#i think it could be done with a tie yank sort of thing but that is neither here nor there | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

arendaes · 8 hours ago

Text

All Roads Lead to Here

Reposting this here in its entirety as I'm migrating away from AO3. I know I already spammed this one a bit but...I'm quite proud of it, so I'm not really sorry.

(Thank you again to @ashsktchm for this beautiful comm!)

Fandom: Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous

Words: 5,339

Rating: Mature to be on the safe side

Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence (in one part)

Ship: The Commander/Daeran/Woljif

Characters: The Commander, Daeran Arendae, Woljif Jefto, Cayden Cailean, Original Male Characters, and cameos by a few WOTR characters

As you come to, you become aware that there are a few things off with your current situation. The stone beneath you is hard and damp, not the typical spot you would have laid down if you could help it. The air is cool and moist as well, in an unpleasant, musty sort of way. It was undercut with the smell of fish and rot, enough to turn even your normally strong stomach.

Then there’s your body. Your head aches, as do all your muscles and joints. There’s a spot on your lower abdomen that burns with the itch of skin newly knitted back together. What have you done to get yourself in such a sorry state?

Then you remember - you died.

Your eyes snap open, breathing in short, panicked gasps as the memories start to come back. Kjelle, the cathedral, the Test…

Leaning up on shaky arms, you take in the surroundings. It still looks like you’re in a rime-covered village. The buildings around you are caked in frost and falling apart, shadows dancing in the gloom. The sound of crashing waves catches your attention, and you turn to see a dark sea to your left, waves lapping at the shore. If you didn’t know better, you would believe you were actually in the Land of Linnorm Kings. But you do know better, and somehow, that makes the corpse of the monster in front of you all the more frightening. Lamashtu is a creative one, that was for certain.

Slowly, you manage to get your trembling legs underneath you. The world swam for a moment, then focused. Resurrection was never an easy process, and yours had been especially rough. In fact, as soon as you remember how this was possible, you begin to look frantically around. A sigh of relief escapes your lips as you spot the wayfinder, mere inches from your feet.

Picking it up, you note that the aeon stone had dimmed, its orange coloration barely visible. Its power was expended, at least now. What a power it was too…had your father known what it could do when he gave it to you? It must be worth a fortune…

That thought reminds you of Woljif. You smile as you think of him, and it grows when your memory throws Daeran into the mix. Your loves…then it hits you. They have no idea where you are, and you just died. You’ve been gone far too long, and they must be worried sick. You need to get out of this place, you need to find them, and you need to put this whole dark chapter of your life behind you.

Your eyes land on the corpse of the beast, taking in each of the needle-sharp teeth in that ancient, monstrous head. Now that you know the source of Kjelle’s nightmares, you feel the barest stirrings of pity. They promptly die as you remember everything he’s done. Not just tonight, but for all the years of your unfortunate acquaintance.

You will get out of here, and you will live the happy life he sought to take away from you. But first, as you reach into the monster’s mouth and yank one of its fangs free, you realize you need to tie up a loose end.

****

A light breeze blew in, ruffling the lace curtains that had graced the window since her childhood. Ariadne dared a glance outside, a wistful smile playing on her lips as she looked out into the garden below. It was in full bloom, but the presence of more than a few gold leaves on the trees and bushes hinted at the coming autumn.

Throughout the garden, a host of leshy ran. Some had a yard of decorative white ribbon that they were entwining through the bushes, others had stools and chairs lifted above their heads, carrying them towards the center of the garden. Daeran was standing there, commanding them with a grin on his face that she was fairly sure she should be concerned about, especially if the wry look on Woljif’s face was anything to go by. But she couldn’t find it in herself to care - it was their wedding day, and all she could think about was how handsome they both looked.

That turned out to be a problem, however, as she was still staring out the window, a dopey smile on her face and dressed in nothing but her shift when a knock came from the door. “Ariadne? You finished in there?” Seelah’s voice sounded through the thick wood, nearly making her jump out of her skin. Rushing across the room, she threw the door open to find her friend standing there on the threshold. Gone was her armor and sword, replaced with a very fine red dress, but her bright smile that Ariadne had missed dearly was on full display.

“Seelah!” Ariadne said, then threw herself at her. The paladin laughed as she caught her in a hug, not the least bit concerned at her indecent state. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Of course! I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Plus, your husbands-to-be were very insistent that we come.”

“We?”

On cue, a figure materialized out of the space to their left. Arueshalae smiled shyly at Ariadne. “I’m here too…”

Ariadne pulled back from Seelah, beaming at the two of them, making a futile effort to hold back the tears of joy that pricked in the corners of her eyes. Not too long ago she thought there was a chance she’d never see them again. It made the surprise of their company all the more pleasant.

Seelah raised a brow as she stepped back. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope your dress is a bit more... substantial than that."

"Of course it is," Ariadne said, wiping the tears away with a laugh, "True to form, I've been procrastinating."

"I'd say it's not surprising you'd be late on the biggest day of your life, but..." Seelah's grin changed from incredulous to sheepish, "I'm not sure I'd call it that. I mean, you did save the world."

"They're both big days, in different ways," Ariadne moved back into her room as she said this. As the two of them followed, she added, "Though in terms of effort, they aren't even on the same level."

Seelah's smile was at odds with her furrowed brows. "Meaning?"

"Meaning...the choice I'm making today is the easiest one I've ever made, by far."

****

Especially when compared to another choice you made recently.

Despite feeling like a lifetime had passed, it was only a few short weeks ago that you were pacing back and forth in the apartment you'd rented in Absalom. From his vantage point on the sofa, Daeran shot you a withering look."My darling, when I went through such painstaking lengths to decorate this apartment, one thing I didn't consider was if you'd be wearing paths in the carpet. If I had, I might have picked something a bit less expensive."

Such a comment normally would have earned a retort from you, and indeed you were primed to deliver when you caught the glance he shot the full wine glass on the table beside him. A hint of apprehension, maybe even fear, crossed his face. You're not sure if he realized it as he pulled his back from it, but that combined with the fact his skin still hadn't returned to the healthy bronze shade you were used to did nothing to assuage your nerves. Or your guilt.

Your eyes roam over Woljif, who's draped himself across Daeran, his head resting on the arm of the other end of the sofa. Despite his efforts to cover them, you can still make out the dark bruises about his wrists and neck. Unlike your other lover, he doesn't seem concerned with the state of the furniture. Instead, his eyes intensely watch you stride back and forth, mouth set into a grim line. Such a serious expression doesn't suit him, and again the guilt multiplies. It's your fault he's like this, just like it'll be your fault if Daeran becomes a teetotaler.

Then you stop in your tracks. Such self-flagellation is beneath you, you thankfully realized. It is not your fault that both of your fianc��s have had attempts made on their lives. You know exactly whose feet to lay the blame at.

"I have to go to him," you say, every word taking monumental effort to make it past your lips. It is not a revelation you enjoy, nor is it well received by your lovers.

"Chief, that's the first dumb idea I've ever heard you come up with," Woljif says, propping himself up on an arm.

“Agreed.” Daeran finally seems to overcome his reservation about the wine glass, picking it up and downing half of it before he continues. You would be relieved, if it weren’t for the fact that it was your willingness to put yourself in danger that prompted it. “That madman cannot be trusted to act in good faith where you’re concerned. Given his expressed desire to kill you in the past, I’d say there’s a distinct possibility his current promise of a truce is a bald-faced lie.”

Both men exchange a dark look. You knew neither of them would dare try to outright forbid you, but the urge to do so was plain on their faces. "I have to," you insist, steeling yourself against their glares. Then you soften, your voice barely more than a whisper, "If I don't, he'll keep coming after us. After you. I don't want to lose either of you."

That last part comes out more pleading than you would have liked, but it has the desired effect. Both of their guards drop. Neither are one for outward displays of emotion, even now, but the way Daeran's eyes shine and Woljif's posture loosens tell you everything you need to know. You already knew they didn't want to lose you just as much as you don't them, but all three of you know you're the one who stands the best chance at making these attacks stop.

"Fine," Daeran finally says, devoid of its usual acidity, "But we need to put a plan in place to pull you out of there if things go south."

Woljif nods, the gleam in his eyes sharpening. "And a way to make sure this doesn't happen again."

You smile shakily with a bravado that for once you do not feel. "I guess it's a good thing I have a plan then, huh?"

****

Even without diligently checking the clock, Ariadne knew when it was time. Daeran had seen to that, the opening chords to a wedding march filtering into her now open window as she arranged the flowers in her hair and checked that all the buttons in her dress were in place.

“This is it, then,” she whispered to herself, appraising her appearance in the mirror, “Sure you don’t have any second thoughts?” Her reflection said nothing. Why would it? Of everything that had happened in her life, what she was about to do might be the one thing she’d never doubted. Satisfied with her appearance, Ariadne nodded once to herself, grabbed the bouquet Arue had left sitting on her bed, and hurried out of the room and down the steps.

Her father was standing by the door leading out into the garden, staring out of it with a pensive expression. He flashed her a smile as she approached, though she couldn't help but feel it was a bit strained.

"I did always dream you'd get married in this garden," he said as he turned, casting an affectionate glance over her. His features softened as he did so. "When I met that Count of yours, I had my doubts that my dream would become reality."

"You didn't need to worry about that," Ariadne said softly, lacing her arm through her father's. "If Daeran had tried to plan for a different venue, I would have put my foot down. But I didn't have to - he's actually quite amenable when you know how to get through to him."

Marius shot her a skeptical look. "More like you have him wrapped around your finger. The rest of us aren't so fortunate."

"Well, yes, that's what I meant by knowing how to get through to him."

"So, this is it, then. You'll go out there, marry your thief and your count, and go back to Mendev to live happily ever after?" He sighed, resting a hand on hers. After looking into her eyes for a moment, he added, "I've only ever wanted you to be happy. I didn't realize it was possible to feel so sad about you achieving that."

Squeezing his fingers, Ariadne pulled him close, rising up on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek. She then had to quickly look away, wiping her cheek as she mumbled, "Oh. So this is where all the emotions are going to come out."

"I'm afraid so. Your mother and I didn't have our own families, so I wasn't aware of what a terribly soppy occasion a wedding could be. I do wish she could have been here to see this..."

They stood there for a moment, the memory of her late mother hanging in the air. It was broken when movement caught their eye - Elvandir was in the doorway, looking between them with his own bittersweet expression. "It looks like everything's all set up. Are you two ready?"

Ariadne and Marius exchanged one last look before they straightened. With a nod, Elvandir left, then a moment later the music shifted.

"Just know that if you ever change your mind, you'll always have a place here," her father said as they started walking out the door.

"I won't," Ariadne replied, the slightest heat of rebellion in her voice. She glanced towards her father as they stepped out into the garden. "But I'll still visit all the same."

"That's my girl," her father replied, his familiar grin finally gracing his lips. "But please - leave the Count at home for any impromptu visits. Birthdays and holidays will already be enough as it is."

****

The world swims as you come to. Even after you fully regain consciousness, your surroundings continue to rock in a sickening display, and it takes you a moment to realize why. The chasm below you is dark and uninviting, and you have to fight the urge to struggle against the person that holds you. With a hiss, you close your eyes again.

"I do not recommend trying to fight me," says a cool voice, one that you had dreaded hearing again for a long time, "It is a very long fall."

"I didn't take you for such a bore, Kjelle," you say before thinking better of it, "Of all the ways you could have crossed the Starstone Chasm, you chose a simple fly spell?"

"I would also recommend keeping your mouth shut, Ariadne," Kjelle spits back, "That mouth of yours might cause one to lose their temper, and thus, their grip."

You hate the lance of fear that shoots through you at the threat. You hate that it works even more. You keep your mouth and your eyes clamped shut for the rest of the flight, which is blessedly, horribly short. It was only when you feel solid ground beneath you, dumped unceremoniously on your ass by your once-lover, that you dare to open either again.

"Huh, so you weren't lying," you say, glancing up at the looming building in front of you. Normally, the arrival by an aspirant to the Starstone Cathedral would have been met with the cheers of crowds of well-wishers and those who made a sport of watching would-be gods potentially fall to their deaths. Nothing but eerie silence greets you now, the distant toll of bells and shouting punctuating the wrong aura of the city. Absalom is under attack, and the people you love more than anything are all out there in the city. Your stomach twists with worry. You should be there with them, trying to find a way to fight back against the undead, demonic horde attempting to siege the city. Instead, here you are - held captive by the man you fear more than anything, all because of your own overconfident stupidity.

Kjelle looms in front of you, glaring. "Remember our deal, Ariadne. You help me ascend, I'll let you and those two worms you call fiancés go. Otherwise, I will be forced to end you, and when I am god, your lovers will continue to pay the price for your actions."

So this was it, then. You had no choice but to right something you didn't consider a wrong, or the men you loved would suffer. You let your eyes drift skyward one last time, the plea you wish to voice dying on your lips. You knew your god could hear you - that they were all watching what was about to unfold with bated breath, most like. But you also knew better than to expect divine intervention where you were going. For once, you were well and truly on your own.

****

Evening had fallen, and the reception was in full swing. Seelah and Arueshalae were not the only surprise guests - Sosiel and his own fiancé Aron had managed to make it. They brought with them one of the newest vintages by Yumillian, and it was fairly late into the evening when Ariadne retired with the four of them to a table near the dance floor.

As Aron set about pouring glasses of the questionable wine, Ariadne glanced over to where her husbands were still dancing. Woljif had been intent on showing Daeran he’d finally gotten the steps to his favorite dance down, only to stumble into their husband’s arms a few seconds in. Now they swayed in the middle of the floor, both of their faces flushed, the collars of their jackets loosened, the content curves of their lips mirrored on her own.

“What say you, Ariadne?” Sosiel’s voice drew her back to her present company. As he handed her a glass of wine, he asked, “What effect do you think we’re in for this time?”

The liquid sloshing in the glass was light and bubbly, but the scent that wafted up to her as she swirled it was faintly briny. With a wrinkle of her nose, she shrugged and said, “Only one way to find out!” before downing it in one gulp.

The taste was even more salty than the scent had suggested. It was like she had walked down to the pier and dunked her glass into the waves. The cough that racked her body was so powerful it took her a moment to realize her vision was warped. No, actually - her vision was fine, it was the world that was warped. A column of water had enveloped her, wreathing her in a distressingly warm embrace that she had no choice but to relax into.

The effect lasted only a few moments, and when the wave finally dissipated Ariadne breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone else at the table looked just as chagrined, Aron flicking damp sleeves and Seelah shaking water out of her ear.

“Can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything like that before!” the paladin said, grin splitting her face, “I don’t think I want to ever again either.”

“Agreed. Sosiel, please give Yumillian my regards. And suggest that he keep trying, because that was not it.” Ariadne laughed as she picked up another glass and tossed the contents into a nearby bush, praying the leshy that called it home would be spared its dastardly effects. The glass was barely empty a second before it was refilled, this time the liquid a dark amber that gave off a familiar sweet scent that was most certainly not wine.

Sosiel frowned. “Well, that’s a new trick. I though the seamantle would be enough of a show for Yumillian…”

Ariadne shook her head, bemused expression at odds with the nerves suddenly twisting her stomach. “This isn’t Yumillian’s doing. It looks like someone crashed my wedding.”

A shadow fell across the table at that, and the group turned to find a man who was, by all appearances, an unassuming mercenary. They all stood as the Accidental God grinned cheekily. “Don’t get up on my account! Just dropping by to pay my respects to one of my favorite followers. Now, what are we drinking?”

****

That brings us back to where we were, at the beginning. You’d woken up in the Starstone Cathedral, sore all over and shaken from your brush with death. It took you very little time to get your bearings and chart a course of action. You left the illusion of the fishing village behind, abandoning the supplies you’d all brought. There’s one thing you’ve had yet to realize, a shroud of anger cloaking one crucial detail from you.

It was the resolution to see this through that drives your body forward, the long fang of the Lamashtan monster gripped in your fist your only anchor to the world as you follow the winding halls to the last chamber. Almost…almost…

The room comes into view far sooner than you expected. Good, because Kjelle was indeed there, mere inches from the Starstone. Later, you would ponder that the likeness of it you saw in paintings and drawings were startlingly accurate, yet still managed not to do it justice. It was bigger than one would think, the air surrounding it heavy and somber. It was an artifact that demanded respect, and even Kjelle couldn’t deny it. He is staring in awe, one arm outstretched as his goal is finally, finally within his grasp.

And you would insure he got no further. Perhaps it’s because you’d already been offered divinity once, but you find it easy to resist the aura of the Starstone. You have only one wish at this moment, and you were the only one who could see it through.

Kjelle never sees you coming. In three quick strides you’re behind him, but his greed has clouded his senses. You’re not sure he even understands what happened when, with all your might, you shove the fang through his back, all the way through to the other side. Bright red blood bursts forth, spraying the corpses of those who had been judged unworthy before him.

A startled gurgle escapes him as he freezes in his tracks. You can’t see his face, but his head lowers slowly, as if he can’t believe what just happened. Readjusting the grip on your now bloodied weapon, you pull it out with a loud squelch. He sinks to his knees, barely having time to turn his head to see you lifting the fang with two hands before you bring it down upon his neck. Blood sprays again. This time, you do see his eyes widen as the light leaves them, his face forever frozen with a dawning realization that it was all over.

For several long moments, the chamber is filled with the sound of your own ragged breathing, your vision tunneling in on Kjelle’s corpse. Then you close your eyes, forcing yourself to take a long, deep breath. When you open them, the chamber has changed. There’s no blood, no fang in your hand. Instead of kneeling on the ground, Kjelle’s body is on the pile of corpses surrounding the Starstone - the only reason you even know it’s him is because you recognize the armor, all black leather and white fur.

Confusion shoots through you, your fingertips buzzing with a power you recognize but are terrified to name. This isn’t right. Why did his body look like that? You had killed him before he touched the stone, didn’t you?

Didn’t you?

The silence was broken by a slow clap. You turn towards the sound of solemn applause, not surprised at all to find me standing there.

“I have to hand it to you, Ariadne,” I say, pushing off where I’d lean against the wall, “Of all the ways to pass the Test, you certainly picked the most memorable. And bloody.”

“I didn’t…I mean, I didn’t want…” The truth is catching up with you, the feeling you’d been trying to ignore growing inside of you. It was like it had been that day on the ramparts, when you’d hung the Sword of Valor and changed the tide of the crusades, only amplified a hundredfold. After all, the Starstone promises true godhood, not the facsimile Areelu offered.

As it starts to set in, something else rises in you as well. “No!” you shout, turning to me, “I didn’t touch the stone, he did! I don’t want this!”

“Doesn’t matter, I’m afraid. The stone pulled both of you into the Test, and there’s only two ways to leave - death, or apotheosis.”

“I’m not dead,” you say, voice shaking.

“No, you’re not. And you’re no longer in the stone.” I say, as firmly as I can manage. But I have never been good at being a stoic, detached god. When I see the panic flash in your eyes, your shoulders shaking and tears pooling in the corners of your eyes, I can’t help but want to comfort you. To help you however I can. But I also have to make sure you are certain this is what you truly want. After all, it won’t do to have you cursing me in your prayers one day.

“Have you ever considered just giving in? Divinity isn’t that bad, all things considered. I’m sure you’d find things to fill the time with no problem, creative and principled as you are. It feels an awful lot like fate keeps putting it in your path for a reason.”

“I don’t want to be a god.” Your voice is resolute, mouth set into a determined, grim line. “I want to go home. I want to marry my fiancés. I want to live - and die - as a mortal. I’ve never been afraid of that. Give your godhood to someone else. I have no use for it.”

****

“The pride that I felt in that moment! I knew your family was a good one to bless.”

Ariadne scoffed, but a pleased smile played on her lips. “Yes, I was there for all this. It still doesn’t answer my question. Why did you crash my wedding, Cayden?”

“Does a god need to a reason to check in on their favorite followers wedding?” He grinned down at her as he started to lead her through the steps of the next dance, “And it’s the reception anyways. It’s not like I’m interrupting your vows or anything. I just showed up for the important part.”

That earned a laugh. ““I’m not sure I’ve earned that title. I don’t even cast divine spells. At least, not anymore.”

“Would you like to?”

“No. I’m fine with replicating the effects of magic, divine or not, via alchemy. It’s more than good enough for me.”

“Suit yourself,” Cayden said with a shrug, looking around. It was late - or perhaps early - and most of their guests had left. That included her fathers, who had retired barely half an hour before his arrival. She couldn’t tell if he was pleased or put out by the lack of attention.

“So, did you come here just to recount a tale we both already knew, or is there another reason you’ve graced us with your presence?”

“I told ya, I just wanted to see my favorite follower get married!” After a moment, his smirk fell, and he whispered, “And I wanted to see how you were getting on. It’s not an easy thing to reject divinity twice. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to reverse the stone’s effect. Have you noticed anything strange over the past few weeks?”

The pause that followed was a little too long. She knew that, but that still didn’t stop her from laughing off his concerned look. “Not that I’ve noticed. I’ll let you know if I notice any stray signs of apotheosis.”

“What about them?” Cayden nodded to where Daeran and Woljif sat nearby. Woljif had another piece of cake in his lap, the confection dangling precariously near the edge of the plate as Woljif himself looked ready to fall asleep at any moment. His head drifted close to Daeran’s shoulder, the allure of rest drawing him in. For his part, Daeran was watching the two of them, keen gaze looking out for even the smallest sign the god was outstaying his welcome. “Did you tell them?”

