#just............a bit worried. wanting to know if i should take precaution while i can.

[pendraegon]

im the world's most sexiest insomniac

[lucienarcheron]

Spirit Meets the Bones XXXI

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author’s Note: dare I say...the end of my blue balling era has come.

shoutout to @divinerivals for being on this journey with me <3

Tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @rosewood-cafe / @vanserrass / @readthelastpaage / @teddyhoneybear / @zenkindoflove / @animezinglife / @positivewitch / @clockwork-ashes / @carnythian / @secret-third-thing / @runningwiththeoceans / @that-golden-lyre / @thedarkinmansfield / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @mali22 / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @feysandfeels / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @illyrianvalkyrie / @rainbowsnowflake /@queenoftheworld1998 /@wolvesnravens

Find it all here.

Pieces of her heart were being chipped away at what he was suggesting. As if Iris would be able to simply…continue with her life should he be taken from her. 

She had no doubt – none that Eris didn’t cherish having a mating bond as deeply as she did. For him to sit here and plan for her to move on…

As if she would have a life with her mate dead. 

“Are these the kind of thoughts you’ve been sitting on the last few days?” she finally asked. “This is what’s been going on in that head of yours?”

When Eris said nothing, Iris couldn’t help her scoff of indignation and she shook her head, rubbing a hand to her forehead in true exasperation, anguish clogging her throat. She was still struggling with the idea of leaving him on that cursed day and here he was, trying to find ways for her to cut her losses and continue life without him. 

“And you have the nerve to say that so casually,” she muttered and felt her chest tighten painfully. “Like the loss of my mate is something I’m supposed to accept. Like it’s so simple to…adjust.” 

He scowled, working his jaw. “It’s not simple. None of this is simple but if I can do anything to protect you, I will.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth. “If everything goes well and he’s dead by the end of it, I will ravish you to our heart’s content.” 

She stared at him incredulously. “If I slapped you right now, you’d deserve it.”

“I know.”

“What happened to ‘have faith it’ll end in our favor’?” she snapped. “I know you’re worried but for you to think that I’d be able to — to just move on should something happen to you…What is the matter with you?”

“I’m trying to take all the precautions I can, Iris.” he hissed. “The mating bond is a living thing – it’s real and people can sense it if we are together. They can scent it and while I can hide it as best as I can, there is always a fucken risk. Had we gone farther this morning – had our scents mingled – the mating bond would be strong, Iris. Far stronger than what it is now and the risk will be infinitely higher. Should anything happen to me, I don’t want it to be so catastrophic for you. If we can avoid it even a little bit –”

“There is a risk for everything, Eris!” she snarled and tried not to stutter as she continued, “Whether something happened to you or not – being mates won’t go away.”

“That is exactly why I don’t want anyone to know. In the event something happens to me, you’re not hunted down like an animal.” he snapped and avoided looking at her again. “If I can’t give you peace while I’m here, at least let me give you some peace if I’m gone.”

Iris could only stare at him, her hands slacked at her sides, her chest so tight. That ache she had felt this morning while watching him sleep returned in full force and she wanted to double over at the pain. The idea – the mere thought of anything happening to him – that he would cease to exist — a panic like no other unfurled through her whole body. 

Did he truly think he mattered that little to her? That she was somehow only sticking around at the convenience of being his wife and mate? 

“You’re being mean, Eris.” she said so miserably, that it made him finally meet her gaze.

“Iris.” he said softly, grimacing and she shook her head, distress coursing through every inch of her being.

“Are you truly so unaware of how much you mean to me, that you think the idea of you dying wouldn’t devastate me?” she whispered. “That I would want to have an out if you’re not with me?” 

Eris felt his insides shrivel, his body running both hot and cold, feeling wrecked by her words. He couldn’t help but look away, down at his hands – hands that had so much blood on them and would need to be soaked in more blood to get to the light at the end of the road. And here she was, saying things that would make it even harder for him to let her go.

As she watched him process, the way she always did, she thought back to her hesitation to confess her feelings to him for fear of him not saying it back. But knowing Eris and the way he was…she knew he needed words from her. He stayed in his head so often, Iris didn’t think he’d realize just how much she felt for him unless she said the words.

“Eris,” she called to him and he couldn’t stop himself from lifting his head and sharing a glance with her. “In case it wasn’t abundantly clear, I do not want to have a life without you.”

She said it so calmly – like the words wouldn’t crush him, to hear her say that. Even if he knew – he knew how she felt – for her emotions were usually a mirror to his own, but he was hit all over again with how badly he needed to hear it and it always seemed like she knew exactly what he needed. His wife – mate, who watched him the way he watched her, memorizing things about him and his wants, his needs.

He could hear the rapid beating of her heart, the flush on her cheeks giving away how nervous she was to say those words, like Eris hadn’t been drowning in his feelings for her since their first night together. 

