#i know i deeply appreciated meeting everyone in my city

[btsvt-bar]

down bad

pairing ꩜ husband!mingyu x afab!reader

sequel to hurts so good, please read it first to understand their background/dynamics.

content/genre ꩜ haters to lovers, ceo/mean husband mingyu, smut (18+ mdni). they sort of have a fwb thing going on.

author's note ꩜

not proofread. comments are appreciated!

warnings under the cut!

warnings ꩜ smut, masturbation (m. and f. receiving), oral sex (m. receiving), unprotected sex, breeding kink, corruption kink (it's not deeply explored), orgasm denial, creampie, dom-ish mingyu, dirty talk, cock warming, pet names (baby, dear husband/wife, my queen, pretty girl), mentions of threesome.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・

You loved birthday parties, especially if they were children’s parties. It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re in the backyard of Wonwoo and Claire’s house to celebrate Yeji’s 4th birthday.

You’re sitting by the pool, your legs submerged to your knees. You see your husband playing around with his friends’ kids. He’s holding Minjoon—Seungcheol’s son—in his arms while he pretends to drink tea with Yeji and three of her school friends. Your heart skips a beat when he looks your way and smiles. It’s almost unfair how handsome he is, even dressed with pink fairy wings, a princess tiara and a pair of plastic earrings.

You sigh and turn your attention to the big form approaching. Joshua greets you with a smile. "Y/N, why are you here all alone?" he asks while sitting by your side.

"Just chilling." You offer a shy smile, a bit intimidated by his presence.

Joshua Hong is gorgeous. When you first met him, you were completely enamored with his face. And when you found out he was nice and friendly, you kinda developed a crush on him. Now, a few years later, you still feel intimidated whenever he’s around.

You take in his visuals, from his dark hair pushed back, featuring his perfect face, to the white button up shirt that allowed you to see a bit of his chest, to his light brown cargo shorts that showcased his legs perfectly. He carried an amused smile on his lips, as usual.

"I’m glad you joined me, though."

"Well, all of my friends are talking about parenting and I can’t listen to another minute of tips on how to change a diaper." Joshua states and you laugh lightly.

"I know the feeling very well." You throw him an empathetic look. "So… how was your trip to Paris? Mingyu mentioned you went there for a convention or something?"

Shua stares into the water, he’s watching your feet move around. "Yeah, for this Luxury Hotels thing. My dad’s trying to expand the franchise and I went to meet some European investors."

"Seems a bit boring." You blurt out and Joshua chuckles, agreeing promptly.

"It is. But it’s work so it’s not meant to be fun."

"True. But Paris is a great city with amazing food and museums."

"Maybe we should go together next time." Joshua comments and your movements freeze instantly. Realizing what he said, he adds "With everyone else, I mean! Like a group trip."

The mischievous gleam in his eyes makes you feel warm inside. Joshua’s flirting, you’re not dumb. And he’s not either, he knows the truth about your situationship with Mingyu.

"That would be nice." Your voice is soft and shaky. He barely said anything and you’re freaking out inside, which leads you to think that maybe you have a big crush on him.

"Hey! You two!" You hear Mingyu’s voice calling. "Let’s sing happy birthday and cut the cake."

Joshua gets up and extends his hands to help you. His palms feel soft under your fingertips, and you feel your insides twist. "C’mon, Y/N. Your husband’s waiting." He flashes a knowing smile and walks away, leaving you too stunned to follow.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・

It’s been a year since you and Mingyu made peace and started being friends. You agreed to be friends with benefits and to be exclusive, since you couldn’t risk someone assuming one of you was cheating. So you two reaped the benefits like dates, physical touching and, of course, sex, but didn’t really work on getting romantically involved. Of course that doesn’t mean that both of you didn’t develop some feelings, because you did. But, for now, you played husband and wife and everything was good.

But now, thinking about the way Joshua flirted with you, you wished you could have him. And your brain, always being one to come up with naughty ideas, had the best solution to your problem.

"Gyu?" You call your husband softly. You’re both lying on your shared bed watching TV, his head on your chest and his big hand caressing your belly.

"Hm?" He responds without looking away from the big screen.

"Remember that one time we talked about having a threesome, and I said I didn’t have a guy option?" Your words sparked his interest, so the man got up on his elbows to look at you. "I have a name now…"

Mingyu looks curiously at you. He has an idea of who, but he wants you to say the name. "Who?"

You bite your lower lip, feeling a bit nervous. "Joshua."

Your husband smirks. He knew it. "You have the hots for Shua hyung, dear wife?"

"So what if I do?" You pout. "He’s single and he seems to know about us."

Mingyu scrunches his nose. "I accidentally told him last time we went out for a drink." He reveals with a sheepish smile. "He’s reliable, don’t worry."

"Well, one more reason to do it with him." You say excitedly, your mind already picturing the things you would to do Joshua.

"I don’t want to have a threesome anymore." Your husband states in a quiet voice.

When you look at him, he’s staring down at his hand that’s resting on your hips. He looks a bit annoyed. "What? Are you jealous?" You chuckle, fishing for an answer.

"Not at all." He lies, rolling his eyes to add to the dramatics. "It’s just not on my kink list."

His words make you realize that he’s never once told you about his kinks. In the past year, you’ve talked a few times about it. And Mingyu’s been really open to exploring them, always being so generous and giving you new mind blowing sex experiences each time.

"So what’s on your kink list?" You ask with a sly smile, liking the direction of the conversation.

Mingyu lets his body fall on the bed, hiding his face. He shakes his head, indicating he’s not talking.

"Tell me!" You insist, shaking his arms. "I told you all of mine, but you never told me yours. Besides angry sex, of course."

"Never mind. It’s stupid."

You grab his chin to make him look at you. His cheeks have a pink hue, and he’s scrunching his nose. "Please baby, tell me."

Mingyu sighs, giving in to your soft plead. "It’s not actually a kink, but maaaaybe I’ve been thinking about fucking you in a wedding dress. Since our wedding night never happened."

The air gets caught up in your lungs. The idea of Mingyu having his way with you in a sort of reenactment of your wedding day makes your core burn and your stomach twist and turn.

"I like that idea." You give him a quick kiss before letting go of his face. "What else?"

"I wanted to try corruption kink." He looks away, his face burning even more. It’s funny how cute he looks while revealing his sexual fantasies.

"We can totally try it too." You agree, even if he didn’t actually ask. "But only if you look at me and give me another kiss."

Mingyu chuckles and goes in for the kiss. You touch lips for a few seconds before pulling away.

"Let’s sleep, I’m beaten."

"Not easy being uncle of the year, huh?" You taunt him. "You looked cute dressed up as a fairy."

"The things I do for my goddaughter." He sighs. You both knew fully well he enjoyed playing with the kids, but you let his little lie slide. "Good night, dear wife."

"Good night, dear husband." You allow him to engulf you in a warm hug before slipping into unconsciousness.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・

A couple weeks later, you and Mingyu go out to celebrate your 5th anniversary. It’s the first one you’re going to celebrate, now that you’re on good terms. For this reason, you prepared a little surprise for Mingyu, wanting to spice things up a bit.

After your conversation about his kinks, you decided you needed a special occasion to try them, and what’s more special than the first anniversary you celebrate?

So you went out with Gwen and she helped you pick out a nice wedding dress. You settled for a sparkly white satin rhinestone strap mini dress that really compliments your boobs and legs. You’re sure he’s going to lose it when he sees you.

Mingyu also planned a surprise: he made a reservation for an overnight stay in a luxurious hotel room, which had the biggest bed you’ve ever seen.

You arrive after having dinner at your favorite Italian restaurant. Mingyu has a goofy smile, maybe because you both had a couple drinks, maybe because he is excited for the night.

There’s a small table in your room with two flutes and a bottle of champagne waiting. Mingyu pops it open and you toast. You take a sip and decide it’s time to put on your dress.

"Wait here, I have a surprise."

While you rush to the big bathroom to get changed, Mingyu takes off his blazer. He’s wearing a deep purple shirt that compliments his skin, and perfectly tailored dress pants. His hands are shaking in anticipation, because he has another surprise for you before the night ends.

Meanwhile, you put on your dress pretty quickly—you chose one that you’re able to zip up yourself. You pull the white lace garter up your leg, adding a touch of sensuality. To finish off, you place the short veil on your head. Taking a quick glance in the mirror, you decide you look perfect. You slip back into your white heels and open the bathroom door.

Mingyu’s looking out the window, his champagne glass nearly empty. You approach him slowly and cover his eyes with your hands. "Guess who?"

"Hm… I have a feeling it’s my wife. Not sure though." He joined in with a laugh.

You place your hands on his shoulder and turn him around, revealing your new outfit. His jaw drops when he sees you.

"Y/N, what is this?" His breathing is quick and you can see he’s starting to malfunction.

"Well, I kept thinking about how we never had a wedding night." You bite your lower lip, inching closer to him. "And I figured tonight would be a good one to make up for lost time. Don’t you agree?"

Mingyu just stares, still in shock. He takes in your form, how your boobs look delicious in your dress, the way the fabric hugs your waist, and how you look fucking angelic while asking him to fuck you. "Shit, you can’t do this to me." He groans in a low, deep tone.

You can see he already has a tent in his pants. Mingyu looks flushed, and you haven’t even touched him yet.

"How about you lie down, dear husband?" You say in a provocative tone. "You look a little pale, let me take care of you."

The man nearly runs to the bed. He gets comfortable and you get on top of him. Your core is starting to grow hot, seeing how much he wants you.

Without giving it a second thought, pull out his pants along with his boxers. His cock stands hard and leaking pre cum, which makes your mouth water at the sight.

Before leaving the house, you decided you want to have a night to remember. And you hold on to that determination when you keep pushing Mingyu’s buttons.

"I want to help, but I don’t know how…" you take his cock in your hand and pump it slowly. He shudders at the stimulation. "Can you teach me how to do it, dear husband?" Your saccharine voice makes something twist inside of Mingyu. He takes in your doe eyes and semi innocent smile, quickly catching on what you’re doing. The man chuckles in pleasant disbelief, he knows he’s in for a treat.

"My pretty girl needs guidance?" His big hand starts to guide yours as you masturbate him. You’re sitting on his beefy thighs and you can feel him trembling as you increase the speed of your movements. Mingyu’s eyes are closed and his mouth slightly parted, allowing some sighs to fall off easily.

You feel him twitching under your palm and his hand holds your wrist to stop you. "That’s enough, baby." His voice is breathy and it makes you happy to see how much you affect him.

"Can you do something else for me?" Mingyu asks. You nod and bat your eyelashes at him. "I need you to put your mouth around it."

You feign shock, widening your eyes and slightly gaping your mouth. Mingyu sits up a bit, and kisses you softly while kneading your thighs. "I'll help through it, pretty girl".

You slide down the bed and inch closer to his throbbing cock. "Open your mouth." Mingyu instructs and you play along.

His heavy hand grabs the back of your head and guides you to start sucking him off. He loves the wet and warm feeling of your tongue on his cock, it makes the fire in his abdomen burn hotter and hotter with each passing second.

Mingyu starts to feel hot and unbuttons his shirt, his hand leaving your to bob your head on your own for a few seconds. "You're so good at this, baby." He groans deeply and you feel arousal pool on your lace panties, his reactions turning you on even more.

When he feels he's about to cum, Mingyu pulls you away. You take a good look at your husband, taking in they way his toned chest glistened because of the thin layer of sweat. He takes off his shirt, laying bare beneath you. He looks beautiful and your heart races.

You sigh and move closer, needing to feel his lips on yours. You share a passionate kiss, your tongues dancing in sync. Mingyu guides your hips and you grind against him, his big hands giving occasional slaps on your ass.

By now, you're already soaking wet and desperate for his cock. You need Mingyu and you need him now. "Gyu, I need you".

"Need me to do what, baby?"

Of course he wasn't going to make it easy for you. You take his hand and guide it to your dripping cunt, acting shy. Mingyu runs his fingers on your lace panties and grunts when he feels just how wet you are.

Mingyu decides to play nice and slips his fingers in your panties. He glides his fingers easily, collecting your wetness while rubbing your lower lips. His middle finger settles in your clit and he circles it slowly, sending electric waves through your body.

Your head feels heavy with lust, so you let it fall on his shoulder. He keeps masturbating you until you feel on edge. When he senses you're about to cum, he stops his ministrations, earning a frustrated cry from you.

"I-I was so close" you complain with a pout. Mingyu laughs and pecks your puckered up lips.

"I promise I'm going to make you feel even better."

Mingyu reaches for the zipper on your back and undoes it in a way to expose your boobs. He grabs them and runs his thumbs on your nipples. "So perfect for me, they fit perfectly in my hands."

He attaches his lips to your right nipple and keep massaging the other. You go back to rutting each other like animals on heat. You pull his hair and let you head fall back, the familiar burning sensation running through your veins.

Mingyu decides he's had enough, so he manhandles you so you're on all fours. He stands tall behind you, admiring your exposed ass and covered cunt. Slowly, he slides your panties down your legs. You shake in anticipation.

"My beautiful wife..." he sighs. "You're going to be good to me, aren't you?" You agree quickly. "I can't wait to ruin you. To fill you up with my seed and get you pregnant." You both moan in unison.

Your heart is racing with his words. God, you'd let him do anything to you. Anything. "Please, do it."

Mingyu's cock throbs with your request. He aligns himself with your whole and sinks in slowly. You lose strength and bend your arms, exposing your ass even more. Mingyu grabs your waist to support you in place, even if his own legs were trembling with pent up desire.

He slides in and out of you, catching up speed until his unrelenting tempo makes the bed shake and hit the wall. His cock massages your inner walls in the most perfect way, hitting all the right places to put you in a lustful frenzy.

You're sure you're moaning and whining, but your heart pumps so loudly in your ears that you don't quite hear it. But Mingyu does, and it only spurs him on. He's lost in your heat, in the way you clench around him. Plus, you in that fucking wedding dress... every time his eyes glimpse at the sheer white fabric, he swears his cock gets even harder.

Mingyu slows down and pulls out of you. You let out a whimper at the loss, feeling really worked up and frustrated.

The man sits down again and pulls you on his lap, and you're so wet you sink down on him with ease. You start to ride him, your boobs bouncing deliciously for Mingyu to see.

His eyes focus on the place where you two connect. Your cunt swallows his big cock beautifully. "You're taking me so well, pretty girl".

You place your hands on his chest for support, your short nails sinking on his skin and leaving small crescent marks. "I'm close."

Mingyu snaps his hips up to meet yours, reaching even deeper within you. It only takes a few slides for you to cum.

You feel your spirit being lifted from your body and you tremble, falling into Mingyu. He places two fingers on your clit and circles it to intensify your pleasure. You're so out of it you don't even notice when Mingyu flips you both over and starts to rail you missionary, chasing after his own high.

"Fill me up, dear husband" You sigh in his ear and Mingyu shivers. "Make my pussy full of your warm cum. Give me your babies".

That's enough for Mingyu to lose it and cum with a deep moan. He shivers and start to unload inside of you, his white milk covering your abused walls. His hips slow down and he stills inside of you.

Once again, he flips you both over, and you stay on top of him again, his cock still inside of you. You kiss his neck and rub your hands on his arms while you wait for him to come down. Mingyu grabs your ass, and you know he's partially recovered. So you sit up again, still cock warming him.

When he looks up at you, you can see the admiration in his eyes. Mingyu smiles beautifully, his canines showing up and his orbs shining with something else you can't quite identify.

"I have to ask you something" He says and you smile, indicating he can keep talking. "But I have to get something first... It pains me, but I need you to slip off".

Even full of his cum, you feel empty when Mingyu slides off. The dress you're wearing is all bunched up and wet, so you take it off and throw it on the floor.

"Can you grab my panties?" You ask your husband and he gets one from your bag. He also brings a wet towel from the bathroom and cleans you up before you slide in your fresh panties. When you're both semi-clean and with underwear on, you slide into the fresh Egyptian cotton sheets.

"What did you want to ask me?" You question, feeling a bit anxious.

Mingyu bites his lower lips. He's feeling shy and self-conscious, but he musters the courage to say what he wants. "Well, this night is about celebrating our wedding, right?" You agree. "This past year's been amazing, and I really liked getting to know you better".

"Me too, Gyu" You smile, your heart beating faster.

"I know we agreed to being friends with benefits, but I realized I can't keep going like that." You have a big question mark in your eyes and Mingyu can see it, so he hurries to complete his line of thought. "I can't be friends because I'm down bad. I love you, Y/N. I never expected this to happen, but I do."

You smile and jump him. Your heart's beating like crazy and you're completely at a loss for words. "I love you too, Gyu."

You both kiss in such a soft way, it makes your heart flutter.

Mingyu's smiling widely, once again showing his canines you adore so much. "Well, I think I can ask you what I wanted then".

He pulls a black box from under the pillow, one you didn't even see him placing there. He opens the box and there lies the most beautiful engagement ring. You never really got engaged, since you hated each other back then.

Mingyu takes the ring. "I kept thinking about how I never asked you to marry me. So, will you be my queen? Will you marry me, for real this time?"

"Yes! Yes, yes... God yes!" He places the ring on your finger and you kiss again, this time with more passion.

"My queen" He places a kiss on your cheek, sighing with a dreamy smile. "We're gonna be so happy, I promise".

"I know we will, baby. I'm gonna give my best for it to happen, too".

Then, Mingyu gets up and fills another glass of champagne for you to toast your engagement. You keep talking and exchanging kisses until late hours. You're down bad, but you're sure you don't want to get up.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・

© btsvt-bar, 2024

m.list ♡

[luvzshy]

Hello can u make a fic where we are just chilling and cuddling with sabrina carpenter and helping her relax after her show!

Wrapped in You

The energy in the hotel room is a sharp contrast to the chaos backstage. Sabrina had just wrapped up another breathtaking performance, leaving the crowd in awe, but now it’s just the two of you, and the only sound is the quiet hum of the city outside. She walks in, her body clearly worn out, and you’re already waiting for her on the couch. The second she sees you, her tired smile lights up her face, and she moves straight into your arms, seeking the comfort only you can provide.

“Come here, baby,” you say softly, opening your arms as she melts into you. The warmth of her body presses against yours, her cheek resting on your chest as she sighs deeply, like she’s been holding her breath for hours.

Her skin is slightly warm from the performance, and you can still smell the faint traces of her perfume mixed with the adrenaline of the night. Her hair, slightly damp from the show, brushes against your neck as she snuggles closer. “You were incredible out there,” you whisper into her hair, your lips grazing the top of her head.

She hums in response, too exhausted to speak but appreciating the compliment. “I feel like I’m running on fumes,” she admits, her voice raspy from singing all night. She shifts slightly, finding the perfect spot nestled against you, her legs tangling with yours on the couch.

You pull the blanket off the back of the couch and drape it over both of you, cocooning Sabrina in warmth. With one arm wrapped around her waist, your other hand moves up to her hair, fingers gently threading through the strands. You know how much this relaxes her, and the way her body instinctively relaxes at your touch brings a small smile to your lips.

“Let me take care of you tonight, okay?” you murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple. She doesn’t respond verbally, but her body language says it all—she’s trusting you to be her anchor after the whirlwind of the night.

Slowly, you start massaging her scalp, your fingers moving in slow, deliberate circles. Sabrina lets out a small, contented sigh, her eyelids fluttering closed as she leans into the comfort you’re providing. “That feels so good,” she whispers, her voice barely audible as she finally begins to unwind.

“I know, babe,” you whisper back, feeling her body soften more with each passing second. Your fingers move down to her neck, kneading out the tension from hours of performing under the lights. She leans into the touch, her breath coming out in small, steady exhales as the stress melts away.

“You’re always so good to me,” she murmurs, her voice laced with gratitude, her hand coming up to rest gently on your chest, right above your heart.

You smile softly, your hand continuing to rub soothing circles on her back. “You deserve it, Sab. You give so much of yourself to everyone out there. It’s my turn to give back to you.”

She tilts her head back slightly, meeting your gaze for the first time since the show ended. Her eyes are soft, filled with affection as she leans up and presses a gentle kiss to your lips. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she says quietly, her forehead resting against yours.

You chuckle softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’d be just fine. But I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

Sabrina nods, her eyes fluttering closed again as she lets out a long, contented sigh. You hold her close, her breathing starting to slow as she drifts closer to sleep. You know the adrenaline of the performance is still lingering in her system, but you also know that right now, she needs nothing more than to feel safe and loved in your arms.

Minutes pass in comfortable silence, the two of you wrapped up in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Every now and then, Sabrina shifts slightly, pulling herself even closer to you, as if trying to merge her body with yours. You respond each time by tightening your grip around her waist, making sure she knows you’re there.

“I love you,” she whispers, her voice barely more than a breath.

“I love you too,” you reply, pressing another kiss to her forehead. You feel her body finally relax completely, her breathing steady and deep as she falls into a peaceful sleep. And in this moment, with her wrapped in your arms, you can’t help but feel like this is exactly where you’re both meant to be.

[justporo]

"You always meet twice in life!"

A few weeks ago I got a request for writing something with Tav being the scary, protective one of Astarion in a established relationship by @nyxiethesimp .

And I absolutely love the thought.

So have Tav losing it to protect Astarion when they Araj Oblodra, Astarion being like "hot damn" and enjoying his scary dog privileges. Also this will become a two part story with Astarion and Tav taking a muuuuch needed break after this.

