#incredible joy followed by terrible pain

[politemagic]

the saints intercepted patrick mahomes in the endzone and i got so excited i jumped off the couch and somehow managed to step on the TEENIEST TINIEST piece of glass and my foot will not cease its bleeding

[a-little-revolution]

hey elliot! this is a surgery question, so please take all the time you need to reply. you've mentioned you had top surgery before, and i was wondering what it was like accessing that kind of care as a little person? was it challenging finding a surgeon willing to work with you? what sort of considerations were needed for your surgery and recovery, if any? i was also curious if you had used a binder before surgery, and how you found it? i have a hard enough time donning and doffing mine with long arms, so i'd imagine it could be quite challenging for you, but maybe you found ways around it! thank you for all your hard work and patience in educating folks. wishing you bountiful spoons and lots of restful, easy days 💚

Hello! Thank you so much for your patience, I did indeed take some time to process this - I'm more than happy to answer questions related to surgery on here, as it's such a large part of my experience as a little person, but I may indeed take some time to respond as I have medical CPTSD.

Anyhoo lol Yes! I have had top surgery, and my dwarfism did effect how I accessed that care:

Because I'm at risk for spinal injury, my surgery was done at a hospital rather than an outpatient centre where most top surgery is conducted (I needed to be kept overnight for monitoring while most top surgery patients leave day-of)

Like for all my surgeries, my sleep apnea and oxygen levels needed to be monitored

But unlike my many other surgeries, this particular hospital (which will remain nameless for my own security) was incredibly inaccessible despite it being obviously well funded. No stools to be found, the wheelchairs were so high and designed with an almost bike-like frame that I needed to be liften in and out of them, and the staff was unfriendly and ableist.

My surgeon was picked for her experience with little people rather than her experience with top surgery. (I ended up unhappy with my results because my surgeon was more familiar with breast reductions and didn't follow through with my wishes. My top surgery was actually the worst surgery experience I've had - I was repeatedly dead-named by members of the hospital, overdosed on anaesthesia, and my surgeon had a terrible bedside manner)

But my touch up surgeon was my first choice! Dr. Armstrong at McLean Clinic did a fantastic job straightening my scars and removing my nipples (which I had hesitated on for the first surgery but firmed up for the second. I love having no nipples!)

Image description: a photo of my torso and lower face, displaying my healed top surgery results. Two wavy pink scars line the bottom of my pecks, and I have no nipples. With one hand on my hip and the other on my upper chest, you can see my tarot "the fool" tattoo, my kissing crows, and my sailor mercury star. On my right hand I wear a red glass ring to honor my deity Hestia. I have pail skin, a short brown beard, green curly hair and a gold vertical medusa piercing.

Post-op care was understandably different for me. Since my arms are already short and locked, the limit to my range of arm motion affected me even more. I needed even more help with care tasks than that of an average height/able bodied patient. I was lucky to several loved ones around to help :) Though compared to other surgeries, I was happy that I was able to walk and be more independent for the most part.

I also just want to add: something I see a lot on social media is trans and nonbinary folks seemingly bouncing back from surgery effortlessly. We see them at the beach, posting photos, and it gives the illusion that top/gender affirming surgery isn't the painful, emotional, difficult thing that it is. IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T FEEL QUEER JOY IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY!! It takes a while to heal and bounce back because it is a lot on your body! Take your time, and give your body the love and care it needs!

Anyway I hope this all was helpful/educational - and I wish all my queer, trans, and otherwise gender diverse followers a lovely day!!

[karatekels]

Heirloom - Epilogue

It's the epilogue, where our star-crossed lovers get their happy ending!

TW: Graphic sex, rough sex, violent sex (all consensual)

Previous Parts:

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

---

One Month Later…

Valek’s POV:

“I cannot stand by and watch this go on for another minute, Jan!” Cassandra snarls at Valek, baring her fangs at him. “You will talk to her, or I will,” she threatens, and he hisses in warning.

“You will do no such thing,” Valek orders, stretching to his full height and towering over the tiny woman ominously. “Y/N is still adjusting to this life, she doesn��t need any other problems to worry about,” he continues less aggressively, trying to reason with her. Following your Turning, the group had relocated to Valek’s castle in Germany to conduct research on the Berziers Cross. You had thrown yourself into the research, and he was incredibly grateful for it; the last thing he wanted to do was distract you from your task.

“Adjusting? She’s taken to being a vampire more easily than anyone I’ve ever seen, Jan, be reasonable,” Cassandra scoffs, turning her nose up at him. “But it has been a month now, and I have grown tired of watching the two of you tiptoe around each other!”

Since the night you had been Turned, you and Valek had not spoken of your feelings, nor your kiss in your last human moments. He had chalked it up to you being relieved that he was alright and would be saving you as well, or to the bloodloss, or shock, at least on your end. His own feelings were of little consequence in comparison to your own.

“Y/N has given no indication that she wishes to be involved with me,” he protests, and Cassandra rolls her eyes.

“Really, Jan, are you blind?” she rebuffs him, waving away his defence with her hand. “She cared for you as a human, and she cares for you now. Why must you work so hard to refuse yourself happiness?”

“It is not my happiness I am concerned about, Cassandra,” he snaps defensively, and to his annoyance, her expression softens.

“Dearest, do not think for a moment that you are not capable of bringing Y/N the utmost joy. You make her happy, Jan. She longs to spend time with you.”

“And how would you know that?”

“Because she’s told me!”

“What? You’ve already spoken to her about this?!” Valek hisses, indignant. “I specifically asked you to stay out of this, Cassandra!”

“I haven’t told her about your desires,” she clarifies, though she doesn’t seem happy about it. “She’s told me. You know I spend more time with her than you do, and neither of you are happy about that!”

Valek huffs, moving away from her and pretending to peruse a bookshelf. He knows she’s going to mock him for asking.

“…What is it that she said?” he asks softly, and he doesn’t need to turn to know that Cassandra is radiating smug satisfaction as he gives in.

“She told me the other day that she wishes she was human,” she says softly, and Valek turns to face her with a guilty, pained expression. You regretted your decision to Turn?

“…She says she had something to offer you then, and that you had more of a reason to come around. She misses you, you dolt.”

Valek feels a warmth bloom in his chest, as was always the case where you were concerned, although this particular revelation brings him a far greater joy. He had stayed away from you, it was true, but only because he didn’t want to risk pushing you towards a relationship that you did not want. Hearing that you felt his distance was due to any deficiency of yours has him feeling terribly guilty.

“Am I finally starting to get the point through that thick skull of yours?” she asks, arching a brow at him. Valek looks at her exasperatedly.

“Why does it please you so, interfering in other peoples’ affairs, hmm?”

Cassandra shrugs, sliding off of the desk she had been perched on. “Having lost my own love, I find it greatly irritating when people try to deny their heart's desire when it lies right before them. Especially when it comes to my two favourite people in the world.”

She approaches Valek, laying a dainty hand on his chest, over his still heart. “You deserve to love her, Jan,” she says earnestly, staring into his pale eyes with her own. “And you’ve waited long enough for her.”

He sighs deeply, closing his eyes as though he could block out Cassandra’s logic. She was right, she was always right… but what if she was wrong about this?

“Alright, fine, you unholy terror,” he concedes. “I will try to figure out how to approach Y/N about this.”

Cassandra claps her hands excitedly, hopping up and down.

“Wonderful! I will ensure that the two of you are left alone tomorrow night.”

“No, I did not mean –”

“I am not going to let you dwell on this any longer, Jan,” Cassandra interrupts sternly. “I will take the others and return to Castello della Chiocciola for a few days. We need to check in on the Slayers anyway.”

“A few days?!” Valek repeats incredulously. “How long do you imagine this conversation will take?”

“Oh, I am sure the two of you will find something to do with your time together,” she murmurs suggestively, laughing delightedly as she flits out of Valek’s reach as he lunges for her.

“They will be back any minute, we should go and greet them!” she says brightly, dashing up the steps to the main floor. Valek follows at a slower pace, letting his anger at Cassandra coat his nerves.

They both didn’t like the idea of you leaving the castle without one of them accompanying you, but Cassandra had insisted that they have this talk. And so, you had been sent to feed with the others, under the watchful eye of two other Masters that they trusted. Valek is eager to see you safely returned home.

The small group returns, entering through the ornate front door, everyone retreating to their own lives in the castle, until only you remain, standing before him and Cassandra.

You are radiant.

The colour drained from your complexion seemed to have been returned to the rest of you tenfold; your hair, your eyes, your lips… you were a beautiful creature. He had been wrong in his initial reluctance to Turn you; he had thought you a creature of the Sun, but you glowed just as brightly as a child of the Moon. You were a glimmer of light in the darkness; his little star.

“Cassandra!” you exclaim happily, your voice turned richer and more musical with your transformation. You flit up the stairs to embrace the woman warmly, before turning your gaze over to him. “Valek,” you murmur, inclining your head respectfully to him, your eyes cast downwards. Your cheeks are flushed, likely due to your recent meal, but he greedily wants to attribute the blush to himself.

“Good evening, Y/N,” he croons, and he sees Cassandra rolling her eyes from behind you.

“Valek and I were just talking,” she chimes in immediately, and he would snap her neck if she didn’t mean so much to him. “I will be taking the other vampires back to Italy for a few days to check on things, so you and Valek will have the castle to yourselves!”

“Oh, I don’t –” you start to protest, but she grabs your hands with both of her own.

“Come on, you can help me pack! And I ordered you some more things to try on!” Cassandra says cheerily, monopolizing the situation just as she had done with him before your return. Valek isn’t entirely sure the woman isn’t a witch; her ability to swing things in her favour was astounding. The two of you disappear, leaving Valek in the grand foyer to figure out just what he was going to say to you tomorrow.

---

The next evening, Valek leaves you to yourself for a few hours to prepare himself. You had predictably thrown yourself into your research the moment that the others had left, combing through ancient texts in his collection. Your thirst for knowledge is unparalleled, and he has started to understand the Slayers’ reluctance in letting you out into the world; you would have discovered their deception on your own, he was sure.

Once he has finished staging everything just so – Cassandra would mock him if she knew, he was sure – he moves through the castle in the direction of the library, the place where you could almost always be found. He finds you at your table in the corner lost in your reading, stacks of books and scattered papers covering the surface.

“Y/N,” he says quietly with amusement when you have still not noticed his presence after a minute or two. Your head snaps up, and you blink up at him, smiling sheepishly.

“Oh, Valek! I’m sorry, I was a million miles away,” you say, your tone embarrassed. “What can I help you with?” you ask him with a warm smile.

“Would you join me upstairs, my dear?” he asks nervously, and you look up at him with an inquisitive expression. “You have been working too hard down here, and I know how you have missed the moon.”

“I get distracted,” you admit quietly with a guilty smile. “There’s just so much more to see now…” you trail off, referring to your enhanced eyesight. You shake your head to bring yourself out of your thoughts. “Yes, of course I can join you, Valek.”

He watches you mark the places in your notes and your book, trying to organize everything somewhat before you stand and move to join him. He offers you his arm and you take it, exiting the library with him.

“Is everything alright?” you ask hesitantly, looking up at him, and Cassandra’s words from the night before echo through his mind. Had he really left you feeling as though he only wanted to speak with you if he needed something?

“Of course, my dear,” he replies, despite his anxiety peaking. “I hope that I have not given you the impression that you are merely here as a scholar.”

“I don’t mind!” you tell him, smiling happily. “It feels so wonderful to be useful,” you say enthusiastically, sincerity ringing in every word. Valek hopes that he can channel your honesty in a moment, as you approach the door to the conservatory. While they couldn’t make use of it during the day, the glass room was spectacular for seeing the stars at night, and he knew that after the library, it was your favourite place in the castle.

“I am pleased to hear that you are enjoying your work, my dear,” he tells you, stopping you before you open the door to the conservatory. You turn and look up at him with a confused expression. “But I have brought you here to tell you something, Y/N.”

“What is it?” you ask when he cannot bring himself to speak, your voice concerned. “Is everything alright? Is that why everyone else left?”

He shushes you gently, placing a finger to your lips. He’s pleased that you have indeed retained some of your softness through your transformation.

“Everything is fine, little one,” he assures you. Despite your lack of experience, you were always so ready for a fight. He finds it charming.

“Tell me, what do you remember about the night that I Turned you?” he asks, trying to gage if you even remember your kiss in the first place. He feels you tense beneath his fingertips and you drop your gaze, unable to look at him, and he knows that you remember.

“Oh. This is about that. We don’t have to talk about it, Valek, I understand. Of course you wouldn’t…”

You stop your babbling as he throws open the doors of the conservatory, the sight within silencing you far more quickly than trying to talk to you possibly could.

Every surface in the room, from the chaise lounge to the piano is covered in bouquets of dark red roses, loose petals scattered across the marble floor. The moonlight streams through the windows and ceiling, bathing the room in a white glow, the stars clearly visible across the night sky.

You walk into the room slowly, timidly, as though you’re afraid of disturbing the scene, but Valek finds that you complete the picture perfectly. After a long moment that stretches on for ages, you turn back to look at him with an astonished expression. He slowly moves towards you, gliding across the floor silently and stopping just before you.

