#how to get to Crete

[thatlonelycactus]

If you’re ever feeling insignificant remember that scholars are able to recognize the handwriting of different scribes from Bronze Age Minoan Crete.

Very little is known about the Minoan scribes but we know where different scribes worked based on the handwriting on tablets found at different sites.

Sure, the tablets only really show records, we don’t even know exactly what they are recording but we kind of know who wrote them. We know where they worked and the other things they wrote. Maybe it wasn’t anything significant at the time, and barely significant know, but it’s recognizable. Maybe what they wrote was just as useful as a post-it note on the mirror reminding you to take out the trash. Mundane yet familiar. You know who wrote it by the handwriting alone.

We have the handwriting of people whose profession and culture we can only piece together from the fragments of what history has left us. Something so insignificantly intimate like someone’s handwriting.

[cookinguptales]

that moment when, in your heart of hearts, you know that 95-100% of your readership simply is not pronouncing your protagonist's name correctly

and you also know, in your heart of hearts, that it is entirely your own fault for naming him that. lmao

[thylionheart]

not everything is about Greek mythology, but also what if it kinda is…

Odysseus as the hero in battle against Poseidon in an endless dance of the near eastern storm god battling the sea god motif 😍

Odysseus’ voyage across the ocean, crossing a body of water=crossing into the underworld/netherworld 😍

Odysseus literally visiting the underworld, the storm-god-hero dying or traveling to the underworld and RETURNS, defeating death itself 😍

In the Baal cycle, Baal’s sister Anat- virgin goddess of warfare is his primary ally, sounds a bit like Athena and Odysseus!! 😍

[bunbunbunni]

Oouughh was watching upcoming/demo games w my partner and there was one that looked like if Warframe hard focused on the biotech aspect only and it was grosser (compliment)

[clown-eating-pig]

I really love gertrude robinson bc how often do you get an older woman character who just really sucks? She sacrifices ppl that trust her. She is so focused on keeping the world from ending that she completely doesn’t notice one of her assistants routinely torturing the others. She dismembered a guy. She does her job badly on purpose. She’s cunning and sneaky. She dares her murderous, immortality seeking boss to kill her. She gets murdered by her murderous, immortality seeking boss. She’s not particularly friendly. She somehow had access to plastic explosives. She’s a manipulator and a liar. She’s bound to the avatar of destruction. She helped a guy get rid of a pig by telling him to put it in conk crete. She is like the opposite of a sweet little grandma and that’s beautiful.

[latenightdaydreams]

Minotaur!König

Story from the poll!

MDNI🔞

Master List ✍🏽

>cw: fem/afab, sacrifice, virginity loss, p in v, breeding kink, captive

1.4k word count

🐂

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Eight of you, four men and four women, were selected from the people of Crete as virgin sacrifices. Your father came to you as you washed clothes, grabbing you by your arm and dragging you with him. A disappointment, never married and never left home. He had seen you being a sacrifice as giving your life meaning. No pleading could stop what has already been put into progress. The King wouldn’t change his mind over some young woman’s tears.

In front of a crowd, you stand with your wrist bound, tied at the waist to the other sacrifices. Family members mourn for their loved ones while others just look at the group with empathy, some even amusement. The man beside you stands shaking more than yourself, his eyes wide with fear. If it weren’t for the restraints, he would have probably run away by now.

You dissociate from the moment; your parents are nowhere to be found in the crowd; you’re completely alone now. This is how it ends for you, walking on trembling legs into the labyrinth. One by one, you were released from your restraints and sent into the darkness. A few people run, the adrenaline in their bodies taking over from fear of certain death. You stand, lingering in the pitch black as you let your senses get used to it.

The loud sounds of people screaming in fear echo off of every corner, you can’t seem to point where anyone is. You stumble in the pitch black, keeping your hands out to feel for anything. Once you find a wall, you walk with your fingers grazing the cold stone. Time doesn’t seem to pass through the labyrinth as you aimlessly wander deeper into its depths.

Everything became quiet after a while. No one has stumbled across the beast and your body begins to grow tired from hours of walking. You wonder if there even is a Minotaur, or if this is just some tall tale and you're meant to starve down here; in a way that almost sounds worse. There is no one around you, so you decide to rest. Your body slides down the wall you’ve been following, letting out a deep sigh.

A loud blood-curdling scream pulls you from your slumber. Your body jerks forward as another scream is let out, followed by a beastly grunt. The Minotaur. All you can do is sit there and listen as one of the people that you came down here with are devoured by him. Silent tears fall down your eyes, knowing that will be your fate, eventually.

Eventually, the screaming stops and you're left with only the sounds of footsteps from people rushing to try to find the way out. While you’re consumed with a hopeless feeling, you know you can’t give up just yet. You stand up and push yourself to keep moving forward.

There is an uneasy feeling that washes over you, as if you’re being followed. You keep looking over your shoulder and holding your breath just to try to hear footsteps but there is nothing. The wall leads you to a head end, another solid cold wall in front of you, forcing you to turn around.

“Hello?” You call out into the darkness before you step forward.

A low huff responds to you as König gets closer, his pale blue eyes seeing you clearly in the pitch black. He can sense your fear as he slowly approaches you, yet you remain still. You aren’t screaming or panicking nor attempting to flee. Soon enough the heat radiation from his massive 8-foot-tall frame radiates over your body, a welcomed feeling in this cold hellscape.

You’re surprisingly calm, accepting death as he stands before you. One of his hands reaches out, touching the soft fabric of the dress that drapes loosely across your body. He tugs gently, stripping it from your body. Instinctively, you move your hands to try and cover up your breasts, but he stops you; a low grunt comes out as if he’s trying to communicate with you, but struggling.

König wraps one arm around your waist, and pulls you to him. His coarse fur rubbing against your delicate skin as his musk consumes your nostrils.  He looks down at you, examining your expression before letting his eyes drift down your body. Another low rumble leaves his throat as his hand drafts lower to caress the supple flesh on your rear. König is still half man, his heart aches for companionship the same way anyone else might.

Almost as if he’s scared to hurt you, he lifts you in his arms and sits down with you on the floor. He nuzzles his massive head against your chest, his long tongue lazily licking across the side of your breasts causing your body to react with desire. You try your best to hold back small whimpers as he flicks over your nipple while his hands caress your whole body.

Underneath your lap you can feel his erection twitch, desperate to be inside of you. He lazily begins to rock you back and forth, holding your hips tightly to keep you in place. Your pussy already soaking wet leaves a trail of your sweet juices along his bare cock. A moan escapes you as your leg twitches from how sensitive your clit is, you’ve never been touched like this before and it all felt like heaven; even if it’s from a beastly man. You caress König, feeling his face up to his horns. When he feels your small hand tug on his horn, he lets out a low growl and thrust his hips up more against you.

In a swift motion he leans back more, lifting your body to position the head of his monstrous cock at the entrance of your virgin pussy. A sudden fear comes over you as you’re faced with the reality that you’re about to be taken by a minotaur. What happens if you tear in half from his size? Or worse, have to bear his children.

Your hands press against his chest as thoughts consume your mind. König holds you tightly, not willing to let you go. It’s not often someone is calm enough to let him approach like this and he’s desperate for your love.

“No.” His voice is gruff and low as he speaks, surprising you. “Mine.”

For a moment you pause, realizing he is more human than you assumed him to be. König pushes up as he sits you down; with his eagerness, your comfort isn’t on his mind. A loud crying moan echoes all around you into the tunnels of the labyrinth as he deflowers you. His eyes flutter closed as he feels how tight you are, your pussy fluttering as you try to adjust to having him inside of you.

His hips thrust up into you at a merciless pace, causing your pained moans to continue as loud grunts harmonize with you. It’s not his intention to hurt you, with his inexperience and strong desire mixed together he just doesn’t even think about any pain he could possibly be causing. The others can hear the thunderous slapping of his hips meeting yours, causing confusion across everyone.

König’s tongue leaves a wet trail across your neck as he tastes you, he can feel your body relax in his hands so his grip relaxes as well. Instead of trying to run from his cock, you bounce in rhythm with his thrust. He rests his head back against the wall and lets go of your hips, allowing you to bounce freely. Your hands reach out to grab his horns again, holding tightly as you bounce slowly at first, getting yourself used to the motion.

His legs jerk slightly, the sight of your breast swirling and the feeling of your pussy devouring his cock. The motions you make are so eager, it’s clear that you’re enjoying this; enjoying him. He’s finally found a mate, a wife, and he isn’t going to let you go.

Your hands hold tightly onto his horns as you bounce your ass on his cock. You surprise yourself as your pussy sits almost all the way down on him. His hands gently trace along your body, committing every piece of you to his memory.

As your movements slow to a stop, he can feel your silky walls clenching even tighter around him. He quickly moves forward to lay your body on the icy floor; he draws his hips back before slamming them into you. Your whole-body trembles underneath him as he watches your eyes flutter, such a beautiful sight to see.

