#his Tod is perfect in other ways

[sarcasticdolphin]

Because swishes are important.

[acourtofquestions]

KINGDOM OF ASH (by SJM)

Chapter 48

THE FAMILY REUINION🥹😆😭🫶& MY SOULLL

But when they reached Princess Hasar's battle tent, when they had all gathered around a map of Anielle, they had only a few minutes of discussion before they were interrupted. By the person Chaol least expected to walk through the flaps.

A moment later, Chaol was glad he was sitting down.

Nesryn breathed, "Holy gods."

Chaol was inclined to agree as Aelin Galathynius, Rowan Whitethorn, and several others entered the tent.

They were mud-splattered, the Queen of Terrasen's braided hair far longer than Chaol had last seen. And her eyes ... Not the soft, yet fiery gaze. But something older. Wearier.

Chaol shot to his feet. "I thought you were in Terrasen," he blurted. All the reports had confirmed it. Yet here she stood, no army in sight.

Three Fae males-towering warriors as broad and muscled as Rowan—had entered, along with a delicate, dark-haired human woman.

But Aelin was only staring at him. Staring and staring at him.

No one spoke as tears began sliding down her face. Not at his being here, Chaol realized as he took up his cane and limped toward Aelin.

But at him. Standing. Walking.

The young queen let out a broken laugh of joy and flung her arms around his neck. Pain lanced down his spine at the impact, but Chaol held her right back, every question fading from his tongue.

Aelin was shaking as she pulled away. "I knew you would," she breathed, gazing down his body, to his feet, then up again. "I knew you'd do it."

"Not alone," he said thickly. Chaol swallowed, releasing Aelin to extend an arm behind him. To the woman he knew stood there, a hand over the locket at her neck.

Perhaps Aelin would not remember, perhaps their encounter years ago had meant nothing to her at all, but Chaol drew Yrene forward. "Aelin, allow me to introduce"

"Yrene Towers," the queen breathed as his wife stepped to his side.

The two women stared at each other.

Yrene's mouth quivered as she opened the silver locket and pulled out a piece of paper. Hands trembling, she extended it to the queen. Aelin's own hands shook as she accepted the scrap.

"Thank you," Yrene whispered.

Chaol supposed it was all that really needed to be said.

Aelin unfolded the paper, reading the note she'd written, seeing the lines from the hundreds of foldings and rereadings these past few years.

"I went to the Torre," Yrene said, her voice cracking. "I took the money you gave me, and went to the Torre. And I became the heir apparent to the Healer on High. And now I have come back, to do what I can. I taught every healer I could the lessons you showed me that night, about self-defense. I didn't waste it-not a coin you gave me, or a moment of the time, the life you bought me." Tears were rolling and rolling down Yrene's face. "I didn't waste any of it."

Aelin closed her eyes, smiling through her own tears, and when she opened them, she took Yrene's shaking hands. "Now it is my turn to thank you." But Aelin's gaze fell upon the wedding band on Yrene's finger, and when she glanced to Chaol, he grinned.

"No longer Yrene Towers," Chaol said softly, "but Yrene Westfall."

Aelin let out one of those choked, joyous laughs, and Rowan stepped up to her side.

Yrene's head tilted back to take in the warrior's full height, her eyes widening-not only at Rowan's size, but at the pointed ears, the slightly elongated canines and tattoo. Aelin said, "Then let me introduce you, Lady Westfall, to my own husband, Prince Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius."

For that was indeed a wedding band on the queen's finger, the emerald mud-splattered but bright. On Rowan's own hand, a gold-and-ruby ring gleamed.

"My mate," Aelin added, fluttering her lashes at the Fae male. Rowan rolled his eyes, yet couldn't entirely contain his smile as he inclined his head to Yrene.

Yrene bowed, but Aelin snorted. "None of that, please. It'll go right to his immortal head." Her grin softened as Yrene blushed, and Aelin held up the scrap of paper. "May I keep this?" She eyed Yrene's locket. "Or does it go in there?"

Yrene folded the queen's fingers around the paper. "It is yours, as it always was. A piece of your bravery that helped me find my own."

Aelin shook her head, as if to dismiss the claim.

But Yrene squeezed Aelin's closed hand. "It gave me courage, the words you wrote. Every mile I traveled, every long hour I studied and worked, it gave me courage. I thank you for that, too."

Aelin swallowed hard, and Chaol took that as excuse enough to sit again, his back giving a grateful tinge. He said to the queen, "There is another person responsible for this army being here." He gestured to Nesryn, the woman already smiling at the queen. "The rukhin you see, the army gathered, is as much because of Nesryn as it is because of me."

A spark lit Aelin's eyes, and both women met halfway in a tight embrace. "I want to hear the entire story," Aelin said. "Every word of it." Nesryn's subdued smile widened. "So you shall. But later." Aelin clapped her on the shoulder and turned to the two royals still by the desk. Tall and regal, but as mud-splattered as the queen.

Chaol blurted, "Dorian?"

Rowan answered, "Not with us." He glanced to the royals.

"They know everything," Nesryn said

"He's with Manon," Aelin said simply.

Chaol wasn't entirely sure whether to be relieved. "Hunting for something important."

The keys. Holy gods.

Aelin nodded. Later. He'd think on where Dorian might now be later. Aelin nodded again. The full story would come then too.

Nesryn said, "May I present Princess Hasar and Prince Sartaq."

Aelin bowed—low. "You have my eternal gratitude," Aelin said, and the voice that came out of her was indeed that of a queen. Any shock Sartaq and Hasar had shown upon the queen bowing so low was hidden as they bowed back, the portrait of courtly grace.

"My father," Sartaq said, "remained in the khaganate to oversee our lands, along with our siblings Duva and Arghun. But my brother Kashin sails with the rest of the army. He was not two weeks behind us when we left."

Aelin glanced to Chaol, and he nodded.

Something glittered in her eyes at the confirmation, but the queen jerked her chin at Hasar. "Did you get my letter?"

The letter that Aelin had sent months ago, begging for aid and promising only a better world in return. Hasar picked at her nails. "Perhaps. I get far too many letters from fellow princesses these days to possibly remember or answer all of them."

Aelin smirked, as if the two of them spoke a language no one else could understand, a special code between two equally arrogant and proud women. But she motioned to her companions, who stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce my friends. Lord Gavriel, of Doranelle." A nod toward the tawny-eyed and golden-haired warrior who bowed.

Tattoos covered his neck, his hands, but his every motion was graceful. "My uncle, of sorts," Aelin added with a smirk at Gavriel. At Chaol's narrowed brows, she explained, "He's Aedion's father."

"Well, that explains a few things," Nesryn muttered.

The hair, the broad-planed face ... yes, it was the same. But where Aedion was fire, Gavriel seemed to be stone. Indeed, his eyes were solemn as he said, "Aedion is my pride." Emotion rippled over Aelin's face, but she gestured to the dark-haired male. Not someone Chaol ever wanted to tangle with, he decided as he surveyed the granite-hewn features, the black eyes and unsmiling mouth.

"Lorcan Salvaterre, formerly of Doranelle, and now a blood-sworn member of my court." As if that weren't a shock enough, Aelin winked at the imposing male. Lorcan scowled. "We're still in the adjustment period," she loudly whispered, and Yrene chuckled.

Lorcan Salvaterre. Chaol hadn't met the male this spring in Rifthold, but he'd heard all about him. That he'd been Maeve's most trusted commander, her most loyal and fierce warrior.

That he'd wanted to kill Aelin, hated Aelin.

How this had come about, why she was not in Terrasen with her army ... "You, too, have a tale to tell," Chaol said.

"Indeed I do." Aelin's eyes guttered, and Rowan put a hand on her lower back. Bad— something terrible had occurred. Chaol scanned Aelin for any hint of it. He stopped when he noticed the smoothness of the skin at her neck. The lack of scars. The missing scars on her hands, her palms. "Later," Aelin said softly. She straightened her shoulders, and another golden-haired male came forward. Beautiful. That was the only way to describe him. "Fenrys ... You know, I don't actually know your family name."

Fenrys threw a roguish wink at the queen.

"Moonbeam."

"It is not," Aelin hissed, choking on a laugh.

Fenrys laid a hand on his heart. "I am blood-sworn to you. Would I lie?"

Another blood-sworn Fae male in her court.

Across the tent, Sartaq cursed in his own tongue. As if he'd heard of Lorcan, and Gavriel, and Fenrys.

Aelin gave Fenrys a vulgar gesture that set Hasar chuckling, and faced the royals. "They're barely housebroken. Hardly fit for your fine company." Even Sartaq smiled at that. But it was to the small, delicate woman that Aelin now gestured. "And the only civilized member of my court, Lady Elide Lochan of Perranth." Perranth. Chaol had combed through the family trees of Terrasen just this winter, had seen the lists of so many royal households crossed out, victim to the conquest ten years ago.

Elide's name had been among them.

Another Terrasen royal who had managed to evade Adarlan's butchers.

The pretty young woman took a limping step forward, and bobbed a curtsy to the royals. Her boots concealed any sign of the source of the injury, but Yrene's attention shot right to her leg. Her ankle. "It's an honor to meet all of you," Elide said, her voice low and steady. Her dark eyes swept over them, cunning and clear. Like she could see beneath their skin and bones, to the souls beneath.

Aelin wiped her hands. "Well, that's over and done with," she announced, and strode to the desk and map. "Shall we discuss where you all plan to march once we beat the living shit out of this army?"

[angelicqsa]

.ೃ࿐ 𝗌𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗌𝖺𝖽𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌

𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 | 𝖻𝖾𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗆𝗒 𝗑 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮 | 𝗌𝖾𝗍 𝗂𝗇 𝗌𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗈𝗇 3, 𝖡𝖾𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖯𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗒𝖺𝗅𝗍𝗒 𝗍𝗈𝗐𝖺𝗋𝖽𝗌 𝗁𝗂𝗆 𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗅𝗌𝗈 𝖽𝗈𝖾𝗌𝗇’𝗍 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖡𝖾𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗆𝗒 𝗂𝗌 𝖽𝗈𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝖾𝖼𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗍 𝗁𝗂𝗆.

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 | 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗌𝗆𝗎𝗍, 𝖻𝗈𝖽𝗒 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉, 𝖺𝗅𝖼𝗈𝗁𝗈𝗅 𝖺𝖽𝖽𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇

𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 | 𝖥𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝗐𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗎𝗆𝖻𝗅𝗋 𝗀𝗎𝗒𝗌𝗌𝗌!

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

“ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴍɪꜱᴛᴀᴋᴇ”, ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴀɪᴅ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴜᴇʟ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ, ɪᴛ ꜰᴇʟᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪꜱᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍɪɴᴇ, ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ.” – ᴅᴀᴠɪᴅ ʟᴇᴠɪᴛʜᴀɴ

────────────˚🦢・₊✧⋆⭒˚｡⋆────────────

Being with bellamy was everything to me. You two were a perfect picture couple, ever since yall met; on the dropship the first day the 100 came down, you and Bellamy had chemistry. Despite you not liking his 'whatever the hell we want' motto you decide to give him a chance, and to let him in your heart. Since then its been nothing but pure bliss and a strong feeling of content. He'd always hold you and whisper sweet nothings and treat you like someone. And for once in your life you felt like you was important to someone, and you felt like you had meaning in life which is something you had never felt before. But now, its as if a summertime sadness has hit.

When Pike and Bellamy had been having these hush conversations he started acting a little off and the soft love touches were soon replaced with intense stares. It was as if a switch had flipped in him, a battle with dark vs light and the dark took over the light inside him. He walks out of the bathroom into your shared room and you ask, "Is everything okay Bellamy? You're acting a little off. You can talk to me you know?" You whisper as he climbs into bed and just stares at me as if i said nothing.

With a gruff sound he responds in a monotone way, "I'm fine. Just some stuff with Pike and Kane." he turns his back towards me before you could even respond he turns off his lamp on his side of the bed. Feeling disappointment wash through me, you turn off my lamp and let out a sigh then turn your back on him and lay there, with him consuming your last thoughts for the night.

That was about a week ago and since then, Pike has became the chancellor with Bellamy's help, Bellamy keeps distancing himself farther and farther away from you it's a contrast to how just a few weeks ago you two were a perfect couple, laughing together, secretly running off, fixing the cars together and just overall enjoying each others company. Everything has changed.

You finish up my work in the library, fixing books and collecting books that were once borrowed. You walk to the bar spotting Jasper, "Hey Jasper. How you holdin' up?" You ask curiously as you pull up a seat next to him. you were secretly hoping he wouldn't blame me for Maya's death for the 15th time in the past month which of course you felt somewhat guilty about, but you're aware that it wasn't you who killed her, and the ones responsible held an immense amount of guilt, not only for her, but for all the victims.

"Hey.." Jasper says drunkenly, while nodding off. He had bags under his eyes as if he never sleeps, which could be possibles considering the grief he was feeling. His grief and his drinking go hand in hand, everytime you see Jasper he's either drunk or on his way to being drunk. It was sad seeing your friend destroy himself.

"How are you tod-" You quickly get cut off to Lincoln being dragged out of medical by one of Pike's goons while angrily cursing at them in Trigedasleng.

"What the fuck is going on!?" You rush over to the scene while looking at Lincoln getting dragged away and you spot Bellamy standing next to Pike without a care in the world that Lincoln; one of his friends, was getting dragged out.

You rush over to Bellamy, anger quickly filling my veins you grab his wrist and mutter to Pike "Can you excuse us for a moment?" you don't even give him a chance to respond before dragging Bellamy to our room.

He looks confused when you first started dragging him, "Hey! what's wrong!" You ignore him.

He tries again and says, "Why are you angrily dragging me like i did something wrong?" Again. Silence.

He sighs angrily and says, "Now you're ignoring me!?" You simply roll your eyes, still angry and stay silent.

"Im so confused! What did i do!?"

The last sentence was shouted as soon as you hit the door and you soon as you shut the door the anger in you swells, the anger that has been continuously increasing these past few weeks that you ultimately end up ejecting at Bellamy with full force.

"Are you fucking serious right now Bellamy!? 'What did i do', 'What did i do wrong?' You fucking know what you did wrong!," Bellamy looks at you in surprise at the burst of anger you just threw at him and tries to interject,

"Is this about Lincoln? I really coul-" You hold your hand up as a sign for him to stop talking and also yell,

"Im not fucking finished talking Bellamy! Im gonna talk and you're gonna fucking listen! I've been feeling like shit for these past few weeks! You've been cold towards me. You've been putting Pike and your loyalty before your loyalty to your friends whos been with you when we were dropped on this planet to die! I-.. I don't know who you are anymore Bellamy, it truly hurts to say that." You feel a pool form in your eyes as you explode, your emotions feel all over the place and you can almost see how this is gonna end. And the 'end' that formed in your mind wasn't a happy ending.

Bellamy looks at you, his eyes soft, opposite to the rough and intense eyes you'd been getting these past few weeks. Bellamy opens his mouth then quickly closes it processing what you had said.

He whispers, scared that an increase of volume might get his heart broken. "Im sorry, i- i didnt mean to make you feel like that. I had no idea you felt like that."

The tears fall down your face as if youre a window on a rainy day, you look down deep in thought and prepare for the answer you might get for this next question. "Do you love me anymore Bellamy?" You say as your voice cracks. You're too afraid to look at his expression, but suddenly you feel his fingers on your chin forcing you to look up at him. He looks broken, he also had tears in his eyes.

"You think i don't love you...? How- How could you think that? I live my life for you. Anywhere you go i go. You've became a big part of my life and showed me what being truly loved is like. I love you always and forever, and i promise ill do everything to make you feel the love i feel for you." He says while crying in guilt for making her ever feel that way. How could he make her feel like that? This girl is the love of his life. The person he wanted to spend all his years with and build a family with.

"I love you Bellamy. So so much." you smile while connecting my forehead with his. "We'll get through this together." you kiss him passionately, all the anger already gone and replaced with love and happiness. See this is the boy you fell in love with.

You two passionately kiss and the kiss progressively gets deeper and more needy. He back away first, breathlessly he says, "Can i show you how much i love you? Baby let me worship you."

You nod your head and kiss him again before he picks you up and you yelp in surprise. "Maybe a warning next time" You giggle as he places you on the bed and starts to move his hands around your body making sure to touch everywhere.

Your body tingles as you feel his hands all over you. He towers over you and kisses you slowly before moving to your neck and making sweet love spots.

'Mmm Bell..' You mutter as he licks and sucks, those mutters eventually turn into moans.

"You gotta keep it down baby. Can you do that for me?" He asks as he pauses from sucking your neck. You nod and he proceeds.

You feel the warmth on your neck suddenly disappear and then you feel your pants being slid off slowly and look down to see Bellamy making eye contact while playing with your panties.

"You're so gorgeous.. how'd i get so lucky?" He says. He then rises up and removes your shirt, exposing your bra. He ends up taking that off and looking at your boobs as if he's seen a million dollars. He starts sucking on one of your nipples while kneading the other one in his hand. You whimper at the blissful sensations while making eye contact with him which just increases the nectar coming out your pussy.

He kisses the nipple he had just been sucking on and moves on to the next one making you bite your lip in pleasure whining at the good sensation.

He then moves to the valley of your breast and starts making open mouthed kisses down to the part where your panties were. He mumbles "These shouldnt be on" and rips them off.

"Hey! i liked those!" You say gasping as you feel the air on your vagina.

"Theres plenty more baby." He says while looking at you with a smirk. He then licks a long strip from your clit down to my entrance. "You're getting my fingers and my tongue today ok baby?" He says while breathing hard out his nose. You love how he still was somewhat dominant even when its supposed to be soft and him worshipping your body you still love the sense of dominance he brings.

"Yes baby thats ok." You whimper out while looking at him with anticipation. He attacks your clit first, circling your clit slowly before sucking which he repeats for a minute. He then places open mouthed kisses on your vagina as he did when he was working on your chest.

You moan at the sensations feeling it deep inside your core almost close to coming. But you didn't want to come that quick and have the night be over with already. You arch your back into his tongue while he licks and suck as if you vagina was a lollipop. You felt close and felt pure bliss ignoring the words he had once muttered earlier 'you gotta keep it down baby' well being cautious of your volume was long gone as soon as his tongue made contact with your clit.

He sucks on your clit which brings you closer to the edge. "F-fuck Bell.. im-im close!" You struggle to say, lost in the sensations and tingles your body was feeling. One last lick did the trick for you and you cum all over his tongue. He smirks and groans as he feels your hot cum. He swallows it before coming back up to kiss you, and when you kiss him you taste yourself all over his lips and tongue.

"Your moans sound amazing, i want more out of you.." He says softly before going back down and sticking a finger inside of you making you moan loudly as you arch your back with your lips parted and your eyes magically shut as he pumps in and out of you. You moan loudly calling out his name as if he was a god.

And that was how you night ended. Feeling worshiped and cared about by the man you love most. But everyone else the next day had heard you being worshiped and you calling our Bellamy's name. An embarrassment but with a good outcome.

𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 🤍

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐яєqυєѕт!

─────────⋆˚࿔ 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐪𝐬𝐚𝜗𝜚˚⋆─────────

[starsturniolos]

I think he knows

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Fem Reader

Synopsis: Matt is y/n’s childhood bestfriend. Y/n has always had a thing for Matt , but unbeknownst to y/n , matt knew the whole time.

Warnings⚠️ : smut , fluff , teensy bit of angst if u squint, use of nicknames (baby, love)

This is my first story on this app so bear w me pls😭

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It was just another day , a day that I had planned to hangout with Matt. I check my phone and I see that he had texted me that hes here. I skip along my porch steps and run to the car , waving eagerly at the blue eyed boy waiting for me in the vehicle.

“Hey y/n!” Matt says , his eyes lighting up at the sight of me.

“Mattyyyyy!!! Ive missed you!” I squeal and lean over to hug him lightly.

“Ew never call me that again. Strictly Matt.” Matt says , playfully disgusted.

“Awwww cmon matty you know you like it.” I say in a playful sing-song teasing manner. Matt scoffs and starts the car. I set up my things for my passenger side of his car. Matt begins driving us to a café and I adjust my makeup using his mirror.

One of matts hands grips the steering wheel and the other rests on the center glove compartment. I had always liked Matt, not like a friend. I like liked him. My life would end if he ever found out , and to be honest part of me thinks he knows.

“Soooooo, how was your morning matty?” I tease again. He scoffs and blows the question off.

“It was fine l- i mean y/n” Matt speaks.

“Wait what were you about to call me?” I ask and look at him, my eyes practically pleading him to repeat himself. “N-Nothing y/n dont worry about it.” He says and adjusts his pants.

“Whatever you say matty.” I say and flip open my phone, matts instagram profile pops up I go to comment on his post. A couple hours pass and the ride had stayed an awkward silence ever since that nickname nearly slipped matt’s lips.

“Were here.” Matt states and gets out the car to go open your door. “Such a gentleman.” I say and he blushes slightly.

Matt and Y/N walk into the café and get a table for two at the counter, the view is perfect. The sun a perfect orange contrasting with the purpley pinkish sky. Y/N picks up the menu and starts looking at the options.

I kick off my heels and start putting my feet on top of matt’s white airforce 1’s. “Being a girl hurts.” I complain and move my feet on his shoes playfully before sliding them back on my feet. As I remove my feet i see matt adjust his pants again.

“Whats wrong Matty? Youve been moving a whole lot tod-“ My words are interrupted by matts lips pushed against mine. I let myself get lost in the passionate kiss before he pulls away, looking into my eyes, searching for the right words to say.

“Does that answer your question y/n?” Matt asks and continues to look at me with desperation and lust in his eyes.

“N-No, W-Why did you kiss me Matt?” I ask, not knowing what to do.

“Because im inlove with you, y/n. From the day we met I knew I had a crush on you, and you do too. I can see the way you look at me, how you copy what I do, what I wear. How you try to get along with my insufferable friends just so you can hang around with me. I know you like me y/n. I like you too.” He speaks with a breathy voice, continuously searching for the answer in my eyes. Without a response, I pull him into another kiss, this time more desire and lust overwhelming us.

Matt slams a hand on the table, $200 leaving his palm. He pushes me out the door, his lips never leaving mine, he opens the car door, pushing me down on the carseat, quickly taking off his shirt and starting to try to unbutton mine. I submit completely, letting his hands roam my half naked body.

“Matt..~” I moan softly. My eyes never leaving his.

“I know baby I know..~ So eager for me..~”

His praise only makes me want him more. He leans down to kiss my neck, continuing to undress me. I soon get too impatient and rip my skirt off by myself.

“Mmm..~ Somones needy..~” Matt coos, a smirk paints his painfully beautiful face. I nod and buck my hips toward him, his erection now resting comfortably on my stomach. I whine in a effort to get him to fulfill my needs.

“Shhh..~” Matt whispers softly. He unbuttons his pants, pulling his boxers down aswell. His erect cock springs out and I lick my lips. He preps my entrace by entering two of his fingers, curling them slightly at the end, drawing helpless moans from my slightly agape lips.

“May I?” Matt asks with a grin on his face, satisfied with my horny expression. I dont say a word, I just nod frantically, consenting to his words. At this cue, he pulls his fingers out, licking them clean.

He gives his dick a stroke and then slowly pushes inside of me. An immediate moan leaves my mouth, my head tossed back and my back arched. “Oh fuck, Matt..~ Y-Youre so big..”

“Mmmm you feel so good ma.” He says as he starts thrusting in and out of me, grabbing a hold of my wrists as I squirm beneath him.

“Youre taking me so well baby. I didn’t know youd be so tight. You dont know how long ive thought about this.”

I say nothing but moan, letting my legs wrap around his waist. “M’gonna cum..~ P-Please let me cum.” I moan out desperately, waiting for his permission.

“Fuck yeah baby, cum with me.” He says smirking, he grabs my waist harder as we chase our highs together. After we have hit our orgasms, matt pulls out and cleans me up.

“Okay love lets get up.” He says, grabbing my hands moving me up, picking me up off the bed. He sets me on the floor and I collapse to the floor. “Mmph.. fuck.” I sigh.

“Shit baby you okay?” He asks and quickly lifts me up. He rubs my back lightly and kisses my forehead softly.

“Fuck matt, you took my ability to walk.” I giggle and blush slightly.

“My pleasure” He replies and laughs with me. He walks me to the bathroom and we shower together. Later we talked about our feelings and now he’s finally mine.

[elliewithcellie]

Long Cool Woman - Chapter 4

chapter summary: It's date night, and you get a little carried away. The brothers are less than thrilled.

wc: 4.6k

cw: ANGST, brothers are mad lol, SMUT ADJACENT (18+), heavy makeout, some *touching*, Sam's def jealous, reader still oblivious, reader cries, Dean plays good big brother again, mention of scars

a/n: yes it's theo james as the James fan cast sue me. Find the rest of the story here

Across from the table sat James, looking as perfect as you had met him that morning. You couldn’t believe you had ended the night here. Never in your recent wildest dreams did you picture yourself on a date, much less to be picked among fifty actual models. It was hard to believe a man as dreamy as him would want a girl like you, but the chemistry made up for it in your mind.

“So,” James began, “how does a girl like you get caught up in something like this?”

“Girl like me? What do you mean?”

“I mean, those other pageant girls are all the same. They’re all self-absorbed and can’t think of anything else they’d do with their time other than look pretty. But you, you’re different. You’re not like them, are you?”

You blushed and reached for your water. “Oh, I don’t know…” You struggled to find the right response. “I guess you could say it’s the family business. I’m just the girl of the family so…”

James leaned in. “Oh, wow. I knew it. It’s really only a job for you. That’s fascinating. Have you ever wanted to do anything else? If you could quit this life today, what would you do?”

He had no idea what a loaded question that was. What you would give to have your old life back. The life where monsters didn’t exist, and you could pursue a college education, or a trade, something normal that other people get to experience. “Maybe when this is all over, I’d go to school to learn psychology or something. The science of the mind has always been so intriguing to me. I don’t know. It’s hard not to look at my life and feel behind. But I guess you have to roll with the punches, you know?”

“I know exactly what you mean.” James reached for your hand. The hold was warm, firm. “Growing up, I felt like I had no say in what my future held. My dad was a mechanic. Told me I was going to be, too. He was harsh, to say the least, about my interest in creativity. If I as much as held a camera, it was enough to set him off. He’d tell me that if I was going to be the head of a household, I had to do something honorable. Making movies was a waste of time to him. My mom supported me in secret. She’s who gave me my first video camera. She’s who let me play pretend with my friends before my dad returned from work. But she left when I was young.”

“I’m so sorry,” you said, the confession startling you.

“Yeah, well. It was hard for a while with just my dad. Fights would break out, and all that, until finally I told him that I couldn’t follow his path for me anymore. So, then I left. I went to school to study videography. I loved it. I still do, but I’m scared I made a mistake. What if my dad was right all along? And what if I have to return home with the knowledge that I failed?”

“But you haven’t failed,” you said, hoping to comfort him. “Look at what you’re doing now. You’re directing a program that’ll be broadcast nationwide! Like, that’s not something you should look past, you know? To me, you’ve succeeded.”

James’ shoulders settled back into a natural state as a small smile formed on his face. “Thank you. I really needed to hear that. You are truly something else.”

His fingers played with yours in his grasp, and you did everything you could to focus on anything else. But it was hypnotic the way his touch set you ablaze with the simple graze of his thumb. Like falling under a spell, you fought to keep the conversation going.

“But enough about me,” James continued. “Please, tell me everything.”

So, you did. You practically shared your entire upbringing. Almost all of it was the truth, only lying to shoehorn in anything you knew from watching Toddlers and Tiaras. James soaked up every word, attentive to every phrase, and his eyes swallowed yours whole. It was like he was thirsty for more, no matter what you gave him. No one had ever given you this much attention before. You were worried any more would set you over the edge.

You had long since finished your dinner, the conversation never settling once. The first interruption of the night came from your phone buzzing in your pocket.

“Sorry,” you said as you pulled out your phone. The time read 9:32 pm, and an unread message from Dean waited for your response.

“tick tock” was all it said. You rolled your eyes.

“Is everything ok?” James asked.

You sighed. “Yeah, it’s just my, uh, my brother. He wants me to head back.”

James scrunched his eyebrows before releasing a small laugh. “Is he the boss?” he asked. You noted the sarcasm that coated the question.

“Yeah, actually. I don’t mean to cut this short.”

“Oh, no, not at all. I can take you back.” James paid for the meal, and the two of you set back on the road toward the hotel.

The radio hummed along with the steady drone of the engine, but the tension building between the two of you was much louder. His hand rested on your thigh as he drove, something your high school self would have panicked over. You were close to panicking now. Every bump in the road served as an excuse for his hand to drift, either deeper into your muscle, or higher and higher. You fought your rising temperature, but you were hot. The reminder of the rubber in your back pocket didn’t ease your nerves. It only strengthened them.

James pulled into a parking space in the back of the hotel, a secluded area away from the road.

“Do you have to go?” James asked, his eyes tracing over each of your features. You checked the time. 9:54.

“We’re cutting it close,” you said. Your voice was not your own. It was breathy, softer than usual. The hold he had on you was intoxicating. His eyes stayed on yours, and his chest heaved up and down. Your heart fluttered in your chest. “I had a really great time,” you said.

“Wait,” he said. “Just one more thing before you go.”

He reached across the center console and pulled you into a kiss. Your heart pounded against your chest, threatening to explode on impact. Your shock settled into desire, longing, and something deep within you that you’d never had access to until now.

You kissed back like it was second nature, a skill you never lost. You found your arms wrapped around the back of his neck, fighting to be closer. James’ hands got lost in your hair and grabbed a fistful. You moaned into his mouth. He raised his eyebrows and smirked against you, his hand venturing to your waist.

“This stupid car,” James groaned, sitting back in his seat. “Come here.”

You were nothing if not a good listener. Fighting how flustered you felt, you crossed over the console into the driver’s seat and straddled him. You had never been this close to a guy before, but now was not the time to think. You pulled him back toward you for a kiss, his tongue quick to join the action. You followed suit, a moan escaping your lips as his hands found purchase on your hips. His hands were rough, kneading into your flesh as he rolled you against him. Your breath hitched against his mouth.

“You’re amazing,” he said between kisses. “God, it’s like you were made for me.”

Your mind was numb, the praise sending you over the edge. His hands roamed to the front of your jeans and undid the button.

“Woah, wait,” you said out of breath.

James groaned. “Don’t tease me, baby.”

You melted at the name. You rested your head on his. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Then your phone buzzed. And again. And again.

“Shit. Shit!” You lurched over to your phone to see two missed calls from Dean. You shuffled through to the passenger side and opened the door.

“I’m so sorry. I have to go. I’m late. I didn’t mean to lead you on. I’m not that type of girl. But I have to go.”

“It’s ok,” James said with a small smile. “Go.”

“Thank you for tonight. It was amazing.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

You smiled and closed the door. You ran to the lobby and called Dean back. “I’m so sorry. I’m fine. I’m here. I’m running up now, ok?”

“Ok,” was all you heard on the other line. You were in deep shit.

The elevator took its sweet time transferring you to the second floor as if to taunt you of your failings. You checked the time. 10:20. Almost 30 minutes of making out with a stranger? This was not good.

The elevator chimed. You bolted out of the doors and ran straight to your room. You scanned your room key and opened the door. Both brothers were on their feet when you entered, their attention already on you.

“I said ten,” Dean said, his voice unnervingly level.

“I know. I—”

“No, I don’t think you do.” Dean stepped closer to you. “Because when I say ten, I don’t mean twenty minutes after. I don’t mean it as a suggestion. I mean ten on the dot. I even gave you a warning text, just in case! That was an hour ago!”

“I’m sorry,” you said sincerely. “We really did head back when you texted. I swear. We parked at 9:54.”

“There’s still a thirty-minute block of time not being accounted for, isn’t there?” Dean crossed his arms over his chest.

The color drained from your face as flashbacks of the night attacked your memories. “I’m sorry,” you said again. “We lost track of time.”

“I’m sure you did,” Sam said, his words pointed.

You jumped at his words, not used to his biting tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?” you asked, your voice low, almost daring him to continue.

Sam shook his head. “We were worried sick, and you’re out there getting handsy with the first guy you meet.”

“Sam,” Dean warned.

“Woah, what?” You took a step back. “The time thing I get. I’m on your clock. And I want to make it up to you. But what I do on my time is my business.”

“Whatever,” Sam said. “I just hope it was worth it.”

Your jaw dropped at his final words, the audacity to be disgusted with you without knowing the truth. It was your business. Who gave him the right to assume? You fought the urge to call him jealous. Your own brash assumption would only make you a hypocrite.

Sam grabbed his laptop and duffle bag from the side of the bed. “Dean, give me the keys.”

“Where are you going?” Dean asked.

“Out. I’ll be back in the morning.”

Dean tossed him the keys. Sam headed for the door, but you stood in his way. You reached your boiling point.

“For the record,” you said, each word burning on your tongue, “things did get heated, but I shut it down. It was too much, and I wasn’t ready. So, maybe next time come with proof before you call someone a whore.” You fished the condom out of your back pocket and shoved it against Sam’s chest. “Here. I hope you have more use for this than I did.”

Sam’s heart pounded where your hand rested. The two of you stared each other down. Even then you weren’t afraid of him. As tall, strong, and powerful as he was, his anger was nothing more than an emotion, never a physical sign of danger. You were thankful for that. You felt your breathing slow with the pace of his heart. His eyes softened at your touch, almost remorseful.

Sam took the condom from your hand. He shoved it in his pocket and moved around you to open the door. He left without another word.

“What the fuck was that?” Dean said.

“Dean, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to fight. I really do want to make it up to you guys. You guys are taking the time to teach me, and I’m on your clock. I just don’t get why he gets to stay out when I have a curfew. I’m not sixteen.”

“You’re still not getting it,” Dean said, exasperated. “This isn’t a maturity thing. This isn’t you clocking in at the deli. We work with life-and-death stakes here. On his deathbed, Bobby made us promise him your safety. He begged us to keep you safe. And he was everything to us. If we can’t do that one thing for him…”

You sat and listened, a heightened realization of your value setting in. “I’m sorry.”

“So, of course, we freaked out,” Dean continued. “We’re here to protect you. And we care about you, ok? So, don’t get that twisted. What Sam said was unwarranted. He’s dealing with his own demons at the moment. But he’ll apologize in the morning. I’m sure of it. But it’s just like I said. We can’t lose you, ok?”

You sighed and headed for your duffle bag. “Well, please let me know what I can do to make this right. It won’t happen again. I mean it.”

“I know it won’t,” said Dean. “Let’s just sleep this off before—”

Before he could finish his thought, Castiel apparated in the center of the room.

“Cas? What are you doing here? Are you hurt?” Dean jumped from the bed and took Castiel’s trench coat off, assessing for injuries.

“I’m fine, Dean,” Castiel said monotone. “I checked the bunker, but you all were not there. I have some news for you. Oh, hello, Y/N. Where is Sam?”

“Hi, Castiel. He had to clear his head apparently,” you mumbled, still feeling burned.

“What’s the news?” Dean asked. “Does it have to do with this hunt? Because we’re at a standstill right now.”

“There is definitely something going on here,” said Castiel, “but the town is too quiet.”

“So, it wouldn’t be a ghost, right?” Dean asked. “Sam and I were waiting for something to happen, but nothing. Ghosts don’t pause. Living things do.”

“If it’s not a ghost then, what do you need from me?” you asked.

Dean turned to you. “It’s all the more reason to stick to what you did today. You’ll really need to pay attention to your surroundings. Use what we and Bobby taught you to see if there’s anything fishy going on.”

A memory from the morning flashed in your mind. “You know what? I did see something weird. There was a window open in the lobby. And on the windowsill was like a pile of dirt. Maybe sawdust, or something.”

Dean and Castiel shared a knowing look before returning to you. “Show us,” Dean ordered.

You led the way to the lobby, Dean and Castiel trailing close behind. But when you walked up to the window, it had been closed and was completely clean.

“It was here, I swear,” you said confused. “They must have cleaned it.”

“Describe to us again what it looked like,” Castiel said.

“It was yellow and powdery, like pollen almost. But I’ve never seen pollen just clumped like that, certainly not inside.”

“Judging by your description, that sounds like sulfur.”

“Shit,” Dean said. “We’re dealing with a demon.”

The air got sucked from your lungs. A ghost you were ready to handle. That’s what you trained for. All you had to do was salt and burn some bones. Ghosts were predictable, more or less. It was something that you were confident you could hunt. This was a whole new level. Your mind flashed to your family and the black eyes that took them. You thought of the demon that almost killed you, how unprepared you were even with your years of studying. You couldn’t breathe. The blood drained from your face and fear took its place.

“You with us?” Dean stirred you from your impending panic.

You nodded, not able to find words convincing enough.

“Let’s head back to the room. It’s getting late, and we got our work cut out for us, tomorrow.”

Castiel vanished, and Dean called Sam to fill him in, leaving you to return to your room alone. Your heart was caught in your throat, your lungs restricted. You were unable to shake the dread clawing at your skin, the scars on your arms a permanent reminder of the damage a demon could wreak.

When Dean returned, you had already climbed into Sam’s bed. His pillow left traces of him, the scent decompressing your stress like a hug as you settled deeper into the mattress. You caught yourself. His words still stung, and his exit hurt worse. You tossed his pillow to the side in exchange for yours and huffed back in bed. Dean had said Sam took it too far. But why? What had him fuming to the point of leaving for an entire night? Guilt resurfaced as you were reminded of your evening. You were going to make it up to him, both of them, whatever it took.

“What’s wrong?” Dean said from the other bed. “You’re moving a lot.”

“Sorry. I’m fine. I’ll be quiet.”

Silence filled the darkness. You were careful to lie still hoping to let Dean sleep, but to no avail.

“You’re worried,” Dean said as he turned on the lamp between you.

You released a shaky breath. “I guess so, yeah.”

“About?”

You bit your lip. “Well, I’m thinking about Sam being so upset with me that he couldn’t be here.”

“I told you not to worry about that.”

“But you were mad too. You gave me a rule, and I broke it. And now, it’s not ghosts we’re after but full-on demons. There’s an emotional stake now. Ghosts didn’t kill my family or give me these.”

You held out your arms where your scars stained your skin. Dean’s eyes filled with remorse as he examined your scars.

“I couldn’t follow a simple curfew, Dean!” You continued, tears welling up in your eyes. “How am I supposed to be trusted to save the lives of these women when it’s demons? Dean, I’m so scared.”

You cried into your hands, unable to contain your emotions any longer. Dean sat on the edge of your bed and nudged your shin. “Hey, look at me,” he said.

You begrudgingly obeyed, your eyes puffy as your vision adjusted through your tears.

“People make mistakes. Everyone. You, me, Sam, everyone. It’s not a sign of your character. It’s a sign you’re human. You think being late removes every good thing you’ve done in the past year? No, dude. You’re fine. It doesn’t mean you don’t learn from it. And it doesn’t mean I have to like it, so I called you out. Just like you called Sam out for his mistake. You learn and move on. It has no bearing on tomorrow. I know I could do better at this, but you don’t hold grudges with family.”

You looked up at him in surprise. Family. He saw you as family.

“As for the demon, I know you’re scared. You’re not alone there. We don’t talk about it, but our origins are more alike than you may think.”

“Really?” you asked, scooting closer to him, your legs crossed.

“Yeah.” Dean sighed. “So, I get you. I do. But we’ve got you, ok? Both of us do. And besides, you’ve had Bobby teaching you almost since you got there, right? You’re more capable than I think you realize. But you’re safe with us, ok?”

You nodded, settling your tense shoulders back into place.

“I hate to say this,” Dean began, “well, then maybe I shouldn’t.” He moved to get up.

You grabbed his shoulder. “No, wait. Tell me.”

He sat back and sighed. “In all honesty, when we found out you existed, I hated you. I was so insanely jealous of what you had.”

“What do you mean?” you asked, your voice soft.

“You had Bobby. I mean, well, first off, you had a normal childhood. But I wouldn’t wish this life on anyone. But you had Bobby to take care of you every day. He kept you a secret from us for years. But once the cat was out of the bag, you were all he talked about. He would tell us how funny you were, your favorite shows, any small thing that had happened that he thought was remotely interesting. He was proud of you. You were like a daughter to him, and I think I resented you for that. Because he was like a father to me.”

His admission rattled you. You began to realize you didn’t know the entire history of the Winchesters. And if he was jealous of your situation, he and Sam must have endured some horrible circumstances.

“So, when we had to get you,” Dean continued, “I was furious. I wanted nothing to do with you, which is why we fought way back when. But when you threatened to leave, I realized we couldn’t lose you. You’re all we have left of him. By joining us, we got to find out that everything Bobby said about you is true. It made you really hard to hate.”

You chuckled, your cheeks rouging slightly.

“I don’t know where all this is coming from,” Dean said, suddenly bashful over his ramblings. “I guess my point is that you’re pretty cool, in an annoying little sister kind of way. I know we had a rocky start, but I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re not welcome by me, ok?”

You moved to sit next to him on the bed. “Can I hug you?”

“I’ll allow it,” Dean said. He pulled you into his side.

You wrapped your arms around him and rested your head on his shoulder. “For the record,” you said, “you were all I heard about, too. So, I think that makes us even.”

He hummed in response and patted your shoulder. “Ok, enough of this chick-flick shit. I’m headed to bed.”

A full laugh bubbled out of you, your first full laugh of the day. Dean smiled back as he turned the light off, and you drifted off to sleep in minutes.

You woke up the next morning not to an alarm, but to the door unlocking. You sprung up from bed, your heart thudding against your ribcage.

“It’s me. You’re fine. You’re safe. It’s Sam.”

Your eyes adjusted in the dark room as you watched Sam close the distance between you. He rested a hand on your shoulder as you tried to relax your breathing.

“Sorry,” you said through shaking breaths.

“You’re ok. Just breathe.” Sam rubbed small circles into your back with his thumb. “Same dream?”

You nodded, shuddering against him. It never got easier. You had hoped that time would heal your wounds, but something struck you as unfinished. An unwanted message to your subconscious, it was almost like you were missing something.

“What time is it? It feels early.”

Dean interrupted your question with a soft snore.

“It’s close to seven,” Sam said. He sat on the bed next to you and paused. He looked as if he was contemplating his words carefully before he spoke, almost nervous. “Would you be ok, when you’re ready, if we talked over coffee this morning? I don’t want to wake Dean up, and honestly, it’s not his business.”

You looked over at Dean. Not a single thought rattled around his head as he slept on his stomach with his mouth agape. You returned your attention to Sam. “Uh, sure. Coffee sounds nice.”

The two of you found a table in the back of the breakfast bar. Your coffee warmed your hands and the tip of your nose in the otherwise frigid lobby. Your body betrayed you, a shiver coursing under your skin from the contrasting temperatures.

“You’re cold,” Sam said.

“Ehh.” You shrugged.

“I should have told you to grab a sweater or something.”

“I’ll be ok.”

Sam removed his flannel and rested it on your shoulders. You bit your lip, trying to deter a blush from forming. “Thank you,” you said.

He nodded, a small smile residing on his features before faltering again. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you about last night. I shouldn’t have said what I did. I got so bent out of shape over your safety that I was, disheartened, to say the least, to find out you were here the whole time. Your time is your business, just like you said. And I respect that. I have to respect it if I want to respect you.” He lowered his voice. “I—I don’t think you’re a whore, by the way. It all just, you know, caught me off guard. So, I’m really sorry I hurt you. It wasn’t fair of me to say any of it. I care about you and never want to make you feel that way.”

Your thoughts wandered to the night before. “It did hurt, but because it felt so unlike you more than anything. I didn’t know where it was coming from, you know? But what hurt the most was when you left. It was mostly guilt. I couldn’t believe you were leaving over it all, and I couldn’t shake it. I was so upset to have hurt you so bad, but I couldn’t figure out why. I ended up breaking down to Dean I felt so bad. But he explained everything.”

“He did?” Sam asked, his eyes wide. “What did he say?”

“He said I’m all you guys have left of Bobby, and if you lost me, you’d completely lose him.”

Sam released a breath and sipped his coffee.

“And I guess you guys are the same to me in some ways,” you continued. “I’ve been ungrateful.”

“You haven’t.”

“I have though. Over the past year, I’ve lived a self-centered view of my situation. Being tossed from stranger to stranger and ordered to stay inside the rest of my life. That’s how I saw it. I felt trapped, stunted even. So, maybe yesterday I made some impulsive choices. But in my mind yesterday, it was eight years in the making. It was my first night to so much as to get a taste of a typical adult life. It was the first time a man asked me out. I had to take advantage of that because what if it never happens again?”

Sam’s eyebrows scrunched together at your words but let you continue.

“But,” you breathed out, “it was a selfish endeavor, and I know it. Last night, Dean reminded me that I wasn’t being tossed around by strangers but by people who had so much love for each other that they willingly let me be a part of their circle. I’m sorry for taking advantage of your time. Because now I know it wasn’t just time; it was safety and the relationships we’ve formed over the last year, and I will not take that for granted anymore.”

Sam gave you a small smile. “That was…really well said. You’re family to us. And it’s just that we care a lot, ok? So, are we good, now?”

You smiled back. “Yes, we’re good. I promise to make it up to you.”

“You already are.”

The comfort exuding from Sam began to flood your senses. You’d spend all your time with him if he’d let you, completely content to remain in his space.

“We should probably be getting back,” Sam said, shuffling out of his seat. “We have a big day ahead of us.”

chapter 5

[infiniteetcetera]

My thoughts on the next ACOTAR books before we potentially learn more today (not sure if that rumor is true but hoping🤞)

1) I feel like next book is probably Elain/Azriel’s. I have nothing against Elain/Lucien and I’m actually quite fond of Gwyn/Az, but I don’t see gwyn ever getting a POV/book before characters like Elain and Mor. Could I see a world where the book is Elain/Azriel’s POV but they don’t wind up with each other? Absolutely! I even think that could be a fun twist, but overall I think most likely next book is an Elriel one, and even if they aren’t endgame it will AT LEAST have both their POVs (maybe Lucien’s too)

2) My dream for the next NEXT ACOTAR book/novella is a TOD style “separate from the main plot line” book for Lucien. I LOVE Lucien and have since book 1 and I think he’s a perfect character to explore the other courts with (autumn, day, spring) which a LOT of people have been wanting. Especially if Elain breaks their bond, I think Lucien getting a side quest book with his own personal journey like Chaol in TOD would be SO good. I’ve seen people bring up this notion for Azriel (that Elain/Lucien will be next book, then Az gets his own) but I don’t see a point in that (ie above) Azriel’s story is very wrapped up with Elain and the rest of the IC/main plot line, but there’s SO much depth to Lucien’s storylines, other characters to explore with him (band of exiles, eris, tamlin, helion, etc) and more than enough plot lines for his own book that vaguely touches the main koeshi plot (like tower of dawn) but has its own focuses as well.

3) The last book (or at least the last one she’s contracted for 👀) a multi-POV KOA style huge AF entertaining book. Ideally this would have all the ACOFAS POV’s as well as others (Elain & Az obv, Lucien, the Valkeryies??) I think this would be perfect, especially for fans who miss characters like Feyre being narrator. I can’t see the last book going any other way honestly, it’d feel wrong to end one person/couples story.

THOUGHTS???

[maxwell-mtv]

To Wish Upon a Winter Star [Morris x G/N!Reader]

[HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THERE! Sorry this took me a moment, I had to make sure this was perfect and then realized this would make for an excellent series so this will probably only be part 1 tbh. So my apologies for the offish end, but I assure you this intended to be a series now.

TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNINGS: Spicy old men who will gladly kill each other if they were only able too, jealousy, and brief alcohol mention!

Any who-sies, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all you lovely folks out there <3. I hope you enjoy, and let me know if there's anything I can improve upon. I want to only produce the best for you all.]

“Morris Tod, the manager of Joja Mart, at our town's festival? That's ridiculous! What business does that corporate pig have nosing around our traditions? As if he has any right to intrude! He's the one who's actively ruining this town!” The shop owner slaps his newspaper onto his sales counter. 

With a careless shrug, the purple haired girl finishes shuffling through her backpack.. “I don't know, Dad, that's just what Sam was telling me. Seems like maybe he's really trying to get involved.”

Sniffing and narrowing his eyes, the hunched man takes a bitter sip from his coffee mug. “What are the odds he's only showing because of the new Farmer?” His question was framed more as an accusation than a genuine point of conversation.

“I don't know. I don't care. I just don't want you to have an aneurysm when you see him there like you did when he showed up to the Luau…” The young woman rolls her eyes as she slings her bag over her shoulder and heads for the exit.

“Language, Abigail!” The man nearly stands up from his stool. “And where do you think you're going with that bag?”

“Outside?” She responds incredulously, pushing her way out the store.

Sitting back in his seat, Pierre takes another sip from his mug but not before scoffing at his daughter's rude attitude. This was going to be interesting, to say the least.

…

Looking like Ebenezer Scrooge in the way he dressed, Morris carried on conversation after conversation with the locals in town square. It was funny how despite his general appearance that the man could be so charming when he wanted to be. At least to him, all it took was a one-liner here and there, then a charming incentive to make them want more. For hours, every chance he got, he'd practiced and practiced for every possible scenario. Even in the mirror in those brief moments when he'd be tying his bowtie, he'd practice his facial expressions and the endearing expressions that would help charm those around him.

Despite his best efforts, these skills could only take him so far. Often only as far as the supermarket he ran. He wasn't as sought after as he may have liked, years of rejection and loneliness helped to drive that point home especially. Now, as he took his seat on a corner table, this point was driven home for him once more. No one came up to him, and with every passing glance of the locals, he swore he wasn't truly welcome there. Perhaps observing this town's tradition this year wasn't the best idea. He could have easily taken his one day off a year and stayed home. Or maybe he could even call his mother who he'd hardly talked to since he basically moved into the town.

Bouncing his leg, he glances over to spot the incoming farmer who seemed in a rush to get to the festivities. Glancing at his wrist watch, he saw why they were in such a rush. It was already nearly noon, halfway through the celebration hours.

Suddenly, his ideas of leaving, escaping, or anything of the sort disappear. He watches the young farmer as they start their rounds. But he's taken by surprise when a strange pang of jealousy bubbles within him as he watches them talk to Pierre before scurrying off towards the others. He stands and weaponizes this strange new feeling, planning his his attack while he approached Pierre's stall, he makes sure the farmer's back is turned for this next part.

Resting an arm on the desk part of the stall, he glances at Pierre. “Working year round, are we?”

“Save for Wednesdays, I have no choice.” Pierre responds coldly.

“What a shame, this wouldn't happen if you'd just close up shop and work for us. We could use a good numbers guy.”

“Oh really?” The tired middle aged man says sarcastically. “Is that so?”

“Oh yes, you know pricing all our items can become quite the daunting task. I'm sure a man of your caliber could easily achieve such low-brow work.” Morris says, finding himself to feel rather proud in the moment.

Pierre gawks and nearly chokes on his own spit. “What's your deal, you slimy scumbag?” He spits out through clenched teeth. “What's your fetish with tearing me down and ruining my life every chance you get?”

Morris's grin widens as he gets this response. “I would say you're the one who's self-sabotaging, Pierre. After all, how hard could it be to just shut down shop and work for a more secure job?”

“Because I'd be letting you win.”

“What a childish way of looking at things.” Morris takes a pause to glance over his shoulder to make sure the farmer was nowhere in ear shot. He quickly turns and leans in, smirking at his glowering counterpart. “Why don't you just surrender this losing battle of yours? I'll gladly take your clients off your hands and in return you can spend more time with your darling family.”

“As far as I'm concerned, you can kiss my-” Before Pierre can finish his statement, his wife approaches with two plates sandwiched together. Morris takes this opportunity to leave and go to the tables of food and beverages, some of which this year proudly provided by the local Joja Mart. It was merely a small show of appreciation to the townsfolk for letting him join in on the local festivities.

As you finished your rounds, you took a deep breath. Now all there was to do was to give your secret person the gift, receive yours and then you could head out. As you approached Willy to say hello and hand him his gift, you're stopped by a familiar voice. 

“Well if it isn't my favorite soon-to-be customer!” Morris approaches, holding out a travel cup for you to take. His cheeky grin never falters as he eyes you over. 

“Oh, hey Morris.” You hadn't known the man outside of the few awkward encounters at and around Pierre's. You only ever went over the stream for the Library or Clint's so you hardly ever thought about Joja Mart. You glance warily at the steaming cup, wondering what it was you were supposed to do.

“Here, it's rather chilly out here, don't you think?” He gestures for you to take the cup before sensing your hesitance. “Don't worry, this is Joja's finest cocoa! It's soy, dairy, nut, and gluten free!”

“Then what's in it?” You question, skeptical of any and all Joja products, having worked for the central offices for so long.

“That's a surprise.” He winks at you, basically placing the cup in your own hand at this point.

You take a moment to smell the steam billowing from the cup, only for you to instinctually lean away. “Thanks.” Noting the oddly chemical scent, you lean away and subtly place the cup on a table behind you.

“Not a problem. I don't know why they hold this event outside. Wouldn't it be much more reasonable to have it indoors?” He glances around the set up. “Joja Mart is always happy to rent out our vast, open spaces. Our shelves are easily movable with the help of our able-bodied staff!”

“I heard they used to hold this in the Community Center before it crumbled apart.” You mention passively.

“I see, I suppose this way when it gets dark, we can all gather to see the star.”

“The star?” Was there really the legendary star? You'd never seen it before, of course it was a local legend for a reason.

Nodding the larger man turns to point you towards where the sea was. “Ah yes, the star. Haven't you heard the story yet?” He cocks a brow. “Everyone in town knows the story, even I do. Although if you ask me, I think it's all fantasy.”

Intrigued, you pry for the story. He tells it to you with less enthusiasm and color than Willy might have, but it was informative to say the least. If only you hadn't been interrupted on your way to the fisherman, it would perhaps seem more magical to you. “How would you like to meet me tonight on the docks? I’d be happy to point it out to you.” 

You didn't know why, but the way his crimson eyes stared into yours inclined you to say yes. “Sure.”

“Great! Meet me tonight at 10, I'll be waiting by the fishing shack.” He establishes, letting you go off to finish what you were inclined to do.

…

Hours go by, the festivities quickly wrap up with Pierre hardly making any gold. Exhausted, everyone goes back to their respective homes, others retire to the Saloon for a late night drink to calm their nerves. At the bar side, Morris sips on an Old Fashion and thinks over the day's events. What was up with that feeling inside his chest from earlier? Why did he so readily and easily insult and belittle Pierre? Sure they'd always had a strained business relationship, if one could even call it that. But he certainly went too far to go out of his way to shut him down like that. For a brief moment, Morris could feel some guilt festering in his stomach before drowning it with a final sip from his drink. 

Setting the empty glass down, he places down a fine amount of gold to match the generosity shown to him with the potency of Gus's pour. He strides from the Saloon and makes his way over the bridge to the beachside. Any minute now, he'd need to show the new farmer a star he didn't even know the location of. All he knew was he would know it when he saw it. 

Sitting on the docks, he lets his finely crafted leather shoes dangle over the water. Truly the drink had helped to let him relax more than normal. Leaning back, he takes a deep breath in. This was it. He was going to sell the farmer on Joja. Who didn't love to support a manager who went out of their way to create a relationship with them?

He heard the sound of steps walking over the creaking wooden boards which separated them from the sea below. Glancing over his shoulder, his hazy mind grew elated at the sight of you. His usual cheeky smile returned, but you could swear there was something different about it. 

“Hey! If it isn't my favorite soon-to-be customer!” He says, turning his attention back up to the night sky. His heart seemed to skip a beat, only to pound all the harder to make up for lost time. His cheeks flushed red, but you couldn't see that, much to his luck, under the night light. “Come join me.” He offers a place next to him, patting his hand on the wooden docks.

“You sure? The dock is rather wet.” You cautioned yourself, unsure of his intentions. It was clear that something was off about his demeanor, but not necessarily in a bad way.

“You don't have to if you don't want to. I've just always loved this spot.” He shrugs, continuing to get lost in the stars above.

“Are you okay? You don't seem like your usual self today. I mean, Pierre even told me how you absolutely tore him to shreds earlier. I don't know you very well but if I had to guess I'd think something was wrong.” You take your seat next to him, albeit carefully considering you weren't wanting to get hypothermia tonight if you happened to slip into the waters below.

Morris felt his stomach drop. Of course Pierre would tell the farmer about that. “Oh, yes. I don't know what happened with that.” He lies, looking into the distance. That was the last thing he wanted to think about right now.

You take a moment to look over the manager's features. His slightly feathered hair, his sorrowful, almost empty expression, not to mention his glistening red eyes. It felt as if this wasn't the manager you'd grown to know over time. “Morris,” you start. 

He looks over and into your eyes. “Hm?”

“You know you don't have to put on an act with me like everyone else, right? I hate it when people feel the need to wear a mask around me in order to gain my favor.” You confess, looking into his softening gaze.

“I don't know what you mean.” He chuckles, trying to brush it off.

“Listen, I know it might be hard, especially doing it all the time but you can let your guard down around me. Either way, I'm never going to shop at Joja Mart.”

That last sentence gets his attention, his glasses nearly tilting off his face with how fast he shoots you a look. “What!?”

“Yeah, I hate to break it to you but I'm in full support of Pierre. So please, stop pretending.” Shrugging, you watch as the man goes through several stages of processing.

For a moment, Morris wonders why he's even sticking around then. He knew he could charm anyone into shopping at his store, sometimes all it took was a big enough discount to have them reeling in. Then again, why didn't he try that already? 

He looks to you and sighs, slumping his shoulders and swallowing his pride. “I suppose that's only fair.” He relents.

You watch in surprise as he gets up and starts walking off the docks. Wasting no time, you rise to your feet, slipping a little as you rush after him. “Where are you going?”

“Home.” He says, sounding defeated.

“You were supposed to show me the star.” You point out. 

“Hm?” He looks back over his shoulder at you, he'd nearly forgotten.

“Yeah, you were going to show me the star.” 

“You still want to see it?”

“Of course I do.”

“Willy would be far better for that.”

“Willy's not around.” You state bluntly. You were not about to let this man go so easily. At least, not in the state he seemed to be in now.

Turning around, Morris runs a nervous hand through his already messy hair. “Look, I won't lie to you, I don't even know where that stupid star is.” 

It was as if in letting his mask fall, he'd revealed just how exhausted he really was. And the alcohol in his system certainly didn't help with him feeling it.

“That's okay, we can look for it together.” You insist calmly. “Unless you'd like to go home, in which case I'm completely fine with that too. But I'd love it if you'd look for it with me.”

Your subtle plea peaks his fancy. “I-I can stay.” He says, wondering if he'll regret this.

But just as his doubts were getting the best of him, your warm smile washes any future regret away.

Cut to nearly an hour of sitting back on the slippery docks together, you two start pointing out stars. 

“I think it might be that one.” You say, pointing to another especially bright star. 

“No, what about that one?” Morris points up in his own direction. 

“Which one?” 

Morris leans in and tries to point your vision towards his. “There.”

“I don't know which one you're seeing, but you're definitely wrong.” You say, leaning into him more until you two are touching. It felt so right, considering the chilly outdoors, his warm body made the lovely view even cozier. Morris chuckles and shakes his head. “No, see? It's large and purple and-”

“That's a plane.” You burst out laughing.

Morris looks down at you and adjusts his glasses. “What?”

“Yeah, that's a plane! See? It's lights are flashing, that's why they look-”

“Ey, what're ya two doing out here at this late hour? Don'tcha know I'm trying ta sleep in here?” A scruffy voice hollers from the window at the top of the fishing shack. 

Both of you dart your eyes up to meet the fisherman's gaze. “Sorry, Willy.” You say. “I didn't even know you were in there.” 

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. But just so you two know, the Winter Star is over there.” He points in the direction of the town where a large, looming purple star is clearing shining upon the sandy beach. “Now get outta here ye two love birds!” And with that, you two are left to each other again.

For a moment, you stare into each other's eyes again before you eventually break the awkward silence with laughter. “Well, we found it!” You manage to say.

“Yeah.” Morris says softly, glancing at you with a new found fondness. 

Love birds?

This could be the beginning of something he'd been needing all along.

[bisexual-horror-fan]

"Perfect Pretender." Alex Browning X Todd Waggner X AFAB! Reader.

Okay! So I posted this giftset a while ago and I have always held this idea and headcanon that this convo could be read as Tod’s dad catching him and Alex hooking up and then keeping them apart because he is a homophobe, the pair try to make plans when things calm down again. Thinking more about this I thought, wait. Wait. Them, but also, why not someone else? The idea of a polyam ship was born, the reader in this is Tod’s beard/cover to get his dad off his back. So! Fake dating and fluff, I don’t have a poly ship name for em yet so let’s go!

—

Rating. SFW. Length. 2.9K. Alex Browning X Todd Waggner X AFAB! Reader. She/Her Pronouns. Warnings: Polyamory. Established Relationship. Homophobia. Fake Dating. Reader Is So Sweet And Supportive. Kissing. Pining. Longing. The Birth Of A New Triad. FLUFF.

—

Tod and Alex became friends in the third grade. They were those kinda of friends that were kind of insufferably inseparable for a long time. You would see one without the other on the rare occasion and it would create a visceral reaction of just feeling wrong, causing whomever to jokingly ask, “Where’s your other half?” 

So when the shift happened between them, from friends to more than that, it just made way too much sense but still, the times are the times and the town is small and they are sure that it wouldn’t be a good look to be caught. So they had to keep it a secret, it wouldn’t always have to be, but for now it did, it was hard, brought its own challenges, especially when Tod’s dad started to get suspicious of how much time they spent together while he was seemingly not dating anyone. 

“I’m just focusing on my studies.” Was Tod’s excuse and his dad would fire back with, “Your grades aren’t good enough for me to buy that.”

Tod was never a great liar. “Besides that, you’re young, school isn’t everything, go on a few dates, it won’t kill you.” 

And thus a new problem was created that needed to be solved, quickly. If Tod’s dad keeps sniffing around there is a good chance that he might discover what has really been going on and neither Tod, nor Alex, wanted to deal with that fallout or that mess. 

You knew the pair of them and had for a while, not as long as they had known each other, obviously, but still a long while. You found out their little secret without meaning to, stumbled upon them when they hadn’t been expecting it, finding them in a rather compromising position, they of course freaked out, begged you not to tell and you told them that you would never dream of it. Their nerves weren’t so easily forgotten and you understood, you weren’t hurt by it, you know that they trusted you but still if this got out it could be life ending, so, you made sure to be extra considerate, especially since you totally got their position. You admitted that you were very much not straight yourself, and explained your attraction to multiple genders. 

The shock painted their faces and Tod spoke up first. “You…You didn’t have to tell us that.” 

You shrugged with a relaxed expression, “I know I didn’t. But I wanted to, honestly I had been wanting to for a while and this seemed like a twofer, get that info out and put you both at ease.”

The duo shared a look and Alex said, “I think you are way too cool to be hanging out with us.” 

You scoffed and rolled your eyes, “As if. I’m still totally lame, I just like dick and pussy.” 

“See even the way you say it, so unbothered! How is that not cool?” Tod asked and you rolled your eyes, “I don’t really give a fuck about what’s cool.”

“And that right there is what cool is.” Alex asserted and you laughed with a raise of your hands. “Okay, so I’m cool, sue me.” 

Later on Tod shared his predicament with his father, how he was suspicious and on his back about not dating and after expressing that you were sorry his dad was such an invasive dick and listening to him some more, the talk turned to other things. That night while in bed, thinking over Tod and Alex’s situation the idea struck you like lightning and the next day you told them all about it.

“Date me.” You say easily as you sit down across from them at the coffee shop you all met up at before class. Alex almost choked on his three cream and two sugar coffee and Tod asked with a very confused expression, brows so high they almost disappeared into his hair, “What?” 

“I said, date me.” You say again, as if they were stupid for not grasping what you were driving at immediately. “I say again, what?” Tod asked and you expound. “If you date me, then your dad will get off your back!”

“But I’m with-” Tod looked around, not wanting to even whisper it out loud in public, once convinced no one was actively listening, his eyes shifted over to Alex with a hum that pitched up and down, as if to make the sound of Alex’s name without actually saying it. 

“I know that! So we would just pretend to date, for like appearances! Then no one would ever suspect anything is off, I can be your cover, and then you dad won’t even think twice about any time you spend with Alex.” You say confidently. 

The two are stunned. They had never thought of this but it would make everything easier. A nervous look is passed between them. “And you’d be okay with that?” 

“Of course I would be or I wouldn’t offer! We hang out all the time already, it makes too much sense and I’d be more than happy to help keep your old man off your case.” 

“Can we have some time to talk it over?” Alex asked and you told them, “Of course, no rush and if you decide not to, we can come up with another plan, alright?”

“Okay yeah this definitely decides it, you are way too fucking cool for us.” Tod sighed and Alex got up, “I’m buying your coffee, come up and order.”

You knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer so you got up and let him treat you to your favourite drink and a baked good. 

It took three days for them to get back to you but they do and they tell you that they super appreciated it and wanted to go through with it. “Amazing! This is gonna make your life so much easier, I’m so happy you are down to let me help you out.” 

You talked it through and it was decided, the first part of it was easy enough, Tod getting ready to go out and upon leaving his dad asked where he was going and with a shy kind of grin Tod said, “A date.”

“Really?” His dad seemed impressed and Tod said, “Yeah really, I took your advice to heart, no reason not to, right? I should be out having fun.” 

His dad was pleased and none the wiser. Tod was able to go out to Alex’s place and fully relax, the next day he thanked you but soon, the claims of dates weren’t enough. 

His dad wanted to meet you, Tod had been giving him small amounts of info but now that led to him needing to take this further. So he brought you by for dinner and introduced you to his family. You played the part of girlfriend perfectly, his parents seemed totally taken with you, his brother liked you and Tod was especially grateful. After dinner was done he was taking you home, “You are too good!”

“C’mon, are you really that shocked? You saw me in the spring play.” You teased and he said, “Yeah I did but this was on another level, you were a revelation, I am pretty sure my dad is like in love with you, and my mom can be kinda stand off-ish but you won em over so quick.” 

“I’m just that good.” You sigh with a smile and Tod said, “I mean it, I cannot thank you enough.” 

“Least I can do for one of my best friends.” You tell him and you reach out, take his hand he lets you, it is a moment of casual friendly affection but the action of it makes Tod’s heart beat a hair harder in a way he hadn’t anticipated but he pushed it down, writing it off as nothing. 

Now that the folks had met you, the illusion had to be upped, you had to come by more and keep up the act and you did so easily. A lot of the time Alex was there too, you providing the aforementioned cover, allowing them to have the closeness they craved without the headache. 

As this arrangement drags on however, there are small moments of escalation out of necessity. Unintentional but they are there all the same. Once Tod’s dad is watching you and him say good-bye, so, naturally, you have to play the part and you kiss Tod, other times his dad comes in while you are watching tv and it’d be weird for you to not have his arm around your shoulder, and other little things like this keep happening. The times of easy physical affection and casual intimacy continue, almost in anticipation of an audience, a precaution, a “just in case” but this makes you all realise that, fuck, this feels right?

There isn’t weirdness or jealousy, the dates being the three of you feels natural and correct. You started doing what you did with Tod but with Alex too, it started as a big joke, Alex acted like he was upset and offended one afternoon after you kissed Tod good-bye out of habit. Your response? You put your hands on either side of Alex’s face and dragged him in and kissed him to shut him up. It worked and you skipped off to head home and then it never kind of stopped, just everything you did with Tod, you did with Alex too, like you were expanding and extending the joke but also wanted him to feel included. 

A distinct fact you were completely oblivious to, was that Alex and Tod were not completely gay or that all this closeness, extra time spent together, and fake dating had given them both a pants busting crush on you. They wondered what this meant, how to navigate this, if there was anything to be done? 

Tod was always better about saying stuff straight and not being afraid to broach difficult topics with a shocking amount of candour. He initiates the conversation, “So what are we going to do about her?”

“What do you mean?” Alex asked with a sideways glance to his boyfriend, “I mean the fact that we are both clearly falling for her.” 

“Falling for-?” Alex slammed his magazine closed, but by virtue of it being a magazine, slamming it isn’t really effective in the way slamming a book is, it is comical. Tod stiffles his laugh upon seeing the harsh expression Alex takes on, moving quickly, he is sitting side saddle on the couch, one hand on the back of it, the other on his own knee he insists, “Why do you think I, you, uhm, fuck, we are falling for her?”

“Because we are? Like c’mon man I’m not fucking stupid here.” Tod says around a breathless laugh with a shake of his head, Alex jumps to defend himself, “I didn’t say you were!”

“You didn’t say, but you implied plenty.” Tod fires back and before Alex can do much more than pout he says, "I see it Alex. I know you better than anybody and I pay attention. I see it in how you look at her, how you joke around with her, touch her in less and less casual ways. You fuckin' light up when she does that 'joke' and kisses you good-bye like you are her pretend boyfriend too. And I can tell you something else too."

"What's that?" Alex asked, his body language was tense, nervous, extremely on edge. 

“I want that too. You aren’t alone. I have been thinking it too and I think I’ve been thinkin’ it even longer than you.” Tod admits and Alex asks, “Seriously?”

“Yes! I don’t think I want her to just be my pretend girlfriend. I think…I think I want her to be my actual girlfriend and I think you want that too.” Tod said firmly and Alex asked, “But what about us?”

“What about us? Why does ‘us’ have to stop? Why can't it be us and her all like-” His fingers tangle together in front of his stomach as he finishes his thought, eyes dropping down, “-together?” 

The silence hangs heavy and Alex breaks it. “That’s an…That’s an option?”

“Why can’t it be?” Tod said with a shrug, Alex looks at him. Tod looks back, hand reaches out and takes his. 

“What if she doesn’t want us?” Alex asks quietly and his best friend responds, “You think she is that good an actor?”

Alex quietly repeats that joke you like to tell, “Well you saw her in the spring play-” The half smile on his face is very endearing, Tod returns it with a fond roll of his eyes, “Yeah she’s a great actor but not that great. We can’t BOTH be imagining what is going on here man, no way. There is something here and I think it is worth talkin’ to her about.”

“So we know?” Alex offered up and Tod nodded, “Yeah, exactly, no wondering, then we will know.” 

“And you aren’t jealous?” Tod responds quickly, “Nope. Are you?”

“God no. Seeing you with her ‘dating’ makes me…Happy. Seeing how you are with her makes me happy.” 

“Same here.” Tod confirmed. 

Alex sighed heavily, throwing his hands up, “Okay!”

“You mean it?” Came the excited reply and the blonde admits, “Yeah, what do we have to lose?” 

They didn’t do it right away. They took some time and thought about if this is what they really wanted. While agreed upon, they hadn’t picked a time they were going to really talk to you about it seriously. It just kind of happens. One afternoon, at Alex’s for once, away from the prying eyes of Tod’s dad, you were all hanging out. You were supposed to be doing some studying, finals were coming up, but instead you said you couldn’t study without a snack so you convinced them to bake cookies before you all hit the books. 

The radio was on, you were creaming together butter and sugar, Tod was holding the bowl as you mixed, something that was unnecessary but it gave him the excuse to be closer to you as you both badly sang along to the music while Alex watched. 

He didn’t want to keep pretending. One song finished, some ad came on and he spoke up, cleared his throat, said your name and grabbed your attention. You looked over to him and with that big smile you asked, “Yeah?”

“We…We have something we were thinking about talking to you about.” Alex met Tod’s gaze. Tod was behind you and his eyes went wide, immediately picking up what he were planning. “Oh sure, shoot.”

Alex nods nervously and continues, “We’ve really loved all the time we have been spending together.”

You jumped in, saying happily as you agreed, “Me too! Who knew being a beard and fake dating could be so fucking fun?” 

They both shared another look and Tod cut in after a forced cough, “About that…While it’s been great. But what if the dating we are doing isn’t quite so…Fake?”

You stopped mixing, you turned and looked up at Tod and then to Alex, “What are you saying?” 

Tod sighs, hand rubbing over the back of his neck, “We want to date you for real.”

Alex chimes in, “Both of us.”

To say you are stunned is an understatement. You stutter out, “But…What…What about you?” 

“What about us?” Alex asked and you clarified, “What about your relationship?”

Alex says carefully and slowly, “Yeah about that, we would wanna stay together but just be together with you. Just…All of us dating-” 

Tod finishes the thought, “-Together.” 

You drop the whisk and say, “Holy shit thank fucking God.”

“What?” The pair ask in unison and you spill your guts, “I have been falling for you both so fucking hard for a while! I have been trying to keep it on the down low because you are both together and I thought you were both totally gay and I knew you were relying on me to be your cover and just, I cannot believe that you’ve both been wanting me too-”

Alex cuts in, stepping closer, “Wait, wait, shit, you have been pining after us too?”

“Yes! That is exactly what I am saying!” You exclaimed and Tod laughs, “How fucking clueless are we?” 

“Sooo…Are we seriously going to try this?” You asked and Alex said with a point, “I mean..We’ve already been dating technically, haven’t we?”

“Yeah, Alex is right.” You suppose he was. Just placing this label on it and being open and honest with your feelings would be the only real change. You were already outwardly and publicly dating Tod. You would have to hide the fact you were dating Alex but Tod and him were already having to hide that themselves. This was fine, more than worth it, once outta this small town you are sure you will all be able to be open and live how you want more publicly. Perhaps for now this would be okay, some secrets are fun to keep. 

“What is our first for real date going to be?” You asked and Alex said, “Can’t this be it?”

“Oh wow, real romantic. A study date? C’mon man, put some effort in.” Tod jokes and Alex scoffs, “You plan a date then!” 

As they playfully argue and you resume work on the cookie dough you think that this is all going to work out just fine.

[berrychanx]

Deep Blue Awakening & Blue Knight Shock

Let’s talk about this, and I’ll be using the song Komm Suber Tod (Come Sweet Death) from The End Of Evangelion to make my point.

BLUE KNIGHT PURPOSE

Very simple, Aoyama created this alter ego to protect Ichigo, because he felt hopeless of not being able to help her when she was always there to protect him.

PURPOSE FAILED

“I know, I know i’ve let you down, I’ve been a fool to myself....I thought that I could live for no one else”

By getting Ichigo severely hurt to the point of blood spilling, being K.O on the floor is whole purpose was gone. HE FAILED

“ So, with sadness in my heart- Feel the best thing I could do Is end it all and leave forever “

Kish was *chef kiss* what a perfect mastermind, he knows Blue Knight is doubting his skills so he makes things worst for him, helping him assert his doubts. If he was stronger Ichigo wouldn’t have gotten hurt., she’s also capable of fighting for herself so why does he even exist?

And yes that was the point of the aliens mind breaking him.

For him to unwilling hurt ichigo so they could manipulate him into doubting himself and awaken deep blue.

“I know we can't forget the past

You can't forget love and pride

Because of that, it's killing me inside “

Let’s analyze this shots of Aoyama, he’s a single kid in a dark room, probably his own vision of the orphanage because he can’t related to anyone else and lives in his own world. Not even the light coming from the outside is that bright,

His parents and friends face are covered in black, depicting how distant he is with other humans,we can’t relate to any of them.

Slowly has he grows up he starts hating his peers more and more due to his own personal reasons, that is - Destroying the environment.

Can't live without the trust from those you love“

Until everything changed, he met Ichigo, who was different, she didn’t use him for her personal goals, she would easily express her emotions something Aoyama would have trouble doing and also cared for the environment and wanted to do something to help protect it..

Let’s put ourselves in his shoes, if we knew one of our loved ones was in a war situation we too would like to help somehow if possible, we too would hope they would be safe and didn’t put their lifes in danger.

Ryou doesn't has this struggles cause he's in the operating room with Kei-kun helping in any way they can, he’s also the leader of the project so he knows the dangers that would come from it.

“ I wish that I could turn back time

'Cause now the guilt is all mine “

This thoughts consumed him to the point where he as put her in more danger than he thought it would

The aliens were self aware of his sense of justice and that he would protect Ichigo at any cost and that in return Ichigo would also try to save him.

And that’s exactly what happened, she got in the way of the attack that was directed to him and took the shot.

This was all perfectly orchestrated by the aliens, they knew how fragile Blue Knight state of mind is/was.

“ What's done is done, it feels so bad

What once was happy now is sad

I'll never love again

My world is ending “

He felt a connection with her, something he never did before with anyone, without noticing she helped him develop as a person. And because of that he vowed in his heart to protect this person who gave him a meaning in life.

“I just keep letting me down

Letting me down, letting me down “

“ I've lost everything, everything

Everything that matters to me matters in this world “

Self-Sabotage,

He’s too deep in shock and trauma to the point he’s not hearing anything, he only hears the words that he wants or associates with bad feelings which is FIGHTING, Ichigo wants to fight together and to him in that state of mind means Ichigo will get hurt NO MATTER WHAT.

Despite Ichigo shouting out everything will be ok and she’s capable of protecting herself. The fear of loosing her is to big to the point of consuming all his thoughts. and the aliens knew this.

“ It all returns to nothing

It just keeps tumbling down

Tumbling down, tumbling down

It all returns to nothing

I just keep letting me down

Letting me down, letting me down “

The moment he doubts himself and his goal he freezes and the shell breaks

This vessel is no longer necessary, it as completed its purpose and the real person in control can overcome this body.

The vessel in its mind failed its mission, but to the original host it was successful.

“ Tumbling down

Tumbling down

Tumbling down“

[bitacrytic]

Overheat [38 - 40]

Read Previous Chapter Here

---

“Bring him.”

“Where are you- you said you’d let me go,” Porsche accused, as Tawan turned to him with a smile.

“I’m letting you go.”

---

---

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

-

With the cycle break around the corner, rehearsals were running later than usual. Which was just fine for Porsche. He’d agreed to appear on a bunch of omega panels during the two-week break. He knew he might not have time for personal practice, so he took all the practice he could get. If the director wanted them to stay behind, he stayed behind. There was work to be done and Porsche was happy to do it.

Things with Kinn had gotten to a calm place where nothing was happening. They worked together. They greeted each other in the hallway. They went their different ways. Kinn wasn’t pressuring him for anything and Porsche was glad for the peace of mind.

Glad, wasn’t exactly the word. Content? Satisfied?

Distraught? Maybe a little. Satisfied? Not so much. His feelings for Kinn were the most complicated he’d ever felt and because they’d lingered for more than a decade. There was no way they were disappearing now that there were unforgettable memories involved. Memories that even Kinn was willing to submit to Porsche for.

I’ll be whatever you want.

Porsche sighed and tossed his wet towel on the chair. He wanted a partner. Not a fucking pet. How could Kinn not understand that? Porsche wasn’t going to push Kinn to get help but, at the same time, Porsche wasn’t going to settle for a man who was anything less than Kinn.

Kinn was fiery. Kinn was strong. Kinn was opinionated. Kinn was one of the most alpha-ly alphas Porsche had ever met. As an alpha himself, Porsche had never really been intimidated by those qualities in Kinn. Not like he was with other people. Because up until recently, Kinn had never used those qualities like a weapon against Porsche. Even when they were younger. He would rather have Porsche at his back, than have Porsche in his crosshairs. He never lied to Porsche, never underestimated him, never tried to change him. Kinn was just… Kinn.

And if he was planning to get rid of all that, just so he could fit into a box for Porsche’s sake, then Porsche would rather be alone.

“Hey, are you even listening?”

Porsche turned to his phone that was on the table, where he’d left a call on speaker. He’d forgotten about it, just thinking about Kinn.

“I need to go to bed, Tod,” Porsche said.

“You still haven’t given me an answer.”

Porsche looked down at the phone, recalling what they’d been talking about. What Tod was requesting.

“I’m not going to become a Setely Alpha.”

“For the billionth time, I’m not asking you to.”

“Seems like it,” Porsche said.

Tod sighed. “Look, I don’t want to bite you. Someone brought a proposal before one of my alphas and I thought of you.”

“Right,” Porsche said, disbelievingly. “Because I’m the only omega rights activist you know.”

“It will be perfect for you.”

“I don’t want your money, Tod.”

“Think about it,” Tod said. “You spend all this time asking omegas to believe and advocating for them, but I’m giving you a chance to head off an outreach program that will actually help a lot of them.”

“With a short leash attached to it, I’m sure.”

“Hey,” Tod said, sounding a little hurt.

“What do you want from me?”

Tod went silent. Just like every other time. If there was anything that could shut his smug ass up, it was that question. For some reason, he didn’t want to mention it or say what it was and it was biting at Porsche’s seams not knowing what he was offering. Or if he was going to have to offer something incredibly unattainable in the future.

It wasn’t as if Porsche could shove him off and ignore him. They still had no definite proof of where he stood with Tawan. Or if he even knew Tawan at all. Erring on the side of caution, Porsche opted to keep things normal between them. Best not to do all that planning, only for Tawan to be tipped off because Porsche let his guard down with Tod.

“I would have thought you’d have figured out that by now,” Tod said, voice lacking his usual amusement.

“I’m not a mind reader.”

“I haven’t asked you for anything.”

“Which is even scarier.”

“What are you so afraid of?”

“Look,” Porsche said, leaning on the table. “I’m about to go to bed. If you can’t be serious about this-”

“Do you want me to draw up a contract for our agreement, just so you feel safe?”

Porsche felt like he was going crazy.

“What fucking agreement? I don’t even know what my side of the contract is.”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because if I told you, it would lose its value.”

Porsche’s brain twirled in his head as he tried to figure it out again. What was he offering that he had no idea about? Conversation? Tod could get that in a million other places. What the fuck did that weirdo want?

“Heh,” Tod said, his voice coming back alive again. “I’ve rendered Porsche speechless twice today. I think I’ve hit a record.”

Porsche rolled his eyes. “I’m hanging up now.”

“Think about the outreach program.”

“Good night, Tod.”

He cut the call, just as a text came in from Kinn.

-Can you come to the hotel bar?

Porsche frowned and replied.

-Now?

Another text came in.

-I need to talk to you.

Wondering why Kinn didn’t just come to his room, Porsche started to get dressed when his phone rang. It was Tod again.

“I see you just got a text from Kinn, but-”

“Fucking hell, can you not be creepy for one second?”

“Porsche, that text didn’t-”

“Leave me alone, Tod.”

“Kinn didn’t send-”

Porsche cut the call and tossed his phone away. One of these days, he was going to be pushed far enough that he deleted Tod’s number and flashed his entire phone to get rid of bugs. Because how was he an adult, living under constant surveillance like that? Fucking Tod.

Happy to be reminded that Tod was a creep, Porsche left his phone behind as he went down to the bar. It was ringing as Tod kept calling, but Porsche wasn’t in the mood for him. He had to prepare himself mentally for whatever Kinn was going to say. After so long of nothing happening, something was finally going to happen.

On the way, he noted how much more security was placed on the wing that Ohmovit had paid for, for the cast and crew. After the incident with the brick that went through Porsche’s window, months ago, the production had taken those rooms, too. Pete had confessed to being behind the brick, but Ohmovit didn’t know that.

There were guards in the elevators and guards on every floor. For the safety of the cast, but probably more for the fact that Kinn had raked up and down for better security.

But the bar was a more public place. Ohmovit’s security didn’t cover it. Porsche was going to have be satisfied with the security that the hotel had hired. Besides, he had a feeling that Kinn wanted to meet in a public place. To avoid either of them getting caught up in the moment and forgetting what they’d actually come to discuss.

He was barely two seconds at the bar when a waiter asked him to follow to one of the private rooms. Which kind of defeated the purpose of the visit if it was to meet in a public place.

Or maybe Kinn just wanted a date. Which was such a bad, bad, bad idea. They were in two different places. They wanted two different things. If the date happened and… certain things happened, they would only be taking steps back. No steps forward.

When the waiter stopped at the door, Porsche hesitated, wondering if he should just turn around, go back and have the conversation on the phone just to keep things safe.

“He’s waiting, Sir,” the waiter said.

Hating himself for letting curiosity get the best of him, Porsche entered the room. It was a small, private room with a table for two at the center. There was a minibar stationed on a shelf above their heads, with a trolley and platters for food.

But there was no food, and the table wasn’t even set.

“Kinn?” Porsche asked, as the door gently closed behind him.

When he tried to turn, he felt an arm circle across his shoulder. Hating himself for melting into it, Porsche leaned back against Kinn as the cologne filtered into his nose. The body behind him, the smell… it wasn’t Kinn.

But before he could react, he was stabbed with a needle to the neck.

Porsche pushed his assailant away, knocked over a chair as he shuffled backwards to get away. He felt around his neck where the needle had punctured, noting the bite of the needle.

“Wha-?” he began to ask as his tongue went heavy.

“Shhhh,” the tall, slim man before him said. He was dressed in a blue shirt, black pants and black designer shoes. Expensive. Rich. The kind of person who moved around with… the door to the room opened and two bodyguards entered.

Porsche gasped as his knees gave out beneath him.

“Don’t… don…” he couldn’t feel his tongue. Even his fingers were starting to go numb. “Help…”

“Take it easy,” the man said, coming closer as Porsche's body continued to shut down. The man got to Porsche, just before his head smashed into the floor. Catching Porsche, he gently laid him down on the ground, kneeling before Porsche and staring down at him. “This will all be over really quickly.”

Tawan. The man was Tawan. Kinn and Vegas were busy running around town, trying to court support from other gangs in order to oust him and yet, here he was, waltzing into the Graham Blitz Hotel like he was just any other guest.

“You’re not my enemy,” Tawan said solemnly “Because you see, personally, I have nothing against omegas in the workplace. In fact, I’m an ally.” He raised a stiff fist.

He unbuttoned Porsche’s shirt, pulling the sleeve off his shoulder.

“I don’t want to make your life hard for you. I promise. The drug will wear off in about five minutes and I’ll let you go.” He sat back on his heels and looked at his men. “Where is he?”

One of them left the room.

“Soon, you’ll be able to move again. I mean you no harm. I just need your help with something.”

Porsche blinked as his eyes filled with tears. Because Tawan was speaking so calmly that Porsche couldn’t remember feeling as scared as he was. Unable to move, unable to defend himself, Porsche stared up at Tawan through tear-blurred eyes. Even though Tawan said the drug would wear off soon, he had no idea what Tawan wanted to do in the five minutes it would take the drug to run its course. He couldn’t remember feeling this way, even when people were shooting at him.

The door opened and the guard came in with another man. He was wearing a green hoodie, a pair of jeans and sneakers. He had the hood up, but Porsche could see how pale he was, with bloodshot eyes that drooped nearly to the point of closing.

“Francis, here,” Tawan said, motioning for the man to kneel opposite him, on Porsche’s other side, where his shoulder was laid bare. “I spent months planning how to get rid of his father, only for you to come traipsing in with your pretty face and your omega pheromones,” he said. He looked at Francis, the dead-looking man. “You can go ahead and do it.”

Do what? Porsche thought.

“Just like that?” Francis asked.

“What do you want?” Tawan asked. “A bed full of roses?”

“He doesn’t smell like an omega.”

I’m not an omega.

“He’s on suppressants.”

The man bent close, opening his mouth as he revealed two, sharp, glinting mating teeth. Porsche’s eyes widened as he fought his entire body to move. He needed to get out of there. This man was going to bite him. If Tawan was doing this, then it was safe to say that none of this was in Porsche’s best interest.

Try as he might, his body wouldn’t budge. Rather, it remained in place as the man got closer and closer and closer till he dug his teeth into Porsche’s flesh. The pain that shot through his body was nothing like he’d ever prepared for. At least, when Kinn had bitten Porsche, he’d prepared his mind for it, he’d braced for it and even though it had hurt like a mother fucker, it was Kinn. Somehow, Porsche’s mind had accepted that. The painkillers and hormone balancers that they’d pumped him with at the hospital had helped keep him from fainting. But the pain, the memory of the pain, had remained.

This time, Porsche wanted to yell and scream because it just kept getting worse and worse. By the time he pulled away, Porsche’s eyes were swimming and he had a migraine. He could feel his arms and some fingers, so he slowly raised them to his head, as he turned on his side. Groaning, he felt the blood from his shoulder slipping down into his shirt.

“Porsche,” Tawan said, trying to turn Porsche back, but Porsche pulled away. He crawled backwards, moving towards the wall. Anything to put some space between.

“Tell him to stay.”

“Stay where you are,” Francis said.

Immediately, Porsche froze in place.

Not because he was influenced by a mating compulsion. But because he suddenly realized what was going on. Tawan, for some reason, believed that Porsche was an omega. So he’d gotten a rutting alpha to bite him so that he could control Porsche. Which meant that if Porsche didn’t comply, they were going to realize that he was a beta. Or worse still, an alpha. In which case, they could keep him till they found an omega to bite him.

“Tell him not to tell anyone about this,” Tawan said.

“You cannot tell anyone about this,” Francis repeated to Porsche.

“When people ask, he should say he didn’t see the face of the person who bit him.”

“When…” Francis cleared his throat. “When people ask, say you never saw my face.”

“You can never speak of or communicate in any way, anything that happened here today.”

“Did you hear what he said?” he asked Porsche.

Porsche nodded.

“Do that.”

Porsche nodded again.

“Ha,” Tawan said, standing up with a satisfied smile. “That went smoother than I anticipated.”

“Can I go now?” Francis asked.

Tawan waved him away. On his way out, the bodyguards handed him a duffle bag and Porsche didn’t have to think too hard to know what was in that bag.

“Okay then, let’s go,” Tawan said, getting to his feet.

“Wha-” Porsche began to say as one of the guards pulled his shirt completely off his body. “What are you doing?”

“Bring him.”

“Where are you- you said you’d let me go.”

“I’m letting you go.”

The men, who’d just worn masks over their own faces, gagged Porsche with his shirt and cuffed his hands behind his back as they dragged him into the corridor. Instead of going out the front, they took him through the back, out the service exit, pulling him along as his feet dragged behind them. He was taken to the front of the hotel building where a bunch of reporters were waiting. Once they got there, they untied the gag from Porsche’s mouth, uncuffed his hands and pushed him into view of the reporters.

“Look,” one of Tawan’s guards shouted. “It’s Porsche Kittisawasd.”

And to Porsche’s horror, as he lay there on the ground, shirtless, he heard the reporters murmur about him as they rushed in his direction. Rolling onto his stomach, he tried to cover up. He tried to hide. But it was futile. His hands weren’t fast enough. His senses reeled from being pushed, not to mention the flashes from cameras.

In all that flurry of activity, Porsche cried, realizing that he wasn’t able to hide the obvious mating bite on his shoulder.

A bite that a “beta” like him was not supposed to have.

---

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

-

Kinn was across town when he got the news. One moment, his phone was quiet, the next, it was blowing up with alerts about Porsche on social media. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Porsche, shirtless, on the street, with a mating bite on his shoulder. There were multiple videos from multiple angles. Some of them were up close, camera lights flashing in Porsche’s eyes as he stumbled to try to get away, looking disoriented and scared.

It didn’t take long before Ohmovit guards were storming the area, pulling Porsche from their grasp and whisking him back into the building. Porsche was safe, but the damage was already done.

When he got to the hotel, most of the cast and crew were in the hallway, whispering to each other as security tried to cordon off Porsche’s floor. As Kinn moved, they gave way for him, but it was obvious that others weren’t afforded the same courtesy. Beyond the elevator, Ohmovit guards were gone and in their place was a team of men that looked suspiciously like private security. The kind that carried concealed weapons.

The men lined the walls leading up to Porsche’s room, watching Kinn warily, the closer he got. Across from Kinn, on the other side of the hallway, Tay, Tankhun, the director of “Overheat” and the CEO of Ohmovit were in a hushed conversation, so heated that they didn’t even see Kinn pass.

As soon as he barged into Porsche’s room, he was met with an almost regular tiny group of people. Porsche was in bed with a duvet wrapped around his shoulders. Tod was seated at the desk while Pete was in the opposite corner, curled up in a ball, scrolling through his phone. Vegas was also on the phone, looking just as agitated as everyone else.

“Porsche,” Kinn said as soon as he entered, climbing into bed with him. Kinn was grateful that Porsche didn’t pull away or resist him because he just needed to hold him. To know that Porsche was okay. He needed to be sure that Porsche was present before he could think of anything else. “Oh god,” Kinn whispered, kissing the top of Porsche’s head as he squeezed him tight. “What happened?”

“Someone used a clone of your phone to lure him to the downstairs bar,” Tod said. “By the time I could get in contact with security, he was already outside the building.”

“It was an alpha’s bite. I’m fine,” Porsche said. His nose was red and covered in blisters that he normally got from tissues. “I swear. They’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

There couldn’t be a bigger deal than this for someone like Porsche.

“What are our options?” Kinn asked, when Vegas finished his phone call.

But Vegas didn’t reply. Instead, he just sat on Pete’s bed, his shoulders tense and rigid, as he clenched his phone.

“The Cycle Civics Board is going to request a public presentation,” Tod said.

“Fuck,” Kinn said. He'd known this was where it was going the moment he saw that bite on social media.

“People are going to want confirmation that he’s not an omega," Tod explained.

“Anyone could have been bitten,” Pete said. “Lots of people bite betas during sex. At worst, Porsche has a case for sexual assault.”

“But it’s Porsche,” Tod replied. “He has a history-”

“A history of what?” Vegas asked, voice quiet with controlled rage. When he looked up at Tod, his eyes were red rimmed like he was seconds away from crying. Or screaming. Or shooting someone. “Hmm?”

Tod looked back at Vegas. “I’m not the enemy here.”

“I asked Ohmovit to increase security,” Vegas said.

“And they did.”

“Not everywhere.”

“This is someone else’ hotel,” Tod explained. “Ohmovit couldn’t just station armed guards anywhere they like.”

“Sure they could,” Vegas said with a shrug.

“How?”

“Threaten physical violence?” Vegas suggested. “Blackmail? Anything to get the hotel to fucking listen.”

“Vegas,” Kinn said, trying to calm him before things escalated.

“If you can’t protect the artists, then Porsche is better off walking away from “Overheat”.”

“Vegas!” This time, it was Porsche who spoke.

“What does it matter?” Tod asked. “He’s an alpha.”

“I’ll do the public presentation,” Porsche offered.

“That’s not the fucking point,” Vegas screamed. “Last time, someone tossed a brick through his window. Regardless of the fact that I know who did it, this is the second time he’s been attacked. A public presentation isn’t going to protect him if Ohmovit can’t get their shit together.”

“What’s the solution then?”

“Let me bring in more guards to-”

“Absolutely not,” Tod said, shaking his head. “I can’t afford to have thugs running around the same hotel where one of my alphas is doing business.”

Vegas smiled and bit his lips. Then he raised the bottom of his pants, slipped out his gun and pointed it at Tod. Porsche and Kinn sat up as Pete stood in the corner.

“Vegas,” Kinn said. “Don’t be fucking stupid.”

“I wonder how good it would feel for your people if I shot you… if I took you somewhere and just left you there. Out of their reach.”

Vegas got up, bringing the gun closer to Tod who remained in his seat, staring up at Vegas with a blank look on his face.

“Put the gun down,” Porsche said.

“People could get hurt and you’re talking about your company’s fucking image?”

The door to the room opened as Tod’s guards came flooding in with their guns pointed at Vegas.

“Hey,” Kinn said, letting go of Porsche as he jumped between Vegas’ back and the armed guards. “Let’s all keep our heads cool.”

“Drop the gun,” one of the guards said. “Drop it or we’ll shoot.”

“Vegas, we can talk without guns,” Kinn informed his cousin.

“Tod,” Porsche said. “Tell your men to stand down.”

“I think you’d want to tell Vegas to drop his gun first,” Tod said.

“Tell them to stand down,” Porsche repeated. “Now!”

Tod looked at Porsche, as uncertainty creeped into his face. He must have seen something there because he waved at his men.

“Wait outside,” Tod said.

“Sir?” the closest guard said.

“Go!” he commanded, as the guards reluctantly walked out of the room, leaving their boss with Vegas still pointing a gun at his face.

Without waiting for things to escalate, Kinn turned around and placed his hand on Vegas’ hand, slowly pressing the gun down. As he did, he couldn’t help looking between Tod and Porsche, wondering how Porsche had just asked… no, commanded Tod to send his men out.

And Tod had obeyed.

“Now, can we have a civil conversation without you being an idiot,” Porsche said, throwing one of his pillows at Vegas’ head.

“What the fuck?” Vegas asked, eyes flashing in anger.

“Cut it out,” Porsche said, not backing down.

“Vegas,” Pete said softly, taking him by the hand as Vegas looked down sharply and then slowly deflated as soon as he saw who was talking to him. “Being angry won’t solve anything.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but he ended up letting Pete pull him back to sit down.

“For someone so obsessed with Porsche,” Vegas said. “You don’t seem all that invested in his safety.”

“He’ll be safe if he stays within Ohmovit cordoned areas,” Tod replied.

“How convenient for you that Tawan just happened to utilize that information.”

Tawan did this, Kinn thought, feeling bile rise in his throat at the mere thought of that despicable man. He could already see his twisted thought process. He’d gotten the idea of Porsche being an omega from that one phone call that happened during their meeting. And the first thing he’d done was get an alpha to bite Porsche? Just so that Porsche wouldn’t want Kinn anymore? Just so that Kinn would be so distraught that he came running into Tawan’s arms?

Fat chance now.

“Who the fuck is Tawan?” Tod asked.

“Don’t pretend like you’re not working with the lunatic who attacked Porsche.”

Tod frowned, looking from Vegas to Porsche.

“The person who attacked Porsche thought he was an omega,” he said. “I’ve known Porsche was an alpha since he got on this production. Don’t you think that’s useful information I would have shared with someone I was working with?”

Kinn had to admit, that was a solid point.

“Still doesn’t explain why you’re everywhere all of a sudden,” Vegas continued. “What do you want from him? Are you going after my family? Is that why you want him because you couldn’t get me?”

Tod scoffed. “You don’t qualify for what I want in an alpha.”

“But you wanted my brother.”

“Your brother has clean hands. He doesn’t have a record. He’s never killed or abducted anybody. If I wanted your brother it would be because I was taking him out of your family. Not because I was trying to join it in any way.”

When Vegas bounced off the bed like he was about to punch Tod, Kinn got between them.

“Easy,” Kinn said. Because even though Tod didn’t seem to understand the danger he was in, by poking at Vegas, Vegas could cause him serious harm if he got his hands on Tod. Considering that Kinn had only one handgun and Vegas had, at most two, they would be no match for the battalion of armed men right outside the door. “He’s not saying anything we haven’t heard before. Calm down.”

“We still don’t know what he wants,” Vegas said. “We can’t trust him.”

Kinn sighed and faced Tod. “We need more security.”

“Anymore and this place would be a barracks.”

“At least allow us to give them personal guards,” Kinn said.

Tod looked at Porsche again. “I can send one of my men.”

“Nope,” Vegas shook his head. “A Theerapanyakul guard or nothing.”

“Tod,” Porsche said. “He’s not asking for much.”

“Fine. You can give them a guard each,” Tod said. “But back to the original issue. With Porsche’s history, everyone quickly assumes he’s an omega the moment anything cycle related happens.”

“Maybe we can get in front of this?” Pete said. “Find a way where he doesn’t have to do the presentation?”

Tod shook his head. “If Ohmovit wants a smooth production, we’ll have to comply.”

“And if we fight it, it will only make it seem more like I’m an omega.”

“Exactly,” Tod agreed. “If this was someone else, it could have been ignored. But Porsche? His entire career is littered with omega rumors. It’s been that way for years. It was only a matter of time before something triggered a public presentation.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m an alpha.”

“Good for you. Good for Ohmovit. Good for “Overheat.” Hurray.” Tod picked up his coat from the back of the chair as he began to put it on.

Kinn wasn’t comfortable with any of it, but the sooner they put this behind them, the sooner they could move on with the show.

“Just let us know whenever they schedule the presentation,” Kinn said.

“Will do,” Tod nodded. “I’m glad you’re safe, Porsche.”

As he walked out, Kinn followed him, hoping to be courteous since Vegas was so determined to burn that bridge. But Kinn didn’t think he could be so abrasive towards Tod anymore. Especially since he had nothing to do with Tawan. Especially since he’d helped them, not once, but twice now. The way Kinn saw it, his family might not be the kind that Tod got in business with, but thinking as a leader who was about to break away from his father, Kinn understood that it was time for him to start forming his own bonds. Making his own alliances.

People didn’t do that by pointing guns at powerful men.

“I didn't get a chance to say this,” Kinn said, once Tod was out the door. “But thank you for coming to get me.”

“It was nothing,” Tod said. “I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”

With a slight salute, he headed down the hallway as his guards followed him.

When Kinn returned to the room, Pete said, “I don’t want to alarm you, but Tawan thinks Porsche is silent about it and so he’s going to expect Porsche to avoid Kinn because of the bite.”

“The plan was to play along,” Kinn said. “If that’s what he expects, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Porsche frowned.

“Once the public presentation happens, he’ll know that Porsche is an alpha.”

Shit, Kinn thought as he closed his eyes. They were never going to catch a fucking break.

“What?” Porsche asked. “What is it?”

“If he knows you’re an alpha, then he’ll know the bite didn’t work and that you told Kinn everything,” Pete said as Vegas and Porsche wore identical looks of worried shock. “The moment he knows Porsche could have exposed him, he’s going to have nothing to lose,” Pete said, voice shaking with emotion. “He’s going to release my tape and expose me to the whole world.”

And fuck! Fuck! FUCK!

When Kinn got his hands on Tawan, he was going to twist his neck till the entire thing popped right off his body.

---

CHAPTER FORTY

-

Hiding in the bathroom, with the lights off, except for the glare on his phone, Pete read threads and threads of comments on social media. He’d known what he’d find. He’d known what the internet would say about Porsche. And yet, he couldn’t resist.

-he’s always been a weak actor

-god knows how many directors he fucked just to get jobs

-think of the distraction

-they belong at home

-they should know their place

-they should fire him, they should sue, he’s putting the entire Overheat production in jeopardy

-what kind of company didn’t do their due diligence before hiring?

-fucking omegas

A nightmare to imagine that one day, it would be Pete’s name in Porsche’s place, as people pulled up his history, tearing it apart simply because they’d learned he had a different Greek alphabet on his national ID than they’d originally thought. The awards wouldn’t matter. His work ethic wouldn’t matter. The public image he’d carefully curated for the last eight years would mean exactly nothing.

And he wouldn’t have the insurance of being able to prove the public wrong when they eventually found out that he was an alpha. Because he wasn’t.

Crying quietly, Pete continued to read, latching on to the few posts that were in support of Porsche… as an omega. Because there was overwhelming support. Porsche was a star with a rabid fanbase. They were just as noisy as the haters, if not more so.

But they had chosen to mount their support on the premise that their favorite actor was not an omega. He was a beta. That was their defense. That the haters would regret it when the public presentation revealed Porsche to be a beta. That the haters were foolish for believing unfounded theories online. That when the truth was exposed, a lot of people’s credibility would be called into question simply because they dared to imagine that Porsche Kittisawasd could ever be an omega.

Even his fans spoke like being an omega was a great sin.

Which exposed the reality that his fans would have abandoned him if Porsche turned out to be an omega. Haters and fans, uniting under their disbelief of and hate for an omega being a super star.

The few people who were in support of the idea of Porsche being an omega were attacked by both parties. They were attacked by haters for supporting an omega in the workplace. They were attacked by fans for daring to claim that Porsche had deceived them for so long.

And with every comment, a little piece of Pete died.

“Pete?”

He looked up, to find the bathroom door open, with Kinn’s silhouette standing there. He’d been so engrossed in his phone that he hadn’t heard Kinn knock. When Kinn switched on the light, Pete was so dumbstruck that he didn’t have time to compose himself or wipe his face or anything. The moment Kinn saw him, he switched the lights back off.

“Sorry,” he said.

“It’s fine,” Pete said, sniffing and locking his phone.

“Can I come and sit with you?” Kinn asked, entering and shutting the door gently.

Pete shrugged, wondering if Kinn could see the shrug. Honestly, he couldn’t even bring himself to care. He’d barely cared for anything else in his life. His acting was everything. He’d worked hard to get to where he was. Now, it was all just going to wash away because some entitled prick felt he was owed Kinn’s affection and the territories that came with it. What was Pete but collateral damage in the grand scheme of things?

Kinn sat on the bathtub.

“What did Phi-Tankhun say?” Pete asked.

“Nothing,” Kinn replied.

Pete chuckled as his eyes watered. Even Tankhun knew it was hopeless to try and salvage the situation. When he’d come in and demanded the full truth, Pete had left the room. He was tired of hearing about it. He was tired of talking about it. He was tired of getting to the point where people realized that he was fucked, either way. Because Vegas and Kinn were going to get Tawan. That was a given.

The uncertainty was whether Pete would still be an actor when that happened. And if someone like Tankhun who always had something to say, had said nothing, then Pete knew there was nothing they’d be able to do.

“We’ll find Tawan.”

“No one even cares that Porsche might be an omega,” Pete said, unlocking his phone again. “That’s not a good outcome for any of them. Something that we can’t even control gets to control our lives for ever because the world is a fucked up place.”

“You’ll get through this.”

“Be serious,” Pete said, unable to keep the irritation out of his voice. “As soon as I’m outed, nobody will hire me.”

“I’ll hire you.”

“You’re a talent agency, not a production company.”

“Who says I can’t be both?” Kinn asked. “Who says I can’t change my focus? I have thirteen fucking artists. You think I can’t put up my own productions and source for funds?”

“This isn’t funny, Phi-Kinn.”

“Do I sound like I’m joking?” Kinn asked, getting up and switching on the lights. “Look at me. Do you think this is a joke to me?”

He didn’t look like he was joking. He looked like he’d first looked when he’d tried to recruit Pete from a prison stage performance, nine years ago. Pete had thought he was joking, but when he was released, his belongings included a business card that hadn’t been there when he’d been incarcerated.

“People won’t fund omega-lead projects.”

“Says who?”

“Your other artists will leave.”

“Good riddance.”

“Phi-Kinn!” Pete said, frustrated.

“You’re not giving up. If “Overheat” wants to fire you, that’s their loss. But you’re not leaving my company and you're not stopping your acting.”

“What about the free labor laws?”

“They’re there for the benefit of the company. Guess what? I’m the company, Pete.”

Pete shook his head and buried it between his knees. Kinn was a determined man. Pete knew this. But his determination was nothing in comparison to what the world was ready to see. It wasn’t going to be sunshine and rainbows. People who’d previously hired Pete without blinking an eye were going to scrutinize his projects, question his accolades and wonder if he’d fucked his way to the top.

All that was going to be multiplied by the fact that he was fronted by his primary company. Not by the objective choices of actual production houses. And by the time other artists who didn’t want too much scandal vacated the company, the only people who would remain were people with failing careers and other omegas who’d sought out the company desperately, seeking shelter because the company was protecting Pete.

In a matter of time, they were going to sink to the bottom of the ocean and become nothing but a statistic in Thai history.

No. If that video ever came out, Pete was going to resign. Because fuck it if he ruined other people’s lives. He knew he’d be pissed if he was an innocent beta who had to be dragged down because an outed omega was in the same company. Why put others through that?

“Hey,” Kinn said, squatting in front of him. “I know what you’re thinking-”

“I might not even get to finish “Overheat”,” he said, voice shaking.

“Fuck them if they don’t keep you till the end.”

“I was really looking forward to it.”

“Stop thinking like this. We’re going to find Tawan. We’re going to handle it. This will all be fine.”

Pete didn’t bother arguing with him. It was pointless. He was done for. No need to talk about it because he was just. So. Tired.

And nothing Kinn said was going to change any of that.

***

Rehearsal, the next day, was as grating as nails on a board.

Tem and Time spent all the time they weren’t the ones acting, sitting with Pete and Porsche. They didn’t ask. They didn't talk about it. They didn’t seem to want to know. Some of the cast were courteous enough to force some interaction with Porsche, as if to make some statement that they weren’t bigoted, but Pete could see through it.

Just in case Porsche turned out to be a beta, they didn't want any bad blood with him or Vegas.

But there were those from the cast and crew who steered clear, like Porsche was going to burst into a heat at any moment. From the controlled expressions to the wide berth, Pete could tell that if Porsche were any other actor, if Porsche wasn’t from an agency where the CEO had questionable means, he would have received more obvious reactions.

The only person who remained the same was the director. Probably because he knew Porsche was an alpha. It was in Porsche’s contract. He wasn’t going to learn anything new about Porsche that he hadn’t known since the first day.

Pete envied Porsche almost to the point of resentment.

With the public presentation scheduled to be the following Friday, Porsche only had about eight days of this weirdness before it was all shoved to the back of people’s minds. Before it was replaced by vigorous attraction the moment they learned of his alpha status. Eight days. And then nothing but more love.

During lunch one day, when Porsche sat beside Pete, Pete had to resist the urge to shift away. He hadn’t meant to be, but he knew he was keeping his distance and Porsche could feel it.

“Can I have your eggs?” Porsche asked, a worried, plastered smile on his face.

Pete picked the two eggs out of his place and put them in Porsche���s.

“Thanks,” Porsche said, pushing his vegetables into Pete’s plate. “Are we…” he began. “Are you okay?”

“We’re fine,” Pete said.

“Because lately things have felt weird.”

“I don’t blame you,” Pete said, dropping his spoon and looking at Porsche. “None of this is your fault. I mean, you wear your heart on your sleeve which tells me that you grew up in an unrestricted home. You have parents who worship the ground you walk on. You went to acting school, got fighting lessons. You make friends easily. The first time you made eyes at the guy you liked, he fell in love with you. And now,” Pete said, taking a breath. “Now, you’re an alpha.”

Porsche opened his mouth and closed it, looking like he was unsure what to say.

“I don’t blame you for any of that. In my head, I know none of this is your fault. You’ve had a good life. You’ll probably always have a good life. The world isn’t fair.” Pete could feel his eyes brimming so he blinked the tears away. “I know that. And I’m so, so sorry for hating you for it.”

“Pete, I-”

“None of this is your fault, Porsche,” Pete said, shaking his head. “But I just need… I need a moment to process what I’m going through. Okay?”

Porsche frowned, pressing his lips together like he had so much to say. But he ended up just saying, “Okay. Take your time.”

And for the rest of lunch that day, they just sat in silence, each man with nothing but his thoughts to keep him company.

***

Pete counted down the days to Porsche's public presentation like it was a ticking time bomb. Which it totally was. He tried his best to focus on his work, but there were moments when he knew it was all pointless. Eventually, it was all going to come out and then Ohmovit would have to choose whether Pete was worth the trouble or if they’d rather move on to someone else. After all, there was a perfectly good understudy just waiting to take over, considering that the show was to run for four weekends of two days each.

They’d planned for this. They’d planned for everyone’s replacement. Kicking Pete out at the last second was not the dent in Ohmovit’s plans that it would have been if Pete was the only one practicing to be Niran.

He’d come in from dinner to find Porsche already in bed. Things hadn’t improved between them in the two days since he’d asked Porsche for some space. To his credit, Porsche was trying. He wasn’t getting in Pete’s way and he wasn’t exactly avoiding him either. But he wasn’t hovering, so Pete was grateful for that.

He could hate Porsche in peace.

As he got into the bathroom, someone knocked at the room door. Wrapping a coat around his body, he opened the door to Kinn and Vegas.

“What’s going on?” he asked as they entered the room.

“Where’s Phi-Tankhun?” Kinn asked, going to sit on Porsche’s bed as Porsche turned around, suddenly awake like he’d only been pretending to be asleep in the first place.

“He’s not here,” Porsche said. “What happened?”

“He asked us to meet him,” Vegas said, smiling and wagging his eyebrows at Pete. “If he’s not here yet…” he said, smiling slyly as he tugged on the strings of Pete’s bathrobe.

“For fucksake, Vegas,” Kinn said.

Pete took the string out of Vegas’ hand just as Tankhun entered the room through the open door.

“Is everyone here?” he asked, followed closely by the director of “Overheat.”

“No offense, Director,” Kinn said. “But what are you doing here?”

“Been asking myself that exact same question?” the director said, scratching his head.

“You know,” Tankhun said. “For a room full of people in the entertainment business, you guys are the least dramatic people I know.”

“What’s going on?” Porsche asked, kneeling up on the bed.

“I come bearing solutions.” Tankhun waved his hand at the director. “Viola.”

“Solution for what?”

“For your Tawan problem, of course.”

Pete was not sure he understood what Tankhun was saying, so he moved closer to the room as Vegas shut the door behind them. Taking a seat at the foot of his bed, Pete looked up at Tankhun, praying that he wasn’t dreaming, trying to recognise and accept the hope that he thought Tankhun was offering.

“I have a plan.”

“What is it?” Pete asked.

“I’ll share it with you, but first,” Tankhun said, walking up between the beds, where Kinn and Vegas were seated, and grabbed each man by the ear.

In unison, Kinn and Vegas stood, twisting their bodies to follow the direction in which Tankhun was twisting their ears as both screamed out in pain.

“Ow ow ow ow ow, Phi! ” Kinn said.

“What the fuck, Phi?” Vegas said, holding Tankhun’s hand.

“The next time someone threatens this family,” Tankhun said in a whisper. “And I have to hear about it because Porsche has been violated and tossed in the street, I will pluck both your ears from your heads. Do you hear me?”

“Yes,” Kinn said. “Let go!”

“Do you hear me?” he repeated in Vegas’ direction.

“I’ve heard, now stop.”

With one last twist, he shoved both of them back on the beds and turned away from them, moving back to the director. As Kinn nursed his reddened ear, Porsche moved closer, blowing on it with a worried look on his face.

“Sorry,” he said, a slightly amused look on his face.

“So,” Tankhun said. “Here’s what we’re going to do.”

And just like that, Pete sat, listening to Tankhun’s every word, hanging on because he had nothing else to hang on to. No other source of hope. He had nothing else to lose. The public presentation was four days away.

If Tankhun’s plan didn’t work, Pete was screwed either way.

[mapetitetetefolle]

Just finished Empire of Storms

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas My rating: 5 of 5 stars I finally finished this AMAZING BOOK! I did the tandem reading (I’m about to finish ToD) I totally recommend to do it, great experience. Anyway I can say that this book had me on edge of all emotions all the time, I screamed, I cried, I laughed EVERYTHING! I love how the story developed since ToG, the way that started as one thing and now is so different but at the same time everything makes sense. Sarah J Maas is a MASTERMIND! I convinced that every single thing is so well planned, any plot twist, everything makes sense in the precise moment, not before just in the right moment. So well constructed. (view spoiler)[ And Aelin omg another mastermind, I love her so much, she has grown so much in the story, in my heart, there is no other heroine like her, breaking the protagonist archetypes, being irreverent, crazy, unapologetic but still she sacrifices herself and accepts her destiny. I can’t express how much I love her. And the other characters, Rowan, omg I cried so much in the final chapter, I love him so much (I’m so in love with him). The beach scene omg….I just can’t reading without screaming. Lorcan, a character that I didn’t think I had positive feelings for and here I am cheering for Elorcan… All the women characters, omg thanks Sarah for giving us such a strong women in different ways, I love Manon in her way to accept her destiny, Elide such an intelligent woman, Lysandra so brave. An Dorian, I love finally we can see him in action, he is so intelligent, how he’s living his crown. And the scenes with Manon, so obsessed. I’m so glad that he didn’t have a physical relationship with aelin, and just make sense because in book 2, she needed a totally different thing from what Dorian would have offered her. And I love He and Aelin being besties. I loved how Aedion confronts his father, how his relationship with his cousin developes and how finally believes in her even if is too late, but that’s the thing I mean if everything is wrong is not the end, I also love the development of his story with Lysandra, I think they are perfect for each other. Fenrys, I haven’t expected to know more about him but I just love everything this book give us, I mean I like him since his first mention in the book and Gavriel, omg was so funny in a way I haven’t expected. And finally Maeve, omg I hate her so much, everything makes more sense with the tandem reading of course, it was a major plot twist (hide spoiler)] All in all, great book. 5 stars. View all my reviews

[sarcasticdolphin]

Todolf cultverse "Distracted Prayers"

For the amazing @oranginacultist :)

This one is a little raunchy (not full on smut though) so the cut is for that and length. Rudolf is very lost in the sauce (as it were). Tod does not take physical form in this fic but he's certainly present.

Rudolf probably should be at his kneeler saying more proper prayers, but his limbs seem far too heavy to roll out of bed. And he’s warm here - even with the servants busy tending to all the fires the air in his lodge is still rather cool at this time of year and the floor will be freezing. 

His thoughts still go to Tod, imagining the god he worships above him, the great black panther bearing down on him. Instinctively, Rudolf bears his neck and the memory flashes through his mind and his lips shape a little prayer. He so wanted Tod to come again. To properly inspect the altar that also served as Rudolf’s bed. To be pleased by all that Rudolf has done.

His loins stir at the thought of Tod’s pleasure, and Rudolf remembers the time Tod had taken a more human form and had let Rudolf rest his head on his thigh. The thought makes him shiver and one of his hands is drifting down to dance at the waistband of his loose sleep pants.

“Master.” He breathes the word ever so softly, a prayer. He wants Tod, and even that word feels so utterly inadequate for the type of yearning that is on his mind.

“I beseech you.” He forces his hand to leave the waistband of his trousers and slowly drags it up his body until it joins its partner above Rudolf’s head. There are no binds, but Rudolf knows he must paint the picture of a perfect sacrifice sprawled on the altar as he is.

“I beseech you.” He intones again, his back arching gently as ghostly whiskers seem to brush over his face. He’s not really sure what he’s asking for - Tod’s presence, perhaps. But there is a rightness to it that is undeniable and part of Rudolf expects the altar-bed to dip beneath great black paws and teeth to graze against his neck. He desires as much. And after that - the feel of the divine material against his cheek and Tod’s pleasure in his mind. 

“Master.” He half whines the intonation this time, begging. Pleading his desires.

The great black paws don’t come but that warmth deep in his mind does, curling within him and causing a stirring of his loins once more. He wants, more than anything he wants. And his hands know it, twitching, longing to grasp his member but Rudolf keeps them where Tod would want them above his head, wishing he were bound in place so he could be properly still.

His back arches more as his hands ball into fists and he imagines ropes binding him properly , an offering waiting for the god to do with as he wills. 

How would Tod want him? Like this, a sacrifice laid out upon the altar? Or on all fours? He thinks to turn and present himself, but something holds him in place, tipping his head back still further even as the brush of ghostly whiskers comes again at his throat.

Like this.

“Master.” Rudolf breathes, his body wishing so badly for more than these ghostly touches. He wants Tod’s hands on him, heavy and sure. Proprietary in the way that only a god can be. 

But instead the pleasure only redoubles in his mind and Rudolf starts to thrash, though his hands remain pinned in place as if trussed there by an invisible rope.

In the midst of it all the ghost of whiskers at his cheek is replaced for an instant by soft lips and then by sharp teeth, hard and unforgiving as they break his skin. But Rudolf only bares his neck more as he feels the hot blood on his skin and imagines it on Tod’s teeth, his master taking an offering of his body. The highest of honors according to most priests.

His loins quiver again, yearning so badly but Rudolf balls his fists. It’s Tod’s pleasure - the warm thing in his mind that feels akin to the afternoon sun - that he wants. His own is less than an afterthought.

The faintest hint of gentle lips on the other side of his neck are all the warning he gets before the sharp teeth are bearing down on him again, marking Rudolf once more. 

The warmth in his mind fades and Rudolf comes back to himself, his hands free once more and pain blooming from both sides of his neck. Gingerly, he sits, the cold air taking the breath away as he reaches up to touch both sides of his neck. His hand comes away bloody both times and the wounds throb. The servants - at least the older ones - will no doubt understand what had happened and Rudolf doubts any collars will be able to hide the marks. No matter. It is his master's will and he will bear them with pride.

Rudolf does intone one more little prayer before he stands, hissing at the coldness of the floor as he does and wishing more than anything that Tod’s fire was still ripping through him, branding him.

The servant that comes to dress him a little after dawn seems unphased, but his eyes are perhaps even more downcast than usual. No doubt everyone from the manservants to the stableboys will know of the marks by noon. Good, Rudolf thinks. Let them know how well favored he is. Perhaps they won’t tremble when the Emperor decides to make another visit.

Aemilia appears at Rudolf’s feet at breakfast, nosing his hand expectantly until Rudolf offers her a bit of bacon before settling down to snooze at his feet even as the servants bring in the various correspondence from the Emperor and the other matters that Rudolf has to attend to as earthly ruler of all the lands near this temple. Were there no prophet in residence such tasks would fall to the chief priest, but the man had been altogether too eager to offload that task to Rudolf as soon as he was of age. Rudolf glanced down at Aemilia. She was sleeping now, resting ever so peacefully.

[untimelytales]

[ hunter doohan, cis man, he/him. ] ✧･ﾟ is that [ briar tweed ] who just stumbled into town? rumour has it that they’re the [ twenty-six ] year old child of [ tod and vixey ] from [ the fox and the hound ]. i’ve also heard that they’re [ perceptive ] but [ distant ] and have [ zero ] siblings. i could almost swear i heard [ idea 10 - gibran alcocer ] playing when they appeared.

briar was brought into the world by tod and vixey, the two a rather picturesque couple. however, who knew if they were as perfect as they looked. briar was well looked after by the two, taught all the things that a fox needed to be taught. but, he was also shown the value of friendship without boundaries every time he went to see his grandmother as well as copper and his family.

however, briar always felt like there was a sort of disconnect between him and his father. while the other obviously care about briar, there were times briar wondered if tod would have been happier somewhere else. the fact he had no siblings made him suspicious of the union between his father and mother, but he never voiced such concerns. instead, he chose to distance himself and occupy himself with hobbies such as befriending rabbits, deer, and birds.

he was on the quieter end of the spectrum, but being so surely helped him befriend the creatures of the forest rather than scaring them off. he also had a particular love of winter and would often sneak out and watch humans skate on a nearby lake. he wanted to be like them – gliding fast and elegantly along the slick surface. but, every time he tried once the lake was cleared, he only ended up becoming a fumbling mess. it made him jealous of what humans had.

he would sometimes voice these concerns to his mother whenever it was just the two of them. he didn’t want to weigh down his father with his thoughts. plus, a mother just had a certain way of connecting with their children. of course, there was no hope for him to be anything but a fox and do fox-y things, but that didn’t stop him from continuing to silently observe humans from afar when he could.

he had a few close encounters with some poachers, but was lucky enough to escape unscathed and untracked. these moments caused him to become a bit more meek though never enough to stop his curiosity. he thought up the idea of encouraging his family to move closer to a town just so he could be closer to humans, but he knew the request would be denied. they were mostly safe here, so why change things? plus, briar very much doubted tod would want to be far from copper and his mother.

now that briar has become human, he’s indulging in all the activities he’s seen humans do. he loves being outdoors as it is what he’s used to, but doing so in a very human way – hiking, swimming, sports, etc. he’s hesitant in his approaches, but holds love for everyone equally. and though he is a bit shy, he wouldn’t ever lie about his feelings for someone or feel ashamed for them. he’s very much looking forward to learning how to ice skate.

basics: full name: briar tweed nicknames: bri gender: cis man pronouns: he / him sexuality: bisexual age: 26 occupation: n/a species: fox human

appearance: faceclaim: hunter doohan height: 5'11'' eyes: blue hair: brown piercings: n/a tattoos: n/a other distinguishing features: n/a style: warm casual

personality: traits: perceptive, distant, romantic, meek likes: frozen lakes, crunch of leaves, hot food dislikes: mud, big fish, allergies fears: going back to being a fox phobias: deep water hobbies: exploring, fishing, skating skills: tracking quirks: n/a pet peeves: n/a

family: mother: vixey father: tod siblings: zero birth order: only spouse / lover: n/a children: n/a pets: n/a notable close relatives: n/a

[btscontentenjoyer]

This was so sweet that it almost made me forget about the fact that we'll be getting our hearts broken soon 🥺🥺🥺

"Not a trace of a tremble visible, he laughs when he looks at you, adjusting the beanie as he pulls it over your earlobe. He argues, “But it’s Valentine’s Day.” These little gestures make me melt every time, especially in the flashback scenes. He's so cute and caring and gentle with her from the start and my heart can't take it.

"His duality is a scary concept; how is he the same man who whispered filth to you just an hour ago? Eliciting moan after moan with you beneath him, affecting every inch of your bare body as he covered it with his." He is literally the perfect man, knows exactly when to be gentle and sweet and when... not to be.

“Hey, hey,” he immediately defends, steps slowing down. “I didn’t fuck her.” I really hope we won't have to see a similar but more angsty conversation in the next part, whether about Jungkook or OC. But I'm trying to prepare myself for every scenario at this point.

“I just hope you use protection with the other girls, because you never do with me.” Lmaoooo.

“Hi,” he greets the vendor, humming as he studies the menu. Then, he tells you, “Choose anything. They have veggie options too if that’s what you prefer. And uh…” He pulls out his wallet, “Everything on me, okay?” sksjsisosj he's so fucking cute.

"Or you’d ask him to run back to his dorm with you." Yeah, I bet she would prefer going to his place instead of going home :/ As I felt in the New Year's drabble, from the start he's kind of been a distraction for her from her parents and everything else.

"You could swear Thursdays are his college-free days." What is this cutie planning?

"That’s why you chose them for your sneaky link. No rush, no timer. And Jungkook likes to take his time with you anyway." 😳😳😳

“You forget to eat when you study.” Tell me he's not the sweetest person in the world so I can tell you that you're wrong. I!!! love!!!! him!!!!

"And then, his body drifts to yours slowly, close enough for only you to hear, “Because you were such a good girl today.” 🙄🙄🙄 Jeon, as hot as that is, you can't hide your true feelings behind dirty comments forever.

“How would you know? Maybe I do, and I just never told you.” The speed with which he defends himself is… absurdly telling. It makes you smile. “Maybe I’m not so smart, and wanted to be dumb tod—” Lmaooo, he's so adorably bad at this.

"His soft, warm fingers raise the beanie and free your eyes, and then move to lift your head by your chin. If you’re not mistaken, he’s treating you with utter caution, and the suddenness of it stirs something vulnerable in you." 🥺🥺🥺 He has always treated her like this how was she supposed to not fall in love with him 😭😭😭

"His way of saying he can be sincere if he wants to." The way he's always, even from the beginning, reassuring her that she's the only one 😭😭😭 And to think that we were so worried when he went on vacation and stuff 😔😔😔

“I was just joking. I’m not here and getting lunch with you, because you took my dick so well or whatever.” You shake your head at his confession, feather-lightly slapping his thigh. “I’m okay with just talking to you, too. You know?” Lmaoooo, I think we all knew that, but OC deserves to hear it many many times.

"During freshman year, you’re sure." 🤨🤨🤨🤨 And who gave you that gift 🤨🤨🤨🤨

"Except for the long, endless conversation on the night of the frat party, and you doubt either of you remembers enough of it today." I bet that built such a strong connection between them even without them knowing 🥺🥺🥺

"Vines spin around the rose, and when you look up at him, he understands, explaining, “They’re like… fairy lights? There’s a switch at the bottom, and once you turn it, a beautiful golden light surrounds the rose.” That's so beautiful aaaah.

"His voice is sweet and tiny, like of a child presenting a self-made drawing to their teacher. When you look at him, the beam reflects in his eyes, big and pleased with your reaction, a happy doe." Sooooo adorable. Seriously, Rid, my heart can't handle all this sweet softness.

“Oh.” He looks surprised. Pouts, rubbing the back of his neck. “The frat party last summer?” When nothing clicks, he continues, “You couldn’t stop talking about Beauty and the Beast.” He rememberssss 🥺🥺🥺

"The empty room, the red cups, the roof." I wanna see them connect for the first time 😔😔😔

"The fact that he’s not giving the two of you a deadline, that you’re not a temporary acquaintance to him, makes you actually feel like his friend." It's always so so wonderful to see the way their relationship has grown, even if the way things are right now aren't so ideal. But I hope we'll be able to look back at the sad moments and appreciate the growth that came from them too.

“Don’t worry at all,” you tell him, lifting the Disney dream, “roses are like, my second favourite flowers.” Cuteee.

"Because that little proud smile of his, eyes staring down, tells you more than he intends to." He’s so precious, deserves all the love in the world 🥺🥺🥺

It seems that I not only have to protect my heart from all the heartbreak you'll inflict on it, but also from the way you can easily make it melt, Rid. I literally love this couple so much, they make my heart so full and I'll try to keep in mind that they can be this happy again after the sadness.

colour me in: undying roses | jjk

Summary: Jungkook’s been acting strange all noon – and it might or might not have to do with Valentine’s Day.

➳ pairing: Jungkook x reader ➳ rating: 18+ ➳ genre: fwb/f2l, fake dating; suggestive, fluff ➳ warnings: banter once again, surprises, mention of sex and his d*ck lmao, they hooked up like an hour ago, teasing, lowkey sexual tension, they just keep annoying each other, frat party mention, it’s insinuated that jk sleeps with other girls ha ha, jk takes good care of his girl, the ending <3 ➳ word count: 3.3k ➳ a/n: another flashback drabble!! this time… right on vday! it’s just a smol something before the next full-length chapter drops, but i hope you guys like it. ugh, i missed them a lot. do let me know what you think !! <33 ➳ listen to: i can’t fall in love without you by zara larsson | full playlist 🤍

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“You really don’t need to do this.”

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[n1teshade]

Just some thoughts and headcanons after finishing the rewatch. Really it's me rambling.All of these points pertain to the 91/93 adaptation, I will discuss other adaptations separately.

re: PORTRAYAL

90's Tish is more soft spoken than other adaptations. She speaks in breaks because while she is focused on a conversation, her mind is also somewhere else at all times. For example if she is talking to someone about the weather she is also, at the same time, thinking about how they're going to die. She'll often speak those thoughts aloud with no context and won't find it odd because she doesn't differentiate between thoughts and spoken words.

She's the consummate hostess, will make sure her guests are fed and watered and entertained, she'll lavish praise and dote on them fondly. The least likely out of all adaptations to openly insult you. But she is also the most cunning of the versions of her I write. She knows how to get back at someone that has wronged her or her family.

Definitely more intuitive than most of the family, ( except Wednesday ) but because she strives to be the perfect hostess, and that means keeping an open mind, initially she fails to notice anyone's bad intentions. Or she'll notice and disregard it until it becomes an issue. We see this in the case of Fester in the first movie. She notices something was off from the start and becomes more convinced when she helps him unpack, but disregards it after Abigail convinces her and Gomez that Gomez is suffering from displacement. And then we see it again with Debbie, in the Values novelisation ( Tod Strasser, 1993) she has her suspicions and from the moment Debbie marries Fester, Morticia feels uneasy but she can't explain why.

re: THE CHILDREN

She does not and will not ever have a favourite child, loves them all equally. But because they are their own people, and need different things out of life, her treatment of them differs slightly. With Pugsley she is a little more lenient, he has his father's disposition so she knows he is prone to mood swings just the same way. With Pubert it's a balancing act, to her delight, he's the perfect mix of both parents so she never knows what she's going to get with him. And finally, she's a little sterner with Wednesday because Wednesday thrives on the challenge. it's evident in the way she stops Wednesday from carrying one knife to give her a bigger one, or the way Wednesday asks to electrocute her brother and is told they are running late, but she relents when Pugsley asks.

In saying that, I don't agree with more modern interpretations that Wednesday resents her for that or vice versa. They definitely have great love, respect and understanding for each other and in Tish's eyes, her daughter will be the one to carry on the Frump family traditions,she's Wednesday's biggest supporter ( besides Gomez obvs ) always and forever.

re: THE FRUMPS

Like the Addamses, the Frumps have a long long history that can be traced back all the way to the High Middle Ages in Eastern Europe. For this reason they are very well acquainted with the branch of the Addams Family that reside in that area, in particular, Vlad Addams and his family ( the new Addams family, 1998) Morticia's family holidayed in Europe every summer until she went away to finishing school in Paris.

I'll elaborate on this soon but Her father's name was Magnus, he died was she was three. She never speaks of him, her parents marriage was extremely unhappy. She and Ophelia were raised solely by Mama and her aunt Salome who they lived with for a time, along with her cousin Melancholia.

That's it for now. thanks for tuning in.

[bdbdhdjdhdh]

My Hero PSLE: S4E9 "WAKUASIMI"

"Of course, he's even perfectly capable of finshing off my...?" "DEREK!"

-Derek

"Ok, omg for the third time we're back in this tod-and-ranson ass place, I swear to god w-" Kiefer complaining again.

"Ok ok ok lessgo, boss!" Tempest reminded him after Grandmaster boom boom bakudaned and short-circuited the robots.

But then they forgot about one major thing. Even with masks on, these bastardly brainwashed citizens are still going to recognise them somehow.

But that's precisely what they need. Well basically their plan was to distract the Heavenly Lord with their traitor presence, then while he's busy with the "uglies", someone sneaks into his palace, finds the medicine, and then peaces out leaving the distractor there on his own to fend for himself

So the gang quickly gathered in the remote corners of the backyard of a lady like some creepy old stalker, and then the animal-faces briefed them on the plan, and handed them walkie-talkies.

"Ok so these will basically help us to communicate with ya'll and give you instructions on what to do," Unicorn-face said.

"Wait you're not coming with us? Like to do the actual operation?" Tempest asked.

"What, no, I'm supervising and giving you moral support,"

"GRANDMASTER PLEASE JUST USE REALITY WARPING POWER I DON WANNA DO THIS"

"Like I said, my powers don't work with gods, and god indeed, the entire castle is god-protected and foolproofed, ok, not my fault,"

"Ok ok fine, whatever, I guess it's time for me, Zhi Hua, Juqla, boss and Six to go distract them, like the more the merrier, right?" *Tempest's most sarcastic tone ever*

*aforementioned few check that their walkie-talkies are working, then head out to lure out Heavenly Lord*

"HEY EVERYONE ESPECIALLY HEAVENLY LORD IT IS US, THE TRAITORS AND UGLIES! YES YES YES COME AND CATCH US!"

*Heavenly Lord and COM actually come*

*again, big crowd forms as Heavenly Lord comes to punish the "uglies"*

The following scenes that play out shall now be written in play mode:

Unicorn-face: Ok yes very good! Now just stall them for as long as possible, while the other team goes to steal the medicine! *in a softer voice* ok ok now go, go steal the thing, be careful not to get caught ah!

Xiao Ming: Time to go and commit Mission Impossible!

Heavenly Lord: *menacingly stares down and breathes down necks of "uglies" I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU NOT TO COME BACK AGAIN!

Wolf-face: *muttering under breath into walkie-talkie* Respectfully sir, you didn't and never had time for that.

*Heavenly Lord immediately glares at random space on the wall*

Heavenly Lord: UGH.

Unicorn-face: Wait something's wrong. Something is terribly wrong.

*Xiao Ming and gang who just reached the castle entrance trying to find a way to get in without triggering the guards*

Xiao Ming: Uh oh. I don't like the sound of that.

*stealing medicine team ducks into an uncut bush and hides there while awaiting instructions*

Unicorn-face: Yep. You know, Heavenly Lord and COM have tapped into our media frequency and are completely capable of hearing our conversations SHIT! Well we can't just make another one, so...Traitor and ugly team stay QUIET! DO NOT RESPOND TO MY CALLS! INFILTRATION TEAM DO YOU COPY?

*by this time Heavenly Lord and COM got themselves a chair to get comfortable while they listen to the conversations like some movie liddat*

Xiao Ming: Infiltration team here! If I may, I have a suggestion to offer that will bypass Heavenly Lord hearing us!

Unicorn-face: Go ahead, Black Rainbow!

Xiao Ming: What kind of code-name is that bruh...but anyway, I have noticed that due to the dystopian upbringing, all the citizens speak perfect queen's English! And therefore I conclude that we should switch to Singlish as they will not understand us!

Unicorn-face: Ah, that is a great idea, Black Rainbow! Ok! Singlish mode everyone! Also you're called Black Rainbow cos like a rainbow, you're not straight, and you're also bla-

Xiao Ming: HAO LOH! Unicorn-face, 帮我把那些 chao ang moh robot 给我滚!

Grandmaster: Aiya I already dong them liao, your kacheng safe liao, I always cover one!

*At this point Heavenly Lord is visibly confused*

Xiao Ming: Ok! Going to parliament cabinet house liao, go in then tell you lah!

Unicorn-face: EY CHAO NI MA DE! ANG MOH ROBOT AT LOK KOM, YAO LAI LIAO!

Xiao Ming: Ey walao why you never faster say! Lucky I cong ming, know how do thing one! Ey, we there liao, that drug drug like what ah?

Wolf-face: Look like a kar zhua kena cher scolding cos wearing too obiang shirt then kena mati by kopi uncle!

Xiao Ming: Ok found it! It look like kopi kosong right?

Crow-face: Yeah yeah yeah yeah liddat one! Ok you faster faster run away, you don't gabra ah!

Xiao Ming: Ey but the Singlish mode got good one leh! Big chao ang moh like catch no ball liddat!

Crow-face: You don't ya ya papaya first, haven't win yet!

Dragon-face: OH, JIALAT! ALAMAK! ROBOT GONNA MATI KIEFER LIAO!

Crow-face: EY YOU NEVER FASTER TELL ME THEN YOU THINK WHAT? I SUPERMAN AH? Aiya, I got good idea, so later we all go and 装要 mati them, but then actually we mati Six and Tempest, and then they will blur liao, and then we can tau pok them steady pom pi pi!

Xiao Ming: Ok! Copy!

*they all rush to carry out emergency plan*

All: STEADY POM PI PI! TAU POKKKKKKK!!!!!!!

*then after retrieving the medicine and running away safely, they complete their mission successfully*

*confused Heavenly Lord and COM still catch no ball*

"STEADY POM PI PI! TAU POKKKKKKK!!!!!"