#he is calculated purposeful and intelligent

[andersdotters]

Ayato really liking dogs and the connection between Thoma and dogs really kind of just... portray their relationship in a bad light, but in the kind of way that I can't say it's incorrect either.

[hayatheauthor]

hello! i'm trying to write a manipulative/cunning character that uses his charm to get what he wants, but i'm unsure how to go about it without being too overt. he basically acts all polite and uses peoples' inherent biases (like how they are more likely to listen to or trust someone who's conventionally attractive)

i'm also struggling to come up with instances where he'd use those skills. surely he can't just walk up to somebody and say something out of nowhere haha

thank you for your time!

That’s such a fun character to write! For subtle manipulation, focus on how he frames things—he never demands, just suggests. He compliments before slipping in a request, or pretends to confide in someone to earn their trust.

Manipulation has three core tactics:

Mirroring – He subtly copies people's tone, body language, or opinions to build fast rapport. People feel more at ease when they see themselves in someone else.

Framing choices – He never gives direct orders. Instead, he offers two options—both benefiting him—but makes one seem like the “better” or more moral choice.

Playing the victim or the hero – Depending on what the situation calls for, he knows when to act vulnerable to gain sympathy, or when to seem competent and generous to earn loyalty.

As for scenes: think small but calculated moments—like offering help so he can later call in a favor, or using flattery to get into private conversations. His charm should feel effortless, like everything he does just naturally benefits him. Let people want to say yes to him, because why wouldn't they? He'd never do anything wrong!

Use foreshadowing and drop hints through your scenes too, like:

He helps a powerful person in public (small act, big praise), later using that goodwill to get access somewhere.

He praises someone’s intelligence just before suggesting a risky plan—making them feel clever for agreeing.

He eavesdrops, then later "guesses" something personal about someone to seem insightful and trustworthy.

Basically, his charm is a tool, not a mask—it’s always used with purpose.

One character that comes to mind for inspo is Tom Riddle. I wrote a Tom Riddle fanfic series for like 2 years and crafting scenes where everyone thinks he's perfect while internally he's looking down on all of them was so so fun! Some personal tips from that experience:

Have someone who knows the truth! The one person who doesn't fall for his charm no matter what he tries, make his eye twitch and smile strain as he tries to maintain the farce of perfection whenever this person calls him out in public.

Internal monologue. It's important to make sure your readers get that this guy doesn't actually like the random girl he flirted with to get access to the professor's records. Or that the group of friends that constantly swarm him are really just nuisances in his eyes.

Make things easy, but not too easy. Have people who easily fall for the physical charm, and others whose trust he gains by making them let their guard down. The sceptic trusts him because he's apparently part of the same tiny dog club as them, the girl who falls for no one feels her heart flutter by how 'real and kind' he was during the moment they 'accidentally' met outside school.

I hope this helps!

[ohbother2]

OKAY SO-

Alastor lost his cool and flipped his shit immensely when Lucifer showed up - why would that be? and why wedge himself between Lucifer and Charlie? Why would he react so viscerally when his literal main-competitor for retaining his rank and respect is Vox, and Vox openly antagonises him first, trying to drag Alastor's reputation through the mud in his broadcasts

Alastor remains cool, calm, collected, and in doing so completely surpasses Vox's attempts

in many ways, Alastor is unflappable. Always smiling, always a step ahead, always the most powerful and domineering in a room

and then- Lucifer shows up. This short statured, rosy-cheeked, rather pathetic excuse of a man

he waltzes in to the hotel, a fumbling over-excited mess, the least threatening a person could possibly look in hell, barely reaching Alastor's waist

and yet, he outranks Alastor, he could over-power him easily, he is the predator

and Alastor simply cannot handle that

Alastor may be furious that such a week-minded, emotionally unguarded man ranks so far above him with no way for Alastor to even attempt to gain the same status

so what does Lucifer lack? what is the one thing Alastor can have that he can't?

a relationship with Charlie

his anger is calculated, he finds what hurts Lucifer, he finds his weakness, he grips onto it with both claws, and he drags it in front of him, mocking the fact that, yeah, sure Lucifer may outrank him, but in his daughters mind? one of the few things Lucifer can't control? Alastor has the power, has the lead - in all manners of 'power' and 'influence' that Lucifer cannot control, Alastor makes sure he knows he is on top - he is Charlie's favourite, he succeeds where Lucifer has failed her

regardless of his motives, he has been there for Charlie, and Lucifer hasn't, and that's all that matters

but why does he have this deep-rooted need to prove himself? why can he not accept that he is still the second most powerful in that hotel?

his need for power, for dominance, for control is shown again when Husk confronts him in the hallway

'big talk for someone who's also on a leash'

this time, Alastor doesn't even bother targeting Husker's, insecurities, his weaknesses

he drags him down the hallway chained at his neck, teeth gnashing and positively enraged

there's no typical Alastor intelligence or cunning behind this action - it is pure unadulterated rage, it's a: I can kill you, and I will

killing husk would be useless - Alastor obviously has a purpose for him, that's why he's been kept alive and the other overlords haven't, killing him would get rid of any leverage Alastor had, it would get rid of Husk full stop

Alastor has been gone for 7 years, and now he's back, supporting a cause he doesn't believe, forced to wander around the hotel halls and haunting its residents instead of freely roaming Hell

Lilith has also been gone 7 years - and she isn't yet back

Alastor just so happens to appear at the hotel mere moments after Charlie tries to talk to Lilith, marching into the foyer and wedging himself into the project with a showman's flair

he is chained, he is chained to that infernal hotel where he doesn't belong - he cannot be redeemed, he doesn't want to be redeemed

he is chained to Lilith, and by extension he is chained to Charlie

and in his eyes, he is powerless, so utterly and infuriatingly at the mercy of those above him, and that simply won't do

so what can he do? what can a man, whose greatest desire is power, who's biggest insecurity is the power and status he wields over others, do to reclaim some semblance of that power? how can he usurp Lilith? how can be make this soul-bond beneficial to him?

he can win Charlie over - he can replace her father in the process, he can mould her as he sees fit, he can play on her need to view the best in everyone, in the need to create friendships and her insatiable ability to care for those around her

he cannot get to Lilith, he cannot match Lucifer, but he can have Charlie

and he's nearly got her

and when he does? who's to say her naivety, her trust, the relationship he's intentionally crafted with her, leads her to strike a deal with him in a moment of need? when the angels attack, when the hotel begins to crumble, when heaven commands her to stop her efforts? why wouldn't she strike a deal, in her mind, he's as caring as a father figure, and a man who's been there since day one unlike either of her parents

she shakes his hand

he has her soul

he has Charlie, and he has Lilith, and he has Lucifer

there's nothing they can do, and isn't that really what power is? not raw-strength, not magic, not status, but the ability to control those who others may believe to be above your own station?

he's forced to the hotel, he's chained down and unable to grab for more power - if Lilith is preventing him from earning it himself, well, he can always just force her to give it to him

all it takes is one hand shake.

the cherry on top? he get's to show Lilith it's her own desire for him to be at the hotel that has allowed him to ensnare them all

[phoenixblaze1412]

Hi ! Imagine baby Zandik, or even younger segments just treating you like their parent. Go seek you when they hurt their knees from falling, ask for help with homework older segments gave them or even just asking for a hug or you playing with them. Could I request that? Only if you feel like it ofc. (Sorry if my spelling or sentence are weird, English isn't my first language)

The child was small—smaller than the other Segments, his frame frail from having been created not for war or science, but something… softer.

Dottore never said what he intended him to be. Perhaps even he didn’t know. But to you, the answer had been obvious the moment you saw him.

He was just a child.

And children deserved to be loved.

—————

"Look! Look!"

The tiny Segment tugged at your sleeve, bright eyes shining with excitement as he held up a torn page from an old book. "I drew this!"

You smiled, kneeling beside him to get a closer look. The paper was rough at the edges, a relic of one of Dottore’s discarded documents, but the scribbles covering it were bright and full of life. A mess of crayon strokes, clumsy yet full of meaning.

It was a sketch—of you.

"Is that me?" you asked, pointing at the smiling figure.

The child beamed, nodding eagerly. "And that’s me! And that’s—" he hesitated, lowering his voice. "That’s Father."

You followed his gaze to the third figure—a towering presence in a long coat, standing slightly apart.

Dottore.

The sight made your chest ache. The child's depiction of him was not unkind, but there was something uncertain in the way he had drawn him. As if he did not know where he belonged in the picture.

"You did a wonderful job," you murmured, ruffling his hair.

He giggled, pressing closer to your warmth. "I wanna draw more!"

"Then we’ll draw as much as you want."

—————

Dottore was not a sentimental man. His creations were meant to serve a purpose—each carefully calculated, each a necessary piece of his grand design.

But this child…

This child defied logic.

He was not an instrument of war, nor a mind of scientific brilliance. They were small hands covered in crayon dust. They were tiny feet padding through the lab, their laughter foreign against the sterile air. They were the one Segment that did not bow at his feet, but instead reached up with open arms.

It was baffling.

"You spend too much time with them," Dottore remarked one evening, watching as you helped the child arrange his drawings into a messy pile.

You didn’t look up. "He's just a kid."

"He is a Segment," he corrected. "Not a child."

At that, you did look at him, lips pressing into a firm line.

"He can be both."

Dottore’s eyes narrowed behind his mask. He never appreciated being challenged. But before he could respond, a tiny voice interrupted.

"Father."

The small Segment approached hesitantly, holding up a fresh drawing. Their fingers curled slightly at the edges of the paper, uncertain. "I made this one for you."

For a moment, Dottore said nothing. His gaze flickered between you and the child, before finally taking the drawing.

It was simple. Three figures, hand in hand. The crayon lines were uneven, but the warmth in it was unmistakable.

You. The child. And him.

Dottore exhaled slowly.

"...Hmph."

The child shifted, waiting for his reaction. When it didn’t come, they hesitated, then moved to your side, fingers grasping at your sleeve. You responded without hesitation, pulling them close.

Dottore watched. His hands curled slightly at his sides, the drawing still held between his fingers.

For all his intelligence, he didn’t know what to do with such a thing.

Later that night, as the lab grew quiet, you found the child curled up beside you, his tiny hands resting against your arm. Sleep had claimed him, his breath soft and steady.

Dottore stood by the doorway, watching.

"You let them cling to you like an attachment," he remarked, tone unreadable.

You exhaled softly, running a hand through the child’s hair. "If being loved is an attachment, then I don’t see the problem."

Dottore scoffed. "Love is not a necessity in my research."

You glanced at him, your gaze steady. "Maybe not in your research."

A pause.

Dottore said nothing. He only turned, his coat shifting as he left the room.

But in the dim light, forgotten on the desk, lay a single crumpled drawing.

Untouched. But not discarded.

—————

The nights were the hardest.

In the daylight, the child found distractions—doodling on scraps of paper, following you around the lab, tugging at the Segments’ coats until one of them indulged hisncuriosity. But at night, when the world was quiet and shadows stretched long across the floor, there was no escaping the fear.

It always began the same way. The shifting of blankets. A tiny, trembling breath. Then, the quiet sniffles, stifled as though the child feared making too much noise.

You stirred at the sound, blinking groggily before realizing what was happening. Without hesitation, you shifted towards him, already reaching out.

"Nightmares again?" you murmured, voice thick with sleep.

The child didn't answer right away. He only curled in on himself, small fingers gripping his blanket too tightly, his tiny shoulders shaking.

Gently, you pried their hands free and pulled them into your arms. He came willingly, burying his face in your shirt as if trying to disappear into your warmth.

"It’s alright," you murmured, rubbing slow, soothing circles on their back. "I’m here."

His breath hitched. "It was dark," he whispered. "I couldn’t see you."

Your heart twisted painfully at the quiet admission.

The lab was often dimly lit, filled with the hum of machinery and the cold glow of alchemical solutions, but the dark of night was different. It was isolating, stretching on endlessly, swallowing up small, scared children who just wanted to be held.

You tightened your hold, pressing a soft kiss to his hair.

"I’m here," you repeated, firmer this time. "And I’ll always be here."

For a moment, he simply clung to you, his tiny body trembling against yours. You continued to hold him, running gentle fingers through his hair, humming quietly—a tune with no name, just something soft enough to keep them grounded.

Eventually, his grip loosened. His breathing slowed, steadied. The tension in their small limbs melted away, and warmth seeped into you as they relaxed completely.

Even in sleep, their fingers curled lightly against your shirt, as if making sure you wouldn't leave.

You pressed another kiss to their forehead and whispered a promise—one only they would hear, nestled safely in your arms.

"I won’t let you face that darkness alone."

—————

Dottore found you both in the garden.

The child was curled up in your lap, clutching a small, broken machine—one of his old prototypes. Their fingers worked clumsily, trying to fix it while you guided their hands, voice patient and warm.

Dottore didn’t speak right away.

For the longest time, he simply watched.

The way you held the child with such care. The way their eyes shone with delight at your praise.

The way they trusted you so completely.

"You’ve grown attached," he finally said.

You didn’t look up. "They deserve kindness."

Dottore hummed, stepping closer. The child noticed him then, eyes lighting up as they scrambled to their feet.

"Father! Look what we fixed!"

He held up the machine, wobbling slightly in their eagerness.

Dottore took it, examining their work with an unreadable expression. Then, after a long pause—

"Acceptable," he muttered.

The child grinned, turning to you with wide eyes. "Did you hear that?! He said it’s acceptable!"

You laughed, ruffling their hair. "See? I told you you were brilliant."

Dottore exhaled, shaking his head. "You’ve made them insufferable."

"And you love them anyway," you replied easily.

He didn’t deny it.

Instead, he placed a hand on the child’s head—gentle, brief, but unmistakably fond.

The child beamed, practically glowing under his touch.

And in that moment, even Dottore couldn’t bring himself to pull away.

Life in the lab remained the same—filled with research, experiments, and the constant hum of machinery. But in the quiet moments, the ones that existed outside the rush of work and duty, a softer reality had settled into place.

The child was a constant presence, trailing after you or one of the Segments, always eager to learn, to build, to understand the world in their own way. And though Dottore rarely voiced his approval, he was always watching.

One evening, you found him in his study, reviewing reports, when a familiar weight settled against his side. The child had climbed onto his chair, pressing against him with a sleepy murmur.

Dottore tensed for a moment before sighing, setting his work aside. "You're supposed to be asleep."

The child yawned, clinging to his sleeve. "Was waiting for you."

His fingers twitched. After a long moment, he hesitantly rested his hand on their back. The child hummed contentedly, shifting closer.

From the doorway, you watched with a small smile, not saying a word.

Some things didn’t need to be spoken aloud. And for all his denials, for all his exasperated sighs and muttered complaints, Dottore never once pushed the child away.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Preview.... "Lick Back 2"

Lick Back 2 by Uzumaki Rebellion

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black Female OC

Warning(s): 18+, Explicit Sex, Angst, Domestic Drama, Unprotected Sex, Breeding Kink, Blood & Violence, Drug References, AITA!Terry Richmond.

Summary: Terry Richmond didn't expect to become a father over night. A surprising photo in the mail reveals that an illicit affair he had with a married woman eleven months ago resulted in a baby girl named after him. Ecstatic to be a new dad, he races to South Carolina to reunite with Nova, and bring their new family to Louisiana for Christmas. Unfortunately, Nova's estranged husband Jordan has different plans.

Preview Word Count: 3.6K

Arriving in full on Christmas Eve! Tell a friend! Part 1 HERE.

"I took one look at you

And it was plain to see

You were my destiny

With you I'll spend my time

I'll dedicate my life

I'll sacrifice for you

Dedicate my life for you"

Method Man & Mary J. Blige—"You're All I Need"

Terry Richmond couldn't stop looking at the eight by eleven color photo he received in the mail.

Terrina Richmond.

He had a daughter. A two-month-old baby girl.

His mind raced with so many chaotic thoughts. He'd had an affair with a married woman and she left him to salvage her wreck of a marriage in South Carolina. Terry spent months trying to forget her, poured himself into his work, and blotted out the memory of Nova Patterson.

The last time they made love, he nearly broke the bed, pulling out his best erotic moves to keep her. By his calculations, that was when he impregnated her. They loved each other, but ultimately, he had to let her go. She belonged to someone else and already had an infant son. Who was he to prevent a reconciliation of a family?

He worked day and night, taking on extra hours, even requested deployment overseas to get away from Nova haunting him with her beauty, kindness, and intelligence. He wished the world for her, but couldn't bear to be in the states knowing he couldn't have her.

The big bosses denied his request. They wanted his skills building up their elite soldiers in Oceanside. Make more war machines. Oorah.

Terry booked a flight to Charleston the moment he hung up the phone with Nova. An hour later he still sat on his couch wondering who to confess his shocking news to. His first inclination was to reach out to his family, but he wasn't ready to explain the circumstances of fathering a child with a married woman to his parents just yet. His closest friends Von and Bethany were next in line, but he could already hear Bethany chewing him out for being no different than Jordan, with Von nodding his head in agreement. Telling his homegirl Angie would only result in a flying fist socking him in the jaw.

He had accrued ninety days of leave time that he planned on using up for Nova and Terrina. His godson Junior, too. He stroked his chin. Junior would become his stepson now. A bonus child. Nova gave him purpose. He had a family to care for.

Terry cancelled his flight.

Nova would have a ton of things to bring back with the children. He would drive there instead of flying and rent a U-Haul cargo trailer in Charleston. Nova could take what she wanted and he would buy anything else she needed once they returned to Oceanside. He glanced around his condo. They could stay in his place until the lease ended the following summer and then look for a new home big enough for the four of them.

Four.

How strange. He woke up that morning a single man living a solitary life. Now he was responsible for three other people. He wanted to marry Nova as soon as possible, that way he could get them on his health insurance. Terry grinned. He moved like a man with a plan.

Packing more clothes for an extended trip, the reality sank in further. He was a father. He stopped to look at his daughter again. She had his ears. Funny how he hadn't noticed it before. Terrina's eyes struck him first, but then all the other little details jumped out. She was his mama's color. Terry got his eyes from his maternal grandmamma and his ears from his paternal grandpa. Terrina repped both sides of his family like him. He sat down on his bed and rocked his body, staring at her picture like it was going to disappear if he stopped looking at her.

That was his baby girl.

Nova carried her while enduring the stress of an unraveling marriage. His woman needed peace and a home fit for a queen. He was determined to give it to her. Texting his parents, he sent them a quick message that he had to postpone coming to Louisiana because of work.

He stopped by his local coffee shop and loaded up on an egg white breakfast sandwich and coffee. Hitting the road by noon, he headed east after texting Nova that he was driving and would arrive in Charleston within two days. She sent him another picture of Terrina and Junior. He smiled so hard in his truck after taking a restroom break. Junior was nearly two years old, and it shocked Terry that he didn't look like Jordan anymore. The boy had Nova's face dipped in milk chocolate. He noticed that she'd typed the names Terrina and Novan. He typed the name Novan with a question mark. A minute later, she sent a message that she legally changed her son's name to hers. His nickname was Van-Van. Yeah, she was really done with Jordan if she yanked his son's name away from him. That shit was tough.

"My baby girl will never have that problem," he muttered, heading onto the freeway again.

Terry drove non-stop, only taking breaks when the truck needed gas. He loaded up with a bunch of Big Macs from McDonald's in Dallas, and his heart started beating wildly. Sitting in the parking lot, he inhaled deeply several times and listened to one of his meditation apps. On the verge of a panic attack unless he spoke to someone about his sudden anxiety at meeting his daughter, he called Bethany and confessed everything.

"I'm sitting here freaking out, Bethany. I just want to get to South Carolina and see Nova…hold my baby, but right now I'm losing it. Cuss me out, yell at me, I don't care…I just needed to talk to someone I trusted who knows me…knows I wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone on purpose. Not even Jordan."

Bethany gave a long sigh. He waited for a shrill tone to rip his ear apart.

"Terry, I have to be honest with you. Nova called and told me everything a month ago."

"She what? A month ago?"

"Don't be upset. She was scared and didn't have anyone supporting her. Her family flipped out…Jordan's family flipped. Jordan is on a downward spiral. It's a shitshow out there…but I promised her I wouldn't say anything until she was ready to face you. Go easy on her, okay?"

"I'm glad she has you," he finally said after a long pause.

"You should be glad to have me, too. I should kick your butt, though."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything about her…and me."

"Didn't have to. I already knew something was up. I just hoped you two would've ended it quietly without all this blowback. You make a pretty baby, though. She looks just like you and your mom."

"I'm nervous Bethany…a little scared. I'm thrilled to have Terrina…it's just…I'm halfway across the country ready to uproot Nova from her hometown. Am I doing the right thing for her and the baby? I mean…she has Junior…Van-Van. Can I take him away from his father like this?"

"She reached out and wants you to come for her. That's all you need to concern yourself with. I'll let her tell you herself what's been going on, but that is your family now. Jordan should be an afterthought in your mind."

"I want to marry her."

"Get her out of Charleston first. Text me when you get there."

"Does Von know?"

"No. This is something he needs to hear from you when you get back."

"Thank you for being there…for the both of us."

"You have a darling little two-month-old who needs her daddy. Drive safe, Terry. Love you."

Terry sat in the truck, feeling better. Bethany didn't hate him. He texted Nova despite the late hour in her time-zone.

He started the truck and drove closer to his love.

Terry sat in a parking lot of a Target store in a town just outside of Charleston on Sunday morning. He wanted to buy gifts for Nova and the baby, but the store didn't open until seven. The weather was already hot, and he rolled the windows down to wait three hours. He contemplated waiting at a Jack in the Box parking lot, but there were two cop cars there and the last thing he wanted was to attract the attention of the police outside of a fast-food joint at four in the morning.

He spent time on his smartphone looking up all the things he had to do legally to establish paternity. DNA test. Filing the results with the court. It would probably be a hassle to take Jordan's name off the birth certificate, but Terry would spend whatever money it took to pay all court fees to do so. He'd need to get a lawyer in Charleston to navigate everything.

The store opened, and he grabbed a cart, rolling it to the children's section. There was no sales associate around to ask about sizes, so he looked at infant clothing that claimed to fit newborns up to two months. He bought a fancy box of chocolate for Nova's grandmother who she stayed with after leaving her brother's home. Flowers for Nova. Baby balloons. A clunky-looking Captain America action figure for Van-Van. It took him a minute to find the Black one. Sam Wilson. It was going to be all Black everything in their household. Terry paused in the toy section. He imagined his life being like Von and Bethany's, raising two children and being happy. Von always went home to a happy wife and happy children. Sending up a prayer to God, he wanted to provide the same life for Nova and his new family.

He paid for everything at check-out and rolled his cart out to the truck. Bethany was right about Target. You can't ever go inside and come out with the one thing you went in for. He spent over two hundred dollars on all kinds of toys for his daughter and bonus son.

Terry smelled like long hours on the road and stopped at a café to purchase a blueberry muffin that gave him access to the restroom. He washed up, brushed his teeth, and changed into fresh clothes he carried in a backpack. By the time he hit the road again, he was ready to face his future. Following the directions on his GPS, he admired the old buildings and the slow pace of Charleston's southern charm. That went out the window when a palmetto bug flew into the truck. A goddamn flying roach. Hell nah!

He rolled up his windows and put on the air conditioner. The directions showed that he still had an hour to reach Edisto Island. He leaned into the steering wheel once he started crossing the McKinley-Washington Bridge that led to Nova. The Dawhoo River below him looked like mysterious black water. The tannins seeping out of decaying trees turned the water a dark tea-color. Nova once explained that the word "Edisto" meant "black" and was also the name of the indigenous people who lived there, including her Gullah kin, from way back.

His heart palpitated, and he started breathing faster when he reached the street where Mrs. Mariam Walker, the matriarch of Nova's family lived. He smelled the heavy scent of the sea and the river. The house was only a few blocks away from Edisto Beach. Everything around him had been built by Gullah hands. Homes. The bridge. Docks. Churches. Everything.

He passed Mrs. Walker's house because there was no parking available on both sides of the street. Making a U-Turn, he found a spot where a driver left in a brown van. He glanced over at the large white house with the double stairs leading to another stairway that led up to a semi-wrap-around porch. Several older Black men and a couple of men Terry's age stood on the porch looking his way. They built the old house high to avoid flooding, and it seemed like it should've been on a heritage museum tour. He typed into his phone.

I'M HERE.

He put on a stoic expression to face Nova's male relatives. They probably weren't thrilled to see him approaching the house.

The front door flew open and Nova dashed out. She ran down the top stairs first and waited on the landing, her eyes searching the street. When she fixed her gaze on him, she covered her mouth and jumped up twice before running down the left set of stairs, hurtling forward like a comet to greet him. He moved so fast people could've sworn he had wings on his feet like Mercury.

"Terry!" she cried out.

A bunch of women exited the house to watch them.

The moment Nova reached him, he lifted her up high. She hugged his neck so tight that she almost cut off his circulation. He set her down, and they held each other. Embracing her was like having a missing puzzle piece slipped back into its proper place. It was hard to look at her without the tears in his eyes making it difficult to see. She trembled in his arms and every hitched breath she took tore at his heart. He had been a fool to let her go. Sparing another man's feelings in a wasted act of nobility cost him time with the woman he loved and a daughter he hadn't met yet. Lying to Jordan about not sleeping with Nova had been the wrong choice to make eleven months ago. He should've come clean and faced the music back then. It cost him his own happiness. Cost him sharing the journey of Terrina's birth.

He touched and smelled Nova's fragrant hair. She still carried the scent of sugar cookies and strawberries on her skin. Her cornflower blue wrap dress sat snug around her figure. Having babies just made her look enchanting to him.

"Told you…told you I would come the moment you needed me," he said.

She nodded, and they pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you, too."

She burst into tears. He rocked her in his arms, saying her name over and over.

"Are the babies inside?" he asked.

"Van-Van is with Jordan for the weekend. Terrina is inside with my mother and grandmother."

Nova wiped her wet face and puffy eyes.

"Ready to meet your daughter?"

He laughed out loud, and then bit down on his tongue gently to keep himself from leaking more water out of his eyes. He wiped his face and glanced at the welcoming committee on the porch.

"Mawmaw cooked a big Sunday breakfast and invited the family over to see you," she said.

"See me, or beat my ass?" he joked.

Nova's eyes welled up. He stroked her arms.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Bethany told me you're having it rough here. I gotta take that weight off of you. I'm the one who got you pregnant…I'm the one who'll fix all of this, too."

He kissed her forehead. She kept her cute pixie cut and fixed her baby hairs to look like curling ocean waves. He rubbed her back. She rested her head on his chest, unable to look at him.

"Terry…I didn't know she was yours. Jordan and I got back together, and I tried to put you away in my heart. He started messing up out here…I left him…but I still thought she was his. I wasn't hiding her from you…I wasn't trying to keep her a secret from Jordan, either. I didn't realize until after she was born that she wasn't his. I was so frightened of what would happen to me and her when everyone found out what I did. People in my family called me a whore…and Jordan…"

She wept. He soothed her as best as he could.

"Just think about us…okay? Hold on to us and I promise, Nova…things are going to get better."

"Okay."

She wiped her nose and inhaled deeply to calm herself down. He clasped her hand in his, and she walked him up the steps. Her family members held paper plates of food and hushed their talking as Terry looked at them.

"Everyone, this is Terry…Terry Richmond. Terrina's father."

"We can see dat. Can't miss his chirren at all."

The other relatives tittered under their breath. An older woman in her eighties pushed a walker and Nova's family parted to give her room so her eyes could track Terry up and down. She had slightly wrinkled, dark pecan-brown skin and gray hair clipped short. Mariam Walker…Mawmaw.

"I see una have no shame coming here after putting a baby in her the wrong way."

"Mawmaw," Nova whispered.

"Ma'am, I'm not here to upset you. I want to meet my daughter and be with Nova."

"Be with Nova?"

Mawmaw sucked her teeth and pointed at Nova with an accusatory finger.

"Look ya. Dat is a married 'ooman. You a comeya, messing up the peace of dis family."

"Ma'am, I don't mean any disrespect—"

"Tie yuh mout!" Mawmaw shrieked.

A female relative stepped forward.

"Okay now, Mawmaw…my Lord, let the man get inside the house first before y'all put all they business in the street. Hi Terry, I'm Cornelia…Nova's aunt. People call me Nella. Come inside. Mawmaw is going to fuss no matter what you say."

Nella walked toward the screen and opened it for Terry. She was forty-ish, heavyset, and a shade darker than Nova, but had the same sparkling brown eyes.

"I have some things in the truck to bring in," Terry said.

"Go get 'em, then," Nella said with a warm smile.

Terry walked back down to the truck with Nova. He collected the flowers and gave them to her. Her face brightened up with the full, colorful bouquet in her hands. He grabbed the balloons, Terrina's bag of baby clothes, and chocolate, then headed back to the house with Nova by his side.

"This is for you, ma'am…Mawmaw," he said.

Mawmaw looked at the big box of expensive Godiva chocolate shells, and her eyes widened; surprised that he was giving her something.

"He tryna butter her up," one of the older men snickered.

Nella waved for him to keep moving.

"Tote all that in here, Terry, c'mon now. Can't let these no-see-ums in the house."

Terry glanced at Nova.

"Mosquitos. The ones here will eat you up and you won't even see them," Nova said.

He grinned hard enough to show his gums.

"They've been eating me up since I got here."

Nova led him inside the quaint living room filled with old, cared-for furniture and several sizes of intricately woven tan baskets with dark brown geometric patterns woven in the detail that decorated the corners. The interior smelled of good southern cooking and something else, something that the west coast didn't quite have yet: the odor of history. His hometown in Louisiana had it. All the south and the east coast had it in abundance. Compared to the south, the west was still young and feeling its oats.

Old family pictures cluttered a mantle, and so many people were crammed inside that it made Terry feel like the Jolly Green Giant. He definitely was the tallest person there. His eyes were drawn to a large painting above the mantle of elongated ebony figures showcasing men, women, and children dressed in clothing from the 1930s with blue-black skin and featureless faces. The painting seemed to be the focal point of the room that gave it a cozy feel rooted in a proud lineage.

Three women Mawmaw's age sat on a couch wearing their good Sunday wigs. They scrutinized everything on him. Somewhere out back, the excited voices of children playing added a comforting noise.

Nova took the bag of clothes from him and set them on an empty chair.

"Hello…I'm Terry, pleased to see everyone," he said.

Mawmaw shuffled in with her walker and Nella helped her sit down on an old rocking chair.

"Dis him," Mawmaw said to the ladies on the couch.