Before he cums, he shoves himself painfully deep into you. The thought of keeping you down here and having a baby of his own excites him, even if it’s selfish. His cock throbs, coating your fertile walls with his seed.

[safination]

The Tell

|Masterlist|

Pairings: Alastor x Wife! Fox!Reader TLDR: It's been seven years since you've last seen Alastor, and here he is pretending he doesn't have a tail that tells you how happy he is to see you

This is for @voxtekinc's week 3 prompt: Stop Stalking Me. Many, many thanks to the greatest Rodent ever, @crackrodent, for coming up with the title because I could not. (Fox tail because of Kit.)

Every step that Alastor takes, you take as well. Every corner that he rounds, you round as well. The more steps he takes, the more steps you take. It’s like a funny little dance.

You follow him across the long and unfamiliar hallways of the Hazbin Hotels, passing by different rows of rooms. (Do any of these rooms belong to Alastor?) It’s easy to follow him when Alastor does nothing but walk and walk and walk through these winding halls. Still, you follow and follow and follow him through the halls.

It’s like game you’re playing with your husband. The base of your fox tail curls from side-to-side, forming half hearts with every swish.

Alastor stops in his tracks, and turns behind with dialed eyes. The air glitches around you, and your tail flicks from the look of his eyes. “I can sense you from all the way there, dearest,” he says. “You’re not doing a very good job of hiding from me.”

You step closer to him, a bright smile on your lips as you play with your fingers. “I’m not trying to hide from you, my deer.”

“What are you even doing?” Alastor strikes the floor with his microphone, creting this distance between the both of you. “I told you – I’m busy.”

“I’m not busy,” you say. “So, I’m spending my time with you while you’re off doing whatever it is you’re going to do in this hotel.”

“Go follow someone else.”

“I have no other husbands to follow.” You lean a bit closer with a smile, crossing the line he drew with his microphone. “You disappeared on me for several years! I’m very happy to see you, and I’m taking every chance I can get with you.”

Alastor removes his microphone, and cups your face. His thumb goes up and down the skin of your cheek. It’s been so long since you’ve felt the warmth of his touch. So, if you lean into him more than usual . . . then, that’s your business.

“I’m not going back to our home without you after some tour,” you say, closing your eyes to revel in his warmth. “I would like some time with you as well.”

Alastor smiles that wide smile at you, his shadow towering over your body. “Stop stalking me.”

“I would follow you to the edges of Hell. You should have known that the moment you presented me with a ring.” You stare into his eyes, wide and unblinking. “Had I been any less of a stalker, I would be in Heaven, married to some other fella.”

“We both know that isn’t true,” Alastor boops your nose, leaning down to show off the yellow in his tooth. “You’ve never been able to stop yourself from following after me. Imagine my shock when I found you outside my door with a body.”

You mirror his grin.  “What intrigued you the most—the body or the fact that I found your address?”

“How charming of you, my dear.” Alastor rolls his eyes. “Stop following me.”

“Ha!” You smack his bicep in good fun. “It’s really difficult to leave you alone when you’ve been flirting with me all day.”

“I have not been flirting.”

You lean up, using the tips of your toes, and press one, single kiss on his lips.

Swish.

Swish.

Swish.

Alastor tries to deepen the kiss, but you pull back with the most innocent smile on your face.

The lump behind Alastor’s coat starts to thump between the fabric. The noise is faint, but the hallways is quiet enough. Alastor’s ears flick for a second when he realizes that the swishing sound came from him. Alastor groans into your hair, leaning his weight on you.

You pull away from him, grinning at the way his smile wobbles into embarrassment, and lift the back of his coat. The base of his tail wags in slow movement of left to right. The sight of his deer tail happily swishing cause your own tail to wag like a happy dog.

Alastor presses a hand to his face, grumbling, but still, he allows you to stare into his happy tail. “I should just cut if off.”

“Nonsense!” you say, and the base of your fingers run along the fur of his tail, and you pinch the sensitive base. “I quite like your tail.”

Alastor jumps out, grabbing your wrist with a glare. “Stop it.”

The way he stares into you causes a shiver that straightens out your tail. It settles a type of warmth into your cheeks. Still, your tail happily wags like a dog, curling in the shape of half hearts, as a smile stretches across your face.

“My deer,” you say, and a small giggle escapes you. “This is the most you’ve looked at me today.”

Alastor presses a kiss on the inside of your wrist, and releases it with a smile. He pulls you into a hug, and the moment you return his hug, the base of his tail starts to swish even harder . . . it accompanies your own wagging tail. “You’re quite happy to see me.”

“Why wouldn’t I be happy to see my husband?” You boop his nose. “I would never hide how happy it makes me to see you, my deer.”

Alastor curls into your arms, pressing his forehead on your shoulder. “I’m . . . I’m quite happy to see you as well.”

You tighten your grip on his shirt, as if letting go would make Alastor disappear again.

Still, two happy tails wag together in unison.

[dootznbootz]

Odysseus always trusted Penelope. He was ordered to lie to her and it hurt him to do so. Penelope was distrustful of this stranger until she had absolute solid proof.

There are way too many people talking about how "Odysseus lies to Penelope. What a prick!" and it makes me sad/mad as that's not the case at all

The whole "Odysseus usually always has a reason to lie" maybe upcoming essay aside, He was literally commanded by Athena to not tell anyone. And it was with Penelope that he had the hardest time keeping up the act with. Not only because she's smart af and figured him out almost immediately (that essay coming soon too) but because he was trying to keep himself from crying with her.

I think people forget that he is disguised to look like someone else completely. If a random man claimed to be your missing husband, wouldn't you be scared/freaked out?

Anyways, the 3 most important people in his life are Penelope, Telemachus, and Laertes. He lies to all three.

Telemachus: Lied by letting Eumaeus answer him and still under the orders from Athena, did not cry or reveal himself until Athena allowed him to. (I read it as him being in shock. Last time he saw him, Telemachus' hand could only wrap around one finger and now he's as big as him. a bit shocking to say the least)

Laertes: He teared up seeing him but still decided to question and test his father, not by the order from Athena.

Penelope: He was trying so hard to keep from crying, tried to noodle his way out of lying to her, Under Athena's orders. still couldn't help but basically flirt with her.

Also to get this outta the way: No, it wasn't a matter of trust. He is shown to trust her right away. As this happens even before he gets the chance to speak with Penelope.

Staunch Odysseus glowed with joy to hear all this— his wife's trickery luring gifts from her suitors now, enchanting their hearts with suave seductive words but all the while with something else in mind.

(Book 18, Fagles)

If Odysseus does not trust her, why is he so happy to see her "flirt" with the suitors? It's because he KNOWS what she's doing and knows she doesn't actually want them. If he didn't trust her, he would be upset by this.

Now for the "it hurt to lie to her" bit.

Athena's command:

"Tell not a single person in the palace, man or woman, that you are back from your wanderings; but endure all vexations in silence and submit yourself to the indignities that will be put upon you.'

(Book 13, Rieu)

If you are my son—truly of our blood—                                            let no one hear Odysseus is back home. Don’t let Laertes know or the swineherd, or the slaves, or Penelope herself.

(Book 16, Johnston)

And the people he did reveal himself to, he only did so after being given permission by Athena.

Athene spoke to him. 'The time has come,' she said, 'royal son of Laertes, Odysseus of the nimble wits, to let Telemachus into your secret, so that the pair of you may plot the downfall and death of the Suitors and then make your way to the famous city. [...]

(Book 15, Rieu)

He talks to Telemachus before talking to Penelope.

I’ll stay here, so I can stir the servants even more— and your mother. As she laments, she’ll ask for each and every detail.”

(Book 19, Johnston)

Odysseus is already sweating about having to lie to her

The next part would honestly be me just inserting almost ALL the text for this so I'll go into a summary. It's all in Book 19.

Penelope asks him where he's from. And instead of answering, it's a tsunami of compliments. Calling her flawless. Comparing her to a king. etc, etc,

Probably because he couldn't help himself and had to babble about how wonderful she is Who wouldn't? before finally ending with "Please don't ask me where I'm from. It makes me sad."

Penelope, probably overwhelmed by his praise, immediately goes into how "her beauty left with her husband. It did not. And where did you say you were from again?"

"Fine! I'm from Crete..."

And we all know that as soon as she starts crying, after a lovely description of how her tears "melted", he talks about how hard it was for Odysseus to hold in his OWN tears. Lying to her and being unable to comfort her was painful for him!!!

But though Odysseus' heart was wrung by his wife's distress, his eyes, hard as horn or iron, never wavered between their lids, so craftily did he repress his tears.

(Book 19, Rieu)

I love Robert Fitzgerald's translation so as a treat:

[...] so her white cheeks were wetted by these tears shed for her lord--and he close by her side. Imagine how his heart ached for his lady, his wife in tears; and yet he never blinked; his eyes might have been made of horn or iron for all that she could see. He had this trick-- wept, if he willed to, inwardly.

