#i understand my sisters purchase problem

[strawbabycowboy]

anyway so i spent 130 on earrings today and will prob spend another 100 tomorrow 🫡

[yuellii]

PLEASE ( DON’T ) BE MY WINGWOMAN !

𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇 his female best friend tries to help him win your love, but knowing her, it all goes wrong

feat. lyney, neuvillette, ayato ( separate )

note. gn reader, features : lynette, furina, ayaka. hello i am officially back and also officially 21 !! :]

LYNEY.

“Oh, woe is me! Please assist, my dearest sister!” The magician sat sprawled atop the couch quite dramatically, backhand over his forehead feigning feverish feelings. “Whatever shall I do when the God of Romance is plotting against a hopeless romantic, such as I?”

“What’s wrong this time?” By contrast, his sister’s voice proved no fluctuations, tone lacking the honeyed sound he needed for sympathy. Instead of catering to his sorrows, she instead sipped lightly at her tea, for it was far more relaxing than her brother’s ‘woes.’

Still, Lyney sighed. “The love of my life—my soulmate!” he cried out. “How should I win the affections of my other half, when I can’t even grasp the scale of romantic favor?”

“Desserts.”

Lyney sat up. “I beg your pardon?”

“Give desserts,” Lynette shrugged. “Everyone likes desserts.” This reasoning totally made the most sense to her.

She watched as Lyney started at her blankly for just a moment, and then he inhaled sharply. “So I should… use desserts as my gift…” With each passing word, Lynette watched as a staggering excitement in his voice grew tenfold. “And then, if I keep giving their favorite treats”—Lyney gasped—“they’ll start to associate the sweetness with me! Oh, Lynette, you’re a genius!”

Lynette blinked at him. That strategy explanation was not what she said at all, but whatever. Not her problem.

But when Lyney dragged her by the hand to go purchase desserts, and then forced her to sit down at the cafe just to watch him gift treats to you, then maybe it was her problem.

“A very special dessert!” he presented, and Lynette sat with disinterest as she watched your eyes light up at his cheap old appearance trick. “For a very special person.” And now came her own eye roll—caused by the way Lyney giggled to himself at the end of his own sentence.

Maybe it was charming ( but personally Lynette didn’t see the appeal ), because there was a sparkle that appeared in your eyes in admiration of him. And suddenly, Lynette didn’t understand why he was trying to win your love at all, because it’s clear to her that he’s already won it.

“This is for me?” she heard you say. “This is actually my favorite! Oh, Lyney, you shouldn’t have!”

“Don’t even worry,” she watched Lyney wave off. “It was given to me for free at the shop”—Huh?—“and I have no space for it”—What was he…?—“so I thought you might like it!”

Lynette blinked to herself. Then she blinked to herself again. And then one more time, and now Lyney was back to her spot with you no longer in sight. “How did I do?” Lyney excitedly questioned her. “A good start, right? Step one of your idea to get my crush to become obsessed with me is complete!”

Okay first of all, that was literally not her idea, but maybe she should’ve communicated it better. And second, “Why did you lie? That dessert wasn’t free—You specifically bought it to give to them.”

Lyney immediately raised a finger with that confident smirk of his. “Because, my dear sister,” he began, “it’s called playing hard to get.”

If she could sigh, she would. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am! And I’m taking this game very seriously, too. Do you know how hard it is to keep my cool when I’m around the love of my life?!”

“Playing hard to get just makes it harder to get someone, Lyney. They might lose interest and move on.” But still, Lyney insisted. And still, Lynette just silently rolled her eyes.

The next time this happened was literally only a day later. So much for playing “hard to get,” she supposes. Perhaps Lyney didn’t quite fully understand the scope of how suspicious it was to offer you another “free dessert” only a day later. Or, he was just so lovestruck he absolutely could not wait to talk to you again.

Lynette decided the answer to be the latter option.

And once again, he claimed not to buy this dessert on his own, and Lynette did not miss the obvious eyebrow raise you gave her brother this time. You were still grateful since it was your favorite, of course, but it was rather clear you were beginning to question this. Lynette sighed to herself.

“Lynette!” Lyney called excitedly once he left you. “Oh, dear sister, did you see it this time? She stayed with me a bit longer—grabbing the plate much more slowly. She must have been at the start of falling in love with—!” Lyney stopped when he saw the empty seat. “Uh, Lynette?”

Farther away, you suddenly yelped in surprise, almost dropping the plated dessert in your hands.

“Sorry,” Lynette mumbled. Oops, she didn’t mean to scare you. But… maybe appearing in your field of sighs so suddenly once you turned a corner and coming from a darkened alleyway was not the most subtle.

“It’s alright,” you brushed of. “Oh, you must be Lynette, right? Lyney’s sister!”

“Correct.” Ah, how would she bring this up? She was never really the best with words… And definitely not when she had to use a lot of them. “Um, my brother,” she started. “Don’t mind him being weird.”

At the mention of her brother being weird ( perhaps she should defend him, but whatever, he was being weird. ), you seemed to relax. “Yeah…” you trailed off. “He’s been giving me these desserts lately—didn’t seem too coincidental that he keeps getting them for ‘free’… Especially since they’re, um, not even having a promotion right now.”

Again, if Lynette could wack her brother on the head right now, she would.

“He likes you.”

The sudden shock on your face tells Lynette that maybe she shouldn’t have said that so bluntly. Or that she shouldn’t have said that. At all.

“You’re a very dear friend to him,” she correct. Oh, wait, but she didn’t want to completely shut off the idea of romance. Correct it again, quick. “Or, very dear person… Yeah.”

You stayed quiet for a moment, probably trying to process the amount of confessions and corrections she just shot at you. Archons, you probably thought her and her brother were so weird. Unfortunately, she couldn’t blame you.

“Thanks, Lynette,” you said, and she noticed your feet shift to walk away. “Actually, I think I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

Well, Lyney certainly hoped you would. She just silently watched as you walked off. But she wasn’t worried, no. As long as you spoke of this “next time,” Lynette was sure her brother would eventually succeed with you, even if he was being weird at this game.

NEUVILLETTE.

The thing that gets Furina the most excited—absolutely elated, much shown in the way she kicks her feet and patters her fingers—is the fact that her dear Iudex has no idea he’s so in love with you.

To not only her, but also the rest of Fontaine, word is quick to spread with the simple way his feet always end up turned in your direction, or how lips curve a slight upwards motion when he speaks to you. Or, the way his feelings of admiration brings out the colors in his eyes, and the shyer tone in which he laughs along with you.

And Furina, being the bestest of friends she certainly is, only wants what’s best for the Chief Justice, truly! It’s such a downer seeing him be a quiet, unsociable, hard-to-get-along-with loner all the time. And so, the moment she catches wind of his feelings, she is more than quick to come up with a way to loop the two of you together.

She pats herself in the back. She’s confident that he’ll totally thank her for all her efforts later.

This confidence still yet remains even when she has you standing up nervously on trial, wide eyes a bit scared to be accused of a crime by the Hydro Archon herself. And Neuvillette atop his seat looks exasperated, much so in a way the audience is always eyeing him with fluttering eyes and chattering whispers—because the Iudex is looking at you with such a public display of concern that he has never been known to show another on trial.

Oh, she could already see the Steambird’s morning headlines! Chief Justice Neuvillette casts eyefuls of worry towards the accused?! Or, The Iudex’s rumored lover: Accused by Lady Furina?! —Oh, oh! She was so excited!

Amidst her internal giggles was when Neuvillette’s cane came hammered down on the wooden floor of his balcony seat, silencing every voice in the Opera Epiclese. “Furina,” his voice scatters as firm as ever, though the Archon could some people gasp to themselves—Ah, she could always trust her people to spot even the slightest difference in his voice; He was clearly angrier today! “I believe you have some explaining to do.”

“Is it not obvious, my dear Iudex?” she loudly proclaimed as if acting in a performance. Her voice was playful and teasing as always, and she could tell Neuvillette was much more annoyed by it than usual today. “I am pressing charges against a darling citizen, yet a criminal over here…!”

And that was when she threw the back of her hand over her forehead for dramatic effect, making you only more nervous upon your stand. Such an increase in your fear was clearly noticeable to the Iudex, of course, as he immediately spoke to silence the Archon accusing you.

“And what would those charges entail, Furina?”

There was a sudden glare in his eyes, almost threatening. But oh well, nothing he could do—She knew he would stick by the law and allow her to make her claim anyways. This was so easy, she could almost laugh to herself!

“For…”

Oh, celebration was already at the back of her mind!

“Murder!”

…Holy shit. Oh Archons. She was supposed to say theft. “Theft,” for stealing Neuvillette’s heart. But instead she slipped up and said murder.

Oh, she can’t take that back now. But… But no worries! She was the beloved Archon that had absolutely no issues performing for her people—ergo, she could totally come up with a new plan! Certainly, a single-word slip-up will surely not mess up her entire pickup line here.

“Yes, you heard me,” she played along, hands balling to fists and dramatically sitting at her hips. “Murder!”

“Furina!” Neuvillette silenced from his place below on the podium. Never before has she seen his facial expression this angered. There was a furrow between his brows that betrayed his usually calm and emotionless look—and aw, she thought it was so romantic for him to show these emotions so outwardly just for you! The audience must love his display of passion right now—all to defend your honor! “What is the meaning of this?” his voice boomed.

Furina cleared her throat. “Murder…” she began to make her case against you. You, who looked up at her so fearfully. She almost felt bad. “For… For breathing…!” Wait, that’s not what she meant. “No, no, like murder… of breath— of my breath— no, of Neuvillette’s breath, I mean—” Okay, at this point, she just needed to spit something out. And that was when she raised a finger, pointing it accusingly down at you and making her claim: “You killed Neuvillette!”

The next instance was filled with a silence so deafeningly powerful that she felt her own stomach churn and her knees grow shaky. Well, this was definitely an embarrassment she hopes to never feel again.

Surely, this silence wasn’t awkward enough for her land the finishing blow…?

“Like, you stole his breath away…” she tried. “So you technically killed him.”

Okay maybe it was time for her to shut up.

Neuvillette’s face; oh, he looked absolutely furious. This was not the picture-perfect sight of cherry tomato blushing she was hoping for here. And you: a horror-stricken disbelief. Your mind looked like it was racing to comprehend both being charged with such a serious crime, and having the Chief Justice just randomly outed in public for… having a crush on you…?

Meanwhile Furina stood still in her usual place, just about ready to curl up and die from her failed attempt at a love confession. But before that, perhaps Celestia heard her prayers.

The audience pretty much erupted in girlish screams and whispers—all those watchful citizens of Fontaine who treated your relationship with Neuvillette like the hottest topic of the century, like the storybook romance they were reading obsessively. And now, Furina watched—watched as your expression contorted to slow realization that maybe your Archon wasn’t exactly lying about Neuvillette’s feelings, and that maybe almost the entire nation was already romanticizing you two.

And then, there: that was when Furina watched as your face blew up an expression of pure embarrassment, all the fear being completely wiped away. Then Furina could almost die when she turned her gaze to Neuvillette—who was still watching you very intently—and how the ends of his ears turned a blushing red.

Oh, this view was priceless. Once again, perfect Focalors saves the day!

KAMISATO AYATO.

Thoma clicked his tongue. “Tall and awkward.” He squinted his eyes. “Practically unrecognizable in Inazuma despite your status.” Then, he tilted his head. “Absolutely terrible at small talk.”

Finally, Thoma nodded his head. “Yep, you don’t have a chance, my Lord.”

Thoma yelped as a paper fan hit his shoulder, and that was when Ayaka slid at the seat next to him. He made a quick apology to her, but when Ayaka looked across the table, she saw how her older brother didn’t seem quite phased at Thoma’s mean evaluation at all.

Instead, he seemed to be really considering what was told to him.

“Oh, brother,” Ayaka caught his attention. “Don’t listen to Thoma, he was only being mean. Personally, I think you have a good chance at winning this date!”

“No, no, Thoma might be right,” Ayato pondered. Aw, Ayaka didnt like it when he doubted himself. “All of those traits may make this date go horribly wrong—I might end up appearing as undesirable…”

Ayaka frowned. She may not have a love life of her own, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t watching her brother’s love life like an Inazuman drama act or like a romantic storybook. And the fact that Ayato has downright fallen tremendously hard for you—who Ayaka also loved dearly, and who she admired so much—makes her pray to the Archons every night for your relationship to set sail.

So Ayato scoring this first date with you was already a big deal on its own. Only… He wasn’t quite sure what date plan would make him the most appealing man to be courting you.

Of course, who else could he turn to, other than his darling best friend and sister? Ayaka certainly had no expertise in this, but if there was one thing…

“Brother, please take this!” Across the table, she shoved a stack of just a few papers, slightly faded and lightly wrinkled, into his hands. He blinked in surprise at them for a moment before squinting at the rushed handwriting that clearly did not belong to his sister. “The Traveler gave this to me; It’s a recipe for a pizza dish from Mondstadt!

And that was how she ended up here, watching with Thoma from the sidelines of the estate as Ayato gives you the friendliest smile can force upon himself as he offers to make the both of you food. Now, the last time Ayaka tried this, she blew up the oven with the Traveler in earshot. But surely, she knew her brother had much better survival skills than she did, and there was no way he would ruin a perfectly easy pizza recipe.

But then Thoma almost burst out laughing from their secluded hiding spot, and that was when she noticed her brother bringing out not one, but instead two platters of pizza. A rather odd aroma in the air. Oh.

“I thought we’d spice things up!” they heard Ayato say to you, clasping his gloved hands together and regaining his weird, excited smile and that equally weird, excited tone in his voice. Oh brother… “One pizza is normal, and the other pizza has random toppings I threw on it—as a taste test!”

And when he set the two down, it was… quite interesting. One was a normal mushroom pizza, cooked based on Traveler’s recipe: Ayato certainly made it much better than Ayaka could’ve attempted. But the second pizza was topped with a rather colorful palette: lavender melons, sea grass, and what looked like Sea Ganoderma. Ayaka and Thoma already found themselves gagging at the smell.

When Ayaka glanced at her blonde companion, he was furiously shaking his head at her, running a thumb straight across his throat as if saying “It’s over for him.” And honestly, Ayaka might have to agree this time. Maybe she should’ve never given him that pizza recipe or that cooking idea.

“A ‘taste test’…” you echoed. The two eavesdroppers heard shifts from your side do the table, meaning you reached forward to grab a slice—they quite obviously guessed you picked the regular mushroom pizza. “The host should go first, don’t you think?”

