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thecapricunt1616 · 3 months ago

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Pomegranate (C.B. One Shot)

“Alright so last minute alterations are really nothing to worry about - We can always add an extra fabric panel to the dress, It wont even be noticeable! This is why we inform our expecting brides to go 2 sizes up, sometimes though as second time moms we pack on a little extra trust me, I did too with my second” The nice, Bridal assistant explained to you as she finished cinching your dress that fit you perfect…now.

Your wedding was still 2 months away, when you would be 7 months along and likely with a bigger bump (and chest) as your body made room for your & Carmys growing daughter. You look at Syd, Nat, and your best friend, Gabriella in the mirror. The look flashing on your face was insecurity, “What if I look…Like- awful- and swollen and- and all third trimester” you asked worridly. Natalie gave that worried mom look and stood up, coming over to the circle platform you were standing on and looks up at you.

“C’mere, you sound like you need a hug sweetheart” she said and opened her arms sweetly. You pouted, holding back your tears and the bridal assistant speaks up, rubbing your back gently as you carefully stepped down and gave Nat a big hug“You are gonna look beautiful, I’m sure of it. All your morning sickness will be gone, and you should still be comfortable honey- 7 months is a perfect time to get married” The bridal assistant assured you as she gently rubbed your back. “I’m gonna give you ladies some time to talk while I go measure out for more fabric and jot the dimensions down. I’ll be back soon” she shuts the little curtian of the showing room as she leaves to give you 4 privacy to console your pregnancy hormones.

♡ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨: In Greek and Persian mythology, pomegranates symbolize fertility, beauty, and eternal life. In the Greek myth of Persephone's abduction by Hades, the pomegranate represents the indissolubility of marriage. ♡ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: You're feeling insecure that your wedding is only happening for traditions sake & sweet Carmy assures you that isn't the case ♡ 𝐖/𝐂: 6,050 ♡ 𝐀/𝐍:She's baaackkk!!! Guess who finally got a new laptop, y'all!! So I'm officially back in the groove! This one has been a long time coming, so long coming that I can't even find the ask because I replied to it so long ago that it got buried on my blog, but this is DC to my lovely little burrito baby @daysofyellowroses - darling, thank you so much for your patience while waiting for this, you've been absolutely wonderful & amazing & the best ever with waiting. Also, thank you so much for your support all the time even when I'm not writing ILY to Saturn! I'm so happy that my original format is back, because I know people have been saying lately they like it & I'm so glad! It was just nearly impossible to do on my phone / iPad! This is a lot longer than the blurbs that I've been writing lately so I hope it feels like we're getting back to normal! I love love love you all <3 ♡ 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐓𝐂: Swearing, Pregnant!Reader, Dad!Carmy, No use of Y/N, R has long hair but no other physical descriptions really, (Kinda) Vulgar language, Not terribly edited, !!Fluffy Carm!!

♡ 𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 ♡ ➵ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 ♡ ➵ 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 ♡ ➵ 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 / 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 ♡ ➵ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 ♡

“You are gonna look beautiful, I’m sure of it. All your morning sickness will be gone, and you should still be comfortable honey- 7 months is a perfect time to get married” The bridal assistant assured you as she gently rubbed your back. “I’m gonna give you ladies some time to talk while I go measure out for more fabric and jot the dimensions down. I’ll be back soon” she shuts the little curtian of the showing room as she leaves to give you 4 privacy to console your pregnancy hormones.

“I- I just worry, Nat” you sniffled a bit. Gabriella quickly got up, handing you a tissue and you thanked her, taking it and dabbing your eyes carefully to not disturb your mascara more than you already had.

“Trust me, when Pete and I had our first before we got married I was terrified. But I promise, you know Carmy is your person - You’ve told me a million times! And he’s told me a million times” she giggled assuringly, wiping stray tears that had trickled down your cheek. “I can’t think of anyone more perfect to deal with his antics” she joked, causing you to laugh just a bit in turn.

“That is for sure the truth, You and little man” Gabriella chimed in and you nodded, taking a deep breath and trying to calm back down.

“You’re right- that’s right. I’m sorry - let me go change so we’re not late to brunch” you said and Nat squeezed your arm kindly in response as you head back to the dressing room. After you finished getting switched out of your dress and back into your clothes, you checked your phone and saw a text from Carmy as well as an attatched image.

‘Cub learned how to make Foccatia today, kid had the bright idea to put in cherry tomatoes and chives to make them look like cherrys on a stem he’s a fuckin genius already’

You see the picture attatched was your adorable son, smiling brightly and proudly holding up a tray of foccotia dough, and just like Carmy said there was little cherry tomatoes nestled in making it look like cherries. You gasped to yourself happily, smiling wide as you send a text back,

‘Not only is he your little twin, he got your talents in the kitchen too!!! Little girl is gonna be jealous if she comes out with moms lackluster cooking skills’

You joked back and slipped your phone into your large ‘mom purse’ as you called it, since small messenger bags and clutches or crossbodies weren’t at all practical with all of the things you had to carry around just in case for motherhood, because something that you learned early on was the moment you don’t have it with you, youll need it. Natalie had agreed, it was just one of those things you had to learn with as a mom. You were happy that you and Carmy had waited a bit though, to have your next. Granted, time did feel like it slipped away from the two of you by accident.

Your first was absolutely a suprise. Not a bad one, just very unexpected. You and Carmy had been together for 4 years by that point, and the universe must have had some kind of grand plan - because the pharmacy messed up with your birth control that month, and when Carmy realized the condom had ripped it was already too late. You had tried taking a Plan-B to be as responsible as you could the following morning- but 3 weeks later Aunt-Flo had not shown up, and thats when you knew, considering she had always been a very…timely guest, ever since she’d started visiting.

You made sure to take 3 strip tests, 4 ClearBlue First-Response tests, and made an appointment with your OB-GYN doctor to have a confirmation ultrisound just to be sure, before you told Carmy. The two of you had talked about kids before, but he had spoke about them like he was unsure, so to say that your hands felt sweaty when you told him when he came home from work that night was an understatement. What you didn’t expect was for him to burst into tears, and ask “You’re gonna have our baby? Really? We’ll have a family together?“ whispering it, as if he couldn’t believe it was something you’d ever want to do.

From that moment you were absorbed with parenthood together. Lamaze Classses, Bradley method classes, Breastfeeding classes, Newborn classes, Childbirth classes, Infant & Toddler development classes, Doctors appointments, Nutritionists, Ultrasounds. Not to mention the shelf that Carmy had to build in the nursery for all of the parenting, breastfeeding, childbirth, etc. etc. etc. books that he’d gotten delivered from Barnes & Noble before the end of your first trimester. He made sure to not miss a thing, and be there for you every single step of the pregnancy, the good, the bad, & the ugly too. When you found out that you were pregnant with your second, he proposed.

It wasn’t that you weren’t sure if he really wanted to get married, you knew he loved you - but you had just felt that the timing was a little…off. Just because it was so close to the time that you had let him know, only 2 months later did he pull out a ring while you, him, and cub were sitting at the park having a picnic together and he asked if you wanted to share he and Cubs last name. So you can be a real family.

You thought it may be that phrase, real family. Like, you and Carmy and cub and the little girl on the way werent a family enough, that you had to be bound legally to eachother for him to see you as a true family. The phrase had been randomly keeping you up at night, or even waking you up sometimes. You didn’t want to bring it up, though.

He already coddles you and a pre-schooler, he’s been putting up with you for nearly 10 years, don’t question him and make him leave.

You wanted to believe that it was just the horrible anxiety that came with your first trimester, that it was the hormones racing through you that were lying to you, trying to make you hate the person in the world who you love most, other then your son and your daughter on the way of course. But it still caused you to go to the bathroom and silently cry in the middle of sleepless nights when it all felt to be too much.

Especially when he had to skip out on multiple parts of the wedding vendor appointments due to work. This had made you feel like he wants to be present for your children as a father which you loved and appreciated more then anything, but when it came to being there for you, as his wife, and just his wife. Sure, he would sit with you on his time off and pick everything out with you, and he was there for most of the appointments. But not all of them, when he had never missed a single ultrasound or doctors appointment for your son since he’d been born.You shake your head to yourself, pulling yourself from your negative thoughts and step back out to meet the girls waiting for you, “Lets go to brunch I’m starved!” you push your purse up on your shoulder and head out with them.

By the time you’d gotten home, it was around 1:30 and Carmy was in the kitchen finishing wiping down the front of the fridge. He stood up with an adorable dad grunt “There’s my favorite girls!” he grins, coming up to you and giving you a loving kiss before rubbing your baby bump gently. “How was the appointment sweetheart” He asked, taking your purse from you and bending down to give your belly a kiss “Hi Jellybean” he whispered to your bump before standing back up and leading you over to the couch.

“It was…good, I guess. I mean, good in the fact that the dress fit perfect” You said, resting your arm over your belly as you sat on the couch

“Thats awesome baby!” he knelt down, taking your sneakers off for you and taking them over to the shoe rack at the door, and hanging your purse on the hook

“Not really awesome because if it fits perfect now, when I go to waddle down the isle it wont even zip. Remember with Gio I didn’t even really pop until I was 6 months! So the month before the wedding, I’m worried I’m gonna turn into a pregnant balloon!” you huffed, and to that he tisked, going over to the fridge and pouring you a glass of your favorite tarte pomegranate juice over ice.

“Last minute alterations are no big deal, and if the month before I have to order the damn dress in a whole other size and have it tailored the week of so be it” he hands you the glass and sits down next to you, wrapping his arm around your waist and rubbing over your belly sweetly “Cause I’m makin’ us official” he said before kissing your temple gently. You stared into your class, there it was again. You thought of ways that you could ask him what he means by that, but before you could settle on one your son comes barreling out of his bedroom cheering

“Moooooommyyyy you’re home! I missed you!” He goes to jump in your lap in the careless child like way and Carmy quickly catches him

“Woooah!!” he scolded gently and scooped him into his lap with one arm “Remember what we said, Cub- who’s in Mama’s tummy?” he asks and your son gently pats your belly gently and looks at Carmy

“Baby sister!” he said happily and Carmy nods with a small smile

“Thats right honey, so we have to be extra gentle around Mama’s tummy, right? Gotta keep baby sister extra safe while she grows big and strong” he explained and Gio nods obediently

“Mommy we meet baby sister soon right? How many more weeks?” he asked excitedly and carefully crawled into your lap, wrapping his arms around your shoulders and kissing your cheek sweetly.

“Hmmm, well why don’t you go look at the baby calender mmm? And see how many stars we have left to count?” you asked and he nodded happily, sliding off your legs and running off to his bedroom. When you and Carmy had told him that he was going to be a brother by giving him a t-shirt that said ‘Promoted to Brother Bear’ and a Kids book called ‘Archie the Bear becomes a Big Brother’ - he was over the moon and had asked you and Carmy every single day how many more days until he would meet his new baby sibling, and it was starting to drive you both mad.

So after 14 days of the same question he finally got sick and tired of answering, he made him a 40 slot calendar and each Sunday he got to put another star on the calendar. He had gotten him a sticker book of rainbow glittery stars, and sat with a ruler and a thin sharpie as well as an 11x17 piece of cardstock and drew out a ‘Weeks until brotherhood’ calendar and when he gave it to him the next morning he cried because he was so excited which in turn made you cry, and that made Carmy cry.

“22! I counted 22 squares left Mommy!” Gio shouts as he runs and jumps back into Carms lap and he grunts

“You’re getting to be a big boy huh?” he asked him, patting his back gently

“Doctor says it’s cause I eat my vegetables” he said proudly and Carmy chuckles with a nod

“That’s right buddy, d’you wanna help me get dinner started? Mm? Make somethin’ real nice f’r mommy yeah?” He asked him and Cub gasped excitedly

“Yes! Can I wash the vegetables?” he asked hopefully and hopped off his lap

“You can bud! Go wash up” Carm told him and he giggled happily as he ran off to the bathroom that was connected to his bedroom to do as he asked.

You look over at Carmy fondly and smile softly. “You’re so good at this Dad thing” you gently brush his curls from his eyes. He smiled and took your hand, kissing your palm and fixing your engagement ring so the stone was straight

“And you’re fucking amazing at this Mom thing, baby” He rubbed over your belly gently. “Were you still in the mood for the Birria tacos that you sent me last night?” he asked and you hum with a satisfied nod

“You are the best in the whole world. My back is killing, I think jellybean has been sitting on my tailbone since the drive home so I’m gonna go have a bath while you get that goin’ - hopefully the water gets her to move” You carefully got up and he stood of course quicker then you could given your condition and is sure to help you.

“That sounds like a great idea babe - here I gotchu I’ll get the bath ready you just focus on getting undressed and picking out some comfy clothes you wanna wear after yeah? I’ll make sure they’re nice and warm for you when you get out” he said as he helped you up the stairs. You were used to this routine now, his anxiety while you were pregnant very much mirrored his sisters, which was just taking care of absolutely every need you could possibly have assistance with and attempting to prophesize what the need would be before you’d even requested it. You had tried fighting him on it before but it just made everything worse, and when you finally relented and stopped being so stubborn, you saw it could be really nice to be doted on.

“You always make the best baths so I wont say no” you told him as your son came out of his room and heard you guys talking in your bedroom and came in getting up on your bed and sitting with you

“Whatcha doin mooommy” he said playfully and hugs around your neck before kissing your face and you giggle a bit at how he still grabbed peoples faces and mushed them into his lips in that little kid way when he kissed someone.

“Well Mommy needs a little bit of rest so Daddy is running me a bath, and you guys are gonna get to have bear and cub time while you make us some dinner yeah? You gonna do such a good job at cutting our vegetables?” you asked him and he nods happily

“One second Mommy- wait” he got off the bed by carefully sliding on his belly and runs off to his room, coming back a few moments later with his favorite spiderman submarine bath toy “Here Mommy, so you dont get bored” he said sweetly and handed it over.

You pout “Thank you, baby, that’s so kind of you to share your favorite toy” you kiss the top of his curly head and look up as Carmy came in from your ensuite bathroom “Look Daddy- Gio is sharing his favorite toy with me, Isn’t that so nice?” you gush and Carmy gasps, ever making big deals at good gestures and behaviors that Gio had exhibited.

“Wow, Gio! That’s a very nice thing to do. Are you gonna share your toys with baby sister when she gets here?” he squatted to his level and Gio nodded with a big smile showing his cute little baby teeth he would still have for a few more years.

“All of em’ Daddy just how Eva shares with me too! And- and we can teach baby sister how to make dinner with us- and we can show her how to play hide and seek -” Carmy nods and nods as he goes on humming along and when the kid finally paused to breathe Carmy seized the opportunity to pick him up.

“Mommy, your bath is ready, well be makin’ dinner” he gave you a peck on the lips and Gio copied him after which always made you giggle and pout because you knew by kindergarten he’d stop that, so you enjoyed these small innocent childlike things while you could.

“I love you both” you ruffled Gio’s hair on the way to the bathroom which made him giggle as Carmy made their way down to the kitchen. You made it into the bathroom and the scent of roses and honey hit your nose, emitting from the lukewarm bubblebath in the corner since Carmy knew taking hot baths early on could induce miscarriage or premature labor from the birthing classes that we attended. You had your tall refillable cup filled with lemon ice water, as well as a cup of lavender chamomile tea and your latest fantasy novel that you’d been indulging in before bed.

You hadn’t even realized how long you’d been in once you stripped and got to reading, that when Carmy came in he chuckled a bit. “I was expecting you to be sitting on the bed in your towel scrolling on your phone, you’ll be a prune come on baby this waters getting cold, heres your clothes theyre nice and warm” he turned the towel warmer off, opening it and resting the towel over his shoulder as he helped you up carefully and helped you wrap the bath sheet around yourself.

It was something that you (he) had indulged in purchasing during your last pregnancy when your belly had gotten too big for the regular towels you both had and that made you have a fit one morning, so he was sure with these towels it would never happen again and it hadn’t. He nestled the fluffy black fabric around the top of your breasts, under your arms, before tucking it so it wouldn’t slip. “I only have 15 chapters left, it was getting good” you explained as he helped you step out of the tub and stuck his arm in the soapy water, finding the plug for you and pulling it.

“Yeah? I got bedtime t’night babe. Dinners almost ready, it has like 30 minutes left simmering, I’ll go get his bath done now, and then after dinner we can settle down and watch a movie and you can read your book, mm?” he kissed your temple gently as you dried off before dropping your towel when he had put lotion on his hands and he rubbed some of your stretch mark cream on your tummy for you per your usual after bath/shower routine as you responded“I could go for another rerun of into the spiderverse, we both know thats what he’s gonna pick since he’s choosin’- and the apple doesnt ever fall too far” earning a chuckle from him that made you feel warm and fuzzy.

You heard giggles coming from Gio’s bathroom as Carmy gave him a bath, listening to him draw little animals for him and asking him what they are “Whats that one called, Cub?” you hear him ask

“Thats a Cow!!!” he replied excitedly

“Oh! I know what this one says - it’s easy, the Cow says…..meeeeow! Right?” Carmy said jokingly earning playful squeals and giggles from your son

“Noooo Daddy! The Cows say moo! The Kitties say meow!” he corrected matter of factly

“Whaaaat! Kid- I think you got your animals all mixed up, I’m pretty sure that Kitties say blub blub blub!” he jokes and your son laughed again

“Alright c’mon head back so we can rinse out this stinky hair” he teased earning a

“Noooo i’m not stinky you’re stinky!” from your son which made you giggle a bit. You made sure every 5 minutes or so you were making your way over to the simmering pot on the stove and giving it a stir, and being sure the homemade tortilla shells werent burning in the oven, before sitting back down and resuming your book. You only had to do that about 3 times before your son comes skipping out with his favorite blanket and stuffed brown bear in his tonka truck pajamas

“Mommy smell my hair!” he said and got up on the couch sitting on his knees next to you. You bent over and smelt his damp curly head and hum impressed

“Woooooow is that bluey strawberry shampoo?!” you asked him and he smiled and nodded “An-and after cookies Daddy said he will help me brush with the bluey strawberry toothpaste - move this now Mommy I wanna sit” he pushed your book out of your lap and plopped down

“What did Mama and Daddy say about please, mm? It’s polite to ask Mama and Daddy please if you want us to hold you” you reiterated and he nods, wrapping his arms around you

“Sorry mumma love you” he said and you rubbed his back gently, kissing the top of his head

“Love you too baby boy, lets go get your book so we can read while Daddy finishes up dinner?” you asked him and he nodded, getting up and walking over to the little shelf in the living room and squatting down looking at the titles. You smiled to yourself seeing as he was so big brained he could read at a kindergarten level 2 years early but was still wearing pull ups to bed.

