#i need to block the tag so i don't spoil myself but i couldn't help myself with this one

[lucianalight]

Hi! I'm back :) after another long hiatus😅 I have missed all of you❤️

First of all a huge thank you to everyone who were worried and asked about my health and how I was doing. I wasn't doing well tbh. I'm one of those people who had the misfortune of never quite recovering from covid. I already had one chronic illness that was messing up my life and health. Having another on top of that takes a lot of physical, emotional and mental toll and limits my energy greatly. So I needed time to get used to my new reality and condition and learn to how manage it and live with it. It's still a work in progress and doctor appointments are seeming endless but at least some meds are helping. So there's that.

You probably already know the second reason why I wasn't doing well. I've seen terrible things…And you need time to process them. To grieve, to deal with trauma and survivor's guilt, and nurture your anger and keep fighting, keep resisting…

And well, internet connection still sucks so using social media is kind of an ordeal :D

There were a lot of times that I wanted to come back on tumblr but every time some issue would come up and take my motivation and energy. Then two weeks ago, after I couldn't crush the little ray of hope that maybe this time I'm going to see sth I like, I started watching season 2 of Loki. I watched it while promising myself that I'm not going to care anymore if it's bad, reminding myself that I might see sth as bad as season 1. Still I was surprised that I didn't hate it. On the contrary there were moments that were entertaining and even enjoyable. And those moments were more than the ones I dislike. It was better than season 1 and admittedly that's a low bar since I consider S1 one of the worst tv shows I've ever seen, but there were noticeable changes in pace and tone of the narrative and characterization in S2. Some issues in S1 was addressed. Loki was actually the main character of his series and got to do badass magic stuff :D The characters were flesh out and three dimensional and likable(I love OB so much :D). There was no romance. The ending was great.

There were of course things I didn't like. Removing Loki's backstory and his issues with his family from the story is one of them. How some of his moments in past was addressed. The episodes at times got boring or very predictable. There were times that Loki was ooc or comedic moments that weren't delivered well.

It wasn't perfect but at least acceptable. And probably the best Loki content we got since TDW. And I liked the ending a lot. I found myself keep going back to rewatch some scenes. I found myself analyzing the content happily. I had things to say. So here I am :D basically I'm 100% back to my Loki bs and I'm making it everyone's problem :P

Whether you loved the series or hated it, you're welcome on my blog and you're welcome to send me your opinions and engage with me in discussions and metas. I will tag posts accordingly in case you want to avoid certain content(tbh I still don't know what the new tags will be because I haven't written anything yet but I will make a post when I do).

There will be posts of some new fandoms so block their tags if you don't want to see those posts. The new fandoms are Sandman tv show(I haven't finished the comics so plz don't spoil them for me), Wednesday, My Hero Academia, Shadow and Bone, and The Bifrost Incident.

As I mentioned above I'm dealing with multiple chronic illnesses and have a limited energy each day. I will try to answer your messages, comments and asks as soon as I can but it might take a long time. Sry about that.

And finally a warm welcome to all the new followers and thanks to everyone who are still following me❤️

[katedrakeohd]

A Stolen Moment 4

The Royal Masquerade Fanfiction

Part One / Part Two / Part Three

..............................

Pairing: Kaydan Vescovi x Julia Aster(MC)

Synopsis: Kaydan and Julia's detour to the town market comes to an end.

Rated: PG, for romantic fluff

Word count: ?? (Because I wrote it all here in the app)

Wacky drabbles #22 prompt:

It’s no surprise that things have turned out this way.

..

Kaydan and I stood amongst the crowd to watch and listen to the band. As townsfolk began to pair off and dance, Kaydan leaned over to whisper. "Would the Lady like to join in?"

"It's a very lively sort of music, I don't think I could keep up. I'd rather watch."

"As you wish," he murmured softly. His lips close to my ear. As he leaned back I could hear him draw a deep breath, "Did you pick something fragrant up at the market?"

Looking up at him I smile, "Yes, a new perfume. Do you like it?"

