#i spent a whole year boasting that i was ready

[saltpepperbeard]

currently foaming at the mouth because i went onto max to step through episodes and gif snuffle™ when like,,,

i was struck by the realization that soon, almost too soon, there's going to be an option to switch between two different seasons.

like there won't just be one season there anymore. there will be two.

hello??

HELLO?????

[nicole-timey-wimey-stuff]

It Was Enchanting to Meet You

Lord Debling x Fem reader

Lord Alfred Debling x female Bridgerton reader

Synopsis - You’re the second eldest Bridgerton daughter, being forced by your brother to finally debut. You believed the ordeal would be terrible, that was until you meet the handsome Lord Debling, the handsome stranger soon captivates your mind and heart.

Warnings- fluff, period drama, feelings, very small amount of angst, confessions, great sibling relationships, suggestive themes but no smut. Still 18+ though please.

Word count- 4.7K

Today was the day, the day you were coming out into society, you’d put it off long enough. Being that you were only a year younger than your elder sister Daphne, and a year older than Eloise who were both already out. But your mother hadn’t pushed you and for that you were thankful, your eldest sibling Anthony though was another story. He had all but told you enough was a enough, and even though he would not ever force you to take a husband, you needed to be out in society despite your disagreement with it.

He did not want the great Bridgerton name tarnished, with people starting to talk of the strange girl in the family who did not conform to society’s norm, who did not like social situations, a girl who spent her time fencing, reading and horseback riding. You were a free spirit, one who preferred the wind in her hair, rather than constricted dresses, dancing and polite conversation.

So now just having turned 20 you were being launched into the world around you. This brings you back to today, your mother was flapping making sure both you and Francesca looked perfect, creamy white gowns adorning your bodies, lace perfectly placed, your dress was accentuated with gold floral embroidery and tiny puff sleeves. You adjusted your long white gloves once more before exiting your room, “Ah y/n there you are my love, have you seen your sister I can’t find her anywhere, she is not in her room!” Your mother Violet frets, she’s looking pale and exhausted. “Calm down mother, I’m sure she is about, I can hear music are you sure you haven’t checked it is not her playing?” You ask.

“Oh! No I have not, come, we shall go check together.” She replies, gently grasping your wrist and tugging you down the staircase In search of your sister, you are sure she only holds onto you so she cannot loose you too.

Walking into the drawing room you find it was indeed Francesca playing the piano forte, your mother breathing a big sigh of relief, she is also dressed ready to go. “Well then my children let’s get going shall we?” She asks as she ushers us all out to the carriages, turning to you and Francesca she says “You both look so beautiful!” Voice full of emotion. “Thank you mother” you both say in unison, she nods before you all enter the carriage and head off to the queens palace.

The whole thing went by in a blur, you walked down the aisle, bowed to the queen then exited out to the side, you’d all entered out into a garden party where people were mingling happily. Your brother Colin who had just returned from travels, was boasting to the young ladies, causing them to fawn over him. Penelope Featherington sadly watching from the sidelines, you were very aware of how she felt for your brother, being the same age you had spent many moments together. Although you wouldn’t call her a close friend, it saddened you to see her aways watching him with such hopeful but sad eyes.

You decided she could do with a distraction so you made your way over to her, “Hey Pen, how are you? I haven’t seen you about the house recently?” You ask, she jumps, obviously you’d caught her very much deep in thought. “My goodness y/n you scared me” she gasps hand on her chest, “Sorry Pen, we were both on our own so I thought I’d come talk with you” you explain. Her face softens then “Of course, you can always come talk to me, I know how hard this must all be for you” she replies her face now sympathetic. “Yes, I do so hate public attention, but alas my brother thought it was necessary” you sigh, nodding Penelope gave you a look of understanding, “We must all be pushed out into society sooner or later, I was just 17 when my mother decided I needed to be out. And look over three years later and I’m still just sat here with no suitor prospects, I wish I could find a husband” she groans, “What? Why? You’ve never seemed too interested before?” You ask.

With a sigh she turns to you “In all honesty I need my privacy, and I just cannot stand living with my family any longer, at least your family is supportive and kind, mine can be just awful” she complains. You nod, you understand, her family have always been difficult especially her mother! “Well then Pen I hope you find a kind, loyal man to be your husband this season, you deserve some happiness” you tell her in earnest. “Thank you y/n, you do too, whatever that is for you, you deserve happiness too” she says as she walks off, leaving you once more to your thoughts.

Would you find happiness? What was happiness to you anyways?

________________________________________

That evening you were attending your very first ball, nerves settled deep within your stomach. There would be many people attending Lady Danbury’s ball, and you were hoping to quietly blend into the crowds, not causing any reason to warrant any unwanted attention. Anthony had insisted on you being present, he had also given you a list of people he had chosen for your to converse with.

Your dress though, that you had chosen for yourself, it was a deep maroon, corseted down to your waist, it then flared out into a subtle A line ballgown. It had thick off the shoulders straps, sparkling embroidery and a skirt that swished as you moved. You wanted something that felt more freeing, compared to the tight empire line gowns that were the norm. Giving yourself a last once over you sighed, although you looked like a princess, you felt absolutely ridiculous.

Entering the party was as equally nerve wrecking as bowing to the queen this morning, walking down the steps after your brothers and sisters you felt all eyes shift to you, you held your head hire and floated down with all the grace you could muster, it must have worked because once you’d reached the bottom all eyes were still glued to you. Your mother came rushing to meet you, “You did well, you entered as gracefully as a swan” she gushed, you rolled your eyes at her enthusiasm, “Well mother my plan is to not cause any unwanted attention, I don’t want them thinking I am some wild animal that cannot be tamed” you sassed back. Tutting she guided you through the crowds to meet some new people, what you hadn’t noticed though, were a pair of very entranced blue eyes belonging to the one Lord Alfred Debling watching your entrance.

“Who is she?” Lord Debling asked Lady Danbury, “That would be Miss Y/N Bridgerton, second eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family” Lady Danbury answered. “I see” he replies eyes still watching you intently, Lady Danbury smirks knowingly, “I may also add, she only debuted this morning so from what I gather she is very much on the market, so to speak” she smiled. “Is that so?” He asks eyes still enchanted by you. The pair hadn’t noticed Cressida Cowper Joining them, not until she spoke up causing them to both jump slightly, “I’ve heard she’s a strange girl” she abruptly interrupts, “And where have you heard that Miss Cowper?” Asks Lady Danbury, her voice full of exasperation.

“Well I’ve heard she prefers the outdoors over social gatherings, she rides her horse bareback at some speed I may add, I’ve seen it myself. When I’ve called on Eloise this summer she’s either sprinting through the country on her horse or she has her nose in some weird book” she explains amusedly. “I don’t see how that makes her strange, but rather it makes her unique” Lord Debling affirms, “Well also” Cressida stutters out trying to find something more vexing to say about you, “Ah she also fences, she sword fights with her brothers, isn’t it incredibly odd, incorrect even for a young lady to sword fight?” She points out. “I dare say! Does she really?” He asks Lady Danbury, “Yes I believe she does” Danbury replies, the smug look is soon wiped off Cressida’s face though when he turns back to Lady Danbury, “That is incredibly impressive, what a young lady she is! I will go introduce myself” and with that he leaves in search of you.

He finds you over by the drinks helping yourself to one before retreating to the corner, “Miss Bridgerton? Are you quite alright? You appear to be hiding in the corner” he asks. You bow quickly “Lord Debling, I’m quite well thank you, just not one for large social gathering's” you answer honestly. “Ah, no me either actually, I prefer to be outdoors” he responds. You smile up at him shyly “I do too” you agree, “Riding Percy gives me much more joy than this” you continue, choking on his drink Lord Debling gasps “I beg your pardon you what?”, “Percy, he’s my horse, a Suffolk punch, my brother Anthony bought him for me for my birthday a few years back, I most enjoy riding him through the countryside, where it’s nice and quiet” you explain,

“Oh of course, I heard from Lady Danbury that you enjoy riding, he conveys, cheeks bright red now from his misunderstanding. “Lady Danbury spoke of me? To you?” You ask confused, “Umm yes, I happened to ask after you” he admits, you offer him a smile “I see and what else did she happen to say about me?” You question teasingly causing him to smirk, “Nothing much else, just that this was your first season” he stutters out now feeling very put on the spot, “Oh yes well I put it off as long as I possibly could, but my brother is forcing me to try this year” you confirm, “Is it so very bad?” He asks, teasing smile on his lips, “Well maybe not as bad as I had made it out to be in my head” you admit.

“Well then, would you care to dance?” He offers, hand outstretched towards you. “Yeah ok, why not, in the name of trying new things of course” you smile, “Of course” he repeats, clearly amused by you. He walks you out to the dance floor as everyone lines up, ready for the dance to begin. As the music plays he spins you around the dance floor, your eyes never leaving one another’s, its almost as if there’s static energy between you, your hearts pounding in your chest, you can tell everyone is watching you both, but in that moment all you can see is him.

“Is that your daughter Violet, dancing with Lord Debling?” One of the mothers asks, “Yes” your mother laughs, “I dare say it is” her face is lit up at the way your both staring at each other, thoughts of Daphne and Simon’s first dance entering her mind. This looked very promising, she thought you’d be the hardest to convince to give this whole ordeal a try, but you were entranced by the man before you, and it was Francesca who had made a rather hastily exit home already.

Lady Danbury joins your mother, “He asked about her you know, the second she entered the room” she tells your mother, knowing smirk still plastered on her face, “Did he?” Your mother asks, “Yes, he seemed very much intrigued by her, maybe we’ve made a match already” she implies, “Maybe…….. I will speak to my daughter once we are home” you mother decides. Nodding in agreement Lady Danbury takes her leave.

Once your dance comes to an end you bow and move to walk away, thinking he would have other young ladies to dance with, a soft grip of your hand causes you to turn, coming face to face with Lord Debling once more, “May I call on your tomorrow?” He asks, “Yes you may” you give a curt nod before leaving with your family.

This night had gone much better than expected, you thought to yourself whilst laying in bed, you felt excited to see what else was to come.

________________________________________

The next day you’d woken up early, to get yourself dressed for your sword fighting lesson, hoping you’d have time to freshen up before anyone had any callers, you smile to yourself at the thought of seeing Lord Debling again today. Bounding down the stairs you met your instructor Henry, “Good morning Miss Bridgerton, are you ready?” He asks, “Yes I am” you affirm, “Very good, although I don’t see how you need any more lessons now, I’ve taught you everything I know, and you have mastered it all”, you grin “Why thank you Henry, but I can tell you why I need my lessons” you reply, “And why is that Miss Bridgerton?” He asks, “Because I enjoy them” you laugh as you get into position.

Your two eldest brothers had joined you now, you were currently practicing against Benedict, completely loosing track of time. “Why do you encourage this Anthony?” Your mother asks, “Well dear mother I think it’s good that a lady knows how to defend herself, no one will ever mess with our little y/n now will they?” He questions playfully, rolling her eyes she waves him off as she leaves the room.

“Ha! I win again! Really Benedict are you even trying?” You goad, sweaty and exhausted he gives you the are you kidding look, “Yes dear sister unfortunately I am!” He grumbles, Anthony snorts out a laugh “Well I dare say these lessons are paying off, you have quite the talent” he praises you, “Thank you brother” you smile. Just then one of your maids enter the room, “Someone’s here to see you Miss” she announces, realisation hits you! Oh no Lord Debling has arrived and your still in your fencing clothes.

Walking in he smiles at you, you bow nervously before rambling out, “I’m very sorry I lost track of time my lord, please excuse me for a moment while I go change”, “Nonsense don’t worry about it, I’d love to see you in action” he answers, “Really!?” You ask surprised, he nods in response, you look to Anthony motioning for him to come join you, but he puts his hands up in surrender, “Oh no, watching Benedict loose all credibility was quite enough for one day, I will go find my wife, as I promised her a walk this morning.” He replies, “I’ll spar with you” Lord Debling offers, “Oh I couldn’t ask that of you my Lord” you hastily reply, “You’re not asking, I’m offering” he affirms before removing his jacket and placing on Benedict’s fencing armour.

Anthony lets out a laugh, “Perfect” he announces, before turning to Lord Debling “Don’t let her win, she will know. She is incredibly able” he confirms before leaving to find his wife. “Well are you ready then?” Debling asks you, “Yes, quite ready” you smirk back. As the two of you spar the static energy returns from last night, you fall into an effortless rhythm against one another, he fights well, there is technique and power to his moves, but you are just too quick for him, eventually knocking the sword from his hands and pointing yours to his chest in victory,

“I say! You are rather good at this aren’t you” he laughs, “Yeah I think it’s because I enjoy it so much” you agree.

“You Miss Bridgerton are an incredibly rare flower indeed” he says, “Thanks” you reply warm blush adorning your cheeks, “Will you save me a dance at tonight’s party?” He asks. “Yes of course” you reply maybe a little too hastily, “Well then, until tonight” he offers placing a delicate kiss to your knuckles. Before leaving he looks back towards you once more, giving you the most endearing smile.

You were very much looking forward to seeing him again tonight.

________________________________________

Over the next few weeks the two of you became much more acquainted with one another, you danced together at every party, usually more than once, you took chaperoned strolls together in the park and your family had also invited him over a couple of times for dinner.

You’d learnt much about him, his love for animals and wildlife, the fact he didn’t eat meat, all his adventure and conservation ideas, you’d become completely enamoured with this man, It appeared he also was with you too.

Today you were both taking a stroll in the park, the sun was warm and the smell of blossoms filled the spring air. Your maid was walking a few steps behind you, keeping a watchful eye. “Beautiful day is it not?” You ask him cheerfully, enjoying the sunshine on your skin. “Yes it is, but I can see something much more beautiful” he replies watching you carefully, you turn your head to hide your reddening cheeks. “Will you be attending the garden party tomorrow? I hear there will be a new form of transport being showcased” you ask, “Yes I believe I will be attending” he responds while smiling at you, grinning up at him you offer a nod in response.

“Well I bid you farewell Lord Debling, I have promised to help my mother this afternoon, I will see you tomorrow?” You offer, “Yes I shall see you tomorrow, good afternoon Miss Bridgerton” he replies. You spare him one last glance, before you walk off with your maid.

________________________________________

It was the day of the garden party and you were stood looking at the enormous ballon in awe, was that really supposed to be able to carry people through the sky? “Quite spectacular isn’t it?” Lord Deblings voice cut through your thoughts causing you to jump, “My Lord, you gave me a fright!” You gasped, “I am sorry, that was not my intention” he responds “That’s ok, it is spectacular yes, although I do worry how it’s supposed to transport people” you reply.

“Yes quite, but I suppose only time will tell, are you well Miss Bridgerton?” He asks, “Yes, thank you my Lord I am very well” you affirm, “Good” he nods.

As the afternoon goes on Penelope, Eloise and Cressida join in your conversation, Cressida going out of her way to try and impress Lord Debling, not even caring how desperate and contrary it makes her appear. Penelope spends the whole time staring at Colin and Eloise is pretty much rolling her eyes at everybody’s antics. Cressida continues to laugh at something he said, almost hanging off his arm, causing a pit of jealousy to stir in your stomach.

You turn your attention once again to the large ballon, which is now rocking very unstably in the wind, creaking and groaning as the ropes loosen. Just as they snap your brothers are rushing over to pull them back, using as much strength as they can muster to pull the thing back into place. All you can do is watch in terror as they lose control and the ship comes hurtling towards you, it all happens so quick, one miniute you’re watching terrified, the next you’re on the floor Lord Deblings body shielding you.

“Are you quite alright?” He asks gazing into your eyes, “Yes all thanks to you”. He carefully traces his fingertips down the side of your jaw, you watch him with wide eyes, wanting nothing more than to lean in and kiss him. Someone loudly clears their throat behind you, you both jump apart, turning to see Cressida and Eloise watching you both.

Lord Debling jumps up before offering you a hand up too, “What luck you were there to save my sister, thank you my Lord” Eloise states, “Of course, it was nothing” he replies before walking off.

“What was that y/n?” Eloise gasps, “I hardly know” you reply, completely shocked yourself.

________________________________________

That very evening you arrived at the ball still very much in shock, more so by Lord Deblings behaviour than nearly being squashed by the heavy ballon. Your mother currently had you making small talk with every eligible Lord in the room, “Mother is this really necessary?” You grumbled as you made your way over to yet another man, “Yes my darling daughter it is, until Lord Debling actually proposes you must keep your options open” she insists, “But Anthony said I do not have to marry this season, only that I must be out in society” you ask confused.

“Yes I know my sweet girl, but every year you’re on the market the less desirable you become, now make haste” she commands, you roll your eyes at her as she drags you through the crowd, “Lady Bridgerton, Miss Bridgerton, how nice to see you both” Lord Cambell greets, “Lord Cambell, lovely to see you again” you reply with a very forced smile. “Would you have any space left on your card to include a dance with me?” He asks, you stutter before your mother replies on your behalf, “My daughter would be delighted”, you resentfully offer your wrist and card for him to write his name on, before bowing and leaving to find some corner to hide in.

After no empty corner is found you retreat to the gardens in hope of some peace, leaning against the cold stone of the house you close your eyes, taking a deep breath. “Miss Bridgerton you should not be out here alone” Lord Deblings voice causes you to jump, “My goodness my Lord! Must you always startle me so.” You gasp, “Sorry I never intend too” he replies in earnest, “But you really shouldn’t be out here alone” he repeats as he steps closer, “Yes I know, but I need a minute to breathe, it’s awfully stuffy in there, and my mother is being a nuisance….” You trail off, voice stuttering as he steps closer once more, “By nuisance you mean by parading you around the room, like a prized animal?” He smirks, “Yes” you stammer, feeling more breathless than before if that was at all possible.

He carefully moves a piece of hair from your face, “Do you not wish for the attention of the Lords here tonight Miss Bridgerton?” He asks, “No, not from those ones anyways” you whisper, then in a flash his mouth meets yours, it’s passionate and gentle, it’s fire but also calm. Your fingers grasp his jacket as you pull him in closer, moulding your body to his own, his fingers move from your face to your neck, tilting your face to give him better access. His other hand grasps your thigh as he pulls it over his hip, grounding down into you causing a low whimper from your lips, moving from your mouth he kisses down your neck, nipping at your sweet spot, your hands slide into his hair as you grind into his hips once more.

Your movement causes him to gasp before quickly pulling himself away from you, leaving you a breathless mess. “I shouldn’t have done that” he worries, “My Lord?” You ask confused and worried, “I shouldn’t have put you in that position I am so very sorry” he repeats and your heart sinks, was he going to reject you now? Were you about to loose all credibility? Sensing your despair he quickly comforts you, “What I mean to say is that shouldn’t have happened before I asked for your hand, I do not wish to dishonour you, if you will have me and your brother agrees to it, I would very much like to make you my wife” he confirms, “Really?” You ask.