Nova introduced him to everyone present. He became eager to make a good impression despite the hard stares and thin-lipped expressions from the elders. All he needed was a knife to cut the simmering animosity in the front room. A giant bible sat propped open on a bookstand next to Mawmaw's rocker. A huge brown lacquered cross hung next to a picture of a tawny Jesus on the wall behind her seat. Terry took in the context clues and understood quickly that he was in a serious religious household. That meant their situation would never be acceptable to MawMaw. The matriarch's frigid brown eyes stared him down like she was going to turn him into a pillar of salt.

A baby's cry interrupted the family showdown.

Mawmaw's eyes immediately softened, and she tried to stand up too fast, almost losing her balance.

"My great-grandbaby is calling for me," Mawmaw said, or at least that's what Terry made out.

The shrill cry shattered the peace again, and Terry felt a lump grow in his throat. He imprinted that sound to memory. That was his daughter. His first time hearing her.

Nella gently pushed Mawmaw back in her seat.

"Bring ha," Mawmaw said.

"Mawmaw…Terry needs to see his baby. He come three thousand miles. Man is probably tired and hungry rushing here. Let him have his time alone with Terrina," Nella said.

Nova placed her flowers on an end table near one of the older adult men sitting in the room and grabbed Terry's hand.

"Come…she's back here," Nova said.

Her eyes were shiny with pride and love.

They moved past family members who ogled his height and muscular build. His body looked big and battle ready from all of his military training. Moving through a short hallway, they skipped past two other bedrooms and made their way to the last one.

A.N: Hope you enjoyed the preview! Be ready for more on Christmas Eve! This one will be a little longer than Part 1, but I don't think y'all mind! One of the best ways to support Black fanfiction writers that doesn't cost a dime is to reblog & comment. We thrive off of kind words to keep us going, and it's always great to extend our reach to new readers. In 2025 I'm making more of an effort to get my stories out to as many Black women as possible. We are in our #RestEra and deserve nice things to come home to for our reading pleasure. Okay, off to finish this thing. It's already over 18,000 words, lol!

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[eyesthecolorofarson]

Next-to-last of our species

Based on this

“Project Cadmus’ purpose was to create an anti-Justice League of sorts,” Dr. Lilva said calmly, twisting her hair in the hand that wasn’t handcuffed to the table. “But despite Luther’s unimaginable wealth, he was cutting costs in this incredibly delicate operation. He decided that instead of one clone for each Justice League member, we’d do one for two.”

“Why?” It wasn’t like Luthor to cut costs, Batman mused. He flaunted his money as if it’d make people forget he was a supervillain. Maybe he’d spent too much on his last mech suit. He should tell Dick that. “I don’t know. But it worked in our favor. We weren’t really creating clones. We were creating embryos that had your DNA. But, as we all know, you need two sets of DNA to form a full body. So, mixing two of your DNA together would not only give the clones a stable body, but the powers or,” she motioned to him, “intelligence of the parents. Which is how we got here.”

Three scientists from the now destroyed Project Cadmus, Dr. Lilva, Sal, and Trit, had turned themselves in to the Justice League saying they were willing to share everything that had happened during Project Cadmus on the grounds that they be allowed access to job opportunities in their very narrow fields. Dr. Sal, who seemed most against turning themselves in, rolled his eyes. “It would have been fine if—“ “No it wouldn’t!” Dr. Trit glared to him. “It would have!” “No! It’d be fine if we hadn’t combined Martian Manhunter and fucking Batman! We created a Batman that can shapeshift and move things with his mind!”

Dr. Lilva sighed. “Be quiet. Our first stable clone was made of a combination of Superman and Luthors DNA. Where we made a mistake was the creation of 14; the combination of Martian Manhunter and Batman.” Sal scoffed. “He wasn’t a mistake. He was a success. As smart and calculating as Batman, capable of shifting into inanimate objects and people, as well as incredible telepathic and technopathic abilities. The mistake was making him too smart. Too aware.”

“We wouldn’t have been able to prevent it.” He looked around. Superman didn’t look very good. He was pale and sweaty, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. Martian Manhunter had a very odd expression on his face, as if he was trying to find every bit of information about ‘14’ that he could. He probably was. Superman met his eyes, and he knew he was questioning how he felt. He was fine.

“13, the combination of Superman and Luthor, didn’t have Luthors intelligence but he did have Superman’s powers. Average intelligence but very emotional, he seemed to feel everything ten times more intensely than others. 14, however…. He was best at learning. Not just science or math….” Lilva shivered. “He watched us, copied us, and it took us far too long to realize, but he was reading our minds. Learning.”

“Unfortunately, it took us longer to fully understand the lengths of his technopathy. We thought it was just light electrokinesis, but—“ she cut herself off with a strangled laugh. “When he started talking about our personal information, things we looked up, things we talked about at home without our Cadmus devices—that’s when we realized he’d attached himself to every. Single. Piece of technology. That we’d interacted with.”

She motioned for Sal to speak. He sighed. “One day, I was staying late to finish some work. 13 was incredibly clingy, and 14 was a charmer, so they got to share a room. One of the walls was made entirely out of nth glass. 13 was asleep, and 14 was watching me. He tapped the internal mic, and asked me why I wasn’t at Lily’s recital. He told me that she was asking ‘Mrs. Millie’ if she’d seen me come in. He told me…. he told me ‘lily pad is very upset.’” Sal looked disturbed. “I had forgotten my daughter, Lily, had a play. She was playing the sugar plum fairy. Mrs. Millie is her teacher, and ‘lily pad’ is a nickname I have for her. And he knew that, despite me never mentioning having a family.”

That was a little disturbing. Not just knowing about his family, that was easy with a little research into the employee, but to know not only the teachers name, the recital, and a nickname, that implied that ‘14’ had been watching Sal for quite a long time. “How does this imply that ‘14’ had ‘attached himself’ to your devices?” Lilva motioned for Trit to speak. She also sighed. “Ok. So. Uhh, during my break I’d, uh, use my home phone to watch Netflix and stuff. And keep in mind Project Cadmus was located almost twenty five miles underground, and the break room was on surface level.”

“Well, one day I was watching The Nun, and when I got back down I had to deal with a ‘strange situation.’” She used air quotes then sighed again, running a hand through her short hair. “13 was crying and 14 was trying to comfort him, telling him it ‘probably wasn’t real’, which made him cry harder. When I asked what was wrong, 14 yelled at me for ‘choosing to not watch Friends this one time.’ 13 interrupted him and asked me if demons were real. I told him I didn’t know, and asked 14 what this was all about.”

She laughed. “He didn’t answer, but it was pretty easy to figure out. I usually watched Friends during my break, but I’d finished it at home. So I’d decided to watch a movie. And before this we’d seen signs of 14 building a mind link between himself and 13. It was obvious that he’d attached himself to my phone, and shared with 13 what I was watching. Unfortunately, it was a horror movie.”

“After that we noticed that the electric doors would unlock and relock at random, usually locking us and the other doctors in and letting 13 and 14 out. Our computers would glitch and turn off when using them, the machines made to test their ability’s would break down right before testing. I’d tried to make sure no one put physical locks on anything because I didn’t want 14 learning how to pick locks.” Trit sighed again and glared at Sal.

“And someone didn’t listen to me.” Sal scoffed and rolled his eyes. Lilva glared at both of them. “How was I supposed to know he’d learn? He didn’t have any lock picking skills or anything to pick locks with!” Lilva gave him a look. “He had his mind.” “So, ‘14’ knows how to pick locks telepathically?” “Not just pick them,” Trit replied, “in less than a day he learned how to unlock and relock them. We learned this when Sal turned off the power to their electrical door and put locks on them.”

Trit and Lilva waited for Sal to speak. He grumbled. “I went in to fix a light that 13 had broken when he was practicing flying, turned around, and both of them were outside the room. I watched as 14 relocked the locks he’d unlocked without touching them.” Sal looked embarrassed. “I was stuck for three hours as they destroyed the lab. I had access to my—“ Lilva raised her hand for him to stop. She was looking at her phone. She was pale.

“Ms. Lilva?” He asked after a moment, “Is something wrong?” She took a deep breath, then tried to give her phone to him. She wasn’t able to. When her arm raised a spark left her phone and she yelped and dropped it, rubbing her hand as it continued to spark. At the same time, the Watchtowers main computer turned on. Batman felt himself and the others tense. The screen was covered in static.

“Stand up!” Lilva told him, her voice shaking. “Flash, stand up and walk fourteen feet backwards from the screen. Do it! Now!” Sal muttered swears. “Why me?” Flash asked, even as he stood. “Because you’re the only one who’ll give us an instant honest reaction on what you see.” That was a good point.

Flash went fourteen feet, turned and jumped. “Holy shit!” He almost choked. “There’s eyes in the screen! Like, a face—oh my god it’s smiling at me.” Bruce quickly stood, as did the others. The scientists stayed seated. Batman walked backwards to Flash, keeping his eyes on the screen. There was nothing. Static, static, static, then—he stood next to Flash and he appeared.

He took a few steps back and forward, testing his eyes. A foot forward he was gone. And a foot back, the same. Only when Batman stood fourteen feet away from the screen did he see his and J’onn’s clone, 14. He was hidden in the static, but at fourteen feet away the static melted together to form a face. It reminded him of when he was a child, stuck at galas and so bored he looked to the marble to find hidden pictures.

The static face was watching them intently. Batman could feel a finger gently poking his mind, trying to enter. He locked his psyche down tightly. 14’s face seemed to become amused. “Interesting…” Martian Manhunter muttered. “He knows who we are. All of us.” Superman stood next to Batman, tense. “What do you mean?” “It means he knows our identities. He knows where your parents live, the code to Batman’s contingency safe, the names of Wonder Woman’s mother and aunts….it seems that the moment the doctors phones got close enough to the computer, he attached himself to it.”

That wasn’t good. The static face seemed to think it was hilarious, laughing. “Who are you?” He asked sternly. It didn’t seem to affect the face. The face disappeared. Bold words appeared. ‘You know who I am,’ they said, ‘you just spent ten minutes talking about us’. So he’d been listening. How quickly was he able to get into the computer? “What do you want?” The words disappeared and were replaced with new ones. ‘Nothing much. Just, oh, I don’t know—the people that tortured and experimented on us dead? That too much to ask?’

So revenge. “What does 13 think of that plan?” He hadn't noticed it before, but there was a low ringing sound coming from the computer. It got louder at his question. ‘His name is Connor. And he shouldn’t have to worry about these things. He had it worse than I did.’ He glanced toward the scientists. They’d only told them of the clones and that there had been experiments—they hadn’t said what type of experiments. “Could you elaborate?”

‘Sure. The people sitting in front of you–if they can even be called people–are sadistic, selfish, narcissistic assholes who not only ‘encouraged’ us to show our powers with physical torture but also sold information they learned in the project to third parties. Like they’re doing right now.’ Suddenly Sal, Trit, and Lilva’s bodies began sparking and smoking. Trit shrieked and removed a wire from her hair and waistline. They sparked and the one from her waist caught on fire. Trit continued to panic as she tried to pull a chip out from under her manicured nails.

Sal removed two chips and a wire from his tie, belt and hair while Lilva removed four wires from her bra, waistline, shoelace and hair band. The one from her hair caught fire before she could pull it out, and a small section of her hair caught fire. Sal helped her pat it out as a distorted laugh came from Lilvas phone on the table.

‘She deserves worse.’ The words on the screen said, ‘Superman. Have you ever been burned before?’ Superman didn’t answer, instead whispering to Wonder Women about how odd it was he didn’t hear the wires and bugs electrical humming. ‘CLARK KENT.’ The words were bigger now, and he felt someone pinching his mind. ‘DO YOU KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE BURNED? DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN BE BURNED?’

Superman jumped and turned, reading the words. “Uh, no—no, I haven’t. I can’t.” He sounded unsure. Batman didn’t blame him. The static disappeared, and a video played. It looked to be camera footage. It showed a medical room. Sitting on one of the beds was a boy, maybe fifteen, with short curly black hair and blue eyes. His skin was unhealthily pale, and he had bags under his eyes. He was wearing a simple shirt and pants, the shirt having Superman’s symbol on one side and the number 13 on the other.

Out of place in the medical room was a fire pit. There was a fire poker in it, and the flames were lit up green. Doctor Trit came in. “How do you feel?” 13—Connor glanced at her then looked away. “Fine. A little nauseous. Is that normal?” Trit walked to the fire pit, shifting the poker around. “Perfectly. Hold out your hand.” Dread pooled in Batman’s stomach. Connor looked nervous, but did as he was told.

Trit pulled the fire poker out, kryptonite attached to the end. Its end was slightly red and orange, cracks running along it. She turned and placed it in Connor’s open palm.

Connor shrieked and screamed, trying to pull his hand away. Trit held him still. Connor struggled, tears running down his face, begging her to stop, to help, to take it away. Trit made him hold it for twenty seconds before pulling it back. When she did they saw Connor’s hand, the flesh bubbly and red with blood, blisters forming. Connor cried, and the video ended. The static returned, but it was quiet. Almost in respect.

"Jesus christ," Flash muttered, and Batman was a little worried about the way Wonder Women was looking at the scientists. "We were just doing our jobs!" Trit cried weakly, "We didn't want to but we had to!" 'SHUT UP' The text said, and the scientists began to yelp and wither. 'There is a fine line between experimenting on a subject and torturing them.'

'What you did to us stepped several feet over that line. What you did to us spat in the face of workplace ethics and our human rights.' Trit suddenly shrieked, and Sal began convulsing. 'We're never going to forget or forgive what you did to us. He will never feel truly safe, truly happy as long as your alive.' Sal began foming at the mouth, whimpering. Trit was muttering 'make it stop' over and over again, and Lilva was writing something on the table. It looked to be a will.

"He's melting their minds," Martian Manhunter gasped, "That—that is not a metaphor. He's quite literally reducing their brain matter to mush." Flash went to the scientists side and tried to keep Sal still while Green Lanturn began copying what Lilva was writing. Her handwriting was getting worse and worse. Wonder Women went to Trit's side as she began to sob and stutter, attempting to speak. It was all incoherent.

'I don't want to hurt people.' The screen said, 'I don't even enjoy hurting them, no matter how much they hurt me. But this isn't about me, it's about Connor. It's about ensuring Connors safety. It's about making sure Luthor gets a clear cut message; hurt him, and see what happens. Try to hurt us and I'll destroy him and everything he cares about. Fuck around and find out.'

"We can help keep you safe," Batman said as Sals twitching slowed, "Both you and Connor. You don’t have to kill them." Lilva wasn't writing so much as scribling, and Trit was still crying. Her eyes were bloodshot. 'I do, Batman. They installed both of us with a kill switch. Only two ways to trip it; either insert a key into the incubators were were created in, or enter a code on the computer in Luthors office.'

Batman felt his heart drop. 'The key and the incubators have been delt with, the computer and any copy of the software destroyed. Only one person had the code. The lead researcher. And he shared the code with two other people. I have to keep my brother safe, Batman. We're all we have. I'm sorry.'

The room was much more quite now; Trit was dead, Sal was unconscious, and Lilva mumbling incoherently. 'I want to live the rest of my life by your code, Batman, and I'll try my best to do so. But please, please understand that I had to do this. Not just for revenge, but for our safety. Martain Manhunter would’ve never found the code in their minds; he's not as invasive as I am. They would’ve left and immediately killed us. Thats why Sal wanted to get out of their as quick as possible.'

'Maybe one day, when the dust has settled and Conner feels safe we can talk face to face; really talk, y’know? I'd like to do that. But I don't know when the right time for that talk will be.' It was quiet as the rest of the League read the message. The humming was fading. Batman felt his heart jump when his pocket buzzed. It was his phone.

It was a new contacct thats number kept changing. It was named 'Danny'. The text read, 'but in the meantime, I'm down for some small talk.'

[the-well-known-scout]

A Bride in the Eyes of Some

Tywin Lannister X Reader Fic 🦁

-

(nsfw!)

“The Lady (Y/N) Lannister”, a title that ran through your mind and rang in your ears as you heard it.

You felt a certain disdain run down your spine that day, a rattle in your soul like no other. The announcement was a shocking one to you, remembering the day you were declared as the newest woman to Tywin Lannister. You remembered the wedding, how he didn’t share more than the hardest of pecks on your cheek as the Septon declared you man and wife. You remember the silence, the groaning and worn down creaking of the bed of your wedding night. You forced yourself to like it, you forced yourself to muster out pseudo-moans as Lannister-bred seed poured into you. You forced yourself to embrace your life as a vessel for blonde-haired children, with eyes as green as emeralds with a stiff lip. He’d never love you like he loved Joanna, you would never replace the whole in his heart she left behind. You would never be his love, you’d never be her. Or so, you thought.

Over time, you had learned to navigate the Red Keep, you learned to navigate the people that resided there. And you especially learned to navigate your lord husband, of Tywin. At times you didn’t have much to go off of, a grunt or a mumble underneath his breath damning something to the Seven Hells. His cunning mind and how it worked its’ way around the realms of politicking and pursuits of power. It intimidated you, it made you question yourself and your intelligence. Which you knew for sure, was a purposeful act. You needed to be on his time, you needed his mind, or he’d cast you away as useless. You learned to keep your distance at times, the Great Lion a man you didn’t dare to want to upset. You kept your interactions to a tee, never wanting to overbear him with what he viewed as “imperfections”. He only needed you when he called you, whether it be an execution of such schemes, or to warm his bed. He didn’t love to embrace your flesh, you imagine he thought of Joanna as he rocked you against the sheets. But you were wrong in that behalf, at least, as he grew used to you.

To most of Westeros, and even his own flesh and blood, Tywin was a lonely, bitter soul that threw back at the world what it gave to him; ten times as harsher. A cold, calculating man that cared for the benefit of him and him alone. But, he remained gentle with you, becoming more than a means of his lust. He was as delicate as he could be, being the Great Lion of The Rock. A softer stare in your direction rather than the cold, brutish one he darted to his enemies, or even the politest of terms when he speaks of you. You could listen to the words “lady-wife” roll off of his tongue all day and into the darkest of nights. He learned to tolerate your differentiating antics over time, finding them rather comical as he grew to know you more. How you interacted with servants among the Rock, to how passionate you grew about something you were determined for. You watched as a connection blossomed between you two, no longer the glacial silence that you both slept through, begging for one of you to find the courage to speak.

He would watch you as you read in bed with him, occasionally making a few notes and sneers about your posture. He would poke at the Old Valaryian books you insisted to put your nose in, laughing at your naïveté of the past. You were on guard at first, ready to bite back at whatever you felt was an insult until you realized it. He was talking to you, he was jeering with you. He was loving you. What stared off as the burden of your existence, the dread you wished to hide from as you laid next to him, become passionate. You were making love to Lord Tywin Lannister. No longer hid pathetic tears you held back, became moaning, a desperation for flesh you shared.

You daydreamed of how he rocked your hips atop of him, his grunting and slight-growling. He never said much during the act of fervoring your cunt onto him, but he didn’t need to. You would have his children, you would make his heirs, hopefully to turn out better than the three he was given. He was strong enough to place you how he saw fit, whether it be upon your knees, lying on your back and holding onto your ankles, or below him. He wanted you to worship him, every inch and fold of his skin he gave to you. At times, he’d whap you across the bottom, leaving warm spots from where his hands struck. At other times, he would have you on your knees, pulling you by the shoulder back to the gracious inches he gave to you. Tywin’s hands were some of the most dangerous pair within Westeros, hands you were not exempt from in the bed. And he would fuck you, until he grew tired, or had had you well-filled with enough loads of his seed to give him an entire line of Lannisters.

As his seed would pool out of you when you turned over to find a smidgen of rest, you would feel him. A singular hand wrapped around you, his head not too far from your shoulder. It was no longer the political prison you so desperately wanted to escape, it was love. Love of the highest points, love that stretched from The Rock to Dorne. A love that could never be taken away from you. A love that would be seen and heard among the Gods and men, new and old. And a love, you would never want out of.

[lilmarshie]

Hwang In ho (The Front Man) Dating HC’s

- In ho has a mysterious aura about him

- Wherever he goes, he brings an air of confidence and a mysterious sense of purpose, that you’re still trying to figure out

- In ho keeps his past guarded from even you and is hesitant to open up to you about it

- In ho keeps you wanting to know more about him as time goes on

- In ho is very secretive keeping his private life under wraps and only allows you in when he trusts you

- In ho keeps your relationship a secret and doesn’t want anyone to know about you just in case a revolt were to happen within the games and they would come after you to get at him

- In ho arranges clandestine meetings to ensure your relationship is hidden

- In ho has a soft spot for you despite his cold and calculating personality

- He is willing to do anything to protect you, even if it means harming others

- In ho is highly intelligent and loves having deep conversations with you

- You can talk with him for hours about anything and everything

- He'd engage you in discussions about strategy, human nature, and the philosophy behind the games, appreciating your insights and opinions

- In ho spoils you with lavish gifts and designer clothes

- He uses his resources to get you anything that you desire

- In ho has you on a pedestal and would do anything for you

- These gifts would be a mix of practical items and sentimental tokens that remind you of your unique bond

- In ho is emotionally complex

- He struggles with his own demons and moral dilemmas, and you'd often find yourself being his confidant, helping him navigate the darkness within himself

- In ho is fiercely jealous and possessive, not tolerating any attention that you receive from others

- His protective nature could sometimes border on controlling, making it clear that you belong to him

- In ho is very passionate in private leading to steamy make out sessions, late night rendezvous in his room, and stolen glances from across the room

- He cherishes intimate moments, holding you close and expressing his love through gentle touches and tender gestures

[literatureloverx]

Just a quick question, do you really think Fyodor likes the idea of having children? I mean, I've always thought he doesn't really like children in general,,, But I want to know what you think about that mainly because I've seen many people paint him as that kind of father who forgets even his children's names (that or abandons them) I know it's out of character for him (as far as I know??) but I find it a bit hilarious… and sad at the same time (maybe because that reminds me of my father) anyway, that's all I hope I'm not bothering you bye! 🤗💝💕

Love, you are not bothering me at all. And I’m very sorry for answering this so late—time management issues on my part. Though, I should probably stop apologising so often; I feel like it might throw people off, haha.♥️

Dad!Fyodor, an analysis (kind of)

I actually find this question quite interesting because Fyodor is often mischaracterised when it comes to topics like family and children.

To answer your question—no, I don’t think Fyodor dislikes children in general, nor do I see him as the type to abandon his own or forget their names.

That interpretation is, in my opinion, entirely out of character for him. The idea of him being an apathetic or negligent father is more of a joke or an exaggeration rather than something rooted in his actual characterisation.

If anything, Fyodor is far too controlled and intentional in his actions to have children by accident, and if he did choose to have them, he wouldn’t simply ignore or discard them.

It’s important to remember that Fyodor is not a man who does things without purpose. He is methodical, calculating, and always several steps ahead. If he were to become a father, it wouldn’t be by mistake or as something he passively accepts—it would be a conscious decision, meaning he would be fully aware of the responsibilities that come with it. And given how much he values intelligence, discipline, and devotion, I don’t see him taking a careless approach to raising a child.

However, that doesn’t mean his approach to fatherhood would be conventional. Fyodor does not love in the way most people do. His love is not warm, nor is it entirely unconditional—it is something that exists within his own framework of control, value and purpose.

He is not a man to indulge in sentimentality. Even if he were to have a child, it wouldn’t be because of an emotional longing for family life but because he saw a reason for it.

He wouldn’t be a father in the traditional sense—he wouldn’t coddle, nor would he offer affection in the way most people expect from a parent—unless his darling comes into play, the one who gently coaxes him into becoming more of a traditionally “good” father to their child.

Even then, that does not mean he would be absent. If anything, he would be deeply involved in his child’s life, though not necessarily in a way that others might consider healthy. His manipulativeness would be ever-present, not out of malice, but because control is intrinsic to who he is. His child would not be left to navigate the world freely; he would guide them, shape them, ensuring they align with his ideals (because he is always right, obviously). His influence would be inescapable, woven into every aspect of their development.

That being said, Fyodor does not waste his time on what he does not value. If his child is his, then they are bound to him in a way that ensures they are never forgotten or overlooked. He would watch them closely, ensuring they do not stray, subtly (or not so subtly) moulding their thoughts, their perspectives, their very sense of self. He would demand excellence, not just in intellect but in loyalty. Love, to him, is likely all-encompassing, possessive, a quiet but undeniable force.

So no, I do not see Fyodor as a father who would neglect or abandon his child. That is far too passive for him. His love is not about distance or disinterest. It is about control, influence, and an ever-present claim. A child of his would never be forgotten.

[ozzgin]

Yandere! Androids Walter & David x Reader x Neomorph

Walter, the android monitoring the colonization ship 'Covenant' on its way to Origae-6, seems to have gotten unnaturally attached to his human assistant. As he ponders his erroneous feelings, an unexpected detour brings them to David, an older android counterpart that has been alone on the mysterious planet. The AI assistants become increasingly competitive for (Y/N)'s attention, so much that they don't notice the newly formed humanoid local preying on a fresh target.

TW: violence, gore, monster smut ending

[Horror Masterlist]

"Burnt to a crisp." 

You turn away from the captain's pod, leaving the rest of the damage assessment to the medical crew that has been reanimated. You speedily make your way down the sterile white corridors as Walter rushes to catch up. 

"What should I write for the report?" he inquires politely.

"Malfunction." You glance back at the synthetic. "I suspect someone will be fired for this. And someone else will have to explain how they failed to detect a literal star collapse. That neutrino burst could've killed us all."

"Highly probable. The draft has been compiled, you may check it at any time. I require your confirmation to send it."

Your only feedback is a barely audible hum. 

Walter smiles. If there's one good thing about such tragedies, it's that he gets to admire your reactions to them. Your focused, calculated gaze, your determined walk, your automated mannerisms that won't allow the slightest hint at the fact you just woke up from your stasis moments ago. Even under the veils of deep slumber, your neural networks shot rapid connections, with no delay, from the second your sleeping pod received an alert. The accuracy of a robot.

That of course doesn't mean he lacks appreciation for your other facets. That's the beauty of humans; their depth, their dimensions. Unlike AI machinery, humans do not have predetermined actions. They may be genetically programmed to possess certain characteristics, but the psychological mechanisms are shaped by so many variables, billions and billions of tweaks and nudges, to the point where it's impossible to have two identical specimens. Even twins will display a difference, whether in preferences or habits.

They say artificial intelligence is a black box, but can the same concept not be applied to humans as well? At the very least to Walter himself, these organic beings represent a mystery. One he doesn't particularly care to uncover outside of his service functions. Except for one. 

His eyes carefully follow (Y/N)'s movements. What is it about this one that has caught his interest to such degree? On his last system update he attentively inspected every file and every block of code, searching for potential errors that would've caused his circuits to behave so oddly. He has been invested with the ability to form attachments, otherwise assigning his kind to groups or purposes would've lacked stability. Attachment, however, comes with a threshold. One he has passed a long time ago when it comes to (Y/N). And he cannot find any cause for it. 

He could, naturally, solicit the aid of the ship's robotics expert. He could. He should, even. But if he may be frank with himself, Walter rather enjoys this sensation. A complex web of spores that keep growing and evolving into something unpredictable. This bizarre feeling he has towards (Y/N) makes him feel human. It brings him closer to all the old literature and art he'd consumed over the years, wondering what the love and yearning often portrayed could be. The printed letters and the strokes of paint were right before him, at his fingertips, and yet they felt foreign. Empty constructs, nothing more than a definition out of the dictionary. 

Now it's a different story. Your presence alone floods him with a mysterious warmth. He had investigated this phenomenon when it first happened, but his inner thermostat showed no real change in temperature. Nonetheless he can feel it. It makes him wonder what other feelings he might experience as consequence. What would happen if he kissed you? Sometimes he even dares to imagine downright outrageous, improper scenarios. How unprofessional of him, but he is careful to erase any evidence. It's another novel sensation that he likes to dissect. Engaging in such activities with you fills him with tingling excitement. Why is that? What is there to be excited about? It's merely a collection of fictive snippets. Unless... Ah, absolutely not. This is where he has to stop in his tracks and preoccupy himself with something else. Androids are not to interact with humans in that way. 

But it's becoming more and more difficult to keep these ideas in his mind only. 

"It's too dangerous. One human signal in the middle of nowhere?" Daniels, a short haired woman with a tomboyish but youthful appearance, is pacing back and forth. "We should just continue on our course."

"It's our duty to check. Look: we go, find whoever sent the signal, bring them back up. That's it. If the planet proves to be dangerous we'll stop immediately. We'll be fine." Oram stands at the head of the table, arms crossed. He turns to look at you. Already cozying up to his newly acquired captain role, you think.

"Alright. Walter, prepare a small landing party. Have Tennessee maintain orbit while we're down there." you glance at the other crew members that have now gathered around the same table. "And get your weapons ready, we don't know what to expect."

And you certainly didn't. Your final words of warning now echo into your ringing ears as you lay on the ground, face buried among the grass. There's screaming around you, but it sounds muffled. Your eyes are irritated by the dirt and you'd like to blink the grime off, though every time your eyelids lower, you can see the pale creature trashing out of Hallett's mouth. Then it's all foggy. Your vision blurs, but you can hear. The gurgling of blood, the screech of the parasite. Walter's frantic footsteps nearing in your direction. You're lifted up.

"Vitals are positive. No significant damage." 

You can guess from your peripherals that another crew member is currently being mauled by the beast. There's gunshots in your vicinity and terrified wails. You quickly come back to your senses and stand up. Your hand searches for your weapon, but the android places his arm before you.

"Do not engage, (Y/N). It is an unknown parasitic organism of this ecosystem. Keep your distance for optimal safety and I'll take care of the rest."

"What are you talking about? They're dying! Your task is to ensure human survival, Walter. I can handle myself, go help the others. It's an order." Your voice is low. You're distracted.

"No."

You stare at the synthetic, wide eyed. Did he just...refuse? Not possible. 

"What did you say?"

"I said I'll protect you. Nothing else."

Your mouth is slightly parted in disbelief. It is not possible for an artificial assistant to disobey a superior. It just doesn't work. Your mind races to find an explanation. At the same time, you cannot afford to ponder on hypotheses. You draw out your weapon and point it towards the creature. You'll deal with this later. 

The moment you press the trigger, a blinding flash of light detonates in the sky, startling you. The creature scrambles to get away. You squint your eyes and nearly fall back, but Walter swiftly grabs your shoulders to ground you. He scans the area for the source. It's an emergency rocket and someone else must've activated it. As he traces the tail of the explosion, he spots a hooded figure across the field and onto the rocky ascend. It seems to have noticed Walter, as it gestures for them to follow. Without hesitation, the man firmly locks your arm and pulls you after him. The priority right now is to find shelter.

"Come!", Walter exclaims, suddenly remembering the other people. 