She had, despite the fact it might have been more prudent not to. They’d reacted more or less how she expected - deceptively casual, as if she’d just told them a tall tale they weren’t inclined to believe. The fact one of them had always been in the same room as her every day for the past few weeks was surely a coincidence. She’d almost find it sweet, if they’d be a bit more open as to why they were doing it. Instead, she was worried this had been a near-miss too far, and that she’d given them a complex that would last the rest of their lives.

Before she could answer, as if he’d sensed the shift in her thoughts, Daeran leaned over and whispered in Woljif’s ear. He perked up immediately, setting his forgotten snack on the table as they both rose and made their way over to them.

“Excuse me,” Daeran said in a most insincere manner, cutting in between her and Cayden. The god backed off easily, raising a brow as an amused grin spread across his face, “But my husband and I would like to dance with our wife one last time before we wrap things up for the evening.”

“I understand. Though I do believe it’s almost morning proper,” Cayden said, chuckling. With a wink and an incline of his head, he added, “Congratulations you three. And Ariadne?”

“Hm?” She turned her head slightly, attention already mostly shifted to her spouses.

“You need anything, I’m a prayer away.” With that, the god disappeared.

“What did he want?” Woljif asked, pulling her flush to one side of him. Daeran moved to her other, and the three of them swayed in tipsy delight.

“Oh, he’s still a bit wary of the aftermath of the whole Starstone debacle.”

“Ah, is that what we're calling it now? A debacle? I like it, it lightens the mood of the whole sordid affair.” Daeran sobered as soon as the quip left his lips. “Is there a reason for his lingering misgivings?”

Ariadne shook her head vigorously at the unconvinced looks on their faces. “I promise there’s not!” She stressed with a laugh, “He’s a surprising worrywart, that Cayden Cailean.”

Neither seemed to quite believe her, but nevertheless, they got over it quick enough, the three of them falling back into a gentle sway.

“Ari,” Woljif said after a while in comfortable silence, “If you were to become a god, you’d take us with you, right?”

They both leaned back, looking at her expectantly. Strangely, even though she smiled, she felt more like crying at the sight. “I just swore a vow to you both earlier, did I not? I, for one, intend to keep it until the day I die. And, should Pharasma allow it, in the afterlife as well.”

“Now, now, no need for such dramatics,” Daeran said, the pleased smile on his lips betraying how he really felt, “Let’s concentrate on upholding you to that in the here and now, yes?”

Any protestation she might have made died when he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She giggled, the sound becoming a full fledged laugh as Woljif mirrored the action.

If there seemed to be just the faintest glimmer of magic surrounding the trio as the sun rose behind them, it was surely a trick of the light.

#my writing #fic: all roads lead to here #ship: here comes throuble #oc: ariadne trias-arendae #ch: woljif jefto #ch: daeran arendae #done spamming for a while i prommy

10 notes · View notes

exalted-dawn-drabbles · 2 months ago

Note

Hap fri Ed!!! I need you to do some Tal x Lace Harding bonding time with "braiding the other’s hair" plz (from the touching prompts)

WOOOOOOOOOO Loved this so much TwT As a warning, THIS IS VAGUELY SET AT THE BEGINNING OF DRAGON AGE VEILGUARD'S STORY LINE! It isn't at all spoiler heavy (I think there are maybe like... two small ones?), but for those going in completely blind, you may not wanna read this anyway LOL Now without further ado have a bit of Lace and Rook!Talenna bonding uwu for @dadrunkwriting Rated G: Hurt/Comfort, 545 Words

The Comfort of Mundane Rituals | By Exalted_Dawn

Dexterous fingers crisscrossed through her darkened strands of hair. They moved with a practiced sort of ease, the quickness that came with years of practice, like a weaver before the loom. Talenna did not move, half out of trying not to and half because she simply wanted to lose herself for a while. She imagined Lace had also, which is why she had offered in the first place.

It was their first night at the Lighthouse, and everything was much too quiet. What was there to say when the weight of what had happened– what they had permissed– now loomed over their heads?

Nothing, save perhaps, ‘Could I braid your hair?’

They sat in the darkened hall of a random room, lit only by the cool glow of mage light on the walls, a low burning fire, and the faintest sheaf of gold from the eternal twilight outside. They had both agreed that stewing in complete darkness was a bit much, but neither had been in the mood for the picturesque skies that colored this corner of the Fade. This had been their compromise.

There was a sudden tug on her hair, as if to yank her from her thoughts. Lace had been working her hair as though it was silk thread to be wefted and warped. She had been sitting here nearly a half hour now and Talenna still had no clue what the scout could possibly be braiding her hair into. Her only idea came from the steadily decreasing weight of hair against her back as more and more strands were pulled away and woven.

And Talenna had a lot of hair.

“Sorry,” Lace murmured as another sharp tug yanked her head back. “Your hair is pretty smooth, so it won’t stay unless I-”

“It’s fine,” Talenna murmured, cutting the younger woman off. Talenna knew well enough already, and for once, she didn’t mind the sting of it so much. After all, it was due to her failure that… well, that things were now the way they were.

A bit of maddening silence and rough handling at the hands of a near-stranger could be withstood. It made her just uncomfortable enough to keep her mind from more uncomfortable revelations.

“Alright. All done,” Lace chirped softly, something sad betraying the lighter tone she tried to use. “...Let me know if it’s not up to snuff. I can always redo it.”

Talenna reached behind her and drew the long, twisting braid over her shoulder to study it. Unlike the ones she wore for practicality, this one was intricate and lovely. A braid of braids, with so many crossing and twisting that Talenna could barely separate one from another.

It was beautiful.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” she said instead, pushing the braid back over her shoulder. “I am not sure if the style suits me.”

Behind her, the silence broke with a quiet sigh. It was not the sort of frustration or weariness. It was soft, but broken in the way one was when a person had been holding their breath. It was a relieved sound.

Carefully, Lace’s fingers pulled loose the tie and began undoing her work. “No problem. Let’s start over from the beginning. I’m happy to redo it however many times you need.”

#dadwc #dragon age fanfiction #talenna ethera #lace harding #dragon age fanfic #dragon age veilguard #datv #dav #da4 #dragon age 4

6 notes · View notes

death-and-other-myths · 2 years ago

Text

Blue Lily, Lily Blue Deadass Book Review

By Maggie Stievfater

This is an unhinged book review/recap of Blue Lily, Lily Blue and shits about to get WIERD AS HELL for Blue and her 4 private school dude friends. AUGH!!

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

This book opens with Adam and Persephone standing on a mountain in the billowing wind doing cool psychic shit, like being able to turn and stand on the leyline and know exactly where it is. She asks Adam what he sees, he closes his eyes. She has to keep reminding him to look outside, not inside. Inside are painful memories and present anxieties. He thinks of the shattered glass things on Gansey’s mansion floor. But when he focuses, he sees 3 sleeping things that need to be woken up. Persephone sees them too, but says no.. it’s 2. One of them shouldn’t be woken up.

So it’s been a month since Maura disappeared, leaving only a cryptic note. “Glendower is underground and so am I.” — Blue is being strong, but she can’t help but feel a little abandoned. Like we all know Maura went down there looking for Artemis.

Luckily, we check in on Maura and she’s fine. Time doesn’t exist in the cave. So to her it feels like it’s been a few minutes but it’s really been a month.

In the meantime, Blue and the boys have been going to hang out at Cabeswater every day. It’s fall, but when they’re there, they wish for it to be summer, so the forest makes it summer. YOU HAVE TO BE SO CAREFUL what you think in this stupid forest. It does nice things like makes the fish change colors, but if you think something like “I could just crawl out of my skin” you will literally be skinned lol. Literal-ass forest.

There is this really beautiful part where Blue tests out the magic. She thinks of blue lilies and it starts raining blue petals. A petal lands on Gansey’s lips. He sits up and is like “Okay. It’s time.”

Oh, Noah is there by the way. Hanging out with Matthew who is there visiting Aurora Lynch, who lives in the forest. She’s sweet beyond words. Literally a dream girl. If she leaves Cabeswater, she’ll fall back into a coma. Anyway, Noah and Matthew sit in the car to keep time. Because time moves strangely in Cabeswater.

They enter the cave and tie themselves together on a safety line. Ronan in the back, then Blue, then Adam, all led by our fearless leader, Gansey. Gansey orders Ronan to sing a song, so they can mark time (all of their watches have stopped) — He whistles Irish tunes as they walk. He starts by singing the Murder Squash song, which everyone yells at him about.

Things are going great until Gansey vanishes. Adam is yanked to the ground and manages to hold himself. Ronan grabs Blue tightly. Gansey fell down a FUCKING cave hole and for several terrifying moments, he’s not replying to them. With Adam as a counterweight (poor baby laying on the ground lol) Blue is able to peek over the hole and talk to Gansey — who is… UNDERSTANDABLY having a panic attack as he is free hanging over darkness.

Again. We’re so used to confident, fearless-leader Gansey, it is fascinating to see him terrified. And this scene is terrifying.

“There is something on my skin and it is reminding me of …” He trailed off.

“Water,” Blue suggested. “Or mud. It’s everywhere.”

There was nothing but the sound of his breathing, jagged and afraid.

Everybody realizes all at once that if they think of hornets, the magic is going to manifest as hornets. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Then they hear the sound of wings. And thousands of moving things. Turns out it’s hundreds of RAVENS that swarm out of the cave to more ghostly chanting “Make way for the Raven King”. Gansey’s like… okay I’m done being in the pit. I’m coming up now.

The next day, Adam tries to drive into a national forest to do Cabeswater business. It sends him visions and it’s up to him to figure out what they mean. Tarot cards help. He even lined his sink with tin foil and scryed about it! I love the thought of Adam doing psychic shit. Poor baby though… he’s kind of feeling lonely. He sorted out his anger and that’s doing much better. He even thinks of how scared Gansey sounded in the pit. Like too scared to even pull himself up at first. It reminds him of how he stayed with his abusive father. Fear does strange things to us.

Later, the gang (sans Noah) is crammed in the Camaro on their way to pick up Gansey’s British friend Mallory. They’re speculating as to how to explore that pit some more. Adam is passed out against the window from being magical and doing his 3 jobs probably. Ronan is looking out the window. So we get this ADORABLE SCENE FROM GANSEY AND BLUE.

In the rearview mirror, he caught Blue’s eyes by accident. Strangely enough, he saw his own thoughts reflected in her face: excitement and consternation. Casually, out of view of Ronan, making sure Adam was still sleeping, Gansey dangled his hand between the driver’s seat and the door. Palm up, fingers stretched back to Blue. This was not allowed. He knew it was not allowed, by rules he himself had set. He would not permit himself to play favorites between Adam and Ronan; he and Blue couldn’t play favorites in this way, either. She would not see the gesture, anyway. She would ignore it if she did. His heart hummed. Blue touched his fingertips. Just this — He pinched her fingers lightly, just for a moment, and then he withdrew his hand and put it back on the wheel. His chest felt warm. This was not allowed.

Oh god oh god they like each other so much. He’s supposed to die. She can’t kiss him. Oh god.

They pick up Malory and his 30 suitcases and his dog that has anxiety and cram back in the car. Malory talks about this ancient Glendower tapestry he found under his BARN on a leyline in the UK. And he shows them a photo of it. It has 3 women with red hands on it, and they all have Blue’s face. The camera gets passed around the car and everyone agrees, that’s Blue.

Later that night Blue is ambling about the house. She talks to Persephone about how much she misses her Mom and the consensus is “Maura knows what she’s doing. If she wanted help, she’d ask for it.” — In a funk, Blue calls Gansey. Just to hear his voice. They do that a lot. They have a super brief exchange, a little joke, where she says she dialed the wrong number. And she says she might do it again. He says she shouldn’t, but he hopes she does.

Adam and Gansey take Malory out to see the leyline. Not Cabeswater, but around the mountains of Virginia trying to find another way into that cave. Adam and Gansey have a sweet moment were Adam tells him “I’m glad we’re not fighting any more.” And Gansey tries not to overdo it with how relieved and happy he is. Then Adam goes on to say “Also, sorry about the whole Blue thing. I realize now how crazy I was to try to date her now that she’s one of us. I mean that would be weird right? Like what was I thinking?” And Gansey’s like “HAHA YEAH HAH WEIRD YEP.”

Blue is in school getting ready to talk to the guidance counselor when Noah shows up! I love this line. He’s so cute.

“I think I miss this part,” he said. “The beginning. This is the beginning, right?”

“First day,” Blue replied.

“Oh, yeah.” Noah leaned back and inhaled. “Oh, wait, no, it’s the other one. I forgot. I actually hate this part.”

Well the meeting goes poorly and not just because the guidance counselor is a condescending bitch who basically tells Blue she’s not going to be able to afford getting into any good schools. Things go south when Noah becomes a ghost tornado, throws paper everywhere, then dissapears.

Blue immediately goes to the factory to look for him, but he’s not there. She peeks in Ronan’s room and sees that freaky mask from the last book. The one Calla said to destroy. It has tire tracks on it. That’s when Gansey and Malory get home. Gansey is so happy to see her there, it’s silly. She accompanies him into the kitchen slash bathroom slash laundry room and they have a sweet moment where she’s trying to act okay when she’s not, and Gansey says “We’ll find her.” And they stand really, heartbreakingly close to one another.

When they come back into the main room, Malory is like “One of your friends is hiding under the pool table.” (Cool that he can see Noah!) and Blue and Gansey try to talk him into coming out. But he’s crying and REALLY upset. Says he’s just tired of decaying and insists they have no idea how this feels. He starts up another ghost tornado, pulling so much energy off Blue she’s feeling lightheaded. But her mom trained her for moments like this. She knows how to visualize her energy and cut it off. So she pulls the plug on Noah’s energy source before he can hurt her or destroy more things. He’s super sad poor baby and just fades away after that. And Blue feels a little fuzzy when Gansey tells her that was impressive.

That night, a well-dressed douchebag comes to the psychic house. Things are going normally until he shuffles the cards, and pulls a three of swords out of it (the heartbreak card) and is like “So ladies, how do I make this happen?” And you don’t fuck with the cards, so there’s instantly something threatening about him. He asks where the third lady is. The one that looks like Blue. And they’re just like GET OUT. So he STEALS Calla’s three of swords card and leaves. DUDE.

Oh god oh god oh god it’s the first day of school at Aglionby, and despite some truly adorable bits with the 3 boys getting along and Adam thanking his lucky stars that everything is okay between himself and his friends… Maggie drops this bomb on us. Their new Latin teacher is fucking Colin Greenmantle… Mr. Gray’s boss from the last book! AHHHHH!! Nooooo!!! Why are all the Latin teachers evil?? This is like the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position in Harry Potter nooooo!!

In the next chapter, we get to know Colin Greenmantle and he’s pretty much awful. So is his wife. They’re renting a farmhouse and while they’re definitely funny and entertaining, they just objectively seem like AWFUL PEOPLE. They’re magical artifact dealers. And have a personal vendetta against Nial Lynch and Colin says he can’t wait to fail Ronan in his class. He kind of reminds me of a man child.

Gansey and Ronan go over to Blue’s house and find the Gray Man play fighting with Calla, or teaching her how to break someone’s wrist. They tell him that their Latin teacher is Greenmantle, and Gray is like… well shit. Okay you kids don’t do anything, I’ll handle it. He tries to warn Ronan that if he does anything stupid, Greenmantle will do something horrific like take one of his brothers’ arms or something. Ronan just storms out. Gansey is sad because his friend is sad, so Blue gives him the fruit at the bottom of her yogurt. That helps a little.

When Adam gets home from work late, Gansey shows up in his pajamas and an overcoat. He’s there with some kind of excuse about homework, but really he just wanted to chat. Adam realizes something about Gansey is off. He hasn’t really been the same since that moment in the pit. His confidence has faltered. Adam always thought he wanted Gansey to “get a taste of the real world” and experience how scary and unfair it is, but now he’s not so sure. He likes him the way he is. And does what he can to cheer him up in his Adam way. I love this line:

Adam couldn’t remember how they had managed to fight so continuously over the summer. Gansey, his best friend, his stupid and kind and marvelous best friend.

Gansey mentions that when they find Glendower, he wants to wish to bring Noah back to life. Then he heads out. We learn that Adam is hiding a letter with a court date for his father on the shelf. He doesn’t want to tell anyone about it. OH BABYYY!!

Blue gets into a fight with Orla when her cousin basically says “You need to make some actual friends at your actual school and quit hanging out with these rich idiots who are just going to leave you for the Ivy Leagues in a year. Also it’s weird how much you all love each other.” And Blue says “Fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you Hey Gansey.” And they drive off together with Malory and his dog. They knock on the doors of local hillbillies, one of whom, Jesse Dittley, shows them the cave in his back yard that might be connected to the Cabeswater cave. Only he says it’s cursed, so they can never ever explore it. Now they have to decide if they’re going to persuade Jesse or trespass.

The Gray Man shows up to Greenmantle’s farm house and points a gun at his wife’s head and the guy doesn’t even give a shit. He just eats cheese crackers while he threatens him. Piper (his wife) doesn’t care either. Greenmantle says he’s going to ruin Gray’s life if he doesn’t turn over the Greywaren in 9 days, and Gray said he’ll consider this and just leaves. I’m like COME ON GRAY. Just SHOOT THESE PRICKS like you SHOT YOUR BROTHER. But then we wouldn’t have a book and I do suppose I want to see what random way this book’s villain ends up dying in the end lol.

Adam is working alone at the mechanic shop at night during a thunderstorm when spooky stuff starts happening. At first he thinks it’s Noah, but he figures out pretty quickly that it’s Cabeswater trying to communicate. It doesn’t really know how else to communicate other then fucking scaring the DAYLIGHTS out of him and warping the scenery and showing him dead people. He scrambles to the tarot cards, flips 3 over, and focuses until he figures out what Cabeswater wants. It’s just a crack that needs to be repaired in the leyline. He’s just gotta move some rocks around somewhere. He says cool, I’ll take care of it this week and the room stops warping into nightmare world. Adam is relieved, but jittery, and it certainly doesn’t help when the fucking albino night horror monster shows up, next.

Adam is crumpled on the ground when Ronan steps in like “Shoo. Go on, get.” — They exchange some sassy words. Ronan thinks school is lame and Adam tells him to go do his homework. Adam is making very conscious efforts not to fight with Gansey or Blue ever again, but he has a comfortable enough relationship with Ronan to know they will still have many fights. Ronan leaves in a huff. But when Adam gets in his car after work, there’s a jar of DREAM LOTION for his chapped hands that have been driving him crazy in his car. “Manibus” it says (Latin?) “For your hands”

AWWWWWWW YOU GUUYYYSSS!!! I think Ronan has a huge crush on Adam’s hands.

Gansey and Malory have a discussion about Glendower and the 3 people sleeping underground and blah blah blah. Okay then Noah shows up hahaha. They have a super cute exchange over this little metallic snowman Noah found in Ronan’s room. And then Gansey tells Noah he’d like to ask Glendower to give him life. Noah is touched by this, but doesn’t seem to believe it’s possible. The whole time they’re talking, Gansey is touching his ear because he thinks he feels hornets there. Noah stops him and blows cold air on his ears, saying “It’s okay. You’re safe. There’s nothing there.”

Because it was Noah and no one else, Gansey could admit, “I don’t know what I’ll do if I find him, Noah. I don’t know what I’ll be if I’m not looking for him. I don’t know the first thing about how to be that person again.” Noah put the clay in Gansey’s hands.

“That’s exactly how I feel about the idea of being alive again.”

That’s the end of the chapter. AUGH I love these KIDS!! I love how much they love each other! They don’t behave like realistic teenagers AT ALL. They’re too emotionally mature and kind and intelligent hahaha But I love it all the same!!!

Also? I can’t reiterate enough how obvious it is that Gansey’s near-death experience obviously shook him. He’s been obsessed with Glendower ever since then, puzzled by the nagging feeling of “why me? Why was I saved?” — and he literally doesn’t remember who he was before this obsession. Beautiful character building.

Blue gets into a fight with Calla because she’s in an awful mood and misses her Mom so much it’s driving her nuts. Calla reveals that she misses Maura too, but their powers don’t work where Cabeswater is concerned. They can’t see events happening in it for some reason. Blue finds the list of names she made on St. Mark’s Day and takes it outside. She thought that hillbilly sounded familiar. And sure enough, his name is on the list. The Gray man is out there having a beer and I love that he’s like…part of the family now. They have the sweetest conversation and he sees Gansey’s name on the list. He tells her fate could change. Fate is a promise and promises can be broken. And he has a decision to make before Sunday.

Gansey is laying in bed at night with his phone on his chest, waiting for Blue to call. Hoping she’ll call. (She doesn’t have a cell so he has to hope she’ll creep down to the reading room and also have insomnia like he does). Just as he’s chastising himself for wanting her to call him, she DOES. And they have a severely stupid conversation about ducks lol. But hearing her voice puts him in such a good mood. They hang up and then Ronan bursts in on him in the kitchen/bathroom/laundry room. There’s a cute moment where he tricks Gansey into listening to the murder squash song on his headphones, and after they laugh about that, he’s finally able to feel happy and go to sleep.

The next day at school, a classmate named Henry Cheng asks Gansey to sign his petition to hold an election for student council. Henry seems really sweet and like a good guy. So it sucks that Ronan is mean to him! Bad Ronan! He’s just crazy jealous. Like Orla said, it’s weird how much these kids platonically love each other.