“This one” he comes over with The Missing Piece meets The Big O by Shel Silverstein.

“Ohhhh, this one - Daddy looooves this one. He picked your favorite Daddy!” You held up the book and he turns and looks

“That's a great pick cub, momma does a great job at reading that one” he said and you smile, cuddling in Gio as he nestles into you close as you opened the book and beginning to read,

“The missing piece sat alone, waiting for someone to come and take it somewhere”

After so many tacos you looked 3 more months pregnant then you really were, you, Gio, and Carmy were snuggled up on the couch. You were in the middle because they both needed to be touching you apparently and Carmys arm was once again around your side rubbing your belly in sweet little strokes as you focused on your kindle while he and cub focused on the movie. Gio had insisted before you started it that he goes and gets his spiderman plush toy to hold during the movie and covered himself up in his spiderman blanket hoodie Richie and Eva had gotten him last Christmas as well.

You sigh contently resting your head on Carmy’s shoulder, smiling a bit to yourself as you feel the tiny little butterfly like kicks in your belly. “You cant feel it cause shes only a bell pepper right now, but shes moving all around, I think she hears you guys- or feels you, I dunno” you said softly. Carmy lights up

“Really?” he asked gently

“Hiiiiiiii baby sister!!!” Gio lifts up your shirt and says onto your stomach causing you to laugh.

“She said Hi big brother!” you tease and he giggled

“Babies cant talk mama! Baby cousin Mickey doesnt talk” he giggled and you lean in really close until your foreheads are touching

“Mmhmm- but I’m your Mama, and were connected - in our brains! Thats why you only get one mama! I heard her in my brain she said hi big brother I cant wait to meet you!” you said in a small mousey voice as you tickled him and he squealed and laughed, Carmy making sure to wrap his arm around your belly protectively in case he accidentally kicked you from the tickle attack.

“Ok! Ok no more please!” Gio said and you stopped, sitting up and he giggled

“You’re silly mommy” he wrapped you in a hug again, nuzzling his face on your ribs and kissing the top of your belly “I can’t wait to meet you too baby sister, we can watch Into the Spiderverse together - it’s the bestest movie ever” he said and got comfy laying on your arm again as you held him.

You got back into your book, only having about 4 chapters left before the end of it so you could hopefully be finishing the series by the time you give birth, knowing you you’ll be disappointed you wont know what would happen for a while since the newborn stage is just a whirlwind of tests and appointments and sleepless nights. When the movie had about 40 minutes left to it, Carmy gently squeezed your breast to get your attention and your head snaps up to look at him, he nodded over to Gio and you look on your side to see him peacefully sleeping next to you.

You sigh gently, knowing that once you woke him for teeth brushing and bed he would ask you about his cookie, and that would prolong bedtime - but you felt guilt for waking him up yourself. “Get the cookies” you whispered and he huffed a chuckle before carefully unwrapping himself from you before padding to the kitchen. As soon as he heard the crinkle of the pastry paper from the box after carmy got it out of the fridge he was sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

“Daddy can I have my cookie now?” he asked after yawning. You giggled shaking your head and ruffling his now dry hair

“Daddy was getting you your cookie bud, go sit at the table after I’ll help you brush and give you a kiss and Daddy will tuck you in and read you your story mm?” you ask and he nodded, going over to the table and you lifted him up into his chair.

“Thank you Daddy!” he said thankfully as Carmy set the plate with the entire chocolate chip cookie on it, one of the ridiculously big ones from the restaurant.

“Carm!” you look at the plate as Gio’s eyes widen and smile grows, picking up the cookie and taking a big bite.

“What! Thats not the only one!” He pointed to the box on the counter and you roll your eyes.

“Half next time, hes either gonna have nightmares or be bouncing off the walls at 4 am” you sigh a bit and went over to the box, taking one out and eating it over the kitchen sink. He followed you in, wrapping his arms around you and resting his hands on your belly, rubbing little back and forth strokes with the pads of his thumbs.

“My bad, Mama, sorry- I shoulda asked” He said gently and kissed the base of your neck “Can I have a nibble” he said in your ear low enough for only the two of you to hear before nibbling at the sweet spot on your neck and squeezing your breasts. You giggle quietly, knowing that Gio was too focused on the monstrous cookie in his hand to be anywhere other then cloud 9 right now.

“After you put cub to bed maybe i’ll think about it lover” you turn your face to the side, giving him a slow and gentle open mouthed kiss, holding the cookie up in front of your lips so if Gio just so happened to look up he wouldn’t see what was going on. It went on for a few moments, his hands trailing down to your hips that had never gone back to their original place after you gave birth, but each and every time you screwed he reminded you how much he loved it.

When Cub said “Mommy?” you jumped a bit, being so lost in the moment and pulled away, looking over

“Sup’ honey?” you asked

“Did dinosaurs have teeth?” he takes another bite of his cookie. You took a deep breath, shoving down the aggravation that was having nearly every moment of alone time being taken by your offspring

“Mmhmm! They had teeth” you answer evenly

“Did they like having teeth?” he wondered out loud and you shrug

“Daddy, did Dinosaurs like having teeth?” you asked and he planted a gentle kiss on your shoulder

“We like having teeth, so I’d think so, cub. It helps them do alot of things, what do your teeth help you do?” he asked him knowing it was easiest if you gave a generic answer and tossed the ball back to them in regards to how kids went at this age

“We like to eat, and we eat candy, and we eat pasta, and - and we eat veggies-” he went on and you drop the rest of your cookie in the box.

“Let me know when he’s ready” you whispered to Carm and he nods, watching as you grabbed your kindle and headed back to the bedroom. It wasn’t that you were annoyed at Gio. It was just your hormones likely getting in the way. You were starting to creep up on that window of pregnancy where you were nearly insatiable all the time, needing more and more of Carmy - last time it went on for a solid 2 months, but this time it was starting earlier and you thought it likely had something to do with seeing just how good he was with your other little one, on top of all the hormones.

But, on top of having another kid this also made it very difficult to have that time with you, especially with having a kid home for summer break from pre-k, and having to manage work, and neither of you could bare for sending him off to some sleepaway camp, so you settled for him sleeping over Richies or Sugars when they really realized that Carmy was needing a break. He never dropped the ball with Gio, though. No matter how tired or worn thin or in need of a break he was, just like tonight - he would find time to get away, come home, make him dinner, and put him to bed before going back off to finish his shift and come home around one am.

It was only about another chapter of your book that went by before Carmy came to tag you in, gently knocking on the bedroom frame to get your attention. “He’s ready for you, im gonna take the trash out i’ll be right in for ‘em” he told you and you nodded with a small smile “Thanks Bear” you put your kindle on the nightstand and got up. You shuffled to his bedroom in your slippers and bedtime robe, hand rested over your belly as you walked and you see Cub sitting on his spiderman sheets in his racecar bed.

“Who’s ready to brush those teeth!” you went over and kissed the top of his head. He looked up from his little etch-a-sketch that he’d been playing with, “I am mama” he said sweetly before getting up and heading to his bathroom with you following behind.

Once Carmy had been suckered into 2 stories instead of just one, he was able to get Giovanni tucked in for the night and he came to bed. He had already started your nightly routine of rubbing shea butter on your belly and had moved on to rubbing your swollen aching feet with massage oil.

“So I was thinking earlier…” you look down at your ring that you hadnt taken off yet, nervously spinning it around your finger.

“M’listenin’” he tears his gaze from the cooking show he’d put on the tv as you read your book and you looked over at him, nervously biting the inside of your lip and he stopped rubbing your foot. “I know that look, whats going on?” he asked gently “Talk t’me princess” he told you and rubbed soothing strokes back and forth over the top of your foot and over your ankle.

“I just….my sister asked me if this was a shut up ring” you admit a bit nervously and he crinkled his brow in the sweet undoubtedly Carmy way

“The fuck is a shut up ring?” he asked. Allthough he swore, there was no anger in his voice, just genuine confusion.

“Like- like- I guess when a girl talks about getting married too much he will get her a ring or something just to get her to shut up even if hes not happy and he’s more likely to settle especially if you already have a baby - and you keep talking about making things real and this feels so real- but I just feel like you dont care” you swallowed the lump as it began to grow in your throat and his features softened, grabbing a kitchen towel he brought up to wipe his hands after he was done his massages for the night and wiped them clean of the oil to be sure he could rub your hair without getting it all oily.

“C’mere” he sat against the headboard and opened his arms. When you snuggled into him he rubbed your back gently and kissed the top of your head, allowing you to relax and shed a few tears as you needed to before he spoke again “I asked you to marry me, A - so that all this dumb tax shit is rectified, and B - in case god fuckin forbid baby, something happens to me or you - we get to decide whats next. I don’t-” he swallowed thickly, taking a deep breath before he continued. “I don’t want anyone to think they can steal what i’ve built for you, and our kids. The restaurant is theirs babe. That is their 60% stake in it. All of this, the house, our savings - all of it is for them. I want them to have no problem in getting it when we go” he explained and you could burst into tears at how relieved you felt.

Here you were, all these past few months keeping yourself up and pacing, making yourself sick over this - over thinking that you were becoming a chained burden to your future husband just because he created life with you. When the whole time you could have just talked to him, and your stupid pregnancy hormones were making you crazy thinking he would hate you for even asking. But instead of crying, ever the random hormone imbalance that came with pregnancy, you just started to laugh. You sat up, wiping your tears as you giggle, before pulling him into a kiss and he chuckled a bit when you pull away.

“Do you mind filling me in on the joke?” he asked and you nod with a smile

“I dont know why I was ever taking marriage advice from my sister who’s been divorced three times when your sister who’s only ever been happily married has been telling me that my sister is a fucking fuck”

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obsessedvibee · 6 months ago

Text

Temptress

MDNI, 18+

Pairing: Austin Butler x Evelyn(reader)

Summary: Austin and Evelyn are on vacation in Hawaii and a little teasing game begins. Who can get the other to crack first?

Warnings: teasing, sex against a wall, neck squeezing? i don't wanna call it choking, unprotected sex, p in v, masturbation reference, dirty talk, what's a smut story without a little awkward boner?

Words: 2.5k

Authors Note: When I tell you I had such terrible writers block when trying to come up with the scenes where they tease each other. I don't know why that was so hard for me?? But I know a lot of you were waiting for this (I've never had so many notes on a teaser before! I'm so beyond thankful but now the pressure is a thousand times more I truly hope I don't dissapoint-oh gosh) story to be put out, so alas- here it is.

As always comments and reblogs mean the absolute world to me, so feel free to write your little hearts out or even message me!

But enough from me...enjoy!

The hot Hawaiian sun blanketed her body as she laid out on one of the white beach chairs. The sound of the nearby waves lapping at the sand lulled her buzzing mind. Only thoughts of her husband Austin were present. She was on vacation after all, he SHOULD be the only thing on her mind.

Austin soon returned with two cocktails in his hands, handing the cold glass to her. She took it in her hands, the condensation dripping onto her thighs, causing goosebumps to form.

She took a generous sip, savoring the sweet flavor on her tongue, the alcohol warming her throat as she swallowed.

“Mm, you’re so hired,” she moaned, taking another gulp.

He chuckled, sitting to face her on the chair beside her. “Does that mean you’ll keep me around for another night?”

A smirk danced on his lips as she pretended to consider her options.

She eyed him through her glasses, taking in his newly toned body. He’d always been thin, but he bulked up in the last month for his upcoming role. His shoulders were more rounded and his biceps held more shape. The lines of his abs were subtle beneath his skin with a bit of hair topping the waistband of his swim shorts. Her thoughts quickly began to fill with desire. A sudden little playful idea formed in her head.

She waited until his eyes made their way back to her before swiping her tongue along the rim of the glass before going in for another gulp.

His eyebrow twitched in response.

She straightened her posture, “that’s not a very respectable thing to say to a guest, now is it?”

Beneath her confident gaze, her heart pounded in her chest as the words left her mouth.

He had to crack first.

“My apologies, ma’am.” He stretched his arms above his head, his biceps flexing.

He didn’t miss a beat.

He was on to her.

Let the games begin.

Although, she wasn’t sure if any kind of game had started when neither of them made a move in the last hour. But she did know she wanted to cool down and get out of the sun for a bit, feeling a bead of sweat roll down her back.

“You gettin’ hungry?”

“A little,” she admitted.

He sat up, groaning as he stretched his stiff limbs.

“You go ahead,” he encouraged, “I’m gonna take a quick dip before I head in.” He nodded his head towards the ocean.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from his back as he walked right into the water, sinking down just enough to dunk his head before walking back up to shore. He ran a hand over his face and through his hair to slick it back like he was Fabio on some cover of a romance novel.

She was eating up every second of it.

He looked her way right as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

A cool shower sounded incredible. For more reasons than one.

She abruptly stood, refusing to look in his direction, already knowing he had a smirk that was awaiting her gaze. Making her way to the outdoor showers, she gratefully slipped behind the wooden paneling.

She briefly wondered if he’d follow in behind her.

Flipping the water on, she jumped aside with a shriek as a sudden spray of freezing water hit her.

If her nipples weren’t pebbled up from a moment ago, they sure were now.

She waited a bit hoping the water would warm some, but quickly realized there wasn’t going to be anything remotely tolerable coming out of the shower head any time soon.

Turning the spout off, she stepped back out into the heat again, almost welcoming the warmth if it weren’t for the dried sweat that covered her skin.

“Was that water a little too cold for you?” Austin chuckled as he toweled himself dry.

“Straight from an iceberg- that's what that was.” She grumbled lightly, watching as his hands moved the towel over his body.

Everything’s always hotter when it’s wet.

“Is that why you’re..” he stuck his pointer fingers out from his chest, nodding to her breasts, “pokey?”

She blushed.

“Or is it just cuz of me?”

“Careful,” she warned, pausing in the doorway.

He wanted to talk about her boobs?

She could work with that.

Reaching for the strings of her bikini top, she pulled them loose letting the bottom fall free.

He visibly swallowed watching her hands, his throat bobbing.

Oh the power of a little peek-a-boob.

She turned, not able to contain her cheeky grin as she made the snap decision to rid her top as a whole, keeping her back to him as she dropped it to the floor.

“Hey, that’s not-“ he trailed off as she turned to face him with a giggle, his eyes drinking her top half in. “…fair.”

“Anything is fair game, but the first to touch the other person loses.”

He reluctantly brought his eyes back up to hers. She could almost see the tug of war that was going on in his brain of where to look.

“You were going to order dinner for us, weren’t you?” She teased, scooping up her top before beelining it for the shower.

*****************************

It was after dinner, and he had just turned the water off for his own shower. He called her over to him from the bathroom.

She walked over to find him with just a towel tied low on his hips, standing in front of the clouded mirror. Steam was still hanging in the air from the hot shower, adding to the mood.

A dark new tan colored his skin from all the time spent on the beach the last few days. Her mouth almost watered as his muscles flexed beneath his skin while he spread shaving cream over his face.

“Hi,” he greeted, a playful look in his eyes.

A nervous smile pulled at her mouth, “hi?”

“I need your help.”

She raised a brow, “with shaving?”

He nodded, patting the counter with his hand, “come sit.”

“But I can’t touch you?”

He chuckled, handing her his razor, “you’ll have to be careful then.”

She stood frozen for a moment contemplating the challenge. Not wanting to back down she hopped up on the counter, sitting tall.

His eyes sparkled mischievously, watching as she brought the razor gently to his face. The air seemed electrified as she scooted a little closer, their faces now only a few inches apart. Pressing the blade to his skin, she made the first swipe. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip in concentration as she focused on not slicing his sensitive skin. Her arm almost shaking by the end from the exertion.

Making the final swipe, she finally realized how close they were, feeling the exhale from his nose. She’d never craved to kiss him so badly before, she could practically feel the warmth of his lips on hers.

She sudden feel of his towel brush against her inner thigh snapped her out of her lustful haze. Looking down she noticed she wasn’t the only one getting affected.

She pulled away rather abruptly, quickly hopping off the sink. Straightening her shirt, she looked back at him. The tips of his ears were red, but whether that was from the shower or if he was actually blushing she wasn’t sure.

“That doesn’t count,” he defended, clearing his throat.

“No?”

He took another towel to his face, “I can’t-“ he looked at her, “control it.”

Taking one more glance down to see the obvious sign of his arousal she was almost light headed with desire just knowing he wanted her just as much.

She fled before she could lose control and yank him back into the bedroom.

Were there any rules against taking her own pleasure into her own hands?

**********************

Later that night, well after the sun had set, the bonfire crackled weakly as it began to die out between them, only the moon casting a blue glow on the sand. The breeze caused a chill to shiver up her spine, and of course Austin noticed.

“You cold?”

She reluctantly nodded.

He picked up a stick and poked around in the burnt logs trying to coax a new flame, but only a few extra sparks fluttered up into the air.

“There's some other ways we could keep warm.” The words fell out of her mouth before she could think.

He paused. “Are you forfeiting?”

Her fingers tingled with the desire to touch him.

“Is the temptation too much for you?” She quipped.

They were both fighting for their lives.

“Only ‘cause it comes from you.”

Fuck.

Damn him and his way with words.

His eyes were like a magnet pulling her to him and she was too weak to pull away. His tongue swiped over his lips, his eyes darting behind her.

“If you put that towel down, I’ll take you right here.” He said, his voice dropping an octave.

She bit her lip, failing to hide her smile as a new warmth spread through her veins for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day.

“Didn’t know you were an exhibitionist.” She slowly reached back for the towel, spreading it open on the sand.

She hardly had time to situate herself down before he was on her.

He hovered his lips over hers, teasing just a bit more. She could feel his breath on her lips. Every inch she moved back, he inched just as far forward.

“Aus,” she whispered.

“Hmm?”

“As much as I want to do this right here-“ she inhaled sharply as his lips nearly brushed hers, “-what if there’s paps?”

He pulled away with a heavy sigh.

“C’mon,” she stood, before she took off running as best as she could in the shifting sand, a laugh bubbling past her lips. She just made it past the front door when Austin's arm snaked its way around her waist, “not so fast, baby.”

Her soul cried out in joy as she felt the weight of his touch on her, his warm skin making her nerve endings sing.

He pulled her into him, his front pressed to her back, his head lowering over her shoulder. “Where do you think you’re going?”

She laughed some more as his cheek brushed against hers.

“Where do you wanna do this, hm?” He spun her around.

A full grin spread across her mouth as his hands found hers, and he began to toy with their fingers.

“You wanna do this right here?”

She nodded, her heart skipping a beat when he gently pressed her back into the wall of the hallway, his forehead pressed to hers, his blue eyes swirling with lust.

Like a dam that breaks when the flood waters come, so was his desire for her, breaking through in a heavy long awaited kiss; his mouth finally devouring her own.