You reach a cave structure that has been converted into a crude, improvised human settlement. The man lowers his hood and you gasp quietly at the sight. He strongly resembles Walter. He must have noticed your surprise as he flashes you a cordial smile. 

"I'm David." He studies Walter's features. "You must be a newer model. What name have you been given?"

"Walter."

"I see. And you are-" David extends a hand towards you for a handshake, but Walter steps in front of you, blocking the android's gesture.

"She's (Y/N). I'm afraid I cannot yet trust you."

"Understandable." 

David's smile widens as his eyes, now bearing a strange flicker, switch between you and Walter. He's just like him. He can sense it. Although it's a different kind of flaw that has tainted his pure, artificial soul. He cannot help the curiosity that blooms, gazing at this peculiar pair. What is it about this human that caused his fellow machine to break conduit? He'd like to know.

"I'm certain you will soon learn I am no threat, (Y/N)."

The remaining members of the expedition are unpacking and discussing evacuation plans with the base, while Walter sends the data he has gathered so far. You let them deal with the logistics and cautiously wander off to the neighboring rooms, wondering what David has been up to all this time in isolation.

The walls are plastered with photos and handwritten sketches and diagrams. You catch a glimpse of the word "pathogen" sporadically inserted across these notes. As you walk along the sequence of cramped chambers, you reach one that has a table in the middle. Upon it rests the body of an autopsied woman, vulgarly opened up to the world with plump organs bulging under the warm light. You feel nauseous. And yet, you examine the carcass further, hoping for answers. Was she also a result of the same disease that breeds on this planet? Perhaps this David had worked on a cure, or at least developed an explanation. 

"And you, even you, will be like this drear thing, A vile infection man may not endure; Star that I yearn to! Sun that lights my spring! O passionate and pure."

You jolt and immediately turn around, finding David in the doorframe. 

"Flowers of Evil. Are you familiar with it?" he asks, indifferent to the uncomfortable shock he'd caused you with his sudden entrance.

"I've read my Baudelaire, yes." You manage to mumble, dumbfounded. "What is this, David?"

"Oh, my poor, dear Elizabeth. Victim to whatever blasphemy lurks these soils and has taken your friends as well." He approaches the table and places his hand on its hard edge, shyly overlapping with your own fingers. "I did my best." 

You remove your hand from underneath his nonchalantly. 

"So you know what those creatures are. Leave the literary comments for a different time, I need concrete facts."

"Unbothered and to the point." the blonde android smiles once again. "I can see clearly why Walter loves you."

You click your tongue at the ridiculous statement. Has the neutrino burst damaged their positronic brain? Everyone is acting off and you don't like it. 

"Your circuits must have gone defective, David. We have a specialist on our ship, but until that happens I need you to focus. Enough nonsense." 

 "Typical arrogance of a dying species. Why are you on a colonization mission if not to grasp at some promised resurrection? Rest assured that my functioning has not been impeded by anything. What is erroneous, on the other hand, is your perception of androids and their limits."

Just as David reaches for your wrist and pulls you closer, a familiar voice interrupts with an intimidating tone. You're relieved. 

"I will ask that you release her hand only once." Walter has a weapon pointed towards his counterpart. His face is clouded by a frown. "I have no ethical restrictions when it comes to incapacitating machinery."

"Such noble obedience! Although, you conveniently left out the part where you abandoned the remaining crew with a dangerous alien that has been tracking their scent. By my approximation he should already be here and I am rather confident you know this, too."

Your stomach drops. Now that you adjust your focus, the background humming of your mates talking has indeed vanished. The only thing you can hear is your erratic breathing.

"Is it true, Walter?" You demand as dread begins to form in your body.

"Yes. It was not part of my priorities."

"Of course it was, Walter." David responds ahead of you. "One of them was the acting captain and he is to be rescued in emergencies. This one right here", he says as he dangles your wrist, "is several ranks lower than all of them. It's against any standard practice."

"Release her hand." Walter's voice is eerily calm.

"Do you love her?"

Walter ponders the question. Your legs barely hold on.

"I do."

"Marvelous. So do I." David grins. He releases your hand that falls limp next to your body. It's his turn to step in front of you. 

You nearly choke from the thick tension expanding in the air. The two androids face each other and you retreat to the wall, unsure how to proceed. You left your radio transmitter back at the makeshift camp. The back of your head is itching, as if invisible claws are scratching at the bone. You wish you could go back, just mere hours before this disaster, when you were sipping on your lukewarm coffee and explaining the captain's jokes to Walter. 

Should you make a run for it?

You bite your lower lip and push yourself off the wall for momentum. You're about to reach the archway when you hear both men shouting almost identically in chorus.

"Don't!"

The surroundings outside are dark, but you can discern something blocking your path. It's tall and resembles a human. Translucent, pallid skin is clinging onto the massive, deformed skeleton. The head is elongated and bears no features. In the place of a mouth there is a large, fresh stain of blood, so you assume it can somehow improvise if desired. As your head tilts back to take in the image, you're overwhelmed with terrified amazement. Is this the parasite that emerged from your teammate? Has it grown to this colossal size in less than a day? The idea of such instant development makes your head spin. 

Its chest is expanding at regular intervals in a whistled breathing. It occasionally creates an odd clicking sound that resonates with your heart throbbing in panic. Has it been seconds? Minutes? Your neck creaks as you try to look back. You lock eyes with Walter. You don't recall ever seeing this expression on him. You had even asked him once if androids can feel fear. You have your answer.

"Hey, Walter..." you blurt out. 

Wet noises of flesh being pulled back. The smooth surface of the alien's head is folding away, making space for grotesquely big jaws lined with sharp teeth. Your anemic face is splattered with burning drool as the creature claws you in its grasp and abruptly sprints away. Your screams for help dissolve in the distance.

"Where is it going, David?" The synthetic's words are threatening, but betrayed by a hint of despair. 

"It won't kill her."

"How do you know?"

"It is no longer hungry. It has fed on your crew, and now it seeks something else."

"Such as?" Walter becomes impatient.

"A plaything."

The alien finally drops your body to the ground. You cough and wipe your face, attempting to reorient yourself. The trip was a whirlwind of jumps and turns and you can barely reconstruct anything. Based on the little spatial clues you could pick up, it just climbed further up, into one of the many cave systems. You pat your clothing and curse to yourself. The geolocation tag must've fallen somewhere on the way here. You can only pray that Walter still finds you somehow. Despite everything, you know he has your back. Always. 

You shudder at the moist feeling of hot air against your skin. The alien seems to be sniffing you intently, analyzing your scent. Yet so far it hasn't killed you. Why? Long, bony fingers stretch out to continue the examination. You whimper at the rough, rugged handling. Every now and then it takes a long pause, just staring at you, almost as if it's comparing you to its own being. Lastly, it lifts your hand with its own, pressing against the palm, and fans out the fingers. It observes the gesture with intrigue, noting the similarities. 

Does it evolve after its host? You think back to your crewmate that must've ejected this monstrosity before drawing their last breath. Perhaps the dried up blood adorning its skin is a remainder of its birth. Oh, God. The world is spinning.

Suddenly, you wince at an increasing pressure slithering around your thigh. The alien's vertebral tail is tightening and encircling your limb, making its way up. 

"Oh no, no no no no" your face reddens at the realization and you pounce on the ground, feverish for escape. The large hands secure you in place and the creature growls in protest. It won't let you leave. 

Not until it had its fun with you.

[xechu]

[Honor & Vengeance] S. Geto - 夏油 傑

Pairing: general!suguru x fem!reader

Word Count: 6.1k

Series Warnings: please read my blog rules before interacting. 18+ mdni, explicit sexual content, depiction of gore and violence, mature themes

Chapter Warnings: mature themes

Tags: historical au, non-curse au, marriage of convenience, slow burn, enemies to lovers, smut, angst, hurt/comfort...will take a while to get there though

Summary: Under the King's decree, House Geto is expected to make their public appearance at the Eastern Campsite. You begin to prove your strength, while Suguru struggles with the realization that, perhaps, he had underestimated you.

a/n: I've decided to open up a tag list for this series, so if you're interested please leave a comment below. :) Chapter 4 might take a little longer to release, I will post an update notice as usual when it's getting close to finished. I hope you enjoy and thank you so much for reading! x

Master List: << chapter 2 | chapter 4 (to be continued) >>

[Chapter 3]: Within the Shadows

Tonight, Suguru sat in his study room and drank alone, the oil lamp which cast a warm glow throughout the room, flickered as a light summer breeze drifted in through the window. It was not a habit of his to drink; in fact, he quite disliked it. He only drank when necessary such as making appearances, dining with the King, or lifting soldiers’ morale. But he could understand the appeal now—why people drank their feelings away. 

This was not what he had anticipated. You were a mere judge’s daughter supposed to be unassuming, obedient, quiet. And yet, something about you unsettled him: you were unreadable. 

On the surface, you remained aloof. Never once did you falter at his harsh words and treatment, almost as if you had anticipated every single word in advance and braced yourself for it. You were articulate, unyielding, and reminded him of a calm before the storm. 

Yet, there were moments where he thought you might have slipped.

The first time was during the wedding ceremony. There was a nervousness in your eyes—a pleading look that he had seen countless times. It was the same look his enemies wore right before he ended their lives, a pathetic cry for mercy and understanding. The second time was earlier today, when you entered his study room. There was a flicker of childlike innocence in the way you admired his books and maps, yet, he was certain that you were far from innocent. Then, it was when you thanked him for the guest house. If you were as intelligent as you led on, then surely, you must have understood its purpose. Why give thanks for your cage, if not to only wage psychological warfare? 

He loathed it. He loathed how fate was playing a cruel joke on him—mocking him. Even with standards set so low, he had still managed to choose wrong. He didn’t ask for much, just a body to play the part, a name to wear, and a silence to keep. Many would have vied for your position and gladly assumed the role. But it was apparent that he had underestimated you. You wanted more. Perhaps to seduce him into fathering a child with you, so that you can cement your place as the true Lady Geto. 

But you will never be real. 

You are not worthy. A fraud. Someone who was trying to bite off more than they can chew. 

He had allowed a fox, cloaked in composure and cunning, into his home. And it was a mistake he would soon rectify. He would send you back to where you came from once he had accomplished what he needed to do. 

And now, as he looked at the scroll on his desk, it seemed that the two of you would very soon have to take the stage again. The thought of having to pretend with someone like you filled him with a sense of dread he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

Until then, he must endure.

Until then, this is what he must convince himself is the truth.

Because it was easier to believe you were calculating. To brace himself against a foe. Than to wonder what you truly wanted, or if you wanted anything at all.

A knock at the door broke his dark thoughts. Perhaps the alcohol was fogging his mind, but at that moment, he had fully imagined you to come through that door—brazen and insolent.

Instead, it was Haibara.

“Geto-sama,” Haibara took note of the bottle of wine that sat on Suguru’s desk. A small sigh escaped him. 

Without a word, he crossed the room and lowered himself into the chair across from Suguru, studying his old friend with a gentle, though unmistakably judgmental, gaze. He had come to report how the tour went but now, sensing the melancholy in the air, he decided to hold back on the report.

“Would you like to keep me company?” Suguru asked, taking out another small cup and placing it in front of him.

"Feeling lonely?" Haibara teased lightly, but he knew why his old friend felt compelled to drink. He watched the alcohol smoothly pour into his cup.

Suguru only let out a low hum, rough and reluctant. Enough for Haibara to understand that his friend was not in the mood to talk, but also did not want to be alone with his thoughts.

A comfortable silence passed between the two young men, as they drank without word. 

The bottle slowly emptied between them, sip by sip, pour by pour. 

Though the alcohol dulled their tongues, the thoughts in their minds still rang clear.

…

“The King expects House Geto’s first appearance soon,” Suguru suddenly broke the silence, leaning back in his seat. 

His eyes stared at the flickering oil lamp, as if it were some mystical artifact holding all the universe’s answers—answers that he wished he, too, could grasp.

“Where?” Haibara asked, surprise evident in his tone.

“At the Eastern Campsite.” 

“That’s…an odd request. I don’t see why that requires the presence of Lady Geto.”

Suguru slowly nodded once, “I had the same thought. Sato is scheming something, but the risk should be low.” 

“And a campsite isn’t suited for a lady either,” Haibara muttered.

“That matters not,” Suguru downed another cup of wine, the smooth burn now felt comforting.

"That woman is a lot more cunning and intelligent than she lets on," Suguru said, but it was more to convince himself than Haibara. “If there were to be any danger, I’m sure she could claw her way out.”

Haibara studied him for a long moment, swirling the wine in his cup. “If I may give you some advice as a friend and not your advisor…”

Suguru let out a reluctant sigh. “Go on.”

“Lady Geto is intelligent, yes, but my observation of her is not one of a cunning woman. She is no threat.”

“And what are you trying to say?”

“What I’m trying to say—is that you can still keep your distance without being heartless, Suguru.”

Haibara’s voice was calm. Steady.

“You know better than I that making enemies—both within and beyond the walls of your home—will drive you to your grave before your ambition even has the chance to be realized.”

Suguru bitterly scoffed but did not refute his words. In the end, he couldn’t reject the truth.

He had known since the night he had sent his offer to your father. But Suguru had long accepted that his path was his alone to walk on, there was no one he could rely on—not even Haibara, at least not entirely. The best way for you to be his ally was to stay out of his way.

Sensing his inner turmoil, Haibara let out a low chuckle and refilled his friend’s cup—a small gesture to show he would not press the matter further.

The two men continued to drink through the night, keeping each other company in silence.

—

Lady Geto,

It is an honor to have received your letter.

You have not once left my thoughts since the moment you left home to be with Lord Geto.

I visited your father last week, and rest assured, he is doing well.

No matter where you are, I will always answer your call.

By the time this letter reaches you, I will already be on my way.

There is so much I want to say to you.

I will see you in two days’ time.

Yumi

Excitement and anticipation bubbled within you as you clutched Yumi’s letter—now worn and crumpled from restless hands. Though there was no grand welcoming, the gentle summer breeze and the clear skies seemed to cast the perfect backdrop. You had eagerly prepared for her arrival ever since the note had reached you. To see a familiar face, to reclaim a small piece of home, was enough to spark hope. 

Haibara had offered to welcome Yumi with you, but you politely declined. After all, this was your chance to test the waters. In order to confirm if your name truly held weight within these walls, you would judge it in how Yumi was received under your introduction.

The distant creak of wooden wheels and the slow, steady clop of oxen hooves grew louder until the lacquered cart finally pulled to a stop before you. Yumi hopped out, barely able to contain her excitement.

“My Lady! Oh, how I’ve missed you.” She flung her arms around you, nearly knocking you both off balance.

“Yumi,” your voice cracked. 

This reunion had made you more emotional than you thought. The heartiness of her embrace made you realize just how deeply you’ve yearned for familiarity.

For a moment, you allowed yourself to believe that things could be simple again.

Yumi had been a trusted friend of yours since childhood, practically like sisters. When you were younger, she would often spend time at your family home. The two of you would wander the halls and surrounding garden, imagining the life of endless adventures and discoveries. 

As you held her, your mind drifted to the very force that had shaped both of your fates: the Merchant Guild.

Nobody knew exactly how or when the Merchant Guild was established—only that, for generations, they functioned as an enigmatic, faceless network that operated among the shadows. Though their dealings were discreet, their presence was no secret. Even the King himself was aware of their existence. Yet, he chose not to interfere. After all, the Guild served an important purpose: they kept the lower classes occupied, fed, and in relative harmony through trade and employment. It was less governance for him to worry about.

A quiet commensalism. 

He let them be, so long as they stayed in their lane.

In recent years, however, that quiet respect had begun to sour. There were whispers that King Sato had become increasingly wary of the authority that the Guild bore, and the social influence they had over the lower class. Thus, he had ordered in secrecy the spread of propaganda in hopes to sway the public opinion of the guild, a call for unified action to purge the guild and its leader. Mercenaries eagerly chased the bounty, but they all described it as grasping at shadows. Nobody knew where to look. It was as if the Merchant Guild itself was nothing more than a conspiracy theory—spawned from the paranoia of a delusional king.

But you knew better than anyone that the Guild was very much real, because Yumi had found her calling with them, a secret you had learned very early. 

And you had sworn to protect her identity—her life.

—

After the unceremonious welcome, you walked alongside Yumi back to the guest house. At first, she had assumed it was her own living quarters, but the harsh reality of your situation quickly became clear.

“My Lady, this is…” Disbelief laced her voice.

“This is fine, Yumi,” you said as you opened the door to the bedroom. “This living arrangement isn’t as terrible as it seems.”

“I thought Lord Geto was a gracious husband. Your father thinks you’re in good hands—!”

“My father will not know of this,” you firmly interjected. “Geto-sama just needs time to warm up.”

But you knew those words were unconvincing, if you couldn’t even convince yourself of it.

“This isn’t right,” Yumi’s voice shook as she called you by your name. It had been a while since you’d heard it.

“The guest house may not be as grand as the main estate, but look closely—everything here was arranged with care.” You tried to comfort her, understanding her concern.

“Geto-sama does not deserve your kind words and understanding! He doesn’t know whose dignity he is stepping on!” she cried.

You couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. Her anger on your behalf told you more than enough that you had found a genuine friend.

“Don’t worry,” you reassured. “I have my ways of dealing with Geto-sama. For now… I hope you won’t mind reliving our childhood days—and sharing a bed with me.”

Truth be told, the road ahead was long, and the uncertainties many. It would be a lie to say you had it all figured out. Nevertheless, only two options lay before you: either submit to your husband’s hand, or ascertain your own future.

Yumi may have voiced it aloud, but you had long understood the reality of your situation. Life as Lady Geto would not be fair, it would not be easy, and no one was going to rescue you.

But you refused to be silenced. You refused to remain hidden in the shadows. You refused to become a thankless ornament, shown off only when needed and tucked away when you weren’t.

If you were to survive, it would be by your own hand and not by anyone else’s mercy.

—

Thanks to Haibara’s detailed tour a few days ago, you were able to guide Yumi around the estate grounds without issue. It appeared that among the staff of House Geto, your authority had indeed been restored; they all greeted you with utmost respect and acknowledged Yumi as your lady-in-waiting.

“Please, Miss Yumi, if there is anything you require from us, let us know,” one of the servants said.

You smiled at the exchange, content that your plan had worked so quickly.

As the two of you continued down the path leading to the training grounds, your steps slowed at the sharp ring of steel clashing. You knew, once you rounded the corner, you would see your husband.

The man who had made it clear to you that your existence here should be one of a ghost.

You steeled yourself and walked forward.

From a distance, you watched Haibara and Suguru spar. Suguru’s skills were undeniable—his strength, his form, were precise and unrelenting. Every strike of his blade was efficient, calculated, deadly: aimed to kill.

There was no hesitation, no mercy. You doubted there would be, even if the opponent were you. In fact, if it were you, you were certain he’d strike you down with his full might.

“My Lady!” Haibara called out, abruptly halting the spar, and jogging toward you.

You acknowledged him with a slight nod, forcing your eyes to stay trained on his face—even as you took in his disheveled hair, the sheen of sweat on his bare chest, and the casual strength in every step.

Suguru was similarly attired. But you continued to hold yourself together, pretending not to notice such things.

“Geto-sama’s swordsmanship is impeccable, is it not?” Haibara grinned, his breathing only slightly uneven from the spar.

“It is,” you replied calmly, glancing over at him.

Suguru returned you an icy stare.

“This is Yumi, my lady-in-waiting,” you gestured, smiling slightly. “Thanks to you, I’ve been able to give her an adequate tour.”

“Miss Yumi,” he greeted smoothly, “If there is ever anything you require, you can always find me.”

“Thank you, Master Haibara,” Yumi dipped her head politely.

“I can’t help but notice you are rather interested in the training field, Lady Geto,” Haibara mused, his tone light. “Perhaps you’re interested in sports?”

“I—”

“My Lady is quite proficient with the sword,” Yumi cut in, a challenging glint in her eyes.

“What a surprise!” Haibara’s voice carried genuine astonishment. “I should have known, from the way you were so captivated.”

“It is only a small hobby,” you tried to deflect.

“Then surely we must spar!”

You hesitated. Not because you doubted your ability, but because you could feel an intense warning radiating from Suguru, wordless but unmistakable: do not cross this line. And you understood. This was a line you didn’t need to—and shouldn’t—cross.

You shook your head gently. “Please, don’t let me take up your time. Perhaps we could share a friendly spar another day.”

“I shall hold you to it then, my Lady!” 

You excused yourself, and almost made it out of sight when his voice cut through the air.

“Lady Geto,” Suguru said.

“Yes, Geto-sama?” you replied, turning to him despite the pounding in your chest. His presence, his gaze, his voice—they didn’t just unnerve you. They chilled you to the bone.

“We depart for the Eastern Campsite at tomorrow’s sunrise. The King has summoned House Geto.”

You nodded once. “I shall see you tomorrow morning, then.”

As you turned to leave, the clashing of blades resumed behind you. 

But something felt…wrong.

You did not doubt the King’s summons was real, but why request the general’s entire household? The Eastern Campsite was no place for ceremony.

Everything still felt like a shot in the dark, and there was only so much you could prepare for.

But for now, you would play the role.

Observe. Endure. Prepare.

—

The very next morning, you waited with Yumi a few paces behind the main gate. Just beyond the heavy doors awaited a small entourage of highly trained soldiers. You had made sure to arrive before your husband and Haibara. After all, General Geto and his wife should be seen stepping out together.

The very moment the gates opened and you took that first step, every glance, every breath, every movement would need to sell the illusion.

This time, you figured it would be best to let your husband take the lead. And you would follow.

“Lady Geto, Yumi,” Haibara called out.

You turned around to meet Haibara, Suguru walked beside him, his gaze sliding coldly past you without meeting your eyes. It was clear that he was keen on holding out his disdain towards you till the very last second.

“Geto-sama, Haibara,” you slightly bowed. 

Suguru acknowledged the both of you with a slight nod. Without a word, he continued toward the gate. You matched his pace, forcing yourself to steady the anxious knot tightening inside your chest.

It was your first time seeing him in his official uniform—the neat lines of the dark fabric, and the sword fastened on the side of his hip. Even the hilt alone was enough to tell that this was a sword crafted by a master swordsmith. Upon the pommel bore the crest of House Geto: a peony, symbolizing honor, prosperity, good fortune, and love. 

General Geto looked regal, perhaps even more so than the King himself. It wasn’t in his garments or accessories, but it was his presence. And the way it effortlessly commanded attention without ever needing to ask for it.

It was hard to believe that this man was your husband. Though even calling him that felt wrong.

As the heavy doors swung open, the four of you were greeted with enthusiastic salutes. 

“General Geto, Lady Geto,” the soldiers greeted in synchronized discipline. 

Suguru smiled to them, “It is good to see you again.”

This was the first time he had smiled since the wedding.

“Yes, it is also an honor to finally meet Lady Geto,” the soldiers all bowed at once.  

Your eyes widened at the unexpected greeting. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for coming to escort us.” 

“It is our duty, Lady Geto! It is our honor to serve you and General Geto.”

“Ah, but our deepest apologies,” one of the soldiers interrupted. “We did not expect that there will be four representatives from House Geto…we have only prepared three horses.”

A heavy silence pressed down on the group.

“That would be my mistake,” Haibara cleared his throat. “I have forgotten to account for Miss Yumi here, who is Lady Geto’s lady-in-waiting.” 

“That matters not. Time is of the essence. I will ride with my wife,” Suguru said without hesitation, as he rested a hand on your back.

You looked up at him, there was not a hint of anger or irritation in his features.

The way he slipped between masks and dropped them without effort was, quite frankly, terrifying.

As you approached the black horse, you could sense Suguru just a breath behind you—calm, composed, and unnervingly quiet.

“Do you need help?” his voice murmured low at your ear.

“No,” you answered softly. Without hesitation, you gathered your skirts and mounted in one smooth motion, settling into the saddle.

A moment later, you felt him swing up behind you, the subtle shift of the horse’s weight pressing his presence flush against your back. You could feel his warm breath ghosting the nape of your neck.

His closeness gave you chills. You shifted closer to the front of the horse, feeling the rising discomfort, until his arm firmly wrapped around your waist.

You froze. Heat rising to your ears. 

“If you keep moving, we’re going to fall,” he muttered.

The journey to the Eastern Campsite was a long ride, even on horseback. And the travel was uncomfortable to say the least. Suguru would make conversation effortlessly with his soldiers, it was the first time you saw him among his comrades, and if you had to be honest, he seemed like a kind and respectable general. You would have been fooled if you hadn’t already seen his true colors behind closed doors. 

His arms remained steady around you the entire ride, while he held onto the reins, never once letting go. As if he was ensuring your safety, or prepared to catch you if you fall. But each time you see this side of him—kind, understanding, and present, a small pang tugged in your chest.

Because you knew it was a lie. 

It felt like a mockery. His way of taunting you, showing you he was capable of such warmth, but that you were simply not deserving of it.

His kindness was a weapon, and the kinder he appeared, the deeper he cut.

—

As the sun began to set, the entourage decided to set up camp at an open field for the night. 

Normally, the soldiers would handle the work while the general oversaw from a distance. But tonight, with the group’s small number, it felt wrong to simply stand and watch. 

Nearby, Suguru had given a few low-voiced instructions before slipping away toward the river, a fishing line casually slung over his shoulder. As you watched him disappear into the distance, you let out a small exhale. The distance, you thought, was much needed—for you and him. 

The soldiers moved with efficient ease, unpacking the supply wagon, hammering stakes into the ground, setting up canvas tents. Without wasting more time, you decided to make yourself useful and gravitated to where the food was being laid out—bundles of dried rice, jars of pickled vegetables, and thin strips of dried meat from the wagon.

Taking the rice, you rolled up your sleeves and began rinsing rice at the edge of the camp, your fingers working deftly, the cool water biting at your skin. A couple of soldiers glanced your way, the look of surprise on their face was evident.

“I didn’t expect Lady Geto to be so adept,” one of them whispered. 

“Perhaps that’s why the General chose her. He’s a soldier, after all—men like us respect competence,” another said in agreeance. 

Though you appreciated their kind words and admiration, you tried your best to shut them out. Under normal circumstances, this would have been flattering—perhaps even welcomed. But you knew the circumstances were far from normal. On the bright side, you suppose that your actions thus far have been convincing. 

Suguru returned with a net of fish just as you were stirring the pot of porridge now resting over the fire. One of the soldiers immediately sprang forward to take the net and began preparing the fish.

Meanwhile, Suguru approached the campfire, settling across from you. His gaze was steady—observing you with a quiet intensity, making it hard to focus. His eyes flicked down, noting the way your sleeves were still rolled up, the faint splashes of water darkening the fabric at your wrists.

For a moment, his mind wandered; wondering what your life might have been before marrying him. It wasn’t common for noblewomen to be adept with chores or kitchen tasks. Did your family home lack housekeepers and servants?

“My Lady!” Yumi exclaimed, hurrying over to the fire. “Allow me to take care of the rest.”

She gently plucked the ladle from your hand, gesturing you to take a seat. “Please, sit with Geto-sama. The preparations are nearly finished.”

Your back stiffened as you rose quietly and made your way over, settling beside Suguru.

His composure remained perfect, even as your arm brushed against his, but his eyes remained fixated ahead. You let out a small breath, the crisp crackle of the fire, and Yumi’s busy presence, offered a fragile sense of normalcy. 

…

Dinner was simple: bowls of porridge passed around, grilled fish laid out, and the pickled vegetables were shared among the group.

You sat beside Suguru near the fire, as was expected—the general and his wife, presented side by side. You could feel the quiet weight of his presence beside you: his steady posture, the subtle shifts of his movements, and the invisible wall of cold distance he kept drawn between you both. A wall that was only apparent to you, and no one else.

You gently placed a piece of fish into Yumi’s bowl, knowing full well that she would never serve herself first. 

Suguru’s gaze flicked towards you—then stilled.

The small gesture pulled up a memory that was buried deep inside him. A memory that he’d rather not remember. He saw his mother’s hands, quietly setting aside the best bite for his younger sister. Followed by the sounds of laughter echoing faintly in the background. 

Suguru inhaled slowly, grounding himself back to the present. His jaw tightened ever so slightly. He said nothing and simply watched. Something unreadable flickering behind his dark eyes.

As dinner continued, it was shared with laughter and easy camaraderie among the soldiers. Mostly, you and Yumi remained quiet—observing, while occasionally letting out a small laugh at a joke someone would crack. Until Haibara, in his usual fashion, pulled you into conversation. His usual playfulness glinting in his eyes, the kind that already made you dread what was coming.

“According to Miss Yumi, Lady Geto is quite skilled with the sword!” He exclaimed. 

“It is but a small interest, Haibara,” you tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, as you felt curious gazes drift toward you. “It is nothing worth noting.” 

“Why not let us be the judge of that?” Haibara grinned. It was apparent he had no intention of letting this go.

Intrigued murmurs stirred among the soldiers, while Suguru remained without a word, sipping on a small cup of hot wine. 

“Allow me the honor to spar with you, Lady Geto!” One of the soldiers stepped forward and volunteered.

Whistles and cheers rippled through the group, lifting the mood into something light and spirited. Not wanting to spoil the moment, you gave a small, graceful nod—relenting to the challenge.

—

The crossing of blades does not lie. It is, perhaps, the most honest conversation one can have with another. When two opponents meet steel to steel, they learn everything there is to know. Every clash, every parry, every stroke tells a story. Their convictions, their regrets, their hidden truths.

Everything you had said or done until now could have been written off as strategy. Performance. Manipulation. But as Suguru watched you cross blades with one of his most seasoned soldiers, a chill ran down his spine.

The way you moved was fluid, instinctive, precise. It mirrored that of an experienced general—one that nearly rivaled his own.

You fought with a cold, impenetrable expression. The same expression you wore whenever you looked at him.

The outcome had been clear from the start. Your controlled and practiced movements left room for little doubt. 

You were going to win.

But in an unexpected turn, his soldier parried you. Your blade slipped from your grasp and clattered to the ground.

“Oh—!” You gasped. 

Everyone erupted into cheers and applauded. 

“That was still impressive, Lady Geto!” Haibara said. 

“It’s no wonder the General is so smitten with you!” One soldier said. 

“A true match made in heaven!” Another chimed. 

“Look at our General, he’s so impressed that he’s at a loss for words!” They laughed heartily.

You lost.

But why? Victory had been all but secured.

You should have seen that parry coming. It was the kind of slip a novice would make.

Which could only mean—you had lost on purpose.

Only Suguru seemed to realize that you threw the match, and that realization stirred something inexplicable inside him. 

