#i made it evelyn i hope that's okay

[nyoomfruits]

short little kid fic drabble for @mecachrome with single dad!lando and engineer!oscar, love you, hope you enjoy!!!!!

“Hey,” Lando says, when he wanders over to where Oscar’s sitting in front of the screens in the back of the garage. FP2 is officially over now, and he’s finished discussing some last minute set up changes with his mechanics, so he’s free to go now. His race suit has long been unzipped, and is dangling around it waist as he leans over Oscar’s shoulder. “How did it go?”

Evelyn, who is perched on Oscar’s lap and had been staring at the screens intently, perks up and turns around. “Dad! Oscar says you were the fastest, like woosh,” she points her fingers forward, determined expression on her face.

“Did he?” Lando says, making eye contact with Oscar over Evelyn’s head. Oscar smiles innocently at him. Lando had only gotten as high as P3.

“Yeah!” Evelyn continues enthusiastically. “He’s been showing me the telletries.”

Lando raises his eyebrow at Oscar. Oscar shrugs. “She asked,” he says.

Lando eyes him a little skeptically. “My five year old asked you to show her my telemetries,” he states.

Oscar shrugs. “Well technically she asked if you were the fastest ever, and so then obviously I had to prove her you were in fact, the fastest ever.”

“Obviously,” Lando says, trying not to let the smile on his face turn too fond. He had been very nervous, when he first started brining Evelyn to races, last year. But the team had taken to her like a charm, had taken her in as one of their own, and while there was a nanny to make sure she never got in the way of anyone’s work, none of the team minded entertaining her for short bits at a time.

Especially Oscar, the youngest performance engineer in McLaren’s history, always made sure to take time to explain things to Evelyn, whether it was aerodynamics, brake balance, or in this case, telemetry.

“Alright Eve,” Lando says, gesturing to Evelyn. “Time to say goodbye to Oscar, we’re going to get you those chicken nuggets I promised you, yeah?”

Evelyn’s face lights up, but then falls immediately when she glances at Oscar. “But…” She says, frowning. “I want… Can Oscar come?” She asks, face suddenly turning excited again as she turns back to Lando. “Yes! He was going to tell me more about the telletries, he can totally do that over dinner! Dad, please.”

She’s pulling the patented Norris Pleading Eyes, the ones people have told Lando time and time are impossible to say no to. He thought they were exaggerating, until he became a victim of them himself.

But he’s strong. He’s been here before. He can do this. “I don’t know, bug,” he says, ruffling her hair. “I’m sure Oscar has plans.”

Evelyn turns back to Oscar, eyes in full force, adding in a bonus pouty lip. “I’m free,” Oscar says, immediately, because the man has no fucking backbone, clearly.

And god. The thing is, the thing Lando’s never really told anyone is that Oscar is kind of… Cute. In his own soft, nerdy way. Lando doesn’t like to dwell on it much ecuase it’s not like he’s ever going anywhere with it, not when he has Evelyn and racing and not much time for anything else, but.

But sometimes, in these little unguarded moments, he indulges himself, daydreams about a life together. A life with Oscar. Dreams about sleepy early morning and quiet late nights and all of the joy and laughter in between.

Except that way madness lies. So he tucks it away in a box called ‘Have Yout Lost Your Mind Not In A Million Years’ and moves on.

But now, with the full force of Evelyn’s Norris Pleading Eyes back on him, Oscar’s own nervous, expectant, hesitant expression behind her, he can’t help but fold, nudge the box open just a tiny little bit.

“Yeah, okay,” he says, admits defeat. “Sure. Why not.”

[shenachigans]

IN MY DREAMS | Cassandra Kiramman

PAIRING: Cassandra Kiramman x Fem!Reader

CW: angst BUT bittersweet ending, old people wlw (Cassandra is in her mid-50s and reader is in her early 50s), tragic-ish love, 1950s Hollywood inspired in terms of homosexuality-ish, mentions of homophobia, give them a break they’re both old people stuck with regrets and customs of the past :( I guess you can say they’re both closeted, but Cassandra’s sexuality isn’t labeled she just loves reader, sort of 2 perspectives: first one is reader, second is a mix of both but mostly Cassandra’s, both are too depressed and heartbroken to notice their love is reciprocated, back in the old day women are expected to marry a man, reader is also a matriarch of her own family like Cassandra, most likely ooc Cassandra

SUMMARY: Cassandra loves you back, and you love Cassandra back: A confession made after decades of mutual depressive pining.

A/N: It’s giving Evelyn and Celia from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in a way, I don’t know why. I’ve been hyper-fixating on one of the Arcane milfs, Cassandra Kiramman, and Arcane in general lately. Don’t get me wrong, Caitlyn Kiramman is a FINE woman. I love her and her girlfriend, Vi, too, but her mother is for me to ask for her hand in marriage. PLEASE ONE CHSNCE. Oh, and I hope you shed tears as I did writing this, and if you haven’t figured it out, yes, this is based on the song “In My Dreams” by Red Velvet. I suggest you listen to it on loop while reading. Immerse yourself, dear reader. I want tears shed suffer like I did h/j (not really). Anyway, enjoy!

WORDS: 2,169

(FANFIC IS UNDER THE CUT!)

“In my dreams, you love me back,” is a mantra you’ve said to yourself all your life when you met her as a little child yet exposed to the harsh reality of the world. Her name was Cassandra Kiramman, the young scion you knew was now the head of her clan and a respectable Councilor of Piltover. 

Those beautiful blue eyes still shined with ambition, pride, and even greed, but you never thought of her differently for those qualities, rather, you respected them as they helped her become the woman she is today. Her graying hair and the fine lines on her features prove the years she has been on the top, something you were never able to achieve, but that’s okay because she still kept you around, her childhood best friend. 

You don't know why, but you’re grateful. You were nothing compared to her, with only your family name keeping you afloat. Yet, that family is not comparable to the Kirammans, the family you wished to be part of because that would mean you belonged to her, something you’ve always wanted but will never have. 

It's tragic, really, for the woman you love only regards you as a dear friend, either blinded by her ambitions to notice or never pointing it out despite knowing. You hoped it was the latter, to let her know you loved her, to let her acknowledge your love and devotion even if she would never reciprocate them because you were only a friend. Nothing more can happen between you two, especially not when she has a family of her own with a husband and daughter.

Caitlyn was someone you considered your own, having been present in her life since she was born. You remember the first time you saw her in Cassandra’s arms. The little one grasped your gloved finger with resilience, smiling up to you with the same blue eyes her mother owned; the same eyes you fell in love with. She grew up to be a stark contrast to her mother in terms of personality despite being the physical copy of the woman you love. However, stubbornness is what they share and you find it endearing. 

What would life be like if you and Cassandra had children as lovers? But that wouldn't happen. Never in a million years, never in the multiple lives you lived and would live in. Despite the one-sided love you share, you will always love her, even if it hurts more than any physical pain could inflict on your body, because "In my dreams, you love me back." 

You would settle for friendly love, something strictly platonic, a rock Cassandra can lean on in a time of need, even if your mind told you multiple times it was time to stop, that it was time to let her go and move on to live a happy life where she wasn't your world. But it’s difficult when she was your world when she was the one who gave you light. You couldn’t let her go, and now it has been decades, facing a reality far different from your dreams.

“Do you still plan on getting married?” Cassandra asked out of the blue, a cup of tea in hand, clasped between nimble gloved fingers in the privacy of the Kiramman residence garden. She had prepared your favorite tea, personally brewing it to your liking just to see that satisfied expression on your face.

Cassandra studied your features to see how time had treated you with your graying hair and fine lines. You still looked as beautiful as the day she first met you when you two were children. A glimpse of your bright smile had rocked her world as a young scion, who focused on nothing but her duties for the future. The way your eyes now crinkled with wings when you smiled, she found it endearing.

She wanted to remove her gloves and reach out to feel your cheeks with her bare hands, to feel the warmth of your skin on hers and brush it so lovingly with her thumbs as she pressed her forehead against yours, but she withheld her inner turmoil with a masked expression. Touching you so intimately felt inappropriate considering you two were only good friends.

You raised a brow as you placed your teacup on the saucer, setting it on the table. A small amused chuckle left your lips. “What do you mean? I fear I’m too old to marry, Cassandra. If you’re worried about who will inherit my clan, I assure you, my niece is more than fit for the role. Even if I did marry and have a child, the little one would be far too young and inexperienced to carry such a burden on their shoulders,” you say with a smile, and you miss the way her lips frown slightly at your answer. 

Cassandra watches as you sip your tea, the way you elegantly hold the cup and present yourself before her with manners unmatched by royals is sickening. The person before her was not the same person she knew and fell in love with years ago. Who was this? Where was the person who always brought a smile to her face and made her heart swell? Why did it feel like you were slipping away, despite your proximity?

She had been contemplating these questions for the past three decades. You had built barriers around yourself, and even she couldn’t get through them to see the real you and what you were feeling. She didn’t want the woman she loved to hide behind a mask, but she never dared ask because she was scared. She was scared she couldn’t help you, she feared that her love would drive you away with disgust and contempt. 

A woman loving another was unacceptable when you and Cassandra were younger. You two have seen the consequences of people who tried to fight for it. It was seen as crude and you two were both heirs to your respective families. She couldn’t risk tarnishing your family name and your safety, and she couldn’t risk her position, that would mean she would never be allowed to see you again, so she kept you close as much as she could without raising suspicion, but she also kept you at an arm's distance albeit reluctantly. 

All Cassandra needed was to be by your side as much as she allowed herself. She yearned for more, but that would be selfish, that would mean disregarding your privacy and space, and she was seen as selfish since she was on the Council, but she would never put herself first when it came to you. 

“I don’t think you are too old, and yes, I am worried about who will succeed you, but… that wasn’t why I was asking,” Cassandra said carefully and averted her gaze onto her tea, the liquid reflecting her face. She saw the creased eyebrows on her features, and how her eyes seemed to have glazed with unshed tears. She can feel your curious gaze on her and she blinked profusely to calm her eyes. She didn’t want to worry you for suddenly crying. “Are you not lonely?” she asked as she looked at you expectantly and the way you smiled felt like a knife to her heart. It was rueful and she hated it.

“I don’t need to marry to avoid loneliness, Cassandra,” you say. “Marriage was not something I particularly wanted, though it was needed to keep appearances but I survived as a spinster. I was surprised Mother didn’t nag me too much for not finding a husband and bearing children. May she rest in peace. Father didn’t really have a say, but he told me that marriage…” You look into her blue eyes. “…wasn’t the only thing that binds you to the person you love.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened at the revelation. What you said was true, that truth was what allowed her to marry Tobias and have Caitlyn with him for the clan’s sake. But the way you gazed into her eyes, it felt like those words were meant for her. She couldn’t be seeing things, could she? Times have changed… Would it be okay for her to say it? To hope that you love her like she loves you? She steadies her breath and places her teacup and saucer on the table. It’s now or never. 

If she can’t say it at least once in both of your lifetimes, does she even deserve to love you? 

Cassandra could feel your gaze as you watched her with furrowed brows when she suddenly discarded her gloves and stood from her seat across from you to stand by your side. Her heart was hammering in her chest when you craned your head to look up at her as she towered over your sitting figure. She could tell you were confused, maybe even shaken, when she just stared at you, but she saw how you widened your eyes when she slowly and gently cupped your cheeks with her bare hands and stroked the apple of your cheeks with her thumbs. 

She saw part of the real, old you in your usually guarded eyes, it gave her a flicker of hope and her lips started to tremble when you didn’t push her away and instead placed your hands on hers. She had wanted to hold you like this the moment she realized she loved you. 

“Cassandra, what are you—” you say with worry but you cut yourself off when you see the tears that swelled in her eyes. This wasn’t like Cassandra, the normally poised and dignified woman you loved. It reminded you of the rare times she would become reckless like Caitlyn when you two were younger. 

She never told you, but those were the times she felt the most human, not because she didn’t have to put up fronts, but because she could be human with you without judgment and expectations and show herself to the person she loved, albeit having to limit herself from her insecurities.

“I never told you this, I couldn’t dare let you see this side of myself, but I can’t keep it hidden anymore. I have dreams I think about all the time. In my dreams, there was you and I…” 

Cassandra paused and averted her eyes from you by lowering her head, gazing at the necklace she gave you as children with a pendant that matched the color of her eyes to keep a part of herself with you at all times. She can’t believe you still held onto it after all these decades. Did you cherish it that much?

“...We were lovers. In that world, I could love you freely without the duties and expectations placed upon me and the judgment of the world. In that world, I could call you ‘my wife,’ ‘my dearest,’ and ‘my love.’ I could be by your side to love and dote on you. We would have as many children as you wanted and have little versions of ourselves running around the Kiramman or your family’s residence. In that world, we would grow old together, watch as our family grows, and leave a mark of our love even as we take our last breaths…

I love you, and… In my dreams, you love me back.”

Cassandra hadn’t realized she was crying until your hand cupped her cheek, your thumbs wiping the falling tears. Your touch was so tender and she leaned into it, to the warmth of your hand, and hesitantly met your gaze. 

Oh.

You were crying too. She didn’t want you to cry. It pained her to see you so hurt and in tears, but you were smiling, it was a smile she hadn’t seen in forever, the smile she fell in love with. She was taken aback when you stood from your seat and brushed her silver hair to the side before pressing your foreheads together, your noses brushing each other’s. She closes her eyes when you do and basks in your proximity and warmth, her arms encircling your waist. Her heart swells when you speak.

“I also have the same dreams, my love,” you say, resting your hand on her shoulder as you continue to stroke her cheek with the other. “In my dreams, you love me back. I never wanted to wake from them, and I prayed that you would stay forever so that we would be happily forever after.”

You never knew she also felt this way and that she would admit her feelings for you, it makes your heart flutter. You may never have each other exactly like you would want in both of your dreams, but the admission that she loved you back was all that mattered, and you can tell she felt the same which puts a smile on your face, the smile she always brought to your face when you were children. 

“I love you, too, Cassandra. I’m happy my dreams have come true.”

© shenachigans — do not plagiarise, translate, repost, or copy.

[softboo]

love me, ever so gently - part IV

pairing: austin x reader

summary: you recently moved to a new apartment, making some new eccentric friends along the way. but what you didn't expect was falling in love with a stranger. a stranger you somehow couldn't stop thinking about

words: 4.8k

warnings: depictions of alcohol, certain scenes that pertain to dark themes of domestic abuse in relationships, *minors please don't interact*

author's note: hiii here is the next part of the story... i genuinely have no words to describe how grateful i am that there are people out there who have fallen in love with this story as much as i have. i'm still debating whether or not i'll write more just because i still want to live in this world lol. but thank you so much for all your support. it really means a lot to me and i am forever grateful :3 hope you enjoy <3

previous part

part IV

you groaned as you woke up, yet again, to a blaring headache and the door being pounded on. and you couldn't figure out which one was coming from where. you slowly eased yourself up out of bed, which made you feel even worse, shuffling yourself along for a million years before you answered the door.