Oh? Did that mean you were interested in this game of two after all? Ayaka’s eyes practically lit up—She was so excited for her brother!

“I’ll take up that offer of yours,” Ayato chuckled lowly. And with no gag or hesitance at all, he takes a large bite with a whole unsavory mixture of the ingredients entering the cave of his mouth. “Mm, not bad at all.”

You were visibly surprised by his calmness, now reaching out to grab a slice of your own and biting it just as he did.

But almost immediately, that bite was spat right back out onto a napkin at the mere taste of this weird concoction. “Bleh, Lord Commissioner! How did you manage to eat a whole slice?!”

The first thing Ayaka and Thoma noticed: The way you said this was amidst laughter. You were laughing, and it even sounded like you were smiling. Because whenever Ayato tried this sort of gross mixing method with Thoma or Ayaka, they would also say the same line of disgust, but in an unfavorable way. But, no—You sounded genuinely lighthearted?

The second thing Ayaka and Thoma noticed ( from even the slightest of peeks ): The big, bona fide grin on Ayato’s face at your reaction. Oh, he was absolutely eating this up, as no one ever showed a positive reaction to his weird little hobby before. And of course, being partnered with the fact he was ( not-so ) secretly in love with you, only made it so much better for him.

“It was alright, I’d say!” he spoke excitedly, a hint of an uncontrollable laughter and uncontrollable smile laced in his voice. “It had the most memorable texture, and the taste felt like I was in touch with mother nature.”

You only scoffed at him in a joking manner, “None of those ‘compliments’ of yours weren’t inherently positive, Commissioner.”

To that, he gave you another big grin before silently reaching to eat yet another slice of this suspicious pizza. Well, Ayaka supposed her brother’s weirdness landing a perfect date with you, after all. And then she pat herself on the back—because maybe, giving him that recipe was the best mistake she could make.

// not proofread ;; THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNIER THAN INTENDED. BUT IM BAD AT BEING FUNNY :(

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for getting upset about my mom's food waste?

so food waste is an ongoing problem we've been having for probably our whole lives. recently, i've started to realize the extent to it (i wouldn't say it's absolutely horrendous, it just feel guilty about how much we trash) and try to minimize how much we throw out.

for context, i (16m) have my chores constrained to the kitchen. i am fine with this and have volunteered for it since i have a love for cooking and own it as my responsibility. i meal plan, cook dinner, breakfast, desserts, etc., keep the fridge clean, do the dishes, and clean the counters. again, this is all to my own volition.

i have set up a system that i've discussed with my whole family (mom and two sisters) that every week my mom and i will do a shopping trip to get ingredients for the meals for that week and only that. they have all agreed and the plan works pretty well from there.

this is where i'm wondering if i'm the asshole.

my mom has this weird habit of not being able to say no to herself. i've repeatedly told her she's not allowed to buy things not on my list since it usually doesn't get used. every time i've brought it up, she agrees. and the she'll do it again.

i've gotten really frustrated with her behavior and have started to get snappy about it. the sister i am very close to has said she understands my frustrations but ultimately i cannot control my mom and she can get things she wants.

the other night my mom and i had an argument over this. i had gone through the freezer and pulled out a few things that had their expiration date either 1 or 2 years back, so i threw them out. i think it's gross to eat them since they've most likely been in there for 4-5 years (freezer items usually last 2-3 years right at purchase). my mom saw them in the trash and asked why i threw them out. i told her they were expired and she got annoyed, saying that even if they were a bit past the expiration date, they were still good. i do understand that that's sometimes the case, but this was mostly meat. i have a weird relationship with meat where if it is even slightly off (being in the freezer too long, looking weird even if it's good, having any cartilage, etc), i won't it eat because it makes me want to throw up.

i took it to my own judgement to throw it out since it hadn't been touched since we bought it anyway. she got mad and said it cost her money so we should use it anyway. i retorted that if it was so expensive, why had she forgotten about it for so long? i also thought about bringing up all the stuff she buys and throws out later, but decided to keep it to myself.

the argument ended with her washing the items off and putting them back in the freezer. i'm still mad about all the food she buys that hasn't been asked for. i do feel weird about it since she can eat whatever she wants, i'm not controlling her on that, i'm just trying to reduce food waste. so, aita?

What are these acronyms?

[separatist-apologist]

Traitors Never Win

Summary: When Feyre Archeron's father promises she'll marry notorious crime boss Rhysand Moreno, Feyre will do anything to get out of the arrangement…including framing him for murder.

Rhysand isn't about to let her go so easily.

Read on AO3 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

In retrospect, the signs were all there. What were the odds the agent had the same name as her would-be fiance? Feyre hadn’t thought anything of it, even after she’d let him eat her out. It had been waking up at dawn, his arm draped over her, and a memory of Rhys jogging down the sidewalk after her weeks earlier.

He’d called her Feyre.

Not Sarah, like everyone–even Tamlin—did when they were in public. But Feyre. And for whatever reason, it had felt like a warning bell in her head that this man didn’t act very copish. He was chatty and didn’t seem overly concerned with rules. Casual in a way Tamlin never was. It was clear he had blood on his hands, but not in a sanctioned kind of way.

She just wanted to know. So Feyre had gone through his things until she found his laptop opened and unprotected…and the feed of his house running in the corner of his computer. She’d found the chats between himself and two people labeled only C and A documenting their progress keeping her sisters out of the loop while Rhys tracked her down.

She should have shot him. Feyre couldn’t stop thinking about it as they drove. He had her in handcuffs—because when he put her down in the driveway she’d slapped him so hard she’d busted his lip—and Feyre didn’t think he’d be stupid enough to take them off.

“You’re going to get caught,” Feyre taunted as Rhys drove, unconcerned and undeterred. 

His amusement annoyed her. “We’ll see,” was all he said in response. 

For a few hours, Feyre tried everything. She screamed at the top of her lungs and kicked at the dash until Rhys threatened to tie her up and throw her in the back. He sounded serious when he said it and Feyre believed he would do far worse if he felt like he had to. For a moment, she contemplated crashing the car and killing them both before she thought better of it.

With her luck, they’d both survive anyway. 

Feyre didn’t want to die. What she wanted was for all this to end in a way that made them all happy and so, as they began climbing into the mountains, Feyre decided a different tact.

“I’m sorry I framed you for my fathers murder,” she said, not sorry at all. It sounded petulant even to her ears.

Rhys arched a brow. “Liar.”

“You purchased me—”

“I purchased your fathers business,” Rhys interrupted, gripping the steering wheel so tightly the whites of his knuckles were showing. “How am I supposed to know if he told you or not? Most women in your position understand the life and the expectations that come with it.”

“No one ever asked if I wanted to marry you. Which I don’t, just so we’re clear,” Feyre told him, twisting her cuffed wrists resting in her lap. 

Rhys didn’t look moved. Still, Feyre had to keep trying.

“Look. What if I just—”

“No.”

“No?”

“No,” Rhys agreed, turning on his wipers as fog and a thin drizzle began to wash over them. “I won’t agree not to marry you in exchange for your terms. The only way out of this—for both of us— is marriage.”

Anger flared through her all over again. “I’m not marrying you!”

“You will,” he replied with more of that arrogance. “Or you would have shot me.”

“Are those my only options?” she demanded.

“I know you have no problems with murder, my darling. It should have been easy for you and yet here I am, and here you are.”

“You’re insane.”

Rhys only shrugged, allowing the pair to lapse into silence. Feyre didn’t know what else to say to him that might change his mind and so, maybe it was better to just try and understand him. If she could future out what made him tick, she could figure out how to beat him. Everyone had a weakness and that included Rhys. 

“Have you been looking for me the entire time?”

“Yes,” he agreed, his shoulders still tight. 

“To kill me?”

A sly smile spread against his face. “Not even close.”

He was absurd. Feyre didn’t believe for one minute that he’d spent the last five years chasing her simply because he wanted to be with her. No, this was punishment somehow. 

Though…last night hadn’t felt like a punishment. That didn’t mean anything. Last night he’d been another federal agent who wanted to touch her and not…himself. 

“What are you going to do to me?” she finally asked. 

“The same thing we’ve been doing,” Rhys replied with easy finality. “I’m not going to kill you, Feyre.”

“But you won’t let me go?”

“Where would you run to? Your sisters? The life before? All of that is over,” he said, gripping the wheel tightly against the winding road. “There is nothing to go back to.”

“Except you?”

“I’m your future, baby,” he reminded her. A horrific future in which she sat quietly in their house while he continued to terrorize their city. A future in which she had no say, had to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Feyre could wait him out. How long before the feds realized she was missing? 

“I guess you haven’t been indicted, then?”

Rhys laughed, reminding Feyre that he was truly beautiful. Nothing at all like she’d imagined, with his dark hair and sculpted features. He looked very late twenties, early thirties—still young, still attractive and if the night before was any indication, virile. She’d been picturing someone her fathers age—old, and with a string of dead wives behind him.

Not that it made Rhys any less insane, of course. 

“No, Feyre. They can’t indict me because this is one crime I didn’t commit.”

“But Tamlin said—”

“That everything hinged on your testimony?” he guessed, glancing over at her. “Yes, I’ve heard that before. What happens, my little love, when you can’t keep this act up anymore?”

“It’s not an act,” Feyre replied.

“Perjury is a crime, too,” Rhys reminded her. 

“Who cares about lying?”

“The feds will care,” Rhys replied, reasonable as ever. “Especially when they can’t convict me because you’re a liar. They’re going to be pissed you squandered their best chance at taking me down and you’ll become their sacrificial lamb.”

“Let me guess. Unless I marry you?”

“Smart girl,” he praised. 

“I could recant—”

“Back to jail for murder,” Rhys reminded her. It was easy to forget Feyre had actually killed her father. Somehow she’d divorced it from her mind, the actions belonging to someone who most certainly was not her. Right then, though, Feyre could remember picking up the cool metal of the bat and taking a swing. Her father had been facing his computer rather than her—he hadn’t seen it coming. 

His head had bounced off his keyboard with a sickening crunch. She knew, right then, if she didn’t keep going that she would pay for what she’d done. Though Feyre hadn’t cared about being punished. It had felt good to have her retribution, to repay him for the years of neglect. 

When she came back to the moment she found Rhys watching her. “I remember my first kill, too.”

“Was it your father?”

Rhys’s smile was soft. “My uncle, actually.”

“Why?”

“Well, he made a play for my fathers seat—that’s my official story.”

“But the truth?” Feyre questioned.

“I love my cousin,” he said quietly, eyes darkening in memory. “And my uncle did not.”

Oh. 

“So you’re, what, a man with a code?”

Rhys shrugged again. “If that’s what you want to call it.”

“Are you going to hurt me?” 

But Feyre already knew the answer to that. Maybe that was what had compelled her to let him in without the usual protocol being adhered to. And last night…fuck. This was a kidnapping—she hated him.

And she was attracted to him. 

It made him more dangerous than he already, especially now that he knew they shared this in common. She’d seen him naked, and she’d liked it. Had let him flip her over the bed and fuck her throat like…like a whore. Feyre had wanted to do more with him, had been thinking about him naked even as she opened his laptop. 

She was thinking about it right then even as the cabin emerged from the fog. It was remote—that was her first thought. There was no one for miles and only one road that had branched from the main one miles back. It was becoming apparent that the only way in or out was in a car and if she wanted to escape, she’d need to get his keys.

A problem, considering he had her in handcuffs. But if she could trick him into freeing her…let him believe she cared about him and would willingly marry him, Feyre could get unrestrained long enough to incapacitate him and escape. She didn’t know where she’d escape to, but that was future Feyre’s problem. Getting far away from him was the first step, though. 

Rhys was ever the gentleman, opening her door and helping her out only for Feyre to jam her elbow in his gut. 

“I hate you,” she reminded him.

“As long as you feel something for me.”

“Disgust? Loathing?”

“Arousal,” he replied, hoisting her up in the air for no other reason than he apparently wanted to touch her ass. “I can practically smell it on you.”

“You’re disgusting,” she retorted, jamming her elbow into his neck. Rhys hissed, but didn’t drop her as he led her into the house. 

“I’ll be eating that pussy by the end of the week. You’ll beg for my tongue.”

“Maybe it’s you who will beg,” she replied, thinking about holding a knife to his throat.

“Almost certainly,” Rhys practically purred. “Welcome home, baby.”

He dropped her to the wood floor in a heap, chuckling as he made his way through the warm living room toward the kitchen. 

“This isn’t my home.”

“Well, no. Our home is far nicer and closer to restaurants. But this could be your home for the holidays. I’ll teach you to ski.”

“You’re crazy.”

Rhys rolled his eyes, a glass of scotch in his hand. “This only ends in one of two ways for you and me, baby. I figure it’s better to choose my way than yours.”

“Your way is marriage, which means mine is—”

“Death,” he said, his voice roughening. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning, Feyre. You’ll leave with me as my wife or we won’t leave at all.”

“Because you’ll kill us both?” she accused.

“Because there are only so many places I can hide you before we’re found, and I’m not letting you go if we’re not married,” he bit back. 

And that was that. Feyre picked herself up off the floor so Rhys could offer her a drink, which she accepted, and a tour, which she had no choice but to participate in. The cabin was nice—four bedrooms plus Rhys’s office, a basement that looked decidedly haunted, and a hot tub out on the deck she had no interest in.

“Which room is mine?” she asked when he was finally done showing her the scope of her new prison. It was a stupid question and one Rhys answered with a broad grin. Her room was his room, and right then Feyre understood exactly how things were going to go down.

Or, she thought she did until she saw the outfits he’d brought out for her.

“This is see through,” she said, holding up the panels of fabric clearly meant to be some kind of outfit.

“Is it?” Rhys replied, clearly seeing her hand through the transparent fabric. 

“I’m not wearing it.”

“Even better,” she said with a grin before flopping to the bed. “That was my preference.”

Feyre tried to get into the bed wearing her jeans, but Rhys stopped her. “Pick.”

“You’re an animal,” she snapped, snatching the dress from the bed. “You can’t stockholm me into loving you.”

“You already love me,” Rhys informed her, so self assured that Feyre was momentarily taken aback. “You would have admitted it had you not found out who I am. I wonder where we’d be then, Feyre.”

“Hell,” she replied, stomach twisting at the thought, “because I would have killed us both.”

