#i was not expecting it to be so good but it was!! delightful

[whisperofwonder]

Oh, Baby

Haikyuu men x pregnant!reader

Featuring: Miya Osamu, Kuroo Tetsurou, Kageyama Tobio, Sakusa Kiyoomi (~ 400 - 500 words each)

Most likely to be followed up at some point by scenes after baby is born because I have absolutely no chill

MIYA OSAMU

You pick at your dinner, trying your best to eat enough to satisfy Osamu. It's not that you aren't hungry, really. It's more that what you're hungry for isn't this. Osamu already worked hard to make it, though, so you'll make yourself content.

"What's wrong?" Osamu isn't fooled. He points at your plate with his chopsticks. "Isn't it good? I knew I shouldn't a' switched out the spices."

"No, it's good!" You insist quickly. "Really. I just - you're gonna think it's silly." You warn.

"Try me," He says, sitting back in his chair and watching you expectantly. You have no choice.

"I'm just really craving something in particular. Something different," You try to mask your disdain as you gesture at your plate. "I want onigiri."

"Really?" A smile breaks across his face. "Little guy wants onigiri, huh? Well that's not so bad. I can whip something up-" He's already out of his chair and poised to root in the fridge. "Whaddya want? We got tuna, umeboshi, or maybe..." He pauses to shuffle things around in the fridge in search of more ingredients.

"No," You interrupt before he can get too far, bracing yourself for what the baby is making you say next, "Actually, I was kind of thinking, well, peanut butter?" He goes still, head stuck in the fridge. "And, jelly?" You add more quietly. Slowly, he backs up and pivots, fixing you with a penetrating look.

"Sorry. It was all muffled in there. What sorta filling did ya want?" You repeat yourself, and watch as the smallest part of your husband dies. He blinks once, twice, then nods very slowly. "Okay," He says, quietly, almost as if he's steeling himself. "Okay." He repeats.

Hands resting on your growing middle, you watch as he methodically prepares the onigiri, with the exact fillings you'd requested. He hesitates with his spoon in the peanut butter, but he does what you asked. "Are ya sure this is my child?" He asks despairingly as he presents you with three perfectly formed onigiri.

"Positive," You assure him with a small chuckle. You can't help it - you're itching to dig into these onigiri, so you do. Is it an absurd combination? Yes. But does it satisfy the craving you'd been trying to ignore all day? Absolutely. You can't disguise your delight as you eat, humming happily as you savor the food your husband had so lovingly prepared for you, despite the desecration.

When you look up, you're surprised to find him smiling at you, head propped on his fist as he watches you eat.

"What're you grinning about?" You ask teasingly.

"Can't help it," He grumbles, "I'm just happy you're enjoyin' the food, even if it is an abomination. I love you." He gives your cheek a gentle pinch, then your stomach a loving pat.

"I love you too, Samu. We both do." You pause. "Want a bite?" You ask, holding the last onigiri out to him.

"Absolutely not."

KUROO TETSUROU

You're in bed, and it's barely 8:00. You never expected your normal day-to-day routine to tire you out this much, but then again you've never been 7 months pregnant before, either.

"Aw, come on," Tetsurou is cooing at your stomach, stroking it gently. "Just a little tiny kick? Mama gets to feel you move all the time." He's curled up with his face inches from your stomach, a dopey smile on on his face as he chatters to the baby as has become his nightly routine. You reach down to run a hand through his unruly hair.

"If you want someone to kick you in the bladder, that can probably be arranged," You say drily, snorting out a laugh when he looks up at you with a pout.

"I just want to feel her move," He sighs, "I feel like I always miss it. Everybody acts like it's so special."

"It is," You say softly, resting your hand on top of his. You can't deny that. "It'll happen," you say optimistically. With how bad he wants it, it has to, you silently tell your daughter.

"Yeah," He doesn't sound convinced, rolling to a sitting position. "Guess I'll go brush my teeth," He says, heading for the bathroom. You roll onto your back, reaching for your phone on the bedside table. You've just opened a conversation to respond to a text when you feel it - the faintest movement.

"Tetsu!" You call, "Come here!"

"What?" He's at the doorway in half a second, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth and a frown creasing his brow, "Wha's wrong?"

"She's moving," You say, and shift to a sitting position. You hear him spit the toothpaste in the sink, and he's there in a heartbeat, hand on your belly. Right beneath his hand, you feel her kick. You watch as the look of wonder crosses his face.

"Hi, baby girl," He breathes, focusing all of his attention on the movement of your daughter beneath his hand. "I love you so much. I'm so excited to meet you." He turns to look at you then. "Finally," He grins, and you can't help but return it.

"Didn't I tell you?" You say smugly.

"Yeah, yeah." He silences you with a minty kiss.

KAGEYAMA TOBIO

At this point in your pregnancy, there's very little that soothes your aching back. Lying down, standing up, moving around, the pain is always there in the background to some extent. That's why you find yourself in the living room in the middle of the night, propping yourself up between the arm chair and wall in search of a position that will provide some relief.

"Are you alright?" You nearly jump out of your skin at the touch of Tobio's hand on your back. When you left the room, he'd been sleeping like a rock as usual.

"Fine," You assure him, stretching to a slightly more dignified position. "My back's just a little sore."

"Oh," He runs a hand gently up and down the muscles of your back. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Hold this for a second?" You say with a breathy laugh, mostly joking as you press a hand beneath your round stomach.

"I can try," He says seriously, moving behind you. You're about to tell him it was just a joke, but then you feel his chest pressed against your back and his hands gently supporting the underside of your belly. Instead of the protest that had been forming on your lips, you let out a groan of relief.

"Was that good?" He asks uncertainly.

"Very good," You're quick to assure him, letting your eyes close. He only hums in response, pressing a light kiss to your shoulder. You'd forgotten it was possible for your back to feel this normal. It's blissful. You could almost fall asleep right here and now.

"You sure are making trouble for your mama," You hear your husband whisper, drawing you back out of your drowsy state.

"It's okay," You murmur, "It'll all be worth it." He presses another kiss to your shoulder, and you sink back into silence.

"I really think we should get you back to bed," He says finally. Even though it means he'll have to let go, you feel you don't have any choice but to agree. "We can do this again tomorrow," He promises as he takes your hand to make your way back to the bedroom. You give his hand a tug and press a kiss to his lips. You'll hold him to that.

SAKUSA KIYOOMI

"I'm home," You hear Kiyoomi call from the front door. You freeze, but it's too late to hide the evidence. Soon enough, your husband appears in the nursery doorway, and you're caught red-handed.

"I told you I'd build that bookshelf tonight," He says, striding into the room and plucking the loose shelf from your hand. He takes the bag of screws from the other, sets them down, and then draws you away from your project.

"I know, but I just had to do something," You insist. "I already put all the clothes in the dresser, vacuumed, washed the drapes, and the box was just sitting there." His brow creases, and you realize you've said too much.

"You washed the drapes?" He heaves a heavy sigh. "How did you even get them down? And put them back up?"

You smile nervously. "A chair," You try to sound nonchalant. "They really aren't that high."

"My love," He says, taking your hands in his. "Please don't do something like that again. What if you fell?" You lower your head, biting down on your lip. It truly hadn't crossed your mind.

