#i would do it myself but i would lose my marbles seeing the lack of critical thinking on anti vegan posts

[yokune-ruko]

there should be one of those blogs that adds critical thinking questions to posts specifically for anti-vegan posts with questions like

1. considering that vegans make up 1-5% of the population, and the other 95-99% largely has an aversion to soy products, why is it that soybeans are the second largest crop grown in the united states?

2a. do animals eat while they are alive?   2b. if so, what are they eating?

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Impossibility

It came in the afternoon, when I was alone and resting on the sofa. The air was completely silent, save for it.

The knocks on the door were rhythmic, itching my brain like a nigh-forgotten song. They were soft, like whispers, only noticeable from the utter lack of other sounds. They were weird, unnerving, like something had reached across the boundary between worlds to reach me. 

I stealthily got up from my chair, peeking through the peephole. Nobody there. Unsurprising, really. The logical part of me insisted it was a practical joke, and I listened. The alternative, the idea that this was a call from across the veil, was inconceivable.

No, it was very conceivable. It was, however, utterly unbelievable. I'd spent my whole life, all seventeen years of it, waiting for a call to adventure. I'd yearned to see something utterly extraordinary, to step through a doorway and end up in another world, for someone to drop from the sky and tell me I was the chosen one. I'd hoped and prayed, and when nothing came, I'd accepted my fate. I was too old to go hunting for fairies, too mature to hope to step through the closet to Narnia, too rational to believe in magic.

And yet here I was, heart thumping, hoping against hope that I was wrong, that I would open the door and something ethereal would be standing on the opposite side of the door. I stepped away from the door, not wanting to break my heart again.

Then it came. More knocking, steady and paced. What the hell? I had to know, I really did.

So I opened the door. And lo and behold, there really was someone on the other side, despite what the peephole showed. A man, his face unwrinkled save for deep crow's nests around his eyes, stood on the other side, wearing a peculiar grin.

He watched me with bright, overly curious yellow eyes. His hair was snow white, falling to his shoulders in waves, and he wore a red leather vest decorated with strange symbols. There was something unnatural about him—something unsettling, mixed in with the ruggedness. A tingle ran up my spine as I looked at him. My call had come, it appeared, two years too late. “Hello, Amber,” he said.

I nodded. “Hello,” I replied cautiously. Stranger danger, the rational bit of me insisted, desperately spinning to rationalise the ridiculous circumstances that led to this. “Who might you be?” And how did he know my name, for that matter?

He tittered at that, a polite laugh that belonged more on a feudal lady than a man like him. “I have many names, but you might call me Hama. Hama of a Thousand Suns,” he told me. “I am a traveller, and I need your help. Well, I suppose it would be more accurate to say a universe needs your help.”

My heart skipped a beat. My call! My precious, glorious call! It was time to go on an adventure, to journey the worlds and- No, that was ridiculous, I told myself sternly. He was a conman at best and a psycho at worst. I slammed the door shut on him wordlessly, praying the great noise would drown out the screaming of my inner child.

My call, I thought mournfully. My call that I'd known would never come. My call that I turned my back on. Numbly, I walked back to my sofa. It wouldn't do to talk to strange men who showed up randomly at my house and tried to get me to save the world. Even if I desperately wanted to save the world.

“Why don't you, then? Think about it, Amber. What have you got to lose?” I looked up. Hama leaned against my cabinet, the one I used to keep all my little curiosities. He toyed with an oddly shaped marble. “Isn't this what you've been searching for all your life? The one thing that will fill the void in your heart?”

I closed my eyes. My desperately searching logic caught an excuse. Hallucinations. I was hallucinating. It was sleep deprivation, or schizophrenia, or… Carbon monoxide! I needed to check the carbon monoxide detectors. 

Hama sighed. “So you'll ignore me, then,” he murmured. He caught my arm, placing the marble in my open palm. “Look at me, Amber. Do I look unreal to you? There are people out there who need your help- Will you aid them?”

I couldn't help myself. I started crying like a psychotic little child. “Stop it,” I whispered. “This is a dream. I'll wake up and know it was never real, and I'll spend the rest of my life wishing it was.”

“Who cares what's real or not? In the end, the emotions are all the same. I ask you this simple question: Do you want to go on an adventure?” Hama's striking eyes met my blurry, tear-filled ones. 

“Yes,” I said. What else could I say? His lips curled into a grin.

“You're the one then,” he crowed. “At last, I've found a pawn! Take that, Lady of the Night!”

And then I woke up. Instantly, I felt a scream well up. I clenched it down, biting my lips until I tasted the explosion of copper.

Again. I kept having that dream. Over and over and over. My brain loved dangling that impossibility in front of me, so enticingly close and yet so impossibly far away. It would never happen, I knew.

Yet- My fingers were wrapped around that deformed marble.

[incendio22]

FOR THE HOPE OF IT ALL

Pt 2 Chapter 1: Welcome Back To Hogwarts

Trigger warning: This chapter contains alcohol that may be portrayed in a potentially romanticised way. Stay safe ♡

—--------

I make my way down to the dungeon, where I know the welcoming party for the 7th-years is being held tonight. It's been months since I stepped foot in this very dungeon, but nonetheless I feel excited to have a good time. Summer wasn't too much fun, since I was mainly passing time so that it would be September 1st. Of course, the beginning of the summer was awful. I had been missing Sebastian, constantly wondering whether or not I should reach out to him but every time I decided that I wouldn't. I left him, saying that he could write to me when he was ready for something serious. However, I assume his lack of attempts to contact me show that he's not there yet. At first I was determined to wait, but with time I realized that you don't wait around or cry over a man who is emotionally unavailable - You find someone better.

I walk down the stairs to the dungeons and notice that it's crowded. The music is loud, the lights are dim and it seems as if everyone I know is there. I am greeted by Poppy, who throws herself over me to give me a hug. In her hand she has a glass of butterbeer and she spills a little over my shirt.

''Oh my,'' she apologizes in a nice tone. ''I'm so sorry. I'm just so glad to see you! How are you?''

''I've been doing good,'' I tell her in a firm voice. ''How are things with you? How is Milena?''

Poppy looks down with a sad face.

''Yeah, well,'' she starts. ''We haven't really talked for a month. But other than that, I'm good. Wanna dance?''

''Sure, let me just grab something to drink first,'' I tell her. ''I'll find you as soon as I can.''

I head over to the marble table that has all sorts of drinks on it. The fire whiskey catches my eye and I can't help but think about Sebastian as I see it. I still remember some of his kisses tasting like it. I push the thought away and serve myself some butterbeer. Next to me is Ominis, whom I didn't even notice.

''Ominis!'' I say in a happy voice. ''Merlin! It's been so long, how are you?''

I give him a hug and he smiles.

''Except for the fact that I'm at a party, feeling utterly uncomfortable, I'm good,'' he tells me with a smile. ''How are you?''

''I'm good,'' I tell him. ''Never better, now that I'm here.''

''Wanna dance?'' Ominis asks as he takes a sip of his butterbeer.

I grab his arm and drag him into the middle of the room where everyone seems to gather around, dancing as if there's no tomorrow. I notice Garreth dancing with his Gryffindor friends with his eyes glued onto me. I nod friendly and he nods back. He did something to his hair, cut it a bit so it looks more trimmed. He actually looks quite handsome. Ominis doesn't seem to enjoy himself too much, but when I dance with him he cheers up a bit and seems to let lose a little more. We dance, laugh get lost in the music.

The dungeon is getting hotter and hotter and as I lean against a wall to let the coldness of the wall hug my back, I see him. I'm unable to breathe and the heartbroken feelings flood me. I try to wash them off with some more butterbeer, but I'm unable to. He walks down the stairs, looks around the room and stops for a second as our eyes meet. I decide that he's not going to change a thing about my night. If anyone should feel intimidated by the other's presence, it's him. Therefore, I keep looking at him. Glueing my eyes onto him as he goes to talk to some friends from Hufflepuff. I think he knows, because every now and then he glances my way but looks away as soon as he sees me already looking at him. I hope he feels intimidated.

I go back to what seems to be the dancefloor and head over to some Gryffindor students I know, among them I see Natty. They are dancing, drinking and laughing as they greet me. Natty gives me a big hug and seems absolutely thrilled to see me. She's in her best mood, dancing and giving everyone around her challenges. Everyone seems to gather around her, so naturally I walk over to see what's going on.

''Amit!'' she says in a very loud voice, so that he can hear her through the music. ''Tomorrow, you send Professor Garlick an anonymous love letter. Deal or no deal?''

Everyone is laughing as it's kind of known among all the students that Amit has a slight crush on Professor Garlick. People start laughing and cheering him on. Amit looks intimidated for a second, but quickly makes up his mind.

''Deal,'' he responds, laughing and looking a bit flushed. ''But do I have to be anonymous? I mean, I do graduate soon.''

''Don't be a fool, Amit,'' I joke with him.

''Hey!'' he argues in a playful voice. ''You never know.''

Everyone is laughing, very much aware of how long Amit has had a crush on Garlick. I see Sebastian standing on the other side of the room. He's staring at me. When I catch his glance, I hold my eyes on him. Before, this would have made me highly uncomfortable, but I need to tell myself that this man has no hold of me any longer. Of course, that's easier to think than it appears in real life. I walk over to Garreth, glancing at Sebastian in hopes that he sees me.

''Long time no see, Weasley,'' I tell him in a happy voice.

He looks thrilled to see me and raises his glass.

''If it isn't the quidditch goddess herself,'' he says. He still hasn't let me forget about my first quidditch game where we absolutely crushed our enemies. Or rather, I crushed them. ''Your highness.''

''I like that,'' I give him a smile. ''Say it again.''

''Oh, I don't do favours for free,'' Garreth jokes.

I feel Sebastian's eyes burning and I hope he sees every second of our encounter. I lay my hand on Garreth's arm. He looks down on it, but doesn't pull away.

''Oh, then I should leave,'' I say jokingly. ''I don't talk to people who don't value my presence. You're even the one who convinced me of that.''

He gives me an intrigued look.

''Oh, really now?'' he asks with a slight smile.

I nod and smile back as I take my hand back.

''Good for you,'' Garreth says and glances over at Sebastian, making sure I notice who he's looking at. ''Does that mean..?''

''Yeah,'' I tell him whilst nodding.

''Oh,'' Garreth says in a confused voice. ''It was never my intention to, you know, get in the way of anything.''

''No need to worry,'' I tell him. ''It's all on him.''

''I'm sorry,'' he replies in a low voice, but his apology doesn't seem too sincere.

''There's really no need to be,'' I smile at him, glancing over at Sebastian who is still looking at me even though he is caught up in a conversation with a Hufflepuff.

The night fades and people start leaving the dungeon at quite an early hour. The Hufflepuffs have been the life of the party, keeping it alive for way too long. Most people are nervous about tomorrow's classes and start stoppning off. Some Hufflepuffs grab me around my shoulders, Poppy amongst them.

''Are you done, or are you down for some more?'' she asks in a daring voice.

''Do you know who you're talking to?'' I ask her in an even more daring voice. ''I'm in.''

I grab Imelda's arm on the way out, dragging her with me and making sure that she goes wherever I go.

''We're having the best year, remember?'' I remind her about our last conversation in the dormitory before the end of last year.

''Do we really need to fulfil that tonight?'' Imelda replies in a hesitant voice. ''We have all year and I really wanna be prepared for tomorrow.''

''No,'' I tell her as I shake my head. ''This is your last first night at Hogwarts, let's make the most of it.''

We walk past Sebastian and I give him a passive aggressive eye, as I follow the Hufflepuffs out of the dungeon. We walk into a different part of the castle where the Hufflepuff's common room is supposed to be and someone knocks on a barrel that leads into a small room, decorated with plants and windows facing the Black Lake.

''So this is where the Hufflepuffs party?'' Imelda asks with a curious voice.

''Party is maybe the wrong term,'' Poppy says, looking slightly embarrassed. ''But this is where we come to hang out when we're tired of the living room.''

"Don't lie," a Hufflepuff boy argues. "This where the magic happens."

''This place is really cool,'' I tell them as I nod my head to show them that I really like it.

Another Huffleupuff enters the room. I recognize her face, but I don't remember her name.

''What is she doing here?'' The new Hufflepuff girls spits out.

''Oh. Hi Lenora,'' Poppy says. ''This is Y/n, she's really cool.''

Now I remember. It's the girl I helped solving a puzzle in the castle and refused to tell her how I did it. I remember her talking about and being upset over it the entire 5th year.

''Yeah, no,'' Lenora says in an upset voice. ''She made fun of me when she solved the puzzle that I showed her in the first place.''

Imelda gives me a confused look, but I know exactly what Lenora is referring to.

''I still think you should have solved it on your own,'' I tell her in a calm voice. ''I mean, what's the fun with a puzzle if you're gonna have someone else tell you how it's done?''

Lenora glares at me, as if she's killing me inside her head.

''You have some nerve,'' she says before sitting down.

Eventually, Lenora calms down and we have an enjoyable evening. We spend the rest of the night talking, joking and eventually people start falling asleep on the couches and on the floors. We all went out too hard before, making us awfully tired now. Imelda looks uncomfortable. It must be after 3 in the morning. Poppy is the only Hufflepuff that's still awake.

''What happened with you and Sebastian, anyway?'' Poppy asks in a sleepy voice.

''He messed up,'' I tell her in a short tone.

I'm not too eager to talk about him. All I want is to get him out of my head, which hasn't been easy since my return to Hogwarts.

''That's doesn't sound like you,'' Poppy says inbetween her yawns. ''You're always the one seeing things from every possible point of view, seeking the best explanations. I never thought I would hear you say that it's only his fault.''

I look into the ground. Poppy falls asleep before I answer her. Maybe it's for the better. I have no intentions of making up excuses for him because I really can't see where I did wrong. He's the one who pushed me away when I got too close. I really thought that when I allowed myself to give my heart to him, like he had given me his, we could be together. But he took a step back as I fell harder. Imelda stands up, stretching and yawning.

''Okay, time for the life of the party to get some sleep,'' she says as she stands up.

''Are you referring to me or yourself?'' I ask her jokingly.

She bats me an angry eye.

''Both of us,'' she says in a tired voice. ''But mostly me.''

As we enter the Slytherin Common Room it's quiet and empty, except for someone sitting down by the window facing the Black Lake. The place where I always sit, therefore it catches my eye. As our steps get louder, the shadow turns around. It's Sebastian. I need to gasp for air at the sight. What is he doing in my spot? I'm too tired to get angry, so I simply stare at him as we pass him. He stares back at me, not moving a muscle in his face. The sight of him makes my heart flutter, as if it's hoping that he's waiting for me. I push the thought away and go to bed.

[alchemisland]

Dinner party

If these dreams heavensent be

Then the cheffing there’s magnificent

Happy to break that bread unleavened

Slather mayo on the Manna but reverently

I’m not resident evil I’m resident greedy

Whatever it is, slather a pat on and feed me

Wanting fourths waiter won’t heed me, know he sees me

Do I sound like a man who had all he could eat?

Call me Bottomless Pete, Depthful Ste, Appetite Andrew, Fullmouth Dee

Digestive dreadnought in odd socks pulling up at Camden Lock

Wearing wolf pelts and brandishing axes, asking is this Glendalough

I’m opening up a new chippy serving fish from the Liffey

Nippy crabs bathed in apricots, cotted in haricot verts

Swaddled by ears of boxer’s cauliflower, crunchy sharp taste

Like licking blades

Or eating thousand year old petrified mushrooms you find.

.

Meeting Dionysus, he says drink to discern the mysteries

Makes me a priest of Eleusis there and then

Guarding his glade Easter to Michaelmas

My angel-given glaive stays invaders

I’m breathing like Darth Vader on sports day after the first fray

Of a ten scrap melee, how I loathe tourney format

Needed my armour stretched, fastens printing bands on the gut

Marbled inside but outside a walking boulder, marvel

Glut in arms and armour

Sight to see fighting, awe-prying even deniers

Duck dive keen clean, surprisingly agile for a fat guy

I smile a lot but I’ve got a shark’s guile

Expecting at eight, ringing off with a smile

I’ve got rings on every finger

Cross at my chest like a leatherbound bible on a hotel bedside

No less a primer, no less divine, for interest’s lack

Dogs sit below me when I eat, catching tasty flak

If we fought world war two with burgers insteada bullets

I’d have ordered another few, we all would

Eat let’s not less.

.

Are what you eat, don’t remember eating so much genius

Smoke a lot of weed though, supreme priest of green

So forgetting wouldn’t surprise, I rise from the hippocrene

After a long deep drink and have a long deep think about my Limericks

I care about my lyrics than I do about living

As an alchemist watches his alembic for changes

So I must be languid and solitary for long stretches, noting differences

Your unwanted entrances swiftly enrage me

My tone barely containing hatred fails to convey my loathing thereof

I love you, dear, more than most but not more than anything

Not more than I love myself vanishing in a vanquishment of verbs

That is my flourishing, nourishment, flowering and devourment

Taking this, for even one instance, is to rob me of all power

Finding true expression only in my lessened self, rare that hour!

To suddenly be wrenched from monomania, losing Xanadu

You ask me do I want a coffee and I do but I hate you for it.

.

I wait hours, days even, worrying my shipment will not arrive

Bassanio on the shore awaiting laden vessels

In sooth I know not why I am so sad

In pursuit of source have gone quite mad

Sorry to my dad, whose plans I neither asked nor longed fulfilled

Sorry to my plants, who I failed to water, and whose frail limbs

Even now cling to life by the faintest silken thread, ill things.

.

It arrives then like a flood from God, every dog impatient before it

Flurrying words like prize tickets

Driving upon curbs to hail them

Yielding curses as vendors fall into the road

I must await patiently an egg’s arrival, let alone one hatching

Long long long boring nothing

Suddenly action more than one wished sanctioned.

.

See your scuttling hand and force it back

Abundant as City of London, surfeit what you lack

I scoop up the bill like Lacrosse, mob boss shit

Stare at all my guests down the table, like the Passion

Another year in fashion surpassing, cutlassing the champer’s neck

Lick her neck like the rim of a wine glass girdled with microdot acid

I’m hearing your noteless Fantasia

Bottle farts and men will pay you

Bombastic swelling motifs, cheeks flush when you look up

Yours or mine

Wanna ask you that at the end of tonight

Hold the door, top of the taxi line

It’s fucking fantastic, guts and arms elastic

My inner windlass turns, lash the wind to my jodhpurs

Know this might be odd but think I might be God’s son

We can’t be sure until I’m back, but keep up the practice

Drink the wine, no you’re not vampires, be to others example.

.