Alright so Gansey is speaking with the principal about something we don’t know yet… so Ronan takes Adam out to the Barns. He shows him what he’s been working on… Which is trying to dream up an object that wakes up the comatose things his father dreamed. He shows Adam his “workshop”, which used to be Nial’s “workshop”, which is really just a dusty tack room with a chair and a blanket in it. Ronan shows Adam a few objects he’s made. One is this weird mirror, shifty, strange thing that Adam can’t look at for more than a second. When he holds it up to a cow, it’s ears twitch but it doesn’t wake up.

Ronan reveals that the reason he’s so desperate to make an object like this… is because he realized that HE DREAMED MATTHEW. ON ACCIDENT. When he was a child. Declan told him. So he’s terrified that if/when he dies, Matthew will be comatose, and he doesn’t want that.

This chapter is also RIFE with Ronan/Adam flirting!

As they moved through the old barn, Adam felt Ronan’s eyes glance off him and away, his disinterest practiced but incomplete. Adam wondered if anyone else noticed. Part of him wished they did and immediately felt bad, because it was vanity, really: See, Adam Parrish is wantable, worthy of a crush, not just by anyone, someone like Ronan, who could want Gansey or anyone else and chose Adam for his hungry eyes.

And when looking at the beautiful pictures in the tack room (contrasting Adam’s father’s office, which was all trucks and pin-up girls):

It was so different from what Adam’s father had pinned to his workspace walls that again Adam considered Ronan’s admiration of him. Someone like him treating someone like Adam as someone worthy —

When Adam asks why he keeps driving all the way out here to dream, Ronan answers that sometimes he dreams of wasps. So he can’t try this at Monmouth. Also, he says, he’s dreamt a punch of epipens and hidden them all over the factory and school. WHICH I TOTALLY CAUGHT. There was a line in the previous book when those thugs are going through the drawers, and an epipen spills out. But I’m pretty sure when we first meet Gansey in book 1, it says that his one and only epipen is in the glove box of the Pig. Anyway, I think it’s sweet that Ronan is scattering them all over the place. Gansey’s allergy is so bad, epipens might not even help, but it’s sweet that he wants to try.

Adam asks why he showed him all this. Ronan replies: “I hear if you want magic done, you ask a magician.”

That night, Blue calls and asks Gansey to tell her a story about the leyline. He does. Then afterwards, he feels all floaty again after getting to hear her voice before bed.

There was nothing inherently guilty about the moment except that Gansey burned with guilt and thrill and desire and the nebulous feeling of being truly known. It was on the inside of him, and the inside was all Noah ever really paid attention to. The other boy wore a knowing expression.

“Don’t tell the others,” Gansey said.

“I’m dead,” Noah replied. “Not stupid.”

Meanwhile, Colin and Piper are like… the dumbest villains ever lol. And I don’t mean conceptually, I mean intellectually. Wow I hate these guys!! Good job Maggie! They’re just so shallow and callous with people’s lives and hurtful and SHALLOW. Piper has a little rat dog now. She reveals to Colin that she bought spelunking equipment because she thinks “Gray’s psychic bimbo” is down in the underground leyline caves. Thank goodness they don’t know where those caves are, right??? EEEHHHH NERVOUS.

Blue takes the car back out to Jesse Dittley’s house and Noah tags along. She strikes a deal with this hillbilly giant that if she cleans up his yard, he lets them explore his haunted cave. There’s a cute little montage of Blue (tiny but strong) getting the job done. Jesse says “Good ant” because she reminds him of an ant lol.

When her and Noah are planting the flowers, he starts acting weird. He starts chanting “Blue Lily, Lily Blue” and his eyes turn into black sunken craters and he’s being CREEPY AS FUCK and getting up right in her face. Jesse sees what’s happening and shoves a mirror in between them, which makes Noah shrink away and scream and then dissapear. Jesse makes her spaghettios and they talk about the nature of the haunted cave and how his family has almost been making like… sacrifices for generations? Like he knows one day he’ll go into that cave, and be killed by whatever is in there, then his son will have to come collect the bones. Like he did for his father. (UGH right??)

Well then Calla and Gansey burst into the house PISSED OFF because it’s been 6 hours since she took the car, she only has a learner’s permit, and she has no cell phone so no one knew where she was. When they get back to 300 Fox Way, EVERYONE is there (except Noah obvs). Ronan. Adam. The whole gangs there because they were out looking for Blue. Blue explains how she knows Jesse Dittley is going to die (tells them about the corpse road) and ADAM — our sweet, intuitive, intelligent, beautiful boy — catches on fucking immediately that one of their names is on that list. He knows she’s lying. ADAM IS SO FUCKING SMART. So he finds an excuse to pull her aside and is like “Which one of us is it?” And she is quiet at first, but eventually tells him, Gansey. And Adam is crushed. Then he’s like… well I fucking know what favor we’re asking Glendower for, then.

Alright, Chapter 26 is a DOOZY.

Blue wakes up pissed off. Just pissed at how unfair and difficult everything is. So she calls Gansey and asks her to come get her. He seems kind of in a mood too. Not a bad one, just a real genuine… no more pithy little dialogue. Just raw and…REAL!

This wasn’t the Gansey she’d seen in the kitchen earlier; this was the Gansey she secretly called at night.

They drive around. Hands holding over the clutch. He teaches her how to drive the Camaro haha. THEN THIS HAPPENS:

She pulled over. She had thought it was such a simple thing to avoid kissing someone when she’d been with Adam. Her body had never known what to do. Now it knew. Her mouth didn’t care that it was cursed. She turned to Gansey.

“Blue,” he warned, but his voice was chaotic. This close, his throat was scented with mint and wool sweater and vinyl car seat, and Gansey, just Gansey.

She said, “I just want to pretend. I want to pretend that I could.”

He breathed out.

What was a kiss without a kiss? It was a tablecloth tugged from beneath a party service. Everything jumbled against everything else in just a few chaotic moments. Fingers in hair, hands cupping necks, mouths dragged on cheeks and chins in dangerous proximity. They stopped, noses mashed against each other in the strange way that closeness required. She could feel his breath in her mouth.

“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt if I kiss you,” he whispered. “Maybe it’s only if you kiss me.” They both swallowed at the same time, and the spell was broken.

They both laughed, again at the same time, shakily. “And then we never speak of it again,” Gansey said, mocking himself softly, and Blue was so glad of it, because she had played the words from that night over and over in her mind and wanted to know he had, too. Gently he tucked her hair behind her ears — this was a fool’s errand, because it had never been behind her ears to begin with and wouldn’t stay. But he did it again and again, and then he took out two mint leaves and put one in his mouth and one in hers.

WHEW!!! Fuckiiiin loved that. Well fuck it’s kind of short lived though. On their way home, they come across Henry Cheng whose car is broken down (at like 3am?? Dude.) so he asks to use Gansey’s phone. And his presence kind of breaks the spell of the night. Blue hates how Gansey’s voice changes when he talks to his Aglionby friends. She tells him this. I think she’s so wound up and hurt from wanting and not being able to have… and probably some dumb part of her 17 year old brain wants to spoil it for reasons other than the curse.

Because she says some hurtful shit. Like “What was I thinking? You and I would never work. We’re from two different worlds.” Gansey is pretty wise though. He can tell there’s another component than this other than her dislike of how his voice changes when he talks to Henry.

“When are you going to tell me what this is really about?” This made her heave a great shuddered breath that was close to tears. “Never.”

AW BABIES!!

Okay so, I read the next chapter last night? And literally had to put the book down. I was like NOPE! TOO SPOOKY! Too late. Too dark. Too scared. This is what happens:

It’s the day the gang goes to explore Dittley’s cursed cave. It’s raining. Gansey feels off. Just like one of those days where nothing goes right. The mood is sour. His favorite sweater is dirty, so he has to wear one he doesn’t like. YOU KNOW. He’s also like… not ready to find Glendower. He’s like the dog that chases the car and doesn’t know what to do once he’s caught it.

But weird shit starts happening as soon as they enter the cave. Adam is like “shut up Ronan, cut it out. Quit singing.” And everyone says “Ummm Adam? No one is singing.” Then CHAINSAW THE BIRD opens her little beak like a record payer and stars “singing” haunting music about “all hail the Raven king. Here he comes lalalala” and then she flies off into the cave. Ronan is like…. “NO MY BABY!” And wants to go chase after her solo but everyone is like hell to the no, Rone this cave is fucking with us. Gansey asks Adam what he thinks, and when Adam touches the cave wall, his EYES TURN BLACK. I think this is something that’s been happening for a while when he does psychic stuff. He thinks they should keep going and the cave is just trying to scare them as a defense mechanism.

So they keep going until they find like… basically a tomb. Decorated with statues and carvings and raven stuff and it’s like… this is it. This is the tomb of Glendower. They found it and it was THAT EASY — which just totally unsettles Gansey. The whole time he’s thinking… this is nothing like the vision I had in the spirit tree (because he literally saw that moment and this space looks different. The energy is off). They find a tomb with a big heavy lid/statue on it….

They found Chainsaw by the way and she’s fine lol

And here’s where I was like…nope. Too scary. They open the tomb, and it’s not Glendower. It’s a woman with her wrists and ankles bound, laying FACE DOWN, and when they open the impossibly heavy lid, and it falls loudly, HER HEAD SNAPS ALL THE WAY AROUND TO FACE THEM and she crawls out of the box. The way she’s described, she sounds like “The Ring” girl lol all long black stringy hair. And she’s singing the weird Blue Lily, Lily Blue song and laughing. Gansey flips from nervous and uncertain to calm, collected badass in a second. This lady is in her 20’s and is coo coo bananas. Keeps flirting with all the boys. Singing nonsense. They decide they can’t just leave her in the cave, so they take her out OH FUCK GUYS! REALLY???

I have such a bad feeling about this. The psychics said there were 3 sleepers and only 2 should be woken up. The other one they said ABSOLUTELY NOT TO WAKE.

Well they get outside and it’s raining blood and windy, and the sun is out, and there’s a, um… COMET IN THE SKY?? Gansey says that in the texts, there’s mention of a comet on the day Glendower was buried. The lady says she doesn’t like Adam. She calls him a mongrel (which actually really hurts his feelings). And Gansey sets her straight like “Hey we’ve been nothing but nice to you. His name is Adam Parrish and you will address him as such” and she’s like “YES MY LORD”. Turns out she wasn’t even asleep. This witch was buried and has been lying face down for hundreds of years. They take her to Jesse and she admits to haunting his family and killing his ancestors and is like “SORRYYYYY” and then they stuff her in the suburban. Blue has a cute moment with Jesse and says “We broke the curse, so now you can live happily with you family. Please don’t die” and he’s like “GOOD ANT.”

They take her to 300 Fox Way.

Calla: “Do you remember how I said that there were three sleepers, and Maura’s job was to not wake one of them, and your job was to wake one of the others? Remember how I didn’t say anything about the other one? I did not mean bring her to my kitchen.”

Okay well at least she’s not the BAD sleeper. I was so afraid of this witch lady at first and now I’m calming down. She’s kind of more silly than anything. She says her name is Sorrow but she speaks in poems so I don’t know how true that is. Calla tells Adam and Ronan to go get supplies for her.

Adam and Ronan exchanged a wide-eyed look. Adam’s look said, What does that mean? and Ronan’s said, I don’t care; let’s get out of here before she changes her mind. Gansey frowned after them as they scrambled to the front door.

Fucking love them. Lol I love the imagery of these two SCRAMBLING for the door. I’d be like yeah let’s get away from the lady that can possess ghosts and birds please. Alright so crazy lady says that Artemis is the one who tied her up!! As punishment? When they untie her hands, she spins around and tells Gansey her name is actually Gwenllian. And he’s stunned, because that’s the name of Glendower’s daughter.

Chapter 29 is Adam and Ronan shopping for Gwenllian (wow that’s a pretty name) and I am here for it. “I don’t even know what to get, a kennel?” — Ronan. This whole scene is really adorable. Watching them throw toothbrushes and shampoo and shit in the cart. Like we all know the guys are friends. But I don’t think we’ve seen so many scenes with Ronan and Adam casually hanging out up until now. They see Colin Greenmantle’s wife with a shopping cart full of gardening stuff that looks dangerous. But they decide to drop it and leave the store.

There’s a random scene in the parking lot where Ronan is like GET IN THE CART PARRISH. And they behave like teenaged boys for a minute and ride/slam the cart Jackass style into Ronan’s BMW. This is so cute and spontaneous, I can understand why I’ve seen so much fan art of it lol. Ronan asks Adam to tell him what he’s researched about Greenmantle so he can get to dreaming about it.

Blue has a sweet conversation with Malory where he reveals his therapy Dog is for anxiety. But he doesn’t really have anxiety. He can sense auras. And when he’s around big crowds, it gets overwhelming. He says that Blue has a BLUE aura… the color of psychics. He also tells her about when he first met Gansey, this young squirrelly teenager who blew in one day then left the next without explanation. He tells her about how he kind of still had some PTSD back then… he’d collapse and claw at his face like hornets were there. I mean poor baby had this wild experience of DYING horrifically, then having a ghost…voice…revive him and tell him about Glendower. Or was it Glendower’s voice?? It’s not specified. They talk about Gwenllian being an illegitimate child of Glendower’s and how she might have been buried in a “shill” grave. Like a fake one to throw off grave robbers.

Okay so um, this next chapter. Fuck. Ronan and Adam are hanging out in the St. Agnes church. It’s night time. No one is there. Ronan takes Adam up to the choir pews where the organ is and a statue of Mary with little candles all around her. It’s very romantic, and they behave accordingly, sneaking glances at each other. Catching each other staring. It’s all very sweet.

So they get to talking about what to do about Greenmantle. And Adam has this plan…. But it’s a nasty plan. The problem is they need to frame this guy for a murder he actually did commit (hiring a hit man to kill Nial Lynch), but doing that is going to be really hard. So Adam has an idea to frame him for a different type of crime. One that is taken VERY SERIOUSLY and is easier to put people away for. Maggie doesn’t go into details here, but I think it has something to do with…. Illegal… children stuff….. Ronan is VERY NOT OKAY WITH THIS. Because he’s the one that has to dream up the “evidence” to plant on this guy. But he understands why it needs to be done.

He tells Adam “fuck it. I’ll do it now. Leave and I’ll make your stuff.” And Adam is like “I don’t wanna leave. Also brb I gotta go scry/separate my soul from my body for second to talk to my forest and ask Cabeswater to show you what kind of phone Greenmantle has, so you can dream up a copy.” - the fact that Adam can do this, that he knows how to ASTRAL PROJECT by staring at a flickering candle flame, is so cool. I love that he’s magic now.

Well when Adam comes back from his conversation with the forest, he finds himself staring at a badly beaten, carved up, dying in pain…Ronan. AUGH the description of it is so gruesome. Adam is horrified, and moves to help, but is interrupted by the REAL Ronan perched up on the pew. He explains that he tried to warn Adam. Sometimes his bad dreams come back with him. He didn’t want him to see stuff like this. (I think Adam is white as a ghost at this point) — Like, HOW MANY TIMES HAS RONAN BURIED HIMSELF? How many times has this HAPPENED? He had to dream a double of himself for the monsters to kill, otherwise he would have brought them out with him in the real world. Ronan is pissed at Adam for making him dream this depraved shit… and seeing what I’m sure is something really private (his dream…deaths..) and they say nasty words after Ronan demands Adam leave.

Back in his apartment, Adam takes a long shower. He’s going through a lot… So it doesn’t help AT ALL when his fucking FATHER shows up at his door and pushes his way in. To Adam’s credit, he doesn’t rise to any of the bait that is being put out there. His father is saying this whole court thing is ridiculous and there’s no way he’ll win. He knows the judge. Adam is just crying for attention. Etc. Etc. Adam like… retreats into himself and can feel and smell Cabeswater and the branches growing protectively around him. His body is in that room, but his spirit is somewhere else. When his dad tries to touch him, he gets pricked, and has a thorn sticking out of his hand. Then he leaves. (So cool)

Adam stood there for a long moment. He wiped the heel of his hand over his right eye and cheek, then dried it on his slacks.

AUGH this poor KID!! Fresh off this traumatic event of watching his friend get brutally murdered… he’s got a magic forest talking to him in his head… and now this douche canoe of a father comes and starts shit. Like WOW why can’t Adam have nice things??

So Colin and Piper are in the cave and you want to hate them, but then they do really funny things. Like Piper is such a dingbat. She brought her dog and is picking up poop in a baggie. You almost, ALMOST like them and then Colin says shit like this: “What I’m going to do is hire a billion million minions to come look in caves for this woman, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll just eviscerate her daughter in front of the Gray Man instead.” - AUGH. FUCK YOU DUDE. Piper stops because she hears something, but we never get confirmation as to what. Colin randomly thinks about people sleeping and wanting to wake up one of them (??Cave, what are you doing??). Then they decide to leave.

Blue sure wishes her mom would come home. Gwenllian is hella weird and exhausting to be around. But she’s getting more likable too. She’s like the house crazy lady now. Stealing everyone’s clothes, talking to trees, and storing things in her hair lol. Gansey keeps showing up to try to get info out of her, but she’s hard to wrangle. Lately everyone has been busy. Adam and Ronan keep running off to do their thing. Noah hasn’t shown up since he freaked out at Jesse’s house. And Gansey has some mysterious after-school commitment he keeps running off to.

Gray comes over and Gwen is pulling a vacuum around the house like a dog lol She tells him her sad story of hearing about her Dad’s advisor trying to incite war. So she tried to stab him at dinner. She was sentenced to being buried alive after that. Gray tells Blue that Adam and Ronan HIRED him to help with this Greenmantle framing thing. He won’t tell her details but asks about her haunted cave and if she thought it might be a good place to hide bodies. Then he asks her to show him, so she’s like okay!

Sometimes this book just… makes you forget what you’re reading about lol. Blue tells her aunts the hitman is taking her out, so they go on their adventure.

I love that Jesse and Blue are friends, and I love that he calls her Ant because she reminds him of these tough African ants he saw in a documentary once. Blue and Gray ask to see the cave, and Jesse is like “Sure but I gotta warn you, weird shits been happening lately” and he shows them. And basically these like… MONSTERS are coming out of the cave. Gray shoots one and it has like…3 heads? Blue thought they broke the curse by taking Gwen out of the cave, but Jesse thinks she was holding these monsters back. So. Now that’s a thing.

ALSO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMET AND THE RAINING BLOOD? Did that go away? I suppose so since society isn’t falling apart??

That night, Gwen comes to Blue’s room with a spoonful of mayo lol. I like her random objects. Gwen, in unhinged sing-song, explains that she and Blue are similar. Blue would call herself a battery. Gwen calls them mirrors. Gwen also says— “YOU’RE A WITCH, HARRY!” And Blue is a little excited at the thought of finally having a name, even if it is witch. Gwen shoves Blue to stand between Neeve’s two mirrors, and when’s he looks to her left and right, her reflection vanishes. But she’s still there in the room. So that’s weird. Gwen eats her mayonnaise. I’m sure those mirrors will mean something later!!

Also I’ve decided I love Gray. He’s on the list with the boys, and Blue, and Maura — the list of people I will be heartbroken over if they die. Gansey is at the top.

Colin notices that his wife is acting super weird. She always stares at herself in the mirror, but when he calls her name she doesn’t respond. She’s staring off into space and then kicks him out of the bathroom.

In Chapter 37, Gansey is relishing moments of high school monotony. The happiness of walking in between Ronan and Adam. Watching the crowd part for them. Dew on the grass. Coffee in the air. Normal teenager shit. They run into Henry who is still on his very passionate quest to convince the administration to instate a student council. Gansey goes to get Henry coffee in the teacher’s lounge, which is adorable that he can just WALK in there and take stuff. Then he hears someone shout Adam’s name, followed by a LOUD NOISE.

Gansey spills back into the courtyard to see that some construction workers dropped a bunch of concrete panels, and it’s broken into pieces — fine shards — all over the courtyard. Ronan and Henry are COVERED in dust. Adam is standing eerily in the center of it, perfectly calm, protected by a bubble of air. Like he’s untouched. The grass around him is completely clean. WE LOVE OUR MAGIC BOY!!! Everyone is taking pictures like “omg Adam you’re so lucky!” I love this exchange:

Gansey leaned and Adam pulled him in even closer, gripping his shoulder tightly. Right into Gansey’s ear, he whispered, voice tinged in disbelief, “I didn’t — I just asked — I just thought —”

“Thought what?” Gansey asked.

Adam released him. His eyes were on the circle around him. “I thought that. And it happened.” The circle was absolutely perfect: dust without, dustless within.

“You marvelous creature,” Gansey said.

Thank you for saying what we were all thinking Gans!

Okay so the next day is the court case. Adam is, understandably, a ball of nerves standing in the courtroom. Cabeswater is there with him in spirit. He can feel leaves wrapping around his body that aren’t really there. Adam is really regretting being there alone, now. He misses his friends. He wished he could get over his pride and let them in. THEN GANSEY AND RONAN SHOW UP. Ronan even tucked his shirt in and did his tie correctly. And Gansey strides up to the judge and shakes his hand because he KNOWS THE GUY and asks to be character witnesses. So the Judge is like “I’ll allow this!” — YOU ARE SO FUCKED ROBERT PARRISH. YOU’RE SO FUCKED!!

Adam has this amazing growth moment of realizing Gansey has always seen him as an equal. It was never a charity case. It was just friendship. Like real love for his friends.

