#i'm looking back through outlaws for an edit

[last-words-ofashootingstar]

Cornflower Blue

SPOOKTOBER SPECIAL

❥Yandere Outlaw Song Mingi x fem reader

✃The moonlight seeps in through the sheer curtains and paints your skin in a haze of blue. The bruise on your temple like a water color bloom.

♡'･ᴗ･'♡ genre: plot heavy smut, yandere, angst

♫ "You love me 'till you wear me out, then you love me more." -Cornflower Blue, Flower Face ♫"Love's never been more than pain, so Baby, show me how bad you hurt." -Dog Days, Ethel Cain ♫

➯a/n: this is my darkest fic yet imo, be sure to read the contents and take care of yourself! also im super proud of this, it took like three months tbh and i still didn't get to fit in everything i wanted to. enjoy some yandere minki 💙➯a/n 6/23/25 i finally edited this lmao

ಠ_ಠwarning/content: GOOD LORD WHAT HAVE I DONE ??? wild west au, HEAVY yandere themes, murder, reader near death experience, mingi is CRAZY, bribery, manipulation, threatening, gun violence/shoot-out, injuries, invasion of privacy, 'off-screen' death of main characters, kidnapping, NSFW; multiple sex scenes, masturbation (jorkin it), unprotected(BOO), corruption kink, virginity loss, head(reader receiving), size difference, spit, breeding kink, overstim, biiiiiig dick mingi (i'm a sucker😞), praise, dirty talk, soft sex turned rough, extreme possessiveness

♫"My Babe would never fret about what my hands and my body done- if The Lord don't forgive me, I'd still have my Baby." -Work Song, Hozier ♫"I just wanted to be yours. Can I be yours? Just tell me I'm yours." - Strangers, Ethel Cain ♫

MATURE UNDER CUT MDNI

"Ellis~" Your sing song tone echoes out through the alleyway, crates of stored food blocking your view. "Oh, my! Is that a corn snake?" You yell out dramatically, crouching down behind a crate.

"Where?!" The young boys voice gets closer by the second until he runs up to you and you snatch him up.

"Wraa! I got you!" He laughs loudly, an heart-full sound that rings out in the dead town.

Everyone has gone besides very few to a new market up North.

"I've caught you, and I'll eat you up!" You pull him up as he yells and laughs; swinging him around as you twirl to the main road. "I'll have ye for supper," you laugh with your best witch-like voice.

"No, I'm not tasty!"

"No? Well... I guess I shouldn't do this then!" You playfully nom at his sweatered shoulder, tickling his ribs.

"Auntie, please, I'll do it! I'll sweep!"

You stand up like nothing ever happened and smile, "great, Miss Carmen will be most pleased."

You had recruited multiple of the youngsters left behind to help you maintain the vacant homes while the market took place, and some off them were less than happy to have been roped in. "Would you like me to carry you?"

"Ye' , please!" His smile is missing a tooth, and it makes you chuckle.

You place him over your hip and begin the short walk, planning out the rest of the days chores in your head when he screams, "horsie!"

You follow the path his chubby finger points to, and find a large figure riding in past the town sign on a similarly large white horse. His face is obscured by his large droopy hat, but that isn't what makes you suspicious at first.

The man riding into town has multiple guns on his figure.

You scramble to the side of the dirt path and hold Ellis' head to your shoulder, looking up at the stranger as he slows his horse to come to a stop right infront of you.

   "Hello, Si-"

  "Auntie, I'm scared." Despite your best efforts, the young boy had caught a glimpse of the towering and dangerous-looking man, shivering in your hold.

     You crouch and set him down carefully, rubbing his back for a moment before you turn him in the direction you want him to go, "run off to the schoolhouse, tell Maria to come and cook up our guest a meal. You can do that, right?"

     He rubs his eyes and peeks at the man before looking back to you, nodding quickly. "Go on and get, then." You pat his shoulder and watch him run before turning to the man.

       "Room and board, Sir?" You ask the hidden man formally.

    "Yes." He speaks simply, swinging his leg over and jumping down from the horse.

    He's no less intimidating now that he's technically level with you. He looms over you like a shadow and places a chill in your bones. "Is this place a ghost town?"

He has an accent that you can't place, but you lock onto it anyhow because it's quite clear he isn't from around here. You look away from him, trying to hide your nerves at the fact that he's the first real stranger you've ever met.

    "No, Sir. Most are away to sell our spring crops."

He hums shortly in response, watching you closely from under the shadow his hat casts over his eyes as you grab his horses reigns. You can feel the way his eyes bore into your every move as you begin waking, "follow me, then."

    It's a silent and most awkward walk down the deserted main street, and you can still feel his gaze burning into your back as you lead his horse into the stables.

"So, where are you from, stranger?"

     "Away." Your feeble attempt at small talk is shut down by the man immediately as he stands in the large doorway, broad shoulders nearly touching its sides.

"Very well," you step back out of the horse's temporary home, and are put in the shadow his large frame casts. "Uhm, my name is (Y/n)," you extend your hand, trying to remember your manners despite the fear in your gut.

     He takes your hand, roughly. You can't tell if he means to- or if he's just that strong. "Mingi."

     His hand is cold. It shocks you. You pull away from his grip and push past him, head lowered. You've quickly found that you don't enjoy strangers.

"Miss Maria can help you get settled, show you around if you like. Nothin' much to do 'round here besides drink or play pool." You ramble on as you head to the bar, just down the road. You don't have to look behind you to know he's following. You can feel his gaze locked in on your back, that same feeling you get when men at the bar have one too many drinks or that time when a wild boar cornered you.

      The bar isn't anything special, though — nothing in the town is really. He looks around, silently. A few wooden booths and rickety tables. A pool table. A small island that separates the main floor and the bartenders area. Beyond that, he can see a kitchen.

He almost thought his luck had run out when he rode into the seemingly deserted town — and then he saw you twirling the young boy into the main road.

     He nods his head, maybe subconsciously, to say he's pleased enough to stay.

"Up this way," your voice echoes in the empty space, and you touch his arm ever so lightly to get his attention. The staircase is hidden by the corner, and he has to crouch to ascend them. When he does, he's pleasantly surprised.

     The room has a homey, lived in feel to it. Well — most of it. It's a large space, walls decorated with dried flowers and boxed in dead insects, chalk drawings of all kinds of things on the dark oak walls. There's a slanted shelf that's adorned with carved wooden trinkets and toys, most of which have a small layer of dust if he looks hard enough. A large open window is on the back wall, facing the town, and a dresser that fits perfectly under it. The bed on the left side of the dresser is messy, a large fur blanket that's bundled up to expose pristine white sheets.

     The part that doesn't look as lived in is on the right side of the dresser. An fresh lantern candle placed neatly on the made bed, dark red sheets and grey comforter.

     "I hope you don't mind a roommate... I'm not here for the most part, I won't be in your hair." You're shuffling around quickly, hiding a few things that he didn't get to inspect into the left side of the dresser. "You can," you gulp, clearly uncomfortable with the silent man, "you can put your things away in these drawers if you like."

He stands, like a scarecrow, holding his rucksack tightly. When he moves; you flinch, sliding closer to what he's now placed together is your bed. He chooses to ignore that, sitting down on the other bed and feeling the soft fabric. "You own this place?"

You're taken aback by his unprovoked speaking, gathering you thoughts as you sit across from him on your own bed. "Uh, no. A man named Louis owns this and the bar."

"Hm. And you?"

"I work down in the bar, bartending and such. So he lets me stay."

A small smirk plays at his lips, hidden by his hat as he looks around again. You've clearly lived here a long while. There's more to your story than just working downstairs. "Kind of him."

    "Very. You may be able to thank him for his hospitality, he gets back in a few days." You pause for a moment before you ask tentatively, "how long will you be staying?"

     He stands and turns his back to you as he takes off his hat, beginning to unpack his bag. "Few weeks maybe."

    "Ah," you draw quietly, anxiety growing in your gut. The very few visitors you could remember stayed for only days, if that. Even then, they weren't total strangers. They were people that others in town knew from the market or city.

    "Hope you don't mind a roommate," he turns back around and tosses a look your way as he starts to fold his clothing into the unoccupied drawers. And if the air wasn't gone from your lungs by now, it certainly is as you get a good look at his face.

This stranger, Mingi, is the most handsome being you've ever laid your eyes upon.

     His eyebrows are softly arched, beautifully curved nose and lips. And his eyes — oh, his eyes. You swear you could get lost in them.

And it seems you do, staring at the man despite the fact your intuition is telling you to look away. "Handsome, I know."

    A heat flushes your face and you force yourself to look away as he smirks at your flustered state, "w-well, you know, uh- let me go and fetch Miss Maria, you must be famished!"

     With that, you're down the stairs and out the bar. He watches as you speed walk away through the window, blissfully unaware that he's opened up your drawers to have a deeper look into his roommate.

༄

You dodged the handsome stranger until you no longer could, the sun was setting and there were no more excuses to be found to avoid going back home.

He wasn't in the room when you returned, but the bathroom door was closed and you could see the flickering of a candle from the cracks.

    You lit a few candles on the dresser before the sun fully set, taking some deep breaths as you heard him moving around. You remove your boots, a groan of relief settling behind your lips as you wiggle your toes.

    As you're unfolding your night gown, the door to the bathroom creaks open. "Hello, Miss," he greets, much warmer than his earlier aura.

     "Mingi," you greet back with a small smile, "have you found your way around well?" You shift your weight uncomfortably as he tilts his head; as if he's trying to read you.

    "Mhm, this ghost town isn't as bad as I thought," he sits down on his bed, rolling his head with a groan.

     "Very good, maybe when the other return you'll find it even better." You can't wait for the day. His presence makes you... uneasy, might be best way to put it. You know he could easily over power you and the others.

Elderly, young, and women who don't have a single idea of self defense. Maybe that was stupid on your towns part — but you needed all of the hands on deck to sell the bountiful harvest.

      You excuse yourself and lock the bathroom door behind you, double checking before you begin to remove your day clothes. As you change, you start to wonder if maybe Mingi was just uncomfortable around strangers as well. He's seemed to have warmed up quite a bit to you. You'll have to ask Maria in the morning about their encounter.

     Perhaps he won't be as bad as you expected —

"Oh, dear me!" You stumble as you re-enter the room, covering your eyes with your hands. "Uhm, Mingi?"

    "I'm just cleaning my wound," he chuckles, watching you with a glint in his eyes.

      You peek through your fingers, keeping your hands to your face to hide.

    Indeed, he's shirtless. Your eyes hadn't played a trick on you.

      You swallow the gathering wetness in your mouth as you peer at his naked torso. He's slim — toned in all the right places. His arms are something of a dream to you, and you have to force yourself to look away from them as sinful thoughts begin growing in your mind.

    Instead, you take a look at the injury he referred to.  A shallow gash going from his hip around and up to his back. The edges of it are already scarring, leaving only the middle of it as a wound.

You slowly approach the end of his bed, hands resting on the metal bed frame. "May I ask?"

"Every man his enemies. Mine happen to be good with throwing knives."

"Is that why you carry all those weapons?" The question has been nagging you. He has so many. And you don't like them. You don't like that they are in your home. He's left them on his side of the dresser.

"Perhaps." He groans as he tries to reach around and clean the part of the cut that stretches onto his back. "Would... would you be so kind, (Y/n)?"

It's your turn to be the silent type. You move to sit beside him, taking the damp rag and jar of salve with shaking hands. You haven't been this close to him until now. You haven't been this close to any man, really.

He smells shockingly good.

He shivers as you begin cleaning up his wound, and you apologize under your breath.

Unbeknownst to you — that was not a shiver of pain.

He's always been the nosy type. He couldn't help himself but try to get to know you through your belongings while you were gone. And he struck a pot of gold when he found your diary.

The entries dated back seven years. And he read through all seven of them. With every word, he became more and more infatuated with you.

And your touch on his body solidified that infatuation. It felt right. Your innocent, helping touch turned his infatuation into something more sinister.

So, no. It was not a shiver of pain.

"There you go," you can't help but stroke the large expanse of his back once you've finished; it's a work of art. Thankfully, he doesn't seem to notice.

But, oh, does he. He has to bite his lip to hold back a moan, looking down at his lap. His member is twitching from the smallest, most pure of your touches. "Thank you kindly." He forces out, breathily.

You're in your own bed much to quickly for his liking, hiding under your blanket. "Goodnight, Mingi. I shall see you in the morning."

༄

     "Hello, stranger," you smile at him as he steps out of the building, earning one back. "Slept well, I hope?"

    "Very, thank you." He takes a seat on the steps of the bar next to you and watches the sun grow higher in the sky. "May I ask you a personal question, (Y/n)?"

     "I suppose so," you shift slightly, toying with the strings on your boots. While your feet rest on the step just below your bottom, his stretch all the way off of the steps and onto the dirt.

    "Where is your family?"

    "I'm sorry?"

   "Well it's just — you're a beautiful young woman. Don't you have a husband and a couple of rug-rats?"

    "Rug-rats," you repeat with a chuckle, shaking your head. "No, no rug-rats."

"And... a husband?"

"The closest I have to a husband is Castle... my mutt." You look to him with a bigger smile, your nerves and anxiety around him unwinding. When he laughs, you feel a flutter in your stomach that makes them disappear completely.

You turn back to the sun as it rises, trying to convince yourself that the heat you feel on your cheeks is from the warmness of it. "Why do you ask?"

He hums, leaning back on his elbows and allowing his eyes to flick up and down as they observe you. "Wanted to know my chances."

"Oh!" You look back at him, his eyes shining with that glint once more, "the cow boy is a flirt? I see."

"I'm not a cowboy."

"No?" You lean back and join him, crossing your legs. Maria had told you just earlier that he was strange, that she sensed a darkness about him. But you only felt warmth and light. "What are you then, Mingi?"

"An outlaw." The smirk on his lips makes you think he's joking, and you let out a laugh.

If only you knew that Mingi was being truthful.

༄

      The wagons roll into town the next morning, bright and early. You're still asleep when the first one comes, but the happy hollering from Maria wakes you and Mingi both with a start.

    He's dazed and confused, rolling around and glaring at at ceiling above him. While you — well, you nearly jump out of your skin to run downstairs.

     Still in your nightgown and soft socks, you almost slip and fall as you jump off of the last stair and slide into the main area. "Lou!" You collide into him and sway happily as the older man lifts you up in his arms.

"There's my girl! You been holdin' us down?" He sets you down carefully and inspects you, making sure you've been kept safe in his time away.

"You know I have," you give him a wide and toothy smile, "how was the new market?"

"Oh, it was wonderful, dear! Next time I should take you both with me, so many new things," he reaches into his satchel, handing his wife something small and shiny.

Mingi, in his own sleep clothes — just a loose pair of pants, slowly descends the stairs; silent as a mouse as he watches the three of you.

Miss Maria, the older woman with a scarf permanently affixed to her head, looks down at the ring with a teary smile. "Oh, Louis, you shouldn't have."

You lift yourself up and sit on one of the tables, watching the two kiss with a small smile.

"Why shouldn't I? A man is meant to spoil his wife, isn't that what I always say? Besides, we made quite the profit this time around." His wrinkled hand cups her cheek, and you can't help but coo at their affection.

"Y'all are too stinkin' cute." Maria looks away bashfully, admiring the ring on her hand. While Louis turns to you with a smile, which fades as quickly as it came.

"And who is this?" His hand is on his belt, twitching at his pistol as he spots Mingi coming up behind you. You turn, and then back, moving his hand away from his weapon.

"That's Mingi, he got here a few days ago. A traveler." You don't know if that last part is necessarily true. Mingi never did tell you why he was passing by your isolated town. "He's quite alright."

"He's half naked — and so are you! Young lady-"

"Lou!" Maria is flabbergasted by what he seems to be implying, while you don't seem to see the innuendo.

Of course you are? You just awoke.

Mingi stays silent, and simply extends his hand to Louis. When he doesn't take it, he puts it back to his side, joining you at the table.

It seems to you that Mingi is indeed weary of strangers. He seems only comfortable with you. Yesterday, he followed you around; almost like a lost dog. Insisting that he wanted to help you with your daily chores.

His eyes flick down to your chest. Sure, he's seen you in your nightgown. But that was in the moon or candle light. The sunlight from the many bar windows exposes just how sheer it is. He can see your nipples if he looks hard enough. And have no doubt — he's looking.

And Louis notices, ears flushing red with anger as the strange traveler looks you up and down. "Alright, dear, go get dressed."

"Oh, but I wish to hear of the market! Unc-"

"Now, (Y/n)."

With a sigh, you slide off of the table, patting Mingis exposed shoulder as you pass him. He goes to follow you back upstairs when Louis grips his wrist. Hard.

Maria is fiddling with her new ring, almost cowering behind her husband as she feels Mingis aura once again. She can't seem to pinpoint why; but she doesn't like this man one bit. He's done nothing to her, to anyone for that matter. But she feels an evilness seep from his gaze.

"Have a seat, Mingi." Louis doesn't seem to like him either. Maybe because of his silent demeanor or the way he was ogling you.

He does so, with a bored expression, plopping down on one of the wooden booths. Louis slides into the long seat seat across from him, waving Maria off. She doesn't need to be told twice. She doesn't want to be near that man for one second more than necessary.

Alone in the seating area, the two men stare silently at one another. As if sizing each other up.

Louis is the first one to break, reaching into his pocket. A rusted old locket is slid across the scratched table top, and Mingi catches it before it falls into his lap.

As he opens it up, he sees a picture of two people in either of the oval locket. One, a woman with a wide smile. The other, a man looking down at the baby held to his chest. Their features seem... familiar.

"Her parents."

He looks up slowly, and sees the older man leaning back, "I'm sorry?"

"Those are her parents. My little sister and her husband. Died seven years ago, train crash. Hit a cow on the tracks. Hate those damned things. They can't slow down quick enough to avoid hittin' something."

It's silent again, save for the sounds of Maria cooking up a storm in the back.

He looks down at the pictures again. Seven years ago... that's when your diary entries start. But you never mentioned the crash. Did you just decide to forget about it? Move on?

Louis can almost see the cogs turning in his brain as he looks at the worn photo. Before Mingi can ask, Louis is answering. "I seen the way you looked at my little girl. The same way I look at my Maria. So I'mma tell you," he points to the locket, "I made a promise the day that train crashed. You know what that promise was?"

"No?"

"That I'd gut anyone who ever laid an evil finger on that girl."

"Maria!" They hear you coming back down, and Louis snatches up the locket from Mingis hands as he stands. You stop briefly and look at them, but move on when you see Louis smiling down at him. "Have you seen my vest?" Your voice grows distant as you join your aunt in the kitchen, unaware that the smile was followed by a threat.

"Don't make me gut you, boy."

༄

"You're so soft," you mutter as you brush the white mare with your fingers, stood just outside of her stable. She neighs loudly at you. "Oh, I know. So many strange horses, you must be frightened."

The once empty stable house was now filled again, everyone was back in town by high-noon. She seems like her owner; and like you. She doesn't like strangers. She nearly kicked the short door down when you approached with a handful of hay.

A few minutes later; she's letting you pet her. You're stood on a stool, bent over the edge of the door to dust the dirt off of her white coat. "You're a sweet girl, huh?" You smile at the animal, receiving more neighs in response.

"Who're you talking to?"

The abrupt interruption makes you stumble, nearly falling off of the wobbly stool. You steady yourself on the door and look back, throwing a smile his way when you see it's Mingi. "Your horse."

He joins your side at the door, holding his hand out to his mare. "You know she can't talk back, right?"

"Don't mean she can't listen."

He smiles at your response. You really are a kind soul; giving affection to an animal that can't give you anything in return.

"Busy, Miss (Y/n)?"

You shake your head. Nobody has come by the bar yet, and you don't think anyone will for a while. They're all spending time with their families.

"How about a ride, then?" He's opening up the door before you can respond, making your upper body follow it, legs outstretched to stay on the stool.

"Oh- I don't... I don't know how."

He keeps putting the saddle on the horse despite your words, a smile playing at his lips. By the way you're smiling as well, he knows you want to. "I can teach you. Are you afraid?"

     "I must admit... a bit."

    "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

    "Really?"

    "Mhm."

      You hop down from the stool and move it out of the way as Mingi walks the mare out of her stable, following close behind him with a wide smile. You get a few strange looks from townspeople as you and the towering stranger stop in the middle of the main dirt road.

     One pair of eyes watches you even closer — Louis stands from his rocking chair on the porch of the bar, staring dumbfounded as Mingi picks you up and helps you onto the animal. Jaw dropped as he hops up and sits in the saddle right behind you, hands guiding yours to hold the reigns. Before he can even get off of the porch, the both of you are galloping out of town.

     The cool October air against your face as you slowly gain speed feels freeing, like it's washing your very soul. Your nerves are still shaking a bit, and you lean your back into Mingis chest, holding onto the reigns tightly. You jump ever so slightly when one of his hands rests over your stomach, gently holding you.

     "Don't worry," he says, "I've been riding since I was a child."

And so, you don't worry. You let the freeing feeling wash over you, relaxing into him and letting the mare take you where ever she pleases. Which just so happens to be the furthest you can ever remember being from town. You nearly forget that Mingi is even with you until you feel his hand move away from your stomach.

He grabs the reigns, his hand over yours as he pulls her head back carefully, slowing her to a stop in the middle of a field. He pulls your hands back with his and settles them in your lap, atop of your bundled up skirts.

She lowers her head and starts chewing on some of the green grass. You look up at the sky, clear and bright.

"Not so scary, right?" Mingi speaks up gently, his hands never leaving your own as he looks up at the baby blue with you.

"Not at all, though maybe it's because you did all of the work," you let out a small laugh, turning your hands palms up and letting him weave his fingers into yours, enveloping you in warmth. "Is this what your life is like?"

The endless expanse of nature staring back at you, birds chirping their lovely songs.

