#it’s refreshing to also see at least a handful of people allow the women in b5 to also be awful to some degree

[travalistocata]

one of the small things i love about babylon 5 is the high population of pretty women who act like lunatics, which as a gay man simply activates my Diva Worship gene and makes me unable to criticize a single one of them

[echantedtoon]

Ocean Deep Ch4 Kindness And Help Go Hand In Hand

(Warnings: mentions of kidnapping, selling of mers, the bad conditions they endured, mistreatment of the wives, and mermen sinking ships and harming people. Yn gets a cut on her palm. Mentioning of blood. 

To which Y/n learns that her kind act has come with work but others also learn that they can appreciate the work put into the kindness. If you need a refresher on what fish I based their tails on take a look at the links.

HINATSURU:

Strawberry Peacock 

MAKIO: 

Golden Dragon Koi 

SUMA:

 (all blue) Halfmoon Betta Fish )

You know..It all seemed like just a bad dream when you woke up sprawled out on the cold floor instead of your bed.

F/c eyes slowly blinked open and you found yourself staring at the ceiling. You stared at it for a long time allowing your brain to process the sleepiness away, at least enough for you to groan and sit up with a hand rubbing your face. Autopilot kicked in as you did the usual morning routine of making your bed, mentally cursing yourself for rolling out of it, and going about your business making breakfast, combing your hair, and getting dressed. It wasn't until you were tying the belt around your waist did the events of last night suddenly flew right back into memory harder than someone hitting you with a boulder.

Mermaids. ...You stole three mermaids from the Henyas' property and stashed them in your bathhouse!! The last events of the night before hit you straight away-

You had just returned back home, sneaking between the shadows on high alert not normal for a human. You'd done your best to dry the back of the wagon with a couple towels before sneaking the horse back to the flower shop and tying the pony back to it's post. Leaving it in the original spot you found it in since it might look suspicious if you left a horse and buggy that didn't belong to you outside your home. Someone might think you were trying to see it. You didn't need that on your head too. Thankfully no one seemed to notice anything either sound asleep or too afraid to come outside because of the rumor of monsters. You sighed once safely inside your home and the first thing you did was head straight for the guest room. It was a Smaller room barely bigger than the pantry used mainly to just house the occasional guest, but it had a small bath too and you were tired of running around soaked by dirty smelling water. So you didn't return to your unsuspecting guests until you took the time to thoroughly bath and put on a clean dress.

"You three look and smell a whole lot better."

You had barely given the three half fish women a second glance. Too busy rinsing the tub out after draining the soapy water before again filling it with clean water. This time filling it up all the way instead of halfway this time. The three mermaids in question were lying in various poses on the tiles bathroom floor, and honestly they DID look better. Their hair was now shiny instead of greasy, their skin looked slightly red from scrubbing hard but it looked less dirty, and their tails looked shinier but you barely noticed being too tired and just wanting to get this over with so you can sleep.

"Yes. Thank you very much for lending us your clothing," Pink smiled at you.

Orange looked a mixture of tired and bored while Blue gushed about how pretty your flower print dress looked on her. Pink seemed to be the only one who talked to you calmly and happily. The clothes they had previously been wearing was in a pile by the door along with the towels they used. You'd deep clean them all before you went to sleep. That way they'd be dry by morning.

"It's not a problem. Those old clothes were disgusting to say the least. ..There. That should be enough water for you all to sleep comfortably in. Better than the nasty tank you were in at least."

"Again thank you. I doubt we would've been able to even leave at all if you hadn't taken us into consideration."

"Yeah..Well I would've felt bad about leaving you behind like that."

"You look tired. You should get some rest and sleep."

It was kinda a blur after that. You briefly remember the scent of freshly clean clothes and the darkness as you hung up wet laundry and the feeling of laying down but that was it. No. None of that could've been real could it?  It was just a fever dream after being paranoid all night and staying up late! Yeah! That was it! You had a wild dream due to your fear and your tired mind. Why if you walked into your bathroom right now then you wouldn't see anything! That's why now in the present you were standing in front of the door that lead into the main family bathroom. Hesitantly you inhaled before quietly reaching a hand out. Grabbed the doorknob. And then opened it to see..

Absolutely nothing.

You blinked. There was... nothing. It looked the same as it did yesterday morning when you left for work. Towels and soaps neatly placed on the shelf. Room fully clean without a single drop on the floor. Spotless. The only thing out of place was the tub full of water, but you probably just forgot to drain it out. With a sigh you leaned against the door frame.

"It was just a dream."

SLASH!!

"HI!!"

"AAAHH!!" 

You ended up falling backwards onto your behind as a spray of droplets rained everywhere. Staring shocked at the edge of the tub as a pair of eyes stared back to you.

"Uh... Oops. Sorry."

"Great going. Are you going to make her fall into the water and an encore?" Orange popped her head up as Blue whipped to her.

"I didn't mean to!! I was just saying hi!!"

"Well you sure did a good job!"

"....Oh good gods. It wasn't a dream." You mumbled shakily reaching out and pulling yourself off the floor. 

Soon three heads were now poking out of the water and staring at you in a mix of emotions. Ggggrreeaaattt. Looks like you really weren't dreaming. The reality made you sigh and reach out a hand to rub your forehead. 

"Good morning!," Blue called out again as cheery as a little kid with candy waving a full arm. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hardly. I'm still tired and sore." Your body wasn't as tired and sore as you were last night but you were still feeling like taking a nap. "Are you alright?"

"We're fine," Pink confirmed with a smile at you. "Were you cooking food? There's a smell in the air."

"You means eggs and bacon?" You glanced at the three of them in curiosity. "Can mermaids eat eggs and bacon?" It was a genuine question.

"Depends. What animal are the eggs from and what's bacon?"

"Um. They're chicken eggs and bacon comes from pigs. Y'know. Pork."

All three seemed to light up at the mentions of meats and protein. 

"Oh! Oh! Do you have claims? I love claims!"

"We're not in the ocean! There wouldn't be claims in here!!"

You ignored the other two in favor of giving Pink a deadpanned look. "Are they always like this?"

Pink sighed. "Unfortunately."

"...Are you three hungry?" Well that got Blue and Orange to stop arguing and whip around to you so fast and wide eyed it had you jumping. "I'll take that as a yes. I'm gonna go cook some for you guys, just STOP arguing. You'll make the neighbors angry and I don't think I can explain why three mermaids are in my bathhouse."

Never thought you'd be cooking bacon and eggs for three mermaids but here you were. Cooking enough food for you to open up a buffet for breakfast. How much did mermaids eat? They were bigger than you- Or should you say longer? You suspected if they were actually human, they'd be about as tall as you. But their tales made it to where they had longer bodies than you, so you guessed that they must've needed more food. Bigger bodies means more food needed right? Like how bigger plants needed more water than smaller plants. It was only a guess and if there was anything left over you'd just store it away for later. 

You ended up having to carry everything in on a tray, and from the moment you entered there was a clear shift in both the air and their bodies. You paused when meeting their gaze. Dilated pupils and enlarged irises stared you down. Stiff movements akin to a cat rolling back their shoulders.

A predator staring down it's prey.

A shiver ran down through your body as you cautiously approached and set down the tray just within arm's distance of them. "Here. Wait a second and I'll get you some utensils-"

They lunged at you. You shrieked arms flying up to shield yourself from the upcoming assault. This was it! This is how you died! Torn apart by a mermaid feeding frenzy! A metal clattering sound filled the air followed by a splash. You'd be next to meet the watery grave. Your body would feel hands on you any moment ready to drag you down-

"KYYYAA!! THIS IS SO GOOD!!"

...WOT-

F/c eyes slowly opened up as your arms lowered just enough to peek out.

"Hm. This is pretty good..Not as tasty as lobster but it's good."

You stared dumbfounded as the three of them grabbed random amounts of eggs and bacon in their hands and was tearing the food apart with sharp teeth before swallowing them down like it was nothing. Rip. Tear. Swallow. Rip. Tear. Swallow. Over and over they frenzied grabbing the spilt food across the tiled floor and the food floating in the water. Diving in and splashing around sending water droplets spraying everywhere and water sloshing over the sides getting the floor wet. Every piece devoured like a trio of piranhas on their last meal before they died. Eventually it calmed down with the three of them licking their fangs clean and seeming content. 

"That was the best meal we've had in weeks!," Blue gushed before looking at you absolutely beaming. "Can we have some more?!"

...You blinked. "Uh. Sure. I can see what else I have but w-what the heck?" You gestured in shock at your now wet floor and slightly wet dress. "It looks like a wave crashed in my bathroom."

"Sorry." You looked up in even more slight surprise at Orange. That..was the first thing she said around you that wasn't a shout or insult or complaint as she looked slightly away. "It's just...W-We haven't eaten a good meal in a while, and we were hungry."

You stood back up lightly shaking your wet foot. "I can tell..How often were you fed?"

"A couple fish every few days? I think." Her expression squinted to one of deep thought. "We were lucky to get that. The dam food wasn't in any condition to eat-"

"Maki."

Orange snapped a raged scowl at Pink. "Well it was eat that or starve! Did you want to give them the satisfaction of dying?!"

"Can mermaids eat plants?" You waved a hand to gain their attention. "Y'know like apples and cucumbers and stuff."

"Huh? I mean yes but it's not as good tasting as meat. Why?"

"Because currently all I have in my pantry is potatoes and other fruits and vegetables. It might not be as tasty but you'll have to eat it until I can get back from work."

"Work?! But why are you leaving?!"

"Because I need money for the meat you guys like, and I need to work because I like my job. But I'll give you guys more food before I go. Is there anything else you want?"

The three of them looked at one another in shocked silence. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, maybe a comb?"

"A comb? I can do that but do me one thing first. Can you give me back my tray? It's not supposed to be in the bath."

*************

The front door to the flower shop opened right up as you pushed it open and stepped inside. Your voice calling out into the space for boss, but the old woman didn't answer you back. Not very strange. Sometimes you'd show up long before your boss did and that's alright. It was also relieving because then no one would know that you showed up and hour and a half late to work making it look less suspicious. You really didn't want to explain why you were late today, even if you were sure you could easily say you just slept in and lost track of time as an excuse. With Mrs. Satoshi no where to be seen, you quickly went about your duties and just did what you normally do around here. Take care of the many flowers that called this tiny shop home. The normalcy of the routine helped to calm your spiked nerves being so familiar. It almost made you forget about the three women in your home.. Almost.

You'd left the three with a large bag of random fruits and vegetables you just threw in there to fill up your stomachs and a comb for you guessed their hair. Made sense they'd want to properly take care of themselves after everything they suffered. You didn't know what it was like being shoved into a cramped space with three people to share it with, stuck in filthy grime and water never being changed and barely fed for weeks. It made you feel both angry and sorry for them. You were still unsure of what you were going to do with them. Obviously you weren't going to toss them at anyone. You might've still been weary around them but you weren't a cruel person. .. Maybe you could release them into the river nearby? Yeah! That could work! You could just release them into the river and everything would be fixed. They'd be free, you'd be free from them, and no one would ever know! Perfect! Your life would go right back to how it was before this entire mess dropped into your lap. 

You were happily lost in thought smiling at nothing when the door suddenly opened up causing you to jump and turn around eyes wids as a man entered the shop. He was tall with dark eyes and grey hair. He gave a look around before landing on you and he smiled a familiar kind smile. You recognized him easily.

"Niko." You were surprised to see him but smiled and turned to him. "What are you doing here?"

You knew instantly who he was. After all he looked exactly like his mother would if she was younger and a man. He smiled wider. "Hi, Y/n! I'm surprised to see you working with Ma not around."

"Well someone has to take care of the shop. What are you doing here?," you asked again raising a brow. "I thought you were supposed to be here yesterday."

"Ah! A-About that!" He tiredly reached up a hand to rub his neck and it was only then that you noticed the bags under his eyes and how disheveled he looked. Was he ok? "My wife unexpectedly went into labor the other day. Guess the babies didn't wanna wait."

His wife had""  their children? ....Well THAT explained everything.

You couldn't help but smile. "Congratulations, Niko! That's amazing! Are they girls or boys?"

"Two boys and a little girl." He smiled fondly. "I can already picture her begging for another sister once she's bigger. Haha."

"That's wonderful! You're so lucky! Is your wife ok?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Ma's with her right now while I take care of a few things." Ah. That's why she wasn't here. "I was told there was some pots here for me to deliver-" he looked around again. "B-But I don't see any." You froze. "I guess Ma got someone else to do it."

"Uh..Well you shouldn't worry about that since you don't have to do it." You said quickly with a forced smile. "You should just head on home and make sure your wife has you by her side."

"I guess you're right." He sighed in relief. "That's just one less thing I gotta do. I'll be taking my horse back though. I hope you guys didn't need him for anything else."

"Oh no no. He's probably bored staying in the SAME SPOT all day and night not at ALL moving an inch since yesterday." You stressed but he didn't seem to notice in his tired state. "You go right ahead and take him home."

"Y-Yeah. I'll do that. Thanks, Y/n. Hey. Can I buy some carnations while I'm here? I'm sure she'd love them after everything she went through yesterday."

"Of course!"

You had gotten some money from Niko buying a rather large bouquet for his wife and to your relief he had ended up taking the horse and wagon away. It was like the last piece of evidence that connected the shop to the crime of last night, but now you'd have to figure out another way to transport them to the river. You'd worry about that later. You'd just be rest assured for now that you had found the solution to the problem. 

The rest of the day was uneventful as it had always usually been. You happily skipped home with a smile on your face and a basket of fish in your hands. It wasn't a lot but the butcher gave them to you for a decent prize with what money you had and you were sure the others would appreciate it. The door to your home opened and closed behind you as you stepped inside. Relief flooding into your veins as soon as you approached the familiar route leading out to the bathroom. Mouth opening to call out to the three-

"How are we going to get them back?" 

Your feet stopped blinking at the sudden question. That..sounded like Orange's voice.

"I-..*sigh* I don't know. Maybe it's better that we just leave them behind." Pink eyes glanced over at her oranged eyed counterpart lazily floating around the water bobbing like a leaf with a hard scowl on her features.

"There is absolutely NO fucking way I'm leaving anything behind for them!! They can't have it! It's-..." Her face slowly melted into one a mix of silent longing. And.. fear. "It's the only thing we have left of him. We could never see him again."

Her mouth opened reaching out for her but slowly her mouth closed and her arm lowered back into the water. "I know. But you know as well as us that there's no physical way we can get back there."

"Why can't we just ask her to get them for us?" Their third counterpart finally decided to pipe up between her rare quietness. ...Then again her silence was probably chalked up to feasting on whatever she could grab from the giant bag. Currently she was holding it in one hand while digging he arm around inside.

"No. Absolutely not." Her pink eyes narrowed as she held up a hand and shut that down quickly. "We can't ask her to do that. She's already done enough without even asking for anything more in return."

"And we don't know if she'll stab us in the back and make off with the jewels! And don't pretend like she wouldn't! All humans are selfish and greedy if you dangle riches in their faces!" Her arms crossed and her scowl pierced the water. "It's always been like that."

"That's a very rude assumption you'd make about me." 

The mermaid holding the bag squealed and ended up falling off the edge colliding with the scowling one who's curse was cut off as both were forced underwater with a massive splash. There was a sputter of water sloshing and more splashing before three wide pairs of eyes stared at you in the doorway. You stared at them deadpanned or more specifically at Orange.

"Ok. Look, You!" You pointed at Orange and frowned stepping into the bathroom. "I'm not going to pretend to know everything about what you three went through because I don't, and I won't pretend to know how you three must feel because again I obviously don't! But I didn't ask for this!" You gestured to the three of them. "I didn't ask to be taking care of three mermaids who I don't even know and could probably put me in danger but y'know what?"  You stopped just in front of the large bath, firmly putting the basket down and staring right at Orange. Pointing a finger directly at her to make her know exactly WHO you were speaking to. "You don't have to like me! I'm not asking you to like me but the least you can do is not be rude to me! I don't WANT to be in this situation anymore than you do! That's why I was going to leave when I first saw you! I just want a normal life like everyone else here!"

..She scowled again. "Then why did you help us if you were so worried about your perfect normal life?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!" You shouted at her making her lose the scowl on her face. "WHAT?! You think I know why?! No! For all I know I could be the next meal you put into your stomachs! I'm terrified of you.. But-" F/c eyes closed. Body deflated. Sigh escaping your lips. "But if I just abandoned you then I would be no better than the people who put you in there in the first place."

There was a good long silence as the three just looked at one another for a long moment. Unsure. Shocked. Stunned. Maybe guilty. When it was obviously they weren't going to say anything, you sighed again and nudged the basket towards them with your foot. 

"Here. I thought you might enjoy something a bit more to your taste."

Again hesitance but eventually Blue reached out to grab the basket and peek inside- "IT'S SALMON!!!"

You winced at the sudden shift in volume and the sudden one eighty switch from unsure and shocked to absolutely happiness. Her eyes sparkles and a hint of drool covered her mouth as she looked inside-

"Gimme that!" Orange ignored the loud 'HEY' Blue gave her snatching the basket out of her hands to look inside, becoming surprised at the sight of fresh salmon staring up at her. A hand reached inside and pulled one out examining it around in a cartwheel motion before sniffing it. "It's fresh." Her tone was surprised.

"Well actually they're two days old," you corrected a bit embarrassed, "That's why they were on sale, but they're still good to eat. If you give me a few minutes I'll cook-" You paused as without hesitation Orange opened her mouth wide and with sharp fangs completely bit off the head of the fish she holding with a crunch sound. "Uh...Or not I guess. Your welcome?"

Blue whined at Orange for 'being mean' and grabbed the basket back leading to the both of them hissing at one another and tugging the basket in a game of tug of war. Pink only sighed again and turned to you again.

"That was very considerate of you."

You shrugged. "I mean you guys live in water, and what else would there be for you to eat down there? It was kinda obvious..No offense."

She giggled and smiled brightly. Wow. She did look really pretty when she smiled. "None taken. But I do have to ask." Her slight frown came back. "How much did you overhear?"

F/c eyes stared into pink ones before you sighed. "A little bit of it. You guys were talking pretty loudly." It felt a bit bad to confessing to eavesdropping but it's true. They were loud enough for you to hear them from the front door..Hm. that's a problem. "But I'm serious! You guys really need to be more quiet. Anyone could've heard you, and I don't think that'll be good for any of us. So could you please try to stop these two from yelling?" You gestured to the two that were still fighting over the basket.

Pink sighed again. "I'll try. It's not exactly easy."

"What were you guys talking about anyways?" She hummed. "I heard you yelling about leaving something behind." Blue and Orange stopped fighting long enough to snap at you with Blue holding up the basket and pushing Orange's reaching form away from it. That got their attention. "Are there more of you back there?"

Pink shook her head slowly humming. "No. Not really. At least not in the barn we were kept in. Some..things of ours are still back there is all. You shouldn't worry yourself about it." She quickly held up a hand. "It's all replaceable in the end and the risk of going back there is just not worth it."

A brow rose confused. "You lost something?"

"More like something was stolen from us." Orange once again scowled and crossed her arms.

"What was stolen?" You weren't sure what a mermaid could have that could be stolen. You didn't think they had backpacks or anything like that in the water.

"Mak-"

"Hey! Doesn't she have a right to know?," Orange countered cutting Pink off, "It's not like we're going anywhere anyways." You stared at the two of them confused. What were they talking about? Orange looked directly at you sizing you up for three seconds. "It's treasure."

Well you weren't expecting that. You blinked surprised. "Treasure?"

"It's not exactly treasure. It's just some jewelry like bracelets and a few strands of gold is all. They were forcibly taken off of us after we got caught."

Jewelry huh? Granted you know a lot about mermaids but with this being a mostly fishing community, you've heard your fair bit about mermaid stories. Mostly the bad ones only. How they'd sing to attract people to their watery deaths. Making ships sink. Some attacking humans only to drown them and eat their corpses- A shiver ran through you. But there was the occasional not so bad ones. Like how these creatures always hoarded treasure from ships they sunk. Guess that rumor was true, at least for these three. 

"I-.. Didn't see anything like that in the barn."

"Because it's hidden." Pink made a rectangle shape with her hands. "They're in an old chest about this big." She then held out her hands about a width of two feet apart. "I think they used to use it as an old bait box because it smelled like old fish." 

An old box? "I still didn't see anything like that there. Hm. Although it was dark. I could've missed it I guess."

"It's hidden under the stack of hay. I don't think they've done anything with them yet," Pink hummed in thought. "It would probably look rather suspicious to suddenly spend a large amount of treasure in a short amount of time."

"I'm sorry for that." Your head tilted and your brow rose. "I hope you don't mind me asking but is that stuff really important? I mean I guess it's really valuable but couldn't you just replace it?"

Pink jolted but was quick to nod in agreement. "Y-Yes! You're absolutely right! Everything can be replaced! We shouldn't worry about it! Neither should you-"

"They were gifts from someone really important to us." Pink snapped a glare at Orange who shrugged. "What? She asked."

"We're not going to ask her to get them and THAT'S final!" You were a bit taken aback by Pink's shout. You hadn't seen her calm self get angry before now. "We're lucky to have gotten out of there! And we are not taking anymore risks!" Orange huffed but seemed to drop the subject. Pink sighed and looked at you. "I'm sorry. Please forget anything about this. You've already gotten into enough trouble helping us."

"Will do!" You agreed quickly with a thumbs up! "If I'm honest, I don't plan on going back there even if I was offered all the treasures in the sea." Orange gave a look.. before turning away, giving a look at the water below. "Now you three better eat up and get some rest. It's getting late...I think your old clothes might be dry now. I'm betting you'd want them back."

Pink clapped her hands together. "Yes, please! You'd probably want your own dresses back."

"Sure."....Your gaze glanced over to Orange who still floated curled up and saddened. ".. Actually. There's some holes in the fabric I need to sew up for you. Why don't you three get some rest and we'll deal with that tomorrow?"

Pink nodded. "Sounds good! You also must be tired still! Go rest yourself!"

You nodded turning to leave the three behind as you slowly walked out. Blue starting up another crying fit as Pink took her share away from her hands. Orange remained silent in the same curled up position as before. F/c eyes gave her another look.. before turning away and leaving. You didn't think any of them heard the front door opening and closing shut again.

**************************

The lull of water is calm.

The movement of it's nature unpredictable.

The comfort of home made any dangers worth while.

The only thing needed was the ones surrounding the warm body. Keeping her safe and comforted against the unpredictable waters. A look up beheld a sight. Sunlight bedazzled from up above safely lighting up the cavern so deep below. A few jellyfish and fish lazily swimming by. A perfect meal for a quick breakfast. If she could move that was. The soft sand only held her weighed down body as a burlier one napped away by her left side with an arm thrown around her pulling her against his chest as two smaller figures were curled literally on top of them one snoring obnoxiously loud. Couldn't be helped she was the only one here that was awake ...But one of their pod was missing. 

"Makio."

Her eyes looked up. A smile who's warmth could challenge the sun overshadowed any beautiful sights above her. Fuchsia eyes crinkled up in adoration at her own. 

"Shh. Don't wake up anyone. I got a present for you."

"For me? Just me?"

"But of course! I spoil all my wives individually and this turn is yours. Look."

It was beautiful shining in the light. Golden strands holding up amber cut into small pieces and smoothed to perfection.

"I found this and was instantly reminded of you. Here. Try it on. It'll make your beautiful face all that much more flamboyant."

"Lord Tengen, it's beautiful. I-I don't know what to say."

A hand tilted the woman's face up to meet his eyes. "How about I love you? I love you, Makio.~"

THUD!!

A snort of bubbles escaped from her lungs floating up to the surface of the water. Where was she? It was cold and hard. Nothing like their seafloor home. A loud snore next to her brought her tired brain back to reality. Oh right. She was stuck in a random bath miles away from her home and sleeping on cold hard tiles instead of her soft home surrounded by her family..Well all of her family. She nudged her shoulder until the snoring ox that was her wife floated onto the bottom instead without waking. She swore she could sleep through a hurricane-

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Her eyes looked up at the surface of the water. Footsteps? At this time of night? Who'd be up in the middle of the night like this? Suspicions provoked curiosity which sparked actions as she rose up. Up, up, up. Pushing up from the surface to poke her head out-

"Good morning!" You smiled down at Orange holding a stack of clean towels you were going to place on the shelf. She blinked at you in surprise before you turned to place said towels back on the shelf. "I hope I didn't wake you up."

Orange blinked some more before yawning and reaching a wet hand up to wipe her eyes. "What are you doing up in the middle of the night?! Don't you humans get any sleep?"

"Actually I was asleep most of the night, and it's not 'in the middle of the night.' It's six in the morning. I just woke up and figured I should put all the laundry away. I'm done repairing you three's clothes by the way." You gestured to a pile of neatly folded dresses and a rather large bowl of apples near the edge of the pool. "I also brought you all something to eat. It's not much but it'll help fill you."

