#i still think the living room is my crowning achievement

[whentherewerebicycles]

okay I spent the whole morning working on the dayroom and I think it’s slowly coming along. my mom hung the dry erase board during her visit and I am sooo pleased with it (I love a massive dry erase board!!). I put together that lightweight little bookshelf/console thing and ordered some cute little fabric storage baskets for the bottom shelf so I can hide some of the office supply clutter. I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do with those two little strips of wall by my desk but I’m leaning towards doing a little fandom corner. in my austin apartment I had these picture ledges where I put fandom-related photos/art/cards from friends and it always made me so happy to look at. plus you could swap stuff out and move it around really easily when you needed a change. I was thinking I might recreate that on a smaller scale on one of the walls (maybe the one next to the desk?) and then do a mini gallery wall on the wall right over the desk, which could be a mix of My Hockey Guy photos and family/friend photos. I ordered some possible shelves to try so we’ll see! and then I have this wonderful banner bec snagged for me at a game, which I just steamed the wrinkles out of and am trying to decide where I want to put it.

I just have one big update planned after that, which is that I ordered a giant mirror on mega sale to hang over the couch. it should arrive next friday hurrah! and I think/hope it will go a long way towards brightening and opening up that space. I really love my place but its one flaw is the deep 1970s-style overhangs over the windows that block most of the limited natural light we get in the winter 😩 combine that with the ‘70s-style lack of good overhead lighting and it can make that room feel pretty dark, especially on overcast days like today. anyway I’m excited! that poor room has suffered from me mentally associating it with a job I h*te so it’s spent a lot of time being a cluttered and unkempt dumping ground even though it’s one of the nicer rooms in the house. I’m trying to make it look more appealing + spend more time in there when I’m not working so that I don’t lose a whole room to my work dread lol.

[ratcash-wasgud]

Tragicomedy II

hey gang, I finally finished this lol sorry it took so long, I just have some complications in my life rn

Anyways, NSFW so minors (and MEN) dni

After the day at the amusement park, Ellie walked home in a cartoonishly bummed way. Which, if you ask me, was pretty understandable. In her head, she had lost every chance in the world with the cutest girl ever, and the worst part was, that she has lost to Abby.

She didn't live in a dorm, the house she basically grew up in was just a couple blocks away from her college, and like 30 minutes away from the amusement park, so she had time to listen to music and stare at the sunset on her way. When she got home, she kicked open the door, and walked past a very concerned looking Joel, and slammed her room's door behind herself. She was acting like a child, she knew that, but she couldn't help it. If today would've went in the way she planned, you could be here too right now, listening to her playing the guitar, marveling at her comic collection, or even...I don't know, sit in her lap or something. But now, it's all ruined because of some straight jock who doesn't deserve you anyways.

Abby on the other hand, is not home yet. Instead of going back to her dorm, she got into her truck, and just went out to the edge of the city, to just...sit there. The last couple months were overwhelming, but today? Yeah, it's taking the crown. She had just started being ok with liking girls, then you came in the picture and suddenly Abby wishes she was still in denial. You saw her cry for fuck's sake. If she wanted to achieve anything, it was the cool and chill persona she had assumed girls like you were attracted to, but nah, she had to fuck it up and almost have a panic attack because of one homophobic comment that wasn't even directed at her. She's so terrified of being gay, of disappointing everyone. That's probably the reason why it was so easy for comphet to eat her alive for so many years.

But then, both women are dragged out of their gloomy moment by a notification lighting up their phone. A new groupchat was just made, by you, and the first text was sent.

"now we have a super cool groupchat, only for super cool people"

"(˵ •̀ ᴗ •́ ˵ )"

Ellie stares at the text. You made a groupchat instead of just texting Abby, which, to her was a success. Abby on the other hand, just didn't understand why did you still think she was cool.

"i wanted to text both of you, but i feel like it's easier this way."

"btw do you guys have plans on friday??"

Perfect. Another chance.

"nah im free." Ellie texts without hesitation, already smiling as she rolls over in bed, staring at her phone. She's already starting to come up with places she could go with you.

"i don't have any plans" Abby texts, her fingers shaking a little. She's happy that you don't hate her, of course, but she's nervous. She doesn"t want to fuck up anything again.

"⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡"

"my grandparents are out of the state for a couple days, and they told me i could hang in their pool!!"

And that is exactly how both Abby and Ellie ended up having a huge watergun fight in your grandparents' backyard. It was amusing, really. They both took it really seriously, like the waterguns you found while searching for a beach matress were completely real, and their life depended on shooting the fuck out of the other.

"Come out, Williams!" Abby yells as she walks up to the shed where she saw that pesky woman run to. "Just give up! Come out with your weapon in the air!"

But, Ellie wasn't in the shed at all, she was behind it. So when Abby tried to enter the shed, she jumped out from behind it, and blasted the bigger woman with cold water all while laughing wickedly. "I got youuuu, you died! I won!"

You just watched them, chuckling to yourself. You were happy. Having friends was cool. I mean, you were watching with a bunch of adoration in your eyes, and your heart was also fluttering, but that's a totally different topic.

"Okay, do you guys want to get in the pool already?" You ask as you start taking off your shirt just to reveal a light purple bikini top decorated with a pink bow.

Ellie swallowed hard. Suddenly her victory didn't even matter to her at all. The only thing that mattered was following you right into water. She peeled her own tanktop off, staying in her own pair of swimwear. This is the most skin she has ever seen you show, and it's already making her mouth dry. She stars sprinting towards the pool and with a huge splash, she lands in the water, drenching the frozen Abby standing next to the pool, who is in complete gay panic, and just stands there, stiffer than ever. She gasps when the cold water hits her skin, and shoots a glare to the auburn haired woman, who's just emerging from under the water. And as we know, revenge is both of their speciality, so Abby peels her own clothes off too and jumps into the water as fast as she can, and her aim is the smaller woman right in the middle of the pool. But as the waves from her jump arrive, they push you right into Ellie's arms.

Ellie, of course, sees the opportunity and takes it right away, wrapping her arms around you from behind. "I got you," She whispers into your ears, and you blush in response. You can't help yourself but lean into the touch, smiling softly. "Yeah...thanks."

Abby comes up from under the water, and sees the scheming that's happening behind her back. She can't let that happen, she can't be left out. She needs to keep up her game. She can't be a coward again. So, she moves towards both of you in the pool, where your feet can touch the tiles on the floor, and she corners both of you.

Abby needs to swallow her nerves. She has to be brave. "I pushed you on purpose." She murmurs, ignoring that you're in Ellie's arms, and puts her hands on your hips under the water. "I wanted to see you fall under the water...and get wet." She says, knowing exactly what she means.

Ellie, on the other hand pulls you closer. "She's already wet. We didn't need your help." She says, lifting her knee to rest between your legs. They didn't know is that you were indeed wet.

"I think she wants my help tho." Abby says, her heart pounding in her chest, but doing her best to not let it show. "Tell her sweetheart," Abby leans closer, her eyes intense. "Tell her you need my help."

You were stunned for a moment, glancing back at Ellie over your shoulder then back to Abby. "I...I need help. From, uhm...both of you." You croak out, her legs wrapping around Abby's waist under the water, while you lean back into Ellie. "Allow me to be selfish."

Both women stopped for a second, considering their options. In that moment, they both realized they didn't hate eachother as much as they thought. Over the time of then hanging out with you, and through that, eachother. Ellie learned that the meat head jock can cry, and isn't afraid of playing with toys or laughing in such a carefree way. Abby learned that the grumpy merd is fierce, and stands up for what she believes in, and that she puts up a fight in whatever she puts her mind to. They learned that they...wouldn't mind this whole thing.

Ellie was the one who moved first, giving Abby a nod, as she snaked her hand lower, along your stomach, right into your bottoms, grazing your lips. Abby shuddered when she saw that, and she just decided to go for it and plant her lips firmly against yours. You kissed her back withouth hesitation, wrapping your arms around her neck, and Abby felt like she was in heaven for a slight second. Ellie watches as her tongue moves with yours, kissing the side of your neck softly as she felt how wet you are down there. She slid a finger inside you, then after a couple thrusts, another. You moaned against Abby's mouth, and in response to that, the bigger girl started kneading your tits gently at first, but she lost self control pretty quickly.

The next thing you knew was that your second orgasm was already fading already, your juices gushing out of you as you're next to the pool on a convenient blanket, while Abby sits right on your face, her pretty pussy reacting to every single lick, while Ellie is between your legs, her cute little cunt against yours, rubbing and chasing her own orgasm, all while they make out, moaning your name into eachothers mouths.

In that moment, Ellie and Abby both decided to stop hating eachother for now.

[the-badger-mole]

Zutara prompts: Stepping in front of the other to shield them from something/someone.

Please ☺️

Zuko was shocked to see his father had actually showed up tonight. It wasn't the first time Zuko was being honored for an accomplishment, and this wasn't even a particularly big win for him. Last year, he had won a Phoenix Crown award for his work on the score of the Painted Lady movie. By comparison, a golden leaf at the Yangbaechu Awards for his tsungi horn album was the equivalent of taking home first place at a school art show. It was still an honor, of course, but far fewer people cared. Still, his uncle had insisted on throwing a party to celebrate, as he always did (though Zuko suspected Iroh had only really meant to provide an alternative to the wilder celebrity after parties that usually took place on these nights). Tonight, Ozai had surprised everyone by actually showing up.

Far less surprising was the look of disapproval permanently etched onto his face. Ozai's face was twisted as if he smelled something terrible. He cast a judgemental look around the room in such an obvious way, Zuko knew that his and Iroh's guests could tell exactly what he was thinking. Zuko could practically read his father's thoughts. So disappointing, his son. Zuko had managed to achieve his own fame and fortune separate from Ozai's political and business world, yet he wasted his time and talent on movies with no prestige, and concept albums that most people only pretended to understand. He was friends with mostly B and C list celebrities- certainly no power players who could help Zuko move up in the world. Never mind that Zuko was making a living- a very good living- doing what made him happy. Ozai had never cared for his son's happiness.

Right around the time Zuko was beginning to wonder why Ozai had bothered to show up at all, his father met his eye. Then to Zuko's surprise, Ozai came over. Zuko down the last of his lava whiskey sour and braced himself.

"You're wasting your time," Ozai said. Zuko fought the urge to lower his head. He was as tall as Ozai now. His father couldn't tower over him to intimidate him anymore.

"I've got an award that says otherwise," Zuko replied through clenched teeth. "Several of them, in fact." Rage flashed across Ozai's face, and in spite of himself, Zuko cringed a little.

"Still a mouthy little snot after all these years."

"Why did you come?" Zuko demanded. "Since I'm such a disappointment to you, why don't you just leave me to live my own life?"

"And let you keep embarrassing the family name?" Ozai sneered. "It was bad enough when my brother turned his back on the company to start his little tea shop, but now here you are making a fool of us with your antics. Your sister is poised to launch her campaign for governor, but all anyone can talk about is what actress you're dating, or what foolish little superhero movie you're making songs for."

"Well, I'm sorry Azula isn't more interesting," Zuko said. "Why don't you tell everyone what she got up to in college? I bet the people would find that a lot more interesting than what I'm doing. I know that would defeat the purpose of you spending so much money to cover it up, but it would take the attention off of me."

"I see your success has made your forget to be humble. I ought to remind you." Ozai scowled at Zuko. His hand flexed at his side, as if he were going to strike his son. It wouldn't be the first time, but would he really dare in front of so many witnesses?

"There you are!" Zuko and Ozai jumped in surprise when Katara appeared at his side. Katara had a wide smile on her face, but her sharp eyes were on Ozai in a way that Zuko knew was a warning. "You can't spend your entire party tucked up in a dark corner. At least not without me. So, catch me up. What are we talking about?"

"This is family business," Ozai sneered at her. "Why don't you go find some paparazzi to pose for."

"Maybe some other time," Katara's smile never wavered, but her eyes grew sharper.

"Do you know who I am?" Ozai sputtered, affronted.

"I do know who you are," Katara said, crossing her arms. She stepped forward, and drew up to her full height (which still left her a good half a head shorter than Ozai, even in heels), and glared at him directly. She stood in front of Zuko protectively. "I know exactly who you are, and I don't like you."

"As if I care what some tarty little slut thinks," Ozai sneered. "I'm talking to my son, so leave us alone, or I'll-" Before Ozai could finish his threat, Katara had grabbed his arm and thrown him over her shoulder. He landed on his back with a body rattling thud. The air left his lungs in a whoosh and all Ozai could do was groan weakly.

"I've taken Southern Tribe style martial arts since I was a kid," Katara said, leaning over Ozai. "I know exactly how to handle bullies like you. Now, I have on good authority that you're trespassing, so I'd suggest you leave before I really have to get tough on you."

Ozai managed to stumble onto his feet. He glowered down at Katara. She stared back at him defiantly. He seemed to be about to retaliate, but then he saw Zuko standing behind her with a dark, challenging look on his face. Then Ozai noticed that the other partiers had stopped their talking and dancing and were now watching him with various degrees of warning on their faces. Then he saw the security guards standing at the perimeter of the room as if they were waiting for a signal. For the first time in Zuko's life, Ozai looked a bit scared. Finally, he straightened his jacket and sniffed haughtily at Zuko and his friends, and left without another word.

After a few minutes, the party atmosphere returned. A handful of Zuko's friends came up and checked in on him to make sure he was okay, but after some brief reassurances, they returned to their conversations and drinks and Zuko was once again surrounded by the lively sounds of his friends having fun. Katara slipped her arm through his.

"I'm sorry if I went too far," she murmured. Zuko leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"No, you were spectacular," he assured her. "I didn't think I could be any more attracted to you, but I stand corrected."

[queenimmadolla]

hi babes

word? Chronic

character? Steve

genre? Humor

trope? First time

xoxoxox

atomic betty, you have no idea how excited i was to see you in my inbox! i love your shit so much, this one is for you! i hope you like it, you wondrous woman ♡ 𝟏𝟖+ 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

  Steve’s nervous.

  Steve Harrington is very nervous. 

  And Steve Harrington is rarely—when not in mortal peril—ever nervous. Ever.

  Regardless of discussion pertaining to the size of his head, Steve Harrington is blessed  with genetics that leave most envious. He’d been an adorable baby, who’d grown from a cute kid turned heartthrob teenager to a handsome man. 

  Steve has also gone through every stage in relation to those age frames. He’d been one pompous asshole when he was a teen and he’d grown significantly as a person in the years since. 

  The crown of King Steve was left behind, encased in the glass display of trophies and framed headlines of high school glory days. He’d traded it in for a new outlook on life, trying his hardest to remove himself from the claws of his father’s control and live a life completely of his own.

  He’d gone into the Business world right after he’d been able to move out, climbing, schmoozing, and sometimes low balling his competitors, to reach the top. Complete financial independence was finally his, and when Steve’s parents were ready to move on from Hawkins, he’d purchased the Harrington home from them—intent on filling those once lonely walls in that big house with laughter, love, and his own family. His kids. And…his wife.

  Steve’s love life fared more notoriously in high school than as an adult. 

  It’s not that he lacks charm or the interests of women—he’s had numerous hookups and one night stands since—when he’d been building a career, romance hadn’t been on the top of his list of priorities. He’d just wanted to scratch the itch; fuck a lot, and get back to business as soon as he’s had his orgasm, and she’s had her several. Personalities didn't matter. He didn’t need anything other than a willing body, warm mouth and wet holes. That was made clear to all his sexual partners, not a single one of them went in expecting more, though a few had left it craving so.

  Steve was sure all of them had fled the earth by the time he was finally ready to provide. 

  He had the home, he had the income, and he had all the love to give. And not a single woman he encountered in two years of dating since, clicked with him. There had been a couple he thought would be more permanent, stick around longer. It had been wishful thinking. 

  None of that mattered now, though. Not with you perched on the edge of his swimming pool, bare legs dangling in the water as you watch him do a few laps.

  You’d been dating for a couple of weeks now, and it almost terrifies Steve how much he cares for you. 

  It had started off as a friendly encounter, though Steve was immensely attracted to you, and when you didn’t seem to hate him, he’d gone in with some flirting. You’d returned it, he asked you out on a date, and the two of you hadn’t stopped; sharing something intense and electrifying in the best of ways. With you, he felt a level of comfort he hadn’t ever achieved before—which surprised him, as he once believed Nancy was his soulmate given how comfortable he had felt with her. You made him feel safe in ways he hadn’t known he was desperately searching for.