"wow... you look like you got hit by a bus again."

george's voice rang in your ears. you could've sworn you had your eyes open, but it felt like they were closed. you tried to glare at him, but everything in your face felt numb. cassandra and evelyn caught up with him and both exchanged a look of concern.

"george, i think we need to talk to her alone."

he glanced over at cassandra and then back to you, the joy in his eyes disappearing for a brief moment. he just nodded in response, obliging without fighting them. you suddenly felt this wave of emptiness as you saw him walk away, whispering to cassandra before leaving.

and a part of you wished you never heard it, but you did.

"get our favorite girl back. i don't see her anymore."

~ ~

the silence hung low between the three of you, as you swirled your spoon meaninglessly in the mug. you glanced down at yourself, feeling as if you've sat here before in this exact situation just a few days ago. but then again, when have they not tried to get you out of your apartment.

"my love, i think it's time for you to move on." cassandra began, her soothing tone compensating for the bluntness of her statement. you just aimlessly nodded to her request, which was something she grew familiar with after the third or fourth day.

your empty promises were piling up and it was only a matter of time before it actually had to have meaning behind it.

"come with us tonight to the movies," evelyn suggested, offering her hand for you to take. "it'll be a great way for you to get your mind off of him."

your heart sunk even deeper when they mentioned him again, that night flooding your thoughts as you were reminded of what was going to happen tomorrow. it was inevitable.

she was inevitable.

"please love, you need to get out of this apartment. you can't just stay here and wait until they come back."

you scoffed at such a thought, thinking of what a sight that would be seeing them come back together from the airport, pretending you were preoccupied with anything else that wasn't him.

evelyn's hand still laid on the table, waiting patiently for you to reconsider the option of coming. of just going with them for once instead of drowning yourself in another day of being alone.

you hesitated for a moment, glancing at cassandra and then to evelyn. the thought of him being reunited with her made your heart sting, but you knew being physically here when they did arrive would ultimately make you feel even worse.

so you took everything in yourself to consider the possibility of actually being okay again.

and you slowly let your hand fall into hers and gave the smallest smile in the world.

"okay. i'll go."

~ ~

"are you ready sweetie?" cassandra called back to you, as the three of them waited outside of your apartment.

you checked your reflection once more, letting your hair flow freely and naturally down to frame your face. and a maroon dress that cassandra and evelyn insisted that you wear.

and for the first time in weeks, you felt beautiful, elegant, and untouchable. like all those days of being alone and rumminating on your feelings dissipated into nothingness behind you.

like heartbreak anniversaries were no longer written on your calendar.

you stepped into some heels before meeting them at the door, blushing immensely as they looked at you.

"there's our favorite girl."

george's voice broke a little as he dramatically wiped his eyes for tears that weren't there yet. cassandra walked towards you, her hands taking yours as she gently caressed your cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

"you look lovely sweetie," her voice giving you a familiar comfort to your heart.

"so do you," you smiled back as you all gazed at everyone's attire.

george insisted on wearing something formal, wanting to make your little outing a special occasion. according to him, it was a great excuse to wear his suit again. and according to cassandra, it was the only suit he owned, which was from their wedding day.

"alright you old folks, let's go!" george bellowed, letting out that same laugh from when you met him for the first time. cassandra smacked him in the arm before he responded with a sweet kiss on her cheek. evelyn offered her arm for you to hold as you all went downstairs.

and you didn't even look at his apartment.

~ ~

"you have everything right?" cassandra asked george, who was very insistant on being responsible for the tickets. the showing was for one of their favorite old hollywood movies, you weren't sure which, but you were as excited as them to see it.

when you all entered the old theater, the employees shot you a complete and utter face of confusion as you all roared into the empty area wearing the most elegant attire. not many people knew of the showing, which was why the entire theater was relatively empty.

as you all settled into your seats, a sudden wave of calmness came over you as it started to sink in that you weren't there to just forget about him. you were there to spend time with your friends as well. their voices echoed in such a big theatre, not even minding the few stares and looks they got from some of the people there.

"george you're stepping on me again."

"can you pass the popcorn please? no, i want the whole bucket."

"evelyn, i can't see anything. what are you pointing at?"

it wasn't long until the lights completely disappeared and you were swallowed by the darkness that surrounded you in the theater, all of you eager and excited for the film to begin.

that calmness and comfort slowly took over and you suddenly felt at ease with being there, with your friends, and the world you were going to enter inside that movie theater.

~ ~

"goodnight everyone!" you echoed from the top of the staircase. you vaguely heard a reply from evelyn who was on the second floor as the other two were already calling it early. you waved frantically at evelyn from the bottom, who mimicked that same overdramatic wave from the movie. you couldn't help but laugh.

"go to bed already! i want to sleep!" she screamed back at you, flashing a smile at your little figure from above.

you gave her one final goodbye wave for the night, feeling like an entirely new person after spending time with them. you couldn't even stop smiling as you replayed the little remarks all of you made after the movie ended. the way evelyn was so certain of her theory, while george laughed at how the romance didn't make any sense. and cassandra, she fell in love with the film as much as you did.

as you stopped at your floor, your heart dropped from your chest.

austin was there, sitting outside his door like he'd forgotten something. his hair looked disheveled, the blonde messiness matching his loose tie and unbuttoned dress shirt. it was the first time you'd seen him since that night, the memories drowning you in an endless sea.

"hey, are you okay?"

he looked up to find who spoke and you saw those oceans come alive once more, like a second home to your heart. his expression was as shocked and confused as yours, his eyebrows furrowed to try to make sense of you actually being there. after so many days of avoiding him, he had the right to contemplate if your existence was even real to him.

"yeah, i'm okay."

there was an emptiness there and something pulling at your heart. you didn't believe him.

"can i join you?"

"of course," and he moved over for you to sit next to him on the floor. his doormat being a cushion you were both sharing.

"you look nice... did you go somewhere?"

his low tone still sent ocean waves through your body, like he was inviting you all over again. something you convinced yourself for days that you never needed, but somehow he still had a hold on your heart. and you melted right into his hands.

"oh, thank you," your voice merely a whisper in the air, "i came back from the movie theater."

austin looked at you amused, a small smile forming.

"you wore a formal dress to the movies?"

you nodded, "yeah, because i wasn't feeling like myself for the past few days."

it was like you struck a chord in him because he turned to look at you, wanting to figure out what was making you feel that way. but he didn't know how to ask.

"and how do you feel now?"

"better."

something in the way you held yourself in that regard, knowing when to pick yourself back up. he admired that about you, wishing he could maybe do the same.

there was a shared silence between you both before he spoke again.

"do you remember that night... in your apartment?"

you felt everything inside you go numb as he mentioned it. because no matter how long you tried to forget that it happened, he remembered for you.

"yes..."

he let out a soft sigh, as you noticed the way he tensed up a bit. stiffening his stature and playing with the cloth of his dress shirt.

"did you really mean what you said? about my girlfriend..."

you closed your eyes at his statement, the way she still lingered between you two. you mustered up that same strength from before, a lie you repeated to yourself because he wasn't yours to begin with.

"yes, i meant it. she's lucky to have someone like you in her life."

something about you saying it again didn't seem to convince him at all.

"you say that but i don't feel lucky."

you turned to him, looking at his prominent expression of utter defeat. like he'd given up on something. you could see the oceans drying out in his eyes.

"what do you mean?"

and it was like he felt his bruises again, clutching his torso like he was protecting himself. he couldn't look at you.

"austin?"

you saw him soften a bit when he heard your voice, letting it sink in that he was here with you and not her.

you hesitated for a moment, knowing fully well you were going to overstep a boundary and meet him at the bottom of the ocean.

"does she hurt you?"

you felt your heart speed up in anticipation for his answer. he met your gaze for a split second before both of you turned to the elevator, hearing its normal ding.

and out came the last person you wanted to see.

his girlfriend walked out with her long dark red hair flowing effortlessly behind her. she was carrying her bags and screamed when she saw him.

"austin my love!! surprise!! i came back early!!"

a squeal that stung at your ears as she dropped her bags and flung herself into him, ultimately pushing you to the side. she eagerly covered him in messy kisses, like she was marking territory.

like she was marking property.

when she finally let go and austin gave her a weak smile, she eyed you with a suspicious look on her face. that somehow you offended her by merely your presence.

"i didn't realize there was help working late at night."

you clenched your jaw at her sudden assumption of your position. a fire igniting once more inside your chest and you wanted her to walk right through it.

"she's not an employee." austin stated firmly, his face tightening at her insult.

your eyes widened at him and how he held his ground when defending you.

"she's my—"

"well love, whatever she is, she has no purpose in staying here with you. let alone, no reason to be in your life."

she flashed you that creepy little grin that stretched too far on her face, pulling austin closer to her, tightening her grip thinking if she ever gave him a chance to breathe, he'd escape.

"not sure where you belong sweetie, but it's definitely not here."

she purposely shoved you to the side, dragging austin along with her. soon enough, she slammed the door on your face like last time.

and all that was left were her forgotten bags in the hallway, the blinding rage boiling inside of your heart, and the fire that lingered near the ocean.

~ ~

you stared at your ceiling, thoughts racing in your head of what you could've done. what else could you have said. you glanced over at your clock, sighing in disappointment as the numbers barely changed. it was exactly eleven minutes since you last checked, now reading a dreadful 2:16am.

you hated this feeling, of wanting to do something but not being able to. of wanting to save him from something that you knew he had to save himself from. cassandra's words from before rang right in your ears again:

are you doing this because you care about him or because you like him?

did there really have to be a difference?

you felt so frustrated that somehow after two weeks, he still had a space in your heart. no matter how many times you let the alcohol numb you sometimes or how many times you stayed in your apartment watching reruns of your favorite movies and shows.

it all ended the same. your heart was screaming at you for it.

and yet, just when you finally had a chance to drift off into sleep, you heard a noise.

you sat up quickly, facing where the sound came from. you glanced down at the clock, which barely moved, now reading 2:20am. you slowly lowered yourself back to bed dismissing the sound until it repeated again, multiple times.

it was a knock, faint but you knew what you heard.

you slowly got up from your bed, walking slowly to the main door, hearing that faint noise again. there was an occasional loud sound, but the smaller ones were more consistent.

as you slowly approached the door, it was like the stranger on the other side heard your footsteps and for a moment, you heard the sudden weight of something leaning on the door. you froze, but soon enough you heard the faintest voice in the world.

"i don't know if you're awake... but if you are, it's austin."

your eyes widened when you heard his voice, quickly opening the door for him.

and you saw him, dressed entirely in black. his hoodie covering his face a bit and his sweats covered in something that you couldn't really see. his breath stopped for a moment as he saw you, his entire body suddenly relaxing into you. his head falling on your shoulder as if his body was about to give out, his face nuzzling right at your neck.

and you felt this overwhelming wave of warmness hit you, not being able to hide the blush that appeared on your cheeks.

"i... i didn't know where else to go..."

your breath hitched at the realization. at the worst possible scenario. because everything you were thinking about was true. because it happened. and he was all the proof you needed.

you quickly shut the door behind you as he leaned right up against you. you wanted to be so careful with him, being in such a fragile state. you thought about putting him in your bed, but he couldn't hold himself up much longer and soon enough, he collapsed onto the floor leaning up against the door.

"i'm so sorry for..."

"you don't have to be sorry for anything austin... really. i mean it."

he just nodded, wincing at the minimal movement he made with responding to you.

you sat with him, gently taking his hood off from his face and bracing yourself to see what he had to endure before seeing you.

and you felt the tears come as you saw what was left of him.

his eyes were swollen, bruised. he had cuts all over his face that somehow went down his neck. there were more bruises down his arms and a decent amount of blood coming from each and every little scar that decorated his body.

but what made you feel even worse was the lack of water in his eyes. there were no longer raging oceans swimming with life or the blueness that covered the endless body of water. it was empty. dry. like a desert.

and yet, when he saw you looking at him, truly looking at his scars and still trying to find the beauty in him, he couldn't help but give you the smallest smile in the world. he noticed your eyes water and gently grazed his thumb on your cheek to wipe it away.

"don't cry... i'm going to be okay, i promise."

you wanted to hate him, that somehow even when he's the one holding all these bruises and scars, he still had the strength to comfort you.

but you couldn't hate him. not one little sliver of anything inside of you could hate him.

~ ~

austin woke up slowly, his head pounding in his ears as he rubbed against his temple. he had to blink a few times to realize that he wasn't in his own apartment at all. and somehow he fell asleep on the floor. he tried to get up, but noticed a shadow of someone next to him. and it was you.

and the moment he saw you, everything from last night came rushing through him. the stumbling into your apartment, the way you complimented his cologne, you kicking him out from trying to help you change, and the last thing you said to him before he drifted off to sleep.

"your girlfriend is so unbelievably lucky to have you."

it was something that should've initially made him feel grateful because it was true... wasn't it? so then why did it feel like his chest was suffocating on air?

the memories and the alcohol were mixing together, he couldn't make sense of his emotions. what all of this meant to him.

but what he did know was how much you meant to him. he just couldn't decide where you stood in his life yet.

he found it quite amusing that you wanted him to leave, that you were very adament that he couldn't sleep here. and yet, you collapsed right beside him on the floor.

he checked his phone briefly, a bright 4:32am appeared on the screen. he knew he couldn't stay here, but he also knew it would be rude to leave you on the floor.

and so, he gently crouched down next to you and tucked his arms right under you, lifting you up. making sure your head was leaning on his chest, he slowly walked towards your bed and laid you there under the blankets.

he looked at you for a moment before leaving, letting it sink in that you might not even remember where you fell asleep.

and a part of him hurt when the thought crossed his mind.

~ ~

"george... can i ask you something?" austin began as they finished packing up evelyn's cooking supplies from her latest class. george beamed at him, leaning against the boxes on the counter, waiting patiently for him to continue.

"of course elvis my boy! you can ask me anything!"

he hesitated before speaking, thinking it was too invasive to ask, but he had to know if what he was feeling was normal.

or if he was genuinely crazy.

"how did you know... you wanted to marry cassandra?"

george stared at him, his eyebrows furrowing to a point. the question took him off guard, something he never quite expected from austin, but he couldn't help smiling at the thought of his wife and how they first met.