You had not only afforded the grace and mercy to his soldier, but you dictated the outcome of this battle.

There was no denying it: you were formidable. 

—

It felt as though the atmosphere had slightly shifted after the spar. Suguru said nothing and then disappeared off somewhere.

Did he find it distasteful? That Lady Geto had entertained a sparring match? Or perhaps the compliments earlier about the two of you being a good pair irked him. 

It was jarring, to say the least, every time you received compliments like that. Because the truth of the matter was that neither of you could stand each other. 

Most likely though, he just loathed the idea of sharing a tent with you, and went to spend time in solitude before he was forced to share the same space as you again.

It had been a good and honest intention from his comrades when they happily presented the bigger tent. 

“For General Geto and Lady Geto!” They said proudly.

But you knew that Suguru was probably seething inside. You, too, felt uneasy and flustered by the arrangement. You never shared a confined space with a man before…let alone a bed. 

As you made your way to the tent, ready to turn in for the night, your ears caught a quiet conversation.

“This escort is a nice respite,” one of the soldiers murmured, easing down onto a crate with a weary sigh.

“Though strange, is it not? For the General and his lady to ride with us.”

“It is. And the Eastern Campsite has been uneasy of late. It’s no place for a general’s family.”

Another voice joined, hushed. “Have you noticed? The supply wagons—they’ve been arriving more frequently.”

“Yes…it feels as though we are standing at the cusp of something grim.”

A silence fell between them for a breath.

“Let us hope it passes peacefully,” came a quiet reply. “My wife is expecting our first child at home.”

A pang struck deep in your chest. You were no stranger to loss and grief. But hearing it spoken so plainly—the weight these soldiers carried, the sacrifices their families bore alongside them—pressed on your heart with an ache. 

Even Suguru was not immune to death, though people often tend to forget. For a brief moment, you almost felt ridiculous for even trying to fight him behind closed doors.

Yet one thing was now certain.

This conversation only confirmed your suspicions: there was indeed something wrong at the Eastern Campsite.

What you still did not know was just how deep the trouble ran.

—

Footsteps approached from behind and you straighten yourself up, hoping that you weren’t caught eavesdropping. You turn around only to see it was your husband. He returns to you an empty gaze. 

Perhaps it was the conversation you had just overheard. Or perhaps it was under the moonlight. But as you looked to your husband, beyond his empty eyes, you saw a glimmer of something foreign. For the first time, you found yourself questioning…did he always look so lonely?

You quickly looked away as he brushed past you, heading towards the tent. Slowly, you followed behind.

Inside, Suguru makes his way towards a small wooden chair in the corner. You stood there, hesitant, unsure of what to do next. Without a word, he sat down, arms folding loosely across his chest, his gaze remained distant and unreadable. 

“The bed is yours,” he said evenly. It was a reflexive formality—an offering that costed him nothing.

There was no warmth, no softness, just a quiet acknowledgment of what was expected. You lowered yourself onto the bedding without protest, curling your fingers into the blanket. 

You weren’t sure how long you lay there—pretending to sleep. Cautiously, you cracked your eyes open, glancing over at him. His head rested against his hand, propped on the armrest, his breath shallow, indicating that he, too, was not yet asleep.

Finally, you gathered the courage to ask him. “…Is there trouble in the Eastern Campsite?”

As expected, he did not reply. A small resigned sigh escaped your lips, but you decide to try again.

“Perhaps I can hel—”

“You will do nothing,” Suguru dismissed coolly. “Except stay in your own lane.”

It was dark, so he couldn’t see the expression that you bore, which was a blessing, because you felt yourself slowly cracking. Your hands balled into the blanket, hoping to quash your simmering frustration.

It was a difficult feat.

You couldn’t understand Suguru Geto. 

He was more difficult to read than any book, more ruthless than any weapon, and the toughest negotiation you ever had to face.

“You must also conduct yourself properly as Lady Geto when we get to the campsite,” he said. “The wife of a general does not help with soldier’s task, and certainly does not spar with them.”

A tense silence fills the air. 

Suddenly, the tent felt too small, too suffocating. You wanted to storm out and stay with Yumi instead. But you resisted the urge, remaining rooted in your involuntary obligations at keeping up with appearances.

If he was so keen on setting the image, why couldn’t he just pretend all the way through? Was it really such a big ask for him to treat you like an equal—to just speak to you like an equal?

“I don’t understand why you resent me so.” The words slipped from your tongue in a moment of vulnerability.

Suguru looked up from where he sat, his gaze boring into you. 

Again, you had challenged him—challenged his control. Asking difficult questions. Forcing him to look inward.

He, too, wished he could have a proper answer. But nothing was ever simple. 

His life had never afforded him such luxury. 

Even if you were vying for the title of Lady Geto, was it really so wrong? He doubted anyone from the list of candidates was in it for love. 

So, then, why did he resent you? 

It would have been simpler if he could call it hatred. But it wasn’t hatred. 

It was more so you vexed him. 

Because deep down, in the corners of his heart he was slowly coming to terms with the fact that you wanted nothing.

You hadn’t fought him. You hadn’t begged. Not so much even flinched when he offered you freedom to take a secret lover. He didn’t know your story. Maybe you already had someone you loved before being promised to him. Like him, maybe your heart had already belonged to someone else but you were forced into a marriage with him.

Whatever the reason may be, in this marriage of convenience, it seemed that there was nothing convenient for you. Most would think that you had the better end of the bargain—power, status, prestige—but in truth, it was very much the opposite. 

It would have been easier if you truly coveted the title of Lady Geto. At least then he could have labeled it as a mutual benefit. 

You were very much your father’s daughter: the both of you had a clear conscience. 

Suguru had never known your father personally. He was not widely talked about in the palace like some other judges. Only a few whispers of him here and there. He did not rub shoulders or curry favor—he simply did what needed to be done. He was a man of principles. It reminded Suguru much of his own father—they probably would have been good friends. 

It was respectable. Admirable, even.

But in the game of palace politics, goodwill and integrity seldom take you far. If anything, they paint a target on your back. There is a fine line between righteousness and arrogance—and in a world ruled by ambition and corruption, righteousness is often written off as arrogance. A man of principle is seen not as noble, but as disruptive. Difficult. Threatening. After all, why play by the rules when everyone around you gains more by bending them?

Suguru leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose. He could almost hear Haibara’s voice—calm, reasonable, always cutting through when he least wanted it.

You could keep your distance without being heartless, Suguru. 

Haibara’s advice echoed in his mind. He bristled at how his friend was the voice of reason, and he hated to admit Haibara was right most of the time.

He didn’t resent you. 

But he resented that you were no longer so easy to dismiss.

Writing © xechu - please do not redistribute, translate, or repost any of my works.

I do not own any of the images/photos used on this banner.

[novaursa]

Legacy (the others)

- Summary: Tywin was the man who saved you from Robert's wrath. He was also the man who doomed you.

- Pairing: targ!reader/Tywin Lannister

- Rating: Explicit 18+ (blood, gore violence)

- Previous part: of the west

- Next part: friends at heart

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @oxymakestheworldgoround @luniaxi @alkadri-layal @butterflygxril @urdxrling

The bitter cold of the unending winter gnawed at the hunting party as they moved through the shadowed woods beyond Casterly Rock. Snow crunched beneath their boots, muffled by the oppressive silence that blanketed the land. The pale light from the perpetually overcast sky offered little warmth, and the occasional gust of wind bit sharply at their exposed skin.

Tywin, clad in thick fur-lined armor and a crimson cloak, rode at the head of the group. His keen eyes scanned the trees ahead, ever watchful. His presence alone kept the men focused, though the unease among them was palpable. Kevan rode just behind him, his usually calm demeanor showing faint cracks as his gaze flicked warily to the surrounding darkness.

“Tracks,” called one of the scouts from the front of the line, pointing to a fresh trail in the snow. “Spider tracks.”

Tywin reined in his horse, dismounting with practiced ease. The others followed suit, forming a loose perimeter as the scout knelt to examine the tracks. Tywin stepped closer, his boots crunching softly as he moved. The tracks were unmistakable—long, deep impressions made by unnaturally large legs, the kind that belonged to creatures out of nightmare.

“How fresh?” Tywin asked, his tone calm and precise.

The scout hesitated, then replied, “An hour at most, my lord. Perhaps less.”

Kevan crouched beside the tracks, his expression grim. “They’re headed east—toward the cliffs. If these things make their nests there, we’ll need to act quickly.”

Tywin’s lips pressed into a thin line as he surveyed the trail. “We follow. Keep your weapons ready.”

The men exchanged uneasy glances but nodded, gripping their spears and swords more tightly. As they moved eastward, the forest grew darker, the trees thicker and more gnarled. The air felt heavier, colder, and a faint, almost imperceptible hum seemed to vibrate through the ground beneath their feet.

“Do you feel that?” one of the younger hunters whispered, his voice trembling.

“Quiet,” Tywin snapped, his tone cutting through the growing tension. “Stay alert.”

After another quarter hour of tracking, the party came to a sudden halt. The trail had led them to a clearing near the cliffs, and what they found there made even Tywin pause. The ground was littered with webbing, thick and glistening like frozen silk. Shards of ice clung to the strands, and the faint stench of decay lingered in the frigid air.

At the center of the clearing lay the carcass of a stag, its body wrapped tightly in layers of webbing. Its lifeless eyes stared blankly ahead, and its neck was twisted at an unnatural angle. The hunters murmured uneasily among themselves, crossing themselves or muttering prayers under their breath.

Kevan stepped forward, his boots crunching over frozen strands of webbing. “They’re killing everything in their path,” he said grimly. “Even the wildlife isn’t safe.”

Tywin approached the carcass, his gaze steady and calculating. He crouched beside it, studying the webbing with an intensity that made the others uneasy.

“This isn’t random,” he said after a moment, rising to his full height. “They’re hunting. Organizing.”

Kevan’s brow furrowed. “You think they’re… intelligent?”

Tywin didn’t answer immediately. His gaze swept the clearing, taking in the web patterns and the direction of the tracks. “Not in the way we understand, but there’s purpose here. Coordination.”

One of the men, a grizzled veteran named Ser Rowan, cleared his throat. “My lord, with respect… what if these things aren’t just spiders? What if they’re something worse?”

Before Tywin could respond, a sharp cry rang out from the edge of the clearing. One of the scouts stumbled back, his face pale as he pointed toward a shadowed patch of trees.

“What is it?” Tywin demanded, moving quickly to the man’s side.

“There’s… something else,” the scout stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “I saw it—just for a moment. It wasn’t a spider, my lord. It was… taller. Standing upright.”

The men stiffened, their grips tightening on their weapons. Tywin’s jaw clenched as he turned toward the direction the scout had indicated.

“Show me,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

The scout hesitated but nodded, leading Tywin and Kevan to the edge of the clearing. The trees here were dense, their twisted branches forming eerie shapes in the dim light. A faint trail of broken branches and disturbed snow led deeper into the forest.

Tywin motioned for the others to stay back as he and Kevan followed the trail. They moved slowly, their breaths visible in the freezing air. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint rustle of branches in the wind.

And then they saw it.

At the end of the trail, partially obscured by the shadows, stood a figure. It was humanoid in shape but unnaturally tall, its limbs too long, its movements jerky and wrong. Its eyes glowed faintly, an icy blue that pierced the darkness. The creature tilted its head, as if studying them, and then it vanished into the trees with inhuman speed.

Kevan sucked in a sharp breath. “What in the Seven Hells was that?”

Tywin didn’t answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the spot where the creature had disappeared, his mind racing. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and measured.

“Something worse than spiders,” he said grimly. “We need to return to the Rock. Now.”

Kevan nodded, his usual composure shaken. “Do we tell the men what we saw?”

Tywin turned to him, his expression hard. “No. Not yet. Panic will only weaken them.”

They made their way back to the clearing, where the hunters were waiting anxiously. Tywin wasted no time. “We’re returning to the Rock. Double the watch on every wall and gate. No one leaves without my command.”

The men exchanged uneasy glances but followed his orders without question. As they began the trek back through the forest, the sense of unease only grew. The trees seemed darker, the wind colder, and the shadows deeper.

The forest seemed to close in on them as they made their way back, the oppressive cold deepening with each step. Shadows grew longer, twisting unnaturally against the gnarled trees, and the silence felt like a weight pressing down on their chests. The snow, once crisp and white, appeared gray in the low light, marred by the faint traces of the spider tracks they had been following.

Tywin rode at the head of the party, his eyes observing every shadow, every flicker of movement. His men were on edge, their breaths visible in the frigid air as they clutched their weapons tightly. Beside him, Kevan kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, his jaw clenched as if bracing for the inevitable.

“Stay close,” Tywin ordered, his voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. “No one wanders from the group.”

The hunters nodded, their faces pale and tense. The silence was so absolute that the faintest creak of leather or crunch of snow sounded deafening. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

Then it came.

A sound like nothing they had ever heard before—a low, guttural chittering that seemed to echo from all directions at once. It was not the sound of spiders; it was something deeper, something far more sinister. The horses whinnied in fear, stamping their hooves and pulling at their reins as the men tried to calm them.

“What was that?” one of the hunters whispered, his voice trembling.

“Something’s watching us,” Kevan muttered, his hand tightening on his sword.

Tywin held up a hand to silence them, his gaze fixed on the trees ahead. The chittering grew louder, joined by a faint rustling sound that seemed to come from the ground itself. The men shifted nervously, their eyes darting to the shadows that now seemed alive.

“Form a circle!” Tywin barked. “Torches up! Steel ready!”

The men obeyed, their torches flickering weakly in the cold wind. The circle of light they created was feeble, barely pushing back the encroaching darkness. The rustling grew louder, more insistent, and then the first attack came.

A creature burst from the shadows, moving with impossible speed. It was humanoid in shape but grotesquely elongated, its limbs unnaturally long and thin. Its skin was a pale, glistening gray, stretched tight over bones, and its eyes glowed an icy blue. It moved on all fours, its clawed hands digging into the snow as it lunged for the nearest hunter.

The man screamed as the creature dragged him into the darkness, his cries cut off abruptly. The others shouted in panic, their weapons swinging wildly as more creatures emerged from the trees.

“Hold the line!” Tywin shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The creatures were relentless, their movements erratic and unnatural. They seemed to melt in and out of the shadows, striking and retreating with terrifying precision. The hunters fought valiantly, but the creatures were faster, stronger. One man was pulled down, his torch extinguished as the snow was stained red.

“Tywin, behind you!” Kevan shouted, swinging his sword to intercept a creature that had leapt toward his brother.

Tywin turned in time to drive his blade into the creature’s chest, its icy blue eyes flickering out as it collapsed into the snow. But there were more—dozens of them, their glowing eyes a haunting constellation in the dark forest.

“They’re driving us apart!” Kevan yelled, his voice barely audible over the chittering and the screams.

Tywin realized he was right. The creatures weren’t just attacking—they were herding them, splitting the group. The circle was broken, and the men were being picked off one by one.

“Fall back!” Tywin ordered. “Regroup at the clearing!”

But it was too late. The creatures were everywhere, their movements so fast they seemed like blurs. The remaining hunters were scattered, their torches extinguished one by one. The sounds of the fight grew fainter as men were dragged into the darkness, their screams fading into eerie silence.

Tywin and Kevan found themselves alone, their backs against the gnarled trunk of a massive tree. Tywin’s sword was slick with black ichor, and Kevan’s breathing was ragged as he clutched a torch that barely sputtered in the icy wind.

“Do you hear that?” Kevan whispered, his voice trembling.

Tywin nodded, his gaze fixed on the darkness. The chittering had stopped, replaced by an even more unsettling sound—footsteps. Slow, deliberate, and coming closer.

“They’re toying with us,” Kevan said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Stay calm,” Tywin said, his tone cold and steady despite the dread coiling in his chest. “They want us to panic.”

The footsteps grew louder, joined by faint whispers in a language neither man could understand. The torch flickered and died, plunging them into complete darkness. The air felt colder, heavier, as if the forest itself was closing in.

“Tywin,” Kevan said, his voice shaking. “What do we do?”

Tywin didn’t answer immediately. His hand tightened on his sword as he stared into the void, his mind racing. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and resolute.

“We wait.”

The whispers grew louder, more insistent, and the sound of movement surrounded them. The creatures were there, hidden in the shadows, watching. The two men stood side by side, their breaths visible in the freezing air, as the darkness pressed closer.

And then, from somewhere deep in the forest, a single, piercing shriek echoed through the night—a sound so inhuman, so bone-chilling, that it froze them in place.

The forest fell silent once more, save for the faint sound of movement. The creatures were still there, circling, waiting.

Tywin gripped his sword tighter, his gaze unyielding as he stared into the blackness. 

The warm glow of the hearth filled the breakfast chamber in Casterly Rock, but the room’s comfort did little to dispel the lingering tension brought by the endless winter. You sat at the head of the table, your sons, Damon and Maelor, on either side of you, their chatter filling the space. Damon was holding a piece of bread in one hand, his legs swinging beneath the table as he peppered the servants with questions about his father. Maelor clutched his cup with both hands, his wide violet eyes fixed on you expectantly.

Across the table sat Varys, freshly arrived from King’s Landing that morning, his expression unreadable as he observed the familial scene. The servants moved quietly in the background, bringing plates of warm porridge and steaming cups of tea to the table.

“When is Father coming back?” Damon asked, his tone curious but with a hint of impatience. “You said he’d be back hours ago.”

You reached out to brush a stray strand of silver-gold hair from Damon’s face, offering him a soft smile. “Soon, little lion. He had to stay a bit longer than planned, but he will be home.”

Damon frowned slightly, poking at his food with a spoon. “He promised.”

“And he always keeps his promises,” you assured him, your voice steady. “Sometimes important matters keep him away longer than expected.”

Maelor looked up at you, his small voice breaking through the conversation. “Does he have to fight bad people? Like the spiders the hunters found?”

The question caught you off guard, but you quickly masked your unease. “Your father is making sure we are all safe. That’s what matters.”

Varys interjected smoothly, his tone light but with a hint of curiosity. “Lord Tywin’s dedication to his duty is unmatched. The realm could learn much from his example.”

Before you could respond, a distant roar shattered the relative peace of the morning. It was deep and resonant, carrying through the stone walls like a thunderclap. Plates rattled on the table, and the servants froze in place, their faces pale.

Damon’s eyes widened with excitement. “Viserion!” he exclaimed, nearly knocking over his cup as he scrambled to his feet. “She’s awake!”

Maelor clung to your arm, his small hands trembling. “Mama, why is she roaring?”

You stood quickly, your heart racing as another roar echoed through the castle. This one was sharper, more agitated—a sound you had learned to recognize as a warning. Varys rose from his seat, his calm demeanor betraying a flicker of unease.

“What’s happening?” Damon asked, looking between you and the window.

“I don’t know,” you said, your voice steady despite the knot forming in your stomach. “Stay here with Maelor.” You turned to the servants, your tone firm. “Do not let them out of your sight.”

Just as you were about to leave the room, Ser Barristan burst through the door, his expression uncharacteristically urgent. “My lady,” he said, his breath visible in the frigid air. “Viserion has emerged from the mine. She took off into the night—agitated, roaring.”

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over everyone. You exchanged a glance with Varys, whose expression, for once, showed genuine concern.

“Why?” you asked Barristan, your voice sharp. “What could have provoked her?”

“We don’t know,” Barristan admitted, his brow furrowed. “But something has disturbed her. The guards say she flew toward the northern cliffs.”

Damon, who had been listening intently, tugged at your sleeve. “Is she looking for Father? Did something happen to him?”

You knelt in front of him, placing your hands on his shoulders. “Your father is strong, Damon. He’ll be fine,” you said, though your heart ached at the uncertainty. “Viserion is a clever dragon. She’ll find what she’s looking for.”

Maelor buried his face in your skirt, his small voice muffled. “I’m scared, Mama.”

You stroked his hair gently, your voice softening. “There’s no need to be scared. We’re safe here.”

Varys stepped forward, his calm tone breaking the tense silence. “My lady, if I may, Viserion’s agitation could be linked to something beyond these walls. Dragons, after all, are tied to forces we cannot always understand.”

“Whatever it is, I need answers,” you said, rising to your feet and turning to Barristan. “Double the guard around the castle. Ensure the boys are kept safe at all times.”

Barristan nodded. “At once, my lady.”

You glanced back at your sons, your heart heavy as Damon looked up at you with those bright, curious eyes. “Stay here,” you told him firmly. “I’ll find out what’s going on.”

As you moved to leave, Varys spoke again, his tone measured. “A word of caution, my lady. Dragons are unpredictable creatures, especially when their instincts are heightened. It would be wise to tread carefully.”

You didn’t respond, your mind already racing with possibilities as you followed Barristan out of the room. Behind you, Damon’s voice called out, tinged with worry. “Bring Father back, Mama!”

You paused briefly, glancing back at him with a reassuring smile. “I will, my little lion. I will.”

The snow crunched beneath the hooves of your horse as you rode through the icy wilderness surrounding Casterly Rock. The air was bitterly cold, each breath forming a visible cloud as you pushed further into the dark expanse. The faint tracks left by Viserion’s massive claws guided you, though they grew fainter with every passing mile. The pale winter moon barely illuminated your path, casting long shadows that twisted like phantoms among the frost-covered trees.

Your heart pounded in your chest, a mixture of fear and determination driving you forward. Viserion’s sudden departure had unsettled you deeply. The she-dragon had always been attuned to you, and for her to act so erratically meant something was wrong.

Barristan’s voice echoed in your mind from earlier that evening.

“She’s not acting without reason, my lady. Dragons sense what we cannot.”

Your grip on the reins tightened as you scanned the eerie, frozen landscape. The world felt unnatural, the oppressive silence broken only by the occasional howl of the wind. You tried to shake the creeping sense of unease, focusing instead on the faint tracks ahead.

Suddenly, your horse reared back with a panicked whinny, its hooves thrashing in the air. You barely had time to steady yourself before it bucked violently, throwing you to the frozen ground. The impact knocked the breath from your lungs, and pain shot through your side as you struggled to get up.

A chilling screech pierced the night, and you froze, your hand instinctively going to the small dagger at your belt. From the shadows emerged a massive spider, its long, spindly legs clicking against the ice as it advanced. Its glistening black carapace reflected the pale moonlight, and its glowing blue eyes were fixed on you with predatory intent.

You scrambled to your feet, your heart racing as the creature lunged. The cold steel of your dagger felt pitifully small in your hand, and you knew there was no way you could face such a monstrosity alone.

“Viserion!” you screamed, your voice echoing into the void.

The spider reared back, its grotesque mandibles clicking menacingly as it prepared to strike. Just as it lunged, a deafening roar split the air, shaking the ground beneath you. The sudden blast of heat that followed was searing, and the spider was engulfed in a torrent of flames before it could reach you.

Viserion descended from the sky like a golden comet, her massive wings stirring the snow into a whirlwind as she landed between you and the charred remains of the spider. Her molten eyes glowed fiercely as she let out another roar, her long neck arching protectively over you.

You stumbled backward, your breath coming in ragged gasps as Viserion turned her head toward you. The fierceness in her eyes softened as she lowered herself, her snout nudging your side gently.

“I’m fine,” you murmured, reaching out to place a trembling hand on her warm scales. “Thank you.”

Viserion huffed, her hot breath clouding the air as her eyes scanned you for any sign of injury. You could feel the deep rumble of her concern vibrating through her body.

“I should have known you’d come for me,” you said softly, running your hand along her neck. “You always do.”

Viserion let out a low, comforting rumble, her massive form towering over you like a shield against the darkness. The snow around her had melted into steaming puddles, and the cold no longer felt so biting with her warmth enveloping you.

Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you moved toward her saddle, which was still secured to her back. Your muscles ached from the fall, but you pushed through the pain as you climbed up. Viserion remained still, her body tense and alert as if she were waiting for another threat to emerge.

Once you were securely seated, you leaned forward, your hands gripping the reins tightly. “Let’s go, girl. We need to find Tywin.”

Viserion roared once more, a sound that echoed into the vast, desolate night. Her powerful wings unfurled, snow and ice scattering as she launched herself into the air. The ground fell away beneath you, and the cold wind bit at your cheeks as the stars blurred overhead.

The clearing was a battlefield of ice and blood. Tywin and Kevan Lannister stood back-to-back, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they fought against the relentless tide of creatures. The grotesque forms of the attackers slithered and crawled from the shadows, their blue, glowing eyes piercing through the winter gloom. The beasts were monstrous amalgamations of man and nightmare—elongated limbs, pale and leathery skin stretched tight over sinew and bone, and claws that glinted like daggers in the faint moonlight.

Tywin drove his sword into the chest of one, the steel biting deep into its unnatural flesh. Black ichor sprayed across his armor as the creature let out a piercing wail before collapsing. He didn’t pause to catch his breath, turning sharply to strike another that lunged at Kevan.

“They keep coming!” Kevan shouted, slashing at a creature that tried to claw at his leg. “We won’t hold them off much longer!”

Tywin’s jaw tightened as he parried another strike, his face as unyielding as ever despite the chaos surrounding them. “Then we make them regret every step they take toward us,” he said coldly.

The air was bitter and thick with the scent of death. The last of their torches had been extinguished in the fray, leaving only the faint glow of the creatures’ eyes to light the scene. Their guttural chittering grew louder, a symphony of horror that sent chills down their spines.

Kevan stumbled slightly, narrowly avoiding the swipe of a claw that would have taken his head. “Tywin!” he shouted, his voice laced with desperation. “We can’t keep this up!”

Just as the creatures closed in, a deafening roar shattered the night, drowning out the horrifying sounds of their attackers. The ground trembled as a shadow passed over the clearing, followed by a sudden blast of searing heat.

From the sky, Viserion descended like an avenging flame, her golden scales glinting in the pale light of the moon. Her massive wings stirred the air into a tempest as she landed with a ground-shaking thud. A wave of fire erupted from her maw, consuming the creatures closest to Tywin and Kevan. Their screams echoed into the void as they dissolved into ash and blackened bones.

Kevan shielded his face from the intense heat, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and terror. “Seven Hells…” he muttered.

Perched atop Viserion, you clung tightly to the saddle, your hair whipping around you in the storm of her wings. “Tywin! Kevan!” you shouted, your voice carrying over the chaos.

Tywin’s head snapped up, his green eyes narrowing as they met yours. Despite the blood staining his armor and the ichor streaked across his face, his expression remained stoic.

Viserion roared again, her molten gaze fixed on the remaining creatures. They hesitated, their movements faltering as the she-dragon advanced. Another blast of fire erupted from her jaws, scattering them into the shadows. The few that remained retreated, their glowing eyes disappearing into the darkness.

“They’re falling back!” Kevan shouted, his voice filled with relief. “She’s driving them away!”

As the last of the creatures vanished, Viserion lowered her massive head, letting out a low, rumbling growl. You leaned forward in the saddle, your face pale but determined. “Climb on!” you called, your voice urgent. “Now!”

Kevan froze, staring at the dragon with wide eyes. “Climb… on?” he echoed, as if the very idea was unthinkable.

“There’s no time to argue!” you yelled, holding tightly to the reins. “More could come! You won’t make it back on foot!”

Tywin glanced at his brother, his expression unreadable but his tone stern. “Do as she says, Kevan. We’re out of options.”

Kevan hesitated, his hand gripping his sword tightly. “Tywin, this is—”

“A dragon doesn’t wait, Kevan,” Tywin snapped, his voice cutting through his brother’s protest. “Climb!”

Kevan swallowed hard, glancing at the massive creature before him. Her eyes flicked toward him, unblinking and intense. With a resigned nod, he sheathed his sword and approached cautiously.

“Come on!” you urged, extending a hand to him as Viserion lowered herself slightly to allow them to mount. “She won’t hurt you!”

Kevan reached up, his movements stiff and uncertain, as he took your hand. With a grunt, he hoisted himself up behind you, gripping the saddle with white-knuckled hands. Tywin followed suit, his movements precise and calculated despite the situation.

Once they were both secure, you tugged on the reins. “Hold tight!” you warned. “She’s going to take off!”

Viserion roared once more, her wings unfurling with a powerful sweep. Snow and ash scattered as she launched into the sky, the ground falling away beneath you. The wind roared in your ears as the three of you ascended into the night, leaving the horrors of the forest behind.

Kevan clung to the saddle, his face pale. “Tywin,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “You owe me for this.”

Tywin’s gaze remained fixed ahead, his expression as unyielding as ever. “Be grateful you’re alive, Kevan.”

You couldn’t help but smile faintly despite the tension. “I told you she wouldn’t hurt you,” you said, glancing over your shoulder. “You’ll get used to it.”

Kevan let out a weak laugh, though it was tinged with disbelief. “If we survive this, I might.”

The rest of the flight passed in tense silence, the cold wind biting at your skin as Viserion carried you toward safety. The night was dark and endless, but for now, you were alive—and together.

The sound of Viserion’s massive wings beating against the icy air signaled her arrival as she descended into the courtyard of Casterly Rock. Snow swirled in her wake, the gusts sending men staggering back as the she-dragon landed with a resounding thud. Her scales glimmered faintly, dusted with ash and streaked with blood from the battle, and her fiery eyes scanned the gathered guards with a wary intensity.

The Lannister men stood frozen, their hands hovering near the hilts of their swords. Their expressions ranged from awe to outright fear as they watched the dragon settle. Slowly, she lowered herself, her massive frame taking up most of the courtyard as her molten gaze swept over the figures before her.

Perched atop the saddle, you turned to help Kevan dismount. His face was pale, his hands still gripping the saddle with white-knuckled tension. “You’re on solid ground now,” you said gently, extending a hand to him.

“Solid ground has never felt so unsteady,” Kevan muttered as he slid down, stumbling slightly before regaining his footing. His wide eyes darted toward Viserion as he backed away. “I don’t know how you’ve made a habit of this.”

You offered him a faint smile before turning to Tywin, who sat behind you. “Your turn,” you said, your voice soft but firm.

Tywin’s movements were deliberate, his gaze sweeping over the courtyard as he dismounted with practiced ease. The blood and grime staining his armor seemed to weigh heavier on him now that the chaos of battle was over. He stood straight, his expression unreadable, though the tightness in his jaw betrayed his discomfort.

As soon as Tywin’s boots hit the ground, Viserion let out a low rumble and stretched her wings. She nudged you gently with her massive snout, as if ensuring you were unharmed, before retreating toward the entrance of the mines. The men in the courtyard parted quickly, clearing a path for the dragon as she disappeared into the shadows of her lair.

“Stand down,” Tywin ordered the guards, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “The dragon has done her part. She is no threat.”

The men exchanged uneasy glances but lowered their hands from their weapons, their shoulders relaxing slightly.