“Yes really, I am quite enamoured with you my dearest y/n, I came here to the Ton to seek out a wife, I thought I could find a match of convenience, one where I could travel and my wife would happily stay at home managing my estate. I did not think love was in the cards for me, I believed that my work would take up too much space in my heart for that, but then I met you, and my goodness did you change everything” he explains.

“Is this a confession of love my Lord?” You ask still very much breathless.

“It is yes, I didn’t come here to seek it which makes this as much a surprise to me as it is to yourself” he replies.

“I love you too” you admit, which causes his handsome face to light up, “I too did not believe this would happen, when my brother asked me to debut this season, I admit I hated the very idea, but I’m so very glad I did as it lead me to you” You confess.

“Well then my love, I believe I have a question to ask your brother” he replies, his hand seeking to find your own, grasping his with yours you reply “I suppose you do”. He gives you one last kiss on your cheek before heading inside to seek out your brother. You are still stood against the house, breaths still racing as you trace your lips with your fingertips, the tingling of his kisses still present.

Upon entering your home that evening Anthony stops you “Y/N may I speak with you a moment?” He asks, “Yea of course brother what is it?”

“Lord Debling has asked for my permission to propose to you, he says he has the deepest of feelings for you and he wishes you to be his wife, I know him to be a very kind man, one who obviously wouldn’t ever hurt an animal or a woman, he has a great estate and great prospects, so if it’s what you want I will agree to it at once, but I told him I had to talk with my sister first” he explains.

You smile knowing how deeply your family cares for each other, this is something you will never take for granted. “Truth is brother, I love him very much, I didn’t think it were possible to find someone I could fall for so deeply, but here we are” you reply.

“Very well then I shall give him my permission” Anthony affirms. You walk over and give him a chaste kiss to the cheek, “Thank you brother” you respond, he nods giving your shoulder an affectionate squeeze before wandering off.

You were going to be married! Not only that to a man you love, you felt such happiness in that moment your chest could burst.

________________________________________

The next morning whilst reading your maid walked in announcing Lord Debling was here to see you, you nod at her to let him in.

“Hello my love, are you well this morning?” He asks as he enters the room.

“I am quite well my Lord thank you” you smile.

“Please call me Alfred, such formalities feel no longer necessary”

“Very well Alfred, but then you must call me y/n so we are on equal terms” you reply.

He laughs, “Of course, my dearest y/n, so I’m guessing it’s no secret to as why I am here?” He asks.

“Well I have an idea, but I will need you to clarify” you respond with wit.

“Very well Miss y/n Bridgerton” he begins before getting down on one knee, “You have bewitched my heart, and I’m asking if you will do me the extraordinary honour of becoming my wife?”

Walking towards him you kneel down in front of him, reaching out and tracing his stubbled cheek, “Yes Alfred, I will marry you” you gush before moving in and placing your lips against his, in a sweet soft kiss.

Just then all your family enter the room offering congratulations, you thank them all but your eyes never leave his, as you think to yourself yes you believe this will be a very happy marriage indeed.

[http-paprika]

There Was Something Here Once but a new day hides that haze

alternative universe / call of duty x female reader / taglist open / wc 2623 / warnings light swearing / no use of y/n / ship not yet decided / no beta, my grammarly hates me

a word from the author- i started classes in August, so I'm not on top of my writing but I started this the other day and wanting to share it with ya'll because it's too good. And for the pairing, I'm between two characters so you'll just have to see how it goes.

Dew clings to the windshield, a heavy fog leaving the morning hazy and gray. Autumn would soon have a firm hold on the small, quiet town of Aberdeen, making the weather impossible to bear if one did not have a good flannel or coat. Which was a new addition to her wardrobe when she made plans to leave the city and hide away. The one postcard sent from her college friend, the one responsible for getting her this new job, boasted a quaint downtown, heavy snows, and an eerie ambiance she couldn’t shake no matter how hard she tried. It was Twin Peaks personified, just lacking David Duchovny and a young Kyle MacLachlan. 

The engine of her Ford Bronco sputters and creaks. The old vehicle had spent the whole drive up protesting the hills and winding roads that left her constantly breaking. Now, it seemed her ancient car, that she had served her faithfully through college and early adult years, had decided to kick her in the ass. 

“No, no, no.” She groans, hitting her head against the hard steering wheel and instantly regretting it. There’d be a bruise later in the day with her luck. “Not today, baby. I’ve only been at this job a week, I can’t be late already.” 

It would be just her bad luck that the car would give out, her luck that the cell service was questionable so she couldn’t even call. But what wouldn’t be her normal bout of unfortunate events was the man who lived just down the road that she’d seen tinkering with an old sports car. She pops up her head, remembering his existence and hurries out into the morning chill. 

With her fingers crossed together that the stranger would not be a creep, she walks in a fast pace down the cracked asphalt to the little arts and crafts home that sat at the bottom of the hill. There was a blooming garden out front, despite the change in seasons, vegetable, herbs and a few flowers bursting to life and ready for harvest. The two rocking chairs on the front porch made her a little less nervous. Whoever the home belonged to, they seem charming enough in their landscape and aesthetic. 

Hands trembling, she knocks against the screen door, wondering if she should open it and knock directly on the faded blue front door. But after a few knocks, the sound of muffled footsteps reached her ears and soon enough the door was unlocked and opened. Except, the man standing in the doorway was not who she’d seen tinkering with the car, instead, he struck her as a cowboy. Someone who would’ve starred in the western movies her father watched when she was a kid. 

“Can I help you?” He asks, a dull but still visible southern twang visible in his voice. Maybe he was a cowboy, his checkered shirt and worn down boots said as much. 

“Oh, um–” She pauses, trying to collect herself so as to not sound like a fool. The anxiety of being late and belittled by her unruly coworkers was pressing deep into her skin. “I’m sorry for disturbing you so early in the morning. But I just moved into the house up the road last week and my car doesn't want to run today and I’m going to be late for work. I had noticed in passing before that there’s someone in this household who works on cars and was wondering if he’d be willing to take a look at the engine for me? I’m helpless with mechanics.” 

The man nods, understanding her plea for help. “That’s right, John spends all his free time on that hunk of shit.” 

“Are you talking bad about my car again, Phillip?” A booming voice asked from inside the house, it caused her to stand at attention being vividly alert. Suddenly, the man she’d seen while driving by is standing over Phillip’s shoulder, hands resting on Phillip’s hips and a tilt to his head. “Hello there, not often we get new people in these parts.” 

“She just moved into the Riley’s house, her car is acting up, John.” Phillip tells the newcomer in the conversation. Together, the men made quite a fitting pair, rugged and worn at the edges, with various lengths of facial hair and two sets of blue eyes. Without them having to say it out loud, she could feel the warmth of their shared intimacy, a love she could only envy and never grasp. 

“Really? Never thought anyone would be willing to buy it— Ow!” John grumbles, rubbing his side where Phillip had jutted his elbow. “Right, your car. Let me get my things.” 

She frowns at the statement the man had begun but been unable to finish. What had John meant by that? Sure, the house wasn't the nicest, there were cobwebs in corners, cracks on some of the window panes, and a musty smell from sitting empty for a while, but it was a nice enough house. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a cozy kitchen that looked out into the woods. It was a quaint cottage that was a dream come true compared to the studio apartment she’d left behind. 

John disappears back into the house, leaving her with an awkward look on her face as Phillip stands there. She wants to ask what John meant by it, the curiosity or rather fear of the truth taps insistently against her skull. But she imagined her neighbor would just shut her down like he’d done with his partner. 

“If it can be fixed, John can fix it, ma’am. He owns and runs the little auto shop in town, you’ve probably seen it. It’s the only one in this hellhole.” Phillip tells her, breaking up the static silence that had overcome them. 

“You don’t like it here?” She raises a brow, surprised to hear it. The few coworkers she had at her new job only sang the praises of Abedreen, telling her it was the greatest little town to live in. But it was clear in Phillip’s tone that he didn’t share the sentiment. 

“I like John, that’s enough to take me anywhere.” 

There was a faithfulness in his voice she didn’t think she’d ever heard outside of television and novels. Her parents were divorced when she was a girl, all her friends in college seemed to have constant relationship problems and doubts, but there wasn’t a doubt in his words. 

“Alright, lead the way.” John reappears behind his partner with a fat toolbox in hand, seemingly unaware of what Phillip had said. But she had a suspicion he knew, because as subtle as it was, she noticed John loop his finger quickly through the belt loop of Phillip’s jeans and tug slightly. And as she turned away to walk off the porch, the smile on Phillip’s face was as visible as the mist that hung in front of her. 

The crunching of John’s boots on top of the gravel kept her company as they walked back to the road. There was a clear impression that the man was the less talkative of the couple, using few words to get his point across. Normally, she wouldn’t mind, but his big hulking figure following her like a shadow kept her nervous. While Phillip had reminded her of the movies her father used to watch, John reminded her of her father. Broad shoulders, dark hair covering his jaw, lack of conversation, and intimidating stature. She couldn’t even remember where her father had been born. Somewhere out west, or so she thought. 

“So how come you moved to Aberdeen?” He finally speaks up once they’re on the road, headed back up the hill to her new home. “Got family in the area?”

“No.”

“Okay. You don’t exactly strike me as the logging or mining type–” 

“An old college friend was from here, and I happened to come across a job position at the library and remember her telling me about the town.” She shrugs, not knowing what else to say without spiraling into the life events that left her desperate enough to start anew in the middle of nowhere, in a town no one seemed to know about. 

“Ah.” John responds. She turned to look quickly down at the asphalt, his thoughtful gaze told her more than enough. He knew there was more to the story, and either he didn’t care or he was polite enough not to ask. “Who’s the friend?”

“What?”

“Your old college friend from here? Who are they? I’d probably know them, lived my entire life in the area.” He says, coming to a slow pace as they reached the top of the hill, her Bronco sitting and waiting to be inspected. She could only pray he could tell her it was fixable. 

“Um, Beau Ridley. Well, now Beau Mayfield since she’s married.” She rambles off, stopping quickly in fear that she’s being too much. A habit she’d developed quickly in college. 

“Yeah, I know Beau– pop the hood for me?” John sets down his tool box and she scurries to follow his orders like a kid finding the right wrench for their dad. Despite owning the car for ages, she struggles to remember where she had to look to open the boot. Finally, the boot clicked open and her view out the windshield was obscured with the metal. From this view, she could see just how badly the paint had begun to fade, and that there was dried bird poop that hadn’t been there the night before. 

“Sorry.” She apologizes as she climbs back out of her car, fiddling with the sleeve of her shirt.

“What for?” He doesn’t even bother looking up from the engine of the car as he pokes around. Blinking at him, she realizes he doesn’t care that it took her a bit too long to pop the trunk or that she disturbed his morning. Realizing that makes her shift from one foot to another and drop her gaze down to the dirt of her driveway. 

“Do me a favor and try to turn on the engine, would ya?” John asks and she quickly hurries to fulfill that task too. She hated meeting new people and new beginnings simply because it meant she had to work hard to make a good impression, the people here weren’t disappointed in her and expected failure like those she knew before. It was a feeling she hated, seeking approval. Yet she did it anyway. 

Propping herself up in the driver’s seat, she fumbles with her keys– the cat keychain she had kept getting in the way– before finally turning the key in the ignition. The rough sound of her car sputtering and struggling, failing to do it’s most basic task of running, causes her to wince. And when she pokes her head out to see John’s expression as she continues to try to make it turn on, she realizes her car is screwed. 

“So?”

“Need to get in the shop,” He informs her. John takes his time explaining what he believed to be the problem and it went all over her head, so she simply nodded. She knew how to change a tire, replace the blinker fluid, and even knew where to refill the car’s coolant, but anything more was outside her realm of knowledge. “You didn’t understand a thing I said, did ya?” 

“No sir.” 

John nods his head in sympathy, probably used to clueless customers in his auto shop. Reaching into the back pocket of his jeans, John pulls out his cracked phone and types up a number. “I’ll call my tow-guy to come up and take it down to the shop, free of charge.”

“How am I going to get to work?” She suddenly responds, remembering why she’d even gone to John’s house in the first place. There’d always been a struggle for her to focus on what comes after something, stuck in the present unable to look forward to the future. Even if the future is only an hour away. 

“Where do you work?” He asks her, putting the phone up to his ear to make the call. 

“At the library.” She responds quickly, John registers her words with a nod before turning away to speak to his tow-driver. He barks at the unfortunate driver, seemingly annoyed by his antics until the call finally ends and he turns on his boot heel to look back at her. 

“Johnny’s gonna be here in about twenty minutes, he’ll drop you off at the library. If that’s alright with you?” John says, making sure that she was comfortable with the situation. “Otherwise, I could drive you down later once I’m done with my breakfast and coffee.” 

“No, no, that’s more than enough.” Her mind keeps going back to his statement, free of charge. How many times had she gotten something in life free? Rarely, if she could remember correctly. “Thank you, John.” 

“You’re in Aberdeen. We take care of our neighbors here.” He turns to close his tool box, picking up the metal container with ease. “You fine with waiting on your own–”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s fine.” The thought of inconveniencing John further after he’d already taken time out of his day to help her was too much to ask. Even if she didn’t like the idea of waiting for a stranger to come get her car and take her to work, she’d handle it. 

“You sure?”

“Yes, thank you. Again.” John nods, turning to leave with a hum in his throat low in sound but enough for her to hear in the morning. The fog is beginning to dissipate, letting the autumn sun climb through the tall spindly pine trees, the crisp air clings to your lungs like swallowing ice water. Up here, she finds that she can take a moment to breathe. Away from the bustling traffic of the city, the bog that coated the air. The only noise here was birdsong and wind. A bliss that eclipsed her senses before her phone decides to ring– her manager’s number on the caller ID. 

Her manager forgives the lateness, and even tried to ask if they could do anything to help her but she declines. Sitting on the front step of her house, the hum of a truck overtakes the sounds of nature. And when the tow truck slows to a stop in front of the cottage, she finds herself biting the inside of her cheek. The sudden realization that there’s a stranger here to get her car and take her to work makes her queasy. If she were still in the city, she would’ve considered taking the spotty public transport over this. But it was too far and difficult of a trek to make with her heavy work tote slung over her shoulders and her loafers sinking into the mud from last night’s rain. She wouldn’t make it walking. 

The door of the tow truck opens and the driver climbs out, his back stays turned to her as he reaches back in to grab something. The navy coveralls compliment his tanned arms well, and when he turns to look at her, she realizes they match his eyes as well. Even with his odd mohawk-like hair she finds herself coughing on nothing at the sight of his face. 

“You alright, ma’am?” He asks, knitting his brows together in his concern. There’s a golden look in his face, 

“Yeah, yeah. You’re Johnny?” She wheezes, struggling to clear her throat. 

“That’s right. I’ll have your car hooked up and you to work in no time.” He promises her with a grin, and she fully believes it. Maybe Aberdeen wasn’t the worst little town to exist?

Chapter II

[days-until-burnout]

hi omg i forgot to put in my request for my prize lol.. or did i? i forgot 😭 ive been very busy lately.

but just incase i havent, i would like to have as my prize a very cute fluffy scar x joel college au bc i need more of them 😞😞

your writings are so amazing and inspiring i love them all especially the smalletho tehee <3 have a great timezone and take care 🩷

you did forget xD but worry not, because forget is my main skill. anyway, here some scarjoel. i got confused halfway through writing (not the prompt, just confused in general). but i tried my best<3 and thank you for reading<3 _____

📧 Day 75 -

Characters - Scar/Joel Words - 1,517 Time - 45 mins Content - College AU

Scar pushed his wheelchair through the crowd, mostly following his nose—it took him of sweets and baked goods, all the alluring warmth and sugary sweetness permeating the area; the whole campus, even. He'd even seen a couple people drooling over their goods, praising the taste and flavors and textures over and over. Fleetingly, too, he heard about the cause; all funds would be going to the animal shelter fifteen minutes away from campus.

Of course, Scar was an animal lover himself, having owned two cats on his youth. Unfortunately, with lectures and labs, and seeing as he had to live on dorms the first year, he could not bring them with him. They were at home, with his parents, looked away and loved, and above it all, missed like crazy.

So that was two things driving him forward, despite the horrid midday sun and crowds. A sweet treat and a good cause—but that wasn't all, not entirely.

He heard from Grian, who heard from Mumbo, who got boasted by Bdubs that Joel was going to be helping with the fundraiser. Either Joel was bribing the professors with baked goods, or he was ignoring all his homework and assignments, because there was no way Joel had time for this when Scar himself was drowning.

(Well, if he ignored the fact that he had been procrastinating with some Lego sets his parents had sent a month ago—but still! Joel had too much free time, and Scar, as his friend and possible room-mate next year, had all the right to be suspicious.)

(Also because he felt guilty not spending enough time with him, but that was… a conversation to be had… probably next month, after he got through his pile of assignments and projects.)

As the crowds thickened, Scar wondered if it was too late to switch back from architecture to business school.

"Watch it, idiot."

Scar snapped out of it, instantly panicked and frozen. Until his mind recognized the voice, slowly turning his head to find Joel staring at him, eyebrow raised with a pretty yet mocking smile on his lips.

"Don't drive through the stand. Who knows if you can even afford all that." Joel laughed, playfully as he walked over, hands on his pockets and, well, casual clothes. Scar didn't know why he expected Joel to be wearing some sort of uniform or badge or apron, not that he hadn't seen him in all of that before with all the various projects he got dragged into (Scar was sure Joel spent more time with club activities than homework, yet maintained a decently high grade—again, suspicious).

"I would never," Scar huffed, offended as he snapped his head away from him. He glanced ahead, seeing the stand a couple meters away, Cleo and Scott taking orders and cash at the front while Gem and Pearl were packing orders. The line was long, panning out the walking-path of the park. "Busy?"

"It helps," Joel hummed, a certain tone in his voice.

Scar swallowed, looking at him nervously, "What did?"

"Oh, you know, emotional manipulation. I've been going around the park telling people they hate animals if they don't donate. Dirty work."

Scar looked horrified for a moment, catching a glint in Joel's eyes that didn't let him decipher if this was the truth or a lie. Joel didn't look ready to reveal, rather, he looked at the stand then around, then finally his chocolate eyes landed on Scar.

Joel looked him up and down, and Scar had to stop pushing.

"Hm, you haven't bought anything nor have a sticker. That means you hate animals." Joel said quickly, yet nonchalantly, stealing the words from Scar's tongue and moving along before he could retort. Scar was good at this, they knew, this whole con-man thing, but here he was, stunned into silence as Joel continued. "Dunno Scar, I don't think I can flat with you next year. I'm bringing my dogs, and since you don't like animals… It's like kids. Everyone says yes, or there's gonna be problems."