“Y/N, you are the most incredible woman I have ever known. You captivated my heart as a human, you sacrificed yourself for my own salvation, you have changed me irrevocably… I want you by my side for eternity. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and happy, I will give you my whole self; I am already yours. I love you, Y/N. I love you so very much.”

As you stare at him in disbelief, your mouth slightly open, he finds himself freezing in place as though he’s turning to stone. More than six hundred years of this existence, and he still does not have patience for this moment that seems to be stretching endlessly… Please, say something.

Your mouth finally settles on letting out a wordless cry of surprise before you launch yourself into his arms, wrapping yourself around him with your newfound strength. Valek did not expect such a physical response in lieu of a confession from you, but manages to catch you with ease, pulling you closer against his chest, one arm around your waist, the other running across your shoulders. Your bury your face in the crook between his neck and shoulder, squeezing him tightly.

“I love you too, Valek!” you exclaim, your voice muffled against him, but he hears every word. You lean back to look him in the eye, and his heart soars as he takes in the fierce joy in your expression. “I’ve loved you for ages.”

He can’t help but chuckle at the hyperbole, but his laughter is cut off as you press your lips to his, kissing him so passionately he swears his body is heating up as it responds to your touch. He kisses you back, letting out a deep, primal growl that has you gasping and writhing in his arms.

Valek immediately heads for the master bedroom, carrying you in his arms, moving slowly at an almost-human pace as he savours every moment of this. Of course, it wasn’t like he had a bed, but the chaise lounge beneath his window would be just perfect to lay you down on as he worshipped you.

However, upon entering his bedroom, he is taken aback by the significant changes made to his room. He gently sets you back on your feet, noting the changes with a suspicious eye. A massive four poster bed with dark, luxurious sheets now lies in the middle of his room, rose petals lining the floor from the doorway to the foot of the bed and scattered across the inky bedspread.

“Valek, how presumptuous of you!” you tease him with a giggle, taking in the new décor.

“I had nothing to do with this!” he insists, though he can’t say he’s upset with the renovations.

“Oh,” you mutter to yourself, seeming to have come to some realization. “I’m going to kill Cassandra,” you growl venomously. Valek turns to you, catching you fussing with your skirts.

“You think this was Cassandra?” he asks you, confused by your animosity towards your friend. It did seem like something that Cassandra would do to him, but she hadn’t been threatening you with the same sort of thing… had she?

“I know it was her,” you moan, hiding your face in your hands. “It matches…”

“What matches?” he asks, and you jump, looking at him guiltily.

“She uh… bought some things for me when we were having a Girl’s Night, as a joke... Insisted on it, really. And now I know why she did, and why she told me to wear it tonight… just for fun, she said…”

Cassandra had purchased you clothing to match the sheets of his bed?

Oh.

“That meddlesome little leech!” you hiss, stomping your foot in your fury, but Valek finds that his anger has completely dissipated.

“Show me,” he orders you in a low, soft voice, and you turn to look at him with wide eyes.

“W-What?” you ask meekly, yelping when he darts next to you again, cradling your face in one of his large hands.

“Show me, little one…” he croons seductively, his eyes shining brightly in the moonlight. “I want to see them…”

You give him a nervous, jittery smile, and he lowers his head to yours once more, kissing you deeply in a way that has you relaxing and pressing yourself up against him. You surprise him by running your hands up his chest and pushing his long dark coat off of his shoulders. Wanting to help you feel more at ease, he helps you, letting the heavy fabric pool on the floor at his feet. Continuing to allow you to take the lead, he lets you guide him back to the bed and sit him down, standing between his legs with a nervous expression.

“Do not be frightened or embarrassed, my treasure,” he murmurs, cradling your head in both of his hands. “I have never wanted the way I want you.”

His words seem to give you confidence, and you take a step back before reaching behind you to undo the buttons on your dress, yanking it down to the floor in one smooth movement and revealing yourself to him.

You are wearing a black brocade bustier that presses your breasts up enticingly, emphasizing your cleavage. Lacy black underwear is visible beneath the matching garter belt, holding up thigh-high stockings. The lingerie is adorned with silk ribbons dyed a deep red, matching the rose petals scattered throughout the room.

Valek lets out another possessive growl, lunging at you like a predator, his momentum carrying you both across the room until you are pressed against the glass of the windows. You gasp with surprise as his hands roam your body, relishing the look and feel of you wrapped up like a darkly sensual gift; all for him.

“You are the most glorious being that has ever walked the earth,” he whispers against your skin as his lips and teeth and tongue roam your neck and shoulders, mapping them just as his hands do the same to your body. You writhe against him, tangling your hands in his raven hair and pressing him closer, further into you. He groans at the feeling of you tugging on his locks, urging him to touch you more.

“I am unworthy of your beauty, beloved, but I will worship at your feet if you would allow it,” he continues, dropping to his knees to run his mouth from one hip bone to the next, savouring the path his lips take. You shudder beneath his ministrations.

“I should be worshipping you,” you counter, moaning as he kneads your ass in his large hands. “My love… my Master…”

“You do not ever need to call me that, my treasure,” he murmurs, rising to his full height once more to look down at you sternly, though he cannot deny that thrill of arousal that thrums through him, hearing that title from your lips. How he wants to possess you, to own you…

“I know I don’t need to,” you reply with a coy smile. “But I very much want to.”

There is a loud ripping noise as he tears the bustier to shreds off of your body, desperate to get his hands on you.

“You have to tell Cassandra you ruined that,” you tell him off-handedly as you give his shirt the same treatment, your clawed hands roaming over his massive chest, smooth and hard as marble before you attack him with you lips as well, moaning at the taste of him.

“Very well; you can explain that you ruined the bed,” he replies, the dark tone of his voice promising its destruction. He scoops you up and flits over to the bed, tossing you onto it before pouncing on top of you. You squirm and buck beneath him, clearly enjoying the feeling of being pinned by his larger frame.

“There is no escaping me, beloved. There is no escaping this…” he hisses, teasing your body with light touches of his long fingers that have you arching against him with a lusty cry. He kisses his way down your body, between your breasts and down your stomach until his head rests between your trembling thighs.

“Do you know how I savoured tasting these quivering thighs?” he purrs, pinning your legs and hips in place as he looks up your body at you. “That was my form of bloodlust, Y/N. After biting you here –” he pauses to sink his fangs into you exactly where he had when he Turned you, making you scream with ecstasy.

“– And here –” he repeats this gesture on your other thigh, and he can smell your arousal growing between your legs as you thrash beneath him. Between vampires, a bite did nothing more than provide the victim with a pleasant, painful ache, and you certainly seem receptive to it.

“– I could not stop myself from sinking my teeth into you again and again, everywhere I could reach. You are still mouthwatering, even now…” he purrs, as you shudder and moan wantonly.

“Do it again!” you cry out desperately, begging him for more of the painful pleasure, and he is more than happy to oblige, sliding up your body once more and pinning you in place.

“Yes, Valek!” you cry, throwing your head back as he claims your neck with his lips and teeth. “Please, take me! I want to be yours in every way,” you moan throatily, and he can no longer resist, tearing your remaining lingerie to shreds like a feral animal, leaving scratches across your pale skin that only seem to spur you on further. Dark and depraved; you were perfect for him.

Valek moves to the side of the bed to discard his remaining clothing, but doesn’t get very far before you reach over, ripping his clothing off of his body. He looks back at you, and you merely give him a smug smile in return.

“Just being fair,” you chirp up at him as you lounge against the sheets, looking like a delicious perversion of an angel. He gives you an indulgent smile, allowing you this one victory; you can cling to it when he’s claiming you again and again until even your immortal body is desperate for rest.

He grabs one of your bare ankles, tugging you so that your lower legs are dangling off the sides of the bed to either side of his own. Leaning down, he runs a clawed hand possessively up your body to your neck, giving it a firm squeeze.

“You wish to belong to me, little star?” he purrs, watching your eyes glaze over with desire as you nod frantically with an erotic groan, unable to speak. He grabs the back of your thighs, one in each of his large hands, lifting them up to wrap around his waist and making you lift yourself off of the bed until only your shoulders and head are on the mattress.

He looks down, seeing his hard, aching member so close to your entrance, looking past where his hands grip your hips and down your body to your delirious expression. He could he be so eager to defile something so innocent?

But defile you he would.

He lines his cock up with your dripping, wet entrance, and you let out a needy wail when he doesn’t thrust in after a moment.

“Please, Valek, take me!” you beg, and there has never been a more beautiful sound. “Make me yours, my love!”

He thrusts forward, fully sheathing himself inside of you in one smooth motion, coming to lean over you as you both moan in unison. Your mouth is in a constant ‘O’ of wordless pleasure, the occasional whine emitting from your lips as your eyes roll back into your head as he fucks you, making you his own in yet another way. You feel divine, wrapped so tightly around his cock, and your warmth… he finally understands the insatiability of some of his kind. This feeling… he never wants it to stop.

“Please, I need you closer!” you moan desperately, and he obliges, reluctantly removing himself from you before pouncing on you on top of the bed. But before he can slide himself inside you once more, you have flipped the two of you over, your legs to either side of his hips, and before he can do anything about it, you’ve dropped down onto him once more, enveloping his cock in your tight, sweet cunt and rolling your hips against his in a way that has him cursing in Czech, words that he wasn’t aware he even remembered.

“You are my undoing, Y/N,” he groans, his eyes rolling back in ecstasy as you ride him passionately, fucking yourself hard and deep on his cock. “My siren. I will bring you pleasure everlasting, for all of my days.”

As if to prove his point, he grabs one of your wrists from where you’ve placed your hands on his chest to steady yourself, bringing it to his lips and sinking his fangs into your arm, making you keen in pleasure.

“I will have you always, little star,” he coos, even as he bites you again, feeling you tighten and shudder around him. “You are mine for always.”

“Always, Valek,” you moan, reaching down with your free hand to rub yourself just above where his cock was thrusting in and out of your cunt. He replaces your fingers with his own, searching for spots that have you nearly sobbing with pleasure and need, bucking up against him. He will learn to play you like a fine-tuned instrument; you have eternity after all.

“Fuck love, I’m getting close!” you wail, your bouncing on his cock taking on a stuttering, uneven pace. He sits up, the clenching of his abdominal muscles causing his balls to tighten with impending release, and bites your neck, keeping his fangs buried inside of you as he keeps his cock buried inside you as well, hands holding your hips as you climax hard, tightening around him as he fills you with his release.

You are seeing stars, but Valek only sees you; he’ll see only you for eternity.

---

It's cheesy, and I don't care. I am a Cassandra here - not involved romantically, but more than willing to meddle when it comes to these two! Hope you all enjoyed!

[the-ghost-bracket]

Ghostbur propaganda:

"My man was literally haunting not just the characters, but the narrative itself"

"Dude he is so sad all the time, nobody takes him seriously because he’s so kind and upbeat but he really and truly is so sad, he’s got awful memory problems, all he wants is people to be happy like he couldn’t have been, but they don’t even stop his pet sheep from dying because “it’ll just come back” bc it’s a ghost too and then he has a whole thing about how that doesn’t mean they don’t feel pain too and just he’s very very sad and is perpetually stuck in a train station all alone forever"

"This ghost, this poor little ghost was done SO dirty oh my god. Okay for context in case you don’t know about anything from that hellhole minecraft server, in that universe you get 3 lives, and once you die you get sent to limbo and a ghost takes your place in the overworld. Most people get ghosts but some don’t. But! You can get revived! Which means you get to go back to the overworld but you ghost takes your place in limbo. One more thing I should mention before I get to Ghostbur is everyone’s limbo looks different, because it’s literally their personal hell. I’m sure you see where this is going. :) SO! Ghostbur. Wilbur, the person he’s a ghost of was not a great person before he died. But Ghostbur is nothing but kind, if not a little naïve to everyone and everything. This all leads up Ghostbur getting murdered trying to help his little brother figure, and Wilbur being revived. This means Ghostbur gets trapped alone in limbo. Ghostbur’s story could have left off there but NOOOOOO his creator decided to make it worse. Water burns Ghostbur, so crying is painful. He has memory problems and with nothing to write on he only has the haziest memories of his family left. He’s stuck in limbo for decades before something happens. Meanwhile back in the overworld Wilbur’s been having a pissing contest with his ex and realizes “Huh, a lot of people liked this Ghostbur guy and I know where he ended up. Maybe I should do something nice for him.” And sends Ghostbur’s beloved pet sheep, Friend to hell to be with Ghostbur. The last we ever see of Ghostbur is he, for once in a very long time crying tears of joy as he is reunited with his Friend."

"DSMP gets a bad rep for the guy it’s named for (who I do not support in ANY way whatsoever), but it was made up of 30+ creators, many of which put so very much passion and love into the project. Wilbur Soot was one of them, and Ghostbur was his character after he died.

Ghostbur was sweet, goofy, and terribly tragic. He would go around offering blue dye to his friends, saying “have some blue”, saying it would soak up their sadness. He only remembers happy things from when he was alive. He had a sheep named Friend. He was as lovable as his memory was painful, and an overall very good ghost"

"when he got revived it was to help in a plan to beat up his chosen brother's abuser by breaking INTO jail and having his bro follow him invisible. he's the best musician on the server according to his dad :D. he has a blue sheep named friend on a leash who has infinite cannon lives. he has memory issues and can't remember bad feelings after they happen so people often infantilize him which sucks because he's actually very competent and just wants to help his friends and have a good time. he got sent to limbo sadly and has likely been there for a couple thousand years now. which is incredibly sad. the guy who plays him wrote sad hurt no comfort drabbles about it on reddit."

