#in this house we love and appreciate will

[demaparbat-hp]

Crush, crush, crush!

[anghraine]

I was just writing a vent post about this, so I appreciate running across one that already puts it so well. Something I've noticed is that so many fans take the documentary framework of LOTR (which quickly falls apart if it's taken 100% literally rather than as a common narrative conceit) as a pretext for soft pedaling the raging misogyny experienced throughout Tolkien's work by characters like Éowyn. Instead there are all those attempts to downplay it by manufacturing some (usually but not always Gondorian) historians who mistakenly filter these accounts through their culture's patriarchy but the Rohirrim/Noldor/northern Dúnedain/etc and the specific members of those cultures we encounter in the story aren't really anywhere near as misogynistic as they might seem.

The idea that Éowyn is not enduring profound systematic misogyny in her culture and from those closest to her, that her desperation to escape Rohan is not About Misogyny really but about depression, about Gríma, about her valorization of war, about class, about anything as long as it's not about gender, seems to me a rejection of the most fundamental qualities of her arc in favor of the blorbo dude/culture du jour that then uses the narrative framework as a pretext for denying that her story is about gender. Yes, her story is about those other things, but it is above all else centrally about misogyny.

Éomer is angry about Gríma's pursuit of Éowyn but, quite explicitly, couldn't and didn't really grasp what she was enduring in a broader sense than one uniquely bad guy. His limited understanding of her experiences is, as the OP points out, explicitly stated in the novel.

Théoden shows little interest in what Éowyn's companionship and service through his despair and decay was like for her, as much as he loves her, and literally has to be reminded that Éowyn exists is a popular and valiant leader of the royal house by his door warden when Théoden is going on about how Éomer is the last of the house of Eorl. I've seen justifications for why Théoden would forget her, why this doesn't really suggest misogyny from him, or relate to all the other forms of gendered marginalization she experiences as a woman of the Rohirrim. And yet it's so transparently obvious that he has to be reminded about her because she is a woman. He loves her but that does not mean his worldview is not profoundly patriarchal.

There's a slightly more complex case in Aragorn's refusal to respond to Éowyn's explicit and unambiguous frustration with the restrictions she experiences because of her gender. He dodges the issue of misogyny altogether and gives some anodyne and tone-deaf responses that I suspect weren't intended to sound as tone-deaf as they do in 2025, but certainly fail to address gender as a factor at all. And if your default position is that this couldn't be a failing on his part, then of course Aragorn couldn't have blinders about the specifically gendered marginalization she experiences, it must be Éowyn's lack of vision that's the real problem here.

In certain parts of the fandom, there's a real push back against the notion that Eowyn was left behind first and foremost because she was a woman. That Eowyn was denied the right to ride to battle, or was forced into a domestic role, because she was a woman. Or indeed, that her depression was directly caused by the choices other people made regarding her because she was a woman.

Fans will accept generally that countries like Rohan and Gondor were patriarchal (although they might avoid using the word "sexist"), and will acknowledge that gender roles were at play, but when presented with specific acts of sexism from characters they admire, like Theoden or Aragorn, they shy away from it, they try to find alternative explanations, they try to remove sexism from the narrative. Actually pin pointing moments of sexism from heroic characters is something they resist, even though they wouldn't necessarily deny that the characters exist in sexist cultures.

It seems that they are unwilling to fully acknowledge that sexist societies are sexist because of the choices and conduct of those living within the societies, that agents within those societies perpetuate sexism by making choices that reinforce it. They'd rather shrug the sexism off with a vague "it's just what it was like back then".

"It's just what it was like back then" comes up if you look critically at a character's sexist actions. We're told we can't "judge them through a modern lens", as though everyday sexism only causes harm in modern day, as though the book itself doesn't examine the role gender and gendered expectations have on women like Eowyn.

And of course, much of it comes down to wanting to defend Theoden or Aragorn or whatever character is coming under critique. They would rather look for alternative interpretations, focus entirely on the non-sexist reasoning for their decisions and pretend that gender never comes into it, point out the times characters treated Eowyn with something approaching respect or recognition (which should be enough to dispel accusations of sexism, even when it is nowhere equal to what a male peer would receive) or use the traditions of their culture to exculpate the characters of all responsibility for their actions.

The result of this is that Eowyn ends up being re-written as a misguided woman whose sense of oppression was all in her head, that she was misguided and selfish (tragically so, because we can accept she is Grima's victim, just no one else's), that she was "redeemed" at the end of the narrative by "embracing her feminine role", and that her conflict with gender and gendered expectations are for herself to resolve, with no alterations of concessions made by others.

This, even though Gandalf spells out to Eomer that sexism played a hugely significant part in Eowyn's ultimate despair, and that Eomer himself, after hearing Gandalf, accepted this and reconsidered their entire lives together.

[earthchica]

adore you

aaron pierre x black, fem! reader {actress}

summary: after wrapping up your movie, you and aaron spent some time together in your hometown, North Carolina, and took your new relationship to the next level emotionally and sexually.

warnings: FLUFF, explicit smut 18+, light teasing, light competitive flirting, dirty talking, sexual boundaries, oral (f & m), making out session, fluff, state fair, boyfriend/girlfriend, actor/actress, not real life, original characters, use of Y/N, words: 6k

note: here's part 2; might do a part 3 Idk lol. I hope you enjoy it because I kinda got carried away, haha.

sequel to { why don't we fall in love? }

-

You and Aaron wrapped up filming your movie a month and a half ago, and you have been enjoying some much-needed downtime at your granny’s beach house in North Carolina.

You both wanted to keep your relationship out of the public eye, so you’ve been having little dates around the beach. You tried to get out of the house and show Aaron your favorites, especially the state fair that was close by.

You woke up to the sound of seagulls outside, but the bed beside you was empty. You felt slightly lonely, but the aroma from the kitchen quickly pulled you from the sheets.

You stretched and rubbed the sleep from your eyes, thinking about how you and Aaron had been trading off breakfast duties. Today was his turn—and you could already tell he was putting in the effort.

After freshening up and going through your morning routine, you went downstairs. As you stepped into the kitchen, the sight of Aaron’s exposed muscular back immediately caught your eye.

He was standing at the stove, flipping French toast like a pro. The way he moved was effortlessly attractive, and you couldn’t help but smile.

“Morning, sunshine!” Aaron said, glancing over his shoulder as you entered. He turned to you, a grin spreading across his face, and leaned in to kiss your lips sweetly.

“Just in time—breakfast is almost ready: eggs, bacon, and some French toast.”

“Ok. Look at you bein’ all chef-like,” you teased, leaning against the counter and crossing your arms. “Smellin’ good in here.”

“Gotta keep my girl happy,” he replied, his eyes twinkling as he slid a plate full of food before you. “Dig in while it’s hot.”

You took a bite, nodding appreciatively. “Mmm, so good! I love a man who knows how to cook.”

Aaron chuckled and sat beside you at the counter, “Thanks, babe.” You smiled, and moments of comfortable chatting filled with the sounds of utensils clinking and food being enjoyed.

After breakfast, you leaned back in your chair, feeling satisfied and content. The sunlight poured through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow around the room.

Aaron took a sip of his coffee from the mug you gifted him when he arrived, glancing at you with a playful eyebrow raise. “So, any plans for today.”

His eyes sparkled with curiosity, and you felt excited at the question. “I’m so glad you asked! I was thinkin’ we could get out the house for a bit,” you replied, your voice filled with enthusiasm.

“I wanna show you some of my favorite spots—places that hit differently for me, ya know?” You said softly, and Aaron nodded, his attention entirely on you.

“Oh, lovely. I’d love that! What you got in mind?” He asked; you couldn’t help but smile, picturing the fun you’d have. “There’s this cute little wine and design place I used to go with friends." you started.

"We’d paint and chill with wine, but we can do that other day. I want to take you to the state fair. You gotta experience our fried food and rides—a whole vibe!”

Aaron laughed, shaking his head playfully. “Hmm, sounds fun!”

“Right? And I was thinkin’ I could invite my sister, Sade, you've met her before, and her man, Erik, too. We could make it a little group thing—call it a fam day,” you suggested, feeling the excitement bubbling inside you.

Aaron leaned closer, resting his chin on his hand with a smirk. “Okay, I’m up for it, but are you sure it wouldn’t be too much? I mean, we’ve been low-key the whole time.”

“Nah, it’ll be chill! We’ll keep it laid-back,” you reassured him, your eyes sparkling enthusiastically. “It’ll be good—kinda like a little break from the house.”

Aaron nodded, a soft smile spreading as warmth filled his eyes. “Alright, anything for you,” he replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

You paused for a moment, a hint of concern crossing your features. “Are you sure? I want to make certain that you’re comfortable with this,” you began, your words laced with genuine care.

With a reassuring glance, Aaron leaned in slightly, his voice softening further. “I appreciate you! And I’m sure, sweetheart,” he responded, the sincerity in his tone leaving no room for doubt.

“Yay!” you said, jumping out of your chair to kiss his lips before pulling away. "Okay, Let me just text Sade and see what they’re up to," you added, reaching for your phone.

Aaron smiled, clearly excited becuase you were excited. Your heart racing at the thought of a lovely day out filled with laughter and new memories.

-

You and Aaron strolled towards the gate's entrance; the energy in the air felt electric. It was a warm day, the sun shining just right, and you could see your sister and Erik ahead.

“Look, there they are!” you said, nudging Aaron with your elbow. He smiled, adjusting his cap, and you approached. As soon as your sister spotted us, her face lit up.

“Y'all finally made it!” Sade exclaimed, her hands moving animatedly as she walked over. “I was starting to think you two would leave us hanging!”

“Never that, big sis!” You laughed, giving her a quick hug. “Traffic was wild.”

Erik nodded to Aaron, and they exchanged a friendly fist bump. “Sup, bro. I'm Erik, Sade's boyfriend. I heard ya, London boy. Are you ready for some fun with country folk?” he grins.

“Definitely,” Aaron replied, his eyes shining. “Y/N told me a lot of great things. I’m particularly looking forward to the local music scene.”

“Nice!” Erik enthused. “You've picked a great time to visit. There's a music festival downtown this weekend. It’s gonna be epic! There are a lot of local bands and maybe even some bigger names. You in?”

“Okay, Okay!” Aaron said, matching Erik's enthusiasm. “What kind of music are we talking about, though?”

“It’s a uh….mix of everything. Sade and I went last year; it was a vibe, and you'll love it,” Erik explained, his face lighting up in memory.

“Lovely! I’ve heard a lot about the food scene, too,” Aaron said, glancing over at you. “I’m looking forward to trying some proper barbecue!”

“Oh, you’re in for a treat,” Sade said, her eyes sparkling. “We’ve got the best BBQ joints around. There’s this little hole-in-the-wall spot that serves the most incredible. And you can’t leave without trying!”

“Now I’m excited,” Aaron laughed. "I guess you will need to roll me out there by the end of the trip!” He said, looking down at you with a smile.

"Mmmm, that BQQ is good, but my BQQ is better. I'll make you some later, boo." You laughed, playfully nudging him. "Oh, really, I'm keeping a note on that," Aaron laughed.

You all continued chatting and walking inside, trying to decide what to do first. Your sister smiled, looking between you and Aaron with that big sister magic.

“I always knew you two would end up togather. I mean, c’mon! You both are perfect for each other! Like a power couple!” Sade whispered to you with a smile.

You felt your cheeks heat a little at her words. “Really? You think so?” you asked, trying to sound casual, even though some of you wanted to jump excitedly.

“Absolutely! Look at you two,” she said, gesturing animatedly. “You look at each other with so much love and complement each other like peanut butter and jelly!”

You chuckled, feeling a little bashful. “I guess we do, and I do. Falling in love with your best friend is the best thing?”

“Yes!” Sade said with a laugh and leaned closer, her eyes sparkling enthusiastically. “And it’s not just that. You both have supported each other through so much."

"I saw how he was there for you during your bad, public breakup with your cheating ex. But honestly, watching you two and seeing how happy you are makes me happy for you,” she added.

You sighed as you recalled your humiliating breakup. “Yeah, that time was hard, and I was grateful for Aaron being there for me. I think that's when I realized I was in love with him.”

Your sister nodded knowingly. “That’s when you know someone’s special. When they can make the tough times feel lighter. So, are you two officially a bf/gf yet?”

A mix of nerves and excitement filled you. “Well, we haven’t labeled it, but… it feels like we’re heading in that direction?” you said with a slightly shy smile.

“That’s great, sissy!” She said, clapping her hands together. “You should talk to him about it; ensure you're on the same page! Don’t wait too long.”

You considered her words. “You’re right, thanks, Sade. I appreciate you.” you pulled her into a side hug. “Of course! I’m rooting for you both,” she said, her voice full of warmth.

“Come on, we’re falling behind.” She motioned to Aaron and Erik, laughing and joking ahead of you like they were old friends. You laughed, feeling grateful for her support.

The four of you went further into the state fair. Bright lights and sounds enveloped you, creating an atmosphere of excitement. The scent of fried food wafted through the air, making your stomach rumble in anticipation.

“First stop: the funnel cakes!” your sister proclaimed, leading the charge. You and Aaron followed closely, exchanging playful nudges and glances.

You reached the stand and ordered a funnel cake topped with powdered sugar, which the vendor handed over with a smile. “Look at this beauty,” you grinned, proudly holding it up.

“Wow, sounds like someone’s ready to get sugary,” Aaron teased, leaning closer. “But can you handle all that sweetness?”

“Oh, I think I can handle it just fine, darlin',” you shot back playfully, taking a big bite. “Can you?”

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a smirk. “Challenge accepted. Let’s see who can eat their funnel cake faster!”

“Okay! You’re on,” you laughed, the competitive spirit kicking in. The two of you found a spot to sit, and everyone gathered around, ready for the showdown.

“Ready… set… go!” Erik shouted, and you both dug into the sweet treat, faces covered in powdered sugar.

The laughter erupted as you both stuffed your faces, trying to outdo each other. “Come on, Aaron! You call that eating?” you teased, a mischievous spark in your eye.

“I’m just savoring it! Quality over quantity, babe. You’re just trying to win!” Aaron shot back between bites, his expression cheeky.

“You’re just scared you can’t keep up!” you shot back playfully, feigning a dramatic gasp. “I’ll even share, but I might finish this before you get halfway through.” you laughed.

“No way! I’m not losing to you!” Aaron said, leaning in, foreheads almost touching, each of you fueled by sugar and laughter. “But if I do lose, what do I get?” he asked,

Your teasing smile is growing. “If you lose, we must go on the Ferris wheel first!”

“Of course, you loved that one!” he exclaimed. “Oh, I do! But you hate it, so it’ll be perfect!” you giggled back, causing him to roll his eyes but chuckle.

