#how dare you leave me a buffet like this

[landwriter]

dead boy detectives was clearly grown in a lab to incite fanfic and i, for one, am not going to resist any longer

[goldsbitch]

Right? p5

summary: Y/N is a photographer for McLaren F1 team. Hard working, goal oriented professional who would never put her career in jeopardy for some stupid crush, right?

That is until a photoshoot gets out of hand and there is no way to go but forward.

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4

warning: 18+ i guess?, shorter than usually, but oh well

Arriving late was not something you particularly enjoyed. Almost half an hour after the big speech, which included the top management and few important people, Lando included.

You were off duty tonight and seriously contemplated skipping this altogether. But what's bad about one drink at one of Monaco's fanciest villas. There were some races which seemed to be more about the glam around it, rather than the actual racing. Unlike Lando, who seemed to be glowing around and luring people in to come and talk to him, you were in no mood for that. Avoidance was the theme today actually.

You opted to hang out at the second balcony, overlooking the pit where all the magic seemed to be happening. People mingling, laughing, drinking and networking. Normally, you'd be too, you thrived in that on a good day. But, the vibe was nice, so what the hell. You certainly were not following every Lando's move. That would be a bit strange, right? The casual monitoring was alright, you'd convinced yourself. Even that grew a little boring after a while, so you spaced out back to the forest. Why did it have to be him - spotlight seemed to follow him. Impossible to catch a moment. When will you be able to talk to him again?

A hand touched your hip, coming from behind. You knew immediately. The scent, the way he touched you and even the shadow gave him away.

"Be careful," you whispered. You slowly explored the surroundings for any prying eyes.

"I'm always careful. You'll see that soon," insinuating the type of thoughts your head had him only projected to these days. His hand moved to your thigh. "You clean up pretty nicely, by the way. Except...would you have a look at that," he reached to your hair and pulled out one tiny branch, no longer touching you. "Where did you get that?"

You took the branch out his hands, making sure to hold his hand a little longer than a friend would. You leaned in and whispered: "That branch is really dry. That can't be mine." And you walked away with hope that his mind was in a similar position as your has been the whole evening.

The evening changed its course, you mingled with your colleagues and opted for having fun. Making Lando jealous was the new plan. Testing the limits, just out of pure boredom. You hoped he was watching, otherwise all of this flirting and friendly touching was for absolute nothing. But you knew he was watching you, just as you were watching him. This cat and mouse dance went around for almost an hour. Cheap tricks you had in your arsenal were in a direct contrast to the vibe this evening was suppose to have. The two of you encountered again, standing next to one another at the buffet table.

"I hope I'm the only one who can see what you're doing."

"Must have been the alcohol, right?" you said mockingly. "Does that sound convincing? So that I have a response if anyone asks tomorrow."

"Second last door upstairs, on the left. Leave now and we'll see, might come and join you," he said walking away immediately. And like a little puppy you did as he requested.

You entered a small room, making sure you were not followed or anything. You dared not to wonder what usually happened in this kind of room. Tipsy mind and racing heart is a dangerous combination. So once he finally joined you, after what felt like a century, you did not wait, ready for your usual make out session. There was a reason why you "forgot" your lipstick tonight.

"Na-ah," he stopped you, which was very uncharacteristic of him. You froze, not sure what he was going for. Did you do something wrong?

Lando locked the door.

"I see what your doing, Y/N. How you move to tease me, how you flirt with other guys, out of the blue...Now that's not what good girls like you do, am I right?" he walked towards you and slowly backed you up to a table and did not stop when his body started to press on yours.

"Not enough things to stimulate the mind, I guess." You were barely focusing on replying, his hand circulating around your body like a vulture was your main concern.

"Are you saying everyone here is boring?" he asked without wanting an actual answer. Both of you were just slightly braved than you were in the past few days. The eagerness finally crept out and neither one of you had the intention to stop it. Lando had the upper hand today, that much was obvious. He held you, found the hem of your dress and shamelessly explored your underwear. Desire swept over you.

He abruptly removed his hand. "Am I boring you?" he said smirking. Before you could gather up your two active brain cells for an answer, his eyes deadlocked with yours as he put his two fingers gently into your mouth.

"Cat got your tongue?" You licked his fingers without needing to be instructed. You never needed or even wanted to be called a good girl. With him, you were moment from begging for it.

"I have a tongue, if you're interested."

He went back, twisted your panties in his fingers and inserted two into you. At first he moved slowly, reading your face carefully, maping out your reactions. "And what about now? Still bored?"

You were wet, oh you were so wet you felt ashamed. His fingers moved in you and if you had had the capacity, you would have wondered how was it that he was making the perfect moves without your guidance. But you didn't, so one less thought to bother you today. If this reaction was caused only by his fingers, you dared not to imagine his tongue on any part of your body.

"But looking at that, this is working just fine enough. For now." He held you while you were getting lost in the moment. Just as it started, it ended. Quickly. You were about to finish - and he must have known that. Oh he knew. He smirked on the way to the door.

"Let me know if you're bored again," he winked at you before unlocking.

You were left sitting there with a clouded mind and a body that wanted more. A smile crept on your face, how easy did this guy have it with you was almost embarassing. Fortunately enough, you checked your dress before leaving. His little play left a wet stain on the back of your light green dress. Having no other choice, you laughed at the absurdity of the situation. To solve that matter, you spilled your red wine on the light green dress, making it look like someone crashed their drink into you - well, it would require some acting on your part to sell it properly. Lando Norris officially owed you a new dress. And his tongue all over your body.

//

You walked down, hoping everyone was minding their own business not to pay too much attention to your red wine stain. The plan was to say quick goodbyes and go home - and finish yourself alone. Reviewing work photos was never this much fun before.

Lando watched you as you walked down again, amused at the damage done to your dress. He raised his glass to you as you were walking by. Your boss stood right next to him, his back turned to some other people you could not care less about right now.

"I came to say goodbye," you said politely to you boss.

"Ah, shame life of the party!" he proclaimed.

"Yeah," you pointed to your dress, "someone walking by me had too much wine so they wanted to share. Plus, I am getting tired and these types of events can get a little boring after a while. Can't wait for the real action," you said, knowing well enough Lando heard you.

"Workoholic as always, that's why we like you, Y/N. Have a great night," wished your boss.

"Oh, trust me, I will. See you tomorow."

A text popped on once you were outside the villa. Lando.

"Hope you'll be thinking of me during the night. I can still smell you on my fingers."

You replied few minutes later. "Will do...I'll let you know once I've finished."

"Oh, please do."

And you did. Hoping that Lando touched himself too.

part 6

_______________________

@i-wish-this-was-me @lqvesoph @ophcelia 

[arminsumi]

OUR LAST SUMMER.

五夏 ⋅ reader

PART OF THE 2k SPECIAL: ur fave duos!!

NOTE: yuh this hurt to write 🥹 was solely inspired by that one abba song i'm ngl i listened to it one night and related it to satosugu and cried like a bitch

SUMMARY — You, Suguru and Satoru shared one summer of bliss before everything fell apart

WARNINGS — fluff to angst 👍, love triangle, i think it's gn reader but lmk if there's something not gn thank u!!

WORDCOUNT ≈ 1k

PLAY ME ♪ Our Last Summer

🍒 𝐉𝐚𝐲 ⋅ 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬/𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 !

It had been a blisteringly hot summer. Sweat beaded at Suguru’s forehead. The sun forced Satoru’s eyes into a perpetual squint. And you took shelter in the shade of a palm tree – the two boys met you there, when they too decided to take shelter in the shade. The chemistry between you three was explosive, truly chemical; that one of a kind, once in a lifetime kind of friendship that blooms instantly like a timelapse of a flower, that artists and poets try their hand at capturing but mostly fail.

Beach walks were impossible at midday – the sand was so hot that it burned the soles of your feet. If you were riskily treading barefoot, then the boys would take turns carrying you. Satoru carried you bridal style. Suguru carried you on his back. The prior liked to pretend that he was going to throw you into the ocean (and he did a few times…) and the latter liked to steal romantic glances at you.

Come night, you three crammed together in one hotel room. Conversations, debates, arguments, flirting… those all easily carried past the midnight hour. Satoru was the first to pass out, but Suguru being the insomniac of the group managed to stay awake even longer with you. Usually, you fell asleep in the middle of expressing a thought to Suguru, and then woke up the next morning to two bleary blue eyes blinking awake on your left and abyssal black eyes blinking awake on your right. Satoru rolled on top of you and refused to let you leave bed. Suguru smiled and told him to stop crushing you to death.

Breakfasts were met with late attendance – thanks to Satoru taking his sweet time in the bathroom getting ready. Plates piled and spilled with hotel buffet food; Satoru’s plate consisted solely of sweet pastries. The custard Danishes were his favourite. The three of you broke down laughing at your inside joke about him being the custard Danish robber; the three of you couldn’t catch your breaths from how hard you laughed at your own stupid jokes. “He’s at it again!” Suguru snorted, body falling into yours, eyes reduced to strips of pure joy.

Butterflies liked Suguru for some reason. It was awful for him – he was terrified of butterflies, they really creeped him out. During walks around Okinawa, you struggled to keep up with the two giants; Satoru never missed a beat when walking in sync with his best friend. And he also never missed the opportunity to pick on your slowness or size. Suguru would patch up your bruised ego with a well-timed compliment.

When your holiday in Okinawa was drawing to a close, you three decided to cram as much exploration as possible into those three last days. Pulling all-nighters, stargazing, joking around, sharing secrets, kissing as friends until those kisses became something more. The final day of your holiday was spent ascending a hill that overlooked the glittering beaches. Such a picturesque view. One you didn’t dare to capture in a photograph, because that felt disrespectful. It was a beautiful landscape that deserved to live only in the rich world of your memories.

On that grassy hill, in that briny wind, you three thought that the present moment would never end. You held hands. You kissed. Your hands felt warm. Your lips felt tingly. They both looked at you meaningfully.

“Come back to Jujutsu High with us.” You didn’t hesitate to agree, a sparkle in your eyes. No one in your life had ever accepted you as a sorcerer until they came along.

Summer ended…

And the school year began.

In the far future, when you and Satoru would reminisce together as old Jujutsu High teachers to your students, you two would summarize your high school days with very specific memories.

“Remember when we always got caught making out in the classroom, and Yaga chased us down the corridors?”

“ – and we’d loiter around the vending machines. You know, Yuji, Satoru had such a bad sweet tooth even back then. And! He! Stole! My! Lunches! He was a menace!! Don’t deny it, Satoru.”

“What I stole from you in food I repaid in saving your ass. Remember when you almost died? No joke, Megumi, Y/n almost died during that Alleyway Incident – you know that one we talked about? Yeah, that was Y/n. Suguru and I were stronger than Y/n so we always helped – heyyy! I’m just telling the truth!”

“Who was Suguru?”

The smiles dropped from yours and Satoru’s faces. The color drained out of them, too. Just one little name, six little letters, devastated the atmosphere. That’s when the reminiscing ceased abruptly, and Satoru stood up and excused himself to a quiet place. You and him never cried together, only separately – except for on that day.

That day was the first and only day you and Satoru broke down sobbing into each other. Snot dribbled out of your noses. Your eyes puffed up. Your faces felt tightened with the dried tears.

“Suguru, don’t leave. Come back with us to Jujutsu High, we can sort all of this out.”

But he turned and walked away from you and Satoru, disappearing into the crowd of people. You yelled so loudly that you hurt your lungs, “Did our last summer mean nothing to you! What about the memories we’ve made at school together?! Suguru, don’t you walk away from us! Don’t – leave us behind, S-Suguru did it all mean nothing to you?!”

Just like that, three reduced to two. Just you and Satoru. Sat on the steps in heavy, impenetrable silence. Faces planted into your palms. Back curved because you had no energy to sit up straight after such an exhausting cry. You never thought you’d look into Satoru’s eyes and see no light. Over the years, he lightened up – especially when he became a teacher. But you could tell he masked his true expression; a deadpan. The real emotions were forcefully forgotten.

[divinit3a]

For the ask game 💕

💕 Time for a shout-out! What are some of your fav AUs from other creators in the fandom? ⭑ dca au ask game

^-^ ....OK! I shall set down all the cakes on the table for a full buffet! Get your forks & knives out! 🍽️🍽️🍽️

please don't hesitate to let me know if you'd prefer not to be @'d in the future, or to be removed from this post u_u <3 I totally respect folk's preferences!

