#it's all about the intimacy and the tenderness!!!!

[moonlightwritingf1]

Late-Night Snowfall Kiss | LN4

☃️ summary ━━━━━━━ On a snowy evening, Y/N and Lando share a quiet moment on the balcony, where a tender kiss reveals the depth of their unspoken feelings.

☃️ pairing ━━━━━━━ Lando Norris x she!reader

☃️ word count ━━━━━━━ 1.4k

The world was quiet, wrapped in the delicate embrace of freshly fallen snow. The late evening sky, a muted shade of indigo, was dotted with shimmering stars, while the gentle flakes continued to drift downward, creating a blanket of white that softened the harsh edges of the world. The only sound that could be heard was the soft crunch of snow beneath boots as Y/N and Lando stepped out onto the balcony.

It had been a long day filled with holiday festivities—laughter, food, and the joy of being surrounded by friends and family. But now, it was just the two of them, alone in the calm stillness of the night. The bustling party inside seemed like a distant memory, and the world outside felt like a dream, a peaceful oasis where time slowed and allowed for moments of quiet reflection.

Y/N took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, cold air, feeling it refresh her lungs. She looked out over the snow-covered landscape, marveling at the way the snow glistened under the faint glow of the streetlights. It was a magical sight, and for a moment, she simply stood there, letting the stillness of the world around her sink in.

Lando, standing beside her, was silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon. There was something about the quiet of the night that seemed to draw him in, something that made him want to hold on to the moment. The chaos of the day was over, and the world felt peaceful, almost sacred. But more than that, there was something in the air tonight, something he hadn’t felt before. The connection between him and Y/N had always been there—quiet but undeniable—but tonight, it felt stronger than ever.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The way the soft light from the balcony bathed her face, the way the snowflakes caught in her hair, made her look ethereal, like a vision from a dream. The sight of her made his chest tighten in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?" Y/N spoke, her voice soft, almost reverent, as she continued to gaze at the world around them.

Lando nodded, his lips curving into a small smile. "Yeah, but it’s even more beautiful with you here."

Y/N turned her head slightly, surprised by the intensity in his voice. Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t want to make too much of it. The night was calm, after all, and maybe it was just the atmosphere, the way everything seemed to slow down in the quiet of the snow. But there was a certain weight to his words, a sincerity that made her pause and look at him, really look at him.

He was standing so close now, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off of him despite the cold. There was an unspoken tension between them, one that had been growing ever since they first met, one that had only intensified over time. They had shared countless moments together, moments that spoke of a deep friendship, but this… this felt different. The air between them was charged, almost electric, and neither of them could deny the pull.

Lando took a step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. His eyes softened, and before she could fully comprehend what was happening, his hand reached up to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face. The touch was tender, his fingers grazing the delicate skin of her cheek, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. The cold, the snow, the party inside—it all vanished, leaving only the two of them in that fleeting moment of quiet intimacy.

Their breaths mingled in the cold air, their proximity sending a shiver through Y/N’s spine. She could feel the heat of Lando’s body so close to hers, the warmth of his presence in contrast to the frigid air surrounding them. Time seemed to stretch, elongating the moment, until neither of them could bear the distance between them any longer.

Lando leaned in, his face inches from hers, and for a heartbeat, everything seemed to freeze. Her heart raced in her chest, the sound loud in her ears, and her breath hitched as she waited for him to make the first move. But there was no rush, no urgency—only the quiet understanding that this moment was something they both had been waiting for.

Then, as if guided by some invisible force, their lips met.

The kiss was slow, deliberate, filled with meaning. It wasn’t a passionate rush, but a gentle connection, a quiet admission of something long-hidden. Lando’s lips were soft against hers, and for a moment, she closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the feeling. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was the culmination of all the unspoken words, the moments of shared glances and lingering touches, the long-held desire that neither of them had fully acknowledged until now.

When they pulled away, the world didn’t return to its previous state. Instead, it felt as though everything had shifted, as if the universe had realigned itself in that single kiss. They stood there, eyes locked, their foreheads nearly touching, the breath of both of them still visible in the cold air between them. It was as if neither of them knew what to say, as if the moment had been too big to put into words.

Y/N’s heart thudded in her chest, her fingers tingling with the sensation of the kiss, and she couldn’t help but smile. "I’ve been waiting for this," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, her words carrying the weight of everything she had felt for so long.

Lando’s smile was soft but full of emotion. He stepped back slightly, his hands resting at his sides, but his eyes never left hers. "Me too," he replied, his voice low and sincere.

The words hung in the air between them, unspoken truths that neither of them had been able to voice until now. They had both known that there was something more between them, something that went beyond friendship, but it had always been complicated—timing, circumstances, the fear of ruining what they already had. But tonight, in the quiet of the snow, everything felt different. Everything felt right.

Y/N looked down at the snow beneath her boots, feeling the cold beneath her feet but not minding it. The chill in the air seemed to contrast with the warmth blooming inside her chest, a warmth that had been ignited by Lando’s touch, his words, and the way he had kissed her. She had never imagined that this would happen, not really—not like this, not in such a quiet, intimate moment—but now that it had, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace.

Lando shifted beside her, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets as he let out a deep breath, his gaze turned toward the city lights in the distance. The party inside seemed like a distant memory now, a blur compared to the vividness of what was unfolding between them. It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, and for the first time in a long time, Lando felt completely at ease.