Smash cut to a few days later. I guess we don’t get to find out what happened in court yet! But Adam asks Blue if she wants to come along on Cabeswater business. He’s sitting in a gas station wondering if the pulse in his veins is blood or the leyline and Noah shows up and is like “Yeah I wonder the same thing.” — Adam is like….ummmm did you just reply to my thoughts? Noah’s like I dunno.

OMG can we appreciate this scene, where they turn on the radio and the murder squash song comes on… and Adam panicky and ejects the tape. Blue is like HOW? HOW did that make it off the internet??

Noah cackled and showed them the cassette. It boasted a handmade label marked with Ronan’s handwriting: PARRISH’S HONDAYOTA ALONE TIME. The other side was A SHITBOX SING-ALONG.

Ronan dreamed him a mix tape. So fucking cute.

They get to the forest and a tarot card tells Adam where to head: 3 boulders making something of a natural gazebo. There he scries, and says he’s never done this in front of people before, so he doesn’t know what he looks like. He thinks it’s not happening at first, but realizes pretty quickly that when he talks to Blue, she’s not responding. And his spirit is outside his body. He figures out that some rocks need to be rearranged on the mountain to help the leyline. Cabeswater asks for the Greywarren and Adam is like nah, he’s not here, just me lol. He figures out that there is more than one Cabeswater and he doesn’t know how awake the others are or if they’re connected somehow. I guess there’s a network of magical forests on the leyline. He drifts and drifts and finds himself in a cave with a spooky red door and a woman who seems familiar, but he’s so in spirit-mode he can’t remember her. A man is with her. They tell him to GO. I think this is Maura and Artemis. But we don’t know.

Anyway there’s a spooky red door that is eerily enchanting. It’s equal parts terrifying and makes you want to open it like you’ve never wanted anything else in your life… but you’re also afraid. Adam gets sucked into this feeling and almost opens the door when Blue and Noah cut his hand and he gets thrown back into his body. They said he just went blank, and quit blinking, then he quit breathing, so they panicked lol. GOOD FRIENDS.

They move some rocks. The leyline is so happy, Noah is able to look SOLID and human. Not even a smudge. This cute thing happens:

They staggered back toward the trail. Blue’s arm was linked around the back of Noah, and her fingers grabbed Adam’s T-shirt so that they were one creature, a drunken six-legged animal.

Suddenly Adam remembers it was Maura he saw in the cave, and he tells Blue. DUN DUN DUNNN!!

Okay but seriously though, what about the comet and what about the court case MAGGIE??

Persephone calls Adam to have a one last psychic training session, and its at a general store on some rocking chairs. Adam is trying to get some information out of her. Like is Maura alive? How do I save Gansey’s life? But Persephone is all dreamy and just wants to talk about the number 3. And how significant that number is. Then, she vanishes, and Adam asks the clerk if he came here alone or not. And she says he’s just been talking to himself this whole time.

Oh my god Chapter 41 is NUTS. Blue races home to find Adam and Calla getting ready to do some scrying in the reading room because Persephone is missing. Adam, who doesn’t trust anyone, tells Blue “I’m trusting you” — and Blue and Calla hold his hands. Blue is going to amplify his power and Calla is going to keep an eye on the thread to make sure he doesn’t get lost. If your soul strays too far from your body, you die. Adam’s eyes go completely black. And for a moment, he speaks WITH Persephone’s voice calling out for Maura. But then his voice comes back, calling for Persephone. Calla is finally like “alright, pull the cord” and Blue has to let go of him and sever her energy so he’ll wake up.

“Cut him off,” Calla snarled. “I know you can. I’ll pull him back!”

As Calla used her free hand to press a thumb to the center of Adam’s forehead, Blue frantically imagined what she had done to pull the plug on Noah back in Monmouth. Only it had been one thing to do it while Noah threw things about. It was another thing to do it as she watched Adam’s still chest and his empty eyes. Another thing as his shoulders sagged and his face fell into Calla’s waiting hands.

She tried to visualize the white light pouring down to strengthen them, but it was hard when she could see Adam’s body sprawled limply across the end of the reading table. Calla slapped his face. “Come on, you bastard! Remember your body!”

It takes a minute. But when he comes to, he says Persephone is in the house. Around some mirrors? So they race upstairs and they find Persephone between the two mirrors and she is DEAD!! WTFFFF!!!

Gansey and Ronan arrive late because Gansey’s phone was off and Ronan never answers his. Gansey leaves Adam with Ronan on the porch (after saying some very sweet things to the effect of “It’s not your fault, Parrish”) — and goes inside. Calla is SO UPSET. He says he’s going into that cave and he’s going to get Maura back. Calla is like NEAT I’m coming too. He leaves the psychics in the kitchen and goes upstairs to find Blue sitting on the floor by Perseophone’s bed. And we get this adorable scene:

It was against the rules, but Gansey crouched down beside her, one of his knees against her back, one against her knees, and hugged her. She curled against him, hands balled up against his chest. He felt a hot tear slip into the dip of his collarbone. He closed his eyes against the sun through the window, burning hot in his sweater, foot falling asleep, elbow grinding into the metal bed frame, Blue Sargent pressed up against him, and he didn’t move. Help, he thought. He remembered Gwenllian saying that it was starting, and he could feel it, winding out faster and faster, a ball of thread caught in the wind. Starting, starting — He could not tell who was comforting whom.

“I’m part of the useless new generation,” Blue said finally, the words right on his skin. Desire and dread lay right next to each other in his heart, each sharpening the other.

Maggie just… wtf. Beautiful.

Gwen kind of spins into the scene and speaks in songs and riddles. Says something about how Artemis taught her how to borrow people’s eyes. That’s how she spent the last 600 years. She says some riddle about a tree at night and Gansey asks Gwen to come with them to the cave.

Earlier that day or later… I can’t tell:

Adam and Ronan stand badassily in Colin Greenmantle’s field until he notices. They come out there and exchange some threatening words like “I know what you are” to each other, and Adam produces a Manila folder.

Oh fuck is THIS how it goes down? Is THIS the plan, boys? I thought they were going to anonymously give it to the police or something. This is ballsy, but I have a bad feeling about this. Okay well they tell him that if he’s not out of town by Friday, everything in this folder comes true. Colin is especially unnerved by Adam, who has the same regal, far-off look as Piper who has been staring at the mirrors in a trance all day. The folder contains a CHILD’S SEVERED HAND in a baggie, and tons of emails, photos, texts, etc painting him as a murderer and pervert. Holy shit, game on.

Colin…to my complete surprise…looks at the folder and is like HAHAHA YEP. Fuck this. Fuck all this. Clearly those boys have the Greywarren and know how to use it and IIIIIII no longer care. Honey! Get your coat. Pack your bags, we’re leaving town.

But Piper says NO. I hired two thugs and we’re driving out to the boonies to enter a cave, because I’m having visions about doors, they’re calling me, and we’re fucking going in the cave. Colin comes along, hoping he can convince her to stop it on the way, but they end up running into Jesse Dittley guarding the cave and she fucking SHOOTS HIM. Gray shows up and tries to stop them, but Piper is in full on badass mode and takes him hostage. Colin and Piper get in a fight, and then she tells him to just leave. Go run off like a coward. AND HE FUCKING DOES JUST THAT.

Alright, so the Gansey gang also enters the cave on the Cabeswater side. Calla stays in the car to keep time with Matthew after Blue begs her. Adam is at the front of the line with Ronan behind him, because they figure Cabeswater is more keen to protect the two of them. Ronan also brought his ghost light, one of his dream objects. Gwen is singing her crazy songs. They find THE PIT and Adam and Ronan opt to go in and check it out first. They’re like… full on besties now. Ronan even squeezes Adam’s arm when they’re looking down the pit as if to say “Don’t fall in”

When they get down there, they find some hornet nests (EEK!!) and between Adam’s magic and Ronan’s dream powers, they transform them into birds. I did not know this was something they could do. But NEAT!! They’re Gansey’s magicians. I think it’s the same Cabeswater magic that manifests your thoughts.

Okay so then they go get the gang and bring them down there, and they find a massive room occupied by hundreds of animal bones - just standing on the ground, fully in tact and suspended upright. Some of them are from animals that are extinct or thought to not exist, like UNICORNS and primordial beasts no one has ever heard of. Gwen says some shit like “If you cannot wake these beasts, then how do you expect to wake my father?” — and Adam hatches a plan to pull his leyline magic toward Ronan, who has his weird dream object no one can look at, and Blue can amplify, and Gansey can point the rocks accordingly. They almost pull it off, but it’s not working. Then Gansey says, with authority, “Wake up” and the skeletons become real animals. YES. I think Gansey’s magic is… commanding things. He is the group leader, after all.

The animals start stampeding toward the exit. Ronan and Blue manage to hop on the backs of some of them, and they hop out of the room before Gansey, Adam, or Gwen can follow.

Ronan and Blue adventure! LET’S GO!! They’re in a room with a cave lake that doesn’t make any ripples when you throw stuff into it. Ronan is so done. “Hey, I have an idea! Fuck magic. Fuck this.” — When Blue looks into the lake, she sees her mother’s dead body. Ronan pulls her back, saying it’s a trick. He saw his Dad, even though he’s buried in the ground.

This is sweet.

For a moment they remained that way, Ronan holding her as tightly as he would hold his brother Matthew, his cheek on her shoulder. Every time she thought she could go on, she saw the face of her mother’s corpse again. Finally, she pulled back, and Ronan stood up. He looked away, but not before she saw the tear he flicked from his chin. “Fuck this,” he said again.

Man, fuck this cave for showing these kids their dead parents.

Blue remembers some nonsense Gwen said about mirror magic, and how people (witches?) with their particular ability had mirror powers. So Blue thinks she can walk across the shallow lake and be okay. But it’ll swallow Ronan if he goes in. So she has to go alone. He gives her his ghost light, which is super sweet because that means he has to sit there and wait there in the DARKNESS.

Holy shit. So Blue makes it across the river and finds a small chamber with the creepy red door. The door that holds the sleeper we are definitely NOT supposed to wake up. She finds ARTEMUS there, kneeling and looking worse for wear, then also MAURA BEHIND HIM!! She’s alive!! And she is not okay. Apparently they’ve been down there for a very long time, trying to resist the door. It’s so bad, they can’t move. Blue is okay. She hears the door tempting her, but she is a mirror, so it’s not as bad. She ties her parents’ hands and is determined to get them out of there.

But then Piper shows up with one of her thugs and Mr. Gray in tow. They exchange words. Piper is truly awful and very stupid — going for the door that is probably promising her fame and money. There’s a scuffle, and for some reason the cave is COLLAPSING while everyone is fighting. I forget why it’s collapsing. Maybe from the stampede. It takes some effort, but Blue and her parents make it out safely, along with Mr. Gray. THANK GOODNESS.

Okay… but what about THE GUYS?? MY BABIES?????

It jumps to a week later. Everyone made it out okay, yay! They gang is dropping Malory off at the airport. Adam picks at the scabs on his hand and thinks about what Persephone told him:

She had told him that there were three sleepers. One to wake, one to not wake. One in between. The others thought that Gwenllian was the one in between, but that didn’t really make sense, because she’d never been asleep. So he didn’t know if it was true or not, but he sort of liked to believe that the third sleeper had been him.

So that’s interesting. Maybe the third sleeper was Adam’s psychic ability.

One is definitely Glendower.

One is maybe Adam.

The third is some kind of bad no no we don’t want to wake up.

Alright well in the epilogue, Piper wakes up in the cave. And NEEVE IS THERE. FUCKING NEEVE. And Neeve says “Hey, wanna get out of this cave? Help me wake them up.” And Piper is like “Fuck yeah!” And they OPEN THE GOD DAMN DOOR. FUCK!

And this?

The sleeper wasn’t human. Piper wasn’t sure why she’d expected it would be. Instead, it was small, and black, and shiny, with more legs than she’d expected. It was powerful. Neeve said, “We have to do it at the same time to get the fa —” Piper reached out and touched it before Neeve could move. “Wake up.”

And that’s the end of book 3!!!

As always I’m finishing this book like “HAHA I LOVED IT! I THINK? What happened???” — like some of those parts felt rushed. I wanted to see the courtroom scene, but understand why that was cut. (Would have liked to hear the results of it, anyhow!). Still curious about the comet and raining blood lol. And the 3 headed monsters that were spilling out of the cave? What were Gansey and Adam doing while Ronan and Blue were trapped in the room with the mirror lake?? Is Artemis just like, out in the world now? Is it going to be weird with Mr. Gray there.

Well all the same, I love this book. I love these characters and their severely strange and often scary adventures. I love the relationship emerging between Gansey and Blue. I love the relationship emerging between Adam and Ronan. I love Noah. He’s scary and adorable all in the same breath. They’ve got their group dynamic DOWN with the king, the mages, and the mirror. Everyone is starting to realize their powers, even Gansey, whose power is inspiring everyone and being POSITIVE. EXCELSIOR!

There’s one more book in this series and I’m not ready. AUGH. Here we go.

Deadass Rating: 7.5/10

Unofficial theme song: “Cosmic Love” by Florence + the Machine

#the raven boys #the raven cycle #richard gansey #blue sargent #ronan lynch #adam x ronan #blue x gansey #blue lily lily blue #maggie stiefvater #the dreamer trilogy #glendower #noah czerny #book reviews #deadass book review #deadass book reviews #book review #book recommendations

15 notes · View notes

ezlebe · 3 years ago

Note

Prompt - Tom threatens or tries to wrestle Greg again, resulting in Greg accidently revealing his masochist kink

“Why’re you always like doing that?” Greg says, pinching his lips together and not quite pushing Tom away, but also sort of putting six inches at least between their persons. “You know I’m not like, into… general fisticuffs.”

“You should be, Greg,” Tom snaps, getting huffy, like he always does when Greg won’t rise to shoving him or whatever, even though he really clearly doesn’t want Greg to do it, anyway? “I’d like to even out the field, here, alright? Clean the slate. You need a hit or two to reset that back to zero and you’re being really difficult. Just do it!”

“Like…” Greg blinks rapidly, looking from Tom’s face to his hands, nose curling with reluctance. He’s pretty it would be the wrong thing to say that there was never exactly a zero. “Oh.”

“It simply needs to be done – especially now,” Tom says, matter of fact, with that slight upturned pinch at his mouth, which means he knows he’s being like a little out of bounds but cannot stop himself. It’s not a good pinch. Historically.

“Wh-what if, um…?” Greg drags his teeth across his lip, face flushing, and attempts to think of something to change the subject, but considering how often Tom has tried to get this to happen, he isn’t just going to give up on it. “It’s reset a different way? Like. You – uh, you get in some good ones to cancel the bad ones? And that’d be… better for me, especially now.”

“What does that even – ?” Tom pauses, his focus sliding markedly to the right while his mouth hangs open mid-thought. His eyes sweep back at Greg, going wide, then narrow, “You’re going to need to be very unambiguous here, Greg, as much as that might give you a stroke.”

“It doesn’t have to be hits, necessarily,” Greg says, rubbing at the back of his neck, then slumping down on the next bench they pass and wrapping his hands around the edge near his thighs. “Like, I – I prefer not hits, actually? But I do, uh. I don’t exactly dislike the bruises.”

Tom stares harder, standing over him with hands on his hips. “Even less ambiguous.”

Greg takes a shaky breath. “Instead of me – um, me hitting you, or – or wrestling?” He says, feeling a little weird in a kind of restless way with Tom standing over him looking so serious. “You could like… hurt me, maybe, but in a way I – I want you to.”

Tom is still for a beat, then nods with a slow drop of his head and gestures for more with an inward curving hand.

“And that is, like I think actually settling it even better, because I wouldn’t like hitting you, and you don’t want me to, so that would like just be putting more points on the bad board. Not making it a tie – or um, putting the board back in… black, I guess?”

Tom wets his lower lip, glancing sideways in the direction of Mondale, then shuffles to the side to join Greg at the bench. “…Right.”

“But like, only if you want to,” Greg says, glancing over to look at Tom from the corner of his eye.

“Have you already thought about this?” Tom says, still visibly skeptical, then gestures with a drop of a pointed finger toward the bench below them. “Before now.”

“Uh,” Greg intones, as his face begins to feel truly like it must be about to light totally aflame, “A little…. I got this bruise on my thigh from the desk like, trying to dodge the water bottles? And it was like in sort of a sexy place and I – I uh, I sometimes pressed on it, you know? Until it went away.”

Tom’s mouth flattens, quiet for a pair of tense moments. “But not the ones from the bottles?”

“I didn’t get any from the actual water bottles.”

Tom blinks rapidly, visibly deflating, “Oh.”

“And that time you grabbed my wrist a little hard to yank me away from Roman –”

“You two were being unreasonable,” Tom interrupts, voice pitching, then twisting his own grip against the bench. “And I didn’t know it was too hard – you didn’t… say.”

Greg wets his lips and shakes his head, then lifts his arm to show the metal clasp at the band, pushing slightly into his tendons. “It wasn’t, actually; the watch was just what sort of pinched into my wrist? But I could feel it for like two days.”

“Ah,” Tom intones, staring hard at the watch band.

“And then, uh,” Greg says, tilts his head with an especially thick swallow. “On the plane home from Italy – ”

Tom makes a low noise. “Oh, god.”

“Your fingers were like digging into my elbow for like ten hours,” Greg says, lifting his other hand now to press at the place across his opposite elbow where purple had decorated around the joint. “That gave like the best ones, so far.”

“So far,” Tom repeats, faintly, shoving his head straight into his hands. “This conversation has totally broken its leash.”

“I didn’t even like realize really that it may be something I could find – uh, find satisfying, until the whole hostage thing?” Greg swallows, then takes a slow breath, “Which is like kind of messed up? Since I was like going for the opposite of that.”

Tom laughs a pitchy squawk into his hands.

“Is this really bad?”

“Honestly? It’s … it’s not that, so much,” Tom says, “But we’ve been sleeping together for months – you’re over all the time, to the point it almost feels like you conveniently forgot to tell me you got evicted – and I only find out now you jacked off to bruises that I feel bad about?”

“It seemed more like a six-month thing?”

Tom raises one of his brows incredulously high up his forehead. “Why?”

“I dunno,” Greg mutters, shrugging small against the back of the bench. “I don’t have any, like… frame of reference, Tom.”

“But that’s… a thing you’re into?”

“I haven’t looked that much into it?” Greg admits, though he had sort of tried, but reading people’s takes on it… was a lot. “Just like. When the opportunity pops up? But yeah.”

“This is something else,” Tom mutters, staring out across the park, as his face folds into various expressions, until he ultimately turns and looks hard at Greg. “Are you sure it’s not Stockholm?”

“You’re not like that bad, Tom,” Greg says, though he kind of is, sometimes, but it’s way more in an emotional way than physical. He’s doesn’t actually think Tom knows that, though, how he can easily twist Greg’s arm into like a lot by having a breakdown. He’s pretty sure Tom isn’t faking them.

“So says you, at least,” Tom mutters, in that way where it’s clear someone else said opposite.

Greg feels something high in his cheek. “You could like do my arm, right now?” He offers, swallowing shallow, “Or my leg?”

“What?”

Greg holds his arm out with his palm up. “Like. Squeeze it really hard?”

Tom looks down dubiously, like he had with the watch. “Uh, are you sure?”

Greg wriggles his fingers, then feels his breath catch when Tom actually reaches out and lays a palm across his forearm.

“Just… squeeze?” Tom clarifies, wrapping his fingers lightly around.

“Yeah, like…” Greg trails off, then shrugs, inching his arm over further and somewhat laying in Tom’s lap. “Hard. Like as hard as you can, I guess?”

“I wish we weren’t having this conversation here,” Tom says, while he tightens his fingers hesitantly around Greg’s arm, and it must look a bit like they’re holding hands on the bench. “Somehow this feels like I just took my cock out here in the dog park.”

Greg wets his lip, flexing his hand against the pressure. He belatedly thinks it’s weird they’re doing this first, as well, rather than holding hands, not that he wouldn’t like to do that, too. “You started it.”

Tom scoffs under his breath, his grip frustratingly wavering within seconds. “To rib, like – like frat boys, not… whatever is going on right now.”

“You can like do it harder,” Greg says, firmly, definitely not anything like a plea.

Tom sighs outright, but his hand constricts tight around Greg’s forearm all at once. “Good lord, you are backpedaling decades of gains by hardworking activists being such a publicly deviant queer right now.”

“I know,” Greg says, head dropping back and staring at the cloudy sky with a brief clench of his jaw, already thinking about what it’s going to feel like in a few hours. He thinks he can feel the pulse in Tom’s thumb, as the pain deepens, throbbing a little through his fingertips. He had no idea what he thought it might be like, so deliberate, but he didn’t… Fuck. He didn’t think at all.

“And there’s an actual, honest to God, squirrel two feet from us – ” Tom continues, as if he’s not got a hold so strong around Greg’s arm that it feels like the bones are going to flex and break into each other. “Mondale, thank fuck, is at least unawares from his mulch tunnel. Luckily, it’s 10AM on a Wednesday, peak hours for engaging in kink in a public park, barefaced and lacking even the anonymity of a stall –”

“Tom,” Greg says, then swallowing hard, ears burning at the rasp of his own voice.

Tom immediately releases Greg’s wrist. “Okay?”

Greg nods his head, leaning over slightly to try to hide his somewhat karmic situation throbbing between his legs. His arm is prickling where Tom was holding it, not really in a sore sense, but in a way where he can still almost feel it.

Tom is silent for a pair of tense beats, then abruptly his hand slides heavy across Greg’s shoulders. “Oh,” he outright purrs, making the situation worse, as he leans sideways and presses his lips nearly against Greg’s ear. “Is someone chubbing up in his lululemon hosiery?”