  He’s pretty sure it’s going to be you that shares his home with him. You whose belly swells with his babies, ready to fill the rooms. Or at least he’s hoping, praying, ready to beg whatever deity he has to that it’s going to be you. 

  That’s still not why he’s nervous.

  Steve Harrington is nervous because he’s pretty sure the two of you are gonna fuck tonight. 

  He’s fucked a lot, alright? He’s probably slept with more women than the average man, but it was all in good fun for both parties and solely based on getting off. 

  This is not one of those encounters. 

  He’s not just fucking you. There are so many strings attached and he cherishes each and everyone of those strings, so he’s nervous because a lot is riding on this, and while he’s eagerly looking forward to the possibility of you riding him, he doesn’t wanna fuck this up. 

  He’s pretty sure you’re it for him, The One, and he’s also pretty sure he won’t last the second he’s inside you, can feel you around him so yeah—he’s really fucking nervous.

  Apparently, it shows.

  Once he’s done trying to tire himself out—maybe that’ll make him last longer—he wades over to you and uses your lap to prop his arms up on.

  “You okay?” You ask, amusement coating your voice as you run your hands through his wet hair and Steve has to pry his eyes away from your tits. Letting you convince him to skinny dip with you after he’d cooked you dinner had also proved fatal to his libido. There’s no way you don’t notice what’s going on with him under the water.

  “Wha─? OH! No, yeah, I’m fine. Just. Swim.” 

  Your tits also seemed to do his brain in. God—you look so good.

  “I saw. You swam a lot. Looked like you were training for the Olympics.” 

  “I could have made the Olympic team.” He blurts out and you push him off of you to dunk him in the water instead. He emerges laughing as he wipes water from his face. When the two of you just started dating, he might have bragged a bit about his time leading the swim team enough to make it a taboo subject and now he does it to playfully annoy you.

  “So, what exactly are you nervous about?” You lean back, torso stretching out and hands on the ground behind you. Steve has a difficult time remembering how to speak English. He’s pretty sure he’s drooling.

  “Huh? Nervous? Me? You’re mistaken, honey.” He knows he’s caught. You already seem to know him like the back of your hand. It makes his heart flutter and his dick twitch.

  “You were nervous at dinner, too, not like right now but I swore I saw you sweating.” You muse aloud, legs swirling in the water again and Steve’s eyes fly to the space between them just as they close to conceal it. 

  He glances up to see you hadn’t even been looking at him, your stare focused on the lights he’d had strung up above the pool for night swimming as you ponder. You were just unknowingly teasing him.

  “No, no. Not nervous, remember?”

  “It can’t be the house, I’ve been here before…” You trail off.

  “So, we’re just pretending you can’t hear me.” 

  “But this is the first time I come over so late,” The smirk on your face is dangerous and Steve is positive he’s not lasting tonight, “Stevie, am I making you nervous?”

  Your demeanor is so teasing, Steve can feel his face heating up despite the allocation of most of the blood in his body being below hip level.

  “…You’re very beautiful.”

  You throw your head back as your pretty laughter rings out and Steve grins, happy to amuse you and reap the benefits of watching your chest.

  When you're done, your head lulls around and the smile you offer him would make his knees go weak if he was using them, “I might be able to help with that. Can I offer you a smoke?”

  “A cigarette wouldn’t hurt,” He muses, eyeing you curiously. 

  “Not a cigarette, Stevie, though I know you’re a chronic chainsmoker.” You pull your legs out of the pool and stand to retrieve something from your purse. Steve proves the phrase hate to see you go but love to watch you leave applies to your relationship as he unabashedly stares at your ass the entire time.

  When you return, you’ve got a yellow prescription pill bottle in one hand with your lighter in the other. 

  “Think it might calm your nerves.”

  Steve is on you the moment you re-settle yourself, crowding his upper half onto your lap as he smirks, “I think you might be right.”

  After you pull out a joint from your stash jar, and the filter is between his lips, you spark a light and he mumbles around it, “It’s been a while, be nice.”

  You know what that means, so when Steve takes his pull and hands you the joint for your turn, he immediately begins violently coughing and you expect it.

  You don’t expect him to be so focused on his violent coughing that he somehow forgets to float and immediately sinks into the pool. You let out a little shriek, toss aside the items in your hand, and push yourself into the pool after him, water rippling enough to splash over the sides.

  A few moments later, you both break through the surface of the water, Steve spitting out water he’d inhaled when he’d been coughing and gasping down there, and you lead him to the wall of the pool. Steve grips onto the edge, and you grip onto the sides as well.

  After Steve’s done coughing, he starts laughing hard, leaving you to throw him a bewildered look. It only makes him laugh harder, and you truly fail to find any humor in the situation until he wheezes out, “That was so embarrassing.”

  You roll your eyes, but a chuckle sputters out of you and soon you’re laughing with him, despite having ruined your hair and soaked the joint you’d left on the ground.

  “We are telling no one about this. It stays in this pool.” He declares around his laughter. You move closer to him and Steve’s laughter stops but his smile remains, soft eyes filling with lust as you’re nearly nose to nose.

  ”I won’t tell anyone.” You promise in a whisper and Steve barely has to lean in to claim your mouth, the taste of him and chlorine flooding your tongue. He dominates the kiss, mouth easily working yours as he pulls you in closer. Despite his slip up moments ago, you trust him to keep you afloat and press yourself to him, arms wrapping around his shoulders as his hands move to grip your ass, hauling you up and you can feel his head nudge against you.

  Steve doesn’t last long at all. But he makes up for it in recovery time and you go at it again in the pool. And once more on one of the lounge chairs, again immediately after the two of you make it inside, then in the shower, before finally ending in his bed.

  Turns out, he had nothing to be nervous about. You’re completely satisfied with everything he’s got to offer.

[think-like-a-poet]

Continue the legacy Pt 1

Leclerc son x Verstappen daughter

masterlist

WC: 1,5 K

A/N: First Chapter. I promise that it gets better with time as we still have to come to the better part. This is some background information. Please let me know what you think. <3

2028

As Max crosses the finish line in first place, a wave of euphoria washes over the entire Red Bull garage. The sound of cheers and applause echoes through the pit lane, with crew members rushing to congratulate the newly crowned five-time world champion. GP's voice comes through Max's earphones, "Max Verstappen, you are a five-time world champion! What a phenomenal achievement!" 

As Max drives around the track, he takes a moment to soak in the adoration of his team and the crowd. He looks around at the sea of faces, taking in the sheer joy and elation that are palpable in the air. "Thank you all for this great season," he says, his voice filled with gratitude. "The car was incredible, and each and every one of you has worked tirelessly to get us to this point. I'm so grateful to have had such an amazing team behind me."

As he continues to speak, his emotions become more raw and heartfelt. "Since the start of this season, I've felt like I've been on top of the world. The team has been so supportive and kind to me, and it means the world to me. This is an incredible way to end my career, and I'm so grateful to have been able to share it with all of you." The team erupts in applause once again.

Max parks his car at Parc ferme behind the number 1 board. Next to him were Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, the two of his friends and newly world champions themselves. Standing on top of his car with five fingers in the air before running towards his team and launching himself on them. His mechanics ruffle his hair and give him pats on his back. 

Later on the podium, he stands on the top step, his face looking into the crowd. He sees his wife and daughters smiling up at him with proud faces. Well, Sofie wasn't really showing emotion because she was only a couple of months old, but Penelope was clapping with joy. For the last time, the Dutch anthem would be played for him.

As the Austrian anthem ended and the trophies were given to the three drives, champagne was flying around the place. Lando and Charles have made it their mission to shower the Dutch in the sticky liquid and celebrate his last podium. 

"Congratulations, mate." Charles pats his friend on the back before setting his champagne bottle down. 

"We are grateful that you let us win these last three years." Lando adds. 

"No problem. Sharing is caring." Max jokes and the other two drivers laugh in response.

As they settle in for the post-race interview, the three drivers are seated comfortably in front of a backdrop of gleaming trophies and team logos. Max sits in the middle, flanked by Charles to his left and Lando to his right. 

"Max, congrats on your fifth world champion and probably your last one as you retire from racing. Can I ask what your reason for your decision was?" 

"Firstly, thank you for your congrats. My decision to retire came from myself. At the beginning of this year, my daughter was born and I love to be able to spend time with her and the rest of my family. With racing, you are always all over the world and training and I don't think I can live with the fact that I am not home enough." The other people in the room listen intently, their faces sympathetic. On the sidelines, Max's family had been watching the interview, but his youngest daughter, who had been quietly observing from her mother's lap, suddenly began to cry. Her mother quickly whisked her away to a private area, trying to comfort the distressed child. 

"Charles, you're a father too, do you have any plans on retiring soon?" the interviewer asks, turning to the Ferrari driver.

Charles picks up his microphone and thinks a bit before speaking. "At this moment not. Of course, I have some years of racing behind me, so time will tell when I quit. Jules is a year and a half right now and I try to be there as much as I can." The man on the other side nods and thanks them both for their answers. 

"I don't really have plans on retiring. Thank you for asking," Lando jokes in a lighthearted tone, trying to lighten the mood. "Just being an uncle for now," Charles adds with a chuckle. Max laughs along with him, grateful for the distraction from his own emotional revelation.

Another person stands up to ask a question. "Max, is there already a person who is going to take your seat?"

"I don't think that is my place to tell. Just wait for the announcement." He sounds a bit annoyed at the end of his answer and the person just nods and doesn't ask any further. 

"Lando, you were champions last year, do you think you will be again with Max leaving?"

"Max is a great driver, it is no surprise he wins."

"I think that is a negative way to ask this question."

The interview went on some more, asking about the race and plans for the summer break. Max felt a bit sad knowing that this was his last time. but thoughts about his family made him know that it was the right decision.

"As the last question, Would you support it if your child chose to be a racing driver?" The three friends look between them to pick out who would answer first and Max just nods. 

"Of course. If Penelope or Sofie want to start racing, I can help them both. I take P karting sometimes with her father and she always likes it. I don't know if she wants to do it professionally, and time will tell for Sofie."

After Max puts his mic down, Lando starts. "I don't have a child now, but of course I will. Dreams are made to come true, and I support them in all of their decisions. If it is racing or not."

"As Lando said, dreams are made to be true. If Jules wants to do karting, I take him karting." They wrap up the interview and leave the room.

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Later, when Max is back home in Monaco, he enters the apartment with Sofie in his arm. "Home sweet home." He places a kiss on her forehead and puts her in the crib next to the couch.

"Can we have pizza for dinner?' Penelope asks as she goes to sit on the couch. Max looks at his wife for approval and she smiles and responds. 

"Of course we can. What kind do you want?" Just when P wants to answer, her sister starts to cry and move around in her crib. 

Later, when Max is back home in Monaco, he enters the apartment with Sofie in his arm, relieved to be back after the busy season. The familiar sight of their living room brings a sense of comfort as he softly whispers, "Home sweet home," planting a loving kiss on Sofie's forehead before carefully laying her down in the crib next to the couch.

Penelope eagerly plops down on the couch and asks, "Can we have pizza for dinner?" Max glances at his wife, a grin tugging at his lips, seeking her approval. Kelly replies, "Of course we can. What kind do you want?" Penelope's eyes light up with excitement as she begins to rattle off her favorite toppings.

However, the rattle is interrupted by the little girl, who starts to cry and wriggle in her crib. Max and Kelly exchange a knowing glance, immediately springing into action to tend to their baby girl's needs. Max gently scoops her up, cradling her in his arms as he softly hums a soothing tune while Kelly prepares a bottle. The apartment is filled with the soft murmur of comforting words and the gentle rustle of a diaper change.

As the night progresses, the family gathers around the dining table, with different kinds of pizza laid out before them. Sofie, now content and snug in her high chair, beams up at her family, her innocent giggles adding to the joyous ambiance.

"My mom wants to know if we are coming for Christmas." Max points out between his bites. 

"I want to see Luka and Lio," P says.

"We can spend Christmas in the Netherlands and the New Year with my family." Kelly says. Max nods and lets his mother know that they will be there. 

After dinner, Penelope starts to get ready for bed after an exhausting day. Max and Kelly take a seat on their couch, ready to watch a movie, before heading off to bed. Sofie had been put in the crib in the master bedroom to not get interrupted from her sleep. The two cats jump on top of the couch and nestle against their dad as he gives them pats over their heads. The night went on and the couple drifted of to sleep on the couch

In the apartment not far from theirs, Charles enters his own. His wife quickly walks up and kisses him, their dog follows behind her. "Bonsoir, chérie. " Charles kisses the top of Alex head and kneels down to pet Leo.

"Jules is sleeping, I was just waiting for you." He smiles and walks over to the baby room. Jules was sleeping in a little Ferrari sleeping suit. Charles walks over and presses a soft kiss on his head, careful not to wake him up.

"Lets get to bed."

[ninapi]

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*＊✿❀ Bewitched ❀✿＊*

Premise: Prince Keisuke was known to be a troublesome lad, often bringing problems to the queen herself. In an attempt to tame the wild prince, the queen calls for a powerful witch to aid him with his cause, hoping to put an end to this quest sooner. What she didn't count on was love being what he needed most.

Word Count: 2875

Chapter 4: The Witch and the King

The definition of a steamy night would depend on who lived it.

A soft heartwarming hug while sharing a hot beverage was an accurate definition of one for a wounded soul like Kazutora, a walk under the moonlight holding hands, one for Draken, as for Baji Keisuke, a steamy night involved a lot of kissing, his favorite blanket, hair pulling and less clothing.

But to be fair, he was in no shape to do such a thing. “My prince, you were stabbed less than half an hour ago, we shouldn’t be mghfff…” he just wouldn’t let you even talk, his thirst for those juicy lips of yours have been growing wild since the moment you tried to turn his enemy into a rat. “Shhh (Y/N) just kiss me….that’s an order…” while his tone wasn’t commanding at all, it was clear he was trying to abuse of his power to get what he wanted, which of course would not work with you.

“Keisuke.” that made him shiver, your sweet voice had never taken that tone with him, but he somehow liked it, how improper that sounded, to you he was not the prince, he was just a man, a man that loved you, your man? Or so he wishes to think.

“What…?” he mumbled while keeping your lower lip in between his teeth, his scowl being almost comical.

“I said, not now.” the whine that left his lips could be heard all the way down the hall where Draken guarded Kazutora’s room. He’s never been known as a whiny guy, but you made the real him shine, to an embarrassing degree.

“You dare defy your prince?” while his words were harsh, a rather naughty smirk adorned his handsome face. “No, I worry for my prince’s health, you need to rest and get better soon and I need to go and brew a potion for that to happen. We can continue….this…” you motioned to the mess of limbs and sheets you were currently in while sighing “…when you’re in top condition. Agreed?” 

While he was pouting heavily, he had no choice but to nod at your words, they weren’t a request, and he knew it. Not a single person would survive using such a tone with the crown prince, safe for yourself.

“You are to come to my chambers as soon as the potion is ready, without stopping at the queen’s chambers, nor Kazutora’s. Agreed?” you were already getting yourself detangled from his strong grip, it amazed you how he still had such strength regardless all that went down just now. “Agreed. It won’t be long.” you bent down just a bit before leaving to place a gentle kiss to his forehead, your fingers threading his long hair. “Rest, my beloved prince.”

Saying he was a mess was an understatement, he didn’t know a human being could melt down to a puddle if given enough love. He didn’t even know someone could feel so much out of a simple act as a gentle touch of his hair. Everything you did to him felt like magic, like only you’d be able to achieve such a thing with him. It was inexplicable and utterly intoxicating. He wanted more, more kisses, more of your soft warmth, your delicious natural scent mixed in with some random herbs, more of that soft look you give him. He wanted more, and that was something he never experienced before. He’s always had it all and didn’t even want half of what he had, but this was the first time he really wanted something, someone.

And that was you.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

The prince didn’t take long to regain his strength, your potion did wonders to heal his inner wounds and thanks to the rapid treatment of your healing magic nothing major happened with his health.

The quest was now over, even if Hanma Shuji was still on the run, nobody really cared about him anymore. The mastermind had been captured and sent to exile guarded by ancient spells and highly trained military buffs, Pah-chin and Peh-yan renowned members of the elite were tasked as head of this operation.

And most importantly, Kazutora had been retrieved.

While the prince’s physical wounds had been healed, there was very little you could do to heal those wounds of the heart. He had been betrayed by one of his best friends, not once, but twice. He wanted him dead, wanted his woman to himself, wanted to make the past his present, yet he wanted him out of said picture.