It took a bit, a couple seconds for his brain to kick into action, sputtering and stuttering his defense, "I– I was going to! But you– You distracted me. Actually, uh, I think you are the one who might not like animals, actually." He breathed in then out, pushing his wheelchair again. Joel hummed beside him. "You see, your childish tactics are only drawing people away from your cause, which I assume you take much pride in. But it's your manipulation and—"

Scar halted at the quiet chuckles, looking up to see Joel laughing into the side of his fist. And oh, how cute he was. Unashamedly, with not a single thought, Scar stared at him, laughing. Those eyes, his lips, his button nose and rosy cheeks. His hair, the collar of his shirt wrapped around the base of his neck. The line of his jaw, his arms against his chest, the sweet little giggles—

"Oi!"

Scar jerked as Joel jumped to pull him to a stop, nearly running into someone facing the other direction.

Joel laughed again, more openly, and it sounded just as sweet.

(It was obvious, yes? Maybe he should tell him. He should.)

"Go find somewhere to park, jeez. I'll bring something over."

"But I have the money!"

"You can give it to Cleo after. I'm not treating you."

Joel quirked an eyebrow, still smiling. And Scar swore Joel blinked at him before leaving, sending his heart into a frantic thunder that kept him in place for a couple minutes, watching him walk away, weaving through the crowds confidently and sneaking behind the stand. Scar watched him eyeing the boxes, pointing at various places for Gem to grab, Cleo even turned over to scold them but Gem had shoved the box into Joel's hands and then Joel was running away.

Joel had found him in the same spot, laughing a little more before gesturing over to a tree near the path. Despite the place before fairly busy, everyone taking shelter from the sun under the trees, they were able to snatch one not too far from the concrete path, which Scar's wheelchair appreciated.

So they sat, and they ate, talking about the fundraiser—or, well, Joel talked about it. On and on while Scar ate the donuts, the pieces of cake and cookies, melting with every bite. It was up in the air if Scar was distracted with the goods or if he was entranced by Joel, because from one moment to the next, they had spent all day sitting there, doing nothing.

The sky had turned a couple shades of orange. People were still out and about, even more now that the sun wasn't burning their heads and late night bars were about to open. Everything warm still with only the softest of breezes.

It wasn't until, despite the sound of kids and someone's blaring speaker, did he notice how quiet the world was. With a glance, he saw the stand long gone, and with another quick glance, he realized Joel was snoozing against his shoulder.

(Likely, he had frozen when it first happen and he was just now waking up himself from being stunned.)

('Likely' being exactly what happened.)

Scar couldn't see much from his angle, just the bridge of his nose, curls of brown and lashes. He stirred the faintest bit, but it was enough to wake him. He stilled, hoping Joel would go back to sleep, but he only felt him nuzzling further, intentionally.

"Why'd you let me fall asleep?" Joel questioned, playfully with an audible grin.

And Scar was honest, "Didn't even realize."

When Joel straightened, pulling away, Scar felt a chill settle where their bodies touched. It tingled too, on his shoulder.

"We should head back, I'm hungry." Joel yawned, stretching his arms up high before slouching, instantly going to check his phone. "We should order pizza. I don't feel like getting hall food."

"You want pizza?"

Joel hummed, unaware of Scar's incessant staring. His phone lit up his face softly, the white light softened by the setting sun around them, and Joel looked, well, like Joel. All smiles and messy hair, mischief in his eyes at the text he was writing—a glance up, a knowing smile, he caught him staring and smiled about it.

"Let's get pizza," Scar managed to breathe out.

Joel offered a wider smile, then he went back to texting.

Scar decided, tonight, after pizza he was going to tell him. Before they moved in together and possibly ruined their first time living on their own. He was going to tell him and he was going to be brave about it and he was going to be only a little hurt if he was rejected and then he was going to beg to stay friends and swear he can keep his feelings in check.

It was a plan. Flawless.

(Scar did not end up telling Joel. Between mouthfuls of pizza and many deaths in a cooperative game, how could he?)

(Regardless, Joel stayed the night.)

_____

first, i forget what name these two have. i mostly use scarjoel tho also, can i admit. something. is this a safe space. ive been obsessing over a game these past 3 days. its ruining me. i am weak. burnout might not get me, but hyperfixation might</3

[a-queer-seminarian]

sigh. i'm so tired of dreams where i'm somehow back at my childhood church and trying to get out of there before i'm recognized and yelled at / attacked. i dream some iteration of this a few times a month.

they are interesting dreams though, because of how they shift and change.

sometimes the church looks like it does now, but more often it looks like it did when i was a kid / up through high school — they redid the entire sanctuary building while i was in undergrad (which is quite fitting narratively lol, that the building itself was demolished and remade while i was undergoing huge changes in myself off at college, so that what i returned to was never quite Familiar, an uncanny valley version of the place i loved most as a child)

the changes the church underwent:

they carefully removed the altar, crucifix, tabernacle, stained glass windows and tore down the old building, then placed all those treasured items in the new, larger sanctuary.

(a fun thing about that altar: it has relics of Felicity and Perpetua inside it, i.e. THE sapphic Saints)

The pews went from two straight rows to having some diagonal rows on the sides.

I want to say the floor is stone now instead of the old burgundy carpet that i remember so well growing up, and that is present in my parents' wedding photos

There are still the small gold fonts of holy water at the side doors, but the main entrance boasts a whole holy water fountain now which is pretty cool

all that statues and images of Jesus and co are, of course, white people. as it was as i grew up, so it is now. i just notice it way more now than i did then

my favorite addition is to one side, a shrine to Our Lady of the Wayside, which i wrote about years ago. I don't know what significance she has to whomever decided to give her space at St. Raphael, but her name alone is so queer — she's there with those who are left behind on the wayside, forgotten or abandoned or unable to keep up.

Sometimes in my dreams the old and the new tangle up, so that i'll exit the new sanctuary and find myself in the old gym, or the old behind-the-scenes space where i'd go to change into my altar serving alb, ready the candles, pray with the priest and other servers before Mass began. (I can't remember what the new behind-space looks like; i only ever went in there a handful of times. So it never shows up in my dreams)

Or in some of my dreams the church looks completely different from reality, expanded into a cathedral — last night the sanctuary looked similar to what it used to on its ground floor, but it had a second level wrapped around the sides for even more pews, with an enormous statue of Raphael in the very back watching over everything.

Most of the time I'm hiding. Fleeing. Trying to escape unseen. Sometimes it's the middle of Mass and i somehow accidentally ended up there? i'm hiding my face trying to hustle to the exit but they're all locked so i have to play it cool, act casual. Or else i'm lost in those back rooms with the albs and such; they've become labyrinthine and i keep passing the doorless spaces where they lead straight onto the raised space with the altar; i can see Father T preaching at the pulpit and my body goes cold fearing he'll turn his head and see me so i hurry on, still hopelessly lost

One time i spent the whole time kneeling before the place to the side of the altar in the old sanctuary building where the tabernacle used to be. Then when i was in high school they moved the tabernacle to be at a more central place right behind the altar, and moved statues of the Holy Family to fill its old space. In my dream the Holy Family and the tabernacle were there, and I knelt in prayer before them. I can't remember what I prayed. Was I desperate for safety or acceptance? Was I defiant? Did I pray for those who persecuted me? I don't remember, but I sure was at it a long time

Every now and then i dream someone does recognize me — and instead of attacking me, they say it's all right. That no one is mad. That i can come back without fear. I hate that version the most because when i wake up it takes me a moment to remember that didn't really happen

[charlesandmiranda]

1/31: Shinjuku morning and Akihabara afternoon

After our first night in Shinjuku, we spent the earlier part of the day wandering around the Kabukicho area before we had to check out of Hotel Gracery. It was kind of interesting, because the area is primarily known for its nightlife, as I mentioned before, but it's still very busy during the day, with people seemingly just passing through, or folks cleaning and getting ready to open up at night. It's definitely a different vibe. We walked through some more game centers and arcades, just to kind of leisurely pass the time, before around 2 pm(ish) we hit Shinjuku station and started heading towards our next place to stay. Here's Charles playing easy mode on a drumming game, playing along to the opening theme of Spy x Family, which is a very cute, popular anime we both like.

I also had to stop at a Japanese Krispy Kreme because they're exceptionally tasty, and they have a super classy vibe that is definitely not part of the marketing in the US

Before Shinjuku station, we stopped by a department store that houses the Godzilla store, called Marui. They definitely had some cool Godzilla stuff to see.

Lastly, before we left Shinjuku, we went to a guitar store, where Charles bought a guitar pedal (this was very much a precursor to what was to come, haha)

The next place we headed to was Chiyoda, where we stayed in the Manga Art Hotel! It was a capsule hotel, comprising two floors -- one for men and one for women. If you're not familiar with a capsule hotel, they're like...private bunks or tiny rooms fitting a single person, and they often have dorm-like shared facilities for showers, bathrooms, sinks, etc. A lot of them are very simple, but you can find some super cool themed ones like this one, too. And best of all, they're typically very inexpensive, which we definitely took no issue with! haha.

The big draw for the Manga Art Hotel, for me, is that it essentially also functioned as a manga library (manga are Japanese comics!) The capsules are built kind of like walled in bunk beds and they're all decked out with tons of manga, in both English and Japanese, and you're free to borrow and read as much as you like for the duration of your stay! I also really loved the design or the whole thing, it had a sort of funky, clean and modern look and there was a really beautiful balcony on the women's floor. I only wish it had been a little warmer, or I would have loved to spend time out there!! Sadly we were still a bit too jet lagged to get much reading in, but I read the first two volumes of Tokyo Tarareba Girls and Charles read Give My Regards To Black Jack. I'll do a separate photo dump for Manga Art Hotel after this post!

The whole building we stayed in was actually quite cool, the ground floor appeared to be some kind of pop up music venue, and on the third floor right below where I stayed, there was an extremely tasty and charming coffee shop called Social Good Roasters!!! There is soooo much really good coffee here in Japan, even from vending machines and convenience stores (called "conbinis" here!) that even fast and cheap coffee is fun to try.

After dropping off our luggage, we went to spend the afternoon roaming around Akihabara, which is also known as Electric Town. It started off back in the day as a hub for folks to buy and sell new and used electronics and computer parts, but now it's best known as an otaku (geek) hub, that also boasts an impressive number of arcades and shops where you can buy anime goods like statues and figures, plushes, buttons, keychains, all kinds of stuff. There are also some cool stores for famous brands like Tamashii Nations, Kotobukiya, and one of my favorites, the Mandarake Complex -- Mandarake is a secondhand goods shop that sells a huge variety of manga, doujinshi (fan comics), cards, figures, etc. They occasionally have really old and rare stuff so it's almost like visiting a museum!

I will say, maybe it's the time of year or maybe it's just us, but the variety of stuff at Akihabara this time around was not as exciting as times we've gone in the past; just not as much of the cool old/vintage stuff and wide variety as we've seen before. Neither one of us are really into the most popular anime and manga right now, so most of the stuff on display was

We wandered around til well past dark, but at this point the jet-lag was setting in. We stopped for a snack break at the popular chain Mister Donut (which is, as you'd expect, a donut shop -- they're much like....chewier and less sweet than American donuts) we hit a few other places before we decided to head back to Manga Art Hotel and turn in early.

Keep you all posted with more soon! M.

[mienvs3000w23]

Unit 01: Launching into Nature Interpretation

I grew up in the city of Vaughan, boasting a population of over 300,000 people as of 2017. I live in a cozy house with my family amidst a bustling neighborhood, and we have the biggest backyard on the whole street. My mom said that one reason we moved into this house was because of the large backyard, as it was good for our dog to run around in. It has a huge tree right in the center, with long, thick branches poking out of it. One summer, my stepdad helped me put up a tire swing off one of the largest branches. It would always fill with water after it rained, which was pretty often as it was a particularly rainy time. I remember swinging the tire against the tree so it would bounce off and make the water spill out of it. By the end of the summer, I didn’t spend too much time playing with the tire swing because the rainwater would annoy me a lot. Instead, I spent a lot of my time playing along the street with my neighbors. We would play grounders on the playground, go biking in the local parks, and play manhunt using our garages. Sometimes we would trade silly bands, staying out until it got dark so we could see if they actually glow in the dark. This never worked, though, because there were streetlights at every corner that never really let the sky get fully dark. Although our neighborhood had more than the average amount of greenery and parks for such a populated neighborhood in Vaughan, I don’t remember ever truly feeling a connection or appreciation for nature growing up. I was mainly surrounded by “city life”: concrete, houses, buildings, and plazas… it was rare to see a pretty sunset over a calm lake. 

I switched schools at the beginning of fifth grade. I had met a girl in my class who became my locker partner, and she convinced me to go to an all-girls overnight camp with her in the summer. I went to the camp but got placed in a younger age group. In all honesty, I never even saw my friend there. I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t enjoy being bitten by mosquitos, I didn’t enjoy being around a bunch of younger kids, I didn’t enjoy not having the freedom to do what I wanted, I didn’t enjoy not having my friend there, I didn’t enjoy the small portions of food. One time, we did a camping trip where we canoed to an “island” and had to sleep near the lake in tents. It sounds nice, right? Nope. The counselors set up their tents on the soft sandy beach. We were stuck setting up tents further back, near the branchy forest. We didn’t have a soft cushion of sand to sleep on. I slept with a branch poking into my back. My first “immersion” into nature sucked, and I was more than ready to go home. As middle school ended, some of my friends from my extracurricular art program told me about another overnight camp they went to. Their stories were completely different than what I had heard in fifth grade: they told me about girls giving themselves piercings in the cabins. I thought that was insane… I had to see this for myself. I signed up for this camp, and at the end of August off we went! And you know what? I had a blast! Unfortunately, there were no DIY piercings. Fortunately, I spent all my time outside and LOVED it! Still do!

It was one of the first times in my life that I saw a sky full of stars. In Vaughan, there are only 3 at most. In Haliburton, my friends and I would lie on the boat dock for hours before bed just stargazing. One guy from our group even brought a $1000 telescope, and we got to see the moon and all of its craters! Another time, we jumped into the lake with our clothes on because we forgot to change into our bathing suits. During my free time, my group mates and I would explore the nearby forests and beaches, always ending our adventures with a view of the lake. I even tried tubing for the first time! So much water got in my eyes, but I did it again that same day! I was a camper here for 3 years, and a counselor for 2. I had felt a sense of place. That camp is my happy place, and the first spot I think of when I'm feeling down. The staff, the campers, and my friends were all a crucial part of that feeling. I knew I wanted to share my love of camping with others. I became a nature interpreter, leading hiking groups to introduce campers to the local ecology and beautiful landscapes. I enjoyed connecting younger generations to nature, the same way I had been.

That experience ignited a passion in me. I started seeking out camping experiences, such as back-country camping in the Bruce Peninsula and car camping at McCrae Lake. I even branched out my interest educationally, taking environmental science courses and going on to pursue higher education in environmental sustainability. I am forever thankful to my friends who convinced me to go with their crazy stories. If it wasn’t for my curiosity, I never would have ended up with such a priceless experience.

[rrkittenzz]

𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 (𝟏/𝟐)

── genre: hurt/comfort

I could have never imagined what a marriage test must've been like. No, really, I would never be able even to imagine it. Years with her is what life is all about.

Our marriage was enough. I don't need anything else besides her by my side. Ever since our wedding, I felt my life was completed. She felt it when our son was born a year later. I still remember the warmth in the hospital room that day. I kissed her forehead, telling her how much I loved her as she held our newborn in her arms. The child was our bundle of joy. It should be, at least.

Aside from our love for our baby, the birth is something excruciating I would never want to happen ever again. I couldn't bear seeing my wife in agonizing pain, desperately holding my right hand, while I was stroking her head gently with my left. I felt so bad, I felt terribly sorry for her, knowing well it all happened because of me. It all progressively got worse since she bled a lot, like a lot. I tried my best to comfort and encourage her, hiding my biggest fear of losing her. I prayed in my heart every second so that she'd be safe and healthy.

But it all was such an old story five years back then. There's nothing to worry about now, I thought as I held a water gun in our garden while playing with our son. “Pew, pew!” he yelled, impersonating the sound of such a weapon. I put my hand on my chest, where he shot me at. “Ow! Dad's down!” I replied as I dropped down on the grass.

My wife smiled beamly as she stood by the door. “Alright, Boys, breakfast is ready!” “Oh, finally Mom cooks something!” said our son, who immediately washed his hands and sat at the dining table. I was always busy, and so did her, that our son had longed for homemade foods.

“Wow, the house smelled tasty, now!” I said as I clutched two water guns in my hands, followed by her delighted laugh. We spent the Sunday at home, watching movies, and playing board games, something both my wife and son adore a lot.

“Thank you for playing with me the whole day,” said my son as he tucked himself in his blanket. My wife smiled and kissed his forehead. “We should've done it more often, don't we?” He shook his head. “Don't worry, it's okay. I'm actually very proud to have busy parents, so that I can boast it when I'm at school.” We all laughed. “Okay, then, good night. Tomorrow's school, alright?” I said as I turned off the lamp.

Definitely, nothing to worry about, for at least until weeks later, my wife came up with a test pack, written positive on it. “Oh, look, Darling!” she said. I stood still, staring blankly at the white device in my hands. I turned my head to her. She was smiling, but I knew it was the ‘it's going to be alright’ smile.

Years ago, not so long after our son was born, I suggested to her that one child was enough. I confessed that I didn't want her to go through such a thing ever again. So, she knew my fears.

This was my fault, after all. I gazed at her rather happy eyes deeply. I didn't say a thing. Of course, she would say everything's going to be alright, nothing bad is going to happen, then tell me not to worry so much. But, I can't. I nearly lost her five years ago. The birth was difficult, that her condition was critical right after the baby was born. She was so close to death due to the heavy bleeding, and I couldn't risk it to happen again.

She would sacrifice her life for our child, but I would sacrifice ANYTHING for HER life. Even if it means sacrificing our baby.

(to be continued)

★ read the next part here!

[rin-eko]

Chapter Twenty-Three - To live eternally with the one you love 

Chapter Warnings/Tags: mentions of corporal punishment, sex, poison

masterpost

“Ah, I forget what it’s like down here. I should come more often. The palace is so stifling,” Sara smiled.

“I would love to show you the orphanage some time. Prince Takeomi established it before his passing. I’m sure the children would like to meet you, too,” you smiled, hearing the excited chittering of people just outside the royal palanquin.

“Yes, let’s take them all out for food. We’ll buy for everyone until they’re stuffed full,” she stretched her arms up, giggling. Kin smiled softly at her, rubbing the top of her head.

Not wanting to disturb them, you brushed the thin material of the red curtain away to look outside, smiling at the people waving as they parted for the royal procession to pass through.