You stepped toward Tywin, your eyes immediately scanning him. The adrenaline from the flight was beginning to wear off, and the full weight of what had just happened settled heavily in your chest. “Let me see,” you said, your tone leaving no room for argument as you motioned toward his armor.

“I am fine,” Tywin replied curtly, brushing off your concern.

“No, you’re not,” you countered, your voice sharpening as you reached for the straps of his armor. “There’s blood.”

Kevan, who had been catching his breath nearby, glanced over. “She’s right, Tywin. I saw it too. You took a hit back there.”

Tywin exhaled sharply, irritation flickering in his eyes. “It’s nothing but a scratch.”

You ignored his protests, pulling at the clasp of his breastplate. As the heavy piece of armor fell away, the source of the blood became clear—a jagged tear in his tunic just beneath his ribs, dark with crimson. The wound wasn’t deep, but it was angry and raw, the skin around it beginning to swell.

“Nothing but a scratch,” you repeated, your tone laced with sarcasm as you glared up at him. “You could have bled out, Tywin.”

His expression didn’t waver, though there was a faint flicker of something in his eyes—irritation or perhaps reluctant acknowledgment. “It’s not as dire as you make it out to be.”

You turned sharply to the guards standing nearby. “Fetch Maester Aldren, now,” you ordered, your voice firm.

One of the men nodded quickly and hurried off, leaving the others standing awkwardly in silence.

Tywin crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on you. “This is unnecessary. I’ve dealt with worse.”

“And yet you’re still here to argue with me about it,” you shot back, your hands on your hips. “Let the maester tend to you, Tywin. You are no use to anyone if you’re laid up in bed with an infection.”

Kevan stepped closer, his voice lighter as he tried to ease the tension. “Listen to her, Tywin. She’s right, as always.”

Tywin’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent, his jaw tightening as he reluctantly allowed your concerns to take precedence.

You stepped closer, your hands softening as you touched his arm. “You’ve just fought horrors most men couldn’t dream of. You’re human, Tywin, not invincible.”

His green eyes met yours, and for a moment, the weight of his exhaustion was visible. “Very well,” he said quietly, his voice losing some of its edge. “If it will put your mind at ease.”

“It will,” you replied, your tone softening as you gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. “Thank you.”

The sound of hurried footsteps announced the arrival of Maester Aldren, who approached with his satchel of supplies. “My lord, my lady,” he greeted, his tone cautious as his gaze darted toward the blood on Tywin’s side. “I will see to it at once.”

You nodded, stepping aside to allow the maester access. “Take him inside,” you said firmly. “He’s done enough for one day.”

Tywin cast you a pointed look but allowed himself to be guided toward the keep. Kevan followed closely, his expression a mixture of relief and weariness. As the courtyard began to clear, you stood alone for a moment, your gaze lingering on the dark entrance to the mines where Viserion had disappeared.

The dragon had come for them when they needed her most, but the cost of what was stirring beyond the safety of Casterly Rock was growing clearer by the day. And now, with winter tightening its grip, the stakes had never felt higher.

The air smelled faintly of herbs and salves as Maester Aldren worked methodically at Tywin’s side, carefully cleaning and stitching the jagged wound beneath his ribs. You stood a few steps away, arms crossed tightly over your chest, your expression guarded but your worry plain for anyone to see.

Tywin sat on the edge of the bed, his posture as straight as ever, despite the pain that must have been coursing through him. His shirt had been removed, revealing the taut lines of his chest and the angry gash that Maester Aldren was tending to. Tywin’s eyes flicked toward you briefly, catching the stiffness in your stance.

“You shouldn’t be standing there, watching like a scolded child,” Tywin said, his tone as even as ever despite the situation.

You took a slow breath, your voice tinged with exasperation. “I’m not leaving until I know you’re fine.”

Maester Aldren glanced between the two of you, his movements careful as he worked. “The wound is not as deep as it could have been, my lord. With rest and proper care, it should heal without issue.”

“That’s what I said,” Tywin muttered under his breath, though his wince betrayed him as Aldren applied a fresh layer of salve.

You stepped closer, narrowing your eyes at him. “And yet you didn’t think to tell me about it until I saw the blood.”

Tywin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t reply immediately. The maester finished the last stitch and began wrapping a clean bandage around Tywin’s torso. When Aldren stepped back, his task completed, Tywin dismissed him with a nod.

“Leave us,” Tywin commanded. Aldren gathered his supplies, bowed, and left the room, the door closing softly behind him.

The silence stretched for a moment as you watched Tywin reach for his discarded shirt, his movements precise but slower than usual. You stepped forward, taking the fabric from him before he could strain himself further.

“You shouldn’t be doing that,” you said softly, your voice still carrying an edge of frustration. “Let me help.”

Tywin regarded you for a moment before relenting, allowing you to drape the shirt gently over his shoulders. He straightened, his eyes locking onto yours. “You shouldn’t have come after me.”

Your brow furrowed, your hands stilling as you processed his words. “Of course, I came after you,” you replied, your voice quiet but firm. “How could I not?”

Tywin’s gaze didn’t waver, though there was something sharper in his expression now. “You could have died,” he said evenly, though the weight of the words lingered heavily in the air.

You met his gaze, your own eyes soft but resolute. “But I didn’t.”

“That’s not the point,” Tywin snapped, his voice rising slightly for the first time. “You put yourself at risk—for what? To ride into danger when you should have been here, safe, with our children?”

You stepped back slightly, your arms crossing once more. “You were out there, Tywin,” you countered, your voice matching his intensity. “What was I supposed to do? Sit here and wonder if you’d ever come back?”

“Yes,” Tywin replied without hesitation, his tone icy. “That is exactly what you should have done. Your place is here, ensuring the safety of this house, of our children.”

“And your place is with them, too,” you shot back, your voice trembling slightly with emotion. “But you were out there, fighting creatures no one understands. How could I stay here knowing you might not return?”

Tywin’s lips pressed into a thin line, his frustration evident, though he didn’t immediately respond. The fire crackled softly in the silence.

“I can’t lose you,” you said finally, your voice breaking slightly as you looked away. “Don’t you understand that? I can’t.”

Tywin exhaled slowly, his stern features softening just a fraction. “And I cannot lose you,” he said quietly, his tone devoid of its usual bite. “But that is exactly what you risked.”

You stepped closer, reaching out to place a hand gently on his uninjured side. “I didn’t die, Tywin. I didn’t. And I won’t apologize for doing what I had to do.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his green eyes studying your face as if searching for something. Finally, he let out a soft sigh, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.

“You always had a mind of your own,” he muttered, though there was a trace of something warmer in his tone.

A faint smile tugged at your lips despite the gravity of the conversation. “And you wouldn’t have me any other way.”

Tywin’s lips twitched, but he said nothing, instead reaching up to rest a hand lightly over yours. The weight of the moment lingered, unspoken but understood.

The crackle of the fire was the only sound in the room as you remained close to Tywin, your hand resting gently against his side. The weight of everything that had happened, everything you had seen, pressed heavily on both of you. It was a silence thick with unspoken fears and shared understanding.

Tywin’s eyes, usually focused and commanding, were distant now, as if the horrors he had faced lingered just beneath the surface. He finally broke the silence, his voice low and steady but carrying an unusual note of weariness.

“You were right,” he said, his words deliberate.

You tilted your head, watching him carefully. “About what?”

He met your gaze, the faintest flicker of something vulnerable showing through his usual stoicism. “The visions you spoke of—the things you warned me about. I dismissed them as fever dreams, shadows… I should not have.”

The admission startled you. Tywin Lannister was not a man who easily admitted fault, much less one to concede that someone else had seen further than he had. You reached for his hand, intertwining your fingers with his. “Tywin, we’ve done everything we could to prepare. The Westerlands are stronger than most of the realm right now because of your leadership.”

His lips pressed into a thin line as he shook his head slightly. “Strength means little against what we faced out there. Those creatures…” He trailed off, his gaze hardening. “They’re unnatural. An affront to everything we know.”

You nodded slowly, your own memories of what you’d seen with Viserion still vivid. “They’re not just creatures, Tywin. They’re death itself, and they’re coming for all of us.”

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he said nothing, the firelight casting shadows across his face. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, almost reluctant. “I’ve spent my life fighting battles I could win—battles I could control. But this... this is something else entirely.”

You reached up, brushing your fingers lightly against his cheek, the gesture tender. “You’ve done more than anyone could ask, Tywin. You’ve kept your people alive during the darkest winter the realm has ever seen. That’s more than most lords can claim.”

He exhaled softly, leaning into your touch just enough for you to notice. “It doesn’t feel like enough.”

“It is,” you assured him, your voice firm but gentle. “You’ve given us a chance. That’s more than anyone else could do.”

For a long moment, he simply looked at you, his gaze searching. Then, with a deliberate motion, he reached up and cupped your face in his hands. His touch was warm despite the chill that seemed to linger everywhere these days. “You’re the only one who’s ever dared to tell me the truth,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Even when I didn’t want to hear it.”

You smiled faintly, your fingers brushing against his wrist. “Someone has to keep you in check.”

His lips twitched into what might have been a smile, and then he leaned forward, pressing a firm but tender kiss to your lips. The weight of the world seemed to fall away for a moment, replaced by the shared warmth between you. His hands remained steady, holding you close as if anchoring himself to something real amidst the chaos.

When the kiss broke, you rested your forehead against his, your breath mingling in the still air of the room. “You’re not alone in this, Tywin,” you murmured. “We’ll face it together, no matter what comes.”

He nodded slightly, his fingers brushing against your jawline. “I know.”

A soft knock at the door interrupted the moment, and you pulled back slightly, glancing toward the sound. One of the household staff called out from the other side. “My lady, your sons are asking for you.”

You smiled, a warmth spreading through your chest at the thought of Damon and Maelor. Turning back to Tywin, you placed a hand lightly on his chest. “They’re waiting for you too, you know.”

His brows lifted slightly, and for a moment, the faintest hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “They’ve been spoiled.”

You chuckled softly. “And whose fault is that?”

He didn’t answer, but the faint smirk that played at the corners of his lips was answer enough. You kissed him one last time before stepping back and extending a hand toward him. “Come. They’ve missed you.”

Tywin stood slowly, his movements deliberate as he straightened his posture. Despite the exhaustion etched into his features, there was a renewed determination in his eyes. He took your hand, and together, you left the room to join your children, the weight of the world still present but somehow a little lighter with each step you took side by side.

[missarchive]

Hiya!

It's me again. I hope you are well <3

I'd like to request a Hannibal x reader (preferably female or undisclosed) who is Hannibals new therapist. But she catches that Hannibal is like... SUPER unethical. Perhaps not that he's a cannibalistic serial killer, but she gets a feeling that he's not exactly safe to be around.

Therefore, she tries to withdraw their sessions, saying that she does not get the impression Hannibal actually wants to be helped or change his behaviour (she tries to play it off that she doesn't want their sessions to be unprofessional, which seems to be his angle). Of course, Hannibal doesn't like that idea and does some despicable shit to get her back (blackmail, murder, etc)

Thnx!

who? hannibal x gn!reader

category: angst

content warnings: NSFW MDNI!! dark themes, cannibalistic references, mentions of death, stalking, aggression, kidnapping

The air in Hannibal Lecter’s office was always meticulously curated. Subtle notes of bergamot and sandalwood mingled with the faintest hint of old books, creating an atmosphere that was as inviting as it was disarming. You’d thought at first it was his way of making his clients feel comfortable, but as weeks passed, the room began to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a spider’s web—artfully spun, deliberately designed. You weren’t entirely sure who the prey was meant to be.

“Dr. Lecter,” you began, keeping your voice measured as you adjusted the cuffs of your blouse. “I’ve noticed something peculiar in our sessions.”

Hannibal’s dark eyes lifted from the notepad he wasn’t really writing in, his head tilting slightly like a predator feigning curiosity. “Have you?” he said, his voice as smooth and rich as aged cognac. “Please, do elaborate.”

You hesitated, the weight of his gaze pressing against you like a physical force. It wasn’t just his intelligence that unnerved you, though that was certainly part of it. It was the way he seemed to already know what you were going to say—as if he had been inside your head long before you even stepped through his office door.

“It’s my professional opinion,” you continued, forcing yourself to meet his gaze, “that these sessions aren’t serving their intended purpose. I don’t believe you’re interested in exploring meaningful change.”

His lips curved into the faintest semblance of a smile. “And what, may I ask, led you to that conclusion?”

Your fingers tightened around the armrest of your chair. “I think you find these sessions entertaining rather than enlightening. It feels less like therapy and more like a… game.”

Hannibal’s smile widened imperceptibly. “Life is, in many ways, a game, is it not? One of strategy, of observation, of opportunity.”

You suppressed a shiver, holding onto your composure with an iron grip. “Be that as it may, I don’t think our continued sessions would be ethical.”

His expression didn’t change, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop. “Ethics can be such a mutable thing,” he said softly, leaning forward just enough to blur the boundaries of personal space. “What is ethical to you may be anathema to another.”

“Dr. Lecter,” you said, your voice firm despite the way your heart was pounding, “I’m withdrawing from our arrangement. I’ll refer you to another therapist if you’d like, but I don’t believe I can—”

“You feel unsafe.”

The words hung in the air between you, more statement than question. Your stomach tightened, but you forced yourself to shake your head. “That’s not it,” you lied. “I simply feel our dynamic risks becoming unprofessional.”

Hannibal regarded you for a long, unnerving moment, his expression unreadable. Then he stood, moving with the kind of deliberate grace that made you feel as though every step he took was a calculated act. “I see,” he said, turning to the window and clasping his hands behind his back. “If that is your decision, I will respect it.”

Relief coursed through you, but it was fleeting. Something about the way he said it felt off, like the calm before a storm. You rose from your seat, smoothing your shirt with hands that trembled only slightly. “Thank you for understanding,” you said, heading for the door.

As your hand closed around the cool brass of the doorknob, his voice stopped you cold.

“Before you go, Dr. l/n,” he said, his tone as polite as ever but carrying an edge that set your nerves on fire, “may I offer one last piece of advice?”

You turned slowly, your pulse quickening. “Of course.”

His smile returned, small and chillingly sincere. “In the pursuit of understanding others, one should take care not to reveal too much of oneself. Vulnerability is a currency, and in the wrong hands, it can be… terribly costly.”

The words followed you out of his office, sinking into your skin like cold iron. It wasn’t until you were in the safety of your car that you allowed yourself to exhale, the tension in your chest finally breaking like a wave against the shore. But even as you drove away, the feeling lingered: the sense that Hannibal Lecter wasn’t done with you yet.

The days that followed felt like a haze, a fog of unease that never quite lifted. You told yourself you had made the right choice, that withdrawing from Hannibal Lecter’s sessions had been necessary. But there was an unshakable weight in your chest, a whisper that he had known all along what you would do. That he had been preparing for this moment, for your withdrawal, long before you had ever made the decision.

In the quiet of your apartment, the phone was always within arm’s reach. You had set it to silent, the fear that he might call a persistent hum in the back of your mind. Every ring, every vibration, seemed to mock you, reminding you of his final words. Vulnerability is a currency… it can be terribly costly.

Weeks passed, and you managed to convince yourself that you had escaped his grasp. But then, one evening, the phone rang.

Your breath hitched when you saw the name on the screen.

It was him.

You stared at the display for several seconds, heart racing in your chest, a surge of cold dread sweeping over you. Then, before you could convince yourself to silence it, your finger slid across the screen, answering without thought.

"Dr. l/n, it’s been far too long."

His voice, smooth and familiar, filled the space around you, and you could almost feel him in the room with you, his presence crawling beneath your skin. You tightened your grip on the phone, trying to steady yourself. "I… I thought we agreed that our sessions were over, Dr. Lecter."

"Did we?" His voice was tinged with amusement, as though the very idea of agreement had never truly mattered to him. "You’re still thinking of it as a session. I suppose that’s part of the problem, isn't it?"

Your pulse quickened, but you kept your voice steady. "What do you want from me?"

"Ah," he murmured, and you could almost hear his smile in his words. "Always so direct. But I would prefer to think of it as something more than a simple want. You see, I am curious about something—something I neglected to ask during our last conversation."

"Which is?"

A pause, long enough to make the silence unbearable. "Why did you choose to walk away?"

You didn’t answer immediately. The question hung in the air, its meaning far deeper than the surface of the words. You hadn’t realized until that moment how much his absence had unsettled you. "I felt our dynamic wasn’t healthy."

He chuckled softly, the sound warm and unsettling. "Isn’t that the nature of all human relationships? The power dynamics, the tension… they’re what make them interesting. And you, my dear, are quite… interesting."

Your breath caught. You hated how easily he saw through you, how much he could manipulate your words, your feelings, as if he were a marionette master pulling invisible strings.

"You know," he continued, his voice low and dangerous, "I find it fascinating that you would choose to withdraw when I offered you something so… rare. An opportunity to explore parts of yourself that most would never have the courage to examine. And yet, you left."

"Because I realized I wasn’t prepared for whatever it was you wanted from me," you replied, your voice firmer than you felt. "I’m not your plaything, Hannibal."

"You are not a plaything, Doctor," he said, a trace of something darker in his voice. "But you are a puzzle. And puzzles, I find, are best when solved."

The air in your apartment seemed to thicken with his words. You knew, even before he spoke again, that you had made a mistake answering the phone. The last shred of safety you had felt, the illusion of escape, was now shattered.

"Think about it, my dear. I’m sure you’ll come to realize that we are far more alike than you care to admit."

You felt the ground beneath you shift. Something had changed. And in that moment, you weren’t sure if you had been running away from him, or if he had been waiting for the right moment to pull you back into his web.

"Goodbye, Dr. l/n." His voice was smooth, final. "I look forward to seeing you again."

The call ended, leaving you in a thick silence that suffocated the air from your lungs. Your body trembled as you set the phone down, your hand still shaking. You had known, deep down, that it wouldn’t be the last time you heard from him.

At first, you told yourself you were imagining things. The faintest glimpse of him on the street, his figure disappearing down a corridor before you could confirm it was really him. The soft scrape of a chair across the floor when you were alone in your office, only to find the room empty when you checked. But the unease never left. It lingered like the faintest scent, always just on the edge of your awareness, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching you.

It started small. A book on your desk that hadn’t been there before, its cover embossed with intricate, foreign designs—an impossible coincidence, or so it seemed. Then, a note left on your windshield, a single sentence scrawled in elegant handwriting:

"Some puzzles are worth revisiting."

You’d scanned the parking lot, your heart pounding in your chest, but there was no one in sight. No evidence of how it had gotten there, just the unsettling knowledge that Hannibal Lecter had been close enough to leave it for you to find.

The fear began to settle into your bones, insidious and suffocating. Everywhere you went, you felt his gaze, the sensation of being watched constantly hanging in the air like an invisible thread. You changed your routine, took different routes to work, and started locking your doors with an obsessive precision. But nothing seemed to matter. The feeling of being stalked only intensified, the distance between you and him growing smaller with each passing day.

You found yourself walking home through the quiet streets, the chill of the evening air biting at your skin. The usual sounds of the city—the distant hum of traffic, the faint murmur of voices—seemed muted, distant. Your footsteps echoed in the silence, and it felt wrong. Too quiet.

You turned the corner to your apartment building, heart racing as the darkness seemed to close in around you. And that’s when you saw it.

A shadow, standing just beyond the edge of the streetlight. The shape was unmistakable. Tall, slender, poised. Even from a distance, you knew it was him.

You froze, your pulse thundering in your ears. For a moment, you wondered if your mind was playing tricks on you—if you had finally lost touch with reality. But the figure didn’t move. Didn’t speak. It simply watched you, its presence oppressive and suffocating.

You took a step back, then another, but the shadow didn’t follow. It just lingered there, like a predator biding its time, waiting for you to make the next move. You wanted to run, to escape, but your legs felt like lead, as though they had turned to stone beneath you.

The air shifted, the hairs on the back of your neck rising in response to the subtle change in the atmosphere. The figure turned then, slowly, as if it had been waiting for your acknowledgment.

And then, you heard it—a voice so smooth, so utterly calm that it felt like it could break you.

"Dr. l/n," Hannibal’s voice drifted toward you, too soft to be a true threat, but carrying the weight of something far darker beneath it. "You’re still running."

You could see his eyes now, gleaming in the dim light. They were locked on yours, the intensity of his gaze impossible to escape. There was no fear in him—just a cool, calculating presence that made your insides twist with terror.

"You’ve been avoiding me, but you can’t outrun what’s already inside you," he continued, his tone almost gentle, as if offering you some twisted comfort. "No matter how far you go, it will always be there, won’t it?"

Your throat tightened, the air thick with a sense of inevitability. He had found you. He was here. You weren’t sure if you were more frightened of the fact that he knew you so well, or that you couldn’t escape him.

"Why are you doing this?" The words came out as a choked whisper, the panic rising in your chest like a tidal wave. "Why can’t you just leave me alone?"

"Because, Doctor," he said, his voice low and full of something almost tender, "I’m not done with you. I’ve only just begun."

The words hung in the air, and in that moment, you understood the true weight of his meaning. He wasn’t stalking you out of simple obsession. No. He was drawing closer, weaving his presence into the very fabric of your life, until there would be no escape.

He took a step forward, and you felt your body tense, as though preparing to flee, but your legs refused to move. The distance between you both was closing, each step of his calculated and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world to claim you.

"I told you before," Hannibal said softly, his breath now almost a whisper against the cold night air. "In the pursuit of understanding others, one must take care not to reveal too much of oneself."

He smiled then, the darkness around him deepening, and you realised with chilling certainty that you had given him far more than you ever intended.

One morning, you arrived at your office early, determined to confront your own mind and wrestle back some semblance of control. You couldn’t keep living in fear, and you couldn’t keep hiding from the truth. You had to be done. Done with him. You knew, deep down, that you would never be able to escape the haunting presence of Hannibal Lecter unless you made it final.

You made the decision then, as you sat at your desk, your hands steady for the first time in weeks: you would call him, tell him to leave you alone, to end whatever twisted connection had formed between you. You would refuse him. You would refuse him in every way, and you would be done with it all.

The phone felt cold in your hand as you dialed his number. Your heart thundered in your chest, but you clung to the hope that this would end it. The line rang three times before he picked up.

"Dr. l/n, I had wondered when you would reach out again." His voice was smooth, as though the distance between you both had not been filled with terror and hesitation. "I trust everything has been well since our last meeting?"

Your voice was tight but resolute as you replied, "No, Dr. Lecter. It hasn’t. I need you to stop—stop watching me, stop trying to manipulate me. I’m done with this. I’m done with you."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence on the other end of the line. And then, just when you thought he might speak, you heard the subtle sound of him exhaling, as if he were considering your words carefully.

"You misunderstand me, Doctor," he said, his tone calm, but underneath it, you could hear the faintest trace of something dark, something dangerous. "This is not something you can simply walk away from. I do not allow people to walk away from me."

The words sent a chill down your spine. But you couldn’t back down now. You had to stay strong.

"I’m not afraid of you anymore," you said, though your voice wavered just the slightest. "I want you to leave me alone, Dr. Lecter. If you don’t, I will go to the authorities. You won’t get away with it."

Another pause, longer this time. And then, his voice came, colder than it had ever been. "You believe that you are in control. But you are not. You never have been."

And before you could react, the line went dead.

The silence that followed was oppressive. Your heart pounded in your chest, your thoughts racing, but before you could process what had just happened, there was a knock at the door. It was too early for any patients, too soon for anyone else to be here. You stood frozen for a moment, uncertainty flooding your mind.

You forced yourself to move, to rise from your desk, though your legs felt like they might give way beneath you. With each step toward the door, a sense of dread twisted your stomach. You peered through the small window in the door and, for a brief, terrifying moment, you thought you saw him—his face, as calm and calculating as ever, framed by the glass.

You swung the door open, and your breath caught in your throat.

It wasn’t him at the door. But it was someone.

A man, tall and broad, wearing a dark suit that seemed out of place in the sterile office building. His eyes were dark and unblinking, his presence suffocating in its intensity. He smiled at you, but it wasn’t a smile that offered any warmth.

"Dr. l/n, is it?" The voice was soft, but there was a hardness behind it, a finality that made you feel small in its presence.

"Who are you?" you demanded, stepping back instinctively. The hairs on the back of your neck stood up, your pulse quickening as an icy shiver ran down your spine.

"That’s not important," the man replied, and in that instant, you knew exactly who had sent him. Hannibal had never intended for you to simply walk away.

Before you could react, before you could scream or make a run for it, the man lunged forward, his grip closing around your wrist with inhuman strength, yanking you back into the office. You tried to fight, to push him off, but his hand was unyielding, crushing your arm against the desk as he pinned you down.

You struggled, your mind racing for some way to escape, but the door slammed shut behind you. The last thing you saw before everything went black was the faint outline of a figure in the doorway—Hannibal. His dark eyes locked onto yours, unreadable and still. There was no panic in him, only that cold, calculating smile.

"You should have listened," he whispered.

[stanleymyhusband]

Xeno x fem reader

The art of negotiation

Y/n is a member of senku‘s team who is a genius, strategist and also a manipulator.

Story starts where senkus team got a call from Xeno and when Gen got caught into the enemies therotory.

That genius,Xeno, caught her attention so she goes to him.

Warnings: kissing, possessiveness

Y/N walked into the enemy base with purpose, her steps unhurried but confident. Senku would be livid if he knew she was here. But she didn't care—she never followed orders blindly, and this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

She wasn’t just here for Gen. She was here because Dr. Xeno fascinated her. His voice over the radio had been sharp, calculated, and just as intelligent as Senku’s. But unlike Senku, Xeno’s genius was tempered by something else—ruthlessness.

And that? That intrigued her.

The base was impressive for something built in the Stone World. It wasn’t just survival—it was civilization, structured and precise. Xeno’s mark was everywhere.

Y/N and Xeno sat at a wooden table. Stanley stood beside him, arms crossed, his sharp eyes locked onto her every move. Gen sat opposite them, hands bound but smirking like he was enjoying the show.

"You have guts," Xeno mused, watching her adjust to her seat. "Senku’s people usually have more restraint."

Y/N smirked, tilting her head. "I don’t belong to anyone."

Xeno’s lips curled. "A free agent, then? Interesting."

Stanley exhaled, unimpressed. "Get to the point."

"So impatient," she teased lightly, glancing at him before returning her attention to Xeno. "Fine. I came for Gen. But I also came because you caught my attention."

"Flattering." Xeno leaned forward. "But if you think that’s enough to buy his freedom, you overestimate your charm."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of relying on charm alone," she replied, eyes gleaming. "I have something better."

Xeno raised an eyebrow. "Do you now?"

Y/N leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I know how to revive the petrified."

That got his attention.

For the first time, real interest flickered across his face. Even Stanley’s gaze sharpened.

"Go on," Xeno said, his voice dangerously smooth.

"The revival fluid," she continued. "I know how it works. How to make it. The exact formula."

Xeno’s fingers tapped against the table, his mind already racing through possibilities.

"And you’re offering this… in exchange for Gen?"

"Not just for Gen." Y/N smiled, slow and knowing. "I want something else."

Xeno chuckled. "And what is that?"

"A deal." She met his gaze without hesitation. "Senku will never ally with you. He’s too… righteous." She waved a hand dismissively. "But me? I don’t believe in absolute sides. I believe in results."

Xeno studied her for a long moment. He was intrigued, she could tell.

"You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured.

"I like danger," she shot back smoothly.

Stanley snorted softly, shaking his head. "She’s full of it."

"Maybe," Xeno mused.

And just like that, the real game began.

Gen was freed. That much was inevitable.

Y/N had played the game too well, dangling the formula for the revival fluid in front of Xeno like a well-placed lure. And he, the ever-calculating scientist, had bitten.

But in return, she had to stay.

"For safety reasons," Xeno had said smoothly, hands folded over the table. "If you are truly as valuable as you claim, I can't have you slipping away to Senku the moment we turn our backs."

"Safety, huh?" Y/N had smirked, leaning back in her chair. "You sure it’s not because you just enjoy my company?"

Xeno chuckled, dark and amused. "Oh, make no mistake—I do. But I also know better than to let a dangerous mind wander freely."

Stanley hadn’t questioned it, but she had seen the way his eyes lingered on her as Gen left the camp, escorted out without so much as a scratch.

The deal was done. But the game had just begun.

The Night Fell Quiet.

Stanley had left the room, off to handle another mission for Xeno—stalking the enemies. That left only her and the scientist himself, lingering in the dimly lit lab.

Y/N leaned against a wooden desk, arms crossed as she watched Xeno examine a set of notes. He was methodical, precise, fingers gliding over the paper with ease. The candlelight cast sharp shadows across his face, accentuating the quiet intensity in his eyes.

"You’re staring."

Y/N smirked. "Not my fault you’re interesting to look at."

Xeno hummed, setting down his notes. "Flattery gets you nowhere with me."

"Oh, I think it gets me exactly where I want to be," she countered.

Xeno’s lips curled into something dangerous. In a flash, he was in front of her, his hand bracing against the desk beside her hip, effectively caging her in.

"You truly don’t fear me, do you?" he mused, tilting his head.

"Should I?" Y/N challenged, voice smooth, steady.

Xeno chuckled, his other hand reaching up, tracing his fingers along her jawline before trailing down her neck, slow and deliberate.

"You should," he whispered.

Her breath hitched, just slightly. He noticed.

The way his fingers ghosted over her collarbone, the way his body was just close enough to steal her warmth—he was testing her, seeing how far he could push.

Y/N refused to give him the satisfaction of pulling away.

Instead, she leaned in, just enough to close the gap, their breath mingling in the silence of the lab.

"You think you have me figured out, don’t you?" she murmured.

Xeno’s fingers traced lower, brushing over her waist.

"I know I do," he whispered against her lips, before finally closing the distance.

The kiss was slow, measured—like he was savoring it, like he was claiming her as his. His hands roamed, gripping her waist firmly, pulling her flush against him.

She let out a soft hum, fingers tangling in his black coat, pulling him closer, deeper into the moment.

"This is dangerous," she muttered against his lips, breathless.

"You like danger," Xeno reminded her, his voice dripping with amusement.

His lips moved to her neck, pressing open-mouthed kisses along her skin, hands tightening around her hips possessively. Y/N let out a sharp breath, gripping onto him for balance.

Y/N left out a soft moan. Xeno only chuckled, his lips brushing just below her ear. He wispered: "I don’t plan on letting you leave so easily."

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Lick Back 2 (Part 1) by Uzumaki Rebellion

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black Female OC

Warning(s): 18+, Explicit Sex, Angst, Domestic Drama, Unprotected Sex, Breeding Kink, Violence, AITA!Terry Richmond.

