#its so true though 😂

[emilynightshade89]

Cesare text post just because

[diremoone]

hick as fuck

ok i absolutely need to know what accents u all have pls reblog and tell me or comment or whatever I must know

[acourtofquestions]

KINGDOM OF ASH (by SJM)

Chapter 48

THE FAMILY REUINION🥹😆😭🫶& MY SOULLL

But when they reached Princess Hasar's battle tent, when they had all gathered around a map of Anielle, they had only a few minutes of discussion before they were interrupted. By the person Chaol least expected to walk through the flaps.

A moment later, Chaol was glad he was sitting down.

Nesryn breathed, "Holy gods."

Chaol was inclined to agree as Aelin Galathynius, Rowan Whitethorn, and several others entered the tent.

They were mud-splattered, the Queen of Terrasen's braided hair far longer than Chaol had last seen. And her eyes ... Not the soft, yet fiery gaze. But something older. Wearier.

Chaol shot to his feet. "I thought you were in Terrasen," he blurted. All the reports had confirmed it. Yet here she stood, no army in sight.

Three Fae males-towering warriors as broad and muscled as Rowan—had entered, along with a delicate, dark-haired human woman.

But Aelin was only staring at him. Staring and staring at him.

No one spoke as tears began sliding down her face. Not at his being here, Chaol realized as he took up his cane and limped toward Aelin.

But at him. Standing. Walking.

The young queen let out a broken laugh of joy and flung her arms around his neck. Pain lanced down his spine at the impact, but Chaol held her right back, every question fading from his tongue.

Aelin was shaking as she pulled away. "I knew you would," she breathed, gazing down his body, to his feet, then up again. "I knew you'd do it."

"Not alone," he said thickly. Chaol swallowed, releasing Aelin to extend an arm behind him. To the woman he knew stood there, a hand over the locket at her neck.

Perhaps Aelin would not remember, perhaps their encounter years ago had meant nothing to her at all, but Chaol drew Yrene forward. "Aelin, allow me to introduce"

"Yrene Towers," the queen breathed as his wife stepped to his side.

The two women stared at each other.

Yrene's mouth quivered as she opened the silver locket and pulled out a piece of paper. Hands trembling, she extended it to the queen. Aelin's own hands shook as she accepted the scrap.

"Thank you," Yrene whispered.

Chaol supposed it was all that really needed to be said.

Aelin unfolded the paper, reading the note she'd written, seeing the lines from the hundreds of foldings and rereadings these past few years.

"I went to the Torre," Yrene said, her voice cracking. "I took the money you gave me, and went to the Torre. And I became the heir apparent to the Healer on High. And now I have come back, to do what I can. I taught every healer I could the lessons you showed me that night, about self-defense. I didn't waste it-not a coin you gave me, or a moment of the time, the life you bought me." Tears were rolling and rolling down Yrene's face. "I didn't waste any of it."

Aelin closed her eyes, smiling through her own tears, and when she opened them, she took Yrene's shaking hands. "Now it is my turn to thank you." But Aelin's gaze fell upon the wedding band on Yrene's finger, and when she glanced to Chaol, he grinned.

"No longer Yrene Towers," Chaol said softly, "but Yrene Westfall."

Aelin let out one of those choked, joyous laughs, and Rowan stepped up to her side.

Yrene's head tilted back to take in the warrior's full height, her eyes widening-not only at Rowan's size, but at the pointed ears, the slightly elongated canines and tattoo. Aelin said, "Then let me introduce you, Lady Westfall, to my own husband, Prince Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius."

For that was indeed a wedding band on the queen's finger, the emerald mud-splattered but bright. On Rowan's own hand, a gold-and-ruby ring gleamed.

"My mate," Aelin added, fluttering her lashes at the Fae male. Rowan rolled his eyes, yet couldn't entirely contain his smile as he inclined his head to Yrene.

Yrene bowed, but Aelin snorted. "None of that, please. It'll go right to his immortal head." Her grin softened as Yrene blushed, and Aelin held up the scrap of paper. "May I keep this?" She eyed Yrene's locket. "Or does it go in there?"

Yrene folded the queen's fingers around the paper. "It is yours, as it always was. A piece of your bravery that helped me find my own."

Aelin shook her head, as if to dismiss the claim.

But Yrene squeezed Aelin's closed hand. "It gave me courage, the words you wrote. Every mile I traveled, every long hour I studied and worked, it gave me courage. I thank you for that, too."

Aelin swallowed hard, and Chaol took that as excuse enough to sit again, his back giving a grateful tinge. He said to the queen, "There is another person responsible for this army being here." He gestured to Nesryn, the woman already smiling at the queen. "The rukhin you see, the army gathered, is as much because of Nesryn as it is because of me."

A spark lit Aelin's eyes, and both women met halfway in a tight embrace. "I want to hear the entire story," Aelin said. "Every word of it." Nesryn's subdued smile widened. "So you shall. But later." Aelin clapped her on the shoulder and turned to the two royals still by the desk. Tall and regal, but as mud-splattered as the queen.

Chaol blurted, "Dorian?"

Rowan answered, "Not with us." He glanced to the royals.

"They know everything," Nesryn said

"He's with Manon," Aelin said simply.

Chaol wasn't entirely sure whether to be relieved. "Hunting for something important."

The keys. Holy gods.

Aelin nodded. Later. He'd think on where Dorian might now be later. Aelin nodded again. The full story would come then too.

Nesryn said, "May I present Princess Hasar and Prince Sartaq."

Aelin bowed—low. "You have my eternal gratitude," Aelin said, and the voice that came out of her was indeed that of a queen. Any shock Sartaq and Hasar had shown upon the queen bowing so low was hidden as they bowed back, the portrait of courtly grace.

"My father," Sartaq said, "remained in the khaganate to oversee our lands, along with our siblings Duva and Arghun. But my brother Kashin sails with the rest of the army. He was not two weeks behind us when we left."

Aelin glanced to Chaol, and he nodded.

Something glittered in her eyes at the confirmation, but the queen jerked her chin at Hasar. "Did you get my letter?"

The letter that Aelin had sent months ago, begging for aid and promising only a better world in return. Hasar picked at her nails. "Perhaps. I get far too many letters from fellow princesses these days to possibly remember or answer all of them."

Aelin smirked, as if the two of them spoke a language no one else could understand, a special code between two equally arrogant and proud women. But she motioned to her companions, who stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce my friends. Lord Gavriel, of Doranelle." A nod toward the tawny-eyed and golden-haired warrior who bowed.

Tattoos covered his neck, his hands, but his every motion was graceful. "My uncle, of sorts," Aelin added with a smirk at Gavriel. At Chaol's narrowed brows, she explained, "He's Aedion's father."

"Well, that explains a few things," Nesryn muttered.

The hair, the broad-planed face ... yes, it was the same. But where Aedion was fire, Gavriel seemed to be stone. Indeed, his eyes were solemn as he said, "Aedion is my pride." Emotion rippled over Aelin's face, but she gestured to the dark-haired male. Not someone Chaol ever wanted to tangle with, he decided as he surveyed the granite-hewn features, the black eyes and unsmiling mouth.

"Lorcan Salvaterre, formerly of Doranelle, and now a blood-sworn member of my court." As if that weren't a shock enough, Aelin winked at the imposing male. Lorcan scowled. "We're still in the adjustment period," she loudly whispered, and Yrene chuckled.

Lorcan Salvaterre. Chaol hadn't met the male this spring in Rifthold, but he'd heard all about him. That he'd been Maeve's most trusted commander, her most loyal and fierce warrior.

That he'd wanted to kill Aelin, hated Aelin.

How this had come about, why she was not in Terrasen with her army ... "You, too, have a tale to tell," Chaol said.

"Indeed I do." Aelin's eyes guttered, and Rowan put a hand on her lower back. Bad— something terrible had occurred. Chaol scanned Aelin for any hint of it. He stopped when he noticed the smoothness of the skin at her neck. The lack of scars. The missing scars on her hands, her palms. "Later," Aelin said softly. She straightened her shoulders, and another golden-haired male came forward. Beautiful. That was the only way to describe him. "Fenrys ... You know, I don't actually know your family name."

Fenrys threw a roguish wink at the queen.

"Moonbeam."

"It is not," Aelin hissed, choking on a laugh.

Fenrys laid a hand on his heart. "I am blood-sworn to you. Would I lie?"

Another blood-sworn Fae male in her court.

Across the tent, Sartaq cursed in his own tongue. As if he'd heard of Lorcan, and Gavriel, and Fenrys.

Aelin gave Fenrys a vulgar gesture that set Hasar chuckling, and faced the royals. "They're barely housebroken. Hardly fit for your fine company." Even Sartaq smiled at that. But it was to the small, delicate woman that Aelin now gestured. "And the only civilized member of my court, Lady Elide Lochan of Perranth." Perranth. Chaol had combed through the family trees of Terrasen just this winter, had seen the lists of so many royal households crossed out, victim to the conquest ten years ago.

Elide's name had been among them.

Another Terrasen royal who had managed to evade Adarlan's butchers.

The pretty young woman took a limping step forward, and bobbed a curtsy to the royals. Her boots concealed any sign of the source of the injury, but Yrene's attention shot right to her leg. Her ankle. "It's an honor to meet all of you," Elide said, her voice low and steady. Her dark eyes swept over them, cunning and clear. Like she could see beneath their skin and bones, to the souls beneath.

Aelin wiped her hands. "Well, that's over and done with," she announced, and strode to the desk and map. "Shall we discuss where you all plan to march once we beat the living shit out of this army?"

[mikodaiyo]

I said things about @mythicamagic @cakeit0n @drosselmeyerwrites @chierafied @elevenharbor @sayuri-liu @cdart-carmendaniele @sagemcmae @tmetta and youkaiyume that I hid in the tags because I'm SHY I GUESS I'M CRAZY SHY??

Let's spread some love: tag your favorite people/bloggers and let them know how appreciated they are 💗

oh i hate these because i’m always afraid i’ll forget someone (but the sentiment is nice!)

@waywardbaby @supernatural-jackles @deanwanddamons @negans-lucille-tblr @lovealways-j @evanbukley @evansrogerskitten @nihilism-sophia @samdeanbitchjerk @kittenofdoomage @luci-in-trenchcoats @im-lovestruck

i feel like i’m forgetting people and i’m sorry if i actually did! love y’all ♥️

[moonastro]

pac

how your future spouse will act around you

left to right(top)-> 1,2

left to right(bottom)-> 3,4

°DO NOT take this as literal, take everything with a grain of salt as this is purely and intendedly for entertainment purposes.

°Don't be afraid to give feedback and opinions about this post (as i would entirely appreciate it).

PILE 1-

i definitely see them being more them around you, like they are going to be so comfortable around you that how they act around you differs from when they are around other people. I see them literally having no restrictions around you, they will not be afraid to show their true personality and humour. i feel like this will be so important to them because they might have been judged with the way that they acted or were judged by just being themselves by previous relationships or friendships, for you, they are thankful and can actually live freely.

They will definitely also learn so many things from you, for example i see you telling them something and them not understanding so they will bring that up because they want to know what you know. or they cannot stand not knowing what you mean because they fully want to understand you. yeah, they will love to get to know you on a deeper soulmate kinda way. they will love experiencing new surprises from you by simply learning new things about you, that will excite them.

i see them being the type of person who ask 'have you eaten yet?' or 'have you taken your vitamins today?'. your health will matter so much to them, seeing you unwell will physically hurt them. if you answer no to any of the questions they will automatically act upon them. they do care about your well-being however they might not be so cutesy about it because for them it is a serious matter. so they might act very serious about situations like that. but that's only because they care so much about you.

i feel like their character will develop while being with you. i feel like they might pick up on some habits or characteristics that you have. for example, if your habit consists of biting your bottom lip when nervous, they will acknowledge that and start to do that too.

your fs will NOT be afraid to express their raw feelings towards you. they will constantly praise and compliment you so much that you might get tired from hearing it loll😭.

that is it for you PILE 1, hope you enjoyed that!!

PILE 2-

oh, they will be chaotic around you. they might tend to play fights, picking you up from the ground, teasing you etcc. however, i do think that playing around like that heals their inner child as such. they might also do questionable things that may shock you. like i see you two chilling and watching a movie and them randomly standing up and doing their skincare without mentioning anything.

they will constantly want to do everything with you, like their mindset is something like, if i have to see it you have to too, or if you go i want to go too. its mostly because they cant seem to imagine themselves being 5 minutes away from you 😂. no but for real, i honestly just feel like they find your time together precious and don't want to miss opportunities with you. they will be the type to take you on daily trips everywhere, like i mentioned before, they will love to spend time with you, especially while discovering new cute places.

i feel like same with pile 1, they will worry a lot about your health and constantly have to check up on you. like if sometimes you forget to eat breakfast or if they see a bruise that you didn't even know was there, they will freak out about it and will act like something major happened.

i see them being very honest around you, they will answer to your questions honestly and truthfully and i feel like if there are lies withing a relationship it is not sincere. i do see them being clingy though, like if they had a bad day and came back home they instantly hug and cuddle you to make them feel better. or if you are cleaning up they just come up to you and start hugging you.

that's everything for you PILE 2, hope you liked your reading!

PILE 3-

will have a stable view and way of doing things around you. will be humble and professional. i feel like they will be a very down to earth person who is quite traditional in terms of relationships. they are very loyal to your needs however, they may have a little routine that they do every morning or any other time of the day, for example may take out the trash in the early morning so you wont have to and let you sleep in or something like that. i feel like silent acts of service are their thing. they might not like to be in the spotlight and keep a rather low profile wherever they are.

might be quite nosey lol, may want to know what you are doing at what time. or may want to know what you are looking at on your phone and so on.

may express their love to you often, like you make them levitate when they look at you. but may be shy about it. like they'll only do it when they cant keep it in anymore then blush after they say it🥹. they are someone who would proudly admire you and talk sweetly about you to other people rather than directly to you.

may like to spoil you though, may take you out to dinner every week or book to go to a fancy restaurant once in a while. or whenever you show them something that you like, they remember and buy you the exact same thing without asking you about it. i feel like they would definitely tend to show their love for you by doing things for you rather than talking about it and so forth.

they might be afraid to disappoint you and are afraid to fail. but they are very good at easing tension, so whenever you feel stressed they know how to make you feel better.

yeah, i don't think they are good at communicating or may limit themselves due to the fear of letting you down. however, they might not take it lightly when you expose them on what they did wrong, they might not be into being tutored.

that is all for you PILE 3!!