That hurts.

Seeing someone you trust and love wanting you out of their life completely, thinking of you as a disposable part of their life is just…painful…

It took time, but having your support made wonders to his mood though, he was brighter when you were by his side, his friends always making sure he had enough moral support from them as well.

However, they were as torn as he was, specially Mikey.

While Mikey refused to meet Kazutora, Keisuke wanted nothing more than to clear the air as soon as possible. Once he was ready to let go of his grief he decided to visit him, taking you along.

“Kazutora…” he was sitting by the window looking over some sheep in the distance. Even if he was technically being held prisoner, truth is he was very comfortable and had never felt as safe.

“Baji?” his mind was clearer lately, his emotional outbursts more stable. While you were no mind doctor, you did a good job trying to get him back to reality in the softest and most gentle of ways. “Are you sure you should be here?” to this he just nodded, sitting beside him to contemplate the sheep.

By the door Draken and you remained quiet, you both knew your presence might be necessary at some point yet you did want them to have a moment of their own.

“The past won’t come back no matter what we do. We must take ownership of our own decisions and move on supporting those we love and care for in their life choices.” Kazutora remained still, he didn’t like where this was going yet he promised you he’d do his best when the prince finally did come talk to him. “We never pushed you away, you could have been part of the military or could take on a different roll like Mitsuya did, we would have supported you, we would have make you a part of our lives like we did back then. But we can’t run away from change, things can’t stay the same forever. That doesn’t mean we have to part ways, if you want to be a part of what we do, all you had to do is tell us.” 

You were holding onto the door frame for support, Kazutora was doing a fantastic job listening carefully, he didn’t seem to be agitated, but you were on edge, he could lash out at any moment, while the prince wasn’t worried for his own well being, you were for both.

“Are you and (Y/N) a thing?” his question was more unexpected for you than for him, he was certain he’d touch the subject sooner rather than later.

“Why does it matter to you?”

“I’m not the only one who isn’t living in the current timeline, Baji. You are to be king, seems to me you keep forgetting that. Like you said, change can’t be avoided, you will be king soon, you do know what that means right?” while he was saying this with a selfish interest, he was also worried about you getting hurt like he was in the process, you were so kind and selfless, you didn’t belong in this world, very much like he didn’t.

“Means I’ll need a queen.” the gasp that came out of your lips matched Darken’s and Kazutora’s in unison.

“Don’t act so surprised. I’ve never done unnecessary things and I’m not about to start at this age. I am indeed courting her, if that’s your question, and with a serious intent of making her my woman, my queen, to be the mother of the offspring that will carry our legacy to future generations. And I hope you, my friend, will support our union.”

Kazutora was speechless, while he was expecting a fight, he wasn’t expecting it to be this deep and full of raw love. He did care for you, liked you even, he dreamed of living in a small cottage in your forest and visit you daily; but he had never gone as far as to think of marriage or the prospect of bringing offspring to this world. 

“Is that what she wants? To be tied to the implications of having royal blood? Because to me she looks like a free spirit who would hate fancy parties and socializing.” that made Baji chuckle, this conversation was turning softer and to a more familiar tone as time went by.

“Oh she’ll hate it for sure. But I treat my girl right. She has her greenhouse here in the castle and she can have all she wants, she’s very good at demanding things. Why do you think she kept coming to see you after all that happened? I had to hear her yell at me for about an hour saying all the good things she could accomplish regarding your overall health if she was allowed in your chambers…I had to say yes, she was driving me insane.” both chuckled together like the good old friends they were.

Seemed like no fight would come, seemed like everything would be just fine.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

A few weeks after the altercation, the queen had summoned the royal clothier without the prince’s consent, a rare occurrence to say the least.

“Mitsuya? What are you doing here?” the grin gracing the prince’s features was one you haven’t seen before, it was so warm and full of longing, it made you smile just by seeing it.

“Oh Baji! Hey, your mother requested I brought some gowns and matching outfits for you. How do you feel about a purple cape? I had this idea that’s been eating my brain all morning-

Oh, who’s this?” Mitsuya’s eyes suddenly lit up with your presence, a face he’s never seen before.

“Wait…” his face was suddenly almost pressed to your waist, one of his hands wrapping around your wrist as he examined your body up close.”

“Mitsuya, what the hell are you doing? Get your hands off my girl right this instant-” snarling, Keisuke was pulling Mitsuya away from you as if he was a dangerous wolf.

“Those sizes…” Mitsuya’s mumbling made Keisuke’s cheeks turn bright red, “Just what were you looking at man?” 

“The gowns your mother ordered…I thought it was a bit off, her chest size is quite small compared to what she ordered…The gowns are for her aren’t they?” 

Before anyone could answer the queen herself entered the room, her grandiose aura causing you to bow your head down immediately.

“Of course they are, dear. But aren’t you a rude one? You should never compare girl’s chest sizes, our pride could shatter easily.” 

“Your majesty…” Mitsuya fell to his knees, bowing his head low.

“Get up, silly boy. I shall be queen no more starting tomorrow.”

“What are you talking about, mother?”

“You’re a man now Keisuke. You have what you need to be king, your friends have shown their loyalty to the crown as well as the witch of the forest has shown unconditional love and devotion towards you, the king of this realm. There’s no need for a queen regent anymore.”

There was nothing but silence filling the air as the queen strolled through the multitude of outfits she had requested.

The gowns were fit for a queen and they matched the king’s outfits to perfection, just as she ordered, golden embroidery, rhinestones, silk ribbons.

While you haven’t been formally asked to take on this role, the fact that you continued supporting Keisuke, his decisions and his people, made you a really strong candidate for queen consort. A better option than the far away kingdom princess who just turned seven last spring, that is for sure.

And just like the former king had wished for, his son would take his place the moment he’d become a man, the moment he’d understand what love is and the responsibilities that come with it, he’d be ready to take the crown.

“It’s time for me to retire to the side palace and stop wearing dresses every day. Do it for your mother if nothing else…” even if she was half joking, he could see how tired his mother looked, her fine lines accentuated by the lack of sleep, her features growing old as days went by. He was not a baby anymore, it was his turn to take over, to let his mother get her much desired rest, she was never meant to take on such a load, it was time to lift it from her shoulders.

“My dear witch of the forest. I shall not ask you to stop what you’re best at, on the contrary, I ask you to continue supporting my son, your king, not just as the powerful magic wielder of our kingdom but as woman taking care of her man.” her words were honest and heartfelt, words of a caring loving mother, and they made your face light up like a Christmas tree, bright and red.

“I-I will do my best, your highness.”

“Of course you will. The coronation ceremony will take place as soon as the sun graces our highest hill. Make sure to be there on time, both of you.” and with that she left the room to a speechless bunch.

“Does that mean you’re getting married?” Mitsuya, who was still there was left in awe at the news, “I did not get a wedding dress request. I will need at least a week.”

With boisterous laughter Baji patted Mitsuya’s back, his eyes never leaving yours across the room. “Don’t worry buddy, we still have time for that…I haven’t even asked her out yet…”

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

[Time Skip]

The king ordered every remaining Valhalla member to join the army, first handedly trained by the best of the best, Ryuguji Ken, right hand of the head of the army himself in charge of turning them all into men of duty.

Kazutora, instead of joining them, decided to help his majesty the queen consort and tend to her green house. 

Having a queen that was also the most powerful witch in the real made the kingdom the strongest amongst all since now they weren’t just a military powerhouse but an ancestral magic one as well. So the requests for potions and magical objects was in high demand and a source of income for the kingdom, the queen being pregnant with twins was having a hard time fulfilling all the requests and good old Kazutora remained in the castle to take good care of his dear friend and help her with the arts of brewing potions.

“Keisuke…would you please go to work? We have to provide your entire army a crate of healing potions by noon, stop hogging my assistant!” 

“Babe…before he was your assistant, he was my friend, you know that don't you, beautiful?”

“Are you fighting over Kazutora-san again? My king…we must go now…” Chifuyu was trying to drag Baji out of your greenhouse, his horse ready outside the castle for him to ride it towards the neighboring kingdom.

“Chifuyu just take him please, I might end up having the royal babies right now out of stress…”

“WHAT? You feeling sick, baby? I don’t have to go to this thing…I’ll just stay here and make sure you and my children are fine…”

“You don’t have to go to this thing? It’s a banquet in your honor, Keisuke! Get your ass on that horse right now…” your hands were glowing red and he knew well what that meant, without saying anything else he gave your cheek and swollen belly a soft kiss before being escorted out by Chifuyu.

“He’s such a pain, you sure you don’t prefer me? I know how to brew potions now and all~” he was joking but the longing in his tone of voice still tugged at your heartstrings. “Trust me, you don’t wanna deal with him if that were to happen…” giggling together, you spent your day pretty much like any other, brewing potions with Kazutora, tending to your garden, playfully fighting with your husband and listening to Chifuyu nag all day about your swollen ankles and how much you needed to rest.

Being a queen wasn’t easy, being a king wasn’t either. But being a friend, a husband and a wife, a mother and a father, those were more important titles to the two of you.

The Baji dynasty was far from over, a new bright future for the kingdom just began.

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Note: And that's it for this series! 🫧Thank you to all who took time to read it all, I appreciate you 😊❤️ Chifuyu is coming next so hope you stick around!👀

Masterlist Previous Chapter

[paganwitchisis]

Chapter 5 "What Love Can Change" (WLCC)

Chapter Five:  Married at Last

Rated: E for Explicit!!

Pairing: AFAB Female Tav/Spawn Astarion

Words: 7,699

TRIGGER WARNING -Breeding kink, violence, descriptions of trauma, sexual assault, torture, suicide attempt and mention/idealization, self harm, starvation, depression, pregnancy, hyper-sexuality, and rape.

Last Chapter - here

This is chapter 5

Chapter 6 is here!

AO3 link is here!

“I should be the one with cold feet, dear.” Astarion joked since being a vampire afforded him the literal cold feet in this situation.

 “I’m excited to marry you, if that is what you’re asking.” Tav murmured, her breath tickling the tiny hairs on the side of his neck as her head lay on his shoulder into the side of the neck.

“I do have something I need to ask you, my love. I think I may have found a way to make you immortal. No, you wouldn’t be a mummify, lich, vampire, clone, or any other undead creature.” Astarion added the end to reassure her as he was fearful of her rejecting the proposal he considered.

“Sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?” Tav asked skeptically.

Astarion let out a breath he wasn’t aware he was holding in.

“You obviously know Mystra, Gale’s lover.”

Tav chuckled. “I’m not sure I’d say that’s her highest achievement to describe her as nor still relevant.”  

“Alright, how about this, the Goddess of magic who above all else has mastery over it. Who wants something we can give her and only us. We hold bargaining power. She has the ability to give us a wish if we ask for it in exchange. You wouldn’t be ruled by eternal hunger like I am. You could still be you, but never die.“ Astarion felt like his mouth kept over explaining, trying desperately to convince her to go with the plan. In reality, he wanted her to become immortal not for her, but for his own selfishness. He couldn’t live without her.

“What could she want…wait…the Crown?” Tav came to the conclusion without Astarion needing to mention it. Astarion remained quiet as Tav continued to speak.

“Wouldn’t that betray Gale? Furthermore, wouldn’t that be a bad idea? That crown has caused nothing but problems and should be destroyed!” Tav picked her head up from his neck and turned to face him as she spoke.

Astarion tried to sound and look as neutral as possible when he spoke next.

“In regards to Gale, we wouldn’t tell him. I’d find a way to swipe it somehow during the final battle. He wouldn’t know. Also, before all this happened, remember the crown existed for quite some time in a devil’s vault. This crown is pure magic, she would know more than anyone how to deal with it.” Astarion tried to rationalize.

Tav stayed quiet for a moment and laid her head back down on his shoulder.

“I’ll think about it. This is too big a decision to make right away. I mean…I do want to be with you, but do I want to out live our friends and family? Do I want to give the Crown out instead of getting rid of it somehow? I don’t know. I need time.”  Tav mentioned .

Astarion held her snugly before giving a reply. “Take what time you need.”

Astarion wouldn’t tell her that his reasoning was selfish or that he couldn’t live without her. For once, he didn’t want to manipulate her. In the past? Sure, it provided security, but Astarion cared and respected Tav too much to do that to her. He was in an openly honest relationship with her, and although he wasn’t being fully honest, he didn’t want her to make a decision based on his needs.

The couple got dried off and dressed before deciding to retire to the shared room with their friends for the night, much to their friend’s surprise. It was still early enough that their friends hadnt turned in for the night.

“I see the young lovers found time to come see us tonight.” Halsin commented, a smirk on his face and a wink resting in his eye.

“What does that mean?” Tav asked, Astarion already agitated with the man from earlier when he gave him a detestable pet name.

“I mean, I think the whole Tavern could hear you both tonight. Nothing wrong with love, of course. I just thought you two would be…buried in each other all night.” Halsin laughed without abandon.

Astarion wasn’t a fan of the word choice or innuendo, but he wasn’t exactly wrong. The tavern also never mentioned to them anything about noise violations, so Astarion figured Halsin was just jesting at their expense.

“It was tempting, but we have a whole honeymoon for that! Gotta save some surprises.” Tav answered and smirked at the man.

Astarion glanced around the room to find Gale out cold on his bed, which made sense, since he was the most drunk out of his party. Wyll was chatting with Lae’zel, who Astarion noticed was glaring at them constantly with irritation. Karlach was talking to Tav and Shadowheart excitedly. Jaheira was plucking Boo out of the food while Minsc gave excuses. Astarion gave a half smile. These crazy weirdos were surprisingly his friends, and in a way, his new family. Maybe Tav was influencing him more than he thought…

That night the group played some games among themselves and had a fun time. Even Gale woke up and participated some. It was the calm before the storm, and the group knew it, because as soon as the festivities surrounding the wedding died down, it was time to wrap things up and finish their adventure they set off on so long ago.

That night, although they were back with their friends, Astarion went to lay in his bunk when a hand clasped his forearm and pulled him away. He knew those hands anywhere and knew Tav had something else in mind for him for sleeping arrangements.

Astarion almost tumbled backwards losing his balance when she directed him. Astarion turned to see her moving, her hand around his limb but most importantly he was facing the right direction and could walk appropriately without risk of fumbling over his two feet. Astarion was going to speak and opened his mouth only for Tav to turn her head and put her finger to her lips in a bid to ask him to be silent. Astarion was amused and listened to her direction. She brought him to the four beds on the side where Isobel and Dame Aylin used to come before they left to help others, promising to return for the final battle. There, she let go of his arm and slided into the bed, patting the outside of the bed in a bid to ask him to sleep with her in the small bunk. Astarion did as he was asked and held her close under the sheets that covered them both, a little over dressed than he would like for the intimacy he craved. He didn’t crave sex, at least not that moment. His body was sated from the intense session just hours ago. He wanted to be as close as he possibly could with her, his fears about the upcoming battle and his concern about his brethren finding them nestled in the back of his head. For now and considering their company, clothes were acceptable, of course. He couldn’t fight off intruders or assassins in the nude comfortably. Astarion thought of how funny a sight that would be. Astarion tucked her head under his chin and could feel her breath even out as she fell into a deep slumber. Astarion also knew that although it was possible it could be a preference that they sleep together, she most likely wished he’d sleep with her to stave away the nightmares. Since the nightmares were confessed, Astarion had spent every night possible sharing a bed with her. The times he did not, she suffered, which led to guilt for the vampire. He thought it was comical to a degree that he was the being that held off the monsters in her world, when to most people, he was the monster.

Astarion wasn’t sure when but he fell into a peaceful light trance, listening for any movement in the dark and predators who would dare to hurt them. His sleeping habits were defined by years of torture and training. Thankfully, nothing happened that night that drew his attention, however once Astarion awoke there was a neatly tied parcel sitting on the floor near the front door. Astarion took a moment to slip out of bed and let Tav continue to sleep as he investigated. It was still too early for anyone to be up. Astarion spied the curious item and noted the handwriting. It seemed strangely familiar.

Astarion read the note attached which only said that it was for both himself and Tav and congratulations on the wedding. Astarion was confused how the package even ended up in the room without startling him in the first place? Maybe he was too comfortable sleeping with Tav that he was losing his touch. Astarion opened the package slowly and pulled the string to undo the wrapping, worried it would trigger a trap. It finally revealed a book. Astarion was curious but as he went to lay a finger on the book, Astarion heard rummaging from the bed he left only minutes ago. He turned to look and saw a groggy Tav looking back at him. Astarion realized that he should have known that his absence would have been noticed. Astarion picked the book up and made his way back to Tav . Astarion sat down and explained in a hush the mysterious package and the note addressed to them both.