On the day of prayer, the whole of Senin celebrated their ancestors and the gods. Before the sun broke, citizens would gather to pray to their forbearers for long hours as the sounds of the Tamashi Himo, an orchestra made up of Senin’s traditional deep instruments, sounded. The sound of the vibrating strings reverberated in the air until the last stragglers hobbled to their feet to prepare for the day in which Senin’s history was taught. Hundreds of new stalls were built in the capital centre, some displaying traditional games while others boasted hundred-year old family recipes, the smell of hot foods and sweet things filling the capital.

In the evenings, the people would pray for good fortune from the gods. While visiting the temples of the gods was a frequent trip for most families, most chose the day of prayer to offer a large portion of their fortunes as they wished for protection or wealth.

Music swelled long into the evening, performers parading through the imperial streets with such vigour you could see their shiny, flashing costumes glinting all the way from Heaven’s Step.  

Yuma had awoken you in the early hours of the morning, plunging your shivering body into a hot bath and scrubbing every inch of you vigorously until you were sure a new layer of skin had been revealed.

As you did every year on the day of prayer, you spent the first hours of the morning by Saeya’s side, chanting quiet prayers as she laid her head to your lap and you stroked her soft stresses, lovely melodies lulling from your lips.

You helped her dress before you, too, were being whisked away once more to get ready for the day. Yuma shoved a bun in your mouth for first meal as she combed your hair and two other maids washed your feet, eventually moving to paint your lips red and apply rouge to your cheeks.

Glowing pearls from Baye connected by golden strings were weaved into your hair, winding around your bun and flowing down your back with the rest of the hair. Your robes were heavy despite the hot day, and much brighter than you were used to.

“I don’t want to wear this underneath if my dresses are so thick,” you complained, going to untie the thin, plain white robe you were supposed to wear underneath.

“Goodness, child. What are you doing?” Yuma batted your hands away. “You must. How indecent.”

You glared out the window, at the sky. It was nice weather for a festival, but without a cloud in sight the sun bore down relentlessly, already heating the palace.

“I will just wear a chest wrap, and no one will know…” you reasoned, silencing when the older woman gave you the same stern look your grandmother used to give when you were being cheeky.

You huffed, but otherwise stayed silent as the bold red outfit was wrapped around you. Details of dark green and gold were embroidered onto the thick fabric, and despite your whining you had to admit the cloths were very beautiful. A beige fan was tucked into your waist band, light red shoes slipped onto your stocking-covered feet before Yuma stepped back to observe you. She came back to stroke down your hair once more before pushing you out the room with more force than you thought necessary, but you went with it considering you were already late.

You side glanced Haruchiyo’s impassive profile. He was very pretty in gold and dark blue robes, hair tied high with a gold clasp and pin. You had to resist staring at the smooth slope of his nose, his sculpted jawline and elegant neck as he sat quietly beside you on the trip into town.

However, just as you were about to step out of the palanquin to follow Kin and Sara, he took your wrist to stop you. You glanced back to where he was still seated, seeing him fidget nervously.

You raised a brow. “Is something the matter?”

You hadn’t seen him at all the previous day, not since he left your quarters, presumably to find Aika. Considering his reaction to your conversation, you had concluded that what Aika told you was probably a lie, though you hadn’t heard a word of her being punished. When you asked Kia to find out for you she had returned with the news that the empress dowager was protecting Aika because pregnant women should not be punished.

And when you inquired about the whereabouts of two handmaids of yours that were missing, Kia informed you that Haruchiyo had sent them out of the palace after they were each flogged thirty times for gossiping about your lukewarm reaction to the crown prince’s first child.

He hadn’t spoken a word of it to you, just quietly protecting your dignity in a way that made your heart shiver and moan.

You sighed and sat back down, waiting.

He inhaled shakily. “I have a gift for you.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

He nodded, carefully untucking a small box from inside his robes to hand you, fingers brushing against yours.

You stared at him for a moment before carefully lifting the lid, lips parting with surprise.

“Oh Haruchiyo, it’s beautiful. It’s so beautiful I should never wear it in case it gets lost.”

Inside the plush, black velvet layer was a delicate hair pin. Peppermint jade and pale pink quartz carved into small leaves; tiny silver wire flowers tucked amongst them. Tear drops of natural crystal hung from thin silver threads, all of them connected by a delicate chain.

It was something you would have chosen for yourself and you didn’t know what to make of that information. That he knew you so well.  

“I had it made to give you today. Before, um, everything else happened. I hoped you would pass it to our daughter one day.”

You inhaled sharply, unable to look away from the delicate piece even when his nose brushed your cheek, his large, warm hand cupping the side of your face as his thumb brushed a stray tear.

“I still hope you will.”

“Haruchiyo…”

“I can’t go back,” he whispered roughly. “I can’t be your husband only in name like before. I know that’s what you want, but I can’t. I want you- all of you- always,” he swallowed, pressing your foreheads together as he stared deeply into your eyes. “I can’t be content with just pieces.”

“I… I’m so lost,” you whispered. “I don’t want to get in the way of your duty as a father now and I don’t know how to heal from the knowledge you were with her so many times during our marriage. She obviously means much to you.”

“No,” he whispered. “No one has ever meant what you do. Nothing compares. Ever. You say this hairpin is beautiful, but I see greater beauty everyday. I wake next to you and gaze upon a sight men would go to war over. I look at you and want to curse myself for neglecting you. I didn’t want to know you, but once I did, I fell so hard. I would give anything for you. Please, trust me with your heart again. I will treat it carefully this time.”

The sudden cheers of the crowd alerted you to where you were, snapping you out of the trance he had put you under. You wiped away tears, careful of the makeup. “I will have to get you a gift as well.”

“Just… don’t ask for a divorce. I know well that you wouldn’t care if you held no status after divorcing me. In the end, there is nothing keeping you here by my side.”

Your brows raised as he kept stroking the back of your neck, eventually lifting his head to meet your eyes.

“Even if you decide to leave me… having you in my life, meeting you… it is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. And I will worship whoever bestowed it for the rest of my days.”

…

You pressed your hands together, closing your eyes and bowing your head to pray at the shrine. The tall, orange pillars surrounding the small temple were draped in cloth for the festival, little bronze bells hanging from the vine awning and tinkling in the breeze. Unlit candles lined the winding paths the people walked, ready to be awakened in the evening.

A crowd formed behind the royal family. All of Kin and Sara’s daughters were present, with the exception of Senju. Two visiting princes also stood to Kin’s right, unfamiliar faces despite being relatives.

Asami and Bashira held onto either side of your flowing skirt, Haruchiyo standing silently to your right.

“Sister, we want to play in the square, this is taking too long,” Asami whined.

“Hush,” Haruchiyo scolded. “You haven’t finished your prayers.”

Asami trembled and pushed closer to you. You sent your husband a glare before kneeling in front of them.

“I know this is a long process, especially when you’re little it can be difficult. I’m almost done with my prayers and then I will take you to eat delicious food, okay? Can you pray with me just for a few more minutes?”

“Okay,” they agreed together, smiling happily when you rubbed their heads.

You knelt at their height, whispering prayers for them to follow. They were too cute, their serious little faces pursed in concentration.

“Oh!” you stumbled as you went to stand, pins and needles prickling your legs.

Kia and Haruchiyo were at your sides in an instant, each taking an arm to support you.

“Are you okay?” Haruchiyo asked softly. “You shouldn’t have knelt for so long.”

“It’s okay, I just stood too fast,” you brushed them off, though your husband refused to unwind his arm from your waist. You raised a hand to your head, feeling strangely dizzy.

“Let me carry you.”

“What? Don’t be ridiculous, my legs work just fine.” You brushed his arms away, taking Asami and Bashira’s hands in yours to lead them to the city centre, unbeknownst to your husband glaring at his sisters.  

“Ah, what should we try first?” you skipped ahead with the twins while Haruchiyo and your maids followed. “There is so much I think I will get fatter from eating today.”

“You already look fatter than the last time we saw you, sister, so more food couldn’t hurt,” Asami chirped. Your jaw dropped.

“Do I look fatter?”

“Your face is rounder,” she pinched her own cheeks, stretching them out.

“Stop it,” Haruchiyo scolded quietly. “She is perfect.”

“I didn’t say she wasn’t, big sister is always so cute no matter what. Look over there! Let’s try that!” Distracted, she ran off to a stall selling different grilled meats on bamboo skewers.

“Do you want one?” you ducked down to ask Bashira, having to speak up over the festive music.

She nodded silently, still holding your hand tight.

“Your food smells so delicious, I want to try everything,” you grinned at the middle-aged man and woman running the stall.

“Princess, of course. I will wrap some for you right away,” the woman nodded.

“Please take your time. Ooh, what are these? They look so cute!” you exclaimed over little pink flower-shaped desserts displayed at the front.

The woman smiled. “Those are rose cakes, but despite the name they are not actually cakes. You make them like this…”

Sara came to stand beside Haruchiyo as you listened to the woman with rapt attention.

She frowned slightly. “I didn’t know she was so loved by the people. I must say, I assumed your relationship would fall apart when she found out about the baby, but you are both acting so happy again. Have you reconciled?” 

“I’m not sure,” he replied softly, eyes glued to you laughing with the woman. 

Thank you. The two words were on the tip of his tongue until he gazed upon his mother’s face. They really looked so different. He used to hate that. When he was a child he wished for hair as dark as Takeomi and Sara’s. Many of his siblings held those traits, but both Haruchiyo and Senju were born with Kin’s light features.  

A memory surfaced of him as a child. His mother sat reading in the southern gardens and he ran up to her excitedly to show her the new toy Takeomi had made for him.

His small hands reached up to touch her dresses when she suddenly stood, knocking him back to the ground.

Her sharp glare made the little boy curl into himself.

“Go away! You are such an annoying child. Leave me in peace.” She glided away without a backward glance, her maids following as he sat alone in the gardens.

And then another memory, years later, after Takeomi’s death. Haruchiyo smiled at his mother, a chilling, unimpressed smile. “You are not my mother. I am not your son. You mean nothing to me. Stop approaching me. Leave me alone.”

He had left her standing alone in the cold, dark halls of the palace after those words, satisfied with how devastated she looked.

“Sara has acted cold towards me since the day I was born. The servants used to gossip about how she refused to hold me or nurse me. It is the same with all her sons.”

“I would probably be the same if I knew my children were to be taken from me.”

Had his mother gone through the same pain he had? As much as he tried to reject the maternal bond they shared, he always felt a twist in his gut whenever he witnessed her sadness. When he was a young child, he thought she was the most beautiful thing in the world. He had always tried to be closer to her. Would have moved mountains to see her smile.

He chuckled, raising the heel of his palm to his face. What had you done to him?

“It-” he cut himself off, words trapped in his throat. What was he thinking? Wanting her advice after so many years of neglect?

But they were there, clawing at his insides until he couldn’t hold them back.

“It feels wrong,” he croaked. “Having a child with someone other than her. I know Kin has many children with the concubines, but still…”

He shuts his eyes at the sound of Sara’s small gasp, turning away.

“Nevermind.”

“Wait, Haruchiyo,” Sara desperately grabbed his arm with both hands. He could feel her trembles pass to his nerves, could see tears shining in her eyes.

He would have been lying to say he was unaffected, because perhaps deep inside of him was still the child that wanted to be close to her.

He searched her eyes, feeling so raw and exposed he wanted to hide away. Yanking his arm out of her grip, he stepped away. “It-It doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything.”

“Haru?”

He opened his eyes to see you peering up at him worriedly, several sticks of grilled meat in your hand.

“Are you okay?” you asked softly.

His heart immediately melted to a puddle of mush in his chest.

“Yes,” he smiled gently. He took your waist, pulling you closer. “Are these for me?”

You nodded, still staring at him in concern.

“Thank you, my lovely princess.” He carefully took a piece of meat into his mouth, having you hold the skewer so you were feeding him.

He greatly enjoyed the flush that overtook you, your fingers raising to cover your mouth as you stared at his.

“More?” you asked quietly, in a low, intimate tone reserved solely for the man in front of you.

He nodded, nudging closer.

“Where do you think we are? You lovebirds shouldn’t have left the palace if you were going to do this here,” a sarcastic voice drawled.

Haruchiyo straightened. “Why have you come? I’m certain I gave you enough work to keep you occupied for the rest of your days.”

Ran grinned. “Everyone deserves a break, especially today of all days. Besides, one of the courtesans always gives me discounts on special days. How could I deny the offer?”

Haruchiyo smiled at your cuteness when you pushed closer to him, blushing. His frown returned when he looked to Ran.

“Do not speak of such things in front of my wife.”

He waved Haruchiyo off. “Yes, I’m sure her ears are very innocent and all. I’ve worked up an appetite. What is there to eat?” His gaze landed on the food in your hand and his grin widened. “That looks good.”

Before either of you could do anything, he had stepped forward and taken a huge chunk of meat off the stick, cheek swollen as he chewed.

“Away!” Haruchiyo shoved him.

Ran swallowed. “I believe congratulations are in order. You are to be a father?”

You stiffened. Perhaps if he had said it genuinely you wouldn’t have your hackles up, but he said it with such amused delight you wanted to smack him.

“If you upset my wife, I will kick you from the council and send you to work in the countryside. There are no brothels out there,” Haruchiyo spoke calmly, glaring at the other man.

Ran raised his palms in surrender. “You know how to make a good threat, brother. I will be on my way, I can tell you are close to fighting me right here in the square.” He bowed. “Enjoy the day.”

“I don’t like him,” you muttered as you watched him stride away. And who wore such dark robes in the middle of the day? Though you supposed your husband also favoured darker clothes…

Haruchiyo chuckled. “He isn’t bad once you get to know him. Tell me if he ever teases you and I will put him in his place.”

“I will just ignore him.”

“You won’t be able to do that once we take the throne. You’ll probably work closely with him in many of your duties,” Haruchiyo warned.

You waved him off. “It will sort itself out when the time comes. In the meantime, I am still hungry.”

…

On your way back from taking Asami and Bashira to the orphanage bathroom, you bumped into a tall man around your age. You began to apologise, but paused at the sight of his face.

Your head tilted with a frown. “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

He smiled kindly. “I don’t think so, princess. Excuse my rudeness, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

He had a nondescript sort of face. Handsome in a plain way, with short dark brown hair and kind eyes. Snakebite moles sat just beneath his left eye and he adorned a dark blue headband that sat around his neck.

His eyes dropped to the twins on either side of you and he crouched to their height.

“As an apology, you should stop by my family’s shop soon. We sell many different sweets, but for such cute princesses you can have as many as you want.”

“Can we?” Asami shrieked, looking up at you with pleading eyes.

“Of course. Where have you set up?” you smiled.

“On the outskirts of the city near the stables, please come whenever you wish. We will be open the whole week.”

You nodded, remembering the very poor citizens couldn’t afford to set up their shops near the city centre, and so hardly received any business at the outskirts.

You squinted. “Are you sure we have not met before? You somehow look very familiar to me.”

He scratched the back of his neck, smile fading slightly. “I don’t think so, princess. But I’m sure I look like many others.”

“Don’t say that,” you laughed. “You have a very nice face.”

“I am glad there is at least one woman who thinks so,” he chuckled as pink rose to his ears. You both looked up at the sound of another performance beginning. You bowed.

“Well then, I must take my leave. It was very nice speaking with you, um, forgive my manners for not asking your name.”

“My name doesn’t matter to the crown princess. Excuse me, then,” he smiled, bowed, and left.

You watched him until Asami began tugging at you hands, pulling you toward where the festival was loudest.

In the early hours of the evening, red flooring was rolled out for the royal family to kneel. Small, dark square tables supporting colourful liquors and tiny snacks were placed between each member as dancers with silk scarves performed in front of the crowd.

You belly hurt from how much you had eaten. Asami and Bashira were in a food coma, one lying across Sara’s lap while the other lay on Tali, fast asleep.

You had spent the day sampling every store and playing with the children from the orphanage, much to Haruchiyo’s annoyance. He had wanted to sneak to a quiet corner of town and spend the rest of the day alone until it was time for evening prayer.

Several times during the day you had wanted to ask him where Aika was, but knowing it would put a damper on your mood you wisely kept your lips zipped shut, assuming she was either at the palace or spending time with her family. It was a relief to not have her intrude on such a special day until you thought of the baby in her belly.

A tiny part of Haruchiyo. Would they look similar? Would they have the same blue eyes and blinding smile? Would they care for people in the same quiet way Haruchiyo went about?

Your heart softened thinking about that child that wasn’t yours. So tiny and precious, completely innocent.

“Haru,” you spoke softly, reaching across the table to touch the side of his mouth, stroking his jaw in a natural gesture. “You have peach jam here.”

“Hm? Oh, thanks.” He was distracted. You had caught him staring at Sara every now and then throughout the day and wondered what he wanted to speak to her about.

“How are you feeling? Are you tired?” he focused on you, sweeping hair from your face gently.

“A little. I think the heat has given me a headache.” Though the sky had darkened, the evening air was still hot.

“Do you want to go back to the palace? We’ll be leaving soon anyway.”

You glanced at the dancers again, who were daintily running from the performance area, finished with their routine.

Looking back to Haruchiyo, you nodded quietly.

He stood, taking your hand to help you up and fixing his gaze on his father. “We’re going back now. We’ll take horses.”

“Don’t be late for dinner.”

“Mhm.”

You bowed to Kin and Sara before allowing Haruchiyo to guide you through the crowd to the guard’s, where guards were stationed to watch over the palace horses.

Haruchiyo’s horse, a magnificent white stallion, snorted and shook its head as soon as Haruchiyo got close, stomping its foot in agitation.

“Easy,” Haruchiyo murmured, stroking down the sinewy neck of the beast. It nudged its head into his chest, rubbing against him while he cooed and petted it.

“Should I leave you two alone?” you raised a brow.

Haruchiyo smirked. “Jealous?”

“Yes, Haruchiyo, I’m jealous of a horse.”

“Come here,” he gestured closer, taking your hand in his. He placed your palm to the horse’s shoulder, his hand pressing on top of yours.

“Feel how strong he is. How warm he is. The palace has not seen a finer horse in decades.”

“How old is he?” you breathed, feeling the stallion’s blood pumping beneath your fingertips as his muscles twitched.

“Four. He’s hot-tempered, but makes up for it with his lineage. Up you go.”

“Wait, what?” you yelped when he took your waist and lifted you onto the saddle. You quickly took the reins, staring down at the ground 17 feet below you.

“He is too big! Where is my mare? I want her. Put me down, Haru,” you demanded, looking around to seek your horse.

“She was not brought down. Do not fret, my love,” he crooned, placing his food in the stirrup and swinging up behind you. “Nothing will happen to you whilst I’m here.”