"just a really sweet guy, currently chilling in the afterlife with his sheep friend while the revived version of himself is working in a gas station in utah"

[writesaboutdragons]

365 Promises of God

Day 294 – To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain

For to me, to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. (Phl 1:21 NKJV)

Read: Philippians 1:12-24

Today’s promise is actually one of the most comforting and challenging verses in the Bible. In order to unpack it, I’m going to examine both sides of that coin, if you will. For a nominal Christian, the idea that death is a positive seems like a laughable idea. Our bodies are designed to struggle for the next breath, to avoid pain. Our adrenaline rushes in when we are in danger, and we are persuaded by our own flesh to fight, or take flight.

Yet it’s clear that the gospel message comforts us with the knowledge that death is no longer an enemy. It will undoubtedly hurt, but it ushers us into the presence of the one we hold most dear. I’m not suggesting any Christian hurry that transition along, but we no longer need fear it like we did before. Think of all we are going to gain. So, we should not fear, even if those who oppose the gospel threaten us.

On the flipside of this, if we live, we have an opportunity to share Christ with others. To BE Christ to others. To DEMONSTRATE Christ’s love to others. So, to live is a chance to do good, and to persuade others to follow the Savior. What joy, to be granted the chance to share this light with a lost and dying world?

Paul comforted the Philippians, who had heard of all the terrible things that had happened to him. They may have been afraid for him. They might have been concerned for themselves. But he wanted them to know that all these things had happened for the furtherance of the gospel, and to encourage THEM in the faith, and even if he died, it would bring him into the presence of Jesus.

So then, to live, is Christ, in US. And to die, is eternal gain. This is an incredible comfort, but it’s a perspective that goes against our own flesh. Don’t be dismayed if this attitude isn’t always in your heart. If you’re scared to share the gospel, and afraid of dying. It doesn’t make you a non-Christian. It doesn’t even make you a BAD Christian. It just means you are not holding firm to this promise. Because when you really wrap your mind around it, everything else dwindles into mist.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for this promise, and challenge, today. Help me to walk in the Spirit, and not in fear, today. Amen

[deadhawke]

Oh my god I just thought of a character/universe crossover with Trigun that probably no one will get cause ive never seen anyone talk about the other series BUT that being said!

Trigun crossover/AU with Kino No Tabi (The Beautiful World)

(Personally I’m thinking of the first volume of the light novels English translation over the manga or anime. Cause that’s what rewrote my brain in high school. Like genuinely impacted me in a way no piece of writing ever had.)

Like truly I can see so clearly where Wolfwood has Hermes and they travel together, and then at some point they pick up Vash. Or even the other way around and there's finally a universe where Vash can drive a motorcycle.

The ideological and moral HELLFIRE that Vash would go through visiting The Land of Majority Rule or The Land of Peace! How would Vash and Wolfwood handle the Coliseum? Could Vash take that shot? Would he have even conceived of anything like that plan? Would Wolfwood have to do it instead?

There is crossover with the philosophy of both books/series in regards to how the world is a mess and sometimes a bloody horrible mess but it is still worth saving. Not to mention how both main characters are constantly traveling and dealing with both the joy and tragedy of everything. As the front page of Kino No Tabi says:

The world is not beautiful, therefore it is.

(further random info and links below the readmore including the prologue of Kino No Tabi which really will help you understand what I'm on about here)

In case any Trigun people want to join me in this, here’s a link to the only pdf I could find on where you can read the story I’m talking about. If you like the moral and philosophical discussions and implications of Trigun this will be so up your alley. The link above is a google drive link I can personally vouch for.

Here is the prologue as promised. The vibe is just. Just read it and trust me.

And then there was darkness. There was no light. No moon, no stars. Only the sound of the wind in the trees, wafting through the darkness. "You know… it's kind of like…" Kino trailed off. A contemplative silence followed. Or perhaps sleep. "Kind of like what?" Hermes asked. "I sometimes wonder if I'm really just a terrible person. Sometimes I feel like I am. Sometimes, it actually makes sense that I am. Because I can't change things; or worse – I just tell myself I can't, so I don't. But whenever I get like that – feeling terrible, I mean –everything else – the world, the people I meet – it all becomes incredibly beautiful to me. I fall in love with it. That's why I keep traveling – because I want to experience more. Because sometimes, I get to see some good. Maybe even do some good." Kino paused to entertain another thought. "Still, I know if I keep on moving, I'll always see more sadness, more tragedy –experience more sadness and tragedy." "But if you experience it – if you know it's tragic – how can you be a terrible person? Terrible people don't experience other people's pain… do they?" "I don't know. I only know it doesn't mean I'm going to stop traveling. I love traveling, and even though I see so much death – even though I have to kill people sometimes – I want to keep doing it. And…" "And?" "I can stop anytime." Kino's tone was resolute. "So I keep going… You see?" "Honestly? Not really." "Oh. Well, that's okay." "You sure? I mean, it helps if we're of one mind about things…" "How can I expect you to understand it if I don't? And I don't. Not really. I'm still confused, Hermes. And in order to find my way out of this confusion, I keep traveling." As if there were a road that led away from it. "Ah…" "I'm going to sleep. We've got a long way to go tomorrow. Good night, Hermes." "Good night, Kino." Thick cloth softly rustled, and then utter silence filled the darkness again.

The formatting of the pdf is not the best but I double checked it against my hard copy that it is the correct translation. Specifically it is volume 1 as it was the only one to get an official translation.

[hc-geralt-23]

 "Eclipsed Hearts: A Tale of Redemption and Resilience"

Chapter 1: The Revelation

The sun cast a warm golden glow as the reader watched Joel Miller from a distance. It was their favorite spot, a hidden alcove overlooking the lake. They couldn't help but smile as they saw him laughing, his eyes sparkling with joy. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, creating an idyllic scene. But as the reader approached, their heart sank.

Hidden behind the trees, they overheard a conversation that would shatter their world forever. Joel's voice mingled with laughter, but the reader froze when they heard a soft voice respond. It wasn't theirs. The realization hit them with the force of a sledgehammer - Joel had been unfaithful.

Reader (whispering, voice choked with emotion): Joel... how could you?

Joel's Laughing Companion: I can't believe we finally found this place. It's so beautiful.

Joel (his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and guilt): Yeah, it's incredible. I'm glad we got to experience it together.

Reader (whispering, tears streaming down their face): Together... but... he promised, he vowed to be faithful. How could he betray me like this?

Joel's laughter echoed in the distance, leaving the reader grappling with the painful revelation as they retreated from the hidden alcove, their heart heavy with sorrow.

___________________________________________

Chapter 2: Following Tommy

Days turned into nights as the reader drowned in their grief and anger. They needed to distance themselves from the memories that haunted every corner of their shared home. With determination shimmering in their eyes, they decided to track down Joel's brother, Tommy, in Jackson.

Arriving in Jackson, the reader found solace in the warm embrace of its community. The townspeople welcomed them with open arms, providing a sanctuary from the chaos of their shattered relationship. The reader couldn't help but find comfort in the thought of starting anew in this place, where love and trust were held sacred.

Reader (whispering to themselves): Maybe... maybe here in Jackson, I can heal. Maybe I can find a sense of peace amidst the wreckage of my heart.

As the reader settled into their new surroundings, the warmth and kindness of the community began to pull at their heartstrings. They saw the love between friends, the support and compassion shared, and it offered a glimmer of hope. Perhaps in this place, they could rebuild their shattered world.

___________________________________________

Chapter 3: Joel's Arrival

Months later, the reader's heart skipped a beat as Joel and Ellie arrived in Jackson. Their worlds collided once again, but this time, the reader was prepared. They moved through the crowds, hoping to remain unnoticed, but fate had other plans.

Their breath hitched when they accidentally bumped into Joel, their gaze locking for a painful moment. In those eyes, the reader saw regret and sorrow, a mirror reflecting their own emotions. It was a moment that ignited a mix of anger, hurt, and a lingering love that refused to die.

Reader (voice trembling): Joel...

Joel (voice filled with pain and longing): I didn't think I would ever see you again... I thought I lost you forever.

Reader (voice filled with a mixture of anger and vulnerability): You betrayed me, Joel. How could you do this to us? To our love?

Joel (lowering his eyes, voice filled with regret): I made a terrible mistake, and I'm so sorry. I can't imagine the pain I've caused you. But please, give me a chance to explain, to make amends.

___________________________________________

Chapter 4: Joel's Pursuit of Redemption

Joel couldn't bear the weight of the reader's unspoken pain and broken heart. He mustered the strength to approach them, begging for forgiveness. With a trembling voice, he laid bare his soul, explaining the choices he made and the fractures it caused. Tears slipped down his rugged face as he awaited a response.

Joel (voice filled with remorse and anguish): I was lost, consumed by my own demons, and I made a terrible mistake. It was never about love, or replacing you. It was a moment of weakness, and I regret it every single day. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I had to let you know how truly sorry I am.

Reader (voice raw with pain): How could I ever trust you again, Joel? How could I believe your words when they shattered my world?

Joel (voice cracking with emotion): I understand that trust cannot be rebuilt overnight. But I promise you, with every fiber of my being, that I will spend the rest of my days proving myself to you. I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust back, to mend the fractures I caused.

___________________________________________

Chapter 5: Rebuilding Trust

With cautious steps, Joel embarked on the arduous journey of rebuilding the trust he had so callously shattered. His words were sincere, his actions gentle. Every conversation was an exploration of pain and vulnerability, as Joel laid bare his soul to the reader. Two broken hearts forged a path towards healing.

Joel (voice filled with determination): I want to be the man you deserve. I will be open, honest, and transparent. I will dedicate myself to rebuilding the trust we lost. I understand that it will be a long, difficult road, but I'm willing to take every step with you.

Reader (voice tinged with hope): I want to believe you, Joel. I want to trust you again. But it won't be easy. The wounds are deep, and the walls around my heart are strong. Can you be patient with me?

Joel (voice filled with tenderness): I will be patient, I will respect your boundaries, and I will prove myself worthy of your love. I can't change the past, but I can dedicate myself to a better future for us.

___________________________________________

Chapter 6: Forgiveness and a New Beginning

After countless nights filled with soul-searching, the reader finally found the strength to forgive Joel. Their hearts, scarred but resilient, allowed themselves to be vulnerable once more. The weight of anger and betrayal lifted, replaced by a renewed hope and trust.

Reader (voice filled with vulnerability): Joel, I forgive you. But know that forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting. It means that I'm willing to work towards a new beginning, with caution and a willingness to rebuild what we lost.

Joel (voice filled with gratitude and love): Thank you, thank you for giving me a chance. I will never take your forgiveness for granted. I promise to cherish you every day, to be the partner you deserve.

In the safety of Jackson's walls, Joel and the reader forged a new beginning. Their love bloomed, intertwining with the rebirth of a world ravaged by darkness. They found happiness in each other's arms, building a life filled with laughter, stability, and unwavering love.

As the years passed, their love multiplied, shaping the future they had once feared would never come. Two children, a boy and a girl, brought joy into their lives, a tribute to the redemption they had fought so hard to find. In their laughter and innocent smiles, Joel and the reader discovered the true meaning of forgiveness, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

___________________________________________

Chapter 7: Legacy of Resilience

The town of Jackson became a witness to the remarkable journey of Joel and the reader. Their story of betrayal, forgiveness, and rebuilding echoed through the community, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew them. The once-shattered relationship had not only mended but had grown into a beacon of hope for others facing their own trials.

Joel and the reader became pillars of support for those grappling with challenges of their own. They offered wisdom, compassion, and a testament to the transformative power of love. The scars of the past, instead of being hidden, became a source of strength, a reminder that even the deepest wounds could heal with time, understanding, and genuine effort.

Reader (addressing a troubled friend): I know it seems impossible now, but healing is a journey. We faced our darkest moments, and through it all, we found a way back to each other. It's never too late to rebuild and rediscover happiness.

___________________________________________

Chapter 8: The Unseen Threat

Yet, as the couple reveled in their hard-earned happiness, an unseen threat loomed on the horizon. The remnants of Joel's past choices resurfaced, threatening to unravel the delicate tapestry they had woven together. A figure from that fateful chapter, someone who witnessed Joel's transgressions, emerged with a dark agenda.

The mysterious figure (voice veiled in malice): Joel Miller, your redemption is a façade. The truth of your past will shatter the happiness you've built. Brace yourself for the storm that approaches.

Reader (voice filled with concern): Joel, who is this person? What do they want?

Joel (gazing into the distance): Someone from my past, a witness to my mistakes. I hoped to leave that part of my life behind, but it seems the consequences are catching up to us.

___________________________________________

Chapter 9: Confronting Shadows

The ominous warning weighed heavily on Joel and the reader as they grappled with the impending storm. Determined not to let history repeat itself, they faced the shadows head-on, unraveling the dark secrets that threatened to undo the life they had built.

Together, they delved into Joel's past, confronting uncomfortable truths and untangling the web of deception. The journey was fraught with tension, but it strengthened their bond, proving that facing the shadows was the only way to dispel them.

Reader (voice unwavering): Joel, we can't let this threat destroy us. We need to face it together, whatever it takes.