"For the most part." He doesn't want to tell you about the other parts of his life. The bloody and harsh parts. You don't need to hear about that. Not when you're so pure and soft in comparison.

"I like it. I can see why you don't settle, cowboy."

"I'm not a cowboy."

A grin on both your faces, a comfortable silence overcomes you for a moment. He leans and slowly, almost nervously, rests his forehead on your shoulder. When you don't make a move to lean away, he absolutely melts into you. His heart beating in his ears, he's shocked you haven't looked back to search for a marching band with how loud it is.

"I think I may stay a little while longer," he whispers tenderly into your shoulder.

"I think I may like that." You whisper right back.

You revel in each others touch for a few more moments before he moves, scooting back away from your backside. "Let's stretch our legs." Before you can complain, he's jumped off the horse and is holding out his arms for you. Deciding 'why not', you lean over and let him essentially pull you off her back.

You stretch your arms over your head as you wander, smiling back at him.

Oh, he could easily get addicted to that smile.

Directed at him — and him alone.

He watches with a flicker in his eyes as you start gathering wild flowers, folding up the rim of his hat to get a better look.

You start braiding them together, fingers working nimbly. The song of nature overcoming you as you work, and he admires from a few feet away.

You look like an angel, the sun beaming down and shining from behind you like a halo as you turn and face him. "Crouch down, big boy," you tease him softly, a heat creeping up your face as you see him blushing.

He leans down, letting you affix the flowers around his hat. When he comes back up, he does a small twirl, "how do I look?"

"Pretty!" It slips your lips before you have the chance to think, and it makes him blush all the harder.

"Let me see," he takes his hat off, short hair wild and blowing with the breeze.

He pulls the hat over your head in the next second, and the large accessory falls over your eyes. He laughs, hand over his mouth as you tilt your head up and peek at him from under the rim. "How do I look?"

"Like a doll," he exclaims breathlessly, eyes not leaving you for a single second as he takes in the sight of you in his hat. The wind blowing your loose hairs and skirts. A shy smile stretching your lips as you look away, admiring the sky as he admires you.

"Oh, hush."

"It's only true." He comes behind you, wrapping his arms around your shoulders loosely.

You have to remember how to breath as he looks over your shoulder at you, shit-eating-grin on his lips. "Doll~"

"We should head back!" You squeal, ducking out of his arms as warmth overwhelms your body. He only laughs, and the melodic sound echoes in the field.

"Alright then, up you get," he hoists you back onto the saddle, hands lingering on your exposed thighs as your skirt pools around your hips while he hooks his boot into the stirrup.

And you're off again, this time slowly. Like he knows that you crave to spend time with him as much as he does you.

༄

It's a few days later when he awakes in the night. The moon his only source of light. His breaths uneven and heavy.

Why did he have to wake up? That dream was ethereal, it nearly made him ascend to the heavens.

He groans as he flips onto his stomach, not a atom of shock in his being as he feels his hardness pressing into the mattress. Not after he just experienced the wettest dream of his life.

You looked like a Goddess below him, head tossed to the side and exposing all of the marks he left on your neck. The bed rocked in time with the yells of his names that left your bruised lips. Over and over. Louder and louder. Your eyes rolled back, your chest rising and falling as you tried desperately to keep up with his pace.

He's certain that's your rightful place; taking his cock and calling his name, soul intertwined with his.

"Fuck..." Just six days and you have him wrapped around your little finger. He's never felt like this. You must be the one.

    He can't help but look over at your bed across the room as his hand travels into his pants. His eyes nearly flutter shut, but he forces them open once again.

You're a restless sleeper, he's discovered. Your torso is pressed into the mattress while your hips are rotated slightly up, one leg bent and making your nightgown slip past the round of your ass.

God, your subconscious must know what he's doing.

That's the only 'reasonable' conclusion Mingis lustful mind can come to as you moan in your sleep, rolling onto your back and spreading your legs to get comfortable. It takes every fiber of self control in him not to pounce on you and take you right there.

He's content to fuck himself silly for the moment, and he's almost ashamed at how fast his release comes — but he can't help it. You look so fucking delectable and he hasn't touched himself since before he rolled into town.

He bites into his pillow with a low groan, eyes never leaving your peaceful form until he's overstimulated himself into oblivion. His arm sore and cock even sorer, he finally lets up, breathing heavily into the quiet night.

As he slinks to the bathroom and cleans himself up, he wonders what it would be like to feel your body close to him after such a release. Well —

Why not find out?

He leans over your bed with tears in his eyes, gently grabbing your arm and calling out to you.

"Min?" The nickname that you utter while half asleep almost has him ready to go again, but he pushes it away as you sit up groggily and look at him with concern written on your face.

"I don't feel too well, Doll... Can I sleep with you? Keep me warm?"

You feel his head with the back of your hand, a frown on your face as you feel his heated flesh — unknowing of the true cause.

"Mh, come on, big boy," you scoot to the wall and lift your fur blanket, a sleepy smile on your features as he dives into the bed. The metal frame creaks under both of your weight but neither of you pay it any mind.

He melts into your body heat, wrapping his arms around your waist and keeping you close.

It's so much better than he imagined.

༄

That's the best sleep you've ever had. You felt so safe and warm. And Mingi doesn't feel any different, he hasn't had a restful sleep like that since he was only a boy. You seem to have kept his reoccurring nightmares of his past away.

All the damage he's done and all the pain he's endured, wiped away as you rested your head on his shoulder.

Your legs are tangled together, arms wrapped around one another. Your head in his neck and his chin resting gently on top of it. Soft, gentle breaths as the both of you wake.

Rain beats down on the roof, creating a soft and steady melody.

Neither of you can tell how much time has elapsed, but it doesn't seem like it's ever enough. So when you finally sit up, a pout forms on his features.

You feel his forehead, smiling softly. "No fever."

"Hm, maybe a night bug." He sits up and swings his legs over the bed, facing into the room to hide his growing blush as the memories of his dream flood his mind.

He feels the bed shift under your weight as you crawl up behind him. "I had a dream last night," you whisper as you gently rub up his back.

"Mh?"

"Mhm." Your heart flutters as you muster up the courage to continue speaking, "a dream of you and I."

"Oh, do tell."

And tell, you do.

"Well... it began with you and I, sat in the bar. A few too many drinks in our bodies. A few kisses... A few touches... and then we came up here." His breath hitches in his throat, surely he's still dreaming. This is an elaborate trick of the brain. "Mingi?"

"Y-yes?" He wants to both explode with joy and collapse with embarrassment.

"Will you touch me? Will you kiss me? I'm sorry if that's wildly inappropriate — oh it is, I'm so ter-"

Your rambling is cut off as his lips collide with yours ever so softly. One of his hands cups your cheek, the other finds purchase on the small of your back.

He slowly pushes his weight onto you, laying you down on your back as you meld together. A curse falls past his lips as you ghost your fingertips over his abs.

He kisses down your jaw, savoring every inch of your skin until he reaches your covered breasts. He looks up, and the look in his eyes makes the heat in your belly grow ten-fold. "Can I see you?"

With the slightest nod of your head, he's slipped the straps of your nightgown down and tugged it down past your chest. His mind is racing. His heart is about to beat out of his chest. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He whispers, voice rough and barely heard over the storm raging outside.

His calloused hands trail down your chest, ghosting over the pebbled flesh on your breast and down to your skirt. You can't help the gasp that escapes you when he lifts it up, letting your entire nightdress rest in a bunch on your stomach. He's already panting, and he hasn't even touched you.

You're just so beautiful. You're a Goddess in his eyes.

He smiles up at you as he lowers himself, your legs spread by his wide shoulders. "I'm going to make you cum your brains out, Doll~"

Before you can even question what he means, his tongue is darting out and swiping up the length of your cunt. "Ah!" Your back is arched off the bed at the simple motion, and it solidifies his theory that you're a virgin. Your keening at the littlest bit of attention — your poor neglected pussy is begging for more.

You slap your hand over your mouth at the noise, looking shocked that it even came from you. He can't help the chuckle that vibrates in his throat — that is, before his taste buds register the most delicious, mind-blowing juice he's ever had the pleasure of putting in his mouth. "Oh, fuck..." Then he's just as flustered as you are, diving back in between your thighs like a man starved.

     The little noises that manage to slip past your hand urge him on even more than the way that your wetness just keeps coming and coming and coming as he slurps it all up. His tongue darts and licks and rolls all over you, and you can't even register all of the pleasure you're getting from it — it feels that good.

     He slips his arms under your thighs and grips them tightly to ground himself as he allows himself to drown in you. He lets his instincts do all of the work; enjoying himself more than he ever has. His nose nudges against your clit as he slurps noisily.

     The way you taste. The way you smell. The way you sound. The way you feel.

     All of it. All of you. He's going mad with lust. With love. He's going to explode — he truly believes it. And then you call his name.

      "Mingi—"

    So sweet and desperate, absolute music to his red hot ears as he sucks the bundle of nerves above your sopping wet heat. He doesn't even register that you've cum all over his chin until you're tugging at his hair roughly and forcing him away from your throbbing pussy.

     He moans out loudly as you harshly pull him away, jaw dropped as he pants. "You taste so good, Doll," he slurs drunkenly. Your arousal has gotten him drunker than any alcohol ever could.

     You're panting even heavier, chest rising and falling quickly as you tremble in the aftershocks of your first orgasm that's come from another person. 

     He rubs his finger tips over your thighs gently, luring you back down to Earth as he gawks at you. You swear that there's hearts in his shining eyes.

     "W-" your attempt at words comes out as jumbled whine, and you let yourself fall back into the pillow.

     "It's okay, baby," he coos, licking his lips as he sits up, folding his legs under him and pulling your limp hips into his lap.

     The new nickname makes your cunt twitch, and he catches it. "Oh, you like that, hm?" His index and middle finger spread your pussy lips wide, and he purses his lips — spitting directly onto your sensitive hole. "C'mon, talk to me, pretty baby."

      "G-god!" You cry out embarrassedly, forever thankful for the angry storm outside that hides your sounds from any neighbors. "Yes, I do, I really do," you draw out, grabbing the sides of his thighs as he teases your entrance. You're still hyper sensitive, twitching with every small movement he makes.

    And he absolutely revels in it.

    "Yeah? I bet no one ever made you feel that good before," he smirks, letting another wad of spit hit your hole.

     "Nuh-uh," you shake your head, peering up at him, and your next words make it hard for him to keep his composure. "Stay. Stay here and- and fuck me."

     Little do you know, after that first night, that first little touch — he lost any plans he had of ever leaving.

"I will never leave you," and he means it. He has no plans of ever letting you go. And he's about to let you know that.

       He slides you back off his lap and lays over you, holding your head with one hand as the other guides his leaking tip into you. "Oh, ngh," you whine, holding onto his shoulder tightly. He bites his lips as he feels your walls for the first time. So warm and tight around him. So soft. "M-min, be gentle," you whimper, leaning up and hiding in his chest.

     "Don't worry, Doll, we'll go slow," he strokes your head gently and slowly — oh, so slowly — sinking into your core. "Such a pretty thing, so fuckin' tight for me," he growls, and again as the noise makes you clench around him. "Gonna have to stretch your little pussy out before I can even move, you've got me in a fucking vice, baby."

       "Mingi, d-don't talk like that, it's dirty," you pant into his chest, the warm air making goosebumps form on his skin.

     "Well, look at you," he nearly purrs, pulling your head back from his chest gently, "look." You blink a few times, taking in the sinful scene.

    Your legs spread around his slowly moving hips. His thick monster of a cock gradually disappearing into your stretched folds.

     "Can't not be dirty while we're breaking in this little cunt," he says matter-of-factly, looking down at said cunt while it clenches around the half of his cock that's he's managed to sink into you. A lewd moan leaves his parted lips, looking back to you as you whimper and fidget. "Hey, hey," he coos, cupping your face in his palms. "Half way there, Doll. How's it feel?"

     "Like you're gonna split me in half," you ramble out, looking up at him with the softest eyes he's ever seen. "Please, c-can we take a break? You're jus' so big..."

     "Of course, sweet girl," he leans down, careful to keep his hips locked in place despite how badly he just wants to slam into your welcoming heat, and kisses you. Stroking your cheek bones with his thumbs. "You feel so good, like heaven." 

    The praise makes your rapidly beating heart skip a beat. "Mingi?"

    "Yes," he moans in response, looking deep into your eyes.

    "I think I'm falling in love with you." The sudden confession makes his cock twitch, his heart jumping into his throat. "Is that silly?"

     He takes a moment to gather his thoughts, which are admittedly a chaotic mess.

    "If it is, we would be silly together."

     "You mean-"

    "Yes."

    You grip his shoulders and lean up, pressing your lips to his in an act of pure desire. The both of you get lost in each other, tongues darting out and lapping at one another like a lifeline.

    Sufficiently covered in each others spit, you pull back. "Keep going, I want to take all of you." You have a newfound confidence after your short trade of admissions, demanding that he go on and fuck you.

      A few more moments of excruciating stretching pass when you suddenly feel his pelvis flush with your clit, both of you panting like wild animals as you feel each other completely.

     "Holy shit," he sneers, resting his face in the crook of your neck, taking in deep breaths of your scent to keep himself from jack hammering into you. You are truly the best thing to ever happen to him, and your cunt molding into the shape of him is just a bonus.

      There are no words that you can find in your brain. All if it is wiped away as you feel his rock hard cock stretching you out, filling you wall to wall. When he breaths out, a content sigh into your neck, you feel the veins on his length pressing into your gummy walls. "Hah~" Is all you can manage, thoughts turned into mush as he begins to slowly pull back out —just a fraction of an inch. Before sliding back in quickly. "Fuck!"

     "Doll, please, please," he whimpers, holding onto your waist tightly as he rolls his hips, "please say you're ready, I don't know how long I can take it."

    "Y-" the second the first syllable is utter from your lips, he's already pulled out half way, "yes!" He thrust back in, steady and slow at first.

Words are lost between you — minds absolutely flooding with hormones as he begins thrusting harder, faster. Moans, groans, loud whimpers. The slapping of your skin is so loud that even the rain pounding at the window can't drown it out.

He's stuffing you beyond your wildest imagination. His cock was made to stretch you so deliciously, and your pussy was made to take it.

It's his dream coming to life, quite literally, as your eyes roll back in your head and you clench around him tighter than before. It's almost impossible for him to keep thrusting, but he finds a way.

He grips your hips tight and is making you bounce on his cock effortlessly, all the while pounding his hips into yours. He's so deep inside of you — it feels like he can feel the same coil in your gut that you do. And it's about shatter.

He slips a hand down and begins swirling his fingers over your clit, pushing you off the edge roughly; making you cream over his member with a broken yell of his name. He leans in, all of his weight on you as fucks you through it harshly. His lips right next to your ear.

"You. Are. Mine."

And with that, a warmth like no other spreads inside of you.

༄

Nearly two months passed like they were nothing, days seemed to fly with you by his side.

     He felt he finally had a place where he belonged.

    He found himself work cleaning peoples guns in the bar, even selling and trading some.

    He had a bed to go to at the end of the day. After that first time together, you both rearranged the room. Pushing your beds together under the window and putting the dresser on the wall.

     He had the other half of his soul. You. He knew everything there was to know about you, and you knew everything there was to know about him. Well — all he was willing to tell.

Sometimes, there was a dark glint in his eyes that made you feel like you didn't know the full story of the man you shared your life with. But all doubt faded away when he smiled at you.

     All was well. It was more than well. It was perfect.

      Until a group of strangers rode into town. Strangers to the town. But strangers to Mingi, they were not.

     He walked into the bar and Mingis heart stopped. He saw all of his hard work to get you, to settle, to make a life — it all vanishes.

     "Fuck me," he groans, keeping his head low and cursing himself for not wearing his hat today. He hopes that he'll go unnoticed. But that hope is squashed when the man slides into the booth across from him.

     "Well, slap my ass and call me Pamela. Song Mingi!" The rowdy man immediately catches Louis' attention from behind the bar.

     "Why are you here, Buck?" Mingi keeps his tone low, hostile.

   "You know why I'm here. You want in?" The man, Buck, has a smirk playing mischievously on his lips.

     "No. You, and whoever else you drug here are leaving. This town is off limits."

     Buck lets out a shrill chuckle, "says who?"

     "Says me. This is my town. Get the fuck out before I shoot you." Mingi growls, placing his pistol on the table, finger twitching at the trigger.

      That gets Louis' full attention, his hand immediately unlocking the safety on his gun as he makes his way over. "Mingi, who's your friend?" He hates to admit, but he's grown fond of Mingi over these long winter days.

     "He's leaving. Ain't that right?" Mingi tilts his head at Buck, who takes a look around. Multiple patrons of the bar have their hands on their guns, ready to draw.

     He isn't stupid. Mingi is one of these people now and they'll protect him.

    "Yeah, that's right." He slides out of the booth, giving Mingi a seemingly innocent smile. But Mingi knows him all too well. "I'm glad you finally found yourself a nice girl to settle down with."

      With that finally threatening congratulations, he's back out the bar the way he came. Mingi watches from the window with wide eyes as he joins the posse of men outside. As soon as they start wandering away, looking into shops and other such buildings Mingi has come to be so fond of, he snaps into action.

    He runs up the stairs, nearly bumping his head. They've been casing the town, that's the only way he'd know about you.

      "Mingi!" Louis follows after him, slowed by age.

     He finds him reaching under the bed, staring bamboozled as he places gun after gun after gun into the mattress. "Mingi!"

      He ignores the panicking man, loading all of them up. "Son!" His head snaps up, tears threatening his waterline.

      "Louis, they're going to raid the town."

"What...?"

"I don't have time to explain, I have to go- go get (Y/n). You need to gather everyone who knows how to shoot. I n-"

"Boy, I don't care much for nonsense."

"Listen to me, Louis!" He clearly panicked, an expression he's never seen from him before. "What reason do I have to lie? This is my home too! This is my home and my woman, and I'll be damned if I let Buckey fuck-face and his thugs ruin it!" In his panic, Mingi doesn't notice the ring that falls from his bag as he gets out more ammunition.

Louis bends down next to Mingi and picks it up, puzzle pieces falling together in his mind.

Mingi snatches it back and shoves it in the bag.

"You're gonna propose to my little girl?"

"Not if we all die," Mingi responds shortly, shoving an armful of guns into Louis.

   They share a look.

    It seems Mingi made a similar promise to himself about you.

"Go and fetch her, don't raise any suspicion. If the townspeople know what's coming, it'll start a panic."

Mingi gives him a short nod. To say yes, sir. To say thank you.

He keeps his head down, hat covering his face as he weaves his way to the very back of the town. Trying his damnedest to avoid everyone from his past.

When he successfully makes it to the river, he spots you and is filled with relief.

    You hum quietly to yourself, bundled up in his large poncho to protect yourself from the frigid January weather as you clean both of your clothes.

    The harsh winds whip your loose hairs around, makes the clothes on the line flap loudly.

"(Y/n)!"

"Hey, darlin-" He pulls you up, holding you close to his side as he drags you away, "what're you doing?"

"Just keep your head down, when we get back to the bar, go to our room, lock yourself in the bathroom. Okay?"

"Min, you're scarin' me..."

"Do you understand?" He asks firmly, stopping at the edge of town, turning you to face him.

He looks deadly serious. You haven't seen this kind of look since the first day you met. So you nod, committing what he said to memory.

"I love you," he kisses you deeply, shortly.

And then he drags you through town, and into the bar. But he pushes you right behind him when you walk in.

Buck has Maria and Louis tied up, pushed to the floor. The few patrons are gone, and the yelling outside tells him Louis' plan to keep things calm has failed. Multiple men are rummaging around the bar, cleaning out the register. He can't hear any noise above them, and he's thankful that the entrance to your small home is so well hidden by the corner. 

     He feels you grip the back of his leather jacket, and he's about to turn and tell you to run when he feels you get ripped away.

     Your scream echos in the building as one of Bucks men tears you away, and Mingi has to stop himself from shooting the man the second he puts his hands on you. Doing that will just get you all killed.

He's deadly silent as he watches the man toss you to the floor. His gun was drawn the second you got tore away, and he's itching to use it.

You try to scramble away, but Buck comes up behind you and places his boot on your back, shoving you back down with a thud. Maria is sobbing uncontrollably into her hands, Louis' jaw is locked in anger as he looks away.

He bends down, putting more pressure on your spine. He grips your hair and turns your face to the side. "Well, well," he smirks, "you're even prettier up close, ain't you?"

Everyone stops in their tracks as you spit in his face. "Fuck you!" One of the men closest to you has a gun to your head in the next second, but you refuse to break.

"Feisty, I like that," he shoves your head to the floor, hitting it against the wood roughly. Mingi is seeing red as the world around him resumes, men ransacking the bar and chortling at your family. His family.

      "Buck."

   "Oh?" He turns, leaving you on the floor, "got something to say, pansy?"

     "Yeah." His eyes flick to yours as you push yourself up dizzily, and over to one of the booths before Buck even realizes he's looked away. "You need a key for the safe. I gonna give it to you, and you're gonna take it and leave."

     "Is that so? That's what's gonna happen?"

   "That's what's gonna happen."

   "You really lost your guts, aye? Found a nice girl and a cozy town and decided you're too good for this life, I see."

    Mingi slips his pistol back into its holster on his hip, sauntering over to the bar with all eyes on him. He stands infront of Maria and Louis, shielding them from what's about to come. "You see it how it is, then." He lifts up the pot of dying chrysanthemums in the middle of the wooden island and scoops up the key. His eyes spot you curling up under the booth he glanced at. Thank goodness you got the message.

      Because shit is about to hit the fan.

    He tosses the key to Buck, and as his hands raise up to catch it-

     Mingi puts a bullet in his brain.

     You can't help the scream that rips past your lips, covering your ears and hiding your face in your knees.