"I never want this moment to end," Lando said softly, his voice carrying the quiet yearning that had been present since he first stepped onto the balcony with her.

Y/N turned her head toward him, her heart fluttering at the sincerity in his words. "Me neither," she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of wonder and relief.

It was strange, how easily everything seemed to fall into place once the walls they had built between each other started to crumble. There had been so many moments before this one—small touches, lingering glances, words left unsaid—but it had always felt like they were standing on the edge of something, afraid to take the leap. And yet, in the stillness of the snow-covered night, they had taken that leap together.

For the first time in a long time, Y/N felt completely in tune with herself, with Lando, and with the world around them. There was no uncertainty, no fear, just the quiet understanding that whatever happened from this moment forward, they had found something real. Something worth holding on to.

The snow continued to fall gently around them, and the world outside remained peaceful and still. In that moment, it felt as though time had stopped altogether, leaving only the two of them to exist in that perfect silence.

Y/N smiled softly, her hand finding its way to Lando’s, fingers brushing against his in the snow-drenched night. And for the first time, they didn’t need words. They didn’t need anything but the quiet understanding between them.

[pinescent-and-gingerbread]

A master at her best.

I have SO MANY things to say here. First of all, soft, tender, but also a little teasing, Arthur?? Hell yes, this is so him!! I'm always delighted to read one of your works because it's just so enjoyable to read him so in character like this!

And oh my God, I wasn't ready for the fluffy part when Reader gets uncomfortable and cracks a little. THE SOFTNESS of this damn man, YES ❤️ this was such an intimate and intense moment between both of them. A way for them to be linked by more than just a physical experience. I love how you conveyed the feelings and implications of this deeper connection they're sharing!

And please, pleaaaase, you managed once again to leave me speechless with your style, Queen 👑

"He'd give it all to you, steal from others, and even kill to make sure you were satisfied. The mere thought of it terrified him, yet it was the only thing that had ever made sense."

I almost gasped at the beauty of this. This is so powerful and skillfully written.

"All his life, he'd been a nomad, traveling and exploring new places, never calling one home. Now, he realized home wasn't a place but a person-- you were who he wanted to call home yet never stop exploring."

I AM A SUCKER FOR METAPHORS AND COMPARISONS YOU KNOW IT. I am in awe of this passage!

"One of his hands snaked into yours. 'I said relax, woman.' He kissed your knuckles then went back to it, drawing dark marks into your thighs as if you were a page of his journal."

First of all, the "woman", oh my Lord, I could come just by hearing him call me like this. I am SO down bad for it. And hello, the journal comparison???!!! THIS IS BRILLIANT!! Zae, you damn genius, how could I have never thought about this before??

As usual, Zae has fed and delighted us. Her writing (in this fic as in all the others) blends pertinent comparisons, disconcertingly realistic intimacy, and a perfect mastery of HH Arthur in all its glory. Zae, you never cease to impress and enthrall me with each new work you publish. The accuracy, relevance, and beauty of your writing make it, for me, one of the most unforgettable on this platform. Thank you so much for this!!

Piquancy- III

Summary: Arthur courts you properly. Pairing: Arthur Morgan X Female Reader Word Count: 3,108 Tags: fingering, foreplay, LOTS of foreplay, oral, praise

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An: This journal entry is so unserious, but that's all I got today lol I've been re-reading The Odyssey and couldn't help alluding to it, shout out to my guy Odysseus.

piquancy: a sharp or stimulating quality that provokes a strong, often intriguing reaction.

Arthur Morgan wanted you. He wanted you in all the ways a person could want another. His desire for you throbbed like a muscle ache, painful but impossible not to press into. Longing like this had never worked out for him in the past. He was a fool to let himself wade into it, but the allure of you pooled all around him, a fate he could not escape. The memory of you still burned beneath his fingertips. He wanted to feel more: your lips on his, the curves of your breasts cupped in his palms, and your nails digging into his back. And oh, he wanted to taste you, to feel the skin of your neck between his teeth, to clash his lips against yours, and to lose himself in a heady dance of his tongue against the warmth between your legs. He wanted you so bad; the thought was burning him alive. Arthur Morgan wanted you, and if you let him have you, he wouldn't screw it up. Not this time, not ever. 

You were just as enticed with him, your fascination multiplied by his freshly trimmed face and the faint scent of bergamot soap wafting off of him as he greeted you outside the Blackwater Saloon that evening. While your "date" wasn't the sort of proper courting you read about in one of Marybeth's romance books, it suited the lifestyle you and Arthur shared.

The same man who made a living off of coarse intimidation metamorphosized right in front of you, unraveling himself to be a deep thinker, attentive, and tenderhearted. That tenderness made every step feel effortless as he led you up the stairs of the saloon to the room you'd shared the night before.

As the door clicked closed, Arthur made quick work of his satchel and gun belt, then sat on the bed with inviting arms. You walked into him, intertwining your fingers behind his neck, and he mirrored you, locking his around the small of your back. Finally, you allowed yourself to be enthralled by his eyes once more, drawn in like a moth to lantern light.

"Thank you," you whispered, mouth hovering close to his. As bad as you wanted to lean into him and let him swallow you whole, you held back. Making the first move felt too bold, too unladylike, and you cared too much about what he might think to risk it.