Joel (resolve in his eyes): You're right. I won't let the mistakes of my past define our future. We'll confront this threat, and we'll do it as a united front.

___________________________________________

Chapter 10: A United Front

Armed with newfound determination and facing the storm together, Joel and the reader confronted the mysterious figure. The truth unfolded, revealing the depth of Joel's transformation and the lengths he had gone to redeem himself.

Mysterious Figure (voice trembling): I wanted to expose your sins, Joel Miller, but I see now that you've changed. Your love has prevailed over the shadows.

Reader (gazing at Joel with pride): Our love may have faced trials, but it has emerged stronger than ever. Joel has faced his past, and I've learned to trust again. We won't let you threaten our happiness.

The mysterious figure, unable to cast a shadow on their love, retreated into the darkness. Joel and the reader stood united, having faced the remnants of Joel's past and emerged victorious.

___________________________________________

Epilogue: Love's Triumph

In the aftermath of the storm, Joel and the reader emerged not only unscathed but with a deeper understanding of the resilience of their love. Their journey, marked by betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption, had forged a bond that could withstand any challenge.

The town of Jackson celebrated the triumph of love, honoring Joel and the reader as a symbol of hope and perseverance. Their legacy became a story passed down through generations, a testament to the enduring power of love to conquer even the darkest shadows.

As Joel and the reader embraced their shared future, they knew that their love story, though scarred by the past, had become a beacon of inspiration for those who dared to believe in second chances, forgiveness, and the unyielding strength of the human heart. They continued to nurture their love, savoring the everyday moments and cherishing the family they had built, knowing that their legacy of resilience would live on in the hearts of those who followed.

[ask-healthy-light]

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Dragon Lands, although the rest of the group was incredibly relieved to feel the pain in their chests fade again, they all silently stared at one another, trying to figure out why they felt this way at the same time; but their thoughts were interrupted when Nox heard the voice of Luna, who briefly asked her if she and the rest of the group felt such great pain as well.

But even though Nox did not utter a word to her Mother in response, it still spoke volumes to Luna, who slowly thanked Nox for confirming her suspicions, before she wished her well, quietly asked her to stay safe, and said goodbye; and she looked at all the others standing around in the Great Hall, either worriedly asking one another if they were all right, or helping folks sit down on the couch.

Above all else, it hurt more to see the two Young Princess cry in the arms of their quietly weeping parents, of whom only Shining was remotely able to hold in his emotions; but because he was wearing thick clothing, which covered the cold armour in which he was clad, no matter how terribly it broke his heart, he could only comfort Twila and Flurry so much, until he needed to ask Cadance for help.

One of the only few points of joy that followed such immense pain, of which nobody knew the source, was watching how sweetly Shining tried to comfort the Young Princesses, as he promised the two that they were all right, and tried to bring smiles to their little faces again; but when both Twila and Flurry reached out towards their Father, Shining quickly glanced at Celestia, who nodded in return.

As Shining took off all of his thick protective clothing, as well as the armour he wore underneath, Celestia discreetly grabbed the weapons he had hidden on his body using her magic, and translocated them somewhere out of view; and as Shining carefully lifted both of his Daughters into his arms, he solemnly thanked Cadance, and smiled to Celestia, before he started to dance with Twila and Flurry.

Fortunately, the Young Princesses dried their tears and started to laugh almost immediately as they swayed either in the arms or on the back of Shining, who was always safely holding on to the two as he happily trotted around the table; and as Twila and Flurry's laughter reverberated throughout the Hall, as if by magic, the others could all feel their hearts grow warmer as the strange pain faded.

Even back in the Dragon Lands, where the group had just scaled a cliff, hoping to get a better view of the area, Nox could feel the warmth in her Mother's heart, but to their dismay, neither Inferno, nor Courage, nor Light were as lucky as her; and they sombrely smiled, before they focused on their surroundings to look for anything of note, while also keeping an eye out for Boom, or other danger.

The ruggedness of the Dragon Lands, however, combined with their impaired visibility because of the gentle rain, made it so they could not see far into the distance, and the only thing they could see was more grass, but also the slowly approaching mist; and Inferno sighed deeply in frustration, and admitted that she feared she could not drive away the mist so soon again, for which she apologised.

A mere moment later, Light gently tapped on the shoulder of Inferno, and politely told her that she did not have to spend all her energy right away, for not only was the mist still far away, they had not yet tried to lift the fog with their flames, and they would like to do so first; for they would not need much energy to set themselves on fire, as long as they were able to stay in control of it.

For now, though, Light said, they figured that it was wise to stay in one place for a little while, and try to reach out to Boom to let him know where they were, if he was not on his way back to meet them already; but if they could get off this high peak to lower ground, and out of this rain, which was starting to get on their nerves, Light said in a lighthearted manner, they would appreciate it.

To their relief, the others all agreed, but before Light could descend, Nox and Inferno said:

"Wait, allow us."

(Thanks for reading! And if you enjoyed, please reblog! Thanks in advance!)

Send an ask or request! | Start at the beginning! | Next part!

Featuring: Boomlord from @thedumbguywithaheart43 Princess Twila from @twila-bloggin Nox Lunarwing from @nox-lunarwing

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

Soulmate scene with Alistair. Everything they see before they find each other is dull, even physical touch doesn't feel vibrant. He could meet her at a "ball" where she's being sold labeled as "pure and untouched" their eyes meet and the rest is history for him. For her she's worried because her soulmate is a buyer

one word: OOF

loved this tho, aaaaaaaa

the rest of the world was black and white but we were in screaming color. ―“Out of the Woods”, Taylor Swift

The fact that every single thing in life feels muted, (Name) thinks, might be her saving grace.

It’s keeping her from fighting back; keeping her alive, at least for the time being. Every touch on her skin is dull, like she can feel she’s being touched but sensation itself is missing. Her captors have bathed her, dressed her, bound and caged her, and she can’t describe their touches as positive or negative. They just are.

It means she doesn’t retaliate to stop them, because nothing about this is causing her pain, is it? On the other side of the coin, however, it also means that in her whole life, she’s never felt anything good. Everything seems grey at best. She’s gone through life feeling absolutely nothing, no spark of joy nor weight of sadness. Although she’s felt the hint of those things, or what they should be, nothing has come close to the way she sees other people live once they’ve found their soulmates.

The chattering of the crowd, clinking of wine glasses, and the auctioneer selling off the other ladies might as well be a low hum.

Her attention is only pulled when the footsteps of low-heeled boots approach her cage, followed by the auctioneer addressing whoever is interested. “I see this one has caught your fancy, my lord! Inspect her closer, please, if you wish. She is the best of the quality we can promise you ― pure as the driven snow, beautiful and untainted, a true pinnacle of our offerings this evening.”

“May I?” The other voice is low and smooth, with an undertone of something playful beneath the darkness of anyone who would intend to purchase another human being.

“Why, yes, of course, of course. Please. Make sure she’s to your liking.”

The man who’s interested in her doesn’t hesitate. (Name) can feel his hands behind her head, untying the black lace cloth which blinded her for the auction. When it falls down, she’s staring into the violet eyes of a man who threatens to take her breath away by his very appearance alone. She’s never seen anyone so gorgeous, dressed all in elegant white with soft blonde hair that gathers around his shoulders like a crown of feathers.

What startles her more is that when he puts his hand on her face, she can feel it. It isn’t the dull pressure of knowing that someone is touching her. It’s the texture of his glove, the gentle way he cradles her cheek, the snap of someone being suddenly awaken after walking around dead.

It’s him. The one her heart has been looking for is right here, breathing life into her world with a single touch of his hand.

Who is he? Why is her intended here? What is he doing in a seedy place like this, seeking to buy a person? If he pays the auctioneer for her, if he leads her out of here, what will the next cage he leads her into be like?

For the first time in her life, her emotions are clawing at her chest to get out, a wonderful and terrible mix of fear and adoration.

Those eyes of his stand out more than anything. They sparkle at her like precious jewels, reflecting the same desire that she can feel. The sensations of her, of the rest of the world, are finally taking form for him too. Incredible and overwhelming and threatening to swallow him whole, just as is happening with her.

He seems to fall for her in a single instant. She thinks she could drag him to his knees right now and he would have no complaint. That makes her feel powerful and wanted, but it also frightens her.

Someone so devoted to her after knowing her for just a moment ― what is a man like that capable of? What will he do with her? What will he do?

His touch travels to her neck, tracing delicate lines. He doesn’t appear to want to hurt her, does he? That doesn’t mean he’s harmless. She arches her head back anyway, exposing her throat for him as if he can be trusted with it.

At last, he utters three words that seal her fate: “I’ll take her.”

In the blur that follows, the auctioneer is paid, (Name)’s new owner finishes his wine, and he holds her delicately as he leads her down the stairs. Even though she’s out of her cage, she doesn’t think she’s actually free.

“Come along, lovebird,” he murmurs into her ear. “I can’t wait to get to know the one who lit up my world.”

She isn’t sure what to think; too many new, fully blossomed emotions make her feel like they’re going to burst her open at the seams.

She leans against him regardless, somehow content in his embrace.

He doesn’t seem cruel, at least toward her.

Maybe that’s enough for her heart to settle.

[ziracona]

hhhh okay, now im wondering: on the topic of adiris and max being left to face the displeasure of the entity after ilm, and yeah we can all figure it would be downright unpleasant, but now i wonder... in From the Earth, you established that adiris is kind of the representative of an entire village of people. is that canon to ILM?

if it is, was that village thrown into the trial system in ILM? cuz i got this incredibly unpleasant mental image of poor adiris trying to placate her really pissed off god and it Not Working, and she finds herself on both sides of the stick, being forced to hunt the people from her village and also sometimes thrown into matches /with/ them against other reapers. the agony of poor adiris, who tries so hard to protect her people, being forced to hunt and sacrifice them to a god that had been harsh but... still hers, ya know? would she be able to maintain her faith in the Entity through that?

or even, in another bad timeline, when the entity starts gathering other survivors after recovering, what if it takes the dedicated village area away from adiris, tells her she needs to 'earn' her people back, and scatters the survivors into the forest to mix in with the other people it's gathered. dangling the carrot of reunification in front if adiris to force her to perform better, be even more cruel to people she's trying to save.

i have a lot of feelings about her, okay.

It could definitely do that to ring up some quick emotional pain, but I doubt it would. It’s got /such/ a good thing going with Adiris and her people—Adiris is utterly devoted to it. Nothing else there actually worships it: she does. And her entire town willingly sacrifices themselves routinely and live in a constant state of agony from their illness. They’re an unending, willing food source of both pain and joy, and it has like, 0 upkeep work. It just has to put in an occasional appearance, and get worshiped. Adiris speaks a language literally no one it ever takes is going to know, so no one can even try to talk her out of things. She’s got a whole village to keep her on its side, and she’s convinced the Entity is a big G god who sees her as special and saved her and her followers’ lives and made her a high priestess as an honor, which is like, what she dreamed of her whole life. I don’t think it would jeopardize that level of a sweet deal, without a damn good reason. It’s like with an emotionally manipulative and abusive partner or parent: they don’t threaten to kill you or your dog, unless you already are starting to get out from under their thumb. If you’re right where they want you, they won’t mess up a ‘good’ thing.

It would be terrible for Adiris if it did change, though. And it would have to do some major work to convince her it had a valid reason, which is a big reason it wouldn’t do that. She is like…/the/ perfect find for it. Most killers are afraid or opportunistic or broken or literally being forced every step: Adiris sincerely loves and would die for it. She’s one of a kind.

She really is. FtEoNR would have so much happen if I kept going. In my head, it’s probably got the coolest finale.

But yeah, mostly it was Max who lost out and went through hell post ILM

[friendofhayley]

Friendofhayley's Top Books of 2022 Pt. 1 LGBTQIA+ Fiction

This Book Rec is on LGBTQ+ books (realistic fiction edition). It includes 5 books. Let's go!!

"There are so many forms of Asian-parent tough love, where parents say and do mean things only because they want the best for us. Is all of that “tough love” abusive? What distinguishes tough-love parenting from abuse? After all, Mom did say she’s afraid of what other people might say about me. Even though she is mostly afraid that people might think she’s a bad parent, isn’t the fact that she’s worried about me a good thing?"

I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee | F/M both bisexual!!

This book follows Skye, a Korean-American bisexual girl in high school who wants to be the next K-Pop star. Her dancing is incredible but the biggest barrier to everyone else is her body. As someone is half-Korean and considered plus-size in that culture, this book definitely felt like something I've always wanted. It hurt but I definitely understood every character's intentions and I loved every second of it. (Even the painful parts. Do we all have mommy issues??) I will definitely read this again whenever I'm feeling down after hearing another Ajumma comment on my body.

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley | Sapphic Relationship

This book follows 2 girls: the daughter of the head Civil Rights leader in town and the daughter of his rival. Sarah is the leader of the small group of black students to start integration at Jefferson High. This story was ambitious and carried itself well which is mainly why it's a top book for me. Intersectionality is so important and this author emphasized race but also heavily included the LGBTQIA+ struggles as well in that lens. However, the author is white, so take it with a grain of salt.

"What if this—this rule that says what I did in the back room that day is a terrible sin—what if that’s just a rule some old white man made up, too?"