"Sorry," You whisper, "There's just so much to do! We need to be ready. The baby will be here in just a few months. I just want everything to be perfect."

"I know," He says, now rubbing comforting circles into the backs of your hands, "And we'll take care of everything. Together." He draws you into him and tucks your head beneath his chin. "I promise. I just want you to be safe."

His voice is a comforting rumble against your ear, and you nod your head against him. "I know," You agree softly.

"Good," He says, pulling back and pressing a kiss to your forehead. "Now, since you've been busy all day, why don't you let me make dinner?" You open your mouth to protest, but with one look at his face, you close it again. "After dinner, you can read me the instructions. I'll build the bookshelf."

You smile at your husband. "Thanks for taking care of us, Kiyoomi," You say, and his expression softens.

"Of course. It's my job."

[frownyalfred]

Needing some fluff/humor over the angst potential of Dick and Bruce not acknowledging each other's relationship to the League...

The thing is, everyone in the League is a professional nosy-parker. Sure, no one will out their colleagues, but you bet there is plenty of silent speculation everyone is indulging in.

So, they've got this new recruit, Nightwing - pretty good at the job, likable, cute. Only, the kid isn't...as much in awe of the trinity or the senior heroes as you'd expect from a teen/twenty something hero.

Not rude or anything, just...apparently long been seeing them as just people.

And there is stuff about the Watchtower or the history that he knows, but shouldn't, because he'd have been like ten when those things happened.

They finally come to the conclusion Nightwing is the son of one of the original members...

The clues they do have - treats gravity as a guideline than law, way too high pain tolerance, born charmer, perfect smile, can talk anyone into or out of anything, loves wearing Superman merch if ever caught out of uniform, knows multiple alien languages including kryptonian.

Also, Clark is going to be considerably less paranoid about hiding his fondness for Dick, because he assumes the secret identity connection doesn't count.

Then Hal checks some old records and comes across Nightwing as a name in Kryptoninan mythology.

The Justice League is convinced Nightwing is Superman's half-human son.

This is before Jon is born, so no one knows what could be the result of kryptonian and human DNA mixing.

Bruce is exasperated, Clark kind-of likes it, Dick is delighted at the potential for trolling.

I love this 💜 so much. Someone please write this and send it to me. 

[latenightreadingpdf]

The Cutest Thing - Sirius Black

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: When you visit the Marauders' dorm to ask Remus for help with your Charms homework, you're surprised to find a large black dog in the room.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

You hurried through the hallways of Gryffindor Tower, clutching your Charms textbook and muttering to yourself. The essay Flitwick assigned was due tomorrow, and you were in desperate need of help. Luckily, Remus Lupin was your go-to for all things academic, and you figured he wouldn’t mind you dropping by the Marauders’ dorm.

When you reached their door, you knocked softly at first, then a bit louder when no one answered. From inside, you could hear what sounded like… barking? Frowning, you knocked again. Still no answer. The barking continued, frantic and insistent.

Worried something was wrong, you slowly pushed the door open.

“Hello? Remus?”

The scene that greeted you was not what you expected. Remus was sitting cross-legged on his bed, nose buried in a book. James was lounging on his bed, tossing a ball in the air, while Peter sat at the desk scribbling something on parchment. In the center of the room was a large, black dog pawing at Remus, barking as if trying to get his attention.

You froze in the doorway.

James noticed you first, the ball dropping to his chest with a thud. “When did you get here?”

You gestured at the dog. “Uh… whose dog is that?”

All three boys froze, exchanging a fleeting, panicked glance.

“Oh, him?” James said quickly, sitting up. “We, uh, found him outside. Poor thing was injured, so we brought him in to heal him up.”

Your heart melted instantly. “Oh, you poor thing!” You crouched down, extending a hand toward the dog. “C’mere, boy.”

The dog—who had been ignoring the boys entirely—turned to you immediately, tail wagging furiously. He sniffed your hand, then began licking it enthusiastically.

You laughed, scratching behind his ears. “You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. And your fur is so soft!”

The dog leaned into your touch, practically vibrating with joy.

James cleared his throat. “Yeah, he’s, uh, a good boy. Aren’t you, boy?”

“What are you going to do with him after he’s healed?” you asked, looking up at the boys.

The dog let out a whine, nudging your hand with his nose.

“Not sure yet,” Remus said tightly, glaring at the dog as if it had personally insulted him. “Probably just let him back out where we found him.”

You frowned, running your fingers through the dog’s fur. “That’s so sad. I’ll miss you so much, boy.”

The dog whined louder, pressing his head into your lap.

James stood abruptly. “Well, it’s getting late! You should probably head back to your dorm now.”

You blinked. “It’s six o’clock?”

“Yep, still, you’ve got a big day tomorrow,” James said, ushering you toward the door.

“Alright, alright, I’m going,” you laughed, giving the dog one last scratch behind the ears. “Bye, cutie!”

The dog barked, wagging his tail so hard it thumped against the bedpost.

The moment the door closed behind you, Remus rounded on the dog.

“Change back, now.”

With a shimmer of fur and a crack, Sirius Black stood in the middle of the room, his trademark smirk firmly in place.

“Did you hear her?” he asked, looking positively delighted. “She said I was the cutest!”

Peter groaned, dropping his head into his hands.

Remus scowled. “You’re insufferable.”

“I can’t help it,” Sirius said, throwing himself onto James’s bed dramatically. “I’ve got the charm—both human and canine.”

James rolled his eyes. “Just don’t get too comfortable, Pads. She’ll find out eventually.”

“And when she does,” Sirius said, grinning like a maniac, “she’ll already think I’m adorable.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ just a short little blurb because I’m bored

[dissapointu]

Arcane characters taking a bath with their s/o

————————————————————————

{Jinx}

You’re sitting in the tub with Jinx, the warm water soothing your skin after a long, exhausting day. Jinx is sprawled across your lap, playing with the bubbles, her usual chaotic energy tempered by the calm of the moment. She giggles as she flicks a bubble at your face, then snickers when you pretend to be annoyed.

“You look so cute like this,” she grins, her blue hair sticking out at odd angles as she tilts her head back, making a mess of the water. “I could stay in here forever, just like this.”

She reaches up to touch your cheek, and as her fingers trace over your face, she grins mischievously. “Maybe we should stay here forever. I could make bubbles bigger than the tub!”

You chuckle, watching her delight in the little things. She snuggles up to you, letting you play with her hair as she hums, feeling safe and content in your arms.

{Vi}

The steam from the hot bath envelops you both as Vi slides into the water next to you, her muscles relaxing immediately. She rests her head on your shoulder with a contented sigh, one of her strong arms wrapping around your waist. Her breath is warm against your skin, and you can feel her body easing into the comfort of the moment.

“You know, I don’t do this enough,” she mumbles softly, her voice carrying the weight of a long, stressful week. Her thumb gently rubs circles on your side, and the action is soothing. “I’m usually too busy punching my way through everything, but this…this feels good.”

Her gaze lifts to meet yours, her violet eyes soft, and she gives you a grin. “Thanks for getting me to slow down.”

You smile back, your hands tracing the line of her jaw, knowing this quiet moment means everything to her. She leans in and kisses you gently, the water lapping around you both.

