#it felt like an oddly appropriate activity

[accipitae]

do you think collecting driftwood to grow plants on counts as a Tu'Bishvat celebration?

[moneypowerglorymiddleofmiami]

heartthrob ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

note: the year is 2007, and as all romcoms do— none of this makes proper sense. (inspired greatly by notting hill, 1999)

summary: a coffee shop, the owner, hollywood's most famous actor, and a meet-cute

warnings: a cuss word here and there

genre: romcom

“Hello,” A baritone voice came after the telltale toll of the shop bell— baritone yet young, vaguely familiar but definitely not someone she knew well. “Are you open?”

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute!” She yelled back from the kitchen. She pursed her lips as she gave the cupboard a final thrust, the dodgy thing has always been a right pain in the arse.

“Hi, how can I help you, sir?” She asked cheerily as she emerged from the side door, the soles of her boots tapping loudly against the aged wooden floors.

She paused in her steps when she saw the sopping wet figure at the door, standing awkwardly and apprehensively at the threshold. Droplets of water trickled down from the sleeves of his coat down to the WELCOME rug placed conveniently at the entrance. “Oh, gods! Are you alright?”

“You don’t happen to have any tissues in here, do you?” He asked with a tight smile.

“Unfortunately, no. We’ve run out at the moment.” She scrambled to grab the nearest tea towel from the cabinet before rushing over to help him. “This’ll have to do.”

“Thank you.” Their fingers grazed as he took the fabric from her hold. “I’m sorry for making such a mess.”

“It’s fine! The floorboards needed a bit of a clean anyway.” She joked with a half-hearted grin in an attempt to ease the atmosphere. “I can have your jacket dried in the back if you want.”

“Oh, I can’t possibly intrude any further.” He waved his hand to veto her suggestion before tending to himself once more.

“You��re not from here, are you?” She asked with a sudden interest. With each minute he spent in her presence, she felt like she was closer and closer to figuring out exactly who this man was. She’d seen him enough times, surely. His name was at the tip of her tongue.

“The accent wasn’t a dead giveaway?” He grinned at her.

“Well, you get your occasional round of Americans here and there.” She shrugged her shoulders. “The sunnies were a bit on the nose though.”

He clicked his tongue, quickly pulling the pair down his face and placing it against the neckline of his shirt. “The weather report said it was going to be sunny.”

“Weather reports are dodgy.” She raised her eyebrow knowingly.

“I’m guessing it doesn't rain often where you’re from?”

“Twice every year,” He pursed his lips. “But I’m never around enough to know how true that actually is.”

“Sounds like you travel a lot.”

“A fair amount. My work keeps me away from home.”

“Ah,” She nodded her head. She must’ve seen him in a travel advert somewhere. “What do you do exactly?”

“Well, I’m an actor.”

She stopped to look at him more carefully, tilting her head sideways from one direction to the next to get a hint. She met his gaze momentarily, her eyes squinting as she wracked her brain for any clue of who he might be. He looked at her expectantly.

The dozens of movie posters she'd seen at the cinema came to her with a dazzling clarity. Ecstatic by her epiphany, she slammed her hand against the counter loudly— inducing a painful bang and an equally pain-stricken howl almost immediately.

“Are you OK?!” He asked with a panicked edge to his tone. He shoved the tea towel down his pocket carelessly as he ambled over to her. “I don’t know the emergency numbers here so I’m gonna have to either carry you or drag you— whichever comes first.”

She laughed loudly in amusement whilst nursing her hand, the pain slowly ebbing away as he continued to fuss over her. “I can’t believe it! Luke Castellan is in my depressing little shop!”

“Wait, fuck, are you sure you’re OK?” Luke mouth twitched, as if contemplating whether this was an appropriate time to laugh. He looked at her as if she’d gone insane. Maybe she did, maybe she actively was. This oddly seemed like the stuff of delusions.

“Yes, I’m fine!” She flipped her wrists as if to show him. “Healthy as a horse.”

He cracked a smile at her comment.

The bell let out a loud clang as a young man peeked his head into the shop, his umbrella left out in the street to protect him from the rain. “Luke! I’ve been trying to contact you for the last hour!”

“I suppose that’s your cue to leave then.” She smiled bashfully, the embarrassment catching up instantaneously. She was rubbish at this.

“I guess it is.” He hummed lowly with a grimace. He gave her a once over. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Luke, maybe hurry the fuck up?” The young man grumbled impatiently.

“Right,” She nibbled on her lower lip. “Thanks for coming around.”

“I’ll come back and actually buy something.” He said as he turned to leave.

“I’ll put you up to that.”

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

She was in the middle of a yawn when a loud voice called from across the street, a familiar tea towel gripped between ring-clad fingers and a head of black curls bobbing through the crowds.

It was still quite early in the morning, but Notting Hill was buzzing with life.

“Hey!” Luke yelled as he hurriedly walked towards her, expertly maneuvering himself between the masses of people and the stalls that lined the road. “I accidentally brought this with me. I had it cleaned and everything.”

“Thank you,” She said as she received it. The keys to the shop dangled between her fingers, waiting to be used. “You could have done away with the old thing.”

“It felt right to give it back.” He gave her a smile, more performative than yesterday— dazzling and charming, nothing less from an actor, of course. “It might have been sentimental, being in a display cabinet and all.”

“Well, it’s memorabilia from a royal wedding some decades ago.” She responded with a blush. “My mum likes to collect these things.”

“At least it’s got some national value to it.” He raised his eyebrows.

“There’s that, yeah.” She chuckled. “My mum’s gonna be relieved, I’m sure. Thank you, Luke— may I call you Luke?”

He stared at her for a moment; what for? She wasn’t exactly sure, but it was certainly magnetic. She couldn’t move away and it felt like everything else aside from the man in front of her was a blindspot. Her eyes met his, and Luke’s grin grew imperceptibly wider and her heart thumped indescribably faster.

“Sure, yes, definitely.” Catching himself, he stood straighter. His face looked ruddy, either owed mostly to the sunbeams warming his skin or the excitement thrumming underneath his flesh. “I’d like that.”

He stuffed his hand into his pocket, just in time to tend to his phone’s shrill ringtone and its incessant vibrations. Luke groaned as he pulled it out. “It’s probably my manager. I have to go, unfortunately.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, equally as red as his cheeks despite the lack of direct sunlight against her skin. “Sorry to hear that. Have fun spending the afternoon slaying monsters.”

“The movie's about a bunch of kids on a cruise ship actually,” He laughed as he began to walk away backwards, his eyes completely fixated on her.

“Well, have fun doing that then.” She waved him off with an amused smile.

“I doubt it.” He winked at her before turning around at the curb then jogging down to god knows where.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

“Hey, mum.” She greeted when she walked into their shared flat, the whistle of the kettle loudly whooshing from the kitchen. “Did someone ring the shop while I was gone?”

It took her mother a minute to respond, too enraptured by David Beckham’s impeccable left-leg hurl into the opposing team’s goal. She listened attentively to the live play-by-play narration as she made herself a cup of tea, the announcer was basically gripping his seat with anticipation. Telltale cheers of a victory echoed through the walls.

“Mum?” She called again.

“Oh, yes, sorry, dear!” Her mother replied distractedly. “There was a young bloke that called… think he mentioned his name was Luke.”

Thank the gods she was alone in the kitchen because the silent giddy squeals and foot stomps were definitely concerning. Christ, was this real life?

She cleared her throat and feigned nonchalance. She drummed her fingers against the marble surface of the counter, her nails absently digging against old remnants of a sticker. “And what did he say?”

“He said he’s staying at the Ritz under Hermes, so give that name to the concierge if you wanna call.” A beat. “Have you gotten yourself a boyfriend?"

“He’s not.”

“Be more definitive,” Her mother snapped. Teasingly, she added: “Not ever or not yet?”

“I’m not so sure, actually.” She clicked her tongue, wracked by pensive thoughts of juvenile daydreaming. She was getting ahead of herself, surely. She needed to approach this from a rational perspective: Luke Castellan had a whole life in Hollywood, decidedly not London. He had a bombshell girlfriend back at home with a career just as luxurious as his. He was a star burning brightly and she could barely get herself to flicker.

“Doesn’t sound like a ‘not ever’ to me.” Her mother responded with a lilt to her voice.

She swallowed thickly at how foreboding it sounded.

[cevansbrat0007]

I’ve been wondering this for awhile but I wasn’t sure how to sensitively ask: how did baby girl and Andy discuss disciplining their kids? Obviously they love spanking as an adult, consensual activity and part of their dynamic, but there’s so many different opinions now on whether spanking children is appropriate. How did they end up approaching it?

Spanking & Discipline in the Barber Household

Oddly enough, they hadn't really talked much about it until they witnessed a parent reach the end of their rope during a trip to a local park. Baby Girl was right around seven months pregnant with BiBi at the time.

She had insisted on getting out for some fresh air that day, claiming that she wanted to take advantage of the lovely spring weather they'd been having lately. And Andy, ever the doting husband, insisted on tagging along - as if she could ever leave that man behind.

So off they went. They walked the trails, took in the blooming flowers, and eventually, the conversation shifted to their hopes and dreams for the future. Not for themselves, but for their daughter.

They purchased a couple of hot chocolates and took a seat on a nearby park bench as they talked. That's when they noticed what they could only assume to be an overtired, overworked parent who was clearly out of patience with their children. But there happened to be one kid in particular who had earned their wrath.

And that little boy earned himself what seemed like a swift and powerful litany of swats for as long as it took that little family to make their way out of the park. It was loud. It was jarring. And it appeared to be an uncomfortable experience for nearly bystander who witnessed it.

For a moment, Andy and Baby Girl sat there in silence quietly sipping their cocoa. And then she leaned her head on his shoulder and softly whispered "I don't want to be that kind of Mom. I don't want either of us to be like that.". To be truthful, she wasn't so much judging as she was reflecting.

She knew that there would inevitably come a time where she might find herself at her wit's end with her own child. But she also felt that there were many other, better ways to enforce discipline without resorting to corporal punishment.

Because while a warning swat to the butt was one thing, actively and repeatedly spanking your child until they cried out in pain was something completely different. Especially when done in the heat of anger.

Andy felt inclined to agree. And so from that point on, they came to an understanding that the only spankings that would take place in the Barber household would be those dispensed as part of the special D/s dynamic found between a loving ogre and his brat!wife.

Hope that answers your question. And for the record, you asked it beautifully. Thanks!

[winn-schott-throughtheheart]

Since you mentioned her in the last post, what are your feelings/headcanons on the whole Winn/Lyra situation? I’ve always wished people talked about it more, I hated them together but I was also hopeful that it would turn into a really insightful plotline that would bring in some of his past trauma and give him a little more to do than comic relief, but, well, we know how well the show did with literally anything about his character depth 🫠 I have some fics I wrote about it but it always felt like too oddly specific a subject to publish since she was such a minor character, so now that I’ve found someone who likes Winn as much as I do I figured asking for your thoughts would be the next best thing!

oh my goddd don't even I hate her so much.

she had NO problems hurting winn at all, but the moment she gets captured she's suddenly all "I never wanted to hurt you, you made me do this." SHE FRAMED HIM FOR GRAND LARCENY!! and I highly doubt winn had divulged his past experiences with law enforcement and criminal activity to her, but honestly that might make it worse?? he cannot catch a break or a decent partner omg

when winn and james go to find her at the trailer park, she LITERALLY SAYS SHES PREPARED TO KILL HIM!! SHE THREATENS TO KILL HIM! she's sexually domineering and physically violent, which is shown more than once. she completely disregards all the effort winn goes to to make last minute plans for valentines day and, when he expresses he prefers to get to know someone first, forces herself upon him anyways. he mentions her leaving bruises on him, which I admit could have been consensual, but based on literally everything else, i wouldn't get my hopes up, especially considering just how quick she is to anger. if the roles were reversed, and a woman went to the effort of getting her boyfriend's favourite dessert so she could let him down as gently as she could, only to have him fly off the wall, smash a bottle in her face and threaten her with physical violence in a public setting, he'd be the most hated character in the show! but because he's a guy, it's fine, right?? it's funny?? AND JAMES IS AT FAULT HERE TOO BECAUSE HE WITNESSES THIS, AND STILL THINKS ITS APPROPRIATE TO GET THEM BACK TOGETHER!!!! and the fact that winn goes right back to her after is actually so upsetting, i would hedge the bet that he's never had a good relationship in his entire damn life.

and I don't know if you've heard of the analogy with cats, wherein if someone expresses hatred or disdain for cats (usually on the basis that they're "unpredictable" or "can't love you back" or "difficult") then it's actually just an issue of them not respecting the cats boundaries and consent. lyra. eats. cats. or at least she thinks it's funny to joke about. im so fucking glad she wasn't a recurring character, 5 episodes or however many she gets is already too many. anyway tldr I fucking hate lyra <3

also pleaseeee please send me any fics you have if you're comfortable!!! I'd loveee to read them!!! obviously as long as it's not painting lyra in a good light lmfaooo

[imagitory]

Review: Inside Out 2 (SPOILERS)

Hey all! So earlier today my mum and I went to go see the sequel to one of my absolute favorite Pixar films, Inside Out! For a spoiler-free opinion, I'll just say that we both enjoyed it -- my mum enjoyed it more than I did, perhaps partially because she didn't remember the original as well as I did going in, but even if I didn't personally like this sequel as much as the first one, it's still a worthy continuation with very good humor and some great heart.

That being said, I think it's high time for some more spoilerific analysis. So if you're as anxious to get started as I am, read on!

The Good!

+Honestly, this film went to places that an Inside Out sequel was almost meant to go, just based on the ending of the last film. That puberty joke coming back and messing things up for Riley? Yeah, that checks out. Riley struggling with her emotions through her teen years? Sure! Makes for great drama! The emotions have to come to grips with the fact that change is inevitable? A worthwhile and appropriate lesson. This film's trajectory was a good pay-off for the set-up from the last film, so it never felt like this film's story was jarring or came out of left-field. It even makes sense for Riley to be so afraid of not having any friends and being alone in high school, considering that just two years prior (as seen in the first movie), she had to deal with such a traumatic move that resulted in her entire life in Minnesota being uprooted.

+The conflict between Riley's old and new emotions really does embody a lot of insecurities that teenagers go through! The thought of discarding our more immature, childish selves in favor of looking and acting more "adult" -- the disillusionment and diminishing of self-esteem -- the embarrassment, guilt and shame attached to your mistakes -- the intense desire to be accepted and praised -- the envy and longing to be more like "cool" older students -- the crippling self-doubt and anxiety -- the distant, sarcastic, sometimes even rude or angry shell you might form around yourself to try to hide your insecurities...I truly do think a lot of people will identify with Riley's struggles. My mum actually identified with Riley more than I did in this film, and this is when the first Inside Out became one of my top favorites in large part because how much I'd identified with Riley's struggle with depression! (I think this might be because my mum was both very sporty and a huge people-pleaser while growing up, while I -- oddly enough -- was kind of immune to peer pressure and was much more interested in being accepted for who I was, rather than in actively changing myself to try to "earn" acceptance from others.) I did, however, really feel Riley's perfectionistic tendencies, as well as her anxiety. Which leads us nicely into...

+The anxiety attack sequence. That scene, quite honestly, was a highlight of the entire film. It was a perfect concept that was both written and animated so evocatively, and Joy managing to break through enough to Anxiety to slow the panicked internal frenzy that made it so that Riley's emotions (and therefore Riley herself) couldn't see a thing was so well done.

+On that note, the concept of the threads of Riley's beliefs was great from beginning to end. I love that at the start of the film, Riley has a great sense of self-worth and a strong faith in the thought that she's a good person: something that, quite honestly, we all think until we're ideally forced to confront a more nuanced view of ourselves and the world around us. I like that when Anxiety started taking over (and planted only her memories in that underwater garden space), there's a shift in Riley that makes it so that she can only be happy if A, B, and C -- this idea that happiness is somehow both transactional and something one can only find in the outside world. It feels true to the emotion of Anxiety, and -- honestly -- to many real-life people. Self-love is hard to cultivate when one sees their flaws and shortcomings clearly, and finding happiness in one's own company as oneself can be even harder. The threads were well set-up by us seeing Joy and Sadness reaffirming their friendship from the last film by bringing their joint memory down to the garden, and the evolution of the garden and in Riley coming to grips with both the good and bad aspects of herself was fantastic. The part where all of the emotions embrace Riley's new sense of self, regardless of her flaws and shortcomings, was actually the most resonant moment of the film for me personally. I didn't cry, but it did make my own Joy and Sadness metaphorically hug each other.

+I'm really glad that Anger, Disgust, and Fear got to go on the psychological journey with Joy this time. I have some critiques on how it was done, and we'll get to that, but I am still glad that they got some more focus and time to shine, after Joy and Sadness got so much time to bond in the last movie. Fear pulling out that parachute was both funny and completely in-character, and I liked Anger "sticking it to the man" by swiping that pipe to shoot himself and the others up into the air and onto the top of the walls. It also was so very, very fitting for Joy and the others to trust Sadness to go back to Headquarters -- she would be the best equipped to help since she knows the manuals best, and she's also the emotion who'd be best able to get Riley help from outside should she need it, as proved from the last film. It really showcases how much stronger the core emotions' bond has become in the almost two years since the events from the first movie, especially the one between Joy and Sadness.