Tav sat up and watched as Astarion opened the book. When he paused, she looked up to see he looked like a ghost. Somehow the pale elf had grown paler and had stopped all movement. Tav waved her hand in front of his face to a bid to bring him back to the Sword Coast, but it seemed for naught. Tav poked and messed with him a bit but it seemed that Astarion was suck in his own world. Tav was concerned at this point. Worried, Tav did the one thing that would get his attention. She got up and as quiet as possible made her way to the side where she kept a spare dagger in her bag. She came back to the bed and saw Astarion tentatively turn the page to read the back but she couldn’t figure out what he was looking at. Was it a spell that was cast on him? Tav took the blade and was going to slash the palm of her hand but thought better of it. She heard of people ruining the muscle doing so and never picking up a sword again. Instead, she drew the blade against her skin for a shallow cut on her left forearm. Thankfully, the blade was sharp so it didn’t really hurt, at least not compared to when Astarion feeds off her. The cut was shallow but bled excessively.

It took seconds for the vampire to snap out of whatever trance he was in and look at her and then down at her bleeding arm. He scowled first before giving in and taking the arm she held up to his lips. Astarion drank of her but shortly after pulled back and cleaned the wound. He gave her a minor health potion he stocked up on since the incident almost two months back to help seal the wound from his pack he had stashed on the side of the bed. Astarion turned to chastise her for doing something so stupid as luring and teasing a vampire with such a delectable offering, but Tav kissed him before he could utter a word. Dumbfounded, Astarion held his tongue a moment while Tav spoke.

“I was worried. You were so absorbed in whatever that book was that I wasn’t sure what was going on. I was scared, to be honest.” Tav honestly mentioned.

Astarion looked towards the book he had on the bed that was temporarily discarded in favor of blood a moment ago and then towards Tav. He reached for the book and held it out to Tav to see for herself. Tav opened the closed book and read the text that was written on the loose piece of paper. It mentioned congratulations and that although they couldn’t be there for his wedding day, Astarion was still their ‘brother’. Tav could tell this gift came from one of Astarion’s vampiric siblings, but why? Tav continued to read the note. It mentioned that they ‘knew’, but it didn’t say what they knew and that they had just the thing to help him.

Honestly, the letter made no sense to Tav and it raised more questions than answers. It was then that she noticed that the book was actually two books. One was rather small, so it kind of stuck to the back of the other.

Astarion was perplexed how any of his vampire brethren could sneak into his room without his notice or awaking. It concerned him greatly and that was what occupied his thoughts and made him zone out. He was really losing his touch and he couldn’t afford to let that happen! On the bright side, it seems he was right that his brethren were no threat to them or else they could have easily done something to them in the middle of the night while they were incapacitated. Astarion wasn’t sure how long that would last or how long that status quo would be in his favor.  

They both looked as Tav examined the books before them. One was a baby book for expecting parents and the other was a book of firsts. A book where you would record everything the baby does from their birth on so you would have memories and they could look back on. Astarion’s breath caught in his chest. They knew. They fucking knew! He knew it would be a matter of time, but there was no reason they should know right now. To a vampire, the change had started to become apparent in her blood because of her hormones. You could tell by smell or taste which is why it became such a struggle for Astarion to deny himself her sweet, sweet blood. What perplexed him was how they could find out. She wasn’t wounded near them, and the change was recent. So recent, in fact, that it only happened days ago. Astarion was feeling very uncomfortable with their living situation but there was no other place to go. Not till they dealt with the final battle. He wasn’t going to force her to rough it camping outside again when they would still have to remain in the city, anyways. The other places to lodge weren’t as nice, and were full because of the refuge crisis. Astarion was getting a headache. He knew that after everything was said and done, he was getting as far away from this cursed city as soon as possible. He died here, Cazador was here albeit dead, his house which stood as a living testament of the vampire overlooked the city, his brethren knew where to find him and so much more. Was it easy to feed in the city? Of course, but it would be just as easy in any other city. Assuming Tav was okay with this idea. He would have to broach the subject a little later after they figure out the current problem before them.

Tav was confused as well, and Astarion was quick to fill in the gaps with the blood and the scent/taste. It explained a few things to Tav and gave her some ideas for the weekend, but other than that, Tav was also confused how they knew about the baby. Tav told Astarion not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but he had concerns. In the end, Astarion and his bride tucked back into bed to whisper about it without waking the others, the books placed next to his backpack on the edge of the bed.

They spoke in hushed tones about possible scenarios and possibilities on how the vampire spawn figured out her condition and his involvement in her pregnancy. How did they know he agreed to be the father? They spoke about contingency plans in case they came after her or the child. Astarion knew full well that because of their adventure he was a lot stronger than before, and was not afraid for his own life. He also knew Tav could defend herself easily, in fact, she was stronger than he was in certain regards, but her condition did have some drawbacks. As the time neared towards birth, she would not be able to defend herself like normal, her inflated belly would get in the way and the cargo within could easily be forfeit if she was hurt too much. Astarion knew that after the events at Baldur’s Gate were satisfied one way or another, assuming they lived from the harrowing quest, that he would have to be her protector for a brief snippet of time. He found this oddly humorous, as Tav had promised after Cazador to be his protector. Astarion, at the time, mentioned not wanting to rely on her, but he appreciated the gesture all the same.

Astarion held on to her snugly, smelling the sweet smell of lavender in her hair from her earlier bath. Astarion noticed the others starting to wake and figured that, with the new information, they needed some changes to the wedding plans. Astarion kissed Tav’s forehead and murmured in her ear.

“If I ask and he agrees, how would you feel about having Wyll as security for our wedding? Just in case, of course”

Tav looked up at him and although she wished it didn’t come to this, she knew they may need someone to ensure everything went according to plan. She also knew their friends would be more than willing to help.

Once everyone was awake and alert, the others were apprised of the situation and Wyll enthusiastically agreed to be security for their wedding that afternoon. It made Tav feel guilty, but Wyll reminded her that he wanted to do this and that it was her special day. Tav tried to remain optimistic. In a few hours she would be Mrs. Ancunin, and she will have great time with her friends before retiring for the night with her new husband. A man who will fulfill her every need and desire with the chiseled body of a god. She smiled to herself. How was she this lucky? Sure, he had baggage and a shit ton of trauma, but then again, after everything they’ve been through, there was no way they would come out of this unscathed, and with his history, he had every right.  What mattered is that they loved each other and that was something that she didn’t doubt. Not after everything they had been through.

Astarion jarred her back to reality when he ushered her back to their private room none too gently but not enough to hurt either.

“What’s wrong?” Tav asked as Astarion looked worried,

“I need to leave for a bit. I need to eat, but I’m worried about…  I mean…”

Tav knew what he meant. He was worried about the other vampires.

“Are you worried about yourself? I mean you are a lot stronger than they ever…”

“No!” Astarion interrupted. “I’m concerned about you and the baby. If anything happened to you…” Astarion drew his forefinger to her cheek, gently running it across her cheek bone before leaning in to touch her lips with his at the briefest of moments in a chaste kiss before pulling back. It was if he reminded himself and threw on his usual facade, the mask he wore with others.

“You know I can die in childbirth right? You don’t have to be afraid. We have friends and can defend ourselves!” Tav rebutted. Astarion still was not satisfied because of her first statement. She could die in childbirth. It was a harsh truth that he was told back when she was initially examined but he didn’t want to believe it. He still didn’t. She was too strong, too precious to die in such a way. Astarion shook his head. This was something he would figure out if it happened. He refused to acknowledge that this was a possibility for her. He loved her too damn much, and today he was going to bond with her for life. No one was going to stop that. Astarion snarled at that thought, making Tav a little concerned.

Tav brought her hands up to his face and turned his face to look at her.

“Hey, Astarion?”

Astarion took a moment but left his own thoughts. He returned to her and without warning and without pause he scooped the woman up in his arms, his arms holding her up by her luscious ass. He sat down on the bed and claimed her lips. Tav had no problem reciprocating, but was more than a little confused. She suspected he was emotionally in turmoil and was acting out in a manner he knew best. It was like autopilot for him, a dance he was a master at. A distraction for him from whatever hurts him. Tav suspected he wasn’t even aware he was doing it. Tav could tell something was distressing the vampire. Tav pulled back and slid off of him, the absence bringing Astarion back to the real world fairly easily.

“Wh…what?” Astarion questioned.

“Talk to me. What’s wrong?” Tav pleaded.

Astarion frowned “I…I’m afraid of the day I will lose you. Which is completely unrealistic considering we are facing death each and every day on this adventure. It’s stupid, to be frank. I need to trust you. Believe in you like you believed in me. I don’t mean to worry you, my dear.”

Tav gave a sad frown. “It’s understandable to worry. Hells, we literally crossed a devil, fought a dead dragon, and defeated two of the three chosen…and that was in the recent past! Most adventures don’t put you in such situations.” Tav sat down on his lap again, looped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You’ll never truly lose me though. Even if something happens…which I doubt.”

Astarion gave a small smile and kissed her back. There was a knock at the door and Tav got off of her soon to be husband apprehensively. Behind the door was Minsc, which surprised the couple!

“I was told to inform you two love birds that we need to get ready for your ceremony!”

Tav smiled and turned back to Astarion “I’ll see you later!” and turned to leave. Astarion stood up and grabbed her wrist before she left and yanked her back. Stumbling backwards, Tav landed against his chest. Astarion grasped her and helped stabilize her before turning her to look at her and hugging her tightly.

“Be safe.” Astarion whispered to her ear and released her.

Tav smiled to herself and muttered back for his ears only “I will.”

With that, Tav had left and Astarion closed the door on Minsc who wanted to help him. Astarion felt that if he needed help talking to a hamster, he would talk to him, but getting dressed? That was simple enough. First thing was first, he needed something to eat. Astarion knew it would take some time for her to get ready and he knew what time the wedding was to start so he snuck out of the tavern and went back to Rivington. There, he was able to find a few animals, a boar, and some squirrels. This was enough to satisfy him for now. Astarion snuck back in and quickly washed himself down to remove the blood and dirt from his skin. Astarion went to his dresser and even if the secret in the wardrobe was tempting to peek at, he didn’t. He figured he would let her keep her secrets and see what this weekend would bring.

Astarion looked at what Tav had bought him for his formal wear, grateful that she thought about his needs and bought him his outfit and considered his tastes. Astarion looked at the elegant red and black smooth attire before him and approved of the choice.It was a simple top but it was his tastes. It didn’t have unnecessary frills but it had a nice pattern in red against the dark background. The tunic had laces in the front that served only for decoration, it didn’t have any functional form. Astarion put the tunic on and the nice black slacks in the drawer that Tav had left him. There was a nice pair of shoes to accompany the outfit. His fiance really thought of everything! Astarion smirked. He was really lucky to have found her. Astarion put the full outfit on and wished he could look at himself in a mirror. He was sure he looked amazing as his fiance had great taste.

Astarion left the room and looked around and found Wyll. Wyll and the other men looked well dressed (though not as well dressed as himself) and they made their way to the venue, knowing that the women would come by a little later. He was aware of the superstition of seeing his bride before the wedding in the wedding dress and chuckled at it. He found it silly.

Astarion waited near the dragonborn officiating the ceremony and took in the view a short time later. The sun was high in the sky and he saw the open area with lush green grass and a variety of flowers. He made comments of displeasure in this particular place previously, but he had to admit the charm it could possess to some. What Astarion approved of the most was the fact that he was under the baking sun and feeling the rays of warmth heat up his cold skin.

Before he knew it, music was playing and he turned his attention to the entrance of the garden. Before him was a vision of a goddess. She wore a flowing black and red gown to compliment his own attire that seemed to glide as she walked down the aisle. The dress had a lower cut as the top of her breasts were visible and had slight lace and intricate string bondings. The lace and string enhanced her chest and collarbone which drew the vampire’s attention and made him inadvertently salivate at the thought of having her throat under his fangs. Her sweet and addictive blood was divine. Astarion watched as she made her way beside him and he looked on to see their traveling companions all watching them with care. Karlach looked exceptionally proud while Lae’zel looked bored, yet they all watched them and their union.

Astarion watched as Tav winked at him as the dragonborn began to the proceedings and started to speak about their commitments until death. It kept reminding Astarion about how fleeting mortality could be for Tav. Although he was slightly dejected, he wouldn’t show it. He wouldn’t allow it to get in the way during their ceremony and precious day. Jorath, the dragonborn officiating the union then motioned for them to speak their vows to each other. Internally Astarion cursed. He knew he forgot something! He was told about this from Tav some time ago but never got around to writing it. Being an ex-magistrate, he could wing this though. Astarion was nothing, if not able to entertain. Tav spoke first which thankfully afforded Astarion a few precious moments to compose himself.

Tav looked at him fondly. “When I met you, I didn’t know that I would care for you this deeply. I just thought you needed to be outside a bit more.” She chuckled. “But, as I grew to understand you, I also grew to care about you like no other. I found myself in love before I knew it. We’ve been through monster hunters to asshole Drow. We’ve gone through ridding yourself of the chains of your past, and now, we can start to explore what that means with your future…together. There is so much more I could speak of, but we don’t have all day.” Tav joked to the chuckles of the crowd

Astarion was happy she didn’t speak of more things as he held information close to his chest but he knew her and trusted her. He knew she wouldn’t say anything too revealing, who knew if shape changers were still about, for example.

Tav continued. “But I do want to say this. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter what may come in the future and what obstacles we face. I am yours.”

Astarion held his breath a moment at this admission and felt something possessive inside take over. He wanted to squirrel her away from others, but he resisted, not now. He would have the rest of her life with him, now was not the time for possessiveness or jealousy. It was then that he realized that all eyes were on him and it was his turn.

Astarion put on his usual facade and began to speak in seriousness. He would not ruin this special day on Tav.

“Ever since I met you, you’ve treated me with kindness, care, and dignity, even though I didn’t always afford you the same. In the beginning, I saw you as a means to the end, but as our party traveled and I got to know you…as we got to know each other more, I started to realize how special you really are.” Astarion longed to touched her at this moment in a tender form of appreciation but he kept his hands by his side as he gave a salacious smile that only she could see instead. Her smile widened as she tried to stifle her giggle but it was partly unsuccessful. The audience was unaware as to what she found humorous. Astarion grinned but continued where he left off. “For someone like me…with what you know, you gave me a priceless gift that I can never repay. I have been seen by you and heard. I can say for the first time I am safe and that is because of you. You have unmatched beauty, a radiant soul that threatens to scorch all in its path and a personality that enraptures all. You are the most precious person to me and I will do anything to protect and keep you safe. I love you, and would be honored to have you by my side for as long as possible, until death comes knocking.” Astarion purposely worded the end of his vows the way he did because he was still hopeful that Tav would choose to live with him for all time, but there still stood the chance of they could meet their death before then considering their mission. Tav beamed at him after his words while Astarion felt slightly embarrassed. Jorath looked down at Astarion and asked for the rings which got Astarion out of his embarrassment pretty fast when he remembered his surprise. Astarion smiled broadly, much to the unease and fear of the audience, aka his friends who knew this to be an unknown sight. They worried what was about to happen as Astarion whistled and all heads turned to look at the beginning of the aisle. There was the owlbear cub (affectionately known to Tav and the group as Fluff) and Scratch walking at a nice pace side by side down the aisle. Tav couldn’t help but full on laugh at the sight as Scratch and the owlbear cub were both wearing some sort of attire which made them look adorable. Scratch had on a mini tux on the front of his body and Tav was unsure how he was dressed or where they found such an outfit, while the owlbear cub had a bow tie and a hat tied on. They looked both hilarious and very cute. When the pair of friends made it to the front, they both held on to a box in their mouths that contained a ring. One for her and one for him. Tav broke in her stance to give plenty of attention and petting to the beautiful ring bearers, the owlbear cub seeming to enjoy the attention a bit more than Scratch who wanted to play. After retrieving the rings, Astarion sent them to sit with the others, but instead they found a nice mud pit on the side and they promptly went to play in it, away from the ceremony but close enough they could be kept an eye on. Tav shook her head but was still laughing when she turned her attention to Astarion. Jorath had instructed them to put the rings on. It was then that Astarion opened the box up for her ring.

Tav couldn’t see the ring right away once the box was opened, as Astarion’s hands obscured the view. Before putting it on her finger, he paused and spoke.