{Sevika}

The bath is peaceful, the water cool and inviting, a stark contrast to Sevika’s usual intense and guarded demeanor. She’s sitting next to you, her back against the edge of the tub, letting out a sigh of relief as she relaxes for once. Her body is still, but you can tell she’s enjoying the rare moment of calm.

She glances over at you, noticing the way you’re admiring her. “You’re staring,” she mutters, but there’s a soft smile tugging at her lips.

“Can’t help it,” you reply, reaching out to gently run your fingers over the scars on her arm. She tenses at first, but then softens, giving you a look that says she trusts you.

“You know, I’m not as tough as I look,” Sevika says quietly, her voice low, almost vulnerable. “But I’ve always liked being with you like this… when it’s just us.”

You squeeze her hand, giving her a reassuring smile. For once, she doesn’t have to be the strong one. In this moment, she just gets to be with you.

{Silco}

The water is warm and soothing as Silco leans back against the edge of the tub, eyes closed in relaxation. His long fingers brush through your hair as you sit between his legs, leaning back against his chest. The silence between you is comfortable, but there’s a quiet intensity in the way he holds you.

“Tell me about your day,” he says, his voice softer than usual, almost as if he’s genuinely interested.

You start to talk, but he interrupts you with a small chuckle, his fingers tracing your collarbone. “I don’t need to know every detail. Just… share the things that matter to you.”

You smile, settling into him more. There’s no pressure to perform, no expectations. Just Silco, taking a rare moment to show you affection in the most intimate way. You feel his lips brush your forehead before he speaks again. “I enjoy moments like this, with you.”

{Vander}

The large tub feels like a small haven as you sit in the warm water, with Vander’s broad frame next to you. He’s careful not to disturb the water too much, his big hands gentle as he reaches over to wash your hair. His hands work through your hair with surprising tenderness, and you let out a soft sigh, sinking further into the comfort of the bath.

“You always take care of me,” you murmur, looking up at him with soft eyes. “I don’t think I could ask for anyone better.”

Vander smiles down at you, his expression filled with both love and pride. “It’s my job to look out for you, and that’s something I’ll always do.” His voice is deep and soothing, and you feel his hand gently rub your back.

He leans forward, his lips pressing a kiss to your forehead. “We’ll always have each other.”

{Ekko}

The warm water swirls around you and Ekko as he leans over to adjust the temperature of the tub, making sure it’s just right. You’re both settled in now, and Ekko is holding onto you as if you’re the most precious thing in the world.

“You’re perfect, you know that?” Ekko says softly, his lips brushing the top of your head. He has a smile on his face, but it’s not the usual mischievous one—this one is soft, genuine.

“Why?” you ask, lifting your head to look at him, unsure of what he means.

He leans down, his fingers gently tracing the curve of your cheek. “Because you’re the only person who can keep up with me in a world like this. No one else could. And I like that.”

Ekko gently kisses you, the moment quiet and serene, as you relax in the bath together.

{Jayce}

The warm water feels good against your skin as you sit across from Jayce in the bath. He’s always been so composed, so put-together, but here, with you, he lets his guard down. His hand gently holds yours, his thumb brushing against your knuckles.

“I can’t remember the last time I just relaxed,” Jayce says, leaning back with his eyes closed. “I think I needed this more than I realized.”

You chuckle softly, reaching over to run a hand through his hair. “It’s nice, isn’t it?”

Jayce lets out a sigh of contentment, smiling as he opens his eyes. “Definitely. Especially with you here.”

You both simply sit together, content in the peaceful silence, occasionally glancing at each other, knowing that this moment of peace is something you’ll both cherish.

{Victor}

Victor’s usually so focused on his work, but tonight, he’s here with you, soaking in the bath as you sit beside him, the steam rising around you. His face is relaxed, and you can see the slight smile on his lips as you both unwind.

“I’m glad you convinced me to take a break,” he says softly, adjusting his glasses before setting them aside. “I tend to get lost in my thoughts too easily.”

You reach for his hand, gently squeezing it. “You deserve to relax,” you reply with a smile, leaning your head on his shoulder. “Besides, you don’t have to think about anything right now.”

Victor nods, his hand gently brushing your hair aside. “You make it easy to forget the world sometimes.”

He kisses your forehead, and for a few moments, it’s just the sound of your breathing and the quiet splash of water around you.

{Caitlyn}

Caitlyn smiles as she settles beside you in the large bath, the soft lavender scent of the bubbles filling the air. She glances at you with a playful grin, taking your hand in hers.

“You look so relaxed,” she observes with a teasing tone. “I think I’m going to need a bath like this every night.”

You laugh, feeling the warmth of her hand around yours. Caitlyn is surprisingly at ease in the bath, enjoying the quiet moments with you. She leans in, brushing her lips against your cheek, making you smile even more.

“Thank you for this,” she murmurs softly. “Sometimes I forget how much I need to slow down.”

The quiet moments between you both stretch on, with Caitlyn occasionally glancing over at you, a soft smile playing on her lips. You both just enjoy the calm and the peace that comes from being together, letting everything else fade away.

[thatlittlered]

an almost kiss | celebrimbor

warning(s): afab!reader (use of the word lady), discreet TROP spoilers

GIF by @suguretos

author's note: this is based on @morganas-pendragons' request for a first kiss, which I turned into an almost kiss because I already technically wrote that and her delicious thoughts on touch-starved brimby... I mean, just look at him

read the rest of "the craft" here

-.-.-

The air is thick from the heat of the forge when you peek inside, expecting to find every smith hard at work, but as the fog clears, only Lord Celebrimbor himself can be seen, completely engrossed in his craft.

 It is a sight.

 You have been inside before, of course, but what could you learn of true creation from a simple visit? Seeing the master Elven-smith at work is a revelation.

 It serves your curiosity to not be discovered, yet guilt eats at you at the thought of taking advantage of his good nature and hospitality to serve your own whims. He looks different here, too, where he is shed of noble duties. The careless roll of his sleeves and his apron serve to remind you that in this little corner of the world, he is nothing but a talented craftsman. A true creator.

 ‘My Lord.’

 The clatter ceases once you make your presence known. A sharp tool you could not possibly think to name rests in his hand, but he quickly lays it aside when he looks at you. The lines of dedication on his face melt away as he smiles.

 ‘My Lady.’

 ‘I am sorry to have startled you.’

 ‘You haven’t.’

 He dares not move, dazed to have you here when he has been absorbed by the very notion of you for hours – days even. It almost makes it seem possible to will his desires into existence. How long need he think about your touch before that too is bestowed upon him? He will offer the time, however long it may be.

 He wonders briefly how he might look to you now. The last member of the House of Fëanor, renowned smith and Lord of Eregion by his own right, caught by surprise and rendered speechless by an offer as simple as your company. You, on the other hand, seem to always be at ease, always drawing nearer.

 ‘I am sorry to disturb your work as well.’

 ‘You aren’t.’

 ‘To disturb you then.’

 ‘Impossible. I was the one to invite you here in the first place, was I not?’

 ‘Oh, but that was an arranged visit. I come now of my own volition, that is an imposition in itself.’

 ‘I only regret that you’ve caught me unprepared and ill-mannered.’

 ‘I don’t believe you could ever be caught ill-mannered, my Lord.’

 ‘Perhaps it is the delight of your presence that ensures it then.’

 His laughter eases the years away from his face and you wish to tell him that. You wish for him to know your thoughts as plainly as they come to you.