Her response was to just look at it blankly. "...Thanks."

You nodded and there was a moment of silence before you spoke again. "I'm sorry."

Her eyes blinked at you. "What?"

"I said I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you earlier. I mean you've been through a lot and I probably wasn't helping with your stress. So.." You made a motion with your hand. "Sorry about that."

"...It's fine." She muttered looking away again frowning. "Just forget that ever happened if it makes you feel better."

"This isn't about me. It's about how you all feel. Can't imagine how you all must feel but I think I have something that might cheer you up!"

Her brow rose. "I doubt that."

You smiled. "Oh I think it will considering if it's the right box."

Box? Her eyes snapped back up watching intently as you walked on over to the open doorway and stepped partially out leaning to the right of the doorframe. A metal jingling filled the air as you grunted and turned back around smiling. Orange's jaw dropped and her eyes nearly popped out of her skull as she stared at the box. Then at you. Then at the box. Then at you. Then she repeated the actions mouth opening and closing for a solid minute before finally coughing up one word.

"HOW?!"

Well it wasn't easy. You still mentally cursed yourself for being stupid enough to actually go back there in the middle of the NIGHT no less. You were EXTREMELY lucky you weren't caught the first time you were there! But you supposed you were foolish enough to sneak back through town and back to that barn. You were half hoping for the window to be locked this time since the door still was, but you were filled with dread when the window once again slipped open.

"Wasn't easy. Have you ever tried digging through a massive pile of hay with no light? And then trying to be sneaky with a giant jingling box? I'm honestly surprised that no one heard me fall out the window." Good thing you remembered to close it behind you.

"But-..I-.." Orange shook her head harder. "You didn't have to!!"

"I know but I wanted to and no offense but don't expect me to go crawling through anymore windows for you guys. It's a pain in the neck." You plopped down the box onto the floor which made a loud jingling noise. 

Orange didn't say anything. Only stared wide eyed at the box before reaching out shaking hands and pulling it towards her. It was an old box, starting to rot away but still too hard for you to break in. A rusty metal latch was on the front and an old lock kept it from opening. You had tried to pick the lock and pull it off to no avail. You smiled watching Orange shake the box which jingled. You guessed you got the right bo-

SPLASH!! 

Orange blinked. One minute you were standing there, and then the next minute you were gone. What the-?

"She's hurt!!" 

Her head turned. You spat out a stream of water completely soaked from being yanked into the water, and was being death hugged by a sniveling, crying mermaid.

"Good morning to you, Blue," you deadpanned looking at Orange who seemed just as surprised as you were.

"Hey! What's the big idea?!"

"AAAAHHH. She's gonna ddiiiieeee!!" Blue wailed planting her head on your shoulder.

"I'm not dying!" "She's not gonna die you loudmouthed bass!" You both yelled out.

All the commotion must've woke up Pink because a moment later she took popped up. "What is going on here?!" ..She blinked seeing you deadpanned patting the sobbing mermaid's shoulder. "What happened?"

"She's gonna die! WWAAAAHHH!!"

Orange groaned again. "Oh for the love of- SHE'S NOT DYING SNAIL FOR BRAINS!!"

"BUT SHE'S BLEEDING!!" You yelped and shouted out as Blue without a problem forced one of your hands into the air revealing the red stained bandage wrapped around it. She was a lot stronger than she looked!

The other two stared in stunned silence before Pink grabbed your arm and with more surprising strength pulled you towards her looking at your hand in horror. "What happened?"

"I tried to pick the lock using the top of one of my knives. My hands slipped and I ended up cutting myself. I'm fine." You tugged on your arm but it was like you were held by pure concrete. "I swear it's fine! It's not even that deep. I'm just mad I couldn't get the stupid box open."

Pink looked up. Uh oh- "Box?" Her head snapped to Orange and stared at the old box in her hands. Before her anger snapped to you. Double uh oh- "What is THAT doing here?!" She demanded to you. "I thought I told you to forget about it!"

"You did."

"And you went back putting yourself in danger!"

"Yeah. That one's on me I admit."

"Then why did you?"

"Because I wanted to," you answered honestly, "And it wasn't fair to leave behind something so important to you guys. Sorry I couldn't get it open. I tried everything I co-"

C R A C K!!

You three looked over and was stunned by Orange literally ripping the top right off of the box, nail and all.

"You know what? That works too."

Y'know you knew these three were really pretty. Obviously they were a lot prettier than most of the women you've met in your small town. You guessed that's normal for mermaids. But you weren't expecting to see just how beautiful they really were.

"Come on and get get out of there." You motioned for them to get out after you had wrestled yourself out of Blue's grip with Orange's help and crawled out of the tub to get changed. This was the second time you had gotten soaked because of these Three. "I have a rinse out the bath and clean the place today. You guys got water everywhere."

On second thought you'd  clean up the floors first and then rinse the tub after. The three sure were curious watching you mip the tiled floors before motioning for them to crawl themselves out of there. You watched as the three of them used their arms to pull themselves out of the water, and you finally saw their tails. Well you've seen them before but you either only saw them briefly, they were covered in dirt, or you weren't really paying attention because of other factors. But as you ran the water to rinse out the tub to fill it up again for them but you happened to look up during that time and paused. Your jaw dropped. Eyes going wide. Holy cow!

They were all absolutely beautiful!

They're tails looked so pretty! Colorful, vibrant, and absolutely GLOWING in the light as the three absolutely frenzied upon the box in a similar fashion to how they dove upon every meal you've given them. You never got a chance to see what was inside but watched in awe as a small pile of jewelry piled onto the floor. ..And you did mean small. For such a big box, there was only a few pieces that can tumbling out. A few necklaces, bracelets, and one long golden strand of studded blue sapphires. Each took to them like dogs to prime steak. Each of them slapping the dazzling accessories onto each other. But you weren't paying too much attention to the jewelry. 

You were too busy admiring the beautiful mermaids.

Each one has a tail that matched their eyes. Pink's was red where her waist met her scales but quickly faded to a pretty magenta pink with a semi spotted pattern along her fins. Orange didn't really have an orange tail, but her scales shines so golden that you were sure that it was made of actual gold for a second. Blue's was pretty plain at first compared to the fanciness of the others, but her fins were much much longer and ruffled up big and large. It reminded you of very fancy fabric. The three were finished changing back into their original clothes (your poor dresses left in a wet soggy pile on the floor) and they were all practically beaming to the nines decked out back in their belongings. Smiling and happy.

They were very beautiful. No wonder sailors always warned others about their dangerous allure. 

You shook you head. "Alright. The tub should be back full in a minute." The three looked up at you. "Then you all can get back in. I'll get you all some food too. You all seem a little thin."

That wasn't good. You'd noticed that the three of them seemed to be a little bit thin probably from the fact that they hadn't been treated well. You wanted to be sure that they were in good health before you freed them, if anything bad happened...You didn't want to think about that. They could stay for a little while longer and recover a bit more. You'd have to increase the size of their meals but you also didn't want to have them here for too long.. You'd let them stay for the rest of this month and next month and increase the amount of food you gave them. They seemed to like protein and meat based foods, so you'd have to put an increase in those above fruits and vegetables. Sigh..This wasn't going to be easy.

"Hm?" You blinked as a hand grabbed your wrist and pulled you to sit down- More like trip to until you fell sideways onto your bottom and was then dragged over to sit in the middle of the three. "Hey!"

"THANK YOU SO MUUUUUUCH!!"

 Not surprising that Blue was sobbing and hugging one of your arms again as Orange forced your injured palm into her own hands tearing up the bandages to look at it. You decided to not fight this time and allow the two to satisfy their need for touch.

"It's fine. Really. I'm just happy you're happy, Blue."

"*sniffle*...Blue?" Blue finally pulled away to look at you in question. Her body had quite a few golden bracelets along her arms, and a necklace of tiny shells sat neatly over her shoulders. But what must've been the most prominent piece of jewelry was a rather large gold chain with sapphires embedded into it. It was so long she had to wrap it around her waist multiple times like a belt.

You shrugged as Orange scowled at the not so deep cut on your palm. "Well I don't know your name. I've just kinda been calling you all by your eye color. It'd be rude and confusing to just call you three 'Mermaid' all the time."

"That's right." You turned to Pink who smiled at you, she was now adorned in a silver choker studded with shiny red rubies. A matching pair of ruby earrings dangled from her ears as her head tilted.  She also wore a few silver bracelets although not as many as Blue. Her hand placed itself on her chest. "My name is Hinatsuru. Hinatsuru Uzui." She then pointed at Blue. "This is Suma Uzui, and that's Makio Uzui."

She gestured to Orange who was busy rubbing a sleeve of one of your wet dresses on your palm to 'clean' it (nevermind you had ALREADY cleaned it this morning before bandaging it). Orange-..Makio as she was called, wore the most gold jewelry. A necklace shaped In a triangle on her chest studded with...Amber? You thought those pretty stones were amber. A few things gold chains wrapped around her tail almost blending in with her gold scales, and you thought you spotted a pair of golden hoop earrings behind her bangs. 

"My name's Y/n. Y/n L/n." 

""

Uzui huh? They all had the same last name. Did that mean they were related? You looked at them all again. They.. didn't exactly look alike. All had different eye colors, very different tails, and their facial features all had slight differences. We're they sisters? Cousins maybe? They all had the same colored hair minus Makio's golden bangs and they all looked around the same age. So maybe???

"Are you three sisters?" You asked curiously.

Hinatsuru blinked a moment before smiling again. "Oh no! Not at all. We're wives!"

...You blinked. Taking a moment to process what you heard. "Wait. Wives? As in...you three are married?" You gestured the hand Makio wasn't still looking over at the three of them. "To each other?"

"Well its not just us! Our husbands are probably worried sick about us by now."

You stared at her wider. "Husbands?! As in..Two of them?!"

"Yes! You'd like them! They're both so doting!"

Your mouth only opened up in shocked disbelief-

RRRRRRIIIIIPPPPP!!

Your gaze snapped back to Makio who ripped a long strand of fabric out of your wet dress with her fangs before proceeding to wrap said wet strand around your palm.

"....My dress."

[visionofvoid]

Homewrecker - MV1 Part Five

Summary: “i’m the worlds best driver.”

Warnings: slight flirting, shitty writing my bad 

Pairings: max verstappen x oc

Word Count: 1.2k

Taglist: @ravenqueen27​, @octaviareina​, @formula1mount​, @evans-dejong​, @ditttiii​, @vita-di-moda​, @imheretoread​, @alwaysclassyeagle​

PART ONE | PART TWO | PART THREE | PART FOUR | PART SIX​

During the break Blake spent her time travelling. She had quite a large amount in her savings with her new job compared to when she worked with Kelly and had a travelling allowance, working away from family and meal allowances which allowed her to save, so she spent it the only way she saw fit, exploring and immersing herself in new cultures and countries. The latest country? Monaco. 

She knew a handful of people that lived in Monaco and had free accommodation which was incredible given it would have cost her a fortune to get a hotel or airbnb itself. Lewis was overseas somewhere and had kindly offered up the guest bedroom of his Monaco home. He cared immensely for the girl so it was a no brainer and at least he knew that his house was being looked after while he was away. 

Blake spent the first couple of days inside, exploring some of the localities around Lewis’ home. She had seen a handful of people she knew that were either exploring during their downtime such as A-lister celebrities to Formula One drivers who would go out of their way to greet her, ask how she was and vice versa. She never knew that a year prior she would be in this position. Thanks to a lot of her tags from George or Carmen she had also gained a lot of social media followers that also recognised her and asked for pictures, which was how Max knew Blake was in Monaco.

He wouldn’t say he was stalking her, but he did check to see if she uploaded a new post or story at least once a day. Again, he wasn't stalking, just checking out her tagged photos. He was interested in what she was doing throughout the break. He wanted to reach out on numerous occasions but also wanted to give Blake some space.

Max wanted to make a plan, to stumble into Blake whilst on a walk in Lewis’ side of Monaco (which makes it sound like they stay confined to their two areas but really the two rival drivers were friendly with one another) but it seemed as if luck was on his side as he turned around, thanking the barista for taking his order to see Blake sitting at a table all by herself, immersed in a book and waiting on her food to come from the number that was on the table. She looked stunning, so effortlessly gorgeous and she was always so unaware of her own beauty. No matter where she was she never looked like a tourist, she looked like she belonged.

Looking up from her book Blake felt as if she could feel someone staring at her. She was used to some stares as she was aware of her social media following but this felt like a great warm hug, something she was clearly not used to. She looked around the cafe discreetly, her eyes flickering over couples, groups of friends and tourists before they landed on a tall male, a number in his hand. 

“Blake!” Looking up she locked eyes with Max. She wasn’t too sure what to do but a smile rose to her face almost instantly. He looked bright during his break, like he finally had some time to wind down and just enjoy his free time after winning his second World Championship. It was refreshing to see Max wearing normal civilian clothing rather than his racing suit or other Red Bull Racing uniform pieces he was to wear throughout race weekends. 

“Max, you look good.” Blake finally spoke, walking a little closer so they could enjoy a conversation without too many people listening in on their conversation. She noticed the cafe was beginning to fill up and she had a free seat so gestured towards it. “Please, sit.” The two hadn’t spoken properly since the night on the roof but Blake was aware that Max wasn’t talking to any other women, not that she should mind since she wasn’t in love with him, though it did warm her up inside for some strange reason. 

“It’s been a while, how have you been?” Max sat down in front of her, placing his number next to Blake’s. He watched as she placed her bookmark inside her book and placed it inside a tote bag that sat on the floor beside her seat. He wasn’t too sure how to initiate a conversation with her, especially after a long time of lack of communication between the two but the fact that she offered a seat at her table meant something, surely. 

“I’ve been well. I’ve been doing some travelling, I’m currently watching over Lewis’ house while he’s away. It’s been good. I haven’t ventured very far around Monaco yet but it looks gorgeous.” Blake commented, smiling when a waitress came with both of their drinks; an iced latte for Blake and a hot coffee for Max. “I suspect you’ve been a very busy man?” Max thanked the waitress and lifted the drink to his lips. He shook his head as he placed his coffee down and sighed.

“No, I don’t get up to much, if i’m honest. Just keep up with my training regime, visit family. I live quite a boring life, if I'm honest with you Blake.” Blake let out a snort and nodded. She could understand where he was coming from; all she did in her free time was work out when she could, attempt to keep her plants and herbs alive, hang out with his closest friends which happened to be Carmen, George and Lewis and read. Not that exciting. 

“Well,” Blake began, noticing how Max’s eyebrows rose up with sudden interest. “I’m here for another week. If you find yourself bored and want something exciting to do I would much rather see Monaco with a friend.” Blake’s eyes flickered past Max to a few other tables, noticing some people settling their eyes on Max and whispering between their groups. She offered them a sweet smile when they noticed and turned away blushing from being caught. She was sure some fan accounts would eat this interaction right up. 

“And if I have a sneaking suspicion that I will get bored after I have lunch.” Max gave a cheeky grin over to Blake. He grew excited with the prospect of finally getting some one-on-one time with Blake but didn’t want to come off too strong. He had a lot of time to reflect, a lot of time to come to terms that we treated her like shit when she worked with Kelly and there was no excuse for that behaviour. He promised to prove to her that he did love her and if beginning as friends was where their love story started then he would be friends with her for as long as it takes. If anything, he wanted to start off as friends first. He saw no point in being in a relationship with someone he wouldn’t want to be friends with. 

“Well then, I suppose you’ll have to show me all of Monaco’s hidden gems, won’t you Max? But we’re driving, I’m not walking.” 

“You’re in luck then, I’m the world's best driver.”

the next part will be better i promise

[more-than-a-princess]

Continued from here for @litoredeem (old thread was made on Legacy editor)

It took all of Sonia's manners and dignity not to laugh. Riku insisted that the other ladies present were 'barking up the wrong tree' if they sought to have a dance with him, but she wondered if her bodyguard realized how much he, or rather his hair, resembled a literal tree. One of those green tropical ones she'd seen, the few times she had taken a beach vacation away on an island far away from Novoselic. "I have no doubt that you will decline their invitations as gently and politely as possible," She told him, though out of the corner of her eye she could spot at least four young women whom, as the current song ended, were making a beeline to be in his line of sight. Sonia gave him a curious look in return: she thought he'd looked just as a bodyguard should for the event. Did the other ladies not understand that? It was rude to interrupt someone while working, and someone who already had a dance partner to boot.

She didn't need his permission to take a break, but it was sweet all the same for him to agree. Sonia followed a step behind, allowing Riku to do his job and make a path for her towards the refreshment table. Also likely not necessary at an event such as a ball, crowds tended to part for well-known guests, large gowns, or both. And Sonia possessed both, the latter she'd have to mind with a few of the two-bite sweets with deep crimson fruit fillings, or the pastries topped with chocolate cream.

Reaching for a plate, Sonia began to add a triangular-shaped mousse, a petit four, two macarons, and she'd just begun to reach for one of the chocolate cream-topped pastries when he commented on just that. "I suppose it is natural that, after working together in some capacity, you might notice my preferences for some things over others," She noted, giving him a small, shy smile. Not that she was particularly gluttonous, but the state of her plate would protest otherwise. "Chocolate is indeed one of my favorite things. I have been accused of that being the case due to national pride, but few believe me when I say it is my honest, sincere interest. Speaking of which..."

She nodded to the plate. Thankfully, the refreshments table wasn't the star of the evening, as delicious as all the treats were. But even so, if she handed him one directly, it would either be seen as an impertinence, or a gesture ripe for scandal. That was the last thing she wanted to do to him: Sonia knew she wasn't the easiest client to manage. Ducking her security was practically a hobby, alongside a necessary respite from the over-managed, over-scrutinized life she led. But Riku, Sonia thought, wanted a relatively quiet and inconspicuous life: putting someone else first day in and day out would surely allow something akin to living in shadows. The man spent much of his time with a serious expression on his face as it was.

Save for that moment. He smiled, at her. At the food. At the evening. All of it. Maybe that was, then, why the ladies present couldn't see him as a guard. Guards were never that cheerful around their clients. Nor did they accept dances, or food, from them.

"...have one, please." Sonia held up the plate to him, nodding. "Any one you wish. In theory I have no limits, in practice...well, people will make rumors about anything. A full plate, or a dance." Or the fact she was all but feeding her own bodyguard with a smile in a room full of much of Japan's high society. If he was willing to chuck the rule book out the window for a few hours, so was she.

[stuckybarton]

Keeping My Promise

Summary: You had made a decision to stay in the commune with your husband, finally giving a chance for a family you never thought either of you would be allowed to have. But when a friend and member of the Avengers is compromised, you had to make the choice of coming back even if it means halting your plans with your husband. Characters: Husband!Druig x Eternal/Avengers!Reader. The Eternals. The Avengers. Warning: Canon Divergent. Endgame Spoilers. Eternal Spoilers. Words: 3,868

MASTERLIST || PART ONE || PART THREE

A few weeks has passed since you had left the Compound and settled back home. Slowly but surely coming to terms with the life you now have, with your husband, and the commune. You wouldn’t deny that the way you had left wasn’t what you would have wanted things to end, but your husband had kept you distracted from those thoughts. You were grieving, for losing a small part of a life that was meant to be helping people, for the things you could still do but could no longer do as cutting ties with the team was the decision you wanted to make for your peace and for the peace of your husband when all was and done.

You were constantly busy with the commune. The daily chores and tasks had kept your mind occupied for the most part. From cleaning your home, to helping the women with sewing, and the random hunts the men would make throughout the forest, you dipped your hands into numerous pies and Druig allowed you to do. Everyone had made it evident that your return back to the Commune was welcomed and well appreciated—as another hand was good for the ever growing and ever striving home. It was also in your return that they see Druig at his happiest, but at the same time at his least productive when you were around. A double edged sword that everyone was more than willing to allowed for both of your happiness.

Speaking of happiness—

“We got to wake up.” You announced as sleep was finally waning away from your eyes.

The sun was beginning to rise, but the amount of chores for the day for both of you needed to do was astounding, getting up now and starting as early as possible would mean you and your husband would have more time for yourself at the end of the day.

The sun slowly peeking through the window, blessing Druig’s pale skin a golden tint, the familiar dusting of his freckles of his on his chest up to this neck was also blessed with the golden glow. The warmth in his features even as he still had his eyes closed, it was peace, the peace you had only come to realize you could give to your husband.

Now meeting the radiant blue eyes, you could only smile at your husband as he tried his best to dissipate the sleep from his eyes before finally falling back to you, pouty lips smirking at the sight of you staring at him the first thing in the morning. He does the same—a refreshing thing that you were the one doing it now.

“If you keep staring at me like that, neither of us will be able to leave this bed, My Persephone.” He wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to him and welcomed with a familiar morning wood digging onto your stomach. “Good Morning.” His voice still deep in sleep.

“Morning,” You whispered, breathless from his gaze. Smiling as you snuggled closer to him, face nuzzled against the crook of his neck, overwhelmed for him staring at you like you were so much to him. Centuries with this man and you somehow always find yourself still shy around his penetrating gaze. Your own hands had now found their way around his waist, warmth of his skin now felt against your palms.

The scent of morning dew, of him in the early morning, of the linen blanket had all lingered in the air. The mix of soft and rough textures of your pillows and blankets had bundled in between your bodies, it was your very own chaos in a place that was supposed to your own little space of peace.

“I don’t want to get up.” You admit, but know fully well that with a single word from your husband you could spent the rest of the day in bed—but you were not about to abuse anyone’s kindness.

Your legs tangled playfully into your own husband’s. The thought of staying in bed all on your own might not sound appealing, but the same could not be said if you could convince him just a little more to stay in bed with you.

“We have all the time in the world, My Persephone.” He reassured with a gentle smile. Hand coming to brush off some of the stray hairs that fan your face. He pulled you even closer to him at this point. “When you are good and ready to start the day, I will be here for you.”

You closed your eyes for a moment, believing his words. For the centuries that you have been together, he was always there for you even you tried pushing him away. This was him, the only thing you had left in this world that you wish to never lose. The most important person in your life.

“You’re going to be a good father, Dru.” You whispered out of the blue smirking at how quick the frown had lingered on his lips. “You know it’s true.” You pointed out gently pulling away from your husband to get a better look at him. “You’re good to the community and their children. They love you just as much as I do.”

“They fear me.” He corrects, eye avoiding your own.

“We made a rule, My Love. You are to never use your powers on the children, that alone is evidence enough of how good you are to them, of their innocence even in this cruel world we sometimes live in. You adore them just as much as they adore you.”

“I am not like you, My Persephone.” He whispered. “I can never be good like you.”

“You are.” You protest cupping his cheeks, making his turn until his eyes met your own. “My mission now is to make you think otherwise.” You smiled. “If you truly want us to have kids, you need to understand how good you are to the community, to me, and to yourself.”

You observed your husband for a moment. How he was in his own thoughts, sometimes dark thoughts that you had to pull him away from when it gets too much for him. His eyes far away, his thoughts was something you had once wished to explore, to know even just for a fraction of a moment what goes on in his mind. How he thinks, how he views the world compared to you.

“I’ll try.” He finally relents, leaning close to finally meet your lips. A promise that he was sure to keep.

~

It didn’t take long for you to get pregnant. A child was forming inside of you, for everyone to lay witness to, and for you and your husband to relish on. Four months have passed since you had left the company and with your child you sealed your fate of staying in the commune and never coming back to the compound to the team that had once depended on you to help in saving the world. You have come to terms with such fact as you start a new chapter of your life, with your husband and what would become your family.

Your pregnancy had been a little difficult for your husband to deal with, especially when it comes to your unquenchable cravings at the most random times of the days, for the most part, it was him or someone in the commune that would forge their way to the city to purchase anything you’re craving that wasn’t readily available—Pop Tarts and Ice Cream to be more specific of your cravings. But aside from the cravings, you could say everything else about your pregnancy was slowly but surely coming together as you were finally nearing your fourth month.

Hormones and the morning sickness was manageable for the most part. Druig had been with you all throughout, through the constipation and heartburns, to the constant need to fuck his brains out in the middle of day. He doesn’t bat an eye at whatever you may need and you could truly appreciate his help.

You know he doesn’t say as much, especially in front of other people, but he was excited just like you for the arrival of your baby. You had watched him craft a crib all on his own whenever you were distracted with helping around the commune. How he would disappear all of a sudden and you would find him by the lumbers, finding the perfect materials to use for his project, the glimpses of him in what would be your baby’s room, and the bandages and splinters that covered his hands throughout the process. It still made you wonder if he still has this belief that he will not be a good father, when he shows early on everything he has done for your unborn child.

The baby still has a few good months left before you get to meet them and your husband, but he was already doing his best. More than you would ever hope or expected him to do so early on.

“You should be resting.” Trust Druig and his new found tendency of being far too overprotective over you and your baby.