"well..." his voice drifted to piece together all the right words, "i knew i wanted to be with her for the rest of my life when she took me as i am."

george's loudness became merely a softness when he spoke about cassandra and austin could feel that sense of love radiating off of his friend. george began animating his life with her, the way she always seemed to be there whenever he spoke about his passions, and how cassandra fully accepted him as himself.

"usually, people say they drift apart during a marriage because their partner changed. but for me, i just wanted to be there through every changing moment."

george gave him a warm smile, as his words weighed heavy in austin. he lingered on the thought, the possibility of fully letting himself dive into those waters. letting his heart sink into something completely unfamiliar, knowing somehow, somewhere, you would be there sitting with him right at the bottom.

willingly. voluntarily.

along with something else he wasn't ready to face yet, nor was his heart ready to resurface among calm waters.

"thank you..." austin drifted, his voice shrinking smaller and smaller as it disappeared into the walls of the kitchen. it wasn't long until he pulled george into a warm hug, fully appreciating the story his friend shared.

"anything for my boy, you know that."

george's voice slightly broke, feeling as if austin wasn't being fully honest with him or to himself rather. like there was something else hidden under those waters.

it wasn't long until george broke the kind gesture, holding austin firm right on the shoulders, a reminder of his strength. that there was something in austin that he wasn't yet ready to face.

"you're still going to the movies with us right?"

austin blanked at his question, scrambling for the words to answer. he wasn't sure if he should, but he knew that this was his only chance to see you before she came back into his life tomorrow.

that there was a sliver of a possibility that you would be sitting next to him again.

he let out a soft sigh and smiled.

"of course i am."

~ ~

she pulled austin, hard, her face burning with a fire that dried out the oceans in his eyes.

"and you had the nerve to make plans on the day i was coming back."

"i didn't ask for you to come early."

her emotions were boiling over now as she pushed him against the door, her face contorting into a scowl.

"and what does she even have that i don't? what's wrong with me then?"

she paced around the kitchen now, grabbing whatever glass container they had and throwing it on the ground. each one breaking into tiny little pieces.

and all austin could do was stand near the door and take it.

"tell me what's wrong with me then austin. TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG."

her screams echoed across their apartment, drowning him in an endless noise. he clenched his jaw as he mustered enough energy to say something back. because anything would be better than nothing.

"you never fell in love with me. you fell in love with my name."

she paused, her red hair messily laid behind her. her hand gripping the last few glasses they had left as she aimed it right at austin.

"your name? bullshit, i've been there through everything. you're MY everything. she's NOTHING."

"but you don't know anything about me."

and he knew he struck a chord when her eyes began to water. she screamed at him again, a high pitched screech that killed his ears. she threw something else at him, but it didn't matter. he wasn't looking anymore.

she approached him now, holding whatever else she could find to use against him.

"and what makes you say that austin?"

she scrambled to find anything as leverage to use against him, to show she still had power over him.

but she didn't.

"because you never chose me. and i will always choose her."

~ ~

you gently pressed the wet towel against his forehead, soaking up whatever was left of his scars. he closed his eyes to your touch, letting you take control of everything. your legs tangled into each other as you sat together on your bed.

there was something so natural with the way you took care of him, bandaging his wounds, and icing the bruises on his skin.

like you'd been doing this for years.

and he would let you do it forever if he could.

"austin?"

"yes?" his eyes fluttered open to your voice.

"you're not going back there with her right...?" your voice merely just a whisper, feeling as if your words were passing a boundary.

a boundary that you didn't know no longer existed.

he shook his head no, smiling weakly, still trying to remain strong in front of you.

"then stay with me."

your heart speaking faster than your mind could catch up and you panicked at the words. you were so preoccupied by how embarrassed you felt that you didn't notice how red austin had gotten as well.

"i mean... you can sleep on the bed and i can take the couch," you quickly corrected yourself and austin let out a small laugh. something you haven't heard in weeks.

"it's okay, i can take the couch. this is your apartment after all."

there was a calm silence between you two, as you slowly finished placing the last bandage on, pressing the adhesive gently on his skin. and as you leaned back to fully look at him, you could still see the marks that she left behind on him, even when you tried to cover it.

she still lingered in the air between you.

and because of that, your eyes began to water again.

austin quickly reacted, seeing the way you moved away from him. like you were afraid to break him.

"what's wrong?" his voice wavering as you searched through everything to find the right things to say. to find anything to say.

"i just... i don't understand people who hurt people, especially when it's someone like you."

the way you reacted swelled something in his heart and all he could think about was finding a way to comfort you. to take your pain away.

and so, he pulled you towards him, where you were tangled up into each other again. pain shot down through his body at the effort, but he didn't care. he just wanted to ease your pain.

his hand reached your cheek, gently placing a strand of hair behind your ear. and he leaned in to take away the distance between you two, as his lips met yours.

and he kissed you.

the kiss was so soft, so comforting. and you melted right into him like your heart had always wanted to for all those months, since the first time you met him.

he pulled you closer to him, as if there was even a sliver of something keeping you two from being together. he held your face in his hands, easing himself into you gently.

he was so afraid to hurt you, but there was something about the way you explored him, the fragility of your touch against his skin. it felt so unfamiliar yet comforting to his heart.

and yet, it broke yours.

he let himself get lost in you, the warmness surrounding him as you caught every little drop of water from falling into the abyss at the bottom.

the way your fingertips grazed each and every little scar, every bruise, like you were reassuring him. acknowledging its presence but knowing, it would never define him.

you slowly let go, fully gazing into his eyes and seeing those oceans coming alive again, just by the way he was looking back at you. and you saw something that you only wished to see months ago.

love.

his fingers wiped the remaining tears from your cheeks as yours just traced little circles around his, ending right at his lips again. your bodies tangled into each other once more, as you played with his hair.

he closed his eyes again to your touch and you saw him smile.

and it was one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen.

he gently caressed your cheek, gazing at you like he was afraid to lose you. like he was afraid to forget you.

"stay with me... please."

his voice wavered, as if he doubted that your heart would ever let you leave him.

"always."

[peachyfnaf]

Hello chatters. currently 8:30 in the morning, and I've been seeing a lot of Sun love going around (based btw) which reminded me that even though I don't yap about him nearly as much as I do Nexus, Sun was also given such a short end of the stick when it came to this arc.

I don't care for Monty, but I do love Puppet, but the way they both pressured Sun into choosing what to do with Nexus (New Moon at the time)??? that shit is so fucked. and yeah, because I am who I am (a Nexus apologist lol), I was mad and hurt when Sun was unable to tell them to not kill him. but unfortunately that tracks for him.

Sun's trauma response is, most of the time, to freeze. he's done it before when confronted by past Eclipse's, Bloodmoon's- if you're willing to use other dimensions as examples, Servant Sun quite literally froze and surrendered with his hands in the air out of fear when Old Moon first met him.

So, he did it again. he was put in a terrifying situation, and he froze. which led to Nexus freezing in space too amiright ahahahahhhhh

So, shit was already fucked for him at this point. because not only did he lose a close family friend (Solar), tried to help the other 3 through their grief and prioritizing their feelings over his own because he was- objectively- the least close with Solar, lose his brother to madness (which we now know there was like 10x more to that then just 'grief' makin' him act as he did. y'know. glares at Dark Sun and NSP), could basically do NOTHING as Earth was kidnapped by Ruin/Bloodmoon, and Nexus was blasted into space by Puppet.

And even though that was the end of that main arc, dude CONTINUED TO BE HANDED L'S AFTERWARDS. Old Moon being brought back by Monty (Monty.. >:[) without Sun even being asked about it first, Sun not being given the chance to properly heal from/mourn Nexus because O.M was now there, he filled his role, and O.M does not like Nexus. (chatters, I'm gonna warn you, ever since he came back, I've been an Old Moon hater. do not like that guy.) anD THEN EVERYTHING WITH DAZZLE/EVELYN??? july 16th of this year was like a very high peak in what's, to me, a very low-on-the-chart arc, but THAT DOESN'T MEAN SUN WAS OKAY DURING IT JFCCC. the TRAUMA he was reliving during that time HURTED

And even where he is now- he got his magic back, yuippee yayyy!!!

Because of it it seems like he's now intrinsically intertwined with NSP, and multiple people want to use him as a goddamn radar to find Wither Shards now. one of those people literally being The Creator, yaknow, like the stories Biggest Bad???

And another, "oooh, yaknow, that happeneddd, ahahahahhh.." was The Creator psychologically torturing him in one of the darkest SAMS eps' to date because of it.

AND. And, finally, the most recent episode that was Yapped to me about that well. 1, just made me hate O.M more, and 2, made me want to just wrap Sun in a blanket in front of a fireplace. The "Invaded By CRINGY FNAF in Vrchat" one. the way O.M spoke to Sun in that ep, the use of the gravely K.C voice that O.M only uses when making threats, I- I'll fuckin-

LEAVE THAT LITTLE GUY ALONE. I HOPE WHEN YOU AND NEXUS INEVITABLY FIGHT YOU GET CLOCKED IN THE JAW FOR THAT ONE. GOOD LORD.

...I've been typing this for like 50 minutes, apparently I had a lot more to say when it came to Sun than I first thought DGAIEPHDWGWLAH

Canon. canon, please, let Sun do something. let him be the one to free Nexus from NSP corruption, because of how much he's been shown to be resilient to it. let Sun be the one to stop The Creator's next big scheme instead of Moon. let him do things as important as all the others instead of just cleaning. the pieces for him to do so are right there. now put them in place.

[deepestnightcolor]

If you haven’t gotten sick of writing Sam fics I would love some headcanons with a little plot of him x a kind of stoic/shy reader who’s into music like him ☺️☺️ maybe a platonic to huge crushing on his end?? (Ofc mutual pining though, because who doesn’t love Sam?? 💕💕)

ᴀ/ɴ: HEHEHE, okay, this was also so fun to write. I love oblivious Sam, okay? I hope you can enjoy this one - it turned out much longer than I wanted it to, whoops! Thank you so much for your time and request, love!

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: Sam (SDV) x GN!Reader

ᴡᴄ: 1301 words

ᴍᴅɴɪ ✧ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: none, just fluff.

☾ ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ᴍᴇʟᴏᴅʏ ☽

You were stoic – always had been. Not that you weren’t friendly, no, quite the opposite! You were a person with a heart of gold, Granny Evelyn would say. Always listening to people with great interest and concern, taking on every request on the blackboard, never missing a birthday. It was just that nobody had ever heard you speak more than three words in a row and avoided any and all eye contact; no one had ever seen you laugh or…show any emotion, really. However, that didn’t mean that Sam didn’t find you absolutely and wholeheartedly adorable. He had already tried to pick up a conversation with you more than once but had always been left with the realization that you abruptly stopped speaking after forcing out three words, only humming from then on out. Sam had realized that you liked music about two seasons in – by accident, really. He had seen you standing in front of his window as he played his bass, bobbing your head to the gentle music that sneaked out of his room. However, once you had realized that you had been caught, you looked like a deer in headlight, turning on your heel and abandoning whatever it was that you had been doing. Once the blond had been tasked to bring you some of the crispy bass his mother had made and found you sitting on the front porch, playing an ukulele and singing a quiet tune. It had been drenched in melancholy, and if Sam wasn’t entirely incorrect, one of yearning. He had struggled to step into your field of view, something inside of him refusing to force this moment to end. Yet he had sensed it carried some sort of intimacy; one that you weren’t ready to share. But Yoba did his heart pound for you – his blood was rushing so loud in his ears that he was sure it could have created its own orchestra. He had been especially loud as he entered your property, even going through the trouble of pulling his oversized headphones from his head, pretending he hadn’t ever heard a thing. “The ukulele,” he murmured upon seeing your deer-in-headlights look, “I like it. Like a mini-guitar.” You looked at the instrument that was still in your hands, then looked back up at Sam. And for the first time, Sam actually saw you smile and was addicted.

Sam decided that your shared love for music could be a possibility to build a bridge between the two of you. His attempts were simple at first, opening his window whenever he would play the bass. Sometimes he would catch a glimpse of you, smiling to yourself as you listened to the piece he played.

Sam would try to figure out your favourite songs. Watching you in the saloon and how you reacted to the different records that played. It would take him a while to figure out that when you tapped both your foot and nodded your head meant that you liked the song a lot. He would be quick to take a note, which would lead to his friends affectionately teasing him about carrying a notebook around with him.

Whenever Sam knew you would be around to hear, he would play the tunes that seemed to be your favourites. And really, at times, they would bear fruit with you smiling up at him, not clapping lightly instead of running away. He would give you a thumbs up, heart leaping in his throat at the realization that he had made you smile again.

Once, after he had written a song late at night, he took a walk around town. As he passed your farm, he could hear the ukulele again. Almost shyly he would enter your farm, waiting for you to shoo him away. When you would smile at him, he would come closer. “I liked that. What song is it?” He would ask, hands crossed behind his back. “Wrote it myself,” you’d tell him, adding, as if you had always spoken more than three words, “for someone.” Sam’s brows would furrow at that – because it had sounded a little like a love song.

Sam would decide that he would like to hear your opinion on one of his songs, given that you had shared one with him. He would tape the paper to the side of his house just beneath the window and hoped you would see it on your daily stroll through town. His face would flush with redness when he found the note that had been placed next to the paper reading: “Nice. Sing it for me once?”

And he would sing it for you, standing in front of his house. This felt too personal to be separated by a wall, he would find. And really, you would sit down in front of him, and Sam felt like he was playing in front of way too many people in a way too crowded room. But the way your eyes would sparkle at him, the way you would tenderly smile, it would give him the energy to give his best.

The next morning, he would find a paper taped to his window and find a song that had been jotted down in your handwriting. He would read through the lines, brows again furrowing as he realized that it talked about a man and a lyrical self that yearned for his attention, but just couldn’t find the words.

He would take the note back to your farm and would tape it to the wall with the words “Nice. Sing it for me once?” scribbled on a note placed next to it.

He would feel anxious all day, checking beneath his window for a new note what felt like every five minutes. He would be so nervous, speeding up and down in his room, sitting down at his desk to write, just to jump up again.

When you finally would get back to him, he would be in complete awe as you sing, staring at you like an angel in disguise of a farmer. “And?” You would ask. “That was…wow. Thank you.” There wasn’t more to be said; he would be at a loss for words.

Sam would try to get you to sing with him every now and then, but you would just smile at him. “Once you figure out who my songs are about.”

Ever since, Sam would listen even more closely to you. Trying to find clues in everything.

He would try luring you out of your shell even more by writing more heartfelt songs as well, but you would simply smile at him instead of dropping more hints.