“It would be heaven, dying at your hands—”

“Oh, shut up,” she snapped, stalking for the attached bathroom. The sheer dress was exactly as bad as she’d imagined—she would have been better off naked. It was merely the illusion of privacy and what was worse was the knowledge that if she escaped, it would probably be in this. 

Feyre came back out to Rhys, arms crossed over her chest. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to her. Not when he was already so pleased with himself. She imagined Rhys thought he’d won—that he was about to get everything he wanted if he just waited a little longer.

Feyre held out her still cuffed wrists. “Please,” she forced herself to say. 

“Because you asked so nicely,” Rhys agreed, pulling the key from his pocket. It was a relief not to have the heavy, tight metal no longer twisting her delicate skin. Feyre forced herself into bed, trying desperately not to drink in the heady scent of him. Couldn’t he have been ugly, at least? His visual appeal didn’t help anything—Feyre couldn’t escape her attraction to him, which was muddling things, at least a little. 

She let him hold her until he fell asleep. Feyre feigned it, evening out her breathing and keeping her eyes closed. And for a little while, as she waited, Feyre tried to imagine a life like this. Would he always make her dress like a whore? Would she be another little trinket to him, a toy to amuse himself with before he discarded her for someone more interesting. For all her fathers flaws—and there were many—he was always faithful to their mother. But Feyre had grown up in the life and she knew that was the exception and not the rule.

Rhys was beautiful. She doubted she’d get that kind of fidelity from him. Deciding she wasn’t going to ask him any of her questions, Feyre instead slipped from his loosened grip, quickly pulled on her shoes, and began searching for car keys.

Feyre was jumpy—every creak, every rattle of the wind sent her crawling out of her skin until she couldn’t take it anymore. Stealing his coat, Feyre decided she’d take her chances and just make a run for it. 

The air was cold, seeping through Rhys’s warm jacket before the door was closed behind her. Feyre braced herself before taking the icy steps to the drive. His parked car taunted her and though it was tempting to damage the sleek, black body, Feyre didn’t have time.

She needed to put as much distance between herself and that man as she could before he woke up. Wishing she was stealthier, Feyre left the road for only a moment before realizing how slick and steep the sides were—she was likely to accidentally topple down an embankment and freeze to death.

She was likely to freeze to death anyway. There was no snow, no rain, but the wind was brutal and leftover liquid slipped into the cracks of her shoes until her feet were numb. The pure darkness around her did nothing to help. Every little sound was a predator coming to kill her. Feyre had assumed she could figure out her way back to the road, but after what felt like an eternity walking, she began to feel hopeless.

Scared, too.

What if she’d gone the wrong way and no one found her? Not even Rhys, who she knew would be out looking the minute he found her missing. Feyre took another step, slipping on a patch of unseen ice. Throwing her arms out to steady herself, she stumbled to the side and went tumbling to the side of the mountain they were on. Snow slipped through the openings in Rhys’s jacket and covered her face, muffling her panicked, desperate scream. 

Certain she was going to die, Feyre squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for freefall. Instead, her body slammed into the trunk of a pine tree, keeping her from going any further. She was trapped in a coffin made of ice and her lungs hurt every time she took a breath.

And still, she was alive.

Feyre swallowed, looking up at the swaying branches overhead. Okay. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than nothing. All she had to do was—

“Feyre?!”

“Rhys,” she breathed, strangely relieved to see him. The darkness was minutely illuminated by the headlights of his car, and when she squinted upward, she could see the dark outline of him peering down.

“Feyre?!” he yelled again and too late, Feyre realized he couldn’t see her. 

“Rhys!” she called in return, the effort making her cough. It was enough, though—she heard him swear loudly before turning back for the car. She was so, so fucked and she knew it. Right then, though, Rhys was her salvation as he carefully made his way down after her. 

“Are you trying to put me in an early grave?” he asked once he reached her. By then, Feyre’s teeth were chattering so violently she couldn’t speak. All she could do was press her frigid cheek to his warm chest when he lifted her into his arms. Somehow he managed to get her back up that hillside and into the passenger seat of his car. 

He was angry judging by the tight set of his jaw and how roughly he gripped the steering wheel. And Feyre, for her part, was too exhausted to even try and do damage control. She merely let Rhys do whatever he felt was necessary, which included stripping them both of their clothes and piling blankets on top of them. She didn’t protest, either, when she felt the length of his warm body pressed against her spine.

“Just breathe,” Rhys murmured into her hair. “You’ll survive this.”

Feyre fell asleep like that and when she woke, she was sweaty and thirsty, but she was alive. Alone, too, judging from the lack of Rhys beside her. There were no laid out clothes and when she went looking for the sheer dresses he’d picked up for her, she found nothing but his clothes. Deciding on one of his shirts, Feyre pulled a long, black tee over her head before making her way to the main area of the cabin.

Rhys was waiting in a pair of charcoal slacks and a buttoned up, violet shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He was texting on his phone, brows furrowed. 

“Eat,” he said without looking at her, gesturing toward a plate of eggs. Was he really not mad? Feyre tried to think of something to say to him before deciding that really, this was his fault. He’d kidnapped her, after all—did he not expect her to try and escape him? She wasn’t going to apologize for trying. 

Feyre did as she was told while Rhys largely ignored her, staring down at his phone reading whatever had him so captivated. He took her plate when she finished, sliding it into the sink before gesturing with two fingers for her to stand.

“You’re coming with me,” he said, his voice suggesting she do as he say. 

“Rhys—”

“You could have died,” he interrupted, his eyes burning with the same intensity as the stars in the sky. “You would have died if I’d woken any later. So get up, Feyre darling.”

“What are you going to do to me?” she asked him, arms crossed over her chest. 

“Get up, Feyre.”

“If you hurt me—”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he snarled, clearly offended. She believed him, thinking back to the night before when he’d carried her back to bed without a word. He hadn’t even protested when her frigid back touched his skin and Feyre knew she would have made him suffer alone beneath blankets had the situation been reversed. 

“But you’re going to do something?” she asked. His eyes sparkled. 

“Turn around,” he instructed. Feyre did, only to hear the clicking of the handcuffs. 

“Rhys—”

“Shhh,” he murmured, running his hands over her shoulders. “I won’t have you hitting me in the face.”

“But I can kick you?” she challenged as he poked her toward the hall.

“You could try,” he replied in that good natured way of his. Rhys took Feyre to his office, closing and locking the door behind him. Feyre halted, barefoot on the soft rug, until Rhys poked her in the spine again.

“Sit,” he said, nodding toward his chair behind his desk. It was awkward given this time her hands were cuffed behind her back. 

“What are you doing?”

“Teaching you a lesson,” he murmured, eyeing her with appreciation. “I have a few calls I need to sit in on and I clearly can’t leave you alone while I work. So you’ll sit here with me and keep me company until I’m done.”

“You’d let me hear all your dirty secrets?” she taunted, her tone implying she would absolutely tell a federal agent if she escaped.

Rhys didn’t take the bait. “My wife ought to know where our money comes from.”

“I’m not—”

“You are,” he replied with a finality she didn’t bother arguing with. “Now spread your legs.”

“No.”

Rhys stared at her for a moment, head cocked like a predator assessing his prey. Feyre was certain she could outlast him, ignoring the bolt of arousal that had snaked up her spine the moment she realized what he wanted.

He wasn’t a serious man, she decided. He was wanted, on the run with a literal hostage and he wanted her to spread her legs? Not tie her up in his dungeon and withhold food or water until she broke…he wanted to eat her out.

The phone rang, causing them both to start. Rhys pressed a finger to his lips in a demand of silence, before pushing the speaker button. 

“Go,” he said in that dark, rich voice of his.

“Boss, there’s been some shit—”

Rhys muted himself, only half listening as he murmured, “Spread your legs, Feyre, or I’m going to sit you on my cock for the next three hours.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed as Rhys began to sink to his knees.

“Wouldn’t I?” he murmured, grabbing her knees and wrenching them open. She was wearing only a shirt—everything else was soaked from the night before and Rhys had obnoxiously not provided any undergarments. He could see everything…though she’d already shown him two nights before.

Rhys leaned behind him, pulling his phone closer so he could hit the button and say, “Where is he now?”

“Dead.”

“Good. Tell me the rest,” he replied, clearly paying attention to the conversation in a way Feyre wasn’t. Then he was muting himself once again, pushing her thigh wide, and lowering his head.

“Rhys—”

“Shhh,” he murmured again. “I’m working, my love.”

She couldn’t focus on anything—not even kicking him in the face. He was so ridiculous, so beautiful, and he was on his knees trailing kisses up one of her bare thighs.

“How many—” Feyre took a breath when she felt her lips graze her pussy. “How many laundromats do you own?”

“We own,” he replied, the idiot. “Just four. I prefer car washes, personally. There is a little more overhead but it’s easier to…well. Easier to operate, let's just say.”

“Oh,” she whispered, not responding to what he’d said at all. Rhys was teasing her, his tongue just barely touching her clit before darting away back for her thigh. She didn’t notice him reach behind him for the button, though she did hear him speak.

“Kill him.”

“Kill who?” she asked. Rhys merely licked at her again, perhaps hoping to distract her. It worked for a moment—Feyre arched her hips closer, wishing he’d just get on with it. 

“Needy,” he praised, dipping a finger into her slick pussy. “You’ll sit nicely in my lap.”

“Tell me who you want killed,” she repeated.

Rhys sucked at her, drawing a soft moan from her lips. “Hybern.”

“Who?”

“You don’t need to worry—”

“You said what was yours was mine,” she reminded him, twisting her lower half away from his mouth. She could punish him too it seemed, because Rhys looked up at her with frustration, a lock of his dark hair flopping into his eyes.

“A rival,” he finally said, easing her back in front of him. “Your fathers death opened a power vacuum I can’t close because the feds are always watching. He’s encroaching and I’m tired of it.”

“So you’ll kill him?” she questioned.

Rhys licked her again, toying with her. “I’d do worse if I could get away with it. Death is easy.”

“Is that the kind of man you are?”

Their eyes met. “Yes.”

Did that bother her? Strangely, she found it didn’t. Feyre let her knees fall wider and Rhys groaned as he pulled her closer to his face. 

“I should have done this last night,” he whispered, his breath warm against her pussy. “You wouldn’t have left.”

“I would have,” she lied, unsure if that was true or not. 

“It's my fault,” he murmured before taking yet another taste of her. “And I can’t forgive myself for any of it.”

She had the sense he wasn’t just talking about the night before. Feyre had always assumed Rhys must hate her—that he wanted her dead. He should have. Any reasonable person would. And yet right then, Rhys’s violet gaze found hers and she saw the anguish hiding just behind his cool amusement. 

She felt pity. That was a mistake, to empathize with this man. One minute she’d be reassuring him he’d done nothing wrong and the next she’d have a wedding band on her finger as she drove their children to soccer practice.

Feyre could feel it, that tug toward fate. For one moment, Feyre knew the future that stretched before her—but it wasn’t in her nature to accept things blindly. If she was going to be his wife, she’d run toward it kicking and screaming.

Later, she decided. The kicking could come after he finished licking her.

Though Rhys very quickly tired of his little game. Deciding he’d sufficiently worked her up, if the way she was writing against his face was any indication, Rhys stood, revealing his own erection pushed tight against his pants. 

She watched through half lidded eyes as he undid the button with his strong hands, admiring the veins snaking up his arms. 

Rhys kicked them off, revealing mountains crowned with stars over his knees. “I swore I’d never kneel before anyone,” Rhys told her, sliding a finger into the waistband of his briefs. “But I’d kneel for you, darling.”

“You’re pathetic,” she breathed, transfixed on his now freed cock. It was exactly how she remembered—thick and long, the size of him demanding she look at him. Touch him. Taste him. Feyre could still remember her desperation to take him in her mouth and the pleasure she’d felt when he’d come.

“Up,” he told her, ignoring her insults. Feyre didn’t budge, legs still draped over the arms of the chair. That was no problem for Rhys, though—he merely lifted her up and sat himself down against the leather while ignoring the damp spot she’d left behind. 

“Be my good girl,” he murmured against her neck. “Keep your legs open.” “Rhys—” “Open your legs, baby," he repeated in that soft, seductive voice of his.

She did, gasping when the blunt head of his cock stabbed her entrance. “Rhys,” she whispered, twisting in his lap as he wrapped his arms tight around her.

“You can take me,” he insisted, though Feyre didn’t think that was true. Rhys pushed her down just enough to take the first few inches while Feyre cried out, squeezing herself around him so tightly she didn’t think he could wedge the rest of him into her.

Behind her, Feyre could feel Rhys’s heart pounding through the shirt he still wore. “That’s a good girl,” he praised before sinking his teeth into her shoulder. “Take the rest.”

“It’s too much,” she whined, though in truth it was easier to adjust than she expected. Rhys must have felt her relax because he was back to impaling her with a few more inches, and then more still, until Feyre swore she could feel him in her lungs. 

“Now sit,” he said, swearing softly when she squeezed herself tight around him.

“Sit?”

“Keep my cock warm while I work,” he replied, scooting his chair forward. The rocking motion made them both moan, though once he was close enough to his computer, Rhys went still again. It was torture to just sit there, aroused and needy from his teasing tongue and yet when Feyre tried to grind herself against him, Rhys swatted at her exposed pussy lightly.

“Don’t move.”

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll fuck that bratty mouth until you can’t even whisper,” he replied. 

She wished, though she didn’t say. Feyre did try, too. She tried to sit still and pay attention to his conversations, the emails he wrote, the payroll software he used. She saw a message from his associate A—Azriel, she learned—and a long complaint about a woman named Gwyn who’d pointed a shotgun at his face and fired before he’d had a chance to say a word.

Rhys had chuckled when he read it, like the whole thing amused him.

But underneath it all, Feyre was distracted by his pulse hammering in his cock and the way his hand would occasionally drift up her thigh to tease her clit before dropping it again. She could never quite get comfortable, could never ease herself out of her desperate arousal. He kept her on edge while he himself did nothing except hold himself inside her.

How long could a man keep an erection, she wondered? How long could this man? Longer than most she supposed. Rhys took two more calls, leaning back so the angle changed and shifting just enough that Feyre had to swallow more than one whimper. His fingers teased and touched, feeling the place their bodies joined over and over. It was like he couldn’t help himself.

“Rhys,” she whispered when the call ended, twisting in his lap. “Let me go.”

“I can’t,” he admitted, arching his neck. “I need to fuck you.”

