dear”

She instructed the bartender before taking off the faux black fur coat to reveal a   Split Floor-Length Sleeveless Spaghetti Strap Pullover black dress. The first thing Beth noticed about the young woman that sat next to her was the big diamond ring that she wore on her ring finger, mentally thinking of what that girl had done to earn it

‘she probably hasn’t worked a day in her life’ she thought, making herself feel a little bit better, she had to admit that she looked really pretty, the jewelry she had on complimented her skin tone and the dress looked like it was custom made. (Y/n) waited for her drink to arrive before she looked at Beth and got ready to reveal her identity.

“You must be Beth, I don’t believe we’ve officially met. I’m (y/n)”

Beth looked at her puzzled. How did the young woman that looked like she was some old mans pretty young thing to show off knew her. (Y/n) was smiling as she took a sip of her cocktail, knowing damn well that Beth had already made up her mind about what type of woman (y/n) was and completely missing the purpose of this meeting.

“How do you know my name”

“Oh I know everything about you, where you live, the names of your children, your sister Annie and your friend Ruby. Rio has told me all about you”

“Rio? How-”

“I know he doesn’t talk about it, I like to be invisible to the public eye... his secret weapon as some would say. I also know you are waiting for Rhea”

“She ain’t comin”

Beth heard Rio’s voice and her eyes went wide with fear. (Y/n) let out a soft giggle and took one more sip of her drink as Beth turned to look at him like she had seen a ghost, judging by how pale she had gotten she was more of that vibe than he was. 

“Excuse me, can we get a glass of neat whiskey for the gentleman? Thank you so much”

(Y/n) ordered once more before hoping off her chair and joining Rio. He snaked his arm around her and brought her as close to him as he could before placing a kiss on her cheek.

“How you feeling mama?”

“Oh I was just having a chat with Beth”

“A-are y-you”

“His fiancé? Yes, we are planning on getting married on my homeland during the summer, aren’t we daddy?”

(Y/n) started rubbing Rios back as she smiled at him, she was super excited for her wedding, he had given her complete control to do whatever she wanted, it was her big day and he knew better than to object to anything.

“Oh we have to show her something”

Rio reached for his pocket and (Y/n) looked over at Beth who was in the verge of a mental breakdown. Rio pulled out his three bullets that the doctor had pulled out from his body, (y/n) wanted to throw them away but he insisted in keeping them, reminding him how he cheated death. 

“Lung, spline, shoulder”

He put each one down in front of her. Beth had terrible aim and for once (y/n) was thankful that one of their rookies missed the shots. Beth stayed silent, taking in all the information, not only was he alive he also had a woman he was planning to marry, calling him “daddy” right in her face, she looked like she was straight out of a magazine and even thought she was kind to her that terrified her more, her entire life was crumbling in front of her. 

“Now I think you understand that you are in a bit of a jam, Christopher has agreed that I should decide your punishment since he wanted to kill you-”

“Don’t, do that. I’m sorry babydoll, she will learn”

Beth had tried to leave in the middle of (y/n)’s sentence, making Rio grab Beth by the arm and restrain her from doing so. (Y/n) stayed stoic and just watched the scene unravel, she knew Rio would never allow anyone to disrespect her. As Beth sat back down Rio smiled (y/n) before taking her hand once more and placing a kiss on her knuckles. (Y/n) reached for his face and caressed his cheek with her free hand making Beth sick to her stomach, he had never looked at her like that, with such admiration and love.

“It’s alright, I will let it pass this one time”

“Go on mama”

“I feel like it would be too easy to kill you, such an easy way out. So now you will work for me”

“What?”

Beth felt her stomach twist at the statement. Working with (y/n), having to do daily tasks for her, a woman she had no idea even existed an hour ago, now she had work under her and take orders from her directly, for a second she thought that death would be better. (Y/n) left Rio’s side for a second and took Beth by the shoulders, standing right behind her, Beth’s eyes fell on her shinny ring, that only felt like someone was rubbing salt over her wound, he had probably spend a fortune for it. (Y/n) leaned closer to Beth getting next to her ear and causing goosebumps on Beth’s body. 

“Think of it as an assistant or maybe help Rio with anything he needs but mostly you will be on call for anything I need. Since you wanted to outsmart Rio and spit where you eat, I need some help to plan the wedding and also take care of our business. What do you think darling?”

“I think it’s an excellent idea”

Rio was pleasantly surprised. (Y/n) was one of the most intelligent people he knew, bring Beth so close to her and making her work for their wedding even though she knew she had slept with him was a very cruel and mentally humiliating way to punish her. 

She truly was one of the greatest choices he had ever done, no one could compete with her, she held such power that made Rio feel like he could not only trust her but also submit to her, let her take the wheel and not having to worry about anything going wrong. As he watched her look over at Beth there was no comparison, (y/n) had such way of carrying herself, that je ne sais quoi as some would say, she was the embodiment of female divine energy. 