The fun continued, and it wasn’t long before Aaron’s plate was empty while you had a few bites left. “I did it!” you cheered, raising your hands like you’d just crossed the finish line.

“Alright, alright,” Aaron said, laughing before feigning defeat with a pout. “But when we’re up there, just remember: I’m the one who got you that funnel cake.”

“True, but just because you did me a favor doesn’t mean you get a pass!” You nudged him playfully, and the four of you approached the Ferris wheel.

As you approached, Aaron pretended to have second thoughts. “Are you sure this is the best idea? Shouldn't we save the Ferris wheels for last?”

“Aaron, just the Ferris wheel!” you teased, raising your phone as if to take a video. Your sister laughed at you two as she and Erik went on next.

“Stop playing!” Aaron laughed, grabbing your wrist gently to lower your phone. “Okay, fine…sorry, but a deal is a deal, boo,” you said, grinning brightly, your heart racing with anticipation.

Once on the ride, the mechanics creaked as it ascended, and your heart skipped a beat. “Look at us, high above the fair!” you exclaimed, pointing at the vibrant colors below.

“I can see the funnel cake stand from here!” Aaron replied, looking out and playfully clutching at the safety bar, his competitive edge still shining.

“Just don’t look down!" you said softly. As you reached the top and the Ferris wheel paused, you turned to Aaron, both of your faces glowing against the sunset backdrop.

“So, Aaron, on a scale from one to ten? How scared are you?” you asked, using a fake microphone phone.

“On a scale from one to ten?" Aaron repeated in your fake mic, looking around. "Uh…I’d say….about a five, in the middle,” Aaron laughed shyly, all cute and handsome.

“But that’s just because I’m with you.” He said with a smile, and your heart fluttered, the thrill of the ride mixing with the warmth of his words.

“Aww, look at you acting so shy and sweet. I thought you were tough, Aaron!” you teased, leaning closer. “Oh…I am…when I need to be tough,” Aaron shot back with a playful grin.

You smiled and leaned in toward him, holding his arm as the side of your face almost touched, enjoying the lovely sun shining on the both of you.

After the Ferris wheel, you felt excitement mixed with the sugar rush from that funnel cake. “Alright, what’s next? I’m feelin’ like we should conquer the next ride!”

Adrenaline pumping through your veins. Your sister grinned, her eyes sparkling. “How about that spinning teacup ride? It’ll be cool! Just don’t lose your funnel cakes sugar up mind in there!”

“Ha! Like I’d let that happen!” you teased back, glancing at Aaron, who had that cheeky grin.

“I’m down for teacups, but I guess we should make it interesting,” Aaron said with his British accent, fluttering your heart every time, and he went on. “The loser has to win everyone a prize at the ring toss.”

“Game on, then!” you shot back, the playful fire igniting. “I ain’t losin’ to you,” you added.

Erik, quietly assessing the situation, threw in his two cents. “Yo, I’ll take that bet, too! Loser treats us all to lunch!”

Your sister laughed and said, “Looks like we got a proper competition here! I hope y’all are ready to lose!”

The colors spun in a dizzying whirl as you approached the teacup ride. You breathed and sat beside Aaron, who leaned in close.

“You know, you goin’ down so hard on this one?” He whispered in your ear, sending shivers down your back, and you shook your head to focus.

“Keep dreamin’, babe,” you replied with a smirk while gazing into his pretty, light eyes, which you came to fall in love with, as you said, “I got skills. You wait and see!”

Once the ride started, the cups began to whirl. “Hold on tight!” you yelled, laughter bubbling out of you as you sent your cup spinning even faster.

“You got a secret weapon or somethin’? You tryna make me sick?” Aaron mocked, trying to catch his balance as you controlled the spinning.

“Just a lil’ country charm, darlin’!” you shot back playfully. Erik and your sister were whooping and laughing next to you, caught up in the competitive energy.

When the ride came to a stop, you hopped out and felt the world still spinning. “Who’s ready to win at ring toss?” you said, your heart racing from the ride and the fun vibe.

“Yeah, yeah,” Aaron replied, trying to suppress a smile while shaking his head as he straightened up. “You lot are gonna regret it; I’m a pro when tossing rings!”

“Pro? You sure you ain’t just a ‘no’?” you bantered, elbowing him lightly with a giggle. “Watch it, yeah?” Aaron shot back with a laugh, throwing his arm around your shoulder.

“No one gonna stop me today.” He said firmly. As you approached the ring toss booth, the tension was palpable. “Let’s see who can get that giant teddy bear!”

Your sister urged, eyeing the prize gleefully.

“Just so y’know, if I win, I’m keepin’ that bear,” Aaron declared, a glint in his eye.

“Not if I get it first!” you challenged, stepping up to the booth. One by one, you all took turns tossing rings, laughter bubbling up with every near-miss and triumphant win.

“C’mon, baby sis, you gotta focus!” your sister urged as you lined up your shot.

“I got this, I got this here!” you replied confidently, throwing the ring. The sound of it plopping over a bottle made you cheer. “Yes! One down!” you slapped your hand.

Aaron scoffed playfully. “Oh, nah! Looks like I’m gonna have to bring my A-game.” He stepped up, getting serious as he tossed a ring, which landed perfectly.

“Ha! Do you see that? That’s skills, baby!” Aaron said, sticking his tongue out at you. “You lucky, that’s all,” you shot back, crossing your arms in mock annoyance.

“Just wait till it’s my turn again.” You added.

Erik, now charged up, shouted out. “All right, I’m next! Watch and learn, folks!” He threw, and his ring ricocheted off the bottles with a comical plop.

“Damn, did I just make a fail compilation?” Erk asked; he looked like he was about to crash out, and you all laughed. “Yeah, Erik! We’ll be sure to add that to the blooper reel!” you teased.

After a few rounds, it was down to the wire. You and Aaron were neck and neck, both determined to win that teddy bear. “I ain’t lettin’ you snatch victory from me!” you said, fixing him with a playful glare.

“Bring it on, sweetheart! But if I win, you buy lunch for everyone, and you’ve gotta dance with me in the middle of the fair!” Aaron challenged, eyes twinkling.

“Okay, okay! Deal! And if I win, you buy lunch for everyone, and you’ve gotta dance with me in the middle of the fair, and you have to wearin’ that bear on your head for a selfie!” you shot back.

With the stakes higher than ever, you stepped up. Your heart raced as you tossed your final ring. Time seemed to slow as it swung around before landing squarely on a bottle.

“Yes! I did it!” You squealed with a smile, hugging your sister and Erik, who were laughing at Aaron's expression on his face, but it quickly changed.

"I got to say, well done, love. You’ve got skills!” Aaron said, holding his hand up before coming over to kiss your forehead, which made you feel warm inside.

“Thank you, babe. Now it’s time for that selfie!” you exclaimed, jumping up and down in excitement, grabbing the giant bear as Aaron dramatically slumped.

As you all gathered for a photo, the energy was electric. “You better be ready for that dance later!” Aaron called out, wrapping a playful arm around you as your sister and Erik posed goofily.

“You better believe I am! Just wait until I show off my moves!” you giggled. The four of you enjoyed the rest of your time at the fair, making it one of the best times for you and Aaron.

-

It's been an amazing two weeks for you and Aaron. You spent much time together and showed him around North Carolina. You both maintained a low profile while out, and only a few fans recognized you.

It is your last night before you two have to part ways. You made a romantic dinner and set the table, the scent of rosemary and garlic wafting through the air like an inviting embrace.

Each carefully placed dish was a masterpiece in its own right, showcasing your culinary skills. You could feel Aaron’s gaze on you, a blend of admiration and lust that made your heart race.

There's been some pent-up sexual tension between you two. “Sweetheart, this is amazing,” Aaron drawled with a playful smirk playing on his lips.

“You got mad skills in the kitchen. If I knew you could throw down like this, I would have tried to get you into making me a feast ages ago.” Aaron said, licking his lips.

His eyes sparkled mischievously as he cut a perfectly seared piece of BQQ, savoring every bite with exaggerated pleasure. “Mmm! You're seducing my taste buds.”

You chuckled, pouring two glasses of red wine. “Me? Seduce you? As if I must resort to such tactics when all you do is swoon over me anyway.” You said playfully, setting his glass before him.

“True, you’re stunning, smart, funny, talented, can cook, the list can go….yeah, I’m hooked,” Aaron said, leaning closer. “Let's not forget that little dance you did at the fair. I swear, I got you had me hot and bother watching you twerk.”

You felt heat rush to your cheeks, fighting off a grin as you leaned against the table, arms folded, eyeing him with feigned indignation. “Oh, please! That was just a little shimmy to the music. I can’t help but feel the groove.”

Aaron chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Nah, that was more than a little shimmy, babe. That was a full-on performance! You say ‘little,’ I say ‘full show.’ You had me contemplating my life choices and how I could spend it all right here watching you shake it.”

“Is that right?” you asked, tilting your head to one side like a playful cat sizing up its prey. “So, what else gets you all contemplative? Besides my undeniable twerking skills, of course.”

“Honestly?” Aaron leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head like he was settling in for storytime. “It’s the way your laugh lights up this whole place." He starts.

"We could be stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm or something, and your giggle would have me forgetting about everything else. Everything you do puts me at ease.” Aaron paused and locked his gaze onto yours, intensity mingling.

You took a sip of your wine to mask your shyness, feeling the warmth spread through you.

“That's sweet, Aaron, and what if I told you your smile does the same for me?” You leaned in slightly closer to the table, intrigued by the fluttering excitement in your chest.

“Whenever you walk into a room, it feels like someone turns the lights on. I can’t help but feel this little spark of joy, " you said with a smile, and Aaron's eyes widened, surprised yet pleased by the compliment.

“Really? You just saying that makes me want to smile even more.” He leaned forward, closing the distance between you like a secret shared between conspirators.

“I guess we both have ways of brightening up this place, yeah?" He added and you nodded, a smile spreading across your face as you watched Aaron savor the last bites of food.

A comforting warmth enveloped you both, the kind of atmosphere that made everything feel right. Aaron got up from his chair with a smile while looking at you.

“Okay, I have something for you,” Aaron said, his voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A gift? For me? You didn’t have to, Aaron,”

You feel a flutter of curiosity in your chest. He went to reach for a bag of something on the couch and pulled out a velvet box, presenting it to you with a playful smirk.

“Just open it,” Aaron urged, a hint of nervous energy in his tone. You took the box from him, your pulse quickening. Carefully, you lifted the lid, revealing a delicate necklace with a small, sparkling pendant that caught the light just right.

"Come here," Aaron said, wanting to put it on you, and you turned around, moving your hair out of the way. You slightly shiver at the touch of his warm, big hands on your neck.

“Oh Aaron, it’s beautiful!” you exclaimed, turning back to him as your fingers traced the intricate design. His eyes shone warmly as he leaned closer, his expression serious yet tender.

“I wanted to give you something special. This isn’t just a necklace, though,” Aaron paused, taking a deep breath. “I want to ask you something important.”

The atmosphere shifted, and you could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air. “What is it?” you asked, putting the box on the table.

Aaron took your hands in his, grounding you both. “I’ve loved every moment we've spent together. You’ve made everything feel so bright for me. So, I want to ask if you….would be my girlfriend.”

The sincerity in his voice made your heart skip, and for a moment, time stood still. Light tears of joy welled in your eyes as you nodded, a huge grin spreading across your face.

“Yes! Yes, of course!” You leaned in, pressing your lips against his in a soft, lingering kiss, feeling the world around you fade. Aaron pulled you closer, his hands at your waist, deepening the kiss.

When you finally pulled back, both of you were beaming with happiness. “I think this moment deserves a dance,” Aaron declared, whipping your tears as his eyes sparkling with love.

“Really?” you chuckled, your heart still fluttering wildly. “Absolutely. We can’t let a moment like this go by without celebrating,” he replied with a light smile.

You nodded and slipped on a playlist filled with old, slow songs like Nat King Cole, letting the smooth melodies wrap around you like a warm hug.

Aaron handed his hand out, and you took it, feeling an electric thrill run through you. Aaron led you into the living room space; he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close as you swayed gently.

Unforgettable That's what you are Unforgettable Though near or far

The warmth of his body against yours was intoxicating, and you could hardly believe this perfect moment was real.

Like a song of love That clings to me How the thought of you Does things to me Never before Has someone been more

Aaron whispered against your ear. “This is perfect.” You smiled, resting your head against his chest. “It really is. You make everything feel special.” You swayed, lost in the rhythm

Unforgettable In every way And forevermore That's how you'll stay

The music swirled around you, your bodies pressed together in that cozy embrace where time seemed to stand still. The world outside melted away, leaving just the two of you lost in your rhythm.

That's why, darling It's incredible That someone so unforgettable Thinks that I am Unforgettable too

You could feel his heartbeat syncing with yours in an unspoken dance. The tension was electric between you two, a magnetic pull that seemed to drown out the outside world.

Unforgettable In every way And forevermore That's how you'll stay

Aaron pulls away to look down at you, and you look up at him; the music fades in the background as a spark ignites between you, compelling him to lean in and capture your lips with his.

The kiss started softly, a gentle exploration filled with sweetness, but as the moment deepened, it transformed into something more passionate and powerful.

You could feel his hands cradling your face, thumbs tracing the delicate lines of your jaw, and it only made you crave him more. You melted against him, placing your hand behind his head.

Aaron pulled you closer, fitting your bodies together like puzzle pieces. The kiss deepened, and the world around you faded, leaving only his taste on your lips and the warmth of his body against yours.

Lost in the moment, you stumbled back, your legs brushing against the couch until you fell against it, Aaron following you down, never breaking the kiss.

Aaron settled on top of you, his weight both comforting and thrilling. His body pressed into yours, and you could feel every breath he took every heartbeat.

You could feel the sexual tension surging between you, a physical manifestation of everything you dreamed of. Every kiss felt like a conversation, filled with promises and uncharted territories waiting to be explored.

You pulled back slightly, breathless but exhilarated. "Aaron, I…."

Aaron searched your eyes, his expression serious yet soft. "I feel it, too. It’s like we’ve been waiting for the right time to finally let go, to embrace what’s been bubbling beneath the surface."

You nodded, feeling the gravity of his words. "It’s intense, and I don’t want to rush anything, but it’s hard to deny it." With a smirk that played at the corners of his lips, he brushed your hair away from your face.

"Then let's go slow. There's no rush. Just you, me, the music, and whatever comes next." He said as you both shared another lingering kiss, and you melded into each other again.

Aaron whispered in your ear. "You are so lovely tonight, I've been wanting to explore every inch of you. I find those sweet spots, slowly. Methodically. Can I do that, love?"