“Rhys,” she warned, but he was too quick. Shoving aside the things on his desk so his phone and mouse and keyboard all clattered to the floor, Rhys had her lying against the wood with his cock still buried inside her.

He pushed up her shirt, exposing her breasts before slowly pulling himself out. Feyre tried to arch up, forcing him out of her entirely, but Rhys was more  practiced than most men. He didn’t flinch, slamming himself to the hilt back inside her body.

“Sneaky,” he praised. “I should spank you.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she panted, arousal sparking bright and hot. 

“I would dare,” he disagreed, wrapping one of his broad hands loosely around her throat. “The things I want to do to you…”

Maybe she didn’t want him to finish that sentence. She wanted to know about his fantasies, though. Rhys was so liberal with his praise, his thoughts, his desires. After years with Tamlin, it was strange to get an answer to her questions. Tamlin kept it all to himself—even asking him how he’d enjoyed the sex only ever earned her a murmured, “it was good.”

“You’re so fucking wet,” Rhys whispered, thrusting again. “So tight.”

Feyre couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her, arching into him as he brought himself lower. Rhys’s teeth grazed her throat, pressing a sucking, bruising kiss against her throat. 

“You’re mine,” he told her, his next thrust punishing in its intensity. “Say it.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

His grip on her throat tightened. “Say it,” he warned, restricting her air just enough to make her want him more. She wished he’d just shut up and kiss her.

Feyre tried to turn her face but Rhys squeezed tighter still, hips pistoning into her with an unrelenting intensity. Feyre was drowning in pleasure and Rhys must have been able to feel it. His other hand was between her legs, teasing and touching her swollen clit until Feyre was clenching her teeth, desperate to stave off her orgasm. 

“Say it!”

Feyre came so violently she felt her spine crack as she arched off the desk. “You’re mine,” she heard herself babbling, forgetting what, exactly, he wanted to hear. Rhys groaned, his own rhythm stuttering before he pushed deeper and deeper, all but rutting into her as he chased his own pleasure.

She swore she felt him come, though maybe it was just the illusion of it. She certain felt the wetness of his come slip from her body as Rhys held himself still, chest heaving.

“I am yours,” he swore, his voice soft and low. “I always have been. I’ve been waiting for you—all five years with no one but you.”

“You’re insane,” she whispered with too much affection. His was merely the afterglow of her orgasm that made her soft and sweet. 

Rhys withdrew himself, fingers pushing his own spend back into her body. What did Feyre care? She was on birth control, determined not to have a child until the whole ordeal was over. If she even wanted children—she’d never been certain of that.

So lost in her thoughts, Feyre didn’t notice Rhys sinking back to his knees. Not until he pulled her to the edge of his desk.

“The day isn’t over,” he said, sliding his fingers through the mess. “And neither am I.”

Feyre merely laid her head back. 

Good.

[adult-kinda]

Nike Tech

Warnings: MDNI, smut, profanity, idol Jake, idea from the fansign where he put on a Nike tech hoodie.

In which you typically hate the stupid sweatsuit from Nike…

“Oh come on Y/N it can’t be that bad!” Your sister says.

You groan at her words. “No you don’t understand! Every damn guy around campus has the stupid outfit and thinks that they’re all that when in reality you’re not some attractive NBA player, you are Josh from fucking finance!”

What was all the aggression about? Your sister had gifted Jake a Nike tech sweatsuit for Christmas. It wasn’t something on his list (as a million seller idol he didn’t really have one to begin with) but it seemed to be in high demand amongst his demographic so she purchased it. You on the other hand had a deep hatred for the outfit. Every single guy on campus wore the outfit like their life depended on it. It was stupid and none of them looked any better.

“Well I think you’re overreacting. Back when I was in University sweatsuits and matching sets would get guys laid!” Your sister said teasingly.

You rolled your eyes and just before you could make a comment a familiar Aussie voice sounded at the door.

“Princess I’m home!”

“I’ll call you back sis!” You said before hanging up.

You turned around from your place on the couch to find Jake in thick rimmed glasses and that grey fucking Nike tech outfit. Your head was reeling but not out of anger. No, something about this man in the sweatsuit computed in your mind as lingerie. How did he manage to take something you planned on burning and make it into something so fine?

“Hi babe.” You said managing to sound normal.

Your behavior read as odd to Jake but he knew you would come to him if you had a problem so he let it go.

“How was your day?” He asked coming up to you planting a kiss on your forehead.

“It’s been good. I talked to my sister today.”

“Oh really?” He said heading into the kitchen. “Tell her I said hi next time you call.”

You hummed in response and just watched your man do whatever he was doing in the kitchen.

“How was practice?” You asked.

He sighed and headed back to the couch with a water bottle. “It was fine. We went over the Chaccone choreo again to finalize some things before we film it. I did some vocal training and language lessons for the tour.”

You only got about half of what he said. Your brain could not comprehend anything when he sat down next to you in a manspread. The outline of his cock was practically taunting you.

“Oh really?” You said with a lack of interest.

Jake nodded as he gulped down his water. “Yeah pretty standard stuff. Oh and we finally figured out that one part…”

The words were gone. All you could think about was how wet that Nike tech was making you. You tried to keep interest but it was a failed attempt.

“Princess, are you okay? I don’t like to pry but you’ve been a little off since I got here.” He said.

You broke out of your thoughts and nodded. “Y-yeah I’m all good Jake!”

He shook his head and leaned closer to inspect you. “Uh-uh. You called me Jake so now I know something’s not right. What going on?”

You just thought fuck it and went to straddle him. His hands immediately met your waist as he looked at you with confusion.

“You’re hot.” You said

Jake raised a brow at that. “Um… thanks?”

“You’re hot as fuck in this stupid sweatsuit.” You said as you pulled down the zipper to find his bare chest.

“Princess are you needy?” He asked with a smirk.

You didn’t answer with words but with actions. You pulled him in for a kiss and tugged at his hair when you did. Jake happily obliged still very confused by your sudden arousal/frustration.

“Princess wait.” He said in between kisses.

“Can I suck you off?” You asked already getting on your knees.

Jake looked at you from above his glasses and stopped your actions. You noticed him getting hard underneath the sweats. He couldn’t deny that your neediness, whatever the cause, was also impacting him. 

“Now princess, the only way you’re getting this dick is if you tell me what’s got you like this.” He said.

You whined but admitted the unfortunate truth. “The Nike tech sweatsuit. I hate it but you wear it too well.”

Jake smirked at your words. He pulled the sweats down just enough to make is cock known to you.

“Go ahead then. Reward me for looking so good.”

Your lips were on his dick in an instant. There was no time for teasing. You took him slowly inch by inch until you needed to come up. Jake held your head as you bobbed up and down on his dick. He peered down at you with the most rewarding look.

“So fucking good princess.” He moaned.

You didn’t expect to be as turned on as you were but your pussy was dripping down your thighs. You couldn’t help but toy with your clit while you sucked him off.

Jake pushed your head down a little further each time until you were practically gagging on his cock. He could only moan in pleasure at the sound of you. Your saliva was dripping down to his balls. Everything was so messy and that’s how he liked it.

“Fuck yeah baby. You hate this Nike tech? Hate it so much you wanna fuck me out of it?” He taunted.

You moaned on his cock getting closer to your release.

“Yeah you like that. You wanna fuck me out of this stupid outfit. Fuck- deeper… just like that…”

You allowed him to have full control as he used your mouth like a common fleshlight. He thrusted at his pace while you played with yourself.

“You’re such a slut for this Nike tech.” He mumbled.

That was all it took to have you creaming in your panties. Your eyes rolled back as he fucked your throat through the high. Jake looked down at you with a smirk.

“Did you cum? Cock so good it made you cum without fucking you, huh?”

Jake was most definitely a dirty talker and he did not let up this time. He talked his shit so well it sent your mind far pass overdrive.

“Fuck I’m gonna cum! I wanna see you take it all like a good girl.” He instructed.

A few final thrusts and his hips stilled. He shot his load in your mouth and you collected it on your tongue. When he had come to his senses Jake watched you stick your tongue out and let his cum drip onto his hoodie and abs.

“Such a good girl for me, princess.” He said caressing your face.

You swallowed whatever did not land on him and stood up to kiss him. His lips met yours in the middle with gratitude.

“So you really do hate that Nike tech set, huh?” He commented.

You shrugged. “If it’s you then it’s hot. Anyone else should be sentenced to life in prison.”

Jake laughed at your words and rubbed your sides.

“Well I know you already came but should I fuck you properly now?”

You gave it a quick thought before nodding. “Only if you keep that on. You wear it like it’s lingerie.”

Jake chuckled and nodded. “Okay bedroom now. And let’s thank your sister tomorrow for the gift, yeah?”

Of course the next day you were bitterly thanking her and eating your words. Maybe matching sets could get people laid, or maybe he’s just Jake Sim.

[richincolor]

Title: Four Eids and a Funeral Author: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar Genres: Contemporary, Romance Pages: 321 Publisher: Feiwel & Friends Review Copy: Purchased Availability: Available now

Summary: Let’s get one thing straight: this is a love story.

These days, Said Hossain spends most of his time away at boarding school. But when his favorite hometown librarian Ms. Barnes dies, he must return home to New Crosshaven for her funeral and for the summer. Too bad being home makes it a lot harder to avoid facing his ex-best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, or facing the daunting task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that he would rather be an artist than a doctor.

Tiwa doesn’t understand what made Said start ignoring her, but it’s probably that fancy boarding school of his. Though he’s unexpectedly staying through the summer, she’s determined to take a page from him and pretend he doesn’t exist. Besides, she has more than enough going on, between grieving her broken family and helping her mother throw the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center—a place that means so much to Tiwa.

But when the Islamic Center accidentally catches fire, it turns out the mayor plans to demolish the center entirely. Things are still tense between the ex-friends but Tiwa needs Said’s help if there’s any hope of changing the mayor’s mind, and Said needs a project to submit to art school (unbeknownst to anyone). Will all their efforts be enough to save the Islamic Center, save Eid, and maybe save their relationship?

Review: [There are two deaths that impact this book, both off page: the recent death of an adult from cancer, which puts the plot in motion, and the past death of a child due to a hit-and-run accident. Additionally, Tiwa, who is Black, faces on page racism from within the Muslim community in a few scenes.]

Even though a funeral is what puts the plot in motion, Four Eids and a Funeral is on the lighthearted side of the contemporary romance spectrum. Authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar crafted a cute, fast-paced story about childhood friends rebuilding their relationship despite various problems popping up in their community and personal lives. Tiwa and Said have distinct narrative voices, and I appreciated seeing life in New Crosshaven from both their eyes. I especially enjoyed the contrast between Tiwa, who stayed and maintained close ties to the community, and Said, who left and started drifting away.

One of the strengths of Four Eids and a Funeral is the breadth and diversity of the cast. The Muslim community in New Crosshaven is varied; Said is Bangladeshi American, and Tiwa is Nigerian American. Said and Tiwa relate to their community and their religion differently, and Said’s sister, Safiya, has a cute lesbian romance subplot. Tiwa faces some anti-Black racism within the Muslim community, too, and the small-town politics plots highlighted divisions within larger town. New Crosshaven felt like it had life to it, which was no small feat when you’ve got just two POV characters.

On the other hand, I think there were actually a few too many plot threads in this book for its length. There were some things I felt should have gotten far more page time than they did, like Tiwa’s younger brother’s death and what happened to her family afterward. I wanted those events to have more emotional impact on me. The truth behind why Tiwa and Said drifted apart and how they reacted when they uncovered that information was a little disappointing to me as well.

That said, the authors did say right at the start that Four Eids and a Funeral was a love story. I got distracted by my desire for additional drama and tragedy and forgot that the epigraph quoted Much Ado About Nothing. This book is solid craftsmanship with a pair of engaging protagonists, and the bits I was dissatisfied with were largely an expectations mismatch on my part.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a contemporary romance this summer, you should consider adding Four Eids and a Funeral to your list. Authors Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar created a cute romance about childhood friends reconnecting against the backdrop of vibrant Muslim community.

Extras: Q&A: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé & Adiba Jaigirdar, Co-Authors of ‘Four Eids and a Funeral’

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

Here's a strange ask for you, but hopefully, an amusing and thought-provoking one as well.

What wedding present would Grima buy for a couple he doesn't like? What would he choose that says 'fuck you, and enjoy your new life'?

I have been racking my brains on this all day, and can't come up with anything good.

As Tumblr's resident Grima expert, do you have any ideas? :)

Oh man this is a thought provoking one!

I mean, it would first of all depend on who are the recipients. How much does Grima Not Like Them? What was the cause? Is it reciprocated or is Grima doing a one-sided hate-on?

Then there's the question of when is this occurring? Pre or post-War? Also, is this couple Rohirric or from another culture? Because that will inform what, exactly, constitutes a "fuck you, have a nice life".

But in general...I feel like he'd go for subtle that isn't at all subtle.

Something like, purchasing them a bottle of wine with a "blessing" down the side that is to the effect of "May you have an eventful marriage that makes you grow in unique ways." But it's phrased in such a way that there's no doubt about what "eventful" and "growing in unique ways" is meant by it (bad! bad eventful! "he cheated on me three times with my own sister then robbed our own child's college apprenticeship savings" eventful!).

I could also see him hiring a skald for the wedding and everyone thinks this is very generous of him, except the skald sings the Rohirric equivalent of "Goodbye Earl" and "No Body, No Crime" and "Torn" all night.

So it'd be something like that OR.

OR.

You'd get a "Grima Engineered Crises".

Because Grima is a coward and he likes to work behind the scenes. So, depending how much he hates these people he might go out of his way to make sure the wedding has Problems.

On the day of, he gives them a generous gift. He is perfectly well behaved. He is only ever polite, if not outright sycophantic. Behind the scenes? He's the reason there isn't enough food because someone told the people bringing the food that the guest list was cut in half. He's the reason all the flowers are things like belladonna and nightshade. He's why the groom and brides wedding clothes are just a little off. He's the cause for the delays in the arrival of the wedding band/skald/whatever because someone told them the wrong day. He is why there's a sudden at fight between in-laws. He tells grandma Agi that her future grandson-in-law said that her dead husband was a coward on the battle field but it's done Grima-style. "Agi, you didn't hear it from me, but I just wanted you to know because I felt it was only fair that you understand what sort of man your beloved granddaughter is marrying". He's the one who makes the future spouses think they're both cheating on each other.

So he sits there, drinking all the very expensive wine, smiling as he watches chaos and misery unfold. But he bought the couple a very nice cutlery set.