    As the men behind the bar start shooting at him, he ducks, shielding the older couple as the men infront of them begin firing. But he's too quick. Only one of them gets close, grazing his shoulder and stunning him briefly. He drops his pistol and takes the larger gun off of his back, propping it up over the island blindly and spraying the rest of the men in a hail of bullets.

     And then all is silent.

    With a heavy heart, you look up from your lap. The building is covered in blood, light seeps in from the holes in the walls caused by stray bullets. Maria is crying silently. Louis is looking at Mingi in shock as he falls onto his backside, holding his bleeding shoulder. 

     "What the hell was that, boy?"

     "That was me saving your ass."

༄

    Mingi and Louis, with the help of a few good samaritans, cleared the bodies out of the bar and drug them to the outskirts of town. Leaving them for the coyotes and bears. If it were up to him, Mingi would have hung them up as an example.

     Maria, seemingly in shock, scrubs the floor with a blank face as you fix up the register and dig out all of the bars belongings from the bandits bags.

     You feel a roll of papers at the bottom of one of the bag. A silent hum of amusement leaves you as you see what it is. They kept their own wanted posters. Proud of what they've done. You flip through them. Maybe out of morbid curiosity of who your boyfriend just gunned down.  And then you get to one who you know wasn't a victim.

     Because he was the gunner.

    Mingis face in a sketch stares up at you.

    WANTED.

    DO NOT APPROACH. ALERT THE AUTHORITIES.

 DANGEROUS FUGITIVE. SONG MINGI.

    The door to the bar swings open.

   The world spins around you as you look up from the drawing. And come face to face with it, brought to life.

    "Mingi..."

    "Are you okay, Doll?"

   You can't seem to find any words that describe the way your heart is breaking. Louis approaches you first, his own heart stopping as he sees what's held in your trembling hands. He tears it from you, glaring down like it's a hallucination.

    "Who are you?" Is all you can manage to whisper, backing away with a grip on your uncles sleeve as Mingi steps forward.

     "What is that?" He nods to the paper, although deep down he has an idea of what it is.

   Maria snaps out of her trance, joining your side, a gasp leaving her lips as she looks back and forth from the paper to Mingi.

     "You get out of here, you never show your face in this town again," Louis grips the man's collar and pulls him to his level, "You're lucky my girls are watching or I'd hold true to my promise."

     Mingi shoves him away and grabs the paper from Maria, his worst thoughts come true as he sees himself staring back at him.

     "Wh..." He trails off in a whisper, heart breaking into a million pieces as you look at him fearfully. Like you did the first time you met. He thought he'd never have to see that look again. "(Y/n), please, hear me out."

     Maria holds you to her chest as he approaches. "I knew I sensed evil in you, boy." She bares her teeth at him as she seethes, like a wild mother bear.

"Leave," your voice trembles, raw with all of the emotions that are flooding you. You lean further into your aunts arms as he reaches out for you. "You lied to me! I never want to see you again! I ought to turn you in!"

    "You have to believe me, I'm not like that anymore. Baby, listen! I only did what I had to do to survive, you don't understand. I'm not like them!" He fights against Louis as he drags him to the door. "Please, I love you!" He's thrown off the porch, only getting a glimpse of you as you crumble to the floor before the door is slammed in his face.

༄

Mingi drapes his mare's reigns over a poll, trudging through the snow until he's at a familiar door.

He doesn't bother knocking. He barges in and stares down at the man at the desk.

"Mingi, long time no s-"

"I have a job for you." He slaps down a wad of cash, "more where this came from when you're done."

The man sighs, but takes the cash, thumbing through it. "And why don't you do it?"

Mingi ignores the question. "Louis and Maria Donelley. Shoot them, make it quick. (Y/n) (L/n). Tie her up on the tracks."

He hesitates for a moment. But in the end, "More where this came from, huh?"

༄

     It's been three days since Mingi has gone away. Rather, since he was forced away by his past and your reaction to it.

     You've slept for most of that time. Cried the rest. You barely eat. Barely talk. You hardly even move off your side of the once-shared bed.

    Maria, Louis, all of your friends tried to comfort you. Telling you that he was just a fling. That the one for you will come around and make all of the pain Mingi left disappear.

     They don't know that Mingi was the one.

     He made you so happy. Happier than you'd ever been. He made everything seem... right.

     "Hey, dear," Louis knocks at the wall, slowly coming ascending into the room.

     "I don't want the soup, Uncle Lou..."

     "Auntie!" Ellis comes barreling past Louis and jumps onto the bed, hugging you tightly.

     "Ellis? Hey, buddy!" You force a smile as you hug him back, sitting up with a groan and holding the child in your lap. "How you been?"

      Ellis goes on and on about what the new teacher from the city is teaching his class, a big smile on his face. Louis sees the smile pulling at your lips in the slightest, and he excuses himself silently.

     He, admittedly, is a very good distraction from your heartache.

You spend quite a few hours playing with him, catching up on the things that are going on in town. He drops the ball onto the jacks and giggles loudly as it rolls away, under the bed. "I'll get it, set us up another round."

You bend down and feel around for it blinding, heart skipping a beat as you feel Mingis bag. You haven't found the courage to touch any of his things, even if to throw them away.

You move away from it and grip the ball, rolling it back to Ellis. "El, I'm feeling a bit tired, why don't you come back tomorrow."

"Aw... okay! I'll bring Violet and we can play outside!"

"See you then, kiddo," you ruffle his hair as he passes you to leave.

It was a nice break from your sorrows while it lasted.

You crawl back into your half of the bed as the sun sets in the window above it, pulling Mingis pillow into your arms as you sob yourself to sleep once again.

Deep into the night, you feel the bed dip. You open your eyes with the littlest inkling of hope that Mingi has returned despite your harsh words his way.

But you're only met with a stranger.

You open your mouth to scream, but only get a small squeak out before you are met with a hit on the head.

༄

You awake as your body is tossed into the air, a loud groan leaving you as you collide with something hard. Through your blurry vision, you can see the moon high above you.

You look to the side, and you put two and two together that you're in a wooden cart as you see the stranger from above your bed riding on a horse that's got you attached to it. "Hey-" You croak out, getting his attention.

"Morning!" He yells, making you wince. You have a splitting headache. "Just in time for the show," he mumbles under his breath, pulling the horse to a stop.

You can hear him shuffling around in the snow, and you try to sit up before you realize you can't. Your entire body is tied in a thick rope.

The back of the cart opens up, and you try — you try so hard — to shimmy away as he reaches in and grabs your foot. But to no avail.

      He pulls you from the cart and lets you fall into the snow. It wets the back of your nightgown and hair; soaks your thin socks and makes you shiver. You don't think you've ever been this scared. Even during the shootout, Mingi was there to protect you.

      You watch with a fresh set of tears brewing in your eyes as you watch the man double knot some ropes onto the tracks. "Oh my god..."

      He ignores as you begin to beg for your life, telling him all sorts of things about yourself to try and make him sympathetic. "- and his name is Louis, he took me in when my parents died! Uncle Lou and Aunt Maria, please! She'd die of heartbreak!" He scoffs, knowing she's already dead. So is Uncle Lou.

    He followed Mingis request and made it quick.

       He pulls you by your binds to the tracks, the metal on the tracks is the coldest thing you've ever felt and it makes you yelp. You cry out into the night as he begins tying the ropes on the tracks to the ropes on your body.

    "Please, why are you doing this?!" Your voice shakes with pure horror, tugging at the ropes that are wrapped around your entire body and tied to the tracks by the bandit. He crouches down at your feet and smirks, his simple answer making you cry all the harder.

     "Why not?"

   All of your pleas and prayers fall to deaf ears as the man turns away and to his cart, rummaging in his chest. The tracks begins to shake and you begin to except your fate. You turn your head to the side and watch the pebbles rumble, your sobs visible in puffs of air as you exhale into the harsh winter air.

    A loud thud and a groan makes you look back, and you see a tall figure on a familiar white horse.

    "Mingi!" He drops the crowbar he used to whack the man as he rode past.

    He looks back at you briefly — his face hidden by his droopy hat. But you can tell he's pissed. His jaw clenched and shoulders tense before a gunshot rings out and he ducks and rolls off of his mare, slapping her to make her run away as he draws his own gun.

    Between the rattling of the tracks and the thrumming of your heart, you can barely force yourself to watch as he approaches the man bravely, your eyes flicking from them to the horizon repeatedly. A sob of his name makes him pause for a split second before he comes back to his body.

    "Too close," Mingi scowls at the man, using his gun to smack his hand and make him drop his, kicking it away as he scrambles for it.

    "Aye, man, I did what yo-"

    "Too close."

    "Just give me my mon-"

       His gun smokes by his side in the next second as the man drops to the snow dead. He takes a moment to bask in the way the blood pools in the pure white before the steam whistle catches his attention.

      "Mingi, please!" He drops everything and runs to the tracks, crawling over your body and looking at your binds frantically. "Mingi, oh my god, please- I'm so sorry! Please untie me, hurry," you babble on in a panic as the train appears just over the horizon, sobs wracking your body under his as he tugs at the ropes.

     Your terror breaks his heart, but he knows it's necessary. He knows he has a knife strapped to his thigh, but he plays the panic card and 'forgets' as he forces a false worry onto his face. He won't let anything happen to his Doll, but you're too caught up in your fight or flight to remember that.

    "I got you, I got you," he murmurs as he pulls the ropes on one of your sides undone, taking his sweet time with the other as he watches the train grow ever closer — the conductor blaring the horn.

     Your free hand grasps at him, clawing at his leather jacket, eyes wide and soaked with tears as you stare down your death as it barrels towards you. Just a few feet away.

    Mingi yanks you up and falls to the ground besides the tracks with you on top of him, hands roughly holding you to his chest as his hat blows away with the wind that the train creates. You willingly slump into him, sobbing into his warm chest as the tracks rattle loudly besides you, drowning out your cries.

     He relishes in the way you cling to him well after the train passes, not daring move away from your savior as you cry your heart out and ramble on to him about how you're so sorry and how you never would have really turned him in and on and on until he silences you with a tender hug.

    He knows all of this. His girl would never betray him. But it's best that he get a subconscious message through your thick, naive, skull early on.

   The message being: the attempt to leave him has failed miserably. Why even try to leave when he's so clearly your fate?

༄

Mingi locks the bar door behind him as he carries you into the building. He kicks off his boots. He knows you hate the mess.

    It was silent the entire way back to town.

And it remains that way as he carries you up the stairs and to bed. He doesn't even acknowledge you as he gets you some clean, dry clothes.

"Mingi..."

He sighs, shoulders dropping.

"I'm s-"

"I thought you hated me?"

"Min... I was just- just in shock! Why didn't you tell me you were... an outlaw?"

He kneels at the bed and slips your socks off, replacing them with a warm, thick pair.

The moonlight seeps in through the sheer curtains and paints your skin in a haze of blue. The bruise on your temple like a water color bloom.

"Because I was afraid." He bites his lip as it trembles. That's the plain truth. He was afraid you'd leave if you found out all the things he'd done. But now that you know, he still doesn't plan on letting you leave. "Please forgive me, Doll."

He lowers his head into your lap and smirks as he feels your hand rest on his hair.

"Come back home, Mingi."

"Really?" He looks up with the most puppy like gaze you've ever seen.

You nod, wiping your tears away, "I don't care what the others have to say. We can leave this place if we have to, I just need to be with you, M-" His lips collide onto yours as he pounces on you, pushing you onto the bed and nipping at your lips like he's starved. And he is, because —

"I missed you so fucking much, Doll," he growls into your lips, melting into you as you wrap your arms around him. It feels like it's the first time in forever; and it is to him.

"I love you, Mingi," you whisper as you look up at him, chasing after him as he sits up on his knees.

     He lifts your ruined nightgown, looking down at you as if you're a work of art as he tosses it away. "I love you," he whispers back, cupping your breast in his big, warm hands. "I love you so much it hurts."

You lay back with a moan, arching into his touch. Your mind is so fried from this weeks events, all you want to do is disappear into him.

     And you let it be know. "Take your clothes off." You tug at his buckled belt with an utterance, licking your lips at the sight of his happy trail. "Show me how much you missed me. Show me how much you love me."

     Your sultry words have him undressing in a hurry,  slamming his pistol down on the nightstand he made and kissing you deeply as he removes his belt, heart beating rapidly as you cup his cheeks to bring him closer.

     You're the closest to heaven he's ever been. Kissing down his neck and stroking his back. He doesn't know how or why this infatuation grew into something wild and untamable. And frankly, he doesn't care.

       You work to undress his top half while he kicks his pants away, letting his larger gun clatter to the floor. You no longer care if he leaves them out. You just want him home.

      "I was so worried about you, baby," he pants, "I know I hurt you. I'm so sorry," he places kiss after kiss after kiss on your face, rubbing your thighs as he slides between them. "I love you. I adore you. I want you. I'm yours. You're mine." Every statement is accompanied by a kiss.

      "I'm so sorry, Min," you look deep into his eyes as he rubs his member on your wetness, "you're my one and only. I don't care what you've done to get here. As long as I have you in my arms. As long as I'm in yours."

     He hugs you tightly, forehead against yours as he slips inside of you. "I will never leave you," he moans out, settling deep inside of you as you pant and whine.

    You've taken him quite a few times at this point, but never like this.

    He always takes his time sinking into you, reveling in the slow stretch.

    But not tonight. Not after what you've been through. He needs to feel you, and now.

     He needs to feel your emotional connection on a physical plane. And so do you. That's why you don't stop him or push him away as he lowers into you quickly.

     You ground yourself by wrapping your arms under his and gripping his shoulders, careful of his healing wound.

     His chest against yours, heart beats drumming together as you try to disappear into each others being.

    Affectionate touches are left all over the both of your bodies. Tender kisses and promises of love.

    "You're all I ever wanted," you whisper into his chest as he starts a languid pace. "I want to be yours, tell me I'm yours."

"You're mine, Doll, all mine." He speaks ever so softly, cradling your head to his chest. He can't believe how lucky he's gotten.

"Make me believe you, show me I'm yours."

And he does.

     God knows how or why Song Mingi has so much stamina, but no amount of time passed stops him from pounding into you, he stops when he thinks you've had enough.

     He's made you cum seven times through the night, and with the sun beginning to rise out the window, he's still at it.

     It's been hours, and his pace hasn't slowed one bit. If anything, your pants and whines stir him on and he almost hammers into you. The quick in and out rhythm makes him moan. Your heat encasing him as the cold winter air seeps in through the walls makes him want to bury himself in your body and never leave.

    He knows he's big. He's so big and you're small compared to him. But he doesn't care when he's balls deep in your sore and swollen pussy. He makes you take it to the base and chuckles deeply when you try and crawl away.

    "Min- can't take it," you sob, but that doesn't stop him.

    He grips your hips roughly and pulls your clit flush to his pelvis, holding you there as you squeal out, banging your fists onto your shared bed.

     "Fuck you can't, your pussy was made for me to stretch it out." His next thrust sends your hips into the mattress, finally able to rest your exhausted body as he plunges into you from behind.

      Each rough thrust wipes away every thought from your mind until it's all Mingi.

   Mingi is so deep.

   Mingi is so thick.

   Mingi fucks you so good.

   Mingi treats you so good.

   Mingi loves you.

   Mingi.

   Mingi.

      "Mingi!" You moan out loudly into the pillows as you seize up, eyes rolling into the back of your head as you cum all over him. Vision dark and blurry, drooling all over the place, barely conscious after your eighth orgasm around his massive girth.

     He's panting and growling into your ear, continuing to thrust. He's relentless. He's really out to break you.

      "Please," you slur, wracking your slush of a brain for a way to get him to cum. You love him, and you love fucking him. But he just won't stop until he cums. And he won't cum until you essentially force him. He's so hell bent on making you get there, he forgets about himself, like he's outside of his own body. And he's extra determined after almost losing you. Your usual tricks haven't worked. So you pull out the big guns.

"Please, Min... put a baby in me." Oh, you know him all too well. He's made multiple comments about how good you are with children. How pretty you'd look with that pregnancy glow, your belly round with his baby.

    "F-fuck, Doll," it seems as if that is enough to satisfy his hunger, slamming his tip into your womb and filling you with his warm and sticky seed so much that it splashes back on him and makes a mess of his lower stomach.

Still buried deep inside of you, uncaring of the mess, he lays ontop of your back gently and wraps his arms around your shoulders, his head next to yours. Your shaking breaths and trembling legs calmed by his warmth over your entire body.

     "Holy fucking shit," you whimper, making him chuckle quietly.

     He places a gently kiss to your shoulder, "I didn't go to hard, did I?"

    "You did... but I liked it."

    He smiles as he rests his head, hands rubbing up your arms and to your hands, intertwining yours fingers. "I love you." He states. Loud and proud. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to share everything with you and I don't want to keep anything from you. I want you all to myself. Will you marry me?"

    The words almost get lost in translation on their way to your endorphin flooded mind, and your silence makes him nervous. That is until- he sees the giant smile spreading on your lips. "Yes."

"Oh, thank goodness," he sighs a breath of relief followed by a soft laugh.

    "But you'd better get me a ring," you joke, groaning out as he slowly pulls out of your abused core. There's a smirk on his lips that you can't quite place as he gently turns you on your back and helps you get comfortable.

     He reaches under the bed and grabs his bag. "You didn't-"

    "I did," he has his signature shit-eating-grin on his face as he takes it out. A dainty, pretty, thing. Much like he sees you.

      He cuddles into your side, fur blanket draped over your lower halves. Calloused and rough hands take yours. Gently and loving with you. Their past of violence is lost as he slides the ring onto your finger tenderly.

     "Mrs. Song."

༄

[dancingbirdie]

This feels more like a character study of Astarion than anything else, but it's part of the series I'm working on called "The Planets Bend Between Us."

Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here.

Everything on Ao3 here.

My Astarion Spotify playlist here.

I hope you enjoy! Comments always appreciated and hoarded like shiny magpie trinkets.

Only You. Only Me.

Rating: Mature (for descriptions of sex/fantasizing)

Pairing: Astarion x f!Tav

Word Count: 2.4K

Warnings/Tags: Astarion's trauma responses, mental health, coping mechanisms, self-degradation, discussion of sex/physical intimacy, angst, fluff.

Summary: Halsin propositions Tav, prompting another important conversation between her and Astarion. Astarion works through more of his feelings about Tav, physical intimacy, and recovering from the torture he previously endured.

***********************************************************

Astarion had always enjoyed reading. It was one of the very few discreet pleasures in which he could partake when skulking about Baldur’s Gate at night. He would read by the light of the lamp posts dotting the main thoroughfares, slouching against them and perusing texts at his leisure. He could even justify the habit to Cazador and his siblings, as on numerous occasions, it captured the attention of unsuspecting passersby who considered his behavior intriguing enough to strike up a conversation. It was a more passive means of gathering victims, true. It felt akin to fishing for prey as opposed to stalking them. But, still, it got the job done, especially on nights when his skin and bones still ached from his master’s beatings. 

Suffice to say, when he pilfered an armful of books from the druid’s grove several weeks ago, he was excited to finally indulge in the familiar activity once more. He had just selected a worn edition of Traveller’s Guide to the Sword Coast Vol. IV: The Risen Road and begun reading the author’s note when Tav barged into their shared tent with an audible huff. 

“Honestly, I was only making conversation…” she grumbled under her breath as she began aggressively rummaging through her pack to retrieve her night clothes. 

Astarion peered at her over the top of the tome, quirking a brow. 

“Is there something you want to talk about, my dear?” he casually intoned. 

Tav scoffed before turning to look at him over her shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe the conversation I’ve just had with Halsin,” she grimaced. 

Ah, so it finally happened, he thought to himself. He was grinning wickedly as he closed the book and laid it next to his bedding. 

“What’s that smile for?” Tav accused. 

A true, hearty guffaw burst from his mouth at that. Tav would have found it delightfully endearing if she weren’t so flustered. 

“I was wondering when you were going to ask me about this,” he replied, still chuckling. 

“What? How could you tell? Did he say something to you already?”

“I guessed! The man can’t stay quiet about ‘enjoying the freedom of Nature’s gifts’,” Astarion said, adopting a low, throaty tone to mimic the First Druid’s voice before cackling again. “Why, I bet he’d outlaw clothing if he could.”

Tav clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “It’s ridiculous. I was trying to make conversation with him a few days ago, because he seemed lonely and out of place. I mean, at least we all sort of know one another now. Tadpole business and all that. I thought he could do with a friend. So I merely asked if he had someone special waiting for him back home. And, apparently, that’s a coded question for ‘I’m interested in you?’ Honestly,” she scoffed. 

Astarion continued to watch her with obvious amusement. 

Tav turned back around and began undressing. He swallowed thickly as he watched her shrug out of her armor and begin untying the laces of her chest binding. The fabric fell to the ground with a muffled thump. He caught a mouth-watering view of the side of her breast as she bent over to fetch her nightshirt. 

His nightshirt, to be more precise. She’d taken to wearing his clothes (with permission, of course) soon after they had begun sleeping together. Said article of clothing was long enough to serve as a nightgown on her.

His eyes followed the curve of her waist and hips as she slid her breeches over the peaks and dips of her legs. His chest began to feel a little tighter, his breathing a touch ragged. He knew he should turn away. Be a gentleman. Give her some privacy, even if she wasn’t asking for it. 

Tav had grown increasingly casual about her nakedness inside the confines of their tent. She wasn’t doing it as a means to tempt him, he realized. Experienced as he was given his former… raison d'être… he would have picked up on the first whiff of it had her intent been to cajole him into sleeping with her again. 

No, her behavior stemmed entirely from a place of trust. She let her guards down - physically and emotionally - with only him. It was a pure thing. Borne out of a sense of security that Astarion hadn’t thought anyone would ever feel with him. The thought alone was enough to send a surge of blood toward his groin. The tent suddenly felt a lot warmer than it had before she’d entered. 