Like he wasn’t so very overwhelmed by the sheer force of her existence. 

As if he wasn’t fighting just how obsessed he was with having her in his life.

“I’m not going to deny how I feel when everything is on the line like this.” Iris continued and took a step towards him. “I have been having all these feelings and it scared the shit out of me. Then we find out we’re mates and suddenly, everything about us makes sense.” She paused for a moment, swallowing as they watched each other, another type of declaration sitting on the tip of her tongue but Iris wasn’t ready yet; she’d save that for another day. “I’m not going to sit here and let you make plans that separate us because of what your father could do,” she said, waving a hand helplessly. “I’m not going to let him win.”

“I don’t want him to win.” he could only bring himself to say, his voice hoarse. 

“That’s exactly what you’re doing when you sit here and say those things to me,” she said. “When you belittle what we have and how – how significant it is. I’m your wife and mate and that’ll never not be a risk. We were complete strangers yet somehow, the stars aligned and here we are. On the cusp of something that’ll change the trajectory of our lives and everything we know…” Her mouth was set in a firm line as she continued quietly, “I’ll be damned if I let you think that you can hold me at a distance because of what may or may not happen. When you try and act like it wouldn’t ruin me should something happen to you. ”

Eris felt any resistance he had start to crumble. 

“The Mother decided you and I were mates for a reason,” Iris said and gently lifted his chin with her hand. “This thing between us… this is the first thing that has ever been mine and whether you like it or not, I will go down swinging for it. For you.” Iris licked her lips before adding so quietly, “Don’t deny me of you because of him. He doesn’t get to take anything more from us.”  

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” he whispered and hated that his voice cracked. 

Iris’s expression softened, her thumb caressing his cheek. “If something is meant to happen, then it will. All we can do is accept it and be as ready for it as we can.”

A muscle flexed in his jaw and Eris had to glance down at his clenched hands. “I have waited so fucken long for this,” he said and met her gaze. “For you.” He stood once more, his hands latching on to hers. “I have wished and pleaded and fucken –” Eris stopped himself but knew the desperation on his face must’ve shown exactly how he felt. The sheer yearning he’d had over the years. Since she married him, Iris had been by his side and yet he still craved her more and more deeply each day. He wanted to inject her very essence into his veins. He wanted a life with her. To make her laugh. To give her every single thing she ever desired. But how did he describe this to her? How did he verbalize exactly how much she meant to him? Was telling her he lo – how he felt as she did enough? 

He hadn’t used that word in years – decades. Eris hadn’t even let himself think of the word all these years because of how his father would tarnish it. He had spent his life half in agony with his hope buried so deeply beneath it that he wasn’t sure he could feel that emotion. 

But his mate was a gift. An honor. One he still didn’t believe he deserved but would hold on to for as long as he had time. She was his hope. 

Eris Vanserra had always been a broken dreamer but with Iris? His sky finally had stars. 

And Iris watched him struggle with his mind, holding onto all the things she knew he wanted to say and squeezed his hands tightly. “I may have promised you that I’d leave on the night of the ball so that you don’t have to worry about me but I am not leaving you. I am not going where I cannot return.” 

Eris swallowed hard and forced himself to take a breath. “I have wanted for so long,” he whispered. “I am terrified this will be taken from me. I am terrified of what will happen to you should something happen to me and I want you far away from here in case it does.”

“That means you have to make sure nothing happens to you.” Iris whispered to him and cupped his face. “So that nothing happens to me and then you and I can actually get to live.” 

Whatever was left of that wretched heart of his broke into a thousand pieces and Eris felt his hands start to shake, his chest caving in. Why was she so patient with him? Why was she tied to someone as inadequate as him when she could’ve had someone – anyone better? Cleaner. Less troublesome. 

But her hands were on his face and no hands – none – had ever felt so right. 

It was as if any place Iris touched, she wiped clean and Eris was stained with misery all over. The more she touched him, the more of it she seemed to clear.  

He wanted to live with her. He wanted to look forward to tomorrow. He wanted to give her a life where she had everything she wanted and more. 

Eris wasn’t embarrassed as he stumbled over his words, “You – don’t want a life without me then.”

Roses bloomed on her cheeks as she blushed so beautifully, her hands dropping to her side and nodded. “No, I don’t.” 

And it was like a puzzle piece sliding into place inside his body and mind. 

Eris stared at her as she stood before him, her heart sitting there for the taking – his taking. She let him see all her vulnerabilities and Eris’s shoulders slumped. He felt the same way, didn’t he? He had never felt this way with anyone. He – he was in love, right? This was that feeling – the one everyone whispered about.