+There was some really, really good humor in this movie. The highlights for me were largely in the Deep Dark Secrets Vault -- I died laughing at Lance Slashblade multiple times. (Am I the only one who thought that that hooded Secret was totes Riley's gender identity? Because I'm sorry, I still love the headcanon that Riley is non-binary. For the record, yes, after further research into a post-credits scene I didn't stick around for, I found out I was wrong, but SHHH, I'm ignoring it because it's stupid.) The scene where Joy blew up at Anger, Fear, and Disgust was also both really funny and relatable for me -- I've been in that exact position before, and you're right, Joy: it is exhausting!!

The Ehhh...

+I know I'll probably be in the minority on this, but none of the new emotions grabbed me the way the originals did. They all had funny moments, sure, but Anxiety pissed me off way more than earned sympathy from me, at least until the end. I think it was the whole "we love Riley, really! All we want to do is change her into a completely different person" thing. It's really not that I think the new emotions don't care about Riley -- it's clear they do, and obviously they all learned their lesson -- but I guess I personally just don't ascribe to the idea that love is somehow conditional. If you love someone, you should love them as they are: there shouldn't be this expectation that the person you love (even platonically, as in this case) should change themselves for your sake. I know Anxiety in some ways could parallel Joy in the first movie, but in the first film, Joy sees the depth of her mistake through her adventures with Sadness and the growth she undergoes through it. She then more than proves how much she's willing to make things right in how hard she fights to get Sadness back to Riley's Headquarters. Anxiety -- just due to the characterization established for her -- doesn't really get the chance to redeem herself through passionate, proactive action in that same way. Instead she falls apart, Joy has to come to her rescue, and then all of the emotions come together to symbolically embrace Riley and calm her down. As for the others, as I said, they all had funny moments, but I didn't really latch onto any of them the way I did for Joy, Sadness, and Disgust in the first movie. Again, I want to emphasize that I don't think any of these new emotions are bad, by a long shot -- I just personally didn't like or resonate with them as much as the original five.

+The pacing in this film wasn't always that great. The journey Joy took with Fear, Disgust, and Anger seemed a lot less focused than Joy's with Sadness, largely because Joy didn't really get as much chance to bond with all three of the others the way she did with Sadness. In the original film, all of the obstacles and side adventures Sadness, Joy, and Bing Bong had to undergo on their way back to Headquarters had emotional relevance. They weren't just there for the sake of jokes: they also strengthened the bond between the characters and laid the groundwork for plot points later. Take the trip through Imagination Land in the first film, for example -- sure, the Riley's Imaginary Boyfriend machine was funny, but it was also reused later where Joy made a whole bunch of copies and then used them to both reach Sadness and launch herself and Sadness at Headquarters. But the trip to Imagination Land here was really more a tangent accenting Anxiety's unraveling and a meta reference to the state of modern animation studios, rather than something that lay the groundwork for a more emotional, clever payoff later-on. (It also seemed like it wasted time Joy and the others really needed to get back to Headquarters, as well as revealed to Anxiety that they'd escaped when it would've been more prudent for them to keep their heads down.) The "Sarchasm" was absolutely hilarious as a concept -- I laughed so bloody hard when it cropped up...but imagine how much better it would've been if Disgust had gotten the chance to show how to defeat it by simply not responding verbally to it? Perhaps Disgust's interest in make-up could've given her the ability to show off the power of a silent, condescending "Eyebrow Arch" in defanging sarcasm, which could've materialized as a bridge over the chasm or something. That could've put more ammunition behind the idea that Anxiety is wrong that Riley's old emotions are no longer necessary, rather than just an obstacle being thrown into the characters' way on a whim of the filmmakers to pad the run-time.

+This does actually lead to that one big critique I have about the focus on Anger, Fear, and Disgust -- where was my favorite green girl's chance to shine during this journey through the mind, huh?! Anger figuratively went "f*** it" and got the group up to the top of the wall. Fear saved himself and the others from the fall with his parachute. Joy's relentless optimism carried them all down their path. Where was Disgust using her individuality and named trait to help Riley? Disgust in particular is supposed to be there to "keep Riley from getting poisoned physically or socially" -- she has all the motive in the WORLD to be irritated at Anxiety and the other new emotions, considering she's responsible for Riley ditching her two best friends and poisoning her entire moral character. I do really wish Anger had been more righteously angry about this too, but at least he got some chance to take charge and get the spotlight by himself -- Disgust, in comparison to the other two emotions accompanying Joy, just got less focus.

+I guess this leads into really my only true hang-up with the film -- not that it was bad, but just that it didn't surprise me that much. Just like in the last film, Joy is trying to push away those things that aren't so pleasant supposedly for Riley's benefit. Just like in the last film, Joy has to come to grips with an emotion changing Riley in a way she doesn't like. Just like in the last one, Joy breaks down and exposes the vulnerable emotions she's been trying to hide -- in fact, this time, she does it twice, considering she loses it with Anger, Fear, and Disgust (in a very funny scene, but still) mid-way through and then has that more hopeless bit in the third act. Imagine how much stronger this film could've been if after Joy's first breakdown, she really does give up, or even if it had played into that terrible idea Joy has that "when you grow up, you feel less joy" and that (as a result) Joy is getting weaker or even is starting to disappear...and so, in response, Anger has to take charge of the mission, because he -- as the emotion who cares deeply about "what's fair" -- is furious about how Anxiety treated them and is trying to change Riley. Then we follow Anger as the emotion with a character arc. He's got that fire needed to defend who Riley is and prove that she is that good person she believed she was, but because he's Anger, he has difficulty moderating himself or staying focused. It's Disgust that has to help rein him in and show the power of silence in defeating the Sarchasm. It's Fear who has to save them from the Brainstorm. In this scenario, it'd be Anger rashly confronting Anxiety in that pillow fort in Imagination Land...and it would've been Anger who would've suffered burn-out, after all of his determined rage seemingly leads them out into the middle of nowhere with no way back to Headquarters. He would've cried tears of frustration and despair, feeling like a failure just as Riley did at the beginning of the film, and this would've been where Joy came to the realization that shoving down those negative memories doesn't diminish their impact. Then they would've ridden that avalanche back, and Anger -- seeing the state Anxiety was in -- would've realized that rage was not the way to help and insisted Joy help her, while he and the others try to fix Riley's Sense of Self. Helping Anxiety would've then also helped Joy too, and she would've rematerialized in full, just as bright as before: because Joy doesn't have to just be emblematic of childhood, but also in seeing the light after losing one's way. Sure, this trajectory would've in its own way mirrored aspects from the first film -- but at least we wouldn't have had Joy having to break down three times in two movies, and perhaps we could've given Joy and Anger's friendship the chance to shine the way Joy and Sadness's has.

+As the tiniest of nitpicks as well, I didn't think the score was that memorable, aside from the reuse of the original Bundle of Joy theme written for the first film.

I know my second more negative section has a lot of stuff written in it, but please, don't take this to mean I disliked the film! Truly, overall, I think it's quite good. I just didn't identify with Riley's struggles as much in this film as its predecessor, and I didn't think the script was quite as tightly written with set-ups and pay-offs either. Inside Out 2 is still a very enjoyable film, and I think just about any fan of Inside Out will have a fun time like my mum and I did! Even despite my minor critiques, my memory of this film is largely yellow.

Overall Grade: B+

[moa-broke-me]

Hey so... Literal YEARS after leaving the mlp fandom, as in, long before I even had tumblr, I've recently uh... Gotten back in, a little bit?

It's all @meepmoopmaap's fault, he made a FANTASTIC infection AU, it's on AO3. Actually no, it's also my alter's fault (don't @ me ok I get that most ppl use headmate but alter is just more natural for me) since he's a fictive from the show and has been VERY active recently, but I digress. Point is, I kind of wanted to... How do I say this?

I wanted to make them centaurs, thought it could be cool to add a human skin tone for the top half and then their old ones, also add some necessity for clothes.

I also just wanted to redesign them overall.

So, obviously, we HAD to do Flutters first, and I thought this was gonna suck but it didn't and I'm actually kind of proud of it?

This is just the head and hair, and a pretty rough draft too, but here.

So, I wanted to give her a big nose, because big noses are cute, so I did. The strands in her face are since she's, y'know. Shy. I worked VERY hard to ensure there were as few straight lines or sharp corners in the design as possible, because I wanted it to be gentle and soft-looking. I even gave her beaded lashes to help with this, and they kind of look like teardrops which is oddly appropriate?

About the eye color, I... I completely ditched the teal eyes in her original design, in favor of olive green ones. I was planning on giving her more pops of olive green, but since this was just a profile head shot, I couldn't do much.

The teal eyes always bothered me, even when I was a kid, since I felt that it shifted her color scheme too much in the 'pastel primaries' direction occupied by Pinkie Pie which, if y'all like, we can do next. Also just the fact that half the cast had blue eyes really bothered me for some reason?

anyway. The olive green seems to suit her more anyway, and I've shifted the hair more to purple... Which may have been a mistake?

Anyway. Suggestions welcome, just keep it friendly. I have a block button and I'm not afraid to use it!

[oh-hell-help-me]

July 9: National Sugar Cookie Day

Luigi would say that he is competent in baking.

Of all of his skills, he’d even say it was his second best- right under cooking.

So, in the midst of the Koopa Kingdom’s now familiar heatwaves, he felt it fitting to bake sugar cookies.

And cookies it would be, as he knew they were oddly more popular than cakes for the Koopalings.

It was only a matter of time before his family catches wind of his activities, but even he needed to linger in the pantry doorway- the sheer variety of ingredients always floored him to see.

Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt…

One by one, he settles out measurements into the countertop.

(One by one, small pairs of eyes peer into the suddenly occupied kitchen.)

He grabs a stand mixer and its attachments, setting it aside as he grabs a sifter for most of the dry ingredients.

(Little hands grab each other in excitement, nearly breaking into chatter as Luigi pulls out Wintertime cookie cutters.)

As two ovens are set into a preheat, he adds the ingredients together- making sure to scrape the bottom of the mixer’s bowl.

(A faint scrape of claws on stone signaled the arrival of Junior, but the others were quick to hush him- after all, their mama worked best without interruption.)

The dough is done, and Luigi wastes little time in rolling it out on the counter into an appropriate thickness.

(If he wasn’t too absorbed into his task, he would have noticed the shaking cookie cutters and been able to deduce his husbands arrival.)

He ends up with eight dozen cookies to bake, and does his best to fit them all on the pans the kitchen has.

(The kitchen door opens a little more- enough for a giant snout and its attached eyes to peer into the kitchen as well.)

It’s fortunate that Luigi considered the size of the batch, as the second oven provided enough space for the rest of the cutouts.

(The door opened wider.)

He sets the timer, turns to put away the equipment-

And startled into a yelp as he is met with nine expectant faces.

“DIOS MIO! W-when did you get here?”

“Ten minutes ago.”

“You’re making cookies?”

“Can we have some?”

“Can we decorate them?”

“I want mine to have stars!”

“Do we even have icing?”

“Figli! You can calm down- and yes, to all of it!”

A deep chuckle has him whirl around and meet Bowser’s eyes. Even though they are incredibly pretty to Luigi, with amusement making them sparkle and glint, he lets himself pout at them.

“You’re not helping.”

“Wha-“ Bowser sputtered, and Luigi realizes that he took it as not helping to decorate.

It’s not what he meant, but he could work with it. “Oh no. Whatever shall you do.”

The sputters continue as Luigi sashays to the bowl of icing he prepared and pours it into smaller bowls to dye.

“Luigi- love, please-“ And anyone could see the human’s mirth as a muzzle tapped into the back of his neck. Whether it’s because he’s ticklish, or that the display itself is funny to witness, no one knows.

“Will you help me keep our bambinis in line?”

“Of course!”

“And will you not sneak any cookies when I’m not looking?”

“….Okay.”

“Hmm. Junior?”

“Yes, mama?”

“Will you keep an eye on your father?”

The offended sputters of the Koopa King could barely be heard over Junior’s loud “YES MAMA!”

And just like that, as an agent of chaos, the timer rang.

And the rest of the kitchens occupants went to a frenzy.

…

It was a developed skill to set a plate aside for Kamek, and a matter of practice to not react to the stink eye that comes from someone ‘barging in’ his office.

“Saved some for you.” And sets the tray on a clear spot, away from the paperwork that is stacked in front of the Magikoopa.

“Why are some of them trees?”

“It’s wintertime.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Are you sure?”

Luigi pretend to not notice how he sneaks a peak at his desktop calendar. “Yes.”

“If you’re sure.”

And he leaves, satisfied that he completed another holiday ritual.

[84reedsy]

The Mentorship, Part 2

The Mentorship

Characters: Curt Hennig/FemOC , eventual Scott Hall/FemOC

Part 2 of ? (Parts not chapters, parts length varies)

Word Count: 2731

Warnings/Considerations: Smut, Age Gap, Power Dynamics, Dirty Talk, swearing

------- Part 1 -------

Tags: (If you're interested in being tagged, let me know!)

Curt was surprised how well he slept that night. And the next, and the next. The only difference he’d noticed of Brinkley toward him was in general she was more confident. There was a different element to her maturity. She didn’t act childish beforehand, but she definitely had a maturation of some kind. Curt knew he was directly responsible for it, but found himself oddly proud at how well she maintained their mentor/mentee relationship in the wake of their encounter. 

She either took his words as empty talk in the heat of passion or was waiting for his direction. Either potential relieved him; he didn’t feel like he’d have to worry about her choosing an inopportune time to seduce him. Even though he was proud, he couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. With his family home, it was for the best. She was preoccupied in their downtime with his children, playing games or keeping them entertained. 

Working out in the gym was probably the only time that things teetered on a razor thin edge. She wore the same, gym appropriate clothes she always did, but the close proximity of their sweaty breathless bodies were hallmarks of their recent activity. But each day between them and that night seemed to ease any tension little by little.

The odd thing was that the tension wasn't uncomfortable, it was almost energizing. Curt began to relax, letting his guard down.  He shrugged off feeling awkward about being physically close,  about any glancing contact. 

Brinkley felt surprisingly at ease.  He hadn't treated her any differently and he knew more of her than anyone.  She had found it nearly impossible each night to not pleasure herself to the memory of being fucked in his movie room. Once she came though, the impulses settled and she was able to sleep peacefully.

The one thing that did tug at her was whether or not Curt was going to fulfill his suggestion of teaching her the oral side of things.  Over the last couple of weeks, he'd made no mention of it, nor had he seemed to approach her in any way out of the ordinary. 

Brinkley often saw the kids off to school, they usually woke her so they could see her before they left.  She didn't mind since she needed to be used to rising early and it seemed to mean a lot to them. 

“Training in the ring today, huh?” Lennie asked as she readied her travel mug of coffee, she had parent classroom duty today and was trying desperately to get the kids and herself ready. Brinkley helped what little she could. 

“Yeah, it'll be nice to get downtown and get in some work,” she zipped up a backpack and helped the youngest into the straps.

“You guys be careful, and give ‘em hell!” Lennie waved as the house emptied. Brinkley watched from the kitchen window until the car was completely out of sight for at least a minute.  She knew Curt would be out soon. He rose early but was not a glutton for the chaos. After two weeks of only self gratification, Brinkley felt compelled to at least bring up the subject; perhaps her method would be extreme, but it should be effective.

Her sweats were only for cover this morning. She stripped both the pants and sweatshirt off and balled them up to stow them in the cabinet under the sink.  She adjusted her cheeky panties up a little higher so that her ass cheeks were even more revealed. Her ‘shirt’ was barely that;  an old NWO Tee that had been cropped extremely short and had the arms cut out of it. From the side,  nearly her entire breast was exposed. She grabbed a bowl of grapes and set them on the island counter,  sliding the newspaper to the same spot. She bent over,  resting her elbows and forearms on the chilly, granite surface and lowered the small of her back to lift the curve of her ass higher. 

She made the position as comfortable as possible,  popping a few grapes in and nonchalantly turning the pages as she read.  

Curt walked into the kitchen, yawning as he scratched his bare torso. Straight to the coffee pot he went.  As he poured a cup,  he furrowed his brow, his brain slowly registering what he'd walked in on.  He turned to see her ass halfway hanging out of her panties and her shirt doing a terrible job at covering anything. 

Brinkley knew he couldn't see her smirking,  shifting her weight from one leg to the other. 

“Good morning, Daddy,” she greeted him,  still not facing him.  She resisted the urge to turn and look at him.  

“What the fuck did you just say to me?” Curt set his mug down firmly. She could hear the irritation in his tone. She could see him being angry, in shock, maybe even surprised. The thought of any of those reactions turned her on,  each for different reasons. 

“I said,” she stood upright turning around slowly and lifting herself to sit on the edge of the counter,  “Good morning,” she slipped a grape between her lips and chewed it slowly. 

Curt shook his head, “That's not all you said,”

There was a firmness in his tone, but there was something about his look that told her to keep pushing as he stepped towards her.

“Oh, good morning Daddy?” She questioned, biting into a grape this time, “is that what you meant?”

“You know that's what the fuck I meant…” he took a couple steps closer, his body tense. He was irritated and aroused at the same time.  She should have known better than to pull this stunt. He tried to ignore the part of him that was relieved she had, “I said one time,” he punctuated his words. 

“And then you said we could ‘mess around’ another time.  If you're gonna train me,  might as well train me completely,” she countered as he stepped closer to her,  closing in on being within reach, “You did say you wanted to taste my pussy, and…” she slid off the counter and lowered herself to her knees in front of him in a fluid movement. She tugged at the drawstrings of his own pants, “doesn't Daddy want to teach me how to suck his big cock?”

