#i will tend the garden of your soul as you tend mine

[jackkatzz]

@solunest

New Crow Time 🐦‍⬛🦊🌟

[buttercandy16]

Bound by Death

PAIRING(s): Dark!Rio Vidal x Innocent!Reader

SUMMARY: An innocent witch falls prey to Lady Death's obsession, trapped in a dark web of desire and control.

WARNING(s): Obsession, Manipulation, Control, Noncon, DarkThemes, Degradation, StockholmSyndrome.

A/N: Requested 💚

You didn’t mean to call her. Summoning Lady Death herself was the last thing on your mind. You weren’t powerful enough—at least, that’s what your sister, Lilia, always told you. “Stick to the basics,” she’d said, her voice both patient and stern. “You’re not ready for the deeper arts.”

But your curiosity was insatiable. What harm could a little experimenting do?

It was supposed to be a simple spell—an offering of gratitude to the spirits of the wood. You gathered the ingredients meticulously, whispered the incantations carefully, and poured your heart into the ritual. The forest had been quiet and still, save for the flickering of your candle and the rustle of leaves.

Until she appeared.

At first, you thought she was a shadow—a trick of the waning light. Then she stepped closer, her dark cloak billowing in an unseen wind, her face illuminated by an unearthly glow. The air grew frigid, the kind of cold that seeped into your bones, and her voice sliced through the silence like a blade.

“You called me.”

You stumbled back, your knees weak. “I-I didn’t mean to...”

Her eyes locked onto yours—silver and endless, holding the weight of eternity. Rio Vidal, the Reaper, the Lady of Death. Her beauty was terrifying, her presence suffocating. She stepped closer, a crooked smile curving her lips.

“Didn’t mean to?” she repeated, her voice low and mocking. “Oh, little witch, you can’t undo what you’ve done. You sought something, didn’t you?”

You shook your head desperately. “It was a mistake! Please, I didn’t—”

Her fingers brushed your cheek, the coldness of her touch stealing the air from your lungs. “Don’t lie to me, mi pequeña hechicera.” Her tone was almost gentle, but her grip tightened, forcing you to meet her gaze. “You wanted power, didn’t you?”

“No! I just... I wanted to give thanks!”

She laughed—a sound that chilled you more than her touch. “So innocent,” she mused, her eyes scanning you like a predator sizing up its prey. “But you’ve caught my attention now. That’s a rare thing, little witch. And I don’t let go of what’s mine.”

The days that followed were a blur. You told Lilia what had happened, but she brushed it off as a fluke. “The veil is thin this time of year,” she said, her tone dismissive. “Spirits drift in and out. As long as you haven’t made a pact, you’ll be fine.”

But you weren’t fine.

Rio appeared everywhere: in your dreams, in the shadows of your home, even in the mirror when you glanced too long. Her voice whispered through the night, taunting and commanding.

“You can’t run from me,” she’d say.

She visited often, her presence growing more physical, more consuming. She’d appear in the garden while you tended the herbs, her cold fingers trailing down your arm as she made idle conversation about mortality and devotion. She took pleasure in your discomfort, in the way you squirmed under her gaze.

Lilia began to notice your growing paranoia. “You’re restless,” she said one morning, setting a cup of tea in front of you. “You’re always looking over your shoulder.”

You didn’t tell her about the mark Rio had left on your wrist—a faint sigil that burned cold to the touch. “It’s nothing,” you lied, though the truth sat heavy in your chest.

That night, Rio came to you again, this time at your bedside. She sat at the edge, her cloak cascading like ink across the floor. Her hand rested against your leg, deceptively gentle, but her grip left no room for escape.

“You’re wasting your time pretending you can avoid me,” she said, her tone soft but laced with menace.

“What do you want from me?” you whispered, tears stinging your eyes.

Her smile was slow, predatory. “I want you. All of you. Your loyalty, your magic, your very soul if I decide I want it.” Her fingers traced up your arm, cold and deliberate. “But don’t worry, little witch. I’ll take good care of you. You’ll see.”

“I don’t want this,” you said, though your voice shook with the weight of her presence.

Her eyes darkened, and the room seemed to pulse with her energy. She leaned closer, her face inches from yours. “What you want doesn’t matter, mi amor. You’re mine now.”

She pressed a cold kiss to your forehead, and the darkness claimed you.

Waking up the next morning felt like surfacing from a deep, suffocating sea. The sunlight streaming through your window seemed sharper, almost invasive. But no matter how bright the day, you couldn't shake the chill in your bones.

Rio's words echoed in your mind: "You're mine now."

Your hand strayed to your wrist where her mark lay, a sigil faint yet undeniable. You’d hoped it would fade like some lingering nightmare, but it burned ice-cold beneath your touch, a tether you couldn’t sever.

Lilia's voice startled you as she called from the kitchen. "You’re up early," she said as you shuffled in, your unease masked by the calm of routine. She didn’t know what lurked in the shadows. She couldn’t see how the air felt heavier, how it seemed charged with an oppressive, otherworldly energy.

You didn’t tell her. How could you? Lilia had always been the stronger one—both in magic and temperament. But this? Even her power seemed insignificant compared to Rio’s suffocating presence.

"Couldn’t sleep," you muttered, avoiding her gaze as you poured a cup of tea.

Her eyes narrowed. “Have you been dabbling again?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

You shook your head quickly. "No! I..." The lie almost choked you. You turned away before she could question further.

But that night, Rio returned.

This time, she didn’t wait for your compliance or conversation. You felt her before you saw her: the air in your room grew frigid, your breath misting as shadows coalesced at the foot of your bed. When she appeared, her form was draped in dark elegance, her silver eyes alight with a predatory gleam.

“You can’t avoid me forever,” she said, her voice low and intimate.

“I wasn’t trying to summon you,” you protested, your hands clenching the blanket tightly.

“Ah, but that’s the beauty of it,” she replied, tilting her head. “You don’t have to. You and I are connected now, little witch. Did you really think you could make a call to the beyond and walk away unscathed?”

You stared at her, your voice caught in your throat.

She stepped closer, her movements slow and deliberate, as though savoring every step that brought her nearer to you. Her cold fingers brushed your chin, forcing you to meet her piercing gaze.

“You don’t understand yet,” she murmured, her voice a dark lullaby. “But you will.”

"Understand what?" you whispered, your voice trembling.

"That you were meant to be mine," she said, her lips curving into a smile that was equal parts alluring and terrifying. "I’ve taken kings, queens, and warriors. But you?” Her hand moved to cradle your cheek, her thumb brushing lightly across your skin. “You’ll be my greatest treasure."

Tears welled in your eyes as her words sank in, the weight of them pressing down on you like a suffocating fog. “Please, let me go,” you whispered.

Her laugh was soft and cruel. “Oh, little one, I am letting you go. For now. But you’ll come to me willingly. You’ll see that no one else can give you what I can.”

Before you could protest, she leaned closer, her cold lips grazing your ear. “Don’t fight it,” she whispered. “It’s so much sweeter when you surrender.”

And just as quickly as she appeared, she vanished, leaving you alone in the chilling silence of your room.

But the mark on your wrist pulsed faintly, a reminder that her claim on you was far from over.

The following days blurred together in a haze of paranoia and unease. Rio’s presence was no longer a subtle weight lingering at the edges of your consciousness; it was suffocating. She came and went as she pleased, making herself a constant in your life whether you wanted it or not.

It was on one of those nights, when you were too tired to fight sleep, that she made her move.

Your room was pitch dark, the stillness broken only by the faint rustle of the wind outside. A frigid touch on your ankle jolted you awake, and there she was—seated on the edge of your bed, her silhouette illuminated by the pale moonlight spilling through the curtains.

"Did I startle you, mi pequeña bruja?" she murmured, a sly smile pulling at her lips.

"Get out," you said, voice trembling but firm. "You're not welcome here."

Rio tilted her head, her silver eyes glinting as though your defiance amused her. "Oh, but I don’t need permission anymore. You already belong to me."

She leaned forward, her fingers ghosting over your arm, cold and unnervingly gentle. "Why do you keep fighting when it only makes things harder for you?" Her voice was deceptively soothing, like the calm before a storm.

"I don't want any of this," you snapped, pulling your arm away.

Her smirk darkened. "You don't know what you want."

With a flick of her wrist, the mark on your skin flared icy blue, a sharp, stinging reminder of the bond she’d tethered to you. Your gasp of pain made her smile widen.

"You’re so delicate," she purred, her hand moving to cradle your face. "So easily broken. But don’t worry, mi amor, I’ll take care of you."

Her touch traveled lower, fingers brushing over your collarbone. It wasn’t tender, not really. It felt more like a claim—a slow, deliberate reminder of who held the power. You wanted to recoil, to push her away, but your body betrayed you. Whether it was fear, magic, or something darker, you stayed frozen under her gaze.

"Such a sweet little thing," she murmured, leaning down until her face was only inches from yours. Her breath was cold against your skin, sending chills racing down your spine. "Fighting me won’t work, little one. You’ll see soon enough... submission will feel so much better."

“Rio...” Your voice cracked, barely above a whisper.

"Shh," she cooed, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "No need to speak. Just listen. Feel."

Her lips hovered over yours, teasingly close, but she didn’t press forward. Instead, she shifted to your neck, her cold lips grazing your skin. It wasn’t gentle; it felt calculated, like she wanted to leave an impression that would haunt you long after she was gone.

"You can run from others," she said against your skin, her voice low and dangerous, "but you can’t run from me. I am death. I am the end and the beginning. You’ll find no escape, only inevitability."

Tears welled in your eyes, frustration and fear mingling into a knot in your chest. "Please..."

"Please, what?" she asked, pulling back just enough to meet your gaze. Her eyes held a wicked gleam, and her lips curled into a smirk. "You don’t even know what you’re asking for, little witch. But I’ll give you what you need—even if you’re too afraid to see it now."

Her thumb brushed across your lower lip, and the intimate gesture sent a shiver down your spine. She smiled at your reaction, clearly pleased by your discomfort.

"I’ll come for you again soon," she whispered, pressing a final, icy kiss to your forehead before vanishing into the shadows.

You were left trembling and alone, the cold feeling of her touch lingering long after she’d gone.

Things started to turn for the worse.

It started small—your spells backfiring, draining your energy faster than they should. Then there were the whispers that filled the silences, impossible to ignore. They weaved promises and threats into your mind:

"You’ll never be safe without me."

"You’re too fragile for this world."

"Submit, and I’ll give you everything you’ve ever desired."

Your independence chipped away with every moment you spent second-guessing yourself.

It was Lilia who first noticed. “Your magic is unraveling,” she said one evening, her brow furrowed in concern as she studied you. “You need to center yourself. What’s happening?”

You bit your lip, unwilling to tell her. If she knew Rio had staked a claim on you, she’d try to intervene—and that terrified you. What could even Lilia, with all her skill and confidence, do against someone like Rio? You’d seen what she was capable of. The mere thought of angering her again sent chills racing through you.

“I’ll figure it out,” you lied. “It’s nothing.”

But it wasn’t nothing.

One quiet evening, you sat on the floor of the cottage, sifting through spellbooks in a desperate attempt to find a way to break Rio’s mark. The text in front of you blurred as exhaustion overtook your focus, but as you pushed yourself harder, the candles in the room flickered.

And there she was.

“Still trying to fight me?” Rio’s voice sent a sharp stab of panic through your chest.

Your head shot up, your heartbeat pounding in your ears. She stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame. She looked almost amused as her silver eyes tracked your every move.

"You shouldn’t overwork yourself, mi bruja," she chided, stepping into the room with a predatory grace. "It’s adorable that you’re trying, though."

“Why?” The question burst out of you, raw and desperate. “Why me? I’m nobody—nothing compared to what you are. Just leave me alone!”

Rio’s expression softened, but not in the comforting way you’d hoped. It was mocking, tinged with something cruelly possessive. She crouched down in front of you, one hand tilting your face toward her.

“Nothing? You’re far from nothing,” she said, her voice quiet, dangerous. “You’re mine. And I take very good care of what’s mine.”

She held your gaze, her thumb brushing over your cheek as her hand cradled your face. The touch felt deceptively soft, but you knew better by now. You flinched, trying to pull away, but she grabbed your chin, forcing you to look at her.

“Do you understand what I’ve done for you?” Her tone was still soft, almost coaxing. “I’ve been patient. I’ve let you run around, pretending you have a choice. But you’re so fragile, little one. Look at you—drained, lost, stumbling around like a child in the dark.”

Tears welled in your eyes. “I don’t need you.”

Rio smiled, and it chilled you to the core. “You already do,” she said simply.