“You need to know a few things about this ring before you put it on.”

Tav was confused but smiled, she was sure she would understand and love whatever it was he was going to say. She knew him by now and he has been attentive and caring the entire time. Astarion continued when there was no objections.  Astarion held the ring out to her and she gasped. It was beyond beautiful.

It look elegant with a silver band, etching in the middle she couldn’t readily make out and the out side had a gem affix that looked like a moonlit night. It literally looked like a black gem holding a moon inside as it held a sliver of white. It was gorgeous, but knowing Astarion, there was more to it than being pretty.

“You know my past and what I was forced to do,” Astarion dare not explain deeper with outside ears and Jorath nearby “Well, to spare you the details…this was from that time. I went to pawn the ring but found out it’s true value was so much that I couldn’t simply pawn the item. No vendor would have enough. As I looked into the history of it, I found out it had more than that. The history involving something called Shadowweavers,” Astarion nervously chuckled. “It’s a curious tale I’ll tell you one day, but for now,” Astarion took a deep breath ”It also can render the user invisible for an hour. Anyway, What I am trying to say is that this ring has a few things to it you should know. By accepting this ring, you’re accepting my past as well as the future we have.”

“Tav leaned forward and since Astarion was standing to explain this situation at this point, she hugged him. Astarion was skeptical at first but hugged her back tightly. Once they separated, she held her finger out, but before she had the ring, he figured he should tell her about the few other changes he did.

“I also made a few modifications. There is an engraving on it for your eyes only.” Astarion whispered the last line. “It has an enchantment called Telepathic Bond on it which lets you have a mental link with up to eight people in range. I figured it would be useful once we lose the parasite and maybe for us to communicate privately. Both rings have it. Only your ring has the invisibility though. I…I hope this wasn’t overkill…”

Tav giggled. “Of course it isn’t! Just put it on my finger already so we can get to the kissing part.” Tav laughed and smiled. Astarion felt the tension erase and he smiled once more. He placed the ring slowly on her finger and she slid his on. It wasn’t long before Jorath called for the couple to kiss and that they were now, finally, man and wife.

They were married.

Finally!

Tav was surprisingly the aggressor in the kiss and used her hand to pull Astarion in close so she could claim his lips. Astarion thought it would be a chaste kiss and they would devour each other in private, but apparently Tav had other ideas. Astarion closed his eyes and leaned in but was surprised when Tav slipped her tongue against his. In his surprise he opened his mouth further for her to explore. Of course Astarion had kissed her many times before and just went with it. He wasn’t a fan of public displays like this. Of course a chaste kiss here or there was fine but deeply kissing each other in front of others was close to an invisible boundary for him. It was close but not over that boundary. It was also his wedding day. He would give her the world right now and if that meant sharing a form of intimacy in front of others then they were getting a showing…

Astarion brought his hands up, one on the back of her head and the other above the rise of her backside on her lower back but not touching anything indecent. Tav leaned in and almost moaned into him as she remembered where they were. Astarion smiled and took her in more deeply, he chased her tongue as he kissed her until he pulled back, Tav still leaning forward wanting more but Astarion leaned his forehead against hers as she panted for air.

“We’ll have plenty of time for that later, my dear. I have many things to teach you. Their ear plugs wont be enough, I have to fear.” Astarion teased.

Tav brought her hands up his hard cold chest, closed her eyes one moment and then commented.

“I love you so much.”

Although with the ring on, he could now tell that she was worried about something. As the party started to disburse to the Elfsong for the party, the newly married couple hung back and walked at the end of the troupe to speak.

“You know I can tell now when you’re worried about something,” Astarion questioned, concerned about what was bothering her. “It’s our wedding day, you should be the happiest woman alive.” Astarion chuckled considering he was in fact dead and just got hitched.

“It’s silly.” Tav tried to hide her concern as she started to walk briskly to the others but Astarion caught her around the middle and brought her back.

“If you can’t talk to me, then who can you speak to?” Astarion almost pleaded.

“Look, it’s…I feel really guilty.”

Astarion was dumbfounded for a moment. “What? Why?”

“Because of all the sex. That’s all I’ve been forcing you to do because I want it.” Tav dropped her head. Her confession barely more than a whisper. Thankfully, Astarion had heightened hearing. 

Astarion gave a small smile, looked around and saw a granite bench. He whisked her away to the bench and continued the conversation.

“Let me clear this up,” Astarion gently held Tav’s head up to meet his gaze as she previously was staring intently at the ground. “ Before fighting Cazador? Yes, I may have had an issue. Everything felt tainted to have any form of intimacy. But as time went on, as our bond strengthened, things changed. After we defeated Cazador, do you know what became different? When I took you to the graveyard, I wasn’t just declaring my love for you and intent. Nor did I even intend for a night of passion on my grave site,” Astarion laughed. “But I wanted…no, I needed to feel alive again. You see, I’ve been afraid and enslaved for so long I don’t even remember what it is like to be free and do what we are doing now, but I feel safe and free with you to learn, to try. Do I feel like I’m doing the same song and dance…a performance like before? Rarely, but even then you snap me out of it and your actions, words and support make things so different. Everything is new again. I don’t want to remain dead. I don’t want to stay scared or enslaved. I don’t feel tainted anymore. I feel like…I’m finding who I am again. Do you remember during our times of passion, do you remember me disassociating?”

Tav thought for a moment and shook her head ‘no’.

“Then I was okay with it. If there is ever a time I am not, I will tell you. I mentioned before about how key communication is with a relationship, remember? I want to make love to you. I want to show you with my body how much you mean to me. My body has been used and not my own for so long. Now that it is mine again, I decide how it is used and I want to use it with you. Let me make this clear, I want to fuck you senseless this weekend of my own accord.” Tav blushed but it didn’t last as Astarion leaned in for a kiss. She happily reciprocated, wishing they didnt have to attend a party and could be in the privacy of their room already, if anything so she could hide this wonderful soul from the world and snuggle with him as he battles his demons. She wished she could help him kill the demons in his past and his trauma like they could with Cazador, with a sharp knife or pointed stick, but unfortunately they could not. Tav would support him though through anything. She loved him, and nothing would change that.

“You sure? All those times. I didn’t force sex on you?” Tav still felt guilty considering how selfish she was acting knowing his past. She felt like she pressured him but Astarion was quick to shut this down and reply.

“Darling, I wanted you. Gods, I still want you. It’s impossible to get bored of all that.” Astarion made a crude motion with his hand to insinuate her body.

Tav laughed, feeling like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Tav noticed Astarion was still with her in the present and wasn’t falling back into his old ways like when they first met, smiled and pushed Astarion back a bit with her hand on his chest so she could get up from the bench. She did so and the pair were able to make it to their party at the Elfsong.

Once they got there, they found the party in full swing and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves with a tankard in hand! Tav wished she could drink, but she couldn’t, and it made her a little dejected. Sensing this, Astarion retrieved some of his private stock of wine and gave her a very small glass.

“I can’t have this. The baby…” Tav mentioned in a quick whisper.

“It is perfectly safe to consume small amounts of wine once in a while when pregnant, my dear. I even got you a good vintage. Sadly, you can’t sample much, but you can join us, my love.” Astarion filled his glass with some of his private stock and went to the lengths to hide it very well so no one else could find it.

“How do you know this?”

“I’ve been checking up on this, my dear, since it has been frequently been coming up. You don’t have to believe me, of course, you can just as much drink water this afternoon instead.”

Tav looked at the contents in the glass and took a slight sip. The taste was sinful, and she loved it! Astarion smiled at the sight. Before long the couple enjoyed dancing with each other, something Astarion was not a fan of but did so to humor his wife.

Wow… Wife. He could call her his wife now. Astarion had a wide grin at this thought.

The party went on for hours as their party got noticeably drunk...well…all except Wyll, who took his role as security very seriously. Even when prompted to enjoy himself with the rest of them by Astarion and Tav, he refused. At least they had one person who wasn’t blackout drunk in case anything should happen. Lae’zel surprisingly could hold her liquor too or maybe it had something to do with her race, Astarion wasn’t sure. The couple stayed sober though, mostly because Tav could barely drink and Astarion wanted to be sober for tonight’s tantalizing events. He had an idea what he wanted to do to Tav first, he could see her fidgeting in her seat at times just waiting for later. Thanks to the rings, he could tell she was yearning for his touch. He planned to give her that and more. Astarion smiled, maybe he could mess with his new wife though and send her some of ideas he had in store for her. He barely scratched the surface in his thoughts, merely thinking of a few different positions when he noticed the blush overtake her cheeks and her legs clench together. Astarion smirked and noted the time was near nine in the night. It was late enough that they could retire and a good excuse to give his new wife the relief she deserves.

Astarion stood up from his chair and went to Tav’s chair, there he reached out and gracefully took her hand, signaling her to come with him. Tav smiled and stood up, Astarion could smell her desire. How long was she wanting him? Astarion grinned, that was okay, because for the next three days he would make sure to attend every need she could have and then some. As Astarion walked toward the stairs, he sought out Wyll and informed him that they were retiring for the night, and at that point, only to contact them for emergencies. Wyll congratulated them once again, and Astarion turned, picked up Tav who was surprised, and carried her to their room.

Astarion put her down nicely on their bed when they made it upstairs, turned, and locked the door.

NOTE: The next few chapters are smut heavy due to the honeymoon segment

[strangesthirdeye]

Chapter 11: BLOODY FINALLY!

Unspoken Love Masterlist /Chapter: 12

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Warning: slight mentioned of sex and lost virginity. Errr.. Little make out session...Uhuk.

۞ STEPHEN'S ROOM - NEXT DAY ۞

"Is it possible to get a book about Astral Projection from Wong?" Stephen asked suddenly, his head on your lap who was sitting on Stephen's bed while reading a book of spells with fingers played on his hair.

You raise your glasses up the bridge of your nose. "I tried several times to borrow that book from him, you know. He always said I wasn't ready. I even recommended him Adele albums but he just shrugged off and continued his work. I mean, who doesn't like Adele? He ignored me unless I want to borrow another book besides Astral Projection. Why ask?"

"Just want to increase knowledge" Stephen shrugged his shoulders.

You stopped playing his hair. "work slowly Stephen. That thing won't run away"

Stephen sighed and reached out to your hand on top of his crowned hair and caressed it slowly. " i know.. I'm just.. You know? Curious "

You nodded understanding. "I know, Steph. But still, work slowly and chill until the time comes, you will get what you want to achieve easily."

Stephen sighed slowly and glanced up at your face with a twinkle in his eye. "Why can't you just be my wife?"

You were stunned and your face started to turn red. "is that a proposal?"

Stephen smirked. "No.. Not yet"

You nodded. "good, because I don't think we need to rush things. We only got official a few hours ago and you already tried to propose to me"

Stephen changed his position to the side facing your stomach, he then put his free hand around your abdomen and nuzzled into your stomach. "just want to practice"

"no need, because I think before you said 'marry me' I already said 'yes'" You replied and continued reading the book.

Stephen arched his eyebrows and lifted up his head from your lap. "Really?"

You nodded. "if nothing happens then yes" you shrugged your shoulders.

Stephen arched his eyebrow. "if nothing happens? What do you think will happen to our relationship?"

You huffed and zoned out for a moment. "I don't know.. But let's just hope nothing happens in our relationship in the future" you continued reading the book, fingers unconsciously played his hair.

Stephen put his head again your lap again and zoned out. He was thinking what you meant earlier. Something happened in the relationship. I mean, most newly couples seem okay in their time as couples but the majority of their relationships do not last long for certain reasons such as cheating which is quite common and can be proposed unless the couple can work together but if the thing that cannot be proposed is death .

Stephen shuddered. He doesn't want anything to happen in this relationship, especially to you, in fact he doesn't want anything to happen to you at all. He grows protective over you when this relationship starts. Although he has made vows to take care of you since you were both small, he still needs to take care of you. He can't imagine if something happens to you like death. He can't live without you by his side. But while he was thinking that, he was also taking care of himself so as not to fall into things that could damage your relationship.

He knows that you think the same thing too. You know Stephen. You know how many fans and girls he has when he has such a sharp face. He loves to show off everything he has which makes you sometimes worry about him. But deep down he shows off and is charming which can make many women fall in love, he is a loyal person and takes care of his partner properly like he takes care of Christine. But well, we don't need to mention that anymore, right?

You then sighed and put your book to the side. Fingers still on the crown of Stephen's hair. Stephen came out of his reverie and arched his eyebrows at you, looked upon your face.

"what's wrong?" he asked.

"You mentioned about Astral Projection earlier and now I want to learn about it." you huffed.

"like you said, 'work slowly Stephen. That thing won't run away'" he mocked you with a smirk.

You pushed his head off from your lap. "shut up"

Stephen scoffed. "well, I have an idea but I don't think it will work"

"which is?" you raised your eyebrow.

"We ask Wong" Stephen replied.

"already do that, not working" you blurted.

"It's okay to try again, right?" Stephen began to sit in front of you.

You stared at him for a moment and started to crossed your leg so that you sat cross-legged in front of him to make room for him to sit. You mockingly coldly stared at him.

"And if it doesn't work?" you spoke in mocking flat tone.

Stephen dumbfounded. "Well, maybe make a plan B?"

"and the plan B is?"

Stephen paused. What is his plan B? He hasn't thought about that yet so what is it?

Stephen scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'll think about it later"

"The great Doctor Stephen Strange doesn't know how to form a plan. Is this the end of time?" you said jokingly while rolling your eyes.

"Well, if you're so great why don't you form a plan instead?" Stephen poked your forehead with his index finger.

You smacked his hand from your forehead. "Eish.." you paused. "Actually, I don't even know what to do"

Stephen's face changed to disbelief. "well no need to say that"

"it's not my fault if my idea doesn't come yet" you raised both hands, surrounded.

"well, same goes to me" Stephen replied and stared at your face.

You stared at his face with adoration. Softened in your eyes when you admired his face in front of you. His new personality caught you off guard. You don't expect his personality to change drastically which makes him completely a new person. Calm, humble and romantic? Also his show off is still there.. Only a little bit. But his thirst for knowledge hasn't changed at all and you don't care about that.

Stephen raised his right hand and palmed your cheek with tenderness in his eyes. His thumb rubbed your gentle cheek. He admired your face as if you were the best and most expensive art in the world. Well maintained and only one in the world.

Without wasting time, Stephen closes his body to your body and leaning his lips towards yours. Kissed your lips passionately and with care. He put both his hands on your cheeks and pulled his body closer. Pull you closer to him. You kissed his lips as if your life depended on him. He tastes like mint, tea and a little bit of honey which makes you lean against him more. Stephen stuck out his tongue and asked for permission which you willingly opened your mouth to let him explore your mouth.

You moaned and put both your hands on his shoulders. Stephen then slide his right hand from your cheek to your thigh. Lifting your thigh to be placed next to his body. Stephen lifted his body to be on top of you as you slide backwards to let your head land on the pillow. Stephen trailed his kisses to your neck. You sighed and breathed in his musky scent.

Your fingers running against his back hair as you close your eyes. Stephen still kissing and sucking your neck probably trying to leave some mark on you. After Stephen was satisfied with his work, he lifted up his head and glanced at your face with a hungry look.

You smile as you open your eyes. Staring at his sharp face that you grew up with. Never have you felt this kind of feeling. You have never experienced this.

Stephen eyes are sharp when he looks at your face. He then leaned his face towards you and kissed your lips. Hands start fumbling with your clothes while your hands also start to fumble with his shirt.

But that lusting moment didn't last long, as you both jerked in surprise when you heard something fall in front of Stephen's room followed by the voices of two people in front of his room.

"aah.. fff- fish! Hold my shoulder tightly oi.. the wound hasn't closed yet. Do you want to lose a lot of blood? I don't want you to lose a lot of blood!" said the woman outside the room followed by a man's groan.

You and Stephen looked at each other. Both confused with what happened outside. It's seemed that Dhani is helping to bring the injured John to his dorm. Welp, hence the speech that Dhani gave to John.

"I don't know that you are worried about me losing blood" John said cheekily.

"shut up, boy! It's your fault I lost my sling ring" Dhani said, half loud as she didn't want to disturb the students living there.

John chuckled and then the sound of the door being opened was heard. Both of their voices faded as the door to John's room closed. You and Stephen arched your eyebrows in surprise. Well, that's quite new. Dhani is not the type to always show her affection or caring side to others except her cat, Moon. Or you also but never on other people.