Rio knew that her leaving him all these times was a game of push and pull, making him work for her and a mental slap in the face, yet every time he ran to her like an obedient dog and begged for her to come back and take her spot as his queen in the palace, promised her and gave her everything she wished for, every ring was bigger and better than the one before. It wasn’t like he did it because she wanted it, he was the one that wanted to spoil her, give her everything under the sun, she deserved everything and he was for sure not going to hold back for his sweet little princess.

“And then when all of that is done... Rio can take care of you, I feel like it would bring bad luck to our household if we killed someone before the wedding”

[felassan]

Dragon Age II and Dragon Age: Inquisition concept art & assets from a 2016 talk/presentation by Matt Rhodes, titled “The World of Concept Art” [watch link & source]

It’s an interesting and insightful talk which I recommend watching, especially if you have an interest in concept art and related things like character design and how it fits into the overall game dev process. It’s also interesting to see a bit about how the DA team’s art direction/process has changed over time between games, and hear a bit about how they’ve been doing things going forwards for the next game.

This is Part 1. [Link to Part 2]

(Some notes on the commentary given on the images and in general in the presentation under the cut due to length.)

On image 2: DAII had a fast, hot production period where decisions were made very quickly. The devs knew that the central hub, Kirkwall, had been a center of an old slavery-based empire in the past, and wanted to have indications of this [in its art direction]. There were going to be giant statues that the PC eventually fought - on the right is the design for the statues as they originally were. In the top left, this is all they had for the location [owing to the intensive prod period]. They also had a general idea that they wanted to have tableaus that came to life, shown in the bottom left.

On image 3: Going back to the design of the giant statues, the beautiful golden clockwork version of the design doesn’t really say ‘tool of an ancient slavery-based empire’, so they took the model and tried to come up with something that had more of the kinds of shapes that get into the back of your head and say things like ‘aggressive, hard, simple’.

On image 4: So here they had started doing concepts trying to find some of the right poses, accessories etc that these things would have. One of the hearts of the internal ‘DA art [direction] codex’ is “gray and pointy”; if they give a concept like this to [then] Art Director Matthew Goldman he instinctively wants to go “Yes! Approve!”, and so has to kind of reign himself in a little bit.

On image 5: This is where they ended up getting to and how the concept art turned out in terms of the model, with some negotiation back and forth. This is an example of how their art direction process now tries to tell a story with the art (i.e. it tries to support the story through art aspects of the setting and the environment). Historically, they would have just thrown the French-looking, Baroque clockwork version of the statue into the game and gone with it. They are getting more and more intentional with this sort of thing.

On this image: This was an internal image made for internal discussion. The characters in it aren’t ones that exist or that became other characters, with the exception of the Warden, who kind of became Blackwall. In this image, they were trying to think about visual separation among members of a group at the most basic level (simple graphic design principles, like different shapes and colors). This image is part of trying to solve the design problem of having 4 different characters on-screen in the party at once in their games - as in, players of course need to be able to easily tell who is doing what and where.

A general comment: At BioWare, the concept artists nowadays involve themselves in the character design process much earlier than they used to. Historically, as in earlier games, the writers would write up a bunch of characters and then concept artists would be brought in to draw them. Through negotiation and back-and-forth they would then come up with something. Nowadays though, the concept artists are involved from Day 1. The writers now write down 2 words to describe a character and the artists do sketches based on that. The writers then will write a sentence and the artists will do more drawings based on that. Then it progresses to a paragraph and drawings based on that and so on. In this way it goes back and forth and they build it up so that the visual aspects and the writeup/content of the character are developed completely in tandem, complimentary to one another. This is their goal. They aren’t quite there yet, but this is what they’re trying to strive for in this area.

On image 6: These are Dorian concepts. His initial 2-word writeup was “rockstar mage”. They had different artists take different swings at him. The middle concept is Matt’s. The third concept is by Casper Konefal. Everyone was very excited about it and so it was then taken up to a more final stage (image 7).

On image 8: Casper is one of Matt’s favorite concept artists because he goes in and lovingly details absolutely everything - all the pieces of jewelry etc. Each ring has a story. This attention and level of detail and thought behind it adds authenticity and verisimilitude. 

