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ohbueckers · 6 days ago

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HEART OF A WOMAN. she has choices she should make i think she’s choosing it right now.

09, CHAPTER NINE. LET ME GO.

ju speaks. i sincerely apologize for the delay on this. i still think it’s poorly written despite the fact that i rewrote it so many times but i needed to get it out lol. i’m breaking hearts but i promise you’ll be somewhat satisfied with the ending. features some more crash out paige but more in a player’s prayer type of way… alsooo please vote on this. pairing. wnba!paige bueckers x female!oc. warnings. angst, maya appearance (she comes in peace)???

flashback, july 2022.

it feels like another lifetime—back when everything was louder, sharper. we were at that point where the distance between us wasn’t just physical but emotional, and it seemed like every call was another argument.

i almost didn’t make it to nai’s birthday in la that year. she was already stuck there because of her internship, and it was the one time she really wanted me there. we’d fought for days leading up to it, about God knows what, as usual. it always started with something small, like a misunderstanding or something i said without thinking, and then it snowballed. the kind of arguments that made you feel like you were suffocating in your own words, digging your heels in just to avoid apologizing.

but then… it was her birthday, and i couldn’t stand the thought of missing it, even though we couldn’t seem to stay on the same page. i almost said, fuck it, and didn’t go. but i knew i would regret it, so i pulled myself together and got on that damn plane.

i was in connecticut, locked into summer workouts with the team, drowning in exhaustion, trying to get through the motions and keep myself healthy. i kept putting off calling her, though, too busy wallowing in the mess we’d made, thinking about how far away we were, how it was easier to fight than make up.

but then that morning came. i called her in the middle of my frustration, half-hoping she’d just pick up and yell at me because, hell, i didn’t know how else to make things right. and when she did, when she finally answered and said she was waiting for me, everything felt like it clicked into place again.

we barely got to speak that day. the others were around, laughing, singing, but all i could do was watch her. nai. there she was, sitting across from me, a quiet storm in the way she held herself. i could’ve sworn everything about her felt like home in that moment, even when it was all so messed up. and when they started singing “happy birthday,” she was still just the only damn thing i could focus on. how she looked. how she sounded. how she made everything feel like it was meant to be, even when we were fighting for our lives.

i was supposed to be done with her. more importantly, she was supposed to be done with me. i told myself that a million times. but the truth was, the more she tried to leave it all behind, the harder it got to stay away.

and all i could think was, i’m not done with you. i’m never going to be done with you.

present day, july 2025.

“you still watching her?”

rickea’s voice broke through, her sneakers squeaking against the court as i dribbled my ball against the hardwood almost absentmindedly. it’s a game day. crew is here, some of the team, but kea, cam and i had been about an hour earlier than shoot around just for the hell of it.

“i’m not watching her,” i snapped back with a low grunt, lining up my jumper. it bounced right off the rim, almost to taunt me, and i didn’t miss the way rickea’s smirk widened. my head isn’t in this game. it probably won’t be by the time seven rolls around either.

i was watching. too hard. nai had noticed only once, and instead of waving me off or sending me a smile, she looked away and pretended it didn’t even happen.

“yeah, okay. so how’d you know i was talking about nai?”

i shot kea a side glance, annoyed that she’d even said her name out loud. “got her there,” cam chimed in, strolling over from the other side of the court with her own ball. she leaned against it, watching me with an all-too-knowing grin. “you two been a little quiet lately.”

i hesitated for just a second. not long enough for anyone else to notice—at least, i hoped not—but just enough to think about the silence between nai and me. quiet wasn’t even the word for it. it was like being stuck in a purgatory i couldn’t escape, knowing exactly what i wanted to say but being too damn scared to say it.

i hated how easily my thoughts drifted to her, even now, with kea and cam prying at me. i could still feel the last conversation we had replaying in my head—the way her words had cut deeper than she probably even realized. she probably didn’t even mean for them to. she said it like she didn’t. no more half-steps.

i know what i want.

i don’t know if i’m capable of getting it and keeping it.

and i couldn’t keep expecting her to wait around for me to figure it out.

“it’s called being busy,” i shot back, offering a forced smile that would hopefully get them off my back. it didn’t. “you know, prepping for a game? the thing we’re all ‘posed to be doing right now?”

“yeah, we’re busy,” cam said, dragging out the word like it was some great revelation. “but you’re distracted, and we know why.” she raised an eyebrow, looking like she was having way too much fun at my expense. “when was the last time you two even talked?”

“oh, wait,” kea interjected, putting a hand to her ear like she was trying to remember something. “was it that awkward ‘hi’ in the tunnel yesterday? or did you manage a full sentence this time?”

“ha, ha,” i deadpanned, dribbling my ball almost aggressively to drown them out. “check up, bro. let’s see who’s focused,” i said with the smuggest smile on my face, tossing the ball to rickea and squaring up in front of her.

“you’ve got a lot of nerve for someone who been bricking shots all morning,” kea pointed an accusatory finger at me, and i rolled my eyes, pulling up my joggers.

“less talk.”

she jab-stepped left, then tried to blow past me, but i was ready, cutting her off with a quick shuffle to the side. “nah,” i mumbled, poking the ball loose and snagging it before she could recover. “try again next time.”

“you’re feeling yourself now, huh?” kea challenged, jogging back to defend as i dribbled toward the hoop.

“always,” i shot back, faking right before crossing over to my left. i breezed past her and went up for an easy layup, the ball spinning perfectly off the backboard before dropping through the net.

as soon as my feet hit the ground, i turned to cam, sticking my tongue out at her like a kid who just won a playground game, sticking a big, fat ‘L’ on my forehead. “too slow!” i said, grinning as i jogged backward toward the three-point line.

“one layup isn’t a highlight reel!”

i was about to fire back when it happened—nai walked by on the sideline, clipboard in hand, her focus seemingly on the players warming up. but just as i turned to look, she glanced my way and caught me mid-stare. she didn’t look away this time, and before i could think too much about it, she gave me a smile. not one of her usual polite, professional smiles, but something softer. brief but intimate, just enough to pull me in and spit me right back out when she turned away again. it was so quick, i almost convinced myself it didn’t happen.

my heart did this annoying little flip, and i nearly tripped over my own feet as i turned back to the game. the ball rickea had passed came flying toward me, smacking me lightly in the chest.

“oh, my God, we lost her again.”

the door to the supply room squeaked as i nudged it open with my shoulder, balancing a stack of extra towels in one hand and my clipboard in the other. game days were always crazy—organized crazy, thanks to me—but i was good at it. every minute was accounted for, every detail triple-checked. there was no room to think about anything else, and i liked it that way.

setting the towels on the shelf, i glanced down at my clipboard, double-checking the inventory count against my list. the sound of faint footsteps caught my attention, and i glanced over my shoulder. my heart dropped—i think to my ass—when i saw her.

maya.

she hovered in the doorway, hands shoved into her jacket pockets, her expression hesitant. it was a strange look for her—maya never hesitated. she moved like she always knew exactly where she stood, always so sure. but now? now she just looked… conflicted. i think everything that happened knocked her down a notch.

my first instinct was to tell her to leave, but i refrained. “hey,” i said finally, turning fully to face her. my eyes narrowed slightly as i studied her. “what’s up?”

she stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind her, and suddenly the room felt smaller. “can we talk for a second?” she asked, shifting on her feet.

i leaned back against the shelf, crossing my arms over my chest. “talk about what?”

maya hesitated, her eyes flickering to… well, everything but me before meeting mine again. “about everything,” she said softly, almost like she wasn’t sure the words would come out. “about… you, me, paige. all of it.”

“you don’t have to do this.”

“i think i do,” she replied quickly, almost too quickly, like she’d been waiting for the chance to say it. “i just… i wanted to say i’m sorry, nai. for everything. for how it all played out.”

i studied her for a moment, trying to gauge how much of this was for me and how much of it was for her. “i should’ve told you.” still, it was hard to hold onto any lingering anger when she looked at me like that—like she genuinely meant it. “about me and paige. i shouldn’t have kept it from you, maya. that was fucked up.”

maya’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes dropping to the floor for a moment. “yeah,” she said softly, almost like she hadn’t expected me to admit it. “maybe. but i wasn’t exactly innocent either.” she glanced back. “i should’ve walked away when i realized.”

“realized what?” i asked, tilting my head, though i already had a feeling i knew the answer.

her laugh was small, humorless. “i mean… it was obvious, nai.”

i froze, still gaining the nerve to ask, “obvious how?”

maya raised a brow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “oh, you’re serious.” she shook her head lightly, as if the answer should’ve been clear. “even when you weren’t saying it out loud, it was all over your faces. the way you talked to each other, the way you didn’t.”

i feel terrible. “maya—“

“it’s not a dig,” she interrupted, holding up her hands. “it’s just… the way you two are. it’s not something you can really hide, nai. trust me, i tried to ignore it. thought maybe i was overthinking or projecting or whatever. but i wasn’t.”

i swallowed, hard, trying to find the right words, but nothing felt like enough. maya sighed, leaning back against the door like she was anchoring herself there.

“look,” she said, softening her words up as if i was fragile. “i get it. you don’t owe me anything. but i wanted to tell you that i talked to paige.”

my head snapped up at that, her name alone making my heart skip. “you did?”

maya nodded, her eyes steady on me. “on the phone a few nights ago. i needed to get it off my chest, you know? everything that went down… it was a mess. and i don’t think paige even realized how much of it was on her until we talked.”

i nodded, and she continued.

maya squinted at me. “paige said she loves you.” the words didn’t sound new. paige had been telling me she’s loved me since high school—sometimes with her words, sometimes with her actions, and sometimes in the quiet spaces between. so why did it strike me like a blow this time? “and i believe her. but… i don’t know. does it ever feel like she only tries when she’s scared you’ll leave?”

my breath caught, and for a moment, i couldn’t think of anything to say. the question wasn’t meant to hurt me—at least, it didn’t feel that way—but it landed right where it was supposed to. deep, direct, in the places i tried not to think about too much. i was immediately defensive. “you can’t—“

maya tilted her head slightly, studying me like she was trying to figure out how much of this i already knew. “maybe not. but it’s worth asking, isn’t it?”

i wanted to deny it. to tell her she didn’t understand, that she didn’t see the weekends during college, the little moments that no one else got to witness. the times when paige showed up, not because she was scared of losing me but because she wanted to be there.

but maya wasn’t entirely wrong, was she? there were times when it felt like paige’s love came in waves—strong and all-encompassing when the fear of losing me loomed, and quieter, more distant, when she felt secure. it wasn’t that she didn’t love me; it was just… complicated.

“she tries,” i said finally, convincing myself of it. “paige does try. maybe it’s not perfect, but she loves me. i know that.”

maya’s lips pressed into a thin line. “i just needed to say that. to let you know i’m sorry for my part in all of this. and… i hope it works out. for you and paige.”

i could see the sincerity in her eyes. she wasn’t here to stir the pot or make things worse. she was here because she cared, even if her timing was terrible.

“thanks,” i said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

and then she was gone, leaving me alone in the supply room with her words ringing in my ears. i leaned back against the shelf, closing my eyes as the weight of it all settled over me.

maya’s voice played on a loop in my mind: paige only knows how to love when she’s afraid of losing something.

and for the first time, i wondered if maya was right.

i’d gotten to the office earlier than usual, telling myself it was because i had work to do. but really, i just wanted to be alone. birthdays used to mean something, but now they felt more like a reminder of how much had changed. the kind of day where you couldn’t help but take stock of everything and everyone in your life—who was still there, who wasn’t, and who only came around when it suited them.

my desk was a mess of papers and sticky notes i didn’t feel like sorting through. i kept staring at my laptop screen, pretending to work while my mind wandered. i thought about the flowers that would probably show up later from people i barely spoke to. the texts i’d get from coworkers who’d remember because of a calendar alert. and, of course, i thought about paige.

the no-contact rule was still in place, and even though i knew she was respecting it, part of me still wondered if that was her way of playing it safe. keeping distance until she was sure i wasn’t going anywhere. that had always been how it felt between us, and i couldn’t help but think that today, of all days, would be the one day she might break the silence.

and i was right. “we can make an exception for a national holiday, right?” she teased.

there she was, leaning in the doorway, a bouquet of flowers in her hands. her grey nike tech was speckled with rain droplets, her hood pulled up but not doing much to hide the strands of blonde hair sticking to her forehead. still, her eyes found mine instantly, scanning me like she was trying to read me before i even said a word.

“paige,” i dragged out, my name on her lips almost like a scolding, but the slow upturn of my smile completely gave me away.

she bit back her own grin, her lip caught between her teeth. “happy birthday, nai.”

i stood up, the flowers still in her hand as i crossed the space between us. she handed them to me without a word, and i hugged her almost instinctively. she was still damp from the rain, but it didn’t matter.

“you’re very early,” i said into her shoulder, my words muffled.

“nah, this is perfectly timed,” she replied, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on my shoulders. her thumbs pressed gently into them like she knew how tense i’d been all morning. “besides, i didn’t wanna risk showing up and missing you.”

i rolled my eyes playfully. “you think i’d skip out on my own birthday?”

she smirked. “i dunno. you don’t exactly seem excited about it.”

“hmm,” i paused, screwing my eyes shut as i leaned into the massage. “it’s too early to be excited,” i shot back.

“fair,” she settled, tilting her head as her thumbs hit just the right spots. “nika and them flyin’ in today.”

that pulled a genuine smile at me. she mentioned it a bit ago, how some of her old teammates would be coming to see her play soon. “yeah? when’re they landing?”

“this afternoon. nika texted me last night about it,” paige said, and i can’t help but think about how good we are at this small talk thing. it’s so easy to get lost in what feels normal. “we play storm in two days, so… figured we’d spend some time together before the game.”

i nodded, knowing nika had been one of the constants in paige’s life since their freshman year at uconn, and i’d always admired the way their friendship seemed to hold its own weight, no matter what else was happening around them.

“i’m assuming you wanna see them,” paige added.

“duh,” i replied easily, cracking one eye open to give her a pointed look.

“i’ll set sum’ up,” she replied, and i nodded. her hands stayed on my shoulders, pausing just long enough to tap them before stepping back. “you good? you seem… off.”

i hesitated, caught off guard by the question even though i shouldn’t have been. paige had always been good at reading me, sometimes better than i wanted her to be. “yeah,” i said quickly, too quickly. “just… long morning already.”

“mmhm,” she replied, clearly unconvinced, but she didn’t push. instead, she leaned against the edge of my desk, her hands slipping into the pockets of her hoodie.

“you sure?” she asked again after a moment, and i knew i wouldn’t be getting away with saying nothing.

she stated at me, and i found my lies slipping away. my mouth fell wider with each passing second, and when her eyes darted to my lips, i seemed to snap up out of it, busying myself with the tax of fixing an already perfect vase of flowers onto my desk. “i just—i talked to maya.”

i could hear paige shift in front of me before letting out a quiet chuckle. “okay,” she said, dragging the word out like she already knew where this was going. “what she say?”

her tone was casual, but when i looked up at her fully turned figure, she had that look in her eyes—guarded, careful, like she was already bracing herself. “nothing bad,” i started, furrowing my eyebrows. “just… stuff about us. about how things went down.”

paige raised a brow, crossing her arms over her chest as she tilted her head slightly. “uh-huh. like what?”

“like how it always feels like you only show up when you’re afraid of losing something.”

i couldn’t help but watch her, waiting for her reaction. for her to say something, anything.

paige’s posture shifted immediately, her arms tightening over her chest as her lips pressed into a thin line. “you letting her feed you bullshit again, nai?” she asked.

“don’t do that. it’s not bullshit,” i replied. “it’s how it feels sometimes.”

“to who? you?” she challenged, taking a step closer. her eyes searched mine, narrowing slightly, but there was no malice in them—just frustration. “or maya? ’cause she loves spinning her little stories, and you know that.”

“paige.” i sighed, shaking my head as i tried to keep the conversation from spiraling. i didn’t exactly want to argue. “this isn’t about maya. it’s about me, about us.”

“nah, you just said you talked to her,” paige shot back, gesturing vaguely toward me. “and now you’re standing here like she knows me better than you do. like she knows us better than we do,” she argued, adding a, “c’mon, that’s not fair.”

“isn’t it, though?” i asked, meeting her gaze head-on. “you’re here now, but only because it’s my birthday. because you knew i’d expect you to show up.”

paige’s eyes flickered away for a split second, down to her pocket, before snapping back to mine. “you really think that’s the only reason i’m here?”

i didn’t say anything. i didn’t need to—the look on my face must’ve told her everything.

her shoulders dropped slightly, and she let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. “that’s crazy, nai. you know that’s crazy, right?”

“it’s not about how i see you, pai—“

her expression had hardened, like she’d put up a wall i couldn’t reach past. “you know what? maybe you’re right. maybe this whole thing is just me showing up when it’s convenient.”

“you know that’s not what i meant.”

“nah,” she cut me off, stepping back toward the door. “if that’s how you feel, then what am i even doing here? clearly, it don’t matter.”

“it does matter,” i said quickly, but the words didn’t seem to land. fuck, i’m an idiot.

“not to you, it don’t,” she replied, her voice clipped. she paused for a second, her hand on the doorknob, before turning back to look at me. “it’s cool. you got your flowers. happy birthday, nai.”

and just like that, she was gone. the click of the door felt louder than it should’ve, and i stood there, staring at the empty space she left behind, wondering how we managed to end up here—again.

“nai… she… fuck, nika.”

i swirled the half-melted ice in my glass. the bourbon wasn’t hitting the way i needed it to, but it was definitely hitting. i don’t drink fucking bourbon. i’m sure i’d drink about a gallon of it right now though. “we had this argument earlier. it’s like she doesn’t see how hard i’m trying, you know? like she’s convinced i only show up when i’m scared i’m losing her or something.”

nika leaned back in her seat, eyebrows raised. “those her words, or yours?” she asked, the corners of her mouth twitching.

“hers,” i mumbled, tipping the glass back for a too-big sip.

“damn.” right!?

i scrubbed a hand down my face, leaning into the bar like it could hold me up. my stomach twisted, and for once, it wasn’t from the alcohol. “she just—she don’t get it, you know? like, yeah, i fucked up before, but i’m trying now. i’m really trying, and she doesn’t even see it. she doesn’t even try to see it. at least i’m trying, like—“

“maybe ease up on the drink first before you start spiraling,” azzi cut in from the other side of the bar. she was nursing a soda, her judgmental stare boring into me like an older sister i didn’t ask for.

i shot her a glare. “you’re ‘posed to be team paige.”

“i am team paige,” she said, crossing her arms and smiling sweetly. i stuck my tongue out at her.

the bar in nika’s hotel was louder than i expected for a wednesday night. maybe it was the group of us taking up the corner table, or maybe it was just me being on edge. i felt like i was moving through the motions, laughing when everyone else did, nodding along to conversations i wasn’t really following.

it all started to show as soon as the alcohol kicked in. i could feel myself slipping, letting it take me to that reckless place i always ended up in when it came to her. i stared at my phone, the glow of the screen blurring slightly as i typed out another text. i didn’t care if she was out, if she was at her party surrounded by people who probably cared more than i ever showed. i just needed her to hear me.

and here i was, sitting in a damn hotel bar, drunk as hell, making everything worse just because i couldn’t leave her alone. but i texted.

and texted and texted and texted.

paige: so youure just gonna ignore me? 10:21pm

bet

paige: you wouldnr even be mad rn if you just let me fix it 10:24pm

but you don’t rven want to let me try bro

paige: i hate when we don’t talk 10:26pm

can we talk?

the words blurred slightly as i reread them, but i didn’t delete anything. instead, i kept going, typing out every thought that popped into my head, no matter how ridiculous it sounded.

paige: please baby jus wanna hear your voice 10:27pm

paige: i came w my mind made uo today 10:31pm

i just couldn’t sau it i’m so sorry

could’nt give it to you

delivered. delivered. delivered. not a single one read.

my phone buzzed in my hand, and for a second, i thought it was another notification. but no—her name lit up the screen, a call coming through. my heart jumped into my throat. i stared at it, frozen, until it rang out.

“shit,” i mumbled, fumbling with the phone as i stumbled out of my seat.

nika grabbed my arm to steady me. “where you going?”

“outside,” i mumbled, shoving my phone into my hoodie pocket.

the rain hit me as soon as i stepped out, the cold shocking enough to sober me up just a little. i ducked under the hotel’s awning, the noise of the rain hitting the roof above me almost drowning out the sound of my phone. my fingers shook as i called her back. the phone rang once, twice, three times before going to voicemail. i swore, pulling my hand into my jacket pocket.

well, the first call goes to voicemail.

the second one does too.

i try a third time, pacing.

finally, the line clicks. “paige,” nai says, and i can hear the hesitance in her voice. i can hear it, and i hate that i put it there.

“nai,” i breathe, her name coming out in a rush. the rain’s loud on my end, and i know she can hear it. “i—i’m sorry, okay? just—please don’t hang up. i had to talk to you. i can’t… i can’t keep doin’ this, fuck—“

“you’re drunk?” she asks flatly. i could hear the music in the background, and i conclude that she probably hadn’t seen my texts.

“you’re mad at me…” i continued. “i get it… i walked out on you, but you could barely look at me today, and—“

“paige, shut up. where are you?”

“outside nika’s hotel,” i muttered, wiping my face with my sleeve even though it didn’t help.

“stay there,” she said, and the line went dead.

a party hadn’t been my only surprise tonight. hell, it hadn’t been my only surprise of the entire day.

i should’ve been celebrating, right? enjoying the fact that people cared enough to throw me this party, that everyone had gathered in one place for me. but all i could think about was paige. and everything that came with her.

i hadn’t expected to hear from her at all tonight, let alone get the damn text messages that practically screamed desperation. though, half of me still passed on the alcohol for tonight as some kind of gut feeling. i knew she was drunk. i could tell from her words—hell, i could tell from the way she sent them in a blur, as if she couldn’t hold the phone still long enough to type a single coherent sentence.

i should’ve been upset. angry even. all those stupid things she’d done, all the mess she’d made, all the times she’d promised to change and then didn’t—it all came rushing back. i should’ve been furious. but there i was, standing in the middle of a damn party, my damn party, staring at my phone like it held the answers to every question i’d ever asked.

and then came the call.

it wasn’t even a question of if i would answer. i couldn’t not.

“nai,” her voice came through, shaky and full of guilt. “i—i’m sorry, okay? just—please don’t hang up. i had to talk to you. i can’t… i can’t keep doin’ this, fuck—”

i had to step away from the group. i couldn’t focus on anything but her voice, the sound of it cracking through the static, pulling at something deep inside me. the music in the background was too loud, but i heard every word she said.

“you’re drunk?” i asked, my voice flat, trying not to let the frustration leak through.

“you’re mad at me…” she trailed off, and i knew exactly where this was going.

her text messages had been pleading, full of “baby, please”s and “i’m sorry”s, but this? this felt different. it wasn’t just her trying to get me to forgive her. it was her trying to convince me to fully let her in again. it was her realizing i was slipping. again.

and there couldn’t have been any more confirmation.

i drove through the rain, the windshield wipers squeaking as they tried to clear the downpour. i pulled in front of the hotel’s awning, the lights from the sign reflecting on the wet pavement. i killed the engine and just sat there for a moment, my fingers gripping the steering wheel as i took a deep breath.

the knock on my window pulled me from my thoughts. i glanced up, and there was nika, standing in the rain, her coat pulled tightly around her. i rolled the window down just enough to hear her.

“she’s over there,” nika said, nodding towards the edge of the awning, her finger pointing to one of the hotel’s pillars. “she wouldn’t come inside or anything until you got here.”

i stared at the spot for a second. the rain was coming down so hard, the air was cold for it being summer, and paige was still out there, waiting. waiting for me. i didn’t know if that made it worse or better.

“thanks,” i muttered, forcing a tight smile. nika didn’t say anything else, just gave me a quick nod before heading back inside. i guess she figured this wasn’t a time for pleasantries.

i got out of the car, the rain immediately soaking through the jacket i threw over the nice blouse cam had gifted me. i could hear paige before i saw her, her voice cutting through the sound of the rain.

“nai, baby, look, i swear i didn’t mean to fuck everything up—”

“paige,” i interrupted. i couldn’t let her ramble on, not like this. “you don’t need to explain anything right now. just—”

“no, no, just listen! i’m so sorry,” she cut me off again. she took a step closer, and i pushed at her hips, trying to keep her at a distance. “i know i messed up. i know i fucked up, so many times. but—fuck, nai, i’m here. i’m here right now, and i’m gonna make this right. you don’t really believe maya, do you?”

this was a side of paige i hadn’t seen in a long time. she wasn’t trying to be strong, wasn’t trying to prove a point. she was just…asking.

“i believe you,” i stated plainly, avoiding her eyes as i tried to pull her toward the car.

paige’s shoulders dropped, her brows furrowing as she complied to my pulling. “you’re lying.”

i exhaled sharply, finally getting somewhere as i wrapped my fingers gently around her wrist. “i want you to get in the car.”

“i don’t… wanna get in the car, bro. i wanna talk.”

“we can talk in the car,” i insisted, not wanting to drag this out any longer. it was already too much.

paige dragged her feet along the pavement, her rambles continuing, making it harder to get her to the passenger seat in a timely matter. “you look so good tonight.” “fuck.” “i’m sorry for ruining your night.” “i didn’t mean to mess this up.”

finally, i opened the passenger door, and paige slid in with a small, unsteady huff, like she was relieved to be inside. i crouched down beside the door, lowering myself to her level as i reached for the seatbelt.

paige shifted slightly, still muttering under her breath, her words blurred together in the same cycle of regret and self-reproach. “i’m gonna fix this. i promise i will.”

“i don’t need you to,” i said, my voice barely above a whisper as i clicked the seatbelt into place, making sure it was secure. paige paused, and i tightened the strap for her, putting my focus solely on that.

“what? i know…” she hiccuped, shifting again as she tugged on the zipper of her jacket, scrunching her face up like the fabric had been bothering her. i reached out and helped her get it off her arms, the motion feeling almost automatic. “i haven’t been the best girlfriend, ex.. whatever.”

“it’s fine.”

“it’s not fine.” and she said it again, almost as if to tell the truth for both of us. “it’s not fine and… i’m gonna do right by you, swear, baby.” her words trailed off into another hiccup as she looked at me, her eyes pleading. i didn’t respond.

i’m sick of words. so sick of fucking words.

“did you have a good birthday?” she continued, her voice small now, and i could tell she was getting tired too. “i know i’ve been a mess—”

“it’s okay,” i said, my tone flat, trying not to let her guilt weigh on me. “we’ll talk when you’re sober.”

“nai, i just need to—” she started, but i cut her off, shaking my head.

“we can get everything straight… when you’re sober. not now.”

her face fell. “i got you a promise ring,” she blurted out, her eyes wide and frantic. “i was gonna give it to you. but i… i couldn’t. i couldn’t, nai, i was gonna do it today. i really was, but i didn’t know how.”

i was frozen for a moment. “what?” the word came out before i could stop it. i blinked, trying to process what she was saying. “promise ring? you… had a ring for me?”

i stayed silent, my chest tight as i processed everything she was saying. the ring, the flowers, her promises. it all felt like a cruel reminder of everything i had to let go. everything we had been and everything that we weren’t anymore.

paige hiccupped, the alcohol causing her words to slur further. “yeah… had it in my pocket. i came all ready to give it to you, but… i couldn’t. just couldn’t.”

“paige, stop it,” i finally whispered, my voice breaking slightly. i finally looked at her. really looked at her before attempting to get up. “you’re embarrassing yourself.”

her face faltered, but she didn’t let go of me, her hands trembling as she reached for my face, pulling me closer. “what do you want, nai?” the way she said it... “you want me to stop showing up? you want me to leave you alone? ‘cause i can do that. i can leave you alone. i can do that if that’s what you really want.” the way she pleads like she’ll do anything, has me on the verge of believing it.

my heart pounded in my chest. she was still holding onto this idea, this hope that i could come back. her eyes softened, and she leaned in closer, like she was trying to get through to me, but it felt suffocating.

“just let me go, paige,” i said, my voice hoarse. “let me go. please,” i muttered, lolling my head to try and get out of her grasp. i pressed my hand into her thigh, steadying myself on the ground.

her hands only gripped my face tighter, her thumb running over my jaw, her touch too familiar to the first time. too much.

silence. and then, “that’s what you want?”

i closed my eyes, trying to ignore the way her hands felt on my cheeks. the way her voice cracked, desperate and pleading, it hit something deep inside me. no, i wanted to say. no, i don’t want this. but living a lie had been outdated.

“yes,” i finally managed.

her thumb slid up under my eye, gently brushing away a tear that escaped. “look at me when you say it.”

no. no, no, no.

“look at me, nai. tell me you mean it,” she repeated.

i mean it. the words felt heavy, like they were being dragged out of me, but they were the only thing that made sense anymore.

i lifted my eyes slowly, meeting hers. “i mean it,” i said, barely a breath, but enough for her to hear. “i need you to let go, paige.”

for a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the rain against the pavement and our uneven breaths. her grip didn’t loosen at first, like she was weighing the words, like she was holding onto the last shred of something she didn’t want to let go of.

but then, just like that, she pulled her hands away from my face, the movement stiff and mechanical. her eyes became empty, almost like they were looking right through me. she didn’t say anything—didn’t try to argue, didn’t plead. she just withdrew, the shift in her demeanor so abrupt it was as if the weight of everything we had was just… gone.

“okay.”

i turned then, slowly at first, and then more decisively as i made my way back to the driver’s seat, the rain still coming down hard around us. i didn’t look back, even though i felt her eyes on me, even though i knew she was still there.

after so many tries, i realized i couldn’t do this again. i couldn’t let her in.

and for the first time in what felt like forever, i let go, and it felt… right?

#paige bueckers x oc #paige bueckers fic #paige bueckers fanfiction #paige bueckers x fem #hoaw #wlw fanfic #wlw fiction #angst #i’m sorry #hahaha

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absolutebl · 1 month ago

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This Week in BL - It's Wild Out There but the Kisses are Good

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

NOV 2024 Week 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

Kidnap (Fri YT) ep 11 of 12 - I’m really enjoying this show. But I will be glad when it ends next week. I’m ready. The motorcycle rescue in the middle of the kidnapping sequence was so absurdly bad I actually laughed. Meanwhile, in the hospital room did you notice Q’s dad used chan/nai with Min? I actually gasped out “oh, mad respect “ when he did. Papang it’s so damn hot, could he PLEASE get the lead in a BL? Please GMMTV.

Love Sick 2024 (Sun iQIYI) ep 9 of 15 - I like Earn’s sincerity and open admission in the new version, and I like how genuine and delicate Noh is coping with someone crushing on him. Probably because he knows how painful it is from the other side. The conversation between Phun and Aim was much better and more kind in the new version, too. I'm chronicling my experience with 2024 as compared to 2014 here.

Every You Every Me (Mon Gaga) ep 6 of 10 - I like this couple a lot, and not just because of all the sex positivity. I just enjoy their dynamic of artist and musician, introvert extrovert. Anybody wondering about that “up against the window blurring thing” with the shirt off the shoulder? That’s a very very old yaoi trope (mostly office yaoi from the early 2000s) that I haven’t seen in a long time. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it in Thai BL…… wild.

Meanwhile, let the weird interweaving of the filming crew begin. The show within a show that we all suspected was due is now happening. I’m not sure about that. (I worry it will be some clumsy commentary on pair branding.) But how hot does Fiat look these days?

Fourever You (Thurs YT) ep 7 of 16 - I really don’t like the second storyline. It find it unpleasant. I also don’t think the chemistry between Maxky and Bas is good. In fact I begin to suspect Star Hunter should cut Bas lose. Yes I said it.

Caged Again (Fri Gaga) ep 1-2 of 10 - Penguin escapes zoo by turning into a human. Gets trapped in a boys school and a panther falls in love with him. How does a penguin know how to read? OK I’m not gonna try to figure out the logic of this show. There is none. Do I like it? Not sure. I’m not mad about the dynamic or the setting but the main foundational conceit is…… odd. It’s not uncommon in BL, the “my cat boyfriend” thing has been done for many years now. So I know what to expect. It’s not that. Or is it? I do like how the actor playing Junior looks a bit like a bird. I also like how the actor playing Sun really does behave like a cat in his social interactions, it’s funny. I think…… I’m not wild about this so far, but I like it better than I thought I would. Love seeing Jaonine & Nokia in any form.

Perfect 10 Liners (Sun YT?) ep 3 of 24 - I just don’t like Arc and Arm. Sorry not sorry. However, I do like the sides and future couples. So I’m sticking with this one.

Jack & Joker (Mon IQIYI) ep 10 of 12 - Because I heard this episode was really rough and the world is a mess I gave this one a miss this week. We’ll see if I’m up for it next week.

Your Sky (Sun iQIYI) 12 eps - (starts tomorrow) A naive freshman and the campus’s popular senior agree to pretend to be a couple - but their fake deal begins to generate real feelings.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

My Damn Business (Korea Sat YT) ep 7 end - Ooooo counter lift!!! And caught in the act. Very nice. It was a really good final episode and an absolutely fantastic kiss.

In summation:

Two men work their last few days together at a failing company. I like this but I’m not sure I should like it. This is a classic office romance, short even for Korea, with more than usual workplace harassment (even for BL) in the guise of aggressive pursuit from older boss to younger employee. (The optics are NOT good.) It reminded me of Jun and Jun only shorter, colder, and with more dub con. Now, I happen to be one of the few who truly loved Jun and Jun, it’s very much my style of KBL. I think that’s part of why I liked this one so much. But I suspect that might have given this show too much shine by association. Still, eminently rewatchable and it’s nice to have Korean IP drop on YouTube. 8/10

Our Youth AKA Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 2 of 11 - Another one that is about abuse, but for some reason I don’t mind it as much as I did Let Free the Curse. Maybe it’s Japan? Maybe it’s the disinterested nature of the director’s lens? This show is examining the inclination of teenagers towards spectatorhood out of fear, while simultaneously giving us a contrived spectator’s perspective with its style of the filming. For example: there is a lot of shots in alleyways and looking in and out of apertures (like doorways and windows) at Hirukawa. He’s often seen from a distance, because Minase thinks of him as distant and somewhat like a specimen. It’s very clever and what I expect from Japan. But it also makes me feel distanced from the characters and their story (intentionally, I believe) which means it’s less raw than Curse, and a lot easier for me to watch. In other words, I am observing this BL, not living it. But that’s the point. And because of that, I’m also liking it. But I’m extremely wary. Japan never drops a kiss early on in a series without some serious trauma to follow.

See Your Love (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 5 of 13 - I love them all very much. Carry on.

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days (China Sun iQIYI) eps 5-6 of 12 - So far as I can gather it was episode five that got this one censored and kicked off the air in China. So now we are in unchartered (and presumably only lightly censored) territory. Honestly? I have no idea how they get away with what they get away with these days. Onto the actual meet of the show. I don’t think the teacher should be flirting with the kid if he’s gonna blow hot and cold like that. He is ostensibly the mature one in the relationship. Although if he’s flirting with a child, that is clearly not the case. I get the conflict of the main characters a bit more. Because it’s all about class and the risks that you can take with your identity depending on how much autonomy you have in society.

Teenager Judge (Vietnam Sat YT) ep 8 of ? - Basically this is just a narrative about bullying. And I’d like to get onto the revenge portion of the program, and that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. I do love that Dat asked for permission to kiss. Consent is very sexy. Also it was a good tentative careful cautious timid first kiss. The actors are older but it felt high school. (Although apparently Bach entirely kissed away Dat’s injury.)

Love is Like a Poison AKA Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru (Japan Tues Netflix?) 9 of 12 eps - Gosh I really do like this couple. And I like the legal proceedings. But I’m worried about whether this show is going to end well.

Love in the Air: Koi no Yokan (Japan Sat Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - Frankly I didn’t want LITA the original, so I’m pretty sure I don’t want the Japanese cliffs notes version of LITA. It’s somehow softer, which I wasn’t expecting from Japan. But I don’t mind. The brevity and softness are improving matters, IMHO. I continue to unequivocally loathe the wardrobe department. I’m offended on the actors’ behalf.

Eccentric Romance (Korea Weds Viki) eps 11-12 end - An odd and somewhat lackluster piece about two college friends, one Thai and one Korean, who get together and become boyfriends while investigating murderer - each speaking in their own language. Neither the BL component nor the murder component was well executed or engaging. It’s not terrible, but that’s no ringing endorsement. "Odd yet still somehow forgettable" is probably how I would put it. 6/10

It's airing but......

Love for Loves Sake got some kind of special supposed to air 11/9. Not sure what, why, or where. Only the rumor that it...... is. I'll believe it when I see it...... literally.

Bad Guy My Boss (Thai Sun Gaga) 10 eps - I DNF'd at ep 7, I couldn't make it. I am weak. Life is hard enough right now, this show is making it harder. It’s not what I want from my entertainment.

Secret Love (Sat YT) 10 eps - Another take on my beloved stepbrothers trope. Adopted into a rich family, boy falls in love. But when he is made the heir instead, everything goes wrong and he leaves. Now enemies the two boys reunite in uni.

DAMN IT! This is airing but in two minute increments on a proprietary app that’s mostly for Android, and it’s already up to episode 11. I’m not wild about this style of distribution, so I’m not gonna bother unless somebody cuts it together as a full piece. Although I do adore the premise.

Bad to Bed (Taiwan Sat YouTube) 10 eps - This is a little too low production value even for me. And just very very odd. DNF

Next Week Looks Like This:

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

November BL still to come:

11/20 Winter Is Not The Death of Summer (Thai Weds YT) ?? eps - Criminals who meet in prison fall in love

11/20 The Heart Killers (Thai Weds Gaga) 12 eps - Jojo directs FirstKhao & JoongDunk in an action romcom about assassin brothers (Khao & Joong) who meet a tattoo artist ex-booster (First) and a mechanic (Dunk). I'm highly amused that Joong plays the older brother to Khao and that we have a take on the Taming of the ShrewBL. I like that everyone is morally gray. This has all GMMTV's best chemistry in one BL and some fresh concepts that I've only seen tackled in m/m romance novels (check out Amy Lane's Racing for the Sun, thank me later). I'm excited. My only quibble is Jojo, I like his style but his characters can get unreliably messy so…... this gonna be interesting.

THIS WEEK��S BEST MOMENT

Apparently I have feels about wardrobe departments this week, because, to use an old fashioned term, this look on him absolutely slaps. (Love Sick)

It's rare for Thai BL to beat out JBL in the fashion department.

(last week)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

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an-gothamite-aka-zannalial · 6 months ago

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I like to think if Jason was really adopted by Talia and was an official Al ghul, he would tell everyone about his Mastermind plans at a family dinner without any shame.

And no one wants to stop him because they all know it's easier to kill half the heroes in America than to stop Jason from doing what he's doing alive, even if he's actually dead It won't affect anything

To them it was just the emo phase of a teenager with too much hormones, so they just let him run wild in Gotham. Because they clearly knew that in the end he would come back crying

So when he comes back nay's failure is just a sign that he's finally out of his rebellious and emo phase, and means there's new blackmail material.

Talia: you know I Will still love you Habibi, don't worry your failure is nothing for me. You still my baby boy

Jason: mom stop, I'm not-

Talia: I know I know you are sad that bruce didnt choose you, Don't worry, I will always love you

Jason: please stop mom

Ra's: I'm disappointed in you but this is something I expected from the start

Jason: I don't care about your opinion old man

Ra's: but you do care about other assassin opinion on your crying picture Right

Jason: I hate you

Damian: I don't understand why you didn't just kill that clown

Jason: Damian please not you to

Damian: sorry akhi but since you told me about your plan I already think that so stupid

Jason: you wont understand it habibi

Damian: tell me so I can understand it then akhi

Jason: no

Mara: sometimes I forget that you can be so stupid

Jason: don't you dare mara

Mara: You know if you give up on being the heir to the demon head I won't spread the photo of you crying in Miss Talia's arms

Jason: this why I hate you all

Nyssa: you look like your mother when she also get out of her emo phase

Jason: I'm not emo motherfucker

Nyssa: I think you just Denying the truth my dear nephew

Jason: NU uh

Some random assassins: hey how about you-

Jason: finish that sentence and you'll regret being born

The random assassin:

Jason: good

#al ghul family #damian wayne #mara al ghul #talia al ghul #ra's al ghul #jason todd #jason al ghul #red hood #league of assassins #nyssa al ghul

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liliewrites · 2 months ago

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" BLACK SORROW ! "

a/n ; hehehe, another reference. this one is relatively easy though. can anyone guess? this fic itself though.. is.. well.. it's something. Also, this is my first entry for @edgeray's halloween event!! There's two more coming up!!

-warning/s ; SIZE GAP, SLIGHTLY PLOT HEAVY, UNUSUAL OBJECT AS STRAP ON, SQUIRTING, MIGHT BE OOC. -pairing/s ; Tengu Demon Kujou Sara x Fem! Reader

(men and minors, please dni utc !)

“Oh, little one.. Have I not told you to leave?”

Her voice echoes in the night, and you find yourself in the shadow of her tall stature. Her back faces you, and all you can see is her gorgeous raven black wings protruding from her back as it wraps around her.

“This place is not for a little human like you.” She continues but you pay no mind to her words as you could see it — the same feathers you find in every nook and cranny of your home, more often on your roof.

“.. You, you’re the one who makes those noises on my roof every night, aren’t you?” You question her and she turns to face you though her face was obscured by a dark red, ominous mask that you could recognize anywhere within the Empire of Inazuma. She was a Tengu, that was no doubt. However, this one was quite peculiar. You may have never seen any other Tengu in your life, but according to what you’ve studied, Tengu are known to be proud, sometimes even aggressive as they are hailed as masters of the sword and the lords of war. This one dwelled here, in the dark within the woods of Inazuma in total isolation. She was away from the skies, from the mountains, where her fellow kin usually roamed.

“Little one, I do not appreciate being followed..” Her words cut you off from your trance, and you realize that the way she speaks is kinder than most Tengu you know. So with a smile, you reply in a cheeky tone, “Neither do I, Miss.. Tengu?” your words trail off as you were unsure of how to call her, but then you lean down to pick up a feather that fell from her. “I know these feathers, they’re the same exact ones I find in my yard.”

She stands proud, staring curiously at the feather in your hand before shaking her head. “Nay, How are you so sure that those feathers belong to me?” She asks, and you knew that you were prepared for this question. You grabbed a few more other feathers from her pocket, bringing it up for her to see.

“See, Miss Tengu.. These feathers are of different shade and different sizes. Compared to yours, it’s way smaller and are a few shades lighter too”

She leans back again, her wings slightly dropping down as she stares at you. You may not see her expression, but you could feel the awe radiating from her. “I still do not see the reason why you’ve come to follow me here, little one. It’s dangerous here.” She tells you, shaking her head as she starts to walk away.

You see nothing, but you are not afraid to catch up to her as you feel as if you’ve harbored the obligation to get to know her more.

“B-but Miss Tengu-!”

Though, you are nothing more than a mere human. You trip on a rather large rock in your haste and you almost fall down on your front, but the Tengu immediately catches you and pulls you close within her wings.

For a while, now you could see her a bit more properly, under the moonlight and you could see her hair, at least. Before you make any other observation, she lets you out of the comfort of her wings. She sighs, walking slowly now.

“I just wish to know why you often perch on my roof, Miss Tengu..” you tell her, looking up at her in adoration. You could see how tall the woman was, and you could clearly see how well built she is. “Leave, little one.” She says in a much more stern tone, though she doesn’t push you away, so you take this as a sign to not move away.

“No, I want to talk to you, Miss Tengu..”

“There is nothing to talk about, leave.”

You pout at her stubbornness and she sighs at your own.

“But-”

“I said, leave!”

Her voice echoes throughout the silent woods, and the startled one who were peacefully resting in their nests flee to the skies. You find yourself stuck to a tree with a knife pinning you by your sleeve on the trunk. “Little one, I do not wish to abandon you here in the dark alone.. but you are too stubborn.”

“Can you blame me, Miss Tengu? I cannot help but find you captivating.”

Sara remained silent for a moment, looking down at you while you looked at her with the most awestruck eyes. She couldn’t believe her eyes, did you just call her captivating.. ?

“Little one, you think I’m captivating..? You think this is captivating?”

She leans down again, finally lifting her tengu mask. The first thing you see is her strikingly beautiful golden eyes, and you find yourself unable to say something as you were caught in a trance. Thinking your silence was being shocked in a bad way, Sara scoffs and moves her hand to pull her mask back down, but you grab her wrist and give her face a good look.

“Pretty.. You’re really pretty, Miss Tengu..”

You mumble, reaching out to touch her cheeks. Soft, plush but scarred cheeks touch your palm and you can’t help but chuckle.

Sara, however, finds your innocence and amusement as mockery. She is a tengu, a creature whom is to be feared and bowed upon.. not coddled. She instantly feels threatened and insulted. She slams her hand on the tree right beside her head and her golden eyes burn into you despite the darkness that consumes the both of you.

“You want to know why I perch atop your tree, little one? I stalk you, I follow you. Does that not make you dislike me?” she asks, and you shake your head.

“No, if anything, it makes me want to know you more..”

“I stalk you because I want to consume you.” she mumbles, reaching out to touch you now. Her fingers graze against your cheek, almost curiously, and you feel you hold in your breath. She was close, so close, you could compare your sizes. You could make out a rough estimation of your size differences and from the hand that grazed your cheek alone was big enough to grab you easily like a ball. “.. Miss Tengu, you’re so big..” you mumble out of nowhere, catching you both off guard. You immediately shake your head, about to explain to her what you meant but she catches you off as she scoops you up so easily in her arms. “I tell you that I want to consume you.. and you answer me by telling me that I’m big? You are truly hopeless, little human.”

She starts to walk, but you keep your eyes on her pretty face. You should’ve been scared, this giant creature had you tightly held against her chest and you were unsure whether what this woman would do to you, but instead you felt safe. "Miss Tengu..?" "... Sara." she answers, and she sighs at your confused face. "My name, my name is Sara." You smile, feeling relieved that she trusts you enough to share her name with you. "Oh, okay! Hi, Sara! Where are we going?" You cheerfully exclaim, as if trying her name out. Sara feels her heart flutter, loving the way her name rolls off of your tongue sweetly. "To my home, where I reside." she answers you, and silence falls upon the both of you for a few seconds.

“I’ve never met such a peculiar human like you, little one.” she starts, and you let out a sheepish chuckle. “I’ve always been unwanted by humans, though I used to serve them. I had a family once, but they had banished me as soon as they found out that I was a tengu yet you’re here, following me around like a lost puppy.” she continues, before putting you down as she stops by the front door of what seems to be a very old cabin in the midst of the woods. She opens the door and ushers you to get in, and so you did. “You are free to stay here until the night passes, when morning comes, you are to leave.” She tells you with a sigh, lighting up the fireplace within her home and finally, finally you get a proper glimpse of her. You watch her as she settles in for the night, ridding herself of any items that would be uncomfortable for rest.

An outstanding height of roughly 7 feet tall, dark raven wings that’re neatly tucked beside her and her physique was well built and toned, a testament to the years of discipline in training you assume. Her skin was littered with scars, both old and new, a common brand for tengus. Though despite her seemingly rough silhouette, her face was that of a pretty maiden’s, regardless of the scars on her face.

As she finishes, she walks over to you and sits you down by the fireplace. “I apologize, I do not have anything to offer you..” she tells you and you shake your head, quickly reassuring her that it’s fine. “Are you really not afraid?” she asks again, facing you and her stern expression slowly melts to one akin to loneliness. “No, I find you interesting.” You answer, reaching out to touch her face again and she willingly leans down to let you. “Silly little human, do you even fear anything at all?”

“I do, but I can’t find it in myself to fear someone as beautiful as you.”

She certainly hadn’t expected that, as her eyes went wide with shock as she looked at you in pure disbelief. “You really are something, aren’t you?” she mumbles, letting out a sigh that almost sounds a little fond. “Maybe..” you answer as your thumb grazes against her lips.

You want to kiss her.

Though you shake your head, that’s probably improper. You’ve only just met and..

“Is there something wrong, little one?” She asks as she finds you in another trance, though you held a conflicted expression now. You don’t answer, your eyes kept still on one spot on her face and your thumb ghosting against her lips.

Then Sara realizes, a blush spreading across her face. “... you wish to consume me too, is that it?”

You blink once, and then twice at her words as it bursts your bubble and you find yourself utterly baffled. “Consume you? What?”

“.. I follow you around because I desire you, little human. I know that I should not, though it bothers me. I wish to feel you, to have you thrown into my sea of desire. I want to consume you.”

You realize what she means now, and it’s your turn to blush. You understand that she feels something for you, and she doesn’t know the exact word to use for it. Like? Love? Lust? Regardless, it’s a bit endearing to know that she has feelings for you.

“I see.. then.. do you want to make that a reality?”

“Can I?” she asks as her big, strong arms easily wrap around your waist in a gentle embrace.

“Consume me whole, if you wish.”

She hesitates, so you take the initiative to lean in to catch her lips with your own. For a moment, she doesn’t respond and you are about to pull away, but then she scoops you up again in her arms to lift you up to her height and kisses you back with a desire that doubles your own.

Her hands trail up your legs, feeling up your skin before grabbing onto your thighs to wrap your legs around her waist. She stands up and you feel your feet dangle in the air, catching you off guard and you let out a loud gasp in the midst of the kiss.

“Don’t worry, I got you..” she assures you, before claiming your lips again.

It doesn’t take her longer than a minute to lay you down on her futon. Sara stares at you, her breath hitching as you lay beautifully sprawled beneath her, ready for her to claim. Her figure cages around you, though you do not feel trapped as her eyes look at you hesitantly, her hands tugging at your clothes. “Yes, you can take it off..” you allow her, and she does.

As soon as all of your clothes are gone, does she only realize how smaller you truly are. Her eyes rake over your form and her hands land on your waist and she can’t help but think how big her hand is compared to your torso. A mewl escapes your lips and it reminds her of her current duty. Her lips travel slowly all over your skin, though each kiss was needier than the last.

“Little human..”

She whispers as she finally reaches the summit of her journey. “You’re dripping..” she comments, before teasing your stiff nub with a curious finger. Your little gasps cause something to stir in her and the musky scent of your dripping cunt reels her in almost immediately. Her lips latch around you and your hips buck as against her face. “Stay still..” she grunts as her hands grab onto your thighs, pulling you back down with a firm grip.

Again, she starts savoring the taste of your pretty cunt like a starved man who’s been hungry for centuries. She doesn’t even try to hide it either, as you could hear (and feel) her moan in delight as she laps up your juices. You could feel her tongue slide over your puffy nub, then sliding inside of your wet slit over and over again at a ruthless pace. You let out a cry, unable to keep up with her pace and your hands fly over to your mouth as you find it hard to keep in your filthy noises.

Then suddenly, Sara stops and you whine at the feeling of your high ebbing away without release. You would’ve complained, but she grabs your hand and pins it down on the sheets beside your head.. “Don’t do that, I can’t hear you.. I want more of you.”

She pulls away for a moment, as if going to grab something. You decide to take a breather for a moment, and boy were you glad. A bit unusual to the sight, yes.. Seeing her with her tengu mask tied around her waist, you felt yourself faint at the implication. That thing was going inside you?? You immediately sat up in protest, but she had already pinned you back down again.

“S-Sara.. I don’t think that’ll-”

“Shut it, now, get down.”

Slowly, she eases it in. You wanted to pry her off you and tell her to give you a bit more preparation, but you doubt you could get a 7 ft tengu off of you with your own strength, more so now that she was slowly losing her rationality for desire. Thankfully, you were at least wet enough for penetration to be possible. “S-Sara, please be gentle..” you plead at least, and she nods in consideration.

Inch by inch, you feel it slide in. Her face nuzzles into the crook of your neck and she kisses your skin as silent praises for taking her so well. As soon as it’s all buried in, you feel as if all the air was knocked out of your lungs the moment she pulls her hips back the first time.

You could feel it slowly drag out of you again, and Sara revels in the filthy noises that spill from your lips. She then slams her hips back in, causing you to immediately cling on to her strong shoulders. That’s how it was for the first few moments, slow and long in and outs so you could adjust to the length before slamming back in you.

As Sara feels your grip loosen a bit, she takes that as a sign to finally start increasing her pace. No longer could you savor the feeling of her length, as you were starting to lose your mind to the feeling of it rubbing inside your sweet, filthy cunt. “That’s it, I want to hear you..” she praises you as you start to become a bit more vocal with your moans and whines.

Needless to say, Sara loses herself to desire once more as she picks you up and your feet dangle in the air again. Her hands grip your waist, and your heart flutters in thrill and pleasure as she starts to move you up and down like a toy. The moment you go back down, her hips buck up against you to hit that soft spot inside of you and you let out the loudest cry you’ve ever made tonight. So of course, Sara started to repeat that same action again, and again, and again and you swear you were losing your grip on your own sanity as you wrapped your arms and legs around her. You kept crying her name, but it sounded like incoherent babbles as she kept fucking into you with that ruthless pace of yours. Though you could feel it, almost there, keep going- and then fuck, the color white had clouded your vision as you quivered in her arms, squirting all over her legs.

Her pace starts to slow down, easing you as you ride out your orgasm, until she finally stops to a full halt and slowly pulls out. Your feel your whole being tremble for last time at the feeling of being empty, but Sara now focuses on soothing you with kisses once more.

“You’re too beautiful, little human..” she whispers against your ear, holding you flush against her body in a loving embrace. “I don’t deserve you nor your affections..”

You shake your head at that, giving her a reassuring kiss on the face. “Mhm, that’s not true. You’re as beautiful too. I quite think you deserve me and all my affections..” you answer back in a slightly cheeky tone.

Sara smiles a bit at your response, finally giving in and kissing you without hesitance. As her lips move against yours, she finds it in herself pledging loyalty once again to a human.

Except this time, she’d finally receive something back in return and had finally seen light in her life amidst the black sorrows.

please do not copy/repost any of my works! i only post here on tumblr and not on any other site. thank you !!

#lilac writes💜#kujou sara x reader #genshin impact women smut #hahahahaha i kinda shut down while writing this one #oops

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caitchercatlady · 2 months ago

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The Promise of Forever

-2nd Year Version

Inspiration song: Thinking Out Loud-Ed Sheeran

Riddle Rosehearts

"(Y/N), these six months...nay, eight months I've been away from you have been utter torment. Yes, even with the "Adeuce vacation perks." Nevertheless, I've thought long about how and who I would spend the rest of my life. I thought I would have the scripted words for this night. The truth is...I lost them. Because those words I made were for myself and any person. You are not any person, (Y/N). You are the teapot to my mouse. You are the paint that makes the roses of this garden shine red as strawberry jam. Most importantly of all, you are my one and true Queen. There is no other individual in all of Twisted Wonderland whom I could ever fallen in love so hard. I will not waste another moment wondering. I must ask now. (Y/N), will you marry me?"

Ruggie Bucchi

"Look at this sunset. Isn't this view everything you always wanted? It took a little work, but we made it. (Snicker) Yes, we. No one person can make this happen by themselves. Hey, I"m still working on it. A dream business isn't built in a day...by oneself. Well, uh...I've been thinking...no, I've been wishing this for a long time. I made up my mind years ago. I'm sorry it took me so long. I wanted to make sure the ring was pefect. You deserve only the best and nothing less. Now, I don't knonw if I'm the best for everything, but I know this much: I love you, and you are my perfect half. Will you marry me, (Y/N)?"

Azul Ashengrotto

"(Chuckles) No, I didn't invite you here just to shower you with food and presents. I do that whenever you want. Yes, always. Well, about that...I've been drafting what may be the biggest of my life's work. (Y/N), you've played a bigger role in my life than anyone could ever imagine. For so long, I've hid behind strong gates, locked doors, and tall walls. You managed to break down every single one effortlessly, and much to my own surprise, I can't be mad about that. I've needed a wake-up call, and while it was hard to look at myself i the mirror, with you in it, it becomes easier everyday. You were the sun I've been striving to reach for all my life, (Y/N). Without you, my days will only become dark. My sunlight, my pearl, my angel fish. Will you take this ring and become my partner...forever and always?"

Jade Leech

"How could you not be more stunning than the moon? If I always tell you something, it means I mean it. And I will continue to remind you of it. For how long? As long as you'll have me. What do I mean with this ring? I was hoping you'd know. (Chuckles) I'm jesting, (Y/N). I've spent many moonlit nights, working for this day. From the moment I saw your peak wit, I knew there was only one individual in this world who would fit the missing puzzle spot. May I have your wit forever, (Y/N)? We can be married by tomorrow if you so wish."

Floyd Leech

"Found ya, Shrimpy! Do I need you for anything? Nah. But I want ya. (Laughter) You're so straight-to-the-obvious. Of course, we've been dating for three years. I don't forget things like that. I mean, I want you forever, silly. Prove it? Ok then. My ma said that you'll fall head over fins for this. Yeah, it's pretty, but not like you. I'll let ya wear it if you say, "Yes.""

Kalim al Asim

"You made it! All of this? It's for you! Yeah, it's also for me. It's for us to enjoy. What's the occasion? I love you. That's the occasion. Of course, I love you everyday, but this night is very special. (Laugh) I don't love you more tonight...What I meant is I already love you forever i teh biggest way possible. Tonight, I wanna prove I'll love you forever. How will I do that? With this! I picked it myself. My dad gave Mom a lot of rings to show how much he loves her. She let me look at her collection and pick a ring for you. I chose this one because it reminds me of hte day I fell in love with you. Ever since that day, my love for you hasn't changed, and it never will. Please, (Y/N), please, please, please marry me!"

Jamil Viper

"Good evening. The moon is quite bright, isn't it? It reminds me of your smile. Yes, there was a reason I wanted to see you here. I've been wondering how to begin. You have me at a loss for words during every important moment, and when I wonder why, I believe the answer is that you resemble the unexpected. I thought my life had been planned out for me since my birth, but you proved that I can choose where I go in my life. Tonight, I'm chooing my path again, and there is no question who I choose to walk it with. Will you join my life, (Y/N)? For how long? Forever, I wish. I wish it with all of my heart."

Silver

"Yes, graduation is upon me, and it has arrived too fast. It's not that I'm not ready. I've never been more ready to enter the world as a full mage. I'm just not ready to leave my life behind as I venture forward. I mean you. I know you're only a class year below mine, but I cannot wait a year to tell you how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Yes, I will ask you now while my chances are ripe. Please, will you be my partner forever? Will you marry me?"

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ofmdrecaps · 2 days ago

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12/17-18/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Happy birthday Jes Tom!; Galaxy Con Columbus OFMD Panel; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Con O'Neill; Nathan Foad; Vico Ortiz; Samba Schutte; Ruibo Qian; Alex Sherman; Anapela Polata'ivao; Adam Stein; Articles; Fan Spotlight: OFMD Buys Boats; OFMD Advent Calendar; Love Notes;

== Happy Belated Birthday Jes Tom! ==

One of our wonderful writers, Jes Tom, had a birthday on 12/18/2024! Happy belated birthday dear!!

Source: Jes Tom's Bsky

= Cast & Crew Birthdays =

I've been trying to collect cast and crew birthdays that I could find - Birthday Calendar and there's a few more coming up soon!

Dec 28th - David Fane

Dec 30th - Nathan Foad

Jan 1 - Ruibo Qian!

If you happen to know more that aren't on the calendar yet, please feel free to reach out to me! I've been trying to add them as I find them but I'm sure I'm missing many! <3 (I'm happy to credit you of course too!)

== Galaxy Con Columbus ==

Good news! The OFMD panel is now available on Youtube!

youtube

Source: Galaxy Con Youtube

= Rhys Darby =

A new Bad Jelly Trailer is out!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Badjelly (@badjellytv)

instagram

Source: BadJellyTV

A little quote from Rhys about Bad Jelly!

Source: SphereAnimation

There was an article about Rhys in BMA Magazine with this lovely spread!

Source: BMA Magazine

= Taika Waititi =

Hey! Wonderful news! Taika is going to be Honored with the Norman Lear Achievement at the 2025 Producers Guild Awards. "The Norman Lear Award recognizes a producer or producing team for their extraordinary body of work in television. It has been awarded to individuals whose leadership and creativity have made profound contributions to the television industry" - Producer'sGuild.org Article here

Source: Producers Guild Instagram

= Con O'Neill =

There's a new SAS Rogue Heros Trailer!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Theo Barklem-Biggs (@barklembiggs)

instagram

Source: Instagram

= Nathan Foad =

Nathan is sending some love to one of our crew members-- apparently they made this lovely scarf for Nathan's Mom! Who was this!? Let me know! I'd love to credit you!

Source: Nathan Foad's Instagram Stories

= Vico Ortiz =

Vico is working on a new project! Today in Gay is going to be available Monday Through Friday with a daily dose of queer news -- and good queer news! It'll be hosted by several queer icons, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Nay Bever, Vico Ortiz and Bex Taylor-Klaus. "Lauren Klein joined as Executive Producer, Editor, and Composer. Hannah Nobrega is our behind-the-scenes Researcher and Jax Ko, our Co-Producer and Creative Director, has done all of our visual design. Kalie Chebib is our Social Media Manager and our Supervising Producer is Maritza Navarro. Linh Nguyen keeps us all running as our Executive Assistant! We are all proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and we’re all here to make your day a little more gay. "

Today In Gay Is Your New Go-To Daily News Podcast Article!

Today in Gay Substack

Source: Vico's Bsky

= Samba Schutte =

Samba received some lovely gifts from our dear crewmate @amuseoffyre! He sent lots of love their way on his Instagram Stories!

More work by Samba -- Parallel Episode 3 is out on Amazon and there's a new Trailer!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Seasick Studios (@seasickstudios_)

instagram

Source: Samba's Instagram

= Ruibo Qian =

Just a quick shot of our Pirate Queen <3

Source: Ruibo's Instagram stories

= Alex Sherman =

Alex Sherman is still raising funds for the Experience Camp he has volunteered for in the past! It helps kids who have lost family members get a fun week away to help to process their feelings, and have a great time. Check out the donation page here if you're interested / able to help out!

Source: Alex Shermans Instagram

= Anapela Polata'ivao =

Our Auntie, Anapela Polata'ivao was selected for Story Camp Aotearoa 2025! "Story Camp is a residential feature film development lab that fosters craft, voice and vision with a programme designed to meet the development needs of each writer and project. Over the week, the participating writers and their collaborators workshop their feature film projects with exceptional local and international advisors. Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed through Story Camp Aotearoa 2025 ✍ The Factory Anapela Polataivao and Vela Manusaute - Co-Writers"

Source: Script to Screen

= Adam Stein =

Our producer and actor, Adam Stein, was spotlighted by Management LA this past week!

"Adam is currently a Consulting Producer on Apple TV+’s THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME. Previous to that, he was an Executive Producer on Max’s TOKYO VICE and OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH. Other recent shows include SEE (Apple TV+, Co-Executive Producer), DESIGNATED SURVIVOR (Netflix, Consulting Producer), THE EXORCIST (Fox, Co-Executive Producer) and UNDER THE DOME (CBS, Supervising Producer). He got his start in television on FX’s DAMAGES, and began his career as a writer doing features for GQ magazine. He has written pilots for Amazon, ABC, AMC Studios, FX and others. Currently, he’s playing Lucky in a production of Waiting for Godot at the @geffenplayhouse through December 21!"

Source: Adam Stein's Instagram

== Articles ==

Many thanks to our friends over at @adoptourcrew for keeping us up to date with every article under the sun featuring our show!

Source: Adopt Our Crew Instagram

== Fan Spotlight ==

= OFMD Buys Boats =

The Tiny Crew Big Raffle team is posting the final numbers for donations to the various non-profits by cast member over the next several days!

Lindsey Cantrell - Inner City Arts - US $865.80, £312.88, €15, CAD$12.45

Megan Vertelle - Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - US $901.95, £105, €215, CAD$20

Such wonderful work crew! Well done!

Source: OFMD Buys Boats Instagram

= OFMD Advent Calendar =

ANNNNND OFMD Advent Calendar is still going strong! Thank you so much to @tillychmo (as well as the fun door images!) for hosting this wonderful even! You can follow along on bluesky on @ofmdadventcalendar.bsky.social!

The 12th door features some very sweet artwork by the fab @intheblanketfort! aka @intheblanketfort.bsky.social!

The 13th Door features beautiful work by @kuuttamo.bsky.social!

The 14th Door features an ADORABLE lego surprise by @politestmenace.bsky.social!

The 15th Door features a super cool OFMD Holiday RPG by @alimasin! aka @alimasin.bsky.social!

== Love Notes ==

Hey there lovelies! Well getting two out in one day didn't work out, so I will try to make sure I'm catching up with 2 days at time as much as I can over the next few days! I have a very important question to ask you-- and that is, have you laughed today? Did you know laughter can reduce anxiety, and stress, stimulate your lungs, heart and muscles? It's actually pretty damn awesome how much a good old fashioned guffaw can make us feel better. Is there something you know for a fact will make you laugh? (For me it's silly cat videos, or Stede boarding the tiny fisherman's boat in the pilot of the hit series OFMD). Maybe it's stand up comedy-- or puns, or dark humor. Whatever it is that tickles your funny bone, I would request that today you go and just partake in some giggles. They can be small, or big, but do something that makes you laugh <3 Below are some things that have given me some giggles in the past. I hope if nothing else they give you a smile. Sending so many hugs lovelies. I'm thinking of you <3

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Яхты Визы Паспорта Бодрум Стамбул (@alsubodrum)

instagram

Source: Instagram

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hippo (@hippo_lover_life_)

instagram

Source: Instagram

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utapri-translations-uuuu · 4 months ago

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Drown in - Lyrics + Translation

Please do not repost/retranslate without permission.

Kanji:

響きあうのが常　溶け合う夢

魅かれて Love thing ときめく胸

上手に振舞っても　I can see your mind

仕草で惑わす　本音と嘘

愛を試す　駆け引きは

大人のフリじゃもう満たせないや

焼け付く傷を冷たく癒す

火照る頬濡らした True tears

爪痕が語る　Midnight

何度も聞きたい　切ない

甘い罠に雁字搦めの Miss you

痛みが織りなす Pleasure

知ってるから Habitually sweet

もどかしく求めて

どこまでも I'm going to drown

選択するまま　待てない　Limit

主役は Oneself 誰でもない

人生はカットなしの　ロングフィルム

切り取られた今日　戻らぬ過去

理想の明日はどこなのか？

目隠し外すのはやっぱり It's you

ため息の中　にじむ優しさ

くすぐった本能止まらない

本当を見せて　All night

思いは重なる絶対

時間の波に　誘われて Kiss you

受け止めあいたい Feelings

すれ違いさえ Turn it into a joy

どうすれば伝わる？

君なしじゃ Falling all the way down

触れた指と指　絡まり合い

秒針の Tick Tack 遠くなる

鼓動だけ２人包んで

爪痕が語る　Midnight

何度も聞きたい　切ない

甘い罠に雁字搦めの Miss you

痛みが織りなす Pleasure

知ってるから Habitually sweet

もどかしく求めて

酸いも甘いも　愛も悲哀も

手を取って一緒に Let's drown

Rōmaji:

Hibikiau no ga tsune tokeau yume

Hikarete Love thing tokimeku mune

Jōzu ni furumatte mo I can see your mind

Shigusa de madowasu hon'ne to uso

Ai o tamesu kakehiki wa

Otona no furi ja mō mitasenai ya

Yaketsuku kizu o tsumetaku iyasu

Hoteru hoho nurashita True tears

Tsumeato ga kataru Midnight

Nando mo kikitai setsunai

Amai wana ni ganjigarame no Miss you

Itami ga orinasu Pleasure

Shitteru kara Habitually sweet

Modokashiku motomete

Doko made mo I’m going to drown

Sentaku suru mama matenai Limit

Shuyaku wa Oneself dare demo nai

Jinsei wa katto nashi no rongu firumu

Kiritorareta kyō modoranu kako

Risō no asu wa doko na no ka?

Mekakushi hazusu no wa yappari It’s you

Tameiki no naka nijimu yasashi-sa

Kusugutta hon'nō tomaranai

Hontō o misete All night

Omoi wa kasanaru zettai

Jikan no nami ni izanawarete Kiss you

Uketome aitai Feelings

Surechigai sae Turn it into a joy

Dō sureba tsutawaru?

Kimi nashi ja Falling all the way down

Fureta yubi to yubi karamari ai

Byōshin no Tick Tack tōku naru

Kodō dake futari tsutsunde

Tsumeato ga kataru Midnight

Nando mo kikitai setsunai

Amai wana ni ganjigarame no Miss you

Itami ga orinasu Pleasure

Shitteru kara Habitually sweet

Modokashiku motomete

Sui mo amai mo ai mo hiai mo

Te o totte issho ni Let’s drown

Translation:

Always resonating together, our dreams melt together

Attracted by this love thing, your heart throbs with excitement

Even if you pretend well, I can see your mind

Deceiving me with your gestures, your real intention and lies

Trying out love, this push and pull of

Pretending to be an adult is no longer enough

Healing my burning wounds with cold,

True tears dampen my flushed cheeks

Scratch marks tell the story of Midnight

I want to hear it over and over again. It’s painful

I’m completely stuck in the sweet trap that is missing you

Since I know the pleasure woven

From pain is Habitually sweet,

I impatiently yearn for it

I'm going to drown endlessly

You can’t wait to make your choices, there’s a Limit

The protagonist is Oneself, no one else

Life is a long film without cuts

Today is cut away, and the past won’t return

Where is the ideal tomorrow?

It's you, after all, who takes off your blindfold

Tenderness reveals itself through a sigh

I can’t control my newly aroused instincts

Show me your true self All night

Our feelings are overlapping, definitely

Drawn by the waves of time, I Kiss you

I want us to embrace each other’s Feelings

Let’s turn even our misunderstandings Into a joy

How can I make you understand?

Without you, I’m Falling all the way down

Our fingers touch and intertwine

The Tick Tack of the second hand grows distant

And only the beating of our hearts surrounds us

Scratch marks tell the story of Midnight

I want to hear it over and over again. It’s painful

I’m completely stuck in the sweet trap that is missing you

Since I know the pleasure woven

From pain is Habitually sweet,

I impatiently yearn for it

Both the sour and sweet, love and sorrow

Let’s hold hands and drown together

#uta no prince sama #utapri #translation #english #reiji kotobuki #Solo Best Album #quartet night #qn

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suguwu · 7 months ago

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—sponsor a wip for gaza! - fully covered!

i will be joining @ficsforgaza to both spread the word and to hopefully gather some donations if anyone is interested!

i will be doing the sponsor a wip option. as i am a slower writer, i will be setting word count limits for sponsorship so i don't get overwhelmed; they are outlined below with the wip descriptions.

—how it works

RATE: $1 per 100 words

INSTRUCTIONS: donate to a vetted fundraiser of your choosing, take a screenshot of the donation confirmation (make sure your private information is censored as i will be sending ficsforgaza the screenshot of your donation to make sure it isn't being used for multiple writers) and send it to me along with the title of whatever WIP you're sponsoring!

Here’s an example:

bee! here's proof of my donation to help rebuild ahmed's family life in gaza gofundme. I'd like this to go toward the wip 'moon eater' thank you! [screenshot.png showing evidence of donation states that $1 was given, therefore 100 words will be written for the wip 'moon eater']

upon receiving your ask (i won't be publishing them) i will amend the list below and prioritize progressing that wip as well as keeping this post updated weekly.

please note that i am a slow writer and some of these may take a while to come out, but they will come out!

i may add in more wips as time goes on!

i've never done anything like this before, so please let me know if you have any questions or if you feel i've missed anything!

—current wips

MOON EATER — diluc x reader

f!reader, marriage of convenience, politics, some manipulation, pining, slow burn, eventual smut, jealousy, some blood and gore.

A Mondstadt diplomat in Liyue, your close relationship with the Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia draws Diluc's piercing attention. Ever hungry for information on the Fatui, he comes up with a plan—marrying you. It's the best way. There's nothing else in play. Or so he tells himself.

starting wc: 14,447/25,000+

donated (goal) wc: 3,000/3,000 fully covered!

progress tracker: 3,000/3,000 ✅

—

WRAP MY TEETH AROUND THE WORLD — nai x reader

gn!reader, god of the hunt nai au, likely some dark content, other tags to come.

A child of the harvest, your life is forfeit when you're chosen for the Hunt's Rite. You don't expect the god to take an interest in you instead.

starting wc: 3,663/10,000+

donated (goal) wc: 5,000/5,000 fully covered!

progress tracker: 2,853/5,000

thank you in advance for any donation you may give, as i know that times are tough. if none of these interest you, i totally understand! please consider checking out the other writers for fics for gaza and see if there's something more your speed!

last updated august 28, 2024

#bee.navi #fics for gaza

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chelsieb · 2 months ago

Text

For the sake of lightening my country's mood, here is a fluff filled chapter from my Good Omen's long fic.

I love you all and I hope we'll be ok.

Excerpt-'Corner Office with a View (Broke My Wings so You Could Fly) - Chapter 41

.......

“You’re enjoying it?” Aziraphale didn’t try to hold back his delight.

He was standing with Crowley in his large, minimalistic bedroom, taking in his “library”.

“I was enjoying it.” Crowley admitted.

He showed him where he’d marked his page in one of many books, tucked underneath his large bed.

“I do wish you didn’t dog ear the poor thing.” Aziraphale pouted.

“I would have miracled you a bookmark at any time…or handed you a leaf from a tree.”

“This is what I was reading, before all the apocalypse business happened.” Crowley explained and snapped the book shut.

“Shax may have let me grab a few of these…but there was no way in Hell I’d let her see them.”

“Why ever not?” Aziraphale took the copy of ‘The Magpie Lord’ and held it to his chest.

“Demons don’t read.” Crowley scoffed and sat on his bed.

“Most of them can’t, so you can imagine how it would effect my reputation.”

“But you do it anyway.” Aziraphale was smiling so big.

“After all your nay saying and teasing me about my shop. You have the beginnings of your very own…”

“I do. Though, nowadays I mostly download them on my phone…” Crowley took a deep breath and resisted not speaking his mind.

“Download?” Aziraphale wondered to himself.

“But why? Never in a million years would I have…” he was chuckling, as he lifted the covers to look under the bed.

Row after row of neatly stacked books, shoved back as far against the wall as possible.

“Because they’re important to you, and…agh, never mind.” Crowley huffed and started to stand.

“Please don’t say never mind.” Aziraphale’s voice became soft as he sat next to him on the bed.

Crowley groaned and let his face fall to his hands. He muttered something that Aziraphale couldn’t hear.

“I’m sorry dear, I didn’t catch that…”

“Reading made me feel…close to you.” Crowley spoke out of the side of his mouth and refused to look up.

He missed Aziraphale practically puffing up with joy. Like a pleased owl.

“You’ve had quite the crush on me.” He teased and scooted close enough to lean on Crowely.

“I loved you.” Crowley quickly corrected him and finally looked up.

“Oh…” Aziraphale’s confidence fled as he sat straight.

“For so long. I didn’t know that’s what it was, I just…God, it just got to where I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” Crowley went on.

Aziraphale wasn’t used to him talking this way. Especially about him. He’d never have imagined…

Crowley stood to face him and tried to find the words.

“We’d go years without seeing one another. Then you’d pop up in a cafe, or one time…you were sitting on a blanket, in a field of flowers.” He smiled to himself as he remembered.

“All lit up by the sun. Reading. Always with your nose in a book. Just a bizarre little angel with a human habit.”

“Bizarre?” Aziraphale frowned.

“Bizarre enough to keep me interested.” Crowley knelt on the floor in front of Aziraphale’s legs.

“Bizarre enough to make me wonder about you day and night. It was irritating, if I’m being honest.”

He laid his head in Aziraphale’s lap. Aziraphale pet his hair and listened to more of his silly flattery.

“Living alone would get unbearable, so I’d search for you. I told myself I was going to bother you…give you some trouble.” Crowley looked up and closed his eyes when Aziraphale held his face.

“But you always looked so happy to see me. No one had looked at me like that before…” he sighed and pressed himself closer.

"Not since I'd Fallen, anyway."

Aziraphale felt a strong sadness for his partner, that he'd always barely held back.

Crowley hadn't noticed and kept spilling his sweet, teasing words.

“You were always in the middle of the most mundane…cutest…human task.” <p>

Still playing nonchalant, he snickered and laid his head back on Aziraphale.

“Your magic tricks. And you bought that bookshop with money you earned. Weird little angel…”

“Says the demon who treats his car like it’s his own child.” Aziraphale kindly teased back.

“The Bentley is my baby and you’ll keep it out of this.” Crowely only half joked and pulled himself up to stand.

“Though, I’m not surprised it likes you better.” He said as he lifted Aziraphale’s chin.

“You’re very likable, Angel.” his voice was low as he ran his thumb along Aziraphale lower lip.

“Oh, well I’m sure your plants miss you terribly, in the very least.” Aziraphale reassured him.

He was too busy kissing Crowley’s hand, to see his head jerk towards the door.

“They’re not dead?” He whispered.

#good omens #aziraphale #aziracrow #crowley #good omens fanart #michael sheen #ao3 writer #ao3 fanfic #good omens fanfiction #david tennant #ineffable spouses #ao3feed

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lillaydee · 1 month ago

Text

The Arrangement Part 6

Frontier! Joel Miller / Reader

Your life crumbled to nothing during a migration to Jackson, forcing you to agree to an arrangement just to survive.

NOTE: Possible inaccuracies in baby developments, food intake and inheritance or ownership laws coming. I really know nothing, but I needed to put some stuff in for the sake of the story line, so please forgive me and take everything in the spirit of storytelling yeah?

WARNINGS: Protective Joel (The Last of Us), Ellie & Joel Bonding (The Last of Us), Good Parent Joel (The Last of Us), Parent Joel (The Last of Us), Soft Joel (The Last of Us), Joel is Bad at Feelings (The Last of Us), Joel Needs a Hug (The Last of Us), Hurt Joel (The Last of Us), Joel Has PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (The Last of Us), Jealousy, Mutual Pining, Fluff and Angst, Frontier Joel, Alternate Universe - No Cordyceps Outbreak (The Last of Us), Virgin Joel, Virgin Reader, Minor Character Death, Period-typical Misogyny, Marriage of Convenience

SERIES MASTERLIST

Part 5

You busied yourself with the pot, stirring the newly improved but still watery stew to distract yourself from this worrying new ailment you had suddenly developed. You were still feeling very flushed, but your heart was racing a lot less than it was. You prepared Ellie’s dinner next, wanting to have it ready for Joel to feed her, knowing that he missed her company and would want to spend as much time as he could with her before her bedtime.

He came back freshly washed and dressed, his soiled clothes in the laundry basket, his towel and washcloth hung on the clothesline. He took Ellie from you and played with her a little bit while her food was cooling, his hair was still dripping onto his collar slightly, damp curls a mess on his head, but you found it difficult not to stare at him.

Of course you were aware of how good looking he was. You had thought so the moment you laid eyes on him, when his face and body was presented very closely to your own after he freed you from the devil incarnate that was your own skirt. And you may or may not like to admit that you did steal more than a few glances at him while travelling too, not that it meant anything. In retrospect, he was the only single man in your group – the other men on the wagon train were married or engaged, it was simply rude to stare at the other men, nor did you want to. You had no excuse to ogle at him, but Joel was strikingly good looking. It was almost sacrilege not to stare, one must appreciate God’s beautiful creations, after all.

But now, being married to him, somehow, knowing that you belong to each other, officially, that you were allowed, nay, expected to find your husband attractive, his good looks had unexpectedly quadrupled, and you found yourself no longer just ogling at his beautiful face, but your eyes had extended their sights onto the rest of his person. And now you had seen him bathe. Oh, he was very, very beautiful indeed.

And now these strange things were happening to your body. Oh, please don’t let it be a bad sickness. You would really love the opportunity to appreciate the splendor, the beauty that was your husband a little longer.

You heard him call your name.

Hmm?

He was sitting next to you, Ellie on his lap, his hand semi-stretched towards you, his palm facing upwards.

Oh…

You blushed and placed your hand in his. He gently turned your hand in his and gave it a gentle kiss, before smiling at you, telling you he was asking if you could pass him Ellie’s bowl of food.

Oh. Right. The food.

**********

He cleaned Ellie up after feeding her and walked around with her for a bit until her head dipped into the crook of his neck, full and drowsy, before tucking her into bed, kissing her goodnight so many times she pushed his face away. He spent some time just staring at her sleeping form, missing her so much throughout the day, these few minutes of time spent with her was simply not enough. Yesterday, he left to put markers at the site and came back to a crawling girl. He could’ve sworn that she grew a little bit more every single time you brought her to see him throughout that day.

It was unreasonable how much he loved this little girl. He had had her for about three weeks, and she was all he could think about, day and night. He had felt empty ever since his mother passed. Annie filled some of the emptiness, making him feel as if he had a friend to rely on, his brother too, obviously. But the moment they handed Ellie to him, and she cooed at him for the first time, as if knowing he had saved her, his heart filled to the brim, feeling as if there was nothing else in this world he would ever possibly need.

Until two days later, when you collided into him.

He was too gentlemanly to ever even think about your skirt flying over your head, your drawers exposed to his eyes. But when he helped you get your skirt down, and saw your flustered face for the first time, Joel felt as if he was hit by a brick wall. His body filled with a surge he could not explain. He had never felt like that before in his life, so much so, to this day, he still couldn’t identify what it was. He remembered taking in as much of your beautiful face as he could, silently cursing the fact that he was moving that day, that he bought land so far away in Jackson, and not there, where you were. He had lived in that town most of his life, why had he never seen you around?

His heart leapt at the realization that you were in the wagon train too, in fact, it almost jumped out of his mouth and did a little jig on the ground when he learnt you would be living next door to him. But you kept your distance, eyes averted from his own, and your parents were always around. He was a single man with a baby. Why would your parents allow him to court you? Why would you even be interested in him, a poor, former foot soldier starting anew with a baby to take care of?

When you took Ellie into your arms and managed to calm her, the way Ellie immediately took to you, trusted you, it made his head spin. It took Maria, Tommy and his cousins two whole days to even get Ellie to be held in their arms without crying. But you? He knew immediately his new BabyGirl felt safe with you.

Throughout the journey, he couldn’t wait to stop, just so that he could find an excuse to talk to you. Thank God for Ellie. Never had he thought he would look forward to her fussing more. But there he was, looking for any excuse to pass Ellie on to you, just to be near the receiving end of that smile you always had for his little girl. You actually smiled at him once while taking Ellie from his hands, making his knees weak. He didn’t even dare look into your eyes for long, worried that he might just blurt out his intentions to get to know you better. What if you rejected him? What if you had someone waiting for you in Jackson? No… he didn’t think he could handle it. So he averted his gaze and kept to himself, stealing small dosages of looks at you to satisfy his aching heart.

When he couldn’t find Ellie, you and Maria that morning after the raider attack, he actually panicked. But seeing you had Ellie safely strapped on your chest, keeping her safe… it melted him. And when he saw you drop at the sight of your parents’ dead bodies…

He wanted to comfort you at their funeral. Wanted to take you in his arms, tell you all will be fine. But you had just gone through what no one should go through, losing both parents at the same time, tragically, at that. He refrained himself, not wanting to take advantage of your vulnerability.

And still, even on your darkest day, you still offered to look after Ellie, telling him to rest instead. And when you told everyone the better option for you was to go back to your town rather than move to Jackson, he could actually feel his heart start breaking. Was he never to see you again?

When the group suggested the two of you marry, he doubted himself, especially since you laughed out loud at the suggestion. To him, that just meant that you were not interested in him the way he was in you. But Tommy talked him into talking to you. I know you like her, brother, he had said, talk to her. Don’t give up so easily. You never know.

He didn’t know if you would say yes, but he asked for your parents’ blessings, nonetheless. And luckily for him, you did say yes, and now here he was, in your wagon, lying on your mattress while tucking his daughter - your daughter - in bed, the smell of your lotion surrounding him, making him swoon.

He couldn’t wait to spend more time with you, even if it meant eating more of that stew. He’ll eat it every day for the rest of his life if it meant you would be sitting shoulder to shoulder with him, keeping him company.

“Sleep, my darling BabyGirl. Papa needs to go spend time with your Mama now.”

As if happy to let him do so, Ellie closed her eyes and fell asleep.

**********

Joel took a seat next to you, picking up his bowl of stew and began eating. He had eaten quite a few mouthfuls when he noticed you were not eating, your bowl still on the makeshift table by the firepit, watching him eat with a sad look instead.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Why didn’t you tell me the stew was bad?”

“It’s not bad. It’s delicious. Did you add something to it?”

“No, I meant this afternoon. It was bad. It’s the worst thing I have ever tasted, and you ate it and didn’t complain.”

Joel contemplated his answer very, very carefully. He placed his bowl down next to yours and shifted to sit closer to you.

“What did you do this morning while I was working?”

“What do you mean?”

“List it down, what did you do today while I was working?”

“I… cleaned the camp, did the dishes, did the laundry, sent you water and snacks, bathed Ellie, played with Ellie, sewed her a new outfit for tomorrow, adjusted a shirt for you to wear tomorrow, made another carrier for Ellie, cooked…”

“See? So far, I have already counted ten things you did. Ten, and you were not even finished. Why would I complain about your cooking when you took time out of your life to cook for me?”

“But Joel, it was really bad…” your eyes filled with tears, your lips began to tremble, feeling so guilty he had to eat that atrocity this afternoon.

He immediately placed his arm around you and pulled you close, his lips landing in your hair, shushing you.

“Don’t cry, Darling. I told you, I’m not picky. I will eat anything you serve me. Okay?”

His hand caressed your hair, tucking them behind your ears, comforting you with his words, wiping your tears away with his thumb.

You were too flustered at his new term of endearment for you, you couldn’t even function properly.

“Come on, let’s eat. You fixed it, I think? What did you do to it? It’s really good,” he picked up your bowl and placed it in your hands, picking up his own next. When he saw that you were still hesitant, he scooped some up into his spoon and brought it to your lips, his eyes imploring you to eat some. His concerned face morphed into one of happiness when you shyly opened your mouth to eat his offering.

You told him what happened, smacking him a little on his arm when he giggled. He leaned in and gave you a kiss on your temple, telling you that there was no need for you to worry. He’s sure his cooking was worse, and you’ll improve with more practice. You did great Darling, thank you for cooking for me.

The two of you ate dinner together, him having seconds and thirds, telling you about the progress of the build for the day.

After all was cleared and cleaned, where, despite your protests, you husband went down to the stream to help you with the dishes, the two of you were back by the fire, him, making the frame for Ellie’s play cot, while you finished your final touches on the shirt you had originally started making for your father for him to wear to Will and Benny’s wedding tomorrow. Conversation flowed easily while you worked, getting to know each other better, talking about your childhoods, shy laughter filling the camp.

When you were finished with the shirt, you asked him to try it on. He looked disbelieving for a while, staring at the midnight blue material in your hands. He had heard you say you altered a shirt for him, obviously, but didn’t think much of it until you were holding it out for him to try – and it wasn’t a mended version of one of his ratty shirts. You made him a shirt. No one had ever made him a shirt before. Heck, with the exception of his army uniform, he had never had a brand new piece of clothing before. His mother used to trade for his and Tommy’s clothes, second hand, of course. He bought them at the Red Cross stalls after she passed, and even that, sparingly, saving money for his life here, wearing and poorly mending them until they fell off his body before even thinking of getting a new, second hand one. And here you stand, with a brand new shirt in your hands, the hands that stitched the shirt for him, asking him to try it on.

It was hard for him not to grin excitedly as he stood up and peeled his shirt off right there in front of you, putting the new shirt on. You went around him, adjusting as you go, pinning parts of the shirt you think would make it fit better, not noticing the shy fluster on his face when you accidentally touched his body. You absent mindedly smoothed the wrinkles away off his chest, making him jump a little, as did you, as soon as you realized what you just did.

“Sorry,” you mumbled, taking a step back. His hand shot out and held you by the waist, “Don’t be,” he whispered. “Thank you for the shirt. I love it.”

You nodded, that flush you felt earlier returning. You asked for the shirt back to finish while the day was still light, and the two of you sat back down, sitting shoulder to shoulder, going about the tasks you had in comfortable, if slightly charged silence.

He finished the frame and base of the cot rather quickly that evening. You took out the book you read him the night before and sat on the rug, the gaslight he lit next to you. He laid on the rug right next to you, hands behind his head, legs crossed at the ankle, and listened. The second chapter was funny. Your reading was interrupted by his giggles, trying hard not to be too loud in case he woke Ellie up. When the antagonist of the book came in at the end of the chapter, he scoffed, telling you he had a bad feeling about that man, before proceeding to ask you if you knew how the story ended. When you told him you did, he tried to get it out of you, to the point of pleading, sitting cross legged in front of you, his hands clasped together, his eyes and lips turned down, reminding you of a hungry puppy – it almost got you - but you held your ground and told him no. To be continued tomorrow.

Joel felt his heart had swollen so much, it could literally burst at the thought that he would get to do this with you tomorrow, too.

**********

Joel woke up earlier than usual the next morning. He had gone to bed early, levelling the site taking its toll on his body. He sat up, stretching his body best as he could in his small wagon. Maybe he should get the water today, one less thing for you to do when you wake up. At least you didn’t have to make breakfast today. The men had agreed to take the day off work, planning to work on Sunday instead. It was Will and Benny’s wedding day, after all.

He planned to finish Ellie’s cot today. Your worries that Ellie might crawl her way into the stream terrified him. The thought of spending the whole day with his small family, though, made him smile.

He heard Ellie fussing, your voice immediately soothing her back to sleep. He sat still and listened as you moved about, leaving the wagon and sliding the bolt to the wooden barrier for the bottom half of your wagon back in. He heard you walk down to the stream, so he quickly dressed and got out of his wagon to help you with the water.

What he didn’t expect to see was you sitting on a rock by the stream, your back to him, clad in a loose white robe, lathering your washcloth with soap, before untying the robe and discreetly slipping the washcloth underneath it, soaping your body up while holding the robe closed above your naked skin.

Joel felt paralyzed, yet, at the same time, his hands instinctively went to his crotch, covering his clothed member, his blood rushing south so fast he felt lightheaded. He shouldn’t be seeing this. You obviously bathed during this time for the privacy. He should look away. But his body refused to obey his brain, his eyes fixed on your meticulous and practiced movements, washing every bit of your body under the cover of that robe, before rinsing the washcloth and wiping the suds away. The robe began to wet, sticking to your body, letting him see glimpses of your skin underneath its now slightly see through material, even in this low light. He couldn’t see your body exactly, but he didn’t need to - his imagination was running wild.

He wondered how soft your skin would be – your untouched skin. He often got lightheaded just from touching your soft hands. He wondered what kissing your skin would feel like, how you would react, thinking about the shy looks you gave him every time he kissed your cheek, you lips slightly opened. Oh… the refrain he had to practice not to just crush those lips with his.

But… he had promised you that he would not touch you like that, not unless you wanted him to. So, he pressed his hands on his member, willing it to behave, telling his feet to stay still, and not walk the twenty steps it would take to get to you and tear that robe off your body.

He should do something else. Yes. But what? Start the fire. That’s it. That baby, his baby, what’s her name? That one. She will wake soon and will need her breakfast and warm water for a wash. So, yes. Fire.

With the heaviest of hearts, Joel took several deep breaths, turned around, and went to start a fire instead.

**********

You finished bathing, carefully tying the now soaked robe back up, placing your towel over your shoulders to cover your chest, filling the bucket you had brought with you with water before going back up the path, only then noticing the fire had been lit. Joel rushed to you, taking the bucket off your hands, offering his own to you to help you up, his gaze averted. You tightened your hold on your towel, aware that your robe was practically see through by now. You needed to make yourself a new one, a dark colored one. Bathing in the mornings was not exactly fun. It’s cold. You didn’t have a choice. You couldn’t risk bathing in the daylight for passers by to see.

You made to get the water boiling, but Joel told you to go get ready, he will boil the water, he said. When you got near the fire, you could see him a bit more clearly. He looked flushed, unfocused. He kept holding the bucket in front of him with both hands, looking all dodgy and uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?” You placed your hand on his forehead and neck, checking his temperature. It was hot yesterday – you just wanted to be sure he hadn’t gotten a fever. He jumped backwards, taking your hand away from his person, telling you he’s alright, just a bit excited for the wedding. He quickly turned around and busied himself with the pot, pouring water into it before going back down to the stream for more, practically jogging away from you.

Okay. That was weird.

You went into your wagon to get ready. When Ellie fussed, he knocked and asked you give her to him, he will wash her today, he said. So you did, still in your robe, his eyes still averted from you. You could hear him sweet-talking Ellie as he wiped her body, and soon, the ringing laughter from her and the smell of coffee filled the camp area.

You finished doing your hair just as Ellie was done with her wash. You got her dressed in her new dress; a headband placed on her head. You quickly dressed yourself, pinned your hat on and put some rouge on your lips, before stepping out, Ellie in tow.

Joel came out from his wagon just as you had begun feeding Ellie. He stopped in his tracks – his wife and his daughter in similar dresses, in the same color as his new shirt. An indescribable feeling welled inside of him, seeing his daughter looking adorable with her headband, and his wife… oh… his beautiful wife… with red lips…

Joel had to take so many deep breaths before he could go sit with his ladies, too busy trying to keep his flustered state at bay that he didn’t notice your own eyes looking at him, looking dashing in his new shirt.

He asked you if he could ask you a favor. Of course, you said. He took out the lace handkerchief you gave him, and asked if you could keep it on your person. It doesn’t smell like you anymore, he said, his cheeks tinged so pink he felt like he could combust. You took it from him, and turned your body away, took his kerchief from your bosom, replacing it with the handkerchief, both of you averting your eyes, giving his kerchief back to him, asking him to do the same. He took it and placed it in the pocket inside his shirt, his hand covering the area once he’s done.

The three of you walked to the other camps to walk to town together, Ellie strapped to Joel’s chest, his fingers laced with yours, Joel couldn’t help but tell you how beautiful you looked. You could only smile shyly, head down, telling him he looked good too.

He didn’t let go of your hand at all.

**********

The weddings went smoothly without a hitch. The nine Millers stopped at the bakery for a merry breakfast, before the ladies left for the grocery store to get some provisions. You needed to get Ellie’s formula; you’d almost run out. When you walked out of the grocery store, the formula and a bag of groceries in your hands, you were met with a sight.

A group of ladies surrounding your dashing husband, Joel Miller, who was politely smiling at all of them.

They all seemed to be crooning at him. Maybe crooning at Ellie? But they were standing too close to him. Chattering excitedly at him, asking him this and that, their hands on your baby, far too close to your husband’s body. The body that even you hadn’t touched much yet.

A strange feeling enveloped you. A feeling you had never felt before. It felt like someone had reached into your chest and slapped your heart, the tremors it caused travelling through your body, down into your stomach, up your neck, jaw and cheeks and stopped before it could leave the top of your head, swirling in your thoughts making your hair feel as if they stand on ends. It left you feeling hot and cold at the same time, an unease, a poison that made your heart hurt.

What was this feeling?

Joel spotted you, his smile widening, gesturing towards you at the ladies. He walked over to you and grabbed the package of groceries from your hand, the ladies following, swarming you too, now.

“Did you make this?” one lady asked, her fingers brushing the soft flannel of Ellie’s carrier.

“Your husband said you made her dress and his shirt, too? That dress you’re wearing; did you make that too?” another piped up.

You looked at Joel, his face beaming with pride for being able to show your talents off. You nodded, a small yes escaping your lips.

“Do you take commissions? I would love to have one of those carriers for my baby. It would be so much easier for me to work without having to hold him all the time. The shawl just keeps undoing!”

“Could you make me a dress too? And perhaps a shirt or two for my husband? It takes so long to wait for the Red Cross wagon to arrive, we don’t have a tailor or a dress shop here. Only one that sells materials. But I cannot sew like that. Your work is beautiful.”

“She made the flowers on these hats, you know,” Liv told them, showing off the décor on her hat. The ladies ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ at your simple creation, you looking at Joel with disbelief written all over your face. He looked immensely proud of you, his smile so wide his dimple was showing.

“Oh, please say yes. We will pay, of course.” So many pleas and begs surrounded you.

“Let me think about it, alright? We are building at the moment, let me talk it over with my husband,” you told them, all of whom looked understanding, nodding their heads, murmurs of ‘oh yes, that’s a busy times’ and ‘I remembers’ echoing through the small group.

“Well, as soon as you’ve decided, let us know. We are very excited to wear your creations,” one very pretty lady said from the back.

Liv and Diana shrieked and immediately hugged her, and she reciprocated, congratulating them on their marriage. She looked at you and Joel, Tommy and Maria, congratulating you four as well.

“I heard you four are newly wedded too.” She took a step back, looking at the nine of you, “I must say, you Millers make a beautiful family.” She looked so sincere in her compliments. You liked her immediately.

Liv started introducing everyone to this new lady, beginning with her new husband, brother in law, then Tommy and Maria and then Joel and you.

“Everyone, this is…”

“Oh, I see you have all met!” a shrill voice you didn’t want to hear again interrupted her. Esther came out of the tavern, a beaming smile on her face. She acted as if the travesty that happened two days ago didn’t happen. Joel immediately put his arm around you, and everyone could see how annoyed Esther looked at his gesture. She gave you a side eye, noticing the baby formula in your hand. She put on a sickly sweet smile for Joel.

“You know, Mr Miller, sometimes, we meet someone and thought they are the best we could get. But you need to know your worth. Marrying an orphaned spinster who couldn’t even feed your baby the way nature intended, that is not good enough, Mr Miller,” she simpered, “Men as fine as you deserve the best. I want you to meet the young lady I was telling you about. She will make the perfect wife for you. Meet my daughter, Tess.”

Part 7

#joel miller x you #joel miller #the last of us fanfiction #tlou fanfiction #joel miller x reader #joel miller fanfiction

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daitranscripts · 3 months ago

Text

Leliana Deleted Dialogue

Leliana Masterpost

—

Special: You must miss Justinia.

Leliana: She was a good friend, and it will take time to get used to her absence. But thank you for asking. It is appreciated.

—

Asking about how she met Justinia

Dialogue options:

Special: She saved you?

PC: Why do you say you were “broken”?

I was used and betrayed by someone dear to me. I was beaten an imprisoned, but flesh heals. It was the memory of the betrayal that nearly defeated me.

—

At Valence

Natalie: “A barren branch.” Could that have something to do with your story about the rose, Leliana?

Leliana: Ah, that must be it!

Natalie: “Light has no fear of darkness.” The eternal flame always stays lit.

Leliana: Very true. At night, the flame is the only light.

Natalie: “An open heart.” Hessarian killed the Blessed Andraste by piercing her through the heart. There is a painting here that depicts that.

Leliana: Yes, of course! I remember that painting.

—

Leliana: A lock. I know this shape. I know the key that fits here.

Natalie: The knife. The knife is the key?

Leliana: Yes, but the knife… Is also just a knife, and I keep it sharp.

—

PC: This hollow would fit your knife.

Leliana: Justinia gave me this the first time we met. It is a bard’s blade: Small, easily concealed, delicate, but deadly. Now she wants me to lock it away. Forever.

Dialogue options:

A symbolic gesture.

Why this elaborate setup?

It’s just a knife.

A symbolic gesture. PC: And in turn you put away your past.

Why this elaborate setup? PC: You know, she could’ve just sent a letter. This is all a little dramatic. Leliana: It is a symbolic gesture. There is value in such things.

It’s just a knife. PC: Lock the knife away or don’t. What does it matter? Leliana: What matters is her intention.

—

After Valence

Scout: Your friend, Natalie, is urging the grand cleric to ally with the Inquisition.

Leliana: It hasn’t worked, has it? A waste of time. I want them out of my way. Now.

—

PC: So does putting the knife in the box make you feel any different?

Leliana: It is more complicated than that.

Leliana: The box is a reminder to stay true to who I really am, before spymaster, Left Hand, or bard.

—

PC: The knife that fit in the box… Why does it mean so much to both you and Justinia?

Leliana: When Justinia and I first met, I was locked in a dungeon cell. Justinia—she was Dorothea, then—gave me the knife and told me to free myself. I’ve kept it with me ever since. I suppose I’m carrying the debt I owe.

Leliana: And now that debt is repaid and forgotten.

Leliana: That knife saved my skin countless times, and it’s such a pretty thing.

—

Special: Let's talk about Valence

PC: I wanted to talk to you about what happened in Valence.

Leliana: Of course.

Leliana: Why? It was just a foolish game. PC: Please humor me.

Leliana: If you wish.

Dialogue options:

Who was Justinia, really?

Who was Natalie?

Who was Justinia, really? PC: A posthumous mission? Hidden messages? Justinia was more than just a cleric, wasn’t she. Leliana: Like many, Justina had a past. Even I know very little about it. She enjoyed keeping the mystery alive, I think. Some believe she was a bard in service of Dowager Marquise Mantillon. She nay even have been the fames Lady of the Crimson Mantle. The Lady’s appearance at court often preceded someone’s political ruin. She was like a bad omen. And no one saw her face. She always wore a veil, they say. I don’t know if she was really Justinia. I suppose I’ll never know.

Who was Natalie? PC: Tell me about Natalie. Leliana: She was a sister from the Grand Cathedral, one of Justinia’s most trusted. I always liked her. She reminded me of… myself.

Leliana: I suppose an honest face will get you far in the Game, no?

Leliana: Perhaps one day we could be friends again. What do you think?

Dialogue options:

I think it’s likely.

It’s not up to me.

Don’t hold your breath.

I think it’s likely. PC: I think you will be friends again. Friends forgive. Leliana: Let’s hope so. ㅤㅤ ㅤ It’s not up to me. PC: I think this is something you should be asking Natalie. Leliana: Perhaps I will. ㅤㅤ ㅤ Don’t hold your breath. PC: I wouldn’t hold out much hope. Leliana: Yes, you’re probably right.

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #dragon age transcripts #dai transcripts #dragon age dialogue #dai dialogue #dragon age inquisition transcripts #dragon age inquisition dialogue #long post #leliana #deleted dialogue

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sisitrip · 4 months ago

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"The End is Nai"

Gallavich A.U.gust

Sigh. I missed the Gallavich A.U.gust 2024 @gallavichthings week for supernatural themed works. So, I'm just flinging this out there because it's my first demon related work and it is mess-ay.

That said, I had fun. Hope you enjoy "The End is Nai."

________________________

“Father, please take these feelings from me or end my life as your servant,” Mickey whispered, slipping inside the cool building. A blasphemous plea coming from someone who does not pray. But, it was critical.

His desire could end his life in this church today.

The familiar pew creaked softly under his weight as if in greeting. It wouldn’t be far off to say he and this church knew each other well. They should. Together, they’d killed enough demons in its walls to make them old friends.

Basilica de Guadalupe’s beautiful stone structure swam with the cloying scent of incense. But, the few parishioners in attendance couldn’t smell it like he could. The simple chemical warning told his senses that a malevolent presence was near. He could practically feel the target. It was close.

A sudden press of cold smoked air painfully tightened the skin all over his body.

“Why do the churches in Mexico keep using the Three Kings Pontifical Blend? That incense smells like poor choices dipped in potpourri. I prefer Will & Baumer. The French variety, mind you.”

Nai’s lofty comment startled him more than his materialization next to him. Caught unaware for the first time in years, he cursed softly and turned to the demon, telling himself not to be impressed by what he saw. Instead of a vicious battle face, he was met with a soft smile and curious green eyes. It rattled him that Nai didn’t seem ready to fight, especially since it was their job to kill each other.

“Prefer the Gloria F8 blend myself,” he finally mumbled, heart speeding. He allowed himself to gaze at Nai’s straight, fiery red hair. It was lightly waved at the root, as if fighting to curl. He wondered if curls would suit Nai and if they would feel as soft as he imagined.

“Oh my, a non-traditionalist.” Nai tilted his head in a disarming way and continued with a purring that had him rooted to the spot. “I wonder what your bosses in Citta del Vaticano would do if they knew. Flagellation, hopefully? The rope enthusiast in me is practically rigid at the thought.” A slow smile spread across Nai’s perfect features.

He stiffened. Flirting? In a church? Nai shifted toward him, bringing the full power of that face to bear down on his indifference. In response, his tattoos grew heavy on his skin, warming the air in anticipation of an attack.

“My bosses ain’t none of your business,” he said, making the mistake of looking Nai in the eyes.

He was immediately lost.

The taste of chocolate entered his mouth, rich and thick. It was mixed with the slight savory taste of peanuts, caramel and something else. Something even sweeter than chocolate.

“Nougat,” Nai whispered knowingly, the cold smoke scent radiating off him as he inched closer. “Creamy nougat. A main ingredient in your favorite candy bar.”

He gritted his teeth. The flagrant invasion of his senses triggered a small tremor, showering dust from the ceiling. While he got a coating, Nai was spared. The dust floated in a corona-like crown around the demon’s head, as if unwilling to settle on something so unholy.

“Sensory infusement of a candy bar is entry level at best,” he said disdainfully, brushing dust off his shoulders. “Are we dehydrated? There’s a bowl of water in the back. Help yourself.”

Nai’s verdant eyes danced with amusement. “I’ll be saying ‘no thank you’ to the offer of lethally blessed water. And to prove I’m less violently inclined than you, you should know I’m utterly wounded by how unimpressed you are. We can’t have that. Let me try again.”

The taste of sour cherry, silkily warm, filled his mouth. Not just the sour cherry, but also the sweet dough surrounding it and the butter it was tossed in. He could even taste the dollop of sour cream. Vareniki. A dish his mother made for him when he was a sick child. Before she abandoned him. He blinked, stunned.

“Ah, a direct hit,” Nai whispered, delighted. “Maybe I’ll make vareniki for you one day. Just like your incubator used to mak-”

He grabbed the front of Nai’s white linen shirt, fisting it hard.

“She was my mother. Not a fucking incubator,” he said through his teeth. “Watch yourself, dyavol.”

Nai merely smiled at him, unbothered. “I should give you the same advice. Your tattoos are about to set this place on fire.”

The air around them grew hotter and the wood varnish on the pews began to bubble and smoke in reaction to the energy his tattoos were emitting. He had to calm down, but Nai was making that impossible with his proximity and his smile. Incredibly, Nai inched closer still and their thighs ghosted against each other. He forced himself to let Nai’s shirt go and instead simply stared at him while he was sized up as well. He fought the urge to smooth his hair.

“You have a black ring around your irises,” Nai murmured, leaning in a little and stunning his senses. “Which one of us gave you that?”

He let Nai sweep a bit of dust from his temple and resisted leaning into the touch.

“Vorter.”

Nai sighed while running his eyes greedily over his face.

“Oh, he is particularly nasty, that one. You might not believe this, but I severed my bond with him after what he did to your Ignatius. Tell me, has he recovered the use of his sight?”

Another tremor. This one was strong enough to rattle the stained glass windows.

“No thanks to Vorter. And what do you mean bond? Bond like what, like a … boyfriend bond?” He was sweating.

Nai chuckled and dragged his gaze up and down his body, pale lashes sweeping his cheeks prettily.

“We're no different than the bleating cattle you protect. We prefer companionship too.”

He stiffened. “Fuck you. People aren’t cattle and neither am I.”

Nai sniffed the air between them, putting an arm around the back of his seat. The sensitive skin between his shoulders sang from the whisper of Nai’s tracing thumb. A simple touch and he's lost again. God, help him.

“Oh, I agree. You're like a spring lamb and smell just as sweet. Even your anger is intoxicating to my senses. The things you make me imagine, Mikhailo.”

Nai offered up his name delicately for the first time, like a hot house flower opening for the briefest moment. They stared at each other as the church started to violently shake around them.

“Looks like your time is up,” he whispered as Nai grimaced in pain. The church’s air intensified its invisible defense system, pulling small grains of black sand from Nai’s freckled cheeks where he brushed them off like so many flies.

“So it seems.” Nai stood, all six feet of him. “No matter though. I think this little experiment was a success.”

With a soft, inward flex of air, Nai apparated midwalk into the aisle, startling a veiled parishioner. She stared in horror from behind her black lace veil and crossed herself. If only it was that easy to kill Nai’s kind.

“What experiment?” he called after Nai, tattoos no longer heavy, but sliding around his skin ready to be weaponized. He didn’t want this to be over yet.

“Proximity test. I wanted to see how long we could be face to face before it became … unpleasant,” Nai called back, still walking.

He rolled his eyes.

“You know what happens when you get near one of us. It’s been established since the beginning of time.”

Nai turned and walked backwards with a smile that slowed the pace of his heart. Even though Nai should be repugnant for simply being what he was, he couldn’t see anything but his beauty. He was certain of nothing anymore.

“Oh, I’m aware of what happens to your ancient markings in our presence. I didn’t mean that type of proximity.”

He stepped into the aisle too, shaking dust out of his hair. The church growled from its rafters to its foundation, pulling screams from the few parishioners. He barely heard it.

“Then what kind of proximity test?” he asked, desperate to keep Nai a few more moments.

Nai stopped and the church thumped hard on its foundation, sending the congregants running for the back exits.

“My proximity to the man and not the Vatican weapon.” Nai’s jovial smile slipped and his confusion was plain. “It’s just that, really it's a bit, you probably wouldn’t understa-”

“Today, dyavol,” he interrupted, tattoos singing to be let loose.

The confusion fled Nai’s face completely and all that was left was soft, vulnerable wonder.

“I …,” Nai smiled ruefully. “I didn’t expect to like you.”

The church rumbled hard around them, sending small pieces of painted stone ceiling to the floor. A crack signaled a larger piece coming loose above him, opening the roof to send a beam of sunlight directly onto Nai, bathing him in a beatific glow. Mesmerized, he forgot to duck, not that he would have cleared the space in time. But, the impact he expected never came. He looked up and the stone slab, about thirty feet wide and possibly weighing a ton, hovered in the air, held there by two of Nai’s relaxed, raised fingers. With a gentle flick, the slab shot into the confession box, shattering it. He almost felt sorry for the priest who’d been watching from the lectern with wide eyes. The poor man screamed and fled the pulpit.

“I hope you’re not waiting for a thank you,” he said, brushing dust off his shoulders, heart hammering.

“I’d be disappointed if you did,” Nai replied, Its dark hilarity back in place. “I’ll settle for a drink the next time we cross paths though. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grand Cru. 1945 is my preference if you can find it.”

With that, Nai stepped out into the sunshine. The quaking church stilled, leaving him in dazed silence.

He sighed as his tattoos resumed their place on his knuckles. The Sede was going to lose its shit over this. The story of how a demon got close enough to kill, yet walked away alive was going to be required at his Rome debriefing. Malene was going to kill him for the headache coming her way.

But, all he could think about was where he was going to find a Romanee-Conti burgundy, circa 1945.

#gallavich fanfic #gallavich #my fic #gallavich fanfiction #ian x mickey #gallavich fic #writing #gallavich fan fiction #ian gallagher #mickey milkovich #shameless us

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