Dog chewing on a fifty quid hambone

In wit, landed fifty crits and my clip still got ammo

When I hear it click or jam, I out the rambo I used to cut the roast open

Used be the most hopeful, now I’m the cunt with the stuff that’s notable

Stuffing fiver notes up nose, testing that coke’s potable, Colombian opal

Wore blue crocs anticipating meat sweats, and a stripey vest

Looking like a gay sailor ready to swab decks

My guests, different to yesterday’s, feign interest, laughing at my jests

Yellow corn Elysian teasing my mouth ceiling

See it again tomorrow, hear it pinging off the porcelain

Find it that appealing

I’m the revered preacher in residence here, revered for cleaning feet

Feature of this church since, well not quite B.C.

Look upon my unpleasing feature, pitiful creature

Call me an unworthy shepherd, see me dead to highlight err

I am a scapegoat, meeting bravely inescapable fate.

.

Dreaming things edible esculent

Culinary medicine delectable tastificant

By day taste’s miser, gruel water and hard tack only

Sleeping I inhabit an oneiric epicurean

My fancies come as cured ham

Fat man’s fantasies, weighing in lbs 118

Seen heavier turkeys, eaten heavier jerkies, but only whilst asleep

Tossing in my chamber, wondering spinach or rocket

Meals in cooking frowns inspiring, much fretted over

No! That milk is over, that meat is foetid; oh move over

Send not a drover to do a shepherd’s job

Send not a Moses to Gomorrah and Sodom

Fatty lumps of succulent rump, boiling broths frothing over.

.

Lean cuts of bacon as grace my plate

Make a Vegan wanna taste, kneel to Rimmon can’t maintain God’s grace

But those ribs are glazed, parted from the rack like paid wages

Like Eve peeled away from Adam after recalcitrant Lilith was sent away

Eden is too early for suffragettes, even Pankhurst agrees

We’re having butter-stuffed English Muffins, pancakes

Hunks of bread with crusty black flanks, save me the heel

I dip it in olive grease, appealing to the Gods of the Greek

Whose breath in satisfaction makes a breeze that stirs the wheat

Water jug cold and clear, feeling like I could dip my feet in

Dive to the lapis deep end, the bravest diver Irish

What would I find, what would my dictys keep

Hunger creeps up and away just as fast

Whip up a batch of quail eggs and mayonnaise, be quick about it

Needed more apple segments in my Waldorf salad but it wasn’t too bad

Pomes like gilded planets, slice of eggplant like stamped bad banana

Beside peppered eggs like fit to burst solar blisters

Chef kiss my fingers like upon the cheek of my sisters in greeting

Feeling Grecian eating peeled apple lunula

I should get a Toga and little boots Caligula.

.

Music is classy, Dvorak suites

Cannabis infused jelly beans pyramided on a gleaming brass platter

Someone asked how many, I didn’t glance, answered it didn’t matter

First movement of the Moonlight Sonata

Conducting with my arm like I had a ghost orchestra

Clicking like Sinatra, goth chick with a split tongue telling me about Tantra

She wears legging as pants, looking like Logan’s Run

Hate that anonymous look, I slug down another finger of glug and look up

You across the room, brighter bulb looking sultry seductive

Unfit for selvedge, dress hem most distant from your heel

I am stirred like Achilles hearing his lover’s death

My breath rhythmless seeks pattern

Dancefloor pattern chequerboard like a Van or a Masonic Lodge

Two stepping malevolent dodging revellers

Boogey to your side, caught in headlights

Make me roadkill, maybe overkill but composed you three hundred odes

Tell she wants to go but not with me, wrote some of it but not this scene

Manifesting badly, broadcast full of static, she’s 4K I’m ceephax

Step back, need a stimpack, she’s wearing a skimpy backless black dress

Looks like an actress awaiting interview, somebody who knows Brad Pitt

Magnetic I am a knacker really, Brad Pitt but in Snatch, most unworthy.

[casspurrjoybell-31]

The Consort - Chapter 15 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Finn

"You must be hungry," I say to Brayden.

His jaw tightens and he keeps his eyes trained on the door.

"I have an idea," I say, pushing forward.

"One that will work for everyone."

Brayden glowers at the door before letting out a sigh he doesn't need to take.

"What, human?"

"So, I know you don't want my blood. And that's fine. But you wouldn't be protecting Kelly if you thought he was a dangerous or bad vampire. You just wouldn't."

Brayden's heated gaze slides over to me.

"I-I'm thinking that you can just drink the bag of blood," I stammer, trying to stay focused.

"And I can let Kelly feed from me."

It's obviously not what I want to happen but even if Brayden agrees to it, at least my blood will be going to good use.

I find myself holding my breath as I wait for a reaction.

His face remains still but as he stares at me, I notice a trickling black gobbling up the reds of his eyes.

"That is not an option," he responds, and his voice takes on a double timbre.

"Do not suggest it again."

His entire torso flexes, the biceps beneath his shirt almost pulsing with immortal blood.

Glistening fangs elongate to their fullest and his eyes twinkle a radiant black.

I swallow hard, suddenly feeling an inkling of fear.

Brayden has always seemed so human, so restrained.

Seeing him this hungry and raw to his immortal form, however, shows me just how dangerous he could be.

If I push him too hard, he'll end up leaving me behind or killing me.

"I'm sorry," I say, leaning against the wood panels of the wall.

"I shouldn't have said anything."

I squeeze my eyes shut, too terrified to look at him any longer.

This man already haunts my dreams.

I don't need him haunting my nightmares too.

I hug my knees to my chest, missing the comfort of Leo's soft bed.

"Human."

A cool mint scent fills my nose.

I open my eyes and Brayden's face is just inches from mine.

The red of his eyes have returned and his fangs have somehow managed to retract.

Moonlight bounces off his hollow cheekbones, illuminating his features like a sculpture on display.

"I did not mean to frighten you."

His voice is soft and low.

"It's alright," I say with a shrug.

"It was my own fault. I'm... I'm just trying to help."

Brayden frowns.

"Your emotions. They just changed again."

Nervous laughter erupts from my throat.

He probably thinks I'm the most emotional human ever, especially when he's so used to being around immortals.

The truth is, though, if any other human was around the likes of him, I'd be hard pressed to find one who didn't react the same way I do.

"Having you this close to me makes me think things," I admit, silently thankful that it's too dark for him to see my blush.

"What things?"

"Like kissing you," I whisper timidly.

Brayden flinches at the words but he doesn't move away.

He stays inches away from me, his red eyes trained on me.

Then his gaze slowly rakes down my face until zeroing in on my lips.

My stomach flip-flops.

"You still would like me to kiss you?"

I let out a breathless.

"Yes."

"Your scent is strong. Too strong. I do not want to lose control. So when I stop, do not push further."

Lose control? I'm not sure what that means, exactly.

Will he lose control and want to do more than kiss?

Will he lose control and want to feed from me?

An excited thrill sends tingles down my arms and all the way to my fingertips.

Either possibility would be more than welcomed.

I nod in agreement and give him a shy smile.

He just stares at me for a moment that seems to drag on for a lifetime.

Then he reaches up and slides his thumb along my cheek.

His finger lacks the warmth and realness of a human.

His touch is like cool marble, gently moving down my cheek with a subtle finesse.

Brayden lowers his lips to mine and his scent makes my brain foggy.

Cool, soft lips press against mine.

It's a gentle kiss, hesitant even.

He slips his tongue into my mouth and the kiss deepens.

Hesitation is replaced with desire and Bogdan wraps his other hand around my waist.

With no effort he pulls me towards him.

His body is solid against mine, a terrifying strength built into the very fibers of his being.

Immediately my blood heats for more.

A different type of craving resonates in the pit of my stomach.

I wrap my arms around his neck, angling my body against his so he can feel my reaction to his touch.

Our kiss picks up speed.

His touch becomes rougher, to the point of being painful.

But I can't get enough of...

Kelly stands in the doorway, his muddy red eyes glancing between the two of us.

He doesn't at all seem concerned with what he just saw.

On the contrary, his face is tight with panic.

"We need to go," he whispers.

"Someone's coming

[gens1n]

win for me, okay? (gn!reader ft. thoma)

pairing thoma x reader

genre angst

song inspo orange - 7!!

oneshot? series? one-shot

synopsis being kind can hurt those around you sometimes. that was what thoma failed to consider when he agreed to this game.

word count 1.1k

content warning not spoiler free, major character death

author’s note YES i got inspired from that one particular scene from the Squid Game, can you tell i’m so invested in this kdrama? 😼 if you haven’t watched the series yet then this story may be confusing to you, but just for your reference, the scene i’m talking about is this one~ I also read a tweet that went something like ‘’how far would Thoma survive the Squid Game’’ and just wanted to make a littol angst for my boy. ah well, angst isn’t my expertise but nobody else would write my thoma angst brainrot for me so it’s up to me to torture myself into writing one ˋ△ˊ also another side note for those who haven’t watched it, player 067 is referring to the reader, while 240 refers to thoma. hope you guys enjoy this small one-shot! not spoiler free btw!!

blood drained from your face the moment you realised what thoma had done.

it took several more seconds of staring at the shiny marble by your feet before the reality finally set in. your lips gaped then closed in what seemed to be an attempt at saying something, but the only thing you came out with were shaky breaths and shivers from the mixture of emotion you were feeling. your head started spinning from anger, hurt, and panic as you continued glaring at the small marble that was laid upon you.

you couldn’t understand this. you couldn’t understand why thoma did what he did. your fingers curled into a fist as you held your fuming self from charging at him, not wanting to get into trouble with the pink guard watching your every action. though the sudden waves of emotion nearly drowned you in the heat of the moment, you somehow managed to utter a quiet moan of his name, still in disbelief and denial.

‘‘...why?’’

the golden haired boy merely chuckled. it was like he was unaware of the consequences his actions would bring upon himself. he seemed far too relaxed for someone who would eventually meet his demise in the span of five minutes. but thoma was fully aware of his fate. he knew what he was doing, which was why you were confused at his gesture. his hollow eyes continued to observe your statue-like figure as you let out a distressed sigh at the lack of response from him.

‘‘oops, i lost. too bad...’‘ thoma smiled humorlessly at the game outcome. he wanted to say more, but eventually backtracked, unsure of the reaction he would get from you. but then again, he wasn’t all that surprised when you abruptly grabbed the collar of his bomber jacket before slamming his much taller frame to the wall, eyes puddling with angry tears as you struggled to calm your ragged, uneven breathing-his own calm breathing was a stark contrast to yours. his tired eyes gazed down at your smaller figure, his expression looking unreasonably composed. he had been mentally preparing himself for his planned defeat since the past 30 minutes, after all.

‘‘the fuck are you doing?’‘ you hissed, gripping his collar tighter.

‘‘i lost. you won.’‘

‘‘why would you do this?’‘

‘‘hey, i promised to make you win. remember?’‘ thoma solemnly reminded you of his vow from the past game, which only enraged you further. yes, he was supposed to help you win. but not like this.

‘‘no. take another shot.’‘

‘‘we agreed to go all out in this round. there’s no ‘another shot’.’‘

‘‘for fuck’s sake, just do it.’‘

‘‘damn it, just let me lose in peace, will you?’‘ thoma snickered, hoping to ease the anxiety that ran through both of you.

‘‘DO YOU THINK I’LL BE HAPPY WITH THIS?’‘ 

upon seeing your outburst and violent crying, accompanied with bouts of yelling, it was only then that thoma realised how much toll this game was taking on you. his calm facade momentarily faltered the second he took a better look at your bloodshot eyes, your cheeks dampening as your sight of thoma got blurry from the tear build up.

the boy was silent, only letting out a faint sigh in despair. gulping, he took another glance at your face, briefly noting how delicate you looked crying like this. 

‘’i have nothing.’’

‘‘what?’‘

‘‘when you asked me what i would do with the prize money... i thought hard about it. i found nothing.’‘ he took your silence as a sign to continue.

‘‘you need to reunite with your brother. you have something to fight for. but i don’t. i have nothing to look forward to. my life holds no meaning. the one with a strong reason to get back out there... should be the one that wins.’’ thoma declared with an air of finality. there was no changing his mind from this decision that would ultimately cost him his life. your panicky state from just minutes ago turned numb as you took in his solemn words, though your lips still trembled out of frustration by this turn of events.

strangely, thoma felt comforted when you no longer tried arguing with him. at this point, both of you were just listening to his calm, whispery breath, accompanied by the occasional sniffles from you. thoma gently placed his palms on top of yours, loosening the tight grip you had on his jacket, his thumbs slowly rubbing your skin in reassurance. it was his way of telling you it’s okay, he will be alright, you will be alright.

‘’go win this thing for us, okay? find your brother, and visit disneyland with him... like you’ve always wanted to,’’ thoma added with a hoarse cracked voice and a gloomy smile, tiny droplets of tears brimming at his lower eyelash as he started losing his composure the more time passed.

it wasn’t until the announcement of the game coming to its end that he finally let go of your wrists, as one of the pink guards that stood by started grabbing your arm, leading you away from the game. away from him.

you took heavy steps towards the exit, your movement slow and disoriented while your weary brain was still processing the abruptness of the situation. why must it all come down to this? you were supposed to be teammates. you were supposed to be fighting against other teams, not against each other. it wasn’t supposed to end like this.

‘‘oi, y/n,’‘ thoma called out one last time. this had you stopping in your track, but you didn’t dare to look back at him, knowing that you won’t be able to handle whatever sight you would be facing behind you.

with a shaky voice, thoma forced himself to put on a bright smile as he uttered his last words. 

‘’thank you for playing this game with me.’’

it was silent.

then gunshot ensued.

the immediate announcement of player 240′s elimination following the gunshot was the nail of finality that needed to be punched into you for you to finally be able to continue your walk towards the exit. 

it was thoma’s first and last time saying your name. your name had never sounded better than when it left his lips, but the cheerful boy you befriended two days ago was no more. if only you turned around to face him for the last time, you probably would have been more heartbroken had you realised that thoma died smiling at you. as much as you wanted to forget this particular event, you knew that his mellow voice calling out for you will be etched into your memories eternally.

thank you, thoma.

author’s note it’s freaking 3 am in my place i’m going to sleep now 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[swtki]

Dancing Days - Edward Cullen x Reader Smut

Anonymous said: 19&24 on edward smut? love ur writing!

A/N: Thank you so much :) also I’m so happy everyone is h*rny for Eddy. I decided I want to explore more period times with Edward, changing his persona in a certain decade, but still ultimately being in the same universe as cannon. This will play into the readers character a tad bit.

WARNINGS: 18+ CONTENT, SWEARING, S*X, VAMPIRES, ORAL SEX (MALE RECIEVING), VIRGIN! EDWARD, NON VIRGIN READER, GENDER NEUTURAL READER, MENTIONS OF WAR AND DEATH. 

19: “Fuck me like you want people to know”.

24. “Thing is, I’m a virgin”. 

_______________________________________

I brushed my hair into its usual part, making sure I looked flawless. The year was 1976, I was a senior in Highschool. It was a wonderful time to be a teenager, no longer afraid that my friends would die in Vietnam. Even in my dinky little Washington town, the culture was becoming our own. 

The Led Zeppelin record playing on my record player stopped suddenly, alerting me that I was no longer alone in my room. I turned, my expression soft as I saw my boyfriend, Edward.

“Whats up with you and this album? Everytime I come in, its always House of Th Holy on repeat.” I rolled my eyes, lifted the record in question off of the tray, and put it back snuggly in its case. 

“I can’t help it, Ed. Robert just speaks to me. I’m sure you’re like that with Louis Armstrong.” I waved my hand, walking back to my mirror to finish getting ready. 

“Maybe, but the music you listen to it’s...” Edward paused for a moment, sitting on my bed. “It’s suggestive, Y/N.” I turned to him, my eyebrow raised.

“Suggestive? What’s that supposed to mean?” I placed my hands on my hips, and waited for him to explain.

“Well, for one that one song says ‘Sipping booze’, I quite think that is blatant alcohol reference.” I looked at him, dumbfounded. Then, I started to laugh, and I walked over to him. Instinctually, he pushed his head into my chest, enjoying the comfort it brought him. 

“I love you, but god are we from two different Mars.” He chuckled, sending a rumble through my chest.

At school, I was an average kid. Fair grades, many friends, many ex friends. When Edward was paired up with me in math, I got through his cold, stone skin. At first, he was annoyed when I would fuck off, leaving him to do the work himself. Understandable, and once I realized how rude I was, I stopped. I talked to him, prodded him truthfully. I would ask him once we started dating if he had noticed me previously, because I had never noticed him. 

“Yes, I noticed that you were the only one who didn’t acknowledge me. Ironic I guess.” 

A year into our relationship, I would never let him go unnoticed. We walked the halls, hand in hand. Our outlooks were so different when it came to life. He was modest, I was free spirited. Edward was different from my boyfriends previously, I didn’t want to fuck things up, and I refused to even risk it. 

School went slowly that day, possibly because my head was focused on what I would ask Edward, my boyfriend of one year, about sex. About us and sex. 

I hadn’t told him that I wasn’t a virgin, I was worried he would only want a virgin girl, after all they can never look at you disappointed and say “I’ve had better.” A definite plus. Many a nights I tried to imagine him, moaning completely under my control. I wanted him, but I didn’t know if he wanted me. Surely in 50 years he had found a good fuck. I worried that he would be into someone else, forever tied to a vampiress. 

The end of the school day couldn’t have come sooner, my anxiety rising as I got into Edwards car, starting a long silent car ride. I tried to keep my mind off of it, an attempt to avoid the conversation until we were at my house. I kept my mind busy with the lush scenery outside of the passenger side window. 

“So... I know you want to ask me, and I know the answers to what I would ask you.” He said blatantly, putting the car in park outside my front lawn. 

“I don’t wanna talk out here Ed, lets go inside.” I swung my bag onto my shoulder. Thats the thing with Edward, I never have to say anything, just as long as I think it. 

My house was empty, making it easy for Edward to follow me upstairs to my room. I shut my door behind us, then turned to him. Unsure of what to say, I breathed in deeply.

“How long have you known that I wasn’t...you know?” He smiled, sitting on my plush navy sheets. 

“Y/N, I knew before I met you what I was getting into. Your ex had a lot of thoughts about that one night where you guys-” 

“Oh my god okay ew.” A blush rose upon my face, and I saw Edward laugh as he watched my body fill with embarassment. “Well why didn’t you say something?” I asked.

“I figured if it needed to be brought up, it would be. You and I aren’t exactly a physical couple so I didn’t worry too much.” I walked over to my bed, taking a seat next to him.

“I see...I mean it wouldn’t be a big deal for me so if you want to...” I bit my lip at him, his gaze turned to the other direction.

“Thing is, I’m a virgin.” My expression went from a seductive look, to a puzzled one. I wondered if I had heard him correctly. “I’m old school, Y/N. It wasn’t like how it is now when I was human. People didn’t just have sex in highschool, unless they were married because the man was off to war. So, it hasn’t been on the menu for me. You’re the first girl I’ve dated in fifty years, you know. And no, there was no vampiress or anything.” I smiled.