He was in love with his wife. A slight terror coursed its way through his chest as he forced himself to swallow hard and run a hand over his mouth again, the words on the tip of his tongue. The longer he looked at her, the harder it was to choke them down. He had always promised her words and yet, he wanted to savor these specific words for a better time. When it didn’t feel like an ominous declaration. Instead, Eris found himself confessing so quietly, it was barely above a whisper, “I think…I think that I lived half a life before you and am far more attached to you than I care to admit. My world was black and white…” He swallowed and took a breath before adding, “Now it’s screaming in colors I couldn’t see with anyone else. I find that your shade of life is my favorite.” 

He felt her joy at his words through their bond, that small, shy smile she reserved for him and him alone graced her lovely face. That joy found its way to his chest and Eris could’ve sworn everything in him settled. His very spirit seemed to wrap around hers, settling deep into his weary bones, where the Prince of Autumn knew, nothing would compare to this feeling again.

Like his whole being had taken a breath of fresh air.    

Iris’s heart was thumping wildly, his confession only confirming what she already knew, knowing the way his words meant something deeper, something he was still terrified to share. But it didn’t matter.

Eris was hers and Iris was his, in every way that it mattered. 

She shifted on her feet, a hand tightening in the folds of her robe as she said, “It’s a really good thing we’re married –” 

“And mates.”

“ –Otherwise this obsession with each other would've been really awkward.” she finished, giving him a pointed look that had them sharing a chuckle. 

He stared at her for a moment too long and Iris had just opened her mouth when he finally said, “How is it you can do that?”

“Do what?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.

“Make me laugh when I – I feel like I can’t breathe.” 

“Because I see you, Eris.” she said simply and shrugged almost helplessly. “And…and I’m giving you my heart to take care of. The least I can do is take care of yours too.” 

Eris felt himself about to crumble. He would shatter into pieces all over this floor and Iris would be left with a pile of rubble for a husband. He wanted to be embarrassed. He felt his cheeks heat as she watched him process her words, a hint of amusement in her gaze. But gods, he didn’t even care. He just wanted her. 

“So it wasn’t just the puppies you were sticking around for, hm?” he finally said.  

Iris’s eyes lit up, her smile playful as she teased, “You called them puppies.”

Eris couldn’t help his own shrug, giving her a half smile. “You’re wearing me down, wife.” 

She chuckled even as she shifted on her feet and glanced at him beneath her lashes. “I haven’t even started wearing you down yet, husband.”

Immediately, the energy in the room shifted, the bond between them going taut the way it always did when they shared a heated glance.

“Is that so?” he asked carefully and Iris nodded. She placed a hand on his chest, slowly pushing him backward until the back of his knees met the bed and Eris sat, their eyes never leaving each other. “How else do you plan to wear me down?”

Iris bit her lip, a hand toying with the sash of her robe. With everything to come and all that had been shared the last few days, she knew without a single doubt, she wanted him. “That depends,” she said and straightened, her expression turning serious. “Are we going to let him ruin this for us?”

Eris’s eyes hardened. “He doesn’t get to win.” he said and his tone left no room for argument. “He doesn’t get to take anything else from me.” 

“Then I want you to forget about everyone and everything else. Stop thinking. Stop worrying.” she said softly. “Let’s just focus on you and me. Do you think we can do that?”

“Iris…”

“Because I don’t want an out, Eris. I only want you.” she said. “ Do you want me?”

“That is a ridiculous question.”

“You’ve been ridiculous all day.” Iris said with a shrug. “I’m trying to stay on theme.” 

And he realized how truly stupid he was being when he almost chuckled at her words. For someone as calculated as he was, trying to be ten steps ahead of the curve, it dawned on Eris this was something he never had control over since the beginning. She wrecked all his plans, even when he was being pig-headed trying to protect her. 

If the end was coming, the least he could do was let himself enjoy it. Enjoy her. 

He licked his lips, his heart nearly bursting out of his chest as he confessed quietly, “I have never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

A flush crept across her cheeks and Eris loved watching the way his words impacted her. He sure as fuck was not good with words but he had promised himself he’d try for her and by the gods, he would say anything to watch the way she bloomed with encouragement. 

And he watched her, like a lovelorn fool, wondering exactly how he had managed to think he knew what happiness meant before her. 

“I’ve…thought a lot about what our first time together would be like.” Iris said, gently pulling to untie her robe. “I thought about what I’d wear and have been experimenting with different gowns to get a feel for what you’d like.” 

“I like everything you wear. You looked beautiful in them all.” he said and Iris preened at his compliment but gave him a coy smile.

“But I know you’d prefer me wearing nothing.” 

Eris couldn’t help but shrug, a smirk forming on his lips. “Nothing would look fantastic on you.” 

And Iris felt her body heat. He had said those words to her before and she had recoiled, not even imagining she’d ever want him to touch her. Now, she wanted to show him exactly how fantastic she looked in nothing. 

She bit her lip, her fingers holding the robe loosely. “We didn’t quite get a normal wedding day, much less a typical wedding night.” she started, her voice low and she watched as Eris’s gaze narrowed in on the way her fingers slid against the white silk. “But it’s better late than never so…I decided to keep it traditional and go with white today.” 