Kaydan is quiet for a moment, and then he leans in close and sniffs the spicy floral scent on my neck again, "It's..it's quite different. I find it.. pleasant."

Standing so close to him I can feel the heat radiating off his skin, and his breath on my cheek. Reaching up to place my hand on his shoulder, I feel his muscles tense as he straightens up and looks at me. "So that means you like it?"

"If you bought it just for my benefit I'm afraid you've wasted your money," Kaydan said, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I bought it because I like the way it smells. But if it entices you to be closer to me then it was definitely worth the price."

Kaydan blushes, "You shouldn't say such things. You're promised to someone else."

"Right now, there is nobody else I would rather spend my time with than you."

Kaydan's mouth opened as if to say something, but then his gaze shifted to something over my shoulder. "We need to go."

Glancing around to see what he's looking at, I spot Teapot making his way through the market. "Oh no, he's going to see us," I gasped.

Kaydan grabbed my arm and led me around the gathering of revelers, putting them between us and Teapot, "Come with me, he hasn't spotted us yet."

I pulled up my skirts in an effort to keep up with Kaydan's long strides, dropping the wrapped journal I had picked up for him. As he tried to lead me down an alley, I pulled back. "Wait, I dropped something!"

"Just leave it," he said gruffly, but upon seeing the hurt look on my face, he quickly apologised. "Sorry, what did you drop?"

I rushed over and picked up the book, then returned to Kaydan's side. "Actually it's something for you."

"For me? Julia..."

"Hush, now weren't you leading me somewhere?"

Kaydan takes another look back toward the market, and then points to a passageway leading into what looked like a private garden, "That way."

Grabbing me by the hand, Kaydan led me down the side of a stone wall, then we sidestepped through a flower covered arch. The idyllic scene before us was a stark contrast to the chaos of the busy marketplace not so far away.

We had come upon a narrow canal filled with water lilies and a flagstone path with a garden of beautiful flowering shrubs. Kayden led me over to a stone bench and we sat down.

My heart was pounding with fear of us soon getting caught, so I wasted no time and pressed the book into his hands, "Please, take this. As a momento of our trip to the market today. "

A smile tugged at the corners of Kaydan's mouth as he unwrapped the journal, "Another book? Are you trying to send me a message?"

I shrugged as he thumbed through the pages, "As a humble scribe, books are what I know best. Many of the pages are blank, so you can write in it whatever you like. The former owner used it as a journal. Perhaps the Mariner poet might have a pleasant memory to record?"

Kaydan tucked the book inside of his jacket, "I'll cherish it always, thank you."

Bringing his hand back out of his pocket, Kaydan blushes as he holds out his gift to me. "I got you something too. Here."

The antique pin with pearl accents sparkled in the sunshine as I turned it over in my fingers.

"It's beautiful Kaydan. I can imagine wearing it with my finest gowns. And it's sharpness could always come in handy if I need to defend myself in your absence."

Kaydan chuckled quietly, "The fact that you see my gift as a defensive weapon can only mean you've been spending too much time with me."

"Maybe it's your protective nature that keeps drawing me back to your company."

Kaydan's expression is serious as he studies my face for a moment. "Do you feel you need my protection Julia? Because if you do, please know I would do anything to keep you safe."

"Anything?"

"I'm the Crown Shield it's my job to keep people safe, especially those I feel need me the most."

Turning toward Kaydan I reach up to touch his cheek, "But what about you Kaydan, and your own safety. Who watches over you and keeps you safe?"

"My fellow guards look out for me just as much as I look out for them, but as their leader I've learned to take care of myself when needed."

"But at the end of the day, when your watch has ended. Who takes care of Kaydan, the man?"

Reaching up he takes my hand in his. "I believe we forge our own paths in life, and we should be the person we need to be. But since you came into my life I've been questioning what my chosen path should be. Do you ever wish you could live a different life? Let someone else shape your destiny?"

"As an orphan adopted into the Aster family my destiny has always been determined by someone else. I accepted my place and learned to adapt to what life gave me. But all that changed the night of the Masquerade. I was introduced to a life I had only dreamt of or read about in books. When you asked me to dance, you were the fantasy becoming real. We connected that night Kaydan, and I can't see my future without you in it."

"Julia.. I feel the same. I couldn't imagine my life without you being a part of it."

I can't hide my smile as Kaydan leans in closer to me. There's an expression of wonder on his face as his gaze drops to my lips, and I feel his warm breath touch my cheek. As I close my eyes I can hear his breath catch as I tilt my chin up to invite him in for a kiss. When our lips meet it's like nothing I've felt before.

All those glances, moments together, every touch when we danced, have led us to this point and I lean into Kaydan and kiss him back. Before I knew what was happening my hand was on the back of his neck, my fingers sliding into his hair. As a result of my touch Kaydan's kiss became more desperate, and I felt his strong arms wrap around me. At that moment, pressed up against his hard chest, nothing else mattered. We poured all of our feelings into the other's lips and relished the joy of being together. It was magical and terrifying all at once because we knew it couldn't last. We're both out of breath as the kiss ends, but we stay holding eachother.

"Julia..I.." he began as his eyes searched my face for the words he wanted to say.

"Ssh," I whispered, moving my hand to his cheek and resting my thumb on his swollen lower lip. "Don't spoil the moment with apologies or by grasping for words to explain what must happen next."

"But.." his eyes looked so sad, as we both hear the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Sssh," I whispered again as I leaned in to place a gentle kiss to his lips.

The sound of a gruff, but familiar, voice turned the fluttering warm feeling in my stomach to ice and Kaydan abruptly sat back and let me go.

"Hey, there you are!" Teapot said, walking up with our two horses in tow.

As Kaydan jumps up off the bench to face him, I bring my hand up to my lips and savour the warm feeling his touch has left behind.

"I've been looking all over this cursed place for you - ..."

As Teapot got closer Kaydan moved to block me from his view. But not before he caught a glimpse of the flush of rose on my cheeks.

His usual stern expression is quickly replaced by one of amusement as a wide grin crosses his face.

"Am I...interrupting SOMETHING?" he asked, looking from Kaydan's angry face to my own bemused expression.

Kaydan's frown deepened as he answered, "No, but as usual you have a horrible sense of timing."

I got up from the bench to stand next to Kaydan, and then gave Teapot a smile and a wave. "Hello, Teapot. Lovely weather today for a trip to the seaside."

Teapot nods, "Yes, lovely indeed. Uh Chief, we need to leave now if we're to join the carriage procession without being missed."

Beside me I saw Kaydan's posture straighten as he shifted back into work mode. He replied to Teapot with a terse, "Fine, let's go."

Kaydan turned and looked at me as I tuck my hand under his arm, "It's quite alright Kaydan, we both knew this afternoon detour couldn't last forever."

Teapot took another look at the way Kaydan and I are standing together and barked out a laugh. We weren't fooling him at all.

Kaydan scowled at him as he escorted me to my horse. "Something funny?"

Teapot smirked at him, "Oh not at all Chief, NOT AT ALL."

Kaydan helped me back onto my horse, his warm hand lingering on mine for a moment before letting go. After getting on his horse, Kaydan led the three of us back onto the main road.

As I tucked the pin Kaydan gave me away in my saddle bag, I glanced over to him. His hair is slightly mussed from where my fingers have been, and it makes me smile. He catches me watching him and for the briefest moment a grin tugs at the corner of his mouth and then it's gone. He's Kaydan the Crown Shield again, and all business as usual. Our stolen moment is now over, and it’s no surprise that things have turned out this way. But I can't help but wonder what will come next for our Mariner and Maiden.

:::

Tagging:

@gardeningourmet @samihatuli @jovialyouthmusic @sirbeepsalot @dcbbw @mfackenthal @bobasheebaby @pedudley @be-still-my-aching-heart @krishu213 @ibldw-main @chaotichuman0090 @emceesynonymroll @addictedtodrakefanfic