You sat stiff as a board as Haruchiyo clicked the horse on and you cantered through the dirt path behind the stables, surprised by the horse’s smooth gait. A good distance from the city, Haruchiyo blew out against your shoulder and the horse slowed to a walk, the sound of the night wind blowing through the grass meeting your ears.

“How does he feel?” Haruchiyo murmured in your ear, wrapping an arm around your waist.

“Too powerful.”

“I think you look good on him. It suits you more than you think.”

You glanced behind you to see him, catching the sight of the lit city below.

“Oh, turn around. Look how beautiful it looks.”

“Indeed.” He rested his chin on your shoulder as you stopped to look at the view.

For the first time since you entered the palace, a little shiver of excitement raced through you. It took you long moments to realise where it came from.

You were excited for this to be yours one day. You were excited to be empress. To listen to the citizens of Senin. You could feel anticipation tingling at the tips of your fingers, your heart beating a steady fast rhythm as jittery nervousness filled your chest.

You leaned back against his chest. “There are no stars tonight.”

“I suppose Hichi is taking a break to watch the day of prayer,” he murmured, referring to the god of stars.

“My grandmother once told me that Hichi sends a star down to earth every thousand years, and if someone manages to catch it they will immediately ascend to the heavens and attain godly status.”

He kissed your shoulder. “If you so wish, I will catch one for you.”

You rolled your eyes. “It was just a story. Even if catching a star is difficult, I’m sure becoming a god is even more so.”

“I would only wish to become a god so I could live forever with my precious one. I don’t wish for bottomless power, but to live eternally with you.”

You remained silent, but when you arrived back in your quarters at the palace, you quietly tugged him into your marriage room.

You agreed with him. Perhaps if there was more time in a mortal’s life, it would be easier to forgive and forget. But for humans, love was bound by time and died along with the hearts. Even if one found their other half, they would be separated by death in the end, and there was perhaps nothing more painful than knowing that time was so limited. That life was so little and short.

And so as the wispy curtains gave way to the night breeze and the pale moon shone through, you kissed him.

It wasn’t heated or passionate so much as sad and grieved, and you felt like crying with the realisation that there would never be enough time with him. Time to forgive or time to love and fall into him endlessly.

The sound of your moan was more one of anguish than pleasure when he cradled the back of your head with one hand, kissing your craned neck as the other hand worked to unfasten the front of your robes.

He was rushed. Maybe because he thought it would be the last time or maybe because his chest was also expanding and struggling to fit so many feelings.

He slowed, however, as your lips met again. Slow, wet licks against each other’s mouths that made you shiver.

You gripped into his shoulders as he lowered you to the bed, coming over you to part your white underwear.

You groaned in relief when he pressed his naked chest against your own, unable to comprehend a day you wouldn’t have this. You wanted to fit in as much of him as you could with whatever time you had. Perhaps if your feelings reached deep enough, they would be imprinted into Senin’s soil for the rest of time.

His hips rolled into yours, pushing deeper than you had ever felt him.

“Look at how beautiful you are,” he whispered. He cupped the side of your face, kissing your chin and nose before aligning your foreheads. You could see yourself reflected in the clear blue pools that stared back a you and you wondered if he could see himself in yours.

You cried out, covering your mouth with the back of your hand as he rubbed against that spot inside you that made your legs involuntarily tuck up.

The taste of sweet peaches was on his tongue when your lips joined once more, your skin on fire with how mind-numbingly good it felt to be so close to him again.

And as he continued to move, to stretch you, he whispered every word of worship you could think of against your skin, voice alive with longing.

“I’m yours. In every life to come, I will be yours.”

You shuddered, crying out your release against his lips. You would have said those three small, meaningful words if your mind wasn’t floating in the heavens above. If you could gather even one sane thought, it would have been those words, but all you could register was him everywhere.

Your exhaled, turning your head to the window where the smell of jasmine was floating through.

When he was finished, he hugged you close with an arm around your shoulders, your head pressed to his left pec, enjoying the feeling of him kissing and coddling you.

“Let’s not go to dinner,” he mumbled.

“Your father will kill you, and they would know what we were doing.”

“So?”

You felt conflicted. Sighing, you sat up on the side of the bed, silently mourning the loss of his warmth.

You had just told him you wanted space and now there you were going to bed with him. You couldn’t bring yourself to regret it, but still. You could feel him embedding himself deep inside you like before.

A bout of nausea had you doubling over and covering your mouth.

“I feel sick.”

“Oh no! What’s wrong?” he quickly sat behind you, stroking your back.

“I don’t know, I haven’t been well recently.”

He went to the side of the room to pour you water from the jug, feeding it to you with a concerned look. He stroked down your neck where droplets escaped, placing the cup next to the bed.

“Maybe we really shouldn’t go to dinner.”

You stood, fastening your robe around the middle. “Don’t be ridiculous, they are expecting us. It is an important day.”

“Your health is more important,” he argued.

You sighed, rubbing your head where a new headache was forming.

“Please, Haruchiyo, let’s not argue. I really am fine.” You bent to pick up the expensive outer-robes that had been carelessly dropped to the floor, noting the creases.

“I need to find something else to wear to din-” you halted, feeling something drip from between your legs to the wooden floor. Haruchiyo followed your gaze to wear his release was leaking out of you. You wanted to smack him when his tongue ran along his bottom lip, a smug look taking over his features.

“Look what you’ve done. Now I need to bathe quickly,” you growled.

“I’ll join you,” he said happily.

“I’ll hit you,” you smiled at him, disappearing into the bathing room.

…

Haruchiyo hummed as the two of you walked down to dinner, one hand fiddling with the ends of his hair while his lips tilted in a soft contented smile.

You, on the other hand, were trying not to walk with a limp from how deep you still felt him.

His eyes slid to yours, observing you with amusement. “Shall I carry you, dear wife?”

You huffed. “I’m fine.”

“The place between your legs is not. Shall I kiss it better? I know how much you love it when I put my mouth on your sweet cunt,” he teased.

You went bright red. “Stop that.”

“How can I? You blush so beautifully for me whenever I tease you, I simply can’t help myself.”

“Try. Behave yourself at dinner, too. The whole family will be there. Don’t make empress mother cry.”

He sobered, straightening with a blank gaze. “Right.”

You immediately felt guilty. You never wanted to defend her to the person she hurt the most. But you really wanted their relationship to improve, even knowing it would never be perfect after what they had both been through. 

“I didn’t mean to…”

“I know,” he smiled gently. “You don’t need to apologise. I suppose it’s just a natural reaction whenever I speak about my parents.” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, left down after you made love earlier.  

You took his hand into yours, raising it to skim his knuckles softly with your lips. A silent show of support for however he wanted to handle his sensitive family situation.

He rubbed your head in acknowledgement, seeming to think about it as you continued walking.

“I meant to ask earlier… will, um, will Aika be at dinner? I’d just like to prepare myself.”

“If she knows what’s good for her she won’t be. Just because she’s pregnant doesn’t mean she is or ever will be part of the royal family. She’s worth less than a concubine.”

You noticed he continued avoiding saying she was pregnant with his child. Maybe because he didn’t want to acknowledge it himself or maybe because he didn’t want to hurt you.

“I think I want to spend time with Aika soon. Before the baby arrives. Because of this, we’ll be in each other’s lives for a long time. I don’t want there to be any maliciousness between us.”

“You can’t!” he blurted, taking your shoulders to shove you against the nearest wall.

Your eyes blew wide. “Why not? I would like to.”

“No,” he squeezed your shoulders, shadows passing over his face. “Please, you can’t. Trust me. You don’t know what she’s capable of. I don’t want her hurting you. Stay away from her, I’ll go insane with worry otherwise.”

You took his hands, slowly removing them from you. “You don’t speak about her very well. How have you gone from thinking yourself in love to hating her in such short time?”

He stepped back, looking down. “I’ve told you, I was never really in love with her. I didn’t know what that was until I met you. Even though I thought I was. She was hard to let go of because she provided solace in a time I was lost; we got along well for all the wrong reasons. She hasn’t been a good person for a while now. Neither have I, but I’m trying. For you, and myself. Aika and I aren’t good together, we just encourage each other’s bad habits. You… bring out whatever goodness I have in me.” You had to squint to make sure you weren’t seeing things when his cheeks turned pink and he avoided your gaze.

He coughed. “Anyways, the moment she disrespected you she sealed her fate. If not for this child, I would never see her again.”

“Why didn’t you move her out of the palace? Once you began to have feelings for me? I don’t understand,” you finally asked the question that had been plaguing your thoughts.

He winced. “It’s like I said, I was afraid she would hurt you. I had to placate her in some way. She loves the palace. If I moved her out she would have lashed out in the worst way. I can’t have her hurting you. I would rather slice my own throat.”

You watched him carefully, searching for an ounce of insincerity and failing to find it.

“Was that the only way you placated her?”

His eyes went wide. “Yes, I swear! I didn’t fuck her at all after that last time I told you about. Believe me.”

“I do. I’m just trying to piece things together,” you waved him off, lost in thought. “What did she think of you spending nights in my bed?”

“Ah,” he scratched the back of his head. “She didn’t know. Maybe she suspected something, but I told her emperor father had increased my workload in preparation to take the throne so I was spending most nights in my study or another empty room.”

“I see.” You continued walking on while he followed sheepishly behind you.

“Are you mad?” he finally blurted.

“I’m not.”

“Are you sure? You sound mad. Do you have any other questions?”

“Not right now. Let’s just get to dinner, emperor father said not to be late.”

“Can I… sleep in our bed tonight?”

Your lips twitched with amusement. He was too cute.

“And if I say no?”

A lazy smile relaxed his face. “I will just make love to you until you agree. I’ll bring you to release over and over until you can’t even think of disagreeing.”

A little shiver ran up your spine. You cleared your throat. “Well, I wouldn’t object… to that.”

His nose wrinkled with delight at your flirting, eyes bright and happy.

He took a lock of your hair between slender fingers, bringing it to his lips to kiss while keeping eye contact with you. “Well then, I will see you in our marriage room tonight, my love. Do be ready and waiting on the bed, will you?”

…

The full white moon shone through the open windows of the banquet hall, casting additional light to the orange lamps and candles.

Maids knelt in a row on either side of the room, ready to serve any whim of the royal family who were seated around the long table filled with an array of food.

Haruchiyo sat to the left of his father, with you next to him and Saeya on your other side. She looked beautiful in a lavender skirt and white wrap with little crimson flowers embroidered into it, her hair soft and flowing down past her back.

Everyone, including Haruchiyo, waited for the emperor to begin eating before digging in themselves. You had expected it to be awkward, but easy conversation flowed between most everyone. Tali was engaged with her granddaughters, learning a children’s clapping game from Asami and Bashira while Tofee and Saeya immediately delved into conversation.

“This is so good,” you almost moaned around a bite of pork dumpling, your cheeks stuffed full.

Haruchiyo touched your cheek with his finger. “How are you still eating so much after trying everything in town? Where did my graceful, timid princess go?”

“I-” you paused. Yes. Where had she gone?

He ducked his head to inhale the top of your hair. “I love you,” he whispered.

You bit your lip, still unused to hearing those words even after he had said them so many times while he was inside you. He said them easily, and yet, with such a look that told you he meant every word. That look made you feel so exposed and so protected.

“Father, I forgot to mention. Y/n will be attending the next council meeting,” Haruchiyo suddenly spoke up. You snapped your head in his direction, mouth agape and eyes bugging out.

The council was strictly forbidden to women. Even the empress. What was he thinking?

Kin slowly put down his goblet, raising a brow. “Oh?”

“Yes. My princess consort is much more intelligent than she’s given credit for. Her ideas on improving the wellbeing of the disadvantaged are incredible.”

Kin pinned his gaze on you. “Is this true?”  

You tugged on Haruchiyo’s sleeve inconspicuously, promising retribution later.

You smiled brightly. “Well, I’m just working with the orphanage maiden at the moment, obviously on a much smaller scale than the whole of Senin. But yes, I do have ideas for decreasing unemployment and ridding diseases, particularly for those living in poverty- where this issue is prevalent.”

“I see,” Kin stroked his chin, eyes sliding to his son as if assessing his seriousness. Then, surprisingly, a big belly laugh erupted from him. “I wonder what the faces of the lords will be when they hear a woman will be joining the council! I can’t wait to find out!”

Your lips parted in surprise, a flush creeping up your neck.

“Thank you,” you whispered under your breath, feeling Haruchiyo stroke your shoulder with his thumb in acknowledgement.

“A woman on the council? That’s preposterous!” Tali suddenly spoke up. “You were raised better than that, Kin. How could you agree to such a thing?”

Though no one was of higher status than the emperor, you supposed no one was immune to a mother’s scolding.

“Pardon me for interrupting, empress dowager,” you spoke quietly and calmly. “But I really do have good solutions that will improve the lives of our subjects, especially children in low-income homes. I believe this is an important issue that must be addressed as priority. While Senin has such issues, I don’t think having a woman on the council is the biggest problem.”

Her eyes went round with shock as she spluttered. Tofee hid a snicker behind her robes while Haruchiyo squeezed your shoulder, a smirk kicking up the side of his lips.

“Well, you heard my princess. Are you going to object to something the future empress says?” he questioned.

She glared. “We will continue this conversation another day. We shall not argue during the day of prayers.”

Everyone continued eating, though you sensed they were trying not to smile. You supposed no one ever spoke to the empress dowager like that.

“Lady Saeya, have you ever tried wine?” Kin asked your sister.

She shook her head. “No, your grace. I am not of age.”

“A sip won’t hurt at your age, try some of your sister’s. It’s exquisite.”

Even with the emperor offering, Saeya still looked to you for permission. You nodded, watching her expression as she sipped the wine and then took a larger gulp.

“It’s sweeter than I thought,” she grinned at you.

“Don’t have too much,” you warned.

“Aw. But you haven’t drank any.”

“I don’t usually have any alcohol.”

“What?” Kin gasped as if you had committed a crime. “You’re not drinking this fine wine? Hand it here immediately.” He swiped your goblet just before Haruchiyo could lift it away, happily taking a gulp.

“Wait!” Tofee suddenly stood, hand raised as panic pitched across her face. “That wine is-”

A breathless gasp from your left turned everyone’s attention to Saeya.

Your eyes widened on her state. In the second you had looked away she had begun convulsing in her seat, her head bent back as she twitched and writhed.

Her lips darkened, saliva foaming at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she blinked rapidly.  

“Saeya?” you shook her arm. “What’s wrong, Saeya?”

Your heart pounded in your ears as you turned to Haruchiyo, standing from his seat in alarm.

“Is she choking?”

More stinted gasps had you getting out of your chair to crouch in front of Saeya, touching her forehead and then her pulse.

“She’s not choking,” Tofee rushed around the table. She placed a small white ball in Saeya’s mouth before turning to you with a grim look. “That wine was poisoned.”

Taglist: 

@soushswag​ @crown5​ @angelmitsuri​ @c4tboyxiao​ @azusachna​ @luka-ali​ @whore-for-eddie​ @rinrinfoxy​ @multistan-247​ @7inaa @emilymikado​ @user82014069991​ @blvkeverest @magentaviolette​ @kooromin​ @night-shadowblood-writes2​ @littlemochi​ 

[anna1306]

I LOVE your lost boys writings! I was wondering if I could get one where the reader (female please) is like a really famous rock star and she's finally back from tour to visit her boys (maybe she's been gone for a year or so?). If you could please write something along those lines, that would be amazing!! If not, I totally understand :)

Poly!Lost boys x Rockstar!Reader

To say you were excited - to say nothing. You were away for almost a year, the twelfth month of your trip nearly coming to an end. And it was a big period of time for you. For boys...

You knew about their "situation", but that didn't discourage you at all. You accepted the fact that they hunt people (since most of them were shit - you could live with that). But you made them accept one of your conditions - you weren't ready to turn yet, they had to wait. You wanted to see the world, not only in night, but in day too. You wanted to make your band famous, to live for music. Becoming immortal wasn't in plans for now.

Paul was the most accepting. He went to all of your concerts in Santa-Carla, gave you tons of records of other bands for inspiration and was boasting around that he had such great girlfriend. Marko was near him, only a little bit calmer. He helped you with your outfits and ideas for anything for your performances. Dwayne was a lot calmer than them, he helped you relax after everything, made sure you took some rest after long sleepless nights you spent thinking about lyrics and music.

David was the problem. He didn't want you to leave them. He wanted you to stay with them forever right then and there, not go anywhere or become famous just so you can leave them for anyone else ot attract unwanted attention to them. You had huge fights over it and you made yourself a promise not to eat or drink anything in the cave, knowing David and his stubborness. You had to just throw in his face the fact that you were leaving for the tour for his final explosion of emotions, fit of rage, screaming and growling and final calming down after all. He talked with you for the whole day a lot calmer after his outburst. You promised him you would return and even if you saw in his eyes doubts, you were glad he agreed to this.

Your grip tightened on the wheel. Would he still be mad? Or would he be mad that it took you so long? The thoughts, doubts, fear of his reaction clouded your head.

You breathed heavily, trying to clean your mind from negative thoughts. The tour was cool, you had tons of gifts for the guys, you finally were home! You already imagined Paul's squeals and Marko not letting go of you. How you missed Dwayne's embrace or talks with David, no matter the arguements... You missed them. Yes, you called them regularly, but that wasn't the same as when you practically lived with them. They used the phone in Max's shop, so you heard Paul's endless questions, Marko's cheering in the background, Dwayne's low voice and David's calm words. He mentioned every time how they want you to come back, and you believed that they missed you as much as you missed them.

In your thoughts you didn't even notice that you drove to the cave. Your heart beated so fast you could hear it. Breath in, breath out. And you went out from the car. Nothing scary would happen. So you shouldn't worry. Right?..

You took out the bags with gifts from the car, your own things left in the car. You obviously didn't have enough hands or strengths to carry everything at once. It was only early evening, sun was already down. Their bikes were at the entrance, so they still were in. You slowly and carefully walked down the stairs, remembering your first fall from them and how easy it was to run around after that. The place was filled to the brim with the memories, and your breath hitched in your throat at the thoughts of meeting with them again.

The barrels weren't lit, only one, near the couch, was slowly burning out, so you walked slowly, afraid to step on something in the dark. You wanted to place things down and light another barrel, but the second you put bags on the old couch, you were grabbed and taken in the air. You screamed from the surprise, even got scared for a moment, but familiar laughter made you breath out.

- YOU ARE BACK! - Paul swirled you around in the air, pressing you into him so hard you thought you would have your lungs crushed.

- Hey, dickhead, why the hell are you screaming so loud! - Marko barged into the main area, fuming. "Probably was with his birds," - you thought, trying to calm yourself down and not get sick from the spinning. - Wait a damn minute... - he definitely noticed you, freezing in his tracks.