Pairing: Astarion/GN!Tav

Warnings: Lots of swearing, graphic descriptions of violence, heavy spoilers

Wordcount: 2,6k

~~~

You had finally made it to the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate. It had only been a handful of days since you had made it to the city but those had already been filled with way more events than you could possibly process in this short time span.

Your encounter with Astarion’s “siblings” had especially rattled you. Already you had been worried about entering the domain of Cazador. But seeing them, hearing about what it was that the vampire lord had planned from their mouths and Astarion hesitantly opening up about more atrocities he had suffered by the hand of Cazador Szarr had you on edge to say the least.

You were always hyper-vigilant – even more so than since all this had begun. You were barely getting any rest, always wanting to be on the lookout for Astarion. All you wanted was for him to be safe and sound and happy – tugged in with a nice blanket a teddy bear and a big smooch on the forehead.

Basically, if it had been possible, you would have shrunk him down and stuck him in your pocket, so he was always safe with you.

But since that sadly wasn’t an option, you had settled for taking every safety precaution possible, being on high-alert all the time and volunteering as his teddy bear: snuggling up close with him every night in your room at Elfsong Tavern and telling him how much you loved him.

It was safe to say, you both didn’t get a lot of sleep since fear and worries (not only about him but all your friends) kept you up most of all nights but at least you had each other.

Closing in on the lion’s den was only making it worse; also the fact that it actually was more than one den and more than one lion.

Today you felt that your fuse was especially short. Already you had barked at Shadowheart when she had been taking too long to get ready in the morning. And it must’ve been bad today because even Astarion had looked worried when he had softly touched your hand after you had thrown the door to Shadowheart’s room so violently the floorboards had shuddered.

“My love, as much as I love how strong and intimidating you can be”, he had said and softly taken your face in both his hands. “I don’t think screaming at the cleric will help us with any of our tasks. We don’t actually need more enemies against us. And I fear Shadowheart would make a formidable and very terrifying enemy.” Astarion’s brows had been deeply furrowed as he had angled his head and kept looking at you.

“I’m sorry, Astarion, I just-“

“No need to apologise to me, my love, I know how it burdens you to keep everyone safe.” Then he had softly and sweetly kissed you.

“You especially”, you had whispered between the kisses and made doe eyes at him. All of a sudden, the sleep deprivation and anxious feelings had you almost tear up – you were so exhausted.

“Oh my sweetheart”, Astarion had purred and tried to cheer you up with a smile but it hadn’t worked. “I hope you won’t forget to keep yourself safe, my heart.”

“You know I kind of suck at that, Astarion.”

“Good thing you have me to look out for you in turn then.”

A smile had crept back onto your face then and you had leaned in for another deep kiss when the door you had smashed only a short time ago opened up again and Shadowheart strode out.

“So, first you scream at me and then you make out just outside my room. Tav, as much as I appreciate you, you really need to get your hormones in check”, the cleric had declared while crossing her arms over her chest. Then she had went past without a word more but a sassy flip of her braid.

Then the party had started to make its way through the city: today’s mission was to scout out the Upper City, so you walked different streets today. Some of them were even new to you but Astarion certainly knew almost all of them.

Still in the Lower City you passed an inconspicuous looking house that became very suspicious once you heard a very loud explosion coming from it and a familiar drow came running out on the porch – Araj Oblodra.

Your eyes immediately narrowed, remembering how the last time had went, when you had had the absolute displeasure of dealing with her. Not only had her attitude been incredibly rude and teeth-grindingly arrogant in general, but the way she had treated Astarion was still making your blood boil. As if he was merely a thing to do her bidding, as if he had no own will or freedom.

Of course, what had come of that encounter had been sweet and lifechanging for you and Astarion, but you frankly could have done very well without it. Back then you had sworn to yourself that if you ever came to meet her again – or any other person who tried to hurt or simply disrespect your soulmate – you would make her pay if she hadn’t learnt her lesson.

And just seeing that arrogant face again made you want to claw her eyes out. Your face became an expression of disgust.

And sure as all Nine Hells: she spotted you and your group and a sort of malicious grin entered her face.

“Ah, what a coincidence, it is you, traveller. I was just experimenting with your blood – it is quite volatile and has allowed for many interesting experiments already.” She looked quite proud of herself – you wanted to retch.

“Why don’t you come in and let me show you what I’ve been working on. I could offer you more potions. If you were to offer me more of your blood of course.” Her grin grew and you could feel your stomach turn.

You threw your companion asking looks because you frankly had a very bad feeling, but… “I guess we could use everything we can get in the fight against the Absolute.” Gale who was standing behind you on the right voiced your thoughts exactly.

Astarion to your left growled at the wizard, making your head swing to him. He still had his teeth bared at Gale, but his gaze snapped to yours: “It’s your call, my love, I don’t want to see you hurt.”

His red eyes softened when he said that, and you were sure you could hear a quiet disgusted noise coming from Shadowheart.

You looked at him a moment longer. But Gale was right: you couldn’t actually pass up an opportunity that might present you with something useful for your task.

You sighed and turned around to the drow and slowly made your way up to her. She was grinning knowingly. Already you wished for nothing more than to wipe that smug look off her damned face.

You all followed her inside where she started to explain condescendingly what she had been doing with your blood as you stood there, arms crossed and your patience running thin.

Araj’s eyes kept wandering to your left where Astarion was standing. So you took a step back and casually grabbed his hand, lacing your fingers with his – clearly stating that she had to deal with the both of you.

When the drow saw your gesture, her face formed into a sneer and she interrupter her sentence: “Ah, I see you might’ve taken my wish and idea to get closer with your vampiric beau and made it your own. How thrilling!” You squeezed Astarion’s hand as you positioned yourself more squarely in front of the drow. The vampire tensed a little as the drow kept talking.

“The heart-stopping bloodsucker. I hope you’ve changed your mind ��� I mean since you’re obviously fond of the one neck already. My neck is yours, any time”, she finished and gave Astarion a look that would rather be meant for someone you wanted to get inside your bedroom and not someone you wanted to bite you. And it struck flaming hot jealousy into you.

“And I will be refusing until the end of time”, Astarion replied in a mocking high-pitched tone “I’m done bowing to the whims of others.” His tone deepened then, a growl almost laced with the words he let out through gritted teeth.

“Astarion, we can leave if you don’t want to be around her”, you offered him with a quick glance. His eyes darted from the drow to you and answering with a slight, quick smile. You could see that all others of your party also seemed more than displeased and tensed.

But before the vampire could answer you, Araj scoffed. “Pathetic weakling spawn – do you need your guard dog to protect you now?” Her lip was curled into a mean smile.

Something inside you snapped – the remaining string of patience that had been tense and worn thin for days if not weeks suddenly non-existing.

With lightning-quick reflexes you let go of Astarion’s hand and bolted towards the drow. Grabbing her by the collar and pulling her towards you until she was almost nose to nose with you.

“How many more times until you get it in your fucking head?”, you screamed at her and shook her violently. “He does NOT WANT TO BITE YOU AND HE NEVER WILL, YOU DAMNED BITCH!”

Your teeth were gritted and bared as you stared in the drow’s eyes wide with shock. You were absolutely feral, searing hot anger made your heart race as you clawed at Araj’s collar. It slowly cut off her air ways – you couldn’t care less.

No one was going to threaten or insult Astarion as long as you had a say in it – and certainly not this bitch. You dragged her in even closer and bared your teeth at her as she tried to get away from you. But you had the advantage of righteous and pent-up fury.

But a soft touch on your shoulder distracted you a bit, your hands loosened a little on the drow. “Don’t waste your breath on her, darling, she’s not worth it”, Astarion said directly behind you. “Let’s just leave, my love.”

Astarion, who usually delighted in people getting the sharp edge of your knife or an arrow to the eye from your bow, seemed a bit distraught by your sudden outbreak of violence. This was not exactly a behaviour he knew from you or expected from you.

“If I ever meet you again, I will fucking kill you”, you hissed at Araj and then slowly let go of her. You opened and closed your hands a few times to loosen your fingers again as you turned around and grabbed Astarion’s hand again who still looked – if not shocked, at least a bit surprised. He wasn’t used to people so aggressively taking his side and protecting him, although it had already been the second time you and him had denied the drow.

You heard Araj cough behind you from you almost strangling her.

The whole party had turned their backs to walk out the door again, when the drow spoke with a hoarse voice: “Pathetic low-life surface elves. Next time I’ll see you, I’ll bury a fucking stake in your vampire fuckboy’s HEART!” She screamed the last word.

That was it. You completely lost it. You whirled around and sucker-punched her with possibly the mightiest right swing you’d ever landed. The fluidity and acceleration of your graceful turn and motion towards the drow gave you the power you lacked in pure strength.

Your fist connected with Araj’s face who had absolutely no time nor means to avoid the hit. You struck her squarely on her nose and lips and you could hear her nose crack as her lip split and you probably knocked out a few teeth as well. The drow’s head was rocked back and connected with the wall she had been standing in front of. She was immediately knocked out and toppled to the ground as you groaned at the jolt of pain that had shot from your hand through your whole arm and upper body.

“You always meet twice in life, don’t fucking make it three times, you bitch”, you said as you shook her blood from your knuckles. The drow was alive but wouldn’t get up anytime soon.

Your friends were all stock-still and quite openly shocked at your display of violence. Even Astarion’s eyes had widened and he stared at you.

“I’m fucking done here”, you exclaimed and rushed outside while shaking your hurting hand. You threw Astarion a glance in passing and then stormed outside to cool your anger.

And as you threw the door close behind you, you were pretty sure, you heard Astarion mutter under his breath: “Well, mark me down as horny and scared.” And was that Gale agreeing with a shocked “hm-hm”?

You stood around aimlessly on the porch and carefully looked at your hand – your knuckles had split and were bleeding. Astarion strode outside after you – alone.

You looked from your hand to him. All your anger had disappeared now and had left you powerless and exhausted. Tears started streaming down your face.

“I’m sorry, I only wanted to protec-“, you started as you thought about the mess you had just created. But Astarion cupped your already wet face and kissed you with open lips.

That’s how you stood for quite some while. Astarion’s thumbs softly brushing away the tears from your eyes until they had dried up. After, when he had softly broken the kiss but kept holding your face he said: “There’s absolutely nothing to apologise for, my love. In fact, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for you to not only take my side but… uh… rather aggressively defending it.” His arms glowed with admiration and love and then he leaned in again to kiss you. You simply sniffled.

“Besides”, he said a few moments later when his lips left yours again and you had almost forgotten you were not alone in the world, “I mean it’s usually two men fighting to defend the honour of a woman, but I feel absolutely flattered that you’re out here knocking people out on my behalf. I would now definitely offer you my handkerchief with my initials embroidered into them as a token of my affection. And it was kind of – hot. Even the wizard thought so.” A huge grin split the vampire’s face and made you break out into a giggle.

As you moved to wipe away the last of your tears with the back of your hand, Astarion gasped a little. He quickly grabbed your injured hand and inspected it.

His thumb gently wandered over your knuckles as his brows kneaded together in worry and you hissed from the pain – looked like you’d hurt yourself more than you realised at first.

“Speaking of handkerchief – I’d really like to have one on my person right now to clean up your poor hand, my love, but I’m currently out.”

You simply replied with a soft mocking “aww” and made a face as Astarion kept carefully turning your hand over.

Then his head snapped up again and he watched you with a mischievous grin on his face: “That’s it, my love. I’m stealing you away for a day of rest and relaxation.” You immediately wanted to protest.

“Ah ah ah, my sweet, I won’t take no for an answer. You desperately need a break and I will get you this embroidered handkerchief as you are now my chosen champion to defend my delicate and precious honour”, Astarion said with a wink and a smile.

And then he kissed you again.

[whitedarkmoonflower]

Two broken pieces

Pairing: modern!Sihtric x reader (female)

Authors note: thank you so much @gemini-mama and @st-eve-barnes for helping me to overcome my doubts. I appreciate your feedback and comments enourmously. I've never written anything like this before, so I was (I still am) very insecure about posting this

Summary: plot? never heard of it, pure smut with some minor good old pole-dancer/whore meeting a successeful businessman background story (oh my gosh, it sounds so like Pretty Woman 😅)

Please read the warnings!

Warnings: SMUT 18+, sub & dom dynamics, slapping, restraining, orgasm denial, slight degradation, masturbation, oral (m receiving), p in v sex

Word Count: 5,3 K

If you want to be added to or removed from the tag list - write to me.

The black velvet blazer fit him perfectly, contrasting with the casually unbuttoned, dazzling white shirt. His stern, piercing gaze, accentuated by mismatched eyes, seemed to penetrate through the TV screen. The impeccably groomed goatee and dark hair pulled back into a bun added to his image of rugged, almost intimidating masculinity. And those rings—wow. You exhaled deeply as your eyes drifted to his hands; thick metal rings adorned his fingers, complemented by weighty bracelets around his wrist. It had been your suggestion to hire a stylist for his public appearances, and it had evidently paid off.

It was Sihtric Kjartansson, the youngest CEO in the history of Dunholm Holdings, one of the most feared and envied figures in the stock market. A corporate raider, he acquired, dismantled, and sold companies with unprecedented profit margins. A quick and ruthless predator with an uncanny knack for timing—trading like a Wall Street shark, one of the most sought-after bachelors in the country, and your fiancé, was addressing the press about his latest acquisition: a renowned family business rumoured to be facing financial difficulties.

You settled back into the large, brown leather chair, tilting your head to the side as you scrutinised his face. Pure calmness emanated from him, not a muscle twitching in his handsome, sharply defined features. His steady, firm voice cut through the whirl of voices as he, with a playful smirk on his lips, selected reporters to field questions, pointing at them nonchalantly with his index finger. You knew him too well to be deceived by that perfect facade. You could discern it in his eyes—the dark, almost empty gaze, the absent and inward look, the tapping of fingers against the desk on the rostrum, betraying his underlying agitation.

You rose from your seat and made your way to the table, retrieving your phone and waiting. In the background, the TV murmured, and you recognized the unmistakable Irish-accented voice of Finan—Sihtric’s right-hand man and long-standing friend—announcing the end of the press conference and expressing gratitude to everyone. One, two, three... you counted, and just as you drew breath to resume, the phone rang. You answered it promptly.

“Hey, I saw you,” you whispered softly, bringing the phone closer to your ear. You wanted him to know that you had been watching, that you knew how he felt.

"I need you," came the hoarse voice from the other end, tinged with frustration and impatience.

"I'm waiting. You have 30 minutes," you replied, the shift in your tone from gentle to assertive prompting a groan from the caller.

"I'm on the other side of the city; I can't make it in 30 minutes," Sihtric's voice carried a hint of alarm.

"Then I suggest you not waste your time," you purred, moving the phone away from your ear and pressing the red button to end the call.

Pausing for a moment, you regarded the phone in your hand, before searching for another number and dialling.

"Hey, Finny! You both pulled it off again," you exclaimed into the phone.

"Hey! Yeah, the contract is signed. Negotiations were tough, though. Sihtric handled most of it, as usual. You know him," Finan's voice sounded proud but fatigued.

"How difficult was it?"

"On a scale from 1 to 10, it was a 12. They treated us like a charity organisation, so Sihtric had to be exceptionally firm, but he handled it flawlessly. You know how ruthless he can be in business. You should have seen him, babydoll," Finan continued, and you smirked at his choice of words. "Why don't you give him a call? The press conference just ended."

"Okay, I'll do that! Bye!" you ended the call with a pensive smile. Finan had provided all the necessary details; now you knew what to anticipate, and you had half an hour to prepare.

"Be reasonable, there's no way I can—" the sound of short beeps in Sihtric’s ear signalled that you had hung up. "Fuck," he cursed under his breath, tucking his phone away in the back pocket of his jeans and casting a worried glance at his watch.

"Where is my car?" he barked at the pale-faced assistant beside him. Sihtric never bothered to remember their names; they changed too often. Not a single one had lasted longer than a few months. It was annoying; the youth these days lacked resilience.

He recalled his own beginnings as a personal assistant to Uhtred, one of the biggest Wall Street whales of his time. Freshly graduated as the top in his class, he had thought he knew everything about business and economics. What a fool he had been! There was no regulated working time, no weekends, no holidays. "Stock markets don't sleep," Uhtred had taught him. And he didn't complain; he just learned, absorbing all the strategies, all the advice, everything his boss could offer. He would have followed him to hell and back if needed. That was the real-life education, and that was what had brought him to where he was now.

"I'll call the driver right away, Mr. Kjartansson. You didn't mention you needed the car directly after the press conference," the youngster stammered, pulling out his phone with trembling hands.

"Useless idiot," Sihtric snorted in growing frustration. "Did you think I'm going to walk home or what?"

"Why do you always have to pick such brainless idiots?" Sihtric shouted to Finan, who appeared just around the corner.

"Because nobody in this damn city wants to work for you anymore," Finan snorted back. "They're all terrified of you. And you're not making it any easier." Finan approached his friend, placing a calming hand on Sihtric's shoulder. "The last one quit because you wanted to throw knives at him."

"I didn't actually want to throw knives at him; I just asked him to hold the target. I needed a distraction, to come up with that perfect strategy to ram the gates of that shipbuilding company," Sihtric objected with a shrug.

"Yeah, sure," Finan smirked, suppressing a chuckle. He wanted to add something more, but the pale-faced assistant, with evident black rings under his eyes, interjected, announcing that Mr. Kjartansson's car was waiting. Sihtric promptly turned on his heels and headed towards the doors, casually waving goodbye to his friend as he departed.

"Damn it, " Sihtric growled in frustration. "Can't you move any faster?"

"Sir, we're completely stuck. Nothing's budging. Looks like there's been an accident or something blocking the road," the driver gestured towards the long line of cars ahead.

Sihtric glanced at his watch again, nervously tugging at his collar.

"Why the hell didn't you choose another route? I'll walk! And don't expect me to pay for the extra time you'll be stuck in this traffic jam. It's your own fault," Sihtric bellowed, swinging the door open.

"But, Sir..." the driver's attempt to protest was silenced by Sihtric's furious glare. "Shut up, or you can start looking for another job," Sihtric growled, slamming the door shut with such force that the driver flinched in his seat.

Sihtric unbuttoned another button of his shirt and began to stride away, his long, hurried steps quickly escalating into a near run. He was inevitably going to be late.

The silence that enveloped him as Sihtric finally swung open the doors of his house was almost eerie. After casting an inquisitive glance around the spacious living room and the adjoining open kitchen, he checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time and swallowed hard. He took off his shoes and socks. Slipping off his chic velvet blazer, he casually tossed it over his shoulder and began to ascend the stairs to the second floor.

The house was expansive; while the first floor boasted only the immensely large living room with its breathtaking view of the garden and the kitchen, the second floor comprised several bedrooms with attached bathrooms and walk-in closets, a library and an office.

Sihtric had recently purchased the house. Situated in the most upscale neighbourhood, it had cost him a small fortune, but as it was his engagement gift to you, he wanted it to be absolutely perfect. Any ordinary man might have bought you a ring, but not Sihtric. That would have been too conventional for him. Instead, he bought you a house—a tangible symbol of his desire for you to become an integral part of his life, his home, his sanctuary to return to after an exhausting working day.

The last stair squeaked under Sihtric's foot, prompting a mental note that it needed fixing. The corridor was carpeted, muffling his footsteps as he made his way to the only room he knew you might be in—the large, spacious master bedroom, the only one fully furnished and ready for occupancy. All the other rooms were still undergoing renovation, the scent of fresh paint lingering in the air.

The door was slightly ajar, allowing a glimpse of the dusky, crimson light within, suggesting that the thick red curtains you had personally chosen were likely half-drawn, allowing only a faint amount of light to filter through.

Sihtric pressed his slightly sweaty palm against the door and pushed it open, his breath quickening as he stepped into the semi-darkness of the bedroom. Though it was too dark to see clearly, he immediately recognised your silhouette in the large leather armchair positioned by the window—your bare, long, slender legs crossed, hands resting on the armrests, fingers tapping impatiently.

Sihtric's breath caught in his chest at the sight before him. Gosh, you were stunning. The faint light filtering through the curtains behind you made your silhouette almost ethereal. You were wearing that black bodysuit he adored, accentuating all your curves perfectly. Your hair pulled back, revealing your high forehead and incredibly large, captivating eyes, which scrutinised him disapprovingly.

"You're late," you said, tilting your head slightly as you surveyed him from head to toe.

A muffled groan escaped Sihtric's throat at the sound of your soft, velvety voice washing over him like a soothing balm, alerting his senses, and he felt a sudden tightness in his pants.

"Five minutes. It wasn't my fault..." Sihtric's husky voice trembled ever so slightly, betraying the anxiety coursing through his veins and causing his chest to heave more heavily with each breath. He still hadn't moved away from the door.

"Excuses, always just pathetic excuses!" you scoffed, firmly planting both feet on the ground as you gracefully rose from the chair, pushing yourself up with your hands. Sihtric's pupils widened as he followed your every movement, swallowing you with his eyes.

"It really wasn't..." he began, but quickly swallowed his words as you raised your arm warningly.

"Quiet," it was not a plea; it was an order, a command not to be disobeyed. "Who do you think you are to make me wait?"

Sihtric wasn't sure if it was really a question. "I... the traffic jam... there was an accident... the highway was blocked," he mumbled, his eyes glued to your form, unable to avert his gaze as you slowly, with determined steps, moved closer to him.

"That's not what I asked. Spare me your pitiful excuses," you had reached Sihtric and stood just before him, looking sternly up into his mismatched eyes. You were so much smaller than him, a fragile doll compared to Sihtric's well-built, muscular frame towering over you. "You have upset your queen, and you will be punished for that," your eyes darkened with disapproval as they glided over his face. 

Sihtric leaned heavily against the door, closing it with his weight, his fingers let go of his blazer, letting it fall down on the floor. Slowly, you raised your hand and Sihtric closed his eyes, freezing as if in anticipation. You could hear him holding his breath and he flinched the moment your palm cupped his warm cheek, your thumb moving over his full, sensual lips, parting instantly at your touch.

"Yes, my queen," he whispered, nuzzling against your palm, his breath uneven, sweat beads glistening on his forehead.

You took your time to admire his handsome face, your eyes lingering for a moment on the long scar on his forehead and then sliding further to the smaller one on his right cheek just beneath the eye. They were barely visible under the layer of makeup the stylist had applied to conceal them, but you knew exactly where they were, and you knew there were more hidden beneath his perfect white shirt.

