#hahahah we're getting to a

[crabs-nonsense]

Hey anybody remember like half a year ago when I mentioned traveling to the other side of the country to meet cosplay friends in person in half a year.... 👀

[kabutone]

very uniquely isolating experience to see everyone so upset about the election but then not give a single shit about the fact that the pandemic is gonna get worse. and its cause you all think its over isnt it? its cause when politicians decided to sweep it under the rug you ate it up. you don't realize that for the past couple years we've had months long spikes of transmission that are higher than anything we saw in 2020 or 2021. you don't realize that while there are highs and lows, the lows are getting higher. you purposefully turn a blind eye to those that have developed long covid. you care so much about abortion access, lgbt rights, stopping genocides - as you should - but when it comes to your disabled friends and family you can't be bothered?

[roseband]

...

[starry-beetle]

Update about the old house that's SUPER funny: we were evicted because the county sold the house at auction without notifying anyone, but, the people who bought it and evited us... sold it back to the bank for 1/3rd they paid ALREADY LMAAAO

[deesi-academia]

once again, the person I am simply the unproblematic-therapist-best-friend to a person i genuinely thought would be my friend

[blujayonthewing]

desire to drive my new car to Holidays vs desire to get through it just very gently zooted

[lambs-rest]

Hope's Confluence IV - Reunion

Track: Pure Imagination - Fiona Apple (YT)

——————–

Mist cloaked the platform heavily.

It chilled her lungs with each deep, ragged breath. Despite the stinging pain Granye gasped for air, her whole body heaving. Everything felt like it was on fire. Her body screamed, muscles pulled to their limits. The trail of semi-dried blood that tracked down the right side of her face from her brow was joined by a new trickle more directly above her eye. She squinted before shutting her eye entirely against the encroaching liquid as it carved a warm path to her eyelid.

Granye instinctively raised the back of her right hand to wipe the blood away, but her arm stilled as she laid eyes on her hand.

Her heart sank.

The sword she had been given was nothing more than a cracked handle and fragmented guard, clutched in her hand. The blade was gone, splintered into nothing.

A bittersweet smile settled on her face as she held it before her. It looked like she was too reckless with Emet-Selch’s loaned power. She could almost hear his voice scolding her for going overboard, exactly what he had told her not to do.

Granye looked across the platform, peering through the fading mist to find any trace of Elidibus.

Her mouth pressed into a thin line, brows furrowing sadly as she found his figure, dropped to his knees and panting in a similar fashion to her. The shield on his arm was fractured and broken, and his blade was similarly in ruin.

The fight was over.

She should have felt a huge wave of relief, of victory and triumph. But her heart only felt heavy.

The fight was over, but her work was not.

Granye looked down as the remnants of the sword in her hand made a noise, like ice thawing. A huge crack snapped down what was left of it, more cracks spider-webbing out from the main fault, before the entire construct fell apart in her hand, leaving nothing but a pile of purple shimmering dust in her palm.

She raised her arm and held out her hand, allowing the sands to trickle from her palm and be swept away on the breeze.

It would have been a nice keepsake, she thought, but in her heart she knew that Emet’s gift had been temporary. Granye turned her gaze back to Elidibus, and her empty hand fell to the pouch at her hip.

She had enough priceless keepsakes as it was.

Each step made her legs want to buckle. Her head was still ringing with the sound of the powers of Light and Darkness clashing. It was definitely her most intense duel to date, she’d give Elidibus that much. But really, matching his power until they reached a stalemate? Granye’s mouth twitched with a grimace as pain shot up her arm.

‘He’s in for a proper earbashing if I ever see him again.’

As she neared the defeated Emissary she noticed how his damage went beyond merely the loss of his weaponry. His once proudly flowing cape was tattered and ripped. Gleaming armour was cracked and robbed of its lustre where her blows had landed. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, teeth gritted, silently seething.

“Elidibus.”

Her voice made him lift his head and he directed that hateful glare at her.

“Fool. You have achieved nothing. I am immortal, and I will never surrender!”

“I thought ye used to always say ye were too old to be treated like a child. Yet here ye are, actin’ like one.”

His hate muddled with confusion and the same twisted feeling that had chased him out of Emet-Selch’s Amaurot. A tired smile made its way onto her face and her gaze grew unfocused, seemingly staring right through him.

“Ye used to always protest when ye were slipped a toffee… But I dinnae think ye ever turned one down.”

His eyes widened slowly. A feeling pressed at his mind – a scene of their black-robed bodies all leaving the room, filing out in pairs or alone. A gentle hand on his arm, gesturing for him to come to the side for a moment. A small, neatly wrapped lolly stealthily pressed into his palm–

He squeezed his eyes shut and violently shook his head.

Lies. False memories! He had no need of such things!

“Elidibus.”

She said his name again and he wanted to shout at her to stop. But when he looked at her once more, she was holding out a small pouch.

“I think ye need these more’n I do.”

Something drew him to the little bag, whether it was the promise of the shiny, mysterious, colourful baubles he could glimpse from his height…or something else entirely. Delicately he reached two fingers out, pinching at the contents of the bag. He pulled out a small bright green stone. Elidibus carefully put it in his other palm, gingerly turning it with his fingertip, until he flipped it onto its other face and a pattern of dots and lines revealed itself. He stared, frozen for some seconds, before his eyes flickered to the bag. Granye didn’t move as he reached into it again, this time pulling out a peach-coloured one. He repeated the process again and again…

Until she no longer found herself looking up at his face, but down.

Granye walked forward a few more steps and knelt, keeping the bag within reach of his shortened little arms, as Light and borrowed power left him with a shower of dissipating sparkles. It left him a small figure of a boy in a plain white hooded robe, with a red mask covering the top of his face. It was not a pointed or sculpted mask, but a simple unadorned one, with soft curves and round eyes of darkness – the same kind she had seen on all the Ancients in Amaurot’s reconstruction.

His child-like hands reached in, over and over, until he had emptied the bag, and his arms were brimming with the colourful crystals. He hugged them to his chest gently, as though hugging individuals.

“My people. My brothers and sisters. …My friends.” Elidibus lifted his gaze to her, voice no longer ringing with anger and power, but with confusion and pain. “Why? Why do you have these?” he begged.

Granye reached into her pocket and held out her hand, two more stones sitting within.

“This one’s yers.” she said softly, picking up the grey one and holding it out for him to take. He reached out for it, wrapping his fingers around it, then stared at the colourless gem in silence, his entire little body trembling.

“…An’ this is mine.”

He looked up as her fingers curled gently around the gold one. The amber of death.

He inhaled slowly, deeply, with a trembling gasp. Holding his stone to his palm with his last three fingers, he reached for the golden-hued stone with his index finger and gently brushed his fingertip over its surface, tracing the circular carving on its face.

Elidibus inhaled sharply.

Azem. The Shepherd. The Muse. Welcoming eyes, the colour of fresh grass. Auburn hair of a colour that always reminded him of the lollies she would give to him as reward for enduring a meeting. A smile like the sun that was her constellation.

Granye watched his hand still over constellation. “There’s a lot I dinnae ken – dinnae remember.” she said softly. “I’s all just feelin’s, sometimes a flash of a memory. Isnae like I can remember her name, or what exactly she did.” Her face crinkled in discomfort. “It always felt wrong, but it was worse after Ardie joined me. An’ when ye told me Emmie knew me-! He never said a bloody thing! I didnae understand! I still dinnae!” she blurted, pressing her free palm to her eyes in a desperate attempt to stop the tears she could feel stinging her eyes. “An’ then ye came along, wearin’ Ardie’s face an’ callin’ me death… I just wanted to die. I couldnae do it again.”

Elidibus bowed his head, hugging the stones. He truly had forgotten. How? How could he have let slip all those precious memories?!

“Of all the times for this to happen… Why now, like this? Their wish – it’s gone, and I-” he choked on his own tears. “Without Emet-Selch-! His wish was the last true hope! I was holding onto it so dearly, and now that he is gone… I’m too weak for this alone!”

Granye lowered her hand. So many little tears ran down his red-masked face, spilling over and falling onto the stones in his shaking arms. She could feel that all her efforts to stem her tears were undone the instant she saw him in such a state. She reached out and gathered Elidibus, gems and all, in her arms, pulling him against her.

“Yer nae alone, sweetcream.” she whispered. “Ye still have ‘brea, aye? An’ I’m nae goin’ anywhere.”

“You barely remember anything!” he protested, the sob muffled by her coat, though he made no attempt to wriggle free of her embrace.

“I remembered we were never s’posed to be fightin’. I remember how much we all loved ye. I might nae remember the little things, but I do remember the feelin’s – how much I’d‘ve given up fer ye. How hard I’d’ve fought to keep ye safe.”

“Then where were you?” he begged, voice raising an octave. “Everyone was so scared, and you weren’t there!”

Granye pressed the left side of her cheek to the top of his hooded head gently. “I dinnae ken, love. I wish I did, but i’s all just smoke. I’m sorry.”

If anything the answered seemed only to upset him more.

“’lidibus, ye can be angry. Ye can cry. Yer more than just a primal, love. Yer pain is yer own, an’ yer allowed to feel it, all right?” Her voice was shaking. “Tha’s all I wanted for ye – to remember who you were. Who ye are.”

“But, my duty-!” he sobbed.

“I’s done, love! Ye did everythin’ ye could’ve possibly done fer yer duty. I promise. I’s all right to take a step back now. Yer nae the Warrior o’ Light, an’ yer nae Zodiark. Yer Elidibus – our Elidibus.”

“I don’t understand…” he sniffled leaning back to look up at her. “Why do you go so far? You… You aren’t Azem, no matter what you remember. Why are you so determined?”

She looked down at him with a thoughtful look. “I think…that maybe Azem’s memories just make my feelin’s stronger. D’ye forget the first time I met ye already?” she added teasingly with a smile.

“No… No, I don’t believe I could.” he said slowly.

He still remembered how she’d insisted on having a meal the next time they had to meet. And how he had been made a bearer of puns when she had asked him sweetly to pass a message on to the convalescing Lahabrea.

The next time they had met was on an active battlefield, and he’d been wearing the Garlean princeling’s body. He’d tried to kill her.