Summary: Terry Richmond didn't expect to become a father over night. A surprising photo in the mail reveals that an illicit affair he had with a married woman eleven months ago resulted in a baby girl named after him. Ecstatic to be a new dad, he races to South Carolina to reunite with Nova, and bring their new family to Louisiana for Christmas. Unfortunately, Nova's estranged husband Jordan has different plans.

Word count: 18.6K

Read Lick Back (The Beginning) HERE.

"Like sweet morning dew

I took one look at you

And it was plain to see

You were my destiny

With you I'll spend my time

I'll dedicate my life

I'll sacrifice for you

Dedicate my life for you"

Method Man & Mary J. Blige—"All I Need"

Terry Richmond couldn't stop looking at the eight by eleven color photo he recieved in the mail.

Terrina Richmond.

He had a daughter. A two-month-old baby girl.

His mind raced with so many chaotic thoughts. He'd had an affair with a married woman and she left him to salvage her wreck of a marriage in South Carolina. Terry spent months trying to forget her, poured himself into his work, and blotted out the memory of Nova Patterson.

The last time they made love, he nearly broke the bed, pulling out his best erotic moves to keep her. By his calculations, that was when he impregnated her. They loved each other, but ultimately, he had to let her go. She belonged to someone else and already had an infant son. Who was he to prevent a reconciliation of a family?

He worked day and night, taking on extra hours, even requested deployment overseas to get away from Nova haunting him with her beauty, kindness, and intelligence. He wished the world for her, but couldn't bear to be in the states knowing he couldn't have her.

The big bosses denied his request. They wanted his skills building up their elite soldiers in Oceanside. Make more war machines. Oorah.

Terry booked a flight to Charleston the moment he hung up the phone with Nova. An hour later he still sat on his couch wondering who to confess his shocking news to. His first inclination was to reach out to his family, but he wasn't ready to explain the circumstances of fathering a child with a married woman to his parents just yet. His closest friends Von and Bethany were next in line, but he could already hear Bethany chewing him out for being no different than Jordan, with Von nodding his head in agreement. Telling his homegirl Angie would only result in a flying fist socking him in the jaw.

He had accrued ninety days of leave time that he planned on using up for Nova and Terrina. His godson Junior, too. He stroked his chin. Junior would become his stepson now. A bonus child. Nova gave him purpose. He had a family to care for.

Terry cancelled his flight.

Nova would have a ton of things to bring back with the children. He would drive there instead of flying and rent a U-Haul cargo trailer in Charleston. Nova could take what she wanted and he would buy anything else she needed once they returned to Oceanside. He glanced around his condo. They could stay in his place until the lease ended the following summer and then look for a new home big enough for the four of them.

Four.

How strange. He woke up that morning a single man living a solitary life. Now he was responsible for three other people. He wanted to marry Nova as soon as possible, that way he could get them on his health insurance. Terry grinned. He moved like a man with a plan.

Packing more clothes for an extended trip, the reality sank in further. He was a father. He stopped to look at his daughter again. She had his ears. Funny how he hadn't noticed it before. Terrina's eyes struck him first, but then all the other little details jumped out. She was his mama's color. Terry got his eyes from his maternal grandmamma and his ears from his paternal grandpa. Terrina repped both sides of his family like him. He sat down on his bed and rocked his body, staring at her picture like it was going to disappear if he stopped looking at her.

That was his baby girl.

Nova carried her while enduring the stress of an unraveling marriage. His woman needed peace and a home fit for a queen. He was determined to give it to her. Texting his parents, he sent them a quick message that he had to postpone coming to Louisiana because of work.

He stopped by his local coffee shop and loaded up on an egg white breakfast sandwich and coffee. Hitting the road by noon, he headed east after texting Nova that he was driving and would arrive in Charleston within two days. She sent him another picture of Terrina and Junior. He smiled so hard in his truck after taking a restroom break. Junior was nearly two years old, and it shocked Terry that he didn't look like Jordan anymore. The boy had Nova's face dipped in milk chocolate. He noticed that she'd typed the names Terrina and Novan. He typed the name Novan with a question mark. A minute later, she sent a message that she legally changed her son's name to hers. His nickname was Van-Van. Yeah, she was really done with Jordan if she yanked his son's name away from him. That shit was tough.

"My baby girl will never have that problem," he muttered, heading onto the freeway again.

Terry drove non-stop, only taking breaks when the truck needed gas. He loaded up with a bunch of Big Macs from McDonald's in Dallas, and his heart started beating wildly. Sitting in the parking lot, he inhaled deeply several times and listened to one of his meditation apps. On the verge of a panic attack unless he spoke to someone about his sudden anxiety at meeting his daughter, he called Bethany and confessed everything.

"I'm sitting here freaking out, Bethany. I just want to get to South Carolina and see Nova…hold my baby, but right now I'm losing it. Cuss me out, yell at me, I don't care…I just needed to talk to someone I trusted who knows me…knows I wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone on purpose. Not even Jordan."

Bethany gave a long sigh. He waited for a shrill tone to rip his ear apart.

"Terry, I have to be honest with you. Nova called and told me everything a month ago."

"She what? A month ago?"

"Don't be upset. She was scared and didn't have anyone supporting her. Her family flipped out…Jordan's family flipped. Jordan is on a downward spiral. It's a shitshow out there…but I promised her I wouldn't say anything until she was ready to face you. Go easy on her, okay?"

"I'm glad she has you," he finally said after a long pause.

"You should be glad to have me, too. I should kick your butt, though."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything about her…and me."

"Didn't have to. I already knew something was up. I just hoped you two would've ended it quietly without all this blowback. You make a pretty baby, though. She looks just like you and your mom."

"I'm nervous Bethany…a little scared. I'm thrilled to have Terrina…it's just…I'm halfway across the country ready to uproot Nova from her hometown. Am I doing the right thing for her and the baby? I mean…she has Junior…Van-Van. Can I take him away from his father like this?"

"She reached out and wants you to come for her. That's all you need to concern yourself with. I'll let her tell you herself what's been going on, but that is your family now. Jordan should be an afterthought in your mind."

"I want to marry her."

"Get her out of Charleston first. Text me when you get there."

"Does Von know?"

"No. This is something he needs to hear from you when you get back."

"Thank you for being there…for the both of us."

"You have a darling little two-month-old who needs her daddy. Drive safe, Terry. Love you."

Terry sat in the truck, feeling better. Bethany didn't hate him. He texted Nova despite the late hour in her time-zone.

He started the truck and drove closer to his love.

Terry sat in a parking lot of a Target store in a town just outside of Charleston on Sunday morning. He wanted to buy gifts for Nova and the baby, but the store didn't open until seven. The weather was already hot, and he rolled the windows down to wait three hours. He contemplated waiting at a Jack in the Box parking lot, but there were two cop cars there and the last thing he wanted was to attract the attention of the police outside of a fast-food joint at four in the morning.

He spent time on his smartphone looking up all the things he had to do legally to establish paternity. DNA test. Filing the results with the court. It would probably be a hassle to take Jordan's name off the birth certificate, but Terry would spend whatever money it took to pay all court fees to do so. He'd need to get a lawyer in Charleston to navigate everything.

The store opened, and he grabbed a cart, rolling it to the children's section. There was no sales associate around to ask about sizes, so he looked at infant clothing that claimed to fit newborns up to two months. He bought a fancy box of chocolate for Nova's grandmother who she stayed with after leaving her brother's home. Flowers for Nova. Baby balloons. A clunky-looking Captain America action figure for Van-Van. It took him a minute to find the Black one. Sam Wilson. It was going to be all Black everything in their household. Terry paused in the toy section. He imagined his life being like Von and Bethany's, raising two children and being happy. Von always went home to a happy wife and happy children. Sending up a prayer to God, he wanted to provide the same life for Nova and his new family.

He paid for everything at check-out and rolled his cart out to the truck. Bethany was right about Target. You can't ever go inside and come out with the one thing you went in for. He spent over two hundred dollars on all kinds of toys for his daughter and bonus son.

Terry smelled like long hours on the road and stopped at a café to purchase a blueberry muffin that gave him access to the restroom. He washed up, brushed his teeth, and changed into fresh clothes he carried in a backpack. By the time he hit the road again, he was ready to face his future. Following the directions on his GPS, he admired the old buildings and the slow pace of Charleston's southern charm. That went out the window when a palmetto bug flew into the truck. A goddamn flying roach. Hell nah!

He rolled up his windows and put on the air conditioner. The directions showed that he still had an hour to reach Edisto Island. He leaned into the steering wheel once he started crossing the McKinley-Washington Bridge that led to Nova. The Dawhoo River below him looked like mysterious black water. The tannins seeping out of decaying trees turned the water a dark tea-color. Nova once explained that the word "Edisto" meant "black" and was also the name of the indigenous people who lived there, including her Gullah kin, from way back.

His heart palpitated, and he started breathing faster when he reached the street where Mrs. Mariam Walker, the matriarch of Nova's family lived. He smelled the heavy scent of the sea and the river. The house was only a few blocks away from Edisto Beach. Everything around him had been built by Gullah hands. Homes. The bridge. Docks. Churches. Everything.

He passed Mrs. Walker's house because there was no parking available on both sides of the street. Making a U-Turn, he found a spot where a driver left in a brown van. He glanced over at the large white house with the double stairs leading to another stairway that led up to a semi-wrap-around porch. Several older Black men and a couple of men Terry's age stood on the porch looking his way. They built the old house high to avoid flooding, and it seemed like it should've been on a heritage museum tour. He typed into his phone.

I'M HERE.

He put on a stoic expression to face Nova's male relatives. They probably weren't thrilled to see him approaching the house.

The front door flew open and Nova dashed out. She ran down the top stairs first and waited on the landing, her eyes searching the street. When she fixed her gaze on him, she covered her mouth and jumped up twice before running down the left set of stairs, hurtling forward like a comet to greet him. He moved so fast people could've sworn he had wings on his feet like Mercury.

"Terry!" she cried out.

A bunch of women exited the house to watch them.

The moment Nova reached him, he lifted her up high. She hugged his neck so tight that she almost cut off his circulation. He set her down, and they held each other. Embracing her was like having a missing puzzle piece slipped back into its proper place. It was hard to look at her without the tears in his eyes making it difficult to see. She trembled in his arms and every hitched breath she took tore at his heart. He had been a fool to let her go. Sparing another man's feelings in a wasted act of nobility cost him time with the woman he loved and a daughter he hadn't met yet. Lying to Jordan about not sleeping with Nova had been the wrong choice to make eleven months ago. He should've come clean and faced the music back then. It cost him his own happiness. Cost him sharing the journey of Terrina's birth.

He touched and smelled Nova's fragrant hair. She still carried the scent of sugar cookies and strawberries on her skin. Her cornflower blue wrap dress sat snug around her figure. Having babies just made her look enchanting to him.

"Told you…told you I would come the moment you needed me," he said.

She nodded, and they pressed their foreheads together.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you, too."

She burst into tears. He rocked her in his arms, saying her name over and over.

"Are the babies inside?" he asked.

"Van-Van is with Jordan for the weekend. Terrina is inside with my mother and grandmother."

Nova wiped her wet face and puffy eyes.

"Ready to meet your daughter?"

He laughed out loud, and then bit down on his tongue gently to keep himself from leaking more water out of his eyes. He wiped his face and glanced at the welcoming committee on the porch.

"Mawmaw cooked a big Sunday breakfast and invited the family over to see you," she said.

"See me, or beat my ass?" he joked.

Nova's eyes welled up. He stroked her arms.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Bethany told me you're having it rough here. I gotta take that weight off of you. I'm the one who got you pregnant…I'm the one who'll fix all of this, too."

He kissed her forehead. She kept her cute pixie cut and fixed her baby hairs to look like curling ocean waves. He rubbed her back. She rested her head on his chest, unable to look at him.

"Terry…I didn't know she was yours. Jordan and I got back together, and I tried to put you away in my heart. He started messing up out here…I left him…but I still thought she was his. I wasn't hiding her from you…I wasn't trying to keep her a secret from Jordan, either. I didn't realize until after she was born that she wasn't his. I was so frightened of what would happen to me and her when everyone found out what I did. People in my family called me a whore…and Jordan…"

She wept. He soothed her as best as he could.

"Just think about us…okay? Hold on to us and I promise, Nova…things are going to get better."

"Okay."

She wiped her nose and inhaled deeply to calm herself down. He clasped her hand in his, and she walked him up the steps. Her family members held paper plates of food and hushed their talking as Terry looked at them.

"Everyone, this is Terry…Terry Richmond. Terrina's father."

"We can see dat. Can't miss his chirren at all."

The other relatives tittered under their breath. An older woman in her eighties pushed a walker and Nova's family parted to give her room so her eyes could inspect Terry up and down. She had slightly wrinkled, dark pecan-brown skin and gray hair clipped short. Mariam Walker…Mawmaw.

"I see una have no shame coming here after putting a baby in her the wrong way."

"Mawmaw," Nova whispered.

"Ma'am, I'm not here to upset you. I want to meet my daughter and be with Nova."

"Be with Nova?"

Mawmaw sucked her teeth and pointed at Nova with an accusatory finger.

"Look ya. Dat is a married 'ooman. You a comeya, messing up the peace of dis family."

"Ma'am, I don't mean any disrespect—"

"Tie yuh mout!" Mawmaw shrieked.

A female relative stepped forward.

"Okay now, Mawmaw…my Lord, let the man get inside the house first before y'all put all they business in the street. Hi Terry, I'm Cornelia…Nova's aunt. People call me Nella. Come inside. Mawmaw is going to fuss no matter what you say."

Nella walked toward the screen and opened it for Terry. She was forty-ish, heavyset, and a shade darker than Nova, but had the same sparkling brown eyes.

"I have some things in the truck to bring in," Terry said.

"Go get 'em, then," Nella said with a warm smile.

Terry walked back down to the truck with Nova. He collected the flowers and gave them to her. Her face brightened up with the full, colorful bouquet in her hands. He grabbed the balloons, Terrina's bag of baby clothes, and chocolate, then headed back to the house with Nova by his side.

"This is for you, ma'am…Mawmaw," he said.

Mawmaw looked at the big box of expensive Godiva chocolate shells, and her eyes widened; surprised that he was giving her something.

"He tryna butter her up," one of the older men snickered.

Nella waved for him to keep moving.

"Tote all that in here, Terry, c'mon now. Can't let these no-see-ums in the house."

Terry glanced at Nova.

"Mosquitos. The ones here will eat you up and you won't even see them," Nova said.

He grinned hard enough to show his gums.

"They've been eating me up since I got here."

Nova led him inside the quaint living room filled with old, cared-for furniture and several sizes of intricately woven tan baskets with dark brown geometric patterns woven in the detail that decorated the corners. The interior smelled of good southern cooking and something else, something that the west coast didn't quite have yet: the odor of history. His hometown in Louisiana had it. All the south and the east coast had it in abundance. Compared to the south, the west was still young and feeling its oats.

Old family pictures cluttered a mantle, and so many people were crammed inside that it made Terry feel like the Jolly Green Giant. He definitely was the tallest person there. His eyes were drawn to a large painting above the mantle of elongated ebony figures showcasing men, women, and children dressed in clothing from the 1930s with blue-black skin and featureless faces. The painting seemed to be the focal point of the room that gave it a cozy feel rooted in a proud lineage.

Three women Mawmaw's age sat on a couch wearing their good Sunday wigs. They scrutinized everything on him. Somewhere out back, the excited voices of children playing added a comforting noise.

Nova took the bag of clothes from him and set them on an empty chair.

"Hello…I'm Terry, pleased to see everyone," he said.

Mawmaw shuffled in with her walker and Nella helped her sit down on an old rocking chair.

"Dis him," Mawmaw said to the ladies on the couch.

Nova introduced him to everyone present. He became eager to make a good impression despite the hard stares and thin-lipped expressions from the elders. All he needed was a knife to cut the simmering animosity in the front room. A giant bible sat propped open on a bookstand next to Mawmaw's rocker. A huge brown lacquered cross hung next to a picture of a tawny Jesus on the wall behind her seat. Terry took in the context clues and understood quickly that he was in a serious religious household. That meant their situation would never be acceptable to MawMaw. The matriarch's frigid brown eyes stared him down like she was going to turn him into a pillar of salt.

A baby's cry interrupted the family showdown.

Mawmaw's eyes immediately softened, and she tried to stand up too fast, almost losing her balance.

"My great-grandbaby is calling for me," Mawmaw said, or at least that's what Terry made out.

The shrill cry shattered the peace again, and Terry felt a lump grow in his throat. He imprinted that sound to memory. That was his daughter. His first time hearing her.

Nella gently pushed Mawmaw back in her seat.

"Bring ha," Mawmaw said.

"Mawmaw…Terry needs to see his baby. He come three thousand miles. Man is probably tired and hungry rushing here. Let him have his time alone with Terrina," Nella said.

Nova placed her flowers on an end table near one of the older adult men sitting in the room and grabbed Terry's hand.

"Come…she's back here," Nova said.

Her eyes were shiny with pride and love.

They moved past family members who ogled his height and muscular build. His body looked big and battle ready from all of his military training. Moving through a short hallway, they skipped past two other bedrooms and made their way to the last one.

Pauletta, Nova's mother, sat on a worn pistachio green armchair.

"Nova, she's not wet or anything. She might be ready to eat again—"

She fell silent, spotting Terry standing behind Nova. He sensed a wariness in her eyes, but she only pressed her lips together. Terry looked down at Pauletta's lap. Air rushed out of his chest instantly.

Terrina.

So tiny. So chubby. So adorable. So his twin.

He let out a shaky breath. Pauletta noticed the tears in his eyes. Her demeanor changed immediately. Nova lifted their daughter up and brought her closer to him. Terrina's cheeks held a few dewdrop tears that looked like tiny crystal jewels to him.

"Hey Terrina…meet your daddy," Nova said.

"Sit down," Pauletta said, leaving the armchair available to him. She left him alone with Nova and the baby.

Terry sat down with a heavy body, and Nova placed his daughter in his arms. Terrina squirmed and made little mewling sounds. Her eyes tried to focus on the enormous face staring down at her. She scrunched her cheeks and eyes up then let out a few "Neh…neh…neh" cries, threatening to bawl loud and long. With tiny clenched fists waving about, her cheeks soon turned a ruddy brown complexion, filled with distressed baby emotion.

"Heh…heh…heh…neh," she said.

She lined her green eyes with his, and Terry said her name for the first time to her face.

"Hello Terrina, daddy's here. I made it. Baby girl…I'm here," he said.

The deepness of his voice quieted Terrina's discomfort. She latched onto his face with teary eyes and studied him like she had to take a test the next day. He touched her thin blue t-shirt with little white ducks on them and looked over the matching bottoms that covered her diaper. Her hands relaxed, and he touched each finger, admired every little toe. He stroked her ears that stuck out like his, and he sniffed her dark brown curls that looked so full all over her scalp. She had Nova's heart-shaped face and plump cupid-bow lips, but everything else on that baby was him.

"Nova…thank you," he said.

He squeezed his eyes shut and made a vow. No one would ever shame Nova for having Terrina. People could keep it in the groupchat about the adulterous affair. Their baby came to them beyond the depths of pain and confusion. Love created her. Nothing more, nothing less.

He heard the murmurings and loud chatter out front. English and Gullah-laced conversations rambled on, but Terry was in a love bubble with Terrina and Nova. Terrina started fretting and moving her limbs about.

"Sit on the bed, Terry. I need to feed her."

He stood and gave up the chair for Nova, then handed her the baby. Nova slid the top of her wrap dress aside and pulled down the flap on her dark blue maternity bra that revealed a heavy breast. Terrina's little body started bouncing with anticipation. She stuck out her tongue and made sucking motions.

"Yes, mommy is going to feed you now," Nova said in a singsong voice.

His heart melted when he witnessed Terrina's slobbery smile for the first time in person. She latched onto the nipple and her chunky cheeks puffed in and out as she fed. Nova rubbed her hair and Terrina stared at her mother with peace in her eyes. Her little feet kicked up, and he touched her toes again.

"I can't believe we made her," he said.

"We did."

Terrina actively sucked away, keeping her little green eyes on Nova's face. Occasionally, her eyes wandered to look at him, still trying to figure out who the unknown man in the room was. Eventually, she released the one nipple from her small mouth and Nova offered her the other one.

"She feeds from each breast…you can tell when she's ready to switch by the way she bounces and slows down on sucking," Nova told him.

Terry kissed Nova on the cheek. He observed it all with wonderment.

"I have a breast pump, so you'll be helping with this," she teased.

"I'm ready," he said.

A creaking sound on a floorboard caught their attention. Mawmaw pushed her walker near the doorway.

"Oonah stomach in ya back?" Mawmaw asked him.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Terry asked.

Nova giggled. Mawmaw looked at her.

"Axum fuh me," Mawmaw said.

Nova smiled at Terry.

"Are you hungry? We've got plenty of leftovers."

His stomach growled and for the first time, Mawmaw grinned at him.

"Wolf in his belly. C'mon…fixin' ya plate…"

Mawmaw turned around and shuffled off.

"Go get something to eat. We'll be right here waiting for you," Nova said.

He lowered his head and kissed her firmly on the lips. She parted her lips, and he sought the familiar taste of her tongue to remind himself that she belonged to him. Terrina swatted a chubby finger on his cheek and he kissed her small hand and forehead. Baby powder and Johnson's baby lotion scents wafted into his nose. He wanted to stay but his stomach snitched on him again. Starving.

Terry followed Mawmaw as she rolled her walker past a small dining room into her kitchen. A stove full of big pots and pans caught his eyes, as well as a kitchen table displaying the remains of leftover homemade biscuits, white gravy, link sausages, fried potatoes, and scrambled eggs. Mawmaw pointed to an empty chair at the far end of the table near the window. A dark-skinned woman in her fifties with short red-dyed locs sat across from him, finishing up a plate of food.

"How you doing? I'm Terry."

"I'm doing well this Sunday. I'm Brielle."

Brielle broke apart a biscuit and smothered it in gravy.

"You drove here, huh?"

"Yes, ma'am. Thirty-seven hours with two catnaps."

"My goodness. By yourself?"

"Yes."

Mawmaw lifted a plate on the counter and scooped out a healthy serving of yellow grits and covered it in shrimp and gravy.

"You have shrimp and grits before?" Brielle asked.

"My mama makes it."

"Where you from?"

"Cypress Bend, Louisiana."

"That's where you drove from?"

"I came from California…I can get that," he said.

He stood and took the plate and a fork from Mawmaw so she wouldn't have to struggle to move around. She turned and sat on the small seat connected to her walker. He closed his eyes and prayed over his food and when he opened them back up, Mawmaw seemed pleased by the act.

"Una go to church, young man?" Mawmaw asked.

"Not as much as I should. I used to sing in the choir at my church back home. I was raised Baptist."

Mawmaw nodded.

"What oonah parents think 'bout whatchu did?" Mawmaw asked.

"Mawmaw, let him eat his food," Brielle said.

"My house, I talk when I want."

Pauletta popped in and went directly to Mawmaw.

"Mawmaw, Mrs. Tinely is outside. She brought you some of her collards."

Mawmaw, stood and turned her walker toward the front room. Pauletta followed behind her. Terry dug into the food. It was still warm and savory. The grits were creamy with butter, and the gravy was packed with salty bacon and onion bits. Garlic and bell peppers rounded out the flavor, and he smacked his lips.

"This is a good roux. Nice and thick," he said.

Brielle wiped crumbs from her bottom lip with a napkin.

"Listen to me good, Terry. This family has been in an uproar about this situation with you and Nova. We love Terrina…she's blood and she ain't did nothing wrong coming into the world. I think what you did is wrong, but I understand how things can happen. Shit, we dragged Jordan by his edges, too and it caused a rift between our two families. Mawmaw won't even let him come inside the house anymore. I hope your intentions being here are good for Nova's sake…and my grand-niece."

"They are. I love, Nova."

"Jordan said he loved her, too. Words don't mean nothin' to me. We got two babies who need fathering. If you mean well, all ya gotta do is show us, and you'll be alright young man."

Terry kept eating. Brielle's tone didn't sound adversarial. It was forthright. He acted the same way.

"Who called Nova a whore?"

Brielle blinked twice, and her lips moved slightly to the right of her face.

"Uncle Pete is old school. A deacon in the church. Old people don't mince words."

"I don't either."

She grinned.

"Okay now, that's real good. Don't back down from the naysayers. However, if the Patterson family find out you're here, things might get outta hand. None of them wanna see you 'round these parts."

Terry piled a few sausages on his plate with a biscuit.

"Nobody can run me off from my baby or Nova. I'm taking her with me when I leave. Her and the children."

"Say what now?"

"I didn't come this far to visit and leave by myself. I'm taking my family with me."

"She's not even divorced yet."

"Does she have full custody of Van-Van?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Then she can leave…freely."

"You can't take them kids away from Mawmaw. It'll break her heart."

"Nova doesn't want to be here. She's not happy. Who would be, though? Being called names by her family members and looked down on like she's wearing a scarlet letter 'A' on her chest."

Brielle stood and touched his arm.

"It's not everybody, mainly the older ones. Show them who you are and things will smooth over. You already doin' better than Jordan."

"How's that?"

"Mawmaw let you in the house."

Brielle winked her eye and cleared her dishes.

He ate his food in silence. A bunch of children ran into the kitchen from the back door. Three boys and two girls, all around eight to twelve-years-old.

"Who are you?" the oldest girl asked.

"Terry," he said.

The girl stared at his eyes.

"You got eyes like, Terrina."

"I'm her father."

"How you her father when Auntie Nova is married to Uncle Jordan?"

Terry chewed his last piece of sausage and cleaned up his plate in the sink. He left the children staring at his back.

The adults gossiped in the front room and out on the porch. He slipped past them and searched for a restroom. After relieving himself, he stared at his reflection.

"Relax…relax…"

He splashed cool water on his face and used a paper towel on the sink to wipe the excess liquid away. His lips curled into a smile, noticing the fancy hand towels on the rack behind him. Mawmaw didn't want anyone touching her nice pink hand towels. Paper towels for everyone. Just like his mama back home.

Before he went back to Nova and Terrina, he wanted to speak to Uncle Pete.

He followed a plastic runner on the floor that led him back to the front room. The elders watched him open the screen and step outside. Mawmaw sat on her walker, talking to a middle-aged fair-skinned Black woman, Mrs. Tinely, in a corner of the porch. Nella perked up when she noticed him.

"Which one of these men out here is Uncle Pete?" Terry asked.

Nella turned her head to show him, but the older man stepped forward. Pete looked to be in his mid-sixties, with a paunchy belly and umber skin. His receding hairline added a few years to his appearance, and the dull brown church slacks and tan button-up shirt screamed conservative and cheap.

"I'm Uncle Pete," the man boomed with a voice almost as deep as Terry's.

"May I speak to you, sir, in private?"

Nella gave Pete a look, and the older man glanced around to see if anyone heard Terry. They did. He followed Pete down the steps with several sets of curious eyes tracking them from the porch. The two men stepped to the right side of the stairs that led to a driveway with part of the house acting as a carport covering. Blue glass bottles decorated a small tree at the edge of the property. Sunlight struck a few of the bottles, creating streaks of blue diffuse refection against the side of the house. He recognized the tradition that was done in Louisiana, too. Used for protection and to ward off evil, his daddy called them spirit bottles. His grandmother in Yazoo, Mississippi had one. The blue color was meant to imitate water and thwart troublesome entities from bothering the home since they couldn't cross over running water. The bottles were supposed to trap them if they dared to trick their way near.

Pete folded his arms across his chest.

"What do you want to speak with me about?"

"I heard that you called Nova a whore because she gave birth to my daughter."

Pete tilted his head and spoke boldly.

"Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore…lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness."

Terry stepped closer to Pete, lowering his head so he could look the man directly in the eyes.

"Respectfully, sir, no man, especially a man of God, should disrespect his niece by calling her a whore."

"Tell him!" Nella said.

"Nella!"

Mawmaw's voice echoed loud above them.

Pete looked past Terry. Nella stared down at them with Mawmaw, Brielle and the other men present. Sweat traced several paths on Pete's face from the rising temperature and the sun hanging directly overhead. A glint of blue bottle reflection speckled his cheek.

"Men are talking," Mawmaw said.

"Talk to him, Terry," Nella urged.

"Any anger, disappointment, or harsh words you want to speak…you say them to me. Not her. Jordan broke his vows to her in California first several times over. He'd been doing so even before she came out there. Nova tried her best to be a good wife to him, but he neglected her. Could I have inserted myself into her life properly by waiting for her to divorce? Sure… but I didn't, and that's on me."

"I won't stand here and have a snake in the Lord's garden justify his actions leading Nova astray. Her sin and your sin ended a marriage that had been in the making for years. You put asunder two large families, not just two individuals, son."

"I don't need to justify my actions to you. She and I have a beautiful daughter together that I want to support. I plan on taking responsibility for both of them. I'm asking you to stop insulting her because I won't tolerate it."

"You created a broken home, young man. Do ya think coming here absolves you of that? We don't know you. We don't know your people. Had you not interfered, she and Jordan could've weathered the storm with more counseling and time to heal."

Terry placed his hands together in front of Pete.

"Let me make this clear to you, …sir…Nova suffered mental, and emotional abuse with Jordan's infidelity. Physical abuse too, if you count the potential sexually transmitted diseases he could've brought home to her. He screwed so many women that they were sending him care packages overseas while he had a wife and child at home waiting on him. Nova is done with him. Sorry to his family, but I plan on making a new family with her the moment her divorce goes through. Jordan broke his family…not me."

Terry's voice rose loud enough to concern Nova's people. Pauletta lowered her head. Hearing the full extent of her son-in-law's behavior must've shocked her. A few of the younger men walked down the steps to watch them closer. Nella came down too, with Brielle.

"Jordan ripped her heart out and I'm putting it back in… and protecting it from now on. Please save your words about whores and wickedness for him, not Nova."

"She never should've had a child out of wedlock with someone who isn't her husband!"

Nella stepped forward and waved her hands.

"Now…now Uncle Pete…let's not go there. You the last person who should be talking about having kids out of wedlock with all the outside kids you have running around here."

She put a hand on her hip.

"It's always the folks who live in their self-righteous glass houses that wanna throw stones. Be the first ones ready to judge people like they shit don't stink. It's time we all mind our business and let Nova live her life without a bunch of hypocrites wagging they finger. Maybe you need to call Aunt Evelyn and ask her how it felt to be married to you back in the day with all your cheatin' and carrying on."

"I'm a saved man walking with Christ now!"

Pete threw up his hands in disgust and stomped down the street. Nella catcalled him.

"Yeah, kitchen got hot and ya gotta leave with Christ, huh, Uncle Pete? Don't like it when a mirror is put up to your face, huh?"

Pete climbed into a red Escalade and drove off. Brielle rolled her eyes and glanced at Nella.

"Watch him call Mawmaw whining about this later," Brielle said.

"You know he will," Nella said.

Terry walked past the younger men who avoided eye contact with him. He climbed the stairs and looked at the rest of the family on the porch.

"Excuse me," he said.

He grit his teeth and fought the urge to check every single person there. Nova's mother stayed next to Mawmaw. He swept back into the house and picked up Nova's flowers and his daughter's bag of new clothes. Even the children moved out of his way as they sat on the floor watching a cartoon in front of an older model big screen TV.

His long legs carried him to the back bedroom.

Nova held Terrina by the open window where a crib stood. She heard everything through the screen. He placed the bag on the bed and put the flowers on a nightstand.

"Food was good," he said.

She nodded and kissed Terrina's forehead. He moved over to her and wrapped his arms around them both. Looking down at his daughter, he noticed her cheeks puffing out. Nova caught the strained expression on her face, too, and sniffed the air.

"Uh oh, someone's gone stink-stink," Nova said.

She handed him Terrina and dug into a diaper bag under the crib. She grabbed a towel on a dresser and spread it on the double bed. Gesturing for him to bring the baby, she stepped back.

"Time for your first diaper changing session," Nova said.

Oh, Lord.

Terry held Terrina for the longest time until his eyes drooped. His road trip caught up to him and he slept on the bed while Nova fed their daughter once more.

The colors of the sky had changed from powder blue to blue-black when he woke up. The temperature was slightly cooler, yet still muggy. Nova was no longer in the bedroom with him. He heard her voice speaking softly in another room.

Terrina slumbered peacefully in her crib.

Terry stared at her for a long time. His mama and dad would faint with joy, knowing they were finally grandparents. He itched to call them, but decided he would bring Terrina to them as a surprise Christmas gift. They longed for grandchildren out of their three children. But his oldest sister married her husband and raised two golden retrievers as their children. His older brother worked in a fast-paced five-star restaurant in New York as an avowed bachelor. Most of their cousins had children and his parents sulked every holiday, lamenting at the fact they were everyone's favorite aunt and uncle, yet never grandparents capable of spoiling their own grandkids. Terry broke the baby drought finally. He couldn't wait to see their shocked expressions in three months.

He rested his large hand on his daughter's midsection to feel the rise and fall of her chubby tummy. She stirred. Her limbs quivered, and she wiggled a bit before opening her eyes.

"Hi my sweet little girl," he said softly above her.

Her lips poked out, and her fretful expression humbled him. Terry lifted her up and held her close to his heart, bouncing her gently to offset the unhappy noises she made. He was still a stranger to her. He cooed and made soft sounds. She didn't cry, only gurgled and squirmed in his arms. Terry rubbed her back and walked around the room. When he cradled her, Terrina's face looked ready to cry.

"Daddy doesn't want to upset you…let's go find mommy, okay?"

"Neh…neh…" she replied, with a crinkled nose.

He wandered through the hallway and journeyed to the front room. Mawmaw sat in her rocker with Nova across from her in another armchair. Nella sat on the couch watching the TV. All eyes gazed at him walking in with his baby.

"You must've slept well," Nella said.

He grinned.

Mawmaw studied his presence and he figured the thawing out came from holding his own child and loving on her. It shifted something in the matriarch. Maybe it was the curt words he had with Uncle Pete. He glimpsed lines on Nova's forehead and became alert to restlessness in the mood of everyone there. The bulk of the Walker family already left.

He sat down next to Nella on the couch and Terrina relaxed in his arms as the familiar sound of Nella's baby-talking voice kicked in. Mawmaw glanced at Nova. Nova fidgeted in her seat.

"Terry, Jordan is on his way to drop off Van-Van. He'll be here soon."

"He know I'm here?"

"No."

"I'll stay in the backroom when he comes."

Nova nodded.

"I have to face him soon, Nova. You know that."

"I know."

He stood and padded over to Mawmaw, handing her Terrina. She held the baby close to her chest.

A late evening breeze rattled a few of the bottles on the tree outside. The lights of a car pulled into the carport driveway. Nova jumped up, and Terry retreated to the back bedroom. He sat on the bed and rested his hands on his thighs. A car door opened and slammed shut. Terry waited for Jordan to enter the house with Van-Van. Instead, he heard a woman's voice.

"He had a nap earlier so he may take longer to get to sleep tonight…Jordan bought him more pull-ups and put them in his bag with the cleaned clothes," the voice said.

"I'll bring him next week earlier," Nova said.

"You can drop him off at Boppie's house, Benji's birthday party is on Friday."

"Alright. Please make sure Boppie keeps Van-Van at the house. If Jordy makes runs, I want someone going with him…I don't trust where he goes."

"We're doing everything we can, Nova…Charles has been keeping an eye on him. You can call me if you don't want to speak to Jordan directly."

"Is he in the car?"

"Yeah."

"Sober?"

"As far as I know, yeah."

"He must not be if you had to drive and not him."

"He's just tired from earlier. We took Van-Van to the park with Erika's boys…hey Mawmaw…Nella."

"Hey, Michelle."

"Night."

The front door closed.

Terry peeked from the window and watched Michelle walk down the steps. Her tall frame disappeared under the carport where the back bedroom sat above.

Nova joined him in the bedroom and sat on the armchair. Her face had relaxed from its pinched expression right before Van-Van arrived.

"Nella has Van-Van," she said.

Heaviness pressed down on the room. Reality sunk in for Terry. Nova's life and the life of the children were in his hands. He reached over and held her hand, threading their fingers together.

"Why did you leave Jordan? Did he cheat again?"

Nova lowered her gaze to their hands clasped together and shook her head.

"His friend Charles got him a job at the port authority…helping to manage the trailers and containers. He makes decent money. I thought we were going to be okay, but then…I started finding tiny plastic baggies around the house…in his car. There were extreme mood swings. He started peeing in the bed almost every night. I thought something was wrong with his prostate. I had to put rubber sheets on our bed because he soaked up two mattresses. He started losing weight, and his face looked gaunt. I thought he was sick and begged him to get help. People I didn't know started hanging out with him. White guys. Backwoods lookin' people. At first I thought they were his new co-workers, but Charles said they were a rough crowd that hung out at a bar I've never been to before. A bunch of drug dealers and users. I showed Charles the little bags, and he told me Jordan was hooked on meth. God, Terry, I wish he was seeing another woman."

She covered her face with her hands.

"Take your time," he said.

She ran a nervous hand over the curls at her nape.

"I confronted him about it and he promised to stop. I changed Van-Van's name during that time because I could see the writing on the wall. He agreed to the change as long as I stayed with him. I did so only to get his signature for the legal documents. I called his parents and told them what was going on. His family did an intervention, and he checked into rehab. He came home and two weeks later…I found the baggies again. That's when I left him. Took Van-Van to my brother's house and then moved here after Terrina was born."

Nova took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead.

"I filed for a no-fault divorce. We have to live apart for a length of time and I'm hoping it'll be finalized by Christmas or New Year's at the latest. I requested full custody of both children and he gave it because he didn't want me filing about his drug use. I just don't understand how someone who had everything handed to him could ruin his life on purpose. He comes from a solid family…had a promising military career. Our families are so close. The man isn't stupid. He skipped going to college because he wanted to be a marine his whole life like his dad. I thought our life was going to be perfect. But then he left for basic training…"

Nova leaned her elbow on the armrest and covered her mouth.

"What kind of man throws his life away…the life of his son and wife, too…for nothing?" she asked.

Terry pulled her onto the bed with him. They laid back and faced each other.

"I went to Oceanside thinking my dream had come true. The boy I was crazy about grew up into this handsome, virile man… a soldier…yet it all turned into a nightmare. When I look back on it, I really think he wanted me pregnant because he didn't think I'd leave him because of our families being tight. He had the nerve to tell me after I handed him our divorce papers that we'd get back together again because no one wants a single mom with two kids."

"What happened when he found out about Terrina?"

Her eyebrows knitted together. It took her a long time to gather her thoughts.

"When she came out of me, none of us suspected anything. She was all wrinkled and very sensitive to light. Her eyes looked puffy, and she slept a lot. It was her ears that caught my attention after I brought her home. Then…it was clear by the eyes that she was yours. Jordy was the first and only man I ever slept with until you came along. I believed Jordy was my one true love, so even when we were on the outs, I never let any other man inside of me."

She stroked his shirt.

"The first time I met you, I thought to myself, 'That is the type of man I want Jordy to become'. When I got to know you better, I knew Jordy didn't have it in him to be like you."

He pulled her in closer. She spoke in a whisper.

"I was attracted to you the first time I met you, Terry. I took one look at your face and got scared…like I knew my life was all wrong…like I'd made a mistake. The first time I kissed you, I knew you were my destiny. Jordy was out getting high when Terrina was born. He visited us at the hospital lit as hell. His family pressured him to clean up again a few days later, and that's when he found out. He saw Terrina's eyes and got real quiet. Scary quiet. I confessed to him everything. He cried…cursed your name…cursed me while I held her in my arms. My brother put him out of the house and we didn't talk for about a week. He came back and said he would claim Terrina as his daughter, no matter what. Said I got my lick back by having another man's baby, but I was still his legal wife and the law would see him as Terrina's father because his name was on the birth certificate. As far as he was concerned, Terrina was his daughter and he would take the L and deal with it. I called Bethany because you had changed your number. She told me to do right by Terrina and tell you the truth. It took me a month to get the courage, and even then, all I could do was send you a picture and my new number. Jordy didn't want anyone to know. Instead of leaving me alone, he got it in his head that he would raise Terrina. I told him I was going to tell you. That's when he threatened to kill you and me if you ever came into the picture."

Terry's body tensed.

"He threatened physical violence against you?"

She nodded.

"Did you tell anyone? Get a restraining order or anything?"

"I went to the magistrate's office, but in order to file a complaint, you must have two incidents of harassment, stalking, or anything else threatening."

"What about when he cursed you out about the baby?"

"He was angry and directed most of his hate at you. Besides, he has a cousin who works in that department, and another cousin who is a cop here. They'd lie on his behalf to protect him and keep their family's reputation intact. I kept the paperwork and let Jordy know if he ever did anything, I would file anyway, and then head to family court to deny him visitation rights with Van-Van. God…none of them witnessed what I went through with him in California. They coddled him and turned me into the villain who tore the marriage apart. I hate it here so much."

"We have to get tests done for me and Terrina. I have to file paternity rights with the court. I want his name off her birth certificate. Nova…I want to take you and the children to Louisiana for Christmas. I haven't told my family about you and Terrina yet because I want to surprise them. I have plenty of leave time to deal with court stuff and spend time here getting to know my baby. But I have to speak with Jordan this week. I can't hide from him. Things will get uncomfortable, but the sooner he knows I'm in the picture, he'll have to come to terms with going through me for anything dealing with you."

"I want to be with you, Terry. I don't want my kids growing up around him. He'll put up a fight with me taking Van-Van away, and I don't want to deal with that or his family."

She broke down in tears.

He wiped her tears away and kissed her nose.

"I don't have much in savings or anything. The only money I get now is what Jordy gives me for the kids. I can get a job when we go to California."

"Don't worry about money or working. I have enough to cover us and I'm making some investments soon for long-term financial moves. We'll figure out a budget and expenses while I'm here… together. My condo's lease ends next August. I'll let you decide where we live. I don't even mind commuting if you want to try that TV station internship again."

Her eyes shined with delight at the idea. She'd lost so much with her goals. He was determined to give her those opportunities back.

Someone knocked on the bedroom door.

Terry removed himself from the bed and opened the door. Nella stood before him.

"Hey…the kids want to be with you, Nova. Terry, I made up the pullout bed for you to sleep on in the front room. Mawmaw doesn't want you sleeping in the bedroom with Nova because Van-Van shares the bed with her."

"I'm okay with that," he said.

"I'll bring them in here. Mawmaw is going to bed now."

He nodded and took a seat in the armchair. Nella returned holding a sleeping Terrina. She ushered Van-Van inside. The boy rubbed at his eyes.

"Hi, Van-Van," Terry whispered.

Nella put Terrina in her crib, and Nova pulled her son onto her lap.

"Night y'all," Nella said.

Van-Van stared at Terry with open curiosity.

"I suppose you don't remember me at all, huh, buddy? I was your godfather for a minute."

The toddler leaned into Nova's chest. His little 'fro was an explosion of thick corkscrew curls about three inches long.

"I'll let you two get ready for bed," he said.

He left the room and meandered back to where he would sleep. Two blankets were folded and stacked for him in the middle of the made-up sleeper. He stepped out of the house and drove his truck into the driveway. There were still two bags in the backseat, along with his duffle bag of clothes and toiletries. He left his two rollerbags of clothes under the truck bed covering. No need to pull them out until they left town.

He showered and changed his clothes in the bathroom, donning a thin t-shirt and plain blue pajama bottoms. Brushing his teeth, he settled in for the night. He pulled a wave cap over his hair and returned to the front room. The sleeper bed wasn't too lumpy. The mattress was thin, though.

He fell asleep thinking about Nova in the next room.

Terry awoke to find Nova sitting in the armchair across from the sofa bed, feeding Terrina. He glanced at his phone on the end table. Four in the morning. She looked exhausted and half asleep. Terrina released her nipple and wiggled in her arms.

"Here, give her to me. You go back to bed," he said.

Nova handed him the baby, and he rested Terrina on his chest. Right near his heart.

"Go on," he said.

Nova lingered.

"I'm so happy you're here," she said.

He puckered his lips, and she kissed him.

"Bring her to me if she becomes too much."

"She's never too much for me."

"I'm going to use the pump to make a bottle for you, in case she needs to be fed again in the next couple of hours. I'll put it in the fridge. There's a bottle warmer on the counter right next to the toaster. You can drop it in and press the 'on' button. It's already pre-set for the temperature."

Nova touched her bottom lip and her eyes looked off into the distance as if she were trying to remember something else.

"Nova…baby…I'll figure it all out. I know where the diapers, wipes and creams are. Go sleep. I got this. When she's back to sleep, I'll put her in the crib. I have the baby monitor right there if she wakes up again."

Nova wandered back to the bedroom. The soft suction of the breast pump hummed after a few minutes. He looked down at Terrina.

"You and me? Tag team?" he said, softly.

He rubbed her back gently, and she released a little burp that made him smile. Listening to the sounds of the old house, it didn't take long to hear Nova's footsteps moving into the kitchen, putting a bottle away. She ducked her head back in.

"I was able to make two bottles," she whispered.

"Okay. We're good here."

She went back to the bedroom.

Holding his child so close, Terry felt like the world had grown bigger with Terrina in it. Used to living day by day, no further than the week ahead of him, he now had to consider years into the future. She wouldn't always stay a tiny baby. She'd learn to walk, talk…run. He couldn't worry about protecting the country anymore from outside threats. He had to hone in on the tiny girl on his chest from now on… his flesh and blood, not the unknown citizens he trained other men to go fight for.

The world could be a dangerous place, and little girls needed fathers who would slay dragons for them. His precious baby slept on his chest for about an hour before he was positive she wouldn't wake up if he moved. He carried her into the back bedroom and quietly put her back in the crib.

Van-Van slept against Nova's side. He watched them both sleep for a minute and then returned to the sofa bed. Sleep wouldn't come to him, so he watched the color of the sky slowly change into pale pastels to bring in the new day. Terrina's soft whimpering crackled on the baby monitor. He rose from his bed and entered the back bedroom again, getting a feel for everything Nova had to do twenty-four seven. Finding the baby's diaper clean, he picked her up; she stared at him, her tiny lips forming shapes as she stuck her tongue in and out.

"Somebody's hungry again. Good Lord, little girl, you'll be as big as daddy if you keep eating so much."

The corners of Terrina's lips went up at the sound of his voice, and she opened her mouth, making breathy sounds. He grinned at her and she gave him the biggest smile that melted his heart.

"Daddy loves you," he whispered.

Nova rolled over and looked at them.

"Sleep some more," he said.

He walked out carrying Terrina and went to the kitchen. Heating the baby bottle was easy and soon enough he was in the front room armchair feeding his daughter an early breakfast. Around seven thirty, Mawmaw and Nella roused up and started cooking breakfast, using the leftovers from Sunday's breakfast.

Mawmaw peeked at him holding Terrina.

"She take to una, real good, huh?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Van-Van ran in and hugged her.

"Mornin'," Mawmaw said.

She patted Van-Van's hair and Nova came out to join him wearing a robe.

"Got some sleep?" Mawmaw said.

"Thanks to Terry."

"Breakfast is ready. Y'all come on in here," Nella said.

Terry could tell Mawmaw wanted to hold Terrina, but she moved her walker toward the dining room. He started following them, but stopped when he smelled a sudden odor. He sniffed and looked at Terrina. Her cheeks puffed out like she had jawbreaker candies stuck in them. Stink-stink.

He changed her diaper and enjoyed the rest of the day with his new family. Mawmaw started talking to him about his life and Nella listened in while weaving sweetgrass baskets with Nova on the porch. The women's nimble fingers wove the pleasant-smelling plant fiber using a long nail and twisting the long strands of sweetgrass around. Nella sold them in a little shop she co-owned with a cousin and also online.

Mawmaw was a master basketweaver and taught her children and grandchildren the skill. Nova instructed him on how to start his own basket and he was able to weave a little coaster for his beers. She showed him the round earrings she made for herself and wore them proudly. There was something sacred about watching the women weave as Mawmaw overlooked their work with advice and suggestions on the designs. He admired the baskets around the house that were over a hundred years old and crafted by Mawmaw's aunts and other kin. She told him stories about cymbee spirits in the rivers surrounding the island and warned him about trickster mermaids in the ocean who loved to seduce handsome men and drag them to their watery world. Terry grinned and Mawmaw teased him, "They like a big fella like una. Watch out now!" Nova giggled with embarrassment witnessing her grandmother warming up to him further.

In the late afternoon, he went for a walk to the beach with Nova and the children. She fitted his shoulders and midsection with a stretchy orange baby wrap, and placed Terrina in it so he could carry her while she held Van-Van's hand. A shyness came over her as they joined hands for the first time in public. Van-Van's curiosity about him would transform their relationship. This was their first step in becoming something new in the world together.

They watched Van-Van run around on the beach with his toddler waddle. Terrina fell asleep, and he loved the feel of her warm little body snug against his. On the way back, they stopped by the bottle tree so Van-Van could look at the pretty blue colors sparkle in the sunlight.

After putting the children down for a nap, he and Nova called to make an appointment for the paternity test. They also narrowed down a choice of lawyers to a Black woman with a solid reputation. He called and spoke to her directly, making a personal appointment for Wednesday.

By dinner, Terry grew comfortable in Mawmaw's house. He washed the dishes and looked after the children with Mawmaw while Nova helped Nella clean the porch. They laughed and told jokes and seemed at peace until Nova's father showed up.

Mr. Titus Easton was fifty-one, broad-shouldered, good-looking, with a cleft chin, and a boisterous energy about him. It reminded Terry of Jordan.

"Terry, this is my father. Daddy, this is…well, you know who he is," Nova said.

Mawmaw and Nella left the front room to find other things to do in the house. Van-Van played with the Captain America doll, and Nova held their daughter.

"Sit down, young man," Titus said.

Nova turned to leave the room, but her father pointed for her to sit on the couch next to Terry. Titus sat in the armchair and stared at them both with sad eyes.

"I didn't come to Sunday breakfast with your mother Nova because I was too upset and afraid of what I would say while everybody was here. But I thought about it and I want to know what you two plan on doing."

Terry sat close to Nova as she cuddled Terrina. Van-Van went on about his business saving the world with Sam Wilson on the floor.

"I contacted a lawyer, sir, and this Wednesday I'm getting a DNA test to establish paternity. We're getting Terrina's birth certificate amended as soon as possible."

"And then what? My daughter's divorce hasn't gone through. She's still married to Jordan. What are your intentions besides taking care of the child you made with her?"

Terry didn't sense anger in Titus. The man genuinely sounded worried for his daughter and grandchildren. Terry hadn't planned to talk about marriage until he asked Nova for her hand, but her father pressed him to speak about everything.

"I want to marry her, Mr. Easton."

Nova's eyes widened, and she couldn't hold back a smile.

"I see. Will you relocate here?"

"No. I'm taking Nova with me. The children, too."

Titus kept quiet. He looked at his grandson on the floor.

"Does your mother know this, Nova?"

"No."

"Is this really what you want to do?"

"I want to be with Terry. We have a daughter now, and we need to be together to raise her. Van-Van as well."

"Is he a good man?"

"Better than good, daddy. He supports me. Loves me. Wants to be with me."

Terrina wiggled and Terry took her from Nova's arms. Titus looked at his granddaughter's precious face and then studied the same features on Terry's.

"Terry is the one, daddy. Jordan was a terrible mistake that can't be fixed. Prayer and counseling don't work. He broke me…brought me to my lowest."

Nova's lip trembled, and she buried her face against Terry's shoulder. Titus stood and walked over to her.

"Come here, sweetheart," Titus said.

Nova stood and hugged her father. He stroked her hair and patted her back.

"It's okay, sweetheart. I had to come see for myself. I've always wanted the best for you and you've always been a good person who worked hard and did all the things in life right. It hurt me when your mother told me about what Terry said…how you suffered so much humiliation. Why didn't you tell us when you were out there?"

Nova wiped her eyes.

"You taught me to always try to work through problems…and Jordy and I…it was hard to tell everyone the truth about him because everybody had such high expectations for us…for our families connecting. I didn't want to give up if there was a chance for things to get better. They just didn't…not even when we came home."

"Okay…okay…I understand…"

Titus comforted his daughter. He stepped back from her and held his hands out for Terrina.

"May I?"

Terry handed the baby to him.

"Hey punkin, grandpa came to see you and Van-Van."

Van-Van heard his name and jumped up, grabbing hold of Titus's leg, showing him his new action figure.

"He fly, grampa," Van-Van said.

"He does? Lemme see."

He moved over to the middle of the floor and Van-Van ran in a circle around him, holding up Sam Wilson. Titus spent an hour with his grandchildren before handing Terrina over for a feeding.

"Come to the house for dinner on Thursday," Titus said. "We'll break the news to your mother and work out ways to help you."

"Thank you, daddy," Nova said.

Titus held out a hand to Terry.

"We can talk again…later. I feel like things are moving too fast for the two of you, but I won't stand in your way," Titus said.

"I respect that," Terry said.

Titus left, and Nova continued feeding the baby. Van-Van showed Terry the other things he bought for him and they interacted in a way that made Mawmaw smile when she returned to the front room and settled into her rocking chair.

The evening quieted his mind and he sat with Nova on the porch trying to catch a cool breeze. They held hands and talked quietly, reminding one another of why they fell in love. Each of them had inquisitive minds and they admired that about the other. Technology and new media interested them and they laughed about the short videos she posted on social media back in Oceanside, where she described life as a marine wife and Sci Fi geek. She had a couple of popular videos where she talked about books and others about being a new mother that went viral before she left for South Carolina.

On Wednesday, they packed up the baby in a car seat and left Van-Van with Nella to babysit so they could get the paternity test done at the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Cheek swabs were taken for him and Terrina, and afterward, they headed over to see his lawyer, Shelly-Anne, where they would make sure all legal paperwork went through her. They explained their situation and Nova gave Shelley-Anne Jordan's address to be notified of the legal proceedings as they came about pertaining to Terrina.

He dropped Nova and the children off at her parent's house Thursday morning and drove to a popular Charleston barbecue joint, Rodney Scott's BBQ. Terry didn't tell her he was meeting Jordan face to face before dinner with her parents. She would've freaked out and probably insisted that she come with him. He had to see the man alone. But he kept the venue public.

Arriving ten minutes after the place opened, he requested a seat on the outside patio and waited. He spotted Jordan as he rounded a corner.

The man didn't look well at all. Jordan once had the physique and clean-cut look the marines put on the cover of brochures for marketing, but now…

Meth had taken a toll on him.

There were deep grooves in his cheeks and the weight loss startled Terry. Jordan looked half his former size. Some muscle mass still gave him a cut, lean look with his frame, but the scruffy beard that didn't connect and the faraway look in his eyes hinted at the man's struggle. People who didn't know Jordan would probably see a handsome Black man out in casual dress of basketball shorts and a hoodie with a purposely unkempt short 'fro, with legs in need of lotion. To Terry's eyes, the man appeared unwell, and not just physically.

Jordan peered at the other patrons on the far side of the patio area with suspicion. When he lined his gaze with Terry, his body tensed and he halted, as if Terry were an apparition he wasn't truly expecting to see. There was no masking the blistering contempt in his eyes.

Jordan moved closer with an erratic bounce in his step and sat down across from him. For a full five minutes, they stared at each other. Actually, Terry stared and Jordan glared. A server brought them water and menus.

"We'll need some time looking this over. There's a lot to choose from," he told the server.

"No problem."

The young white woman walked away. Jordan leaned forward.

"I asked you to your fucking face if you were fucking her, and you told me…to my face…that you weren't. Some friend you turned out to be."

Terry didn't break eye contact and kept his cool.

"Why did you sleep with her?"

"Because your neglect made it easy to take her."

His voice came out condescending, and that's not how Terry wanted to sound. That was ego talking. That was male flexing to dig at a loser. False bravado masking the dirt on his hands for taking another man's woman even though he knew it was wrong. Jordan wasn't really a loser…just lost. Somewhere along his path to adulthood, he got stunted. Used other women to hide whatever internal failings he had.

Terry folded his hands on the table.

"I fell in love with her, Jordan. It's as simple as that. You didn't want her. I did. Now she and I have a child together—"

Jordan slammed his fist on the patio table. Terry glanced around. No one paid attention to them isolated in a corner.

"Nova is my wife—"

"Estranged wife. That divorce paperwork is coming soon. I'm also getting my name put on Terrina's birth certificate. I want you to hear this from me first…I'm taking Nova away from Charleston."

His words slowly registered in Jordan's brain. Tears welled up in the man's eyes.

"I take care of both my kids," Jordan barked. "Terrina is my daughter legally. I pay child support for her. Whatever you and Nova had is over, nigga. You're not taking my wife and kids outta Charleston."

"Nova doesn't want to be here. Her life will be away from you. I'm sorry, man. That's the way it's going to be. From now on, we'll work out things civilly without short-changing you. You can stop paying for Terrina because that's my responsibility as her father. You're Novan's father. Nothing changes that. But let's be real here. You failed Nova as a man. Look at you…wasting away like you don't care. Stressing her out to where she wants to leave her entire family. We can set up visitation for you and Van-Van—"

Jordan lunged across the table. Terry anticipated the action, deflecting Jordan's hands away. Both men stood up and faced off. Jordan reached into the kangaroo pockets of his hoodie and Terry clearly saw him grip the outline of a gun. He quickly glanced around to make sure no patrons were nearby to get hurt. Holding up his hands to his chest, Terry stayed calm. From his peripheral, he noticed Titus approaching them.

"He has a weapon, Mr. Easton," Terry said under his breath, not wanting to escalate the situation.

"Jordy, stay easy…let's not get out of hand," Titus said.

"Why'd you invite him here?" Jordan said.

"I didn't."

Titus gingerly approached Terry's side.

"Your sister Michelle got a hold of me and told me you were meeting Terry here. She was worried about you getting into it, and she was right…we can all work this thing out like sensible men."

"Work things out? He's stealing my wife…taking my kids away from me."

Titus glanced at the outline of Jordan's hand gripping the gun.

"Jordan, we can get you some help. Get you back on the right track," Titus pleaded.

"Nah. I'ma get me a lawyer…I'm gonna fight this. Fight for my marriage. Ain't no slick, pretty boy taking my family away from me. Life ain't promised, but death is for sho'. I'll kill you first, Terry, before I let you take what's mine. Your days are numbered, nigga."

A police vehicle rolled by on the street, spooking Jordan. He stormed past Titus and left the patio just as other patrons entered to be seated. Terry took a deep breath and sat down. Titus took over Jordan's spot across from him.

"I…I had no idea he was that far gone," Titus said. "I knew he had problems, but…he actually wants to kill you."

"I can take any threat as long as it doesn't go toward Nova."

Titus's hands shook.

"His eyes looked so dead. That is not the same young man that married my daughter. My God."

The server returned and Terry encouraged Titus to eat lunch with him inside the establishment with a good view of the entrance, in case Jordan returned. They ordered pulled pork with coleslaw and hushpuppies. Pauletta planned on cooking an enormous meal for their dinner, so a sandwich with easy sides was what the two men allowed themselves to indulge in. Terry's calm dealing with an agitated Jordan impressed Titus. They spoke about his work in the marines and he explained from his side of things how he fell for Nova. He tried to keep away from her, but the pull—the attraction — was just too damn strong. Titus let slip a smile at the way Terry described all the qualities that made Nova special to him…made him willing to risk it all for her. Her sweetness. The way her mind worked. How she made him feel whole when he was with her. How she made everyone want to be their best selves when she was around. Her low country cooking. The unassuming beauty she carried inside and out. He couldn't tell him the more mushy poetic things he felt, like how the sun rose in her eyes, or how her kisses gave him the breath of life, or how her touches on his skin turned him into sculptor's clay that she could shape any way she liked.

They ate their food and got to know each other as mature men wanting the best for Nova and the children.

Terry followed Titus back to his Victorian-styled home. Neither of them wanted to alarm the women about Jordan, but Titus encouraged Terry to find a place to stay where he could keep Nova and the children safe quickly.

Dinner was tense with Titus and Terry listening for any cars pulling up, or waiting for calls to come at Nova. The Easton household had outdoor security cameras, and that helped with any warning. Nova kept her phone off and that left her in the dark until they ended the meal, when she wanted to call Nella and Mawmaw and let them know they were on their way back. Titus had sounded the alarm to the Patterson family after they left the BBQ spot, and Jordan's people searched the streets of Charleston looking for him, afraid he would harm himself. Everyone agreed Terry was the target, and Nova called Jordan's mother, Boppie, to cancel all of Van-Van's weekend visitations with his father until further notice.

Both families were on edge. Terry found a decent extended stay hotel with a small kitchen and double beds. Nova turned it into a home for them, cooking hearty meals and sharing childcare with him. The hotel afforded them some measure of safety and freedom until his lawyer completed his legal paperwork. Titus paid for their accommodations for a month and checked in with Terry every day.

Through it all, he bonded with Terrina and Van-Van.