You knew their origins and that the hand that had etched them into Sihtric’s body had left even deeper marks on his soul. You loved this man with all your heart, every part of him, all the dark corners of his soul and mind as well as the bright ones. You loved the real him, not just the shiny, attractive facade of a successful businessman and millionaire. You loved him more than yourself, more than anything. If the need arose, you would readily give your life for him, and you were sure he would do the same for you. You needed him as much as he needed you; you just fit together—two broken pieces, creating something whole only when joined.

You took a swing, and the resounding smack of your hand colliding with Sihtric’s cheek made you flinch, feeling a hot sting in your palm. The moan that escaped his lips made you grin as you slapped him again, channelling all your strength into your delicate hand, knowing that your palm would probably burn even more than his cheek afterward. Sihtric’s head jerked to the side, and you heard a sharp exhale escape his chest.

"You’ve been a mean boy today. Haven’t you?" you purred, caressing his reddened cheek with the back of your palm. "Tell me, what do you think would be an appropriate punishment for disobeying your queen?" You took hold of his chin and turned his head to face you. "Look at me!" you commanded, and Sihtric instantly obeyed, his eyes fluttering wide open, a hazy gleam in them.

"I've been very bad today, my queen, I deserve all your wrath," Sihtric breathed, lust and longing dripping from his hoarse voice, causing the tiny hairs on your skin to stand on end. The heat pooling in your lower abdomen and slowly spreading throughout your body became distracting. You shook your head, trying to regain your concentration, to shift your mind away from your throbbing, soaked centre.

You had met several years ago in a brothel where you were working. He – a young, handsome, aspiring, and ambitious businessman who had already made his first successful steps in the fast currents of the stock market, mentored by Uhtred, one of the most influential figures in the scene. You – a pole dancer and a part-time sex worker, feeling disillusioned with life.

At just 18, you fled your parents' house to escape the never-ending brawls fueled by alcohol and drugs. After several unsuccessful attempts at securing a somewhat decent job, all of which ended abruptly due to the harsh reality that they couldn't even cover the rent for your small, shabby outskirts apartment, you reluctantly accepted the tempting offer to earn some money by pole dancing at the "local recreation club"—at least that's what the slimy guy next door, who proposed the job to you, called it. It was only later that you discovered it also involved satisfying other establishment clients' needs. There hadn't been much of a choice between accepting it or winding up on the streets.

Sihtric's busy schedule and lack of time for real relationships had made him a frequent visitor to the red-light district, and one fateful night, your paths crossed. You knew exactly what had drawn you to the handsome, slightly shy, but very kind young man. It was his eyes—their deep, expressive gaze seemed to penetrate the very depths of your soul, devoid of judgement, contempt, or prejudice, but filled with tenderness and acceptance. From the first time you served him, he treated you with respect and gentleness, a rarity in your line of work, and you reciprocated it.

Soon, he became your regular customer, and often after a passionate fuck, you found yourself cuddled against his muscular chest, just talking. He was the first to notice the small scars on your forearms. With him, you felt an unusual sense of security, and after a moment of hesitation you finally told him about that indescribable void—the feeling of being unimportant, unwanted, a failure, and a constant source of disappointment—that had driven you to cut yourself in a desperate attempt to feel something other than overwhelming shame about your own existence. It was likely the first time someone had truly listened to you, drawing you closer and whispering comforting words in your ear.

You still vividly remembered the first time he asked you to slap him. Initially, you thought it was a jest, but his serious expression and expectant gaze made it clear he was sincere. He quickly averted his eyes, as if ashamed of his request, anticipating your judgement. Yet, you didn't judge him; why would you? You understood him and accepted him completely. It was perhaps in that moment that you realised you loved him.

“I was waiting for you,” you continued, your voice low, tinged with resentment “Look what you've done to me,” you took Sihtric’s hand and pressed it to your centre, letting him feel how soaked wet your bodysuit was there. The violent sound, something between a wild groan and moan, that escaped his lips made you shiver.

“On your knees!” you ordered. Sihtric’s hand was still between your thighs as he bared his teeth and growled in response.

“You dare to object?” You exclaimed, your voice taking on a hard edge. “You dare to disobey your queen?”

“No, my queen,” he breathed barely audibly, retrieving his hand and starting to slowly slide down to the ground, his back pressed against the door, his dark, hazy eyes never leaving yours. He paused for a moment, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, before his knees crushed against the floor, his hands resting on his thighs, gaze upwards, awaiting your next command.

“Take off your shirt,” you ordered in the same stern voice, turning your back to Sihtric and heading to the closet. As you opened the drawer, you cast an inquiring look back at Sihtric, who was obediently unbuttoning his shirt, pulling it out of his trousers and letting it fall to the ground, his eyes not leaving you. 

You swallowed hard at the sight of his incredibly muscular, well-chiselled upper body, feeling  your breath picking up as your eyes skimmed his abdomen, lingered on his biceps, and travelled further to his hands and ring adorned fingers, resting on his thighs. What had you done to deserve this man in your life, you wondered, tracing your fingers over a black leather collar and a matching metallic leash, that you finally took out of the drawer and headed back to Sihtric.

“You know your queen loves you,” you whispered in his ear as you leaned closer and started attaching the collar around his neck.

“I never doubt that,” Sihtric murmured, tilting his head to give you better access to his neck, while you secured the leash to the collar, wrapping it around your hand. 

“Good, and do you love your queen?” you asked, casually holding his chin.

“Always,” he answered, licking his lips. Your faces were just centimetres apart and you breathed him in. His cologne mixed with the faint scent of his sweat, made your head spin slightly. Unable to resist, you leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips. Playfully, you teased him, running the tip of your tongue over his lips, and Sihtric let out a low groan, his arms instantly reaching out to pull you closer.

“Oh no,” you grinned, as you ran your teeth along his lower lip and bit down, hard enough to draw blood and make him moan in frustration, as you slapped his hands away from your body. “You haven’t deserved that. Not yet,” you smirked, straightening up and simultaneously pulling him away from your lips by the leash.

“Please,” Sihtric whined, “I want to touch you. Let me touch you, please.”

“You want to touch me?” you asked, a sly smile appearing on your lips as you tilted your head, relishing at the pleading look in his eyes. “I think I know a perfect punishment for you, darling,” you pulled Sihtric to his feet by the leash, turned and started walking towards the closet.

Retrieving something from the upper drawer, you made your way back to the big leather armchair by the window, where you had been sitting just moments before, with Sihtric  following behind. Reaching your destination, you pulled him in front of you and gently pushed backward into the chair.

"Are you going to be good now?" you purred, beginning to circle around the chair.

"I'm going to be good, I promise," Sihtric replied, his eyes following your movements.

"Your hands, bad boy," you whispered in Sihtric's ear from behind, brushing your lips against his earlobe and teasing it slightly with your teeth. Sihtric stretched his left arm toward you, inhaling deeply at the familiar sound of handcuffs snapping shut and the sensation of metal against his wrist. "And now the other one," you demanded, guiding his arm behind the back of the chair.

"Good boy," you praised him, securing the handcuffs around his other wrist, which he had obediently stretched behind his back, and fastening them under a hook attached to the back of the chair, placed there precisely for this purpose.

"I want you to watch," you smiled sweetly as you placed your palm on Sihtric's shoulder and moved around him, positioning yourself just in front of him. You started to pull your bodysuit off your shoulders.

With every movement, Sihtric's breath quickened. You could see his pupils widen and hear him swallow hard as you began to slide the bodysuit down your hips. Letting the fabric glide down your legs, you stepped out of it gracefully, standing before Sihtric in your black lacy underwear.

Taking a step forward, you watched as Sihtric's thighs instinctively spread to make space for you. Leaning in, you placed a teasing kiss on the corner of his mouth, eliciting a disappointed groan from him. You trailed your fingers over his bare chest, down to his abs, stopping just at the hem of his jeans and just watched how his muscles tensed, his breath quivering and hips subtly rolling into your touch.

"What a greedy and impatient boy you are today," you smirked, the teasing smile playing on your lips as you stepped back until you reached the edge of the bed. The guttural growl that escaped Sihtric as you sat down, spreading your legs and licking your fingers, made your grin of satisfaction spread all over your face. Slowly, so slowly for him to see your every movement, you reached for your centre, pushed your panties aside and started to rub your pulsing clit. 

Sihtric didn’t even try to suppress the desperate moan that rolled over his lips as he shifted nervously in his chair, spreading his thighs as much as he could, in an attempt to lessen the pressure, his cock painfully hard in his pants.

“Just watch,” you purred, leaning back on your elbow, gathering the arousal from your folds and continuing to circle your clit with your index finger. You didn’t need much, you were dripping wet almost from the very moment Sihtric had entered the room. You pushed your finger inside you and your hips started to move up and down, accompanied by your moans, getting louder and louder.

“Fuck,” you heard Sihtric cursing and groaning, tugging at his handcuffs. “Don’t do this to me. You are driving me mad.”

This was the last bit you needed. “Ahhh, fuck,” you whined, pressing another finger inside you, while your thumb continued to rub your sensitive bundle. With a loud moan you came on your fingers and let yourself fall back onto the bed, your breath heaving.

As you finally gathered yourself and raised from the bed, you were met by a pair of feral  eyes, gleaming with lust from behind wild strands of hair falling in Sihtric’s face.

“Oh my, what do we have here?” you asked, furrowing a brow, as you neared him again and palmed his rock hard cock through his jeans. Sihtric groaned and eagerly bucked his hips against your hand. 

Sinking down to the floor, you positioned yourself comfortably between his spread thighs and started unfastening his belt and opening the zipper. 

“Mmmmm, just look at you, all hard and dripping for me,” you mused as you finally freed his erection. You felt your mouth watering as you looked at his perfectly formed long cock, a thick vein running from the base to its red tip. You wrapped your fingers around it and gave it a slow stroke. Placing your lips on Sihtric’s inner thigh, you started to kiss your way up towards his throbbing length.

“Fuuuuck,” Sihtric breathed out as your lips reached the base of his cock and you gave it a teasing lick from base to tip. You wrapped your lips around it and slowly took him in, the salty taste of his precum on your tongue, inflaming you again. You started to move your head up and down his length, the wanton moans and hisses leaving Sihtric, spurring you on. 

You stopped the moment his hips started to move against you, thrusting into your mouth.

“Don’t,” you hissed, looking up in his lust hazed eyes.

“I’m sorry, I won’t.” 

As soon as you resumed your ministrations Sihtric’s breath became ragged again, his whole body quivering in tension while he tried to remain still and prevent his hips from moving. From the way Sihtric’s eyes were rolling back in his head, his chest heaving in the rhythm of each breath, you could easily tell he was close, almost on the verge of losing control, as you pulled back and released his pulsing cock.

“You know the rules,” your voice had again that sharp warning edge.

“Yes, I do,” Sihtric groaned, leaning his head against the back of the chair and breathing heavily.

“Good, you can be such a good boy, if you make an effort,” you cooed, stretching out your tongue and starting all over again. 

“Please, stop. I can’t anymore. Let me cum, please,” Sihtric mewled as you had brought him to the edge already four times, withdrawing whenever he was about to peak.

“Don’t expect me to go easy on you,” you looked into the dazed eyes of your hard breathing fiance, looking a complete mess. 

“Please, just let me cum,” he whispered and closed his eyes, light shudders shaking his body.

“Do you think you deserve it? You are so selfish. You want to cum and leave your queen unsatisfied?” your voice was tinged with resentment while your eyes gleamed mischievously,  as you unfastened your bra and threw it at him, followed by your panties just a moment later. 

“No, my queen. I’m sorry.” 

“Spare me your apologies!” you hissed, straddling him. "Look at me!" you ordered, slapping him again, making his head snap to the side. Sihtric obediently moved his head back to face you, his eyes fluttering open. Your gazes locked, and you found yourself choking on your own breath from the love and devotion in his large, mismatched eyes. Cupping his face with your palms, you leaned in to kiss him, swallowing the moan vibrating through his body. Sihtric parted his lips to welcome you and your tongue slipped inside, finding his, twisting around it, lapping, sucking and teasing. Arousal pulsing through every cell of your body, you fought against the desire to fuck him there and now, but you lost the uneven battle.

Burning with the need to finally feel him inside you, you aligned his cock with your entrance and sank down, taking him in until the very end of his rigid shaft, savouring the pleasant stretch. After all this time you still needed a moment to adjust to his size, before starting to move your hips, setting an ever fastening pace.

Feeling Sihtric straining against the handcuffs in a desperate want to free his hands and touch you, you tangled your fingers in his dishevelled hair and pulled hard, jerking his head back and exposing his throat to you. 

“Mark me, my queen. I’m yours,” Sihtric moaned and you buried your teeth in his sensitive skin. You were aware that the marks your lips and teeth left on his neck will be quite visible, but you couldn’t care less. Inebriated by your approaching climax, you started to move faster. You rode him with unwavering determination, straining your vagina muscles around him, feeling each and every inch of him brushing against your walls and bringing you both closer to the edge with each movement of your hips. 

“Move!” you whispered firmly in Sihtric’s ear, and his hips immediately started to thrust up into you, hitting that sweet, swollen spot inside you, that brought you closer and closer to seeing stars. Your clit brushed against his pelvis, intensifying the sensation and your head instinctively snapped back from the ferocity of pleasure building up within you.

“Please, allow me to cum,” a hoarse whisper left Sihtric’s lips as his eyes rolled back into his head. 

You were almost gone, almost over the edge, as you wildly bounced on Sihtric’s cock, your nails digging into his shoulders, holding on to him. Eyes half lid you watched him struggle to keep it together, knowing he wouldn’t come without your permission.

“Please,” he begged again, his lips barely moving from the self restraint.

“Keep going, yes, just like that. Oh my God, don’t you dare to stop. Fuck, aaahhhh!” You screamed as your climax started washing over you, your walls clenching around Sihtric’s cock and as if through a thick fog you heard yourself giving the command he so desperately waited. “Go on, cum for me, bad boy. Cum for your queen.”

An animalistic groan left Sihtric’s lips as he finally let go and you both moaned in unison, waves of pure ecstasy shuddering your bodies and wiping everything in its way. There was nothing else, just the two of you, immersed in a bubble of elevation and pure happiness. It was overwhelming, almost too much but simultaneously so indescribably blissful to feel Sihtric’s cock twitching within you, imprinting your walls and filling you up with his warm seed. You collapsed against Sihtric’s naked chest, breathing hard, his racing heart beat just beneath your ear as he kept thrusting up into you to ride out his release. 

You had no idea how long you had been sitting there, your nose buried in the hook of his neck, clinging to his sweaty chest, just savouring the moment and slowly coming down from your high. 

“Will you release me?” you heard Sihtric’s husky voice, while his lips gently nuzzled your hair. 

“Give me a moment,” you murmured with your eyes closed.

“As long as you need, my queen.” 

Unwillingly you raised yourself, feeling so empty the moment Sihtric’s cock slipped out of you. You undid the handcuffs and your eyes widened as you saw the bruises they had left on Sihtric’s wrists. Without paying any attention to it Sihtric grabbed your hand and pulled you back into his lap.

“Let me see it,” you took his hands in yours, bringing them to your lips and placing soft kisses on the bruises around his wrist. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing. It’s my own fault, I shouldn’t have struggled so much against them. You made me almost cum in my pants like a teenager,” Sihtric smiled, putting his fingers under your chin and raising your head to meet his eyes. 

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“I love you,” you breathed almost inaudibly, hypnotised by his gaze.

“I love you too, my queen. You are everything to me,” Sihtric pulled you closer in his embrace, his strong arms wrapping around your small frame, as he kissed you tenderly.

Tags: @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @hb8301 @zillahvathek @alexagirlie @gemini-mama @verenahx @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @willowbrookesblog @thenameswinter99 @ellabellabus07 @mcbuckyyyy @kirtseinw @siimonesvensson @sigtryggrswifey

[earthtoharlow]

Don’t Like The Lights

Sequel to Flashing Lights series, must read Flashing Lights first to understand

Series Masterlist

3. Still Down

If I put all my faith to you, will you be faithful? Hold me down baby I know that ain't easy to do

“Hi! I’m here a little early…wearing sparkly pants.” Maryse Monet’s message reads like pre-emptive admin before a blind date but, in reality, it’s not necessary: the 25-year-old singer/actress is instantly recognizable and not just to me. As I arrive a young woman approaches her and asks for a selfie. “Your music changed my life.”

Maryse immediately pulled the young woman in a tight embrace and thanked her, making sure the fan knew how much she appreciated it.

We had originally had a reservation booked at a fancy restaurant in New York City. Maryse’ suggested we meet at this charming deli shop out of the state of NY, much to our bewilderment. It was only upon our arrival that we discovered the reason behind her unconventional choice – she had recently made Kentucky her new home.

“New York will always hold a special place in my heart,” she confided. “But now, my heart is in Kentucky. It’s a welcome change of pace.” While not explicitly mentioned, it was evident that her relationship with her rapper Jack Harlow played a significant role in her decision to make the move.

In the wake of her recent Grammy wins, we begin to discuss the impact of her success on her upcoming sophomore album and whether the accolades added pressure to her creative process.

“Winning two Grammys for my debut album was truly surreal and humbling,” Maryse began, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and determination. “While there’s certainly an added level of expectation with each release, I see it more as an opportunity than pressure.”

Maryse went on to explain how the recognition reaffirmed her artistic vision and gave her the courage to push the boundaries even further with her new album. Rather than feeling constrained by expectations, Monet embraced the challenge as a chance to elevate her craft and connect with her audience on a deeper level.

“As an artist, I’m always evolving and exploring new avenues of expression,” she continued, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “The Grammys serve as a reminder of the impact music can have, and I’m excited to channel that energy into my sophomore album.”

When I asked her how the sophomore album is going, Maryse's eyes began to sparkle as she leaned forward like she was about to tell me a secret. “I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into the writing, exploring new themes and melodies that reflect where I am in life right now.”

“With my debut, I was in this whirlwind romance, and every lyric seemed to overflow with joy and passion,” she recounted with a wistful smile.

While on tour last year it was revealed that she and Jack Harlow had broken up after being together for almost a year.

“This time around I found myself navigating the painful aftermath of a breakup,” she confided, her voice tinged with vulnerability. “What was meant to be a continuation of love songs transformed into a raw exploration of heartbreak.”

She went on to describe how the experience of love and heartbreak had shaped her songwriting. “This album feels like a deeply personal journey,” she explained, her expression thoughtful yet resolute. “This next album will be the breakup album everyone thought they were getting with the first one.”

And what does Jack Harlow think of having break up songs about him?

With a playful grin, Maryse quipped, “Oh, you mean my muse? He’s been incredibly supportive throughout this whole journey.” Chuckling, she added, “He’ll be fine with the heartbreak songs. He knows it’s all part of the process.”

When Maryse isn’t working on music, she’s reading scripts. Fresh off her role as Belle in the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, she’s now set to appear in the remake of The Color Purple. “Acting is a new challenge for me, but it’s incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Leaving the deli, I felt a profound sense of respect for Maryse Monet. She’s a testament to resilience and creativity, navigating the complexities of love, heartbreak, and success with grace. Her journey from New York to Kentucky, from singer to actor, and from heartbreak to healing is one that inspires and captivates. As she continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the world hasn’t seen the best of Maryse yet.

****

LIFEOFMONET

liked by milaj, dojacat, urbanwyatt, easymoneysniper,jackharlow, torikelly, and 587,567 others

lifeofmonet: Never thought I would be on the cover of vogue 🥺 this means EVERYTHING TO ME I am so grateful and excited for this next chapter…..LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!

view all 6,789 comments

mariahthescienctist: So beautiful!

user: ICONIC

user: we finally getting a break up album!!!!

user: how can someone be so beautiful

saweetie: Yessss💜

user: the confirmation that she’s back with Jack and moved in with him 🥹🥹🥹🥹

urbanwyatt: welcome to Kentucky 😅

user: Jack has a big storm coming

jackharlow: so proud of you 😍

As Maryse walked into the house, she felt a wave of exhaustion run through her. Today at the studio was emotionally taxing and she was happy to finally be home. She kicked her shoes off and placed them on the shoe rack, and let out a sigh of relief.

In the living room, Jack was lounging on the couch flipping through a magazine. As Maryse walked closer she noticed it was the latest issue of Vogue, featuring her on the cover. Jack looked up, a broad smile spreading across his face as their eyes met.

“Hey there, superstar!” He greeted, setting the magazine aside and standing up to hug her. “How was the studio?”

“Tiring, but good,” Maryse replied, melting into his embrace. “What about you? How was your day?”

“Pretty relaxed,” he said, holding her at arm’s length and looking her over. “I spent some time reading this.” Jack gestured to the magazine. “I’m so proud of you, you know that?”

She blushed, feeling a mix of pride and shyness. “You read the whole thing?”

“Every word,” he confirmed, his eyes twinkling with admiration. “It’s a great article. You come across so genuine and talented. They captured you perfectly.”

Maryse laughed softly, shaking her head. “I don’t know about that, but it was a fun interview. And it was kind of nice, meeting at Morris Deli and then walking around the Highlands. Felt more personal.”

He nodded, his expression turning serious. “I loved what you said about New York and Kentucky. ‘New York always has a special place in my heart, but now my heart is in Kentucky.’ That hit home.”

“Well, it’s true,” she replied softly, reaching out to take his hand. “This place, this life we’re starting to build here… it’s special.”

Jack pulled her close again, kissing her forehead. He grinned playfully, “Oh, you really love me, huh?” he teased.

Maryse laughed, feeling her cheeks warm. “Well, you’re pretty special,” she replied, matching his playful tone. “I guess you could say you’re worth the move.”

He chuckled, pulling her even closer. “Worth leaving the big city for small-town life? That’s saying something.”

She nodded, looking up at him with affection. “Yeah, it is. But honestly, being with you feels like home no matter where we are.”

Jack’s expression softened, and he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I feel the same way,” he said quietly. “I was just messing with you. I know how much you’ve given up to be here, and it means the world to me.”

She smiled, her heart full. “It’s not giving up anything when it means being with you. Besides, Kentucky has its charm. I’ve discovered a lot of things I love here.”

He raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh, really? Like what?”

Maryse pretended to think for a moment, tapping her chin. “Well, despite all the white people… everyone is friendly, the scenery is beautiful, and there’s this amazing guy I get to come home to every day.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “You’re too much.”

She leaned in, planting a quick kiss on his lips. “And you love it.”

Jack sighed contentedly, pulling her into his lap. “Yeah, I do. More than anything.”