“I – uh, we shouldn’t have done that. Here.”

“I know!” Tom says, voice lifting in pitch and audibly halfway to laughter, leaning back into his place on the bench while he shakes Greg pointedly at the shoulder. “You make me totally insane, Gregory. I swear you steal away all my good sense with those babydoll eyes of yours.”

#tomgreg #i have no excuses this is out of order in terms of prompts arriving to the inbox but #it has elements of like the sequel to gilded i got caught up #also sorry for floodig the tag lol #also oops greg is an exhibitionist again

83 notes · View notes

disturbedbydesign · 3 years ago

Text

A Night At The Museum

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Length: 4K

Summary: Your job as a museum tour guide was growing tiresome until a mysterious stranger showed up to claim what was his.

Warnings: Dubcon (slight mind control), Violence (mild), Light Bondage, Explicit Sex (oral, vaginal). 18+ only, no minors.

_____________________________________________________________

Your last tour of the day was about to start and all you could think about was getting off work and meeting up with your sister for drinks. You had always dreamed of one day working at the British Museum, but having been a tour guide there for the past year—doing the same thing, so many times a day, every single day—you found yourself growing tired of it and anxious to move on. Much as you loved art history (you did go to school for it, after all), you had grown thoroughly bored with your job. You wanted some excitement in your life. You needed it.

When you first started, you had been one of the museum’s most enthusiastic guides, always trying to engage all the members of your groups and fielding even the strangest of questions with grace and ease. These days, you were just going through the motions, especially for tours this late in the day. Over the course of the year, you had become adept at instantly identifying the one or two people in any given group who actually cared about the subject matter, and you found it simpler to focus on them and ignore everyone else.

As you performed your perfunctory scan of the last group of the day, you saw the usual suspects: a group of unruly children with intentionally oblivious parents; a travel group of obnoxious middle-aged Americans; an older gentleman, alone, who looked like he could be a professor of some sort (he was the one to pay attention to); and a young couple, clearly on one of their first few dates, who would have eyes only for each other.

And then you saw him.

You were immediately taken aback, struck by the fact that, for the first time in a long time, you couldn’t get a read on someone. The man was tall—really tall—with long, black hair slicked back. His skin was almost inhumanly pale and smooth, like he was sculpted of the same marble as the statues surrounding you. Despite the summer heat, the mysterious man wore a black suit and tie, a white dress shirt, and a long black coat with a scarf. He carried an ornately crafted cane, which seemed more an accessory than a walking aid. Compared to the rest of your tour group, he seemed a man out of time.

And then you saw his eyes—his impossibly green eyes. You could see them from across the room, almost glowing and staring at you, unblinking. your breath caught in your throat and all of a sudden you felt very, very cold.

As the hour-long tour progressed, you went through your practiced speeches about each artifact, moving across the room in the pre-established order and fielding questions here and there. As anticipated, the older gentleman was very engaged in the tour and asked intelligent questions, which you happily answered. Also unsurprisingly, one of the loudest Americans (probably trying to impress his friends) kept asking questions that he thought would make him sound smart and cultured but which, in reality, had the opposite effect. After one particularly ridiculous question, you had to turn your head away, pretending to be thinking about the answer but really trying not to laugh. That’s when you got caught in the emerald stare of the mysterious man with the cane.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off of you the entire tour—hadn’t so much as glanced at any of the art that he was ostensibly there to see—and up until then you had done your best to avoid meeting his gaze. Something about him absolutely terrified you, although you couldn’t pinpoint what exactly you were frightened of. He was standing completely still at the back of the group, but he was so tall that he towered over everyone and you could see his face as clear as if he were right in front of you.

His piercing eyes were locked onto you; they moved where you moved. His gaze was intense and menacing, but it was more than that: you could physically feel his eyes on you, penetrating you all over, making you feel naked. You wanted to look away but you felt like some strange power was holding your eyes onto to his. You stood dumbfounded and locked in a silent stare with the dark-haired stranger until the loud American spoke up, demanding an answer to his previous inquiry. You had never in your life been so happy to answer a stupid question.

You managed to make it through the rest of the tour without meeting eyes with the man with the cane, although there wasn’t one second that went by when you didn’t feel his presence in the room. You even went so far as to forgo asking if anyone had any final questions at the end that they wanted to stay after and discuss with you. You ducked out of the exhibit hall as fast as you could, feeling the man’s gaze boring into your backside as you exited the room, and headed for the staff room to gather your things. You didn’t notice until you got to the employee lounge that you had been holding your breath the whole time.

The museum was officially closed for the day, and as you left the staff area you couldn’t help but notice that the usual security guards posted around the building were nowhere to be found. In fact, there was no one around at all. The main lights were dimmed and the place was impossibly silent; the only sound you could hear was the echo of your own footsteps as you quickly made your way across the building to the exit. You were rounding a darkened corner when you felt an ice-cold hand reach around from behind and clamp over your mouth.

“Don’t be afraid,” hissed a smooth voice in the darkness. “You’re going to like what comes next.”

Before you could think to cry out, you were spun around and face to face with the dark-haired man. He wore the devil’s grin as he leaned down to you, his face barely an inch from your own. One hand still clamped firmly across your mouth, he brought his cane up with the other and traced a gentle line down from your temple to your chin. He let the tip rest under your jaw, pressing in on your throat just a little too hard. He put his lips to your ear and whispered, “Come with me, my pet.”

In one swift motion, he swung you up and over his shoulder and held you there with one arm, the other arm brandishing the cane, which clicked rhythmically against the marble floor, keeping time with his long strides. You were still dazed and breathless from the force of the cane’s tip on your throat and before you knew it, you found yourself in some dark recess of the museum basement, on the floor of a room you hadn’t even known existed. It was filled with strange artifacts the likes of which you had never seen in your extensive studies. There were no lights on but the room was bathed in an eerie shade of blue, which seemed to emanate from the relics themselves. You managed to mumble out a few words.

“Where am I?”

You saw the cane flip once in his hand as he strode toward you and then felt only searing pain as it came crashing across the side of your face.

“Did I say you could speak?” he asked.

You brought your hand to your cheek where he’d struck you, expecting to feel a bloodied gash, but when you took your hand away and looked there was nothing. The blow had left no physical mark, only an icy hot streak of pain. He reached down and traced the line of his blow with a long delicate finger, and suddenly the pain was gone and replaced with a pleasurable tingle.

“As you see, I can inflict both pain and pleasure,” he said, his voice like honey. “What happens next is entirely up to you.”

You should have been terrified, screaming, looking for some outlet or escape, but you found yourself completely paralyzed by his gaze. Going against every survival instinct screaming inside of you, you dared speak again.

“Please… please just tell me who you are and what you want.”

You closed your eyes and braced yourself for another blow but it did not come. You glanced up to see him looking at you inquisitively from the corner of the room, resting his long, lean frame on the tip of his cane.

“You are a bold one, I see. Deserving of my punishment, yes, but also worthy of the pleasure I can give you. I am going to ask you three questions and you are going to answer them honestly. If you lie, I will know, and you will suffer for it. Now tell me, do I frighten you?”

“Yes.”

“Do I excite you?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to leave? And before you answer this last and most important question, know this: If you say yes, I will let you go. I will not harm you. I will not follow you. You will never see me again. But you will also never know who I am or what I am here for, the memory of this night will haunt your dreams forever, and no one will ever believe your story. Within a week, you will go mad wondering whether I was a dream or reality.”

In one seamless motion, he crossed the room and yanked you to your feet by your shoulders, holding you an inch from his face, which seemed to glow with its own light.

“Now answer the question. Do you want to leave?”

The final answer flew from your lips before you even knew what you were saying. “No,” you whispered, and he eased his harsh grip on your shoulders, a sly smile spreading across his lips.

You stared at him, motionless and feeling almost paralyzed as you waited for permission to speak.

“Well,” he began, “I suppose it’s only fair that I offer you the same courtesy you have allowed me, so you may ask me three questions and I will answer them honestly. Choose your words carefully, because you get only three.”

He released his grip on you and returned to the corner, watching you and waiting.

“Who… who are you?” you stammered.

“Ah, a good question and excellently phrased. Had you asked just my name, that is all you would have received. But who I am is much more complicated.”

He sauntered toward you and lifted his cane, pointing it in a sweeping circle around the room.

“You see these things here? I am not so different—I was just another stolen relic from another world, locked away until someone might have use of me. But I have broken free of my shackles, and I have come to claim what is mine. You as who I am? I am a God. I am your God.”

You should have thought him completely mad, but you believed him. For whatever reason, you believed him.

“What do you want?” you asked.

He shook his head and chuckled low. “That’s far too vague a question, my pet, for I want many things. I could tell you simply that I want a glass of water, and I would not be lying. But since you are such an exquisite creature and so well behaved, I will answer the question you meant to ask, which is what is my purpose here.”

Something was happening to you, something strange and terrifying and wonderful. You were mesmerized by the way he spoke and the way his long, cold fingers brushed your cheek when he had called you exquisite. You hung on his every word and could not take your eyes off of him.

“I am Loki of Asgard and I have come to reclaim what was stolen from me. This room holds all that I need to take my rightful place as your master and overlord—to claim humanity as my own and rule the people of Earth as your king.”

You searched your racing mind for the words needed to get the answer you so desperately wanted, but your brain would not cooperate.

“One last question, my pet. And don’t keep me waiting.”

Finally, the words come to you in the correct order. “Why have you chosen me?”

Loki smiled lasciviously down at you. “I could tell just by looking at you that you crave subjugation,” he said, his voice smooth and so deep you felt it everywhere. “You were made to be ruled, and you will be the first to kneel for me.”

In a flash he was on you, grabbing your hair hard and pulling you into a deep kiss. His lips felt ice cold but his breath was hot and moist as his tongue twined around yours. You raised your hands to run them through his hair when he abruptly pulled back and caught you by the wrists. He spun you around and bound your arms behind your back with his scarf, pushing you to your knees once he had secured you.

“I told you to kneel,” he growled.

He was behind you and you could hear his ragged breathing, the rustling of clothes, and the soft thump of fabric hitting the floor. When he spun you back around, he was completely naked and you drank in the sight of his pale skin and lean, powerful body. His cock was enormous and rock hard.

“Pleasure me, my pet. I know this is what you crave.”

He grabbed you by the hair and shoved the whole length of his shaft down your throat repeatedly, fucking your face until you almost passed out for lack of air. When you thought you could take no more, he yanked you off of him, tilting your head back and looking down at you with glowing green eyes.

“Very good, my pet. Now slower. Worship it as you will worship me.”

He grabbed the base of his cock, holding it at an angle above your face and willing you to lick it. You complied, running your tongue slowly from the base to the tip, feeling his blood throbbing in the veins that ran the length of his massive shaft; the blood was hot but the flesh was icy cold—a very strange sensation, but one that fascinated you. He let out a series of short, carnal grunts as you swirled the tip of your tongue around his head. You took just the tip into your mouth and began to massage it gently with your lips as he ran his hand lightly up and down his shaft. You could taste his leaking juices as you tongued the slit, and the taste of him was like nothing you’d ever experienced before—it was delicious, addictive even, and it made you insatiable and impossibly wet. You moaned onto his cock as you let it drip down your throat, sending vibrations of pleasure running through his entire godly frame and causing him to groan in ecstasy.

Before you knew it, you were on your feet and your wrists were freed from the scarf that bound them. Holding the scarf between gritted teeth, he ripped your blouse open and straight off your body. He cupped and squeezed your breasts in his icy hands, and your already hard nipples became almost unbearably erect against the lace fabric of your bra. He unclasped it and let it fall to the floor next to you as he yanked your skirt down around your ankles. One hand cradled the back of your neck and he let the other trace a line in between your breasts and down your stomach. When he reached the top of your thong, just above your mound, he stopped.

Your breath caught in your throat and you looked at him. He took the scarf from between his teeth.

“Turn around,” Loki commanded.

You did as you were told and he brought the scarf around your head, blindfolding you. You felt his strong arms lift you up and moments later you were bent over a cold metal table, facedown and arms over your head, gripping the steel. You felt his breath on your pebbled skin as he ripped your thong off your body with his teeth, and he pushed your legs wider apart with his knee as he traced down the length of your spine with two fingers. When he found your entrance, you were already soaked for him—an almost unnatural level of wetness that you’d never felt before in your entire life—and he plunged two long fingers deep inside you without ceremony. You cried out your pleasure as he moved them furiously in and out of you before he slowed and found your sweet spot with his middle finger, working it violently until he started to feel your walls tighten around him and your cries faded to jagged breaths. He stopped just before you found release and you whined loudly.

“You are ready,” he said—telling you not asking you. “Now we shall see where your loyalty lies.”

You were left wanting and stranded on the verge, and the absence of sight heightened all your other senses. Every inch of your body was buzzing and the sound of your own heart beating was deafening in the silent room. That’s when you heard the rhythmic clicking of the cane moving slowly toward you and then stop.

“Who is your God?” Loki asked, his voice cold and commanding.

“You,” you wailed. “You are my God.”

He brought the cane down across your bare ass with all the power of Asgard and you screamed out in delicious agony.

“I said, WHO IS YOUR GOD?”

You tried to answer but your mind could not form words. He brought the cane down on you again, three hard lashes in quick succession, and you made a noise that sounded inhuman in your own ears.

“I’ll ask you one more time: who is your God and your King?”

The sensations coursing through your body threatened to put you over the edge of consciousness, but somehow you managed to yell out to him through the haze of pain and pleasure.

“LOKI! Loki of Asgard is my God and my King!”

He laughed maniacally and you could hear the clatter of the cane dropping to the floor. You felt his magic fingers trace a line across the searing flesh of your ass and the white-hot agony turned instantly to a pleasure unlike any you had ever known. You almost achieved release just from his touch. He untied the blindfold and he rolled you over on your back, pulling you up to face him. His eyes seemed warmer as he leaned in and grazed your ear with his lips as he spoke.

“You have proven your loyalty to me, my pet. I know that you will worship me as I deserve. Now you will be rewarded.”

He stood between your legs and cupped your face in his hands as he kissed you slowly and deeply, more passionately than he had before. For the first time, when you went to touch him, he didn’t try to stop you. At last, your hands found his long black hair and you grabbed fistfuls of it as you pulled him down on top of you, the tip of his cock teasing your opening as you devoured each other. He pulled his face away and buried it in between your breasts as he massaged them, taking one nipple in his mouth and nibbling it lightly as he rubbed the other between two fingers. Every flick of his finger or tongue on your body dragged a sound out of you that you didn’t know you could make. You untangled one hand from his hair and found his massive cock, gripping it firmly and stroking it up and down as you rubbed it against your clit.

“Fuck me, my King. I beg you. Take me any way you want me.”

He lifted his mouth from your breast. “Not so fast, my pet. I must taste you first.”

He pulled you down to the edge of the table and threw your legs over his shoulders as he settled between your legs. He licked you slowly up and down a few times before latching onto your clit, holding your hips firm as he swirled the tip of his tongue around and around, faster and faster until you started to cry out and buck against him. He brought a hand down from your hip and teased your slick folds with one long finger as he continued to work your clit with his tongue and his lips. He brought another finger to your entrance, sliding the two fingers together from the top of your folds to the bottom, and when he plunged both fingers inside you, you came so hard you nearly fainted. His touch was godly, and you knew then he had ruined you for all mortal men.

You had barely recovered from your climax when he sat you up and took you all at once, shoving his cock inside you to the hilt, filling you with ice and fire. He grunted like an animal with each forceful thrust and you screamed with pleasure as you clawed at his back. Your hands found his muscular ass and you gripped it tightly as you screamed his name, keeping time with his rhythm.

“Loki… Loki… My God… My King...”

You brought your arms up around his neck as he lifted you off the table, his strong hands gripping your ass as he walked you over to the side of the room. You clung to him with your legs wrapped tightly around his waist and your arms at his neck as he fucked you senseless against the cold basement wall. The light of the otherworldly artifacts tinted his skin an inhuman shade of blue; it was beautiful, he was beautiful. He quickened his pace and then stopped, remaining motionless with the full length of him still throbbing inside of you.

“Such a good girl for me,” he whispered. “Such a good little pet. I think maybe I’ll keep you.”

He walked you back over to the table and laid himself down on it so that you were straddling him. You moved up and down on his cock slowly, almost teasingly, wanting to feel every inch of him inside of you. As you rocked up and down, he brought his cold thumb to your clit, circling it while you rode him and bringing you close to the edge again. He began to buck underneath you as you fucked him and you knew he was close, too. You leaned in and grabbed the hair at the back of his head as you continued to slam yourself onto on him.

The words fell from your lips—“Fill me with your God seed, my King, I want every last drop you have”—and even as you said them, you had no idea where they came from, almost as if they were planted there and forced from you.

That had Loki’s eyes rolling back in his head and he moaned deep as he sat up, grabbing your hips as you rocked back and forth on his lap. He tightened his grip on you and quickened his pace, pounding into you hard and fast. As the muscles of your tight walls rippled with pleasure and you cried out your reverence in his ear, Loki found his release. He held your squirming body tight against him, your muscles shaking uncontrollably as he came roaring into you. You felt his warmth spread inside of you—such a contrast to the chill of his flesh—and you stayed locked in his embrace, completely limp with exhaustion.

“Thank you, my King,” you whispered, and Loki brought his fingers to your face.

The last thing you remember is two cool fingertips pressed to your temple. When you awoke, you were naked and alone in the basement room. The artifacts that had filled the room were now gone and there was no sign of Loki but for a pile of clothing next to you on the table—new clothes to replace the ones he had destroyed in his lust—and a handwritten note that said only “Fit for a Queen.” You put them on, wondering if he would ever be back for you. You were nothing now without your king. You knew you were made to be ruled.

#loki x reader #loki x you #loki laufeyson x reader #loki fanfiction #loki smut #loki laufeyson #tom hiddleston

168 notes · View notes

seriouslysnape · 4 years ago

Text

Pleasurable Silence

Remus Lupin x Fem. Reader

Warnings: Smut.

Word Count: 2,123

A/N: This was originally a request, but I just realized after I wrote this that this wasn’t what the requester asked for. So this is just a repost.

“Did I stutter? Get on your knees.”

“I don’t like the way he looks at you.” Remus snarled, his arms crossed angrily over his chest.

“Remus, you’re being absolutely ridiculous. Sirius is your friend, he has never looked at me that way,” You huffed; “You’re making this up in your head.”

This argument had been going on for far too long now. You had been at each other’s throats for almost an hour. You were tired of fighting, and tired of trying to make Remus see that he was being immature. You and Remus had been at a dinner party of sorts. It was Remus and some of his old friends from his days at Hogwarts. Of course, Sirius Black was included in this group.

“I’ve known Sirius for a long time. I know how he is. I know exactly what he was thinking by the way he was looking at you.” Remus growled, angrily loosening his tie.

Remus had been having a great time, until about halfway through the dinner when he grew quiet. You had noticed that his jaw was clenched the way it did when he was aggravated, and his pupils were dilated about 2x their normal size. You knew something was bugging him, but you decided to leave it be until you were back in private.

That’s when Remus let it all out.

He was pissed about how Sirius had apparently been boggling over you all night. You were sure that Remus was being paranoid, because Sirius had never said or done anything out of pocket in the few years you had known him through Remus. Remus had always been a little insecure, but never like this.

“What’s the matter with you, Remus? You weren’t so nervous before.” You pointed out, removing the pins from your hair.

His tie had been discarded and he ruffled his fingers through his hair to unstyle it. He was fuming.

“I’m not nervous. I just don’t like seeing my best friend eye-fuck my wife.” He hissed.

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. This was beyond insane. You were annoyed that, after all these years, Remus still got uptight about stuff like this. You supposed that it was better that he was upset opposed to not caring, but it made you feel like he didn’t trust you.

“You’re out of your mind,” You sneered; “Sirius is your best friend. He would never do that.”

Remus rolled his eyes. His cheeks were burning red and the tips of his ears matched his face. He was almost ready to explode.

“For the love of- stop. Just stop talking.” He said turning on his heel to enter the bathroom.

You felt a rush of anger. There was no way you were going to let him talk to you like that. You caught the bathroom door right before it completely closed, Remus looking to you with an agitated expression. You basically marched up to him, just centimeters away from him.

“If you want me to stop talking,” You began, not at all anticipating what this would lead to; “then make me.”

Remus froze for a moment. He quirked a stoic brow and ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek. He gave a cocky chuckle.

Challenge accepted.

He stared at you for another moment before crashing his lips roughly to yours. He brought his hand up and grabbed a fistful of your hair. He backed you into the bedroom once more, pushing you up against the nearest wall. His hand was still in your hair, yanking your head back and sucking hard on your neck. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but enough to surely get your attention and send waves of pleasure through you. He growled low in his throat and continued to nip at your neck.

“I can make you stop talking,” He announced, his voice muffled in the skin of your neck; “I can make a hell of a lot prettier noises come out of you too.”

“I’d love to see you try.” You tried to say confidently, but it came out more of a desperate whine.

You let out a surprised gasp when he suddenly kissed you again, nothing short of rough and hot. You let out a hum, and he pulled back and looked at you with so much lust that you felt a shiver travel down your spine. His hands were tight and firm on your waist, keeping you completely pressed against him. His pupils were blown twice their usual size.

“Get on your knees.” He instructed seriously.

You didn’t immediately respond, a little jarred and very aroused at his sudden assertiveness. This had really riled him up. When you didn’t move, his grip loosened on your waist but his eyes narrowed a touch.