PILE 4-

they tend to avoid direct confrontation. they definitely do not like conflict and will leave the situation if it gets heated. also, are very open to fix mistakes, they may ask about your opinion quite a lot and act upon your choices.

are very open to sharing their emotions and thoughts, they are not patient and may just say things that are on their mind. they may be an anxious human being and may seek help. they may like to talk about their mental health and ask your opinion of what to do about it to help. overall i think your opinion matters a lot to your fs!

they love sharing their ethic and moral beliefs to you. or they may be interested in getting to know about your beliefs. they also may be interested of your cultural background and may be eager to learn new languages and try different cultural foods. they may even like to listen to songs from other countries. they may also love to practise their traditions around you.

they may have difficulty concentrating and focusing so when they are told something they may be spaced out thinking about something else, you know?

they may also be the type of person who rejects offers easily, they may have social anxiety or anxiety in general so it may be difficult for them to leave the house. so that may start arguments between you two because you see the potential in them but they are just too afraid to persuade it and don't do anything about it.

that's it for you PILE 4!

I hope you all enjoyed this post❣️ please don't be shy to interact and share some of your thoughts on this post!!! thank you for reading💓

[igotlovestruck]

babe [ lando norris ]

[ 𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 ] — lando norris x reader . ⊹ ✶ ㄔ 🫂 °.   *

[ 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦 & 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 ] — angst, some hate comments . ⊹ ✶ ㄔ ℹ️ °.   *

࣪˖ 💭 .. 𝗘𝗬𝗔’𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 ⌕ another one from the drafts! enjoy <3

this work is purely fictional. names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. © httpsuniverse, 2023. do not steal, repost in other platforms, translate and/or claim this work as your own.

f1wags

16,920 likes

f1wags y/n’s ig story update today! it seems as though lando norris is officially off the market as the 2020 season comes to an end, congratulations to the happy couple! 🥳❤️

view all 1,839 comments

user what omg

user from childhood bestie to fiancée 🥹 dang when’s it my turn!!!

user i just woke up wtf !!! congratulations mum and dad landonorris yourusername

december 15, 2020

yourusername

liked by landonorris, carlossainz55, charles_leclerc and others

yourusername how can i ever say no to that face 😟 you’re making our childhood dream come true 💘

view all 599 comments

user lando lmao 👉🏻🫦👈🏻

f1 congratulations, y/n and lando!

mclaren congratulations 🫡💒

yourbffsig omg bestie!! 😻 congrats, i love you both!!

yourusername you’re coming back home for our wedding 😤 i’m not taking no for an answer

yourbffsig as if i’m gonna say no!! 😤

december 16, 2020

landonorris

liked by carlossainz55, charles_leclerc, alex_albon and others

landonorris promoted from boyfriend to fiancé! you can never get rid of me now, y/n y/l/n 😜 i love you!

view all 2,842 comments

maxfewtrell remember when you told me you were determined to make her a norris?

yourusername ugh hes so obsessed w me 🙄

maxfewtrell yeah it’s annoying 🤢

landonorris i hate you both, give me back the ring yourusername i unpropose to you

yourusername 😽😽

december 16, 2020

landonorris and yourusername

liked by danielricciardo, carlossainz55, yourbffsig and 1,392,942 others

landonorris two years ago, we exchanged our vows on valentine’s 💗 happy valentine’s and 2nd anniversary, my hot, beautiful wife. to more adventures and years to us 🥂 i love you.

view all 21,839 comments

yourusername happy anniversary to us, my love!!

landonorris i’m still obsessed with you

yourusername when are you not baby 🤭

yourbffsig ugh u two disgust me but stay in love ig

user i still can’t believe lando is really off the market for two years now 😔

yourmomsig stay in love, you two!! 🤍

user will we be expecting baby norris this year? if no, why not 😭

yourusername no plans for baby norris yet! me and lando are children ourselves 😂

— ❤️ by landonorris

user dinks, my fav dinks.

user can u adopt me instead

february 14, 2023

f1wags

10,729 likes

f1wags we haven’t had a glimpse of y/n in the paddock the past few races, so here’s some throwback pictures with husband, lando norris! 🤍

view all 189 comments

user i miss her :(

user so i’m not going CRAZY for noticing that she hasn’t been to any races this season...

user maybe she’s pregnant or something

user nahh impossible, y/n herself said that they don’t have any plans for baby norris yet.

user right.. that could only be the plausible reason why she’s not attending races 🙄

user maybe she’s just busy with work, she has a career herself

user no bc think about it.. it’s already round 10 and we haven’t seen her since bahrain, not even during testing 💀

user well, silverstone’s up next. let’s just hope she’s there for lando’s home race

user we can just hope

july 02, 2023

f1gossip

5,930 likes

f1gossip y/n’s now deleted ig story today. wonder what’s happening between the young couple? 🤔

view all 193 comments

user NO WHAT

user I JUST WOEK UP WHAT IS THIS DRAMA

user MAYBE ITS JUST NOTHING PLS MAYBE SHES JIST LISTENING TO MUSIC I MEAN IT’S TAYLOR !!!! WJO DOESN’T LISTEN TO TAYLOR

user ...me... i don’t listen to taylor 😬

user what rhe heck u have to listen NOW

user miss maam r u ok yourusername

user not on silverstone weekend 😭

july 07, 2023

yourusername

el nido, palawan

liked by yourbffsig, yourmomsig and others

yourusername let the sea set you free

view all 749 comments

user miss maam we miss u around the paddock PLS COME BACK

user omg she got a tattoo 🥹 it looks so pretty

yourbffsig i hope you enjoyed your stay with me 🥺

yourusername duh, ofc!! was the most fun month of my life 💗 see you in bali ;)

yourbffsig OMG YES see you in a week, enjoy your remaining days in el nido 😽 love you and take care!!

yourmomsig my beautiful daughter, i love you whatever happens 🤍 glas you’re enjoying philippines x

yourusername aaaa love and miss you mum 🥹 be back soon <3

yoursistersig what about me 😒

yourusername stfu you’re literally coming to bali with me

yoursistersig oh yea lol

user the comments from y/n’s friends and family are scaring me (kinda)

user have u noticed that lando hasn’t commented anything or even leave a like ... i miss his obsessed hubby comments

user plus her last ig story 😓

user oh god pls dont do this to me

user are yall thinking what im thinking...?

user whatever you’re thinking, pls keep it to yourself PLS I CANNOT DO THIS.

user so... you’re m.i.a in silverstone?

july 08, 2023

landonorris

liked by f1, oscarpiastri, mclaren, lewishamilton and 1,613,093 others

landonorris p2 and a 🏆 at my home race!!!!! ❤️ you guys are crazyyyyyyyyyy 💙

view all 9,441 comments

mclaren proud 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

masonmount congrats brother!

maxfewtrell absolute scenes, proud brother 🧡

user no signs of y/n here ... 🤔

user ikr like where tf is she

user haven’t seen her since the beginning of this silly season

user she’s out there weeping while her husband’s winning 😹

yourusername

bali, indonesia

liked by yourbffsig, yourmomsig, f1wags and 153,920 others

yourusername crazy how time flies when you’re being yourself; careless and free 🍃

view all 490 comments

yourbffsig love the glow these days! miss you terribly 💔

yourusername don’t be dramatic, you’ll be here in a few days 😛

yourbffsig 🙄 let me be dramatic pls

user uh excuse me maam, you have some races to attend to?

user she’s not really obligated to attend lol let her live her life.

user uh she has a husband who she needs to support? duh? besides, whose money do you think she’s spending?

user y/n earns her own money, she has her own business even before she and lando tied the knot. she has a degree for that, icydk.

user all this time i thought she was a sahw lmfao

user the username of her business is literally on her bio, in case you haven’t seen it :)

yoursistersig love how you look in the first picture 😂 wearing shades because you cried all night?

yourusername i was drunk, in my defense.

yoursistersig yeah, you’re one drunk crier 😂

yourusername quit exposing me please 🥲

user no “congrats lando!”? no “p2 baby!!”? none? ok

user no cuz i rly thought she’d at least say congrats 😐

user imagine securing a podium on ur home race and ur wife cant congratulate u lmao sad life for lando norris

user i hope you’re ignoring the hate comments and healing, y/n ❤️ your peace of mind comes first over everything

user she knew what she was getting into when she married lando, she should be tough enough to read the comments 😂

f1wags

12,420 likes

f1wags updates on lando & y/n! seems like their fairytale love story is over which is why we haven’t seen y/n lately every race weekend!

view all 3,826 comments

user um what

user not them 💔

user omg i feel bad for y/n

user everything probably took a toll on her mental health

user i hope she’s healing and resting, also i hope she’s not pressuring herself on healing :(

user from strangers to childhood besties to lovers to strangers again :/

user damn this hit hard

user dont do this to me please.

user i knew the caption on her last post meant something 😭

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

a/n: this is my aggressively self-indulgent birthday present to myself ☺️ and in true 30 year old fashion, i pulled a muscle in my back during pilates class this morning so i’ll be enjoying the day quietly 😂 anyway, i had so much fun writing it and i hope you guys enjoy!

word count: 10.9k

tw: oral (f receiving), fingering (f receiving), dirty talk, innuendo, car sex, semi-public sex, drinking

summary: you turn thirty and mat makes sure it’s a birthday to remember

You hadn’t been aware that you’d fallen asleep, but you’re woken up with Mat’s lips hot on your skin. He kisses the inside of your knee and you sigh, eyes still shut. The rasp of his playoff beard against your soft skin makes your stomach jump. Mat’s hand works its way up over the outside of your opposite thigh, fingers coming to rest and curl around your hip.

“Taste like champagne,” Mat mumbles, his voice hoarse from screaming at the parade. A shiver overtakes your body when he licks at your skin, blowing over the spot and raising goosebumps on your arms and legs.

A throaty giggle slips past your lips and your hands find his hair, overgrown since he’d lost his barber’s number during the playoff run. The dark strands are soft under your touch, slightly sticky from all the beer and champagne that had been flowing during the parade and post-parade celebrations just a few short hours ago. He groans against your inner thigh when you tug and then scrape your nails against his scalp.

“We basically bathed in the stuff,” you reply, spreading your legs wider for Mat to have more room between them. It’s dark outside still, no light streaming in behind the curtains. Mat’s shoulders are wedged between your legs, forcing you to drape your leg over one, the bottom of your foot resting flat just below his shoulder blade. Your bent knee gives Mat a clear view of your cunt, soaked for him always.

He doesn’t get any closer than halfway up your inner thigh though, licking and sucking gently at your skin. You can feel your skin chafing from the coarse hair covering the lower half of his face.

“It’s late,” you breathe, head fuzzy with lust. You’re still drunk, you think, your body both too heavy and too light. The parade down Hempstead Turnpike had been in the afternoon, the afterparty at Borrelli’s, the after-after party at Revel in Garden City, the after-after-after party in the Horvats’ backyard. You’ve had more alcohol in the past twenty four hours than in the past two years, probably.

“It’s early,” Mat counters, his fingers creeping down to brush against the crease of your thigh. “Happy birthday, Squeaks.”

You blink your eyes open, adjusting to the darkness, and let out a little giggle. “I almost forgot today’s my birthday,” you admit, too caught up in the whirlwind of watching Mat and the boys win a Cup to really keep track of the days. You suck in a sharp gasp when Mat’s teeth nip at your skin, even closer to the elastic edge of your panties. The fabric between your legs is damp and sticking to your skin.

“Dirty thirty,” Mat’s breath is hot on your skin, his head turning and nose rubbing against the damp spot on your panties. Your hips jump, pressing against his face. “Fuckin soaked, baby.”

He kisses over the wet spot and you hiccup a gasp, feeling more arousal flood your panties. Your fingers tighten in Mat’s hair and he groans against you sending a vibration straight to your core. Pressure coils tightly in your stomach, a live wire buried under your skin.

A whine works its way up your throat, your hips wriggling under Mat’s grip on them. “Mat,” you murmur his name, dizzy even though you’re on your back. Your toes curl against his back and Mat shifts up, pressing his shoulder up against the curve of your ass, bending your knee closer to your chest and pushing your other leg open wider.

“Birthday kisses?” He asks, lifting his head up slightly and grinning at you. His eyes are blown dark, a pink flush dusting his cheeks. Your hands are still buried deep in his hair. With the beard and longer hair, he looks almost dangerous. Less like your husband and more like a pirate ready to take exactly what he wants.

You nod, knowing he doesn’t intend to work his way up your body to kiss you properly. His teeth flash white against his dark beard and that gorgeous head disappears between your legs again.

Anticipation builds in your stomach while Mat carefully presses kisses to the insides of your thighs, alternating between legs to make sure no inch of skin is untouched. You whine and writhe, desperately trying to get your cunt to his face to relieve some of the throbbing. He nips at the junction of your thigh, a warning, and you tighten your grip on his hair.

“How many birthday kisses for my girl?” Mat rasps, his words a little slurred from all the drinking. He keeps one hand flat on your hip and hooks the index finger of his other hand around the edge of your panties, tugging the fabric to the side. “Thirty, one for each year you’ve been perfect?”

His beard scratches the inside of your thigh when his mouth lands on your cunt and you groan his name, panting already from the barest touch of his lips. Your heart beats wildly in your chest and Mat huffs a laugh against your folds, darting his tongue out to lick at you quickly.

“Please, oh my god,” you whine, all vestiges of sleep gone. Your nerve endings are on fire, desperate for him. Mat’s fingers are so close to your clit, holding the fabric of your panties aside, but his grip on your hip is too tight to let you move. “Mat,” you drag his name out into a choked moan, his tongue delving back into your wet, messy cunt. He licks and sucks at you like it’s his job and he’s getting paid by the hour. Carefully and methodically, his tongue drags more of your arousal from your entrance, the sounds of him eating you out obscene in the darkness of your bedroom.

The rasp of his beard on your inner thighs and against your sensitive cunt has tears slipping down your temples and into your hair. Mat dips his tongue into your entrance, holding it stiff so he can thrust it shallowly, and you keen, toes curling and fingers nearly ripping his hair from his head.

“Good girl,” he mumbles against you, nose bumping up against your swollen, sensitive clit and making you see stars.

“Please, please, Mat, oh my god, more,” you babble incoherently. His face is held right where you need him, the iron grip of your fingers giving him no room to pull back. He sucks gently at your clit and you choke off a scream, back bowing off the mattress and pushing your hips up into his face.