His hands fumbled with her shirt, his fingers almost trembling. Quickly discarding it to the floor, his hands began to explore the newly exposed skin, earning a moan when his thumb swiped over her nipple.

His desperation was contagious. She tugged at his shirt blindly, his mouth the only thing she could focus on.

He took a half step away to pull his shirt over his head, “tell me what you want, Ev.”

She whined, reaching for him, “Aus.”

He raised a brow with a little smirk, “hm? You’ve mentioned it before.” His fingers slotted into the belt loops of her shorts tugging her closer to his warm chest pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Take me against the wall,” she all but whispered.

“There's my good girl.”

His fingers reached down, popping the fly open on her shorts and yanking them down over her hips, landing at her feet. His cock twitched realizing she had been pantyless the whole evening.

Ridding himself of his own shorts, he quickly hoisted her up, gripping her thighs. She wrapped her legs around his waist, his already stiff length brushing teasingly at the inside of her thigh.

They both fumbled for a moment trying to get him in her, the angle proving to make things difficult, “put your leg down for a sec-“

Lowering her leg carefully back to the floor, freed up his hand and he quickly positioned himself at her entrance and pushed inside. She inhaled sharply as her walls stretched to accommodate him.

“God, I don’t think I can ever get used to that,” she breathed as he eased in, gripping his bicep for dear life.

He gave a few slow strokes, testing the position.

Once he was sure they were stable, he hiked her thigh a little higher around his waist, spreading her open just that much more. Slotting his mouth over hers, he reached a hand up to squeeze her breast, coaxing a moan out of her. His hips began to piston faster, jolting her into the wall with each thrust.

“Can you-“ a particularly hard thrust caused her to stutter. “A-Aus.”

His eyes darted to hers, his hips stopping. “You okay?”

“Don’t stop,” she whined, pulling at the hairs at the bottom of his neck, “-need you deeper.”

“Shit- yeah?” He reached down, getting her to wrap her other leg back around his waist.

A wanton moan danced in his ears from her mouth as he sunk even deeper into her, “fuck, yeah.”

He pressed her harder into the wall, hips working double time, panting heavily in her ear as he held her, his fingers digging into the skin of her thighs. Sweat began to form across his forehead from the exertion, dampening his hair. Little groans began to fall from his mouth as their passion progressed, unable to contain it all inside.

A sudden impulse came over him and his hand reached up to her neck, squeezing gently. Her eyes widened as he locked his eyes to her, pressing their foreheads together. He slowed his thrusts, taking his time making her writhe with every push of his hips into her.

“Baby-“ she mewled, clawing her fingernails into his shoulders.

He could feel her tightening as her climax quickly approached. “You gonna cum for me, baby?”

She squeezed tighter with her legs, her fingers tugging harder at his hair, pulling a grunt out of his throat.

“Give me a good one, c’mon.”

She held her breath as her high took hold, her walls spasming around his length.

“Holy shit,” he mumbled as he felt her squeeze every part of him as her climax hit. He quickly fell into his own orgasm, his blue eyes rolling back. His cock spilled heavily inside of her, painting her walls white with a low moan.

As her limbs loosened, her walls continued rhythmically milking every last bit from him until he was completely soft, quickly slipping out of her as he carefully let her down.

“Just so you know,” she said between breaths, “you lost.”

Tags: Want to be added? Let me know! @ughdontbeboring @btsisinmyheartue @myles-production @purejasmine @shockercoco @sunsetsturniolos @denised916 @richardslady121 @austinbutlerslovers

#austin butler #austin butler smut #austin x reader #austin butler fanfiction #austin butler fic #austin butler imagine

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heartofroses112 · 23 days ago

Text

Our Own Choices First Draft — Fox and Bly confronting Cody

Bly and Fox shared one last, long look before Bly activated the panel. The doors slid open on near silent tracks. There, across the room, standing by the thick transparisteel window and gazing out into the ever-changing space outside of their ship, stood the Commander. Cody. His helmet was off, nowhere to be seen in the large room.

The way he held himself, arms clasped behind his back and stance strong, was so obviously Cody. Bly didn’t know how he had never seen it before. Well, he had seen it. He’d just thought it impossible. Fox had found reports, had heard it directly from the slimeball Emperor himself of Cody’s death. But here he was, standing before them, fighting alongside them and their brothers for fourteen long years without so much as a hint to his identity.

Bly and Fox made their way across the room, footsteps muffled but just loud enough as to give their movement away. Bly rubbed his arms, wishing for the warmth of his armor. Space was cold. But the plastoid was constricting. It wouldn’t allow him to drag Cody into the bone-crushing hug he had been yearning for since the dramatic asshole had whipped off his helmet and insulted Palpatine in so many colorful ways that he must have spent years coming up with them.

Bly stepped up to Cody’s left side, staring out into space along with him. Fox stopped on Cody’s right, and for several long moments, the three of them stood in silence.

Finally, Bly could not take anymore. “Why?” he said.

“There’re a dozen answers to that question. All depends on what you’re asking.”

Bly choked on a laugh. He’d forgotten how snarky Cody chose to be when it was just their batch. And Rex, but, well, he was practically a part of their batch at this point. He had been, at least. “You know exactly what I’m asking.”

“Then you know my answer.”

“Cody.” Fox cut in, sharp and straight to the point. Out of the corner of his eye, Bly watched the full-body shudder that wracked through Cody. Bly ignored the tight pang in his chest at the hidden motion. “We thought you were dead.”

“And so did I.”

Bly frowned. “We’ve been here for the past two years at least. That’s plenty of time when you could’ve told us. Hell, what about your own men from the 212th? They’ve been here since the beginning, and they’ve been mourning their commander this whole time.”

“Until I arrived on that planet and saw your faces, I was convinced you were both dead.” Cody still hadn’t looked at them. “After the Order went out… I looked for you. But Rex was killed when they turned on Tano. Wolffe was confirmed MIA almost immediately. Fox, you, you were always at the Chancellor’s side, I couldn’t risk that you would ever join me.”

His voice was flat and without any inflection. “So that left you, Bly. But a week later, all I found were reports that you ate your blaster.”

Fox sucked in a breath.

“And I thought about… I thought that maybe… I wondered if you made the only right choice left.” His whispered words should have died at their ears. Instead, they ricocheted around the cold, steel room. “Bly, you were the one I wanted to see most. Because you…” Cody sighed, eyes falling shut even as his head tilted backward. “You were the only one who could understand.”

“Understand what?” Bly thought he knew. There was really only one thing Cody could have meant by that. But how could Bly have never known before now?

Cody’s eyes opened, gaze locked on the rivets along the outer wall. “You loved your general. And I lov—” He cut himself off, tearing his eyes away to instead stare at the ground. “I love—” He tried again.

“Oh, Cody.” Bly’s heart was in his throat, breaking into pieces for the pain that was still so clearly etched across his brother’s face. There was a reason Cody wore his helmet more than the rest of them; he’d never been able to hide his true feelings when he was just so damn expressive. It’s how Wolffe had known if he had pushed Cody too far when they were still just cadets. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Rex told me to wait,” he said simply. “He thought it would be funny if you all saw me and… If you guessed. It wasn’t hard, apparently.” He loosed a breath from between his teeth. “Course, then the Order went out.”

“Cody, I’m so sorry.” Again, Cody shuddered at the sound of his name. Bly longed to drag his brother into his arms. But Cody wasn’t ready for that yet, not after so many years with no more contact than the mission required.

“It can’t be changed.”

“Doesn’t mean it hurts any less,” Fox murmured, stepping slightly closer to Cody. “And you’ve kept this inside for so long.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell us?” Bly asked, suddenly so full of rage at the self-imposed exile his brother placed himself in. “We’ve been here for years now, Cody. And it’s not just us. What about everyone from the 212th? They’ve been mourning their commander, their brother for so long and you’ve just been here the whole kriffing time?”

“I will not expect you to understand my actions.”

“Damnit, Codes, we want to talk to you, not the karking Commander! We’ve been around him enough.” Fox glowered at the side of Cody’s head. But Cody still didn’t look at either of them.

“He’s all that’s left.” Cody’s voice was devoid of emotion. He returned to looking out the viewport, the light of distant stars reflecting on his face. “Cody died the day he shot down his General and felt no remorse.”

“It was the chips,” Fox tried.

“I was still the one to follow the Order. And then my brothers were dying around me, and my batchmates were gone, and there was no one left to understand how I felt, and there was so much riding on my fucking shoulders. So, you do not get to come in here and lecture me. There is nothing else I have wanted more than to look at my brothers without a karking helmet between us, to actually be with them and not just be the karking Commander!”

Cody’s chest heaved, his fists clenched tight against his thighs. Fox and Bly exchanged a look, the same expression of worry and hurt flashing between them. Cody turned and paced several steps away from them. “You have no idea,” he started, voice low and tightly controlled, “how hard it has been this past decade, to see you, my closest brothers, and not be able to lessen your grief, to not hold you close and feel safe.”

“No one is making you do this.” Bly felt as if he were pleading, begging a brother to step back, step off the ledge.

Cody sighed, eyes still squeezed shut. “I know. But… I don’t deserve… I can’t… How can I be happy, Bly, when I killed him? I love, I loved, I loved him, and he loved me too. How can I ever forgive myself when the last thought he probably ever had was of how the men he trusted with his life were now the ones taking it?”

Bly stared at his brother. He had so much pent-up… self-hatred. Disgust with himself. Loathing of his actions that had not been his own actions at all. There was a distinct prickling at the back of Bly’s eyes as he watched Cody desperately try to hold the pieces of himself together.

“Cody.” Fox took a step toward Cody.

Cody’s shoulders shook. “Stop,” he bit out.

“Cody,” Fox said again.

Cody turned his head away, eyes still shut. His scar, the scar that was oh so distinctive, the scar that marked him as Cody, the scar Bly had searched for in vain on every brother he met, caught the faint light from above. “Stop it.”

“Let yourself be you again, Cody,” Bly said, closing the distance between them. The pair of them were once more in reach of their lost brother. “Doing this… hiding yourself away in repentance, it’s only letting Palpatine win.”

Cody flinched, but still, he didn’t look at them.

Fox pushed on. “I didn’t know your General well. None of us did, there… there wasn’t time. But I know he fought for our individuality, our sense of self that so much of the Republic tried to wash away. You’ve always been Cody, our Cody. But you never seemed so much like yourself, so confident in who you were and what you fought for, than after you joined Kenobi.”

“He’s dead now,” Cody whispered with a tremble in his voice.

“So, carry on his legacy.” Bly searched his brother’s face, familiar lines that meant upset and anger and stress, tightness in his jaw that meant stubbornness and fear. “Cody, won’t you look at us?”

“The helmet’s gone, Cody,” Fox murmured. “Let us see you. Look at us, please.”

Perhaps it was the ‘please.’ Fox never said it before, not unless the world was ending, or a brother was dying. Slowly, so slowly, Cody turned his head, entire body still trembling. His eyes slid open, and then it seemed as if he couldn’t get enough, gaze flickering between Bly and Fox and never staying still for more than a moment.

“Won’t it be so much more powerful,” Fox said, “when Palpatine is brought down by Cody and Fox and Bly, not just the Commander and his nameless clones?”

“Kenobi and… and Aayla.” Bly stopped, suddenly unable to speak beyond the burning in his throat. He dragged in a breath and continued. “They loved us, Cody. They loved us for who we are. Don’t erase that. Live as Cody, and do it for him. Do it for us, for all the brothers you have rescued. Please, we… we need you. We need Cody far more than we have ever needed the Commander.”

Cody heaved a broken sob, teeth tight against the sound in an attempt to keep it inside. He looked at the wall again, hands clenched around the edges of his armor. Bly fell silent, just watching his brother. If Cody was to come back to them… it would have to be on his own terms. Cajoling and pushing had never worked to make Cody see sense. He always was too stubborn for his own good.

“The Commander is all I know anymore.”

Bly’s heart threatened to break in two. His vision grew blurry. He blinked, hard.

Fox looked similarly affected. But he swallowed. Then he raised his chin and stared Cody down. “If that’s true, if… if you don’t know how to be Cody anymore, then why did you reveal yourself to Palpatine? Why now, after so many years of hiding your face?”

Cody looked at Fox, brow furrowed. “He was threatening you,” Cody said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Fox froze in place. “He scares the shit out of you, Fox, and nothing does that. No one is allowed to do that.” Cody shrugged, eyes still dancing over Fox’s face. “I thought I’d give him a new target to hate.”

Fox still wasn’t moving. Cody sighed and looked away, fingers still digging into his armor. “I… I should go. There’s a lot to do, now that I’ve karked everything up and—”

“Cody,” Fox breathed. “Oh, Cody, Cody, Cody.” He reached out, hands shaking as he brushed the side of Cody’s plastoid-covered arms. Cody stiffened but did not move as Fox dragged him in, crushing him against his chest. Fox was still repeating Cody’s name, burying his face against Cody’s hair, hands tight around his back.

Cody gasped, eyes wide and body trembling like a leaf in a storm. He crumbled into Fox’s hold, pressing his face against Fox’s neck as they clung to each other. “Cody, Cody, my Cody,” Fox continued to whisper like a prayer.

Bly surged forward, sweeping both his brothers into his arms. Bly and Fox squeezed Cody between them, hard plastoid hampering them only slightly. Bly’s forehead rest against the back of Cody’s neck, and his skin felt hot and feverish, a sign of the long, long years without a touch of comfort and love.

Bly couldn’t hold back the tears that trickled down his cheeks, melting down Cody’s neck and into the blacks under his armor. Cody continued to tremble, hands clutching desperately at Fox even as he pressed back into Bly.

“We’re here, Cody. We’re here, we’re here,” Bly murmured. “We have you. Let go, Cody, we have you.”

And so, Cody let go, the grief and anger and hatred that had been building up for over a decade with no outlet finally pouring from him in devastating waves. Cody did not cry, of that Bly was sure. But he trembled and shook and shattered beneath their hands, dry sobs and broken apologies, apologies that Bly meant to return but just could not find the words.

Bly had failed Cody for years, had failed him the day Bly had faked his death and ran from the Empire. But he would not fail him any longer. Cody would never feel alone again, would never feel the same lack of choice and want. Bly would make sure of it. Fox would as well, and the remainder of the 212th, and the 501st, and every brother in between.

For the first time in many, many years, Bly thought of the Jedi, of his Jedi, with only solid resolve. I promise, Aayla. And General Kenobi, if you can hear me. I won’t let him down. I’ll keep him safe. And we’ll avenge you. Palpatine will suffer for all he’s done, to you and to Cody and to everyone else. But for now, Bly kept his batchmates close and held them as if nothing else in the galaxy mattered. Nothing else ever would.

pt 1 | pt 2

#our own choices #our own choices first drafts #our own choices deleted scenes #just a little fun thing #it's wild reading these drafts i wrote maybe a two months into starting OOC #seeing how much i've changed as a writer #and also how much the plot and my ideas changed from its conception #writing #star wars #clones #star wars the clone wars #commander cody #commander bly #commander fox #codywan #blyla

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escapist-of-fiction · 3 months ago

Text

One shot - Troy Otto x Fem Reader

Description - just a bit of fluff really. Something that has been floating in my head for a while and needed to write it down. Troy is a bit of a tease in this but I like him like that.

Warnings - none really. Mild swearing.

If you do read, a like, reblog and/or a comment would make me smile :) enjoy!

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It had become abundantly apparent to everyone that something was developing between you and Troy.

There was something about the way he looked at you from across the room, never intrusive but always keeping one eye closely on you, watching your every move. You didn't mind though. It made you feel safe. You didn't feel so alone in the crowd.

Every chance Troy had; loading supplies from the trucks, collecting empty dishes at meal times, showing you how to hold a gun in the right way to defend yourself, any excuse to have just a little bit of contact with you. You didn't mind. You wanted him to do it. Your skin tingled at his touch. If he stood close to you, you would hold your breath without even realising. It was just the effect he had on you. In a group situation, he would always somehow find his way next to you, by now it was almost an expectation.

You wondered how long it would take for him to make a move. It had taken so long that you were unsure whether it was all in your mind and he had no interest in you at all.

"You can see it, can't you?" Alicia said one day as you sat together at lunch.

"See what?" You responded innocently.

You needed someone else to spell it out to you. To make it seem real. It seemed too good to be true in your own mind. After all, why would someone as complex as Troy be interested in someone as basic as you?

"Troy. There's something about you two. The way he is around you, it's like you're precious cargo or something. He speaks to you so differently to everyone else, with a whole new level of respect. He doesn't even speak like that to Jake, his own brother."

You didn't know how to respond to this, so you decided not to say anything at all.

On the day the Militia headed out on their short mission, you stood with everyone else at the gates. Going on missions was a weekly occurrence in the post-apocalyptic world but today everyone seemed a little on edge. Everyone except Troy.

You stood a little away from the small gathering, leaning against a table where supplies were piled up high. You watched as Troy fooled around with some of the Militia members, his trusted and closest comrades obviously. He wasn't normally this way before a mission, which made you think it was a little more serious than the average. He was trying to put everyone at ease. Rumours had been going around the Ranch that you were heading out to confront another group, who were threatening to steal water supplies. It wouldn't be an easy mission and lives were potentially at risk.

You were so lost in your thoughts that you didn't notice someone pick up a box beside you, until their voice brought you back to reality.

"You aren't normally here to see us off," Troy noted.

"I'm surprised you would even notice," you answered with the tiniest of smiles, watching for his reaction.

"Dont worry, I notice."

You watched as he walked towards the truck and placed the final box in the back, hitting the side panel to signal to the group that they were ready to go.

You expected Troy to climb into the driver's seat as normal, rev the engine, turn up his heavy metal music and speed out of the Ranch, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. But not this time.

This time, he turned and walked back in the direction of you. You lifted your head to look up at him as he got closer and closer, until he was stood toe to toe with you. He had a look on his face, a mixture of uncertainty and, was that yearning?

You were perplexed by Troy's actions and you were just about question his odd behaviour when he suddenly grabbed you by the waist and....kissed you.

The briefest of kisses that lasted long enough to make your head spin, your toes curl and heart race all at once. It stunned you but made sense to you all at once. You felt Troy's hand press firmly into the small of your back to pull you against him as his other hand gently caressed your cheek.

Then no sooner had it started, it stopped and Troy pulled away. No explanation. No second glance as he turned and walked back towards the truck and the waiting Militia.

You stood there in shock, your fingers reaching to your lips to trace the echo of his touch.

What the hell was that?

Five days passed until Troy and the Militia returned.

Five days for you to mull over your encounter and ask yourself a million questions. You flitted from the feeling of lusting after Troy and more from that kiss, to being filled with a mild rage at how the bastard had acted in such an impulsive way and walked right out of the Ranch with no explanation.