Maybe they'll use it to stab each other.

----

thank you for the fun ask!! I hope this was helpful? It is hard to say what he would do without the particulars.

Also, there are many resident Grima experts on this site <3 the Grima corner of the LOTR fandom is a great one.

[abronzeagegod]

Eldritch Tech Support 5

more eldritch tech support stories

[Brought to you by a kofi donation. Someone liked this series enough to buy me a kofi and even though they didn't ask for another one, I wrote this in thanks. Please enjoy!]

It was the first time you'd been back to work after the whole calling the Exterminators thing. Your boss gave you an appropriate talk about your mental health and well-being but honestly sitting in your apartment or in Lytha's hospital room was starting to get real boring and wasn't doing you any favors.

"I'm good, really," you say.

"Well I've got something for you, should be pretty easy, but there are some time constraints," you boss' second head says as one of their three arms hands you the job file. "Gotta get it done by sundown so it's a bit of a rush job."

"Oh, that shouldn't be a problem."

"You're fine with werewolves and vampires?"

"Yeah, my sister and uncle are lycanthropes."

"Cool. Now go work, be safe, and whatever other platitudes," your boss says as they turn both heads back to their tasks at hand.

You gather you work kit for home visits and take one of the company cars to the address. You grab some of the gear you'll think you'll need and ring the buzzer for the apartment. There's always this weird nervous sinking feeling in your gut whenever you ring a bell. For some reason you're always worried that you're ringing the wrong bell.

"Who is it?"

You give your name and tell them you're with tech support.

"Oh! Great! Uh... Let me buzz you in, might take me a second, hold on."

You wait longer than you thought you'd have to for the door to open. When the door buzzer does finally sound you push in and climb the stairs to the apartment.

You get to the door to the apartment to find it still closed but there's some clawing sounds at the door. The job notes didn't mention anything about any pets, but that generally doesn't concern you. Eventually the door opens and you see a very dishelved man standing before you. His hair looks like he hasn't combed it in more than a decade, he hasn't slept in days, and his beard (which he shouldn't be growing) is very patchy in the worst way.

"Sorry about that, full moon is tonight, and I've been having a stressful day," he says with an awkward wave showing off a partially transformed hand-paw hybrid that would make it very hard to open doors. "My name's Vincent by the way."

You nod in understanding. Your sister had this happen a few times when the full moon landed right around her college finals. The stress made her partially transform before the sun set, which in turn made her more stressed. It was a vicious cycle.

"How can I help you today?" you ask.

Vincent leads you into his apartment that isn't the cleanest but it is a far cry from the worst apartment you've ever been in.

"I have a friend coming over to help me with the transformation. She's a vampire so I wanted to surprise her with the camera-mirror thing, whatever, and it only got delivered today, so I was trying to install it but it comes with all this dumb stuff that I didn't ask for, and the helpline wasn't very helpful, and it stressed me out and this happened," Vincent says as he holds up his hands, "which made it all very hard so I called you."

"I see," you say as you look over his purchase. Pretty standard stuff, also decently pricey. Actually Vincent got one of the highest end things. "What did you not want to get?"

"Well there's this artificial intelligence or something that is apparently always watching or listening, and if I'm putting this in my bathroom, I don't need that."

"I understand. You have two units though, is there somewhere else you wanted to install one? And did you want that one with all of the features or not?"

"No, no, no, I was going to put that one in the bedroom, but uh.... later. And again, not really up on the spying and constantly watching thing."

You nod in understanding. That's not really what this company is known for. They manufacture mirror replacements for vampires and others that might be cursed by mirror-dimension beings or are otherwise reflection compromised. Since the overlap between those beings and the very powerful, spying and keeping data on them would be a fast track to a terrible end, Arctine Industries makes lots of promises to not keep any data on their costumers from their products. But you can tell that Vincent isn't one to debate those points, he doesn't want the camera tracking and automatic features then you won't install those, simple enough.

"I can install these for you, no problem. It will take me a little bit. We can even put in a refund for you with Arctine for the pieces you don't want, but honestly it's mildly annoying and takes a while, so what I can do is have my company buy the tech from you at a reasonable price and you can have the money as early as tomorrow," you explain.

"Oh yeah, I think that would be better."

"Where should I start?"

"Oh... right... bathroom," Vincent says as he leads you to the bathroom. "Let me know if you need anything. I'm going to go... clean up the bedroom real quick."

You grab the equipment and move to the mirror. The tech seems complicated and a lot to people who might not be familiar with the stuff, and from the quick survey of Vincent's place he doesn't seem to be extremely tech savvy. (Funny how that works with werewolves who seem to always have some aversion to modern technology. You can't help but wonder if that's something in their nature. Maybe the moon just hates computers.)

It's simple to mount the few small cameras around the mirror, almost invisible. The hard part is wiring the cameras to the projector and screen that sits behind the mirror. It's very specific and a little technical if you want the projected image to sit on top of the mirror to simulate the reflection properly and everything.

By the time you're done Vincent has come back, possibly from cleaning up his bedroom. You're just testing out the cameras to make sure that they are working.

"Did I get some good stuff?" Vincent asks.

"You got the top of the line tech," you say as your reflection looks back at you.

"Oh good, I was worried I got some stuff that wasn't going to work," he says with a nervous little smile.

"Your friend will thank you," you tell him. "Here, you push here on the mirror to turn on the cameras or turn them off."

"Ok, good to know."

"Now, I can get started on the other mirror, and I should be done before sundown."

"Thanks! I really hope she likes this. Do you think she'll like it?" Vincent asks as he shows you to the bedroom.

"I think so," you say. You can kind of tell where this is going but you hope it stops before it gets there.

"I've never really tried to make any moves on a vampire or woman really," Vincent says as you start unboxing all the stuff for the mirror in the bedroom. Your face is starting to get flush. Is he really going to be divulging his sex life to you? "Sorry, this is probably too much, but I'm nervous and a little stressed as you can tell. And my last partner tried to use my wolf to kill people so I'm a little worried. Also my last two partners have been men so I'm a little out of practice when it comes to women."

Wow. He's just going right for it. Giving you all of his information and trauma. You've been in his apartment for an hour.

"I'm afraid I can't help you with relationships in general," you say. You feel like you have to share a little bit since he's standing there, watching you work (you hate it when people watch you work), with his sad wolf paws and sad demeanor. "My last relationship kind of fizzled out when they faked their death. They said it was to commit insurance fraud but I have a feeling like they mostly wanted to get away from me." Oh crap, now that you've started you can't stop yourself. "And there's someone that I like at work but it's all complicated and stuff."

"Oh, that's terrible. I feel your pain," Vincent says.

"But I think the trick to dating women is to not really think of them as any different than anyone else you want to date."

Vincent covers his face for a moment. "Yes, obviously. You're right, I'm being very dumb."

"You clearly care for them a great deal, and they are coming here to help you through the full moon so that has to mean something," you offer as you try to remount the mirror on the wall.

"Yeah, Ivory is something special. But she's only coming over because she doesn't have any clients." Vincent helps you lift the mirror.

You almost drop your side when he says the name. You know Lady Ivory, well know of her. She's one of the most influential vampires in the city. Her campaign to get elected to the Night Shore was something else, and that election was extremely bitter. You couldn't even vote in it (since you're not a vampire or are in any affiliated with the Night Shore) but you know the candidates and their ads. And Lady Ivory was a commanding, intimidating, powerful figure which is all before you take into account her vampire abilities.

And your sister had to stay with Lady Ivory for her Flensing Moon. You saw the vampire being calm, collected, and utterly in control after hosting a borderline feral werewolf during the height of their lycanthrope ritual. If he's trying to date that Lady Ivory then... well... you've got nothing.

"Well... uh... if Lady Ivory is coming here, for you, then I think... uh... not to presume too much but... she must like you enough to come here and help out," you say.

Vincent, after a few seconds to listen to what you had to say, visibly relaxes. "You're right. Thanks!"

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" you ask. You now really want to get out of here before Lady Ivory shows up to her almost-boyfriend's house. While it would make a great story around the water cooler, somehow you fear the Night Shore Vampire more than some of the old gods you've done jobs for. Lady Ivory is more... immediate.

"No, you've been a great help, thank you!"

You hastily gather your things. "We'll issue you a rebate soon, and we'll email you a survey if you could fill it out when you have a moment to let us know how our service was it would really help."

Vincent nodded as he followed you to the door. "Might not have time until after the full moon."

"Of course," you say as you let yourself out to save Vincent the struggle with the doorknob.

"And hey, these relationship problems are only as complicated as you make them."

You nod, thank Vincent, and leave the apartment.

As you leave the building a pale woman in jean shorts a tank top and a massive sun hat and sunglasses walks by. You feel a cold shiver as the Vampire Lady walked by you straight to Vincent's door. You can't believe you saw Lady Ivory dressed down. Holy shit.

You pack up the car and start heading back to the office when you get a phone call.

It was Lytha.

"Hey, I need you to come get me out of this stupid hospital bed," she says. Even though you saw her yesterday it's so nice to hear her voice. "It's been a week, I'm fine, and if I don't get a patty melt soon I'm going to jump out a window."

You promise to rescue her soon. Hopefully it won't be too complicated.

More of Vincent and Lady Ivory as side characters

if you liked this maybe consider buying me a kofi?

[kfedup]

Five for Friday

Let's get a little thematic this morning; things I am learning about.

Ancestral trauma - I'm halfway through the reading and exercises in the book It Didn't Start With You, How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are, and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn. In tandem, I'm building out my family tree on ancestry.com and have traced my father's father's side back to Little Compton, RI in the 1600s. These birth, death, and census records are insufficient storytellers, but it's at least a foundation. I'm so angry and sad that I have no ties to anyone on that side of my family. Nobody talks about our ancestry. Nobody talks about anything. No relating to my relations. No big revelations in the book yet, either, but it's helping me talk to myself in a far more compassionate way and to see those who have already passed away with similar compassion.

Movement - through weekly one-on-one pilates coaching, a daily morning practice of pilates, yoga, stretching, and several walks a day, I'm bringing more awareness to the space my body takes up in the world. I'm noticing the ways gravity anchors me when I'm still and when I'm in motion. I'm slowly working through the workbook Body and Earth: An Experiential Guide by Andrea Olsen, which is full of science, art, exercises, beautiful creative writing, and a call to bring our presence to our existence in a body on this Earth.

Attachment - I'm enjoying a tender, raw, vulnerable, and hopeful energy exchange with a man I've known (and had a ridiculously huge secret crush on) for nearly a decade. He lives in the PNW and is in a more complicated situation than me, which has activated my anxious attachment. The day before he expressed his desire to be close to me while visiting Kent for an event a few weeks ago, I'd said to my therapist that I felt ready to work on the anxious attachment patterns that have contributed to the cratering of my relationships. The universe is working quickly these days. So I am rising to it and sitting with these difficult feelings of abandonment, of not good enough, of not enough, of hopelessness that accompanies this sweet ongoing exchange. I'm determined to not carry this forward with me as an unexamined pattern of reaction and behavior. Awareness is everything.

Meditation - I think it's been six months that I've sat meditation at least 5 mornings a week after I exercise. Sometimes unguided, just following my in-breath and out-breath and bringing myself back to that without judgment when my thoughts arise, as they will, perpetually. I often use guided meditations from the Ten Percent Happier app, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Hate the name, but the courses are wonderful and the guided meditations are like having a mini retreat wherever I am in the moment. I'll do quick 5-10 min meditations in between work calls or before I start cooking dinner. The guides are highly experienced meditation teachers whose voices feel like home to me. Best app purchase I've ever made. And I notice that I am more naturally bringing mindful attention to so many moments that I'm not sitting meditation. I'm doing dishes, sitting at my desk writing, walking the dog, tidying up the living room, and I'm aware of the feeling of my body, of my breath, of the sensation of having sensation. I think I'm beginning to understand in small slivers what it really means to be here now and honestly, this is kind of all I want to do anymore. I'm thinking about going away to a silent retreat soon.

Humility - at least I think that's the focus here. I'm practicing holding space and listening without waiting for my chance to speak, without trying to solve people's problems, and without interjecting my own narrative into their story. I notice I'm doing this nearly daily with my sister who is in the midst of very challenging mental health issues with my niece. All I want to do is go there and help in concrete, tangible ways, but she said no and I have to repeatedly trust that she knows what's best for her and her family and my only job is to hold space filled with love. Period. Ended.

Bonus - my Mom has said repeatedly in recent years that she's not interested in learning anything new. I think she's afraid of failure, afraid that she doesn't have the mental faculties to retain anything, and she's frozen by anxiety and depression that she refuses to do anything about. I'm trying to have compassion for her, but at the same time, I notice that her negativity has been a huge driver of my deep dive into self-awareness and growth. I wish I didn't have to grind my cog of the capitalism wheel so I could spend all of my time exploring what it means to be a soul having an embodied human experience. I refuse to give up like that.

[tigre-edi-rawr]

The Most Critical Childhood Trauma

I went outside this evening to withdraw money and buy some disposable vapes. I asked my parents what they wanted as "pasalubong," a traditional Filipino gift from children to their parents. Then I went home and bought everything I needed.

As I sat down, we were all casually discussing my plans to purchase an air conditioner for my bedroom because I now work from home. Suddenly, the mood changed, and I recall my father saying, "Nakausap ko yon noong mga time na nagkakaproblema ako sayo." And I was perplexed until it suddenly came on me what he was referring to. As someone who cannot sleep without expressing my opinion, I felt compelled to explain in order for him to understand.

What happened was… My mother started a business with my aunt (my father's brother's wife), which was probably pandemic, selling kitchen appliances. My father's mom stated, "Nako, wag ka na bumili diyan may tubo na yan." The argument was that her daughter, my aunt (the trauma), was running her own business selling pastries and things. We never mentioned anything like that, despite the fact that her food was as pricey as fuck, like Starbucks, when it wasn't even that great.

So, sure, my mother told me about it, and I was upset. I was enraged. But I did not confront my aunt and grandma there. But keep in mind that I was enraged. That night, I was browsing Facebook stories when I came across my aunt's (the trauma) story about her cupcake, and I knew it wasn't her work because she found it on Google. "gawa mo yan?" I inquired, and she lied, saying yes and that it was her work although I clearly knew it wasn't. Here's our conversation that time:

THE LIAR BITCH GOT CAUGHT!