"What for?" he asked. You opened your mouth to respond, but he silenced you, closing the distance and kissing you once, quick, like a wave testing the shore. Then a storm brewed within you, and you surged back against his lips, swept away by the force of him. As the moment drifted away, you'd regained awareness of yourself, realizing you'd practically dissolved into the cowboy. The weight of you barely phased him, but he gave your waist a gentle tug, mooring you to his knee. With a slight grin plastered on his face, he nodded, urging you to go on with the thought he'd just unapologetically cut off with his lips.

"Thank you for this, courting, as you call it," You didn't mean for your voice to come out as shaky as it did, but you joked to calm your nerves, "would've got you drunk around me sooner if I knew I had this to look forward to."

He huffed low in amusement, a knowing smile growing as a cheeky thought flickered through his mind.

"Was only ever drunk on you, darlin'."

Tickled, you threw your head back in unrestrained laughter. His head dipped into your shoulder in an attempt to hide his sudden self-consciousness, making his speech come out muffled. "Weren't that funny," he said, trying to brush off his words. As he continued to nuzzle into your neck, he hummed and sighed contentedly as he took in your scent.

Smiling so much made your cheeks ache, but you couldn't help it. "You smell so nice," you mimicked his drunken flirting from the night before. He chuckled again, exhaled warm air onto your skin, and pulled you flush into him, holding tight. You'd never imagined you'd enjoy being trapped in an ursine hug, but Arthur's affectionate grip on you made his arms feel like the safest place in the world.

His lips made contact with your skin, and you tilted your head to give him better access. You could feel his lips curve upward as you sighed. 

"Not the only thing I said," he recalled, tugging at the fabric of your blouse, uncovering your shoulder, and kissing the now exposed skin. A shiver racked your bones as you gave into his shameless attempt to seduce you. Redirecting his attention from your goosebump-covered skin to your lips, you locked onto them, pushing through his teeth to tangle his tongue with yours. Arthur cursed himself as he felt his pants get tighter. Selfish, he thought and tore himself away from you. Damn, he was a greedy, thieving, heartless bastard. If he wanted something, he'd rob for it, but nothing—not even all the money in the world—could amount to you. In that moment, entirely consumed, he realized that everything he had was yours to take—and then some. He'd give it all to you, steal from others, and even kill to make sure you were satisfied. The mere thought of it terrified him, yet it was the only thing that had ever made sense.

Your brow crinkled at the loss of his bodyheat but even more so at the frown etched into his features. Your mouth fell open to ask if something was wrong, but he shook his head assuringly. Of course, nothing was wrong; for once in his miserable life, everything was right. 

"Whoever he was– he was an idiot to have you and take it for granted. I won't." 

You wanted to believe him with every part of you. Self-doubt didn't have time to creep in before your attention fell to his hand wandering up and down your thigh. You kissed him hungrier than either of you had kissed anybody before, making his mind race. Closer, closer, closer hammered in his brain, inexorable. Two large hands gripped your backside, prompting you to lock your legs around his waist.

He panted against your mouth, "Let me make you feel good." You could only nod.

Soft pillows cushioned your head as you readjusted, laying on your back. As your eyes roamed up to the ornate chandelier, your legs opened with a mind of their own, giving him space to crawl between them. His bulk lay against yours, heavy in all the best ways.

"Yer'so goddamn beautiful, you know that?" His words came out strained, like he'd lost his breath as he trailed kisses down your neck. You knew he was observant, always finding something to sketch and write in that journal of his. Now, it showed in how he narrowed his eyes to see you better, how he grazed his fingers across untouched skin and looked up to see your reaction. You'd never had a man pay this much attention to you, to soak you in when he was the one doing all the work. Arthur didn't care a second about his own physical pleasure. Making you come around his fingers would be pleasure enough.

You were utterly lost in the man. When had the room grown so unbearably hot? When had he taken off your shoes? How did his hands find the waistband of your bloomers under the fabric of your skirt?

Pausing, his eyes met yours in a silent plea for him to continue. You answered by lifting your hips and forcing your skirt and bloomers down to your ankles. Arthur was swift in pulling them all the way off, grunting in delight as he tossed the garments to the floor, forgotten.

His breath whistled out of his nose loud like the wind of a dust storm, and his chest rose and fell hard at the sight of you. Eyes still fixed on yours, his calloused palm traveled up your leg like he was trying to memorize you. He wanted to be able to close his eyes and remember the shape of you from touch alone, to sculpt you in his mind. All his life, he'd been a nomad, traveling and exploring new places, never calling one home. Now, he realized home wasn't a place but a person–– you were who he wanted to call home yet never stop exploring.

As his hand finished its trek up your leg, almost landing at its final destination, a strange sense of self-consciousness washed over you like never before.

Arthur cared about you. That was evident. You couldn't deny it, and you'd be stabbing him with his own knife if you did. But you couldn't stop the nag of worry. What if this time was like every other time? What if, despite all his effort, Arthur would walk down the same road as the others, seemingly content with their own satisfaction but falling short of meeting yours. The what-ifs doused you like water on a fire, and you brought your knees to your chest, folding into yourself.

The fog of Athur's lust for you lifted, replaced by clarity and concern. Brow knit together, he scooted in close and rubbed his knuckles down your jaw. 

"What is it?" he murmured, nudging your chin to make you look at him, "We don't have to do anythin' you don't want."