“Well, I don’t wanna scare you or push it or anything. It’s just you know-” 

“You want to touch me, to be touched by me.” his eyes trailed back to mine, looking deep into my soul.

“Yes, I want you, Edward.” I pressed my lips to his, pulling away jut as it got intense. I could feel his disappointment. “I want to...but I can’t let you down. Tomorrow night. I’ll call you and we can talk about everything we want out of it, I’ll give you a fucking fairytale, my love” I chuckled.

I called him that night as I had said I would. We talked about my first time, and everything I liked, followed by what he had seen on video, what he wanted to try, and his fears.

“I don’t want to kill you, darling.” He said.

“Then don’t. I won’t let you.” He laughed at me, enjoying my lack of seriousness.

The next night rolled along with a quick pace. I looked at the clock and saw that it was time for me to start getting ready. 

I made myself look simple, a small bit of makeup and hair product, but otherwise just a tank top and jeans. Sometimes, dating an old fashioned guy was a pain in the ass. Always complaining about suggestive behavior. But other times, my shoulders counted as being half nude.

“You look stunning, as per usual.” Edward said, stepping into my room. He was tense and barely moved. “I don’t know what to do..what usually happens with it if I’m not the one doing everything.”

If he had any blood flow, he would have been blushing right about then.

“We don’t have to do anything you know. We can just lay down and watch a movie if you want to, I just want to make you happy, Edward.” I walked over to him and put a strand of his messy auburn hair behind his ear. Without hesitation, he pressed his forehead to mine.

“I want to, thats the part that’s been eating me away ever since I met you. I want to make you feel good, I just don’t know if I’ll lose it and-“ I cut him off with a kiss.

“Even if you break my pelvis into pieces, I’ll still be happy. I’m always happy when I’m with you.” we both smiled, and suddenly the thick tension that once filled the room vanished. “I’ll take care of you tonight, just as long as you’re doing it for you. I just need to know you’re doing this for you, and you need to be sure you wont roll over afterwards and hate me.” I said, my hand clasped in his marble one.

“I want you, Y/N. I have no doubts that I’ll want you afterwards, too.”

I pushed his head down, level to my own. Our kiss was deep, filled with a years worth of hunger. My hands tugged on his hair, making him whimper. Suddenly, I felt my feet lift off the ground as Edward carried me to my bed. With a soft thump, the plush sheets surrounded my body. It was a contrast of warmth on my back, and Edwards cool body on my top.

His hands were balled into fists, clutching my duvet as if his life depended on it. I pulled away, panting for air.

“Sorry, I forget you need air.” He smirked. I rolled my eyes in response.

“Well, its a shame you don’t. Because I intend on taking your breath away.” we both made small laughs at my remark.

“What now?” He looked at me for guidance.

“Get on your back.” I said.

We switched positions, he was now on the bottom. My legs straddled his torso, I sight he visably enjoyed. I slithered my hands up to his head, cupping his face as I kissed him again. My left hand left its post, reaching down to the buttons on his shirt.

I paused, looking up at him once I got to the last button.

“Does it...work like normal or...” He threw his head back and laughed.

“It doesn’t have spikes, I can assure you its just like a humans. But Emmet did tell me to pull out so...I’m kind of worried about the implications of that but-“ I leaned down to shut him up with a kiss.

His hands were still at his side, resting on the bed. I picked up his wrists, and placed them on the side of my thighs. He squeezed them lightly.

My hands roamed over his bare chest, cool to the touch. I lached my lips onto his neck, causing his back to arch below me. I could feel his excitement beneath me, it gave me a big self esteem boost. His hand reached along my waist, tugging at my shirt. His eyes lit up at the sight of my bare chest. He reached for me but I pulled away to slide down onto my knees.

He looked confused, like I had left him high and dry.

“Sit on the edge.” I said softly, my knees burning slightly due to the rough carpet underneath them.

He rid himself of the unbottoned shirt, slidding over to me once finished. My hands slowly stroked his thighs, he was desperate for some type of touch.

I smiled, tugging on his belt until it came undone. He stayed silent, looking at me like I was the only thing in the world. I unbottoned the trousers, tugging on them. He kicked them off and was left in his breifs.

“Is it okay if I..” I looked up at him and he nodded frantically. I palmed him over his underwear, feeling how hard he had gotten from kissing. My fingers latched onto the waist band, pulling them down to reveal a pale yet pink cock. It wasn’t too big, but deffinitley satisfactory. I ran my finger over the tip, earning a small groan from the vampire. My eyes trailed up to him, so I could see him when I took him in my mouth.

He let out a breathy moan, eyes focused on my mouth. His lips were parted ever so slightly. I bobbed my head, and grotesquely sexual sounds arose from my throat. I felt Edward move a strant of hair out of my face, he looked at me like I was a god.

“Fuck..Y/N if you keep doing that there wont be anything for you, dear” He said in a breathy moan. I pulled back, my mouth feeling sore and tired. “Do you still want to?” He asked, grasping his hands on my waist.

“Yes, I fucking need you.” I threw off my jeans, I would worry about finding them later, I needed him. He layed back down, propping his head up on my pillows. Our lips collided in another kiss as I leveled myself with him.

“Are you sure?” I ask him, stroking his hard member.

“I’m sure.” He pecked my lips again as I got ontop of his lean figure. I spat in my hand, lubing up my needy hole.

“How do you want me to do this? I mean like slow? What do-“ He said with genuine worry.

“Fuck me like you want people to know” I whispered, “ Fuck me like you want the entire neighborhood to know that I’m yours and yours only.”

“I can make that happen, love.” He flipped me over, now being back to where we first started. He lined up his cock with my hole, running it around the tight area. I put my fingers in his hair, making a slight tug as he pushed into my body.

Pleasure filled my body as he filled me up, his cock stretched my insides in the right ways. Without pausing, he started to push his hips into mine, making sure not to hurt me.

He reached down to suck on my neck, adding to the pornagraphic moans in the room. My hands travled to his back, scratching my nails down the cold stone like skin. His moans echoed in my ear.

“Y/N, I can’t be on top I’m going to crush you” I laughed at him, tapping his side so he fell onto the bed. I swung my legs over him, sitting on his perfect cock.

“Perfect, fucking amazing.” He said as I steady myself onto him. His face was in a euphoric expression, the most relaxed I had ever seen him.

I began to rock my hips, sliding him in and out of me. His hands grabbed onto my hips, guiding me. Everything was a euphoric experience. My gut filled with that wonderful sensation.

“Edward I’m gonna cum, oh my god” I moaned out, picking up my pace.

Suddenly, the world went still. My eyes went black and I saw stars as my orgasm washed over me. My moans echoed in the room as my body twitched. A few thrusts up into my body and Edward pulled out of me, rubbing his cum out onto his hand.

I layed there panting while he sped to the bathroom, and came back with a clean cloth, wiping down my body. He put the cloth down, pulling up his underwear and handing me mine. I slipped the fabric on, slipping under the covers.

“Get in here, I wanna kiss you”

He laughed, obeying and slipping beside me. Our lips reunited in a soft clash.

“I love you so much, dear.”

[murasakispace]

Adam/Shindo Ainosuke X Male Reader

Author's note : Adam needs a bit of love, don't you think? A little love that doesn't imply to hurt Tadashi. It doesn't prevent that it is certainly crap. English is not my main language and it must be awful.

Warnings : NSFW, spanking, degradation and all the BDSM pack.

You were a newcomer, a rookie here. In S. You had the time to watch the local legends fall from their safe sky on the large screens. The most incredible was the race against Langa. Well... You were still wondering if his name was really Langa. Maybe you misunderstood, hidden in your shadows. First Joe, then Cherry and finally Adam. You had to admit their style was eclectic. Even them had to learn again. They were believing themselves as gods because they were the founders of a clandestin course. It made you shrug a little while you were observing them.

People were people. Here, in S, freedom was at its most powerful. A place were no one could say, order to someone something he doesn't want to do. Everything was ruled by skateboard and the people's talent. You were quite happy of that. Because of an accident years ago in mountains with your motorbike while you were heading to the summit so as to practice snowboard. You had the ambition to reach the Winter Olympic Games in half-pipe. You fell from a cliff and you miraculously landed meters below with broken ribs instead of your backbone.

During years you suffered and your dream of medals in the Olympic Games was gone, vanished into the air. Your well-known recklessness almost hurried you in your grave. In the hospital, you spent the last three years to reeducate with an omnipresent pain in your back, anger against the people who had forgotten you when you would have given them your soul if they asked for it an ended alone. You nearly lost your mind when you woke up from coma and nothing appeared in front of you. You weren't able to see anymore. Time went by and you found yourself offered the chance to remedy to your blindness. But it doomed you to wear particular sunglasses every day of your life. A little cost considering what you've been through.

You suffered. You were still aching but less than these last month. Moreover you felt better each day passing. Only eternal scars remain. And to be here in S got you like you were free as much as before your accident. And you would thank Adam for this. Yet, you meant nothing, watching the same scenes which were playing in front of your eyes.

You were sitting on your motorbike far behind the last people composing the crowds ahead of you. Actually, the last time you came at S was when Adam had been defeated. Since then, you weren't coming as often as you should now. Everything was more peaceful and Adam abandoned this bad habit to smash people in the face with his own skateboard. Of course, the blue-haired show-off would never stop to make his little shows and big entrances. You don't think that one day his "hey bitches and bros and non-binary hoes" would leave your mind so easily.

Yet, even if you admired Adam as an remarkable skater, you wouldn't prevent yourself to hate him for everything he was aside all of it. He was "in love" as he told to anyone who would like to hear it with his partners of race. It was nothing like love. You didn't know how you manage to not go through the crowds to slap him right in the face. He didn't understand. He wouldn't anyway. Love is sweet, a fluttering sentiment which set upside-down your guts and your soul. It wasn't how you remembered this wonderful thing.

Anyways, Adam had been defeated by a rookie that you had the power to crush on a snowboard. Even if he was talented, had he the talent of someone able to go in the Olympic Games? You didn't think so. You had yourself a modified board. And right now before the attended race between two opponents, you were as if you were playing on the half-pipe near the start of the race.

You were jumping even higher than this little rookie and executing figures in air that were turning sick some of the people gathered in your audience. You were hearing the slight gasps of awe coming from several girls watching them. Even Langa applaused you in the distance with an annoying smile. That little group comprehending Shadow, Reki, Langa, Miya and the others was sincerely uselessly noisy. Though, they were sometimes giving you back a smile you had long forgotten it was existing. But you didn't care anymore. You were busy with your "switched back flip with nose grab" and to make people applause even louder around you.

They were kind and cute because even if the trick wasn't so hard, doing it on a skateboard was something else. And it earned you the nickname of Eagle in S. You were impressive to say the least and people were clearly stunned. What you didn't expect was to attract the boss' attention here. Adam. Actually, his little grieves left you as if you were like marble.

Not only was he sticking to you but he also was quite insisting in his behavior. You didn't like him at all. It may have been the second or the third night that you came on the half-pipe of S. No one challenged you that time. You just shrugged your shoulders and were going on the way to leave this place. The pressure, the people gathered here, the races and the clear lack of delicacy from them made you get away from here. A sort of repulsion ordered you to go away. A skatepark would be big enough to allow you to do the same show for any passerby. After all what was the point of tiring yourself by skating if no one could applause for your demonstration of pure talent. And today, several nights after Adam's defeat, you were leaving S for good this time. It has no point for you to stay.

Yet, Adam didn't want the same. He was observing you before Langa. So he caught you up while lights were dancing around him.

"Mmh... What a wonderful little bird I see here. Don't be scared my dove, I'm not going to bite you." Adam said both loudly and sensually, thus it made crowds look in the same moment towards you.

A heavy silence has just fallen onto the crowds. You have heard the wheels of Adam's skateboard behind you. And he came, leaving his hand on your hips, getting you closer and closer to him. You could feel his hands roaming and doing delicate circles on the fabric of your clothes. Such an intimate action while you could almost feel his head rest on your shoulder. He made a little comment about your scent. Does this man have really no shame ?

"Aren't you tired of your own bullshit, Adam? Losing once wasn't enough to bring humility in you?" you snapped back while the man gazed at you.

"Never, my sweet, stubborn little dove" Ainosuke whispered in your ear while his hands were circling around your waists.

His sweet, gentle, poisonous tone was near to give you shivers. You weren't able to discern within yourself if it was a sort of trespassing desire that was boiling in you or a fire of rage and the deep will to smash him with your skateboard. Probably both. Let's agree on the fact that this man was a living invitation to luxury and rough love. You were just a little smaller than him but strong enough to make him comply and kneel in front of you like a slut. You clicked your tongue and forcefully escaped from Adam's treacherous embrace.

"Alright Eagle. I challenge you into a beef" Adam called behind you.

"Carry on" You answered back while the crowds become immediately silent were watching you with great interest.

"A race. You and me. Right now. The loser become the slave of his opponent." Adam added with his usual disturbing smile.

For one of the first times since you were coming in S, it was one of your first beefs. Moreover, with the boss of all that mess. And finally, it involved something hidden behind all of this display. And you liked it. Why not enjoying fully the race and the aftermath. You used the back extremity of your skateboard you hit Adam in the belly and making him move backwards. You were almost ecstatic. You walked calmly until the start line, put lightly your skateboard on the ground and set your foot on the deck while you were waiting for Adam to come. Obviously, he made his way towards you.

"Mmh... I'll enjoy to turn you upside down after this race" Adam sensually whispered.

"Your self-confidence will kill you one day, filthy man" you replied with a dry tone.

"Let's say that now that I've lost my Eve, the only person in S having my attention is you my little dove. Be ready, I'm not going to be easy on you"

These last sentences would the death of you. His magma-like voice was burning your insides. How can someone warm you up so efficiently? That was a mystery. But you liked it. Adam was well-known to be kinky. You hated a little yourself at that time. You were falling for an insane guy who is now targeting you. Obviously, it was not in a romantic way. Yet, Adam remained a reachable fanstasm. And you were apparently one of his. The green fire came rapidly, thus the start of the race.

Adam became fastly the first. You forgot about everything and just tried to have fun. You were skating as if your board was a part of yourself, dodging rocks and Adam's attack. You knew very well that he didn't change that much after his first defeat here. He even did his little thing of holding you close to him with the sort of horns on his skateboard.

" I love the movement of your hips, so agile, so smooth, I can't prevent myself to wonder what it will feel like to love you fully until you will ache for attention under my touch. You are a snowboarder too, right?" Adam asked more or less.

"You could say that. But I'm not like that kid. I prefer half-pipes. Besides, you have really no shame, haven't you? Anyways, goodbye."

You increased your speed and left Adam behind. You were jumping the cliffs where the turns formed the shape of a snake with the lights in the night. While you were flying, you were shining with more and more complicated figures and graceful landings, making you significantly ahead of the blue-haired holy creature named Adam. He managed very quickly to catch you up. A little smile was playing on your lips. That was funny to see him a little bit in difficulty.

You were provoking him. That was unbelievable and remarkably bold of you to do so. You annoying smile was allowing to build desire and longing in Adam's heart. He was the king and yet, a little dove was playing with him shamelessly. Adam was so mesmerized by your own race that he barely realized he was in the factory. The screams of the people gathered in there dragged him from his thoughts. He saw you fly until the finish line and cross it. You win against him. A huge silent welcomed him.

"One of the first things you have not to lose when you run is your own concentration. I don't know what happened to you but it doesn't prevent that you weren't really skating. So for the beef, I cancel the slave thing." You declared when Adam went towards you.

You turned your back to him and headed to your motorbike followed by the blue-haired man. You didn't want to stay any longer. Adam's footsteps were soft behind yours.

"How can you cancel the slave thing, as you called it?" Adam demanded.

Seeing that he didn't have any answer, Adam reached you to catch your shoulder and make you turn to look at him.

"Because I'm the winner" you responded with a threatening tone.

"So having me doesn't interest you?" Adam questioned with a spark of deception.

"I didn't say that" you replied with a playful half-smile crossing your lips.

You were surrounded by darkness and no one cared anymore about you. For the people, you were remedying with your little issues about the beef. Nothing very interesting for them. Your hand climbed Adam's tensed thigh before going backwards to his ass and caressing it shamelessly. You heard the man getting a heavier breath and mumbling sinner sentences in your ear. You didn't even move when he came closer to enjoy the caress.

"Adam... You are such a slut... Look at you, you sound like a virgin discovering sex" You told with an incredible amount of heat on your voice.

You left your fingers coming down on his half-hard dick and rub it lightly. Just enough to give shivers to the man.

"Horny, aren't we?" you carried on while Adam was melting under your touch.

It was only simple caresses yet the man in front of you was letting himself go as if you were escaping and he won't have anymore opportunities to have you so close.

"More" demanded Adam while he has finally what he wanted so hard.

But you stopped here, creating frustration in the man.

"There's a love hotel down Crazy Rock. Come with your Grim Reaper costume." You requested with an overbearing tone.

Adam ordered to Tadashi who wasn't present in S that night to bring him to this place and the black clothes he was wearing against Langa. Once arrived in the building, he headed towards the receptionist who led him until the room. The space was dark and very classical for a love hotel but it was enough to arouse Adam. He felt as if your hands were still on him while he was changing his red costume. The memory of your hands trailing down his back to reach his ass and caressing it shamelessly was still unbelievably strong in his mind. Then he felt the touch join his cock, gently but still enough to make surrender to your touch. He desired you so much right now. Once he wore his Grim Reaper clothes, he laid down the mattress. He let himself go to the warmth he was feeling. He already wanted you so hard. He thought he was still dreaming when he felt the sudden touch of your hand on his neck.

"Ready to cum due to a shameless imagination. What a dirty little pet we have here. Were you planning to touch while you would wait for me? " You whispered in Adam's ear, getting him to have goosebumps.

Your fingers went down along his spine then reached the start of his ass. You were riding him from behind, each of your legs apart Ainosuke's body. You spanked his cheeks violently when you see you wouldn't get your answer, making the man moaning of both pain and pleasure.

"Use your tongue. You still have one, right?" you picked up after this unwanted silence.

"Yes" mumbled the submitted man.

"Louder. I don't hear you."you commanded.

"Yes"

He was speaking at the volume you wanted to listen. Loudly but not enough to disturb people out there.

"Better" you acknowledged with a neutral tone.