On image 9: In game development, there is an effect on character design that can happen during review meetings. The concept/character artist will know what they need visually from a particular character’s design in order to visually tell the story and to help the character support that. Oftentimes, people who aren’t artists don’t have the language to describe this or realize that’s what’s going on in a character’s design, and instead they just see imperfections in the presented faces. What this can lead to is that unintentionally a group review meeting can slowly trim away all the features of a character that make them interesting or distinct. This is why, for many characters across the game industry, if they were shaved and had their facial decorations etc removed, it would be kind of hard to tell many of them apart, as they have all been subjected to this sort of “council sandblasting” process. Casper figured out an idea to help with this; annotating concept drawings with artistic knowledge that artists know intuitively, as has been done here. Artists know, for instance, that certain shapes and angles can allow for certain assumptions about the character to be made (for example, think about Cassandra’s personality and then consider the angular, straight strong lines that make up her face). Annotating like this and then presenting both versions alongside one another helps these aspects of character design be recognized in the review process, and helps characters remain more distinct.

On image 10: They knew that in DAI there was going to be a character who would be with the PC for the whole game - the humble little hermit, non-intrusive, someone quite closed off who the player wouldn’t know much about. “[quote] And at the very end of the game you’d basically find out that he’s Loki himself, or the embodiment of this ancient god that had been tricking you and basically manipulating you the whole time, characterized by a wolf.” And so Nick Thornborrow hung a wolf’s jaw bone off his neck and it was just there in plain sight the whole game. Because this detail was in the drawings at an early stage, it sparked conversations with the audio department, and the audio department could add touches from their end like having wolves howling when he walked into a new area. They could then get all of these different elements and things that could be hinted at, so that when you play the game a second time it’s like ‘They weren’t even hiding it!! It was there the whole time!!’ He loves that.

A general comment: Any one of BioWare’s 3D modelled characters standing in-game talking or animating probably ends up costing them something in the 40,000 - 60,000 dollar range (they calculated this).

A general comment: For DAI, the concept artists also started to get heavily involved in the storytelling side of things at a deeper level, doing things like quick’n’dirty storyboards for the cinematic designers and spending more time with the writers talking about what emotions they were trying to convey at different points and so forth. Since starting doing this, this has become a built-in part of their process.

A comment in the context of giving advice to up-and-coming and student artists, on the subject of how concepts and ideas are naturally thrown out during the process of iterating on ideas etc: “[quote] Right now, the project that I’m working on that I can’t talk about, I have 3 versions of the story in the garbage, and it’s awesome. Because now I’m working on the fourth with our lead writer and it’s so much better than it would have been otherwise and we’re doing it so much earlier so that we can actually change things up.” Said project could be DA4 or something else. (Please remember these comments were made in November 2016. MEA came out in 2017 and DA4 has been rebooted)

[source]

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

10. About Bilbo from the POV of...Frodo

I know I skipped on this one, but I knew exactly what I wanted to do for “their child”. This little excerpt is actually from my WIP, Just to See You Happy. I’m so close to the end on this! Fingers crossed I can finish by tomorrow.

Reminder: The masterlist can be found here.

***

Frodo was twelve years old when his world changed forever. He hadn’t wanted to go visit boring old Aunt Amaranth. He wanted to stay at Brandy Hall and play with Merry. He was told later that they had received a lot of rain that spring, and that a dam upriver had broken. The current was too strong that even a Brandybuck like his mother had no hope of surviving. 

It hadn’t been raining that morning that he was told his parents weren’t coming back. It was almost unfair how beautiful a day it was. He would have been racing Merry and Pippin along the edge of the Old Forest chasing butterflies. Letting their feet soak in the Brandywine and giggling when the minnows nibbled at their toes. Instead he was packing his bags waiting for Old Mr. Baggins to come collect him. Apparently, the man was his godfather.

Frodo had nothing against the storyteller. Whenever they went to Hobbiton to visit his Baggins relatives or celebrate someone’s birthday, they would always make a trip up the Hill. Mr. Baggins would be sitting outside on his front porch, a pipe in hand, blowing some of the biggest smoke rings Frodo had ever seen. When he would finally take notice of them, his eyes would twinkle. He always asked Frodo about his adventures, and when the young hobbit finished Mr. Baggins would give him a definitive “Good”. 

Frodo actually enjoyed the older hobbit’s company, and his tales of trolls and dragons enticed even the most respectable faunt. He just didn’t know much about him beyond that. He didn’t act like other hobbits who visited each other all the time and made pleasant conversation. He kept to himself, and sometimes his eyes would just lose focus. Frodo’s mom always said that Mr. Baggins liked his privacy and was forever lost to far away worlds. It was nicer than what other hobbits had to say about him. And now Frodo would be forced to go live with him.

There was a knock on the door at the front of the Hall, and Frodo ducked his head into his Aunt Menny’s skirts. She gave him a small pat on the back in encouragement as Uncle Rory opened the door. Mr. Baggins was rubbing his hands together, his eyes looking frantic before he reached out to shake Uncle Rory’s hand. His uncle forwent his polite greeting and wrapped Mr. Baggins in a tight hug.

“Words cannot express my condolences.” Mr. Baggins murmured into Uncle Rory’s shoulder.