He rested his hands so casually worshipping you a second ago on your knees with all the patience of a saint, finding your gaze and waiting for a response. He was so uniquely him, and for him to be yours was the only thought you'd had for forty-eight hours. You didn't just want him in the way he was five seconds ago, hot and heavy; you wanted him the way you were at the poker table, arm around your chair; you wanted him in the way you'd sat downstairs. To want him like that meant more than a one-night fleeting encounter. That meant giving yourself away to him, your whole self, not just your body, but your wants and needs and parts of yourself that scared you the most. Little did you know, he shared the same thoughts about you.

Storm-churned seas of blue bore into your own misty eyes, "want to," you squeaked, "it's just that––"

"I know what you said. I know, darlin'." His voice, tender as it was, broke the dam under your eyes. Silent tears spilled down your face for only a second before he caught them with his thumbs.  He waited, silently pushing you to go on, even though his heart ached at the sight of rivers etching a path down your features.

"What if there's something wrong with me?" You asked, openly admitting what you'd long suspected about yourself.

"Hey," he said as he rose up on his knees and towered over you. His hands tugged at the hem of your blouse and chemise, but his eyes caught yours in another silent ask. You adjusted to let him pull both garments up and over. Stricken by you, he shook his head slowly. Words were coming out of his mouth, but he was fixated on you. He couldn't stop his hands as they traced the curves of your body. "You say that, but from this side of the bed–– well, I reckon you're damn close to perfection."  

You were a siren, your body a beautiful symphony. Though he'd always clung to the mast of his own vulnerability, he would gladly untether himself and plunge to his death if it meant eternity in heaven with you. His declaration was Hermes' moly, making the spell of insecurity nonbinding.

Like the moon and the tide, you'd found yourselves in sync again, working together to shove his suspenders off his shoulders, untuck his shirt, and undo the buttons that were keeping it closed. You flung yourself into him, digging your fingers into his back and shivering as your nipples pressed against his chest. He tasted like tobacco and alcohol and somehow like an alcove of sunlight, fresh water, and vivid color. His suspenders hung loosely around his waist as he dipped you back down into the swell of blankets.

"You just relax now; let me take care of ye'. If you want me to stop, just say the word, alright?" You gave him the go-ahead, and he took hold of your knees, parting your legs to expose you to him again. His beard scratched the inside of your thighs as he dived between them, and you gasped as his tongue and teeth latched onto the skin of your thighs. You arched up off the bed, losing whatever control you had over yourself.

One of his hands snaked into yours. "I said relax, woman." He kissed your knuckles then went back to it, drawing dark marks into your thighs as if you were a page of his journal. Your whole being boiled with desire, a desire you didn't even know you could feel. While he kissed and nipped and sucked like his life depended on it, his hand untangled from yours and danced around your stomach, up your abdomen, and then to the shapely flesh of your chest, squeezing gently. You bit your lip, holding in a whine as he pinched a nipple through his index and middle finger, massaging lightly as he gave the same treatment to your other thigh.

As he neared heaven's gates, you tugged on his hair, urging him closer as the rough stubble on his face scratched your skin, a smile curling against your thigh. A disappointed huff escaped you as his face was level with yours again. Your chest was rising and falling rapidly, and you looked up at him bewildered. He'd made a mess of you–– exactly what he'd aimed for.

He chuckled, proud of himself, and then his mouth found yours again, his tongue pushing through your lips to find yours. He kissed you with so much heat you could've broken out into a fever.  

Flames blazed through your veins as he slowly descended back to heaven. Arthur's lips burned like the tip of a cigarette wherever they touched. Just when you thought he'd finally taste you to relieve the aching, he began to kiss your thighs again, and you couldn't help it; you begged him.

"Please, Arthur," you choked out, not recognizing your own voice, shaky and desperate, "Please."

And to your pure bliss, he obeyed, never a rule follower, except for now. He spread you open, using his non-dominant hand to pin your knee to the bed while his shoulder kept your other leg parted.

With a touch so gentle yet purposeful, he drove his index finger from the top of your clit, all the way down until it dipped briefly into your folds. And he swept it back up again, curiously exploring you. He ground his throbbing cock into the bed as you yanked on his locs. Wet sounds of your sins filled the room, and you'd be embarrassed if you weren't entirely delighted. Arthur looked back up at you, his touch unrelenting.

"You okay? This good?" he asked. You could only bob your head up and down, gasping fast and loud. "Good," he said, kissing the inside of your thigh again and teasing the opening of your pussy with his finger. "Keep still for me?" you nodded again, the austere head movement the only thing you could muster.

You braced for discomfort that never came as his meaty digit sunk into you with ease, disappearing to the knuckle. You pressed your head deeper into the pillow only to rise a second later with your mouth agape as you felt his tongue, soft and wet, swipe at your clit.

And fuck, you whimpered.

All thoughts led back to one place now, and all your self-restraint leaked out of you with the movement of Arthur's finger. As your hips rocked feverishly against him, he slipped another inside of you, groaning exultantly. He'd transformed you, turning you into a hollering minx.

You belted his name in time with the rhythm of his fingers, "Oh Arthur, oh Arthur, oh Arthur," over and over again at a higher pitch each time. And the gunslinger couldn't help himself; he withdrew his tongue and pounded his fingers into you, using his palm to feed your needy clit. He wanted to taste you forever but needed to watch you, to see your pretty face when he pushed you over the edge.