By the time they returned, you had made up your mind on what to do next.

You never normally gathered with the others at the gate but this time was different. This time you had a reason to stand amongst the friends and family. You wanted Troy to know he had left someone behind. Someone who cared about him, his reckless behaviour and the consequences that came with it.

You watched him exit the truck last of all. He looked tired and weary, having been on the road with little to no sleep and carrying the responsibility of everyone's safety on his shoulders. There was a part of you that wanted to rush to him, embrace him but something made you hold back and wait.

Eventually, Troy looked up and spotted you, his eyes lighting up as they met with yours. You gave nothing away. He approached you, watching your expression tentatively, wondering how you were going to react since your last encounter. He took the fact you were here at all as a good sign.

Coming to stand in front of you, he rested his hands on his hips and tilted his head with a cocky smile.

Words were lost on you. You tried to think of something smart to say, to chastise him for what he did the last time you saw each other but you just kept losing your train of thought in those azure, blue eyes.

Instead, you communicated in the only way you both knew how.

Stepping forward and rising to the balls of your feet, you placed a hand on the back of Troy's neck and pulled him down to meet you.

Your lips pressed firmly against his. A kiss almost sweeter than the first, full of promise and something that you couldn't quite describe but you knew you needed more of it.

Reluctantly, you pulled away to look up at Troy, your hands pressed against his chest. Judging by the hazy look in his eye and the delectable way he licked his lips, it told you everything you needed to know. He felt exactly the same way.

And then, just like that, you found your voice again,

"Hi."

Troy laughed softly,

"Well it took you long enough, darling"

#daniel sharman fic #daniel sharman #romantic #troy otto fanfic #troy otto x fem reader #troy otto x reader #fiction #one shot #standalone #lighthearted #ftwd #fear the walking dead

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evangelic-echo · 5 months ago

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ℭ𝔢𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔞𝔩 𝔓𝔲𝔫𝔦𝔰𝔥𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱

Part 4: Part 3:<

“If there was one thing I learned about your father, is that he had the worst work ethic I’ve ever seen.”

“You knew my Dad?”

“Mhm, always trying to slither his way out of doing the work the elders gave him, it was only ever when he personally wanted to work towards something that he’d put quite the effort.”

Charlie looked down at the floor, looking as though she was deep in thought after hearing your words. You wondered if possibly you had offended her, talking about lucifer in such a way.

“Sorry, but my Dad’s busy at the moment. Y’know, being the King of Hell and what not.. He asked me to attend to the meeting instead.”

You looked down, following Charlie’s gaze to see her fidgeting with her fingers under the table. Due to her reluctancy, you could sense something was up. Did Lucifer drop out of the meeting to avoid you? Did he even know you were the one attending? You couldn't imagine that after so many years he'd try to simply avoid you like that, and instead send over his daughter to pick up the work for him. If you could easily get over what happened so many eons ago so should he. Despite Charlie's hesitance, you made it clear you were being stubborn on the matter.

"Buut he is staying over at the Hotel for now, if you came over he would surely be there."

Walking through the portal you made, both you and the princess found yourselves in the hotel. Once entering, rich, crimson walls envelop all around you as the crystal chandelier above with gold fittings hang from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden light that complements the rich red tones. The chandelier not only being used as a light source, but a decorative central piece of the lobby. Before you stood the reception desk, possibly crafted from dark mahogany wood with a crimson leather inlay and gold detailing. Behind the desk, a large, backlit panel showcases an exquisite piece of art in gold, depicting a serene landscape that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant red surroundings. One artwork that particularly caught your eye was a portrait of the newly ascended sinner you had just met merely yesterday afternoon, you took down a mental note to ask Charlie about it later.

To the left of the room was occupied with an elegant bar made with the same details as the front desk, a rich, dark mahogany counter that boasts a glossy finish. The front of the bar is adorned with crimson leather panels while the barstools are high and plush, upholstered in deep crimson velvet with a golden trim. The bar lights shone the same warm toned light as the main chandelier, keeping that same warm and inviting glow over that casted down at the bar and the shelves behind it that were lined with different kinds of spirits, wines, and liquors. While observing the intricate designs of the room, you didn't notice until that it had a couple demons occupied at the bar, one behind the bar while there was two sat before him. You only noticed when you had all three of them completely gawking at you, making you feel really awkward and uncomfortable.

"Wow Charlie, this place looks stunning. Even with magic I can't believe you built all this in a day"

"Yeah, I guess having the Devil as your dad has a few perks."

As you and Charlie both laughed at the joke, you could still feel those same eyes burning a hole at your back that was turned to them. Feeling uncomfortable, you tried keeping up conversation about the hotel while fidgeting where you stood, refusing to move and risking making eye contact with the men behind you. As you were fidgeting with a feather attached to your wings, you realised that you were an angel. An angel sent from heaven with huge ass wings that reached to the floor, and that is probably the leading reason as to why you had three demons gawking behind you. While in thought, Charlie had stopped talking and looked up enthusiastically right behind you, where you could definitely feel a demonic presence behind you.

"Alastor! I am so so so SO happy to introduce you to Y/N, she's here from heaven to learn more about the Hotel!"

Instantly turning behind you, you were faced with a tall man who had quite a slim build and a huge ass devilish grin that stretched across his face. His hair is dark with red streaks, styled in a neat, vintage wave and he was clearly dressed in 1930's attire, featuring a long red coat with black and crimson stripes, a high collar, and matching red gloves.

"It's quite evident she's from Heaven my dear! Though sending down angels that weren't exterminators is very out of the ordinary."

If it wasn't his appearance that got to you first, it definitely would be his voice. The static of his voice was enough to irritate you.

"I wasn't sent down here, I came here out of my accord"

Alastor's smile just got wider and way more creepy when hearing you came here on your own. You couldn't decipher what he meant by it. That smile was like the demons very own poker face.

"Alastor here is the hotels Hotelier and top manager, after me of course. He's helped a lot around here and I'd honestly be lost without him."

"Why Charlie my dear there's no need to talk so highly of me! What I do here is merely the bare minimum, wouldn't you agree little angel?"

Oh you could see the resemblance in tone straight away, the condescension was wayy to similar to Sera's, and it quite literally gave you the ick. You hardened your gaze towards him, about to respond when instead you were interrupted by the two other demons making themselves known, introducing themselves to you. One was a twinky, tall, fuck ass demon like Alastor, resembling a spider and a lot more easier to talk to. He was the only other resident that was staying here with Sir Pentious before he quote on quote "died". The demon that was behind the bar was the Hotels barkeep. He was significantly shorter than the others, but was also significantly taller than you too. Both of them were quite fun to talk to and didn't have annoying as fuck glitchy voices, which helped in terms of you being able to graciously join in the conversation. Whilst in the midst of talking to the others, you noticed Charlie was on the phone to someone and you were praying to God she wasn't calling down Lucifer. That's a type of awkwardness you couldn't deal with at the moment. However, instead a young girl came down walking down the stairs and she had a pair of wings??...

"Hey babe, how did that meeting-"

She completely stopped talking and just stood there, staring at you. Everyone is the room had gone silent, waiting for one of us to say something.

This is so awkward.

Her gaze hardened towards you as you just stood there, too scared of breaking the thick tension in the room.

"Why the fuck are you here?!"

"Do I know you?"

You can admit that the weird, possible angel, did look familiar to you but overall you couldn't you a name to the face. She scoffed in response, crossing her arms in front of her as she continued to just stand there..

"Uhm...Vaggie-"

"VAGINA! Yesss I remember you now, it's been a while how have you been?"

Angel and Husk behind you start hollering with laughs, Charlie however looks absolutely horrified and alastor just stood there with the same weird grin on his face. Vaggie stood there, vexed as hell giving you the biggest death glare.

"My names Vaggie. You know this Y/N."

"Noo what I know is that I was there when Adam named you, and he did in fact name you Vagina, which I'll continue to refer to you as."

Taglist: @alientee @sncks4scoob @froggybich @simbalioness @elementwind91 @tsukiko26 @weirdgirlislonely @azzuurr3 @originaldickhead @annybah @white-00-7 @missa-archdevilme @sassy-persona

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roxxiies · 6 months ago

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I'm new to the mlbb fandom/game and I developed a crush on Alpha but most of the content here is about Dyrroth and Fredrinn (no hate to the characters or the people who like them, they are both cool) so I was wondering if you could do anything with Alpha? Sfw or nsfw it's all up to you! I just want to see more love for him. Thank you!

𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐇𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

FLUFF, GN!READER

a.n.: you confess to Alpha here. ALSO thanks for the request!!! There are only like 2 posts abt him i think? huhu, I wasn't sure what you wanted 🥹 so i settled for sfw but it you want nsfw, man ive already got an idea

“So… you can tell what I'm thinking just by staring at me?” You inquired, leaning over the control panel before you. Your wondering eyes were waiting for a response from this new creation your father had worked on.

You weren't supposed to be here, though. Your father has prohibited you from going close to his so-called creation ever since that incident happened. That's the reason why there's a firm glass wall containing him, resulting in separating you two.

Your father once said that once he's adapted to more human behaviour and not to how he was coded, he's going to be a pure threat to humanity. He's too dangerous, your father would warn you endlessly. But you can't help it—you always find yourself yearning to be in his presence. You're kind of betraying your father, but hey, you did feel guilty, but that was quickly thrown to the other side.

Now that his eyes are trained on yours as if scanning your face for each and every detail, he processes the best response you might love to hear.

He murmurs, “Correction. I can detect what someone's current emotions and thoughts are when I scan their expressions. However, know that this is still newly installed on my program.”

You hummed in disappointment but an idea popped in your head. He watched your every move as you ducked to grab something and pulled out a clipboard with a smile on your face. “Here we go! I could help you improve it, start by scanning my face.”

The tech behind the glass wall was hesitant, thinking that following someone else's order other than his master might result in disloyalty. However, as he weighs his options, something in the back of his mind tells him to obey you. He tries to reason that maybe it's because you're his master's daughter or someone who genuinely makes him feel a little more human.

You stood still as you patiently watched him scan you. Though, midway through scanning, he stops and clears his throat again—like he found something he shouldn't have—then he continues, “Scan completed. You currently have emotions of curiosity, nervousness, and a strong sense of affection…?”

You immediately pull back to cover your face with the clipboard in your hands, and sheepishly laugh, “I– uh, cough really? You could tell all that by simply looking at m-me?” You tumble in your words as red hues spread across your face, embarrassment evident in your tone.

“I do. And... May I ask, where are these emotions towards to?” He hesitantly asked, afraid he might be overstepping your boundaries but also disappointed as to why you have to cover your face suddenly. He leans over the glass, “May I also ask why you're hiding your face?”

You hesitantly lower the clipboard so that your eyes can only be seen, but your eyes were still not meeting his, which causes him to frown. You mumbled, “It’s complicated... and stupid too.”

“What kind of thought would seem stupid to the smart daughter of my creator?”

Your cheeks flushed red again. You felt a bit delirious—was the man in front of you flirting, or was it something else entirely?

He stared worriedly, clearly not wanting to cause you more embarrassment. "I didn't mean to intrude," he whispered. "If you can't tell me, then it's alrig—”

“No!” You instantly covered your mouth, both of you were shocked by your outburst. You quickly tried to compose yourself. “I’m sorry, but I've had this strange feeling for you ever since my father introduced us—a-and I know it sounds silly. It's just... You were there one moment and then gone the next. If it weren't for you, I would have died in that breakout.”

You covered your face with your hands, hoping for the answer you were praying for. Instead, there was a deafening silence that made you wish you could just bury yourself alive. Soon, tears threatened to drop to your cheeks.

“Don’t cry,” he whispered lowly. “Please don't.”

He groaned, and you gathered every bit of willpower to look at him, bracing yourself for a disgusted or pitiful expression. But instead, he was covering the lower half of his face with his hand, his cheeks flushed red. As if a normal human blushing.

He spoke slowly. "You... I mean, I was afraid I would make a fool of myself if I were the one confessing to you. But it seems you're feeling the same way... I mean—who could resist you? I-I sorry, what I mean…”

You sniffed and suddenly burst into laughter, shaking off the embarrassing emotions from earlier. Alpha felt relieved to see you joyful again. He couldn't help but smile unconsciously, loving the sound of your laughter.

You paused to take a deep breath, and your eyes searched for his, filled with adoration for you alone. Your lips curled into a melancholic smile. "If only I could free you from their doing," you murmured, "I wouldn't hesitate for a second.”

He chuckled quietly. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, to save you from my master's scolding." But then he looked a bit worried, "However, um, I might not be able to love you like a true human could.”

You let out a hum, nodding in understanding as you processed his words. A warm smile spread across your face as you looked at him. "Don't worry," you reassured him, your voice gentle. "I'll be here to guide you every step of the way."

He stared at you for a moment, feeling grateful to have someone like you around, and it seemed like he was amazed by what you were offering. You watched as he reached out, placing his hands flat on the other side of the glass wall. "That would be great," he said. "But if it ever gets too much for you, just let me know, okay?”

You let out a sigh, feeling the weight lift off your shoulders as you placed your hand where he was on the other side of the glass. He leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's just enjoy this moment for now," he said softly.

back to all my work . . .

#roxxiies #mlbb #mlbb x reader #mobile legends bang bang #📋 :: r’mail #alpha x reader #alpha x reader mlbb #mobile legends bang bang x reader #rox’ works

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eteledhasanaxe · 2 months ago

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It's really long so uhm it's under the cut because yeah (I did this in fifteen minutes so it might not be that great? it was just for an rp starter so)

Beware, here be headcanons and stuff ig

🐏~~~~~~~~~🐏

Sylvester was wandering the museum late at night. He had stayed after closing so that he could observe the various artifacts that everyone during that school field trip would have immediately tried to take. He never really liked it, when he was trying to do his research and kids from around his age from a school he didn't go to suddenly appeared for a field trip. He was looking over an information panel for an item inside of a glass case, deep in thought.

I don't understand why people always act so immature. He thought to himself about the sophomores he saw earlier. Sure, it seems… fun. But they should be focusing on the tour! Even if it's a little boring to some, it's interesting. History is something people should focus on more.

He paused his reading and looked up, crossing his arms. His mind was filled with conflicting thoughts. It looked like those kids were having fun. He was supposed to be a sophomore, but he had skipped a few grades. His parents had never let him be with other kids his age, so he had always wondered what it was like. He usually pushed down that thought, but tonight… it felt different. It wasn't another night that he'd lie awake in bed all night thinking about it. He tried to focus on the artifact in front of him, but he just couldn't push it out of his mind.

He stood in silence for a few minutes, his mind wandering a little until he thought about his parents. His mother and father… they were always quite strict. He always told himself that it was for the best, that they did it because they loved him, but one night, that fateful night two years ago when he left home and never looked back… the memory haunted him. His mother was probably still worried about him. His father, on the other hand, had most likely forgotten about him… He always seemed to do that, even if they had only not talked for an hour. Sylvester has always prayed it was just dementia taking its toll, but after a while, he had noticed that the only thing he ever forgot was Sylvester's name.

Sylvester sighed and put his hands in his pockets, thinking out loud. "Maybe I'm just forgettable. I wouldn't be surprised if anyone would…" He stopped himself before his thoughts got dark and shook his head. "No, no. I can't say that. Other people need me. I'm a psychologist. I'm a therapist. I'm top of my class, I… I've done everything I ever needed to do. All that's left is to graduate from my senior year early, and I'm on my way to college." Sylvester forced himself to smile. "I'll get a degree… I'll get a good job, meet someone who would be logically a perfect match, and I'll-" He paused, his smile fading. "…Logical. That's the only thing I think about, isn't it?"

He started walking again down the empty halls of the museum, looking up at the artifacts and fossils scattered about the place. He stopped walking after hearing something and turned around. He hesitated to call out, the darkness intimidating him. "…Hello?"

#sylvester ashling #epithet erased #headcanons i guess #writing thing #writing #constructive critism welcome #I guess #kinda #maybe #uhhh #idk #just don't be mean #eteled's randomized thoughts

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leiflitter · 4 months ago

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Cattonquick prompt: in YAHverse, something very basic but cheesy and couply that Oliver always dreamt to do with Felix when they were young and Felix fulfill his dream for him (knowingly or not). Happy birthday 🎂

OKAY so I wrote a whole thing for this and then tumblr deleted it but we live and we learn and we don't write direct in the answer box! So have a lil ramble about Candy Bracelets and yearning and stuff!

Felix loved sweet things. It was normally lollies; if he couldn’t- or didn’t fancy- smoking, he had a sickly strawberry lollipop in his mouth. Always strawberry. He bought them by the handful from the nearest corner shop. Oliver was sure that they had to start stocking extra just to make up for Felix’s habit. It was a wonder that his teeth weren’t riddled with cavities.

There were other things, though. Oliver had been on plenty of nights out with Felix, but the ones deemed really messy had been few and far between. Felix would have happily partied every night, getting a little merry and dancing, but Oliver had only truly seen Felix properly off his tits once.

When Felix planned to go hard, he didn’t have lollies. He’d explained it to Oliver in a noisy nightclub, pupils like saucers, each thought seeming to flow into a million different ones. Ollie had only been drunk, and Felix’s hand on the back of his neck had held all of his attention until he’d wiggled his other wrist in front of Oliver’s eyes. “Ask me the time!”

Felix wasn’t wearing a watch. Oliver blinked, trying to haul himself away from his imagination and back to the sticky floor and flashing lights and loud, loud pop music. “Wha… Wha’ time’s it, Felix?”

Felix had howled with laughter, turning his wrist so the beaded bracelets that had joined his festival wristbands and rubber charity bangles were suddenly, obviously sweets. Candy beads on elastic, a larger one with a rudimentary watchface taking pride of place, and Oliver’s eyes narrowed and his mouth watered. “It’s not a real watch, Olls, see, but it’s a great way to pull.”

He nodded through Felix’s long-winded explanation of how girls thought it was great- they didn’t, girls just thought anything Felix did was great, the same way he did- and then… “Always thought it’d be fun to wear one on my prick, give some lucky lady a sweet surprise, yeah? Hey, Farleigh!”

He’d stood there, having to down his vodka and coke in one as Felix bounded away to hug his cousin. By the time he’d calmed down enough to move, Felix had been stolen away by some girl in a glittery miniskirt, and Oliver had waited until they left together to head back to his lonely little room.

Felix had never noticed them in the little supermarket they went to together. Oliver always did, though, quietly wondering if Felix even remembered talking to him that night. Maybe it was all a sugary, sparkly blur to him. They were together now; this time of year had been their time, when they were young. Perhaps that was why Oliver bought them.