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera | Latinx Lesbians

Juliet goes on an internship to peek outside the closet by studying under a white cis feminist. She discovers the communities she belongs to and the drama they have, along with finding herself. I loved the queer joy in this book and the warm acceptance Juliet found everywhere in every pocket of the BIPOC community in all the corners of America. You can tell I love intersectionality.

"My God is Black. It’s queer. It’s a symphony of masculine and feminine. It’s Audre Lorde and Sleater-Kinney. My God and my understanding of God are centered on who I am as a person and what I need to continue my connection to the divine,” Maxine explained. She took a long breath. “It’s everyone’s job to come up with a theodicy. One that has room for every inch of who they are and the person they evolve into.”

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta | biracial gay man

This book is a metaphor for a biracial gay boy growing up while feeling like an outsider in two different worlds. The story is told in prose, yet it cuts you to the core. I absolutely loved this book and how it told this story. It's hard to even put into words how amazing it was. The characters were real and incredible, especially the drag queens.

"If you’re happy in the closet for the time being, play dress-up until you find the right outfit."

The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel | dykes & co

This book was an absolute delight. It has all the comic strips of this story showing the life of dykes (and their chosen families) from 1983 to 2003. It was literally queer joy seeing these characters grow from post-grad to settling down (or definitely not), finding themselves, and supporting each other.

[gealach-in-a-misty-world]

1837. Poppy had always loved the night, which is why it wasn’t too much of a bother to wake one evening in an unfamiliar home far from London, weak and confused and plagued with a terrible thirst for blood, to learn that she could no longer step out into the day. And while vampirism presented several disadvantages, it more than made up for those in its benefits: immortality, a body that could run at speed for hours without tiring, the thrill of becoming a predator, the thing that pulls rabbits from bushes and tears through their fur and flesh with the sharp point of a white fang. And, of course, Roisin. The mysterious woman who has lived for centuries, who held Poppy through her painful transformation, and who, for some reason, is now teaching her how to adjust to her new, endless life. A tight, lonely, buttoned-up woman, with kindness and care, pressed up behind her teeth. The time they spend together is as transformative to Poppy as the changes in her body, and soon, she finds herself hopelessly, overwhelmingly attached. But Roisin has secrets of her own, and can’t make any promises; not when vengeance must be served. Soon, their little world explodes. Together and apart, they encounter scores of vampires, shifty pirates, conniving opera singers, ancient nobles, glamorous French women, and a found family that throws a very particular sort of party. But overhead, threat looms—one woman who is capable of destroying everything Poppy and Roisin hold dear.

"I want to watch you split the world like an orange and drink the juice". Samara Breger's A Long Time Dead is a phenomenal standalone sapphic vampire tale that reads like the best Anne Rice. Breger's vampires seem to borrow a few things from The Vampire Chronicles, but they're so full of life that it's a joy to read. We're thrown right into the thick of action as Poppy wakes up after being turned and she spends the first part of her new life being helped through the transition by a tragic figure that she immediately comes to love. What follows is a slow and tormented and rich journey towards a found family; a tale about belonging and about overcoming abuse in a relationship.

Poppy isn't a gloomy protagonist; she's a ray of sunshine, and she cares deeply. Even when she faces hardships, she keeps her sunny personality. She's crass at times, but she's so alive, in every way. She loves the joys of food, and in fact the loss of it is one of the first things she bemoans when she realizes that now she has to feed exclusively on blood. Before being turned she was a sex worker, and she's always very candid in her desires. The numerous sex scenes in the book are never gratuitous, and they're so well written.

In general, the prose is fantastic. There are turns of phrase that grip you and amaze you and leave you reeling. Breger plays with the tropes of the genre and crafts a unique tale brimming with exhilarating tidbits and cameos and also fully exploring Catholic guilt. The choice to give very few chapters to Roisin works well, because we're given front seats to the depth of Poppy's devotion. Roisin is driven and consumed by the need for revenge, self-sacrificing; but gradually she finds her will to live again.

The rest of the cast is delightful, from Poppy's oldest friend to the Coven she finds, five vampires that welcome her into their lives and love her unconditionally; from her new mortal maid, just as foul-mouthed as her, to the incredible villain, a despicable and amoral character. Every thread is accounted for, every hint acknowledged and resolved and brought to a satisfying conclusion.

A Long Time Dead is a joyous gothic tale.

✨ 4.5 stars

[You can find more of my reviews about queer speculative fiction on my blog MISTY WORLD]

[lunarubra]

Oh my gods, I’m screaming!! This chapter was pure perfection, and I just want to keep Tommy and Nina safe in this little bubble of happiness forever. You’ve given us such a beautiful, intimate moment between them, but I have this sinking feeling that the drama ahead will shatter all this fluffiness and tenderness. I just want them to stay like this, wrapped up in each other, and not face what’s surely coming next.

The way you brought Tommy and Nina together in this chapter felt so natural, so inevitable, but it was still heart-wrenching. Nina’s vulnerability hit me hard, especially as she finally opened up about her trauma. Her internal battle—keeping her fears and past locked away—is something that’s been simmering for so long, and it was both painful and a relief to see her confide in Tommy. You can really feel how much she’s been carrying this weight alone, and when she finally lets it out, it’s like the floodgates open. Tommy's response was everything—his patience, his tenderness. He knew exactly what she needed in that moment, just pure, quiet support.

The kitchen scene at the beginning was a perfect setup for everything that followed. There’s something so comforting about their late-night routine, and I love how Tommy knows exactly where to find her, hoping she’d be making that “terrible tea” again (which I still want to try, just to see how bad it really is!). Their little moments in that quiet kitchen say so much about the connection they share—without words, you can sense how deeply they care for each other. And Tommy’s gentle reassurance, wiping away her tears, melted me. It’s in these small acts that we see the side of Tommy that’s been buried since the war, the soft, kind man who still exists beneath the surface, and it’s Nina who draws that out of him.

When they finally give in to their feelings, it was both tender and intense. I can’t get over how beautifully you wrote this scene—there was so much emotion layered into it. You didn’t just give us the physical connection; you gave us the weight of everything they’ve been holding back for so long. It felt earned, like a culmination of all the stolen glances, unspoken words, and quiet yearning. And Nina’s inner monologue afterward? Absolutely stunning. The way she reflects on how this moment has tied her to Tommy, how it’s filled a void inside her, was such a powerful insight into how deeply they’re connected. It’s more than just desire—it’s like they’ve found a missing part of themselves in each other.

I have to say, for someone who claimed writing these intimate scenes wasn’t their forte, you absolutely nailed it. It was passionate and raw, but also deeply emotional, which made it feel so much more real. And the way you ended the chapter...ugh, it was bittersweet. There’s this lingering sense of foreboding with that last line—“They would think about it tomorrow”—and I’m so nervous for what tomorrow will bring. Will they keep avoiding the conversation they desperately need to have? The tension of what’s unsaid between them is driving me wild, and I just want them to face it head-on already!

I’m both excited and terrified to see where you take us next, especially with the looming threat of Nina’s family. There’s no way they’ll let her happiness with Tommy last without interference, and I’m bracing myself for the fallout. But for now, I’m just going to hold onto this moment of joy and hope they can find their way through whatever’s coming.

An incredible chapter, Reb, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Tommy and Nina next—even if it makes me scream some more!

Heart, Body and Soul || Tommy Shelby x OC

PART IX

Summary: Tommy learns something more about Nina as she opens up to him about her past. Unable to ignore the feelings they have for each other any longer, they reach a point of no return.

Warnings: mentions of arranged marriage, slow-burn, small age-gap (Tommy’s 30, Nina is in her early 20s), time-typical misogyny, references to past attempted assault, harassment, violence, no proofreading, English is not my first language. This is set between season 1 and 2. This chapter is 18+, smut (it’s a spoiler but I need to say it). This is my first attempt ever at smut cause it isn’t my cup of tea, so it might not be that good. Also I didn’t want it to be just porn but I wanted it to be ✨functional✨ to the story and tell something, so I hope I did that.

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SERIES MASTERLIST

Gif credits

Dividers credits

Nina muttered a few curses under her breath as her elbow accidentally hit the bottle of milk standing on the table, spilling its content everywhere. She hastily grabbed some rugs, trying her best to contain the damage. Maybe deciding to bake so late at night hadn’t been her best idea. But she needed to keep herself busy or she would’ve lost her mind, because apparently sleeping was no longer an option for her.

She couldn’t sleep without having nightmares anymore, and all of them involved the same person. Stefano. Sometimes he had her pressed into the wall again, and no matter how hard she screamed, no one would come save her. Sometimes he was standing in her father’s study, arranging their marriage as if she weren’t there. Sometimes he was waiting for her at the end of the aisle, with a grin on his face and a glimpse of victory in his eyes. And every time she woke up feeling his weight on her again, and his breath on her face, and his hands up her legs. She told herself she was being dramatic, that she should’ve been glad nothing had actually happened and forget about it, but the feeling of disgust that had been pervading her since that fateful morning just wouldn’t go away.

What her father had said during the lunch had been the last straw. All that talk about leaving her free to make her own choice was nothing more than empty words, a way of keeping her sweet until he managed to persuade her. And she was scared, because she knew that if he made that decision for her, she wouldn’t have a say in the matter. Because the alternative would’ve been a break with the Spinietta family, and that was something they couldn’t afford.

She missed her nightly talks with Tommy. For almost a month, he had managed to take her mind off all the ugly things that were happening in her life. Talking came easy with him. She didn’t know how else to explain it except to say that they seemed to understand each other. It was surprising, to say the least. Sure, there were parts of him that stayed a mystery to her, and parts of her that she still couldn’t let show, but they felt more like something to discover rather than an obstacle. Still, that meant nothing. Those parts were not hers to discover, and he wasn’t supposed to get any closer to her than he had already done. So they had pushed each other away, and reduced their interactions to the bare minimum. But that didn’t make it any easier. She missed him, despite her attempts to keep him out of her head, and now that they didn’t talk anymore it was as if she was on her own again, trapped into a world that spoke a whole different language.

However, Nina wasn’t the only one who felt the weight of that distance. She was the one person who had made Tommy’s stay in Italy somewhat bearable, and her detachment had left him feeling… hollow.

It had also brought him back to the reality of his situation, though. There was a war going on on more than one side, and he needed to do what was necessary for him and his family. He was walking on a thin line that became more precarious the more he waited. He had two days left to propose, or else the deal would be off, and God knew what would happen then. The most absurd part of it all was that what rationally should’ve been his major concern was overshadowed by something else entirely. He was scared of what would happen to Nina once he’d be back in Birmingham with Agnese on his arm. He didn’t know what was exactly going on with Spinietta, but if there was one thing he had learned, it was that when a man there decided he wanted something, he’d take it, one way or another.

If he could’ve been sure it wouldn’t have started yet another war, Tommy would’ve taken his eyes days ago. And when It didn’t matter how much he told himself that it was the injustice that made him furious, deep down he was aware it wasn’t true. The truth was he cared about Nina. He cared about her in a way he wasn’t supposed to. He had no idea how it had happened, but she had managed to make her way into his heart with steps so light he didn’t even realise it until it was too late. And now thoughts of her filled his mind night and day.

He didn’t think he’d ever feel like that about someone again, after Grace. Grace had been the first person he had opened up to in a long time, he had allowed her to see those parts of himself he never let show, and he had realised there was still a small light inside of him, a sparkle that had survived the storm brought by the war. And he had thought that maybe there was still hope for him. When she betrayed him, the darkness engulfed him again, and any shred of hope he had left faded into dust. But just like a match, Nina had made that sparkle burst into a flame, showing him that it had never been extinguished in the first place. It overwhelmed him how much he wanted her. He could feel her in his bones, in his veins.

It would’ve been a lie to say that the thought of talking to her father hadn’t crossed his mind. But Nina was not something he could take for himself. He couldn’t rob her of her freedom. Even he wasn’t that bad. He could only be content with the little time he had with her, and carry it with him when everything would be over. Maybe that was the reason why he walked out of his room that night, in the hope that she’d be in the kitchen, making herself her terrible tea.

And there she was, except that - much to Tommy’s confusion- she wasn’t making tea. She was surrounded by bowls and pans, and there was flour spilled all over the table. Apparently unaware that she was no longer alone, she kept on stirring the batter with a whisk, with an aggressiveness that gave away her inner turmoil.

“What are you doing?” He caught her attention, earning himself a brief glance before she shifted her eyes back on her work.

“Baking,” she replied, her imperturbable expression clashing with her snappish motions.

Tommy frowned, walking further into the room. “It’s three in the morning, Nina.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

Nina’s statement made him cock an eyebrow in disbelief. It didn’t take a genius to guess that she wasn’t baking in the middle of the night because she craved some sweet treat, and her short answers and dismissive behaviour were all Tommy needed to understand that there was, in fact, something going on in that mind of hers.

Slowly, as one would do with a wounded animal, he approached her, and he could’ve sworn her breath had hitched in her throat. “Are you alright?” He asked, coming to a stop next to her.

Her movements ceased, and her hand clenched around the whisk before she let it go. She swallowed, keeping her gaze on the table, and Tommy wondered whether that reaction was due to the question or their proximity.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She recollected herself, sending him a sideward look.

Tommy knew better than to push her. Insisting would only cause her to shut down even more, and that was the last thing he wanted. So he pretended to believe her, and took a seat at the table without another word.