"Perfect," he said, his finger thrusting steadily with your hips. His lips crinkled as he felt your walls spasm around him. "That's it, sweetheart, let it go."

A familiar ache built in your gut, one you'd only felt in your moments of solitude. Arthur reached for your hand again while the other steadily plowed. Though his arm muscles scorched with the workout you were giving him, he knew better than to give up now. "So goddamn beautiful wrapped around my fingers like this," he cooed. 

Goosebumps formed all down your arms and legs. Arthur's fucking eyes, staring up at you so proud, so endearing, opened the floodgates.

"There you go," he hummed, feeling your insides constrict around his fingers, "give it to me, good girl, let me have it."

And you did, going from a whimpering mess to silent as your orgasm baptized you, washing away all the doubt you ever had about yourself. Arthur went on babbling whatever depraved thoughts crossed his mind as you came.

"So damn good for me."

His fingers slowed, but he didn't stop, letting you ride them until you couldn't anymore. It wasn't until you gasped his name and squeezed your legs shut that he finally conceded, removing his hand and caressing your thigh. Unusually deft, he rolled over onto his back but turned his head to look at you. The cowboy was smirking like he did when he beat you in a game of dominos, triumphant. You were breathing heavily, returning his glance wide-eyed.

"Shit," you gasped, essentially speechless.

Arthur chuckled, cupping your face in both his hands and kissing.

"Told you," he said, "Told you, I'd take care of you. I'll always take care of you if you want me to––" his last five words came out in a quick jumble, self-doubt creeping back even after it all. You threw a leg over his and begin a slow grind into the leather of his chaps, taking your turn to bite into his neck.

"Take care of me all you want, Mr. Morgan."

You didn't have to tell him twice.

[aventurineswife]

“With you, I’m so much stronger”

Summary: Shadow, reflecting on the one-year anniversary of meeting her partner, carefully prepares a special cake as a surprise. Despite the pain and struggles she faces with her illness and inner darkness, she finds joy in celebrating the love and support her partner has given her throughout the year. In a tender moment, she opens up about her struggles and the weight of her emotions, but her partner reassures her with love and devotion. Together, they share the cake, symbolizing the sweetness of their journey together.

Tags: Shadow(OC) x Reader, Romance, Anniversary, Vulnerability, Support, Tender Moments, Personal Struggles, Intimacy, Reflection, Established Relationship.

Warnings: Mentions of illness, emotional distress, and vulnerability.

[Header credits]

The soft hum of the oven filled the air as Shadow carefully removed the cake she’d spent hours preparing. The rich aroma of vanilla and chocolate intertwined, creating a comforting atmosphere in the kitchen. Her movements were graceful yet purposeful as she set the cake down on the countertop, taking a moment to admire her handiwork. She smiled faintly, the corners of her mouth lifting as she wiped her hands on a towel.

It had been one year.

One year since you walked into her life, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at how much had changed since then. How much she had changed. It was hard to believe that someone as warm and understanding as you had stuck by her side, even as she fought through the darkness of her own mind and body.

With a sigh, Shadow placed a hand on her stomach, the familiar ache from her illness gnawing at her. She could feel the blood rising in her throat, but she pushed the thought aside. Not today. Today was special.

She turned her gaze to the living room, where you were lounging comfortably on the couch, the soft glow of candlelight flickering around you. You’d been patient all day, waiting for her to finish up the surprise. And now, it was time.

Carefully, Shadow decorated the cake, her hands steady despite the fatigue she felt. She’d chosen something simple but elegant—your favorite flavors, topped with a delicate swirl of frosting. She placed a small note atop it, scribbled with words only she could fully understand.

Once finished, she turned to you with a soft, loving gaze. “Hey,” she said, her voice steady, but there was something tender in it that hadn’t been there before. You glanced up at her, a smile tugging at your lips as you sat up.

“Wow, that looks amazing,” you said, your eyes lighting up at the sight of the cake. “Is that… for me?”

She nodded, a playful glint in her eyes. “Yeah, it’s for you. Happy anniversary, love.”

Your heart swelled as you approached the table. “You didn’t have to do this, Shadow. You’ve already done so much.”

Shadow’s smile faltered for a brief moment, but she quickly hid it. She walked over to you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. “I know,” she murmured, her thumb brushing across your skin. “But I wanted to. You’ve stuck by me for an entire year. Even when I’m not the easiest person to love.”

She paused, the weight of her words lingering in the air. Her eyes, though filled with warmth, seemed to carry a deeper, unspoken sorrow.

“I know I can be… difficult,” she continued, her voice dropping slightly. “I’ve got a lot of baggage, and sometimes it feels like I’m too much to bear. But you never left. You stayed. You believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.”

You reached out, cupping her cheek gently in your palm. “I’m not going anywhere, Shadow,” you said softly, your voice unwavering. “I’m here because I love you. All of you. The strong, the kind, the playful, and even the broken parts.”

Her breath caught, her eyes softening as you leaned in to kiss her forehead. “You don’t have to carry everything alone,” you whispered. “We’re in this together.”

Shadow’s eyes glistened, and for a brief moment, the walls she’d built so carefully around herself seemed to crumble. A single tear slid down her cheek, but she smiled through it.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for everything.”

You kissed her gently, the warmth of your lips on hers grounding her in the moment. As you pulled back, you saw the vulnerability in her eyes—the side of her she so carefully hid from the world. The side she only showed to you.