Eris made a sound deep in his throat and Iris felt it vibrate through her body, heat pooling low in her stomach. The gleam in his eyes was predatory and Iris was a very willing prey as she slid the robe just so down her shoulders.

“White for my pretty, pretty bride.” he murmured.

“Oh yes.” she said and bit her lip before continuing in a teasing tone that wasn’t at all a little breathless, “Do you think you can handle it?” 

“No.” he answered much too honestly. “But if this is the way I must go, who am I to fight destiny?”

Iris’s cheeks were crimson, a quiet giggle slipping from her lips. “Ah, spoken like a valiant soldier.” she added and slid the robe a little more, the white straps of her lingerie making an appearance.

Eris straightened where he sat, the scent of their arousal surrounding them. In the distant past, he’d played with lovers. He’d teased and taunted and had them begging for mercy. His wife’s skin wasn’t even on full display and she was toying with him in a way he was enjoying a little too much.  

“Let the robe fall, Iris.” he ordered, his voice a soft caress and Iris couldn’t help but shudder as his command slid over and skated down her spine. 

She was powerless to refuse and the silk slid off her, pooling at her feet. 

The Prince of Autumn couldn’t stop the choked noise that escaped him. He had gone wholly still, his eyes raking over her very beautiful and very exposed body. 

She stood before him in a white set, the lace stretching tightly against her waist, cupping her breasts in a way that threatened to ruin his sanity. She had worn gowns before, offering him some sort of reprieve from losing his mind completely but today…today, her set displayed so much of her lovely skin and the beautiful curves of her body. Her white lace left little to the imagination and Eris…Eris was going to die. 

“You are so fucken beautiful,” was his helpless response, uttered so softly and Iris’s flush deepened. 

She glanced down with a small smile before meeting his gaze again, a finger sliding across the waistband of her lingerie. “You’re a very lucky male.”

Eris couldn’t help the tight laugh that escaped him. “Indeed, I am.” he said, his eyes sliding down her body and then back up, cataloging every inch of her. Just this morning he was telling her exactly how often he pictured feeling her body on his. How often he thought of how he’d make her shudder beneath him. How he’d savor her taste on his tongue.

He was not ashamed to admit his thoughts had gotten aggressively dirtier the longer she stood there. 

“Come here.” he commanded and the words seemed to skate across her skin again, sending a pleasant jolt right down her spine at the way his voice dropped an octave. They shared a heated glance and Iris saw the way his eyes darkened the longer he watched her, her pulse thumping wildly beneath her skin.

Iris walked over to him and slowly, without her eyes leaving his, she carefully straddled him and brought his hands that had slacked beside him on the bed, guiding them to her waist. She let her eyes roam across his face and shoulders, scattered with freckles and it reinforced her mission to kiss every single freckle she found on his skin. 

Eris couldn’t bring himself to say a word and the room was silent as she shuddered slightly, gooseflesh erupting on her skin as so much of her body touched so much of his. Her chest brushed against his and he let himself lean forward just a little, inhaling her scent and marveling at how right she felt pressed against him. 

His hands had slid down to her bare thighs and his gaze dropped to his thumb caressing her lovely skin there. He glanced back up to meet her eyes, dilated in desire that matched his own. 

They drank in the sight of each other, so close, touching so softly. 

“Look at you and your excellent listening skills.” he finally said hoarsely and the corner of Iris’s mouth curled up.

“I’m masquerading as a good wife that listens to her husband.” she replied and let her hands slide to the nape of his neck, her fingers curling into the strands of his hair. “Is it working?”

It was his turn to shudder and Eris felt his cock stir, already hard beneath her touch, especially with the way her body was perfectly lined against his. She was seated in his lap, only scrapes of fabric separating their skin and Eris had to breathe quietly through his nose to control himself. 

“You’ll be the death of me.” he whispered. “I feel like a starving man seated in front of a feast. How do I begin? Where do I even start?”

Iris couldn’t help her smile and she leaned to press a delicate kiss to the corner of his mouth. “How about you kiss me?” she asked softly, her grip tightening in his hair. “Then we can go from there.”

Eris’s mouth curled into a soft smirk, his eyes blazing as his hands slid from her thighs to her waist then up her spine. “Oh, I’m going to kiss you,” he began and Iris shifted, arching into his touch as his voice dropped. “I’m going to kiss you everywhere. I’m going to taste what’s mine. And every inch of you is mine, isn’t that right, mate?”

Iris licked her lips, the very breath between them tense in the most pleasant of ways at his claiming, different from any other time he said it. This time, heart and mind were on the same page. This time, neither of them had any intentions of stopping. 

“Every part of me is yours. Just like every part of you is mine.” 