Uncle Rory gave him a sharp nod before pulling back after clapping him on the back. 

“She was very fond of you, Cousin. They both were.” He responded.

Mr. Baggins looked so heartbroken when he whispered. “And I, them.”

Perhaps it was seeing someone else feeling the same pain he felt that gave Frodo the courage to run over to his new guardian. Mr. Baggins stiffened for a second before he effortlessly lifted Frodo into his arms. Frodo was almost getting too big for it now, but if Mr. Baggins was struggling, he didn’t show it.

“Oh my dear Frodo. I am so sorry. Life can be so cruel sometimes.”

“Are we going to go to your house now, Mr. Baggins?”

A hand gently caressed the back of his head, and for the first time since learning the heartbreaking truth, Frodo felt cherished and he felt warm.

“I believe, my lad, that given the circumstances, there is no need to stand on such pompous ceremony, hm?”

“What’s that mean?” Frodo asked, wrinkling his nose.

Mr. Baggins gave a weak chuckle, but his eyes were twinkling again with that kind light that told Frodo he could trust him with anything.

“It means that from this point on, it would be appropriate for you to simply call me Uncle Bilbo.”

Frodo nodded in agreement as he buried his head back in the elder hobbit’s shoulder. Bilbo’s breath tickled his ear as he whispered the words that would change Frodo’s life once more.

“I will always strive to be the very best uncle to you, dear, sweet Frodo. Of that I promise you.”

[oveliagirlhaditright]

The Mom Friend

Yeah… though Neku had certainly never signed up to be these four’s mom—and he still had no idea how that had happened—he now knew he wouldn’t change it for the world. Oneshot. Canon compliant. Mom friend Neku. Neo spoilers.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/33385999

At first, if you had asked Neku if he had become the mom friend of the Wicked Twisters, he would have laughed in your face.

Because while he would admit he loved the youngins’—and was very protective of them—some old habits of wanting to be cool, and being somewhat rough around the edges, died hard.

But it was with Nagi that Neku finally realized that this was the case.

The girl had decided to go vegetarian, but her body was rejecting not having a lot of protein and thus needed something like nuts this very instance? Who was it but Neku, who went out to buy her some, at near three o’clock in the morning (because he was a good friend and had expanded his horizons that much), since her parents had recently died in a car crash and they could no longer do it for her, the poor girl.

So, Neku crept into Nagi’s dorm window around one-forty-five-ish—which, looking back on it, probably hadn’t been a good idea and could have scared his friend. But, hey: Neku had gotten used to being in the Game. And the week that Coco brought him back before he ran into Beat, he’d been in hiding, and had maybe gotten used to the idea some; and Nagi didn’t seem spooked, so maybe her mind was still stuck on sneaking around in the Reapers’ Game, too—and Nagi took the food out of Neku’s hands like it was the easiest thing in the world before ruffling his hair.

“Much obliged, Lord Neku,” she said as she fixed her glasses in this dim lighting, so she could see him better. Or so Neku guessed. “Now, hopefully, I can feel better enough, that I can work on my essay about the Canterbury Tales. …No one knows such suffering as me,” Nagi moaned, before going back to her bed and starting on the cashews.

“No, problem,” Neku said then—feeling sort of awkward, as he went to mess with a pair of headphones that were no longer on his person anymore—“if you need help with it… I, uhh, guess I could try and lend a hand. I have university coming up soon, too. And I know they’ll have me doing some English stuff, so…”

“Unless you want to be bored to tears, I suggest that you not make such a promise, unless your heart knows little joy,” Nagi warned him.

And Neku didn’t have to be told twice. So, he did backout of helping her with that paper.

But he knew when he visited Shiki soon—and she asked him what he’d been up to—she would still tease him about being the mom friend, for going out and buying protein for Nagi in the wee hours of the morning.

…

And it continued on like that… and Neku was somewhat loath to admit it, because hey: he had an image to uphold here.

But then again… maybe not, because if this was him pushing out his borders as far as they would go—as Mr. H had instructed him to do three years ago—Neku knew he would gladly do so… even at the risk was being called a “mom”, and even an “old maid”, or something.

Right now, Rindo had severely hurt his ankle… and who was he holding onto as they hobbled away, with designs to get him to a hospital? Neku.

“This is the last time I ever try something from the 90’s again!” Rindo complained, as Neku was half-carrying him to his car now (and how nice it was, that Neku could drive now—from memories of another him that hadn’t lost such formative years—that Joshua had implanted into his head).

“Yeah, Rindo… scooters were cool and everything—yours truly had one—but even I don’t know why you decided to try and bring them back now of all times… Especially since they had a bad habit of spinning right back around and nailing you in the ankle… which you know all too well now,”

And godamnit. Neku really had become the mom friend, huh, if he was now telling his younger friend this venture had been dangerous from the get-go, and how he could have easily seen that if he’d tried to?