You got away from the position you have over Ainosuke. You were looking for the bad you brought with you. In the corner of your eye, you remarked the presence of a mirror. It could be useful but not now. You were secretly impatient to play with the king of S. You glanced at him and couldn't prevent a half-smile on your face. His hips were slightly higher than what would be normal. The blue-haired man was aching for your touch. Unhappily, it seemed sometimes you weren't as mean as some of masters with their human pet when it comes to tough, rough and painful but delicious sex. Well... It didn't matter actually. Your beautiful puppy lying on the mattress would love it anyway. You sincerely enjoyed the fact that this natural dominant male was completely under your control.

"Get up and kneel. Be rid of your clothes and keep your eyes on the wall. If you look at me I leave you here, tied and with a toy in your ass until you faint. Is that clear?" You ordered with a severe voice.

You didn't get any answer immediately.

"Yes". You heard behind you.

"Yes who?" You added.

"Yes Master" Adam ended while he just worked to be in his knees over the blankets.

The man got rid of his suit not so quickly. The fabric was comfortable and smooth, suiting perfectly his body. The memory of your touch was almost disappearing with him leaving aside all the clothes. He ended naked on the bed, his pale skin revealed to the air. He kept his eyes locked on the wall and he didn't have any access to the mirror to watch what you were doing. He only heard some noises somewhere behind him. Adam was shivering litghtly because of anticipation. He didn't want you to be kind with him. The rougher the better. Anyways, love and pain were both the faces of a coin, right? He submits but you serve.

Ainosuke felt your hand climbing along his leg and rest a few seconds on his thigh. You slided a lubed toy in his hole. You went as deeply as you could without bruising you pet and without leaving without any sensations. His insides were slightly stretched enough to emphasize the rubbing which you started from a few feets away.

You had the time to change in a black leathery pants and high boots, all black, with an open shirt lazily flying along your sides. After that, you were just watching Ainosuke's nakedness from behind. He was well-shaped. You couldn't say more. And this beautiful insane man was craving for your attention. You knew the effect the toy had. The more Adam was holding back his moan, the more the toy is going to make him lose his mind. You knew very well that the man had a certain endurance. Yet, it had no effect when the right points within his body were touched and loved.

You were still gentle. You could be more cruel and less careful about your little pet. Adam knew it very well. He was sure he looked like a little virgin taking pleasure for the first time but the thing inside of him suppressed all of his strength. He was grunting and moaning like a whore and he loved it. But it wasn't enough. It wasn't you.

"More..." Breathed the man while his whole body was totally shaking.

"More? Really?" you asked while you were enjoying the frustration on Adam's face and the red hue on his cheeks.

"Inside me... Touch me..."you went to caress Ainosuke's naked ass before spanking it another time.

"You have no permission to cum, dirty pet. I'll punish you otherwise."you warned with a threatening tone in your voice.

The heat was slightly consuming the blue-haired man and pleasure was way too heavy for him, almost choking sometimes. You would be the death of him if it carried on.

"Please..."Adam silently begged while you were heading to an armchair not far away from the display in front of you.

Were you sadistic? Probably. You had one of your legs hanging on the side of your seat and watching Ainosuke fighting the destroying pleasure inside of him. You were so desirable. No one would ever say the contrary. It was only the start for your adorable pet. But it wasn't enough for you.

"Come here." You commanded with a monotonous but commanding tone in your voice.

You saw Adam moving to reach you. He stumbled on the few meters he had to make to come at you. He knelt in front of you but it sounded more like he wasn't able to carry his own weigh. He was looking up at you with eyes tainted of pleasure. He caressed your legs as any good cat would do to please his master and get some food or any touch. Your hand reached his chin and you lift it without any delicacy. A few more and Adam was going to surrender and leaving himself being overwhelmed by pleasure. His red eyes were blurry and full of lust and you locked yours on his. Your hand went in his hair and you brought him closer to you.

"Take it. And do it well, slut" you requested with an overbearing tone.

You felt shaking hands roaming over your leather pants and undo the belts resting on your hips. His fingers freed your half-hard dick but he was too slow.

"Faster" you ordered.

Adam put his finger on the skin of your shaft, then his lips. You hardly held back a grunt of pleasure while you were feeling his hot mouth around your cock. That was divine but not enough. You settled your fingers in Ainosuke's hair and pulled it closer.

"Come on, slut"

The blue-haired man wasn't slow but it wasn't fast enough and it frustrated you. You ordered him for more speed and he did it. Adam was all focus on your pleasure, worshipping you with his tongue and his lips. It was warm inside his mouth. You wanted to dirty your sub with your seeds and make him feel like a doll in your hands. Besides, you increased the speed of the toy inside Adam's ass. He was fighting tou bring you pleasure and not to cum. His whole body must ache but you didn't really care. You wanted more. You helped a little Ainosuke with his movements. His tongue was caressing you shamelessly, and he was all focused on you. You were almost fucking his throat.

"You are really a whore my pet. Worse than a dog in heat. Loot at you"

You led his eyes to the mirror not far from you. Adam moaned when he saw the image of himself. The red hue on his cheeks while he was taking your cock into his mouth. The sight was mesmerizing. Then, lower, the pre-sperm was dripping from his own sex. Adam wasn't able to suffer it anymore and the last image had been the death of his limits and he cummed lankily on the ground. His muscles all tensed relaxed in a few seconds. He spilled his white liquid everywhere at the bottom of the armchair while he was moaning with your shaft still in his throat.

You raised your hand and gave him an echoing slap which made the blue-haired man fall on his back, covered of his dirty sperm. You perceived Adam hard cock raising between his legs.

"Kinky whore. You are not even able to handle it, right? Such a disobedient little puppy. You'll be punished, you know that, aren't you?" you threatened with a sweet voice, penetrating under Ainosuke's flesh.

You were watching your pet getting up from his position on the ground.

"Be happy that I'm not going to order you to lick it, silly kitten. On the bed, now. Twenty whiplash, and if you are not obedient, I'll double that number. Understood?"

"Please Master, no!" Adam surprisingly begged with and hoarse voice to you.

"This is the cost for your insolence and disobedience. It could be a hundred so take what I allow you" You replied without any softness.

You gave the order to your dog to be astride on the bed, on all four. Adam settled over the blankets and stayed still. The man heard you get the tool in your hand. And without telling him, he felt a painful burn on his ass, followed by your hand which rubbed it. Ainosuke heard himself grunt to the sudden soothing caress.

"It was the first. I won't be that kind after. Count them. At any mistake, It'll be thirty"

You blowed him again and your sub was counting but it was painful and red traces were appearing on his skin. You weren't soft with him and appreciated his delicious reactions of suffering and adoration. The toy was still in his ass, driving him crazy from both inside and outside. Adam wasn't able to keep up anymore and at the end on the punishment, he fell over the blankets, naked, full of shame, pleasure and love. He was crying due to the overwhelming amount of feelings. His shaft was so hard that it was painful and he wanted freedom from you. His pants were perceptible in the silence of the room. The blue-haired man felt your hand on his ribcage and forcefully turn him on his back.

He saw climb over the mattress and settle near him. Your finger roamed over your pet's belly and touch his nipples, making him shiver and grunt. Your softness was welcome for Adam. His body was aching due to tension and slaps but pleasure was still present in his blood and adrenaline was keeping him conscious. Suddenly, the toy Ainosuke had in his ass had a different movement, more intense, more rubbing and making him moan loudly.

"Did you seriously think it was ended?" you questioned with a playful tone. "No. Of course not".

You got up and put yourself in a riding way. You pushed your shaft inside Adam's mouth and start to fuck his throat again. Fingers curling down the sheets and becoming white. Your sub was testifying of this pleasure. And you were too. Your hips were getting faster and faster and Adam's eyes were rolling backwards while pleasure was burning him. You were silently moaning and keeping your features still but it was hard when your little pet's tongue was that agile and smart to find the areas able to make you shudder. It felt like eternity till you finally cummed inside of Ainosuke's mouth. Your sub swallowed everything and as a reward you ordered him to change of position and to rest on his belly. You removed the toy from his ass and caressed it softly.

"Master..." called quietly Adam.

"Mmh?" you responded with distance in your behavior towards him.

"Please. Fuck me." begged silently the man.

Where was Adam, the king of S, almost undefeated? Where was the show-off, the insane guy? You knew very well where he was. He was subdued to every of your desire now, drunken by pain and pleasure, knocked by envy. He wanted you in the simplest way. The incubus became the innocent virgin and you were his master. Nothing was left from the skater man that you met at the nightfall. He was just a body aching for softness after a hardship, pleading for quietness now. And more sincere than he never had been until tonight. He needed you.

"Please Master..." whispered again Adam.

But his begging stopped when Adam felt your dick against his hole. A slight moan escaped from him and you started to bury yourself in him. His insides were warm and comfortable but so tight. The rubbing was divine and you could help yourself but start to fuck his ass very slowly to push him to worship you. Adam had his hips hanging a little in air as you were thrusting to give you both an amazing amount of pleasure.

"P-Please Master... More..." moaned Adam while you were almost hitting his ass.

It was so nice to see the man so submitted to his needs coming from you. You couldn't help yourself but started to thrust more and more quickly and fastly. The sound of your flesh against each other was echoing in the room and you liked it. You got rougher and rougher but it was still nice and finally, you let yourself be. You felt Adam's hole tightening around your shaft for the second time. Your hands slide down his hips to find his own sex so as to apply languid caresses. It was too much for him and his muscled yet thin body sank on the bed and you followed him in his climax not long after him.

You were panting heavily and your pet was actually nearly fainting. You took him into a warm embrace and rubbed his skin to soothe him. You didn't have the time for a real aftercare because he fell asleep immediately. You would wait him to take a needed shower. For the time that you had, you left him be.

Adam had been a wonderful sub. You were happy. But you didn't have the intention to stay with him. If he wanted you, then maybe you should have a more serious and deeper conversation. But now, it wasn't what you wanted.

[hollowhornets]

oops

at about 1 in the morning last night i decided it was a good idea to write out tims feelings after the events of marble hornets in painful detail,so i did that..and god damn did i hurt my own feelings...

obvious spoilers for marble hornets if you care about that sort of thing (also hugeee thanks to my friend for beta reading this and editing shit for me,i am very thankful cause i am far too stupid to do that myself)

_____________________________________________________________

Jay and Tim had always agreed to stay together once they both realized they weren't safe. but of course, things happen, things go wrong. the seemingly broken trust and "help" that neither of them knew, was what caused Jay's death.

Tim would never forget the bloody handprint on concrete ground, the last sign of life he would ever see from Jay again. everything after was a blur, running after a man in a yellow hoodie, the thud as said man's body fell to the ground, the running afterwards. everything was a broken tape, constants of missing parts and flashes of emotion.

even after all of the events he would never forgive himself for anything. he watched all of his friends die, everyone that knew anything about this was gone and no one would ever believe him. he is alone with his thoughts, the guilt, the pain, the anger… everything. now he just sits in his apartment, left begging whatever god that's listening to at least give him Jay back.

he kept a box of what was left of Jay's things. shirts, his laptop, his half broken hand camera, his hat, whatever tim could grab from him and jays shared hotel was in that box. the sadness never got better every time he pulled it out of his closet to go through it, looking at all of his old things, imagining him in front of him, alive. every item he looked at made the guilt hit him like a freight train, leaving him sprawled on the tracks.

tim knew he would never get jay back—of course he did—but that didn't make it any easier to move on, it didn't make it any better. he'd still sit in his small apartment, drowning in his own thoughts, imagining that jay was out there and was going to walk through his door at any moment. show up and hold him gently, sitting on the cluttered apartment floor. holding him there for as long as he needed, maybe even forever.

he would never forgive himself for leaving jay at his house, stupidly thinking he would be safe there. he wishes he could go back and tell his past self not to, to tell him that it wasn't a good idea, that it would only end in another loss of someone he loved dearly. he can't. of course he can't. he knows that. he knows that.

he's tired, so tired, from everything. he wished none of this ever happened. he wished he could have just lived with jay in peace, but, then again, he wishes he never met any of them. he wishes they didn't have to deal with this, it's his fault they're gone.

he thinks about how it was before any of this, before the tapes, before the youtube channel, the fucking youtube channel. he wants to go back ,he wants to innocently be friends with them again. without the operator, without the nagging fear, without the pain, without the distrust. he just wants to go back.

he should have taken the bullet. not jay. jay didn't deserve it, he didn't deserve any of it. Tim wishes so much that he could apologize, not that it would do much, but it's better than the thought that Jay died thinking that Tim didn't care. that he didn't go back for Jay, only to be met with bloodstains and the lack of the only person that he trusted. the only person he wanted to stay alive. needed to stay alive.

Tim will never get over it, he'll never get over Jay, he'll never get over himself, he'll continue to lose sleep over his thoughts for as long as his body will let him. the image of the bloody handprint running through his head so much that he can't think of anything else at times.

he wonders about what jay thought about in his last moments, was it him? was it the operator? was it Alex? he'll never know of course. of course he won't. he wishes he could've seen into the future back then, maybe knowing this would happen before it did would have made it easier to accept. though that wouldn't stop him from trying to prevent it. he can't help but think, it should have been him.

it should have been him.

[bigspoonstyles]

lesson learned

pairing: Harry x OC (unnamed)  challenge: @meetmeinfleetwood‘s to lovers fic challenge -> exes to lovers

warnings: the beginnings of maybe smut? 

In his near thirty years of life, Harry has admittedly fallen victim to many a fleeting lifestyle phase, and he’s decided the club scene is one he’s tired of. The music is loud, the drinks are weak, and even for a post pandemic world there are far too many people for his liking.

He’s sitting in what once was his usual booth in the corner of The Nice Guy and the ice in his tequila is melting quickly, the crystal tumbler too warm in his hands. Harry’s eyes fall to the far side of the makeshift dance floor once again and he willingly accepts that he could never tire of her.

He’s caught her eye only once but is more than happy to just watch, their last run-in awkward and stale and over a year ago. She’s been quiet the past year, having gone off the grid for most of quarantine citing in one of the few interviews she’d given, her choice to ‘live in the moment’.

And god, he’s missed her.

She, like Harry, would prefer to live without constant public scrutiny, but while they’ve both gone through great lengths to protect their privacy and relationships, he knows being sequestered has been hard on her. He recalls the last time she’d locked away with Harry in his LA home, accessible to only each other and the select few who were allowed through their phones’ Do Not Disturb feature, and his lips tip into a small smile. Their dishes littered his sink for days, her toothbrush leaned against his on his bathroom counter. There was a wet spot that adorned his right shoulder nearly every night after she’d fallen asleep mid-movie, freshly showered. But he knows the sore difference between waking up each morning wrapped around her with his face buried in her hair, and a yearlong forced isolation, very much alone.

He watches as she closes her eyes, arms above her head and face to the ceiling, laughing, dancing around the elite group with which she’d arrived. Judging by the way she moves carelessly through the crowds of people, he knows she’s feeling confident. She feels beautiful. She’s not worried that she’s laughing too loudly or taking up too much space, and he suddenly finds himself grateful for the few people who’ve kept her trust and privacy despite her climb to fame; even if they were the same friends he found quite insufferable to be around.

He downs the last of his drink before Jeff joins the table, phone in hand, answering his final email of the evening. “Ready to head out, man?” he calls out over the music. “Glenne’s home and I’m not inclined to keep her waiting too long.”

Harry grins knowing if he were in Jeff’s shoes, new bride waiting up into the early morning hours, he’d have already called the evening. But there’s no one waiting. So he shakes his head no and returns his gaze to the center floor; to his dismay, she’s gone.

Jeff follows his eye line and hides a smile. “She’s by the bar,” he points to the L shaped marbled counter top to their left.

Harry spots her right away, back to him, pulling her wavy locks into a mock ponytail and away from the back of her neck. Her friends lean in for hugs goodbye and she’s left alone waiting for the bartender to return with a drink – a fruit infused vodka soda no doubt. “I think I’m saying fo’ a bit,” he answers without breaking gaze. “Can call a car.”

Jeff returns attention to his phone, forwarding Harry the number of a newly contracted car service. “Ted’s on call tonight. Just call when you’re ready. They’re all vetted and they’ve signed the privacy agreements.”

Harry throws a quick final glance to the table and booth and makes his way to the bar with his empty glass.

He arrives just as the bartender slides her drink across the counter, adorned with a skewer of colorful fruit and a fuchsia blossom garnish. She accepts with a smile and her eyes close in appreciation as she sips from the side of the glass. Harry bites the inside of his cheek to stop from remarking when the bartender lingers longer than he deems acceptable. With a palm to the warm, exposed skin of her lower back, he gets his point across and the man disappears to the back with an armful of nearly empty liquor bottles.

She turns slowly and tilts her head as she faces him, clearly unsurprised by the hand lingering at her side or the man attached to it. “Hey,” she offers quietly with a half-smile. “Wondered how long it’d take you.”

Her cheeks are tinged pink and expression glassy, and he pulls out a chair gesturing for her to sit. She has rarely over-indulged in alcohol publicly for obvious reasons, but he’s always found it endearing when she’s had just one too many. He liked her happy and carefree. And honest.

“Left alone, eh?” his head bobs toward the front entrance.

“Yeah,” she sighs, sagging slightly into the seat. “They’re headed downtown,” her thumb juts toward the Fairfax District, “and I’m staying down by the Marina.” She pulls the dark petals from her garnish distractedly. “Headed back to New York tomorrow. It’s just easier.”

“’t’s a good half hour ride,” Harry glances at his watch. “Leaving soon? Someone comin’ for yeh?”  

She smiles into her drink at his concern. He’s genuine, and she gazes up fondly, finding his brows knit together awaiting an answer. “I’ll call a car in a few. Don’t worry about me, H.” She straightens and smooths out the creases in her cotton dress. “I’m sure I can get myself back to the apartment just fine.”

“But can you get up the stairs?” he asks, only half-jokingly. His arms reach easily out to steady her as she loses footing, his left hand returning to the small of her back, his right gently cupped under her elbow. He clears his throat to conceal his smile when she gazes up at him sheepishly. “What time is your flight?”

“Two, I think.” Her answer lacks conviction, eyes narrow in concentration. “Either two or two-thirty.”

“Could come home with me,” he shrugs. “Only a few minutes from here, ‘nd could get yeh back with plenty of time to catch your flight.” He ushers her closer as patrons abandon their stools and head for the exit. When he gazes down at her, she’s worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “Come on,” he urges, hands coming up quickly to her eye level, fingers outstretched to show a hands-off approach. “Can take the couch if you want.”

She laughs airily, smacking his chest with the back of her hand. “An empty offer from a man with two guest suites.” She finds it harder to keep balance in her heeled shoes and uses Harry’s left arm to steady herself. “If you could just get me into a car, I’ll be ok.”

Harry’s lips turn into a thin line, and he shakes his head in refusal. “Not shovin’ yeh in a car alone. ‘t’s up to you – my place or yours?”

She looks up at him through heavy lids and a slightly fuzzier mind than when she had embarked on this conversation. A part of her is instantly relieved by his straightened back and hardened features. He’s always been on the right side of overprotective and she knows she’s nothing but safe with him.