(Book 19, Fitzgerald)

Even with him revealing himself to Euryclea, when she cried out to Penelope, Athena made sure she didn't hear! It's most likely that he wouldn't be able to tell her even if he wanted. Athena was planning something, just as Penelope was.

She spoke, and her eyes glanced over at Penelope, anxious to tell her that her husband had come home. But Penelope could not see her face or notice, for Athena had diverted her attention.

(Book 19, Johnston)

He desperately wanted to be with her again. Literally daydreaming about it!

At those words Dawn rose on her golden throne in a sudden gleam of light. And great Odysseus caught the sound of his wife’s cry and began to daydream—deep in his heart it seemed she stood beside him, knew him, now, at last …

(book 20, Fagles)

Clearly doesn't trust her. /sarcasm

It's PENELOPE that has trouble trusting him. And rightfully so! While she was very certain that was her husband, there was so much going on and of course, she's cautious! He looked like an elderly stranger at first, why is he hiding from her? He somehow took out all those men with only a little help, Athena isn't telling her anything, Helen was kidnapped and she did not want that to possibly happen to her too, etc.

He even understands her cautiousness to be reasonable.

As she spoke, lord Odysseus, who had borne so much, smiled and immediately spoke to Telemachus— his words had wings:   “Telemachus, let your mother test me in these halls. She will soon possess more certain knowledge. Right now I’m filthy, with disgusting clothing on my body. That’s why she rejects me and will not say I am Odysseus. [...]

(Book 23, Johnston)

He even trusted her completely to take care of everything while he was gone before. And he does again when he wakes up and goes to see his father. Telling her about how she too wise to need instruction

Odysseus (and Penelope as well) is well-known for his cunning tricks and how his loyalties are often blurred but one thing that is for sure about him is that he trusts and is loyal to Penelope full-heartedly. He spent every day missing her and their son and wanting to go home to her. The only moment we see his trust in her waver is during the Treebed scene, (which is what she wanted to test).

They are "like-minded". 😭

[greatdenimbeast]

Diamond Castle au- introducing, Shadow, Muse of History, Astrology and Astronomy

Once a mortal in ancient Greece, moulded from clay by an inventor and brought to life by the blood of a god, he spent his years caring for his ill sister, Maria. Doing his best to assist his creator in finding a cure. Since the blood of god ran through his veins and, seeing that his existence was a miracle in of itself, it stood to reason that he could be the miracle that helped save her

Cuz he was quite literally born yesterday, his sister loved to tell him stories about historic events, tales of gods and heroes to teach him about the world and how it cane to be. She was a damn good storyteller too, always leaving Shadow craving for more.

His favourites were the ones related to the stars, the constellations, so much so that Gerald noticed and taught him how to properly chart them

Maria wasn’t allowed to leave the house, her grandfather fearing that the elements would be too much for her and that often made her sunny demeanour dull and, looking to cheer her up, he did his best to find ways to brighten her mood until found one that worked

He entertained his bed-ridden sister with tales of history, of old dead heroes, of gods, of prophecies, things that he had picked up from local traders and travellers when he was out running errands for Gerald.

Maria was enthralled by them, hanging off of his every word

“The island of Crete truly holds such a monster?”

“It’s travellers gossip, but who’s to truly say.”

He wasn’t as good of a storyteller as she was but he did keep record of every story he could, and Maria loved it so that was all that mattered

As Maria got worse, Shadow started praying and giving offerings to the god Asclepius and the god Apollo, he doubted they would come to his aid but if there was a chance they could help he wanted to be sure.

But it was getting harder to cure her, some of the medicinal herbs they needed grew far off and the merchants that brought them to the markets to sell them kept marking up the prices out of greed. So Shadow, who had been blessed with inhuman speed, was sent off to pick the herbs himself, allowing him the opportunity to venture and see more of the world and bring back more stories, even making a few of his own, slaying a few monsters on the the way

The soldiers for the nearby king didn’t make it easier, tormenting the people for laughs, outright stealing, sometimes outright killing people when they refused to cave to their demands. Gerald was always being pulled away from his work for a cure to craft machines and statues for the king, the only reason the soldiers were unable to harm him or Maria when he refused was because of Shadow being there to protect them.

This became an issue when the king decided that he wanted Shadow

Soldiers stormed the house and workshop, taking the inventor prisoner, dragging him away to the castle and as Shadow tries to get Maria to safety she pushes him out of the way of blade and gets stabbed through her stomach

Shadow blacks out.

When he comes back, his hands are covered in blood, the bodies of dead soldiers litter the floor, his ears are ringing.

The only other breathing Shadow could hear besides his own was the shaky, laboured breaths of his older sister

He rushed to her side and examined her, the wound was deep, too deep. He tried his beat to clean up the blood but he could barely see what he was doing past his own tears. As he did he prayed, to his other father, to Apollo, to any god that would listen, to please save his sister, to not let her die

Then Maria’s hand squeezing his stopped him

“Sh…Shadow… o-one more story…”

“Maria please, please, i have to treat this, I won’t let you die, i won’t let you, i can’t let you die!”

“One…one m-more… please?”

“…okay… okay, one more story.”

So he shakily told her a story, about the fabled diamond castle, the birthplace of music, home to the museum of music. He struggled to remember parts of the story but Maria shakily helped him fill in the blanks

Then as the story concluded, Apollo made his presence known and applauded the two on how exemplary their storytelling was. It turns out Shadow has gained Apollo’s attention for a while, ever since he started praying to him and he had an offer for him

He wanted him to be his muse, an inspiration, a god. Initially Shadow wanted to refuse until Maria winced and coughed in his arms, then he got an idea

“…Lord Apollo I will accept this honour on one condition, that you heal my sister of her wounds and her ailment so that she may live as freely as she wishes.”

Apollo accepted these terms and gave Shadow, ambrosia (the food of the gods). It burned away his mortality and left him a god

And Apollo fulfilled his part of the deal, healing his sister, and did Shadow one better by turning Maria immortal so that she may be Shadow’s attendant to assist him in his duties before whisking them both off to the diamond castle

50 years later Shadow meets the next muse

[cookinguptales]

getting back into my greek mythology phase as an adult is so weird because like the stories are such a dear and a familiar part of my childhood (and honestly part of what helped me extricate myself from an abusive evangelical environment) but I've also grown a lot as a person since then so I can't help but view them through different lenses, y'know?

such as:

the lens of a religious studies scholar who can't help but be fascinated with vernacular religion, apotropaic magic, cultural variation in ritual, and hints that these stories might be signs of clashing religions from different regions

the lens of a feminist who's a lot less willing to accept some of the ideas that I accepted as a child who'd been raised in a very religious environment

the lens of a grown-ass adult who could probably save enough money to go see these places that were so unreachable as to be near-fictional to me when I was a child

[eroselless]

─────────the shores we left behind // down to the riptide

summary: you helped the daring champion through the labyrinth but will you get your happy ending? [3.6k]

[carlos sainz x reader]

Greek!AU, theseus and ariadne

dttr masterlist

warnings: smut, loss of virginity, potential historical inaccuracies, angst, themes abandonment and betrayal, religious/theological references (its a greek mythology story ehmm)

note: holyyyy, my writer's block has been insane lately, especially in relation to the fics and series  I’ve been wanting to put out for you guys. In addition, I’ve started the last stretch of my degree (ahh I graduate in June wtf) so my mind hasn’t been able to properly focus. In hopes of fighting all of the chaos and wanting to still feed y’all, I've gone back to my roots and melded together my favourites.  I hope y’all like these in the meantime while I get back to my series, love y’all <3

The kingdom of Athens is hectic, streams of champions pouring in to pay tribute to the glory of Crete—your father’s obsession. The labyrinth looms large—a twisting maze of stones and shadows. Nestled within its endless walls is the Minotaur, cunning and brutal. Death waits for the champions, claiming lives as quickly as one takes a step inside. Your fingers tighten around the spool of golden thread you’ve stolen from your father’s workshop, the delicate filament glowing faintly in the moonlight. You shouldn’t have it. Your father would call it treason, your people madness. You’ve always hated the labyrinth, hated what it represents, but until tonight, you’ve never dared to defy it.

But you can’t stop yourself. You saw him today, standing among the tributes, his eyes dark and unwavering as your father outlined their gruesome fate. There’s something about him that seems to lodge itself deep in your chest, like a stray arrow. He met your eyes once—a split second, and you would have missed it. In that glance, you saw your undoing.

When you slip into his chambers, your heart races with the thrill of rebellion. Carlos is sitting by the small window, sharpening his blades. He looks startled when you enter, and for a moment, neither of you speaks. You press yourself against the door, your breath stuck in your chest, as if letting out any air would betray you. His hair is wild, as if he’s spent the better half of the day threading his hand through it. He looks breathtaking, painted in despair, as if he knows his fate will lie with the gods the moment the sun rises.