He moans against you and you kick at his back reflexively, drawing a grunt from him and making him grip your hip even tighter. You can feel your body dripping for him, arousal pooling under your ass faster than Mat can lick it up. He takes his time, licking and sucking painfully slowly, stoking the fire in your belly until it’s an inferno.

You’re not even sure what you’re saying as words fall from your lips, eyes wide open to watch Mat’s hips grind into the mattress. His ass, encased in a tight pair of royal blue boxer briefs, bounces with the movement and all you can picture is his hard, thick cock pressing into the mattress, leaking pre-cum and wetting the front of his briefs. Your mouth waters a little, desperate to get him in your hands or on your tongue and Mat’s tongue picks up its pace inside of your cunt.

“Oh my god,” you squeal out, writhing against Mat’s face, hiccuping and panting until Mat’s lips move up to latch around your clit and suck, hard. A shriek rips from your throat and your orgasm hits like a bomb, exploding in your veins and gushing out of your cunt to coat Mat’s face. You see stars and your chest heaves, breath catching as Mat continues to lick you through your orgasm, stroking gently over your hip bone. You whine and buck your hips against Mat’s face, eventually collapsing back against the mattress, a sheen of sweat making your oversized shirt stick to your skin.

“God,” you gasp, fingers cramping when you let go of Mat’s hair and flex them. Your legs tremble.

Mat’s head pops up between you legs and he gives you an absolutely shit-eating grin. “Nope, just me,” he chirps, wiping his hand over his beard. His whole face is shiny with your orgasm, but you’re so wrung out you can’t even be embarrassed about it.

Your foot twitches against his back and Mat’s grin widens, his head dipping again to kiss the inside of your thigh. “Real glad your parents took T,” he murmurs, kissing his way up over the top of your thigh to your hip bone. “I like when you scream for me.”

A yawn cracks your jaw and you squirm, overstimulated by the damp cotton stuck to your cunt and Mat’s weight on your legs. “Better let me take care of you so we can sleep before the princess is back tomorrow,” you reach down and scratch at Mat’s face, another yawn cutting your sentence in half.

He hums against your skin, fingers tracing nonsense patterns over your side. “I’m okay, babe,” he sucks a little mark over your hipbone, tracing the tip of his tongue over the spot, making you shiver. “Birthday girl doesn’t have to do anything.”

“What if-“ you yawn again, feeling your eyelids grow heavy, “the birthday girl wants to suck her Stanley Cup Champion husband’s dick?”

“How about we save that for when you’re able to keep your eyes open?” Mat chuckles and rubs his hand over your lower stomach, warm broad palm soothing you to sleep.

———

You wake up a couple of hours later, if the faint sunlight streaming in around the edges of the curtains is to be believed. Your legs are tingling, numb, and Mat’s not next to you when you turn your head. Instead, he’s still slotted between your legs, his head on your upper thigh and arms wrapped around your leg like it’s a teddy bear. A laugh bubbles up in your chest, even as Mat shifts and his shoulder wedges up against your cunt, arousal fizzing in your veins.

Reaching one hand out to your night table, your fingers brush up on your phone and tilt it so you can see the time - just after 5 in the morning, so plenty of time before the family comes over with Talia for your birthday breakfast. You let your eyes close again, the fingers on your other hand threading through Mat’s hair. Your body feels heavy from the early morning orgasm and the residual hangover from the parade yesterday. Most of it is faded, but you know that a nice greasy breakfast is going to do the last of the heavy lifting to make you feel normal again.

Mat stirs between your legs, his fingers tightening briefly around your thigh before loosening again. He rubs his bearded cheek against your skin like a cat and the bristles tickle you, goosebumps lifting on your arms. He’ll probably shave in the next few days, but you hope he’ll keep some stubble, if not most of the full beard.

His face is slack in sleep, laugh lines faint around his mouth and eyes. It’s been a gauntlet for Mat and the boys the last few months, but they have the ultimate prize now and every time you look at your Stanley Cup winning husband, the pride you feel for him grows exponentially. You’ll leave for Greece in a few days, a family vacation that all four of your parents and Liana are joining you on before they all head back home and you, Mat, and Talia skip off to Italy for another few days. It’s much needed family time after missing out on so much time with Mat during the post-season.

There’s still a ton to do before you leave, but today’s all about you, according to Mat.

Dirty thirty, you laugh to yourself. Never in a million years would you have thought this is where you’d be on your thirtieth birthday, with the best man you know madly in love with you and the greatest kid in the world. It’s been nearly seven years with Mat and every day just keeps getting better.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Your husband’s sleep rough voice startles you from your thoughts and he chuckles when you jolt under him. Mat lifts his head and rests his chin on your lower stomach, grinning up at you. “Hi.”

“Hi,” you whisper back, matching his grin. “Just…how amazing everything is.”

Mat blows a raspberry against your stomach and you shriek a laugh, pushing at his cheeks. “Stop, I’m allowed to be sappy on my birthday,” you whine, poking your lip out in a pout.

“Better sappy than crying like you usually do,” Mat teases. His fingers flex on your thighs and curl in towards the apex. One index finger traces over the edge of your panties. “These look damp,” he comments idly, continuing to trace his finger over until the tip of it is resting just over your clit. “Can’t be comfortable.”

You hum, already lifting your hips. Mat chuckles at how eager you are, sliding his hand up so the heel of his palm can grind against your clit and his fingers can curl under the top band of elastic. He shifts up to kneel in between your legs and you glance down to see the bulge in his briefs, one of your favorite sights in the morning. His free hand reaches for his dick and he grasps himself idly through the fabric, bringing the outline of him into stark relief. The shit-eating grin he gives you when he sees the fresh damp spot between your legs makes your knees go weak.

“Oh, birthday girl is desperate this morning, huh?” He murmurs, tugging down your panties and leaning forward to press a heated kiss to your lips. You groan against his mouth, parting your lips to allow his tongue inside.

“Mat,” you huff his name, breathless when he pulls back from the kiss. “Please.”

The plaintive syllable spurs Mat into action. He pushes the fabric of your sleep shirt up, exposing your breasts, nipples pebbled from arousal and the air conditioning. He sucks one into his mouth, his tongue circling until you’re moaning and canting your hips up into his hand. The backs of his knuckles are just barely touching you where you want him - need him - and you spread your legs farther apart, only to be stopped by the fabric of your panties still around your thighs.

“Mat!” You grumble, wriggling under him, trying to help your orgasm along.

He’s alternating between your breasts, licking a stripe in the valley between them. “Just relax, baby,” his voice vibrates in your chest when he speaks against yous skin. “Gonna make you feel good.”

And he does, burying three thick fingers in your cunt and crooking them until you’re screaming his name, gushing all over his hand. He murmurs filth into your skin as he pays attention to your breasts, sucking until your nipples are red and puffy. “Such a good girl,” he praises you, your heartbeat racing wilding in your chest, blood rushing in your ears. “Look so pretty when you come on my fingers.”

You’re boneless on the mattress, one leg slung lazily over Mat’s hip, and you give him a slow, dazed smile. “Fantastic start to thirty. Ten out of ten, no complaints,” you giggle, gaze trailing down to his cock. “Now, I remember something about the birthday girl wanting to suck her husband’s dick.”

Mat grins down at you and pinches your hip with his clean hand, the wet fingers of his other hand trailing over your stomach. “Who am I to deny the birthday girl?” He shrugs, his entire face crinkling up in the mischievous expression you love so much. You grin and sit up, pushing at Mat’s chest so he’s laying back and your positions are reversed.

“I like that attitude,” you smirk, scratching your nails lightly over his chest until your fingers reach the elastic of his briefs. You snap it once, enjoying the way Mat’s stomach muscles jump, before slipping your hand under the fabric and wrapping your hand around the hot, thick base of his cock.

“Oh, fuck,” Mat draws the curse out into a couple of groaned syllables. “Baby, have mercy, please.”

You tighten your grip and Mat grunts low in his throat. “Oh, I’ll be nice to you, baby,” your voice is a purr, faux-sweetness laced in every syllable.

Hours later, after Mat gave you another orgasm in the shower, pounding into you so hard you’re fairly convinced you saw God and feeding into that tiny little, not-so-secret wish that he put another baby in you, he changed the sheets on the bed and you’d both gotten ready for the day. You negotiated Mat away from a clean shave down to a healthy amount of stubble.

It is your birthday, after all.

You’re scrolling through the birthday texts and Instagram posts when the front door bangs open and Talia’s little feet stampede through the halls.

“Mommy! Happy Birthday!” She shrieks, running into your arms and giving you a huge hug. You laugh and lift her up onto your hip, tightening your arms around her.

“Thanks, love bug!” You press a smacking kiss to her cheek. “How was the sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa?”

While she chatters away, your parents appear in the kitchen with bags of food and a few gift bags. Mat’s parents and Liana aren’t far behind. Nadia and Liana have huge bouquets of flowers in their arms for you, to be mixed in with the days-old bouquets that had arrived after the Stanley Cup win. The entire kitchen island is covered in flowers and you grin into your birthday bouquet, thanking your mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

The kitchen is chaos for a few minutes, while everyone greets you with hugs and kisses, wishing you a happy birthday. Talia’s still on your hip, but she has one arm wrapped around Liana’s neck, making you both laugh while standing in an awkward position.

Mat appears and Talia lunges for him, leaving you and your sister-in-law in the lurch.

“Daddy’s girl,” you shake your head, taking the iced coffee that your mom offers you.

“Tossed over for the Stanley Cup champ,” Liana teases. “We get it.”

Behind Talia’s back, Mat flips off his sister and laughs, even as Nadia is scolding him. Laughter and conversation echo around the kitchen and you lean a hip against the counter, sipping at your coffee, taking it all in with a small smile. Your mom appears at your side, nudging your arm with her elbow and smiling up at you.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” she murmurs, squeezing your hand. “Talia, she’s just such a delight, exactly like you were at her age.”

You laugh a little. “Oh, she’s totally Mat’s mini. I think she got the best of both of us,” you reply, watching Liana try to teach Mat and Talia one of those schoolyard clapping games. All three of them are laughing and Talia’s bossing them around.

“Well, either way, you’re a wonderful mom and I’m so glad we got to be in town for your birthday,” she pinches your cheeks together and presses a kiss to your nose, just like she used to do when you were a kid.

“I’m glad you guys are here too,” you reply, tucking up against her side and resting your cheek on the top of her head. “And we’re extra glad that you’re all teaming up to watch T while we celebrate.”

There was no chance either you or Mat was able to parent last night or this morning, not with the amount of alcohol you had mainlined during the celebrations. Your mom laughs and waves you off, saying it was nothing.

The rest of the morning passes in a comfortable blur of homemade breakfast and bakery pastries, presents, and plenty of cuddles from Talia. You, Liana, and Talia do a Starbucks run too for your free birthday gift, detouring to Sephora and Chip City for those birthday freebies too.

“So, did Mat tell you where he’s taking me for dinner tonight?” You ask Liana, wiping whipped cream off of Talia’s face. Mat had told you he was taking you out for a fancy dinner, but hadn’t said anything else, other than you should dress up.

“I think the city,” Liana comments off-handedly. “Nothing specific other than that though.”

You squint at her, a little suspicious because you know the siblings are close and Mat tells Liana like 85% of his plans, especially when they involve you and surprises.

“The city?” Talia pipes up, her face breaking out into a huge smile. “Do I get to go?”

You’d brought Talia into the city to see the tree this past Christmas and now she’s obsessed with it and being like Eloise in the Plaza. So every time you or Mat go into the city, she thinks she’s tagging along.

“Not this time, kiddo,” Liana tugs at her pigtail. “Your mom and dad are going solo to celebrate your mom’s birthday.”

“I wanna go!” Talia kicks the back of the passenger seat and you wrap your hand around her ankle.

“Hey! No kicking, I get that you want to come, but right now this visit isn’t for you. Daddy and I will bring you in a different time, okay?” You wait for her to nod her agreement and then unbuckle her from her car seat so she can scamper up the walkway to the house.

Liana falls into step next to you, snorting a little laugh. “She’s so fiesty and then so agreeable. That didn’t come from either of you,” she teases.

“I’m so much more agreeable than Mat,” you counter, laughing too. “Plus it’s my birthday, aren’t you supposed to be nice to me?”

She bumps her hip into yours, “annoying little sister privileges!”

As an only child, you love the relationship you’ve developed with Liana, so you’ll happily take her teasing and chirping as a sign of affection.

Mat has lunch ready for Talia and reminds you that dinner reservations are at 6, so you have to start getting ready soon so you can leave on time.

“I don’t even get a single hint?” You pout, picking at the leftover half of a cinnamon roll from breakfast.

“Here’s your hint, put on a cute little dress,” Mat kisses behind your ear and lets his hand fall to your ass, grabbing a palmful, “and let me handle everything else.”

“You’re a menace,” you grumble, leaning back against his chest. “How do I know if I’m dressed properly?”

Mat’s hands wander over your hips, flattening over your stomach and slipping below the hem of your shirt to tickle your bare skin. “Li knows where I’m taking you, she’ll let you know if the outfit is good.”

You gasp, “she told me she didn’t know! Bunch of liars!”

Mat’s laugh echoes behind you when you break away from his grip and shout for his sister, stomping out to the back deck where she’s watching Talia in the pool.

Liana’s like a vault though, refusing to tell you where you’re going, but she does agree to help you pick a dress. So, after you shower, she and Talia camp out on your bed, both on their stomachs with their legs kicking in the air. Talia keeps looking over at Liana to mimic any change in position and it’s adorable, the way she wants to be just like her aunt.

“Oh, Mommy,” Talia sighs, her chin cupped in her hands, “you look so pretty.”

“Thank you, T,” you beam at your daughter, fingers tugging gently at the hem of the short black dress. “Is it too short?”

Liana shakes her head, “nope. It would be perfect.”

You look at yourself in the mirror and smooth your hands over your hips, cocking your head at your reflection. It does look nice and you haven’t worn it in a while.

“Maybe you need sparkles, Mommy,” Talia kicks her feet in the air. “Cause then you’d be like a princess!”

Liana nods when you look over at her. “Sparkles are also appropriate,” her grin matches Mat’s and you shake your head, disappearing back into the walk-in to find a dress with sparkles. You can hear Talia chattering to Liana, telling her all about the play date she’d just had with the Martin girls and Tulsa Horvat. You flip through the random dresses hanging in the back of your closet, fingers skipping over the more casual ones and the longer ones, until you land on the tiny, sequined mini that you wore for a New Year’s Eve party. The black sequins glitter in the closet’s overhead lighting and you feel good when you pull it on, sexy and sparkly and fun.