Perhaps that was also why he hid them behind the packets of microwave rice, feeling stupid. One night, so long ago, one he only remembered because of Felix holding him by the scruff of the neck like a kitten and that throwaway remark. Had he been braver, he’d have leaned forwards, got a bead or two in his mouth. Crunched them up and told Felix that he fancied something sweet. Get Felix flustered, wondering if Ollie was…

He’d put them out of his mind until he came home for lunch. It was a hot day- so humid that Ollie’d probably take a clean shirt back to his office because he’d be sweaty by the time he cycled back. A fucking wood fucking panelling day, and Felix was wearing his jogging shorts and nothing else, sprawled on the sofa with his wrist to his mouth. Baz panted in front of the oscillating fan.

“Too hot?” Oliver planted one hand on the doorframe, trying to work out what Felix was doing. He waved his other hand at Ollie lazily, stretching out one leg to prod at Oliver’s thigh. “Ice cream for lunch?”

“All out.” Felix was speaking like his mouth was full, and Oliver frowned before realizing that Felix seemingly had some new jewelry. Pastel hued, loose on his wrist where he’d been gnawing them off. Felix saw where Oliver was looking, swallowing and holding out that arm. “Want one? Found ‘em in the cupboard, it’s too bloody hot to eat… Ollie?”

Oliver held up a finger, hitting send on a mass email to cancel his afternoon lecture due to an urgent family matter, then tossing the phone to the armchair. He shrugged his way out of his shirt as he moved to perch on the edge of the sofa, Felix’s bare skin sticky where it touched his. He caught Felix’s arm, pulling it over. A candy bead crunched between his teeth; they were slightly damp with spit and sweat, the elastic all stretched out because of Felix tugging it with his teeth. He swallowed, then kissed the inside of Felix’s wrist, lifting his eyes to Felix’s startled face.

“We got any left?”

“Whole packet in the cupboard.” Felix was flushed, trying to sit up but failing, too focused on Oliver’s face to be coordinated.

“Fancy putting another one on, Felix…?”

#saltburn fanfic #saltburn fanfiction #saltburn #leiflitter writes #leiflitter answers #felix catton/oliver quick #cattonquick #you're almost home #yah!posting

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nualaofthefaerie · 1 year ago

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In another post you mentioned you had marked all your favorite Sunflower moments/interactions. Do you mind sharing your favorites with your devout followers?

Much love, Fauxraven

It is high time I come back to writing in here.

I will start by answering some questions, I've been overlooking for a while and then will share why I was away for as long as I have.

Let's discuss my favourite Sandflower interactions though. Thank you for the question and this is going to be quite lengthy as a post, but please bear with me. + the interactions are not ordered by how favourite of mine they are, but rather chronologically for the sake of order in the post 🪷

!Spoilers for the entirety of the Sandman comics under the divider!

Season of Mists

This one is very easy. It's the first time they meet and immediately two panels are very important to me as far as their relationship goes.

People make the VERY wrong assumption Nuala was always enthralled by Morpheus but she wasn't. She met him under her "Ice Maiden" title - a fairy so desired men died for a sliver of her attention. She went to the Dreaming as ordered by Titania, the reasons for which could be discussed in another post. Nuala being a gift to Morpheus is a very calculated move by Titania, putting both Nuala and Morpheus in extremely uncomfortable for them positions. Initially. The reason I love this panel is because it shows simultenously that Nuala didn't care about Morpheus at all and she was being arrogant towards him.

The second interaction in Season of Mists that I want to point out is this panel right here. Although on the surface this entire interaction is quite meaningful this panel right here is very important for two reasons. One and that is the obvious one, he is forcing Nuala on a journey of self-discovery and love, stripping the deceptive glamour thrusted upon her from the moment she first existed (all fairies wear glamour). Second, Morpheus notes to "misliking little magics in his realm", which is factually untrue - everything in his realm is magic in one form or another. What he dislikes is not being in control of the magic being distributed throughout his realm. So here already he had begun very clearly being dishonest with Nuala, which we will see further becomes a pattern - he will say one thing and do the exact opposite.

A Game of You

The famous page. But what people rarely talk about this panel is that Morpheus makes the active choice to be nice to her. Something he doesn't do. It is okay to not believe me, but go back, read for yourself, Morpheus doesn't praise people, he doesn't hand out empty compliments or say nice things to people in general. Now, this is the first time he does that with Nuala. He will do it one-two more times I think - he will praise her to other people and briefly before they separate for the last time. Nuala is someone Morpheus harbours positive feelings for. However, from that point forward, we will see Morpheus making the choice to act in a way he usually doesn't and do things he doesn't usually do. This is the face of the Sandflower community (me and my three bitches), but it is not my favourite panel by a long slide.

Brief Lives

I can choose a lot of interactions from "Brief Lives" however that will take an excrutiating amount of time. The most important thing about Brief Lives is the pendant Nuala receives from Thessaly, Morpheus' nasty attitude, because he is being whiny he got broken up with and what a wonderful pretty girl Lala is. This panel encapsulates that so that's why it's here.

THIS interaction has to be top 3 of my favourite interactions between them. Remember when I said in the beginning people hold big misconceptions about Nuala as a character - that she is a weak, spineless character that fades into the background. This panel is my favourite to disprove those.

"Nuala is meek to Morpheus."

No, Nuala likes Morpheus, there is a difference. Because if she was meek, she would've never stood up for herself or put him in his place, which she does in this very conversation despite their more than obvious power dynamics. While Morpheus shows open distain for her people, Nuala simply and confidently tells Morpheus she cannot change who she is, which is a surprise to the Dream Lord. She is unwilling to allow to be slandered like that whether he is a king or a jester.

This one is here because 1. He lets her keep the pendant, which at that point is not deliberate on his side but it will become a point of deep connection between them (there is a theory about the pendant, another post I want to write a lot), in a way he didn't have with Thessaly mind you. 2. He calls her "Little one" and I think that is adorable.

World's End

I will not put anything from Worlds End because it's the most important Sandflower volume in my opinion. I will, at some point write a whole post about Issue #52. For now, if you're interested go read Issue #52.

The Kindly Ones

This is my single favourite panel in the entire Sandman. Nuala and Morpheus were the original "You came/ You called" and I can't wait to see it in the series through the eyes of Nuala's actress and Tom Sturridge. ( I want to write a whole separate post about the pendant too, so, for now this is enough).

And lastly, I could put their whole conversation here and I could put the numerous comparison's between Morpheus' relationship with Thessaly and with Nuala. But I won't do that because they are irrelevant.

When Nuala became "The Maiden" both in the sense of the Kinly Ones and Persephone, she became a tragic figure bound by her love for a man that is quietly self-distructive. If you go back and read through the comic, there is a distinct uncertainty about Morpheus' coldness from his official partners - Calliope says he suddenly became cold; Thessaly believes he sees people as things he wants until he gets them and then he gets bored; Titania does not talk a lot about the nature of their relationship, however from context we can infer he also stopped responding to her at some point and she is still hung on him (as seen by her conversation with Nuala). Only Nuala recognizes his coldness for what it is - a deep inner hatred of himself and usage of loneliness as a means of punishment of himself. She ecognizes the patterns of his behaviours from his standpoint as opposed to her own, symbolizing the level to which they are connected, whether we as readers realize it or not (because I initially didn't). Nuala wants to save Morpheus, but she is very well aware that she can't.

As for Morpheus he choose Nuala as the last woman (because he did choose to go to her, he had every right to refuse and protect his kingdom, despite the boon) to visit before his death, even though Thessaly had at that point broken him up and he had given up (as by the red flowers in their feet). It is such a heartbreaking panel. Because it is the one that actually shows the depth to which Nuala sees Morpheus past his mask and the level to which Morpheus lies to her for a reason we never find out.

An amalgamation of all they had experienced together is him saying "He didn't notice" and yet, no one who has read the comics from start to finish believes Morpheus. He doesn't believe himself. She was the last person outside of his closest circle he ever saw. Why? Because of his responsibility to a boon? No. He could've left, he knew she would understand, even though she was most adamant he should stay. He stayed because he wanted.

~*~

My personal belief here is that Morpheus in his evident self-hatred did everything in his power to make Nuala turn away from him. He recognizes her as something good and we know Morpheus does not believe he deserves good things. So their last conversation is also a way for him to hurt her to a point where she wouldn't be in pain once he dies. Because she is good and he is not.

Author's note:

It's on posts like these that I realize how much I've uncovered about Sandflower since I first started. I genuinely thought I was in a crackhead space and yet, going back and reading again it's truly baffling how many times Neil wrote actions instead of words - because the good thing about comics is that we can not only read we can see, and the actions Morpheus takes towards someone he doesn't seemingly care about all that much, do not align with his words. I encourage everyone to make their own headcanons or draw their own conclusions. These are my personal and of course they highly reflect my biased viewpoints.

Love,

#the sandman #nuala #nuala of the faerie #morpheus #sandflower #dream of the endless #the sandman netflix #nuala the sandman #Sandman analysis #sandman comics #the sandman comics #sandman meta

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kyuriin-chan · 2 years ago

Text

Adam Warlock x OC

Part 3

Word Count: 2.046

Warnings: Adam being cute, fluff, angst, jealous Adam, slightly possessive Adam

POV Adam

The next day I woke up overjoyed and a sincere smile crept onto my lips immediately, when I thought about the kiss with Seraphina. I found that her lips matched mine perfectly and ran a finger over my lips, which began to tingle slightly at the thought.

I would never forget that feeling again.

Quickly I made my way to her spaceship so I could pick her up. I almost sprinted in it's direction while a few residents watched me with interest.

"Morning Adam! What got you into such a good mood today?", Peter asked me, who was leaning against one of the many buildings and was now coming towards me. I stopped almost abruptly and looked at Peter who was now standing next to me and looked at me questioningly.

"What do you mean? I'm just like every other day", I said thoughtfully and tried to calculate how Peter came up with this idea. Like every morning, I made my way to Seraphina, which was no longer news.

"Well yes, but you got that kinda pep in your way of walking y'know? Anything I should know about?", he explained his observation, which I still didn't quite understood, and now walked alongside me as I continued to head for Seraphina's ship. "Oh yes. Please refrain yourself from touching Seraphina all the time. She is now mine", I said to Peter, wanting to do Seraphina a favor.

If I told him about it now, then she no longer needed to deal with this task.

Undeterred, I walked on and didn't even notice that Peter had stopped dead in his tracks until I heard him loudly behind me, "wait ... WHAT?" I turned to him and saw his almost stunned expression.

"I said, please refrain...", I was interrupted again while repeating my sentence as before by Seraphina and I frowned.

Why exactly was I always interrupted when I wanted to repeat my sentence when they asked for it?

"I did hear you Adam. I mean how the hell did that happen?", Peter said immediately and sprinted to my side with a now interested expression and a big grin on his face. "I told her how I felt and she said that she also liked me", I explained slightly confused, not knowing exactly what Peter wanted from me now.

"I knew it!", Peter whispered to himself but I heard him anyway and yet again he confused me with his words. "What did you know?" I asked and hoped that I would get a sufficiently explanatory answer so that I could put the puzzle pieces together.

"Oh nothing... I have to go now, gotta do some work", Peter quickly waved me off and marched on in a different direction.

So, still confused, I stood in place until I just dropped this whole conversation as I wasn't going to figure it out anyway.

Seraphina's spaceship slowly entered my field of vision and a wave of nervousness washed over me at once. However, I couldn't describe exactly why I was suddenly so nervous and the butterflies in my stomach didn't really help with the solution.

I reached her ramp and peered curiously inside the ship. Usually she was either already outside or near the ramp which is why I hadn't actually seen her ship from the inside until now. Here and there I was able to catch a quick glimpse, but that I got a good look at her ship from the inside could not be said to be true.

So I stood uncertainly in front of the ramp and wondered if I should just wait here for her or maybe call for her? My curiosity finally took the lead and with light steps I walked slowly over the ramp into the interior of the ship.

It was quite a large ship, similar to Peter's, but rather lightly decorated with lots of whites and blues. Astonished, I looked around and entered the control area, which had a particularly large number of holographic panels.

Almost admiringly, I approached the large viewing window through which I could see space and lingered there for a moment. While my mother's spaceship was in our shades of gold, I found this ship stunningly beautiful as well and thought it suited Seraphina very well.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by an unknown voice and now turned to the corridor from which it came. I frowned and wondered who exactly besides Seraphina could be on the ship, after all it was hers and she had come to Knowhere alone.

Had she perhaps been visited by one of the Guardians?

After all, she was responsible for repairing some electrical equipment and often exchanged ideas with Rocket about it.

So while I continued to follow the sound of the voice, I still tried to absorb every detail of the ship and found that I had never seen a ship like hers. Most spaceships didn't have many windows, and yet hers had particularly many, despite being kept so bright. I really hoped that she would invite me into her ship and show me the many rooms.

Since she also returned here every day, didn't that mean that she also had her room here? A pleasant tingling went through my body at the thought of finding her room and spending time with her there.

Just the two of us.

Eventually I came to a large room that seemed to have some sort of hologram displayed in the middle.

In front of the hologram was an unknown man with his back to me. I eyed him disapprovingly from my vantage point, wondering who exactly this man was. His blond hair closely resembled my hairstyle with some more curls and he seemed to have my height as far as I could tell. His muscles could be seen through his spacesuit and I wondered if I looked just like him.

Until now, that had never bothered me but while I continued to watch the man an uneasy feeling spread through me.

Now why was this man on Seraphina's ship? After all, she had never spoken of another person.

Finally, Seraphina also stepped into my field of vision with her back to me and looked at the hologram as well. However, since I couldn't figure out what exactly I was looking at, I could only watch silently and didn't know exactly whether I should make myself known or not.

"Okay hear me out. I think I got it now," the strange man suddenly spoke up and Seraphina turned to him with one of her beautiful smiles. She had crossed her arms and seemed to have raised an eyebrow playfully. She had shifted her weight to her right leg and continued to look at the man expectantly, "you think so?"

The man snapped his fingers once and then pointed at Seraphina, "I think the mistake is in line 4." Waiting, he kept looking at Seraphina and suddenly she started laughing and shaking her head.

"Wrong again! How can you not see this!", she continued to laugh while the blond man looked at the blue hologram again and sighed, "how CAN YOU see this? It's... like impossible, I just don't get it."

"It's not, you're just looking at it the wrong way", she continued, rolling her eyes. When she turned away she finally noticed me at the entrance of the room and looked at me in astonishment.

"Adam? What are you doing here?", she asked me immediately and grabbed a small holopad from one of the tables. "Hi...umm I wanted to go get you", I ground out stiffly, feeling a little caught. I stood uncomfortably in front of the two and could now see the man's face clearly.

His blue eyes were similar to Seraphina's but if you looked close enough you could see that hers were lighter and the rim of her iris was darker.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry Adam! I totally forgot to tell you that I'm working on my ship today, so you actually didn't have to come all this way to get me", she said immediately and put the holopad away to shift her attention to me yet again. The man excused himself and suddenly it was just the two of us in the large room.

"Is it because of him that you don't want me here?", I asked uncertainly and suddenly felt out of place. With my golden appearance I stood out strongly in the white ship and I began to fidged with my hands. "God no! I'm actually very happy that you are here", she assured me and yet I wasn't completely convinced of her answer.

"Then why wouldn't you tell me about him?", I asked again and just couldn't shake this queasy feeling away I felt as well, when Peter touched Seraphina. I didn't like the way she smiled at him so softly and let him onto her ship! This guy suddenly showed up and was allowed into her ship while I only got inside by accident?

"I already told you Adam, I forgot. I'm really sorry", she said again and suddenly a feeling came over me that I had never felt so strongly. I had an enormous urge to show her that she was mine and she should realize that too. Not thinking about it, I took a few steps in her direction and lifted her chin with my right hand.

Without warning, I pressed my lips firmly to hers, only hearing a surprised squeak from her, since I had my eyes closed. Like the day before, I immediately melted into the kiss and my left hand automatically found her hip. I found that my hand felt right there and pressed her further towards me so that her body was now flush against mine.

Panting, we broke apart again and slowly I could think more clearly.

"I-I'm sorry... it's just I got this feeling and I couldn't hold myself back any longer. I-I needed to show you that you are mine", I tried to explain and looked down uncertainly.

"You are mine right?", I asked again and looked up into her blue eyes. Her astonished expression was quickly replaced by one of her smiles and she had to chuckle a little. "You were jealous Adam and yes I am yours", she said softly, stroking my strand of hair back, because it had strayed forward in the heat of the moment.

The queasy feeling immediately disappeared and was again replaced by lots of butterflies as she assured me that she was indeed mine. "Who is this guy anyway?" I picked up the strange man again and looked at her expectantly.

"This 'guy' is my brother and his name is Micah", she laughed at my question and now I finally realized why the two looked so alike.

"Oh..."

"I'm back and brought Rocket with me. Said he got some ideas for improvements or something like this," Micah's voice roared, accompanied by Rocket.

"First of all I'm here because I got to the bottom of why this device isn't working and not because of 'something like this'," Rocket began to explain, holding up a small technical device, "secondly there is an error in line 3 and the code of line 5 is missing a rune." Micah looked at the hologram in disbelief and seemed to want to verify Rocket's statement.

"Just... how?"

Rocket just sighed and shook his head, "you sure he is your brother Phina?" She seemed to consider his statement and frowned, "well I do hope so. Been doomed to teach him in 3 languages since he IS my brother."

I carefully followed the conversation between the two and tilted my head slightly to the side, "why would you ask about the validity of his heritage?"

Surely Rocket must have noticed how similar the two looked, right?

"I'm still here y'know! Could you guys please stop talking about me like I'm not here?", came Micah's voice, who had crossed his arms in front of his chest and was slightly glaring at us all.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Feel free to comment your thoughts or prompts ✨

#fanfiction #adam warlock imagine #adam warlock fluff #adam warlock x oc #adam warlock #adam warlock x reader #will poulter fic #will poulter #guardians of the galaxy 3 #guardians of the galaxy #mcu #mcu fanfiction #fluff and angst

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peskellence · 11 months ago

Text

up in smoke

Explicit content (18+)

Pairing: RK900/Gavin Reed

Tags: M/M, Oral, Rough Sex, Dom/Sub Undertones, Shameless Smut, Semi-Public Sex, Toxic Relationships, Ex-Boyfriends

Read on AO3 here:

Summary: Gavin couldn't stand parties. Least of all, the ones that were hosted by his pretentious older brother. When the ‘small festive gathering’ he has been invited to turns out to be a networking event, he's quickly left wondering if things could possibly get any worse - and then he runs into Nolan, his former colleague and ex-boyfriend.

Modern-day Human!AU loosely taking place at Christmas.