“Did I stutter? Get on your knees.” He ordered again, much more sternly.

You slowly sank to the floor, your knees hitting the carpet. You looked away for a split second to get situated, but his hand grabbed your chin, forcing you to look at him.

“Eyes on me.” He said, looking down at you.

You looked up at him, eyes shining with desire and expectation. His gaze studied your every move and expression. You went to quickly put your hair up, but he stopped you.

“Don’t touch your hair.” He said, holding it up himself.

You ran your hands over his hips, trailing to his pants. You unfastened his belt and unzipped his pants, letting them fall to the floor. He sprung forth in front of you, and he moved one hand to the top of your head. You eyed his tip for a millisecond, so quickly that he didn’t even notice your break of eye contact.

“Can I...?” You said, opening your mouth just ever so.

He smirked down at you.

“Be my guest.” He replied.

You put your mouth over his length, suddenly gagging when he shoved your head further into his crotch. He pulled out.

“You better take it like I know you know how to.” He said, shoving back into your mouth again.

You were prepared this time, swallowing around him and working through the reflex. You sucked and kissed, a moan escaping from the man above you. His grip was unchanged on your head, but his fingers were stroking gently. His words came out a bit mumbled as he continued to slam back into your mouth.

“Such a good girl...” He muttered.

His hand in your hair pulled your head back and he rocked his hips roughly into your mouth. Then pulled back and rocked into you over and over.

“Every time you’re such a pretty girl on your knees for me...taking me so well.” He groaned, tossing his head back.

You hummed in affirmation, almost giggling at the way his eyes rolled back into his head. He thrusted a few more times before removing himself from your mouth, watching you swallow his pre-ejaculation. You noticed the fire in his eyes had returned.

He pulled you from the floor forcefully, snatching the zipper on the back of your dress down and pushed it off of your body. He stopped cold when he realized you hadn’t been wearing anything underneath it the entire night. You fought the urge to grin at his face. His eyes raked over you, he was hungry for you.

“Seems I’ve forgotten your favorite thing to take off...must’ve slipped my mind.” You snickered.

His expression was dead serious, as he pulled you to his half-naked body. You began to unbutton his shirt, whipping it off of him in a flash.

“Get on the bed.” He demanded.

With the sound of his tone, you wasted no time getting on the bed, laying back on the pillows. He grazed over your body, taking it all in. A hot flush ran through your face, almost being tempted to look away. He dove down and buried his face into your neck, sucking just as hard as before. You arched your body upward to meet his, an appreciative praise coming from him.

“You’re so damn beautiful.” He said in an almost whisper.

Your hands gripped at his biceps as he left bruise after bruise along your neck, spending extra time on the spots that he knew were most sensitive. Your breathing was heavy, your body wriggling in impatience.

“Remus...” You whimpered.

He looked down at you, a few tufts of his supple hair had fallen onto his forehead.

“What, baby?” He purred, knowing he was driving you crazy.

He captured your nipple in his mouth, sucking hard. You moaned out and arched against him. His teeth just barely biting down.

“Please...” You pleaded.

You threw your head back in frustration when he withdrew his mouth from your breast. He was going to drag this out as long as he possibly could.

“Please what?” He egged you on.

“Please fuck me.” You begged.

He gave a thoughtful hum. He looked over you once more.

“I don’t know...you’ve been awfully bad tonight,” He replied, a devious grin on his face; “Wearing absolutely nothing under your clothes, knowing that you had more attention than just mine.”

You rolled your eyes. If he wasn’t going to please you, then you’d do it yourself. You reached your hand down to your aching, heated sex. You went to rub your throbbing clit, but he grabbed your wrist so hard that you let out a little yelp.

“Don’t you dare.” He warned.

You gave an exasperated sigh, you couldn’t take it anymore.

“Merlin- Remus, please.” You cried out again.

He pinned both of your hands above your head to keep you from trying anything. He let out a seductive chuckle.

“You are just so eager tonight, kitten.” He mumbled.

He shifted to where he was towering over you, you wiggled excitedly in preparation. You knew you were about to get your world rocked. He lined himself up and pressed into you finally. Your heart fluttered at the feeling you had been craving for so long now. He pulled out almost completely and slammed hard back into you.

“You feel so good.” You panted, trying to get your hands free of his hold.

He lifted your leg over his shoulder at that, giving him a better angle so he could go deeper. Remus then slid out and slammed in as far as he could, groaning at the feeling and the sounds you were making. Delicious noises were coming from both of you, pure feelings of ecstasy and desire. He began to fuck you hard and fast until the sounds of your cries and his moans were echoing off of the walls.

“Could Sirius ever make you feel this good?” He asked breathlessly; “Could he ever fuck you like this?”

You shook your head in response, but that wasn’t good enough.

“Answer me.” He ordered.

“No. He couldn’t. Only you.” You cried out.

In response, he rubbed hard circles on your clit. A new round of whimpers escaping your chest. The hot coil in your belly was growing quickly. He could feel it. He sped up his pace, feeling you tighten around him as you released.

He slammed into you again, his cock pulsing hard before filling you completely. He groaned into your shoulder as he came. He collapsed on top of you, your moans were replaced with erratic breathing. Remus looked at you as you regained control over your body again. He had let go of your hands, your fingers running lazily through his hair. He purred contently, a feeling of pure bliss and serendipity washing over him.

Your mind was reeling. You had never seen him like that. He had gotten worked up and angry before, but he had never put it into motion like that. You thought about your fight and how upset he was. Although, now he didn’t seem so agitated anymore. You continued to scratch lightly at his scalp, calling his name out softly.

“Remus?”

He looked to you again.

“Yes?”

You kissed his forehead, a warm glow appearing on his face.

“You know I’m all yours, right? I would never want to be with anyone else.” You assured him.

He knew that deep down. He knew you loved him the way he loved you. But sometimes he just became worried. What if he suddenly wouldn’t be enough? What if someone more charismatic or more...handsome came along? He tried not to think about it.

Based on the way you were looking at him now, though, and the way you were touching him, he knew it wasn’t something he had to think about. He peppered you with much softer kisses now. He felt an overwhelming amount of care and love. This is exactly where he wanted to be.

“I know.”

#remus lupin x reader #remus lupin #remus lupin x you #remus lupin fanfiction #remus lupin x female reader #remus lupin x y/n #remus lupin x female #remus lupin smut #harry potter lupin #harry potter remus lupin #seriouslysnape

619 notes · View notes

too-gay-for-marvel · 3 years ago

Text

just this once pt.3

a/n: i know im technically a day late, but we stopped very late. but its here! and its gonna be a decent amount of parts, so be prepared, besties

Word Count: 2,439

Warnings: smut implications

Pairing: Natasha x Reader

(pt.1 pt.2 pt.3 pt.4 pt.5 pt.6.1 pt.6.2 pt.6.3 pt.7 pt.8)

Natasha had to admit, she hated how understanding Maria was. She had gone home and told Maria what you had said, expecting to become single almost as soon as she had finished talking. But no, Natasha had finished her rant, and Maria had taken a deep breath before saying “I’m sorry,” and dragging her into a hug.

She would’ve handled a “we’re over” much better.

But it helped ease some of the guilt that she was carrying around with her. It lifted some of the weight that had been keeping her head down and feet dragging. And with Maria being the most understanding person in the world, now she could live her life. Did she forgive herself? Fuck no, but at least she could move on with Maria.

It helped that you kept to what she had told you.

In the months after learning the truth, she never saw you. Her feet never took her to your suite, her thoughts never trailed to that night. Well. Not during the day. She… didn’t want to talk about the dreams.

Natasha was able to go a solid month without seeing you, and even though the back of her mind kept telling her to talk to you, she had stayed away. She had kept to her “honey do” list, went on her missions, and just lived her life.

Until Fury stuck his nose where it didn’t belong.

“You two have a mission.”

Natasha looked over to where you were standing, over in the corner as far away from her as you could be. Your eyes were down, only occasionally darting up to look at Fury when he was talking. She could see the fins on your arm flare out a bit before relaxing again, along with the slight twitch of your gills.

“Can this mission not be done with one person?” Natasha asked, her eyes still locked on you; you shifted your weight from one foot to the other.

“It requires stealth and…” Fury looked over at you and sighed. “Gills.”

“And here I thought you kept me around for my good looks,” you teased with an upturn of the corner of your mouth.

“When do you need us?” Natasha asked, and your half smile fell as quickly as it had appeared.

“You leave bright and early, 0400.”

With that, Fury left the room, leaving you and her alone. She took note of your fins staying flared, and took that as her sign to leave. Your feet shuffled, and she moved slower just in case, but you never reached out to her. That was all Natasha needed to head back to her room to prepare for tomorrow.

Tomorrow came far too soon, and it felt like only moments later that Natasha was standing in the hangar, watching you prep your gear.

Incorrectly.

“Your holster’s backwards,” Natasha pointed out.

“It is not, I’m testing something out,” you shot back without looking up.

“Whatever you put in there is going to fall out,” she continued.

You ignored her, but tried to turn it around without her noticing. She did. A silence fell over the both of you as you continued to get ready. Natasha had already gotten all of her stuff, but you continued to move around. You grabbed your belt and a harpoon, all of them quickly attached at your hips.

You maintained your relentless pace, her face pressed against the wall as you held your hand to the back of her neck. She felt you thrusting into her, most likely leaving a bruise on her ass and hips, but all she knew was that it felt so good she could only think of one thing-

Natasha turned her head away, a slight blush dusting her cheeks. If anyone noticed, they didn’t say. She refused to look at you until you stood up straight, geared up and ready to go. Your suit told her that there was going to be some sort of underwater aspect, and that gave her a bit of insight as to what was expected of the both of you.

The quinjet ride was awkward, to say the least. You stayed in the back while Natasha flew. She was thankful that you were keeping your distance. If you had been close, it was very possible that Natasha would have lost her damn mind.

Your suit always did do something to her.

You hadn't even bothered to take your pants off; just pulled them down far enough for you to get your strap out. Her fingers scrambled to grab purchase of something, anything, but your suit was still wet from the mission. Almost as wet as she was.

Natasha shook her head, trying to physically remove the memories. She was going to kill Nick when she got back.

She needed to focus on the mission. There was no need for it to be anything other than a mission. Get in, map out the building, get out. You would cover the lower levels, she would cover the upper, it shouldn't take more than an hour.

It was a slow descent to the checkpoint, but easy enough. You spent the last few minutes braiding your hair, keeping it out of the way and showing off the shaved part of your head. Natasha remembered teaching you how to tie those braids.

Once the quinjet was landed and you were both on solid ground, it was straight to business.

"Once you get back to solid ground, your pants and gear should be in a backpack marked on your locator," Natasha said.

"We'll meet up in the eastern stairwell," you continued, not even skipping a beat. It was like nothing had ever happened.

"Comms on?"

"Gonna miss me?" You asked, cocky as ever, but you turned the comm on anyway.

"Just get moving," Natasha huffed with a roll of her eyes. "The sooner we get in, the sooner we're done."

"See you in a minute," you winked and mock-saluted before jumping down into the hole that would be your entrance.

It's what she hated about you; how you could so easily act like nothing had ever happened.

Natasha closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Just one. Then it was time to get moving. She finished pulling her cap down, mostly covering the top half of her face before finishing the walk to the guarded entrance

She flashed a badge and they let her in without a word. One of her easier infiltrations, if she were being honest. Just went to prove that as long as she acted like she belonged, no one would question her. It was easier to blend in if you acted like there was no need for it.

Starting from the top, Natasha made her way down the building, mapping corridors, potential hidden rooms, rooms of interest. By the time she made it to your meeting point, she had marked more than enough information to assist in future missions.

All she needed was your half and she could go home.

The door to the stairwell was thrown open, slamming against the wall and causing Natasha to flinch ever so slightly. You were still soaking wet, trailing water behind you, and you didn't have your gear. In fact, you didn't have anything.

"What happened?" Natasha asked. But the sound of an alarm being set off was answer enough.

"It wasn't me," you stated simply.

Yelling echoed in the corridor behind you, and you gave Natasha A Look. That was all she needed before you both took off running down the stairs, skipping three or four at a time. She heard a *squeak* and turned around just in time to see you fall flat on your ass with a loud grunt.

“Get up,” Natasha groaned.

She didn’t wait for you to get up on your own, instead decided to grab your arm and yank you up. Except for the fact that she had forgotten how wet you were, and how slippery your skin could get, and you ended up falling back onto your ass a second time.

“Some help you are,” you growled as you managed to push yourself back up onto your feet.

“If you weren’t such a freak, this wouldn’t even be a problem,” Natasha shot back.

You both continued running, finally reaching the bottom floor just in time to hear echoed footsteps a few floors above you. Natasha opened the door and pushed you in, quick to follow after. She shut the door and grabbed the extra harpoon bolt from your hip, shoving it between the door and the wall while you protested.

“Get going,” she said as she continued to push you forward, looking for a way out.

“We could always go through the sewers,” you suggested with a shrug when you both came to a halt in an intersection that you swore you hadn’t seen yet.

“I’m not escaping in a fucking sewer,”Natasha shot at you. “You were supposed to find us a way out.”

“It’s not my fault someone ratted us out! I don’t like being stuck with you either!” You shouted back.

“Oh sure, after all of that bullshit a few months ago, now you don’t want to get stuck with me?”

“Listen, I said I was-”

“They’re around the corner!” A voice shouted. You and Natasha shared a look, and Natasha managed to pull you into a closet just in time for footsteps to be heard coming in your direction.

“We should’ve taken the sewer,” you whisper-yelled as Natasha tried to ignore how close to you she was.

If you two had been any closer, you would’ve been inside each other, and not in the enjoyable way. Natasha’s arms were pinned in between the both of you, and she could feel your ribs under her fingers. Her ear was pressed to your body; she could hear your irregular, three-pump heartbeat loud and clear. There used to be a time she would have enjoyed being so close.

You were both silent as you waited for the footsteps and yelling to die down. Even when they had faded, you stayed still, hoping that they wouldn’t open the closet as a last resort. Your body heat was comforting, and Natasha almost found herself forgetting the danger that was just around the corner. But then you gave an awkward cough and shifted, and Natasha was brought back to the fact that this wasn’t supposed to be enjoyable.

“I think we’re safe,” Natasha mumbled.

“Let’s get out of here,” you agreed as you cleared your throat again, still incredibly uncomfortable.

You reached around her and opened the door, the both of you practically falling out of the closet. When Natasha stood up straight again, she brushed the nonexistent dirt from her suit and avoided your gaze at all costs. Only when she had regained her composure did she turn to you again.

“You mentioned a sewer?” Natasha asked, completely defeated.

You nodded and started running in the opposite direction of the yelling, leading her down corridors until you both reached a manhole cover. Natasha could smell the sewage without opening it, and she could only imagine how terrible it would be once she jumped in. But there didn’t really seem to be any other option, and you were already prying it open just enough for them to slip in.

“Ladies first,” you gestured.

“Gee, thanks,” Natasha groaned as she took her last breath of semi-pure air and jumped in.

The stench was worse than anything Natasha had ever smelled before. All the death and ruin she had witnessed, and she still believed that this was worse. She couldn’t even attempt to guess at what was causing the smell, but she didn’t think she wanted to know. Maybe it would be a little more tolerable if she just pretended it was nothing.

You jumped in after her and pulled the manhole back into place, and just like that, it was like neither of you had ever been there. You didn’t wait for her as you started making your way out of the building, and Natasha quickly followed suit. She didn’t understand how you could breathe the air like it was nothing, but maybe it was part of your physiology. Maybe you were just lucky.

It felt like an eternity before you both ran into a ladder that would take you out of the sewer. You yanked the manhole cover aside and Natasha went up first, gasping when she smelled the fresh air. It was like being reborn, she thought. Her cells felt rejuvenated and her skin felt cleaner.

As soon as you pulled the cover back on, you both ran back to the quinjet as fast as you could. The stench of sewage followed you, stuck to your clothes; they would probably be incinerated when you got back to the tower. But you were out, and you could head back with enough confidence to tell Nick that you had at least gotten half of the building mapped out.

“You fly, I think I’m drying out,” you groaned. Natasha didn’t argue.

She sat in the pilot’s seat and set a course for the tower, wanting nothing more than a hot shower and a good sleep. But she looked back in time to see you stripping your suit off, groaning as it literally peeled off. Inch by inch, she saw your shoulders, your spines, your back, those abs.

You were never one to let anyone see you undressed, but Natasha loved that she was allowed. The way you shifted and twitched when her fingers ran over your skin, when you whined if she kissed that spot on your back. Loved the feel of your abs flexing as you thrusted into her at an inhuman pace that had her moaning and cumming for hours and-

“Nat, pull up!”

Natasha felt your hands covering hers, yanking up, and the real world unfolded before her eyes. The ground was quickly approaching, and the sound of the air rushing past the quinjet was enough to make Natasha’s hands shake. Only when the jet was back up and on course did she start to settle.

“Are you trying to get us killed?” You shouted, but Natasha just turned back to the front, trying her hardest to ignore the stinging in her eyes.

You grumbled and walked off, and Natasha could feel the frustration radiating off of you. But she didn’t really care anymore. She had nearly gotten you both killed because she had been too busy remembering you railing her. Natasha couldn’t do this anymore, couldn’t be around you anymore.

Not if she wanted to stay alive.

#natasha romanoff x reader #natasha x reader #black widow x reader #marvel #my writing

268 notes · View notes

darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 4 years ago

Text

Fully Completely 5

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape (series), violence, mutual irritation, harassment, blood, cutting, general hatred

This is dark!Loki x reader and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Series Synopsis: There’s a new face in Birch and he’s come to haunt your door.

Sister series to Smalltown Bringdown, When the Weight Comes Down, and Little Bones

Note: Today, we have more Loki then tomorrow more Zemo and some Sam on Saturday. I might add in some Andy Barber after that but keep plucking away at this and Candy Coated. Anyway, I’ll see you in the comments and the asks.

Thanks to everyone for their patience and feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

Chapter 5: Hang me long out in the sun

💀💀💀

You sat against the wall, flinching every time you leaned too heavily on the radiator and burned your arm. You were certain Loki cranked the heat before he left as it was stolid and stifling in the large room. Sweat dripped down your body and mingled with the drying blood along your chest. You were uncomfortable but you didn’t want to get comfortable in this place.

You pulled on your wrist until your hand throbbed and the cuffs showed no sign of wear and the radiator didn’t budge. You stretched across the floor until you could reach the edge of the bookshelf and kicked until some books fell, hoping for some hidden pin or tool to pick the lock. There were only musty old books and dust.

You stood, tried to at least, bent over as you stretched your legs. You did awkward squats and extended your arms to your toes, one at least. You rolled your head on your neck so it cracked noisily and settled back against the wall. You were tired, exhausted, but too worked up to sleep.

It hit you all at once as the stench of smoke clung to your shirt and skin. Your shop was gone, your home, everything you worked for. It was another sick joke played on you by the town of Birch.

Bucky was just another bully. He was like that boy in ninth grade who asked you to meet him at the park for a ‘date’ only to stand you up. You remembered the Monday after when he planted a stink bomb in your locker. The men around there were all the same. Everywhere if you were to judge by Loki.

You closed your eyes and thought of your dad. You thought he would’ve been proud to see everything you’d done; a shop of your own, a life where you didn’t have to worry. He said to you, through his dying lungs, that he knew you would be alright, that you could take care of yourself and Jerome. What about your brother then? Shouldn’t he take care of you too?

For the first time in a very long time, you wanted to cry. You kept your eyes shut to keep the tears locked in and slowly your mind eased. You sunk down as the warmth of the radiator embraced you, unbothered by the unyielding heat against your arm. You could hear yourself snore as you succumbed to your fatigue.

You were woken by the clatter of the door below. The old Victorian house echoed every noise and shuddered at every gale without. You lifted your head with a snort and sidled away from the radiator. Your arm was tender from the constant blaze of the radiator and you winced as you touched it. Fuck, it was burned.

You braced yourself as you listened to the slow ascent. You heard him behind the door and watched the knob turn. You sprawled out and slid a book closer with your foot. You got up and grabbed it quickly and stood in a hunch. You flung it at Loki as he entered but he quickly blocked the hardcover tome with the door.

He carefully peeked around the wood and stepped back in with a sigh. He shook his head as he crossed his arms and nodded as Korg appeared behind him. The bigger man placed the collection of shopping bags on the table and left with a dismissive sniff from his boss. The door closed and you were left to simmer alone with Loki.

“Such a warm welcome,” he strode to the table and tapped his fingertips on the wood, “and after I went to all the trouble of replacing your wardrobe. A pity all those wonderful pieces you had were lost.”

“I don’t want any of it,” you sneered, “leave me here, I don’t care.”

“Darling, while I find your resilience admirable it is also rather irksome,” he said, “and you will find that in the end, it will only make all this so much more difficult. You needn’t suffer anymore.”

“‘You needn’t suffer anymore,’” you mimicked him, “just listening to you talk is suffering.”

He turned his face down and clenched his jaw. He turned and reached into a bag. He pulled out a swath of black fabric that unfolded to an elegant dress with subtle black gems along the neckline like stars. You pushed your head back and stared at the ceiling.

“I can understand, a woman like you, men aren’t lining up to give you nice things,” he said, “I wouldn’t exactly call this giving, more… trading.”

“Oh, shut up,” you grumbled as you closed your eyes again, “you know, you woke me up so why don’t you keep it down?”

