#if that gives any indicator of how we're feeling tonight

[bluecollarmcandtf]

M O O N L I G H T ™

Pulling into the lonely gas station, my eyes quickly find what I'm looking for, a pair of blue lights emanating in the darkness. The glow is coming from the gas attendant's skull: clear indication that he's a Moonlight™ employee.

"Good evening, sir," he says with the overly-endearing tone of a gracious host, "How may I be of service tonight?

I don't hide my distaste for the pathetic menial worker, leaning on his mop and waiting for my reply like he's got the best job in the world. He doesn't actually believe that. He doesn't even know what he's saying, let alone doing!

"Just fill her up," I grunt.

"You got it, sir!" he beams, tending to my car with a pep that's out of place for the late hour.

Moonlight™ was the app that revolutionized working culture forever. It allows the user to sign up for a job while they sleep. All they have to do is doze off and some insufferable AI from Moonlight™ will resume control of the body via remote connection. People like it because they get paid work without experiencing all the boring hours and insincere customer interactions. Subsequently, they always get the same unbearably eager personalities stuffed in their bodies. Even without the glowing eyes, their idiotic grins would make them stand out a mile away!

"How has your day been, sir?" he contines mopping as the gas slowly pumps.

"Don't try to chat," I snap.

"Of course, sir," he doesn't miss a beat, smiling as he returns his neon gaze to the sidewalk he's swabbing.

I just roll my eyes and wander inside. The app doesn't record memories while it's in control, so this guy has no idea how humiliated he should feel. No one should have a shit-eating grin on their face working the night shift as a gas station janitor! I'd die before I gave up my dignity to Moonlight™ like this fucking loser!

On the TV behind the register, an ad plays...

The costumed man on the left steps forward and announces, "Join the revolution. There are over forty-two-million Moonlighter's taking advantage of their sleep! That could be you!"

The statistic makes me cringe. It's nearly doubled since the last time I checked...

The man on the far right of the screen happily taps in, adding, "We're constantly expanding our scope, so check with your employer! If your job doesn't already have a Moonlight™ option, then ask your boss to give you one!"

God, they're pressuring people now? Some jobs should not be done by an AI puppeteered Moonlighter...

Finally, the man in the center steps forward to deliver his lines, "Remember, Moonlighting is a safe and healthy way to not only make money but also get a good night's rest! Why work all day, when you can do it in your sleep!" his head turns, making it seem like he's smiling at either of his coworkers, "After all, we are!"

The three men laugh in unison, like true colleagues chumming up at work, but I know the truth. These three are worse than actors, they're empty marionettes for the Moonlight™ corporation. I doubt they'd ever even met each other in real life...

"Shut up!" I groan, smashing the power button to turn it off.

This world is going to shit. Moonlight™ has grown too large over the past year for there not to be some conspiracy or ulterior motive. I don't know what it is: the elite keeping the working class in their place, our government influencing our decisions, a foreign country converting us into their slaves! It all sounds crazy, but I don't think a single theory is impossible with an app like Moonlight™.

I'm the only one probing into this mess. I may have only worked as a detective for a few years, but I never did any of it fucking asleep!

A few days later, I track down my first lead...

"Good morning, sir," the garbage man says in that unnaturally smooth cadence they all have, "Is there any trash you need collected?"

"I just have some questions," I snort.

One hand pulls the hem of my shirt over my nose while the other swats at the flies. These garbage trucks are absolutely filthy. I doubt the garbage companies even bother washing them out anymore, but why should they if their workers are soulless husks without the ability to care? The man in front of me seems completely oblivious to the mixture of rotting smells and accompanying bugs. His glowing eyes don't even blink as a fly lands on his face, crawling through the hairs of his beard. He's probably lucky that he goes home with no memory of this downright awful job.

"Are you looking for employment with Moonlight™ incorporated?" his smiling lips stir the bug on his face, but it quickly buzzes into the moist retreat of the man's dark armpit, "I'd love to help you install the app and-"

"No," I cut, "Just open the truck. I accidentally threw out something I shouldn't have."

I study the man's frozen grin for anything. It's a test. The Moonlight™ AI is designed to accept demands from free-willed customers, but I have a suspicion that the building nearby is an undocumented base for the company. If I'm right, the company would hate for anyone to root through the garbage of their secret lab...

"...I apologize, sir, but the garbage has already been compacted, and it is unsafe for non-employees to look inside. Please let me know what it is you are looking for and I will search for you."

His artificial glee didn't wane, but the blue light in his eyes did flicker just barely. This guy might be asleep, walked around by remote AI tech, but I could still tell he was lying. I'd like to see one of the Moonlight™ detectives figure that out. As I said, some things are better done the old-fashioned way...

"Well, thanks anyway," I snark, planting a slap on his sweat-soaked back. He says something about it being his pleasure as he resumes handling the garbage, flies eternally buzzing around his smiling head and glowing eyes.

Continuing my investigation, I pop down in the sewer, looking for an underground entrance to Moonlight™'s secret lab...

"Are you lost, sir? Let me help you."

I've had to breathe through a mask to put up with the heavy cloud of steaming sewage, but the Moonlight™ septic worker seems fine, smiling with an open mouth, specks of God-knows-what dried on his teeth.

"No, I'm where I should be," I dismiss him and march past.

Suddenly a muddy glove sticks out and holds my chest. "I'm afraid you cannot pass, sir," his smile is as strong as ever, but the trademark glow of his eyes intensifies.

I've never felt more sure about my suspicions. This mind controlled worker seems ready to fight rather than let me pass. I wonder if this poor soul knows he's being used as a guard as well as being a Moonlight™ sewage worker.

"Why don't you show me the way out then," I relent.

"Of course, sir," his hand removes itself from my chest, leaving a dirty print, "The sewer is a dangerous place for civilians."

I follow as he marches me out of the sewer. It's better to leave and come back later with a plan. Today, I confirmed my suspicions, but tomorrow, I'll finally see what secrets they're cooking up in that lab. I return home and end the day with the satisfaction of being close to a major discovery. Sleep finds me quickly...

Waking up in my bed, I check my phone and find an unsettling message waiting for me...

"Congratulations on finishing your first shift with Moonlight™!" the text reads, "Here is a photo of you hard at work last night!"

"What the FUCK!"

I jump out of bed, but instantly everything feels off. My back aches and my legs are more tired than they were last night! My pajamas are uncomfortable, pinching in areas like someone else dressed me in them! My mind is racing with confusion, and an overwhelming sense of self-consciousness rushes over me. My face burns from the violation, but most of my fear is focused on the strange feeling lingering in the back of my private area.

"What did they do to me?" I try to be pissed, but all I can do is whimper.

Suddenly my phone rings...

"Hello," I growl.

"Good morning, sir," a familiarly gracious man's voice rolls through the call.

"Tell me who the fuck this is!"

"Someone who noticed you snooping the other day, sir," his voice sounds like it's smiling.

Suddenly it clicks. Whoever's calling me from Moonlight™ would never use their own phone and voice. They must be using some poor schmuck that thinks he's working an honest job right now. How am I ever supposed to find who's behind all these layers of lies?

"You can hind behind your brainless puppets," I sneer, "But I will not stop looking into this fucked up company!"

"But now you're one of our puppets, sir. I'm not sure how much credibility a detective has if he spends his nights working the room at the dirtiest club in town..."

"That's sick..." I whisper, thinking about the picture on my phone. The idea of me gleefully stripping for a room of disgusting old men makes me shiver.

"Good luck with your investigation, sir," the voice continues, "But just understand that every time you sleep, your body will get up and report to that club. I have to admit that you're hiding a rather tight body under that trench coat of yours."

"You were there?" I mutter.

"Oh I had to meet the man poking his nose where it didn't belong, sir. I got very familiar with you. You were very friendly last night, so I poked something of mine where it didn't belong."

The voice on the other line laughs, and all I feel is utter humiliation. I hang up the call and stare at the photo he'd sent. It was me alright, smiling like a maniac in the gayest outfit I've ever seen. I didn't like my body being dressed like that. I hate that I was happily busting my ass for the enemy. He had to have been getting off at my humiliation last night. I'm sure he relished every second of what he did to me. I don't even want to think about the sensation left in my ass.

I need to push this investigation faster.

Because tonight, when I go to sleep, I'll be helpless to prevent this from happening again.

[3amfanfiction]

It's Just Dinner pt 3

John needs another date and Kyle is very convincing. MDNI cw: gazlighting, manipulation, forced prostitution 2.8k First || Previous

Thankfully the next few weeks pass quietly. There's no surprise dates, no uncomfortable conversations. Just you and Kyle, like it used to be.

You're tentatively relaxing into the rhythm when the next bombshell goes off.

Kyle's running around, getting ready to head to base early in the morning, talking to you over his shoulder when you hear, "Price has an opera he needs to see with one of the brass this weekend and he needs a date. I told him you were free," finishing with his shoes he grabs a jacket, coming over to give you a dirty kiss complete with a healthy grasp of your ass. "We'll go shopping when I get back," —assured, nonchalant, just another day.

No. No! You're not doing this again!

"Kyle! You can't just volunteer me—"

"Bye, babe!" echos through the entryway as the door slams shut.

Conversation over.

///

You fumed for hours. How dare he? How DARE he? Did he think you were a child he could make decisions for? Absolutely not.

You were ready for him now.

You'd spent all day preparing and when Kyle got home tonight you were going to sit him down and you were going to be firm. You weren't going to let him talk over you, you were going to stand your ground tell him you wouldn't be going on any more dinner dates with John Price.

Simple.

But as with any battle plan, it only lasted through the first encounter.

"Why are you acting like this?" Kyle frowned, not understanding. You crossed your arms defensively where you were standing in the bedroom, having followed him in when he got home. Why did you feel defensive?

You watched him pause, holding his t shirt in one hand as he looked over to you, head tilted in confusion. "You said you'd go, I already told him you agreed." He stepped towards you, dropping his shirt back in the drawer before stopping a short distance away, "you can't back out now babe, he's already booked the reservations."

Stop. Take a breath. You're not going to lose your temper.

"I never said I'd go, Kyle."

"Yes you did!" he insisted, eyes wide in disbelief, rolling right over your moment of breathing, "I was standing next to the kitchen table this morning—putting on my shoes—and you said yes."

He took a small step, bridging the distance between the two of you.

"Are you feeling okay, love?" his concerned voice made annoyed pinpricks creep up your spine. "You've been awful stressed lately. Is something going on at work? Anything you want to talk about?"

For one moment you imagined dumping it all on his shoulders, hysterically yelling, I'm pretty sure your boss tried to kiss me! to see what he would do with the information.

Kyle lifted his hands to cup your face, rubbing your noses together gently before you could do anything hasty. "We're partners . . . you know I've always got you, right?"

And just like that, the annoyance dissipated.

"I know, Kyle. That isn't what this is about," you reassured, leaning into his warm calloused palms, taking strength from his presence. "I just don't want to go to an opera this weekend."

You never brought up the half-kiss John had pressed to the corner of your mouth. After your bathroom pep talk you had met back up with him and he behaved himself for the rest of the night—there was no reason to worry Kyle about it.

But it still festered in the back of your mind.

His brow furrowed while he looked disappointingly at you, "Love, it would look really bad if I had to go back to my superior officer and say, 'sorry sir, she changed her mind, we can't help you.' It puts me in a bad spot when he's counting on us, on you, for the night."

His expression turned sad, "I wish you wouldn't have agreed if you had reservations about this."

Did you agree? He seems so certain, remembers it so clearly, maybe you did indicate acceptance somehow this morning, unwittingly.

"No—no I didn't agree, or at least, that's not what I meant," you capitulate, giving ground, shoulders rounding ever so slightly.

You have been stressed lately.

Maybe he's right.

He pulled away to frown down at you, "why are you so against going to dinner this time? Last time you were excited to go."

"I wasn't excited Kyle," you stammered, "I told you I wasn't sure about all this."

"No babe, you told me you were nervous," he pauses to smile at you as if you were in on a secret together, "after all Price is a handsome man and anyone would be nervous to have his full attention on them," you firmly don't think about the swoop in your stomach when he had cupped the back of your neck, the static shock that skated up your spine when his lips brushed yours, ever so slightly.

"—but then you had a great time." you focus back on what Kyle is saying, pulling your wandering mind under control, "I don't understand why you're being so skittish about this now."

He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into his chest before shuffling the both of you over to the bed. Sitting, he moved you into his lap, chest to chest so he could look into your eyes.

"Are you sure no one said or did anything?" His voice dripped with sincerity, looking for something to fix, some way to help, "You know you're my best girl, right? I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

Fuck. How do you keep messing this up? Now you're sitting here crying as Kyle promises to protect you. Should you just tell him? Get it over with, off your chest. Would that unlock the chain that was dragging you down? You wanted it to go back to how it was before.

No. You weren't a child and you didn't need to be babied. Nothing truly happened so there was nothing to tell Kyle.

But without telling him, you didn't have a valid reason for not going this time.