 ‘You’ve such a kind and earnest smile, Lord Celebrimbor, as is all else about you. Almost like a warm glow washing over us, akin that of Laurelin itself.’

 He laughs again – bless the Valar! Bless the honey of your mouth and the sharpness of your mind and whatever he has done to earn the gift of your appreciation, of your mere thought to compare him of all elves to the gold tree of Valinor, but oh, curse it too. Curse that he cannot ever find within himself the words to reciprocate, in spite of all the nights he lies awake to thoughts of you.

 How can someone so skilled with a hammer not possess a trace of the skill of the tongue? You must teach him. You must make him worthy of you.

 He watches in silence as you look around. A tentative hand comes to trace the intricate carvings on the furnace.

 ‘Everything in your city seems so carefully crafted.’

 ‘Well, I suppose I have an eye for detail, given my work.’

 ‘Undoubtedly so, but I think it’s much more than just that. It is a labour of great love and dedication to mind such details.’

 ‘A true craftsman recognizes nothing is ever negligible, despite how it may seem. Even from sand, comes glass.’

 ‘What a wise thing to say,’ you turn to him, ‘you truly are most interesting, Lord Celebrimbor.’

 ‘I can only hope to keep up with you, my Lady. You most certainly surpass me in both words and wisdom. Your company is a blessing.’

 ‘As is yours.’

 Your hand is a comfort unlike any other when it reaches for him. He has not been touched in eons, but even if he had, it would not compare. His own hands are filthy with remnants of his work and it brings him shame to dirty such pristine skin. The Valar must have loved you as well, for they, superior creators as they are, ensured your beauty would reach even to your fingertips.

‘Would you show me what you were working on?’

‘Nothing exciting, I fear. I was only cutting out some pieces of emerald from their cluster.’

 ‘How can that not be exciting? Cutting a brilliant, precious gem from what was but a mere piece of rock not long ago.’

 You see as he does. The beauty of things. Their importance. The dark green rock sits large and proud on his workbench, cleaned of any remnants of the earth that birthed it, yet still a long way from its final form. He senses your enthusiasm in the hesitance with which you approach.

 ‘It is mere jewel-craft. Petty work. I aspire to larger projects now that I’ve been provided with a forge suited for them. I have you to thank for that.’

 ‘Hardly. It was the High King’s wise foresight to recognize that your gifts would be of much use in the fight against evil, and the work of Herald Elrond’s persuasion to make it possible.’

 ‘Ah, Herald Elrond does indeed possess quite the persuasive tongue. It is to be envied.’ And envy it he does, especially so when Elrond visits and spends your shared dinners conversing you whilst he himself can only gaze lovelorn. ‘But, please, do not undermine your contribution. You have been the most insightful of councils. I… I, for one, am glad to have you here.’

 For the first time in the weeks that you have known each other, he finds the nerve to approach you first. Not as your host, but as your… friend. It helps to see you distracted by the ore in front of you, too entranced to notice he is studying you in return.

 ‘Do not worry, it is not fragile. You may touch it if you’d like.’

 Your daring hand springs forth.

 ‘It is beautiful.’

 ‘It will be more valuable once it’s cut.’

 ‘More valuable, perhaps,’ you hum, ‘but not more beautiful. I believe the colour is the same as your eyes.’

 Your honeyed mouth renders the elven-smith incapable of sensible thought. You could ask him to cut off his hand and he would happily oblige you, let you pick the knife even. Anything to draw the praise you so generously give, even though he tends to think his eyes are small and beady and their only possible use is looking at you.

 That is why;

 ‘You should have it then.’

 A breath is released. This is not quite the facile manner of speech he had hoped to master. Foolish, traitorous mind going hand in hand with a foolish, traitorous mouth. You, in all your benevolence, simply blink in surprise. Teach him! Teach him how to speak his love.

 ‘I couldn’t possibly.’

 ‘I’m sure you appreciate it far more than any other would. If you want it, I wish for you to have it.’

 ‘You are so generous, my Lord, but whatever would I do with such an ore? Its beauty is undeniable, but I am no craftsman.’

 It is quite a large rock. Childish embarrassment rushes through him, the kind he has not felt since he was but an elfling apprenticed to his father and found comfort in his arms when he was brought to tears by his uncle’s temper.

 Perhaps being in love is a childlike, vulnerable sentiment in itself.

 ‘A piece then.’

 He does not await your answer. The tool is large and sharp in his talented hands. The piece he cuts is roughly the size of your palm as he presses it inside with reverence.

 ‘There you go.’

 You inspect it with a caress of your lovely finger.

 ‘I can polish it if you’ve changed your mind.’

 ‘No. No, it is perfect just like this.’

 The sunlight is bright and warm as it pours from his window and you take the opportunity to hold the piece up against its rays, revealing hues of forest green. The light reflects off it for a moment, drawing your attention back to Celebrimbor. He, too, looks glorious under the sun’s cast. You wish to study him further. To know all the markings of his face. He wishes it too, so he does not draw back when your feet bring you closer, and allows you to hold up the stone again, this time near his eyes.

 ‘I was right then; they are the same colour.’

 Perhaps being in love is a glorious sentiment instead. The gentle and warm embrace of affectionate words. No one has spoken of his eyes before. No one has come this close either. None but the wind that he can recall. All his memories and senses have been replaced by you, as if he was brought to existence by your meeting.

 All these things, he might never find the words to tell you.

 You do not mind.

 You care only for his kind soul, his emerald eyes and the soft beating of his heart under your palm. Your heads bow together as if in silent communication, foreheads and noses touching so that you might come to breathe the same air. An almost kiss.

 Does he remind you of the gold tree now that your touch has eased the years off his face, and your proximity has once again brought forth the gleeful radiance of his smile? Always, yes.

 An almost kiss, and a joy short-lived when his assistant decides to interrupt you.

 ‘My Lord.’

 You do not fly apart, but separate slowly, painfully instead.

 ‘Thank you, Lord Celebrimbor, for your gift, and for your company.’

 Mirdania lowers her head as you take your leave, perhaps in respect, or, perhaps, in embarrassment. For you, there is none. Not for Celebrimbor either, when he is left gazing at the shadow of you that remains. Her words fall on deaf ears.

[hitomisuzuya]

hello! i saw requests were open, may i request brat-tamer!wanderer with brat!reader? reader is an akademiya official (maybe the librarian?) and has been teasing and penting him up all day, and when wanderer confronts reader about going home and getting whats deserved, reader tells him they cant because their working hours arent over... so wanderer decides enough is enough and fucks reader somewhere semi-secluded in the house of daena? with some degradation & choking? (can add anything else if you want~) much love 🫶

wanderer (scaramouche) x fem!reader. smut. degradation. choking. creampie. semi public sex. brat taming.

😳 i meant to write this yesterday, but bad weather, an exploded transformer and no power for like about 8 hours stopped me.

wanderer threw his head back, swallowing a moan as he rutted into your hand pumping on his cock. "that desperate for my cock, and attention, huh?" he hissed, grabbing your hand to wrap it firmer on his cock. he let out a shaky sigh of frustration when you shook his hand away, massaging your thumb on his leaking cock head.