You shivered at his words, feeling a surge of arousal between your legs. "Mmm, yes, please," you moaned, pressing your lips to his hungrily.

Your tongues danced and taking your dress off and Aaron's shirt for now. His hands began to trail down to your most sensitive areas slowly.

"Okay…good, but first, just a couple questions…do you trust me, and are you clean?" Aaron asked respectfully but firmly. "Yes, I do…I'm clean, and I'm on the pill," You answered with quickness.

"Good. Let's talk about likes, dislikes, and all that really quickly. Yeah….?" Aaron whispered, his voice low and seductive. "Ok, I like light bondage," you gasped.

You were relishing in the tingling sensation throughout your body as his fingers grazed over your dark-brown skin. Aaron's eyes lit up with excitement.

"If you love it, then I love it" Aaron growled softly, biting down on your neck. You couldn't help but let out a small whimper at the sensation, knowing this was the beginning of what would come.

"What about you??" you asked eagerly. "I'm into a little bit of dominant energy….of course, I respect boundaries," Aaron replied, his voice dripping with desire.

"Though I can tell you like it when a man takes charge, huh, love?." He asked, his hands sliding down to cup your curves, sending a jolt of electricity through your body.

"Oh god, yes," you moaned, arching into his touch. "I love being told what to do." You whispered with a moan. "Then you're gonna love what I have planned for us," Aaron said with a wicked grin.

"Please…..w-what's off limits for you?" you moaned, his eyes never leaving yours. "Um…I'm not…" He paused, his hand sliding down your thigh. "I want to see yours first, any hard limits?"

"non-conasll is a big no, nothing too extreme," you replied, trying to keep your breathing steady as his touch sent shivers down your spine. "And no feet stuff."

Aaron chuckled a mischievous glint in his eye. "Don't worry, babe. That's not my thing, either." His hand trailed higher, teasingly close to your core.

"But I do love playing with tits and asses…" Aaron admits, and you let out a gasp as he squeezes your ass cheek, already feeling soaked between your legs.

"Mmm yeah?" you moaned, grinding against him. "Oh yeah," Aaron growled, his breath hot against your ear. "And lucky for me, we're a perfect match."

Aaron kissed you deeply again, his hands wandering over your body as you eagerly reciprocated as your bodies moved in sync and the passion between you grew hotter and hotter.

Aaron couldn't resist whispering those dirty words that drove you wild. "I can't wait to make you beg for this dick," he groaned, his voice rough with desire.

You whimpered in response, knowing this was just the beginning of the mind-blowing night ahead of you. Aaron's fingers danced along your waistband, teasing the sensitive skin.

"Let's get these off, shall we?" Aaron murmured, slowly sliding your panties down. "Tell me more about what gets you going."

You gasped as the cool air hit your exposed skin. "I love being teased," you breathed. "Edging, denial, building anticipation. It drives me wild."

"Mmm, noted," Aaron growled, his eyes dark with lust. "I'll have you begging before the night's through." He tossed your panties aside.

"What else, baby? Don't hold back." He said; you bit your lip, feeling deliciously vulnerable. "I like a bit of pain with my pleasure. Hair pulling, spanking, biting…"

You trailed off as Aaron's hand ghosted over your inner thigh. "Fuck, you're perfect," he groaned. "I love that too." His fingers inched higher.

"Another else?" Aaron asked, stroking your legs. "I like light choking but no smacking in the face," you said firmly and added. "And nothing involving with spit."

Aaron nodded. "Of course!" His thumb brushed your clit, making you moan. "But I do love eating pussy. Is that okay with you, baby?"

"Oh, yes," you whimpered, arching into his touch. "Mmm, I'm gonna take my time with you, love" Aaron purred, trailing kisses down your neck.

"Gonna worship every inch of this perfect body." He said with a smile. You shivered in anticipation. "Tell me more about what you like," you urged breathlessly.

Aaron's eyes glinted mischievously. "I love making the person squirm with pleasure. Edging them until they're begging for release."

His fingers teased your inner thighs. "I like oral - giving and receiving. And I've got a thing for lingerie."

"Mmm, I'll have to model some lingerie for you sometime," you purred. "I've got this lacy red one that would drive you wild."

Aaron groaned, his eyes darkening with lust. "Fuck, baby. Just picturing you in that has me rock hard."

You let out a low moan as his thumb brushed your clit. "I also don't like name-calling or degradation, maybe being called a slut is fine, but that’s it."

"Noted," Aaron murmured, kissing you deeply before working his way down your body. "Now, can you get a taste and eat this sweet, pretty pussy, sweetheart?"

You spread your legs wider in invitation. "Please," you whimpered.

Aaron settled between your thighs, his hot breath teasing your sensitive flesh. "Mmm, you smell divine," he groaned. "I'm gonna make you come so hard with just my tongue."

You placed your hand on the back of his head as he slowly licked a stripe up your slit. Aaron's tongue delved deeper, carefully exploring every fold and crevice.

You moaned and arched your back against the couch as waves of pleasure washed over you.

"Oh god, Aaron," you whimpered. "Your tongue feels amazing."

Aaron hummed against you, the vibrations sending shockwaves through your body.

Pulling back slightly, he murmured, "You taste even better than I imagined. I could do this for hours."

"Please," you begged. "Don't stop."

Aaron chuckled darkly. "Oh, I won't stop, baby. Not until you're a quivering mess." His tongue circled your clit as two fingers slowly pushed inside you.

"So wet for me already. I bet you're aching to be devoured, haven't you?" He questioned.

"Yes," you gasped as his fingers curled, finding that perfect spot as his lips wrapped around your clit. The dual sensations had you writhing beneath him, incoherent pleas falling from your lips.

Aaron worked you expertly, bringing you right to the edge before easing off, over and over, until you were trembling with need.

"Aaron, please," you whined with desperation. "I'm so close."

"Tell me what you want, love," Aaron growled.

"I want you to make me cum, fucking make me cum," you moaned, gripping your breasts, before playing with your nipples. "Please, I need it so badly."

Aaron's eyes glinted wickedly as he looked up at you from between your thighs. "As you wish, my love." He redoubled his efforts, sucking hard on your clit.

His fingers pumped in and out of you at a relentless pace. "Oh fuck, oh fuck," you chanted, your back arching off the couch again. The pressure built and built until, finally.

You shattered, crying out Aaron's name as waves of pleasure crashed over you. He didn't let up, working you through your orgasm and straight into another one.

Your thighs trembled around his head as a second climax rocked through you, even more intense than the first. "That's it, baby," Aaron purred, his voice husky with arousal.

"Let me hear how wonderful I make you feel." He said and you whimpered, overstimulated but craving more. "So wonderful, Aaron. ahh, your mouth is magic."

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to your inner thigh. "Just wait until you feel me inside you. I'm gonna fill you up so good, stretch that tight pussy around me, but that for another day."

A fresh surge of arousal coursed through you at his words. "Please, no, you gotta fuck me, give me that big dick," you begged. "I need you. I need to feel every inch of you."

Aaron's eyes flashed with desire as he gazed up at you. "Patience, love," he said with a chuckle. "I'm not done tasting you yet." He lowered his head once more

His talented tongue explores every fold and crevice. You whimpered and squirmed beneath him, overwhelmed by the sensations. "Aaron, please," you begged.

"I need more. Let me pleasure you, too." You cried, looking down at him with hearty eyes. Aaron paused, considering. "Well, since you asked so nicely…"

Aaron got up and took the rest of his clothes off; you got a sight of his dick, it was big and throbbing while you moved to let him lay down on his back, and you got on top, straddling his face.

"There. Now you can suck my dick while I feast on this delicious pussy." Aaron said low and sexy. Eagerly, you leaned forward and got sight of his dick again.

Your mouth watered at the sight. “So big.” Wrapping your lips around the tip, you slowly took him deeper as Aaron's tongue resumed its delicious licking of your pussy.

“Mm…How does this feel?” you asked softly but seductively. "That's it, so good," Aaron groaned. "Take it all, baby. Show me how badly you want it."

You hollowed your cheeks, sucking hard as you bobbed your head. Aaron's hips jerked upwards, pushing his dick further down your throat.

You relaxed and took him deeper, relishing his guttural moan of pleasure. "Fuck, your mouth feels incredible," he panted. "Such a good little dicksucker. I bet you can't wait to feel this dick stretching out that tight pussy'“

You moaned around Aaron's big dick, the vibrations making him groan against your pussy. His tongue delved deeper, lapping at your juices as his fingers gripped your ass.

"Mmm, you taste so fucking good," Aaron growled. "I could eat this sweet pussy all night long. Want me to make you cum again, baby? Want to feel my tongue on your clit while you swallow my dick?"

You pulled off his length with a wet pop. "Yes, fuck, yes, please," you whimpered. "Make me cum, Aaron. I want to scream your name, please."

Aaron chuckled darkly. "As you wish, my love." His lips wrapped around your sensitive bud, sucking hard as two fingers pushed inside you.

You cried out in pleasure, rocking your hips against his face. "That's it," he purred. "Ride my face; use me for your pleasure. I want to feel you dripping down my chin when you cum."

His words sent a fresh surge of arousal through you. You took him back into your mouth, bobbing your head faster as you chased your release.

Aaron's fingers curled, hitting that perfect spot inside you as his tongue flicked rapidly over your clit. "Fuck, I'm so close," you moaned, your thighs trembling.

"Don't stop, please don't stop!"

"Cum for me," Aaron commanded. "Let me feel that pussy squeeze my fingers. I want to taste your orgasm on my tongue."

The urgency in his voice pushed you closer to the edge, and you could feel the heat coiling tight in your belly. “Oh God, Aaron, I'm gonna…”

“That's it, babe; let go for me,” he encouraged, his voice thick with desire, sending shivers racing down your spine. With a cry that echoed through the living room, you came undone.

Waves of ecstasy crashed over you as your body seized up around his fingers. The world narrowed down to that delicious moment. You felt your essence spilling out, coating his chin as he greedily lapped at your release.

“Yesss,” he groaned, burying his face deeper into you. “So fucking hot. You taste like paradise, love.” The vibration of his voice against your core sent aftershocks through your trembling body.

You pulled off him and turned your body to face him, panting. “You sure know how to treat a girl right,” you teased breathlessly, looking at him with half-lidded eyes.

Aaron smirked at you, his lips glistening with your arousal. You resume sucking him off, glancing at him through your eyelashes as you stroke him vigorously.

“Mmm, how do I look taking your dick in my mouth, Aaron?" You asked before boobing your head up and down on his dick.

“Fuck, you look so beautiful,” Aaron groaned, running his fingers through your hair. “The sexiest sight I've ever seen.” He pushed your head down, encouraging you to take more of him into your mouth.

“I’m so close, babe; I can't hold back any longer.”

You took him as deep as you could, massaging his balls with one hand. You moaned around his cock, feeling him throb in your mouth. and with a guttural moan, Aaron came.

His hot seed spurts onto your waiting tongue. You swallowed greedily, savoring his salty taste on your tongue. Slowly easing off his softening dick, you licked your lips seductively.

“Mmmm, now that was delicious,” you purred. “Yummy, the best dessert. I wish I could have some more,” you said poutfully. Aaron laughed, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

“Hmm, I know.” Aaron sat up, wiping the beads of sweat from his brow before pulling you into his arms. “But for now,” he said, planting a soft kiss on your lips.

“I think we both need a break,” he added, and you rested your head on his shoulder, feeling more content than you had in weeks. “You're right,”

You took a breath, snuggling closer to him on the couch. “Don't worry, babe. I’ll give you what you've been asking in no time.” He winked mischievously.

You couldn't help but feel giddy with anticipation at what that meant for you. For now, though, you were happy to be here with Aaron, basking in the afterglow.

part 3??

[iwasonething]

living with luigi mangione headcannons

-> somehow luigi has a kind of superpower that makes him sense when ur here, when ur not, if u left eg. while sleeping in the same bed, if u were going to get up to drink some water or if u have sleeping problems, this man would prob follow u wherever ur going in what? 3-5 min? give or take. -> imagine coming home to a kiss on the cheek like "how was today my love tell me about it" with reassuring back rubs and sweet nothings in ur ear like "oh rlly? mhm" while making u tea -> if ur stressed, hed deff tell because if u were living together/u guys were that serious, communication would be key in ur relationship and he does connect well through language and everything esp with his loved ones and hed find it odd how u arent sending him a litany of messages or voice messages ab what ur doing, how's it going, etc etc + hed prob know ur sched in advance if there was anything bigg coming up and he's really that perceptive - truly knowing you completely so yes hed DEF tell if u need him, want to be alone!! of course though, hed give u a kiss on the forehead just to let u know he's here :)) -> this man is REALLY organized w certain info. eg. "what's my social security again?" "oh dw i got it right here babe" be fr he wouldnt drag u to boring meetings with ur landlord about rent or something to discuss numbers.. hed do that all by himself althoughhh u do tell him that u appreciate the journey of going through this TOGETHER as a team so he does let u tag along :)) -> no because luigi would DEF be passionate in saving the environment!! esp in ur household! eg using scratch paper that's cheaper and recycled or seed paper even!! and if ur crafty that's a BIGG plus since u guys can recycle stuff together he'd rlly enjoy it -> if u enjoy gardening, hed def support u in tending to ur plants!! little plant babies do u guys know the type of "harvest with me!" video on tiktok? yes. he'd binge those for inspo. -> luigi i feel shows affection based on acts of service and words of affirmation. picture this: hes just working on some code and ur feeling a bit down :(( (if you are right now though, please know it's going to be alright! take it one step at a time. if ur procrastinating, you should really make a move right now!! truly it is never too late, good luck!!) so naturally u would go to him/sit on his lap and rest ur head at the crook of his neck and hed continue what he's doing with one hand but make an effort to rub ur back with the other asking u "tell me my love" "use ur words baby" i meowed. if ur still feeling down and just rotting in bed (me rn help) hed notice (because he does often check on wherever u are around the house) and play ur favorite song on vinyl, bring u ur favorite tea, and be there if u do want to talk :( -> drowssyyy monday mornings and lazy sundays!! we all know luigi plays roles of being such an active member in our society i mean man was doing rock climbing, an underground christmas lights selling thing on venmo? and he loves the beach, the outside, everything nature! but laying with u in bed is js something he would def NEVER waste :)) esp during slow mornings!! sweet nothings!! everything cute and fluffy

[the-witty-pen-name]

The Love Triangle from Hell (5)

Steve Harrington x F!Reader / Eddie Munson x F!Reader

Synopsis: Following the events of PART FOUR, you all begin to pick up the pieces and start to heal.