Silence fell in the room as Nina resumed mixing the ingredients, and a new feeling began to rise up inside her. It had been a while since they had spent some time alone, and she had started to surrender to the fact that it would never happen again. Yet, there they were. She would’ve liked to say that it was as if they had never been apart, but in truth it was different, now that she wasn’t lying to herself anymore. With the acknowledgment of her feelings, came the awareness that whatever was going on between them wasn’t destined to last, that the end was near, and that every moment they spent together could’ve been the last. And it didn’t feel right.

She had never felt that way about anyone. She didn’t even know she could be capable of it until she met him. He had made her question everything, even herself, and she despised him for it. She despised him for making all her certainties crumble, for taking everything she had ever known and turning it into an undefined mass of doubts, for making her feel things she was sure she could never feel for anyone else.

Nina could feel Tommy’s eyes on her has she put the chocolate cake in the oven, and that alone made her hands shake. Against all logic, his gaze on her was something she both craved and escaped, it made her feel uncovered and… seen. She wasn’t used to being seen.

Closing the oven, she pushed those thoughts away. There was no point in torturing herself over what could not be changed. She checked the time on clock on the wall. Forty minutes.

“I have to clean this mess,” she murmured, more to herself than to Tommy. One look at the disaster around her, and she already regretted her decision. She inhaled deeply as the thunderstorm of emotions she was trying so hard to contain threatened to slip out of her control, but soon tears welled up in her eyes. She turned her head away so that Tommy wouldn’t see them, but it was too late.

“Oi,” he furrowed his eyebrows, getting up from the chair. “What’s wrong, eh?”

Many things were wrong. Her family, Stefano, that. Whatever that was. “I have to clean this mess,” she repeated, her voice cracking.

“It’s alright, I’ll help you,” he said reassuringly, taking a few steps towards her, worry painted all over his face.

Nina shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. “No, no I can do it. It’s…” she trailed off, the knot in her throat making it difficult to even speak.

Tommy’s heart painfully squeezed in his chest. It was overwhelming, to see the suffering she hid behind her mask of fierceness and wit. It was never about the tiredness, or the lack of sleep, or the fucking dishes. She had things eating at her from the inside. Just like him.

“C’mere,” he gently brought his hands to her face, forcing her to look at him. A few tears fell from her eyes, then others followed, like incessant stream that could no longer be held back. “It’s alright,” he said softly, wiping them away. “It’s alright.”

Nina closed her eyes, letting herself be soothed by Tommy’s deep voice and the tender touch of his rough hands on her skin. His fingers traveled through her soft hair, brushing it away from her tear-stained cheeks, before resting on the sides of her face again. “This pain that you have,” he whispered, “share it with me.”

She brought her hands above his, looking up at him through her lashes. Her thumbs faintly stroked his skin, and he could read a hint of hesitation in her features. But when she guided his hands off her face and took a step back, he was certain that she had closed off again, leaving him outside of her mind.

As though nothing had happened, she started to clean up, and Tommy with her, despite her protests. For a while, the clinking of pots and the rush of water were the only noises that broke the stillness of the kitchen. Then, unexpectedly, Nina started to speak.

“It has been going on since I was fourteen,” she said, scrubbing a bowl. Tommy stayed silent, afraid that she’d change her mind if he even made a sound.

“I was in the..” she broke off, looking for the right word. “…ginnasio. I don’t know what it’s called in English. It’s after elementary school,” she explained. “Girls stop at elementary school, they don’t get a higher education. It’s not like it’s forbidden, but it’s just how things are. So as you can imagine, it caused quite the scandal.”

Tommy grabbed a towel, drying the utensils that Nina washed as he listened.

“It caught Stefano’s attention. He studied at the liceo, which is after the ginnasio. He always came to talk to me, asked me questions. My brothers had already finished school at the time, so he was free to approach me without anyone saying anything.” She paused, taking her time to properly clean the whisk. “It didn’t bother me, at first,” she admitted, and Tommy caught a trace of shame in her tone. “He was good looking, a bit older, and he was fairly nice to me. Most girls in the village were in love with him and his brother. I had no idea about what they did.” She handed him a spoon, keeping her gaze on the sink. “Then one day I saw them beating a man half to death in his own shop cause he hadn’t paid for protection. I didn’t even know what protection was,” a laugh escaped her lips, but there was no humour in it. “I have my way of finding out stuff, and people talk, words spread. And once I learned who he was, I decided that I didn’t want anything to do with him. I thought I just had to be patient, cause he was on his last year of school. He asked me to be his girlfriend, on the last day before summer break, and I said no. I thought he’d leave me alone after that,” her voice lowered. “He didn’t. Even when he finished school, he’d always find the way to come to me, to talk to me. He became insistent, he thought I was being difficult, that I was saying no because I didn’t want to say yes right away.”

Fucking bastard, Tommy thought.

“The more time passed, the more I saw, and learned,” Nina continued, her eyes darkening at some distant memory. “And I found out Stefano and his brother had a habit of dragging girls into their car. I didn’t know what it was that they did to them, back then. But it was scary. I stole my brother’s pocket knife, just in case, and always took it with me.”

Tommy almost felt sick. It was even worse than he had imagined. It had been going on for years, ever since she was a little more than a child. Years, and she had never said anything. A question burned on the tip of his tongue, a question whose answer he feared, but that he needed to ask nonetheless. For the first time since she had started telling the whole story, he spoke. “Did you… did you ever need to use it?”

She fell silent, and for a moment he thought he had screwed up. But then she nodded. “Yes.”

His stomach dropped at her revelation, and he stopped what he was doing to take a look at her. He could read the effort she was making to talk about that on her face.

“I was buying groceries with Agnese, and she had stopped in a shop. He came to me while I was waiting for her, tried to convince me to go with him in his car. I pointed that knife at his throat the moment he tried to grab me.” Her voice had hardened, her eyes burning with the determination he had witnessed so many times. “That scar he has, it’s because of me.”

Tommy exhaled the breath he hadn’t even noticed he was holding. Although enraged, he was relieved that Nina didn’t share the destiny of those girls before her, that she had been able to hold her own. Something really close to pride swelled in his chest.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t make him stop. If anything, it made him worse. The fact that our families do business together didn’t help. Soon he was everywhere. At church, outside my school, he even helped my mum with the groceries. I only had some rest when the war came. His father sent him and his brother to their relatives in New York, so that they wouldn’t fight. I hoped he’d stay there, but he came back. And he started again.”

Having finished to wash the utensils, Nina began to put them back in their place. “Recently, he went to speak with my father. He wants to marry me. That was why he was invited here for lunch.”

Tommy felt the blood freeze in his veins. He had imagined the nature of Stefano’s visits to the Ferrante house, but knowing it for sure was an entirely different thing. The thought of Nina being married to that fucker made him sick to his stomach. “What you just said to me,” he said, “tell your family. They’ll understand.”

Nina shook her head, the shadow of a sad smile growing on her face. “I tried.”

She kept herself busy with the last things that needed tidying up, the topic clearly being a raw nerve. “The first time Stefano followed me home from school I went to my father,” she elaborated, wiping the table. “He asked me if I had, perhaps, done something to… encourage that behaviour. To make him believe that I wanted that kind of attention.”

She finally put down the rag, then she went to wash her hands, dismissing the subject as if it was nothing. But that wasn’t nothing. That was a lot, and she didn’t deserve it. It was no wonder she always acted as if it was just her against the whole world. She had to protect herself for years.

“I’m sorry,” Tommy said truthfully. It was the only sentence he could muster up. What could he possibly say, after what she had told him?

Yet, those words had an effect on Nina. All that time, she had felt like it was somehow her fault, or something she had to get over. But that short sentence, said with so much sincerity, carried a meaning of its own. I’m sorry that happened to you. It was the recognition that something had indeed happened, and that it wasn’t something she had done, but something had been done to her. Maybe she was overthinking that, maybe he had only said the first thing that came to his mind, but she needed to hear it.

After that, she let the conversation drop. She would’ve probably regretted sharing that much in the morning, but for the moment she felt lighter. The burden that had weighed down on her shoulders for so long wasn’t as heavy, now that she wasn’t carrying it alone. And even if it lasted just for one night, even if that weight came crashing down on her again the next day, it was enough.

Ten minutes later or so, she took the cake out of the oven, then covered it with a clean tea towel. It would’ve been fun to explain to her mother where it came from. “It’s late,” she murmured, glancing at Tommy. He was leaning against the table, an indecipherable look on his face. Her gaze was captured by the way the muscles of his shoulders showed through his undershirt, then lingered on his forearms, exposed by his rolled-up sleeves. A warm flush crept up her cheeks, and she found herself taken aback by her own thoughts. She really needed to sleep. And Tommy, who she had kept up with her. A sense of guilt pervaded her. Things weren’t easy for him either, and he needed to rest as well. She cleared her throat, hesitantly getting closer to him. “Thank you,” she whispered, resting her hand on his arm. “For staying.”

Tommy turned to look at her, his body stiffening. That contact was enough to send a chill down his spine. Only the thin material of his undershirt was separating his skin from her fingers, yet her touch burned, awakening all the sensations he had been trying to keep at bay. She was beautiful, and mere inches away from him, and her scent was making his head spin. His eyes drifted to her lips. He still remembered how they tasted, and that only added to his yearning. As though it didn’t belong to him anymore, his hand moved to delicately stroke her cheek, the roughness of his knuckles contrasting with the softness of her skin. Her eyelids fluttered closed as she almost involuntarily leaned closer. With a burning desire clouding his judgment, Tommy tentatively pressed his mouth on hers, testing the waters. When her lips started to move against his, his hand went to cup the back of her head, deepening the kiss. It was different than the first time, when his eagerness was so intense that he couldn’t bring himself to be gentle. He kissed her slowly, delicately, as if she might break in his hands.

Nina did feel like she could break at any moment. Vulnerable, exposed. And the craziest part was that she didn’t mind, not even a bit. Because she felt safe, in his arms. However, once again, reality set over her like a dark mist. She slightly moved away, shaking her head. “We can’t do this, Tommy,” she whispered.

He nodded, closing his eyes shut. They were still close enough for their noses to brush, and the tried to imprint that feeling in his mind, in his soul. “I know,” he rasped.

Neither of them moved for a while. Neither of them wanted to. They had been restraining themselves for so long. But it was too late. Inhaling sharply, Tommy took a step back, and a feeling of coldness engulfed both of them.

Nina paced back and forth in her room, fragments of what had happened less than ten minutes ago in the kitchen playing in her head again and again. It felt as if she had reached a point of no return. She couldn’t lie to herself anymore. She couldn’t go against herself anymore. She wanted him. It didn’t matter how much she tried to convince herself that she didn’t, that she should step aside before it became serious, that she’d forget about him anyway. None of it was true. She had tried so hard to put an end to that, to push him away, but she hadn’t been able to. She felt selfish, and cruel, and a traitor for that. And the worst thing was she didn’t care. In that moment, she didn’t care at all. She wanted to be selfish. She wanted to be cruel. She wanted to be a traitor. For once, she didn’t want to think about anyone but herself.

Fuck it, she thought. She walked out of her room, her pulse racing. It wasn’t fear, she wasn’t scared of being caught. With her parents’ chamber being in the other corridor and her brothers being away on business, no one would see her entering Tommy’s room. It was the anticipation for something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She stopped in front of the door, pondering whether to knock, just open it, or simply leave, feeling her courage already slip away from her. What if he didn’t want to see her? What if he was already asleep?

Determined not to let the whirlwind of thoughts and panic scare her out of it, she brought her fist to the wooden surface. The seconds stretched into an eternity as she waited, nervously fidgeting with her fingers, and when the sound of his footsteps came to her ears, she thought her heart could jump right out of her chest. Tommy opened the door, confusion painted across his features, but before he could say anything, Nina pulled him in and crashed her lips against his. It didn’t take much for him to recover from the surprise and wrap a strong arm around her waist, pulling her inside as he closed the door with his free hand. She found herself trapped against the hard surface, enveloped by the warmth radiating from him as their bodies pressed together. Her hands slid behind his neck, bringing him impossibly closer, eager to feel more. The feeling of his strong frame all over her made her knees buckle, and she was pretty sure she would’ve ended up on the floor hadn’t he been holding her. His smell, which had become now so familiar to her - a mixture of soap and cigarette smoke, with a hint of whiskey-, invaded her nostrils, making her head spin.

His hands roamed down her body, covered by the cotton nightgown. He gripped at the soft material, feeling the last shred of his self control drift away from him. It was too much. She was too much. God knew how much he wanted her, but he didn’t want her to do something she was going to regret. Once they had crossed that line, they couldn’t go back. “Nina,” he groaned, breaking away from her. “We have to stop now. I have to stop now.”

“Don’t.”

In the dim light of the room, Tommy examined her expression, only to see there was not a trace of doubt in her eyes. He gulped, gently stroking her cheek. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He leaned with his forehead against hers, rubbing his thumb on the skin of her jaw. “Tell me to stop and I’ll stop,” he husked. “At any moment.”

She nodded, but when he leaned in to kiss her again, she put her hands on his chest. “Wait,” she blurted out, causing him to take a step back. “I’ve never…” Nina didn’t finish her sentence, but she didn’t need to.