You could only smile at how his hands had now slotted against your growing bump, a habit he was now having to ensure your safety as well as your child that was yet to even kick as Druig was hoping to happen soon. It was far too early to feel the kick, but Druig truly didn’t care. Any chance he gets, he had his hand on your bump and often times when he thinks you’re asleep, would whisper his devotion for your baby—hum lullabies, tell stories of the world and about how you and your husband had fallen in love, and small little prayers of their safe health. It is the littlest of things made you love your husband more and more.

“I’m fine.” You reassured your husband, wrapping your arms around his waist. It was only a matter of time before your bump would get in the way of you would not be able to pull your husband closer to you. For now, you’re trying to make the most out of the moments as much as you possibly could. “The baby is alright as much as I am, My Love.” You continued assuring him.

He smiled, already ready to protest at your assurance, but the peace of your playful bantering was brought to a momentary halt at the sound of a car making their way into the commune. A frown was quick to rest on both of your faces, no one was supposed to leave the commune for this week and neither of you were expecting any visitors. Your eyes lingered around and noticed everyone had now been on their toes, some had brought out their guns for whoever was arriving.

“Get behind me.” He instructed, pushing you behind him as the both of you watched the first car followed by one then finally another. Dread lingered on your mind, worry of your past life finally coming back to haunt you. But the gentle reassurance from your husband was what kept you from acting out.

The first individual to make their way out of the was Ajak, a smile on her face but you know her perfectly well enough to know that she was trying her best to hide something. Following her were the rest of the Eternals and somehow you were brought back to the time they had first made their way to the commune seeking both of your helping in hopes of stopping the last of the Deviants on Earth. Something was going on and to have them here, only meant there was another threat on earth.

Before either of you could question their arrival, the third car opened and contained the last group of people you would have ever thought would be anywhere near your life. The very people you had hidden this life from.

Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, and Wanda Maximoff.

“So what’s the reunion about?” Druig’s coldness had always scared you, it was the calm before the storm—it was the start before he speak things that he does not mean but intend to hurt the people he would once call family. Since finding out about your pregnancy he had been ten times more overprotective and what he could do to the rest of the family and your former team worried you. There will be nothing he will not do if it means keeping you safe and sound.

“A group of Deviants have come out of hiding and Y/N is the only one capable of locating them.” Ajak spoke, her voice was measured, trying to ensure the least argument would mean a better chance of resolving the issue.

“Then why are they here?” Druig question, head turning to look at your former team, eyes focused solely on Natasha, glaring daggers still as their last interaction back in New Your was still fresh in his mind.

“They have Vision.” It was now Steve that answered, his body coming forward to block Druig from his deathly glare directed at Nat.

You paled at the news. You realized just how much danger everyone could be with the Deviants having possession of Vision. Vision was a very powerful entity and if his power is placed in the wrong hands, it would only bring forth chaos and an unfair advantage for the Deviants against them.

“I’m sure your technology could look for him. Y/N and I want nothing to do with your searches.” He dismissed and it didn’t miss your notice that he wasn’t letting anyone know about your pregnancy. His body had practically hidden you behind him at this point.

“Druig,” Ajak pleaded. “Please.”

“I will not place my wife in danger for the second time because of this Humans.”

“We just need to locate Vision, a one-time deal. Nothing more.” It was now Ikaris that spoke and you had to hold onto your husband now, fully aware of the tension that had always been between your husband and the man that had now stood close to the both of you. “We will leave your cult when we get what we need.”

“Still think you’re going to get Mother’s approval, I see.” Druig smirked, trying and succeeding in getting on the man’s nerves. “Why don’t you do what you do best, fly away and find him yourself to get all the glory like you always do.”

“Druig.” You spoke hoping to calm him and stop him from starting another argument with the man. “Not here, please.” You plead hoping to get in between the two before things go out of hand.

Your husband ignores you, his attention was still solely focused on Ikaris and for all the things the man had said and done, there was still apprehension of the man’s true intention at times. You didn’t trust him just as much as your husband, but you would not openly speak your opinion to keep the peace.

“You had left our mother to die at the hands of the Deviants. Had it not have been for my wife, Ajak would have been dead. What makes you believe I could trust you of all people of the safety of my own wife?”

You closed your eyes, the memories flooded you all over again in one dangerous wave. Seeing Ajak half alive in her farm. It took a lot out of you, but you were able to keep her alive long enough to have her heal herself back up. In that very moment, you had also learned the truth, of your true purpose on Earth and Ajak among the rest of the Eternals hoped that you could all stop it before it was too late.

You did, but at a price that you never thought you would actually want in your deceitful life. A freedom from the rest of the Eternals for good.

“This humans, that has promised my wife safety had brought her to the brink of death only months ago. What makes you all believe that I can trust you when I know your history of killing anyone to get what you want?” Druig continued, voice raising into a much higher octave.

“I’m sorry as much as I want to watch more of this family drama like the others, there is still some pressing matters at hand.” It was now Tony Stark that had been the one to finally break the tension between your husband and Ikaris. Both man’s focus had now been on the genius, deathly glare made even you shake from where you stood—Tony caring less about their looks.

“This does not concern you.” Ikaris barked.

“Nor does it concern you. We called Ajak for this, not you, Superman.” Tony spoke and only then have you come to realize there was also tension between your family and the team.

“Please, Druig. Let’s listen to what they have to say.” You practically beg your husband at this point. Hand holding on to his own shaky ones. “Vision is a friend and I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

Druig’s eyes finally turned to you. Resignation was slowly coming before your very eyes.

And it finally happened. Everyone had gathered into one of the halls for what would be a plan they had for the return of Vision and the eventual hunting for the last remaining Deviants on Earth. It was two birds with one stone, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be a dangerous mission for everyone part of it—a fact that Druig was trying to convince you,.

“I would need to use Domo to locate Vision.” You spoke upon finding out how the Deviants got a hold of Vision during a mission.

It shaken you to the core to know that it was you they had been looking for at the time. How they had instead chose to take Vision in hopes of using as a bargaining chip for whatever they may need out of you. A part of you would now forever wonder what could have happened to you had they taken hold of you instead—a part of you actually wished it was you instead of Vision, but you couldn’t openly say with your husband now more anxious about the context that came with the impending mission to come.

“We also have a GPS that could help, but with the Deviants crashing his position it isn’t as accurate as any of us would want it to be.” It was Tony that spoke, eyes turning to focus back on you, how you still stood practically behind your husband, looking for something that you hope he doesn’t take much notice over. “So, this was where you have been going to every few months?” He inquired, unnerving you by the sudden casual question.

“This is my home, where me and my husband spend our time together.”

“Never thought you would be into a cult in the Amazon, but who’s judging in this age.” He shrugged while being reprimanded by Steve and the smug smirk on Ikaris’ face because he had the same description of the place the first time they had arrived.

“The Uni-Mind would help, but I am not really sure if my powers could take it in my state.” You spoke honestly, eyes turning to Druig that still held a cold façade in front of everyone sitting in front of them in the hall. You were still uncertain if this would be a good time to tell them about your pregnancy.

“I’m not risking my wife’s life for you and your people. You have done enough damage as it is. I can’t any of you take her away from me again.” Druig repeats and it was his decision you fear you could not sway—it was you they were after and what would stop them from taking you now knowing you would be the first to help in Vision’s recovery.

“Druig—”

“This is a suicide mission and I want you to have nothing to do with it.”

“Why don’t you let her make her own decision for once—or is she always part of this cult you’re controlling?” It was now Tony that spoke, add fire to the already fueling heated argument that was to come because of this.

“She is my wife and she is under my protection.” He spoke, unfazed by what the man was trying to insinuate. “You make take your leave, we want nothing to do with your mission.”

One by one, both your family and former team members had stood, lost with what they possibly could say or do to make Druig change his mind. A part of you knew that if you weren’t carrying your child, it would be a little different. He would let you come.

As you were now left alone with your husband, he was silent and you know perfectly well that he was in deep thought about the prospect of danger coming. You were in the same boat as him, fearing what the Deviants could do if they consume Vision like the rest. It would spell trouble and danger for Earth, in more ways than one.

“I know you want to go join them, but this time, I want you to stay.” He finally spoke, making you finally meet his eyes. “I can’t compromise you or the baby. Not for anything else in this world. I want you to be selfish for once, I want to be selfish just as much.”

“I can’t.” You admit. “I know it’s not about me anymore, but I can’t just sit here and allow this to happen to my friend.”

“What if you get hurt? What if they get hurt?” He questioned, hands splayed on top of your bump. “I couldn’t even imagine what I would do if anything was to ever happen to either of you.”

“Ajak will be with me, Tony’s medical team is something that could be compared to our finest.” You tried to assure him. “And it would everything before I even allow anyone to hurt me or our baby.” You continued hand resting on top of his own.

“I can’t even stop you?”

“You can’t. One way or another, I will find a way to save Vision.” You smiled knowing your stubbornness would have been always a problem for you and Druig that was always on his toes because of it. “I can’t leave without you knowing and agreeing.”

He blinked, staring at you and back to your stomach for a moment, you allowed him to think, even for just a moment. He was being careful and you understood him in his worries, but you could handle yourself and you had a team of Eternals and superhuman on your side.

“Okay.” He finally agrees bringing a smile on your lips. “But I come along.” He added further growing the smile on your lips in the process. “Just promise me that whatever happens, you will be careful.”

“I promise.” You whispered pulling him into a kiss.

[finelinevogue]

he’s so vogue

Description - you are the journalist for the new Harry Styles December Vogue Issue

A/N - how is everyone doing? hope you enjoy! if you have any requests please feel free to ask. love you all and have a lovely rest of the week!

warnings: swearing

[masterlist]

Being a journalist for Vogue was probably the biggest flex you could ever make.

After 3 years of studying English Literature at Surrey University, you never thought, only a year after, you'd be working as an apprentice at Vogue UK. If it weren't for your Aunty, who worked in the fashion design section at Vogue HQ, then you'd no doubt still be a broke-ass, single, lonely student. Ok, lonely you still were but your job was so full-on that you didn't have time for a relationship.

Two years into your apprenticeship you were promoted to an official member of the team, and then another two years later you got promoted to team leader in your department of journalism, and editing; The Media - or as you like to call it - "The Celeb Goss". You were beyond happy with your job and found such passion in every article your wrote. Whether it be about a new celebrity romance or the collapse of one, you found a way to story-tell in such a meditated way that everyone loved your pieces.

That's why the Harry Styles had requested you to be the one to interview him.

Of course you'd written about A-list celebrities in the past, producing articles on pregnancy rumours, or engagements, or breakups, but you'd never met them before authoring an article. You'd met plenty of D-list celebrities who thought they were mega famous, but if you mentioned their names people would turn around and ask "who?".

This is why interviewing Harry Styles was a massive thing for you.

Not very often did you get to do work out in the field, especially in these covid infested days, but nevertheless it was your favourite part of the job. Getting to meet the people you were writing about was completely refreshing, allowing you to obtain a clearer outlook on which direction to take on your journal piece.

You were asked to go to Stonehenge, where the photoshoot was being filmed, as your office of interview. Even though you'd lived in the UK all your life, you'd never actually been to Stonehenge. It wasn't really on your bucket-list, but it was a pleasure to get to see it all the same.

Being the prepared interviewer you were, you'd prepared an array of questions that you were set on asking Harry. You'd never met him before, but after much googling and youtubing of him prior to meeting him today you would already be confident in saying he's the most brilliant man to ever exist. You were really nervous that you were going to screw this interview up and make a terrible mess in front of Harry Styles.

"Lisa! What if I accidentally say something I shouldn't?" You ran your stressed hands through your hair.

This whole morning had been frantic. It had started off by you waking up late, no thanks to Lisa, your best-friend and co-worker, pressing snooze on the alarm. You wanted to look professional today so you'd put on your best shirt - only to spill coffee down it ten minutes later. So now, you smelt of coffee and were wearing what was left in your wardrobe - and it wasn't much. The only things left clean were a pair of pink corduroy flares and some, pastel coloured, graphic t-shirt to go with it.    

"You won't. Stop being so negative." Lisa rolled her eyes, probably fed up with the amount of winging she'd heard from you this morning - and you'd only been awake an hour.

"My outfit is hardly professional either." You huffed, pouring the rest of your, second, coffee down the drain.

"Well I think you look gorgeous." Lisa stated, whilst putting her breakfast bar wrapper in the bin.

You and Lisa were back and forth about you stressing, and such, for about half an hour before you had to leave. You had a great panic about losing your glasses too. You could see without them up close, but for long distance viewing and reading you were practically blind. You were taking Lisa's car, since she didn't think you were emotionally stable enough to drive. Lisa was the creative director on the set, and thank goodness she was so you could at least ramble to someone.

After a two hour drive up from London, you arrived at Stonehenge and it was freezing. Although the sun was out, it did nothing to keep your body heated. The journey up had been nice because you sat in your nicely heated car, chatting away with Lisa and blasting some Harry Styles out of the speaker. You'd made it through the first album, and the second one up to Canyon Moon before reaching your destination.

Upon arriving you could just about, without glasses, make out about 15 other cars, arranged at the bottom of a hill. There was an array of Audis and BMWs, a few Range Rovers, which you placed your bets on one was Harrys, and a green, vintage, Jaguar which was most likely belonging to the fashion editor or something. There was also a modern barn, perched at the foot of the hill, which was where Harry would be getting changed in to his various different outfits.

It took you a moment to register that Lisa had parked and was already clambering out of the car, making you look a little idiotic still blankly staring at the beautiful scenes in front, and around, of you.

But it was still bloody freezing.

You jogged a little to the boot and whipped out your white cardigan. Originally you'd thought that this would've been enough to keep you warm, but now you were starting to think otherwise.

The atmosphere here was amazing. People were rushing around left, right and centre loading, and unloading, various pieces of equipment and clothes. You caught sight of brightly coloured fabrics being carried to and from various places. There were the camera crew, and presumably director, all chatting amongst themselves. The smell of the very fresh air was so lush that you'd forgotten what it smelt like - especially after years in London.

You grabbed your bag from the boot, which had your notes, recording kit and laptop stuffed inside, before locking the car and following Lisa in to the barn.

It was lovely and warm inside - a completely different climate to than the outside. It was as if it was Bali inside and Antarctica outside. Better Bali than Antarctica though.

"Ok. Let's put our stuff down over here and then go find people we need to meet and such." Lisa instructed, you still too in awe of the place to fully comprehend what was going on.

You followed Lisa and you two ended up dropping off your stuff next to some other bags. You took a liking to the purse next to your stuff. Next to your bag, it made yours seem ancient - like it was worth nothing more than a penny. It was luscious and a beautiful baby blue colour. You softly ran your hands over it, finding satisfaction in how smooth and subtle it was.

"Hope you're not planning on stealing that, love." A manly voice appeared from behind you. You whipped around to see who's bag you'd been messing with, and it was just your luck that it was to be Harry Styles'. Of all the people's it could've been it had to be his. 

Perfect.

He looked dashing. He was in black flares and his iconic 'But daddy i love him', t-shirt, along with a huge green anorak. His hair was prettily clipped back with a pink clip, presumably placed there to gave his curls greater volume. In his hand he had a pink toothbrush and you guessed he'd come back over to put it away in his bag - only to find you caressing it instead.

"Oh - no, no. Not at all. I - uh - I just thought it was beautiful." You stammered over your words, choosing them carefully to try and make you look less like an active criminal.

"Mhm." Harry nodded whilst looking you up and down, most likely judging why a peasant like you, in comparison to him, was touching his expensive property. "Well, I love your flares darlin'." Harry looked down at your trousers, his compliment making you blush a little.

"Thank you. That wasn't professional, and neither is my outfit, I know, and I apologise." You added, because you knew that if your boss knew you turned up today the way you did she would give you a right bollocking - and potentially even fire you.

"Never apologise for flares. You look amazing." Gemma perked up, making you feel more self conscious surrounded by all these other beautiful women. Gemma was in a slouchy, knitted, jumper and basic jeans - no doubt all from shops beyond your budget - and yet she looked like a model fit for the runway for Vogue.

"Okay, sorry." You apologised again, to which you, creepily, got the exact same, stern, look from the Styles siblings at the same time.

"My stylist, Harry, introduced me to big pants. He offered whether I wanted to try a pair of flares, and I was like, 'Flares? That's fucking crazy'!" Harry laughed as he told his story, earning a laugh out of you too. "Now they're my favourite item of clothing. Have a whole wardrobe dedicated to them."

"I wish he was joking." Gemma laughed at her brother and his flare obsession.

"Well you do look handsome in them, so I understand why." Your words rolls off your tongue before you could even comprehend what you were saying. Only after you finished your sentence did you completely intake what you'd just said.

"Good start." Lisa giggled to you, before turning to walk over to the coffee station. It was a help-yourself coffee bar and you knew that you were going to bed at least five cups to get over the last five minutes alone. You'd probably drain the station before letting anyone else have any.

"Oh god." You awkwardly mumbled, not daring to see how weirdly Harry would be looking at you, before walking off outside.

You had spent less than 10 minutes here and yet you'd never felt like a bigger clown. Joining the circus had never been so easy.

The outside wind hit you like a powerful leaf blower, and your hair blew around like crazy - most likely compiling into a birds nest on the top of your head.

Today was supposed to be the start of something great. Your hopes were set on a promotion from your written masterpiece, whilst enjoying the company of one of the most handsome, most lovely, most talented men of this century. Those hopes seemed a little too distant now. They seemed to mock you, as if to laugh at how you ever thought you were going to be any more successful. You'd completely, in more ways than one, made a fool of yourself in front of your interviewee, you were so underdressed, you were caught fondling his Gucci purse and you were still bloody cold.

It all felt too unprofessional for a job where professional was practically the driving force of the company.

You leaned against the barn, taking a deep breath to try and calm yourself. You were a master in over-thinking, but unfortunately that wasn't something you could add to your resumé. You let your eyes close and the other senses come alive for a few moments. The sounds of distant sheep and the smell of the cold wind were just two of the senses that allowed you to take a step back for a minute, and breathe.

"Thank you." A voice interrupted you from your attempt of quick meditation. You looked to your left and noticed Harry standing there, still in the same outfit as before.

"I'm sorry?" You asked confused, taking a step away from the barn to considerately pay more attention to him.

"Thank you - for saying I look handsome in flares." He repeated, smirking when he added the second part.

"Oh." Was all you could respond, feeling too embarrassed to take the conversation any further. "I should—" You pointed back to the barn, using it as an excuse to leave before yet screwed up anymore.

"Lisa told me you're the interviewer." Harry added, and it only occurred to you that you'd never actually introduced yourself. "So it's lovely to finally meet you Y/N." He stuck out his hand for your to shake, which you did willingly. His hands were a lot softer than you'd expected.

"Ho... You know my name?" You asked surprised.

"Of course. I also know you're the best writer in Vogue right now." He flattered you, which made you blush. You had a feeling he'd make you do that a lot today.

"Sure." You rolled your eyes as you spoke sarcastically.

"Well I chose you for a reason, didn't I?" He rhetorically asked.

"I mean.. I, well.. I don't know?" You stumbled over your words, making yourself look like a larger fool than you did already. Today was just turning out to be exactly what you didn't want it to be. "Sorry."

"Stop apologising. You do it too often." He told you, nearly making you apologise again but he gave you a jokingly stern look, as if he knew what you were going to say, and so you decided otherwise.

"Harry!" You both turned to see there was a man waving towards you both, but specifically to Harry. "Come get changed!" The same man shouted. Harry lifted his thumbs up, as if to signal he'd be there shortly.

Harry turned back to you and noticed you shiver a little.

"I'll start the interview after I come back from the dressing rooms, yeah?" Harry asked, taking off his, khaki green, trench-coat in the process. He handed it to you before you could oblige against it.

"Wait what?" You confusedly looked down at the coat and back up to Harry.

"Gives me a piece of mind knowing my interviewer isn't going to die of hypothermia before actually interviewing me." He smiled, obviously attempting to crack a joke and you have to admit you did laugh.

"Thank you." You say, before he runs off to where he's being called to.

                                                            ••••

You'd been sat inside for a little while, waiting for Harry to come back. It gave you time to perfect your questions though.

Thinking up questions to ask Harry had been a challenging task, but one that you'd been fully invested in. You loved creating questions to ask him that were going to get to understand him on a deeper level. He was a very private man, and you completely respected that. If you crossed any boundaries, with the questions you'd ask, you would write them out of the interview. You liked to think you hadn't thought up a question that would make him feel uncomfortable though.

Pissing off Harry would be on another level of shame.

"Coat kept you warm?" Harrys voice disengaged you from your notebook.

"Hm?" You asked then replayed what he'd just asked in your mind. "Oh, yes. Thank you very much." You stood up, from where you'd been perched on the floor, picking up your nearly finished green tea as you did so.

Only when you stood up did it come to your realisation that Harry was now in costume. He was dressed in luxury. Each item looked like it cost more than your rent, and that was saddening. He looked rich and luxurious. To be quite honest, you were finding it rather difficult to take your eyes off him.

"You think the outfit is Vogue enough?" Harry asked, striking a few poses, which made you laugh. It was refreshing to see him act so relaxed and carefree, rather than a stuck-up-prick you knew some celebrities to be.

"Completely. I love it!" You exclaimed, appreciating the twirl he did for you.

He was wearing a kilt-like skirt and he looked beyond beautiful in it. Fuck toxic masculinity. Fuck being a manly man - like what does that even mean? Harry was embracing gender fluidity and experimenting the ways in which there was no definitive line between men and women's clothes anymore, and you thought it was marvellous. Revolutionary, for times as politically and socially troubled as these.

You started removing the coat in attempt to give it back to him, but he refrained you from doing so by holding on to your forearm.

"Keep it. I thought we could go outside to start the interview, so you'll be needing that." Harry told you, and you agreed - however reluctantly that was. You couldn't really complain though, because the coat did kept you warm and, what's better, it smelt divine - just like you'd imagine Harry to smell.

"Okay. Thank you. Do you want to go now?" You asked hesitantly, not knowing whether he was busy for someone else right now.

"Whenever you're ready, love." He answered, making you feel more relaxed. He was going at your pace and was making you feel settled - he was even more of a gentleman than people described him to be.

The two of you had walked around the backside of the barn in silence, enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. Well, at least you were. It was a blessing no one was back here. It was just you, Harry and the scenery that surrounded Stonehenge.

You approached a bench and you plopped yourself down on one end, whilst Harry sat on the other. He respected the fact that there was a pandemic going on, and didn't want to make you uncomfortable in any way. You still had your mask on, so Harry had taken that as you were very conscious about the virus - which he admired.

You pulled out your glasses, from the depths of one of the coat pockets, and placed them on your face, probably making yourself look even geekier than you already felt. Today was just one of those days you wished you had good eyes...

You opened your spent notebook, musty pages practically falling apart, and turned to the section of questions you needed for that interview. You were so nervous already and you hadn't even asked anything yet, all because of the previous interactions with Harry today. Your shaky hands shuffled through the pages and you cursed under your breath when you struggled to find what you needed.

"Shoot. Come on." You mumbled quietly under your breath, hoping it would make this terrible situation end faster. You mustn't have been as quiet as you thought though.

"Y/N." Harry's name broke through your clouded mind of self-disappointment.

You looked up at him to see him softly smiling at you, blowing all worries away from you away with the wind. "Yes?" You timidly asked, pushing your wind-swept hair out of glasses - where it'd gotten caught.

"You’re alright, love. You don't have to be professional around me, alright? We're just two strangers having a conversation, to get to know each other, okay?" If his words didn't calm you enough, the soothing sound of his husky voice certainly did.

"But that would mean you asking me stuff too?" You replied, confused at his implications of the phrasing 'getting to know each other'.

"Mhm." Harry nodded his head.

"Oh I don't know Mr Styles, i'm not a very interesting person." You answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, pushing your glasses back up the bridge of your nose from where they'd fallen.

"I refuse to believe that." Harry chuckled, making a quick smile appear on your face. "And please call me Harry. Just Harry." He begged, obviously finding it weird you calling him by his professional title. All you wanted, ever, was for your interviewee's to feel comfortable and safe, so if Harry wanted you to call him Harry then so be it.

"Ok, Harry," you sarcastically said, earning a shake of the head on his behalf, "you can ask me a few questions throughout the day." You told him, but you knew he'd struggle to find even two questions when he realises how bland you are.

"Does that mean you only get to ask me a few as well?" Harry smirked, already knowing the answer to that question. Unlike Harry, you had to write an article about today when you got home and so he knew that you'd have to dig as much dirt as possible from him.

"No, sorry. I don't particularly want to lose my job." You paused to look down at your notes, squinting a little as you did to see better. "Okay. Tell me your experience with corona virus."

"Sorry I didn't quite catch that, love." Harry apologised, leaning in slightly to see if he could hear you a second time around.