At some point, Sam would whine to Sebastian, telling him about some lyrics. The less private ones, of course, and he would make Seb swear on his bike that he wouldn’t tell a soul. “Sounds like you, doesn’t it,” Sebastian would say, without even looking away from the screen of his computer. When he finally did, he would notice that Sam had long vanished from the spot on the couch, already on his way to the farm.

“Are the songs about me?” Sam would yap, all breathless as he would stare at you with doe eyes, and it would be the first time he would hear you laugh. It wouldn’t be loud and all-consuming like he had expected, but gentle and filling. “Fuck, I really thought I would make a lyric like “I really like you, Sam.” I began running out of ideas.”

Sam would stare at you, before hugging you tightly to his chest. It wouldn’t surprise him that you returned the hug, and it wouldn’t put any shame on him that you would be able to hear his thundering heart, playing its very own song for you.

[theholmwoodfoundation]

LETTER From Jonathan Quincey Harker to Mina Harker Transcribed for the Whitby Archives

Monday 19th August 1906 Dearest Mother,  I am writing to you today from the city of Amsterdam. Uncle Jack and I visited Uncle Abe and went to the Rijksmuseum together. It is a beautiful place. I was able to see a Rembrandt up close. I wish I were able to capture its beauty so I can bring it home to show you. Uncle Abe tells me that when he was a young man, this museum used to be a private royal collection, housed in far too small a room, but the new building makes it much easier to see the paintings.  After the museum visit, we visited the Foundation headquarters. Uncle Abe needed to rest, so he took his leave, as his illness made it hard for him to be present with us. It is sad to see him so frail, but when he has the energy he has much life in his eyes. I was fortunate to see Anna and Evelyn while we were there. Mikael sent his best wishes, but he was already travelling as they had been preparing for their work in the Carpathians. I am eager to join them. Uncle Jack said that when I finished my schooling I could ask your permission to go. I hope that would be okay with you, Mother. I very much wish to help. We will travel back to England on Wednesday by train, so we should be home before the 24th as we have made dinner plans. Forgive me, but I have found the perfect gift for you in Amsterdam, which I will save for that day together. Thank you again for letting me go on this trip. Perhaps when schooling is over, we can do some travelling together?  Love, Jonny

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

A random thought, during the Mr. Qi's Crop Challenge (you know the one were you have to plant and shipped 500 Qi Beans) how will the SDV/SVE Bachelors gonna react to their lover (the Farmer) planting this weird looking crop that looks like a blueberry with sunglasses across the farm fields. 😂

Ah, Qi beans... Probably my least favourite quest, because spending a whole month growing this stuff, and also getting these fucking beans instead of cool gifts in chests or fish.... Ugh. Oh well, sorry for that ��

Even though this fruit is annoying to me, the ask itself regarding the reactions of others to it is pretty funny, hee hee. Thanks for the ask, and enjoy! 🫰💖

_________________________________________

SDV/SVE bachelors react to the Qi fruit:

"Looks creepy..... And cool, by the way. What did you do to make them grow like that?" Sebastian's spouse is a virtuoso at growing all sorts of unusual crops, and he thinks it's a mega cool ability. Just a week ago they ate a salad made from an 'ancient fruit', and the day before yesterday they cut up a giant mushroom crop that was the size of a large pumpkin (even though Sebby's doesn't like shrooms, it was still cool!). Now it's the weird fruit with sunglasses. He wonder what unusual plant Farmer will grow tomorrow...

"Oh, I know! Are those fruits and vegetables that grow in different shapes?" Sam recently watched a video about gardeners who grow square watermelons or tomatoes in the shape of hearts using plastic moulds. So the guitarist reckoned his spouse had decided to join the trend too. A strange choice, yeah, but hey - bonus for cool sunglasses! And what does this 'Qi' fruit taste like? Looks like a giant blue melon, Sammy wouldn't mind a tasty snack. Anyway, he doesn't know much about gardening himself, so he'll leave that to Farmer.

"Did you buy sunglasses for every fruit you grow or what?" And tell us, dear Alex - why would your beloved Farmer do that? These things maybe look like sunglasses, but are hardly sunglasses. But who knows? It's definitely an unfamiliar fruit for an athlete, especially compared to what his grandmother Evelyn used to grow in the community garden all the time. But if it's edible and full of vitamins (no), then Alex doesn't really care about the look of the Qi fruit. "Hey, even if this tastes awful, we'll have plenty of pairs of sunglasses!"

"That's some ugly ass fruit right here. Do people really eat that stuff now?" Truth be told, while working at JojaMart, Shane had managed to see stranger products labelled as 'novelty'. This applied not only to obscure sauces and snacks of dubious origin, but also to fruits and vegetables. The blue colour of the "Qi" fruit Farmer grew generally gave Shane the idea that his spouse had purchased the seeds just from Joja.co. It looked strange, but Shane didn't even mind tasting it. If it's edible at all. This fruit certainly doesn't get any worse than Joja's 'special' sauce for nachos, of that he's sure.

"Honey, are you sure it's safe to eat?" Every time another crop of obscure origin ripens on the farm, Harvey's heart begins to pound with worry. What if it's poisonous? What if it's not handled properly and you could get food poisoning? Why is it such a strange shape? "Farmer, please..." The poor doctor goes through all the books on vegetables, fruits and berries, hoping to find some information about this Qi fruit and whether it's okay to eat it (spoiler - to no avail). Either it's another "healthy" product from Joja or something else. Either way, Harvey will be sceptical, to say the least.

"...If I understand correctly, my soul, this is our dinner for today?" Elliott could have sworn the fruit had just winked at him! The writer had heard that some farmers and gardeners deliberately grow their crops in a variety of shapes to make them look extravagant and sell them for more money, but... Of all the shapes, his spouse chose the face... But maybe that's the kind of crop that's in high demand on market right now. Elliott hoped that if they were to bake strudel with this 'Qi' fruit today, it would taste better than it looked. Also... sunglasses?

"Hmm, I wonder... Where exactly did you get those seeds, my love?" It is not appropriate for Lance to judge the strange crop that Farmer has grown, when the adventurer himself has a monster crop ripening in a corner on the farm, with an appearance similar to a huge eyeball. Nevertheless, this strange fruit arouses a share of suspicion in the pink-haired man. Something is not right here.... If his dear spouse doesn't mind, Lance would also like to take a look at this fruit, for he is very curious to know if this crop has any magical properties. Or anything that might threaten him or Farmer.

"This... thing is unnatural. What in the name of all spirits did you grow this abomination from?" Magnus's whole gut screams that this is not just a fruit, but the spawn of a dangerous mage or witch. Thin threads of dark magic emanate from this fruit, and the wizard certainly doesn't like Farmer being in contact with that magic. "Eat it? Absolutely not! And is it even edible?" A worried Magnus questions his spouse about who gave them these seeds and why. Hearing the name 'Qi', he sighs heavily. Mr. Qi. Of course... This name definitely promises a lot of chaos for everyone.

"Erm... That's wonderful, darling! You've managed to grow this, um... What's it called again?" Victor had spent two whole days in the town library and looked all sorts of books at home - not a single mention, about this mysterious 'Qi fruit'. It's not, to tell the truth, the strangest thing Farmer grew in their fertile fields (monster crops will always be at the top of the list for strangeness. Especially the one with the giant eyeball). Maybe it's some new fruit his spouse has discovered? Victor is sure the Farmer knows what they're doing. But yeah, he's supportive.

[greynatomy]

proud of you

lucy bronze x reader

second to last world cup fic. yhis was supposed to be my last, but i saw another in my inbox that’s i should start on.

my requests are closed as of right now. i’ll open it back up when i’ve finished doing the ones i could do, so bare with me.

i will still be writing ones of my ideas and have a couple almost done so keep a lookout for that.

letme know what you think!

-grey

———

In the stands, decked out in England jerseys, with your last name displayed proudly on your back, your two year old daughter, Evelyn, having ‘Mama’ on hers.

“Are you excited bubba?”

“Yeah! Mama win?” She looks at you with her big innocent eyes.

“We don’t know yet, so we’ll have to wait and see.”

It’s a very intense game, as expected. It is the final of the Women’s World Cup. Everyone was getting pushed, pulled, taken down. Evie did find it amusing whenever she sees someone fall.

In the twenty-ninth minute was when your heart stopped, Spain’s very own captain, Olga Carmona, scored a goal that erupted their fans into loud cries and cheers, you were glad that Evie had some ear protecting headphones, while England fans looked disappointed. You kept your hopes up. There’s still lots of time left.

But all your home diminishes once your heat the whistle for full-time. You were very proud of Spain, especially Lucy’s Barcelona teammates that you grew close with, despite having a shitty manager.

“Mommy dey los?”

“They did bub. But that’s okay, we’re still super proud of Mama right?”

“Proud Mama.” Evie nods in understanding. “We see Mama now?”

“In a little bit bub.”

Your heart breaks for your wife, even more when you see her collapse to the ground in tears. You want nothing more than to wrap your arms around her and comfort her, but you want to give her some time with her team and peers.

After the medal and awards ceremony, family and friends are now allowed to go down onto the pitch. People ruching to go to their footballer relatives. You take a bit longer, trying to pick up all the toys, snacks and whatever else you brought for your daughter to keep her entertained during the match.

Stuffing everything in the backpack, you put the straps over your shoulders and carry Evelyn on your hip, making your way down to the pitch. Once on the grass, Evelyn starts to wiggle, wanting out of your arms, so you put her down. She starts running as fast as her little legs could. In the distance you see someone crouching down, holding her arms open, waiting for your daughter to get to her.

“Mama!” She yells out, excited to be able to hold her Mama again after so long.

Lucy wraps her arms around her baby, spinning in circles. She suddenly feels her neck become wet, pulling her daughters face from her neck to look at her.

“What are you crying bubby?”

“I miss you so much Mama!” She cries, her bottom lip jutting out.

You can’t help but admire your wife and daughter together. She has truly been the most amazing wife throughout your relationship, especially with your pregnancy. You gave her a real hard time and she was a champ through it all.

“Hey, Darling.” She wraps her free arm around you, leaning down to give you a kiss, only for it to be blocked by a hand pushing you away.

“No! My Mama.”

You pout, playfully being sad. “But she was mine first.”

“Bu-but mine now.”

“Well, what if I told you that’s you’ve got to share both Mommy and Mama in a couple months?”

Lucy’s confused. Why would her daughter have to share them both.

“What?” You daughter asks.

You grab a small jersey from the backpack. On the back, it reads ‘Bronze 2.”

“No way!” Lucy starts crying again, you joining her. “Really? It worked?”

“It did, Hun.”

She puts Evelyn down and wraps both her arms around your waist, giving you a tight, but gentle embrace. She pulls back and grabs the sides of your face with both hands giving you and passionate kiss.

“I love you. Oh, I’m so excited.” She mumbled against your lips.

“I love you. And I am so proud of you. You made it this far, be proud of yourself for being here. You played hard and made us all so proud.”

She picks Evie back up in her arms. “You’re gonna be a big sister!”

“Sister?”

“Yeah! There’s a baby in Mommy’s tummy.”

“She eat baby?”

“No, bub. The baby is gonna grow really big so Mommy’s tummy is gonna grow big and keep baby brother or sister safe.”

“Wow! Hi, baby. I sissy!” Evie has her face pressed up on your stomach.

Lucy wraps her arms back around you. “Thank you.”

“For what?” You question.

“For loving me.”

“It isn’t difficult to. I love you more.”

“Not possible.”

[eimids]

uuuu just an idea off the top of my head rn but maybe reader is trying to read on the couch and lucy comes home tipsy and horny and literally carries reader into bed and fucks her into next week

What are you doing?

Lucy Bronze x reader

I loved this idea, made it a blurb cause I wanted to write something quick! Hope you enjoy.

You were just casually chilling in your apartment. Lucy was out with her friends having some drinks. She had invited you too to come with them but you rather had a nice evening with your book and some good snacks.

That's exactly what you decided to do. You grabbed your new favorite book, 'the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo' and continued reading it. You were captured by the book and didn't notice how time went by. It was soon midnight, you fixed some tee for yourself and made yourself comfortable on the couch were you continued to read. You didn't want to go to sleep before your girlfriend Lucy was home, so if anything would happen, you could always go and pick her up.

You expected her to come home later and were surprised when the door opened soon after you made your tee.

"Hi love, did you have a good night?" You asked her.

She didn't answer thought. She took her shoes off and came to the living room. She still didn't say anything as she grabbed you and threw you on her shoulder.

"What the hell Luce, what are you doing" You questioned. Your book and tee was still left on the couch.

"The things you do to me, shit" She just murmured before throwing you onto the bed. "I was all hot and bothered all night because oh your little gift in my purse"

Now it all made sense. Lucy had found (used) the g-string you had on her purse when you wanted to tease her. So now she was all frustrated and needed to fuck you.

"Because of that, I'm gonna fuck you so you can't even remember your own name baby" She whispered into your ear and then came to kiss you.

You could smell the alcohol in her breath, it somehow made the situation even more sexy. Your hot girlfriend had left the bar just to come and fuck you because of your underwear.

"Mhmm please Lucia, I wan't you cock inside me" You moaned.

She didn't waste time as she hurried to your closet where you had all your toys. She took out a strap and a blindfold. She made sure you were okay before blinding you with it. She manhandled you on your knees. Ass up and face down, just the way she enjoyed you the most.

She put the harness on and attached the dildo to it. She then slapped your ass a few times which made you jolt. It was unexpected but you didn't mind at all. Lucy spent a lot of time in the bedroom but now her dominant personality was showing off even more. Maybe it was the alcohol but you loved it.

She gave a few more slaps before sinking her fingers to your waiting heat. You were wet enough from just the spanking, you could have taken the whole strap immediately.

"Oh you have such a perfect pussy, it's just for me right? No one else gets to fuck you like this?"

"Mm, just for you Lucia, I love it when you play with my pussy" You moaned an answer to her.

"Keep making those pretty noises for me when I fuck you" She encouraged you.

She then took her fingers out and replaced them with the strap. You were in heaven as the strap went deep to your insides. You could swear that the strap was bigger than the usual strap you used. This was just nearly fitting inside of you. The veins of it were brushing your walls perfectly. And what was the best is that it hit your sweet spot every single time Lucia thrusted the strap in and out of you.

She kept giving slaps to your ass because she could help it. It was just so perfect in front of her. All round and all for her to use. She even brought her other arm to push a bit on your stomach. That made you go feral. Your moans left your mouth as she kept banging you from behind. Her hips meeting your ass with every single thrust.

It was all so perfect. All so good, so when her fingers found your oh so needy clit, you were a goner. Screams of pleasure leaving your mouth as Luce kept fucking you through your orgasm. It was perfect, it was all you needed to make your eyes roll to the back oh your head again as your second wave of pleasure filled your body.