As they continued cuddling on the couch, Maryse couldn’t help but think about how hectic the coming year was going to be. Her schedule was packed with studio sessions, promotional events for the Color Purple.

The excitement of her career’s momentum was tempered by the nagging worry that their busy lives might pull them apart again. She didn’t want a repeat of last year, when their packed schedules had created a wedge between them.

She took a deep breath and snuggled closer to Jack feeling the warmth of his body against hers. “Hey,” she said softly, her voice tinged with hesitation. “Can we talk about something?”

Jack looked down at her, concern etched on his face. “Of course, what’s on your mind?”

She bit her lip, gathering her thoughts, and he gently pulled her lips away with his thumb, stopping her. “Don’t do that,” he murmured. “Talk to me, M.”

Maryse sighed, trying to organize her thoughts. “This year is going to be really busy for me. Probably even busier than last year. And while I’m excited about everything, I’m also worried. You know how things got between us when we were both so busy.”

He nodded “Yeah, I remember. It was tough.”

“I don’t want that to happen again,” she continued, Maryse’s voice barely above a whisper. “I know this year is supposed to be your reset year, and I don’t want to mess that up for you. I just… I don’t want us to drift apart.”

Jack pulled her closer, his grip tightening protectively. “Hey, we’re not going to let that happen again. We’ve learned a lot from last year. We’ll make time for each other, no matter what.”

She sighed, feeling a bit more reassured but still worried. “I know, but it’s hard. We both have so much going on. I just don’t want us to become strangers living in the same house.”

He lifted her chin, making her look into his eyes. “Listen to me. You’re the most important thing in my life. We’ll figure it out. If it means rearranging my schedule to be with you, I’ll do it. This reset year isn’t just about my career; it’s about us too. And I’m not going to lose you again.”

Maryse smiled, feeling a tear escape and roll down her cheek. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

Jack wiped the tear away with his thumb and kissed her gently. “We’re a team, remember? We’ll face this together.”

Maryse nodded and was quiet before a thought popped in her mind. “Maybe we should go on vacation before it gets too busy.”

He grinned, his eyes lighting up at the idea. “That sounds perfect. I haven’t been on a real vacation in years. Any place in mind?”

She thought for a moment, then said, “Somewhere quiet and relaxing. Maybe a beach? We could use some sun and sand.”

“That sounds amazing,” Jack agreed. “A chance to unwind and just be with each other.”

She nodded, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought. “Yeah, just us, away from everything. We need that.”

Jack kissed her forehead, a look of determination in his eyes. “Let’s make it happen. I’ll handle all the planning. You just pack your bags.”

“Just so you know,” Jack said, a playful smirk on his face, “I’m probably gonna burn in the sun while you get a nice tan.”

Maryse laughed, playfully nudging him. “I’ll make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen for you, don’t worry.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he replied, shaking his head with a chuckle. “I’m serious though. I turn into a lobster if I’m out in the sun too long.”

She grinned, loving the banter. “Guess I’ll just have to keep you in the shade then. Or maybe we can alternate between sunbathing and hiding under an umbrella.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said, pulling her closer. “As long as I get to spend time with you, I don’t care where we are or what we do.”

She smiled, feeling a wave of warmth and love. “Same here. I just want us to have some time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

He kissed her gently, his eyes filled with affection. “It’s a date then. We’ll escape to the beach and have the best time ever.”

She nodded, her heart full. “I can’t wait. It’ll be perfect.”

“I’m thinking we hit up a nude beach,” Jack teased, not being able to hide the mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Maryse couldn’t help but gasp and playfully hit his arm. “You’re unbelievable!”

Jack laughed, enjoying her reaction he leaned in, stealing a quick kiss. “What? It could be fun! Totally freeing, you know?” He pecked her lips again, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

She shook her head, giggling. “I don’t think so. The only person who gets to see me like that is you.”

“You damn right!,” he said, still chuckling before he kissed her again, softer this time. “But you have to admit, it would’ve made for an interesting vacation story.” Another kiss.

“Sure,” Maryse replied, rolling her eyes with a smile as he kissed her again. “Maybe in an alternate universe.”

He laughed and continued to steal kisses between words. “Alright, no nude beaches,” he said, punctuating each word with a quick peck. “But seriously, anywhere with you is perfect.”

She smiled, her heart swelling with love. “Just us, no phones, no work.”

“Deal,” he said, kissing her forehead, finally giving her lips a break. “It’s going to be amazing.”

Jack then smiled, pulling her closer. “Alright, no more yapping. Let’s go cuddle.”

He stood up and offered his hand, helping her off the couch. She took it with a tired smile, leaning into him as they walked to the bedroom, hand in hand.

Once they were under the covers, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. The warmth of his body against hers was comforting, a feeling she had missed during their time apart. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“Goodnight, M.” he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. His voice was soft, filled with affection and relief that they were together again.

Maryse snuggled deeper into his embrace, feeling safe and content. “Goodnight, Jack. I love you.”

“I love you too,” he replied softly.

As they lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them in their cozy little bubble. The tension and worries of the day melted away, replaced by a profound sense of peace.

Maryse laid still for a moment, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing. Then, unable to resist, she gently poked him in the side.

“Are you asleep?” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.

Jack groaned softly, opening one eye. “Well, I was,” he teased, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, I’m just so glad we’re together again,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as sleep began to overtake her.

“Me too,” Jack whispered back, watching her as her breathing evened out and she drifted off to sleep. He stayed awake a little longer, his mind drifting over the events of the past year and the journey that had brought them back to each other, but none of that mattered anymore as Maryse was finally back snuggled underneath him.

He kissed the top of her head, a smile playing on his lips as he closed his eyes. The familiar rhythm of her breathing, the way she fit perfectly against him—it was all he needed to feel at peace. For the first time in months, he felt truly at home.

As sleep began to claim him, he held onto the thought of how lucky he was to have her back in his arms. No matter how busy their lives might get, this was what mattered most: the love they shared and the promise to face everything together.

And with that comforting thought, he finally drifted off to sleep, happier than he’d been in a long time.

*****

AN: little filler chapter! next chapter is when the real fun begins and they go on vacation :) let me know your thoughtsssss

Tag List:

(message me if you'd like to be added or removed)

@heavyhitterheaux @hoodharlow @neon-lights-and-glitter @babiefries @jackmans-poison @dstark-0706 @harlowsbby @itsyagirljaz @leftapricotprofessorlover @toocriticalharlow @minkookie95 @harlowcomehome @jackharloww @jaydaaasworld @kkrenae @hufflewhore128 @w1ldthoughts @jackiehollanderr @katiaw2 @halfmoondaze @babybardi2 @daphnescorner @angelluv444

[xiaoaetherposts]

All Lantern Rite event, but it's XiaoTher

Summary of Xiao x Aether content in every Lantern Rite event so far.

Lantern Rite 1.3 event (2021):

☆ Aether helped Xiao perform various tasks.

☆ Aether visited Xiao in Wangshu Inn.

Aether: "You wouldn't go to the festival, so we brought the festival to you."

Xiao: "Does is serve any grander purpose?"

Aether: "This way you can take part in Lantern Rite."

☆ Aether prepared a dinner for Xiao and helped organize a small Lantern Rite celebration at Wangshu Inn.

☆ Xiao accompanied Aether to Liyue Harbor.

Aether: "O Vigilant Yaksha, please escort us safely to the city."

Xiao: "So be it. I shall accept your proposal."

Xiao: (...) Speak my name. Anywhere. Anytime."

☆ Xiao watched the lanterns and smiled.

I know, it sounds like two characters dating. It was like that. Sometimes even I'm surprised how canonically the Xiao x Traveler ship is treated by HoYo.

Lantern Rite 2.4 event (2022):

☆ Xiao invited Aether to Wangshu Inn.

Xiao: "When this matter is resolved, come to Wangshu Inn. In previous years, the Mingxiao Lantern has been visible even from there."

☆ Aether visited Xiao and bring him food and other presents.

☆ Xiao said Aether that:

Xiao: "If anyone wishes to see me, I know they'll come and find me"

implying that he would like Aether to do this.

☆ Xiao watched the lanterns smiling again.

What was especially cute was that when Aether arrived at Wangshu Inn, Xiao right away went up to him without Aether's calling and asked if he could help.

This happened at the first meeting and even during the Waterborne Poetry event, but it's rare when Xiao takes the initiative.

Lantern Rite 3.4 event (2023):

☆ Xiao saved Aether from the water and was very worried about him.🥹

*Someone carries you ashore, so quickly that you don't catch who it is...*

Xiao: "Glad you're okay."

Xiao: "...Your actions here caused caused others a great deal of worry. Do not repeat them again in the future."

☆ Xiao finally went to the Lantern Rite festival in Liyue Harbor because of Aether.

Xiao: "She told me that all the guests today would be "acquainted with elemental power." and I knew that you would be here."

☆ Xiao sat down next to Aether at the dinner table and then escorted him out.

Aether: "I ate too much. Could you come take a walk with me?"

Xiao: "Sure."

☆ Xiao and Aether talked lovingly in private:

Xiao: "Whenever I think of the ordinary conversations I've had with you, it feels... strangely novel."

Aether: "Strange in a good way?"

Xiao: "Yes." *little smile*

☆ Xiao chose Aether to be "the most distinguished guest." (so that even Zhongli was there, whom he deeply respects)

Everyone: "Who is the most distinguished guest here?"

Xiao: "One person here is well-acquainted with everyone else."

Aether: "(...Hm?)"

☆ Zhongli approved Xiao and Aether's relationship and gave advice to Xiao.

Zhongli: "Just as Xiao may seem unapproachable to most, but Aether has proved otherwise."

Xiao: "Rex La- I mean, Zhongli, what you're saying is..."

Zhongli: "Haha I meant what I said."

Xiao: "General Kapasis always said that we should live in the present and enjoy every little pleasant surprise. Perhaps that's what I should do with what I'm feeling now."

Zhongli: "It looks like you understood what I meant."

Xiao to Aether: "I appreciate your kindness. See you next time, then."⬇️

☆ Xiao and Aether finally watched the lanterns together.😍

Lantern Rite 4.4 event:

☆ Zhongli took Aether on purpose to the place where he knew Xiao was and wanted them stay together alone and fly a kite together.🪁

"Uh, why did you have us walk all this way?"

Zhongli: "I'll leave these two kites with you. Perhaps you can find a few friends with which you partake in the activity. You might find it to be enjoyable use of your time."

Flustered Xiao: "Oh, uh... Wait, who enjoy kite-flying?"

Zhongli: "Well, I would imagine some of your talent and wisdom is more the capable of finding out."

Xiao: Aether, when the Lantern Rite is over, come find me near Pervases' temple if you have the time.

Aether: "Absolutely."

Xiao: "Mmm." 😊

Zhongli: *plan succeed*

☆ Xiao invited Aether to visit him at the usual place and they released together the lantern that Xiao made.

Xiao: "Aether."

Aether: "It's just as I thought... You stopped short of stepping into the city again."

Xiao: "Being in the city isn't the only way for me to appreciate the lights and beauty of Lantern Rite. Look... Liyue Harbor lies just beyond this mountain."

Xiao: "As long as I stand at this vantage point, I may freely behold the sight of all the kites slowly ascending into the sky. ...For me, that is enough."

Aether: "Alright."

Xiao: "I invited you here because there is something I would like to do. I want to release a Xiao Lantern, and... I'd like you to be there for it."

Aether: "Did you make it yourself?"

Xiao: "Yes. I apologize for its crude appearance... I have little skill in that regard."

Aether: "No, no! It's amazing!"

Xiao: "...You're very kind, as usual."

Xiao: "Alright, it's time."

*they release the lantern together*

☆ With a nice metaphorical expression that Xiao said, it was hinted that Aether is the one who brings peace to Xiao.

Xiao symbolizes the lantern itself (to which the name Xiao Lantern refers), and Aether is the sky (his name means this in all languages).

Xiao: "Although, watching a kite gradually ascend into the sky does bring me a certain peace of mind. ...Perhaps they are a bit like Xiao Lanterns in that way."

This expresses Xiao's longing for Aether, which is also indicated by his idle animation (when he tries to reach the little light that goes towards the sky with his hand).

When he asks Aether to release the lantern into the sky together to bring the two things closer together symbolizes this beautifully.

Aether: "As the Xiao Lantern slowly disappears into the tranquil night sky, Xiao's expression softens."

Xiao: "... Aether. ... Thank you."

So as the Xiao lantern approaches the sky in a symbolic sense, as Xiao approaches Aether (which is referred to by the meaning of their names), as they have become closer and closer to each other over the years, and this has brought him calm and peace.

Twitter(X): @xiaoaetherposts

[katrina37973]

Day 7: Post-canon

New beginning. Valinor. Reconciliation. Recovery. Remembering the past.

@silvergiftingweek

__________________

Non-betaed fic under cut, will edit post sometime later, probably will post to AO3 later as well.

Unfortunately due to uni I haven't been able to participate in this as much as I would have liked.

Hope you'll enjoy my work!

Warnings: Allusion to violence but mostly vague? Tell me if you think i ought to add another.

How odd it was, that he kept the scar across his sternum. 

It was an oblong starburst shape, pink skin puckered and occasionally white, other scars long and thin laid on top. It was the size of a hand, stretching and claiming. 

Celebrimbir had purposefully kept all his scars before Sauron’s betrayal, even the ones he gained during his reign as the lord of Ost-in-Edhil. All the burns from forge accidents, the fumbling of a knife or two, the accidental broken bones or burns or stray exploding metal from experiments gone wrong. 

It all held memory, memory of the bad, the good, of the naive and foolish or the learned and understanding. 

He couldn’t wear jewllery, at least, not the amount he once wore as proud lord of the golden city, teeming with promises of more. Certainly no rings, too many uncertain memories and broken promises and trust. Stone he wore proudly as if it was some great rare jewel to the bafflement of everyone outside of previous mebers of Ost-in-Edhil. Even his own family could not fully understand his care and dedication for the art of stones. 

It meant something to him that they didn’t question his choices. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what the emotions were but it was somewhere in the range of appreciation and a weary understanding. 

They didn’t treat him as a child anymore, young and tagging along their adventures with short stubby legs, wide eyed and all innocence. They didn’t treat him as a young child or even a young adult, certain in his skills and voice. They never knew him as the lord of Ost-in-Edhil, beloved by all that dwelt within her once sturdy walls. The lord that hosted and welcomed all of any kind, elf, dwarf, human and other. 

The problem with that was they didn’t know how to treat him at all. 

They loved him, Celebrimbor had no doubt, but the years had gone by, stretching their already tenuous bonds. But it hurt him to see the heistance in their hugs, their kisses and affection. Even grandmother Nerdanel hesitated in hugging him, helping him braid his hair, and even the simple clap on the back or shoulder. 

Of all the things he missed of Sauron it was the easy touch and affection that flowed between them. 

Valinor, for all the paradise it was with no danger and plenty of things to do, people to talk with, crafts to learn and create, was stifling. It was like the whole world walked on eggshells when he entered, even old acquaintances were overly gentle and eager to please. Or rather they were the ones most akward. Very few of Ost-in-Edhil’s people could meet him eye to eye and talk as they once had. Even those within his venerated Gwaith-i-mirdain had doubts. Only Ithril, Kazforza and Fingrithil treated him normally. 

Everyone else talked in circles, making leaps and jumps to avoid talking about Ost-in-Edhil, his death and everything in the Second Age to his face. 

It was infuriating. 

It was hurtful and condescending and he deeply, deeply missed Annatar and the conversations they would have, taboo and casual, anything and everything, no thought filtered and halting.

He loved his family he did. Even with the awful deeds they had done, they sought a path forward to atonement, dragging themselves from the sea of blood that bathed them all cleaning themselves with the forgiveness of thise they wrobed and accpeting those who could not. Celebrimbor was proud of them beyond words found in any language, maybe save the one spoken by the Valar. 

“Tyelpe?” His eldest uncle’s voice called softly from the entrance to his bedroom. “Can I come in?”

“I’m alright,” Celebrimbor hastily said, rising to his feet. It took an immense effort to tear his eyes from the mirror, or more accurately the reflection of the scar on his sternum. It was not the largest scar he had kept, not by far really. He wasn’t sure why he kept some of the scars himself, marks from whips and burns from balrogs and that one that came from a furious and heartbroken elf who heated up his sword with the symbol of his house etched onto the pommel and burned it where his heart laid under skin, flesh and bone.

“A silmaril for your thoughts?” Maedhros’ voice was light but concern tinged it. 

“Come in, come in,” Celebrimbor ushered him in, realising he hadn’t actually answered Maedhros. “Nothing important, just thinking of the past.”

That earned him one of Maedhros' very unnerving stares. The one that felt like it looked into one’s feä and judged it. A little like how Manwë and Namo’s gaze had felt. But his uncle judged that Celebrimbor was alright, not lying and not about to have any sort of panic attack or flashback. It had happened a few times. 

With Celebrimbor and pretty much all of their family, save Nerdanel whose worst mood would be an oppressive sort of worry. 

She had not participated nor started the whole kinslaying afterall. 

“You’ve been off for the last couple of days,” Maedhros quietly remarked, looking out of the window, gazing at the setting sun and the garden that they all had built and grown together. It had been healing for his father and uncles, knowing that their hands were not restricted to the mastery of the blade. Feanor merely grumbled about dirt under fingernails which amused them as his work in the forge arguably dirtied them more. 

“You did not flinch nor mourn at Sauron’s defeat, nor did you hesitate in greeting the little Hobbits that have taken residence amongst us,” he continued, “your behaviour after the aforementioned events were predictable, nightmares and regrets dredged up but not wholly destructive to your healing.” 

Celebrimbor kept silent, hands frozen on the back of a chair. Maedhros stood, still gazing out the window. It was the stance he took as a soldier, a general, standing at attention all wound up. Now too, for Ages of habits drove him to. 

“And yet,” his uncle sighed, turning to face him, “here we after all of this, the Fourth Age of Men starting strong and continuing, all of us free and healing, Sauron finally defeated-” His remaining hand came to rest on his stump - “yet still there us something troubling you, something new.”

He turned to face Celebrimbor.

“What is wrong?” Maedhros asked.

Celebrimbor knew the last few days, nay, weeks had him behaving oddly, something making him restless and jumpy despite being perfectly at peace for more than half an Age.

“I-” he started saying before narrowing his eyes. “Wait, are you here by yourself or with the others?”

Maedhros shrugged. 

Sighing, Celebrimbor sprawled across his bed, mussing up the cleaned linen. 

Of course they all elected Maedhros to be the one to ask him. Of course they did.

Silence filled his room.

On one hand, he had no desire to talk today, let alone about the odd presence that perplexed him. On the other, he knew his uncle well; an unending well of patience and a keenness that rivalled Manwë’s eagles. His uncle would wait until Celebrimbor was comfortable to talk, no matter how long it took. A day, a week, maybe even a yen if he needed to. 

He sighed again. 

“There’s… something.” Celebrimbor at last admitted. Frustrated by his inability to give forth direct answers, he gestured angrily at the ceiling. “ I mean, what I meant was-”

He tried to organise his thoughts, to explain the taste lingering in the air, the presence that occasionally brushed past, soft and light like how a cat moves around a person. To explain the smell of ash and regret. To explain it wasn’t a bad smell but relieving in a way. To explain whenever he entered the forge it felt  like home, then a warning, then a deep set regret, then a gentle but hesitant nudge forward, a sort of controlled eagerness. A penance, an acknowledgement. 

To explain the utter soul crushing relief that he was back. 

Back and diminished and suddenly it all made sense.

“Oh,” Celebrimbor exhaled. “Oh.”

He could see in his minds eye how his uncle inclined his head out of confusion, the rustle of clothing as Maedhros adjusted his position and waited for an explanation.

What could Celebrimbor say?

Should he say anything?

The Valar should know. Or maybe they already did? No. No, the presence would be like a grain of sand on the sea shore. Diminshed as such to be on par or even less than a mere elf’s.

He distantly registered his uncle walking out from his room, closing the door with a soft click. Like all the doors in the house, the lock had been refitted so that it could only be locked from the inside and not out. 

Celebrimbor stayed there as Arien fell, and Teleprion replaced her golden light with a silver one. 

The presence never approached him within his room, he realised with a start. Nor when he was together with his family, any one of them. He sat there calcuating and recalcuating the effects of taking ones own soul and using it as a material to be harnessed. 

Theoretically some of the power would be lost in the process of the making. Even more would be at its unmaking, an explosion of sorts but how could you measure whats lost with a material that never had been used as a one in the first place? 

Wpuld it be categorised as a death? Could Ainur die? Or would it be a restructuring rather than a death? However to restructure something, does it not mean a part or whole of the previous would have to ‘die’ in some way? To make space for the changed. 

That led to the Ages debated question of the Ships and Celebrimbor could admit, although rather reluctantly, that he was not suited for those lines of thinking. It usually resulted in a headache.

Whatever reason the remnants of Sauron had in seeking Celebrimbor out, and staying, could only be found with the Dark Lord himself. Or ex-dark lord? The maia certainly hadn’t done anything yet but be arguably helpful and encouraging. He also didn’t think Sauron had any remaining power left, not if he bypassed all of Valinor unnoticed to come to Formenos. 

It was surprisingly easy enough of a decision, to escape from his bedroom through the open window and into the darkened forge; his grandfather had gone to bed after countless hours of needling by his grandmother, his father was away with Celegorm and Ambarussa on a hunting trip recently departed and not due to return in another week or so. Maglor and Caranthir were in Torion, hosted by Elrond and Celebrian for the next few days too, and Maedhros no doubt had gone to bed once he thought that Celebrimbor would stay in bed for the rest of the day and night. He might have rivalled Sauron in cleverness and strategy but with his family, his guard was unconsciously lowered enough.

Celebrimbor didn’t quite like the nagging notion that his father and uncles had decided their presence would hinder his healing and understanding. 

His bare feet were silent as he slipped into the forge, lighting only a single candle and placed in the corner where no light could be seen from outside and no smell of smoke or incense could be detected form inside the house. 

He waited.

First he waited standing, leaning against the wall and looking at the flickering candlelight, watching the shadows dance and twirl in faint light amongst the darkness of the forge. Then he slid down to kneel and meditate, closing his eyes but not his ears. 

After a few minutes and countless breaths, he registered the faintest brush against his feä. He kept steady, keeping his own feä from responding and reaching. Much like a cat, he thought in wry amusement though he allowed none to show on his fana. 

Soon it grew stronger, the barest brushes becoming more persistent and more present. It reminded him of how cats demanded attention, how they took to warm sunlight, fires or presences. He wondered how conscientious the action was on Annatar’s behalf. Sauron’s that is. 

Celebrimbor. 

At last, Celebrimbor thought. He smiled and responded sweetly, Sauron.

A pause and he could feel the other presence debate on what might have been called a tactical retreat. Or, since Celebrimbor was feeling rather ruthless as of now, cowardly flee.

He reached out to the maia and offered up a memory. A recollection of tangled feelings, of grief and mourning for a friend and foe, for longing of the presence of someone who finally, finally he felt harmony with. Who destroyed him as much as brought him to life. 

Sauron shrank from the echoes that stretched between them. A quiet but no less powerful, I’m sorry came forth from the unhoused spirit.

Celebrimbor wandered how many times Sauron had said that before and had genuinely meant it. He wandered how often he himself had longed to hear those words, to hear the acknowledgement that he, the all powerful maia supposedly better than all Elder, was wrong.

Victory tasted like bloodied dirt in his mouth, dry, coopery. Inescapable. 