"what's wrong, scara?"you cooed softly in his ear behind him, "you can't handle a little teasing?" you increased the pumps of your hand for a few moments, giving him the sweet friction of your hand that his cock craved.

he balled his hand into a fist. you were making his cock ache so much that he was losing his patience, "you teasing slut," he managed to finish. "we are leaving. now. you need to put in your place for," his words fell away into a soft moan tinged with further frustration as you stroked his cock feather light, "teasing me all fucking day."

being a library official that put returns back on the shelves, it was easy for you to teasing wanderer behind the bookshelves. "sorry, sweetheart, but work hours aren't over yet," you took your hand out of his shorts, and kissed him on the cheek. "i'll see you at home."

wanderer's mouth was agape as he turned to look at you, his eyes hooded into a glare that quite frankly made your pussy clench. "oh? i think i'll stick around here for awhile longer," there was a lot of weight behind his words.

you soon found that out. with a delighted smile, you thought you could continue teasing him for a few more hours. but boy, how wrong you are. you didn't expect for wanderer to turn the tables on you. and he wasn't going to give you an inch.

now the shoe was on the other foot. a few hours later, wanderer had you turned around, your hands gripping the bookshelf as he pounded his cock into you from behind. his fingers wrapped around your throat as you threw your head back, his cock head kissing into your sweet spot relentlessly. "you brat. did you think i was going to let you get away with this, whore?" his fingers prodded against your throat, tearing a moan that you couldn't swallow from you.

wanderer couldn't help but chuckle darkly. "you should stay quiet. or do you want everyone in the house of daena to see me impaling you on my cock?" he trapped your wrists together in his free hand, pinning them to the bookshelf, his cock making almost unholy squelching noises in and out of your pussy. "they will find out that their sweet, shy nerd who shelves returns is a total slut," his groan of pleasure as your cunt squeezed around his cock spoke volumes how good it felt to finally stretch your pussy apart.

you mewl as you push back into his cock. "ah! please. fuck me harder," you struggle to moan as best you could, shivering as his fingers tightened on your throat.

wanderer let go your wrists, bringing his hand down across your ass. "you brat, teasing me all day and thinking you can dictate how hard i fuck you," he obliged your pathetic plea, though. your cunt clenching around his cock just felt so fucking good.

your eyes rolled into the back of your head, your orgasm building up intense and fast the more he squeezed. but don't worry, he would choke you just enough to still hear you struggle to moan to for him. his cock only throbbed harder witnessing your body quake as his cock bullied your sweet spot.

wanderer smacked a hand across your ass again, soothing the sting with his palm. "what's wrong, hunny," he purred in a sweet, condescending voice. "can't handle it? i should've put you on your knees first for your insolence," nothing saying he couldn't ruin your throat once you got home later.

your pussy squeezed around his cock just right. he increased his pace, shuddering in pleasure as his cock roped cum inside of you. "tell me, slut, do you wanna cum?" he asked, licking the shell of your ear as his hips continued to smack against yours.

you nodded as best you could, eagerly pushing back against his cock as pleasure burst white hot behind your eyes. his fingers tightened on your throat a little more, his hand drifting down to your clit. it was almost embarrassing how little it took to make you cum hard on his cock.

with a few calculated pinches and flicks to your throbbing clit, the knot of your orgasm shattered like glass. through the dizzying haze of pleasure, you are quite certain you would've screamed for him.

wanderer smirked behind you, rubbing your clit while he fucked you through your orgasm. your body felt limp and relaxed in his grip. submissive. "good girl," he praised, pulling out and licking his lips as cum seeped from your abused hole. "you know your place again."

[disillusioned-phantasma]

Queued in on his raspy squeals of delight. There was no surprise when you stepped into the hallway to see him carting in his box of wine, “Wow, that’s almost a week sooner than last time.”

Smug grin, Chuuya gently set his box of bottles on the dining room table, “They knew I had to deal with that shit for brains today. Karama really pays off for putting up with Dazai.”

Peaking over the edge of the box as Chuuya broke into it like a kid on Christmas. He had everything scattered on the table and matched with the tasting cards before you even had a chance to get a drink of water and sit to join him. 

“Wow they went all out this time.” You were impressed at the seven very distinctly different bottles of wine in front of you.

“A Riesling…A zinfandel, even a syrah this month!” Chuuya was outright glowing when he read each label, “Oh boy we have to do something for dinner this week to pair with that syrah!!!”

Smiling at your husband’s excitement. You leaned your elbow against the table and watched as he read off their names and where they were from. All while clutching each one to his chest like it was the most precious thing he had. Until finally Chuuya turned and looked at you thrilled.

“What were we doing for dinner tonight again?? I bet there’s a wine in here that would compliment it so well!”

Snickering at him you relayed to him what had been talked about and what was already half prepped for the meal. No turning back for dinner was set in stone. Chuuya ramped up his excitement as he scoured the cards. Going over types and tastes. Each one turning up a sour note in his mouth to be paired with a meal. Until the last one was a winner. 

“See I knew today would be a good day!” Chuuya, with the neck of the wine bottle in hand, slung his free arm around your waist to yank you into a big kiss on the cheek, “Dazai can suck it- I get to have a nice wine with a lovely woman.”

“And he can go die in a ditch somewhere?” You raised the question with a brimming smile on your face as you turned and wrapped your arms around his shoulders.

Chuuya leaned his weight into you and stole nothing short of a movie star kiss from you. Broken only by the grin tugging on his lips when he looked at you hardly an inch from your face, “You got that right baby.”

Taking longer than expected. Not to anyone’s displeasure. Chuuya was happy to say the extra time only meant his wine would be more crisp and refreshing when the two of you tried it. 

So when dinner was made. Sat at the table when he insisted on it. And your dish made up and placed in front of you just like his sat waiting for him. It was when Chuuya came over with the bottle and his personally engraved opener that he coveted more than anything.

“Fruity notes, crispy texture and to pair wonderfully with our meal.” Chuuya remarked.

“You just read that off the card they sent.” You retorted. Leaning against the table on your elbow with a silly love struck look on your face. Hand tucked away in your pocket as your husband didn’t let that sour his showmanship.

“But it was my delivery that sold it.” He waggled his finger at you.

Popping the cork out. Inhaling the wonderful aroma. Chuuya had nothing but positives to say about the wine he hadn’t tasted yet. Offering you a sniff too which you admitted much like the other months past. It was a delightful smell.

Pouring your glass to the perfect mark. Followed by his own. Chuuya took his seat and raised his glass to you for a toast, “To karma landing me with the most beautiful woman in the world to drink with.”

Grinning you clinked your glass against his. Slower than Chuuya was to take a sip. You held it to your lips when he was already taking a swallow, “And, here’s to karma giving you everything you can handle.”

Lip of the glass lowered. His red brows arched up and Chuuya looked across at you, “That’s a weird toast are you sure you haven’t already had a glass of wine today?” Shaking your head. You lower the glass from your lips. Chuuya noticing you didn’t even taste it, “Hey it’s really good you should-”

All but cut off. And for good reason.

What you pulled from your pocket was identifiable even to the dumbest fool at the king’s court. Even though Chuuya had swallowed his wine. The spit that caught in his throat made him choke and he quickly covered his mouth as to not cough all over the food.

“Wait are you-”

Confirmed with a nod. He didn’t even give the open bottle or open glasses a second thought. Chuuya threw himself across the table to grab you in a hug.