That sparked a fit in the family's group chat. It made me angry at my father since he knew what they did to my mother but did nothing and even supported his mother, my grandma. Then I went weeks without speaking to him. He's as light as air to me. I'm a "rebelde" at this point. I won't talk to him, see him, eat with him, or be near him; I'll hide myself in my room whenever he's around, or I'll go to my ex's.

He was looking for the extension that I used one night, and luckily for me, I used it and did not return it to where I found it. He entered my bedroom, smashed the door, and yelled terrible things like "masiyado kang mataas, wala ka pa namang mapagmamalaki," then left but returned to add "lumayas ka na dito!" WHICH I DID. I grabbed all my belongings, especially the ones I need for my puto business at the time, and I finished packing (my sister and brother helped me) around 3 a.m., then my ex came to fetch me. I remember our youngest helping me bring my things with me, while saying "ingat ka ate ha." 

After weeks, my family tried to find me because they wanted me to return home. My ex and I were preparing to drink with his pals one night when one of his friends called and said that someone was looking for me. They're wondering where my ex's house is and whether they know who I am. We were informed, and my parents went to my ex's house. They even talked with my ex's father to convince me to go home because I don't want to. I recall saying to my father's face, "umalis na kayo, kaya ko na sarili ko, kakayanin ko."

They then returned home.

End.

So back to the conversation, I stated that I am not the problem. It was just you and your family. As I was saying that and watching my father's reaction, I was disappointed in myself since I had forgotten how he is with his family, especially her mother. He is a defender, enabler, and protector. Memories came in of how his side of the family treated us badly and yet got away with it because my father refused to say anything about it and even defended them instead of standing up for us and correcting who was wrong so that everyone could right their wrongs, learn, and heal.

I was in pain. And I've been carrying this trauma with me since I was in elementary school. "Maybe if I say that, magulat ka sa kapatid mo?" I asked my dad, referring to my aunt, her sister, and the trauma. He was laughing as he awaited my tea.

Then I added, "noong bata pa kami, sinasabihan niya ako na magscissor kami, sa banyo, sa kwarto, and she will tell me na wag magsusumbong o sasabihin kahit kanino" as my voice trembled and tears were about to fall. Yes, my aunt will tell me to please her in such a way that I also learned what it feels like since I will also be involved in the pleasure.

And I told my father that maybe that's why I fucking despise that person. It's disgusting.

But he said nothing and brushed it off as if it were nothing. LIKE. IT. WAS. NOTHING. I wasn't sure whether he believed me, but I don't care because it's my story and I fucking know what happened and it did.

Many things are said, but I couldn't stop crying when I heard "basta ngayon, ang ganda ng estado ng buhay ko, pero sinisira niyo." I stood up and walked away. I went inside and began crying; all I could think of was…

Buti ka pa maayos. All the traumas you inflicted on me and our family. All of the abuses your family inflicted on me and this family. Buti pa kayo maayos, nothing concerned you, and you can go about your business day by day, while I knew deep down inside that I was ruined. I'm a fucking mess. I learnt a lot of wrong things about family and relationships, and it shaped me not to trust completely, not to yield everything even if you love someone a lot. Marriage taught me to be terrified. And because of all of that, I am me every day. I'm no revel, but I'm hella strong and independent; I can stand on my own, love myself, even hurt someone because I always put myself first and don't feel guilty about it. Because I prioritized myself, and it was instilled in me that this is the first thing I should do, and there's nothing wrong with it. It was useful in certain ways, but I was monster. I'm like a walking red flag. And I can't change it, not because I don't want to, but because I can't.

[illyriangoddess13]

Your Forever Date

Azriel X Reader

Word Count: 1,175

Summary: Azriel agrees to be your date to your sister’s mating ceremony. 

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

Your older sister’s mating ceremony was coming up and you desperately needed a date. Your mother was relentless in hounding you about your love life, and when you would ever find your mate. She couldn’t understand why you were content without a mate, but if it would stop her nagging, you would just suck it up and bring a date to important family events.

That’s why, a week before the ceremony, you cornered Azriel after one of his meetings with Rhysand. 

“Hey, Az,” you greeted, falling into step beside him. “So my sister’s mating ceremony is coming up and—”

“You need a date?” he cut in, giving you a sly smile. He was used to this particular routine. Just within the past year he had attended various ceremonies and parties with you. He was the friend that you could count on the most to make a quick getaway if need be. 

“Yes, and I was also hoping to find a new dress. And possibly a matching suit for you?” you smiled sweetly.

“My regular black suit won’t do the job?”

“No Az, you would not believe how strict this ceremony is. There’s a whole separate dress code for guests, and nothing in your closet will work. We definitely need to go shopping.”

“Fine,” he rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help the smile that spread over his face. 

Later that afternoon, you had made your way out into the city, stopping into various clothing shops. 

“You still haven’t found anything?” Azriel asked. He had already purchased a pastel, sage green suit from the first shop you had visited. Meanwhile, you had tried on thousands of dresses and still hadn’t found the one. 

“I’ll know it when I see it,” you smiled coyly.

The next shop the two of you stepped into was a lovely little boutique that was furnished like an actual home, with clothing racks spread throughout. A small beverage bar was set up along the back wall of the store. 

“Hello,” the shopkeeper greeted. “Shopping for a special occasion today?”

“My sister’s mating ceremony,” you answered politely. 

“We have plenty of dresses towards the back of the store,” the shopkeeper replied.

You and Azriel made your way over, him sitting down on one of the plush couches, and you piling dress after dress into your arms. 

“Please, Gods, let her find ‘the one’”, Az mocked you. 

“Shut up,” you quipped, and then headed into the dressing room. 

The first dress you tried on clung to your body in awkward spots, and the following was too bulky. You were starting to lose hope, until you slipped into the last dress you had selected. You loved the color and feel, but needed a second opinion. You stepped out to where Az was seated and his head instantly snapped up, sensing your movement.

The dress was a gauzy purplish-mauve color with a corset top. The dress fell in tiers down your body, hovering gently above the ground.

You noticed Azriel’s eyes darken and his hands clenched. His shadows enthusiastically whirled around his arms and legs. “You look gorgeous.”

You blushed at his reaction. “Thank you. You’ll be happy to hear that we’re finally done shopping.”

He let out a low chuckle, but his eyes didn’t lighten up, nor did they leave your retreating body going back into the dressing room to change. 

After you had purchased the dress, Azriel dropped you off at your apartment, and the two of you agreed that he would pick you up again a week later for the ceremony.

The morning of your sister’s mating ceremony, Azriel had winnowed to your front porch and knocked on the door. 

“I’ll be right there!” you called, struggling to put your earrings in. Meanwhile the back of your dress was still unzipped, and your shoes were nowhere to be found. Your sister had called you that morning with a hundred different problems that had required immediate solving. Therefore leaving you little time to get yourself ready. 

You opened the door to Az standing on the porch, windswept hair, with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. The arrangement was beautiful- a mix of whites, purples, and greens. Your heart warmed at Azriel’s attention to detail and thoughtfulness. 

“For the prettiest female in all of Prythian. Even though she takes forever to pick out an outfit,” Azriel laughed. 

“These are beautiful, Az,” you said, taking the flowers from him. “And you can’t rush perfection.”

“No, you can’t,” he muttered, sweeping his eyes over your body. He followed you into your apartment, noticing the state of your so-called “perfection”. “But you do realize your dress is open and you’re missing footwear?”

“Yes, Az,” you sighed heavily. “It’s been a crazy morning.”

“Let me help,” he whispered softly, coming up behind you. His warm fingers gently zipped up your dress, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He helped you track down your shoes in your bedroom and lastly, you found a vase for the flowers he had brought you. 

When you were finally ready, Azriel flew you into your parents’ garden where the ceremony was taking place.

Your mother instantly rushed over to you and swallowed you in a big hug. 

“It’s good to see you, sweetheart,” she said when she pulled back. “And of course, you too, Azriel.”

Azriel inclined his head towards your mother and brought his hand up to the small of your back. His fingers seared into your skin through the light fabric, and you let him guide you towards the chairs that were set out in the garden. 

Once your sister and her mate had exchanged their vows and shared a deeply passionate kiss, food was served. You joined the newly mated couple and your mother at the head table. 

“So, Azriel,” your sister’s mate started to say. “You’ve been with Y/N for quite some time now. I bet it’s your mating ceremony that we’ll be celebrating any day now.”

He had meant it as a light-hearted joke between family, but it was a touchy subject for the two of you. 

There had always been a sense of attraction between you and Azriel, even when you were growing up and just getting to know one another. But all it led to was just shameless flirting between friends. A handful of times, you wondered if there was something more between you, but it never seemed to be the right time. 

And as far as your family knew, you and Az were a couple. So you both laughed lightly and Az said politely, “As soon as the bond snaps.” He squeezed your hand underneath the table, providing his familiar sense of comfort. 

The night went on, the guests engaging in drinking and dancing. Azriel had led you onto the floor for one dance, before you were both ready to call it a night. 

And when Az dropped you off on your front porch, he pulled you in for a swift kiss on the cheek and smiled brazenly, “I can’t wait to do this again.” 

[original-orbus]

Argo chapter 3

This takes place about 2 weeks after the events of the last chapter, skipping over the Meeting. JSYK. And yes, it is in a new characters perspective, because I love my little blorbos and will keep adding more perspectives until I blot out the sun. Several Characters in this Chapter belong to my ex Husband, however its my weekend so they get to appear in my story.

This takes place at camp Jupiter.

Being a Child of Zeus is honestly not all its cracked up to be, Sure you may be Top dog among demigods, Reigning supreme over most demigods you meet. However this means that you will always be held to a higher standard, elevated above it all and left to exist all by yourself, without anyone to support you.

For Ashara, This was how she lived her life. Always having to be the strong one, the protector, the 'King'. Of course for those she had to protect, she would always go the extra mile, never abandoning those who relied on her. But she always wondered as to who there was for her to rely on? Sure she could always talk to her brothers, but would they really understand her Problems? Would they be able to provide anything other than just someone to vent to? It didn't seem so.

And so Ashara continued to Lock in, Fighting, and Sacrificing, and supporting, all the while feeling the Storm rage more and more inside her. It was only a matter or time until it overwhelmed her.

As the Storm grew louder and louder, Ashara would begin to distance herself to protect those she cared about. After all, she couldn't bear the thought of harming her family during an 'outburst'. She began throwing herself into her training and battles to forget her woes, become more and more acclaimed for her performance in battle. And before she knew it, she was being considered as a future Praetor candidate, having stacked accolade after accolade in the first cohort.

Today of All days, Ashara had been taking a rest day when she received a summons from the Fourth Cohorts Centurion. To her surprise, upon arriving to the meeting, she would discover a familiar face. Her baby brother Sebastian(Son of Athena), having grown into a fine young man. Upon seeing her now matured brother, for the first time in years, she couldn't help rushing forwards to embrace him.

Sebastian, as if expecting this, let out a gasp as his sister slammed into him with force of a big three. He would return her embrace, leaning his head on her shoulder like he used to do, before they separated all those years ago.

"I missed you too.." Sebastian would gently whisper, letting the embrace last until they were both ready to let go.

It would be almost 2 minutes of silence before Ashara would pull herself away, her eyes still moist with her tears of joy. She would once again take in the sight of her brother as if for the first time, taking notice of all the small signs that her brother was doing well for himself. Soon, she would force herself back into her prior state of calm, suppressing the storm threatening to break free.

"I apologize for that little outburst, We can catch up later." Ashara's voice would resonate through the meeting room, filling the space as was her birthright. "I believe you probably didn't summon me just for that."

Sebastian would shift his demeanor in response, switching into business mode. "That would be correct, I don't know if you've heard anyone else talking about it, but a group of people from Half-Blood have recently begun formulating plans to build another safe haven." After finishing this first statement, he would grab a folder from the top of his desk, and opening it to a certain page. "This group of people have proposed purchasing and repurposing an old boarding school on the outskirts of Chicago. They have extended an invitation towards me, hoping to make use of my particular skillset to further develop this project. Argo, they call it."

Ashara would listen intently to the information recited by her brother, connecting them to some rumors she had overheard from others in her cohort. She hadn't really taken the rumors to heart, since it wasn't something that really affected her at the time. Now, it was a different Story.

"Do you plan on accepting their invitation? It could be a gamble whether it all works out in the end." She was trying to think about it logically, sure the concept itself had potential, but gathering a group of demigods to somewhere without sufficient protection from monster might just end up backfiring.

"Well, that's the thing, I was hoping to accept, and bring you and Aaru(Son of Hypnos) along for the ride. I don't think this place is all that good for you, I've seen the effects its had on you, and if you came with me, you could practically guarantee safety for the group, and perhaps even find yourself somewhere to truly call Home?" Despite Sebastian's business tone, there was hint of hope to his voice as he voiced out his thoughts. While he and his sister had been unable to meet for awhile now, he would occasionally hear and see news about his sister, and the role she was expected to uphold, as a daughter of the King of Gods. Perhaps it was a foolish wish, but he hoped it would be enough.

Ashara would contemplate her brothers words seriously for a couple moments, weighing the pros and cons, when she would feel a pair of unknown presences begin to approach the room. Without saying a word, she would swivel on her heels and turn to face the door, preparing herself for to defend her brother if she needed.

After a few moments, the Presences would stop outside the door, and knock gently, a woman's voice speaking up as the knocks came through. "Excuse us, we are looking for Sebastian Bellona, we were told we would be able to find him here? We're here for the Argo Project."

"Oh yes, just one moment." Sebastian would perk up as he heard the feminine voice ask for him, and would give a look of assurance to his sister as he stepped past to open the door.

Two demigods would be visible in the doorway as the door opened, a man and a woman, both seeming to be in their 20's."Oh hello there, you must be Sebastian? Its a pleasure to make your Acquaintance, my names Josephine, and this is my partner Kenneth." The young woman named Josephine would offer a gentle smile towards the child of Athena in front of her, before tilting her head slightly to catch a glimpse of the person waiting deeper in the room. "Oh, apologies, I didn't realize you had a guest."

Ashara would perk up upon being addressed, before speaking up in a tone that once again filled the room. "My name is Ashara, I'm Sebastian's Older sister. Daughter of Zeus, but something tells me, you aren't surprised by that." Ashara would step forwards to get a better look at the two demigods. At a glance, she would try to take in the two's aura, however Kenneth's aura would be too feint for her to catch. "I didn't realize I was going to come face to face with a Poseidon child today. Perhaps this Argo project will go better than I expected."