"Now," you said with a playful grin, "Let’s enjoy that cake. You deserve it."

She chuckled, her usual playful energy returning as she cut a slice for you both. Despite the darkness she carried within, Shadow had found something beautiful—something to cherish. You.

And, as you both shared the first bite, Shadow couldn't help but think that this was the sweetest gift of all.

[firenati0n]

2024 writing round up!

thank you for the tags @kiwiana-writes @cha-melodius @alasse9 :) <3

i posted 19 fics this year (whoa) ranging from 932 words to 54,284 words. wild! all were for RWRB! yay firstprince! :)

JANUARY

too scared to post shit after writing worm fic in december

FEBRUARY

An Amateur's Guide to Piping That Cream and Beating That Meat (T, 5k) henry needs to make something for alex's friendsgiving and comes across a thirst trapping headless food tiktoker. i wonder who it could be. deranged tiktok comments, friends to lovers

people ruin people, i don't wanna ruin you (M, WIP, 6.8k, 4/9 chapters) - this was posted anonymously until august) alex is a washed up singer, henry is his new pet project. and maybe something more. musician firstprince, v loose a star is born x greek mythology au, icarus!alex, collaborators to lovers

MARCH

each time we touch / i wanna take too much (M, 1.3k) alex puts his fingers in henry's mouth. mhm yep that's it.

keep me up all night / i wanna scratch your surface  (M, 1.4k) alex is so in love he could die. puts his mouth on other places. prose-y loverboy alex.

cause you're classic, and i'm reckless (T, 5.4k) alex and henry are costars, henry offers to help alex with intimacy research. actor au, kissing for practice leads to kissing for real, inspired by ryan gosling and rachel mcadams at the 2005 mtv movie awards, costars to lovers

who truly stuck the knife in first (M, 3.7k) alex and henry are spy partners. a mission goes sideways and they fight and fuck about it. sexually charged wrestling, partners to lovers

APRIL

and all i can taste is this moment, and all i can breathe is your life (T, 9999 words) angel!henry watches over lawyer!alex invisibly until one day alex sees him. now what? loose city of angels au, pining yearning longing galore, wee bit of angst with a happy ending, introspection

MAY

who would've thought that a guy like henry would double as a superstar?  (T, 6.4k) hannah montana au, crack treated seriously, henry is hannah montana and alex works at a ranch. a hot damn mess.

JUNE

busy writing and posting proposal au! :)

JULY

the full spectrum of human emotion (M, 54k) editor!henry gets assistant!alex to marry him to avoid deportation. but wait! alex hates henry! oops. the proposal (2009) au, marriage of convenience, fake dating, romantic comedy, banter and big feelings

AUGUST

you're the closest to heaven that i'll ever be (T, 7.7k) angel!henry sequel, henry learning what it means to be human, very tender and full of musings on humanity and love and the little things in life

the leaves of a silver maple (assorted, 13k) collection of short standalone prompt fics for my fic fest (some of my favorite fics ever exist in this collection and they're so buried jfalksjlf)

prompt one - wicked E | 2.6k | au, sims family, fluff laced with a little crack. as a treat. henry finds something rather...wicked on alex's laptop. prompt two - sweaters T | 1k | canon-verse, fluffy, sweet, sharing clothes alex steals henry's sweater, and henry gets back at him. prompt three -  magic T | 5.2k | kiki's delivery service (studio ghibli, 1989) au, magic au, high school au, warlock!henry, baker!alex, sweet, tender, emotional, found family a tender little exploration of love, purpose, healing, and a warlock!henry finding baker!alex.  prompt four -  comfort T | 2.6k | roommate au, sickfic, hurt/comfort, taking care of each other, mutual pining, fluff, domesticity, pride & prejudice (2005) refs, first kiss, getting together three times henry took care of alex and one time alex took care of henry. prompt five - wicked once more M | 500 words | au, sims family, cracky fluff, accidental sims mpreg alex is being a menace once again in The Sims. prompt six - apron M | 200 words | au, silly, apron shenanigans henry is wearing an apron. and nothing else.  prompt seven - goodbye T | 200 words | the good place au, bittersweet alex and henry say goodbye. prompt eight - father T | 300 words | post-canon, a tinge of grief, hope henry reflects on grief.

SEPTEMBER

i like the way you blush / i like the way you bite (M, 932) henry puts his fingers in alex's mouth

OCTOBER

flip the switch and let the cauldron bubble (T, 2.7k) kiki's delivery service au sequel, warlock!henry and baker!alex and the many potions that heal them

about to bust-elo (M, 2k) alex tries Café Bustelo Instant Espresso and has a hell of a day. inspired by my fuckass coffee habits.

feeling your heart beating, wondering what you're dreaming (M, 5.7k) five times childhood best friends alex and henry share a bed platonically, and the one time (of many) they do as something more, childhood friends to lovers, one bed, pining, fluffy and tender

from all the pain our brain has made, the game is not played alone (G, 1.4k) alex has a long day and a terrible headache, and henry comforts him

NOVEMBER

brain break

DECEMBER

london's so nice, back in your seamless rhymes (T, 7.4k) alex and henry fall in love—five days a week, four bus routes, three pseudo-dates, two holiday markets, and one red scarf of fate later. strangers to friends to lovers, meet-cute, london buses, fluffy and fun

if the city never sleeps, then that makes three (T, 1.4k) london bus meet-cute universe part 2. alex and henry have a movie night and learn some things about each other and the people they thirst over

i looked into your eyes, got such a great surprise (M, 1.6k) london bus meet-cute universe part 3. alex and henry go on a walk and do some reflecting on love and happiness. fluffy and funny and sweet.