It was nothing like you had ever felt before, you could feel yourself squirt on Lucy's lower half as the mind blowing orgasm still kept you on a haze. It was almost like an out of body experience for you. The orgasm so strong that Lucy had to keep your hips in place so you wouldn't collapse on her.

She admired her work. You were a complete mess for her, and that was all she wanted for that night.

[sarahreesbrennan]

sorry if you have already answered this, but are we getting any queer rep in Long Live Evil? 💕 i am super excited to see what you've cooked up for us either way!

I came back after I'd gone off on one, seeing the post had struck a chord and being thankful but fearful of my inbox. Let me say with delighted surprise that all the asks are very kind.

Thank you for this one, sweet anon. I am so excited and so nervous about my best beloved, Long Live Evil, and about coming back with a new book of my own after so long, when I believed for a long time it was hopeless.

I'm really grateful to find readers waiting for me. But I know readers are naturally more invested in characters they know: I extremely appreciate you taking an interest in the future.

So, short answer: YEAH you are!

Long answer: Long Live Evil wouldn't exist without its queer narratives.

C.S. Pacat and I were talking in our virtual Brookline Booksmith event recently about our favourite Disney villains. C.S. Pacat picked Maleficent, a fine choice. I picked Snow White's Evil Queen. We agreed we loved most of them.

Here's the relevant excerpt I was quoting in my last post from Carmen Maria Machado's In The Dream House, saying 'I think a lot about queer villains, the problem and pleasure and audacity of them.' Well... me too.

I think many of us have experienced feeling made wrong in some way - for not wanting what society said we should or being what we were expected to be - and that one step along that journey of discovery is going 'Okay, if it's wicked, I'll just BE wicked.' And that's part of why those characters appeal - because they seem free, and free of pain.

But modern storytelling isn't confined to coding, and audiences can now feel free to expect, not the certainty, but the possibility characters who aren't introduced as such still might actually turn out to be LGBT+. The essays I've read about Supernatural, Teen Wolf, Sherlock, Ted Lasso, Fox 9-1-1... I think the latest argued Jaime Lannister was bisexual. (Pretty persuasive.)

I remember reading the Raven Cycle going 'oh? OH.' I remember being at a writing retreat in 2013 and running through the halls screaming about Nico diAngelo. Ten years later we got a Nico diAngelo book co-written by Rick Riordan and the amazing Mark Oshiro. I watched Red, White and Royal Blue with a friend and she said 'honestly I hope the guys get together, but...' and I (having read the book) silenced myself with a herculean effort and watched her hopes come true. I didn't know about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and almost dropped the book in a swimming pool. But I've also read and watched many things thinking, just maybe... oh, no. Still that hope existing is meaningful, the thought that if the story had gone differently, if this revelation had happened, if this realisation had happened, if, if, if...

Long Live Evil is a story about the story going differently and asking yourself questions about your own nature, and the escape to fiction of those who really need escape. The book is based on that 'if,' and the 'if' itself is joyous, and brings me back to the idea of gleefully transgressing the narrative that much villain love is based on.

It's also an ensemble story with a rogue's gallery of characters and multiple PoVs. (I was much inspired by the Six of Crows ensemble.) So it isn't about any one character's romance, and by the book's nature there exist many possibilities. A critique partner read and said 'I didn't know you were going THERE' and I responded 'Should I?'

I've never been one to confirm where stories are going, and I won't do so now. I'm not talking about any one character or telling you a direction.

I'm just saying yes to rep. It's baked in.

[enchantedchocolatebars]

Fic Request: Kid Philip is sick from the mold, so Caleb, Evelyn and her parents are taking care of him. Maybe add a moment of Kid Philip not wanting to take the medicine.

Common Mold Medicine

Summary: Kid Philip won't take his common mold medicine unless...

Ao3 version

Thank you for the help, @talisman975!

Enjoy!

"Little sips, Philip," Mrs. Clawthorne gently instructed the unwell boy as the mother held a straw to his lips.

He was currently dealing with a case of common mold while laying down on the guest room bed inside the Clawthorne household.

After sipping his water, he murmured a soft thank you when Mr. Clawthorne wiped his chin with the corner of his blanket.

After slipping a bowl of pre-cut flesh and blood fruit into Philip's hands, which the sugars in the sweet, exotic fruit would help his human immune system out, Evelyn changed the damp washcloth on his forehead.

Philip closed his eyes and snuggled into his blanket once his brother finished fluffing his pillow, and he felt the elder's hand gently pat his head.

"Don't worry, Philip," Caleb whispered with the softest of reassurance.

"I know things seem to be unpleasant now, but you're going to be okay. This illness is something you can overcome."

Everyone was making every effort to lower Philip's fever.

...

Philip turned his head away from the spoonful of cloudy brown-colored medicine being held to his lips.

"I don't want to take it," a stubborn and stuffy-nosed Philip pouted as he crossed his arms in defiance.

"It smells icky," he huffed.

"But, Philip, it's crucial that you take this," Mr. Clawthorne said calmly and carefully as he pulled the spoon back, not wanting to rile up the brunette.

"It will aid in your recovery," Mrs. Clawthorne tried to persuade with a sweet smile.

However, Philip frowned and shook his head.

"Caleb...," Evelyn whispered as she and her parents looked to the blonde in hopes that he could convince Philip to take his medicine.

"Oh, Philip, won't you please take your medicine?" Caleb asked with a small smile as he took a seat on the side of the bed, his tone lively.

At first, Philip wouldn't budge, but then Caleb proceeded to bring out the overly pleading puppy dog eyes.

"Pleaaaase? For me? For your big brwother?" he implored in a sticky-sweet voice, his eyes big and full of sparkles.

After some silence, Philip finally sighed.

"... Fine," he agreed with another huff, frowning about the fact that he had given in so easily as Caleb and the Clawthornes released breaths of relief and smiled at each other.

"But," he continued, developing a giant smirk on his face as he was about to make a deal, pointing a finger at everyone.

"You all have to take it with me."

Those certainly weren't words that Caleb, Evelyn, and Mr. and Mrs. Clawthorne were expecting to hear.

"But, Philip, we're not sick," Mr. Clawthorne gently stated with a tender yet visibly nervous smile, which only made Philip return to crossing his arms.

"I won't take that medicine unless everyone else takes it with me!" he declares assertively and adorably, causing everyone to sigh.

It looks like they didn't have a choice.

...

"... Mmm!" Philip hummed in delight as he sucked up and swallowed all of his medicine, removing his spoon from his mouth.

"Wow, that actually tasted really good!"

The medicine possessed both a sharp burst of tartness and a sweet, apple-like flavor.

"More, please!" Philip politely requested as he held his spoon out, smiling an innocent, closed-eyed smile at everyone with cheery, flushed cheeks.

Meanwhile, Caleb and the Clawthornes had extremely exaggerated puckered faces as a result of taking the medicine while healthy.

They appeared as though they had all sucked on the sourest lemon ever for a considerable amount of time.

[pixeldolly]

The Sacrifice - Part 7

"...and some Viper Essence, for good measure. There. I'm good to go."

Although Eliza Clare was considerably older and more experienced than her, Fiona felt confident. She had had an excellent magical education. Besides, this was a matter of principle - Mistvale was her coven's territory.

"Let's hope we're right about this, or things could get extremely embarrassing."

"You still have doubts?!"

"I admit, the evidence is starting to stack up, but we have been jumping to a number of conclusions."

"I'd rather jump to the wrong conclusions than sit on the right ones. I swear, if she's hurt Roman, I will tear her throat out!"

Jacob was very much in agreement.

"I'm no witch or werewolf, but I'd still rather not go in there without a weapon. Fiona?"

"Um...I think there's an axe under the sink. I take it there's no point in trying to convince you to stay behind?"

"None whatsoever."

The apartment next door was as dark and quiet as Jacob and Evelyn remembered. It seemed odd; one would think that thin walls and nosy neighbors made a townhouse a poor lair for an evil witch.

Fiona explained that there were ways to ensure privacy, although she admitted the traditional secluded hut or mansion were far more convenient.

One day, she would have one of her own.

"Okay, so how are we doing this? We can't very well knock on the front door - besides, I already tried that."

"I could break a window and get in that way. Breaking and entering...just before election season too. If this gets out, your aunt will have my hide, Jake."

"Hold on...let me try something."

To Fiona's surprise, it worked.

"No anti-teleportation wards? Sloppy!"

Teleporting inside a fellow witch's sanctuary without permission was considered extremely gauche, but that didn't mean it never happened. Given the circumstances, Fiona figured a little breach of protocol was warranted.

Eliza really ought to know better than to leave her lair unsecured.

Evelyn's fur bristled as she burst through the newly-unlocked door. She scented the air, noting a sharp bitterness with hints of something sickly sweet, like rotten eggs. The closer she got to the epicenter of that wrongness, the stronger the sense of impending danger became.

The source leaped up at her immediately: a door surrounded by a flashing red glow. It looked starkly ominous in the dimness of the hallway.

Heedless, Evelyn charged it, yelping as the ward repelled her like a furnace blast to the face. The air began filling with the stench of singed fur.

"What the fuck?!"

"Evelyn? Are you okay?!"

"Yeah I'm fine, it's just - fucking hell! Fiona, do you think you can get us past this...barrier thing?"

"Don't insult me."

Nothing could have prepared them for the sight which greeted them as they breached Eliza Clare's innersanctum:

A hideous altar surrounded by votive candles...

A ritual circle painted in blood...

Roman Turner, bloodied and terrified, writhing in the clutches of his tormentor.

The Nameless One's talon was poised to gouge out Roman's right eye when it noticed the intruders. Nobody could be sure, but its fanged maw twisted into something that might have been a grin.

"What is thisss, witch? More sweetmeatsss?"

"GET. OUT!!!"

[softboo]

love me, ever so gently - part III

pairing: austin x reader

summary: you recently moved to a new apartment, making some new eccentric friends along the way. but what you didn't expect was falling in love with a stranger. a stranger you somehow couldn't stop thinking about

words: 2.3k

warning: depictions of alcohol, dark themes of domestic abuse in relationships, *minors please don't interact*

author's note: hii here's part III of the story!! this one was a lot of fun to make omg and it wasn't even supposed to go this way at all... it kinda just happened lmfaoo. i'm already writing the next part heh. but yeah, it truly means the world to me that you guys read these stories. like it really warms my heart, so thank you. hope you enjoy <3

previous part // next part

part III

"he's being abused cassie," you wanted to be straightforward on the topic, especially with how delicate the issue was. you thought she would say something, but she paused. like the weight of your words were slowly sinking in. the realization and the possibility landing right in front of her.

you were just afraid she wouldn't see it.

and she didn't.

"sweetie, what makes you say that? he seems fine."

for the past few weeks, austin started attending more events. the cooking class being one of his favorites. you no longer sat with him anymore, feeling awkward every time you spoke to each other. the silence became so deafening that you soon changed partners. but a part of you always seemed to wonder how he was doing. if he had any new bruises. if he was still healing from past injuries. if his pain was still there.

and if he was genuinely okay.

from someone who knew nothing, like the rest of your friends, he seemed to be doing amazing. and he was pretty good at keeping that front up.

maybe he found a way to put his guard up even more after you.

you all were spending dinner in the kitchen; evelyn taking her proper position as cook, insisting on making everything by scratch. it took a long time to convince her that george was there to help and when she did accept, he never left her side. making sure she had every ingredient ready.

he genuinely looked like he was a cook working for the head chef, but you and cassandra both knew he was mainly doing it for the food.

"i promise you cassie, he's not okay."

"if he wasn't okay dear, then why is he coming here to spend dinner with us?"

your eyes widened at the news, which made cassandra smile.

"you invited him?" panic started to rise up to your throat, "but why?"

"george invited him because his girlfriend is out of town for two weeks. he's going to be alone and no one deserves to be alone at a time like this."

you gritted your teeth, the thought of seeing him again after so long and now he was spending dinner with your friends made you feel slightly uncomfortable by the idea. not because you didn't want to see him, but moreso because your heart was so desperate to talk to him again.

"cassie, his girlfriend is the problem. he's probably so excited that she's gone, which is why he's attending more events."

"my love, listen to me." she took your hands from across the table, eyeing you with such intent and comfort that she let out a sigh.

"you know why i don't believe you?"

your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, not knowing where she was going with this.

"because i know how you feel about him," she waited for your reaction, but all you did was blink at her. "let's say this is true, the girlfriend is an abuser, then what?"

"then we help him right?"

"sure dear, but you need to ask yourself if you're doing that because you care about him or because you like him."

you bit your lip. why did there have to be a difference? you can care about someone right?

"and if it's the latter, you need to wait and see if he'll reach out to you. because again, he is taken."

that last part stung because it was true. some little part of your heart thought that maybe, just maybe, if he left his girlfriend, you could come in and be everything he deserved.

but it wasn't that easy. and he wasn't single.

"elvis my boy!! elvis is in the building!!" george exclaimed as austin arrived, wearing a black suit blazer. his blonde hair was styled in a way that looked messy, but accentuated his curls. and his eyes had oceans again, overflowing with life.

but what got you was his smile. he looked genuinely happy, embracing george into a tight hug. something george wasn't used to since he was always the one initiating, but he was all for it.

and for the first time, you doubted yourself and your theory. maybe cassandra was right.

maybe he really was okay.

austin went around to evelyn, who soon grew fond of him as her little cooking mentee. austin learning dinner dishes to desserts from all the classes he attended.

"the food smells lovely evelyn," his lower tone enveloped your heart and you hated how much he really did affect you. evelyn thanked him for his kind compliment.

"austin come and sit, the table is already made." cassandra offered the chair next to you and you panicked once more.

"hi again," his voice was smooth as he maneuvered his way around you to sit at the chair on your left. something about his tone and the way he held himself now felt like he was a stranger to you. like the guy you met before wasn't him at all.

or maybe a part of you saw him as broken and thought that you could be the one to fix him.

but your heart still stuck to that possibility. that this was all a front somehow. but you had no real reason to follow that thought. all you had was that pull on your heart.

"i like your suit," you gave him a weak smile as he thanked you kindly, pressing against the little wrinkled areas and loosening his jacket and tie.

"i just came back from dropping my girlfriend off at the airport so... i'm all yours for two weeks." he exclaimed, leaning back in his chair. your heart fluttered when he said that, but you knew it wasn't what he really meant.

evelyn and george placed the food on the table, a beautiful dinner feast for all of you. cassandra followed suit with the rest of the desserts as george popped up from his chair, running to get something.