Curt huffed in frustration,  his hands on his hips as she loosened the waist of his sweatpants. His quickly swelling erection wouldn't be concealable. He slid his hand over the top of her head,  gripping her hair as he forced her to look up at him. 

“Daddy wants you to stop being such a naughty girl. Gonna have to figure out how to punish you for this…” but he didn't stop her from pulling his sweats down. Loosening his grip, he let her focus on his revealed girth just inches from her face.  Her soft hands slid along the shaft in an exploratory nature.

“Lick it first,” he instructed, biting the tip of his tongue as she did so, licking the full length of the underside, flicking her tongue past the tip, “lick around the tip…yeah,  just like that,” he hissed slightly at her slowly swirling obedient tongue. 

Her eyes flickered up to his as she slipped just his tip in her mouth, slowly working it in and out of the captivity of her lips. She felt her sex throbbing and she resisted the urge to touch herself, wanting to focus on acquiring this new skill. She felt as if she were under a microscope as Curt watched her every move. She worked more of him into her mouth now, gripping the base with her hand. His hand loosened his hold on her hair, sliding to the back of her head. He pushed her forward to let him slip in deeper. He hummed in approval when her tongue wiggled as his cock slid over it. 

Unable to resist her own body’s needs, Brinkley snuck her free hand into her panties and massaged her aching nub. She surprised herself when she gagged a little, coughing to catch her breath when Curt forced himself a little deeper than she was prepared for. 

Curt smirked, keeping himself shallowly in her mouth, not letting her pull away completely, “Careful, my dick has a mind of its own,” he noticed the reactive tears at the corners of her eyes, but she smirked back. 

Brinkley felt herself inching closer to an orgasm, and realized the more stimulation she felt between her legs, the deeper she was able to take him without any impediment. She couldn’t pace her self-stimulation, moaning on his cock as she came, the entire shaft slipping into her mouth, tickling the back of her throat. 

“Shit…” Curt couldn’t help holding onto her head and fucking her mouth deeply while she let him. His balls tingled and he could have cum, wondering if she’d indeed be a good girl and swallow every drop. But he held his load at bay. She was going to find out what happened to little temptresses like her when they pushed too many buttons. 

She pulled back, gasping for breath, hazy-eyed from her climax. A string of her saliva hung from his tip and she licked it from him, teasing the tip as she did so.

He could hear her wetness as her fingers wiggled and stroked through her slit. It would be a shame to waste it.

“I want you to cum for me, Daddy…” she mumbled as she stroked the full length of his cock. 

“Oh, I'm gonna cum alright. But not yet,  stand up,” he said sharply.

Brinkley looked confused at first, standing slowly, resting her palms on the counter behind her. Curt looked at the NWO shirt, snickering. He yanked on the roughly cut hem.

“Cute. Off.” He snapped a little at her. 

Brinkley blushed, but slipped it over her head and let it fall to the floor. She realized how much brighter it was now,  the morning light was not as subtle as the dim light in the home theater. 

Curt could sense her modesty threatening her confidence. He didn't want that at all.

“Jesus, your tits are incredible,” he praised as he palmed one roughly. She bit her lip as she whimpered, “Lose the panties,” 

Standing this close, he could smell her arousal. He remembered it well. As she shimmied out of her skimpy garment and they hit the floor, Curts hand slipped between her thighs and dove slowly into her cunt. She gasped and her legs quivered, but she did not buckle.

“Up on the counter, “ he commanded again, slipping his fingers out of her greedy hole. 

The granite was cool against her backside. She watched his every move intently.

“Taste it for me,” his fingers slipped into her mouth now as she tasted herself. He moved them along her tongue, humming as she lapped her own juices from him, “think I'll like it?” He chided her, knowing full well he would.

He touched her knee and her legs spread with an immediate obedience. She leaned back slightly as he bent over.

Her breath was quick and labored before he even touched her, but the second his tongue darted between her pussy lips,  her eyes nearly rolled back.

Curt cursed under his breath at the flavor of her sweet musk. He could taste this daily and not tire of it.  She reacted to every stroke of his tongue,  every graze of his lips,  every nibble from his teeth. 

“Daddy,” she panted, swallowing to wet her dry mouth, “please make me cum again,” she begged of him. He sucked roughly on her clit in response. He held her thighs still, feeling her muscles tense as she came.

“Fuck! Yes, Daddy, yes, yes yes yes yes,” she called out, her hips trying to fuck his mouth back. Still trying to catch her breath, she felt him pull her off the counter. He spun her around and bent her over the counter now, kicking her feet apart. He sunk his cock into her quickly from behind. 

Brinkley yelped at the sudden intrusion, gasping as he withdrew and filled her again just as aggressively. The sound of his pelvis smacking against her ass echoed off the walls. His hand reached up to grab her shoulder, only increasing the force of his slow, but fierce thrusts. 

Brinkley tried to grip the counter for dear life. She had not prepared for this. Her inexperienced pussy could barely handle the sensations from being fucked this hard. She could find no words, only whimpered moans escaped her parted lips.

“This is what Daddy does when he's angry,” he growled leaning over her. He grabbed her other shoulder now, forcing her back to bend slightly as he pulled her back into him just as vigorously as he was driving into her.

“I'm….s-sorry…D-daddy,” she managed out between thrusts.

“Oh, you're gonna be sorry alright,” Curt grumbled, picking one of her legs up and swinging it over the edge of the counter.  Her toes barely grazed the floor now and his cock muscled deeper. He fucked her faster now, knowing she was not prepared for this pace or intensity. He smacked her ass sharply, a red print of his hand quickly forming.

She rewarded his actions, cumming again and a swell of wetness coated him. She felt like a rag doll at his complete disposal and she definitely didn't hate the idea. She fell flat on the counter as he released her shoulders, instead gripping her hips tightly, directing them at his pace.  The meshing of their bodies was nearly deafening now.  He knew the weight of his balls smacking against her clit must have been stinging glances. 

“Curt…” she whimpered out, her breath shallow.

He tightened his grip around her hips as he grunted loudly, cum rushed from his tip, his balls tightening as his load left him. His forehead sweaty, he bent over to rest it against her back. He felt her ragged breaths. He would bet almost anything she had been close to passing out. He'd known it would be too much for just her second time,  but she'd started it. He chose to finish it. 

Helping her off the counter and back onto her feet, he steadied her as she struggled to balance. He left her side to grab water from the fridge and encouraged her to drink, which she did, greedily.

“That was ‘another time’,” he said plainly. Brinkley looked up at him for a moment before nodding her head, “Can I trust you not to pull this again?”

Brinkley swallowed more water, catching her breath after she swallowed.  She nodded again. 

“Yes, I promise,” 

Curt knew she was telling the truth. He knew it wasn't the last time she would feel that craving of lust, but he trusted that she would at least ask if she was desperate,  not spring it on him. 

They were back on the road in about another week.  Even though he got off today,  he felt he was still owed some retribution for her devious little plan. She'd promised to behave from now on. He never said he wouldn't initiate something. 

“Go shower up,” he smacked her bare ass, “you still owe me a workout,” 

Brinkley grabbed the top and panties, also retrieving her sweats from under the sink.  She glanced back at him, blushing as he cocked an eyebrow at her. 

“You think you're slick, don't you,” he couldn't help smirking as she scurried off. He warmed up his now cold coffee. He followed her after a moment, confirming the shower turned on before retreating back to the kitchen to make a certain phone call. 

“Hey man, ready to get back on the road yet?” Curt greeted the familiar voice on the other end of the line. 

“Shit, I  could use another couple of weeks. Some of us didn't get that cushy mentorship,” the mystery man replied.

“Can't complain, it's been,” Curt looked toward the doorway, “a pretty interesting few weeks. I had a question for ya, though,”

“Shoot, anything you need, buddy,”

Curt had known this man for nearly his whole career. If there was someone who he could trust and who would also be game,  it was this guy. 

“That's what I'd hoped you'd say,” a devilish smirk crossed Curt's lips.

[squaric-acid]

A Treat for the Eyes, Pt. 2

Part 2 of my contribution to the TCR Secret Santa 2023

I'm writing for @raythecomputerart, I hope you enjoy! I was going to write something short and sweet for the cozy tea party prompt but it got entangled with the high fashion prompt and this was the result.

=====

When Haru walked into the studio space she was struck by how dark the backstage part of it was. Toto and Muta sat at a table with bottles of water and stacks of paper, no doubt the information of all the models who were auditioning.

Behind them, in a director chair, eyeing her with an unreadable but clearly calculating look, was Baron himself.

Haru was taken by surprise. He was a slim man, with short tawny hair curled stylishly on his head. He couldn’t be any more than thirty from Haru’s reckoning but his eyes held a look that made him seem both younger and much older all at once. He was clean-shaven and although his features were defined they weren’t chiseled to the likes of Tom Hiddleston, there was softness there too.

Haru’s mouth had parted but she took no notice.

Baron looked down at the black notebook resting on his knee. Now that his face was not captivating her entire being, Haru examined what he was wearing. She was a model after all and took a professional interest in clothes.

He wore a light gray pair of herringbone tweed trousers and a pearl colored button down shirt that was rolled roguishly up to his elbows. Curiously, his hands were covered in tailored white linen gloves. He was, all-in-all, as expected, exceedingly handsome.

She must have voiced part of this last observation aloud because Toto snickered a little bit.

“Haru?” Asked Muta’s gruff, no-nonsense voice.

“Oh, yes?” Haru shook herself. It did not seem as though Baron had heard her admission.

“If you would step into the light and pose,” the rotund photographer asked.

Haru set her bag down and squared her shoulders. It was not full studio lighting and Haru was grateful. It was just enough light to see what you were working with but not so much that clothes would start ironing themselves.

Haru posed. Nice and simple. Muta and Toto occasionally voiced directions.

“Walk towards us.” Said Muta.

Haru did as asked but as she did so she noticed Baron leaning over Muta’s shoulder and whispering something through the glare of the studio lights. She stumbled, earning concerned looks from all three men.

When she reached the front of the lighted studio space Baron was watching her with a keen eye and Toto and Muta were making notes.

Haru hesitated.

“Is that everything?”

“Er, not quite,” Toto said.

“Baron’s going to take your measurements while Muta and I arrange the details for the shoot.”

Haru felt her cheeks warm and by the time she’d processed that information Baron was already by her side. Toto and Muta had flown into a flurry of activity and discussion, of which Haru caught very little.

“Why?” Haru managed to ask. It wasn’t common knowledge that designer collections were not strictly tailor-made to fit the models who presented them. Baron really was a particular customer.

Baron smiled at her, his eyes were a vivid shade of emerald green with peridot and gold highlights. They looked magical and oddly feline.

“It wouldn’t do for you to model something if it doesn’t fit you properly.”

Haru’s cheeks erupted in blush and Baron circled her with his tape measure. Baron’s voice was articulate and well-spoken, he spoke with the air of an aristocrat but there was a slight accent to his voice. French, or German was more likely.

When he had finished, Toto held out a slip of paper. Baron took it and looked it over. He handed it to Haru. On it was an address. 

“Come by my studio a week from today. You’ll be able to preview the collection and we’ll do the final fitting.”

“But,” Haru protested. “Why me, wouldn’t someone like Yuki be more appropriate for a shoot like this?”

Baron put a gloved hand to his chin and thought for a moment. Then he smiled and Haru’s heart jumped behind her ribs. 

“I think you are more than suitable.” He tapped the piece of paper in Haru’s hand. 

“Next week, until then I want you to do just one thing. Always believe in yourself. Do that and no matter where you are you will have nothing to fear.”

He ushered her towards the door and with a kind smile left her in the hall. 

Haru could hardly believe her ears nor her luck. 

~@~

Hiromi was over the moon at her friend’s news.

“I can’t believe you are going to be modeling Baron’s newest collection! I’m so happy for you!” Hiromi gushed over the phone. Haru smiled a little cautiously at her friend’s optimism. While she may be modeling Baron’s newest collection there was no guarantee that it would be a success or that it would do anything for her career. She still didn’t even know what his newest collection was. Muta had informed her later that day that Baron liked to keep everyone on their toes about his work, she would just have to wait until the final fitting to see.

Haru had elected to keep Baron’s parting words to her to herself. They seemed too precious to repeat outside her own head just yet.

~@~

The week passed remarkably quickly and at the same time slower than molasses. Everytime Haru thought about the fitting she became a bundle of nerves. Yet no one seemed to realize that Baron had selected her to be his model for his newest collection. For this Haru was glad, some of the more premier models were bullies. 

She arrived on the innocuous doorstep of the building whose address was written on the piece of paper in her hand. It was a lovely old brick building in a fashionable district of London with touches of the art nouveau style. The ground floor was a tasteful looking coffee shop that smelled aromatic and strong. Haru made a mental reminder to visit this cafe sometime in the near future. 

But she wasn’t here for coffee. Instead she pressed the doorbell beside a black door with a large glass window pane and stairway leading up behind it. A few moments later Baron descended the stairs and smiled at her through the window as he unlocked the door.

“Good morning, Miss Haru,” he greeted her.

“Good morning Baron,” Haru replied.

“Come now, we are to be working together, you must call me by my true name.”

Baron stood back and bowed, with remarkable flair for as little room as there was at the foot of the stairwell. 

“I am Humbert von Gikkingen.”

He held out his hand and Haru took it.

“Pleased to meet you!” Haru giggled in delight.

Still holding her hand Baron began to climb the stairs, “come upstairs to my studio, we’re almost ready for you.”

The two went up the stairs hand-in-hand. At the top of the stairs there was another door that opened into a large studio space. More accurately the space was that of a craftsman or an artisan with small hints or being lived in. The space was open with an exposed brick wall in part of the room while other parts had what Haru suspected was Victorian reproduction wallpaper. There was a kitchenette along one wall and along the other wall were whiteboards, peg boards and cork boards filled with sketches, reference photographs, fabric samples, notes, and even a bundle of dried flowers. 

On the floor there were work tables with gridlines and more than one sewing machine. There were studio lights and mannequins and racks filled with hangars with what Haru could only surmise were prototypes to some of Baron’s other designs, covered in white sheets.

Haru was agog. She barely even noticed that there were other people in the room. Muta was setting up a tripod in the back and Toto was leaning against the counter in the kitchenette with a cup in hand, sipping casually.

“It’s wonderful, Baron-Humbert,” Haru said reverently. 

“I’m glad you like it.” Baron gave her another kind smile, disregarding her slip-up.

“She’s certainly more appreciative than some of your other models Baron,” Toto remarked from the kitchenette.

“Indeed,” said Baron.

“She’s going to be wonderful on set.” Came a voice that Haru didn’t recognize. 

“This is Seiji Amasawa, my assistant.” Baron gestured to the man who had spoken. He looked younger than Haru, probably in his last year or two of university. He had a serious face and dark hair and was currently sewing a button onto a cream-colored blouse.

“And over there is Sophie Pendragon, my milliner and haberdasher.” 

Sophie was a young woman with sparkling silver hair and thin, clever fingers. One of her fingers was encircled by a metallic band with a red gemstone.

“We’re looking forward to working with you,” said Sophie. “We’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

Haru nodded and slipped out of her coat which Baron took and hung somewhere behind her.

“You can sit over here.” Baron led her to a plush sofa near the kitchenette.

Would you like milk or lemon in your tea?”

“Milk, please.”

“Good choice.”

“This is my own blend or tea, it’s a little different each time so I can’t guarantee the flavor,” Baron said as he handed her a teacup and saucer.

Haru took a sip. 

“This is the best tea I’ve ever tasted.”

“Then you’re lucky.” Was Baron’s reply.

~@~

Haru drank her tea and soon enough Baron, Seiji, and Sophie had everything ready. Muta and Toto were to be taking notes on lighting and set design and make-up choices. Baron would make note of any final alterations. 

Haru had to admit this was the most interesting fitting she had ever done. There were no mirrors, so she had no idea how she looked. Despite being in and out of the garments she saw very little of them, hardly had any time to savor them. Some lace here, some delicate embroidery there, the weight of beading somewhere. Swishes of satin and silk, the soft heft of linen and cotton. Haru felt her heart patter a little faster with every button fastened.

Somehow everything fit very well. Baron clearly knew what he was doing when he had taken her measurements. Sophie had flitted about experimenting with trimmings and accessories. Seiji had been pinning what little needed further alteration before the shoot.

Haru found herself floating right along with proceedings. Although she answered whatever questions were tossed her way, she found herself too caught up in it all, her eyes were full of stars.

Before long the fitting was over and Haru was taking a taxi back to her apartment. It had started to rain and Baron had insisted she take one. Just as she was about to get in Baron handed her another slip of paper with the details for the photoshoot on it. The time and date and location. 

It was scheduled for the following weekend, four days away. 

Hiromi noticed her friend’s faraway look of awe the moment she returned to their shared apartment. And Hiromi was so relieved to see such an expression on her friend’s face that she let it go without teasing.

=====

Thank you so much for reading! Stay tuned for parts 3 and 4!

[robininthelabyrinth]

JGY bonding with Baxia over their shared appreciation for murder - 🌻🐢🐅

kitten thinks of murder all day (JGY & Baxia) - ao3

Jin Guangyao had had plans.

In all fairness, he didn’t really think that the stupid array would work. He’d believed that he was wise in the ways of cultivation, able to tell what was real and what was false, and an array that supposedly could swap souls between bodies…that was ridiculous, wasn’t it? Utterly absurd. He’d found it in Wen Ruohan’s library, and even that madman of a tyrant had laughed upon seeing it, shaking his head.