Shit. Tommy had imagined it, of course, he was no fool, but having it confirmed… He shouldn’t. He really shouldn’t. But there was a part of him that didn’t care at all. The bad he couldn’t help.

“Do you want me to stop?”

Nina pondered her answer, the reality of the situation washing over her. Theoretically, she knew what to expect. Practically, it was a whole different thing. And she knew that if she said yes, she’d be ruined. Still, she didn’t care. And she was hit by the overwhelming awareness that she’d let him do whatever he wanted to her. “No,” she breathed out.

She felt like she could melt right there when he raised her chin to capture her lips again. What started as a tender kiss became more heated, and soon he was basically devouring her, unable to restrain himself any longer.

Tommy had thought about that moment more than he’d ever admit, and now that she was actually there in his arms, it almost felt unreal. Yet she was there, and she was trusting him. And as he grabbed her waist to press her against him, he noticed his own hands were shaking.

Nina tilted her head as he started to leave a trail of kisses down her neck. A gasp escaped her lips when he reached a particularly sensitive spot, and an unfamiliar ache spread between her tighs, causing her to unconsciously rub them together. Her reaction didn’t go unnoticed, cause she felt his lips twisting in a grin against her skin. He moved down to her collarbones, then perilously close to her breasts. His fingers travelled up to the straps of her nightgown as he pulled back slightly, a silent question in his eyes. When she nodded, he slowly slid them down her shoulders, uncovering her inch after inch, until she was standing in front of him with nothing on but her knickers.

Her heart raced as she saw desire burning in Tommy’s eyes. Except it wasn’t just desire, or lust. There was something more, something she couldn’t read. No one had ever looked at her that way. With trembling hands, she shyly took ahold of the hem of his undershirt. Her fingers brushed against his skin as she raised it, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps and making his muscles twitch. Once the clothing was lying on the on the floor, she allowed herself to look at him, and explore him. She delicately traced the bullet scar on his shoulder, as if she might hurt him by pressing too hard, then the tattoo on his chest, then the lines of his abdomen, everything that told the story of his life. It was like watching a masterpiece. A torn, tainted masterpiece, but a masterpiece nonetheless.

Her hands reached his trousers, but she raised her gaze on him before unbuttoning them. A glimpse of something that looked a lot like surprise crossed his face, almost as though he wasn’t expecting her to ask. Then he gave her a single nod. After helping her remove them, he gently guided her towards the bed.

A mixture of edginess and anticipation took over Nina as Tommy positioned himself on top of her, one hand beside her head to support himself, the other ghosting over her breasts. She arched her back as he ran his thumb over one of her hardened nipples, the new, strange sensation becoming more and more pleasant as he fondled her flesh. He leaned down to pepper her chest with kisses, his lips warm and soft, then he trailed down to her stomach, her ribs, her belly. That new attention had her squirming under him, eliciting a deep chuckle from Tommy that caused her face to flush. His lips travelled up again to meet hers in a slow, sensual kiss that fogged her brain so much that she almost didn’t notice his hand making its way down to her most private parts. Breath hitched in her throat as he ran his fingers over her clothed sex.

“Do you trust me?” he asked her, his voice reverberating in her own chest. He raised his head to look at her, studying her expression.

Nina’s hand found its place on the back of his head, the short locks tickling her palm. She didn’t even need to think about her answer. One look at his face and she knew. She did trust him, with all her heart. She pulled him down to press a tender kiss on his mouth. “Yes,” she whispered.

Still close enough for their lips to brush, Tommy delicately rubbed his fingers over her heat, stimulating the area while allowing her to get used to the sensation of being touched. When his fingertip found her clit, she let out an involuntary gasp, her fingers tightening around the nape of his neck. He then pushed her knickers to the side, caressing the wet folds before stopping at her opening. Slowly, he inserted one of his digits, and she winced at the foreign, mildly uncomfortable feeling. Tommy stilled his movements, giving her the time to get adjusted.

“Is this alright?”

“Yes,” she breathed out.

He began to pump his finger in and out, careful not to go too deep just yet. Nina let out a ragged breath, pleasure building up inside her as she gradually got used to the feeling. His thumb rolled over her clit, the unexpected move eliciting a whimper out of her. Her breathing became more laboured as he added another finger, stretching her further.

Tommy took in the sight of her under him, eyes closed, swollen lips parted, her eyebrows slightly furrowed in a frown. God, she was beautiful. And she was his, even if just for one night. He moved faster and deeper, working her open until he felt it was enough. A whine of protest left her lips when he removed his fingers, and he smirked at the reaction. “Be patient,” he playfully scolded her, earning himself a glare.

He got rid her now inconvenient last piece of clothing, then took off his briefs. Nina couldn’t help but let her gaze wander to the newly exposed part, and a wave of concern overcame her. It couldn’t possibly fit.

Tommy gently parted her legs more to settle between them and hovered above her again, but he must’ve read the apprehension on her face. “Do you want to stop?” he murmured, running his knuckles over her cheek.

His attentiveness warmed Nina’s heart, dissolving any fear she had. She was safe with him. He wouldn’t hurt her. “No,” she shook her head.

He cradled her head in one of his hands and leaned in to place a sweet kiss on her forehead, then lined himself up with her entrance. Nina braced herself for what was to come, her fingers ghosting over his shoulders in a soothing motion. Tommy inserted his tip, and she couldn’t hold back a stifled gasp at the intrusion. He stood still for a moment, reassuringly rubbing her waist with a hand, then pushed a bit further inside her tight slit. Nina squeezed her eyes shut, the burning sensation almost unbearable.

“You alright?” he asked, the effort he was making to restrain himself showing through the rasp of his voice. Her velvety walls were squeezing him in the most delightful way, and it took all his self-control to stop there.

She nodded, silently giving him the permission to go on. Pain and pleasure mixed as he carefully worked his way past her resistance, until he was buried deep inside of her. He stilled again, giving her the time to adjust to his size. That feeling of fullness took her breath away, it was intoxicating. He was intoxicating. She pulled him impossibly close, eager to feel every inch of his skin on her skin, to melt into him until she could no longer tell where she started and he ended. A low groan reverberated into her ear as she pushed her hips up against his, encouraging him to move. Tommy started rolling his hips, setting a slow, sensual pace that allowed both of them to feel everything with the outmost depth. His lips claimed hers in a searing kiss, stifling the moans that threatened to escape them. Nina’s hands went to cup his face, the softness of his lips enough to distract her from the last shreds of pain and help her relax, thus allowing him to go even deeper. His teeth grazed her bottom lip, further igniting the fire inside of her.

So that was what Nina had been warned about all her life. That was the sin she had been taught she should avoid at all costs, the sin that would bring shame and ignominy upon her and all her family. And she was surprised to find out that it didn’t feel like a sin. It didn’t feel wrong. How could there be shame in that, when it felt so right? How could there be shame in being in the arms of someone she cared so deeply about, who made her feel so safe? Where was the shame?

Tommy’s hands rested on the back her thighs, fingers squeezing the flesh as he felt her tightening around him. He wanted to take it slow, to savour that moment, but it was getting harder and harder as her warmth, her scent, her shaky breaths clouded his senses. It felt like being in a bubble. Nothing else mattered, nothing else was real. Time had stopped for them to exist in that moment.

Nina hid her face in the crook of his neck as he quickened his pace, feeling her muscles tightening in her lower stomach. Tommy guided her to wrap her legs around him, the new angle making her see stars. His thrusts became more erratic, more frantic, causing that strange feeling in her abdomen to become even stronger. “Tommy,” she whimpered, overwhelmed by that vortex of sensations.

“Let it happen, love,” he whispered in her ear, his length twitching at the way his name sounded on her lips.

With a few more thrusts, he pushed her over the edge, and she had to press her mouth over his shoulder to silence the sounds she couldn’t hold back anymore. It didn’t take long for Tommy to follow her, his hips jerking as he spilled himself inside of her.

The world stood still as they stayed in each other’s embrace, Tommy’s cheek brushing against hers. He buried his nose in her dark hair, inhaling her lavender scent. For once, his head was silent. No nagging thoughts, no shovels against the wall. Just peace.

Nina gently stroked the back of his head, breathing deeply as her heart slowed down to a normal rate. Fuck, she had never felt anything like that. It had been… intense. And it had tied her to him more than she could’ve ever imagined. It was scary, to be so connected to someone. To feel someone that much. That was the right expression. She felt him. As if he were part of herself. As if there had been an empty spot inside her soul, and she had lived with it all her life, only to find that it was him the missing piece.

A sudden blast of cold hit her when Tommy got up, depriving her of his warmth and weight. She watched in confusion as he disappeared in his private bathroom, wondering whether something had happened. She sat up on the bed, bringing her knees to her chest. Had she done something wrong?

However, she didn’t need to worry for long, cause soon Tommy walked back into the room, with his private parts now covered by a pair of briefs and a fresh towel in his hand. Without saying a word, he climbed back on the bed, smiling softly at the puzzled look on her face. Slightly embarrassed now that the disinhibition brought by the feverish state they had previously been in had faded, she felt her cheeks grow hot when he gently spread her legs apart. He delicately ran the towel over her sensitive skin, cleaning her up from the sticky mess between her legs, his eyebrows knitted in a concentrated frown. Once again, his attentiveness made her heart skip a bit, and she was amazed by how easy it was to let him take care of her. She never let anybody take care of her.

As Tommy discarded the towel somewhere on the floor, Nina’s attention was caught by the blood stain on the white top sheet. Shit. She got up to remove it from the bed, doing her best to ignore what she’d prefer would stay tomorrow’s problem. “I’ll have to take care of it in the morning,” she murmured.

Tommy laid on the bed again, then reached for the cigarettes on his nightstand to light one. He watched her as she looked for her nightgown among the mess of clothes on the floor, naked, with only her long, ruffled hair to cover her a little. She was quite the sight.

Much to his dismay, she soon found what she was looking for, and covered herself. He exhaled a cloud of smoke, motioning for her to get back in bed, having had enough of having her away from him. “C’mere.”

Nina gladly took her place back next to him, resting with her head on his chest as he draped an arm over her shoulders. She could’ve stayed there forever. But she knew that it wouldn’t be long before the sun made its appearance on the horizon.

They stayed in silence as Tommy smoked his cigarette, his fingertips mindlessly grazing her arm. He didn’t want to think about tomorrow, or about what would happen next. He wanted to stay in that moment while he still could, because he knew he wouldn’t get it back. That thought stung. But he was aware they needed to have that conversation. This time they couldn’t just pretend nothing had happened, and the sooner they talked, the sooner they would clear things out.

“Nina,” he whispered, but no reaction came from her. She had fallen asleep.

Tommy stubbed his cigarette in the ashtray, then turned the small lamp off. He didn’t have the heart to wake her up.

They would think about it tomorrow.

NEXT CHAPTER

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[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

12/9/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

Romans 8-10

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological. I'm Jill. Today is the 9th day of December. Welcome everybody. It's so good to be here with you as we wind our way through the Bible- completion of the Bible and just less than a month which is kind of crazy to think about but that is the whole reason why we're here. And what an incredible thing it is to see so many people, so many believers, wanting to know God through his word and to be enlightened by the word and to allow the Spirit of God to speak to us as we meet here with him. That is truly my hope and prayers that we are all engaging in a more intimate relationship with God through his word- intimacy with Christ that is the goal. Today we're continuing the book of Romans, reading chapters 8, 9 and 10 and today's the last day in the Christian Standard Bible. Romans chapter 8. 

Prayer:

Father we thank you for your word. We thank you for this week, this time that we've had together, this transformation in our hearts from the inside out. We let go of all that we're carrying that is not ours to carry. We release worry and anxiety, the things that we are anxious about that are out of our control. We give them to you, lay them at the cross of Christ. I ask that as we are turning the page and heading into a new week tomorrow that we would consider the things that we are giving ourselves to. Are they life-giving? Will they lead us to righteousness? Will they lead us to life and life more abundantly? I pray that we would take you with us everywhere we go and be true examples of a follower of Christ. I pray this now in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Announcements: 

That's going to do it for me today. I'm Jill. We'll turn the page together tomorrow and start a brand new week together. Until then, love one another.

Community Prayer Line: 

Greetings to you my DAB family. This is Walking in The Light in Tennessee. I am just checking in to say hello to everyone and to ask for prayers again for the many many things that are going on in my own life. If you'll just lift up walking in the light in Tennessee and ask for peace that would be a great blessing unto me. But I'm calling in because I heard Ebony from Nashville I believe and she was talking about- Ebony you were talking about having migraines and I went through a period in my life early on when I was raising my children- I had terrible terrible terrible migraines and so whenever I hear of anyone who is suffering in that area I'm always touched in my heart and lifted in my spirit to pray for you. So I want to pray for you my sister. It's probably many of you who are on DAB have had migraines and if you haven't, then stop right now pause and thank God that you haven't and if you have join us in the prayer of deliverance. Father God, in the name of Jesus we know oh Lord that you are able to do all things and we know that we suffer in this life. Your word even tells us that in this world we would have tribulation but we are to be of good cheer because you have overcome the world. So Lord I ask that you would place your loving hands and healing hands on my sister Ebony in Tennessee and relieve her of the pain of migraines. In this season of hope and joy, we ask it in Jesus name. Lord I love you and I love this family. Be blessed everyone and have a Merry Merry Christmas. Bye. 