“I’m gonna be a dad!” He choked this time on the tears threatening his menacing expression. Laughing right through the trickle of tears down his cheek. Chuuya hadn’t even realized he knocked over the glass of wine when he had your face in his hands. “You little sneak. When did you-”

“This morning.” You hardly made it out without tears gurgling in your throat. Smiling like a fool as you leaned into him to kiss him, “I found out this morning but suspected this month was the month.”

Utterly beside himself Chuuya couldn’t quit kissing you. Until finally he wrapped you up in a hug and just utterly wiggled with excitement, “This is so much better than the wine box-”

“You mean the wine you spilled on the ground-”

“Oh shit!” 

Scrambling to tap out the fizzy bubbles of the tipped over bottle. Chuuya was throwing your napkins on it in a fit all while you laughed.

“Well, look at it this way.” Chuuya looked up at you amidst his cleaning just to see you with the most angelic glow he swore he’d ever seen on you, “That won’t be the first or last spill to hit this floor. But, maybe the most expensive spill.”

With wine soaked towel in hand. Chuuya leaned over to you and stole a kiss even with the pungent smell of grapes filling your dining room, “I welcome every spill. Because they’ll all be priceless in comparison.”

a/n: this is crack dedicated to my lovely wife @hq-girl-next-door​ and her 2d husband that shares the same clothes bc they’re both short as hell ♡  word count: 1.2k character(s): Chuuya Nakahara tag(s): fem!Reader, unedited, fluff, suggestive themes, language, established relationship, a surprise ♡ synopsis: Chuuya loves his monthly wine subscription. And he loves it even more when it’s shared with his favorite person.

“It’s here! Even sooner than last month!” 

Nothing sung sweeter from your husband’s lips than when he saw that tell tale box in front of the door. That monthly box with it’s elegant label grape flavored label. Sporting his second favorite thing only out done by you.

Chuuya’s monthly wine box.

Little less expensive than his stich fix type of obsession from previous years. At least the bottles of wine sent monthly didn’t pile up like the unworn clothes and reject hats from his last escapade in internet subscriptions.

Keep reading

[trixy812]

⋆｡‧˚ʚ You have all my support ɞ˚‧｡⋆ pt 3.5

{Nanami Kento x reader}

ִֶָ࣪☾. Content: kento nanami x reader (boyfriend x girlfriend), fluff, funny, nanami jealous, gojo being chaotic

ִֶָ࣪☾. Summary: Reader meets Gojo!

ִֶָ࣪☾. AN: I wrote this like an Omake! I really enjoyed writing this. I hope you write comments! :D if not, i am really really happy with likes & reblogs <3 xoxo

pt. 1 - pt. 2 - pt. 3

Reader meets Gojo

Two days before graduation, Nanami received a last-minute notice: he had to deliver some documents and mission reports to Jujutsu High. He didn’t want to go, but he couldn’t refuse. Knowing it was going to be tedious, he agreed to your suggestion to accompany him. "It might be our first and last visit together before you graduate from there," you had said, and he couldn’t say no to that.

You observed everything with curiosity. While you didn’t have much interest in this world, it was fascinating to be there. Plus, you knew there was a chance you might encounter the most famous figure of this world: Satoru Gojo.

"Maybe we’ll run into Gojo Satoru, huh?" you said casually, though your heart raced just thinking about it.

Nanami, walking beside you with his typical straight posture and serious demeanor, scoffed.

"You’re not missing much."

That killed your excitement, but only for a moment. You decided to let it go; after all, you knew Nanami couldn’t stand the famous Strongest Sorcerer. Just as you were turning a corner, as if someone had heard your thoughts, there he was: Satoru Gojo.

"Nanamin! I see you’ve got good company."

Gojo appeared out of nowhere, with his carefree smile, dark sunglasses, and that energy that seemed to fill the entire hallway. He walked toward you as if he were on a runway.

Nanami immediately tensed, his jaw clenching audibly.

"Gojo," he said in his usual monotone, but you…

You froze. Your eyes lit up, and before you could stop yourself, you took a step forward, clasping your hands together as if standing before a global celebrity (which, in a way, you were your parents had taught you so).

"You’re Satoru Gojo?! Oh my God, I can’t believe it!" you exclaimed, bringing your hands to your mouth.

Gojo smiled, clearly delighted by your reaction.

"That’s me. In the flesh. Autographs later? Photos? I’m quite busy, but I can make an exception for such an enthusiastic fan."

Nanami closed his eyes for a moment, clearly holding back a sarcastic comment.

"It’s an honor to meet you," you continued, almost tripping over your words in your excitement. "It’s incredible to meet a sorcerer of your caliber."

Nanami turned his head toward you, clearly surprised. He didn’t know if you were joking or actually serious.

"My reputation precedes me? Of course it does," Gojo replied, tilting his head slightly toward you. "What do you think, Nanami? She seems to have good taste."

"Don’t start," muttered Nanami, clenching his fists.

But you were too caught up in the excitement to notice Nanami’s tension.

"I never thought I’d have the chance to talk to someone like you. You’re amazing! Your abilities are legendary," you said quickly, your eyes sparkling with admiration.

Gojo placed a hand on his chest, feigning modesty. "Ah, please, you’re making me blush. Although… it’s the least I’d expect from someone with such a keen eye."

Nanami shot you a look of utter bewilderment.

"Oh, is this the girl you told me about?" Gojo asked mischievously, turning to Nanami.

"Wait… you knew about me?!" you exclaimed, clearly thrilled.

"Of course. Nanamin here doesn’t stop talking about you," Gojo lied shamelessly, ignoring Nanami’s glare. The only thing Nanami had told Gojo was—The girl who uses reversed cursed energy in the hospital, the one I was we were once sent to investigate. I bought flowers with your loan. I gave her the flowers. We're dating now. —leaving him completely disappointed by the lack of details and the simplicity of the anecdote.

"And now that I see you, I understand why. Although," Gojo added, leaning slightly closer to you with a playful smile, "I wonder how you ended up with someone so serious. Wouldn’t you prefer someone more… exciting? Like me, for instance."

Nanami stepped forward, his shoulders tense. "Gojo…"

But you, still mesmerized by the celebrity in front of you, barely processed his words.

"Huh? Well… maybe…" you replied absentmindedly, making Nanami practically scoff.

Gojo, seizing the moment, stepped even closer to you. "See? She’s a smart girl. Come on, leave boring Nanamin and come with me."

Nanami didn’t wait another second. He pulled his weapon out of his bag and placed it between you and Gojo, creating a clear space.

"Keep your distance," he said in a low, threatening tone, though not entirely serious.

"Ooh, how territorial!" Gojo teased, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Nanami. I was just testing your patience."

You finally snapped out of it, covering your face as you laughed nervously. "Sorry! I got carried away. It’s just… It’s Satoru Gojo!"

Still irritated, Nanami put an arm around your waist and pulled you closer to him. "Yes, it’s Satoru Gojo. Can we go now?"

Before you could escape, Gojo raised a hand as if he’d forgotten something.

"Oh, by the way, T/N. Such a shame about the fine your parents got. What an unfair way to treat a healer family."

You blinked, confused. "Fine? What fine?"

Gojo raised his eyebrows behind his sunglasses. "You know, for you using reverse cursed energy without registration. 10% of what your parents earn from each mission… such barbarity! Truly unfair, if you ask me."