I love you, Celebrimbor thought.

You loved me, Annatar corrected. 

Eru damned fool, Celebrimbor was going to find a way to give this formless spirit a void-damned fana if it meant he could punch him. 

And now he was wandering about the mechanics that allowed a fana to be operated. He sighed. Of course he would have the strangest and appealingly challenging ideas due to Sauron. 

I do not say things lightly; my choice of tenses was purposeful. Celebrimbor admonished. 

For a long moment he was sure Sauron had fled. 

Then the hint of utter confusion, horror and an unwanted relief touched his feä and he felt deeply, deeply satisfied.

Maybe it might have bordered on smug but he quite rightly deserved to.

Why?

Why not? He countered just to be contrary. 

Sauron snapped back, roiling tension and anger and something that seemed like so much hope it hurt. Tyelperinquar! I ripped and ground our home into the earth, I burnt our people, I tortured you-

Sauron shuddered, regret clear in his tone and feä, alongside a deep, deep longing that matched Celebrimbor’s own. 

Nothing can repair what hurt you have dealt, Celebrimbor remarked sharply, to you or ours. To the countless thralls and orcs that still suffer now. To my family and our friends. He softened. But that does not render what we once had and now could have moot. 

But why would you choose-

“Is it a choice?” Celebrimbor whispered out loud, disturbing the silence that had descended softly onto the forge and house. He opened his eyes and tilted his head to see the candleflame had petered out, the wick still slightly smoldering. 

He sighed, not feeling Sauron’s presence anymore. His back ached and he was cold.

Brilliant red hair caught Arien’s early rays. 

“That wasn’t directed at me, was it.” His eldest uncle remarked sitting crossed legged on the anvil.  

Celebrimbor yelped. 

[coffeebrownn]

ur winterfield art is so cute I love how you depict both of them💛do u have any winterfield headcanons you’d feel comfortable sharing?💛

WAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH!! GLAD YOU ENJOY THEM!! 😭😭

also, my time to shine,,, funnily i don't have much headcanon about them in terms of relationship(?) i have individual headcanon and then see how they interact 😭, but yea! here you go

chris only remember ethan's face in detail since his job is meeting new people and they come and go pretty quick, even someone who's close with chris, he only remember them on what qualities they stuck the most, claire with her red leather jacket, jill with her gruff voice, leon with his chicken handwriting, etc. So you can say that out of everyone, ethan for chris stuck out like a sore of thumb, and ethan finds it pretty comforting.

i picture them living in alaska with new identities, off from populated area but close enough to a major city if there's any emergency, so you can see both of them mellow out (took the a few years), still each of them wear a cap/scarf to cover their face partially.

all of them (chris, ethan, rose) takes medication daily. chris is getting old and have some issue with his mental problems. for both ethan and rose is mold related, ethan has additional medication for his mental health

chris mostly rest his eyes and never really go into deep sleep, so he could monitor ethan, but at the same time he's very self conscious on how loud he can snore. They have a guest room and sometimes chris sleeps there or the floor.

they have a "no shoe indoor" house because of chris, from his worldly travel, he finds it fascinating that some culture does this and thought that i'll bring everyone closer together, because of that they (chris,ethan, rose) does family activities together, naps on the floor, play. etc. But because of this they mop the floor weekly for hygiene and they wear slippers.

ethan still suffer from social anxiety even with extensive therapy and consultation (with or without chris), and because of that for the most part he stays at home since it's his "safe place" and chris knows this well. So, he prepared and got themselves a house with good enough backyard as chris doesn't want ethan to feel trapped inside, but ethan did muster up enough energy to leave the house sometime as he doesn't like the particular feeling of "burdening other due to my circumstances" and chris appreciates that ethan is taking small steps

a very boring, quiet couple, they just have a very mundane life, walks rose to kindergarten, walk to park, cook food, eat dinner together, laundry, read books, etc. i guess the boring part is they don't really bicker (argue yes, teasing also happens often), but their presences just lifts each other up. They don't need to reassure each other "i love you" that kind of sentences, they trust each other deeply and so much so that you thought that they can read each other's mind

they take turns dressing rose to kindergarten, but for the most part it's chris since he wakes up pretty early to work on the bakery, this also one of the reason why chris prepares breakfast and lunch for them.

some NSFW headcanon (nothing too spicy but PLEASE DNI IF YOU'RE UNDERAGE) (tldr; they don't really do it)

sex isn't their first priority/ comes to mind, they're both old, but for the most part chris just lets ethan do whatever (so bottom!chris), he's tired and he like to get pampered time to time.

and for the most part i can picture them to forget what they're doing and just side line to them mostly cuddle

[agirlwithdemonblood]

The Celebrity Next Door: Chapter 15- Family Ties

Pairings: Jensen Ackles x Reader

Chapter Summary: Jensen and the kids meet Y/N's family in New York

Warnings: Nothing, just fluff.

Series Masterlist here!! & Main masterlist here!

New York City, the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, the big apple-these are names often used to describe where you live, when you move here. It's a place bustling with excitment, where camera flashes and new experiences are constant. New York was once a dream for me too, but now it's where I grew up, not who I am anymore.

Leaving home transformed me from a quiet, nervous person who avoided risks into someone who now is risking everything for love. I returned home with Jensen, the man I love deeply, along with his two kids who had become like my own. I hardly recognize the person I've become, and I'm grateful for the change.

Our journey went smoother than expected, with laughter filling the airport upon our arrival. I worried originally about if Katie and Kevin would have been open to the idea to meet their dad's girlfriend's parents-especially Kevin-but once he realized he'd get to see Times Square for the first time, he was thrilled.

Hand in hand, we navigated through the airport like a regular, loving family-a feeling I cherished deeply but hadn't fully gotten used to. Jensen settled the kids in a seating area so I could call my dad and let him know we'd arrived.

Initally planned as a surprise, I realized that I was not only introducing three unfamiliar faces, announcing our move to Texas, and revealing jensen's celebrity status. I didn't want to overwhelm them.

As I was about to dial, Jensen touched my arm. "I should get something for your family, shouldn't I?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You don't have to, Jensen."

His brow furrowed in thought. "But I should right? They're welcoming us into their home, and it's our first meeting. It feels right."

Knowing my family's selfless nature was just like mine, we never expected anything. But i understood Jensen's gesture was more about his nerves than their expectations. I smiled, drawing him close. "I think that's a wonderful idea."

Relieved, Jensen asked, "What do they like?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Christina loves candy-she has a sweet tooth like no other. Stephanie adores unique knick-knacks, especially mushrooms and unicorns. Dad's into football and whiskey-he's got a collection in the basement bar. Mom loves flowers, cooking, and reading; she's like your stereotypical mom."

After a moment's contemplation and writing it down in his phone, Jensen nodded. "Alright. Meet us there when you're done?"

I nodded, heading towards the wall to call my dad. He was already on his way and eager to meet everyone. The anticipation grew with each passing moment.

Outside the gift shop, I watched Jensen and the kids darting around, picking out what they deemed perfect presents for each family member. My heart melted at the way Katie and Kevin excitedly offered their input, pointing out items they found interesting. I debated joining them, but recognized Jensen needed this moment to feel he'd made a thoughtful gesture on his own, which he did.

Minutes later, Katie and Kevin ran out, followed closley by Jensen carrying huge bags. I chuckled and shook my head in amusment, "Whoa, that's quite a haul. Find some good stuff?"

Jensen shrugged nervously, smiling. "Yeah, I think so. I hope they like it."

Leaning in, I kissed his cheek. "They'll love it, I'm sure."

His wide smile melted my heart. He genuinely cared, and it showed.

"So when's your dad getting here?" Jensen asked.

"He should be here soon." I replied, taking Katie and Kevin's hands as we headed toward the entrance. "Oh, and don't worry about calling him Mr. L/N, he prefers his first name. Mom, well she appreciates the formality, but to be honest she will correct you to use her real name if she likes you."

Jensen swallowed nervously, "Got it, So, I'll know right away if she likes me."

Shaking my head, I squeezed his hand. "She's going to adore you, Jensen."

As my dad's car pulled up to the enterance, he practically leaped out, rushing over to envelop me in one of his trademark, slightly overwhelming dad hugs. I grin widely, returning the hug, feeling tears well up unexpectedly. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed him until this moment, until he was right here in front of me.

"Hi dad! It's so great to see you." I said, my voice tinged with emotion.

He smiled back, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You too, kiddo. So, introduce me to your lovely family, I've been dying to meet them."

I turned towards Jensen, withholding a chuckle at his nervousness-it was adorable. "Dad, this is Jensen, and his two kids, Katie and Kevin. Guys, this is my dad, or you can call him Dan."

Jensen straightened and stepped forward, extending his hand. "Dan, it's really nice to finally meet you. Y/N speaks so highly of you."

My dad smiled warmly and shook his hand back, "It's nice to meet you too, Jensen. And wow, what gorgeous kids you have! Are you guys ready to go? Marie has some presents for you all."

"Dad, she really didn't need to do that." I spoke.

He let out a chuckle as he moved towards the driver's seat while we put our luggage away and climbed in the car. "You know your mom, she loves to spoil, especially the kids. They're our first grand-babies... if that's okay to say, of course."

Jensen smiled and nodded from the back seat. "More than okay, sir."

As my dad's car pulled up, I couldn't contain my excitment. The house looked just as warm and welcoming as I remembered. I climbed out first, helping Katie and Kevin out before Jensen moved to grab the luggage, but my dad quickly stopped him.

"No need." Dad insisted, "You're guests. I'll take care of it. Go on it; everyones eager to meet you."

Jensen hesitated, glancing at me, but i only smiled. "He won't take no for an answer. Best to let him."

Jensen laughed and nodded, "Fair enough, I'm the same. Thanks Dan."

Walking slowly towards the door, nerves mingled with excitement as we prepared for the grand introduction. Jensen appeared more relaxed now, but it was my turn to worry about how everything would unfold-especially with my sisters. When I told them who I was bringing home, their squeals of excitement had been deafening.

Opening the door, I gestured everyone inside and led them to the kitchen, our families usual gathering place. "Hello?" I called out as we entered.

"Y/N? You're here?" My mom's voice, warm and filled with emotion, brought tears to my eyes. She emerged from around the corner, her smile wide as she pulled me in a tight hug. "Oh, look at you! You look amazing!"

Returning her hug, I smiled widely. "Thanks mom. You look fantastic too."

Her eyes shifted to the figures behind me, and I stepped back, holding Jensen's hand. "Mom this is Jensen and his wonderful kids, Katie and Kevin."

Jensen stepped forward, extending his hand, but to his surprise, Mom smiled and shook her head before she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "It's so nice to meet you Jensen, Y/N couldn't stop talking about you the past few phonecalls." She said with a wink.

My cheeks flushed as Jensen chuckled, "Thank you, Mrs. Y/L/N. I've heard wonderful things about you too."

"Please, call me Marie." Mom said, smiling warmly. I had to hold back my laugh at the way he breathed out a breath of relief, winking at me.

Turning to Katie and Kevin, mom was excited. "And you two-are you excited to see the surprises I have for you in your room?"

They looked towards their dad eagerily and he laughed out, "Go ahead." Soon, they were off, leaving us alone in the kitchen. I turned to Jensen with a smile. "Seems like things are going well. How are you feeling?" I questioned.

He smirked, pulling me close for a hug. "Better than I expected. Less nervous."

"Wait till you meet my sisters," I teased. "That might change."

Ironically, the back porch door swung open, and my sisters entered, freezing when they saw Jensen. I shot them a warning look, silently pleading for calm. They approached us, and then as if on cue, Stephanie whipped out her phone and started recording, while Christina screamed, "Oh my god it's Jensen Ackles!!!"

Jensen backed up and I nearly scolded them before they burst into laughter. "Got you!" Stephanie grinned. "We had to mess with you after you told us not to freak out about your new boyfriend."

Jensen joined into laughter and nudged my shoulder, "I like them already."

Hours passed, filled with laughter and warmth. Katie and Kevin finished their supper and were upstairs playing. Mom had surprised Katie with new Barbies, and Kevin a new game for the Xbox. She really loved to spoil kids.

The adults gathered in the living room, chatting near the fireplace. Jensen cleared his throat and grabbed the bags he'd brought with him. "Um, I got you all a little something to say thank you for welcoming us into your home."

Mom smiled warmly, "Oh Jensen, you didn't have to do that. Your family now."

He shrugged humbly and passed out the presents him and the kids bought together. Watching him, I felt my love for him grow even more. Each gift was chosen with thought, and his joy in giving was evident.

Mom received a delicate glass figurine of a lily, and her gasp of delight was contagious. "Oh my goodness, Jensen! This is so thoughtful, thank you!

Dad was next, and Jensen handed him a bottle of whiskey-an expensive one that coincidentally Dad had a poster of downstairs. Dad laughed and widened his eyes, "Wow, great choice. Thanks so much Jensen."

He kept passing out everything, smiling warmly and receiving hugs after hugs. It melted my heart to see him so happy, so free.

He had clearly paid attention-Steph got a statue of a mushroom house, and Christina received a huge back of assorted candies that she was already eating with a smile.

My mom stood up and went to the kitchen to bring out some wine and I followed to help. She smiled back, "I think he's a keeper. I love him already."

"So do I, Mom. So do I." I whispered back, feeling overwhelmingly grateful.

[whumpbug]

i accidentally clicked unfollow in my tumblr dash and I felt so bad I immediately ran here to give you more prompts for your sillies. your boys.

FIRST OF ALL we talked about my guys and your guys meeting but What About Your Guys Meeting Your Guys. what do Cassidy and Gene think of Simon and Archie??? vice versa???

also THIS OR THATS because it's so fun to think about:

For Simon, cat person or dog person? (or secret third answer?)

For Archie, big city or beach day?

For Gene, teleportation or flight powers?

For Cassidy, past, present or future?

anyway i wait with bated breath so excited to see your stuff!!!! every fill you enter is so good. i'm so hyped!!!!

OMG SETH i was wondering about that BUT I'M SO GLAD U ARE ASKING QUESTIONS YIPPEE!!! THESE ARE SOOO GOOD (≧▽≦)

(also i'm sorry this took so long i got busy but i am NO LONGER)

long post incoming as always:

OKAY i wasn't totally sure how to break this down but i'm going to go Guy by Guy and hopefeully this makes sense. we'll start with this freak.

simon:

about gene: hes apprehensive about him at first, as he is with anyone who Talks to archie, but i think he comes to really like him. gene just oozes respectable older brother energy and i think simon is drawn to that. much like jj, something about gene makes him feel like a kid again, in the sense that someone else, someone older and more mature can Deal with things and simon can just kind of breathe.

about cassidy: he does not like this man. naturally, of course. cassidy is an outlaw, he's killed and robbed and hurt and simon doesn't care waht kind of "moral code" he's following, he doesn't want him in his home. still, i feel like simon can sense that a lot of cassidy's demeanor is a front. he sees all the PTSD signs and trauma responses. he knows cassidy has gone through awful things, but that doesn't make him less dangerous. if anything, it makes him more unpredictable.

archie:

about gene: BIG BROTHER!!! i think the consensus about gene to everyone is just. gene is their responsible big brother. archie thinks he's really cool and he likes calliope too. i think gene is intimidating at first, but archie sees right through it. growing up how he did, he's learned to clock when people are actually malicious and he never got that from gene. he always knew he was kind and soft under his exterior

about cassidy: he thinks cassidy is so fun. like with gene, he doesn't sense any malice in him. archie knows full well what kind of things cassidy has done, but his intuition tells him theres more to it. archie is a very forgiving person (maybe to a fault) but he knows cassidy isn't a bad person. i think he and cassidy would have a lot of fun. he would take horse riding lessons and ask all about his jewelry and overall just make cassidy feel more like a Person. archie tends to have that effect on people.

gene:

about simon: right away, he clocks that simon works way too hard for someone his age. he's surprised he doesnt have gray hairs at the ripe age of 23. still, he appreciates what he does. he knows what it's like to have someone close to you constantly throwing themselves into dangerous situations for the sake of others and he sympathizes with the toll it takes on simon. if he's able to bear just a little bit of that burden, he'd be more than happy to.

about archie: his unrelenting enthusiasm is. sometimes unnerving. but still, he thinks he's a really cool kid regardless. he likes what archie does-- working behind the scenes to keep people safe. even if it's technically illegal, gene finds it admirable. he just. he loves how pure archie's heart is. it triggers something almost parental in him. he understands why simon is so deeply protective of him. archie is not the kind of person you come across often.

cassidy:

about simon: at first, he sees simon like a mini gene. cold, calculated, and cautious and of course, he understands it. he's a criminal, after all. hell, he doesn't trust himself! but after spending some more time with simon, i feel like he comes to appreciate what he does like most people do. and i also feel like he can sense simon reading him like a book and that makes him Deeply Uncomfortable. for both of their sakes, he repects him from a healthy distance. he would be lying if he said simon's disdain for him didn't hurt a little bit, though.

about archie: if gene is the responsible older brother, cassidy is the crazy fun one. he loves archie's energy and loves to get into trouble with him (and prank gene of course) and it just makes him feel so free. he didn't have a very good childhood so being with archie almost feels like a remedy for that where he can just have fun without worrying when montana is going to find out and berate him for it. and, again, he feels especially protective of archie. he sees his innocence and pure heart. he wants to do anything he can to preserve it, since he wasn't able to do that for himself.

✮⋆˙

for simon: cat or dog person?

see, you'd think cat person. because simon is cat-coded. BUT NO! he actually prefers dogs because of how loyal and energetic they are. he had a big great dane when he was a kid and he LOVESSS big dogs. the only reason he doesn't have one is because he lives in a tiny apartment BUT. one day he will. he shall get his dog.

for archie: big city or beach day?

similar to the stars vs sun question, archie LOVES the sun. it's gotta be the beach. he also LOVES to swim and will literally just spend hours in the ocean floating in the waves and looking for cool shells (to bring back to simon, who is calmly reading under an umbrella, of course). he already spends day and night in the city, the beach is a welcome change of pace

for gene: teleportation or flight powers?

hmmm. for this one i'm going to say teleportation. gene is a busy man, and he has most definitely thought of what it would be like to be able to be everywhere at once. plus, it would make it a hell of a lot easier to catch criminals (cough cassidy cough) and would honestly just be kind of fun. one could argue that all of the above applies to flying too, BUT i think the thought of being so high up in the air with no structure beneath him makes him... uncomfy.

for cassidy: past, present, or future?

THIS IS EVIL AND I LOVE IT.

it has to be present. 100% present.

the past is something cassidy thinks about the least amount possible. he deeply DEEPLY regrets things he's done, not to mention the copious amounts of trauma this man has gone through. if he pretends none of it happens, it makes living with it just a little easier. (no cassidy. don't do that.)

the future also deeply frightens him. in his line of work, there isn't exactly a good track record for,, being Alive. he's lost many friends in shootouts and to the gallows, and every day he lives in fear that he won't make it to the next.

the present is just the happy middle. he takes life one step at a time. if he doesn't, he isn't sure how he could go on. he finds value in focusing on the now, not on what did and could happen. is it healthy? no. but is it something he does to survive? absolutely.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTIONS SETH THESE WERRE ESPECIALLY FUN TO ANSWER!!!! i'm sorry if my responses are a bit convoluted, i'm a bit Frazzled right now but these were too good to wait on so here you go!!!! always a pleasure to see you in my ask box!!!!

[nostalgiachan]

Baldurian Finger Trap

Second Prompt: One of the companions has been gone from camp for a very long time

Act Three Spoiler Warning

---

“Darling, it’s Minsc,” Astarion sighed, his hand gently landing on Vier’s shoulder. “That lummox would get lost on a straight path, I’m certain. And lest we forget, he’s a grand world-saving hero…twice over, yes? So any poor soul dumb enough to try to jump him on his little outing will get the quite literal spanking of a lifetime.”

Vier reached a hand up to meet Astarion’s. In any other circumstance, she would have agreed with him. But in the last tenday or so, their camp had been met with one attempted abduction, one successful abduction, and multiple visits from a deviless who she was sure would look for any excuse to cause them problems. The party had relocated to a room in the Elfsong Tavern in hopes that it would prove a slightly more defensible location than a wide-open alleyway in the slums by the docks, but that did little to put Vier’s mind at ease. On top of all that, the last time Minsc ‘went missing’, he’d gotten a worm jammed in his skull, and before that, turned into a statue. She trusted him to take care of himself, but there was no denying the man’s a lightning rod of misfortune.

It had been a day since Minsc had headed out into the Lower City on some sort of errand. About the only person who knew where he was headed was Jaheira, who’d lightly scoffed when asked. “Why does everyone seem to think me the man’s keeper now?” she’d replied when Vier asked about him. “He’d said something about taking Boo to the marketplace. Something ‘urgent’, apparently.” She did admit that it shouldn’t have taken him this long to come back from market, and he wasn’t exactly the type to go carousing through the streets and accidentally fall asleep in an alley somewhere.

Vier wasn’t prone to assuming the worst, but in this case, she could no longer take chances. “I know,” she answered Astarion as she ran a thumb over his hand, “but I’d be much more at ease if I knew for certain. I’ll go out to look for him by myself. No sense dragging anyone else along just to soothe my paranoia.”

“Well, I’d be remiss if I let you go looking on your own,” Astarion replied with faux exasperation. “Two sets of eyes will get the job done faster, after all. I do hope you appreciate this.”

“You know I always do, dear.”

. . .

If there was anywhere Vier had expected to ultimately find the Mad Rasheman, it was not facing a stone wall just off the marketplace, two of his fingers jammed in a tiny hole. He looked deep in concentration, attempting to wiggle his hands together, apart, this way and that. He didn’t seem to notice Vier and Astarion as they approached him. The startled roar that escaped the man as Vier spoke up was one for the ages.

“Friends!” he cheered at last when he realized who was speaking to him. “Hurrah for you, that you have finally come to free Minsc and Boo from this dire situation!”

Vier couldn’t keep her clear befuddlement from her face. “What, erm…’dire situation’ is this, precisely?” she asked.

“To put simply,” Minsc began in earnest, “I am stuck. You see, Boo wished for me to take him on a trip to market. He’d heard word someone would be selling a foreign nut he’s grown quite fond of, and he would not stop chewing at my bootstrings until I agreed to buy some for him. Oh, you should have seen his joy as he stuffed his chubby cheeks!”

The mountain of a man practically glowed for a moment as he recalled the sight, but he quickly returned to himself. “But for a split second, I turned my eyes from Boo, that I might pay for his meal, and when I looked back, he had vanished! I cried out for him, looked everywhere I could, but I couldn’t see the tiniest hint of his fuzzy self anywhere!”

For a moment, Vier found herself caught between wanting Minsc to cut to the chase and wanting to listen patiently, deeply curious as to how all of that led to all of this. Her curiosity won out in the end.

“I nearly tore the marketplace apart in my search,” he continued, “but then, I heard it! The cry of a hamster in deep distress! I followed the noise, and came upon this hole in the wall here - and trapped deep inside was Boo! I wondered if perhaps he had developed a nut-induced teleportation ability, but Boo was quick to explain what had happened. As I was paying for the nuts, a young child in the market had mistaken Boo for an escaped pet of hers, and snatched him away! She’d made it quite some distance before realizing he was not, in fact, her beloved Tummytuft, and released him promptly on the other side of this wall.”