“…We never did try things your way.” he admitted quietly.

Granye mustered a tired chuckle and gently pinched his chin. “An’ tha’s why I wasnae goin’ to let ye win here.” Her smile faded. “Stay with us, Elidibus – ‘brea an’ me – fer as long as ye can. Since I cannae remember the old memories, let’s build some new ones.”

She could feel the bewildered, pleading stare from behind his mask.

“After all of this, after everything I did – everything I said! I tried to kill you. More than once!” he warbled.

She found herself smiling, a faint chuckle in her throat as she gently pulled him in for another hug. “Aye, so’s Lahabrea. You’ll be in good company.”

“You… I won’t ever understand you.” he mumbled. It sounded suspiciously like he was pouting.

“Tha’s fine. Ye just have to understand one thing: I’d’ve fought through all seven hells an’ back to get through to you.”

-~-~-~-~-~-

After the calamitous final tremor that ripped through the Crystal Tower, Lahabrea had promptly risen to his feet in the Golden Sacristy and made the – possibly unwise – decision to ascend the tower and see the results of the duel between Light and Dark for himself.

At least, that’s what he told himself.

In reality, Lahabrea had remained rooted in place, gripped by fear, for so long that even the struggling Crystal Exarch had been able to catch up to him. His presence had snapped Lahabrea from his torpor and together they had climbed the tower. The Scions were still nowhere in sight.

When they reached the top and emerged from the Final Curtain, Lahabrea could not have been more glad of the fact.

He had expected to find death, either in the form of a broken corpse or an altogether absent Emissary.

Instead his eyes landed upon the sight of a small child in white cradled in Granye’s arms, their face buried against her. When he saw the crystals spilling between them, tumbling to the floor and caught on clothes, he understood.

Lahabrea breathed such a sigh of relief, G’raha Tia thought he might be the one about to collapse.

“Go.” He urged, leaning heavily on his staff and dragging his crystallised arm off Lahabrea’s shoulder with a wince. Lahabrea looked at him for a moment, scared, almost, at the concession. G’raha stared, then stiffly nudged his head toward the two. He watched as Lahabrea began to walk, then ran across the walkway, only slowing once he was closer.

Lahabrea felt a lump in his throat as he approached, but it wasn’t out of fear this time. He was relieved – elated.

By some miracle she had gotten through to him. Elidibus. Their Elidibus. Their shining, brilliant little star.

Had he not held Elidibus’ memory crystal when Granye asked him to pick it out from the bunch, he may well have forgotten himself how the Emissary once was, before the Final Days and the Sundering. Before he had become Zodiark’s heart.

They both turned at Lahabrea’s slow, cautious approach, as though they knew he was there even though he made no announcement. Elidibus bowed his head at the scattered crystals and Granye picked them up for him, the need unspoken. She freed him from the last of the bunch and carefully put them back in the pouch, and Elidibus slowly stood up, frozen in place for a moment before he glanced at Granye. She nodded once in reassurance.

Since when did Elidibus take cues from someone else?

Elidibus took several steps toward Lahabrea before he stopped a respectable distance away and bowed his head.

“I… Lahabrea, can you ever forgive me?”

“For what, Elidibus?” Lahabrea prompted quietly, the syllables rolling gently in the voice of the Ancients.

“For raising my sword at you. For accusing you. …For abandoning the wish of our brethren.”

Lahabrea, for all his rough edges and meanness, could only feel a long-absent warmth for the Emissary. “There is nothing to forgive, Elidibus. I abandoned that wish first, did I not?”

Elidibus could have wept again, but struggled to keep himself composed. There was more he had to say. “I cannot change what I am – what will inevitably happen to me. Even so…would you still make your earlier request of me, despite my transgressions?” He inhaled sharply, desperate to squeeze in the rest of his request before Lahabrea answered.

It reminded him so much of when Elidibus had first taken to the role and was still adjusting to his place in the Convocation.

“I know this is an unfair burden to place upon you, but I am left with no other choice. You…”Elidibus’ voice cracked. “Lahabrea, you are all that’s left. My sustenance is by your will alone, now.”

Lahabrea felt his heart twist. Him? What good was he, he wanted to ask, with his pathetic frailty and stunted aether? He could not offer Elidibus the gargantuan supply of crystals he required to remain. He knew better than anyone that a primal subsisted off aether and faith. He could only truly supply the latter.

Did it really matter?

After everything they had lost – world, brethren, and even the memories of such – did it really matter if it wasn’t perfect? Especially when he could no longer strive for perfection.

“…Of course, Elidibus. I only regret that I cannot give you what you are truly owed.”

The little robed Emissary looked up, seemingly confused by his words for a moment before he released the phantom breath he’d been holding. “Thank you, Lahabrea.”

Elidibus’ fingertips subtly tugged nervously at his robe and he bowed his head once more. “Granye…has already made the offer, but I must ask – would you mind if I stayed with you until…until I no longer can?”

When a hand landed on his shoulder, Elidibus looked up into Lahabrea’s face. He never thought he’d see the Speaker look so drained. It was the sudden pull forward – the arms that ensnared him – that really startled Elidibus. To be held and comforted by Granye was one thing, but to be wrapped in Lahabrea’s arms was another entirely. Had he…ever shown such care? Elidibus could not remember…but maybe that was alright, if he was allowed to remember this moment.

“Had she not offered, I would have insisted.” Lahabrea said firmly.

Elidibus felt an enormous weight lift from his shoulders. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to soak in the moment. His duty was over. Now he had only one task left to him. One wish to fulfil.

Granye watched, silent, sitting on the floor. Her kneeling position had sunk to the point where her legs were awkwardly bent on either side of her and the only thing hold her upright was the fact that her left palm was pressed to the floor. Her body wanted to fall apart. Everything hurt, and blood was still constantly threatening to get in her eye.

But as she drank in the sight of the two Ascians reuniting, her heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.

It was worth it. Every single scar and bruise, every drop of blood, sweat and tears she had shed in this awful bloody struggle had been worth it. She could say that with her head high. She could face anything – any disputes or doubts that might come from what course she’d taken.

Granye gingerly picked up the pouch of crystals in her left hand and put the crystal of Azem back where she’d put it when Hythlodaeus had first given it to her. There would be plenty of time to discuss that matter, once they left the Tower and she had slept for a solid twenty-four hours. She couldn’t help grunting as she pushed herself to her feet, every move drawing a hiss of pain until she was upright and limping forwards.

Lahabrea lifted his head at the sounds she made, releasing Elidibus from his impromptu hug, which allowed them both to watch her struggle.

“I expect you’ll be black and blue by the end of the night.”

She mustered a grin. “Aye. Reckon you’ll have some bruises to match, too, fer once.”

Lahabrea grimaced, then glanced back at the golden archway that let to the interior of the tower. G’raha Tia was standing there, still glowing blue – though not nearly as much now that the Tower was no longer being used – and still leaning heavily on his staff. “I’m sure between you, me and the Exarch we’ll have all the shades of blue covered.”

Granye followed his gaze. “Oh hells, robin!” she blurted, her voice carrying. “Yer almost a bloody statue!”

G’raha offered a pained grin and attempted to shrug, but only ended up grimacing. Granye hobbled forward, passing the other two for a step, before she paused and turned back.

“I almost forgot – sweetcream, ye hold onto these fer now, aye?” She held out the pouch of crystals.

Elidibus slowly reached out with both hands and accepted it, cradling the bag to his chest. “Are you certain?”

“Aye. ‘brea’s got his already. It’s between the two o’ ye to decide what happens to the rest. Isnae my place to decide that.” She looked squarely at Lahabrea next. “I reckon the Scions will find us ‘fore we crawl down the bloody tower.”

His expression fell into his usual hardened frown. Her implications were all too clear. “Of course. You needn’t concern yourself about any of that.”

She took her time before she nodded, then turned back to G‘raha and limped toward him. They could hear her faint worried chatter from where they stood.

“The Scions of the Seventh Dawn will not be pleased with this.” Elidibus said quietly.

Lahabrea’s scowl deepened, though not in anger. “They hardly have a say in the matter. Not when she makes up her mind like this. Let us go, Elidibus.” He sighed suddenly as they walked to catch up to Granye and G’raha. “I am not looking forward to all those steps.”

Elidibus looked up at him curiously. “You truly cannot use your magicks?”

“Not even a little.” he responded sourly before the corner of his mouth quirked up. “In truth, I can hardly wait to tell you all the ridiculous nonsense I’ve endured.”

Elidibus arched one of his brows. “…Does it involve more of her puns?”

Lahabrea’s expression withered. “So many more.”

-~-~-~-~-~-

Progress was agonisingly slow. Granye and G’raha were both leaning on each other as they made their way down. The two of them limping together barely made a fully functioning person. Lahabrea assisted when required, but more then anything he followed the unspoken directive Granye had given him: stay with Elidibus.

The Emissary himself was relatively quiet, only exchanging words soft-spoken in the Ancient language with Lahabrea here and there. He had not apologised to anyone but Lahabrea for his actions, and really, neither Granye – who had been so battered by him – nor G’raha – whose body had crystallised almost beyond the point of movement – were expecting such a thing. His conviction as the Ascian’s primal wasn’t something he could, or would, take back.

He had, however, promptly returned G’raha Tia’s spirit vessel back to him the moment the two had made contact, and the miqo’te had reconciled himself to the fact that that was as much as he would be getting in terms of reparations.

It was when they finally reached the Ring of the Protector on the Tower’s Second Central Ring that the sounds of hurried footsteps finally reached the four of them.

Granye and G’raha both gave little sounds of relief when they saw the Scions racing up the stairs across the platform. Lahabrea noticed at once that Elidibus’ first instinct was to shy behind him, still tightly clutching the bag of memory crystals in both hands. He put his hand on Elidibus’ shoulder in silent reassurance. It seemed to work, because Elidibus straightened his back and lifted his head high, though his grip on the bag did not ease as he took a step forward to stand next to Lahabrea.

“Granye!” “Exarch!”

The twins both called out, continuing to sprint forward to meet the two, even as the others slowed at the sight of Lahabrea and the small white-robed figure at his side.