- Marko, save me, he's gonna choke me up here, or I'll puke all over the place, - you pleaded to him with a laugh, watching as he jumped to both of you, taking you away from Paul.

- You are back! Baby, yes! - he laughed, swirling you around, but on the ground now. Alright, it was better. - Why didn't you tell us?! You called us yesterday! It's a surprise, right?!

- Marko, I called you a week ago, - you giggled, hugging him back. He furrowed his brows, trying to figure out the time. Their perception of time was adorable. They were old, even if they looked like youth and pretty much knew all of the modern stuff, they were at least hundred years old. They refused to give you an exact number, so you were left with your own guesses. Because of their immortality a night for them was more like a minute, even if they (mostly Marko) cried to you, that a month without you is eternity. You smiled at him, counting nights in his mind, watching as Paul was already at your side. But before he could grab you again, strong hands hugged you from the back and you were swapped in familiar smell. You leaned in for a touch and closed your eyes. - Hi, Dwayne.

- Hey, princess... How was the road? - he asked quietly, burying his nose into your neck. You put hands on top of his, gently squeezing his forearms.

- Long and hot, - you sighed. - I would give anything for a swim in a cool ocean... But first - gifts! - you nodded at the bags, noticing smirk of the blondes.

- Sweetie, you are gift on your own, - Paul winked at you and left a passionate kiss on your lips. He was asking for more, definitely. But for now immediately after that he ran to the bags, followed closely by Marko.

- Very unexpected gift, might I add, - you turned your head to see David. He was standing in one of the many pathways to the depths of the cave. He looked at you a little warily, while you smiled at him. Even if he was on guard for some reason (you returned, why was he still so tense?), you just wanted nothing more but to be close to him again. Sensing the mood of David, Dwayne kissed you in the neck and let go of you. You walked to the platinum blonde and put hands on his shoulders.

- You look like you didn't miss me, - you accused him quietly. He scoffed and hugged you, kissing you on the forehead.

- Don't say nonsense, kitten, - he whispered and smiled a little at you, looking you up and down, as if getting to know you all over again. - I hope now you stay forever.

- Until the next tour... - you saw the change in his expression and quickly kissed him on the lips, trying to calm him down again. - I promise you that would be the last one. Just one more time, please... And I will never leave your side again and would perform only for you, - you caressed his tensed neck, as he slowly nodded and kissed you more deeply. You smiled in his lips, hugging him tightly. You knew he had to step on his ego to agree with your plan, and for you it was a huge step from him. Even if he didn't say anything, you knew the strength of his feelings. Before you ran out of air, he pulled away.

- We better stop Paul, or he would tear your bags apart, - he whispered, making you gasp.

- Stop that right now, Paul, I brought t-shirts to you, don't tear it! - you turned to him, darting to the bags. David smirked, looking at you and following you with definitely lightened up mood.

The next half an hour you spent in hands of Marko, while giving everything to everyone. Books from different places to Dwayne, different lighters and tabacco to David, bracelets to Paul, drawing sets to Marko and a lot (read - tons) of concert stuff and merch. You finally felt at home with their bickering all around you, hugs and just their presence. You knew now - you won't ever leave them. Especially when they took you to your nest in their cave. When you saw that they kept it warm, filled with different pieces that reminded them of you, you knew you wouldn't have a heart. Maybe you would even consider taking them with you next time, who knows...

The Lost Boys Taglist: @minafromasgard @starmullet @iloveslasher @twistedharper

[xoxo-teddybear]

Nothing But a Bet - Bakugou Katsuki

Bakugou x f!reader

Warnings: Angst, cursing, sexual mentions

Summary: Bakugou and his friends were just joking around! Nobody expected Bakugou to fall in love! But what’ll happen when Y/N finds out she started off as nothing but a piece of a game to her boyfriend.

BAKUGOU’S MASTERLIST

Pt.1 Pt.2

It wasn’t supposed to be this way, but Bakugou sure is glad with the way things turned out.

About 11 months ago, Bakugou, Kaminari, Kirishima, and Sero were messing around. The boys were making bets but once Kaminari had gone too far on the one he offered Bakugou, Kirishima called it quits and decided to back out of their little game.

Kaminari had dared Bakugou to ask out new girl on a date, be with her for a week, and not fall in love. Seemed like a simple bet. Y/N L/N, the new student, was very pretty. She was an incredible fighter but Bakugou didn’t know her enough to even call her a friend yet. All he had to do was date her for a week and not catch feelings? Seemed simple enough. And besides, if he won he would be getting Denki as a personal assistant for a month, getting him anything he wants. Bakugou was in.

The bet was simple. So simple! So how could Bakugou have failed? He couldn’t help it. Y/N was just so...perfect. She was kind and compassionate, but she also had poison on her tongue and always stood her ground. She was strong and gorgeous, and she was patient and always listened to Katsuki to help him with whatever. Throughout the first week, she was always there for Katsuki and even though she didn’t always give him what he wanted, she gave him what he needed, and that’s when he realized he needed her.

So after the first week of Bakugou and Y/N together as a couple came another..and another...and another..and another. Weeks turned to months and those months turned into almost a whole year. The couple has been dating for 11 months and was waiting for their 1 year anniversary to come right around the corner.

Bakugou was completely whipped for Y/N. He waited on her, hand and foot, and treated her like the queen she is. He loved her with his entire being and just being around the girl made him a better, happier person. He went through all the steps in a young relationship with Y/N. They were each other’s first love, first kiss, first date, first everything! Even their first time! Yup, Bakugou and Y/N had both lost their v-cards to each other and it was a night Bakugou would never forget.

And now here we are! The day of their anniversary! Y/N and Bakugou woke up in each other’s arms in Bakugou’s dorm room.

“Good morning Suki,” Y/N said with love laced in her voice. Bakugou was awake but kept his eyes shut as he pressed his forehead to Y/N’s temple and just smiled.

“G’morning Princess,” he then pecked her cheek, “happy one year,” he softly said. He pulled you in closer and you giggled at his sleepy state. You both shared a quick peck and Bakugou finally opened his eyes to stare at his beautiful princess.

“So! What’re we gonna do today?” Y/N asked with glee. As Bakugou opened his mouth to answer, his phone rang and you both looked towards it. Bakugou growled and rolled his eyes as he reached for his phone to answer. He sighed before he spoke.

“Hello?......what?! .....ugh, today of all days?” He said and looked towards Y/N with sad eyes, “C’mon! I got plans for today....no I know but-....*sigh* fine. I’ll be there in an hour.” He hung up the phone and tossed it to his night stand and he frustratingly tucked his head in Y/N’s neck and growled.

“Sooo....plans are canceled?” You said with a little hint of disappointment. Bakugou looked at you with a regretful eyes as he softly spoke.

“I’m sorry Princess, Aizawa’s calling me and Kirishima in for extra training. He planned this months ago and I told him not to put me on for today but I guess he forgot. If I don’t go in today then I don’t get to go in at all and it puts me behind. I’m sorry Y/N,” he said apologetically.

“Hey, don’t sweat it, Love. I get it, and it’s fine. We’re hero trainees, we gotta be at our best,” you said with a smile. Bakugou smiled at your grin and was thankful he had someone as understanding as you. “What time should you be back?”

“Uhh, probably around 9 tonight,” he sadly said.

“Oh wow...that’s a long time,” you said with a little sadness.

“Yeah I know, and I’m sorry, but I promise I’ll make it up to you!” Bakugou said. He felt so bad for missing your anniversary but he had to do what he had to do.

“It’s fine Suki. You said you’d be back at 9, so that’s when we’ll celebrate.” You offered.

“Baby, the dorm’s curfew is 10. What’re we gonna do for an hour outside?” He asked.

“Who said we had to leave the dorms to celebrate our anniversary? I could set something up here in one of our rooms and when you get back, we can celebrate. Just you and me, all night.” Bakugou smiled at his creative girlfriend. He was so blessed. He held you closer and covered your face in kisses as you giggled away. He loves the sound of your laugh and voice and craves to hear it all the time.

“Okay then, but I still want to make it up to you,” Bakugou bargained. Y/N only smiled and rolled her eyes at her stubborn boyfriend.

“Fine. I’m not complaining,” you laughed and Bakugou followed. He kissed you one last time before he got up and got ready. You stayed in his bed a bit longer and waited till he got out of his shower to leave to your own dorm to get ready. You both couldn’t wait for tonight!

*Timeskip*

It’s was 8:30 and Bakugou would be back soon and you both agreed to have your celebration in your room so that when Bakugou gets back, he can get ready. You set up your room perfectly. A table in the middle, a few candles, a few roses. Petals scattering the floor and his anniversary gift on your bed. You spent all day in the dormitory kitchen making spicy gyoza, seaweed salad, miso soup, and a variety of sushi. The room looked amazing and so did you! Your makeup was top notch and you wore a gorgeous maroon red dress that hugged your body. It was tightly hanging off your shoulders and the length went down to your upper thigh. You wore a skinny black choker and a gold necklace. You finished off your look with black strappy heels. It was a little chilly so you opted for a black leather jacket and honestly it pulled the whole look together.

You sat on your bed as you waited for Katsuki to come back but decided it was time to set the table. You brought the food and utensils, the plates and cups, and went back to get a pitcher of ice water. As you returned and placed the pitcher on the table, you went to close the door but heard Kaminari and Sero down the hall.

“Can you believe Bakugou and Y/N lasted this long?” Sero said. You got curious as to why they were randomly speaking of you both and listened in.

“I know right! It’s their one year today and they have me to thank for it!” Kaminari said in a boastful voice. “It was all thanks to my bet that Kacchan even asked her out in the first place.”

Your eyes went wide as you continued to listen. “What?” You whispered to yourself.

“True. And to think it all started out as a bet.” The boys laughed and joked around as they said they were happy for their friend but you shut the door and pressed your body against it. You covered your mouth with your hand to muffle your sobs and let the tears fall to the ground.

“I’m nothing but a bet.”

—

Minutes passed and Bakugou texted you that he was in his dorm getting ready. You didn’t reply. You fixed your makeup to look a little normal but nothing could hide the fury and heartache in your eyes. You waited a few for Katsuki to walk through the doors and the time finally arrived

“Happy anniversary babe!” Bakugou said as he walked through the doors. He was holding his gift for you and was wearing a maroon red button up that matched your dress. He rolled up the sleeves and unbutton the top. He wore a silver chain with black jeans and black boots. He put on his watch and you weren’t gonna lie, he looked insanely handsome, but that wasn’t gonna stop you from doing what you had to.

“You look hot,” he said as he smirked and looked you up and down. You stood and gave a quick smile before letting it drop once more but Katsuki didn’t notice. As you kept your gaze to the now very interesting ground, Katsuki made his way over to you. He stood very close and he attempted to wrap his arms around your waist and pull you in for a kiss but you placed your hands on his chest to stop him. “Uh? Baby? What’s wrong?” He nervously laughed out.

“....Bakugou we need to talk,” you calmly said but held back all the anger and sadness you were feeling. You pushed Bakugou back a little and he placed the gift down on the table. He looked at you with a confused face before he spoke.

“Bakugou? Baby, it’s Katsuki. Suki? Your Suki. Are you alright?” He asked with a worried voice. You laughed at his confusion. He really didn’t get it. He really didn’t understand that this was the end for you both. An uncomfortable silence rang through the room and you bit your lip in nervousness before you spoke.

“.....How could you?....I gave you my everything and it was all a lie! You were my first everything Katsuki! My first kiss, my first love. ...Oh my god I can’t believe I actually slept with you!” You said with a soft broken voice as your arms held your body and you looked towards the ground in regret. Bakugou was confused but seeing your sad form made him so upset. And hearing that you regret the times you both made love to each other broke him. He was worried for you and he ran to you to give you a hug but you pushed him away again.

“Baby-“

“Stop calling me that!”

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

You finally snapped your eyes up to face his as you looked at him with angry eyes and pools of tears as they streamed down your face.

“I’m nothing but a bet to you!” You screamed. Bakugou’s face went into shock as his eyes went wide and an open frown appeared on his face. You found out. You fucking found out but who the hell told you. Who the fuck ruined his perfect relationship?!

“Who-...who told you?” He asked with an angry, sad, shaken voice. You rolled your eyes as you noticed that after what you told him, that was what he was worried about.

“Does it matter?! Is it true or not?! ....did you really use me for a bet?” You asked with a broken heart. Bakugou bit his lip as he contemplated lying to you and moving on from this to keep his relationship, or telling you the truth in hopes that his understanding girlfriend would understand and stay with him. Both options were risky but he went for the latter.

“Yes..it’s true. You started off as a bet,” Bakugou watched as you looked around and threw your arms, shrugged your shoulders, and let them drop again. Your body just screamed “I knew it,” as he watched you with fear but continued. “But that doesn’t mean what I feel for you isn’t real!”

“How am I supposed to trust that?!” You screamed.

“Please! Please just trust me! Y/N I love you! I do, I swear! I was an idiot to place that bet but I didn’t expect myself to actually fall in love with you!” Bakugou heard what he said and cringed as he realized he basically just said he didn’t think it would be possible for him to fall in love with you. You looked at him in offense and hurt as he quickly spoke up again. “No, no, no, no! I didn’t mean it like tha-“

“Bakugou! Stop......just get out.” You calmly said but Bakugou felt his heart shattering.

“W-what? Y/N you can’t be serious. ...Can we at least talk about this first, please!” Bakugou said as he tried to grab your hand but you quickly yanked it out of his reach.

“No! Bakugou-“

“It’s Katsuki!”

“We’re done!” And there it was. Bakugou’s felt his entire world crumbling as his tears flowed down his face like twin rivers.

“P-please! You can’t do this!” Bakugou screamed as he ran to you and wrapped you in his arms. He let his head fall into your neck but you pushed at him and demanded he let you go. “Please don’t leave me! Please! I’m s-sorry! I can make it up to you, I promise just don’t leave!”

“Bakugou, let me go!” You said as your own tears fell and you pushed at his chest. Each time you got closer to getting him off, his hold tightened and he pulled you closer.

“No! Y/N please don’t do this to us!” He begged.

“Bakugou there is no ‘us’ anymore so let me go!” You demanded.

“Please! There’s nothing I can say to fix it! You started out as part of a bet, I’ll admit it, but I ended up falling in love with you, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done! I spent a year of my life with you and I wanna spend so much more! Please! You can’t leave me!” Another silence came upon the room. You stopped fighting due to exhaustion and Bakugou just continued to cry in your neck as he continued to hold you tight. His pleas and cried fell upon deaf ears as you already made up your mind.

“....I hate you.” You whispered as you let harsh tears seep out. Bakugou remained unphased and just assumed it was your pain speaking.

“I love you.” He quietly said. “Please just give me another chance to make this right,” he begged.

You felt Bakugou’s grip loosen and that’s when you quickly took the opportunity to use your quirk and push him off. Your quirk pressed him against the wall and kept him there.

“Hey! Y/N! What are you doing!? Let me go! Please!” He cried out as he watched you grab a blanket, a pillow, sleeping clothes and makeup remover. You’ll sleepover in Mina’s room if Bakugou won’t leave your room. “Please Princess! Don’t leave! I can fix this if you give me another chance! Im begging you to stay! I’m sorry! Please stay!”

“Since you won’t leave, I will. We’re done Bakugou,” you said as you got in his face. You noticed his shaky voice and frantic eyes as he searched your soul to see if you were serious. His mouth hung open slightly as he shook his head ‘no’ in disbelief. “From now on, don’t talk to me, don’t touch me, don’t even look at me! I hate you.” You said and walked out of your room and slammed the door. Katsuki fought against the restraints and once you got far enough, you released your quirk and Bakugou quickly ran out the room to look for you. But he didn’t see any sight of you and so he went back inside you room. He locked himself in there and cried.

He cried and begged that the whole thing was just a bad dream and he would wake up any minute now. But this wasn’t a dream. And Bakugou had really just lost the one he loved. He looked at the room and everything you set up. He cried as he looked around and felt so sorry for both you and him. That night, he slept in your room on your bed, crying. He didn’t even bother to change or anything. He just wanted to escape this new reality.

“Please come back Teddy Bear....I’m sorry.”

[strawberry-lemonade-kisses]

Perfection

4 whole months with your husband and your daughter. These past 4 months had felt like a dream, a gift you never wanted to return or let go of. Kyojuro had healed, slowly but surely. The scar on his stomach was almost fully healed, a lighter patch on his usual sun-kissed skin. But it was Hinata that you found yourself thinking about the most. From her first spurt of laughter to her tender smiles when Kyojuro hummed to her. She spent a lot of time on the floor with Kyojuro, laying next to each other, so he didn’t strain himself, and she could get the time to work on her reflexes. Amane called it ‘tummy time’ when she visited after a month, her soft expression as she watched Kyojuro and Hinata lay on the floor, both of them on their stomach, matching yellow eyes staring at each other, unblinking. You were constantly told about the first year of your baby's life seeming to fly by, the large amount of development that would happen in the blink of an eye, it wasn’t a lie.

“She’s swimming” Kyojuro spoke up from the floor where he sat with Hinata, her little kimono bunched around her waist as she kicked absently behind her, enjoying the freshly cleaned floors that allowed her to slide forward with every kick. You sat down next to your husband, leaning into his embrace as he pulled you closer to him. “Look at this little spitfire. She learned how to kick and now she is always ready to go swimming. The next Water hashira in the making, I hope Tomioka is ready for a replacement” A laugh erupted from Kyojuro, loud and boisterous as usual. The booming cackle startled Hinata, throwing her straight into a crying fit as she wiggled on the floor, crocodile-sized tears forming a puddle under her chubby cheeks.

“Kyo, quieter, you keep scaring her” You cooed at your daughter as you scooped her up, Rocking her in your arms as you mumbled apologies to her. She continued to wail into your shoulder, small hands gripping onto the stray hairs that were falling out of the bun you had wrapped this morning. Bouncing her in your arms you wandered to the engawa, sitting on the edge of the porch so you two could enjoy the sun. She was so much like her father it was scary. She enjoyed the sunlight and outdoors almost as much as he did, always wanting to spend their time outside. You had no doubt that when she got older you would never get them in the house, having to build a shack small enough for their futons so they could sleep before going back to the outdoors. For now though, you used the outdoors to help settle her nerves, the peace it always seemed to provide her as she basked in the sunlight. “Alright sunshine, do we feel better now? I’ll make sure daddy keeps it down for you okay sweet girl?” You cooed at your daughter, peppering her face with kisses as you spoke to her. Her cries had settled into small hiccups, her small body bouncing at the force of them. Her round eyes stared at you, unblinking like her father, but the cute blond curls that framed her face had you almost in tears every time you looked at her. How could one small being be so incredibly cute?! Kyojuro shared the same sentiment. His first week at home was spent with him in bed, you and Hinata cuddled up with him as he boasted about how breathtaking his family was. You could feel the porch move as Kyojuro walked up next to you, the grey haori over his kimono almost draping over your shoulders at his closeness. You looked up at him, smiling.