“Boo took to his tiny feet as quickly as he could, doing his best to return to me, but he made a fatal mistake. He was feeling far too sluggish to run around the wall, so attempted to take a shortcut through this hole here. But he had gorged himself on far too many nuts, and had grown too bloated to make it through. Thus, when Minsc came upon him, there was only one thing to do! I simply had to reach right in and get him out! But, it seems, my fingers are far too large, and became stuck between Boo’s girth and the stone as surely as if he was covered in sticky glue! And thus, here we are.”

There was hardly a second of silence between them before Astarion could no longer hold back his laughter. “What a wonderfully convoluted predicament,” he snorted. “You’ve been stuck with your fingers in this hole for an entire day?! Absolutely incredible!”

Vier, at least, made the attempt to be nice about it. “I assume you called out for help. Did no one answer?”

Minsc replied, “I most certainly did! And most saw fit to pass me by, notably averting their gazes. The one or two brave souls who did lend a hand, however, had little success in freeing us. In fact, as time has gone on, it seems to have become even harder to make any sort of progress. My fingers may have begun to swell in there, I fear.”

“Oh dear, alright,” Vier sighed, and she swung her supply bag off of back, setting it on the ground and rifling through to produce a brown bottle. “Fortunately, I tend to keep a bit of grease on hand for just such an occasion. Should be able to get you out with just a bit of finesse.” She dipped a small wooden applicator into the grease as she approached the stone wall. “Pardon me, Mr. Boo,” she attempted to speak into small gap between Minsc’s fingers. “You may wish to hold your breath a moment. Don’t want you swallowing any of this. Won’t kill you, but it won’t be pleasant.”

After about half an hour of wiggling, liberal applications of grease, and plenty of moral support from Astarion (read: laughter), Minsc and Boo were finally freed from their stony prison. Boo looked like he’d been through the first layer of the hells, his fur matted with finger sweat and grease, a look of pure frazzlement on his furry little face - or at least as much of one as a hamster could show. He’d be headed straight to a warm bath as soon as they got back to the Elfsong, and Minsc would be getting a healthy dose of ice against his fingers to get the swelling down.

As they tromped their way back to the inn, Vier breathed a sigh of relief. Sure, she’d been right about Minsc being in trouble, but in light of everything they’d faced up until now…well, this was just the low-stakes sort of adventure they needed.

[lunarthefrieschild]

(Sorcerer!Lunar x Canon! Henry)

Fluff/Lunar wanting to save the world and spend her life with someone everyone despise except in her eyes./Lunar not entering high school due to wanting to be a expert sorcerer so she skips it and never met any of her friends except henry, her childhood friend♡

Lunar and her father is extremely close when she was a kid and her father loves spending his free times with her.But sadly her father rarely has a free times due to his high ranks-..Lunar actually have taken and received her father shape shift strong abilities but since she's dumb she just use it for wholesome and cute things only to her liking- Her father is busy but he actually can just come home and greet his lovely family but he decided to not. Because he doesn't want the enemies to involve anything with his loves one and kill them.If lunar use her abilities smartly she probably will become a sorcerer or something to make her dad proud it's not like his dad is not proud of her she just wanted to return his kindness in justice by becoming a hero just like him<33!!she probably will spend a LOTS OF TIMES with her loves one and being 10× nicer to them before her missions because she said she don't know if she can see them again-.. She scared of losing them.She rather lose her life than her love one just like her father!

She's scared if she die she won't be protecting her loves one.She's scared that the love of her life die in front of her eyes in misery..She didn't want the same tragedy to repeats.. Lunar at first though that was UNFAIR she hates talking about her father to people because she's too sad to even listen. . She couldn't accept the world forgetting about her father slowly. But the more and more she aged.. After she hits puberty she realized that she just needs to continue her father generations and make him proud.Lunar believes her father is the sweetest person she ever met.Lunar believes she shall returns all his kindness to the world.She believes the world need to remember the " hero" who sacrifice himself for the society, the city, the world.She decides her fate.

"I've decided to be a sorcerer"

*she decides from her heart with true passions and bravery*

She made that decisions cause of wanting her father generations to continues but specifically..She decides it because she deeply miss her father and want someone to see her soul in the way of "you're kindness really reminds me of your father♡". .

The compliments she always appreciated, the compliments she wanted to hear everyday and be proud, the compliments she will go to heaven and met her father while saying "someone says my kindness reminds me of you!! "

Could anyone or anybody understand how much a compliment means to her?? She continues her fates, she will continues being calm as a waves..She do all this to justify him.No one understands how much she loves him.When she was a child.Where she have nobody..Her mom usually are busy being a professional doctors takes a lot of overtime and causes not to sleep.Lunar is used to not have any one in that age and got manipulated by other villagers saying that her father's generations was evil.SHE DENIES IT.She never really cares about all them.Lunar were never as talkative as how she is with her dad before he pass away.Growing up means she needs to spreads more kindness and spend more times with her loves one.Even though she didn't want to die due to wanting to protect her loves one.. She rather sacrifice herself If that's really the only way.

Henry..

"Henry was someone I could trust and lend on.Someone that understands my passions, decisions and fates.He's my friend.My friend I've known since..The one who already knows it all since we've started friending.The one I adores.. The only friend that meet my father before he passed away."

Henry used to be a childish grumpy guy in lunar eyes but that's what make him different than others too.He have his own way of understatement.But as soon he gets more mature and knowledge about her fate he started to softens his voice and gaze whenever he talk to her. He respects her decisions as a "hero"..He promise he try to be more gentle because he know he didn't have much time with her.His voice is a little hoarse now but it still turns soft when he speaks to you. demeanor more cold now but his eyes still perks up when he sees you. and when you embrace him in your arms, he feels home. not a care in the world. like he is a teenage again, falling in love for the first time.

[rabbitinashell]

Title: Hearts in Overdrive

In the bustling city of Los Santos, where the streets never slept and adrenaline was the lifeblood of its inhabitants, three men found themselves entangled in a whirlwind of emotions. Han Lue, the suave and enigmatic wheelman; Tej Parker, the tech genius with a quick wit; and Roman Pearce, the charming jokester with a heart of gold, each found their world turned upside down by one captivating woman.

You were the kind of person who lit up a room the moment you walked in. Your laughter echoed like music, and your enthusiasm was infectious. With a penchant for mischief and a heart full of dreams, you approached life with the zest that reminded everyone of a firework—bright, exciting, and impossible to ignore. Your vivacious spirit made you stand out, not to mention your curvy figure that wrapped around confidence and self-love.

The trio had known you for a while, having crossed paths during one of their escapades. Initially, it was your infectious laughter that drew them in. You had a way of making even the most mundane moments feel exhilarating. But as time passed, they each began to realize that their admiration for you had grown into something deeper.

One sunny afternoon, the crew gathered at Tej's garage. You were there, of course, showing off your culinary skills by whipping up a batch of your famous spicy tacos for everyone. The smell wafted through the air, drawing the guys to the table like moths to a flame.

“Girl, you know you can’t just tease us with that smell without serving some up!” Roman teased, leaning against the table with a cheeky grin. His charm was effortless, but he couldn’t deny the warmth blooming in his chest every time you smiled back at him.

“Just wait a second, Roman! Patience is a virtue,” you replied playfully, your eyes sparkling with mischief. Tej leaned against the counter, watching you with a fond smile.

“You know, if you keep cooking like this, you might just end up with a fan club,” Tej said, his tone smooth and inviting. His gaze lingered on you, and he admired your energy and passion.

“Oh, I’ve already got a fan club,” you shot back, feigning modesty as you turned back to your cooking, the playful banter filling the air with warmth. You didn’t notice how Han stood silently nearby, observing you with admiration. His usual calm demeanor was slightly rattled as he took in your vibrant personality, which contrasted with his cool exterior.

“Honestly, I’m ready to fight for a spot in that fan club,” Han interjected, his voice smooth but sincere. “You have this energy, this spark… it’s magnetic.”

You looked up, meeting his gaze. There was something in his eyes that made your heart race. It was the way he saw you—not just as a friend, but as someone truly special.

The afternoon melted into evening, and the playful teasing continued. As you served everyone plates, Roman joked, “I’m telling you, this is going to be my pre-race meal from now on. You should consider catering for my next big event!”

You laughed, a genuine sound that echoed in the garage. “I’ll charge you double for all the extra tacos you’ll eat,” you shot back, clearly enjoying the banter.

Tej stepped closer, an earnest look on his face. “You know, if you ever needed a hand with anything, I’d be more than happy to help. I could use a partner in crime for my next project.”

“Oh, really? What are you planning?” you asked, intrigued.

“Let’s just say it involves some tech wizardry and a bit of adventure. Think you’re up for it?” Tej’s smile was inviting, and the chemistry between you was undeniable.

As you chatted with them, Han found himself leaning against the counter, lost in thought. He admired your infectious spirit, how you could make anyone feel seen and valued. It was something he deeply appreciated. He realized he wanted to be someone you could rely on, someone who could stand by you through everything.

As night fell, the group decided to take a break from cooking and venture outside. The stars twinkled above, and the cool breeze filled the air with a refreshing calm. Roman, always one to keep the mood light, suggested a little impromptu race around the block.

“I bet I can take you both down!” he challenged, running off before they could respond. You laughed and followed him, your laughter echoing in the quiet night.

“Wait! You’re all going to regret this!” Han called out, joining the playful chase. Tej rolled his eyes with a smile but quickly followed suit.

You sprinted ahead, your laughter ringing out as the three men chased you. It was a moment of pure joy, a fleeting feeling of freedom that reminded you all of why you loved this life.

Later, as the group caught their breath, the mood shifted. You leaned against a nearby wall, looking up at the stars, and the three men gathered around, each one secretly hoping to be the one to catch your attention.

“Hey, what’s your dream?” Tej asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

You pondered for a moment, the stars reflecting in your eyes. “I want to make people happy. Life is too short to take it too seriously, you know?”

Roman nodded, looking at you with admiration. “You do that, you know? Just by being you.”

Han stepped closer, his expression earnest. “And we’re all better for it. We want to support you in any way we can.”

With each word spoken, the connection between you all deepened. The warmth in the air wasn't just from the night but from the growing bond among friends that was evolving into something much more profound. You smiled, feeling a rush of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and the thrill of possibility.

In that moment, surrounded by laughter and stars, you couldn’t shake the feeling that perhaps love was waiting just around the corner, ready to shift everything in the best possible way. The night was just beginning, and so was the adventure of discovering what it meant to be head over heels in love.

[shewasverynice]

Fandom: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga) WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS

Rating: Explicit 

Major Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Implied Childhood Sexual Abuse, Non-Consensual Drug Use

Additional Warnings: Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Drug Use

Categories: F/M, Multi 

Relationships: Takami Keigo | Hawks/Original Female Character(s), Original Character/Other(s)

Major Characters: Original Characters, Takami Keigo | Hawks, Hero Public Safety Commission, Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead

. . . . . ╰──╮꒰ Spring Prelude - Part 1꒱ ╭──╯ . . . . .

The first rays of the sun painted the sky in shades of pink and gold, casting a warm glow over the city as the world woke to the first day of spring. The air was fresh and crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers just on the cusp of unfurling their delicate petals. All around, nature was in a hurry—buds pushing out from the tips of branches, grasses stretching taller and greener, and birds singing exuberantly as they flitted from tree to tree.

The sky was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds, with the promise of a beautiful day ahead. The energy in the air was palpable, everything bursting with life and vibrancy, as though the entire world was shaking off the lethargy of winter and preparing to leap into the new season. It was the kind of morning that made you want to take a deep breath and soak in the beauty of the world.

But then, reality intruded.

The door to the meeting room at Nest HQ slammed open with a force that made the walls tremble. Hawks stormed in, his face twisted into a scowl, and his wings puffed out in agitation. The usually sleek and controlled feathers were now fluffed up, twitching with barely contained irritation.

Behind him, Heron entered in a similar state. His wings were in a constant state of twitch, his face set in a deep frown that mirrored Hawks'. The two men glanced at each other, and without a word, shared a look of mutual understanding—a knowing frustration that only they could fully grasp.

Heron let out a long sigh, ruffling his wings before folding them tightly against his back. "I hate these stupid hormones we have to take for spring," he muttered, his voice filled with exasperation.

Hawks nodded, his scowl deepening as he crossed his arms. "I can’t stand it," he agreed, "Every year, it’s the same damn thing. I just want to punch something."

Heron glanced at him, his expression softening just slightly. "You want to spar after the meeting?" He suggested, "Get some of this aggression out?"

"Yeah," Hawks agreed, his tone flat but appreciative, "That sounds good."

As they exchanged their plans for a post-meeting spar, Kiwi entered the room, her usual boisterous energy nowhere to be found. Instead, she moved with a slow, almost dreary demeanor, her shoulders slumped and her face clouded with a heavy sadness. She sighed deeply as she took her seat, and though Hawks and Heron both noticed her mood, they wisely kept their questions to themselves. They knew better than to pry—Kiwi was just as affected by the spring hormones as they were, only in her case, it seemed to manifest as a temporary but profound depression.

The door opened again, this time with far less force, and Owl walked in with a bright, cheerful smile, a stark contrast to the gloomy atmosphere that had settled in the room. He was holding a pink coffee mug with flowers all over it, which he raised in a playful toast as he greeted them. "Happy spring, everyone!" He sang.

Hawks and Heron both glared at him, their expressions darkening further at Owl’s annoyingly good mood. Hawks, his voice dripping with annoyance, muttered, "Of course you’re in a good mood."

Owl chuckled, entirely unbothered by their ire. "It’s good to be past that era of my life," he said cheerfully, taking a sip of his coffee.

Hawks grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, while Heron simply sighed, looking as though he wanted to bury his face in his hands. "Lucky you," Hawks said bitterly, his wings giving an involuntary twitch, "Meanwhile, the rest of us are stuck dealing with it."

Owl’s smile only widened, clearly enjoying the rare opportunity to be on the other side of the hormonal chaos that spring brought. "Look at the bright side," he said, his tone teasing, "It’ll be over before you know it. Just think of it as character-building."

Hawks shot him a look that could have curdled milk, but before he could retort, the door opened again, and Morpho entered, looking as calm and composed as ever, entirely unbothered by the seasonal madness. But of course he would be.

"Shall we get started?" Morpho asked, glancing around at the assorted scowls, sighs, and general gloom that had settled over the team.

Hawks let out a long breath, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. The sooner they got through this, the sooner he could get out and work off some of this frustration. He glanced over at Heron, who nodded in silent agreement. Together, they braced themselves for the meeting, the promise of a cathartic sparring session lingering like a carrot on a stick just out of reach.

Owl, still grinning like a cat who got the cream, settled into his chair, clearly amused by the whole situation. As the meeting began, the contrast between the vibrant beauty of the spring morning outside and the stark tension inside the room couldn’t have been more pronounced.

Later that day, Hawks found himself reluctantly dealing with a small robbery. It wasn’t anything serious, just a petty thief trying to make off with some expensive gadgets from a local electronics store. The police had already detained the suspect by the time Hawks arrived, so all that was left was to go through the motions—giving statements, ensuring everything was documented correctly, and making sure the store owner felt safe. All the usual hero work that he’d done a thousand times before.

But today, he was annoyed. His wings twitched with impatience as he answered the officer’s questions, doing his best to maintain a professional demeanor even though his mind was elsewhere. Next week marked the official start of his spring rut, and he was dreading it. The hormones were already kicking in, making him restless and short-tempered. The last thing he needed was to be tied down with boring paperwork when he could be out in the sky, blowing off steam.

As Hawks finished up with the police, he caught sight of something—or rather, someone—that made his irritation spike. Strutting down the sidewalk, her stride as confident and sassy as ever, was Halcyon. She hadn’t noticed him yet, her eyes focused on something in the distance, but Hawks knew that it was only a matter of time before she spotted him.

And the last thing he wanted was to deal with her teasing about his upcoming rut.

His feathers fluffed up involuntarily at the thought. Halcyon had a knack for getting under his skin, especially when she sensed any weakness. He could already imagine the way she’d smirk, the playful jabs she’d throw his way, and how she’d make an already miserable situation even worse. No, he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction.

“Alright, I think we’re done here,” Hawks said quickly to the officer, cutting the conversation short. He didn’t wait for a reply before turning on his heel and making his escape. He ducked into a nearby alley, sighing in relief as he pressed his back against the wall, out of sight and out of mind. He took a moment to collect himself, taking deep breaths to calm the nervous fluttering in his chest.

He wasn’t safe for long, though. His earpiece crackled to life, and a dispatcher’s voice came through, directing him to the west side of town. Hawks groaned internally as he listened to the details of the request. Of all the places to be sent, why did it have to be there?

“Can’t literally anyone else do that job?” he muttered into the earpiece, his voice laced with frustration, “I hate going to that side of town.”

But there was no getting out of it. Moments later, he found himself on the west side, standing in front of an irate civilian who was complaining about something or other. Hawks stood there, nodding along, but his mind was a million miles away. The person’s voice droned on, but he barely heard a word, his thoughts occupied by everything else he’d rather be doing.

Above him, perched in the branches of a nearby tree, was a small flock of five black crows. In nature, crows had a peculiar habit of messing with birds of prey, and somehow, these particular birds seemed to know that Hawks was one of their favorite targets. He could sense their beady eyes on him, their mischievous energy practically radiating from the branches as they plotted their next move.

Sure enough, one of the crows decided to make the first strike. It swooped down, swatting at Hawks’ wings with an annoying caw. Without even looking up, Hawks launched a feather in its direction, his reflexes quick despite his irritation. The crow squawked and flapped away, but the others remained, still plotting their next move.

Just as Hawks was about to lose the last shred of his patience, he heard the unmistakable sound of a familiar voice behind him. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

Hawks groaned inwardly, recognizing Halcyon’s playful tone before he even turned around. Of course, she would show up now, of all times. He could already picture the grin she was wearing, the amusement sparkling in her eyes as she prepared to make his day even more difficult.

Slowly, he turned to face her, his expression a mix of resignation and annoyance. Sure enough, Halcyon was standing there, her hands on her hips, grinning like a cat who’d caught a particularly juicy mouse.

“You look like you’re having a rough day,” she teased, her voice light but filled with mischief, “Need any help?”

Hawks rolled his eyes, not even trying to hide his irritation. “I was just handling it, thanks,” he replied, his tone dry, “But I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it difficult.”

Halcyon laughed, a carefree sound that only made Hawks’ wings twitch in frustration. “Oh, come on, Birdy,” she said, taking a step closer, “You know I’m just here to keep you company.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Hawks muttered, glancing up at the crows, who were now watching the interaction with keen interest.

One of the birds cawed again, and Hawks shot it a glare, his annoyance flaring as he realized there was no escape from this situation. He could handle criminals, thugs, and villains, but dealing with Halcyon’s teasing—and those damn crows—was a whole different kind of battle.

Resigned to his fate, Hawks turned back to the civilian, forcing himself to finish the conversation even as he felt Halcyon’s gaze burning into the back of his head. He could practically hear the teasing remarks she was holding back, just waiting for the right moment to pounce.

As Hawks finally wrapped up his conversation, he turned to find Halcyon standing a few feet away, leaning casually against a tree. The mischievous grin was still there, but now her attention was focused on the crows that had been harassing him earlier. She was holding a small bag of chips, lazily tossing a few to the birds, who eagerly snatched them up.

Hawks felt his irritation flare again as he walked over to her, glaring at the crows, who seemed to have become her new best friends. “Seriously?” he asked, his voice laced with exasperation, “You’re feeding them now?”

Halcyon glanced at him, a teasing glint in her forest green eyes. “Why not?" She asked, "They’re cute, and they really don’t like you. It’s kind of hilarious.”

“They don’t like me because they’re jerks,” Hawks shot back, crossing his arms over his chest, “I didn’t even do anything to them.”

Halcyon chuckled, tossing another chip to the birds. “Maybe they sense something, Birdy," she teased, "Maybe they just know you’re secretly not as cool as you think you are.”

Hawks narrowed his eyes at her, clearly not amused. “Can you stop feeding them?" He asked quietly, "You’re just encouraging them.”

“No way,” Halcyon replied with a laugh, not even pausing in her chip-tossing, “It’s way too funny. Besides, I like them. They’ve got personality.”

Hawks sighed in frustration, running a hand through his tousled hair. He knew better than to try to argue with her when she was like this. Halcyon was as stubborn as they came, and once she’d made up her mind about something, there was no changing it.

Just as Hawks was about to say something else, they both stopped short. Out of the corner of their eyes, they caught sight of a man walking down the sidewalk, and he was hard to miss. He was tall and strikingly handsome, with dark wavy hair that fell just above his shoulders and pretty gray eyes that seemed to shimmer in the daylight. But what really caught their attention were his wings—a large, elegant pair of gray feathers that fanned out behind him, reminiscent of a fantail bird.

Halcyon’s eyes lit up with interest, and she nudged Hawks with her elbow. “Hey, check out that guy," she said, "He’s cute.”

Hawks felt an unexpected pang of annoyance at her comment, but he quickly tried to push it down. He kept his expression neutral as he looked at the man, who was clearly another with a bird-like quirk. Though he wasn’t wearing any sort of hero costume, the man carried himself with a casual confidence that suggested he was well aware of how eye-catching he was.

“He’s probably just some dude passing through,” Hawks said, trying to sound disinterested, even though something about the guy bugged him.

Halcyon smirked, noticing the subtle change in Hawks’ demeanor. “What’s the matter, Birdy? You jealous?”

Hawks rolled his eyes, forcing a smirk of his own. “Jealous? Of that guy? Please. I’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, sure,” Halcyon teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “That’s why you’re glaring at him like he just insulted your wings.”

Hawks scoffed, but he couldn’t deny that the guy was getting under his skin. Maybe it was the way he seemed so effortlessly confident, or maybe it was the way Halcyon’s attention had shifted so quickly. Whatever it was, Hawks didn’t like it.