While John is the opposite of Dhani. Energetic and show caring as a way to interact with others. Now this side of Dhani and John is quite different from the others. Seemed like your two bets have paid off, but it's still hanging. Now just need certainty from both of them.

You looked at Stephen. "well, it seems like they both started to bear fruit"

"bear fruit? is that really how you want to describe them?" Stephen said with a smirk on his face.

You pushed his face to the side. "oh, please. Like you have a good metaphor.. now.. Wake up, I want to go to my room"

Stephen started to get up and adjusted his clothes while you did the same thing. Stephen held your right hand to help you up from his bed. He stared into your eyes affectionately.

"you know, you can just stay with me" Stephen suggested.

You chuckled. "Steph, I want to but this bed is enough for you alone."

"well, you can lie on top of me" Stephen replied.

"always want to have an excuses, huh? No, Stephen. Not tonight but maybe another night? We're still on the verge of starting a relationship.. So we need to take things slowly. No need to rush" You explained to him while stroking his right arm.

"alright" Stephen relented. "need me to send you to your room?" Stephen offered.

You shook your head, dismissing his offering. "No need, it's late. You need to sleep.. Goodnight, Love"

Stephen nodded and kissed your lips tenderly. He walked to the door of his room and helped you open the door of his room like a gentleman. You smile and stroke his cheek with your hand before walking out of his bedroom with your heart skipping a beat.

Stephen bid you goodnight before closing the door to his room. After he closed the door to his room, his right hand still lingered on the doorknob. His face was beaming with a smile like a high school student whose love was reciprocated by his crush. He turned his body facing his bed and walked to sit on his bed with his mind still thinking about you.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

۞  COURTYARD - NEXT DAY ۞

"you look terrible"

Dhani jerked in shock when she heard your voice. Her eyes looked at the source of your voice, which you were behind her who was sitting on the balcony by the courtyard. You walked towards her before sitting next to her.

"oh, thanks. I always look like this" Dhani said with sarcasm.

"I don't mean that you look terrible.. I mean you look like you have a problem.. what's wrong?" You sat closer to her and glanced at Dhani's side face.

Dhani frowned after that she sighed. "Just worried about that someone"

You tilted your head slightly. "and that someone?"

"John.. " Dhani paused. "Yesterday there was an attack near the London Sanctum.. Kaecilius' has followers who want to destroy the London Sanctum at the same time, me and John were assigned by the Ancient One to check the relics there but well, there was a broke out there and we also fought them and we got defeat them but one of the culprit summoned a glass shard and stabbed John's side.. luckily nothing was very serious just the cut.. John lost a lot of blood which I brought him back yesterday.. My sling ring was lost in the battle. ." Dhani told you.

You put your hand on her shoulder and rub it gently to comfort her. "Is he alright now?"

"yes.. Just checked on him this morning.. He was still sleeping.. I just let him rest" Dhani replied.

You nodded in understanding and glanced at the courtyard full of students. But then suddenly you realized something.

"You said your sling ring was lost while battling with Kaecilus' followers, right?" You ask her.

Dhani nodded. "yeah.. John forgot to bring his because we went to London Sanctum through the getaway in the library.. So John being John. He didn't bring his sling ring.. why?"

You back away from her slightly and hide your smile. "oh, just.. I'm curious.. that's all" you lied, looking at Dhani's face. The gears in your mind are turning with excitement when you get a good plan even Stephen probably never thought of it yet.

Dhani narrowed her eyes. skeptical of what you think. But it didn't last long as she thinks that what you are thinking about now is something that has nothing to do with her so she just shrugged it off. Dhani turned her gaze forward.

"you and that messy man.. You seem to have known him for a long time.. Who is he?" Dhani asked.

"Messy man?.. You mean Stephen?" You glanced at her, disbelief.

"Oh, he apparently has a name, I thought he didn't have a name based on how quiet he was before. Never shared his name with other students.. Stephen? Isn't that Stephen you mentioned when we first met? The handsome Doctor that you have crushed on" Dhani blurted.

'Crush. More than a crush now.' you thought

"yes, Stephen Strange. Well, you know who he is to me. So of course I hangout with him. Say hello, having tea" you replied.

Dhani nodded in understanding. "that's all?"

"that's all what?"

"most long lost friend decided to start a relationship so that they don't lose each other again. So did you start a relationship with him?" Dhani glanced at you with one eyebrow raised.

" Uh- not really.. We're just hanging out.. like old friends" you lied. 'an old friend doesn't do a make out session in his room' your lips twitched faintly.

The reason you lied to her about that is that you don't want your relationship to be spread to all the people you know yet. Let there be a secret for both of you before you are both ready to share about this.

"so you and him not-" Dhani sent you a knowing look. Her eyebrows are raised waiting for your response.

"What?" you tilted your head slightly, confused.

"Eating each other faces while climbing each other's body?" Dhani replied.

You blinked. "Wha- no! We're not.. no." you lied Try to hold back the blushing that started to appear on your face. You have to maintain this deception.

Dhani nodded. "oh, ok.. Ok.. good. Friends. Childhood friend. I understand"

"what about you?" You shot a question at her.

"what about me?" Dhani frowned.

"You and John?"

Dhani waving her hand. "John is fine. We've been getting along well for a long time. So yeah.. He's fine.. Sometimes it's because of him that I can't brain"

"So you and him not"

"no.. Besides everyone has a past relationship or things that make a person not confident with their love life.. Soo.. John is one of them" Dhani muttered, looking down at her lap.

You nodded. Deciding not to ask more, you started staring at the almost silent courtyard. Most of the students here prefer to study in their room or in the library. So no wonder the courtyard is quiet. Only a few students there.

"Where are you last night? I saw you just about to enter your room yesterday. Where did you go?" Dhani squinted her eyes at you.

Your lips become a thin line. Not knowing what more fraud to say. You blinked a few times before glancing at Dhani's clueless face.

"Er.. late night study at the library" You replied.

Dhani hummed. "hmm.. Late night study.. You have an advanced brain, right? Why do you want to study late at night? Did you know that if you always sleep late, your brain can't keep up with everything and it won't work at all, also makes the metabolism in your body weak and easy to get dangerous diseases like cancer.  It's dangerous..well you probably know about this because you're a bloody doctor " Dhani glanced at you with horror plastered on her face.

You blinked before putting your index and middle finger on the bridge of your nose and massaging it. "I know, I know.. I promise I won't do it again" you sighed.

Dhani scoffed. "promise. A promise that is easy to break"

"a promise I have to work on keeping. That's a fact" You replied with sarcasm.

Dhani waving her hand. "yeah, yeah.. But seriously. Sleep early.. that's all.. later you'll be like me. Forgetful"

Both of you are silent in fact all the noise that is not visible to the naked eye becomes silent as if there is a foreign presence that makes the atmosphere there quiet. Not horrifying silence but awkward silence. Both of you avoid eye contact for apparently no reason.

As if you sensed the discomfort of the situation, you decided to withdraw from the situation with a reasonable reason, namely:

"I have a promise with Stephen to study together in his room, I think I have to go now, ok?"

Dhani nodded. "same with me. I need to check on John in his room. Seems like he's probably already awake" She got up from her seat and held out her hand towards you, offering her help to help you stand up.

You reached out to her hand and pushed yourself to get up, silently thanks for her help.

"right, I think we'll see each other at dinner later, huh?" Dhani arched her eyebrow.

You nodded. "yeah, see you at dinner"

"Bye bye" Dhani saluted you before retreating.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

<TIME SKIPS>

"Maybe we can persuade him to give the book?" Stephen looked down at you who was standing next to him in front of the library door.

You looked up at him with an arched eyebrow. "Didn't we both already do that? It's not working. It's no use trying to persuade him because Wong won't be fooled by that."

"Maybe we can try?" Stephen insisted.

"why not you alone? if he gives it, I'll join you but if not.. well, at least you try" you muttered.

Stephen was silent. "Why me? Why not you? Didn't you and Wong like great friends?"

"sometimes we can't trust our own great friends" You sighed. "Besides you got this charm that does what you want, you will get it, so maybe you can use your charm to persuade Wong" you added.

Stephen furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "you call my avaricious a charm?"

"Seems like a good word.. Now go ask him about the book.. I'll be waiting in your room" you patted his shoulder and left him alone in front of the library door.

Stephen could only remain silent and stiffened in front of the library door. He may seem like a person with high ambitions and a thirst for knowledge, but deep down he is a humble person who is not confident with his own plans. Very deep down. Like soooo deep.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

i"t's not working" Stephen muttered ashamed as he entered his room.

You glanced at Stephen from his bed. "told you so" you said to him with a smirk.

Stephen grumbled in embarrassment. "shut up"

You chuckled. "right, let me hear your plan B"

"there is no plan B, love" Stephen huffed.

you scoffed and put your book aside then made space letting Stephen sit next to you. Stephen moved and sat next to you. Shoulder to shoulder, Stephen put his big hand on your hand. His thumb rubbed the back of your hand.

"maybe we probably need to be really ready to learn that. Like Wong always say" you muttered, placing your head on Stephen's shoulder.

"Is there any other way for us to convinced Wong? " you said, sluggishly.

"I'm not sure.. I'm still stuck on that" Stephen replied.

You close your eyes for a moment, savoring the little peace that is near Stephen even though Stephen is not someone who can bring peace. He's smart and intelligent but sometimes he can still get stuck with something impossible. Having a photographic memory is not always easy. Sometimes it's a bit hard to use. Although if both of your brains have photographic memory, all plans will be easy to unravel, but not right now. Right now it's a bit twisted. You sighed in defeat but then suddenly you remembered something. Something that Dhani always said.

"I lost my sling ring, tho" Dhani.

Sling ring. Of course that little relic is always useful in every situation no matter what situations. It's definitely worth it. You lifted your head from Stephen's shoulder quickly and looked at Stephen with wide eyes and smirked.

Stephen frowned in skepticism. "what?"

"Sling ring" You suggested.

Stephen widen his eyes as he suddenly understood what you meant. He grabbed both of your shoulders and shook them slightly.

"of course! That little shit always comes in handy" Stephen exclaimed, excitedly he kissed your lips deeply before he got up and retrieved his sling ring on the table. Leaving you stunned on the bed.

Stephen then started to make a motion after putting on his sling ring. A circle of sparkling fire began to appear in the air as Stephen turned his right hand before he put it into the getaway.

Sneakily grab books from the bookshelves. You approached Stephen by crawling to the end of the bed. Looking into the portal, trying to find Wong.

Does he notice the emergence of getaways around him? You think so, because as soon as Stephen took the Astral Projection book, he quickly disappeared the getaway in front of him. Stephen grabbed the book with both hands with caution as if it would explode. He let out a sigh of relief after the thrilling scene. You gaped. He did it. You leaped towards him excitedly then hugged him proudly before kissing his lips several times leaving Stephen stunned there.

"You did it!" you squeezed his body tightly.

"No, 'we' did it. If it wasn't your idea, of course we wouldn't have gotten this book" Stephen replied, before parting away from hugging you and looking at the Astral Projection book.

"shall we?" Stephen added, raising one eyebrow.

You sniggered. "we shall"

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

< TIME SKIPS >

You studied the contents of the book solemnly while Stephen seemed amazed by his astral projection body. He looked at his hands and then looked at his real body who was sleeping next to your real body who was also sleeping. He observed your sleeping face longingly.

Admiring your sleeping and peaceful face that sleeps undisturbed although you don't sleep next to Stephen's astral body but your real body that sleeps is quite calm and peaceful. He fought his urges to caress your face with his astral hand but well it will surely penetrate you so he left that urge.

"you good?"

Stephen turned his gaze on you. "yeah, fine"

You put the book on the bed and float closer towards Stephen. "well, it's not that hard to master it. We're ghosts now"

"Oh, please. We both know that we have no problem knowing certain knowledge even if it is difficult" Stephen replied.

You observed your hands. "well, it looks.. glowing"

"reminds me when the Ancient One decided to push my spirit out of my body the first time I came here" Stephen reached for the book and examined the pages of the book.

"she did that?" You stared at him in disbelief.

"I had a hard time believing all this mysticism so obviously I didn't believe her at that time which she decided to opened my eyes and make me see what my bare eyes couldn't see" Stephen replied.

"and what did you see?" you float closer to his side, observing his side face intently.

Stephen stopped his reading and stared into space. Replaying what he saw when his eyes were opened by the Ancient One. "Things that the smartest people can't describe"

You were silent and did not make any comments. It's not like you don't like Stephen's answer but the things he sees are really unexpected which for you there is a lot more that you don't know what is in this universe. The things Stephen sees are very intriguing for anyone who needs answers. And that was just Stephen's answer.

You yawned before looking at the clock on the wall of Stephen's room.

2:00 in the morning. The time when normal humans should have slept long ago. Stephen still reading the book of course he didn't notice what time it was. You snatched the book from Stephen's hands and put it on the table next to his bed. Stephen gaped.

"I haven't finished reading it yet"

"no, time to sleep. Look what time it is" you pointed at the clock on the wall.

Stephen looked at the clock. "it's 2 am"

"and?" You arched your eyebrows at him.

Stephen grumbled. "fine" he floated to his real body and entered his body.

You immediately entered your body and stirred from deep sleep. Eyes opened and directly focused on Stephen who's eyes were already open, observing your face like a creepy man.

"You look like a creepy man" you pushed his cheek with your hand, turning his face away from you.

"and yet this creepy man you fell in love with" Stephen smoothly said with a smirk.

"My creepy man" You mumbled sleepily.

Stephen rubbed your cheek with his left hand gently. "stay with me here. You're sleepy"

You chuckled tiredly. Leaving the real body has its own downside, which is extreme fatigue. You already noted that in your head. You shook your head, dismissed.

"no.. I think I'll go back to my room. I don't want to disturb your comfort" You dismissed.

"no you don't disturb my comfort. In fact you are my comfort" Stephen said teasingly

'gosh, how come this man is full of charms and not tired?' you thought.

"If you make that sweet sentence I might cover your mouth with silencing spells" You threatened him.

"The only silencing spell that works is when your lips touch my li-"

"ayee, that's a limited edition. You have to work hard for that" you replied as you got up from your lying position and stood at the end of the bed.

Stephen leaning his back on the headboard. "Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you to your room?"

You nodded your head. "yeah, you need rest and comfort and I also need my own rest and comfort, so.. sleep well.. Don't be naughty" you pecked his lips and left his room.

As you leave Stephen's room, suddenly you hear the door of the next room open which is John's room. You arched your eyebrows.

But then your eyes made contact with the eyes of the person who came out of John's room. Dhani. She looked tired and disheveled. Her hair is stringy and her pajamas are wrinkled.

'wow' your heart whispered.

Dhani was stunned. Her eyes wide and her mouth gaping in shock before her face turned red when caught by you.

"Dhani?" You called.

"me?" Dhani pretends not to know.

"Oh, I'm calling to that person besides you actually. Of course! I'm calling you" You said sarcastically.

Dhani looked away shyly.

"I didn't want to ask what you did earlier but really? What happened to what you said earlier?" you looked at her disbelief.

"well.. Action speaks louder than words. So I take action in this matter" she replied.

"action? like having sex with John? you go too fast" you said.

"eyy, who said I go too fast, huh? Me and John already a thing since we did relics hunting" Dhani spilled her secrets out.

"so that means all those delayed trainings, you and John- I don't want to say anything" You give up.

"eh, the relics hunting mission is real and all those delayed trainings have a reason why it was delayed. Besides we are the ones who decide to keep these secrets" Dhani crossed her arms.

"you- bumbling baboons." you paused "who was first?"

"Huh?" Dhani cocked her head slightly, confused.

"Who confessed first? You or John?" this time it was you who crossed your arms over your chest.

"well, at first John wanted to confess but I beat him by tackling him to the wall and kissed him first so it's me who confessed first." Dhani explained.

Your mind makes a small celebration in the brain. "and what were you thinking at that time?" you asked, mimicking the mother who was interrogating her daughter's relationship.

"I just want him to shut up.. plus he's cheeky tho.. I just want to squeeze his cheek" Dhani replied while making hands to squeeze.

"What about John? Is he still noisy or?" You narrowed your eyes at her.

Dhani turned her gaze everywhere. "he's stuttering, stunned, dumbfounded and all of the above before he too tackled me to the wall and kissed me all the while we took cover so the culprits wouldn't see us" Dhani explained before she suddenly changed her face to mischief.

"oh, baby, now it's your turn.. So you and Mister shaggy waggy messy eh?" Dhani smirked.