"we forgot the wine!" he screamed from the hallway, hobbling back with two bottles. he eagerly poured an outrageous amount of wine in everyone's glass, left standing to offer a toast.

"to our new friend elvis," his toothy grin wide and proud as everyone raised their glass too. austin getting flustered as he tried to turn down the compliment, but evelyn insisted.

"and to my first cooking mentee, who i am so proud of," evelyn added, squeezing austin's cheeks. he laughed and you weren't sure why that sound hurt you.

you were the last to raise your glass as everyone cheered.

something about him being a part of the group should be celebrated, but you didn't know why it felt so painful. why him being a part of your life was hurting you.

or why him being happy killed you.

maybe because you wanted to be a part of that in his life, but knowing you couldn't be.

by the time you were done flooding yourself with all your conflicting thoughts, the dinner ended and all that was left was the chocolate cake in the center of the table. and you, picking at the icing with your fork.

you didn't remember anyone saying goodbye though, which made you feel even worse. you weren't exactly sure how much wine you drank either, considering your glass was empty. but you could've sworn it was full just a few minutes ago.

and then you saw him, coming back to your table. his blazer long gone and just his white dress shirt underneath. he looked disheveled but in a good way. something that showed he had a good time with his friends, which he did. he just wasn't sure if he remembered all of it.

"you want to bring the cake upstairs?" his voice felt like a blanket around you.

you looked at him with such confusion because... why would a kitchen have an upstairs?

"upstairs? why am i going upstairs?"

"because you need to go to bed."

"but i don't want to go to your apartment."

and his cheeks flushed red at your firm decision, feeling suddenly embarrassed for what you assumed. he did offer his arms for you to hold onto though, but you were hesitant to take it.

"i'm taking you back to your bed."

you sat there quietly, like you were debating whether or not to trust him. but you couldn't feel your legs so you had no other choice. and he smiled at you as you sat there and contemplated.

it wasn't long until he made the first move, wrapping his arm around your waist to hold you up while the other hand made sure you draped your arm around his shoulder. it felt like you were floating off the ground, either you were so far gone now or he was a lot taller than you thought.

when you reached the elevator, he struggled with keeping you upright, multiple failed attempts along the way of you falling forward, which made him almost lose his balance. it was like trying to walk without knowing where to go and not feeling the ground beneath you.

austin finally made it to your door as he tried to fumble through your bag for your key, while you nodded off for a split second. he kept one hand on your head, placing you as close to his chest as possible so you wouldn't fall over again, which made you blush immensely. your arms limply fell around his neck and he didn't mind at all, not even reacting to the way you fit right into the crook of his neck. your face surrounded by the smell of his cologne and little wavy pieces of his hair. you wished you could stay here forever.

"you smell really nice austin..." your words slurring with wine in your breathe. "can i have your cologne?"

"of course you can."

he couldn't help but laugh, which felt like a sympathy in your ears.

he finally found your key, opening the door for you. he slowly let you move first as he followed suit, trying to hold on to the sliver of soberness he had left in him.

it wasn't until you saw your living room that you excitedly left the comfort of his arms and screamed at your furniture.

"oh my gosh... YOU HAVE THE SAME APARTMENT AS ME!!" you squealed, turning back around to pull him into a hug, almost knocking him back outside. he held you for a moment, convincing himself that this was the alcohol talking.

this was just the wine.

"we're in your apartment love," he remarked and you let go all of a sudden and he felt the emptiness with it.

"oh."

your voice sounded so heartbroken that he almost felt bad for smiling at you.

"then why are you in my apartment?"

"because i need to make sure you get to bed okay." the alcohol still wavering a bit in his balance as he tried to maneuver you towards what he assumed was your bedroom. and he assumed correctly.

"i can do it on my own." you protested, finding your bed covers. you felt the softness of your blanket before you collapsed onto the bed, letting out a long awaited sigh. your eyes closed as you tried to ignore him. him and your overly excited heart.

"do you want to change first?"

you perked your head up and suddenly felt the room spinning. you were adament in saying yes, but you couldn't move your legs again.

"go away. i can do it by myself." you whined, slowly getting up and then collapsing on the floor, giggling.

austin just looked at you, holding in a laugh. you tried to push him out of your room and it actually worked, but only because he fell over outside.

"and you stay outside until i'm done." you ordered, your voice stern but slurred.

getting dressed drunk was probably one of the most difficult tasks you had to do at this very moment. and you haven't drank like this since college so you were mixing which part of your shirt was meant for your arm and your head.

by the time you finally had yourself dressed, you opened the door to see austin lying on the ground. his eyes closed, sound asleep.

"austin..." you whispered, crouching over him. the alcohol making you see double for a moment before using the floor to ground you. "austin, you can't sleep here."

he fluttered his eyes open as he gazed back at you. oceans engulfing you in endless waves. his hair all messy now as he just looked at you with such intrigue. it was so inviting.

he was so inviting.

you could've done anything, but you couldn't. you knew you couldn't.

but he was just laying there, gazing up at you like he's never seen you before. like he was seeing you for the first time all over again.

you wanted to caress his cheek, play with his hair, tell him he could stay.

but you couldn't.

it broke your heart that you couldn't have him. that he was with someone else.

you mustered enough courage, enough strength for the both of you, and whispered ever so softly to him.

"thank you for taking care of me..." your words blending into each other, feeling as if you were so far away from him.

and without thinking, you let your hand fall on his cheek, moving the little strands of hair that fell onto his face. like it was something natural that you've done for years.

and he closed his eyes to your touch.

you started to tear up, pulling everything you had left in you just to smile at him. that somehow he needed reassurance for your heartbreak.

"your girlfriend is so unbelievably lucky to have you austin," your voice breaking at the end, wanting to so desperately do something. do anything.

but all you did was collapse on the floor next to him, your body feeling limp from all the alcohol. he hardly moved from where he was, your words sinking slowly into his chest.

the weight of everything settling into him.

and for the first time, you were the reason why his oceans went dry.

[holdmytesseract]

A Spell To Break?

model!Tom Hiddleston x fem!Reader

Summary: When you have to witness Tom posing with another woman for a sexy perfume photoshoot, your insecurities are kicking in...

Warnings: thirst, angst, insecurities, swear words, fluff

Word Count: 4,3k

a/n: I couldn't help myself but to write a part three for this lil' series/AU. 👀 I had an idea and well... This is the result. I hope y'all enjoy it! 😁

Divider by the lovely @fictive-sl0th <3

Tagging: @lulubelle814 @km-ffluv @eleniblue @muddyorbsblr @vbecker10 @loz-3 @jennyggggrrr @mochie85 @chantsdemarins @peaches1958 @multifandom-worlds @fictive-sl0th @lovingchoices14 @simping-for-marvel @stupidthoughtsinwriting @vanilla-daydreaming @lou12346789 @lady-rose-moon @evelyn-kingsley @the-princess-of-loki @acefeather2002 @chokeanddagger @smolvenger

°☆• Masterlist •☆° Hiddles Masterlist •☆°

Here's part one and part two of the model!Tom series. This can be also read as a stand-alone fic.

(Credits for the pic goes to @multifandom-worlds )

The day had started so good. Better than the most days. You woke up early - but in your boyfriend's arms, had a nice breakfast, three wonderful photoshoots that morning, and the coffee machine wasn't broken. That was how every work day should be supposed to go. It was a perfect day - until after your lunch break. That was when the dream started to turn in a nightmare...

You had one photo shooting left for the day. A very huge photo shooting, to say the least... A perfume ad - and it was for none other than 'Dolce & Gabbana'. Yes, no joke. After you had landed the Calvin Klein job almost two years back, quite a few other big shoots followed. 'Dolce & Gabbana' was the fifth one this year - and it was July...

And not just that... Quite a few things had changed within those two years. You still worked with your best friend Sam - but she had promoted you and suddenly, you owned this little company as well; were the second boss. Beside that, you had found your soulmate and were in a very happy relationship. Remember that handsome lad with the tattoos and piercings, Tom Hiddleston? The newcomer in the model business? Exactly. You two were a thing now - a big thing.

All in all, you could say that the Calvin Klein photoshoot had turned your life upside down - in the best way possible.

You were in the studio now, setting everything up for the said perfume ad. A green screen, small wind machine and your camera, of course. The clothes your models were supposed to wear, laid perfectly folded on the little table in the corner. Sam had forwarded you the email of 'Dolce & Gabbana's management, so you knew what they wanted and what the setup should be. They didn't want anything super special, but it was definitely... spicy and sexy. A couple on a stony beach, with the sea and waves in the background. Wet hair and clothes; paired up with intimate poses.

You were totally lost in adjusting the camera and tripod, when you suddenly felt two muscular arms sneaking around your waist; big, gentle hands crossing in front of your tummy. You couldn't help but flinch at first at the sudden contact, but when you saw the beautiful, black inked flowers wove around the strong arms embracing you, you relaxed immediately. "Tommy?" You asked; giggling like a schoolgirl, as you felt his lips on the exposed skin of your neck. "What are you doing here?" You heard a deep chuckle rumbling through your boyfriend's chest. "Your humour is truly something else, darling." Uhhh, okay… Now you were a bit confused.

Frowning, you turned in Tom's embrace, hands landing on his white t-shirt clad pecs. His beautiful smile greeted you instantly; alongside those stunning baby blues. "My... My humour? Tommy, I'm afraid I can't follow you at the moment." Tom's expression changed at your words; eyebrows slanting. "Baby, I think we are talking past each other. You asked me, why I'm here. I thought you made a cute, little joke. I'm here because of you." You blinked, "Because of me?" before your cheeks turned red. "You are visiting me at work? Awww, cutie pie, that's so sweet of you!" Tom giggled, but shook his head. "No, darling. I'm here because you booked me for this photoshoot."

Your eyes widened. "Wait, what? No, I... I didn't book you for this photoshoot. I booked a couple, 'cause the management of 'Dolce & Gabbana' asked for it, so I booked Nicky and Tessa. Not you." Tom was visibly confused now as well. "What? But... But Luke told me I was booked for this photoshoot. Perfume ad. 'Dolce & Gabbana'. And since you were listed as the photographer, I didn't ask further."

Your frown deepened. "That's quite a bit quaint and... strange. Something definitely went wrong." Tom shrugged his shoulders; tongue darting out to wet his lips, bringing his tongue piercing on full display. "Perhaps it was a misunderstanding?" "Could be, yes. But that doesn't answer the question who booked you. Clearly, I didn't, the management neither and Luke had nothing to do with it as well. Who booked you th-"

You weren't able to finish your sentence. The thud of the wooden door to the studio closing shut cut you off. High heels click-clacked over the floor; announcing another person's arrival. And then her voice cut through the air. A voice you hoped you'd never hear again. Not after everything that happened.

"I did. He is here, because I wanted him to be here." Instantly - like struck by lightning, you let go of your boyfriend; eyes landing on the woman with blonde hair, leather skirt and skintight red top; looking as arrogant and tarted up as always...

Ivy. Your former high school best friend. Emphasis on former.

Back in school, you were like the yin and yang to each other. Soulmates. Inseparable. Now? Now you were not even close to what once was. Now, you were enemies. Why? Well...

It all started with you both sharing the dream of becoming a professional photographer. You followed this dream together. Bought your first professional camera together. Applied to various photo studios together. You encouraged each other. Always. For years. At some point, Ivy decided to switch to the model business instead - a decision you supported wholeheartedly. Since both your jobs were quite similar, you kept on helping each other to reach your goals - until that one particular day...

You didn't really know where you both took the wrong path, but suddenly, Ivy distanced herself more and more from you. She became bitter, harsh and especially jealous. Perhaps because you landed a big job first, but who knew? You spent endless nights awake; pondering about why things went as they did. Why you were losing your best friend. What mistake you made to get the ball rolling. You didn't know. You just didn't know. It ate you up inside. So, you decided to confront her - which caused things to escalate and get even worse. You walked in that conversation with the hopes of you and Ivy reunite as best friends. Instead, you walked out as enemies. She hurt you to the bones that day; called you unspeakable things and spat right into your face that you were nothing more than a millstone around her leg. With that, Ivy just moved on, but loved to give you absolute hell once in a while. It was exhausting, but it didn't stop you from reaching for your dream. And then you met Sam. She picked up all your broken pieces and puzzled them back together. She became your best friend - a true friend. Someone you could trust with your life.

They say time heals all wounds - but not the wound Ivy inflicted you. It was a scar so deep; bound to stay forever carved into your soul.

"I-Ivy? What... What are you doing here?!" The blonde-haired woman gave you a spiteful smirk. "What do you think, silly? I'm the female model for this photoshoot." Your face fell. "W-What? But... But that can't be! I booked Nicky and Tessa a-and-" Ivy cut you off with a high-pitched laugh. "Oh, you wish you did, sweetheart. I changed it. Well, my management changed it. They asked me to choose a male model as well and I chose Tom." Now you were even more speechless - and utterly angry. The problem was, that Ivy knew Tom - and Tom knew Ivy. She had casted an eye on your beautiful boyfriend a long time ago, and when he fell in love with you and the two of you got together, Ivy bursted with jealousy. In her eyes, you weren't worthy of the sweet, polite gentleman.

You were quite a bit bewildered and stood in front of your boyfriend and former best friend like an absolute fool. "I-I... B-But this was supposed t-to be a couple photoshoot. Dolce & Gabbana asked specifically f-for a couple..." Your former best friend faked a surprised gasp; "They, uh, wanted a couple for this photoshoot?" and clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh... Whoopsies. My bad. I didn't know that. Sorry, bestie. In that case, Tom and I have to make it look very real."

A breathless gasp left your lips at her words and you had to fight hard against the rising bile in your throat. All of a sudden, you felt like absolute shit. She knew. She knew - and did this on full purpose. Only to get her filthy hands on Tom and torture you. What a bitch.

Another bitchy giggle left Ivy's lips. "You don't look well, Y/N. Perhaps you should call it a day, go home and let this photoshoot do someone who can stay professional." That was the point where Tom couldn't just stand by anymore. He had to intervene. And he did. He walked the few steps up to you and placed a comforting hand on the small of your back. The handsome Brit wasn't able to change the situation, but he was able to help you.

"Perhaps you should go and get changed already, Ivy. I'd like to have a moment alone with my girlfriend." Tom audibly underlined the last two words of his sentence, while pulling you closer towards him. Ivy just answered with a fake smile, then stalked past you and Tom; vanishing in the small side room.