“I’m not glaring,” he insisted, though even as he said it, he knew it wasn’t entirely true.

Halcyon just grinned wider, clearly enjoying the situation. “If you say so, Birdy.”

As the man passed by them, he glanced their way, offering a polite nod. His eyes lingered on Halcyon for a moment, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips before he continued on his way. Halcyon watched him go, her interest clearly piqued, while Hawks struggled to keep his cool.

Once the man was out of earshot, Halcyon turned back to Hawks, her grin still firmly in place. “You know, I think he’d be even cuter up close. We should find out who he is.”

Hawks forced a casual shrug, though he could feel the tension in his shoulders. “There's literally no reason to do that." He grumbled, "We’ve got work to do.”

Halcyon chuckled, clearly amused by his attempt to steer the conversation away. “Whatever you say, Birdy.”

But as they started to walk away, Hawks couldn’t help but steal one last glance in the direction the man had gone. He wasn’t sure what it was, but something about the guy rubbed him the wrong way. And despite his best efforts, he couldn’t shake the lingering feeling of unease.

But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. After all, he had more important things to worry about than some random guy with pretty wings. Like how he was going to survive the next week with Halcyon around during his spring rut.

And judging by the look on her face, she wasn’t going to make it easy.

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

Hawks had been looking forward to a quiet lunch break back at Nest after the morning’s craziness. His encounter with the crows—and Halcyon’s relentless teasing—had already drained him, and he needed a bit of peace to recharge. But as he stepped into the agency’s waiting area, the last thing he expected was to see the same guy from earlier—the one with the fantail quirk—sitting casually in one of the chairs.

Hawks’ brows furrowed, his mind immediately jumping to Halcyon. Had she actually made a move on that guy? Was this her doing? Before he could dwell on it further, he was suddenly yanked into a nearby room by two sets of hands.

“What the—” Hawks began, but the door was already closing behind him, and he found himself face-to-face with Kiwi and Halcyon.

“Shh!” Kiwi hissed, peeking through the window in the door to keep an eye on the guy in the waiting area. Halcyon stood beside her, looking just as curious.

Hawks stared at them both, completely baffled. “What the hell is going on?” he asked, exasperated.

Kiwi turned to him, her usually cheerful demeanor subdued by a mixture of worry and embarrassment. “That guy out there—his name is Rawiri," she sId quietly, "He’s the one my parents want me to marry.”

Hawks blinked in surprise, the information taking a moment to sink in. “Wait, seriously?" He asked, glancing out the window then back at her, "That’s why he’s here?”

Kiwi sighed and nodded, glancing nervously back through the window. “Yeah. It’s almost spring, so they were hoping he could, you know, win me over or something.”

Hawks exchanged a concerned look with Halcyon, who seemed to be processing this revelation with a bit more excitement than concern. Halcyon’s eyes sparkled with interest as she nudged Kiwi playfully, “So, what’s the deal? You into him at all?”

Kiwi shook her head, clearly frustrated. “We used to be childhood friends back in New Zealand, but I’ve never really been into him that way," she sighed, "My parents have always wanted us to get together, though. And apparently, he likes me too, since he’s here trying to woo me.”

Halcyon’s grin widened as she leaned in closer. “Do you want me to scare him off? I could pull out the Tiger form—”

Kiwi hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. “I don’t know what to do," she mumbled, "I mean, I don’t want to give him false hope because…” She trailed off with a sudden shyness.

Hawks noticed the way she fidgeted and raised an eyebrow. “Because what?”

Kiwi looked at him, then at Halcyon, and finally, she covered her mouth as if trying to contain the secret she was about to spill. But Halcyon’s curiosity was too infectious, and within seconds, Kiwi gave in, her voice barely above a whisper, “Because I like someone else.”

Halcyon’s eyes widened, and she gasped in mock shock. “Oh my God, Kiwi, who is it? I knew there was someone!” she demanded.

Kiwi laughed nervously, her blush deepening as she avoided their eyes. “It’s… it’s Yusei.”

Halcyon let out a delighted squeal and lightly smacked Kiwi’s arm in excitement. “I knew it! I knew it was Heron!”

Kiwi laughed along with her, the tension in her shoulders easing as she confessed her feelings. But Hawks, though glad to see the two of them bonding, quickly brought them back to the situation at hand.

“Okay, but what are we going to do about fantail guy out there?” Hawks asked, his tone serious, “Do you want to talk to him, or should we find a way to get him out of here?”

Kiwi bit her lip again, clearly conflicted. “I don’t want to talk to him if it’s just going to lead him on…" she mumbled, wringing her hands nervously, "But I don’t want to be rude either.”

Their answer came sooner than expected. The door to the room suddenly swung open, and there stood Heron. He raised his eyebrow at Kiwi and Halcyon then looked at Hawks.

"What are you guys doing?" He asked, then turned to look out of the door. Despite his "spring frustration" he was looking as composed as ever—until he spotted Rawiri. His yellow eyes narrowed with a flash of annoyance as he took in the sight of the man sitting comfortably in the waiting area.

Without a word, Heron strode past the trio and straight up to Rawiri, his wings flaring slightly behind him in a subtle display of dominance. Hawks, Kiwi, and Halcyon watched from the door, their interest piqued as the two men faced off.

Rawiri looked up at Heron, his expression polite but guarded. “Oi, long time no see, ey?” he said, an easy and lazy smile on his face.

Heron’s voice was cool, but there was an edge to it that Hawks hadn’t heard before. “What are you doing here, Rawiri?" He asked.

Rawiri seemed unfazed by the question, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head as he met Heron’s gaze. “I’m here to see Ava. Is that a problem, bro?” he asked with a smirk.

Heron’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Hawks thought he might actually take a swing at the guy. But instead, Heron merely crossed his arms, his wings twitching with barely restrained irritation. “Kiwi’s got work to do," he said tersley, "She doesn’t need distractions.”

Rawiri raised an eyebrow, clearly catching on to the underlying tension. “I’m not here to cause trouble," he said, "I just wanted to see her, that’s all.”

Heron didn’t respond, but the intensity of his glare spoke volumes. Hawks could practically feel the electricity in the air as the two men sized each other up, neither willing to back down.

Kiwi, who had been watching anxiously, finally stepped forward, her voice soft but firm, “Rawiri, I appreciate you coming all this way, but now’s not a good time."

He immediately smiled broadly at her, his pearly teeth perfect in that handsome dimpled face. His wings fanned out impressively, clearly purposefully, and he strutted over to her. Despite being half a foot shorter than her, he held his head high as he offered her his hand.

"Ava! You're as beautiful as I remember," he said smoothly, Heron unable to resist a scoff which Rawiri ignored.

Kiwi hesitantly took his hand politely, "Yes. Well, I should--"

"Meet with me tonight, won't you?" He asked, "Let's catch up."

"Oh... Well I--" Heron cut her off, moving in and grinning at Rawiri.

"Yeah! Let's all get together again, yeah?" He said loudly, "We haven't seen each other since middle school! A fun friendly get together!"

Rawiri hesitated but his smile never faltered. "Yeah! That sounds cool," he said calmly, "Let's do it. Tonight then."

But as he stood up to leave, he shot Heron one last look—a look that seemed to say this isn’t over. Heron remained stoic, but Hawks could see the tension in his posture, the way his wings twitched ever so slightly.

Rawiri gave Kiwi a small, genuine smile before he walked out the door, leaving the agency in a silence that felt heavier than before.

Once he was gone, Heron finally let out a breath he didn’t seem to realize he’d been holding. He turned to Kiwi, his expression softening as he looked at her. “You okay?”

Kiwi nodded, though her eyes were still a little wide from the confrontation. “Yeah. Thanks, Heron.”

Heron gave her a small smile, the earlier tension between them easing into something more tender. Hawks and Halcyon exchanged a look, both of them feeling a mixture of relief and amusement at the situation.

“Well, that was intense,” Halcyon said with a grin, “I think someone’s a little protective.”

Heron’s ears turned slightly pink, but he kept his composure. “Just doing my job," he huffed, "That guy never took no for an answer."

“Sure you are,” Hawks teased, his earlier annoyance melting away as he saw the way Heron looked at Kiwi—like she was the only person in the room. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction at how things had played out, though he knew they still had to figure out what to do about Rawiri.

Later on as the sun was beginning its descent, it cast long shadows across the cityscape as Hawks and Heron stood side by side on the rooftop, their wings relaxed in the gentle evening breeze. Both men were dressed casually, a rare sight outside of their hero duties—Hawks with his hair down, the golden strands tousled by the wind, and Heron looking a little less buttoned-up than usual. It was a moment of calm, a reprieve from the chaos that always seemed to follow them, especially in spring.

Hawks was feeling better, though the constant frustration from the suppression hormones still lingered like a dull headache. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the tension ease slightly, then glanced over at Heron, who was unusually quiet.

“You’ve been awfully quiet since Rawiri left,” Hawks observed, breaking the silence.

Heron sighed, his yellow eyes fixed on the horizon, “Yeah… I just— I don’t want Ava around him.”

Hawks raised an eyebrow, not surprised but curious to hear more. “Is that because you like her?” he asked.

Heron turned to Hawks, his expression one of disbelief, as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. “Of course I like her," he huffed, "But she only sees me like a little brother.”

Hawks chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that, buddy," he said.

Heron’s eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice. “What do you mean?” he asked quietly.

Hawks smirked, tempted to spill the beans about Kiwi’s feelings, but he held back. It wasn’t his place to interfere. Instead, he gave Heron some advice. “I think you should just ask her how she feels," he said with a little shrug.

Heron’s wings twitched in agitation, and he shook his head vehemently, “No way. Especially not right before rut. That’s just… it’d be a mess. She'd never take me seriously right now.”

Hawks tilted his head, considering the implications. “Do you also do the ‘mate for life’ thing?" He asked, "I know some people with bird quirks do.”

Heron looked thoughtful, his gaze distant as he considered the question. “I’m not sure. My dad was like that with my mom," he said, "But she never felt that same instinct. It’s not guaranteed for people with bird quirks. Everyone’s different.”

Hawks nodded, finding the topic fascinating. “That’s interesting. I’ve never been around so many others with wings before, so this is all new to me.”

Heron’s expression softened, and he seemed more at ease talking about something familiar. “Yeah, it’s a bit different for everyone," he explained, "In New Zealand, there are a lot of people with bird quirks—same with Australia and some of the islands. I’ve been around it a lot.”

He paused, his wings folding closer to his back as he spoke more softly. “Kiwi’s family has a lot of fancy birds in it," he said, his eyes flicking over to Hawks wings for a moment, "She didn’t really get the most wild of the wings, but Rawiri and I always liked her anyway. She’s… different. Special. She never cared that her sisters were all big and showy. She was just... just Ava.”

Hawks could see the deep affection in Heron’s eyes as he spoke about Kiwi, and it made him even more determined not to let Heron miss his chance. “You know, Heron, you’ve got to stop thinking she only sees you as a little brother," he said with a smile, "How do you know that anyway? Maybe she sees you as something more? You’ll never know unless you ask.”

Heron looked conflicted, the weight of Hawks’ words sinking in. “I just don’t want to mess things up," he admitted softly, "We’ve been friends for so long… What if it ruins everything?”

Hawks placed a hand on Heron’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Life’s too short to wonder about what-ifs," he said with a chuckle, "You’ve got to take the leap, man. And if it doesn’t work out, at least you’ll know you tried.”

Heron was silent for a long moment, then he finally nodded, though the hesitation in his eyes remained. “Maybe… Maybe after spring, I’ll talk to her," he sighed.

Hawks smiled, knowing that was as much as he could hope for right now. “Fair enough. Just don’t wait too long, okay? I think you’d be surprised at how she feels about you.”

Heron gave a small, grateful smile, though his thoughts were clearly still occupied with Kiwi. “Thanks, Hawks. I’ll think about it.”

The two of them stood in comfortable silence for a while longer, watching as the city below began to light up with the soft glow of evening. The world continued to move at its relentless pace, but up here, on this rooftop, it felt like time had slowed just enough for them to breathe.

Hawks leaned against the ledge, his wings stretching out behind him. “You know, Heron, I think this spring’s going to be more wild than we thought.”

Heron chuckled, the sound light and genuine. “Yeah, it’s definitely shaping up that way.”

And with that, they let the conversation drift away, content to simply enjoy the calm before the inevitable storm of emotions that spring always brought.

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[wolfprincesszola]

The Fate of the Marked Six Chapter 10

merry holidays everyone <3. as always, reblogs and likes are appreciated! ——————– Summary: Virgil moves into a new town and meets Roman, a ghost that he promises to help in finding the unfinished business needed to pass over. However, Roman's past seemed to be deeply muddled with trouble, an uncurable disease that has started to affect a classmate, and a certain tight-lipped valedictorian. Friendships are made and Virgil finds himself thrown into a situation far more complicated and twisted than he signed up. Hopefully, with the help of his new five friends, he can find a way to bring peace to the town once and for all.

Trigger Warning: None

Content Warnings: Talks about Death and the Theology of Death

<Masterlist>

<Previous> <Next> ——————–

Chapter 10

“Please?”

Virgil turned towards Roman, sighing, “Why? Why do you want to so desperately go into my school and accompany me around? My family already thinks you’re enough to deal with. I already think you’re enough to deal with. Do you really think I’ll be able to entertain you while we’re both at school?”

“I’m so bored here!”

“I’m not restricting you to be here!” Virgil rolled his eyes, swatting Roman out of his face as the ghost went to block his view from his homework. “You can go out and explore the city!” “But I’ve already done that, and you told me that there’s a ghost that’s bound to find me. I’m way too scared to have that.”

“There’s more of a chance of the ghost finding you at school! The person being leeched off is there.” Virgil pointed out.

“Okay, but I want to see what goes on in your school. I’m so bored at your house, and I don’t feel like trying to investigate any more when it’s clear there’s no other ghosts in the city.”

“Shouldn’t you help me find out the reason why?” Virgil raised an eyebrow.

“Now, I could…but I could also hang out with you and we could figure it out together afterwards.”

“Uh huh…” Virgil drawled out, “What if my teacher is a medium?”

“Oh come on, I won’t tell you any answers. If they can see me, I’ll sit perfectly still, and I promise I won’t help you on the test until they’re not looking.”

Virgil rolled his eyes, “I’m not letting you help me cheat on a test! How would your brother react if he found out you were helping someone else cheat?”

“Hey, I never cheated on mine! That’s gotta count for something.”

Virgil paused, “You…remember that you never cheated on your tests? I asked you a couple of weeks ago to account for anything you remember about your school, and you mentioned nothing of the sorts.”

Roman blinked before going back to being annoying, “See? Being at your school could maybe help me recover some of my memories.”

“You’re impossible, Ro.” Virgil rolled his eyes snorting.

“Please, you love me.” He teased, “Come on, sunshine. I promise to be good.”

Virgil felt his heart flutter at the nickname. Roman had stopped using them after Virgil told him to not flirt with him, but he guessed that he was going back to using them because they had become such good friends.

“What did I say about nicknames?”

“Sorry.” Roman muttered, “Please?”

Virgil stared at his unfinished homework, “Fine. Help me finish the math homework before I finish doing my eyeshadow, and I’ll let you come along.”

“Yes!” Roman pumped his fist in the air, floating over to the seat as Virgil went to go grab his makeup brush to dab up the look under his eyes.

It wasn’t even a minute later when Roman yelled that he was done. Virgil raised an eyebrow, in the middle of doing his makeup when he checked on his homework. “There’s no way you know that.”

“Well…I guess past me must’ve been pretty smart, huh?” Roman smirked. “Can I go now?”

“Fine. Pack your imaginary stuff.” Virgil rolled his eyes as he stared at Roman’s clothes, “Do you actually have clothes?”

“Actually, a neat thing I found out about the afterlife.” Roman grinned, “I don’t need to be hygienic, but if I want to change clothes, I just have to think of it and then I change. Like this.”

He spun and he changed from his regular outfit of a white shirt with a red and gold jacket and some brown jeans into a uniform often worn by Disney princes with a red sash across.

"Playing on the Disney prince much?"

"Oh, that would be so wonderful if I could be one!" Roman groaned with a disappointment that he wasn't one. "I mean I look amazing with this attire, don't I?"

Virgil didn't want to admit that Roman was right, so he just shrugged, glad that Roman saved Virgil's heart by changing back to his normal attire soon after. "Not really. But if you can change, then why do you always wear the same outfit?”

Roman scoffed, “No, I don’t. I just enjoy this color. I change the hoodie to a slightly different shade of red every day.”

“Uh huh.” Virgil snorted as he went to finish his makeup.

He came out to Roman wearing his iconic red jacket, but had black ripped jeans, and fingerless gloves on. Not only that, it was clear he had eyeliner on, enough to make his eyes pop and create more narrow eyes.

Virgil’s jaw dropped, unable to stop gaping at him.

“This is the closest you’re getting to an outfit change.” Roman remarked, fixing his gloves. "I thought I'd play up to what you look like, emo."

“Uh huh.” Virgil nodded, hoping his face wasn’t flushing. He didn’t know why he was feeling like this. Maybe it was because for the first time, he noticed how conventionally attractive Roman was. Maybe it was because Roman, his first friend in this new town, was starting to seem like his soulmate by how well they worked together and clicked immediately unlike many of his other ghost friends and other love interests. Either way, he didn’t like it and he hoped the feeling wouldn’t continue. “Let’s go, Count Woe-laf.”

"Hey, hey, that's my nickname." Roman scoffed, “I’ll see you at the gates of the school.”

“Didn't you say you needed to see places before you teleported to it? Wouldn't that apply for the school?"

“Well, considering that you’ve mentioned that I’m probably an alumni from the high school, I doubt it, and also, I’ve explored the entirety of this city. If I get lost, I’ll just teleport to you because I can do that. I can teleport to people and not places, as long as I know their faces.”

“Fancy.” Virgil remarked, “Alright, well, I’ll see you there. Try to avoid Remus, and if you can’t, please for the love of God, don’t touch him. Ghosts can interact with each other, but they shouldn’t touch each other without consent. If they do, who knows what the ghost will do to you?”

“I promise.” Roman gave a loopy grin before he teleported away. Virgil rolled his eyes, getting ready to drive to school.

-+=~=+-

Virgil found Roman waiting for him at the flagpole, and Virgil snorted, grabbing his phone out to pretend like he was calling something. “That’s not suspicious at all. You look like you were waiting for me.”

“I was because I’m a gentleman.” Roman grinned as he stopped leaning against the pole and followed Virgil inside, not caring about whether or not he went through others.

“Uh huh….try not to pass through people.” Virgil snorted, “It’s very rude, and you never know if one of them might be Remus.”

“Right.” Roman blinked, deciding to go through Virgil instead.

“There he is!” They heard a really loud voice.

Virgil turned to see Patton grinning at him.

“Ah, Patton.” Virgil smiled, “How are you doing?”

“No, how’s my favorite best friend doing?”

“Don’t call me that, Pat. We both know your best friend is Logan." Virgil rolled his eyes, “What's up?"

“Did you ever get in contact with your ghost friend? I want to talk to him!"

“What deal?” Roman asked.

“Right.” Virgil nodded before he gave a glance to the side. “Ro, he said he’d tell me information to help you with your unfinished business…in return, he wanted to just rant to you about something that apparently he doesn’t have the confidence to tell me or anyone else.”

“He’s here?” Patton asked before he started spinning around, trying to find where Roman was, “Where is he? That’s so cool. Tell him I said hi-”

Roman gave a small wave, “Right…so where does he want that to happen? Might as well get it over with.”

“Oh come on, at least sound enthusiastic to hear it.” Virgil scolded Roman before turning to Patton, “Alright, I know a quiet place. You just can’t be that loud.”

“Thank you.” Patton gave a small smile.

Virgil didn’t know what was really said in the supply closet he found for them, but all he knew was that when Roman came out of the room, he was excitedly grinning.

“What did you tell him?” Virgil asked, almost horrified, “He’s smiling from ear to ear.”

“I can’t tell you, mi cielo.” Roman hummed, “Man’s oath.”

“You literally looked so deflated in not wanting to be his friend before you walked into the supply closet.” Virgil accused.

“Listen, I made him swear. He even dropped a book to tell me that he wouldn’t say anything to anyone.” Patton gave a look, “You’re not getting a word out of him.”

“He’s right.” Roman shrugged, “I don’t care if he was your supposed good friend, he’s my best friend now.”

“Betrayed.” Virgil gaped, “How dare you steal my ghost friend from me, Patton.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll always be my bestie.” Patton grinned, linking his arm around Virgil, “I feel much better. Let’s get to class.”

“I hate this so much.” Virgil grumbled, crossing his arms.

“Patton’s my favorite of your friends now.” Roman grinned.

-+=~=+-

Virgil noticed that when Logan passed by them, Patton tensed up, but he brushed it off as Patton being weird like normal. That was until Patton started fumbling around Logan that Virgil started to realize what was going on.

“You have a crush for Logan!” Virgil accused when they were in math together. He had gotten so close to Patton that it didn't feel weird to talk to Patton normally. For once though, Virgil was glad that Roman wasn't a part of the conversation because Roman tended to be more on the romantic side and would try his best to help in this escapade. The ghost had mentioned he was bored of the class a few minutes ago, as he knew the material already, and mentioned that he wanted to explore the other math classes.

“What?” Patton dropped his notebook, “No I don’t.”

“Uh huh…explain the hearts you keep drawing then with the whole LS + PM thing. Logan Sanders + Patton Morris. You’re not slick.” Virgil smugly pointed out. “Why did you find the need to hide it?”

Patton sighed, deciding it wasn’t worth keeping in, “Because it’s weird between us. We’re different from other relationships. I annoy him, and he hates it, but still copes with it. Then, I had a dream about him and me being in a relationship, and everything changed my view. Suddenly, Logan's not so bad, and I actually see him as someone that deserves a break from me annoying him. Suddenly, he’s beautiful when he’s laughing, even if it’s forced. Suddenly, I want to be around him every moment, and I hate that, so I start avoiding him because of that. I get flustered when I think about him or talk about him, and I’ve never felt like this for someone before. I’ve had crushes before, but not like this. Not to the point where he is the only thing plaguing my mind day and night. Not to the point where I’m imagining scenarios so realistic that I want to believe is real, but I know he would never tell me that he wants to be the person that makes me feel like I truly belong somewhere in this world because the truth is the universe is cruel, and they don’t care about my feelings for Logan. They don’t care that I feel alone, and they know that Logan won’t be the person to help fix it because in reality, everything in my life is changing right now and Logan was the only thing in my life that was constant, so I feel like I clung onto him like a baby clings onto its pacifier even after they don’t need it anymore. I don’t think I really like Logan because I don’t think I could handle being in a relationship with him, but also…I wouldn’t mind if he kissed me?”

“Jeez.” Virgil scoffed, blinking, “That’s a lot to process.”

“Complicated, right?”

Virgil jumped, turning to see Roman smirked as he laid on the desk. When did he get back?

“Get off the desks.” Virgil hissed at Roman as he pretended to go back to working on his worksheet.

“Sorry. Sounds like he finally told you. Said you were the closest thing to a best friend he had other than Logan, so I tried to tell him to tell you, but unfortunately, it’s kinda hard for a normal human and ghost to communicate together.” Roman snorted, “How’s math going?”

“Horribly. Can you help me with the answers?” Virgil hissed.

Roman sighed, going to stand behind Virgil, grabbing the pencil with him. Virgil felt his heart beating as he realized how close Roman was to him. Even though he had been this close to him when he was annoying him, it was never like this.

“Just follow the movement of the pencil.” Roman whispered into Virgil’s ear, as Roman did the work, making sure to keep it neat and for some reason, despite Virgil not being able to hear anything louder than the heartbeat pounding in his own chest, he was able to make it through and understand all the math problems Roman had done for him.