-

and that's a wrap! what a year! so grateful for everyone who read and commented and subscribed and engaged...it means so much to me. i have really leaned on this community while navigating rough waters, and deeply love all the friends and connections i have made. sending everyone a lot of love!

xoxo roop

open tag and a few under the cut :)

@ninzied @myheartalivewrites @rmd-writes @tintagel-or-cockleshells @clottedcreamfudge

@anchoredarchangel @dumbpeachjuice @smc-27 @cricketnationrise @everwitch-magiks

@orchidscript @cheesecurdsgravyandfries @run-for-chamo-miles @onward--upward @eusuntgratie

@bigassbowlingballhead @leaves-of-laurelin @porcelainmortal @getmehighonmagic @blueeyedgrlwrites

@suseagull5914 @judasofsuburbia @seths-rogens @caterpills @violetbaudelaire-quagmire

@onthewaytosomewhere @indestructibleheart @sophie1973 @fairflowered @incalamity

@smugvillanelle @anincompletelist @wordsofhoneydew @itsmaybitheway @whimsymanaged

@miss-minnelli @zwiazdziarka @sherryvalli @msmarvelouswinchester @thesleepyskipper

@thedramasummer @priincebutt @14carrotghoul @kj-bee @welcometololaland

@miharaikko @hgejfmw-hgejhsf

[motelroomjesus]

whooo I finished ep 4 and 5 of The Heart Killers

I still don't like Kant, I'm warming up to Bison, still obsessed with FadelStyle, and I want Style carnally.

I'm also really interested in how they're using the music and soundtrack to emphasize the emotions of some scenes.

This post is about to be longer than my usual since it's covering two eps but anyway

Spoilers under the cut !

Me when I overanalyze my BL:

First and foremost, that pat down scene in ep 4 where Fadel maintained eye contact with Kant as he searched him... How do u put that there and expect ppl to not imagine things, Jojo..... 😫 Even the goofy music in the background couldn't dissuade me from thinking they should hate fuck ☝️ but anyway

It's very obvious that while Style isn't fully committed and his feelings for Fadel are just starting to bloom, he definitely wants that man. Atp where we are in ep 4 he's obviously lusting after that man (face economy, body tea). I mean he gave him, apparently, the best sex of his life in a grief meeting storage room. He let the man cut his little crop top off. The lust of it all is so real. But I think now, after the chase, after spending more time with him, especially after hearing how Fadel was asking where he was, he's pursuing Fadel with more sincere intentions and I think he truly wants to know Fadel more. And lord have mercy, that scene in the woods.

That scene in the abandoned warehouse in the woods, aside from the iconic "I don't like that I miss you", is when I first noticed the soundtrack specifically highlighting the emotions. Now, I know soundtracks are meant to do that but I think they're doing it in a really fun way IDK They put a lighthearted cute, and low-key hopeful, little tune over a heated make out and handjob. It felt like it reflected their emotions in that moment really well and how the audience is meant to see the scene. It's not just a hot and heavy make out session because yay official, it's an indicator of a turning page, especially for Fadel. It's a signal that he can get butterflies in his stomach too, even with his enormous walls and stoic mask (defense mechanism), and I'm sticking to that interpretation. I love u my emotionally and sexually repressed little hitman.

And then Kant came in and decided NOW is the perfect time to finally tell his friend that oh yeah ur new bf is a hitman. It's not even that part that actually annoyed me, it's the little quip when Style says gunman instead of hitman. Like I'll kill u with a gun Kant. 😭

I fear I may never truly warm up to him, he is so annoying to me. 😔

Okay so ep 5, I kind of warmed up to Bison. He's cute he's fun, he's totally ignoring his instincts about Kant even tho he knows better. He seems less than helpful in most scenarios though, but whatever

There were two scenes that caught my attention and they were obviously meant to:

1) Kant and Bison post coital cuddles

2) Style and Fadel's intimacy towards the end of the ep

I'm mostly talking about the music again and the intentional use (or absence) of it. During the KantBison scene, when Bison is being so gentle with his kisses and telling Kant tender words, the music reaches a subtle crescendo once Bison says he feels like his life is changing since he met Kant and the camera lands right in Kant's distressed face. It was a great way to signal that Kant is gonna face the music very soon. I found that fun and I had to rewind a couple times just to make sure I wasn't making it up in my head. Could just be a transition sound choice, but I'm reading into it.

The KantBison scene felt like a big contrast next to the FadelStyle scene to me. At this point I think they're both feeling more than they're letting on for each other. Fadel and Style's night is, mostly, quiet. There's no backtrack for the most part. Fadel is splayed out in the bed just watching Style take his shirt off, exposing himself more than Fadel, and caging Fadel in by crawling on top of him. Style is on top of him kissing him, doing what he wants to, and Fadel is letting him. Style is telling Fadel that he wants to be trusted, he wants more from Fadel and he's willing to wait for him to be ready. He means it. And I know there's the component of this all starting for some car and Style now being aware of the reality of the situation but I think that's the point. That's the point of doing this specific scene with the absence of a backtrack until Style starts getting actually frisky. When Style is saying all of this and kissing Fadel's scar, we only listen to his words, their breathing, and their kisses. It's bare bones, but that's the point. To bare it all.