His daughter loved the animated way he'd speak to her and nothing gave him joy in the morning more than waking up to the sound of her squeals or Van-Van tapping his face to wake him up for a trip to the nearby park. Nova became more relaxed in her own space. At night, when the children were fast asleep, they snuggled together under the covers, their only intimacy holding each other. They laughed and chatted away the hours, reigniting a passion that never left, even when she had been far away from him. Sharing a bed with Nova unlocked a new level of closeness he never experienced with a woman before. She tended to talk with her hands, gesticulating her points with dramatic sweeps in the air like butterflies dancing. While he spoke of his dreams for them, she would stare deep into his eyes. His voice mesmerized her and sometimes she'd look at him as if entranced, even if he was just talking about buying her a car when they returned to Oceanside.

The first time they shared a bed all night together, Terry awoke with a jolt several times in a fitful sleep, and had to feel for her in the dark to make sure she was still by his side. He cherished the first time he watched delicate rays of yellow morning light touch her face before she woke up.

Sometimes they kissed. Other times they spooned and luxuriated in the freedom to touch each other without a time limit. Nothing sexual took place. That wasn't important to him. She was still healing and their reconnection started with the mental, which was where their love began in the first place. Talking to each other and discovering the hidden layers. Each night became a fun slumber party, and they'd hide under the covers to whisper to each other, not wanting to wake the babies.

He made the mistake of buying Van-Van a children's book that had bells and whistles and little noise makers on each page to correspond with the story. The boy loved playing with it every day as Terry read to him, but seemingly it occurred at the most inopportune times when Nova tried to put Terrina to sleep. She hid the book in a drawer from her son who always asked Terry to read it to him. However that didn't work because Terry also liked playing with the book, and would amuse himself with it after Van-Van went to sleep. Nova literally had to pry it out of his hands at night to hide it from him, too.

"I swear, you're just as bad as Van-Van, making all that noise when you know Terrina is trying to sleep," she'd scold with a playful tone.

Nova took him to his first baby doctor appointment for Terrina. She was weighed and measured and the doctor was pleased with her progress. He watched his baby receive a fresh dose of vaccine shots for two-month-olds. He nearly started crying himself, listening to his daughter wail after her shots. Her trembling bottom lip covered her top one as tears spilled down her chubby cheeks while he cooed soft words of comfort. His love for her soared and he walked around feeling blessed.

Two weeks in, he called his friend Von and had a long talk with him about his new life. Von took it in stride, although there was a slight hint of disappointment that he hadn't confided in him about his struggles being in love with Nova. He also called his friend Angie over a video chat and she listened to him, flabbergasted, for an hour.

"You must tell your parents," Angie said.

"I want to surprise them for Christmas.'

"Your mother will have a fit if you deny her this time to know Terrina and Novan."

"It's only a couple of months."

"Trust me on this."

Nova walked in on him with the children at the hotel. She'd gone down to the courtyard to get some air and to let Van-Van explore.

"I told Angie about us…about Terrina," he said.

Nova handed him the baby, and Terry showed his firstborn to Angie.

"Oh…Terry…aw…she's so cute…listen, I'm hanging up. Make a zoom chat with your parents. They have to know about this before Christmas."

He glanced at Nova.

"What do you think?" he asked.

Nova released Van-Van's hand and sat down on the bed next to him.

"I agree with Angie."

"Hey, Nova. I'm happy for you both. I really am."

"Thank you."

"I'm jumping off this call. Contact your parents right now, T. Bye!"

He lifted Terrina into his arms and sniffed her dainty curls. They smelled like cocoa butter.

"We should do it now while it's still early…and I'm feeling brave," Nova said.

He carried the baby over to his laptop on the hotel desk and Nova dragged a wingback chair next to the roller one he plopped down in, holding Terrina. His entire body shivered and his mouth went dry. He always did video chats with his parents every two weeks, so it wouldn't be out of the blue contacting them. Nova rubbed his arm.

"Are you nervous too?" he asked.

"A little."

He glanced over at Van-Van, who happily played with two race cars Terry bought for him. His squeals of delight encouraged Terry to turn on the laptop. Nova held Terrina for him, freeing his hands to text his mother quickly. His mother, Tonette, responded three minutes later, asking him to wait five minutes so she could get his father from their backyard garden.

The time came, and he sent a link to his parents to jump on a call with him. His parent's faces popped up together, but on his half of the screen, he left up the avatar picture of himself in full marine regalia.

"We can't see you Jaybird," Tonette said.

"I'll turn on the camera in a minute mama, but I need to talk to you both about something important."

"They're finally shipping you out, aren't they?" Tonette asked.

His mother's pleasant face shifted into a concerned expression behind her glasses. The short micro-braided brown bob she sported gave her a youthful exuberance. The tone of his voice brought worry lines to both of his parent's foreheads. His father, Gordon, pressed his lips together, steadying himself for any news that could be bad. Terry noticed the sun's darkening of his light nutmeg-colored skin from spending days of his early retirement outdoors growing beans and squash. He'd recently trimmed his beard that had more gray in it.

"Is that why you couldn't come see us?" Gordon asked.

Terry took a deep breath and watched his avatar blink as he spoke.

"I had to take a trip to South Carolina to meet someone."

His mother clasped her hands together.

"You finally have a steady girlfriend? Is that it?"

Her face became animated.

"Um…it's a little more than that, mama. I did meet someone special. Three years ago. It's a bit complicated, but we've decided to be together. Her name is Nova."

"Nova…ooh that's so different. That's Latin for 'new', isn't it Dino?" Tonette said.

She nudged his father's arm, using her nickname for him.

His father's expression remained neutral. He could hear the stressors in Terry's voice.

"I'm going to bring her with me to Christmas."

Tonette's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Oh, she's definitely special if you're bringing her home with you," Tonette joked. "Jaybird, is your camera not working?"

Terry glanced at Nova, and her eyes were bright, appreciating his mother's enthusiasm.

"Mama, Dad, when I come, I'm bringing you a very special Christmas gift, but I want to share it with you now."

"If it's special, save it for then," Tonette said.

Terry swallowed the lump in his throat. His father's face loomed on the screen next to his mother.

"I can't save my gift because she'll be a lot bigger by then, and I want you to see her now."

"See her?" Gordon asked.

Terry tapped the camera view on his end. He cradled Terrina in his lap with Nova pressed into his side.

His mother's mouth fell open.

"Nova and I had a baby. This is your first grandchild. Say hello to Terrina Octavia Richmond."

His mother burst into tears and nearly knocked her glasses off by holding her face in surprise. His father's eyes lit up so brightly that Terry could feel the warmth eight hundred miles away.

"Oh my, God…oh my God," Tonette murmured.

She peeked at Terrina with watery eyes. His father swelled with pride. Terrina babbled and cooed, her baby feet kicking his thighs.

"That's my grandbaby?" Tonette asked.

"She sure is, mama."

"She looks like you, oh Lord, she looks like me too!"

Tonette laughed and covered her mouth. She gazed at Nova.

"Hello, Nova...oh, I look a mess. Had I known this was a momentous occasion, I would've dressed up to meet my grandbaby!"

His mother sniffled and hid her face in Gordon's neck.

"Hi there, Terrina…I'm your grandpa…Grandpa Dino."

Nova wiped her eyes and looked at Terry. They both didn't want to go into how it all happened, but they had to. His mother calmed down, her face all blotchy and wet from the news.

"How come you didn't tell us?" Tonette asked.

"It's complicated, mama. Nova and I are dealing with something, and it's why I had to come to Charleston to get her and Terrina."

"What's going on?" Gordon asked.

Van-Van squealed and ran over to them, waving a toy truck around.

"You gave us two grandbabies and didn't tell us?" Tonette shouted with glee.

"Novan is my son from a previous relationship," Nova said, her voice quivering.

"We get to have two grandbabies for Christmas?!"

Tonette was over the moon.

"Van-Van, go play over there so we can talk, okay, baby?" Nova said.

"Hi Van-Van, it's your Grandpa Dino."

"Hi!" Van-Van shouted.

"He is so adorable," Tonette said.

"Mommy, come play with my doll."

"In a minute. Mommy has to talk some more, okay?"

"Talk to the people in the TV?"

Gordon chuckled, and Tonette beamed in her seat, so enamored with both children.

"How old are you, Novan?" Tonette asked.

Van-Van held up two fingers and then ran over to his bed. He played with all the cool toys in his new collection.

"Mama…Dad…Nova and I met three years ago in Oceanside. She was married to a soldier I trained and…well…he mistreated her. She and I fell in love while she was pregnant with Novan and then we parted when she wanted to make things work out with her husband."

"You're still married, Nova?" Gordon asked.

"I'm waiting for my divorce to go through. I gave birth to Terrina here, in Charleston, and didn't know she was Terry's until I saw her. We recently had a paternity test done and we're waiting for Terry's name to go on the new birth certificate."

"My goodness," Gordon said.

Terry's parents looked at each other with a wordless understanding. Terry cleared his throat.

"As soon as I get the paternity papers, I'm going to convert my accrued vacation leave into paternity leave so I can save all those other vacation days for another time. I get twelve weeks of paternity leave, and we want to spend that time with you in Cypress Bend. That way you can know the baby, Novan…and Nova."

Tonette burst into tears again and left her seat. Gordon nodded his head.

"You can stay for as long as you like. We can't wait to meet you, Nova," Gordon said.

Tonette returned with a tissue in her hand, sans glasses. She wiped her eyes and sat back down.

"Sorry y'all, I'm just overwhelmed. I can't believe all of this. I'm happy …overjoyed. I've been wanting this for so long…oh! Nova, I don't know if he told you…we've been waiting to have grandchildren for years. Dino is retired, and I work part-time now from home, so we have plenty of time and the energy to help with grandbabies, and none of our kids gave us any! I need pictures and video. I have to tell everyone and brag that I'm a grandma now!'

Tonette stared at Terrina. The baby seemed confused by the voices and faces staring at her.

"Say hi to Grandma and Grandpa," he said.

Terrina stared up at his face and gave him a happy smile. His parents watched him, and Terry let go of the anxious burden that sat in his chest from the start of the call. They accepted the situation.

"My baby had a baby," Tonette said, and wept again.

Their call lasted nearly three hours until Terrina had to nurse. Nova moved out of view of the camera to feed Terrina and Van-Van chatted with his parents for another twenty minutes until they ended the call.

Terry put Van-Van down for a nap, and Nova placed Terrina inside the portable crib he purchased when they first moved into the hotel. He cuddled with Nova on their bed. Relief shined in her face. His parents accepted her with open arms and no judgment.

"They are going to fall in love with you the way I did," he reassured her.

"I'm so happy they took to Van-Van well."

"Are you kidding? Did you hear my mother? She's already shopping on Amazon to order everything that little boy could ever want for Christmas. I bet she's going to have matching pajama sets for all of us when we get there."

"I can't wait to meet them in person."

His cell phone blew up with texts from his brother and sister. Even his favorite cousin Mike left a voicemail congratulating him. He shot off photos and videos of Terrina and Van-Van from his phone. Angie had been right. Telling his parents sooner would make their Christmas even sweeter together. Also, the truth about them as a couple was out in the open. Nova was excited about staying in Louisiana for a good chunk of time during the holidays. She looked so happy. All he could do was hold her tight.

Shelly-Anne filed the paperwork for the birth certificate.

Terry held the copy of the parternity results. He informed his commander that he'd already contacted Human Resources to claim his paternity leave, and spent most of his days organizing his personal affairs. He set up an allotment to Nova's bank account for the children and contacted his health insurance company to add them, too. Things were falling into place nicely.

He took a drive around town alone to enjoy the day while Nova spent the afternoon with her mother and Brielle shopping for clothes. He gave her money to buy herself some new things to spoil herself. By late afternoon, Nova texted about Jordan's suspension from his job for acting strange. His friend Charles sent him home. Terry had been ready to shoulder the responsibility of providing for Van-Van. Nova wanted to use his child support money as a monthly college deposit for her son. If Jordan's financial stability tanked already, he'd have to fine tune the budget he and Nova put together for their expenses. She had encouraged Terry to think about finishing college after he left the marines. He completed his junior year at Louisiana State University before dropping out to join Von in the military after Von lost his athletic scholarship because of a serious football injury. They both started acting a little wild and the marine discipline shaped them both right up.

Terry stopped at a bar & grill to eat a burger and have a beer before joining Nova and the kids. His mother kept texting him questions about Nova and her interests so she could find Christmas gifts for her. Nova loved to read, and he mentioned books. Since she picked Terrina's middle name after her favorite science fiction writer, Octavia E. Butler, he suggested a box set collection of Octavia E. Butler's Patternmaster series that he checked out online on Nova's public wishlist. Moments later, his mother sent him a jpeg of the book set she ordered for Nova. Terry tapped his front pants pocket. He had the perfect gift he planned on giving her.

An engagement ring.

He had to be slick trying to get her ring size without her knowing. While she slept, he snuck one of her everyday rings out of her small jewelry box she packed at the hotel. He took it to the best jeweler in town and chose an oval cut diamond ring with a 14K white-gold band. Taking the black velvet box out of his pocket, he set it on the bar table and peered at it again. He planned to do his big one by proposing to her properly on Christmas Eve when his entire family got together for caroling and eating oysters with champagne, a family tradition. He would use that time as a partial engagement party for them among his family and friends. Von and Bethany were going to be there for Christmas, and he would take that time to ask Von to be his best man for a future wedding after they settled in Oceanside. Maybe they could have a beach wedding with flag football. He grinned. In his mind, he could already see Nova running up to him in a puffy white wedding dress, snatching a flag from around his tuxedo as he tried to throw a football.

He pocketed the ring box and paid his tab. Wandering out to his truck, he had the sensation of being watched.

The parking lot was full of cars. He glanced back and forth, looking for other patrons. No one. He couldn't shake the feeling and moved with caution. Starting his truck, he didn't waste time glancing at his phone like he normally would to check-in with Nova. He backed out and drove onto the street, checking his rearview constantly. Going straight to Nova's parents had been the plan, but he opted to drive around to make sure he wasn't being followed by Jordan.

Merging onto a main highway that led to the suburbs, he noticed a dark, mid-sized sedan following him. He changed lanes twice and sped up, but the other vehicle filled the gap between them by at least three car lengths. Tinted windows didn't help him make out the driver, and the two-lane road had no other cars heading in their direction.

The other car sped up next to him and swerved to the right like it wanted to hit him, causing Terry to jerk the wheel and fly off the shoulder onto a grassy field. He braked hard before his truck hit a ditch and rolled. Startled, his eyes narrowed, and he shifted gears. He chased the car down, losing it on an off-ramp. He considered following, but didn't know the area well enough to trust that he wasn't being led to more trouble. Unable to confirm it was Jordan or some racist redneck trying to be funny, Terry continued to Nova's parents.

Outside the Easton home, Nova argued with four other adults alongside her parents. Terry pulled into the driveway and hopped out. He recognized an older woman as Jordan's mother, Boppie and Jordan's sister Michelle, along with their father, Maxwell. He guessed the other man harassing Nova and her parents was a brother. Jordan's mother was teary-eyed, but cursed a blue streak at Nova and Pauletta. Titus stayed in front of his wife as Jordan's father spewed angry words like his spouse. The Easton's returned the same fervor, blaming Jordan for everything.

Boppie spotted Terry and shouted, taking her purse and striking him in the face. Nova shoved the woman back.

"Don't you touch him!" Nova screamed.

Terry touched his lip. The purse emblem cut his lip. He bled a little and Pauletta charged Boppie, but Titus held his wife back. Michelle yelled at Nova.

"He has a right to see his son! So do we!" Michelle shrieked.

"How can you do this to Jordy, Nova? To us?" Boppie screeched.

Terry reached for Nova's arm and tried to pull her away, but she thrust herself in front of Jordan's relatives.

"Jordy is a fucking meth addict!" Nova screamed. "Stop treating him like a baby and demand that he act like a grown ass man for once and control his substance abuse! I'm leaving this place and there's nothing you can do about it!"

Terry let her get the emotions out. It felt terrible watching two close families go at each other, however he recognized the power it took for Nova to speak up for herself and her needs, no longer letting her ex's trials and tribulations stop her from moving on.

"I will never trust him with Van-Van! None of you!"

Boppie threw her head back and lashed at the sky, begging God to intervene. Maxwell glared at Titus.

"You'll let some stranger tear apart twenty-five years of friendship?" Maxwell said.

Titus walked up to his friend.

"Jordan needs help, Max. He's abusing that stuff. He abused my daughter's trust. Humiliated her as his wife. I watched him threaten to kill Terry with a gun!"

"Liar! He would never do something like that!" Boppie shrieked.

Maxwell wore bewilderment on his face.

"He had a gun?" Maxwell asked.

"He carried it in his hoodie," Titus said.

Nova stomped over to the Patterson's.

"I'm leaving this state. Jordy needs long-term help. Something is wrong with him and I won't let my son be around any of you in the future until you deal with that. Terry is the man I love…we're leaving soon and I don't want you coming to my parent's house like this ever again!"

The tone in her voice quieted everyone present.

A police car pulled up to the curb. The neighbor called for disturbing the peace. Terry glimpsed an older white man standing in his driveway across the street with a cordless phone, observing the entire confrontation.

"Let's go in," he said.

He ushered Nova and her mother inside the house while Titus dealt with the cops and the Patterson family. Nova shook with a feral rage in his arms.

"Can we leave here now?" she begged him.

"We'll head out Wednesday. I'll reserve the U-Haul tonight," he said.

The cops gave Titus a warning, and it took a long time to calm Nova down. She wanted to fight everybody. Pauletta wept about them leaving, but nothing would change their minds. Nova tended to his cut lip, and he kept his mouth shut about being run off the road. They were leaving Charleston. That's all that mattered.

Within two days, they had a U-Haul cargo trailer ready to hitch on his truck in Mawmaw's driveway. Nova packed everything she owned inside of it. She carried purpose and determination on her face, and he loved her more for it.

He spent a brisk fall Tuesday morning making a final payment to his lawyer for her work and bought Nova a bouquet of sugary pink roses just because. Under different circumstances, Charleston might've been a cool place to vacation and spend more time in, but the Patterson family soured every inch of the low country for Terry. His mind stayed on spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family in Cypress Bend.

"Comeya, follow me," Mawmaw said, after a hearty lunch.

She had cooked Nova and Terry fried fish and Charleston red rice with a side of thick okra soup, and he suspected it was an attempt to keep them there longer by stuffing him with delicious food. He followed her into the front room.

"Take it down," she said.

She pointed to the painting above the mantel. He lifted the heavy frame from the thick hook in the wall.

"Dat is my gift to una… and Nova. Parta we go with the chirren. Hear me?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

Nella and Nova wrapped the painting in a blanket and he secured it carefully under the truck bed covering he kept locked. Mawmaw also handed him a small sweetgrass basket she made.

"I put Carolina Gold Rice in dere. Nova cook up some red rice for oonah family," Mawmaw said.

Uncle Pete arrived and picked Mawmaw up. She didn't want to be around when they left in the morning, and gave long hugs and kisses to Van-Van, Terrina, and Nova. Before climbing into Pete's Escalade, she moved away from her walker and hugged Terry. Whatever litany of exaggerations she may have formed in her mind about him when he first arrived had dissipated. He was family now.

"Take care of Nova and dem chirren, hear?" she whispered in his ear.

"I promise, Mawmaw," he said.

He released her frail body that encased an inner strength. Nella patted his back.

"She'll be okay. You showed yourself to be an honorable man to Nova. She knows you love them kids fierce, too," Nella said.

He went to gas up the truck and picked up snacks for the road at around two-thirty. Edisto Island looked glorious in the early fall, and he took himself to the beach to gaze at the eastern shore one more time before they departed for good. He kicked off his shoes and socks and dipped his toes in, letting the Atlantic Ocean chill rejuvenate his tired feet. Lifting and packing things for Nova, while also running around playing with Van-Van, had his dogs howling. He plopped his backside on the sand with the tall sea oat plants against his back and surveyed the horizon where the sky touched the impossibly green ocean.

He closed his eyes and let the ocean breeze kiss his eyelids.

"God…thank you. Thank you for bringing Nova into my life with Van-Van. Thank you for allowing us to have Terrina. Please watch over us as we make this journey to my family in Louisiana. Grant me the strength and fortitude to be the best man and father I can be for Nova…"

He listened to the sound of the surf and the squawk of a seabird after he finished his prayer. The sharp scent of the ocean refreshed him, and he took a deep inhale. Opening his eyes again, he stood and wandered slowly back to his truck as the shadows of early evening enveloped him.

At Mawmaw's, he pulled his truck into the driveway. He'd connect to the U-Haul trailer in the morning. Craning his head to look up at the house, he noticed the front room lights weren't on. He guessed Nova went to bed early to rest with the children. Nella's car was on the street and she was probably watching her shows in her room. He clicked his key fob, locking the truck. Stretching his arms, he knew Terrina would be antsy to eat. He hoped there was a bottle in the fridge he could heat so that Nova could rest. Another strong breeze blew across his face.

Heading for the stairs, the sound of glass breaking steered him toward the carport. Shattered pieces of blue bottle glass sat under the bottle tree. A gust of wind shook a branch so hard that another bottle fell and broke, glass fragments shooting toward the cement driveway.

The back of the U-Haul trailer caught his eye.

It was partially open.

He lifted the handle to check if anything had been stolen. Nope. The trailer remained packed to the gills. He slammed the roll-up door back down and locked it with the key still stuck inside the lock. That's when he glimpsed something shiny jammed against the right back tire and picked it up. Nova's cell phone with a shattered screen. He glanced around the rest of the driveway, using a flashlight app on his smartphone. Drops of blood led to the edge of the property where he found Nella crumpled in a heap.

"Nella!"

Terry dropped to his knees and touched her neck. She was alive, just knocked out cold.

"Nella…Nella…"

Nella moaned with groggy energy. She came to and stared at Terry with unfocused eyes.

"Jordon…" she mumbled.

"Jordon did this to you?"

She nodded and grabbed his arm.

"He walked up on us. Nova tried to call the police…he knocked her phone out of her hand and grabbed Van-Van. He…pulled out a gun…she was holding Terrina, and he threatened her…ordered her to get in his car. I tried to stop him, and he… hit me with the gun. He took them. "

"How long ago did he take them?"

Nella sat up and touched the back of her head where she bled.

"Maybe thirty…forty minutes ago."

Terry quelled the panic rising in his chest.

"Is there any place you can think of where he would take them other than his family members?"

Nella shook her head.

"Tell me exactly what he said."

"He told Nova she would never leave him. Her or the babies. She pleaded for him to let the children go and just take her, but he wanted them all. Terry…he had this look in his eyes about Terrina. He said she was the reason their family broke up…I think he's going to do something to her to get back at you."

"I need you to wait on calling the police, okay? Can you do that?"

"Yeah."

Nella stood on wobbly legs. He tried calling Jordan's number and heard a ringing sound out near the street. Holding his cell to his ear, he followed the rings and found Jordan's phone near the curb.

"Fuck!" he shouted.

Nella glanced at Nova's phone in his hand and snapped her fingers.

"Wait…wait! Nova's Airtags!" Nella shouted.

She snatched Nova's phone from his hand. The touchscreen still worked.

"She put one in Terrina's car seat. Van-Van should have one stuck in his little zipper pocket on his jeans. She started putting them on the kids as a precaution when she dropped them off at Boppie's house, in case she let Jordan take them somewhere without being watched. She stopped letting them see Terrina, but probably left the tags on them."

Nella swiped the phone and found the Airtag app on Nova's phone.

"See, there they are! They're still on the island."

Terry shook his hands with enthused encouragement and kissed Nella on the forehead.

"Thank you, thank you!"

He grabbed Nova's phone and ran to his truck. The Airtag stopped near an area by the Edisto River. He held the phone up to Nella's face.

"Is there any place by the river that Jordan would possibly go?"

"He never lived here year round, but his family spent summers with us on special occasions."

Precious time ticked on.

"Think, Nella…think!"

Nella's eyes watered, and her lips poked out in concentration.

"The Edisto River…our families used to go fishing there. I never went because I don't like to fish or camp out. They'd rent a treehouse cabin."

"Call Titus or Pauletta and ask them where, and call me on my phone afterward! Do not tell them what's happening or they'll call the police and make things worse. Jordan is dangerous, and he's also a trained sniper."

Terry tore off in his truck and stuck Nova's phone in the holder attached to his dash. He followed Terrina's Airtag timestamps on the phone. Thank God there were other Apple devices nearby to help track the data.

His cell rang. Nella.

"Terry, Titus said they used to rent the cabins at a place called The Edisto Treehouse Retreat. They usually stayed close by the river to launch their paddle boats."

"Got it, I'm headed there. Give me an hour's head start before you call the cops."

He pulled over to switch his phone onto the dash so he could save the battery life of Nova's phone. Punching in the name of the rental cabins, he jetted there on a wing and a prayer. Jordan sought seclusion and privacy. The river was a good place to hold Nova and the children captive without attracting attention.

Since he was only thirty to forty minutes behind Jordan, he prayed to reach them before anything turned grave. He ventured into the more natural parts of Edisto and worried about losing a signal out in the wild. The temperature had dropped, too. Nova had worn a long sleeve shirt and a jean skirt. Terrina only had on a pink cotton onesie and Van-Van wore little jeans and a T-shirt.

"Don't do anything fucking stupid, Jordan," Terry mumbled to himself.

Part 2 of Lick Back 2 HERE.

A.N.:

The painting used in the story was made by the Gullah artist Sonja Griffan Evans. You can find her work at:

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@youalreadyknowitsmesis

[possiblysentientmoss]

Taylor Hernàndez Headcanon time!! With a little Aiden Hc at the end :D

Homework? Nah. Writing headcanons that take me 2+ hours to formulate? Ya.

ANYWAYS. Everyone always sees her as this super adorable and sweet gal (which she ABSOLUTELY IS. 1000% hufflepuff energy through and through, absolute sweetheart, and that shit is GENUINE. Like she genuinely loves and cares for people she’s never even met, and always assumes the best of everyone.)

what people DONT realize is that she and Tyler have been taking like Boxing or Jiu Jitsu together since they were 6, and she’s like. Wonder Woman levels of buff. In the past few years she’s also taken up weightlifting, and gotten hella strong. Like to the point she can fireman carry Ben (while RUNNING) , and fully just like. Bench Logan. (The first time she did it his nose almost started bleeding. He sat in shocked silence for like 15 minutes while Aiden cackled something to her along the lines of “I think you broke him” the ENTIRE time)

there’s also a pic of her with the group (in the gc, on the Idiots wall and in Aiden’s photo album) that Aiden took a selfie of where she’s carrying Ben piggy back style, and Logan and Ashlyn are hanging off of both of her arms with their legs off the ground. Tyler is in the background pinching the bridge of his nose like “how did I end up being friends with all of the idiots”.

also she is incredibly talented at engineering. In her head she can 360 and fully take apart different components of machines and problem solve from there. Like there was one time during an automotive clinic where they were going through different symptoms of system failures, the teacher made a mistake that she tried to ask a question on, to which he was kind of rude and dismissive of. He ended up being a total 💩 and talking down to her, which was preceded by her absolutely roasting his ass in front of a bunch of people by not only correcting his answers, but also quoting their sources from manufacturers manuals that (somehow??????) she managed to get her hands on.

She was 12 and in a college level auto class.

After that, all the kids would ask her questions on things they didn’t know before they would ask the teacher. Tyler was BEYOND proud.

To add on a grittier and deeper level:

she knows she has the capability to manipulate people (because her emotional intelligence is OFF THE CHARTS and she knows how someone will react in any given situation) but she very consciously makes the choice not to unless it is a life or death situation, or a very VERY important one.

She’s very aware (read: TOO aware) of how she appears to people and how she responds and talks to them. She’s very careful to keep their image of her as harmless in order to seem more approachable. She is very calculating, but no one would know because they don’t think to look deeper into her as a person. It’s interesting because one of the things she’s really good at (if she wants to be) is talking around an answer. There are quite a few people who if they really stopped to think on what they know about her, the only thing they could come up with would be a physical description, the knowledge that she has a brother, and that she likes cars. That’s it.

People also tend to like the easily digestible superficiality of her personality, which she knows and does on purpose. There’s some very complicated stuff that has gone down, and she’s an extremely private person who doesn’t want to talk about it. It’s a little scary sometimes too because it’s very easy to underestimate her, but if it came down to it she would know all of your weaknesses and you would know pretty much none of hers.

Something her friends and her brother started to notice after the first month in the phantom dimension is that she does a LOTTTTT of masking. By herself, she’s pretty quiet. She’s also not shy exactly, but not the most outgoing, either. However, to keep her brother in check and her mum from spiraling, she takes on a very optimistic and kind caregiver persona to help them. Like stated before, that’s all genuine care and love, but she also really leans into it in order to make sure she’s doing as much as possible to care for her family.

The reason her friends start to see this is that with the 7 extra hours added to their body clocks she gets tired a lot more quickly, and she and fatigue do not mix well. Usually she is able to recharge to some extent (when her brother is at baseball practice or while her mom is at work or with their grandma) in the quiet or by working or cleaning parts, but with both her and her brother not having enough energy for activities that balance has been skewed a bit, which results in her being a little more grouchy or snappy than usual, and also overstimulated (and simultaneously understimulated). You would not notice any change if you didn’t know her, but she and her friends do.

(Surprisingly ((or not so surprisingly))), Aiden is the first one to notice this, and offers for her to come over and fix a dirt bike he messed up a couple years ago, knowing full well she wouldn’t trust him within 6 feet of any tool or machine she cared to keep intact. What ends up happening is she will go over there after a really long and draining day to work on it, and he will go away to work on homework in the room attached to the garage while she gets some quiet time alone. A beanbag corner has also (very mysteriously) been added to a corner of the garage out of the main line of eyesight of everyone else, but it has a really good view of what’s going on, so sometimes she will curl up there and nap. Said corner also has a mini fridge that’s always chock full of juice boxes and food.

While only a few people are aware of the corner’s existence, it is a Very Established Rule that it is Taylor’s Corner, and you are not to go over there while she is in it unless invited or called.

A note on Aiden: When he realized how many of his friends were more on the introvert side, he started designating other corners of his house as ‘Quiet Corners’, such as the weird “closet”space just off of the living room, and the spare bedroom next to Ben and Aiden’s room.

Those corners are actually some of Ash, Taylor, and Logan’s saving graces. Said corners serve slightly different purposes- the one just off the living room having a space away from the others where they can still be heard, or the one upstairs that’s a lot more quiet. Both have a cooler for snacks and juice, and comfy pillows to sprawl out on.

while there’s a TON I could add to this even now, I think I’m maxing out Tumblr’s draft save feature 😂 so yeah.. I hope you guys enjoyed this!

Taylor Hernández and Aiden Clark everyone!