So you sat there in silence, unable to give ground any further. After a few moments of this, Kyle continued, tone lowered —assured, "Who's always looking out for you? Making sure that you're safe and you're happy, hmm?" he used his thumb to wipe away the tear tracks on your face.

"You," you assure quickly. This at least came easier, "but Kyle, this is—"

"Pet," stern, direct, "you're getting all twisted up in this when you don't need to be. You trust me right? You know I'm always doing whats best for us?" he holds your gaze, forehead pressed against yours, watching every flick of your eyes. "I love you more than I ever thought possible, but if you don't trust me . . . that's a hard thing to come back from, you know?"

"I do! I do trust you Kyle, I'm sorry. I don't know why I feel this way," rushed, pleading.

"I told you, even though you're my best girl, your head still gets in the way. We need to turn that pretty brain off, don't we?" He kisses you sweetly, as if you're everything he could ever want. "I've got us, baby. I wouldn't steer wrong."

Breathe.

"Okay," you give in after one more moment of resistance, tired of the pushing and pulling, the cyclical conversations, "okay, I'll go. But this is the last time, do you hear me Kyle Garrick?" You pulled back to show him your no nonsense face, "I'm not doing this again."

Kyle laughs as if you'd stomped your foot in assertion, something too cute to ever be taken seriously, "I hear you, babe. Thank you for coming around to see my side of things," he squeezes you to his chest, your face tucked into the warmth of his neck, "you're going to have a great time, you'll see."

He leans away to take you in, "How are you so wonderful? I feel like I must've saved an orphanage from a fire or something to have gotten you in my life."

Smiling at you as if he could see the universe in your eyes, "it's you and me, right sweetheart?" he questions, a child looking for benediction.

"You and me," you assure, disquiet bubbling softly in the back of your mind.

///

You saw John before he saw you.

He was standing in the foyer, looking at his phone, dressed to the nines.

His snug black suit emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, biceps bulging at the seams. His button down shirt tucked into his pants emphasized his thick waist, the muscles of his core covered by a healthy layer of fat.

His thick gold rings caught the light from above as he swiped through his phone—

Was that your living room on his screen?

The thought was derailed almost as soon as it formed due to John noticing you. He turned with a beaming smile as he locked his phone and slid it into a pocket. Holding his arms open he ushered you into a hug.

The smell of his cologne was earthy, loamy—it curled up in your nose and sunk its tendrils into your brain. How did he always smell so good?

Tensing slightly as his arms closed around you, he did no more than press a firm kiss high on your cheekbone. "You are a vision, my dear," John said in awe, pulling back slightly to take you in from head to toe. "Every time I see you, you end up more stunning. How is that possible?"

You laugh, charmed despite yourself. It's hard to keep up walls when John Price is looking at you like that, "You're too sweet, John," you demure, intending to have a good time tonight, "shall we find our seats?"

///

Several hours later, when the night was all but over while waiting for your car, you don't notice at first that John has taken a step closer. You're too distracted by the chill breeze that has sprung up, attempting to keep your skirt where it belongs.

You realize how close he had gotten when his hand comes up to brush against the skin of your jaw, fingers trailing softly as if dragging against spun gold.

Something precious. Something treasured.

You inhale shakily, unsure of where this was leading but wanting to stop. To take a step back onto stable ground.

"John—" is as far as he lets you get before his mouth covers yours, his other hand coming up to cradle your face in his palms while he devoured your mouth.

Because there was nothing timid or hesitant about this kiss. He claimed with it. His tongue pressing into your mouth at the first sign of weakness—the smallest gasp you couldn't control.

His fingers tightened against the side of your head as he groaned, angled down from above, making sure he was all you could see, all you could hear.

After what felt like years he pulled away, panting like he'd just ran a race, "Fuck me, sweetheart, but you taste even better than I'd hoped."

You stand there, eyes wide as you hold onto his wrists, one hand covering the smooth face of his watch. "You—you kissed me," you murmured, only just loud enough to be heard, "you can't kiss me, John."

He smiled as if you said something cute before pulling you back in. His lips had just brushed yours when you wrenched your head back, desperate to put space between the two of you.

"No, John," shaky but as determined as you could make it. You watch as something rises from the depths behind his eyes. A leviathan observing you, deciding where to bite first, where to grab as he pulls you into his depths, his maw closing around you . . .

Only for it to sink back below the surface, John's blue eyes clearing once more.

"Of course, of course, you're right doll, we shouldn't be doing that here." He continues talking over your spluttered here? as if you never said anything.

"There's your car anyways," the brakes squeak ever so lightly behind you, the thrum of the engine filling the night air, "you be good, sweetheart." A smile as John steps back, holding your door open for you. You climb in quickly, not wanting to spend any longer in his presence than needed.

John looms over the open doorway, forearms braced against the roof, "until next time." He winks at you before shutting the door, a soft double tap on the roof his notice to the driver.

As the car pulled away from the curb your thoughts began to spiral and you started to hyperventilate.

You had to tell Kyle now, you should've told him before but you can't go changing the past.

As soon as you get home you'll sit him down and talk to him. You'll tell him everything.

You ignore your slick thighs and the pressure of your underwear on your throbbing clit.

///

You made the car drive around the block—twice—before you worked up the courage to go inside.

Time to face the music.

"He kissed me, Kyle," you say, bracing for the explosion. You were still reeling from the evening, light tremors shaking your limbs, making your knees feel like they were knocking together.

You know you have to tell him everything, you can't keep something like this quiet. You have to lay it all out and hope he doesn't lose his mind.

Kyle froze. You watch him swallow, noticing his pupils expanding to eclipse the brown of his eyes. You hoped it wasn't in rage.

He quickly gathered himself as youlet out a broken sob and launched yourself at him, tears already streaming down your face.

You cried into his chest, latched onto him in search of strength. He pressed soft shh shh's against the top of your head, cradling you close to him, trying to coax you to breathe.

Eventually you were able to draw in a semi-steady breath without it immediately devolving into a sob and found yourself apologizing to Kyle, "I'm so sorry, I don't know why he kissed me—" breaking off into another wet hiccup.

"None of that now, you're making it a bigger deal than it needs to be," Kyle promised sternly, squeezing you tightly to him, "I know it's not your fault, you did nothing wrong." He soothes you when that causes another round of sobbing to begin.

"I'll talk to him tomorrow," he announces quietly, with a somber air, once the tears began to peter off. "It might cause some . . . friction on the task force but if it's made you this upset then I'll handle it."

Why? Why does John have to be Kyle's boss?

It made everything so complicated.

If it were anyone else, you'd be able to trust Kyle to set them straight, no concerns about consequences. But with John . . . he had control over Kyle's life. Is a kiss worth it? Is anything worth risking Kyle's life?

No.

You'd decided before that you wouldn't risk bad blood between them. You held onto that decision even now, even as things have gotten heavier, more complicated.

You bury deeper into Kyle's chest, arms wrapped as tightly as possible around him, "No, I don't want to cause trouble for you at work."

"Doll, it's no-"

"No, you were right, I'm making it a bigger deal than needed. I was just worried, that's all."

He hunched down to rest his chin on top of your head, "worried about what?" he presses.

"Just that . . . that you're saying it's okay when it's really not. I don't want you to be upset with me." Your eyes started to well up again but you blinked furiously, trying to keep the tears from falling down your cheeks.

He slips an arm free to tilt your chin up, angling your face towards his, eyes locked so you have no way of hiding from him and what he's about to say.

"I'm not upset with you and you did absolutely nothing wrong," holding your gaze, chin firmly grasped. "Do you think I care about the captain kissing you?" —amused, placating almost— "I care because you care, love," he looked down to your lips, pursed slightly from the pressure of his grip.

"Here," quiet, sensual, "I'll show you."

When he pulled you into the kiss it was warm coffee on a cold morning, it was waking up to realize you have an hour left on your alarm, it was the house lights being on when you get home at night.

It was comfort.

You chase after him slightly when he pulls away, wanting to continue. He smiled and gives you another peck. "You taste," he murmurs, lips brushing yours with every word, "utterly delicious."

You pant softly, waiting for him to press into you again. He smiles and gives another soft kiss, "chapstick and cigar smoke taste perfect from your lips."

Next

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[scar-lie]

Threesome {Natasha & Maria}

Summary : You wanted to fulfill your wife's fantasy

Pairing : Natasha x Fem!Reader, Maria x Fem!Reader, Maria x Natasha

Warning : threesome, oral, Nat sa penis, just basicaly a sex without plot

Word count : 1,691

NO one has permission to repost my work anywhere, if you see it please let me know.

Cherrylemontober

I wake up with a smile on my face, this is the day, that I will make my wife dream come true

At first I didn't support it but I think about it and wanted to really, really make this dream come true, and that is to have a threesome

I already think who I will asked and that one person is the only one I can asked for doing this, I trust her and I know she have a little crush on my wife

I get out of bed and go to the kitchen and make a breakfast while I call my twin sister Maria, after a few rings she answered

*Twin Maria*

Hey, sorry to bother you

Hey, its ok, I'm already awake tho, what do you need

Ok, I know its a little too much and it's ok if you said no, but I'mtruly be happy if you agree to it

Spill it out, Sis

Ok........can you have threesome with me and my wife?

Wh-what? Threesome? Why?

Well that's her dream and I want it to give it to her, at first I don't want too but I think about it and you're the only person I can trust with this one

But, you're my sister and she's my sister-in-law

I know, could you please?

Ok, ok fine I'll do it

Thank you very much and oh I'm thinking to give it to her tonight, is that ok for you?

Tonight.......is good

Ok, just come here, thank you very much, love you Sis

Love you too, bye

Then she hung up, I squeal of happiness excited too, don't get me wrong Maria is my twin but I find her attractive, if she wasn't my sister, I will court her

Anyways I just do the breakfast and go up in our bedroom with the breakfast and wake Natasha up and we eat our breakfast

We have our own house away from the city just how we wanted, and we're married for over 4 years and that's the most amazing year on my life but something is missing, I don't know what it, it's just-I feel it

We just spend the day together until it was night Maria is already here and we already eat dinner and we're just hanging out in the lounge

When I wink at my sister indicating that it's now the time and she nod so I start to touch Nat while she's talking to Maria

"Love what are you doing?" she asked and I look up at her innocently

"I'm doing nothing!" Then I get on her lap grinning on her crotch making her close her eyes and hold my hips, me feeling she got hard

"Your sister is here in front of us, stop it!" She growl but I didn't stop

"Why? It's ok!" Then Maria got besides her and start to kiss her neck

"Fuck, what are you two doing?" She pant then Maria play with her boobs and I grin harder on her now so hard member that was poking my hole

"I thought you wanted a threesome!" I said then pulling her sweatpants, boxer and underwear down

"Bu-but she's your twin!" I just smirk and let Maria take her member in her mouth

"What are you saying?" I asked her then take her shirt off and take her nipple on my mouth then play with her other one on my fingers

"Mmmhhh fuck...... Fuck it, I need to be inside of any of you two!" She quickly put both of us on her shoulder stepping out of her clothes and go upstairs to to our room

"I need to fuck you two!" She growl ripping both of our clothes, leaving the three of us naked

NATASHA

"Maria sit on my face and Y/N ride my cock!" I say laying down and they quickly got on top of me

When Maria hover her cunt over my face I hold her thigh and slum her down on my face and start eating her out while Y/N aligning my cock on her entrance

She slowly go down making me impatient so I grab her hip and in one swift motion I just slum her down until my whole cock got inside her

They both moan, Maria start to grin her cunt in my face so I stick my tongue out and enter her and she start to jump up and down on my face

Y/N are getting slower to her movement so I help her and starting to fuck her, meeting her half way through while she bounce up and down

"Ooohhh fuck Nat, you feel so good!" Maria shout

"Wait till she fuck you with her big dick Maria!" Y/N moan and I move faster my movement making them a moaning mess

"Oohh I'm close Nat, fuck!" Maria moan and I hum on her cunt

"Cum, Maria, cum all over my face!" I mumbled and it trigger her orgasm and she cum on my face so I lap all of her juice

"Oooohhhh fuck, Nat baby you're so fucking deep on me!" Y/N moan still bouncing up and down then Maria get off of me, laying in the bed so I hold Y/N's waist pulling her down and hug her then fuck her fast and hard

"Oooohhh I-I'm gonna cum.....oohhh fuck yes righ there!" She moan on my ears and with one last trust she cum all over my cock

"Fuck, lay in the bed Y/N!" I say, she did and I grab Maria putting her in front of Y/N

"In all fours Maria!" I growl and spank her ass making her moan and go in all fours

"There you go, eat her out, baby!" I said teasing her entrance by my tip

"Mmmhhh. Ye-yes please put it inside me please!" Maria moan and start to eat Y/N out

While she's eating her out, I juat slum my cock inside her making her stop eating her out but I hold her head and force it on Y/N cunt and she eat her out again

"Oohhhh fuck yo-you're so big....fuck ho-how ca-can you take this Y/N" Maria moan out and I just chuckled out and she start to eat Y/N again