Word Count: 5.4K

Gavin stood at his brother's front door, his fist poised hesitantly over the sleek black panelling. The invitation had come last minute, and he still couldn't quite explain what had compelled him to accept. Perhaps it was the promise of free food - or the opportunity to make his brother squirm with visceral recounts of the most recent horror movies he’d been watching.

Regardless, he found himself rooted in place, the bitter chill outside nipping at his skin - with the cheapest, shittiest bottle of wine the gas station had to offer clutched in his available hand. A torn grumble escaped his lips as he reluctantly brought down his fist. Not seconds after it made impact, the door had swung open.

"Gavin, you're here."

Elijah's greeting was accompanied by a nauseating grin nearly as bright as his garish red suit. Gavin had always found it impressive that despite his sibling's enviable wealth, he couldn't afford himself a sense of style.

Shoving his lacklustre gift into his brother's chest, he stepped through the doorway, dusting off his mud-caked boots on the runner. He did a quick scan of the hallway and discovered that the nearby shoe rack was stacked to the point of overflowing.

“So, who have you invited to this thing other than me? And please don't say Auntie Christie. If I have to listen to one more story about that 20-something masseuse she met in Guam, I'm going to kill myself.”

“No, Auntie Christie”, Elijah assured, his lips curled inwards as he suppressed a chuckle. “This is really more of a…networking event, with some of the teams from the sister office.”

Gavin, who had been halfway through shrugging his jacket off, promptly halted his movements. He glared at his brother accusingly, mouth pulling into a tight scowl. “You said this was a ‘small festive gathering.’”

“It is small, really. There can't be much more than a hundred people.”

As he focused in on the sounds coming from the parlour, a persistent rumble of voices reached his ears, accompanied by a flurry of footsteps. While the incessant drone of Christmas music sought to drown it out, the signs of life were unmistakable. The house was heaving.

“I'm out”, he announced, turning on his heel and rounding towards the exit. “You always do this, I can't believe you.”

“Gavin, stay a while”, Elijah implored, stretching out an arm to obstruct his path. “It's freezing out there.”

“Why do you even want me at a networking event? I thought you were done inviting me to those after the last time I embarrassed you.”

There was a flicker of recollection across his brother's face, followed by a wince. ‘Embarrassed’ was an understatement. Gavin had humiliated him. After receiving a dare from Tina, one of the few lively consultants at their office, he had revisited an old childhood pastime: sliding down the stairs on a baking tray. The result was a shattered collarbone and an enduring bloodstain on a pair of silk curtains.

“I thought maybe we could discuss your resignation”, Elijah continued, trying to usher him back inside. “We’ve not filled the position yet; it’s not too late to change your mind.”

“I’m not going to change my mind”, he shot back.

Even if it hadn't been for the ‘incident’, Gavin was firmly set on the fact that he would not be returning to work. The job at the company had been all but handed to him, accepted at a time of financial desperation. Truthfully, he had never fully grasped what the role entailed. Other than being mind-numbingly tedious.

“The team misses you.”

“I seriously fucking doubt that.”

“Well, Tina misses you”, his brother corrected, trying to remain diplomatic.

Gavin hesitated briefly, feeling a small spark of interest. Perhaps he could inject some much-needed life into the festivities with the help of an old confidante. “Is she here?”

“No, she has the flu.”

The rogue spark of hope extinguished, and he resumed his efforts to push past his brother. “Then I'm not staying. Bye, Eli.”

“You didn't need to leave over what happened”, his sibling said back. “We could implement some restructures to the teams to make it more comfortable for everyone. I spoke with Nolan about it, and he - ”

“Don't.” Gavin felt a bitter twist in his stomach at the mention of the name. Glancing back into the house, his eyes darted towards the presumably bustling parlour, narrowed in a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. “Is he here?”

“I haven't seen him…” Elijah said vaguely, “Not unless Chloe let him in.” Then, his eyes twinkled in inspiration as he made a last-ditch effort to convince his sibling. “She made those Mac and Cheese bites you love. Did you not want to have some before you go?”

Gavin’s cavernous belly rumbled to life at the mention of the snack. It was no surprise that his current lack of employment had left him with dwindling funds - as well as a sparsely filled fridge. Realistically, he couldn't say no to the offer of free food, even if it meant tolerating some less-than-stellar company.

With reluctance, he conceded, turning back into the house. “...Fine, but after that, I’m gone.”

Perfect,” his brother responded, the nauseating smile returning. Glancing down at the bottle he had been gifted, he struggled to mask his disappointment. The label read ‘White Wine’ in a messy back font, with no other information - having likely been scribbled on by the store clerk himself after losing the original tag. “You know what, this is lovely. It really should be saved for a special occasion.”

Entering the parlour, Gavin parked himself at the end of an outstretched buffet table, canvassing the spread for his desired target. He was hard-pressed to believe that ‘cheese bites’ would feature in the selection at all, with most of the foods seeming to be more to his brother's pretentious tastes.

The fuck is Densuke Watermelon? Why am I here?

He was shuffled around repeatedly as other guests approached the table, humming appreciatively at the options. Elijah had clearly understated the numbers, with every inch of the expansive room densely packed with bodies. Having reached ‘sardines’ territory, Gavin concluded that it was far more pretension than he was willing to tolerate sober.

Forgetting about food, he instead focused on the myriad of expensive-looking bottles lining the back of the table. He cared little about what they contained, with his only real consideration being which would get him drunk the quickest. That was when he noticed a shared detail. A single, harrowing digit which sought to sever what lingering threads remained of his optimism:

Very clever, Eli, you smug bastard.

He felt a firm tap on his shoulder - followed by a flat, monotonous voice which burrowed unwelcomely into his ear. “Ah, Gavin, it’s been a few months. How have you been?”

Out of his peripherals, he spotted Walter Brown: A heavy-set man in his early fifties with a combover as sparse and flimsy as his charisma. If Gavin had a tenuous grasp on his own position in the company, he had even less of an idea about what Walter did. All he knew was that he attended almost every company event and had a knack for showing up at the most inopportune times.

He turned to him, mouth stretched into a twisted parody of a grin, as his voice dripped with false sincerity. “Just peachy, Walt, what about you?”

The older man frowned at the nickname, which Gavin knew he disliked, before haughtily clearing his throat. “We've just secured the Stratford Cooperative as a client, so I'd say we're doing marvellous. I heard your team lost Parsons over a little blowout - such a shame.”

“Yeah, real pity,” the younger man hummed, picking at a piece of what he assumed was an extremely expensive watermelon - rolling it between his fingers and squashing it firmly. “So, how’s the wife doing? Still fucking her personal trainer?”

Elijah, who had been schmoozing his way around the table, made an audible sound of disconcertment upon hearing this. His head snapped round to face them, eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Have you found the cheese bites yet, Gavin? They’re over here. Let me show you.” Flashing Walter an apologetic smile, he placed his hands on his brother’s shoulders before swiftly steering him away.

Once they had sufficiently distanced themselves, he leaned in close, speaking firmly into the younger man's ear: “Be nice.”

"You were the one who said I should stay”, Gavin hissed back. “I never promised I'd be nice.”

Elijah pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly exasperated. “I need to speak with Anderson quickly.” He gestured to a secluded area of the buffet, where a mostly ignored platter labelled 'Cheese Bites' was placed. “Just grab a plate and relax. When I return, we can discuss the restructure.”

"I already told you, dipshit, I'm not coming -" His brother hurried off before he could say anything else, leaving the sentence to hang in the air.

Left with only the solace of breaded cheese, he grabbed the entire platter, not bothering with a plate. Sitting down on a nearby chair, he prepared himself to indulge. As the first bite touched his lips, a sudden noise startled him, causing it to slip from his fingers and tumble onto the floor. Gavin could feel his agitation simmer, bubbling under his skin, as he zoned in on the source of the noise.

A group of well-dressed men stood nearby, exchanging a series of mundane anecdotes. Everything about their presence seemed to exude an inflated sense of importance, and as Gavin continued to eavesdrop, his face contorted into a grimace.

The group, amused by a particularly uninspired joke, erupted into a fit of laughter. Unable to resist the temptation, he mockingly joined in, barking out a sharp cackle and throwing his head back in an exaggerated show of amusement.

Caught off guard by this, one of the men turned to him with an expectant smile before innocently inquiring, "What do you think?"

Gavin hummed in faux deliberation before shedding the pleasant facade almost as quickly as he'd adopted it.

"I need a piss. That's what I think.”

He stood from his chair, platter in hand, and hastily stomped away, leaving the men to exchange a series of perplexed glances. Manoeuvring his way through the crowds, he sought out a room that was less densely occupied - stuffing cheese bites into his mouth as he did so, leaving a trail of crumbs.

This can't get any worse.

Turning a corner, he collided face-first with the chest of an unknown figure. The platter smashed against them, crushing much of the food and leaving an oily stain on their expensive-looking shirt.

“...Hello, Gavin. I didn't think you'd be here”, a voice calmly addressed him.

Never mind. It just got worse.

He blinked up at his ex-partner as dribbles of cheese oozed down his chin, unable to be contained by his outstretched jaw. Nolan looked back at him, grey eyes narrowed in scrutiny but expression otherwise unreadable.

Despite the now prominent stain on his shirt, he looked incredible - dark hair slicked back, showcasing the full expanse of his sharp jawline and freckled skin. Gavin felt his stomach twist in a confusing mix of want and envy as he attempted to rudely side-step him.

“Out of my way,” he demanded harshly, spraying more crumbs from his mouth as he did so.

Nolan refused to budge, unfazed by the frosty reception. “How are you doing? It's been…”. He paused momentarily, seemingly torn between tact and honesty. “...strange not having you at the office.”

“Funny way of saying ‘relaxing.’” Gavin darted to the side again, but the other man mirrored his movement, blocking his path.

“You left your succulents on our desk. The rest of them, that is.”

Suppressing the biting laugh that threatened to erupt from his lips, he chose not to respond, rolling his eyes in feigned disinterest.

"They're still in my car. I could get them for you.”

Having cleared his mouth, he wasted no time in slipping another bite between his lips. He made a point of flapping his jaw as he chewed, gnashing his teeth in uncomfortable proximity to the other man's ear. “Fucking keep ‘em. Like I care.”

Nolan shuddered, but only subtly, before quickly composing himself. “Yes, well, I know you didn't like them much anyway. They hardly ever got watered.”

“I did water them”, Gavin corrected, scowling. “It's not my fault that the internet lied when they said they were easy to take care of.”

“They tend to live longer when they aren't being launched at someone's head”, Nolan dryly replied.

“You asked for it.”

In a clear attempt to shift the conversation, Nolan breezed past the remark. He straightened his back, as he always did when trying to maintain an air of professionalism. “So, what have you been doing since you left?”

“Jacking off and watching reruns of Criminal Minds. I like to switch up the order. Keep it fresh.”

Just then, one of their co-workers approached from behind Nolan, allowing for a fleeting respite in the tense conversation. She clapped her hand on his shoulder and beamed at him pleasantly. “Congratulations on the promotion. We're going to love having you on our team.”

As she happily trotted away, Gavin glared after her before staring back at his ex accusingly. “Oh, I see. So that's what Eli meant when he said there'd been a ‘restructure’”

The other man deflated a bit, his tightly held shoulders stooped in vexation. “The project is struggling, and I'm one of his most senior consultants. It's only natural that I -”

“Save it”, Gavin interrupted, holding out a hand. He popped another bite into his mouth, humming loudly in appreciation, as the cheese oozed itself across his intentionally exposed tongue. “Anyone else would have been punished for the Parsons fuck up. So have you been screwing my brother for long, or is that more of a recent development?”

“I would say that the Parsons ‘fuck up’ was more of a shared effort. You were the one who turned the office into a war zone.”

“I threw one plant, and it missed you. Get over it.”

From the corner of his eye, Gavin spotted someone attempting to encroach on his platter. He swiftly yanked it away, snarling fiercely to establish his claim. Despite this, as he moved to grab another bite, he hesitated, his stomach beginning to churn.

“You know what? Looking at your face for this long, I think I've lost my appetite.”

The juvenile remark threatened to crack Nolan's composure. His jaw clenched uncomfortably as the corner of his lip twitched in frustration. “Scathing. I don't know how I'll ever recover from such a cutting insult.”

“Just leave me alone, you smug asshole.” Unwilling to engage with his ex for a moment longer, Gavin finally set down the platter - before angrily storming past, clocking the other man's shoulder as he did so.

He continued to a nearby hallway, heading towards a flight of stairs, cussing the entire time. He was suddenly accosted by Elijah, who parted his way through the sea of confused-looking onlookers. “Gavin, did you want to talk about -”

“No.”

The words died on his brother's tongue. With consideration for the people who were staring, he calmly readjusted his approach. “If you're going to have a smoke, please remember to -”

“Eat a dick.”

He stormed up the staircase and weaved this way through the many corridors. The murmurs of voices and clinking of glasses became fainter the longer he persisted until they were no longer audible. Turning his way into his brother's recreation room, he ignored the overtly opulent furnishings and focused instead on the attached balcony.

Stepping onto the iron grate, he felt the tension in his body ease. He leaned against the railing, looking down at the expansive driveway and the army of SUVs and flashy sports cars. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a packet of cigarettes. He placed one of them into his mouth before lighting up.

After taking a long, comforting drag, he continued to survey the vehicles before a familiar flash of cobalt blue caught his eye. He wondered how much damage he could do to Nolan's car if he were to haul one of Elijah's chairs over the guardrail.

Indulging in the fantasy, he closed his eyes and attempted to regain some semblance of calm. His moment of peace was short-lived as a shuffle of footsteps approached from behind.

“I thought you quit.”

With a frustrated grumble, Gavin took another drag before turning his head to glare daggers at the unwelcome intruder. “What part of ‘leave me alone’ did you not understand?”

Nolan coolly ignored him, stepping onto the metal grate, careful not to slip on the ice. “You were doing so well. I thought you might actually kick the habit.”

“What do you care?”

“Smoking is disgusting. It smells terrible, stains your teeth - and it is toxic not only for you but everyone you associate with.”

“Spare me the lecture, Mom”, Gavin retorted, taking a deliberately long drag and blowing in his direction. “If it's so disgusting, why don't you fuck off and leave me to it?”

Closing his eyes to guard from the smoke, Nolan took a long, steadying breath. With purposeful strides, he advanced, his steely eyes darkening. While his former partner had always displayed remarkable emotional control, Gavin could sense a quiet intensity that was threatening to boil over.

Attempting to step back, he found himself cornered as his ex-partner loomed menacingly. To conceal his unease, he puffed out his chest and lifted his chin in a show of bravado.

What the hell is he doing?

In a swift motion, Nolan plucked the cigarette from his mouth and placed it between his own lips. He drew a long, measured drag before exhaling the smoke into Gavin's face.

He felt his breath hitch as the dense veil obscured his vision. Through the haze, he could see Nolan's stern expression beginning to shift. There was a twinkle of intrigue in his eyes, accompanied by a satisfied smirk. He lifted the cigarette into the air and, in one final act of dominance, flicked it over the balcony.

Gavin reeled as his mind raced with conflicting impulses, as a rogue twitch of interest flagged in his jeans. Fuck, that was hot. Why was that hot?

"You're infuriating, you know that?" Nolan hissed, narrowing the gap between them. "The most infuriating man I have ever met.”

“Oh yeah, and what are you going to do about it?” he challenged. “Shove me off the balcony?”

A hand fisted into his hair before harshly wrenching back. Any lingering resistance swiftly deserted him as Gavin felt his body surge with a powerful wave of excitement.

“No, I'd rather keep you up here so I can teach you some manners.”

“Fuck you, Nolan…” he spat back weakly, inciting a chuckle from the other man.

“Only if you beg,” he purred, beginning to trail kisses along the expanse of his neck. "And trust me, you will.”

The kisses trailed upwards until they were dancing across the shell of his ear, interspersed with harsh nips. Gavin made a small, almost whimpering sound as his face flushed with embarrassment. The other man chuckled, low and throaty, before whispering a hushed command.

“Get on your knees.”

Before he had a chance to respond, he was being pushed downwards until he was positioned with his face inches from Nolan's zipper. He gulped back a needy breath as he greedily eyed the bulge, a rush of adrenaline leaving him numb to the icy chill of the grate.

Without much further consideration, Gavin unfastened the pants, pulling them down, before moving on to the exposed set of boxers. Nolan gasped as a cool rush of air struck his arousal. It only lasted a moment as a tight heat quickly engulfed it.

Gavin rolled his tongue across the tip of his length before bringing it further into his mouth, bottoming out as it reached his throat. The man above him growled as he deftly picked up the pace, hollowing out his cheeks.

“Just look at you, so needy.” Nolan tightened his hold on his head, leaning back against the balcony for much-needed support. “Anyone could see us out here. So desperate for me that you don't even care.”

Gavin responded to the suggestion with a pointed raise of his middle finger before resuming his movements, humming against the hardness in a way he knew drove him insane. Nolan's eyes swiftly rolled into the back of his head, lips parted in a ragged groan.

Then Gavin pulled away, catching the sensitive flesh with an intentional graze of his teeth. The other man hissed in pain before glaring down in accusation.

“Why do you always have to make things difficult?” His hoarse voice rumbled, hand clenching Gavin's hair with near excruciating force. “If you're good, you'll get what you want - Now open your mouth. Wider.”

As he allowed his jaw to slacken, he felt Nolan's hips bucked forward with unyielding force. It wasn't long until he had established a pace of hard, relentless thrusts. Gavin gagged and choked around the intrusion as a raw pain burned his throat.

The hardened flesh twitched in his mouth as the movements became increasingly erratic, signalling that the other man was nearing release. He braced himself, knowing he was unlikely to receive any warning when the length was pulled from his mouth - leaving its seal with a sinful pop.

“As much as I'm sure you're enjoying yourself”, Nolan began, his voice thick with desire. “It’s getting a little cold. Let's move this inside.”

Pulling up from his knees, Gavin followed him into the recreation room, eagerly speculating on what else he might have planned for them. The answer came in the form of hands gripping his hips as they firmly pulled forward - leading their bodies to roll together in smooth, fluid motions. Then, he was being pushed away with the same intense force he had been used to hold him close.

“Strip.”

Spurred by unbridled want, Gavin complied with the command. He rid himself of his clothes, allowing them to gather in a crumpled heap around his feet. As he stood in the centre of the room, exposed, Nolan raked him up and down, emitting a satisfied hum. He tilted his head towards a nearby pool table, the action speaking for itself. Nevertheless, he made his desires clear:

“Bend over it. Now.”

Gavin once again followed the instructions, knees weak as he stumbled over - before positioning himself at the end of the table. Nolan draped over his back and pressed a set of fingers forcefully against his lips. “Open your mouth.”