“I did have to guess at the sizes,” he ignored you brusquely, “but I’ve always had a keen eye.”

“You can shove your dresses and whatever else you wasted your money on up your--”

“Darling,” he interrupted, “I will not warn you again. That lip does provoke me.”

You jutted your jaw out and exhaled. You bent your legs and crossed your arms over your knees. You were too tired to argue with him. Hell, it only seemed to make you feel more helpless as you could not act on your anger. You hated that feeling. It remind you of that stupid teenage girl again; so gullible and weak.

“You cannot remain as you are,” he continued, “and I will not have a slobbish hick on my arm--”

“Jesus Christ, is your dick so small you can’t find another woman?” you hissed.

He was silent. You opened your eyes and hit your head on the wall as you were startled by how quick he moved. He pressed his knee to your chest and pinned you to the wall as he reached into his pocket and plucked out the silver key. He bent and unhooked the cuff from your wrist.

He caught your hand as you clawed at him and coughed as he pushed his knee harder against the cut between your tits. He tore you away from the wall suddenly and thrust you up to your feet. He twisted your arm behind you as he spun you and kicked your feet across the floor. You struggled with him but each time he bent your arm further up your back.

He pushed you onto the bed and straddled you as he angled you along the mattress. You flailed with your legs as he kept you trapped beneath his weight and released your arm. You reached out as he shifted above you and quickly snatched up your hands. He wrapped his long fingers around your wrists and snugly wound his tie in their place before he let go.

He backed off of you so that you laid across your stomach, your hands bound above your head to the bedpost. You rolled over as he marched away and returned just as quickly. He unfolded the razor with the mother-of-pearl handle and you dug your heels into the bed as you tried to free yourself from the silken tie.

He grabbed your leg and held it down. You brought your other knee up and he blocked it with his shoulder, “if you continue on like this, I might catch the artery.”

He held your leg down and pressed the edge of the blade to your thigh. You froze as he sliced into your skin and you grunted through your teeth. He traced a line down your leg and mirrored it on the other. He retreated and looked you over as you glanced down between your legs, the red lines dripping onto the blanket.

“What the fuck?” you yanked on the tie, “you’re fucking insane.”

“You haven’t any idea,” he held up the razor and admired the crimson along the silver, “but if you insist on this little dance, I should be inclined to go deeper.” He closed the razor and winked, “darling, you are looking rather rough,” he remarked, “but scars will not deter me.”

He spun and strode again to the bathroom. He returned and wiped his hands on a white towel and tossed it over the back of the chair. He sat and continued to sort through the bags.

“You think I’m afraid of you, you prick?” you snarled, “you think you’re going to win? When I get free, I’m going to take that blade and cut your dick--”

He stood and his hand formed a fist. He was atop you in a moment but before he could bring his hand to your throat, you bit down on the webbing between his thumb and index finger. He exclaimed and retracted his hand for just a second before he smacked you across the face. Your head snapped to the side and you held in a groan.

This time his hand stretched over your neck and he leaned over you. His hot breath whispered along your cheek and you shivered in disgust.

“Oh, darling, this will be fun indeed,” he purred, “but I have no doubt that you will be prancing around in pretty little skirts for me before long,” he squeezed until you croaked, “you can even keep them on as I fuck you.”

“Go… to… hell,” you rasped.

He snickered and sat back on his heels with you straddled beneath him, “haven’t you realised? We’re already there.”

💀

You laid there for hours after Loki left you. Even though the mattress was preferable to the floor, you didn’t sleep. You stared at the ancient ceiling and cursed every inch of that place.

Your thighs ached and that cut along your chest. Your arm was sore and raw each time it rubbed against your sleeve or the bed. You were more enraged than ever and you could hardly contain it and frustration had you kicking the mattress.

The windows were dark when he returned. He turned on the lamp beside you as the aroma of food tickled your stomach. You were desperately hungry but didn’t realise it until that moment. You salivated and gulped it down as he pulled up a chair and cradled the box in his lap.

“I’ve brought you dinner,” he said as he opened the cardboard container, “but… you have to use your manners, darling.”

“Get fucked,” you rolled onto your side so your back was to him.

“I can hear your stomach so let’s not pretend I believe you for a moment,” he taunted, “you will realise soon how weak you truly are.”

You didn’t say anything, nor did you move. You sneered at the wall as your arms strained above your head. He let out a long breath and then hummed in delight, “mmm, you know, this is not bad,” he commented, “your little diner has been the least disappointing aspect of this shithole.”

You gulped hungrily but refused to look back. He tapped his foot on the floor impatiently and sighed again.

“You would do yourself a favour if you did one for me,” he said, “say, if you accepted this generosity I might allow you another, perhaps a shower. Those cuts cannot remain unwashed.”

“Maybe you should’ve thought of that before you cut me,” you spat, “I don’t want anything from you and I definitely don’t want you. I’ll go live in the rubble, I don’t give a fuck.”

“You will,” he said as he stood and dragged the chair away, “but only you will pay for your stubbornness.”

💀

After another tussle, Loki relocated you once more to the radiator. He slept blissfully as you spent another restless night both sweating and shivering. When he woke, he offered you a bowl of instant oatmeal and you flipped it over. He tutted and went on with his day, leaving you again to stew in your wrath.

By the end of the day, your body rebelled with hunger and you accepted the bowl of soup he brought from The Chipped Saucer. You drank it from the paper cup but felt more rotten as it burned in your chest. He smirked as he watched you and you tossed the empty cup at him.

He scowled and you spent another night in cuffs. On the fourth day, he let you shower but kept you cuffed to the curtain bar for the ordeal. All modesty was gone as you were allowed only a plain white robe after and sat in the same spot, metal at your wrist, and wood at your back.

But you didn’t stop. You bit, you kicked, you hit, you swore, you screamed. A week passed and you wouldn’t accept it. You could see you were wearing on him and comforted yourself with the irritation in his sharp green eyes. You laughed at him outright and it stoked him further. He truly thought you’d never dealt with assholes before. You lived among them your whole life.

But that day when he came in, he was quiet though not sullen or angry. He was almost boasting as he still wore his new leather boots and dark parka. He tramped around and pulled out a mauve coloured dress, some satin and impractical undergarments, and a pair of heeled boots. He placed them calmly beside you but kept out of your reach.

He stepped back and shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned. You shook your head at him and scoffed. He waited as you simply yawned into your palm.

“Don’t you want to go see your brother?” he asked.

“He can rot with the rest of you,” you hissed.

“So heartless,” he slithered, “but I shall relay the message to him, as hard as it may be.”

“What the fuck are you on about?” you huffed.

“Well, darling, I don’t know if he should hear me or even if he could, that it would put him in a worse condition,” he mused.

“Worse condition?” you grimaced.

“Oh, I didn’t tell you, my apologies,” he preened, “why yes, it seems he did have an unfortunate incident. Some suspect it was an attempt on his own life but you know how gossip is in a town so small--”

“What--” you bit down on your lip, “is he… is he okay?”

“Why, he is rotting just as you wished, yes?” he asked coyly.

“Don’t be fucking stupid. Tell me he’s okay!” you tried to stand but were kept in a crouch by the cuffs.

“If you get dressed and behave, then you can see for yourself,” he said evenly, “or I will alone and hope that he survives his injuries… I wouldn’t expect the healthcare around here to be very adequate--”

“You fucking touch him--”

“What? You are wasting time, darling, and visiting hours will be over soon,” he warned.

You clenched your jaw and squinted at him. You swallowed your derision and blinked.

“Fine,” you said quietly, “I’ll… behave. Just take me to see him.”

“Good girl,” he came closer and knelt to grab your wrist, “but let me be clear, one misstep and you will never see him again. I should hate for him to die alone.”

“Just fucking undo me,” you snarled and his lips curved in triumph.

344 notes · View notes

worth-more-than-two-thousand · 3 years ago

Text

Returning from the Dead is Easier Said than Done...

Request: Welcome, Shiny! May I request an x Reader (can be fem or gender neutral) where Echo (post-citadel) comes up to their s/o's doorstep to give them flowers and ask them on a date? A plus if the Bad Batch teases him for dressing up nicely and buying flowers. Thank you! (@handmaidenthesimp)

Author’s Note: Enjoy! If anybody wants me to repost with a gender-neutral reader, just let me know.

Story Notes: Some swearing, not much else to warn you about. Take place in-between Season 7 of CW and The Bad Batch. No Omega this time, sorry!

🖑 🖑 🖑 🖑 🖑

Being declared dead was uncomplicated. Your Republic file was branded with a "KIA" stamp, everyone stoically mourned, and someone just a bit shinier would step in to fill your shoes.

Being declared undead, however, was decidedly more complicated. Oh, Echo was reassigned to Clone Force 99 easily enough. But it was the little things that seemed to get mired in red tape. Getting his few personal effects back. Re-opening his modest credit account.

Approving a rental application.

Admittedly, it wasn't that Echo really needed his own place; clones were conditioned to be accustomed to share minimalist, often-cramped quarters. And they were always on the move, so it hardly made any financial or practical sense, in the long run.

But right now, oh, did Echo dearly wish that he was dressing up in the privacy of his own space...and not the shared cabin area of the Havoc Marauder.

He kept his face stoic, as though readying for battle, refusing to acknowledge his teammates goggling in the background. They had returned early from their supply run. Echo had meant to be out of here an hour ago, but (somehow) hadn’t counted on just how difficult it would be to get dressed into multiple clothing pieces with a scomp link for a hand.

So that’s how his comrades found him: trying to wrangle a neck accessory into submission by sheer will.

Oh, if Fives could see him now.

“You look funny,” Wrecker had declared decisively after an unbearably long silence. “What’s that thing you’ve got on?”

“It’s a suit,” he grumbled, refusing to look any of them in the eye. “I’m going to see Y/N.”

Wrecker gasped like a fishwife. He leaned forward, and pitched his voice low. As though the others couldn’t still hear him in the tinny space. “Your girlfriend? You mean you’re going to see her for the first time....since…” Wrecker made a muted cartoonish sound with his mouth, clenching then expanding his fingers in a gesture for ‘explosion’.

Echo stared at him for a moment disbelievingly, before nodding slowly, forcing the sarcastic response he really wanted to say back down. He couldn’t fault Wrecker for being...well, Wrecker. He had all the tact of a rampaging bantha.

“An’ what’s that? Around your neck?”

Echo opened his mouth, but someone cut across his response. “A bowtie,” Crosshair drolled, though his eyes glittered with amusement. Echo tensed, knowing that he wasn’t going to like what was coming next.

“Fifty credits says he chokes, and he ends up strangling himself with it in shame."

“No way!” Wrecker exclaimed, always the optimist. He clapped Echo on the back, who was unprepared so his knees buckled. He felt his metal joints strain. “Don’t worry, Echo,” his brother rasped in the loudest whisper known to man. “I bet she’s gonna love it!”

“You know,” Tech piped up unhelpfully, “Your strategy may backfire. The current deviation from your usual appearance may be so jarring for your beloved that she refuses your offer out of simple self-preservation instincts.”

Echo gritted his teeth. “Right. You have stats to back that up, I suppose?”

Tech blinked at him owlishly. “Of course I don’t. This is an obvious possible outcome.”

“I’m trying to look nice,” he snapped, scowling.

There was a loaded pause. “...’trying’ being the objective word here,” Crosshair smirked.

Before Echo could wipe the look off his comrade’s face with a well-placed ARC trooper punch that would’ve made Hardcase proud, Hunter wedged his way in between them, hands up in a conciliatory gesture.

“All right, laugh it up, fellas. Personally, I think you’re all jealous because you don’t have a girl waiting for you like Echo does.” Hunter turned to face their newest member, took the bowtie that was clenched in Echo’s fist, and smoothed it out before proceeding to tie it around his neck with surprisingly deft hands.

Crosshair ‘hmphed’ while Wrecker verbally agreed, looking slightly put out by the undeniable truth. Tech simply nodded in neutral confirmation. The group lapsed into a somewhat awkward (but not unwelcome) silence as Hunter finished tugging at the folded ends of the bow, then double-checking to ensure it was straight. He stepped back to assess his work.

“You look good,” he said sincerely.

Echo thought he was in the clear.

Hunter frowned. “But...it looks like you’re missing something.”

Or not.

“Like dignity?” Crosshair drawled from a dark corner of the ship that Echo frustratingly couldn’t glare at.

“A sense of self-confidence,” Tech suggested. He wasn’t joking.

“FLOWERS!” Wrecker boomed confidently. “All girls like flowers. You gotta get her some before you see her!”

“I...fine.” Echo relented, anything to get his teammates to shut up. He shoved his way through them towards the bridge. “I’ll get her some flowers. You all stay here until I get back. I mean it, Fives!” he warned.

An uneasy silence followed him, which he didn’t register until he reached the landing ramp.

He shot an exasperated look back at them. “What?’

“...Your former comrade is not here, Echo.” Tech finally spoke. His words were clinical, as always, but there was a touch of understanding underlying his tone.

Echo froze, just for a moment, then shook off the shock of his faux pas as best as he could.

It wasn’t the first time that had happened, after all.

Echo descended the landing ramp, squared his shoulders, and marched into town.

Y/N lived in a run-down but culturally distinct district of Coruscant, characterized by food stalls from species and ethnicities all over the galaxy. Children often ran through the streets, sellers in colorful robes and attire shouting their wares and art for all to peruse. It was one of the nicer markets, he thought, having come here once. He had been accompanying Y/N on her usual run for specialized ingredients that made the diner she worked at the talk of the galaxy.

Echo elbowed his way through the crowded street, content to simply blend in with the crowd, to forget about being a soldier for a moment.

He paused at a flower stand and was mindful not to draw too much attention to his scomp-link hand as he ordered a dozen sunflowers, which he remembered were Y/N’s favorite. When his credit chip was declined, however, he sighed and reached into his pocket to see what spare change he could muster up. Being that he was wearing a never-worn suit, however, meant that there was no change to be found, and the unimpressed florist snatched the bouquet away.

That’s okay, Echo. Y/N doesn't need flowers. She just wants to see you.

At least, he hoped that was the case. He hadn’t exactly written to her yet, unsure that he could sufficiently explain his sudden non-death in typed words...

Surprise! I’m not dead! Hey, you know that explosion on the citadel? Well, I survived! And out of it, I got an all-expenses paid trip to the Techno Union research facility! Why didn’t I write? Well, I was in stasis most of the time and that part’s a bit fuzzy. I also was responsible for killing my brothers by using their own battle plans against them. Oh, and you might notice that I’m missing most of my fleshy bits these days…

He shook his head to clear his thoughts, which were more rapid these days thanks to his enhancements. He was good at compartmentalizing, though. He had to be. He was still a soldier, through and through, and no one wanted a soldier who was about two seconds away from a mental breakdown.

Yeah, a letter to Y/N wouldn’t have cut it. But he still felt like maybe he could have sent ahead some sort of...heads up? A warning? A ‘Please don’t scream when you see me because I don’t think my heart could take it?’

His feet finally guided him to the front entrance of the building where he knew she lived on the 14th floor. Glancing around, he spotted some blue flowers sprouting in a planter near the entrance. He yanked a fairly healthy-looking handful from the soil, shaking the roots to get most of the dirt off. He tucked the strangled roots into his fist so that they would be less obvious.

It was time. He nodded to himself, squared his shoulders, and entered the building.

A short elevator ride later, Echo could feed the sweat beading at his forehead and neck. At least his fight or flight response seemed to be healthy and alive, and Echo tuned out everything but the door in front of him, adorned with a purple wreath of lavender flowers.

He stood in front of the door, and raised his hand to knock.

He stood…

In front of the door…

...and raised his hand…

...to knock, you coward. Just fucking knock.

His raised knuckles, however, refused to move. Echo caught a glimpse of himself in the curtained window panes on the sides of the door, and at the sight of his bloodless face, suddenly felt a whole lot less sure of himself.

He looked ridiculous.

He and Y/N had barely gotten to know each other before his untimely death.

What if she was with someone new?

This was a terrible idea. Echo should leave now, before he caused himself any more embarrassment. Crosshair might get his fifty credits, after all.

Echo had just convinced himself to turn around and admit defeat, when the door suddenly swung open.

Two Y/C/E eyes met his.

There were points during Echo’s battle career where time slowed to a crawl. When an explosive grenade was thrown just a bit too close, or the comrade you had just exchanged banter with received blaster fire to the face.

Echo was experiencing the same sensation now, but he would voluntarily stay in this moment forever, if he could. He fervently hoped his nightmares would be replaced with the sight that was etched before him.

She was wearing her yellow work uniform, white apron pressed crisply with starch...and was as beautiful as ever. Her hair was up in a messy ‘late-for-work’ up-do, a smudge of blushed color not quite within the lines of her lips smearing her cupids’ bow where she had applied it in a rush.

He couldn’t determine whether her reaction to his sudden appearance was positive or not, and so didn’t dare speak first, breathlessly afraid that if he did, the moment would shatter.

He saw her swallow hard, glancing at him from head to toe, gaze landing on his right hand.

He guarded his heart.

“Ech? Echo, is that you?” she whispered. Her eyes tore away from the scomp link hand, and began searching his face as though just as afraid he would disappear.

He nodded. “Yeah,” he rasped, then cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s me.”

The silence stretched out, and the fight or flight response was creeping back.

“I know I look a bit different.” He tried for a light-hearted joke, but couldn’t quite get his tone to match. “Had some work done. What do you think?” He winced slightly.

She stepped forward and he froze as Y/N lifted her fingers, hesitating briefly before gently touching one of the metal bolts by his left temple. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

“...do they hurt?”

He gasped a little as he remembered to breathe again.

“No,” he reassured her, raising his undamaged hand to steady hers. “No, it doesn’t hurt.”

“...good.”

The wind was knocked out of him as Y/N flung her arms around him, burying her face in his neck, tardiness to her job completely forgotten.

She began sobbing. It wasn’t neat little sobs, like in the scripted holovids, but heaving sobs that wracked her whole body, and he worried slightly that she was going to faint on him. He forgot about his scomp link for the first time as he rubbed it in circles against her back, murmuring nonsense words of comfort in her ear.

After several minutes, she sniffled, stepping back. She rubbed her nose ungracefully where snot was leaking out, but Echo could have cared less about any of that. He only kept his arms out to steady her, in case she needed support again.

Y/N glanced down suddenly, and flushed.

“Oh. I’ve crushed them.”

Echo followed her gaze and saw that he was still holding the blue flowers from the planter in his good hand, the bouquet having been caught in between their bodies when she had thrown herself at him. They did look a little worse for wear.

He shrugged unconcernedly. “They were free,” he said, not wanting her to feel guilty.

She stared at him for a moment before a bubble of laughter burst from her lips. She still looked like she was about to sob at any moment, but she smiled tremulously at him through shining eyes.

Desperate to make her feel better, he began rambling.

“I can get you better ones! N-not right now, though,” he stuttered. “Actually, it turns out that I don’t have any credits on me at the moment. Everything’s still kind of backed up at the bank regarding my accounts. Also, this suit is new. Well. Not new. It used to belong to this woman’s father who we rescued during a mission on Bith. Long story.” His brain, which worked faster than usual these days anyways, still couldn’t seem to catch up to his mouth.

He forced himself to get back to the task at hand. “I was actually here to ask you for a date. I mean, assuming there’s no one else at the moment…oh, but you have your job to go do…bantha spit, I forgot about that...” He would have to ask Tech if it was possible for his brain to actually short-circuit.

Echo finally trailed off. Now he was the one blushing.

The whole of Domino Squad was probably having a good laugh at his expense right about now, wherever they were.

But Y/N was still smiling at him. And her chin had stopped wobbling. She gently took the flowers from Echo’s hand and placed them on one of the side tables in the hallway before intertwining her fingers with his and grasping his right hand without hesitation.

“Forget about my job. Let’s go on that date. My treat. Though, if I know Dexter, he’ll give us a free meal, on the house. And the rest of the day off."

For the first time since he had joined Clone Force 99, since he had been rescued on Skako Minor, and even before the Citadel...Echo allowed a true grin of happiness to spread on his face.

“A free meal,” he echoed. “Sounds like a plan.”

#fic request #echo #arc trooper echo #tbb echo #the bad batch #star wars tbb #star wars the bad batch #tbb #echo x reader #echo x you #echo x fem reader #sw tbb #sw the bad batch

87 notes · View notes

lubdubsworld · 4 years ago

Text

Falling for you ( Falling from grace) Jungkook xOC

Read Chapter 1 here

Read Chapter 2 here

Read Chapter 3 here

Read Chapter 4 here

Rated : 18 +

Warning : . Fuck buddies? Or rather enemies that have sex. They just really hate each other but also can’t keep their hands off each other. Fair warning this has no plot. its just them being idiots .

Chapter warning : things get a bit more angsty....I know this is supposed to be mostly porn but there's a little plot too hope you guys don’t mind.

Chapter 5

I woke up to my alarm blaring right near my face , and I blinked bleary eyes . I was staring at an altogether unfamiliar wall and It took me a second to realize that the wall belonged to Jungkook’s bedroom.

It was like being doused with cold water.

Oh fuck fuck fuck...

Did I really sleep over? Why on earth had I done that.

Not surprisingly, I was naked and I searched around frantically for my panties before remembering they were torn and stuffed in my jacket pocket. The jacket itself was crushe4d beyond redemption, tossed over the small ottoman in the corner. My pants were just as messy , wrapped around the table leg in the corner.

I stared at the time on my phone.

I had fifteen minutes to get to my workplace.