Based on the delighted gasp Talia lets out, she thinks you look good too.

“Mommy!” She jumps up onto your bed, bouncing a little with her arms thrown wide. “You’re sooooo pretty!”

She bounces and falls on top of Liana, who lets out a little grunt and grabs Talia around the middle to tickle her mercilessly. Talia shrieks and giggles, wriggling away from Liana and rolling off the bed to beeline for you. Her arms wrap around your leg and she looks up at you with big hazel eyes, “Mommy, can I pleaseeeee come to the city? Because you look so pretty with sparkles on.”

“Nice try,” you scratch at the top of her head. “You’re staying here with your grandparents and Aunt Li.”

Talia pouts and drops her head back dramatically, before disappearing into your closet. You can hear her start to knock shoes off their shelves and clomp around in your heels. You giggle at the noise and sit down at your vanity to start doing your hair and makeup. Liana rolls towards the end of your bed to chat.

“Did you start packing for Greece?” She asks, laughing when a little crash sounds from the closet and Talia shouts out, “I’m okay, Mommy! But the shoes fell.”

You roll your eyes, knowing you’re going to have to do a major clean up tomorrow, and look at Liana in the vanity’s mirror. “Nope, been way too busy celebrating,” you smirk. “Packing is a future me problem.”

“Spoken like a true Barzal,” Liana chirps. “You’re officially one of us.”

Waving the Dyson at her so she’ll get the hint to come and curl the back of your hair, you reply, “your brother’s bad habits have definitely rubbed off on me.”

“What have I rubbed on you?” Mat pokes his head into the bedroom, grinning wickedly and ducking when you toss a makeup brush at him. He bends to pick it up off the floor and twirls it around his fingers.

“Your daughter is within earshot, Mathew,” you reply primly, smothering a giggle with your lips rolled together. Liana tugs at the Dyson, releasing another curl, and you can see her roll her eyes.

“You two are gross,” she comments.

Mat points the brush at her and replies, “you’re in our home, we’re allowed to be gross here.”

“You’re gross everywhere! Don’t think we missed the ass grab during the parade, or the way your hand mysteriously disappeared,” Liana shoots back, your cheeks flushing hot at the memory of Mat’s hand down your shorts.

Your husband just shrugs, unbothered. “I’m gonna hop in the shower quick and I should be done by the time you are,” he presses a kiss to the top of your head as he walks past, clearly used to the time it takes you to get ready.

Mat’s still ready before you are, waiting downstairs with the family while you finish off your makeup and spray yourself in a cloud of Black Opium. Jewelry adds the final touch, your wrists jingling with the two Love bracelets and Van Cleef Alhambra bracelets you’ve collected over the years and your ears studded with the stupidly large diamond solitaires that Mat (and Talia, according to the card!) had given you this morning for your birthday. You take a final look in the mirror and smile at yourself, feeling settled and excited to start your thirties.

When you come downstairs, heels in your hand, Mat wolf whistles, cheeks flushing a little pink. “You look fucking edible, baby,” he murmurs, settling his hand heavy on the curve of your hip and tugging you close to press a kiss against your lips, biting down gently on your lower lip.

“Ditto,” you giggle when he pulls away, raking your gaze over Mat’s form, from the top of his tousled hair to peek of his throat and collarbones through the unbuttoned collar of his shirt, down to the loafers he’s wearing without socks.

“Ready for your birthday dinner?” He asks, folding you into an embrace, for no real reason other than him wanting your body flush against his. You can feel his cock twitch in his slacks.

You hum an affirmative against his skin, scratching lightly at the nape of his neck, “still no hints on dinner?”

“Just that we’re going into the city,” he kisses your cheek, spinning you around and patting your ass to get you moving to the door. You pad through the kitchen, planning on putting your heels on in the car.

Talia has all four grandparents monopolized on the couch, her head in Nadia’s lap and her feet on your mom’s lap. Beauty and the Beast is playing on the TV and you giggle when you realize that your dad and Mike are engrossed in the cartoon too.

“Hey,” you call softly, getting everyone’s attention. You notice Liana’s missing, has been since she finished your hair, but there’s also no dinner being cooked so she must’ve run out to pick up the food. “We’re heading out, give me a kiss, love bug.”

Talia stands up on the couch and plants a smacking kiss to your cheek telling you again that you’re ‘sooo pretty, even prettier than Belle, Mommy! And she’s the prettiest princess,’ before giving Mat a kiss too and a hug that has her jumping over the back of the couch and clinging to him like a monkey. He peppers kisses over her cheeks and she pushes him away after a minute, nearly back flipping out of his arms to get back on the couch and curl up with her grandmas.

“Remember, bedtime is 8, please,” you tell your mom and Nadia, knowing they’re going to disregard that completely. They nod and wave you out the door, Mat’s hand low on your ass doing the most work to get you out to the car.

He opens the door for you, like a legitimate gentleman, and bobs his head along when you flip the radio to the Sirius 90s pop station. His hand falls quickly from the steering wheel to your bare upper thigh and you smirk down at it. His fingers are long and thick, tanned even though he hasn’t been spending that much time outside. He taps them against your thigh in time with the music and your stomach does a little flip, lurching like you missed a step.

“Skin’s so soft,” Mat murmurs, eyes on the road, trailing his fingers up and down your thigh, closer and closer to the hem of your dress. “Just as soft as burying my fingers in your tight, little cunt.”

You let out a little squeak at his words, heat rushing between your legs, letting them fall open slightly. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Mat’s grin widen, his fingers dipping up under your dress and stopping.

“Mat,” you huff. You clit throbs.

Pulling to a stop at a red light, he turns to face you with a raised eyebrow and a little smirk. “What’s the matter, Squeaks? Need something?”

You growl in the back of your throat. Fucking menace. “Don’t make me say it,” you grumble, his fingertips are dancing lightly against your inner thigh.

“You’re a big girl now,” Mat’s smile is wicked, “you know how to ask for what you want.”

“Mat,” you whine, pressing back into your seat as the light turns green and Mat hits the gas. Your hands grip his wrist, trying to push his hand closer to your cunt. His tendons flex under your fingers, his hand immovable. “Please, I need you to touch me.”

He slides his fingers up higher, bumping just against your covered clit and you gasp, relaxing down into the seat. “Anything for the birthday girl,” he grins, moving his fingers slightly while still keeping his eyes on the road. “Go ahead, use my hand, babe.”

It’s awful and dirty and not even close to the most depraved thing you and Mat have done in his car, but you sigh and spread your legs a little wider, the hem of your dress inching up your thighs so you can guide Mat’s hand exactly where you need it. He merges onto the Grand Central and you know you only have a limited amount of time to get yourself off.

Shouldn’t be hard since you’ve honestly been wet for Mat since you saw him in the kitchen. The combination of the open neck of his button down and the peek of his chain is enough to get you halfway to an orgasm.

His fingers slip against your clit and you let out a little sigh, wiggling your hips against his hand. Mat chuckles a little and his voice is rough when he says, “go ahead, be as loud as you want. No one’s gonna hear you.”

You don’t even really want to be that loud, all of your attention focused on getting off as fast as you can. Mat’s fingers rub gently at your folds through the fabric of your thong, the fabric soaked through to the point where you think you really should’ve thought this through and sitting in a restaurant is going to be wildly uncomfortable with a damp thong.

Little whimpers leave your mouth while you pull the fabric to the side, guiding Mat’s middle and ring fingers to your entrance. He lets them sink into you in a quick slide and you clench around his fingers, groaning at the slight stretch.

“Sound so pretty when my fingers fill you,” Mat says, crooking his fingers just right and hitting your g-spot with enough force that your leg kicks out and your knee smashes into the underside of the dash.

“Ow, fuck, oh my god,” your yelp of pain trails off into a moan when Mat pumps his fingers without warning.

His fingers rub against the walls of your cunt and you feel arousal trickle down the curve of your ass, wincing when you think about the state of the car’s seat.

“You okay, babe?” Mat asks, glancing over at you.

“Mhm,” you nod, your own fingers moving from Mat’s wrist so you can circle your clit. “Just need…I’m so close, oh my god.”

Your fingers make tight little circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves, building tight pleasure in your stomach in tandem with Mat’s thick fingers.

The pads of Mat’s fingers press - hard - against your g-spot and you toss your head back against the headrest, coming around his fingers with a high pitched moan, your cunt clenching around his fingers like a vice. He continues to stroke your walls through the trembling aftereffects and the song on the radio changes over to ‘Genie in a Bottle’ and you start to giggle as the lyrics filter through the buzzy haze of your orgasm.

“Oh my god,” you laugh, Mat’s snort making you laugh even harder. His fingers wiggle in the grip of your cunt and your spasms of laughter only serve to grip him tighter.

“What a fucking soundtrack,” Mat cracks up, laughing so loud the music is nearly drowned out. He pulls his hand out from between your legs and you whine at the sudden emptiness. His hand glistens with your come and his smirk is devilish. “Proof I rubbed you the right way, huh, Squeaks?”

You groan, laughing, “god, you’re awful, Mathew!”

“You’re laughing though,” he chirps, sticking both fingers in his mouth to suck them clean. You clench your thighs together at the wet popping sound he makes when he withdraws his fingers from his mouth.

“Fuck,” you grumble, feeling lightheaded. “You’re going straight to the bathroom to wash your hands when we get to the restaurant.”

He pumps a little Purell onto his hand from the bottle sitting in his cup holder and grins at you, “yes, Mommy.”

You narrow your eyes at him and shake your head, “oh, don’t even start that, Mat! I’m already so messy, do you have napkins or something in here?” You’re flipping open the center console as you speak, finding nothing but a pair of sunglasses, one of Talia’s Polly Pocket dolls, and six protein bars in the space.

“I think T left her towel on the backseat after her swim lesson the other day,” Mat cranes his neck to look in the rear view mirror and nods. “Yep, it’s back there.”

Reaching back, your fingers grasp the striped towel and you pull it into the front seat, shaking your head. “Are we, like, sex maniacs? Because this isn’t even close to the weirdest thing I’ve cleaned myself up with,” you snort a laugh through your nose and wipe at your thighs with the chlorine-scented towel. You roll your window down too, trying to get the smell of sex out of the car.

“Honestly?” Mat laughs, changing lanes. “We probably are, but when my wife is as hot and smart and funny as you are? Who could blame me?”

“Flatterer,” you murmur, a faint smile on your face and butterflies fluttering around your stomach. Flirting with Mat will never get old.

You toss the dirty towel back into the backseat, making a mental note to bring it into the house later to wash.

Rummaging around in the glove compartment, you withdraw your little toiletry bag and spray a little bit of the travel sized Black Opium perfume on your thighs and hair.

“What?” You ask, catching Mat looking at you.

“How long has that been in there?” He laughs, studying you while you touch up your lipstick with a miniature tube.

You smack your lips, shifting the color, and giggle at your husband. “Since the first time we had sex in the car,” your laugh grows.

The rest of the drive into the city is quiet, Mat trying to hold your hand over the center console and laughing when you push his arm away because you “know where his fingers have been!”

“Yeah,” Mat shoots back, “inside of you!”

He drives over the 59th Street Bridge and you’re still trying to guess where you’re going, even as Mat drives into Midtown. He remains frustratingly tightlipped, driving past Bryant Park and pulling into an Icon Parking garage in the middle of West 36th.

You buckle your shoes around your ankles and climb out of the car, wondering just exactly where you’re having dinner nearly in the middle of Times Square. Nothing looks familiar to you, in terms of fancy restaurants that you and Mat have discussed trying out. Mat hands his keys off to the parking attendant and takes your hand with his clean one.

“How far are we going?” You cling to his hand, skipping along in your heels. “Because these aren’t walking heels, they’re look good at dinner and then draped over your husband’s back while he rails you in bed heels.”

Mat snorts a laugh and replies, “literally down the block, babe. If we were going any further, I’d carry you.”

“Down the block?” By the time the question is out of your mouth, Mat is stopping and guiding you towards the door of the Moxy Hotel. You squint up at the neon pink sign and tilt your head at Mat, pushing the door open.

“Magic Hour,” he says in response to your unasked question. “Rooftop bar since I know those are the birthday girl’s favorites.”

You give him an excited little bounce-shimmy because he’s right, you love a rooftop bar especially in the warm days of June in New York. You’ve never been to Magic Hour, have heard of it though with its rotating seating area and miniature mini golf course.

“Well this is a fun surprise,” you beam, resting your chin on his bicep. “Go wash your hands and we can get up there!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Mat laughs, presses a smacking kiss to your cheek and scampers off, returning a few minutes later with freshly washed hands. He takes your hand and guides you to the elevators, your heels clicking along the floor. You lean against the back wall of the elevator, watching Mat’s fingers punch at the rooftop button.

“You got lucky today’s a beautiful day,” you tease. “Otherwise all those rooftop dinner plans are out the window.”

Mat’s smile curves up at an amused angle, something twinkling in his eyes. A secret? He looks more delighted than he should. “There was a Plan B,” he promises. “I’m just glad we didn’t need it.”

“What was the Plan B?” You ask, curious. But Mat doesn’t have a chance to answer, the elevator doors sliding open to reveal another hallway decorated with silver elephant heads. “Oh this is fun!”

You traipse ahead of Mat towards the doors, pointed off in the right direction by the woman at the reservation stand. He’s trailing behind you and you angle your chin over your shoulder to say something to him, pushing open the door to the rooftop.

“SURPRISE!”

The shout registers a second later and you jump, eyes wide and mouth dropped open, hands flying up to cover the lower half of your face. Mat’s laughter is at your back and the crowd of people in front of you are a blurry mess of faces and delighted cheering.

“Oh my god!” You gasp, taking a little step back instinctively, right into Mat’s waiting hands. They’re warm and solid on your hips.

“Happy birthday, Squeaks,” he murmurs into your ear, kissing your cheek. “Surprise,” his whisper is low and makes you shiver.

“Mat…” a lump of emotion clogs your throat, overwhelmed by the surprise party and Mat’s thoughtfulness. His hands squeeze your hips gently and he nudges you forward.

“Go ahead, greet your adoring crowd,” he laughs. “I’ll be around.”