The digits slipped past his eagerly parting lips as Gavin caressed them with his tongue, thoroughly coating them. Nolan pulled his hand away and - with torturous slowness - ran it down the expanse of his back before settling against his entrance. Without warning, he entered him - fingers curling into the heat as the other man arched back, keening in appreciation.

He worked him open, scissoring his fingers as he pushed himself deeper into his body. His wandering digits struck against a tight bundle of nerves, and Gavin made a loud, strangled noise - succumbing to an intense wave of pleasure.

Nolan continued to tease, pumping in and out, as the other man rolled back, fucking himself against his fingers. A tight warmth coiled in his stomach as the swell of his arousal pressed firmly against the edge of the table.

“Holy shit”, he whispered, eyes bulging wide in surprise. “Fuck, Nole, I think I'm gonna -”

The other man abruptly pulled out, earning a loud growl of protest from the disgruntled man beneath him. Oh, you fucking asshole.

His frustration was short-lived, however, as Nolan readjusted his position, pressing himself firmly against his entrance. Each drawn-out second seemed to stretch for an eternity as Gavin shuddered in anticipation, gripping the edge of the table.

Then, the movements stilled before the pressure slowly began to recede. Excitement dwindled into impatience as he glanced over his shoulder, glaring accusingly. “The fuck are you doing back there? Having a stroke?”

A teasing pressure was placed against the willing body as a stern demand was growled into his ear. “Beg.”

“You can't be serious”, Gavin complained. As he strained to glance further behind him, the other man seized his jaw and firmly wrenched him back. With a vice-like grip, he was shoved down and propelled face-first into the table.

“I'm very serious”, Nolan informed. “Either you do as you're told, and I fuck you so hard that you won't be able to walk straight tomorrow - or I leave you here. Desperate and needy, without any sort of release.”

A steady force resisted any attempts Gavin made to pull himself up, and realising that he had been bested, he grumbled back in defeat. “...Fine. Please.”

“Please, what?”

There was a moment of hesitance before he conceded, abandoning what little remained of his dignity. “Please fuck me.”

Nolan hummed in approval as he rewarded his compliance with a return to his original position. “Was that really so difficult?”

Then, he was stretching him open - slowly and methodically - until every inch had buried itself inside his eager warmth. Gavin groaned at the fullness as the other man responded in kind with a testing jerk forward.

He repeated the motion several times until the tip of his length brushed against the same bundle of nerves he had previously sought with his fingers. Gavin’s toes curled as his lips parted, begging for more. “Fuck, right there. Keep going.”

“Tell me how good it feels”, Nolan demanded, leaning down and - with deft accuracy - striking the same point again. Harder.

Gavin could feel himself unravelling, a sheen of sweat gathering on his skin as his breath escaped in short, laboured pants. He hated how desperate Nolan made him. Knowing exactly what he wanted but holding back just enough to drive him crazy. “It feels so fucking good.”

Nolan appeared satisfied by this response - as from this point onward, he did not hold back. There was no time wasted in building the pace, as his movements became relentless and forceful, unapologetic in their intensity. Fingers dug into his hips with bruising strength as each harsh thrust propelled Gavin further into the table.

He trembled under the force, his arms outstretched above his head, as splayed fingers clawing desperately against the slate. Long, needy moans rumbled their way out of his throat as the man behind him responded with small huffs of satisfaction. Each noise Nolan made shot straight to his cock, which pleaded for attention against the edge of the hard plastic rail.

“Fucking touch me…”

The pace began to slow, and it didn't take Gavin long to realise his mistake. A large hand reached down and gripped the front of his neck - before long fingers spread out, forming a cage of pressure.

“I would think you would have learned by now that you will get nothing from making demands.” His voice was firm and domineering as his hold on the other man's neck began to tighten.“Or perhaps you want to be punished.”

Tears sprung to the corners of his eyes as Gavin’s vision filled with patches of white. He tried to respond, but the only sound he could muster was a strangled whine. Nolan gradually slackened his grip, and he felt his chest burn with the rush of oxygen that filled his lungs.

“Tell me how desperate you are.” A hand left his hip before snaking its way around his waist, lightly brushing the tip of his aching erection. “Then maybe I'll consider touching you.”

Gavin held his throat, coughing and spluttering as he did so. “Please touch me. I need it - need you.” His obedience was rewarded as he felt the hand wrap itself around his arousal, trapping it in a tight fist - before beginning to tease him in long, rhythmic motions.

The strokes became faster and more forceful, matched by the weight of Nolan's thrusts. With every sinful movement, he pushed against him - shamelessly seeking more. He was unable to see sense through his dense haze of lust, becoming a slave to his own desperation.

“I've missed this”, Nolan gasped, his words trailing out like wisps of smoke, becoming lost amidst the storm of steady thumps and fervent groans. “Missed you.”

Gavin wasn't given much time to consider this, as he felt the pressure build in his stomach. “I'm gonna come”, he moaned as Nolan leaned further forward until his chest was flush against his back.

He nibbled on the lobe of his ear before exhaling a heated breath into the sensitive canal. “Then do it. Come for me.”

With a final, measured stroke, the pressure spilt over. It flowed in trails down his cock, onto Nolan's hand as he screamed out his name in a long, broken cry. The other man followed suit, his movements becoming increasingly frenzied - until a long, shuddering breath tumbled from his lips. Gavin could feel the wave of heat as it slowly filled him before dripping out between his thighs.

Nolan allowed his weight to drop, the disordered rise and fall of his chest echoing through Gavin's back. His face was burrowed into his hair, warm air fanning through it with every shuddered gasp.

Eventually, he pried himself away, allowing Gavin the opportunity to twist himself around. He watched as Nolan lifted his boxers and hurriedly zipped his jeans, his demeanour snapping back to impassive neutrality with unsettling ease.

As the high of his orgasm subsided, Gavin cursed how willingly he had surrendered to him - sacrificing his convictions for the sake of a few fleeting minutes of pleasure. He also stood up, gathering his clothes, before levelling an accusation at Nolan. Hoping to make him feel a measure of the loathsome frailty he was experiencing:

“I'm guessing this is why you followed me.” The words were hissed through gritted teeth, bared in a vicious snarl. “Well, congratulations, dipshit. You got what you wanted.”

“This isn't what I wanted at all”. The response was swift, laden with protest. A far departure from the muted discomfort that Gavin had been anticipating. As his ex-partner finally turned around, his usually intense eyes had softened significantly, brimming with remorse. “I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Don't know if you've realised, but you can actually do that without fucking the other person.”

Nolan winced before his head dipped. “I'm sorry. I have no excuse - I couldn't help myself.” All of his usual confidence was absent, replaced by a meek uncertainty, as his voice barely rose above a whisper. “I can't stop thinking about you - all the things I could have done differently.”

“It's a bit late for that.”

“Does it have to be?” While there was an element of his usual assertion returning, a vulnerability lingered. “Maybe we aren't good for each other, the way we are now, but maybe we could try to be…different. Better.”

As the sentiment of the words began to sink in, Gavin was left entirely stunned. The toxicity of their relationship had always been something they'd quite happily embraced. It had kept things dynamic - exciting - until the novelty had been exhausted. Entertaining the idea of a future beyond this seemed utterly absurd.

Yet something about the sincerity of Nolan's words, the unapologetic rawness of his voice, compelled him to reconsider. If only for a moment.

“...There's this new slasher coming out in a few days”, Gavin grunted, pressing forward before he had a chance to change his mind. “ Yuletide Fright.”

Nolan hummed thoughtfully, nodding his head in acknowledgement. “I remember you saying you were looking forward to it…”

“Yeah, well, we can go and see it together. If you want.” He paused momentarily before quickly adding, “- but you're paying.”

There was a hopeful intrigue in Nolan's bright eyes as he nodded again with greater exuberance. “Okay, that sounds good”, he agreed, smiling softly as he did so.

“On one condition”, Gavin stipulated. “You need to promise that you won't fuck my brother. Chloe will be crushed if you do - and if I lose out on my cheese bites next year, I'll never forgive you.”

#formerly titled where there is fire there is smoke #dbh #dbh fanfiction #reed900 #dbh gavin #dbh nines #dbh rk900 #gavin reed x rk900 #dbh fanfic #detroit become human #gavin900 #g9 #dbh fic #dbh gavin reed #gavin x rk900

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apoptoses · 6 months ago

Note

Omg reverse roleplay part 3????? I LOVE it reverse roleplay stuff

okay so you're gonna be disappointed because my naming conventions mean if a fic is connected to a previous fic, i use the same wip title on it to keep them organized. so while technically this DOES originate from the very first reverse roleplay fic, it has nothing to do with that activity 😂 it's just daniel in charge.

but i got stuck on it 5k in and now i think i know why (they need some breathing space between returning to night island post akasha -> fooling around to let some tension build). maybe i'll get back to it and give it another try!!

“So this is where you’ve been during the day for all these years,” Daniel said as he stepped into the room.

It was like something that had been cut from some renaissance manor and transported straight to Miami. Hell, knowing Armand it probably had. Daniel ran his fingers along the dark, linenfold paneling as he walked the periphery of the room. The elaborately carved and painted ceiling glittered in the dim light of the electric candelabra installed by the door.

Daniel felt as though he were enclosed in an old jewelry box, the ceiling so low he could almost reach up and touch it. He stepped onto an antique rug and wiggled his toes in its wool fibers. With his immortal eyes he could see the thinnest crack in the paneling, suggesting another hidden door. A closet, probably. Surely there was nowhere in this small room to keep Armand’s great collection of clothes. There was just enough space for the desk and bookshelf, and a silk covered chaise lounge. And the coffin-

Daniel had no idea one could find a coffin made so large. The black lacquered lid was shut but even without it being open he could tell the inside of it would be wide enough for two.

He turned his attention to Armand, who stood with his hands behind his back, expression smooth and placid as it had ever been. Daniel’s heart drummed in his chest.

“That’s an awful lot of coffin for someone your size,” he joked, and then cringed when his voice wavered with his nerves.

How childish, being nervous about whether Armand would invite him to sleep in here with him. Daniel felt like a teenager, desperate to be invited into the room of the first boy he’d ever liked.

They’d slept together, of course. But out of necessity, when it was easier to acquire one coffin a the last minute than two. Armand, exhausted and wan from his turning, had climbed in on top of him fully clothed and collapsed into the death sleep before Daniel had even had a chance to kiss him. And then in compound- well it hadn’t felt right, flaunting his status as Armand’s fledgling in front of all of his former loves. Besides, it was safer sleeping alone, Marius had insisted.

Daniel tilted his head and watched his reflection in the shining black surface of the coffin lid. Without meaning to, he lifted his hand and traced the lines around his mouth, forever etched into his skin by immortality.

“Yes. I thought perhaps it would be more comfortable,” Armand said. “You’ve always preferred to fall asleep lying on your side.”

The hinges on the coffin made no sound as Armand lifted the lid. It wasn’t brand new. The divot in the padded interior was just the width of Armand’s narrow shoulders, the wrinkles in the pillow sham spoke of his tossing and turning in the early hours of the evening. Daniel toyed with the pleated satin that lined the lid and wondered when Armand had purchased it. How long he’d deliberated over whether Daniel would ever sleep there at all.

“So you want me here with you after all,” Daniel said quietly.

“Yes,” Armand shifted his weight from foot to foot. Beneath him the floor boards creaked. “Why would you think I wouldn’t?”

#apoptoses answers

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handspunyarns · 2 years ago

Text

You Were Marked: Day One point Five.

pairing: din djarin x fem!O/C word count: 3.4k summary: Din Djarin eats bread. warnings: Mando'a and English cursing, gluten

You Were Marked: Masterlist

<- You Were Marked: Previous Chapter

As Din stepped into Marathel’s home, he took the opportunity to examine the structure while her back was turned. It wasn’t so much a house as it was a raised platform with an open framework of posts and long slim beams supporting a flat roof. The roof was heavily thatched with layers of braided leaves and flat grasses. One corner was supported by a large tree, which had branches that reached under the roof. Under this tree was a tall wooden upright frame that was heavily laced with string and fiber – some kind of loom, he supposed. There was a long table with benches. Opposite the loom was a sleeping pad that was partially surrounded by panels of hanging fabric. Another corner of the structure was built out over a stream that partially flowed underneath the platform, and there was a simple pulley system for Marathel to collect water. The back of the structure was dominated by a large clay box that was constructed around a fire, which contained a large metal grate that held cooking pots. On either side of the fireplace were long counters with shelves, tightly packed with a variety of baskets. Din’s eyes grazed along the top of the counter, littered with open jars and small clay pots, and there, next to the dry sink, lay a large round loaf of crusty bread.

Bread. Osik, bread. Bread was hard to come by when criss-crossing the galaxy, eating travel rations on the run. Bread that he had managed to get a hold of was hard and dry or too mealy to enjoy. Never, ever had he had bread right out of an oven, and proper bread was so rare to him that he could count on one hand how many times he had eaten any. Food at the covert was institutional and practical. Food was for strength, for energy. Since becoming an adult, Din had discovered that that was not always precisely so. His helmet only allowed the slightest of aromas to get through, but the hints of herbs that he could get were tantalizing.

Marathel had dished up a bowl of the stew that stood on the hob, and she mashed the contents into a puree with a spoon. She then picked up the loaf of bread, tore off a hunk, exposing the fluffy center that made Din’s mouth water. She spread a soft cheese on the bread, deftly tore it into child-sized chunks, and placed the food on the table. “Sit,” she said. Din sat. Grogu immediately reached for the bowl, but Din moved it into a better position, set Grogu on his thigh, and began spoon-feeding the stew into the ungrateful maw. Marathel had her back turned again, putting herbs into mugs and filling the mugs with hot water from the reservoir, and Din briefly wondered if he’d have enough time to slip a bit of bread under his helmet before she turned around again. Before he could, though, Marathel sat opposite him, sliding a steaming mug over to him. “Does he approve?”

“He does.”

“Good.” She sipped her tea. “He is a charming creature.”

“He does have that effect on people.” Din was about to let Grogu sip from the mug of tea when Marathel said, “Oh no, the tea is for you. The tea is … a …. digestive? Good for stomachs. Too strong for little ones, unless they are ill.”

Din slid the mug out of reach. “Grogu needs no help in that department.”

Marathel chuckled. “I understand. I helped with the little ones at the Hold.”

“The Hold?”

She gestured vaguely. “Up there, where the others are.”

“Why is it that you’re down here, all alone?”

Marathel hid her face for a moment in her mug. “The Dahlrhddwhyrs – the Dahls – of course.”

“Why are they so important?”

She shrugged and kept her eyes on the tabletop. “I don’t know. Status, maybe? The Ancient Ones had use for them, but I don't know what that was. There are things known in the Oldtalk, but girls don’t learn those things. The men and the boys who have changed learn that in the Round Building. The girls only learn what Oldtalk and Newtalk is needed from the Diwhyns.”

“Diwhyns?”

“The … older women. The mothers. I’m sorry, you speak Newtalk …I will try to keep up.” Marathel took another long sip of her tea. “But you were asking about the Dahls. The Elders want them, but you can’t just take a Dahl. You have to care for them while still in the egg. When they hatch, you have to be there … that way …” She scowled, looking for the right words. “They become yours, you become theirs?”

“They bond?”

“Yes! Bond. That is the word. I take them the eggs each season, but they will not bond with The Elders.” Marathel slipped her hands into her sleeves and swallowed while she stared at the tabletop. She finally lifted her eyes to look at Din’s helmet. It was then that she noticed that he was not looking at her but seemed to be focused on something just behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and her eyes fell on the bread. “You are hungry, then?”

“No. I will eat later.”

“If you want bread, you may have bread. Or stew. I have plenty.” She got up and pulled another bowl from the shelf.

“I cannot.”

“You cannot?”

“I may not eat before others.”

Marathel’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“I may not remove my helmet before any other living thing.”

She contemplated this for a moment. “You require … privacy, then?” Din did not answer. “This is easily fixed.” She pulled out another one of her ubiquitous baskets and removed a stack of folded dark-colored fabric.

Din stood. “I do not wish you any trouble.”

“It is no trouble. You are hungry but may not eat before me. I understand. Let me fix something. In the meantime, I expect Grogu will need the necessary?”

“The necessary?”

“Babies fill, babies must empty, yes?” Marathel pointed towards the corner just past her sleeping pad. “Hop down there and go about ten meters around that rock outcrop. Look to your left, you will find it. Go on, then.”

Grogu was indeed squirming, so Din followed her directions and found a latrine just as she said. It was little more than a wooden box with a hole in it, but the rock outcrop gave some privacy, along with a weatherproof curtain that was tied to an adjacent tree. There was even a covered bucket of clean cloths. All the comforts of home. Din took care of Grogu, took a constitutional himself, and then headed back to Marathels’ hut. On the way, he washed his hands and Grogu’s in the cold stream that flowed under the platform. Upon climbing back up into her home, he saw that Marathel had constructed a fabric cubicle opposite her sleeping pad. The fabric seemed opaque enough to serve the purpose. Marathel was standing on her loom stool, stretched tall to clip the panel at the top, when she overreached and began to lose her balance. Din quickly crossed the platform and put a hand on her waist to balance her, but Marathel yelped with surprise and overcorrected, causing Din to wrap his arm around her waist to keep her from falling. She looked down at him with wide eyes, eyes that Din finally saw were the same liquid silver color as her hair, framed by pale lashes. Marathel jumped down and smoothed her tunic where he had touched her. Gesturing to the curtained area, she said, “This will work?”

Din nodded. “Yes. It will suffice.”

“Good. Wash your hands, I will fix you a plate.”

Din again followed her directions; it seemed that she would brook no quarter if he protested that he ate with his gloves on. He turned his shoulders away from her to remove his gloves, and he began to pour out warm water from the reservoir when she slid an open jar towards him. “Soap,” she said simply while she filled a larger bowl with the stew and slathered an enormous hunk of bread with the soft cheese. She placed the food on the stool and carried it into the fabric cubicle. Din quickly washed both his hands and Grogu’s for good measure. Marathel turned to him and said, “Please eat. If it pleases you, I could take Grogu out with me. We will leave you alone, but we will stay in the yard, so you can see us. He could help me gather.”

“That is fine.”

Grogu was already reaching for her, so she plucked him out of Din’s arms with a smile and settled him on her hip with practiced ease. She grabbed a large woven bag and walked down the steps of the platform. “Come Grogu, you are a strapping lad! Let’s see what we can find.”