"Sorry." You looked down to fiddle with your fingers - a habit you'd undertaken when you're embarrassed. "Um..," you cleared your throat, "would you mind if I took off my mask?"

Your timid voice sent tingle down Harrys spine. He didn't think anyone could ever be this sweet. "Not at all, ‘course you can." He replied, again, wanting to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

You hesitantly took off your face mask, feeling like you were in some dramatic movie where they face revealed someone. You kind of liked having the mask on, because, for one, it kept you warm, and for two, you were a little self conscious with how you looked compared to all the other women here today. You shoved the mask in your pocket, with trembling fingers, before looking back down to your notes.

"Woah." You heard Harrys voice being mumbled under the wind. You eyes shot up to his and you noticed him staring right back at you.

"W-what? Is my acne playing up? I knew I should've—" You self-consciously run your hands over the areas you know you got acne. The masks really didn't help when it came to skin care.

"Hey, stop. No. You just... You look beautiful." Harry complimented you, and a roaring blush arose on to your cheeks. You'd never been called beautiful before, and so you were taking the compliment like such a 13-year old.

"Oh, uh, thank you." You awkwardly answered, not really having any other words come to mind in that moment. Harry chuckled under his breath, still keeping eyes on you for some reason.

"Would you mind repeating your last question, I didn't quite catch it?" Harry asked politely.

"Sure. Um, tell me how you've experienced corona virus." You repeated for him, gripping ahold of your pen to start copying what he says and pressing start on your recording device in case you needed it later.

"Well, it's been tedious that's for sure. However, I just want people to be safe and for life to return back to normal, so therefore i've been very MIA for a lot of the time. Keeping to myself mostly. I only went out for hikes or bike rides. All my meetings were online, so it's been very lonely." Harry kept eye contact with your figure the entire time, and if it weren't for you concentrating on writing what he was saying then you'd probably melt away under his gaze.

For such soft eyes he sure was intimidating.

"I presume the loneliness sent you crazy at times." You laughed, because you sure felt that way through lockdown. Curse being single.

"You have no idea." Harry laughed along with you, making you, slowly, feel more at ease.

"Actually, you'd be surprised." You looked at him unsure, before returning down to your notebook.

"Okay then, first question from me," Harrys words made your head shoot up, "How can someone as amazing as yourself be lonely?" He asked and you made a mental tally of how many questions he'd asked.

"Could ask you the very same question, Harry." You slyly replied, avoiding the question by answering with another question. It was a tactic you'd learnt, throughout your years of journalism, when you wanted to dismiss something .

"That's cheating." Harry pointed at you and raised his eyebrows, but you couldn't take your eyes off the big, cheeky, smile perched on his face. You shrugged you're shoulders in defence and returned to your questions. "But you did just call me amazing, so I think i'll let it slide this one time." You blushed, again, when you understood what he meant.

He was amazing though - that was the truth.

"You were in L.A. for the majority of quarantine, am I right to say?" You already knew the answer but your manager had just wanted confirmation.

"Yeah, but L.A. feels like holiday, whereas London feels like home." He answered, which you appreciated. He hasn't got lost in the way that Hollywood could let people. He'd stayed grounded.

"So what did you entertain yourself with during quarantine?" You asked curiously, slightly side-tracking from your pre-written questions - just because you were intrigued (nosey).

"Not much, not to be boring. I ate a lot of bread. I worked out pretty much every day. I wrote quite a bit actually." He used his fingers to pinch his bottom lip, something you'd noticed he did in interviews.

"Does that mean a new album on the way?" Your inner fangirl was screaming at the thought of HS3.

"Can neither confirm nor deny." Harry smirked to himself, like the cheeky bugger he is.

"That's a yes then." You joked, pretending to write it down in your notes.

"You're impossible, you." Harry laughed and shook his head. It made you feel all funny the way you could make him smile like that. You were the source of his happiness for just that moment, and that was enough to make you feel happy for a lifetime - not that he felt the same.

"Next question," you stated, moving swiftly on because you knew you had limited time, "How's your experience with Vogue been so far?"

"Wonderful. Everyone has been so welcoming and that makes it so much easier for me to have fun. It's daunting going at things alone, but i'm getting slowly used to it now." Harry sniffled a little, probably due to the freezing cold weather here.

"Must be strange, not having four best friends around you, all the time, anymore." You stated rather than asked him, sure that he was missing his bandmates. I mean, you were - so he definitely would be.

"Brothers." Harry replied, making you look up at him confused.

"I'm sorry?" You asked, giving him your full attention.

"You said four best friends. Well, actually they're my brothers." His words actually caused a rift in your heart. You could feel it being pulled apart and torn in to two. If you wrote this in to the magazine the fans would have a worldwide passing-away-party.

"Harry." You said softly, slightly tearing up at his words. "God, I swear i'm not normally this emotional." You chest your throat and try to establish your dignity - however there wasn't that much left anymore.

"Oh shut up." Harry looked away obviously trying to hide the fact that he was tearing up too. You laughed at him but didn't draw any more attention to it than you guessed he would've wanted.

"They mean a lot to you then?" You asked, hopefully not treading on any unwanted territories.

"Much more than a lot, yeah." Harry nodded his head, turning it back to face you. He could tell this conversation was now off-the-record because of your closed notebook, your undivided attention towards him and the fact you’d turned off the recording device. He liked being able to look at you, rather than the top of your head. He swore you were the prettiest girl he'd ever seen.

"You still see them often?" 

"Not as often as i'd like. Niall did come around the other week to drop off some old guitars he didn't want anymore, and then we ended up playing around with some music for a bit." He admitted, which stitched your heart back together.

"So does that mean a Narry collab?" You teased, biting your bottom lip in anticipation.

"Narry? You so are a directioner." He laughed along with you.

"And you just avoided my question, therefore there is a song out there written only by you and Niall." You concluded, which shut him up.

This conversation was going a lot better than expected. Certainly a lot better than earlier. You will be permanently scarred by the way you spoke to him and handled his belongings. It was going to haunt you forever - and yet he'd forget about it by tomorrow. Or maybe he wouldn't, which is why you felt the need to apologise.

"Harry?" You asked, clearly indicating this was still a conversation away from the interview.

"Yes Y/N?" He watched you intently, listening to your every word.

"I, um, just wanted to apologise for my behaviour earlier. I was just really nervous to meet you, and to be honest still am. I didn't mean to touch your stuff without your consent and I certainly didn't mean to make you uncomfortable with any of my comments. So, i'm sorry. I can only imagine the awful, yet true, things you must think of me." You rambled really quickly, that you were uncertain whether Harry even caught one word of what you'd says.

"Do you know why I asked for you to interview me Y/N?" Harry asked, which wasn't the first thing you expected him to say after your apology.

"No. I...well Lisa told me it was because I can write well or something." You suggested, not wanting to sound egotistical.

"I mean you do write perfectly, but no." You were intrigued now. "I asked for you because I, and this is not for your magazine, have a secret - but not-so-secret - crush on you." This time it was Harrys turn to blush.

"Harry... you don't have to say that to—"

"I'm not saying it for anything. I sincerely think you are the most delightful, most prettiest, most fucking sweetest person i've ever met." Harry exclaimed, which you were taken aback by. Never, ever, did you think that Harry Styles would proclaim his likeness towards you. Ever.

"Harry don't mess with me, please." You shyly spoke, tilting your head down in disbelief that the Harry Styles was smitten about you.

He shuffled along the bench, stopping a little way from you but close enough to reach out for you. Your heartbeat increased when you noticed his hand move closer towards you. It didn't stop till he reached your face. He took his time, courteously, pushing your hair behind your ear before removing you of your glasses. He held the right-eye frame and slowly pulled the glasses off your face.

Once he'd successfully taken them off he folded them up and placed them alongside your closed notebook.

"Can see those pretty eyes now." He whispered quietly, but loud enough for you to hear.

"Don't lie. They're so dull." You mumbled, lifting your head up slightly. His face was still away from you.

"Not to me they're not." He retaliated, looking deep into your eyes as you did his. "I hate this corona virus."

"Why?" His words were so out of the blue sometimes, it gave you whiplash.

"Because I can't be as near to you as I want to be." Harry told you. And yeah, you hated corona too. It was getting a little laborious now.

"Smooth, Styles." You chuckled. You wondered how many new and weird pick-up lines could be made from covid. 

"I know." He winked, which honestly would have made you throw up if it were any other man on the planet. Somehow, though, Harry just made it seem attractive - along with every other thing that man ever did. "After this, would you like to come back to my house for a cuppa tea?" He asked sweetly, like a five year old asking whether you wanted to play together.

"Okay. Lisa was my ride though." You said more to yourself than anything else, debating on how you'd even get to Harrys. Uber? Taxi? Lisa? Walk?

"I'll drive us, it's fine. I have to drop Gem off, but i'd be more than happy to chauffeur you." Harry kindly offered, to which you were internally screaming about. You were literally, and metaphorically, having a field-day with all this Harry content and interview.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden." You question politely, not wanting to overstep any boundaries - especially in these covid infested times.

"Of course. I wouldn't have offered otherwise." He protested, waving his hand at if to say it was no bother. You were already trying to work out, in your head, how much petrol money you were going to owe him.

"Then i'd be honoured to have a brew with you Harry." You giggled at how cringe you were being, even if this was just your normal self speaking.

"Great." Harry genuinely smiled, teeth and all. "My shoot should take a couple of hours, but feel free to continue to write and journal. I'm looking forward to reading this particular article." He winked at you before standing up.

"Wonder why?" You sarcastically asked, knowing full-well it was due to his exposure of his own feelings towards you. Even though you'd never says anything back you were quite in agreement on how you felt about him, like he did you. He would be a narcissist to say he knew you liked him the same, out loud, but he knew. And you knew that he knew.

"Wonder why indeed." He gave you one last smile before he'd disappeared for the rest of the afternoon, leaving you to digest and relive the past half an hour or so.

Being Harry Styles' crush was probably the biggest flex you could ever make.

                                                          ••••

After Harry had finished up his shoot he was quick to come find you again.

You'd watched parts of his shoot and he looked magnificent. There wasn't a good enough word to describe how amazing he looked. Harry, his stylist, was probably the best stylist out there. His fashion choices were unmatched and you wanted him to be yours. You were not rich enough nor fashionable enough, ironic for working in a a fashion company, to hire a stylist, but you would if you could.

You were so proud to see what he was achieving now as the person that he was. Harry was just being Harry, without the devilish control of shitty managements or ridiculous amounts of PR stunts. Harry was more free than ever, and it definitely showed just how much he was enjoying it.

You were certain that this Vogue magazine would break the internet - his fans were good at doing that. This could be a turning point for many people, with their outdated and ignorant views. There was no room for people with racist or homophobic or transphobic or xenophobic - and the list does go on - views anymore.

You were waiting by the front door of the barn, to catch Harry as he walked past. You caught sight of him in a white robe, presumably to get changed back into his everyday clothes. He looked really pretty in the robe - very domestic actually.

Today had been a good day.

Harry asked you to send over the more specific Vogue questions to him via email, so he could devote more time in to answering them in a lot more depth. You thought he meant you'd be sending them to some PA in his team, but you were shocked to understand he'd given you his personal email.

People were walking back to their cars and packing away the filming kit. You saw Lisa and the director talking to one another, no doubt discussing some in-work gossip.

"You ready?" Harrys voice reminded you that you'd been waiting for him. You looked to see he was back in the same clothes as this morning, only this time without his coat.

"Here?" You offered, having him over the coat once again but he declined.

"Looks better on you anyways." He winked at you, before walking through the car park and to his car. You were very surprised when you found out Harry was the one to own the green Jaguar. You assumed all celebrities drove the Range Rover, but no. The vintage car added to Harrys immaculate vibe and just made him that little bit more hot.

Harry properly introduced you to Gemma, who was equally as lovely as Harry. They were both amazing people and they were crazily alike. From the way they looked, down to the way they phrased their words, they were mistakingly twins. Gemma explained how Anne, their mum, didn't know they were doing this photoshoot and that it was going to be a surprise, which you thought was so cute.

Gemma spilt a lot of gossip on Harry, to which he got very embarrassed over. You learnt that Harrys first word was Cat. You learnt that Harry is godfather to multiple children, which you found heartwarming. You learnt Harry used to be a baker - which was something he elaborated on for a good half an hour. Harry was just a fountain of memories and Gemma was the one sharing them all with you.

The drive back to London was relaxed. You sat in the back, listening to Harry and Gemma pointlessly argue whilst an Arctic Monkeys album played in the background. You forgot that people like Harry drove, and listened to music, just like other regular people. You often misplaced celebrities in society, thinking they had everything done for them but in reality that (often) wasn't the case - at least not for Harry.

Gemma was dropped off quickly before Harry drove to his. It was no surprise that the Styles siblings didn't live too far away from each other. Harrys house was beautiful. Bigger than anything you could ever dream of buying. It was a palace compared to your cupboard-sized house. You were unbelievably jealous. He gave you the tour of the house, showing you where the toilets were, and even his panic room if necessary.

You migrated to the kitchen for a bit, talking about anything and everything. Getting to know the minuscule pieces of information that no-one else was trusted with, made you feel special. Harry made you feel special - even if he weren't meaning to.

Every moment held a spark. Every touch set off a firework. Every laugh was an electric burst. He made you feel so alive.

"We can go to the living room after this has boiled." Harry said, pointing towards the streaming kettle. He wanted to show off his fancy tea collection he had, and let you have a try if you wanted to. Harry was boring and chose the basic green tea, but, after much deliberation, you chose the cranberry green tea. It intrigued you and it sounded delicious.

"Why the extensive tea collection?" Not even you, a certified caffeine addict, had this much tea in your house. Coffee was a different story and one in which you didn't want to talk about.

"They help me with my meditation." He took the teabags and placed them in his glass mugs. They had a delicate Gucci stamp on them, and you just imagined that they probably worth the same amount as your daily salary.

"You meditate?" You were slightly surprised that he did.

"I try to yeah." Harry nodded, focusing on pouring in the boiling water into the mugs. "I've got very tight hamstrings and so it helps if I meditate twice a day."

Harry finished making the tea, in the light-filled kitchen, before showing you around to the open-lounge area. Everything was modern and chic. It was exactly how you imagined it, but better. The open, red-brick, wall was a beautiful feature and one that you were a whore for! It reminded you of New York and the memories you'd made there one summer.

The sofa was a beautiful velvet, green, sofa. It was soft and gentle, a lot like Harry when you thought about it. The whole house was an architectural masterpiece and you'd be lying if you said you weren't jealous. You sat on one end and Harry went to go and sit on the other end.

"I don't bite you know?" You joked, self-consciously wondering whether he didn't want to be sat near you.

"I know, I just don't want to step on any of your covid boundaries - which is perfectly fine by the way." He added, apprehensively taking the spot next to you.

"No, not at all." You ushered him to sit next to you, as you took a sip from your steaming hot cup of fruity tea. "If I smell though, do tell me!"

"Yeah, you smell bloody awful!" Harry sarcastically remarked, but laughing afterwards to assure you he was joking. The atmosphere went quiet for a minute, only the sounds of passing cars and deep breaths being heard.

"Y/N can I ask you something?" Harry turned the tone of the conversation. It sounded like he wanted to be more serious than you two were being beforehand.

"Anything." You encouraged him to continue. You placed the cup of tea down on the table, deciding it was too hot to drink right now, and gave him your full attention.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Harry questioned. You didn't think you'd be having a conversation this intense - especially if you had different opinions - on your first day of knowing each other, but here you were.

"I believe you can love someone at first sight. I don't believe you can be in love with someone at first sight. Why?" You were curious as to how his brain had journeyed to this particular topic. You'd never really had this conversation with anyone before, mainly because you were unaware of the true power, and meaning, of love.

"It uh... It doesn't matter." Harry shook his head and you could tell by his body language that he was shutting you out. Maybe you'd made him uncomfortable.

"Sorry I didn't mean to—"

"No, no. Please don't apologise. It's just - I like you a lot more than you may think." Harry shyly told you, which made you all soft inside. He was being vulnerable and that was something you admired in a partner. You didn't just need love, affection and trust in a relationship. No. You needed vulnerability and heartbreak too, and Harry was revealing that part of him to you.

"I like you a lot more than you think too." You repeated, not because you felt bad for him but because you truly did like him a whole lot. Love was a weird yet wonderful thing, and if you were to hazard a guess you'd say you loved Harry. 

You couldn't wait to be in love with him.

"Does that mean I get to crown you my girlfriend?" Harry excitedly asked. Harry happy was something that should be made a constant, and you were more than happy to be in control of that.

"At least take me out first." You bargained, wishing for nothing more than to go on a date with Harry. Where you'd go, you had no idea. Everything was closed right now and there was still the chance of becoming sick with corona, but no doubt Harry would think of something not only clever, but special.

Of course you'd love to be Harrys girlfriend. However, you wanted one more, official, opportunity to really get to know him - unprofessionally. You wanted to make sure that you knew, and he knew, that you wanted to be with him because he was the charming Harry you've come to love, not because he was Harry Styles.

"So you're allowing me to take you on a date?" Harry smirked like a little child, your heart fluttering at how excited he was to be able to treat you to dinner.

"Yes, Harry. Yes I am." You answered sweetly, offering him the cutest smile you could.

You can't believe what a turn of events today has been. You've gone from nearly writing yourself on Harrys enemy list to writing yourself on to his 'people he's dated' list. Who knows what the future would offer you. At the start of the day you had wished this whole day to end and for the ground to just swallow you up, now you never wanted it to end. It was too perfect to be true and yet it was.

Harry was the most wonderful human to exist and you were beyond surprised to be the one to catch his attention. You didn't understand why you were so special, but it was nice to feel like this for a change. It was nice to feel wanted.

                                                             ••••

A few months later and you were officially Harrys girlfriend.

It had been such a crazy few months. Harry religiously took you out on dates every week. Whether it be to grab a hotdog at a local diner, a coffee from a quaint cafe, a walk in Hyde Park or a late-night drive around London - which normally ended up with you falling asleep before you could make it back to yours. On sleepless jet-lagged nights he'll still drive through London's quiet streets, seeing neighborhoods in a new way, just as an excuse to spend time with you.

Harry often stayed over at yours. Even though you looked like you lived in a shoebox compared to Harry, he liked it. He liked the subtly and normality of it all. He wanted your life to remain as normal as possible and, apart from the occasional paparazzi incident, it did. You never had anything to complain about. Of course the online bullying created emotional wounds, at the start of your relationship, but it was nothing that Harry couldn't repair with a bit of love.

Lisa has nominated herself to be maid-of-honour when the day comes - if the day comes. Harry has already pinky sworn that you are it for him. The one, as some may say. You were utterly flattered, but you certainly unsure of what the future help for you both.

You loved Harry, you do love Harry and you will forever always love Harry.

It was ridiculous to think that all this stemmed from you working at Vogue. From you studying English Literature in a city away from London. From you dedicating you extra hours gaining work experience and money to be able get in and afford university. So many moments in life have you stopped and said 'i wish i hadn't have done that', but now you were convinced that they were the best things to have happened to you - because they lead you, all, to Harry.

And, being Harry Styles girlfriend was probably the biggest flex you could ever make.

[blood-sucking-whore]

Gender in Killing Eve and Hannibal (TV Series)

WARNING: LONG TEXTPOST!!!

(pls tell me ur thoughts)

Both Killing Eve and Hannibal feature characters who perform gender (or don’t) in particularly interesting ways.  Killing Eve’s subversion of female gender roles is rich and complex, especially for a crime drama - a very male dominated genre.  In crime shows, female characters are typically either non-existent, or badly written props for insufferable male protagonists.

The women of K.E. (namely Villanelle and Eve) are not only extremely intelligent and driven, but have a sensitively-described moral greyness.  It is fascinating to see both women’s moralities evolve throughout the series, especially in relation to each other.  

There are consequences to their actions, but the writers allow them to do bad things, to be bad people.  It is refreshing to see ‘strong women’ written in this way: they don’t have to make women look ‘good.’  Often this moral flexibility is only tolerated from male characters.  

That’s not to say that Villanelle and Eve are never vulnerable.  They are people: their worth as characters cannot be based on filling the age-old mold of cold, dull, emotionless male detective characters.  Eve is manipulated by her employers, by Villanelle, affected by the death of her friends, and is a victim to her own guilt.  Villanelle, similarly, is subject to the needs of her employers, is orphaned, and is overall dysfunctional.  

This inhibits their control of their own situations.  But both characters make decisions, and take power for themselves.  And while their intentions are muddied along the way, they both keep fighting for something, even if it's just for themselves and each other.

The two central characters of Hannibal, Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter, exhibit a similar relationship to that of Eve and Villanelle.  While they (Will especially) don’t flout the rules of gender as decisively as Villanelle, for example, they also are not typical male crime protagonists.

Will Graham is vulnerable, quiet, and uncomfortable with power.  And, unlike other male underdog characters, this isolation isn’t resolved by, or blamed on a woman.  These descriptors apply most obviously in the first season, but even through Will’s development, he doesn’t exactly become masculine or powerful (at least in the traditional way.)  He is consistently affected by mental illness, which is sensitively depicted, and (character-wise) is sympathetic to other mentally ill characters.  This is a point of weakness which is constantly exploited by other characters such as Jack and Hannibal.

Hannibal, on the other hand, is not very vulnerable (until he becomes more sympathetic to Will.) He is always in control, always able to manipulate the situation to his advantage.  But even he isn’t exactly masculine.  He enjoys art and music, and even through murder, is opulent and flamboyant.  

This is easily comparable to Villanelle’s (fashion, visuals, performance) 

Both Hannibal and Will are very clearly queercoded, and in a relationship that can’t really be described as platonic.  Scenes with them are written, acted, and framed in an intimate way.  Even when stabbing each other, there is romantic tension. This is a union between two people who understand each others’ deepest, most hidden nature. 

I am hesitant to compare murder entirely to queerness, because of how this has been used to suggest evil inherent to queer people.  But murder, and wanting to murder, is sensitively and subtly compared to the way queerness is viewed by society, and to an extent how it can be experienced by queer people and their own self-discovery.  The way both characters talk about murder is intensely intimate.  And Will’s development as a murderer, and someone who understands murder, is parallel to his evolving relationship with Hannibal.

Villanelle and Eve are canonically bisexual, and have scenes that are clearly romantic.  They share a similarly obsessive relationship.  It is endlessly entertaining to watch this relationship play out.  It is infinitely toxic, as opposed the clean, unpassionate lesbian romances we’re used to seeing on TV.  It’s also not an oversexualised, voyeuristic male fantasy.  

TV writers need to stop avoiding making queer characters that are bland, moral, nice and boring for fear of making something problematic.  That’s just lazy writing, and it’s up to them to write these characters well.  I am tired of clean, easy ‘girl power’ types, or tick-box diversity.

Another interesting facet of gender performance in the two shows is fashion and costume design.  In particular, Villanelle’s penchant for two or three piece suits is considerably masculine, but not a masculinity typically performed by men in crime shows.  She chooses fashion outside of the default, minimal idea of masculinity, and embodies gender performativity.  

However, Villanelle is just as likely to wear overly feminine clothing (eg. pink tulle dress, black tulle dress) in a way that is just as deliberate and theatrical.  She is fully aware of herself and how she is perceived, and is able to manipulate and enjoy it.  This is an especially enjoyable rebuttal to the ‘beautiful but doesn’t know it’ trope, which I despise.  Her self-confidence is not granted by a man: she seizes it herself. 

Eve is almost the opposite of this.  She wears very neutral, almost utilitarian clothing throughout the show, and rarely considers what she wears, except when she has to.  But this doesn't give way to the aforementioned display of female insecurity.  Both women show a performance of womanhood that is unconventional on TV.  What I think causes this is that the male gaze is rarely applied to either woman.

Will and Hannibal have somewhat of a similar visual comparison to Eve and Villanelle, simply: Hannibal is very attentive to his clothing,  Will, for most of the series, is not.  Hannibal, despite dressing in typically masculine clothing: three piece suits, does it much more deliberately and precisely than many masculine male TV characters.  Will’s clothing is perhaps a choice, less by him than the writers, to make him seem unthreatening and unaware.  This changes in the third season when Will begins to wear fitted suits, and seems to brush his hair more often.  

Some interpret this as Will mirroring Hannibal, but it could be read as Will rivalling Hannibal.  Hannibal was able to, quite literally, keep up appearances of himself as competent, sane and respectable.  He asserts himself as Will’s superior.  However, Will understands that maintaining his appearances is beneficial to him, and shows the viewers, and Hannibal, that he understands the way he works.  He is, by season three, no longer a vulnerable stray, but not a ruthless, efficient killer.

Both series display complex, well written characters: and this is their strength.  But I do wish the writers of Hannibal had developed their female characters better.  

[kingofthewilderwest]

I absolutely love Reagan Ridley as a character in Inside Job. I’ve talked to friends before about how I tend to have fewer female character favorites than male character favorites on account of how media typically portrays women. It’s harder for me to relate to the types of personalities media “expects” women to have. When women are expected to look pretty, talk pretty, think pretty, be involved centrally in romance, or elsewise be a cold badass, that translates into a lackluster narrow range of options. It hinders a single character from being a fully three-dimensionalized being, and it limits diversity across the spectrum of characters available. That non-diversity in turn makes a single character harder to vibe as unique and memorable.

I feel like in the last ten years or so, as people in my demographic have increasingly made media, and making it according to what they want to see, I’ve increasingly consumed materials that offered relatable, unique, quirky, and dynamic female characters, and I am all aboard this train.

As with so many consumers, I love to see characters “like me” on screen I can closely relate to. As a kid, 80% of my original story characters and probably 98% of what I drew were women, “like me.” So when someone like Reagan Ridley comes around that breaks the mold of overdone archetypes, I can’t help but scream “YESSSSS!”

The whole cast of Inside Job is quirky, but Reagan is just as quirky, and she’s also, as the protagonist, the deepest and most intensely explored character narratively. We get a wonderful combination of someone screaming, “Suck my dick!” to the team she leads at the workplace and making extra robot hands she uses to flip people off, as well as someone combatting the pain and dysfunction of a toxic family environment. A “well shit, I fucked that up” socially awkward disheveled overworked scientist is something both refreshing for media (at least being written as a WOC) and deeply ingrained in the real-life experiences of millennial and Gen Z women I know. Wow Reagan’s demeanor, issues, and blunt commentary dig deep into the types of folks around me.

All stops are out. Reagan is allowed to be one of the most dynamic characters on set. At the same time, all her crudeness, weirdness, energy, cynicism, issues, interests, social struggles, and viewpoints feel IMMENSELY authentic.

Plus like. I have a thing for fucked up ethically questionable but quirky scientists, and she fills my needs to a tee.

[bookofmirth]

You Are My Almanac - elucien 1

Summary

Elain Archeron finds herself stuck in an engagement that her mother had arranged before her untimely death. Elain is determined not to like the man and to create a solitary life leading her household the way she wants, but her fiancé has an annoying habit of making her like him.

AO3 | tags: arranged marriage, Regency-era inspired but not faithful. These two are wary of one another and I got a bit snarky when I wrote this first chapter because I want it to be fun, not super angsty. Oh also the title is from the song almanac by Purity Ring.

Elain had perfected the art of staring out a carriage window without being jostled around like a dice in one of the cups her sisters used when playing one of the games played with guests after dinner. Their mother disapproved of the games, of course, but that hardly mattered when all it took to please her was an appropriately humble “yes ma’am” whenever it was required. And it took Elain quite an effort to remain upright and steady in the carriage as it traveled over the country roads, but it was suffer a sore back and look lovely as possible for her current rendezvous, or suffer the mortification. Elain would much rather maintain appearances. At least for now.

Because now, Elain could say “yes ma’am” or “please, maman”, until she was blue in the face, and it would be for nothing, since her dear mother had upheld her promise to see Elain engaged to a fine, wellbred young man with a suitable income, but then she had died before bothering to see what Elain thought of the man, or even introducing them.

For Elain was on her way to meet her betrothed. The word rolled off the tongue, betrothed, or it had, when she was still a child and had imagined that she would have any choice in the matter. When the word still held a sense of romance and promise.

And Elain Archeron had found herself betrothed, that was certain, though it had happened quite without any influence or input from herself.

She had a vague idea of the kind of man she wanted to marry. Kind and considerate, tall, a handsome rider, with extensive property and an income that would support her in at least the style to which she was currently accustomed, if not better. Elain was firm in her belief that she wasn’t asking for much. If he were political minded then that might suit her even better, as she had always imagined hosting important people at her dinners, not just the Beddors from down the lane.

Who were the Vanserras, anyway? Elain had never heard of the name, had never seen it when she flipped through the pages of Burke’s Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage, not to mention that the family lived very far away!

Or that might have been a complaint Elain would have lodged to her sisters, had they not also found themselves engaged and then married to men who lived in that part of the country which Elain had heard described as “lovely, in the right light and at certain times of year”.

Elain’s knowledge of the rest of the country was limited, to be sure. But she didn’t much like the idea of being thrust into a new home, with a man she didn’t know, in a town where she hadn’t even established a proper seamstress. It was important to find one who wouldn’t give her that look when she came in with tattered, muddy skirt hems. Her cheeks heated at the idea of her future husband scolding her about the zeal with which she engaged in her hobbies.

When the carriage came to an abrupt halt, Elain realized that Feyre had been talking for the last minute or so and Elain hadn’t caught a word. She looked at her sister, younger and yet more worldly than Elain ever hoped to be. Where Elain knew people, Feyre understood the bigger picture of what it took to survive.

She gave her sister a small smile and Feyre reached across the carriage to pat Elain’s hand.

“I’m sure he will be perfectly nice, dearest. And if he isn’t, there are plenty of ways of ensuring that your husband stays out of your hair. Not that I would need them.” Feyre said this last part with a small, secret smile.

Elain fought the urge to roll her eyes. “If it comes to that, I’ll be sure to come to you, Feyre. You are one of the lucky ones though, you know.” The door to the carriage opened and Elain held out her hand without a glance at the footman. “Not everyone is so lucky as to marry for love.”

The sisters stepped from the carriage, the gravel of the drive crunching under their shoes. Elain held a hand up to her forehead to shield the sun from her eyes. She was unable to take in the manor in one glance, and turned in a full circle to take in as much of the property as she could before meeting her fiancé and going inside her future home. To her doom.

At least this man, Lucien Vanserra, had a man to keep his grounds meticulous. The shrubbery had been cleverly chosen and the flowers were full of pollinating bees, which would make for interesting experiments in cross-pollination, though perhaps she might do something about the grove of fruit trees - they were too far away from the water source to be effective. And Elain wondered at the status of the fruit, how much of it went to use in the house and how much went to the local residents. Hopefully - Elain grimaced at the thought - it didn’t fall to the ground and go to waste.

Elain felt a tug at her elbow and turned to find Feyre, waiting with her head inclined to the door. The front door, underneath a large, elaborately-carved portico, where the first footman stood at attention, waiting to usher the women into the home. And to his left, a tall man with fiery red hair, tied back with a black ribbon, stood waiting to greet her.

Elain’s breath caught to see him. He was younger than she had expected. She wouldn’t have put it past her mother to bridle her with a septuagenarian if he had offered the right price. So that this man, this Mr. Vanserra, was at most ten years older than her… Elain was disappointed to find herself pleased. And he certainly was well-acquainted with a proper clothier, if the fit of his vest and trousers were any indication.

Feyre stepped forward first. “Lucien! It is so good to see you.”

Mr. Vanserra lowered his head slightly. “Lady Chevalier, thank you for visiting my home today. I hope that Rhysand is doing well.”

“’Lady Chevalier’ my eye, call me Feyre, Lucien.” She took his hands into her own and it seemed that he might have reciprocated her familiarity had Elain not been there. His eyes flicked to her and then back to Feyre, seeming to already be wary of how he appeared to her.

“Lucien, this is my sister, Elain.”

The rest of the greeting hung in the air and Elain could have tasted the words. Elain, your fiancée. Elain, the woman you have never met but who will share your bed. She nearly reddened at the thought and forced herself to pay attention to the situation at hand.

Lucien turned away from Feyre and took a step closer to Elain.

Elain curtsied. “Mr. Vanserra. You have a lovely manor.” And hopefully, I won’t see much of you in it, she added silently to herself.

Lucien lifted Elain’s gloved hand to his lips, pressing so softly that she wasn’t sure when it was over, if he had actually made contact. Wouldn’t have known it had happened, really, if not for the slight warming of her skin.

“Miss Archeron,” he said, bending at the waist, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Allow me to welcome you to my home.” His eyes alighted on hers as he said the words - my home - for it wasn’t their home yet. And they were both painfully aware that it would be.

Lucien extended his hand to gesture at the imposing double-doored entrance and stood upright.

Elain lowered her head slightly in deference. “Thank you for the welcome. The property really is lovely,” she couldn’t help adding. Lucien looked into her face with earnestness and she took note of the golden warmth of one eye, while the other was traversed by a brutal scar, one she wouldn’t have expected to see on a Lord of the peerage. “The grass is… very green.”

“Ah, yes,” Lucien responded. He took a step back and surveyed the lawn as if he hadn’t noticed its color before. “I had it specially grown. Just for its…. verdancy.”

Her hand fell to her side when Lucien let go of hers, and she momentarily forgot what to do with it. She glanced at Feyre, whose hands were clasped together in front of her waist, and Elain mirrored the posture.

“Well, ladies. I have had tea set out for us. I’m sure you could use some refreshment after your travels.”

Feyre made a small curtsy in response and Elain fell into line behind her.

The first footman hurried ahead of them and opened the front door. The interior of the home was a dark, yawning chasm.

And with that, Elain took a step forward, into the home of her future husband.

***

Thanks for reading! You may have noticed my tag list has disappeared. If you want to be on it again, even if months or years pass without an update, let me know! Sorry if you have requested in the past and intended to stay on it forever, I just figured that things change in the years since I started writing fanfic. 💕

[laurafett]

Unfamiliar Fruit

PART ONE

Friends to lovers, sex pollen Boba Fett x f reader 

Words: 10k

- You and Boba are guests in a palace on a different planet. The King serves you some strange food, with the intetion of doing both of you a favour - 

No mentions of pronouns, hair or skin color, sexuality. Also, let’s pretend that there is underwear in space. Minors, do NOT interact!!

Warnings: smut, fluff, age gap (reader is 18+), mentions of food and eating, masturbation (m and f), comlink sex, pain due to sex pollen, slight voice kink 

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Why did you always let yourself get dragged into some bantha shit like this? You were dirty, sweaty and smelled like the inside of a Tauntaun. Boba told you this was going to be a short hunt for which he needed your help. Just one bounty he would have to hunt and collect. He said it would take about two or three days. Yeah, no shit. You were sitting on this Marker forsaken planet for almost two weeks now because Boba found some new connections for his business on Tatooine.

He didn't want you to get into trouble so you had to stay in Slave I almost every day. You had no clean clothes, the water tank for the shower was already empty and soon you would be out of food too.

You sat in this tiny, dirty ship while the bounty hunter probably was living in a  big, glamorous palace at the other side of the town. You crossed your arms in front of your chest, letting out a sight as you tried to find a comfortable position in the pilots seat. This was where you spent most of your days, sitting in the cockpit while looking out of the big window in front of you.

It was a green planet, with lots of trees and fields of grasses. It was a welcome sight after spending so much time on Tatooine. The air here was cool and fresh, but it was not exactly cold. The small forests shielded the ship from the sun, so that it always had a comfortable temperature in the ship. At least that was something nice about your current location.

Another nice thing was there was a river which’s stream led behind the big city walls. On some particular hot days, you used the water there to cool down your body. You watched how the water disappeared as soon as it reached the high built bricks that were put there to shield the town and the people there from any kind of intruders.  

You couldn't see much of the city because the ship was stationed some miles away from it. You guessed it was old, from the way the walls looked. In all your days here you never saw a person leaving or entering through the massive wooden doors. It made you wonder if the town was really so big to have everything they needed, so no one ever had to leave this place.

Tearing your eyes away from the mysterious town in front of you, you looked into the sky. Only a few more hours before the sun would start to set and you would have another silent night all by yourself.

If you were on Tatooine you would have spent time with Fennec during your sleepless nights, her never seeming to sleep much as well. But no, you were here. And you were bored to death. There wasn't even anything to read on Boba’s ship, so you had no other option other than to sit around and  keep staring holes into the air.

Right when you were about to get lost in some thoughts again, your datapad received a message from your absent partner. Your back straightened and you leaned forward to read it.

“We will leave soon, only one or two more days.

They invited you for dinner tonight as well,

you also get a proper quarter to sleep in.

Be here before the sun sets.

Take the ship with you, there is a place near the palace

where you can land it. Be careful.”

You almost started crying at the thought of a real bed and real food waiting for you. “Thank the Maker.”, you mumbled to yourself before you checked that everything on the ship was secured so nothing would break during your flight. It didn't take long for you to start the ship and fly directly in the direction of the big castle-like building.

Only five minutes later you landed the ship near the palace and some people were already coming out of the ancient building. You grabbed your blaster before leaving the ship and walked towards the other people. They greeted you by bowing in front of you. Eyebrows lifted in surprise, you looked back down at them.

There was an older man with brown skin and dark hair, some strands already whitening. His mouth was almost hidden by a big, long beard that went down to his throat, but you were able to make out a small smile on his lips. He wore a purple robe, so long that the end of it was covering the ground behind him. Some golden chains covered his chest and he wore rings on almost every finger.

He was in the company of four young women, covered in light yellow cloaks. You were able to see their faces, all of them smiling at you. Each one seemingly more beautiful than the others. Now you could understand why Boba spent so much time here.

“You must be the partner of the great Boba Fett.” The man in front of you began speaking, “We are glad to have you here. All our guests get only the best. We’ve prepared your quarters for the night and one of my maids will show you the way so you can refresh yourself before dinner.”

The old man pointed at a young woman with curly hair, who was smiling at you.

“Thank you, that's really nice.” was all you could say in your current state of surprise.

“Nothing to thank us for. We made a really good deal with your partner so it is a pleasure for us to have you here.” The man nodded slowly and you gave him a weak smile. These people were way too friendly to make a deal with Boba. You hoped he would explain this to you when you see him.

“Follow me, I will show you your room.” The young woman said and waved her hand for you to follow her.

The palace was gigantic. Many statues and old art were all over the place. The statues were made out of white stone, portraying people you didn't know, probably warriors. Strong bodies, perfectly chiseled into different kinds of material, telling a story you've never heard before. Paintings covered the high walls, showing many faces. Some of them looked like normal citizens like farmers, children, or the whole families portraits. Others picturing royals, queens and kings, princes and princesses.

The two of you walked through an uncountable amount of rooms and corridors. And after almost ten minutes of walking the woman turned around, looking at you. She opened the doors on your left and your eyes widened in shock. The room they prepared for you was bigger than any house you had ever lived in. It was filled with old furniture, a gigantic bed, a big balcony and a probably enormous bathroom behind a closed door. The maid walked into the room with you being directly behind her. She went over to a large closet and opened it to reveal that it was full of beautiful clothes made out of the best material in the galaxy. One of your hands rose to touch the silky fabric of one of the dresses.

“These are for you to wear. We asked your partner for your size and I hope there is something that fits in here. If not, feel free to tell me and we will get you something else.” You slowly nodded while looking through the amount of different clothes. “The King wants you to wear anything you feel comfortable in but would be happy if you would wear something more festive for dinner.” You looked over to her and she smiled at you again.

“Dinner will be ready in about two hours. Feel free to use the bathroom and clean yourself up.” She slowly made her way to the door, “And if you need anything, please let me know and we will be happy to help you.”

“Thank you.” was all you could say before she left the room.

Now being on your own, you slowly walked through the chambers, trying to take in every detail. The walls were a light rosé and sky blue curtains hung beside the windows. All the furniture was made out of dark wood. A small glass table stood in the corner of the room with some books on top. The bed was covered in white sheets and pillows and was large enough to allow 4 people, maybe even more, to sleep comfortably.

You walked out onto the balcony and gasped. You had a great view over the whole city. It wasn't the biggest you have ever seen, but definitely one of the most beautiful ones. Everything looked more like a big garden than a place where people lived. Old, small houses were blooming like mushrooms between a field of grass. Many fields covered the space underneath the palace.

People stood in front of their houses, talking to each other. Children were playing hide and seek, laughing so loud even you could hear it. The lights were turned on in almost every house and you could see some farmers bringing the harvest they collected over the day into the warmth of their homes. This place was really beautiful.

And now, as the sun slowly started to set, it looked even more aesthetically pleasing. You looked down into the court of the palace and saw Boba. He was taking a walk with the man you talked to when you arrived. Hopefully he would tell you what this was all about as soon as you had some alone time with him.

After standing and watching the city for some more moments, you went back inside and into the bathroom. Just as you thought it was just as big as everything else. Covered in white tiles, a marble bathtub, a shower beside and a big sink with a mirror and any kind of makeup you could think of. You never really used something like this, but maybe tonight was a good night to try it.

You stripped out of your dirty clothes and quickly got into the shower. The warm water ran down your body and you couldn't help yourself but moan at the relaxing feeling. After cleaning yourself completely, you just had to stay under the warm water for just a bit longer.When you finally had enough, you turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. With one hand you grabbed one of the soft towels, wrapping it around your body.

Entering the bedroom once more you walked over to the big closet and searched through it. You opened one of the drawers, instantly moving back in surprise. It was full of some of the most expensive and beautiful lingerie you have ever seen. Did Boba tell them to get those for you? Curiously you looked through them, soon realizing that all of them were exactly your size. How could he know what size you wore? But before you were able to think much further, your eyes caught a glimpse of a beautiful, dark green lace set.

You pulled it out of the drawer, taking the time to really look over it. It was gorgeous. Without thinking too much, you dried your body and tried on the underwear. You weren't insecure about your body or anything, but you were still afraid that it might not look as good as you imagined. With small steps you walked in front of the big mirror beside the closet and looked at your figure. Holy shit. You looked fucking hot. The bra fitted perfectly around your breasts and you were able to see through it a little bit. The panties wrapped themselves around your ass without covering too much. You were speechless. How could've Boba guessed your size so perfectly?

Before putting on more clothes you went back into the bathroom to do your hair and make up. And while doing that your thoughts started to wander.

You always had a thing for Boba. From the day you agreed to work with him to this current moment. The both of you met while searching for a bounty. He got attacked by several men at the same time and you hopped in to help him. He was impressed, to say at least. You joked about saving his life and how he would owe you something.

The bounty hunter was almost speechless at that moment. You weren't afraid of him. You knew who he was, but you weren't afraid, not in the slightest. He was almost sure he could like you until it turned out that both of you were going after the same bounty. Boba tried to tell you that you had no right to go after this man and that he would kill you if you still tried to, but the only thing you said was:”Are you afraid of losing, old man?”

And that is how it started. You were able to catch the first bounty. Boba was angry about it, but he would never tell that he was almost as much impressed by your fighting and hunting skills. Those games continued for weeks. Every time you met each other on a planet, searching for a bounty, you made a contest out of it.

He would never admit it, but he loved it. He loved to see you getting lost in your hunting instincts and trying to get whoever you were looking for. He loved seeing you fight, you were much stronger than you looked. But mostly he loved to see your euphoric smile when you showed him the bounty you just caught. Of course he would never admit that to you, but he loved spending this time with you.

But things got more stressful on Tatooine and he had to stay there for a certain amount of time, dealing with his business. You two didn't see each other anymore and it drove both of you crazy. You listened to every conversation about Boba to find out where he was right now, secretly hoping to see him again as soon as possible.

Until one day, you received a message from the King of the Underworld himself. He said that he would need more good bounty hunters in his palace and offered you a job at his side. Obviously, you couldn't say no, so the next day you made your way to the palace to start working with him and his right hand Fennec.

The three of you got along pretty well and work seemed to be as easy as never before. The only thing disturbing the good climate you had in the palace was the never ending tension between you and Boba. You didn't know what exactly the reason was for this undeniable tension, but it drove you mad. You were attracted to him, there was no point in denying that. But you also knew that he saw you as a coworker, maybe a friend. There were other things going through his head than what was going on between the two of you. You were also sure that you just imagined all the small hints which could possibly be a sign for him returning your feelings.

Until Fennec decided to confront you. She asked you why you didn't already tell him, that it was already really obvious. You didn't know what to say and tried to deny your feelings. The only reaction she showed to your very bad lie was a dramatic roll of her eyes. “I can't wait until you both realize that each of you returns the feelings for the other one.” was the last thing she said before she walked away and it still haunted you to this day.

Your eyes were glued to the mirror in front of you while you were trying to do your eyeliner. Finally finished, you looked at yourself. Even though you didn't use makeup on a regular basis, it looked really good. Happy with your hair and makeup, you went back to the closet.

Your eyes scanned every single piece of clothing in there. What would be something acceptable to wear while having dinner with a King? One of the dresses caught your eye, but before you were able to pull it out of the closet the door to your room got opened.

Eyes widened in shock, you looked at Boba who stood in the doorway. You couldn't see it but his eyes scanned your almost naked body. He didn't even realize it but his breathing stopped as soon as he saw you. You looked absolutely stunning. Only when his eyes met yours through his visor, he realized that he was staring at you. He snapped out of his thoughts and turned around, trying to get his breathing under control.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to see if everything is alright and tell you that dinner is ready in about half an hour.” he spoke with a raspy voice.

“Okay, alright. I will be there.” You looked at his back while speaking.

Without another word Boba went out of the room and closed the door behind him. He walked down the corridor with large steps. The picture of you, just standing there in the probably hottest set of lingerie he ever saw, was burned into his mind. They asked him for your size, yes, but he never thought they would pick out something like this for you. Maker, he needed to cool down.

Entering his room, he sat down on the white sheets of his bed. Seeing you like this was completely new for him and he couldn't deny the fact that his trousers got tighter when he had scanned the length of your body. He knew you for a good amount of time now, but most of the time he had enough self-control to not imagine you in this certain kind of way. But this time, he couldn't help himself.

Pictures of your body laying underneath him flooded his mind. He wondered if the sounds you made were just as beautiful as you? Would your lips feel as soft as they look? Would you taste like- Kriff. His eyes snapped open and he let out a deep sigh. At this point, he was rock hard just by thinking of you. He needed to stop.

He knew that someone as beautiful as you and also younger than him would never share the same feelings as him. You were able to have any person you wanted, why would you choose him? He thought back when you first arrived at his palace.

The way the people eyed you. Hundreds of hungry eyes stared at you. He still remembered how glad he was that he wore his helmet, so no one could see his jealous expression. Only when you walked up to him and started talking to him, the people stopped staring at you. The only thing he wanted to do in that moment was to pull you onto his lap and show everyone that you belonged to him and if anyone dared to lay a hand on you, they would have to deal with Boba himself.

But you weren't his. You belonged to no one, you told him more than once. And he understood what you meant by saying this and he respected you, more than anyone else. But he still found himself alone at night, wishing you were by his side.

A knock on the door ripped him out of his daydreams.

“I just wanted to tell you that food is ready in five minutes.” A voice said through the door. After that it got silent again. Trying to get you out of his head he stood up and made his way into the dining hall. This is going to be a long night.

You stood in silence for a minute after Boba left your room. You noticed his staring, but you weren't sure if it was just because you were in your underwear or if he really thought you were attractive.

Thinking about it for a second, you decided to try your luck today. If it turned out that he wasn't interested, you could finally live in peace again. But if he was, then you were going to have a very good night.

The bounty hunter was  already sitting at the table when you entered the large dinner room. You saw how his helmet turned in your direction but you couldn't see any reaction from his side. And again, Boba was very happy to wear that stupid helmet. You looked stunning. Your body was covered by a silky black dress with thin straps. It went down to your legs and hugged all your curves perfectly. He swallowed hard, almost sure everyone could hear it.

With a nervous look, you settled down in the seat beside him. You looked at his black visor and he nodded slightly. Before you could say anything the King, as you learned for the maid, stood up and began to speak.

“Tonight we want to honor our guests, the great Boba Fett and his beautiful partner. Our kingdom was able to make a deal from which we all are going to profit from and which will keep us all safe.” He raised his glass in your direction. “We hope you enjoy your meal and now, let the festivities begin.”

He brought his glass to his lips and drank one sip, before everyone else joined in.

Two big doors swung open and the staff brought in the food. You almost couldn't believe your eyes. So many different kinds of food, mostly things you didn't even know. Your stomach started rumbling at the sight of all the different courses. With wide eyes, you looked at Boba once more. He didn't notice because he was in the middle of taking off his helmet. You were about to stop him, but it was already too late. He never let his enemies or business partners see his face, but by the reaction of the other people in this room it wasn't the first time they saw him. He turned his face to you and mustered you with a confused look.

“What's the matter?” His eyes fixed on yours while he was trying to figure out what was going on in your head.

“Nothing. Don’t worry.” You shook your head slightly.

Bringing your eyes back to the food in front of you, you couldn't stop yourself from starting to eat. So many different vegetables and fruits. All the different variations and sauces. You moaned when the first piece of food found its way into your mouth. This was the best feeling you've ever experienced.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Boba watched you and a small smile tugged at his lips as he saw your satisfied expression when you finally started eating.

Without even trying to hold back you ate as much food as you could. Each dish was better than the other and you were almost overwhelmed at all the different choices.

You were still eating even after all the others finished their meal, but you didn't care. You had no good food in weeks and to be completely honest, the food on Tatooine wasn't the best either.

Shoving the last piece of food into your mouth you fell back into your seat, holding your tummy. You were stuffed, to say the least.

“Finished already? Don't you want to lick the plates of all the others clean too?” Boba smirked at your exhausted figure, bringing his glass to his lips.

You gave him a playful annoyed look, but couldn't hold back your laugh. The corners of his mouth raised around the glass.

Before you were able to reply something the other man beside you started talking to you. You were so caught up in getting food inside your stomach that you didn't even talk to anyone in here. So you gladly interacted in the conversation the other man tried to build up.

Turns out this planet was one of the only ones which stayed completely out of the war that happened some years ago; which was impressive because almost no planet was able to stay out of those kinds of politics. But this was the reason why everything here was so old. They never had to rebuild anything because nothing ever got destroyed. Maybe by accident on occasion but never due to war. The people who lived here had one of the oldest environmental systems in the galaxy, which is the reason why you didn't recognize most of the food. It's local and you are not able to get it on any different planets. You wondered if Boba made a deal about some kind of spices, but he was more than a spice smuggler. That would make no sense.

Suddenly, in the middle of the conversation, someone came up behind you and sat a new plate in front of you. On it was a fruit, you also didn't recognize. It had thick skin and was bright yellow. You looked around and saw that Boba and you were the only one with this kind of food on their plates. With a confused look you turned your head to him but he just shrugged his shoulders, signaling you that he also had no idea what kind of fruit that was.

“We decided to give you some of our rarest food on the planet. It is hard to grow and actually is the only fruit we sometimes sell to other planets. But after everything you will be doing for us, I think you deserve to get a taste.”, the King spoke and looked at the two of you. You weren't sure if it was just your imagination but all the other people in the room looked at you with a smirk on their face. As if they knew something you didn't.

There was no room left in your stomach, you were full. But after everything the man said, you didn't want to be rude, so you took your fork and tried a small piece of the yellow food in front of you.

Before you even started chewing it, you tasted how sweet it was. Too sweet. You grimaced at the overwhelming taste. It was like nothing you ever tasted before. It gave your tongue a tingling sensation but also made it numb at the same time. The juice that squished out of it when you bit it, immediately ran down your throat. You desperately tried to hold back a cough. With one big gulp, you swallowed the piece of fruit and laid your fork back down.

Side-eyeing Boba, you saw that he wasn't impressed by the taste either. Just now you realized that all eyes in the room were laid on the two of you, waiting for your reaction.

“It-” You began, clearing your raspy voice before continuing, “It tastes delicious, really. Amazing, different taste.” It was a lie and anyone smart enough would have realized but it seemed like the people didn't notice. They started smiling, bringing their attention to their own desserts.

Boba looked at you in a way that said 'You are a terrible liar.', but you didn't care as long as everyone was happy.

“I'm very glad to hear that and now eat up. We wouldn't want to waste anything of this delicate fruit.” You sent a death look into the direction of the king, but your partner nudged your side with his elbow.

“Eat up. You don't want to be rude, do you?” Your death glare wandered directly to Boba and he smirked at you. Cocky bastard.

With a disgusted look on your face you took the fork again and started eating the fruit.

Soon it was much later in the evening but you didn't notice the passage of time because you were actually having some nice conversations with the people from the city. You talked about the wars, the way this planet stayed out of them, the story of how you became a bounty hunter and joined Boba.

Your eyes wandered into the direction of said bounty hunter more than once that night. Sure, he wasn't someone to talk much, especially about his feelings, but you couldn't deny the feeling of disappointment that he didn't even acknowledge the way you looked tonight. The small amount of hope in you wasn't strong, but it was surely gone by now. Forcing your eyes away from him, you started listening to the story one of the women in front of you was currently telling.

Boba didn't feel well. It wasn't the amount of strangers around him or the fact that he probably ate too much, no. It was the fact that you turned heads in this room. From more than just one or two people.

But well, he couldn't blame them. Your body looked like art in the dress you were wearing. He asked himself what the reason was, for your choice of looks tonight. Did you want to impress someone? Boba knew you had your fair amount of affairs. It had been revealed after you two along with Fennec drank too much spotchka one night and talked about your sex lives. He still didn't know how that happened.

Anyway, even though he knew you weren't his, he tried to keep everyone away from you that showed just the slightest bit of interest in you. He knew it wasn't fair, but he couldn't stand the thought of someone else touching you. Was this the reason you were dressed like this? Did you want to hook up with someone from the palace?

He shook his head. He had no reason to think about your intimate relationships with others; he had no right to judge or decide over your choices. But the more he let his mind wander, more thoughts of you popped up in his head. And one of the thoughts was the picture of you in your underwear. Again.

Suddenly, he felt hot. Not in the way he felt when he was angry or embarrassed, but actually hot. So hot that he started sweating. He looked around to find a reason why the temperature suddenly had changed in here but it seemed like no one else noticed. He tried to adjust himself in the chair. It felt like his armor got two sizes smaller and he wasn't able to breathe. Different parts of his body began to tingle and he was sure he would pass out. His body quickly raised from his seat, to get out of the room but the second he stood, he couldn’t move due to the feeling of dizziness that held him. Boba stood there for a second before he made his way out of the dinner hall.

Your eyes fell on his quickly moving body and the way the look on his face seemed alarmed. Something told you to follow him. Without excusing yourself, you left your seat and made your way up to him. Before he was able to leave the room, you reached for his arm and stopped him. He turned to you, his eyes wide in shock.

“Boba, are you alright? You look terrible.” The look on your face was concerned and you glanced at him through your lashes. He stared at you, not without noticing how his eyes started to wander over your body.

“I- umm...” He stopped his rambling when he felt a painful sting in his lower belly, his erection forming in his pants. What was wrong with him?

“Kriff.” was all he said, looking around to see if anyone was staring at the two of you. Luckily no one seemed to care about the fact that the two of you were standing away from the table.

Without thinking, Boba grabbed your waist and pulled you a little closer to him. You were so surprised. You couldn't think of anything to say. He lowered his head so his mouth was directly at your ear.

“We are leaving tomorrow morning, be ready. I'm going to bed now and you should too, Princess.” Not a second later, he released his grip on you and was gone.

Princess. The word rang through your ears. It was almost as if you could still feel his hands on you. A shiver ran down your shine when you thought about his breath hitting your sweaty neck. Lost in your thoughts you still looked at the door he left through.

A sharp pain in your stomach shook you out of your trance. You flinched at the feeling, wondering what that was. But a moment later, you felt a burning heat in your core and the feeling spread through your whole body. You grew even hotter than before. Maybe Boba was right. You should go to bed.

It was harder than you thought to find your way back to your quarters. The fact that your legs got weaker with every step and the slightly dizzy feeling in your head wasn't helping either. You stumbled through the corridors, hoping to soon find your stupid room. Who needs a palace that big anyway?

After some more minutes, you were sure you finally arrived. About to open the door to your room, you heard a strange sound coming from a chamber down the hall. You stayed still, to see if it wasn't just your head trying to trick you.

“Dank Farrik!”

Even though your whole body was aching at this point, you followed the sound. A loud groan came out of one room and you realized it was Boba. A little bit faster than before, or at least as fast as you were able to go, you went to the door the sound was coming from. Your mind clouded from the heat and pain taking over your body as you knocked.

“Boba?” Your voice was weak and raspy as if you had been screaming for hours straight. Nothing happened, so you tried again. “Are you alright? I heard some noise-”, a sore, deep voice cut you of.

“I'm... I'm alright.” A sore, deep voice cut you off. On the other side of the door, the man struggled to speak. His throat felt so dry as if he had wandered through the dunes of Tatooine for days without a single drop of water. Every part of his body arched and he panted, not being able to breath properly.

When he entered his room some moments ago, he got rid of his armor, tossing it carelessly onto the floor and falling down onto the bed. He didn't feel dizzy anymore but there was pain, almost as bad as in the sarlacc, flowing through his body and especially into his abandonment. He was hard, harder than ever before and it hurt. Scared of touching himself, of making the pain even worse, he just kept laying there, hoping that the pain would go away. No luck yet.

There was a white noise in your ears and you almost didn't hear what he said. His voice sounded so breathy; you were afraid he was hurt. You tried to steady yourself by holding on to the doorknob. You felt like you were about to pass out, but you still wanted to make sure that everything was alright.

“Are you s... sure? It doesn't sound like it.” It almost hurt to speak.

You heard a terrifying growl from the other side of the door.

“Fucking hell. I'm doing fine and now go to bed.” Boba shouted.

Too dizzy to be shocked or to show any reaction towards his tone you slowly made your way back to your quarters. Barely able to find the strength to push the door open, you almost fell into the room. The pain got even worse and couldn't hold your body up any longer. You felt your legs carry you across the room so you could collapse on the bed, groaning loudly as your body landed on the mattress. Your mind wasn’t able to form any kind of rational thought. The only thing you were aware of was the pain in your body and the growing wetness between your legs.

You had no idea what was going on, only realizing that you started to become incredibly needy. With all the force you could muster in the moment, you rubbed your thighs together to create even the smallest amount of friction. You almost started cringing when you felt how just wet you were. Maker, what was wrong with you?

The pressure from your thighs wasn't enough. Your panties were already soaked, even without anyone touching you. Slowly, you let one of your hands go between your legs. Your body jumped at the first light touch and an obscene moan left your mouth. Holding your other hand over your mouth, you carefully started to touch yourself.

You closed your eyes, trying to focus on giving yourself some kind of pressure pleasure, but it didn't work. The pain was still there and it seemed like it wasn't about to leave any time soon. Starting to move your hand faster, to find your way to the desperately needed climax, you heard the sound of your wet cunt.

You’ve never been this wet. Especially without anyone touching you. Your thoughts drifted to Boba. Him calling you princess surely couldn't be the reason for the mess between your legs. You wanted to fuck him, but you weren't that affection starved. Or were you?

Thinking about your partner brought you closer to your own orgasm. Two of your fingers circled around your clit and started to become sloppy as you grew closer to your release. Your eyes stayed shut, trying to imagine something that would help you. You thought of Boba, sitting on his throne, legs wide and taking every inch of space in the big seat. The way he looked so dangerous, just by doing nothing then looking around the room. How often you thought about riding him in that position. You on top of him, his large hands on your hips. You would be completely naked for him while he still wore his armor, feeling the cold beskar against your heated skin. His body would tense underneath yours while he pounded into you, calling you his good girl.

You were so close, you could feel the familiar heat rising. Just one or two more seconds.

“Hey. Are you here? Can you hear me?” Your hand moved from your core as fast as possible. Shooting your eyes into the direction of the door, but it was still closed. A groan left your mouth. You were so close and the pain was still so present in your body, you were probably imagining things.

Just as you were about to continue, the voice rang through the room again. You tried to sit up, looking around, searching for the reason you were able to hear him.

“Are you mad at me? Dank- I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you.” Boba sounded like he was out of breath. Your eyes landed on the pile of clothes on the floor. Sure, your comlink. On shaky legs, you walked to your old clothes and took the small speaker from your belt.

You were afraid to say something. Did he hear you? You were embarrassed. He was your coworker and you just almost had an orgasm while thinking about him.

“Boba.” The only thing leaving your mouth, in a breathless voice, was his name. You weren't able to say more, afraid that he might sense what you just did.

The man in the other room was still laying on his bed. He didn't trust himself to stand up. His heavy breathing was the only sound around him. His fist clenched around the comlink, after he heard you speaking. Your voice sounded just as weak as his, you must feel the same reaction as he did.

Boba has been to a lot of planets and different cities, but this feeling was new to him. He knew what the cause for this was, probably. The fruit contained a certain type of pollen. He heard about them, about the stuff they do to the ones eating it. It was almost like an aphrodisiac, people would get desperate for any kind of sexual interaction, just to make the pain go away. And he also knew that the pain would fade much faster, if you would do something about it and even better, not by yourself.

The sound of you whispering his name through the speaker made his hips twitch. He would never act on the feelings he had right now, especially not with you. You were too important to him and he would never forgive himself if he lost you due to his needy brain and body. But he couldn't stop thinking about you. The fact that you felt the same exact pain he did in this moment, made it even worse.

“Are you... are you alright?” Your quiet voice cut through his thoughts. Maker, why did your voice have to sound so fucking desperate? He shuts his eyes close, trying to stay focused.

“Yes, I think so. What about you?”

“No. No, I think something is wrong with me.” Boba's eyes snapped open again when he heard you were crying. “I- I don't know why, but everything hurts. Kriff, it hurts so bad Boba. I don't know what to do.” By now your voice was almost unrecognizable, it was shaky and blurred from your crying.

The heart of the bounty hunter sank deep in his chest. He didn't want you to go through this. “Okay, try to calm down. You got this, try to ignore it.” He almost laughed at himself. There was no way to ignore it and he knew that.

“Are you kidding me? Try to ignore it? Boba, it feels like my whole body is on fire, I can't just pretend I don't feel that shit.” There was a hint of annoyance in your voice and he couldn't blame you. He was better at controlling his body in general and it was still hell for him. He couldn't even imagine how you felt. “You know what, I'm coming over, right now.”

“No!” He screamed the word into the communicator in his hand. With all his strength, he sat up and rubbed a hand over his face. There was no way he would spend this time with you. He knew he wouldn't be able to control himself if you were with him.

“Boba, what the he-”

“I know what might help you.” His tone was low and calm, trying not to cross a line with what he was about to say.  “You need to touch yourself.”

Your mouth fell open. Did... did he really just say that? You stayed silent, not knowing what to say. That was what you were already doing, touching yourself, but hearing him saying those words sent goosebumps all over your body.

“Before you start to protest, yes I know it sounds strange, but believe me, it will help you.” A moment of silence fell above you before he started to speak again. “Please. I don't want you to be in this terrible pain. Do... do it for me, please.”

You weren't able to stop the whine that left you after hearing his words. It was too much; this whole situation was too much for you. Your body was aching and you knew that your hands would never be able to sooth the pain and growing heat between your legs.

“Boba, I-” He cuts you off once again.

“S- stop saying my name like that, please. I will not be able to control myself if you keep doing that.” You felt even more heat rising in your body at his words. “Just... just try to do what I just told you.”

Without letting go of the comlink, you sneaked your hand under your dress once again and into your wet folds. You moaned at the feeling. There was a hiss, coming out of the speaker and you heard the man on the other end swearing.

“That's it. Just keep doing that.” Boba wasn't able to hold it back anymore, freeing his painful hard cock from his pants. It snapped up against his tummy and he threw his head back when the cold air hit his aching member.

“Boba.” This time you moaned his name on purpose and he really had to hold himself back from cumming right there and then, “I- I can't do this on my own, please.”

At this point you didn't care how desperate you sounded or if he could hear the sounds you were making. You needed something. You needed him.

The man heard you, very well, and it drove him crazy. He put his hand around his cock, slowly starting to pump it. It didn't feel good. He didn't like to masturbate in general, but with this burning need inside him and hearing you, touching yourself, it felt even worse. The urge to touch you has never been this strong, but he needed to keep it together. You only did that because you felt the pain this fruit caused, not because you were genuinely attracted to him.

Your fingers circled your clit, but it didn't feel like it was enough. Silent tears were still streaming down your face because you couldn't build up the friction you really needed. You whined in frustration.

Boba was sure he wouldn't last long if you kept making those sounds. Maker, what would he give to see you right now. Disheveled hair, your makeup probably all over your face, your hand between your legs and eyes closed. He was sure you looked like a goddess.

“Please, Boba. I need-” He had to stop you. He couldn't listen to you with that sweet, sweet voice of yours any longer.

“Alright, okay. Just do what I tell you.” The bounty hunter didn't believe what he was about to do. He has wanted you for so long and even though you weren't with him right now, he would savor every second of this.

“Just... umm...” He stopped himself and rasped his voice. He never had a problem with being talkative during sex. He actually really liked it but with you and especially in this situation, it felt different. “Bring your middle finger and your pointing finger to your clit and start rubbing it in circles. Not too fast, to build up some good pressure.” His grip around his cock tightened at the picture of you in his head.

You did as he told you and moaned, more at the words he spoke than to the actual feeling of pleasure. Never in your life have you been this turned on, not only because of the strange feeling in your body but also by the way Boba guided you through this. You could already feel the familiar heat growing in your lower stomach again. It wouldn't take long for you to finish.

He needed a moment to breath before he continued. Your moaning and whining made his dick twitch in his hand. His thumb collected the precum that already leaked and used it to start stroking himself again.

“Now use those two fingers, slide them inside of you and start fucking yourself.” His mind was clouded with pictures of you. The sounds you made rang in his ears and he wasn't able to hold his grunting back anymore.

The two of you listened to each other, touching yourselves. Both of you would lie if they said that this wasn't the hottest thing you’ve ever done. Feelings aside, the urge to feel one another and touch each other was so present and burning as never before, it was almost worse than the actual pain in your bodies.

Your back arched as you felt yourself getting close again, but you needed to hear his voice one more time. “Boba, I'm- I'm so close... I-” He was too and your words almost sent him over the edge, but he wanted to help you reach your climax first.

“It's alright, Princess. Just l- let go.” The hand around his cock sped up. His rapid pace was almost hurtful. “Imagine it’s someone else doing that to you. Imagine your fingers are someone else's, someone you wish was touching you right now.”

An incredibly loud sound left your mouth and you began to see stars. Your legs started to twitch and shake, while a loud white noise flooded your ears. Without thinking you started to scream. “You. Fuck, I wish it was you who was touching me right now, Boba.” You cummed hard. Your toes curled, your head pressing into the mattress underneath you. The hand inside of you stopped moving and started shaking, like every other part of your body.

As you laid there panting, you slowly came back to your senses. It was silent, but the pain in your body was still as present as before your orgasm. You groaned in frustration.

“It didn't help. Fuck, Boba. The pain is still there.” You whined but there was no reaction. The other side of the comlink was completely silent. Tears build themselves up and were about to escape your already burning eyes. You fucked up. You just told him you wished he would touch you.

“Shit!” You screamed and pressed your hands flat over your face. The tears started to stream down your face faster now as you started crying again. The pain and the embarrassment took over your brain, you never wanted to see him again. He would fire you, bring you back to the planet you came from and leave you there. You started sobbing and removed the hands from your face to place one of them over your mouth to muffle your pitiful cries.

You hated yourself right now. So much so that you would rather stay in this room forever than ever have to see his face again. The moment repeated itself in your head over and over again. You didn't notice when he broke the connection, but you knew that he probably did it after the last sentence you said.

New tears formed in the corner of your eyes, but before they were able to make their way down your face the door to your room got pushed open. Your head turned to the person standing in the doorway. It was Boba, wearing nothing but his black flight suit he always wore underneath his armor. You brought up your head and steadied yourself on your elbows.

“What are you-” The man was in front of you in a matter of seconds, looking down at your weak form. You slowly sat up and stared into his dark eyes.

“Was that what you said the truth?” His voice was even deeper in person. He looked exhausted, breathing unsteadily and sweating all over his face.

“Boba, I... I don't know-” One of his hands grabbed your chin roughly and tilted your head in his direction. Your heartbeat was going faster than before. It was hammering hard against your chest. You could feel it in every part of your body.

“Just tell me if you meant what you just said, or not. Because if you did, I will help you. I- I will touch you, just the way you need it, little one.” His eyes pierced into yours. His voice sounded calm but you could see that he was just as worked up as you. “And if not, I will leave you alone. I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything you don't want to do.”

It was almost as if you forgot how to breath. His words rang through your ears and for a second you believed you passed out and all of this was a dream. But the grip around your chin proved you wrong.

“I asked you a question.” He said in a more aggressive tone. The hand on your face tugged you slightly forward and only now you became aware of his hard erection, pressing against his pants. You swallowed loudly, looking back up into his eyes. A small smirk played around his lips.

“Like what you see?” The smirk on his face grew even wider when he saw your head nodding.

“Now tell me,” He brought his body down to yours to look directly into your face, “Do you want me to touch you? Do you want me to help you get rid of the pain?”

He paused for a second and brought his face closer to yours so both of your noses were touching.

“Do you want me to make you feel good?”

Your breathing hitched in your lungs and you felt a hot sting going through your body, going straight to your cunt. Boba drew his face away from you, just a little bit, but you already wanted to protest. Your hands rose up and grabbed his broad shoulders.

“Yes.” It was nothing more than a silent breath but the words rang in his ears as if you screamed them. “Yes, I want you to touch me and make me feel good, I- Fuck, Boba. I want you so bad.”

Without wasting another second he crushed his lips onto yours and started kissing you. The kiss was heated, fast and passionate. Teeth clenched against teeth and tongues tried their best to taste the other person. His lips were softer than you expected, they were warm and inviting. A tingling feeling made its way to your chest and you realized you never wanted this to stop.

You felt like you were in heaven and even forgot about the pain for a second, but not for long. Boba's hands were holding your face, brought it even closer to his while you did the same with your hands around his neck.

His mouth pulled away from yours as he began to wander and kiss his way down your throat. He let both of his hands slide down your body, over your breasts until he rested them at your waist. Your body arched into his touch and a whimper escaped you. The man's lips twitched into a smile, feeling proud about the reaction of your body against his touches.

With one hand on your back, he slowly started to lay you down on the bed. His body was now hovering over you and you could feel the strong heat radiating from him. Every kiss he left on your bare skin was like a small flame burning its way into your mind.

When his lips reached your cleavage he stopped and looked up to you. You looked so beautiful, a sweating, panting mess underneath him. That's everything he ever dreamed of, maybe even more.

Both of his hands ran patiently down your sides until he got to your thighs. He reached for the hem of your dress and pulled it up a little bit. His hot mouth went down your clothed body, not once breaking the eye contact.

You shivered at the sight in front of you. Every part of you felt like it was electrified and you were sure you would explode if he wouldn't start properly touching you soon.

Boba went onto his knees in front of the bed, now pulling up your dress so that the hem of it lay just above your panties. His eyes fell to the soaked green material that still covered your heat.

“Look at you. If it wasn't for the fucking fruit, I would say that you are pretty desperate for me, little one.” A wide smirk covered his face and even more heat rose into yours.

“What has the fruit to do with-” But you were cut off by the feeling of one of his thick fingers sliding in between your wet folds. Your mouth fell open in a breathless moan and your head pushed back into the white covers. Only when you heard the man in front of you humming your head came back up only to see that the finger, which was between your legs just seconds ago, was now in his mouth. His eyes found yours while he licked his finger clean, pulling it back out with a small popping sound.

“You taste fucking delicious. Better than any food anyone’s ever served me.” He smiled at you. “Even better than I've imagined.”

Your eyes widened at his words. He imagined the way you tasted? The man in front of you was about to pull down your panties, but you stopped him. He looked at you with a confused expression.

“What do you mean with 'you imagined'? Have you thought about this before? About us?” The pain was buzzing through your body, but you needed to know.

His expression softened and a small smile appeared on his face. He planted a soft kiss on your knee before talking.

“Princess, are you serious? I've dreamed about this for so long, to finally have you. To feel, taste and hear you, everything. But right now,” His lips made their way up on your inner thigh, “is not the time to talk about this. Let me soothe your pain and afterwards, we can talk about everything. I promise. Right now, I just want to taste you.”

He reached your clothed cunt and pressed a kiss on to it. His fingers reached up to the waistband of your panties. Your legs were already shaking from watching him move. You were about to tell him not to tease you when a knock on the door cut through the thick tension hanging between the both of you.

A sigh left your lungs and you fell back into the sheets underneath you. This couldn't be real. You whined, tears swelling up in your eyes again.

Boba noticed and started rubbing his hands up and down your legs. “Hey, hey. Calm down. We don't have to answer.”

It stayed silent for a while, a relieved feeling washed over your body. Boba started kissing your inner thighs again and just before he reached the spot where you needed him the most, the knock disturbed you once again.

“Kriffing hell.” The bounty hunter muttered to himself and got up. With large steps he went to the door and opened it just enough so the other person could see his face.

It was one of the maids. She looked at Boba with an apologizing look.

“I'm sorry to disturb you but our communication system received a call from your palace on Tatooine. There is a woman, called Fennec Shand and she wants to talk to you. She didn't say what it was about but she said it is urgent.”

He wanted to scream, wanted to tear down the whole palace. No, not now. His head turned into your direction. You looked at him with dove eyes, still shimmering from your previous tears. He couldn't do that now, both of you still in the middle of the reaction from this fruit. He was in pain too, but he knew it was worse for you. Turning his head he looked back at the maid.

“The woman is waiting for you.” Boba sighed. He knew it was wrong but he needed to know what Fennec thought was so urgent.

“Give me a second, I will be right there.”, he said before closing the door.

The man turned around and looked at you once more. He didn't want to go. His deepest desire, finally so close to him and his duty as the King of the Underworld keeping him away from reaching it.