Neku pulled on one of his spikes, irritated with himself here, but tried not to show Rindo, lest he think he was mad at him.

“Well, I’d thought about getting a motor scooter,” Rindo explained, Neku loading his pal into his backseat now. “So, I think that’s what got scooters on my brain… But I was trying to be green, and still think of a faster way to catch things in FanGo than walking! And now look where it got me. Oy! …But I guess I shouldn’t be complaining. This should be the least of my problems, when just a few weeks ago I was fighting for you guys’ survival, huh?”

And Rindo paused in where he’d been about to put a hand over his eyes, to peek at Neku now who was currently getting into the driver’s seat—as if he was asking for the past Living Legend to remind the new one to have his priorities straight.

“For real,” Neku told Rindo, whilst he started to pull away now. “When I got out, I was mostly thinking about the Game… about what Joshua did, and how even then, I still trusted him but couldn’t forgive him. And I was so excited to finally meet up with my friends—to finally have some and care about that—be glad, Rindo, that you got out with your friends, and there’s so much trust between you. Like there is between Josh and I now.”

And Rindo set down his phone then—apparently like he had when he first met Shoka in the RG—like he was really listening to what Neku had to say, and he had to appreciate that.

And it might have been his imagination… but Neku could have sworn he saw a flash of blue nodding his head at Neku’s words, as it sat back there with the injured Rindo.

…

The next time Neku ended up being the “mom” for someone in the Wicked Twisters, after the Game, it was with Fret.

It was towards the end of his and Rindo’s sophomore year of high school…

Fret had been ecstatic to come back to life, Neku had known, and wasn’t wasting his second chance. He had really thrown himself into his studies, Rindo had told Neku in private (quite proudly, Neku might add).

If he could keep it up, he would probably even be able to graduate early. And talent scouts were looking at him, Neku had been told: towards a kid who hadn’t strived that hard in school, but now was and excelling because of it.

Naturally, Fret had decided that his calling was fashion—everyone who had been playing the Reapers’ Game with him would have gathered just how much he loved clothes—and apparently he had really thrown himself into designing towards the end of the year, and was trying to put a portfolio together for Jupiter of the Monkey to look at: who the school was suggesting he try and intern with, as they had some connections with (and damn, if Neku didn’t wish he’d gone to Fret and Rindo’s school now, being a huge J of the M fan himself).

Part of Neku wondered why Fret just didn’t try to intern with Shiki during his senior year, but perhaps it was because he was afraid Shiki would just give him the position because they were friends and not because she really thought he was talented.

Anyway… Fret hadn’t gotten the internship. J of the M had said the Fret should try to use less color (you know what? Maybe Neku didn’t like them very much anymore…).

And since then… Fret had seemed to give up on his dream of being a fashion designer, and was trying to be an actor.

And, look: Neku had no problem if him wanting to do both, if he thought he could do it and this was really what Fret wanted… though call him crazy, but he felt like something else was at work here: something that Neku and Shiki had both experienced before.

So, Neku had sat Fret down to talk about it at Ken Doi’s—away from the filmmakers who were currently trying to film in Dogenzaka, that Fret had just been a part of—and laid it all out on the table, “It’s okay… to get Imposter Syndrome. I’ve had it before with my art. Even Shiki has before. But if you want to be an artist, you’re going to fall down a few times… Fret, I feel like you don’t want to be an actor, so much as you don’t mind people dinging your acting, because that isn’t something you care about as much as your designing.”

And after Neku had spoken, Fret somehow looked both like Neku had made him had an epiphany he hadn’t quite realized, and like Neku had stumbled upon the horrible truth he hadn’t wanted anyone to figure out.

Neku took a bite of the yummy curry that Ken Doi had been kind enough to make just for him, after he’d brought Joshua around recently (he’d said he’d missed the two of them. Go figure), and let Fret get his bearings.

And now he was sighing, and running a hand through his hair, much like Neku often did. Neku smiled, finding it hard not to sympathize.

“Oh, man. I really do have to get back into fashion, huh?”

“You do,” Neku agreed, wondering what wonderful articles of clothing Fret might come up with for him to wear in the future. Shoka, too. Really, with those two and Shiki and Eri, Neku had it made in the clothes department, and he was not complaining. “And it’ll be hard sometimes. But most things in life worth gaining are.”

And when Fret smiled back at him, Neku knew he’d made some progress here—which was good—and then he did one thing that was decidedly not mom-like, and let Fret get the bill. Why? Because Neku was a starving college student at this point, and Fret still had parents who paid for stuff for him.

…

And then the last person who needed Neku’s help (…for now, he guessed. Because apparently this was a full-time gig. And at this point, Neku wasn’t complaining because he happily would have taken custody of all the Wicked Twisters long ago if he could’ve), was Shoka.

…Who was freaking out after Rindo having tried to give her a promise ring and wasn’t at all being her usual FanGo loving self, where Rindo was concerned.

And, yeah… Shoka could be a bit of a tsundere sometimes, but Neku felt like the issue ran much deeper.

Neku also happened to see Shoka looking into the mirror a lot lately… And at first, he wondered if she’d become self-conscious like Shiki had been.

But upon hearing the arrogant comments that Shoka still said about herself—that Neku’s surrogate little sister so deserved to say, he thought—he knew that wasn’t the case.

He tried to use a bit of his soul power on her… because it turned out that Neku was strong enough to use it in the RG some, but all that really told the ginger was that it was a deep-rooted issue with Shoka and not what said issue was.

Finally, Neku knew he had to just talk to her.

“Let me in, Shoka,” he urged her—after he’d caught her looking at wedding dresses in her apartment at a group hang-out (it was just the two of them at said hang-out right now; everyone else had gone to get food for everybody). “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

And it was pretty fitting, Neku would later think, that he used Shiki’s old words to him with Shoka here, since she made him think of Shiki some—what with her favorite Mr. Mew hoodie and all. Especially when they’d been in the Game.

And at his question, Shoka sighed—like opening her thoughts to Neku was the biggest burden in the world—and dropped the magazine like it had burned her.

“What?” she demanded, fiddling with the zipper at her neck. “About Rindo? I feel like him wanting to give me a promise ring is silly—and of a time gone by—so of course I told him ‘no’, and give him a hard time about it. Not all of us can be you and Shiki, you know…”

And with that, Shoka seemed content to ignore Neku, and to go boot up her PS5 so she could play the “Stranger of Paradise” demo.

And, hey: more power to her—Neku thought it looked sick, too—but no way was he letting her get off that easily. “That’s a lie, Shoka, and we both know it. So, what’s really going on here?”

Shoka was sighing once more now—as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. And it probably was, with this tragic girl—but she shuffled on the couch closer to Neku, which he saw as a good sign. “Fine… I guess I should have known that I couldn’t lie to Mr. Soul-Reader… I just- I feel I look too much like them: Ayano and my little sister. And I know it’s dumb, but I worry about it.

“Will I be like Ayano and settle into one thing? Like, say I get really into being Rindo’s girlfriend here… but I force myself to marry him one day, because he really wants that: what if we end up living a loveless life because of that, I didn’t want to tie the knot but forced myself to just because it was what he desired? And since I look like Little Sis… If Rindo and I do end up together, what if I end up dying young like she did and leaving Rindo alone. It’s too much.”

And here Neku had to pull Shoka into a small hug and kiss the crown of her head, whilst he ran calming hands down her arms. Shoka had been through way too much trauma for someone so young. It wasn’t fair. But even with all of that… Neku had to make sure she was sure of one thing right now.

So, he got off the couch and kneeled in front of Shoka, so she was looking into his eyes, and wouldn’t miss how serious this was. “Shoka… you definitely have a lot of baggage there, that I do think you should talk to Rindo about. And I’m so sorry that you’ve lost so much family for someone so young… but know that your family isn’t you. Their lives aren’t yours, nor are the things that they did. The things you do are going to be totally different from them, and you have to make those decisions for yourself. Got it?”

“Okay, Neku,” Shoka allowed, while she helped to pull Neku back up now. And she seemed to be blushing a little… but that was okay, because so was he. Neku may have been the mom of this little group, but big declarations of the heart like that could still be hard for him.

“Thanks!” Shoka beamed, before throwing herself at Neku to give him a quick hug this time.

And Neku laughed slightly. “No problem. Now, what do you say we get super far in this awesome demo before our friends get back, for being losers in forgetting to take us with them to get the food?”

“I think that sounds like a pretty sweet deal!” Shoka agreed, already pulling away from Neku and going for the controller.

Yeah… though Neku had certainly never signed up to be these four’s mom—and he still had no idea how that had happened—he now knew he wouldn’t change it for the world.

Especially when the rest of his children came back happy—which was always a perfect sight to see—and Shoka did end up working things out with Rindo.

It was a wonderful world, indeed.

Author’s Note: Yeah, I’m headcanoning here that the last Dive that you do (not counting Rhyme) for the little ghost from Shinjuku was Shoka’s sister.

Hope you all enjoyed!

[koo-zy]

hello! do you have any fantasy/historical jungkook x reader fic recs ?

hello lovely!! i’m so sorry i missed this yesterday :( i was actually planning on reorganizing my tumblr because i feel like no fics are ever going to be able to be found my blog LOL so hopefully that’ll be done soon!!

as for the fantasy/historical fics.. i’m honestly not too sure what “fantasy” (do demons count..? soulmates..? werewolves????) typically includes so i’m just going to include a bunch of fics that hopefully fit in :”) here are the first ones that i thought of + summaries included in their main posts!

also.. i’m sure i missed a lot of amazing fics (mainly because i’m dumb as hell and don’t really know what can be included in “fantasy”) and would like to apologize in advance!! 

@inktae ’s entire masterlist (they have a lot of fantasy fics!)

while this isn’t just jungkook recs, @ficswithluv had a fantasy category a few weeks ago!

@kpopfanfictrash ‘s jungkook masterlist

@fortunexkookie ‘s jungkook masterlist

one shots!

énouement - @littlemisskookie Mulan!AU

War is Hell, but it’s what you had to do to take your brother’s place. Of course, between the days of Hell are little slices of Heaven you’d call your Captain, Jeon Jungkook.

midas - @gukyi 

jeon jungkook was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and the power to turn whatever he wants into pure gold. you were born with healing and invisibility powers but without a cent to your name. so when you’re plucked off of the streets for pickpocketing and assigned to be his minder as punishment, you realize you’re going to have to overcome a lot more than class differences if either of you are going to get what you want.

i will not lose! - @jimlingss Magic!AU

A single bet - use every means to make Jeon Jungkook fall in love with you.

a piece of the moonlight - @/jimlingss Mulan!AU

For your loved ones, the people who are waiting at home, the people who have died - you will fight. And sometimes to fight means to sacrifice: who you really are and the person you really love.

dynasty - @/jimlingss Historical!AU

It’s no secret that the Emperor is infertile. But even so, a girl is selected every three months and brought to become his concubine in hopes of conceiving the next heir. This time, it’s you. And in order to prevent execution, Jeon Jungkook might just aid you in conception.

game of temptation ft. knj, myg, kth - @/jimlingss Succubus!AU 

As a succubus, your beauty is unrivaled and shaped to tempt mortals. But it’s still hard to resist Taehyung, and there’s little you can do once you’ve been coerced to do his bidding for him. This time, you find yourself entering the affluent Kim Household as a housemaid. And these poor humans don’t know your intentions are far from being angelic.

knot today - @kinktae

(IDK IF WEREWOLVES COUNT BUT JERHFBDSKNZX THIS IS REALLY GOOD!!)

When your first heat approaches and you are left partnerless, who better to turn to than your alpha roommate that you’ve spent the better half of your life hiding your feelings for?

ego - @luxekook Harry Potter!AU

(..i also don’t know if HP counts LOL)

in which jeongguk is a cocky lil shit and the reader has to take him down a few pegs

stumbling - @hayjeon Prince!AU

an ask in their inbox regarding the prompt: hii! so the royal wedding of prince harry and meghan is today, and since my bias is JK and since i’m such a sucker for royal stuff, can i reuest a fic of bts all being royal of 7 different kingdom, and all of them being invited to jin’s wedding and the girl (oc) is also invited and kookie met her there, and eventually took an interest at her? the girl is also royalty from other kingdom. thanks!

werewolf!jungkook - @/hayjeon

an ask in their inbox regarding the prompt: Werewolf!jk? (im sorry ik it’s overused and unoriginal) where he and his mate have pups to take care of and they’re quite a mischievous bunch!

there for you - @cupofteaguk Hogwarts!AU

Jungkook is always known for doing things unapologetically, and it makes sense given how almost nothing gets under his skin—almost nothing, but maybe there’s an exception that takes a form of a muggleborn with the shy smile and quirky spells.

say you won’t let go - @/cupofteaguk Soulmates!AU

You’ve been eighteen years old for ten years when Jungkook first moves in 

new romantics - @/cupofteaguk Hogwarts!AU

Jeon Jungkook will go down in history as one of the best Quidditch players that ever graced the Hogwarts scene. It seems like he always gets what he wants—his life is very predictable in that sense. What he cannot predict, however, is the newest weekend employee wiping down the tables at the Three Broomsticks.

a cinderella story - @suhdays Modern Cinderella!AU

you are forced to work multiple jobs as you live under your stepmothers roof. unable to move out and strive for complete independence, you do what you can in order save enough. turns out, as a college student that is harder than you thought. so, you distract yourself by joining online chat groups in which you meet a boy that goes to your school. that boy? none other than the rugby star himself, jeon jeongguk. it doesn’t prove to be an issue until he asks to meet you at an upcoming halloween party. he’s never noticed you before so why not hide yourself in order to live your dreams, if only for a moment?

explorer - @1kook Alien!AU

Jungkook does not want to impress the frankly tyrannical ways of his planet on you. He just wants to stay here and keep your couch warm for you, hold your hair back when you wash your face in the morning.

rottenfolk - @junqkook Faerie!AU

a look was as hazardous as chemicals, a kiss as perilous as poison; his eyes and lips felt akin to a cure, but he was purely venom.

the young wolf - @/junqkook Game of Thrones!AU

he was promised to another, meant for another to hold and to love and to kiss. but when his hand lingered on yours for a moment too long to be proper, and when his eyes held yours for a beat too long to be a passing glance, you allowed desire to creep into your veins, to take root inside your heart. perhaps before you might have been permitted to love him freely. perhaps he might have even been promised to you instead. but war was no place for the wants and desires of two people, no matter how much they yearned for it to be.

the lighthouse - @rubycoast S2L!AU

(im not too sure if this is considered fantasy but its one of my favs!)

you and jungkook had one thing in common: you were both lost souls stagnant in the search of some fulfillment. the one of many differences was that your story had been written on your sleeves, while jungkook’s was a story needed to be unriddled.

black magic - @hansolmates​ Magic Uni!AU

a witch with an ambition for learning, you stumble across a crushing spell in the middle of the forbidden section. of course you have to try it out! what happens when the crushing spell not only has jeon jungkook crushing on you, but you crushing on him?

the sea & the storm - @jamaisjoons Fantasy!AU

the sea is a powerful mistress. she is calm and beautiful. she is mysterious and alluring. she is a force to be reckoned with. above all, however, she is lonely. until she meets him. fantasy au.

the lionheart’s oath - @sugaxjpg Knight & Princess!AU

There was no happy ending, no dragon slayer to save the kingdom and get the princess — there was only him: Jungkook. A simple orphan that was lucky enough to be invited into the castle, a former homeless thief that had found shelter in the form of an elysian heir. Now, after twelve years by your side, he was about to lose you to the world you sought to explore.

ghosts just wanna have fun - @/sugaxjpg Psychic & MedSchool!AU

When Jungkook discovered that he could communicate with dead people, the last thing he expected was that they would be there to give him romantic advice.

wartime child - @ktheist Wizard!AU

raising a baby in wartime isn’t easy. but when your baby starts showing signs of magical abilities, you’re forced to ring up the only other person you know he takes after: jeon jungkook.

birth of an empress - @/ktheist Dragon Slayer!AU

partners for three years and friends for longer, jungkook thought you’d remain so until he saw you with the knight at the merchant’s trade.

alternatively, the friendly neighborhood wizard trying to propose to the infamous dragon slayer in the middle of slaying a dragon? now, that’s classic.

series/two shots!

fear in your eyes - @/gukyi Werewolf!AU

(again, idk if werewolves count but hifksdjcx !!!!)

there’s a werewolf in that forest behind your house, they told you, and he’ll eat you before you can even beg for mercy. 

the worshiper series - @/jimlingss 

Long ago, there were gods who resided in Heaven -- existing to watch over and protect the universe. Each of them had their own flaws, trials and tribulations; some which were more sparing than others, but these are their stories...

a promise of freedom - @/jimlingss Wartime!AU

War is cruel and its inhumanity has not spared you. Captured by the enemy, you were brought to the front lines to heal their wounded. But after one night of saving a particular man’s life, he swears to fulfill any wish of yours.

one year, my love - @/hayjeon Historical!AU

You forge a marriage contract with the strangely speaking man who suddenly stumbled into your town with memory loss, but little do you know that he’s actually the lost Crown Prince, and a lot can happen between a married man and woman in one year.

demigod!au drabbles - @/hayjeon

an ask in their inbox regarding the prompt: i have a supernatural au prompt! how bout daughter of hades/loner!reader and son of zeus/bully! jungkook?

into the woods - @/junqkook Goblin!AU

getting hurt and stumbling upon a goblin in the forest leaves you completely at his mercy, though you aren’t sure if that’s necessarily a bad thing.

lionheart - @/junqkook Magic!AU

as a sorcerer, it is of the utmost importance that you keep your magic a secret from everyone. when you become prince jungkook’s servant, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep your identity hidden; especially when you fall in love with him.

a royal exchange - @/hansolmates

she’s the man!au where the princess impersonates her brother yoongi in order to finish his degree on time while yoongi is thrusted into princely duties. jeongguk is in the mess purely through room arrangement

knight!jungkook x princess!reader - @/ktheist

a series with 27 parts!

that’s all i can think of off the top of my head right now :(( not gonna lie, half of these probably don’t even fit into either of those categories and i know there are so so so many amazing fantasy/historical fics out there!! i wish i knew them all but i hope this helped a little bit! if anyone has any fic they’d like to rec, feel free to send it to meee :)

and finallyyyyy i leave my following page open for viewing as well so you can check out all of the authors i follow!! please show all of these authors (and many more) some love! <3