Word Count: 3.2k

Warnings: kissing, messy messy feelings; unrequited love; cursing/name calling; arguments; crying; hurt/comfort; angst; miscommunication; jealousy; happy ending; fluff

A/N: We have made it to the final part of our story. I'm honestly sad to see it end- but it's not *really* over, is it? Again, everyone who has commented and reblogged- you are my muse. It was your kind words who kept me motivated. Thank you so much. You all are so amazing. Please, please, please don't hesitate to send me questions or requests- do you want to see more post-story drabbles, more angsty flashbacks, headcannons? Let me know and I will do my best to deliver. My inbox is open for requests.

Alternative ending coming soon!

SERIES MASTERLIST

Because Steve crashed at his parent’s house, he hadn’t been home to see that Eddie never came back last night. Instead, he woke up in his childhood bedroom after a night of tossing and turning. He wanted to call you- he picked up the phone and hung it up so many times last night. He knew you probably wouldn’t appreciate it, so he resolved to wait until morning. He hardly slept. 

With tear stained cheeks, Steve knew he needed to get up and shower. After he was dressed for the day, he sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the wall. He didn’t know what to do, and he didn’t want to go home yet. He couldn’t face Eddie. He was so embarrassed and ashamed. 

He needed to take a walk to clear his head. He ended up deciding to get coffee. There was a coffee place he walked to and after that, with 2 coffees and a bag of bagels in hand. He decided to stop by your apartment. You’d have coffee and bagels and talk this out. If you would let him, it would be his do over to make up for last night. 

He walked up to your apartment two steps at a time balancing the coffee tray carefully with both hands to not spill. He lets himself take a moment. He smooths out the front of his jacket. And tousled his hair to look a little more presentable. He hopes you don’t slam the door in his face when he knocks. He stands up straighter when he hears the door unlock.

You open the door, but not all the way. You poke your head out from behind the partially open door. You’re still in your pajamas. A very old t-shirt that Steve has seen you in a million times before and flannel pajama pants- you look your best like this, Steve thinks. His brows furrowed in confusion when you step out onto the porch with a sweatshirt and don’t invite him in. 

“I got you a coffee,” he offers, “a peace offering for last night.”

. I was being an asshole.” 

“Listen, Steve..,” you begin. You cross your arms over your chest and look down at your feet. “I don’t know how to say this… Now isn’t the right time…”

“I’m sorry, I just thought we could talk in person,” he explains, “I just wanted to- you know, apologize in person.” 

“I get it.”

“I- I just, look,” he says gathering his thoughts, “I didn’t handle any of this right- at all. I’m never going to be able to forgive myself for taking this long to realize my feelings, but…”

“Steve. Stop- listen,” you say anxiously, tugging at the sleeves of your sweatshirt. “Before you go on, I need to tell you…”

“What is it?”

“Eddie stayed over last night.” 

Oh. 

Oh. 

“Oh…”

“Steve-”

“He’s still here, isn’t he?” Steve finally catches on. You hang your head, unable to look him in the eye. He blinks back the threat of tears. “Okay, um,” he clears his throat. “I’ll, uh, get out of here.”

“Steve- wait…”

“No, no it’s okay, really,” he tries to insist, trying his best to not break his cool. “Uh, anyways- take the coffee and stuff, anyways… I gotta go anyway.” 

He’s down the stairs and down the block before you can stop him. You slip back inside. You leave the coffee and the paper bag on the table. You couldn’t touch them. You take a seat at the kitchen table, staring at them. Eddie was still asleep, easily slept through Steve’s knocking. It’s a few minutes of solitude, just lost in thought, before the front door opens with a whoosh. 

“I’m surprised you’re up,” Robin marvels, kicking off her shoes. She hangs up her jacket, she’s wearing her same clothes as yesterday. You offer her a knowing smile. 

“Yeah,” you agree. “You just missed Steve.”

“What does that mean?” she asked hesitantly. “Did you and Steve-”

“Nope,” you say, realizing now what that sounded like. You shake your head- you have so much to fill her in on. “Eddie’s here- and Steve showed up with coffee and bagel for me.” 

“Wait. Wait. Wait,” she hurries over and takes the seat across from you- taking one of the coffees. “You slept with Eddie?”

“Eddie and I went to Lover’s Lake after the game-”

“Ew! Did you do it in the van?” Robin gasps. 

“No!” You say embarrassed, “We were just there, and Steve followed us. He started banging on the side of the van and scared the shit out of me.”

“What did he say?”

“Get your fucking hands off my girl.” You watch Robin’s jaw drop. 

“No, he didn’t!”

“He did! And he called me ‘baby.’” 

“What happened after that?”

“Well, Eddie drove me home and I invited him to stay. It wasn’t like that at first. I just- you weren’t home and I didn’t want to be alone so I asked him to stay with me.” 

“Sounds like it was that from the beginning,” Robin teases. “And Steve came here this morning to apologize and win you over and you had to tell him you slept with Eddie.”

“Pretty much,” you nod. “He’s still here.”

“Eddie’s still here?”

“Yeah, he’s asleep.” 

“Holy shit, dude.”

“I know!”

“Explains that huge hickey,” she jokes and you swat her arm. “Was he.. Was he good?”

Your eyes widen, “Robin!”

“I don’t know what to ask!” She holds her arms up in surrender. “So are you and Eddie, like together?”

“We didn’t really talk about that yet.” 

“He’s been in love with you since he was like 17,” Robin points out. “You think he’s going to not want to be with you?”

“No- it’s just, it’s all happened so fast. I just don’t want to ruin anything.” 

“I’m gonna call Steve,��� Robin says, “I want to check on him.” You nod in agreement. 

“Yeah, that would be good,” you agree. 

The door creaks open when you slip back into your bedroom. In your absence, Eddie has starfished out on his stomach and has taken up the whole mattress. In just his boxers, he snores very softly as the light from the window is starting to beam in through the panels of your blinds. You walk over to the side of the bed, crouching down to be eye level. You gently stir him awake. 

Eddie can’t put into words how incredible a feeling it is that you are the first thing he sees when he wakes up. He smiles lazily with his face squished against the pillows. He reaches out and beckons for you to join him back in bed. He scoots over so you can have space to slide in next to him. The messy bed and the cozy blankets are so inviting, it would be just enough to help you forget about what’s waiting for you outside this little sanctuary. 

“Come on,” he pouts, and you can’t help but concede. He pulls you into him, spooning you. He pulls the blankets over the two of you. You turn to face him, but he keeps his arm slung over your waist. 

“Steve was just here,” you whisper. 

“Are you okay?” he asks, concerned. The news of Steve’s visit wakes him up. You nod. 

“Yes, it was just a hard conversation,” you volunteer. “He knows you stayed here last night.” 

“How’d he take that?” Eddie asks.

“Um, I could tell he felt hurt,” you admit, “he brought me breakfast; wanted to apologize and try it over with me… I told him you were here, and he accepted it. He was clearly upset, but he didn’t take it out on me. He, um, looked devastated. But he just left after I told him.” 

“Can I ask you something?” Eddie asks, sounding shy and suddenly unsure of himself. 

“Of course,” you say encouragingly. 

“What did last night mean? You know, like- where do we stand?” Eddie isn’t sure if he even wants to know the answer. He’s so worried you’re going to reject him- tell him last night was a mistake. He’s bracing himself for the heartache of losing you.

You trace your hand gently over the side of his face, helping move his hair away from his eyes. Is it even still a question? You can’t help but smile. It all makes sense.

“I love you, Eds,” you confess and it feels like the weight of the world lifts off his shoulders. “I’m sorry it took me so long to see that,” you apologize, but he’s too wrapped up, he doesn’t even care. He pulls you in for a kiss, slow and passionate. Everything feels right- finally. 

“I love you so much, sweetheart,” he murmured against your lips. 

Your senior year (Eddie’s second), Eddie finally convinced you to sneak out on a Tuesday night and come see Corroded Coffin play at The Hideout. Your parents would kill you if they knew you were at a bar forty-five minutes away past eleven on a school night to see some boy with long hair and tattoos play in his metal band. They wouldn’t care if you insisted he was just a friend.  Thankfully, this is something they will never find out. 

Eddie felt on top of the world that night. He played better than he ever has, because you were there to impress. He could watch you, as you sat comfortable at a table all to yourself, singing along to songs you had no idea where even about you. You cheered and clapped at the end of every song- not caring if you were the only one in the room to acknowledge them. 

“Are you gonna ask her out tonight?” Jeff asks, covering his microphone between songs. 

“I don’t know- maybe. Shut up,” Eddie flushes, petrified you would hear. You hadn’t- you were completely oblivious to the way you made him feel. 

“If you don’t, I will!” Gareth whisper-shouts over his drum set. He laughs when Eddie turns around and flips him off. When he turns back around, you lamely throw him two thumbs up and grin widely. He mouths “Dweeb” to you across the bar and you stick your tongue out at him. 

Eddie did attempt to ask you out that night. Unfortunately, he was so nervous when he did it, you didn’t realize he had meant for it to be a date. He still cringes at how he ended up paying for Dustin, Mike, Lucas and Max to play mini golf and how shocked he was when they ended up tagging along. When he thought it couldn’t have gotten worse, the rest of Hellfire showed up as well. Since when did he have this many friends? He remembered thinking. 

Robin calls Steve a few times before she’s able to get through. She must have caught him right as he was getting home. 

“Yeah?” He sounds irritated. 

“Wow,” she says with a tisk. “Rude much?” She hears him take a breath. 

“I’m sorry, long day,” he mumbles. 

“It’s like 9:30,” Robin muses and he scoffs. 

“So you know?” He asks. 

“I know.” 

“I’m a fucking douchebag!” Steve exclaims, upset with himself still- clearly. “I can’t blame her for wanting nothing to do with me.” 

“You’re her oldest friend, Steve,” Robin points out, “She didn’t say she wanted nothing to do with you. She and everyone else I’m sure just everything to go back to normal.” 

“Normal except she’s with Eddie and I have to be around that everyday.” 

“Like how she was with you, for I don’t know- years! You’re being hypocritical. Don’t you think?” 

“Did she say that she and Eddie are together?”

“Not explicitly,” she says hesitantly, “Come on, Steve. You gotta let it go.” 

Steve flops down onto the couch and groans. He knows he’s being hypocritical- he knows he isn’t being fair. It doesn’t make the pain hurt any less. Something he couldn’t shake tugs at the back of his mind. You didn’t tell him you and Eddie were together, just that he stayed over. That doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily together. He knows he’s fooling himself. It’s so hard to just let it go. 

“The whole thing is way too close to home,” Robin muses, “maybe expand your dating pool to outside your immediate friend group?”

“I just need to actually hear her say it,” Steve says, but in agreement with Robin. “I just won’t be able to let it go until I actually hear it from her that she has no feelings for me.” 

“You’re a glutton for punishment,” Robin points out and he knows she’s right. “You need to figure out yourself. Do you actually love her? Or was it the idea of living her that you got so wrapped up in?” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“There’s a difference. Were you actually in love with your best friend, or were you just in love with the idea of having someone you love who knows you like a best friend? Like you’ve known her for so long, and you’ve never thought of her as more than a friend until very recently? It might make sense you were wrapped up in the idea of it all- than actually falling in love with her. Does that make sense?” She takes a long pause. “The romanticism of it all, being wrapped up in that- you know?”

“Maybe,” he concedes. “It would’ve been really great.” 

“It would’ve,” Robin agrees. “But it wasn’t meant to be.” 

“No?” 

“No.” 

When Eddie gets back to the apartment later, he doesn’t know what to expect. He doesn’t know if  Steve will take a swing at him, if he’ll yell, or if he will even be there. He doesn’t know what to anticipate Steve’s reaction to be. 

Surprised, Steve is sitting in their living room… calm. He looks solemn. He’s sitting on the same chair he sat the day of the huge fight. He’s staring at the spot where Nancy sat, and then his eyes move over to where you were. Eddie clears his throat to make himself known. Steve looks up like he’s been snapped out of a trance. 

“I’m sorry, man,” Steve says, immediately. “I really fucked that up.” 

“I don’t know- I get it,” Eddie sympathizes. “The whole situation is fucked.” 

“Yeah, totally.” 

“You okay?” 

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Steve drags his hands across his face. Eddie can tell he hardly slept. He looks exhausted. “I will get over it, I’m sure. I just need a little time to get my shit together. Get over myself, you know?” He jokes in a self-deprecating manner. Eddie offers a sympathetic smile, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes. They both know they’ll be fine in time. 

The next morning, you’re at their apartment door first thing with coffee in hand. 

“Do-over?” You ask with a tilt of your head when Steve opens the door. 

“Do-over,” he offers a half smile, taking one of the to-go cups from your hand. 

“Eddie’s left for work already?” You guess and he nods. You stand in the door frame, face to face in a few long moments of silence.

“I really miss my best friend,” you say finally.

“Do you still even want to be friends after all of this?” Steve asks, stepping aside so you can come in.

“Steve,” you say with a deep breath. “I always want you to be in my life. You are my oldest friend and I hate that everything has blown up the way it has. I know we can’t go back to the way everything was before. We can move past this, together, can’t we?” 

“I really missed you too,” he admits. “I talked to Robin- I think she was right about a lot of things. You and Eddie- you guys are my best friends. I can’t stand in the way of you too. I think like how I was so hung up on Nancy- I was idealizing her; remembering just the good parts. I know I would’ve been so happy to end up with you. But I think I was more in love with an idea.”

“I get that. I think I’m guilty of that myself,” you chuckle, thinking back to the many years you held Steve up on a pedestal. He smiles back at you- a wide, all encompassing Steve Harrington smile. You had him back. “So, we’re going to be okay?” you ask, a smile creeping onto your lips. 

“We’re okay,” he reaffirms. 

A few months later, following the truce with Steve, everyone is piled into Steve and Eddie’s living room. A movie is playing you’ve all long since forgotten about. Nancy and Jonathan sit in the love seat, his arm around her as they watch amused as Steve and Robin argue- both of them standing on opposite ends of the coffee table as they debate the logistics of whether or not it’s pronounced “Duh-MEE” or “Dem-EE” Moore. Neither one of them plans to back down anytime soon. 

Vicky watches from her seat in the recliner like a tennis match, her eyes bouncing between her girlfriend and Steve- enough to give herself whiplash. This was not how she expected her first movie night with Robin’s friends to go- but what else would she expect besides utter chaos. 

“I thought something was gonna be catching on fire,” Eddie whispers in your ear. “This is boring,” he says in reference to the movie. 

His arms sit loosely around your waist as you sit on his lap. Your legs lay across his lap, resting your head on his shoulder as you sit together in the chair opposite Vicky. You can’t help but laugh at his commentary. 