His eyes lock on yours, searching for an answer in your silence. “You shouldn’t be here,” he says, his voice low and steady.

You step forward, holding out the golden spool of thread and a rolled parchment with trembling hands. “This will guide you,” you whisper. “The labyrinth is a maze designed to confuse even the gods, but with this, you can find your way out.”

He knows the tales of the labyrinth—of its ever-changing walls and how even the fiercest warriors emerge with fear dripping from their tarnished armor. And how so many never emerge at all. His eyes flicker from you to the spool and back again. Rising slowly, he towers over you, his brow furrowing as he looks at your offerings. “Why would you help me?”

Because there’s something in me that can’t bear the thought of you dying, you want to say. Instead, you lift your chin high, summoning a strength you don’t feel. “Because it must end. The bloodshed, the sacrifice. The gods can’t possibly want this.”

He takes the spool, his fingers brushing yours. The contact sends a spark through you, almost reverent. “And what do you want in return?” he asks knowingly.

You hesitate. You’ve rehearsed this part in your head, but now, as you go to speak, the words feel heavy in your mouth. “Take me with you when you leave,” you whisper, your voice barely audible. “Promise me.”

His gaze softens as he looks at you, the weight of your request sinking in. “I promise.”

☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟ

You can’t sleep that night. Hypnos seems to evade you, taunting you with the presence of his sisters, the Keres. Every breeze, every creak of the palace feels as if the labyrinth itself is breathing, reminding you of the danger awaiting Carlos. When the sun rises, casting a shadow over Crete, you stand among the crowd gathered in the arena around the mouth of the labyrinth. One by one, you watch, your hood drawn low, as each champion disappears into the dark opening in the earth.

Hours pass. The crowd grows restless. Whispers of failure ripple through them like waves. The Keres linger, waiting patiently as vultures do, ready to lay claim to the dead. You shift in your spot, nails digging into the flesh of your palms as you fight to keep your composure. Your way out of here will vanish if he doesn’t return.

But then, as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, a figure emerges, leading the tributes out from the darkness. His armor is smeared with blood, his stride steady despite his exhaustion. The Minotaur’s severed head dangles from his hand as he displays it to the crowd triumphantly.

The crowd erupts into cheers, but you can’t move. Relief and awe wash over you like a tide. It worked. He did it and survived. Athens is free.

The champion’s eyes find yours, and the chaos of the crowd falls away.

☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟ

You leave under the cover of night, the ship cutting through the waves with ease. The crew works quietly, none questioning your presence on the ship, none asking why the princess has taken refuge with the demi-god. You sit beside Carlos at the helm, your pulse quickening every time your shoulders brush. There is a weight lifted from your shoulders—the weight of Crete, of your father’s legacy. It fades on the horizon, disappearing with every mile you put between yourselves and the labyrinth.

As the days pass, you and Carlos seem to tangle more and more with each other. He isn’t like most of the men of Crete, brash and cruel in their power. He is gentle, kind. He teaches you the names of the stars and the constellations that guide you. He shows you the maps of Athens, sketching the streets with a steady hand. You find yourself watching him when he isn’t looking, tracing the curve of his jaw, the slope of his brows, the way his lips curve in a faint smile when he catches you staring.

“We should be there in a few days’ time,” he says one evening as he charts the final stretch. You don’t know where “there” is. Naxos is a mystery to you, a paradise kept from your eyes.

His hands move in delicate arches over the map, deep in thought. He is quiet today, as if he isn’t quite ready for the journey to end. To have to return to the noise of the land, away from whatever this is—the two of you alone on the seas. Poseidon seems to favor your journey, the waters granting you safe passage and comfort.

“They say Naxos is beautiful,” he says finally, his voice breaking the rhythmic hum of the sea.

You turn to him, leaning forward in your spot on the deck. “Have you been?”

“Once, as a boy,” he says, stepping closer. The disappearing sun softens his features, making him look less like the warrior who conquered the labyrinth and more like the man who held you as you fled Crete. “The beaches are white as ivory, the water as clear as glass. There’s fruit of every taste you can imagine. It’s peaceful.”

There’s a beat of silence. “Peace sounds… strange,” you muse, a smile pulling at the corners of your lips.

Carlos tilts his head, curious. “Strange?”

“All I’ve ever known is duty,” you say, glancing at him. “Being the daughter of King Minos seems like it could have been grandiose and luxurious. It’s always only meant having to play a part. The perfect princess. The obedient, silent subject.” Your eyes stare into the horizon, as if you can still see your spot at the foot of your father’s throne. Seen and not heard.

Carlos studies you, the corners of his mouth twitching into the beginnings of a smile. “You? Silent? I find that hard to believe.”

You let out a laugh, the sound light and genuine, your hand stretching out to swat at his shoulder. It’s a new feeling you’ve learned to get used to, replaying it over and over throughout your journey. “I’m trying to have a moment here,” you cry, a smile gracing your lips.

He raises his hands in surrender, chuckling as he steps away from the barrel you’re standing next to. “I meant no harm. I can’t say I mind your chatter.”

There’s something in the way he says it, his voice low and teasing. It makes your heart skip, sending you turning to the water, leaning on the railing in an attempt to hide the warmth spreading across your cheeks. “You flatter me, Carlos.”

“Maybe,” he smirks, his voice closer now. You glance in his direction, finding him leaning on the rail beside you, his hands dangling over the edge. “You were brave to defy your father, to help me. Most wouldn’t have risked it.”

You hesitate, unsure if you should say the thought clawing its way to your tongue. “I didn’t just do it for Athens,” you confess, your voice a mere whisper.

Carlos turns to you, his expression unreadable. “I know.”

Your breath catches in your chest, just as it did when you stormed into his quarters a mere week ago. The space between you feels charged, as if Aeolus has turned the winds electric. You search his face for a sign, something to tell you this is all in your head. That the look in his eyes isn’t one that sends a current down your spine.

“Do you regret it?” he inquires, his voice soft and smooth, his eyes flickering with something unknown.

“No.”

The word is a confirmation that pulls you closer to him by the ties of your gown. Carlos’s hand cradles the back of your head while the other claims your waist, pulling you impossibly close. He presses his lips to yours, soft at first. It is tentative and cautious, as if he isn’t quite ready to release the feelings that have been brewing in him from the very beginning.

He pulls away, as if to catch your reaction. Your breath is stolen from your lungs, and you gasp, your fingers gripping his tanned biceps. Now it is his turn to search for an answer in your face, and for a second, he fears he has made a mistake. Your eyes are wide as you process what you had hoped for but hadn’t dared to expect.

You meet his gaze once before throwing your arms around his shoulders and pressing your lips back to his. This time, it is heavier, fierce, and consuming. Your hands tangle in his dark locks as his find their way to the curve of your hips, squeezing them and pulling your body closer to his.

Together, you stumble below deck, away from prying eyes and into the cabin Carlos has claimed for himself. Your movements are hurried and clumsy in the dimming light of the oil lamp. Your back hits the door as he kisses you again, his hands roaming over your sides, your back, your chest. His lips trace a path down your neck, the heat of his breath against your skin sending shivers racing down your spine.

He mouths at your breasts through the fabric of your gown, dragging his teeth over your pebbled nipples as they rise at his touch. The sensations send your heart pounding in your chest, and when his voice breaks through the haze, it is hoarse and filled with need.

“Are you sure?” he murmurs, his forehead pressed against yours, his hands steadying your trembling frame.

“Yes,” you breathe, your voice resolute. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

That is all the reassurance he needs. Slowly, he begins untying the laces of your gown, his hands steady despite the storm of emotions roiling in his chest. You watch him carefully, your breath hitching as his fingers move with practiced precision, his lips parting in concentration.

When the gown falls to the floor, you feel exposed, vulnerable. You’ve only been this bare in front of your amphipoloi, your attendants, when bathing. Your arms gently cross over your chest, suddenly shy under the gaze of the man before you.

Carlos doesn’t rush you. He traces his fingers along your bare arms and the sides of your breasts, his touch reverent, as if you are something precious.

“You’re so beautiful,” he marvels, his voice barely above a whisper.

Your cheeks flush as your hands move to the ties of his tunic, fumbling slightly in your nerves. He chuckles softly, his hands enveloping yours as he helps you, the fabric soon joining yours on the floor. Without another word, he lays you down on the bed. The sheets and pillows smell like him—a mixture of salt and bourbon. It’s familiar and uniquely him.

His mouth drops to your lower abdomen, his lips leaving a hot trail in their wake. He goes slowly, dragging his tongue through your folds before suctioning his lips over your clit. It's a sensation you’ve never known and it pulls a sharp gasp from your lips as your fingers tangle in his dark hair. You back arches off the bed, giving Carlos the opportunity to pull you in closer. His arms wrap around your thighs, keeping you still as his tongue prods at you. Soon enough, two fingers pushed into you, your cries filling the air. 