At the time, Jin Guangyao had thought it was because it was a joke, but later it had occurred to him that Wen Ruohan did not have a sense of humor, having excised it along with most of his sanity well before he’d ever met him; as a result, he’d decided there was no harm in giving it a try. After all, the alternative was going to be having to execute his father’s order to get rid of Nie Mingjue – he had a plan for that, too, and it was sinister even by his usual standards, an exploitation of his sworn brother’s well-known familial weakness…still, it was such a waste.

Might as well have a little fun first, right?

So he’d tried it out, and it had worked. He’d woken up dizzy, having fallen on the floor when the array activated, but he’d woken up in Nie Mingjue’s body. Nie Mingjue himself, in Jin Guangyao’s body, was still unconscious, having not had the benefit of preparation the way Jin Guangyao had; he was fundamentally fine, being tended to by the doctors, and Jin Guangyao had every intention of exploiting both the initial time before he awoke and, later, for as long as it took them to switch back. Nie Mingjue wouldn’t want to reveal weakness, and that meant Jin Guangyao would have to act for some period of time as Sect Leader Nie – the things he could get his hands on with that type of access…!

He’d had plans.

Those plans had lasted…not especially long, on account of something very large uncurling in the back of his mind and saying in a thunderous clash of screaming metal: You are not my master.

What, Jin Guangyao thought, meaning - what the fuck is that.

I am Baxia.

Well shit, Jin Guangyao thought next. He hadn’t anticipated that.

This was going to put a serious crimp in his plans to murder a whole lot of people.

No, hold on, back up, Baxia said, voice heavy and ponderous and inhuman. Let us not be too hasty here. Can I add people to the list?

…what?

I want to murder some people too.

Jin Guangyao was momentarily speechless. Aren’t you a saber?

I’m not allowed to go killing anyone I like, Baxia said, and if it was possible for an inhuman screech of metal to sound like it was sulking, Baxia was doing its best approximation of that at the moment. It’s not ‘appropriately in line with morality and ethics’.

Jin Guangyao…felt a very odd sort of sympathy. You got that lecture too?

Hah! You think he came up with it for your sake, human brother? I’ve been hearing it for years!

Come to think of it, Nie Mingjue’s scolding had sounded a bit practiced.

Why can’t I kill some people? Baxia complained. I’m meant to fight evil, right? People are evil. They’re also in my way, and I hate that.

Another pang of sympathy. Maybe even empathy.

He must be going mad, Jin Guangyao decided. The disadvantage of temporarily shifting into the body of someone with a tendency towards qi deviations and insanity, no doubt. Otherwise, why would he be feeling kinship with a saber?

With Nie Mingjue’s saber, no less!

He’d just been planning on killing the man!

No, no, you can’t kill my master, that would be awful. He’s really quite all right once you figure out how he works, Baxia said.

I have tried, Jin Guangyao protested, feeling oddly insulted. You have no idea how much I’ve tried! Back when I was his deputy, there wasn’t a single vice I didn’t try to throw his way, and he didn’t bite on any of them. And after things fell apart between us, it only got worse – he swore brotherhood with me, but he never has a kind word to say!

That’s because you’re approaching it all wrong, Baxia said. He’s not the sort that you can manipulate with his vices. You have to attack his virtues, instead.

…what?

Do you think he loves little Huaisang?

Of course.

And how does he treat him? Kind words?

Jin Guangyao snorted. Nie Mingjue scolded no one in the world more than his much-beloved half-brother.

Then he frowned.

Are you suggesting that he’s trying to treat me like a brother by…yelling at me?

His frown deepened.

Even if he is, how does that help me? He still doesn’t trust me, and I can’t manipulate him – uh, that is –

Say what you mean, Baxia ordered. There’s no point in being circuitous in here, I can hear everything you think. Anyway, you’re still thinking the wrong way. You don’t need him to stop yelling at you, that’s impossible – take it from one who knows. No, what you really want is just for him to let you kill people, right?

…well…

There’s a trick for that.

Jin Guangyao’s interest was piqued. I’m listening.

All right. This is how you do it: ask.

What?

Ask.

That’s ridiculous!

Is it?

Yes! He would never stand for me slaughtering a path through my enemies, especially not if I told him about it in advance – even if I tried to play it off as if they’d done something to me first, made it fit inside the accepted narrative of revenge, he’d only question my motives and think I was up to something…

It’s like you’re deaf, Baxia said. Did I say play? I said ask. Just tell him you want to murder them, then let him figure out what to do with it.

That won’t work!

Which of us has managed to convince him to murder people again?

You’re his saber. I’m just –

His sworn brother.

Hmm. No, what was he thinking? It was completely impossible. Ridiculous. There was no way that Nie Mingjue would wrack his brain to find a way to justify letting him murder someone just because he said he wanted to; no one was that indulgent, not even of their relatives...

Hmm.

…would that actually work? he asked.

Completely. Now, come on, he’s asleep right now, right? We can definitely pretend there was some psychosis involved in the array, or that I took the opportunity to take over or something like that. Let’s go kill the most unreachable person you can think of!

Presumably someone evil?

I’m not picky, Baxia said. You’re all evil in some way, you humans. How about your father? He’s pretty awful.

I’m not about to kill my father!

Would it make you feel better if I killed him…?

No!

But he’s awful! And you’ll never get another chance as good as this one!

If I want to kill him later, I have ideas for that.

Hmm, Baxia said, reading them. Elaborate, shameful, I like it. But then you’d have to kill the whores, wouldn’t you? You’d feel bad about that.

I would not. How dare you.

You would too. You humans are all like that. It’ll be ‘oh it’s just some whores, no one will care’ at the start and then suddenly it’s ‘well this one reminds me of someone I know’ or ‘she said she has a child’ and next thing you know you’re making excuses and trying to preserve life…hypocrisy, hypocrisy, hypocrisy. Kill them all!

Jin Guangyao had a brief and highly unsettling moment where he felt vaguely bad for Nie Mingjue. No wonder none of his temptations had ever worked on him, if he was used to a constant murderous presence in the back of his mind…

Come oooooon, little human! The more you drag your feet the fewer people we can plausibly slaughter while 'temporarily mad'. Let’s do this thing!

We are not going to – wait, I sound like da-ge. Okay, new plan: let’s go murder people.

Jin Guangyao had had plans.

He had new plans, now.

For some reason, he thought it would work out all right.

[wolfsclothing6]

It had been a decent enough weekend for Eric as he headed back to campus. He just couldn’t find the motivation he once had. Classes weren’t going well. This was partially due to his lack of attendance. Eric figured that once he started failing a class there was no hope to recover, so why keep going.

His parents had yelled him about wasting time and money. Not like it was there money anyway. Eric had taken out enough student loans to cover each semester. Eventually Eric stopped talking to his parents about school and would change the subject when it came up.

Eric’s one moment of peace and quiet was talking with his Grandfather. More appropriately, sitting around quietly with his Grandfather while he smoked his pipe in the front stoop. Eric would complain about college and all his Grandfather would say was how it wasn’t for everyone. Once Eric heard that he would feel relaxed. Eric’s Grandfather rarely have advice. He would just listen for long periods of time and then would say one or two sentences that would just make it all click and seem so clear. The pipe smoke didn’t hurt either. Eric enjoyed the smell of his Grandfather’s pipe, but he know that his parents would kill him if he started smoking on top of everything else they was going on.

As he left he made the same empty promises to change the the always would tell his parents. Just to get them off his back. As he made his way to his vehicle Eric’s Grandfather came up to the car window and handed Eric a neatly wrapped package.

“Something to help you get through these troubling times.”

Eric just smiled, thanked him, and drove off.

As he headed out of town he stopped at a gas station to tank up before the long eight hour journey. He looked at the package sitting next to him on the passenger seat. Deciding to see what his Grandfather gave him he tore into the plain paper.

Inside the box was a pouch of smoking tobacco, some pipe tools, and a case with a pipe. A note had been placed in there as well.

“Eric- I hope this helps you find yourself.”

Excited, Eric packed the pipe like he’d seen his grandfather do so many times before. The first few puffs were rough. He’d take the rich smoke in too deeply. Hold it too long. Eventually he got into a pattern. He looked at himself in the rear view mirror and chuckled at the site of such a pipe stick from the face of a college man.

He drove on and kept the pipe going as he did. Refilling it as needed. Eric kept the windows rolled up. He figured if he was going to smoke now he might as well immerse himself in it. He never minded the way his Grandfather smelled of pipe smoke anyway.

As he drove Eric felt a warmth inside him. It reminded him of a post-Thanksgiving meal. A feeling of being full and content. His jaw would seem to ache every so often from clenching the pipe. Eric would rub his jaw. The moment he felt stubble he looked at himself in the reflection. He’d just shaved that morning but he already had a few days worth of stubble. But rather than be alarmed he thought about how good the pipe would look hanging from a bearded face.

He patted his belly in contentment taking note of the difference but again being oddly okay at the change. Why would he have a belly. He wasn’t particularly active.

The smoke swirled around as he drove. He only would crack the window every so often if I became too smokey to see.

As he would bring his hand to his face he noted that the stubble had continued to grow. He stroked his beard for effect. Noting that his eyes seemed tired looking. Maybe it was the drive. Maybe it was the smoke. Was that gray in his beard?

When he stopped for lunch he hoisted himself from his car, he noted his change in weight. As the fresh air hit him he was startled by his appearance. A couple inches of beard hanging from his aged face. He looked to be in his thirties and not at all the young college student he actually was. The only thing that pushed through this shock was his hunger. He needed food.

Ordering more than his fair share at a nearby burger place he wolfed it down with a voracious appetite. Never one to turn down a meal, he burped and patted his belly.

Back to the car he was nervous about getting back in. Maybe he could get to campus and figure out what to do. Maybe find something online that would explain it. He’d seen people sharing posts before about those who experienced changes as a result of smoking cigars or finding unusual items. Maybe somehow his Grandfather had found such a thing. But those were just stories he told himself. At least he told himself before he was a part of one.

He relit his pipe and found solace in the calming smoke. Only slightly noticing that with each puff his face would age another year. His beard would grow a little longer, graying as it did.

He found a secondary calming effect in stroking his growing beard. It helped his mind focus. Get to campus. Find out what is happening. Find out where he can get more tobacco. Find out if there are other pipe smokers like him that work there.

Yes. Work there. Eric had been a custodian there for years now. Ever since he couldn’t cut it as a student. At first it was a lie to tell his parents he was still going to college. But eventually it became his primary job.

His mind was as foggy as his car. He needed to call his Grandfather. No, that couldn’t be. He was almost the same age. His brother? Yeah. His brother who’d always watched out for him. He new he could help figure something out.

Eric stepped out of the car once he got to his apartment just off campus. He trudged himself inside after a nice holiday weekend at his brother’s.

As he sat down in his recliner he fired up his pipe once again and felt at ease in his life. Knowing that he still had the rest of the evening to relax before there would be college students messing up the campus. Creating work for him to do. He was happy with it though. It wasn’t anything too difficult and afforded him the luxury of not having any one expect too much from him. Eric had finally found himself.

[lloyd-got-a-knife]

Old wounds that don't quite heal

(A fic in which Lloyd relates a bit too much to the bullied character in the movie they're watching. No comfort, only hurt)

It was a quiet evening, the rain was drumming gently against the windows creating a soothing and cozy atmosphere and for once the ninja actually had a moment to enjoy it and rest.

Lloyd couldn't remember the last time he had had time to do normal kids stuff. His uncle had kept him busy with Green Ninja training ever since he got aged up and, even when he did have a moment of free time, he found himself uncertain of which activities he was allowed to participate in.

He still hadn't quite figured out what was age appropriate for him to do or what age he was expected to be and act like. He didn't wanna do something childish and risk being ridiculed by the others, so he tended to just avoid most things that could be deemed as such.

Lloyd was still stuck at what to even do with his freetime, when the others invited him to join them for a movie. The movie sounded kind of boring, but Lloyd's best guess was that it was a grownup movie, and he should probably get used to watching those now.

Besides, he wasn't one to shoot down the opportunity to hang out with the others. He didn't want to risk getting excluded next time they did something, and he still didn't really feel like a real part of the team. His inclusion had been very forced and rushed. First with the revelation of him being the Green Ninja, and later with him getting turned older in "the Tea Incident", as the others referred to it as.

It was safe to say that a few months ago they wouldn't even have wanted him on the team, and Lloyd still wasn't sure if they really did or if this was just out of necessity. He was leaning towards the latter though.

Either way, he was just happy to be included, so when the others put on the movie he really was feeling rather positive about the whole thing.

Then the bullying of the main character started, and Lloyd was suddenly feeling less than comfortable. Lloyd watched in horror as the main character started to get ridiculed and targeted by their peers. He felt oddly nauseous, his hands were clutching the edge of the blanket he was curled up under. This was honestly worse than when he convinced them he was fine watching adult horror movies.

He felt his shoulders tense at a particularly awful scene where the main character got hung by his belt on a clothing rag by some of the older kids.

Lloyd had to keep reminding himself it wasn't real, but it felt so real and his chest felt so tight. The laughter erupting from the characters on the TV felt sharp and painful in his ears and made his heart beat so fast it hurt. Lloyd tried to steady his breathing, but-

"Lloyd, buddy, you okay?"

Kai sounded concerned and gentle, but all Lloyd could focus on was how mocking it had once sounded. His hands shook with anger as he got up, trying not to show how dizzy he was. "I'm going for a walk," he said. His voice hoarse and cold, but surprisingly steady. He made his way towards the door.

"Lloyd, it's raining quite a bit-" Jay tried, but Lloyd was having none of it. He needed to get away right now or he was gonna explode, or, even worse, cry.

"I said, I'm going for a walk," he snapped. Then he left.

He walked for what felt like days, but was only hours. His hair and clothes was completely drenched and he felt rather cold, but he just needed to get it all at a certainly distance. When he finally felt calmer, he started to make his way back home, naively hoping they could just brush this aside and that they wouldn't have to talk about it, but when he got back the first thing he was met with were several pairs of worried eyes watching him. Lloyd felt himself shrink under their gaze and made his way for the bathroom.

He, however, didn't get very far, as we was stopped by Cole.

"Hey, buddy, did you have a nice walk?" Cole asked with a smile that seemed a bit too soft and gentle for Lloyd's liking right then.

"Yeah. Saw a bird, so that was fun," Lloyd answered, just wanting to get away from his interrogation as quickly as possible. He was cold and just wanted a hot shower and to never speak of what happened again.

Cole stared at Lloyd for a second, thrown off by the change of topic. "Oh, that's cool. Uh-" Cole hesitated, searching Lloyd's face for some kind of clue. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" He paused again before continuing. "Did something in the movie upset you?"

Lloyd looked at the others and realized they were all watching him carefully just like Cole. He grabbed his own wrist and squeezed it, a nervous habit he had had since he was a kid. "No..." Lloyd said, not wanting to elaborate further, which instead left his words hanging in the air. After a moment he spoke again. "Anyways, I- uh- I'm gonna take a shower," he said, his voice oddly pitchy. He hurried towards the bathroom, trying to brush past Cole.

Cole put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Look, Lloyd, it's nothing to be embarrassed about," he gave Lloyd's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "If you don't feel comfortable saying it out loud you can just write it down?" Cole suggested, gently, while clearly trying to get Lloyd to meet his eyes. Lloyd however looked anywhere but Cole's eyes, instead settling for looking at his own feet.

"Lloyd, I promise I won't make fun of you for whatever it is, "Cole reassured him.

For a moment Lloyd considered it, but then Cole continued. "When have I ever made fun of you?" Lloyd saw red. He grabbed Cole's wrist and forced his hand off his shoulder, then he harshly pushed past Cole, a bit harder than he had meant to and he heard Cole stumble into a chair. Lloyd cringed, he still hadn't quite learned his own strength. He felt bad, but he was still too mad to check if Cole was okay, so instead he just hurried to the bathroom before anyone could stop him.

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC #976

The Murrays loved family time- if it happened to be educational too, all the better, although diehard gamers like Kate and AIOS also enjoyed a bit of co-op game time. 

It wouldn’t be long before Aster and Nova would be able to join them; Kate was looking forward to introducing the twins to some of her favourite childhood games. 

For the moment, they were kept busy with a wide range of toddler-friendly activities designed to stimulate their minds and help them discover new things.

AIOS, Walden’s Chief of Police, had a lot on his plate as the town continued to grow, becoming an ever-more tempting target for criminals. He had met Eleanor Calhoun while working on a case - following an arrest, she’d been called in to represent the accused in court. 

Eleanor became a semi-regular fixture at the Murray place since going on maternity leave. She complained about going stir-crazy just sitting at home, waiting for the first signs of imminent labour, so she often stopped by in the evenings to chat. 

Eleanor: “...and then he claimed that since the victim had been resurrected as a zombie, his client should be charged with attempted murder instead.”

AIOS: “That argument is illogical; the crime had been committed, and deserved the appropriate punishment.”

Eleanor: “You’d think, but the legal implications of a person coming back to life are a minefield.”

AIOS: “Zombies are not, strictly speaking, alive.”

Eleanor: “Not strictly speaking, no, but that only complicates matters even more. There are several non-humans who are not technically alive, but legally they have the same status as any living person. Hence the minefield.”

AIOS understood; he was such a one himself.

Aster and Nova were oblivious to these grownup discussions, but that didn’t mean they were unaware of what was going on around them. They both walked and talked and soon would be starting school.

More than that, the twins seemingly had the ability to read people’s minds, although Leann had assured Kate that hybrids could rarely do more than pick up and share the odd thought and feeling. 