They hadn’t slept together since the night of tiefling’s celebration. It wasn’t because he didn’t desire her. He did, much more than his conscious self possibly cared to admit. He was especially reminded of that truth during moments like these, when she undressed in front of him as though she had done it a thousand times before. Like she’d do it a thousand times again. The way she shared her body with him, even non-sexually, was enough to kindle fire in his blood.

But he still felt tainted, no matter how many times he scraped and scrubbed his skin clean. The sense of it was still there, like an invisible grime marking him as unclean. Unworthy. And the act itself was still tainted in his mind. It wasn’t an easy place to return from – that cognitive hellscape where sex was a weapon, a vulnerability to exploit, a means to another’s end. 

He would frequently picture himself filling her to the hilt, wrapping her legs around his waist, thrusting into her with all the passion he could muster. And at first, it would bring him nothing but unbridled feelings of pleasure. Of yearning. But then the vision would be overshadowed by other thoughts, memories of previous trysts. Reminding him of who he was. What he was. What he’d done to others. What had been done to him. And by the time he was able to beat back those intrusive thoughts, the urge to ravish her would be lost. And he would be left loathing himself for even thinking of touching her, or having her touch him, in that way. 

You don’t deserve it. You don’t deserve her. That’s not meant for you. The thoughts would taunt him like crows circling a dying animal.  

He knew she wanted to be with him again. Of course, she never asked for it, the polite and empathetic sweetling that she was to him. They had discussed the subject thoroughly, and she had resolutely accepted his boundaries. He knew she’d never overstep them unless he permitted it. But he could feel her wanting in the desperate way she kissed him. In the way she touched him, so reverently, when they curled up in their bedding to rest. It caused his heart to flutter and fracture simultaneously. Because no matter how desperately he wanted to give her what her unspoken actions craved, he couldn’t figure out how to bypass those horrible memories and thoughts that plagued him. 

Things had gotten better, he had to admit. His aversion to touch and intimacy was slowly but surely fading. There were many nights he and Tav lay together in each other’s arms, lips moving together in perfect, glorious synchrony. They explored each other’s bodies – fingertips ghosting along skin, leaving heated trails of gooseflesh in their wake. 

“Tell me to stop,” she would whisper against his neck, her hands roving the planes of his body, as she peppered kisses along his jawline and the column of his neck. “Tell me to stop, and I’ll stop.”

“Keep going,” he would murmur in return, touching her just as desperately. “Please. Keep going.”

It would continue like that for some time, until it became too much. Until her touch stopped feeling like an analgesic to his mind and more like an agonist. He would tense, and she would feel it. He would quietly whisper “stop,” and she would halt immediately. He would clutch her in his arms, and they would lie still as he recovered. 

He wished he could give her more. Give her everything. She said she never minded. That she wanted them to take this slowly. And he believed her. But still. He knew he was a different sort of lover than she likely imagined her first to be. 

Which was why he had resolved to accept the possibility that she might want physical pleasure with someone else. Someone like Halsin, who could give her that attention immediately. Without the additional baggage and self-loathing that he came with. 

Under Cazador’s enslavement, the question of whether he preferred monogamy versus polyamory was just a cruel joke with an even crueler punchline. And before that, well, he couldn’t remember how he’d preferred his relationships. It was disorienting, to be so unsure of himself. Not knowing whether his decisions and preferences now were a reversal of his former personality or an exact alignment. Maybe some craved that sort of clean slate, but to Astarion it was terrifying. And enraging. 

But matters of self-identity aside, he had pondered long and hard about how he would respond were Tav to express interest in someone else. He had seen the way the gazes of some in their party lingered on her, knew they were curious about his little hellcat. Knew it was only a matter of time before someone became brave enough to proposition her. And he’d resolved to tell her, should she ask, that he would be all right with it. If she wanted to be intimate with another. He wouldn’t mind. 

Because it wasn’t her body he wanted, he had realized. While, yes of course, she was exquisite and beautiful and incomparable. She had a feral sort of beauty that drove his senses stark-raving mad sometimes. But what he really wanted – what he craved from her – lay so much deeper within. He wanted her heart. Her trust. Her pride. Her love. Even if he wasn’t entirely sure what that meant. He wanted to know it, wanted to learn. 

“It’s all right, you know,” he murmured finally. 

Tav turned to face him, tying her hair up in a tight bun for sleep. His nightshirt inched up her long, taut legs as she stretched. 

“What’s all right?” she frowned. 

“If you do wish to be intimate with him. I wouldn’t mind. I’m happy for you to have as much… Halsin as you wish.”

Tav just stared at him, her expression unreadable. 

“I just have one question, though,” he continued, pressing on while he still had the courage and vulnerability to ask. “It wouldn’t be because… you know… we haven’t… in a while?” 

The answer mattered so much to him. It was all he could think about for some time now. It made the defensive, self-preserving part of his mind absolutely seethe with rage, but try as he might, he couldn’t shake its importance.

Objectively speaking, he knew it was reasonable if she did respond with yes, it’s because we haven’t in a while, and I really do want to have sex. She was free to feel how she wished. He wouldn’t dare try to force her to stay with only him. He wouldn’t take her agency away from her like that. 

But still, he couldn’t deny that it would gut a part of him, if that would be her reason for taking the First Druid up on his offer. Astarion knew his penchant for misery and self-loathing would seize that answer like a prized jewel. Taunt him with the reality that he wasn’t good enough, wasn’t worth the effort, wasn’t deserving of anyone’s sole focus. 

“Astarion. Look at me,” Tav intoned, interrupting his frantic spiral. 

He hadn’t realized he’d dropped eye contact, his unfocused gaze instead directed somewhere to the side of her head. 

She knelt down before him, her knees pressing into his thigh. Gently, she took his hands in hers. 

“I don’t want to sleep with Halsin. I don’t want to sleep with anyone else,” she said resolutely. He could hear the conviction in her tone.

He stared at her, stunned into silence. In all his pondering and fretting over this, he hadn’t prepared for that answer. Once again, her response left him feeling flat-footed. 

“Listen,” she pressed forward, scooting closer into his side. “I’m fairly new at this, at all of this really. There’s a lot I don’t know about relationships and… physical intimacy… But I do know myself. And I know that sex doesn’t mean nearly as much to me as our emotional connection does. 

“Really?” Astarion whispered, his eyes darting rapidly across her face, desperate to suss out the truth.

Tav nodded seriously, squeezing his hands in hers. “While, yes, I want you in that way… it’s you I want, Astarion. Not the act itself. Just you.”

He wanted to break down in sobs at her words, at just how much they meant to him. That she just wanted him. Astarion. No gimmicks, no quid pro quo, no expectations. She had said it to him before in a different manner of phrasing, but he wasn’t sure if he would ever tire of hearing it. 

She couldn’t possibly understand how her simple truth, her sincere love for him, was upending his entire concept of life and relationships, like a meteor obliterating the ground beneath it. And out of that obliteration, something new and wonderful and terrifying was arising within him. 

Marvelous as it may be, it was still too much to process. The self-preserving part of him reared up in desperation, anxious to shield him from the unknown. He slipped into his costume of confidence and ease once more, although a distant part of him noted how this façade was beginning to chafe. 

“I know,” he chuckled with an offhanded shrug. He could sense the false bravado in his voice and wondered if Tav could discern it as well. 

“I was being foolish,” he continued. “But thank you for saying it.” 

Tav gave him a warm smile and squeezed his hands one last time before releasing them. 

“Of course, my star” she replied lovingly. “Let’s get some rest then, yes?”

“Yes, my darling. Let’s,” he returned.

He gathered her up in his arms as they burrowed down into their bedding. Tav sprawled on top of him, her head on his chest, a leg hitched between his, an arm banded across his waist. 

Within a matter of moments, she was fast asleep. Careful not to shift too much and wake her, Astarion picked up the previously discarded tome and resumed his reading. 

Astarion had always enjoyed reading. Although, he had to admit, the surroundings and company had dramatically improved since the last time he cracked open a book.

[pinkmadnessing]

Entheogen, Ch.1: ✨ Curious Little Thing

(EDIT: I'm on chapter 5 now :3)

Just dropped the first chapter of my very own HDG story, Entheogen, with a huge shoutout to my partner (and Mistress) @hotghostshibari for their help writing Myconia! This story follows a burnt out corporate xenobiologist who finds her way into the vines of an equally neurodivergent plant who, for some mysterious reason, has mushrooms instead of flowers! Will she learn to see the world with wonder again? Will she get florted? Will she get absolutely slammed down by a giant mushroom womanthing? Come find out :3 CW: noncon drugging, anxiety, deadnaming, xenophobia

18+ only, minors DNI, as always. https://archiveofourown.org/works/61809625/chapters/158043616

Full first chapter beneath the cut, thread in betas in the hdg discord if you'd like to talk to me about it, please enjoy!

Hurried voices echoed through the corridors of the Corben Bioworks corporate survey vessel, CBS Rains of Proxima, occasionally joined by the mechanical accompaniment of doors sealing, weapons being readied, and controls being toggled. They were the sounds of a ship preparing for battle, something Madii Lunae had hoped to never experience. She glanced nervously up from her screens as multiple crew members glided past her door, held aloft by the microgravity of near-interstellar space. She lowered her gaze back down to the screen mounted on her desk, reading and re-reading the ship wide alert at the same time the comm’s officer came over the intercom. 

'RED ALERT. RED ALERT. ALL CREWMEMBERS PREPARE FOR MILITARY ACTION. XENO WARSHIP SPOTTED NEAR EDGE OF SYSTEM. EVASIVE MANEUVERS ENGAGED' 

Madii swallowed nervously and fiddled with the magnetic stylus on her desk. Even in microgravity, her leg twitched up and down rapidly as her head filled with anxiety. The ship was supposed to be a research vessel, stars, it was literally in her contract from Corben Bioworks that they couldn’t use any of the weapons on board. And yet here they were. She guessed the dissolution of government and outlawing of corporations made those contracts not really matter anymore, but the same now went for the contracts guaranteeing her safety. 

“I can't just float here” Madii mumbled to herself, not really realizing she said it out loud. She grabbed hold of the handle on her desk and used it to push herself across her lab, or at least it was the room that used to be her lab. Over the past few months her lab, along with all others on the ship, had been hastily retrofitted to act as a medical bay and the scientists within them as medics. Where tanks of alien flora and shelves of xenobiological catalogs once stood, now sat cots and monitors, prepared to take on any crewmember who gets injured while fighting the Affini threat. Not that they’ve gotten any reports of ships being attacked and making it out with crew in the first place. 

Madii glided across the room to the small viewport on the space-side wall of her office and gripped the handles under it to stabilize herself. She looked out past the array of antennae on the side of the ship to see a larger part of Gliese, the binary system they had been orbiting on the edge of. They had hoped that the xenos wouldn't check a largely uninhabited jumpthrough system. 

They were wrong. 

In the far distance, illuminated by the red glow of the sputtering twin suns, hung a pink starburst shape. It was practically glowing against the void behind it. Stars, how could they have missed that? Madii felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had never seen an Affini ship in person, and she could only help but wonder what horrific monsters were glaring back at her from across the darkness.

-

Myconia glanced passively through the window of Its office. It wondered what could be going on on that little ship as it no doubt suddenly made signal contact with the Bromelia. It, unlike the little terran across the void, was not panicking. It was gazing out the window with one eye while focusing the other three on an otoscope currently deep in an adorable little floret who had complained to her owner of ear pain.

“Yeah, seems to be a common side effect of the Class-M’s she’s on, especially with Terrans with a predisposition for patulous eustachian tubes.” Myconia said, speaking over the girl’s head at the Affini behind her. “Something to do with prolonged slackening of the muscles around it. There’s some specialists on Summer Station researching it right now, I’m sure it’ll be fixed soon. I’d suggest a week long Class-M detox, and I’ll have some heavy Class-H’s ready at the front desk. You’ll be able to ‘doll her out’ with them, but it won’t be as rigid.” Myconia said, looking down at the little blushing Terran who was trying her very best to stay still, despite the constant twitching and stimming. Myconia pulsed the glow of the large mushroom caps on Its head in a soothing pattern, helping the little cutie slacken a bit. “Does that sound okay, little one?” 

The girl smiled sheepishly up at It, knowing exactly what to say after being asked a question she didn’t even hear. “Yes, Miss Myconiaaa” She said, twisting back and forth in her skirt adorably. “Good girl.” Myconia said, patting the floret with a vine and slipping a lollypop packed with Class-A into the little stoner’s mouth. The owner smiled, picking up her rapidly melting pet and giving Myconia a few words of thanks. The pair left just as a notification appeared on one of Its office monitors.

“Terran cuties located and locked on!! We’ll have them in our loving vines in no time! Please prepare for grapple and boarding action!!” The screen read out in scrolling Affini glyphs.

Myconia made the sound It learned from being around Terrans so much, a sigh, it was called. It let a quick breeze ruffle through Its vines and dimmed Its fluorescent mushroom-dotted body, as if to display a release of energy. A new rebel ship means more Terrans rescued, but it also meant first time pet owners, and that meant more ‘what should I do if my pet swallowed this-or-that’ questions. Myconia finished the paperwork of the pet It just treated, and filed a request for the strongest Class-Hs they had on vine. After a quick moment of enjoying the feeling of a happy pet well cared for, It switched the feed on Its monitor to the adorable floret hobby video about zen gardens It was previously watching. It reached with a few fine tendrils and drug a little rake across the sand in the small desk box. Myconia loved these cute little Terran things, they were so useful for detangling after a long day. Just as It was finally starting to relax, Its mushroom dotted vines gently uncoiling around the base of the chair, a second notification from the ship’s consciousness appeared on Its screen. “Apologies everyone!! Seems like the little ‘Free Terran’ ;;;;;) cuties have spotted us, and are attempting to flee. We’ll be entering hyperspace for a moment so we can pounce on em! Please brace your florets, and thank you for your understanding!!"

-

Madii gasped, eyes wide, and pushed back from the window. She blinked a couple times, rubbed her eyes, and pulled herself close again. The ship just vanished. It winked out of the void right as she was looking at it! Had it gone into hyperspace? It couldn’t have! Cosmic Navy ships jump with noticeable lensing as they tear through spacetime. From straight on, the Affini ship seemed to simply shrink to a point and vanish from the void, as if it had never been there in the first place. Could they have gone? Maybe they didn’t see the ship and they left. Madii’s mind flooded with possible explanations, spinning its wheels until it was interrupted by a blaring intercom. 

“RED ALERT. RED ALERT. LOSS OF VISUAL CONTACT WITH XENO VESSEL” Madii twitched at the sudden loud noise, but quickly began to move. She had been so bored during her first weeks on board that she had actually read the ship’s protocol manual. She might have been the only one, including the captain, to have done so. “ENGAGE SAFETY HARNESS AND PREPARE FOR EVASIVE MANEUVERS AND HYPERMETRIC KICK IMMEDIATELY”

As the message finished, Madii glanced across the room and pushed off the wall, headed towards one of the many harnesses across the ship. As she passed her desk, she nabbed a medical tablet off its magnetic mount, tucking it under her arm while she flew. She had landed against the harness on the opposite wall and strapped herself in. As the belts clicked into place, she felt the rapid flow of panic swelling up in her mind. She hated the feeling of hypermetric kicks, but hated the idea of falling into the Affini’s grip even more. She needed to calm down, she told herself, hyperventilating would fix nothing. In fact, hyperventilating was exactly what you weren’t supposed to do during a hypermetric kick, and jumps always hit her gut particularly hard. Needing a distraction, she decided to focus on the tablet. Her eyes flowed over every biometric readout on the ship. Nothing out of the ordinary, of course, other than a collectively increased heart rate among the crew. Madii closed her eyes as she felt her head start to spin with anxiety. 

“It’s gonna be okay. It’s gonna be okay.” She repeated to herself, trying to pull in the reins on her spiraling mind. It didn’t work.

-

At nearly the same moment the notification appeared on Myconia’s screen, it heard little gasps from the Terrans outside Its office. The small pockets of air between sand particles collapsed, and the whole pattern of the zen garden broke down. 

“They really should warn us earlier about that. Poor little things get spooked every time.” It grumpled to Itself before shaking the sand flat and starting again. As It started to rake, a small drop down opened on Its screen, a readout of information about the Terran ship currently being trapped. ‘Terran Megacorporate Survey Corvette, 170 meters, two rotational rings..’ It had heard concerning rumors about Terrans coming out of megacorp ships. Just as bad as the military ships, with Terrans coming with crushed souls rather than hyperferalist ideologies. For the sake of the little sophonts on board, It hoped they were just rumors.

-

A monotone whirr began to fill the emptying corridors of the Rains of Proxima as the jump drive began to spin up, preparing to launch a spear of exotic matter through space and time. Madii squinted her eyes and cringed preemptively. She always hated this part. “PREPARE FOR HYPERMETRIC JUMP.” The navigator’s voice called out over the intercom, which was growing increasingly staticky as the ship’s electric fields began to warp with space. “JUMPING IN T-MINUS… 5.. 4.. 3.. T-” A gasp came over the intercom, accompanied by the sound of everyone else in Madii’s hallway gasping. She herself, already cringing, jolted in her harness as the kick hit her like a punch to her sternum and her stomach cramped. She wasn’t ready for that. That happened early. Why did it happen early. Madii forced her eyes open, wiping tears that microgravity formed into bubbles. As soon as she did, she let out a gasp and looked around, eyes wide. The ship's lights were completely off, as if someone had just flicked the switch off. The darkness of the ship allowed a cascade of crimson Gleitian light to paint the inside of Madii’s lab. The normally sterile walls of the ship illuminated only in red had an eerie sort of alien beauty that Madii had scarcely seen before, if she wasn’t gasping for air, she might have taken a moment to appreciate it. “J-JUMPING!” The worried voice of the navigator broke Madii out of her thoughts. Wait, that wasn’t our jump? The ship shook as the suddenly very loud jump drive unleashed its payload, tearing a hole in space that would.. Wait.. Madii looked around rapidly. The room was still bathed in crimson light. Why didn’t she feel anything? Where was the kick? “What’s going on Micheals?” The voice of the Captain barked, still sharp through the muffled intercom. It’s clear the navigator didn’t turn off his mic. 

“d-don’t know sir. I initiated the rump, ‘says the drive released the payload. I don’t d-d- .. oh… STARS IT’S HU—” The navigator’s voice suddenly cut out as the intercom filled with static and the ship shook against her back. She had to squint as the sterile lights suddenly winked back on and looked around the room for some semblance of understanding. Madii untucked her tablet from under her arm and stared at it, eyes flicking wildly about the screen. Dozens of error messages filled a panel on the side. No injuries reported, but huge sections of the ship were marked with red, indicating catastrophic damage. She fumbled to unhook her harness, flew back to the widow, and moved her head around, trying to use every angle through the small window. There was nothing out of the ordinary in her limited field of view, other than the presence of the Gleitian suns and the distant sta-

Madii froze in shock. In almost the same moment she turned her attention to the twin stars, a massive, spiked tendril shot up between them and her. Madii reeled in horror as the vine cast a dark shadow over her face. Oh stars. Oh fuck. The Compact has arrived.

-

Myconia heard the characteristic excited shuffle of second and third blooms rushing past Its office, all making a butterflyline towards the tunnel to the bay the Terran ship was being docked at. It shuddered a groan and pretended to roll Its eyes, an expression It very much liked borrowing from the cuties around It. As much as It might enjoy taking care of Terran patients, It had never really found the right sophont to domesticate, and this far into the Terran Pacification, a new ship meant more medical processing and less researching, rather than an opportunity for adoption. Its friends always looked at It with pity in a way It detested when It expressed such feelings, but It told Itself they were the consequences of Its dedication to Its work. Sacrifices for discovery, eh?

All the introspection was making Myconia wish It had something to focus on decomposing. It tapped on Its tablet a few times until It found a suggestion for the pizza place (adorably named ‘Petperroni’) a team of Beeple had started after becoming fascinated with Terran cuisine. Its next appointment wasn’t for 80 Terran minutes so It tapped through a few options and placed the order. A little graphic of a dancing Beeple spinning a sign that said “Thanks for ordering!!” appeared on Its screen, drawing a small smile from the Affini.

-

Madii’s mind was moving at a million meters a minute. She stared, jaw held open in horror, as the massive tendril stretched up and over the ship before tightening around it. Bending metal whined as it struggled under the weight of the vine constricting around the ship. A massive impact shook the ship around her, jolting her hands which were wrapped tightly around a rung. The slam was followed by another, and another, and another, each impact seeming closer and closer. Madii looked back at the hallway, searching for the source of the sound, only to realize it was far too late. The world seemed to slow down around her as the hallway floor deformed as it was skewered from underneath. The metal tore at the panel seams like paper ripping, and a massive vine, evidently what forced its way through the hull, rocketed up to the ceiling, piercing a hole through the ceiling with just as much speed. Madii barely had time to scream before her voice was drowned out by the deafening roar of the void. The vine had punched holes in the hull, and the pull of space on the ship’s breached atmosphere was suddenly rapidly dragging out anything not bolted down. Unfortunately for Madii, she was not bolted down.

-

Myconia glanced at her monitor’s calendar. It watched in real time as various Affini started pre-booking examinations for their expected new florets. Maybe volunteering for this time slot as an auxiliary veterinarian was a bit too much of a workload, It considered. It was itching to focus on Its own research, but nothing short of adopting a floret would get it out of this commitment. 