And no other words needed to be said as they fell into each other with urgency, like a dam flooding, and everything in Iris wanted to be wrapped in Eris. His kiss was a hot branding against her lips and she moaned into his mouth as his hands slid down her body and up, touching all the skin she’d kept hidden from him before, her grip tightening in his hair. A breath stuttered out of her when Eris’s fingers weaved into her hair and gently pulled back, exposing her neck. 

“Do you understand what I mean when I say mine, little gazelle?” he said against her skin and Iris couldn’t help the shudder that went through her body when his other hand kneaded then squeezed her ass. “I have been on my best behavior with you and even if I’ve explained, I don’t think you understand what I’ve been craving to do to you.”

“Do you?” she asked, attempting a cheeky smile that immediately dropped and was replaced by another shaky exhale when his hands squeezed her ass again. “Y-you seem to be all talk.”

Eris forced himself to pull back and meet her gaze, his nostrils flaring at her taunting but he could hear how wildly her heart was beating — could feel the thump of her pulse. She was aroused and excited but he sensed the nerves beneath the lust. 

And Eris couldn’t have that. 

“Don’t underestimate how obscene my mind becomes when it thinks about you.” he warned with a pointed look and Iris felt slickness begin to build between her legs. His thumb brushed against her lower lip as he watched her swallow, the scent of their arousal almost overwhelming. “I may have given you some idea,” he murmured. “But it’s impossible for you to know just how desperately I’ve wanted to touch you and feel your wetness coating my fingers. How desperately I want to taste you on my tongue.”

A small noise slipped from her lips and Iris closed her eyes against his words, arching into him again as his mouth returned to kiss and suck on the column of her neck.

“And how do you think I’ll taste?” she whispered, pressing her chest against his, earning an appreciative rumble from him. She wanted to push him down and feel exactly how he would be beneath her. She wanted to feel every inch of him against every inch of hers, all skin with nothing else between them. She wanted — 

“Exquisite.” he purred and Iris flushed. “Like the first taste of water after being parched for ages. Like honey melting on my tongue.” He grasped her hips, guiding her body to grind against his, earning him another shuddered breath from his wife. “You’ll taste exactly what I know my favorite dessert will taste like.” 

She couldn’t help the sound that slipped from her lips, her fingers tightening in his hair. Iris wanted to tell him that she too, had thought about the taste of him in her mouth. She craved to feel exactly what it would be like to have him inside her and cursed that she had somehow waited this long. “What else have you thought about?” she asked and gingerly rolled her hips against him again.

“This morning wasn’t enough of a description?” he continued, his voice low against her burning skin and Iris’s legs tightened around him. “I know you’ll fit perfectly. I know you coming on my cock will be heaven.” 

“I’ve thought about all the things I’ve never done and how I want you to teach me.” she admitted breathlessly and rolled her hips into his once more, her core aching against his cock. 

“I already told you I’d teach you anything you want, little gazelle.” he whispered against her skin, meeting the roll of her hips with his own. “I’ll make all your dirty fantasies come true.”

“Will you?” she asked with a coy smile and pulled back on his hair gently to nip at his lips. “Or will you keep running that pretty mouth of yours?”

Eris barked a tight laugh and stood swiftly, lifting her in his arms with him and Iris could feel how his hardened length settled against her center deliciously. “You think my mouth is pretty, do you?” he teased and she sucked in a breath as he pressed her firmly against him.

“This is not the time to fish for compliments.”

“Ah, but I am nothing without my inflated ego, wife.” he said, his voice a sensual whisper and he nipped at her ear. “Indulge your husband who immensely enjoys compliments and tell me what I want to hear.”

“Your mouth is not pretty, it’s wicked. You have a wicked mouth.” she said tightly and he quirked a brow. “It’s not doing what I really want it to.”

“And what do you want my wicked mouth to do, wife?” he asked.

“Kiss me.” she demanded. “Taste me.”

The Prince of Autumn’s grin was roguish. “I’d be delighted.” 

Eris crashed his lips against hers and the feeling of urgency between them returned in full force. The need to claim had their hands roaming and Eris finally turned and laid Iris down, immediately covering her body with his and grinding.

He couldn’t touch her quickly enough. She couldn’t kiss him hard enough. 

His lips released hers and made their way to her neck once more, leaving quick kisses as he pressed himself into her more firmly, his cock so hard it was almost painful — he knew he’d be leaking as soon as he slipped out of his pants. 

She moaned and Eris had to force himself to move away from her lovely neck to meet her gaze as he rocked into her once more. Her eyes were clouded with desire and the sight of her mouth falling open as he rocked into her again had him almost combust.

“Just a little preview.” he said tightly and kissed her again roughly, his tongue clashing with hers for another taste before pulling himself off her completely to drink in the sight of her disheveled on their bed. Her hair was fanned around her head in a way that made him long to have it wrapped in his fist, the strap of her lingerie falling off one shoulder, and her legs spread to accommodate him —  she was a sight to behold and if Eris could spend the evening just memorizing her in this view, he would. But her pretty mouth was begging for more kisses and he needed to hear more of those lovely noises she kept making. 