You’re immediately pulled into a hug and shout with excitement and shock when you realize it’s Liana wrapping her arms around you. “Oh my god!” You yelp, hugging her back. “Aren’t you supposed to be hanging out with my kid? I was wondering why you weren’t at the house when we left.”

She grins and bounces up and down in her heels. “I snuck out and caught a ride in with Bo and Holly,” she beams, looping her arm in yours and dragging you deeper into the party. “My big sister is turning thirty, of course I wasn’t missing this party.”

Tears well up in your eyes and you lean into Liana’s side, bumping your head against hers.

“I can’t believe Mat pulled this off,” you say, completely awed. “With the playoffs and … well, I had no clue!”

“He had plenty of help!” Syd comes up behind you and wraps you in a huge hug. “Happy thirtieth, girl! Welcome to the club!”

Holly laughs and hugs you tightly. “Mat’s only two stipulations were an open bar and a neon sign because and I quote, ‘my girl loves those fuckass neon signs.’”

“He loves those fuckass neon signs!” You protest loudly. “He’s just as much of a basic bitch as I am.”

All three women nod in agreement. “Oh we know,” Liana grins, any opportunity to make fun of her brother.

The neon sign in question is pointed out to you - bright orange and spelling out ‘Dirty Thirty’ in script, it’s attached to a fake plant backdrop and you’re informed that it’s yours to keep - and then you’re moving throughout the party, greeting guests and getting wrapped up in hugs from the guys. At some point, someone places a plastic princess tiara on your head and hands you a glass.

It’s a Bay Breeze, your favorite, and when you finally make it to the bar, there’s a sign on top that names it as your signature drink. The Squeaks Special. Mat had to have been behind that one, the only one to use the nickname, and it makes you smile.

There are a couple of other speciality drinks that are named for you - a bright orange Aperol Spritz, an espresso martini, and your stand-by of a vodka cranberry. You know you’ll be sampling each one as the night goes on. But for now you stick to your Squeaks Special, the alcohol warming your body from the inside out.

The rooftop is huge, crowded with your guests. The entire team is here, including the handful of players that have retired in the last few years. Your friends from college and grad school, your parent friends from Talia’s class. Your best friends from high school. You spend more time than you realize catching up with everyone, wondering just how Mat and the girls knew to create a guest list made up of your favorite people in the world.

Including - “Tito! Emma!” you shriek, spotting your husband’s best friend and his wife chatting with Mat at the mini golf green and making a beeline for them, wrapping an arm around each of their necks and pulling them into a three person hug. Their arms loop around your back and you wobble slightly, a pleasant buzz settling in.

“Happy birthday!” Emma squeals, keeping her arms looped over your shoulder. “Perfect weather, perfect party for our perfect girl!”

You beam, waving a hand in the air, a giggle slipping past your lips. “Because I have the sweetest, most thoughtful husband in the world,” you blow a kiss at Mat.

“How many of those have you had?” Mat laughs, reaching out to take a sip of your Aperol Spritz. He winces at the harsh taste and washes it down with a sip of his Jack and coke.

“Enough,” you shrug. Truthfully, you’re not entirely sure, but Mat doesn’t need to know that. Returning to the conversation, you say, “I can’t believe neither of you slipped up on anything. Especially when we were talking about the August visit.”

Emma and Tito’s little boy is a few years younger than Talia and you were planning a trip down to Nashville for a visit in early August, once you’re back from Europe.

“We were under strict orders not to spill the beans,” Tito laughs, clapping Mat on the shoulder. “Pain of death if we ruined your surprise.”

Mat shrugs, a lazy smile on his lips and amusement dancing in his eyes. “Half of you are lucky you got told at all, big fucking mouths,” he teases, opening his arm for you to snuggle against his side. His arm is warm over your shoulders and you loop your fingers loosely over his belt, enveloped by the scent of his cologne and the laundry detergent you just switched over to.

“Well, I had no clue,” you assure him. “I’m…I’m really overwhelmed, honestly.” You choke up a little. “I just love that everyone I love is here.”

“You deserve it, babe,” Mat kisses the top of your head, getting an “oooh” from Emma and Tito and making you laugh. You lean up on your toes and kiss the side of Mat’s neck, a faint transfer of your lipstick smudging his skin.

“Oh!” The music transitions into a club mix of ‘Believe’ and you bounce, grasping Mat’s hand and tugging him over to the space in the middle of the rooftop that’s functioning as a dance floor. “Dance with me!”

Mat laughs and follows along, resisting just slightly. “Only because it’s your birthday,” he teases.

You shake your ass at him, tossing a grin over your shoulder. “Liar! You love a good jump around dance, don’t pretend,” your voice strains, shouting over the music. Mat’s free arm locks around your waist and pulls you back to him, your ass pressed tightly against his crotch, the bulge of his cock hot against the curve of your ass. You wiggle happily against him, getting comfortable, and let go of his hand so you can loop your arm around his neck and rest the back of your head against his collarbone, grinding and dancing completely off-beat.

Somehow, while the songs change, you polish off your drink and some of Mat’s and a few little snacks that someone keeps putting into your hands. You’ve lost track of how many drinks you’ve had, know that you did a round of shots with Cal, Casey, and Matt.

At some point, you end up behind the bar, dancing absently to the music that’s playing and pouring drinks for everyone. God knows if they’re the right drinks, but no one seems to be complaining. Mat’s leaning against the bar, grinning at you.

“What?” You say, cocking your head at him and overfilling a glass with seltzer. You shake your hand off and the actual bartender pours the drink properly, handing it off to one of your college friends.

“Nothing,” Mat shrugs, “you’re just really cute.”

Heat rushes to your face and you giggle. “You’re really cute,” you shoot back, reaching over the bar to grasp Mat’s hand. His fingers curl around yours and he pushes himself forward, over the bar, so he can capture your lips with his. His tongue passes over yours and you moan into his mouth, your free hand grabbing at the open neck of his shirt to pull him in even closer. Your fingers brush against the warm metal of his chain and you tug gently at it, a growl vibrating at the back of Mat’s throat. Mat’s hand gropes at your chest, cool fingers dipping beneath the fabric of your dress and squeezing gently at the swell of your breast. You whine and deepen the kiss, pressing your chest into his hand, wolf whistles from your friends rattling around in your brain.

You pull back from the kiss, desperate for air, and Mat has your lower lip captured between his teeth, tugging gently on it. You push a little at his chest, getting him to release you, and suck in a shaky breath.

“Get a fuckin’ room!” Marty shouts, laughing.

“When has a lack of privacy ever stopped them?” Bo chimes in, sounding exasperated.

Mat grins at you and you can see that his face is flushed. “Say the word, baby, I’ll haul you off to the bathroom right now,” his voice is low, his fingers drawing aimless trails up and down your arm. Your clit throbs in response to his voice, dampness growing between your thighs.

It’s on the tip of your tongue to say yes, to nod and have his arms around you in a second, an orgasm flooding your senses before you can even be missed.

And then the opening notes to ‘Stop’ by the Spice Girls start and your eyes go wide, an excited squeal from your lips barely audible over the music. You dart around the bar, leaving Mat hanging over the counter, confused and surprised by your sudden disappearance.

Until you start shouting for Syd, Alexa, and Liana, shimmying your way into the middle of the dance floor. Mat realizes exactly what’s happening when his sister and the other two blondes join you in a line, drunkenly performing choreography to the song.

Mat cracks up and he’s in the thick of it seconds later, recording the impromptu performance, holding his phone up and sticking his head in the shot as you hold your hands out and cross them over your chest, your movements not as sharp as they could be. Next to you, Sydney and Liana burst out into giggles, Alexa shouting along to the lyrics. Mat sings loudly and off-key, barely audible over the music.

“I need somebody with a human touch,” you drag out the notes, slurring your words a little, and Mat dances next to you, thrusting his hips a little, recording everything. You turn and kiss him, giggling against his mouth. When the song ends, you fall into a pile of arms, laughing and hugging the girls.

“I didn’t think I would remember that,” Syd grins, thinking about how drunk you’d all been during the game watch party a year ago when you decided to learn the choreography to the song instead of focusing on the game.

Alexa snorts, “valuable brain cells are used up on remembering 90s choreography.”

“Big hit with your fans,” Mat waves his phone in the air, the screen playing his Insta story, your off-rhythm dancing the focus, with Mat’s face popping up in the bottom corner of the screen, his face scrunched up in a delighted expression.

You reach for the phone, stumbling a little and landing hard against Mat’s chest, his arm locked around your waist. “That’s what you post?” You whine. “Not my amazing bartending shkills…skillsh…talents?” Your eyebrows furrow, your mouth clumsy around the sharp consonant.

“My drink was all cranberry, no vodka,” Alexa chirps.

“You gave me a White Claw when I asked for a beer,” Noah grins, draping an arm over his girlfriend’s shoulders.

A handful of your other friends chime in with their wrong drinks and you stick your tongue out at the group, “you’re supposed to lie to me!”

They all refuse to lie to you and you’re too drunk to care, slipping your way off the dance floor with Mat at your back, attention span moving onto the next conversation.

You’re not sure what time it is when Mat pulls you to the middle of the rooftop again, your question cut off when everyone starts singing Happy Birthday and a huge sheet cake is wheeled out in front of you, three big sparkler candles making everything glow. A picture from your first birthday is printed on the frosting and you grin down at your own face - your mom had to have supplied the picture to Mat - blowing out the number candles lit next to the sparkler candles.

“What did you wish for?” Mat asks in your ear, kissing your cheek. One of his hands is resting on the curve of your ass and the other swipes up a bit of frosting for you to try.

You lick it off his finger delicately, knowing you’re going to hear shit from the girls during the party debriefs in the coming days, and hoping someone got a picture anyway.

“Can’t tell you,” you whisper back, “otherwise it won’t come true.”

There’s only one thing missing from your life right now and you refuse to dwell on that anxiety producing thought for the night, instead choosing to swipe frosting onto your own fingers and run them over Mat’s cheek, laughing and running off when his mouth drops open in shock. You’d lost your heels hours ago, so your escape is going well until Mat follows, considerably less drunk than you are, and captures you around the waist, your legs swinging up in the air with your changed momentum.

“Brat,” Mat grumbles affectionately into your ear, peppering kisses down the back of your neck.

“Do something about it,” you challenge him, pressing your ass back against his crotch.

Mat’s hands tighten around your waist and you let out a little sigh, relaxing into his grip. His face is buried in your hair, lips working over the nape of your neck. Every so often his teeth scrape against your skin and you shiver, barely aware that he’s carrying you back inside, into the little hallway with the silver elephant heads on the wall.

“So needy,” he mumbles, pressing you up against the wall, kissing your cheek and letting his hands slide over your stomach and down to the bare skin of your upper thighs. “Lucky for you I’ve never been able to resist you.”

“Mat…” you whine his name, choking off in a gasp when his fingers find your clit and expertly roll the sensitive bundle until tears well up in your eyes and arousal soaks your panties. It doesn’t take long for your orgasm to build, Mat’s middle finger teasing between your folds and his thumb and index finger working your clit.

“Come on, baby,” he grins into your shoulder, never stopping his movements. “Got a party full of people waiting for you, come on my hand and you can get back out there.”

You clap your hand over your mouth to muffle the high-pitched moan Mat drags out of you, your orgasm hitting like a tidal wave, your come drenching Mat’s hand.

“Good girl,” he praises you through the rolling waves of your orgasm, pulling his hand from between your legs and taking a little step back so you’re not crushed between his chest and the wall. “Back to the party,” he chuckles and pats your ass with his clean hand, guiding you back out to the rooftop.

Your legs are shaky and you’re grateful that you’re barefoot because the post-orgasm leg weakness wouldn’t have combined well with your heels and the alcohol you’ve had to drink. Mat isn’t at your side and you assume he’s gone to wash his hands, but you don’t have a chance to really wonder where he’s gone or worry about it because you’re drawn into a drunken mini golf competition with Noah, Alexa, Bo, and Holly. Bo and Noah are the only ones who manage to do a halfway decent job, you and the girls giggling and sending the colorful golf balls rolling off the fake green.

The party winds down in the early hours of the morning and you find yourself tucked up on Mat’s lap, his hands warm on your back and outer thigh while he cradles you. Your cheek is pillowed on his chest and you’re half having a conversation with Holly, half falling asleep.

“I think the party’s over,” Mat chuckles, looking down at you.

“No,” you whine, “I don’t want my birthday to be over.”

“Hate to break it to you, Squeaks,” Mat’s lips are against your temple, “but it’s almost 2am. Your birthday’s been over for a couple of hours now.”

“That sucks,” your voice is muffled by Mat’s shirt and you yawn. “It was the best birthday.”

The last stragglers for the party get up when you and Mat do, hugging you goodbye and heading out into the night. You and Liana lean heavily on either side of Mat and he grumbles about trying to find his wallet in his pocket while you’re leaning on him.

“I literally can’t move,” you yawn, jaw cracking. You’re not as drunk anymore, but the exhaustion is settling in.

“Hop on,” Mat laughs, bending his knees slightly so you can climb onto his back with a happy little squeak. Your arms lock around his neck and you rest your cheek against his head.

“You smell like a bar,” you mumble, strands of Mat’s hair moving with your breath.

Mat’s heading out of the Moxy, nudging Liana along with the hand that isn’t propped under your ass to hold you in place. “Better than my post-game smell, huh?” he laughs. “Li, come on. Walk.”

“I wanna be carried too,” she complains, limping along in her heels.

“Car park is literally next door,” Mat rolls his eyes, bouncing you up higher onto his back when he feels you start to slip. Your thighs clamp tighter around his waist and Mat grunts a little.

“Can still smell your cologne though,” you continue, the heels in your hands dangling against Mat’s chest. “I like this one. Smells so good.”

The cool night air hits your face as Mat walks out onto the sidewalk, free hand wrapped around Liana’s wrist to keep track of her for the thirty foot walk to the Icon Parking lot. You snuggle up tighter against Mat’s back, eyes closing while he walks. Mat’s chuckle vibrates your chest and he sounds amused when he says, “you staying awake back there, Squeaks?”

“Mhm,” you hum. “Awake, totally awake.”

“Yeah, okay,” Mat scoffs, paying for the parking and stepping off to the side where Liana’s sitting on a little bench with Holly to wait for the car.

It doesn’t take long, probably because it’s after two in the morning and there’s only a few people waiting for their cars - Bo and Holly included. You wave at them as they climb into their car and drive off.