But there’s an innate fear that causes her chest to tighten and her eyes dart towards the door. “They can’t see, H,” she whispers, unease seeping through her tone.

He knows that the idea of walking with him through the throng of paparazzi just outside the entrance is enough to cause a breakdown and, even without seeing the panic set in her eyes, he’s already fishing his phone out of the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “’ll take care of it, pet,” he says slowly.

And she believes him.

Harry slips her through a rarely used back door, his jacket stripped from his back and used to shield her from prying eyes, just in case. He holds the back door of the black SUV open and guides her into the plush seat, relaxing only once fully shielded by the black tinted windows.

She tucks herself into his side, head lolled against his shoulder; his right arm stretches out behind her, hand gripping her would-he head rest. She accepts the water bottle he pushes on her but forgoes drinking from it, afraid the inevitable spill would give away how dizzy she truly feels.

Harry helps their driver navigate the back streets to ensure the fastest way to his place, silently checking on the girl curled into him, knees knocking with each pothole and turn.

“Look pretty tonight,” he murmurs in her direction. “Always liked this dress.” He musses the soft fabric of her skirt between his fingers. His right arm abandons the back seat to fall against her shoulders, pulling her in just close enough that he can smell her. He welcomes the scent, inhaling deeply, but it’s an unsolicited reminder that it’s been long washed from his sheets, and his life, for well over a year.

“I know,” she smiles, eyes still closed. “Took a shot.”

His chest vibrates with deep laughter, “Minx,” he accuses playfully. “Not quite playing fair, eh?”

She can feel his eyes on her, but she’s far too tired to even think about moving. “I’m sorry, H,” she whispers. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. Said we’d call.”

“Both did,” he answers gruffly. “Phone works both ways.”

She smiles dreamily. “I never said congratulations. The Grammys?” She wraps her arm around his waist and nuzzles in a bit closer. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I’m so proud of you.”

His cheek rest atop her head, “I know.”

“If I’d called,” she asks into his chest, “would you have answered?”

His mouth falls open in shock. “Hey,” he tilts her head up to meet his gaze. “Of course I’d answer.”

He’s staring down at her in disbelief, and she feels so small, nerves getting the best of her; she’s afraid she’s started a conversation she’s not ready to have. At least - not in the backseat of a foreign SUV, plastered against him, her palms burning to feel his skin through his thin button down.

His lips are slightly parted into a pout and he looks determined to get something out of her, but she chooses instead to let her eyes fall to the two black swallows that peek out from behind his collar. “You can’t kiss me,” she says tiredly. Her head lolls back against him silently cursing herself.

She’s a coward.  

“Never said I wanted to, love.” His attention turns to the streetlights through the light-blocked window. His grip on her however, doesn’t falter.

“I wanted you to,” she sighs softly, her face burying back into his side.

But it’s just loud enough to make him feel like a proper dick.

___________________

She wakes up warm, the sun seeping through the thick open slats of the faux wood blinds, and in soft sheets that glide across her bare skin like silk. Her head doesn’t throb as she’d expected, but she imagines it’s because of the aspirin and nearly empty bottle of water she finds on the bedside table. No doubt Harry had coaxed her to take pre-emptive measures before putting her to bed. She can almost hear him softly begging, “For me?”

She takes in the room, her dress neatly hung on the back of the bedroom door, and takes stock of her current state. She’s dressed in a pair of her old boxer shorts, and a long-sleeved henley, both of which she recognizes as garb she’s long ago stolen from Harry. She smiles to herself as she picks at the small wear holes scattered around the checkered flannel fabric; she’d worn these boxers almost nightly for months.

After a full body stretch and check of the time, she begrudgingly abandons the sheets in search of her phone and hopefully a much-needed shower. She finds her phone charging on Harry’s bureau propped up against the small crystal dish that holds his most commonly worn rings. There are too many notifications on her lock screen to worry about, but the most recent one is a text from Harry.

Don’t leave. Getting coffee. Be back soon.

-          H

She rolls her eyes at his automatic signature, as if anyone he’s texting doesn’t have him programmed in their phone; she leaves the myriad of other messages unread. Her flight doesn’t board for hours, so she justifies taking advantage of Harry’s water pressure would be time well spent.

There’s a small pile of folded clothes on the bathroom sink counter, the shirt Harry’s, but the shorts hers. Clean towels are hung by the shower head.

His shower is as amazing as she remembers, the hot water beating out kinks in her neck that she swears have been there for months. His facewash and hair products are readily available for use at the corner of the tub basin and she revels in the smell. Everything he owns is luxurious, down to the lather of his shampoo. She had always been grateful that when her time was split between the east and west coasts she’d never worried about traveling with self-care products.

In truth, she’d never felt more cared for than when she was with Harry.

She hears the front door close and the faint beep of the perimeter alarm arm from the en suite, so she dries off and dresses quickly, joining him in the kitchen still squeezing her hair dry with a fluffy white towel. When she sees him dressed casually, bustling barefoot around the kitchen island with iced coffee and a to-go bag with what she assumes carries breakfast options, her breath hitches. His hair is still damp from a shower and a stubborn curl is threatening to spill into his face.

“Thank you,” she says reading the printed tag on her cup; the milk and sweetener options are right down to a t. She tosses her wet towel on the back of a tall kitchen chair, opting to hoist herself onto the bare counter space to the right of the sink, blessed coffee in hand.  

“Sleep ok?”, he asks, moving to wash his hands.

“Very,” she sighs, arching her back in search of that desired pop to relieve her lower back tension. “Miss that bed.” Her eyes widen the second the words leave her mouth, and she nearly chokes. “Sorry,” she mumbles, completely flush with embarrassment.

Harry shrugs it off with a chuckle, “It’s a good bed. Cost a small fortune.”

“Is that breakfast?” she asks, desperate for a subject change. “I’m starving. I completely skipped dinner,” she admits.

“It is,” he confirms. “Guess that explains a bit about last night then?”

“Too much pregaming and not enough carbs,” she groans. Her eyes follow his hands as he dries them on a white dish towel, paying close attention to the rings adorning his fingers. “Will I ever learn?” she feigns exasperation.

“And who’s gonna drag you home from your late nights back in New York, hmm?”

She breaks her gaze to roll her eyes, “I’ll be fine, H.” She takes to absently chewing her straw as he rests a hip against the counter to her left. “Been on my own for bit.”

He sees her face fall at the mention of her sole failed relationship since Harry. “I heard,” he discloses. “’M sorry. What happened?”

Her eyes narrow and she tries scrutinizing his motives, but she knows he’s never been insincere. “Didn’t want the same things, I guess,” she shrugs. “You know, marriage, kids. Important things.”

Harry’s jaw clenches, bitter, knowing he’d quite literally run to the altar if she’d let him. “He’s an idiot. He’ll figure it out soon enough.”

Her eyes fly up to his, mouth slightly open. “Wait no,” she denies. “Not him. Me – I didn’t want,” she pauses in search for the right words, but fails on an awkward huff. “I didn’t want those things.”

“Since when?” he challenges. “I distinctly remember agreeing to a ‘no bolo tie’ rule not that long ago.” He’s teasing, but she’s white knuckling the counter’s edge and completely ready to run. He moves to block her exit, unwilling to let her take an easy out, stance wide and demanding.

His head dips low enough to catch her eye and she looks defeated. “With him, I guess,” she whispers. “Didn’t want those things with him.”

Harry exhales loudly, but when she peers up at him his face is soft and searching. “What’s the plan in New York? Back to work?”

“No plans,” she concedes. Her legs uncross, a once silent invitation for Harry to join her, and she adjusts herself to sit straighter. Taller. “I’ve got a dinner planned next Wednesday with management. Just in time to get reamed for whatever pictures surface from last night, I’m sure.”

“No paps,” Harry shakes his head with confidence. “Called Jeff. Made sure there’s nothing comin’ down the line. ‘S all good.”

She stares at him with admiration, overwhelmed by the gesture. She slowly extends her hands, palms up, in a token of appreciation. He eagerly accepts, taking a single stride into her cautious embrace; she’d always fallen short with verbal expression, but Harry had never been one to deny her physical touch. “Thank you,” she smiles softly, her hands slowly inching up the tanned skin of his forearms, her glossy, pale nails stopping just short of his tattoos. “I think I should get going, though,” she stammers. “Still have to pack up my stuff, and my stuff is everywhere.” She nervously runs her fingers through her damp locks and clicks her tongue as she works out a knot. “I’ll take a bagel for the road though,” she winks.

“Could stay,” he offers lowly. Harry watches as her breathing goes shallow and he tenses. If she denies him now, it just might kill him. “Said you hadn’t any real plans, so, could stay…if you wanted.”

She’s acutely aware that his face is inching closer to hers, and she blinks slowly as his hands grip the counter on either side of her, taking the final step between her parted knees. “You want me to stay?” she asks quietly.

“Not really a fair question,” he counters. “Didn’t exactly want you to leave in the first place, now did I?”

She lets her gaze follow her hands to his chest with a sigh. “That’s not fair, H,” she argues gently. “It wasn’t working. It was too much.”

“Could be different now. Could be better.”

“You think?” she questions, her bottom lip tucked behind her front teeth. “How?”

“Been talking to Cass, have loads of ideas,” he beams proudly. His therapist had been his saving grace during the pandemic; he’d mostly done phone meetings with her, but they’d had a limited number of in person meets.

“You still talk to Cassie?”

“Not as much since things have gone back to normal, but I make time to call her a few times a month.” Harry had always been open about his self-help regimens, therapy included. “Like that wet towel on my chair,” he shrugs his shoulders coolly, “no big deal. Leave it there. See if I care.”

“Oh yeah? You like that?” she laughs as he nods excitedly. “If you like that, you should go look at the bed I didn’t make.” She throws her head back in laughter, wincing only slightly when it collides with the wooden cabinet door behind her.

Harry’s hand flies up to soothe the sting at her crown, callused fingers massaging away any hurt. “Could stay,” he repeats, fingers slowing. His other hand tucks the stray hair behind her ear and his fingers linger on the delicate skin above her collarbone. “Could stay with me.”

Every part of her is waiting to be kissed, her eyes closing slowly, and Harry drops his mouth to hers with the lightest of kisses. She accepts with a smile, making no moves to deepen it, but her hands reach up to clasp together at the nape of his neck, fingers playing with the baby curls he’s been growing out for months. He drops a final light peck to the corner of her mouth before slowly moving downwards, her head falling back further into his hand allowing him ample access to kiss the soft skin on the column of her throat.

She mewls and it encourages him further, and he finds the soft spot below her ear where he can feel her pulse quicken against his lips. “Shut up,” she gasps when he smiles against her, his day old stubble the dead giveaway.

When he kisses her again, she lets him into her mouth on a hum, but Harry pulls away suddenly with a quirked brow and a cheeky grin. “Did you use my toothbrush?”

She opens her mouth to counter, but just buries her face in her hands in embarrassment. “My teeth were filmy!” she whines.

He’s laughing wholeheartedly at her, utterly happy at her perceived level of comfort in his home. “What’s mine is yours, love,” he pulls at her hands to expose her and reattach his lips to her. He moves to pull her closer to the counter’s edge and bring her body flush with his before his hands travel to the exposed skin of her thighs.

“Keep going,” she pleads breathily.

Harry groans as he pushes the loose fabric of her shorts aside and finds the warmth awaiting his fingers. “Always good for me,” he breathes out, head falling to her shoulder. “Too good for me.”

“Please.” She bucks closer to him, her body aching for release.

“So you’ll stay,” he decides. He’s leaving open mouthed, wet kisses down her throat in between words, his fingers slick with her, curling easily into her core in the way he knows drives her crazy. “You’ll stay. Can take your drawer back if you like,” he bargains. “If you’re nice t’ me, might even get you your own toothbrush.”

Her hands tighten and grab at his curls as he continues his assault on her surely bruising skin. “If you didn’t have two fingers inside of me right now,” she stutters, “I’d kick you in the shins.” Her words are void of any real threat and he can feel her fighting for control, her legs tightening around his hips, breath ragged in his ear.

Harry withdraws his touch, smiling when she complains at the loss of contact. He straightens her shorts and extends a hand to help her off down from her perch. “Time to learn how to make a proper bed, pet.”

She jumps down on a huff and walks straight by him down the hall leaving Harry’s mouth agape. “I think,” she muses playfully, “we should start right at the very beginning, right? Gotta strip the sheets off and start from scratch?”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” he follows like a puppy at her heels. “Whatever you say.”

__________________

A/N: welcome to my initial venture in writing for this fandom. I haven’t written fiction in literal years, so this one was a feat. But I had fun, so thank you Sadie for the challenge! I made the deadline with literal seconds to spare. :)

-MK

[fatiguing-thoughts]

The Kinds of Love - Embry Call x Reader

Request: “Hey! Could I get an Embry x reader where she is Paul’s younger sister and also a wolf and maybe Paul is very protective and maybe she gets injured in the eclipse battle and everyone freaks and Paul realised how much embry cares for her?....a bit of angst and fluff”

A/N: just to let you know, i have probably written the eclipse fight scene about fifty times so i’ll just be recreating an entirely different fight scene for the sake of my sanity. i love you thanks for understanding

Things were finally beginning to get easier since I had finally phased. I was finally allowed to know everything going on with my brother, Paul,  and our friends. 

Though, it grew more complicated when Embry and I imprinted on one another. Paul was absolutely livid. His overprotectiveness was overbearing, I had grown tired of him being annoyed at Embry and I, especially for something out of our control. 

And let’s face the facts here, it’s not like this came out of nowhere. We both had liked each other for years, just couldn’t do anything about it in fear of Embry’s legs-- Paul would’ve kicked his ass. 

“You’re breaking bro code, you can’t date my sister!” He’d yell every single time Embry would ask if he would be able to ask me out. 

I loved Paul with all my heart, but his lack of faith in Embry and constant monitoring me was too much to bear. But then he phased, keeping me in the dark. Though, he still wouldn’t let Embry do anything. Embry didn’t come around much anymore, as he was Paul’s friend first. 

But then Embry phased, and things got a bit weird. 

It wasn’t until I phased that I understood it all-- but then it was the first time Embry and I had seen each other and-- you guessed it: boom. imprinted on one another. 

Now, Paul couldn’t say shit about anything. Though, he was always too cautious and feared that Embry still wouldn’t treat me right. The constant brooding and displeasure about the situation seeped through every one of Paul’s pores. 

I loved him with my entire heart, but it grew difficult to not fling him across the room sometimes. Growing up, it was Paul and I against the world due to our family situation. We had each other’s backs, and he trusted nobody with my safety, nor my feelings. 

But tonight, something completely unexpected happened. 

Sitting at Sam and Emily’s was going perfectly fine, until we picked up on that signature scent of death. There were vampires nearby, it couldn’t be just one-- the sickly sweet scent was far too potent. 

Paul was still getting used to me being around, far too afraid of me actually going out with them to catch a leech or two, despite the fact that I was far more than qualified to handle myself. I was perfectly able to take care of myself. 

“Stay here.” Paul orders me as we all stand up.

“No!” I argue.

“Maybe you should.” Embry looks at me with pleading eyes. 

“Sam. Please?” I ask, looking at him.

“She’s one of us, she’s coming.” Sam says authoritatively, looking between the two men. 

And with that, I sent a smirk Paul’s way as I walked out the door with the rest of the pack. 

We phase, immediately on our way to the source of the leeches. 

We soon found them, a group of at least fifteen. 

”Why are there so many?” Quil’s voice breaks through the mindlink.

“Who cares? Just get rid of them.” Paul scoffs. 

And so we did. I found myself stuck with one on my back as I was tearing another apart. 

Suddenly a second one found it’s way on my back. 

“What the hell are you guys doing? Get one of them off of me!” I yell into the mindlink. 

I begin thrashing around, waiting for someone to come over and help me. I see Embry and Paul both taking off to me first. 

But before I could fling either of the leeches off of me, I notice the Cullens arriving. I look over and see a panicked Alice and Carlisle staring at me. 

But that’s when I felt it. Something in my side had snapped. My ribs broke, I fell to the floor screeching in pain. 

Embry and Paul made it over, finishing off the leeches that were on top of me before they could do any more damage. 

Emmett and Jasper helped the rest of the pack finish off the intruders. 

I sat there, whining in agonizing pain. The rest of the pack phased back, putting their clothes on and freaking out over me. 

“She needs to phase back so I can see what’s wrong.” Carlisle instructs. 

Leah ran over to grab some clothes ditched in the woods, shooing everyone away so she could help me get decent. 

I phased back, but when she was helping me put on the minimal clothing, I couldn’t help but scream out in pain. I watched everyone flinch from the sounds leaving my throat. 

Finally, I felt myself being lifted and being carried back to Sam’s, Carlisle following closely behind. 

As Carlisle examined me and told us what the procedure to fix me would be, I was absolutely terrified. 

“You can squeeze my hand.” Alice offers. 

“Why not one of us?” Paul huffs, interrupting. 

“You won’t want to be in the room.” Carlisle informs him.

“I need to be.” Embry pleads, eyes tearing up.

“It’s really better if you wait outside.” 

“We can support her from outside, Carlisle’s orders. It’ll be too much for the both of you in there.” Sam speaks, ushering Paul and Embry out of the room. 

I begin to hear their loud footfall, them profusely pacing outside. I hear Embry’s sniffles and heart beating right out of his chest. 

“Ready?” Carlisle asks, sympathetic eyes meeting mine.

“Yeah, do your worst.” I smirk, preparing myself for my entire right side to have my bones rebroken. 

Alice’s ice cold hand grabs onto mine, a soft smile on her face. 

I was not prepared for the pain that was coming my way. I screamed louder than I ever had, squeezing Alice’s hand tight enough to crack her marble skin.

“Sorry.” I whispered, writhing in pain.

“Don’t be.” She reassured me.

Another blood-curdling scream left my lips, this was unbearable. 

I knew my brother and boyfriend were outside losing their shit, so I originally intended to try to keep my reactions at a minimum, but it was not feasible.

When Carlisle finished, he set me up with a morphine drip.

Paul and Embry came in, watching me in my dazed state. 

Paul simply looked at me, fear raging in his eyes, a blank expression on his face. 

Embry was at my side, holding my hand in his. Whispering sweet nothings in my ear, wiping the sweat off my forehead. 

“I’m so glad you’re okay. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you, baby.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, warm tears falling onto my face. 

The next few days were a bit of a blur, everyone coming in and out of the room to see if I needed anything. 

“Hey kid.” Paul says softly walking in.

“Hey, what’s up?” I ask, voice groggy.

“Listen, I’m really sorry. For giving you guys such a hard time. I see it now.” 

“Did you hit your head or something?” I giggle.