"Darling..." Your boyfriend addressed you immediately, once Ivy was out of earshot and took your smaller hands in his bigger ones. "I am so sorry about this. If I would've known I-" You shook your head; interrupting him. "No, it's not your fault, Tommy. It's entirely her fault." "That may be true, but if I would've talked earlier with you about this, I could've prevented it from happening. Now, I'm afraid we both can't change this situation. But I can assure you that this photo shooting is going to be purely professional. I'll do what I have to do, but it won't change anything." You nodded; trying to look confident. Tom knew you better, though. He knew how insecure you were about yourself. Letting go of your hand, he lifted his up to gently cup your chin. "Hey... I love you, sweet girl - and you better know it." Once again you nodded; giving him a small smile. "Love you, too." Tom pressed a sweet, lingering kiss on your lips, before he left to the other side room, in order to get changed as well.

Once everyone was ready, the photo shooting could start. You tried your best to stay completely professional; block out everything around you. You'd pull through this shooting like every other shooting - and you did. At some point, you were so focused, that you didn't see your boyfriend and ex best friend standing in front of you and posing together for a quite spicy perfume ad. You saw two clients; doing what they should do, in order to get the job done.

At this point you were confident to believe that you had tricked your mind and dodged Ivy's attempt to fuck you up. Little did you know, that everything would come back at you later...

It had gotten quite late. The photoshoot had taken more time than you had expected. After cleaning up the whole studio and sending Sam home, you decided to edit the photos you had just taken. You wanted to get over with it and move on.

Being still completely convinced of the strong wall you had built up around you, you sat down at your desk, connected the memory card to your computer and opened the program. When the first picture of Tom and Ivy came up, the walls came immediately tumbling down. It was the moment you realised, that these walls had been anything but strong; rather consisted of paper and not solid stone.

It was also the moment it dawned on you, that your mind couldn't be tricked. It had just tricked you into believing you had. How foolish, you thought of yourself. How fucking foolish.

With that, the damage was done. It got the stone rolling - and you wouldn't be able to stop it. You knew it. Your mind had you trapped now, and the bad thoughts - all your insecurities came crashing down on you; invading your system like poison. Every look on each picture hurt you more - and destiny had chosen one of the worst ones to start with...

It had been a picture you had taken towards the end. Scenery: Tom and Ivy were both wet; clothes absolutely drenched with water. Ivy wore nothing more than a scarce, white bikini; showing off everything she got - and Ivy got a lot. Way more than you did...

Tom wore a tight, white tank top, which literally clung to his chest, but also showed off his tattoos and especially nipple piercings. His hips and legs were clad in jeans dungarees - close to those who mechanics wore, but with the straps dangling loosely around his thick, muscular thighs. Of course, they were also wet. Water droplets ran down the skin of his neck, face and arms, causing him to look even sexier.

Ivy wasn't any less sexy. It was simply a fact. And the posture they were in didn't lack sexiness either. Quite the opposite...

Your former best friend stood in front of your boyfriend; literally clinging desperately to his wet body. Both her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, while they gazed each other deep in the eyes. Their heads were close; lips not far from touching. Tom's big hand was splayed out across Ivy's back; fingertips tantalisingly playing with the knot who held her bikini top together. It was perfect - and you hated it. Sure, you had told them to posture like that, 'cause 'Dolce & Gabbana' described something along that, since they had a TV ad which was similar, but nevertheless... It fucked with your brain. And the other pictures on which they were free to posture how they wanted weren't any better... Ivy being as close to Tom as somehow possible; always literally eye fucking him with her lusting gaze and touching him in places only you thought you were supposed to touch him. In one picture her hands were close to his ass - you could tell. Or in another, she was touching his pecs and six pack. Hence, she even had her hands in his hair once.

Watching all the pictures you had taken; it came all crashing down on you. But it wasn't jealousy, who poisoned and fogged up your brain, no... It were your insecurities who kicked in; causing you to fall down a deep, dark hole.

Seeing how utterly perfect Tom looked with a woman who was so much prettier and sexier than you could ever be, planted the toxic thought in your brain that you simply weren't good enough. Not pretty enough. Not sexy enough. Not smart enough. Not loveable enough. You were just you. And being just you didn't apply to Tom's standards. He was out of your league - by miles. What is he doing with a girl like me? you thought. He deserves someone better... Perhaps Ivy had been right all the time. You weren't worthy of such a handsome, loving and respectful man.

You clicked further through the pictures; tears starting to form in your eyes. Since you already were spiralling down that dark path, once thing was triggering another and fear joined the party. Fear of Tom leaving you. Why would he not? You're nobody, the voice in your brain whispered. He could get rid of you so easily. And he would. You were sure of it. One day, he was going to wake up and see. Tears trickled down your face by now, as emptiness spread within your stomach and radiating throughout your whole body, causing you to feel so utterly cold and lonely.

You had lost every sense of time, but you could tell that it was quite late. You didn't care, though. All you cared about was if you should leave Tom before he could leave you, or beg him on your knees to stay. Anyways… It was both pathetic...

By now, you had abandoned your computer and the pictures; said huddled in a corner of the little office and positively crying your eyes out.

Tom, who had waited for you at home for way longer than planned started to worry, of course. Always checking his phone and walking impatiently up and down in the cosy, little apartment you two shared. He got uneasy. You hadn't texted him and you also didn't pick up your phone. What if something happened? He decided to not just sit around longer. He couldn't. So, he grabbed the keys of his bike, alongside his leather jacket and helmet, and swung himself on the vehicle; riding straight to yours and Sam's photo studio.

When he arrived, he saw that no visible light was on in the building, giving him an even more uneasy feeling. The unlocked door didn't quite help. Quietly, he entered the studio; switching on the light. "Y/N?" No answer. "Sam?" No answer. He swallowed hard, but made his way through the studio; checking every room - which turned out to be either locked or neatly cleaned up; ready for the next day.

Tom's heart was literally beating out of his chest, as he went to check the last possible room you could be in... Your office. With a slightly shaking hand, he opened the door. The lights were out, but he could see that the computer was on and the only thing which casted a small ray of light through the darkened room, was the display of your camera - on which he recognised himself. Small, soft whines and whimpers could be heard, causing him to immediately switch on the light. And then he saw you. Curled up in a ball in the corner. Your body was shaking with sobs. Relieved, that he had finally found you, but nevertheless worried about the condition you were in, he literally threw his helmet aside and ran over to you.

"Y/N!" He said with relief; dropping to his knees beside you, "I thought something had happened to you! My texts stayed unanswered and whenever I called, you didn't pick up... Gods, I was so worried!" and immediately scooped you up in his arms. You let him hug you tightly for a few seconds, bathing in his embrace and how good he smelled, before your brain kicked in again and you started to push him away from you, leaving the handsome Brit confused.

Frowning, he pulled back - like you obviously requested and letting go of you. "Darling? What's wrong?" Tom tried to reach for your hands, put you avoided his touch. It confused him even more. "Love, what- Why are you crying? What happened?" You didn't answer him, but pushed yourself further against the wall in the corner; wrapping your arms around yourself and hiding your face. Your boyfriend tried to connect the dots; figure out what could be wrong - and suddenly it fell like scales from his eyes... The pictures. The photoshoot.

"Y/N..." He spoke your name with his deep, velvety - but hushed voice; addressing you gently. "Is this about the photo shooting I did with Ivy today?" Her name upon his lips caused the tears to fall even more. "Please... My love... Talk to me," the Brit literally begged; tongue playing nervously with his black labret piercing.

You looked then up at him; eyes swollen and red due to all the crying. "Don't... Don't call m-me that..." You whispered; shaking your head. "Don't call you what?" "L-Love... D-Darling..." "But why? You are my love and you certainly are my darling." You squeezed your eyes shut, shaking your head again. "'M not worthy." Your boyfriend frowned. "Not worthy?" You nodded, "Of your love. Of you." and shed another few tears. "You deserve someone better, Thomas." The way you rolled his full name over your tongue left a bitter feeling behind. It sounded so wrong to him.

"It's okay if you're going to leave me for a woman who is smarter. Prettier. I can't force you to stay. Even if I wanted to. You are free to go." The words caused a stinging pain to shoot through your heart, like you've been just pierced by a knife. Your whole body was shaking; trying somehow to compromise the heartbreak.

Unbeknownst to you, was Tom looking at you like he had just seen a ghost. He was literally speechless; couldn't believe what he had just heard. His heart ached and screamed; suffering with you. "Y/N... How... How can you say something like... like that?" He needed a moment to find his ability to speak again. Tom knew about your insecurities and fears and he had witnessed them playing with your mind more than once, but that... That was a whole other level. He had never seen you like that - and it shook him to the core.

"Why should I ever leave you? I-" You interrupted him. "Because you can't waste your time on me!" "Waste... Waste my time on you?" That was it. He needed to stop this. Shaking his head and reaching out his hands, he slowly lifted your chin with his fingers, before he cupped both your cheeks; gently wiping away the tears with his thumbs. "Y/N..." He spoke - again, in that deep, velvety voice, which lulled you easily to sleep at night; having such a calming effect on you. "Look at me, please." You did what he asked you to and looked up into his baby blues - which were clouded with tears.

"My sweet, beautiful girl... I'd never... NEVER waste my time on you. Neither would I ever leave you. I don't want somebody else. I don't need somebody else. All I ever wanted is you." Your bottom lip wobbled dangerously as you spoke up again. "But-" "No, my love..." Tom interrupted you this time, before you were able to say something bad about yourself again. "Please listen to what I have to say. Don't listen to the voices in your head. They are wrong. I am not out of your league. You are out of my league. When I walked through that studio door, down the hall for the very first time and saw you there, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had never seen such beauty before. You literally swept me off my feet - and definitely not just with your good looks. You are beautiful from the inside and the outside. I had a hard time playing it cool."

You were still gazing in his eyes, listening to his every word. "It pains me thoroughly to hear how ill you speak of yourself, because you are the prettiest, smartest, sexiest, sweetest, kindest, funniest- Do you want me to keep going?" For the first time since hours darted a small smile over your lips. You couldn't help it. Tom noticed, of course. "Ah! I saw that, my love! I saw that!" He exclaimed like a happy little boy, who had just walked into a candy store.

He smiled and leaned forward to press a kiss on your forehead. You felt the cool metal of his piercing on your skin. When he pulled back and gazed at you again, you saw that a tear was rolling down his cheek. "I love you, Y/N. I love you so much it hurts and I promise you, I'll never leave you. You are enough. You are more than I ever dreamed of." You nodded, trying desperately to believe him. "Are those voices quiet now?" "A-Almost..." He shook his head. "Now, now, we can't have that. I must eliminate them from your sweet, creative mind. I can't keep on letting them poison the woman I love and want to spend the rest of my life with."

Your heart literally skipped a beat at that sentence.

Tom leaned towards you again and kissed you repeatedly on the lips; whispering countless 'I love you's' in between - like a preacher a prayer in the church.

The voices in your head really disappeared and at some point, you broke out into giggles. "Tommy! I-" Kiss. "I need to-" Kiss. "Breathe!" Kiss. "I need to breathe!" Your boyfriend stopped then, chuckling softly and watching how you took a few deep breaths. "Was my mission successful?" You nodded; smiling up at him. "Voices gone?" "Voices gone." You shuffled; moved towards Tom and snuggled into his awaiting arms. "Thank you, Tommy... And I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you and-" He interrupted you once more.

"Shush, baby. It's all good." He moved to sit on the floor beside you, then pulled you into his arms; making you sit onto his lap. Tom cuddled you close; not letting go. You accepted his touch and the comforting position; cuddled close and just enjoyed the moment.

"Did you feel that way because of the photoshoot?" Tom asked after a while. You nodded, "Uh.Huh. Seeing Ivy on those pics, having her hands all over you and giving you those 'Fuck me' eyes unleashed the insecurities in my brain." Your boyfriend nodded; interlacing your fingers with his. "I should've said no. I should've known..." You immediately shook your hand, "No, Tommy. You couldn't know. You did your job." and traced the tattoo on his arm with your free hand. "I just let Ivy get into my head..."

You felt how Tom's soft, warm lips pressed a sweet kiss against your temple. "Well, I won't let her do that again, baby."

[littlest-w01f]

Chapter Six

Series Masterlist

CW: None

The sun had barely reached the head as a little chestnut-coloured bunny hopped in the forest, humming with magic, nose twitching, she hopped through the dewy grass, her small paws making gentle thuds against the earth. her ears twitched at every sound, each rustle of leaves or chirp of birds sending her into a frenzy of alertness. The morning air was cool but not unpleasant, filled with the fresh scent of new life.

The bunny continued her journey, hopping over fallen branches and dodging around bushes. It made its way towards a clearing in the dense foliage, a place where sunlight could filter down and warm the earth below.

The bunny found herself in a beautiful clearing in the middle of the woods. It was a sight to behold, the sun's rays danced upon the dew-covered blades of grass, casting dazzling prisms of light all around.

As the bunny entered this idyllic spot, she noticed something that caught her attention, a small cluster of ripe berries hanging low on a nearby bush. Her nose led her straight towards them and soon enough, she was feasting on the sweet treats.

With her tiny paws grasping onto the juicy fruits, the bunny savoured each one. They were very sweet, their flavour seemed to burst in her mouth like fireworks. She couldn't get enough of them.

While the bunny munched away happily on the juicy berries, her ears perked up suddenly at a distant rustling sound. The source of the noise seemed to be coming from behind some thick shrubbery just off to one side of the clearing, the scent of magic in the air.

Curiosity piqued, she hopped over there quickly to investigate further. As she rounded the corner, her eyes widened in surprise when they landed on something unexpected.

Evelyn froze, looking at the lean male, ears pointed skywards, handsome beyond belief, sharp cruel features, his deep violet eyes setting on her bunny form. Ah, shit She cursed to herself, forcing her mental shields up, she hoped he wouldn't recognise her if she kept pretending to actually be a bunny.

"Oh, It's just a little bunny..." Rhysand's eyes softened, a look Evelyn had never seen on him, he crouched down, "Don't be scared of me, dear bunny."

His voice was so soothing, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. She remained frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.

Rhysand reached out a hand slowly, his fingers extending towards the bunny as if offering comfort. "It's okay, little one," he cooed softly. "I won't hurt you. I promise."

Act like a bunny! She reprimanded herself as she twitched from Rhysand's gentle pets, sighing and purring from him stroking her fur

Rhysand chuckled softly at the bunny's reaction, finding it incredibly adorable. He gently scratched under her chin, causing her to tilt her head back slightly with pleasure.

"You're so adorable," Rhysand murmured, his voice low and soothing. "I've never seen a bunny quite like you before." His gaze drifted over her petite frame, taking in every detail, from the tip of her twitching nose to the fluffy tuft of tail poking from her back.

Rhysand suddenly picked her up to his chest, petting her, his eyes landed on some eaten berries, some of them fallen on the ground while others were still attached to the stems, "Were you having lunch, little bunny?"