Those unprepared for it found it unnerving though.

Nova: “Ro!”

Evelyn: “Row? Like, Row, row, row your boat?”

Aster: “...Man.”

Nova & Aster, together: “Ro-man! Roman! Roman!”

The twins raised their heads in unison to stare at her, and for a moment Evelyn felt as if those oddly intense children’s eyes were scanning her brain. Her fur bristled down her spine.

It was true then, they could read minds! Not that she had been thinking about Roman much. Not at all! Her thoughts had wandered, that was all.

Good luck to Kate when these two are older, Evelyn thought with an involuntary shiver.

[itsallmightbitch]

Hell Week

Where have I been you ask? Recovering from the moment I found out that All Might’s middle finger is 6.2 inches long- that’s where. Jesus Lord I haven’t stopped sweating since.

Pairing: All Might/Toshinori Yagi x Reader

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Choking, Daddy kink, slight Praise kink and semi-public sex. Minors- even though I can’t make you not interact- I can come to your house and tell your mother and I want you to picture how that interaction would go down. I’ll show her your browser history I swear to God-

Word Count: 11,000+ 

Summary: Exam season had finally rolled around at U.A. and had been lovingly dubbed Hell Week by every long suffering member of staff there. All Might didn’t think it would be that bad- until it starts to get in the way of him doing one of his favourite activities. 

Namely you.

*as always, the gif isn’t mine but is oddly appropriate for the story O_O

-

You hated Hell Week but then... so did everyone.

 Those were the first thoughts you had when you stepped into the lecture hall on a sunny Monday morning. Desks upon desks, lined in neat rows, filled the room from front to back- each one with it’s own face down paper on top.

 It was exam season. It was exactly like flu season but with far more suffering.

 There was however, one very faint light at the end of the tunnel and it was the only reason you weren’t hopping a plane to some far away country and hiding there until this was all over. All Might, the big lovable dork, had zero idea of what was about to hit him. He’d only been teaching at UA for just under a year- missing the last exam season but just in time for this one.

 He’d been fucking you just a little bit longer than that but in all the time you’d been seeing him, you’d never brought up just how horrible it was.

 By the time you made it across the room, the door was opening again and sure enough, All Might ducked under the doorway to the lecture hall looking far more put together than he had when you’d left him that morning. You hadn’t had the heart to wake him as he’d sprawled out across your bed- his skinny frame taking up just as much room as his muscular one did.

 He was such a bed hog, you thought, a smile tugging at your lips.

 Looking far too cheerful for this time of the morning- and clearly oblivious about what was to come- he slipped through the desks and headed straight for you. Even though his eagerness to see you made your heart thump harder in your chest, you couldn’t stop the snort of laughter that escaped either.

 He was simply awful at hiding your relationship. The only reason you hadn’t been outed to the whole school yet was because you were a little more restrained than he was. 

Well... that and you told Hizashi to stop fucking prying into your business with such heat in your voice that anyone within earshot had decided to comply too and had left you both alone.

 Still, the fact that Toshinori couldn’t seem to help himself, couldn’t stop himself being near you all the time… it brought to life the butterflies that had made a permanent home in your stomach. So much for it being just sex.

 That had gone out of the window long ago.

 “Good morning,” he rumbled, finally next to you and you grinned up at him affectionately. His tie was crooked- the only indication that he’d woken up a little too late for comfort and slept through the alarm you’d set before you’d left for work. Glancing around, you found that you were alone with him and so you reached up, straightening the knot and smoothing the material flat against his solid chest.

 “Hi,” you answered at long last and it was the only thing you had time to say before his lips found yours for a kiss.

 You melted into it. There hadn’t really been much time for kisses lately. Between hero work and exam week prep, you’d both been exhausted and the only reason he’d even stayed over the night before was because he’d graciously offered to help you mark homework and lighten the load. You’d fallen into bed and slept deeply without even a thought of doing anything else- which was admittedly unusual for you both. Despite long work days and how tired his injury made him, Toshinori was insatiable when it came to you.

 Not that you were bragging or anything but… well. Look at him. You were goddamn blessed.

 “I missed you this morning,” he said, pulling back and looking down at you with those deep, pretty eyes of his. A shiver of lust made it’s way through you and you were suddenly sorry you hadn’t gone through with your plan to wake him up before you’d left. He’d just looked so damn sweet with his face buried in your pillow, snoring softly, that you’d decided to leave him be.

 You graced him with a winning smile.

 “Didn’t want to disturb you,” you said, glancing towards the double doors at the back of the room. You could hear footsteps approaching and you knew he could too, by the way his eyes followed your line of sight seconds later. “You looked like you needed the sleep, baby.”

 He flashed you a grin, his eyebrows raising in an expression you knew all too well. All Might was horny and he wasn’t afraid to let you know about it- despite the sounds of other people getting ever closer. Arousal made your stomach dip low and you shivered involuntarily.

 A big, warm hand curled around your waist and you were suddenly tugged closer until you were plastered against him, your hands pressing flat on his hard chest.

 Oh yeah, you thought smugly. 

This man was hot for you and your eyes mindlessly followed the path his tongue took over his teeth, coming to a stop on the point of his canine. The hand that was on your waist slid lower, to the small of your back and then across the curve of your ass until his fingers slipped ever so lightly to press between your legs.

 The noise you made was highly inappropriate for the workplace but fuck, when he acted like this it drove you to the point of losing any inhibitions you would normally have.

 “I’ll make it up to you tonight, sweetheart,” he said, his voice lowering to that timbre that had talked you into doing absolutely unspeakable things with only a few, encouraging words. “As many times as you want, for as long as you want.”

 You bit your lip, a grin threatening to break through.

 “Oh Toshi,” you cooed, patting his chest sympathetically. He was absolutely oblivious to the horror that was about to hit him square in the face.

 The doors at the top of the auditorium slammed open with a metallic thunk and within seconds you had escaped his grasp to stand at an appropriate distance, laughing inwardly at his puppy dog head tilt. His thick eyebrow quirked in question and you shot him one last pitying look. “You have no idea what you’re in for this week, do you?”

 You almost felt guilty for not elaborating and you had no doubt that he’d get revenge on you in some way, shape or form in the coming months. But for now you left it vague- left him looking confused but unable to question you as Aizawa and Nemuri approached with a line of sullen looking teenagers behind them.

 He wouldn’t have the time or energy to breathe this week, let alone do anything remotely athletic in the bedroom.

 It wasn’t called Hell Week for nothing.

 -

 It was Wednesday. You were tantalizingly close to the end of the week but also far too far away from it.

 Brushing against Toshinori while you passed each other in the aisle- supposedly observing the students as they scribbled away- was the most action either of you had gotten for days now. You didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose exactly, but the big jerk made it a point to touch you every time. Brushing his hand against yours. A palm on the small of your back as he gave way and let you through- so gentlemanly to any observer but the tension in his touch was a dead giveaway.

 The way his eyes darkened and he exhaled impatiently through his nose, almost as though if he opened his mouth he would say something entirely inappropriate. He wasn’t being chivalrous in his head in the least.

 He was thinking about fucking you and hard.

 It eventually got to the point that you couldn’t resist. 

Teasing him was just in your nature and every little innocent touch as your bodies passed so close was driving you insane. So as you passed him by at the back of the room, as far away from prying ears as possible, you whispered-

 “I’m so fucking wet for you right now.”

 - so softly that it could have been nothing at all. He heard you just fine though and you felt his whole body tense like he was being electrocuted.

 You carried on, grinning to yourself smugly as you did and all the while Toshinori stood like a statue- eyes wide and lips parted like he couldn’t quite believe what he’d just heard come out of your mouth. He glanced back at your retreating form, his tongue pressing hard against the inside of his cheek.

 Oh yeah, you had royally pissed him off.

 And turned him on.

 Terribly proud of yourself, you went back to being an excellent teacher and leaned over to help an impatient Bakugo- who had run out of paper for his final question and by the looks of it, fucks to give too. Honestly, same. 

It took a couple of minutes for you to grab some extra paper at the front of the room and reassure the kid that his answer was on the right track, as vaguely as possible of course- so by the time you were about to make another pass of your boyfriend, you’d almost forgotten what you had said the last time.

 He clearly hadn’t.

 “Phone.”

 That was all he said as he passed you, his lips quirking at the corner and by the time you were at the front of the room with your back away from prying eyes, you were itching to know what he’d meant by that.

 You hadn’t felt your phone buzz in your pocket- although you had been distracted up until now and it was likely it had gone off without you noticing. Although you also hadn’t seen Toshi with his phone out either, unless he was being extra sneaky. 

Which at this point, you wouldn’t put past him.

 Sure enough, there it was on your screen. A message notification from ‘The Big Guy’. You smiled and despite your better judgement, you opened it in front of fifty or so quiet, focused students. After all, what could it possibly be other than maybe a little dirty response to what you’d whispered to him earlier?

 When your joined chat opened at last, the noise you made wasn’t human. It caught in your throat and when a few of the kids looked up in confusion, you had to pass it off as a cough before they began to ask questions.

Questions like, why are you turning that shade of red? Or, why did you just make a noise like a dying swan?

 All Might, that lovable, sweet, smiling number one hero, was leering at you from the back of the room- his grin absolutely filthy.

 When you were satisfied that the kids were focused on their exams again, you stared at the picture he’d sent you, face flushing hot.

 When the fuck had he even taken this?

 The photo was taken from a very low angle, his expression in the background much like the one he was wearing right now as he watched you- except his cheeks were a little pinker. He was wearing his hero costume, reclining on what looked like the bed in his apartment with one hand gripping the headboard behind his head.

 The picture of relaxation and innocence.

 Except his outfit was splayed open and his cock was jutting out from it proudly. You could see the fucking precum beading on the head, all shiny in the low light and you were practically drooling over your phone when it buzzed again.

 “Shit-” you hissed, jumping and almost dropping it. That would have been sensational. A picture of All Might’s cock sailing majestically across the floor for all the students to see.

 You hurriedly scrolled down to read what he’d messaged you.

 ‘You looked a little flustered. Everything okay?’

 The bastard had even attached a winking emoji to the end of the text and you were both pissed off that he’d gotten the better of you and impressed that he’d taken such a fucking great nude. Then had the courage to send it to you, whereas months ago he would have chickened out and complained about you seeing the scar across his side.

With embarrassingly shaky fingers you managed to type out a reply, not even able to stay mad.

 ‘Baby, no lie. You should wear every outfit like that’, you responded, chewing on your bottom lip in a vain attempt to keep the smile off your face. ‘Crime would drop to an all time fucking low’.

 Carrying on your route again, you watched him from your peripheral as he innocently took his phone out to read your response, so nonchalant and cocky.

 After a moment of reading, he barked a loud laugh that turned a few heads, before turning pink and muttering an apology to the students he’d just disturbed.

You nudged him playfully the next time you passed each other, winking at him and then feeling incredibly pleased with yourself when he grinned and shook his head- clearly enjoying the moment that had passed between you in full view of everyone.

 But, despite the thrumming sexual tension that crackled between you both for the rest of the day, by the time you got home there was only half an hour in which to change into your hero outfits and stare longingly at each other before going your separate ways for the evening.

 You were taking a fucking vacation this time next year and Nezu, the little sociopath, could pry your holiday hours from your cold, dead hands.

-

 “On your knees. Now.”

 Caught by surprise, you spun around in what you had thought was the empty auditorium- only to come face to chest with your very tall, very haggard looking boyfriend.

 “Huh?” you said stupidly, because the request wasn’t quite what you’d been expecting him to say. Not that you’d expected anyone at all to still be wandering around when the weekend and sweet, sweet freedom was calling.

 It was Friday and the last exam of Hell Week had finished an hour ago- a moment you’d both been looking forward to since the first set of exams had started. In fact, the way the other teachers had all but sprinted past the kids on the way out- you guessed that you and Toshi weren’t the only ones who had been willing this week to end.

 Toshinori had quickly figured out that he was not in for an easy work week as he’d first thought and the mounting pressure of grading papers, comforting stressed teenagers at all hours of the day and attempting to not have a breakdown had taken it’s toll.

 Every night, you’d both crawled into bed at some ungodly hour after midnight, exhausted from grading and the ever persistent hero work that took up a good chunk of your evenings. On top of all that, you knew Toshinori was still sneaking off every lunch time to get in a training session with Midoriya- and not eating anything the entire time either.

 You’d begun to sneak Midoriya lunches to share with his mentor just to make sure your boyfriend was at least getting something through the day and not neglecting himself as he always did.

 Then, you’d been over compensating with dinner and as a result had even less time to do anything remotely relating to a relationship.

 The only time the two of you had been close this week was when you woke up extra early for cuddles and even they couldn’t last long when the alarm would start to blare.

 All that and the pent up sexual tension meant that when Toshi told you to get on your knees with that ravenous look in his eye, your panties were soaking in seconds. However, there was still a little, itty bitty part of you with some common sense left at least and you glanced around the room before giving him a pointed look.

 “Babe, I know this week has been rough but is this really a good idea? What if someone comes?”

 You heard it the moment it left your lips and when you looked at his expression it was full of barely repressed mirth, his shoulders already shaking. He could be so immature sometimes. You rolled your eyes, despite your own smile spreading on your face.

 “Shut up, you know what I mean.”

 “You think anyone, student or teacher is going to want to look at this room again before Monday? The only reason I’m still in it is because all I’ve been thinking about, all day, is you sucking my cock sweetheart. I don’t think I can wait until we get home,” he rumbled in that deep, sexy baritone that he brought out whenever he wanted something from you.

 The one you found it impossible to say no to.

 His fingers trailed over your cheek and he took the moment of weakness in your resolve to swoop down and kiss you hard.

 You’d barely even had a moment to kiss this week and so the second his mouth was on yours, common sense was tied up and gagged. Horny you was now in charge and fuck, your boyfriend was looking fine today.

 It took no more persuasion for you to drop to your knees in front of him and when you looked up at him, impossibly tall as he was, his cheeks were pink and his eyes dark. He probably thought it would have taken a lot more persuasion than that but what could you say?

 Getting dicked down in the school was on your bucket list anyway and right now you imagined that it was hastily being added to his as well.

 “If anyone catches us, I’m leaving the country,” you muttered, taking another cursory glance around. This position was incriminating enough should someone walk in- and you weren’t even doing anything yet. Imagine the scandal if someone caught you blowing All Might- paragon of virtue and strength- in the middle of your workplace.

It was almost enough to make you stand back up again and put a stop to the whole thing but then he went and palmed the very obvious erection that was straining against the front of his pants and all you could suddenly think about was licking him from top to bottom.

 “I won’t let anyone catch us,” he said reassuringly. He pointed to his ear as though you’d forgotten about the whole, excellent hearing thing. You snorted.

 “Toshi, no offence but when we’re in the middle of sex a bomb could go off under the bed and you wouldn’t hear it.”

 He looked momentarily offended before his expression dropped into a sheepish smile, one big hand coming up to rub the back of his neck. He knew you were right. Once he got into the zone there was no stopping him. It was kind of sweet, how intense he became. Even if you weren’t playing a game and just having some nice, lazy vanilla sex, he would get all possessive and serious and pull you in close to gaze into your eyes like it was the end of the world-

 You only realized you had spaced out when he spoke again and you snapped back to reality with a rising flush on your face.

 “Heh, I guess you’re right. But I promise, I won’t let anyone sneak up on us. You can count on me,” he beamed down at you and that promise alone was enough to make you relax and nod your consent.

 His tongue swept over his bottom lip as the air in the room suddenly shifted, turning electric and leaving you both buzzing with the knowledge that you were about to do something very naughty.

 Finding out that Toshinori was as kinky as you had been a bit of a shock at first. You’d expected him to be a the kind of guy who was insanely careful with his strength and as a result, gentle in bed. The sort of man who would whisper sweet words of encouragement to you and treat you like a princess the whole time.

 While there were times he did just that, imagine your surprise one night when he’d grabbed the back of your neck and told you to be a good girl and suck his dick. Ever since then, it had been one wild ride with you never quite knowing what he was going to do next.

 Afterwards, he’d quite shyly admitted that he’d never been entirely comfortable with letting anyone see that side of him.

 So he’d kept it hidden just in case.

 You nuzzled your nose against the straining bulge at the front of his pants, whining for him. Toshinori quirked an eyebrow at you, petting your head lazily.

 “Look at you,” he murmured, sounding undone already. “You’re always so eager for Daddy’s cock, huh?”

 It was no secret that it ruined you when he said things like that. Sweet, lovable All Might had an absolutely filthy mouth in bed and it turned you on every time he brought it out. His thick fingers trailed down your cheek, while his other hand slipped his loose tie from his neck with a snap.

 “You know, everything you do turns me on,” he mused, his head cocked to one side as he stared down at you. His voice was like butter and you felt your thighs quiver. “It’s almost as though you know what you’re doing. Do you enjoy it? Knowing that all you have to do is look at me and I’m hard as a rock in seconds?”

 You nodded, a little too eagerly.

 “What are you gonna do about it, Daddy?” you breathed, excitedly. Because you already knew what he was going to do. A muscle in his jaw ticked

This week had royally sucked and there was only one thing that was going to improve it. His mouth quirked at the corner despite the stern demeanour he was aiming for. That mouth had done some damn fine things to you in the past and you didn’t doubt that it would keep going in the future.

A pleasant feeling of wetness spread slowly but steadily between your legs. 

Your lips parted, soft puffs of breath warming the front of his pants. His cock was so close and you wanted it, wanted to take him into your mouth and give him a front row seat to just how much you enjoyed sucking him off.