Did I read into that too much? Maybe! but idgaaaaffff. I'm eating this shit up and having fun dissecting things that maybe don't need dissecting. :P

I think it's obvious I'm more invested in FadelStyle than KantBison.... zorry! They put me-targeted drugs in FadelStyle. It's not my fault. 🧍

[clary-jace]

my top 20 paceyjoey moments:

18. forehead kiss (the longest day, 3x20)

[vaguely-concerned]

I've been picking mostly only the essential flirt options with lucanis in the romance so far (I've personally found the dynamic much more natural and mutual when you do that, more like forming a solid friendship slowly and inevitably becoming something else and less like you keep pushing on him and getting little back b/c he seemingly just gets overwhelmed and goes into freeze instead), and I think rye is a pretty hard person to read at the best of times even though he's been Down Real Bad from pretty early on and their chemistry as people is naturally really good. so the way the almost-kiss plays out in this playthrough feels a lot like it has the added layer of lucanis realizing that no but for sure rook is flirting and not just being kind or a good friend* it IS actually happening it's not just wishful/fearful thinking!!! and then uh. maybe going a bit too hard a bit too fast in all the excitement at that revelation haha

*in lucanis' defense he has seemingly literally never had a friend who wasn't his cousin-brother before, under those circumstances I suppose some confusion is extremely natural if not outright expected lmao

[theyarebothgunshot]

if this doesn't lead to a scene where buck just goes crazy and says "eddie. eddie please let me shave your face you are killing me, man" (killing him cause it makes him horny or cause he cannot stand it? yes.) eddie rolls his eyes but says "i can shave myself, you know" but for some reason eddie cannot use one of his arms so buck insists on doing it for him, holding his chin as he goes to work with a razor, taking his job very seriously as eddie looks at him fondly.......... then what's the point?

[kentuckycaverats]

greater clan tremere is asleep, do gay shit in the chantry

tara clellan (tremere) and delphine fujinami (thin-blood) by @neonjess

[cream-and-tea]

oh man the judge/calliope and pallas&agnes thoughts are really eating holes in my brain tonight,,,,,,

[variousqueerthings]

we watched the famous much ado about nothing in preparation for macbeth, and the thing is... ive never seen it before (this iteration, i have seen other much ados...)

for some reason, for the longest time, until now, i kept waiting until the "right" moment, feeling like i'd know when it was and finally, at last, the moment has happened, and i have watched david tennant and catherine tate playing benedick and beatrice, and truly it was absolutely beautiful bisexuality in action the entire way through -- and the way this play balanced comedy and drama was fantastic. we've watched josie rourke's direction before and she's so pinpoint

the part where we go from the heartbreak of the wedding, to a hilarious love confession between benedick and beatrice to an incredibly intense demand that benedick kill claudio, and it's all sooooo alive! that's the thing about shakespeare, especially if you're trying to get in an audience who isn't so used to it, you need to get out of the stuffiness and yeah, certain lines won't be understood by all the audience, but they'll understand the beats if you map out those beats clearly, which is exactly what this one did with its Big comedy and Big drama -- not saying every production wants or needs that, but with these two actors it was the exact right choice

I think that catherine tate and dt nailed those shifts the best (of course they also have the most to work with) but most everyone got to have some of these beats for themselves. fascinated by their don john, who seemed to have a lot less power than other versions I've seen of this play, and also dogberry, whom I uuuusually don't get so much out of, but really enjoyed him this time (it's not a falstaff situation, where I've hated 99% of falstaffs -- although I note josie rourke is also the person who directed the henry iv with a falstaff i liked. her and gus van sant), and also gave claudio and hero some feeling of being a bit more alive and grappling with their various kinds of emotions throughout, where often they end up just being "sweet bland girl and dick who was easily manipulated" in my head

[swordsonnet]

not to brag but i've read no less than three books with gay stabbing scenes so far this year 😎

[captainxsassafras]

Not me thinking about talking to someone (maybe someone from the Day Court? They probably have oodles of animal knowledge bound up in those books. Maybe a relatively friendly Illyrian camp? I'm sure they know everything about their wings. The real question is: would they share that knowledge?) Specifically talking to someone about how to take care of bat wings. Like massage techniques for when they're tired, or when they've been injured, etc. Any special cleaning or treatments that are helpful for upkeep.

Then surprising Azriel the next time he comes home bone-weary or the next time he (pulls a self-sacrificing move and) gets injured by taking care of his wings afterward yourself.

Uggghhh, the intimacy! The care! The goddamn trust it'd take! The beautiful feeling of being so thoroughly exhausted/hurt then having someone tenderly do all the little things you would normally have to do yourself!

[loumauve]

the goddamn toast water post just made me utter "history is fucking real" in the most solemn and serious tone of voice, out loud, to myself, in the goddamn bathtub

[crownedwille]

if young royals season 2 has a million fans i'm one of them. if young royals season 2 has ten fans, then i am one of them. if young royals season 2 has only one fan then that is me. if young royals season 2 has no fans, then that means i am no longer on earth. if the world is against young royals season 2 then i am against the world

[mamawasatesttube]

Timkon shower together and people think they’re having sexy times when in reality they’re giving each other shampoo mohawks and bubble beards and singing songs from their fav musicals