You opened your mouth, but no sound came out. You turned slowly to Nanami.

"Did you know about this?" you asked quietly.

"I thought you already knew."

"What?! I didn’t know anything!" you exclaimed, holding your head in your hands.

Gojo chuckled, clearly enjoying the chaos he’d just caused. "Well, I think I’ve gotten someone into trouble. Lovely meeting you, T/N. Nanami, take care of her. She’s a real treasure, though I think she might want to reconsider her options."

And with that, Gojo disappeared, leaving you with a mountain of questions and Nanami visibly irritated.

As you walked back to the transport, you couldn’t stop thinking about the fine.

"This doesn't make any sense. Why didn’t they tell me?" you muttered, thinking about your parents.

Nanami, still processing the incident, sighed. "You should talk to them. Maybe they had their reasons for not telling you."

Then you turned to him with a mischievous smile. "Although… it was interesting to see how you acted with Gojo. Were you jealous?"

Nanami frowned, looking away. "Don’t be ridiculous."

"Oh, sure, because pulling out your weapon was completely casual," you teased, laughing.

Though he didn’t respond, the faint blush on his cheeks was enough for you to know the truth. You laughed to yourself. You couldn’t help but feel like the entire experience had been unforgettable, especially seeing how Nanami had shown, without words, just how much you meant to him.

pt. 1 - pt. 2 - pt. 3

Reader meets Gojo

[fostercare-expat]

We have a family tradition that after a kid learns how to swim, they have to swim entirely around my parent’s boat by themselves without stopping to prove they could rescue themselves if they accidentally fell over. And when the kid accomplishes it, my Dad jumps in the ocean with all his clothes on. He did it for me when I was little, for my girls. Younger Brother couldn’t swim when he moved in back in March but he has leaned and gotten stronger so today Younger Brother accomplished the goal. A big family milestone! He’s so proud of himself, he said he will remember it forever. My Dad jumping in even with his hat on made for quite the delight.

And we got the good news that Older Sister passed her big test that determines what High School she can go to. If she had failed, she would have had to go to a special school that is extremely occupational focused. It’s the school her Mom went to, and I think those low expectations and the general environment of peers there helped reinforce to her Mom that she had to think small and have low expectations for herself. So I’m so grateful that Older Sister will be at a normal school and will be pushed for bigger things by her teachers. Really happy for what this means for her.

[mimisempai]

Another way to say I love you

Summary

Aziraphale is happy to return to the cottage after a long day out, and is surprised to find his demon baking cookies...

Notes

For #Azirafeast

On Ao3

Rating G -  742 words

When Aziraphale entered the cottage, the first thing he noticed was the inviting, tantalizing smell of something baking in the oven. 

"Crowley?"

"In the kitchen, Angel!"

Aziraphale set down his belongings, taking the time to remove his coat and hang it with his hat before heading for the kitchen.

Hearing him enter, Crowley turned to him and said with a broad smile, "I didn't expect you back so soon."

Aziraphale had made a little trip to London to pick up a few more things from the bookshop that he hadn't been able to take with him when they had moved into the cottage.

"Well, they were all afraid of me driving at night, so they made me leave early."

"I must thank them for worrying about your safety."

Crowley pressed a light kiss to the angel's lips and said softly, "Welcome home."

Aziraphale returned the kiss and as they pulled away, he said, "I'm glad I came home early too, though I wasn't expecting this smell or this." The angel pointed to a plate of cookies on the counter and added, "I see you've been busy."

He stepped forward and, reaching for the plate, asked, "May I?"

"Well, they're basically for you, Angel, so yes. Go ahead then. But don't hit the pastry chef if it's not good."

Aziraphale didn't answer and bit into a cookie. Almost immediately, he couldn't hold back a moan of pleasure and exclaimed, mouth still full, "Oh my... Crowley. That is one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten."

Crowley blushed slightly, flattered by the praise, and handed him a second cookie. Aziraphale enjoyed it the same way.

Watching him eat several cookies in a row, the demon smiled fondly.

Aziraphale noticed and, a little embarrassed, said, "Sorry, they are so good."

Crowley shook his head.

"Don't be, it's always nice to see you enjoying things. And I'm flattered, since I made them. However..."

He came closer and continued, "You have some crumbs. Let me get them off your face." 

The demon ran his thumb over the edge of Aziraphale's mouth, wiped off a few crumbs, and brought his thumb to his mouth, licking the crumbs.

"Hm, you're right. It doesn't taste too bad, Angel. But..."

Crowley leaned forward and continued, "I need a better way to taste." 

He moved closer and gently pressed his lips to the spot where he'd removed the crumbs, then pulled back a little, humming appreciatively. 

"Truly delicious."

He moved closer again, this time running his tongue over Aziraphale's lower lip before capturing the angel's lips for a deeper kiss. Aziraphale responded by wrapping his hands around his lover's waist and the kiss lasted for a few moments until they had no choice but to part when the oven bell rang.

Crowley stepped aside and apologized sheepishly, "Sorry, duty calls."

Aziraphale chuckled and watched as the demon took another baking sheet out of the oven, inhaling the scent of this new batch with delight.

"I need to get the next batch ready," Crowley said, turning to the bowl of dough.

Aziraphale approached and wrapped his arms around the demon's waist from behind, pressing his cheek against his back.

Crowley hummed with contentment and leaned back into the embrace, continuing to prepare the dough. After a moment, he said softly, "Baking is love made edible."

Aziraphale looked puzzled, "Hm?"

Crowley smiled fondly, "It's a saying, and it's absolutely sappy, I know, but let me be a little sentimental and then you can forget it. What I mean is, maybe these cookies are my way of telling you that I love you."

Crowley felt Aziraphale gasp against him and turned his head to him.

"Does that still surprise you?"

Aziraphale tightened his arms around him and replied, "Of course it still surprises me, because I don't take your love for granted, but rather as something to be nurtured, in the little things. Like the fact that you're making these cookies. Oh, and yes it's just as sappy as you were. So when this disgustingly sentimental discussion is over, let's open a nice bottle of wine and forget about it. And also, I love you too. This, on the other hand, forbids forgetting."

They both laughed, then Crowley continued to prepare the dough, Aziraphale's arms still around him.

Much later, with the cookies half gone and the wine bottle completely empty, they may have forgotten some things, but not the most important.

Their love.