Mat loads you and Liana into the car and you’re on the road back to the Island before you know it. Your head rests against the window, feet tucked up under your body.

“Can we stop for McDonalds?” Liana asks from the backseat, poking her head in between the seats and giving Mat a wide eyed flutter of her eyelashes.

“Fuck no,” Mat rolls his eyes and you laugh. “We’re going right home and to bed because some of us have a five-year-old that gets up with the damn sun.”

Liana punches Mat’s arm, “you’re no fun.”

“We have pizza rolls in the freezer,” you tell her, turning in your seat a little. “And I think a bag of those honey bourbon Perdue nuggets.”

“Oh, you’re my favorite sister for sure,” Liana sighs happily and leans back in her seat. “Pizza rolls and chicken nuggets, the food of drunk champions.”

The drive home takes about thirty five minutes, the shortest a drive home from the city has ever been, and you wander across the lawn barefoot when you get home, the damp grass soothing against your sore feet. Liana makes a beeline for the freezer once Mat opens the front door and asks if you want a snack.

You shake your head, “I’m beat. Thanks for helping Mat with the surprise.” You give her a huge hug and she returns it, the pair of you doing a faint drunken sway in the middle of the kitchen.

“Anytime,” she grins, accepting a goodnight hug from Mat too.

“Clean up your mess,” he demands, fake-sternly, as he follows you up the stairs.

After a very quick joint shower that was actually just a shower, you crawl into bed next to Mat, pressed up against his side tightly. “Best birthday ever,” you yawn into his chest, nose brushing against the fabric of his shirt.

“You deserve it,” Mat yawns back, kissing the top of your head. “Can’t wait to see what you’re gonna do for my thirty-fifth.”

You snort a laugh - Mat had gotten a slightly delayed thirtieth birthday last year due to the playoffs. “Mmm,” you hum, “let’s see how good you are the next four years.”

He murmurs a reply, but you barely hear him, asleep before his sentence is finished.

——

Your bedroom is bright with sunlight when you finally wake up, miraculously without the nausea and throbbing headache that usually accompany your hangovers. You sit up and push the tangle mess of your hair off of your face, smiling faintly when you hear noise outside of the bedroom door.

“I’m awake,” you call out and Mat wanders in, Talia perched happily on his hip. He looks tired, but there’s a smile on his face. Talia’s beaming and flings herself out of Mat’s arms to land on the plush mattress before crawling up to curl in your lap. She’s got a packet of the Nature’s Bakery fig bars you’re all obsessed with in her hands, tearing into the wrapper.

“Hi, mommy,” she chirps. “I had so much fun with Nana and Pop and Granma and Granpa. But Aunt Li wasn’t here, did you know that?”

You smooth a hand over her dark hair, “I think she was playing a little trick. But she’s down in the basement, she stayed over last night.”

“Really?” Talia’s eyes go wide. “I’m gonna go share my pig newtons with her.”

Mat steps to the side as she barrels past him, shrieking for Liana as she goes. He laughs and flops onto the edge of the bed, hooking a hand around your ankle. “Li’s gonna love the Hurricane Talia landfall,” he laughs. “I could hear her puking when I went down to make coffee.”

Sympathy for your sister-in-law has you wrinkling your nose. “Maybe we should’ve stopped her?” You ask, reaching out to run your fingers through Mat’s hair. You yawn widely, jaw cracking, and roll your neck to ease some of the ache.

“She’ll get distracted by the parents on her way,” Mat shrugs. “They’ve got breakfast going, whenever you’re ready to join.”

Surprisingly, you’re hungry, so you roll out of bed and press a quick kiss to the corner of Mat’s mouth and pad off to the bathroom. You can feel his gaze on your ass and add a little extra sway in your step, just for him.

“Thirty never looked so good,” he calls after you, making you laugh.

After such a perfect start, you’re looking forward to seeing what thirty has in store for you.

[newkatzkafe2023]

Ya know

Iva always wondered what the Sun Wukong's would be into

Like what traits do they find attractive (I can already tell with BMW because he "loves serial killer woman" lol)

What would they want in a partner huh???🤔 I never thought about it but let me see🙃

(Lmk Wukong) He would look for someone who is cheerful, kind and know how to have fun. Someone who silly but still way more responsible then he'll ever be, Wukong loves how you always make sure he has everything he needs along with Mk. He also likes how much you get emotional when he's injured, and even though he's immortal you still worry over him like you were hurt as well. Wukong loves how you care so much despite him being strong, it tells him that you will always be there and will always support him forever. 🥰

(MKR Wukong) Somebody It is the same as a rose beautiful with thorns meaning, a woman with a sweet face but sharp claws. You would also would have only some expectations for him but you would also know that he tries his hardest every day for you. Therefore you would reward him with kisses and the affection he deserves from you, you also can get a tad bit violent especially to anyone who's a threat to your husband and Fruity And it puts a blush on his face everytime.😩

(NR Wukong) Somebody who can always keep him grounded, but can keep up with the wild side of Sun Wukong gets into every day. You keep him from making a mess of things, but you still laugh along his antics and mishaps. You're a good sport, about it too. He also loves how you have some wisdom yourself as you would give Li and Su your input and advice to him them in the long run. Wukong also loves how you would tease him lovingly and be mischievous too, over all its always a trip with you😉

(HIB Wukong) Supportive and kind, along with motherly and protective of your love ones. That's what he looks for in a wife although you can tease him about his grumpy face and surprise it with kisses and snuggles. Wukong appreciates how scary you can get when he and the kids were to ever be put in danger and gets protective. You also someone who understands his frustrations and be a good listening ear, and would hug him for support. Wukong is just glad to have you here, along with The kids and pigsy.👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

(Netflix Wukong) He absolutely needs the motherly type of wife. You are firm but also loving. You would scold him whenever he does something he's not supposed to, but unlike most people, you would at least explain to him why he did what he did was wrong. You never judge him on anything he does, but you make sure to get how you feel across, especially with your disappointment on him. Though you always tell him that he's a good man and to never listen to the nasty people who insult and belittle him. Your love for him, is what he should focus on.🤱

(BMW Wukong) You Hit the nail on the head😂, he would love to marry a woman who could possibly kill him immortality be damned🤣🤣🤣. You were at first cheerful and charismatic to him and even a tad bit mischievous, teasing him ever so slightly. But the your true colors came to be as wild, ferocious, not afraid to get your claws dirty and never let anyone especially the heavens tell you what to do. Wukong wanted to put a ring on your figure the second you ripped that one celestial's eyes out with your thumbs. Wukong still purrs whenever you Threaten his life to this day🤤

(Destined one) He would love someone adventurous and a sweet travel buddy to explore with. You also understand his body language and pay close attention to his likes and dislikes, he also like someone who can cause a little mischief to him as well and it would be both cute and funny. You share every discovery you make together strengthening your bond, your quite the whisperer as well trying not to disturb him. The Destined one's greatest treasure though is the marriage he gets to have with you.🥹

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG🫶

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts: CH40

Laios is apparently only good at drawing monsters.

You guys have no faith in him! Come onnnn

To that point, if the shapeshifters that are left are the most similar to the real selves, doesn't that prove that Laios actually knows them best? The other, easily-discounted shapeshifters were easily singled out as fakes because they were so caricature like.

The remaining fakes are just minutely different from the real selves. Chilchuk has slightly larger eyes, Marcille's hair is thinner, and Senshi has sharper features. What that says to me is that Laios is actually the BEST at reconstructing them in his mind.

Unfortunately, that. Kinda makes it harder.

Welll.......yeah. No, that makes sense.

This is a problem you all created 😂

This is legitimately making me question everything. Because like... Marcille A is acting pretty sus. But they've been through a lot, so maybe she's just depressed?

Oooooooh someone minmaxed into gayness. That's certainly a dependable strategy.

FAKE!!!!! He's the fake! Senshi would never deplete an ecosystem completely like that!!!!

ah yes, all sorts of nutrition. White rice is known for its nutrition like...... (looks at smeared writing on hand) carbohydrates and scant amounts of folates. Yep.

HE IS HANDSOME, BUT NOT "B"!! "A" IS ALSO HANDSOME!! THEY'RE BOTH HANDSOME!

.......guys. GUYYS.

Laios, you're such an absolute loser and I love you but please. Please turn on the autism. Just this once, please turn on the autism beam and point it at your friends. Please

"all of them! Everyone is fake! Including me!"

Wouldn't that be a plot twist.

why are both the chillchucks upset at this suggestion? shouldn't the real ones be relieved?

Illusions with physical traits, though? Is that not obvious once you start roughing it up with it? If something can be physical enough to fight, why not just use that thing to overpower the adventurer, then?

....so it's a vampire created illusion?

Okay, so because I saw someone else post this page to my dash about a week ago I'm actually fully aware of what comes next, and I can say with certainty that it does not ruin it. At all.

I gotta say, as a weird little kid that practiced barking like a dog and mimicking dog howls, this is making me feel SO SEEN. He's just like me fr.

And the fact that they're all supporting his talent........friendship is magic.

I'm so intrigued by this man and how his mind works.

Love is not letting your dumbass furry friend climb into the wolf enclosure at the zoo and try to fight the alpha of the pack.

This is. So real. I've never seen a manga commit SO MUCH to the weird little man trope, and I love Kui-san so much for this. This is true representation.

Dumbass recognizes dumbass. This is why they're friends.

I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT. I also didn't remember it!

Oh, hmm.....

I'm relatively certain the hand that Marcille grasped in the last chapter WAS the cat's hand. That means the cat followed them - but because no one knew she was there, the shapeshifter didn't create any illusions of her. That means she was just hiding out, observing everything.

Is she just sleeping in there curled up on the rice?

Ahhh, so it was a distraction.

[jikooklove9795]

https://www.tumblr.com/jikooklove9795/764396189467705344/jungkooks-gaze-was-fixed-on-jimin-following-his?source=share

It was the official moment JK decided "Wow I really love that sound, now I'm gonna do anything to make sure I hear it over and over again"

I'm sure he also learned very quickly that he doesn't really need to try too hard to bring it out.

Awww. Thanks so much for sending this in. You have worded it very beautifully.

This moment is from June 2015. A year which shows an obvious shift in their dynamic. There's a lot of crushing, testing the waters and realization of feelings from both parties. But it is more noticeable when it comes to Jungkook. There are moments where he's trying to flirt with Jimin, to get a reaction out of him. There are moments when he does things impulsively to get Jimin's attention

He's become more clingier to Jimin. Seeking him out and enjoying the physical closeness. He teases him. Enjoys making him flustered. He's happy to see that he has that affect on Jimin.

He becomes a bit annoyed when he sees Jimin being close to other members even though he knows its all innocent affection. And then his smile is back in place when Jimin turns to him. This is in no way Jungkook being the toxic jealous guy. NO. This is him being young and not knowing if what he's feeling for Jimin will be reciprocated or not. Not knowing if the attentiveness Jimin showing him is because he's an affectionate guy or because Jimin feels a special type of way towards Jungkook.

How can we forget this moment 😂

Notice his reaction here when Jimin is asking for a kiss. He's all smiles. Smiling even when Jimin leans in

Or here. He looks endeared hearing Jimin ask for a kiss

There's this song recommendation from Jungkook. I don't think he recommended it just because he liked the song. If you haven't listened to this song give it a go. Its wonderful

Also, we have all seen this interview and this comment by Tae. What stands out to me the most is:

1) Jungkook is shy when Jimin says he finds him cute

2) His interest in knowing Jimin's reaction to Tae's comment. He really wanted to know Jimin's opinion. He was attentively listening to catch a hint

He is a kid who's experiencing something which is frowned upon in their country. Also, there's no one he can open up to regarding THIS. The only person he can being the person for whom he's having all those feelings

These were Jungkook's words when he was asked to describe Jimin

He starts giving Jimin special treatment. Wants Jimin to notice how he sees him differently. He was literally wearing his heart on his sleeve

How can we discuss about 2015 and not talk about these two moments

These are only some of the moments from 2015 which I feel like needed mentioning. There is obviously more than this. To me it all feels like a movie. The leads meeting, becoming best friends, falling in love. They're both so young here but brave enough to follow their hearts. All for love

[supernotnatural2005]

Ain’t no party like a Halloween party.

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Summary: You convince Dean to attend a halloween party and bring a childhood fantasy to life.

Word count: 2814

Warnings: SMUT! Fluff, Dean is easily manipulated.

AN: Happy halloween guys!!👻 What better way than to celebrate it with our favourite hunter!? 😂 I hope you enjoy some spicy, fun halloween themed times with Dean. Feedback is always welcome! 💕

My Masterlist

“Come on Dean. Please? For me?” You begged your boyfriend one last time.

You had been invited to a halloween party by an old college friend you still kept in touch with. Even though you were a hunter, you felt having a social life was important to, at the least, normalise the insanity a little.

“Don’t you think our lives are scary enough?” Dean groused as he continued his work on Baby. “Why’s this such a big deal to you?” He questioned you over his shoulder as he reached under the hood. You’d been bugging him about it for the last 24 hours, since you got that damn email.

“This is a party full of skanky versions of cute animals and hockey-mask wearing plebs. I don’t think it holds much of a flame to our lives Dean.” You countered. “Besides, it’s good to have fun once in a while.” You shrugged, as if that were obvious.

Dean stood straight and looked at you then, assessing your pout and that doe-eyed-look. The one that usually got him to say yes to anything.

Contemplation. His first mistake. Now all you needed to do was seal the deal. And so you stepped closer to him and slid your hands up his chest and around his neck.

“I promise i’ll make it worth your while.” You whispered, a hairs breadth away from his lips. His eyes widened in curiosity, he was intrigued. Second mistake.

“Please.” You begged once more, sweetening the pot by running your fingers through his short strands. His eyes fluttering at the sensation.

Got him.

“Ugh, fine!”

The power of seduction was such a wondrous thing sometimes.

“Ah, thank you!” You exclaimed excitedly and smushed his cheeks with your hands as you pulled his lips to yours.

“I promise you won’t regret this.” You told him as he stood with his lips still puckered, watching you turn and scurry away out of the garage. What had he gotten himself into?

Halloween Night.

You’d been incredibly secretive about what costume you were going to wear, since he’d agreed to go with you. No matter how many times Dean asked or guessed, he couldn’t get a peep out of you. He’d eventually given up on the third day and decided to just trust it was going to be, “a nice surprise.” As you’d put it.

So he sat patiently at one of the tables in the bunker’s library, waiting for you to finish getting ready. You had commandeered your shared bedroom with him and forbid him from entering until you were done. That was almost 2 hours ago. And Dean was beginning to get impatient.

He pulled uncomfortably at the collar of his white shirt, hating the item of clothing, even when he had to wear it as an undercover agent. But you’d insisted he did, along with a pair of his lighter, blue jeans, convincing him thoroughly the night before with that talented mouth of yours.

It was nearing on 7’o’clock by the time you made your appearance, that fact made known when he heard your voice.

“So, what do you think?” Dean’s head snapped up from his endless scrolling on his phone and he almost choked on his own breath.

Holy fucking shit.

There you were, dressed in a form-fitting little purple dress, with green accents. Knee-high lilac stockings and the highest pair of heels he’d ever seen, to match. Your hair wasn’t its usual colour either, instead it was a fiery orange, falling in soft curls against your shoulders. To complete the look, tied neatly around your neck was that famous green ascot.

Dean couldn’t quite believe his eyes. You were like a childhood fantasy come true.

You made your way over to him. Heels clicking loudly against the wooden floors before you came to a stop before him.

“You’re gonna catch flies, Winchester.” You smirked as your finger tips pressed up under his slackened jaw. He blinked out his stupor and shook his fog-filled mind.

“Y/N, sweetheart. You look incredible.” He told you truthfully and you couldn’t help but feel a little bashful. Truth be told, you were a little nervous for him to see the outfit. Considering Daphne Blake was one of Dean’s top fantasy women.

“To make it even more perfect. I got you a little something.” You reached into your matching purple clutch and pulled out a bright orange ascot tie.

Dean looked at the fabric and then to you and then back at the fabric again.

“I’m not wearing that.” He scoffed humourlessly, shaking his head.

Oh you poor naive fool.

—

You arrived at the party as it was in full swing. Sam had dropped the two of you off, since you were both planning on having a drink and Dean didn’t feel safe leaving Baby alone over night.

“Have fun kids!” Sam called out the open passenger-side window, snickering to himself at Dean’s warning look. You giggled too and waved at Sam as he pulled away before tugging on Dean’s hand.

He grumpily pulled at the tie around his neck, looking up at the modest colonial-style house, pumping out generic pop music and filled with people dressed even more ridiculous than he was.

“Come on grumpy. Let’s get some drink in you.” You suggested and pulled him along with you.

Once inside, you found your friend quickly and gave her a big hug. It was nearing on a year since you’d last seen her. She was married now, to a big time doctor and children were the current topic of conversation.

You were happy for her, even though a part of you saddened at the fact her life was one you’d never have. You loved Dean with all of your heart, but you also knew you both didn’t get ‘normal’. Which is why you suppose you clung to something as simple as going to a halloween party.

As the night drew on, Dean gradually relaxed, even more so with the help of the doctor’s good whiskey. He’d even pulled you onto the makeshift dance floor when Iron Maiden - Hallowed be thy name, started playing.

When a slower song began to play, Dean pulled you in close by your waist, yours instinctually wrapping around his neck. You were both glistening with sweat and gone were your ascots as you rocked back and forth.

“You know i get it now.” Dean began, leaning in close so you could hear him over the song. “I know our lives will never be all sunshine and rainbows, like Doctor Rob and Shelia’s.” You smiled a little at his nickname for Shelia’s husband. He’d been calling it him all night.

“But,” he continued and you met his sparkling green eyes. “I wouldn’t do this life with anyone but you. Whether that’s hunting demons and ghosts forever, or the white picket fence. Every scenario, i’d choose you.” He confessed and you felt your eyes well up and heart soar.

Instead of words, because you had none. You pulled him down for a kiss worth a thousand of them. However, what started out as a tender declaration of love, soon turned heated as he slipped his tongue into your mouth. You moaned at the feeling and suckled at the talented muscle, making his fingers flex on your hips.

He pulled you impossibly close as you all but made-out like a pair of horny teenagers on the dance floor. And gasped when you felt the hard length of him through his jeans.

“Fuck. You have no idea what this outfit does to me.” He tells you breathlessly, his hands gliding up your sides and around your back as he begins to kiss along the line of your neck.

“I think i do.” You pant at the feel of his sinful lips on your skin and expertly manovre a hand down between you both, to palm the impressive bulge in his jeans.

You hear him grunt into your neck as you subtly rub him through the fabric, tactically looking around for any watchers. Luckily the room was dark enough and everyone was preoccupied with their own partners.

“Follow me.” You whisper in his ear before slipping your hand in his and guiding him toward the stairs. He all but groans as you ascend, your dress having ridden up enough for him to see the bottom of your pert ass.

You navigate your way into a closed bedroom and flick on the light as Dean slips past you. It’s empty, thankfully and you lock it to be sure it stays that way.

Dean turns and lustfully drinks you in. Your lips are kiss-swollen and red, your hair beautifully tousled and chest heaving in anticipation. He still can’t get over how lucky he is.

“So do you regret this? Coming here?” You ask and Dean hungrily observes the sway of your hips, your legs, made longer by the ridiculous yet incredibly sexy heels and the way with each breath, how your perked nipples press against the material of your dress, as you saunter over to him.

When you’re within arms reach, he surprises you by pulling you to him, making you squeal in shock.

“I think you know the answer to that sweetheart.” Dean growls before cupping your cheeks and crashing his lips to yours. You moan at the intrusion of his tongue and thread your fingers into his short strands, pulling tight as he all but devours you.

He groans into your mouth at the feeling, pleasure boarding on pain. His hands grab and glide against your body before coming to a stop at the hem of your dress.

Dean suddenly pulls away, panting and pupils blown and you’re not much better.

“Now, there is something i’ve been curious about since the moment i saw you in this outfit.” Dean ponders and you tilt your head in faux curiosity.

“And what is that?” You play along, much to his amusement.

“Whether or not you’re wearing any panties.” You gasp as he roughly lifts your dress above your bare ass. His hands quickly smoothing over your pant-less behind.

“Oh you’re a naughty girl.” He chides playfully, and gives one of your cheeks a slight smack, making you inhale sharply and jolt into him. He soothes a large palm over the marked area before palming both cheeks and lifting you off the ground.

You quickly wrap your legs around his waist as he carries you to the bed, dropping you gently on the plush sheets. You stare up at him with a mixture of hunger and admiration, his eyes mirroring the exact same.

With his eyes locked on yours, he unbuttons his shirt enough to pull it over his head. The move is undeniably sexy and you clench your thighs together at the wetness rapidly gathering between.

He smirks at the movement and drops to his knees. His shoulders level with the bed and his head level with his own halloween treat.

You feel his hands on your hips before he pulls you along the bed and closer to its edge. You bite your lip and try not to blush as he parts your legs, pupils blown wide as he exposes you to him.

Your pussy is glistening and he can’t help but groan at the sight.

“Fuck. You’re beautiful.” He whispers, more to himself. Your mouth drops open and a sigh of pleasure escapes you at the feel his lips against the inside of your thigh. You drop your head back onto the bed, eyes fluttering closed as he repeats the process on the other leg.

“Baby, please.” You beg, each pass of his warm breath against your core, a torture you needed to end.

Thankfully he gives in and you’re crying out at the first swipe of his tongue against the seam of your pussy. From there on, he’s relentless. His actions hungry yet precise as he eats you out like man starved.

Your gasping and crying out in almost painful pleasure, your hand plunged deep in his hair, gripping and pulling as you grind against his talented mouth.

Dean’s moans and the lewd sounds of his mouth drinking in your wetness, have you coming apart at the seems in a mater of minutes. Your body convulses violently and your mouth opens in a silent scream as he continues to lap at the flood of your juices.

Eventually you have to push him away when you become too sensitive and fall to the bed, weightless and panting like a dog.

Dean crawls above you, rightfully smug and lips glistening. He kisses up your neck and jaw before reaching your lips and you moan at the taste of yourself on his tongue.

At the feel of the rough denim of his jeans against your fluttering core, do you push him away and sit up, causing him to stand between your legs.

You look up at him through your lashes as you unbutton his jeans and he brings a hand up to cup your jaw, his thumb caressing your chin and bottom lip. You lean forward to capture it between your lips, swirling your tongue around the digit as you unzip his pants.

Dean’s eyes flutter at sight, his bottom lip captured tightly by his teeth.

“Fuck baby.” He curses as you roughly pull his jeans down his thighs, boxers in tow, exposing him.

He’s hard as a rock, red and leaking at his tip. Your mouth waters at the sight of him and you make room for him on the bed to lie down after he kicks off his bottoms.

Once situated, you crawl to a kneel between his legs, keeping your eyes on his. You slide your palms up his muscular thighs, making Dean’s breath hitch and cock twitch against his stomach. You waste no time in grasping his steely length in your small palm, your fingers just about wrapping around him.

A deep moan comes from him and his head falls back against the pillows as you slowly begin to pump him in your hand. His skin glides smoothly against the weeping head and you clench your thighs, desperate for a taste.

You lean down and wrap your lips around his silky head, moaning at the sharp taste of him on your tongue. Dean’s a breathless mess above you, his mouth hung open and eyes crossing as you guide your mouth up and down him just as your hand had.

“Baby, baby. You gotta stop.” Dean pants above you, making you release him with a pop and wide eyes.

He cups your cheek affectionately with a breathless chuckle at the concern on your face.

“I’m not gonna last.” He explains simply but honest and you both chuckle.

“C’mere.” He pulls you into his lap and gathers you in his arms, smiling in wonder up at you. You return his smile and cup his cheeks in your hands before descending on to his plump lips.

In no time you’re back to breathless messes and desperate for more. You’re about to remove your dress when Dean’s hands stop you.

He pulls away, his cheeks tinged pink and a bashful look on his face.

“Leave it on.” He requests and you smile wide, but nod in understanding. You push him onto his back and hover above him.

His hands instantly find purchase on your thighs, squeezing them lovingly as he takes you in.

Breathtaking.

Your hands wrap around his cock as you position yourself above him, lining him up with your entrance before sinking onto him slowly.

You both moan in sync as he stretches you. The position angling him to reach all your sensitive spots. You find purchase on his chest as you slowly roll your hips. Your mouth falling open in pure pleasure at the feeling of him fully seated inside of you.

As you pick up the pace, you fall forward onto him, meeting his lips in a desperate clash of tongue and teeth. At this angle Dean’s hands grasp your behind and he begins to thrust faster, harder up into you.

You cry out, breaking the kiss, allowing him to take over and reach that sweet spot inside. Each thrust hits its target with practiced precision and it isn’t long before you’re trembling in his arms as your orgasm washes over you.

White, hot electricity ripples in your veins and you cry out at the feeling.

“Oh, fuuuck.” Dean’s quick to follow, grunting loudly into your ear as his body spasms in time with the release of his seed deep inside you.

You fall limply onto his chest, as you both catch your breath. Thoroughly sated and spent.

Minutes pass by before you’re able to lift yourself and meet his sleepy gaze.

“So. How would you feel about making this an annual thing?” You ask him, a smirk already pulling at your lips. Already knowing his answer.

[strayrockette]

A Daughter Who Loves

A Daughters Letter

Masterlist

A/N: I can’t believe I’m finally knocking this one out of my drafts! I’m so happy to no longer see it sitting there taunting me to finish it😂 hope you guys enjoy ❤️please comment, like and reblog❤️

Summary: Takes place a couple years after the initial meeting with the unnamed soldier. You’ve found a new life for yourself far away from the unresolved trauma and issues of your past.

Dearest Father,

I used to love you. I still love you. But if news got around that you were dead, it wouldn't hurt as much as losing Mother. The worst part about loving you...is knowing that we'll never be a true family.

Despite it all, I must thank you.

-

The pen stilled in her hand. For the first time in years, her mind had failed to slather seething words upon the awaiting canvas. Y/N’s eyes drifted to the open window of the study.

The study was a room of serene contradiction, a place where history and modernity danced together. Heavy oak bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather-bound volumes that whispered of the past. A large, mahogany desk sat in the center, its surface cluttered with papers, a brass inkstand, and a small, framed photograph of her and Thomas Shelby. The rich, dark wood contrasted sharply with the lighter tones of the pale, floral wallpaper, giving the room an air of understated elegance.

Through the tall, arched windows, the view of Arrow House's sprawling grounds unfolded in tranquil splendor. The vast acre of land stretched out like a lush green carpet, dotted here and there with the vibrant colors of blooming flowers. The manicured lawns seemed to reach out to the horizon, framed by clusters of ancient oak and chestnut trees. A winding gravel path meandered through the grounds, leading to a quaint stone bridge over a gentle brook. The distant hum of life from the village beyond was faint, almost like an afterthought, allowing the peaceful solitude of the estate to take center stage.

The study’s window was open just enough to let in a fresh breeze that rustled the heavy, velvet drapes. The scent of earth and flowers mingled with the cool air, creating a soothing atmosphere. It was in this moment of calm that Y/N found her thoughts drifting back to her father, whose presence was now as distant as the last whisper of the city’s bustling streets.

The room was silent except for the occasional chirping of birds and the distant chime of the grandfather clock in the hallway, marking the passage of time with a gentle, rhythmic insistence. Y/N's gaze lingered on the horizon, her mind grappling with the complexities of her feelings. The serenity of the estate contrasted sharply with the turbulent emotions that swirled within her, a reminder of the painful distance between the past and the present.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her emotions lift slightly with the breeze. For now, the letter remained unfinished, an echo of her unresolved feelings. But in this moment of stillness, she found a semblance of peace in the quiet beauty of the land outside.

Her husband, Thomas Shelby, entered the study with the quiet confidence that was uniquely his. The door swung open just enough to admit his tall frame, and his eyes, sharp and calculating as ever, softened when they fell upon her. He crossed the room with his usual deliberate stride, his polished black shoes making a subtle, almost reverent sound on the wooden floor.

Y/N, lost in the tranquil view from the window, had been sitting in the study for a while. Her thoughts had wandered to a time long past, a time when her life had intersected with the Shelby brothers.

Thomas’s presence was a welcome interruption, though it took her a moment to shift her attention from the peaceful scenery to him. He placed a warm, familiar hand on her shoulder, a touch that carried the weight of his love and the assurance of his support. His voice, though low and steady, held a note of playful affection as he spoke. “Love, are you planning on joining us for dinner with the family tonight?”

His words were like a lifeline to the present, pulling her from the swirl of past grievances and into the here and now. She looked up at him, her lips curving into a faint, mischievous smile.

“Dinner with the Shelby clan?” she teased, her eyes twinkling with a mix of affection and amusement. “Is that the same family that turns every meal into a battleground? I’m surprised they’re all in the same room at once. Last I heard, you lot were still debating over who got first dibs on my chocolate chip cookies.”

Thomas chuckled, a rich, rumbling sound that seemed to resonate with the room’s deep, warm tones. He leaned in closer, his breath brushing her ear as he spoke. “It’s not quite a battleground, though it can be lively. But I promise, it’s not all chaos. We have a few moments of civility before it all kicks off.”

Y/N laughed softly, the sound light and unburdened. “Well, in that case, I suppose I can brave the family dinner. Someone has to keep you all in line.”

Thomas’s gaze softened, and he gently squeezed her shoulder before releasing her. “Glad to hear it. I wouldn’t want to face them alone.”

As he turned to leave, Y/N watched him go, feeling a renewed sense of connection to the life she was building with him. The letter and the unresolved emotions of the past seemed to drift away, if only for a moment, replaced by the comforting reality of the present and the anticipation of a shared future.

She returned her gaze to the window, the sprawling grounds of Arrow House now seeming even more serene in the quiet aftermath of their conversation. The promise of a lively family dinner ahead brought a new layer of anticipation to her day, a reminder of the vibrant life she was now a part of.

In her reflective mood, Y/N thought back to her time as a nurse during World War I, when her path had first crossed with the Shelby brothers. It felt like a lifetime ago, those days spent tending to the wounded in a makeshift field hospital. Each brother had come through her care, their lives touched by the trauma of war. Thomas, Arthur, and John—each had been a different story, each had left a mark on her heart.

She remembered the late nights spent in the dimly lit wards, the quiet conversations that had unfolded amidst the beeping of machines and the rustling of sheets. Thomas had been the most reserved, his eyes betraying the weight of his experiences even as he tried to mask it with a veneer of stoic bravery. Arthur had been volatile, his wounds reflecting the turmoil within, while John had been more approachable, his easy smile a rare comfort in those dark times.

Y/N had tended to their injuries with a professionalism that masked her own fears and uncertainties. In the midst of the chaos, she had been a silent witness to their struggles and their unspoken camaraderie. The war had been a crucible that tested their mettle, and she had seen firsthand the bonds that had formed between them, forged in the fires of adversity.

As she sat in the study, the weight of those memories mingled with the serene beauty of the present. The sprawling grounds of Arrow House, with its manicured lawns and distant trees, seemed like a world apart from the grim reality of the wartime hospital. Yet, it was here, in this peaceful setting, that she had found a new chapter in her life.

The juxtaposition of past and present was not lost on her. She had moved from the sterile, oppressive environment of wartime care to the warm, welcoming embrace of her new life with Thomas. The contrast was stark, yet she embraced it with a sense of gratitude and acceptance. The Shelby family, for all their complexity and dysfunction, had become a part of her world, and she had become a part of theirs.

As Y/N glanced once more at the window, the promise of the evening’s dinner seemed to symbolize more than just a family gathering. It was a testament to the journey she had undertaken, a journey that had brought her from the battlefields of war to the hearth of Arrow House. The anticipation of the dinner ahead was a reminder of the new beginnings and the connections she had forged along the way.

Dearest Father,

The man I love has given me much more than I anticipated. I no longer ache at the thought of what could have been for my former family. I no longer wonder and question if I have a place in the world. Because I have found it beside the one man who has yet to let me down.

My heart is filled with love and warmth I have never felt. My days are spent basking in affection and care that you were unable to give. I am…happier than ever.

But I wish you were here, to see the women I have become. To know that, I am loved and cared for.

Sincerely,

A daughter who no longer grieves you.

_

tag list: @mysticalpandora @ultimatreality @lovecleastrange @watercolorskyy @rockerchick05 @lyarr24

[pastorfutureletthembe]

"The show is about to start."

One more mention of being a spectator, an observer. The idea of the Manipulator implies that he doesn't get his hands dirty, he sends people in and watches how things unfold. He doesn't even look that involved, emotionally.

The settings on this screenshot makes it look like a guy watching the world through cameras, but the couch isn't facing the TVs, it's facing us. I think there is a recurrent theme in this fandom we easily overlook: the 4th wall. But let's put that aside for now and focus on his role as an active spectator, making his headcanons come true from the darkness of his basement.

On this countdown picture, he's watching the show, LIVE. The bouquet 💐 puts us on his trail: he's not watching a silver screen but an actual representation. If this is a theater, it also implies there is no do over for each scene, the comedians have to do it all in one go and this night will be like no other before and after, each show tragically unique for people only there to witness it.

And tonight, with a flower bouquet in his arms, he intends to meet his favorite performer (Lu Guang)!

Spiderworts symbolize enduring love, just like myosotis, but also immortality and moral authority. Its other names are Widow’s Tears and False Dayflower.

Interesting.

The former, reminds us of the black widow of course. This name is related to the female's bad habit of eating the male after mating. Cannibalism, you say? x) Why does it do it? Nutrition, of course. It enhances reproductive success. So it's only natural behavior, survival instincts. With the spider imagery comes the spiderweb metaphor, which is always efficient to express manipulation and hunter/prey relationship.

The later forces us to ask, what do you mean false? Dayflower is an actual flower, by the way, meaning reliability and trustworthiness. 👀 Coincidence that Liu Xiao's flower basically implies that he isn't reliable and trustworthy? I don't think so 😂 It also is a call back to the Devil tarot card meta I did last week saying he represents the antichrist, the one you choose to put your trust into for salvation but who's actually bringing you closer to your demise.

Apparently, in victorian floriography language, a man gifts spiderworts to another man to express esteem (X). Liu Xiao wants to make his feelings known, finally, and he's using flowers to do it. I feel like he has a very parasocial relationship with Lu Guang, though. He's pining hard, but Lu Guang never appears to be aware of him. Even in "The Eye", he's looking at the window while Liu Xiao is reading the same poem over and over again. This Shakespeare poem which, as mentioned in a previous meta, is about two lovers who must be separated for survival reasons. Waiting patiently for the end of the representation to make his presence/existence known hints on his penchant for theatrics as well.

All of this info is cool and all but what does it mean?

I truly believe that Liu Xiao is in awe of Lu Guang, might it be because of his abilities (and the creative way he might use them to save Cheng Xiaoshi), his achievements (that we barely know about) or his objective/motivation. Think of him as a scientist who bases his own research on his peer's work. Liu Xiao could very much be the mad scientist type, though lmao.

The fact Lu Guang's chess piece is a white Knight but Liu Xiao is kissing the black Knight in his PV? He's either delusional, thinking Lu Guang and he are the same, or he knows all of Lu Guang's dark secrets. As a stalker does, you know.

[rayroseu]

I drew this for @chernabogs story Elegy !!! The way they wrote this scene was just so tender and soft, I HAD TO DRAW IT ‼️‼️😭😭🙏🏻💖💖✨✨ it was such a perfect treat considering how the previous chapters was "coarse" with how the story handled Malleus poor coping skills with loss, I love reading and rereading the chapters lol

I wishhh i was eloquent enough to verbalize how much I loved reading it 😩😩😩 The repeated questions of am i ill or that ever repeating quote that love is for the lonely then it gradually changed to its meant to be or or the way in every chapter there is always an element of Malleus wanting to get to know Yuu WAGHHHDJDBIEB JUST THE YEARNING OF IT ALL!!!!

ALSO ALSO ONE THING I NOTICED.... all the chapter names relates to a lament for the dead, and i just think thats such a devastatingly beautiful detail to add considering that even until the ending Malleus will still lose Yuu from death and he'll be alone just like how he always fears JUTSGUEGKFGDKBCHFKN i know it ended on a happy note but the chapter titles makes me think of that quote where "there WAS love but it didnt change anything" or smth😭😭😭

also love how "Malleus in a crisis" was written as well,,, malleus was so on character omfggg I swear Ames' characterization of this guy makes me feel like Yana Toboso is ghostwriting with them/lh ☠️☠️ LIKE HELLOOO the way the story sways erratically between Malleus accepting Yuu made an impact of his life and Malleus wanting to go back to being alone where he didnt know anything at all and wasn't quite in distress about having relationships, thats soooooo GOOD 😭😭💐💖💖💖 granted i cried from it though aihskwbks

Dont even get me started on the buildup????!!! and conflict that was all resolved in the final chapter was AUGHHH THATS BEAUTIFUL IM SO GLAD I CAN READ 😭😭✨✨✨ And and the realization that Malleus fears is not death but them?? Beautiful!!!!! 😭🙏🏻✨✨💖💖 Cuz really its true throughout the whole story he was more stressed that he's so attached now XD AND AND I LOVE HOW ALL THE MESSAGES(?) FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS MAKES A CALLBACK TO THE FINAL CLIMAX LIKEEE "He can be bold. He can be brave. He can say this.“I was not ill that night, nor are you at fault for that. I was… I am afraid." PEAK LITERATURE!!!!!!! I LOVE FORESHADOWS AND REPEATING THEMES, MAKES ME GO YELL ABOUT IT ALL 😭😭😭💖💖💖💚💚 I love the kobold on the last part as well lol he is a promoted therapist now 😭✨✨✨

also going back to the way the chapter titles are meant to be lamenting for the dead, "A new memory for each day he outlives you. He can capture those memories, store them in a glass ball so that he may watch them whenever he pleases. You will never truly be gone if you can both make it work." HELPPP THE RESOLUTION,..... AUUGHH IT MAKES ME CRY AIHWLDHOSHSK 😭😭😭💖💚💚

anyways my favorite part always ehehe grim fishing with lilia✨✨✨🥺🥺 and malleus having the naive expectation that first kiss is magical and wanting to test it out again skgixgsk😂

I love the part where Meleanor would raise an objection the moment its a human hes been contemplating about, this story just made me think.... LMAO MALLEUS IF MELEANOR SAW YOU LIKE THIS,,,, XD i feel like she'll tell you that if you fear living alone, just go out first and damned the other person about it instead JSKHDKDHHK i think it was really tragic how Lilia seemed to be set on dying for Meleanor only for the tables to turn ☠️

yes i did reference that acheswan dance from honkai star rail on lilinor part lol

[certifiedsexed]

Something my teacher said has been bugging me. Is it true that people who naturally produces testosterone has their peak libido at like, 17 years old, while people who naturally produces estrogen has it in their 30s? Like, on one hand, that makes sense based off me and my friends, but on the other hand, it doesn't based off the age of my mom when she got me (especially since I'm an accident)

No, it's not true. That varies for absolutely everyone and the addition of "naturally producing" isn't even historically accurate to the study that quote comes from, much less relevant.

Let me see if I can zoom out on this to give context to my claim. That statistic your teacher was quoting is from a book, written by Alfred Kinsey, who famously published the Kinsey reports. [Inventor of the Kinsey Scale, to add some more context.]

It's around 80 years old and while groundbreaking at the time, it can't really be claimed as accurate, especially when his studies were rather exclusive in some ways and not-all-together scientific.

Libido varies on so many different levels for different people and interacts with the bigotry they face and the backgrounds they come from and, of course, their hormone levels but its not dependent on your hormone levels.

That's a very bioessentialist claim and really doesn't have a genuine scientific backing. It was just a claim from a very famous book that blew up, specifically in the US[A], partially for its very explicit inclusion of gay men and in the general public's eye, that claim has not often been questioned.

It definitely holds true for some people! But it's not even close to accurate or a claim a teacher should be parroting but you'd be surprised how many scientific websites claim it's true despite its background and lack of proof.

Though I will say, the age your mother had you is not necessarily when she experienced peak libido. You'd kind of have to ask her to know that. And it's a little hard to know something like that with so much of your life ahead of you when your libido could potentially ramp up again.

Not sure how well I've explained this but I loved this question. Sexology history, discussing poor studies taken as scientific fact and getting to debunk bioessentialist myths? What a good addition to my day. 😂 Thank you.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Hope this helped. <3

[thatloveislikea-star]

At @brighteststarz request, here are some starcest recs!!

These are just a few of my favorite complete fics, I ran out of steam because I read so much so I might do another list later 😂 a lot of these authors have WIPs that are really amazing, so check those out if you like to follow along

An absolute classic, Want, by Saras_Girl

So good, really interesting family dynamics in Rapture on the Lonely Shore by @tenrousei-kuroi, check out their other starcest too! Another one I love of theirs is Capacious as the Sea

The Mind of Madness by phantasmaraneae is so good I’ve read it so many times

Really really hot, includes James, Little Lion by @tracingpatternswrites

I thought family planning by heated_mausoleum was funny

Heat wave by heartshapedbathtub is one of the hottest things I’ve ever read, definitely read it if you like bunny stuff, they’ve written a few more fics too

Constellations series by Evandar, has two fics, both so good, also Toujours Pur is really sweet

Winner Takes All by @the-invisibility-bloke, it’s hot, it’s funny, it’s charming, it’s perfect

Pretty much everything by @faeries-withspirits , but some favorites are Cherry Waves, Morning Glory, Starbursts (bring me back to life), Down the black hole of my lust I descend, Secret Shows in Shower Stalls. Definitely check their other fics out if you like celestial quad (reg/siri/rem/james) also their WIPs are so good

@thepsychiatristgirl exclusively writes bangers, like And All Was Well, my pussy tastes like pepsi cola (my eyes are wide like cherry pies), and speak in tongues (til you listen). That last one is celestial quad, it’s just too good to omit

Baby, it’s cold outside by @andwaitforthespark is so so so good, their WIPs are amazing, and the house always wins only has one chapter left!

@melissamwrites is one of my favorites, especially Black Holes, please check out their other works, especially their WIPs, especially Wormhole (though it is celestial quad and not just starcest) ALSO they make podfics!!! Check those out for sure!

Underneath the mistletoe by Sirci is one of the sweetest starcest fics ever, they have some other really good fics you should check out!

I love JBlackMalfoyRosier’s smutty little Blackcest series, if you like infidelity, it’s for you!

constellations, collisions, and other ways to say love by @matthewfairhoe is a brilliant two-parter

The Arrangement by rattlesnake_black, technically its wolfstarcest, but the dynamic between Regulus and Sirius is gold, and Remus is a hot bonus

@cassetteinability has some amazing fics, like All night long, need, sweet stars, Friends and brothers and lovers (take care of me) that last one does have James involved

Make Your Dreams Come True by @goldenbi is so hottttt