He can feel you shaking with every stroke, voice at high pitch as you beg him not to stop. You were seeing stars, eyes squeezed shut and face contorting in passion. Please, please, please you implored, your voice breaking. You didn’t quite know what you were begging for. He could lie here and taste your forever, Carlos thought, he’d never get tired of your taste. 

Carlos hums as he feels you clench around his tongue, coming up to look at your properly. His fingers continue pumping in and out, reaching for a button he knew would send you off the edge. Your jaw drops, a whine escaping. You meet his eyes, fingers loosening their grip on his tresses before trailing lightly down his face. There’s a glint in his eye as he uses his free hand to pull your fingers into his mouth, matching the pressure to your hole to the swirling of his tongue around your digits. He can feel the tension in your body grow, your eyes rolling to the back of your head. 

You let out a broken sob as you fall apart and Carlos lets go of your fingers with a pop. His fingers press slowly in and out of you in soothing strokes, bringing you down from your high. Your thighs tremble as he presses his lips once more to your sensitive bundle of nerves. You’re heaving, your cheeks flushed and skin prickled with goosebumps. 

His fingers brush gently along the inside of your thighs, kissing the soft skin as he takes in the sight of you. 

“You okay, princesa?” he asks. He realizes how deeply this must have affected you; as a princess, you weren’t exactly expected to partake in acts like this.

You nod slowly, lips curling into a breathless smile. “Mhmm, yeah,” you whisper, propping yourself up onto your elbows. 

He raises to his full height, propping one knee up on the bed before crawling over you. You get a good look at him, there's a few gashes that have scarred on his chest, and one that cuts diagonally across his hip. There are some lingering ones on his arms, not fresh but not quite healed yet, most likely from the maze. 

He slots himself between your legs as they part for him. He lifts his hips, pushing the tip of his cock against your sensitive clit. He loves the sound that falls from your lips as he does so. He pushes himself in slowly, careful not to move too fast against you. It’s different from his fingers, different from his tongue. It was a slow ache, a stretch you can’t quite place. You feel as your face contorts, the ache slowly dissipating and turning into something else. 

He rocks gently against you, the air ripping right out of your lungs as you feel him bottom out. He searches your face for a sign, waiting for you to give him the green light. “Need you to move.” you moan out. 

His strokes are languid, gentle at the beginning. His fingers snake between you, rubbing circles against your clit. His head lays between the juncture of your neck and shoulder, his tongue licking stripes onto the sensitive skin and teeth nipping gently at your jaw. Soon enough, his lips press against yours as he continued at a slow pace. Your breaths mix together as his hips snap against yours just a little faster.  Both of you are a mess, the sounds of skin on skin echoing through the cabin. 

Collecting both your hands in one of his, he pulls them up over your head. There's a sparkle in your eyes as you feel yourself teetering closer to the edge once more. “Carlos, I—” your voice breaks, body arching into his. 

“Cum... cum for me,"  he beckons, pressing fleeting kisses to your chest. Your walls held onto him like a vice, clamping down on him as you fell apart once again. 

He groans as he feels you break, chasing his own climax. Curses fall from his lips as his hips piston in and out of you. Yes, yes, yes. There’s a groan that falls from the both of you as you feel the hot ropes of his spend coat your walls. He falters momentarily before pressing his lips to yours as a moan fell from his lips. He stills, letting his body drop on yours gently.

Your arms wrap around his toned back, fingers dipping into the valleys of his muscles. Slowly, he pulls himself away from your aching core. You both watch as his cum mixed with yours drips out from you. Reaching for a discarded rag, he clears off as much as he can before tangling with you in the narrow bed. 

Your head rests on his chest as he cradles you. The lull of the waves place the two of you into a peaceful silence. You can hear his steady heartbeat thumbing through the expanse of his chest. His fingers drag gently over your shoulder and back.

“I don’t want this moment to end,” you murmur as Hypnos begins to pull you away, your own fingers languidly tracing the scars on his otherwise smooth chest. 

“These moments never do,” he replies as he pressed a kiss to your forehead. There’s a blanket of melancholy that falls over him. An ache settling in his chest as he feels you fall asleep against him. He dreads what’s coming next, the one step the gods demanded of him, but who was he to defy their will?

☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟ

It's the next evening that Naxos appears on the horizon. You stand at the bow of the ship once more, arms wrapped tightly around yourself. Carlos stood at your side, silent but present. 

“Is this it?” you asked, turning to look at him. 

“Yes,” he answers, his tone betraying nothing. 

There was a shift in him the morning. His once cheerful demeanor exchanged for a colder, sharper one. You look for the face that had kissed you tenderly. The one that had shown you the stars and the word beyond Athens. You couldn’t find it and it churned your stomach with dread. 

“What happens next then?” you ask, feeling your chest tighten in anticipation.

He doesn’t answer right away, eye trained on the island as it comes closer. He spoke in a low voice, laced in pain. “This is where I leave you.”

Your heart stopped in your chest. “What?” you question.

“Carlos,” you say, trying to get him to meet your gaze. “What do you mean?” your voice trembles as you turn him towards you. His jaw is tight as he finally looks into your eyes. The whites of his eyes are red, turning the brown in his irises green. There was a pain in his eyes, shadowed by something she couldn’t name. 

“It is the will of the gods,” he insisted."They command me to leave you here.” 

“And you’ll obey them?” you demand, a flare of anger and pain blooming in your chest. “Even if it breaks you?”

“Carlos,” you call for him. His jaw remains clenched as he looks away from you once again. “I stood against everything I’ve ever known. I risked my own life. I defied my father, my role, my future. I chose you. Not the gods, not duty, not the life I was supposed to lead. You.”

He grips your biceps as if trying to shake the words out of himself. “You don’t think I know that?” he snaps, voice cracking. His eyes fill with tears as he looks at you, eyes just as hazy. “Do you think I wanted this? To leave you here, alone? If I defy them, they’ll punish you as much as they punish me. Their wrath will destroy us both.”

Your eyebrows furrow, a sob threatening to pop in your chest. “Then let them. Let them destroy us together—” You reach a hand up to caress his cheek but before it can make contact he pulls it away, turning from you to face towards the island again. 

“It is the will of the gods.”

☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟ

He watches you get smaller on the dock of the island, slowly fading into it. He thinks of your laughter, the way you would banter with him. The way your voice sounded when it called out for him. The warmth of your body as it had fit so perfectly against his.  

He thought of how scared you must’ve been to take the golden spool he twisted in his hands. How you left everything behind, to help him. 

Your story was meant for the gods, destined to dwell among them rather than at his side. Yet, while part of you belonged to them—part of you would always belong to him.

Index:

Hypnos - Greek god of sleep and the personification of sleep itself. The Keres - Greek goddesses/spirits that represented violent death. Poseidon - Greek god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses Aeolus - Greek god of the wind

a/n: a little fun fact, I almost got a minor in greek and roman studies before COVID hit and I had to withdraw from a whole bunch of classes, boo

[kill-me-with-a-spoon]

I like to take this opportunity to also dunk on Theseus. We all know that he went into the Labyrinth and would have gotten lost if it wasn’t for Ariadne. Well here is the thing: you can’t get lost in a labyrinth.

Labyrinths are just a single path that twists and turns. If you keep going in one direction you will either get out or find it's end/center.

This isn’t just a modern english linguistic thing either.

Here is the drawing of a 190-100 BC coin from Knossos based on a photo in Kern 1982 (from:Cutting the Gordian knot. The iconography of Megaron 2 at Gordion)

Here is another coin from Knossos, 400bc. This is litterally the first image in the wiki page off "Labyrinth".

Ariadne had to help Theseus because she didn’t think that he could even turn around and walk to get out after killing the Minatour

Memes to make fun of Theseus (and Pirithous)

Or alternatively:

[viagracex]

hey bae I actually adore your writing!! Could you do something fluffy with Arthur tv and fem!reader where she’s rambling to him about like Greek mythology or smth random whilst sat in his lap and he’s just playing with her hair and listening? And she stops bcs she’s usually quiet and she feels bad for rambling but he reassures her bcs he’s genuinely so interested in everything she’s saying? Or something like that obviously adjust it to your preferences! Thank uu :)

Whispers of Olympus

arthur frederick x fem!reader

summary: during a rambling about greek mythology you and arthur reach a profound, mutual realization.

warnings: greek mythology, mythological violence, emotional intensity

note: i absolutely loved writing this!!! i got a bit carried away but writing this caused my inner percy jackson kid to come out as someone who’s obsessed with greek mythology. once i started writing i couldn’t stop I spent 6 hours straight just putting all my ideas on paper! this filled me with so much joy you have no idea. i did put my own little spin on the ending. hope this is what you were looking for!