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna happen, hun,” you say with a smile, offering condolences for his disappointment in the movie. 

“You’re a moron if you think it’s Dem-EE,” Robin shouts, losing her patience with each passing second. “Everyone knows it’s Duh-MEE!”

“Robin- I swear to god! It’s Dem-EE- it would be spelled differently if it was Duh-MEE,” Steve argues. 

“It’s French!” Robin yells, exasperated, ready to pull out her hair. She couldn’t believe that he’s still pushing this issue. 

Eddie runs his hand up and down your leg as he tries to act remotely interested in the movie. He knows you like it, so he’s trying his hardest to pay attention despite the distractions- Robin & Steve’s antics sure, but more so, sitting so close to you. He can smell your shampoo and your skin is so smooth when he touches it. It’s hard to not be consumed but the sensation. He squeezes your hip, and kisses your temple. 

Eddie loves the simple touches. It’s the things he thought about for so long. It’s so easy. The things he always wanted to say to you, everything he wanted to do are just habitual now. He can grab your hand and kiss the back whenever he gets the urge. He can tell you he loves you randomly whenever he pleases. He can kiss you- kiss you everywhere. He wishes he could go back and tell himself that he got the girl- that she loves him just as much. Tell him it’s better than he ever imagined it. 

The dust has settled. The worst of it all seems to be behind you all. Steve has a date lined up for tomorrow night and it seems he’s finally been able to let the idea of you go. Maybe, you’ll always be the one that got away, but he knows he’ll find the person he was always meant to be with. He has a really good feeling about the girl he’s seeing tomorrow. 

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading! Please let me know if you liked it. I decided on doing a follow-up story (maybe 3 parts?) focusing on this Steve and an another reader insert! Hopefully that's not too confusing lol It's going to focus on Steve meeting someone new, and falling for her. It can be read as a standalone or as a follow-up to this story. I'm going to do my best to have it out as soon as I can. Let me know if you like the idea or if it's too confusing.

TAGLIST: @sunshinepeachx @downbear @fanlifeaamt @exploding-bonbon @losingmygrasponreality @skiddypiddy @andvys @djodirt @moonlightsolo @kyga01 @sheisjoeschateau @melaninjhs @v3lv3tf0x @purpleeyeswithgoldensparkles @sunshine-mrk @danymunsonharrington @mrsjellymunson @fanficfantik

[devoteangel]

My answers!

🎒— hmm well id include a paci, a stuffie(or three hehe), a bottle or sippy cup with chocolate milk, my agere journal, coloring stuff, and probably some stim toys in my dream agere bag! I’d probably rarely bring it out my house tho

🪼— Ik it’s rlly basic but nurse sharks and whale sharks!! Oh and jelly fish, sea bunnies, stingrays and other sharks too, I can’t choose lol

🦑— I especially hate yelling and arguing =(

🐡— I would lovveeee to go hang gliding but I don’t have any “exotic” hobbies

🐟— I tend to like kid core and “toy” aesthetics more when I’m regressed but I’ll always, big and small, love pretty pink colors ^^

🐋— when big my fav is cats, when little it’s just everything! Little me can’t get enough of animals lol

🦈— I LOVE SHARKS they’re my friends =3

🦭— not super often bc I have to feel pretty safe and that’s hard to do but I usually regress on weekends or after school.

🦦— I have around 20 of em my favorites are Lily- teddy bear and Puddles- panda

🌿— Well, I love baby pink, a light cream color, baby/dusty blue, and brown! I prefer when cream is a base with the others as accents!

🐚— yes! Many things: lalaloopsie dolls, crystals, nature stuff, art supplies, comics, and my favorite are my tea cups, saucers, and tea pots!

🪷— my bedroom is where I usually regress and feel safest <3

🌊— Big me loves Dr.pepper, little me loves chocolate milk and we both love Hot Chocolate =]

🫧— my fav thing to do when regressed is sleep an be silly online lol I also really like coloring tho!

If you read this entire thing, than thank you sm!! I appreciate it and here’s a cookie for you 🍪!

aquarium—themed regression ask game !!

not all of the questions are regression—oriented , but they’re still good get-to-know-me questions ^_^

[ ⭐️ ] it is appreciated that when you reblog this post , you send some questions from this post to whoever you reblogged it from ! /gen/nf

🎒 — what are the items in your ideal agere / caregiver bag or backpack ? how often would you have it with you ?

🪼 — favorites aquatic / semi—aquatic creature ?

🦑 — is there anything your especially scared of when regressed ? ( alt : is there anything you especially dislike when regressed ? )

🐡 — what’s your most “exotic” hobby or interest ?

🐟 — do you identity with a particular aesthetic when regressed that’s different than your big self ?

🐋 — favorite animal when big vs. regressed ?

🦈 — thoughts on sharkies ?? friend or foe ? cute or scary ?

🦭 — how often do you regress ? do you notice any patterns of when you regress like times or days of the week ?

🦦 — do you have or want to have plushies ? ( if you do , what are their names ? )

🌿 — what’s your favorite color ? ( be as specific as possible ! )

🐚 — do you like to collect things ? if so , what’s something you love to collect ?

🪷 — do you have a specific area you like to regress in , or that makes you feel safest ?

🌊 — favorite thing to drink when big vs. regressed ?

🫧 — what’s your favorite activity to do when regressed ?

[ffviirarepairweek]

FFVII Rare Pair Week 2025

So what’s your favourite Final Fantasy VII related rare pair? Do you have more than one? Here’s a chance to showcase them and help them move up from being rare! Not all parts of the pairing have to be from FFVII, and you don’t have to do the same pairing or group for the whole week! ** Pairings can be romantic or platonic. **

Below we have a list of prompts for this year. Feel free to be as creative with those as you want to, and take your time working on your entries, but please don’t forget to post them on the right date if you can. (But remember, no matter how late it’s better than never!)

For this event we are using a category approach. You can use the category as a theme for your prompt and the listed items suggested ideas. If none of the prompts give you any ideas, don’t worry! You can create anything you like for the week, provided it involves a rare pair! The goal of the week is to celebrate and share our rare pairs more than to just follow a list. Be it art, writing, mood boards, or even fic recs, just spread the love!

Feb. 16 | Day 1. Extreme Weather/Natural Disaster. How does your pairing deal with an extreme weather event? If you’re the type to lean toward happy stories, this could be a run of good weather days. If you like your angst, well, this year has already given us some examples of what happens when nature goes wild.

Feb. 17 | Day 2. Sick Day/Medical. Is one of your pairing sick or injured? Or if you don’t like dealing directly with sickness, do they need to cover for a co-worker who has called out sick?

Feb. 18 | Day 3. Crossover. Mix it up with another game, or movie, or book, etc. Mix in your other favourite media, whether the setting, or another character for your pair to meet, or another plot they’re stuck sorting out.

Feb. 19 | Day 4. Events. There’s an event in the calendar. Is it a big to-do? A private date night? Are they celebrating something, or is it a memorial date? What has warranted being marked on their calendar? And what are they going to do about it?

Feb. 20 | Day 5. Free Day/Combo Day. Combo space to mix and match prompts from this year (or a previous year’s list) or go wherever your canoe takes you!

Feb. 21 | Day 6. Pets/Children. How does your pairing feel about pets and/or children? Do they have any? Do they want to? Are they the cool aunts who just want to return them at the end of the day after much sugar or the house with all the cats? Is it a point of contention in their relationship?

Feb. 22 | Day 7. Arts. Music, visual arts, dance. Art can be expressed and appreciated in so many forms. How does your pairing participate in art? Do they have an artistic hobby? Do they share in that hobby, or is one more “talented’? Do they try to get the other(s) involved? (Imagining the pottery moment in Ghost.) Do they have contrasting skills and collaborate? Are they competitive? Do they involve pets/children (if any)?

Need more inspiration? Our past prompt lists can be found below, and you’re welcome to use any of them!

2024 List: https://www.tumblr.com/ffviirarepairweek/740152122290618368/ffvii-rare-pair-week-2024 (has link to all previous year lists - sorry tumblr keeps fighting me about links and saying they’re not real links)

Please remember to include the week’s tag (ffviirarepairweek). You can mention the blog to send an alert about your post to the mod as well. We will NOT accept/reblog anything containing Character/Ship Hate, so avoid including those in your entries. Also don’t repost anyone else’s work as your own! You are welcome to reblog other’s posts, but credit where credit is due.

You can submit your works on AO3 to the event collection at https://archiveofourown.org/collections/FFVIIrarepairweek

And if you have any questions, don’t be afraid of sending in an ask.

We hope it turns out to be a fun event for everyone!

[lemonlyman-dotcom]

Hello!!! Welcome to the Sunday Scaries!!! Thank you for the tags @heartstringsduet @henrygrass @emsprovisions @everlastingday @nisbanisba

Some Uncle Paul content from the This Infinite Love continuation. Apologies this one is very fresh, thus quite rough.

“Why is my son running around the house rapping the lyrics to Big Poppa?”

Three dots immediately begin to flash across the screen.

Jonah’s voice floats through the house as he zips through the living room and starts to run laps around the kitchen island.

All the honeys gettin' money playin’ fellas like dummies

It’s followed by an exasperated “dude!” from TK who’s trying to make lunch.

The ding of Paul’s response pulls Carlos’s attention back to his phone. “Because it was an important lesson before we get to ATLiens.”

Carlos sighs. Paul takes his role as godfather very seriously, and one of the most important lessons (to him) that he’s bestowing to his godson is the history of hip hop. This has meant countless afternoons hearing Jonah rap along with Grand Master Flash and De La Soul from the backseat, and bedtimes reading and rereading books like The Story of Rap and the kids’ biography of Queen Latifah that Marjan bought him.

“Little man simply won’t appreciate the genius of OutKast if I don’t teach him about Biggie first.” Comes Paul’s follow up.

“Okay, but could you maybe pick a different song. I don’t think this one is appropriate for my six year old.”

Paul’s response comes fast. “Oh please, it was the radio edit. Besides, he was dancing around your kitchen with your husband the other night to a Shakira song that I’m 99% sure was about some dude hitting her g-spot.”

He drops the phone with a groan. “TK!”

Tagging @annoyingcloudearthquake @thisbuildinghasfeelings @carlos-in-glasses @paperstorm @bonheur-cafe @whatsintheboxmh @carlossreaders @hereghostslive @laelipoo @futures-tense @chicgeekgirl89 @ladytessa74 @iboatedhere @alrightbuckaroo @tellmegoodbye @ironheartwriter @literateowl @orchidscript @the-126-family @firstprince-history-huh @eclectic-sassycoweyes @captain-gillian @welcometololaland @basilsunrise @lightningboltreader @liminalmemories21 @freneticfloetry @sapphic--kiwi @herefortarlos @filet-o-feelings @tinyluminaryzombie @kiwichaeng @guardian-angle22 @rmd-writes @reyesstrand @never-blooms @decafdino @certifiedflower @irispurpurea @rangersoup and OPEN TAG 🏷️

[tare-anime]

SxF 30 days challenge.

I'm gonna cheat this time and answered the day 14 first ��

Day 14: Favorite Couple?

Of course.... it's them!!

I am such cliche fan who always fall for the main female and male lead, and paired them. 🤣🤣🤣 (in every series/movies/stories etc 🤭)

So yeah, since the main female lead is Yor, and main male lead is Loid, thus my favorite couple is TwiYor 🥰🥰🥰

Tbh, It's been a long time since I'm this invested in a ship. TwiYor is such an interesting couple that manages to make me fall in love with them again and again. Their relationship development is what capture me in tight grip.

Which leads me to answer question for day 13

Day 13: Best moment of two of your favorite character?

I have 3 main TwiYor developments in mind (and so many in betweens. I can't spell them one by one or else this post will become an very long meta of TwiYor 🤭🤭)

First is during chapter 35.

Yor is a more open character. So obviously she can speak of what was bothering her mind a lot sooner than Loid.

In this particular scene, we see how Yor told Loid about her insecurities.

Yes, Loid has to do whatever it takes to make Yor keep her position for his mission. He can choose any tactics necessary, but..... during this scene, we see how Yor's honesty pushed Loid to share something very personal about him. And I bet he didn't lie when he told Yor how he admired her strength, that can be the "safe house" for Anya. He also didn't have to make things up when he told Yor to just be herself, because she IS special as she is.

I believe Yor never has anyone told her that (aside from Yuri), and it really helped her to overcome her insecurities as well (bit by bit). And in a way, this particular step of their relationship push Yor to be braver in speaking her mind. At least, to Loid.

And this moment lead to the second favorite moment of mine

This time, it is Yor's time (after she felt safe and confident to speak her mind) to remind Loid to stop being so perfect.

Because it IS tiring to be perfect all the time.

And Yor also told Loid to stop becoming a one man soldier (both literally and figuratively) and to share at least a little bit of burden to those around him.

She told him that he is not alone.

This push Loid to take baby steps in loosing that tight nerve of him, and maybe.... in the future, it enable him to appreciate the peace he is so desperately trying so hard to safe.

Which lead me to moment number three:

In this scene, a more confident Yor can casually told Loid to stop and take a breath (and she even tease him!!!! OmG!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰), and at the same time, Loid also casually admit that he IS NOT very good at being idle or take a break.

These moments of developments are so precious to me, that I always think back to these moments, whenever I think about TwiYor relationship development.

Of course the in betweens moments are also precious to me.

What can I say, I got TwiYor brainrot 🤣🤣🤣

[juletheghoul]

his gift

a/n: I swear this is just a Marcus Acacius blog now, sorry everyone. I'm dedicating this chapter to my girlie @221bshrlocked, who I can always count on to lose her shit with me💕 I always welcome any and all comments and questions or deep dives, if you've sent me an ask for him and are thinking that I have missed it or ignored it, I'm not! I just have so many, but I promise to get through them all! Hope you enjoy 💕xo

Warnings; 18+ no minors, vague but big-legal age gap, piv sex, dirty talk, Roman era sex toy according to me (taking a big liberty), soft dom Marcus vibes, and soft submissive reader vibes, also some tiny allusions to being devoured? Context is important so read and be the judge, desperate, filthy Marcus, sexy bath, let me know if I missed any! **takes place between chapter X and XI**

This is the fic I referenced in this preview

Pairing: Marcus Acaciusx F!Reader

word count: 3.1k (whoops!)

reblogs are appreciated

Masterlist series masterlist

-

He had not mentioned anything about venturing out, you hadn’t even noticed until his guards and his attendants flank around him, his cloak being fastened to his shoulders while you frown. 

“I will be back in a few hours.” He nods to his guards and they make their way towards the door ahead of him. 