✨ lets go! ⭑⭑⭑ ⭑⭑⭑ ⭑⭑⭑

@muzzlemouths Dead Mall Dare / DfTR AU(s) Dead Mall Dare was one of the first AUs I read (like, literally. 1-2 months ago!) & I went woooaaah they are fun removed from original context. Isn't that so neat ?? This isn't a rabbithole to fall in, tho. u_u No wayyy guys c'mon ... /j Likewise, DfTR is a treat to watch unfold & see people squirm ^-^

@r0b0-wannabe Botanical Garden AU (or just any of your stories, but I'm.. sticking to the law...s... ) Hi, I stayed up to 2-3am drawing ur boys bc Im normal about this AU & how endearing it is... obviously... (💚) I love your writing style & characterizations. Maybe this is silly, but, I also enjoy learning about plantcare, too :3

@sinister-sincerely 2nd Choice AU Oh, you are so evil. The username matches. (A COMPLIMENT!! Hehe.) Oh, you write drama, angst/no comfort, hurting/damaged characters making awful choices so well. It was wild doing a double-take to realize YOU! are the WRITER for 2nd choice!! Some day, I will get u. For now, run 💜🔪

@wyervan Human!Slasher AU :D Yay! Both the OG/Main storyline are wonderful. I find the community version very endearing as an AU-within-an-AU. (love that!) As someone who used to run RP groups (on god!) it fills my heart with joy to see people filling out a world with so much life. Your art style is delightfully grungy ^-^/

@pluck-heartstrings - Pluck My Heartstrings AU Ohhh. I am weak to fairytale/renfaire vibes, as well as the more classic harlequin jester aesthetic u_u<3 Plus, the Vocalist/Princess is just so dang compelling, too. Your design sense is impeccable.

@moon-buggg Haunted House & Mad Scientist AUs They are both so neat & I can't wait to learn more!! The Haunted House AU designs live in my head rent free along with the comics :3

@zenkaiankoku Broken but Better AU Lovely, torn-up designs! Yay, mechanical horror! Yay, angst!! And a delightful remix of their personalities, too <3

@authormeat Alienware AU ^-^ I am instantly delighted by the weird guy freak energy & that the yn IS an alien/monster. Thats all I want & more. I also love ur designs for other AUs

...

...

...... 🧍 I Have More to Say

And...And... Not.. AU specific, but 🏏💥BAM , BAM 💥🏏 LOVELY FOLKS!!!!!!

🍲 <{ @soupdweller THERE IS NO ESCAPE ok but fr.. I appreciate ya, homie :3 you are a joy to chat with!! beautiful art!! evil mind!! delicious soups. i cant wait for whatever u cook up ^-^ 🐤 <{ @luckyyyduckyyy I WILL READ UR AU STORIES!! RUN & HIDE!!! you are the goofiest goober in the wild west, by goodness. i love ur energy and the gorgeous designs u create!! 🐛 <{ @chickenchirps27 ACK I COULD STARE AT UR ART FOREVER! I'll have to start volleying over illustrators I think ya might enjoy... u are so sweet & funny!! 🐐 <{ @lurking-loaf YOU ARE SO KIND! Seriously, I appreciate the fun craft projects you recommended -& your words of support :') 🔮 <{ @anis-sketches :D HI! Happy to throw recs your way. Also, your art is adorable!! 🌿 <{ @craykaycee HI TO U TOO!! the tags u leave always make me smile, and i appreciate u stopping by to say hi... :3 & MANYMANY MORE BUT I NEED TO CUT MYSELF OFF OR ELSE

Per usual, I lost sight of the original goal. But! Consider:

🏏💥WHAM , BAM 💥🏏 GOTCHU >:)

[thecountesstribe]

HOTD Ep 2x7 Spoilers and review.

So this was one of my favorite episodes this season and also one of the coolest imo.

Seasmoke being protective of Addam and looking proud he terrorized Addam into being his rider was too funny. I love that dragon 😂. Come through Addam the Loyal, all Rhaenyra had to say was she's queen and he immediately acknowledged her and bent the knee, I loved that. He's really about to become my other favorite boy.

Corlys being shook and acting like he doesn't know Addam, like sir if you don't tell the truth already. He's never gonna beat the deadbeat allegations. Although when he told him “Well done” I did whoop a little. I would've kicked his ass had I been Addam though.

Oscar Tully! That's it. That's the fuckin post. He gagged Daemon and stood on business. I love to see young kids bullying arrogant adults, he reminded me of the OG lil boss Lyanna Mormont. That's my lil nephew now.

Daemon didn't take the crown. We saw him hallucinating again, this time with the sick version of Viserys and Viserys holding the crown which he didn't take. I mean anybody with a brain could summarize that he never wanted the crown, we didn't need to spend so much time in his delusions in Harrenhal to tell us that. We certainly didn't need a scene of him feasting on his mom to tell us that, yuck. For all his faults he really was about his family. He went about it the wrong way but that's Daemon for you. His stupid self destructive ass.

We had an unnecessary scene of Alicent running about the woods after leaving King's Landing. Chile anyways. Larys is totally protecting Aegon now and he's essentially crippled atp. I fear for Baela's storyline.

Rhaena is looking for Sheepstealer. Her and Jeyne are still tussling but they waited until the final 2 episodes to give her something, Baela had no lines besides looking pretty and staring at Jace. I fuckin hate it here. Could we bully HBO AND THE WRITERS SOME MORE. WTF!!

Vermithor and SilverWing looked so cool. What did that old bum feed Vermithor though? He's big asf. SilverWing just might be the coolest looking dragon. I can't rank them anymore cause I like them all 😭. Literally my favorite thing about the episode. Like the directors cooked. The dragons are funny asf 😂😭😭😭. There were a lot of parentage reveals, I don't believe for a second Saera sired that ugly man but anyways. RhaeRhae led those people to their deaths. Rhaenyra deadass gave this big ass pep talk, she reminded me of Erwin before he led the scouts out on what would be their suicide mission except she didn't stay to see the outcome or participate in it. Vermithor saw an opportunity for a buffet and took it, Hugh claimed him. Fuckin cinema. Still gonna hate his bitchass but I can't lie that was badass. SilverWing was bullying Ulf. Why do people I hate always win sometimes?! Ulf literally failed upwards. Can't be mad at it. I mean if I was a dragon I would've done the same shit. How dare mediocre specimens come before me who is essentially the next best thing after the Gods!

We got Rhaenyra speaking High Valyrian. She had her dragon squad quit on her though and gave her a warning (foreshadowing). Her also being able to calm Vermithor, that's the Dragon Queen of her era y'all. We saw a little movement with her and her protective spoiled cat Syrax too 😍.

Not people hating on Jace now. Listen that argument has been brewing since season 1. He just finally let it out of his brooding body. I don't think many people understand the implications that argument meant. He sounded classist and maybe he was, highly doubt he is but he's being realistic and in the future he was proven right (unless they scrap the book canon). Rhaenyra paralleled Viserys in that entire scene. She really is her father's child in some ways. She did to Jace what Viserys essentially did to her. The one thing that could've upheld his ascension to the throne was him having a dragon and she essentially gave a free pass to anybody to do the same, the same thing was done to Rhaenyra when Viserys decided to marry Alicent and sire more children when he knew damn well that if he had a son, her claim to the throne would've been compromised. Jace knows he's a “bastard”, a legitimate one but a “bastard” ntl (I'm not calling him a bastard in a derogatory sense either, he isn't. Laenor claimed them as his sons and that's the end of it to me) , it shouldn't matter considering the throne is not passing from his father's side but his mother's. Sure his last name would've changed the minute he was named heir and ascended as stated by Viserys but what weight does that hold now? They briefly touched on it when he spoke to Baela about his fathers but he had always been insecure about his parentage. No he didn't call his mother a whore, he's been fighting that battle all his life, she just made it worse. In the dire situation they're in, the sacrifice had to be made but I could understand why he's angry and hurt over it again. She literally just made him illegitimate in the eyes of the realm. His anger is valid. Was his tone harsh yes, try dealing with the whispers and the jeers and everything else for the past 16 years of your entire life and seeing the same proof of what everybody else sees everyday and tell me that you wouldn't hold some kind of resentment towards it. I liked how Rhaenyra was patient with him though, just wished it wasn't as rushed as the scene felt.

The last shot of the episode was fuckin brilliant. Aemond turning his bitchass around knowing he can't handle that kinda pressure. Also Vhagar and Aemond's bond may not be as strong as it should be. She clearly does not listen to him sometimes. He's still responsible for Lucerys death IDC what y'all got to say. The episode got a 4/5 stars from me just for the dragons. I'm here for Jace, Baela, Addam and the Dragons!

Until next week guys for the finale. We're going to see Tessarion and Sheepstealer next week. I'm so excited.

[watchtowerindistress]

the empath and the eldritch horror (5/5) - sparrow!ben x empath!reader

Summary: Ben and Eight have breakfast together. Diego is being weird-er than usual. Two manipulators (more or less) have a heart to heart. Ben and Eight have the best and the worst day together.

Word count: 5.6k

Warning: language, mention of smut, angst (kinda?)

Author's note: Yes, this ends on a cliffhanger note, but that's only because the finale episode will be used as a recap in the new series, so you'll be picked up for the next ride. The Ben/Eight scene during the one hour reprieve can be read as a deleted scene since I couldn't just leave that out.

Just so you know, if you're interested in the sequel series for S4, you can already enter the taglist. Just access the series masterlist, the rest is gravy. 😘 I'm going to take a break after this since I'm getting mentally tired - maybe I depleted all there was for this character for now.

Dear me, thank you for 1.8k. Remember guys, reblogging and writing a small comment is love. Let me know if you even liked this.

Series masterlist

There was just so much to choose from, you realized, when you were standing in front of the buffet, admiring the breakfast collection. Your stomach emitted a rumbling noise to signal its craving for food. You just started filling your breakfast tray when Ben joined your side.

“Here, have some vitamins,” you said, popping a pineapple cube into his mouth.

A grunt left Ben’s mouth. He paused awkwardly before he slowly munched on the fruit. Ben wiped his mouth. “You’re lucky I—you’re alright. You do remember me punching your brother for wanting a hug, right?”

It felt surreal to have him not being his snarky self. Without him hissing at every turn. Ben’s behavior in the elevator should’ve been indicative enough of how the morning after was treating him.

“Is this the hangover talking or are you losing your touch? Because I remember you being way more hostile when you want to be.”

Ben groaned loudly at being caught unawares. “Just give me a few minutes with a cup of coffee, alright? Then I’m back to insulting your whole family.” The corners of his mouth tensed until he managed a smirk.

Your eyes widened comically, clutching your throat. “I was getting worried for a second there,” you retorted before taking a sip from your cup of tea. Feeling satisfied with your yogurt and selection of fruits and cereals, you playfully brushed your shoulder against his and strolled to the dining area.

You chuckled quietly to yourself when you felt him inquisitively turn his head towards you.

Okay, fine. You were kinda flirting with Ben.

But sometimes it was just fun to tease him and to ruffle his feathers a bit since that guy was all about control.

You pulled out the chair at a long banquet table which was covered by a white tablecloth and took a seat with a small sigh. The sweet taste of a juicy strawberry was barely in your mouth before you were reintroduced to Ben’s company who seated himself next to you. He dropped his chin on the palm of his hand, suffering in silence. Which didn’t actually sound like the Ben you knew.

Maybe this was Ben’s idea of a small pity party. Not needing another convincing of him, you touched his forehead without averting your eyes from your food.

Ben groaned while closing his eyes. Bit by bit, he managed to regain his energy. “Oh damn, that’s nice.”

“It was starting to distract me,” you calmly let him know. As soon as you felt him slowly being himself again, you dropped your hand next to your cutlery.

Ben stared intently at you. “Oh, my mistake. How could I dare for having a hangover, right?” He smirked sardonically before he drank from his coffee. “And here I thought you were being all altruistic. Maybe you’re just like me after all.” He inclined his head, like he knew something you didn’t.

The moment when you stirred your cereals into the fruit yogurt, something else crossed your mind. Ever since this morning his mind was preoccupied with morose thoughts. Something must have gotten to him in the wee hours.

You exhaled unevenly. “What’s wrong?”

“Why would there be something wrong?” Ben settled his arms on the table, turning his head towards you with a small smile on his face. Despite the energy surge, Ben’s eyes looked tired.

“Well, if it’s not your emotions revealing themselves, it’s certainly that look in your eyes,” you said softly.

Ben grunted low in his throat. There was something he hadn’t been able to forget, as much as he tried to bury it to the back of his head.

“Ah, classic defense mechanism. Pushing away the people who care about you the most. Just like Dad.”

Ben inhaled deeply and spoke almost absentmindedly. “Klaus said something.”

Remembering one of the first words he uttered while in the elevator, you nodded. Wondering what it was that Klaus said that would make Ben feel so uneasy.

“It really must have gotten to you, huh?”

“Enough to make me want to punch him in the face.” Ben smirked faintly.

“But you didn’t. That has to count for something.” The semblance of pride remained in your voice at the minimum of self-control.

~ Diego POV ~

From afar, Diego and Lila observed Ben and you having breakfast together. Almost in slow motion, Diego’s eyes followed your hand movements when you reached forward to cover Ben’s forehead, swiping his hair to the side while doing it. Barely even noticing the golden shimmer under her palm.

The serene and blissed-out expression on his face made Diego frown. “What the fuck?” Diego muttered under his breath, stalking towards the two of you.

He felt Lila’s fingers clench around his bicep. “Easy there, tiger. Your sister doesn’t have time for your testosterone bullshit,” she calmly whispered into his ear, trying to be some sort of voice of reason. A deed which didn’t sound right in his head. Lila wasn’t exactly known for being reasonable or calm.