"I-I don't know too, ooohh fuck.....Maria yo-your mouth is so good, fuck me!" Y/N moan throwing her head back

Seeing my wife in pure euphoria making me turn on, plus seeing Maria in all fours me fucking her from behind wants me to cum right away, just having this twin Hill on my bed and a chance to fuck them is a privilege

"Eat her out real good Maria, show what you've got to us!" I growl and start to trust harder and faster on her tight hole just like her sister

"Fuck you both are so fucking tight........ Fuck!" Then I went faster and faster making her shove her face on Y/N's cunt

"Fuck I-I'm close again, fuck!" Y/N moan so I slowly down and reach to her cunt and insert two fingers and just go on fast pace and curling my finger inside her making her go crazy

"Cum, darling, cum for us!" then I still go on

"Look how beautiful your sister is when she cum!" I whisper on Maria's ear still pumping slowly then in one curl of my fingers Y/N cum hard

"Look how beautiful she it!" Then Maria moan at it

I take my finger off of her and lick it clean and spank Maria's ass

"Lick her up, clean her up!" I growl going to my hard and fast trust again

She did what I told until Y/N are now clean up, I grab Maria's throat and pull her up, pressing her back in my front

"Gonna fuck you so good!" She moan out and I start kissing her neck, her hand land on my hip and arm that was holding her throat

"Ooohh fuck!" Maria moan and Y/N start to circle her clit

"Oohhh fuck, I-I'm gonna cum!" Maria shout and we go in hard until she cum throwing her head back, after she cum I pull out and jerk off

"Open your mouths!" I growl and they sit in front of me, mouth wide open, tongue out waiting for my climax

"Oohhh fuck!" I groan jerking off until I cum all over their mouth and face making me moan

"Oohhh fuck!" With one last trust I cum my last drop

"Thank you!" They both said and swallow my cum taking some of their face by their fingers and lick it

"Good girls!" I smirk, standing up, going to the bethroom to get ready the bath after that I go to them and pick them up going to the bathroom and lay them their

I start to wash them both and they just hum of it, after that I change all of us, them only my shirt and I only wear a boxer

Then lay them in the bed, me getting between them and pull them on me, they cuddle up on my side

"I love you two!" I say kissing their heads

"Mmhhh we love you too!" They both said and Y/N look up at me with a smile

"Ca-can Maria be in on our relationship? Like the three of us in one relationship and get married the three of us?" She asked and I smile at it, I nod and we look at Maria

Who was looking at us shocked, we give her a reassuring smile

"So what do you say? Do you want to be in on our relationship?" I asked and she smile

"I would wish nothing more than to be the both of you!" we smile at it and kiss each other

"Good, now sleep, I know you both are tired" I say kissing their head

"Good night!" They both said

"Good night you too!" With that we sleep with peaceful, happy that Maria added on our relationship

[chronicdisasterwrites]

you can do better. i'm better

pairing: gojo satoru x reader (modern, college au)

genre + warnings: - FLUFF !! alcohol consumption, smoking, swearing, and a jealous and very flirty gojo. reader is gender neutral but is shorter than satoru and has long-ish hair.

word count: 1,934

summary: this is a song-fic based on this ask, the song being "FEEL" by Måneskin. for the full experience, start listening to the song after the 4th break, there'll be a very obvious indication in the dialogue!

enjoyyy <3

“So, there’s a party.”

You hum non-committedly, pen still dancing on your page as your eyes flit between your textbook and notebook. You hear a pen tapping against the wooden desk and try very hard to ignore it. The tapping gets louder and more constant until you’re unable to ignore it any longer. You release a long sigh as you look up at the person pest sitting before you.

"Okay, what?"

Shoko grins as she sets the pen down and clasps her hands underneath her chin, "There's a party. Let's go."

You stare at her for a few seconds before asking, "When, where, and why?"

"Tonight, at Mei Mei's place and because we can and should."

You groan, "I really don't wanna, Shoko. I have work and I'm so sleep-deprived I can't-"

Shoko shuts your books and flicks your forehead, ignoring the small "ow" that escapes your lips. She stands up and takes your things with her, "We are going, and that's that. You can sleep and work and whatever after the party. It's been way too long since we actually had some time to relax and I'm not going without you, so suck it up."

You dejectedly watch her leave with all your things and wonder why you even hang out with such a menace.

---

"Oi, Suguru."

The man in question is distracted, hunched over his desk, sketching away in his notebook with loud music blasting through his earphones. Satoru slams the door shut hoping it'll break his best friend's trance. Suguru feels the reverberation from the door slamming closed and tilts his head to look at a pouty Satoru with arms crossed across his chest. Suguru sends an apologetic smile as he takes off one earphone from the ear closest to Satoru, "Hey. Sorry, what's up?”

“There’s a party.”

Suguru pauses his song, suddenly concerned at how loud the volume was. Rolling his chair back and fully facing Satoru now he says, “Let me guess. We're going?”

He watches Satoru fall back on his bed sprawled out like a starfish. There's a pause before Satoru speaks, “Depends. Y’know if Shoko's going?”

Suguru gives him a sly smile, “I’m not sure. Why?” Satoru spares him a glance masked with disapproval, “Just asking, jeez. What's with the face?”

There's a laugh as Suguru stands up and makes his way to his closet, rummaging through his typical array of edgy, dark outfits. He hears the bed squeak and assumes Satoru is now sitting up, glaring at the back of his head. He decides to pull his leg a bit more, “Just sick of your childish antics.”

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Suguru sighs as he lays down his selected outfit on the side of the bed Satoru wasn't currently occupying. Satoru sighs exaggeratedly, obviously mocking his best friend and only gets a deadpan look as a response, "You just proved my point."

Satoru whines Suguru's name and falls back down on the bed, dropping his arm on Suguru's clothes, "You're annoying."

Suguru watches Satoru with amused eyes. He knows all about the silver-haired boy’s embarrassing crush on you. He flirts and teases you all day only to mope around and whine about why you don’t like him back. Suguru loves his best friend, but how much whining can a person take? Especially since he talks to Shoko, and Shoko is your best friend, and Shoko has informed Suguru that you very much do like Satoru back. 

With a snort, Suguru walks over to his chair and goes back to doing what he was doing when the man-child speaks again.

"Hey, make a playlist. Nanami will be there and I can't deal with any more of his depressing emo music."

---

When you got there, the party was in full swing. People are dancing on tabletops, drinking cheap beer and hard liquor, and smoking all kinds of things, and you're pretty sure you saw someone passed out on a desk littered with plastic cups and playing cards. Leave it to Mei Mei to throw the craziest parties in college history.

You wished you could cling on to Shoko through the entire night, but she ditched you with a simple pat on the back and a nonchalant "have fun", and so here you were, in the kitchen drinking something too colorful, and ridiculously sweet for your liking. Satoru would like this shit, you think, begrudgingly swallowing the concoction.

"You don't like the drink?"

You look over to your side and find a guy you've never seen before. The kitchen is more or less empty with a few people coming and going as the blaring music from the room connected to the kitchen shakes the walls. Sheepishly smiling and putting the glass on the counter you were leaning against you reply, "It's a bit too sweet for me."

The guy laughs a hearty chuckle and moves closer to stand right in front of you, blocking your view of the open entrance of the kitchen and the room conjoined to it. He's tall, not taller than Satoru, you deduce, and fairly good-looking.

"Ironic. You seem pretty sweet yourself."

You snort, "Wow, smooth."

He looks at you with half-lidded eyes and you know what he's thinking, as he reaches out his hand and introduces himself. You reciprocate and give him your name before adding, "I haven't seen you on campus before."

"Yeah, I don't go here. I'm a friend of Mei Mei's."

You nod your head slowly and look for an opening to get out of the conversation, "So, just here for the party?"

He grins and places both his hands on either side of you, caging you against the counter, hovering his face too close to yours for comfort, "Initially yeah, but now I think I found a better reason to stay."

You cringe internally. Oh god…

---

"What the fuck?"

Moving his eyes to follow Satoru's line of sight, Suguru scrunches his face, "Ouch. Sorry, man."

Satoru's eyebrows are drawn together and his eyes are flaming as the plastic cup crumples from his unyielding grip. He thinks about walking over to where you were in the kitchen and stomping all over that random guy's face until he looks like the red plastic cup; disfigured, sad, and lying motionless on the floor.

"Who the fuck is that guy?"

Suguru senses upcoming trouble as Satoru's anger starts to pulsate louder than the actual music. He takes another plastic cup and fills it with a concoction consisting of alcohol mixed with something fruity, handing it to an absolutely livid Gojo Satoru, "I dunno. Why don't you go and find out?" 

He watches Satoru down the entire cup after which he slams it on the table. They exchange glances as Satoru gives Suguru a sly grin, "Play something appropriate, will ya?"

Suguru watches with a smirk as his best friend marches over to the kitchen. Playing a song he deemed appropriate, he looks around to find Shoko talking to Utahime and saunters over to her, nudging her on the shoulder.

Glancing at him, she quirks an eyebrow as she takes a drag of her lit cigarette. Suguru points over at the kitchen as Shoko leans to the side to check out what he was gesturing to, and a wide grin blooms on both their faces. Their thoughts seemed to merge at that moment. This is either going to be really fun, or really bad.

---

“There you are, sweetheart!” 

Your attempt to maneuver yourself away from the counter and the man blocking your way was interrupted by the booming voice you know so very well. Peering over the guy’s shoulder you see Satoru sporting his usual smug smile, bounding toward you and gently wrapping his fingers around your wrist. The man immediately scampers five steps behind as Satoru towers over him, his intimidating posture and menacing grin wiping the overconfident facade the man was previously showcasing. Wrapping his arm around your waist, Satoru leans down to leave a kiss on the top of your head, all while keeping his piercing blue eyes locked on the terrified man’s pale face. 

“You done flirtin’ with my girl?”

The guy stutters face darkened in embarrassment as he rushes away, presumably to crawl into a hole and die. You watched the whole interaction with confusion overwhelming your senses. When Satoru’s arm drops from your waist, you snap back to reality as you laugh and look up at him with amused eyes, “Well, that was hilarious. Nice acting.” 

You expect him to laugh and just leave it be, so when his eyebrows furrow and eyes stare pointedly at you, your confusion comes rushing back. 

“Seriously? That loser?”

You wonder why Satoru’s being so hostile; maybe he doesn’t like that guy, maybe he’s just protective. But then you notice the light blush covering the apples of his cheeks and it hits you - Oh, he’s jealous.

Huffing, you lean against the counter crossing your arms across your chest and reciprocating the same pointed look right back at him, “Why do you care?” 

He stares at you for a few beats and then sighs and turns back around to leave, “Forget it.”

You have liked Satoru for a while now, but the boy never speaks freely. One moment he’s flirting with you nonchalantly, and right when you start to think he might like you as more than a friend, he does things like this. So you decide to persist this time by reaching out and grabbing his slender wrist, “Hold on, just tell me. Why do you care?”

You watch his shoulders rise up and down and before you realize what’s happening, Satoru whips around and cages you against the counter, similar to how to were trapped a few minutes ago, except this time you’re sure your heart skipped several beats. 

He drops his head next to your ear and whispers, “Because, I know you.” 

You feel his fingers run through your hair as he tucks a few strands behind your ear. Keeping you between him and the kitchen counter, he leans down and aligns his face directly across yours. You feel his sapphire eyes burn through your eyes to the back of your skull as he leans closer, his nose mere inches away from yours. “I know what makes you blush, I know what words you like to hear, I know what you want to feel…” 

Your face is getting exponentially warmer by the second and you think your heart is following the rhythm of the drums playing in the song currently blasting through the speakers. You stare at him wide-eyed and stunned at his antics.

“S-Satoru-”

His eyes trail down to your lips and then back to your eyes and his lips curl into that stupid smile you hate so much. At this point, you’re both breathing into each other's faces and he tilts his head to the side, eyes zoned in on your lips, inching forward until you can smell the sweet scent of alcohol and mint in his breath and the deodorant on his body. You’re too stunned to close your eyes, so you don’t miss the way his lips barely graze yours before he stands straight and grabs the cup you had previously abandoned on the countertop - a piece of information you had completely forgotten about. You watch him chug the entire drink and sigh in satisfaction, as he gently sets the cup down and moves back. “Sorry. Got carried away there,” his eyes are soft and your stomach is light as if filled with feathers. You’re speechless, shocked, and so bothered. Standing there with your heart lodged in your throat, you watch Satoru leave with a smile and not a clue in his pretty head on just how he makes you feel.

a/n: very special thanks to my dear @daisy-the-quake for test-reading this <;33

taglist: @thepup356, @porridgesblog, @stray-npc, @daisy-the-quake, @reignsaway, @ainetx, @icarusignite, @mariapierce789

[lnights]

@10yearsofblindchannel

Tommi day! 856 words, OT6!

Tommi was trying to sleep.

Yeah he always knew it would be hard to sleep on a moving tour bus full of people, especially full of people that were loud and all had slightly different sleep schedules, but normally he could read a bit and make himself sleepy. But it just wasn't happening tonight.