“No, listen. I’ll only apologize this one time.” He chuckles, sitting next to me on the bed. “I never realized how much he cared. Maybe he does care enough to be with you. Maybe I was wrong.” Paul sighs. 

“I know you were wrong.” I giggle, lightly shoving his shoulder with my good arm, though still slightly wincing in pain.

“Stay still, you’re still not healed according to Dr. Leech.” Paul smirks. 

“Paul, he helped me. Knock it off.” I scold.

“Yeah, yeah. I guess I owe him that after he helped my baby sister out.” He rolls his eyes. 

“Yeah, you do.”  _______________________________ Word Count: 1258

[bearseungmin]

Exploiting (M) TEASER! | ksm + lmh

In a lifestyle where everyone works for a fancy car, big penthouse, and enough employees around you to keep you taken care of, you're stuck in the latter. Deep within working as one of the largest corporation owner's secretary and his part-time proxy, Minho is less chat and more 'get-it-done'. But when his lesser known objective becomes your new-found power due to your second job requiring you to balance the lone wolf of the industry, Seungmin - also known as Minho's original business partner - as another boss, things grow heated. Two faceless men claiming you as their gem, work from nine to five becomes your own, personal inferno.

pairing: boss! minho x proxy! secretary! gender-neutral! reader x boss! seungmin genre: love-triangle! au, romance, angst, smut word count: tbd [warnings] may include: mature content, sexual content, power exchange, dom/sub tones, exhibitionism, voyeurism, mutual pining, controlling tendencies, manipulation, affairs, additional warnings will be listed release date: tbd

send me an ask showing/with your user if you would like to be added to the taglist for this fic!

prologue teaser under the cut!

prologue.

Hair neatly placed, silk tie done perfectly, hands clasped at his waist as the sole of his shoe swayed him back and forth in the office chair behind the obnoxiously large desk, Lee Minho has a scheme in his mind. Locked away, so far in that you could see the glistening sparkle in his eyes but not see the telling sign he usually gave away on his face when he was up to something; you wanted him to speak more than you wanted him to tell.

“You know I never ask for anything from you that’s more than I know you can handle.” Voice deep like an echo in a dark cave, Minho’s smooth lips moved with his words. “But this task is a little more-” Stopping to pause, his eyes shifted left—an indication that whatever was about to leave his mouth is far more barring than what you had anticipated. Considering his casual talk just this morning, all of this seemed to be a normal meeting. “-unravelling to me. It’s essentially a risk, something that may or may not tie loose ends for me and my life.”

Your mind stopped his words in place as if time halted all together. Sitting before the man, who usually subjected you to being below him - a boss's control and normal habits despite his gentleman ways - he finally hinted something personal. Words from his lips were always only casual instructions, common office talk, and sometimes genuine concern for the dark circles forming under your eyes from lack of sleep. But never something that could give him away.

The thing about this world—a career, a boss, a coworker, a home, a lifestyle: they’re all just evanescent. Fleeting glimpses that can be taken from you by a single printed and signed page stating you’re being let go. Minho declared you his secretary for two reasons: you’re reliable and sturdy, and you keep your mouth shut no matter what is heard or seen. But here you sat dumbfounded that he was pulling you into a situation considered personal.

One note about Minho, he hardly talks about himself.

“Sir, you know I trust that you wouldn’t overwhelm me.” Voice smooth and calm, he knew you had to fight your teeth from chattering and hands from shaking due to the nervousness in your body. You were always the same around him, collected but on edge as if he’d fire you on the spot for having a brief moment of human nature.

“Hey.” His dark eyes were like pools of honey from the sunset gleaming into the open windows of the office building, floors up from life and inside his lonely office away from all other staff and coworkers. “Be frank with me here. If this is already getting to you.” “I can handle it.” Sturdy, the reliable attitude you held since day one broke past your shaking lips. “Think I can’t?”

His left brow rose in tandem with his arched form floating back into his chair, continuing the spin on the sole of his shoe as he stared you down like a mosaic painting. Minho, a charismatic man with enough going on in his head to make anyone lose their marbles, smirked like he had strings connected to his fingers that he could use to lift and move your limbs for you. A puppet master, he had long had you connected to him.

“I must request that you go meet someone for me. You won’t meet him officially, but the business will still be dealt through them to him.” He sat forward again, angling and sliding a single manilla folder across his wooden desk before you. “The contents are confidential as always, so don’t go snooping.”

As if you would, he knew the words leaving his mouth were just a broken record to you by now.

“A proxy.” You stated, his smirk only growing into a grin.

“Clever as always.” Whispered, this side of Minho was more telling than any other. He whispered words to you instead of keeping them in his head, only doing this when it is you and he alone in a sealed room. He showed emotions, pretended his status doesn’t inflate his ego as much as it does, and even showed you gratitude.

“You know I trust you with my life.”

“As I do mine with you, Sir.” The sound of the last word sent a visible shutter up and down his body, all seen by your eyes as his freshly dry-cleaned, white shirt crinkled with his sudden movements.

“Then it’s official. You’re on my side for this.” He nodded, reclasping his hands together as his palms clapped a single mantra. “And I expect you to do the same as always.”

Not the first time around, nor the second: you had been between Minho and other companies for the duration of the service you held with the man. Position meant to be singular upon your application stating the job description, you had wriggled your way into a higher placement so simply. Higher than his own coworkers, he held more respect for you than almost everyone else. And even more: you as a person.

“You’ll keep yourself out of danger. Remember what I’ve always told you, and get out of there and come back to me if anything seems off.”

“Keep myself level-headed, I remember.”

Minho told you it all before he sent you out to the wolves. Those he sends you to as a proxy could steal you from him with a single glimpse, rudely or casually maneuver you into working for them. Trick you into giving him up, take you for their own, or use you to get to him. A continuous circle of danger, all for the man to give you the power to hold your head up high and know they can truly do no damage. Minho wouldn’t allow it.

“I take it, this is going to be messy no matter how we handle it?” Your voice caught his ears as he nodded, blinking slowly before keeping his eyes gazing into your own.

“Either way, darling.” He was the only man you ever let call you pet names. “You’ll learn to trust him as much as I did.”

[alice-beaumont-ravenclaw]

Corcovado e Samba

A/N #1: Finally! The penultimate fic of my Brazilian series is done! Factor in a new job and lack of inspiration when I had some free time, and you got the explanation as to why it took forever!

Alice's outfits: Day | Samba Night

Cidade maravilhosa, cheia de encantos mil! Cidade maravilhosa, coração do meu Brasil!

Alice stared at the bay, the statue of Christ the Redeemer standing firmly behind her, his arms extended as if to welcome everyone to Rio. She couldn’t help but think about someone seemingly calling out her name the day before, not to mention the creature she had seen, certain it wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Part of her was worried the heat had gotten to her, and everything might have just been the effect of said heat. But imagining a dragon-like creature… That seemed more like something that could happen to Charlie. And the voice. It didn’t sound like the voice of anyone she knew. Could one imagine hearing an unknown voice? She always figured that she'd start hearing Rowan's voice if she became mad as a hatter.

She turned around, leaning back against the balustrade. “Am I losing my marbles?” she asked, looking up at the statue’s face.

“I would say talking to statues is not a good sign,” said Tonks, as she leaned back next to Alice.

Alice stuck out her tongue at her. “I was not expecting a reply. Mostly talking to myself. Anyway, why aren’t you with the others?”

“Got tired of squinting at things we’re supposed to see from here. Should have brought binoculars. Also, talking to oneself is not a good sign either,” replied Tonks, Alice elbowing her slightly as she turned back towards the sea. “But why the sudden concern regarding your mental state?”

“It’s just… Oh, you’ll probably think I’m crazy.”

“My mother named me Nymphadora. I don’t think you can achieve that level of crazy.”

“Ok, fine. I think I saw a dragon-like sea serpent or something in the water yesterday.”

“You’re spending too much time with Weasley.”

“Funny. I was just thinking that was more the kind of thing Charlie would imagine than me.”

“Anyway, it’s not completely farfetched for you to have seen a magical creature. Some could be hiding in the sea.”

“But the worst part is… I think it called out my name.”

“Hmmm…” hummed Tonks, tapping her finger against her chin. “Well, some creatures are capable of legilimency, like that Wampus cat that terrorized Hogsmeade, but never heard of sea serpents or dragons having that skill. Maybe you should ask Charlie or Barnaby about it?”

“What if they think I’m crazy?”

“Why would they think that? Even if they’ve never heard of such mind-reading creatures, maybe you just discovered a new species. Maybe it will be named after you! Alicus Serpentus!”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Still, I don’t think you should be worried. Worst case scenario is that all you saw was a plastic bottle floating around, and you heard someone else call out your name or something that sounded like it. Alice is not some super rare name, not like Nymphadora.”

“Eh, you’re probably right,” said Alice as she pushed herself off the railing. “We’d better go join the others. Wouldn’t want them to leave without us.”

“Do we really have to go back at squinting at things?”

“We are actually done ‘squinting at things,’” said Charlie, who was walking up to them. “The others are waiting for us at the station,” he added, holding out his hand for Alice to take.

“Well, we shouldn’t make them wait, then,” said Alice, taking Charlie’s hand.

“Look at you two! It’s sickening,” said Tonks with a smirk before walking ahead of them.

Alice glanced behind her at the bay as they made their way to the Corcovado Rack Railway station. Maybe Tonks was right. Maybe what she had heard and seen yesterday had a simple explanation. Maybe…

“Alice?” said Charlie, looking at her and then looking at the bay. “Is everything ok?”

“Oh! Hum, yes, just admiring the view one last time,” said Alice, quickly turning her glance to Tonks walking in front of them.

Charlie raised an eyebrow, dubious, but he knew better than press Alice on a subject she didn’t want to talk about. They eventually met up with their friends, and it wasn’t long before they boarded the train that would bring them back to the base station in Cosme Velho.

Inside the train, Andre was gushing about the outfit he had planned for Alice for their evening of samba. “Wait until you see it. She’s going to be the belle of the ball!” he said, his eyes twinkling.

“I think Andre is more excited about your outfit than you are,” whispered Penny to Alice.

“That’s true for all the outfits he puts together for me,” said Alice, a small smile spreading across her lips.

“Hum, Andre?” chimed in Alanza, looking worried. “About Alice’s outfit… It isn’t too much, right?”

“Nothing is ever ‘too much!’” exclaimed Andre.

“Speak for yourself,” grumbled Alice.

“No, what I mean is that people don’t dress up fancy like it’s done in São Paulo when they go out to samba, mostly because it usually takes place outside, like at Pedra do Sal or just outside a small bar like the one we are going to tonight. Not to mention that wearing fancy clothes can bring you the wrong kind of attention,” explained Alanza, as the colour drained from Andre’s face.

“Someone should write down the time Andre’s fashion instinct failed him for the first time,” said Tulip, grinning.

“Does this mean I don’t have to change for samba night?” asked Alice.

Before Alanza could say anything, Andre said, “As much as this overall-crop top combo is cute—”

“Look at him, complimenting the outfit he created,” interrupted Alice.

“As I was saying, as cute as this creation of mine is, I still want to see you in that dress I picked out for you. We will just have to… casualize your outfit.”

“It’s a first! Andre Egwu will have to tone down one of his creations!” exclaimed Tulip, Andre sticking out his tongue to her before getting deep in thoughts to figure out how to salvage the outfit he had planned.

“Wait, that also means we all have to rethink our outfits,” pointed out Diego.

“Though I don’t think any of us planned outfits as extravagant as Andre’s,” said Tonks.

“The boys probably just have to stick to a shirt and pants and skip the tie and blazer if they had one in mind,” noted Penny.

“Definitely no heels for the ladies,” chimed Tulip.

“Oh, heels are fine, just nothing as glitzy as what Alice wore for the New Year’s Eve party,” explained Alanza.

“I’m still going to stick to my no heels rule,” replied Tulip.

“I approve of that rule,” said Tonks.

“I think I’ll go with heels. What about you, Alice?” asked Penny.

“You ask me like I have a say in the matter,” replied Alice, eyebrows raised.

“Don’t worry, ladies, I’ll take care of all your outfits,” said Andre. “You just need to go and relax at the spa.”

“Spa? We don’t have spa appointments,” said Alice.

“I made them the moment I knew when we’d go samba. Even if the affair is much less formal than I thought, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be pampered,” replied Andre.

“Oh! I want a mud bath!” exclaimed Tonks.

“NO!” exclaimed Alice and Penny.

“Awww, come on. Tulip and I will behave this time,” replied Tonks.

“And I promise to leave Dennis in the room,” added Tulip.

“I am not risking Mud Bath Disaster at the Spa: Rio Edition. That one time on the cruise was enough,” replied Alice.

“Wait, what happened on the cruise?” asked Andre, an eyebrow raised.

“You don’t want to know,” said Alice, shaking her head.

The rest of the time on the train and in the taxi getting them back to the hotel, the girls talked about what treatment they would get at the spa. Once they arrived at the hotel, the group waved goodbye to Alanza, who promised to be back at 8:30 pm to head to the bar where musicians would play samba music. They headed to the hotel’s restaurant for lunch before the girls went to their spa appointments, Tulip leaving Dennis in Barnaby’s care.

“What do you think the boys will do while we’re here?” asked Alice as they looked at the menu of the various treatments available.

“Plan our outfits,” said Penny absent-mindedly.

“That’s for Andre. While I’m not the most fashion-conscious person around, I can’t imagine Barnaby or Charlie coming up with an outfit that wouldn’t look ridiculous. One would take inspiration from creatures in general, while the other would dress us up as dragons,” said Tonks, making Alice laugh.

“Alice, Tonks just made fun of your boyfriend’s proclivity for anything dragon and his lack of fashion sense, and all you do is laugh?” pointed out Penny.

“Come on, Penny. Alice Beaumont may love Charlie, but she’s not stupid. Anytime the guy is well dressed, Andre has a hand in it. Neither Barnaby nor Charlie would have worn Speedos if Andre had been around when we convinced them that they would look great in them,” pointed out Tulip.

“Not to mention that while I agree Charlie’s fashion sense is basically non-existent and imagining him being involved in that world is hilarious, I didn’t start to date him because of the way he dressed, but because he’s kind, gentle, supportive, and an all-around great guy to be around,” said Alice, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

“Awww, look at Alice! She’s blushing!” pointed out Penny.

“Shut up,” grumbled Alice. “Oh, look, I think they’re coming to get you for your massages,” she added, relieved that she’d get a break from the teasing.

“What about you? What treatment are you getting?” asked Tonks as she got up.

“Manicure and pedicure.”

“Riiiight, I forgot you’re little Miss ‘No Touchy’ when it comes to strangers,” said Tulip, smirking.

“True, but it also means I’ll be away from you lot and have some peace and quiet.”

“Ouch, my feelings are hurt,” said Tonks before being dragged away by Penny.

Alice then went to another room and sat in a chair to have her hands and feet pampered. She closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet. Knowing Penny was with Tonks and Tulip, making sure they wouldn’t create a mess at the spa, helped her relax. She still wasn’t entirely sure if they had been banned from that cruise line.

Thankfully, the appointments went without any hitch this time, and the girls returned to their room to get ready for the evening.

“Are you ladies ready?” asked Andre, knocking as he opened the door, Dennis hopping inside.

“Dennis!” exclaimed Tulip, taking her friend from the floor and hugging it.

“Andre! We could have been in our underwear!” said Penny, throwing a cushion at him.

Andre caught it, saying, “Oh, honey, I’ve been dressing Alice since the Celestial ball during our fifth year, so I’ve seen it all already.”

“‘Seen it all?’” repeated Tonks, eyebrows raised.

“As in he already saw a girl in her underwear. Don’t go start any rumours,” said Alice, slipping her feet into her black platform sandals.

But it was too late. Tonks had already run out the door, shouting, “Charlie! Andre has seen your girlfriend naked!” which resulted in Charlie coming running into the girls’ room.

“What is she—” started saying Charlie.

“She’s exaggerating, as always,” interrupted Alice. “He only ever saw me in my undies.”

“Oh. Ok… Wait, what?!” said Charlie, his eyes widening as the other girls left the room.

“Charlie, dear, it was to take my measurements, nothing more. There’s nothing to be worried about,” said Alice, giving her boyfriend a quick peck on the lips as she took his hand, leading him outside the room.

“I’m not worried,” grumbled Charlie.

“Your face says otherwise, Dragon Boy,” whispered Andre, smirking. “It’s understandable, though. Alice is quite the catch—” Charlie stared at him. “For someone other than me,” completed Andre. “But Alice sees only one person, and that’s you, Dragon Boy.”

Charlie looked at Alice, who was still holding his hand as she talked to Penny. He looked down at their intertwined fingers, and he couldn’t help but grin. Andre was right. Alice had never given him cause to worry regarding to whom her heart belonged. But there was always a tiny voice in his head wondering why someone who was now known as the Hero of Hogwarts had chosen him, a Seeker with a passion for dragons.

Lost in these thoughts, he hadn’t realized that they had already made their way to the restaurant until Alice released his hand to sit down. Everyone chatted happily during the meal, excited about their upcoming evening of samba.

At 8:30 sharp, Alanza was waiting for them in the hotel's lobby, dressed in a simple green sundress. She looked at Alice before saying, “Well, I suppose the t-shirt and the casual black sandals do make the outfit a little bit less extravagant. You will still get noticed, though.”

“Good! I want Rio to notice my creation!” exclaimed Andre.

“As long as they just notice the creation and not the girl wearing said creation,” grumbled Alice, now very much aware of her colourful attire.

“Alice, if they don’t notice you, I will have failed. I don’t want the clothes to wear you; I want you to wear the clothes,” replied Andre.

“I think Alice looks great,” said Charlie, looking at Alice with a warm smile.

Alice couldn’t help but blush when she noticed the tenderness in Charlie’s eyes. She cleared her throat before taking Charlie’s hand and saying, “I think we should go. We don’t want to be late.”

The group left the hotel and made their way down Copacabana’s boardwalk, full of people drinking at the bars along the beach, hanging out with friends, or just walking with their families. The area was just as alive in the evening as in the day. Perhaps even more so, with music blasting from the different bars. About twenty minutes later, they crossed the avenue onto a small street and arrived at the boteco known as Bip Bip.

Musicians were seated inside and playing while a crowd stood outside, listening to the rhythm of the samba music. Some couples were standing further away from the crowds, the sound of the samba music inviting them to dance. Alanza greeted a man that seemed like the owner and returned to her group of friends.

“Was that the owner?” asked Alice, tapping her foot to the beat of the music.

“Yes, Alfredo. If you want to drink anything, there’s a fridge at the back. Just take whatever you want and let him know what you took,” explained Alanza, waving at one of the musicians.

“And pay?” added Penny, glancing at the musicians.

“Only when we leave,” replied Alanza.

“Isn’t there a risk that someone might leave without paying?” asked Charlie.

“Sure, but this place is full of regulars, so good luck trying to pull that off,” said Alanza.

“Who’s that musician you waved at?” asked Tulip, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Oh, my cousin. He’s a musician, and he comes to play here quite often.”

“I was hoping for something a bit juicier,” whispered Penny.

“Explains why you seem so familiar with the place, though,” noted Tonks.

“Yes, I’m the only one in the family who knows about this. The rest of the family just wants him to get a job at the Ministério da Magia.”

“That would be a waste of his talent,” said Diego as he danced to the music, fully entranced.

“If he makes Diego dance like that, I have to agree,” said Andre as he looked at the other patrons. “Good thing you made me modify Alice’s outfit, too. She would have clashed if she had worn what I originally planned.”

“I still think I clash,” muttered Alice, looking at her bright pink dress and then at the more casual outfits everyone else was wearing.

“You don’t clash; you stand out. There’s a difference,” replied Andre, adjusting something at the back of Alice’s dress.

Just as he said that the music stopped. The group of friends was about to clap, but Alanza stopped them, pointing at the rest of the audience, who were snapping their fingers. “We don’t clap not to disturb the neighbours. We snap our fingers instead to show our appreciation.”

The others started to snap their fingers just as the music started again. Tulip and Tonks decided to dance in the street, while Diego took Alanza’s hand to samba, Andre and Penny following their lead. Alice and Charlie stood with the rest of the crowd, Charlie’s arms wrapped around the Curse-Breaker. Alice looked at the musicians, mesmerized by the lively music they were playing. Listening to samba music on a CD was one thing; listening to it live was quite another experience. The music enveloped you; you could see the concentration mixed with joy of the musicians; you could sense the crowd feeling the same thing as you.

Alice was pulled out of her reverie when she felt someone taking her hand. Diego pulled her out of Charlie’s arms and started dancing with her, Alanza now dancing with Barnaby. He twirled her around before springing some samba moves on her. While Alice’s dancing skills had improved since her Celestial Ball dance lessons, she still needed a heads up to know she would be dancing. She was no match for Diego’s fast moves, feeling like she had two left feet. It didn’t take too long for her to trip on her own foot, Charlie catching her before she hit the ground.

“I guess it is time for the return of Diego, dance instructor extraordinario,” said Diego, as he observed Charlie help Alice get back on her feet.

“Can’t we just sway to the beat of the music?” asked Alice.

“We came all the way here for samba night, and all you want to do is ‘sway?’ This won’t do!” exclaimed Diego, grabbing Charlie’s right wrist and placing his hand on Alice’s back, and then placing Alice’s left hand on Charlie’s shoulder blade. “Now, take each other’s free hand.”

“I’m starting to have a feeling of deja vu,” whispered Charlie, as Diego demonstrated the basic steps they had to follow.

“As long as he doesn’t start to psychoanalyze us. I think I’m over my desire to lead–”

“Alice! You have to let Charlie lead!” exclaimed Diego, frowning.

“Or not,” whispered Alice. “I would like to point out that I’m following your steps,” she added louder.

“No, no, no. Charlie has to mimic my steps. You have to mirror them.”

“Now you tell me,” grumbled the young Ravenclaw.

“You are both too stiff,” pointed out Alanza as she danced by with Barnaby, who was looking down at his feet.

“Ok, now let’s add a bit of bounce to your moves,” said Diego, a hand on his hip as he observed his proteges.

“You want us to jump?” asked Charlie, eyebrows raised.

“No, no, just bend your knees slightly and bounce up and down through each step, without actually jumping,” explained Diego.

“Oh, and Alice should rock her hips to the right and left every time she makes a step,” added Alanza.

“So, I have to mirror Charlie's steps, bounce, AND sway my hips. This is not how you samba, is it? This is a plot to make me trip and fall!” said Alice.

“If Merula were the one teaching you how to samba, I would agree with your paranoia,” chimed Andre, dancing close by with Penny. “But this is Diego. Has he ever led you astray when it comes to dancing?”

“Diego would never do that! Dancing is not something you should mess with,” said Diego, shaking his head. “Anyway, for someone so convinced she will fall on her back, you're doing quite well.”

“Though having to think about steps, sways, and bounces is no easy feat. If I don’t do it right, I might end up looking like some weird dancing kangaroo,” said Alice, looking at her feet.

“Just let the rhythm of the music guide you,” said Diego, crossing his arms and shaking his head as he observed the couple dance.

“You told a girl that brought textbooks on vacation to follow steps, to sway, and to bounce. Her mind will be on that, not on the music,” pointed out Tulip.

“Are you saying Diego ruined samba night for Alice?” said Diego, panic in his voice.

“Charlie!” Andre cried out. “Make Alice look into your eyes!”

“Huh? Why?” asked Charlie, eyebrow raised as he stared at Andre.

“Just trust me, Dragon Boy,” replied Andre, giving a slight nod of reassurance to Diego.

Charlie turned his attention back to Alice, who was still looking at the ground. He freed his hand holding hers, and lifted her chin slowly until their eyes met. They stopped dancing, just staring into each other’s eyes. Charlie took back Alice’s hand and slowly started to samba again, not taking his eyes away from hers. While still not dancing like Diego or Alanza, their movements were more fluid this time, and they looked like they enjoyed themselves.

“How did you know?” whispered Diego to Andre as they watched the young couple dance.

“Remember at the Celestial Ball? Both of them were bundles of nerves before entering the Great Hall, but the moment they looked into each other’s eyes and started dancing, it’s like the rest of the world didn’t exist,” explained Andre.

“So romantic,” sighed Penny, handing Andre a water bottle.

Diego looked at the couple, deep in thought, “Interesting…”

“Why are you suddenly so serious, Diego?” asked Andre, eyebrows raised.

“Mmm? Oh! I was just thinking that when Alice isn’t ‘lost’ in Charlie’s eyes, she instinctively wants to lead, and Charlie has a hard time imposing himself as the leader even when necessary. Sometimes I wonder if spending some time apart wouldn’t be beneficial for their relationship in the long run,” replied Diego, following the pair with his eyes.

“You came to that conclusion just by watching them dance?” said Andre, skeptic.

“Dancing can reveal a lot about people,” replied Diego, smirking. “For example, you and Penny dance so well together because you are close friends who are perfectly in sync with one another. Like friendship soulmates.”

“Oh, please, we’re just great dancers, that’s all. Don’t ruin Alice and Charlie’s perfect relationship with cheap psychobabble,” Penny said, grabbing Diego’s collar. “Do you know how much time I spent trying to make Alice realize her feelings for Dragon Boy? Don’t ruin this for me,” she added in an angry whisper.

“Penny? Is everything ok?” asked Alice. Both her and Charlie were staring at her wide-eyed.

“Huh? Oh!” she released Diego’s collar, scratching the back of her hand. “He was just flirting a bit too much, as usual,” replied Penny, laughing nervously. “It was getting on my nerves.”

Alice and Charlie looked at Penny, then at Diego, before returning to Penny, their eyes narrowing. “Suuuure,” they said in unison.

Alice grabbed the water bottle Penny was holding, taking a sip from it before saying, “Pretty sure I heard my name being said.” She stared straight at her friend.

“Your name? No, I don’t think so… I did say Alanza; maybe that’s what you heard. Alice, Alanza… they sound alike!” tried to explain Penny, finding it hard to hold Alice’s gaze.

“Right… That must be it,” said Alice, raising an eyebrow while her lips formed a slight smirk. She handed Penny her bottle back and went to stand near the musicians with Charlie.

“Nice save,” whispered Andre as Penny let out a sigh of relief.

Alice glanced back at her friends. Noticing Penny’s air of relief, she was now sure she had indeed heard her name. Just like she had yesterday… Yes, she was now sure of what she had seen and heard the day before. As she got absorbed by these thoughts, she felt Charlie’s arms wrap around her. She looked up at his face, her eyes wide.

“You seemed distracted by something,” said Charlie, smiling softly.

“Oh, just listening to the music,” tried to explain Alice.

“Alice, you were making a face that reminded me more of the time when you were looking for your father,” replied Charlie, his eyebrow raised.

“Ah, I guess you know me pretty well,” said Alice, looking away before looking straight back at him. “Charlie, do you know if sea serpents are capable of speech or telepathy?”

“Not to my knowledge. Then again, I know more about dragons than sea serpents. Why do you want to know? You usually only ask questions about creatures that we see in class or that were related to the Vaults.”

“Just that… I read a Muggle legend where there was a talking sea serpent,” said Alice, looking back at the musicians.

“A Muggle legend? That explains it, then. They rarely get their facts straight when it comes to legends involving magical creatures!” replied Charlie, chuckling.

“You’re probably right,” said Alice, frowning. A frown that went unnoticed by Charlie.

The rest of the evening was spent listening to the music and dancing a little, Alice trying to keep her mind away from talking magical creatures. After having paid their tab at the end of the music session, they walked back to their hotel, once again walking by the still lively beach. On the other hand, the sea was as dark as the night sky, only reflecting the few stars above.

While her friends were talking and laughing as they reminisced about their vacation, Alice, holding Charlie’s hand, couldn’t help but glance at this pitch-black body of water. The secrets it could hide…

Da janela vê-se o Corcovado O Redentor que lindo Quero a vida sempre assim, com você perto de mim Até o apagar da velha chama

A/N #2: I hope you enjoyed it. The lyrics at the beginning of the fic are from Cidade Maravilhosa, while the ones at the end are from Corcovado by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Only one fic left to write in the Brazilian series!

[pleasereadmeok]

Can you help me please? I'm sure you had an English translation of Matthew's interview with Style Italia (2017?) on your blog however I can't find it. Can you help? Thank you. A Goode fan x

Hi Anon - yes of course. This one right? ⬇️

It's such a great interview with some lovely personal details from Matthew. @di-elle kindly did a translation for the matthew-goode.net press archive a few years ago so that follows ⬇️. Enjoy. : -

Matthew Goode is one of the most recognizable British actors of his generation. 38 years old, tall, slender, handsome, with a face composed of classic proportions and precise features that lends itself to both modern settings and period dramas.A look that’s allowed him to dive immediately into the world of Match Point, Brideshead Revisited, The Imitation Game, and A Single Man. In the last season of Downton Abbey, he was one of the most beloved characters as Lady Mary’s husband, a role that brought him popularity with the television audience. Now he appears with Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard in Allied.Skill,talent, determination and a bit of luck (essential in this business) have made Goode a sought-after and versatile actor, without affecting his overwhelming pleasantness and playfulness onset and off that serve as useful talents as well.In the penthouse of the London hotel where he is being photographed, he strokes the oval marble bathtub sitting in the middle of the room (‘So cool!’), gets enthusiastic by touching the clothes, the collars of the shirts, and the wool of the jackets.

Do you like design?I love it, even if it is my wife who has the eye for it.In front of the mirror, in the barber’s and makeup artist’s hands, he is a bundle of energy.  He is worried about Brexit (‘What’s happened? Where are we going?’) but happy to be able to buy a house. He is a little anxious, too, about the last phone call from his bank: ‘Being an actor means  living day by day. Banks don’t like it.’

Psychologically what does it entail?During dry spells you can lose confidence and believe that you will never work again. It’s not easy.

However you are not lacking jobs. How  was working  on Allied?Movies are strange beasts. You come, you spend two days on the set, you shoot your own scenes and you go. Despite this it was electrifying as it can be a film of these proportions. There was an atmosphere of great professionalism and harmony. Brad Pitt is a great person. He welcomed me fondly, as did Marion Cotillard. I had already met them both, but they are always like that, even with those they don’t know.

Is variety important to you?It’s the essence of life, isn’t it? At the end  the face and the voice are always those and if you specialize in a genre, it’s not easy to come out of it. It’s hard for me to resist period movies, it’s a great temptation. Costumes and interiors have a very strong charm.

Your name was made for the Bond role…I’ve sabotaged myself. Barbara Broccoli  (the film producer) called me and I didn’t realize it was an audition. I thought it was just a chat. She asked me what I thought of Bond. I was honest , I told her that the way it is today doesn’t work. They need to scale down the budget, and make the character more complicated, go back to the origin from the books: a dark, difficult, incomprehensible man. At the end she said goodbye and I didn’t hear from her again. Maybe sometimes it’s better to keep your mouth shut.

Do you like going to movies?There’s a little bit of jealousy to overcome but generally yes. I’d like to see Tom Ford’s new movie, Nocturnal Animals. He is a genius, he has an eye like no other. A Single Man should have won more awards. Ford was born as a stylist but he is a real artist.

Are you not tempted to move to the USA?I have three children and I want them to grow up here. I don’t like to go too far away. I told my agent I don’t want to work in the US for a year.

Is Matthew Goode a good father?It depends on the days. The noise stresses me. If there are two children crying, or screaming, I panic. In those cases, my wife takes care of it.

What do you do at home?I cook. It’s less tiring than playing with a one-year-old child… I can do a little of everything: my father taught me the first recipes when I was about to start university. Over the years I have made a leap in quality, from scrambled eggs to stews.

Your best recipe?Beef and Guinness stew. Two or three parsnips, a couple of carrots, two onions, some mushrooms. Two pounds of meat, a little flour. Mix it up, then slap it in the pot. Salt, pepper, some herbs and some beer. I love it. You put it on, you go get the kids from school, and when you come back, the house smells of dinner.

The role you’ve always wanted.Sherlock Holmes. Damn it, Benedict Cumberbatch has stolen it from me! Joking aside, it’s Jeffrey Bernard in the comedy Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, by Keith Waterhouse. Many years ago I saw Peter O’Toole in it and I’ve never forgotten. But you need to be 50 or 60 years old for it, so I’ll have to wait a little longer.

Did you want to be an actor as a child?My mother would say yes. Actually I discovered my path later in life. For a while I wanted to be an archaeologist, because my father was a geologist. One day one of my university mates went to audition for an acting school and I said: Why not, I should try it too. Finding an agent was a stroke of luck. Then the fight for survival began. It’s a slow and complicated road.

From the outside you look like someone who made it.(It may look that way) now, but like with everything when you start you are at the first step, you look up and say: I’ll never get there.

What’s your secret to overcome difficult moments?I have stopped watching the films I make. This has helped me a lot. You can’t control how they cut and edit your character. You can only control the experience, what you give and what gives to you. The result is almost insignificant. After a few years it can be fun watching yourself because you seem very young.

Do you practice sport a lot?I go to the gym in the morning, to start the day well. Twice a week I go out for lunch with my wife: and since I like to eat, and occasionally even drink, the gym is imperative. I also play golf but it takes time, it’s not an activity that fits well with a big family.

Your ideal holiday?I have fond memories of my childhood, camping with my father, the fishing rod, the green. I’d like to take my children. My wife resists for now.

What do you read?I hate to admit it, but I read very little. By the time I go to bed, I’m too tired.

A luxury?We’re planning how to sort out the house. If I could afford it I’d buy one of those enormous american washing machines with a tumble dryer.  It’s not what you’d expect from a star, is it?

[valdemart]

Valdebreed (Part 1)

When your significant other is a wealthy mad scientist demon lacking several human emotions, you don’t get a normal life. In fact, you give up a lot more than you realized you would have to. You just have to hope they also realize it.

(Afab Reader has sex with Valdemar with the intent to start a family. Some good angst, minor body horror, breeding kink tentacle smut. No sex in the first part. I wrote too damn much.)

 “You’re going to pop any day, huh?”

Annabella beamed at you, grinning widely.

“The doctor says it will happen sometime this week. Early next week at the latest.”

That comment gave you pause.

“Wait. You’re not working, are you?”

Annabella waved your concern off.

“Of course not. Even if I wanted to, the Countess wouldn’t allow it. But I’m bored at home all day just waiting for the baby to come and I wanted to chat with everyone.”

That was reassuring, at least. You didn’t think Annabella could work, not with such a huge belly. Her arms probably couldn’t even reach the stove at this point.

“Oh! They’re kicking! Did you want to feel?”

Without waiting for your answer, Annabella grabbed your hand and placed it on her lower stomach and, sure enough, you felt a little kick against your searching fingers. You couldn’t hide your delight and the mother laughed at how happy you looked.

“Careful. You’ll catch baby fever from me and end up the next staff out on maternity leave.”

You smiled in response, your hand still resting against her stomach.

“Who knows? Maybe.”

You didn’t know Annabella well enough to get into why children probably weren’t in the cards for you. Besides, why bring the mood down? You were perfectly content to let this little baby kick you all day.

“Ugh. Excuse me, dear. This little bundle of joy has me having to pee every 20 minutes, I swear.”

You waved goodbye and watched the cook waddle away down the hall. As you stood there, lost in your thoughts, you felt a small hand tug on your shirt and you jumped in surprise.

“Procurator! You scared me!”

Volta stood well below you, looking up at you with her large, watery eyes.

“Volta saw you rubbing that servant girl’s belly. Do you like babies?”

“Oh, yeah. Of course, I do. Doesn’t everyone?”

Volta shook her head.

“No. They are loud and their crying scares Volta. But Volta wonders if what the servant said is true.”

“If what part was true?”

“That you will be the next one to have a baby.”

The bluntness of ponderings made you blush.

“Oh, um…probably not.”

She cocked her head to the side like a confused puppy.

“But why not. You just told Volta that you like babies.”

You liked Volta. She was genuinely sweet, weird quirks of hers aside. But this was a weird conversation to be stuck in with her. Even if she was pushing a couple decades old, she didn’t seem to know much about more ‘grown up’ matters. And you didn’t want to explain the birds and a bees to a tiny demon in the middle of a palace hallway. Especially when there were elements of your particular birds and bees that you yourself were unsure of.

“I don’t think the Quaestor would be much interested in having children.”

“Did you ask Quaestor Valdemar to have a baby with you?”

That one was a step too far for you. You could feel your cheeks heating up.

“Oh no! Volta has embarrassed the magician!”

“It’s-it’s fine, Volta. It’s just complicated, is all. Hey, uh, I heard they were making cucumber ice cream in the kitchen.”

That was all you had to say to make Volta scamper off. While horribly embarrassing, at least that conversation was short. However, you noticed your mood had soured quite considerably in that time. While you had never discussed children, you knew Valdemar would never want them even if they could get you pregnant, and you doubted very much that they could. Your elation for the sweet mother to be had deflated and you felt a weak longing in your chest.

You could give sweets to the children of staffers and entertain them with card tricks and little illusions, but you would always be the fun auntie and never the mother. That was just your life now. A part of you had always known. From the moment you let Valdemar kiss you after learning what they truly were, you knew your life would never be ‘normal’. And that was fine at the time. It was then, it was when you moved in with them, and it was still fine now. But it wasn’t until now that you were hurt by that knowledge.

As long as you were with Valdemar, you would never be a mother.

 The sun was setting as your carriage pulled up at the front gate of Valdemar’s estate. You had been able to forget your somber morning realization enough to fulfill all your duties as Court Magician that day. Luckily it had just been some minor spells and charms. But, as you had worked, you made a promise to yourself to not think about it any longer. Why should you lose sleep tonight over something you couldn’t control?

You thanked the driver and gave him a few coins while ignoring his concerned look. It was the same look all the drivers gave you when they dropped you off. Every single one of them always looked at you with a face that screamed ‘Hey, Lady, are you sure you want to go in there? I’ll drive you somewhere safe and not horrifying’. It was just another concession you made in your new life. Put ignoring weird looks right up there with never having babies and never getting married and sleeping alone most of the time and…

You felt the sting of tears in your eyes and your shoulders slumped.

‘So much for not letting me get myself down.’

You stood at the front door for a moment. You could run. You could go back to town and start a normal life. Fall in love with a human. Do normal human things. Fall asleep with a warm body next to you every night. Have a family. Grow old with them and die a few months after each other.

You shook your head at your foolishness. You don’t pick who you fall in love with, and you don’t deny it for the sake of comfort and familiarity. If anyone could roll with the punches, it was you. So far, not even death had been able to stop you.

“I’m home!” You called out once you were in the large marble foyer. You did this every time you came home, but you rarely got an answer. If Valdemar wasn’t out doing gods only knew what, then they were downstairs working.

“In the dining room, Little One,” came the reply, and you almost jumped out of your skin.

Valdemar? In the dining room? Not once had you ever seen them in there. Not once in over a year. Did they even know how to get to the dining room?

If you had been confused when you first arrived home, you were double confused once you were actually in the dining room. The fireplace as well as several candelabras were lit, warming off the darkness that was taking over outside.

“There you are, Dear Magician. Please, have a seat.”

Valdemar was sitting at the far end of the dining table, which was clear on the other side of the room. On the side nearest you was a bowl of soup in fine, white china. There was steam rising tantalizingly off it, and your stomach rumbled. You were always invited to dine with the servants at the palace, and normally you did, but your dower mood had spoiled your appetite so you hadn’t had much. Still, this was a bizarre sight and you stayed where you were.

“Who died?”

Valdemar grinned. You could see their large, white shark teeth clear across the table.

“Several thousand humans I imagine. As they do every night. But no one we know.”

“Are you breaking up with me?”

Valdemar just sat, unblinking and smiling, waiting patiently for you to sit. So, you did.

The two of you sat in silence for a moment until Valdemar motioned towards the food. You could smell that it was chicken and you saw droplets of oil floating on top of the broth above peas and carrots. Whatever horrible news Valdemar was about to tell you, you could at least hear it with a full stomach. It was warm and salty and you were quickly halfway through the bowl. Then they finally spoke.

“I had an unexpected guest for lunch. They brought their own servants to cook.”

Well, that was still weird, but at least it explained everything. Valdemar only had a few cleaning staff that came a couple times a week. You were the only one that ever used the kitchen. Valdemar also wasn’t terribly concerned with etiquette, so you raised the bowl to your lips to drink down the rich broth.

“My guest was the Procurator.”

Also weird for Valdemar to actually host the Procurator, since they usually didn’t care what she had to say, but they did work together.

You licked your lips and set the bowl down, realizing how much better you felt with something warm in your stomach.

“What did the Procurator need?”

Valdemar smiled wider, which shouldn’t have been possible, but it was Valdemar, so they could.

“She told me the two of you had a very interesting conversation.”

“We did?”

You talked to Volta about Annabella’s baby for all of two minutes before she ran off for a snack. It was embarrassing, yes, but hardly lunch visit worthy. You tried to think back to any other conversations the two of you had in the past month, but they had all been about food. What the Hell was Valdemar talking about?

“What makes you so sure I don’t want children?”

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no no no no no!

Your mouth opened to speak, but no words came out, so you sat there, looking like a palace pond koi.

“I must say, that’s a bit presumptuous of you. I don’t recall ever having spoken to you on the subject.”

Valdemar was clearly enjoying your discomfort. They were looking at you like they were Valerius reading the label of a fine bottle of vintage wine.

“You look embarrassed. You couldn’t have been this embarrassed when you were discussing such intimate things with the Procurator. She said it was imperative that I give you a baby. She recommended us starting on it tonight.”

Did you know a spell to make the ground open up and swallow you? No, unfortunately. But you did make a mental note to figure one out if you survived this.

“I…It’s not like I…She didn’t even…”

Valdemar watch you flounder with your words, savoring each mortified little stutter you made. They may not have been physically sadistic with you, but no one could say they didn’t love to torture you other ways.

You sighed and looked down at the table, trying to collect yourself.

“Ok, I shouldn’t have assumed. But am I wrong? Do you want children? Can you even make children?”

At least hearing Valdemar admit you were right would help soothe your ego a little.

“I’m not sure.”

“See!? You don’t even want-“

You cut yourself off and stared at them.

“Wait. What?”

“I said I’m not sure. I hadn’t ever taken the time to think about it. Only a few short years ago I wouldn’t have considered a relationship with a human and yet here we are. That means there are other aspects that need to be considered as well. And physically, I’m unsure if I am able to procreate, especially with a human. It’s not something I had ever looked into.”

Valdemar admitting to being unsure of something? Clearly, you had died from the plague again and you were stuck in some coo coo crazy afterlife. Absurdity of it all aside, you felt yourself growing aggravated.

“Ok. Are you done now?”

Valdemar cocked their head.

“Whatever do you mean, Little One?”

“I mean, are you done now? You had this whole nice set up to embarrass me and I am. So, are you done now? You’re very clever and I’m a very dumb little human. I fucking get it.”

Valdemar’s smile dropped.

“I don’t appreciate that tone, Apprentice.”

Your arms prickled with goosebumps as they stared you down across the table. ‘Apprentice’ was what they said as a more polite way of calling you an insolent little shit. They rarely used it with you but, when they did, it usually had you shape up pretty quickly. But tonight, it wasn’t going to work. All the heartache of the day had come back to you, and you felt that hurt bubble into anger. Your mouth filled with venom. How dare they embarrass you like this? After all you’ve given up for them.

“I didn’t talk to you about it because I knew you wouldn’t care! You don’t care when I get home, you don’t care when I go to bed alone, and you don’t care if I’m lonely! I-“

You stopped. That’s exactly what it was. You got lonely. It was lonely in a giant palace with a demon that didn’t like to cuddle or play kissy face or have sex. You felt the unshed tears from earlier and all the anger in you shriveled and died like early clover under a frost. You couldn’t just have kids because you were lonely. Children shouldn’t come into the world with a job to do. That was a terribly unfair burden to place on an infant. You couldn’t just make someone and want them to fix you.

You turned away from the table, knowing that if you had to look at them you would cry.

“I’m going to spend to night at the shop,” You said, your voice unsteady.

Two cold, gloved arms wrapped around your waist and you were pulled back against Valdemar. They had crossed the room in a few silent seconds.

“Lemme go,” you whimpered quietly, your bottom lip trembling. You didn’t want to start sobbing after you had just gotten done yelling like some kind of mad woman.

One of the hands released you and brushed your hair back from your face.

“Hush now, Little Mouse. There’s no need for tears.”

Of course, with Valdemar asking you not to cry, your eyes decided you absolutely had you and you sobbed pitifully.

“Poor Little Human. So many emotions to feel.”

They loosened their grip and turned you around gently so you could cry against them. You always tried so hard not to cry in front of them, but you were too far gone to stop now. Their fingertips started to trail up and down your back soothingly as they made no attempt to push you off of them despite the excessive display of emotion you were putting on.

“I knew you were lonely. It would be very lonely, to come back from death’s realm. Perhaps the only human to do so. I suppose it feels simpler than that.”

You stopped crying and looked up at them with surprise. They were right. Even when people knew you had come back, Hell, even with Asra, you felt a wall between yourself and them. No one understood what it was like to come back. No one understood death like you did. No one understood being alive but knowing exactly how it felt to die. Except Valdemar, of course. But you didn’t know they knew about those feelings.

“A child won’t understand you either,” they explained as they softly brushed their thumb against your cheek.

“Do you…can you have children?” You asked softly. The pain of earlier was gone. You finally felt seen. Someone finally understood your quandary. You had tried to voice your loneliness to Asra and Portia once. They had both hugged you tightly and assured you that you weren’t alone and that they loved you. But they were wrong. As much as you loved each other, they didn’t understand the loneliness you meant. Even with half a heart, Asra didn’t know what it was to be alive when you shouldn’t be.

“I simply don’t know. I’ve never tried.”

Valdemar looked down at you with crimson, slitted eyes that should have been unnerving, if not terrifying, but you felt so soft and safe under them.

“It’s…probably something we should talk about later.”

“Of course, Dear One. Although, for the sake of science, I was hoping you’d try with me tonight.”

You stared at them, trying to process what they were saying. You had swung through too many moods tonight for their weird analytical speaking.

“I had had your bedroom ready for after dinner. Before I had teased you too much.”

“Wait, you mean you wanted to...” Were they talking about sex? Had they planned to have sex with you before you blew up?

“Considering how the evening played out, perhaps you should just sleep for tonight, hm?”

Perhaps. They were probably right about you needing to sleep this off. But you had had sex with Valdemar so rarely that just the prospect had your body lit up. Of course, they got you off plenty with their hands and occasionally their mouth, but the two of you had only had actual sex a handful of times. But now they wanted to? And they set up for it?

You wiped your eyes on the back of your hands quickly.

“No. We mustn’t keep science waiting. Important discoveries to be made and all that.”

Valdemar searched your face, looking for any sign that you might be lying to them about being ok now. When they could only see your genuine excitement, they grinned.

“Fascinating little thing that you are.”

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2 is gonna have it all! Body horror! Tentacle sex! Knotting! Dirty talk! Whatever else I decide is hot! Stay tuned!

[revengeisourlullaby]

If I Never Knew You (End)

Warnings: 18+, honestly this one barely has anything crazy going on it in. It’s the resolve to everything, a little angst, 

a/n: I hope you all have enjoyed this little series I wrote up. I had a lot of fun writing it and maybe will do more in the future. Maybe I’ll add onto this and further the story line but as of right now I’m pretty content with the outcome. As always, asks/requests are open! And if you want to be tagged let me know! Have a wonderful day :)

Word count: 1.9K

Loki x female!reader

Eyes fluttering open, it was dark in your room. The moonlight peeking in from underneath the curtains in your bedroom. Sitting up in your bed you reached over into your bedside table and pulled out a box of matches. Grabbing the candle sitting atop your table you lit it to move around your room without tripping over anything. Reaching the door it seemed that everyone had slipped into their own bedrooms for the evening. 

Perfect.

Closing your door once more you moved toward your closet and picked out a dress more suitable for the evening. It was blue-gray with thin straps holding the beauty together. The neck had extra fabric that mimicked sleeves and trailed down the front of your chest. Silver embellishments were delicately placed down the bottom of the skirt and pooled at the bottom of your feet when you wore it. Setting the candle back on your nightstand, you shimmied out of the dress Loki so kindly gave to you this morning and put on your new one. Hoping that new clothes would rid you of some of the residual energy of the day.

On the front of your bed was a grey knitted shawl that you made months prior. Finding your pair of silver sandals you tied the straps around your ankle and blew out the candle. Letting your eyes become adjusted to the dark you gently moved the curtain careful to not make any noise when pulling it back. Sticking your head out the window you made sure that the coast was clear still and your father hadn’t come outside for something. Seeing the still night you grabbed your shawl and gingerly slid out your window. Wrapping the shawl around your head you began your possible last walk to the golden tower you were hoping to once be yours.  

You had to walk silently but also with a purpose. Judging by where the moon sat in the sky, Loki would still be awake at this hour. Once stepping out of the vicinity that was your home you felt safer to move more quickly. Almost running, you made your way to the garden that Loki found you in the very first time you met. Unknowingly, tears were rolling down your cheeks. The day's events coming back to haunt you and the beautiful memories you shared with Loki come to the forefront as well. It was becoming too much to bear all too quickly.

Slowing down you balanced yourself on your knees and took slow deep breaths. Finally catching your breath, you saw a figure in the distance walking toward the garden. You froze but didn’t want to look too suspicious so you slowly walked into the garden and sat on the marble bench. Turning your back, you faced out toward the water that surrounded Asgard and hoped that the figure you saw walking in the distance would never come. But to your dismay, you heard the ground crunching behind you. Shuddering you hoped they would just walk on by leaving you to be alone. 

“Are you alright?”

It was Loki. What was he doing out?

You were surprised nonetheless but also extremely relieved. 

“Loki? What are you-”

You cut yourself, your emotions bubbling up in your throat. A knot formed and you were trying your best not to let tears spill over but Loki’s presence broke the dam you desperately tried to keep together.

“Y/N, what’s the matter? Why are out here running across the ground and alone?”

Loki finally made his way to face you head-on and upon placing his finger under your chin he saw the remnants of the tears staining your cheeks. 

“Who hurt you? Did something happen at home?”

“Y-yes, but I just...I’m beyond overwhelmed and seeing you just kinda pushed me over my limit. My apologies.”

“Darling, look at me.” 

Placing his hands on either side of your shoulders, he took one hand and wiped another hot tear streaking down your face.

“If you don’t tell me what’s happened I can’t begin to help you through anything. So, walk me through it. We’ve got all night.”

He smirked at you. Trying to make light of the situation, something he’s always had a knack for. Sighing, you let out a choked laugh finding the strength within you to speak to Loki about everything.

“Well, I told my parents. And my mother was surprisingly accepting of us and the idea of it all-”

“-Which is good! So why the crying?”

“Well if you let me finish...My father is the one who gave me a hard time. And to top it off, they had a suitor in there at the dining table to meet me. So on top of him completely disregarding my happiness and what my life means to me, some poor bastard had to hear it all firsthand. It was just wildly embarrassing.”

“So...we have one out of two blessings. Well, that's better than nothing.”

“Yes but Loki I’m not even supposed to be here right now. My father at the top of his lungs said that I’m not to see you again until his mind is made.”

Loki’s hands traveled down your arms and rested on top of your hands.

“Did you tell him about, well you know..”

“Yes and I think that is our only saving grace right now. Without that, I don’t think he would’ve even considered a second thought.”

You sighed, buried rage now coming to the forefront

“And the way he spoke about you, he wouldn’t even let me defend you or explain myself. Just continuously cut me off. Gods! If only he knew. If only he cared to know the love and passion we share with one another. But I’ve never had the luxury of him truly listening to me. Always been the afterthought and he doesn’t understand that with you, you’ve always made me feel centered. Never off balance and you’ve given all and more I could ever ask for in a partner. Loki I just can’t bear to lose you. I just can’t.”

“Come. Stand up Y/N.”

Loki held your hands tightly as if to tell you there was no way he was letting go. Reluctantly, you stood from the bench and trailed behind Loki. He led you to the ledge of the garden, getting a better look out at what was Asgard. The moonlight painting both of you beautifully and the roses framing your body eloquently.

“Look out at the sky. What do you see Y/N?”

“The stars, the moon shining bright, and freedom for lack of a better term.”

“And what stands out to you the most?”

“The stars. The way the shine in tandem with the moon. It makes for a beautiful image that I don’t think I could forget.”

Tapping on the back of your hand, you turned to face Loki

“The stars cannot exist without the moon my love, the same way our love cannot exist without one another.”

You knew his words meant well but you couldn’t help but sniffle at them. It almost felt like a goodbye of some sort.

“Yes, but Loki-”

“-Ah ah. No ‘buts’. Listen to me. Everything that has happened between us I wouldn’t trade for anything. If I never knew you I would have known how precious life can be. If I never knew you I would never have known what unconditional love felt like.”

The tears in your eyes have now since faded, being replaced with unbelievable wonder and complete and utter love. Loki’s eyes held such sincerity that you felt you needed to speak up sooner or you would look like a fool, but he beat you to it.

“In this world that’s full of fear, rage, and lies, you showed me the truth of what life could be. And you showed me it with such luster that I couldn’t imagine anything else. And when I look into your eyes I know you feel the same, so please, Y/N, dry your eyes. None of this would have been possible without your radiant shine and love for life and for that, I am so grateful to you.”

Words failed you but you wanted to let him know that you were still in this till the end. Gazing up at him you looked down and placed your face into his chest, wrapping your arms around him in a tight, unsuspecting hug. Pulling away from him you finally felt that words could be formed and you could properly voice your thoughts. You stood closer to the ledge and looked off into the distance before speaking. 

“I thought our love would be so beautiful and somehow make the entirety of Asgard burn with admiration. I never knew that hate and fear could be so strong and leave us in the dust waiting for answers that may never be given.”

Turning around to face him you looked up into his eyes again and his hand rested on your lower back.

“But still my heart is saying we were right and I can’t let that go. I never will. For if I never knew you, I would have never known this love that we’ve created. I found you when I was meant to and I’m forever grateful for the moments we have created.”

“Y/N I want you to know that there is no moment I regret. With you, I have finally learned what it means to live with purpose. While I don’t think our time is gone just yet, with you I have lived at last. There’s no avoiding that. I’d be lost forever if I never knew you.”

A bittersweet smile pressed against your lips and you brought his face down to yours. A kiss that was searing but with affirmation and probity. You felt at home in Loki’s arms and he felt the same. The two of you would be taking this hurdle by storm and ensuring that separation would not be a variable worth considering. Loki pulled away and stepped behind you, wrapping his hands around your waist and his head resting atop yours. Rolling it to the side he spoke once more,

“You know this isn’t goodbye right. Just a small bump in the road.”

“I know. Considering my mother was on board it’s only a matter of time, I just want to know for sure when that time will come. My father just makes everything hectic.”

“Buut you have me, and always will. So when you need not only relief but comfort I am here for you darling. He’s not going to lock you up forever, eventually, he’ll tire of ignoring his only daughter and will regret his decisions. Trust me. Just harbor a bit of patience.”

“I’m not sure what I would’ve done without you in my life Loki. Everything seems possible with you.”

Bringing your hands up to rest on his you spoke again,

“I love you, Loki.”

“Y/N, I love you more than you could envision and I will be counting the days until I get to call you my wife. Formally at least. Because principally, you already are.”

The two of you began swaying in each other's arms enjoying the silent company between you two. Within time you wouldn’t be restrained from your lover, but at this moment you wanted to soak it all in. Imagining your life together and what could be. You knew you couldn’t stay out for long, not wanting to risk your father’s temper or your sanity. But while you could enjoy this moment, you made sure to bask entirely in the seraphic ambiance of it all.

_______________________________________________________________________

Taglist: @mad4marvelloki​ @lightmelikeamatch​