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

South Downs cottage series : here

Ineffable fan fictions Masterpost : here

[theboykingsmichaelsword]

the summoning scene in s3e16 no rest for the wicked is ruby teaching a masterclass in manipulating sam before being interrupted by the one person who can foil her

she arrives and first plays unimpressed because that's been her safe bet with sam since they met

but when sam talks abt being ready to kill lilith and needing her knife to do it she eases up

in doing so, ruby keeps the fact that she's softly leading the conversation where she wants it to go carefully obscured by sam's urgency/need to believe that they can still do it they can still save dean even this close to the deadline

but then sam pushes for the knife again and she tells him no

she dangles salvation in front of his nose before taking it away because 1) she's still a demon and sam expects her to be difficult

2) it is a half-cocked plan at best

3) giving sam the knife now wouldn't endear her to him in the long-run. they only need the knife itself not ruby and if that plan does somehow succeed it'd only prove that he doesn't need anyone besides dean as his partner and closest confidante

4) most important of them all, it's neither the time for lilith to die because the first seal hasn't broken nor would the knife-kill do anything for their plan to corrupt sam and make him a suitable vessel for lucifer

so we get sam asking her what they're supposed to do since his plan isn't feasible. he asks! he's back to seeking her guidance despite the fact that this conversation began with him demanding

ruby goes back to validating sam's belief that dean can be saved because she needs to prime him for the next big manipulation

sam, understandably, rejects that validation because in an earlier episode dean told sam ruby admitted to not knowing how to save him from the deal

he gets angry and raises his voice because how dare this demon attempt to convince him that his brother--a fundament of his world, the person he knows has always loved and protected him, fathermotherbrotherpartner all at once--lied to him about something he knows sam cares deeply about (the threat of dean's damnation)

and ruby backs off because she hasn't isolated sam from dean here yet hasn't wormed deep enough to have him truly questioning his place in dean's life and regard (i.e. her s4 arc)

crucially, she tells sam "you're not the one i've been lying to." she manufactures a sense of intimacy between them by making sam think he gets something from her no one else does (her honesty) and bubbles the two of them off from the rest of the world

sam again is confused because then where is this conversation going how can they get dean out of paying up for the deal and sam again asks(!!) for her guidance to which ruby, in her eternal wisdom and PhD in sam studies tells him the one thing that's even sweeter than dean being saved

ruby can't save him...

sam saving dean himself, with abilities only he has, no third party, no need to involve anyone else no need for ruby no need for the knife

(you'd think this would counter ruby's attempt to cleave herself to him by encouraging sam to think he doesn't need her but the idea of not needing her still comes from her so no it doesn't counter at all; she's still giving him something he never thought he could have--power. over demons, over the helpless version of himself azazel corrupted with his blood and made vulnerable with his schemes, as well as over dean and dean's fate.)

there's a delightful micro-expression jared does here where his mouth twitches and his eyes narrow (a screenshot can't do it justice) but which simultaneously does the job of communicating sam baffled by ruby's audacity and yet also maybe just a ~tiny~ bit considering

but of course we inevitably circle back around to sam not believing her, shaking his head, rejecting her advice for the third time bc ruby is a demon is a demon IS A DEMON and if something sounds too good to be true it usually is especially if it comes from a demon's tongue (if i could edit, i'd be downloading this whole conversation and adding klaxon sounds and red lighting at this part in the scene because! sam! this sounds an awful lot like a deal doesn't it!)

important to note here that sam calls it "crap" and then scoffs, both disbelieving and unimpressed at abilities he viewed as ultimately worthless (more harm than good considering all he had were painful, demoralizing visions he mostly couldn't change)

which is why ruby--teaching a masterclass as earlier established--comforts him by saying he could've had more been more

quick sidebar reminder, ava back in s2 was the special kid most like sam in that they both had premonitions!! and ava was eventually able to summon/control demons! ava who was also corrupted by that power (or more likely, already corrupt herself and the power just drew it out) and killed innocent people with it!! the scene doesn't really give us anything to think sam might be remembering this in the moment, as the camera flicks really quickly between him and ruby, but you couldn't pay me to think he didn't remember ava later especially with his guilt about being fundamentally "unclean" because of the demonblood

anyway back to the scene, ruby tells sam that not only could he have done more with his powers, the version of himself he could've been would've been formidable as fuck

sam, for the 4th 5th 6th idek who's keeping track anymore, is disbelieving because again ruby's a demon and therefore can't be trusted--a thought that's so obvious on his face to ruby that she affirms it to further sell the image that 1) sam's still in control here and 2) ruby's "never lied to him"

(which, like, we could go into a whole thing here about how the best lie is the one closest to the truth and ruby knows that. she makes it her bread and butter and tells sam to his face that she's manipulating him but obscures the fact that everything is a manipulation not just the bits she verbally acknowledges are. lies by ommission are still lies after all)

but of course she immediately paints her manipulativeness as coming from a place of knowing sam as a person (manufacturing intimacy again!)

she knows exactly what to say to make her helpfulness believable to him--reluctantly given, cognizant of sam's flaws, and not overeager like she's taking advantage (even though to us she clearly is)

then she creates division between him and his brother, a division she implies isn't there between her and sam because ruby accepts him as he is and ruby would never begrudge sam his specialness

she preys on sam's doubts about how much dean can accept of him, on the possibility of his brother's reproach, uses the word "freak" here with damning weight potently different from how dean has called sam a freak before (always with lightness, teasing even if honest, the way he called sam a freak in s1e6 skin where dean also immediately said he was a freak too and assures sam of his acceptance and companionship)

and the dean who, even after finding out about sam's visions and the potential for sam's abilities to draw out the worst in him the way it did in max, responds by calmly asking sam to try telekinesis again, asks how he did it the first time as a way to problem-solve, and tries to offer sam the comfort that it was probably a one-off AFTER sam himself seems distressed

before assuring sam of his companionship and protection once again

and then there's also the s2 dean who calls sam a freak but again it's with lightness

freak(affectionate) not freak(derogatory) the way ruby paints it and the way sam thinks of himself

but anyway, back to no rest for the wicked

ruby, still steering the conversation like she has been from the beginning, pushes all of sam's issues with himself aside and reminds him why he summoned her in the first place, what he wants to do, and what she can offer to help him succeed in his objective

notably, there's an implied "you and me" in the way she says "we" here, excluding dean again and making sam reliant on her

and god but sam's body language after

the way he's looking down unable to meet her eyes lips thin jaw tense. masterful work from jared. he looks like a kid all unsure of himself and fully submitting to someone else's wisdom like ruby's his trusted adult (she replaces dean here! which has always been the plan because sam defers to no one else like he defers to dean! because dean may be flawed and an asshole but dean looks out for him! dean can be trusted! but dean isn't here isn't helpful and ruby is! this is the samruby s4 dynamic's genesis, what we're seeing here is their labor contractions *please insert genevieve's comment about ruby "giving birth" to s4 sam here*)

and here it is, her masterstroke, what the point of this whole manufactured combative back-and-forth has been for

ruby hammers home this notion of sam not needing to respect or like her but internalizing that he can trust her regardlesss (he can't and he shouldn't but he will)

[quibbs]

just had SO much fun with the fallout tv show... i love you missus okey dokey

[shikisei]

met some new guys today

[thefeastandthefast]

I'm OBSESSED with the terrifying Princess Wanning and want ALL the backstory about her time as a hostage and everything she did to survive (and possibly even thrive?) in such a situation. Please, drama, give it to me! (Do I feel fic urges coming on?)

She's over-the-top and openly, gleefully cruel and sadistic in a way that female villains don't often get to be, but the actress makes her chillingly believable. The actress Li Meng oscillates so naturally between all the minute shades of her many malevolent moods and is clearly having a ball playing her. Li Meng was great in The Bad Kids and now I know I will definitely be seeking out more of her work. Suggesting two men murder each other in front of her as a job interview is exactly the kind of unhinged psychotic creativity that I appreciate about Wanning.

[knifearo]

everybody! quick! tell me what aro joy means to you <2

[genericpuff]

people kicking and screaming about the cultural worldbuilding in Dawntrail:

people who aren't white redditors: