#it's the first (unspoken) rule of chosen oneness

[gh-0-stcup]

When Angel's friends gang up on him to criticize his decisions, he fires them.

[myfairstarlight]

I need to ramble about the wedding breakfast dance.

That is Colin and Penelope's "Stare into my eyes. (s1) / Just keep looking at me, no one else matters. (s2) / Keep your eyes on me. There is no one here but us (QC)" iconic couple dance scene except no word is exchanged the whole time.

Instead, we get a visual representation of that feeling as the room empties, and only them remain. Albeit the editing did not let us savour that long enough, where's the full footage in HD Netflix???

And I think it's a core aspect of a friends to lovers story and Polin's that is so under-appreciated, this silent understanding between the characters. They've known each other for years, they've always been comfortable when together, so in that moment, no word of reassurance is needed because they already know! They have always been each other's safe space, even before friendship turned into romantic love. After all, they just need one look and a nod, just like at their wedding, to be secure in the other's love. No one else matters indeed.

Furthermore, unlike the other couples who were scrutinised by the Ton at some point or another because of their match, with the unfortunate pressure that comes with it, Penelope and Colin were always more of the outcasts, gossiping on the side of balls and no one truly paid them any attention until very recently as they both forced themselves to take part in society (Penelope to seek a husband, Colin to be taken seriously). Their season is the first time the Queen (or Lady Danbury) does not meddle with the main couple! (I would add Violet to the list who was more withdrawn than in previous seasons and mostly focused on Francesca this season, but she did nudge Colin a little.)

As soon as they get together, they stopped caring about others' judgement, because why should they? The Ton did not care before, after all. Colin and Penelope dancing in broad daylight at their wedding breakfast was breaking some unspoken society rule, but even before that, dancing at the church (also in broad daylight), at the Mondrich ball as they break the dance routine to add a twirl. They simply do not care. In fact, they never truly respected propriety rules, have they? Calling each other by their given names (even a nickname on Colin's part), the letters, the many unchaperoned encounters (one of which they got caught by Portia and Jack and yet nothing happened), Colin refusing a dance with Cressida to dance with Penelope instead... it just never brought a scandal because, well, the Ton constantly overlooked them, so now Penelope and Colin return the favour by overlooking the Ton.

And it is so significant that despite the Whistledown issue still hanging over their head, it does not change the fact they have chosen each other, that they will keep being their most authentic selves with each other and act like the whole world around them does not exist because they have each other, and as long as they do, everything will be alright.

After all, it is Colin loving and supporting Penelope that will give her the courage to step into the light and face the Queen as Whistledown, and it is Penelope loving and supporting Colin that will inspire him to write and publish, and make him feel like he finally belongs.

Oh also shout out to Albion Finch, best brother-in-law, always delighted to see Penelope thriving <3

And credit to this post I saw on twitter that prompted me to write this.

[louisaskywalkerani]

Whispers in the Dark, forbidden embrace.

Pairing : Anakin Skywalker x f!Reader

synopsis : anakin reassures you about your forbidden relationship in more ways than one.

CW : 18+, smut! minors DNI. no movement but, p in v penetration, cock warming.

an : ok this is my first fanfic i've ever written, i'm completely petrified tbh, i tried to do my best, if u can give me some advice, it would be super nice. enjoy this ig.. the end is also inspired by @ohcaptains !!

The dim lighting in the temple corridor casts long shadows. Anakin's footsteps echo softly as he approaches you, a determined look in his eyes. You've been avoiding him, knowing the danger of your connection. Tonight, there's no escape.

"Anakin, we shouldn't be here," you whisper, your voice trembling with the weight of unspoken emotions.

He steps closer, his presence overwhelming. "We can’t keep pretending, not anymore," he replies, his voice husky. "The Council doesn’t understand what we feel."

You look into his eyes, seeing the conflict mirrored in your own. "What if we're caught? The Council—"

"Screw the Council," he interrupts, his hands gently cupping your face. "I need you. We both know this is more than a fleeting desire."

Your breath hitches as his thumb brushes over your lips. "Anakin, we're risking everything."

"Some things are worth the risk," he murmurs, leaning in. His lips capture yours in a kiss that speaks of months of longing and suppressed passion. The kiss deepens, and you feel the warmth of his body against yours, his heartbeat pounding in sync with your own.

Breaking the kiss, he rests his forehead against yours. "Tell me you don’t feel the same, and I'll walk away."

You close your eyes, the truth undeniable. "I can’t," you admit softly. "I’ve tried, but I can’t."

With a relieved sigh, Anakin wraps his arms around you, holding you close. "Then let’s not fight it anymore."

—

The night is serene, stars twinkling above as if to guard your secret. Anakin spreads his cloak on the ground, inviting you to sit beside him. “Remember when we first met?” he asks, his voice a soft murmur.

You smile, the memory clear in your mind. “You were so arrogant,” you tease. “I thought you’d never take anything seriously.”

Anakin chuckles, his hand finding yours. “And you were so serious. Always following the rules.”

A comfortable silence settles between you, the bond deepening with shared memories. You both lie down on the cloak, looking up at the stars. "I used to think the stars held our destiny," you say, your voice barely audible.

"They still do," Anakin replies, his fingers intertwining with yours. "But we can choose our path."

The quiet of the night is broken only by the soft sounds of the temple gardens. Anakin turns to you, his eyes reflecting the starlight. "Do you ever wonder what life would be like if we didn't have to hide?" he asks, his voice tinged with sadness.

"All the time," you admit. "But the life we've chosen doesn't allow for what-ifs."

Anakin's grip tightens around your hand. "We could leave. Start a new life, far from here. No rules, no codes, just us."

You look at him, the sincerity in his eyes making your heart ache. "And what of our duties? Our responsibilities?"

"We've given enough," he says fiercely. "Isn't it time we lived for ourselves?"

The temptation is strong, the vision of a life with Anakin almost too beautiful to resist. But the weight of your commitments anchors you. "I don’t know if I can."

Anakin sighs, pulling you closer. "I can't lose you," he whispers. "Not now, not ever."

"You won't," you promise, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "We'll find a way to make this work."

The night stretches on, filled with whispered words and tender touches. As dawn approaches, you both lie entwined, the weight of your choices pressing down but the warmth of your connection offering solace. For now, in this moment, you are together, and that’s all that matters.

You lay there, enveloped in the warmth of each other’s embrace. The temple gardens, usually so serene and quiet, now seem to pulsate with the forbidden energy of your bond. The leaves rustle gently in the night breeze, almost as if they are whispering your secrets.

Anakin strokes your hair gently, his fingers tracing patterns that send shivers down your spine. “I’ve always admired your strength,” he says softly. “You’ve kept us hidden so well, even when it must have torn you apart.”

You sigh, nuzzling closer to him. “It hasn’t been easy,” you admit. “Every time I see you, I have to fight the urge to run into your arms. But I’ve never regretted it. Not for a moment.”

His grip tightens around you, as if he fears you might slip away. “I want to show you something,” he says suddenly, sitting up. “Come with me.”

Curious, you follow him through the winding paths of the garden until you reach a small, hidden alcove. The moonlight filters through the leaves, casting a mystical glow over everything. Anakin kneels and presses a hidden switch, revealing a small passageway.

“How did you find this?” you ask, amazed.

“I have my ways,” he replies with a wink. “Come on.”

The passage leads to a secluded chamber deep within the temple, one that even you, with all your knowledge of the place, had never discovered. It’s filled with ancient artifacts, relics of Jedi history, and texts that seem almost forgotten by time.

“I come here to think,” Anakin says, lighting a small lantern that casts a warm glow over the room. “It’s a place where I can be myself, away from the pressures of the Council and the weight of my duties.”

You walk around, marveling at the treasures surrounding you. “It’s incredible,” you whisper. “Like a sanctuary.”

Anakin smiles, coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist. “I wanted to share it with you. A place that’s ours alone.”

You turn in his embrace, your eyes meeting his. “Thank you,” you say, your voice thick with emotion. “It means more than you know.”

For a moment, you simply stand there, holding each other, surrounded by the silent witnesses of a bygone era. Then, with a gentle tug, Anakin leads you to a small nook filled with cushions. You sit down together, and he pulls you into his lap, his lips finding yours once more.

He breaks the kiss and smiles up at you, taking in every curve of your body, his hands brushing along your thighs as he drinks in the sight of you.

“You're so beautiful... even more so up close.” he whisper 

He reaches up, his hand cradling your cheek as he kisses you again. As the kiss deepens, he pulls you closer, his hand sliding lower along the curve of your waist. His touch is gentle at first, but as his passion grows, he holds you tighter against him.

Anakin's tongue explores your mouth as his hands roam over your body, tracing the curves of your hips. His touch is electric, sending shivers down your spine as it ignites the fire burning within you.

You moan softly into his mouth as you feel his fingers brush across your skin, their touch leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. Your hands explore his back, feeling every muscle as they clench and relax beneath your fingertips.

Anakin breaks away from you briefly, trailing kisses down your neck and collarbone. His teeth graze against your skin, causing goosebumps to rise in their wake.

“Ani... what are we doing...?” You breathe, biting your lip as his lips find a sensitive spot on your neck.

Anakin chuckles, his breath warm against your skin as he leaves a trail of kisses along your jaw.

"I think you know, love.." He murmurs, his hand slipping under your chin to tilt your head back and expose your neck to him.

“I want you,” he whispers in your ear, his voice low and husky.

His words send shivers down your spine, and you can't help but arch your back, pressing yourself closer to him. Your body aches for his touch, but you’re thankful that he can’t see the way you clench your eyes closed. 

Regardless, he can sense you tightening your grip on the back of his head. As you shift up against his thigh, the heat from your underwear burns against him.

He is aware that you are hesitant.

“It can be like i told you last time.” He stutters, licks his lips, and struggles to get the words out of his throat.

“Just- sit on it.” he managed to say. “If you don’t want to move it’s alright love, just wanna be inside you.” 

He buries his head into the crook of your neck and kiss it carefully to not leave any marks.

“Anakin..” You whisper softly as you struggle not to close your eyes to his touch.

He pulls away from your neck and looks up at you.

“What? Are you afraid?” 

Your eyes roll slightly “No i’m not afraid.”

A slight smile appears at the corner of his lips. “Then what is it?”

You squint at his attitude. “Nothing. I- I just won’t move.”

He nods and slowly kisses your neck, his fingers tangle in your hair, pulling your head back to expose your neck. “Alright, love.”

You shift back so he can pull his trousers down to his knees, and you take his cock in your hand, feeling him melting at your simple touch.

“Love,” he whispers, his voice deep and rough. “I want to be inside you. Now.” 

You feel a surge of heat between your legs, and you can't help but moan in response. You've never felt so aroused, so completely lost in the moment.

You push your underwear to the side, and you lift yourself to sink onto him as Anakin breathes “Take it easy love, don't want you to hurt yourself.”

You halt. To avoid pushing him inside of you all at once and hurting yourself, you grip his shoulder to steady yourself.

You push against him once more, and the tip of his cock nudges between your folds, forcing an ache to shoot through your clit and make you dizzy. You pause as a slow burn builds in your thighs, you clench down in an effort to relieve the pain.

“Fuck,” Anakin grunts as he wraps his arm around the back of your hips, “Lemme,” he mumbles, and he flexes gently his hips up, slowly feeding his cock into your soaked core and kiss your neck again to distract you from the potential pain.  

You're gasping for air, you moan softly in pleasure, the heat of his mouth on your skin igniting the fire within you. You've never felt anything like this before, and you never want it to end.

When you finally sink to the depths, the pair of you moan out loudly in unison.

Anakin buries his face in your neck, “Now, don’t move. Just don’t move.” He grunts once again.

You nod a little too vigorously, which creates a slight movement in your hips, and because of that you feel Anakin pulse from inside of you.

he manage laughs falsely and grips your hips more firmly “What did i say?”

“S- Sorry” You whisper as you feel his wet lips brush against your breasts which makes you throw your head back.

“If you move again,” Anakin begins to say, panting, “I'll leave the Jedi order and do what I should have done a long time ago.”

Anakin always wanted to fuck you properly and it drove him crazy not to be able to do it.

“D - Don’t try to tempt me, Anakin” You managed to say, saying in your head to yourself,  

Don’t even move.

But Anakin brings you out of your thoughts by licking gently your neck, making you clench around him, causing him to groan deep against your neck.

“I'm warning you, this is the last time.” He says, gritting his teeth and gripping your hips even more firmly, but not enough to hurt. 

“It’s all your fault this time” You whimper as you tighten your grip on his shoulders. 

“Just stay still,” He said firmly, concentrating on not moving and coming inside you.

[splinterclan]

what is the clan's relationship with the warrior code. Because they don't really seem too strict about it.

I just went and copy pasted the Warrior code from the WC Website and I'll put what percent they follow that rule after each one (never actually read the warrior code so this is fun jsjs)

1. Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from the other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle. - 100%

2. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan’s territory. - 100%

3. Elders and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. - 100%

4. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life. - 100%

5. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice. - 100%

6. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name. - 100%

7. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice. - 90% Was lax for Moor since the clan started without any apprentice age kids, but will be 100% for every deputy after her

8. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies or retires. - 100%

9. After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh. - 100%

10. A gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time. - 0% There's 5 clans total around, but their territories are so massively far apart it's really not feasible for them to visit each other at all (like, miles apart - Oakclan is a 2-3 day journey from Splinter's camp). Every clan interaction in the game I interpret as happening with wandering rogue groups instead

11. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats. - 100%

12. No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or in danger, even if that kit is from a different Clan. - 100%

13. The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code. - 80% ish? the clan is just way too small for there to be the separation that is required for dictatorship effect. It's more like a family where your dad "sets rules" but you know he won't beat your ass if you disobey them, but you mostly obey them anyways bc you love him (Whorlstar is their dad)

14. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or it is necessary for self-defense. - 100%

15. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet. - 100% They won't go near or take food from humans - even when Cedar lived near one for a bit, he never took food from them.

So apparently they follow it pretty well? There seems to be a lot of unspoken rules in WC (like don't have kits with outsiders etc. Med cats can't have kits) That aren't on this list, so I guess they're not official? Idk xD I've said this before, but I have only read the first series of books so I don't have the fullest knowledge, but I do feel like with WC-based stories stuff like having the Med Cat get in trouble for having kits or half-clan relationships being persecuted are dumb rules anyways so I'd just rather write about something else

Plus clangen itself has no internal code for punishing that kind of stuff so it's all free game there too luckily ^^

[beomiracles]

CONGRATS FOR 500!! so well deserved!

for your bash i’m thinking about something emogyu coded cuz i can’t live without it so…

tattooartist!beomgyu x reader

where reader is lowkey really scared like they’re literally trembling while entering his salon because they never got tattoos before! and in such a place (i see some sluty tattoo on their lower back)

but beomgyu seeing this can’t help but smooth their nerves by talking and reassuring aand… sneaking some not really sneaky touches here and there :’)) and rest i’ll leave for you to continue…

500 BASH SPECIAL

#serene adds ✎... as someone with tattoos (who definitely had a crush on her tattoo artist at the ripe age of 17) this was right up my alley ! and I've been meaning to get a tramp stamp myself to add to my collection sooooo hehe

wc -> 1.8K

pairings tattoo artist! beomgyu x afab!reader warnings mentions of needles, reader is really pristine and gets her first tattoo, Beomgyu is a little handsy, slightly suggestive but nothing crazy at all!

the urge to turn this into something more in the future y'all

Gosh, what were you thinking? – A tattoo? What on earth would your parents think when you came over for the holidays? Not to mention, the pain. You had such a low pain tolerance it was almost ridiculous. Despite it all, you pushed the door to the salon open and stepped inside. 

The studio was small; covered head to toe in posters of inked up men and women, wearing nothing but skimpy clothing – your cheeks reddened at the sight. Music was playing from an old radio, the artist was unfamiliar but the heavy beat perfectly lined up with your racing heart. You bite your lip as you consider turning back, there was still time…But then the door to what you assumed to be the small staff room, opened; and through it came one of the most gorgeous men you had ever laid your eyes on. 

He was perhaps everything your parents would’ve forbidden your teenage self from ever getting acquainted with. Long dark hair, matching the smoked out eyeshadow around his piercing eyes, a metal ring going through the center of his full bottom lip; not to mention the several ink designs adorning his neck and arms. You swallow a gulp as you shamelessly ogle the man in front of you, not noticing how he tilted his head, a smirk creeping its way to his pierced lips. 

“1:30?” He asks as he watches the way your gaze snaps from his chest to his eyes. You blink, confused, as you fumble for words. “I uh…what?” You meekly squeak out, feeling the color on your cheeks intensifying by the second. The man’s smirk widens, “you the one who booked the appointment for 1:30?” – “Oh, y-yeah that’s me..” you mumble as you clear your throat rather awkwardly. 

He offers his hand and you notice the tattoos adorning his finger as well. “Beomgyu”, he says as you take his hand. After exchanging formalities, he guides you over to the stretcher at the back of the salon; it reminds you of the ones hospitals usually keep. Bringing out your phone, you begin pulling up the designs you had carefully chosen weeks prior. “You gotten a tattoo done before?” he asks as he watches your pink acrylics tap against the screen. 

You shake your head as you give him a sheepish smile. “Never.” Once more your mind wanders to your parents, your mom especially, what would she say? – Your family wasn’t exactly orthodox, but the subject of tattoos and other bodily modifications was sort of an unspoken rule. And even though you were now an adult, free to make your own decisions regarding your own body, the ways of your upbringing were still rooted in the back of your mind. 

Beomgyu doesn’t look surprised as he studies your nervous frame, his gaze stopping at your hands, timidly fiddling with your phone case. “You nervous?” His question was more of a statement but you give him a small nod, “yeah.” He smirks, “it’s quite natural, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing, love.” The small wink he sends you doesn’t go unnoticed as you stutter out a small o-of course, your eyes flitting down to your phone in order to avoid his intense gaze. 

“So whatcha lookin’ to get?” He asks as he brings out a moveable table, containing what you could only assume to be the tools he used for his works. Your eyes widen as you eye the sharp needles with dread. You nervously bite your lip, “w-well, I was thinking something on…on my lower back.” Beomgyu cocks an eyebrow in your direction, seemingly intrigued by your bold choice of placement for your first tattoo. 

“And you’ve got some designs for me I presume?” Nodding you show him the multiple pictures you had saved on your phone. His inked finger swipes through them as he studies them closely. “You got a favorite?” he asks, his eyes not leaving the screen. You shake your head, “I was thinking I’d do whatever you think will suit me best…” you mumble as your gaze flickers between your phone and him. Beomgyu hums as he stops on a picture of a butterfly. You follow his gaze and he nods to himself before handing your phone back, “I think you’ll absolutely rock that one, love.” 

His words of assurance made you feel confident in your decision and you eagerly nod as Beomgyu leaves to print out the design. – The two of you spent another fifteen minutes discussing placement as you held up your shirt for Beomgyu to place the paper against your skin. The feeling of his hands on your waist as he explained what would look best made your heart flutter in an unexplainable way. 

With your back facing the mirror, your hands awkwardly rest on Beomgyu’s chest as you turn your head to study the design. His inked hands moving across your hips, fingers brushing against your lower back as he talks you through the healing process. Swallowing – your eyes drift to the way his arms drape around you before moving to his face. You watch the way his lips move as he speaks, the slight frown of his brows as he focuses on getting your tattoo right. 

Then through the glass of the mirror, your eyes meet his. The smirk he flashes you is enough to tell you that he can sense the nerves radiating off of you, and perhaps even the tinge of attraction flowing through your veins. “You ready?” He asks without letting go of your hips, biting your lip, you slowly nod. 

Upon laying down on the stretcher, your attention shifts entirely to controlling your labored breathing as you anticipate the sting of the harsh needles. Somewhere behind you, you can make out the sound of Beomgyu pulling on latex gloves and before you know it he’s next to you, sitting down on a movable chair as he plugs in the sharp tool which makes a jarring noise. 

Screwing your eyes shut, you bite down on your bottom lip, preparing for the sting. But it never comes, instead you feel Beomgyu’s hand on your hip as he massages the flesh gently. “Relax”, he murmurs and you can feel his gaze on you, “it’ll hurt less if you do.” Nodding as best as you can, you do as he says; drawing in a deep breath through your nose before letting it out through your lips. 

The pain wasn’t as bad as you thought it would have been. While it did initially sting in an almost unbearable way, it quickly simmered down to a light burning sensation. Beomgyu had told you that the whole process would take about an hour – though he managed to keep your mind occupied with questions about yourself. 

“What’s mom and dad gon’ say about this one?” He asks as he dabs the irritated skin with a piece of paper before continuing. You huff out a small breath of air at the mention of your parents. “They won’t be happy.” – “Why?” He wonders and you think of a way to properly answer. “Well they’re…strict, I suppose.” You say as a small frown crosses your features, “but, I’m old enough to decide on my own. I guess I just wished they would be a little more accepting?” It felt a little weird, opening up about your parents like that to someone you had known less than an hour but Beomgyu hums understandingly behind you. 

“They are your parents, probably only want what’s good for you. I bet they’ll come around.” He says as he dabs the paper against your tattoo once more. You nod, “hopefully.” Beomgyu remains silent for a moment, the sound of the needle working its way through your skin filling the studio, the radio having gone silent half an hour earlier. “And your boyfriend?” he suddenly asks. – “I…I don’t have one..” you quietly mumble, thankful that you were facing the opposite direction as your cheeks flushed with color. 

“Really?” Beomgyu asks in a surprised tone, though you can sense the smugness lingering behind his words. “How come?” – “Such a pristine girl as yourself, thought you were bound to be taken”, he then adds and when you turn your head to look at him, you find a small smirk tugging at his lips. 

“I guess…I don’t know. Maybe I just haven’t found the right one yet…” you bite your lip as you hesitantly peek at his expression only to find him already looking at you. “And who’s the right one?” He asks as his gaze returns to your lower back. “Someone my parents wouldn’t approve of”, you state and Beomgyu raises an eyebrow without looking up from your tattoo, as if expecting you to elaborate. – “It’s silly…but I, I’ve often thought about bringing home someone I know they wouldn’t like, just because I would want to show them that there’s more to people than just their appearance I suppose…does that sound weird?” You hesitantly ask as your eyes focus on the way his lips stretches into a smirk. “Not at all.” 

A comfortable silence falls over the two of you as you crane your neck to watch the way Beomgyu’s hand moves across your back; fascinated with the way the design was coming to life on your skin. Noticing you stare Beomgyu gives you a quick glance, “doesn’t hurt that bad, no?” – You shake your head as a small grin finds its way to your lips, “no, not at all.” 

An hour passes and soon the ink is completely engraved in your skin. Bunching your shirt up, you skip over to the mirror to admire the butterfly on your back with wide eyes. “I love it”, you breathe as your gaze travels along the tattoo, marveling at how well it complemented your skin.

Beomgyu comes up behind you as he, too, studies his work. “Told you, you would rock it.” He murmurs as he kneels down behind you. Startled by his sudden movement you turn around only to be stopped by a pair of large hands on your hips. “Stay still”, he mutters and you immediately comply as your gaze returns to the mirror in front of you. 

Carefully, he wraps a thin layer of plastic over the inked design, making sure to flatten it out with the palm of his hand before dragging it across your stomach. You hold your breath as you watch the way his painted fingers move across your lower abdomen, his touches perhaps lingering a little longer than needed, but you didn’t mind. When he stands up, his chest is almost pressed against your back and you swallow a gulp. 

“You look wonderful, love.” He mumbles as one of his hands finds yours. – He opens your palm for him to place a small note in, your gaze follows the small movement as you frown. Upon opening the paper you realize that it’s a number, presumingly his. Your wide eyes travel back up to his as your lips part in an unspoken question. 

“If you ever consider getting another tattoo”, he smirks. 

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[in1-nutshell]

Greetings, can i request an Earthspark Buddy, who's the youngest terran and was born after the last episode of season one, they got a Brown Bat alt mode, and have a sonic scream. When they found out the first time, they fled to the woods, their family was worried sick, but after some time they came back and told everyone that everything was fine.

They kept dissapearing some days and this worried their fam, they called megatron to help them follow Buddy and find where they go. They find Buddy at the middle of some free space and then they hear a guitar, Frenzy and the other cassettes appear and calls them their adopted sib. Buddy Laughs and Soundwave appears, the maltos and Megs come out of their hiding spot and take possitions to attack and defend Buddy.

Soundwave attacked first and they began fighting. Buddy, in distress, released a Sonic scream. Everyone was on the ground, their sibling couldn’t believe that they controled it after not much time. They told their family that Soundwave was their friend and that the should not fight, Soundwave had been mentoring them on their ability and helping them understand cybertronian things.

The maltos didn’t trust Soundwave because of the past, but Buddy seemed happy with them, and the other way around with the cassettes. The cassettes helped them too, so they controled their ability much faster because of the help they have been getting. Megatron was still 9n disbelief, but he understood. Soundwave had alredy lost a kid, and this one was their new menteé and they wouldn’t let anything happen to them.

By the endeverything turns up good, but now a family member had ti be around in the lessons.

(I love found family trope, you are amazing and don’t feel bad about the other requests, it wasn't your fault)

Love that Found Family Trope too!

Hope you enjoy!

Buddy the Terran with a bat alt mode

SFW, Platonic, Familial, Slight Angst, Cybertronain (Terran) reader

TFE

It was an unspoken rule that Buddy was the youngest.

No one really knew who was the oldest from the newest group of Terrans, but it was agreed that Buddy was the youngest.

Though they were the first to scan their alt mode.

Thrash: “Has anyone seen Buddy?” Mo: “I thought they were with Robbie.” Robbie: “I thought they were with Twitch?” Jawbreaker points to the top of the barn roof. Jawbreaker: “Look!” Buddy is slightly crouching in their new alt mode blinking at the others. Twitch: “They got their alt mode!” Robbie: “Buddy! You’re a bat!” Buddy: “Yeah…” Nightshade: “Why don’t you come down so we can have a better look.” Buddy: “…I can’t get down…” Hashtag: “What do you mean you can’t get down?” Buddy: “I don’t know how to get down!” Robbie: “How did you even get up there?” Buddy squeaking: “I don’t know! One minute I’m visiting Barry and the next I’m on the roof!” Mo: “Who’s Barry!?”

Dot received a video from Hashtag of Buddy in their new alt mode on top of the roof while Thrash and Jawbreaker were telling them to jump into their arms.

Alex was holding onto dear life as his wife hit the gas and sped back to the house.

After nearly another hour of trying to get Buddy from off the roof, they finally alerted Bumblebee to come and help.

Bumblebee: “Its alright Buddy! Its going to be okay!” Buddy slowly inched to the ledge. Buddy: “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Bumblebee: “You’ll be fine! Just jump—AAAHHHHHH!!” SLAM! Bumblebee was on the floor with Buddy sitting on his chassis. Bumblebee groaning: “You were supposed to wait for my count….” Buddy: “It worked when Barry tried it.” Bumblebee: “Who’s Barry?”

Other than the ‘Roof incident’, things seemed to be going well for the Terrans and the Maltos.

That, however, changed on one Family Movie Night.

Hashtag had chosen an old timey slasher film with some of the fakest props ever.

Many of the Terrans were laughing and having a good time… except Buddy.

It wasn’t until a particular jump scare came up that they screamed.

But this scream literally through most of their family back.

In their panic state, Buddy transformed and flew into the woods behind the barn.

Everyone was both in shock and worried for Buddy.

By the looks of it, Buddy didn’t even know they could do that… sonic screech either.

What if they hurt themselves on accident?

What if they got lost?

What if someone found them?!

Dot is about to call in Megatron and Optimus to help look for Buddy when said Terran carefully descended in the middle of the cow field.

Buddy nervously fiddling with their alt modes digits. They look up to see their family run to them. Buddy: “Listen I’m so, so, so, sorry—” Nightshade gets to them first and wraps their wings around them. Nightshade: “Thank goodness you’re okay!” Jawbreaker, Hashtag, Twitch and Thrash also throw themselves into the group hug. Buddy sniffles a bit before they let go and turn to their human family. Buddy: “I- I so—” Mo and Robbie hug them the best they can. Alex and Dot follow right behind. Dot places a hand on the side of their face. Buddy leans into her touch. Dot: “You okay baby? You gave us quite the scare there?” Buddy slowly nods. Buddy: “I… I just needed some space. I’m still sorry about what happened with movie night…” Alex: “Forget movie night kiddo. The important thing is that everyone is okay.” Buddy: “Yeah… I bet Barry was scared too. I need to say sorry to him too.” Alex: “Who’s Barry?”

The family made sure to tell the bots about Buddy’s new screeching abilities the next day.

It was rather difficult for the bots to find ways to help Buddy control/ train their screech.

None of them had experience with training with sound.

Buddy soon found themselves a bit left out on training, so as not trigger their scream.

This was also around the time that the family started noticing Buddy begin to stray into the woods and not come back until the evening time.

At first, they didn’t think too much about it.

It wasn’t until they started missing some mandatory training and coming back even later at night that the family started worrying.

Mo and Robbie tried to talk to them, but they only patted their heads and continued on their way.

The other Terrans tried to talk to them, which led to a sky chase between Buddy, Nightshade and Twitch.

Twitch and Nightshade groaned as they walked back to the house. Robbie: “Where have you two been?” Twitch: “We got lost trying to find Buddy.” Nightshade: “Did they come back?” Jawbreaker: “Yeah, they came back a few hours ago and just waddled to he barn.” Hashtag: “They said they needed to tell Barry something.” Nightshade: “Who’s Barry?”

The latter two got lost in the woods while Buddy returned to the roof of the barn.

Dot decided to bring in reinforcements and calls in the bots.

The next day the Maltos and bots follow Buddy into the woods.

They all hide once Buddy stops flying and waddles a bit into a clearing.

Twitch from Megatron’s shoulder. Twitch: “What are they doing?” Thrash: “Ha! They’re doing the waddle!” Hashtag: “Hush Thrash!” Everyone quiets down at the sound of a familiar jet landing into the clearing. Soundwave transformed right in front of Buddy and let the minicons out too. Buddy waves their wings a bit. Frenzy chuckled as she put them in a mini helm lock. Jawbreaker: “They’re under attack!” Optimus: “Autobots and Terrans roll out!” The bots come out of their hiding places just as Soundwave had picked up Buddy from underneath their wings. Buddy squeaked in surprised at their family and the bots being at the clearing. Buddy: “Guys? What are you—” Megatron: “Release the Terran Soundwave. No one has to get hurt here.” Frenzy, Lazerbeak and Ravage stand in front of Soundwave. Frenzy: “You want ‘em? You’ll just have to go through us!” Soundwave puts Buddy down behind him and readies himself. Buddy had a nervous face. Buddy: “Wait I—” Their pleas were drowned out by the sound of Soundwave’s fist on Megatron face.

The fight broke out.

Thankfully it didn’t last long.

Buddy had let out a low scream, making everyone stop in their tracks.

Once they stopped, they nervously waddled to the middle of the bots and cons.

They explained to the bots and their family that they had been seeing Soundwave for the past few weeks to help train them.

Soundwave had the best experience with sound and how to use it.

They begged Megatron and Dot to let them continue to train under the Decepticon.

Dot looked unsure, but seeing the results did put her in a tough decision.

Megatron just looked at his former friend.

Soundwave looked ready to fight him again in order to continue to see the little bat.

It had him thinking about…

Megatron walks a bit to Soundwave. Buddy nervously began to rub their digits a bit. Megatron looks at Soundwave. Megatron: “… Have you ever harmed them?” Soundwave: “No.” Soundwave: “Do you intend to use them for any future plans with the Decepticons?” Soundwave: “No.” Megatron turns to Dot: “I don’t see why not. Soundwave is the only Cybertronian we know of that can help with Buddy’s new abilities…” Dot makes her way to Soundwave. Dot: “You can train Buddy… but I swear if my kid comes back hurt from one of your outing, I. Will. Come. For. You.”

The first few times Buddy went to training, they had to be accompanied by someone.

From Mo and Robbie to Megatron and Optimus.

Slowly it turned into a babysitter.

Until Buddy went to practice and noticed no one had followed them.

Buddy had flown straight into Soundwave’s arms that day just letting out little jittery chirps and squeaks into his chassis.

Soundwave just held them close to his spark.

This little bat had managed to squeeze their way into his spark and he was not letting them go anytime soon.

[malusmagpie]

Driven To You

Pairing: AU!CarGuy!AnakinxReader

Summary: Y/N has a small crush (obsession) with a car guy in her class and is so wrapped up in avoiding him, she doesn’t realize she might have actually caught his eye.

Directly inspired by the photos of Hayden driving/being around cars bc mmmmmmm delicious.

A/N: IM BACK BABY. SORRY FOR BEING GONE SO LONG I LOVE YALL. ENJOY! P.s. THE TITLE IS CHEESY AND THE WRITING IS EVEN CHEESIER. SORRY IM FEELING ROMANTICAL. This is a slow burn and i intend to do more parts!!!

Word Count: 6.9k

There was a sense of dread that always came over you upon waking up. You’d immediately think of all the things you had to achieve in the day. The thought alone would make your sheets feel all the more inviting whilst making fibres of the carpeted floor in your bedroom look like searing hot needles. This morning though, as you poured the boiling water from the kettle into the cheap insulated mug your college had given you as an acceptance gift, you smiled to yourself. Your roommates were still asleep. You had chosen your courses too late to be picky about what time slot you’d be scheduled with, and the quiet in your little apartment made plenty of room for you to listen to the music you had blasting through your headphones. You stirred your coffee and placed the lid on the tumbler before picking up your bag and keys. You slipped on the shoes you’d meticulously picked the night before and headed out the door, making sure to lock it twice. The dodgy door had a lock that wouldn’t properly latch unless you pulled it whilst locking it — but it worked, is what your landlord had told you and your roommates.

You stared down at your outfit while you walked. When you applied for a fashion degree, you hadn’t quite had the forethought to realize you not only needed to be good at what you did, you had to look like it too. It wasn’t a school mandated rule but it was some sort of unspoken requirement amongst your peers. You’d never been good at making friends and the treatment you had been getting from dressing comfortably during your first semester wasn’t helping your case. Now, dressing well was all you ever did. Leaving the house in clothes that weren’t carefully picked made you almost uncomfortable, even just going to the convenience store on the corner was a mission. You decided to stop hyper-fixating on whether or not the pattern on your skirt was vintage in a cute way or vintage in a grandma way because either way, it would be considered better than leggings and a big sweater.

“If it gauges a reaction, it’s fashion.” Is what your professor always told you. You were careful to only step on the tiles of the sidewalks, never the seams, and you always waited a second after the crosswalk signal went from red to white, just incase some insane city driver forgot what a red light meant. You’d narrowly avoided cars a handful of times during your walks to campus and learned it’s better to be patient.

As you walked you wondered if you’d see him today, the blond boy with the loud car and even louder friends. He was the reason Wednesdays were less daunting to you. It was the one day a week you had a class with him. He seemed kind and quiet which was a vast contrast when you looked at who and what he surrounded himself with. He had an odd name too. You only knew that because you both took the same boring and useless elective course. You didn’t shake away the thoughts, the feeling of a crush always made you excited. Making up stories about them in your head and fantasizing about how they liked their tea was all good fun to you, especially when you knew you’d never speak to the person.

You felt around the outside of your bag on your side until you felt the spirals on your hard covered sketch pad and let out a small sigh when you were reassured that you brought it with you. Your head whipped around at the sound of a loud exhaust coming your way and you smiled to yourself while thinking about how you were psychic and manifesting him, completely ignoring the fact that he was in the class you were making your way to. The yellow car came into view and you prayed it would make it past the yellow light ahead of you. The car was fast enough to do so but you’d never seen him drive fast before. That was another interesting thing to you. A car guy who doesn’t drive like an asshole was almost unheard of.

Your eyes flickered over to the now red light as you saw the car slow down right in front of where you were to cross the street to access the campus. You almost debated walking to the next cross walk and doubling back to avoid walking in front of him. You looked at the time on the giant clock on the front of the campus building and sighed. You couldn’t be late during mid term season. You waited a second when the crosswalk signal switched from a red hand to a walking figure. Your eyes, hidden under sunglasses, watched him in his car. His arm was rested on the door panel and he was biting his thumb nail, looking ahead of the wheel with his other hand lazily draped over it. He either hadn’t seen you yet, or he didn’t care to look at you. Both options seemed to relieve you as you walked. You shook your head to hide your face with your hair and pretended to text somebody on your phone, in reality you were simply typing gibberish into your notes app. You were sure he had seen you for the small duration that you’d walked in front of your car and the thought made you speed up your strides.

As you walked across the grass and towards the door you heard his car drive in to your left and park where he always parked. You smiled to yourself, thinking of the mild annoyance he must have faced when he saw a rusted Prius parked in his spot just a few days ago. It was perfect for you though, from where he was forced to park you could finally see the front view of his car perfectly through the window you always sat at and it made for a decent addition to your sketchbook. You blushed to yourself when you realized just how many sketches you had of his car. You didn’t even like cars, in fact you had sneakily walked behind his car in the parking lot once just to see which model it even was. You just liked him but drawing him seemed far too delusional, even for your liking. Besides, you were never good at drawing faces anyways.

You pushed the large door to the lecture hall and it swung open with ease. You greeted your professor who was nose deep in her kindle at her desk, she barely even muttered a response back. You smiled to yourself when you realized you were the only other person there. It was a smaller class but this gave you time to sit and sketch an outline of your muse, to be completed later. You settled down in your usual spot and snapped a quick photo to reference later before opening your sketchbook. You flipped to the back of the book where your secret drawings were. Not very well kept but nobody was looking through your notebook anyways.

Your eyes nearly popped out of your head when you saw a figure move outside the window. You watched through your peripherals as Anakin slid out of his car and closed the door. He adjusted his pants, which looked about four sizes too big, and locked the car before walking out of view toward the building. You squeezed your eyes in embarrassment and placed your pencil within the spirals, shutting your book slowly. You’d been so eager to draw the stupid car you didn’t check to see if he’d left it yet. You hoped to whoever was listening, whatever greater force there was, that he didn’t see you taking a photo.

You sat there in silence, staring at the wall and jumped when the door opened even though you were entirely aware he would walk in at any moment. You didn’t look at him. You placed your fist under your chin and stared down at your cellphone as he walked to his normal spot. Four rows to your left and two rows back. He sat right in the middle of the back of the class. You wondered what kind of person that made him. Clearly he wanted to be seen by the teacher, but maybe he sat at the back because he wasn’t eager to participate.

You milled the theories over in your head as other students began to file in. You noticed Anakin had come in alone. He usually had his friend with him but today, his friend came in late. He chucked a wrapper of some sort at Anakin and sat next to him. Anakins soft laugh made your heart do a flip and you leaned further into your hand. His voice was deep and it carried quite far even though he was speaking softly to his friend who made no effort to use his inside voice. You didn’t even notice the time fly by as you gazed at the chalkboard behind your professor, watching as the words she wrote turned into jumbled letters from staring for too long.

The bustling of people around you getting up to leave caught your attention and you began to pack up your things with haste. You picked up your bag and pulled it over your shoulder, taking care not to trip down the narrow and steep stairs of the lecture hall. You noticed Anakin and his friend sitting at their seats. They were deep in conversation as they moved at a snails pace to pack up their things. You, on the other hand, were itching to go home to watch whatever dumb show your roommate had on and eat.

The sun was bright when you pushed open the door that led you to the parking lot, causing your eyes to squint. You pulled your sunglasses off their perch on your head and placed them snug on your nose before you heard the door swing open behind you. Your head just barely turned but the sound of a man’s voice calling your name made you swivel on your heels.

“Hey, Y/N.” Anakin said as he approached you. His keys that hung from his front belt loop jingled with each step he took and you looked at him dumbfounded. The class was small but to know your name, that took a little bit of effort surely. “You forgot your charger. At least I think it’s yours. You’re the only one who sits by where it was.” He held out a small white block attached to a matching white cord. You held your hand out with an appreciative smile and he dropped the charger in your palms.

“Yeah it’s mine. Thank you.” You spoke as you shoved the cord into your over stuffed bag. His head moved in a nodding motion.

“No problem.” He said curtly. Your eyes trailed him over for a second before you decided that was likely the end of the interaction and you began to turn.

“Do you like cars?” He asked. You began to panic as you thought of the embarrassing photo you’d taken earlier. You desperately clambered your brain for an answer.

“Not really. Why?” You realized your words seemed a bit harsher than intended and you threw in a polite smile to soften the blow.

“Oh no reason.” He shrugged. You weren’t sure if you were just trying to relax yourself or if he truly hadn’t watched you snap a photo from the large, untinted window of the lecture hall. “There’s a car meet tonight. Just wanted to know if you’d be interested.” He finished and you looked at him. You tried to understand exactly what was going on and why it was going on but your brain left you with no answers.

“No that sounds fun.” You answered before you could think but his eyes lit up ever so slightly and your heart pounded a little louder than usual.

“Oh cool. It’s kind of like a super hushed thing though, a lot of these cars are technically not allowed to be on the roads.” He started and you looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, shifting your weight. “You’ll see what I mean. I can pick you up or did you want to meet there?” He leaned against the wall behind him.

“Pick me up. 42 Queen, apartment 215.” You smiled. “I’m not gonna get arrested right?” You asked and it pulled a laugh from Anakin. He shook his head and you revelled in the way his hair flopped over his head.

“Not on my watch.” He said through a straight teethed smile. “42 Queen. 215. Got it. I’ll be there at around nine.”

You looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Nine? My bed time is ten. I have class in the morning.” You said only partially joking. Anakin rolled his eyes, a disbelieving smile on his face.

“Car meets like this don’t happen before sundown.” He crossed his arms over his chest and you sighed dramatically. Despite your internal panic you kept your composure quite well. For that you commended yourself.

“Fine. I’m doing this for the promise of fun. So I better have fun.” You stated as you began to step back from him. He smiled at you, a knowing smile that signalled that you wouldn’t be disappointed. You took your leave, bidding him goodbye with a nod before walking as fast as you could to your apartment. He watched you scurry away with his hands shoved in his pockets before pushing himself off the wall and heading to his car.

When you got home you went straight to your room and sent your roommate a text, briefing her on the news of today. An excited smile was seemingly permanently plastered on your face. You laid your things on your bed and grabbed your sketchbook before making your way to your small desk. You heard a knock on your bedroom door as you began to sketch away at the drawing of the car, this time it included Anakin sitting inside. The photo you took captured it perfectly. You mumbled for whoever was at the door to come in. Your roommate Jean cracked your door open.

“Busy?” She asked as she entered the room fully, closing the door behind her. You pulled your headphones off one ear and turned to her with a shrug.

“Just drawing.” You muttered as she walked over and looked over your shoulder at the sketch. She knew about Anakin, all three of your roommates did, but she knew about absolutely everything. The drawings included.

“God, you’re insane.” She said jokingly with her eyes peering over your shoulder and you threw your pencil at her. She laughed and picked it up off the floor before placing it on your desk. She leaned against the surface and crossed her arms. “I’m really happy for you, Y/N/N.” She smiled down at you and you wrapped your arms around her waist with a smile. She uncrossed her arms to run her hands through your hair gently.

“Thanks, Bean.” You fondly used the name Bean for her, she wouldn’t dare let anybody else call her that. her boyfriend tried it once and she shot him a death glare so intense he apologized profusely. She was a bit intimidating. Tall, black dyed hair, piercings and tattoos. The whole nine yards. You pulled away from the embrace. Her hands held your hair as you retreated and dropped it gently before returning to their crossed position over her chest.

“Your hairs getting so long.” She was in school for cosmetology and was usually the only reason you looked presentable. You looked down at your hair and nodded.

“I guess it is.” You sighed. You knew she could tell that there was something on your mind and you sighed again. Her blue eyes felt as though they had pierced into your soul and you looked up at her.

“So a date… You never mentioned how it happened.” She sat down on the floor beside your chair. Her arms crossed over your knees as you turned to face her and she rested her chin on her folded limbs, eyes staring up into yours in excitement.

“Not a date. He never explicitly said that. That being said, I left my charger in class so he came and gave it to me and we just talked for a minute.” You smiled and she laughed in disbelief.

“So you didn’t talk to him first. What are the chances? Maybe God does exist.” She mused and you rolled your eyes, your hand reached for a pen on your desk and you clicked it before beginning to colour in one of her tattoos.

———

The hours went by slowly, probably because you were watching the clock every chance you got. You had already changed, and then changed back into what you had on before as not to look like you were trying too hard. You’d redone your makeup and fixed your hair. You brushed your teeth and ate. You even finished an assignment and it hadn’t even struck 7pm yet. You groaned as you walked out of your room. Your roommate was sitting on the couch in front of the television, her eyes flicked over to you with a smirk upon her features.

“Antsy?” She questioned you and you pouted as you approached the fridge, looking for a snack to pass the time.

“Only a little.” You rolled your eyes as you sat the the kitchen bench with a banana. Her hand raised with the remote as she switched from Netflix to Spotify. You watched as she put on a playlist before coming to where you were sat in the kitchen. She reached under the counter into the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of cheap champagne. The sight made you nauseous. Last time you’d seen that type of bottle you were face down in a toilet by midnight. “No.” You started and she laughed.

“Just a few. You’re wound up too tight right now. One or two drinks over the next two hours won’t kill you.” She smiled, waving the bottle in your face and you groaned again. With a hesitant hand you reached out and grabbed the large glass bottle from her. She turned around and opening the fridge with an excited squeal as she grabbed the orange juice. “Mimosas make everything better.” She smiled.

You took the liberty of grabbing two of the delicate glasses she bought for these kind of drinks and placing them on the counter. Jean was a bartender at a fancy golf course so she always had the means to make a good drink at her disposal. It almost worried you sometimes.

“Mimosas feel like a brunch thing.” You mumbled as she poured the glasses 3/4 of the way with champagne and topped them off with what seemed like two drops of orange juice. She smiled, her head tilted as she looked at you.

“Mimosas deserve to be enjoyed all day, any day.” She slid the glass to you carefully and held her own in the air. “To Anakin, I guess.” She said with a shrug and you raised your own glass, clinking it gently with her own before downing half the drink. It was cold and refreshing, and surprisingly, if you hadn’t known it had alcohol in it you never would have noticed.

She was right, the next two hours were spent talking about Anakin. You showed her his instagram where he had no pictures of his actual face. She theorized on how he likely had a crush on you, and you brushed it off. It wasn’t long before you found yourself at the bottom of your second drink and heard a knock at the front door. Your eyes widened as you stared at her and she laughed.

“Go open it before he leaves.” She whispered and you scrambled off the couch and walked over to the door. You unbolted the locks and cracked the door open.

You saw his tall frame stood in front of you, hands shoved in his pockets as per usual. You smiled and opened the door fully.

“Hi.” He said with a soft smile. His eyes moved around your apartment and landed on the bottle of Prosecco and orange juice on the counter. “Pregaming I see?” He asked, his eyebrow raised ever so slightly.

You heard your roommate speak from behind you and you could have jumped out of your skin. She was always such a quiet walker.

“Just a little. I’m Jean.” She stuck her hand out and you watched as Anakin shook it.

“Anakin.” He responded.

“Have her home by one.” She smiled as you slipped on your shoes. You rolled your eyes and looked behind you, shooting daggers at her and she shrugged. “Keep your location on.” She said and you groaned in response.

“Okay. I love you.” You mumbled and she responded with the same words back before you ushered Anakin out of your apartment. You heard the door lock behind you and you sighed. “Sorry she’s just like that. All the time.” You laughed gently and he smiled.

“No she seems cool.” He nodded. The two of you walked down the corridor and into the elevator silently before you piped up.

“So what exactly is a car meet?” You asked, your head turned up toward the boy who stood tall next to you.

“It’s when people with cool cars meet up.” He said, he looked down at you with a smile and an embarrassed blush rose to your cheeks. Seemed clear enough.

“Right. Just making sure.” You nodded and he smiled as the doors of the elevator opened. You followed him out as he led you to where he’d parked. You felt a sense of anxiety surrounding the situation, a new place with a new person made you feel a little uneasy.

When his car came into view you felt your heartbeat quicken and when he opened the door for you, you could have sworn you felt faint.

Anakin leaned on the door panel as you got in before shutting it once he saw you were completely settled. He walked around to the front of the car and sat in the drivers seat as you looked around the vehicle you’d only ever seen from the outside. It felt surreal. The small amount of alcohol in your system was nice but it wasn’t helping much as you watched him settle in the seat and turn the key in the ignition.

His hand pushed at the shifter and the car began to move. “I might have to drive a little faster. Turns out it started at 9 so we’re technically late.” He mumbled as he drove out of the parking lot. You stared out the windshield.

“As long as you don’t kill us.” You smiled and you heard his laugh in return.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He chuckled again as he turned onto the road. He began to speed up and your feet pushed against the floor mat to steady yourself. The roads were mostly clear which was good, you weren’t in the mood to swerve through traffic today. The car was loud over the music playing in his car and your eyes scanned over the radio to see what the song was called. You’d never heard of the artist but it was definitely something you’d listen to. You made a mental note to save the song to your phone as he drove quickly and carefully at the same time. It surprised you how effortless it looked and felt.

“Who taught you how to drive?” You asked when he came to a red light and he placed his hand on the shifting knob, wiggling it left to right as he waited for the light to change.

“I did. My dad owned a shop and would let me drive the cars to and from the lot. When i learned the basics I would take the cars out at night.” He smiled fondly at the memory, causing a smile of your own to creep onto your lips.

“That seems nice.” You responded. “I never learned.” He looked at you for a moment as he sped down the brightly lit streets of the city.

“I could teach you.” He shrugged and you looked at him for the first time since being in the car with him.

“I couldn’t ask that of you.” You shook your head and he shook his right back at you.

“No it would be my pleasure. I like doing this. I’d love to teach somebody else how to do it.” As he spoke, a car head began to take a left turn before he was able to make a right turn and he laid his hand on the horn for a second and the other car stopped to let him go. “I’d love to teach you so I could know you were aware of who has the right of way when making a left. Jesus they just give licenses out to anybody these days.” You laughed gently at his passive comment to the other driver. “I swear I only encounter scary drivers when I have somebody else in the car.” He chuckled and you rolled your eyes.

“Maybe you’re the bad driver.” You said jokingly and he smiled, his eyes shined under the street lamps.

“Yeah, maybe.” He mused as he pulled into a parking lot. It was full of cars and you could hear bass heavy music playing in the distance. He parked his car next to the rest of them and you watched as people glanced over, taking notice of the new vehicle in the parking lot.

“See? It’s literally a meet up for cars.” He said with a grunt as he pulled his emergency break up as high as it could go before turning the car off. The two of you exited the vehicle and he locked it before walking over to your side.

“I see that.” You responded and he smiled sheepishly.

“It’s kinda lame. Just didn’t wanna come alone and you seem nice enough to fall for it.” He said, a joking tone laced his voice. You let out an exaggerated breath and shook your head.

“You were right to think so.” You looked around at the cars around you. There was no more than 50 but you’d never seen this many people and cars in one spot.

He spent the night showing you around, explaining what cars he liked, asking you which ones you liked, and stopping to say hi to people briefly. About an hour in you began to understand why this could be fun, people were doing drifts and burnouts in the empty side of the parking lot and truth be told it was interesting to watch, especially when you knew you could never do that. It seemed he was well known in the community, that would explain why people stared as he drove in.

“Do you still race?” Anakin was talking to yet another guy who was standing by his own car. Anakin shook his head.

“Not since I got that ticket.” He responded. The guy laughed.

“You’re better than the rest of us. I think I have three tickets now.” He chuckled and Anakin rolled his eyes.

“If I was living in my moms basement with a job at the pizza shop I’d have three tickets too, man.” He laughed and the other guy laughed in unison. Anakin pushed his fist against the other ones and began to walk away. You chuckled and he looked down at you. “What’s funny?” He asked curiously.

“Nothing. I would have taken what you said personally but he just brushed it off like it was nothing.” You smiled and he raised an eyebrow at you.

“Didn’t you recognize him? He’s my buddy from the class we’re in together.” He said with a smirk and your eyes widened.

“Oh my god, it was. I didn’t even notice. I should have said hello.” You groaned and he laughed again.

“Now you’re the rude one.” He said with a tilt of his head and you sighed.

“I guess I am.” You responded. You walked next to him, glancing over at cars. You learned you had an affinity for Miata’s. Almost ever car you liked tonight had been a Miata. “You raced?” You asked.

“Yeah. It was fun. I’m gonna do it again soon, just wanted to lay low after I got booked.” He shrugged, his hands found their way into his pockets again. You nodded. You always had an idea of him, and he was proving those ideas to be wrong. You couldn’t help but like the truth of the matter just a little better than the fantasy version of him you had made up.

“Damn, Marty’s here.” He grinned as he pointed to a hot dog stand in the distance. “Honest to God he makes the best hotdogs you’ll ever have. Let me get you one. Have you eaten?” He asked excitedly and even though you had, you couldn’t help but enable his excitement.

“I could eat.” You smiled and he beamed, making a bee line for the hotdog stand.

“Good ‘cause I’m starving.” He called over his shoulder and you sped up to keep up with him. A laugh escaped you as you noticed how fast he was walking.

“Slow down.” You laughed as you reached for his arm. You caught him and grabbed him gently to pull him back. He stopped to let you catch up and looked down at you.

“Maybe you should speed up.” He looked down at you while your hand gripped his arm. Your stomach did a flip as you stopped in your tracks, looking up at his eyes. You’d never noticed how blue they were. The two of you stood silently, looking at each other, before you heard the sound of his stomach grumbling. Your laughter wasn’t easily contained when he looked down at his stomach.

“Yeah let’s get you your hotdog.” You smiled, he chuckled and let his arm drop down just far enough where it grazed your hand and your entire arm erupted in goosebumps. Your hand instinctively went to grab his hand. Your fingers twitching to hold his hand made his hand stop and slowly intertwine with yours. You never broke the eye contact and you felt as if you could hear him speak through just the emotion in his eyes. You had to breathe manually when he started walking toward the hotdog stand again.

He ordered two, one for both of you and pulled out his wallet to hand Marty a bill. He had to let go of your hand to do so but the warmth in your heart bloomed when he went to hold it again as soon as he put his wallet back in his pocket. A small blush rose to your cheeks. He told the man to keep the change and handed you one of the hotdogs. The two of you took turns using the condiments on the side of the cart before sitting down on a curb right next to it.

“How is it?” He asked, his mouth half full. You smiled as you finished chewing.

“Really good. Haven’t had a hot dog in forever.” You smiled and he nodded, humming in agreement. You noticed people begin to leave and you pulled your phone from your bag and noticed it had only been two hours. “It’s not even that late yet.” You said and he looked around. You followed his gaze to red and blue lights flashing in the distance and he stood up.

“Time to go.” He mumbled as he threw the last bit of his food away and you followed him, throwing yours away as well. Your chest began to fill with a small sense of anxiety, you’d never dealt with the cops before. You’d been relatively well behaved your entire life so situations like this were alien to you.

He walked calmly toward his car and you stuck to his heel. As you approached the yellow vehicle he pulled his keys off his belt loop and unlocked your side, opening the door and allowing you to enter fully before shutting it and walking over to his own side.

When he got in the car he placed the key in the ignition and glanced over at you. “We haven’t done anything. My car, while extremely modified, is almost perfectly legal.” He smiled assuringly and you nodded before realizing he said almost.

“Almost?” You asked and he shrugged as he began to push the car into gear.

“Yeah. Almost. Nothing big. If I get out of here now they won’t bother ticketing me.” He mumbled as he checked his surroundings before finding a gap between the other cars that were leaving.

You held onto the door panel tightly as he drove, anxiety bubbling up more every second. You were always prone to freaking out. He took a right from the parking lot and began to drive with the other cars around him. They were definitely all doing speeds that would get them in trouble on the small backstreet. You looked at him again and he glanced into his rear view.

“See? It was only one cop car and now it’s stuck in the parking lot.” You turned your body to glance out the back windshield and slumped back into your seat with a huff, followed by a small laugh.

“I was really freaking out for a minute.” You mumbled causing Anakin to let out a short belly laugh.

“Yeah. You should see how it feels to be booked during a race. That’ll get your blood pumping.” He had a tone in his way of speaking that made you think that one day you might experience exactly what he was talking about. His words almost distracted you from his fast driving.

As he turned down your neighbourhood he slowed down. There was no more cars with you guys and he seemed to relax in his seat.

“Sorry for that.” He started. “And for cutting the night short.” He smiled apologetically, only letting his eyes leave the road for a moment to flash it at you.

“Oh it’s fine.” You mused. “It was kinda fun.” You smiled back at him and your grip on his door loosened. You watched as he pulled into the small crescent driveway of your apartment building and parked the car. “I’d like to do that again, and maybe watch you race one day.” You finished as you collected your purse from its spot at your feet.

“I’d like that too, only if you’re being serious. I can’t tell with you.” He smiled and you rolled your eyes.

“I am.” You insisted as you plopped the purse in your lap and looked at him. “I see you drive every Wednesday. I’ve never seen you drive like that before, though.” You mentioned and it raised a hum from him.

“I only do it when I need to. Sometimes when I want to. Driving to school doesn’t exactly ignite my excitement.” He shrugged and you sent him a playful look.

“What warrants your excitement then?” You asked, leaning your elbow on his centre console and placing your chin in your palm.

“Ah the usual, cars, racing, pretty girls in grandma skirts.” He shrugged and your mouth dropped, a mix of a gasp and laugh flew out of you as you rolled your eyes and lifted your head.

“I like my grandma skirt.” You mused. His compliment settled in your stomach, making it so somersaults.

“I didn’t say I don’t.” His voice was quiet as he looked at you and a blush rose to your cheeks. His hand reached out to brush against yours and you let him grab it.

He brushed his thumb along the back of your hand as the two of you sat in a silent tension. The air in the car seemed thick during the silent conversation you had with your eyes. He cleared his throat, averted his gaze and dropping your hand before pulling his keys out of the car.

“I’ll walk you in, it’s late.” He mumbled as he reached across you and pushed your door open. You couldn’t help but feel mildly disconcerted at his reaction. He seemed so confident in his ability to flirt with you. You couldn’t pin point why he didn’t kiss you, it was one of the most obvious opportunities you’d ever seen. Regardless, you stepped out of his car.

“Sure.” You called behind you as you shut the door. He met you at the front end of the vehicle after locking it and walked next to you. The automatic doors of the building opened and you led him to the elevators. His hands were in their usual place, deep in his pockets as you pressed the button. You looked at him from your peripherals, agonizing over the suddenly awkward tension that filled the air between you two.

As you waited in the elevator you sighed. He looked at you, you pretended you didn’t notice, and the doors opened. The small hallway revealed itself through the elevator doors and you stepped out before him. He was hot on your tail when you finally approached the door and pulled out your keys.

“Can I get your number?” He asked from behind you and you froze, your key only inches away from the lock. You turned to him and nodded, stating off your number. You watched as he typed it in and turned his phone to you, you smiled when you saw your contact name had a grandma emoji next to it and nodded, confirming that he put the number in correctly. Your feelings were in a constant state of fluctuation. You couldn’t pin point whether he didn’t like you, or if he was just an awkward individual. Surely, somebody who looks like Anakin could never be so socially inept. Stranger things have happened, though.

He placed his phone in his pocket before letting his eyes fall on you again, your heartbeat raced as you waited for him to say something. Your eyes searched his desperate to find a hint of what he was thinking but you couldn’t pin point anything.

“Thank you.” He whispered. “For coming with me. It was really nice.” He continued and you nodded your head again. It seemed that was all you could do. You tried to push out some words.

“Me too.” You said and furrowed your eyebrows in embarrassment. “I mean. Sorry. I meant to say no problem. It really was fun.” You scrambled for words to avoid looking like an idiot. He smiled, his hand reached up and rested on your cheek. Your breath stopped for a moment as he used his hand to raise your face toward his. His lips brushed softly against yours and your eyes fluttered shut.

It was over before you even got to understand what happened and he dropped his hand gently, stepping back. He placed his hands back in his pocket as your eyes opened again. You could have died right then and you’d die happy.

“Sorry. Should I have asked before I did that? I feel like I should have asked.” It was his turn to ramble and you laughed gently, shaking your head.

“No it’s okay. I was waiting for you to grow a pair and do that.” You smiled as you turned around to unlock your door.

“Well good thing I grew a pair, huh?” He asked and you turned to him as you opened the door to your dark apartment. Your roommate was likely passed out after finishing the rest of the bottle.

“A great thing, really.” You whispered and he shot you a smile.

“Well, get some rest. I’ll shoot you a text later.” He whispered back as he began to back himself down the hallway again. “Goodnight, Y/N.” He smiled.

“Goodnight, Anakin.” You responded before you stepped into your apartment and locked the door behind you. You hadn’t even gotten your shoes off before your phone buzzed in your purse.

“Hi. It’s later. Wanna do this again soon?” The text from an unknown number read. You laughed quietly to yourself as you typed in a quick response.

“Yeah but you’re gonna have to pick me up until I get a license.” You responded.

“I have 0 issue with that. Besides. I told you I’d teach you how to drive. :)” You laughed at the text as you entered your room for the night.

“Deal. Goodnight. Drive safe.” You responded, your tired body and mind didn’t even let you change or wash your face as you laid in bed. Your eyes fell shut as you heard another vibration come through on your phone but you couldn’t bring yourself to look at it. You told yourself you’d take a look in the morning, but the longer you went without seeing the text, the more antsy you got.

“I’m gonna have to. Gotta take a pretty girl on another date soon. Goodnight.” The text sat in front of your eyes and you let out an excited squeal before tossing your phone on the bed. You cuddled into your sheets and let yourself fall asleep, only hoping to dream of him just so you could see him again.

[ser3nityst4r]

Jamil’s Backstory

Jamil Viper prided himself on his control. For as long as he could remember, he had mastered the art of swallowing the bitterness in his throat, the sting of resentment behind his eyes. His life was a carefully crafted performance, a constant dance of deference and feigned incompetence. 

It all started with a sun-kissed boy named Kalim Al-Asim. The very first memories Jamil could conjure were not of his own home, but of the ostentatious halls of the Asim estate. There, amidst the lavish gardens and echoing corridors, a young Kalim, full of boundless energy and unadulterated joy, declared, "Let's play, Jamil~! I'm gonna win against you this time for sure!"

And Jamil, already educated in the unspoken rules of their world, would sigh inwardly and reply, "Again? I always win, you know? I wanna play something else, too…"

The reprimand was always swift, always predictable. His parents, faces contorted with a mixture of fear and servility, would chastise him for his "disrespect." And Kalim's parents, their smiles never quite reaching their eyes, would praise their "kind-hearted master" for indulging him.

Over the years, the pattern cemented itself into his very being. His father, his voice laced with a desperation Jamil understood all too well, would whisper instructions before every sparring match or competition. "Let Master Kalim win the third time, understand? Don't outshine him."

His mother, her eyes filled with a weary acceptance, would add, "You're a smart child, Jamil. You know how important this is."

And Jamil, his small hands clenching into fists, would whisper back, "I know."

He knew that the Al-Asims were everything his family was not - wealthy, influential, untouchable. He knew that his very existence revolved around serving them, around ensuring Kalim's happiness, even if it meant suffocating his own.

So, he played the role of the loyal friend, the perpetual runner-up, the slightly less capable companion. He let Kalim win at games, even when it meant deliberately fumbling the ball or miscalculating a move. He feigned confusion during lessons, allowing Kalim to bask in the fleeting glow of academic achievement.

He became a shadow, always present, always supportive, yet always a step behind. The bitterness, however, simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over with every forced smile, every insincere compliment.

Even when they came to Night Raven College, nothing changed. The whispers followed them, the expectations remained. And when Kalim, with his usual carefree demeanor, was chosen as Prefect, a decision clearly influenced by his family's generous donations, Jamil felt a surge of rage so potent it nearly broke through his carefully constructed walls.

"He doesn't have exceptional talent!" he'd argued with Headmaster Crowley, his voice tight with suppressed fury. "We're the ones who constantly cover for him!"

Crowley, ever the cryptic mentor, simply chuckled and replied, "Sometimes, Viper-kun, there are things that mere grades can't achieve. Asim-kun's family…well, they do have a way of making their generosity known."

Jamil knew. They all made sure he knew. His parents, Kalim's parents, even the Headmaster – they all expected him to understand, to accept his predetermined role. But understanding did little to quell the burning resentment within him. 

Who was there to understand him? Who saw the sacrifices he made, the talents he suppressed, the dreams he buried deep within himself? The weight of their expectations, the burden of his own resentment, threatened to crush him. 

He was trapped in a gilded cage of his own making, bound to Kalim by invisible chains forged from societal expectations and his family's ambition. As he watched Kalim celebrate yet another victory, oblivious to the true cost, Jamil couldn't help but wonder if the day would ever come when he could finally break free from his shackles.

[givemewallywestorgivemedeath]

K but the fact that Kristen is just a regular human being. Just a standard, average person in a land filled with mystical beings and magic spilling from every crack, nook and cranny.

And here's Kristen Applebees, the first born child of typical suburban parents, born into a religious neighborhood where everyone goes to church every Sunday and prays every night and everyone has a white picket fence with a perfect manicured lawn and not-so-subtly shuns those who are in anyway different from them.

Was Kristen not chosen by her God, by Helio himself, because of her perfect average parents with their perfect average house in their perfect average neighborhood?

Kristen wasn't rich, she didn't have a powerful bloodline, her parents weren't important, there was no prophecy foretelling her birth. No, Kristen was an attainable goal. Kristen was a good example for the youth, an example of what could be achieved if you just played along and played your part.

Kristen was destined to be the perfect picture of a devoted follower of Helio. She was the poster child, born smack dab in the center of Helio's flock, surrounded on all sides by followers and moulded into the perfect unquestioning chosen one since birth.

But by choosing Kristen, by marking her as property of a God, Helio gave Kristen power. Power over him, power over good and evil, the divine and infernal. Because Kristen is promised to Helio, because she was chosen by him and prophesied to be his, Kristen wields the power to start the end of days and crumble nations with a snap of her fingers. Should she want to, Kristen could destroy the world by simply not doing that, by not ending up in Helio's afterlife to live for eternity by his side, by proving a God wrong.

And it's with this power, this leverage that Kristen holds over Helio's neck like the sword of Damocles, that Kristen is able to free herself from his grasp. It's slow, at first. Joining a 'risky' school, meeting people outside of the religion, questioning elders, researching history and religions. And she doesn't understand how much power she has, not at first, because the power she possesses isn't magic, but a divine promise and unspoken rules that govern a world that she was never supposed to know.

But despite not having magic, despite being chosen for her averageness, despite being trained to be naive and blinded to the realities of the world, Kristen is overpowered as, if you'll excuse the pun, hell.

Helio creates divine religious scholars to protect her when she doubts and strays from him. Helio creates an entire new deity and religion for Kristen, allowing her to think that YES! (and, later, YES?) is it's own separate power from his and he does all of this, not out of generosity or love, but because he needs to keep Kristen alive. Kristen cannot die before she rejoins Helio's flock or the divine promise will break and Helio would be fucked.

So Helio gave her power under the pretense of it being from elsewhere, solely so that he could keep Kristen alive until he changed her mind.

And then! And then Kristen dies! And is revived. And she's Saint Kristen Applebees now (but the Saint of who?) and Helio has fully given up on her and turned his back on her (but his prophecy cannot be unspoken and he cannot be proven wrong so does he really? Can he really?) and Kristen finds a new God, a broken God and Kristen chooses her.

Kristen names her, creates her, Cassandra the Goddess of Doubt and Night, and Kristen finally has her religion, a source of power that doesn't stem from Helio, she's finally escaped his grasp.

And yet.

And yet, Helio still spoke his prophecy, still chose Kristen and she will always have that power over him.

And yet, in his own foolish shortsighted attempt to keep Kristen within his grasp, Helio still created a deity for her, a separate divine entity that chose her as well.

And yet, Kristen is still the undying, the follower of Night and Doubt, Saint Applebees, Creator of Cassandra.

With no real magic to speak of, with nothing special in her bloodline, with no real talents or money to her name, the perfect picture of normalcy in every way, Kristen has managed to twist the divine sphere around her little pinky finger. She has so much power and she has so little awareness of it.

And also she's going to be President, bitch.

[starkeven]

Glory & Gore.

Werewolf ! Rafe x Vampire ! reader.

warning : blood sucking, blood kink, HEAVY SMUT UNDER THE CUT, p in v, power play, teeth play ( LMFAO ? idk how to word it. ), family war. lmk if i forgot anything.

Both of your families were sworn enemies, bound by a hatred older than any living soul on the island. You had been here for ages, long before the world changed, back when your kind—vampires—ruled the island in its glory days. It was a time when the night belonged to you, vampires, when power flowed through your veins as effortlessly as the centuries passed. Until the Camerons came.

Werewolves—Camerons feral, proud, and relentless—challenged the natural order of things, turning the tides of power. Their arrival marked the beginning of a bitter war, one that stretched across centuries, leaving scars too deep for healing.

But that was long ago. The wars had quieted, the world had moved on, yet the weight of that ancient rivalry remained, shaping every glance, every interaction, reminding you that some things were never meant to be forgotten—even if the war itself had become a distant memory.

You were both born into this conflict, taught that their blood was your enemy, just as yours was theirs. The Camerons controlled the real estate market, their influence extending over the land itself—every house, every piece of property, every deal went through them. It was their stronghold, their mark of dominance, built stone by stone over the years.

Your family, on the other hand, had secured the island’s lifeblood: tourism. From the grand resorts to the quaint seaside cafes, the sprawling vineyards to the guided tours through ancient, haunted ruins, it was all in your hands. Your name was synonymous with the island's allure, drawing in visitors from all over, their money flowing into your coffers, feeding the empire that had once ruled uncontested.

It was a delicate balance, this division of power. Both sides kept the peace for the sake of the island’s prosperity, but everyone knew the truth—the truce was as fragile as a whisper. Beneath the polished veneer of business deals and territorial lines, the old hatred still burned, ready to resurface with the smallest spark.

Tonight was different. The air was thick with anticipation, charged with an energy that unsettled you more than the usual Midsummer gathering ever had. It was an annual event— a fragile tradition that dated back to the uneasy truce between your families. Every summer, the two clans came together to celebrate the so-called "peacetime," though everyone knew it was more for show than true reconciliation. Smiles were forced, glasses raised in toasts that carried the weight of centuries of grudges.

But this year, you couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen, something that would change everything. You knew he would be here. Rafe Cameron, the heir to the werewolf clan, and the one person who made your blood boil more than anyone else. He had a way of making his presence known, always in control, ruthless, handling everything that belonged to him with an almost brutal precision.

Rafe had a reputation. The kind that sent whispers through the crowd when he entered a room, the kind that told you it was safer to stay out of his way. He dealt with problems the Cameron way—swiftly and without mercy. Anything, or anyone, that threatened his family's power was eliminated, no questions asked.

You had chosen the crimson red dress for a reason. It was bold, deliberate—an unspoken declaration that tonight was different. A statement had to be made, though you weren't entirely sure what that statement was yet. The fabric clung to your figure like a second skin, the deep color standing out against the moonlit evening, drawing attention the moment you stepped into Tannyhill.

The sprawling Cameron estate was as grand as ever, every inch of it a reminder of their dominance over the land. As you crossed the threshold, the first thing that hit you wasn’t the lavish decor or the murmurs of the mingling guests—it was the smell. It slammed into you with an unexpected force, making your head spin and your breath hitch.

Someone was in heat.

It was unmistakable, the sharp, primal scent that clung to the air, seeping into your senses and settling deep into your bones. You weren’t sure who it was, but the effect was immediate. A dizzying warmth spread through you, unsettling and invasive. Every inch of your body seemed to react, a visceral response to the scent, sending a tremor down your spine.

This wasn’t just any night. Whatever had brought you here, whatever tension simmered beneath the surface of this fragile truce, was about to come to a head. And you had a feeling it had everything to do with him—Rafe Cameron. The predator in him was unmistakable, and somewhere in the depths of this house, you knew he was waiting. Waiting for you.

You knew, without a doubt, that it was all for you. The scent hanging heavy in the air, this shameless display of power and lust—it was a message meant solely for you. Your body remembered him before your mind even had the chance to catch up, and the memory of that night came rushing back with a heat that sent a shiver down your spine.

It had been a few moons ago, but it felt as vivid as if it were happening now.

The night Rafe Cameron had taken you, relentlessly, without holding back. His body pressed hard against yours, his skin burning with raw, primal heat as he pounded into you over and over, driving you past the point of control. Your fangs had sunk deep into his flesh, tasting the iron tang of his blood, marking him just as he marked you.

He hadn't just claimed your body that night-he'd claimed every part of you, leaving you so tangled in his scent and his touch that it was days before you could return to your own house. You could still feel the way his scent had clung to your skin, overwhelming every other sense, reminding you with every breath that you had been his, even if just for that fleeting moment.

It was intoxicating, dangerous-exactly the kind of thing that shouldn't have happened between two sworn enemies.

But it had. And now, standing here in the midst of the gathering, with his scent in the air and the tension coiling around you like a noose, you knew this night was no different. He was here, and he wanted you to remember everything.

You shook your head, trying to clear the fog of memories that clung to your mind, and reached for the nearest crimson glass, almost as if it were calling out to you. The liquid was dark, rich, and you downed it quickly—one glass, then another, letting the warmth spread through your chest. By the third, the hum of the alcohol started to dull the tension twisting in your gut, but it didn’t erase the knowing feeling coursing through you.

Then, the sound of applause rippled through the room.

Straightening up, you wove through the crowd, your heels clicking softly on the polished floors, and that familiar sense of unease settled in once more. It was like you were on autopilot, following the sound, knowing what you would find.

And there he was.

Your father stood tall in the center of the room, his face the picture of nonchalance as he shook hands with Ward Cameron, the two heads of the families locked in the familiar dance of politics. But your focus wasn’t on them. No, your heart quickened because standing right next to Ward was Rafe. You could feel him before you even saw him.

He hadn’t looked at you yet, but you knew—he knew you were there. His eyes were scanning the crowd, but his focus was distant, almost strained. You could sense it, the tension in his posture, the way he held himself too still, trying to appear calm and composed, but failing. He was lost already, the scent of you in the room, the pull between you undeniable, even though he hadn’t even laid eyes on you yet.

You slipped through the crowd, watching him from the shadows, a smirk playing at your lips. You hadn’t come near him, hadn’t spoken a word, but you could already feel his need—the way he was unraveling. Even without looking at him, you had him. He was losing himself, and it was because of you.

But deep down, you knew the truth—you weren’t in a position of strength. For all your attempts at control, his scent was overwhelming, sending wave after wave of raw, intoxicating lust surging through your veins. Your breath grew uneven, your heartbeat erratic, no matter how hard you tried to focus. It was futile, especially when you felt it—the weight of his gaze burning into your back. The intensity of it was enough to send a shiver down your spine, like a spark igniting something inside you that you couldn’t hope to extinguish.

It almost felt like a shock, jolting you from whatever fragile hold you had on yourself. That’s when all your carefully constructed demeanor crumbled. The confidence, the smirk, the game you thought you could play—it all vanished the moment you turned around and locked eyes with him.

Slowly, deliberately, you faced him, your crimson eyes glowing in the low light as they met his. And there he was—Rafe. His expression was dark, predatory, but it was the way he licked his lips that made your pulse stutter. The hunger in his eyes mirrored everything you were feeling, and that’s when it hit you—you weren’t any stronger than him. You weren’t any more in control. You were just as lost, just as consumed by the pull between you as he was.

In that moment, it was undeniable. Whatever this was between you, it had already devoured you both whole, and there was no turning back.

And lost, oh, how lost you were. Every rational thought had disappeared the moment he touched you. Now, your body was pressed against the rough bark of a tree, your cheek flushed and your breath ragged as he pounded into you from behind. His fist was tangled tightly in your hair, pulling just enough to make you gasp, while his other hand muffled your cries, stifling the sounds that would've torn through the quiet night. But it was impossible to silence the desperate whimpers that escaped you, the way your body trembled with every relentless thrust.

Rafe was merciless, moving against you with an intensity that sent shivers through your entire being. His chest was hot against your back, his breath heavy in your ear. Then, you felt it-his tongue, teasing along the edge of your ear, sending jolts of pleasure through your already overwhelmed senses.

His voice was dark, taunting, the words dripping with cruel satisfaction. “ What would your poor daddy say if he saw you like this? ” he whispered, his breath hot against your skin. “ Getting fucked by a werewolf... reeking of him for days? ”

The shame of it should've burned you, but instead, it only fueled the fire raging inside you. You couldn't answer, couldn't think-only feel. The war between your families was nothing compared to the war inside you now-one you had already lost the moment he laid his hands on you.

The moment his hand released your mouth, a loud moan ripped free, filling the night air. You could hear him laugh behind you, low and wicked, as his pace quickened. His hands gripped your ass roughly, fingers digging into your skin, leaving marks you knew would last. His breath was ragged, matching the relentless rhythm of his movements, and you could feel your own body betraying you-your fangs revealing themselves as the primal pull between you grew unbearable.

His nails scraped against your skin, each drag sending a mix of pain and pleasure coursing through you. His voice, thick with lust, whispered in your ear-praises laced with degrading words that made your head spin, your mind teetering on the edge of submission and chaos. Every filthy thing he said, every breathless taunt, only pushed you further into the abyss.

You bit down hard on your lip, tasting blood, trying to ground yourself as the sensation threatened to overwhelm you.

Everything was too much. The rough scrape of the tree bark against your flushed skin, the aching pressure of his body pressing into yours, and the intense pleasure that surged through you as his fingers found your clit, playing you like he knew exactly how to unravel you. Pain and ecstasy merged, making it impossible to separate one from the other. Your body was lost to him, lost to the sensation, drowning in the dark, twisted pleasure that consumed you both.

You couldn't help it-your body reacted on its own, tightening around him as the pressure inside you built to an unbearable peak. That's when you heard his voice, cold and commanding.

“Don't fucking do that, ” he growled, his tone laced with warning, before his hand came down on your ass with a sharp slap that made you cry out, the sting of it burning through your skin.

The raw power behind his strike left you breathless, and you could only nod, trying desperately to hold on. But no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't stop the way your body clenched around him, pushing you closer and closer to the edge.

It was building, the pleasure twisting tighter inside you with every relentless thrust, and finally, you felt it-the moment of no return. “ ´m coming... ” you babbled, barely able to form the words through the haze of lust and need.

“ Oh yeah? ” he asked, a cruel laugh slipping past his lips. He knew. He could feel it too, the way you were trembling, so close to shattering. You nodded frantically, seconds away from the release your body was begging for, every nerve alight with anticipation.

But just when you thought you'd finally fall over the edge, he stopped. Pulled back completely, leaving you empty, desperate, the sudden loss almost as painful as the pleasure had been. The shock of it hit you like a wave, your body screaming in protest as you hovered on the brink, denied the one thing you needed most.

“ Rafe-what are you doing? ” you protested, your voice shaky, your body still pressed helplessly against the tree, aching with unfulfilled need. You could barely stand, your legs trembling, but even then, you didn't move away. Some part of you was still hoping, still wanting.

He shrugged casually, as if what had just happened was nothing, his hand smoothing down his suit as he pulled his cock back into his trousers. That damned smirk played on his lips—the one that made your blood boil with anger and desire all at once. God, how you hated that smirk.

“ You gotta work better than that, ” he said simply, his voice calm, almost amused. The arrogance in his words left you breathless, your heart racing in frustration and disbelief. He knew exactly what he was doing to you, how close you had been, and now, he was walking away like it didn't even matter.

And then, with one last look at you, bent over against the tree with your dress still hitched up, he turned and started to run through the trees, disappearing into the shadows as he made his way back to the party. The sounds of the celebration drifted through the night, distant and surreal, as if mocking the raw, burning desire still coursing through you.

He'd left you there, unfinished, throbbing with need, and all you could do was catch your breath, knowing deep down that this was only the beginning. The night was far from over, and whatever game Rate had started, you were already too deep to pull yourself out.

let me know if you want part 2!

[sitp-recs]

hi! would you recs some fic where draco & harry are in a love/hate relationship ? thanks

Hi there! Some fics came to mind, you might also want to check these rec lists: enemies to lovers and hate sex. Enjoy!

Clean by @shealwaysreads (E, 1k)

Sometimes they fight, sometimes they do the other thing.

Defined Parameters by Amelior8or (E, 4k)

Harry is a security officer on a ship stuck in the far end of the Delta Quadrant. Malfoy is the Maquis First Officer they tentatively have an alliance with. If they're going to spend the next 70,000 lightyears together, they need to define the parameters of their power. They just so happen to define it on the Holodeck, during a bout of Turkish oil wrestling.

Between Two Fires of Beltane by secretsalex (E, 5k)

As the war drags on, Draco becomes a spy for Voldemort and works his way into Harry’s good graces—and his bed. When the Order prepares to invade Malfoy Manor, Draco is forced to examine his loyalties.

November Flush by @thecouchsofa (E, 5k)

Draco Malfoy might be an absolute raging arsehole, but he gives Harry exactly what he needs.

Let Me Have You and I'll Let You Save Me by Frayach (M, 6k)

Draco keeps coming back, and Harry keeps letting him. Draco can’t stay away, and Harry can’t live without him.

What I Do to You by gracerene (E, 9k)

These days, apathy fogs Harry's mind. Malfoy's the only one who makes Harry feel anything at all. Harry doesn't really care that the feelings aren't good ones. He deserves it.

I'll never be your chosen one by Andithiel (E, 15k)

Draco doesn't know what exactly he’s doing with Potter, he doesn't know how their unspoken agreement even started, and doesn't know where it will end. The only thing he knows is: he's not in love.

Vanishing Cabinets by Romaine (E, 18k)

Take one Wizarding Family Values politician who has a secret life, and add one Auror who detests discrimination of any type, but becomes a bit obsessed with said politician, and you have enough sparks to ignite a Beltane fire.

Another Mask Behind You by lettered (E, 116k)

Draco is a high-end prostitute who hides his identity. Harry unknowingly hires him. And then there is porn, questions about identity, domestic bliss, more porn, and truth as seen through a web of lies.

He Comes Like a Thunderstorm by korlaena (E, 140k)

Draco is doing his best to balance the life he wants to live and the life he’s forced to live. He’s nearing the tail-end of a long, post-war probation when Harry Potter crashes back into his life with all the grace of a charging Erumpent, breaking through his carefully constructed rules and routine. Caught up in a whirlwind of sex and lust, Potter unwittingly shows Draco that his life as an Incubus doesn’t have to be as lonely and unfulfilling as he thought, but how long can it last?

Temptation on the Warfront by alizarincrims0n (E, 180k)

Draco Malfoy is forced into hiding with the Golden Trio and dragged into their search for horcruxes. What ensues is a journey of redemption, unexpected friendships and an unwanted, turbulent romance with Harry Potter. Warnings for swearing, sexual content, and dark themes.

Bonus: Dronarry scene from a Dron series 👀

Hard to Explain by MildredMost (E, 6k)

Draco is so desperate to avoid the misery of post-war Malfoy Manor, that he and Ron and have fallen into an enemies-with-benefits arrangement. They don't expect Harry to catch them out.

[shatterthefragments]

hi! 💜 i'm intrigued by the Nazareth trans allegory comic [sleep token] from your wip list, if you'd like to share some thoughts about it. have a lovely day! 🌻

🫂💖💖💖💖💖 Ok ok SO!!! Nazareth Trans Allegory comic!!!

RAMBLING ON AHEAD!!!!!!!!

There’s. This is what was in my notes app so far so this is the entirety of the wip basically bc I hadn’t externalized this until I actually started to write an answer for this!!! 🫂

(Brought to you by me listening to Nazareth on repeat last week and a bit into this one so far it is number 1 on my on repeat atm and questioning if I really *have to* put off/forget about gender affirming care Despite The Horrors (bloodwork and surgery) after all I was able to get tattooed and it didn’t even put me in a dissociative tailspin.. if I get to a place I can Get Out of this house (with all my stuff))

^this is presumably from May when I started writing this out. But as of September 11 2024, Nazareth is still number 5 on my on repeat playlist as I mull this over in my head like a rotisserie chicken.

Um. I guess cw for transphobia

And also brought to you by me starting to type:

This is probably nothing but “let’s fuck her up” referring to the girl that

(They all think you are)

And then Promptly abandoning it to go NAZARETH TRANS ALLEGORY.

While I do question my ability to pull it off I am throwing myself off the cliff of “I must make perfect art” and diving into the waters of “if it brings joy or catharsis it is ALL PERFECT” and it’s better to try and to learn as I go than to worry and not create anything at all.

This would be. A short comic. Not like. Not like a book comic or anything.

Will absolutely feature calligraphy bc I’m a sucker and love it 😘(also I’m out of practice and have to reference the alphabets way more than I used to so I want to practice also anything that uses that much black gets assigned calligraphy in my head 😘)

Also unsure of how closely it follows what I’m rambling about here and what I’m actually capable of depicting but HERE WE GO (not sure how coherent I just type things)

But primarily it follows the song and its lyrics and the emotions (?)

TWINKLIEST BITS ARE BEING EQUATED TO FINDING YOUR CHOSEN FAMILY OKAY!!!!!!

And ALSO the jubilation in BECOMING in changing your life to be how you are and finding the joy in living again

So The Wrath. In this. I haven’t fully decided how many interpretations I’m giving it. But it is definitely representing transphobia, particularly from birth families and the people we’re close with.

I’ll see you when the wrath comes.

I’ll see you when you come running to your chosen family (the “I” here) being welcomed in and safe from the wrath touching you.

“Knocking on your bedroom door with money” I mean fuck. Transition related stuff is so expensive 😭 even though I have universal healthcare it’s. Expensive. Even just the binders I have from when I bound on a regular basis were pretty expensive. Makeup to do masculinizing makeup would be expensive (I don’t have or wear makeup (my obsession with dark red lipstick and other fun colours notwithstanding) let alone have the skill currently to do that)

“Building you a kingdom” finally being the king of your own world rather than a subject subjected to so many unspoken rules that just bind you to unhappiness and obligation is what comes to mind at first but honestly I’m not entirely sure what to do for the next line

“Dripping from the open mouth, I’ll show you / what you look like, from the inside” like. I have vague images floating around in my head that I’m not sure how to articulate atm.

Hollow point. You know. Like the syringe used to draw up testosterone from the vial. To a naked body/booty (look. I know that the thigh is just fine as an injection site but I did watch love lies bleeding thanks to @ongreenergrasses so it is in the mind) (yes,, even still…)

Now on one hand. The pronouns are she/her used in the lyrics.

But ALSO could be interpreted as the rest of everyone seeing him/them as her still and refusing to acknowledge their/his identity (undecided on whether anyone else knows in this comic or even how I’d storyboard that)

Also. I won’t be missing you in mirror

They won’t be missing you the pitchfork crowd

So I would be going with the transmasc version bc it’s more related to me and my experiences and how I see things

(Aside from like the one week back in high school where after so long as a boy I was a girl and I was fully like freaking out and wondering how I’d transition before like. It occurred to me. Anyway that didn’t last long and was the quickest gender switch I’ve experienced (I generally say if I am indeed gender fluid then the fluid is a slow moving lava consuming all in its path) and I hovered (and still kinda continue to hover) somewhere in the realm of nonbinary transmasc demiboy or something I’m not thinking too hard about the labels I just want to be comfortable and as happy as possible)

BUT ALSO 👀

Transfem Nazareth

Fuck her up - fuck up the woman you’re expected to be by everyone else.

Hollow point… unfortunately I can’t help but think of the disproportionate rates of violence against trans women and particularly trans women of colour.

[peonywithroses]

I saw the Genderbend TaigaRomeo again because I love it so much,,,,

Now I am in your inbox asking to share your thoughts on the genderbend TaigaRomeo agenda 🥺

hi there!! you're really too kind!!! thank you for loving those silly girls, it makes me super happy 😭🩷🫶 i will gladly share some of my thoughts about them, i'd call it my hcs and even a small theory of their circumstances at the end...? but anyone reading this i just want to warn you it may sound a bit ooc (+ a bit suggestive), i'm not good with such things that's why i rather stick to making doodles... but i did my best to share a bit of whatever is on my mind when thinking about them so please enjoy ^^;;;🩷

• • •

i like to think that romeo can be pretty affectionate when she wants to but decides not to unless taiga is unaware or completely knocked out. like when she finds taiga sleeping peacefully, her hands will always brush the other's hair in a gentle manner, mumbling about how terrible taiga is at taking care of it.

and we know that taiga is a messy eater, the blood of anomalies not only splattering on her face but also sticking together her hair and everything else. she doesn't care, at least not as much as romeo does, romeo who forcefully drags taiga to the bath to clean the girl up. and romeo will nag because she despises mess and nasty blood but there's something more to it. when she watch taiga undress, willing to sully her own hands with filth, fingertips lingering on the other's cheek and lips a bit too long to say it's a casual thing between them.

on the more nsfw side, i think they do it. yeah, they totally do it but it is never initiated by romeo. or more like, romeo has a lot of unspoken demands and taiga doesn't even need her luck to guess them right everytime, setting things in motion herself. she knows romeo's rules about foreplay, she knows the other likes to be treated like the most mighty one in this world and for taiga, she really is. that is why romeo cannot deny her a little indulgence here and there, especially when that kind of pleasure is a great stress reliever and god, bth is stressing her out everyday so she better work hard to pay it off now. when in good mood, romeo will even humour taiga by going along with the redhead's kinky ideas, be it bondage or anything else she might want to do this time.

"this is absurd." scoffs romeo while her hands are tied with the silky ribbon, color chosen to match her eyes. but taiga says nothing in return, hungry glint in green irises as she slowly lowers herself to have a little fun.

but in the end, their relation is still as turbulent as it appears at the first glance. it's not like romeo truly resents taiga or anything, no. but taiga changed after coming to darkwick, she doesn't understand why. whenever romeo gets in dire situation, she finds herself wishing for things to go back to the way it used to be before, when taiga was more reliable, when the future wasn't so scary because they got each other. but better than anyone she knows that life only goes forward, she has to think about the present and whether taiga choose to follow her or not is up to the other.

on the other hand, taiga basically lives in her head, not able to let it go. she knows what will happen in the future and it's too much to handle on her own but it's not like she wants to bother romeo. she will be happier unaware of the fate awaiting them... yet she's losing her mind slowly because of it. romeo's happiness is the only thing she wishes for, the only thing that keeps her somewhat sane in the this sickening world. that's why she will always do her best to defend romeo behind the scene. even if it costs her sanity to do so.

it's a bittersweet relationship in which they know they are bonded for life so there's no need to say it out loud but the more they try to protect each other, the further it drifts them away.

[illumiera]

Hello there! For the firsts ask: 4, 15, W, Z, 🌍 and ‼️

oh, thank you so much for the ask, Senu!! 💖

✨ ask game! ✨

4. first time experiencing grief

Elentari's from a small family—no uncles, no aunts, and as I headcanon that Bretons live a good while thanks to their mer blood, her grandparents had already passed on by the time her parents got around to having her (or did so when she was very young). that means her first time experiencing grief was, unfortunately, when her mother, father, and little sister were killed by the Dark Brotherhood, and while Mara could save her thanks to the divine in her (in other words: that dragon soul!), her family's mortal bodies could never have withstood the touch of a god. she misses them so, so very much. (and blames herself for their deaths, too.) 🥲

15. first thing they remember feeling proud of

for Elentari, this must have been something magic-related! though it was considered "improper" for highborn girls in Daggerfall's restrictive noble circles to learn the arcane arts, her mother insisted upon teaching her and her father encouraged her. I think it was a very proud day for a young Ellie, the moment she tried and tried and finally cast a spell and did it well, and after that, she began dreaming of becoming a great mage or a travelling healer.

W. first time they realised their relationship is endgame... or isn't

I can't help but think that Elentari and Miraak have always had the sense that their fates are intertwined, whether it's to be with one another or to be the death of one another. how much they (well, Ellie, really, considering she's the one so deep in denial they could find evidence of her in Ancient Egypt) are prepared to acknowledge that, though, is another question entirely! destiny aside, they'll realise that their relationship is endgame through the little things: how they can feel safe with one another and seen with one another, how they can laugh and cry and learn together, through late-night cuddles as they talk each other out of nightmares, and through winged flights with the wind in their hair. for two Dragonborn who have always felt like strangers walking on Nirn, at home with neither mortals nor dragons, this is one of the most precious things of all.

Z. first time they said "I love you"

while they're both very loving when it comes to words and actions, both Ellie and Miraak are usually the sort of people who let their I love yous go implied and so unspoken it's downright obvious in all the things they do and say. that said, should there come a moment where they're both ready to become a couple, and to accept that through time and destiny and life and death, they've chosen one another again and again? that's where we'll find them saying "I love you." 🤲 (oh, and perhaps their fic's title counts as an I love you, too? because I'm a sucker for when stories find a way to include their titles in prose or dialogue, and so i fear no fate (for you are my fate) will most certainly be spoken aloud At Some Point!) 😼

🌍. first attempt at worldbuilding, or a notable piece of worldbuilding you're proud of

ah, I love worldbuilding, and it almost certainly shows at least a little in my writing! probably one of my favourite pieces of worldbuilding (and some of the first I came up with, now that I think about it) is the lore I have for the dragon cult and Atmora. canon doesn't tell us much about it, which more or less gives me free rein to invent personalities for the dragon priests, make up some rules Miraak would have lived under, and think of what life would have been like back then... which Ellie gets to see, too, both through Miraak's recollections and through dreams that take her through time!

‼️free space! tell us about a notable "first" in your writing journey!

here's a first! I'm a shy sort of creature, so while TES isn't the first fandom I've written for, it is the first fandom in which I've worked up the courage to involve myself as anything more than a lurky lurker from Planet Lurk. it's been so fun, getting to know/scream with/ramble with talented friends and mutuals and bouncing braincells/ideas/jokes back and forth, rather than just... "I have finished a chapter. lo, it has been released into the wild. the proverbial crickets are chirping a lovely song tonight, aren't they?"

[sorentymn]

In another life.

Sigrid hailed from a noble Asgardian family with ties dating back to the dawn of Odin's reign, making her family an important influence at court. She grew up closely with the princes, especially Loki. This familiarity would blossom into something more over the span of years.

Loki x femme reader, multi-chapters

Disclaimer: NSFW, violence mentioned

Thor and Loki's age are portrayed closer to human comparisons here for the sake of the story. Apparently Thor is 500 years older than Loki so that's something?

Chapter 1. Purpose

Chapter 2. 'Frode'

Chapter 3. Runaway

Prologue

As one begins to comprehend the world, they are greeted with wonderful truths like the warmth of the sun, the trilling of birds, and the sound of laughter...all the while learning the harder inevitable conditions. One of the most important distinctions taught to her from a young age was the difference between those with power and those without.

"Remember, you will all dine together, play with one another but do not mistake yourself as their equal. They are destined to rule the nine-realms and we must do our part to make it so. They are our saviour and our undoing."  

A veiled warning given to her and her sisters far too young, but the severity of it is not entirely lost. This lecture came about as a result of a quarrel she and Loki had when they were barely seven. The consequence of that squabble resulted in a mantra she often repeats to herself in her younger years then eventually the physical words became something less literal. It dissolved into every movement she makes and every word chosen. Funny something so impactful to her upbringing should come from something so childish, she doesn't even recall what the quarrel was about in the first place.

The years withered away as the bunch grew to be taller, prettier and occasionally wiser. They never out grew one another or the knack to drive each other insane. Each day is an opportunity for misadventure and none could take this from them. Factions eventually formed, there is kin and then there's equally stronger alliances. Her young twin sisters had taken to Thor and his rowdy entourage. They'd escape for late night jaunts in the pleasure districts while she preferred something complete opposite.

Despite their ceaseless battles as children, when the dust settles she and Loki would play next to one another once again as if nothing happened. It was an unspoken bond decided before either of them could pinpoint. They both preferred debates, literature, games and such. Even when they aren't interacting they have the same place they feel safe in and this alliance even if she would never outwardly admit it, means the world to her. They're outnumbered but never alone.

Chapter 1.

[midnight-serendipity]

Timeless

Anakin Skywalker x Padme Amidala

A Star Wars AU x Greek Mythology AU x Multiple Crossovers AU

Synopsis: The late Ares had met his demise. As it was written - a primordial rule known only to the Gods - one destined mortal would transcend to divinity and claim the fallen one’s throne.

A one shot love story between two Olympian Gods.

Where Anakin Skywalker is Ares, the God of War.

And Padme Amidala is Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom

Rating: M

Warnings: Mentions of war, Mentions of death, Mentions of Pregnancy, Smut

Word count: 8.4k

~

Four thousand years ago…

“Anakin!” the Toydarian shop owner shrieked. “Where is that boy?!”

“I’m here.” 

“What took you so long?”

“I came here as fast as I could.”

The boy and his owner busily carried on with their daily tasks - Anakin with fulfilling whatever Watto threw his way, and Watto with his shady dealings - completely unaware of the eyes that observed them. Just like any other mortal all across the universe.

~

“He is the chosen one,” Zeus bellowed as all of the deities peered at the basin. Athena frowned in confusion as she stared at the face of the young boy.

“But he’s just a boy. There must be some mistake.” Hera’s voice rang with concern, her motherly instincts kicking in.

Athena looked at the rest of them, each one looked as doubtful as the other. The late Ares had let his guard down and met his demise from a poisoned drink while celebrating his latest victory in Exegol. As it was written - a primordial rule known only to the Gods - one destined mortal would transcend to divinity and claim the fallen one’s throne. It was the same for Padme when she had been chosen to step into the shoes of Athena. She was only fifteen at that time, and the transition had been very difficult for her.

How much more for this boy who is barely twelve?

“It is prophesied. He will be the one to bring balance to the universe.”

Athena frowned. She had not heard of this prophecy before. Had it been written way before her time?

“The pull of darkness has always been strong within Ares. But there is also light inside him. To restore the balance in the universe, he must first find that delicate balance in him. That is the prophecy of the chosen one - to do what others before him had failed to do. ” Zeus answered their unspoken question. 

She understood the concept right away. But believing it was an entirely different story.

Ares only ever had one role to play. Was it really possible to find balance when your purpose was tied with war?

Athena didn’t know that she would find the answer to that five hundred years later.

~

Anakin’s transcension happened in the middle of the night, when the boy and the rest of Tatooine slept. A light shone inside his room, bright enough to rouse him from his slumber. He woke up shielding his eyes. He didn’t even know where the light was coming from, but it was as if the small storage room he made a home in was…glowing.

Once his vision adjusted to the intrusion, Anakin frowned. Right at the foot of his cot was…a door made of light?

But before he could ponder whether or not he was still dreaming, a funny looking man with kind eyes came out of it. And unlike where he came through, he looked very much real. 

“Hello, Anakin.” He smiled. 

Anakin blinked. “Who are you?”

“I am Zeus. But I used to be known as Qui-Gon Jinn.”

~

The man called Zeus but used to be known as Qui-Gon Jinn assured him he wasn’t dead yet. He wasn’t sure what death felt like. But the void surrounding him didn’t convince him of that.  

It looked like they were inside an orb. Pathways made of light, too many for him to count, were scattered all over. There looked to be thousands above the one they were walking on, and thousands under it, too. There were some that intersected, but there were much more that never touched. But what he found most intriguing was that it didn’t seem to connect to anything. 

At least not to the naked eye. 

Much like the door they came through - vanished like it had never been there.

“Where are we?” Anakin finally gave in to his curiosity. 

“This is where everything meets. The thin divide that connects Gods to mortals - the World Between Worlds.”

~

“Welcome Ares.” Apollo greeted him. 

Athena’s heart squeezed, the boy looked much younger than she remembered. 

“Could you please call me Anakin?” 

The deities looked to one another, each of them unsure how to handle a child and his petty requests.

“We refer to our immortal names, that is how it is when we transcend to divinity,” Poseidon answered.

“Yes, but,” he swallowed, as if pained, “my name, it’s the only thing I have left from my mother. I just…don’t want to forget her.”

Athena’s heart dropped. Along with everyone else’s in that room. They all knew the story, how she died in his arms. He was only nine. Suddenly, the request did not seem petty at all.

“Of course, Anakin,” Hera answered without pause, reaching for his hand. 

The Gods have gathered at the gates to welcome the new deity and accompany him to his new abode. 

Each of them was gifted with one upon setting foot into divinity. 

Zeus had his up the mountain top, the only one casted in gold. Hera’s was made of pure platinum, structured just a few meters below Zeus’s. Apollo’s was down by the shoreline, always the one greeted by a new day’s first rays. Aphrodite had hers in the meadow. Poseidon’s, rightfully by the lagoon. Her own was by the brook. Its peaceful echoes, without fail, a welcome rest to her assiduous mind. 

The rest was scattered all over Olympus. Twelve temples for the twelve Gods. Each as regal and imposing as the other. 

Except for one.

The twelfth one was unlike any of the rest. It was the only place in Olympus where the sun never rose and the night never touched, bathed in a perpetual sunset. It sat, solitary, atop a rock formation. A river of molten lava licked its banks, casting shadows of red-orange flames around it. 

The sole place in the Heavens that was fit for the Underworld. 

Back when it had been Palpatine who resided in the temple, she didn’t give it much thought. 

But now, Athena found it extremely difficult to reconcile that same place with this child. 

His hand was still held within Hera’s as she guided and introduced him to each immortal there. Athena was the last in line, and when they stopped in front of her, it was unmissable how the smile he flashed her was the biggest they have seen on him since his arrival. 

A few months from now would mark her seven hundred and twenty-fifth birthday, and with a face of a nineteen year old, she was obviously the one closest to his age.

But whatever the reason for his ease, it felt contagious. 

Athena beamed at him. “I’m Athena. But you can call me Padme.”

She still didn’t have a clue about the prophecy Zeus spoke of. But she desperately hoped that Anakin was indeed the chosen one the God believed him to be. Anakin seemed too precious to lose to the dark side of Ares.

~

Present…

The setting sun cast a warm blend of pastels as its rays ricocheted off the marble tiles and stone pillars of the temple. The flow from the brook was music to her ears and the pleasant smell of lavender entwined with its echoes. 

On other days, the Goddess would have taken pleasure in basking in and observing this splendor. But not even the magnificence of her own garden could distract her from the mess of her own thoughts as she continued to pace around her temple, the trail of her midnight blue gown, billowing after her steps. It was a rare sight to see the normally graceful and sophisticated deity on edge. But on the few times that she was, it was always tied to him.

I know wisdom is your domain, but to me, you are my Goddess of love and beauty.

She halted on her tracks, and turned. She found him leaning against one of the pillars so casually, with that signature smirk of his. It would’ve been enough to have her fooled that this evening was one of their usual picnics followed by endless hours of frolic and exploration of each other’s bodies. But his attire told her the opposite – the perfect harbinger of the news she was trying so hard to elude. He was decked in his gilded armor, matching helmet on hand, sword tucked delicately in its sheath against his hip, while the wind toyed with the red cape that hung from his broad shoulders. She despised the mere thought of war, but every time he rode to one, he always looked so regal, so handsome.

She watched as the smirk on his face grew. He knew he rendered her speechless once again.

Padme rolled her eyes, but the uplift of her lips was evident. Such irony that the bane of her existence was also the one who quieted her storms.

“Be careful, you don’t want our darling Aphrodite to think you’re mocking her.”

Anakin chuckled and shook his head. “Adaline knows I would never. She knows I am simply besotted with you.”

But her relief was short-lived. She could continue with this charade, if only to mask and delay the inescapable. But he granted her an opening, and it was an invitation she couldn’t help but to sink her teeth into.

“Besotted enough to stay here if I asked?”

Anakin’s smile fell. And instantly she hated herself for falling prey to her own selfish whims. Anakin sighed. He placed his helmet on the stone bench and in three purposeful strides, he towered over her, her face cradled by his hands.

“Athena.”

It was also very unusual for the Goddess of wisdom to feel small, fragile. But she always found herself in such a predicament when he called her by her divine name and with that gentle tone that he reserved when he disagreed with her.

“I hear their prayers. They call for me. I have to intervene.”

And it was true. Each time she visited the chamber of prayers, she heard the mortals cry for him.

For Ares.

It had taken nearly a century for this war to brew. Padme, knowing the repercussions of one, immersed herself in anything and everything she could get her hands on – sending omens, appearing in dreams of warning, whispering in their ears, and even going as far as to seizing control of the queen’s mind and later on posing as one of the senator’s. The latter two had been frowned upon by Zeus, Obi-Wan and Anakin at first. Only to realize later on and admit that her efforts had been effective. She had managed to delay it by seventy years. 

Still, it didn’t feel sufficient. 

But this current war tyrant was even more relentless than his father. And there were things inevitable, even from the Gods themselves.

But was this truly inevitable?

What if I wasn’t as thorough as I thought?

What if there was a detail I overlooked, a participant I missed?

What if –

“Hey, hey.” Anakin grasped her chin with his thumb and forefinger, tilting her head up by a fraction. “I know what’s going on in that pretty head of yours. None of that, alright?”

“But what if I –”

“No. I know you gave it your all. Master Qui-Gon said so, too. Or do I tell him you doubt him?”

Padme couldn’t stop her grin. “You do know we agreed that he and Hera are the only ones we can’t call by their mortal names?”

Anakin grinned back, smugly. “I’m the exception to the rules.”

That. Was a very irrefutable statement.

Looking at him again, her smile was quick to take a somber turn. “I want to come with you.”

Anakin raised an eyebrow as if expecting something. When Padme didn’t continue, he smiled and shook his head.

“Funny you say that.”

Padme recoiled, hurt.

Anakin sighed. “I don’t mean it that way. I know you can hold your ground in the battlefield. But,” he trailed off, settling his hands on her still flat womb. “You were going to tell me, right?”

Heat bloomed on Padme’s cheeks as she looked away from him. She didn’t have the courage to admit it, but that was all he needed to know that she did plan to use their unborn twins as her bargaining chip at some point in this conversation.

Anakin chuckled lightly. “Now when,” he drew her face back to him with a gentle hand, “did you ever become so cunning, my darling?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. But the moment you leave Olympus, you lose its protection.”

Age would still come at a century’s pace, and he would still have the strength of a hundred men. But immortality would no longer cloak him. Anakin was no stranger to this. After all, it was Ares and Apollo who often gave aid to mortals when a war broke out. The scar that ran on the right side of his face, from temple to cheek was a stark reminder of that – a token from the last war he plunged himself in. Vulnerability was about to claim him again, and Padme refused to think to what extent this time.

His hands went back to her cheeks, as he stepped closer. “We’ve loved each other for thousands of years. Do you doubt me now?”

Padme shook her head, moisture clouding her vision. “Never.”

“Then you know that I will always come back to you. Now, more than ever.”

And it was true, no matter how long it took him, he always came back to her.

~

Three thousand five hundred years ago… 

The Gods all stood by the gates of Olympus once again. Anakin Skywalker was due to return from his training. Padme couldn’t quell her excitement. She was fond of the little boy. So much that she joined Hera in admonishing Zeus when he first told them of the young one’s upcoming training.

He was Ares now. They didn’t have to ask what training he needed. But still, he left with Obi-Wan, eager to fulfill his responsibilities.

Padme shook the despondent thoughts away. The important thing was, he was coming home. Today. She clutched the necklace he fashioned for her tighter now.

And just as they promised, as soon as the thirteenth sun for the eighth month arose on the five-hundredth year, two silhouettes appeared in the distance. Only, there was no little boy in sight. The two figures drew closer, one clearly towering over the other. She didn’t need to guess which deity was which.

“Welcome back.” Zeus greeted as soon as they finally stepped foot within the gates.

Padme’s heart gave a stutter. Obi-Wan still looked quite the same from when they left half a millennia ago. But Anakin did not. The meek little boy was gone, and in his place was a young man. Everything about him screamed power. Confidence sat on his broad shoulders. He stood straight and tall, stance fit for a king. 

But it was his face that took her breath away. He had cheeks and a jaw that looked to be carved from granite, ocean eyes deep and all-seeing. His hair was a darker shade now, more honey than golden. Longer too, as his bangs curled on his forehead. The sides combed slightly over his ears, the back kissing the collar of his dark robes.

He was a sight difficult to look away from. 

But a poke to her ribs did make her look away. Adaline. 

Padme glared. “What?”

“You didn’t greet them.”

Padme’s eyes widened. They were supposed to echo the greetings after Zeus. How could she have forgotten and not heard the other Gods?

She opened her mouth only to be silenced by the sly twinkle on Adaline’s blue hues. “It’s alright. He is easy on the eyes, isn’t he?”

“–”

“And he’s gotten quite the experience, living with mortals. You’ll never know, he might be able to give your busy mind some well-deserved distraction.”

Padme blinked, warmth slowly creeping up her cheeks. She didn’t need to ask. After all Gods were allowed to partake in pleasures with humans when in their realm and the child in Anakin was clearly gone now. Still, she refused to have her thoughts paint him in that light. But it was too late now. The seeds that Adaline planted in her mind sprouted, and there was no way to unsee the images of what those soft pink lips would look like up close. Or how his curls would feel in her hands if he was hovering and panting above her, maybe have his head between her legs, too.

She felt like she was about to burst in front of all the deities. And that wouldn’t be a pretty sight.

Padme closed her eyes, drawing a breath or two, she willed her heart to slow down and ignore the whispers the tease of a Goddess blew her way. After all, she wasn’t Goddess of wisdom for nothing.

And she would have been that close to believing it too and garnering a feeling of triumph over it. Until Zeus had turned around, beckoning the newly arrived Gods to follow him. Obi-Wan smoothly fell into step after him. Anakin remained a second behind and turned, singling Padme out with ease. He looked at her, like she was the only one in all of Olympus and Padme could have melted right on the spot with his fiery gaze. Then just like that he flashed her a grin and a wink then left to trail after the two Gods.

The heat returned to her with a vengeance.

He had heard her thoughts. 

She will never admit it, but she had focused her entire energy in avoiding him.

It didn’t last long, however.

The next day, Padme had been intent on getting an early start. Daybreak hadn’t even arrived yet when she found herself at the Chamber of prayers. To her surprise though, she wasn’t alone nor its first occupant.

She didn’t have any idea how long he had been there already. But judging from the number of used scrolls beside him – a while. He glanced up at her. She steeled herself for some teasing, maybe even a little bit of arrogance. Only, none came, when he looked up, he only gave her a small smile then went right back to his scribbling. As if all the playfulness from yesterday didn’t even exist. But he wasn’t the only one with a purpose. She went to the chamber with a mission, and Padme was determined to see it through – regardless of his presence, nor behavior. So, with a roll of her shoulders, she marched for the basin and planted herself in front of it, eyes and ears dedicated to all calls to her.  

Senses diluted in her task; she was vaguely aware of the hours as they ticked by. Focusing on the most dire ones was of course a priority. Once satisfied she had answered all she needed to, she took a step back, letting the present slowly come back to her.

The first thing she noticed was the sun, now high above Olympus’ skies. The second was the silence. No sound of the rough glide of a quill over parchment to be heard. And yet, she didn’t even need to turn around to know he was still there. His presence filled the room. But when she did, she found him drawn in concentration as his eyes meticulously devoured each line on the scroll he held.

Curiosity finally won her over. “What are you doing?”

Anakin looked up, startled. “Oh. Just making sure I didn’t forget one.”

“What one?” Padme’s head tilted as she stared at his eyes. It was as piercing as always, but it carried a sheen of guilt and sadness that held her in confusion.

“Names of those who died in the war.”

“And you’re listing them down?”

Anakin nodded. “It’s my turn to pray for them.”

Padme’s mouth fell open.

“To Charon, that he’ll be kind enough to ferry those who were buried in the enemy’s soils and not given obols, that I’ll pay him in return. And to Hades, that he’ll give them a just judgment and rest to their souls.”

“Why?”

“They died during the war. I failed to keep them safe.” He shrugged. “It’s the least I can do.”

Feeling inexplicably drawn to him and unable to stop herself, Padme sat down on the bench beside him.

“Anakin, there is always death in war. You know that.”

“I do know that. But they called out to me. I just want to help in any way I can.”

It was silent for a short while and Padme was momentarily distracted by the slight tinge of pink on Anakin’s cheeks. But that too didn’t last long as he turned to her with eyes made of steel yet housing a little bit of uncertainty.

“Padme, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“When I – if I die and if there was a chance that Ares dies with me entirely, will that…end all wars?”

For the first time in a very long time, the Goddess of wisdom was struck speechless. She did not know if it was because of the look of determination that hardened his handsome face – as if he would be ready to shed his immortality and fling himself off the fiery banks surrounding his temple if she said yes.

Or, if it was because she finally understood what Zeus meant all those years ago.

Before Anakin, Padme had come to know only one man to don the title of God of War - Sheev Palpatine. 

Palpatine was always deliberate and meticulous in his every move. He slaved over plans and strategies every time a war broke out. Padme looked up to him for a time, admiring his dedication. Until she found out his real reasons.

“I enjoy the politics behind one. I have a great love for puzzles.”

Oh, the horror on her face when she heard him say it. Wherever war was, death surely followed along with destruction, hunger and suffering. And here was one who basked in it.

He lived up to twelve thousand years. 

Before him a male from the Dathomirian Zabrak race occupied the war God’s throne - Maul Opress. Padme never had the displeasure of meeting him, but as per the other Gods’ recollections, he was the exact opposite of his successor, and aptly labeled as the most reckless deity to have ever transcended. 

He was also known as the divine being with the shortest immortal life.

But if there was one thing common between Maul and Palpatine - and perhaps all the others who came before them - is that they thrived in going into battle. They took great relish in the prestige of being war gods and heroes.

Anakin however was an entirely different story. There had always been a subdued and somber side to him, one she had once been sure he would grow out of. One look at him now, she knew that was not the case.

There had noticeably been fewer wars since he ascended to the role. She always associated that with luck.

But no, she finally understood.

That if he could, Anakin Skywalker would willingly and gladly contain all conflicts within him. If it meant ending its devastations once and for all. These past five hundred years had been the most peaceful the universe had ever known. Only because the explosions were going on inside his head – the cost of balance.

Padme’s heart ached as she stared at him. Chaos had never looked so beautiful.

She didn’t know if that was the pull that made her snap. But in the next second, Padme threw herself onto him, lips claiming his. A sound of surprise came from Anakin but was soon forgotten as his hands came around her, pulling her impossibly closer.

His lips were warm, soft yet firm as it moved against hers. She had been the one to initiate it, but dominance was pretty much second nature to him as he easily pulled it from her. The warmth of his palms seared her skin as he cupped her face in his hands. Padme gasped as he softly bit her bottom lip, granting entry to his prowling mouth.

And when the tip of his tongue gently touched hers, she was chocolate melting in his arms. Padme’s hands trailed down to his chest. It was firm underneath her fingertips and she wondered what it would feel like against her skin.

Padme shuddered as Anakin’s lips left hers and started tracing a line down the column of her neck. She shifted and a loud moan was pulled from her as something stiff and definitely not small, brushed her between the legs. She wanted more. Planting her knees on the sides of his hips, Padme secured a firm hold on his shoulders, desperate to chase that feeling again and again and –

Wait. When did I get on his lap?

She straightened, her eyes snapping wide open.

Anakin, not having caught on to her inner turmoil yet, continued mapping her chest with his mouth. Padme flushed, it was one thing to just feel it but another thing to watch it, too. His lips were dangerously close to her neckline. She bit her lip wondering how he would react if she were to pull it down by a little.

What am I doing?

Scandalized, Padme pushed him off her and scrambled off his lap, hands hastily fixing her disheveled gown. Anakin slightly tipped forward, eyes opening in a daze. Confusion was evident in his face until the image of Padme fixing herself finally made his brain catch up. He stood up, red blotching his face and neck.  

“Padme I – wait! Padme!”

Anakin continued to call out for her, but Padme was adamant to make a run for it. She was grateful that he didn’t chase after her.

Although, if she were to stop and listen to her heart of hearts, she would know at that moment that there was a part of her wishing he would. But the Goddess wasn’t just wise.

She was also stubborn.

And maybe that wasn’t a trait to be proud of. But right now, it dug through her veins, fueling her intent to get to the bottom of things.

It took her a few moments, but she found the bottom of things the next day.

At Aphrodite’s temple.

“Oh, hello Padme, come have some tea.”

“I didn’t come here to have tea.”

“Come now –”

“No! I don’t want to hear it and I don’t want to be part of your pranks!”

The only response Padme received was a curious raise of a brow.

Padme steeled herself, “whatever you did – reverse it.”

“Oh.” Unfazed, Adaline’s voice rang with amusement. And by the glint in her eyes, Padme knew she needed to brace herself. “Or you could own up to whatever it is you did.”

“I – I – No – I – He –”

Adaline’s eyes narrowed. “Did you kiss him?”

Padme’s face was on fire.

“Oh.”

“Because of you!”

“Excuse me?”

“You! You’re the Goddess of love. You just – you just make things happen!”

“Oh, that age-old misconception again!” Adaline sighed, exasperated. “I help make love matches happen, not love spells. I don’t manipulate people and certainly not deities to act on their impulses.”

Padme glowered.

Adaline sighed again, albeit on a calmer note this time. “Have a seat Padme, come have tea –”

“I don’t want tea!”

“Padme, you are at my temple, therefore you’re my guest. Please, come sit and have tea.”

Padme’s mortification resurfaced with a vengeance, only this time of a different nature. Both of them boasted of more than a thousand years of divine experience under their belts, and yet here she was acting like a petulant child. To make up for it, she did as told and with a timid hand, accepted the piping hot cup.

She had no clue what kind of tea was in the cup. But she did detect a faint aroma of cinnamon, and the hint of spices were a pleasurable surprise to her tongue, and after a few mouthfuls, she felt soothed.

“Where I come from, people have a lot of quotes about love.” Adaline spoke. Her relief and calm, palpable.

“Earth?” Padme asked and Adaline gave a nod. Humans, like all other races, were scattered across the universe, each ethnicity possessing a telltale characteristic. The ones from earth seemed like an eccentric one.

“But there’s one that perfectly sums it up for me. Whatever our souls are made of –”

“His and mine are the same.” Padme finished. She had heard of it before.

Adaline nodded, placing her cup down. “When someone is born, I see something in their souls. It’s like,” she trailed off, lips pursed as she searched for the right word, “a spark.”

“A spark?” Padme repeated.

“Yes, it’s usually dull and small. But when they finally meet the person with the other half of that spark, it explodes into something beautiful and big and bright. Sometimes they meet other people along the way who – how do I put it, hmm?” Adaline paused, tapping her chin with a finger, “Ah, they’re like the journey but not the destination – if that makes sense?”

This time it was Padme’s turn to ponder – jilted lover? Former lover? No. They had a new term for that now. “Like an ex?”

Adaline snapped a finger. Her eyes alit, clearly pleased that Padme had cottoned on. Last she checked, the mind and heart didn’t always get along. “Yes, that’s the one. Those people can help a spark grow but no matter how hard they try, their sparks won’t reach their full potential.”

Padme blinked, before her eyebrows drew into confusion. “So, where do you come in?”

Adaline grinned. “I give them nudges. You know, clues.”

Padme’s frown deepened. “But that sounds so…easy.” She tried not to, but knew it still came out as rude.

To her astonishment, Adaline only laughed. “Oh, you’ll be surprised. People are very…fickle. Most times they don’t even recognize the one they’ve been searching for their whole life is right in front of them. And sometimes I send warnings and they ignore it completely, even when it’s already flashing neon signs! That’s when a relationship can become toxic.” The pointed look Padme received from Adaline had her almost squirming in her seat.

“Besides, I only found out recently that this trait carried onto divinity.”

Padme blinked. “What – what do you mean?” She asked.

Adaline smirked. “I almost gave up on you, you know? Thought you were a mistake –”

“Hey –”

“I didn’t know your match would be born seven hundred years later.”

Padme was powerless against the sharp intake of breath that tore from her mouth. “What? You – you mean –”

“Anakin.” Adaline finished for her.

Padme’s mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out. There were arguments on the tip of her tongue. But even in her own mind, nothing made sense. From the very first time she laid eyes on him, Padme had felt an invisible string, pulling her to him. Back then, she was always quick to label it as something akin to a sibling’s affections.

And yet seeing him again two days ago, after being gone for so long – it was like a veil had been lifted from her eyes. And everything never looked clearer.

And yet…

“Thank you for the tea. I must –”

“What are you afraid of?”

Padme froze, she had just stood up, back turned to the table when Adaline’s question came. She willed herself to move, to deny her claim. But it’s as if her own body forgot to function, and in a second, Adaline was in front of her.

Adaline beckoned her with her eyes, and that was all it took for Padme to understand that she won’t be able to lie through her teeth with this one.

Padme sighed, her walls falling, shoulders stooping. “We call ourselves immortals. But we too, perish. Although it can take a hundred thousand years or so, still, we die, and he’s the God of war. He’s always out there fighting. Chosen one or not anything could happen and if so…I,” Padme looked to her feet, letting out a breath. “Eternity seems too long of a time to miss him.”

Back then, when Anakin was still new to the role, she had worried greatly for him. But even that paled in comparison to the fear engulfing her now. Even to Gods, nothing was certain, and now more than ever she wished not to witness the truth behind that statement.

As if expecting something like that, Adaline only smiled at her. “You know what I love most about being Goddess of love?”

“What?”

“I can only feel a fraction of their emotions, but when you’re the one involved…it is mind-blowing.” The taller deity placed her hands on Padme’s shoulders. “Not everyone gets a chance like this Padme, and a lot of mortals would kill to be in your shoes. Every day, they throw themselves away for even just the slightest chance of love, and they risk all they have even if they know everything is just fleeting.” Adaline let out a breath, rubbing her hands up and down Padme’s arms. “I know the idea of losing him and living the rest of your immortal life without him seems daunting. But that feeling of forever that love gives you?”

Adaline smiled, a thin film of moisture that wasn’t there before making her eyes shine with a despondent luster. “No matter how short, it’s a feeling that nothing else in this Universe could ever replace.”

Padme’s mouth dropped, her own eyes slightly tearing. Adaline was ahead of her by a hundred and forty-six years. But she too, had heard of the Goddess of love’s story, how her mortal lover died a few months shy of her transcension.

The cruelest welcome to immortality.

She rarely allowed herself to be vulnerable. There were times that the pain and longing would sneak up on her and catch her off-guard. But she always masked it behind her tresses and smiles, choosing instead to help others and finish the story she never could.

If that wasn’t selflessness and strength, then Padme didn’t know what was.  

“And do you remember the very first thing Zeus told us about him?”

Confused, Padme frowned. She wasn’t sure why Adaline was bringing that up now. “That he is the chosen one?”

“You help him find that balance, Padme.”

For the second time that day, she was speechless. 

“Go.”

She didn’t need further convincing. Heeding her heart this time, she knew she had already heard everything she needed to. Padme smiled and lifted her skirts, racing her way out of Adaline’s temple. She didn’t even need any help from the Goddess to pinpoint her way. She knew where she’d find him.

And find him she did, almost right to the entrance of her own temple.

She was still a few paces away, concealed by some trees when she stopped. The sight of an agitated, pacing Anakin stilled her breath.

“Padme, I’m sorry – I,” Anakin paused mid-step, “no, I can’t start at that. She might think I didn’t like her kiss.”

Anakin went back the way he came from and only then did Padme let herself smile. He had her mistakenly thinking he'd found her. But now, Padme didn’t know which had her more delighted – the comical sight of a frustrated Anakin talking to himself, finding him with the intention of straightening things out with her, or his inadvertent confession.

It would have been entertaining to remain in her hiding spot, but after watching him take a few more turns and mumble to himself, Padme decided to finally swallow a pill of courage and take the last few steps.

“Padme.” Anakin stilled when he caught sight of her.

His surprise had her smiling wider. Being the God of war, she was pretty sure he’d have heightened senses.

“Anakin.” She greeted calmly.

In the blink of an eye Anakin was in front of her, and Padme had to draw in a breath. His eyes were midnight blue and yet lost in it, all she could feel was heat.

“You ran away from me yesterday.”

Padme cringed, initial elation now gone. “Anakin, I –”

“No. I let you go when I’ve been nothing but in love with you. If there’s anything I’m sorry for, it’s making you think I didn’t feel the same way.” Anakin cupped her cheek, “I’ve always dreamed of kissing you, Padme.”

Padme’s mouth fell open in a gasp. It never crossed her mind that she’d get to hear these words from him. And now that she did, she came to know one thing. Even if still new to her – Adaline was right. Nothing would ever compare to this. No words would ever come close into giving her heart a jumpstart. Padme smiled. “Nothing’s stopping you now.”

This time, it was Anakin’s turn to grin. But it was short lived as two seconds later, he bent down and caught her lips with his. It was nothing like their first kiss.

This was unhurried. His lips, soft against hers, gentle and teasing – like a breeze dancing on one’s skin. But just like yesterday, it left her breathless for more.

~

Present…

“What are you thinking of now?” Anakin asked, a sly twinkle on his eyes as he reached for her hands, bringing her knuckles to his lips.

“You.”

Anakin straightened, the hold on her hands keeping firm.

“You have me, sweetheart. Always.”

It was like a newly sharpened blade struck her heart, an invisible hand twisting it slowly. She dreaded the long days and even longer nights without him.

How long would it be this time?

Years?

Decades?

Centuries?

Would he even come back – No!

Padme mentally gave her head a shake. She mustn’t think that way. Anakin promised he would come back to her, to them, and if there ever was a being who wouldn’t just move, but bend heaven, earth and everything in between to fulfill a promise – Padme didn’t have to look further.

It was the God standing right in front of her.

“When do you leave?” Padme asked, trying hard with an iron-clad fist to keep her tears and voice at bay.

Opposite to the atmosphere, Anakin gave out a short breath. A chuckle caught last minute. “Obi-Wan wanted tonight. But I convinced him tomorrow was the better idea.”

Padme rolled her eyes. “Remind me to have a word with him. But that means you’re all mine tonight?”

Anakin grasped her chin, thumb brushing her lips. “Tonight, and all of eternity.”

And that was everything she needed.

Padme smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him inside her temple. She stopped once she reached the foot of her bed. Turning around, her hands went to the clasps of her dress. With a press and a pull, the garment pooled by her feet, leaving her completely bare to Anakin’s gaze.

She watched as Anakin’s eyes darkened and Padme felt molten lava flowing through her veins.

“You will be the death of me woman.”

Padme let go of him and crawled to the middle. She laid on her back, unabashedly spreading her legs to give him an unobstructed view. Anakin’s gaze zeroed in on her center, generously slick for him as his hands steadfastly, yet slowly worked to remove his garments.

With every piece of his tanned skin revealed, Padme traced with her eyes, until none of his clothing remained. Her nipples tingled and tightened as her gaze traveled down his sculpted torso. Stopping on the manhood that stood proud and stiff against his stomach.

Anakin smirked, following her line of sight. He grasped his length in his hand, groaning as he gave himself a few pumps.

Padme copied his movements, her own hand traveling towards her core, fingers lazily drawing circles over her clit.

“Anakin, please.” Padme moaned. Watching him was one of her greatest pleasures. And on any other night she would have basked in it and taken everything he wanted to offer. But not tonight.

Tonight, she just needed him.

Hearing her plea, Anakin’s eyes softened and crawled over to her. Padme’s arms drew him in as he hovered over her. He closed the gap and captured her lips. Padme sighed into his mouth, melting in his embrace. Oh, how she was going to miss him.

Too soon for her liking, Anakin left her mouth. But the feeling of longing was immediately quashed as he trailed a path on her jaw and the column of her neck, leaving little nips in his wake. Reaching her chest, Anakin drew a nipple to his mouth, sucking and lightly grazing it with his teeth.

“Anakin.” Padme threw her head back and moaned.

Anakin smirked, watching as Padme lost herself in the torrent of sensations. He released her nipple, repeating his motions on the other one. Once he had Padme writhing in pleasure, he abandoned her chest and started his trek downwards. His mouth was on her stomach when Padme reached to cup his face.

“None of that Ani. I just need you now.”

Anakin studied her face, and Padme was almost convinced he wasn’t going to acquiesce. Having his mouth between her legs was after all a second favorite of his. But he sighed dramatically. “Alright. But when I come back, you should know that I intend to feast on you.”

Heat coiled inside of her. But the roguish smirk on his face held her on pause. She should’ve known he had something up his sleeve.

“Just one taste, I hunger for it.”

And before she could stop him, Anakin swept down on her.

“Anakin.” Padme moaned breathlessly as soon as his tongue touched her warmth. But just like he promised, he resurfaced right after that one taste. She didn’t know if she loved or hated him for it.

“Always so delicious. I’m going to miss you.”

The moisture she was trying so hard to fight came back to her eyes.

“I will come back to you. I promise.” He repeated his earlier words and cemented it with a kiss.

Padme felt delirious as his tongue curled against hers. Vaguely, she felt him lining himself against her. The anticipation almost had her combusting.

Anakin filled her slowly. Inch by agonizing inch. Her mouth fell open, eyes dropping closed, head resting against the pillows. They could do this for all eternity, and still it won’t be enough for Padme to get used to the heady sensation of him claiming her.

Anakin took a pause once fully sheathed in her, forehead resting against hers. A tremble shook his sturdy frame. Barely imperceptible to anybody else. But never to her eyes.

She couldn’t help the tiny smirk on her lips.

It seemed she wasn’t the only one that could still get shaken by their lovemaking.

Groans spilled from Anakin’s mouth as his hips rolled against hers slowly. Padme sighed, fingers skirted the planes of his back, legs twining around his narrow hips. Heat prickled her skin and engulfed her chest, body taut like a wounded string as Anakin panted above her, curls spilling over his head like a golden halo.

The muscles of his stomach rippled and expanded as he continued to move. Her sight traveled further down, settling at the image of his length pillaging her heat. Padme moaned, warmth claiming her cheeks.

Anakin grunted. Fingers on either side of his lover’s head, crumpling the sheets as her walls fluttered around him. Padme shuddered, giving off a loud cry as Anakin hit a delicate spot inside her. A proud glint shone on Anakin’s eyes, and from then on it was deliberate, as he angled his hips, making sure to keep hitting that spot over and over again until Padme was a moaning, shaking mess in his arms.

She attempted to gain control of her legs, but they thrashed on their own volition as the ball of fire inside her kept growing.

“Anakin!” Padme cried out as she came. Anakin’s hold tightened on her frame, all the while keeping the slow and deep thrust of his hips, drawing it out for her.

“I got you, love.” Anakin grunted.

She should have known. Anakin’s mind was a hunter through and through, and his most prized win had always been her pleasure. Sensitive and overwhelmed, he had her exploding a second time not too long after.

“Anakin,” she gasped, out of breath.

Anakin groaned, spilling inside of her. He thrusted a few more times before collapsing beside her, arm thrown over his eyes, chest drawing in huge lungfuls.

Padme pillowed her head on his chest, his arms instantly wrapping around her. The sound of his rapid heartbeats slowing into a steady rhythm, lulled her. The pads of his fingers ghosted her skin in a soft caress, whispering all his words in the silence of her temple. Her eyes fluttered close, lips pulling up in a contented smile against his skin.

He was her safe place.

He was her home.

And she had faith in him.

“You know I don’t intend to let you sleep tonight?”

Padme froze, head lifting to find him staring at her with mischief in his eyes. She felt himself clench and knew that he was perfectly aware of it as he smirked down at her.

Padme bit her lip. “I was hoping you won’t.”

His blue eyes darkened to a midnight storm. That was all the warning she got before his hands lifted her astride his hips.

“Ride me, Goddess.”

~

It felt like she had just closed her eyes when she was being roused from her sleep. Not by Anakin. But the absence of him from her bed. Clutching the sheets to her chest, she turned and sat up, finding him a few paces away.

His back was to her, as he fastened his armor.

Shame, I still wanted to see you naked.

She laughed as he visibly tensed. He turned around, shaking his head and flashed her a grin.

Anakin cradled her cheek with his palm. “You need to rest, woman.”

“That’s not what you were saying last night, and this morning.” Padme rose to her knees, letting the sheets fall.

Anakin settled a hand around her back and claimed her lips in a kiss. Padme moaned, circling her arms around his head. Anakin pulled back too soon for her liking and placed a finger on her lips, her protests dying immediately.

“I’ll stroke my cock to thoughts of you.” One thing he never shied off from was speaking like a mortal, especially when teasing her. A gleam sparkled in his blues as her breath hitched. He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips, eyes never leaving hers. 

“Watch me when I do, my Goddess.” Anakin leaned in to whisper in her ear.

Padme shuddered and pulled him closer. “Keep talking like that, and I will never let you leave.”

Anakin chuckled, pecking her lips once more.

“As much as I love to see you naked, Obi-Wan will be here shortly. Please don’t give me a reason to blind my master.”

Padme released her hold on him, her reluctance only mildly concealed. Once she meets them outside of her chamber, it will be her bidding him goodbye.

“I love you.” Anakin reminded her, kissing her forehead before leaving her to dress.

Despite the perfect night they shared, the crippling fear came back and crashed around her like a tidal wave as soon as he was out of sight. She already expected it but found herself still greatly unprepared as her knees buckled. Padme reached a hand out so as not to topple over and sat down on the edge of the bed, drawing in huge breaths. Anakin leaving for war had always been a source of distress for her. But this time was different.

She wasn’t just his lover, but the soon-to-be mother of his children. She needed to be strong for the four of them. She can do this.

Padme stood up, fixing herself. She straightened her shoulders and went outside.  

“Hello Obi-Wan.” Her voice came out smoothly.

The two Gods turned, Obi-Wan bowing to the Goddess. “Athena.”

Padme returned the reassuring smile Anakin flashed her way. She could tell he knew she needed a moment.

“Are you heading to war in that?” She eyed their matching armor. It was a question that had piqued her since yesterday. The war was currently spread throughout the galaxy, spanning different planets. She had a feeling their outfit might be out of place.

“No. We are meeting Ananke at her mortal school. She said there’s a room there – a room of requirement that would give us what we need for this war.”

Padme tipped her head and bit her lip. Out of all of them, Obi-Wan had the most trouble letting go of the formalities.

“Weapons included? I believe we’ll be using a different kind.” Anakin asked, turning to face Obi-Wan.

“Yes, yes. What was it again – laser sword?”

“Light sword?” Anakin suggested.

“No.”

The two of them mulled it over, before pointing at each other and exclaimed. “Lightsaber.”

“Yes, that’s it. I believe it’s time. Zeus and Hera are supposed to see us off before we go, I’ll go ahead?”  

Anakin nodded.

“Alright. I’ll see you, my dear.”

Padme stepped forward and met Obi-Wan’s embrace.

“Be careful.” Please watch over him.

You do not need to ask. Take care of yourself, Goddess.

“I’ll see you at the gates.” Obi-wan placed a hand on Anakin’s shoulder and marched off.

Anakin walked closer to her. “I’ll pray to you.”

She nodded, throat tightening. And despite willing herself not to, a tear escaped her as she watched Anakin kneel down on one knee and place a kiss on the left and right side of her abdomen. “Be good to your mother.”

He straightened and towered over her, cradling her face in his hands. “I will come back to you. To all of you.”

Another nod, moisture clouding her vision. “I have faith in you. I love you.”

“I love you.”

Anakin closed the distance, kissing her. Tongue and teeth clashed as he pillaged her mouth, claiming everything that she had to give. And when they were both breathless, Anakin released her and turned around, not once looking back, his cape billowing after him.

Don’t look back. She once asked him, and he always complied.

Soon all traces of him vanished, as if he had never been there. One more tear fell down, but she didn’t let another follow.

Because Anakin will come back.

And Padme will wait for him.

~

A/N: I finally finished it! This one took me more than a year to write. It was challenging but definitely, a fun experience. Shoutout to my lovely friend @lovebarefootblonde. Thank you for beta-reading this for me. Your skill is seriously unmatched, and your help as always, is very much appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who read this. Please leave a comment and/or reblog. I would love to hear your thoughts and chat with you! 😊

To any Potterhead out there, I'm sure you figured out who Ananke is, wink wink.