It wasn't that anyone was being particularly loud or disruptive, no more so than normal at least, but sleep just wouldn't come to him no matter what he did. He couldn't focus on his book, music wasn't helping, he couldn't exactly go for a walk, and sheer force of will wouldn't make his brain quiet down enough for sleep to come.

Tommi let out a sigh and pulled back the curtain of his bunk, squinting against the harsh light of the bus as he swung his legs out.

"Are you still awake?" Joonas asked from the couch.

"Can't sleep," Tommi grumbled.

"Want some coffee?" Joel offered, "I'll make it."

Tommi laughed, Joel was lying on the couch with his head in Joonas' lap and his hair getting played with, there was no way he'd move. "No, don't get up, you seem comfy." Tommi told him.

"I can make it." Joel mumbled, but he made no attempt to get up, his eyes closing and leaning into Joonas' hand.

"Where's everyone else?" Tommi asked.

"Olli's asleep in his bunk," Joonas told him, "and Niko and Aleksi are having some quiet time in the back."

Tommi sighed, that was three of his boyfriends he couldn't get to distract him, flopping down by Joonas and running his fingers through his curls.

"Are you two having some alone time too?" Tommi asked quietly; it could be hard for them to get any time alone with just the six of them, but it was almost impossible for them to pair up to just spend some time together. It would be better when the tour was done, and he wasn't going to intrude on anyone's time.

But Joonas shook his head, giving him a smile, "you know how this one-" he gestured down at Joel, "can't sleep if one of us isn't by him, so we're just hanging out."

Tommi nodded and started running his fingers through Joel's hair too, knowing it was the best way to lull him to sleep, and earning a small contented sigh from the singer in return.

They just stayed like that for a while, not talking but enjoying the closeness; a couple of their crew members were around but pretty much everyone was asleep at that time of night; driving overnight between cities so they could make the next gig, so they could just feel the movement of the bus and relax together.

"Why can't you sleep, nalle?" Joel muttered, sounding half asleep himself.

"Just can't," Tommi murmured back.

"So we have two insomniacs." Joonas laughed softly.

"Tonight we do." Tommi sighed.

There was a soft sliding sound and a few moments later Niko and Aleksi appeared in front of the couch, the pink imprint on Niko's cheek and slow blinking indicating he had been getting some blessed sleep in the back before something woke him up.

"I had a thought." Aleksi whispered, "I couldn't sleep-"

"Oh great," Joel groaned, "we're up to half." 

"I'm not exactly sleeping either J." Joonas muttered.

"How about we all sleep in the back tonight?" Aleksi continued with a tired smile, "we still have a few days until our next hotel stay and the two couches pull out into a big bed…"

"Yes," Tommi said instantly, it's exactly what he needed, to be surrounded by his boyfriends.

"I'm taking your bunk then," Santeri grumbled, hauling himself up from the table he had been working at and going to claim his new spot for the night.

"Fair," Tommi chuckled, standing and helping Joel to his feet, watching as he shuffled to the back with an arm around Joonas, Niko and Aleksi grabbing pillows and blankets from their bunks as they followed them.

Tommi grabbed the ones they missed and started to follow, but paused at Olli's bunk. They had a rule that if someone's curtain was closed, you don't open it, but he also knew how deep their bassist could sleep and that Olli would be so upset if he woke up and found they had all slept together without him…

So Tommi shifted the blankets to one arm and gently pulled back the curtain, smiling at Olli's peaceful face. He reached into the cramped space and carefully got his arms under him, pulling him out and carrying him to the back.

"Oh good," Joonas smiled as he walked in, "can't forget our Olli."

Tommi laid him on the pulled out bed between Niko, who had already fallen back asleep, and Joel who miraculously seemed to be falling asleep fast now.

Aleksi and Joonas got in and left an open space for him, so Tommi just turned off the light and laid down between, pulling both of them into his arms, enjoying their warmth and focusing on the sound of their breathing.

He was asleep in no time.

[thebananwithaplan]

"Uncle sure is taking a while to be back..."

"He said he was was supposed to be home by now."

"...........I'm sure Uncle Bossman's has his reasons." The Oldest scrolled quietly on his phone. Nothing out of the ordinary there, seemingly.

🎙️ "Come on, now. You boys got nothing to worry about. I'm sure your uncle's coming right through that door any moment now-"

The sound of the front door unlocking could be heard, followed by the door opening, footsteps not long after.

"Y'ello! I'm hooooooooome!"

🎙️ "Wow, perfect timing. See? What'd I tell ya? Just as exp-"

".................................."

🎙️ "-aaaaand I stand corrected."

Of course the room would quickly go silent. Normally Banana would give little to no indication of what his whereabouts were, but one does not simply arrive with a whole human child without having everyone else stare in bewilderment. And #5 couldn't help but stare in return; like, yeah. Those are living, smaller bananas. And a sentient microphone...

Surely, DB's thought about how to explain what happened in a careful, sensitive manner that leaves little to no questions needed, right?

"...Just to keep it short, reeeeeereeeally bad stuff happened and she'll be hanging out with us until we can get her back to her real home. We're to treat her like a guest and make her feel as welcome as possible in the meantime. Got it?"

Before anyone could try to ask what any of that even meant, the Oldest, ever on his phone, was the first to answer.

"Yeah, sure. I'm cool with that."

"Well in that case, same!"

"......................Fine." Peel's the only one who still had a couple questions in mind, but when has his uncle's judgement ever gone wrong before? ...Nobody tell him.

Peel wasn't the only one who had questions. The Announcer would have asked as well, but one look at the human before him and he could tell that it's been a rather loooooooong series of events for them. Maybe he'll ask those questions another time; it's rather late anyways.

🎙️ "Well. I'm gonna assume my work here's done for today, sooooo. See ya next time."

"See ya!" Banana waved Nouncey off as the microphone made his exit. "Now that that's settled... what did you say your name was...?"

" ...........H............Ha....na........." Even though nobody's asked up until this point-

"Hannah! Right! Riiiight... Anyways, just wanted to ask, you don't have any allergies, do ya?"

"......N-not really...."

"Good! In that case, who's up for a PB&J tonight?"

".........What is...... a 'PB&J'?"

"..........................." Sorry for the pause. He just. Didn't expect to find someone who hasn't heard of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich yet when he's been so used to them for a long time himself...

Not the only time he'll find himself unprepared for what's to come.

[butts-bouncing-on-the-beltway]

Amara's Day 2

We started today off with the goal of teaching a young lady about choices! Most important choice? Indoors or Outdoors. But there have been others along the way.

Amara needed to be carried out this morning to the yard for potty time, because she was feeling really anxious about leaving her overnight nest. She'd had an accident overnight without waking us, and I think was feeling scared of how we'd react. When we need to carry her somewhere, we've been establishing consent first to make sure she knows it's safe. Mostly that looks like keeping a respectful distance and offering her the back of our hand or finger tips to sniff. If she leans in and gives a lick, we'll go ahead and approach and pet her a little. If she turns away or growls, we'll drop the hand and try again after a few minutes, usually with a treat. If she takes the treat from our hand, we can pet, but if she waits for it to be on the ground, we give her some space until she seeks out a sniff. Once we're able to pet her without triggering any discomfort, we'll scoop her up with her legs and hind quarters supported and carry her where we need to bring her.

While that *was* how Amara got out to the yard this morning, we were able to get her to return indoors voluntarily! It took about 30min of back and forth before she wasn't afraid to let me close the back door again with her inside, but moving her water bowl and a dish of ground rabbit into the kitchen helped.

Medical observations for today so far are as follows:

Amara is chronically dehydrated (indicated by thinning of skin, poor elasticity, dry nose without heat, etc) and underweight (indicated by manual evaluation of ribs and hips, and full weight while carried) with possible malnutrition. She's eating and drinking well while here, indicating this is likely related to access rather than apetite.

Care plan accommodation: morning meal consisting of wet food, evening meal consisting of kibble moistened with nutritional supplement, and consistent access to her own bowl of water with added electrolytes. Duration 1-2 weeks, or until sufficiently hydrated to see physical improvement. Feed at rate of current weight plus 20% per meal after first week (first week refeeding up to rate for current weight in 1 cup intervals 2x-4x daily as sought) and until rib and hip bones are less sharply visible/felt under the skin.

We've made a lot of trust building progress, and currently Amara will seek out brief affection by seeking the consent process and licking as her affirmative. She also climbed up on the bed for a bit while humans and other animals were on it! She mostly prefers not to be touched, and gets nervous around sudden movements, but she has been able to coexist in shared spaces with the dogs, cats, and people largely without issue today!

She makes a BIG SIGH whenever she relaxes in a cozy spot, and she crosses her front paws just like Jaxxine does.

We're gonna try the outside again voluntarily soon and see if she's up for it, but first I have to get dinner started (harissa-tahini gravy with wilted greens over meatballs served inside of baked sweet potatoes bowls) so I can leave it to simmer while I supervise the pups. I'm hoping the kitchen time will help with the gradual adjustment back outside since it's an in-between space.

I think even if we don't get to bath time until later this week, we can still call today a victory if she goes in and out willingly and starts to learn the potty schedule. I'm going to mix a spray tonight and try to use tomorrow for introducing her to the curry comb so we can work towards cleaning her wounds and completing a more thorough physical exam.

[imaginationisveryrapid]

Back at it again because of the ridiculous work crush. I cannot understand this man at all. When we talk in person, it's great. In fact, he's sometimes the one prolonging our conversations, which feels awesome and makes me think we could be headed, albeit slowly, in the direction I would like us to be.

But, when it comes to texting, I just have no fucking clue. It was kind of a crazy day, with multiple interactions. One of them was when he was yelling at a shoplifter who'd stolen from us yesterday and tried to return today. I just heard him yelling, but I wasn't sure what had happened. I retreated and went to look at something I had intended to anyways, before going back to where he was located. In that time, he had texted me asking if he had scared me off, which I didn't know he'd seen me and I didn't realize he'd texted until after we were talking, but all was fine. Great even. He gave me a rundown about a presentation he's giving on Thursday. And we talked about the shoplifter and his intimidating nature as a former Navy veteran. The thing is, I can see how he'd be intimidating to other people, as he's a bigger guy and obviously can give off certain vibes after 9 years in the Navy. But he intimidates me for a different reason. Because I find him attractive and want to say the right things so he'll like me back, even though there's truly no "right thing" to say for things like that.

Although I think I unintentionally (so, so unintentionally) offended him tonight? I had also shown him a stitchwork project that I had completed last night. It was one that said 'This Is Fine' made up of the word 'fuck' multiple times. It was funny and he laughed. Another project I need to complete is one that says 'Try Not To Murder Anyone Today' with some flowers around it. Now this one is also meant to be funny and I would have sent it to any of my friends, including others that we work with. I sent it to him after I was done with work saying maybe he needed it, very much as a joke, thinking more of the hassle of dealing with the public and shoplifters, rather than his military background.

I also sent another message, because I wasn't sure if the shoplifter would come back for another confrontation in the morning, when there's way less of us around. He responded to my second message, pretty basically, without acknowledging my first message and my cross stitch at all. So now, I have no clue what's going to happen tomorrow. Either he's going to be upset with me for it or we're going to ignore it. But I really thought I'd at least get an lol out of him or something. So to get nothing at all makes me think I've upset him, which I obviously did not want to do. And I'll apologize if I have to.

But fucking hell, this is fucking exhausting. This is why I was so mad about having the work crush in the first place. As much as I wouldn't mind something happening between us, if there's always this much anxiety involved, I'd rather just stay friends.

And that's just it, he was literally my first friend there. I've gotten to know the others more now, but like my second day, he was pulling me aside and asking me questions. And we've been interacting as friends ever since. But now it's like there's this level of awkwardness that I can't figure out if it's coming from me or him or both.

Can I please get some indication of where this is going, no matter if we stay just friends or if something does happen further down the line, but we keep moving at a glacial pace?

[bronze-bell]

If the two in the hallway were scared before, now they're downright frightened. Frederick's legs nearly gave out beneath him as the door swung open so fast, so loudly, so close to him he swears he would have gotten hit by the thing if he were just a little closer. It was clumsy, unbecoming of someone like him, that he only stayed something resembling upright due to bracing himself so closely against the wall. And he knew it, and he could tell both others knew it, with how they looked at him. (This was, of course, ignoring the fact that Frederick was so focused on the ordeal of getting up and recovering some face that he couldn't see either of the two's faces. He just had a feeling. That was what they thought, wasn't it?) "...I'm fine." The words are unconvincing, but it doesn't matter. He needs to be fine, to be put together enough.

Aesop's shock, stumbling backwards as Victor's lamp shone upon him, was not unregistered once Frederick had (mostly) recovered. So it was him. He supposed there were... worse options. The DeRosses would surely not leave either of them alone, if prior conversations were any indication. Aesop was someone Frederick had only seen in passing, and yet he could tell the embalmer tended to keep to himself, often stayed out of others' way. Unlikely to say anything.

Turning towards Victor, finally, Frederick could, even after such a short time, pick up that anxiety, that fear. He turns to Aesop, a concerned glance checking to see if both of them had the same thought. Two pairs of gray eyes meet, but... neither of them know what to do upon realizing they've seen the same thing.

This time, Aesop is the first to break the silence, soft footsteps hesitantly coming closer, eyes turned downward. "You're okay, Victor." Softer, but still audible, more words spill, words that suggest a smile under the embalmer's mask. "Frederick is lucky to have you... you're so lovely, even now." Frederick, at that, can only shoot a glance of questioning if Aesop knew what he said, and if Aesop was implying something.

As Frederick recovers from hearing Aesop say such things over him and Victor, he doesn't know what to add, other than a "W-we're here... you're safe, okay?"

Victor's head snaps upwards as the approach, staring at aesop as his heartbeat quiets enough for him to hear properly, faintly thanking the stars that Aesop has learned by now not to stare back. He's standing shakily against the door as his emotions ebb and flow once again, and he's lucky it's available to lean on as his legs threaten to give out under him at a single word of reassurance.

Everything seems to be blurring, head spinning and likely broken after being strung along the whole night, and he adjusts to sit himself down (in short bursts that are more gravity at work than him) with the graceful fleeting hands of the embalmer to stop him dropping completely.

He wants to lean into the touch as it grazes him, Aesop standing back up out of his limp reach while he looks upwards from the floor at the light now only partly illuminating him. Victor finds himself humming and responding and smiling and nodding, dizzily getting strung along to pretty words that make him feel warm and safe again and make some part of his body regret sitting down as he goes almost slack under them.

Not that it matters, in the moment, as both of his companions seem to coo at him, and that feeling of trust he had with Frederick settles into his brain again. Somehow, he has made not just one lovely friend tonight, but two, and it's easier to repeat the motions in your brain of trusting someone when you've already done it once tonight. If he could have a tail, he'd likely wag it, but he does not, so he hopes the quiet noise of the bell as he nods is enough signal.

It is nice to listen, and accept unthinkingly. It is nice to feel so loved, for tonight. And, as he dares to hope, for a night some day after that.

[wordingg]

Becoming Her Knight - Chapter Eleven

In this chapter, Finn doesn't sleep very well and finds somewhere to take a bath.

(TW: nudity, scar detail)

Finn didn't take them far. The sun was fully up, illuminating the forest around them in greens and golds. Besides, Finn's legs were killing her, so she wasn't keen to push herself much more.

She followed paths made by deer and foxes through the underbrush until she found a sharp overhang cut into the side of the hill leading down to the river that could provide them a little bit of protection. Finn suggested they bed down there for the day and Adi agreed, sitting heavily beside her against the rocky cliff side.

Despite their good haul, they didn't have a camp to set up. They had no tents and no bedrolls. They couldn't set a fire when they were still so close to the hunting lodge and possibly a human town. Still, the warmth of their newly acquired clothing and the comfort of a belly full of dried and salted food was a big improvement over how they had spent the last few days.

After stuffing themselves with some really superior deer jerky, they settled down together against the rocks. Adi leaned against Finn heavily, fitting herself against her side with an ease that had Finn freezing up despite herself. They had been clinging to each other for warmth during the days while they tried to sleep. Even with the sun warming the surroundings, it got cold in the shade of the trees once they stopped moving. Finn had thought that would stop now that they had some clothing to protect them from the chill in the air, but she certainly wasn't upset that Adi still wanted to sleep close by.

"We need to make a plan about what we're going to do," Adi mumbled, her face half pressed into Finn's shoulder.

Finn was briefly self-conscious about the smell of both her own body and her used tunic, but she shoved the thought away. Neither of them smelled great after living in the woods for days. But, that gave her an idea.

"We still need some things if we're going to go after the caravan. To do that, we'll need to blend in with the humans as much as possible," Finn said. "We can start with a bath, if you want? I stole some soap from the lodge. If we can find a hidden spot to bathe, we can clean off, and then one of us can try going into town for information. Maybe we can even find some supplies if we're lucky."

Adi pulled her boots off with a bit of grunting and swearing, and then wrinkled her nose at the smell. It had only been an hour, but her body smell had already gotten into the socks and boots. It was a really foul smell, but Finn was much too polite to let her face so much as twitch.

"A bath sounds amazing right now," Adi sighed. "But, I'm too comfortable to go any farther today. Do you think we can look for a spot tonight?" Adi tilted her head up at Finn. Her big dark eyes sparkled in the sunlight coming down in shafts through the trees.

"Uh," Finn mumbled, feeling all the blood rushing to her face and desperately trying to think of anything other than how sweet Adi looked pressed up beside her. "Of course!" Finn said, definitely too loudly, if Adi's raised eyebrow was any indication. Goodbye, sweet moment.

"I mean," Finn stumbled. "It's up to you. I can give advice, but I'll follow whatever you decide to do in the end."

Adi stared at Finn with her big eyes rounded in surprise and her thick eyebrows climbed up her forehead.

If Finn wasn't red before, she was absolutely red by then. That was way too much honesty. Was it honesty? Finn's heart was pounding in her chest in a rhythm that sounded like vulnerability and honesty.

Finn squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her hands roughly over her face. She tried to banish the sweet feelings that were swelling up behind her ribs with little success.

"I am a royal knight, loyal to the beautiful and terrifying Queen Titania, and I am definitely not falling ass over teakettle in love with a cute kobold girl!" Finn angrily told herself.

When Finn pulled her hands away, Adi was looking at her with a determined expression. "Okay," she said. "We'll find somewhere to get a bath tomorrow," Her previously hard-pressed lips started to twitch into a smile, "Miss Knight," she added teasingly.

"Ugh," Finn said, putting her face back into her hands.

Adi snuggled closer to Finn's arm, her body soft and warm even through the layers of clothing they were now wearing. Much to Finn's chagrin, she couldn't keep up her own embarrassment when it was so obvious that what she said had pleased Adi.

"Let's try and get some sleep," Adi said with a yawn.

"Yes, ma'am," Finn sighed. Despite the teasing, she turned her body toward Adi's and wrapped her arms around her to keep her safely ensconced against her chest.

Adi snorted into Finn's shoulder, but didn't dignify the dig any further. Before Finn knew it, Adi had relaxed completely into Finn's arms.

But, it would be a while before Finn could sleep. Her heart kept pounding away in her chest, a staccato of excitement, affection and fear. Being with Adi felt good, better than good. Even though their situation was dire, Finn felt more relaxed and comfortable the past few days she had spent with her than she could recall ever feeling at court.

Which raised a lot of troubling questions that chased sleep away from Finn for a long time that day.

When the sun finally dipped below the horizon, Finn nudged Adi awake. She had only gotten a little sleep herself, sometime around midday when the sun was the brightest and her own thoughts had finally worn her out enough that she was able to doze against Adi's soft crown of hair. But, it hadn't lasted long.

Still, her legs felt better than they had before. And, she felt nasty enough that the chance of washing herself and the second hand clothes they had just acquired felt very pressing indeed.

Together they both nibbled a bit of their dry provisions, but were much more judicious with their portions in the fading sunlight. If all went well, Finn would be able to get the bow back into working order and start supplementing Adi's foraging with some protein, but until then all they had was the dried goods Finn had been able to steal.

After eating enough to hold them over for a bit, Finn led the way north. She was still following the path of the river, but was keeping to the hillside leading down into the river valley. She kept her eyes out for a good creek heading down from the mountains that they could use.

They barely had to walk at all before they came across exactly what Finn had been looking for.

"That was fast," Adi commented with a raised eyebrow. They had stepped out from between some bushes to find themselves on the side of a quietly burbling stream rushing down the hillside through a well-worn groove in the rocks.

Finn paused and cocked her head as she listened carefully. Her ears twitched a little as they tried to tune into what she thought she was hearing.

"I think there's a waterfall a little further up," Finn said, indicating the hill they were on with a nod of her head. "Let's find that first,"

Adi agreed, and they began the arduous climb up the hillside and toward the sound of falling water. As they climbed, the sound grew steadily louder.

Finn's thighs burnt from the exertion of lifting her knees high, but it felt better than the burning of the night before. It felt less like she was shredding her muscles beyond repair and more like she was getting some good exercise in. Some food made a big difference, she supposed.

Before long, they found the source of the sound. As Finn had guessed, there was a small waterfall tucked into the side of the river valley. Calling it a waterfall was maybe overstating it a bit. It was a shelf of rock that stuck out awkwardly over the hillside. The creek trickled slowly over it to form a thin curtain of little raindrops. But, as Finn had hoped, the falling water had made a shallow depression in the ground beneath, which in turn created a small pool of water. That would be much easier to bathe in than a few inches of rushing spring water running down a hill.

"Oh!" Adi exclaimed as she stepped up to the side of the pool. "Hey, this is perfect," she laughed, dropping the heavy pack to the pebbled ground and starting to pull off her boots. "Let's wash off first, then we can wash the clothing."

"Sounds like a plan," Finn agreed, pulling her own long sleeve tunic over her head and then starting to work on the laces of her pants.

She noticed Adi watching her. It was hard not to notice. Adi had completely frozen with one boot off and the other still on as soon as Finn had pulled her shirt off. Finn thought that maybe she didn't realize she was staring and Finn didn't want to call attention to it if that was the case.

Hesitating, Finn stared down at her own breasts. They were pale and freckled with tight nipples from the sudden rush of cold air. She had a scar on her left breast, the tightening of the scar tissue causing the surrounding skin to ripple unappealingly. She had the sudden urge to cover it, cover them both, to prevent Adi from seeing.

Which was stupid. She had been unashamedly nude with Adi for the last few days. Adi had seen all of her scars, and Finn hadn't cared before that moment.

Finn had never been taught to be ashamed of her naked body. Growing up in the barracks, it was normal for both men and women to bathe together in the communal baths for the sake of speed and efficiency. Finn and Ruven had both been so much younger than most of the other guards and soldier that they had been treated more like everyone's annoying younger siblings than someone to look at. It had only been in the past few years that Finn started seeing anyone in the barracks younger than her. Sure, a few of them would stare at her in the baths, but she just assumed they were annoying younger kids like she once was.

It was nothing to get all strange about. She had seen Adi nude from all angles, and Adi had seen the same of her, the same way most of the people Finn worked with had.

But, the air around the little pool of water felt charged in a way that Finn couldn't deny and was unfamiliar with.

"I am a royal knight," Finn thought to herself and put herself back to the task of undoing her pants.

After all, when she wasn't sure what to do, usually the best course of action was to just push through. It had served her well enough in the past, and it would have to do the same then.

Pushing her roiling thoughts away, Finn impatiently tugged off her pants, the worn fabric stubbornly clinging to her aching thighs, and splashed into the shallow pool. It was almost painfully cold, the water coming straight from some hidden mountain spring. She felt her skin raise up in goosebumps and hissed a little as she forced herself to wade toward the center of the pool. Her ears twitched, listening for any little sound from Adi, but she remained completely still and silent.

Groaning under her breath, Finn dunked her head under the water. The chill of the mountain spring was freezing cold. She hoped fervently that the frigid water would cool whatever hotheaded thoughts were stirring in her head. Immediately afterward, she hated herself for even thinking that.

"There is no tension!" she admonished herself as she finally broke the surface of the water with a gasp. "You're acting like a child. Adi doesn't like you like that, you're just projecting your feelings onto her."

As Finn pushed her hair off her face with a scowl, she heard another splash behind her. She determinedly kept her back turned and used the tips of her fingernails to scrub at her scalp. She had left the soap back at the shore with the rest of their supplies and was feeling like an idiot for forgetting it. But, she couldn't very well go back now and face Adi with her fact still red and her heart beating so fast. She would just have to make do.

The splashing came closer, but Finn was stuck in her own thoughts. It wasn't until she felt warm skin press against her naked back and saw dark arms wrap around her waist that she realized just how close Adi was.

"Finn," Adi's voice sounded shy and unsure, but her arms tightened around Finn's waist.

Finn was frozen. She felt her resolve waver like the house of cards that it was. She knew that if Adi wanted it, Finn was ready to give her everything and anything. It was a harsh realization to discover only just then that she was in that deep. But, there they were.

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[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

9/13/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

Joel 1 - 3

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological, I'm China. Today is the 13th day of September. Welcome. So great to be here with you today as we continue our week together. I love the middle of the week, to just pause and reflect and just to check in with yourself, especially if like you've had a really busy week. And any ailment and to just like take a deep breath and just ask yourself, like, how am I doing? And to sit with it for a second. In our culture, you know, just as like a common greeting, we ask like, hey, how are you? And it's just a robotic answer good. Or someone in the Chick-fil-A line last week told me better than I deserve and I was like, OK. Umm, But I think it's important for us to to genuinely sit with that and to and not that. You know, we tell people in the Chick-fil-A drive through, I'm really suffering, you know, Could she actually pray for me? You know, it's like, hey, dude, I'm just here to get some French fries, you know, Like there's a time and a place, you know? And so, but I think to start with being honest with ourselves and to check in with ourselves and to say, OK, I actually don't know. OK, well, do I need something? Hmm, man, I really could use like, extra sleep tonight. How do I prioritize that? Man, I really need to, like, prioritize eating more, More nutrient dense foods. Man, I should probably go outside and just like sit in the sunshine put my feet on the ground for a second. Or maybe I need to like have a friend over or make an appointment with the therapist. You know, like all these things that we can just check in with ourselves. And you know, I think if this is new to you and sometimes this, like I practice this a lot. And honestly sometimes my answer is still, I don't know. And that means it's a pretty good indicator that we're pretty wound up and we need, And just slow down. And so I love to use Wednesdays, Really,  We can do this any day. I just personally choose Wednesday to be like it's the middle of the week. How am I doing? How my feeling OK like? OK, I've been pretty snappy, like I'm just at the coming to the very end of pregnancy and Everything. Like there's a huge transition that's about to happen for our family. My 2 year old's feeling it. I'm feeling it and it's it's interesting just because in pregnancy, like your body starts to feel it before your mind can understand it. And so umm, yeah, all this to say, just check in with yourself, be Honest and give yourself permission to have needs. It does not make you needy. Having needs doesn't, That doesn't equate to being needy. Umm, We all have basic needs and then we have further needs and I believe that when we ask the Lord To take care of us and to partner with us that he shows us how to have those taken care of and You never know how he's going to show up to care for you as well. So all of this to say, Be honest with yourself. What do you need today? If you don't know that's OK, Take a couple deep breaths and whatever is feeling the most overwhelming, Like if you are feeling.Very busy. You might need a walk. Alone in nature, feeling very tired. You might need a nap or or to prioritize rest later. So that may mean not watching your show that comes on live tonight. It may mean that you Allow yourself to sleep in 10 minutes in the morning or a little bit longer.Just taking those practical steps, so With that, let's jump into the word of the Lord. Today we are in the book of Joel. We are in chapters one through 3, continuing with the New International Version for this week.

Commentary

I love that this is talking So much about who the Lord is, and that even in the midst of the Lord's judgment, even in the midst of like what is going to happen and the army of locusts, I'm like gross, makes me think of the plague of locusts and I always joke that that would if I was fair that one right there I'd be like Yep whatever you want please go get out of here and but please make sure you you are God who I will now adopt as my God that these locusts stop because I'm. I cannot handle them.To read about an invasion of locusts. It was not like that. But anyways, I just love that we continually see who the Lord is and it's like, you can't forget it. It's in almost every scripture, and if we're in the Word daily, we literally cannot Forget who he is and what is being Shared and spoken about in the testaments of his goodness and of his glory. And I I love reading it because it just reminds us as the refreshment to our spirit that he is good and he is king. He is sovereign and he is Lord, and he is a God who's gracious and merciful In ways that we think, oh, I'm being kind, I'm being gracious, or this person was being gracious. That it's like the word actually doesn't run out of it. And he's got the full meter filled at all times and we don't.

Prayer

And so, Father, I just thank you so much for your word. I thank you that we can delight in your word, and that we can seek you and know you and we can find you. And I just pray that this would be Our Daily Bread, we would have a daily hunger for it, and that you would continue to do, only you can do, which is satisfy our souls. And so, Lord, I pray that we would continue to have hungering and longing for your word. And it's in your name we pray, Amen. 

[umbrellamedic]

//The infamous bomb as pickup line thing. This hc will have to be pried out of my cold dead hands, and even then i will not give it up.

"Now that was a job well done!"

This new team is effective, but annoying.

"I say we go celebrate!"

Well. Some more than others. One more than others. Beltway, the demolitions man.

They're crowded in a conference room that may as well have been a broom closet, debriefed after their last mission- their first official mission as the new Delta Team- and getting ready to file out when the explosives expert starts talking. Bertha knows she is not the only one to roll her eyes at the suggestion.

They file out, more or less ignoring him on the way to their temporary quarters which are somehow smaller than the conference room. It'll be at least two days before transport is ready for them to each go home. Bertha has no plans beyond sleeping, maybe reading, and impatiently waiting to leave. It's ironic; while home she longs for the next mission. While working she wants to go home. Well. Once the work is done and not a second later. During the job she feels alive.

Hardly an hour later and there is a banging at her door that continues for the five minutes it takes her to give up on ignoring the noise and answer. Beltway on the other side of the door is not a surprise, but it is not welcome, either. He's apparently showered and changed into civilian clothes. He looks too casual in jeans, a Hawaiian print button down, a ridiculous fedora, and a grin that looks too sharp to be casual.

His mouth opens and spews something in appreciation of Bertha's outfit, but she's already covering his words with a flat, "No. Bother someone else." She's shed her mask and the leather overcoat and apron of her uniform; any civility awarded to the team has ended. Hell, if it were up to her none of them would see her in something as casual as the black tank she wears under her gear, now untucked over her pants. Pants she only put back on to answer the door. Dammit.

Unfortunately, Beltway is not the type to listen or care about how things would be in a perfect world. He's the type to barge in while Bertha is trying to close the door; what's worse is that he's strong enough to get away with it.

"C'mon, we're going out for a celebratory drink!" If he noticed the clear signs Bertha is sending that she's not having his shit, he's making no indication of it. "You're pretty much already ready! We're aren't going anywhere fancy."

"I am sure Spectre would love to go out with you. Tell him there will be vodka and he won't be able to resist. I am staying in tonight."

To emphasize her point, the medic was more than happy to forcibly remove her teammate. Unfortunately, the same bulk and muscle that allowed him to force his way in allowed him to remain Bertha's problem. That they were both well trained for close quarters removes any advantage Bertha normally had over large idiots who wanted her attention; the scuffle ends with Bertha pinned against a wall and a something small and beeping stuck to the back of her neck.

"Wouldn't fuck with that if I were you," Beltway doesn't have the decency to sound angry; he's amused and all to happy to show it, "It'll go boom if you don't disarm it first."

Bertha only pushed away from the wall enough to punch it once the demoman lets up. "If you think I won't blow us both up out of spite-"

"-It'll be too small to fuck me up that much. I'm not fucking stupid." He reaches out to ruffle Bertha's hair and gets his hand batted away for his efforts; this only makes him laugh, "I like them feisty."

The medic turns and glares daggers at her teammate. Once the device is off, she's killing him. Consequences be damned. She doesn't even try to sound any less angry than she feels, "Remove your little toy from my neck."

"Yeah, yeah. When we're done celebrating, sure. But by then I think you'll be glad I dragged your ass out. Get your boots on, I know a place."

…

As it turns out, Beltway has an actual name- Hector- and he does not know a place. What he does know is how to make people laugh and how to make nice with people who have no clue what kind of cruel, charming monster they're dealing with. All these people know places. Hector and Bertha get to know these places as well.

They're two bars and several beers in when Bertha gives up on arguing against Hector paying for everything.

They're five bars, many beers, and several shots in when Michaela slurs a demand that Hector calls her by her real name. She has to correct his pronunciation several times before he gets it.

They're another bar-this one with karaoke- and halfway through the worst rendition of Friends in Low Places- a shit song made all the worse by their drunk screaming of the lyrics- when Michaela realizes her face hurts because of how much she's been smiling.

They're too many drinks to count in when they stumble back and Michaela considers pulling him into her room for the night. Lupo does not appreciate how loud and drunk they are, which only makes Hector laugh louder.

They're in Michaela's pathetically small room when Hector tugs the little device off her neck- the one she forgot was there hours ago- without even pretending to disarm it first. This earns him a punch to the shoulder, but Michaela is too much a happy drunk to put too much force in, and Hector is too amused, too drunk, too sturdy to be bothered.

"It wasn't fucking armed, asshole!" Michaela sounds less angry and forceful than she wants, but part of that is probably because she's had trouble pulling her lips away from Hector's since they got to her room.

"Not even a bomb!" Hector is entirely too pleased with himself, "Just the light I use for decoys." He's had an equally hard time pulling his lips away from hers. "Wasn't gonna get chewed out for blowing up a teammate on purpose. Again."

…

They're two shots in at a bar turned safe house in Raccoon City when Michaela realizes just how deep in love she is- she has been for longer than she is prepared to admit to herself.

They're four teammates down in a parking garage when Michaela actually says the words 'I love you' out loud. She doesn't know if it's endearing or infuriating when Hector says it fucking took her long enough to admit it. But then he's saying it back and Michaela doesn't have it in herself to be mad at him.

They're one objective away from extraction and one explosion in. Hector was the bigger target. Bertha knows that even if, by some miracle, she does not succumb to the bleeding or burns or undead rushing towards the BBQ that her body has become, she is well and truly dead. Her heart has just been blown up next to her.

[riverstardis]

series 32 episode 43:

alicia's opening voiceover🥺🥺🥺

the counsellor asks how she would feel about going to the police

sdjdfhjdhf i love elle

hmm whenever a patient storyline starts with two people deciding who's going to drive, you know they're about to crash and one of them will end up injured much worse than the other, usually the one who didn't make the final decision about who was going to drive so the one who did can feel bad about it. let's see...

connie's showing everyone the new trauma theatre and david's like "bravo, bravo, i can't wait til we can put it to good use" and dylan goes "you can't wait until somebody suffers a major trauma?" SJSJDJFJ

david congratulates dylan on 4 months sober🥺

yup! i was right about the crash!

alicia telling bea that she's decided not to go to the police and bea thinks she's making the wrong choice but says that it's up to her and alicia's like "i was thinking, do i really wanna ruin this guy's life?" and bea's face is like what????

alicia's going out of her way to work with eddie to try and prove to bea that she's okay😭

connie's DESPERATE for a patient to need the trauma theatre😭😭

eddie's still giving rash advice about gem like "life is all about taking what you want by any means possible" wtf??? bea's listening and she's like "are you seriously listening to this rubbish?" to rash and then has a go at eddie and says she knows what he did to alicia

then eddie goes and confronts alicia "you do know that if it wasn't for you i'd be on that course. i took the rap for you with that spinal patient!" "and why'd you do that, eddie? guilt?" "oh no no no, no no no no no you took me home that night. my mentor, my superior. did you tell bea that? and what exactly is it that you think happened that night anyway?" seriously? bro you were just telling rash to take what he wants by any means possible🤬🤬🤬

alicia goes and finds bea and says that once she's back from paris she'd like her to move out. SEE I KNEW THEYD TALKED ABOUT BEA COMING BACK!!!! i remember being so confused when her exit to go to the trauma course seemed so final, like a proper exit, when there had never been any indication that she wasn't coming back afterwards. and then she's just never been mentioned since???? plus they talk about the trauma course like it's more like a rotation (so a few months?) rather than like a year or longer. anyways BRING HER BACK!!

LMAO connie was watching the operation from the viewing area and david comes in to watch with her but then of course she ends up going in and trying to take over and then dylan comes into the viewing area and he's like "connie seems to have taken over the procedure. that's quite interesting isn't it" and david hands him a fiver SJSDJGJGDJSF

where the hell has ethan got to these last few eps?? and he's not in the finale either. i guess he'd get in bea's way by being able to tell something was wrong with alicia?

alicia slapping bea :(((

lmao rash tries to follow eddie's advice and he tells gem they're going out tonight and she's like "what if i have plans?" and he's like "well... well you cancel them" and she says she can't make it. yeah OBVIOUSLY that wasn't going to work😭😭😭 the only reason that would "work" for eddie is that he's willing to actually force it without caring whether they actually want to or not. rash apologises and says he's no good at his and asks her out properly and she says yes this time shsdsjfh bless him

bea's outfit!!! that's my girlfriend!!!

alex broadhurst speaking french WHEW😳

elle asking connie whether they should go to a tapas bar or a pizza bar for a drink and connie's SO confused because they'd been fighting over her sending elle's patient to the trauma theatre prematurely against elle's wishes. she literally doesn't have the words lmao she's like "are we- i don't- are we not-" "at war? yes of course we are. in here. but out there, we're friends. thirsty friends so..." "tapas?" "good call!" SJDKSFDJFG connie looks almost TERRIFIED at the idea of actually having a friend😭😭

aw alicia driving up to the police station <3

[pzagrilleandbar]

PZA Grille & Bar

Pizza isn't the best choice when you need dinner fast because it takes so long to make.

Pizza is one of my go-to solutions when I'm in a pinch for time but still need to get supper on the table because it takes so little time to prepare. If you really want to succeed in reaching your objectives, you will need to put in a lot of effort. No part of this is a lie, therefore you have no choice but to put your faith in us. My mom used to say things to me as a youngster that might be taken to indicate things like, "It seems like this is the case.

factor in deciding how down I'd feel and whether or not we could try to brighten the mood tonight Pizza Restaurant and other eating establishments. Certain phrases will stay with me forever in their exact form. My brother and I used to jump around on the couches and scream with glee whenever our parents left the room. If you're struggling to get yourself together, I'd like to take you out for pizza and some companionship. Put me in charge of it if that is what you want. Each and every one of the hotel's evening dinners that I've had during my stay has been delicious. There won't be any leftovers from tonight's meal for anyone to take home.

Someone must have overheard the talk. Pizza may be used in a mind-boggling variety of contexts. Please don't hesitate to get in contact with us at any time if you ever need help or have any questions. After the cheese reaches the desired consistency, dinner is ready (whether it be mozzarella or Cheddar). When I started working there, I never in a million years would have imagined being a pizza deliveryman; yet, now that I am one, I can't see doing anything else with my life. When I first moved to a new city, I was oblivious to the dire need for pizza there. I decided to open my own pizza parlor and set my own hours. I used to always get pizza delivered, but now I'm in the mood to make my own. It's hardly feasible that I'm the only one with an unhealthy pizza addiction. I used to be able to eat a whole pie of your pizza all by myself when I was younger. In the past, I was successful because your pizza is so good. As a kid growing up in that area, my family and I made numerous trips to your establishment. I was just a child at the time. I am on a mission to find the perfect pizza recipe, therefore I have sampled many different sauces and toppings. While it's more convenient to have pizza delivered after ordering it online, nothing beats the flavor of a handmade pie. Some of the best pizza in the whole United States can be found at this restaurant in the middle of a large metropolis. We opted for "passion pizzas" instead of a more conventional meal to better fit in with the local culture. As I saw my muscles tensing, I reminded myself to loosen up so that I could fully appreciate the activity at hand. Restaurant Specializing on Pizza But if we're going to be totally honest, that's not my biggest concern. The reality is that I can't think of a good reason for my absence. Indeed, I had no idea what was in store for me. Actually, I didn't give much thought to that option to begin with. I was not eligible for the locals-only discount since I do not presently reside in the region.

Pizza was a staple in my family's diet, so I never had to worry about being hungry when I was a kid. That way, I never had to worry about becoming hungry. Even if I have to eat pizza once a week, I will not let it derail my efforts to eat healthily. When I initially moved out on my own, pizza was one of the more regular supper options I resorted to since it was cheap, simple to make, and needed minimal cleaning. Another common dinnertime choice of mine was pizza. Having the option to order pizza for delivery whenever I don't feel like cooking is a huge weight off my shoulders. since there are so many pizza delivery options for customers to choose from these days. Even if the office is immaculately clean and there are always fresh doughnuts for breaks, you still won't be able to focus. The current situation is hopeless, and there is nothing that can be done to improve it. Why? All those seated at the table will have a great time thinking back on the funny and interesting stories they told one another throughout the course of the dinner. It is my understanding that everyone here agrees with the approach we will take. The likes of pickled jalapenos, spicy peppers, and Italian sausage may all be made to request. It's possible to actually shock the locals with your lunch selection if it features an unusual flavor profile that can't be found anywhere else in the neighborhood.

A priceless artifact was unearthed after years of searching.

Care for the most vulnerable people of society should be a top concern for political leaders everywhere. This necessitates extreme focus on your part. The cost of two pizzas or two fancy takeaway dinners is the same. It doesn't matter how many compelling arguments you hear against killing the animal if you have already made up your mind. To demonstrate my gratitude for the kids' efforts in and out of the classroom, I'm organizing a pizza party (akin to a victory celebration at a golf tournament) (like winning a golf tournament). If you take part in my golf ball tournament and maintain your GPA, I'll treat you to pizza on the house. Whether it was on an essay or the golf course, we hope that your recent success will encourage you to keep pushing yourself to new heights. Putting the needs of others before one's own is the norm in many cultures across the world. There are several possible applications for this.

[velidewrites]

CHAPTER TWO ALREADY?! I AM ON MY KNEES

Ironically those supposedly cursed woods had been where Lucien had felt most at home when he was a child.

Oh. Oh okay- we're jumping right into the trauma this is fine. This is sooooo fine. Those are NOT tears in my eyes. It's the humidity. In uh, the middle of December.

In some ways, he supposed, it was both. Except he had the added benefit of not knowing why the hell he’d be summoned here. At least in prison he’d know what to expect.

NOOOO LUCIEN BABY

Failure, one said, flame curling out of its stone mouth.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO HATE HIM FOR HIS CRIMES NOW?

Cursed, declared a third, its wings spread wide as if poised to take flight.

Lmao oh Lucien. You have NO idea

She was the only reason he hadn’t cut all ties to this wretched family, if he was honest. If it wasn’t for her he would have cut his losses and ran as far as he could. Probably with a different last name.

May I suggest Archeron?

“Because of my wife,” he managed to get out through gritted teeth. His hands were shaking, making the fork he was holding clank against his plate. He dropped it with a clatter. “Remember her? Or I guess you wouldn’t, considering she was never allowed to come here.”

Wait. HOLD ON. Was?

“If he insists on mourning the likes of her there’s nothing we can say to change his mind.”

MOURNING-

Jes had been a better person than any of them combined, but things like that hardly mattered to his family. It didn’t matter that she had been kind, and loving, with a soul as generous as it was wild.

SHE'S DEAD OH MY GOD HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT COMING

Until he’d met Jes. Being with her made him forget to mourn his lost magic. She was magic, a new, wonderful brand of it that he couldn’t get enough of. Her laughter was a bonfire, her touch a spell, and he was bewitched by her from the start.

Not once did I stop sobbing from the beginning of this chapter OH MY GOD THE FEELS

Beron waved dismissively. “He’s a Vanserra.

OR IS HE????

The warning was clear. This wasn’t just a test, but an ultimatum- if he failed, he likely wouldn’t be welcomed here again.

Good fucking riddance, Beron

“First time getting your fortune read?” she asked, giving her voice the breathy, self-important air she always put on when she was working.

SHE'S A FORTUNETELLER I AM SCREAMING

There was a shuffle of footsteps from outside the curtained area that blocked off Madam Fawn’s Fortune Salon from the rest of the shop, indicating that Vassa had decided to snoop. Damn her and her witchy hearing.

MADAM FAWN OH MY GOD THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER

“Are you sure? Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? Jurian won’t mind!”

You made Jassa a thing?? I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

“Oh shut up, you pile of bones.”

She's so funny for this please

“Elain?”

UH OH

But no, it couldn’t be.

YEAH IT COULD

Elain blinked in shock as the man’s features came into view, his tall frame frozen as still as she was. Golden-brown skin flashing red, then purple, then blue in the glow of the gaudy crystals. Hair the color of embers that she still remembered the texture of. And those eyes that blazed at once hot and soft, eyes that she had always thought could see right through her to the core of her soul.

GOD THIS IMAGERY I AM INSANE

“Lucien?”

DADDY'S HOME

Once Cursed, Twice Shy

Part 2 of my gift to @velidewrites for @acotargiftexchange!

Summary:

Don't mix vodka and magic, they said. It will end badly, they said.

Elain's never been particularly superstitious, but when a ghost from her past comes crashing back into her life, she realizes that the old saying might have been true after all.

And that she might have (accidentally and definitely not on purpose) cursed her ex-boyfriend.

Inspired by the Ex Hex by Rachel Hawkins.

Chapter 2: A Stumble Through the Flames

Ao3 Chapter 1

A/N: Let me know if you'd like to be added to or removed from my tag list!

Present Day, Yorkshire

Lucien stared at the imposing manor in front of him, its many windows as dark as the memories this place dredged up. The dark stone walls crawled with ivy, turrets reaching for the sky proudly. Even though he couldn’t see it from where he stood he could picture the overgrown, neglected garden woven through with narrow pathways, and the sloping hills that lead to the woods beyond. There were rumors about those woods- whispers of werewolves and magpies, legends about children getting lost and never being found. It was all nonsense, of course. The only monsters around here lived in the manor house.

Ironically those supposedly cursed woods had been where Lucien had felt most at home when he was a child. He had spent countless hours in his youth memorizing the twists and turns of the dense paths until he could have found his way home blindfolded. Inside the manor there was perpetual silence, but it was anything but a comfortable one. It was a brittle silence, one that could snap at any moment and lead to something even worse. The forest, by contrast, was never still. There was something comforting about the quiet energy of the woods- the rustle of underbrush, the distant call of an animal.

There would be no traipsing through the woods today, however. Lucien exhaled a deep breath, as though the house he was facing was a prison he was willingly entering and not his childhood home.

In some ways, he supposed, it was both. Except he had the added benefit of not knowing why the hell he’d be summoned here. At least in prison he’d know what to expect.

As he walked up the wide stone steps flanked by gargoyles he could have sworn their eyes followed him. He had hated them since he was a child, unnerved by the carved eyes that seemed to judge him and find him lacking.

Failure, one said, flame curling out of its stone mouth.

Weak, said another, claw-tipped hands gripping the pillar it appraised him from.

Cursed, declared a third, its wings spread wide as if poised to take flight.

If Lucien had the luxury of wings he would have flown out of this hellhole a long time ago.

The front doors opened and closed on a phantom wind as he stepped inside, shutting him into the gloom of his past.

**

He’d managed to stay away for a full year, this time. He would have gotten away with longer, were it not for this summons- and the yearning to see his mother in the flesh. Talking to her through a scribing board was not the same, and the guilt he felt for all but abandoning her was made worse by the way her face shone with happiness every time he called.

She was the only reason he hadn’t cut all ties to this wretched family, if he was honest. If it wasn’t for her he would have cut his losses and ran as far as he could. Probably with a different last name.

These summons always followed a predictable pattern, and this one was no different. A stiff family dinner, followed by some sort of announcement that included either an assignment for one of them, or, on occasion, a punishment. For Lucien it was usually more of the latter and less of the former.

Dread coiled in his stomach. Surely he couldn’t have done anything to deserve his father’s wrath this time? He couldn’t think of anything, but then again, he and his father had very different ideas of what deserved punishment.

“So,” Kalan drawled as the dinner plates were replaced with desert, “still living in homeless shelters?”

His twin sniggered from across the table, his mirth quickly turning into a cough as Eris narrowed his gaze on the pair. “Watch it,” his elder brother warned.

“Working for youth shelters. Managing them, as you very well know. You’ll be sorry to hear that I’m able to keep a roof over my head without anyone’s help.” Unlike the rest of you, he silently added. It was a dangerous jab, but if his father heard he didn’t seem to care. Yet.

“Lucien’s been in Australia,” his mother said proudly, reaching out to grab his hand affectionately. Lucien could feel the bones in her fingers, so brittle he might be able to snap them just by squeezing. She was so thin, even more than last time he saw her.

“Australia?” Liam prodded, stupidly. “Why would you go to that hellhole?”

Lucien cleared his throat, willing himself not to rise to the bait. It was possible that Liam was too stupid to remember, and wasn’t being malicious, but it stung all the same.

“With the regulations their magical government has been drafting, a lot of young witches have been struggling, and it’s not safe for them on the streets. I have connections there, so it seemed a good place to focus since the London branches have been running smoothly.”

“What the hell kind of connections do you have in Australia?” Kalan asked, looking truly baffled.

“Kalan,” Eris warned.

But it was too late. By now all six of his brothers and, regrettably, his father, were all staring at him. His mother’s hand tightened around his.

Lucien took a deep breath through his nose. Losing his temper would do him no good, he was painfully aware of that, but damn if his good-for-nothing brothers didn’t make it difficult.

“Because of my wife,” he managed to get out through gritted teeth. His hands were shaking, making the fork he was holding clank against his plate. He dropped it with a clatter. “Remember her? Or I guess you wouldn’t, considering she was never allowed to come here.”

The silence that fell was deafening. It seemed to press around him, buzzing in his ears and crawling down his throat until he thought he might suffocate.

“Darling-”

“Don’t bother, Lillian,” his father snapped, cutting her off. Lucien stiffened but refused to meet his father’s hateful gaze. “If he insists on mourning the likes of her there’s nothing we can say to change his mind.”

Lucien laughed bitterly. The likes of her. Jes had been a better person than any of them combined, but things like that hardly mattered to his family. It didn’t matter that she had been kind, and loving, with a soul as generous as it was wild. The only thing that mattered was that she wasn’t a true witch. Her great-great-grandmother had been a witch, but the magic had petered out over the generations until the only thing that was left for Jess to inherit was her ancestor’s bold, unusual coloring, and eyes that could see particularly well in the dark.

Lucien had hardly cared about her lack of magic. How could he, given his own predicament? In the end when her blood had flowed it had been just as red as anybody else’s. They were all mortal, no matter how much they liked to delude themselves with talk of bloodlines and magic purity. They all bled the same.

“You know what? If it’s all the same to you, I’m going to go now.” He pushed his chair back with a screech of wood on stone. His face burned with the combination of humiliation and rage that being around his family always kindled. The hurt that he knew would be on his mother’s face only made him feel worse. “It’s been a pleasure, as always.”

“Lucien, please stay,” his mother implored, her voice like a balm to his raw nerves.

He turned to her, clutching both her too-thin hands in one of his own. “I’m sorry, I just…” He swallowed hard as his father sighed impatiently behind him.

“We’re not done here. Sit down.”

Lucien whirled to look at his father, a biting retort on the tip of his tongue, but the look of cruel amusement in his father’s cold amber eyes made him freeze. He sat back down, if only because he knew if he didn’t he wouldn’t be the only one suffering Beron’s wrath. His mother didn’t need to bear any more consequences for his bad decisions.

“Christmas Solstice is coming up,” his father announced, his gaze still fixed on Lucien. At this his brothers perked up, distracted from the momentary entertainment of Lucien’s torment. “It’s time once again for one of us to go to Maple Glen to power up the ley lines.”

Lucien reflexively locked eyes with Eris. His brother was as coolly unruffled as ever, though there was something in his gaze that sent ice trickling down Lucien’s spine. If he hadn’t known that Eris wasn’t capable of such an emotion he might have thought his brother looked afraid.

Lucien couldn’t make sense of it. Powering up the ley lines was routine business, usually handled by Eris. It was seen as an honor- and so, naturally, he had never been asked to do it. The only time he’d ever even seen the village was when he’d accompanied Eris on his bi-yearly trip a decade earlier.

Not that he particularly cared to think about that- or to return to Maple Glen, for that matter.

As the silence dragged on Lucien became acutely aware of his father’s gaze still focused on him. Realization hit him like a slap in the face, and for a moment he was so stunned he forgot to hold his tongue.

“You’re sending me to Maple Glen?” It was so surprising he couldn’t wrap his mind around the implication. One thing was clear, though- whatever his father’s motivations were, this was neither a kindness nor an honor.

The twins scoffed in unison, launching into protests and jeers.

“Surely not!”

“Don’t be daft!”

“Shut it,” Eris growled.

“Indeed,” Beron drawled, leaning back in his chair as if this was immensely amusing to him. “It’s high time you make yourself useful to this family, don’t you think?”

Lucien swallowed thickly, his palms suddenly sweating. He had his own motivations for staying away from Maple Glen, but apart from that…

“What if he can’t?” Branlar blurted, looking equal parts baffled and outraged. “He can barely light a fire! How is he supposed to power the ley lines?”

And there it was, delivered with the tact and stealth of a battering ram.

“Fuck right off, yeah?” Lucien growled.

They all knew his outrage was mostly for show. Because in fact he could barely light a fire, and it usually left him drained enough to need a nap afterwards. It was his family’s greatest shame- the fact that he, a Vanserra, could barely wield more magic than a carnival magician. That the flame he had once manipulated without so much as breaking a sweat now left him physically drained, the inferno that used to course through his veins reduced to mere embers.

It hadn’t always been this way. He’d once been just as powerful as his brothers, if not more so. Flame, spells, air and light manipulation- it had all come so easily to him. And then, ten years ago, it had dwindled, like a tap being slowly turned off until only occasional drops remained.

He’d sought help from witches all over the world, had performed all manners of spells and cleansings and curse-breaking rituals he could find. None of it has worked. Some said he was cursed, or unlucky. His father liked to say that he was simply weak.

Lucien had despaired at first, desperate to find a cure and get his magic back. It had felt like not being able to breathe, the absence of magic like a phantom pain that kept him up at night.

Until he’d met Jes. Being with her made him forget to mourn his lost magic. She was magic, a new, wonderful brand of it that he couldn’t get enough of. Her laughter was a bonfire, her touch a spell, and he was bewitched by her from the start.

And then she’d been taken away from him. Like everything good in his life always was. He should have known it couldn’t last, really.

He should have stayed away from her, kept her safe from his bad luck. Just as he’d chosen to do with Maple Glen. That way he would have been broken-hearted, but maybe she’d still be alive.

“Father,” Eris started carefully, “powering the ley lines is quite taxing, are you quite sure…” Something about his careful tone told Lucien this wasn’t the first time he’d argued with their father about it. He didn’t know whether to be grateful or insulted.

Beron waved dismissively. “He’s a Vanserra. We’ve been doing this for centuries. Why shouldn’t he be able to?” The warning was clear. This wasn’t just a test, but an ultimatum- if he failed, he likely wouldn’t be welcomed here again.

Lucien chanced a glance at his mother. Her eyes, so like his own, were strangely calm. She reached for him again, and though her grip was still brittle, this time it came with a warmth that spread like a cloak over his skin.

He wasn’t just a Vanserra. It was her flame that he and his brothers wielded, and that power still flowed through his veins. No matter how badly he’d always fit in with his brothers, he would always be her son. And he’d be damned if he let his hateful father keep him away from her.

“Fine,” Lucien snapped. “I’ll go to Maple Glen. I went with Eris once, I watched him do it.”

“It’s hardly the same-“

“I said I’d do it, alright?” he snapped.

Even if it meant going back to the one place he swore he’d never step foot in again.

Even if it meant seeing her again.

**

Present Day- Maple Glen

Elain adjusted the beaded shawl around her shoulders as the customer seated across from her fiddled nervously.

“First time getting your fortune read?” she asked, giving her voice the breathy, self-important air she always put on when she was working.

“Yeah. I, um…don’t really know what I’m doing here, to be honest with you.”

Neither do I, Elain wanted to tell him, though she could hardly admit that. Instead she smiled at him indulgently.

“Don’t worry, dear. The tea leaves will tell us everything we need to know.”

The man wiped his palms on his jeans, drowned his cup with a wince, and pushed it towards her almost reluctantly. He looked so worried that Elain felt bad taking his money. She often felt bad, but as Vassa liked to remind her, she wasn’t completely scamming people. She did have the power of sight- it just didn’t come in the form of tea leaves and tarot cards. It wasn’t her fault her visions never manifested while she was with a customer.

“Now,” she declared, pulling the cup towards her, “was there something specific you were wondering about?”

The man’s eyes flitted around as though he was embarrassed to meet her gaze. For a second Elain thought he might bolt. That happened sometimes with the more skittish tourists. Too bad she asked for payment upfront.

“Well, yes…” He trailed off, took a breath to steel himself, and launched in. “It’s my wife. She’s…I think she’s hiding something from me.”

Oh. That hit a little close to home.

There was a shuffle of footsteps from outside the curtained area that blocked off Madam Fawn’s Fortune Salon from the rest of the shop, indicating that Vassa had decided to snoop. Damn her and her witchy hearing.

Elain squinted through the thick glasses that gave her eyes an unnatural, bug-like appearance, peering into the tea dregs. “Ok,” she said slowly, careful to keep her voice neutral. “And what makes you think that?”

“Well, she’s always jumpy and defensive, like she thinks I’m about to accuse her of something. She knows all my passwords but she gets mad if I even check the time on her phone…”

Elain’s gut twisted. This was all too familiar for comfort. She squirmed despite herself, and the man’s eyes went wide as he tracked the motion.

“That’s bad, right?” He gulped. “I knew it was bad before even coming here.”

This was the problem with this fortune telling business. It was almost too easy. The customers always ended up doing most of the work for her. Even when she tried to lay out a bright future for them, they always found a way to declare some sort of tragedy before it had even happened.

“Well, not necessarily. What does your wife do for work? I’m seeing a source of outside stress that may have been affecting you both…” she trailed off and peered deeper into the cup, frowning in concentration for good measure.

“Oh. She’s a doctor. Pediatrics.”

Bingo.

“Ahh, yes. Well, this time of year is especially stressful with all the influenza going around, isn’t it? I’m sensing this vacation you’re on was just the thing she needed…”

Ten minutes later the man was thanking her profusely, having been assured that there was no divorce in his future and that his wife was simply stressed at work. Elain kept her polite smile firmly in place until the bells above the shop door jingled with his exit, and then she sagged.

“Poor sod,” she said sadly, locking the door and turning the closed sign.

“Well, she’s definitely cheating on him,” Vassa agreed. The cash register clanged cheerful as she pushed it closed.

“Or she’s a secret witch,” Elain grumbled. She unwrapped the beaded shawl from around her shoulders, transforming back from Madam Fawn- Fortune Teller to Elain Archeron- Broke Witch. Broke, single, approaching thirty, and technically slightly homeless witch, to be exact.

Vassa shot her a dark look. “I thought we weren’t talking about that anymore.”

“We’re not!” Elain grabbed a broom and briskly set about sweeping the stray herbs and detritus from the day, avoiding Vassa’s knowing gaze. “I wonder which one he would react better to, though…”

“Elain!”

Elain threw her hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine.”

Vassa hovered halfway towards the front door, slipping a wool hat over her golden-red curls. “Are you, though?”

“Am I what?” Elain snapped her fingers and her piles of dirt disappeared into thin air. One of the many perks of living in a magic shop was the marked improvement on her spellwork.

“Fine?”

Elain sighed, finally meeting her friend’s eyes. “Yes. I’m fine.” How many times would she have to repeat it before she believed it? “I was just rattled by what that guy said.”

“Are you sure? Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? Jurian won’t mind!”

Elain grabbed her broom again, shooing Vassa towards the door. “Go, you mother hen! I’m fine!”

Vassa’s bright laughter rang out over the tinkling of the door, and then with a final click Elain was alone, enveloped in silence. Another evening alone, with nothing but her thoughts and a shop full of (mostly) fake magical artifacts to keep her company. The cat skeleton curled up next to the cash register hissed at her, as if affronted she had forgotten him.

“Oh shut up, you pile of bones.”

The cat stretched languidly and then turned away from her, letting out a displeased meowl for good measure.

Of course even an enchanted cat skeleton would reject her. Males of any species always did.

With a sigh she trudged up the stairs towards the tiny apartment above the shop and the empty evening it contained. Even after almost a year of living here she still called it the apartment and not her apartment. It technically belonged to one of the Maple Glen Coven’s elders, who let Elain live there in exchange for her services as a fortune teller for the shop. It had seemed like too good a deal to pass up when Amren had first offered it to her, especially with Vassa occasionally volunteering at the shop. Suddenly they were nineteen again, two young witches with their whole lives ahead of them.

Except that they weren’t, and after almost a year here, Elain felt stuck.

She wasn’t supposed to be living in a tiny, slightly musty apartment above a tourist shop on Main Street. Merlin, she wasn’t supposed to be living in Maple Glen at all.

Deep down she knew there was no shame in coming back home with her tail between her legs, but that’s what it felt like. Shameful, and embarrassing, like she had failed not just herself but other people’s perceptions of her as well.

She was supposed to be living in one of the manor houses on the outskirts of Salem, married to the son of a wealthy local family. Not here, with only a magically enhanced cat skeleton for company.

As soon as Elain’s feet hit the second floor landing, a noise from downstairs made her freeze. A whoosh, followed by the slight tingling sensation that always surrounded magic. She felt it raising the hair on the back of her neck, that awareness of a new source of power reaching out for her own.

Like calls to like.

She crept back down the stairs slowly, her mind racing ahead of her with possibilities. They’d never had a break in, but there was a first time for everything. That rush of power she’d felt, though- that couldn't have come from a townie trying to steal a few decks of tarot cards.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs she saw that the main shop floor was illuminated by a faint green glow, and a warmth was spreading through the darkened room. Elain relaxed as she saw the emerald flames crackling merrily in the hearth behind the cash register. Vassa had probably left something behind once again and decided to Apparate instead of walking back.

Elain crossed her arms and smirked, waiting for her friend to step through the flames, when a sharp inhale behind her made her heart stutter in her chest. She whirled, grabbing her discarded broom and brandishing it like a baton.

“Who’s there?” She tried to sound menacing, but the tremor in her voice was less than convincing. “Vassa? Is that you?”

“Elain?”

She didn't have time to register that the intruder (the male intruder) knew her name before the flames from the hearth fluttered out, smothering them in sudden darkness. From the faint glow of the street lights outside Elain could make out a shape moving in front of her, and she raised her broom higher.

“Where am I? Shit, I can’t see…”

Her heart gave another stutter, except this time it was from the shock of recognition and not fear. There was something familiar about that voice, a deep rumbling timber that she’d never forget as long as she lived. It was the same voice that still occasionally showed up in her dreams, murmuring sweet nothings in her ear. The voice that had made her swoon and laugh in equal measure. The voice that had taught her love, and then heartbreak.

But no, it couldn’t be. Surely she was mistaken. Surely…

Suddenly she very fervently wished that she was being robbed by a townie.

There was a loud crash as the figure stumbled into a display case, sending a shelf full of light-up crystals tumbling to the ground. They lit up as they hit the floor, bathing the room in a technicolor array of jewel-toned light.

Elain blinked in shock as the man’s features came into view, his tall frame frozen as still as she was. Golden-brown skin flashing red, then purple, then blue in the glow of the gaudy crystals. Hair the color of embers that she still remembered the texture of. And those eyes that blazed at once hot and soft, eyes that she had always thought could see right through her to the core of her soul.

“Lucien?”

Taglist: @areyoudreaminof @separatist-apologist @tuzna-pesma-snova @labellefleur-sauvage @corcracrow @autumndreaming7 @octobers-veryown @velidewrites @vulpes-fennec @sunshinebingo @asnowfern @hallway5 @thelovelymadone

[starcrossedmalex]

I can't explain it but this emoji

🫠

is a representation of the current state of the garvez Fandom