The Daughter of Poseidon would give a quick glance back to her partner, before offering another smile to the kingly woman in front of her. "Argo is a project me and Kenneth have been working towards, for quite a while now. And while I will take a good chunk of the credit for its eventual success, it would be unfair to discredit my partners contributions. If it wasn't for Kenneth's help, I do not believe this project would have progressed quite as efficiently."

Kenneth would remain silent as Josephine spoke, before making a small gesture with their hand, seemingly releasing a seal on their aura, causing a pulse of darkness throughout the room for but a moment. "Sorry, my power likes to keep itself hidden. I'm Kenneth, Son of Hades." As Kenneth spoke, Ashara could feel a subtle shudder down her spine, as she unconsciously began to reevaluate them, her kingly aura growing in response.

Meeting a child of Poseidon was rare enough at Camp Jupiter, but to meet a child of Hades was no small thing either.

"I see.. Its nice to meet you. I am certainly more confident about joining this project of yours." Ashara's thoughts would be running about a mile a minute as she looked at these two powerhouses in front of her, Perhaps feeling a little bit of hope towards these two? Could it be that maybe they were like her? She would have to learn more to confirm.

"I suppose you and Sebastian probably have quite a bit to discuss, so I think I should leave you to it." Ashara would have loved to be part of the discussions, but she could feel the tempest inside begin to roar as her aura acted up, and decided to step away to calm it down.

"If you don't mind, Ashara, would you mind showing me around?" Kenneth would speak up as Ashara made to leave. They were hoping to take a look at some of the campers at Jupiter, but felt it would be better to go along with someone who had been established at camp, so as to not disturb the status quo.

As Kenneth spoke up, Josephine would give him another glance before looking towards the son of Athena. "It looks like its going to be up to us to iron out these plans, I look forward to working with you." Josephine would speak politely towards Sebastian, before coming closer to the desk and to the folder laid out upon it.

"It would be my pleasure." Ashara would respond politely as the two began walking towards the door, her mind already running through the best places to show off.

And with that agreement made, the two would step out of the room together, to embark on a tour of the premises.

For most of their walk together, Kenneth would mostly stay silent, just observing and listening as Ashara described the various places they visited, only really breaking their silence to ask clarifying questions, as well as inquire about some of the campers they saw. It was only when they began climbing the Temple Hill that Kenneth really broke their silence.

"If you were to join the Argo project, what do you hope to achieve? Me and Josephine have our own goals, but surely someone like you has your own motivation?" Kenneth would come out of the gate swinging with their question, planning to get straight to the point since they were further out of the way and less likely to be interrupted.

Ashara would be caught slightly off guard at the question, though at the same time she felt it was bound to come up. She just hadn't expected him to bring it up so suddenly.

"What I hope to achieve huh?" She would ponder the question for a few moments, letting out a breath as she sorted through her thoughts. "To be honest, What I hope to gain isn't all that unique or special. I spent all of my demigod life here at Jupiter, but most of that time has just been spent fighting, and training, and leading, Perhaps maybe I can create a new home for myself at Argo? Somewhere where I can actually live a life, if that makes sense?"

Ashara's words would seem to spew out once she began, unable to stop herself. Maybe it was because she saw a potential partner(?) in Kenneth, that she said more than she had intended, more than she had really told anyone, even her brothers.

Kenneth would nod along to her answer, tilting his head to the side as he thought over her reason. All things considered, it wasn't that much different that Kenneth and Josephine's reason to start all this. Though her answer did give him a flash of inspiration, as he suddenly pulled out his Iris Phone and typed out a quick message towards Josephine, Simply writing out -Argo Academy- and hitting send.

"I think your answer is pretty respectable, and it actually might have helped us come to a decision as to the direction to further develop Argo. I'll have to talk with Josephine about it once I get back, but it might pan out. We've actually been at a bit of crossroads lately, unable to figure out exactly what kind of place we want to make, weighing the various options." Kenneth would offer her some sorta praise as he slid his phone away to give his attention back to Ashara.

With that, silence would once again overcome the pair as they climbed the hill towards the temples, having passed a couple already. In the silence, Ashara would once again be thinking over what had just been said. All the while she would sneak a couple glances towards Kenneth, still trying to figure out what lay beneath that calm exterior.

Honestly, I didn’t have a very good concept or ending in mind when I started writing this back in December. However i feel like this is a good place to call it. Our third main character, and final part of the trifecta has entered the main stage.

As always, thanks for reading and please comment your thoughts.

[futurewriter2000]

Daily life update

23-02-2024

I feel like God put siblings to test our patience or because he just wanted to have fun with our arguing. My sister and I cannot. She is the so spoiled, selfish and controlling person ever, and you know what? YOU KNOW WHAT? I finally start to understand why serial killers kill because they have family issues because right now I feel like strangling not just her but anybody really. For fucks fucking sake GOD LIKE OH MY UGH!

It's really hard for me to lose my shit and when I do, it's usually because of my family. I don't give a fuck about anybody else really but my family just knows how to push those buttons. THE WAY I COULD RUN A WHOLE ASS MARATHON JUST TO GET THIS ANGER OUT OF ME. Bro, I don't know. I'm just so mad right now I want to punch something but to be honest, my arm strenght equals the same as mouse's.

Today just started wrong and ended all wrong. I had to wake up early because I had to apply to the gym and my sister manipulated our common friend that I didn't want to go today (which was a lie, my friend and I said on Saturday and it was last moments when my friend told me that she can't Saturday ) so FOREVER PLEASING MR. ME had to get up extra early before work, to go to apply to the gym and on my way there, I realised I forgot my walled which is essential for the purchasing a gym membership. I called my dad and my sister got mad for calling him because she argues a lot with him and they don't talk. Then she went on the bus without me becasue she didn't want dad to drive us. Dad brought me the wallet and drove me to the gym. We got that gym membership- alltogether, my friend and my sister roasted the shit out of me, I really felt so awful. Then I had to go to work.

At work I had a horrible team to work with but all in all, it passed quickly. Came home- just came home when my sister came into my room and started to order me what to do tomorrow- and I just fucking came home and she's literally breathing behind my neck already. I got pissed, I told her everything. She got pissed at me getting pissed at her. Then I went to shower and I wanted to shave (which is really a miracle day when I decide to shave) and guess what? NO FUCKING HOT WATER! NONE! NOTHING! NADA! SHE ALWAYS DOES THIS!!!! SHE ALWAYS FUCKING DOES THIS AND I SHE JUST MADE AN ENEMY OUT OF ME!

Fuck her and her fucking problems.

[parcequecestnotreprojeeeet]

Hello! It’s Winter! I wrote this on my break at work, I hope it’s okay!

Time of the Month

Something was off today.

She was off today.

He could feel it.

Her spunky energy in the room was missing. As they worked on their play, Emmanuel couldn’t pinpoint what the problem was, but there was one, that much was true. The always cheerful and happy Brigitte was quiet and distant today.

He took note of the way she shifted uncomfortably in her chair, desperately wanting to ask her what was wrong.

“Excuse me,” she stood up with caution, carefully grabbing her purse and placing it over her shoulder.

His heart began to race. Had he said something wrong? Why was she leaving?

Emmanuel lightly touched her arm, “where are you going?”

“I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back,” she said softly.

Concern was written all over his face. “Why are you bringing your purse? I won’t go through it, Brigitte. Your money is safe with me.”

Oh, the sweet potato had no idea.

“I know that! I just need something from it,” she hoped he’d understand the hint but it didn’t look that way.

She couldn’t blame him. It was something that was probably never discussed in his household. His sister was too young and it wasn’t a topic his mother would casually discuss around her teenage son. Furthermore, Emmanuel didn’t have much experience with female companions.

“Your lipstick looks beautiful. You don’t need to reapply, we’re just writing here.” He complimented her. “Leave your purse with me.”

“Emmanuel - stop!” She snapped, instantly regretting it when she saw his horrified reaction. She gently touched his arm, “I’m sorry for losing my temper. I’ll tell you everything when I get back.”

He sat like a lost, confused puppy until she returned. She had never snapped at him before and he couldn’t understand why.

The sight of Emmanuel sitting there, alone and terrified, broke her heart. Lovingly, she reached for his hands.

“Are you okay?” he asked, finally relaxing when she rubbed her fingers against his soft skin.

“I trust you so I should be open with you,” she smiled, “and it’s nothing I should be embarrassed about. It’s very natural.”

“What is it?” Still, these hints weren’t good enough for him.

“I’m on my period and I needed to … you know…change.” She looked him directly in the eyes, waiting for him to come to the realization as to why she barked at him and took her purse to the restroom.

All her subtle hints had finally made sense. “Oohh!” The discovery hit him like a ton of bricks. “I’m so sorry, I should have known.”

“How could you have known?” She laughed.

“Last month, around this time, you were very sad. I assumed there were problems at home, so I didn’t badger you. But then I saw you eat an entire chocolate bar in 3 bites.”

Brigitte giggled with embarrassment. “I should have offered you a piece.”

“I know better than to take food from an animal,” he joked, knowing she’d burst into laughter with his comment, desperately needing to hear her beautiful laugh. The precious laugh that always calmed him down.

“Thank you for understanding,” she smiled.

“Thank you for telling me. We shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.” Emmanuel kissed her cheek, “Let’s get back to the play.”

The next time they met up to write, he handed her a beautifully wrapped gift.

“What’s this? You don’t have money to buy me things.” She chuckled, curious to see what he had brought her.

With enthusiasm, she opened the box and pulled out 4 chocolate bars and a box of tampons.”

“How did you get these? Didn’t the store clerk question your purchase?” Brigitte was stunned. In all her years of marriage, her husband never did something like this before. He was too embarrassed to buy feminine products for his wife and daughters.

“I told the cashier it was for my girlfriend,” Emmanuel announced proudly. “I’m hoping that’s what you will be one day soon. And then, eventually, my wife.”

Brigitte remained silent, impressed but also shocked by this young man who continued to surprise her every day.

Hellooo Winter! ❤️

Hahaha Emmanuel trying to reassure Brigitte his purse was safe with him, think that was the problem, made me laugh, the poor innocent thing!

Awww!! Chocolates and a box of tampons hahahaha when you think he couldn’t get any more adorable!!

Thank you so much, Winter! ❤️❤️❤️

[lavendercrow136]

https://www.tumblr.com/lavendercrow136/739335315721945088/httpswwwtumblrcomlavendercrow136739277744287

Tell me this isn't goodbye love part 6 link above^

Tell me this isn't goodbye love part 7:

"We need to talk"

Singlehandedly the most anxiety inducing sentence in any relationship, I sat back finishing my last bite of breakfast. And she eyed me nervously,

"Can we talk away from the boys?"

I nodded, and Larissa guided me into the hallway away from the boy, she looked around her body shaking tears forming in her eyes and so much guilt on her face.

"Darling what is it your scaring the shit out of me right now?"

Larissa let out a shaky breath,

"It's something I never told you, and that I did not really know until recently,when it was brought to my attention"

I nodded in understanding and we sat on the stairs, she kissed my hand,

"You know I would never hide anything from you, or lie to you or betray you trust or cheat on you, right?"

She asked her voice constricted by panic, I kissed her and played with her hair,

"Yes darling I know that"

Larissa exhaled a sigh of relief,

"Well, I was recently informed that I have another child from before we met, from before the boys even existed and the mother has become an increasingly difficult part of my life recently and is demanding that I pay her child support for the last seventeen years or she will tell her husband, and their is no telling how he will react or what he will do when he finds out"

I visibly shrunk at her words, I wasn't mad at her or angry with my wife. I was sad and felt immeasurably guilty because of how I treated her the night before, I hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"It's okay love, who is the mother? And who is your child?"

Larissa tensed,

'It's Morticia, and Wednesday is the boys half sister"

I sighed, I had a feeling that was coming. I love Wednesday it's her mother I'd like to punch right in the tits, I kissed Larissa and held her.

"Let me call her darling, I will handle this"

Larissa nodded warily and passed me her cell phone, I dialed the number and stepped outside igniting a cigarette while I waited for her to answer the phone.

"Larissa darling so sweet of you to call me so soon, and hopefully with a solution to our little problem, wouldn't you agree? Anyway Riss, how's your raging cunt of a wife doing?"

I exhaled the cigarette smoke and spoke into the receiver my voice calm and light,

"Hey Tish, this is the raging cunt calling to tell you I'd like to set up a meeting. Say our place, at six o'clock. And be a dear and bring your husband and our little Wednesday"

Morticia sputtered and gasped into the phone,

"Fuck I didn't think she'd have the guts to tell you"

I laughed and hung up the phone, finishing the cigarette, Larissa noticed the lingering smoke and frowned disapprovingly, I smirked,

"The Addams family will be here at 6pm for dinner, for a family discussion"

Larissa’s eyes widened, and I began to clean the house for company, decorating while Larissa entertained the boys. When I'm angry I throw myself into housework, and Larissa knows and understands to stay out of my way. When I had finished cleaning and decorating. I made dinner, rosemary butter primed rib with mashed potatoes asparagus and a side of the homemade Mac and cheese Wednesday and the boys like. I even made dessert.

I grabbed my purse and keys, I kissed Larissa’s cheek,

"I'll be back darling, I need to pick up a few last minute things"

I picked up a couple bottles of wine, and some roses, and purchased myself a dress that matched Larissa’s favorite pant suit. I smiled grabbing a black lingerie set and new bottles of perfume for Larissa and I and made my way home. Larissa had just gotten done putting the boys down for a nap, I clipped the flowers and put them in a vase, lit some candles and checked the dinner.

"Come shower with me darling, please"

Larissa followed me and I prepared the shower, when I had finished I carefully removed my clothes, and then pounced on Larissa practically tearing hers off of her. I kissed her passionately till we were both breathless and kissed down her neck my hand reaching between her thighs and meticulously rubbing her clit as I backed up towards the water. Larissa moaned, and I smiled kneeling before her and lapping at her pussy. Her legs buckled slightly and she hoisted me up,

"What has gotten into you, your insatiable love?"

I practically growled at her words pulling her close to me,

"I need you to fuck me like your life depends on it,fuck me and make me forget I was stressed out"

Larissa smiled sucking hickeys into my skin and sliding her now hard erection deep inside of me. It did not take long for either of us to fall apart, we have not had sex since our anniversary, she came deep inside of me with a low growl and I came screaming her name. I quickly finished my shower and kissed Larissa, leaving her to finish up, I slipped on the lingerie and painted my nails and slipped into silk slip dress that hugged my curves in all the right places I put on heels and polished my wedding ring. I was finishing my makeup when Larissa came into the bedroom wearing nothing but a towel, her eyes gratuitously and generously looked my body up and down. I smirked in the mirror,

"wait a minute are you making yourself look undeniably sexy to make Morticia jealous?"