Good morning DABC, it's His redeemed daughter from Florida. I wanted to come on and say a little prayer for Mindy who lost her dad. Mindy I just lost my dad too in September- you in November. And it was kind of a sudden thing but my older sister's nickname is Mindy as well so I just really felt compelled to come on here and pray for you and for your mom. And even though we know and we know that our dads are with the Lord, it's just always the fact that we're going to miss them so much. And you're right, life is not going to be the same without them and the holidays come up and we just miss them. So I just pray for you and then praying peace for your mom and for you both. And just want you to know that we are here for you and for Ebony she called about the migraines and said that somebody had laid hands on her and she felt she was healed. I just want to give you a little thing that happened to me when somebody laid hands on me to quit smoking at church one time- I really believe that I was going to be healed, too. It took 6 years. To me it could have been 6 days because his timing is totally different than ours. So just believe when you feel like you don't believe. You know that prayer- help Jesus, help my unbelief. Have to say that a lot, too. So just keep believing and we'll keep praying for those migraines but that you are healed. He probably definitely has healed you. Absolutely, just believe. Love you guys. 

Good morning DAB, this is Tanya from Suffolk. I wanted to lift up Kindergarten Katie, Mindy called in to reference to her father passing and then also Ebony from Tennessee. I think she said as well called in dealing with migraines. So father I lift up your children to you father. Dear Lord I'm asking father you just to have your way Lord God. Father you know what Kindergarten...Father I'm asking you to intervene right now in the mighty name of Jesus. I'm trusting believing Lord God that your will be done in her life father and many father. Thank you for allowing her father to be at rest Lord God, to be with you Lord God and glory Lord. And just continue to strengthen her and her family as well and her mom though God for the many years that they have been married father, just continue to wrap your loving arms around them in your son Jesus' name. And also for Mindy with the migraine father. I'm asking Lord God. I'm sorry Ebony... father I'm asking Lord God you just to continue God to show her favor. Lord God we continue to buy these headaches. Father we know she have been healed and delivered Lord God from the migraines. Lord God we continue to stand on that continuous trust despite Lord God the outbreak of headache that she has been having. Father we know this is not of you. Look I was just continue to trust you, continue to love you Lord God in your son Jesus' name. Amen. As always they have seen. Continue to be encouraged. I love you all. I'm continue to, I just continue to lift everyone in prayer- I can't remember everybody's name...I'm just trusting believing right now in Jesus name. Amen. You guys have a wonderful day.

[the-mess-of-a-dreamerrr]

The phenomenon of Sam

12.28.22

When driving down the interstate praying every morning I sometimes like to wonder where everyone around me is off to. Are they going to work as well? Dropping off their kids to school? Road trip and Birmingham is just a place they are passing through? There are endless possibilities as to where people are going and what is running through their mind as they ping pong their way through traffic at 7am. There are all billions of people living different lives all going through different pain, joy, and sorrows but yet all find themselves on the same road at the same time. It's wild if you think about it. Almost as wild as me meeting him at a minor league baseball game at 16. 

I’ve always thought back to that summer, that month in July, him. I’ve tried to rationalize it, pick it apart, ignoring it, but nothing seems to work to make sense of the phenomenon of sam. You see, I kept a secret from him for years. When we met he had no idea how broken of an individual I was. How dark my nights were after he dropped me off from the 3rd movie marathon of the week. The light his friendship gave off was enough that months and years later I still felt a glimmer of it. It was enough to keep me going. 

For a long time I thought we ended the way everything else did in my life. He got bored and wanted to spend his time with more interesting people. Which, I was terribly broken about but I understood. He wrote to me last week about what was going on in his life at the time. When I read it I wanted to laugh. Not at him, but at life. I felt like life was laughing at us. Who were we to believe that two kids can meet in highschool go through actual hell in their brains and think they can just fall in love?! This isn’t some romance story, this is life. Some may say a freaking mess of two dreamers who believed that if one thing were different that things would be different today. 

My heart breaks for young Sam doing everything in his power to be able to take full breaths. How tired he must have felt from running from everything with the feeling that every second the rug was about to be pulled out from under him. I wish I could’ve talked to him about this. I could’ve been the person that spoke the truth into him about who he was and maybe we could have made our own pact like I had with Jami. Make it to 18 and make it to a doctor that can help us because minds are not supposed to feel like jail cells. You aren't supposed to feel trapped. 

I also am struck by how him running and “following his gut” I think contributed to one of his best qualities…following his dreams. I think it taught him how to jump when most people would be too afraid to stand on the ledge. He just needed to learn when it was okay and beneficial to stay and be. It took him a long time to get the help that he deserved but I think those years created a Sam that is so valuable to the world. He coined it best in his letter saying how one of his greatest gifts is how he deals with people and how gentle he is with others. I think with every valley that he walks through he shows up on the other side stronger than ever. What an incredible unstoppable force. 

I don’t know where this leaves my brain with "the phenomenon of Sam." We were two kids struggling to stay alive when we met oblivious to each other's pain. We parted ways and each went to live separate lives in different cities. I think him telling me this story gives me some bitter sweet peace. I don’t know if Sam and I “belong together” or are just two people that mesh together beautifully and are meant to share small important meaningful roles in each other's lives. But I know without a doubt that we were supposed to both be at the same minor league stadium that day. That the world, though incredibly cruel with its humor and poetry of all of it, gave me the gift of knowing Sam. And for that, I am incredibly thankful.

-MV

[hc-geralt-23]

Eclipsed Hearts: A Tale of Betrayal and Broken Trust Alternate ending

Chapter 1: The Revelation

The sun cast a warm golden glow as the reader watched Joel Miller from a distance. It was their favorite spot, a hidden alcove overlooking the lake. They couldn't help but smile as they saw him laughing, his eyes sparkling with joy. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, creating an idyllic scene. But as the reader approached, their heart sank.

Hidden behind the trees, they overheard a conversation that would shatter their world forever. Joel's voice mingled with laughter, but the reader froze when they heard a soft voice respond. It wasn't theirs. The realization hit them with the force of a sledgehammer - Joel had been unfaithful.

Reader (whispering, voice choked with emotion): Joel... how could you?

Joel's Laughing Companion: I can't believe we finally found this place. It's so beautiful.

Joel (his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and guilt): Yeah, it's incredible. I'm glad we got to experience it together.

Reader (whispering, tears streaming down their face): Together... but... he promised, he vowed to be faithful. How could he betray me like this?

Joel's laughter echoed in the distance, leaving the reader grappling with the painful revelation as they retreated from the hidden alcove, their heart heavy with sorrow.

Chapter 2: Following Tommy

Days turned into nights as the reader drowned in their grief and anger. They needed to distance themselves from the memories that haunted every corner of their shared home. With determination shimmering in their eyes, they decided to track down Joel's brother, Tommy, in Jackson.

Arriving in Jackson, the reader found solace in the warm embrace of its community. The townspeople welcomed them with open arms, providing a sanctuary from the chaos of their shattered relationship. The reader couldn't help but find comfort in the thought of starting anew in this place, where love and trust were held sacred.

Reader (whispering to themselves): Maybe... maybe here in Jackson, I can heal. Maybe I can find a sense of peace amidst the wreckage of my heart.

As the reader settled into their new surroundings, the warmth and kindness of the community began to pull at their heartstrings. They saw the love between friends, the support and compassion shared, and it offered a glimmer of hope. Perhaps in this place, they could rebuild their shattered world.

Chapter 3: Joel's Arrival

Months later, the reader's heart skipped a beat as Joel and Ellie arrived in Jackson. Their worlds collided once again, but this time, the reader was prepared. They moved through the crowds, hoping to remain unnoticed, but fate had other plans.

Their breath hitched when they accidentally bumped into Joel, their gaze locking for a painful moment. In those eyes, the reader saw regret and sorrow, a mirror reflecting their own emotions. It was a moment that ignited a mix of anger, hurt, and a lingering love that refused to die.

Reader (voice trembling): Joel...

Joel (voice filled with pain and longing): I didn't think I would ever see you again... I thought I lost you forever.

Reader (voice filled with a mixture of anger and vulnerability): You betrayed me, Joel. How could you do this to us? To our love?

Joel (lowering his eyes, voice filled with regret): I made a terrible mistake, and I'm so sorry. I can't imagine the pain I've caused you. But please, give me a chance to explain, to make amends.

Chapter 4: Joel's Pursuit of Redemption

Joel couldn't bear the weight of the reader's unspoken pain and broken heart. He mustered the strength to approach them, begging for forgiveness. With a trembling voice, he laid bare his soul, explaining the choices he made and the fractures it caused. Tears slipped down his rugged face as he awaited a response.

Joel (voice filled with remorse and anguish): I was lost, consumed by my own demons, and I made a terrible mistake. It was never about love, or replacing you. It was a moment of weakness, and I regret it every single day. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I had to let you know how truly sorry I am.

Reader (voice raw with pain): How could I ever trust you again, Joel? How could I believe your words when they shattered my world?

Joel (voice cracking with emotion): I understand that trust cannot be rebuilt overnight. But I promise you, with every fiber of my being, that I will spend the rest of my days proving myself to you. I will do whatever it takes to earn your trust back, to mend the fractures I caused.

Chapter 5: The Reader's Unforgiving Heart

The reader's heart remained hardened, unwilling to forgive Joel's betrayal. They had been wounded too deeply, the pain etched in their every fiber. The mere sight of Joel filled them with anguish, a reminder of the love that had been tarnished.

Reader (voice filled with bitterness): Joel, I can't just forget what you've done. Your betrayal has left a stain on my heart that can never be erased. I can't trust you anymore.

Joel (voice breaking, tears streaming down his face): I understand how much I've hurt you, and I can't blame you for not forgiving me. But please, give me a chance to make things right, to show you how deeply sorry I am.

Reader (voice filled with anger): Sorry isn't enough. Sorry won't change what you did. I deserve someone who respects and cherishes me, someone who would never dream of betraying our love. You're not that person, Joel. I will never forgive you for what you've done.

Chapter 6: Love Lost and Lessons Learned

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the reader's heart remained closed off, unwilling to let Joel back in. Their anger fueled their determination to move on, to rebuild their life without him.

Joel (voice filled with despair): I've lost the person I love most, and it's all my fault. I thought redemption was possible, that love could conquer all. But I see now that some love is too shattered to be repaired.

Reader (voice tinged with sadness): We had something special once, something I thought would last forever. But your betrayal shattered more than my heart; it shattered my trust in love. I hope you've learned your lesson, Joel. I hope you never hurt someone the way you hurt me.

Chapter 7: The Unseen Path

Life moved forward for both Joel and the reader, their paths diverging in search of healing and happiness. The reader found solace in their own strength, in the love of friends and family who supported them through the darkest moments.

However, an unexpected turn of events brought them together once again. Joel's actions, unbeknownst to the reader, had consequences that neither of them could have foreseen.

Joel (voice filled with desperation): Reader, I never stopped loving you. I made a mistake, and I'm sorry for the pain I caused. There's something big happening, something that could put us all in danger. I need your help.

Reader (voice filled with skepticism): Why should I trust you? You've already proven that your words mean nothing. I have no reason to believe you.

Joel (voice pleading): If you won't help me for our sake, then please, help me for the sake of everything we once had. I would do anything to protect you, even if it means facing the consequences of my own mistakes alone.

Chapter 8: Forging a Fragile Alliance

The reader's heart softened just a fraction, enough to consider Joel's plea. They could see the desperation in his eyes, the hint of remorse that still lingered. But forgiveness was still a distant dream, and trust would never be fully restored.

Reader (voice filled with cautiousness): I will help you, Joel, but this doesn't mean I forgive you. Our alliance will be fragile, built on necessity rather than love. Don't mistake my assistance for reconciliation.

Joel (voice filled with gratitude): I understand, and I am grateful for even this small chance to make things right. I promise to honor your boundaries and never take your presence for granted.

Chapter 9: Facing the Darkness Together

As they faced the impending danger, the reader and Joel found themselves navigating the treacherous path hand in hand. There were moments of shared vulnerability amidst the chaos, a flicker of the love they once had. But it was tempered by the reality of betrayal, a reminder that wounds can run too deep to heal completely.

As they fought side by side, the reader couldn't deny the lingering bond between them. Yet, forgiveness remained a distant shore, a possibility they couldn't grasp. They remained focused on survival, hoping that time and shared experiences would bring them closer to closure.

Chapter 10: A Bittersweet Resolution

In the end, they emerged victorious, battered and bruised but alive. The danger had passed, leaving behind scars and an uncertain future. The reader and Joel stood at a crossroad, their paths diverging once more.

Reader (voice filled with contemplation): We survived, Joel, but this doesn't change anything between us. I appreciate the role you played in ensuring our safety, but I still can't forgive you for what you did.

Joel (voice tinged with regret): I didn't expect forgiveness, but I hoped that maybe, just maybe, we could find a way back to each other. I will always love you, even if you can't find it in your heart to forgive me.

Reader (voice filled with determination): I deserve someone who wouldn't betray me, Joel. Someone who would cherish and honor our love. It's time for both of us to move on and find our own paths forward.

And with those final words, the reader walked away, leaving Joel alone to grapple with the consequences of his actions. The story of their love had been eclipsed by betrayal and broken trust, forever shaping their lives and the people they would become.