“I have to go.”

“What?” Your body shot up from it's laying spot in the bed. A hand reached out to him and clutched at his sleeve. “No. No, please. You can't leave me now.”  

“I have to, but it won't take long, I promise.” Boba gabbed the back of your head and pressed a kiss to your forehead. He was about to turn around, but you still didn't let go of him.

“Boba, stop. Please I- it still hurts. I can't take this anymore.” He looked at you, bringing his hand to your cheek.

“You can do it and while I'm gone you’re going to touch yourself again, you hear me? Prepare your pretty, little cunt for me and when I come back, I will give you everything you need.” Not waiting for another response from you, he freed his arm from your grip and walked out of the room.

[young-dumb-and-vaccinated]

Cult Girl: Doctorate (Hannibal x Female!Reader) pt. 8

Cult girl and Hannibal go through an exhaustive list of potential adoptive couples. 

@wisesandwichshark

Trigger warning: sexual harassment, christianity, discussion of pregnancy and family planning, adoption, murder and cannibalism 

Step two: find an adoptive family.

Some would say your list of expectations for potential adoptive parents was too extensive. Impossible for any human to reach. But it was really just the bare minimum.

Regardless of if they were two men, two women, one of each, or a few people, the parents had to be trustworthy. It wasn't easy to earn Hannibal's trust, but he could recognize those who had the capacity to right away. It was a little instinct you had dubbed 'friend or food'.

On paper, the apostolic pastor and his wife of 19 years seemed like the perfect candidates. The adoption agency tried to push them on you, as they had a great track record with adopting from them prior. Three boys, all of which were honors students.

Hannibal insisted on a formal introduction, during which you could conduct a proper, though surreptitious, interview. It was an invitation to dinner.

He invited the couple into his office, where a pot of tea and an interrogation was waiting for them. Then there was you. Barely-pregnant little [F/N], feeling entirely safe so long as your fiancé was beside you.

"You're doing the right thing, y'know." The woman, who introduced herself as Mrs. Landon, said upon meeting you.

"How do you mean?" You asked, already knowing the answer.

"All god's life is precious." She said, placing a hand on your not-even-remotely-showing-yet stomach. "You're walking in obedience to the lord by giving this child a shot at life."

Strike one: bringing up religion unprompted. Strike two: touching me without asking first.

You wanted to swat her hand away, but remembered that patience was a virtue. She and her husband took a seat across from you.

"Y'know," The man began, his mannerisms eerily similar to those of his wife. "I don't usually begin with the god talk, but I think a higher power had to have been involved in the conception of this- well, our child. I'd like to think the good lord brought us together today."

Strike three: already believes he is entitled to my child. You're outta here.

"Don't flatter the adoption agency like that, Jacob." Hannibal chuckled, placing his teacup on the side table.

"I'm serious, Dr. Lecter." Jacob interjected. "Faith and I really do believe that god put us on this earth to prepare his smallest soldiers for the spiritual war."

You shot Hannibal a side glance that said 'can we please just eat them now?'.

The answer was no. Hannibal liked to play with his food.

"And your adult children have all moved out?" He asked.

"That's right." Jacob nodded. "We have plenty of room in our five-bedroom house for the new little slugger to run around in."

"And if it's a girl!" The wife interrupted. "We have enough closet space for all the denim maxi-skirts money could buy."

Strike four: arbitrarily genders the behavior of a nine-week-old embryo.

The man then returned the teacup to the table, not bothering to use the saucer and instead leaving a nasty ring of condensation on the polished mahogany.

"Okay." Hannibal huffed, resignedly rising from his seat. He pulled two hypodermic needles from his back pocket and carefully, subtly stuck them onto the couples' necks. They couldn't even scream.

The tacos al pastor that followed (after a few days of marinating, of course) were exquisite.

The next week brought a new couple to your doorstep. Frank and Angela, they were named. Their claim to fame was that their oldest son played football for one of those big southern party schools. Either Auburn or Alabama. There was hardly a difference.

You sat for what felt like hours listening to the man speak in unintelligible football babble, waiting for him to take a breath. Surprisingly, it was the mom who got him to finally shut up.

"Frank, please." She said with more frustration than this one situation even remotely warranted. Either she had enough intuition to know she was being tested, or she’d spent the last decade putting up with this. Possibly both. "You're boring our hosts to death."

"What? No way! She loves it!" Frank replied, then turned to you. Not to Hannibal, just you. “Aren’t you having a great time, sweetheart?” 

Strike one: takes advantage of the female socialization to be passive and polite, allowing himself to take up the most space.

You shook your head. “I hate football.” 

His wife looked quite pleased with herself. 

“Angie, I just wanted her to know what good breeding her son is going to have.” He said, without a lick of irony or self-awareness. He eyed you up and down and licked his lips. “And it is mutual, I see.” 

The room went quiet as everyone tried to determine whether he was serious or if it was just a fucked-up joke. The longer the silence lingered, the more you realized he wasn’t kidding. Angela looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

“I don’t know what the agency told you, Mr. Wyatt,” Hannibal said, trying not to grit his teeth. “She isn’t a surrogate. She’s already pregnant.” 

Frank’s jaw hung dumbly open. “I thought you were looking for a sperm donor? I just-” 

“No.” You cut him off, raising your hand and covering your face. “I don’t want to know what you thought.” 

“Well, I would!” Angela interjected, righteous fury eclipsing what should have been crippling embarrassment. “What exactly did you think this was, Francis?” 

“The file said that he was over fifty, so I just assumed--” Frank rationalized, his voice far too loud for the room. “Y’know? That she wanted a baby that wouldn’t come out all funny-looking?” 

“You’re disgusting.” You blurted out. 

“Francis Howard Wyatt,” Angela scolded as if she were talking to her son. “You are forty-eight and the only increasing part of your body is your blood pressure. Why on Earth would any woman choose you over her smart, handsome doctor fiancé?”

This made Hannibal sit up a little straighter. He wanted Francis on the butcher’s block yesterday, but he momentarily considered letting Angela live. 

“They’re not married?” Frank whispered, or whatever the loud-aggressive-toxic-masculinity version of whispering was. He paused, as the dead hamster on the wheel powering his brain crept back to life. “That actually makes sense.” 

Angela loudly smacked her hand against her face. “Dr. Lecter, Ms. [L/N], I am so sorry.” 

“It’s quite alright, Mrs. Wyatt.” Hannibal stood up, readying the next batch of needles. “It just makes what I’m about to do easier.” 

It took quite a bit of restraint to not make their deaths hurt, but he made up for it when it came time to carve. He had fun running his fittingly small penis through a meat grinder. Not with any intent to cook it, though. Just because. 

Hannibal wanted to make Francis Wyatt into the least dignified meal imaginable. You quickly recalled going to a friend’s barbeque in Georgia and encountering a horrendously Southern delicacy known as Frito Pie. You proposed the idea to Hannibal, who, after reviling in abject horror at the notion of eating something out of a bag, agreed that it was the most fitting end. He could spare a few pounds of flesh to grind up and make into chili. 

The third week brought yet another couple. They seemed smart enough to realize your invitation wasn't the friendly olive branch the others had interpreted it as. Their healthy skepticism was refreshing, to say the least. Then, you met them: Max and Archie.

"You'll have to forgive my partner's paranoia." Max said upon entering the house. He tugged playfully at Archie's hand. "We watched Get Out recently, so an invitation to the suburbs sounded some alarms in his sleep-deprived brain."

"I love that movie." You chimed in. "It reminds me of my family."

"Oh no." Archie's eyes widened in only half-pretend fear. He shot an I-told-you-so look in his partner's direction. 

"But my favorite horror flick has to be Midsommar." You added. "My friends and I saw a midnight screening and we didn't sleep at all that night."

"But have you seen Hereditary?" Archie posited.

"Of course." You shrugged. "Aster is totally genius."

You made more than just polite conversation with the couple. Max, despite his young age, was a skilled data analyst and day trader. He attributed his success to the hard work of his immigrant parents. Archie was an environmental lawyer and land activist. He was also a bit of a thrill junkie, indulging in everything from scary movies to bungee jumping.

It didn't take long to realize that you wouldn't be eating them. They were far too pleasant of company to eat.

"So when is this baby planning to make its entrance?" Archie asked, gesturing to you. "You don’t look all that pregnant to me."

You put your hand over your slightly-protruding stomach. "Late August, I believe. If everything goes according to plan."

"You're not far along at all, aren’t you?" Max observed. "That gives us plenty of time to prove ourselves to you."

"Believe me." You put up your hand. "You're doing a great job so far."

“If you like horror stories, we might have to indulge you in the last two encounters we had.” Hannibal commented, leaning back comfortably in his chair. That was a good sign. “No blood was spilled, thank god. Would have ruined my carpets. But believe me when I tell you it came very close.” 

The couple laughed along. Archie leaned in like he was about to tell a life-shattering secret. “You wouldn’t believe the hoops we had to jump through to even have the chance to adopt. And I don’t want to say that it’s because we’re an interracial gay couple, but...” 

“Agencies aren’t exactly colorblind.” You finished, via his prompting. 

“She gets it.” Archie pointed to you. “See, Maxie? She agrees with me.” 

Max pushed his glasses up his nose. “I never said I disagreed.” 

You spent the rest of the afternoon waiting for the conversation to take a sharp left turn off a cliff, but it didn’t happen. They were wonderful company; polite, intelligent and articulate. Exactly the kind of people you’d want to see taking care of your child. 

You’d have to look for you next meal elsewhere. 

[slasherwife]

SCREEEEEEEECH! MIDDLE EARTH IS WHERE I LIVE 😤 May I please request a quick headcanon(s) on Thranduil/Elrond (respectively) falling for a Fairy OC? But she's an antithesis to the pale color palette fairies tend to have. She got short black pixie short hair, golden skin, and brown eyes. Her magic is sunlight based and fairy wings look like honeyed glass 💖. (She's my OC I love her 😍) she's brave but more of a strategic fighter than aggressive. She'll never admit it but she more frail in hand to hand stoof. Otherwise she's quiet but loving. Preferring the company if animals and the riverside, just practicing her magic.

HGDHSSJ HI i don’t want the lotr to ever leave my ask box 😭💕💕

Thranduil and Elrond with a OC!Fairy!s/o

also this is the last time i’ll do an oc, i prefer to have the character desc to be applicable to all people uwu💕

Thranduil:

Thranduil saw you in his dreams, which was the first time he ever saw you. he woke up to his face feeling indescribably warm and his hands sparkled 💕

then he went on a walk through the forest where he found you in a valley of tulips and wildflowers, looking to him so innocently and sweetly 🌷

sunlight was in your eyes, and he muttered in elvish under his breath how you put the sun to shame ✨

your hair floated around you, and your skin glowed honey, golden, perfect. your wings twitched in the swaying breeze of the setting sun, and Thranduil uttered the words that were perfect to your ears, “what are you, sweet creature?”✨

since your powers are light based, you practically glow wherever you are. Thranduil often remarks on it, “you carry so much light, flowers grow towards you.” 💕💕🌷 he doesn’t say it necessarily to compliment you, he’s simply stating the truth 🥺💕

he thinks your wings are like glass, and he never touches them. unless you make it clear to him that they are okay to be touched and they won’t break, he is very gentle 🥺💖

he exhales in sweet relief and amazement when you hold your own against orcs and other daring creatures, knowing that you are stronger than the other fairies of the land ☺️💕and your aggressive nature is refreshing to him when most elven women he considers to court are sometimes meek and downcast💕

Elrond

Elrond laid his eyes on you on his evening walk, through Rivendell where the breeze was gentle and the sun cast warm, flowy ribbons of light through the towers and trees ✨

your yelling and distressed call disrupted his peace greatly, as he questioned himself why a voice as sweet as your was distorted in rage ✨

two Rivendell guards had caught you wandering along the borders and when you refused to go with them to answer to Lord Elrond, they took you by force

two elven giants (in comparasion to you, at least), held your gentle wrists tightly and bruisingly, and your face streaked vengful tears from being invaded by foreign hands, and Elrond nearly lost himself in anger against these careless men who called themselves guards of Rivendell🌷

Elrond often remarks on how conflicting you are to him, when he sees you so gentle with the waters and sunlight, animals and children, yet you nearly clawed that soldier’s face away when he touched you. like an angel turned a fierce lion✨

he examines you often, you’ll catch him staring at you oftentimes, not looking away even when you lock eyes with him. he’s just so curious about you, trying to figure you out.

he’ll have you sit in front of the mirror in his chambers some nights while he sits behind you, and he runs his fingertips along your skin and brushes your hair from your face as he inquires about your home and your kind 🥺💕

when propriety allows it, he will often catch your hand in his and he’ll hold it to his chest, asking that you let him learn more about you and your kind, as he cannot keep away when something as perfect as you had fallen into his hands 💕💕

[limitlessgojo]

Blood Bound: Red Strings of Fate (Ch 13)

Warnings: Action, Coarse Language, Fighting, Descriptions of Blood

Previous Chapter: Goldenrod

Next Chapter: The More You Know

Next SFW Chapter: Big White Lies

Tags: Soulmates AU, Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Fem!Reader

Taglist: @lessie-oxj @rizzo-nero @whoreuc @fkngkumiko @isl3t @gojoussunglasses @onepotatostand-blog @s-t-f-u-b-i-t-c-h @sunaswife @lordguameow @track5enthusiast

Notes: If you want to be tagged for every update, specify if you're okay with nsfw posts or not, and please mention it in the comments below ty ❤

Chapter 13: Home Sweet Home

That weekend you went back home. It was so refreshing to see everyone. You yelped out with joy as you ran over to your cousin “Hiroki niichaaaan~” You jumped into his arms.

He hugged you tight. “How have you been doin lil sis?”

“Very good! I missed you all so much, especially you Hiroki nii." You pouted up at him.

You caught up with your family, had meals with them, and trained with Hiroki. They were most curious about your soulmate, as you have expected.

“What’s he like? Aren’t people from the big 3 clans so stuck up all the time? Even Satoru is full of himself at times, ey?”, Hiroki asked you with a mouthful of food.

“He isn’t too bad to be honest. He’s a gentleman and sweet with me. Decent man. Just, seems a bit like the private type? I mean… Doesn’t talk much about his family even though we are soulmates. Oh I’ve already talked to him about you guys.” You added.

Hiroki tilted his head, “Ehhh… mysterious huh.”

“Give him time. The Kamo Clan aren’t the most open minded people. They’ll feel you out before allowing you in.” Your dad said.

“Even though I’m his soulmate?!” You exclaimed.

Silence. “We don’t know what they’re thinking so we can’t say for sure.”

◇◇◇

“Heh, you’ve gotten better lil sis,” Hiroki dropped low and thrusted out his spear. You jumped and immediately shifted your stance to land a kick on him. He easily parried and slipped out of your range.

Your family specializes in dealing with reverse cursed techniques aside from the occasional esper. Hiroki was only a semi-grade 1, because he trained his ass off for years.

Now that he’s built, he uses cursed tools to help him fight. A strong 185cm man can definitely handle close combat well. And in terms of healing abilities, he was number 1 in the clan.

It was only the women in your family that were able to inherit psychokinesis for some reason. But usually it only applies to a specific thing. Like how your mom can control plants. And your other aunt does with small metallic items like coins and darts.

Mother approached you after your sparring session. "Does he make you happy my dear?" Your mother asked you. Hiroki drank quietly from his water bottle.

You thought about it. The past few months were not easy but really colorful with Noritoshi. Minus the nagging feeling of him covering up his family affairs from you.

But… "He does. I feel so safe with him ma. Like I do with all of you. He is family to me now. I think I really like him and I trust him with my life." You whispered out.

"Then next time, bring him here. We will gladly welcome him with open arms." Hiroki smiled at you and leaned into your side.

◇◇◇

You went to visit your dead older sister’s grave just before you went back to Kyoto Jujutsu High School.

It was just you and Hiroki. You both cleaned the grave, trimmed the weeds, changed the flowers, burned fresh incense, and said your prayers for Sora. It was such a clear day with barely any clouds. The sky was so blue.

Just like her namesake.

Hiroki left you to give you some privacy, saying that he’ll pick you up in 2 hours.

You took a deep breath. “Sora neechan. It’s been a while. Sorry I couldn’t come to see you as often, because I’m currently a student at Jujutsu High.”

“I met this guy. He … So he is my soulmate. The first time I met him, I thought he was pretty. As I got to know him more, I felt as if there was a reason as to why the heavens chose him for me you know? He is really cool, but so warm and sweet with me. I think I’m a little bit in love with him.” You admitted.

“I’m really scared to lose him. After I lost you, I just… it was hard… I try my best to be cheerful and helpful really. But it gets tiring at times. I’m glad I was able to make a lot of friends who understand the life of a Jujutsu sorcerer at least. I tried to open up to Noritoshi a bit more. But it’s hard because he seems so closed off at times.”

You had mixed feelings, because you promised Noritoshi you would trust him more. That means working on anything that bothers you regarding your relationship with him. But can he accept it if you tell him that you want to know more about his family? He already clearly stated he needs more time.

“Am I being too greedy and hasty Sora? I want to support his clan affairs, even if it's just a tiny bit as his soulmate. He seems so troubled with it all the time. Like he wants to carry the burden all alone. I want to help, but he doesn’t really let me. I don’t know. I wish you were still here with me.”

“Last time I asked him about his parents, he snapped at me. Of course he apologized. … Maybe it’s all just in my head. But I do want to meet his family. Eventually. Though at this rate I have no idea when. Everytime I ask about them he just shuts up.”

“Falling in love is way too hard….”

The wind blew as if to agree with you. The leaves rusted in a circular dance just around the grave. You smiled.

You bid farewell to your family after the weekend. Hiroki hugged you tight and whispered, “I hope it gets better for you and Kamo kun soon enough.”

You looked up at him, “Yeah, thanks bro.”

◇◇◇

You texted Noritoshi and let him know that you were on your way back. He said he was free for the evening and that you could come over to his room.

You knocked on his door with anticipation. You opened the door, “I'm back, Toshi!” He pulled you into a tight hug and closed the door behind you. “I missed you. Come in. How was your family? Sorry I couldn’t go with you again.”

“It’s fine! They’re all okay and excited to meet you next time.” You looked up at him. He looked a bit regretful, “Next time I’ll make sure to properly clear my schedule with my father so I can go meet them okay?”

“Ah, okay.” You both walked over to his table and knelt down on the floor.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a while,” you started. Noritoshi looked on intently. “I’ve already told you about my family right? Mom and dad and my other male cousins. Ah, what I didn’t tell you before was… I used to have an older sister. I - uhm. Well she died after being attacked by a curse. I … I hope to bring you to her grave one day.”

Noritoshi’s heart dropped. He pulled you in close. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m sure she is proud of you. Of course I’ll go with you to see her next time.” He was now highly regretting choosing to do some useless tasks for some of his clan’s elders instead of spending the weekend with you.

You gripped his clothes tighter. “Thank you, that really really means a lot to me.” You started tearing up, but you blinked your tears away.

"Oh! My family and I have gifts for you. I'm not so sure if you'll like it. It's a Coral and gold bracelet. Everyone in my family has one. It's almost like tradition for us, and we believe it to have a layer of protection. I also brought Jade here for you." You presented the bracelet alongside the Dragon carved Jade Pendant hanging on a thick white gold chain.

Noritoshi's eyes widened. The jewelry was stunning and looked expensive. He may have been favoured as the heir to the Kamo clan, but even he didn't own so much expensive jewelry.

He sputtered out “I appreciate it but I can’t take something so expensive and precious-”

“Noritoshiiii,” you whined out loud, making him stop talking. “You don’t want to accept such a precious gift that I picked out for you?” you whined with the largest puppy eyes.

“No, I- I am grateful. Thank you, I’ll accept it.” Noritoshi conceded.

Got him. You grinned madly as he shook his head. “You’re a dangerous one,” he muttered under his breath. “What was that?” you asked him absentmindedly as you worked on unclasping the bracelet to put it around his wrist. “Nothing, nothing at all dearest.”

You narrowed your eyes at him before grabbing his wrist and putting it on for him. It was a perfect fit. You thanked yourself for loving to hold his hand so much that you knew his general hand measurements.

His hands down to his wrists were so pretty. You didn't realize that you were playing with and smiling down at his fingers until he opened up his hand and linked his fingers with yours.

Slowly, carefully. Falling in love with you was the easiest thing Noritoshi had experienced. Now that he had embraced his emotions and tried to open up to you, it was a bit better now.

'Is this what love is? I don't know since it's my first time experiencing it.' Noritoshi wondered to himself.

It was in the smallest of things with you. He loved the way you would call out his name with loving eyes. The way you would always greet him first before the other senpai. The way you give him coffee and kisses on late and cold nights of studying.

The way your hair smells. Your perfume. The way your eyelids flutter shut when he kisses you. The tightening of his chest and shortness of his breath made apparent whenever he was with you.

The way you don't ask for too much from him. Just that he shows his love to you either by his actions or words. The comfort he simply feels when he is beside you.

He really just needed some time, and seeing you around more often really made up for it.

He ticked the inside of your palm which made you shiver and yelp. He laughed out loud at this and pulled you into his lap, hugging you tightly.

Staying quiet, you buried your head in his chest. You could feel his heartbeat, and it was faster than you expected. But soon it went back down to a steady rate.

"Your heartbeat is so steady, but mine is always wild around you. Noritoshi I feel kinda embarrassed to be honest." You admitted, fingers curling into his kimono.

He smiled and his heartbeat quickened to match yours. You looked up at him in confusion. "Did you just…" He just leaned down to rub his nose against yours. "I am a blood manipulator. I can manipulate my pulse rate darling." You huffed out a laugh, feeling warm and fuzzy.

"I love you." You said suddenly. He stared in shock at your words. You realized that you said it without intending to. But you didn’t take it back.

"Kamo Noritoshi I'm madly in love with you." It wasn't a sudden realisation of being in love. You slowly fell for him again and again each day.

Noritoshi’s brain short circuited.

Suddenly he was kissing you. Tongue slipping into your mouth and playing with yours and rubbing along the roof of your mouth.

You tried to fight his tongue for dominance, but you ended up surrendering, your back bent back with your face turned up towards him.

You clasped your hands around his neck as he pressed deep kisses against the top of your chest. Your face was flushed as you fell limp against him, gasping out heavy breaths. "I'm not going anywhere angel." Noritoshi whispered against your neck, hands tightening possessively against your waist.

‘Please wait a little longer for me. Until I can confirm that these feelings for you are indeed true love.’ His thoughts went unsaid.

The one thing Noritoshi promised to himself is that he would never lie about his feelings for you. To him, the worst he could do was to confess his love without actually being in love with you.

Blood Bound: Table of Contents

[samanthadalton]

So we meet again part 3 (finale)

pairings: Poppy x Bea

the last part of the series! hope you guys enjoy this❤️(also i marked parts as flashbacks in case it gets confusing, also i didnt read over it thoroughly so i apologise for any mistakes) 

NSFW, bit of swearing 

taglist: @cloud9in @somewillwin @alleycat97 @baexpoppy @save-me-the-last-dance @helpconfusedpersonhere @dopeyouth @iamsimpforpoppy @alexlabhont @thedaft1 @veenast @cloakanddaggerthings @crazzyplays 

wordcount: 3.5k (a nice long ending ig) 

part 1 and part 2 is available in case you need a refresher Part 1 Part 2

*Flashback* 

After the Christmas Party, the lines between Poppy’s rules had been beginning to blur, with the two women meeting up more often and Poppy would even sneak over to Bea’s dorm, granted if Zoey wasn’t there. Poppy would let Bea stay for cuddling, for they would skip sex and go straight to just holding each other in either comfortable silence or talk about anything and everything.  

“So where’s new money?” Poppy takes the hood of her coat, as she enters the dorm, conspicuously glancing around the apartment. 

“She’s gone to LA for a bit to be with her mom. Come let’s go to my room.” Bea nods towards the strawberry blonde, and Poppy saunters past her, already on her way to the room. Bea follows, a wolfish grin on her face as she pushes Poppy against her bedroom door, placing her lips against hers, for a long kiss. 

“Eager are we Farmsville?” Poppy breaks the kiss, her eyes burning into Bea’s, her eyes gleaming with amusement. Bea answers with a kiss, her fingers gripping at Poppy’s sides, as her eyes burn with desire. Bea leads her to the bed, pushing the strawberry blonde onto the bed before covering her body with hers, already locked in a passionate embrace.

“Bea…” Poppy moans out, as Bea scrapes her teeth against her neck, before softly biting down. Bea smiles against her neck, kissing up to her jaw, her eyes meet Poppy’s, full of admiration. She leans down, nipping at Poppy’s lips as her hands find her way under her clothes, stroking the junctures of her hips eliciting goosebumps. She makes quick word of stripping Poppy of her clothes, before taking off her own, wildly throwing them around the bedroom as she kisses Poppy with great intensity. Bea presses her knee between Poppy’s legs, as Poppy slowly rocks her hips against it, deepening the friction. “God!” Poppy screams out, as Bea begins alternating between kissing and biting as she moves down her body, until her head lies between the strawberry blonde’s legs. 