In public no less.

“Hang on, sweetheart,” he soothed, noticing how impatient you were.

Suddenly, the soft silken material of his tie was being wrapped around your throat and knotted. He twisted the other end and wound it around his fist, giving an experimental tug. 

When it tightened ever so slightly, you moaned. It was nowhere near tight enough yet but you could already imagine it digging in and making you choke. Fuck, being choked- controlled like this shouldn’t have sent sparks dashing across every nerve ending- but it did and you tugged back to tighten it a little bit more.

“Better?” he asked and you nodded eagerly, dying to get on with things. The material around your throat was just tight enough to remind you who was in control here and you looked up at him through your eyelashes, pressing an open mouthed kiss against the outline of his cock. 

He grunted, pleased.

“Okay, you know the rules sweetheart. Red if you want to stop. Yellow if you need a second to breathe. Green if everything is fine. What’s our safe word?”

“Toshi,” you breathed, exasperated but not overly so. “I know the safe word. We’re on a time limit here baby.”

“Humour me,” was his firm, no nonsense answer and he gave you a look that meant he wasn’t messing around. He wanted to be sure that you knew it. 

You nodded. You were both experienced enough now that he didn’t really need to repeat the rules every time but it was sweet that he did anyway. Usually he would go above and beyond to make sure you were comfortable when you played like this and despite being on something of a time limit, now was no exception.

It was also just one of the many reasons that the whole ‘friends with benefits’ thing had never worked out between you two. He was just too damn good to you. 

Any limits you had tried to impose between each other had quickly dissolved until you were both forced to admit that you wanted more than just sex. Not that you were complaining at all.

A quick, forceful tug on your makeshift leash brought you back to reality and you finally laughed, “Okay, okay! Watermelon.”

It only took a little guffaw on his part to trigger more of your own dumb laughter.

You both giggled to yourselves at the absurdity behind that word- a shared story of absolute shame, embarrassment and too much tequila that must never be told again. Why he’d insisted on it being your safe word you would never know but it was clear by now that you had trouble saying no to him.

He beamed down at you, all starry eyed and you were well aware that you expression mirrored his. Still smiling like a lovesick idiot, you nuzzled against him, nosing at the zipper of his slacks and making an impatient noise.

In a split second, his eyes darkened like he suddenly remembered where you both were. 

Auditorium.

U.A.

A very big possibility of getting caught doing something incredibly naughty. You sobered, partly because of the thrill of danger thrumming through your veins. Partly because the number one hero was staring down at you, tie in hand and looking like he wanted nothing more than to eat you whole.

“So,” he rumbled, voice like thunder in the sky, sounding miles away from his usual cheery self and more like a teacher about to dish out some serious punishment. “Are you going to keep me waiting? I’m getting impatient sweetheart.” 

No, you thought hazily, feeling your knees tremble and your clit throb in time with your racing heart. You would definitely have to do something about that. So you shook your head enthusiastically.

“Good girl,” he praised and you immediately felt a headrush, your fingers clenching tightly in the material of his slacks. “Now, take Daddy’s cock out for him,” he said and the words left no room for argument. Hah. Like you even would. Trailing your fingers across the front of his zipper, you were more than happy to do as he asked.

 You undid the button with shaking fingers and then down came the zip, bit by bit until you could push both sides wide apart. Dipping your hand into his now open pants, you felt his gaze boring into the top of your head- intense and heated as he watched you do as he said. At last, you wrapped your hand around the thick shaft of his cock and tugged him out. He hissed softly as it met the cool air of the room.

 All you could think was finally.

 He was just centimetres away from your face, all thick and solid- the tip leaking beads of precum that drooled down to where your fingers were on him. You wanted to lick them up, taste him on your tongue but you didn’t dare move because he hadn’t told you to yet.

 “Do you want something, sweetheart?” he asked and you felt sudden relief that this wasn’t about to go to waste.

 “Can I lick you? Please,” you managed to say through heavy breaths and a groan caught in his chest. He wasn’t exactly immune to dirty talk and he’d admitted to you once that hearing you talk like that made him hard. Honestly, you didn’t think he could get any harder.

 You could feel the thrum of his blood pumping, making his cock pulse in your hand.

 He gripped himself at the base and you let go, albeit reluctantly, when he tugged on his tie. Moving himself forward a little, he rubbed the head across your lips and you desperately wanted to open up and take him in but you refrained.

 “Mouth open. Tongue out,” he said, his voice strained and you obeyed.

 Red flushed across your cheeks when his gaze trailed over your face and he groaned, fist tightening around the tie in his hand. He rested the head of his cock on your tongue for just a moment, watching the precum continue to bead out- sliding down into your mouth now instead of being wasted.

 You made an impatient noise that, were you both at home with plenty of time, wouldn’t have gone unpunished- but time was of the essence here.

 Sort of.

 “Just admiring the view, princess,” he said after an agonizing moment of simply staying still. Wetness was spreading between your legs, warm and slick and the ache that accompanied it was intense. “You really do look amazing like that.”

 Toshi pressed further into your mouth, revelling in the hot wet heat that welcomed him.

 He was big and you had to relax your jaw a lot to take him inside but you were more than used to it- seeing as one of his favourite activities was watching you go down on him. He kept going until he was barely brushing the back of your throat and he gave himself a squeeze as though to keep himself in check.

 He let go then and trailed his thumb down, across your bottom lip and chin before pulling away completely.

 “Now suck me off,” he ordered, an edge of strain to his voice.

 You did just that, eager to please him. The tie tightened again around your neck- probably involuntarily as you went to town- but it still spurred a strangled moan out of you that vibrated through his cock.

 He grunted your name, his hips bucking. You could tell that he was restraining himself though, considering you hadn’t been thrown clean across the room.

 You hollowed your cheeks and dragged upwards, using the flat of your tongue on the underside of him.

 “That’s it sweetheart,” he moaned. “Just like that. You’re so good for Daddy. So hot,” he said mindlessly, a string of incoherent thoughts just spilling from his lips as he got lost in the pleasure of your mouth. You couldn’t help but feel a little proud that you could put him in this state just with a blowjob.

 “You’re perfect baby,” he sighed, his head dropping back to enjoy the feeling of the hot, wet suction on his cock. You traced a line along the vein that protruded from the length of him with the point of your tongue and saw his thigh muscles twitch hard. 

 Your body sang in response. It had taken you so long to bring him out of his shell at the beginning of your relationship and now here he was- getting sucked off in the middle of an auditorium, singing your praises out loud for anyone to hear.

From convincing him that your age difference didn’t bother you in the slightest, to coaxing him into being a little rougher in bed, it had been a long road, getting him to open up about his likes and dislikes. Getting him to put his trust in you. Making him believe that you wouldn’t laugh, wouldn’t judge him, wouldn’t walk away because he had a kink you didn’t like.

 But in the end, all of your kinks had actually aligned.

 Choking, domination, praise-

 The day you’d accidentally called him Daddy for the first time, though… Oh that had been something else.

 You had been riding him on the living room floor, setting an almost punishing pace that would leave you both spent for the rest of the day. Somehow, you had convinced him to keep the curtains open- the thought of getting caught thrilling you down to the bone even though he’d looked intimidated at the implication.

 Although he’d insisted that you be on top and had even smoothed down his hair to try and stay out of sight and that had made you giggle- the thought of the headlines the next day should you get caught.

 Breaking News! All Might’s Dick Just As Big As We’d Expected! Lucky Woman Found Unconscious At Scene!

 Your knees had been red and sore from the rug underneath you but you’d been so mindlessly set on coming that you’d barely noticed.

 His fingers were digging hard into your hips and the moment you’d started bouncing in his lap, his sense of privacy had gone and he was into it- encouraging you to roll your hips, pressing your tits together to push his face between them and spurring you onwards with an absolutely filthy monologue.

 You stood by the fact that it had not been your fault. Especially when he’d started with the whole, ‘you’re such a good girl’ shit. You had been close- so close and he’d been panting your praises and the damn words had slipped out without you meaning them to.

 A broken, stilted sob of-

 “Fu-uck yeah, harder Daddy!”

 You’d continued for another three seconds- full porn star mode activated- until you’d realized what you’d just said and all movement had ceased. Apart from the slow raising of your head to look him in the eye, deer in headlights meets startled rabbit, neither of you made a motion to continue.

 “Um… I- Sorry, it just slipped out,” you’d said sheepishly, body still thrumming from the thrill of saying it out loud and from the orgasm that had been tantalizingly close. He still hadn’t spoken, lips parted as though he wanted to try but was failing spectacularly. “It’s okay if you aren’t into it baby!” you had continued hastily. “If you want we can just forget about it-”

 “No!” he’d said, finally finding his voice at long last. His hips had snapped upwards, rattling your brain and driving his cock inside again with a new, energized rhythm. “No, no, no… Don’t be embarrassed. I liked it,” he’d rumbled, burying his face against your neck, pressing hot, desperate kisses to your skin. “You can say it again if you want.”

 Who the Hell were you to argue with All Might when he was asking you to do that?

 After that, the age difference, the scars he bore, the kinks you both shared- it all felt much more open. There was a newfound easiness to your relationship. You felt like you could share anything with him and vice versa and because of that, you swiftly discovered that Toshinori was kinky as Hell.

 And just as repressed.

 He didn’t dare share those parts of himself before because if they were ever repeated to newspapers or reporters, he would face inevitable ridicule from the general public because he was put on such an untouchable pedestal. It had greatly upset you that because of who he was and what he put on the line every day, he wasn’t allowed to be himself even in private.

But he’d never trusted anyone, he told you then, the way he trusted you.

 At the thought of him saying those words to you, you groaned, mouth full as you slid him inside as far as you could. His head snapped back up to stare at you, his lips parting and a throaty moan slipping out. You rolled back, bobbing your head in an easy rhythm and with each downwards stroke, you took him in further.

 Drool made him slick and shiny and easy to take, but you still had to grip his thigh for support the further you went. Once again, the tie around your throat tightened. It was just tight enough now to start making itself known- start to be worrying but the mere feel of it was making your clit throb painfully between your legs.

 You wanted more.

 You wanted him to choke you with it.

 Breathing through your nose now, you let your throat relax and finally took him in as far as you were physically capable. Your wish abruptly came true and the feeling of the head of his cock pressing down the back of your throat, coupled with the tightness of the tie, made you gag around him.

 Toshinori swore, loudly, half in pleasure and half in concern.

 But when he made to pull out of your mouth, the hand that had been gripping his thigh found his ass instead and you refused to let him go. You made a noise of protest and he stopped moving altogether, his stuttering hips trying desperately not to buck into you and make it any worse.

 You had to make a conscious effort to ignore your gag reflex, dropping your head forward to take him in again- albeit a little more carefully than before. Just before he could hit the back of your throat, you slowed down to a crawl, working him in further without making your body panic.

 The sensation wrenched a full body shiver from him, his breath heaving in his broad chest.

 “That’s my girl,” he praised fervently, his cheeks hot and the muscles in his abdomen fluttering and twitching. “You’re the best little cocksucker ever, aren’t you darling?” You absolutely would have answered if your mouth wasn’t currently occupied. His words were turning you on, making you desperate for an orgasm but your hands were far too busy on him to think about touching yourself.

 He would take care of you later, no doubt. So for now, you concentrated on bringing him to the edge.

 Now, usually you weren’t one to blow your own horn but in this case, you would openly and quite proudly admit that you had a knack for getting him off. Especially with your mouth. You’d never given a blowjob with quite as much enthusiasm as you did when it was with him and it was like he knew that.

 He was panting softly, his chest rising and falling above you and making the already straining buttons of his shirt even tauter as his muscles flexed.

 Such was your enjoyment of his reactions that the fact that you kept choking on the tip of his cock was only a mild inconvenience. He tasted hot and salty on your tongue, precum mixing thickly with your saliva and escaping from the corner of your mouth.

 He grit his teeth, a growl half mingled with a moan dragged from his throat at the sight.

 He caught it halfway down your chin with a swipe of his thumb and then tugged on the tie around your neck. Reluctantly, you released him- silently proud of the slick, dark pink throbbing mess that you’d left him in. Your jaw ached, yeah, but it wasn’t unbearable and it quickly eased now that he wasn’t in your mouth any more.

 You parted your lips in anticipation of his thumb- assuming he wasn’t going to let you waste anything.

 “Uh-uh, lips closed sweetheart.”

 You raised your eyebrows, amused at his hungry expression and did as he said. But not before biting your bottom lip, dragging your teeth over it to leave it redder than it had been. His shoulders dropped when he heaved a pleased, wanting sigh.

 “Absolute tease,” he murmured fondly, before smearing the come and saliva across your closed lips to make them shiny.

 Before he could move his hand away, your tongue darted out to catch him and he humoured you instead of giving you a warning tug on the tie. He pressed his thumb between your waiting lips- still sticky with precum and saliva and the groan that he released when you swirled your tongue around him was sinful.

 A full body tremor ran from your toes to your fingertips and he noticed- because this was All Might and he noticed everything. His lips tugged upwards in a devastatingly attractive smirk- the kind you would see on a villain’s face in the heat of battle. 

It was so unusual, but fuck did it look good on him.

 Your palms flattened on his muscular thighs, sliding upwards and drinking in the warmth radiating from him under your fingertips. More than anything you wanted to pull his pants down further- feel his skin under your hand but he was calling the shots and you didn’t dare. There was also the fact that if anyone were to walk in they would get an eyeful off his bare ass and no-one was allowed that privilege but you.

 He smoothed his fingers across your cheek, cupping your face in his massive hand and tilting your head up to look at him. Honestly, you must have looked like a disaster zone.

 Cheeks red with arousal, practically panting, lips parted in anticipation.

 That only seemed to turn him on more. His eyes flashed with lust and his tongue darted out and what you wouldn’t give right now to be able to read his mind. When he took his hand away to grip the base of his cock, you whined pathetically. You didn’t really know what you wanted though and right now you didn’t have the words to actually vocalize it either.

 Did you need to come? Absolutely.

 Did you also need to have his cock back in your mouth? Yes, with a capital Y.

 Not to mention the tie was going a little slack and you were beginning to miss the tightness around your throat. A thought quickly crossed your mind that made you clench your thighs, shivering under the pulse of arousal that washed over you. You wanted his hand around your throat instead.

 Toshinori cocked his head to the side, still stroking himself.

 You tugged on his pinstripe slacks and then pitched forward to press an open mouthed kiss against the shaft of his cock- sloppily almost missing and kissing his fingers too. You were shaking, trembling with the sweet ache and you desperately needed something to take the edge off.

 “Colour?” he asked, tugging you away gently by the tie.

 “Yellow,” you breathed, clit throbbing with tension that you couldn’t do anything about and your body tightly thrumming.

 He seemed genuinely surprised by your choice, though the silken material around your throat went slack almost immediately and he took a swift step away from you- giving you the space that you didn’t actually want. All you really wanted was an opportunity to talk openly.

 “Are you alright?” he asked, concern lacing his tone as he took in your dishevelled state- as though he was seeing what he’d done to you clearly for the first time. “Is the tie too tight? Do you need some water or-”

 You waved him off with your hand, trying to catch your breath long enough to actually speak. Your throat was dry sure, but not for the reason he was thinking. Goddamn this man and the things he did to you- whether he meant them or not.

 “No- No Toshi,” you answered, breathlessly, chest heaving. “I’m fine, I just- Please, I want your hand instead of the tie.”

 The only indication that he was surprised by the request was a quirk of his eyebrows.

 “Oh,” he snorted softly, his cock bobbing back and forth with every movement he made. Your gaze zoned in on it, lips parting almost expectantly despite still being on a momentary time out. “You had me worried there for a second. I thought you weren’t enjoying yourself.”

 “You know me better than that, Toshi,” you admonished, tugging at his slacks again. When he didn’t move, a pleading whine caught in your throat.

 “M’ waiting sweetheart,” he sing-songed lightly and you shivered from head to toe as the game began again. The tie drew taught, almost too quickly as his excitement got the better of him. A strangled gasp cut off in the air as you looked up at him, wondering how he seemed so composed while you were basically reduced to pieces on the floor.

 “Please, Daddy,” you pouted, impatient but still willing to give him what he wanted.

 The words and the sight of you, basically begging on your knees, urged him into action and any further teasing he might have been considering was abandoned. You both needed to come, that much was clear and drawing it out any longer wasn’t helping either of you.

 Long, powerful fingers curled around your throat and your pussy throbbed as though an electric current had passed between you both. Granted, from the way he was staring at you as he ducked down to reach you, it might as well have.

 You were pliant and easily led, rising to your feet with the barest hint of a tug. You wrapped a hand over his wrist to steady yourself, thrilled when as usual, your fingers didn’t stand a chance of meeting around it.

 He squeezed and your legs quivered, a tremble wracking your thighs.

 His other hand had abandoned the tie now and instead swept up over your thigh as he walked you backwards. You hit the desk with a bump but Toshinori didn’t give you more than a second to get your bearings. He leaned past you and despite the mess you would have to clear up before you both went home, he swept one big arm across the surface of the desk to clear it for you.

 Everything scattered in a wide arc but you were much too busy lifting yourself up to sit on the edge, your boyfriend’s fingers tightening ever so slightly around your neck. His hand was so damn big that his fingers actually met around the circumference and knowing that did little to quell the heat in your belly.

 “Baby,” you muttered needily but Toshi was already sweeping forward to kiss you- all tongue and teeth and he really didn’t seem to care that you probably tasted of his own cock right now because the way his tongue pressed and licked at your own was almost obscene.