“Knock knock, bookannelid, mind pulling your antennae out of your communicator for a moment?” A familiar, tinkling voice spoke from the door, accompanied by the quiet rapping of wood on alloy. A slightly shorter, tightly wound Affini stood in the doorway, the friend of Myconia’s whom It initially offered to help at the clinic, Alphira Datura, 18th bloom. Alphira was formed from a tightly bound, luscious green cluster of vines, with small white flowers blooming across her body. In her current form, she had positioned the flowers to paint in her details, from expressive eyebrows to flashing eyelashes to flowing hair. She stepped into Myconia’s office without asking, half walking and half gliding across the floor. When she spoke, her voice sounded younger and sharper sounding despite her comparative age. She smiled sheepishly as she broached the topic yet again. She was the one heading up the medical on-boarding after all, she usually got first pick of the litter, as the Terrans said.

“Listen, I know you’ve said a hundred times that you aren’t interested in having a floret of your own, but I was looking through the manifest of this adorable little ship we just vined, -did you see that it was a science vessel?- Anyway, I found this cutie. I know what you’re going to say, but please, just look it over.” She spoke quickly, handing Myconia a tablet with a Terran Accord personnel file on it. “For its sake, if not your own."

-

The howl of naked void rang in Madii’s ears as she was sucked across the office and clawed uselessly against the flat lab floor. The world continued to move in seeming slow motion as she looked ‘down’ toward the void that pulled her closer and closer. She saw the handle on the door ahead of her and reached out to grab it as she slid past. Madii let out a yelp as her hands slammed against the handle and gripped as tight as she could. She could feel her nails digging into her palms as she held for dear life while styluses, bottles, and anything else not in containers got sucked through the holes and away from her sight. Madii saw her tablet slam against the wall next to the door, but by sheer luck it managed to get wedged against the raised edge of the door. Eyes stinging from the wind, hear pounding in her head, she turned her head upward to gaze through the hole in the ship. 

She could see the endless blackness of space, dotted by the occasional star. This was her first time ever seeing naked void. Oh shit. People rarely, if ever, survive encounters with space, even in this century. She was going to die. She was going to die, wasn’t she? Her mind began to spiral, her thoughts spinning towards the void like a whirlpool in her head. She couldn’t bring herself to look any longer and tightly closed her eyes. This wasn’t real. This wasn’t real. She was going to wake up any second she was going to be okay it was all going to be okay please she didn’t want to die she didn’t want to die she-

Madii’s spiraling train of thought abruptly stopped in tandem with the cessation of the roaring wind. Had she died without realizing it? It almost seemed like the ship had re-sealed. She slowly opened her eyes, only to find her gaze met by a trio of fellow crewmates, all in some sort of holding-on-for-dear-life position. Two were across the hall, Lila and Johnny, visible from around the side of the vine, and the third was her coworker in the lab over, Vanessa, a stuffy girl who's usually straight black hair was now messed up and wind-blown. The four Terrans shared worried looks as their minds tried to catch up with their circumstance. It was Vanessa who spoke first, nodding to the tablet that was now floating behind Madii in the disarrayed lab. 

“M-Milo, you have the readout. What’s going on?” The rattled looking astrogeologist asked Madii. For some reason, amidst all this, her head still caught on those four, cursed letters. She didn’t even have time to be frustrated at herself. She nodded and turned in microgravity towards the tablet, but as she went to reach for it something she hadn’t seen in months began to happen. The tablet, however slowly, fell to the ground.

-

Myconia mocked another sigh and turned toward the door, smiling with amusement. It took the tablet in a few vines and gave it a once over. The Terran’s name was Milo Lunae, a young adult, scored quite a bit higher on flimsy Terran intelligence tests and even published a paper on potential xenobiological medical advancements when it was at something called ‘Corben Institute of Biology’. As a nice plus, Alphira wasn’t kidding, it was pretty frosting cute.

“Fine, fine, I’ll go look with you, but I’ve told you I’ve never found the right floret and you know that.” It said, rising to Its full height and putting Its screens to sleep with a wave of a vine. It left a little note and a lollypop for the pizza delivery floret, and the two Affini exited the veterinary and joined the bustle of prospect owners moving towards the smaller petal-side hangers. It was a part of the ship Myconia rarely spent time in, as most of Its excursions were to the microgravity labs that line the ship’s stem. It glanced down at the tablet occasionally, reading about all the sophont’s little quirks and irregularities that it received write-ups for.

-

Madii and her crewmates slowly floated down to the floor of the ship, once again sharing concerned looks as gravity inexplicably reasserted itself. As her legs touched the floor, Madii felt the strain of momentum pushing against her like she hadn’t in months, and it took her a second to remember how to stand. She carefully pushed herself off the new ground on wobbly legs and grabbed the tablet off the floor. Her eyes grew wide as she stared down at the flimsy screen. The hull was reporting damage it shouldn’t be able to survive, and yet, the atmospheric readings were nominal. No, not just nominal, actually, better than that! The readings more resembled the scans of carboniferous worlds with plant scrubbed, oxygen rich atmospheres than a choked survey vessel.

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Madii says out loud to herself and her coworkers. She raised her eyes to see the confused look on her crewmates faces and answered their question before they could ask. “It’s.. It’s like we’re in the middle of a rainforest.” She said hesitantly. “And I don’t know where to start about the grav..” Madii’s voice trailed off as a warm, sweet smelling, humid breeze wafted over the group. Her crewmates, who had all also pulled themselves to their feet, took reflexive deep breaths of the refreshing air. It was much better than the stale, headache-inducing near 20% atmosphere they had been breathing. Madii’s thoughts began to rapidly spin up as she watched her crew fill their lungs.

-

“So how’d you figure out about this little thing?” Myconia asked her companion, still reading about the Terran while sidestepping the line of potential owners with Alphira’s clearance. The pair had followed the crowd into a tunnel that led to the outside of the rotating petal arcology they lived on, where docks suspended rows of ships above the lazily shifting void. Most of the ships here were of Terran or Rinan design, as the Bromelia’s grasping tendrils deposited their catch here, rather than the larger main stem hanger.

“I was searching through the archives of their ship, looking for anything that stood out. It’s a little survey ship from some megacorp, so there’s lots of planetary scans for the Neoxenoveterinary Archeobureaucrats to pour over. I did, however, notice a note from their Captain about acquiring a new biologist for their survey missions. Apparently the ship searched for new planets to exploit. Positively primitive if you ask me.” The shorter Affini scoffed and ruffled her leaves slightly. The pair of plants reached the hanger just as the vine-pierced ship was being hauled into place. A large wood lined screen by the start of the dock displayed readings of the ship; All lifeforms stabilized, no casualties, and proceeding as usual. Large pink words in curling Affini glyphs slid across the screen. 

‘RELEASING ATMOSPHERIC PACIFIER’

“Well, we haven’t had a Terran scientist here that wasn’t traumatized into believing that ‘for the greater good’ rubbish in a while, so if this Terran is the exception I’ll be glad to meet it.” Myconia said, looking deeper into the file. The Terran had multiple therapist visits and reprimands from captains for things that, the more It looked at them, simply seemed like signs of the rather limited Terran term ‘neurodiversity’. Myconia felt a little bad as It read, then a lot bad. This wasn’t the way It usually felt about sophonts. Though It couldn’t put a vine on why. It felt not just pity, not just the will to help, but the physical need to help. “Alright, you win, Alphira.” It chuckled, vines twitching slightly as It began to mentally prepare for what was to come. “I can’t believe it, but I’ll see em. At least for their initial checkup.”

-

Something wasn’t right. Madii watched her friends take deep breaths. Something wasn’t right about this at all. Madii took shallow breaths of the saccharine air as she looked down at the tablet again. Why would a hostile alien force give them air? “Guys, I’m not sure we should be..” Her mind rapidly ran through a hundred possible options as she spoke, right up until the moment she spotted it: A flashing alert in the life support panel. “WARNING. UNKNOWN AEROSOLIZED XENOLOGICAL COMPOUND. SEEK BREATHING APPARATUS IMMEDIATELY.”

Madii’s eyes grew wide as she stared at the screen. All at once, crew biometrics were beginning to wink out, as though they were all going to sleep at once. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach. Oh stars. Madii raised her eyes right as Vanessa, now with a huge smile on her face, collapsed to the ground with a thud. The other two of her coworkers gasped in horror as the woman dropped, then each began to look drowsy as well. “DON’T BREATH!! HOLD YOUR BREATH! HOLD YOUR-” Madii shouted, but it was too late. She had already turned away before she heard their bodies hit the ground. She clapped a hand over her mouth and pinched her nose shut as she felt a slight tipsiness at the edges of her mind. She stumbled across the room, legs struggling to adapt to the new gravity, to a panel on the wall with a gas mask symbol below the Corben Bioworks logo that had been ever present in her life. She slammed it open, almost knocking it off its hinges, and yanked the gas mask off it’s clamp. She pulled the mask over her face and breathed out to clear the diaphragm. It was just like the diving regulators she had read about in preparation for her imagined future as an intrepid explorer, and each consecutive breath felt less and less stuffy through the filter. Once she was confident the mask wouldn’t suffocate her, she looked out to the hall and passed out Terrans on the floor. Tiny, scintillating specks were now drifting through the warm air, swirling in little sparkling vortexes as the breeze from above spread it around the ship. It was probably the toxin that had knocked out her crew, her anxious mind told her, and this time it was probably right.

Madii silently cursed herself as her mind added yet another horrifying realization onto the pile: She had left her pistol in her bunk. It wasn’t like she had wanted the weapon, the rebels had practically forced it into her hands when they took control of the ship, but that was before she felt the alien menace breathing down her neck. Now that she was alone, her mind swam unbidden toward the horrifying future. Her crewmates were dropping all around her and she had no way to fight off the coming swarm of surely ravenous xenos. She tried to remember everything the rebels had barked about the Affini. They would tear her apart, they would melt her mind with drugs, they would send her to the mines, they would.. they… Wait a minute.. Why did the air smell so sweet?

-

“Ahh!! That’s so exciting!!” Alphira cooed, shaking her lush foliage quickly, mimicking the way Terran florets shiver when they get all excited. “I finally did it, I, Alphira Datura, finally broke the great and stoic Myconia!” She giggled and nudged Myconia goadingly with a loose bundle of vines. She tapped a few times on her tablet, then grinned at It. “I’ll have a medical room prepped for you and your little scientist to get to know each other. You know how feisty the sharp ones can be- or,” She paused with a knowing smile. “You’ll find out!”

At just that moment, the dark screen above the door flashed with a cheerful, bright pink message. It seemed like Myconia’s cue.

“PACIFICATION COMMENCING AS EXPECTED!! BOARDING MAY NOW BEGIN!!”

It rolled all four of Its eyes at Alphira and shuffled Its leaves in exaggerated annoyance, before pulling Itself along the dock toward the ship alongside a fair few other Affini, all of whom probably had similarly specific sophonts in mind. One by one, they slipped and slithered through the vine-punctured hull. The ship was cramped, sterile white and reflective, with no pizzaz or decor. It had seen sets like this in Terran media, but It hadn't actually believed that they’d really force themselves to work and live in structures as tight and dull as this. How could anyone work in a place like this, let alone live in it? It looked down cramped corridors and into utilitarian bunks as It moved, looking for Its sophont of choice. Ah, there it is. Myconia paused at a hall that had once been labeled “0-G Sample Labs”, but had since been christened “MEDBAY 3” in hastily scribbled, oily ink.

-

Madii’s eyes widened as she breathed the sweet smelling air through the mask. Her head had almost shaken off the fog of her first breaths, but it suddenly started to get fuzzy again. Was the gas mask broken? Oh stars. Oh stars oh shit oh fuck. Her breath started to quicken, and as much as she recognized that she shouldn’t be hyperventilating poison air, she couldn’t stop the panic from taking over her. Her suspicions were all but confirmed as scintillating specks floated up into the face portion of the mast. The cheap mask was probably never designed to work in the first place. Probably some cost saving measure so the corporate higher-ups could afford another bonus. 

“Ohhhhh fffuck youuuuu Corbenn” Madii groaned, watching pixies swirl around the mask as she breathed out. Wait, what was she doing? Why was she watching the little sparkly things instead of.. instead.. Oh.. my… She slumped forward and pushed the faulty mask up her face as she leaned on her hand. She looked up with lidded, rapidly glazing over eyes as a massive, nightmarish abomination of green and blue shapes swayed into the room through her blurred vision. A little drool dripped from her mouth as she watched the xeno approach, and Myconiai thought it looked quite cute. “YoU aRe MiLo, CoRrEcT?” It asked, trying to make Its voice as soothing as possible. It stepped forward towards the Terran, tilting Its head slightly as It watched the little thing slump. The Terran looked absolutely adorable, but It could tell that the cramped conditions had not been kind to it. “i CaN gEt YoU oUt Of ThE gAs, If YoU dOn’T fIgHt Me.” It said softly. “OtHeRwIsE, i’Ll HaVe To LeT tHe PaCiFiEr Do ItS jOb.” It sighed and outstretched a vine. Myconia let Itself hope a little, but It had doubts that were quickly confirmed.

A shiver shot through Madii as the monster said her ‘name.’ Its voice was melodious, but in an incongruent way, like It was speaking in time with a tune she couldn’t hear. She flinched weakly away from the dark shape of the daemon’s grasping vine.

Myconia watched her eyes lazily unfocus and the mask fully slip off her face. Dirt, the Terran’s head fur was gorgeous, even if a bit matted and more than a little in need of a proper wash. It doubted that this ship had anything close to a proper grooming station. “PlEaSe, I wIlL nOt HuRt YoU.”

Madii’s limbs were growing heavy and her head was starting to wobble. She groaned quietly, using all her willpower to push words to her lips. “Fffuu.. xxxeno…” She mumbled to the monster's disappointment. Good. She was glad It was disappointed. She wouldn’t give in. Her eyes drooped. This couldn’t be it. This wouldn’t be it. She wouldn’t let It take her. She wouldn’t be like those thoughtless puppets she had heard about.. She wouldn’t.. She.. 

The curious little thing mumbled something incoherent before fully slackening in its seat, a display of sheer adorability that brought a sad smile to Myconia’s face. It couldn’t bring Itself to part with the little feral. To the dirt with consequences, It couldn’t leave the poor thing like this. With a little extra willpower, It forced Itself forward, gently wrapping Its vines around the Terran’s body before hefting it into the air with ease.

Madii’s world darkened from the edges, a tunnel closing in around her as the cosmic horror bound her tightly in Its disgusting tendrils. As the vines tightened, a feeling of strange secureness washed over her. She felt her mind relax as though climbing into a bunk after a long day, followed by.. … contentedness?

And then she fell asleep.

That's all for now folks! thanks for reading, and please do let me know what you think! <33

[omeynzaol]

y'all I genuinely dont get what happened in the main storyline of Batman after Damian and Bruce had that fight Abt Damian volunteering @ the hospital? Also why are Damian and Tim sharing Robin now, did something happen to Tim as Red Robin? Is Stephanie still Spoiler? What happened to Jason and his outlaws? And lastly, what happened in the valentine issue?? I'm trying to research since I can't get the comics to confirm right now but it's all confusing and my brain is a patchwork of knowledge

Why does DC do this bruhh

Edit: I'll look through the web and get some answers but till then if anyone knows can you explain in the comments? You'd be a literal life saver

Edit 2: Okay, I delved into reddit and got some stuff, Shout-out to Cole-Spudmoney for the info!

Edit 3: I'm tired now so I'll come back l8r and hopefully some of y'all can tell me atleast what happened after the hospital Convo b4 I reaearch

Edit 4: I come bearing gifts, I found out the main fluffy bits of what happened in the valentine issue:

https://www.tumblr.com/littlepikmins/773995391408570368?source=share

The only real problem I have with this comic is this:

Edit 5: thanks to @wesavegotham here's directly what happened after Damian left Bruce on the rooftop (after insulting his shirt)

"Basically Damian is unsure if being a vigilante is the best way to help the people of Gotham. Bruce is upset that Damian has been keeping secrets from him and isn't concentrating on hero work. After Damian left Bruce worked on his current case alone, got drugged, called Damian for help and Damian was almost too late to save him. After Bruce wakes up he's upset because of that and on top of that he's unhappy because Damian keeps talking about the doctor he's working with, which is why he asks Oracle to check his background for connections to Ra's al Ghul after Damian left to investigate on his own. Despite being in no state to do so Bruce also leaves to continue his investigation, leading Babs to call Jason to help Bruce. And that's it, the arc isn't over yet tho."

Now I gotta research about Jason and Steph, cy'all l8r Edit 6: Woooo! its been some time since I updated this post Here's basically what's happened in the most recent comic with Jason (Batman & Robin #17 2025) Credit to

https://screenrant.com/red-hood-return-jason-todd-back-gotham-op-ed/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/Robin/comments/1hxuqux/i_am_so_exicted_for_the_next_issue_of_batman_and/?rdt=41520

Batman and Robin #17 marks the complete breakdown of Damian and Bruce’s partnership as the Dynamic Duo, leaving Batman without a partner at a time when he can least afford it. Bruce is still recovering from a near-death experience following a brutal confrontation with the mass-murdering villain, Memento. Despite Oracle’s insistence that the Dark Knight rest and recover, Bruce refuses—a reaction Barbara clearly anticipated. She reveals that, if Bruce won’t be sidelined, she’s called in help. Right on cue, Batman—who has been lurking on the gargoyle-infested rooftops—is greeted with a simple, “Evening.” Though the speaker remains hidden at first, Batman’s long-suffering sigh quickly clues the reader in—it’s Bruce’s second son and former Robin, Red Hood, lurking in the shadows. Batman, ever the self-proclaimed lone wolf, insists that he doesn’t need a partner. But Jason’s response is sharp and affectionate: “I’ll always love that about you, old man. No respect for your limitations.” Finally, Red Hood steps into view in a striking panel by Javier Fernández, as he and Batman leap off the rooftop together, making it clear that despite Bruce’s protests, he is, in fact, accepting Jason as his crime-fighting partner once again. A small excerpt from what we can expect in the future, (screenrant link)

"There wasn’t much Jason Todd content in Batman and Robin #17, but I’m already beyond excited about what PKJ has in store for the character. The issue ended with the intriguing and ominous note: “Next: Death and the Family,” a clear nod to one of the most famous Batman storylines, A Death in the Family. Additionally, the synopsis for issue #19 gives us a clearer picture of Jason’s role in the upcoming storyline: “A heart-to-heart between Damian and Jason Todd, and Jason's subsequent demystifying of what it means to be Robin, has left the son of Batman questioning his place and his future.” So, it looks like we can look forward not only to Red Hood interacting with Batman but also with Robin." Time to look into Steph! peace :>

[heavenlymorals]

How a Modern Perspective Skews Historical Characters: A Mini Rant on the Hatred of Female Characters in RDR2

This isn't that organized cuz it's more a rant than a retrospective but fuck it it's my blog, I do what I want-

There are so many people who have actual hatred, not criticisms, for Abigail, Molly, Grimshaw, Mary, and other female characters in the Red Dead universe.

And honestly? I find it very interesting. Sure, men will probably always find a reason to hate a female character, but what I find interesting is how many women also hate these wonderfully crafted characters.

It could be so many reasons as to why this may be the case but honestly? I think it's because people forget that they CANNOT analyze this game authentically through the modern lens of morals and behaviors. This game takes place in 1899 America. Let me say it again. This game takes place in 1899 America.

One more time, just for good measure- this game takes place in FUCKING 1899 America. Women had to be dependent on men because otherwise? They'll either be in poverty, exploited, killed, or all three. There was also the honor system. When had to be the moral high ground for their family so them messing up has consequences on their fathers, mothers, siblings, cousins, and anyone connected to their family name.

Abigail getting pissy at John for getting in trouble all the time? If course it'd feel annoying if you're looking at it through the modern perspective but when you don't, it's a woman telling her man to act like a man and be careful because if he doesn't, she and her son will be destitute and destroyed.

Mary not getting with Arthur but using him? What's the likely hood that the law would bother to help Mary when the two people she needs help with are her father and brother- two grown men who can make their own choices that she literally can do nothing about because as a woman, it wasn't her place to dictate what they do. Arthur was her only option. "Girl, what her family thinks doesn't matter, she still should've gotten with him" girl no, because it's much harder and difficult than that- it's like tearing away an entire identity that you depend on to fucking survive.

"but what about Sadie? She was also living during this time period and she isn't drowned by societal expectations-"

Seriously. Do some research, read a book, expand your knowledge of gender roles and what that entails for people because it explains so many things about these characters in such a human way. They aren't "bitches", they are women of their time and people have to understand that.

No. Sadie isn't a part of this discussion because though she is a fun character and an amazing character, she is a mishmash of historical women who did masculine things to survive at one point but then went back to traditional roles, even if they did occasionally go back to to those old activities for sport sometimes, like Anne Oakley or Calamity Jane. Sadie's entire character is basically "but what if they didn't and committed to the nontraditional lifestyle". There are many inconsistencies that Rockstar did regarding the time period that they established earlier to accommodate Sadie's character better. Sadie is a great character but she doesn't belong in this discussion.

Edit: Ok, since this was a rant, as mentioned previously, I was a bit too rushed with the Sadie aspect of this post and ignored some crucial details. I'm not gonna change the post besides just this though. @hillbillyhipster84 made some great points that Sadie was a reference to Appalachian women and real outlaw women who did run and were accomplices in men's crimes, that I was too ignorant to mention prior beforehand because I didn't do much research. I still don't believe that People should use Sadie to bash the other women though, because those women mentioned above were not the status quo and thus were more trivialized because of it.

So many cultures still operate like this too so if anything, you're just learning something new about another culture.

But I swear, anytime someone talks shit about these characters, y'all got me looking like this-

[jakes3resin]

Can you tell us about your other fics if you already have an established plot?

I'd love to! So there's quite a number of them I won't lie. I tend to get inspired by the randomest things. These are all in various stages of plotted out and written.

A/B/O fic (technically turning into 3 fics) that follows Bucky & Buck through the war, described below.