"Mr Shaggy waggy messy? what- oh, you know what.. Yeah we have a thing" you spilled your secrets

Dhani cheered.

"but, we didn't do what you and John did.. it's just not the time yet" you turned red. Having sex with Stephen isn't something you think about yet.

"ayy, i am understood, sister" Dhani saluted. "you don't want to lose your vinvin yet, that's okay take your time" Dhani put her hands to surrender. "wait don't tell me you haven't lost your virginity yet"

"No I haven't lost my virginity yet" You grumbled.

"ayy, right.. Save it for the chosen man.. I understand.." Dhani nodded in understanding.

"soo, we got our boys, right?" Dhani moved up and down her eyebrows.

You stared at her, disbelief. "yeah.. we got our boys"

[marshalforgotten]

ACHIEVED//

Memories Served

ACHIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they completed / achieved something they were proud of

-----

"A high advisor?" the ivory monkey questioned, tilting her head.

Before her and the humans she lived with stood a king, one who ruled these lands in particular. A thick crown of gold ringed around his head with red stone at its center, to mark his status among the people. Said material also fashioned his earrings and woven necklaces went around neck. A cape made of leopard's pelt draped down his bare backside and onto floor, whilst orange skirt along with sandals kept his modesty. Despite the greying hairs on his beard, man was well built for his age. However such factors did not goad him into hubris, as evident by two soldiers who stood vigilant on his sides.

The groups were currently upon a balcony; overlooking capital, as sun began to set on horizon. Being called here instead of throne room was a change in their usual exchanges. Alkebu-lan could still recall the day she offered herself to help discover disappearing treasure's whereabouts. How amusing his surprise was! After her bargaining with the Grootslang, she, mother and siblings ended up visiting palace a few more times to help with certain matters.

This time however the king deigned to inform them on upcoming ideas he wished to lay out. Specifically, with monkey becoming a new, special category of advisor amongst his counsel.

The ruler nodded, his dark skin shining against golden glow of atmosphere.

"Yes. I have contemplated this for quite some time now, ever since your feat with finding and returning our jewels. Your recent accomplishments with the destruction of the popobawa however has left little room for doubt." As he explained this, the king poured banana wine into his chalice. He turned his head, gazing upon bustling town with sincerity. "My kingdom has always been... divided, plagued with warring tribes. It has long been my dream to move this nation forward and establish peace. With your help, lucky monkey I believe I can accomplish just that."

At this, Alkebu-lan frowned in contemplation.

"That sounds like quite the noble dream, my king. I cannot however leave those who first found me behind."

At this the king chuckled and set his cup down. "I am aware of your loyalty, baboon. It is one of your more endearing qualities... and it is very well placed. That is why I propose this idea."

He moved over besides surrogate mother, taking her hand in his. Both gazed at each other and Alkebu-lan saw a familiar expression on Andrietta's visage- one she wore when speaking of late husband. Now however there was less sadness.

"I will take captain Andrietta as my wife and her adopted children shall live in the palace with me. That is-" he brought bald woman's hand towards face and bowed his head, pressing nose's tip against knuckles with closed eyes; a sign of submission in their culture. "If she will have me."

At this, Andrietta's lithe fingers caressed his cheek drawing his rusty eyes to look into her caramel jewels. They were loving and lips smiled.

"If my king thinks me worthy, I will try not to disappoint."

"Wait-" chimed in the disbelieving voice of the young man, Tebello. "We are going to live in the palace now!?"

At this the young girl behind him squealed, before tackling Alkebu-lan into a hug.

"By the stars! Sister! Sister! We really are going to be living here! Mama found a man! We are going to become royalty!" Thandiwe exclaimed gleefully.

While surprised at first, her little sister's joy was infectious. Chitters escaping Alkebu-lan, she scooped girl into an embrace and spun around.

"Well if you put it that way, who am I to refuse?"

No longer would this family worry about gathering food, or monsters prowling in the night. Now, they would be safe with bellies full.

[harrison-abbott]

When I was studying at FE college to get into university I was living at home. And my mother kept telling me I was going to fail the course and drop out.

Or she kept telling me that I was going to fail at university when I got there.

“Many, many students fail their first year at university.” “I think you will fail your first year at university.” “You don’t have a good attitude going into university and I think you’re going to fail.”

It’s quite hard to express how many times she said this, to her own son.

“You’re a worry, Harry. You’re the biggest worry of all my sons.”

In college, I sat all the tests and I kept passing them as the semester continued. And then it got to the crunch exam period. And I sat the exams.

On the night before my final exam, I was trying to get an early night’s sleep in. So that I could wake up early in the morning and get a few hours of revision in before the exam. My mother didn’t want me to sleep early, so she barged in to my bedroom with the hoover, pretending that she wanted hoovering done. When I got angry, she called me a “ponce” and ran into her room and slammed the door. She was drunk.

I sat the exam the following morning and I got an A in it. And when my results came back in the autumn, they got me into University of Aberdeen.

When I was in my bedroom watching a film, a few weeks later, my mother came in and told me that I was going to fail at university.

A few days later, my brother stole some of her money and went to the bakery and got some doughnuts. My mother assumed it was me that had taken the money, and, whilst my brother heard her shouting at me, I asked him to fess up that he had lifted the money and not me. And then mother told me I was going to fail at university. When I had to pay my student accommodation rent fee for the first time, my mother told me I was going to fail at university.

I didn’t fail my first year at university; I got mostly B grades. And continued to do so for the next three years. I came home for Christmas in my third year. And was sitting with my mother and brother in the living room, when mother was drunk. She was monologuing one of her stories from back in the 1970s. And she said,

“I made a trip to Italy. When I was 18. I had just failed my first year at art school, and I was wondering what to do with my life.”

And I just thought, ‘Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaang on a second. Hold up a second!’ So I said to her:

“You failed your first year at art school? That is beautiful. You told me I was going to fail at university.”

“I didn’t!” she replied.

“You did. Several times.”

And she just didn’t say anything.

I brought this whole topic up with her in recent times. And told her that I would like an apology, for repeatedly saying this message of impending failure.

She exploded with fury and launched into a tirade that lasted fifteen minutes. And the crowning quote of all her furious lines was. “I don’t give a shit about a piece of paper!” in reference to my degree in psychology.

The entire subject has angered me for such a long time. And I find it tricky to get over with.

But lately I’ve been thinking, ‘What’s the point in listening to that abusive critique?’ Because the objective achievements were right there; I got a good degree in psychology and then I went to another university and did a Master’s degree in journalism, and did well in that too.

It’s hard to not me mucked up by what a parent says about you.

I suppose I realise now that, by saying to me over and over again that failure was inevitable: it was her that was projecting her own failure at art college onto me. It’s just that she was too blind to realise the damage she was causing. She remembered, subconsciously, the fear and the disappointment from her failing her first year at art school, and so forty years later she told her kid the same thing was going to happen to him.

It still remains hard to ease out all of that fury. But I just wanted to type up the story on here in order to try and dilute the memories.

[asnowfern]

The Northern Gale Bellows

A/N: Chrysanthemum Terrace 菊花台 by Jay Chou found its way into my Spotify the other day and I couldn’t get this drabble idea out of my head since. Translation to the lyrics can be found here. First time writing Eris and I am just so so sorry.

TW: Implied major character death

WC: 700

Read on AO3

Eris fastened on his armour. Then he checked it to ensure it’s secure. Then he checked and checked again, the metal plates and chainmail rattling and clicking in time with nimble fingers.

His fingers ghosted over the maple leaf emblem, painstaking embroidered on every handkerchief for this rebellion by their queen - his mother. With a heavy swallow, he tied it around his forearm.

Every fibre of his being was alight with trepidation, the nerves a palpable buzz in his ears. Years of stone cold precision planning had come down to this - His personal hand picked warriors against the rest of his father’s army. They would either live to see the dawn of a new day, his mother and brothers at his side, or be publicly executed for their efforts.

The sheathed sword slid against his hip and hung there, waiting with every drawn breath. With a final check, he turned to look around the worn furnishings of his room. Perhaps a little ill-fitting or underwhelming for the crown prince but it was his sanctuary. Then, Eris, adorned with every weapon possible, bid his place of solace farewell.

His amber eyes met his mother’s russet ones along the walkway. He gave a small bow, as etiquette demanded of him. Time slowed around them as the edges of her lips lifted into a gentle smile, motherly and kind to anyone passing by. The slight dip of her chin was almost imperceptible. Eris let the silent encouragement bolster him, holding it in a vice mental grip.

His beautiful mother, back stiff straight in the face of a cruel, powerful man’s wrath. Her quiet strength as she shielded him and his brothers as best as she could. Her regal face was always unflinching and dignified, only softening for them.

So he let the smile burn into his mind. Enveloped him, smouldered and melded, an unvanquishable flame.

There would be no feral battle cry or charging into the throes of war. With a clear command for all of them to stay alive, he and his men were on the move. Quietly and discreetly, he killed his way to his king’s private quarters. Eris paused for barely a second before his hand closed around the large ornate handle and he was through the invisible barrier.

His father stood in front of a large map of their proud nation. Hands clasped behind his back as he studied a specific region in the eastern provinces, his attention seemingly focused on the matter at hand. But Eris knew better.

The tension in his shoulders, the tick in his jaw. The slightest tremor in his left fingers - not of fear, no. When Beron turned to his son, the same amber eyes reflecting back at him blazed with fury. A type of white hot rage that brought many enemies down to their knees and ripped them apart, limb by limb.

“What exactly did you think this would achieve?” The flat authoritative voice from his worst memories sneered at him. Mature amber eyes flicked dismissively towards the bloodied sword Eris still held in his hand.

At that moment, two guards escorted the queen through the door. Beron’s features twisted into an almost sour disappointment as he looked down at his son. “Well?”

The king was unarmed and yet, with a single word, the odds on the table flipped. And Eris never felt more helpless.

More guards filtered through the door, their weapons brandished at the crown prince. Eris did a mental count of the five guards that now surrounded him. He could potentially take them down.

But at what cost?

Like a little boy once more, amber flocked towards russet.

Acceptance.

For a better future, they said, for him and his brothers.

With a fortified heart, a feral cry ripped itself from his lips as Eris launched himself at his assailants, a sword in one hand and a dagger in another. Effortlessly, they fell.

His sword plunged through his father’s gut just as a glint of rubied silver protruded from his mother. Feminine lips curled into a faint proud smile as cruel amber eyes glassed over.

The sword clanked on the floor and echoed throughout the walls. He won.

But it seemed that even in victory, he lost.

[mageofseven]

Repressed Love: A DiaLuci Love Story

Chapter 29

Tag list: @astroseuss @zarakem @brielle043 @missloserqueen

•▪︎▪︎◇°●♡●°◇▪︎▪︎•

A few days went by and the secrecy squeezed at the pride demon's heart like he was being choked with barbed wire.

It has been a long time since Lucifer even thought of keeping a secret from Diavolo, but to keep one like this about her father? It was difficult.

Honestly, it was hard not to think about it all, about the state of his fiancée's relationship with her father. There was so much she wanted, no, needed from him and he knew if her father died before giving them to her, part of the woman's heart will never heal.

This is what led the man to convincing Barbatos to talk the king into speaking with him in private, something the butler was not too thrilled with and even tried to talk the Avatar of Pride out of.

Lucifer was already determined though and there was nothing Barb could do to dissuade him.

Sadly, it became another secret between the two men to keep from the princess, at least for right now; both men agreed it was best.

How Barbatos managed to convince the king to speak privately to the man he hated most, the pride demon had no idea, but he still headed to the king's room at the scheduled time.

Like when his daughter joined him, the king was staring out the still-shattered window, something Luce found odd; he would have thought the man would have had it fixed by now so there must be a reason he keeps it broken.

Unlike when Diavolo spoke to her father, the king had no qualms about turning to face him.

"Speak plainly, Avatar of Pride, for I am not in the mood for this conversation."

Lucifer nodded

"Alright. You're dying." The younger man said without even a hint of sympathy.

The king tensed up.

"How do you know that?"

"You should know better than I that nothing stays a secret in this castle." Luce said simply. "Now what is it you mean to achieve?"

"You make it sound as if I have some dark plan," The king complained. "When I am just father trying to prepare his child for the days after him."

"You've done nothing but abuse my fiancée since the day you awoke and even long before--"

"I have never hit my child a day in--"

"Yet abuse is more than how you touch a child." He argued. "It's also about how you talk to them, make them feel, how you raise them to think about themselves--"

"Do not judge me, Avatar of Pride, for you do not truly know how it is to be a parent--"

"I have two children of my own that you keep discrediting the existence of." Luce argued. "Not to mention the fact that I have raised each and every one of my siblings alone so do not lecture me about parenthood for I have known it since even I was a child."

Somehow, the Avatar of Pride made the king speechless. Surely that's an achievement that belongs in a book somewhere?

Lucifer closed his eyes and took a breath; he wasn't here to fight with the man after all.

"Despite everything, your daughter loves you. Surely--"

"I have no daughter; I have a son." He spoke in a low voice. "Her confusion means nothing--"

"'Her'?" Luce pointed out. "You swear she's a man, but still instinctually refer to your child as 'her'?"

The king huffed and turned his back to the man, prompting the pride demon to step closer.

"You knew." Lucifer accused. "You knew your daughter was a girl and forced her to live like that, didn't you--"

"It would have been the embarrassment of the millennia." He said coldly. "The crown prince, our realm's next king, a woman stuck in man's body? Do you any idea how others would have treated her as she grew up if they knew?"

"And instead you made her live in pain? Confusion?" Luce asked incredulously. "You made her grow up hating herself, hating her own body--"

"There are some things you can't take back as a parent...I may not like you, Avatar of Pride, but I hope that's not a lesson you ever have to learn the hard way."

But he has. The king's words brought to mind Satan's childhood, of mistakes he made with his son, of everything he did and did not do.

"I...I am already too familiar with that concept."

Silence filled the room before the king let out a tired sigh and sat on his bed. This was the moment Lucifer could truly see how pale the man was, how weak his body seemed and despite everything, a small part of the pride demon felt pity for this man.

"You are dying." Lucifer repeated slowly. "Surely now, more than ever, you can let yourself be the father she needs."

"I cannot." The king said simply.

"And why is that?"

"Because then she would forgive me for things that should not be forgiven." He explained quietly. "She...she is too much like her mother in that way; I cannot let her be though. She must hate me. She must learn to hate me."

"Diavolo has no room in her heart for such a feeling. If she did, she would have hated you long ago."

The king was silent for a long moment.

"It appears...the hardest truths in life are also the simplest. The ones right in front of your nose that you try so desperately not to think about..."

The king reached over to his bedside drawer and pulled out a small ornate key, shorter than a thumb, before handing it over to Lucifer.

"Give this...to my daughter." He told him. "Tell her to use it on the locked drawer in her mother and my's old room, to read the book before the letters."

The pride demon stared at his almost-father-in-law before slowly taking the key.

"What will she find in there?"

"My failures," The older man said softly. "Which will either lead to her hatred of me, something I've tried to cultivate in her for so long, or pain that leads to the peace she wants so desperately...and then have her see me afterwards."

The Avatar of Pride nodded and closed his fist around the key gently.

Just what was waiting for Diavolo in the drawer the king mentioned? Whatever it was, Lucifer was not going to let her face it alone.

Now was not the time for the princess to stress...but if this could give her the peace she so dearly deserves, why would Lucifer deprive her of it?

[poisonsage808]

Hii! If you’re still taking requests for ships, could I please request one with a character from House of the dragon (preferably male but any gender is fine if you think a girl fits better). 🫶🏻

my pronouns are she/her and I’m asexual biromantic. I’m an ESFJ and a Gemini. I have green eyes and short black hair with blue strands, my haircut is similar to a soft mullet. I dress with goth/ fairy grunge clothes. I wear lots of rings and love to exchange them with others.

I’m the mom friend of the group, always there for everyone and my friends say that I’m really good at comforting people. I’m also calm and responsible, I usually am the one that takes care of other people. I’m very optimistic, I always try to see the good in everything and I often put other’s needs before my own, I would do everything for the people I care about and sometimes I’ve been told that I’m too kind for my own good. I have a sarcastic humor and I love making others laugh to lighten the situation, people say that I should be more serious and that I shouldn’t joke around so much.

I don’t like when people tell me what to do and I’m not afraid to stand up for myself or for someone else. I also dislike when someone is too serious and really can’t take a joke as I tend to use humor as my coping mechanism.

All my friends tell me I’m very smart, I get very good grades and I do well in school. I also try to help my friends with study and school as much as possible. I’m also very ambitious, I always try to achieve my goals.