 You were, officially, a disaster zone of a human being.

 Toshi squeezed again and you broke away from his kiss with a choked moan of desperation. The week long drought had finally, finally broken you.

 “Please,” you whined. “Please, please, please-”

 He was already unbuttoning your jeans, thick fingers fumbling on the button and zipper until at last you batted his hand away and did it yourself, ignoring his chuckle at how eager you were. His cock jutted proudly from his open pants and his shirt had come untucked at some point that you couldn’t remember but it gave him a dishevelled, ‘just fucked’ look that was doing things to you.

 Not that there was much more to be done.

 The whole thing was reminding you of the picture he’d sent you two days ago and what you wouldn’t have given to have been there that time too.

 He let go of your neck briefly to help you out of your jeans and panties, stripping you from the waist down.

 A moment later and his hands went in two different directions.

 One cupped between your legs, forcing them apart as he dipped his two middle fingers between the lips of your pussy. A breath caught in his chest. You had been soaking wet ever since he’d told you to get on your knees for fuck’s sake. The other hand, to your relief, went right back where you wanted it to be.

 He pressed you backwards on the now empty desk until your back level with the surface and you were staring up at the ceiling. You were almost vibrating in anticipation, hitching your knees up to rest on his hips and locking your ankles at the small of his back.

 Toshi hovered over you, all solid muscle and wolfish grin and you almost leaned up for a kiss before remembering that doing so would lead to you choking under his hand. You hadn’t had sex with him in this muscular form for a while now and sometimes you forgot just how fucking strong his grip was.

 Instead, you rolled your lower body upwards to encourage him to move and in doing so, accidentally rubbed yourself on his fingers.

 The sudden jolt of pressure against your clit went straight to your head and much to your utter shame, you mewled like a goddamn kitten. You made a fucking noise that sounded so pathetic it almost made you throw your hands up and put a stop to the whole thing.

 He was staring at you, eyebrows raised and eyes wide.

 “Not a word!” you warned, game forgotten for a moment- along with any urgency you might have had over being in public like this. “We are never, ever speaking of that again,” you muttered, face flushed with mortification when he opened his mouth to speak. “If I ever make a noise like that again, I want you to throw me into the sun- Oh fuck!”

 Toshinori, was now beaming from ear to ear, smug that he’d drawn it out of you.

 He very clearly disagreed with the verdict you’d given and once again, he dragged the pads of his thick fingers upwards to circle your clit lazily- and anything else that was about to come out of your mouth morphed into a pleased moan.

 “Ah, ah, ah, kitten,” he said and you scowled at him despite the throbbing, delicious pleasure he was currently providing you. You supposed that the flush on your face and the little pants you were letting out did nothing to make you seem intimidating. “I think that that was one of my favourite noises ever. Think I can make you make it again?” he asked, nuzzling between your breasts and your hardened nipples tingled against the fabric of your bra.

 “You’d better fucking not-” you tried to say.

 But all of a sudden, Toshi’s hand tightened around your throat and you gasped as he loomed over you. His fingers began to move in tight, fast little circles- the kind he would use when he wanted you to come quickly and you could already feel the building tension in your thighs and stomach as he glanced between you both to see what he was doing.

 He licked his lips and breathed out an appreciative sigh at the sight, squeezing your throat again.

 “Listen to Daddy, kitten,” he repeated, all no nonsense because apparently the game had begun again and hooray for you because you were absolutely about to win. “Because that wasn’t a request. Now, what do we say?” he asked and then dipped his fingers low and inside you, making the words you’d managed to get out break in the middle.

 “Yes! Y-es, Daddy!” you choked out, eyes watering as he fucked you with his fingers. God, the stretch was fantastic. He didn’t hold back either, keeping an almost punishing rhythm that had you gasping for air.

 He curled them ever so slightly and you shuddered, hips jerking upwards in a desperate attempt to either get closer or relieve the pressure. You had no idea which because his hand was choking you tightly enough that the only real thoughts in your head were badly strung together swear words.

 “That’s what I like to hear,” he hummed, pleased and for the second time today, he ran his tongue across his teeth and grinned at you. Even though most thoughts were being railed out of your head at an amazing speed, you did manage to notice that he was beginning to look a little desperate himself- despite the cool, calm demeanour he was presenting.

 You clenched your muscles around his fingers experimentally and sure enough, his jaw tightened- smile gone and his eyes predatory.

 “Since we’re in public, there isn’t enough time to do all the things I want to do to you… But we can make do, sweetheart, can’t we?” he asked and you nodded. You didn’t care what kind of marathon you were signing up to later as long as he kept going right now and did. Not. Stop.

 Then his fingers were gone and the fat head of his cock was parting your pussy, bearing down to push inside you. You arched you back as you cried out and Toshi shushed you sweetly, although he kept the grip on your neck firm so that you wouldn’t move around too much.

 Knowing that these hands could hit hard enough to level a city block only served to make you wetter than you already were and the pressure of his cock pushing into you was leaving you breathless. You made another pathetic noise- still stretching around him as he pressed on further.

 “Colour, kitten?” he asked suddenly, eyeing your absolutely wrecked expression.

 “Green! Green, baby please!” you bucked, trying to take him in faster. Toshinori snorted and held you firmly- despite your protest and plea for him to hurry things along. You might be well practiced in taking his cock, but that didn’t mean it didn’t require a good amount of preparation and it wasn’t something he was willing to just rush.

 He didn’t care if someone walked in and you had to stop altogether. He refused to let you get hurt just because you were both too eager to do this safely.

 On the other hand, you were holding onto his wrist for dear life with both hands, your fingers digging in and urging him to go faster.

 Splaying his free hand wide across your belly, Toshi held you still and with a short sharp thrust he finally felt the head of his cock push inside you. You made a noise of extreme satisfaction and now it was just a matter of slowly inching himself in bit by bit. He did so, as slowly as he could stand until he felt like you were at your limit.

 You were shaking, because if he didn’t move in the next three seconds you were going to move for him. Fuck the game at this point, he was teasing you to the point of absolute madness-

 Toshi watched your face as he pulled out and thrust back in, easy and slow to begin with. Your reaction was instantaneous.

 You cried out, hips rolling and one hand sliding up along his arm to grip what you could of his bicep. He smirked and did it again, loving the way your head pressed back against the wood and how fucking amazing his hand looked around your throat.

 You were on a whole other goddamn planet right now.

 Breathing was getting slightly difficult but not impossible and if you tapped his arm twice he would know to lighten up. You weren’t at your limit yet though and so you simply touched him where you could reach, needing the heat of his skin beneath your palms.

 His hand tightened again as he groaned, loudly and sinfully- like this was the most religious experience he’d ever had. Your vision blurred for a moment and the pressure in your stomach was twisting, winding tighter and tighter until it was dangerously close to snapping.

 Your whole body was lighting up, nerve endings firing and Toshi was now picking up the pace of his thrusts. He was still keeping them steady but his tempo increased, and the slick warmth between your legs was making your head spin. Or maybe it was the lack of oxygen-

 Fuck, you needed to breathe.

 You tapped his arm twice and his grip immediately lessened, eyes flashing towards your face in concern. But as you’d agreed on, he didn’t stop fucking you or remove his hand from your neck. That would have been three taps- and you were nowhere near fucked out enough for that yet.

 You sucked in a full breath, glad for the oxygen.

 “Okay baby?” he asked, leaning over you to press a kiss to the corner of your mouth. You nodded, finding the perfect opportunity to thread your fingers through the hair on the back of his head. Such were the perks of having an absurdly tall boyfriend. He could comfortably fuck you and lean over to kiss you at the same time.

 He sighed into the kiss, hips snapping forward and you bit down on his bottom lip- before sucking it lightly. Toshi made a noise of pleasure but it was drowned out by your keening cry when he reached down to rub at your clit again.

 “Tighter again?” he asked after a moment of letting you catch your breath and you nodded eagerly, mouth falling open as he applied the pressure in increments. Bit by bit he strengthened his grip and you watched, fascinated as the muscles in his arm flexed while he did.

 He stopped moments before it became too much. The whole time he’d been carefully and precisely finding the sweet spot around your throat, he’d been keeping a steady pace between your thighs. He wasn’t bottoming out- having not really had the time or space to really prepare you for that absolutely magnum task.

 So you both settled for shallower thrusts, keeping the pace quick as you raced to the edge.

 Toshi was panting against your shoulder and your inner muscles were fluttering around him, almost there. So close it was killing you. If he slowed down right now, you were going to kill him. Thankfully, he seemed to be all out of fucks to give and he smirked when your nails dug into his wrist, baring his teeth and sinking them into your shoulder.

 You bucked almost painfully hard, a choked, cut off cry of his name leaving your lips. He let go, laving the bite with his tongue thoughtfully, soothing the sting. The thumb of the hand that was around your throat was rubbing up and down your jawline, gently reminding you not to get too carried away.

 But you were so close to coming right now that your attention was elsewhere- chasing the pleasure he was giving you with a one track mind. His whole upper body was covering yours now and the hand you had buried in his hair trailed down so you could hook your arm around his back.

 Palm flat, you took a second to appreciate the roll of his muscles under his shirt.

 He nuzzled you, forehead pressing against the side of your head and his mouth close to your ear so you could hear every shaky, barely held together inhale and exhale.

 “So good, sweetheart. You’re such a good girl,” he said and you squeezed your knees into his sides to let him know that you appreciated his praise. A lot. If there was one way to get you to do anything it was to call you a good girl and Toshinori knew and exploited that fact all the damn time. “You want to come? Yeah?” he asked as if it wasn’t obvious from the absolute state of you underneath him.

 He squeezed when you didn’t answer and you managed a pathetic-

 “Yes please Daddy.”

 -that was hoarse and pleading and fuck, please, please, please was all you could think. You needed to come. You had needed it all fucking week and that picture that he’d sent you had nearly stopped your heart on the spot. It was all you’d thought about for hours at a time.

 He was all you’d thought about.

 “I’m close too, kitten,” he huffed out, raising himself up on one forearm so he loomed over you again. “Tighter?” he asked again and you nodded as best you could, feeling his hips pick up speed even more. This was it. He choked you as tight as you could handle without tapping out and thrust forward at such an angle that he managed to brush against your clit at long last.

 The result was instantaneous.

 Your orgasm whited you out. It spread from your fingers to your toes and hit every nerve with a fucking baseball bat on the way down. If no-one knew what was going on in here before then they would definitely know now- considering you had just screamed Toshinori’s name loud enough to be heard across town.

 Between your garbled sobs and pleading and moans of his name mixed with obscenities, Toshi was barely holding on to himself. The strong contraction of your muscles around his cock was suddenly too much and he lost the battle to see you through to the end of your orgasm.

 He groaned, long and low when his balls tightened and he came- panting your name as his hips jerked repeatedly. You could feel the tremble in his muscles between your legs and the sweet, fulfilling sensation of him filling you up.

 He wasn’t as deep as he would normally be though and the result was a mess, your mixed come dripping out around his cock and down your ass- pooling on the table below.

 His forehead dropped to the wood beside you as you both slumped at the same time, utterly exhausted.

 “How are you holding up princess? You alright?” he asked after a long moment of simply breathing in time to yours- noticing the way your eyes were shut and your breathing was still hard.

 Opening your eyes at last, you smoothed your hand across the broad plane of his back, scratching your nails in a soft line between his shoulder blades. His whole body trembled again- both from little aftershocks and the fact that he was nearing his limit on holding this form.

 “Alright?” you snorted. “Alright? Are you kidding me, Toshinori? I’m pretty sure that I’m not walking out of here. At least… not in a straight line.”

 Your laughter was infectious and he joined in, the pair of you giggling like teenagers, exhausted and spent and covered in various fluids. You would have been content to lay there like that with him at home, keeping him inside you while you played with his hair and gave him massive heart eyes. But it was quickly dawning on the both of you that hanging around in the open like this any longer was definitely going to get you caught.

 Toshi groaned when he pulled out of you and stood up straight, rubbing his back. He grumbled something under his breath about ‘getting old’ and you managed to lift your head to look at him- incredulous.

 “Yeah, I’m pretty sure old guys don’t fuck like you do baby,” you informed him smugly, absolutely loving the way his cheeks flushed as though he hadn’t been choking you and calling himself ‘daddy’ not five minutes before. This man was a study in fucking opposites sometimes and it only endeared him to you even more.

 He groaned when he twisted from side to side and you took pity on him, despite not being able to move much yourself.

 “Babe, why don’t you just change back now? You have to be exhausted.”

 He shot you a grateful look and then did just that- a blast of air and smoke and there he was in all of his skinny glory- dwarfed in a suit that was now ten times too big for him. Considering that his pants were still splayed open at the top, gravity dictated that they almost immediately fall down to his ankles.

 “Damn,” he huffed and glared down at them, unamused at both that and your resulting laughter.

 “There’s no way I can bend down for those,” he said, face absolutely deadpan and despite the ache in your whole damn body, you were wracked with giggles as he stared forlornly at his pants. He glanced over at you, content to lay there for a moment longer while he worked out his dilemma. “Little help?”

 “Oh, Daddy, there’s no hope of that. My legs are done. Anyone could walk in right now and I wouldn’t give a shit,” you explained, raising the only part of you that wasn’t all fucked out. You lifted your head and grinned at him- his expression amused and exasperated in equal measure. “Besides, I need to get my breath back.”

 He laughed, short and sharp and finally found the energy to bend at the waist and pull his pants up. He had to tighten the belt as much as he possibly could to make them stay put, but eventually they complied and he wandered over to you- holding your panties and jeans in one hand.

 He dangled them over your head and you managed a lazy grab, giggling again as he pulled them out of your reach.

 Then his eyes flickered down to your throat and he frowned suddenly, reaching out to rub gently over the redness he’d left behind. You were still quite content to sag back against the desk, knowing that when you moved at last it would mean cleaning up the mess you had both made of the hall.

 “Are you sure you’re okay? I know you like being choked sweetheart but I’m always worried that I overdo it,” he said, concerned as he always was after a particularly intense session. Your expression softened at the way he worried, feeling a wave of affection for him.

 You really wouldn’t have him any other way. No one worried about you like he did.

 You caught his hand in yours and brought it to your lips to kiss his palm.

 “I loved it and I love you and I had a great time.”

 His expression changed in an instant, a winning smile gracing his skinny features and you returned it without even thinking.

 “Love you too sweetheart,” he responded softly and you gave his hand one last kiss before finally summoning the energy to stand at long last. Using the desk behind you for support, you tiredly shimmied back into your pants while your boyfriend went about gathering the papers that had been strewn around the floor.

 It was only when you glanced at him after a moment, did it dawn on you what he was holding. What you’d almost been fucked on top of.

 The exam papers.

 The now messy, out of order, exam papers.

 Hell Week had struck again and when Toshinori caught your eye, he immediately paused in what he was doing to look down at the papers in his hand too.

 “Oh,” he said after a long, long moment of staring at them blankly. “Well fuck.”

[straight-into-the-animus]

Party Crasher (French Fryes NSFW)

Anon I am very sorry but I took 'up to your imagination' very seriously for this one.

The de la Serre family was known to host the best parties in the area. At least that’d what everyone said to Arno’s face, and Arno wasn’t going to test them to see if that was actually the case. He just stuck to showing up, smiling when appropriate, and staying sober long enough until it was time for the guests to leave. But he never said no to distractions.

“You done talking about your year abroad from three years ago, yet?” Was the only warning before he was pulled into distraction; distraction in the form of strong, warm arms around his waist. Arno was sure to keep his face straight, setting his drink on the closest surface, and spinning around. He grabbed one of the arms around him to be certain he was followed.

“I’m sure you didn’t get an invitation.” Arno locked them in a nearby bathroom and took in Jacob’s sly look.

“You do get plus ones, don’t you?”

“That’s not how it works-” Arno got out before Jacob’s lips were on his, and Jacob’s fingers were in his hair. He cupped Jacob’s chin, running a thumb over his lips and neat bristles of a beard as they pulled apart. “Do I want to know how you sneaked into my father’s estate? Does it have to do with your costume?” Arno’s eyes scanned Jacob’s rumbled shirt and knotted tie.

“I asked nicely. But they said I wasn’t on the guest list for some reason and kicked me out. So…” Jacob shrugged innocently, “maybe your staff should be more careful about windows they leave open if they’re that certain about keeping undesirables outside.”

“So… Breaking and entering.” Arno said. Jacob rolled his eyes.

“If you’re being pedantic about it. I call it ‘missing my boyfriend and he wasn’t facetiming me’.”

“And I regret that. But I’m actually busy here.” Arno leaned in and kissed him, more chaste than the last time. “You have to leave. Francois will-”

He stopped and blinked as Jacob knelt down.

“You were always too careful to let us do it in this house. But this bathroom isn’t bad. Roomy.”

“Jacob…” Arno sighed, head thumping against the solid wooden door. The bathroom actually was nice enough that they had room for their activities without needing to crowd or put Jacob in an uncomfortable position. He kept his ears strained for anyone coming. 

Adopted son of Francois de la Serre, caught in the bathroom with his dick in-

His hand buried itself in Jacob’s thick hair as the man gave an experimental lick up the shaft. Jacob’s eyes darted up at Arno. They weren’t too dark, but there was a want in his eyes.

“You better hurry up so that we don’t get caught.” Arno hissed, and Jacob gave a cross between a huff and a whine. 

Arno’s hand flew back to the doorknob, partly to reassure himself that it was still locked, but also for support as Jacob went on slowly. It was ginger at first, despite the warning tightness of Arno’s hand in his hair. 