“You up?” Jungkook’s voice came from the door and I screamed, spooked at the sudden sound and I grabbed the comforter pulling it up to my shoulder to shield my body from his view and just stared at him. He looked fresh out of the shower, dressed in a plain white t shirt and blue jeans that looked like they’d been painted on.

He glanced at me in surprise, tilting his head in confusion.

“Uh...bit too late to play the blushing virgin, Areum..., don’t you think?”

“Why the fuck did you let me sleep here? I need to get to work. “ I hissed, scrambling off the bed, still holding the comforter because like hell i was going to be naked, with him fully dressed.

He hummed.

“I did try to get you to take a cab.....but you were already snoring . Bad sex etiquette that by the way...I’ve never had a girl fall asleep while riding my face before...”

I glared at him.

“Three fucking times... You made me cum thrice and you wouldn’t let me get off....I did not fall asleep, I passed out...you ...you fucking pervert!!!”

He grinned , entirely unrepentant.

“I know right.... you’re one lucky bitch aren’t you, angel?”

I wanted to retort but I had places to be. I found my bra underneath the bed and sat on the bed, dropping the sheet and moving to put it on. Jungkook made his way over reaching out to paw at my breasts and I elbowed him in the stomach.

“No... Stop. I’m already running late....” I said sharply but he wasn’t listening, reaching for my waist and lifting me up off the bed. I yelped when he moved to the head board, sitting back and pulling me into his lap. He lost no time, slipping two fingers inside me before I could fully process what he was doing.

“ Come on, I’m really fucking horny...” He whined, fumbling with his zipper, slipping a hand and yanking himself out easily. I stared at him , helpless as he spat into his palm, getting his hand wet before stroking the wetness on to his cock. Defeated, I lifted myself up and scooted forward till I could feel the head pressing up against me.

“Five minutes. You have five minutes. I’m leaving afterwards, whether you cum or not.” I warned and he frowned. His eyes moved to the black tie lying discarded in the bedstead , looking thoughtful and I punched his shoulder.

“Don’t even think of it you depraved fuck.,” I growled.

He responded, by thrusting his hips straight up, driving right up into me in a single motion. I felt the wind get knocked right out of me, instinct making me buck away from the sudden intrusion, but he gripped my waist and held me in place. My insides shifted to accommodate him and I gripped his shoulders hard, trying to swallow the sudden dryness in my threat.

A garbled, ‘ fuck ‘ came out of my mouth, more of a whimper than anything.

“Don’t worry about me baby, question is , can I make you cum in five minutes.... “ He whispered softly, keeping up the steady , almost shallow thrusts into me , groaning as I got wetter and wetter with each stroke.

“M really tired... I really don’t need another orgasm...” I whispered, honestly, flinging my arms around his shoulder and burying my face in the crook of his neck. He hummed, running strong, smooth hands up and down my bare back, pressing down across my shoulder blades and lightly gripping my sides .

“Okay, how about I just make you feel good “ He whispered against my cheeks, pressing a soft kiss there, “ and if you just happen to have an orgasm in the process, we’ll call it a happy coincidence, okay?”

I grinned into his shoulders. It was impossible to talk to this guy.

I let my eyes fall shut surprised at how easy it was to let him take control. I hadn’t been lying. I really was exhausted. And although it was frighteningly new, letting my guard down around Jungkook like this, not being on edge, or trying to stay a step ahead, it was also liberating . I felt like a huge knot in my spine had come undone and I exhaled, going limp in his arms.

He must’ve felt me relax completely, his arms tightening around my waist and I shuddered when he started moving again, gentle rolling motions of his hips without pulling out of me at all, his cock lodged firmly inside me as he grinded into me , barely offering any sort of friction but keeping me filled .

And it was a different sort of pleasure from the usual feeling of being fucked into, a pleasure that didn’t come in rhythms repetitions of him fucking into me but rather a pleasure that just stayed and yet somehow swelled , that seemed to radiate from where he was inside me, to every part of me, till I could feel the jittery sparks of his movement in the tips of my fingers and the edges of my scalp.

I threaded my fingers through his hair and instead of gripping hard, the way I usually did, I found myself stroking the skin there, feeling the soft, slightly damp strands as they fell between my fingers and I felt him inhale shakily and I kept stroking his hair.

“Tell me this isn’t heaven....” He whispered, voice raspy against my ear as he pulled the lobe between his teeth and I shuddered.

“Certainly feels like it...” I whispered, feeling a sudden sting of tears . He was ruining me....ruining me for every other man and there was nothing I could do but cling on, like a shipwreck victim caught in the waves.

His fingers fluttered down to between my legs and he pressed a thumb against my clit, gently stroking the hardened nub and sparks of pleasure shot up to my spine, made my toes curl and I gripped his shoulders harder, biting my lips not to sob.

“I’m close..” I choked out, “ Please don’t stop...”

He chuckled.

“Wouldn’t dream of it angel... come on, come for me...wanna see you.... wanna see you come undone in my arms, show me how good I make you feel, yeah?”

I clenched around him, my orgasm washing over me in gentle waves , rising to a crescendo of excruciating pleasure before ebbing into a gentle sort of satisfaction, tinged with hints of overwhelming affection for this man under me and I couldn’t stop the tears that spilled over my lashes and onto his shirt. I stayed still, riding it out and keeping my eyes on the wall as Jungkook stroked my back, soothing me through it.

“Baby, you okay?” He sounded just as wrecked as I felt and I nodded, slowly climbing off him and moving down to kneel between his legs, before bending low and taking the hard length of him into my mouth.

Jungkook swore, fingers gripping the hair at the back of my head and hips lifting a teeny bit to thrust into my mouth and I hummed, knowing the vibrations would transfer to the sensitive veins on his cock. I gripped the base of his cock , keeping my grip a little loose, looking straight up at him and meeting his gaze before spitting on the cockhead.

His dick twitched in my hand and his eyes darkened.

“My dirty little slut....” He whispered and the tone was so rife with fondness, so arousing in contrast to the words.

“Yours.” I breathed against the glistening head, dipping the tip of my tongue into the slit, tasting that tangy bitter taste of precum and swirling my tongue, wrapping my lips around the length and bobbing down to take him into my mouth. I pressed the flat of my tongue against the underside , using the tip to trace the thick veins that ran up and down his length, before sucking the sensitive head, licking at the thick skin of his frenulum , swirling my tongue into the ridges till his hips lifted off the bed.

“Oh, fuck...Baby, that feels so fucking food...” He choked out and I smiled, pulling back to look at him.

“You wanna fuck my mouth, now?” I asked softly and he groaned.

“Fuck yeah. Go on baby...on your knees....on the floor. Now.”

I moved quickly, kneeling on the floor right next to the bed , watching him slip our of his jeans before crawling over the edge of the bed. He threw his legs over the side, moving to sit on the edge for spreading his legs and curling his fingers to beckon me forward.

I winked, grabbing his knees to steady myself before scooting forward on my knees, running my hands up and down his thigh before bending over and taking him into my mouth again. Jungkook’s hand came to the back of my head and unlike me, he had no qualms about gripping my hair hard.

I sat back on the balls of my heels, letting my lips part fully and he fucked into my mouth with practiced abandon and I closed my eyes. concentrating only on the feel of his cock in my mouth, the long length of it as it hit the back of my throat , my breath coming through my nose in timed intervals so I could deep throat him fully. It still took an effort although I’d been doing it long enough. Suppressing my gag reflex, I inhaled carefully just as he pushed in , swallowing lightly around the tip of his throat as he pressed in deep, exhaling as he pulled out.

My eyes fluttered open as I got used to the motion and I felt my insides clench when I saw Jungkook, head thrown back in sheer unadulterated ecstacy , eyes shut and lips red and slick , parted and gasping as he gripped the edge of the bed, the veins in his forearm bulging from how tight he was gripping the sheets. I felt the taut muscles of his thighs , the way they flexed and strained as he fucked into my mouth and I felt a surge of power rushing through me.

Me. I thought , furiously, I did this to him.

I sucked harder, bobbing back and forth on his length, getting it wet and sloppy just the way he liked it , letting him hit the deepest part of my throat with every thrust and I used on hand to grip the base of his dick, feeling him stiffen under me.

I pulled back for a second...

“Where?” I croaked out, voice hoarse and breaking and he stared me down like the predator he was.

“Half inside...half on your face...” He growled out, reaching both hands out to grip my face , thumb and forefinger pressing into my jaw, forcing me to open my mouth and it was such a turn on, how despite how much I offered freely of myself , Jungkook still wanted to take.

Deciding to indulge him, I sat back and let him push his thumb into my mouth, hooking his fingers keep my mouth open before pushing in with his hard cock. The fingers returned to my hair and so did that bruising grip that made my scalp ting.

I kept my eyes open this time, staring right at him as he fucked into my mouth.

“Look at you, so fucking hungry for me... for what I give you...” He muttered, eyes unblinking as he stared right back, shameless and open.

I shuddered when the first spurt of his cum hit the back of my throat and it wasn’t good, far from it but it was him.....and that was enough. Enough for me to swallow greedily , to take it in with relish. He pulled back when he was still cumming and I stuck my tongue out , tilting my face till he could cover every inch of it with his release .

Once he finished, he pulled back, but kept his hands on my face tilting it up so he could get a good look at the mess he had made.

“I know I spend hours painting , but baby....this.... you wearing my cum on that pretty face.....this is fucking art....fuck...” He groaned out.

I felt my body thrum at what was surely, the most lavish and lustful compliment I’d ever gotten.

“I missed work. You’re gonna pay me for it.” I said impishly, sticking my tongue out to gather the bit of cum on my lips, licking it up.

Jungkook grinned and tossed a pillow at my head.

“Not happening. Go get dressed and get your ass to work. “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You look pretty happy for someone who turned up three hours late wearing borrowed clothes from a one night stand. “ Hoseok commented mildly, while I stood by his desk, waiting for him to finish signing the previous week’s reports.

I managed a weak grin. I was dressed in my slacks and jacket but I’d been forced to borrow one of Jungkook’s black shirts which looked ridiculous on me.

“Hey hyung, what about these files?” A rough voice said right behind me and I stumbled a little . The guy gripped my elbow to steady me, lips quirking in surprise .

“Careful.” He said casually and then his fingers fluttered down to my waist, stroking me through my jacket and I jumped, frowning.

“Sorry?” I snapped, watching the way his eyes went straight to my chest, tongue licking his lips as he stared and I felt chilled.

“Oh, Junho, this is Areum...she's my assistant. Areum, this is Yang Junho . He’s taking over as the HOD of the HR department now that Mr. Lee is retiring.”

I bowed politely stepping back a few steps, feeling an instinctive sense of foreboding. The guy wasn’t old, probably the same age as me but he looked so sleazy that it made my stomach churn.

“Ah, beautiful.” He said casually, still staring at me unblinkingly and I felt my anger rise.

“Junho’s dad is one of the investors in our new Beach Resort project . Mr. Jeon thinks he’ll be a good fit here , he can learn the ropes before going back to his dad’s company.” Hoseok said casually and I nodded quickly. I moved closer to Hoseok reached out to grab the files Junho had got.

“Anything else Jun?” He said casually and the other man merely shook his head.

“Can I borrow your secretary for a minute, hyung?”

I stared at him.

Hoseok frowned.

“Uh...what for? “

Junho shrugged.

“My assistants having a bit of trouble filing the stuff in my office right... She just looks so.... capable.” He was openly leering now.

Hoseok looked hesitant but then he nodded .

“Sure... Areum, why don’t you go see what’s up...?”

I clenched my fists, every instinct telling me to run but there was nothing I could do, my mind shutting down because this guy was clearly pretty high up in the food chain and I couldn’t afford to antagonize him without cause.

I followed him out of the office, jumping when he tried to wrap a hand around my waist .

“Please...stop...touching me . I’m not comfortable with it.” I blurted out and he didn’t even blink, merely raising an eyebrow.

“You’re not comfortable being touched. That impressive hickey on your neck would suggest otherwise. Tell me Ms Areum, are you married?” He said casually.

I bit my lips.

“No.”

“Boyfriend than.,,,”

I stayed quiet.

“Some guy in a club huh? Did you drop to your knees when he bought you a drink?”

I felt my jaw drop and I whirled around to stare at him .

He sneered.

“Don’t worry....I don’t mind. The easier a girl is, the faster I can get laid ....so...”

We were right out side his office and I just knew that if I went in there it would be the biggest regret of my life.

“Find someone else...” I snapped, moving to get away but his hand shot out, gripping my shoulder hard and pulling me back till I slammed into his chest.

“Is that any way to speak to your fucking boss, Ms. Areum.?” He leered, gripping both my wrists and yanking me forward , even as my heart leapt to my throat .

“Let go of me...” I shouted, stunned out of my mind and he actually let go.

I felt my knees give out, dropping to floor and crawling back till my back hit the wall.

“I’m gonna ask them to make you my secretary .... I think you’ll fit in really well with me...” He sneered again and I forced myself to stand , running out of the hallway as fast as I could. I rounded the corner, panting and nearly out my mind with panic when I crashed into a very familiar broad chest.

“Hey...what?” Jungkook’s voice came out a little winded and relief flooded my system like a wave. I gripped his arms, hugging him tight, burrowing my face into his chest as I tried to catch my breath.

“Angel....Areuym...what are you doing? We’re in the office babe...people can see...” He pulled me away from his chest pushing me back to arms length, confused and surprised.

I swallowed, staring at him , feeling my pulse pound.

“Ah Jungkookie!!! There’s my favorite man in the whole wide world!” The voice made my hair stand on end and I watched as Junho waved from the end of the corridor.

But it was Jungkook’s reaction that stunned me further.

“Oh my fucking God, Yang Junho ...in the flesh... “ He was pushing away from me and I watched , mind going blank as the two of them met in the middle of the corridor, hugging each other hard.

I clenched my fists in disbelief.

“Jeon Jungkookie looking as good as ever....can’t believe you convinced your old man to give me this job, man...” Junho was saying.

Jungkook laughed then, honest and happy.

“It’s been forever...Dad told me you were coming back to Korea and I told him he had to hire you...If I have to stay stuck in this shithole,. I better have my best buddy with me at least... You should be thankful to me , you son of a bitch...” Jungkook was saying and I swallowed.

Best buddies?

Jungkook turned around then to stare at me.

“Ms Areum, you can leave now...” He said casually, looking bright and happy and I felt like I was going to be sick.

“Ms. Areum....I’m gonna have a word with Hoseok... you can report directly to me tomorrow morning. “ Junho said casually.

Jungkook gave me a grin.

“Getting promoted , are we? Congratulations, Areum...Take good care of my buddy, huh? He’s like a brother to me...” He turned back to Junho and the nausea was unbearable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Can’t I refuse?” I whispered, fingers shaking as I gathered the things at my desk.

Hoseok rolled his eyes.

“I don’t see why you would...It’s an obvious promotion You’ll get paid more... “

I was battling the urge to tell Hoseok what had happened but I also knew exactly how sexual harassment claims were handled. It was innocent until proven guilty and not the other way around.

I had no proof.

Nothing.

Junho on the other hand was one of Jungkook’s closest friends,. his father was an investor...he was rich and he had power. In what world would anyone believe me over him?

I couldn’t lose this job.

Maybe yesterday was a one off thing, I told myself. There’s no way he’s going to try something else. He has a cabin yes but there were cctvs everywhere.

As I made my way to the cabin , I stared up at the CCTVs put up all over the corridors. All of them had green blinking lights. As I reached the door to his office, I noticed the CCTV right over his door.

No light.

I had suspected it but it still hit me in the gut. The man wasn’t just a sleaze bag. He was a fucking predator. And I wondered how many other women he had done this to. Not even bothering to take a step inside, I called the maintenance dept.

“The CCTVs around Mr. Yang’s office seem to be not working.” I said calmly.

It took a few minutes but they told me someone had disabled the servers remotely, and that they had it up and running now. I watched the green light turn on again and took a deep breath before stepping in.

The office had two rooms.

One bigger glass walled room on the inside, with Junho’s desk and cabinets and the outer room was smaller, with a desk for me. i noticed the CCTV right opposite my desk. It was on as well.

I sat down behind the desk , quickly going through the day’s to do list left by the previous assistant, a guy called Jinki.

“Good morning, beautiful.” Junho had walked into the room. His voice felt like nail on a chalkboard and I willed myself not to glare.

“Good morning, sir.” I said softly.

“Hmm....sir...I like that. Sounds hot.” He leaned over the table to loom over me.

“Let’s have dinner tonight, you and me. I have a condo near the Han.”

I stared at him.

“You’re not bringing your dick anywhere near me.... I will castrate you if you try.” I smiled softly.

It took a few seconds for the words to register and he straightened, stunned.

And then his eyes narrowed.

“What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me. Now either let me do my job or you’re gonna lose yours.” I snapped.

He lunged for me without warning and I screamed, stunned. Before I could process what he was doing he was grabbing my hair, bodily dragging me over the desk and onto the floor.

I fell so hard that my bones rattled , shoulder stinging from hitting hard oak table.

I opened my mouth to scream again when he slapped me. Hard.

The force of it left me reeling .

“Stupid, slutty bitch....You think you can say not to me? To me? do you know who the fuck I am? I’m your boss, I fucking own you.....” His eyes were completely unhinged, mouth frothing a bit and I couldn’t fight back even a little.

He was grabbing my blouse, yanking hard and the fabric gave away, ripping right down my chest, I whimpered, fumbling for the desk, almost sobbing in relief when my hands closed over the heavy ceramic tray that held allk my pens. I grabbed the thing, bringing it down hard over his head, watching it shatter over him.

The shock made him let go and I stumbled to my feet, running out the door as fast I could.

I ran straight to Hoseok, because he was the only friend I had . People were staring, some of them shouting my name but I was running on adrenaline , mind only chanting i should get to Hoseok.

When I saw him, the panic hit in full force and I sobbed out, reaching for him with both arms.

Hoseok pulled me into his arms, looked terrified.

“Areum...what the fuck?” And then his eyes took in the torn blouse, the bruise blooming on my face and the blood trickling down the side of my mouth.

“That son of a bitch....!!” He whispered and then his eyes snapped up.

I clutched him harder when I realized that Junho had followed me.

“She’s lying...” He looked wild and unstable as he glared at me. “ She was like that when I came into the office, she’s trying to frame me because i wouldn’t sleep with her.....”

“The cctv.... “ I choked out. “ He...He disabled them....but I turned them back on.... He’s.... It caught everything....he...”

Junho’s eyes widened at that and it was almost ridiculous, how he tried to make a break for it. But there was a dozen men right behind him and two of them came forward to grab his arms.

“Call the fucking cops.” Hoseok said through clenched teeth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jungkook turned up, just as the cops arrived . The first thing they did was take Junho into custody and I found myself sitting in Hobi’s office, clutching a blanket around my body as I tried to narrate what had happened to the cop in front of me.

“What's going on hyung? I saw the ambulance and the cops....is someone hurt?” His voice carried through the corridor and I felt my lips wobble in part relief, part shame. I hated feeling weak.

I couldn’t hear what Hobi said but a second later the door to his office slammed open, hitting the opposite wall and Jungkook stood framed in the doorway, looking absolutely wild.

“Areum?” He whispered, and the sob got wrenched out of me.

“Jungkook, he....” I couldn’t get the words out and it turned out I didn't have to. Jungkook was moving quickly, kneeling in front of me and gathering me into his arms .

The cop gave me a small smile before getting up and moving away..

“I’m gonna be back in a while...Let me give you and your boyfriend some privacy...” She whispered and I was too tired to correct her.

“What happened....Baby...what the fuck did he do?” He whispered, pressing kisses to my hair and I clutched him harder.

“Nothing...I... he hit me... a couple of times....nothing else....”

Jungkook pulled back...

“And yesterday? He did something yesterday didn’t he? That’s why you looked so upset when I saw you...Areum what the fuck... why didn’t you tell me?” He looked completely stricken and I bit my lips.

“I wanted to... I was going to but...he...you were talking to each other you called each other best buddies and it was my word against his and-”

He made a noise of impatience .

“And what, you thought I’d believe him over you? Why on earth would I do that Areum?”

“Because he’s like your best friend and I’m just...” nobody. I’m nobody.

Jungkook almost whimpered, hands impossibly gentle as he pressed them against my cheeks, holding me gently, leaning forward till our foreheads touched. His fingers stroked my cheeks, soothing the bruise and I sobbed when he kissed me gently.

A soft peck before pulling back to stare at me. He took a deep breath.

“I know we fight and irritate the fuck out of each other Areum but I care for you , okay?” He wiped the perspiration on his face, “ I care so fucking much for you and it fucking kills me that you got hurt in my company on my watch ..... That some fucker managed to get his fucking hands on you and he’s till out there breathing when I should have put him six feet under the fucking ground for even looking at you.....”

I blinked back tears.

“Okay... Okay...” I nodded , not even sure what I was agreeing to.

“You trust me right?” He asked, voice breaking, “ I would believe you over anyone else.. your word is my truth okay....you trust me right?” He was staring at me and I saw the wetness in his eyes and felt my heart break.

“I trust you....” I whispered, pulling him close and letting his left his head on my chest. I stroked his hair before kissing the top of his head. “ I trust you.”

I love you.

And though I didn’t say it out loud, I felt it, all over my body and in my heart.

AUTHOR’S NOTE : PAIN.

Guys, be sure to leave some feedback because I have zero motivation to write these days and its only when I read your asks that I can bring myself to write :-*

191 notes · View notes