4.6k words

₊ ˚ ˚ ₊ ‧ 。☆ 。‧₊ ˚ ˚ ₊ ‧ 。☆ 。‧₊ ˚ ˚ ₊ ‧ 。☆ 。‧₊ ˚ ˚ ₊

In the soothing cocoon of your shared living room, with the soft hum of the city outside and the dim light from the television casting flickering shadows around, you found yourself in a familiar, cherished position: nestled comfortably in Arthur's lap, your back against his chest as you recounted tales of Greek mythology with animated enthusiasm. Your hands moved expressively, painting pictures of epic battles and divine machinations as you delved into the ancient stories that captivated you so deeply.

Arthur's fingers gently combed through your soft hair as you nestled comfortably in his lap, your eyes alight with enthusiasm. The warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow over them both as you regaled him with tales of gods and heroes.

"...and then Theseus sailed to Crete to face the Minotaur," you continued, gesticulating animatedly. "Can you imagine how terrifying that must have been? A massive labyrinth filled with deadly traps, and at the center, a monstrous bull-man waiting to devour you!"

Arthur smiled softly, completely enraptured by your passion. He loved the way your eyes sparkled when you spoke of mythology, how your voice took on a lilting, storyteller's cadence. Though typically reserved, in moments like these you fully blossomed, painting vivid pictures with your words.

"But Ariadne gave him a ball of thread to find his way back out," you went on. "It's called Ariadne's thread, and it's become a metaphor for solving problems with logic. Isn't that fascinating? How these ancient stories still resonate today and shape our language and thinking?"

Arthur nodded, his fingers still gently combing through your hair. "It is fascinating," he agreed softly. "Tell me more about Ariadne. What happened to her after she helped Theseus?"

You shifted slightly in his lap, her eyes lighting up even more at his question. "Oh, that's where it gets really interesting! You see, after Theseus defeated the Minotaur, he took Ariadne with him when he left Crete. But then..." Paused dramatically, your hand resting on Arthur's chest. "He abandoned her on the island of Naxos while she slept!"

Arthur's brow furrowed. "That seems rather ungrateful of him," he murmured, his hand moving to trace gentle patterns on your back.

"It was!" you exclaimed. "But here's where it gets better. The god Dionysus found her there, fell in love with her, and made her his immortal wife. He even placed her crown in the sky as the constellation Corona Borealis."

As you spoke, Arthur found himself imagining the scene, picturing the lonely goddess on that distant shore, her heartbreak transforming into divine love. He gazed down at the woman in his arms, marveling at how she brought these ancient tales to life with such vivid detail.

"It's a bittersweet story," he mused, "but I suppose it worked out for Ariadne in the end."

You nodded eagerly. "Exactly! And there are so many interpretations of what it all means. Some say it represents the transition from maiden to wife, or the union of mortal and divine. Others see it as a cautionary tale about trusting strangers."

As you continued to expound on the various scholarly debates surrounding the myth, Arthur found himself captivated not just by the story, but by the infectious enthusiasm. Your cheeks were flushed with excitement, hands gesticulating wildly as you spoke. He loved how you could lose herself so completely in these tales, how the usual shyness melted away when you got caught in a passionate rambling.

"Oh! And did you know that the Minotaur itself is a fascinating symbol?" you asked, barely pausing for breath. "Some interpret it as representing the bestial nature within humanity, or the struggle between civilization and our primal instincts."

Arthur listened intently, his fingers still absently stroking you hair. He loved how your mind worked, connecting disparate ideas and finding meaning in the smallest details. As you spoke, he found himself drawn into her world of myth and symbolism.

"That's fascinating," he murmured. "It reminds me a bit of the story of Cronus. Do you know that one?"

Your eyes lit up even brighter. "Oh yes! Cronus, the Titan who devoured his own children. That's another myth with so many layers of meaning."

You shifted in his lap, turning to face him more fully, hands coming to rest on his shoulders. "Cronus ate his children because he feared they would overthrow him, just as he had overthrown his own father, Uranus. It's a story about the cyclical nature of time and power, and the fear of being replaced. But Rhea, his wife, she was cunning. She managed to trick him by wrapping a stone in swaddling clothes instead of baby Zeus," you explained, your voice lively with the thrill of storytelling.

Arthur nodded, his hand moving to cup your cheek gently. "And in the end, his fear became a self-fulfilling prophecy, didn't it? Because Zeus, the child he failed to eat, was the one who ultimately dethroned him."

"Exactly!" you exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's a perfect example of how these myths often contain deep psychological truths. Cronus's attempt to cling to power ultimately led to his downfall."

Pausing for a moment, your brow furrowing in thought. "You know, there's an interesting parallel between the Cronus myth and the story of Oedipus. Both involve prophecies of sons overthrowing their fathers, and both show how attempts to avoid fate often lead directly to it."

"Oh! And speaking of Zeus, there was this time when he transformed into a swan to seduce Leda... it’s such a bizarre yet fascinating tale, showing just how far the gods would go for love—or lust," you chuckled, your eyes sparkling with amusement.

Arthur's chuckle rumbled in his chest, a warm sound that vibrated against your back. "The gods really didn’t have any limits, did they?" he mused, his intrigue palpable in his tone.

You nodded, pleased with his interest, and continued, "Not at all. Their stories are filled with such raw emotions and dramatic plots. Like the story of Persephone and Hades, this tale is one of my absolute favourites!" you exclaimed, your eyes lighting up with renewed excitement. "It's a story of love, loss, and the changing of seasons."

Arthur's hand continued its gentle ministrations in your hair, his fingers weaving through the strands as he listened intently. "Tell me about it," he encouraged softly, his eyes never leaving your animated face.

You shifted slightly in his lap once again, getting comfortable as you prepared to dive into the story. "Well, Persephone was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of harvest and fertility. She was a beautiful young goddess, and Hades, the god of the underworld, fell deeply in love with her."

As you spoke, Arthur's free hand began tracing more lazy patterns on your back, his touch soothing and warm. You leaned into him, drawing comfort from his presence as you continued your tale.

"Hades was so smitten that he decided to abduct Persephone and take her to the underworld. He burst through the earth in his chariot, snatched her up, and disappeared back into the depths before anyone could stop him."

Arthur's brow furrowed slightly at the mention of abduction. "That seems rather drastic," he murmured, his hand stilling momentarily in your hair.

You nodded emphatically. "Oh, it was! Demeter was absolutely distraught when she discovered her daughter was missing. She searched the earth for nine days and nights, neglecting her duties as the goddess of harvest. As a result, the earth began to wither and die."

Your hands moved expressively as you spoke, painting pictures in the air. "Can you imagine the desperation she must have felt? A mother searching endlessly for her child, while the world around her fell into ruin?"

Arthur's expression softened, his fingers resuming its movements now running gentle caress through your hair. "It must have been heartbreaking for her," he said softly.

"It was," you agreed, your voice taking on a more somber tone. "Eventually, Zeus had to intervene. He commanded Hades to return Persephone to the world above."

You paused dramatically, your eyes meeting Arthur's. "But there was a catch. You see, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds while in the underworld.

"And eating food from the underworld meant she was bound to return there," Arthur guessed, his voice soft with understanding.

You nodded enthusiastically, your eyes bright. "Exactly! For each seed she ate, she had to spend one month of the year in the underworld. So, for six months, she stays with Hades, and for six months, she returns to the world above with her mother."

As you spoke, you realized how long you had been talking, how many stories you had shared. A flush crept up your cheeks, and you suddenly felt self-conscious. "Oh," you said, your voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm sorry, I've been rambling on for so long. I didn't mean to bore you with all these old stories."

You started to pull away, but Arthur's arms tightened around you, holding you close. "Don't apologize," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "I love hearing you talk about these myths. The way you tell them, they come alive. It's like I can see the gods and heroes right in front of me."

Your eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You're not just saying that?"

Arthur shook his head, a tender smile playing on his lips. "I'm not just saying that," he assured you, his voice gentle but firm. "Your passion for these stories is... captivating. The way your eyes light up, how animated you become - it's beautiful to watch."

His words sent a warm flutter through your chest, and you felt your blush deepen. Arthur's hand moved from your hair to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing softly against your skin.

"Tell me," he said, his blue eyes gazing intently into yours, "what drew you to Greek mythology in the first place? What is it about these ancient tales that speaks to you so deeply?"

You hesitated for a moment, surprised by the question. It wasn't often that someone asked about the root of your passion, and you found yourself searching for the right words.

"I think... it's the humanity of it all," you began slowly, your voice growing stronger as you continued. "These gods and heroes, they're so powerful, so larger than life. And yet, they struggle with the same emotions we do - love, jealousy, pride, fear. Their stories are our stories, just painted on a grander canvas."

Your words hung in the air for a moment, and you watched as Arthur's eyes softened with understanding. He nodded slowly, his hand still gently cupping your cheek.

"That's beautiful," he murmured. "I never thought of it that way before, but you're right. These stories have endured for thousands of years because they speak to something universal in the human experience."

You smiled, your heart swelling with warmth at his understanding. "Yeah," you said softly. "And there's something magical about how these stories have been passed down through generations, evolving and taking on new meanings as they go. It's like we're part of this grand, unending conversation across time."

As you spoke, you noticed the golden afternoon light had shifted, casting long shadows across the room. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink visible through the window. It reminded you of the story of Apollo driving his sun chariot across the sky.

"You know," you began, a playful glint in your eye, "the ancient Greeks believed the sunset was caused by Apollo reaching the western edge of the world with his chariot. As he descended into the underworld to make his nightly journey back to the east, the sky would blaze with colour."

Arthur's gaze shifted to the window, taking in the spectacular sunset. "It's a beautiful explanation for such a stunning sight," he mused, his arms tightening slightly around you.

You nodded, snuggling closer into his embrace. "They had stories for everything - the changing seasons, the constellations in the night sky, the ebb and flow of the tides. It's like they wove magic into the very fabric of the world around them."

As you spoke, Arthur's eyes drifted back to your face, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You weave magic too, you know," he said softly. "The way you bring these stories to life, it's like you're casting a spell."

Your cheeks flushed at his words, a warmth spreading through your chest. "I just love sharing them," you murmured, suddenly feeling shy under the intensity of his gaze.

"And I love listening," Arthur replied, his voice low and tender. His hand moved from your cheek to gently tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. "You know, there's a story I'd like to tell you now, if you'll let me."

Curiosity piqued, you nodded eagerly. "Of course," you said, settling more comfortably in his lap.

Arthur took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving yours. "Once upon a time," he began, his voice taking on a storyteller's cadence that mirrored your own, "there was a man who thought he understood the world, he thought he knew everything there was to know. He had traveled far and wide, studied ancient texts, and prided himself on his knowledge, never realizing there was magic all around him."

His fingers traced delicate patterns on your skin as he spoke, sending a shiver down your spine. "But one day, he met a woman who showed him that there was still so much wonder left to discover. A woman who saw the world differently. She had eyes that sparkled with ancient wisdom and a voice that could bring long-forgotten tales to life."

You felt your breath catch in your throat, recognizing yourself in his words. Arthur's gaze was intense, filled with an emotion you couldn't quite name.

"This woman," he continued, his voice soft and reverent, "she opened his eyes to a world of wonder he had never known existed. She spoke of gods and heroes, of love and betrayal, of triumph and tragedy. And as she spoke, the world around them seemed to shimmer with possibility."

The setting sun cast a warm glow across Arthur's face, turning his eyes to liquid gold. "With every story she told, every myth she unravelled, the man fell deeper under her spell. He found himself looking forward to their moments together, eager to hear what new tale she would weave. And as the days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, he realized that the magic he sought wasn't just in her stories - it was in her."

Arthur's voice grew softer, more intimate, as he continued. "He saw how her eyes lit up when she spoke of Aphrodite's beauty, how her hands danced through the air as she described Hermes' swift flight. He noticed the way she bit her lip when she was deep in thought, trying to remember some obscure detail of a lesser-known myth."

You felt your heart quicken as Arthur spoke, his words painting a picture that was achingly familiar. His hand moved to cup your cheek once more, his thumb tracing gentle circles on your skin.

"And then one day," he murmured, "as the sun was setting just like this, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, he realized something. He realized that all the epic love stories she had told him - Eros and Psyche, Orpheus and Eurydice, even Zeus and his many conquests - paled in comparison to how he felt about her. The way his heart raced when she smiled, how his skin tingled at her touch, the warmth that bloomed in his chest when she laughed - it was a magic more powerful than any myth or legend."

Arthur's voice grew tender, his eyes shimmering with emotion. "He realized that she had become his Ariadne's thread, guiding him through the labyrinth of life. She was his Persephone, bringing light and life to his world. She was his muse, inspiring him to see beauty and wonder in every moment."

As he spoke, the last rays of sunlight painted the room in a soft, golden glow. The light caught in your hair, creating a halo effect that took Arthur's breath away. He paused for a moment, drinking in the sight of you.

"And so," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "the man decided to write his own myth. A story of two souls finding each other, of hearts beating in sync, of love as timeless as the tales of old."

Your breath caught in your throat as Arthur leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours."In this story," he murmured, "the man realizes that the greatest adventure, the most magical journey, is the one he's embarking on with her."

Your heart raced as Arthur's words washed over you, each syllable resonating deep within your soul. The room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you suspended in this moment, bathed in the dying light of day.

"He sees that every day with her is like turning a new page in an epic tale," Arthur continued, his voice low and tender. "Each shared laugh, each quiet moment, each passionate debate about the meaning behind an ancient myth - it all weaves together to create a tapestry more beautiful than any he's ever seen."

His hand moved to cup the back of your neck, fingers tangling gently in your hair. "And as he looks into her eyes, he sees galaxies of stories yet untold, constellations of dreams waiting to be explored together."

You felt tears prickling at the corners of your eyes, overwhelmed by the emotion in Arthur's voice, in his gaze. Your hands moved to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your palms.

"He realizes," Arthur whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "that he's fallen deeply, irrevocably in love with her. Not just with her stories or her passion, but with every facet of her being."

Your breath caught in your throat, your heart pounding so loudly you were sure Arthur must hear it. The world seemed to shrink down to just the two of you, the last golden rays of sunlight wrapping around you like a cocoon.

"In this moment," Arthur continued, his thumb gently caressing your cheek, "he wants nothing more than to be a part of her story. To write chapters with her, to face whatever challenges may come, to celebrate every triumph and weather every storm by her side."

You felt a tear slip down your cheek, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion in Arthur's words, in his eyes. He caught the tear with his thumb, his touch impossibly gentle.

"And so," he murmured, "he decides to take a leap of faith, just like the heroes in her tales. To be brave, to open his heart, and to tell her how he feels."

Your heart pounded in your chest, Arthur's words echoing in your mind. The room seemed to hold its breath, time suspended in this magical moment between you.

"And what did the woman say?" you whispered, your voice trembling with emotion.

Arthur's eyes sparkled, a tender smile playing on his lips. "Well," he murmured, "that's where our story diverges from the ancient myths. Because in this tale, the ending hasn't been written yet." His hand cupped your cheek, his thumb gently caressing your skin. "You tell me. What does the woman say?"

For a moment, you were speechless, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion swirling within you. The setting sun painted the room in hues of gold and rose, casting a warm glow over Arthur's face. In that light, you could see every fleck of colour in his eyes, every line etched by laughter and contemplation.

Your mind raced through all the myths and legends you had shared with him over the months. You thought of Orpheus braving the underworld for Eurydice, of Psyche completing impossible tasks to be reunited with Eros, of Odysseus journeying for years to return to his beloved Penelope. All these tales of love and devotion swirled in your mind, but none seemed to capture the depth of what you felt at this moment.

You took a deep breath, your hands moving to cup Arthur's face. The warmth of his skin under your palms grounded you and gave you courage.

"In this story," you began, your voice soft but steady, "the woman realizes that she's been weaving her own tale all along, without even knowing it. Every myth she's shared, every legend she's brought to life, has been leading her to this moment."

Your hands moved to cup Arthur's face, mirroring his gentle touch. "She sees that the magic she's always sought in ancient stories has been right here all along, in the way he listens, in the warmth of his embrace, in the depth of his understanding."

"She realizes," you continued, your thumbs gently caressing his cheek “that she's been falling in love too, with every shared moment, every exchanged glance, every passionate discussion. She sees that this man has become her Hades, not in darkness but in depth - in the profound way he sees her, understands her, cherishes her."

Arthur's eyes widened, a spark of hope igniting in their depths. His hands moved to your waist, holding you closer as if afraid you might disappear.

"She realizes," you continued once more, your voice growing stronger with each word, "that their story is one for the ages. Not because of grand quests or divine interventions, but because of the quiet magic they create together. The way he makes her laugh, the comfort she finds in his arms, the spark that ignites when their minds connect over shared passions."

Your fingers traced the contours of Arthur's face, memorizing every line and plane. "She sees their future unfolding like a tapestry, woven with threads of shared adventures and quiet moments. Mornings spent discussing philosophy over coffee, evenings curled up reading to each other, weekends exploring ancient ruins and bringing history to life."

Arthur's breath hitched, his hands tightening slightly at your waist. The room around you seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you suspended in this moment,

"In this moment," you whispered, your forehead resting against his, "she realizes that all the love stories she's ever told pale in comparison to the one she's living. That the greatest myth, the most powerful magic, is the connection between two hearts beating in sync."

Your eyes locked with Arthur's, and in that moment, it felt as if the very fabric of reality shifted around you. The room seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light, reminiscent of the golden glow that surrounded the gods in ancient tales. You could almost hear the whisper of the Fates, weaving this moment into the tapestry of your lives.

"She knows," you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, "that this is her odyssey, her great adventure. Not across wine-dark seas or through monster-filled islands, but through the landscape of the heart. A journey more perilous and more rewarding than any faced by the heroes of old."