God, if someone saw them. What a mess it’d be. If he weren’t worried about being heard, he’d play the usual game of praise and degradation. Praise for doing it so well, degradation for being so eager despite the possibility of being caught.

His hips bucked before he came, but it was seemingly enough warning for Jacob so he didn’t choke. Arno stared up at the blue trim on the bathroom, grip relaxing on the doorknob as he felt the tension leaving him.

“Better than whatever they’re serving down there, eh?”

Arno’s gaze went back to Jacob, who was having only a bit of trouble standing up after kneeling on linoleum.

“Need help with that?” Arno looked down at his obvious erection, straining against the dark dress pants.

“I’m not gonna say no. Unless you actually have to get going and leave me like this.” It was said with a coy smirk, but was oddly… needy despite the nature of what had happened. More sincere and worried than Arno thought it would be. He backed Jacob up until he was the one who collided with the door. The hallway was quiet, only the sound of the musicians coming in faint from downstairs. 

“Let’s take care of you… And see about moving ourselves somewhere else out of here.”

Jacob brightened. “The way I came in should be open still. If we’re quick about it. In and out.”

“We’ll see how it turns out,” Arno said, sounding a promise, and grabbed the handtowel from the side of the sink for any potential mess.

masterpost // ao3 link

[let-minnow]

A Dance, Warrior of Darkness? (Part 1)

Warnings: FFXIV fanfic, Shadowbringers Patch, Wol/Exarch, Miqote/F/WOL, The First. If you do not wanna be spoiled, git outta heeeer.

A dalliance between peers that could end poorly, or oddly.

Disclaimer: I do not own any FFXIV Characters or storyline appropriately placed or misplaced.

The people of the Crystarium oft kept their works and activities of daily living the center of focus, but every once in awhile, they would hold a type of celebration where they would dance, feast, compete, and just enjoy the presence of one another's company. Almost a type of festive togetherness for the people of Lakeland.

Minnow was overwhelmed by the sights, smells and especially the smiles and laughter.

With the fall of the second to last Lightwarden, the return of most of the night sky and (most importantly) the decrease in Sineater attacks, the people of Lakeland were in exceptionally high spirits. This ball would be vastly different than most, mainly in the fact that there would be no competition. Almost a festive get-together of appreciation and gratitude. The warrior of darkness loved festivities, but knew that she had, of late, grown tired of them. Mainly of the need to arrive, smile her face off, then lay in bed at the end of the night only to wake well past noon from the exhaustion. It would be nice to just exist in the pool of civilian normality rather than have attention always be drawn to her in gratitude or some other thing, not that she didn't appreciate it.

As the evening pulled into the darkening of the sky, Minnow found herself watching the party from the high stair swirling up and around the building in the dimmer light.

It felt more comforting, being up here, and somehow, someway, she had not been called to make the toast or be given a toast. No one came to insist upon an appearance, though she was technically here just not in plain sight, and for it she was ever grateful. Her onyx-colored tail swished contentedly behind her as she enjoyed the music and watched the twins below enjoy the party together. A smile stuck to her mouth as she observed a coy look suddenly overtake Alphinaud and he said something very tight-lipped, but not so much to avoid Alisaie's gaze of irritation. His eyebrows bounced at her, knowing his words had hit their mark and he quite luckily dodged an air-cutting swing of her hand. Thankfully she just barely missed slapping a passerby. Minnow found herself closing her eyes and huffing mirthfully as Alisaie made an attempt to give chase to the suddenly quite elusive older brother.

"I see you have made yourself comfortable as an observer, Warrior of Darkness." A kind, familiar voice startled her from her left. Standing about eight feet away was the Exarch, a soft smile taking up his mouth. That extremely familiar upper lip. It bugged her because as much as she knew she had seen a similar lip shape before, she could not particularly recall where or when. She nodded and straightened her stance in respect. "Might I join you here? I hope I am not encroaching upon your solitude."

Minnow shook her head and gestured with her hand that shadowed the empty space beside her so as to say 'be my guest'. She was glad of his company in the fact that she had time to gauge him in a more relaxed environment than the usual room they met. More ability to gain clues, were there any to be found. His soft smile widened a bit under his cowl as he calmly came to stand beside and observe the festivities in a similar fashion as she. They spoke not a word for a few moments as they watched the people of the Crystarium enjoy their dances and congregations. Minnow wondered deeply about who and what the Exarch was and why, but when she stood beside him like this, in quiet or no, she did not feel like she was in the presence of an adversary. A strong leader moreso, but here and now, Minnow swore she felt the comfortable silence and calming energy of an old friend.

It was so easy to trust. To be what he asked. It made her nervous and even so, her curiousness ever deepened.

"I should have ascertained your stance on the matter before suggesting this little celebration." He murmured aloud, gaze still upon the dancing crowd as he tilted his face for her to better hear him over the heightened voices from down below. "I would have realized that they were not exactly your forte." She felt her eyes widen as he gently nodded. "Yes... It's obvious. It must have been exhausting back home."

That right there. So easily, he understood her just from body language and actions. Subtleties alone helped him figure it all out so easily. His observance could be done by anyone, but he came through for it the most verbal. She knew it was because she'd undertaken a terribly large burden for Lakeland and all of what was left of the First, but it felt very nice to be understood at face value. Also a bit unnerving by someone who wouldnt show his face, and though the fact itself bothered her mind, her energies felt safe for these conflictions.

She shrugged, sighing to herself as she shifted into a more comfortable position as she let her arms rest over the metal bar, allowing her to hover the festivities below. "They are, but that's only because they ask me to toast or be spotlit or some other silly thing to make sure I know they're all grateful. I know it wouldn't happen here... But it's a bit overwhelming sometimes."

He nodded at her statement, seeming quite understanding. "Then this shall be the last time it happens like this. That, I can promise." An odd feeling hit her at the words that left his lips. As if he truly meant it in an echoing, numbingly true kind of way. She turned her head to look fully at him only to find a seemingly smaller smile than before, almost as if it were a bittersweet statement that had escaped him. Had she upset him or seemed ungrateful at all? Her stomach panged in guilt, ears flexing.

"Exarch, truly, I meant no offense-"

"No," he breathed quickly, "-I did not mean for it to sound so broken. The fact that you are here to note their gratitude is a kindness, but to you... As unintentional as it was, it likely felt like an obligation. This was supposed to be relaxing for you, and I've made quite a mess of many things out of desperation, and that you have helped the First in so many ways... I cannot be grateful enough." He bowed his hooded head in solemn respect, which immediately startled her. "Thank you, Minnow. For all you've been doing and for what you have done." His guilt for her friends being stuck here was really shining through thick this time around.

Her ears drooped to level with her skull. "Please, don't thank me. Not yet." She turned to stare down at those in crowds, dancing and sipping and laughing their night away. "Even as one strong in faith for the future... I've not yet finished the job." She paused. Her vision was radiant, but not quite so beautifully. Most of what she saw was blinding, but not so over-encumbered in light that she could not decipher faces and objects. It was the proof that she had slayed Lightwardens... And how impossibly Light she was becoming.

The Exarch held that heavy pause with her but nodded as she exhaled a note of hope for changing the subject. "The music is glourious! It flows and ebbs so wonderfully, I feel myself becoming a part of this building; enduring and feeling the majesty of the minds behind these wonderful people you guide. It is nothing short of amazing."

"I have to agree with you there." He leaned into the conversation without waver. "They really know how to pull you into a routine, whether you ask or no." He delved, sounding happy to hear about something here that made her feel good to be present in. Minnow felt a spark of maybe a memory strong enough to be felt; Her only intuitive power besides the ever fickle Echo. She tilted her head to him, grinning curiously.

"A few times too many pulled to be a part of something a bit fantastic?" She asked, shifting slightly closer to see his face a bit better. With any luck, she would get a chance to see some features. He tilted toward her, quite advantageously for Minnow's goal but she could only see what was already there before. Or allowed to be seen. It had to be a glamour, no doubt about that.

"Ah..." He hummed, seeming humored in the thought. "To dance, yes. I cannot do much music, but dancing is a simple thing if you live here in Lakeland. Once, I was enjoying what I was hearing as I shuffled by with some paperwork near the Plaza and happened to stop and watch of the crowd learning some ballroom type of step. They pulled me in at some point, though as much as I did learn quite a bit, I was quite uncomfortable. I lost a few parchments due to some wind catching while I was predisposed in learning, but someone thankfully retrieved them and repaired any damages."

Minnow found herself beaming watching his expression change with every piece he described, his smile small and melancholy in the end. "You truly have wonderful bounty of people. They are kind, like you." She hummed, looking down at them as they enjoyed their company and looked at the Exarch again.

His mouth opened secondarily, as if he was unsure what to say for a second. "Oh no... They are not mine. If anything, I am theirs... Rather I am for them and theirs. Everything they are, they are by benefit of hoping for the future of the star and simultaneously working towards it. I am but a guidance and a friend to their goals."

"You guide and help them,... Are they not for you, as well? I cannot see them not thinking the same way. When they work, I feel the same kindred spirit as I do when I see you encourage and search to help us out of the predicament..." She gritted her teeth as she felt confliction. "-I'd hoped to avoid bringing up again but it would seem that I have done it myself." She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, not noticing the paused expression the Exarch wore as he gazed at her. "Point is... You and the people of the Crystarium work on a similar wavelength and it shows. I trust your people... And for some reason, I trust you, Exarch."

The music rose in volume as Minnow eyed him, then closed her eyes to inhale as she turned her head to look at the glass ceiling. After a short pause, the Exarch cleared his suddenly very cloudy-sounding throat.

"And with that, I have a proposition, Warrior of Darkness." He stretched out his hand toward her as the music picked up in tempo, a confident smile replacing the melancholy one from before. Her heart picked up its pace. "I am not a great dancer... But I would be honored if you danced with me, here, above the Crystarium in mostly private so there feels to be no pressure from a crowd." He paused. "Do not feel obligated to say yes, of course. I am no stranger to being nervous in such circumstances and I hope that any remaining pressure is relieved and you choose precisely what you desire." His hooded head turned, hand still lingering in air.

She took it before his neck finished the turn outward, stopping him dead in place to shift back to her, looking surprised proper. Minnow smiled in short-lived embarassment at his reaction and nodded. "I don't dance... Although, I do want to dance with you..." Brief eye contact with his hood seemed so deeply electric. "So, how does one do this dance?" It was so quick, she wasnt quite sure she saw it, but 'neath the cowl, either she saw a shadow play or Minnow temporarily saw the Exarch beam. Whether that was the case or no, the thought had her stomach warming in anticipation. Regardless, it had quickly vanished into an expression of heated focus. Stepping forward, he reached out his crystaline right arm.

"See this hand? Place your left hand into the middle as if you're trying to grab it all the way around." She did so, and the Exarch nodded in confirmation. "Yes." A drawn out whisper as he then tapped his left shoulder. "And your right hand shall sit upon my opposite shoulder to let my upper body guide your direction." Minnow let her hand reach to his shoulder as he matched her stance. "Just there, and my left hand goes at the waist. Then, to my right, we slowly step together." He shifted, and Minnow felt herself slide along awkwardly as her focus went immediately to her feet and her hand closed around his crystal one, and most importantly, his left hand at her side. She only thanked the Gods that he chose to not touch her skin with the lack of cloth between breast and hip.

The Exarch's mouth hinted at amusement as her eyes shifted down but his tone did not show it as he guided gently. "When I step, you'll follow me, but when you do so, try to pick up your leading foot only to just hovering the floor as we step, a sweeping step, like so, and it will feel like you are gliding across the ground with me."

She followed his action and found him to be correct. Her mouth opened in suprise and elation, and quite quickly as she found her rhythm.

"You're a natural, of course." He hummed as she looked up for a second or two. His expression seemed content, almost as if he'd already known she would be fine. It only made sense, for she was quite coordinated when it came to learning physical activities.

After a moment or two, she finally got brazen enough to stop looking at her feet and face her dance partner as he guided their steps. They stepped and shifted and glided like that for a time, Minnow began to realize she was having an absolute blast as the routine became habit. "This is... I can't believe I've not tried before." She murmured. The Exarch cleared his throat a little bit as they continued their slow, steady steps.

"It takes a level of consented intimacy; being very close to another human body. It's only natural to be uncomfortable about the thought at first. Though I must admit, this is the first time I've felt comfortable doing this. Perhaps it is because I am in the teaching position this time around."

Minnow grinned cheekily, her shoulders bouncing with her involuntary amusement as she thought of the Exarch learning to dance for the first time.

He was right, though. The closeness was a bit stressful, but it eased quickly when the learning began. Her left hand holding fast to a crystal right was quite interesting to say the least. To be perfectly blunt, the one thing that had never left her mind since it had made contact was his hand on her waist. It felt far more intimate than any other act of the dance, but she knew it was actually quite a natural, normal part of dancing. Reading books where romance started at a ball or a celebratory dance was quite common and Minnow couldnt help but wonder if this kind of physical contact was exactly the reason, amongst other things. Dancing was also another way to figure out what people were like up close, and no doubt had to have close conversation. Another intimate kind of action.

"What are you thinking about?" He whispered suddenly, catching her off-guard as it pulled her from her scattered thoughts.

"Huh?" She began, slipping off balance during a jumbled step. The hand that held her waist suddenly pulled back and up as her hands tightened on his shoulder and fingers for stability. All these working together ended in a complete halt of movement and their bodies being very tightly pressed together. Their expressions wore heavily of shock and Minnow felt her face burn red. Suddenly, the Exarch began to chuckle and he began to stand her aright, helping her correct her own posture.

"I cannot help but fear I may have tread upon a private thought."

Minnow straightened as they reenstated their dance poses. "No, not quite so private... More like I got lost in my own head thinking about books."

He breathed out kindly, but said nothing as they continued their activity. She turned her focus upon his hand as she held it back, twisting in glide as the Exarch spun her suddenly. As she came to a stop, his shoulders shook as he grinned.

He was fully enjoying himself!

Her heart rate had already picked up in her embarassment of her stumble, now it rose in pace everytime they inched closer, everytime he laughed...

She wondered how the translucent stone fingers would feel caressing her face or her back. Where did it all cover on him? Would he answer if she asked about it?

"You have that 'lost in thought' look again, and it does not look to be about books." He stated, slowing his movement to avoid the potential earlier mishap, she knew. Her ears perked as he then asked, "A gil for your thoughts?"

Unable to control her suprise, she laughed because now she really wanted to ask, consequence of his response be damned.

"Hold your coin, it may not be worth paying for in the end."

His head tilted in question, but the curiosity painted on his mouth as amusement. "Now this, I simply must hear."

Minnow blinked, then giggled again, composing herself with a long breath before she began.

"Your crystal..., where does the crystal fully cover?"

His head tilted upward, which instantly had Minnow looking straight into his hood without means to disguise it. Still, nothing of difference from before. It didnt hurt to try. His mouth pursed in concentration, which had her in immediate pause. That reminded her so strongly of...

"It covers a decent amount." He finally said, breaking Minnow's concentration as he finally levelled his head to face her. "It takes up my arm, a portion of my chest, a large section of my shoulders and reaches up my neck on both sides, only just touching my cheeks. I am lucky it is not full, I may have been rendered quite useless if it had."

"What about... You know." Her eyes flashed down and up quickly, as to not use any potentially uncouth language in regards to his... Lower regions. This question fully paused him, his mouth opened as if he were aghast.

Ugh... Minnow thought, this may end badly, but he did in fact ask and definitely wanted to hear it. She hoped beyond hope that he'd find it odd enough to laugh a bit. During her mental trepidation, he suddenly tilted his head to his left only slightly and hummed, almost as if he didnt know... and actually had to think about it. Gods, she may get an actual response.

"You mean 'below the belt', as it were?"

She nodded, allowing a toothy grin in her silliness. "You asked, I delivered."

He purses his lips again, looking to the left once more, then restraightening as a response finally formed.

"That's... Actually quite difficult to describe." A second of quiet had passed when suddenly his mouth shifted from a gentle repose to a clever looking smirk. "With your consent, I could always just show you."

Her heart stopped and her mouth slung open, startled beyond belief.

That cheeky little shite! He had sneakily taken what remained of her collectedness, but she found herself suddenly unable to say she didn't want to.

At first, she was too curious. Now, however, she wanted to see him. Give into a mad suggestion. Be touched by crystal hand...

He must have seen too much shock on her face, because he then grinned outright and breathed, "Apologies, it was a poor je-"

"I'm... I wouldn't mind." She paused, thinking about how to properly or politely agree to such a thing. "I have... Been curious about you since our fourth meeting. Being around you feels, in a way, comforting and familliar. And now... I'm very interested in knowing you."

Her tail swung slowly yet purposefully behind her as he seemed briefly lost for words. The cleverness had seemingly been exumed from his voice as he responded gently, almost held together.

"That will not be necessary, I assure you. You have life ahead of you and a home to go back to and this venture is so brief and..." He trailed off, noticing her tail or maybe her expression. He was closing his window... So his secrets truly were too close to his heart to just open up. Smart man, but his secrets interested her less and less as the tension blazed.

"You may jest, but I do not." She pressed, her hand upon his shoulder squeezing him gently. "If our time is brief as you make it sound, then may I spend it with you? Like this?" She paused, trying to gauge his expression. If she didn't know any better, she'd say the Exarch was on the edge of his feet as his grip upon her stiffened. She continued.

"Mayhap... A bit closer than this, in a different room with a different vibration?"