I nodded,

"Something like that darling"

Larissa smiled, as she finished drying off and slipped into her favorite pant suit the one that matched my dress, I handed her, her perfume after I sprayed on my own and she smiled appreciatively at me.

When she had finished getting ready, we got the boys changed and dressed, I smiled and kissed Larissa as I framed our family photos and hung them up ,setting them on display. I pulled dessert from the oven to cool, and poured us both a glass of wine, Wednesday was the first to arrive with Enid, she helped her with her crutches and they made their way inside.

"Wednesday, why don't you get Enid settled and then Larissa and I want to have a word with you before your parents get here"

Wednesday did exactly as we asked, and came into the kitchen,

"Alright what's up?"

Larissa hesitantly spoke and told Wednesday everything that was going on, at first we both thought she was upset. But then she cried tears of relief and was holding Larissa close,

"I thought I was going crazy, or being weird and making you uncomfortable because I've always sensed a connection, and to find out my Mother was hiding this from both of us is absolutely devastating"

Larissa hugged Wednesday and whispered softly,

"I would never have left you alone for all this time had I know you were mine sooner, I'm so sorry baby"

I let the two have their private moments before returning to the kitchen, Larissa had moved with Wednesday to the living room and was holding her their and sitting with the boys and Enid. I smiled up until I heard a knock on the door,I went and answered it and their stood a very smug pregnant looking Morticia and a very out of breath tired Gomez.

"Come in, please, need me to take your coats?"

They followed me into the kitchen, Gomez spoke first,

"Dinner smells amazing Y/N thank you for having us"

I saw Morticia's face fall with every passing picture frame and mark of Larissa’s happiness and success without her. I passed Gomez a glass of wine, and a glass of water to Morticia,

She accepted it with a quiet curt nod. And when Larissa joined us in the kitchen, I laced my hands around her waist and kissed her cheek. Wednesday came out shortly after and would not give her Mother eye contact, she clung to Larissa’s side.

"Shall we have the discussion now before dinner? Or after?"

I asked softly, my nails gently tapping against my wine glass. Wednesday supplied the answer,

"We can discuss this now"

Morticia placed a hand on her stomach and parted her lips to speak, Wednesday repeated herself, and Morticia shut her mouth

"Now, Mother"

Gomez sat wresting a hand on Wednesdays elbow and she Gabe him an apologetic look, a look that would break his heart. We all sat, Wednesday poured him another glass of wine and topped everyone capable of drinking off and stole a sip herself. Larissa looked away, shame written on her face, I glanced at Morticia.

"Did you tell your husband why we are here tonight?"

Morticia spoke softly, her voice heavy with emotion,

"No, no I didn't"

Gomez looked up at Morticia frantic for answers, Morticia looked at him so apologetically so sorrow filled, so much worry in her eyes.

"Gomez , I need to tell you something and I need you to promise me, you aren't going to hate me afterwards, can you promise me that?"

Gomez looked at her his shoulders sagging, his eyes dark he turned his head down,

"What is it? What did you do Tish?"

We left the couple alone for a moment, Wednesday had stayed and when we returned. Gomez had his tie loose, and was leaned back and had completely swallowed a full glass of wine.

"So what does this mean, Wednesday, is not mine?"

Wednesday shook her head,

"No,I-I'm not, I'm not really an Addams"

Gomez shook his head,

"Why did you need to tell me this? I'm confused"

Wednesday supplied an answer,

"Because mother was trying to collect child support from my other birth mom, when she hadn't even told her about me and made me and you believe I was yours"

Gomez looked at Morticia,

"Cara Mia why? Why do all this?"

Morticia looked at Gomez in disbelief,

"Because in a year Wednesday goes to college, and we can't afford to support her through it"

Larissa stiffened, and Wednesday fell silent for a moment before taking a breath and looking at her mother,

"Well you don't need to worry about that anymore"

Morticia's face fell, and Gomez asked the questions now,

"What do you mean?"

Wednesday folded her arms on her chest,

"I mean that if it is alright with Larissa and Y/N, that I'd like them to take over full custody of me until I am eighteen and legally capable of living on my own. I'm sorry, but I would rather die then live with someone who would try to exploit me to those I care about and truly care about me. I, i think you need to take your dinner to go"

Morticia looked at Wednesday heart broken, I helped pack up their dinner, and dessert. Placing them in a bag. And sent Morticia and Gomez on their way. Wednesday watched them leave and locked the door behind her, her footsteps slow as she paced towards the kitchen. Larissa hugged her and gently played with her hair,

"I've got you sweet girl, it's okay, I've got you"

When Wednesday had settled I fixed us all plates, Enid joined us I'm the kitchen and the boys napped, we ate in comfortable silence. Wednesday seemed to settle down, lightening up with the food. I had made something I thought we'd all enjoy. Larissa smiled fixing Wednesday's hair, we still would need to discuss Wednesday living here, but for now we just wanted her to know she was safe in our home.

After dinner, when Larissa and I had tucked the boys in bed, we lead Wednesday upstairs. I spoke up to ease Larissa’s worry and Wednesdays,

"There's two bedrooms you may choose from both have bathrooms attached in them and walking closets. Up until now one has been our guest bedroom, but if you prefer that one we can convert the other to a guest room. But it is your decision, we want you to be happy when you live here baby bat, so it's up to you. And then when school gets out we can take you shopping and get it all set up for you the way you want"

Wednesday nodded and hugged me tight, and then did the same with Larissa, she went in both rooms before settling o the one to the right, next to the boys room. I smiled softly, and grabbed some silk bed sheets and pillows, I made the bed and turned the roku TV on. Wednesday and Enid climbed into the bed slipping on their pajamas and settled in for the night.

"Your Mother and I are just gone be downstairs Wednesday so if you girls need anything, snacks or help with anything we're gonna be just downstairs, okay?"

Wednesday nodded and Enid smiled, Larissa kissed their cheeks goodnight and I did the same. I gently shut their bedroom door, and made sure the baby monitor was set, Larissa and I changed into our comfier clothing, I had almost forgotten I had on the lingerie set, as I was bent over putting on a set of cotton sleep pants. When Larissa rapped her arms around my waist, and pulled me up against her chest, turning me to face her.

"You look stunning darling"

I smiled and hummed my appreciation Larissa had on a pair of black leggings and a silk kimono with a camisole beneath it.

"You look pretty fantastic yourself"

I kissed Larissa and we made our way downstairs, Larissa popped some popcorn and gathered up some snacks and drinks. We could hear Enid and Wednesday moving upstairs, when they finally came down, Wednesday wrapped her arms around Larissa’s waist she was in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

"We want to spend time with you. Is that okay Mama?"

I smiled and Larissa nodded,

"Of course it is"

She was pouring melted butter over the popcorn and added a little salt. I arranged the couch in a giant square shape and put down blankets and pillows. Larissa and I setled into the couch, and Wednesday and Enid joined us, we voted on a movie and allowed it to play.

Larissa looked so happy. So peaceful, and the girls both looked content. I had the baby monitor turned all the way up and the boys were asleep, at some point in the night we all must have fallen asleep. Because when I awoke the next morning, Enid was curled up holding Wednesday and Larissa had a very tired Wednesday sleeping on her chest. I smiled and went and got the boys changing them I allowed them to crawl into bed with Larissa Wednesday and Enid and sleep a little longer while they drank their bottles.

I cooked breakfast, French toast with eggs bacon and sausage, freshly brewed coffee. Larissa was the first to wake up, gently releasing Wednesday onto to the pillow next to her brothers. She carefully climbed off the couch and stretched, I smiled kissing her cheek,

"Goodmorning darling, off again today?"

Larissa nodded and I smiled, as she poured us both a cup of coffee, she passed it to me as I was finishing up breakfast. I looked at the time,

"Well, we could take the kids all to do something as a family"

I supplied, Larissa smiled and nodded,

"We could go to the amusement park or the fair"

Larissa nodded,

"That sounds fun darling"

She kissed my cheek and began to make plates for the boys, while I made them for the girls, when their food was ready we walked over and woke them up we each took a twin and the girls followed sleepily behind. Wednesday grabbed Enid a cup of coffee as well as one for herself, yawning as she sat. While Larissa and I fed the boys, the girls ate,

"I can't believe we all slept on the couch"

Wednesday said with a smirk, stretching her back, she was getting quite tall a small steak of platinum blonde hair slipped out from behind her ear. Larissa smiled seeing it, and Enid smirked as she ate.

"So girls and boys, we are going to go to the amusement park today"

Tristan and Oliver smiled because Wednesday and Enid were happy. They talked excitedly while we all ate, and I was happy, genuinely happy Larissa ran her foot up my leg and I blushed. Everything was almost perfect, almost too perfect, and for once I felt extremely relaxed and at peace, after we had finished eating and the girls had cleared the breakfast table and loaded up the dishwasher. They went upstairs and got dressed, I smiled and got the boys ready while Larissa got dressed and then she loaded up their diaper bag while I got ready. We fed Oscar, and left the house at exactly nine am, with enough time to drive to the amusement park and get tickets before walking in. It was a three hour drive to the nearest amusement park, so the boys napped while the girls watched Netflix on Enids phone. Enid was already fine with how quickly werewolves healed, so she was capable of going on rides with Wednesday.

We got our tickets and went inside pushing the boys in, in their stroller the diaper bag tucked under the stroller. The girls followed us and we made our way to a sitting area and grabbed some lunch, I smiled, as we sat and ate. The boys munched silently on some hotdogs while the girls ate their chicken tenders and fries wire nacho cheese, I smiled and ate my own chicken tenders.

We looked around the park and smiled. We went on the smaller dry rides first, and the boys loved it and then we made our way to the thrill ride side of the park. I allowed Larissa and the girls to go on the rides with the girls while I sat with the boys.

Larissa’s cell phone went off and I answered it for her, it was Morticia and she was crying.

"Larissa, I'm so sorry, please tell Wednesday that I love her, let her know that it was self defense.. I'm so sorry"

End of Part 7 of Tell me this isn't goodbye love

As always please let me know what you thought, and I appreciate any comments or love and support.

@o1iviac1aire @barbarasstar @vii-v @winterfireblond @weemssapphic @weemswife @propertyofmilfs

[nancypullen]

Middle of May

It’s been a pleasant blur of days around here. Yard work, Mother’s Day ( I was spoiled because I have the BEST family), puttering, and then yesterday my sister came for the day.  What fun!  She is in the middle of a big move.  They’ve sold the home where they’ve lived for nearly thirty years, raised kids, and had to maintain about 3 acres.. They’re downsizing and have purchased a home on a smaller lot and will basically gut it and make it new.  Yikes. That’s a lot.  Emptying the old home, storing what will be kept, tackling the new home from the studs up...it doesn’t happen as quickly as they show it on HGTV.  Anywho, she allowed herself a break from the madness and came for a day.  The true purpose of the visit was to give me some of our Grandma Ethel’s iris before the new owners take over the house.  I know spring is not the time to divide them, but sometimes you gotta’ do what you gotta’ do. Better than letting those treasured bulbs fall into hands that might not love them. If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time you’ve probably heard me talk about my grandma.  She was simply the best.  She had every grandchild convinced that they were her favorite and she had a sense of fun that was unrivaled by any other adults I knew. She also had the greenest thumb of all time. Her irises  were legendary. When she died, my sister came into possession of some of her bulbs. Those bulbs have thrived and bloomed for years in my sister’s yard and are always in their glory right around Ethel’s May birthday.  Now that I’m nearby she’s sharing the bounty with me.  I am thrilled.  Generations of irises have made their way from Weiser, Idaho to my yard on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Here’s my adorable sister with some of the flowers we cut.  Thanks, Ethel.

After we dabbled in horticulture, we hopped in the car and drove to Easton.  We had lunch, raided Target, ransacked Ulta, tried on dresses in Marshall’s, and laughed ourselves silly all day.  It was perfect.  I really feel awful for any woman who doesn’t have a sister. Who understands your verbal shorthand? Who knows your history from birth and gets you? Who would help you get rid of a body?  Sister, therapist, accomplice...it’s all the same person. I’m grateful for mine. Other than that, we just poke along doing the daily tasks that make it a life. I’m way overdue for a day at my desk making things - jewelry, cards, art, something needs to happen soon. Maybe I can get creative tomorrow. I’m caught up in the yard and mostly around the house.  The mister mowed today and everything looks so pretty.  I’ve got a zillion baby zinnias up and some mighty fine looking sunflowers as well.  I was surprised to see a bunny in the yard a couple of nights ago - better not eat my sunflowers!

Oh well, it’s time for me to shower off the yard dirt and make some dinner.  Yesterday was salmon and roasted broccoli.  Tonight it’s barbecued chicken thighs and roasted green beans - I’m feeling crazy, I think I’ll add wild rice.  Tomorrow will probably be taco bowls with cauliflower rice.  Or maybe just a big salad with chicken.  I’ve gotten into a rut with our meals and I tend to make the same simple meals over and over. Mickey doesn’t complain, and most of it is healthy and easy - so I shouldn’t complain either.  I just get bored. What a great problem to have, right?  I already feel guilty for complaining. I’ll throw some dinner together and then we’ll watch Ted Lasso.  This is the last season and I’m savoring every minute. I hate to see it end.

Is it just me or is Rebecca especially magnificent this season?  I so hope that she gets her happily ever after. I’m off. Sorry about the boring post.  I’m a granny in a small town. News is scarce.  We had a jailbreak in Denton last week but it only lasted about 45 minutes.  The guy was nabbed over on Cattail Commons, probably didn’t even get to do anything fun.   Oh well, don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.

I hope that May is treating you well.  It’s a truly lovely month and before we know it the heat of summer will be upon us.  Ugh.  Love the color, hate the temps.  Get out and do fun stuff before the sun tries to kill you.  I’ll be spreading mulch tomorrow because my baby plants are finally big enough.  Not fun, but I’ll be happy when it’s done.  My friends farther south are way ahead of me, and I followed that schedule for decades.  I feel like I’m learning to garden from scratch -different soil, different zone, different issues.  Still a pleasure though, I love the results. Okay, really stopping this time.  Sending you love, wishing you all good things, and hoping that you stay safe and stay well. XOXO- Nancy