“I keep telling you Kyojuro, a child of the sun. I am thoroughly convinced of it at this point” He nodded, sitting down next to you, He let out a huff as he bent to sit down fully, his muscles still getting used to being used once again.

“Do you think she likes me?” Your head tilted at his absurd question.

“Of course she does, she is an exact copy of you, how could she not!” you chuckled.

“She cries when I laugh.” You paused at his downcast eyes, he actually believed his daughter did not like him.

“My love, my flame, the light of my life. You are loud, I understand why, you have a hard time gauging your volume, your ears have been damaged, I am aware. But she is still growing, still developing. She is sensitive to loud noises, and she will be for a while” You shook your head, leaning into him so you could lay your head on his shoulder, his head resting right on top of yours. He let out a sigh, the action reverberating into your body.

"I know I'm not a mind reader but trust me when I tell you, she loves you. She falls asleep so quickly when you hold her, your warmth is something that she will always adore. She loves tummy time with you. She doesn't stop giggling when you two wiggle on the floor. Kyojuro I have to kick you out of the room when she's feeding because she constantly wants to look at you. I'm actually pretty sure that you are her favorite. Plus, she's too young to hate someone yet" he listed his head, pulling away from your embrace which caused you to look up, catching a peek of the tears gripping his eyelashes. He was turning away, feigning a yawn as he rubbed at his eyes.

"Ah, the boys will be here soon, I'll go put Hinata down for a nap, okay?" Patting his thigh as you got up, Hinata stirring in your arms. "go wash up and get changed, you get dirt on that kimono and I'm going to be upset" you motioned towards the red fabric he wore, the dark color compared to his brighter features made him look ethereal, you thanked whoever was up there that you decided to surprise him with it. He nodded, still turned away from you as you disappeared into the house.

It wasn't long since you had laid Hinata down, whispering sweet lullabies and small tales of adventure and love. The clatter of teenage boys filled your house, the booming voice of your husband trying to parade them out to the back yard, out of the range of Hinata. Although Kyojuro wasn't fully healed, he had promised to take on the three slayers that had joined him on his last mission. They trailed behind him as he was escorted home by the Kakushi, Shinobu carrying a satchel of medications and ointments for his care.

"Hello, sunflower, and my sweet little sunspot" Kyojuro beamed as he was helped to bed, laying next to where Hinata was curled up in one of Kyojuros' haoris while you folded laundry. You smiled, thanking the Kakushi as you followed them out of the room, leaving Kyojuro with his daughter. The flame patterned haori wrapped around her small body, enveloping her in her own warmth as she slept soundly, unbothered by the new presence in the room. The faint stains of blood on the fabric clung to the edges, you had worked so hard on trying to scrub them out, working through tears as the thought of almost losing your husband the same time you brought your daughter into the world. Although you never said anything to him, not even when everyone openly talked about the face-off against the upper moon and the flame hashira. Kyojuro knew how you felt though, the refusal to speak about it was all the confirmation he needed to know how upset you were. You had often expressed your worry Every Time he left, the expression only becoming more desperate as you got further along in your pregnancy. You returned to the room silently, the house making no noise to your whereabouts as you crept into the bedroom. Moving the clothes and placing them in their respective spots to make more room on the bed. It wasn't until Kyojuro spoke that you finally stopped to acknowledge him.

"There are almost no stains on it, thank you for saving it" his fingers danced along the edge of the fabric, trying not to rouse the small figure curled under it.

"Mm, it was a hard task but I think no one will notice it, I got it out of the white which was what I was worried about" you smiled, patting his leg as you passed by, another pile of clothes in your arms. The smile was hollow, the emotion never reaching your eyes like it usually did.

"Y/N" he called on you, drawing your attention to him as he never said your real name. "I'm sorry to have pained you as I have. I-" he sighed "I couldn't let anyone die. Not when everyone was doing so well, a lower moon is no easy feat for such young kids. If someone would have died, then their work would have been for nothing" You hummed, trying to avoid the growing hurt in your chest. “When the upper moon showed up, I figured I could at least hold him off from killing anyone” the clothes hit the floor

"But it's okay if you die, right? No one on a goddamn train is allowed to die, except the one person that should be coming out of this alive. What were you thinking, Kyojuro!?" The dam had broken, the usual calm in your voice thrown to the wind as you spoke to him, the sharp whispers as you avoided yelling.

"I have a duty to keep Y/N, you've known that it's not al-"

"You have a duty here! I can't get pregnant by myself, I can't marry myself, no matter how much it feels like I have. Why would you go up against someone you know will kill you. He's killed dozens of other hashira before you, what makes you different?!" He leaned forward, his hand supporting his stomach as he glared at you.

"Stop. You know what could happen, you agreed that being a hashira comes before everything when we got married" a scoff burst through your lips, your head turned away as you wiped furiously at the tears drying on your cheeks. You didn’t say anything else, leaving the bedroom before you woke Hinata, hoping for some fresh air.

The fight still felt fresh in your heart, not another word was spoken about it since then but with the teenage boys visiting your home every day, it was a constant reminder. It didn't take long for Hinata to fall asleep, being a baby seemed to be exhausting because she was always more than willing to take a nap. You adjusted the small blanket covering her before removing yourself from where you sat next to her cradle. You walked to the backyard, choosing to view the training session that took place every afternoon. You had gotten most of the housework done thanks to the help of Senjuro who had been stopping by occasionally to help while Kyojuro recovered. The backyard was surprisingly quiet, usually the sound of wooden swords hitting each other flooded your ears, but today was met with silence. As you arrived on the engawa you were met with a sight you weren't expecting. The three boys all sat on the ground, forming a half-circle around Kyojuro who spoke softly, retelling a story.

"So I returned, my hearing was damaged, and I was thoroughly beaten, but I did it. I had officially become the flame pillar, taking over after my father" he had just finished the story, one you remembered like it was yesterday. He had been courting you for 3 whole months when he announced his trial to become the flame pillar. He spoke to you adamantly about how hard it was going to be and he would be back soon. You had wished him all the luck you could give him, silently praying he made it back so you could continue to see him. It didn't take long for him to wiggle his way into your life, becoming a constant entity in your thoughts and even your daily routine. He would visit Every evening before he went out for the night, he even sent constant letters when he had to go away. The memory made your lips twitch, a smile wanting to break through the peaceful rest of your cheeks.

"Were you married then?" The red-headed boy leaned closer, eyes glistening with interest as he asked the question. Tanjiro. Kyojuro often talked about the strength the three of them possessed, but it was Tanjiro he spoke about the most, expressing that he felt great power when it came to him.

"No, I had only just started courting her, but I figured if I could become a hashira and show my strength I would have no problem making Y/N my wife" Kyojuo laughed, the sound cracking in the still air as you listened on.

“I have to thank the three of you. I’ve been meaning to.” He released a long breath “I don’t think I would have made it back without all of your help. With the upper moon especially, without your interference, there is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to come home to my wife and daughter. So I sincerely thank the three of you, I owe you a lot”

“Haha, google eyes has dubbed me his savior!” Standing like a king, the boar-headed boy cackled, jumping up and down as he yelled in triumph.

“Rengoku, sir, please don’t think you owe us! It is an honor to be able to see you with your family! It's obvious you cherish them! Please just enjoy your time now!” Tanjiro yelled, waving his hand about as he panicked at the sincerity in Kyojuro’s expression. The blush that tainted his cheeks and the tears that clung desperately to his lashes, not quite ready to fall. Kyojuro nodded, looking away from the young male to avoid him seeing such a vulnerable side of him. He was supposed to be his mentor, strong, charismatic, and brave. Not some crybaby who teared up at the thought of leaving his wife alone. The boar-headed boy had seated himself once more, small huffs of pride streaming through the nostrils of his mask.

“Kyo, can you come here? I need help with something” Finally making your presence known you called to your husband. He nodded, instantly getting up from the ground as he jogged over, the light exercise darkening the red in his cheeks.

“Yes, sunflower?” He wrapped his finger between yours, placing a gentle kiss against your knuckles before stepping up onto the porch to meet you at the proper height.

“I wanted to apologize Kyojuro” He looked dumbfounded, his blonde tresses moving around his shoulders as he tilted his head, a questioning gesture. “You were right when you said you had things to fight for, about your duty. I was too focused on the fact that I almost lost you to see that you were fighting for more than humanity. I understand why you fight Kyojuro, I’ve known. Thank you for working so hard my love, I know it hasn’t been easy. You’ve sacrificed a lot but I'm so glad you are still here” Your hand reached up, toying with the edge of the black patch he kept over his eye, hiding the glazed-over white globe. He hummed, practically purring under your touch as you ran a thumb over his cheek, enjoying the way he leaned into your embrace.

“I understand, sunflower. But I wouldn't let anything keep me from you and Hinata, not even Muzan himself. How could I leave the 2 most perfect people alone?” His arms snaked around your waist, pulling you flush against his body as he leaned into you.

[mountswhore]

Please a Ben one where it’s take ur dad to school day with his baby girl x

ahhh first ben fic, strap in thotties

𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 — ben chilwell

summary: your daughter takes ben to school with her, to show her class just how cool her daddy is

notes: requests are open

“Are you ready, princess?” Ben asked his daughter, leaving his room with you in his arms, still half-asleep against his shoulder. He caught sight of Y/D/N, your four-year-old, and watched her as she put her shoes.

She looked up, seeing her daddy carrying her mummy outside of her room. “Why are you holding mummy like a baby?”

“She is a baby, that’s why.” Ben replied, kissing the back of your head and holding onto you just a little tighter, “see you downstairs, Y/D/N.”

Ben sat with you on the couch, smoothing his palm over your back as you continued to sleep on him. Usually, you were up at 6, getting both Ben and Y/D/N ready for the day ahead of them, except today, you could do absolutely nothing all day. Hence you were sleeping on Ben’s chest as he waited to do the school run.

“I can’t wait to see Y/D/N at school,” Ben mumbled into your hair, you humming in response, “if she’s bouncing off the walls here, I can’t imagine how she is at school.”

“You’re aware it just a ‘my daddy does this for a living’ thing, right?” You questioned, sitting up and grabbing the hairbrush from the coffee table, just as Y/D/N walked downstairs. She instinctively took a seat in front of you, Ben watching with a soppy grin on his face as you braided her hair into pigtails.

“I’m the best daddy there is,” Ben boasted, arms folding behind his head cockily, “should I wear my Chelsea shirt to really get us to #1, Y/D/N?” You rolled your eyes, but your daughter just leapt up and clapped her hands, jumping onto her daddy’s lap.

“Get to school, cheeky.” You hummed, kissing her head as she grabbed her bag. Ben had leant down for a kiss, hands pulling you closer to him. But you quickly pushed away to spare Y/D/N of the ‘yucky’ affection.

Ben and Y/D/N had arrived at her school, her leading the way as she pulled her daddy’s hand. The classroom was full of other students and their fathers, Y/D/N greeting a few of her friends, in turn Ben greeting their fathers. The whole ordeal was different to him, but if he had any moment spared from work, it would be spent with you and Y/D/N.

“Right, kids. Let’s get this going,” the teacher spoke, all the children scrambling to sit on the carpet as the fathers surrounded them. This was the teacher Y/D/N spoke so highly of, always saying how sweet she was to her. Ben watched his daughter and the smile wouldn’t leave her face, she was beyond happy to have her daddy at school with her.

The children took it in turns to stand up, tell them about their daddy, and let the kids ask questions. And soon enough, it was Y/D/N’s turn. She stood up, stepping over various little limbs before reaching the front. Ben was overcome with pride at his daughter, talking so confidently in front of everyone.

“My daddy is a footballer. He plays for Chelsea with Uncle Mason.” She babbled, pointing at Ben, who waved at everyone who turned round to look at him. Ben was asked to join Y/D/N at the front, and so he sat on the chair with her in his lap, waiting for the kids to start asking questions.

“Do you even play football at home?”

“Yeah, Y/D/N likes to play outside with me sometimes.” Ben answered, tickling his daughter’s sides.

“Do you score lots of goals?”

“Sometimes,” Ben replied to another kid.

After a few more questions, the question time was finally over, Ben ruffling Y/D/N’s hair and placing her down.

Hours later, the school day was over and Ben was walking back home with Y/D/N. She was skipping along beside him, hand in his, talking about how Ben was the best daddy there.

“You’re the only footballer daddy.” Y/D/N observed, making Ben chuckle. He squeezed her hand, still visibly happy at how today went. Even when the two of them got home, Y/D/N had run up to you in the kitchen and tugged at your leg, so giddy to tell you all about today.

“Mummy,” she called, Ben trying to take her coat off as she leaped around, “daddy was the coolest daddy there, I want daddy to come to school with me everyday.”

“Aw, I’m glad you had fun, princess.” You cooed at her, lifting her onto your hip and brushing her hair from her face. The braid you’d tied together this morning now gone, her curls were released and everywhere.

Y/D/N had run off to her toy box, leaving a very tired looking Ben. You giggled at him and rubbed his shoulders, his body relaxing into yours. Dinner was unattended but safe, as you held Ben in your arms for just a moment’s peace.

“I don’t know how you do it,” he mumbled into your shoulder, kisses pressed up and down every few seconds, you shivered at the touch and held him tighter, “today has made me appreciate you a lot more. Thank you for always looking after our crazy little one.”

“She gets the crazy from you,” you mentioned, looking into his tired eyes, “go and sit down, I’ll bring dinner in.” He nodded, pressing a kiss to your forehead before hearing his daughter calling for her daddy once again, the pair of you laughing.

[ragingbookdragon]

I'm Only A Crack In This Castle Of Glass (Hardly Anything Else I Need To Be) PT. 4

Batfamily x Batsis Story!

Word Count: 2K Warnings: Explicit Language, ALL THE ANGST Tags!: @itsnottilly @cloudyskylines @starflyer-104 @justine-en @iwillstaywiththemforever @weirdgirlfromtx @edlothia-baby @soul-end @notsostraightweeb @candlestudy

Author's Note: Some of y'all didn't tag so see if that's something on your end. Enjoy the angst and cliffhanger! -Thorne

Wally didn’t come into the coffee shop for almost two whole months after their fight—not that she blamed him—she was still vaguely upset with his harsh words. But she had to admit that she’d gotten used to his warm presence every morning, and not seeing him messed her up more than she thought it would. More often than not, she found herself absentmindedly staring at the door, waiting for him to walk in with that stupid grin on his face and proceed to boast and recall whatever exciting exploits he and his friends had accomplished earlier. It hurt not to see or hear him, and she realized that Wally had become the greatest friend she’d ever had.

Barry still came in though, and if he knew who she really was, he didn’t say anything because he still acted like he always did. So, even if Wally were still angry with her, at least he’d kept his word and not said anything to anyone about her identity. Which if she were honest, tasted bitter when she thought about the price she paid for his silence—his friendship.

It was getting colder again, which meant a lot more people were coming and going from the shop, so at least she could take her mind off her feelings for at least a few hours. Until she got home, and all she was left with were them and a whole lot of silence to think about them with. Sometimes she thought about calling Wally, at least to hear his voice. Hell, even if their last words to one another were frigid, she missed the interaction. She’d give anything to hear him, even taking another round of cold snipes and trades.

She heaved a sigh and wiped down the last few tables of the evening rush, smiling politely at the people who were still sitting at tables or so across. Today had been hectic and there’d been no let up of customers until the last hour of the shift. She’d never thought they’d run out of coffee, but it came close to that a couple hours ago.

The bell above the door chimed and with her back turned to the entrance, she didn’t see who came in, but with another barista at the counter ready to take the final orders of the evening, she didn’t particularly care. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed. Sleep until hell froze over. That, or until her feet stopped hurting—whichever came first. She let out a quiet laugh that made her chest ache—Wally would’ve found that absolutely hilarious and probably shot back about how if anyone had the right to complain about their feet hurting, it would be him. God, she really missed Wally.

“Melisandre,” someone called quietly, and she glanced over her shoulder, eyes widening when she saw the familiar red head behind her.

Speak and the Devil will appear.

“Wally,” she breathed, voice thick with shock, and before she could stop herself, she was throwing her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly.

He returned her hug in fold. “I guess I wasn’t the only one who missed this,” he quipped.

She huffed a laugh and pulled away. “Believe it or not, it doesn’t feel right when you don’t come around.” Her eyes narrowed almost sadly. “I’ve missed seeing you, Wally.”

“Same here,” he replied, then glanced at the clock above the espresso machines. “Are you almost off? I want to take you somewhere.”

Nodding, she took a look at her watch. “I get off in about ten minutes. Can you wait that long, or will you perish from boredom?”

“I think I can survive ten minutes, Melisandre,” he retorted and collapsed into one of the booths. “Hurry though, I don’t want to be late.”

She rolled her eyes and deadpanned, “Wally, I can’t speed time up. That’s not how that works.”

“Works for me.” He proudly stated.

“I wonder why?” she retorted sarcastically, then gave him a smile before wandering off to clean the last tables.

***

Despite the fact that Wally could run anywhere he wanted in less than a second, he still owned a vehicle and that was downright baffling in her opinion.

“Dick got it for me.” He suddenly said, shifting the car into drive and she blinked internally wincing at the mention of her brother.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I know you didn’t, (Y/N). But you were thinking it.”

“Uh huh,” she doubted and crossed her arms over her chest. “What am I thinking about right now?”

“Knowing you? Probably food, I know you like to ea—” he dissolved into laughter when she reached over and shoved at his side.

“No, I don’t you ass.”

“Really? Because I distinctly remember the time I took a fry off your basket and you looked at me like I’d killed your favorite dog.” (Y/N) glared at him and he pointed at her. “Yeah, that’s the look right there.”

“I don’t like sharing my food,” she said. “You should’ve known better.” Her eyes drifted to the windshield. “So, where are we going?”

“S.T.A.R. labs.”

(Y/N) cocked a brow and stared at him. “Really? S.T.A.R. labs? What’s there?”

Wally shrugged. “Wanted to show you a bit of what it’s like to be me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You mean you came to see me after all this time and the first thing we’re doing is going to a lab so you can show my what you do?”

His gaze momentarily darted to hers. “Is that a problem?”

“I dunno, I just figured we’d go eat a diner somewhere and apologize to each other.”

“Are you sorry?”

“Beg pardon?”

“Are you sorry? For all of the last three years?”

“Not particularly,” she griped, and he shrugged again.

“Then I’m not sorry for what we said to each other that night.” he let out a sigh. “But I’m willing to let it go, because I’d rather us just have a disagreement than lose what our friendship over it.” he looked at her. “What do you say?”