He dropped to his knees immediately, pulling her to the edge of the bed and her head shot up. 

“Eris —” Iris started but his lips had found their way to her thighs and the feeling of his mouth on skin he hadn’t kissed before silenced her for a moment.

“I need to taste you, wife.” he whispered against her skin, as his lips kissed the inside of her knee and kept moving up, spreading her legs further until he reached the wetness coating the lacy scrap she wore. He brushed his nose against the fabric, inhaling, and Eris nearly came at the scent alone. “If I don’t, I might, quite literally, die.”

She choked back a laugh, her legs shifting as he moved between them. “So dramatic even between my legs.” she said and though he was right where she wanted him, Iris needed just another moment — just one, and reached for him. “Eris, come here please.”

Instantly, Eris moved up to meet her hands as she cupped his face and kissed him hungrily once more. He groaned into her and his fingers slid against her legs, squeezing her thighs until she pulled back. 

“Yes, wife?” 

“I want you to touch me everywhere.”

“Absolutely.”

“And I want you to taste me wherever you want.” 

“That was indeed my plan.”

“But I do need you to remember,” she said and her voice lowered as color bloomed on her cheeks once more. “That I have never done this with anyone before and I need you to be a little gentle with me.” 

Eris froze as she held his face in her hands. “Gentle.” he repeated and Iris nodded slowly.

“I may have done some…self-discovery before you,” she said with a flush. “But this is different.”

The roaring fire he had felt in his veins calmed momentarily as he looked at her. So that was what she seemed nervous about. 

He didn’t know gentle — he was not used to that approach.

Eris scanned his wife’s face beneath him. He took in the sight of her gazing up at him and saw the desire mixed in with the trust in her eyes. She wanted him but more importantly, she trusted him to take care of her. Eris Vanserra didn’t do gentle but he sure as fuck would try. 

He would be damned if he didn’t make this the most pleasurable first time a person could dream of.

Eris released a hand from her thigh and brought it to her hand on his left cheek, pulling it down to kiss her palm.

“You’re telling me this lovely hand here knows how to play with what’s mine already? It’s played with what I already know will be the prettiest cunt I’ll ever lay eyes on?” he said, his voice full of sinful promise as he smirked at her, and Iris’s body felt aflame. 

“M-Maybe.” she stuttered as he kissed each fingertip of her hand.

“Do you want to play a little for me? Do some…self-discovery to help you relax?” he asked, kissing her palm once more.

“I’d rather you played with me instead.” she breathed and his eyes darkened.

“I am physically restraining myself from devouring you,” he said. “And you say things like this.”

Iris fought a smile. “Why?” she said quietly. “You won’t hurt me.”

Eris squeezed his eyes shut, the wind momentarily knocked out of him again at the amount of trust she now placed in him. It still hit him with the force of a boulder and he opened his eyes to find her watching him with that same small smile. “You are going to kill me.” he mumbled and let a hand gently run through her loose hair. “You deserve something soft. Something sweet. Not the kind of rabid animal you make me.”

Iris laughed softly and pulled him closer, their lips only a breath away. “Then show me soft. Show me something sweet.” she said. “I know you have it in you.”

Eris faltered, a hand stilling in her hair. She really was going to be the death of him if she kept speaking to him like this. “You truly believe that?” his question barely above a whisper. 

Iris softened. “Yes.” she whispered and leaned in to brush her lips against his, causing him to shudder. “Especially because I think...I think you need that softness as much as I do.” 

Eris swallowed. “Even if my softness is wrapped in barbed wire?”

Iris bit her lip and rocked her hips against his, both of them groaning at the contact. “It’s a good thing that I love carrying a sharp knife then, isn’t it?” she whispered with a chuckle and Eris felt himself unravel. “So you can show me a little soft or a little rabid, husband, but whatever it is, it’s time you properly made me your wife.” 

Any resemblance of self-restraint that Eris had possessed until this moment, snapped and he was an inferno unleashed. He kissed her like the starved man he knew he was and Iris matched his eagerness with her own, her body pressing into his until once more, he pulled away and Iris let out a whine of disapproval.

Eris’s hands moved to the straps of her bra and he gave her a smirk. “This is lovely but I need it gone. Sit up.” he demanded and he leaned in to kiss her again as she followed his request, his hands skimming the back of her bra, undoing it quicker than she could blink. 

He tossed it to the side and Iris flushed at the way he watched her, forcing her to lay back down slowly, his eyes scanning her exposed skin. 

“Oh. I’ve dreamed about these.” he said reverently and allowed himself a moment to admire the sight of her exposed breasts and the gooseflesh scattered across her skin. 

Iris’s hands twitched by her sides as he watched her and Eris narrowed his eyes at the movement. “If you even think about covering any part of yourself, I will tie your hands up very quickly,” he said. “I want to look at what is mine.” 