My love languages are physical touch and words of affirmation. I absolutely love listening to music, it helps me relax and I really like reading. I also love watching horror movies even though it’s impossible to scare me. I also play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends anytime I can. also, I absolutely love musicals and I’m definitely a theatre kid.

I really hope I did this right, have a great day :)

you’re quite the selfless character, aren’t you? best be careful letting people in with that heart of gold, we wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt. westeros is dangerous after all. i see you as a lady from the reach, constantly misjudged and underestimated! you’ve a cunning mind and tend to your loved ones like flowers in a garden, you love them wholly and unconditionally. that doesn’t mean you’re not strong and stern when you need to be though.

♡ i ship you with… ♡

♡ Aegon Targaryen III ♡

• We may be living in a man’s world but will be no question of who’s wearing the crown of this relationship! It’s you. Aegon will praise, dote, pamper and love the shit out of you. You’ve changed his perspective on things, loving you is so easy

• On the other hand he isn’t needy as some might think or say. Aegon expects gifts or faux compliments, otherwise kissassery from other people, but with you it’s so authentic. Knowing you’re thinking of him makes him unbelievably happy. Drop off a present, gift him chaste kiss on the cheek or tell him you hope he has a great day and he’s on cloud nine

• There’s obviously challenges to overcome in this relationship. His perspective on love and affection is fucked up at first, transactional if you will. Give things to get things. Yeah, you set him right real quick! Although he needs occasional reminders, Aegon is better off for them

• Aegon matches your personality to a T though he’s not as strong as you. He’s a bit paranoid and needs you to pull him back to the planetos ever now and then

• Defend or protect him some way and he’ll devote himself to you for the rest of his days. He can do that for you or his loved ones easily but coming to his own defense isn’t something he can do just yet

• He wouldn’t need alcohol to have a good time with you, he finds himself smiling or laughing a good portion of the time. Occasionally from one of you something traumatic will slip out, quickly followed by a joke. At first the room will get quiet.. then you’ll both start cackling again. Trauma bonding, it really works

• He didn’t know that simple things could make his heart flutter until he met you. Holding your hand or hugging you from behind is his favorite way to both end and start his day

• Expect compliments, A LOT!

“I believe I saw you while I was with Sunfyre. Your eyes sparkled like emeralds even from the clouds, I couldn’t miss them if I tried.”

Oh! And he will make a spectacle of you, he wants everyone to applaud you when you walk into a room. Aegon thinks you deserve it

“Darling, you look marvelous today. Doesn’t she look absolutely lovely?”

• You two will make a rather handsome couple (aka fucking adorable) Helaena adores you, as much as she can with her non-bug companions. Aemond appreciates your presence his brother is more tolerable when you’re around and Alicent agrees. Not that Aegon wanted or cared about their approval of you, you have it regardless

• Beware, Aegon will make it his mission to try and scare you at least once a day. Especially when he realizes it’s an impossible feat! He’ll get frustrated but not give up, no, he’ll tickle you just to get some sort of squeal out of you

[hatterfae]

"Oi, Mikal, what're you doing over there?" one of the other priests asked me from across the room as I intoned the spell over the prone body of the petitioner. I ignored the question, continuing the chant of holy resurrection, the most sacred art that I had been perfecting in secret in my own time, wandering the countryside in search of those whose lives had been snuffed out early through misfortune or misadventure, all for the opportunity that had finally presented itself today.

The spell's form took shape, the first stage regenerating the body to a liveable condition. Without a suitable target, the spell should have normally just collapsed, confirming what he'd theorized after so many attempts: that resurrection was just one of the effects of the spell. Spells that healed the living did nothing to dead bodies, and those that targeted the dead had never worked on the living.

I spared a glance at the other priests, as they realized what I was doing and ran away to find guards. I'd been practicing this art; they wouldn't be able to stop me in time. They'd hunted for me, of course; I had wandered the countryside as the Lazarus Man, my features masked and hidden. The towns and villages had loved me, keeping me safe and hidden even in the wake of the church's hunt for a rogue resurrectionist. The peasantry, aware of the corruption of the church, kept quiet about my comings and goings, never once understanding my goal.

On my journeys, I'd been hunting down the history of the spell. I'd uncovered a bit in the hidden Library of the Papal Elders, which detailed that the spell itself predated the church, and included that ancient proscription against using it on the living. I couldn't grasp why it would be there, though: what did the spell actually achieve?

I'd finally come across the result in the ruins of the ancients, a dungeon of black steel that had been around longer than recorded history. After months of research and backbreaking sweat to defeat the guardians still active after ages, I found a device that answered my questions. And it explained the purpose of the spell, and how it worked.

"Mikal, what do you think you're doing?!?" the head priest demanded as he stormed into the room, though as he approached one of the five-legged guardian constructs from the ruins stepped from a rift in my shadow to protect me from him. It was a poor protector, and on its last legs, but he didn't know that as it leveled its weapons in his direction menacingly. "This is heresy!"

I didn't respond to him; the chant still rolling off of my tongue. There wasn't any point to it, after all. The spell didn't actually resurrect anyone: all the theorizing about repairing a body and bringing the soul back was absolute fiction. The spell simply reached out into the universe and replaced the broken body with an identical, living one, precisely timed at the moment of death from a near identical, parallel world, dropping the original in its place.

The second phase fired, locked in. The spell had located the replacement I'd requested. As it was, the spell tried to find the nearest parallel line which matched with the target's death, but in the event where the target wasn't dead, you could override the individual being summoned. That was the big secret the church didn't want people to find out, why they forbid the use of it like this.

It didn't have to be the person who was in the circle if the first phase failed to find a death point.

I spoke the final words, triggering the spell's effect. The room flashed bright, and a large black egg sat where the petitioner had been laying moments before.

"Mikal... what have you done?" the head priest asked me, looking on in horror as the egg split open, revealing a pair of large, leathery wings attached to a beautiful man's body, standing upright with a regal pose. Four bright red eyes blazed in his head, and a crown of horns proclaimed him for who he had been in ages past: the King of Demons, the Lord of the Fallen, the Unbroken One, who in his last moments had cast a spell to protect himself from the army of heroes that had been painstakingly assembled by the church to fight him hundreds of years ago.

I kneeled before my lord, my smile breaking the carefully crafted human facade that I'd taken such care to keep over the centuries. "Welcome back, my lord."

Your teachers always warned you to never, under any circumstances, cast a resurrection spell on someone still alive, but refused to elaborate why. Today your curiosity got the better of you.

[baekhvuns]

I HEAR AN ANON FELT BAD ABT SOMETHING!!! 🤸🧍

Oooohhh imma just say anon, i believe sometimes we hear things the other person doesn't really means, I'm not sure how your friend has treated you in the past or if she's said tht to you consistently so maybe that's why it made you feel bad when she mentioned her 'bf' and that's totally fine trust me I've had frnds too tht out of nowhere bring it something I rlly don't want them to mention. But hear me out, you gotta enjoy your life to the fullest!! WITH YOUR KPOP BOIS AND MANHWA DRAWINGS!! I bet you're soulmate is out there rn, wanting to find someone perfect for him...and then here you are and you hv no idea. Believe in the universe, Destiny literally never plays. anyways where cn i read tht fic-

--------------------------------------------------

AND NOW ABT MISS BAEKS...YOUR NAME IS KIRA?!?!? Lmfaooo I've seen those memes where they say trash + trash and trash no 1 is soveishu and trash no 2 is rashta.

Hehehehe you thought I'll make only for San??? BWAHAHAHAAHA *devil laugh*

OMG UNDERCOVER EMPRESS AND THIEF SAN??!?? IM- 🤌🤌 GURL YOU HV LITERAL GEMS!!! DIAMONDS!!! :00 NOT THE YSL PERSONA 😭😭

But marques falhan..😧 I'm gonna give them the title of yunho (kosair) and jongho (falhan) although I'm still not sure but Hey it works. HOLY BANOLY WHAT IN THE FRICKITY FRACKITY FUCK IS WRONG WITH THIS RASHTA?!?!?! THE AUDACITY, SHE HAS TO CALL NAVIER INFERTILE INFRONT OF HER AND KOSAIR?!?!?! kosair buddy, unleash yourself...kill her. When soveishu realises the big mistake he made, how rashta never loved him, how all she ever desired was the riches and power, he's gonna....he's gonna regret it so much I hope he gives up his title. "The empress said I was worthless first"

OHMYGOD IM- 💀 WTF IS WRONG WITH THIS EMPEROR HE BELIEVES EVERY THING THT TRASHTA SAYS? (this is so soap opera coded tho) Ok forget I said this soap opera coded it reminds me of the crown. There.

The way I feel so envious and so boiled up every time I see any scene of rastha and soveishu...it makes me think if navier was real, what would she be going through? My girl is crazy strong, soveishu really lost a gem, Heinrey was right. [Omg I just saw McKenna transform frm his bird form to human form and OH MAN- 🛐]

I feel like Duke ergi is basically fooling rashta and she's following him, digging her own grave Bcz she in the end has no intellect whatsoever, she's blinded by power and she'd do anything to achieve it, which will eventually lead to her downfall.

no fr dad's are literally so confusing??!?; the other day, I was eating my breakfast while watching TV and my dad comes into the living room, watches me for a while, like he literally stared at me while he stood in front of me so I stopped...obv thinking what was wrong and then i slowly took in the spoon filled with cereals and he went "what's tht way of eating??" AND I WAS LIKE WHAT?! 😭😭 he said "why can't you eat normally??" And I was like bro u caught me off-guard?!?! Then he just patted my head, gv out a chuckle and left?!?!

OMG GURL THE BL'S UPDATE IS HERE!!! IMMA GO READ IT!! AGHHHHHHHHHHH HAEBOM APPEARED SHIRTLESS AHHHHH ...girl his not even wearing his bottoms- wow the confidence to show up almost naked infront of sungho and just a towel hanging down here like?!?! 😭 SUNGHO NOWS NOT THE TIME TO BE THINKING ABT WHAT U JUST SAW 😭 oh thanks god he's clothes omg..

HAEBOM HAEBOM JUST ASKED HIM FOR A SLEEPOVER AT HIS HOUSE AHHHH OMG THE EXCUSE WAS "SINCE THE BABY'S ALR ASLEEP" OH YOU SMOOTH MF!! Aw they're washing the dishes together 🤧 just get married alr ok, we're having some deep talks.

Haebom has a sad past...his mother was a kind soul but the villagers took advantage of her kindness and set their house on fire when he was a kid....hah no wonder he doesnt trusts anyone easily.

Lol he changed back to his persona 😭

OHHHHH SUNGHO GOT DISH SOAP IN HIS EYES I THINK IK WHATS ABT TO HAPPEN AHHHHH HAEBOM'S HELPING HIM BRO THEIR PROXIMITY ALL WHILE WHEN HAEBOM HIS SHIRTLESS 😭😭😭

....I bet sungho has realised something just now.."he has blue eyes I never noticed" BOI-

BRO HE JUST KISSED HIM!!! I REPEAT SUNGHO KISSED HAEBOM 😭😭😭 OMG IT HAPPENED :0 "my bad" 💀 pls-

"His lips are so soft" both of them thinking the same thing...while haebom is standing frozen in his place not moving an inch and sungho awkwardly ran off 😭

"Is something wrong with me? Am I dying" 😭 why is he like this??? Your heart is beating idiot YOU'RE IN LOVE HAEBOM!

tough man cried. ykw I bet he's just a baby inside with all that muscles and intimidating aura he has and I bet only sungho can calm that baby down who suffered the trauma of being all alone.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS MAN CRIED?!?! 😭 I'm so soft for big men embracing their vulnerable and sensitive side.

Look tho I found some pictures of remarried empress and it has come to my attention THAT THIS IS A NOVEL AND THE FIRST PIC IS BASED ON THE NOVEL DESIGN LIKE DAMN-

Ohhh a bollywood movie?? No Bcz u were the reason I watched my first Bollywood movie AND ILL WATCH ONE AGAIN!

Life at work has been boring. Nothing new, no new interactions, don't even abt my uni tho, there is not one single person tht I like 😮‍💨 anyways, manifesting for all the hopeless romantics a ff typa love story!!

exactly!!!! & HELLO

YES IT IS HELLO 😭😭😭 jVCNDBWK NO SERIOUSLY SHE REALLY IS TRASH IM SO EXQUISITELY DISGUSTED BY HER 😭😭

PLEASE. OH MY GOD. KAUFMANS ENTIRE PERSONA IS SO MINGI IM ACTUALLY SCREAMIMG THE PICTURE—i ran around my room a little just now— he also sometimes reminds me of rm like this combo is gorgeous

CALLING NAVIER INFERTILE IS A DIRECT INSULT BC TO SOVIESHU BC WE ALL KNOW WHOS THE REAL ONE i just know heinry is gonna be all smirky when navier and he have a kid and rashta’s burning (did a little digging and looked up that they do in fact have kids 😭😭 and both r twins, lari & kai) navier is so mother

IT REALLY IS SO SOAP OPERA-ISH, it got all the dramatics of indian serials, turkish shows, telenovelas, kdramas and more like this combo is insane

yOOOOO MCKENNA IS A UNDERRATED BEAUTY !!!!!

no bc im also convinced, his eyes have this little glint of mischievousness,,, he & heinry are the duo, just like woosan 😭😭 i want him to lead to her downfall honestly

no bc dad lore is so fun???? LMFAOOOO THATS SO CUTE 😭😭😭 my dad looks very scary irl but i saw him yesterday w a cap on jumping to 50cent having his hands doing hang signs and i just “????”

oh to be sungho and see those muscles bfwmjdka “SINCE THE BABYS ALREADY ASLEEP” OKAY SIR OKAY OKAY TAKE US WITH, why are they so married couple core already

omg haebom 😭😭😭 WDYM “my bad” ????? YALL KISSED HOW IS IT MY BAD FHWNDJKSDKSL,, he really is a grumpy with his brightest sunshine 😔😔

HES SO HUGE STOP IT CHAERSSSS

LMFAOOOO THAT MEME FRHWKHDKW NAVIER JUST THERE JVDMSJCK

yes it is!!!! super controversial at that time but honestly a pretty good topic, it’s a 2000’s movie and yea worth a watch!!

no bc felt, everything’s boring these days maybe it’s the seasonal depression ya’know,, all we can do is manifest a love story with a man like wi ha joon in the worst of evil 🥰🥰

[nancycat57]

Things that resonate

When I was a junior in HS, 1974, a very special album was released. Court and Spark, by Joni Mitchell. My copy had a few scratches from lifting the stylus to replay "People's Parties/Same Situations". The scratches only added to the character. These are the Lyrics:

All the people at this party they've got a lot of style. They've got stamps of many countries, they've got passport smiles.

Some are friendly, some are cutting, some are watching it from the wings. Some are standing in the center giving to get something.

Photo beauty gets attention, then her eye paint's running down. She's got a rose in her teeth and a lampshade crown. One minute she's so happy then she's crying on someone's knee, saying laughing and crying you know it's the same release.

I told you when I met you I was crazy, cry for us all, beauty. Cry for Eddy in the corner thinking he's nobody. And Jack behind his joker, stone cold Grace behind her fan. And me in my frightened silence thinking I don't understand.

I feel like I'm sleeping, can you wake me ? You seem to have a broader sensibility. I'm just living on nerves and feelings with a weak and lazy mind and coming to people's parties fumbling deaf, dumb and blind.

I wish I had more sense of humor keeping the sadness at bay, throwing the lightness on these things, laughing it all away (segue: I play the piano solo here in my living room gig)

Again and again the same situation for so many years, tethered to a ringing telephone in a room full of mirrors. A pretty girl in your bathroom checking out her sex appeal, I asked myself when you said you loved me, Do you think this can be real ?

Still, I sent up my prayers wondering where they're to go. With heaven full of astronauts and the Lord on death row while the millions of his lost and lonely ones call out and clamor to be found. Caught in the struggle for higher positions and their search for love it sticks around.

You've had lots of lovely women now you turn your gaze to me, weighing the beauty and the imperfection to see if I'm worthy. Like the church, like a cop, like a mother, you want me to be true. Sometimes you turn it on me like a weapon, though, and I need your approval.

Still, I sent up my prayers wondering who's there to hear. I said Send me somebody who's warm and somewhat sincere. With the millions of the lost and lonely ones I called out to be released.

Caught in my struggle for higher achievements, and my search for love it don't seem to cease.