Evelyn felt a shiver run down her spine as Rhysand held her close. The warmth radiating off his body was comforting yet terrifying, especially considering their situation. And while part of her wanted to pull away and maintain some distance between them, her nose twitched as she dragged it across his palm in the form of a nod, careful to not speak, she was a simple bunny, just a normal bunny.

Rhysand gave a soft chuckle at the bunny's response, finding it utterly charming. He gently placed her back onto the ground, standing upright once more himself.

"I hope I didn't scare you too much," he said with a smile. "It's not often that I get to see such innocent creatures up close, at least not lately."

With that, he took a step back, giving the bunny ample space again. His violet eyes stayed locked on hers though, keenly watching for any sign of fear or aggression.

He made a kiwi appear from his magic, "Do you like kiwis bunny?" The fruit floating in his palm, peeling it from his magic.

Rhysand presented the fruit carefully to the bunny, holding it out just within reach of her curious nose. "Go ahead, take it if you'd like," he encouraged softly. "They're really good for you."

He stood there patiently waiting for the bunny's reaction, whether she would accept the fruit or simply ignore it altogether. Evelyn looked up at him, she had to make the right choice, and nothing about him told her he knew who she was, so she stood on her hind legs, her front paws on his palm as she sniffed at the kiwi, nibbling gently.

Rhysand watched with fascination as the bunny inspected his gift. There was something undeniably captivating about how she used her tiny hands and elongated snout to explore this new food item. He was also rather taken aback by how trusting she appeared despite being confronted with an entirely foreign situation.

"Well done!" Rhys whispered sincerely, grinning down at her adorable form now munching contentedly on the fresh produce.

There was a sudden rustle in the bushes a little far off, and when Rhysand turned to inspect it, Evelyn made a run for it, her chin and whiskers covered in the juices of the fruit.

Rhysand glanced over his shoulder at the rustling sound, then back towards the retreating form of the bunny. He couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. His features went dark again, "Well, aren't you quick, flower?" he commented lightly. "I'll be seeing you again soon, my Evie."

The sun was setting over the horizon as Evelyn made her way back to the Spring Manor on Rose from the boarders on the campsite, she had gone around the woods to check for any creature trespassing into their territory, she hadn't expected to see Rhysand, the male brought a chill to even think about.

The ink on her ring finger became itchy, a constant reminder of the bargain she had been forced to make before she even knew what it was, what she had been made to promise away by her father.

She made her way to the stables and handed Rose to a stablehand, then walked the halls to reach her room, needing a quick change of clothes. After a few moments, she made her way to the dining table they had started using again when Feyre came to live with them.

Tamlin sat at the head, a smile forming on his face when he saw his sister, he got up, making his way to her, cupping her cheeks and looking her over for any scars, "Eve, you're home. I was worried sick."

"I can take care of myself, Tam." Evelyn smiled, moving to take her seat on the table with food set up. "Are Lucien and Feyre back yet?"

That seemed like the wrong thing to say, since Tamlin grew cold, "No. They left together, and haven't returned yet." His claws grew from his hand and Evelyn was quick to put her hand over his.

"Gentle, gentle." Evelyn sighed softly, stroking his hand, his claws retracting, "I need to tell about who I saw... I can't already have you ready to lash out."

"Who?" Tamlin asked, his voice soft again, "What is sneaking past our defences."

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, "Him..." She said, unable to speak his name, staring at her hand.

But Tamlin knew, his eyes flashing with nothing but rage, "Rhysand is sneaking past our defences? What was he doing at the border?"

"I have no idea... I wasn't fae when I saw him, but I think it'll be stupid of us to assume he thought I was a normal bunny." Evelyn was sure to leave the bit where he'd pet her, held her so gently before he fed her, "But he just winnowed in Spring."

"I'll have to rebuild the wards stronger," He sighed, trying not to let his anger show, "I don't have enough power for it. Not nearly enough."

Evelyn saddened, he had been so strong before, nearly matching Rhysand, keeping her safe from the male she was promised to, but now he was less than half the High Lord he used to be, "No wards will be strong enough to keep him out completely, I managed to reach the camps to put a glamour on them again."

It wasn't supposed to be an easy task, to see what had slipped past their defences, but she'd never expected it to be Rhysand of all people, someone who could now easily stroll into her court without anyone knowing.

As they talked, Lucien and Feyre entered together, both their gaze set on them, looking expectantly as Lucien put some distance between Feyre and himself.

"We went on a hunt," Lucien provided.

"I heard." Tamlin simply said, then he turned to Feyre, he knew Evelyn's eyes were focused on him, gentle, her words echoed in his head, "Did you have fun?"

"Sort of..." Feyre said after a long beat of silence.

Evelyn sat, cringing a little at the awkward atmosphere, "Did you catch anything?" She asked, sparing both Tamlin and Feyre.

"No." Lucien said with a cough, matching Evelyn in the cringe at the awkwardness as Feyre and Tamlin just stared at each other. He turned to Tamlin, "Tam..." Evelyn sat up when Lucien's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, "A Bogge was in the forest today."

Tamlin's head snapped from Feyre to Lucien, "You ran into it?"

Evelyn's blood chilled, her own memory of the Bogge wasn't a pretty one, "Where is this one?"

When Lucien had told Tamlin, he got up instantly, his power bending the gold fork, fangs lengthening as he made his way out without a word and only a glance at Feyre.

"Where's he going?" Feyre asked, looking back at Lucien and Evelyn, who had lost their appetite.

"To hunt the Bogge," Lucien simply said.

Evelyn was peacefully asleep, curled up in the pillows and blankets, finding peace in her dreams wasn't something she found easily, but when she did, she cherished it.

Nothing bad happened in her subconscious when he was around, her mate.

In her dream, Evelyn found herself in a lush, vibrant forest. The air was warm and fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers. Birds sang sweet melodies in the treetops above, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

As she wandered deeper into the woods, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was her mate, looking as mysterious as ever. He approached her slowly, just like always, his features hidden by darkness.

Without a word, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch sent shivers down her spine, and she found herself leaning into his caress. Suddenly, he leaned in closer, hovering mere inches from her.

"I missed you," Evelyn breathed, "It's been so long." It had been weeks since she last dreamt of her mate, and she did miss the comfort his presence in his dreams brought her

A soft smile played upon his lips as he heard those words escape from Evelyn's mouth. "And I have missed you, my flower," he whispered back, his breath ghosting against her skin.

His hand slid down to cup her cheek tenderly. Then, without warning, he pulled her into a passionate kiss a kiss that spoke volumes about all the longing and desire they both had been feeling.

Evelyn melted into the embrace, losing herself completely in the sensation of his lips moving against hers. She could feel his lips on her fully, even if she hadn't been able to see them because of his darkness, his lips were soft, just as much as hers.

He broke the kiss only after several long moments, panting slightly as she gazed up at him, Evelyn's flushed face. His fingers traced along the curve of her jawline, drawing small circles on her sensitive skin.

"I can't wait until we're together in reality," He confessed quietly, a hint of desperation creeping into his tone. "This isn't enough anymore… I want you, Evelyn." His grip tightened just slightly on her chin, pulling her closer still.

"I want you too, my mate," Evelyn breathed, leaning up, wanting another kiss, but she couldn't make his mouth out, so she simply pressed her face in his chest, breathing him in deep.

Evelyn's mate chuckled lowly at her actions, his arm curling around her slender waist to draw her flush against his body. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply.

"Promise me we'll be together soon," She murmured against his skin. "Promise me you won't forget about me, no matter what happens…" Her voice trailed off into a whisper as she nipped at the sensitive skin beneath her lips.

"I promise, Evelyn," he vowed, his voice rumbling against her ear. "No matter what trials lie ahead, I will never forget about you. You are forever etched in my mind and heart."

He captured her lips once more in a searing kiss, pouring all his devotion and longing into it. As they lost themselves in each other's embrace, the boundaries between dream and reality began to blur.

Evelyn woke from her dream at noises from her garden, with a groan she left the comfort of her bed, and looking out the window she blinked the sleep of the peaceful dream from her eyes.

Her sleep left her as she saw Tamlin standing with Feyre in the fields, his grip on her tight, and a puca at the gates of their estates. She relaxed slightly as the puka disappeared, probably scared in the presence of the High Lord.

She sighed watching them, she could sense that they were arguing, heard it a little, "Just fall in love already..." She breathed, the only way to break the horrid curse that had their power cut in half.

After a while she planted herself on the bed again, thinking of dreams of her mate, but that wasn't what followed her into her slumber.

{General Taglist- @nox-ceur @lilah-asteria @paleidiot}

{Blooming Flowers Taglist- @theskyisbrighthere @mybestfriendmademe @yeonalie}

[saneijeijei]

Little Princess

"My name is Evelyn Eckhart. I am the Duchess and wife of the current Duke Eckhart. You saved my daughter from a terrible tragedy. I would like to thank you for your fearlessness and selflessness, which many people can only envy. Would you like to be my adopted daughter?"

"No."

[1/2]

Evelyn was slowly dying due to illness. After the birth of Yvonne, her body was greatly weakened and an ordinary cold turned into a serious unknown disease. The woman gradually faded away in front of her loved ones every day she got worse. The duke invited the best doctors, but they just sadly threw up their hands, condoling with the duke.

The end was near and Evelyn felt it. She asked her husband about one thing - to get a magic flower for her, which allegedly fulfilled a wish. It was an urban legend that lured tourists and foreigners to numerous fairs. But hope is the last thing the Duchess had before she left this world.

When Leopold brought her a flower, Evelyn, before going to bed, pressed the flower to her chest and made a wish: "may my children be all right, please let me see their future before I leave…"

When she fell asleep, she saw the future of each of her children. Her heart was broken by the horrors and the imminent tragedy that had humiliated her family, leaving only distant memories of the warmth with which the house was overflowing.

"No! Please! This can't happen! My boys! My little baby!.."

But it was only a cry into a tiny void that gradually swallowed her up.

"Evelyn?" The Duchess twitched, feeling the warmth on her shoulder. Opening her eyes wide, she was horrified to recognize her excited husband, and behind him her favorite flowers. "Are you okay? You fell asleep in the garden, I was worried that you might catch a cold."

The woman looked around dumbfounded and realized that she really was in her favorite garden in a glass greenhouse. Even more surprisingly, she felt a heaviness in her stomach and looked down and saw a bulging belly. For a moment, her heart skipped a beat and she squeezed her husband's palm, finally able to exhale.

"It was a dream…" she whispered softly. "Just a dream.."

"What are you talking about?" The duke sat down on one knee and tried to look into the eyes of his wife, who studiously avoided eye contact. "Has something happened? You're pale"

"I had a nightmare… A very terrible nightmare…" Evelyn replied. "But it's okay now, I'm finally awake."

The Duchess studiously avoided the terrible memories of the past, brushing them off as if it was just a game of her imagination. But then, the events that took place in that very "dream" began to happen. She couldn't have predicted them or known them. Evelyn began to realize that what she saw was not a dream at all, but a future that could happen if she didn't try to do something.

Reynold was small and didn't understand much, muttering something funny under his breath. Derrick, watching his mother's torment, was clearly worried. Evelyn hugged him, stroking his hair and whispering kind words. She wanted to comfort that Derrick, who had lost his mother and sister, who was not ready for all those events, who could not express his own emotions and was so confused in himself that he could hardly understand what he wanted. Her boy did not understand such great attention of mother to himself, but he did not refuse, accepting every word, listening to every praise.

Avoiding points and tea parties, Evelyn continued to look for solutions and ways to save her family from tragedy. She began to be interested in magic and magical items. She wanted to know more about Layla's monstrous power, which had taken Yvonne away from her in the past.

And of course… Penelope. Her image is a rude and audacious image etched into her memory. Evelyn didn't know what to do, rushing from one extreme to the other, when suddenly, realization finally came.

She could not find Penelope's mother and help her, since she did not know her name or place where she lived. The knights sent did not find anyone like the girl either in the capital or in the slums. Even if she wanted to help prevent the tragic death of Penelope's mother, everything was unsuccessful.

She couldn't save everyone and to her deepest regret, she had to choose. Either her family, or the family of this unfortunate girl. And she chose. She chose to save her children, and not let a monster into the house.

Evelyn refused to make big purchases, spending most of the allocated funds on charity. Her conscience tormented her and she could not calm down, consoling herself only with the hope that at least one loaf of bread, which the servants distributed on her behalf, could go to Penelope's mother.

Soon, she gave birth to Yvonne. Her little pink-haired princess was just as beautiful as in the past. There was no limit to the Duchess's joy, as well as Leopold's. He arranged a holiday in honor of the birth of his daughter. Derrick was happy and often looked after Yvonne, as he did with Reynold, who agreed with his father's joyful mood.

A few months after giving birth, the long-awaited holiday came. The guests filled the duchy with congratulations and best wishes. Evelyn and Yvonne were the center of attention, accepting congratulations and gifts from guests. One of them turned out to be Vinter Verdandi.

His parents died when he was very young and Leopold looked after him, helping with the management of affairs, so that some arrogant relatives would not try to deprive the boy of his inheritance and all the huge property that the family had accumulated over many years.

The boy was like nephew, though not her own. He bowed and congratulated on the birth of daughter, handed over an expensive gift. Leopold, having listened attentively to him, came up, patted him on the shoulder, thanking him for such generosity and asked him to wait. He had to give him something, since he was here.

Evelyn smiled at her husband, when suddenly Winter came closer, showing that he wanted to whisper something.

"Madam, please do not accept a gift from Lady Lockridge. Please, as soon as she hands it to you, throw it away without opening the gift box". “What?.." the Duchess was surprised. "Vinter, dear, what do you mean?.." "Your great aunt recently visited a small kingdom with which we recently concluded a peace agreement, right? Recently, yonder was an epidemic, all the signs of the flu, but the medicine did not help and people were slowly dying. Please don't take anything that Lady Lockridge gives you. Perhaps it is poisoned by this infection."

Vinter's assistant started up and pushed the boy away from Evelyn. "I'm sorry, madam, my master was clearly over excited by attending public events, that he had a played out little imagination. Don't tell Lady Lockridge about this incident, please. He didn't say it out of malice."

Evelyn froze. Her great-aunt gave her a green dress in honor of her daughter's birth, which she wore several times to family dinners wanting to please her relatives. And it was shortly after that that she became ill.

"Thank you, Vinter, I will." "Madam!---" "Let's leave this conversation between us" smiling at the young Marquis, Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, she didn't attach any importance to Winter's words, really thinking that he was mistaken. She wanted to believe that the boy's guess was true and the reason for her illness lay in the dress that could bring the disease.