“I think we should ease into bondage.” she said, her flush deepening, and the corner of his mouth curled up.

But he forced himself to relax. He had waited like a saint for this moment. To appreciate her and become well acquainted with every inch of her body. Eris couldn’t rush it or it would end quicker than he wanted it to. 

“We wouldn’t even need rope or silk.” he said, slowly settling himself between her legs once more. He kept his eyes on her face as he finally allowed himself to touch her, letting a finger circle around one breast while his free hand engulfed the other with a squeeze. “I’ll let my fire wrap around you. It’ll keep you warm and hold you in place as I feasted on you.” He leaned closer and pressed a kiss between the valley of her breasts. “What do you think of that idea?”

“Eris, if you don’t do something in the next second I’m going to — oh.”

His mouth had descended on a breast while his hand squeezed the other and Iris couldn’t help the arch of her body and the broken whine that slipped from her lips. 

The way his mouth felt on her skin was sinful. The movement of his tongue obscene as he teased her nipple and bit gently, his hand kneading and twisting the other in the same motion as his tongue, and Iris’s hand latched onto his forearm as another soft moan slipped from her lips.

“I like that.” she breathed and Eris lifted his head, his mouth making an indecent pop of noise.

“Good. I want to know all the things you like.” he said against her skin and switched, his mouth resuming its tasting and only stopped when Iris’s panting increased and was mixed with another little whine that delighted Eris to no end. 

Without taking his eyes off her, Eris kissed his way down to where he desperately wanted to be and kissed right over the slickness coating her panties. Iris couldn’t help but shiver at his predatory gaze, his hands skimming over her lacy cover and he raised a brow, hooking his fingers into the waistline. 

She wanted his tongue on her too much to form words and with a breath, nodded once.

He wasted no time. Eris kissed her inner thighs once more then shifted, finally and agonizingly slowly, he slid the lacy scrap down her legs and tossed it. 

Instinctively, Iris’s legs attempted to close but with a tsk of disapproval, Eris forced them open, his hands holding them apart with gentle firmness. 

A heartbeat of silence and Eris had to count to ten in his head to avoid coming.

“As pretty as I thought.” he mused and it was by sheer will alone that Eris hadn’t ruined his pants yet.

“Eris — I —” she began with a flush, quickly shooting up on her elbows and her husband finally ripped his gaze from the sight of her spread beneath him to look at her.

“Who is this wetness all for, little gazelle?” he asked, his voice as soft as silk, his thumbs caressing the skin of her inner thighs, his breath hot against her core, and Iris’s toes curled. “Is it all for me? You want me to know how ready you are for me, wife?”

“Y-yes.” she whispered and though a part of her felt embarrassed at how blatantly aroused she was and how Eris was staring at her bare before him, it didn’t stop her from feeding into the way she felt and how he was making her feel. Iris didn’t want to think. She wanted to feel and let herself be worshiped. She couldn’t stop the roll of her hips if she wanted to. “It’s all for you.”

Eris’s grin was a wicked promise. “I’m going to devour you.”

The first lick of his tongue set her on fire.

Iris’s head fell back with a breathy groan as Eris feasted on her. He gave an appreciative noise as his tongue delved into her, traveling in and out then sliding to her clit and back. Iris couldn’t help the way she rolled her hips into his mouth — couldn’t stop the whimper and the breathless moan that followed his actions. His mouth closed around her clit and Eris had to pin her waist down with an arm to stop her hips from lifting as he lapped at her arousal. He sucked and licked on her bundle of nerves with deadly focus, switching between fast harsh flicks to long, flat strokes before releasing it noisily. 

“Fucken divine.” he rasped and brought a thumb back down on her clit, rubbing as his tongue slid in for another taste. “You taste exactly as I imagined. Everything I wanted.”

“D-don’t stop yet.” she whispered, circling her hips with his hand movement. “I like that.”

Eris chuckled, his hot breath making her shudder, and without another word, his tongue dived deep into her once more. He groaned into her, the taste of her sweetness undoing him bit by bit as Iris’s hands fisted into the sheets and she rolled her hips to meet his licks. 

He was indeed a man starved and the only thing that would satisfy him was for his wife to come on his tongue. 

Eris lifted his head as his thumb worked her clit to watch his wife’s chest rise and fall at his movements and he wished he had more hands to keep touching every fucken inch of her. “Ready for a little something else?”

“Yes.” she nearly begged and Eris grinned. His eyes didn’t leave her beautiful face that was etched in ecstasy as he slowly slid a finger inside her. 

Iris’s head immediately lifted and Eris swore as she tightened around his finger, her pussy pulsing. He planted a kiss on her inner thigh, watching her as he pumped his finger and let his thumb continue its movement.

“Keep rolling your hips for me, wife.” he said against her skin. “I’m going to add more. And you’re going to love it.”