(Y/N) stared at him for a long moment, then she sighed and nodded. “…Yeah, I agree.”

Wally smiled. “Good.” He turned the wheel and pulled into the parking lot of the lab. “But there is food there for us, so you’ll be satiated anyways.”

“Hardy har har. Shut up, Wallace West,” she shot back, climbing out of the car. Her eyes traveled up the tall building. “Wow, this place is huge, isn’t it?”

She felt him stand next to her. “Yeah. Did you know they had to replace the glass windows a whole bunch of times because Barry and I kept shattering them when we’d run up ‘em?”

(Y/N) blinked, unsurprisingly stating, “No, I did not. But I can see that happening.”

He started towards the doors, leaving her to follow and soon they were stepping into an elevator. She watched him hit the rooftop button and she looked at him.

“If you’re showing me what you do, why are we going to the roof? Shouldn’t we be going to some laboratory inside?”

Wally chuckled. “Patience, young padawan.” He ignored her rolling eyes. “Food first.”

“Oh, dinner in the moonlight? Well, aren’t you just the romantic.” (Y/N) cocked her elbow on his shoulder and grinned. “Don’t tell me you fell in love with me all that time we spent away from each other?”

This time, he was rolling his eyes. “Hardly, (Y/N). I just figured you’d want a nice evening where you weren’t staring at your bland kitchen walls.”

She scoffed and pulled away from him. “Look, I’d paint and hang shit up but the landlord wouldn’t be happy.”

“Since when do you care about making people happy? You’re typically a ‘I’m going to make someone unhappy’ type of person.” Her eyes shifted to his and he waved a hand. “Not what you’re thinking about—I was talking about the coffee shop.”

For a moment, she didn’t say anything, then she hummed. “There’s nothing more fun than telling someone I’m going to get the manager and then do my magic little spin and cheerfully greet, ‘Hi, I’m the manager’.” She grinned. “Does wonders to see Karen’s little head explode.”

Wally chuckled and the elevator dinged. The doors split open, and they walked out onto the rooftop. Surprisingly, the roof was enclosed and lighted, giving her perfect vision and when her eyes fell on them, her heart seemed to stop in her chest, and her feet to a halt.

They stood from the table they’d been sitting at and with her heart hammering against her ribcage, she immediately spun on her heel, intent to flee back into the elevator, only to come chest to chest with Wally, who wrapped his arms around her waist—effectively keeping her in place.

Her feet were still moving on their own accord and she shoved against his chest, trying to get back to the lift. “Wally, move.”

“No, (Y/N),” he murmured, and she could feel her breath starting to come in and out in panicked spurts.

“Wally, please, I’m begging you, move.” She stared up at him and plead, “Please don’t make me do this. I’ll do anything, just please let me leave.”

His evergreen eyes were narrowed in pity, but there was a firmness that rested within that pity and he shook his head. “I can’t let you leave, (Y/N).”

“Wally, please,” she begged, arms starting to go limp against his chest, the tears flooding her vision. “Don’t make me do this.”

“You’ve gotta stop running, (Y/N).”

She couldn’t help the sob that escaped her, and she rested her cheek against his chest. “I hate you…so much.”

“I know,” he murmured.

“You’re a liar and I hate you.”

Wally sighed. “I know you do.”

(Y/N)’s face contorted in anger despite her pain. “I should’ve left the night we fought. I knew you wouldn’t be capable of keeping it from him. From any of them,” she sneered and suddenly pulled away from his grip, eyes flashing with rage.

“This wasn’t your right to tell!” she shouted at him and shoved him in the chest. Wally didn’t budge an inch and she shoved him again. “God, I was so naïve to assume you’d keep your fucking mouth shut! That’s one thing you’re not capable of doing!”

She growled and turned from him, running her hands over her face. “Three years of relative peace shot straight down the fucking drain,” she shot him a teary glower. “All because of you and your big bleeding heart for your best friend.”

Wally frowned. “I’m doing what I think is best, (Y/N).”

“Forcing me to meet them isn’t what’s best, Wally! I didn’t want to be found! I didn’t want to be associated with them again!” she snarled and in an instance her anger cooled, her shoulders drooping as she lamented, “…This wasn’t a decision you should’ve made. This was never your right to decide. For me…or for them.”

“Perhaps it wasn’t,” he agreed. “But if you weren’t going to draw the line in the sand, I was.”

(Y/N) met his gaze and held it for a long moment, then she turned her attention to the four men who were standing in front of the table, their expressions a mixture of regret, anger, and relief.

She let out a long sigh and reached up to rub at her temples. “Let me guess, I’m not allowed to leave until we’ve had our picture-perfect reunion scene?”

Wally nodded. “The elevator is sadly,” his hand shot backwards and with a sharp crackle of lightning, the light went out. “out of order.”

(Y/N) shook her head in disappointment at him then declared, “The next time I run, I’m settling in a city that has no superheroes.”

“Good plan,” he quipped. “But I don’t think there’ll be anymore running.”

She got up in his face and hissed, “Then you underestimate my feelings regarding the brothers and father before me.”

[jamespotterthefirst]

Prelude (Ethan x f!MC)

Book: Open Heart, Book 1 Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Lilac Allende) Word count: 1.5 K Premise: Three moments leading up to their fateful meeting.

Author’s Note: In which I try to explain why MC didn’t know what Ethan, her medical hero, looked like. Also, my (late) fic for the book 1 replay. Thank you @aestheticartsx​ for pre-reading!

Three.

Harper frowns down at the file in her hand, her sharp gaze burning into the collated papers as though coercing them to solve their dilemma once and for all. From the end of the table, Cyrus lets out an inpatient sigh.

“It's very simple, Harper,” he drones. Ethan's fists clench reflexively at his sides, urging to remind Cyrus that Harper is the chief now and warrants more respect than his insufferable tone is offering. “The last spot should go to the candidate from Harvard. We are the best hospital on the east coast, after all. It only makes sense.”

Harper looks unconvinced and still, her pensive expression remains fixed in the file.

“An ivy league degree does not a good doctor make,” Naveen adds sagely into the ensuing silence. His smile is placid enough but Ethan knows the older doctor well enough to hear the warning edge in his voice. Evidently, even Naveen disapproves of Cyrus's lack of respect for their new chief.

Cyrus scoffs.

“And if you need further proof of that, Doctor Cyrus,” Ethan begins dryly, eyes boring into him. “Then look no further than your side of the conference table.”

A few attendings—at least the ones who have become increasingly tired of Cyrus's boastful proclamations about his alma mater—laugh quietly at the jab. Cyrus splutters, his face an unpleasant shade of red as he glares daggers at Ethan.

“This candidate,” Harper says at last, unaware or uncaring of what she had just interrupted. Her two lone words are enough to command the room's attention at once, but her hazel eyes are on Ethan. “You're convinced she's the best fit for Edenbrook?”

Ethan meets her eye and pauses.

It's the first time they look at each other directly since he ended their relationship two weeks prior. Despite the brief time apart and an unshakeable resolve to be professional, his stomach sinks heavy, like a stone.

Harper looks as graceful and dignified as ever, keeping every emotion in check. Yet, as she holds his gaze, Ethan can see a small flicker or sadness and his stomach twists with guilt.

“I'm positive, Chief Emery,” Ethan responds. “This candidate exhibits the type of potential we look for at Edenbrook.”

The use of her new title seems to snap Harper out of a reverie.

“She graduated top of her class and ranked in the top percent among our chosen cohort of interns,” Ethan continues. “I've also looked into her research and it's among the most promising I've seen. I recommend her without reservations.”

With a single nod and a sense of finality, Harper closes the file.

“Then it's settled. We have our last intern.”

“You're joking, Harper,” Cyrus blurts out, incensed. “We're giving a coveted spot to the candidate from UCLA?”

He says the name of the school with so much derision, Ethan feels his ears flare up.

“That Doctor Ayala?” Cyrus continues.

“Doctor Allende,” Ethan corrects, jaw clenched.

“Don't we have enough charity cases in the cohort already? This is token—”

But the vitriol is quickly interrupted by several things happening at once: Ethan darting forward, fists ready; a startled, collective gasp from the other attendings; Naveen, quietly intercepting Ethan and halting his steps with a steady hand, a feat that is impressive for a man much older and shorter; and Harper, also on her feet, directing a disgusted look at Cyrus she doesn’t bother to disguise behind professionalism.

“I would think very carefully about finishing that sentence if I were you, Doctor Cyrus,” she says, her voice low but with the impact of a clashing gavel. “And I ask that you address me as Chief Emery moving forward.”

Two.

“If you end up marrying someone with a Boston accent,” Laurel is saying with a devilish grin. “I will never be able to keep a straight face when they talk. Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd.”

Her older sister peers at Lilac over the flaps of an open cardboard box, the glint in her eye growing wickeder still. “Imagine what they’d sound like in bed. You're so fucking gawgeous, dawctaw—”

Before her sister can escalate that impression into disturbing territory, Lilac silences her with a well-aimed pillow. It succeeds in hitting Laurel straight in the face but also in turning her laughter into a cackle.

“Are you going to help me pack or not?” Lilac says sternly, though the effect is entirely ruined by the smile that manages to break through.

Laurel raises her hands in defeat and returns to packing Lilac's books neatly. They work in companionable silence for a few minutes with nothing but their favorite music blaring from the speakers of Lilac's phone.

“Is this the book?” her sister asks suddenly, turning a worn textbook in her hands and studying it closely. “The one written by your medical crush?”

For some inexplicable reason, Lilac feels her face flare with heat. “He's not my crush.”

“You just worship the ground he walks on,” her sister returns, flipping through Diagnostic Principles. “Though, you're right. In order to have a crush you'd need to know what he looks like.”

Laurel reaches the back cover, frowning. “Why wouldn't he add an author picture?”

Lilac says nothing, biting the inside of her cheek. She can't blame her sister for being curious and a bit disappointed at the lack of visual representation. After all, Lilac had felt crestfallen when all she found in the author's information section was the green and blue Edenbrook logo.

“Maybe he's a private man and doesn't like his picture out in the world? Maybe he wants aspiring doctors to focus on his research and not his looks?”

“So he's either really hot or really ugly,” Laurel returns, unmoved by Lilac's impassioned speech. “Have you ever tried looking him up online?”

Lilac had been tempted many times, but she was fiercely adamant about keeping her medical hero a mystery outside of his work. It already felt invasive enough to track down his undergrad research and every other minor paper he'd ever written. When it came to Ethan Ramsey, Lilac had searched every corner of scholarly journals and databases, absorbing every piece of his work with an adoration that was already embarrassing enough.

Plus, she would never admit it out loud, but she was also afraid that knowing what the brilliant doctor looked like would somehow ruin him for her. Or at least, alter the image of him she had constructed in her head for so many years. It felt right to continue seeing Dr. Ramsey as the brilliant force that pushed her into her dream career and not as a definitive set of features.

“It doesn't matter what he looks like. He's the best and I'm going there to learn from him, not to judge his appearance.”

“I'm Googling him,” Laurel announces, already typing furiously into her phone. After a few seconds, her phone returns results and her eyebrows shoot up, staying suspended for longer than normal.

“What?” Lilac asks despite herself.

“Wow.”

“Wow what?”

“Just… wow.” Laurel stares down at the screen with such awestruck amazement that Lilac feels a powerful wave of curiosity. “He’s shirtless in some of these.”

“What?” Lilac yelps, feeling her face flare up at once. 

“Yeah, apparently you’re not his only fan. Tons of people have taken his picture.” Her sister seems to blink out of a trance, turning the screen toward Lilac. “Here, see for your—”

But Lilac turns her gaze away almost out of reflex.

“No!” 

The word comes out far more impassioned than Lilac intended. Still, she resolutely turns her head. “That feels...invasive, somehow?”

“Come on—”

“I'm serious, Lau. I don't want to see. I'm already nervous enough about this whole thing without having to worry about this wow-worthy revelation. And besides, taking someone’s shirtless picture without their consent and posting it online is already bad enough. It feels wrong supporting that.”

Laurel rolls her eyes.

“I'm going to see him in less than a week anyway. With clothes. In a professional setting. As I should. If I waited all these years, I can wait that long.”

A knowing, devious sort of smile pulls at her sister's face. She mumbles something over the music and Lilac can swear it sounds oddly like: “...worth the wait.”

One.

Ethan should have taken the broken and sputtering coffee machine in his apartment as an omen. His morning definitely declined from then on, starting with gridlock traffic and ending with an infuriatingly long line at his favorite coffee place.

The ultimate lack of coffee is probably his fault because Ethan had spent too much time deliberating whether or not he wanted to go with store bought coffee on what promised to be a grueling day. When he had finally made up his mind, however, the line was already out the door.

Irritated and caffeine deprived, he drives back to Edenbrook.

“You're earlier than we agreed,” Naveen says as soon as Ethan accepts his incoming call. “What was the point of rearranging the whole schedule if you were going to come in when you pleased anyway?”

“I'm not even through the gates yet. What are you spying on me?”

“No need. You forget how predictable you are.”

Naveen chuckles as he says this which eases some of Ethan's irritation. The older doctor had purposely scheduled him later in the day to give him some peace on the first day of the new intern cohort.

Naturally, Ethan arrived several hours early, as per his custom.

“Or maybe you know me too well by now.”

Naveen's benevolent laughter turns into a dry but lingering cough on the other end of the line. Instantly, Ethan's insides freeze over, his stomach sinking unpleasantly.

He opens his mouth to question his mentor about this persisting symptom, when sheer reflex prompts him to stomp on the breaks so suddenly, his body jerks forward then slams against his seat.

“Shit.”

Something—or rather someone— had crossed the parking lot road right in front of his car, standing mere inches away from his front bumper.

“Ethan?” Naveen asks through the speaker.

When Ethan recovers and regains movement of his arms and legs, he feels the spike of adrenaline give way to pure annoyance.

The offending pedestrian is a young brunette clad in blue scrubs, a medical intern by the looks of it. She stands there in the middle of the road, her mouth hanging open in a way that would have been comical to Ethan if he wasn't so irritated.

They stare at one another, though Ethan is convinced she can't see much through the tinted glass.

Then, right before his eyes, she seems to recover from the shock. Drawing herself to her full height, she glares at Ethan. At least, he thinks she's glaring through the dark lenses of her sunglasses.

Ethan almost scoffs.

She has the audacity to be angry when she was the one who made the rookie mistake of aimlessly crossing in front of him?

Who the hell does she think she is?

“Asshole,” she mutters, the word quite audible through his windows.

Before a stunned Ethan can respond, she turns on her heel and rushes toward the hospital, a curtain of dark hair dancing behind her.

“What was that?” Naveen asks, still on the call.

“I hate interns,” Ethan responds much to the older doctor's amusement.

Bonus:

Author’s Note: In other words, my MC was late to her orientation because of Ethan and that’s how she met him in the waiting room lol. Thank you so much for reading! 

*Tagging Separately 

[ikariwrites]

Challenge

-

Damien Darkblood x Reader (f)

Summary : Something quick based on a dream I had last night. Only proof read through once so there may be some mistakes.

Damien claims he can fuck for hours without getting tired. You make a bet to outlast him.

Contains : riding, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, slight voyeurism, porn with no plot, domesticity and comfort

-

You’d been at this for hours.

Or, maybe it was days. You weren’t sure. Time was melting away the longer you stayed here.

All you knew anymore was the feeling of Damien’s cock filling you. You’d cum so many times by now that your mind was in some kind of drug addled, hazy state. There was a constant pleasure swimming through your veins that bordered on unpleasant with every orgasm.

It was too much and simultaneously everything you ever wanted. You never wanted to leave this room.

If you thought hard enough you could recall the bet you’d made that started all of this. Damien had claimed he could fuck and not get tired more than any human - for days sometimes if he wanted to, he all but boasted. You took that as a challenge. Your stupid naive pride thought you could wear him out. You honestly thought you could outlast a demon when it came to sex.

Clearly, he hadn’t been exaggerating.

You’re panting cloud after cloud of breath into the cold air around you as you ride his cock. Damien is flat on his back while yours faces the headboard. The solid cherry wood frame knocks against the wall with every bounce. Between that and your moans, everyone in the apartment complex probably knows what you’re doing.

The room is dim, with no windows and only a small lamp on the bedside table. A soft yellow light throws your shadows against the wall, mirroring every sinful movement you make. Even the cold air that constantly clings to him like an aura can’t keep the flush or sweat from your skin.

You knew he let you push him down and top him, that he could wrestle you into any position he wanted and claim you. You wouldn’t be in his lap right now if it wasn’t what he wanted.

He wanted to watch you, to look at you as you spent yourself over and over again on his cock, chest bouncing, your thighs squeezing his. He was getting off on watching you try, a smug smile on his lips every time you came. The bastard.

You lean down and kiss that smirk off his face. His pointed tongue darts past your lips and presses against your tongue. His mouth is so hot and wet. It feels good to your parched mouth. You’ve been breathing in so much cold air that your throat feels raw.

You whimper against his mouth as your cunt squeezes his cock and spills out around him. Lips part with a wet pop. Like a bottle of Champaign shaken on New Years, heavy moans laced with obscenities burst from your mouth.

Fuck, you can’t even feel it building up anymore.

Damien chuckles, the sweet rumbling sound adding to that knot of pleasure deep inside you.

Your whole body is shaking, trembling from the fresh wave of ecstasy. It’s duller now than it was however long ago but it still makes you collapse onto his chest and mewl like a kitten.

Damien takes your hips and works them up and down, using you like a sex toy until he’s once more filling you up with a grunt. The warm milky fluid spills out around his cock. You’re so full of him that it’s a surprise your stomach doesn’t show it.

You puff tired breaths against his cool, damp skin. A clawed hand cards through your hair tenderly, lovingly. “Ready to give up?” He asks in a voice as smooth as crushed velvet. There’s a clear smile in his voice that only spurs that petty human urge in you to win.

“Hell. No.” You say with a steadier breath. The utter confidence in your voice betrays the weak trembling in your thighs and back. “Let’s go again.”

“Won’t be able to work tomorrow.”

Instead of answering him, you stubbornly start bouncing your hips, sliding up and down his length with a wet sound. With your cheek flushed against his chest, you start moaning again, that sickly sweet pleasure making your eyes roll back.

Damien just smirks and grabs your hips, guiding them along with claws that pleasantly scratch your skin.

When all is said and done and you finally surrender to his endless well of sexual stamina, Damien takes you to the bath and cleans you up. He dresses you in thick pajamas and lays with you, petting your hair and telling you how beautiful you are until you fall asleep.

The next day, you feel like you couldn’t walk even if the apartment was on fire. Damien brings you food in bed and takes care of you.

You end up calling out of work after all.