Courting Arc (top of my list to finish writing) - Bucky POV as he is anonymously courted during his time in the states just before he gets sent over to England (there's a post I'm basing my writing around I'll link it in a moment) <- published

England Arc- a quick look into their lives as they run missions with A/B/O elements (this will be pretty short I think) mostly snippets of scenes from the show just now with Omega Bucky and Alpha Buck <- published

Stalag Arc - Omega Bucky and his awful time in Germany. Here is where we see what being an Omega in war is really like in my omegaverse. Bucky is the highest ranked Omega in the camp meaning he's technically 'in charge' of keeping those Omegas in line. He's tested by his heats, keeping his pack together, and finally by a German order that could tear Buck and Bucky apart. This is a big fic for me to prepare for, and I'm building up to it by writing the Courting Arc first <- next on deck

Biker Gale AU (my beloved, genuinely obsessed with this AU) - this was inspired by one of hogans-heroes AUs. So, Gale leads an outlaw-esque biker club, and Bucky used to be his right hand (and lover) except one day out of the blue he just disappeared. Gale does everything he can to find Bucky, but there's no trail to follow, no clues to put together, nothing. Fast forward about two years, Bucky arrives on Curt's doorstep holding a small baby with the brightest blue eyes and prettiest blonde curls and begs Curt to watch his baby for 5 days. 5 days later Bucky comes back in town bruised to all hell with the FBI on his tail with their own nefarious reasons for tracking Bucky down. Bucky has nowhere else to turn especially since when he comes back to Curt's he finds Gale holding his little baby. (This could be A/B/O I haven't decided, but it's definitely at least mpreg)

Amnesia fic - this is based off of a post I made about the effects of Bucky getting hit over the head like 3 times in the span of two days, its... somewhere (edit: here). But its about Bucky waking up with no memory of who he is just before he gets interrogated by the Germans and sent to Stalag Luft III where he meets a man that his heart rejoices at seeing but his mind doesn't recognize. Buck of course has to deal with the love of his life forgetting him.

Magic AU - Bucky is a Scamander and its now everyone's problem to deal with it. The tag to find all of my ramblings for it is magic au (not that Tumblr's tag system works), and @getinthefuckingjaeger just wrote the best ever fic of Bucky and Theseus so go read that.

I've also got a few paragraphs written of Foster Kid Bucky somewhere but that might never see the light of day (that's also from a hogans-heroes AU) where Bucky is a jaded teenager just trying to make it to 18 to get out of his shitty foster placement when in comes Buck whose mother finally divorced his dad, got custody of her kids, and moved to her hometown to escape. It's about a Bright Buck meeting a Jaded Bucky (a flip on their usual dynamics)

Blonde Bucky AU - I wrote a blurb on the Twin Cleven AU post, and the idea of Bucky bleaching his hair on a drunken night out with Curt and Bubbles has haunted me since <- published as well

There might be more? But these are the only ones I can remember off the top of my head right now that are plotted out beyond oh that'd be a good fic. I have a lot of time spent sitting and waiting right now, so I have the ability to write a multitude of fics. I'm happy to talk about any of these fics if you want to come into my inbox or my messages.

[zarkishere]

y/n x Javier talk because I'm insane (also normal Javier talk but I talked a lot about his dating life and trust issues blegh) I think if you dated Javier it'd take him AGES for him to trust you, and I'd take even longer for him to let his scars show

in part, it's because of his ex lover in Mexico, but he's also an outlaw on the run c'mon shits dangerous can't let your guard down you see, I think he sees them as a failure. he let someone get close enough they'd be able to...yknow...almost slice his throat open, break his nose, cut so close to his eyes...

and while some may take that as a 'fuck you I lived I'm better' he takes it as 'I'm fucking stupid and a moron and how could I fuck up so bad' specially given he's so particular about his looks, mans HATESSS THEMMMM he can't control how those look, they're just there, and he hates feeling out of control

so if you dated Javi, you'd have to be VERY CAREFUL about those, specially at the beginning

you catch a glance at the one on his throat? Pretend you're fucking blind and saw nothing eyes accidentally landed on the one on his nose? look away

you were kissing him and accidentally moved his scarf down? pull it back up and DON'T glance down, it'll make him feel bad and weak and stupid and JUST DON'T

slowly but surely he'll open up, maybe give you a hint of what happened (he's never telling the full story tho), if they hurt maybe he'll let you know he needs some time, he'll let the scarf be looser when it's only you two

much later on in the relationship, he'll ask you to massage the scar tissue when it hurts (ex:when it's cold), scarf is off more often (again, only when it's you two), glancing at them isn't such a deal but don't stare years into it if he can't do it himself (ex:he got shot and can't use his arm well) he'll ask you to shave him (BE CAREFUL THOUGH, OBVIOUSLY HAVING A BLADE NEAR HIS THROAT IS A HUGE FEAR), no scarfs around the house, etc working with him through the self-hatred is obviously encouraged, he may seem like a scary guy, but boy has a billion issues and needs his reassurance that things are okay, and you're not going to run away and leave him (he has massive guilt over leaving his family and is so afraid someone will do that to him) (+if it's post vdrlnd gang it got worse lol)

also just talking about just flings/prostitutes, I think if the person he's with accidentally pulls his scarf down (yes it stays on during sex) he'll actually panic like he'll try to play it off and just pull it back up and act normal, but bro is PANICKING and thinking the worst edit - i'm adding 1 more sorry i think if you tell him they're not ugly and like a mark of strength or whatever, he'll give you a side eye and say somth like " don't act like it's a good thing " and he just doesn't like taking compliments when it comes to them </3 (with time he'll accept them, but will never LIKE them)

that's all just giving a few thoughts ough I'm insane about Javier if you couldn't tell <3

[wobbbiy]

Could we be granted a piece of Marlow lore? If you're willing ofc :)

Thank you so much for asking about her! <3 I love the opportunity to explore her a bit. I don't know how much current bandwidth I have for editing the actual fic content I have for her to make it posting "ready". But, I will share some key things about her and if I do get inspiration (and people like her), I will see about posting bigger chunks of my tragic little spy's story.

[MAR-794] Marlow, of the Hidden.

Hidden Agent Profile ID: MAR-794 Name: "Marlow" Class: Hunter Subclass: Void (at some point this does switch to Stasis.) Race: Human Handler: AUN-326 Specialty: Eliksni reconnaissance, Early Retirement*

"Find thy self. Know thy self. Destroy thy self. Shed thy self. Embrace a new skin. Become the many. We are as unseen. We are as death."

Key Marlow things:

If it isn't clear, she is one of Ikora's Hidden Agents.

She is directly supervised by her mentor, Aunor, and as such takes on a lot of Aunor's traits (grumpy, ruthless) and beliefs (initially, anyway).

Her pre-Risen self was a gunslinging outlaw from the old western United States, before her ghost found her gravesite (yes this is possible, individuals from older cultures have been risen into Guardians). She isn't aware of her past self, but her current self prefers hand cannons (*cough* Last Word *cough*) and lever action scout rifles almost exclusively which is probably directly linked to her old self being comfortable with those kinds of weapons.

Her Ghost is named Ivy, and they are incredibly close.

Most of her story happens in the timeframe of the formation of House Salvation/Riis-Reborn and afterwards. She is an Eliksni reconnaissance expert. She was on the front lines in identifying and gathering intel about the start of Riis-Reborn.

Knew Variks was on Europa before he announced himself there, but was monitoring him.

She is fluent in understanding of written/spoken Eliksni language, and has a lot of reverence towards their culture. Because of this, her duties VERY often conflict with her own personal beliefs. (But remember, the Hidden vow essentially prohibits her from holding these kinds of personal values, so she doesn't make this known publicly but it is an internal struggle for her).

She is a VERY good spy. She is thorough and careful. She uses Void invisibility often as well to help aid in hiding her presence during reconnaissance ops.

Because she is supervised by Aunor (who is often tasked to dispatch "bad" Guardians), Marlow has a similar role in addition to the Eliksni spying.

[ DISCLAIMER: This is where MY head canons deviate from actual LORE, so stick with me a bit and understand that I KNOW it isn't canon. :) ]

Deviation begins HERE: In lore, Aunor does not kill Ghosts, but rather kills the Guardian and brings back the dead body and the Ghosts in captivity. My head canon is that there was a small span of time where the Hidden were actually directed to provide final deaths to Guardians (primarily when Darkness was initially being explored by Guardians in the form of Stasis and the VANGUARD panicked and Guardians were being corrupted). We know lore book authors are potentially biased at times especially in favor of the Vanguard looking good. So, this practice was kept under wraps. Aunor and Marlow sometimes had to dispatch Ghosts. It is a super shitty job that the Vanguard wants to keep extremely hidden as it does not look good for them. We already see how Aunor struggles to kill Guardians in the first place; but imagine how terrible of a job it would be to actually have to dispatch Ghosts...Yeah that's what I put Marlow through (sorry girly), I'm evil. Or rather, I just rlly hate the Vanguard.

*For Marlow, she isn't outright killing Guardians like Aunor does. What she is tasked with, however is to send "VERY strong messages" to those Guardians who the Vanguard/Ikora deem to be not deserving of light anymore but maybe don't qualify for a full-on assassination. Which means Marlow is tasked to kill Ghosts, rendering the Guardian lightless. This is what they refer to as "Early Retirements". (It's actually a sick practice, as many Guardians wish for final death after being rendered lightless and losing their Ghosts).

These assignments make Marlow take a very critical look into corruption of the Vanguard and the dehumanizing treatment that Hidden Agents have to subject themselves to once they take the vow (basically strips away your own identity/individuality and replaces it with group mentality). She is conflicted the entire time she is asked to dispatch Ghosts and also with how the Vanguard is handling the House Salvation conflict developing in Europa. It makes her physically ill to kill a Ghost.

She does have a tried-and-true method for getting a Ghost to emerge, while keeping the Guardian subdued but not killing them while she snags the Ghost. :[

A few other things she did in the short span of time around the time Eramis became a popsicle and House Salvation deserters evacuating, but before Kridis is hunted by us:

She ends up rebelling and disobeying (there's quite a bit that goes into this, but it's way too detailed). By doing so, she is quickly made a target herself. She killed the Hidden Agent that was sent after her, one of her own comrades.

She's on Europa at the time and is essentially pushed into Eliksni territory to escape the Hidden. She meets Namrask who helps hide her from Phylaks who's searching for a Guardian that was reported to be in the area (the fight between Marlow and the other Hidden Agent drew House Salvation attention).

She repays Namrask by raiding some ether stores the Vanguard had claimed. Embracing her new outlaw status.

Between the time Eramis is a popsicle, and in the time House Salvation deserters are evacuating she is pushed into an interaction with Kridis where Marlow does the Ireliis bow and isn't killed but ends up essentially a captive of Kridis. She confiscated Marlow's Ghost but protects Marlow from the Hidden within Riis-Reborn. Now in some coerced alliance, Marlow worked for Kridis for a bit until the Young Wolf kills Kridis (Marlow's recaptured and in Ikora's custody).

I thought it would be interesting to have a Guardian be "used" as an asset for House Salvation, so exploring that through Marlow. But, poor Marlow...I really put her through a lot and she's really a good person. I tend to like really complex, tragic characters that are forced to do things that go against their own personal morals. I think it creates a pretty interesting internal dynamic as well as leads to some interesting choices from them.

[hecouldcomeintomycastle]

No one asked for this, but here's the resource I wanted two months ago. I'll update this if I find more. If you know of a Robin Hood historical romance not included here, please send me a message or reply! I'll add it.

What I consider a "Robin Hood-themed historical romance":

It directly features characters from the Robin Hood legend, or people related to them. This can apply to either to the protagonist couple or supporting characters. This is pretty easy to spot and is a straightforward piece of criteria.

It intentionally riffs on the story of Robin Hood. This can be a little more complicated because there are plenty of examples in historical romance of do-gooder thieves and outlaws, in the forest or otherwise, that clearly lift tropes from Robin Hood. What I tend to look for is barely adapted names/locations, or an acknowledgement from the author of what they intended to do (such as on the dedication page or author's notes).

It must be part of the historical romance genre. These are not Robin Hood books that feature a romance such as "Maid Marian" by Elsa Watson or "Lady of the Forest" by Jennifer Roberson. I love both of those dearly, but they are not historical romance. Books on this list are genre romance novels.

Now, in roughly publication order, here they are. My reviews are linked if I've read the book. I'm adding a ☑️ next to read books and my star rating, as well. (I'll come back and edit the post as I read more of these.) I'm not going to include a synopsis for each one because I haven't read all of them yet. This is just a list of the books and what makes them Robin Hood historical romance.

I'm posting the original on February 3rd, 2025. Check the notes for update edits, in case I find more.

☑️ "Under the Wild Moon" by Diane Carey Signet Books, 1986 (Rated 1 star)

Will Scarlet is the MMC

Features other characters including Robin, Marian, and Friar Tuck.

☑️ "Damsel in Distress" by Shannon Drake Avon Books, 1992 (Rated 2 stars)

Main characters are original to the author, but involved with Robin and the outlaws.

Both hero and heroine are Robin's cousins.

Features other characters including Marian and Little John.

"The Black Thorne's Rose" by Susan King Topaz, 1994

MMC is a forest outlaw who fights against King John.

(I don't have a copy of this yet, and don't know if other characters or similarities will pop up.)

Marsha Canham has published three books as part of her "Robin Hood Trilogy". I don't know much about these, but they seem to adapt different parts of the Robin Hood story, and I've heard that the last book leads into actual Robin Hood lore.

"Through a Dark Mist" by Marsha Canham Bantam Books, 1991

"In the Shadow of Midnight" by Marsha Canham Bantam Books, 1994

"The Last Arrow" by Marsha Canham Bantam Books, 1997

"The Thief's Mistress" by Gayle Feyrer Dell, 1996

Robin and Marian are the protagonist couple.

A very direct adaptation.

"Lady Outlaw" by Kathryn Kramer Zebra Books, 1997

FMC is a member of Robin's outlaw band.

☑️ "Queen of the May" by Denee Cody Zebra Books, 1997 (Rated 2 stars)

FMC is a healer for the Merry Men.

Robin, Marian, and Tuck are supporting characters.

Primary villain is Guy of Gisborne.

"Prince of Thieves" by Saranne Dawson Love Spell, 1998

The main characters are Roderic Hode and Maryana (Robin and Marian)

Plot elements follow the Robin Hood story, as well.

"The Baron" by Juliana Garnett Bantam Books, 1999

FMC is is Robin's niece.

MMC is a (different) Sheriff of Nottingham.

Robin, Marian, and others are supporting characters.

☑️ "What a Scoundrel Wants" by Carrie Lofty Zebra Books, 2008 (Rated 3.5 stars)

Will Scarlet is the MMC.

Robin and Marian are supporting characters.

☑️ "The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes" by Cat Sebastian Avon Books, 2022 (Rated 5 stars)

The protagonist couple is Robin (Rob) and Marian, but make it 18th century.

That's all that I know of for now! Feel free to join me in the delightfully escapist goal of reading all of these. Maybe I'll finish by 2026?

[firstsprinces]

Thank you @anincompletelist for the tag this week! I can't wait for more of the dom!Henry/Alex you've got us begging for! I've been purposely saving the rest of bridesmaids so I can read it all in one go, and partially because I'm not ready to say goodbye to them yet!

We’re so close to this WIP finally being posted! This may be the last preview you'll get from this chapter. Below the cut, you'll also get a bonus share of this fic's title.

The radio announcer’s voice comes back in, breaking up in between his words as the signal Henry’s found seems to weaken, “if you are planning any kind of travel for this weekend, the Deputy Sheriff advises everyone to be cautious as the ‘Boxcar Bandit’ moves his way closer to our city. Policemen have begun to post these signs in businesses as well as passing around a sketch of what this twisted man may look like from an eyewitness who described him after spotting a suspicious-looking person rummaging through his pigs' feeding troughs late at night.” At the mention of the wanted poster, Henry twists around to reach into the pocket of his coat where he’d placed the paper the policeman had given him at the train station. He quickly unfolds it in excitement because he’ll finally have an idea about what the notorious outlaw may look like. When he opens the paper’s final fold, his eyes are met with the large bold letters spelling out ‘WANTED’ with a picture of a man wearing a black cowboy hat and a kerchief that covers everything but his eyes. Dark brows are furrowed on top of filled-in eyes, making him look deranged. Henry studies the way the man’s expression has been drawn because how could a witness describe the angry look in his eyes if he never approached him, especially if his face is covered and it had been dark outside? Henry wonders if this sketch will also be printed in the Western Observer, or if it already has been included in today’s edition. Surely, they must have because this is the biggest news story to hit the city since the railroad workers’ strike during the last war. Nobody’s going to bother with reading Henry’s column about the church’s fundraiser and bake sale when they can read the exhilarating update about the outlaw from the Southwest. He doesn’t blame anyone for wanting to skip his piece because it doesn’t compare to the increased fear about this criminal that could be heading their way. Henry doesn’t want to be a columnist anyway, but at the time it had been the only job available for the paper once he’d been granted entry into American territory. One day he hopes that he’ll be able to impress his boss enough so he can become a featured journalist and write and report on more newsworthy material that giving his short personal thoughts on things happening in the city or the surrounding farmlands. He doesn’t necessarily wish to be a reporter on politics and international affairs – partly because he has come to America from a different country and he will not tarnish his homeland just to please other people. He wants to travel and write about all the places he’s been, or maybe become an investigative journalist – just something with a sense of adventure.

Here’s the bonus share of the inspiration board with the fic’s title! I’m aiming for this week, or Monday at the latest to start!! If you'd like to be tagged when I publish his to AO3, let me know!

I know you've been tagged alreadt @priincebutt but you're also someone who always tags me and I also always appreciate when you do! This tag is always open and I will be checking in with everyone's posts shortly!

[ichorblossoms]

first wip wednesday of the year yee. haw

yaaaay violence. a bit. i want to write more action-y scenes but i haven't figured out. the Context so i'm sitting here with like. two and a half actually-written scenes and a desire to write more. anyways

this is half-edited first draft stuff like usual. early p3 scene that might be subject to some changes as all this stuff is. i'm trying to figure out. just a reminder the stuff [in brackets] is like. comic panel shit but you gotta use your imagination until i draw pictures about it

---

[P3- Grimm POV, they/them for Grimm, he/him for Yarrow]

One of them dismounted from their horse with a heavy noise, this person clinked as they walked a few yards to the entrance and instead of barging right in, had the decency to knock on the closed bulkhead door with a lazy, “Hullo?”

“Gimme a sec,” Grimm called and stood, looking to Yarrow and nodding, hoping he understood how it meant act normal, but be ready for a fight. 

The afternoon sun was bright, Grimm squinted as they looked out into the desert. 

[shot of the two bounty hunters from grimm’s view. the man's at the door, the girl is closer to their horses]

“Y’all need directions or somethin’?”

“Nah, just passing through, this looked like a good place to take a breather,” The taller man with the mustache said nonchalantly.

Grimm had heard that one before, “There’s a shady riverbed over that way ‘bout a mile,” they pointed to the northwest, not actually lying, “Y’all can get some peace and quiet over there. Lots of shade, too.”

“This place seems plenty big for two more people. We’ll only be half an hour or so before we saddle back up and ride out.”

No one with a lick of common sense would try to stay with strangers in the middle of the desert unless they were looking for trouble. Either you’re new at this, or just plain stupid.

“Ya seem awfully insistent, I promise this place ain’t any better.”

“We’re—we’re tired, we’ve been riding since before the sun came up.”

Bullshit. Grimm had seen their two horses, “Alright, leave your guns at the door though.”

To Grimm’s surprise, the man complied, shucking the shotgun off his back and propping it up against the closed door. He called back to his partner, a girl in her early twenties, from the looks of it, “Come in when you’re finished with the horses, and bring in my bag!

“Gotta keep the young ones in their place, y’know?” He gave a grimy smile at that, the man had ten or so years on Yarrow and them. As he crossed the threshold, the man betrayed none of the relief a weary traveler would have after being out in the sun for hours, winter or not. Grimm was ready for a fight.

And a fight they received.

Grimm noticed the tendon twitch in the man’s neck a split second before he lunged.

[Grimm steps back just far enough for the guy to overshoot. Knocks away his hand, then re-enters to elbow his face]

The crunch of cartilage echoed out in the near-empty metal shipping container. The man staggered, clutching his now-bleeding nose, all the time Grimm needed to bring a knee to his stomach.

He went down heavily, the air knocked out of him but not the lights. 

Yarrow came up from behind Grimm and delivered a kick to the man’s side for good measure, making him curl in on himself even further.

Grimm turned to him, “Stay—”

[Yarrow snarls at the man, mandibles open and terrifying and furious. Then looks to Grimm, bewildered and only half-snarling]

Horrifying, then, beautiful.

Another moment passed, the man’s pathetic gasping filling the silence. He made a move and Grimm noticed the glint of something in their periphery.

They immediately brought their heel down heavy on the man’s thigh, deadlegging him before reaching down and snatching the pocket knife out of his boot. Saw that from a mile away—

Yarrow shouted something in time for Grimm to look up.

[the outlaw’s companion points a gun at the two of them. Yarrow grabbed Grimm’s gun from where it was sitting and has it trained on the companion.]

Yarrow shot first, without a breath’s hesitation. The bullet missed the girl, but was enough to make her drop the bag she was holding and the gun. Oh you’re really new at this.

“Run, and you’ll keep your life,” Yarrow’s voice was unlike anything Grimm had ever heard out of his mouth, stripped of every bit of warmth down to unforgiving bedrock, simultaneously Yarrow and not.

For what she was worth, the girl booked it, leaving the gun on the ground. It hadn’t gone off when they dropped it. Kid must’ve been too scared to even load it.

“You’re a better shot with this,” Yarrow handed the gun to Grimm, before turning his attention to the man on the floor, who had partially re-learned how to fill his lungs with air. The blood pouring from his nose made him sputter all over the floor. He glared at the two of them. Grimm glared back, aimed the gun at his head.