“May I accompany you?” It takes two of your steps to keep pace with one of his.

“No my love, you may not.” he smiles, mischief on his face and you frown further still. “I have an errand that you cannot know about, not just yet. It is a surprise.”

“A surprise? For me?” The annoyance evaporates, and curiosity fills the whole of you. 

“Yes. A surprise for you, now I must go. I will see you before nightfall. I will be here in time to dine with you.” His kiss is full of promise, and you chase his mouth for a moment before he leaves with a wink. 

—

He finds you in your chambers, mending a small tear in one of his togas. 

“We can have someone else do that–” He frowns, but you stop him. 

“I am aware, but I enjoy it. It passes the time and I am skilled with needle and thread.” Your eyes are focused on the task, cutting at the string with a small knife. 

“That, I cannot deny.” He huffs out an amused breath, resigned. “Have you eaten? Shall we dine together?” he places a small bundle under the bed and your eyes track it, narrowing at him. 

“And that? Is that not my surprise?” knife safely tucked into your basket of sewing supplies, you rise and move towards it but he stops you. 

“Yes, but it is not for you to see just now. I will give it to you in due time.” Softly, but firmly, he guides you out of your private chamber, and towards your meal. 

He speaks of nothing and everything as you eat, plans he has for the villa, people he ran into during his errand, supplies he must replenish and you listen intently.

Hours pass and you enjoy your evening with him, sitting in the peristyle drinking mulled wine and eating honey cakes while the dogs lay at your feet. You sit out there together, laughing and speaking of all manner of things until night truly settles and it is time for bed. By the time you are cleansed, and curled up in his embrace, the package is all but forgotten. 

-

Weeks go by, and Rome beckons him once more. People he must meet with and delegations he must lead. The lines around his eyes deepen, the grey in his hair spreads, a visual representation of how it tires him but he takes it with good grace. Above all else, he is a soldier, and soldiers do not balk when duty calls. 

Despite your wish to, you cannot accompany him. It is not a place for wives, my love, his tone is soft, but firm and you have no choice but to accept. There is no doubt he will return to you, but it does not make his time away any easier to bear. 

You oversee his arrangements, hand-picking the robes he will take and making sure that he has everything he needs. You keep yourself busy with the tasks of preparing his journey while keeping your house in order, ignoring the glaring absence of him looming over the horizon. He does his best to reassure you even though he himself is so busy. His hand ever a comforting weight on your hip, his lips on your temple, a soft whisper in your ear. 

On the day he leaves, as you walk him to the door in the blue dawn, he reminds you with a smile. “The package under the bed, open it tonight, while you are in our bed.” 

His expression is one you carry with you throughout the day and it's that unshakeable foundation of obedience that stops you from running to it as soon as the door is closed. You suspect he might know this, despite never commanding or ordering you to do anything once your relationship had been established. Once the change from slave to wife had been made.

His words ring in your ears as you sit nestled in your shared bed once the house is asleep, altogether too big and too empty without his form filling it alongside you.

Curiously, you pull apart the strings tying the small bundle closed, unable to guess just what it might be. 

What greets you when you finally breach it, makes you gasp out loud.

It is a polished, sizable wooden cock. Heat floods your cheeks as you hold it in your hands, the size and shape almost identical to Marcus. 

A small vial of oil falls from the seemingly empty wrappings onto your lap and the intended use of this gift is quite obvious. You laugh, inspecting it in your hands, half embarrassed, mostly aroused to know that in his absence, he still wants you to be satisfied. 

It feels forbidden in your hands. Smooth as glass, the grain in the wood like the stripes of a tiger. It has been years since you touched a cock not belonging to your now husband, years since you felt pleasure from anyone that was not him, with exception to yourself. Heat blooms from head to toe to imagine him having this made for you, an ache for him grows between your legs. 

It is with a rebellious glee that you slip back into your nest of pillows, surrounded by the scent of him in your linens and test the efficacy of his gift.

It helps, and you do enjoy it, but in the end it isn’t him. 

-

When he returns, you greet him without any sort of decorum. He laughs, weary and just as eager to be home with you, the strong grip of his arms around you, the desperate edge to his lips at your neck all proclaim it. 

“How I have missed you, my love.” His words seep into your skin like a balm, like a breeze on a warm day and you sigh your response. 

“As have I, come, let me feed you.” You pull him towards your table, calling forth a spread and your attendants are quick to obey. He smiles, obliging you despite the droop in his eyes, the weariness of travel, the toll it all takes on him.

“Eat, and then I will have water warmed for a bath, we can retreat, spend the next few days in our bed, yes?” He pulls you forward to sit on his lap, presses his face into your chest. The grit in his hair collects under your fingernails, he smells of smoke and dry heat, his own sweat, the oil he favours and no other scent has ever pleased you more. 

“My wife is wise, she knows the remedy for all.” His hands are restless at your back, spanning wide on your shoulder, taking up so much space your heart races. “I would have you bathe with me.” His lips crawl across your collarbone, his voice lower, calling forth gooseflesh.

Platters of food and good wine are set down before you, but his lips only move further up your neck, before capturing your mouth in a searing kiss. A dry, calloused palm slips under your robes, across the side of your thigh before grabbing at your backside. It pulls a laugh from somewhere and you break the kiss. 

“Patience my love, eat first.” Your fingers comb through his waves and he makes a noise from deep in his chest. “Eat, and then I will bathe with you.” You kiss one cheek, then the other, he lets out a breath, nodding before reaching for bread with one hand, while holding you close with the other. 

-

He breathes out a groan when he lowers himself into the tub, steam rising, the scented oils and salts filling your nose. The tub had been filled in the peristyle, the perfect place for it amongst the greenery and warm air of dusk. 

The silver of his hair darkens to iron when he tilts his head back, fingers running through the strands to slick it away from his face. Silvery scars mar his face but they do nothing to diminish his beauty, the strength in his arms, the strong grip of his hands, he’s the picture of virility and your thighs press together to finally have him back home.

“Come my love, you promised to bathe with me.” His smile is sharp, but his eyes are soft and you press forward, following, obeying, submitting to him freely and happily. 

His touch is reverent, almost shy despite the edge of pure want in his expression. 

“Gods above, I could devour you whole.” He pulls you closer, slippery skin gliding as you slide right into his lap. Your breasts pressed against his chest with how tightly he hugs you and you laugh, breathless. The water sloshes over the edge with every one of his movements, darkening the mosaic below but he doesn’t even notice, he doesn’t even care. Your hands sweep over his back, his shoulders and up his neck in gentle attempt to soothe, to slow him down. 

“Peace Marcus, we have all night, let me reacquaint myself.” You smile, pull back when he presses forward, relishing the way he bites his bottom lip in all his bottled up desperation. “Slow, soft.” You press kisses to his cheeks, ignoring the ache in your core at just how hard his sex is under you. 

His hands flex at your sides, his sincerest attempt at control and you keep your expression neutral, keep the taunt hidden, the game fair. 

“I missed you Marcus, missed you so much it was like a wound.” You rake your nails across his scalp, clean the dirt and sand from his skin while his hands slip across your belly, your thighs, while his fingers graze and pinch at your nipples. The hitch in your breath bolsters him. 

“My poor—“ his lips caress at the soft skin just below your ear, dragging softly along your neck as he speaks, “neglected, lonely little wife.” The press of his fingers into the cheeks of your backside is hard enough to bruise, hard enough to make you gasp softly before he claims your mouth in a kiss that blanks your thoughts, stills your hands for a moment. 

“Tell me how you missed me, tell me you imagined me in our bed.” You pant into the empty air at his words, his tone, cunt clenching in painful arousal when he maneuvers you onto his cock, hot and hard and slotted perfectly between the lips of your sex. “Did you enjoy my gift in my absence?” 

The head of his cock slides deliciously against your clit, slowly, maddeningly, unraveling the strings of your arousal as well as your sanity. 

“Yes-“ your arms wrap around his neck, letting him rock you onto his cock in the warmth of the water, in the open air smelling of jasmine and laurel leaves, the sun baked bricks of your home.

“I want to watch you, I want to see it, the thought of you fucking yourself and thinking of me kept me awake at night, fisting my cock and coming in my hands.” His words, his intensity, the thought of it lights you up from the inside, a sunburst of arousal bright enough to blind you. 

“I want you to come just like this, want you all wet and open for me when I get you in that bed my love.” His mouth lowers, lips pressing against your nipple, the warmth of his mouth and the flicking of his tongue, then the cold air against wet skin before he moves to the other breast and repeats. His hands are a brand on your hips, rocking you back and forth, that perfect slip of the head of his cock against your clit building the pleasure in your hips, in the base of your spine. 

Soft, breathy moans spill from your lips and your fingers curl into his hair, holding him tightly to your breast as you climb that steady ladder higher and higher. 

“Come on, my pretty girl, come on my cock, I know you can do it.” He breathes against your chest, teeth gliding against your peaked nipple and it’s like a slow wave when it crests. 

His mouth sucks harshly, making you gasp, thighs trembling as he keeps rocking you, every bump tightening the muscles in your belly as you ride out the pleasure.

“That’s my good girl, my perfect little wife with her pretty little cunt.” His eyes are black pools, lust blown and wild.

You catch your breath, heart slowing as you finish cleansing him, limbs syrupy and pliant in the afterglow of your flutters.

Once finished he rises and pulls you to stand with him, he barely lets you wipe yourself down with your clean linens before he is all but pulling you towards your chambers. Naked and stumbling through the halls of your house in the red haze of passion.

When you land in your bed, he does not follow, he doesn’t line himself up and sink into you like you thought he might. 

“Where is my gift?” You rise up to lean on your elbows, momentarily lost in the arousal of him before your mind catches up.

“It is where you left it, under the bed.” Once you’d finished with it, you’d cleaned it and put it back—you frown when he pulls it out and brings it with him. Once settled between your thighs he unties the covering while his cock slips over your mound, a hot, teasing weight over your sex.

“I want you to show me.” He tosses the wrappings aside before holding the wooden cock out for you. Your eyebrows rise into your hairline. 

“But, but you are home, I want you—“ your fingertips reach down to tease the head of him but he slips the wooden cock into your hands instead. 

“I want to see it, I want to see how you take it.” He urges, soft tone but hard gaze and your heart races. The need to obey him, to make him happy, to oblige him makes your cunt clench. You take the toy from him and he settles on his haunches, hands lifting your legs, pressing against the backs of your thighs to hold you spread open wide for his gaze. 

The wood is cold against the slicked up mess of your cunt and you’re wet enough that you don’t even need the oils, it slides right in, stretching the dark pink of your insides open for his eyes.

“That’s it, fuck yourself, how does it feel?” Slowly, you spear it into yourself, in, out, wetting it in you as his hands press harder, spreading you wider.

“Feels good—“ you pant, tongue peeking out of your mouth to wet your lips. 

“It does doesn’t it, look how fucking wet you are.” One of his hands slides down, his thumb sliding through your slick at the edge of where you’re spread around the thick of the wood, he smears it against the lip of your sex, petting, sliding up to work at your clit. 

“I think you can go a little faster, I think you want to fuck yourself a little harder, don’t you my love?” His thumb swirls, sliding and circling around your clit as you speed up.

Your heart races, sweat beads at your temples, heat crawls across your body under the strain of it, under his heavy, burning gaze. 

The sounds are obscene, the ache of working it inside you growing in your shoulder, in the tensing of your belly but you can’t stop, not with how good it feels, now with how enraptured he is at the sight—

“Is that all you can do?” He tsks, thumb working just a little bit harder until you flutter around the toy, the pleasure taking you by surprise, thighs tensing but he doesn’t let you close them, doesn’t stop swirling, and suddenly the pleasure comes again, too quick, too strong and you whine at the intensity of it.

He pulls his hand away and removes the wooden cock from your hand and from your cunt and throws it somewhere in the linens, only to replace it with his own. A mutual groan fills the air between you, high and breathless from you, low and punched out from him. He gives you no respite from your release, no softness, he ruts—fucks you like you haven’t seen him in years.

That aspect of him that you see sometimes, the caged animal within rears its head, sharp snaps of his hips into the slicked-up, swollen, dark pink of you, heavy hands and a firm grip that reminds you, schools you on the fact that you are his. 

You flutter around him again, the blunt head of him stroking, petting at that bundle of nerves only he ever seems to find until you seize, scream and gush around him, soaking him in your passion.

“That’s it, that’s it my love, take it-“ he pushes forward, turning his heavy stroke into a tight grind while you balance on that edge of pain and pleasure, ecstasy and excess. Your hands press against his shoulders, the middle ground of pulling him closer and pushing him away. 

His mouth sucks at the delicate skin of your neck, teeth scraping and for a heartbeat you wish, or hope, or just imagine that he might actually devour you, moan at how much the thought excites you. His groan is loud, his cock swells before the warmth of his gift fills you, his forehead moving to press to your chest so he can watch it, watch himself spearing inside. 

It’s quiet in the immediate after except for the heavy thump of your pulse in your ears, and his sharp pants against your chest.

With limbs weighed down by pleasure, you lift your hands slowly and thread them through his damp waves, admiring the warm golden skin pressed to yours. The wet spot beneath you cools, making you wince in discomfort, despite how lovely it is to be surrounded by him. He senses it though, and pulls out with a hiss and hauls you into his embrace. 

“Give me a few moments, and I will have someone change the linens.” You nod into the sweet smelling skin of his chest, pressing your lips to a scar on his shoulder. “I missed you.” He whispers into your temple, soft and devastating, the animal satisfied, the man in the forefront.

“I missed you too.”

-

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[toushindai]

I've been watching some early-game Hades 1 let's plays recently and I really really just love that when Hades and Nyx argue, it's very clear that all of the arguments they're having are over this unresolved issue of what do we do about Persephone leaving. The bit where Hades accuses Nyx of making a foolish mistake by bringing in the Olympians and Nyx responds, in the world's iciest tones, "You would speak to me of foolish mistakes?" and then shifts away? Incredible. Show-stopping. They have absolutely had this discussion before and they both have very strong feelings on the matter. And at the heart of those feelings--for both of them--lies the desire to protect Persephone.

My belief is, in fact, that the unresolved nature of this argument is exactly why Nyx swore her oath to keep Persephone out of the loop; I think that this argument was fiercest shortly after Persephone's departure (specifically, I think, after Nyx had managed to revive Zagreus, but early enough that the pain of her leavetaking was still fresh). I think they clashed so hard over this topic that it put the integrity of the Underworld and the House in danger, and Nyx could see that there was no chance of getting Hades to back down--so for the Underworld's sake, she agreed to his preference, i.e. to treat Persephone's departure as final and not re-entangle her with Underworld matters against her will. She doesn't actually consider this the best course of action, and resents that Hades, in her perception, forced her into this by Hades' not considering this risk to the Underworld to the same way.