“No fair, you have a smart ghost to help you.” Patton pouted, looking at his work.

“By the way, Vir, I need you to come with me.” Roman grinned as he let go of the pencil, floating to be in front of Virgil.

“Why?”

“I think I found my unfinished business. You said that it would feel like a tug. Well…this is all what the person feels.”

“Right now?”

“Preferably yes because I know where he is, but I’m sure I’ll see him passing by in the hallways. I’ll just point him out later if you can’t get out.”

Virgil raised his hand, “Can I go to the bathroom?”

“Can you hold it? There are just 3 minutes left of class.”

Virgil sighed, staring at Roman, “Keep an eye on him. You can teleport yourself to me, but go stay with him until I see you.”

Roman nodded, disappearing off to who-knew-where, and Patton raised an eyebrow, “What about you?”

“Hm?“

“There’s gotta be something you’re struggling with.”

“Yeah, trying to get you to leave me alone.” Virgil joked, flicking Patton’s forehead.

-+=~=+-

It was lunch when he next saw Roman. He was following behind who he thought was Logan, and Virgil blinked, not sure if he was seeing correctly.

Logan walked up to the table with Patton, Remus, and Janus.

“Hey, Sanders.” Patton grinned at Logan, “What’s up?”

“Not here for you, Morris.” Logan remarked before he pointed to Virgil, “Heard I’m needed from you.”

Virgil remembered that he had yet to give Logan a rosary, and decided to give it now. “Right…I need you to put this on, and whatever you do, I need you to not take it off.” Virgil warned, holding out a rosary necklace.

“What is it?” Logan asked, grabbing it. “And I doubt it’s practical in the shower, or in bed.”

“Ah, in the shower you can leave it just somewhere in arm’s reach.” Virgil sighed, “You have to wear it to bed though. Especially in bed. It’s a rosary.”

“I’m not religious.”

“You don’t have to be. Just please, wear it.”

“Hey, Vir, this is the guy I’m talking about! Apparently, he has the same last name as me. Isn’t that cool?” Roman grinned, waving a hand in front of Logan’s face. “His life’s way more interesting than yours…but he’s a lot more boring.”

Virgil blinked before turning to Logan, “Please?”

Logan grabbed the rosary and put it on, and not a moment too late, because as soon as Logan put it on, Remus clutched his heart, wincing in pain.

He saw a glimpse of red eyes flash right next to Logan and knew it was a close call.

“Re!” Janus shrieked as he went to check on Remus.

All Logan did was stand there, staring, “Right, was that it…or?”

“Ah, there’s more, but I doubt this is a good place to talk.” Virgil began.

“I know a quiet place.” Logan shrugged, motioning for Virgil to follow him.

“Hopefully more spaced than a supply closet?” Patton remarked, earning a jab on the side from Virgil.

“Come on, Remus, this concerns you too.” Virgil motioned to the boy.

“Ooo, field trip!” Remus clapped as he went to join the two boys.

“Don’t kill each other.” Logan monotonously remarked to Janus and Patton.

“Thanks.” Sarcasm dripped out of Janus' mouth.

With that, the three (plus Roman) soon followed after.

The three walked into the room with the Watari examiner that no one was allowed to touch.

“Alright, this is a quiet area. Go.” Logan crossed his arms.

“Are we allowed to be here?”

“Yeah.” Logan shrugged.

“This is so cool!” Roman grinned, dancing around the room and exploring the area. “Do you think the machine can see my aura?”

“Most definitely. Stay away from it.” Virgil replied underneath his breath.

Remus took the lead, explaining to Logan everything they talked about before.

“That’s what the rosary is for.” Logan sighed, as he went to turn on the Watari examiner. “Hop on, Remus. I need to show Virgil something.”

“Sick!” Remus grinned. "Is it my-"

"No, it is not your private parts." Logan interrupted Remus as he took off his glasses as a way to try and shield his eyes. When it was clear Remus made no effort to strip, Logan sighed a breath of relief and put his glasses back on.

Virgil watched as Roman bounded over to see what Logan was staring at.

“Hey, Logan?” Virgil asked.

“Hm?”

“Why don’t you ever talk about your brother? I saw his work at the art gallery you mentioned I should look at.”

Logan froze, and it was clear that out of all the questions Logan thought Virgil would ask, that wasn’t one of them. It was enough for Roman to turn around gaping, asking Virgil a bunch of questions about why Virgil didn’t tell him, and how Virgil knew, and how Logan might’ve been his unfinished business.

Logan stiffened, looking at the machine, “He was a great artist, wasn’t he?”

“Yeah. His videos were very heartwarming.”

“I stopped talking about him when my parents stopped wanting him to be remembered.” Logan muttered, “They wanted to pretend he never existed, and I was never one to disobey my parents’ wishes.”

“Even if it conflicted with yours? I mean, it’s clear you care about him. Otherwise, who else would’ve donated all the book nooks you did with him? Who else would’ve gotten his work into an art gallery? Who else would’ve gotten a statue memorialized after him to prevent drunk driving?”

Logan rolled his eyes, “Patton really is a blabber mouth. Remus, go ahead and hop on the machine.”

“He didn’t tell me.” Virgil remarked. “I can just see the love you had for him.”

Well, technically Patton did, but Virgil could stretch the truth.

Roman seemed surprised by the statement too, staring at Logan to hear his response.

“Yeah, well love doesn’t do us any good in this cruel universe.” Logan forced a tense breath out before changing the subject, “Look at his aura right now.”

Virgil gaped at the black aura. “It’s swallowing him whole.”

“You’re saying that the black aura is the ghost sucking the life force out of him?” Logan asked.

“Yeah.” Virgil nodded.

“Right, now reach out your hand.” Logan commanded Virgil.

Virgil did just that and Remus grabbed on. Before he could say anything, he felt power surge through his veins, almost making him fall down from the power of his magic. Virgil watched as the black aura disappeared, and it instead transferred to make his magic strong. The ghost aura disappeared from Remus entirely, and Roman’s aura became more powerful too.

Remus glanced at Roman, about to open his mouth to tell Logan about Roman peering over him, but stopped when Virgil tugged his arm to make Remus look at him. Virgil shook his head and Remus let it go, waiting for Logan to speak.

“Is it gone?” Logan asked.

“Is what gone?”

“The ghost aura. I assume you can see it?”

“Yeah, I can. It’s gone.” Virgil murmured, staring at Remus, “How are you feeling?”

“Energized. Better.”

Logan pointed to the aura that was now glowing blue, “That’s his actual magic, hiding behind what I now know is not his cancer, but instead…a ghost.”

“It seems like it’s kinda blowing your mind.”

“It’s just the idea of not knowing what happens to the ghost, and also…what the hell the other cases of this same cancer were.” Logan pursed his lips, “It’s the only cancer that comes from magic.”

“And it’s not cancer.” Remus reminded him.

“Uh huh.” Logan trailed off, staring at the monitor.

Roman went to grab the monitor and Virgil bit his tongue, not wanting to expose Roman for being in the room with them.

Luckily, Roman only shifted it to the side, just outside of the two’s viewpoints, and enough for him and Logan to see fully without stepping back from the monitor.

“You’ve been looking at it from the wrong angle. Look outside the fielsog, and instead look at the entire body. The Watari examiner can look at the body as a whole, and show what’s happening to the ghost, because I don’t see any other ghosts around here.” Roman spoke, almost as if he was expecting Logan to know he was speaking.

Virgil blinked, repeating what Roman said.

“That’s what I just said!” Roman turned to look at Virgil before Logan turned towards Virgil, walking right through him. He blinked, jumping out of his zone, “Oh, right…I forgot, I’m a ghost.”

“You’re so right!” Logan replied as he turned to change the examiner. “Don’t freak out, Porter.”

The machine started to spin around Remus, just close enough that it didn’t hit Virgil in the arm, as Remus was still holding onto him.

Then, Logan looked at the monitor.

“Hey, uh, Logan, I would like to know what’s going on.” Remus spoke as Logan stared at the machine examinations.

“Apologies.” Logan pointed the monitor towards the two, showing every part of his body was filled with blue aura. “The ghost isn’t in your body. I think what’s happening is that you’re expelling them out of feeding on your magic by literally sending out so much power that it takes over and gives it to the other person. The other person is able to filter out the ghost feeding magic because they aren’t the one being leeched onto. Since Virgil has a rosary on, it keeps the ghost from even entering his system, which it could do without the rosary.”

“Okay, so what does that mean?”

“The ghost isn’t using you as a host.” Logan pulled out a whiteboard from behind some area, starting to draw. “Let’s say the ghost is the beehive of all the magic. You walk past the beehive once and accidentally knock it over. The ghost sends a servant after you to sting you, and let’s say that sting also turns you into Beeman, sort of like Spiderman when he gets bitten by a spider and-”

“Off-topic, Microsoft Nerd.” Roman leaned against the whiteboard and Logan cut himself off, staring.

“What’s wrong, Logan?” Virgil asked, wondering why Logan was staring to where Roman was.

“I thought I heard something.” Logan shrugged it off, “Anyway, I know my metaphor does not truly hold as practical logic and it would've been better to correlate the ghost to a queen bee. The main point is that y ou now are ‘infected’ with the host, and so the host can do things to your body like a parasite.”

“Kinda a perv, if you think about it.” Remus snorted.

“Shut up and listen.” Both Logan and Roman snapped at the same time.

“Once a Sanders, always a Sanders.” Virgil smiled, muttering under his breath as he found it entertaining.

“So even when the host is at the beehive, it can check up on you at any time and control your magic, even when it’s not near you. In other words, you’re screwed.” Logan placed the whiteboard marker back down, “Unless you can do something.”

“What is that something?”

“Get an insider into the hive. Right now, the ghost can’t hear us because Virgil’s using his magic to expel the ghost from the hive. Right now, Remus is safe and we are safe too, unless the ghost comes knocking on the front door to come talk to us personally. What you need is a ghost to help get into the hive and pretend to be a servant.”

“That’s extremely dangerous.” Virgil remarked. “If this ghost is as powerful as its aura is, a ghost would never last as a spy in there.”

“I know.”

“And you still want us to do that?”

“Right now, Remus isn’t dying, but as soon as he lets go of your arm, the ghost will continue eating at his soul. Anything we do to the ghost, we do to him. They’re interconnected at this part. We need to find how the ghost even connected with Remus in the first place, and why because it could’ve gone for anybody else. We find the entrance to the sting, we find the entrance to the beehive, and we can take the ghost down. However, that means we need a helpful volunteer.”

“Like who?”

“I know a few people.” Logan replied as he walked over to open the door of the lab, to see Janus and Patton leaning against it, arguing, “Why don’t we start with them as tributes?”

“Hey! Not Janus!” Remus replied defensively, “You mess with him, and you mess with me.”

“Yada yada yada.” Logan mocked as he closed the door, “You two touch anything and I will set you guys on fire, got it?”

“Got it.” Patton swallowed as he looked at the monitor, “Hey, that’s neato. What’s that about?”

“Something.” Virgil remarked.

“We don’t need a ghost to go into the beehive because it’s probably something existent in real life. It has to be in order for this operation to even go down. We can take a few volunteers to go find the ghost. We just need….a ghost to find the entrance, and to take the bait.”

“I’ll do it.” Roman shrugged.

“No way. I’m not risking a friend’s life.” Virgil scoffed, “Any of my ghost friends-”

“We have no choice. You said yourself that usually cities are bustling with ghosts. You haven’t found a single one here. You need to find at least one and take the bait.”

“I’ll do it.” Roman repeated again.

“No, I can’t put someone in danger like that.” Virgil shook his head.

“Then you’re keeping Remus in danger. The ghost is already dead. There’s nothing you can do to harm them.” Logan adjusted his glasses as he began to argue with Virgil.

“You just said it was a beehive. What if the ghost I choose gets trapped in the beehive?”

“It’s a risk we have to take.”

“Do we really though?”

“You’re going to let Remus die?” Logan crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.

“What? What are you two talking about? We're not letting Remus die!" Janus scoffed, jumping into the conversation.

"I think it'd be fun to see what would happen!" Remus grinned at his best friend, who just shushed him.

“I’m not saying we should let Remus die. I’m saying we should find another way to do this infiltration thing, because I don’t want to risk any more lives than possible.” Virgil groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“This isn’t risking anyone’s life!” Logan huffed.

“I’ll do it!” Roman yelled. Virgil still ignored him.

“It’s risking a ghost’s life. He deserves to-”

“He doesn’t deserve anything, he’s a ghost!”

“You don’t get to say that.” Virgil scoffed, “You don’t know this ghost. You haven’t become his friend. How would it feel if he was someone you knew that died?”

“Low, but even if he was someone I knew, he lived a life already. He knows what it’s like to experience it. Remus hasn’t finished his life yet.”

Patton placed a hand on Logan’s shoulder, “Be a little more compassionate, will you, Lo? What if the ghost was your brother?”

Virgil watched as Logan tensed up and decided to play on that, "What if he was your brother, huh? Would you be saying the same thing?”

“According to my parents, my brother doesn’t even deserve to be talked about.” Logan replied coldly, pushing Patton’s hand off his shoulder.

“I’m not talking about your parents. I’m talking about you. What if the ghost was your brother? Would you be saying something differently?”

“I made a promise to my brother when he was alive that I would help the living. Remus is living. My brother is dead, and that is all he’ll ever be. To me and my family.” Logan’s voice shook, the first time Virgil ever heard Logan’s voice sound slightly emotional.

Virgil nodded, numbly, understanding where Logan stood. To him, it was more important that Remus got better than to wait a little longer and find something that would keep both Remus and Roman safe.

“I see.” That was all he said before he rushed out of the room.

-+=~=+-

It was raining when school was finished. After Logan and Virgil had fought, the five living students had separated, deciding to let the two cool off, but suggesting that they make up soon. It was clear Logan wasn’t going to do it by the way that he seemed distant the entire rest of the day. However, Virgil was still glad that even through all of it, Logan kept his rosary on.

Roman decided to follow Virgil the rest of the day, always trying to suggest to Virgil to run into Logan and talk about what happened. Virgil didn’t understand why Roman was so willing to throw himself at Logan to make it up to him, and why Roman was so willing to risk his life.

Virgil felt the rain and sighed, deciding to call his parents to pick him up instead of walking back home. He had forgotten an umbrella. Roman offered to try and teleport an umbrella from his house and that was what left Virgil all alone at school. Virgil doubt Roman could teleport an item with him, but still was allowing Roman to try if it meant Virgil could get out of the cold faster.

“Here.”

Virgil turned to see Logan offering his umbrella. “What?”

“I’m driving home today. I don’t need it. Besides…rain’s my favorite season.” Logan muttered.

Virgil sighed, staring at the rain clouds, “No, it’s okay. I asked my parents to pick me up.”

Logan nodded numbly, as he sat by the steps, just far enough away from Virgil that it was clear he was still in an iffy situation with Virgil, but not far enough that it was weird.

“I should’ve realized sooner that he was your brother.” Virgil sighed, breaking the silence.

“Who?”

“Roman. You hold him to a high regard, and I should’ve realized that all the places you recommended had him featured. You still want to share his story.”

“You couldn’t have known.” Logan shrugged.

“But I should’ve. You have his quirk of moving your hands when you talk.” Virgil remarked. “I wasn’t lying, you know. He’s your brother.”

“Yeah, I thought so.” Logan inhaled sharply, “I thought I heard him.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Remus’s ability to strengthen magic can be really strong sometimes.” Logan muttered, “I missed his voice.”

“Yeah?”

“He sounds different. Happier.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…it just means that the brother I knew died long before the car accident.” Logan murmured, “I’m glad that you’ve brought him the peace he needs. I hope that he finds his unfinished business and is able to move on.”

He stood up, offering Virgil his umbrella one last time. Virgil took it as a sign of peace, and reconciliation.

Logan started to walk away in the rain, not caring that he was getting soaked.

“Have you ever wondered if you were his unfinished business?” Virgil yelled as Logan got to the bottom of the staircase that led to the school gates.

Logan turned around, and Virgil saw the tears that were streaming down Logan’s face. Logan was smiling for the first time, but it was unnatural. The happiness didn’t fully reach his tear-stained face, “If I was, the universe would’ve given me the power to see ghosts instead of the curse to see his death in the future and be unable to prevent it. They chose you for a reason, Virgil.”

“But-”

“It doesn’t matter how many times I wished for my brother to come back. It doesn’t matter how many times my parents and relatives all tried to wish for him to come back. It means that all it takes is for someone not related by blood to find him. It means that all of our grievances were for nothing because he was right under our noses. You don't get to say that it was the universe's calling to bring you here to me. Because if it was truly the universe's calling, and if the universe truly cared about me, you wouldn't have to be the one to tell me my brother has unfinished business. You don't get to say that it isn't my fault when I have slaved away at trying to be what he was and fill the hole in my parents' heart. You don't get to tell me that the universe isn't trying to play a prank on me when I can't even mention my brother's name without tearing up still. The universe hates me, and it's clear that whatever my brother's unfinished business is, it isn't with me because otherwise...the universe wouldn't be so cruel. You have no idea how much it hurts to know that the world chose to give your brother to a stranger rather than his bloodline.” Logan choked back a sob.

“I’m sorry.” Virgil whispered, not knowing what else to say.

“It’s not your fault.”

“I know.”

“Promise me that he’ll be okay for me?”

“You don’t want to tell him that yourself?”

“I don’t think I could face him if I tell him that I’ve been grieving for him for 4 years. Again, love doesn’t fare too well in a universe this cruel.”

Virgil watched as Logan walked away, clearly trying to pretend that he wasn’t crying, and that it was just the rain.

Virgil couldn’t imagine having to go through that pain, especially alone, as it seemed like Logan's parents depended on him to be Roman. He couldn’t imagine having to pretend to be the image of a dead brother that he looked up to. It gave his a little perspective to the way Logan was now. It made sense why Logan was so cold to others.

“Hey, I couldn’t get it.” Roman popped right next to Virgil, almost scaring the wits out of him.

His smile soon faded upon seeing Virgil staring off into the distance.

“Are you okay?” He asked worryingly.

“Yeah, I’m okay, why?” Virgil asked.

“Because you’re crying.”

Virgil went to feel his face, and he realized that silent tears were streaming down his face. He just laughed, “Oh…I guess I am.”

Virgil had sworn to Roman that he would help him find his unfinished business, but now he couldn’t help but wonder whether or not he would hurt Logan if he were to help Roman.

He was in the same dilemma Logan was in. Should he help the dead he had learned to care for or the living who hadn’t truly begun to live yet? ——————– this chapter is PACKED with drama: patton gaining a crush on our precious logan plus logan angst to the MAX? i like this chapter a lot especially the scene at the end where virge and lo make up (platonic analogical >>>)

If you enjoyed this, please consider reblogging! Reblogging helps me a lot and are very appreciated. Check out my masterlist for more, feel free to request any writings, and stick around if you want to see the rest of what I have in store for this! :)

[thefaiao]

   Went to a funeral today. It was my mom’s aunt. I didn’t really know her before she died, which was yesterday. Actually, I did meet her once before. At another funeral, my grandmother’s, four months ago.   My grandma passed away at 96, after struggling a lot with health condition and the overall fragility of old age. You trip the wrong way, and you are out of commission for a year, which might as well be half if not all of your remaining time in this world. It’s depressing, and she didn’t try to hide that at times she was tired of living, but held on out of a type of duty. It’s not easy to understand what goes on in the mind of someone that old. We struggle to understand how brains of people our age can be wired differently, as we are our only true control group. And even then, wen can trick ourselves, foggy memories, regrets, and so on, will warp our vision.    At the end of the day I still feel depressed could better summarize it. She looked peaceful in death, like she was younger. She was buried in a vertical cemetery, many rows and columns in each floor, extending up thirteen or so floors. The tombs had their names written on them in ready-made metal letters, which had a gold tint to them.    I was sad to see her go, as much as I expected it, but I truly get overwhelmed when I go into a cemetery. All the death we hide from our daily lives is concentrated here, the definitive end of so many lives. People who die at twenty five, or thirty years of age. It’s easy to think about how these people could easily have been my friends, or me, but they didn’t get the chance. They died to something unpredictable, or maybe everyone could see it coming but no-one could do anything about it. Or maybe they could, but just didn’t have the energy to, or the forethought. The end is the same anyway. They died, so now they aren’t present anymore, all they can do is be dead.    Today I went with a different mood, since I didn’t know my great-aunt properly. I noticed how the room was really small, and despite there being a wooden board covering the door, a camera hung onto that same board. I noticed that even though there was food and drink, the water jug was made of plastic, and the jar with cheap store brand cookies, had a crack on it, and was hard to open. Everyone was sad, as her death was sudden. A heart attack as she woke up, even though she was previously healthy.    I noticed that whenever this is the case, of sudden death, the person is usually a very hard-line principled person, for better or worse. Usually they sustain the family in some way, or give them guidance with a firm hand. Maybe at random they relax, and all the emotion they hold back come at once, and take them with them. Most of the time, it’s someone who is deeply loved and appreciate for that, especially if they are old. Many people showed up to her funeral to say goodbye.    Her husband was crying, as they had been together almost seventy years. And they loved each other. It is easy to imagine myself in his place, but hard to imagine how much sorrow he must feel. While I was there I noticed more things. I noticed that the casket was veneered particle-board, with cut-and-paste patterns on the rims. When there was a bend in the geometry of the casket, the pattern was broken. The metal details were golden plastic, and all the parts of the casket were mass-produced. The flowers were real, as were the people who brought them. I also noticed we had to pay for parking in the place of ceremony, and it was just as expensive as places in the city. I noticed they asked the same price restaurants ask to buy drinks, or a coffee, if we wanted those.    While everyone were coming to terms with what had happened, I feel I could only stare. I didn’t want to touch her because I don’t think I earned that, as I was only accompanying my mom. Her coffin looked plastic, and in turn she looked like a toy. Whenever we die, we become an object. And when we enter a casket, we become an altar. We are pressured to cut corners, because we have no money, because we have no time, and we are so small, and we only get smaller. So in death, we look like toys that couldn’t keep going, we exchanged all the parts of the ceremony that we could, so it could even happen. A door opened in the back of the room, and the employees quickly cut everything short, and took her to the car.    When we got to her cemetery, I was again overcome with the emotion of all the lives of strangers that were registered there. Just a date, sometimes a face, and a phrase form loved ones. Sometimes flowers, but there were also flowers that were dry, they looked so small. In this horizontal cemetery, the rows and columns were also present, but with no pre-made lettering. The names were written on cement by hand, usually by a worker, before a cover was later built into the graves. So many names, from 2018-2022, had no covers. Sometimes a message accompanied the names, written by a relative. Some people could afford more unique graves, which were usually for the whole family.    I can’t help but think if this is all we can be now. We can live beautiful lives, and help so many people, only to die and be buried in mass-produced coffins, have respects paid to us in an affordable place, because money dictates our lives. That the death of someone we love is bundled with a mountain of expenses. It’s easy to say we should be happy we lived at all, and think about all the moments we treasured between our struggles. But maybe we only get used to this because we can’t imagine a better option.    Funerals are not only sad. In the middle of sobs I could see smiles, even from my great-aunt’s husband. They are complex, as are the places we are buried. Mass-production and repetition isn’t bad on its own. But when it’s there to cut corners, I can’t help but feel we are being robbed of something higher, and rare, which we don’t always experience.    I get home and my dog is having a seizure, and my brother is drunk. Shortly after my dog has two other seizures. Life and death are both unrelenting.