Granye and G’raha both flashed half-dead smiles as the twins descended upon them, Alisaie immediately trying to assist Granye in carrying the Exarch on his other side, and Alphinaud beckoning her to lean down so he could check her bloody head wound.

“I’m fine, Alphie, just a wee bit bruised.”

He scoffed and stared at her like she’d grown a second head, struggling to summon words that could properly describe just how beaten she looked.

“Granye.”

“Aye?” She forced a smile and looked up at the crowd, eyes landing on Y’shtola as her stern voice rang clearly through the tower.

“Sit. Down.”

Granye’s shoulders slumped her bravado shrivelling under the warning. “Dinnae ye think G’raha needs more help than I do?”

Y’shtola suddenly drew her staff and the whole gathering fell quiet.

“Thancred, it seems I will require your muscle. Ready yourself.”

Thancred fumbled for a moment before he cottoned on to her plan and braced himself to charge Granye.

“Wh- Wait, wait! Hold on! What d’ye mean!?” she squawked.

“If you do not sit down, I will be forced to bring you down.” Y’shtola said sternly. “Whether by physical force or by sleeping spell, it matters not.”

Granye took a step back and held out her hands, shaking her head. “Nononono-! Just wait a moment! Hold on!”

Elidibus almost asked Lahabrea if this apparent reluctance to be healed was normal for Hydaelyn’s Champion, but when he looked up to the Speaker, all he saw was a determined glare. “One moment, Elidibus.” he said quietly, sharply, before he walked forward.

Elidibus stared, almost slack-jawed as the man came up behind her, snatched the magical tome out of the Leveilleur boy’s hand, snapped it shut, then reached up and whapped her on the back of the head with it.

Granye howled and doubled over, dropping to her knees dramatically and holding the back of her head with her hands. She half-turned where she knelt and looked back at him. “What was ‘at for!?” she warbled, meeting his frown and pursed lips with wide teary eyes.

Lahabrea handed the book back to a stunned Alphinaud with a brief thank you before he turned his wrath upon Granye.

“Must you always waste time spurning the efforts of others!? There are more than enough capable healers to work on the both of you, so stop protesting and sit still! We both know you’ll take well over a week to recover from this sort of trial, so the sooner your recovery starts, the better.”

Granye stuck her bottom lip out. “Ye dinnae have to hit me.” she mumbled.

Lahabrea leaned over her with a mocking smile. “Really? Because between getting sent to sleep or bodily tackled by Waters I think you would prefer to be alert and able-bodied right now.” he said tersely.

She looked away from him. He was right. She’d been so overcome with relief that for a moment she had completely forgotten that right now, Elidibus and Lahabrea would be vulnerable to the Scions’ interrogations, and she was their only protection.

“…Fine. Ye’ve a point.”

Lahabrea’s smile turned almost pleasant and he leaned back, folding his arms. “Thank you for coming to your senses. And don’t pretend you’re not an absolute mess right now. I haven’t seen you this mangled since you fought Thordan and his Knights.”

She made a face. “That bad?”

“Yes.”

Granye sighed and slid onto her backside, surrendering with a show of holding up her hands. “I give up. Take me away, Master Matoya.”

Y’shtola sighed and put her staff away before walking briskly towards her. “While I appreciate the reinforcements, Lahabrea, please refrain from causing more injuries in the future. Urianger, could you please help the Exarch?”

The elezen was already on his way to G’raha’s side. He was getting an earful from Alisaie, both of his ears drooped back. “It wasn’t my intent to be hampered so.” “Not another word out of you, Crystal Martyr.” she scolded as she propped him up. Thancred quickly came to help relieve her of the weight while Urianger unloaded a series of questions to diagnose his condition.

Elidibus felt like he was on a tightrope, just waiting for it to snap. Nobody had addressed his presence. Was it possible that he was invisible somehow? That his survival was a lie?

Lahabrea glanced back at the little Emissary and his brows tightened. How strange to see him so uncertain…

“Do not think for a moment that we are ignorant of your presence, Elidibus.” Y’shtola said suddenly. Her words once again cast a blanket of silence over them as she turned her silver gaze in his direction, illuminated by the healing magick that flowed from her hands over Granye’s body. “We have plenty of questions, and you owe many an answer. However, assuming you are here under the auspices of Granye’s mercy, I think we can safely presume you no longer intend to impede us.”

Elidibus bowed his head. “…Indeed. I am much diminished in my current state. She has…thoroughly bested me.”

“Not to put a sour note on all this, but Elidibus is still a primal, is he not?” Thancred asked, craning his head to look back. The implication went unsaid.

“I am, though not in any notable capacity. I am, as they say, ‘on the way out’. I will fade, in time, as all primals without the appropriate supply of aether are fated to do. But until that day comes…I will fulfil the new wish I have been tasked with.”

“And what new wish is that?” Y’shtola questioned, glancing suspiciously at Lahabrea. He was staring, fixed on Elidibus as the small figure raised his head proudly.

“To live true to myself, and honour the love I was entrusted with eons ago.”

-~-~-~-~-~-

It was late in the night by the time everyone left the Crystal Tower.

Despite everyone’s varying aches and pains it had been necessary to take time to discuss what had happened and what would follow. Concerns about Elidibus had been quickly laid to rest once Y’shtola had confirmed with her aethersight that his being was in a tenuous state, at best. But, unfortunately, G’raha’s condition had turned out to be surprisingly touch-and-go, meaning they had to finalise their plans sooner rather than later.

He was now holed up in his chambers with a fretful Lyna. Theirs was a conversation long overdue, and now that his spirit vessel was safely returned and imbued with his memories, he was determined to have it. It was a mere matter of time for him now, and he made it clear that he wanted to spend that time with the nearest person he had to a daughter.

The feeling was one shared by several among them. It was dawning that they would very soon be departing the First, likely for good.

They all milled awkwardly in the Exedra, silent, each one thinking about the people they had to say goodbye to. Y’shtola was the first to depart for the Greatwood, though she sternly told Granye that she needed to rest, promptly. One by one, the other Scions filtered away, splitting up, until the only two left were Thancred and Ryne. Granye wanted to try and comfort the girl – it had been clear from the moment that they’d started talking of leaving that she was holding back tears.

“You lot should turn in.” Thancred said suddenly, not allowing Granye the chance to speak. “I’d like it if you were fully rested for the return journey, and it looks to me that you’re about to fall over.”

Granye glanced at the downcast Ryne before looking back at him over her head. “Ye sure?”

“Absolutely. Now, take your Ascians and clear off for the night, would you?”

Granye stuck her tongue out at him playfully before she leaned over and gave Ryne a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll see you both in the mornin’ then.”

Lahabrea audibly sighed. “Finally.” he tutted. “There is only so much I can discuss with Elidibus out in the open like this.” He turned to the Emissary. “Thankfully the rooms here are far more spacious than those we frequent upon the Source. She can snore to her heart’s content, and we can continue our discussion.”

Elidibus leaned back slightly before he followed Lahabrea toward the Pendants. “She snores?”

Granye huffed and jogged after them. “As if yer a perfect sleeper!”

Thancred watched the odd trio walk further and further away until they were entirely gone from sight.

He was stalling.

Sincere words had never been his strong suit, and there was still much he felt he wanted to say to Ryne. So much of their time together had been rough – patchy, at best. He’d realised that a lot of that was his fault. Now he only wished there was more time, to watch Ryne grow into herself, to teach her more than just how to fight and survive. At least she wouldn’t be completely alone. She had already made a friend in Gaia, and she did it all on her own. But still… He couldn’t help but feel like he had failed her in a sense.

“…I’ve been meaning to get some flowers. For Minfilia.” Ryne said quietly. “Tomorrow morning, would you like to help me choose them? Then…maybe we can go to Nabaath Araeng together…one last time.”

The pressure on his chest faded. It would be hard. It would hurt. They would miss each other terribly. But she would be all right.

Thancred wrapped his arm around Ryne’s shoulder and pulled her into a one-armed hug, rubbing her arm. “That sounds like a fine suggestion. There was a flower that her mother often had distilled into a perfume that she liked. Let’s see if we can find something similar.”

——————–

← Previous | Next →

[kajibunny]

before moving in with them vs. after moving in with them

|| When you move in together. || Wind Breaker ||

sooo uh funny story I actually posted this but it kinda disappeared i really tried finding it so i decided to post it again lol @kajibunny this is for you my love!! you’re the absolute sweetest <333

: Sakura Haruka. Suo Hayato. Kaji Ren. Umemiya Hajime.

❥ Sakura teared up when you asked him if he wanted to move in together. For the first time in his lonely life he will get to share a home with someone and that someone is none other than his most precious person in the entire world, you. Days leading up to the move, he had certain doubts plaguing his mind that maybe you'd come to regret this decision but you quickly eased his worries with your soothing words and gentle touch. Sakura doesn’t own a lot of belongings himself but the things he treasures are the things given to him by you. So, there wasn’t much to pack for him so instead he spent his time helping you pack your belongings. Stars literally shone in his eyes when he entered his new home, you giggled seeing him run around, inspecting every corner - like a child seeing his first snow. He was excited to unpack everything, asking you where things should go. When you called him out on his enthusiasm, he flushed red, stammering as he tried to deny. You don’t have to do any of the heavy lifting because Sakura insists on doing them all. Once you both settle in, in a rare moment he boldly pulls you into a tight embrace - his eyes glowing with warmth. “Thank you for giving me a place to call home...”

“Look! It’s our very own kitchen! Woah, this bathtub is huge! Is it really okay to call this mine…?”

❥ Suo did not express his happiness by jumping around or shouting at the top of his lungs. However, if he were to describe his reaction to your acceptance, that is what he felt inside when you agreed to move in with him. He'd nod along smiling as you rant on about the many things you'd like to do in the new house. A thought did cross his mind into hiring movers to do all the work (he’s a rich boy), but he figured it would be more personal and meaningful if you both did it. Suo has everything packed neatly and labeled, so you’d both have an easier time settling in. He’d always ask you if this is where you’d like this thing to be put here or not, valuing your opinion above his own. Suo does not mind if the curtains are of a certain color or if a certain furniture has a high price range. He’ll happily provide you with a card to spend to your heart’s delight. He’s just content to see a smile on your beautiful face. It really did not take long for you both to settle in, with strength remaining. Suo had everything planned out from the very beginning after all. Afterwards, Suo hugs you from behind as you both silently bask in the atmosphere of your new home.