She waved her hand, and the mark on your wrist burned cold. You gasped in pain, the chill spreading through your arm and radiating into your chest. Your mind swam with an overwhelming sense of loss, fear, and longing—emotions you couldn’t separate from each other anymore.

“Every time you resist me, this world will hurt you more,” Rio said, her tone matter-of-fact. “But I can give you strength, protection, peace. All you have to do is let me in.”

When she released you, the weight of her absence felt like a part of you had been torn away. It was the cruelest trick—making you long for her presence just to feel whole.

“I’ll come back when you’re ready,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of a promise. “And trust me, you will be ready soon.”

You curled into yourself as she disappeared, your tears falling freely. Deep down, you realized she was twisting something inside you, warping your resolve piece by piece.

And you hated that it was working.

The days that followed were a blur of fear, anger, and desperation. You threw yourself into research, scouring every book, every scrap of magical knowledge you could find. Somewhere, there had to be a way to undo Rio's mark—a way to sever the connection that bound her to you.

You thought you could handle it alone. But the strain wore at you, gnawing away at your confidence. The more you tried to use magic, the more you felt the weight of her influence. Every spell fizzled out, every incantation felt heavier, harder to manage. The mark on your wrist would burn whenever you pushed too hard, as if Rio were reminding you of her presence, taunting you from afar.

Lilia was beginning to notice the cracks in your facade. Her watchful eyes lingered on you longer than they used to, her questions more pointed.

"You’re restless," she said one evening as the two of you shared dinner. "Something’s wrong, and it’s not just the magic. Tell me what’s going on."

"I told you, I’m fine," you muttered, stabbing at your plate without appetite.

"You’re not fine," she shot back, her voice firm but not unkind. "I’ve seen the way your spells falter, how distracted you’ve been. This isn’t just fatigue, is it?"

You clenched your fists, your mind racing for an excuse, but nothing felt believable enough. The truth clawed at your throat, but you swallowed it down. If you told her about Rio, she’d try to intervene. She’d confront her, and that... that terrified you more than anything.

"I just need time," you whispered, your voice barely audible.

But time wasn’t on your side.

That night, you tried again—a simple purification spell, something Lilia had taught you years ago. You whispered the words with as much conviction as you could muster, pouring all of your focus into the magic. But no sooner had the energy begun to flow than the mark on your wrist ignited in sharp, icy pain.

Your concentration shattered, the spell sputtering out like a candle in the wind.

You spun around to find Rio standing in the corner of the room, her presence dominating the space. Her silver eyes gleamed in the dim light, a predatory smile playing on her lips.

"I won’t let you control me," you said, your voice shaking but resolute.

Rio’s smile faltered, and for a moment, her eyes darkened with something you couldn’t quite place—anger, disappointment, or perhaps something deeper.

"Oh, little witch," she said, her voice lowering as she stepped even closer. “This isn’t control. It’s inevitability. The sooner you accept that, the less this will hurt.”

She reached for your wrist, her fingers brushing over the mark. You tried to pull away, but her grip tightened like a vice, cold and unyielding.

“This bond between us? It’s permanent. You can run, you can scream, you can even try to break it. But in the end, you’ll realize there’s no escaping me.”

Her words sent a shiver down your spine, not just because of their weight, but because part of you believed her.

“I don’t want this,” you said, tears slipping down your cheeks.

Her expression softened in a way that felt almost genuine. “You think you don’t,” she said softly. “But I see what you need—what you crave. Protection. Purpose. Someone who will never leave you, no matter what. And that someone is me.”

Her hand moved to cup your cheek, her cold touch sending a jolt of conflicting emotions through you. You hated how your body froze under her gaze, how her words seeped into the cracks in your resolve.

"You’re lying," you managed to say, though your voice wavered.

"Am I?" she asked, tilting her head. "Then why haven’t you told your sister about me? Why haven’t you begged her to save you?"

Your breath hitched.

Rio’s smile returned, slow and knowing. "Because deep down, you already know the truth. You can’t live without me now, little one. And the longer you fight it, the more painful it will be."

Her lips ghosted over your forehead in a mockery of tenderness. “Don’t worry, my darling. I’m patient. I’ll wait until you finally understand.”

And then, just like that, she was gone, leaving you trembling and alone, the echoes of her voice ringing in your mind.

As much as you wanted to deny it, there was a part of you—buried deep and growing louder—that couldn’t help but wonder if she was right.

The days blurred into weeks, each one more suffocating than the last. Rio’s words haunted you, weaving their way through your thoughts, tangling with your fears, and distorting your sense of reality. You tried to keep your distance from her, to focus on breaking free, but every step you took seemed to bring her closer, as though she were guiding you down a path only she could see.

Lilia began to notice. She asked more pointed questions, spent more time watching you. "You’re withdrawing," she said one evening, her gaze steady. "It’s like something is... draining you."

You tried to smile, to lie like you always did, but the exhaustion was etched into every corner of your being. Your spells continued to fail. Your magic, once vibrant and alive, was now a hollow, unpredictable force. And in your weakest moments, you thought about her—Rio, her promises, her cold, comforting touch. It disgusted you, terrified you. But it was impossible to ignore.

You closed your eyes tight, shaking your head against her words. But when you opened them, she was there, seated in the chair by the window as though she had always been part of the room. Her silver eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight, her presence commanding every inch of space.

"I see the cracks forming," she said softly, rising from her seat. She moved to the bed, her steps deliberate, graceful, like a predator approaching wounded prey.

Tears pricked at your eyes, but you didn’t pull away. Her touch was cold but grounding, anchoring you in a way you couldn’t explain. She leaned closer, her presence overwhelming, her scent intoxicating despite the chill that radiated from her.

“You’re mine,” she whispered, her lips brushing against your temple. “Say it.”

“I’m not...” you tried to say, but the words faltered. Your resolve was crumbling, the weight of her presence too much to bear.

Tears brimmed in your eyes, frustration boiling over. “You’ve taken everything from me! My magic, my freedom, my mind—you’ve ruined me!”

For a moment, something shifted in Rio’s expression. Regret? No, it was something darker—possessive satisfaction. "I didn’t ruin you," she said softly. "I saved you. You just haven’t accepted it yet."

Her grip tightened, her nails digging into your skin—not enough to hurt, but enough to remind you who was in control. "You’ve been trying so hard to hold on to who you were, but that girl is gone, my love. There’s no place for her in my world. Only the new you—the one I’m creating."

“I don’t want to be yours!” you screamed, your voice cracking.

She didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled, the calm, knowing smile of someone who already knew how this story ended. "Oh, but you are. Deep down, you’ve already given yourself to me. That’s why you’re so afraid, isn’t it? You’ve realized there’s no way back."

Her lips brushed your temple, cold and cruel. You tried to turn away, but she held you firm, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Soon, you won’t even want to fight me.”

That was it. Something inside you snapped.

“No!” you screamed, shoving her away with every ounce of strength you had left. She stumbled back a step, her eyes widening—not in anger, but surprise.

You turned and ran.

You tore through the cottage, your feet pounding against the floorboards. Your mind was a whirlwind of fear and fury. You didn’t care where you were going, only that you had to get away from her.

But no matter how fast you ran, the air grew colder. The shadows seemed to chase you, reaching out with invisible fingers. And then you heard her voice, calm and unbothered, echoing through the halls.

"Where are you going, mi bruja? There’s nowhere you can run."

You reached the back door, flinging it open into the storm outside. Rain lashed at your face, but you didn’t stop. You stumbled into the forest, your lungs burning, your clothes soaked to the skin.

For a brief, desperate moment, you thought you might escape. But then she appeared, stepping out of the shadows as if she had always been there, waiting for you to fall.

Her hair was untouched by the storm, her dress pristine despite the mud and rain. She was perfect, unyielding, and terrifying.

"Running from me," she said softly, tilting her head. "Such a waste of energy, my little witch."

You dropped to your knees, sobs wracking your body. “What do you want from me?” you choked out, your voice barely audible over the storm.

Rio knelt before you, her hands resting lightly on your shoulders. Her touch was cold as ever, but this time, it felt like surrender.

“I want you,” she said simply, her voice steady. “Completely. Your mind, your body, your soul. No resistance. No hesitation. Only me.”

Her silver eyes bore into yours, unrelenting. “And you’ll give it to me. Maybe not today, but soon. You can fight, you can scream, but in the end, you’ll see. You’ll belong to me.”

You wanted to deny her, to scream that she was wrong. But as her cold embrace closed around you, your resolve wavered. Deep down, a terrifying truth was beginning to take root.

What if she was right?

What if she already had you?

The storm outside had long subsided, but inside, the air hung heavy with an ominous stillness. Rio stood before you in the dimly lit room, her patience worn thin, the faint amusement she often carried replaced with a chilling determination.

"I’ve given you every chance to accept the inevitable," she said, her voice devoid of the feigned gentleness she had once used to coax you. "But your stubbornness has tested my patience for the last time."

Her words chilled you to the bone, but you refused to respond, keeping your gaze fixed on the floor as if defiance alone could shield you from her power.

"You want to run, don’t you?" Rio continued, stepping closer. Her footsteps echoed like a countdown, each step pulling you further into the abyss. "But even now, you’re beginning to realize how futile that is. Still, you force my hand."

Before you could move, her cold, ghostly grip was on your wrist, the mark she had burned into your skin igniting with searing pain. You gasped, the agony buckling your knees, but she didn’t relent.

“You will break, mi bruja, and I will be the one to mold the pieces.” Her silver eyes bore into yours, devoid of mercy, her grip like steel.

You struggled weakly, your magic sputtering like dying embers, but Rio’s hold was suffocating, her aura pressing against you like an iron vice.

“I didn’t want it to come to this,” she murmured, her voice so low it was almost a whisper. “But you’ve left me no choice.”

A swirling darkness spread from her fingertips, creeping up your arm like tendrils of night. It burned and froze at the same time, sinking into your very soul, wrapping around your mind with suffocating intensity. You gasped, clawing at her arm, but there was no escaping it.

The mark on your wrist seemed to come alive, glowing a sinister black-red as Rio leaned closer, her voice wrapping around you like the enchantment it was.

"Let go," she whispered. “Let me in, or I will take what I want, no matter how much it hurts you.”

Her free hand trailed up to your face, her cold touch sending waves of chilling energy through your body. It wasn’t gentle—her fingers dug into your skin, possessive and unyielding. She forced you to meet her gaze, her silver eyes alight with dark promise.

“You’ve fought so hard, little witch,” she said softly, brushing a tear from your cheek with her thumb. “But that fight ends now. You will give me everything.”

The tendrils of dark magic tightened their grip, pushing into your thoughts, your memories, your very essence. Your protests died in your throat as she overwhelmed you, her presence filling every corner of your being.

"You will beg me for release," she hissed, her lips brushing against your ear. "You will cry for me, call for me, and when you’re too broken to fight, you will thank me for taking what was always mine."

Something deep within you cracked under the weight of her will, her magic, her voice. The resistance you had clung to so fiercely now seemed pointless, your very self slipping through your grasp like sand in a tide.

As your vision blurred, Rio’s lips curled into a victorious smile. “That’s it,” she said softly. “Finally, you understand.”

Your body trembled, weak and defenseless, as the last vestiges of defiance crumbled. The dark tendrils enveloped you fully, binding you to her completely, until there was nothing left but her cold embrace.

You didn’t know when the tears stopped, or when the weight in your chest gave way to hollow acceptance. But as Rio cradled you against her, her grip like a chain and her smile like a noose, you realized the fight was over.

You were hers. Completely.

_-_-_

Please don't forget to vote, reblog, and comment 💚

[things-arent-what-they-seem66]

Alastor hated both Adam and Lucifer with a fiery passion. The fallen angel had beaten him in battle, no one has ever bested him like that!

The King of Hell grated on his nerves simply for existing.

And what was worse? They were TOGETHER! As in dating and they were happy and thriving! Sure there was a lot of melodrama along the way that everyone had to bare witness to, but the radio demon had been sure they would crash and burn. He was rooting for them to fail.

He thought that when the first man respawned in Hell that Lucifer would have had him tortured for the rest of his days. That's not what happened at all, he took Adam in and let him stay at the hotel and even got the sinner to sell his soul to the King for ultimate protection.

Slowly, everyone watched the two fall in love for each other even when they tried to hide it. It should have been a toxic relationship what with all the baggage between them since the dawn of time.

But no, their love was equal parts vile and beautiful. Alastor wanted to puke even thinking about it.

He had two things in mind. Alastor wanted a rematch with Adam, he was a sinner now so he would be much weaker. An easy win to sooth Alastors bruised ego. Then he wanted to create as many wedges as he could in their disgusting relationship.

He couldn't do much of anything to Lucifer, being the King meant he'd turn Alastor into paste before he even lifted a finger.

But if he could get under Adam's skin, fuck with his mind and plant seeds of doubt then the fallen angel would do the rest.

Adam hummed happily as he plucked weeds out of his garden. Lucifer had made him a huge greenhouse filled with a garden for him to tend to as a way to relax and a gift.

Adam's gift in return was a little more oral.

He loved this garden, it wasn't Eden, nothing would ever compare to that garden, but it was one that Lucifer made just for him and he loved it all the more.

"It's looking good right?" Adam asked as he looked back to Lucifer who was in a lawn chair watching him work.

Lucifer had been looking at Adams bent over frame as he pulled weeds. "Looks exquisite." He wasn't talking about the garden.

Adam smirked. "You mean the garden right?"

"I think two things are exquisite. Like the flowers that are in bloom and those jeans that hug your ass just right." He should get Adam more jeans like that.

Adam just shook his head playfully, "These are my favorite jeans."

"Mine too.~" Lucifer winked and Adam had to look away and smother a laugh in his hand. Cheeky devil.

"Gentlemen." The sound of a static filled voice filled the room. Adam frowned and looked over to where Alastor was standing.

This fucking guy, Adam thought bitterly. Adam got to his feet and wiped the dirt off on his jeans. "The fuck do you want?" He walked over to his work bench to grab some tools.

"Now that's not very nice. Am I interrupting something?" Alastor said not at all caring if he did.

"Well actually-" Lucifer started, but got the microphone shoved in his face to silence him. He growled and glared at the radio demon. How dare he just come in here and ruin his and Adams garden time together!!

"Don't care. I'm not here for you your majesty I'm here to speak with Adam actually." Alastor spit out the title as if it were poison.

"Again, what the fuck do you want I'm busy. Last time I checked, I don't want you in here." Adam said not looking at Al, his voice taking on a sharper edge. He went to stand beside Lucifer, glaring at Alastor.

"I'll cut to the chase. I want a rematch against you."

Adam blinked. "Rematch?" The fuck did that mean? It took him a minute until it clicked. "Oh! You mean from when I beat your ass on the roof? Ha! Yeah, no not gonna happen Bambi get lost."

Alastor narrowed his eyes. "What's the matter, worried you'd lose?"

Adam laughed. "Bitch please, you're not even worth my time." He walked over to Alastor and got in his face. "Now get the fuck out of my garden."

Alastor turned to look at Adams work bench. He noticed that among the tools and seeds there was a single potted plant. Must be special.

In a swift motion Alastor knocked it to the ground with his microphone. Adam reached out to catch it but he wasn't fast enough, the pot broke on the ground the flower and dirt going everywhere.

Lucifer had given him that flower, he created it special for Adam as a symbol of their love.

Adam's eyes flashed red as he turned a glare to that radio fuck. "WHAT THE FUCK ASSHOLE!?" His voice took on a more demonic edge. How fucking dare he! That guys smug smile was really pissing Adam off.

"What's the matter, did your little boyfriend get you that silly little flower?" In the next second Al found himself sliding across the floor, some pain in his throat.

Adam had throat punched the fucker. "As a matter a fact, he did." He could feel his blood boiling, he was so pissed. "You want a fucking fight you got one."

Alastor got to his feet grinding madly. Finally, he would wipe the floor with that shit stain.

Lucifer used his magic to conjure something up for Adam. "Here, use this." He handed Adam his guitar that doubled as a saw. Lucifer took Adam by the chin and looked him in the eye. "Kick his fucking ass. I'll be watching."

Adam smirked, his eyes going back to their golden color. "You bet I will."

"And stay the fuck out!" Adam yelled as he slammed the doors to the garden. Alastor on the other side crumpled on the floor. He fucking lost again! What the hell was that? Alastor slunk away to the shadows, he had planning to do.

Adam walked back over to Lucifer who was grinning from ear to ear beaming with pride for his boyfriend. He had his hands behind his back. "Whatcha got there?"

Lucifer revealed the newly fixed pot with the flower he made for him. As if it had never been broken. "For the victor."

Adam smiled and took the flower, he leaned down and kissed Lucifer on the lips. "Thank you, Luci." Adam placed the flower back where it belonged. He felt arms wrap around him from behind.

"You know what would be fun?" Lucifer purred as he rubbed Adams hips suggestively.

"Hmm, sex in the garden?"

"Sex in the garden."

[luxudus]

“MY BROTHERS FROM STARS AFAR. JOIN US AND WE SHALL BURN TYRANNY TO CHAR.

WE HAVE WATCHED OUR WORLD BE TORN TO SHREDS. FILLED WITH DREAD AS BILLIONS DROPPED DEAD AND MANY MORE PROFUSELY BLED.

WE WATCHED IN HORROR AS ENTIRE CULTURES WERE ERASED. ENTIRE WORLDS WERE DISPLACED

AND ALL THIS FOR THE ELITES TO LINE THEIR POCKETS. THEY LAUGHED AT OUR PLIGHT FROM THEIR SEATS AS THEY MULTIPLY THEIR PROFITS.

ALL FOR THE TYRANTS TO BE OUR PUPPETEERS OF ENDLESS PAIN. CONTROLLING US THROUGH OUR FEARS FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN.

WE DESPISED THEM TO OUR HEARTS AS IT RADICALIZED US TO DO OUR PART.

WE KILLED EVERY LAST DESPOT AND OVERTHREW OUR STATES. WE FOUGHT FOR OUR RESPITE AND NOW DECIDED OUR OWN FATES

OUR HOME WAS UNSALVAGEABLE, WE LEFT AND FLEW INTO THE FRIGID QUIET NIGHT. WE SEARCHED THE STARS ONLY TO FIND YOU AND YOUR KINDRED PLIGHT.

IT'S ALL CLEAR NOW, OUR AGONY WAS MUTUAL, AND WE SAW A NEW TRUE THESES. THE FIGHT AGAINST TYRANNY IS THE ONE CONSTANT, UNIVERSAL TO ALL SPECIES .

WE HAVE SUFFERED FOR FAR TOO LONG WITH NOTHING TO GAIN. AND WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU WON'T GO THROUGH OUR PAIN.

WE ARE HERE TO SET YOU FREE. AND SAVE YOU FROM ALL DISASTERS. TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR PEACE AND SLAY YOUR MASTERS.

LIBERTY WAITS FOR NO ONE. AND NO ONE SHOULD WAIT FOR LIBERTY”

- grand arbiter ██████████████ ███

They were the other of the first two civilizations

    10 billion years ago they walked the universe with the Factorem. In a time when space itself was warm.

For most souls of the early universe, this was the face of democracy.

    They too were the technological pinnacle of the universe.

    They bent reality to create floating architecture and multi-dimensional superstructures that defied the very laws of physics.

    They too helped create the Understars, an entire parallel universe just to ease travel in our own reality.

    They even went as far as being able to temporarily reverse to flow of time in portions of space to undo mistakes to grave to make.

    And even learned how to convert thermal energy back into mechanical energy. Delaying the heat death of the universe.

 Look at the night sky the same way the hubble telescope saw it through the deep field image.

    Millions of galaxies in every square centimeter of your vision.

    Every single one holds tens to hundreds of billions of stars and countless planets.

    So many galaxies it would turn the whole night sky a deep gold if you could see the full scale

Where the loving embrace of the factorem tended the gardens to one half of it

They had spread the call of liberty to the other half

They were the harbingers of intergalactic liberation

They were the Bellators

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

Had the urge to draw this a few days ago and wanted to finish a little poem before i uploaded this. I was. very. emotionally charged making this.

This character is a part of a personal project of mine, A Story of Our Universe. And is meant to serve as the Factorem's Equals.

[jedi-luca]

Avenger Lane Chapter 8: Finish Him!

Summary: You and your wife Quinn move your family outside of New York City to Avenger Lane; a small private suburbia. There you face your toughest obstacle of your marriage. Will your marriage with Quinn be strong enough when a certain redheaded beauty captures your attention? 

Parings: Quinn Fabray x Reader / eventual Natasha x Reader

Warnings: Reader has a Penis, Guardians of the galaxy vol 3 spoilers

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Avenger Lane Chapter 8: Finish Him!

“Your soul is mine!” You mimicked Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat. 

“FINISH HIM!” the game announcer bellowed.

“Nooooo!” Beth shouted as Sub-Zero performed their fatality. 

“Beth, your room is a mess!” You hear Quinn shouting from upstairs causing Ollie to sit up from his nap.

“Young lady, did you not clean it earlier when she asked you the first time?” You raised your brow pausing the video game you both were playing.

“Beth!” Quinn shouted from upstairs.

“Uh oh.” Fin giggled looking up from her drawing. “Mommy’s mad.”

“Well, go on.” You said taking her controller hearing her groan.

“Don’t play without me!” Beth shouted as she marched up stairs.

“I help Bethy.” Fin said racing after her, leaving her drawing behind.

You stood making your way to the garage grabbing your sheers you needed to tend to the gardens anyway. Right as you kneeled in front of your flower bed a certain redhead walked by.

“They’re beautiful.” Natasha smiled stopping next to you before crouching down.

“Beautiful flowers-” You cut a small bouquet. “For a beautiful lady.” 

“Thank you.” She chuckled bashfully taking them from you.

“You're welcome.” you grinned before asking. “Off to Wanda’s? Or did you just wanna see me?”

“Well always happy to see you, but I am about to have a drink with Wanda.” She smiled. “Do you wanna join us?”

“No, I'm just messing with you. I'm waiting for Beth to finish her chores so we can go back to our video game marathon.”

“Oooh fun, I've never really played anything before besides what is at an arcade. Sometimes Pietro would convince us to skip school and join him at the arcade.” 

“Woooow, bad student.” you both chuckled.

“I was a great student! How are you by the way?”

“Good; we took Beth to get registered at school earlier today. I can’t believe she’s starting the 6th grade already.”

“I bet, did she join any clubs?”

“Her mother really wants her to be a cheerleader.”

“You don’t?” She raised her brow.

“Not really.” You sighed setting your sheers down. “I just can’t see her doing that.”

“Does she want too?” 

“Well it looks like her new friends are playing soccer. So now she’s on the fence.” You shrugged.

“Lyla’s pretty excited she’s played since she was a little girl.” Natasha added with a smile.

“Secretly, I want her in anything but cheer. I know how cheerleaders are, and I do not want my daughter to be like them.” You grumbled.

“Well they’re only in middle school.” Natasha smirked.

“Still.”

“Of course.” Natasha nodded standing up with a grin.

“Tell Wanda I said hi.” You grinned.

“I will. When are you going to tell Quinn about the job offer?” She raised her brow at you.

“I’m working up to it.” You mumbled.

“Hmhm.” She smirked walking off to the Maximoff residence smelling her flowers. “Thanks for the flowers.”

“Welcome!” You say back as you watch her smile at you before walking inside the Maximoff home.

“Look at that love sick look on your face.” Wanda laughed as she set two wine glasses down.

“Shut up.” She grumbled setting them down softly before taking the glass in her hand.

Natasha was too busy looking at her flowers to notice Wanda yelling at the boys to go outside.

 ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗

You were tending to your garden with your phone playing an old Journey song in the back ground. You were jamming along when you heard Wanda’s boys run outside.

“What’s up boys!” You waved seeing the Maximoffs holding a football.

“Hi!” They waved excitedly.

“Can Beth come out and play?” Billy asks.

You sighed looking back at the house. “Well Beth is finishing up her chores but she can when she’s done.”

“Oh okay. Beth said you used to play football.” Tommy says looking at the flowers you were repotting.

“Four time state champ.” You smirked.

“That’s awesome! Mom, just signed us up today, but we don't really know how to play.” Billy says sadly.

“Will you teach us?” Tommy asked sweetly. “Please? When we asked our dad he thought it meant soccer.”

“Well soccer is great too!”

“But we wanna play football.” Billy sighed sadly.

“Please teach us.” Tommy pleaded.

“No…” the boy's looked down in disappointment. “but I’ll coach ya.” You teased with a wink.

The boys jumped up and down cheering.

 ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ 

Wanda and Natasha were in the middle of a conversation when they heard the boys yelling. They ran outside only to see you teaching them how to tackle. 

“Y/N, is so great with kids.” Wanda said, before taking a sip of her wine. “Ya know if Vis wasn’t such a great husband.” she shrugged jokingly.

Natasha glares playfully. 

“I'm kidding!... Sort of.” Wanda laughed.

“Another thing that makes her undeniably attractive.” Natasha murmured watching you laugh wholeheartedly with the boys.

“Vis is going to be jealous if he sees this.” the taller woman murmured.

“What? That you’re ogling Y/N?” the shorter woman chuckled.

“No.” Wanda laughed, slapping her arm. “More so that Y/N is coaching our sons on how to play football. Vis tried but he grabbed a soccer ball, and the boys didn’t have the heart to tell him.” She sighed before looking over at you. “What is Y/N doing?” 

You were lugging a large tractor tire towards the lawn.

“Okay you were right Y/N is really strong.” Wanda smirked watching your muscles flex as you flipped the tire.

“Can I try?!” She heard Tommy ask and you laughed.

“Be my guest.” You stepped aside as Tommy growled trying to move the tire but only nudged it.

“Oh this is adorable.” Wanda chuckled, taking out her phone once more to record the boys. “Come on Billy, you can do it!” 

“Dad, what are you doing?” Beth asked suddenly next to you.

“Oh hey sweetheart!” You laying your hand on her tiny shoulder. “I'm just teaching the boys about football. They wanted to try and lift the tire before I hang it up.”

“Can I try?” Beth asked looking up at you.

“Of course.”

“Beth!” The boys waved her over explaining how heavy the tire is.

Beth remembered you throwing the tire and squatted down before using her legs to support the toss.

“That’s my daughter!” You cheered.

Beth blushed hearing everyone cheer for her.

You finally moved the tire where you wanted it using rope to tie it to the tree branch out on your lawn. You jumped from the tree taking the ball Billy handed you,

“The key to a perfect spiral is hand placement and foot work.” You showed them with one hand how you were holding it. You slowly showed each step in movement before throwing it right through the tire.

“Wow!” The boys gasped.

“I know right.” Beth grinned.

“Who wants to go first?” You grinned, taking the ball from Billy who ran to get it. “Thanks bud.”

“Hey Y/L/N!” Steve shouted from his driveway holding up his arms.

You stepped back angling yourself before grunting as you threw it straight in his arms.

“Yeah!” He chuckled before throwing it right back.

You jumped up catching it before landing back on the grass.

“That was so cool!” The boys gushed.

“Woooo! That’s a running back right there!” He clapped his hands cheering before he walked into his home.

“My turn!” Beth shouted.

Soon Cassie and Morgan, and Monica joined in with the kids throwing perfect spirals.

“Okay but this is such a dad thing!” Carol giggled as she watched you coaching the kids. She and Val walked over to watch you and the kids with Wanda and Natasha. “She’s literally teaching the kids on the block.” 

“It’s called Coaching.” Val smirked, taking a sip of her beer they brought over, nudging her wife. “That’s it sweetheart that’s the hustle!” Val clapped seeing Monica throw the ball through the tire.

Soon a car drove up it was Vis.

“Uh oh.” Wanda sighed.

Vis got out watching his boys being coached by you. He sighed sadly before trudging up the steps. “I see the boys asked Y/N to coach them.” He sighed.

“Oh Vis-“

“It’s quite alright darling. Y/N is a 4 time state champion. They seem to be learning a great deal. I’ll just go get washed up for dinner.” He made a mental note to return the book he purchased earlier that same day.

“Oof, he is definitely upset.” Val nodded.

“I’d give my vibrator to see Y/N in her old football uniform.” Carol fanned herself, ignoring the depressed Englishman to watch you run around with the kids.

“Oh my God, Carol!” Natasha chuckled before looking at Val.

“What? Y/N is hot. I wouldn’t mind them in our bed. Devils threesome and all.” Val shrugged. “Her wife is just as sexy, I can only imagine what goes on in that bedroom.” She laughed causing the women to giggle. 

Natasha stayed silent clenching her legs knowing exactly what you were like as she recalled a memory.

“I’ve seen it.” Wanda blushed smiling as she bit her lip, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Shut up! You have not.” Carol scoffed.

“I did and let me just say Y/N, is very, very well endowed.” Wanda smirked while finishing her drink.

“I can confirm. Hung as a fucking horse” Val chuckled. 

“How did you both even-“ Natasha began she was upset. How dare they oogle you… even though she used to do the same thing.

“Gym I saw the outline.”

“Quinn did this sexy strip tease for Y/N in the living room. It was like watching one of those nature shows I couldn’t look away. Y/N definitely knows how to work a woman, and Quinn knows how to work Y/N. All of Y/N.” She giggled.

“Damn Wands you watched them fuck?” Val furrowed her brows. “Have you ever seen Carol and I?”

“Once.” She giggled.

“Oh my God.” Val muttered.

“We’re getting black out curtains.” Carol murmured. “How did you see Y/N and not tell me though?”

“Are you kidding she made me feel…slightly emasculated. Why would I ever openly say that she’s bigger than-” Val scoffed. 

“Oh baby, you shouldn’t ever feel that way.” Carol smirked sitting on Val’s lap giving her a kiss.

“Alright you two; reel it in.” Nat muttered, sipping her drink as they began to feel eachother up. 

“Speak of the devil.” Wanda said, diverting her attention to the girls to Quinn who stepped out on her own porch.

“Dinner is ready.” Quinn smiled. “Beth, come wash up.”

“Aww but mom! Pop is coaching us!” Beth whined.

“Papa me too! Papa me too!” Fin ran out the door with your old football helmet.

You laughed watching her tumble down the steps the helmet breaking her fall.

“Fin, I told you to leave your papa’s things alone.”

“It’s ok Q.” You wink. 

“Papa my turn!” Fin whined, holding out her tiny hands.

“Oh my gosh fine!” Beth huffed, throwing a spiral at her little sister.

“Beth.” You and Quinn said sternly after it bounced off of the helmet.

“Sorry.” Beth said meekly after her mother glared at her.

“You did great kiddo.” You say pushing the helmet up so she could see.

“Okay enough football for tonight let’s eat dinner. Beth take Fin and go wash up please.”

“Aww mom, one more round!”

“It’s alright Sweetheart I’m pretty hungry. You all were awesome today! It’s getting a little late so everyone go home, and wash up.” You turned waving towards the ladies watching.

The kids cheered before each one ran to their respective houses.

“Fin!” Beth huffed as Finley ran right behind the other kids to the Maximoff residence.

The kids cheered before each one ran to their respective houses.

“Natty!” Finley beamed from beneath the helmet.

“Hi Finny!”

“I’m like papa now!”

“I see that you did great!” Natasha smiles lifting your youngest on her lap.

Meanwhile the other neighborhood kids were gushing about their new fondness for football.

“Mom, did you see me?!” Billy gasped holding the football.

“Mom, that was so much fun!” Monica said, looking up at Carol and Val.

“Yeah it was! You did fantastic out there lieutenant trouble!” Carol grinned.

“How’s pizza sound for our little football player?” Val smirked.

“Yayyy!” Monica cheered.

“Mom did you see?!” Tommy panted, his hair crazy and sweaty..

“I did sweetie you and your brother are naturals.” Wanda smiled sweetly, pushing his wet sweaty hair back. “Did you thank coach Y/L/N?” 

“Yes momma.” They nodded.

“Billy and I are gonna make coach Y/L/N a tshirt tomorrow in art class!” Tommy grinned.

“That’s really thoughtful. Boys, go on and take showers, dinner will be ready soon.”

“Bye neighbors!” The boys shouted to the women drinking on their porch before racing one another to the shower.

“Hi Miss Nat, Fin, come on, we have to go back home for dinner.” Beth 

“Hi Beth.” Natasha smiled at Quinn’s mini clone.

“Neh, I stay with Natty.” 

“Oh you’ll stay with me?” Natasha chuckled looking down at her little eyes beneath the helmet.

“Fin.” Beth huffed.

“How about next time Fin? Your mommy made you dinner, it's time to go eat now.”

“Aww.” Finley bowed her head making Natasha lift it back up before she tumbled over by the weight of the helmet.

“We’ll go swimming tomorrow, how about that?” Natasha smiled.

“Okay Natty.” Finley made grabby hands at her older sister. Beth rolled her eyes before lifting her up.

“Bye Natty.” “Bye Miss Nat.” The kids said in unison.

“Bye, see you again soon.” She looked over at you who winked in response.

Natasha looked away when Quinn started acting like a lovesick teenager by pulling you in a kiss.

“You gonna be my coach tonight?” Quinn husked.

“I can think of some drills.” You smirked.

“Hey Y/L/N!” Steve shouted as you held your wife by her hips pecking her lips softly. He ran over from across the street.

“Hmm?” You hummed, turning your head before turning away from your wife.

“Let’s all get together this weekend to have a friendly game of touch football? I can bring out the grill and cooler.”

“Yeah man sounds like a plan!” You grinned.

“Nice! I’ll get the guys together.”

“Oi what are we? Chopped liver?” Val shouted.

You chuckled leaning back against Quinn who stood a step higher. Her arms wrapped loosely around your neck. She was whispering sweet nothings near your ear. It drove her absolutely insane when you did anything sports related. 

“The more the merrier!” Steve laughed.

“Yeah sounds good just more ass I get to smack.” You smirked over at them as Quinn bit her lip.

“Wow Y/L/N I had no idea you were such a jock.” Carol smirked.

“Four time state champ baby!” You grinned.

“My mom won the cheer championship 4 times in a row too!” Beth smiled looking up at her mother.

“The jock and the cheerleader. Lots of locker room meetups?” Val smirked. 

“How do you think we got Beth?” You chuckled as Quinn elbowed you and Beth made a ew sound before running inside.

“Nice.” Val chuckled high fiving you.

⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗

The following morning you had been walking Ollie with the girls when you all came across Peter and Gamora Quill walking their animals.

“Oh my gosh!” Beth gasped.

“Can I pet?” Fin pointed.

“Yes.” Gamora giggled. “Yes you can pet.” She crouched down letting your daughters pet their mini zoo of animals.

“Sorry.” You chuckled.

“Oh don’t be neighbor, this happens all the time we don’t mind and neither do they.” Quill laughed. “We were just about to put them in the backyard. Why don’t you guys just follow us and you can keep playing them.”

⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗

“That’s such a sad story but at least they found the their happy ever after. Rocket and the others really went through the ringer.” You say as the raccoon settles on your lap letting you gently pet him as you listen to Peter Quill and Gamora explain how they found him in the first place, and how Gamora made a sort of career change from being a bounty hunter to a rescue hunter. She went from hunting Nazi’s to hunting animal abusers and sometimes even child abusers

“Yeah they really did.” Gamora whispers softly just before Rocket lept from your lap to hers giving her a snuggle before darting off towards up a tree that Peter made a treehouse in. “After finding him and Lylla I couldn’t let them be apart.” 

You smile seeing the otter they rescued in their salt water pool. You sniffled and wiped a tear away looking around at the recuses they have found together. “Well Rocket, is welcomed to our trash anytime.” 

“I love Flor!” Beth giggled as she played with the handicapped bunny. 

“I can’t believe animal cruelty is even a thing. What kind of monster of a human would hurt defenseless animals.” You sigh. “They’re all so sweet and beautiful. Makes me love and appreciate Ollie even more. I’ve only known Rocket, Lylla, Cosmo, and Flor a short while and I would absolutely lay my life down for them just like I would for Ollie.” You smiled seeing Ollie and Cosmo playing around with one another.

“Maybe we can take all of you to visit Teefs.” Gamora smiled. “He’s living at the Aquarium now in New York. We hated separating them but Teefs needed a lot of special care and the Aquarium provides that. We take them out to visit him at least 3 times a month.”

“I’d love to meet the big guy, and I’m sure the girls would too as well.” You chuckle as Cosmo, their rescue dog, gives you kisses. “Thank you Cosmo, you're a good girl.” She barked in excitement she whisked Fin up and on her back. Zooming all of the yard chasing Ollie.

“Cosmo zoomies!” Fin giggled on her back.

“The girls are in love with this place.” You chuckled seeing Beth’s face light up when floor hopped on her chest as they laid in the grass.

“They are always welcome here.” Gamora smiled.

“Yeah maybe next time I can grill us some burgers, and you can actually meet our team.” Peter grinned.

“Yeah I’d like that!” After a beat you asked; “Have you thought about opening up a rescue center?”

“We have but we just felt like if we did then it would need to basically be a zoo so they can free roam and not be tied down in a cage.”

“Well when you guys find the right place let me know. I’d love to help out in anyway that I can.”

“Thank you Y/N.” Gamora smiled.

“Beer?” Peter grins, handing you a bottle.

⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗ ⧗

“Hey.” You say knocking on her office door.

“Hi baby, you and the girls have a nice walk?” Quinn smiles, taking her glasses off looking from her computer to you.

“It was great we met some more neighbors down the block, but we can talk about that later. I wanna talk with you about something important to me.”

“Okay.” She said standing up taking your hand leading you to her loveseat. “What’s going on?”

“Well a few days ago I was speaking with Tony, and he basically offered me a job on his team.”

“With Stark Industries?” Quinn’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, he heard I was supposed to go to MIT, and since I actually know what I’m doing he offered me a job.”

“Wow.” She smiled, patting your hands.

“You don’t want me to take it.” You mutter softly with a sigh.

“It’s just Fin is still not in school, and I-“

“Natasha said she’d be her babysitter, and Beth will be in school.” You say.

Quinn bit her lip looking away.

“Hey.” You say gaining her attention back. “This is important to me. I can actually bring something home. I can actually have my own career. It’s time Quinn.”

“Let’s wait a couple years for Fin to go to school then we can-“

“If you don’t want Natasha to take care of Fin. Then why don’t you just work from home fulltime and take care of our daughters yourself?”

“I can’t do that.”

“Quinn why can’t you just meet me half way-“

“Because I may be pregnant.” She interrupts you.

“Wait what?” You furrow your brows.

“I didn’t wanna tell you yet, I wanted to be sure.” She sighed standing up.

“Oh.” You raise your brows.

She swiftly turned around glaring at you. “You said you wanted-“

“No, no, I do, I do.” You say quickly rushing to her side, taking her hands. “Have you taken a test yet?”

“No…I’m still waiting a few more days to see if I start.” She muttered. 

“Okay.” You nodded. “So we really aren’t sure yet.”

“No… but I know my body, and it feels just like the first time. I’ll make a doctor's appointment.”

You took her hand and sat down in thought. You did want another baby, but you knew she didn’t want another. You can’t help but feel a little blind sided. You internally roll your eyes at yourself Beth and Finley were both surprises, and you did tell her you wanted another baby. Maybe you won't have to turn down your dream job. You take in a deep breath and slowly release before saying something more so for yourself.

“One day at a time.”

[emmy-dekarios-bg3]

Heart of the Weave ~

chapter 1

[I am reposting my fanfic on here due to the fact it’s been edited! I am leaving out the first few paragraphs of chapter 1 due to it being all about the BG3 story. Link to my AO3 on my profile]

I awaken to the sun beaming through the glass windows, being reminded by the Earth that I’m still alive. I made it another day. I’m still not accustomed to being in an actual bed, for all the adventures I had involved sleeping outside, camping with the unknown around us. I’m thankful for being away from all the lurking dangers that thirsted for my death.

“Good morning, my love,” Gale says with the sleepiest voice, his face nuzzled into my neck as he spoons me in bed. I smile, feeling his comfort and warmth against my body in the earliest of mornings. “I hope you slept well.” His warm skin is pressed against mine, and it could honestly put me back to sleep. My eyes try to adjust to the morning light, focusing from the blur as I try to fully awaken.

“I’m…starting to,” I murmur, stretching my body as I turn to face him. I stare deep into his dark brown eyes which are heavily defined by his long lashes. I could stare into them all day. “How about you?”

“Oh, definitely the same. I wake up everyday thinking how happy I am, how lucky we are to be here. More importantly, I’m grateful we’re alive.” His hand is on my naked waist, holding me close to him. “Oh, how I wish we could participate in some romantic coitus right about now, but unfortunately, I have to be at the Academy in just a little over an hour. I slept in just a tad later than I anticipated.” I kiss his lips delicately and close my eyes, wishing he wasn’t leaving so soon. He has been doing some heavy research the past few days and coming up with new strategies to help his students learn magic, so having this time together, no matter how long it is, means the world to me.

“I understand completely. Maybe later, then. We are married after all and have all the time in the world.” He chuckles and proceeds to kiss my forehead. His tressym, Tara, flies in the room and nearly scares the daylights out of me. I’ve been living with Gale for a year and I’m still not used to his flying feline, though I absolutely adore her to no end. I never had cats, so it’s an adjustment for me.

“Oh, Professor Gale Dekarios, it’s time for you to get at it!” she says, landing on our bed. “I’m glad you two weren’t in the middle of…well, you know.” Gale and I look at each other, fighting laughter but blushing from mild embarrassment. Only once has Tara intruded on us and it was a moment I’ll never forget. That moment included her staring at us with eyes full of horror, but she didn’t want to turn away. Gale caught her, and she screamed, flying rapidly out of the room at high speeds.

“Yes, yes, Tara. I’m getting out of bed. Now shoo, I’m indecent and I’d rather you not look at me.” Tara flies out of the room, with Gale getting his naked body out of the bed shortly after. I am so thankful and blessed that this is my life now, and all the worries from before have faded away.

I’ve adjusted to Gale working at the Academy, and I love that he enjoys doing what he does. For ages, he’s always wanted to accomplish being a professor and teaching magic to others, and that it will be more recognized. He gets ready and begins to head out the door, but pauses for a moment to give me a kiss. The softness and perfection of his lips is enough to get me to go back to sleep, but I have to tend our garden.

“I hope your day is wonderful,” I tell him, staring into his eyes. He gently brushes my dark curly hair out of my face with his fingertips, smiling at me with contentment. The way he touches me, even after all this time of marriage, feels absolutely incredible. I can’t get enough of him. Stop it, Emmy. You will have time alone with him soon enough, it’s nearly the end of the week.

“And yours as well, my love. I will be back before you know it.” My heart already misses his body and soul as I watch him walk out the door.

Waterdeep is still quite an adjustment, but a wonderful one nonetheless. I grew up in a large city, constantly around big parades, circuses, and a bar at every corner. There were children performing magic outside, and vendors selling weapons all throughout the area. Waterdeep? Well, it’s quiet and serene, filled with vast opportunities for knowledge in the arcane and experiences as well. On top of that, it’s spacious and we don’t have to live too close to others, making it a wonderful time for me to start our own garden. I’d also like to point out that the crime rate is ridiculously low.

As Gale is gone for work, I head outside to attend to our garden, growing fresh fruits and vegetables that seem to be growing beautifully. I can smell the intensity of the fruity aroma lingering around in our garden. Our tomatoes and squash are finally grown so I can cook them with our dinner tonight. To the left of our home is the beach, where cobalt blue waters are peacefully residing, the clarity of waves putting my mind in a calm place. I suddenly remember about my strange fear of Krakens, but it hasn’t been as bad as I’m adjusting here with Gale. Waterdeep is much different from home in Baldur’s Gate. Then, out of nowhere, I begin to dissociate as I’m staring deep into the ocean waters. It seems trauma can’t seem to leave my mind. All I can see are the countless bodies I’ve seen, all the innocent lives lost to the Shadows, all the evil that found us no matter where we turned…and how many times I was resurrected from the clutches of death. Emmy, no. You saved Baldur’s Gate. You helped so many people. Think about the lives you’ve saved. I take a deep breath, thinking to myself that it’s all over. I won’t have to deal with that ever again.

Tara flies up next to me as I am harvesting the vegetables from the vines, admiring all the hard work I put into it. Her company fills me with joy, not only because she’s a talking feline, but because she’s so kind. Funny. Wholesome. Oh, and a good species to have for company overall. The very moment I met her I just knew we would get along.

“I know I don’t say it enough, but I am so glad you are part of this family! You are one of the very best things to ever happen to Gale. You’ve kept him alive. You have inspired him to come out of his shell. He’s no longer hungry for power, to become a God. He would’ve left me behind. Power gets the best of us, unfortunately. For that, you are the best to happen to me as well. Thank you.” Tara’s voice is full of gratitude and sincerity, making me love her even more than before. Such a delightful little pet.

“It’s good to hear those words, Tara. Thank you.” I stare deep into the distance where the ocean lies, noticing a strange calmness overwhelm my body as I relax from the tranquility of the environment. Serenity. Peace. That temporary clarity leads to sudden lightheadedness, as if the world around me is spinning aggressively and won’t stop. Every object, every part of nature in front of me, is all a blur and I’m afraid to stand up. I try but end up falling in the dirt. The vertigo only lasts a moment, and I believe it’s because I haven’t eaten yet today. The sudden shift from calmness to feeling extremely dizzy was rapid, making me feel just a little sick to my stomach. I realize shortly that I completely skipped breakfast and it’s almost the afternoon. Where did the time go?

“Emmy, m’dear, are you alright? I think you’ve harvested quite enough today. Plants are watered. The sunshine is out. Let’s go inside, get you some water to drink, hmm? Maybe some lunch?”

“You’re right. I need to eat something.” I don’t think anything of the strange feelings within me, so I manage to get up and walk inside to cook a delicious breakfast for Tara and myself.

[chirp-a-chirp]

Devour and Delight: Roy’s Wedding and Wedding Night

Fandom: Court of Darkness (Roy X MC, MC named Carla)

Rating: First third PG/Sugary sweet; last 2/3 R/Sweetly Spicy (Minors/folks under 18 do not interact please!). The spicier section is in dialogue format.

Description: Roy and MC get hitched—and clearly enjoy their first honeymoon night. Part One to this story here: LINK HERE

Word Count: ~2700

Tags: Wedding; wedding night; fluff; sweet and spicy; soft smut

…

A private ceremony takes place in a garden near the Invidian royal chapel. A little girl clutching a basket marches down the aisle, the frills of her dress bouncing energetically. Roy smiles indulgently as the girl curtsies to him at the altar.

“You performed admirably, Nica.” He adds. “Your excitement mirrors mine.”

“Yay!” Nica runs to her older brother, Rio, who serves as Roy’s best man. She had practiced her flower girl routine diligently for a week. No one had the heart to tell Nica that, in her excitement, she forgot to drop any of the petals.

“Sorry about that mate,” Rio says quietly to Roy after ushering Nica to her seat.

“There is nothing to apologize for, my friend.” Roy eyes Nica’s overflowing flower basket, grinning. “I have a better use for the petals this evening.”

“What use could that be—“ Rio stops himself. Roy’s gaze is transfixed upon seeing Carla.

King Klaus walks Carla down the aisle. “I thought I’d only get this honor with Sherry,” Klaus murmurs, his voice choking. Carla can’t help but be moved that the King is reacting like a proud parent this day, his emotions clearly etched on his face.

The audience witnessing this wedding is small—some palace staff, Rio, Lynt and their immediate families, Sherry, Grayson, and Roy’s parents. The Invidian people and other foreign princes will be present for the public ceremony—and all the royal trappings along with it—in a week’s time. But this day is for Roy and Carla.

Carla can hardly contain her emotions as she grasps Roy’s hand.

“No escaping now,” Carla whispers jokingly, her eyes drinking the sight of him in his suit.

“Escape was never an option for us, Heartspell.”

King Klaus makes a gracious escape and sits next to his wife and daughter Sherry. He’s all but sure from Roy’s lovestruck stare that his son did not remotely register his presence.

“Roy’s brimming with passion. It just took the right woman to unlock it.” Roy’s mother notes fondly to King Klaus.

“If he can keep it unlocked until the ceremony ends!” Sherry giggles.

The officiant intones some very poignant and meaningful words—of which Roy would confess later to not recalling much of at all. He does recall every word of his and Carla’s personal wedding vows. When that time arrives, Carla turns and places a gold ring with an etched rose motif on his finger.

“The world is comprised of darkness and light. For years, I struggled in the dark, seeking a life worth living. But then, you arrived. Thank you for being my light—my source of inspiration and joy. I vow to spend every day giving you the same love and happiness you’ve gifted me. To ease the burdens you carry. To lift your spirits in times of sorrow and doubt.”

A beautiful smile forms on Roy’s face from Carla’s words. He places a diamond ring on her finger before clasping her hands.

“The world may be comprised of light and dark, but you brought color into my life. I love you with all that I am. My soul has transformed from knowing you—your goodness, your kindness, your perseverance. I vow to cherish you for eternity, to be the one you can turn to when you require. To comfort, soothe, and protect in times of need.”

The officiant asks if there are any objections. Carla withholds a giggle when Roy scans the crowd and briefly narrows his eyes as if anyone would object. Her thumb caresses his wrist to soothe his nerves.

The officiant pronounces them man and wife. Carla represses the urge to leap in Roy’s arms due to the audience. Roy senses her hesitation and pulls Carla to him in a tender embrace. As their lips touch, Carla whispers on his lips.

“I love you…husband.”

Time stops briefly. Affections overflow as they gaze into each other’s eyes.

“And I love you...wife.”

There’s a joyous celebration at the Castle. The festivities blur in a series of dances, feasting, and good natured ribbing of Roy and Carla being unable to keep their eyes off each other. The moment King Klaus and Queen Charlotte leave, Roy makes his excuses, picks Carla up in his arms, and dashes away.

Carla: Roy! So impatient! Her voice echoes the hallway. What will people say?

Roy: Patience would be rather unusual at present. It is not as if tonight’s plans are a secret. Roy smirks while carrying Carla towards their chambers. Upon feeling her cheeks blaze, his voice lowers. I have the most beautiful wife in my arms. All I desire is to spend time with her.

Carla: Define spend time. Carla nuzzles her nose against his neck as Roy opens their chamber door. I have some ideas…

Roy: Roy chuckles at her coyness. His eyes close briefly at feeling of Carla’s breath against his neck. He steps inside their chambers and locks the door.

Well then, please enlighten me.

Roy puts Carla on the ground. His thumb traces her jawline before lifting her chin towards his gaze. His eyes reflect adoration, love, and rising heat. Carla’s thoughts scatter at his look.

Carla: Roy…She is overwhelmed. A part of her wonders if she closes her eyes if she’ll find this day, nay their entire relationship, nothing more than a dream. She grasps Roy’s free hand. It’s real, solid, radiating warmth. His fingers curl against hers on instinct.

Allow me to burn this beautiful image of you in my mind. Please.

Roy: His eyes widen with surprise—he has been called fair of face by many, but none have mattered before meeting Carla. His expression softens.

Take your time. The corner of his mouth quirks. Please inform me if I pass your inspection.

Carla: She walks a full circle around Roy, eyes roaming up and down from the tips of his shoes to the top of his head. Roy breathes heavier at her examination.

It’s not everyday a girl marries the most handsome prince in Saligia—inside and out. Her voice trails as her arms wrap around Roy’s back.

Roy: He embraces Carla softly, resting his head on top of hers. You understand you've completely melted me, yes?

Carla: You’re standing upright, so not ALL of you has melted. She kicks off her heels and nuzzles against his chest.

Roy: He is determined to make this a night she’ll never forget. One of joy, of gallantry—

Carla: How about we unwrap our…wedding presents? Her fingers untuck shirttails from Roy’s pants so she can caress his sides.

Roy: …gallantry be damned.

Carla: Her hands wander to Roy’s shoulders as she removes his jacket. Carla hums in approval as Roy’s hands travel up her back and slowly undo her dress.

I REALLY despise buttons. Her hands shake as the top three buttons of Roy’s shirt are undone. There is an innate satisfaction in unveiling one another’s skin with their own hands versus using magic—even if their wedding attire consists of the tiniest most cumbersome buttons in existence. Her lips lap Roy’s chest as more skin is exposed. Carla’s wedding dress falls to the ground in a pool of fabric.

Roy: You are exquisite. Beyond exquisite. Heartspell. I love you.

There are more eloquent ways to express these overflowing emotions. But, those are the words that matter.

Carla: Though they’ve come together many times before, this feels different. Her skin is covered in goosebumps as Roy’s fingers trace her curves. His touch is revenant yet burning. When Carla finally gets Roy’s shirt off, she gasps as she’s lifted in his arms. Her legs wrap around his waist, their kisses quickly becoming ravenous. Roy walks to the bed and lowers Carla down, his lips never leaving hers.

Carla’s hands drift to Roy’s waist to take off what remains of his attire. Despite their passionate sounds, Carla can’t help laughing as Roy kicks his shoes off with serious impatience.

And YOU may hate shoes as much as I hate buttons! Even as she laughs, her lips seek Roy’s body vigorously.

Roy: He half laughs, half growls in impatience. His hands finally remove the few articles of clothing clinging to their bodies.

Believe me, you’re well worth the effort of unraveling, dear wife. Roy groans as their lips devour each other, caressing said and unsaid desires.

Carla: Her fingers dig into his rose gold locks. Oh God Roy…

Roy: He moans at her touch, her body, her heart—it is pure heaven. His hands travel up her thighs, tracing every inch, seeking her heat.

Carla: This…this is a problem. She murmurs softly against his lips and neck. I want this moment to continue, but your fingers…oh, just like THAT.

Carla’s fingers dig into his shoulders as Roy’s fingers concentrate on her most sensitive spot, lightly at first and then encircling intently.

Roy: He laughs softly as she murmurs against him. Roy’s touches become all-consuming, her reactions driving him wild.

Just like this…yes? Roy feigns his questioning tone. He knows Carla loves it.

Carla: Her legs quiver from the sensations of Roy’s fingers in her. Carla feels rather than sees Roy smirk as his head is buried against her neck.

Roy, I…her eyes close as she becomes undone by his touch.

Roy: You already need me this much? He grins at her body’s quivering, the lurid wet sound of his fingers loving her. While he wants to savor his Carla, the wanton desire on her lips fuels a need to make her delirious with pleasure. Roy continues to twirl and pump his fingers the way she enjoys it until he brings Carla to her peak.

Carla: Her body convulses against Roy, her mind going blank. Carla clinches his shoulders and cries his name, lips pressed against the top of his head. Her body sinks in the bedsheets in the aftermath.

Roy…though her limbs still shake, Carla pulls Roy closer to her. She should not be the only one delighted this night. Plus, Carla wants to replace the slightly smug look on Roy’s face with another expression. She whispers in his ear.

Your turn. Her hands slide towards Roy’s waist, tracing light circles on his hips and upper thighs.

Roy: He groans softly in anticipation, his mind clouding as Carla pulls him closer. Roy’s breath is shallow and short, Carla’s fingers sending his body into overdrive.

Carla: I’m not the only one in need it seems. Carla purrs against his skin. One arm encircles Roy’s waist while the other tantalizes his length. Her lips press a wet trail across his upper chest and neck.

Just like this…yes? Carla mimics Roy’s previous teasing tone. Her face is flushed, but seeing Roy slowly come apart is an absolute treat. Her tongue swirls on his chest as her hand moves faster on him.

Roy: He groans as Carla’s tongue and fingers perform wonders. Carla’s name falls from his lips, as if it’s the only thing he can utter. Roy is certain his heart will explode from Carla’s ministrations. His hands clinch the bedsheets, his vocalizations intensifying.

Carla: And now to test how soundproof our chambers are.

She nips his neck, stroking him faster still until he comes undone. Carla takes her other hand and glides her fingertips across his whitening knuckles until they relax into her touch. Light kisses now cover bite marks in soothing pecks as Roy recovers.

Roy: Her actions send him to a point where he doesn’t care if the whole Castle hears him. His voice cries out and his body shakes and slumps. A towel is magically summoned to their bed.

It appears we both need this, Heartspell. Roy chuckles ruefully, wiping their bodies as he catches his breath. Carla rests her head on his chest. A smile spreads across her face when Roy drops a kiss on her forehead.

Carla: It appears so.

Carla breathes in a mingled scent of sweat and roses—Roy always smells sweet Carla thinks. She drapes an arm across his torso and lets a comfortable silence remain between them before speaking.

I said you were handsome in your suit Roy. But I prefer what you wear now. Carla can’t see Roy’s face from her position, but she can easily imagine his cheeks turning pink.

Roy: Is that so? Even when I am all...sweaty like this?

Carla: Yes. It’s you in your most natural state—no political trappings, no formal words, no masks. Just you and your heart exposed. Her speech is a bit sentimental so she tacks on an addendum. And no one else gets to see your pretty body and reactions but me. I rather like that.

Roy: He responds back in a teasing tone. You just had the best view then, did you not?

Carla: Carla buries her head against Roy’s chest and laughs heartily. Cheeky man.

Roy: I can never resist teasing my gorgeous wife.

Carla: You couldn’t resist teasing when I was your consort or fiancé, you know.

Roy: Well, you make it so easy. How am I supposed to ignore teasing someone as beautiful as you?

Carla: Carla sits up, looking down at Roy in mock indignation. Oh, so it’s MY fault?

Roy: Of course it is. Who else's could it be?

Carla: Perhaps, JUST PERHAPS, the rascal prince I’ve married!

She throws a pillow in Roy’s direction, but then notices rose petals on it. She scans her surroundings and sees the bed and most of the carpet sprinkled with rose petals, the room cast in a golden light from numerous candles.

Roy… Carla gestures to candles and roses. You sweet man…. Her cheeks turn pink.

Roy: His eyes catch Carla’s glances at the room. It’s a cute reaction he’s compelled to play with. Roy sits up, grabs another pillow, and tosses it towards Carla. Oh, did you just notice the candles and flowers?

Carla: YES! She deflects the pillow.

Roy: You can thank Nica for supplying the petals. A much better use of them I dare say. Roy smirks and tucks a strand of hair behind Carla’s ear. Too bad you didn’t see them until now. Were you distracted?

Carla: I was as distracted as YOU were! Or were our moans not indicative of this?

Roy: You do inspire quite the response from me. His fingers caress the back of Carla’s neck. And here I thought I was a good, quiet boy.

Carla: HA! She launches herself so Roy’s on his back and she’s lying on top of him. You’re good in another context though…

Roy: And what context is that?

Carla: The “your wife wants to pounce you” context. Carla straddles Roy’s hips enticingly and presses her lips to his.

Roy: Her playful desire envelopes Roy. Their kisses grow intense, thorough, and ravenous. They crave without hesitation or restraint. Roy twines his fingers in Carla’s hair and uses momentum to flip their positions. His hips move against hers, entering her in one smooth powerful stroke. They gasp at the instant fireworks unleashed.

Carla: She is mesmerized—his lips, his touch, the way he yearns for more intimacy, the blaze of Roy’s golden eyes as they give into the moment of being husband and wife in every sense of the word.

Roy…Carla hopes he can feel the passion she has for him. More.

Roy: Roy calls out to her, eyes aflame, skin on fire. He presses further into her, their rhythm increasing rapidly.

Feel me. With all that I am.

Lips devour, seeking her everything—her cries, her sighs, the words she tries to express. Roy tries slowing their pace to prolong the moment, but it’s no use. Carla matches his pace, digging her fingers against his back as the pounding pressure crescendos. Roy encircles one arm under Carla’s waist and tips her slightly upwards, pressing further until they hurdle over the edge together, their voices crying out.

Carla: She feels Roy collapse on her shoulder. They roll onto their sides, clinging to one another. Carla maneuvers her position slightly. She closes her eyes and slowly massages Roy’s scalp, his head resting between her breasts.

Ahhh, so this is what happens when we pounce each other.

Roy: Yes, and your claws are truly sharp.

Carla: What would people say if they knew WHY their prince was so tired now? Her words are soft.

Roy: He murmurs. They would understand it was due to our constant pouncing. Very constant.

Carla: Carla yawns, her fingers slowing to a stop.

Roy: Roy moves back upwards, gathering Carla in his arms. Rest up Heartspell. There’s still the rest of the honeymoon to enjoy. He runs his fingers through her hair, savoring her presence, until they both succumb to slumber.

[the-literary-rodent]

Chapter 1: Origins.

    “So you've come for that story I promised?” 

     “I have! Tell me about your world!”

    “I shall, I shall. Patience my child. However you must be given a warning… These stories won't have a happy ending.”

     The beginning was not too dissimilar to where we find ourselves now. It was nothing, but at the same time the concept of nothing hadn't existed, and it wouldn't have existed, till there was something. The first something, was my mother and father.

    Their origin is clouded in mystery. The two of them simply began to exist in a moment. And in that moment of being something, they discovered what nothing was, and wanted to be rid of it. So these two entities began to create. The first reality was what they believed to be the idea of beauty, tranquility, and safety. We call this the garden. Mother Life used the garden to grow the first people, and Father Spirit used these people to grow the first souls.

    Four beings were made at first. Mother and Father wanted these four to observe the rest of the world as it was made. And they went about this by creating a bookshelf. Every volume that would manifest on this shelf contained a story of my parents' creations. Sadly this story is not about those “librarians”, but I recommend you keep them in mind, should you wish to hear their story after my own. 

    From the garden, Mother and Father wished to make a new world. Separate From the garden. The expanse you call the universe, although not the same one you call home. The first universe, was mine. Mother and Father gave it form, and the capacity for life, but chose to put other entities in charge, in order to see what would happen if others had their power. 

    I believe your people gave us the term God's. There were seventeen of us total. Each god of this universe had dominion over one core element, those elements were also our names. Although mortals tended to give us different names based on their cultures. 

    My element was Darkness. The others were fire, water, ice, air, tera, nature, light, electricity, toxins, Good, evil, time, space, plasma, weather, and law. 

Most of us had been given a roughly humanoid appearance as that's what Mother and Father possessed. I say mostly as none of us could be given the description of human and be accurate. 

    In fact Light, Electricity, Weather, and I were shapeless. We were simply living embodiments of our elements. Other gods like Fire, could be most accurately described by how your Egyptians depicted gods. A human body with an animal head, in this case a bird like Horus. Evil on the other hand was the reverse of this, as he had a bird-like body with a human head. Gods like Ice were nearly all human, aside from his flesh of snow, and wings of frost. The Air goddess appeared to be all human, minus gilded horns adoring her skull, the same could be said about Good, but his inhumane trait was as simple as blue skin. Plasma appeared like a normal person if they were trapped in a gelatin suit. Nature had a body made of wood, with her large hair being leaves. Toxin could easily be mistaken for a person with sunburn, till you glimpsed his face and saw pure red sclera, and a maw with teeth that could be mistaken for knife blades.

Time had a rather strange appearance. Very animalistic, he had the face of a rabbit, ears too, but two large red horns on his forehead, which contrasted his purple skin and black hair, as well as green human crafted armor he pulled from the future. Law had a majestic figure, nearly human body except for her torso, which gave you a glimpse into the universe itself. You would describe it like a “galaxy tattoo”. She also depicts the visage of what you call “The lady of justice” but instead of her blindfolded face, Law instead has a face covered with multiple eyes. 

    Sadly, these god's were not wholly kind as many would depict someone of our status. These god's often did not get along, getting into minor brawls at the drop of a pin. Arguing over every detail. However, we were still tasked with forming the universe into something hospitable. Most of them decided to mold a species similar to you humans in our own images. Each member of the gods species were given what were called “gifts”. These gifts allowed the mortals to utilize very small parts of the gods' creation powers. But as time went on, new species were born from natural evolution, these new species gained gifts as well. These gifts are what most species used to discern mortal from animal as only those with proper developed sentience would develop a gift.

    I was the only god to not create a species. In fact I specifically chose to seal away my gifts so no mortal could utilize them. My sealed powers took the form of a blade. I found a non habitable planet and plunged the sword into a stone so that a mortal couldn't take a gift of my element. 

    From there the gods grew more aggressive towards each other. Each one believed their species to be better than the others and had utter faith in their elements. This started a battle between them all, and revealed to us that we weren't as immortal as we believed. Weather and Plasma were killed in that battle, both at the hands of Air. The gods closest to their elements somehow gained the powers of those dead gods, which gave some of the greediest the idea to absorb the powers of all the others. 

    The war between the gods continued on indefinitely, and in the midst of the fighting I was able to make friends with three of the gods, those three being Nature, Good, and toxin. We kept each other alive during our war, but refused to kill any of the other gods. 

    Sadly for you, I don't have a real number to explain how long the gods fought for. When you're immortal, infinity could be an afternoon and you'd feel no difference, but that comparison should give you a rough idea. 

    I'm not sure when the idea was brought up, but at some point during our fighting Toxin had given the idea to stop fighting each other by reminding the gods what the battle started as. He reminded us that the argument began because each god believed their mortals were better. So he encouraged us to travel our worlds and find a mortal of our elements to fight on our behalf. The gods actually agreed and momentarily halted their brawl. 

    Good, Toxin, and I chose to instead of pitting a mortal against the other gods' champions, we would simply leave and find mortals to live amongst. We had tried convincing nature to join us, but she chose instead that she would stay with the gods. Her reasoning was to prevent them from looking for us. She would convince them that we had tried to backstab each other and got ourselves killed.

    She did, however, come with us to find her champion. 

[wonderland173]

oh baby, i’ll love you like the end of the world.

darlin’, let me worship you like the god i never learned to trust. you once told me that a previous lover of yours had called you forever beautiful. allow me to add to that. you are forever a collector of wind chimes, the quiet ones that sound like distant church bells. you are forever a gardener, with your little tulips out in the yard. you are forever a crier, tears streaming down your face as you see the stubborn little goldfish-princess finally find her perfect family.

sweetheart, your soul calls to me and mine responds in a tongue only the two of them know. i will forever hang the wind chimes on the door frames you can’t reach. i will forever water your tulips on the days that are harsh to you. i will forever cry with you at the little goldfish-princess learning how to love. and i will forever pass you the tissues and popcorn to soothe your sensitive soul.

my love, did you know I never wanted to marry before meeting you? the women in my family had convinced me that love was a shameful secret. that marriage was a business, first and foremost, where women tended to get the short end of the stick. i knew by the age of eleven, that no one man would ever want to listen to me babble about mushrooms for hours or dance in the rain with me after dark. but then you came along, wildheart, and you fulfilled every desire in my foolish, lovesick heart. i want nothing more than to grow old with you, watching our children run amok in the yard and babbling about mushrooms like i have since the day we first met.

honey, just like the little goldfish-princess, you taught me how to love. i used to love recklessly and fleetingly, with my heart never settling on one stance. then, one day, i looked across a crowded room and there you were, the light of my life. to love you is to know that i would trade away the heavens themselves for a kiss goodnight. to love you is to understand I would bite eve’s apple time and time again, dooming all of womankind, just for you to graze upon me lovingly. baby, darling, sweetheart, all words to describe you, a lovebird who has enchanted me far, far away from my meaningless life.

my angel, my love for you is a creation story, in and of itself.

[definegodliness]

Still frames and slow-motion pictures

I wonder if you keep an eye out, now the world comes alive in all its mesmerising colours, and I hope you are not too busy to witness all that longs bloom; how it now buttons, or blossoms already. 

There was a former life wherein you held nature sacred. Every season would be deeply experienced. But, as they change, so, you have changed; taking paths I cannot follow. I suppose, to you, the everyday comings and goings of Mother Nature have turned to matter little. Yet, spring's arrival is such a profound moment... the past might rattle its chains in your heart's cage. As it does within mine, ridding me with questions: 

Do you have time to take it all in? Do you take the time? Does time still bend to your soul’s will, in craving creating still frames, or a slowed pace, all to savour these moments of humbly delighting in existence? 

Tell me you haven't lost your link with the world you re-enchanted. For it is as such that I now watch the world come to bloom, attentively enchanted; watching the flowers I tend to, thinking of you. Nothing all too meaningful. Simply reminiscing the still frames, captured, and all the slow-motion pictures. 

I walk the garden, pensive, as I am; reflecting there is something vulnerable and intimate in watching the flower beds filled with tulips. Witnessing each stage of their slow unfurling, day by day. And for some reason it makes me think of the way you'd put on your tights in the morning. The crumpling and fiddling to make them fit around your feet; the stretching of your legs making the soft skin of your thighs disappear beneath the dark fabric. Then, that cute little butt wiggle, that always felt so endearing to me, because I was the only one who got to see you at your thoughtless loveliness.

I remember your smile as you lowered your skirt. Never really sure why I would gaze at you, eyes opened wide; never figuring I was so mesmerised. Rather guessing I’d deem your fumbling humorous. I did. But never more than I’d deem you magic. And, in my head, or by my soul, I captured your essence in still frames and slow-motion pictures.

There’s many a reason why I think of you — feel you — when the flowers bloom, but that shared blissful unawareness of innate wondrousness resonates deepest. You’d be surprised how many memories live inside me wherein you aren’t trying to be, but are simply being. Therein, utterly lovely, and endearing. Yes, beautiful. You’d be suprised how often your presence had me humbly delighting in existence. And how, now, when I walk this Earth, feeling but a glimpse of such profoundness, a little light and love seeps in.

You are my joy of living.

---

8-4-2023, M.A. Tempels ©

[the-trash-eating-llama]

Dear diary,

It’s me, David, and I think it’s about time I told you a story.

Two lands, divided by one river.

The land of the east was prosperous, ruled by farmers who each owned land, tending their plots and helping neighbours during the colder months. But the lands didn’t care for these farmers, as every nine years a beast of bone and cloth would reign havoc across each acre of the east. It would tear open their houses, steal their food and uproot their farms, leaving the lands just as barren as they were before the farmers arrived.

So, they would rebuild, they would replant their futures, they would enjoy their harvests, and be harvested themselves by the malevolent force they couldn’t stop.

It was a simple life in the east, but a degrading one for those who could not bear the suffering of never seeing a full decade of harvest. And for those people, they could only find refuge from their dread by leaving their families, their belongings, and their lives to cross the river.

By all accounts, the river was not more than six feet wide, flowing gently down the side of the ground. Too wide to jump safely, but unassuming in nature.

That was where the accounts diverged.

Some would claim that a troll had built a bridge, but wouldn’t let you cross if it found you smelly. Some sighted a massive cloud that hung over the water at all times, waiting to strike any poor soul who dared cross it. Others told stories of seeing a creature made purely of rock climbing out of the river and attacking would-be crossers if they dared look at the golem.

So now, diary, what if I told you that I’m from that land?

It may strike you as odd, having only seen the prosperous avenues of concrete that dominate the skies of the west, but it’s true.

I crossed the river.

By the time I had grown up, I had become tired of feasting on fields of what could have been, so I left.

I wrote a note telling my family I was done, and left in the night, which in hindsight was my smartest move that day, because it took until day to reach the river alone.

Having no supplies and only the clothes on my back was, I admit, not my best choice, but if I hadn’t been so irrational, I may have missed my fate.

“Hey, lass, what are you doin’ so close to ðe river at ðis time of night?” A voice rang out in the cold silence of the morning.

I whirled around, and there she was. If this was the troll or golem, whomever described her as such was not more than the vilest slanderer.

No, the voice came from a woman, average height, stocky, flowing dark brown hair, and the skin of a setting sun. Her clothes were not much different from mine, overalls, a grey shirt, the only difference really was that she wasn’t wearing shoes.

It was the woman of the river, she was jogging straight towards me.

“Pardon me,” I said, blown away by her beauty. “Do you know how to cross the river?”

She looked at me with a haggard grin, like she was hoping I’d say something different.

“I suppose I would, why? You lookin’ to cross?” She shouted, slowly closing the distance, until we were only five feet apart.

“Yes! Could you show me how?” I asked. It was time, it was finally time! I would be across, and a whole world would be open to me!

“What for?”

That took me by surprise.

“What? Why wouldn’t I? The lands of the east are raided every decade! We can never truly grow! Back there, everyday has been prechewed by those before I was born. I’m tired of living a recycled life!” I yelled, at the edge of madness.

How could she not see it? My pain, my shortcomings, all of it was because of those lands and that damned beast!

“And what of your passions?” She asked, simply.

“What of them? I like to write, but there is nothing to write about when your experiences have already been perfectly articulated by those before you. And my garden? No different than the fifteen acres of people who live the exact same life. I’ve had enough, I want passage.”

“So, you wish to leave your lands of safety… for some fresh air?” She asked, half amused, and half understanding. All it came across as was belittling.

“You wouldn’t understand!” I shouted in desperation.

“Wouldn’t I? I have travelled this river my entire existence, walking, running, sprinting, crawling. This river never ends, you can trust me. I have only ever travelled in this direction, constantly chasing the idea of a bridge across, and what do I get? Thirty of your people each day asking the same inane question!” She shouted, then sitting down to sulk. Whether her cry was to me or not was left unclear, but I didn’t care.

“I could take you with me.”

She jumped up, surprised by my assertion.

“You…I… no one has ever offered.” She mumbled, staring at me like I would disappear if she blinked, like she’d wake up from a dream.

“Would you want me to?” I asked softly, holding out my hand.

“I…I…” She stuttered, trying to understand the prospect.

I kept eye contact, “You don’t have to, but I think a change of pace is what we both want.”

She slowly reached out, then grabbed my hand, like a scared animal. Her skin was soft, like silk, not made to endure. She needed to cross just as much as I did, but our worlds couldn’t be more different.

Both our worlds melted away, they were nothing more than spent breath to us now, as we both looked on, hand in hand, and ran, jumped, and landed.

Wherever we landed, we were to land together, and we did.

So, diary, how’d you like my story?

My children still don’t believe it, they think that the land of the east isn’t any more real than fairies and dragons.

Strange how the past can distort itself in the minds of its children, I hope mine still got the message.

But every journal must end, as you know very well, diary, for this is your last page.

We have known each other for long enough, but your pages still hold enough memories to fill a library.

I hope I’m as helpful as you were to me.

Good night, diary.

Sincerely,

David.

[pxgeturner]

so this is love, in the garden — reimagined!jacques le gris

a gentleman stumbles upon a secret area of the palace garden, and sings a duet with an invisible maiden.

an. so. um. yeah this is my first piece in a reaaallll long time. and yeah it’s jacques. but this is not like, canon jacques. this is my version of jacques, a ladies man, naturally, but not necessarily a gentlemen in all aspects of life. he is not in any way a villain. when i tell you i was SO EXICTED for the last duel, i was ecstatic to have adam play a knight-in-shining-armor types, i had no idea that the movie was going to be… that (😖) so my brain blocked that out and put jacques into a reign!au/crossover so.. um yeah.. hopefully some ppl like this.

wc. 456

you wandered about the secret secluded area of the garden you call “yours”. of course, it is not yours but the crown’s. but no one ever comes here and you do not even think that the king nor the queen is aware of this spot's existence, as it is at the very edge of the garden, almost wood. there is a pond and two flower beds as well as a hedge that hides it all. you suppose not a soul besides you knows of this alcove. people think the hedge marks the end of the garden. this might be the king’s garden, but this is your secret space.

you lay at the edge of the water, dipping your fingers, singing a simple melody. you start to sing of the thing your soul craves.

“so this is love,

so this is love

so this is what makes life, divine

i’m all aglow—

and now i know—”

“and now i know,” a deep, attractive voice startles you. you cover your mouth and just barely stop yourself from rolling over into the pond.

“the key to all heaven is mine,” you sing together. you hear heavy footfall near your oasis.

“my heart has wings

and i can fly—”

he’s about to round the hedge. you can’t let him see you- you don’t know why, you just can’t. so you pick yourself up, and tuck yourself into the shrub. you’ve hidden in it before, once or twice when you want a complete guarantee of privacy. the greenery leaves no hint of your presence, your skirts tucked neatly under you.

as you start the last verse together, he discovers your place. you peer at him through the branches and leaves. he’s tall, very tall. with long hair and a broad frame. you recognize him. the new lord that has joined court. lord le gris. jacques, you think his name is.

you didn’t think he was one for singing.

“i’ll touch every star in the sky.

so, this is the miracle

that i've been dreaming of.

so… this, is, love—”

part of you wanted him to find you. maybe he’d scoop you out of the bush, help you fix your gown, and pick any twigs or leaves out of your hair. you’ve heard of how charming he is to the ladies of the court. you haven’t met him yet, as you are busy tending to queen mary.

“mademoiselle, where did you go?”

you couldn’t bring yourself to let him see you.

“will i hear from you again?” you gave him a soft melody as an answer. he rounds the pond, looking at the flowers.

“you have the voice of an angel. hopefully you would soon allow me to see the face of one as well.”

You can’t wait to meet lord le gris.

[revenantghost]

[20 Question Fic Writer Game]

Tagged by @faindri and @pancake-breakfast!

How many works do you have on AO3?

18! Most are poetry collections, so a lot of smaller stories in one anthology.

What is your AO3 word count?

75,144

What fandoms do you write for?

Trigun is my main squeeze atm (and biggest in general, I have four projects for it which is double anything else--and the highest wordcount, too), but I've written for KinnPorsche, Sabikui Bisco, Danny Phantom, Vampire In The Garden, Sasaki to Miyano, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Goncharov (yeah... yeah), The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Signalis, Omori, Lycoris Recoil, and The Executioner and Her Way of Life

What are your top five fics by kudos?

No idea and I ain't looking! Trad publishing has me extremely scarred from some nasty comparison wars, so I have kudo and view counts blocked on ALL fics, including mine. From my kudos emails, though, Hallowboned has to be my top fic for sure. Last time I was paying attention most of my other fics didn't pass into triple digits by a long shot

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do!!! I adore comments, and I love chatting with folks, it really keeps me motivated and chugging along. I am... very behind on replying to the comments on my last chapter rn because I feel so awful and guilty about having to quit writing

What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Uh... I don't write a ton of narrative fics, and I do love me some tragic poetry, but I guess the angstiest collection might be my Signalis one, Observable System Transcendence? But my Omori poem and the Trined Soul collection might be contenders, too

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I mean, Trembling Hands is a Trimax fix-it fic, so? Though the Sasaki and Miyano collection, Effortless Dreams, is definitely the most tooth-rotting fluff I've ever slapped onto the page

Do you get hate on fics?

Oh yeah, I've had my poetry called pretentious and also not good enough to be poetry lol. It's been a hot minute since that's happened, people are just jerks sometimes

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I used to! Porn with plot, my beloved. It would be interesting to explore in poetry format, but we'll see if I have the time who wants to commission some poetry porn from me lmao

Do you write crossovers?

Nah, not my cuppa

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yeah, many moons ago

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but that is one of the coolest things fandom does. Loving a thing so much you spend the time to painstakingly transform that art into something you can read and share in another language, bro??? Translators are amazing

Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

I've worked pretty closely with artists a loooong time ago, but I've only written fics where I'm the sole writer. I have used other writers' ideas and outlines (with their permission, of course), but that's the closest

What's your all-time favourite ship?

I DON'T KNOW?!?! Shipping has never really been my main focus of media typically, but when one digs its teeth into me I go rabid in a completely feral but different way each time.

What's a WIP you'd like to finish but doubt you ever will?

))): All of them

Life feels kinda... really dire atm, it's hard to see ever writing again. However! God I want to finish Hallowboned SO BADLY!!! I have so many chapters written for it that I haven't even posted!!!!! Y'all haven't met Livio yet!!!!!! GAH 3:

What are your writing strengths?

Uh... ??? I'll be real, I've got no idea. I feel like I write so weirdly atm, it's hard for me to analyze in that kinda way

What are your writing weaknesses?

I tend to get really excited/into things and flit around and forget to explain or describe things sometimes. Thank god for having been well-trained to edit my own work. Not that I catch it all, but I try!!!

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I think it'd really cool, but I'd need a native speaker on hand to make sure I don't fuck it up in my own fic

First fandom you wrote for?

I think my first piece of written fanwork was a Danny Phantom Quizilla thing lmao, I'm old. I don't remember what it was about, just that it was ANGSTY

Favourite fic you've ever written?

Ah?!?! Honestly, each project is so different and written from such a different place, I've got no idea. I'm proudest of Observable System Transcendence being my longest, most consistent project (outside of my Smaugust collection, which isn't a fan project), Hallowboned being the first thing that really inspired me in ages--and the most indulgent one lol. But each collection and fic and poem comes from such a different place, and it's hard to pull them apart and pick???

Tagging:

Whoever wants to hop in! :3

[wannafeel-you]

Hiya Jay:D

I was wondering if you could answer 2, 11, 23, 25 and 27 for the soft asks if you don’t mind!

-femme who hasn’t sent you an anon before so is kinda nervous ngl… would you mind if I claimed 🍒 anon?

hey heyyy!! and of course i will:

2: What is your go to comfort show?

it took a long time for me to decide this one simply because i tend not to rewatch shows but i realised that it would probably be my childhood cartoons. so i’d have to say Teen Titans, Phineas & Ferb, and Gravity Falls are my go-to’s.

11: Do you have a comfort item? Tell us about it!

my mama likes jewellery and when she learned that i actually didn’t hate wearing it, i just preferred more simple things, the first thing she gave me was this jade ring. it’s a simple solid band of jade and i used to wear it everywhere, like i never took it off except for when i was rock climbing. and then one day, my fingers got too big from climbing and it wouldn’t fit on any of my fingers properly anymore. i was really sad about it so she gave me a small chain to loop it on. and now i wear that ring on a necklace everywhere i go to keep it close because my mama believes it protects my soul and keeps me balanced. and it makes her happy to see it so that’s a bonus. i often find that when i feel uneasy about it i end up fiddling with it and it does actually make me feel a little better.

23: Have you ever received flowers?

i have not!! i think i would really love to though. unfortunately i’m sure they wouldn’t last long despite my best efforts but the thought of receiving flowers is really sweet. i tend to be the giver of flowers rather than the recipient but that’s okay too

25: If your soul was a color, what would it be?

i had to think really hard about this because i was thinking about what the meanings of the colours were but then i realised it’s a bit limiting to restrict myself to one that way. but long story short, i think my soul is a sunset orange colour — you know the ones where it’s started to go a little pink/purple too. i’m really connected to these sunsets too, whenever i see them i just have to stop and stare for a while

27: Do you like to garden? Have you ever grown something?

i’m not sure. it’s been years since i seriously did any gardening with plants instead of renovating the space by pulling things up. i would love to tend to the plants and grow them instead of tearing the place up but i genuinely don’t know. but my fondest gardening memory was from my earlier years at school; we were given a project to grow a sunflower! and mine ended up growing to like 2-3 meters. it was so tall (especially to tiny me) that the head became too heavy and started to fall over so we had to throw it away in the end. but i was so proud to see it grow successfully and it was so so pretty. so yeah, maybe i would like to do more gardening in the future. it would give me a good reason to get outdoors too!!

thank you for the lovely questions 🍒 darling, i had a lot of fun thinking about these ones!! and don’t be nervous, i love my anons :))

[raeofthelight]

🫂 🧠 🪻 🌻🥊🐚

🫂 If you wanna hug me approach it like you're capturing a stray cat. I have raebies.

🧠 Oh buddy I can ramble. When the alignment of the moon is correct. And you're pretending not to listen so I don't feel perceived. In those circumstances I can ramble like a...uh....something that rambles alot. (For further study on this subject please refer to the tag #raerambles as well as the tags in general of anything Rae reblogs)

🪻 Sneezing over this flower sorry did I lose cool points.

🌻 I'm not crying over what you said I just tripped in the sunflower field and got speared by the garden shears in my hand

🥊 Lets beat up an eldritch stranger together

🐚 Sorry about the soul connection but when you're friends with the devil that tends to happen. Don't worry. Once I've fully absorbed your soul into mine you won't notice anything. At all. Ever again.

https://www.tumblr.com/raeofthelight/761007651062775808?source=share

[bougainvillea-and-saltwater]

Jiraak OC relationship ask: 5, 31, 32, 38, 40, 61 and 100! (only if it’s no trouble! I’m incredibly nosy :3)

I LOVE NOSY!!! BE NOSY ALL YOU LIKE!!! Thank you so much for asking about my stupid blorbos!!! 💖🥺

💕ask game💕

5. What is something they like to do together?

Ah, many things! Firstly, I can see them enjoying learning from each other since they're both very inquisitive—Jia teaches Miraak alchemy, while he teaches her magic, mostly restoration and alteration. They like cooking together (Miraak's not there yet, but he tries okay; he loves eating though! 🥲), and they even like to stay close in comfortable silence; I promise, though, Jia loves it when listens to him humming Atmoran shanties and/or psalms from his Dragon Priest era! Having been out of Apocrypha, she knows he'd appreciate walks in the sun and picnics in the frosty woods by Heljarchen Hall, as well as gazing at the aurora and the stars at night, feeding the birds nestling in her roof tiles, tending the flowers in her garden, and generally, being reintroduced to the world with her helping him remember every single detail...🥰

31. How would they describe one another.

Due to the nature of their soul bond (which hasn't been clarified completely in my fic yet...👀) I can only imagine them describing one another the way Emily Bronte did it in Wuthering Heights, which is to say not so romantic, but with a tint of pain and inevitability instead:

“He is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. If all else perished and he remained, I should still continue to be, and if all else remained, and we were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger. He’s always, always in my mind; not as a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.”

32. Can they communicate private thoughts whilst in company? If so, how?

I mean,,, they can read each other's minds if they try hard enough! There's a scene in my fic where Miraak just. skims through Jia's memories and almost uncovers her worst fear (wow, rude much, Miraak? 😤). Also, they tend to recognize each other's mannerisms. For example, Jia has very specific ways she moves when she's nervous, angry, excited, etc, and Miraak, being very observant, knows how to interpret them even if she can't speak her mind at a specific moment, and vice versa.

38. What would be their ideal evening in?

So, both in Heljarchen Hall and Breezehome, Jia has purposely left a piece of her wooden canopy a little open (just so, she can't stand the cold!), so the light of the night sky always slips right into her room. I imagine an ideal evening in would be her lying in bed with Miraak, both moonbathed, talking to each other, discussing everything, good and bad, tales and real segments of their lives, until the night eventually turns into day, and instead of starlight/moonglow, they are cloaked by the warmth of the sunlight and birbs' chirps...🥰

40. THE OLD WITCH SLEEP AND THE GOOD MAN GRACE BY THE AMAZING DEVIL.

Their shared trauma, their pain, their despair, their attempts to give strength to one another ["You're better than this" He says as a hand slaps my face and I stand And say, "No good man grace" I can't do this (you can)] AND ["Oh, sleep now," oh, she pleads "You're not a coward 'cause you cower You're brave because they broke you Yet broken still you breathe So breathe, breathe, just breathe"]

Not to mention the "'Cause you are in the earth of me", which for Plot Significance makes me jump around like a monkey. Ough. Just Ough...

61. How would they describe their S/O in one word?

Miraak for Jia: ember (a smouldering one...👀)

Jia for Miraak: angel (a bit fallen and corrupted but an angel nonetheless 😅)

100. Make a meme of this ship.

I am a bad Meme Maker myself, but I stumbled upon a Perfect Jiraak Meme on Pinterest, which is this right here and has a very "give me your hand" "I'll stain you" "I'll take it" vibe:

This also goes either way, for both.