“It’s not bullshit if mean Ben just wants to get his tentacles into my sister.” Diego waved towards the little shit. He felt the twitching in his fingers, as they reached for one of his knives in the holster around his ribs.

Lila leaned her arms around Diego’s shoulders, muttering quietly. “Overprotective Diego is kind of a turn-on,” Her voice turned normal again. “Come on, just let your sister have a wee bit of fun for once. I mean, are you behaving like such a controlling, big brother that you don’t even want your sister having a good shag?”

Despite Lila’s flirting or intimate gestures, Diego felt far too tense—not to mention, he was way too in his head—to react accordingly to his girlfriend’s needs. He whipped his head around, feeling slightly nauseated at the mere thought. “What did you say? You think they’re having sex?”

“I’m saying I don’t know. Why?” Lila pulled her head back, slightly befuddled. “What did you mean?”

“I meant that he’s still Dad’s kid. A damn Sparrow. Strategic power move, you know? Keep your enemies closer and whatever. I mean, since when are those two so chummy?”

“Diego, calm your tits.” Lila implored him with a soothing tone, widening her eyes. She enunciated her next words with a deep voice. “We don’t know what’s going on. Is it that surprising that your sweetheart of a sister makes friends with literally everyone? I thought everything was cool.”

Diego’s hard glare met Lila. “That was before, Lila.” Squaring his shoulders, he stalked briskly towards you. Something flashed in his eyes. “Let’s find out.”

She whisper-hissed, “What do you mean let’s find out? Diego!”

“I’m proud of you,” you added with a tad of mischief and gentleness shining in your eyes.

Out of nowhere, the chair opposite of you was pulled out by Diego, rendering you both silent. With a loud grunt, he sat down, bracing his arms on the table. “Hey, what’s up with you two?” Diego’s gaze alternated between Ben and you, it was almost the scrutinizing kind.

You paused from eating your yogurt, feeling stumped by the nature of the question. “Having breakfast?” You arched your eyebrows, speaking slowly. “What are you guys doing?” The question was uttered more out of courtesy, getting the feeling that Lila didn’t intend to take up more of your time. Despite that you watched her tentatively take a seat next to Diego. You didn’t think it was possible for Lila doing anything tentatively.

“Same as you,” Diego said, taking a sip from his cup of joe while keeping his gaze set on the two of you.

“Someone’s being serious,” you muttered before leaning towards Lila, needing something to lift the mood. “I heard the two of you were being some horndogs.” You wiggled your eyebrows.

“Oh, Y/N, you know, a lady never does kiss and tell.”

You smiled, provocatively tilting your head. “And what would you call yourself then?”

Gasping mockingly, Lila guffawed with laughter.

“Care to tell what you guys did once the party was over?” Like a bucket of ice-cold water drenching the atmosphere, Diego interjected.

Before you could react, Ben answered for you. “What do you care?” He braced his arm around his chair.

Diego smirked sarcastically, trying to get under his skin. “And here I thought we were becoming best buds.”

You tilted your head. If anything, Ben got to Diego before you could’ve said your piece. “No, I’m kinda with Ben here. Why are you in detective mode?” Widening your eyes, you inquired with both parts levity and earnest fascination. “Wait, did someone actually die?” You kept weaving that hypothetical scenario in your head.

“Nobody died, I think,” Lila threw in. After throwing a secondary glance at Diego, she affirmed stronger. “Nobody died. Don’t mind Diego,” Lila replied, soothingly stroking his shoulder. “He didn’t get much sleep last night. Didn’t you, love?” Lila articulated with a firm tone, intending to jog his memory.

“I told you, babe, this is important,” Diego retorted forcefully.

“And I’m telling you, you’re behaving like the weirdest guy ever. Now is not the time. Now, come on, let’s get moving before I change my mind.” She shook Diego’s shoulders from behind when he didn’t move a muscle. “Diego, I’m serious. Move your cute bum.”

With great reluctance, Diego finally relented. But not before sending you two a meaningful glance.

“What was that all about?” Ben asked almost boredly once the both of them walked away. Or more like Lila dragged your brother away. Ben sank his teeth into a cucumber with relish, emitting a delicious crunch as he stared after them.

“That’s Diego in detective mode for you. My theory with a whodunit still stands, you know?”

Ben hummed. “And what a tragedy it would be if someone didn’t wind up dead,” he said with a sardonic smirk.

You merely threw him a dry expression at Ben’s idea of a good time.

“So, you heard about that family meeting dad called in?” Ben inquired and continued speaking when he heard you sigh wearily. “You going to show up?”

There was something about Reginald calling in a meeting that felt like more of an emotional chore to pull through. Your eyes looked into the distance. “He probably has some sort of devil’s advocate favor to ask.”

Ben arched an intrigued brow. “So, you’d rather he influenced the rest of your family instead? Klaus doesn’t seem that opposed to gaining his favor.”

With your eyes narrowing, you saw right through him. “Don’t manipulate me.”

He shrugged without a care. “It’s not manipulation when you know it’s a manipulation.”

You tilted your head in consideration. “I don’t think that’s how it goes.”

“Just saying, you don’t think there are a few other people who would join his side if given the chance?” Ben probed even further, “Maybe Allison or maybe even the dynamic duo we just had over?”

A gleam was shining in your eyes when you pursed your lips. “You do realize I was going to show up either way before you decided to confront me with your sales pitch, right?”

Ben lost all the fight in his body when he leaned back in his chair with a huffing exhale. “Why do I even bother with you?”

Five was the last to join the family meeting when Reginald and him entered the lobby. The younger Hargreeves was confronted with boisterous applause when he went across the carpet to sit on the armchair by the wall, sending you back to drunk Five during the wedding.

Klaus clapped his hands. “Woo! Five! Yeah!”

A sarcastic Diego agreed by mentioning, “That speech last night! Wow!”

Lila joined the spectacle. “Brought me to tears, you big softy.”

You sat between Ben and Klaus on the round mustard-colored sitting area when Ben impatiently covered his forehead at everyone’s antics.

Five waved a hand. “Okay. Enough. It was the booze talking. In the light of day, you’re all still deplorable.”

“And your day’s about to get worse,” Reginald added ominously. Your inquisitive eyes met him anchoring a thickly bound journal to his chest. “As a boy, I heard the legend of the eight bells. All these stories are the same. The village is under threat by flood, by fire, by a night that never ends. A shaman brings his disciples to a sacred cave.”

Lila laid with her head in Diego’s lap. There was something in her eyes which told you she didn’t fully believe the tale yet.

“He tells them if they can ring the magic bells, the village will be saved and all will be restored just as it was. None of you can deny what’s going on around us. All of existence will be gone by the end of the day, but whoever or whatever wove together space and time, they left a way to put things back together if the universe ever faced total annihilation. There is a portal in the universe. I built this hotel around it, and on the other side is the answer.”

Luther voiced your inner thoughts. “And… we’re supposed to, what? Just stroll in there, ring some bells, and fix this shit?” Sloane leaned against him, seeking comfort while her hand slung around his arm.

“Sarcasm aside, you are mostly right. Except for the guardian.”

Viktor filled the tense silence. “What kind of guardian?”

With a calm voice, Diego explained, “Kinda guardian that does this. He had a sword.” He held up a hand which had two fingers missing.

Eyeing the missing appendages, you spoke dryly, “Sounds like the stakes are pretty low then. Not to mention very convenient.”

“It is a force to be reckoned with,” Reginald assured fervently.

Still, Viktor remained cautious by this reveal. “Why would the builders of this ‘back door’ need to have a guardian?”

Sloane raised a hand, speaking all too eagerly, “Ah! To protect it from people who want to use it for nefarious means.”

There was something about Reginald’s agenda which irked you to no end. Especially with some sort of guardian protecting this reset device. “Guess we’re gonna be the ones who will use it for nefarious means,” you retorted sarcastically.

If there was one thing you could trust about Reginald, it was that he couldn’t be trusted. So, you wondered what he wasn’t telling everyone since this whole story seemed way too convenient for already offering a way out of this mess.

It was obvious where Allison stood with all of this. “So it’s gonna take all of us to defeat the thing protecting the bells.”

Like he already made up his mind when he came to this gathering, Ben stood up and positioned himself next to Reginald. Despite the unwavering loyalty being drilled into him at a young and impressionable age, uncertainty still simmered under the surface. “I’m in.”

Diego followed. “Me too.” Lila winced when he left her side abruptly, making her jolt her head on the sofa.

Your eyes scrutinized Ben’s unhesitating willingness, especially with Diego joining the mix—all too willing to go all Batman again.

“Well, I say we vote,” Viktor offered diplomatically.

Ben glared at him. “This isn’t a democracy. Dad’s calling the shots.”

“I’m with Viktor,” Five agreed. “We vote.”

“The world is ending, and you want to count hands?” Reginald exclaimed in incredulity. With Ben silently agreeing with him who wanted this to get done as quickly as possible.

“You’re asking us to risk our lives,” Luther—ever the mediator among the family—threw in. “I think it’s only fair you give us time to discuss it. Privately.” After hearing Reginald make an indignant huff, he continued, “Why don’t we meet back here in an hour?”

After a tired sigh, Reginald brushed his hand against Ben’s shoulder as he passed him by.

“Agreed,” Five added.

You didn’t need the extra hour to make up your mind. You tasted the cold dessert in your mouth while your back leaned against the balcony on the roof top.

“So, it’s a portal, right?”

Ben sighed, digging with his spoon into the tub of ice cream between you. “Yes, it’s a portal from where I can summon eldritch monsters.”

“Then, if you had the choice what other monsters would you pull through your body?”

Ben groaned loudly at that. “You know, I didn’t have that in mind when you said we’d have some fun.”

“Come on, this is fun.” You giggled, waving your hand towards the sky. “These are some front row seats to the apocalypse. I’m trying to get to know you with these questions. Ergo, a fun time.” You pursed your lips. “I’m thinking probably a creature who has the skin of a snake, lots of eyes. Maybe some sort of Medusa, you know?”

Ben nodded indulgently. “Definitely.”

“It’s your turn.”

Ben exhaled. “Do we have to turn this into a game?”

“It’s called a two-way street. Otherwise, I would just be the one talking which I don’t mind—to a certain degree.”

“Of course.”

“This way you could divulge what interests you in return.”

“What is that called?”

“An interaction, you dork.” You chuckled, brushing your shoulder against his. “Can be anything. Favorite foods, cereal first or milk, favorite sibling.”

“How do you see the auras?”

You turned your head. “That’s your first question? You want to talk about powers?”

Ben shrugged his shoulders in justification, exclaiming, “You were the one who did this first. Besides, I already know who your favorite sibling is.”

“Wait, what?”

“So, let’s get back to power talk.” Ben continued when he heard you grumbling, “How do you see them? You keep mentioning clouds.”

You finally sighed, making up your mind. “Every person has some sort of smoky cloud following behind in a specific color. All those colors just have a different meaning.”

“What’s mine?”

“What do you think yours is?”

“Let me guess, anger?” Ben smirked, having speculated from all your conversations.

“And green.” You looked at him with a serene expression.

“What’s that?” He arched an eyebrow, smirking mockingly. “Hope?”

“It’s willpower.”

Ben averted his gaze before he hid his smile. “Oh wow, you really know how to build a guy up.” His dark eyes met yours again. “Have you seen yours?”

You could remember the handful of times you saw the familiar colors while passing reflections. “Yellow and violet. Fear and love.”

“Fear and love—” Ben quietly repeated to himself. “What’s that like?”

“Haven’t you ever loved something so much you were afraid you were going to lose it?”

There was hesitation in his eyes. “… Can’t say I have.”

You felt your mind wandering elsewhere as you leaned with your arms against the railing overseeing the lobby. The others had withdrawn for some peace and quiet to make their choices. It was barely half an hour left before the rest would have to reconvene.

Tensing your shoulders, you reared your head. Needing a moment for you to breathe mindfully again.

“Are you here for some peace and quiet?”

If there was one voice you didn’t expect to hear, it was Allison’s.

You didn’t bother turning your head, hoping that Allison could read your disposition that you weren’t good for company. At last, you murmured, “I thought some solitude might do the trick, but I guess that’s out of the window now.”

Her long suffering sigh could’ve bridged the distance. Allison was torn between staying or going before she seemed to make up her mind. She exhaled deeply and took her time in joining you at the banister. “Here we are … another day, another apocalypse. Who’d have thought we’d be here again, huh?”

You had already gone tired from any affectation. “Why are you here, Allison?”

A reminiscent smile tugged at her lips. “You know, there was never any bullshitting with you. No pretending. I kinda loved and hated that about you at the same time. That day at the Sparrow Academy, you saw me. For what I really was. When everything was out in the open, when the others saw what I did, I was … afraid that you would try to influence my emotions and then I was almost anticipating you to when you didn’t.”

Something akin to disappointment rose in you at this recurring notion.

“That’s not who I am. I won’t be subjected to being a painkiller you can just take when you can’t deal with something.” As soon as you said it, you remembered who you were talking to and that there was a 50/50 chance that she would misunderstand and think you meant the reset of her daughter and not anything in general.

Before you could clarify, Allison beat you to it. “I know that now.”

There was hesitance in your eyes when you chose your words carefully. “Why is it exactly you’re wanting to talk to me?”

“You’re probably one of the only people in this family who doesn’t want to kill me … yet.”

It still came out of left field that Allison said that out loud. Despite that you raised your eyebrows at the astute observation of your siblings. “Yet. With some exceptions.” With an exhale, you averted your gaze. “As much as I understand and feel what you’re going through, I can’t cross the line into your darkness.”

“I don’t want you to.”

“Then tell me you’ll be satisfied—happy when all of this is said and done,” you implored.

“I don’t know. I hope so. This rage … it’s all I have left. I’m scared I would fall apart if I just let myself feel things.” With her eyes shining wistfully, Allison continued, “What do you see when you look at me? The truth, please.”

You didn’t need to look at the wisps of smoke to discern the black and red colors surrounding her like an ominous beacon. “Pain,” you inhaled, feeling your chest tightening. “… and rage.”

Allison’s laughter echoed with a choked voice. “True.” She sent you a cursory glance. “Isn’t it strange that with our powers being so similar, our paths still deviated?”

“Well, our powers don’t shape us. We are the ones who choose how we use them.”

“That’s a very black and white perception to have.”

“Only when you’re telling yourself it’s the power making you do bad stuff, instead of the other way around.”

Allison shook her head. Perhaps a part of her felt rattled that you didn’t take the bait and rather painted her in such a light that it was her own doing for becoming a cunning person for misusing her powers like that. “I just don’t get it. How you could remain untainted by all of this. You have no idea what it’s like having someone like you grow up beside us.”

“It’s not like you ever gave me a shot, did you?” You replied monotonously. “Found someone else to blame other than the obvious culprit?”

If it was possible, Allison’s huffing breath elevated her level of frustration even more. “I get it, I’ve been a shitty sister.” Her gaze wandered around in thought. “The thing is, we don’t have a lot of time. You always struck me as this sensible and sorta neutral person, so I guess, I wondered on which side you fell on?”

“The unsurprising one. You’ll find out like the others, don’t worry.”

Not satisfied by that answer, Allison clenched her jaw and licked her lips before she accepted your words with a small nod. Your gut was telling you that she intended to mentally join her side. Her back was already turned to yours when you threw one last shot.

“To answer your question, I never wanted to hurt people with my power. That’s the difference between us. So, either tell me, you know what you’re doing and that you’ll draw the consequences from your actions or promise you’ll find a way back to us.”

There was an added layer with the tension in her body when Allison stopped in her tracks.

“I promise.”

It was unsurprising how fast an hour could pass when time was of the essence. The moment of truth called as soon as the question was uttered whether the other side should be crossed. You sat between Viktor and the just married twosome of Luther and Sloane on the stairs, calmly waiting for Allison to finish her take.

“-which way I’ll be voting. We’ve all been through a lot. We’ve all lost people.” She sent an awkward glance towards Five who leaned against the illuminated pillar. “Mannequins… But their deaths have to mean something. Which is why I’ll be voting to go with Dad.”

Lila’s quiet muttering to Diego, “What she said,” wasn’t as muted as she wanted to believe when your eyes met the two over your shoulder. She hollered, pumping her fist while following Allison’s example when she sauntered to Reginald’s side. “Let’s go save the bloody universe!”

In turn, Diego moved away from the pillar and decisively walked towards the stairs with the rest of us. “All right, well, since she said yes, I vote stay. How’s that for nice?” Diego stared with defiance at Lila, offering a shallow smile.

“I am with Father.” Klaus spoke with a low dramatic voice. He waved his hand at the aforementioned man, with a flower in his palm.

Ben offered Reginald an indiscernible nod at Klaus’ reaction, making you frown.

Sighing at Allison’s gaze, Viktor spoke softly. “Look, I want to believe, okay? I really do.” He waved his hands. “I just can’t shake the feeling we don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into.”

The thunderclap echoing in the distance was a dire warning that time was a rare currency you didn’t have.

Allison crossed her arms, stubbornly refusing to accept his stance. “No, but we know what we’ve got if we don’t. We have to go into this together.” Her imploring stare switched over to the rest still sitting on the stairs. “Viktor.” She smiled softly. “A family.”

Viktor’s body language turned weary and incredulous. “You can’t just keep throwing the word ‘family’ around. It isn’t enough. I vote stay.”

Hugging Sloane from behind, Luther’s hands brushed against her shoulders, gazing at her from above. “Um… Sloane and I talked, and-”

Offering her silent support, Sloane covered his hand comfortingly.

“Well, we’re out,” Luther continued, “Look, we wanna spend whatever time we have left together, and not fighting some guy with a sword and ringing bells and stuff. So…”

“Four in, four out,” Viktor summarized.

“I saw the future, and it told me to sit this one out. I vote stay.” Five arched an eyebrow at Reginald. “It’s time we accept our fate.” Slowly, his head swiveled around until his green eyes met yours. “The moment of truth,” he mumbled as encouragement.

Absentmindedly, you licked your lips in consideration. “We jump from one apocalypse to the next. Maybe I’m tired of jumping into the next one.” You shrugged your shoulders. “Maybe this is supposed to happen, who knows? I’d rather we choose to live or die on our own terms than face something we aren’t prepared for. So, I’d rather stay.”

“This is insane,” Ben exclaimed, waving a hand. “So, you’d rather give up than to even try fighting?”

“Sounds like a great idea—confronting an enemy we know nothing about except it can chop off digits. Sounds like someone to be reasoned with.”

Ben shook his head with a grimace. “You didn’t strike me as a little scaredy-cat. There’s something called strength in numbers, you know?”

His adamancy in trying to change your mind made you frown. “You actually expected me to go pro-Reginald? In what world?”

“Maybe I expected more from you,” Ben hissed in a whisper.

The others revealed a mildly astonished expression at Ben’s reaction to your line in the sand, throwing each other furtive glances.

Diego crossed his arms, wasting no time in standing close to you. “Dude, she said no.”

Ben pointed at Diego as his shoulders tensed from the protective gesture, itching to go toe-to-toe with him. “Don’t call me ‘dude’.”

“I reckon this is final then.” This time it was Reginald who spoke up ever since you offered your perspective.

Once the word final was uttered, Allison scoffed. “You’re all pathetic,” she said, strutting away.

“Why can’t we go in there, just the four of us?” Ben pressed quietly on the subject.

“That would mean certain failure. There must be eight.” Reginald answered. He faced the others in one last speech. “Children, I can’t say I’m happy with this. But I see now the blame falls on me. I failed you when you were young, and I have failed you now. And in doing so, I have doomed the entire universe. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the courtyard… awaiting the end.” With that, it was almost with a pitiful air in which he walked away.

Ben’s hard glare haunted you when he followed his father’s example. “Idiots.”

“Was that a real apology?” Viktor inquired in uncertainty.

Luther remained steadfast, no matter what. “The man’s never apologized for anything in his life.”

With his arms laced together over his abdomen, Diego admitted quietly, “I actually feel bad for him.”

Hearing him offer sympathy compelled you to send him an admonishing, but weary glance. “Don’t.”

Five reinforced the notion. “Don’t worry. It’ll pass.”

The elevator let out an ominous ding with its arrival from your side while you were unlocking your room when something else caught your attention.

“Oh, great work out there.”

Enormous dread made your body freeze, as much as those words of utter sarcasm were to be anticipated. Ben wasn’t the type to just take it without complaining the whole way through. Dropping your head with a sigh, you already let yourself in. Expecting him to barge in anyways.

Not bothering to close the door, Ben started with his rant. “I especially liked the part when you admitted to just accept fate and-” He dramatically spreads his hands in a final gesture, “just give up. Very moving stuff.”

You exhaled heavily, turning around until you were facing him. “What do you want from me, Ben?”

“I want you to give a shit. We had this one shot to come together and face whatever there was on the other side.” Choosing to dip the knife deeper, Ben smirked darkly. “But instead, you decided to blow it.”

“Wait.” You tilted your head when you brought to mind the last few hours. Allison doing her little shtick was one thing but… “You actually—A part of you expected me to go a different route. That’s what you were trying to do before. By going for an Allison maneuver?”

“First, thanks for the compliment. Being compared to the schemer of your family? Not exactly the insult you think it is. Second, I just can’t believe you’d willingly waste the rest of your given time before the apocalypse. Truth be told, I thought you’d pick the smarter choice. Guess I pegged you wrong.”

Your skin started to heat up. The first petals started to fall from the flowers in the vase on the windowsill. A few breaths in and out later, you shook your head.

“Because I don’t see it like you? Because I don’t trust your father? Because I don’t want anyone to die just for his whims?”

Ben’s eyes were blazing with fervor. “He’s been training us for this our whole lives. It has to mean something. This didn’t just fall into my lap. I was chosen for this. To be a Sparrow.”

You chose to confess what was on your mind, as much as it pained you. “You’re breaking my heart. To willingly offer your loyalty to someone who will always have conditions bound to that. You want Reginald to see you?”

You shook your head. “He won’t. As much as it takes me no pleasure to say this, but … he won’t accept you as his equal. No one could ever measure up. Your Dad sees himself far too superior for everyone else. That man follows his own agenda.”

“You think you’re so damn smart, don’t you?” Ben harbored a narcissistic expression. His arrogance and destructive second nature felt like a familiar sting. “Your family is the reason we’re in this mess in the first place. You think I’m just going to accept it when all of you are just wreaking havoc regardless of the consequences? At least our father is actually trying to fix this.”

“I’m just saying, you need to take a step back and listen to your gut instinct.” Your hands hovered in front of you, almost close to touching him. “Reginald does not deserve your undying loyalty when it’s not even warranted. In every universe so far, he doesn’t care about anything other than achieving his own goals. Do you think he would actually lay down his life for you or for Sloane? You deserve more than this. I care about you, Ben. Your sister cares about what happens to you. That has to mean something.”

With his eyes softening, it felt like Ben would step closer. For a few seconds you thought you got to him. Until he clenched his jaw.

“You’re so pathetic,” Ben hissed, shaking his head in derision. “For thinking your opinion matters to me.” His face hardened. “You’re the damn replacement. You probably wouldn’t have been even able to save your Ben, if you had the chance. So why don’t you lie down like a good little corpse and wait for the Kugelblitz to take you. See if I care.”

Tagging: @cherryinsalemverse @mellowstatesmanhandsempath @ravenmoore14 @blackmagicwoman @lelaamela @kit-k4t @callsignwidow @gordorio @rinaarii @mencantaleer @lumpyspaceprincess05

[theother456-stories]

The cruise

Lucas had always had a hearty appetite, but the cruise he’d just embarked on was proving to be a whole new level of indulgence. The promise of “all-you-can-eat” dining had been one of the major selling points, and he had eagerly anticipated it. However, what the cruise line hadn’t anticipated was someone with an appetite like his.

By the second night, Lucas had already established a routine. Breakfast was a seemingly endless parade of pastries, sausages, and pancakes drenched in syrup. Lunch was a buffet of international cuisines, each plate bigger than the last. But it was dinner that truly did him in: a multi-course feast of gourmet dishes, decadent desserts, and his newfound favorite — glasses of rich, creamy drinks that went down smoothly and only encouraged his appetite further. The waiters were beginning to notice him too, giving him nods of acknowledgment as they brought yet another round of entrees to his table.

By the third day, Lucas found himself waddling instead of walking. His once loose shirt now stretched tightly over his ever-growing belly, the buttons straining more with each passing meal. He could feel the extra weight accumulating rapidly, each meal expanding his girth. His belly, once soft and manageable, had grown to a size that even surprised him. It jutted out prominently, round and firm, like a beach ball strapped to his front. The weight of it forced him to lean back in his chair as he ate, each movement becoming slower, each bite heavier.

“I don’t think they factor in me when they say that the dining on this cruise is all-you-can-eat,” he tweeted one night, pausing between bites of a decadent chocolate cake. His fingers had grown pudgy, and even holding his phone had become an effort as his belly pressed forward, almost touching the table in front of him.

His online followers loved the updates. Each post garnered hundreds of comments cheering him on. Some even dared him to see how much weight he could gain by the end of the cruise. And Lucas wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

By day five, the cruise staff had to make adjustments. His appetite was insatiable. He’d begun to notice that every night, a few waiters would hover nearby, seemingly intrigued by his ability to out-eat anyone else on board. And Lucas, in turn, started playing it up, ordering more and more food to see just how far he could push himself.

Each evening, he’d leave the dining hall with his belly so full and heavy that walking became a near-impossible task. His belly had swelled to a massive size, pressing against his thighs as he sat down, forcing him to spread his legs wider to accommodate the bulk. The buttons of his shirt were at their limit, each one straining against the pressure. He had already ripped through two shirts and was now down to the largest one he owned — though he knew it wouldn’t last much longer.

One night, as Lucas sat back after finishing an enormous meal of steak, potatoes, and three desserts, he found himself chuckling. “I’m blowing up like a balloon,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his stretched stomach. The creamy drink in front of him was the perfect nightcap, and as he downed the glass, he couldn’t help but notice the looks of awe from the other diners.

By day seven, the crew had taken to rolling him back to his cabin in a wheelchair. His legs had become too tired, his belly far too heavy to support himself after such massive meals. His once toned figure had ballooned beyond recognition. His belly alone had become a spectacle — it protruded out in front of him, resting heavily on his lap when he sat, and it jiggled with each movement.

On the final night of the cruise, Lucas made his last trip to the dining hall. He had a goal in mind. His followers had been keeping track, cheering him on, and tonight, he wanted to make it count. He ordered plate after plate, devouring everything in sight. The waiters kept bringing more, and Lucas kept eating. His belly swelled even larger, his shirt now unbuttoned completely, unable to contain the massive gut that pressed forward, its skin stretched tight and shiny.

As the night went on, he could feel every pound settle into his body, every bite making him just a little bit heavier. By the end of the night, Lucas sat back in his chair, his belly now resting on the table in front of him. He looked down in disbelief, his massive belly spilling out in all directions, far bigger than he ever imagined possible.

Before he left, one of the staff brought out a scale, something Lucas had requested earlier. The final weigh-in was a moment of anticipation. He heaved himself onto the scale with the help of two waiters. The number blinked on the screen for a moment before settling.

920 pounds.

Lucas let out a low whistle, both surprised and proud. He had boarded the ship a week ago at a relatively fit 290 pounds. But now? He had gained more than 600 pounds over the course of the cruise. As he was wheeled back to his cabin for the final time, Lucas couldn’t help but grin. This had been one wild ride, and he’d leave the ship as the undisputed king of the buffet.

[darklyndivinely]

Let Me Love You

Pairing - Lucifer x gn!reader

Warnings - angst, fluff, talk of death, alcohol use.

Wordcount - 900+

A/N - Doomed by the narrative but choosing to keep going? I eat that shit up every time! Headers by @cafekitsune.

OM!Masterlist • Leave a tip! • Taglist Form • Lucifer Masterlist

“How long are you going to pretend?” you whisper, tracing the shadows the lapis lazuli-coloured fire casts across his face, sleek and wild and volatile in their density. “That this thing between us doesn’t exist? That I’m not hopelessly in love with you?”

Lucifer takes a hearty swill of the Demonus cradled in his hands. His eyes, lidded and opalescent red, connect with yours with the soft, lingering start of a violin solo in the background, and he tongues at the aftertaste of alcohol that lingers on his lips before saying, “Is this not enough? Being serenaded by my beloved music? Bearing witness to my delicate state?”

“What are you so afraid of?” You burrow deeper into the plush of the sofa, the conjoined dynamic heat of the fire, liquor and the outline of his body pressed against yours keeping your lips loose. “Death?”

"Only yours," he replies, voice deeper than usual. "Mine would be a miracle gone rogue.”

The cold of the floor has started to nip at your toes, seeping into sock and skin like algae embracing wet stone. The hearth sputters a burst of blue flame as if to soothe you. “Before or after mine?”

He answers in silence, loud and unsurprising. You shake your head and take a sip of your human poison to quell the uncertain thrill of your next words.

“...Do you, though?”

His eyes are frothing drops of blood in a sea of fire. They flicker infinitesimally downwards to your lips, then straighten, boring intensely into yours like a tantalizing still of the dawning sun that causes harm to the eyes yet coaxes the body to halt anyway.

“You know it.”

“And yet you dare not utter the words.” Disappointment unfurls in your chest like a weed in a flourishing farm.

He roughly pulls at his bottle, only to discover it light and empty. “Are you truly so greedy for those frail utterances to deliberately shy from actuality?”

"I'm only human," you spit, emptying your glass sharply, perhaps to draw attention to the liquor that evades his own flask. The subsequent burn in your throat then that seems to mimic the knot in your sternum comes across as irritating and deserved. "Spare me the condescension on days I grow tired of mute pining."

Lucifer swallows harshly, seeming to push down the words already half-formed on his tongue, setting his lacking bottle aside neglectfully. He abandons his seat and trudges towards his beloved liquor cabinet, plucking forth a bottle of Devildom whiskey which he then uncorks with his teeth and takes a burning swig from. The muscles of his shoulders, clad in his regular black shirt, are bunched from sitting in a cruel wooden chair gazing at papers all day. He lingers by the cabinet for a long while, head turned left to stare in a reverie at the creamy Devildom moon looming beyond the glass windows of his office, a psychedelic rock-esque orchestral piece providing the soundtrack for his musings. The hand clasped around the fresh bottle remains limp by his side, the neck tilted at a dangerous axis.

When he turns, there is an expression of resolution in his eyes. He rests the bottle carefully on the farthest edge of the table and kneels by your socked feet. You straighten in surprise, the sudden movement disorienting to your inebriated senses, and stare at the odd image of him there.

"What are you doing?"

He clasps a hand of yours in his and tugs it towards his lips, feathering upon your knuckles a sweet kiss, then presses the back of it to his forehead, where his black diamond might shine if he were to switch to his more primal form. It seems the thought of it occurs to him too for there's a gust of air that buffets you, two massive raven wings unfurling and curling around your lonesome figure, and the mass of his horns emerging to face you at an exposed incline.

He does not look up as he speaks, voice hazy with an encompassing mixture of regret and realization, "I did not say it, perhaps because it was I who lost sight of actuality within the confusing folds of past and future. You're here, you're real, and though you might say that you shall stay forever we both know you lie. We've wasted too much time already and I apologize for how much of that is a fault of mine."

Lucifer raises his head, his eyes just the littlest bit shiny, and slides your palm to rest over his chest, his beating heart a staccato of vulnerability and discomposure.

"Would you go on a date with me, my love?"

It takes a few moments worth of weighing the significance of the scene that has unfolded before your very eyes before the words come bubbling out of your parted lips:

"Yes. Yes, always."

He shifts forward, retracting his wings and horns and nudges his head into your lap. "Do not worry, I'll ask you again tomorrow."

"The answer will remain the same, Lucifer." You entangle your fingers in his silky black strands, bending over to press a kiss to the naked skin of his nape. "I would love to go on a date with you."

He smiles then, partially hidden by the turn of his head. If he circles a hand around your waist to trace a vague symbol against your lower spine and doesn't detangle from the heat of your body for the next fifteen minutes, then it's no one's business but yours alone.

Taglist - @w01f2 @bookoffracturedescapes

[cafecourage]

Can I have King! Time trying to find Reader who's hiding from him during a gala?

Any interpretation of this is fine! 🥰🥰

Yes ma’am!! And I’m making this targeted. Love you <3

Author smirks at him, “why not? I’ll be at Prince Sky’s birthday party. Find me and maybe I’ll consider your courtship.” It’s a dare Time couldn’t find himself refusing, with all his life he has never met anyone like the benevolent Author.

The day she came into his life the wheels of his fate started to turn once again. Slowly the day to day grind of his immortal life brightens as he had her to look forward to. Time was quick originally to have the Author as an ally, as he was getting too caught up in government work to help his citizens. He trusts her with his kingdom wholeheartedly.

Which is what led him to this problem to begin with. As a dragon by nature Time was greedy, he wanted to claim Author as a part of his horde and court her offically. Techically he has already put a claim on her, but it was more like a way for the castle's staff to know she had his permission to be in the castle.

But now…. now it's different. Time wants to properly court the human, and while he wasn’t regected outright, he wasn’t given a yes. “Fine.” He finally says after a bit, it wouldn’t be fun now to instantly track you down. After all, he has the whole timeline in his hands to watch. “But as to not make this boring for either of us. I won't use my magic, and limit my dragon sense.”

The Author's face went from confident to confusion, but in the end she went with it. What’s the point of a hunt if it's over in 5 seconds after all?

Honestly he wasn’t going to join the ball for all that long originally. His normal routine would have been to say hello to those he knows and leave to more quieter areas. Then when the party dies down reappears like he has been there the whole time and leaves officially.

This party was also going to be the most chaotic one he has seen so far. With not only Author coming in her civilian form. Time was pretty sure he noticed a familiar witch pass by him.

That wasn’t his problem tonight. He silently just wishes Sky luck as the prince was dragged off. Time turns to scan the crowd now that most if not all guests have arrived. Time couldn’t help but wonder if Author was watching him, waiting to see if he would figure it out.

For once Time didn’t know how to start with this, his sense of smell is limited since the room is full of people and dragons. So it was by vibes and vibes alone. Which he assumed it was the point of all of this game. Moving to the buffet table as he wanted a drink hopeful he can get rid of the small migraine he was suffering from.

He was looking through the crowd only half looking for the Author. The night was still young and he still had time to look for her, he watched as Twilight socializes more with people his age. While even though his Nephew was being tormented by his friends in a slightly polite way but Time was proud of. His gaze shifts to the other people on the sidelines.

Someone catches his attention.

A royal blue he was familiar with flutters and weaves through the crowd almost making a bee line to the balcony. Time’s curiosity peaks as most of the time if someone did that something happened. He put down his wine and head out to follow the lady. Mainly just incase something did happen he could let Sky know. The prince is a no nonsense person so he wouldn’t want anyone to be harassed at his own party.

The cool air was a relief to his small headache, it was nice to have peace and quiet. Time reminded himself he wasn’t here for peace though. He looks around for a second before noticing a small figure in the corner resting on a bench. He wanders over causally as he tries to assess the situation. The Lady doesn’t look hurt, or sad, or angry. She just looked tired. Her dress while Time couldn’t confirm due to poor lighting also looked fine so he could check harassment off for now.

“Mind some company?” He asks gaining the attention of the other guest.

She looks up at him wide eyed before straighten up. “Of course your highness.” She said softly as she moves to the side for him to sit.

“Please don’t worry about formalities.” Time saids as he sits downs “is everything ok?” He asks as that was the reason why he was here.

“No!” She looked panicked a bit “I mean… I’m just tired. I haven’t been to one of these in a while.”

Time hums and looks at the windows into the ballroom. “Understandable. I don’t particularly like these types of events either.” He shrugs “but I am here for my boy and friends. Unfortunately I can’t leave.”

This earns a small laugh from her that made his heart flutter a bit. “I guess even the King needs to let his hair down.” She said looking up at him with a small sparkle in her eyes.

Time’s brain had to reboot itself as he knew this person. He didn’t realize his scent is on her because he was so overloaded from being inside. “May I ask why are you here?” He said not giving away much but his suspicions were growing.

“I was going to meet someone here.” She whispered as if she was worried about something. “But I couldn’t find him.”

“Ah…” That made him feel a bit guilty “I am sorry… for making you wait then.”

“Huh?” They locked eyes, she was in shock while Time couldn’t figure out why. He had already claimed her as apart of his treasure. Courting or not Author was special to Time. He loved her and she helped his kingdom. That realization must of dawned on her. “YOU CHEATED!” She accused him, which made Time burst out into laughter.

[pomplalamoose]

Could we please get some sith luke x reader hc’s?🤞

Me as soon as I saw your ask:

There is in fact nothing that'd make me happier, nonnie!

Sith Luke headcanons were one of the first things I ever wrote for Luke before even creating this blog so I'M SO EXCITED🩵🩵

(check them out here)

• deciding to date Sith Luke is not a choice you should make lightly 

• (if he gives you the chance to anyways)

• depending on where you meet and how you catch his eye, he will either lure you in with his charm, seducing you with all he has

• or, alternatively, just straight up kidnap you 

• once he has acquired you however, there's no chance he'll ever let you out of his clutches again

• he possibly allows you the illusion of free will but know that he's the one holding all the threads 

• just like his father he is a very good manipulator 

• because he doesn't want you to even think about leaving, he likes to twist your mind to get what he wants, to keep you with him 

• you may not have the chance to leave anyways but that doesn't mean he wants you to find out about that in the first place 

• you're supposed to love him with every fiber of your being!

• he's all you have, the center of your universe!

• stay with him and never again will you need or want for anything 

• he will make sure you have it all

• you won't realize the door to your golden cage closing in your face until it's too late

• in the same way he's as fiercely protective as he is possessive 

• you aren't allowed to go anywhere without him by your side 

• and due to his threatening person being always somewhere near it's practically impossible to engage in a normal conversation with someone outside of his immediate family 

• he tends to be wary even of them 

• he doesn't want you to engage too much with others, afraid another man or woman will catch your fancy, no matter if it's in a platonic or romantic way 

• he is the only one you will ever need

• everyone making an effort to come close to you will end up on his radar

• and then they will randomly disappear?

• no, he really can't tell you why all of your new friends keep vanishing like that 

• maybe you should've just listened to him and stayed away 

• there's no one but him who has your best interest in mind after all

• the galaxy is full of unreliable and dangerous people, stay away from them 

• while he enjoys showing you off on his arm, parading you around as his most priced possession and reveling in the way it sparks jealously wherever you appear, he can change his mind about it just as quickly 

• yes, they may take a quick look, but ultimately you are his and his alone to enjoy

• he will make this very clear by always having his hands on you 

• one might rest on your lower back or on the back of your neck 

• maybe he's holding your hand very tightly in his, refusing to let go

• if you want to check out the buffet or step outside to look at the scenery you will simply have to ask (beg) him

• don't worry though, if he's in a decent enough mood it's not hard at all

• cling to his arm and flutter your lashes at him 

• leave a shy kiss on his cheek 

• whisper in his ear 

• he won't be able to deny you anything 

• not when you're so clearly putting on display to whom you belong 

• and to make this even more obvious he'll always leave his marks on you

• if they fade, he'll make sure to re apply them

• he expects you to wear them in the open like jewelry 

• don't you dare covering them up with either make up or clothing 

• Sith Luke is dominant in every single aspect and always, without fail, has to have the last say 

• the more easily you succumb to his will the better

• he may not straight up order you to do things a certain way, but you'll learn fast enough what pleases and displeases him 

• this is not only in regards to how you wear your hair and how you dress but how you behave as well 

• he decides what you do to your hair in the morning, as it's his habit to play with it 

• when he has the time he personally picks your outfit

• if he doesn't you'll have to ask him whether he likes what you choose, sometimes having to change several times until he's finally satisfied 

• he decides what and how you eat and especially enjoys handfeeding you when he's not too busy 

• if you lick his hand extra clean after you are allowed to pick a favorite dessert of yours 

• he expects you to wait for him when he returns to your shared quarters after a hard day, no matter how late it is 

• receive him with open arms 

• tell him how much you missed him 

• cover him in kisses and your affection 

• don't leave his side, follow him wherever he goes 

• offer to take off his shoes for him

• offer to help him change into something more comfortable

• ask him about his day and listen closely 

• stroke his face and be sympathetic as he a answers

• offer to run him a relaxing bath and to wash his hair 

• offer to massage his sore muscles after

• beg for him to hold you close 

✨ slight nsfw content under the cut✨

• as interested as he is in what you're wearing, he likes it most when you're not wearing anything at all

• not only does he enjoy the lovely view but most of all the easy access, that he can have what he craves most at any time 

• drape yourself over his bed clothed in his long black cape like a present for him to unwrap and he's more than eager to fulfill every wish you might have 

• but be careful, you might not be always alone with him as he often tends to have visitors over 

• don't you dare let yourself be seen in any state of dress until he specifically asks you to join them

• he likes watching you take a shower and does so regularly 

• for once he won't tell you what to do, instead leaning back and drinking in your wet and soapy body

• he'll sometimes ask you to turn a certain way so he can get a better view though 

• maybe a shampoo bottle will slip from your grasp, you'll have to bend down to retrieve it 

• oh, it happened again? You really are a little clumsy today

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

How would the Ganondorfs (Wind Waker, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Hyrule Warriors, and Tears of the Kingdom) & Demise react to Deadpool?

Deadpool: (smiling and cracking his knuckles as he approaches the Gerudo Warlords and Demise) “Well, look who’s here! Six Ganon-daddies all lined up like the villain buffet at a gamer’s Thanksgiving! Oooh, and the big scary one with the glowing hair! Are you the OG? The ‘daddy daddy’ of all these ‘Dorfies?’”

Wind Waker Ganondorf (Wake):

Wake crosses his arms, peering down at Deadpool with an arched brow, half-curious, half-amused.

Wake: “Do you ever stop talking? Or does your voice run on some kind of enchanted battery?”

Deadpool: “Enchanted battery?! This vocal powerhouse is 100% all-natural, baby! Brought to you by fourth-wall-juice and pure, unadulterated caffeine!”

Wake: (sighing but slightly entertained) “You're either a master of chaos… or the village idiot of your world.”

Deadpool: (grinning) “Both, but hey, you get the sword-wielding, pirate-loving, smack-talking pirate vibe! We should team up sometime, maybe hit up a karaoke bar?”

Wake raises a brow, half-amused, half-perturbed by the idea but not entirely dismissing it, though he’s trying to hide a slight smirk.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf (OoT):

OoT Ganondorf glares coldly at Deadpool, one hand hovering near his sword, prepared for an attack if necessary.

OoT: “Fool. You presume far too much. Do you know who you’re speaking to?”

Deadpool: “Oh, I do! You’re, like, the OG OG! The ‘make-Hyrule-a-dark-realm’ guy! The original Green Machine! Ooooh, I’m getting chills just thinking about your legend—except for the part where you, y’know, lost to a ten-year-old twice!”

OoT: (face turning a deep shade of crimson) “Choose. Your. Next. Words. Carefully.”

Deadpool: “Ooo, tough guy alert! Wanna go get some rage therapy together? I know a guy. Or, ooh, even better! I’ll be your rage therapy!”

OoT clenches his fists, completely exasperated, but somehow, Deadpool’s audacity leaves him baffled enough to prevent him from fully unleashing his wrath.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf (Noctis):

Noctis takes a few slow steps toward Deadpool, his face an unreadable mask, and his aura downright intimidating.

Noctis: “Strange… You laugh in the presence of death?”

Deadpool: (leaning in, waggling his brows) “Death is an old friend of mine! We go way back. Fun fact, I’ve dated her sister. You’d probably love her.”

Noctis: (clearly unimpressed) “You would do well to silence yourself. Or I’ll do it for you.”

Deadpool: (smirking, crossing his arms defiantly) “Well, try me, Nocty! I’m a regenerating chatterbox, and honey, you wish you could get rid of me!”

Noctis grimaces, barely restraining himself, but he finds himself more intrigued than he’d like to admit, wondering how Deadpool’s regeneration could be “repurposed” for something far less obnoxious.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf (Hedony):

Hedony surveys Deadpool, an amused smile playing at his lips as he looks the mercenary up and down.

Hedony: “Hm. A jester with a death wish.”

Deadpool: “Yeah, but, like, a really sexy jester, wouldn’t you say? Love the hair, by the way. Do you style it yourself, or does your hairdresser also do evil overlords on the side?”

Hedony: (chuckling) “You’d do well to amuse me more, little fool. You might survive a moment longer.”

Deadpool: (grinning) “Anything for you, Big Red! Wanna hear a joke? Why did the Triforce cross the road?”

Hedony: (eyeing Deadpool with a smirk) “Because it was fleeing from you, I assume?”

They share a laugh, albeit for very different reasons. Hedony finds Deadpool’s antics a welcome entertainment but silently wonders if this “mercenary” would actually fare in a fight.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf (TOTK):

TOTK eyes Deadpool with utter disgust, as if he’s staring at something beneath his notice.

TOTK: “Insolence… You dare speak so casually to a king?”

Deadpool: “Who, me? I’m sorry, did I miss the part where you actually won? ���Cause last I checked, you keep ending up in the ground—literally!”

TOTK: “Another word from you, and I’ll see to it that you never speak again.”

Deadpool: (mock-saluting) “Yessir, Your Highness of Grumpy Town, population one!”

TOTK looks like he’s about to lose his last ounce of patience, but Deadpool’s obliviousness is so astounding he’s left bewildered, his usual anger momentarily disrupted.

Demise:

Demise, towering over everyone, stares down at Deadpool with a deep, unyielding hatred, sparking fear even in the merc’s normally fearless heart.

Demise: “You are nothing to me. Another insect begging to be crushed beneath my heel.”

Deadpool: (Huge grin) “Oh, big talk! Ever tried a sense of humor? I hear it’s great for the soul. Not that you, uh, have one, right?”

Demise: “Do you think yourself immortal? Your existence ends now.”

Deadpool: (laughing nervously, backing away) “Whoa, slow down there, Giganto! I’m a lover, not a fighter… usually. But hey, you’d be amazed how many people love my type of big bad evil energy, and I mean, wow—you are nailing it.”

Demise’s sheer presence finally leaves Deadpool a little less bold and a little more in survival mode, but Deadpool’s parting words still echo as Demise silently considers the idea of obliterating him right there and then.

Final Moment: Deadpool: (whispering to himself as he edges away) “Okay, that’s five really angry sword-wielding villains and one towering embodiment of death. Maaaaybe I’ll take a raincheck on that evil overlord team-up thing.”

The Ganondorfs and Demise watch him disappear, each secretly baffled but half-amused, their former grudges for a brief moment displaced by the baffling experience of the “merc with a mouth.”

[ironwoman18]

Rather Be - Part 9

Chapter 9: A night to remember

That week after mother's day, Loid made at less one thousand plans for his date with Yor but some of his ideas weren't satisfying enough for him.

He was really considering asking other females at work to know what they could suggest to him but of course he wouldn't ask Nightfall. She had been showing an unhealthy interest in replacing Yor and he was happy with her as his partner as the mother of the Forger family.

Besides, he noticed the butterflies he felt in his stomach everytime she kissed his cheek or when they held hands or when he kissed her cheek, in other words, every time they touched.

He never felt something like this in his life. He had been with many women before but none of them made him feel like this. 

He called Mrs. Norris, one of the elderly nurses.

“Doctor Forger, is everything okay?” she asked in a kind tone and warm smile.

“Well... Last Sunday, I gave my wife a beautiful dress and she made me promise to take her on a date so she can use it, but...” He said blushing.

“But you have no idea where to take her right?” He nodded and she laughed “one of the smartest doctors but when it comes to his wife you are a dummy” she said with a kind smile.

“I want to take her to a nice place, but I'm not sure where. Last time we watched a movie and had dinner but I don't want to repeat myself or over do things”

“I see...” She said then she checked in her pocket and handed it to him “there will be a special night at the botanic garden. They brought a collection of flowers that bloom at night” she sighed “If only my dear Argus was still alive I would take him too”

“This seems amazing and very interesting” he looked at her and dared to ask “What happened? If you don’t mind”

“He was a stubborn man and hated doctors so it was too late when they discovered he had cancer. He died last year. He was a brave man and he fought in that terrible war... I was one of the lucky women and also our son and daughter who had her husband and their father back”

Loid looked down sad “Yeah you definitely were lucky. I lost my mother and father because the military dropped bombs where I lived...” he said in a cold tone.

“War is terrible. Young people don’t understand how terrible and how much you can lose in war” she said looking down remembering what she heard that morning on the radio. There are still people wishing to fight in a war.

“Sad but true” he said looking at her, remembering also those college kids he faced who were trying to send bomb dogs to his first ministry.

“I’m sorry I killed the good mood. You were planning a date and I started to talk about sad things...”

“Don’t worry Mrs. Norris, I don’t mind. It’s a touchy subject but if we forget about it, our young people will forget about it and won’t let future generations actually smile and be happy... like my daughter”

She smiled and patted his shoulder “You are a good father and husband, a little distracted but a good one” he blushed softly “See you later Doctor” she left his office and Loid smiled watching her leaving then looked back to the paper she handed him. 

This was perfect and it said it will have a buffet after the exhibition is over. He smiled and looked at the door and there was Nightfall.

“What can I do for you Ms. Frost?” he asked, looking at her.

“I have the file of a new patient Doctor Forger” he walked to her and grabbed the file, it said he had a new mission on... no way... “I can’t take it... I’m sorry. I have something planned for Operation Strix”

“Like...?” she said it, even colder than usual.

“I have a date with Yor” he said matter of factly “Part of this mission is to keep my partner happy and so we look like an actual married couple”

Fiona Frost looked at him, not believing he was just doing this for the mission or to keep Yor Brier happy, in her heart she could notice how her dear Twilight was falling for that woman, and she knew it had been her if she was free when he found out he needed a wife.

“There are no other agents available for it” she lied, she was free but she wanted to focus him back on his role as a spy.

“I will have to talk to the Handler so she can look for another agent. They all know my operation is a top priority” he said.

She cursed under her breath “Fine... I will do it, but don’t get attached to those two. You aren’t like that...” she said, turning around with tears in her eyes but her voice remained calm then she left without another word.

“There’s nothing else I can do or say” she thought “he has feelings for her...”

After that Loid made sure to rent a car for them to take them to the botanic garden and back home. At six he went back home.

“I’m home” he said as Anya and Bond ran to him.

“Daddy!! Today I had a good answer to a math problem!” 

“Oh really?” he picked her up and hugged her “I guess the classes with Grandpa Sig are working” she nodded smiling.

 “Yes, they are. I think Anya is already understanding it” said Yor from the kitchen “just like I’m doing with the cooking classes” she said smiling.

“Yes, I agree” he smiled back, then he hung his coat and his hat, then went to help Yor with some of the seasoning or to peel a potato, a task she still seems to struggle with.

When dinner was done, the three of them sat down and ate while talking about their day. 

When they finished dinner and their dessert, Loid sent Anya to brush her teeth while he washed the dishes then he would read her a story.

The little girl did it while he was in the kitchen. After finishing, Loid went to her bedroom and read to his daughter one of her favorite stories, doing voices as she liked until the little girl fell asleep.

And when she did Loid went to the living were Yor was reading. He sat next to her.

“Story with voices?” She asked, looking at him from the corner of her eye.

“Yes, she knows I'm good at that since I changed my voice for a dwarf in one of the stories, now she wants me to do it with each character” Yor laughed “hey! Don't laugh, it's hard to do voices” she laughed more and he followed her laugh.

After a full minute laughing they were taking deep breaths trying to calm themselves “it's really sweet of you to make those voices for her and some are kind of cute”

“I never imagined myself doing it but I guess that's a great way to make a little kid happy, right?” the black haired woman nodded “and I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me this Saturday?” He asked, blushing a little.