And I love this particularly because it really seems that otherwise, they work quite well together and appreciate each other's commitment to the realm. Nyx at first thought his appointment to the Underworld a cruel trick of Fate (let's take a moment to acknowledge that this translates directly to "her daughters being assholes to her in particular"), but found instead that he compensated for her weaknesses in administration and ruled alongside her instead of taking over. They respect each other! Which is striking because, uh, I don't think anyone believes that Zeus or Poseidon would do the same in Hades' position.

(mild Hades 2 mentions henceforth)

I love that Nemesis's theory is that the Fates positioned Hades in the Underworld to give Nyx some help. I love the moment of concern for Nyx that Hades demonstrates in the flashback! (Although I have to admit that I'm not sure of the story purposes of showing individualized concern for Nyx, especially in lieu of Zagreus or Persephone. Why separate her out, I wonder? Is it for H2-only players, so that they know who this lauded Mother Night is? Is it to show returning players, who might be inclined to assume that Nyx alone should be immune to anything Chronos can dish out, that no he got her too? They're fine reasons but I don't know how I feel about them as reasons to highlight only his concern for Nyx. Well, anyway, I still love that moment.)

I don't have a thesis statement here. I just think they're neat.

[deer-milkshake-999]

*he stands outside her lab door and slips a letter underneath*

"To Anavoig,

Zim knows you do not want to see him so I thought I'd try this instead. Zim is sorry for anything I may have done to hurt you. I would never, and I mean NEVER intentionally done that. You mean a lot to me. A lot more than anyone else I have ever known. You were my first TRUE friend, and even after finding out about me being an alien, you did not let that change how you feel about me. That meant a lot to me.

I have had some time to sit and think, I even spoke to others about the whole situation, and have concluded that it would be best to give you some time to yourself to allow you to gather your thoughts and feelings before you see Zim again. However, once that is done and you are ready, I would appreciate if you could come to my home so we can talk it through. Zim is no good at these relationships, but I want to get better and try be a better boyfriend for you. So please, give me another chance. If you do not want to, that is also okay. But do at least say it to my face.

Take as much time as you need. I will be in my home whenever you want to talk.

Love you

Zim xx"

*I read the letter, surprised, but I can't help but let out a silly smile. I stand up, and take off my lab coat, leaving only my band shirt. I sigh, walking to his house, shivering slightly from the cold. *

*I look around, before knocking your door.* It's me, anavoig...

[lesbehonestsstuff]

Catholic guilt - Final part

Casey Novak has always been the good catholic girl. Always perfect, always trying to meet high expectations. But she doesn't understand why she feels no interested in the boys who flirted with her, why her eyes instead linger on other girls.

Word count: 3611

Chapter 7/7

I'm sorry it took me so long to finish this story, the last few weeks have been a shitshow to say the least. Thanks for being so patient, I appreciate the love this story had gotten and I hope this is a satisfying ending. Anyway enjoy :)

The soft murmur of voices drifted in from the chapel, muffled, as Alex stood by the open door. Her gaze fell on Casey across the room, standing in front of the mirror. Casey was adjusting her dress, nervously trying to smooth away wrinkles that were not there, her fingers brushing over the lace letting them run over and over again as she watched herself in the mirror. Alex lingered for a moment, unnoticed, letting her eyes take in the woman she had loved for so many years.

Her mind drifted, to years ago, when nothing had been certain, when the love they had for each other was the only thing that they could hold onto.

~

The night they ran away had been the longest of their lives. They had gotten off the bus to a downpour of rain that only made the cold worse. Alex clutched Casey’s hand keeping her close as they walked down the street. They had been tired, dirty and scared. Alex hyper aware of Casey’s pain, each bruise, each mark, and every tear Alex had wiped away as they sat through the hours of bus ride.

“What if they find us?” Casey’s voice had been small; it was barely audible over the rain hitting the pavement. She was still shaking and Alex could tell it wasn't just from the cold she could see how exhausted Casey was, her fathers words playing on repeat inside her head, she was trying to figure out who she was and Alex knew how exhausting that was. 

Alex stopped them, they were close, she had retraced her memory to the summers she used to spend there taking them right back to the only family that had ever loved them. Casey's wet hair clung to her forehead and Alex brushed it aside letting her hand cup Casey's check. “I don't want you to worry about that” Alex said firmly, though her own heart was pounding with fear of what could happen if they did. “He’ll help us.”

Casey didn’t respond, just tightened her grip on Alex’s hand and let the warm of Alex's hand on her face soothe her anxiety. She didn’t trust easily, not after years of empty promises and punishments by her parents, but she trusted Alex.

When they reached the house, Alex banged on the door squeezing Casey's hand as she did. They could hear footsteps inside the house and a moment later, Bill appeared in the doorway, his robe loosely tied and his hair sticking up at odd angles.

“Alexandra?” he said, putting his glasses on his face to take in the scene in front of him: two drenched, terrified looking teenagers on his doorstep. “What on earth—”

“Please,” Alex interrupted, her voice cracking and for the first time that night Casey could see Alex let down the strong front she had been keeping up for her. “We need your help.”

Bill didn’t ask questions. He simply stepped aside, his gaze softening as he ushered them in.

The house was warm, Bill led them to the living room, handing them each a towel as they sat down on the couch. Alex started explaining everything her words rushed as she recounted the events that had led them here. She told him about the months of hiding their relationship, Casey’s parents finding out, and the threats that followed. She told him about the bruises, the fear, and the ultimatum that would have sent Casey away.

Bill listened intently, his face calm, though Alex could see the anger in his eyes when he noticed the faint bruise on Casey’s arm. He didn’t comment on it, choosing instead to focus on making them feel safe.

“You two look exhausted,” Bill said gently. “Go upstairs, Alex. Your room is just as you left it. Take a shower, get comfortable. I’ll make something warm for you to eat.”

Alex nodded, letting out a breath of relief as her shoulders relaxed. She stood, taking Casey’s hand to lead her upstairs. The room was exactly as Alex remembered, soft blue walls, shelves lined with old children books law books her uncle had gifted her, and photos from summers spend with him. She guided Casey to the small adjoining bathroom, turning on the shower and testing the water temperature before helping Casey out of her damp clothes.

Casey hesitated as Alex reached for her side. “Can I see?” Alex asked softly, her voice full of concern.

Casey nodded reluctantly, lifting her arm to reveal the dark bruise that had spread further across her ribs. Alex’s breath hitched, her heart breaking at the array of colors that had bloomed on her girlfriends pale skin. She touched the area lightly, her fingers ghosting over the tender skin.

“I’m so sorry,” Alex whispered, her voice chocked with emotion.

“It’s not your fault,” Casey replied, her voice cracking as tears formed in her eyes. “I’m just… I’m so tired, Alex.”

Alex pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly under the warm spray of the shower. They stayed like that for a while, letting the water wash away the grime, cold and fear of the night. Afterward, Alex handed Casey a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. The clothes dwarfed Casey’s frame, but she managed a faint smile, the first hint of relief breaking through her exhaustion. 

When they went downstairs, the scent of homemade soup filled the air. Bill placed two steaming bowls on the table, his expression softening as he gestured for them to sit. They ate in silence at first, the warmth of the soup chasing away the lingering chill. Then, Casey spoke, her voice quiet.

“Thank you,” she said, staring into her bowl. 

Bill gave them a small smile. “You did the right thing by leaving,” he said softly. “And you’re safe here. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Casey nodded, her eyes filled with tears. Alex reached across, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

Once they were done they settled on the couch to watch something to distract them. Casey curled up with her head on Alex’s lap, her exhaustion finally catching up with her. As her breathing evened out, Alex ran her fingers through Casey’s hair, her gaze fixed on her girlfriend’s peaceful face.

It was only then, in the quiet of the living room, that Alex finally allowed herself to break down. Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked at her uncle.

“I’m scared, Uncle Bill,” she whispered. “I don’t know how to help her.”

Bill moved to sit beside her, placing a comforting hand over her shoulders. “You’re already helping her, Alex,” he said gently. “You’re here, and you love her. You got her out of there, you saved her.”

Alex nodded, throwing her arms around him. She knew they had found safety, with someone who would protect them with everything he had. 

~

Alex smiled faintly at the memory. They were so scared, two kids running away towards the beginning of their life. Her heart was full at the thought of her uncle. He was here today, of course, sitting in the front row, probably pretending he wasn’t going to cry when he saw them. The gratitude she felt for him was something she could never fully express, he had given them an opportunity, he had fought for them when no one else had, he had taken them in.

Casey caught Alex’s reflection in the mirror and turned, her lips curving into a soft smile that sent butterflies through Alex's stomach. “How long have you been standing there?” She looked absolutely stunning, and it took Alex's breath away. Her red hair was braided loosely small pieces framing her face and a handful of tiny daisies braided into it, contrasting against the red. Her dress was beautiful off her shoulders and decorated with lace. Alex felt like she could cry. 

Alex stepped forward, her voice warm. “Long enough to remind myself how lucky I am.”

Casey rolled her eyes playfully, though her cheeks flushed a soft pink. “You’re so cheesy sometimes. You know you’re not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony, it’s bad luck.”

Alex smiled, closing the distance between them. She reached out, tucking a loose strand of Casey’s hair behind her ear. “I think we’ve exhausted all our bad luck. Don’t you?”

Casey tilted her head, her expression softening as she brought Alex closer by the lapels of her suit. “Mhm, I suppose so.”

Alex leaned in, their foreheads touching. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“So do you, my love,” Casey whispered before closing the gap between them, giving her a soft kiss that had them both smiling into it.

~

Three weeks after they’d arrived at Bill’s house, reality came crashing down on them. Casey’s parents showed up unannounced, pounding on the door. Casey froze the moment she heard her father’s voice, her face draining of color as she instinctively took a step back. Alex moved protectively in front of her, though she felt her own heart about to explode with how fast it was beating. The man standing on the porch looked furious, his posture rigid, his hands balled into fists. Bill stepped forward, his expression calm and angry.

“Let me handle this,” Bill said, his hand resting on Alex’s shoulder as he moved past her, Alex nodded and pulled Casey further inside. “Stay here,” he added, his tone leaving no room for argument. He opened the door just enough to slip through, closing it behind him with a soft click.

Casey stood frozen, her breathing shallow and uneven. Her eyes darted toward the door, panic creeping into her expression as muffled shouting filtered through. “He’s going to take me,” she whispered, her voice so shaky Alex could barely understand her. “He’s going to—”

“He’s not,” Alex interrupted, grabbing Casey’s hands and squeezing them tightly. “He can’t. Bill won’t let that happen.” She cupped Casey’s face, forcing her to meet her gaze. “I promise. No one’s taking you anywhere.”

Casey’s breaths came faster, her chest heaving. She was spiraling, and Alex knew what was about to happen. She took Casey to sit on the couch, wrapping her arms around her as she  talked to her, trying to block out the noise coming from outside. “Breathe with me,” Alex said softly, demonstrating slow, deep breaths until Casey started to follow her lead. Alex rubbed gentle circles on Casey’s back, trying to help her stay calm.

Outside, the shouting escalated. “Cassandra!” Casey’s father screamed, his voice furious. “You can’t hide from me! You don’t get to run off you dirty little—”

“Watch your mouth,” Bill’s voice cut through the tirade. “You’re on my property, and I won’t tolerate that kind of language.”

“She’s my daughter!” her father snapped. “You have no right to keep her from me.”

“I have every right,” Bill countered. “She’s seventeen, and she has legal protections now. You want to fight this? Fine. I’ll take it to court, and I’ll bring these.” There was a pause, and Alex knew he was holding up the photos of Casey’s bruises, the ones Alex had taken the night they ran away and had given to him. “You want everyone to see what kind of father you are, Colonel? Go ahead, try me.”

The porch creaked as if someone had stepped closer. “You think you can threaten me?” Casey's father growled.

“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise,” Bill said coldly. “Now leave. And don’t come back.”

Inside, Casey buried her face against Alex, tears falling down her face as the weight of years of fear and guilt came cashing around her.

When the front door finally opened, and Bill stepped back inside, he looked calm. “They’re gone,” he said simply, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “And they’re not coming back. If they try, they’ll regret it.”

Casey broke then, sobbing into Alex’s shoulder as every pent-up emotion poured out of her. Alex held her tightly, whispering over and over, “You’re safe now. We're safe.”

~

“Do you think Uncle Bill would cry if I told him he’s my favorite person in the world after you?” Casey teased, her voice breaking Alex from the memory.

Alex laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from Casey’s face. “Oh, he already knows, my love. And I bet you he’ll cry as soon as he sees you.”

Casey’s smile softened, her eyes fixated on the daisy on Alex's suit that matched the ones in her hair. “He’s done so much for us. I don’t even know how to thank him properly.”

“He knows,” Alex replied, taking Casey’s hands in hers. “Just being happy, being together, that’s all he’s ever wanted for us.”

Casey leaned her forehead against Alex’s, closing her eyes as she breathed in the moment. “Are you nervous?” she asked softly. “I didn't think I'd ever be back in a Chappell”

And it was true. For years, Casey had avoided places like this, places tied to the pain of her past. She had spent so long untangling herself from the shame and fear her parents had instilled in her, letting go of the belief that who she was could ever be wrong. It had taken years to fully understand that she wasn’t dirty, wasn’t broken, and didn’t need to apologize for simply being herself.

But she had also been a little girl once, a little girl who dreamed of a wedding day. A white dress, flowers in her hair, and promises made under a vaulted ceiling. Now, with the years of healing behind her, she felt ready. Ready to reclaim the parts of her faith that were hers alone, to walk into that space not as the frightened girl she once was, but as the woman she had become.

Alex had been surprised when Casey mentioned wanting to get married in a chapel, but she had seen the longing in her eyes and knew what it meant. Alex wanted her to have this piece of herself back. She wanted her to have the moment that little girl had always dreamed of.

“I’m proud of you,” Alex whispered, her voice steady and filled with love. She was perhaps the only person who truly understood how much courage it had taken for Casey to be standing there, ready to face not just the future, but the past as well.

~

Their time with Bill had been some of the happiest of their lives. For the first time, they felt safe. Alex’s parents had given up, happy to be free of the responsibility of their daughter. Bill treated them like his own daughters, and they couldn't have been happier to have someone that cared for them. He set curfews and made them do chores, but he also let them stay up late watching old legal dramas and made pancakes every Sunday morning. They were happy with him.

“We're really doing this” Casey had said one night, sprawled on the couch with college brochures spread out around her. “You really think we could get in?”

“I think we can do anything,” Alex had said confidently, sitting cross-legged beside her, her glasses perched on the edge of her nose in a way that Casey found adorable. She pointed at the brochure and handed it to Casey. “You’re the smartest person I know. They’d be lucky to have you.”

“And you?” Casey had asked, her green eyes soft. “What do you want?”

“I want to go with you,” Alex had said simply. “Wherever you go, I’ll be there.”

~

Casey smoothed the lapel of Alex’s suit, her touch lingering there. “Do you think we’d have made it this far if we hadn’t gotten into Harvard?”

Alex tilted her head, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Harvard gave us a caffeine addiction and a taste of the pretentious assholes we deal with on a daily basis. But we would’ve made it anywhere, Case. It’s not about the place.”

Casey chuckled, her laughter soft and affectionate. “I guess you’re right. But I will say, not matter how many pretentious assholes there were, I will never complain about getting to experience it with you.”

She stepped back, taking Alex in fully. “I really can’t believe we’re here. After everything.”

Alex reached for her, pulling her close. “I can”

~

Those Harvard years were some of the best and yet some of the most exhausting. They studied late into the night, quizzing each other until their eyes burned and their laughter turned to delirium. They debated endlessly, not just over case law but over whose turn it was to pick dinner or which professor’s class was the hardest. And through it all, they loved each other so much.

There had been moments where they nearly collapsed from exhaustion where they struggled and stumbled. Times when Casey wanted to quit after a mock trial, her confidence shattered by a professor that she swore had it out for her. Times when Alex overthought every decision, her anxiety mounting until it felt like she couldn’t breathe. On one particularly rough night, Alex had broken down in their tiny dorm, the tears she had been desperately fighting against falling as she tried to make the words on the pages unblur so she could keep studying.

“Alex, you need to rest,” Casey had told her when she noticed the incessant tapping of Alex’s foot and the tears that were falling against her will.

Alex shook her head, her voice cracking. “I can’t. There’s so much to do. If I stop—”

“You’ll still be brilliant,” Casey interrupted grabbing Alex’s hand. “And you’ll still do great.”

She stood and guided Alex to her feet despite her protests. “Casey, I’m fine. Really, I just need—”

“To breathe,” Casey finished for her, pulling her into a tight hug. Alex resisted for a moment before melting into her arms, her head resting against Casey’s shoulder. Casey held her there, her hand gently stroking Alex’s back, whispering comforting words until Alex began to relax.

She led Alex to their bed, nudging her to lie down while she dimmed the lights. Alex started to mumble more protests, but Casey climbed in beside her, wrapping her arms around Alex’s waist and pulling her close. “No more arguing,” she whispered. “Just be here with me.”

Alex exhaled shakily, the anxiety in her chest easing as Casey’s fingers threaded to her hair. “How do you always know what to do?” Alex murmured after a moment, her voice filled with so much exhaustion it hurt Casey to hear.

“Because I love you,” Casey replied simply, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Now sleep. The books will wait for you, and I’ll be here.”

From there to graduation it felt like a blur, but they managed to make it.

“You ready to be a real-life lawyer?” Alex had asked Casey the night before graduation. They sat on the steps of the library, their robes folded neatly beside them. The air was warm, and the campus was pleasantly quiet.

Casey leaned back against the stone steps, her eyes fixed ahead. “Only if you’re with me,” she replied with a laugh, turning to meet Alex’s eyes, She leaned in, her lips brushing against Alex’s under the soft glow of the campus lights.

Harvard had given way to clerkships in New York. They found a small apartment in Manhattan with the help of Bill, it was far from perfect, but it was theirs.

Their days were long, filled with paperwork, late nights, and the occasional existential crisis about whether they’d chosen the right path. But no matter how hard the days got, they always had each other.

It wasn’t long before they found themselves drawn to cases involving victims who had no one else to fight for them. They had managed to climb the ladder until they landed face first into a squad room filled with perhaps the most dedicated, yet annoying detectives that Manhattan had to offer.

Handling the squad, the cases and the victims on some days, was downright unbearable. Every frightened little girl, every tearful testimony, brought Casey back to the girl she used to be: scared, ashamed, and desperate to get out. Alex was always there, and together they managed to piss off nearly every judge in the city, jumping through loopholes to get their victims justice. 

And through all that they found a family in the people they worked with, a family that would always be there always ready to get on their nerves and yet just as quick to defend them when things got tough. 

For them, the work wasn’t just about helping others, it was about healing themselves. Each case they won, each victim they helped, was another step forward, another piece of their own pain laid to rest.

~

Alex cupped Casey’s face, her thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. “You know, all I ever wanted was to give you the life you deserved. But somehow, you gave me so much more.”

Casey’s eyes shined over with tears that she held back for the sake of her makeup, her smile radiant. “You've given me a wonderful life, Alex.”

The faint sound of music drifted in, signaling it was time, but neither of them moved just yet.

“You ready?” Alex asked, nodding toward the door.

Casey leaned in against Alex, her hands wrapping around her waist, “I’ve been ready since the day we got on that bus.” Her voice broke slightly. “I love you, Lexie. ”

Alex smiled, and gave her a soft kiss. “I love you more.”

With one last, glance, they clasped hands, stepping out the door together, knowing that, as long as they had each other, they would be okay.

[kooksvspogues]

Good Outcomes Maybe?

Part 1

JJMaybank x BlakelyRoutledge

Authors note: Feedback is always greatly appreciated! Thanks to each and every one of you for all your support you’ve given me. Love you guys! 💗

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Since John B and JJ have been inseparable since third grade, I basically grew up having two brothers that gave me a hard time any chance they got but gave hell to anybody else that tried. Having both of them around was both a blessing and a curse at times, but they did keep life interesting to say the least.

The whole gang was currently sitting around the porch of the chateau talking about the plan for the night. I had my legs swung over JJ’s lap while my head was in Kie’s.

“I don’t understand why we don’t just go to the beach party tonight” I say

“Because not all of them like us like they like you, remind me again, how did you pull that off?” John B asked

“I don’t know, I just don’t give in to the whole pogues vs kooks thing. We’re all people, have respect” I defend

“It’s cause your sisters hot, bro” JJ says taking a chug from his beer as John B sends him a death glare making all of us laugh

“And I’m not?” John B asks trying to pose sexy

“Oh yeah, the sexiest mother fucker on the island” JJ sarcastically agrees

“J, that’s you, remember?” I tease sarcastically sitting up and placing my hand on his arm sweetly, winking at him, as he places his hand on my leg looking at me in a sarcastic awe

“I hate when y’all do that” John B says acting like he’s gonna puke

“And that’s exactly why we do it” I tease as he rolls his eyes

“I hate you” John B says

“So beach party?” I ask looking around the group

“I’m always down for some pogue vs kook action” JJ says as I swat at his arm giving him a warning glare

“One hint of something sketchy, we’re leaving” John B says

“Where’s Sarah anyways?” Kie asks

“Should be here any minute” He says smiling at us

“Can you remind me again why I can’t date a kook since you are?” I ask cocking an eyebrow at John B

“Um because you have me first off” JJ cuts in

“Shut up J, and because, I don’t need you dating somebody like Rafe, Topper, Kelce, or any of those scumbags, find a decent one and we’ll talk” John B says

“Rafe is temping, not gonna lie” I admit

“Blakely, what the fuck, I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that, that dude is fucking insane” Kie asks looking at me

“I’m jokinnnn, but you know he’s gotta be kinky” I joke making everyone groan

“I got all the kinkiness you need, right here” JJ jokes reaching over and squeezing my thigh making John B’s eyes bug out

“On that note, I’m out” Pope says walking into the house

“Dude, chill, that’s my sister” John B threatens coming over to slap his hand away making me and JJ laugh

“He hates us” I say laughing leaning my head on JJ’s shoulder

“So much” he chuckles taking another sip

That’s the relationship JJ and I have had for a few years now, I guess we found out we could flirt and be lovey dovey enough with each other to get by and not need a hookup, that we just ran with it. Plus, it’s great when trying to aggravate John B, cause he knows it’s all jokes regardless. Don’t get me wrong, JJ is amazing, would totally go for him but I don’t think that would go over too well. Sometimes I wonder if all the joking is completely jokes or if there is some seriousness on both ends. No line is ever really crossed cause we just laugh it all off, I mean cause obviously it wouldn’t work, especially with the no pogue on pogue macking rule, except for a few games we’ve played, and the fact that it would be John B’s sister and best friend.

“Hey guys” Sarah says walking up the steps

“Hey babe” John B says walking over to her giving her a kiss

“So what are we doing tonight?” She asks

“Beaaaach party!” I yell reaching over to pull the joint away from JJ’s lips and in between mine, keeping eye contact with him as he breaths out. “Dont look at me like that Maybank” I warn

“Or what princess?” he says sitting up and leaning closer to me

“Jay, what the fuck” John B says making me and JJ laugh and John B reaches over and pulls me off the couch and pushes me towards the door, “go!” He tells me making me laugh but JJ starts to stand up, “you sit!” John B tells him

“Johnny, she’s got my joint, that shit wasn’t cheap” JJ says as I turn around, sticking my tongue out at him, running inside when he starts coming after me before John B stops him as I laugh behind the screen door.

~~~~~~ beach party ~~~~~~

When we get to the party, I immediately make my ways towards the free booze, and of course bumping into the kook king along the way.

“Hey, there’s my favorite little pogue princess” Rafe says pulling me into his arms

“Hey Rafe” I say pulling away, “how are you?”

“I’ve been good, taking over the family business, how are you, your little gang here?” He ask taking a sip of his drink looking around.

“Yeah, they’re somewhere, and I’m good, just wanting to get a drink” I inform him

“Come here, I’ll give ya the good shit” he says pulling me over to a fire where Barry was sitting with a few other people.

“Country club and pogue princess, what a mix” Barry says giving me a wink

“Fix her up man, on me” Rafe tells him keeping his hand on my back, “what ya want?”

“I thought we were getting alcohol” I laugh

“He’s got some heavier alcohol with him, but he’s got the normal too” Rafe smiles

“I’ll take some weed annnd ya got some tequila and whiskey?” I ask Barry

“Ice cold” Barry smiles at me pulling the bottle out of his ice chest along with a little baggy of weed.

“Thanks Barry” I smile up at him

“Welcome princess” he says as me and Rafe walk back towards a tree that had fell, sitting on it.

“You know, I really don’t understand why you still hang out with all of the pogues, we all love having you on this side of the island” Rafe says

“We’ve talked about this” I tell him pulling the cap off the bottle of whiskey taking a swig

“I know, but I’m serious, you fit in here, your the only pogue I actually care about” Rafe admits

“Well thanks but, the cut will always be home. Maybe one day, you’ll decide to be patient with all of us and not just me” I say

“I wouldn’t count on it princess” he says

“Yeah yeah” I laugh, “do I owe you anything for this?” I ask

“I’ll take a kiss as payment” he smirks, looking up at me.

“You’re ridiculous” I laugh

“You like it” he winks

“You wish, come here asshole” I laugh pulling him towards me, kissing his lips. Rafe placed his hand on the side of my neck to not only keep me in place, but to make the kiss deeper as I felt his tongue run across my bottom lip asking for entrance. I pat his chest and pull away.

“When you wanna give one of us men a chance, let me know” he winks as I playfully push his chest

“One of us men as in what? A kook?” I ask

“Well yes ma’am, let somebody spoil you” he smiles

“Awe” I say walking over to stand between his legs, running my hand over his buzzed head, “maybe if you weren’t a killer, I would, but like you said, I wouldn’t count on it” I say tapping his cheek walking away backwards watching as his eyes darkened on me

“Sometimes I really hate you” he yells over at me

“Hey, this is progress, you’re not running after me, I’m proud!” I say loud enough only he can hear me.

“Go on you little shit head” he says laughing making me laugh

“Hope to see you never, country club” I smile raising the two bottles of alcohol towards him before turning around and trying to find the pogues.

When I found everybody, I handed them the bottles, trying to find JJ, “wheres Jay?” I ask Kie

“Last I seen, he went over that way” she says pointing towards the trees, that were close by where me and Rafe were.

I eased my way over there and went to looking for him, I heard a quiet moan before I finally seen him. Pushing some blonde girl up against the tree, kissing her.

I felt my heart drop and shatter into a million pieces.. why do I feel like this? We’re just friends so why do I feel like I need to throw up right now. I feel my heart pound against my chest and everything just felt numb besides the pounding and the nausea. I turn around and run towards the ocean, immediately throwing up.

“You good princess?” I look up to see Barry walking over

“Yeah” I claim, mainly for myself than him.

“Cmon, I got some water” he says urging me to john him at his little fire which I quickly agree, going to sit on the log he was previously sitting on, waiting as he pulled the bottled water out of the ice chest handing it to me.

“Thank you” I mumble

“No problem” Barry says, “need me to grab country club?” He asks

“Can you find Kie or Sarah?” I plead and he nods standing up and walking off. I eventually see Sarah and Kie walking towards me quickly.

“You okay babe?” Sarah asks

“Yeah, I just think I’m ready to go home” I say

“You sure? You’re the main reason we came” Kie says

“Yea, I’m sorry”

“No no it’s okay, I just wanna make sure nothing happened, not like you to leave a party early” She said rubbing my back.

“First time for everything I guess” I chuckle glancing up, seeing JJ and the blonde girl coming back to the party.

“You want us to go with you?” Sarah asks

“No, y’all stay, have fun, I see a few people heading out, I’ll catch a ride with them” I say knowing I just planned on walking

“You sure?” They ask and I smile up at them nodding

“Positive, I’ll text you when I get home” I assure them as we all stand up, them walking back towards where the boys were and me heading towards the street. As I get closer to where all the cars are parked, I come to a stop when I hear my name being yelled. I turn around and find Rafe walking towards me

“You okay? Barry said he seen you throwing up” he says

“Yeah, just ready to go home” I answer

“The pogues not going with you?” He asks

“No, I told them to stay” I say

“How are you getting home?” He asks

“My feet” I answer

“Alright smartass” he laughs, “I was about to head out anyways, just let me take you home” he says

“I couldn’t ask you to do that” I say

“You’re not asking, I’m offering, I’d much rather know you were home safe and not still on the road” he says urging me forward to walk towards his truck

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I ask

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to” he says as I roll my eyes

“Okay, but no funny business Cameron” I say pointing at him walking towards his truck.

“Yes ma’am, no funny business” he says going to open the passenger door for me waiting for me to climb in. When I look up, I can faintly make out JJ looking our way, when Rafe gets in the driver seat, I watch JJ shake his head and look down.

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[azatas]

"we need more complex female characters" you couldn't even handle her

[sketchy--akechi]

third semester mood board