As you spoke, the last rays of the setting sun painted the room in a kaleidoscope of colours. The warm light caught in Arthur's hair, creating a halo effect that reminded you of the radiance of Apollo. His eyes, fixed on yours, seemed to hold entire galaxies within their depths.

"She understands now," you continued, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw, "that every story she's ever told has been preparing her for this moment. Every tale of love and loss, of triumph and tragedy, has been teaching her how to open her heart, how to be brave in the face of uncertainty, how to recognize true love when it stands before her."

Your hands moved to rest on Arthur's chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath your palms. It was a rhythm that seemed to echo through your own body, as if your very souls were in sync.

"And so," you whispered, your voice trembling with emotion, "she says yes. Yes to this adventure, yes to writing their own epic tale together, yes to a love that rivals any myth."

Arthur's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a smile of pure joy spreading across his face. The room around you seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, as if the very air was alive with the magic of this moment.

"Yes," he breathed, his voice filled with wonder and reverence. "Yes to all of it?."

As if moved by an invisible force, you both leaned in closer, your noses brushing. The air between you crackled with electricity, reminiscent of Zeus's thunderbolts. Your heart raced, pounding a rhythm as old as time itself.

"Arthur," you murmured, your fingers tangling in his hair, "I love you. Not just as Penelope loved Odysseus or as Psyche loved Eros, but in a way that's uniquely ours. A love that's both ancient and new, timeless and immediate."

His hands tightened at your waist, pulling you impossibly closer. "And I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with a reverence that made your heart soar. "With every fiber of my being, with every beat of my heart, I love you."

As you gazed into each other's eyes, the air between you crackled with anticipation, electric and alive. A silent conversation passing between you in that infinite moment. Then, as if drawn by an irresistible force, you both leaned in.

Your lips met in a kiss that sent shockwaves through your entire being. It was soft at first, a gentle press, like the first brush of sunlight at dawn. But then it deepened, becoming something more profound, more passionate. Arthur's hand cupped the back of your neck, pulling you closer, while your fingers tangled in his hair.

The kiss was everything you had ever dreamed of and more. It was Aphrodite's blessing and Eros's arrow, a divine union of souls. You tasted the sweetness of ambrosia on his lips, felt the strength of Hercules in his embrace. The world around you seemed to fade away, leaving only this moment, this connection.

As you kissed, you could almost hear the Muses singing, their celestial voices weaving a melody of love and destiny. The room filled with a golden light, reminiscent of the radiance of Mount Olympus itself. It was as if the gods themselves were blessing your union, creating a private universe just for the two of you.

In that moment, you understood how Zeus must have felt when he first laid eyes on Hera, how Hades was so captivated by Persephone that he reshaped the very laws of nature to be with her.

In that moment it felt like you understood everything.

[lwolfcat429]

Hazbin hotel; Adam's daughter

I don't think Adam would get anyone pregnant, at least his not the happiest about it, so Sera made him (yes, created one like how God created humans and how Adam Crete the Exorcist) a daughter from magic and clouds. Thus, the angel reader.

Respectfully, Adam is not a great dad. Lute, Sera and any other angel is practically raising this kid. Why did Adam want a kid, to up stage or be the better version of Lucifer only to be worse than him. But Adam, when he saw his daughter's eyes open for the first time... He felt human again. He felt love for the first time since he met Eve. He loves his daughter.

But he doesn't know how to parent! he tries but fails. Growing up his daughter didn't hate him, didn't resent him. Just thought he was a cool guy with a weird way of saying he cares. He gives his daughters weapons, all sorts of junk food, let's her do whatever she wants. Literally Sera and Lute step in so she didn't grow up spoiled.

When Charlie comes to heaven, she runs up to her all happy, saying how pretty Charlie and vaggie are, which they blush and say thanks. Adam and lute picked her up, whispering about how their (Charlie and vaggie) evilness will infect her. (Like it is a disease).

She doesn't hate Charlie, she thinks she's cool and also wants to see sinners rehabilitate. Adam and lute have a hard time saying no to the kid because she is so good hearted

[thisismeracing]

Can I please request a charles dating a Greek girl *like the Korean girl you did*???👉🏻👈🏻🥹🥹🥹🥺🥺

Hi, love!!! of course <3 here you go! sorry for taking forever, I was off for a bit and just got back hihih

Here's the Charles version - I'm so sorry I read Mick idk why, but do not fear for Millie will make justice (even if she was the wrong one in the first place lol).

MICK DATING A GREEK GIRL | MS47

Warnings: mentions of food; tooth-rotting fluff; mentions of family members; not proofread.

A/n: Just a quick reminder that there are many shades, experiences, and backgrounds when it comes to greeks and their culture, what I am writing does not resume everything, but rather brings a piece of it to the table. <3

▸ my masterlist | my taglist | patreon guide ▸ support my writing by reblogging, leaving a comment (don’t  forget to follow me if you like the piece), or buying me a coffee

Mick already knows Greece, but when you two start dating he's in for a whole new adventure aka getting familiar with culture, sayings, and the idiom;

He becomes obsessed with Greek cuisine. To him, everything is better when it's Greek - greek rice, greek break, greek spaghetti, and the latter let it slip during an interview, and you bet Ferrari fans we're mad for a week or so;

He would encourage you guys to visit the less tourist-centered cities and islands, instead suggesting places where you grew up or had stories to tell;

Mick would make sure to always have his camera on him and register random photos of you - he has a 'Greek girl <3' folder that consists mostly of pictures of you;

Randomly learned to introduce himself in Greek, but got his age wrong and it didn't matter how many times you tried to correct him, he would always forget and say it wrong again, so you just accepted that he was one hundred five instead of twenty-five when in Greece;

Though Mick loved the homey cities, he also loved the famous islands and whenever you traveled there at least one weekend would be spent in one of those. Athenas, Santorini, Corfu, Mykonos, Crete, Zakynthos, Ithaca, you name it, he will pack his bags at the speed of light and be ready to tag along;

He would watch movies that were ambient in Greece and ask you if things were accurate. He looved Mamma Mia and Greek Wedding;

Totally hints that he wants to have a greek wedding after you attend one together; The plates breaking? The common cup? the wedding face? He watched it all in awe;

Now when it comes to meeting the family Mick is nervous. He wants to make everything right so he will try to at least introduce himself in Greek -and he'll most likely get nervous again and say he's one hundred-five years lol it becomes a family thing, and he feels at home around your folks;

Same to you and his family that will definitely put Greece on their next vacay destination just to spend some quality family time with everyone.

Overall Mick is just super curious and open to learning about you and your culture, and will go around talking about how cool things are in Greece because he's this type of person. He's obsessed with your country, but he's even more obsessed with you.

────── ⋆🪩 VOICEMAIL: I hope you guys liked it! Let me know your thoughts, it means a lot to me <3 *mwah*

If you liked this piece and want early access to new ones and exclusive access to others, subscribe to my patreon!💘  ▸ check my main masterlist | patreon guide and my taglist.

©thisismeracing ― do not copy, steal, or translate my work; do not repost on a different media platform.

[thrpr0phetuseek]

They sigh, stepping back and slowly lowering their head as they take a sudden liking to fidgeting with their bracelets.

“I see. They’ve changed so much from how they once were. Strange. Should’ve known better, though. The gods never were keen on letting them rest. Still . . . I had my hopes.”

Hesitantly, they look back up, meeting his gaze for just a moment before going back to avoiding it. They stare off towards one of the hills poking above the canopy of the surrounding woods.

“How are you two? You’ve always been able to make them happy, are you still capable of that?”

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Rp starter / opener!

Genre: fluff

TW / CW: none! yippee!

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

The fields of Asphodel lay treaded and barren, glossy with tainted dew of the passing mourning shades. What would be the darkest time of year above was often the brightest of times down below, allowing a certain freedom to spring forth from the shattered hearts of once-mortal souls.

One such soul would typically spend their days wandering aimlessly, searching for loved ones and entertaining themselves in the underworld’s many academic and mythical wonders. However, some are more content than restless, and it was the sight of a lone soul sitting strangely alone in a field of flowers that caught your attention. Golden as the blades of grass around them, they eagerly tolled away, wrapping, twisting and weaving nature’s bounties into a beautiful crown. Upon gaining closer towards them, it took a new eye all their power not to notice the light catching billions of other crowns, wrought and hung up on branches and thorns, some hidden beneath the leaves of the golden grass.

This soul had been working tirelessly for centuries, infinitely weaving crowns for no inherent goal, much alike to the tormented spirits like Sisyphus. Still, you admired their care and attention to detail, and perhaps for no other gain than a simple chat, you considered acquainting the lonely stranger in their eerily peaceful work.

━━━━༻❁༺━━━━

Tag List : @just-a-mer @the-warrior-of-the-mind @notesbyaphrodite @op3n-arms @frayna-of-the-hollow @carousel-anon-aka-alexander @1ceyanonhasarrived @best-dressed-on-mt-olympus @totally-penelope-and-not-a-siren + anyone else!