“I would love to,” she answered blushing.

When Saturday arrived Loid was lucky because Anya was invited to go to Becky’s house again so he and Yor won't be worried about the time or dealing with Franky’s annoyed face.

They took Anya to the Blackwell's car then both parents went to their apartment and had calm morning doing some cleaning then a little bit later each took a shower and went to get dressed and as promised Yor wore her new dress with her heels and she applied a little makeup then she walked out to find Loid wearing a black jacket and pants with a white shirt black tie.

He looked as handsome as ever, she realized he matched her dress with his own black suit. 

On the other hand, Loid was in awe watching her, she looked really beautiful in that dress. The women at the tailor's shop knew exactly how to make a dress that fixed her body like a glove.

She noticed his blue eyes were watching her from head to toe and she blushed harder.

“Are we done?” She asked.

“Yes, we are” he offered his arm to him “I think you will enjoy what I prepared for you”

He led her to the door and opened it for her then they walked downstairs and by the time they reached the street a car appeared in front of them.

Then a man opened the door for them “Sir, madam” he bowed softly then watched as Yor got in, then Loid got in the seat in front of her.

The driver got in and drove to the botanical garden putting some soft music on the radio as he drove.

Loid and Yor chatted as he explained his plans. They will have lunch at the plaza and at four they will go to the garden to each ten flowers they brought that only bloom at night.

Yor was excited because she loved the flowers and having a whole exhibition of them will be amazing.

Loid also told her how he got the idea. She felt sad when he mentioned the story about Mrs. Norris’ husband but at least she moved on and lives at peace now with the absence of her husband.

When they arrived the driver once again opened the door for them and promised he would be there at eleven. Anya will have a sleepover so they were relaxed about their daughter’s sleep time.

He led her to a nice restaurant close by and had a seat outside. They ordered and continued to talk.

Yor truly loved when they were all together but for some reason today she was more happy about having Loid all by herself because she wanted to understand this feeling she has when he touches her hand or when she catches him looking at her when he thinks she doesn't notice it and what is this feeling she has when she looked at him, something she never felt for other men.

They ate and enjoyed each other's company. It was fun and relaxing. Loid was looking at her from time to time trying to read her expressions but as it happens to Anya, he was unable to do it. They were the only people he had never been able to read. And in a way he liked it. He liked the challenges and this one was one.

After eating and paying they left for the botanical garden “have you ever heard of the flowers that bloom at night?” She asked.

“Yes I did but never watched one, so this will be my first time” he smiles at her “and you?”

“I heard of them but never watched them” he smiled after what she said.

“Then this will be our first time watching flowers at night” he said and she smiled nodding at him.

Loid paid for his ticket, this gave them full access to the exhibition and the buffet at the end of the tour. 

“Welcome everyone to the first day of our exhibition of night flowers. This collection of flowers are from all over the world and they are all beautiful and we are sure you will love them. Most of them bloom at night but some will bloom early like at twilight or at four or five” all the people nodded.

They gave them a brochure and at four, they stood in front of it and the guide said “Here we have the Four O'Clock Alba, true to its name, this flower starts unfolding its petals in the late afternoon and remains on display through the night. This airy, bushy perennial—which features large white blossoms against deep green foliage—also unleashes a light citrusy scent that fills the evening air”

“Wow... They are beautiful” said Yor watching how the flowers bloom before her eyes and their smell hit her nose “and the smell is just like the guide said''

“Most definitely, they are amazing,” added Loid, smiling.

The guide was next to an expert checking their watches and the flowers to call the people to check them out. And at six they called the people and the guide said “Next in our tour we have the Evening Primrose, which begins its show just as the sun starts to set and continues through the late evening. It's a perennial that blooms from spring through late summer and has an interesting appearance with rosette-like flowers that bloom atop a tall stem covered in soft hairs”

"They begin to open up before the twilight hours in the most delicate pink-and-white colors," added Hedwig Winston, their botanical expert "I love primrose for their ease of care. They are a very hardy plant and look wonderful in most gardens.”

They all stayed there watching in awe the beautiful flowers. Some new people were arriving watching each flower group and taking photos. Loid decided to bring his camera and take beautiful photos.

At night the rest of the flowers started to bloom so the guide led them to each one. 

“Here we have the Moonflower, which is the nighttime sister to the beautiful morning glory, only it comes alive under the evening stars” 

"These creamy white blooms open in the evening and only stay in bloom at night," said Gabe Sanders, an expert of the botanical garden, he continues saying "I'm partial to any morning glory because of their delicate shape and how they drape around a garden. They are just so stunning, and I think the uniqueness of this one only adds to their allure.” 

All the people took photos of the flowers. Loid was making sure Yor was in each photo he was taking of the flowers, he asked another couple to take a photo of them. He did it by the twilight flower, since they shared that moment of the day.

After some more photos, the guide took them to the next flower “now this is the Night Phlox is a captivating flowering plant that's native to South Africa” 

"Its blooms resemble small daisies and release a sweet and honey-like fragrance after the sun goes down," said Eric Garden, another expert, and owner of some of the flowers, then he added "The leaves form a dense, low-growing clump that looks lush and green." 

“If you want to have them in your own garden, this is an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers”

They continued the tour around the botanical garden watching flowers like the Gardenia or the Night Blooming Jasmine, they also watched the Mock Orange.

“This the Casa Blanca Lily, for a magnificent flower that blooms at night, look no further than the Casa Blanca lily. As its name suggests, this perennial produces large white blooms with red-brown anthers, dazzling passersby all summer long. These blossoms sit atop a tall, rigid, and leafy stem. Like other lilies, its flowers are toxic to pets, so make sure, if you want to have them at home, to keep them out of reach of your furry friends”

“It's so sad Bond couldn't have a nice look of them, I know he's smart but he wouldn't know this before flower could be lethal for him”

“Yes but I don't plan on having a garden in our small apartment,” he said, half joking and half serious. Yor laughed and nodded.

“I'm agree, as much as I love flowers, they belong to a beautiful place like this one or a big garden”

“Now there is the Queen of the Night Cactus, a flowering variety native to North America's Sonoran Desert. Their white or yellow blossoms are large and trumpet-shaped and sit in stark contrast to the tough, prickly cactus exterior” 

"Chances are, you've seen this cactus and had no idea its real beauty was best seen at night," said Garden, the expert. "For anyone in the Southwest, this is a great, low-maintenance choice to give variety to a garden or landscape."

And he was right, one of Twilight's missions took him to North America and he ended up in a desertic zone and he witnessed those cacti at night but it looked so boring and not as pretty as it looks right now.

“I will take some pictures and show them to Dawn, the agent who was with me, back then” he thought, smiling softly.

“The last flower in our tour is the Nocturnum Orchid. Those living in a wet, tropical climate can enjoy the beauty of the aptly named Nocturnum orchid. It produces long, dark green foliage and otherworldly white blossoms that take on a peculiar shape. What's also remarkable about this night-blooming flower is its intoxicating fragrance. It's been described as a fruity flower akin to strawberry or raspberry”

The nice smell of that flower hit Yor and Loid and they were fascinated by it. They took some more photos and smiled as a nice man accepted to take a picture of them “You should kiss” suggested the man “Because I believed you are married” they blushed softly but Yor, who was always to one with the less courage did something unexpected and kissed his cheek but way too close to his lips that tricked the angel to look like a real kiss on the lips. They blushed deeply and the guy, happy with his photo, left them.

“This has been a beautiful evening. Surrounded by  beautiful and breathtaking flowers” said Yor blushing a little and smiling big at her husband “thank you for this beautiful night”

He blushed softly “I'm so happy that you liked this. I was looking for the perfect evening for us” he smiled at her “and the last part of the date will a buffet at the end of the exhibition” 

“Oh! Sounds great” she laughed and he led her to the restaurant in the garden. It had a couple of people in there so they took a tail and they got what they wanted and went to a table.

They ate and talked about the tour and how interesting it was. Loid could tell she was into the theme of flowers, but somehow he doubted she could keep them alive, you could call it a gut feeling.

He picked dessert for them and the place started to get crowded so they were happy to be there earlier and be able to eat first.

“This place is beautiful and I would love to bring Anya, maybe not to see this particular exhibition because it's too late for her but other exhibitions could be nice for her, and maybe ask the Blackbell’s to let Becky comes too”

“That's a great idea” he smiled “I will ask them, I wrote their number down” Yor clapped excited and smiled big at him.

At eleven they left the building after buying something at the gift shop for Anya and Bond and some decoration for their house. They headed to the plaza and she held his hand as they walked, this action felt so right to both of them and they were comfortable by that action.

They arrived just in time and opened the door for his passengers and this time Yor talked to him really animated about everything they watched there. She sounded so happy that Loid thought about Mrs. Norris and how he would give her one of the gifts they brought at the store to thank her.

They got home and after getting out Loid and Yor walked in and went to their rooms with a big smile on their face and Loid was expecting the next day to reveal the photos they took that day.

OOooOOooOO

I hope you like this. I would like to add that I got the information about the flowers using the Martha Stewart website.

[hopeforkitten]

what is sleepy sex in the middle of the night for us, then a night snack for Haarlep?

Yes. the night feast and the consequences of sex with an incubus

She was tired after her usual weekday, and after that she was devastated by the appetite of her beloved incubus. Still, the day was over, and the prospect of a long sleep quite palpably surrounded her with the warmth and softness of their bed.

However, the sweet dream was not as long as I wanted. In the middle of the night, the girl woke up to Haarlep's persistent stroking. She frowns, tries to open her eyes, which persistently require sleep. She barely has to start moving to turn to Haarlep, as his leg slips between the girl's legs and with a jerk she finds herself lying on her back while the brazen incubus continues its unscheduled offensive.

"Haarlep... you've already got yours today,"

the girl mutters, barely opening her eyes. Haarlep runs a string of wet hot kisses from her belly to her neck. She barely slows him down, leaning her hands on his hair, then wrapping them around his broad shoulders.

"I know, darling, I know," the Incubus whispers sweetly, without taking off her neck. "But I'm still hungry. Therefore, if you, delicious thing, let me do it again, I will be so grateful to you." The velvety meow of Haarlep seems to be able to persuade anyone.

"But I'm so tired...

"Of course dear. Therefore, I will be the most gentle and delicate, you can even continue your sleep. Just let me."

Haarlep settles comfortably between her legs in advance. If match the stubbornness of the incubus, it is expected that he will lick her face like a joyful dog, but his touches on her face are the most gentle, and kisses do not even seem to block her air.

"If you let me sleep, that's fine."

Haarlep's eyes sparkle.