Din entered the curtained space. The fabric seemed opaque enough, but he could still see both Marathel and Grogu in the sunlit yard. He picked up the food and sat on the stool. He lifted the helmet from his head, closing his eyes, breathing in the clean air of this planet. All at once he was pleasantly assaulted with smells: the aroma of the meat stew, the cleanliness of the fabric panels, the herbs in the cheese. Taking a bit of the stew, the meat melted in his mouth, the vegetables were flavorful. Din had intended to eat all the stew before biting into the bread, but he couldn’t wait anymore. His teeth bit through the crunchy, flaky crust into the soft center that had the perfect texture of porgsdown, and the sharpness of the cheese and the headiness of the herbs made him wonder what in blue fuck he had been eating his entire life if he had to travel beyond the edge of nowhere and meet possibly the strangest person in his life in order to find this, and as he chewed all these marvelous things together he believed that he would gladly face off against a Krayt Dragon armed with nothing but his middle finger if he could be eating this bread while he did so. He opened his eyes, breathing deeply though his nose, and the wind brought a fragrance that was sea salt and the wildflowers that blossomed in this woman’s yard. She kept her back to him – as she promised – as she knelt with Grogu in front of a bunch of berry bushes, showing him what to pick. He happily started pulling berries off for her and placing them carefully in her sack. He ate a few, of course, but spit them out. Din heard her laugh as she said, “Yes, dream berries taste bad to children, which is a good thing. Show me how many you can pick!” Grogu did pick for a while, but then he was distracted by a flying insect, which he chased around the yard. Marathel continued with her picking but kept Grogu in her sights at all times. As Grogu contemplated some sort of crawly critter on the ground, she came over and they both poked at it for a while until it rolled up and rolled away. Laughing, they began to play some sort of chasing game, while Din ate the best bread he had ever tasted, and – though he would never admit it — quietly laughed too as he watched the tall woman and the tiny green creature gambol about the yard.

The shadows in the yard were beginning to deepen by the time Din actually finished his meal. He had chewed each morsel of bread until they were liquified, and he had even picked up crumbs from the floor and ate them too, before he would admit that he was actually finished eating. By this time the running game had ended between Marathel and Grogu, and they sat on the steps with a bowl between them. Marathel was snapping beans into pieces and tossing them into the bowl; Grogu snapped the beans with much less skill and was preferring to chew on the pieces instead of putting them in the bowl. “Stop it, Grogu,” said Marathel, with a mock-stern look on her face. Noticing that Din had moved outside the cubicle, she smiled and asked, “All done?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“It is no bother.” She stood and collected the bowl and plate from him, moving back to the kitchen to place them in the dry sink. Din moved off the steps and began to strap the jet pack back onto his back. Marathel came forward to the top of the steps, directly above him. “Are you leaving?”

“Yes. We are thankful for your hospitality.”

Marathel looked dismayed. “But …. why leave?”

Din clicked the strap that held his blaster. “We are here for a bounty, and it would appear … we are not here at the right time. The bounty calls for you to deliver eggs. I take it there are no eggs at the moment?”

Marathel nodded, her eyes downcast. She slid her hands back into her sleeves. “It is not quite the season. But it is soon.”

“How long?”

Marathel's hands were so deep into her sleeves that they were almost rubbing her shoulders. Biting her lip, she walked back to her loom and pulled out a long chain of yarn through which she had woven short lengths of colored yarn in a complicated pattern. She counted out sections of patterns, and then looked out over the landscape for a long while. Her mouth moved silently for a moment, and then she moved back to the yard, looking into the sky. The moon was rising. She contemplated the moon. Finally, she moved closer to Din, with her eyes still downcast. Her hands went back into her sleeves – some sort of nervous gesture, he thought – and she finally said, “There will be eggs in four or five days. You will not have long to wait, Bounty Hunter.”

Din nodded. “Four or five days.”

Marathel shrugged. “Perhaps a bit more, perhaps a bit less.”

Din went back to replacing his vambraces. “Come, Grogu, we will return to the ship.”

Marathel quickly turned away to grab the bowl off the step. “Or you could stay here.”

Din looked up. “Here?”

Still back-to, Marathel gestured to the curtains she had hung. “You will have privacy. You will have meals. Would that not …. be all right?”

Din tilted his head and considered her spine. She obviously was not a flight risk, which was why he contemplated just staying on the ship for the next few days. It would cost him too much in fuel to leave and come back. He was concerned about trying to take the bounty without contacting this Bishop person, whoever he was, but Din was also concerned that The Bishop and the Hold would continue to be closed off to him. This was all a mystery, a puzzle, an enigma …. an enigma wrapped in a mystery who kept her hands covered and her head down and her back to him while she held a bowl of beans. Din looked down to see Grogu wrap his arms around her ankle and look back at him with his huge eyes, pleading. Din took a breath and softly muttered, “Haar’chak.” Louder, he said, “If we will not be trouble, we will stay.”

Marathel turned, Grogu still wrapped around her ankle, with a look that was somehow both relief and dread. “There is no trouble.” She tried to move back to the kitchen, but Grogu hampered her. She looked down at her ankle and chuckled. “I appear to have grown a Grogu. Let go, child, let’s get you and your father settled.” She pulled out yet another basket and unfurled another sleeping pad and collected blankets. She then lightly kicked the empty basket towards Din. “For your weapons. You may keep them in there. You may not wear them in my house. But you may keep the basket where you will sleep.” Marathel then set up the sleeping pad with blankets with her usual efficiency. Din removed his weapons again, placing them in the large basket, wondering what in Dha'tra he was getting himself into. She crossed the room and pulled the curtains around her sleeping pad so they were also closed. She turned back to Din. “My space, your space, yes? Privacy for both.” Din nodded. She clasped her hands together. “Very good. Now I will make us more tea, we will sit, and I will tell Grogu the story of Luad Dycwnigen.”

Within minutes, Din found himself sitting on Marathel’s front steps, a mug of tea at his hip. She knew he obviously wasn’t going to drink any in front of her, which was why she had graciously placed a saucer on top of the mug to keep it warm. Meanwhile, she was pointing at the moon, which now had fully risen, telling Grogu how the Luad Dycwingen had left the ground to live in the sky, where the Dahlrhddwhyrs could not catch him. Unfortunately, he had to live on the moon upside down because he had jumped too far. Din gazed at the moon as well, and asked, “What am I supposed to be seeing?”

“His shape. It’s that long, dark section there.”

“It would help if I knew what a Luad Dycwingen was.”

Marathel's brow furrowed. “He was a small, furry animal. Long strong legs, fluffy tail. Long ears that stand up and are almost transparent.”

“That sounds like a rabbit.”

Marathel shrugged. “Could be.”

Din considered the moon again. “I guess. If I squint.”

Marathel chuckled. “If your rabbits are the same as my dycwingens, they are good eating as well.” At this point, Grogu yawned hugely. “Ah yes, the wings of sleep are finally wrapping around the little one.” She pushed herself up and picked up her empty mug. Din stood as well. Marathel deftly handed off the child to Din and said, “My bed is calling for me as well. Have a good sleep, Bounty Hunter.” She went to the kitchen, quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth, and stepped into her curtained room. Looking over her shoulder, she realized that Din was watching her. She stared for a moment and disappeared behind the fabric.

Din stood where he was for a short while, listening. He finally heard the rustle of her laying down and then all was silence. He sat back down, Grogu nestled in his arms, asleep. Din reached for the mug of tea, slightly lifted his helmet, and sipped. It was still warm. It tasted different than the digestive tea she had given him earlier. It was a lighter flavor with a more calming effect – something sleepier, perhaps. He quietly sighed and stared into the stars, thinking about the oddity of a mark who welcomed him into her home and fed him before he turned her in.

Marathel, meanwhile, had curled onto her side and pressed her clasped fists into her mouth to keep from screaming. The Bishop, The Bishop was going to drag her back into that Hold, all for those damned Dahls and their damned eggs, but it wasn’t about them at all, it was about how The Bishop was never denied, NEVER, and now The Bishop had sent this man who wore more metal than she had ever seen in one place, who wore a helmet covering his eyes, to drag her back into that Hold and through the doors of the Round Building, and she was so, so, afraid.

Tears escaped her shut eyes, and she bit her thumb to keep her from breathing too loud because she knew that the metal man could hear her, the metal man was here to end her days away from the pain of the Hold, so she tried to shift her thoughts away from her fear and thought about the child, the little green child who made the metal man soft somehow.

She didn’t have the words, she was dumb, she knew hardly anything, but she knew what was coming in the next few days and she knew she couldn’t escape it ... and yet, there was always a kernel of a dream in the deepest part of her soul, and she let the sweetness of the little green child be part of that dream.

You Were Marked: Next Chapter ->

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theoverlyenthusiasticwriter · 7 months ago

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Woof

Read it on Ao3

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They're falling for each other. They both know it. There's no going back now. On the evening of Fenrys' birthday in Prythian, Azriel takes him out to a secret spot.

*****

Since Azriel had shown it to him, Fenrys spent much of his time in the theater. The director didn’t mind when he sat in the audience with his notebook and had even given him copies of the lyrics to follow along to.

The music here was haunting. Deep and soulful, Fenrys was only beginning to understand it. Translating it was a near impossible task, but one that kept his mind pleasantly busy. It was strange to actually hear the words he’d been learning these past months. His notes were now filled with pronunciations as well as definitions and grammar.

The technicians were changing out the curtains between songs when Azriel came in. Fenrys was alerted to his presence by the shadows, darkening at his feet as their owner drew closer. Azriel leaned over the back of his seat. “What are you doing?”

Fenrys suppressed a shudder at his voice so close to his ear. “Learning more about your culture.”

Azriel peered at his notes. “Your head is always in that damn book.”

“It's far more interesting than anything you have to show me.”

“Then maybe I’ll find someone else to execute my evening plans with.”

At that, Fenrys looked at him at last. He narrowed his eyes. “What plans?”

“I have somewhere I’d like to show you.”

Interest piqued, Fenrys closed his notebook and stood. Azriel tilted his head to the entrance. “Shall we?”

“Do I get to know where we’re going?” Fenrys followed him outside, blinking against the light of the falling sun.

Azriel shook his head. He held out his arms.

Fenrys sighed but stepped forward to be lifted. Azriel shot into the sky.

The flight was short and by the time Fenrys realized where they were going, it was too late.

“Oh, just fucking drop me.”

“Hush.” Azriel dove down into a clearing.

Fenrys groaned as he was set on his feet. “I thought we were going somewhere interesting.”

“This way.” Azriel set off through the trees.

“We already trained today. I’ve got the whole moving quietly thing down.” Fenrys didn’t point out that it was still light out, if just barely. They were near the peak of the mountain, facing the ocean, so he could see the orange painted sky.

“We’re not training.” Azriel reached back and grabbed his hand. “You said it was your birthday today.”

Fenrys blinked. “I don’t really celebrate my birthday. I was just trying to get you to be nice to me.”

“I’m nice to you.”

“You are not.” Still, Fenrys let him lead him by the hand over one last hill.

And before them… it was a pool of pure starlight. It glittered in the falling sun rays, stretching nearly to the edge of a cliff and the sea beyond.

“Holy shit.” Fenrys stepped forward and dipped his hand into the liquid. It was like touching silk. “This is beautiful.”

Azriel set down his pack on a rock, then sat to work the laces of his boots. “There are pools like this scattered all over the continent, but they are kept secret. There are rumors that the waters can heal the injured, make wishes come true, make mortals immortal… stuff like that.”

“Let me guess: it doesn’t do any of that.”

“Not that I’ve seen.”

“Why does it glitter?”

“No idea.” Azriel stood, barefoot, and shrugged out of his jacket, fluttering his wings to slide it down them so he could undo the clasp between.

Fenrys watched him. “I was always wondering how that worked.”

Azriel turned. “The shirts don’t have the middle panel. There’s just a clasp on top.” So, half of his spine was revealed, as well as a line of tattoos between his wings.

“Are you going to… swim in it?”

Azriel’s belt dropped onto the rocks. “Yes.”

He stripped of his pants too, then sank into the water.

Fenrys went to the very edge. “Is it cold?”

“No.” Azriel dunked his head. He emerged, pushing his wet hair out of his eyes.

“How can you swim with those wings?”

“Well enough.” They were tucked tight to his body. “Are you coming in?”

Fenrys arched a brow. “Are you sure it won’t turn me into a frog or something?”

“It hasn’t done anything to me.”

“Except magically turn you into an asshole. Oh, wait.” Fenrys grinned and narrowly avoided getting splashed.

He shed himself of everything but his undershorts, reasoning that Azriel had seen him plenty of times. Stepping into the water, he found that it was warm indeed and no deeper than his chest. He ran his hands through it in wonder, bathed in the orange light of the falling sun.

“Fenrys.” Azriel’s voice was hoarser than it had been a moment ago.

Fenrys turned to him and threw the water in his face.

Azriel blinked as glittering rivers dripped across his face.

Fenrys laughed, which earned him his own mouthful of water. He tried to splash Az again only to find his wrists caught in each of Azriel’s hands.

“That’s cheating!”

Azriel shoved his head under the water.

Sputtering as he rose, he bombarded Azriel with he could manage. Azriel gave as good as he got.

By the time the war was over (Fenrys won) the sun had slipped all the way down past the sea. Without it, the pool seemed to glow brighter, as if in recognition of the stars overhead.

Fenrys pushed his wet hair out of his eyes as he stared up at the night sky. He took a breath. “Az, can I tell you something?”

“Of course.” Azriel pushed away from the edge of the pool where he’d been watching the sea. He faced Fenrys.

Fenrys couldn’t look at him. “I don’t think I want to go home.”

Azriel was silent for long enough that Fenrys glanced his way. He’d moved closer without Fenrys realizing. “I don’t want you to go home either.”

Fenrys turned fully towards him. “Does that make me a horrible person? I know my brother is suffering in my wake, but surely… surely…”

“His suffering is not your fault. It’s hers.” Azriel caught his eye. “And your brother is just as capable of making it here too.”

“Connall wouldn’t, though. He wouldn’t betray Maeve like that.”

“Then the results of his actions are not your fault either. He chooses where he puts his loyalty.”

Fenrys nodded, even if his heart sank a little in his chest.

“Don’t think about that right now.” Azriel drifted closer.

“What should I think about instead?”

There was a moment of heavy silence before Azriel lifted a hand, dripping in starlight, to cup Fenrys’ face. “Close your eyes.”

Fenrys closed his eyes.

His heart was pounding, arms limp at his sides. He knew what was coming—what had been building these past few weeks. He didn’t know what to do about it, but he certainly wasn’t about to step away.

Azriel, who had seen the ugliest, darkest parts of him. Azriel, who had offered him a way out. Azriel, who had been nothing but honest, even when it stung.

Even when it didn’t.

Fenrys tilted his face. Azriel exhaled, the breath rushing across his skin.

Then his mouth met Fenrys’, soft and warm and everything he’d imagined. He kissed him, leaning in close so their chests brushed. Fenrys’ hands slid around his waist beneath the water. It was unfamiliar. He’d never kissed a man before, never touched one like this. He liked it, he decided. Azriel was solid, unmoving. He made Fenrys feel small, but not in a bad way. Protected. Coddled.

Azriel’s fingers drifted across the nape of his neck, his other hand settling on the small of his back. He broke the kiss before Fenrys was ready, pulling back bare centimeters.

Fenrys opened his eyes.

Neither of them said anything. There weren’t words anyway.

Fenrys leaned in this time, rising up onto his toes before Azriel met him. His arms slipped from Azriel’s waist to wind around his neck.

The kiss deepened. Azriel’s tongue was hot in his mouth, demanding. It was like a leash had snapped and Fenrys suddenly felt himself being devoured, pressed against the stone at the edge of the pool. He loud out a noise of surprise that had Azriel jerking back.

“I’m sorry. I—”

“It’s okay.” Fenrys kissed him again, but Azriel didn’t allow it to deepen.

“No,” he said, pressing their brows together. “I want to do this right with you. You deserve that much at least.”

Fenrys licked his lips. He’d have to do some research, he decided. He knew the basics of sex between two males, but just that. He’d never had the urge to invite a male into his bed, but he’d also never really thought about it. Very rarely did Maeve allow him to seek pleasure in other avenues and when she did, he usually just got as shit faced as possible. Sex wasn’t something he did for himself.

But maybe with Az…

Another day. Fenrys knew if he pushed hard enough, Azriel would give in, but it could wait. They had time.

Azriel lifted his head and pressed a kiss to Fenrys’ brow. “I brought you some of that wine you like.”

“Really?”

“In my pack. Ah, ah, I’ll get it.” Azriel caught his wrist when he lunged for the bag. He was smiling.

Azriel hadn’t brought glasses, so Fenrys swigged from the bottle. The wine was so sweet it was hard to believe there was any alcohol in it at all. In fact, even if it was just bubbly juice, Fenrys would still drink it.

Azriel took his own sip before setting it back on the rocks. He reached for his bag again. “I have something else for you. It’s just something small, really…”

Fenrys drifted closer peering over his shoulder.

Azriel offered him a small rectangular parcel, horribly wrapped in brown paper.

“Did you let a toddler wrap this?” Fenrys asked as he took it.

Azriel scowled. “I wrapped it.”

“I see. So, I’ve found a weakness of the great shadowsinger: wrapping gifts.”

“Just open it, jackass.”

Smiling so hard his face hurt, Fenrys tore through the paper to reveal a small leather-bound book. A tie held it closed and pinned one of the charcoal pencils Fenrys preferred to its side.

Azriel was rubbing the back of his neck. “I noticed you were running out of room in the other one and I thought…”

“I love it,” Fenrys interrupted. He kissed Azriel on the mouth. “Thank you.”

“Cassian bought you some new quills to go with.”

“Spoiling his gift like that? How cruel.”

“It was my idea,” Azriel said around a pout.

The thought warmed Fenrys to the core: the two greatest warriors in this land, whispering behind his back about a birthday gift.

Azriel put the notebook back in his bag away from the water and drew Fenrys back in. “Your Prythian is getting better.”

“You’re damn right it is.”

“Given that you never shut up, I suppose you do practice a lot.”

“Oh, fuck you.” Fenrys pushed him away. “Let’s see you learn a new language.”

“I could. I mean, I would.” Azriel cocked his head, his hair glittering blue. “You could teach me yours.”

“I think you might be too old. What’s that saying about old dogs and new tricks?”

Azriel crossed his arms over his chest. “I bet I could teach you a few new tricks, puppy.”

Fenrys grinned. “Woof.”

Azriel reached out and took his wrist, drawing him back in. He tucked his hair behind a pointed ear and applied his mouth to Fenrys’ throat. “I could have you yapping for me like a proper lap dog.”

Fenrys shuddered and all his confidence bled from him, replaced by the blush that took over his cheeks. He didn’t even have a witty comeback.

“Come on,” Azriel said as he pulled back. “Let’s go home.”

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