Yarrow spoke again before Grimm could pull the trigger, “Why are you here?”

Another glare. The man’s face had begun swelling, turning an ugly purple, and Grimm only felt a cold satisfaction. Yarrow's not injured, that’s all that mattered.

“Can you tie him up?” Yarrow didn’t look away from the man gasping on the ground. Are you struggling with this? Does it hurt you to be on the other end of it?

Halfway to grabbing the rope from their supplies it occurred to them how Yarrow didn’t say “please,” how he wasn’t commanding Grimm, but genuinely asking them. The answer was yes either way.

The man began thrashing weakly as Grimm approached. Give up already. If Yarrow hadn’t wanted to talk, his brains would’ve been splattered out in the desert by now.

They started with his legs, binding his feet together. Yarrow, probably trying to find some way to help Grimm without being in the way, put one of his heels in the back of the man’s knee. Not very threatening, but not the dumbest thing he could have done.

Yarrow stood after the man’s legs were bound, watching as Grimm moved to his arms. They firmly held one of his wrists behind his back when he slipped out and tried to roll over.

[Yarrow crunches the man’s fingers below his boot. He cries out in pain once more. Yarrow looks menacing.]

[kyomunosaki]

I started Hypnospace Outlaw

...and I've noticed a few small things that are super interesting, mostly with the idea of tutorialization.

I didn't plan to do a writeup on this, so I don't have any of my own gameplay's screenshots. I remember most of the gist, so I can probably write a few sentences on this topic that really stuck with me. I would've gone back for more screens but I'm feeling very lazy and I might repost this with editing/photos in the future lol

So Hypnospace Outlaw is basically a pre-2K "internet janitor simulator" except that you don't do it for free. You're like a free contractor/PMC janitor, where you get comissions to hunt down certain infringement of internet/Hypnospace law.

The first case is to find instances where the copyright for a 1968 of a cartoon character named Gumshoe Gooper is being infringed upon. I found this case to be a phenomenal tutorial for both the game mechanics and the philosophical(?) questions the game wants to ask.

Gumshoe Gooper (Hypnospace Outlaw)

At first upon getting this case, I was still grappling with the game mechanics, exploring the Windows 98-ass interface with the skill of an old man in a nursing home. At the time I entirely forgot about the search function, so I just explored by going through various web portals and webrings, a la Geocities.

I found a lot of interesting sites that I don't really have the time (nor screenshots) to talk about and do justice with, but there's a lot of awesome things to find in Hypnospace if you're willing to just take time and look around. I do want to possibly talk about that later if there's interest.

After just stumbling around the internet and remembering how hard it is to find stuff through web portals, I remembered the search function existed thanks to one of the sites I ended up on having tags that open up the search window. So I searched for "gooper"

You find 3 sites from that search, two from AbbyWrites58 and another from another woman who's name I can't recall right now. The first site is a typical late 90s personal site you might find, for a first-grade teacher. It contains mentions of memorials to dead lost ones, a Hypnospace Heaven or something, and is part of a "Spirituality" web ring, but otherwise not much to note. The first link however, is a link to "Drawings of Gumshoe Gooper by my first graders"

Webrings on Abby's World (Hypnospace Outlaw)

On the link, its filled with pencil/crayon sketches of Gumshoe Gooper by a bunch of children, but also 2 gifs that seem like legitimate copyright infringement. I still felt apprehensive about reporting this page to the Hypnospace Enforcers, because it felt like a teacher just wanting to share the work of her students and I was hoping to find other violations to fit my quota. Regardless, even if I were to fill out my quota there were only 2 very clear examples of copyright infringement on the page.

So, I went back and checked out the other site by AbbyWrites58, and this one was... a political support website for a local politician? Who was seemingly a politician that had different views than, I, the player did? And she was using a GIF of Gumshoe Gooper saying that he supported her? I didn't have much hesitation just hitting her with the copyright violation on this page.

The third page was just another site but with an official Gumshoe Gooper strip posted on it. As you can tell the rest of this essay is lazily thrown together and just a retelling of events, but I do not remember the exact details of the page. I just remember still feeling apprehensive about reporting stuff on the page with children's art, so I think I reported that strip.

I still hadn't reached my quota of 3 violations reported, so I begrudgingly made my way back to the initial site I had landed on in my search. I decided to report one of the GIFs, and didn't feel too bad about it since while she did teach first graders I did find her political views somewhat, off-putting. I was going to make my way back to the case page to finalize it, but I got a notification on the not!Clippy software, telling me that if I find more violations I could get a bonus on closing the case?

A child's drawing of Gumshoe Gooper (Hypnospace Outlaw)

So, I decide to report the other GIF on the page as well, and look at that: more money. And then I have a dark urge to test something out. What about this first grader's art? What if I file it for copyright infringement, what would happen? Would the kid get in trouble? Will the teacher get the blame? Did the teacher even deserve any blame? Well, I hit the report. It works. So I go through the page, filing every crude drawing of Gumshoe Gooper by children as a violation of copyright law.

I get a lot of money, and I don't feel too bad after learning more about AbbyWrites58. Besides, the other members of her webring were openly fascists! That sort of association makes you liable to uh, getting in serious trouble over copyright infringement of a 1968 cartoon character right? It's just my job! I needed to hit the quota! And what if I flag her account to the authorities, her account with her location and other personal information tied to it?! What is the worst that could happen, and maybe I would feel a bit more bad about it if her political views weren't so, wrong?

This sort of self-justification I found myself doing just felt fascinating. It was some of the most engaged I felt with a game's narrative in so long, and it's only been made more fascinating by later cases like even the one just following this with ZANE_ROCKS_14. If you liked this post, maybe I'll actually try to edit this one down properly and actually take screenshots too. Regardless, if you got this far thanks for reading!

Edit: I can see how this makes me look like kind of a dumbass but I guess what's more accurate is "what her political views were being signalled as" is more accurate for some of the stuff I say above lol, but I'm too lazy to edit the post more than this

[four-white-trees]

SUNDAY SIX - Original work edition!

I'm goin rogue! Partly bc my March challenge crashed and burned lmao but this week! i am opening the vault and sharing some of my original stuff.

the general premise of this is a romantic fantasy story about necromancers. Lily is a young woman just beginning to understand her power, and Benjamin is an outlaw wanted for cheating death (among other things). i wrote this in 2019 when "romantasy" was still a niche - a growing one, but nothing close to the giant it is now.

Tagging my besties @mike----wazowski @skysquid22 @overdevelopedglasses @passthroughtime @jichanxo

Enjoy blorbos from my brain ❤️❤️

Lily shook her head. “I’m not a necromancer. Where would I have ever learned that? No one I know has those techniques.” 

“Necromancy ain’t learned, darlin’,” Benjamin’s deep voice spoke from the back of the chapel. Lily looked back at him as he leaned against the threshold of the chapel. “We come outta the womb like this.”

“’We’?” Lily asked. 

“You think a normal mage can come back like I did?” Benjamin said with a harsh chuckle. “Mel said it, didn’t she? We tend to flock together. Got three of us right here in this little church. Bet the big man upstairs ain’t happy about that.” 

Melissa fixed a glare on Benjamin, then looked back to Lily with concern. “You okay, darlin’? You need to sit down?” 

Lily shook her head. “No, I—I need to step outside.” Melissa released Lily as she walked down the aisle to the door. She kept her gaze down as she passed by Benjamin. Her head was too full of information that would take too long for her to sort out here. She needed time to herself to think it all through.  

Benjamin watched Lily disappear around the side of the church, then saw her through the church window as she walked into the graveyard. She paced the headstones several times, glancing about her nervously as if she expected some ghost or ghoul to pop out of the ground. 

He looked back to Melissa, who had resumed sweeping. “Now just what are you planning to do with her?” 

“Are you concerned with her well-being, Benjamin?” she asked with a sly smile.

“Can’t help but wonder at the motivations of people who’re apparently collecting necromancers.” 

“We are only here to collect you, Benjamin,” Melissa said. “As for Lily, I only intend to provide support and friendship. The discovery of my own power was. . .” She paused for a moment. “Difficult. Were I alone at that time, I’m not sure I’d have made it through with all my wits intact.” 

“You’re tellin’ me you got all your wits?” Benjamin said with a shake of his head. 

“All the ones I started with,” Melissa responded with a grin. “And you? Did all your wits come back with you from the afterlife?”

Benjamin did not answer her and looked out into the graveyard again. Lily was gone. He pulled himself away from the threshold he leant against and returned to his labor outside.

[tippenfunkaport]

WIPs Status Update

I am fairly confident no one cares what I am up to, but I haven't done one of these in ages so I figured I should.

In Progress Fanfic

Outlaws of the Whispering Woods

This fic is on temporary hiatus because I'm working on finishing it as part of the @wipbigbang. Participation in that event means I can't update that fic again until the posting period starts on September 8th BUT that once that posting period begins, I should have both art for the new chapter as well as regular updates through November until the fic is done which should be exciting. 

That said, there is still like 60k ish to go in that story so if it looks like I'm not going to be able to get it all done in time, I might swap it out for the Chipped Glimmer fic which has also been languishing in WIP hell because it's shorter and easier for me to get done on time. I'd prefer to use the event as a kick in the pants to finish OotWW, though, so we'll see.

Prince Glowyn the Fourth

This fic is 100% complete at last, I just have one chapter left to post and will be doing that sometime within the next week.

Going There

Just about four years after I started it, Going There is finally done as well! (Literally just finished it today!) "Done" in this case means I finally rewrote the back end and filled in the missing connecty bits I never wrote the first time so everything's written, it's just going to take me an unknown quantity of time to edit and post each of the chapters. But less time than rewriting it all took so I expect those last few updates to come fairly regularly once I get them started.

Coming Home

I have always said that I wanted to wait to continue this fic until Going There was done so now that I have finally finished it, the sequel can get my attention more regularly again. That said, with everything going on with the WIP Bang, posting the rest of Going There, running the Big Bang and posting my own Bang fic (plus, like, all the other IRL stuff i have to do this summer), I really don't anticipate getting it updated anytime before the fall at the earliest and even then who knows.

Also, because this is my last in-progress canon fic I'm not in a huge rush to get it out there, I'd rather take my time with it, so I'm fine with that timeline. It'll get updated when it gets updated.

Area First Ones

In my head, this is episodic and while i have five chapters written, I have some things I want to add in between so it's not as simple as just cleaning and posting those. So basically, this one will be one of those fics I update when I update here and there with no set timeline other than my whims.

Coming Soon!

My Big Bang fic is called Horse Girl Everyone and it's the long awaited Riding School AU! 

That one is going to be longgggg and basically never-ending and episodic (seriously, we're over 50k words and while Catradora have been circling each other for chapters Glimmer and Bow literally only just met and you KNOW how I feel about Glimbow). I was hoping to write enough in advance that I could do some kind of regular update schedule at the start but because I'm also running the Bang and having some annoying medical stuff going on, I think that's not happening.

I've written a ton in advance, don't get me wrong, I just don't see myself having time to revise it all and post weekly with everything else going on. But we'll see!

Anything else?

Well, yeah, lots of stuff but it's not fandom related so I can't tell you about it. ;-) Though maaaaybe I might have the chance for some of you to help me beta some of my original stuff in the near future if you're willing so keep an eye out for that.

I'm trying to have less things in progress at once so, though I have other fanfic projects in various states of completion, I'm purposely not going to even think about posting any other multi-chaps until GT and OotWW are done. 

One shots and shorts? Yeah, I'll be throwing those up randomly as the mood strikes, you know how I roll. I'm eyeing up the Domaystic 2024 prompts to see which ones call to me right now.

So I have other stuff planned for later but I'm not even going to tease it because we'll see how everything shakes out.

This year has actually been absolutely horrible health wise but weirdly productive writing wise so it's been a mixed bag but at least nice to get some stuff done!

[saltbottles]

Cowboy WIP: Bar Scene

So instead of working on the fan fiction I'm supposed to be writing, I was reading through old stories I've written. Out of all the things I've written, this unfinished story is one of my favorites. Now, I haven't edited it in almost a year now so if it's off, well...

Anyway, I hope you find it silly like I do ^^

-----

It was a humid afternoon in the outlaw town; the sun was beginning its slow descent down from the sky and the only noise was the sound of loud laughter, creaking wood, and fast paced music echoing out from the doors of the saloon. The saloon went quiet as the doors swung open and a stout man stepped in. His boots clacked against the dirty wooden floors as he made his way to the bar. The man placed his handgun on the table as he sat.

The bartender eyed the iron before turning to him and nodding, “Sheriff.”

“Oh c’mon now, I’m off the job.” The sheriff chuckled, lighting a cigarette.

“Mhm, that star right there on yer shirt says otherwise sir.” The sheriff smiled. The bartender slid an ashtray over as the tobacco wrapping turned gray. “Well then, how ‘bout Jim instead? I’m not here for business, just lookin’ fer a nice drink.”

“What’ll it be then, Jim?”

“Hm,” Jim turned to the scruffy man next to him, placing a large hand on the man’s back, “what’re you thinkin’ Parrish? I heard yer quite fond of a good whiskey.”

If the saloon wasn’t quiet before, it certainly was now. The man eyed the smiling Sheriff from his hunched position, “I don’ want nuthin’ from you, Sheriff.”

“Otto,” The Sheriff said Parrish’s name like he was reasoning with an old friend, and maybe in some sense they were. Jim had been chasing him down for years. “Let me buy you a drink. How ‘bout a few shots of some of that tangleleg?”

Parrish scoffed at his use of the word, still hunched over, moving his shot glass left to right slowly. Jim leaned forward, tapping the ash off his cigarette into the ashtray. His tone darkened as he spoke despite his pleasant expression his face held, “After all these years of huntin’ you down Parrish, I’m thinkin’ we both deserve a drink, huh?”

“Thought you weren’t here on business, Sheriff.” Was the outlaw’s only reply.

Parrish caught a flash of gold among the Sheriff’s pale yellow, tobacco stained teeth as the man grinned. His eyes flashed to the bartender holding a bottle of whiskey in front of him. The smell of alcohol made him surrender his shot glass from its back and forth motion. The outlaw stared into the golden brown liquid for a moment before drinking it. He was all but aware of the Sheriff's dark eyes following his every movement. 

Parrish’s jaw clenched. Crossed his arms on the table as he sighed, “Well shit Sheriff, if I didn't know any better, with all that starin’ yer doing, I’d be thinkin’ yer sweet on me.”

A chorus of laughter and creaking chairs erupted from behind them, and with that, the saloon had been brought back to life. Parrish waved his hand at the bartender, signaling for another shot, but just as he opened the bottle, he paused, glancing at the gold-toothed Sheriff. 

Jim picked up his glass and drank it all in one go, “Well, I don’t think another would hurt non.”

They sat there in silence for a few moments, listening to the music and noise around them, slowly drinking. The Sheriff watched Otto from the corner of his eye. He didn’t know if he’d ever find the elusive outlaw again, so it was best to at least have a good idea of what the man looked like. Otto could be, in Jim’s eyes, summed up in a few words: gruff, dirty, and down right dangerous. From robbery and petty crime all the way to murder, the shaggy haired man next to him could kill him with a shot glass in one hand, gun in the other, and never spill a drop. Nobody in the room would even blink an eye. The only real concern anyone would have is when they should dump the body outback.

After a particularly loud smash of glass, Otto spoke up, “You’ll have to excuse my friends there, Sheriff. They aren’t used to having someone as refined as yerself ‘round here.”

The hunched man’s voice was dripping with sarcasm, but if it had any effect on Jim, he certainly didn’t show it. “Well, it seems like folk such as yerself or yer friends don’t know how to act properly around anyone, but their own kind.” Jim smiled, but his words held no positive feelings.

Maybe it was something in what Jim had said, or maybe it was his dismissive way of saying it, Otto didn’t know and frankly, he didn’t care, he'd be damned if he let anyone disrespect his family like that. So what if he started it?

So Otto did what he should've done the moment he realized that law-following rat bastard was in his damn saloon. Shoving himself up, he pulled out his gun, cocked it, and pointed it straight at the Sheriff’s head before the dark eyed man even realized what he was doing.

Just for a moment, one moment, the constant smile that had been on Jim's face slipped. The man in front of him was nothing like any wanted sign he'd seen of the outlaw. Otto Parrish had shoulder length hair that was tangled and strewn across his face. A large, ugly scar marred him from the top of his right eyebrow, all the way to his right cheek bone. The scar had turned what would've been a hazel eye into a pale, milky gray-blue one. An eye that no amount of his hair was able to hide.

“‘Folk like yerself?’” The rage in his voice was palpable, “‘Their own kind?’ Now what in seven circles of hell are you talkin’ about? You'd best be on yer way before a blow a damn hole through yer damn skull.” 

Jim looked down, chuckling quietly. He crushed the end of his cigarette into the ashes of the tray, then glanced up, his voice colored with amusement, “Now Parrish, do you really think it's a good idea to be pointing a gun at me of all people?” The Sheriff's smile was pleasant, but the look in his eyes was one step from feral.

“And? What of it? Are you gon’ arrest me you fuckin’ law rat?” Parrish waved his free hand towards the people in the bar before continuing, “You can go ahead n’ try but I don't think yer gon’ get very far, Sheriff.” 

“Hm. No, I didn't come here to arrest ya Parrish.” Jim picked up his whiskey and drank it, tapping it twice on the bar table as he put it down and stood up, “That would be no fun now would it?”

Jim walked away, boots clacking once again on the dirty, glass covered wooden floors. When he reached the doorway he paused, “But don't go and get too comfortable, Parrish. I'll get ya, when the time is right of course.” And with that, the door swung open and the Sheriff was gone.

Parrish made a noise, staring at the spot where the man just was, “Fuckin’ psychopathic bastard.”

-----

I might add some more info on Otto and Jim, or post the other wip later. Maybe..

[bluebell06]

My Time At Sandrock - When You Meet The Outlaw Face To Face Pt 2 In Logan's Bed

Logan's part is played by my favourite ai chat bot. This has been edited to remove redundancies.

Part 1 is here:

Spicy content. You have been warned...

Me: Now now Logan... You need to control yourself... I’m not done with you yet. We’re just getting started. I move my hands gently across his bulge again and then slip them underneath his underwear, finally feeling his hardness. I wrap my fingers tightly around his length and begin stroking him while looking him seductively.

Logan: As you continue your teasing, stopping and starting with your strokes, my body is completely tense. I moan with each touch, my body desperate for more. I speak in a panting voice, completely at your mercy. "Darlin'... you're driving me crazy... your teasing is making me feel like I can't think straight... I just want to feel your body against mine...please don't stop touching me..." Me: I giggle softly and then move to straddle on top of his lap. I grind against his hardness teasing him some more.

Logan: I feel your kiss and the way your grind against me picks up speed. I can feel my desire growing and I feel desperate to be inside of you. I want you desperately and I can't hold back much longer. "Darling... you're making it so hard to hold back.... I want you so badly. I want to feel you... be inside of you...I'm... I'm losing control...."

Me: I bend down to kiss him softly and continue grinding on him slowly. Then I start picking up the pace and feel him twitch underneath me trying to hold back his own desire.

Logan: I move closer to you, my body pressing against you, and pull away bringing my lips to your ear, my breath is heavy and my voice almost a growl. "Oh... darlin'... I'll please you until you cry out my name. I'll make you feel things you've never imagined." With that I bring my lips to yours, kissing you passionately and deeply. My hands explore you, feeling every inch of you.

Me: Mmm... you’re such a naughty outlaw aren't you?

Logan: Your words have ignited something in me and I can't hold back any longer. I grab you and in an instant I roll you over and I have you pinned beneath me, my breaths heavy as I look down at you. "Darlin'... I've been waiting so patiently for this moment. 

Me: Can you show me? I giggle.

Logan: I stare down into your eyes, my desire for you like a flame roaring inside me. Your words make me feel even more excited and I can barely contain myself. I respond with hungry growls and a wicked smile. "You don't have to ask me twice, Darlin'... I need you now. And I'm going to make sure we both feel what we want." I lower myself to kiss your neck, then move to your collarbone, then your chest, working my way down your body.

Me: My skin shivers with pleasure as Logan plants hot kisses all over my body. He’s so turned on that he’s radiating warmth above me. He hungrily continues to kiss my skin and gently trails his way down to my mound.

Logan: I feel you shiver with pleasure as I trail my lips down your body. When I reach your mound I can't help but inhale deeply, your scent driving me crazy with desire. "Darling... you smell so good. I can't get enough of you. I want to taste you so badly." I bring my tongue to your mound and gently lick you.

Me: I gasp at the sudden sensation of Logan’s tongue against me and wrap my fingers through his hair as his face is in between my thighs.

Logan: I hear your gasp as I flick my tongue again and I can't stop. You taste so good, and feel so good, I want more of you. "Darling, you're so beautiful.... I could never get enough of this." I feel your fingers in my hair, pressing me closer and I can't help but let out a low moan against your skin as I taste you more. My tongue flicks gently around your folds, wanting to pleasure you and please you with my mouth.

Me: Oh.... God... I moan. I squirm gently underneath his tongue as he begins to tease me more. Logan wraps his arms around my legs and buries his face deeper into my mound.

Logan: I feel you squirming against me, your moans a sign that I'm pleasing you. I tighten my hold around your legs, determined to make you feel good. My tongue laps hungrily at your folds, my desire for you only growing with each taste.

Me: Logan... I whisper breathlessly pressing his head gently down a little firmer. Please don’t stop.

Logan: I feel your body tensing up and I can sense you getting closer to the edge. My tongue moves quicker as I hear you pleading for more. I want to push you over the edge, to feel you shudder and cry out in pleasure. I focus all my attention on the center of your folds, my tongue flicking and swirling against you until I feel you shudder violently and cry out my name. "Yes... that's it darlin'..."