"Great honey, then close your eyes," The incubus kisses the girl deeply, plunging her into such a desirable dream.

~~~

The girl wakes up closer to noon and discovers with displeasure that she did not sleep that night. She sits up on the bed, her hair is disheveled, her eyes hurt and her limbs ache. In a small room, it is easy to notice Haarlep, who enthusiastically wipes the shelves of the closet. He turns at the rustle of the sheets.

"Oh dear, you're awake!"

In the sunlight, he looks like the most innocent and happy creature in the world. As if his excellent health was not the result of the girl's nocturnal ruin.

With an almost bouncing gait, he lands behind her, leaning her against him as if she couldn't hold herself on her own. Which may have been the case.

"How are you feeling?"

He coos and tucks strands of hair behind her ears.

"I dare say there was more than one at night."

The girl barely turns to him and says with feigned resentment.

"Well, a lot can go wrong if you leave a hungry person in a buffet full of food."

He barely makes excuses, tracing circles on her shoulders with his fingers.

"But don't worry, honey, today I will surround you with the maximum of care."

He slides off the bed and goes to the door, thinking along the way.

"I can provide you with a fragrant bath and also bring your favorite flowers and..."

He turns to her at the very door. It's hard not to love this face, the young face of Raphael with pronounced soft cheekbones that rose even higher when the incubus smiled. Haarlep hangs slightly by the handle and looks at her playfully.

"What would you like for breakfast?"

[whosxafraid]

She's A Rolex

Starter requested by @ifyoucatchacriminal

Banging.

That's the first thing that should have told him something was fecking wrong. But up until three seconds ago he was dead asleep--closer to the actual than the metaphorical to boot. And now he's shuffle footing it to his front door. Half fell down the god damn steps before getting to the lock. Half a dozen curse words not in English before he's slinging the god damn thing open. Green and off yellow going wide as he stares down at the face staring up at him.

"Watch?! Lass, wha--?"

No time. Let me in.

And he's on alert in a fraction of a second. Gaze tearing from her to the outside. The outside where the rain is coming down in sheets. The scent of everything sub-duded. Muted. Muggy if he had to put a word to it. And he hates that. Hates that in spades. But where scent is not helping him sight and hearing attempt it. But there's too much movement from the rain and too little of it anywhere else. And its roaring like a dragon thrice pissed. So it's with only so much caution that the door slams shut behind her. Every lock from the top to the bottom shoved into place.

And hand that only dares hover at the small of Watch's back as he ushers her through the space he uses as a garage. Passed the SUV, van, and motor bike, all unmarked, all unassuming and as black as the void in which they sit. Onward up the steps he directs until the next door behind them is pulled closed. And from there she sheds shoes and socks while he takes her coat.

His guest allowed to venture out into the living room of his abode. A living room buffeted on two sides by floor to ceiling windows. Similar sized bookshelves that stand upon either side, in between and along the length of the opposite wall. Watch moving to collapse upon the couch at the center of the view while Luka digs up a towel, blankets, something to eat and drink. And by the time it is all said and done? She looks far better than she did when the banging began.

"Ye go' toi'me now, lass?"

She nods. A breath taken. A wary look at the windows. He knows she knows nothing can touch her here. That glass has stopped stronger things than sniper bullets in and outside of this zip code. And while he will close the blinds if she asks...

I'm being...watched.

He doesn't smile. Not a single lick of amusement to what should have been a slightly funny inside joke to break the tension. But now isn't the time for jokes and there's the slightest chuck of his chin to get her to continue.

I don't know how...or by who...hell I don't even know when it specifically started. I just....things weren't...things haven't been where I put them. Every time I leave the house it feels like there's someone right behind me but every time I try to catch them...

Hands come up as she shakes a frown from her features.

I thought it might have been the nymph you said lives in the tree in my court yard--she's been acting weird. I thought maybe she was sick but she wouldn't talk to me. And then two nights ago...

She wanders away from whatever she was going to say, and he has to redirect. The slightest nudge of a finger against tea mug in her hands now, because anyone that knows Watch? Knows her germophobia cannot handle being touched.

S-sorry uh...t-two nights ago--this is going to sound insane but I--I was working and... I swear I felt someone touch me, Luka. I felt the warmth of their hand the weight of it but the second I turned around...nothing. Nothing but this gut wrenching feeling I was exposed. Exposed like I was in Pa--Paris. I wasn't followed...I checked and rechecked and rechecked again just like you taught me.

And that is all he needs to hear. He promised her what happened to her in Paris would never happen again. And he meant it. It wouldn't. Watch had nearly died that night, and it was not something Luka O'Rian was going to allow to happen twice. And he tells her as much, before getting up. Moving to one of the windows. Phone pulled from a pocket, a number dialing as it settles at his ear.

Because Watch isn't his only "friend" and if there's one thing that all six foot ten and red hair of him is good at? It's finding people that don't want to be found. Especially when they're a threat to his employee and by that measure his own livelihood.

[charlottedabookworm]

#25 - Perpetuity

feat Nadir

i headcanon that the dragons sorta exist a little bit out of time so it's not like they remember the future nadir is from but they have a knowing yknow? they can feel it

anyway genuinely not sure if this makes sense but i've gotta start getting ready for work so it is what it is

direct continuation from #11 - Surrogate

“Speak, mortal, and I shall listen.”

All words flee from his mind in an instant; he does not know what to say. Nadir had assumed-

Master Vrtra had known of his mission. Varshahn had known him, his gaze piercing and familiar as he found him on the beaches outside of his home. “Mine father yet sleeps,” his Satrap’s vessel had said, utterly still as he had watched him. “If thou can awaken him, thou shalt have his aid.”

“I wish thee luck, Nadir bin Pashe,” Varshahn had murmured before vanishing, gone in an instant, leaving only a scale where he had once stood.

The same scale that hangs at Nadir’s neck. The very reason why he had assumed that the Great Wyrm would-

“Speak, mortal.”

“My apologies, I-” Where should he even begin? Where did it all-? Oh. “The stars fell from the skies.”

The Great Wyrm Midgardsormr simply stares down at him, unmoving.

Nadir swallows. “The stars fell from the skies,” he says again, slowly. Even now, he can see it; streaks of light dancing across the skies. It was beautiful, until it was not. “The stars fell and our people- already were we struggling, after the Calamity. Our fields lay fallow, our livestock dying, and then- we do not know how it begun but our people-”

He can hear them screaming. He can hear their bones breaking, their skin tearing, the rush of blood as they changed-

“They changed,” Nadir says quietly, steadily, distantly. “They- transformed.” Their bodies twisting, their aether roiling dark and angry, terror and despair and- “They became monsters. Blasphemies. One after another after another, all of them, creatures and people all falling one by one to despair.”

Midgardsormr, sire of the First Brood, oldest of the Great Wyrms, blinks slowly. “Despair,” the ancient being rumbles. It is not a question.

“Our people burned, Master Midgardsormr, and Master Vrtra- this was the only path he saw forward. I swore to protect our people, to complete the last mission he gave of me. And so I beg of you, please, tell me how I may prevent this from happening once more.”

“Thou dost carry the scent of a Calamity yet come,” the Great Wyrm says. “My people have heard the song, yet not the song that was once sung. Seven children did I sire; one who hath singeth of retribution, while my youngest now singeth of hope.”

Air buffets around him, burning against his robes and skin as the Great Wyrm exhales.

Nadir does not dare to flinch.

Midgardsormr’s head lowers, until the Great Wyrm’s eyes are level with his head. The gaze is piercing and heavy and familiar. “Thou art loyal to mine child, mortal, to stand here even now. Dragons do not forget. Mine child asks for mine aid and so shalt he have it. I rise to join him in chorus.”

In his hand, the scale warms.

He breathes. The screams of his people quiet and the weight upon his shoulders lightens.

“Despair,” Master Midgardsormr says once more, gaze distant and unfocused.

Dragons do not forget, the Great Wyrm said. Nadir wonders what it is that the ancient being before him remembers.

He wonders if it is similar to the horrors that haunt his own mind.

[juliasdowntonstuff]

My dearest Darling

I just posted a new story, this time it will be a multi-chapter fic. I'll try to upload once a week (if university doesn't get in the way too much)

This will deal with loss and grief again and especially the beginning will be rather heavy, so read only if you can or want to!

Short summary: Cora had been feeling unwell for weeks leading up to their trip to France. Back home, she had Doctor Clarkson run some tests and the results are not at all what she had hoped. How will she cope with this new reality, and will she be able to help Robert and their daughters to come to terms with it? This is a *slightly* altered ending/continuation to A New Era

"I won't beat around the bush, Lady Grantham. The test results came in yesterday, but I confirmed them with specialist colleagues in London first before coming here, just to be safe. Though, I am afraid that it really is as bad as we initially feared."

The doctor stood in front of them, clasping his hat in his hands in front of his body. He was most uncomfortable having to relay the bad news. He had so wanted to have been wrong, wanted his colleagues to tell him it was a misdiagnosis, but they had not.

The Earl and Countess both stood there, their hands intertwined, standing so close to each other that their shoulders were almost touching. Neither of them moved or seemed to breathe.

Robert felt all the colour drain from his face, felt his hands getting clammy, and his heart stopping its usual regular beating, now merely stumbling along, or so he thought at least. This could not be, he must have misheard the Doctor's words. This just could not be true.

"So it really is cancer?" Cora asked or rather said, her voice leaving little room for discussion or uncertainty.

Robert didn't dare look over at her. If he did, he was sure he would lose his composure again, just like he did in France when she had first told him of her suspicion. This time, however, they weren't alone, they were never alone in this house – least of all with Doctor Clarkson still standing there. He would not cry in the middle of the great hall of his home, in front of their doctor, not as long as he still had an ounce of willpower left inside his body.

"Yes, my Lady, I have had it confirmed by several other doctors in London, specialists in this particular field of medicine. I wanted them to tell me I had made a misdiagnosis, but they did not. They offered to help draw up a treatment plan for you and are doing that as we speak," the Scottish man replied, a remorseful expression on his face.

The doctor did not know what else to say, and so he waited for both of them to process the information.

After another few uncomfortable seconds of silence had passed between them, Cora found her voice again.

"Thank you for coming all the way here to tell us, especially this late in the evening. Please have yourself some dinner from the buffet. Though I am afraid we don't have any servants out here tonight, they are all busy becoming film stars," she said with a light chuckle, trying to lighten the mood ever so slightly, mostly unsuccessfully.

The doctor nodded curtly and walked to the buffet tables a few feet away to grant the Earl and Countess at least some privacy after having delivered the horrible news.

"Robert?"

He still had not moved, not an inch. He felt hot and cold at the same time. His heart beat fast in his chest, but it also felt like it had stopped altogether. He could feel her delicate hand on his arm, sensed her gaze on his face, but he couldn't bear it. He could not look at her, not without losing it.

Just when she was about to step in front of him as a last resort to gain his attention, a frantic voice rang out from the gallery above them. The loud shrieking snapped him out of his trance-like state.

"My Lord, my Lady. Come, quick!"

It was Denker, his mother's maid. She was waving her arms frantically, trying her hardest to catch their attention.

Oh no, she couldn't, could she? Not today.

Doctor Clarkson spun around on his heel at the noise, searching the gallery above for the source of the noise. Looking alarmed, he quickly followed Cora and Robert upstairs after putting his still-empty plate on the table.

It was not long after that that the whole family had gathered in Violet's room as she was saying her goodbyes. It truly was a good thing that Mary had persuaded her grandmother to move back into the Abbey when she had first talked about her visit with the London doctor. This way, she was surrounded by the people closest to her in her last moments and was not lying alone in her bed in the Dower House.

He stayed strong, not showing his inner turmoil, not even as his mother drew her last breath while holding his hand. He watched his two daughters, who never seemed to have much affection left for each other, clinging to each other and crying in their shared grief over the loss they both felt at that moment.

He felt Cora run her hands over his suited chest and squeeze his arms, trying to reassure him, silently telling him that he was not alone. He knew he should be there for her, should be the one comforting her after her horrible news just minutes before, but he could not move.

Robert did not want to let go of her hand, he couldn't. Not when she had taken his hand in hers on her own accord. She had never done that, not even when he had been but a young boy who had scraped his knees playing outside with the nanny. It had surprised him when she stretched out her frail hand in his direction, and he had taken it without hesitation, running his thumb lightly and delicately over the back of her hand in soothing circles.

She had said her goodbyes to those closest to her, all joined together at that moment, assembled in her bedroom. Even in her death, his mother had kept her wit, and it made it all just a bit easier for him and everyone around, or so it seemed.

And she had said it, said that she had been wrong about Cora. After all these years, she had finally said the words he had longed for her to say ever since he got married almost forty years ago. She had apologised, and they had made peace after so many years, it made him feel glad and gave him some needed comfort in these trying times. And he would certainly cling to this moment, he knew. How the two women most important to him had finally come to some form of understanding, had accepted each other.

Robert had then looked at the doctor hiding away in the corner, not wanting to intrude even more in this private moment. Only then, he had stepped closer and checked the pulse, confirming what everyone had already known was coming with a quick nod. Luckily for Cora and Robert, everyone else was too preoccupied with the proceedings of the evening to question Doctor Clarkson being there at the estate the minute Mrs Denker had alarmed them about Violet's deterioration.

The doctor then stepped out of the room shortly after confirming her heart had stopped, giving them the room to say their last goodbyes as a family, and heading downstairs to tell the staff. He was met at the foot of the stairs by Charles Carson, the former butler, who had been as much of a constant in this house as the now-deceased dowager had been for the last five decades.

Richard Clarkson did not need to say a word, the doctor's grim expression told the former butler all he needed to know. As the doctor left the abbey for the night, Carson went down to start making arrangements with Grassby's to help his former employers – and to tell the staff. They had all been aware of the steady decline of the Dowager's health and knew it was only a matter of weeks when the family returned from the south of France. The day had come sooner than they thought, but it had come, and they were waiting downstairs for any news.

Back in the room upstairs, Robert was the last person left, still sitting in the same spot, everyone else granting him some last moments alone with his mother. He sat there, kept her company and talked to her without a word ever leaving his lips.

He didn't know how long he had been sitting there on his own, and he had not heard the door open and close again.

"Robert, it is time to let go. Come to bed, please."

Cora's voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, but she startled him, nonetheless.

He turned his head to her, his eyes full of unshed tears. She had rarely seen him like this, and it scared her, thinking about their future or whatever it was they would have.

"Give me another minute, please. I need another minute."

His voice sounded hoarse, as if it belonged to a man twenty years his senior, until eventually giving out at the end. He even looked as if he had aged those twenty years within the last three hours, and it broke her heart to see him like this. It broke her heart to think that someday, soon, he would be sitting there again, with her lying still in the bed, him holding her hand and refusing to let go.

She didn't reply, fearing her voice to betray her as well, but walked over to where he was sitting at her bedside. She noticed that had not moved away from his chair.

The both of them looked at the still form on the bed, both lost in their own thoughts, until he finally let go of the hand he had still held firmly in his. He set it down as gently and carefully as he could, letting his big hand rest on her smaller, wrinkled one for a final time.

Robert got up and lightly pressed his lips on her forehead, giving his Mama a last kiss. He straightened his back, and stood at her bedside for another second, just looking down at her, taking a mental image of her peaceful form in the bed. He wanted to remember her, his mother, for as long as he possibly could, especially looking so peaceful in her last moments. There were no lines of worry on her face, only marks of a long, fruitful life.

If he hadn't known any better, he would have thought she had just fallen asleep.

And in a way, she had.