Bea slowly rubs Poppy’s thighs, slowly pulling them apart as she gives a teasing lick to her inner thigh, evoking a sharp intake of breath from Poppy. “Do you like that?” Poppy violently nods her head, her fingers intertwining in Bea’s hair, pulling her head closer. Bea begins sucking lightly at Poppy’s button, her fingers teasing Poppy’s entrance before dipping inside, pumping in and out. Poppy’s toes curl as she lets out a loud moan, her head thrown back. 

The room is quiet, excluding the heavy panting of the two women, as Bea moves up onto the bed, her arm snaking around Poppy’s waist, pulling her closer. Poppy subconsciously begins drawing lazy shapes against Bea’s stomach, lost in thought. 

“You okay?”

“Hmm?” 

“Are you okay?” 

Poppy shudders, moving closer to Bea, “just a little cold.” 

“I can fix that,” Bea shuffles off her bed, moving towards her closet before pulling a hoodie off a hanger before throwing it at the strawberry blonde, “here.” 

“I’m not wearing that.” 

“Fine stay cold.” Bea nonchalantly shrugs before getting back into the bed. 

Poppy stares at the hoodie, contemplative for a few moments, before sighing heavily, before sliding off the bed, putting the hoodie on. She pulls down at the hem slightly, the size of the hoodie making her seem smaller than usual. 

Bea’s eyes languidly roams Poppy’s body, “see, fit for a queen.” 

*Present* 

Over the next couple of months, Bea and Poppy had been going on more dates, enjoying each other’s company and reigniting their past passion while exploring the new depths of their relationship. However it wasn’t always good, old habits die hard and with Poppy and Bea, they had a lot of bad habits. 

“I just don’t get why it’s such a big deal!” Bea runs a tired hand over her face, clearly drained from the argument. 

Poppy huffs, standing a little straighter, anger written all over her face, “because it is! Excuse me if I don’t want my personal life advertised to the world.” 

“You do that everyday on your Picta. Just admit it, you don’t want people to know we’re dating, just like in college.” 

“God can you let that go? We were different people back in college, it’s not the same thing.” Poppy clenches her jaw, balling her fists up as she stares down Bea, not willing to back down. 

Bea holds eye contact for a few more moments before breaking it, training her eyes to the ground. “I don’t want to keep fighting,” she mumbles out before stalking towards the front door, opening it. 

“Where are you going?” Poppy asks, her voice quiet. 

Bea sighs, her body visibly deflating, “I just need some air.” She walks through the door, closing it behind her, not waiting to hear Poppy’s response. She walks through the streets of New York until she finds herself standing in front of Zoey’s apartment, and after some slight hesitation, she knocks. After a few seconds, the door opens and Zoey looks over at Bea, her brows creased in confusion. 

“Hey girl, is everything okay?” 

Bea blinks back a couple of tears, her voice breaking, “can I come in?” 

“Yes of course,” Zoey moves out of the way, allowing Bea to come in, and gestures towards the couch before sitting on it. “Jesus Bea you look like hell, what happened?” 

“Things with Poppy have been rough to say the least.” Zoey momentarily winces at the mention of Poppy but she quickly masks her loathing. 

“What happened?” 

“I wanted to post this cute picture of us on Picta but she started a fight saying she doesn’t want me to post it because she’s saying she’s not ready but we've been together for 5 months now.” Bea cradles her head in her arms, obviously tired. Zoey slides closer to her, rubbing comforting circles on her back. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” Zoey speaks softly, her voice lulling Bea back into safety as she wraps her arms around her pulling her into a hug. “Look, I don’t want to say I told you so…” Bea groans, evoking a laugh from Zoey. “Come on, I told you this would happen, it’s just like college.” 

*Flashback* 

Bea knocks on Poppy’s bedroom door and a few seconds later the strawberry blonde opens it, a stunned look on her face. 

“Hughes? What are you doing here?” 

Bea walks into the room, her smile on her face, so broad as she turns to look at Poppy, “I was thinking-” 

“About?” 

“About us.” Poppy raises an eyebrow, the rest of her facial expression stoic. “Be my date to the end of year gala.” 

Poppy lets out a humourless laugh, “it’s official, you’ve gone crazy.” 

Bea moves forward taking Poppy’s hands in hers, “just hear me out.” Bea takes a deep breath, before her eyes meet Poppy’s, “we have this thing going on between us and it’s been amazing but to take the next step. I want Belvoire to know that I’m with the most beautiful girl.” 

Poppy slips her hands out of Bea’s hands, crossing them over her chest, “there’s no us.” 

Bea’s facial expression falters, the wide smile transforming into a disappointed frown, “I don’t understand.” 

Poppy feels a pang in her heart as she watches Bea’s face fall, but she finds a tiny strand of anger in her body and she holds onto it, attempting to make this encounter easier for her to bear. “There isn’t an us, what’s hard to understand Farmsville?” Poppy makes her voice as blunt and monotone as possible as she shoots daggers into Bea’s eyes. 

“What about the last year? What about everything we’ve gone through?” 

“Stop using words like us and we!” Poppy shouts, wildly throwing around her arms, “it was literally sex, it doesn’t mean anything.” 

Bea bites down on her bottom lip, “just sex huh? I don’t believe it. What about the nights you asked me to stay, or the nights we talked. You’re saying they meant nothing to you?” Poppy sees the sadness swimming in Bea’s eyes, forcing her to turn away from the girl, her eyes trained on the ground. 

“It didn’t mean anything to me,” Poppy mumbles out. 

“Bullshit! I don’t believe that Pops.” 

“Don’t call me that! We aren’t anything, Farmsville and I certainly don’t want to be your stupid date to the gala.” 

“I don’t believe you, look me in my eyes Poppy and tell me that it never meant anything and I swear-” Bea swallows heavily, tears brimming in her eyes, “I swear I’ll walk out right now and I won’t ever bother you again.” Bea steps in front of Poppy, her head levels with hers as Poppy meets her eyes. “So?” 

Poppy trembles slightly, as her fingers toys with the hem of her top, “it meant nothing to me.” 

Bea nods in understanding, acceptance written on her face “okay.” She sniffles, wiping away the tears from her eyes, “have a nice life Poppy.” Bea walks out of the room, not bothering to look back. 

*Present*

“That was different Zo.” 

“How so?” Zoey raises an eyebrow. 

“That was when we were all worried about rankings and sabotage and all those petty things.” 

“Are you sure she still doesn’t care about things?” Bea playfully nudges Zoey, laughing slightly.

“Yes I’m sure. It’s just I don’t get what the problem is this time. I mean college was a tough time for us both but now, I don’t get why she’s so hesitant.”

“Commitment issues?” 

Bea shakes her head, “she seems pretty committed to me, she just doesn’t like being open.” 

“Whatever it is I know you’ll guys will work it out, and if you don’t then at least you can move on.” Bea stares off into the distance, silent. “Bea, hey I was kidding.” 

Bea gives a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, “yeah I know. Anyway enough about my problems, are you excited for your album coming out.” 

Zoey squeals, jumping up and down in her spot, “yes! Oh my god I can’t believe it’s out in a week. How’s the release party looking?” 

“I got us a great place at a club.” 

“VIP?”

“VIP treatment baby!” Bea cheers, pulling Zoey into a hug. 

…..

Slightly buzzed, the group make their way to the club, all in high spirits as they skip the line after showing their IDs and making their way to the VIP section. Bea sidles up to the bar, ordering shots for the entire team as they gather around the woman of the hour at the other side of the club. 

Once the tray of shots is delivered, Bea hands them out, before taking the last one, raising it in the air, “Let’s all raise our glasses for this incredible woman, who’s hours away from releasing her first ever album worldwide,” Bea gestures for everyone to lift their glasses, a wide smile on her face, “here’s to you Zoey Wade.” The group throws back the shot and begins cheering for Zoey. “Speech, speech, speech” Bea chants as the rest of the group follows suit, their attention focused on Zoey as they clap and cheer.

Zoey awkwardly smiles, clearly bashful. “I never really thought I would be able to make a name for myself outside of my mom and I’m just thankful and grateful for my amazing team who helped me get my feelings out and make incredible songs out of them.” The group laughs whole heartedly, and Zoey raises her drink in toast. “So this isn’t only a celebration for me, but a celebration for us all, so let’s party it up.” She throws back the shot, and everyone follows suit cheering as they do. 

“You didn’t have to do all of this Bea,” Zoey says sheepishly. 

“Ummmmm of course I did, my best friend is releasing an album! I know how hard you’ve worked on it Zo, if anyone deserves to celebrate it’s you.” Bea pulls Zoey in for a hug. 

“This club is great, how did you find it?” 

“Poppy owns it.” Zoey's face falls, “Hey, she offered to the party to be held here, a way to say sorry for everything at college.”

“So where is the queen b right now?” 

“Right here.” Poppy walks over to the girls, taking her place next to Bea. “I’m really happy for you Zoey, if anyone deserves this, it’s you.” 

“Thanks.” 

Bea looks between the girls, sensing the awkward tension between the girls augmenting. “Hey why don’t I get us some drinks?” 

“Sure.” Poppy gives a small smile as Bea walks over to the bar before awkwardly turning to face Zoey. The pulsating music from the club causes Zoey to lean closer to Poppy.

“Whatever you have going on with Bea, you better not break her heart.” 

“I won’t,” Poppy replies, “I care about her a lot.” 

“Sure you do, but we’re not at Belvoire anymore. No more games Poppy, I won’t let you hurt her again.” 

“Trust me when I say that’s the last thing I want.” 

Before Zoey can reply, Bea saunters back holding out shot glasses for Zoey and Poppy to take. The women throw back the shot before Bea turns to Poppy whispering in her ear, “dance with me?” 

Poppy looks at Zoey in the corner of her eye before replying, “sure.” Bea leads her into the middle of the crowded dance floor, pulling the strawberry blonde close to her body, wrapping her arms around her waist while Poppy’s hang around her neck. 

Bea lets out a small laugh, “what’s so funny?” Poppy inquires, raising a brow. 

“Nothing, just looking at how far we’ve come. You remember the first time we were in this club together?” 

Poppy hums in content, “I recruited you to help me take down Chloe.” 

Bea leans down to whisper in Poppy’s ear, “and then you dragged me onto the dance floor. Practically couldn’t keep your hands off me.” 

“If I’m remembering correctly, you slept with me so you could backstab me.” 

Bea’s grip on Poppy tightens, “mmh, I did want to get revenge yes, but I’m pretty sure you were the one who suggested sex in the first place.” 

Poppy laughs, “you might be remembering that wrong.” 

“Pretty sure I’m not,” Bea leans in to give Poppy a sweet kiss, until Poppy abruptly pulls away, pressing her lips together in a thin line. 

“Bea we’re in public.” 

“So? We don’t know anyone here.” 

“I invited Veronica and Chloe to be here tonight, they could be anywhere.” Poppy pulls herself away from Bea, “I’m going to get a drink, do you want one?” 

“Nah I’m good you go ahead without me.” Poppy heads over to the bar as Bea makes her way back to the VIP section, seeing a small group forming. “Hey what’s going on here?” 

“Bea!” Veronica aims her phone at Bea, a wide smile on her face. 

“Hey V,” Bea gives the ombre-haired girl a one armed hug, “how’s everything been?” 

Veronica turns off her phone, a tired look on her face, “Good, tired but life has been good.” 

“How’s life been for you Farmsville?” 

“It’s been great, I’m still waiting on you to do your review on my new restaurant.” 

“Ah so the truth comes out, you only wanted me in New York for clout.” 

“Hey Poppy invited you here to celebrate Zoey, and get some clout of her own for her club.” 

“Hey Farmsville!” Chloe stumbles towards the girls, pulling Veronica and Bea into a strong hug slightly spilling her drink on Bea as she does. 

“Chloe! You seem drunk,” Bea swipes at her shoulder, cleaning off the liquor. 

“Yeah these drinks are awesome,” Chloe hangs her tongue open, fumbling with the straw until it’s in her mouth. “Hey where’s new money? I think she has been avoiding me since I sent her over my newest clothing line.” 

“Hey Chloe? Did you ever think to become a dance choreographer? I mean you practically lead the Zeta girls back in college, why not do it now.” 

Chloe stares at Bea, deep in thought, “maybe you’re not full of bad ideas.” 

Chloe saunters off deep in thought as Zoey lumbers into the group, carefully looking around, “is she gone?” 

Veronica snorts, “yeah yeah, she’s gone now. Hey there’s Poppy.” Veronica waves her over and Poppy walks over to the group, her eyes conspicuously trying to not look at Bea. 

“Hey V, remember to get good shots of the dance floor and on the bar.” 

Veronica rolls her eyes, “yeah, yeah,” her eyes dart between Poppy and Bea, watching as the two girls try not to look at each other. She then looks over Zoey, silently gesturing between the girls. Zoey gives a subtle nod, and Veronica grins. “I need a drink, Poppy join me?” 

“Sure.” 

The girls move towards the bar where Veronica turns towards the strawberry blonde, a sly smirk on her face, “So. You seeing anyone?” 

Poppy huffs, “here and there. I like to keep my options open.” 

“So the fact that Bea is staring right at us, has nothing to do with anything?” 

Poppy freezes as Veronica grins at her, “I don't know what you’re talking about.” 

“Come on don’t lie to me. I know you guys were screwing each other during senior year.” 

“What? No we weren’t.” 

“Let's cut all of the false bullshit, come on, what’s going on with you guys?” 

Poppy sighs defeatedly, “Fine, we’ve been seeing each other for the last couple of months but it’s like I’m destined to screw up my own life.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Bea is amazing, I just sometimes don’t think I deserve her.” 

“Nah, nah, nah, none of that depressing crap P. You deserve to find someone who makes you happy and I’ve been here what five minutes? I can practically sense the love already, go and talk to her and fix whatever you messed up.” 

“How do you know I’m the one who messed it up?” 

“Because if it was Bea she would’ve fixed it already, now go.” 

Veronica shoos Poppy away as the strawberry blonde sidles up to Bea, whispering in her ear, “come somewhere quiet with me?” Bea nods as she follows Poppy to the back office, muffling the sounds of the music. 

“So what’s up?” Bea crosses her arms together, looking expectedly at Poppy.

“I don’t like this rift between us, and I know it’s my fault I just-” she sighs heavily, hanging her head in defeat, “i haven’t ever properly done the whole relationship thing and I don’t want to mess it up but it seems like that’s all I’m doing.” 

Bea uncrosses her arms, reaching out to place her hand against Poppy’s cheek, “you’re not messing up anything. We just need better communication.” 

“Bea, I know in the past I treated you like crap and I don’t even know why you want to be with me.” Bea opens her mouth to retort but Poppy shushes her, “let me finish. I don’t know why you still want to be with me but I’m so grateful that you do. I have something to admit to you.” 

“What is it?” 

“When I went to your restaurant, it wasn’t a coincidence.” Poppy takes a slow steadying breath, before her eyes meet Bea’s, “Veronica dropped that you asked her to give your restaurant a review so I subtly told Darren’s best friend about it so he could recommend it to Darren and I could come and see you.” Bea looks at Poppy in surprise, her mouth hanging slightly open. “I tried acting all cold and distant but in reality I was happy to see you and when you kissed me I was surprised. I didn’t expect you to still have feelings for me, so I got my father to hire your company last minute for the dinner.” 

Bea lets out a small huff, “once a schemer huh?” 

Poppy nervously chews on her lips, worry etched on her face, “the reason why I’ve been acting so weird is because I love you Bea Hughes, I always have. And for the first time, I’m not scared of admitting that I-” Bea silences Poppy with a deep kiss, tangling their tongues together as Bea’s hand snakes around Poppy’s throat, squeezing slightly as she kisses her harder. 

“I love you too.” Bea continues kissing Poppy, with great intensity but Poppy pulls away resting her forehead against Bea’s. 

“Do you have your phone?” 

“Uhh yeah.” 

Bea takes her phone out of her purse and Poppy takes it out of her hand, swiping to the camera, “smile,” Poppy presses her lips against Bea’s cheek, taking a series of photos before swiping through them looking for the best one. “This one.” 

“What do you want me to do with it?” Bea replies, confused. 

“Post it on picta, duh. I want the world to know I’m dating the most incredible girl.” Bea feels a warmth in her chest as she uploads the photo before taking Poppy’s hand re-entering the club. 

“I saw the picta post, I guess congrats are in order.” Veronica smiles at the girls while Poppy looks around and locks eyes with Zoey who gives her a small nod, content. Poppy pulls Bea in for a kiss, a smile on her lips. 

“I love you Bea Hughes.” 

“And I love you Poppy Min Sinclair.” 

Chloe stalks up to the group, waving her phone in her hand, “you’re dating Bea? Seriously?” 

Poppy looks up at Bea, warmth in her eyes, “Yep I sure am.”

[hopelesshawks]

Hi! I’d just like to say that I’m absolutely loving Misreflections right now! ❤️ The way Keigo is absolutely eating up his famous status and the “baby birds” is so funny to me!!! And reader absolutely hating his ass and his baby birds hahahaha The characterizations are amazing and I get so excited on what’s gonna happen next. Can’t wait to keep refreshing your account for updates lol

(Also, if you’re free/open to requests, could I request keigo with a female reader who doesn’t like showing skin because they’re insecure about having hairy arms/legs? Sigh. I’ve just been thinking about my hairy arms/legs and how my insecurity of them is keeping me from wearing cute outfits and making me think any of them won’t look good on me. It really hurts because I don’t think I’ll ever look good in anything. So, yeah, I’d just love to see Keigo react to that. Thank you. :) )

First of all I’m so glad you’re enjoying Misreflections so much n that you like the characterizations! This is my first time writing a series that’s completely outside the canon universe (the closest I got before this was Physical Fatality and that was still basically the same world just altered the history and dynamics a bit) so I was super nervous about characterizations, especially with Hawks’ since being a hero is so integral to his identity. So I’m really happy you’re enjoying it so far ❤️

Secondly, I feel you on the arm/leg hair thing. I shave my legs usually now unless I’m feeling lazy but I’ve got some hairy ass forearms and usually I’m cool with it but every so often I get super self conscious. Just know that you look amazing even with your hairy arms and legs!! And if you wanna wear an outfit that reveals your hairy arms and legs you’ll still look amazing!!!! Body hair is natural! And it sucks that society has made women/fem presenting people feel like they’re not allowed to have it, but at the end of the day the only thing that matters is you being comfy in your own skin, whether you shave or don’t. Have a Drabble of Hawks loving you just the way you are:

You can’t help but scrunch your nose up slightly at your reflection in the mirror. The crimson red dress fits your body perfectly, each angle you look at it flattering. It’s just long enough that once you’re in your heels it’ll skim along the ground to reveal the shoes that had been so expertly paired with it. It’s almost perfect.

Almost.

When you told the stylist you wanted a dress with sleeves for the HPSC gala your boyfriend was required to attend, you meant long sleeves; something that would reach your wrists and stay there the entirety of the night. You did not mean sleeves that stopped at your elbow, leaving your hairy forearms on display for the other heroes and their significant others to gawk at all evening. You can’t help but wonder if it’s too late to get the sleeves lengthened or maybe find a sweater you can wear over the dress. Sure a sweater might not be as fashionable but at least your arms would be hidden.

“How’s it going in here Dove? Got the dress on?” Hawks asks, peering into your dressing room from outside.

“Yea it’s on but…” you trail off, biting your lip as you hyper-analyze your reflection once again.

Hearing the hesitation in your voice Hawks slips more fully into the room, immediately whistling lowly as he takes in your appearance.

“You look stunning,” he says, awe in his voice that has your face heating up.

Your arms slip behind your back, wanting to hide them from his gaze as you give him a small smile, thanking him for the compliment even though you don’t particularly feel stunning at that moment. Hawks, of course, notices immediately. He steps into your space, hands landing gently on your waist as he studies your eyes.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” he asks gently, “we can always get you something else.”

“No, no it’s amazing, really I love the dress but…”

“But what?”

“My arms,” you sigh, finally bringing them back in front of you as you bring your hands to rest on his chest.

You expected Keigo to see your arms and immediately realize what you’re talking about, but instead he still looks confused.

“What about them?” he asks, head tilting slightly.

“They’re so… hairy,” you say, spitting out the last word like it’s dirty, “and this is such a nice event. I don’t want everyone to see them.”

“Dove, your arms are nothing to be ashamed of,” he assures you, resting his hands against your forearms and rubbing circles into the skin with his thumbs.

“Above all I want you comfortable, so if you’d rather hide them just say the word and we’ll get the sleeves lengthened. But just know this,” he pauses, making sure you’re looking him in the eye so you can feel the sincerity in his words as he says them, “every inch of you is absolutely breathtaking, including your hairy arms. So we can get the dress changed, sure, but you also have every right to wear it as is and do so with pride. Ok?”

“Ok,” you agree, warmth filling your chest at your partner’s words.

You can tell he means what he says, every single word as genuine as could be. But more importantly you know in your heart that whether you show your arms or not, Hawks will be there to support you every single step of the way.

General Taglist: @ahtsuwu @oikawaandkuroostan @larkspyrr @002opdestiny @black-rose-29 @touyasdollmain @izukiss @moonstormmyuna @fleeinghawks @dnarez @mandalorian-baby-bird

[a-secret-bolton-vampire]

Thinking about the queer characters in ASOIAF. There's a few in the main series, like Loras, Renly, Taena, Nymeria, Lyn, and probably a few others I'm forgetting. I sort of wish there were more queer women in the story. Dany and Cersei have same gender relations but it's ambiguous as to if they are bi or not (I like to headcanon them as bi but that's just me). We have mention of Nymeria being "abed with the Fowler twins".

Fire & Blood had a lot of queer women; Rhaena, Elissa, Tyanna, Jeyne Arryn, Black Aly, Sabitha Vypren. It was pretty refreshing to see more visibility of queer women there, and I hope, even if my hopes for House of the Dragon aren't high, that they do a better job than Game of Thrones in that regard. I especially loved Rhaena and Elissa, they were both incredibly compelling and fascinating characters.

One area I think ASOIAF & GRRM could possibly improve on is trans representation. Of course Brienne, Cersei, and Arya come up as examples of gender non-comformity that could be seen as transgender identity, but they don't reject the concept of womanhood so much as gender roles. When we hear about MtF crossdressers in this universe, it's often not very flattering, and usually some sort of fetish or kink.

We have a Lannister monarch who was mocked as "Queen Lorea" and dressed in his wifes clothes when visiting the sex workers in the docks of Lannisport. Racallio Ryndoon was also said to have dressed in women's clothing, pretending to be a female prostitute, and was sometimes called "Queen Racallio", but given everything else we know about him (having fetishes with pregnant women and having his wives beat him), it seems like it's just another fetish of his.

We also have a sex worker in Braavos Arya reports on in ADWD called Canker Jeyne, who (at least in my mind) probably is trans, but again, it keeps on with this rather unflattering image that MtF people are all doing this as part of some fetish or satisfy other peoples fetishes. And in the case of Racallio, it's made to make them seem more "exotic" and "wild". Meanwhile for FtM crossdressers, it's mostly used as a disguise of sorts or a rejection of traditional femininity, rather than any sort of solid core identity.

We do, however, have the Jogos Nhai, who allow AMAB people to live as women, or AFAB people to live as men, to the point that they will shave their bodies and perform the tasks expected of the gender they are now living as. This is reminiscent to some historical societies, such as the galli priests of Rome, who worshipped Cybele and Attis, who were castrated, whore feminine clothing, and referred to themselves as women.

There are many other societies and cultures that, may not have had the concept of transgender identity, but definitely a less binary view of gender identity that could be seen as transgender. For instance, there is the concept of a third gender role in some Native American peoples, like the Navajo nadleehi and the Zuni lhamana. Regardless of culture, there were some historical figures who were transgender regardless of cultural traditions. The Roman Emperor Elagabalus was said to have delighted in being called a lady, dressed in women's clothing, and apparently went around asking people to perform sex reassignment surgery for a large sum of money. There is also Chevalier d'Eon, an intersex transgender woman who fought in the Seven years War, and lived as a woman for 33 years until her death.

The point of this being; there is a sorry lack of trans representation in ASOIAF, and it is mostly relegated to fetishes or kinks, which, as a trans woman, doesn't leave the best taste in my mouth. It doesn't make me hate the series at all, but it's a little disappointing as someone who would like to see themselves represented in a story they very much like.

This is why I have taken matters into my hands and decided to write an epic fantasy story with the main character being a trans woman partially inspired by Elagabalus.