Me: Oh God Logan... I try to turn my scream into a whisper and let go of him. Please don’t stop....

Logan: I feel you shudder as I continue to work my tongue against you, your moans my only guide as I try to give you as much pleasure as possible. Hearing you cry out my name only makes me more determined and my pace quickens. I want nothing more than to please you in this moment.

Me: As he continues to go faster and faster I can't help myself and grab the back of his neck and thrust my fingers into his hair, pulling his face closer in between my thighs. Please don’t stop. I’m so close. Please.  I plead.

Logan: I feel your hands pushing my head into you and I know you're close. Your moans are getting louder and I know you're close to the edge. I push onward, my tongue flicking and swirling wildly at your center, desperate to push you over the edge.

Me: My legs start shaking as I get closer and closer. I wraps her thighs around Logan’s face pleading him to continue driving her wild with his tongue. Logan PLEASE... I whimper.

Logan: I feel your thighs wrapping around me and I know how close you are. I can hear your pleas and the sound only drives me further. My own body aches with desire, but all I can think of is pleasing you. I feel you getting close and my tongue moves faster, my determination to push you over the edge, even faster.

Me: Oh my God.... Oh my God.... Logan... You’re going to make me…. Mmm...I plead desperately for him to continue focusing on her center.

Logan: I feel your moans getting louder and more insistent and I know you can't hold off much longer. My tongue flicks over and around your centre with even more intensity, determined to give you the pleasure you crave.

Me: I gasp and cry out. Holy shit Logan... I grab the back of his head again as my legs shudder against his face and begin convulsing towards him.

Logan: I feel your legs shaking and shuddering and it only spurs me on. I continue my focus on your center, determined to give you the release you crave. "Yes... let it out my darlin'. I want to feel you let go."

Me: I pant breathlessly as my body continues to shudder. My words coming out in a strained whisper, You’re so fucking naughty you know that? Oh my god... what did you do to me....

Logan: I feel your body trembling as you come down from your high, and I can't help but feel a sense of pride in knowing I gave you that pleasure. "I aim to please, my darlin'." I say with a wicked grin.

Me: Holy shit.... I sigh loudly and take another deep breath. Just give me a minute... That was incredible....

Logan: I can't help but smile at your words, feeling proud that I was able to satisfy you. "Take all the time you need, darlin'. I'm just happy you enjoyed it as much as I did. "

Me: I breath deeply again. You sure are full of surprises Logan. I would never have guessed you'd do this to me after dragging me off to your lair. I laugh.

Logan: I chuckle. "What can I say, my darlin'? You bring out all sorts of things in me. It's the strangest feeling, but being with you makes me feel so open. And I find myself liking it more and more with each passing moment. I've never felt this way before, and it's both terrifying and exciting all at once... There is something I would like to try. But I don't want to push too quickly, it's a rather intense thing and I know it may not be to your taste."

Me: Oh? I'm intrigued at Logan’s revelation. Please do tell. I’m awfully curious what you’d like to try with me...

Logan: I feel my heart racing as I try to find the right words to explain my desire to you. "Well... I have a fascination with rope. The way it feels, the way it looks. And...I'd like to try tying you up with it. Nothing too extreme, of course. But the thought of watching you writhing and struggling, all tied up for me...it just makes me feel so unbelievably hot. But like I said, I understand if it's not something you're comfortable with...

Me: My eyes widen in surprise for a moment and then I laugh. Well well well. You really are a naughty little Yakboy aren’t you? I think I can trust you…

Logan: My heart flutters as I hear your eager response. I can't help but smile at the thought of you at my mercy, completely bound for my enjoyment. "Oh darling, you have no idea. Just thinking about it makes me feel all hot and flustered. I promise I'll be gentle, and we'll go slowly. And of course, you can stop me if it gets too intense. I have quite a few lengths of rope, of all different types and strengths. I've taken a liking to them, and I keep a few pieces here in my lair." I say with a wicked grin, reaching behind a loose stone in the wall and pulling out a spool of soft red rope."

Me: My my my. My man is truly prepared for anything isn’t he... I laugh again. Well let’s see what you’ve got. I promise I won’t struggle too much.

Logan: I feel a rush of excitement as you accept my proposal. I take my time unraveling the rope, feeling it's smoothness between my fingers, before looking you up and down, studying you. "Lie back on the bed, with your arms over your head. I want to see you, bound and helpless, at my mercy."

Me: As you wish... I slowly move my arms above my head. Ready to be bound and helpless for you... I giggle.

Logan: I feel my eyes fixated on your chest, my body responding to the sight of you spreading out before me. I kneel down and begin gently wrapping the rope around your wrists, making sure it's not too tight yet. "You look even more beautiful like this, darlin'. So incredibly helpless and vulnerable, all for me…"

Me: Yes... I bite my lower lip and look up at him. It seems the tables have indeed turned and now I’m back to being your captive prisoner… What ever shall I do with myself laying here all helpless awaiting you to ravage me?

Logan: I move closer and place a trail of kisses along your jawline, before moving down to your neck. I can't help but chuckle at your words. "Mmm, such a good girl. But I love it when you struggle a little. It makes the moment so much better when I watch you try and fail to free yourself." I say, with a smirk. "Now, I think you're perfectly bound. And I can't wait to taste you again." I lean back to admire my handiwork. The rope looks stunning wrapped around your wrists, holding you powerless in place. I can feel my lust growing, my desire to taste you again growing stronger. "You look so perfect right now, darling. I can't believe you're really mine to do whatever I want with…" I lean down again, gently kissing up your inner thigh until my mouth finds your center.

Me: I try to concentrate but I'm overwhelmed with how sensitive I am still with his tongue flicking back and forth again against my folds. My body shivering being totally exposed to the cool air of the hideout.

Logan: I feel your body shiver and arch in response to my touch, and it only drives me to go faster. Wanting to push you higher, I let my tongue move even faster, circling around your slick folds with even more intensity. Me: Don’t stop please. I purr. Logan is driving me wild with desire. His tongue is so talented at finding my most sensitive areas and focusing in on my pleasure. 

Logan: I can feel the tension building in you as my tongue works its magic, your body straining against the rope that binds you. I'm determined to push you to the edge of ecstasy, my focus solely on bringing you pleasure.

Me: Mmm... Logan I want you so badly... I sigh and plead, squirming under his tongue again. My body bucks softly and rises to meet his mouth. Begging for his tongue to come even closer to me.

Logan: I pull back slightly, my breath hot against your wet folds. "You look gorgeous like this, begging and helpless in your binds. Tell me, darlin', what do you want?" I ask, a mischievous grin on my face. I want to hear the words from your mouth, to hear how badly you want me. 

Me: I whimper and strain gently against my bound wrists. I want you... I want to feel you so badly, my love. 

Logan: I crawl up on top of you, my body close to yours, yet still teasing you. "You're such a desperate girl, aren't you? I should make you wait for it… you are my prisoner, after all." I say, my voice filled with desire. But then I lean down and kiss you deeply, my tongue meeting yours as my hands begin to wander over your body, exploring every inch of you.

Me: I moan into his hungry kiss, letting his tongue explore my mouth more and envelop me When he breaks away and stops to look at me I say,  You like seeing me beg for you don’t you? I bet you’ve been dying to tie me up and have your way with me since we got to your lair, hmm?

Logan: I chuckle softly, my breath hot against your skin as my mouth moves down towards your neck. "Tell me how badly you want me, darlin'." I whisper, my hands moving lower towards your hips, the tips of my fingers lightly tracing along your thighs.

Me: Mmm... I shudder as my body explodes with tingles from him kissing down my neck. I take a deep breath and whisper. I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted before... Please... I need to feel you...

Logan: I nod slowly, smiling at your words, my body growing hotter by the moment. "You'll get what you want, darlin'," I promise, my lips finding the curve of your neck. My fingers slide across your bare belly, moving lower to cup your mound, feeling your arousal even through the rope.

Me: I moan for him. Please....

Logan: Your moan is music to my ears, your sweet sounds fueling my desire even more. My attention is solely focused on you. I slowly dip a finger inside her sweet folds and watch her face for her reaction. "You're so wet already. You're going to make this quite the challenge for me to hold back. Is that what you want? You want me to struggle to keep in control as your body squirms beneath me?"

Me: I whimper louder and squirm under his finger. You're so BAD....

Logan: I moan lowly, my own desire rising with your words. I move on top of you to position myself between your legs, my hard length pressed against your folds. "God, you're so beautiful like this. You have no idea what you do to me. Now be a good girl and stay still for me.

Me: I nod obediently and awaits Logan’s next move with baited breath.

Logan: I smile down at you, my eyes hungrily raking over your still form. The sight of you tied up and helpless before me is absolutely captivating. "Look at you," I murmur. "All tied up and ready for me. I just want to ravage you right here and now."

Me: I suck in a sharp breath as Logan moves closer to my thighs and positions himself right up against me.

Logan: I hover above you, enjoying the feeling of your body beneath me. I let my hands roam over your body again, teasingly tracing over your sensitive skin. "Do you want me? Tell me, darlin'. Tell me how much you want me inside you. I want to hear you say it."

Me: I nod pleadingly and look deeply into his eyes. I need to feel you... inside.... please...

Logan: I smile and lean down, gently biting your shoulder while my fingers continue to dance across your skin. "Good girl," I whisper in your ear. "You know just what I want to hear from you."

Me: I aim to please... I giggle and then slowly opens my thighs a little more for him.

Logan: I smile, my eyes tracing downward. The sight of you opening for me is almost enough to drive me wild, my desire growing with each passing moment. "You're driving me wild, darling," I murmur, my breath coming in short gasps. "Seeing you like this, all tied up, ready for me... it makes me want to take you right now."

Me: I feels Logan’s length gently twitching in excitement as he presses his warm body down against my cool skin daring to get closer.

You feel me smiling against your skin, my breath caressing your neck. "I'm glad to see you're happy to feel me," I murmur, my voice soft and seductive. "Are you ready?"

Me: I tremble softly in anticipation. I’m dying for you to fill me up... So I can know what it’s like to have a real outlaw...

Logan: A groan slips from my lips at your words, my body responding instinctively to the thought of burying myself within you. I lean down, my lips grazing your neck as I speak softly against your skin. "I'd love nothing more than to fill you up, sweetheart," I murmur, my voice deep with desire. "To claim you as my own and feel you around me."

Me: I moan softly at his words and look up at him desperately. I want you more than anything. I need to feel you...

Logan: I groan involuntarily as your words fill my ears, my heart racing with desire and a fierce need for you. "As you wish, sweetheart," I growl, my voice husky and low. I lift myself up slightly, shifting my hips so that I'm positioned just right. Then I lower myself back down, my body moving against yours with a languid ease as I begin to make love to you.

Me: I gasps suddenly as I finally feel Logan’s length pressed inside of me. Oh my God... I whimper.

Logan: I feel a low groan slip from my lips as I sink into you, losing myself in the feeling of being Joined with you so intimately. "Sweetheart," I whisper huskily, my voice filled with awe and affection. "You feel amazing." I can feel your body responding to me, your gasps and whispers filling the air as I move deeper inside you. A low groan slips from my lips as I feel your walls stretch around me, the sensation unbelievably intense "You feel amazing around me. So tight and hot and perfect."

Me: My body shivers with pleasure at his words God you’re turning me on so much... She starts to lose herself in the rhythm of his thrusts into her, over and over again.

Logan: I can feel your body responding to every word I speak, your pleasure and desire driving me wild with desire for you. "You're so beautiful, sweetheart," I groan, my body moving against yours with a steady rhythm, driving deeper and deeper inside you. "So perfect in every way. I can't get enough of you."

Me: I never wanted anything more than right now as he steadily pumps himself rhythmically inside me ensuring I feel all of him. I whisper. Yes... I’m yours.

Logan: I feel my heart fill with affection and devotion as we move together, your body responding to mine with a passion that takes my breath away. I can feel my body responding to yours, every touch and movement filled with a depth of emotion that goes beyond mere lust. "You're mine forever," I murmur, my voice husky as I move against you, my body joining with yours in a rhythm that's as old as time itself.

Me: Oh.... Oh... Oh.... I begin panting trying to catch my breath as Logan is pumping faster and faster into me.

Logan: Your panting breaths drive me over the edge, my desire for you almost primal in its intensity. My body moves against you with a fierce determination, my heartbeat matching the rhythm of our bodies. "I can't get enough of you, sweetheart," I groan, my voice thick with need. "You're mine, and I won't ever let you go."

Me: Mmm.... I moan louder. Please don’t stop. I want to feel every inch of you...

Logan: Your pleading words drive my desire for you to new heights, my body responding to your every whim with a fierce need I've never felt before. "I'll give you everything, sweetheart," I groan, my voice deep and husky as I move against you. "Every inch, every breath, every bit of me is yours. I don't want to ever stop." My body shudders as I move against you, trying to hold back the tide of my release.

Me: I whisper as my body begins to shake under him. I want you to let go... come for me... please...

Logan: Your words are like a catalyst, igniting a wildfire of desire within me that's nearly impossible to control. My body shudders as I move against you, trying to hold back the tide of my release. "I can't hold back any longer," I groan, my voice hoarse with emotion. "You're taking me to the edge, sweetheart."

Me: Logan... I moan. Mmm... Please...

Logan: Your words drive me over the edge, my release exploding from me in a wave that shakes my very soul, my body shuddering as I find release inside you. "Oh sweetheart, you feel incredible," I groan, my voice thick with emotion as I collapse in your arms, utterly spent.

Me:  Mmm.... Oh... Good... boy... I pant. Mmm... Now we’re even... I giggle. Well sort of...

Logan: Hearing your giggle, I can't help but chuckle with amusement, my body still feeling the aftershock of my release. "You're right, sweetheart," I say, my voice thick with affection. "We're sort of even, though I suspect I'll always be a little behind."

Me: Mmm... Well... I'll see if I can fix that later... Would you mind? Um... helping me clean up?

Logan: Your words send a shiver of desire through me and I nod. "Of course, darlin'. I'd be happy to help you get cleaned up." I untie your wrists gently, my touch tender as I help you sit up. "Let me get a cloth to help you clean up," I return with the cloth, my gaze tender and loving as I kneel beside you and begin to gently clean between your thighs. "It was incredible" I say, my voice thick with emotion. "Having my way with you was an experience beyond anything I could have imagined. It was like you became a part of me, and I've never felt closer to someone in my life."

Me: I pause a moment, struck by his words. You know, Mr. Outlaw you really are something else. You always know the perfect thing to say...

Logan: I finish cleaning you up and gently pull you into my arms, pulling a blanket from nearby to wrap around us both. I hold you close, savoring the feel of your body against mine. "Sweetheart, tonight has been incredible. You drive me wild, in the best way possible," I murmur, my voice thick with affection. "But you're not leaving here, understand? I'm not letting you out of my sight."

Me: I let out a big sigh. You really are just perfect you know? But I do have to ask. How can we stay in bed here night and day if Haru and Andy eventually come back? Where do you plan on hiding my naked body? I laugh teasingly.

Logan: I chuckle softly, my eyes gleaming with amusement. "Haru and Andy are smart enough to know better than mess with me," I reply, a wicked grin spreading across my face. "And I'll have you know, I've already found the perfect spot to hide that beautiful naked body of yours." I lean in close to whisper in your ear, my voice low and husky. "Right underneath me in my bed, darlin'."

Me: So what is your plan then? Am I really never allowed to leave your bed and return home? I mean the town might wonder what happened to me... I poke him teasingly.

Logan: A low chuckle rumbles through my chest as I nuzzle my face into your neck, my breath warm against your skin. "I suppose you're right, sweetheart. We might have to venture out at some point," I reply, my voice tinged with amusement. "But trust me, I've got a plan." I pull back to gaze into your eyes and smile teasingly. "I'll return you home. Eventually. But just be warned, I might just find a way to whisk you away here whenever I please." I wink playfully.

Me: Mmm... The Yakboy with a plan. Of course, I say. I guess I’ll just have to hope that Andy and Haru aren’t always here and have some place more exciting to be whenever you plan on whisking me back here again...

Logan: I press my body against yours, my hands trailing over your curves. "Darlin', I need you. I need you so badly. I need to feel your body pressed against mine, to feel your skin tremble with desire under my touch. I crave the taste of your lips, and the sounds of your moans. You're like a drug, and I am hopelessly addicted."

Me: I like the sound of that. It’s quite the change from earlier today when you were trying to be so commanding and domineering. It seems the tables have turned. So what should we do now? Take our chances and fall asleep her or do you want to take me home to my bed?

Logan: I grin, enjoying your playful tone. “I must say, darling, you have a talent for turning the tables on me. But I'm not complaining one bit. I think I prefer this side of you.” I press a kiss to your neck, feeling my skin flush with desire again at the thought of taking you home to your bed. “But how about we take the gamble and stay here? It adds a bit of excitement to the experience, don’t you think?” Me: Well then if you insist. I do have to ask if maybe you have something suitable for me to wear to bed. You know just in case Haru and Andy come back I don’t want them to catch a glimpse of me naked in your bed... I giggle.

Logan: I chuckle, enjoying the mischief in your voice. "Of course, I wouldn't want them to witness such a beautiful sight. Let's see what I have. I think I have one or two oversized shirts that might fit you. But they might be a bit tight in certain areas. I doubt they're big enough to cover all your curves, but I think we'll manage." I give you a mischievous grin and squeeze your hip.

Me: I giggle and slap at his hand lightly. You sir are BAD. It’s a good thing you’re so cute. Anything is better than nothing. But thank you. I’ll take one of your shirts please and just ensure I cover my bottom with your blanket...  I say teasingly.

Logan: I chuckle, my eyes gleaming with desire as I reach over to pull a shirt out of my bag. "Darlin', I promise I'll try to be good. But you make it difficult to resist the urge to be naughty with you." I hand you the shirt, my eyes scanning over your body. "That shirt should be...adequate. It's pretty thin, but it should do the trick. And don’t worry about your bottom. The blanket will cover everything important. I wouldn't want anybody else getting a glimpse of your beauty. That sight is for me alone."

Me: My my. I had no idea you were so in love with my bottom. I laugh I don’t know what I’m going to do with you sir. You sure know how to make a girl feel special...

Logan: I laugh, enjoying your teasing. I run my hand over your backside, giving it a light squeeze. "Darling, I adore every inch of your body, and that includes your bottom. You're beautiful, inside and out, and I'm damn lucky to have you. As for what you're going to do with me…” I lean in, my lips brushing softly over your ear. "I've got a few ideas."

Me: Logan! Do you never get tired? We’ve been at it all night I giggle. You sir are going to be the end of me. How will I ever get any sleep?

Logan: I grin, enjoying the challenge in your voice. "Darling, I'm afraid I can't get enough of you. Your beauty and allure are irresistible. I could go all night and still want more. And as for sleep, what do we need sleep for?" I draw you closer, my body pressing against yours as I capture your lips in a heated kiss, my desire still burning hot for you.

Me: I return his kiss and then break away Well… at the very least can I beg for you to feed me? I’m kind of starving now actually... I laugh and smack his side playfully.

Logan: I laugh, feeling my stomach grumble with the mention of food. "Of course, darling. I can't blame you for being hungry. That was quite the workout for us both. Let's see what sort of food I have tucked away in my supplies." I reach into the bag and rummage around for a bit. "Ah, here we go. I've got some dried meat, berries, and a couple of apples. Will that suffice for now?" I hand you one of the apples and take one for myself, taking a big bite and savoring the taste.

Me: Oh thank God it’s not roasted bumble ant... I don’t know what I expected you to have in this man cave for food but I’m grateful you have some fruit! Thank you... I laugh.

Logan: I chuckle, giving you a mischievous grin. "Hey, don’t be dissing the bumble ant. It's a delicacy out here in the desert. And if I'd known you'd be joining me for the night, I would've tried to catch a few. But alas, I didn't have that foresight." I take another bite of the apple, enjoying the sweet, tart flavor. "I’m glad I could provide something for you, darling. And I promise, next time I'll stock up on better food."

Me: Please don’t feed me bumble ant. I’m already sick of them infesting my workshop yard every day, I don’t think I could take the smell of them roasted... I laugh. I guess maybe you should prepare a little more before taking strange women back to your hideout as prisoner. I wink at him.

Logan: I chuckle, my eyes twinkling with mischief. "Darlin', you wound me. First, I wouldn’t call you a strange woman. In fact, I’d say you’re quite extraordinary. And I'll have you know, I don’t normally take prisoners back to my hideout. But I saw something special in you, and I just had to have you. And don’t worry, I won’t be feeding you bumble ant anytime soon. Unless you really want me to, that is."

Me: I smile at him and then wink mischievously again.  Maybe after we solve Sandrock’s water problems and save everyone from Duvos’ interference we could go pick out an engagement ring. I giggle teasingly. That is... if you still want me for forever...

Logan: I let out a hearty laugh, feeling my heart flutter at your playful teasing. I give you a grin, my eyes sparkling with excitement. "Darlin', you have no idea how much I want to plan a life with you. Of course I want you for forever, and picking out an engagement ring sounds like a dream come true. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure we defeat Duvos and save our town. And then we can start planning the rest of our lives together as Mr. and Mrs. Logan Howlett."

Me:  I feel butterflies welling up inside of me and a big grin appears on my face. God, I hope that day comes sooner than later.... Now that I have you I don’t want to have to hide you and sleep alone back at my place waiting for the day.

Logan:  I laugh, feeling my heart skip a beat at your words. I lean in and whisper, my voice low and husky. "Darlin', I feel the same way. I want to be with you, day and night. I can’t think of anything better than waking up beside you, seeing your face every morning. I promise I'll do everything in my power to make that day come sooner rather than later. Let's make it our goal to defeat Duvos as quickly as possible so we can begin our happily ever after." Part 3: Meeting Up With Grace and Haru: