#if one of us arrives at the other's house and it's daylight hours (so the drapes are open) we instead stand there and stare creepily

[fingertipsmp3]

Why would my friend message me asking if I want to go for a walk and then when I answer immediately in the affirmative, drop off the face of the earth

[daycourtofficial]

Loving parents, harmless fun

Pairing: Modern!Eris x Rhysand’s sister!reader | WC: 950 | warnings: none

Summary: slice of life gingerfucker where Eris takes his family on a roadtrip and is only slightly annoyed at his son’s choice of car game

Note: this is a part of my gingerfucker series and is for AU day for @erisweekofficial ❤️

“That’s my cow.”

Atlas’s voice rang through the car, a high pitch of excitement to his words as his finger pointed out the window, Leif’s eyes tracking the movement. Eris paid no attention to either of his sons, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Those are my chickens.”

It was a four hour drive to his in-laws house, to see his wife’s brother and his family. He counted down from ten in his head, trying to remind himself that holidays are supposed to be fun. The car was silent as he leaned his head back, his fingers curling around the steering wheel. The soft sounds of Bon Iver came from the speakers, an album that reminds him of cold, dark drives he took in the winters of his youth. It was a rare occasion - no one was begging for him to play Alvin and the Chipmunks or songs about ducks.

There was enough daylight for them to arrive at their destination before sunset, which gave him hope that maybe Atlas wouldn’t stay up too late tonight. Leif had a strict internal clock - he did most things at the exact same time each day. But his oldest, Atlas, was a mystery, his body having no internal clock for him to follow, leaving Eris clueless as to when he would fall asleep or wake up.

Eris maneuvered their vehicle through the curves of the road, taking in how beautiful the pastures around him were. It was the end of autumn when the vibrance of the leaves are going, occasional glimpses of the red and orange hues that he loved seeing so much. Atlas’s excited yell disrupted the too short peace. “That’s my cow!”

“If I have to hear him decide farm animals are his one more time,” Eris trailed off, his annoyance bubbling, his voice low so only you could hear.

“It was your brother who taught him the game.”

Eris didn’t turn to see the smirk on your face, he could tell by your voice that you were amused by Lucien’s never-ending knowledge of what buttons to push to annoy Eris.

It was a simple game - you see a cow, you claim it. It was cute when they were in the city - Atlas would see cows in billboards and claim them. Out in the country where the cows outnumbered the people - less fun.

“I don’t think he should be allowed near children ever again.”

“Oh yeah? Because he’s like every other uncle the kids have and likes to pay attention to them before teaching them annoying games?”

“My thoughts exactly. He’s also annoying so it means I’d see him less.”

“My cows.”

Atlas broke up your conversation, The quip Eris was sure you had ready dying on the tip of your tongue as his anger flared.

“Where are we - cow country?”

“Yes. You insisted we take back roads so the kids would have more sights. And to delay us getting to Rhysand’s.”

Eris should be surprised you saw through his reasoning for adding forty-five minutes to the drive, but he should know better than to think his wife doesn’t see to the root of all of his actions. The main reason you all were driving instead of flying to Rhysand’s home was simple - he wanted an easy escape. If you were flying, flights are planned and you have to wait for the plane. But if you have your car, you can just leave whenever Eris grows frustrated at his annoying in-laws. Or he can make an excuse for a reason to leave.

“My cows.” Leif’s first cows. You cooed, a soft “good job, Leif” whispered to him. Eris could see the tips of his hair from the rearview mirror, but he knew Leif was glowing in the praise from you.

“Why are we visiting again?”

“Because Feyre had their new baby.”

“Oh, that.” He practically deflated in his seat at how good the reason was for going, hoping that somehow the reason had changed and you could all turn around.

“Eris don’t act like you don’t love Nyx.”

He felt the eyeroll before it happened, slowly coming up on a red light. His wife was right - Nyx was an adorable kid who was very good, despite being half Rhysand and spending a good portion of his time with his uncle Cassian.

“My bird.”

Eris sighed through his nose. The car moved past a cemetery and Eris pointed out the window, “look, all of your cows are dead.”

Gasps were heard from all around him as if he just announced something outlandish. You slapped his arm, causing him to wince. “Eris,” his name was a hiss from your mouth, your eyes focused on him and not looking back at your sons. “They’re sensitive about that.”

Your words were mumbled, the sound having to work past your closed jaw to make it to Eris so the boys wouldn’t hear you.

“They’re fine,” he mouthed back to you, trying his best not to coddle them. It was a tricky line - one he needed frequent help navigating. Having a shitty father isn’t really the best role model for a man. A deep insecurity of his - was he being a regular dad or was he being too harsh? His train of thought was interrupted by Atlas’s hands hitting the car window, desperate for everyone’s attention.

“A hospital! My cows are alive again!”

Eris rolled the car to a stop at the red light, his forehead hitting the steering wheel.

“I thought I had won.”

A hand reached out to rub his back for a moment before he lifted his head, waiting for the light to change to green. The car moved forward, a family undeterred.

“My cow.”

Permanent taglist: @vanilla-seabass @cyrygher @lees-chaotic-brain @topaz125 @chessebookgirl @fides25 @lady-of-tearshed @ashbatz @fxckmiup @lilah-asteria @justvibbinghere @daughterofthemoons-stuff @mybestfriendmademe @heartless-tate @tsunami-of-tears @idrkwhatthisisimsorry @olive-main @azrielsmate3 @pit-and-the-pen @durgenyx @dee-writes-smut @chairofchaos @thelov3lybookworm @berryzxx @throneofsmut @kennedy-brooke @prythianpages @itsswritten @acotarxreader @milswrites @the-golden-jhope @hannzoaks @secretlyhers @tothestarsandwhateverend @sarawritestories @chxosangxl

Eris taglist: @magicstrengthandcourage @panther-girl-124

[sunshinelollipopsicle]

Glad You Came

♡ masterlist - request!

♡ pairing - harry styles x fem!reader

♡ summary - during a love on tour concert, you happen to get tickets with your friend front row, throughout the performance you happen to catch his eye (Part 2) (Part 3)

♡ warnings - fluff

♡ w/c - 1.2k

♡ a/n - i need ideas for him 😓

You had always been a fan of Harry Styles, since the start of One Direction. Who wouldn't be? He was extremely handsome, sweet, and overall just a comfort person for you.

When he released his third album, Harry's House, and soon after announced he was going on tour, you had took the chance to purchase tickets.

Although you are rather fearful of being alone in big events, and so you bought an extra ticket for your friend who liked some of his songs as well.

After closing your laptop, you run over to the couch so you can tell your friend about the concert. You click on her contact and bring the phone to your ear as it rings. After a few seconds she picks up and you hear her voice, "Hey! What's up?"

"Guess who just bought two tickets to Harry Styles' Love on Tour concert!"

"You didn't."

"I did! It's in two weeks, so we can go shopping to get our outfits some day this week, if that works for you."

"It does, text me when you wanna go! Thank you so much for the ticket, love you."

"Love you too, bye."

The next two weeks went by painfully slow, since you only had the concert on your mind. But finally the day has come, and you couldn't be happier.

You woke up around noon today, not surprising considering you usually sleep late. To pass the time until later today, you invited your friend over, cooked your lunch while listening to Harry's music, did each other's nails, and watched a movie.

Finally you two decided to get ready, so you took a shower and your friend did afterwards, both wearing fluffy robes. She brought her outfit with her, and yours was in your closet. You both laid the clothes out on your bed and both started to do your own hair.

Next, you both did your makeup and then finally put on your outfits. Your friend comes out from the bathroom to where you were putting on your jewelry. You were wearing a glittery skirt that was red and a white tube top with some small red hearts, and red and white converse. You had hoop earrings in and your hair was down.

A short while later you two get in your car and you start driving to the stadium, giddy as ever from excitement. After about an hour of driving, you arrive and get out of the car to walk to the entrance.

You have to wait in a long line before they check your tickets and give you two light up bracelets. They let you in and you hold hands as you walk to your spots right in front of the stage. You two chat about random stuff waiting for the show to begin.

After a bit, the openers come out and soon enough the man himself, Harry Styles, comes out jumping around the stage. You two yell with everyone else in the stadium and jump along with the people around you.

He starts with Music For a Sushi Restaurant, singing and dancing, most people including yourself doing the same. He looks around at the crowd smiling into the microphone, and soon enough his eyes fall on you. He momentarily stutters on the lyric and quickly looks away. On the big screens with the cameras following him on stage you're able to see a light pink tinge form on his cheeks.

You're snapped out of staring by your friend who grabs your arms jumping. "Did you see that! He wants you," she squeals.

"Calm down! He probably was looking at someone behind us," you shrug, but you hoped he had been looking at you.

Throughout the show he wonders to himself what a girl such as yourself is doing at a silly little show like his. He tries to steal glances at you, but ends up getting distracted a few more times than he would like.

When he finishes the song Daylight, he takes a few minutes to interact with some fans, having funny conversations and reading their signs.

He then comes over to where you are and crouches on the stage, laughing at how your friend hits your arm a few times.

"What's your name, love?" Harry speaks into the microphone. He watches as you tilt your head and point to yourself, as to say 'me?' Cute, he thinks to himself. "Yes, you!"

You blush and say your name, to which he replies, "Gorgeous name for a gorgeous girl." The crowd starts to yell and you find your hands sweating from the attention and seeing yourself on the big screens.

You thank him and he stands up and winks, jogging to the end of the stage where a guard is as the intro to the next song begins. He speaks into the man's ear, "You saw that girl I just spoke to? The pretty one in the red skirt?" The man nods, "Please take her backstage before she has the chance to leave, her friend may also come if she wants to." The man nods once again and Harry pats his back with a smile and thanks him.

He continues to perform and some time later the show comes to an end, unfortunately for everyone there. You and your friend are tired from yelling the songs and standing around. You two wait some time for a decent amount of the crowd to leave so it isn't too packed while you try to exit.

Before you two can leave, you spot a security guard making his way towards you two. "Excuse me, it was requested that you both follow me backstage, if you wish to, of course."

"Yes! She does wish to," your friend pushes you slightly forward.

You laugh nervously, "But-"

The man speaks up, "A ride home will also be provided if necessary."

Your friend smiles and pats your shoulder, "Go, I can take the car back to your house and then go home, you go back there and have the best time, then call me and tell me everything!"

"Are you sure? I can come home with-"

"No. I'll get going now, see you!" She waves and turns around, you watch her walk away and turn to the man again, "So.. how are you?"

He smiles, "Great, thank you. Follow me this way."

You follow him and go behind some curtains and he brings you to a big empty room with some couches, a TV, a table with snacks, and some other stuff that makes it more comfortable.

"Wait in here and someone will be with you shortly."

"Okay, thank you."

He nods and walks out of the room and you find yourself roaming the room, looking at stuff to pass the time. Before you know it the door opens and you jump and turn towards it.

Your jaw drops when Harry walks into the room, closing it behind him. "Hello," he says a little nervously. "I apologize if I made you nervous or scared before."

You shake your head, "Not at all! Well, maybe, but no harm done."

He smiles, "Great. If you're wondering why you're back here, it's because I was hoping to get to know you better, if that's alright with you."

You walk a little closer towards him, fingers locking behind your back out of your nervous habit, but smile anyway, "That's more than alright, I would love to know you better too."

"'Course. Let's start now, shall we?" Harry points to the couch, and you follow him as he takes a seat. He looks up, staring for a moment, and sticks out his hand, "My name is Harry Styles."

[sucka4pain]

𝐒𝐄𝐗 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐄~♡︎

plug fwb! Rintaro Suna x Fem! reader

tw: smoking, marijuana usage, sexual tension, cowgirl, marking, high sex, cursing, Suna feels nothing for reader, praising, aftercare, mentions of readers family problems & attachment issues, cheating, and slightly dark.

readers skin tone and body type is not mentioned! this is a fic for all the girlies no matter how you look! also i’m using Suna’s timeskip so no sexualizing minors!

a/n: it’s late at night and i wanted to post smth since i haven’t posted in so long. i decided to bring back Haikyuu since i missed it sm, enjoy lovelies!🎀

It was one of the nights again, walking in the chilly weather as Y/n made it to a familiar house and went to a specific window. The curtains of the window were black but you can see purple light shining through from the little crack.

The latter that was in the bushes underneath the window was a good idea to have. She picked up the latter, placing it under the window and climbed up to the window. Her knuckles softly knocked three times to signal that its her.

She pulled away and opened the window was Suna. He was in a tank top with some basketball shorts, the strong aroma of weed hit Y/n’s nostrils making her hum. His red fox eyes looked down at her as the blunt that hung out from his mouth was placed perfectly between his teeth.

His veiny hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into his room. The purple led lights looked brighter yet dark, his Tv played a random playlist he has dedicated for moments like these. At the moment she arrived, Church by Chase Atlantic started to play.

Y/n took the blunt from Suna’s mouth and placed it in her own, taking a seat on his bed as she took a long drag from it. Suna sat down next to her manspreading, she took this opportunity and blew the smoke into his lips as their eyes locked in on each other.

There was always tension between the two, no matter what it’s like they were addicted to each other. Suna started to pick up on Y/n’s small habits whenever they smoked together. Whenever she had family problems going on or her parents fighting, her hits on the blunt were longer and she would hold it in for a while before exhaling it out in a big puff.

“Let me guess.” Suna spoke up, the rasp of his voice could send chills down anyone’s spine. Y/n glanced over at him as she passed him back his blunt and leaned back against the soft surface of his bed.

“They’re fighting again?” He asked looking down at her as he took a hit from his blunt, she nodded at his question. He grew up with Y/n, so he practically knew about her and her family probably more than Y/n herself. All of the time, she leaves at night to go over Suna’s house because they never seem to care what she does during the dark hours.

The led lights fade from purple to a blue as more songs from the playlist on his Tv began playing. They spent the next few minutes in silence, passing around the blunt to each other as music played that fit the atmosphere perfectly.

“So, how’s it going with you and Rika?” Y/n asked as she exhaled smoke and put out the finished blunt. Their eyes getting redder by the second from the string weed. Suna was basically her plug, always hooking her up with good stuff whenever she wanted.

He scoffed and ran his ringed covered fingers through his hair. “Don’t bring that skank up right now, I already gotta deal with her in the daylight.” The tone in his voice was full of despair.

A small laugh left her lips, her vision getting slightly watery from the weed. “But, don’t you think it’s wrong that me and you fuck even though you are in a relationship?” She asked, she wasn’t dumb she knew it’s wrong but seeing how Suna is with Rika makes her question if he really does love his girlfriend. Maybe it’s just an act to entertain the outside world from how they really are.

“She thinks i’m stupid to not know, and no it’s not wrong because she’s doing the same thing.” He scoffed.

This made Y/n raise a brow. “Seriously?”

Suna nods his head and shifts his body into a laying position with his hands behind his head as his shoulders laid back against the headboard.

“Her dad is paying me to be with her, and also because he wants to know what she does.” He shrugged off.

“Wow, you’re just some secret spy for her dad?” She chuckled.

“Basically, but they’re crazy rich so i’m willing to do anything for some bread.” His eyes locked onto hers as she laid down next to him and her head on his chest.

His hand found it’s way into her hair, being careful to not get any strands caught in his rings. She hums at the feeling of his fingers scratching and massaging her scalp and lifted up her head to look up at him.

Their eyes locked in yet again, they leaned into each other until their lips touched. Tasting the weed from each other and combined with Y/n’s chapstick made it more enjoyable. Suna’s hands sneak down to her waist. making her body move on its own. Seconds later, she was on top of him, legs straddling his hips as their tongues swirled around each other.

Panting and breathless when they pulled away as a string of saliva connected to their tongues.

“Be a good girl and ride me, yea?” He said not even trying to make it sound like he was asking.

Her stomach twists as she felt a wet spot already forming on her panties just by his words. She could already feel how hard he was underneath his shorts. her fingers pulled them down along with his black boxers which had a small white leaking stain of precum.

Once the boxers were off, his cock sprung up slapping against his tank top which he quickly pulled off. Before she could wrap her hand around his hard cock, his hand grabbed her wrist.

“Not fair that im the only one here without clothes on.” He smirked as his other hand swiftly pulled off her hoodie.

His brows slightly rose up. “No bra? You seem to have learned from our previous nights.” A cocky smile on his lips as he tugged at her pants, signaling her to pull them down.

She obeyed, pulling them off along with her panties. Just by looking at her cunt, he knew she was soaked. His hand wrapped around her throat and pulled her down to his level, deeply kissing her before pulling away and harshly sucking at her neck making her whimper.

The way he left dark marks on her and his fangs slightly grazing against her skin gets her excited. His mouth moved down to her collarbone and chest, leaving the same marks before looking up at her and placing his hands on her waist.

“Cmon baby, you know what to do. Don’t make me remind you.” His husky voice grumped out from his throat.

As much as she wanted to taunt him, with all the shit she had to deal with she just wanted to have him inside her. Which is why she can’t wait until night time comes.

Her hand wrapped around his hard cock, giving it a few strokes causing Suna to softly groan. Finally, she placed the leaking tip against her soaked lips, slowking sinking down on him making her whimper from how he was stretching her out. It didn’t matter how many times they have sex, he’ll always manage to make her feel like a virgin being stretched out for the first times.

She felt full as his cock was fully inside her, she didn’t waste time as her hips started to move. The way his cock kissed her cervix making her eyes roll back with moans spilling out of her mouth. Suna threw his head back at the way her walls clenched down on him.

“That’s it baby, jus’ like that. you know how to please me.~” He moaned as his hands slapped her ass and his hips slightly thrusting up, matching her pace.

“F-fuckk, Suna..you’re s’big~..” She moaned rolling her hips down as she felt a knot form in her stomach from how much he was twitching inside of her.

“You love this big dick, yea?” His voice tainted with awe as he wrapped his hand around her neck, choking her slightly making her eyes roll back.

“M’ gonna cum like this, keep going pretty girl.” He groaned as his other hand trailed down, two fingers rubbing her clit.

“C-cumming~! m’ gonna cum, Suna!~” She moaned as his thrusts became more rough. The feeling of his thrusts and fingers rubbing her clit brought her to cumming, her juices coating his dick and fingers.

“Good girl, good fucking girl..” He praised as his cock twitched on last time before filling her up with his warm seed. He leaned back breathing heavily and pulled Y/n down with him as the blanket kept them warm.

Suna broke the silence after a while. “Wanna smoke another blunt?” He asked but got no answer. He looked at her face and saw her peacefully asleep on him. His eyes rolled in annoyance and got up, gently carrying her to clean her up. Once they were both cleaned up, he put her in a fresh pair of clothes and covered her in his blanket.

He sat down on the floor, lighting up another blunt and continued to stare at her face.

‘When will i start falling for her? i don’t wanna fall for her, she’s got bad attachment issues.’

A mental thought popped up as he continued smoking his blunt.

©𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐚4𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧-- 𝐃𝗼 𝐧𝗼𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥, 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝗺 𝗼𝐫 𝐜𝗼𝐩𝐲 𝗺𝐲 𝐰𝗼𝐫𝐤-- 𝐜𝗼𝗺𝗺𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐥𝗼𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝗼𝗺𝐞𝐝!!

[skythighs]

Goddess of Caladan: Home

Has anyone else been craving an unhinged codependent relationship? No? Just me, got it. Be prepared for Paul to slowly descend into madness all while his twin enables his behavior like there's no tomorrow. I'll be linking all pictures on my masterlist.

Warnings: CW Inc*st, sexual content 18+ please.

Word count: 3.3k

Part 1

My earliest memories are of my brother. I'll never forget the sound of his pitter patter feet running across the solid stone floors of our shared chambers. After our nanny thought we were asleep and tucked in for the night she would leave us for her own bed. Within seconds of the solid door latching closed he would make his way to me. We would lie chest to chest, nose to nose breathing each other's air until we fell asleep. For years when we were discovered in a tangle of limbs in the morning it was harmless and sweet. It was ‘just what twins do’. 

There was no harm in it, until there was. By age ten our mother Lady Jessica calmly spoke to us of the closeness between us. She was understanding of the bond we share but now we must separate for propriety's sake. It was not proper for us to share a bed anymore. We had already been put in separate chambers by now. Paul was male, and I was female. He could no longer cuddle with me, his sister throughout the night without certain whispers being spread by servants. 

We were ten when we agreed to never be caught in each other's bed again. Paul trained himself to rise before the sun, before the servants started their day, before they could spy on us and gossip. Or worse, report back to mother. As long as we weren't seen in each other's bed it meant we were no longer sharing a bed at all. It meant we were no longer ‘too close’.

In all actuality we were too close. Paul's heart beat to the same rhythm as my own. My very thoughts would pass his lips the instant it crossed my mind, despite our best efforts we were one. In our childhood our feelings were as innocent as we were. Pure of heart and intentions. However as our bodies changed so did our interactions. There was an odd tension between us by age fourteen. I experienced the first bitter taste of womanhood and Paul grew two feet overnight. 

He was the one that shook me awake informing me of the bloodied sheets beneath us. He didn't know where I was bleeding from just that I was and it frightened him. I reassured him it was normal, it meant that I was no longer a child. Somehow the odd feelings between us grew after that day and I felt the rhythm in his chest speed up whenever he stared at me for too long. 

“Claudia, you are blossoming beautifully into your features. Gone is the awkward little girl, all elbows and knees. In her place stands a young lady with a lovely figure and a lovelier face.” 

My mother praised me for my transformation while Paul became distant. He himself was no longer a lanky boy, he filled out with a bit of muscle from all the training over the years. Whenever I could spare the time I would watch him spar with Duncan, or Gurney. My mother trained me in the ways of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood extensively. Paul was also being instructed by her but being born male put him at a disadvantage. I tried helping him correct his pitch when he tried to use the voice but nothing I could do ever helped.  

No matter how distant he was during the daylight hours he still slept beside me at night. We were still a tangle of limbs chest to chest, nose to nose. His dreams were my dreams and I saw the girl on the desert planet as clear as he did. Her blue eyes were altered by the spice of Arrakis making her honey brown skin all the more beautiful. 

The news of the Emperor bestowing Arrakis to House Atreides was no shock to Paul or me. The Reverend mother Gaius Helen Mohiam arrived after that. She tested us separately and was pleased to know we weren't animals as she feared. Paul was the Atreides heir after all and him being an animal simply wouldn't do. He was also his mothers son, too much power was within him. Male children didn’t usually get trained in The Way. Me however I had no real role besides being married off to some other great house when the time came. At sixteen some thought I was old enough to be wed but not my father. 

Duke Leto refused to make me a child bride no matter how much the Imperium pushed for it. He defied the order that came to promise me to House Harkonnen. In fact he never spoke of it with anyone, but me. He promised he would never let them have me. His argument for my mother was about my age. He couldn’t tell her to her face that he would not help fulfill the Bene Gesserit order.

“Claudia is only sixteen years old. I will not force her into a marriage so young Jessica, you cannot change my mind.” 

Jessica knew when she had been bested and she knew better than to push him on this. She also knew when she was being deceived. Claudia was his angel for whom he would carve out a piece of the very sky if she asked it of him. He had no intention of marrying her off now or ever. 

It was a bit humid due to the rain, making sleep difficult to come by tonight. Paul was facing away from me shirtless and I found myself stroking his hair absentmindedly, occasionally dipping down his spine languidly. 

“I told Duncan about my dream. About seeing his death on Arrakis. He didn’t take me seriously.”

Hmm, I hum in response. I saw the dream with my own eyes. I felt his want, his guttural need to save Duncan. I felt it so strongly I wept in the morning. I continue stroking him as he turns to face me. He looks down at my cream colored nightgown which was left unbuttoned at the top. I knew what he was going to do before he acted upon it. His soft lips brushed against mine gently. He was waiting to see my reaction. Would I push him away? He couldn’t handle another rejection today after his talk with father about joining Duncan on Arrakis. 

I kiss him back slowly, the way he needs me to. I feel his warm tongue run against my lips hesitantly as I open for him. He deepens the kiss sinking down on top of me. He fit so perfectly against me. We were molded in each other's image afterall. The familiar quick rhythm returned to his chest, but this time my own heart matched its pace. Words weren’t needed between us. They haven’t been for a long time, we understood each other better than anyone else. 

The tension that had been brewing between us had finally reached its peak. We were experiencing a metamorphosis here and now on a dark rainy night. One of the last nights on our home planet before we moved across the galaxy to make Arrakis our new residence. 

“I need you Claud, let me have you. Please let me have you. Always.”

Brown eyes meet green, brown like the supple fertile soil that sustains the living trees that flourish on Caladan’s surface. Brown in a much different way than the rolling dunes of Arrakis. Where Arrakis was barren and life was a struggle. Her brown was a brown entirely familiar to him. Her amber eyes had been his constant companion since life sparked in the womb. They were brown even then in his consciousness; she was meant for him even then. 

‘I’ve always been yours’

I don’t speak it, because I don’t have to. He knows my answer, he’s always known. I spread my legs for him, welcoming him home for the first time, but not the last. He lifts my gown over my head tossing it aside. My chest is on the small side but he doesn’t care. He worships my breasts slowly, not missing an inch of skin. His tongue is slow and exploratory before his teeth become demanding. Nips and bites make me cry out softly unable to swallow them all down. He moves down to the apex between my thighs. 

He sucks me urgently, familiarizing himself with the blooming petals. He finds my slit wet and wanting. I can’t tell where his mouth ends and my body begins as he delves inside. His fingers are involved and I know they are working equally as hard as his mouth. I couldn’t decipher anything past the absolute pleasure and joy bursting within me. A pleasure that was quickly spilling over like sticky wine in a fine goblet. A sweetness that nearly soured on the tongue, an acquired taste that only he would ever enjoy.

 My core snaps harshly, something that had never been, now was. My eyes roll to the back of my head and a limpness passes over me. He laps up my nectar slowly savoring this moment. The first of many moments such as this. I feel Paul watching me as he settles his hips against me again. 

“Claud, are you with me?” He calls so softly, almost as if he’s afraid of waking me.

My eyes snap open and I feel my limp limbs gain strength again.

“I’m here, I’m with you.” I nod looking at him. I pull his forehead to mine and wrap my thighs around him snugly. His bare chest is pressed against mine and I help him push his slacks down. Hands fumbling together, shaking with anticipation as the last barrier between us is gone. 

‘Your home, with me. No matter where life takes us. This is where you belong.’

He enters me slowly, his forehead is still resting against mine. As I exhale he's breathing me in until his lungs burn. I look into his eyes and I see his pupils blown wide, his body responding to mine like a drug. When he bottoms out he drops his head to my neck, pecking at me trying to calm his hummingbird heartbeat before he goes further. My insides are so slick all I felt was a mild discomfort as he broke through my barrier. His breath quivers and I feel his tears run down my neck collecting in the dip of my clavicle. 

“Shh, my love don't weep.” I stroke his hair slowly to soothe away his tears.

I circle my hips from below him, testing the foreign feeling within me. Pleasure blooms between us and he begins thrusting slowly into me. Savoring this new level of intimacy between us he takes his time. Our lips lock in an unbreakable kiss. Inhale. Exhale. We breathe each other in, with each stroke the cup overflows. Our sounds of pleasure are swallowed into the kiss. Only soft whimpers and sighs could be heard between us. His thrusts increase and we finally pull apart. My head is thrown back in ecstasy as he licks up the puddle of tears he left behind. 

Skin slapping skin is such an odd sound. A very distinct sound that couldn’t be replicated easily, but we are too far gone to care. His movements grow sloppy as I meet him thrust for thrust, always pulling him closer as he pulls away. His peak was nearing now I could feel the ripples under the surface of his skin. I could feel the odd tingling down below. The tightening of his sack. I felt his ecstasy as well as my own. It was a feeling that could easily overwhelm, but we shared it equally.

“I’m going to cum Claud. Tell me where.” His breathless voice rings out in the darkness. 

“Inside Paul, always inside.”

My words push him over the edge of a cliff and where he goes I follow. We tumble one after the other off the highest peak on Caladan. We could be falling to our deaths, or the pits of hell, but we do it together. Always together. Always as one single entity. One single life split in two.

We said goodbye to Caladan by enjoying the beaches closest to the castle for the last time. Paul was in a melancholic mood, matching his black coat and travel garb. The ship had been raised from the sea and everything we owned was boxed in preparation for the journey. The Atreides castle was now bleak and eerily silent. I left Paul to himself while I explored our empty home. The corridors seemed ominous now, so dark and dank and lonely. Arrakis could be a welcomed change. It was always sunny and bright, it never rained there. Rain for weeks on end always dampened my mood, no pun intended. 

Deep down my brother was looking forward to seeing Arrakis. It meant he was one step closer to facing the girl from his dreams. He tried to hide that feeling away, but he couldn’t keep things from me. No matter how hard he tried, I already knew. I appreciated him trying to spare me the pain, but what we shared was beyond petty feelings of jealousy. At least that was true for me. Men were different. 

I was looking forward to meeting her in the flesh whenever that may be. I would accept her if he chooses her, but would she accept me? Would she understand that Paul and I would always be together no matter who else entered our lives? I would always be his Caladan.

“When did you sneak off?”

Paul's voice startles me out of my thoughts. He wraps his arm around my shoulder pulling me into his side.

“You seemed preoccupied. I didn’t want to bother you.” I look up at him as I speak tucked beneath his shoulder.

“You could never be a bother to me, Claudia.” 

He leans down and captures my lips in a sweet kiss. His kiss was the one bit of brightness in the dark damp hallway. We hadn’t been together in an intimate way since that night we shared together. Even still things were different. His eyes called out to me from across any room. His lips beckoned me forward across the dinner table as we dined with our parents. He looked at me with such love and devotion it was impossible to miss.

A stranger would think of me, his great love. They would never take me for his sister, but we had always been close. It could be overlooked for now but eventually mother and father would realize, this was no longer the bond of twins. The echo of footsteps reaches us so we break the kiss but he keeps me tucked into his side as our mother rounds the corner.

“There you two are. We’re ready to board.”

She smiles at us briefly before her smile falls quickly. She looks us over slowly, taking stock, attempting to find what it is that’s different.

“Shall we go mother?” Asks Paul. He feels the probing eyes the same as me. 

She nods her head and turns away from us, leading the way for the last time in the halls we chased each other in as children. The halls we took our first steps in. This was the castle where we shared our first kiss. Our first everything, happened here. The castle where we were born together. Where our childhood was laid to rest a week ago in the night, in each other's arms.

We had been traveling for two weeks already on the guild heighliner with two more weeks left ahead of us. On the up side there was plenty of time for rest and relaxation. Being cooped in my designated room for the duration of travel was not fun so I ventured out often. I chatted with servants and soldiers alike, making the time pass as best I could. Paul and I spent uninterrupted hours together. As close as we were before, it grew tenfold. He spent hours inside of me in these weeks. Hours beneath me, on top of me, beside me.

 I was currently stretched out across his bed. His quarters were larger than mine which allowed for a bigger bed. I certainly took advantage of it. He was sitting at a small table reading about Arrakis no doubt and I was in my nightgown braiding my hair away from my face. My thick dark hair piled into a thick rope of a braid with only a few stray pieces around my face caught his attention. 

He abandons his book on the table and makes his way towards the bed slowly. He strokes my braid gently, wrapping it around his hand. A quick rap on the door breaks the spell. 

“Yes?” Says Paul, annoyed at the interruption. 

“Have you seen Claudia? She's not in her room.”

She was using that tone mothers used when they already knew the answer to the question. Paul removes his hand from my hair reluctantly.

“I'm here.” I replied to her. Paul rolls his eyes at me not liking that I gave away my position. 

She cracks the door open slowly, timidly even. As if she's afraid of what she might see from the threshold. 

“It's late, Claud. You should be in your own bed.”

Ah, there it is. The thing that had been brewing for a fortnight now. Her suspicion had taken root now. She could feel that something was strange between us, she was our mother after all.

“Paul doesn't mind my company mother. He's been reading-”

“Claudia, it's late. If you want to escape travel fatigue you should be in bed by now.” She blatantly cuts me off. She was dismissing me from his room. There was little room for argument. 

I stand up and grab my robe, securing it. I see Paul shaking his head at her frustration clear on his face but I don't comment on it. I bid them goodnight and walked past her in the doorway. The walk to my room is short. Once I arrive I discard my robe on a chair and climb into bed. I fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. 

The opening of my door barely registers past the thick cloud of sleep. It's his lips that get my attention. He kisses my shoulder lightly as he climbs in behind me. Sleep claims me again now that he was here with me. Our bodies fall into the perfect rhythm that only happens when we're together. Inhale. Exhale. If I'm the sky he's what clouds are made of. 

In the last weeks of our journey my mother's probing eyes followed me closely. Just me. For she always struggles to find fault in Paul; her loves heir was perfect in her eyes. He was the boy our father asked for. He was Lady Jessica's success story. I was just a daughter. Any daughter would do but Paul was special to her, we all knew it. 

My father compensated for her love of Paul by adoring me twice as much. He was the balancing force at the center of our family. He was seated across from me, a chess board between us as he contemplated his next move. 

“I'm afraid you've finally surpassed me Claud. There's nothing I can do to stop you from winning.”

I look closer at the board. I hadn't even noticed.

“Ah, there. You're right this match goes to me.”

“Shall we play another round?” Asks my father cheerfully.

The door to the office opens and Paul walks in, eyes locking on mine. I had been avoiding him during the day afraid of the ever present mother hen.

“Perhaps Paul should take my place, I'll go have a nap.” 

I stand and kiss my father's cheek. Avoiding Paul's eyes as I leave without another word. When I step over the threshold I hear father ask if we've been arguing. 

“We never fight.” Paul replies easily. 

[neoameba]

Heya there! We need some good old angst, so can you write an Yan!Aizetsu x reader, but the reader instead likes another clone ((Sekido)) and not him? :D if not that's fine! Take as longbas ya need ^^

I love this idea :P

"But you belong to me."

Yandere! Aizetsu x GN! Reader

Warnings: Angst! yandere behaviors, unspecified gender reader, self-degrading behaviors, possessive jealousy, manipulation, implied Sekido x reader, Aizetsu is just a cute kitten 😞

Summary: Aizetsu loves you so much... You treated his main body with kindness and are someone so good at heart, so pure, so fragile... He and his "brothers" have become very attached to you, even though you are a human. That clone treated you so well, and that's why when he found out you liked Sekido, he freaked out. He won't let you be with someone else. Never.

It was always the night the two of you met. And since it wouldn't be, the demon can't just come out in broad daylight. But that made it more special and the moonlight made it even romantic. The oni would climb the walls of your house and suddenly divide itself into four, each clone with its iconic personality.

And it was like that for a long time. Sometimes they arrived smelling of blood, but it didn't bother you. You lived in a place that was kind of far away from everything, so having their company was really nice. You spent hours talking to Urogi and Karaku, but especially Sekido and Aizetsu. They had such distinct personalities, it was funny.

But... You always noticed something strange about Aizetsu. Something that the other clones didn't have. He always leaned on you, physical contact was never enough and he hated it when you paid more attention to other clones. He cried, and sometimes even scratched you, when he wasn't saying bizarre things like "You do not like me? Don't I deserve your affection? Look at me..." He didn't even care if the other clones were judging him, although he didn't like the looks of disgust.

Despite that, you still liked him and he acted normally sometimes. But everything changed in just one night.

.....

The time for the routine visit had arrived, but unlike every other time, the clones were not at his door and neither was Hantengu at his window preparing to enter without permission. It was just... Aizetsu. He was already inside your house, without permission or prior notice. His blue eyes shone in the dark as always, but this time there was something more in that look.

You weren't even scared anymore, his presence was known to you. You just decide to let the boy/demon into your room like he and his clones normally did. He smiles slightly at you and silently sits on your bed, where he looks at you closing the door.

"Aizetsu... Where are the other clones?"

"Don't ask about them when it's just the two of us here. Do you want other people here? It hurts me..."

Again, he acts like anything you say about other people is a big deal. "Sorry, Zetsu."

His eyes light up when you call him by the nickname you gave him. Aizetsu's heart begins to leap with happiness, a very overwhelming feeling for someone who is only the embodiment of sadness. You sit down next to him, and he automatically moves closer to you, holding your hand.

"I just want to talk to you, [Name]..."

He says, looking down. Aizetsu didn't seem to have enough courage to look you in the eyes while he wanted to ask you something. He seems to have waited a long, long time for this.

"... Do You like me...?"

It catches you off guard, but you laugh softly. "Of course I like you, Zetsu. I like all the clones." But instead of being happy, he looks hurt, as if you had said something he didn't want to say. "You don't understand... Do you like me, [Name]?"

You stay silent, looking at him with slightly wide eyes. You were too naive to not realize that he liked you romantically, or was just focused on other things. You didn't want to hurt the oni, but you needed to be honest with him (and he would know if you were lying).

"... I'm very sorry."

He looks at you, as if surprised and scared. At the same time sad and enraged. "If not me, who then?" His grip on your hand tightens, and you could feel that at any moment, with just a little more force, he could break the bones in your hand.

"...Sekido."

"...Sekido...?!" He says, a low growl in his voice you could hear. He looked in shock, and his eyes were wide and starting to water. He remembers all the moments when your laughs were directed towards Sekido, when Sekido wasn't able to get angry with you even though he is the personification of anger, when the two of you seemed too close... A vein pops out of his head, and he pulls your hand towards him, making your torso almost fall into his lap. Your free hand holds onto the bed for support, as you widen your eyes at the situation. Your faces were almost glued together, and now you could see his eyes and expression more clearly.

“But you won't stay with him. You don't understand how much this hurts me, I thought you cared about me..."

His eyes started to fill with tears, and when you tried to say something, he covered your mouth with his hand. "You can't. You won't leave me." He says, pressing your face with the hand that covers your mouth. It was hurting you, his nails were almost penetrating your skin. Tears were streaming down his face and he looked devastated.

If it weren't for love, it would be for pain. You needed to be his, you were someone so good, so perfect for him... It hurt his heart that you didn't love him, so he would make you love him.

.....

And from that, he made a truth. He didn't join Hantengu and his clones again, he stayed in your house the whole time, clinging to you. And when you tried to tell him he couldn't do it, and that you wanted your privacy, he freaked out again. That sparkle in your eyes that you saw that fateful night comes back every time you dare to say something that makes him the slightest bit upset.

What about the other clones? Aizetsu told them that the two of you were dating, and consequently, Sekido didn't want to look you in the face anymore, anger took over him when he discovered that "you don't like him". Too bad, Aizetsu implied you were just being nice...

Karaku and Urogi visited you sometimes, but Aizetsu always kept you away from them, so they only stayed for a short time. You were his alone after all, why would you want other people in your house?

"You belong to Me." That's what he says quietly in your ear every night, wanting it to penetrate the deepest part of your brain. He would hug you gently, but the slightest mistake would create a crying, insane mess called Aizetsu.

Author's note (my notes :P)!

He is just a pookie wookie cutie pie.

I hope you enjoyed it and that it met your expectations!

[fortheloveofwonderland]

Me & You & Everyone We Know | Chapter 11 | S.R

Not my gif

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Chapter Summary - You and Spencer call a truce so you can enjoy your weekend at the cabin. But it’s short lived, and soon discussions of your future arise once again, causing Spencer to make a rash declaration.

Pairing - Single Dad! Spencer Reid / Fem! Reader

Category - hurt/comfort, angst with happy ending, smut minors DNI.

Warnings - swearing, fingering, handjobs.

WC - 5k

Chapter 11 - No Tomorrow

The cure for the sorrow,

Is to live like there's no tomorrow (no tomorrow),

Blow it up, pull the pin from the inside.

The cure for the sorrow,

Is to live like there's no tomorrow (no tomorrow),

Nothing lasts, no one wins, but it's alright.

Two hours later Rossi’s handyman, Dirk, left the cabin down the front steps after successfully getting power back to the house. 

Before he’d arrived you took the opportunity to explore the cabin in the daylight. 

The living room was cosy and decked out with large antique couches, an old oak coffee table and giant wooden bookshelves. 

There was a table in the front window with two large leather armchairs either side and vintage chessboard on the table between. 

The large stone fireplace had a thick bearskin rug on the floor in front of it and a long since used shotgun mounted on a piece of bark hanging over it. 

Ornate light fittings hung from the wooden rafters and various paintings like the ones in Rossi’s mansions decorated the walls. 

The kitchen off to the side held much fewer appliances than Rossi’s home and had a very homely feel. 

There was a huge old burner stove that took up almost an entire wall, black granite countertops and a cute breakfast nook off to one side surrounded by leather stools. 

There was a study upstairs which held more bookshelves that rivalled Spencer’s collection and more grand leather armchairs next to a window overlooking the driveway. 

The bedroom was at the side of the house and was set with arched wooden ceilings. The bed faced the large floor to ceiling window which overlooked the forest and allowed a peak at Lake Anna in the distance. 

And the decadent bathroom and the jacuzzi tub with a view of the forest was utter perfection. 

The cabin was cosy and had a warmth to it. You were a little sad you’d be going home today before you had a chance to settle in. 

It was picturesque and incredibly romantic and under other circumstances you and Spencer could have been rolling between the sheets and going for long walks instead of barely speaking to each other. 

It seemed a shame to waste such a beautiful place but it was best if you left. 

You went for a walk while Spencer stayed with Dirk and were yet to return. 

Spencer located his phone and called you but there was no answer. He tried again, still no answer. 

On the third try he heard a distant sound of a phone ringing. 

He passed up the stairs and saw your purse sitting at the end of the bed, the ringing coming from inside. 

“Fucking brilliant.” He hung up the phone. “She could be anywhere.” 

He tossed on his converse and left the cabin, locking it up behind him as he went in search of you. 

He stopped by his car and surveyed the thick woods around him. He looked left. Looked right. He sighed and rolled his eyes. 

You could have headed in any direction and there was no telling how far you’d gotten in the time you’d been walking. He could be searching for you for hours. 

He glanced back at the cabin over his shoulder and considered just staying put. Chances are you weren’t going to cross paths and you’d end up back at the cabin while Spencer was still out looking for you. 

But what if something had happened? What if you were in trouble and he hadn’t tried to find you? 

He looked at the trees on his left. Then at the trees on his right again. 

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. 

Right it is. 

He pushed forward to the right side of the house and stepped from the gravel driveway to the grassy forest floor. 

Lake Anna was in this direction, a short hike through the trees so with any luck he’d find you there. 

He started trudging his way through the overgrowth, swerving between trees and dipping beneath low branches. 

He kept his sounds to a minimum and listened out for any little noise coming from within the forest that might indicate you were nearby. 

He felt like he was stalking an unsub, a similar kind of nervous adrenaline pumping through his veins. 

The trees became denser the further into the forest he got and it was causing the temperature to rise. He felt sweat gathering at his temples and on his brow. 

“Y/N? Y/N?” He periodically called out your name and stood still while he waited for a response. 

All he was met with was rustling leaves and bird songs. 

The lake was getting closer, he could see the water more clearly glistening in the sunlight through the trees. 

He kept walking. He didn’t know how long to walk for before he turned back and waited for you at the cabin. For all he knew, you were already back there. 

But your phone was at the cabin so if you’d gone back and found it empty, you would have called, right? 

Wrong. He’d locked the door. You wouldn’t be able to get in. Brilliant. 

“Y/N? Come on, where are you?” He huffed, wiping his sweaty brow on his shirt sleeve. 

He should have had the forethought to bring water, his mouth was incredibly dry. 

He walked and he walked and was getting close to giving up. The ground was becoming harder to traverse, trees growing thicker and more and more debris littering his way. 

“Y/N? Goddamnit, Y/N!” 

He huffed, trying to keep his line of sight on the sliver of glowing water through the forest hoping to find you by the lake. If he didn’t, it was time to admit defeat and hope he could find his way back to the cabin. 

He was sweating profusely now, no air able to permeate the thicket of trees and the sun was heavily bearing down on him. 

Somewhat reluctantly he started undoing his shirt buttons as he walked and was soon peeling the damp fabric off of his body. It offered him some relief but he didn’t relish being shirtless in the woods where he could rub up against anything or have some bug easily bite him. 

But it was so hot. 

At the very least, if he made it to the lake he could splash some water on his fried skin, hell maybe he’d even go for a dip. 

He tried to focus on the idea of plunging into the cool water while he forced his aching legs forward. 

It was at least another five minutes of walking, but it felt like five hours, before he finally emerged from the trees onto the lakeside. 

He squinted against the sun which was reflecting off of the large body of water right back into his eyes and wished he’d had the forethought to bring his sunglasses. 

The lake was still and serene. Despite the heat suggesting otherwise it wasn’t quite summer yet and the tourists hadn’t descended upon the water yet. 

It also enabled him to spot you with ease, sitting on the dock a little way ahead of him with your back to him. 

Thank god. 

With what little energy he had left from his walk he dragged himself towards the dock, his shirt hanging limply from his hand. 

When he reached the dock, you heard footsteps on the wooden boards and turned to glance at your company over your shoulder. 

Spencer was panting by the time he reached you, dropping to the ground next to you. His hair clung to his sweaty forehead, more droplets rolled down his sun kissed chest and biceps. His pants were covered in dirt and he looked completely exhausted. 

“What happened to you?” You cocked an eyebrow at him.

“What happened to me?” He scoffed. “I just took a hike through a forest looking for you because you left your cell phone at the cabin.” 

“I know I did.” You shrugged.

“You…you…” he was still trying to catch his breath. “You left it there on purpose?”

“I wanted to be alone.” You turned away from him, looking back at the still water beneath you. “Also there’s a road genius, with a footpath.”

“Footpath?” He groaned. “You’re kidding me?” 

“Hey, you’re supposed to be the smart one.” 

“Goddamnit this weekend has been a fucking disaster.” He swept his hair back from his brow. “Can we just go home, please?” 

“Gladly.” You pushed yourself to your feet and Spencer did the same. 

Only Spencer was much more uncoordinated in his movements. 

It was hard to say what happened as it all transpired so quickly. One minute he was getting to his feet and the next he stumbled, or tripped on something, you weren’t sure.

But the next thing you knew he was falling and then there was a loud splash as he toppled into the lake. His entire body went under, ripples from the impact lapping at the dock. 

You leaned over the edge and watched the frothy water where he’d landed for a second or two before he re-emerged, groaning and spitting lake water out of his mouth. 

“Fuck,” he growled, wiping the water from his eyes and pushing his hair back off of his face. “My cell phone!” 

He quickly scrambled to free the device from his pocket and the sodden fabric, pulling it free and wading towards the dock so he could toss the phone out of the water. 

He glanced up at you and you couldn’t help the smile that desperately tried to twitch at the corner of your mouth. 

“This isn’t funny.” He spat, slinging his soaked shirt which he’d been holding onto next to his phone.

“It’s kinda funny.” You let the smile spread. 

“Do you think you could help me out or are you too busy with your amusement?” He frowned at you, looking frustrated. 

“I’m an excellent multi-tasker.” You smirked, stepping forward to the edge of the dock and bending a little while reaching your hands out towards him. 

You should have seen through his juvenile plan. You were certainly smart enough to know what he was doing. But you fell for it hook, line and sinker. 

Spencer’s wet hands gripped your own but instead of pulling himself out of the water, one sharp tug of your hands caused you to wobble and soon you were being pulled head first into the lake. 

Like Spencer, your whole body was engulfed by water and when you resurfaced you were spluttering. 

“What the fuck?” You spat, rubbing your eyes. 

“Now that’s funny.” Spencer chuckled. 

“Asshole!” You splashed water at him, covering his face and hair once more. 

“Hey!” He grumbled, using the palm of his hand to send some right back at you. 

You retaliated quickly, sending an even larger wave towards him and he held his hands up as if that would somehow stop it from soaking him further. 

“What’s wrong, Doctor? You started this.” You grinned smugly at him while he simply stared at you. 

“Yeah, I did.” He nodded. “And I’m also gonna end it.” 

He was suddenly lunging at you, grabbing you around the waist and managing to drag your shoulders and head under the water. You fought against him, kicking your legs but he was stronger. 

He only plunged you for a second or two but he didn’t let go of you when your head was back above water and you were once again wiping the water from your eyes. 

“I repeat, asshole!” You shook your head. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t quite hear that?” He frowned but before you could reply he managed to dunk you again. 

You spluttered again once you emerged and glared at him, his arm still around your waist. 

“Ok, ok. Truce?” You whined a little.

“You think I’m gonna fall for that?” He chuckled. 

He raised one hand out of the water and swept your hair off of your face. He was smiling in that way that made you dizzy, and you were sure he knew it too. 

He kept his hand on your cheek once he’d moved your hair back and you naturally gravitated closer to him. 

Your wet jeans and blouse clung to your skin and you had the urge to take them off, or maybe let Spencer have the privilege. 

You waded even closer until you were pressed up against his body and it was quickly evident that he’d been having the same thoughts given the hardened bulge sheathed inside his pants. 

You raised your arms out of the water and wrapped them around his neck, fingers curling into his wet hair. He sucked in a breath and his gaze flitted down to your lips. 

“Truce you said?” His voice was hoarse. 

“Truce.” You agreed seconds before he was slamming his lips against yours. 

You jumped into his arms, wrapping your legs around his waist as his tongue quickly plunged into your mouth. 

You were both moaning already as you grinded against him and Spencer’s hand was hurriedly wandering between your bodies. 

He fumbled a little getting your soaked jeans undone, his other hand still in place on your cheek to hold you close. 

Once he’d managed to pop open the button his hand was sliding inside your pants, straight into your panties and soon his index finger was pressed against your clit. 

You whined into his mouth and removed one hand from his neck to return the favour. He started nimbly rubbing your sensitive spot while you fought with the button of his own pants. 

Given the sodden fabric hugging his body it wasn’t easy to free him but finally you wrapped your hand around his shaft and got him out of the confines of the wet material. 

You started to stroke him while his lips trailed to your neck, sucking on the wet flesh. His finger moved from your clit, further between your legs and two digits pushed inside of you. 

You moaned, your sounds rolling out in waves across the empty lake. Your head fell back and it allowed Spencer better access to your neck. He sucked bruising marks into your skin while his fingers moved in and out of you, brushing against your bundle of nerves with each deep thrust. 

Your grip tightened around his shaft as you moved your hand up and down it in firm, quick pumps. He growled against your neck at the sensation.

As your bodies moved it sent the water lapping at the dock, around your bodies, and out across the lake until the waves turned into small ripples and then eventually the ripples smoothed out the further away they got. 

Your legs tightened around his waist as he increased his speed, fingers rampantly fucking you, desperate to bring you to your release. 

In return your strokes of his cock became almost frantic and you could feel it pulsing in your hand. It barely took any time at all before he was mumbling against your neck, “I’m so close.” 

You replied in a moan of agreement as his fingers shifted positions a little and somehow allowed him to thrust deeper. 

He could feel you clenching around his digits as his stomach started to tighten. All at once the two of you reached your peaks, and came almost in perfect unison. 

He kept his fingers inside of you while you rode out your orgasm and your hand remained squeezed around the base of his shaft.

He panted heavily into your neck, placing chaste little kisses against your skin. When he raised his head you looked at each other through hooded eyes and parted lips curled up into smiles. 

He kissed you as he cautiously withdrew his fingers, making you whimper slightly as you reluctantly let go of his length. 

He wrapped his arms around you and you did the same, simply gazing at each other in the sunshine that bore down on you, relishing in this momentary solitude. 

You both knew it would inevitably have to come to an end so you tried to cling to this moment for as long as you could. 

You rested your head on Spencer’s shoulder and he held your close, tightening his hold on you. It was hard to say how long you remained like this, time slipping away like the water droplets rolling down Spencer’s neck. 

Eventually you started to grow cold and reluctantly the two of you got out of the lake and headed back to the cabin. 

You agreed to stay, still trying to hold onto some small part of this relationship as long as you could.

You both showered and changed and Spencer drove you to the nearest convenience store for groceries. When you returned he cooked dinner and the two of you ate in relative silence. 

As the sun started to set, he lit a fire and the two of you curled up on the couch with the new bottle of scotch you’d purchased at the store. 

“I can’t keep doing this if we don’t have a future.” You found yourself blurting out but Spencer didn’t seem particularly surprised by your words.

“I didn’t say we don’t have a future, Y/N.” He sighed as he spoke. “We can have one. I want us to have one. But it just might look a little different than you had in mind.” 

You finished your drink and quickly poured out another two fingers into your glass. Spencer did the same.

“I want kids, Spence. I want to get married one day.” You choked out. 

“I can’t imagine having more kids.” He admitted sadly. “Daisy is almost fourteen as it is, Lily will be eight in a few months. If I had another kid now that would be a huge age gap, let alone sometime in the future. I’m not saying I don’t want more kids, but I can’t promise that I will either.” 

“I know we said we’d put a pin in this, but I can’t. If we want different things then-”

“Meet my kids.” He suddenly declared, cutting you off. 

Your eyes went wide and you almost dropped your glass in your lap. 

“Excuse me?” 

“I want you to meet my girls.” He swallowed. 

“Seriously?” You frowned at him.

“Yes, I absolutely adore you Y/N and I want you to be a part of my life in every way. And that includes my children.” He reached for you with his free hand and cupped your cheek. “Please?”

“O-ok.” You nodded although it still didn’t exactly solve the problem at hand. 

Meeting his children was a positive step towards the future but if he didn’t want any more, did you really have a future? 

It probably made you an idiot for dropping it so easily and allowing yourself to once again put your own dreams on the backburner because Spencer didn’t share them. 

If you insisted on doing this eventually you would find yourself in a future that had been dictated by someone else. But you loved Spencer, undoubtedly so, and you weren’t ready for this to be over. 

Maybe he’d change his mind somewhere along the line. Perhaps one day he’d wake up and share in your vision of the future. And if he didn’t, you’d have to deal with that hurt when it came. 

***

You spent the next twenty four hours in a blissful and slightly ignorant bubble in Rossi’s cabin. Most of that time was spent having sex, because if you were having sex you weren’t talking. And if you talked then your relationship would no doubt come crumbling down like a house of cards. 

On Sunday night Spencer drove you home and you barely said two words to each other. He dropped you off before heading to Maeve’s to collect Daisy and Lily. 

He parked out front and texted Maeve he was here like he did every two weeks, never wanting to see her unless it was absolutely mandatory. 

He sat and waited, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, lost in his thoughts. He didn’t notice someone heading towards his car and when there was a gentle knock at his window he jumped a little. 

His eyes shot up and Maeve was standing on the curb, a soft smile on her lips. Spencer exhaled deeply, his frustration evident on his face as he rolled down the window. 

“Hey,” she had her arms folded across her chest. 

“Where are the girls?” He frowned at her. 

“They’re just getting their stuff together, I wanted to talk to you quickly.” 

“About?” He sighed. 

“Well it’s Daisy’s birthday in a few weeks and we haven’t discussed what we were going to do. I know last year we did separate things for her but I thought it might be nice to do something for her together? A party maybe?” She was smiling at him, pleading with him because they both knew that wasn’t something he would be receptive to. 

He grinded his teeth together violently, digging his blunt nails into the fabric of his slacks. 

“That seems like a terrible idea.” He didn’t beat around the bush. “We’ve spent, at most, a half hour together in the same room in the last year. I really don’t relish the idea of us throwing her a party together.” 

“It was her idea.” Maeve shrugged. “I said I’d ask. I didn’t think you’d be willing to put your pettiness aside even for one day.” 

“So I say no and I’m the bad guy? Super.” He scoffed. 

“She’s not asking for the world, Spencer. She just wants one day with both of her parents.” Maeve’s smile faded, replaced with a frown similar to Spencer’s.

Goddamnit, he groaned internally. 

He could so easily say no to Maeve but not his daughters. And if Daisy wanted to spend her birthday with both of them, he couldn’t very well deny her that. 

He exhaled loudly again, raking his fingers through his hair. 

“Fine,” he huffed. “But we do it at my house.” 

“Actually, she’s been dropping hints about having a pool party. Apparently it’s the cool thing. And Rossi did have that pool installed last summer, right?” She smiled but it was a begging smile that Spencer knew all too well. 

It was the same one she’d used when she’d tried to talk him into having more kids.

“I can’t ask Rossi to host a bunch of teenagers.” Spencer shook his head. 

It was then he realised it wasn't a begging smile, it was a guilty one. 

“I kinda already asked him.” 

“You did what?” His eyes widened. 

“I knew you wouldn't, so I called him yesterday. He’s fine with it.” She shrugged.

“Goddamnit.” He groaned. “Rossi is my friend Maeve, not yours.” 

“He’s also grandpa Dave to your kids so he is more than happy to host Daisy’s party. She said that popular girl at school keeps talking about how cool pool parties are.” 

“Goddamnit.” He repeated, shaking his head. “I guess I don’t really have much of a choice, do I?” 

“It would mean a lot to your daughter, Spencer.” 

“Fine, whatever.” He grumbled. “I will throw her the damn pool party.” 

“You’re not going to let me help?” She grunted. 

“If you help it will mean I have to talk to you, something I do not enjoy doing in case that wasn’t abundantly clear.” 

“Oh jeez, grow up Spencer.” She spat at him. “She’s our daughter. I want to help.” 

Spencer closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He just wanted this conversation to be over if he was perfectly honest. 

“You still bake, right?” He asked, his tone biting. 

“Yes.” 

“Bake her a cake. Buy some decorations. I’ll sort out the rest.” He saw the door opening behind her and his two girls came rushing outside towards them. 

He’d never been so happy to see them in his whole life. They barrelled towards the car and Maeve stepped aside.

Spencer unbuckled his seat belt and finally exited the vehicle, Daisy and Lily almost immediately falling into his arms. 

“Daddy!” Lily screeched as she nuzzled into his side.

“Hey dad.” Daisy hugged his other. 

“I missed you both so much.” He squeezed them tightly, placing a kiss on both of their heads. “Did you have a good weekend?” 

“Yes daddy!” Lily pulled back and turned back to the house where Bobby was holding out Taco’s leash. 

Lily ran back up the path towards her beloved scruffy dog. 

“What about you, pumpkin?” He asked Daisy who was unusually quiet. 

“It was ok.” She shrugged, heading past him to the back seat of the car. 

She got inside while Lily skipped back with the dog in tow and followed her sister into the car. 

“She’s been like this all weekend.” Maeve sighed. 

“Because she’s still mad at you. She’ll come around.” Spencer shrugged. “I, uh, I’ll see you later then.” 

“Sure. Can I call you about the party?” Maeve whispered so the girls wouldn’t hear through the open window.

I’d really rather if you didn’t, Spencer thought but instead he sighed and nodded.

“I guess.” He stepped backwards towards the car. 

“Thank you, Spencer. I really appreciate it.” 

“Don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s fine.” He opened the door and slid in the driver’s seat. 

He glanced over his shoulder to make sure the girls were buckled in and once he was happy they were he started the engine and rolled up the window. 

Lily spent the journey home regaling him with stories of their weekend while Daisy remained silently staring out of the window. 

Maybe if he allowed Maeve to take the reins with this party it would go some way to help repair her and Daisy’s relationship. 

He just needed to put his own anger towards his ex-wife aside in order to do right by his daughter. 

***

The next two weeks went by in a blur of work and planning a birthday party for a fourteen year old. 

The semester was rolling around to an end soon and as such Spencer was swamped with marking papers and aiding his students with last minute prep for their finals. 

He’d had several phone conversations with Maeve while he’d tried to put their issues behind so they could plan Daisy’s party together. As soon as the party was over he would go back to only speaking to her if had to. 

He continued to have coffee with you at least once a day but things were still stifled between you. He sometimes wondered why the two of you were bothering at all when it was clear this was going to end badly. 

But neither of you could find the strength to walk away. 

It was Friday afternoon, almost two weeks since the trip to Rossi’s cabin and you sat together in the courtyard sipping coffee. 

Spencer glanced at you but you weren’t looking at him, you focused your gaze on your drink in your hand. He took a sip of his own, gulping it down louder than necessary just to get your attention.

It did in fact force you to look up at him as he was wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. 

“So uh, it’s Daisy’s birthday tomorrow.” He rolled his lip between his teeth. 

He told himself he’d meant to invite you sooner, especially after your conversation at the cabin about meeting his kids. But every time he’d gone to broach the subject he talked himself out of it. 

“Oh, isn’t she with her mom this weekend?” 

“She is, apart from tomorrow afternoon when I will be hosting a pool party for an obscenely large group of teenagers at Rossi’s.” He continued gnawing on his lip. “I’ve been meaning to ask if you wanted to come?”

“To a fourteen year olds birthday party?” You cocked an eyebrow at him. 

“We talked about you meeting my girls.” 

“We did but you didn’t bring it up again so I assumed you changed your mind.”

“I haven’t.” He was quick to insist. “So I thought tomorrow would be a good chance, less pressure I suppose? Rather than it being just the four of us.” 

“Uh, ok. Sure I can come.” You nodded but he noticed the way you nervously sucked in a breath. 

“My old team will be there so it would be great for you to meet the rest of them.” 

“Ok.” You sipped your coffee. 

“The only slightly weird part is that my ex will also be there.” He pulled a face, dreading your reaction. 

As expected your mouth fell open and you stared at him unblinking while he seemingly shrunk in on himself. Your hold on your coffee cup tightened as did your stomach at the thought of meeting Spencer’s ex-wife.

“Oh.” You looked back down at your drink. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” 

“I know I painted her to be a bitch, I mean she was to me. But she’s…nice.” It pained him to say even the simplest of kind words about her and it showed. 

“Say that without grimacing and I might believe it.” You rolled your eyes. 

“I mean she wasn’t a good wife, but she is a nice person. And she knows I’m dating, and her boyfriend will be at the party. It’s not weird.” He shook his head, trying to convince himself as much as you.

“It’s weird.” 

“No, not weird. Perfectly normal.” His shaky smile didn’t seem to agree. 

“You really want me to come?” You pouted a little. 

“I really want you to come.” He nodded. 

“Fine, I’ll go to your daughter's birthday party.” You tried to ignore how your stomach tightened at that and instead forced yourself to smile. 

“Great, that’s great.” Spencer returned your false smile. 

Now that you meeting his kids was to become a reality, you both knew it was a bad idea. If the two of you didn’t have a future, why were you doing this? 

But Spencer couldn’t take it back now and you couldn’t change your mind. So no matter how complicated it was going to make things, it seemed tomorrow you would meet your boyfriend's daughters. 

Both of you had sinking feelings in your gut that this wasn’t going to end well. And you would soon come to find those gut feelings were right. 

@andiebeaword @muffin-cup @dreatine @matthew-gray-gubler-lover @people-whatabunchofbastards @spencer-reid-wonderland @thebloomingeagle @foxy-eva @kbakery @simxican @aysixdy @givemeth @loonalockley @shamelessfangirl-3 @redbulldinner @derekm24 @pinkiceee-prose

[picafreesita]

🌈4🌈

When my head touched the pillow in an instant, the morning light arrived…

Exactly, it was already daylight.

I quickly got up, looked around, next to me I had Sally and Julie peacefully asleep, the occasional snore coming out of their mouths. It was as if they had actually slept more hours than I felt. What was happening? Sunlight flooded the house just like yesterday's birdsong.

From outside you could hear a good morning. I went out and went to the first window I could find, opened it and watched as the neighborhood filled with life again with the neighbors.

Wait…what was that smell?

It was strange, it was as if it were something dead, a nauseating smell that was mixed with hints of sweet smell; I had never smelled anything like that. I took several inhalations to look for its origin, this only made me begin to lean forward, allowing a part of my body to come out of the window.

I turned to look down.

Its colors were vibrant, it was as if a rainbow rested on each petal except for some that were a deep blue color that took away the symmetry of its beauty; Although this sounded like the most incredible thing about their figure is not compared to those black and white spots that stole the spotlight from the rest, I would swear that they seemed to be… eyes

I frowned as I felt a new wave of his foul scent.

"Good morning, Jolly" Poppy greeted me from the street, I could see her standing.

"Oh hello"

She walked towards me and told me

"Do you really like flowers? They are wonderful, don't you think?"

"The aroma calls me… a strange aroma, I had never smelled anything like it"

"Where do you come from the pansies don´t exist? These grow everywhere, you could even find them in soup. Sometimes I like to use them for that, they give it a good touch with other ingredients"

"I guess it tastes better than it smells, its smell is horrible" I let out a small laugh.

"That can't be"

Poppy bent down to cut one of those flowers and then smell it.

"To me, it seems like a sweet and splendid smell, even Eddie and Julie make wreaths with them"

She handed it to me and I smelled it again, in a quick reaction I frowned and moved it away from me.

"Maybe the problem is my nose, it may be broken"

"Oh no! Let me see" With her big wings she took my face to see it closer to her, she held me so tightly that the only thing on the other side of the window was my feet hanging on its frame.

"It seems that everything is in order," she said with a sigh of relief, returning me inside.

"Oh, good morning Poppy," Sally greeted behind me. The two girls slowly walked out of the pillow fort.

"Hello girls" She kindly waved one of her wings as a greeting.

"Yes, I'm hungry. What do you want for breakfast?" Julie asked.

"Waffles! "Let's make waffles!" she said, Sally.

"I'll see you in a while, enjoy your breakfast," Poppy said saying goodbye and walking away from the window.

Both girls shouted:

-We will do it!-

During breakfast, Sally and Julie began to play with their food, they decorated it with colored sprinkles and syrups of all the flavors you can imagine to form funny faces on them, I don't know if it was just me but my waffle looked like…

"David" I whispered in a sad tone.

"Did you say something? Is there something wrong with your Mr. waffle?" Sally asked.

"No, nothing. Only Mr. Waffle is very delicious" I responded with a smile.

Looking at the clock in the living room I noticed that it was 10 in the morning.

"I think I better get ready to leave" I interrupted and then got up on the table.

"Wait!"

Julie also got up and told me:

"I have been thinking and we should wash and even mend your clothes"

"It's true, you should leave completely renewed. This way you will have much more strength to find your friends,” Sally replied.

"I really don't want to abuse your kindness" I responded.

"I insist, now we are friends. And friends always support each other"

I guess they had a good point, what I was wearing were nothing more than scraps that I found along my way, things that I could even consider as proof of my survival.

"So what am I going to use? I don't think I can´t spend most of the day in my pajamas"

"Let's see what's in my closet, you may be a little taller than me, but I Julie "fashion icon" know that I have something perfect for you, trust my magical design skills," She said moving his fingers while He began to walk backward until he entered the room.

"Come on!" Sally said pushing me inside. After they finished getting ready it was my turn.

I scrolled through thousands of outfits, some that were tight and some that were too baggy, many more was like something Sally said "didn't suit my vibe," from plain colored clothes to those that had the most eye-catching patterns I've ever seen. Dresses, pants, scarves, shirts, and more flew through the air creating thousands of possible combinations.

"Wait a minute, I think I found the perfect outfit!" Julie said, confident of herself.

In a last round, they dressed me in a three-piece outfit along with some white high-waisted boots. It was a long, puffy, colorful shirt that was accompanied by a black vest with hearts sewn on as pockets and along with an orange skirt.

"I think…I think I like it" I said

"It's perfect!" They shouted at the same time.

"But there's still something to fix, and that's your hairstyle," Sally said.

"That´s a cinch!" I was dragged again, only now towards the bathroom where they began to brush.

"Gosh, I didn't realize that many parts of your hair are shorter than others everywhere"

"I cut it myself" I confessed embarrassed.

"I'll have to match it. Sally, scissors"

A hairdressing gown had covered me up to my shoulders.

"Let's get to work!" Julie exclaimed.

After a certain time, I began to see many strands sliding smoothly on the hairdressing gown.

"Now we have to style it"

With a few more brushes and several passes of hairspray, Julie was finally done.

"Vuala! My masterpiece!"

When I looked in the mirror I couldn't believe that it was me that was in front of me, I got up and took off the hairdressing gown revealing the complete look.

"Wow"

Sally laughed and said:

"Yes, you are pretty"

I couldn't stop looking at me from head to toe. Am I really pretty?

"Very well, since we are all ready, it is time to go" Julie indicated.

She took my clothes and put them in a yellow bag.

We left the house heading to Poppy's house which was sitting knitting near one of her windows. Julie kindly asked her to fix my clothes and she accepted the task without any problem and even told me that I looked very pretty.

"Thank you," I said shyly.

When we said goodbye we walked to Wally's house to find out what he had in store for us that day.

🌈3<<<;<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>5🌈

[songsofbloodandwater]

Hey, how’re you? 13 and 12 for the asks

Hello! All good here, deeply enjoying the beginning of autumn and the much lower temperatures, how have you been?

12) what do you think your practice would taste like? If one could taste a magico-religious practice

Honestly, blood. Whatever blood can taste like. I've had moments where it's just metallic and asphyxiating, and others when it's pungent but peppery, almost floral.

I really wanted to say something normal, like bread, or milk, or some herbal tea. Or a passed down family recipe. I also thought of water and all that it represents to us. But realistically, it's just blood. I'm sorry if that answer is kind of predictable coming from me!

13) How does your craft feel in the spring vs in the darker months?

In my experience, the most tangible difference comes from the differences between Day Spirits, and Night Spirits. Traditionally, in my family, there's specific workings that we cannot do at night, the lack of sunlight means the Spirits that would be called are not the kind of spirits you'd want to call at all. This type of belief extends to seasons. Seasons stem from the natural changes in daylight hours available on Earth, and we see it as not just the plant life adapting to the colder months, but the spirits associated with the Land also adapting, hibernating, migrating (within this Realm or to other realms), or being in whatever way less available to us. Some, entirely unreachable.

In my opinion it's not that the Day and Night courts are "rotating" and one season or the other belongs entirely to one or the other court. It's simply that in the darker months the tangible presence of the Night Court becomes most prevalent, dominant, due to the absence of most of the Day Court, and viceversa. But they're always coexisting to varying degrees.

In my family that means we begin the warm months in August-September, awakening and feeding the earth and then slowly welcoming back the different allies and relatives of my spirit family throughout the next spring and summer months, as they come and as we get to spend time with them. It reaches a peak in December, with Solar festivities. Then starts to decline again throughout the next months, until we reach the "Lunar" peak, and the weakest moment of the Sun and Day court, in June with the Longest Night of the year. My seasonal calendar isn't just depending on daylight hours, but also on the apparent cycles of certain sacred constellations across the sky, so throughout the year I'm paying attention to Them and working with each as they come and go aswell, for example, the Southern Cross's rotation marks some special dates for me in regards to the fertility of the Land and to the Beloved Dead, or the Pleiades appearing and disappearing, carrying messages and omens, bringing with them certain Spirits and their influence, and taking them away as they go.

It feels like a family reunion that lasts months instead of hours. When people just start arriving, when there's feast and stories and sharing and warmth, and then everyone starts saying their goodbyes again, until next year. Summer is the height of the party. Winter is the only time of the year that reflects what you'd normally imagine from everyday family life, when it's just me and the Spirits that walk with me, that "live with me in that house", so to speak. In practicality, that means more outwards work during the warmer months (in relation to the Land and Spirits that are tied to different kinds of cyclical natures), more inwards work and "housekeeping" of my own courts during the cold dark months. There's still some work to do with perennial spirits during the winter (for example, La Dolorosa and The Wild King, and their respective courts, are mostly unaffected by the seasons) but it's still a smaller workload in general when in comparison to the warm months.

Hope that makes sense! thanks for asking these were fun!

[reality-exodus]

The Last Hours of a Herondale

Ch. 4 Just like a pic nic

Pairing: Matthew Fairchild x Herondale reader

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: use of drugs and alchohol, mentions of blood and seizures, violence, sexual content and harassment (these do not apply on every chapter they go for the whole story)

I was standing at the Cornwall Gardens next to our dad while James stood on our mom’s side while Lucie was standing between them. I could feel her joy hyperventilating in enthusiasm. I on the other hand wasn’t in the best mood. I was prepared for breakfast at home and suddenly I have to change. I am aware that this is not such big deal, however, I like to dress more modestly when I am outside covering as much skin as possible. So instead of my sweet boat necked dress that came into an a line skirt I wore a long sleeved high necked dress in a mermaid ending that deleted the shape of my silhouette. My simple braided ended up being curled and twisted around my neck. To upbeat my mood my mama carefully placed her clockwork angel around my neck before we set off. I was wearing a light pink cloak that matched my mulberry colored dress.

The carriage stopped right in front of us and Sona was the first one to disembark followed by her two children. I could see Daisey scanning the lot of us, I didn’t pay much attention until Sona touched my elbow, as in a warm gesture and that snapped me and thankfully only out of my thoughts. “You must remember the age of sixteen Tessa, all dances and dresses.” I heard Sona say.

“No but I do recall attending a vampire dance and some other party where Benedict Lightwood turned into a worm due to demon pox” My mother replied and I breathed in satisfaction for no reason, it is not as if I dislike Sona.

“Mother” Lucie exclaimed scandalized.

“Well he did turn into a worm”  James added with a light grind.

“It was more of a vicious serpent…”  our father corrected them putting one his serious not face.

“It was a very important part of demon pox, scientifically speaking.” I added to lighten the atmosphere.

“Now that you mention it thank Cecily for me, for the domestic assistance.” Sona spoke as the luggage was being transferred to the house. “Cordelia this will be a mess. Why don’t you take Lucie and Y/N for a walk” she suggested.

“And James could escort you. Perhaps the Kensington Gardens.” My mother suggested. I was in no mood to follow and they knew but I would do it for Lucie. My dad rubbed my shoulders looking at me.

“Patience” He whispered in my ear before I followed the girls and my father. I had an awful mood, I disliked the change of plans and daylight for that matter. Unlike my sister who was thrilled for such activities. I am more of an night owl.

We strolled down the streets to arrive at the gardens. I had my armed tangled to my brother’s as he was escorting me as a gentleman. Truth is I heard mom and dad speaking of marriage concerning me and I honestly couldn’t be more happy that both of them agreed to not push me on the matter. Besides I had things concerned my personal life I kept secrets no one knew of them.

“I thought this would never happen, you coming here” Lucie spoke cuddling Cordelia’s side.

“Why not? Law says if you are to be parabatai you should train together.” James spoke to assure our little sister.

“Perhaps she could stay at the institute. Papa adores her” Lucie spoke, I  was so happy to see her enthusiasm unfold.

“I think your father adores any Carstairs.” Cordelia spoke and I smiled brightly at that. It was true. “Even my brother”

“I happen to actually like Alastair.”  I spoke and I saw the glare of betrayal on James’ gaze. “At least I feel like we bond over our constant whining and permanent coldness to everyone that isn’t ours.” I explained briefly and squeezed my brother’s arm discreetly. “You really have to love people like us to tolerate that.” I joked lightly.

“You are not constantly moody. I happen to find you amusing.” Cordelia spoke and smiled.

“Yes because I consider you from the people I can trust Daisy… Your people shall be my people…  that’s what the vow says. And with Matthew it is no different.” I unriddled my  thoughts to her and smiled.

“Means a lot to get that from the eldest Herondale sibling” Daisy smiled and made me laugh.

“it was fifteen minutes you know…” James groaned annoyed.

“Ohh shush little brother” I smiled at him and placed my head on his arm hugging him a bit. James turned at me but didn’t comment further only squeezing my hand.

“So how about I spent the day with my best friend…” Lucie spoke and looked at me and then at James.

“Alright, I will be ten steps behind like a train bearer. But I have to keep you within sight otherwise mother will kill me and then I will miss tomorrow’s ball and then Matthew would kill me and I would be twice as dead.” James spoke and I remained next to him. Once Luce and Daisy were far enough I looked up at him.

“I told uncle Jem about the vision. Did you talk with him?” I asked my brother.

“No but I requested a hearing.” He replied and looked down at me. “Thank you for sleeping at Lucie’s room. I know how you feel when you are not at your place with your things… Did you had any other flashnack other than the Devil’s Tavern? I mean at Lucie’s room or with the furniture and all…” He asked me as we kept our gaze to the girls that were speaking in front of us.

“No I did not. I am good. Honestly it is only my fear to not see something I cannot stand. I mean from the very first things I saw was Jessamine dying in our father’s arms, when I touched her doll house. Or aunt Ella dead when dad hugged me after that.” I explained briefly and James didn’t speak.

“You have never told me what you saw first.” He noticed and looked at me.

“Well… you know. Clockwork creatures attack at the institute, uncle Jem slowly dying, mom taken away, auntie Charlotte pregnant to Charlie trying to defend Henry and there is Jessamine and dad… He was already injured, and she took a hit for him.” I spoke up and took a breath. “I can feel the pain of the person I am seeing you know… this is why I have never touched Jem’s violin or the mom or dad.” I added and looked away for several moments.

“That is why you do not touch any of us. Right?” He asked, his voice was too quiet too heavy.

“No, I deny that because I am scared that I amy see the future and not the past. It has happened three times before…” I added before he could actually ask me. “Can we change the subject?” I asked him and looked at him. He looked at me and pulled me into a where where only the fabric of our clothes actually touched and I had to admit it was relieving.

“I haven’t asked you yet how is it going with that Bridgestock guy that has been around your tail?” James asked me and looked at me.

“Well he has been running around like Oscar and I ignore him with the absolute success although he doesn’t seem to accept ignorance for an answer. The worse that could happen is him asking my hand and me saying no.” I explained briefly. “This is why I practically danced even with Charlie at the last ball. Even he doesn’t like his fiancee’s brother.” I joked lightly. He didn’t comment further he only held my hand and squeezed it.

~

It was the night of the ball and I was getting ready as Anna and Barbara Lightwood were in my room, we all called each other cousins even though we were blood related only to Anna. Anna was setting Barbara’s hair steady. I came out of the folding screen wearing a gown, its decolette was queen anne styled and had the color of mahogany just like there was a layer of illusions on the skirt on the same color, the ball gown dress was maroon as the it was touching the ground. Barbara insisted that I let my hair down and she started fixing the curls and add some accessories, I was unsure which ones.

“Let’s make you shine more, shall we?”  Anna commented and opened the drawer of my makeup. I rarely used because I was too bored of that process.

“Do we really have to?” I asked her and raised my eye brows and looked at her through the mirror.

“You are too moody and glitter always fixes the mood” Barbara agreed and borrowed my brush to fix her hair. She looked prettier than anyone I ever saw. “Do you think Ollie will like the dress?” She asked us.

“Oliver would like you even if you wore the uniform of the Queens guard.” I commented as Anna told me to keep my eyelids closed. I could feel her applying something on the cup of my eye and then she was adding mascara to my eye lashes. She then returned to my eyes.

“She is not wrong Barb” Anna commented as she then added some blush on my cheeks.

“Owo, Y/N! You look breathtaking.” Barbara spoke adoringly and massaged my shoulders lightly. She was wearing gloves and I felt a shudder of relief as she did. They both knew of my issue and they were used to be attentive around my room.

I opened my eyes and I couldn’t help but smile. Glitter was indeed making everything look better and me included. “Anna, this is amazing. Thank you so much, both of you.” I smiled and got up making a turn.

“Awe your welcome kiddo” Anna spoke and tugged some hair behind my ear with storge. I looked at her. “And if anyone dares to comment anything. Oh just let me know.” She said as we started making our way to the ballroom when we heard noises from the game room.

“What if they call me ‘bohemian’? Excuse them it is not an insult.” I smiled and turned to see Matthew and James fighting over my father’s bouse.

“Bohemian?” James asked lowly. 

“What?” Math asked James “Oh Anna Have you been sent to fetch us? He then asked aagain sagging against my brother’s shoulder.

“If by fetch you mean drag you back to the ball room since I cannot really take care of all those girls?” Anna asked holding the doo, while I was on the corridor. Barbara waved at us and left to meet her fiancée and I took a step forward.

“And I am certain all those ladies are waiting for you three…”  I smiled as I leaned charmingly to the door frame. “Perhaps I could join?” I asked. I was only mocking them. I never knew a bit of glitter and some blush could cheer me up like that. Anna knows what she is doing.

“Owo… The bohemian…” Math spoke and his gaze was fixed on me, he was drunk again and I could tell.

“All prepared for the Ari’s brother I see.” My brother commented and I raised my eyebrow.

Anna looked at me and took my hand “Oh I didn’t make art on our Y/N to give her straight to him!” she exclaimed and looked at me. “I will dance with her. No one will be as pretty as my cousin” She smiled and I hugged her causing shocked expressions to the pair of parabatai.

“Speaking of art, you still have my coat.” Math commented as he carefully took my hand and we all made our way to the ball room

“I thought it was disposable.” I commented looking at him, his eyes were fixed on the glitter around my eyes.

“So you don’t have it? Shame, things touched by me are too precious.” He sighed as he was walking pretty straight for a drunk person. His fingers tangled around mine, he was only touching my glove, the only fabric less part of my body where my neck and collarbone, so I felt rather safe.

“Oh I have it. Therefore since your declaration of perish concerning the clothing I adopted it. Namely it is no longer yours Mr. Fairchild. I am incredibly sorry.”  I spoke, my tone was formal and I looked at him. My smirk was playful as I looked at him.

Math giggled lightly. “Very well miss Herondale, I am afraid you owe me the first dance of your night. It is the least you can do after kidnapping my precious coat.” He added and as soon as we got at the ball room I felt his hand on my waist pulling me against his body. His one hand gently held mine gently. I wasn’t left with many choices. I placed my arm around his neck. Despite my heels, I was still much shorter. I hadn’t realized how much taller than me he actually is. I felt a weird feeling in my stomach as I was noticing details on Matthew that I never had the years before. It was triggering an arrythmia that was oddly euphoric.

“All of a sudden you lost your voice Lina? Looks like there are more things that unnerve you. You just can’t get enough of my face” Math remarked as his voice was laced with a bizarre ounce of satisfaction. It was the moment I admitted to myself how much I like his voice spelling my name. It was true that I was never quiet around Math. I was seizing every chance that was given to him to be ironic or mock him just like I did with James.

“Don’t be flattered Matthew. I look up to you only because I am short.” I cameback with a smart reply. I had better moments than this one, I must admit.

“Oh, that’s the best answer you can come up with?” He asked me and suddenly pushed me into a small turn before pulling me back to him, once again slightly crushing to his body. I gasped.

“A little heads up the next time would be much appreciated.” I smiled at him and looked around.

“Who are you looking for?” Math asked me, he was curious and I could tell.

“They are looking at us.” I informed him, my hand twitched in his grip. I didn’t enjoy being the center of attention, even though I loved to dance. I could see freaking Rosamund commenting something to Catherine, it made my stomach twist.

“They are only looking at you.” He corrected me and I turned at him, my eyes wide in anxiety as I tried to maintain the rest of my facial expression as it was, casual. “Hey, they are looking at you because you look wonderful. And remember it is just us. You teaching me how to dance on the first ball we were allowed to attend.” He added calmly. It worked as I only had my complete attention to his lips and what he was telling me. I smiled. “There it is.” He smiled back.

We kept dancing smoothly to the music, it was indeed just me and him until I saw her… Grace Blackthorn. Soon in my optical space, I spotted my brother and tracking back to the beeline he left there was Cordelia left alone.

“Math…” I paused abruptly. “Go to her…” I spoke and gulped at the shock she felt. She was my age, I think, and she had never had the chance to attend such ball, hence she doesn’t know that this idiocy of my brother leaving her like that could turn to something scandalous.

“I can’t… I mean you-.” Math spoke and frowned.

“I wont be hearing the honey dripping from the crones for the first time, and I can handle it. You know it. It would be a shame for Cordelia…” I sighed looking at her. I was angry at James. I was to walk there as well when Aiden Bridgestock appeared in front of me.

Awesome!

[catofadifferentcolor]

Random Old Guard Thoughts (1/?): Movie Timeline

As I've often stated, loudly and repeatedly, I tend to hyperfixate on details very few other people would consider important. Case in point: What is the timeline of The Old Guard (2020)?

I don't mean the pre-canon timeline - what these characters were doing at any given point in the last thousand years, though that too is something I've given far too much thought to - but the actual timeline of the events of the movie.

Now, we can pretty safely say the events take place in early 2019, as:

In the scene outside the mine in Val d'Argent, Nile's phone gives the date as Sunday, April 21.

The Frank Ocean song "Godspeed" Nile listens to at Camp Leatherneck was released in 2016.

The years in which April 21 falls on Sunday after this song was released are: 2019, 2024, 2030, and 2047.

Presuming that the movie is set during the War in Afghanistan, which ended August 20, 2021, this leaves 2019 as the only possible year the movie could take place. (Or, since the war went on for nearly two decades and the Doha Accords were not signed until February 29, 2020, it could have been intended to be set in a possible near-future at filming, but that seems against the general historicity of the movie/comics.) This is also the year the movie was shot during, so it seems most likely.

Sunday, April 21, 2019 is coincidentally Easter, which seems like a good date to set events involving resurrection and immortality, as well as to sneak your unwilling human test subjects into your usually bustling pharmaceutical company headquarters. (Though why you'd carry out your morally dubious research in your HQ is another matter.)

Seems simple enough. However, the incident in South Sudan takes place during a full moon - there's a nice lingering shot of it early in the movie, so it's not just some stage light shining through a window - and the last full moon before Easter 2019 is Friday, April 19. (Good Friday, coincidentally.)

We do have a bit of wiggle room. The moon rising at 6:19 pm in Juba on the night of Thursday, April 18 probably looked close enough to full to count. The one rising at 5:25 pm on Wednesday, April 17 might've too. But the question remains: even if we push the rescue operation back to the night of April 17-18, is it even possible for someone moving covertly to get from a contested war zone in Central Africa to another in Central Asia in time to make it to Northern France the next night?

Because the way I see it:

Sunday, April 21 is the hard date. Andy, Nile, and Booker leave Val d'Argent around sunrise on this day (6:31 am) and drive to Copely's house in Surrey. Google tells me this is a 774 km drive, which should take 8:45 hours. There must have been some sort of border check regardless of whatever passports were used as the UK never was part of the Schengen Area - and possibly a stop for weapons after. (Even if we shave off a few hours speeding on empty holiday roads, London sunset was 8:06 pm that day and there's nothing to imply Nile and Copley waited overnight to stage their rescue. Andy and Booker can't have been in the labs longer than four hours.)

Andy, Booker, and Nile leave Goussainville at night. If they took the most direct route to Val d'Argent (and I don't see why they would), that is a 465 km drive, which should take 5 hours. They arrive at the cave in daylight - between 7 am and 9 pm that time of year - and Andy leaves again for the town at dark. This tells me their arrival in Val d'Argent is sometime Saturday, April 20.

It is night when the guard are attacked in Goussainville. This is likely the morning of Saturday, April 20, but can be any time between sunset (8:50 pm) the day before and sunrise (6:54 am) that morning.

Andy and Nile are shown arriving at Goussainville in daylight. This could, theoretically, be any number of days before the attack, but given the clothes it's probably Friday, April 19. Also, unless we dream each other isn't an every night thing, Nile would probably have gotten Quỳnh's story earlier if it wasn't.

It is daylight on a train in Central Africa when Andy, Booker, Joe, and Nicky first dream of Nile. This could, theoretically, be any number of days after the mission in South Sudan, but I get the feeling it's meant to be the morning after - which, accounting for the moon, would be Thursday, April 18.

Is it physically possible to travel from South Sudan to Afghanistan to France in, at maximum, 39 hours? Probably. If you managed direct flights it would be something like 15 hours total plus a couple hours driving. But can it actually be done? Can you jump off a train in the middle of nowhere, find a single woman on a military base in another country with nothing but a picture and half a name, and get yourself and your companion to another continent in what's realistically more like 30 hours? All while keeping out of sight of an ex-CIA operative and, presumably, the US military?

I don't know. It sounds like the start of a Top Gear special - and initially I was going to argue that it couldn't be done. I was going to argue that the South Sudan mission had to occur during the March 20 full moon for the timing to work... but maybe not. Maybe it can be done. I'd love to know.

Which, I suppose, is a long way to travel to determine the date of Nile's first death: some time between sunrise in Central Africa and sunset in Central Asia on Thursday, April 18, 2019.

[healeroflightanddark]

Bonds of the Soul, Chapter 2: Separated

Yuya awoke in his bed, and immediately felt off. The daylight in his room looked as though it were in the evening, and he felt a bit empty. As though a part of him were missing. A big part.

A sense of dread and unease filled him, and he immediately tried to call out to his counterparts in his mind. But he didn’t hear a reply back. This wasn’t good. While Yuri and Yugo may occasionally be too busy arguing to reply, Yuto always responded immediately when Yuya called out to him. Which could only mean one thing.

“They’re gone!” Yuya whispered in horror, tears filling his eyes. He jumped out of bed and ran out of his room. “MOM! DAD! THEY’RE GONE!” he wailed as he jumped onto the firepole and slid down. “I CAN’T FIND THEM! THEY’RE GONE!”

“What’s gone?” Yoko asked from the kitchen.

“My counterparts! They’re gone!” Yuya wailed.

“They’re in the living room,” Yusho reassured him.

Yuya blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Then he turned to face the living room and saw Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo standing there. Yuya gasped and ran to them, tackling Yuto in a bear hug as he started sobbing in relief. “I woke up… and you guys were gone!”

“It’s ok, Yuya!” Yuto murmured, hugging him back. “We’re right here!”

“Can I get a hug, Yuya?~” Yuri purred. Yusho frowned at him from the kitchen doorway and crossed his arms.

Yuya ignored Yuri and hugged Yuto tighter. “Don’t ever scare me like that again, you hear me?”

“Ok,” Yuto said gently. He rubbed Yuya’s back and carefully guided him over to the sofa. Yuto sat down in the middle of the sofa and pulled Yuya into his lap. “It’s alright, we’re still with you.”

“Yeah, Yuri said this is only temporary,” Yugo said, plopping down next to Yuto and Yuya. Yuri elegantly lounged on the other side of them and smirked, “Yes, we can only be separated from you for a maximum of seventy-two hours at a time before we have to become one again to regain our energy.”

“So wait, then does that mean we can separate again afterwards?” Yuya asked curiously.

“Yes, that’s exactly what that means~” Yuri said, reaching out and pinching Yuya’s cheek. Yuya made a sound of discontent and batted his hand away. “You’re smarter than Yugo, I had to explain it twelve times before that moron understood!~”

“Hey! It’s not my fault you and Yuto inherited all of Zarc’s braincells!” Yugo yelled, balling his hands into fists. Yuya winced and covered his ears with his hands. Fortunately, the blunana noticed and lowered his voice. “Sorry, Yuya…”

“It’s fine, Yugo,” Yuya reassured him.

Yusho was still watching from the doorway. He didn’t like Yuya’s Fusion counterpart after everything he did. The XYZ counterpart seemed to be very protective of Yuya, and Yuya seemed to be very fond of him too, so as long as Yuto didn’t do anything to hurt him, Yusho felt he could approve of the edgy, eggplant-haired boy. The jury was still out on the Synchro counterpart though.

Yoko, of course, was already quite attached to all of Yuya’s counterparts. She was very excited to have a whole heap of adorable Yuyas in her house. After they had explained things to her and Yusho when they’d arrived on their doorstep with the unconscious tomato, Yoko had insisted on taking the three boys in. After all, they had nowhere else to go! And they were still technically part of Yuya! Yusho had agreed to take them in, but he was still keeping an eye on Yugo and Yuri. Especially Yuri.

“Well at least my headache’s gone,” Yuya said, resting his head on Yuto’s shoulder.

“Yeah, sorry about that, that was our fault,” Yuto apologized. “We were building up energy to defuse with you, and it was hurting you. Yuri says that it shouldn’t hurt you again though.”

“Yes, as amusing as your pain was, that was a one-time thing,” Yuri said, leaning back against the sofa lazily. “You won’t get a headache from us defusing again.”

“Good, cuz that wasn’t fun,” Yuya sighed.

“Dinner’s ready!” Yoko called out from the kitchen. Yuya’s face lit up happily, and he scrambled out of Yuto’s lap and raced into the dining room. Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo followed to find what appeared to be a full on feast on the dining table.

“Eat up, boys!” Yoko said, smiling at Yuya’s counterparts as they sat down. Yuya was already devouring his food. He loved to eat. And as someone who was very active physically, he needed a lot of food. Yuya took gymnastics classes, and burned more calories than most adults ate in a day, so his mother usually cooked a lot of food for him to stay healthy. Yusho sometimes joked that if it weren’t for the money that his duel school made, Yuya would have eaten them out of house and home years ago.

Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo on the other hand weren’t used to eating as much as Yuya ate. They ate as much as they could, but they couldn’t finish all the food Yoko served them. Fortunately Yuya was more than capable of eating everything they couldn’t. Yoko took notice of the counterparts’ smaller appetites, and made a mental note not to make so much for them. It would not do for them to get tummy aches from eating too much, nor for Yuya to overeat trying to make sure their food didn’t go to waste.

As the boys finished their food, Yuri felt something bump against his leg. He looked down, then gasped. “Puppy?”

A tiny shiba inu puppy was sniffing Yuri’s leg. Yuya looked down at it and blinked. “Well this is a new one! When did you adopt her, Mom?”

“While you were at school!” Yoko said brightly. “Isn’t she just adorable?”

“Does she have a name?” Yuri asked. Yoko shook her head. “Not yet.”

Yuri got up and picked the puppy up. “I will name you Yuugou!” he said, cuddling the puppy. Yugo rolled his eyes, but the puppy seemed to like the name and licked Yuri’s face. Yuri laughed a little and carried Yuugou to the living room to play.

Yuya helped his mother with the dinner dishes, and Yuto and Yugo did too, hoping to leave a good impression on Yoko and Yusho. It did seem to work, as the parents were both smiling.

After the dishes were done, Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo went back to the living room. Yuri was still playing with Yuugou, and seemed to be genuinely happy for once.

“Who’s a good girl?” he cooed at the puppy. The puppy yipped and licked his face. As bad and cruel as Yuri had been in the past, Yuya couldn’t help being happy that he was happy. He actually looked rather sweet playing with Yuugou. Yuya watched his Fusion counterpart from Yuto’s lap on the couch for a while, before he was suddenly overcome by a wave of exhaustion. All four of the counterparts yawned in unison, feeling sleepy all at once. Yuya closed his eyes for just a moment…

*   *   *

Yoko walked into the living room thirty minutes later, to find the most adorable sight. Waving her husband over quietly, she pointed. There on the couch were Yuya, Yuto, Yugo, and Yuri, all sleeping. Yuto was cuddling Yuya, who was still in his lap snuggling against his chest. Yuri was to the right of them, his head on Yuto’s shoulder. Yugo was to the left, sitting a bit sideways with his back against Yuto’s side. All four of them were snoring softly.

“Let’s let them sleep,” Yusho said softly. Yoko nodded, managing to resist the urge to coo over the adorable boys.

[fridaythe13ththeseries]

Reflecting - Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Well before the road which led to Casares’ estate, the two cars separated. Ryan and Micki driving towards the wooded hills which bordered the rear of the property, Johnny and his reluctant driver heading straight on towards the driveway entrance to the mansion.

The plan was simple: Johnny would arrive with Casares’ man out front, creating enough of a disturbance that attention would be drawn away from the back of the house, giving Micki and Ryan time to get inside and find Jack. It wasn’t the best plan ever, but their worry for Jack increased by the hour. They needed to act, to end this, once and for all.

The gate to the mansion stood open and no guards were posted on watch. As the BMW drove slowly down the drive, Johnny divided his attention between the driver and the oncoming house, alert for any of Casares other goons. No one appeared to stop their arrival.

As the car came to a stop at the far end of the circular drive directly in front of the front doors, Johnny ordered the man to leave the car running, then glanced at his watch. Micki and Ryan should just about be in place now. He told the driver to press on the horn a few times to make sure everyone inside was made aware of their presence. Johnny then motioned for the man to step out of the car, sliding across the seat and following him out onto the gravel-covered drive.

Johnny led the man towards the back of the car and away, putting a bit of distance between the vehicle and themselves. Then they waited for the inevitable welcoming committee.

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

Ryan and Micki had parked the Mercedes in the small lot, used by hikers and campers for their vehicles, and continued on foot through the woods, taking the same path Micki had followed with the others in their previous attempt to rescue Ryan and his mother. This trip was made easier by the daylight available, as dusk was at least an hour away. The group had counted on this as a way to facilitate an easy arrival and, hopefully, a departure with shadows to aid their escape.

The pair didn’t speak much as they made their way through the brush and rocky terrain. Their conversation in the car, and their subsequent kiss, had been enough for the present. There was so much more they wanted to say, to do, to feel - but it would have to wait. Jack was their focus now. All their energy and attention was aimed on the goal of getting him out and home, with no one being hurt in the process.

“Ryan, we have to consider the mirror, too.” Micki said as they neared the final leg of the journey, the edge of the estate slowly coming into view between the trees. “How are we going to get it back through these woods in a hurry?”

Ryan thought about it and came to the same conclusion they had earlier. “We have to think about Jack first. If we can get the mirror, fine. Otherwise, we’ll just get back to the store and figure out some other way of getting it.”

Micki didn’t answer. She couldn’t imagine them making a third attempt at getting into Casares’ home. She wasn’t even sure the plan she had come up with for this mission was all that great. But they had agreed on it, and it was too late to back out. Johnny was risking his life to make it possible for them to get inside. They had to take advantage of that. She looked at her watch. Johnny would be getting close now, and she hoped, once he had done his part, that he made it away from here and back to the store safely.

Ryan stopped at the property border, an old, stone wall barely visible due to time and neglect. The mansion loomed off across the grounds. No one guarded the yard or home that lay before them.

A car horn sounded in the distance, breaking the silence that had filled the air.

“It’s now or never.” Ryan said to Micki as she stepped close to him. “Let’s go!”

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

Raphael Casares stood next to the old man. He wanted to hit him, hurt him, make him see how important it was for him to do what was demanded. But the man just sat there, holding his old, useless book in his hands, his head down.

“Enough. I have had enough.” Casares said. “No more excuses, no more stalling. Can you free her from this damned thing or not?”

Jack sighed, and attempted to stand, but was forced back into his seat by the hand of the bald man who stood next to him, the man Casares had referred to as Carlos.

“Answer me, old man. My patience has reached it’s limit.” Raphael said, grabbing the book out of Jack’s hand.

“As I said, I may find the answer in one of the books I asked for.” Jack said, his voice a mixture of resentment and resignation. There was only so long he would be able to bait this man, only so long he could keep pretending to search for an answer. Not only was Casares short on patience, he appeared to be rapidly losing his rationality.

“Maybe some persuasion is in order, hmm?” Casares sneered. “Maybe Carlos here can help you find the motivation you need to do as I ask?”

Carlos took the hint and applied his considerable strength into the grip he had on Jack’s shoulder, instantly bringing a cry of pain from the already beaten and bruised man.

Movement next to the three men came from someone who was in the room, yet not. Catherine had come up quickly to the glass on her side of the mirror and stood now, very close to them. The words coming out of her mouth were soundless, the mirror maintaining the silence between her side and this, but her meaning was clear. She wanted them to leave Jack alone, to stop hurting him.

Casares raised his hand to the cool glass. “Well, it seems that you have accomplished something, after all, Marshak. You have made a friend of my beloved. Look how concerned she is for your well-being. How touching.” He looked at Catherine, into her eyes. “Don’t worry, my dear.”

Waving his hand at Carlos, he silently ordered him to release his grip on Jack‘s shoulder. Raphael then smiled at Catherine. “See? I bend to your will. Your wish is my command.”

Catherine stood, her hands by her side. She was silent, but her expression, her eyes, were filled with the hate she felt for her captor. It was all she could do to restrain herself from hitting his reflection on her side of the glass.

Casares, however, was oblivious to her true emotions. He only saw her as his possession, his prize. A toy he desperately wanted to play with but as yet had been denied the pleasure.

He drew his hand away from the glass and placed it onto Jack’s shoulder. “I mean you no harm, my friend, as long as you do as you have been asked. Your books should be here at any moment. Once you have them, I expect results. Do not disappoint me. I would hate to have to hurt someone who has become a friend to my princess, my beauty in the looking glass.”

The look on his face brought a shiver to Catherine’s spine.

A car horn sound just then, repeatedly.

“What is that?” Casares asked, looking straight at Carlos, as if the man would immediately have the answer.

Carlos turned to investigate, then stopped, looking at Jack. “What about him?” he asked his boss.

Raphael Casares looked down at Jack. “He’ll stay put, he has work to do.”

Casares followed Carlos out of the room, locking the door as they exited.

Their abrupt departure left Catherine confused, since no car horn sounded on her side of the mirror. She looked questioningly at the man left behind.

Having no answer for her, Jack shrugged, wincing as he did, the pain in his shoulder still fresh.

[nancypullen]

Hello?

Anyone still here? I don't even remember the last time that I posted. The job is consuming me and I'm looking for reasons not to quit. There, I said it. It's too many hours and I have no life. I don't have time to do a single thing that I enjoy. It's definitely taking a physical toll on me - sciatica, ankle issues, etc. BUT (and isn't there always a but?) I'm stuffing money into my savings, I enjoy my lovely coworkers, and there is potential to do more things that I think I'd be good at...my displays are a hit, the children's librarian is making noise about having me do some storytime activities, and I'm getting better at the things that I found daunting when I started. The library is a comfortable place for me, I just wish they'd cut me back to true part-time, 20 hours a week or less. I wanted a small job where I could meet people and do some good. I didn't want to hand over all of my waking hours. Having said that, I should admit that I've had a lovely string of three days off. Mostly because I had the week from Hell with only Sunday off prior to that. I'm 60, I'm not built for long days and late nights anymore. Only a granny would consider working until 8 pm a "late night". In my youth anything before midnight was considered early. Every night when I get off work my watch congratulates me for being active 9 out of 9 hours.

I don't even want to do anything that feels good for nine hours, let alone stooping, lifting, walking, carrying, pushing carts, and maxing out my smile muscles. Something has to change but I can't bring myself to be a quitter. I hate to quit something that I'm good at, but I hate missing out on my life even more. Now that I've whined about that - what's new with you? Tried any new recipes? Gone somewhere fun? Getting excited about the feel of SPRING in the air? I'm itching to poke around in the gardens. My tulips are all up and look exceptionally healthy, so we should have a burst of color soon. Robins have been singing to us and there's a woodpecker making noise daily which is a sure sign of spring. When the males start drumming they're claiming territory and looking for a Mrs. The birds and squirrels seem generally happier, like they've been waiting for those first sweet daffodils to appear and wake up the earth (maybe that was just me). Any way you slice it, Old Man Winter is packing his bags. He can be slow and stubborn about leaving, sometimes giving us a last blast, but he's definitely departing. We'll set our clocks forward on the 10th and it's going to be so nice to leave work at 6:15 or so and enjoy a little daylight. I miss getting some sunshine during the day. During my lunch break I go down to the wharves by the Choptank River just so I can see some sky and soak up a little vitamin D. Turns out I am definitely solar powered. In other spring news, I ORDERED A ROSE BUSH. That's probably not big news to most folks, certainly not worthy of capital letters, but this one is special. I've wanted one for a while, couldn't find it (at least not at a price I was willing to pay) and if we leave this house I'm going to dig it up and take it with me. It's a Zephirine Drouhin rose. She's a deep pink climbing rose, very fragrant, very hearty, will even thrive in shade (I'm guessing it might not bloom as much) and, best of all, it's thornless!

She's going to be planted in a sunny corner where she can climb all over my little porch nook. I'm so excited! Of course the picture above is a long way off for me. When mine arrives it will look like this...

Never say I'm not a dreamer. I'm positive that this is in my future. Honestly, how could I resist this?

Description

Intoxicating Raspberry Fragrance

Introduced in 1868 and a favorite ever since, Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose is a romantic, fantastically fragrant, old-fashioned rose that is still one of the most popular climbers today. No modern rose has been able to exceed it for sheer performance, rich raspberry scent, and generous season-long bloom, and if you make Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose part of your landscape, you will treasure its beauty and generosity of bloom.

Peaking in spring and fall, the loose, double blossoms of vivid cerise-carmine provide outstanding mass effect. Each bloom is about 4 inches across, opening from a long, pointed bud and made up of 20 to 24 richly colored petals that are infused with a strong, evocative raspberry scent. Just one flower is a delight, so you can imagine what a vaseful looks and smells like.

This old French Bourbon rose grows vigorously to 15 to 20 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide and, remarkable for any rose, performs well in part shade. Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose is an excellent choice for north-facing walls and areas with little sunlight. Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose will continue to bloom in summer, but its heaviest showing will usually be in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall.

The rich, medium-green foliage (coppery-purple when young) is very mildew resistant, and the canes are thornless, making Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose great for planting where traffic is heavy or children are nearby. This classic, time-tested climbing rose is the perfect choice to train over a trellis or porch, or trim into a formal hedge. Plant in moist, well-drained, loamy soil. I mean, what more could I ask for from a rose bush? Raise your hand if you think my optimism is setting me up for huge disappointment. I can't help myself. It's like my love affair with hydrangeas - they often break my heart but I can't give up on them. I'm sure that Zephirine and I will become besties. I have no other news to share because I can't really talk to you about funny library moments/patrons. This town is too small for me to try to change names to protect the innocent - people would know. I doubt anyone around here knows I have a blog but I'd rather not chance angry villagers in my yard with torches. I suppose I could talk about the rude elevator repair guy who has been in the building for at least two weeks with no end in sight. Our elevator was due for a complete overhaul so that's what's happening. The foreman on the job is a Trumpy, rude, misogynistic jerk. I said what I said. It's not just me, other employees who have dealt with him say the same. It's something every day. Last Wednesday I was setting up my displays for the month of March and he started making noise about the Women's History Month display. I gave him my steeliest gaze and told him that he is vastly outnumbered and to tread lightly. Then the jerk points at a book and said something along the lines of, "Why is that book there?" I saw what he was pointing at (Kamala Harris bio) but decided to make him say it. So I asked which book he meant, he muttered, "second shelf, far right". I responded, "OH. THE VICE-PRESIDENT? That's history." accompanied by a look that dared him to say more. He walked off and I admit that I was surprised that he wasn't dumb enough to be wearing $400 gold sneakers sold to him by a certain con man. My display was filled with books on amazing women - women in science, women in the arts, women in the military, women from all walks of life and political persuasions. The only thing that didn't belong was a narrow-minded doofus, so I got rid of him. I can't wait for the elevator work to be completed but I admit that I don't want to be the first one to use it. He really doesn't like us. It's probably not just us, I get the feeling that he goes through life like that. That went negative, didn't it? From gushing about roses to wanting to squash a bug of a man. Oops. Speaking of men, Mickey is waiting for lunch and then I think we're going to go poke around at the auction house. I'll make salads for dinner and then do a little meal prep for the week ahead. I'm back at work tomorrow after some lovely days off, so I need to get myself mentally prepared. The Edgewaters came over this weekend and the grandgirl was quite entertaining - lots of playing, fort building, reading, and fun. It was nice to have that family time. Alright, I'm outta' here. I hope that this blog post finds you smack dab in the middle of a good day. I hope that you're content, and that you're taking care of yourself. Feed your body good food, feed your mind good thoughts, and treat your heart with tenderness. Stay safe, stay well, spring forward! XOXO, Nancy

[groggygrogu]

drabble that’s been sitting in my drafts for months now - also here on ao3 :)

—

Construction Corner with Joel Miller

__

It was irritating how quickly she found herself warming up to the older Miller, Maria thought. It wasn’t like the man made tons of effort to get into her good graces, aside from his automatic Southern politeness. Six months in and he was still gruff and distrustful, mapping her every move with Ellie like a hawk.

The thing was, she couldn’t blame him - not really. She got it, not completely but she understood him more than most of the others did. What really pissed her off, if she was being honest, was how much she trusted Joel. Not with everything, don’t get her wrong, but with patrol duty, stables and most importantly her own daughter. The feeling was quite clearly not mutual.

It was just, he was a goddamn baby whisperer, it turned out. Tommy had mentioned it years ago, in reference to Sarah of course, how quickly her father could get her to sleep just by being there. As reluctant as she first was to hand her child off to a man who’s past she knew far too much of, she couldn’t deny how right it looks - Sofia’s tiny blanketed form encased in her uncle's large, steady hands.

He became the number one babysitter very quickly.

And it wasn’t just Sofia. The teenagers of Jackson took quite the liking to him. Once they’d gotten over the intimidation (pretty easily, she might add) he became some kind of idol. Grumpy and more than a little stand-offish but the tales of his trek across the country seemed to outweigh his less attractive traits.

Ellie was somewhat to blame for this phenomenon, bragging about their infamous journey at every chance she got. Maria wasn’t complaining about that in particular - when they first arrived, it was quite a different picture. The teenager certainly hadn’t been bragging then, barely speaking, in fact. She’d take this version of Ellie over six months ago any day of the week.

As it got closer to the colder period of the year, there was a rush to get certain building jobs finished - extra houses for newcomers and new and improved stables for the winter months. Joel was of course very much part of this effort. In fact, Tommy pretty much put him in charge. Maria wouldn’t comment on the nepotism at play there, having better things to waste her breath on.

—

There was an hour left of daylight when she arrived at the edge of town. At the time, half a dozen men were working on the largest of the new builds, shouting between each other in a mix of English and Spanish as the scaffolding went up. They were ahead of schedule, she noted.

The next thing she noted was the small gathering of adolescents standing four feet away from her. In the centre was none other than Mr Joel Miller. From what she could tell, he was illustrating something with his hands, drawing straight lines in the air and explaining himself ever so earnestly.

She had to admit, she was curious. A quick glance over to the half built structure located her husband and she nodded towards her brother in law. Tommy grinned and jumped down from the platform he was perched on.

He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and the soft smile that seemed to be reserved for just her and Sofia, and maybe Ellie on a good day.

“You’re walkin’ in on Construction Corner with Joel Miller here, sugar.”

Maria raised an eyebrow - what the fuck is that?

“Joke me n’Tess used to have going. Whenever he goes off on his contracting bullshit, history of some estate or whatever.”

“I wouldn’t expect the teenagers to be quite so riveted.” She mused gently. “Although I suppose anything from Before is exciting to that lot.”

“Neither, but they think he’s very ‘cool’ don’t they?”

“Jealous, love?” She laughed, noting his (mostly lightheaded) scowl.

“No.”

“Mhm.”

Her attention was drawn back to the small gathering, now chattering over each other with varying levels of enthusiasm. From what Maria could tell, Joel seemed gruffly bemused (as per usual) and underneath it all, more than a little proud.

“Oi, Joel,” Tommy yelled across.

The older Miller looked up, an eyebrow raised in question but it didn’t look like he was planning on joining them.

“You can finish up here, right?”

Joel nodded curtly, eyes skating over Maria before his attention was caught once again by the teens. One of them had asked a question.

“Well, you see, things were built different back then. We had all sortsa folk we had to work with and get ‘em all agreein’ which…”

Maria tuned out Joel’s explanation and leant into her husband.

“Home time?”

“Let’s get you home, darlin’.”

[gatheringfiki]

The following ficlet was written by @i-am-still-bb based on this photoset.

FiKi, Teen.

You might also be able to read this story on AO3.

If you’ve enjoyed this story, please leave a comment either in replies or on AO3. :)

Seeing Shadows

--

It was raining on Tintagel when Fili was born. He came into the world amid blood and pain. Not just his mother’s; there was a battle taking place outside the walls of the castle. The green grass was slick with red blood that looked black under the clouds and rain. He was born with a father eagerly awaiting his arrival, but less than 12 hours after his birth he would be down one parent and he would lose the other before he reached his second birthday. 

Felix, a name from their Roman conquerors and one that meant lucky, but his life was destined to be frought with ill-luck and bad winds of the worst sort. 

Gandalf foresaw as much prior to his birth. 

Despite that knowledge Fili’s mother hoped for better, for something different. Because the future is never set until it has become the past. 

—o—

Fili! 

Fili giggled and dashed further into the tall grass. The sun was warm and the grass was tall. His pursuer could only see him from the glint of sun on his golden hair. 

Where are you going?

Fili ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. He would have run faster if he had not kept looking over his shoulder to see how close he was to being caught. So he did not see the root. He did not see the kitten. He only felt them as he tripped and fell. He scraped his palms. Tears stung his eyes as he rubbed his hands on the coarse fabric of his tunic. Little bits of gravel and dirt were embedded under his skin.

Fili?

Then Bilbo was there. Holding Fili’s hands, wiping away that blood, and deftly freeing the bits of stone from Fili’s skin. 

I know it hurts. But it won’t hurt for long. We’ll use some soap to clean them when we get home.

Fili nodded. The tears were already drying on his cheeks. 

Oh! 

He scooped up the orange kitten before Bilbo could say anything. His face crumpled when he saw that one of the cat’s twig thin legs was twisted. Fili’s lower lip trembled when he spoke.

I think I fell on her…

Gently. Don’t hold her too tight. Let me…

Bilbo examined the kitten’s leg with the same tenderness that he had used on Fili’s hands. 

We might be able to help her. But she won’t be able to feed herself or clean her—

I’ll do it!

It’s something that takes time each day. You cannot just stop doing it after a single day. And even once she’s better she’ll need to be cared for if you want to keep her.

Fili nodded his head, blonde hair flopping into his eyes. 

—o—

Kili was screaming when he woke up. 

It was the same nightmare that he always had. Parts of it were different, but it always ended the same way. 

It’s just a dream, his mother soothed him. Dreams aren’t real.

Kili lay back down and let her smooth his hair back from his forehead. He nodded in agreement and understanding. He curled in close beneath the furs surrounded by the body heat of his mother, father, and siblings.

But he knew that she was wrong.

Dreams could be real.

—o—

Are you paying attention?

Fili’s head snapped up. He was stroking the cat in his lap gently. He had named the kitten Minerva. She had grown up with only a slight limp to show for her injury early in life. Fili dragged her everywhere with him. Now she was five years old and  she was more than content to lay on his lap during her few waking daylight hours. 

Of course!

Decline the Latin for “I love.”

No one speaks Latin anymore! 

The Romans are not here anymore, but there are still plenty of people in Brittany and further south and east that use it.

I thought the Byzantines used Greek. 

Bilbo chidded him, Decline “I love.”

Fili rolled his eyes with a groan dropping his head back against the earthen wall of Bilbo’s house. Amo, amas, amat, amamus , amatis, amant.

Good. Now…

—o—

Kili stared at the man with long gray hair and beard that was sitting by his parents’ fire.

He had seen this man before in one of those dreams that “weren’t real.”

He did not dare tell his mother. She was already looking at him with a level of wariness and fear that made him uncomfortable. He had known that his brother was going to break his arm before it had happened. He told them about the flood before clouds had even darkened the sky. They had been skeptical, but they had moved their goats to higher ground. Then the rain came. And it kept falling. And the Avon overflowed its banks. Lives and homes were lost. 

That was the first time that his family had looked at him with guarded expressions. 

I will train him.

Kili’s father scoffed, In what? Magic?

If that’s what he has, yes.

Kili looked at his mother. Her lips formed a thin tight line. 

Magic?

Kili looked at the man harder and tried to see anything magical about him. His clothes were a nondescript gray. And despite his gray hair he did not appear to be that much older than Kili’s father. Later, under the sun, Kili would notice the brown and red strands that were still present among the silver hairs. The only thing that seemed remarkable was the sword that was visible beneath the gray cloak. 

Why would a wizard need a sword?

—o—

Again. Thorin barked orders at Fili. 

The wooden sword was heavy in Fili’s hands. His shoulders ached, but he raised the wooden sword, hilt worn smooth from hundreds of hands, and swung it again. 

You’re aiming at the target again. You should be aiming through and past. 

But there is a target there. Fili protested. Am I just supposed to pretend that there’s not?

Thorin smoothed back his hair that was starting to gray at the temples with one hand. Yes and no.

Fili groaned and tossed the sword to the ground in frustration.

Think of it this way, Thorin bent to pick up the wooden sword. He casually flipped it in one hand. If you aim at a thing then you're not pulling the sword through. You’re stopping. Like so. He demonstrated without the target in front of him. 

But you still hit them. 

Yes. But they’ll be more hurt if you follow through. If you swing through the target you’ll have more power to the cut and you’ll do more damage. Does that make sense? Thorin handed the sword back.

Yes. But it still does not tell me why I need to learn this at all. 

Thorin looked at Dwalin then who stood in the shadow of the stone wall. Gandalf had told them not to tell. They had all agreed to keep Fili’s parentage a secret. As far as Fili knew he was Bilbo’s nephew, of which Bilbo had many.

Fili looked at Dwalin as well. He tried to decipher the silent conversation that Thorin and Dwalin were having. Thorin scowled. Dwalin shrugged. Thorin raised an eyebrow and returned the shrug. 

No skin off my nose if you tell him, Dwalin rumbled.

Tell me what? 

What do you think he’ll do? Thorin asked, ignoring Fili’s question.

Dwalin shrugged again. You know as well as I do what Gandalf is capable of and what he might do.

Meaning he might do anything, Thorin grumbled.

Fili gripped the hilt of the sword tightly. He looked from one man to the other.

Thorin sighed and ran his hand through his hair again. We might as well take a break and eat if we’re going to tell him. He’ll have plenty of questions.

—o—

What happens in the vision? Gandalf demanded.

Kili squirmed in his cross legged sitting position. He had been learning how to have visions when he was awake rather than just asleep. They still bowled him over and left him shaky and uncertain how much time had passed. One time it had been early morning and the next moment that he was aware of it was dark and the fire Gandalf had lit had burned low. 

Bad things. 

What bad things?

Kili shook his head.

I’ve had these visions too, Kili. I know most of what you saw, but you must share your visions with me. Together we might see a path forward that neither of us would see alone. 

Kili pulled his legs tighter to his body and fidgeted with the hem of his braccae. 

Are you there? 

Kili shook his head. No. I’m not. I’m on an island I think. And I’m a lot older. I have a beard. He touched his chin. And tattoos like yours. And many rings.

Gandalf nodded. 

There’s a battle. It’s in a valley and—

Who’s fighting? What banners did you See?

I don’t know…

Try to see those next time. Every little detail can matter. 

Okay, Kili nodded. 

—o—

The battle is in a valley between two large hills that have snow on their peaks. It’s cloudy. But there are fires that melt the snow in the valley. There is smoke. That makes it hard to see. Kili rubbed his eyes as if the smoke was still burning them. There are many different banners, but most of them belong to two different types. There is a red dragon on a white field. That one is often paired with three golden crowns on a blue field. They seem to be fighting against men carrying a black flag bearing a silver shield inscribed with a black two headed eagle. 

Which side is winning?

The one carrying the eagle banner.

How do you know?

They are pushing back the other fighters. It almost seems like the side with the dragon are giving up. There is a spot where they are pushing forward. That is where the fighting is the fiercest. It all centers around a knight who is wearing a blue surcoat decorated with three crowns. At his side is a man carrying a shield with a five pointed star. They’re fighting well and hard, but they are only really managing to keep their ground. Sometimes they gain a foot only to lose it again. 

And this is how you’ve seen it before?

Yes. Sometimes he’s wearing a different surcoat, one of white with the red dragon, but he’s always in the center of the fight, with that knight at his side. 

What happens then?

The knight in the blue coat falls. A knight dressed in black has pierced his side with a lance. Sometimes he uses a strange curving dagger, but the knight in black always stabs the knight in blue. Everyone rallies around the fallen knight. He is dragged back through his own army by the man wearing the star. They do not stop when they are free of the fighting. They get on a horse and they go to the sea. Sometimes a boat appears, sometimes it does not, but the knight always dies. The knight with the star always screams in grief and clutches the body of his friend.

And what about you? You said you were on an island.

I was. But once the knight dies I am drowning.

—o—

Fili stared at the sword that was embedded in the large rock. 

No one can get it out.

It was put there by Gandalf.

The devil is more like.

I don't even think it’s real. I think the sword ends at the rock.

Everyone around him was talking about the stone. But their voices fade to a hum, like the buzz of a fly that will not leave you alone, annoying, but not the end of the world. 

They were all gathered together for the choosing of a new king. There had been civil war for seven of the nineteen years since King Uther had died. Everyone was dressed in their livery and standing in clusters, refusing to mix with people serving other lords. Fili was not even supposed to be there, but Thorin’s squire had fallen ill at the last minute leaving him with the option of taking Fili as his squire, or traveling alone. And Thorin planned on participating in the tournament that was meant to serve as a distraction and a consolation for those who could not draw the sword for the stone, so he needed someone to help him put his armor on. 

Fili! What are you doing!

Fili startled, but he did not stop. His fingers wrapped around the warm leather hilt of the sword. He would later swear in private with a close friend that he felt a rush of power tingle up his arm and into his face. He was scared. But at that moment he just drew the sword. It slid from the stone as easily as if it was coming from a well-oiled scabbard. 

Fili stared at the shimmering blade in awe.

—o—

Did you put the sword in the stone?

Of course not! It has been there for generations. Do you really think that I am that old?

Yes.

Cheeky bastard, Gandalf grumbled.

Who did it then?

Who did what now?

Who put the sword in the stone? 

Oh. That would be Galadriel.

Who’s she?

Don’t you listen during your lessons? Fool-headed child.

Kili stopped asking questions then. Instead he watched Gandalf’s hands as he cast some complex spell that he refused to explain to Kili. The silver rings on his fingers flashed in the firelight. Dark lines swirled on his skin to disappear beneath the rings and under his clothes. 

Kili had a few tattoos of his own now. He was first marked when he first called a vision on command. That one was a simple thin band of black around his right ring finger. The others had come afterwards. At first he could tell you in what order he received them and why he had received them. But now they have all blurred together. He had been angry when he had asked Gandalf about his and Gandalf replied with, I don’t remember. Kili thought he was being purposely difficult. He knows better now. 

Kili sat back, the stone wall of the castle cool against his back, and stretched his mind, seeking, searching… 

—o—

We can still leave, Bilbo said quietly.

I’m not leaving. What would they say about me then?

Can’t be worse than what they are saying about you now, Thorin growled.

Dwalin nodded his agreement. They were all crowded into the covered cloister. The garden was lush and green. The monks had clearly been tending it carefully. A black robed priest had hurried them into the cloister and away from the public eye. 

What about the sword?

We’ll just put the damn thing back. Dwalin pushed off the wall of the fieldstone wall of the church. 

And what about the people?

Damn the people.

Fili shook his head. I can’t do that. The stone answered to me.

More like the Devil trying to trap you. 

Fili sighed and looked out the narrow window. He would rather be there, in the dry grass fields with the muted scent of earth, grass, and flowers than here in this carefully tended garden. The monks clearly hauled water from a well or from the river to feed the flowers. It was meant to be a sanctuary for the clergy away from the laity. He already wanted to escape everything already and the council meetings once he is crowned will only be worse and he knows that. What would I do if I left?

What you were going to do before the damn sword, Dwalin snapped.

Was there really ever a ‘before’? Fili turned to look at them. When you told me about Uther it already sounded like I was expected to do this someday. If not because of the sword then for some other reason. 

It was meant to be your choice, Bilbo answered.

And this wasn’t my choice?

Did you know the sword was going to come out at your touch? Did you do it from a real desire to be king? Or were you just trying it because everyone else was?

Fili turned back to the narrow window. It certainly wasn’t the first two, he replied. 

Then you didn’t really choose this.

Fili settled his shoulders and turned away from the outside, from where he would rather be, But I’m going to do this. 

—o—

Are you sure that we won’t burst into flames when we try to walk through the door? Kili asked half seriously. 

Gandalf stopped walking and scowled, bushy eyebrows sticking out, There will be no ‘try’, Kili. We will be going through those doors. And of course we won’t burst into flames.

But… Kili gestured to his clothes and Gandalfs, We’re what they call pagans. 

And?

Kili shrugged. I suppose that would mean that we wouldn’t be allowed in. 

Gandalf turned and started walking towards the gray behemoth of the church. I really don’t think their god cares about such things as magic or people who don’t believe in him. He never has cared in my experience.

In your experience? Kili darted after Gandalf. But Gandalf did not answer. 

They did not use the main entrance on the west end of the church. Instead they used a small door on the southern side. Kili had been expecting to see what he presumed with a towering interior, but instead was met with a cramped room with very little light. 

You’re here then, The priest looked up from where he was adjusting his vestments. I suppose it was too much to hope that you’d be late, have forgotten, or just decided not to come.

Oh, do cheer up, Gandalf chastised. He shed his gray cloak revealing the white robes beneath and leaned his staff in the corner. It’s not like I’m going to hex you. Again.

Kili’s gaze darted from one man to the other. Again? They both ignored him.

Trickery and devilry. 

It was magic, Ulric. You can say the word magic without bursting into flames. I had one of your fellow Crows try it, just to make sure. 

Ulric frowned. As I said—Devilry. 

Without my devilry your church still wouldn’t have a roof.

Ulric grunted and changed the subject. I see you brought a miniature version of yourself to assist you in your mischief.

I think you call them acolytes. Kili is my acolyte.

When Ulric did not respond Gandalf asked, Would you like to do your bit first?

Since my ‘bit’ is the only part that matters… Yes.

Ready?

Ulric nodded.

Kili?

Kili nodded tightly.

Ulric ushered Kili and Gandalf out the door. When they left the sacristy the priest locked the door behind them. 

—o—

Fili did his best to ignore the crowd standing at his back. The cathedral was packed from wall to wall and down the entire length of the nave. 

Just breathe, Thorin instructed and Fili forced himself to take a deep breath. 

He kept his eyes fixed on the large crucifix hanging from a heavy wooden ceiling beam. He had asked why he had to be crowned in a Christian church when he was not a Christian. It had not really been explained to him, but the old wizard made it clear that it would be happening if Fili wanted to hold the throne because if he was to rule both Christians and those who still worshiped the old gods then he would have to be acknowledged by both institutions. 

There was the sound of a door closing. Fili dragged his eyes away from the cross to see … not the bishop that he had been expecting. Instead he saw a tall young man, probably his own age, maybe a little younger, with wild dark hair. He was dressed in black clothes bearing traces of silver embroidery; a silver necklace's mirrored surface flashed light into Fili’s eyes. His hands were adorned with rings and dark lines, made with coal? More lines flickered behind the collar of the young man’s shirt. His dark eyes met Fili’s and Fili saw that the man was as nervous as Fili was. 

Behind him was the old wizard Gandalf.

And then, finally, the bishop. His vestments were white with a purple and gold chasuble. His pectoral cross and ring were golden and quite large. They commanded attention in the way that the silver jewelry worn by Gandalf and the other man did not.

Fili forced himself to breathe. Only then did he notice that music was playing. When had that started?

—o—

Kili stopped walking at Gandalf’s command. He stood one step lower than Gandalf and to his left. He did not miss the fact that the bishop had positioned himself one step higher than Gandalf, but even with that added height he was still shorter than the wizard. 

We are gathered here today…

The bishop started speaking. And Kili stopped listening, but he did catch the tones of discontent, something about the coronation being rushed and things not being as they should be. It looked elaborate enough. Kili watched Gandalf out of the corner of his eye; waiting for a signal.

The boy being crowned king was younger than Kili had expected. Beardless, young, and shorter than those that stood behind him, Kili assumed they were his advisers and closest supporters (doubling as bodyguards, presumably). 

He had expected something more. 

More of what? He was not sure exactly.

But he had drawn the sword from the stone. Gandalf had not explained how that magic had worked, only that someone pure of heart, with pure intentions could do it. He’s probably the most boring person to ever exist then, Kili had replied, to Gandalf’s amusement.

The crowd beyond him was hazy with the heavy smoke of incense, the scent settling on and filling Kili’s senses, and candles. The windows were small and placed high in the walls.

This boy—soon-to-be King, Kili reminded himself—was watching the proceedings with a steady gaze. It was the twitch of his fingers, tapping out a rhythm against his thigh, that gave him away. 

The signal interrupted Kili’s musings; he would have plenty of time later to consider what was making the king-to-be nervous.

Kili nodded to a young courtier who proffered a purple velvet pillow. On the pillow rested a dark crown in the shape of stag’s horns. Kili’s fingers turned the tufts of fabric as they grazed the pillow, leaving trails in his wake. 

His knees nearly buckled when he touched the crown. The visions came hard and fast, many different moments all at once. 

Kili’s hands lifting the crown from that golden head in a different space. A dark stone room lit by candles and populated by only two people.

Kili carefully disentangling golden strands of hair from the tines of the crown.

The crown being hastily tossed aside for a press of flesh and warmth.

Settling the crown on the king’s head, the same king standing before him now, but older. 

Carefully securing the crown to a helmet with trembling fingers.

The crown falling to the ground to be trampled in mud made from blood.

The …

Gandalf’s hand on Kili’s shoulder brought a halt to the visions. 

Kili’s hands shook  as he carefully placed the crown in Gandalf’s waiting hands.

—o—

Fili saw the widening of the young man’s eyes as they unfocused, staring into something that Fili could not see.

—o—

The priest spoke at length. He anointed the new king’s head with a rich, thick smelling oil. The king agreed to do whatever it was that the priest asked him to do and then the crown was placed upon his head.

Rise, King Felix, son of Uther Pendragon.

Felix Pendragon.

Kili could feel a few more things in his head clicking into place with the realization of who this new king was. 

—o—

The full moon was bright enough that it blurred out any stars that would normally appear in that part of the sky. The rest twinkled merrily except for the couple of bright points that did not twinkle. Instead, those points burned steadily as they made their way across the sky. The bright moon and the lack of clouds meant that Kili could see everything in the stone circle clearly. It was a recumbent stone circle. Thick pines with their sentinel-esque trunks crowded close on the north side where they marched up the gentle slope. To the south the moonlight created pockets of darkness in the expansive view. Each dry hillock or bunch of purple heather or yellow grose made the landscape new and mysterious in the monotone light. 

Kili checked his pocket for the vials of ash, salt, and oil to symbolize fire, earth, and air.

There was a cool breeze, but after the warmth of the day it was a welcome change.

The uprights were arranged in a loose circle around the massive recumbent slab of sarsen. A tall upright stood at either end of it. They stood taller than those of the perimeter circle. Kili leaned against the sarsen stone, which was still warm from the day. The large stone was incised with spiraling designs. In many places they were filled in with a blue-green lichen that Kili picked away as he waited. The other stones were plain to contrast with this, the most important stone. The circle was set apart from the surrounding hilltop with a ring cairn that alternated between red and white stones, but, in the darkness, they looked to be gray and white. 

Gandalf’s staff pushing aside the foliage alerted Kili to their presence before they arrived.It was just to be the two of them and Fili. 

The stag horn crown was tipped and askew when Fili stumbled into the stone circle.

Is it just us?

At the same time Gandalf and Kili looked to the sky.

We are the only witnesses, Gandalf replied. An answer which did little to answer Fili’s question by the look on his face. Fili looked around the circle at the gray and black landscape before putting forth another question. 

What is this place?

Don’t you know about the stone circles? Kili’s question thick with disbelief is through his lips before he can even think of stopping it. 

Should I?

They’re just… they are… Kili looked to Gandalf for help, his mind having gone blank with surprise.

The stone circles mark places where the fabric between worlds has grown thin.

Thin? Fili looked over his shoulder as if expecting a monster to leap forth.

There’s nothing to be afraid of, Gandalf assured him. The other worlds hold nothing that you need to fear.

He continued, In places like this our magic is stronger. The further we are from these points the weaker our spells will be. 

So magic comes from those other worlds?

Gandalf does not answer. Because these are where we are our strongest it is where your real coronation should take place. 

I don’t have to pass through into one of those other worlds, do I? Fili asked nervously.

Gandalf looked over his shoulder to look at Kili with an expression that said volumes. Clearly Fili’s education was lacking in this department. It would be Kili’s job to correct that as soon as possible. 

Do you have the items? 

Kili nodded and handed over the small glass vials. 

You stand here. Kili pointed to a spot on the northwestern side of the stone. Put your crown on the stone, in the center. And then keep both of your hands on the stone.

Kili did not miss the tremor in Fili’s hands as he placed the dark bronze crown in the slight depression. Fili bent close to inspect the same designs that Kili had been tracing only minutes before. 

Take off your tunic, Gandalf ordered. 

Fili hesitated, but pulled the light tunic over his head. The motion flipped his curls in different directions. His shoulders shuddered in a shiver.

Gandalf’s words rumble through the stones and reverberate through their bones. 

Kili felt the words more than he could hear them.

Fili dropped his head forward, shoulders around his ears. His exhale was visible through the sagging of his chest. 

The moon seemed brighter and closer, but the shadows deepened, spread, and reached out with dark fingers. 

Gandalf spilled the contents of the vial into his hands. He rubbed his hands together, spreading the oil, salt, and ash together. 

His voice deepened. Kili’s legs quaked. Fili fell to his knees, but his hands stayed firmly planted on the stone, his fingertips digging into the stone, lichen beneath his fingernails. 

Gandalf’s words became a chant and he smeared the mixture on Fili’s face from his forehead, across his cheekbones, and over his lips. The dark streaks of ash are thickest at his brow and thin out as they continue down his face and following Gandalf’s hands onto Fili’s shoulders, down his arms, and onto the stone, ending at the bronze crown. Gray smudges marred its shiny surface. 

Gandalf grabbed Fili’s hands and nodded for Kili to place his own hands over both of theirs. Together they wrapped Fili’s stiff and shaking fingers around the crown and guided them to place the crown on Fili’s head. 

Gandalf stopped chanting then. But it took several long moments for his words to fade as they sank into the stones, the earth, and their bones. And then all that was left was the shaky sick feeling in the pit of Kili’s stomach and the weakness in his limbs.

They pulled their hands away from Fili’s and lowered them slowly. 

It is done, Gandalf said. 

The grains of salt sparkled in the oil on Fili’s skin. He started to rise, but stumbled. Kili caught him by the arm. 

I think I’m going to be sick, Fili groaned.

Deep breathes, Kili coached. The first time with magic can do that. It does get better. But that was something very powerful. I don’t feel so well myself. 

Fili bent double with his hands on his knees, head hanging as he took deep, slow breaths. 

Kili turned to ask Gandalf a question. 

But the stone circle was empty except for the two of them. The oil on the recumbent stone glistened wetly. It seemed to Kili that the moon had been trapped in the oil, trapped on Fili’s skin.