“The sofa looks wonderful, my love. Though it would look better with you laying on it.”

❥ Kaji cracked his lollipop in one bite alone, when you asked him if he wanted to move in with you. It took him a moment to cool down his red face and racing mind, to properly give you an answer. When he said yes, you jumped onto him in excitement causing him to hurriedly catch you in his arms with a surprised yell. He wouldn’t voice it aloud but he was just as excited as you are. As he was packing each of his belongings into a box, his mind couldn’t help daydream of the life you’d share together. To wake up every morning to your beautiful face when the sun rises and to kiss you goodnight every night when the stars glimmer. You would no longer have to be separated from one another. He only snapped out of his daydream when the sound of a shutter came from your phone.

“You look adorable smiling to yourself. What were you thinking about?”

“Huh?! I wasn’t s-smiling! Delete that!!”

Instead of his usual headphones, Kaji opted to play music on a speaker, both his and your favorite songs while you both unpacked. You giddy moving around your new home, moving along to the music. Once your favorite song came on you couldn’t help but pull a reluctant Kaji along to dance. After a long day of unpacking, you both lay tired in the middle of your living room side by side - his hand tightly holding yours.

“Where do you want this to go? H-Hey, are you listening to me..?!”

❥ Umemiya is a picture of a man who received the greatest news of his life when you accepted his offer to move in. You had to keep him from bouncing off the walls with his enthusiasm. Not before him pulling you into the tightest hug, real happiness gleaming in his eyes. Umemiya being excited was an understatement, everyday leading up to the big move he would excitedly gush to you of all the new things he would like to do together with you. All the vegetables and fruits he would like to grow in his new garden and maybe even get a pet together. His excitement radiating off of him like the bright sun. You'd have to monitor the packing process because Umemiya would like to stuff everything into one box or misplace a few things. However, when it comes time to move your stuff in he'll quickly usher you to sit down while he brings every box in, despite your protests. He'd even take his shirt off when it gets hot. Even when Umemiya is in the other room, you could hear his animated talking - bringing a smile to your face with how adorable he is. He did not show a moment of tiredness throughout the whole move but once you're both in bed together he pulls you in close with a smile on his face, - drifting asleep.

"Imagine how many get togethers we can have! A barbeque in the summer and a hot pot party in the winter...!"

[anendtopursuit]

curly's dialogue from the last one and then another (the how fish is made dlc used to promote mouthwashing), because i feel like it's an interesting insight:

it's easy to get on this boat when you have to. you say to yourself, this is just temporary. just until i get what i need. got bigger things planned! then suddenly you're one year in, five years. ten. first i couldn't stand the constant, constant noise. now i can't sleep without it. a lot of things can't follow you out here. but it also means the outside world moves on without you. won't even notice until it's too late... easy to get on, hard to leave.

do you want to hear a joke? three men are in the hospital. the first man cries "i lost both my hands, they told me i'll never work again!" - the second man wails "i lost both my legs, they told me i'll never work again!" - the third man? he rejoices "i lost my hearing, they'll never be able to tell me i'm fired again!" hahahah! good one, huh?

next comes spite. first it stares back at you in the mirror. then it's those around you. they're wearing your face, and you theirs... you know. he joined because of me. what were the words i used? ah, right. "it's a great opportunity. easy money, just a trip or two." someone else's words in my mouth. hey, worked on me as well, right? change hurts, but worse things fester for a long time. i told him as much. i tried, i really did. we're defined by our past, but not slaves to it. we said tomorrow will be different. today would be the last day. the last one. the last one and then another. and another, and another, and another...

[silenced-deer]

.

[tinycoffeeroom]

just friends | lando norris

face claim: none ♡

request: here !

part 2 !

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

📍 sass cafe, monaco

👤 bffstagram, landonorris liked by bffstagram, landonorris and 59,203 others

y/nstagram dj lando came out of retirement for the night🤠

landonorris 😎 only for you xx ↳ y/nstagram i'm honoured mr norris 🫡 ↳ fan i love my besties who don't know they're my besties

bffstagram bro my tummy hurts ↳ y/nstagram i'm coming round with coffee and croissants you big baby ↳ bffstagram i love my gf ♥️ y/nstagram

fan i wanna party with y/nlando so BAD dude ↳ y/nstagram if you ever find yourself in monaco hmu xx

user ew flipping off the camera so ladylike ↳ y/nstagram idk your mum quite likes my fingers 🫶 ↳ fan ☠️☠️☠️ i love her

fan bffstagram is so hot, i need her ↳ bffstagram thank u babycakes 💗

liked by bffstagram, lilymhe and 69,928 others

y/nstagram rainy days in monaco 🌧️

lilymhe i deserve financial compensation for the emotional turmoil tfios sent me through ↳ y/nstagram don't,,, sat and sobbed my eyes out at the last 100 pages

fan how to lose a guy in 10 days... tfios... who hurt you y/n? ↳ y/nstagram hahahah nothing like that! i promise i'm all good!

bffstagram i still have a headache from crying at that book, next time i choose what we're reading for book club ↳ y/nstagram BORINGGGGG who doesn't love doomed romance? ↳ fan you guys have a book club? thats so cute 😭 ↳ y/nstagram yep! it's me, bff, kika, lily and flavy!! ↳ alexandrasaintmleux and no one thought to invite me?? ↳ y/nstagram come join us babe!! ❤️

landonorris wow, didn't take you for a sappy romance reader ↳ y/nstagram there's a lot you don't know about me comment deleted ↳ y/nstagram tfios can make even the iciest bitch cry (it's me, i'm the icy bitch)

landonorris also answer ur damn texts ↳ y/nstagram sorry idk how to read suddenly ↳ fan The Lando Norris gets aired, there's hope for the rest of the bitchless community ↳ landonorris dude...

liked by fan, fan and 103,028 others

f1gossip Eagle eyed Sass Cafe goers managed to capture Lando Norris getting cosy with an unknown blonde girl. Rumoured girlfriend Y/N L/N was nowhere to be seen. Trouble in paradise for the young duo?

fan delete this rn y'all are fucking up my y/nlando chances

fan rumoured girlfriend?? i thought they were just friends ↳ fan that's what they both say, but they're always very close whenever they've been seen out together ↳ fan i'm pretty sure there was like a super grainy photo of them kissing but you can't really tell if it's either of them ↳ fan hey how about we don't speculate on people's love lives???

fan y/n has been absent from social media for like a month too ... its so over for us y/nlando'ers

fan her instagram is girlstagram! from what i could see before she went private, she posted a selfie of her and lando and they looked very close ↳ fan damn the fbi needs to hire you or smth

liked by bffstagram, estebanocon and 65,928 others

y/nstagram thuggin it out (i've listened to your best american girl 34 times today i think bffstagram is about to smother me with a pillow)

fan um who hurt my bestie ???

fan whoever hurt y/n must die at the hand of my sword

fan lando norris i am in your walls FIX THIS

bffstagram i would never smother you xx also come out of ur room it is boring as FUCK out here ↳ y/nstagram damn cant a girl go through it in peace? ↳ bffstagram absolutely not, i have wine and nibbles get out here NEOOWWW or i'm breaking into ur room ↳ y/nstagram the door is open babygirl

fan ik this is a parasocial friendship but are you ok y/n? ☹️ we love you ↳ y/nstagram oh sweetie ❤️ i'll be fine, sometimes you just gotta be a lil sad y'know? thank you for asking, ily ❤️ ↳ fan ily, take care of yourself 🥺 ♥️ y/nstagram

estebanocon chérie, i don't know what's wrong but i hope you're ok! lets grab coffee soon, flavy misses you! ☺️ ↳ y/nstagram thank u este 🫶🥺 text me when you're free! tell flavy i love her 💗 ↳ flavy.barla i love you too 💕 ♥️ y/nstagram

fan no lando like, i have one (1) fear ↳ fan do not even speak that into the universe

fan after f1gossips post, i have my speculations ↳ fan dude, if he fumbled y/n he really will be lando nowins

liked by flavy.barla, francisca.c.gomes and 10 others

y/npriv absolutely not thuggin it out lads

flavy.barla chouchou (sweetheart) 💔 that's it, me and este are taking you out for lunch tomorrow ↳ y/nstagram nooo don't let me ruin your date time!! ↳ flavy.barla nope it's already done! este's booked that little restaurant you like on pl. du casino ↳ y/nstagram le salon rose?? oh i could do a little weep, i love you guys 😭 ↳ flavy.barla we love you so so much y/n 💕

lilymhe i will hit him with my golf clubs ↳ y/nstagram i haven't even mentioned anyone? ↳ lilymhe we all know their name rhymes with bando borris ↳ y/nstagram wdym we all know? who else knows? ↳ flavy.barla ... me ↳ alexandrasaintmleux ^ ↳ francisca.c.gomes ^ ↳ lilynzeimer ^ ↳ heidiberger_ ^ ↳ carmenmmundt ^ ↳ kellypiquet ^ ↳ iamrebeccad ^ ↳ y/nstagram ok ok i get it damn

kellypiquet want me to ask max to rear end him with his race car? ↳ y/nstagram as if max would ever be behind lando ↳ kellypiquet 😳😳😳 ↳ y/nstagram i may l*ve him but i am also a realist ↳ y/nstagram ok no i do feel bad

y/nstagram uploaded to their story

[caption 1: love of my life, apple of my eye, the thelma to my louise 💖 @/flavy.barla] [caption 2: damn stole my girl from right in front of me 😔 @/estebanocon @/flavy.barla]

seen by landonorris, flavy.barla and 67,394 others

flavy.barla mon ange (my angel), you know you're the only one for me 💕 ↳ y/nstagram tell that to your giant of a boyfriend :(

estebanocon i'm not a giant 😠 ↳ y/nstagram stop reading flavy's messages weirdo ↳ y/nstagram but on a real note, thank you for dinner, i really needed it ↳ estebanocon of course, i'm not sure what lando's done but we hate seeing you so sad ↳ y/nstagram who said it had anything to do with lando? ↳ estebanocon whenever me and flavy have an argument she pulls out the mitski lyrics, i know the signs ↳ y/nstagram that's different, you and flavy are dating ↳ estebanocon and you and lando aren't???? ↳ y/nstagram what? no? we're just friends ↳ estebanocon oh mon amie naïve (my naive friend) friends don't look at each other the way the two of you do

landonorris can we talk? seen

───────── ౨ৎ ─────────

anyone interested in a part 2?

[gavisfanta]

PARIS - PEDRI

summary: youre pedris gf and are traveling with him for the psg game

a/n: im sorry but these are so fun to make 😭

@yourinsta

i was reading on the plane, second pic is what I was reading, third pic is me sleeping (no clickbait)

liked by pedri, menshealth and 1,729,542 others.

pedri: ...

random: LMAOOOOO NOT PEDRI

menshealth: best book on the planet 💪💪💪

random: is she traveling with barca to paris?

random: ig so

random: this is so mean actually

random: cry about it

random: frrrr

-

@yourinsta

@mikkykiemeney (my love) and me enjoying our love in the city of love, dont know who the third guy is, he randomly photo bombed us

liked by pedri, mikkykiemeney and 2,668,018 others.

pedri: babe.... stop these photos.....

random: LMAOOOO

random: why are they in paris?

random: love the duoooo 🫶🏻🫶🏻

random: PUTA BARCA

mikkykiemeny: Mi amor ❤️❤️❤️❤️

pablogavi: that guy on the third pic be looking hot who is that

random: lets gooo we're gonna beat psg

random: PEDRI IS SO FINEEE

feeeeeeeerrrrrrr: you cut me out of the picture😞😞😞

random: LETS COOK DEMBELE

fcbarcelona: always with us 🫶🏻❤️

raphinha: i think the guy on the third picture is the pilot of the plane

random: why is she so mean

random: i love you for doing Pedri dirty

frenkiedejong: our women got stolen

pedri: justice for us

-

@yourinsta

knew that paris copied us

liked by pedri, jkeey4 and 2,183,017 othes.

pedri: 😍😍😍

random: so prettyyyy

siramartinezc: welcome home 😁😁

random: LMAOOOOO WHAT

random: Why she so funny

@yourinsta

VAMOSSSS

liked by pedri, mikkykiemeney and 1,991,772 others.

comments have been limited...

-

@yourinsta

pov: you just gave the most jaw dropping assist but you gotta play it off cool

liked by pedri, fcbarcelona and 1,629,991 others.

random: Hala Madrid

pedri: ❤️❤️

frenkiedejong: hey thats me!!

fcbarcelona: Our magicians 🎩 🫶🏻

mikkykiemeney: our one night stands😝😝

yourinsta: frrrr

pedri: babe seriously.

frenkiedejong: hey....

random: the pic of pedri lmaoo

random: Psg easy winn barca no chance

random: we finally have them back

random: Pedri is so fineeeeee

pablogavi: When do i get my appreciation post????

yourinsta: as soon as you play, promise

pablogavi: easy game

-

@yourinsta

and my man, thank you to my man 😘❤️

liked by pedri, mikkykiemeney and 2,729,681 others.

pedri: de nada amor ❤️

random: AAAA

random: the flowers. im dying.

random: im actually so jealous.

pablogavi: fine i mean i can be your passanger princess too

random: actually that car is so cool

random: how to sign up to be pedris girlfriend

random: REALLL

random:

ferrantorres: and again i get no credit for heloing him with the flowers

pedri: cr to ferran

yourinsta: ferran you only think about yourself

pedri: yes ferran think about others too

ferrantorres: what....

pedri: you egoistic.

yourinsta: HAHAHAH

random: shes allowed to drive his car.... 😞

-

@yourinsta

hot girls support red bull, anyways MAX FOR THE WIN. HE HAS DONE IT AGAIN.

liked by pedri, maxverstappen1 and 2,829,729 others.

random: why she just spawning everywhere

random: whats max doing here

random: YESSS MAX THE GOATT

pedri: hot guys get forced to support red bull because of their girlfriends

random: LOOOL WHAT

random: Shes so iconic

random: Ferrari deserved the podium

random: not our fault if they cant build cars

random: ateee

random: lewis for the win

-

@yourinsta

car appreciation post (plus the man driving it)

liked by pedri, mikkykiemeney and 982,829 others.

pedri: ❤️❤️

yourinsta: dry ass comment

pablogavi: damn

pedri: my bad, i love you my wonderful girlfriend the love of my life please marry me in that car

yourinsta: okay!! 😁😁🥰🥰❤️❤️

random: i want pedri as a boyfriend

random: awww the flowers

random: I would do anything to have a car like that

pablogavi: always flexing that damn car

yourinsta: gotta do what you gotta do 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

random: PEDRI IN A SUIT?

[joydoesathing]

Hi, I wanted to ask you if you have any oc? I am interested in hearing some ❤️

it took me some time, but I have finally developed them. but just note:

1.) these guys are probably only exclusive to my genderbend au and

2.) all of them are dead as of the current timeline of the game 😅

So here's the first one (and the one I'm most excited about cuz I've drawn him a few times):

Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Rudboys (aka Papa Rudboys)

He finally has a face hahahah

little daddy-daughter comparison

Story description :

A real friendly and caring guy to everybody. He loves his daughter and wife very dearly and hates seeing others getting in harm's way. Unfortunately, he got brutally murdered in his own home by a doppel. Truly a sad and unplanned tragedy.

No....

his death wasn't unplanned....

as the other heads of military supported the trojan horse project, he staunchly opposed it.

"the creation and utilization of man-eating, shape shifter monsters was such a deranged idea. it needs to be stopped" he loudly opposed to the higher ups.

he was seen a threat to the peaceful support between the military and the project.

"he needs to be taken care of discreetly." the trojan horse project's director thought

In the end, no one outside of keppler's circle ever found out about that truth

not even mckendra and stephanie.

to the outsiders, his death was taken as a tragic and unfortunate event. while those in the military we're told that his death was justified.

they were told the lieutenant was planning to leak the information about the project to an enemy country. he was then labeled as a traitor within the military. of course, that was a lie from keppler's inner circle, but know one knew that

keppler knew how to hide her tracks too well

I'll upload the next two another time when I feel like it 🤗

[scarletwinterxx]

no one's ever had me, not like you - joshua hong imagine

hellooo😊 so uhhhh yea I'm still here HAHAHAh sorry i really can't get this man out of my head and this scenario is so so so so him. hope you enjoyyy🤍

for my other joshua fics, check them here

if you want, u can buy me coffee(totally optional but any donation is very much appreciated!) thank you🥺💛

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2024 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

(gif not mine, credits to rightful owner)

"Dokyeom just sent a text, beach day this weekend?" Joshua asks as he reads the message on his phone, walking towards the sofa where you're currently sitting

"Are we staying the whole weekend or day trip?" you look up at him

"Day trip, Gyu and Cheol has a thing to do the next day. Dokyeom will text the group chat now" Joshua reads the last text before locking his phone and turning his attention to you

"Are we driving together?" he asks

"Yea sure"

"Really?"

"Yeah, you 'drove' me home last time and you've done it plenty times before" you shrug. Usually you'd catch a ride with your other friends to not raise any suspicion, your boyfriend would also drive you every now and then so it wouldn't look like the two of you are avoiding each other.

"You know I'm not keeping us a secret because I'm ashamed or embarrassed or anything like that right?" you tell him, Joshua shoots you a small smile then takes your hand in his

"I know, I would never think that baby"

"I just want our little bubble to last for as long as we can enjoy, the moment they find out about us we will never hear the end of it" you joke

"They're rooting for us" he gives you a tap on the nose, making you scrunch it. The small action melting Joshua's heart, he's already so smitten over you but there are still times he can't believe you're his.

"Guess we're going to the beach"

The weekend comes, a few of your friends and their partners gather for the mini one day vacation. Usually someone takes the initiative to think of an activity or a location then just inform the rest. It's always fun to hangout with everyone.

"How was your date with Shua" Soonyoung asks you, wiggling his brows at you. Dokyeom, who is sitting beside him while cutting the watermelon, looks over at you when he heard the question

"He finally asked you out?"

"What do you mean finally?" Soonyoung was just about to ask but you said it first, Dokyeom looked like he regret saying it but he already slipped and he knows there's no escaping Soonyoung

"He just mentioned a few times he wanted to ask you out, for like coffee or something. I thought at first he meant as a group but then he said no, as in like out on date" he tells the two of you, you fight the smile forming on your face as you hear the story. Wondering what else your boyfriend tell your friends about you.

"So did he?"

"Yeah we got coffee"

"OH MY GOD SO IT WAS A DATE"

You pull on Soonyoung's shirt, making him seat again "Be so loud about it will you"

"You two totally have heart eyes for each other, I'm calling it. You're gonna get married one day"

You don't say anything, just shaking your head at your overly enthusiastic friends. The conversation flows for a while, then Mingyu comes inviting the other guys to ride jetski's

You follow behind the trio, spotting Joshua by the dock already wearing a life vest and holding another one.

The other boys, some with their girlfriends, go on their own jetski's then rides away.

You're happy to watch on the sidelines, you're not really an outdoor person. Joshua is very aware you don't really like staying under the sun for too long but the weather is so nice, looking around he spots you not to far from where he was.

He walks towards you, you see him and shoot him a smile

"You going out there?" you ask, noting your boyfriend's appearance. It really is getting harder and harder to keep this a secret, especially with how he looks right now. He looks more radiant than the sun.

The glasses pushing his semi-wet hair, the blank tank he's wearing underneath the life jacket, and the cute smile you love so much.

He nods at your question then holds out the other life jacket towards you, "Come with me"

"You know I can't swim" you reply, but Shua just smiles at you. Inching closer and closer until he's only about two steps away from you.

You look around for your friends, "They're all busy, look there's Gyu and his girl. It's totally fine. I'm not gonna let you fall in the ocean, baby"

You look at him, he's trying to woo you with his looks. You know he knows just how to make you say yes. He tilts his head sideways cutely, and show you a loopsided smile.

You roll your eyes then take the life jacket from him, "If I fall there, I'm taking you with me"

"Trust me, I will be jumping right behind you"

You walk towards where the jet ski is waiting, Joshua jumps down first then holds his hand out for you to guide you. You settle behind him, holding on his waist tightly. You can feel him laugh, "You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"I enjoy the most when you're with me, my love. Now, hold on real tight"

Then you're off.

And he's right, it is fun. At the beginning you were still to scared to let go, holding on to Shua as tight as you can. Then after a while he can hear you laughing whenever he takes a turn. For a while you just go around and around on the open water.

When you finally go back to the dock, the rest of your friend group are also there. It's past lunch time and you haven't eaten yet. You can hear Dokyeom and Soonyoung talking about food already.

You and Joshua were the last ones to get off, he goes first then waits for you. But unlike when he helped you on, he didn't take your hand this time. Instead you were surprised when you feel his arm go around your waist to hold you and lift you up slightly until you're standing beside him.

You look up at him, blinking like a deer caught in the headlight. The headlight being your two male friends who were watching the whole scene, surprised like you are.

"Uh thanks" you breath out, showing him a tight lipped smile before walking ahead. Meanwhile Joshua doesn't fight the big smile, his eyes disappearing. He watches you catch up with Mingyu and his girlfriend while Soonyoung and Dokyeom looks back and forth between you and him

"Oh my god, look who finally grew the balls to finally make a move"

Joshua shakes his head, then starts to walk.

"I heard you finally asked her out on a date"

"She told you?" He asks back

"Yea, but really? a coffee date? not even a fancy dinner?" Soonyoung prods

"We'll get there, I just want her to be comfortable. And we had fun" Joshua smile unconsciously just thinking about it. Technically the two of you did go out for coffee, then you stayed over at his for movie night. They didn't need to know the rest of the details but you and him didn't really do much watching, you don't even remember what the title of the film was.

When the rest of the boys finally catch up, you all decided on a cute restaurant near the beach. Soonyoung of course shoots you a look when Joshua sits beside you.

The food was good, made even better with the company. All of you were just chatting about life, sharing stories from your past hangouts and everyday lives. Dokyeom and Mingyu were telling a particularly funny story, all of you on the table were laughing so hard you didn't even notice you leaned sideways until your head was resting on Joshua's shoulder.

He didn't notice it either because to him it's a normal thing. He even sat straight and threw his arm behind your chair so you would be more comfortable. You didn't think twice about tucking yourself on his side and smiling up at him, your boyfriend mirroring the action.

You only notice the table going quiet, making you look over and sure enough everyone was looking at the two of you.

"I uh I was just, I had something in my eye. I was asking him to look"

"Yea she had something... in.. her... eye"

Some looked confused while the others looked at you suspiciously. Especially Soonyoung. You just know he's about to bombard you with questions.

When it's time to say goodbye, you all go back to your respective rides. Joshua is talking to Mingyu, walking right ahead of you.

"So.. that little cute moment"

"I did it... unconciously. I was laughing"

"Mhm"

"I was!"

Soonyoung laughs, "It was cute, you two look good together and Joshua's a great guy"

"I know" you pout

"You didn't hear from me, but he likes you. If that's what you're worried about" he tells you, he really is a good friend. He's one of your bestfriend, next to Shua. You've known him for years now and he truly always means well, you trust Soonyoung to always know what is good.

"It wouldn't be awkward if I date our friend?"

"No, why would it be? It'll be cool. Bound to happen anyways, statistically speaking someone from our friend group is bound to end up together. Who knows, we'll plan to go to your wedding next"

You laugh at that, it wasn't impossible technically. It's somewhere in the future. You hope. You wish. You really do pray he's the one you end up with.

"You're smiling" Soonyoung teases you

"Okay okay, gosh. Do more of that and I won't invite you"

"Invite him to what?" the two of you didn't notice Joshua stopped walking with Mingyu to wait for you

"Nothing" you answer

"Your wedding" Soonyoung says at the same time, making you hit him on the side.

Joshua just laughs, but on the inside he's cheering. Just thinking about one day marrying you is enough to put a smile on his face for days. You really are the one for him.

He had to stop himself from pulling you in a hug, so he watches you with a fond smile on his face. The sun setting on the background casting a beautiful shadow on your face and he thinks he can just get down on one knee right here right now.

"Oh god, look at you. You know what, I'm leaving. You two solve this by yourselves" Soonyoung says when he sees Joshua just watching you.

You wave bye to your friend before turning to look back at the man standing beside you

"What?" you ask him,

He shakes his head and just continues on smiling at you.

You narrow your eyes at him, not satisfied with his answer but you let it go. He looked to cute to be mad at anyways.

"Let's go home, shall we. One more second without a kiss and I'll collapse" Joshua says, mentioning for you to walk ahead while he follows

"I can just imagine their reactions when they hear you" you tell him

"They'll get used to it"

"Mhm, they'll finally see you being a simp" you tease him

"Baby, for you I'd be anything. Call me baby, honey, love, boyfie even hubby I don't mind" he teases back

"You are... you know let's just go home"

[just-some-random-blogger]

Hey love! if you're still accepting requests, could I get an extremely wild, rough and feral nsfw Daemon x wife fem!reader please? (feel free to ignore and sorry if the request is weird, but I'm thirsty for this handsome fictional man who unfortunately doesn't exist)

Frost Bite

Daemon Targayen x Stark!Reader

Summary: You were travelling back to home soil in anticipation of your wolf's heat cycle. Besides the fact that you could not stand the sound of your prince husband's breathing and the fact you were certain he would perish in the cold, there was one more reason why you did not want him to join you: the fact the heat was affecting you too.

Word Count: 5k+

Warnings: Basically PWP, 5k+ SMUT T_T (non-con [daemon touches her while she's asleep], virgin!reader, she cries for various reasons, fingering, choking, biting, degradation kink, corruption kink, spitting, marking, edging, oral [fem receiving], breeding kink, cream pie), RIP feminism, opens with a wet dream, brief mentions of near death experience in a snow storm, dark!daemon (but imo its just canon daemon) fem!reader, wife!Reader, soft!daemon, typos, etc.

A/N: YEAH MINORS DNI. LOL SO I was planning to write this for my part 2 of my Stark!Reader, but i got lazy and didn't want to create a whole plot leading up to the smut, so i removed it all together, which I guess worked out swell for you nonnie, since I was planning something absolutely unhinged. I hope you liked that fic of mine since you're basically getting a p3 of it So here's part 1, here's part 2, but you don't need to read any of them to understand, but i suggest you do for background cos lol this is PWP T_T Next part ig but its a blurb "✨Magic✨" OMG NEXT PART BUT ITS NOT A BLURB "Moon Cycle" Also nonnie, i wanted to tell you albeit asking for smut is pretty awkward HAHAHAH you gotta process these feelings somehow you know. i mean, we could have been criminals, like Daemon, instead but we're not, and that's what matters (unless you are a criminal in which case im closing my eyes) this gif of him is so large on pc but idc he's so hot MATT I WANT YOU SO BAD FUCK OFF if someone snitches to big brother again like in In Your Defense /: Idk if you want to be, but I'm tagging everyone I tagged in the previous fic, as well as the others that commented there SO HI THIS IS SMUT YOU CAN GO IF YOU WANT LOL HAHHAH @aralezinspace @em-the-lurker @blue1006 @mukduk-not-murder @min-jianhyung @deniixlovezelda @moonmaiden1996 @thatmysteriousblog

I caught him. I caught him doing the very thing I dreaded to catch him do. The one thing I accused him of doing every night, though in my heart of hearts I wished he did not... not that I would ever admit it to his face. Because why would I? Admitting it would mean- "You want me," Daemon heaved against the neck of the woman beneath him. He cranes his neck up as he thrust into her, smirking, eyes dark, "you want this to be you," he pants as he stares at me, "don't you?" I am in my place, frozen, watching and hearing the woman come undone underneath my husband who kisses her tenderly. "Daemon," I whimper helplessly, teary eyed, "Daemon please." "Fuck off."

I jolt awake, sweat sheening my neck and chest. I turn to my bed, empty, because though Daemon insisted we sleep together and I could not fight him in his decision, he did not return to me until nigh dawn.

I wipe my face as I recall my intensifying dreams.

It seems my travels up North would come quicker than anticipated.

And as much as I wanted to tell him I told you so, oh to all the gods, how badly he deserved it, there was no time for me to gloat when Daemon did the very thing I warned him not to, fall into the icy river.

It was instantaneous. The cracking of the ice, the splashing of water, the scream that escaped me. Maybe I should have left him in the cave we kept Caraxes, who he insisted on bringing. But then again he would have insisted on joining me to the cabin, the way he insisted on joining me here up North in the first place.

And now I had to deal with the consequences of his actions.

It was sheer miracle that I got him out of the river without falling into it myself, sheer stupidity of me to rid him of his coat and offer him mine when the blistering snow storm was not relenting, and quite clearly the sheer will of the gods that both of us made it to the cabin... barely.

The moment we walked in, I shut the door and scrambled towards the fireplace. As my fingers shivered, I thought of Havoc, and how at least I know she would find mine and Daemon's corpses if ever we do not make it. I had sent her away when the storm came out of nowhere because we had to find cover for Caraxes, and she would not have been any of help to us if she were here with us anyway.

My poor pup. She would be heartbroken if she saw me frozen. And Caraxes...

I curse the flint, I curse the cold, I curse the gods, and I curse Daemon for every time I failed to light a fire. I thanked the Stranger for finally allowing me the mercy of my eventual success.

Once the fire was burning steady, I get on my feet and run to Daemon, hauling him over to the fire roughly in haste where he helpelessly kneels in front of. He could do nothing but shiver as I scramble to get some dry clothes and sheets for the both of us.

I yank him closer to the fire and begin to undress him.

Seeing as he is nothing but docile to my actions and how his skin was turning grey, I began to grow frantic, "you cannot fucking die, you prick!"

I rip his top off and quickly clothe him, "I did not go through all the trouble of marrying you for nothing. I refuse to be forced into another marriage because your stupid ass froze to death."

Daemon's shudder comes out in a thick condensation.

"Fuck," I whimper, as I struggle to get him out of his boots and breeches.

I shrivel up at the feel of his frozen fingers then brush against my arm and I shake my head rapidly, realizing there was no choice. The only way I can warm him quickly enough is if I share my own.

I strip him naked, pulling off the shirt I struggled to put on him as well, then wrap him in a fur blanket in the meantime. I then take off my own clothes and hiss at the nipping cold.

The fact Daemon does not even look at my naked form strikes a chord in me.

I straighten him up and fix the blankets on his legs and thighs before I sit on his lap. I press my bare chest against his and whimper at his dangerously concerning coldness.

He shivers against me as his face rests helplessly on my shoulder. His breath that hits my skin is not even hot.

"Remember, you're too fucking stubborn to die," I say as I wrap my legs around his torso and graciously place his fingers beneath my bottom.

His lack of warmth literally brings tears to my eyes.

I reach out for the other blanket and wrap it over myself, consequently Daemon, before I wrap my arms around him and breathe hotly against his face.

I rub his back, "will you allow irony to take you? The hot blooded prince defeated by the cold?"

He releases a shiver and moves his head. He mutters something, but his quaking body does not allow me to make sense of it.

"Do not waste your energy," I chide.

And so for a long moment, we stay like this, wrapped in each other's arms, sharing each other's heat. I do my best to warm him. I even nuzzle against him, the way Havoc did me, just so I could warm his stupid face.

Daemon finally finds it in him to lean against my touch, and when he does, he mutters under his breath, "irony-" shudder, "-would be if the- N-Northern princ-ces-s-ss died in the cold."

My face contorts and yet I cannot help but chuckle at him, glad he can sputter his nonsense again, "then I should make Caraxes burn you for your stupidity."

I shiver when I feel his icy lips kiss my neck. Goosebumps form on my skin when I feel the hot breath that follows. My hands rake up to his nape, where I then dig my fingers as I pull away.

"N-n-nno!" he stutters, hands coming around my hips to brace me tightly, "I ss-swear I'm not warm yet-t-t."

I pull back again though to face him when I said, "I only wanted to tell you," I lean my forehead against his face, "I fucking told you so, you stupid idiot."

I rest my face on his shoulder and close my eyes, knowing I would not be off him any time soon.

I dream about him. I dream about kissing his shivers away. I dream about pulling the fur blanket that separated our legs away, and riding him until he was warm.

I dream about how good he feels, and how he burns inside me. I dream about calling his name, unlike how I did in my other dreams. I was no longer calling out in betrayal, I was calling out in pleasure.

Daemon.

Daemon.

"Daemon," I trail off in a groan, willing my heavy eyelids open. I feel pressure building up inside me before I understand what's happening.

I not know how, but I am laid on a bed, head on a pillow, form still naked. Daemon is sat up beside me, peering down at me and his hands.

I whine.

His fingers-

"Oh fucking hell," he groans as his other hand begins to knead at my breasts, "you feels so good wrapped around my fingers, I-"

I cut him off with my squeak, hands flying to his arm, thighs closing shut, squeezing this hand in between my thighs.

"Daemon," the dazed quality of my voice is gone.

He tilts his head, face twisting, a challenge.

When I struggle and wrangle against him, all it takes is his hand on my throat to make me go still. I barely manage a choke and my breath continues to leave me as his fingers quicken their pace inside me.

He only releases me after I shake and shudder when I come.

It is overwhelming and nothing at all like I have dreamed or imagined, unlike all the times I've touched myself in secret. It was intense but there was a shame tied to it.

My entire body is hot and tears prick my eyes at his relentless ministrations.

"You were too fucking ready for that," Daemon mutters dryly as he quickly pulls away and shifts in his spot, "how long have you imagined fucking me, hmm?"

Before I even have the brain to do something, he crawls down the bed, "was it when you caught me touching myself to you?" He sinks down, grabbing my legs, "or have you done it before and withheld me of your sweet cunt for no fucking reason?"

All at once, he brings his face between my legs and begins to lick all the slickness off my pulsing core.

"DAEMON!" I scream, pressing my thighs close as I push myself up on my elbows, trying to break free of him.

He ignores me and forces my legs open even as I kick them in protest, "you will not deny me something you so clearly want yourself."

He grunts and pushes my legs down before grabbing my hands that were shoving him away, "you fucking bitch," he grips me tightly, "you will not find it in yourself to fight me off once I make a whore out of you."

I growl at his words, feeling my stomach drop along with my tears because of it.

I was realizing just how strong he really was, and how in moments where our arguments got a bit physical, he has probably holding back. The revelation of this does not cease my attempts at freeing myself, but it is as pointless as I feared.

Daemon rises up from his spot, nearing me, up until he is breathing against my cheek and rubbing his hardened length against my wetness.

I turn away from him, unable to really do anything else and shudder as he speaks, "you said it yourself, you did not go through all this trouble marrying me for nothing."

I screw my eyes shut, feeling tears fall, "Daemon."

He shushes me, pulling my arms up above my head, "you should not worry. I refuse to die now that I know of your lust."

I whimper as he rolls his hips against me, "still, the idea of someone claiming you- fuck-" he groans gutturally, "had I died..." he trails of in another groan, "someone else would have gotten my prize and it would have been all be your fault."

Daemon squeezes my wrist in one hand then grabs my jaw, forcing me to turn to him. I keep my eyes shut though as he heaves hotly, "I should utterly ruin every part of you so you can never have anyone but me. Though make no mistake, I would never let that happen as I so fucking breathe."

"Hypocrite," I scoff.

He laughs and I tense at the feeling of his vibrations, "she speaks."

I dare to look at him as I pant, "you do not desire me. You're just a spoiled brat who merely wants to wet his cock, just like how you do every night."

"Oh," he groans, "is this jealousy I hear?" He squeezes my cheeks, "is my pretty whore jealous that she is not the only one?"

"Fuck you!" I manage out though muffled.

Daemon laughs at the feel of tears rushing down his fingers, "do not cry, foolish wife. I'll have you know I have not wet my cock ever since I called out your name when I fucked someone else before our wedding day."

He releases my face. I attempt to even out my breath.

"I hadn't even realized until she asked me who-"

"And you think you deserve an award for that?!" I quip through my heavy breathing.

He lets out a laugh that makes me whimper, "I think you ought to know that mine own want for you has made everyone else undesirable," he licks my cheek, making me pull my head away from him, "I have been so pent up in want and for what? Because you're too bull headed to allow me anything other than my lonely hand?"

I try to wrangle out of his grip again, and he presses his whole body on me in response, "it's quite adorable that you still have it in you act like you didn't just call my name out loud while you dreamt of fucking me."

He rubs his nose against my jaw, "you wanna know how I know?"

"Fuck off-"

"You were rutting against me like a hussy," he sighs, "by the gods, had I known you were so wanton at night, I would have never granted you the insult of sleeping alone."

I could feel myself burn hotter with each word that leaves his lips despite myself. I did not want him to catch me like this, but there was no use; I was already caught.

As Daemon rocks his hips on mine, he hisses, undoubtedly feeling how much wetter I had gotten was beneath him.

"Fuck," he trails off, "here's what going to happen," he whispers, rutting against me rougher.

I cannot for the life of me withhold my whimper.

He chuckles as he presses his face against mine, "I'm going to make you come with my tongue and then I'm going to fuck you until you cry."

"Daemon, please stop-"

"Your heartbeat against my cock and how fucking wet you are disagrees with your protest, little liar," he croons. He lifts his head, then leans his forehead against mine, "don't worry, my little virgin, you will not cry because it hurts, you will cry because you'll want it so bad that it hurts."

"Daemon-"

"You will not refuse me," he whispers, though it is anything but sweet, "not when there is not a sliver of doubt in my mind that you want this too."

He brings his hands to my neck again and I wait for his grip to tighten, but it does not, "now say it."

I look up at him as my breathing quickens.

"Yield," he commands, breathing heavily all of a sudden.

I look up at him feeling my belly swirl in ways I could not ever explain.

"Admit to both our ears that you burn for me just as I have been fucking burning for you."

I yelp when he puts pressure on my throat then releases it.

"Say it," he barks.

"I-"

"Say you want me," he says softer this time.

I am disarmed by his quick change in tone and a shiver leaves me as the cold finds its way to my belly as he pulls away. Daemon releases my hands then begins to crawl down. His eyes are fixed on my as he mutters once more, "say it."

I shudder as he presses my thighs against his cheeks then whispers, almost begging, "say it."

I turn away from him and close my eyes, awaiting his next actions, for it was not like I could stop him if I refuse.

"Say it," he urges louder, "you know you want to."

I clench my jaw, "just do what you want and be done with it."

He growls, and goosebumps form on my skin when I feel him bite at the inner most part of my thigh. I grip at the sheets at the feel of teeth and tongue. I bite my lips tightly to keep myself from making any noise.

"I should, shouldn't I?" Daemon mutters.

I yelp and look down at him when his finger strokes my core.

His eyes are dark as he airily chuckles at my reaction, "after all I have given you my name, my Targaryen queen. You are no longer your own, you are forever mine."

I watch him as he lifts his head up and kisses my sopping heat. I flinch when he nips at me, drawing my nub out with his teeth. He lifts his head as he releases my flesh. His chin is glistening with my slick as he says, "I want you."

My breath leaves me when he says this.

"And I know you want me too, but I have to-- I need you to say it." He repositions himself in my thighs, "you are after all married to maniac," he breathes against me, "now, say it."

He shakes my thighs, "SAY IT!"

"I want you," I snap, "Daemon, I-" a loud cry rips out of me before I can even continue.

The sound of him lapping his tongue on me, eating me out as if I was his final meal, was somehow louder than my cries. I cannot help but so violently react to him as he devours me. He forces me still in his grip and fights off the movement of my thighs with his face.

It seems as though my admittance has reduced me into nothing but needy sounds.

Without another thought, my hands reach down at him and dig into his silver hair. I arch my back and pull at him when his tongue flicks into me.

"Fucking slut," he mutters, squeezing my thighs as he pulls me apart.

I scream out his name as he digs his face deeper into me. I lift my head up when he pulls away to laugh, "look at you, rutting against me like the needy whore you are."

I don't have time to find offence in his words because I still, not even realizing I was in fact moving my hips against him. He laughs as he continues his work, leaving me no time to feel embarrassment and only hot pleasure.

He is fucking good at what he does. He's so fucking good that my mind wanders where it should not. How much practice has he gotten to be this good? It is precisely because of this that I finally break, "all for you, Daemon," I grab his cheeks, "all for you-- all mine."

I do not see how his eyes dart up to me for I then throw my head back and whine. I feel myself come close to my undoing, "fuck, Daemon, don't stop."

I shriek when I bites me.

Just as I am inching so close, all at once, he pulls away from me.

I pant and stiffen as I hear and feel him spit on me. Much like all other moments, I do not have time to react. When I turn to him, he grabs my legs and shoves me to my side.

I begin to panic when he rises to his knees.

"I'll be fucking damned if I don't make you come on my cock right now," he grunts, making my eyes drop down to the very thing, erect, hard, and angry.

"Get on your knees, bitch," he blurts, though he doesn't give me much of a chance to as he drags me up into the position he wants me by my hips.

I haven't even propped myself up on my arms yet when he unceremoniously begins to pound into me.

I am certain if anyone could hear us in the middle of this storm, they would think I was mad, or worse, being tortured.

"I'm going to breed that prurient wolf in you, just as I'm sure your wolf, Havoc, is being bred right now."

I growl at the idea and feel my belly tighten at his words.

Daemon groans before he chuckles, "that's it, isn't it?"

His relentless thrusts begin to grow sloppy. Suddenly, he yanks me by my hair and lifts me up. His other hand slaps to my throat to offer painful support as he pulls me up against him.

I choke on my spit when my form presses against him with difficulty. He sinks down on his knees, my core wrapped around his length as he shifts me in a snug position atop him.

His hands make their way to my breasts to roughly grope them. His teeth sink down on my shoulder.

I release a wild sound as my own hands come on top of his. I am left moaning at how his mouth sinks into my skin.

Daemon makes sure to suck hard before pulling away. For a moment he catches his breath before speaking, "you did not want me here because you are affected by your wolf's heat, aren't you."

The way I begin to slowly bounce on top of him is enough of an answer to him.

He laughs as his hands depart from my tender breasts, one going down to my sensitive nub, the other sealing my throat again, "you are a fucking selfish bitch for keeping your cunt from me."

My breathing becomes arduous when he tightens his grip around me.

"You would have preferred to touch yourself to the thought of me?" he questions as he rubs on my sensitive nub.

"Daemon," I gasp, pushing my head back as his lips latch on my neck again.

He ceases the moment of his fingers as he finishes grazing on my skin. "Yes, my pretty whore?" he mutters in between his kisses, "what do you want, hmm?"

My breathing strains when his hand tightens around my throat more. I catch my breath when he releases his grip to push my hair off to the side, "tell me what you want me to do to you."

I call out his name. He calls out mine.

I find myself grabbing his hands as I moan out, "I want you to fuck me."

Without another word, I am thrown down to the bed. The only reason I'm still on him is because of his hands that latch on my hips.

I am nothing against his strength. He handles me like a ragdoll, fucking me with absolutely no regard and nothing else in mind.

I make sounds that mean nothing. His name is polluted by my whimpers and cries that you cannot make head or tail of.

I would not last any longer with how he was handling me, even if I wanted to, even if I tried.

"That's it my easy bitch," he pants, "come around me like the needy whore you are."

"Daemon-"

"Your eager cunt will take my seed well when I fill you up," his one hand leaves my hip and rips my head back by my hair again, "don't you think, pretty wife?"

"Yes," I reply without thinking, "yes, yes, yes, yes-"

"And you will give me your pups," he mutters, "bare my dragons, like a dutiful wife will you not?"

My only response is my body breaking orgasm. I shiver beneath him, falling powerless as I scream his name and crumble, absolutely boneless.

Daemon lets out a string of curses as he milks out my reaction for all he's got.

He does not waver once bit and it maddeningly delicious.

My voice hikes up when I feel him release inside me not too late after.

"Fucking come slut," he barks as he snaps his hips in me, "take it all just like that."

I bury my screams in the cushions he presses on, unrelenting. When he finally does grow sloppy, I take a moment to catch my breath and relish the feel of him.

I whimper when he pulls away and slaps my ass.

"The absolute mess you've made of yourself," he coos, as he rubs the skin he slapped.

I can feel myself leaking, I can feel it all over my legs, on the sheets, and I could practically feel his pleased smile as he watches the lewd display. I could not bring myself to care at all though, not when my legs begin to fall.

I squeak when Daemon rearranges me on the bed. He is not at all as rough as he was with me a while ago, but his strength and my lack thereof does not really allow him to be gentle.

He falls onto the side of the bed next to me and gathers me into his chest. When I roll over to him, I groan at the feeling of my wet thighs pressing together.

"Do not make issue of that," Daemon says as he watches me squirm. He pulls me close to him, arm over my shoulders. His other hand hooks behind my knee, dragging me atop him. I whimper and push my hand on his chest when I feel core empty out on his thigh.

He does not allow me to pull away and I turn to him because of this. Daemon forces me close against him, "are you so haughty over my come that you cannot bare the thought of it-"

"But it's getting everywhere," I start off loudly but end with a whisper.

Daemon's nostrils flare as he shakes his head, "I should sure hope so."

I feel my cheeks burn and so I decide to hide my face in his chest.

His laughter intensifies, and I do not enjoy how my head bounces on his ribcage because of it.

"Oh meekness suits you well, my dear."

I weakly mumble, "fuck off."

His amusement continues as he rubs my arms, "you mean, 'I want you to fuck me, Daemon.' "

"I did not say it like that!" I quip, lifting my head as I turn to him, finally making him cease his stupid laughter. The sight of his stupid smug face still glimmering in slick renders me frozen.

Suddenly I am aware of how cold the room still was.

"Pray tell, how did you say it?" he hums, pushing hair behind my ear.

I furrow my brows and press my cheek on his chest again, admitting lowly, "I didn't say your name at the end."

"My," he draws shapeless figures on my skin, "I'm glad to know the moment is burned in your very being."

"Fuck off," I mutter under my breath, scratching my eye. It dawns onto me that my face was equally as wet as Daemon's. Heat rises up my face again when I realize I really did cry because of how good he felt.

"Don't fret," he sighs, "there is a reason why you should not worry yourself about how your pretty cunt is leaking blood and come. I shall fuc-"

I turn to him in concern and push myself up.

Daemon furrows his brows and shakes his head, "it is normal," he soothes, grabbing my cheek, "or did you just forget your maidenhood was still intact after imagining fucking me?"

I am suddenly aware how real everything was. My husband has finally gotten me to consummate our marriage and all his talk of me bearing his seed could may well come true. My chest begins to constrict as my mind floods with endless scenarios.

"Well, if you start frowning like that, I might actually feel bad," Daemon mutters, lifting himself up on his elbows, "what's wrong?"

I look at his concerned expression and find myself speaking before I realize, "did you mean it?"

"Mean what?" he clarifies quickly.

"That you want me," I quip just as fast.

He stares at me for a moment, as if he was taken aback or measuring the truthfulness in my voice. When a prolonged moment passes between us, he realizes I was serious.

"Fuck," he drops his head back, "it must be exhausting to be a woman with your overthinking."

"Well, pardon me for not-"

"You are pardoned," he blurts, making me whimper when he suddenly flips us over.

I am beneath him again. He does nothing but press his weight on me, but I struggle beneath him, not enjoying the idea of remaining in an uncomfortable position.

He misreads my intentions and hinders me from moving, as he wraps his arms around me, "I just told I want you, that I burn for you, that I want you to mother my children. Do you honestly think I am one to say that to anyone?"

I gulp as he shifts to nestle his face in the crook of my neck, "I..." he breathes against my skin. He does not continue as he opts to kiss my neck instead.

When I move to wrap my own arms around him, he speaks again, "I am at your mercy. You saved me from freezing to death when you could have easily decided to rid of me."

I press my cheek against him and begin to comb through the long hair on his back, "I was serious about my distaste to remarry."

"Well, you will not," he quickly retorts, "you will have me until the end."

I bring my legs around him as I release a sigh, "consider me overjoyed by the thought."

He chuckles as he shifts, "you do not sound-"

"I did not want to admit it," I cut him off, "but I think I..." I turn to him as he lifts his head, "I think I... care for you, Daemon... I-"

"Love you," he finishes, staring at me with an unreadable expression.

And for the first time since our nuptials, he kisses me. He kisses me not because he has to, not for the sake of showing everyone present, but because he wanted to, for the sake of showing me.

He is nothing but warmth, nothing but fire, nothing but him. Daemon is not sweet, but in this moment he put even honey to shame.

He begins to stir on top me, though he makes sure his lips do not leave mine. It is because of my moan that we are broken apart, the moan that leaves me when I feel him slip inside me.

"Daemon-"

"You know how I fuck," he sighs, rubbing his nose against mine, "but now we'll both know how I make love."

[frankforested]

Curly's Dialogue in How Fish Is Made - The Last One And Then Another

It's easy to get on this boat when you have to. You say to yourself, this is just temporary. Just until I get what I need. Got bigger things planned! Then suddenly you're one year in, five years. Ten. First I couldn't stand the constant, constant noise. Now I can't sleep without it. A lot of things can't follow you out here. But it also means the outside world moves on without you. Won't even notice until it's too late. … Easy to get on, hard to leave. ------------------------------------ Do you want to hear a joke? Three men are in the hospital. The first man cries "I lost both my hands, they told me I'll never work again!" The second man wails "I lost both my legs, they told me I'll never work again!" The third man? He rejoices "I lost my hearing, they'll never be able to tell me I'm fired again! Hahahah! Good one, huh? ------------------------------------ Next comes spite. First it stares back at you in the mirror. Then it's those around you. They're wearing your face, and you theirs. … You know. He joined because of me. What were the words I used? Ah, right. "It's a great opportunity. Easy money, just a trip or two." Someone else's words in my mouth. Hey, worked on me as well, right? Change hurts, but worse things fester for a long time. I told him as much. I tried, I really did. We're defined by our past, but not slaves to it. We said tomorrow will be different. Today will be the last day, the last one. The last one and then another. And another, and another, and another…