Iris bit her lip, her skin flushed as she watched the movement of his finger and rolled her hips to match his pumping. Just as she started to relax into the movement, he added a second finger and Iris couldn’t help the shameless noise that slipped from her lips as her head fell back on the mattress.

Never in all her self-discovery had it felt even remotely close to this. 

“You like that, don’t you, little gazelle?” he said lowly and placed a kiss a breath away from her clit, his breath hot on her skin. “Because I like seeing you like this, spread for me. I’ve dreamed about this.”

“Y-you have such perverted dreams.” she stuttered and then moaned softly as his fingers picked up the pace. 

“I do.” he confirmed and curled his two fingers at an angle that had her back arching. “I am a very big pervert when it comes to you.”

“Oh gods.” she groaned and the pace of Eris’s pumping increased, his eyes watching her like a hawk, for he would memorize every inch of her, every movement, every reaction. He would know exactly how her body would react before she came and Eris would be there to lick up every inch.

“You’re so pretty when you’re coming undone.” he continued and couldn’t stop his mouth from replacing his thumb, sucking at her clit once more before releasing it with a groan. “You’re soaking my fingers and I can’t wait until you’re dripping all over my cock.” 

Iris’s mouth fell open as a breathless noise slipped out. The things he kept saying would be what sent her over the edge. She knew her orgasm was building with the way he kept curling his fingers and working his wicked mouth. She wanted to know what that mouth would feel like everywhere. She wanted his tongue inside her again. 

“Please.” she begged. “Your mouth.” 

Eris’s face erupted in feral delight and he let his fingers work in a frantic rhythm for another moment just to listen to the quickening of her breath and to watch as Iris rolled her hips with the movement of his hand, trying to match his pace. He knew she was getting close, her walls clamping on his fingers as she neared her release. 

But he would be damned if the first orgasm he gave her was anywhere but on his tongue.

He pulled his hand away suddenly and before Iris could protest, Eris had buried his face into her pussy and his tongue moved in ways that had her brain short-circuiting. Her breathing became heavier and Iris let her hands find their way back to his hair, firmly pressing his face into her, chasing the sweet release she knew was coming.

His fingers still coated with her slickness were now pressing and rubbing into her clit as his mouth worked on her and soon, Iris’s grip tightened as she finally reached the moment of bliss.

With a small gasp followed by a soft, “Oh.” Iris’s orgasm crashed over her. Her fingers tightened on Eris’s head and she kept rolling her hips as he carried her through her release. 

Grasping her hips firmly, he lifted her slightly, burying himself further into her, drinking in her release and his tongue didn’t stop moving as he lapped every drop of her sweetness, nearly coming himself. With one final lick, Eris slowly settled her back into the bed and watched her chest rise and fall, basking in the bliss of her climax. 

He knew without a doubt that she would be his favorite feast. He would have her come all over his face for eternity. 

His thumb continued to caress her clit as Iris shuddered through the last waves of her orgasm and Eris couldn’t help the satisfaction coursing through him as he watched her. His hand spread to cover her cunt and he rubbed into her wetness, watching as she squirmed beneath the possessive touch until she met his gaze. 

Eris kept his eyes locked on hers as he slowly licked each finger clean and then licked his lips. He glanced down at her cunt still glistening with her slickness then back at her again. 

“This. Every day. Do you understand?” he said and delighted in watching the flush spread across her skin even as she nodded.

“First thing in the morning.” she demanded and Eris couldn’t help his smirk, bringing his hand down once more to play with her wetness.

“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then right before bed again. Don’t bother with your lace scraps anymore.” he said and tested what he’d been craving to do since he had gotten her naked; he slapped her cunt suddenly and Iris’s sharp inhale filled the room. He grinned. “Do you like that, little gazelle?”

Iris rolled her hips into his touch as the light sting of the smack faded. “Do it again.” she breathed and Eris was delighted as he slapped her cunt once more with a firm hand and Iris’s skin seemed to tighten at the sensation. “I — I like that.” 

“Good. I’ll be doing it every chance I get.”  he promised then finally pulled away to stand, even as her nipples tightened at his words. “I’ve always thought you needed some spanking.”

Iris tried not to groan at the image of him spanking her and forced herself to take a deep breath before sitting up gingerly to watch as Eris finally peeled off his trousers and though she could hear how fast his heart was beating, his movements were unhurried. 

He had just sent her over a blissful edge and his movements were unhurried. She watched his face almost hungrily then her eyes dropped down to his hands and — 

“Oh.” 

The world slipped out of her before she could stop it at the sight of him in his naked glory, his cock erect and glistening with pre-cum. He was sculpted beautifully, with muscles in places she hadn’t expected – a lean, athletic build. Iris bit her lip. She was used to staring at him dressed in well-fitted attire and shirtless but she realized very quickly that looking at him naked was a much better view. 

And he looked like he needed to be licked everywhere. 

“If you keep staring at me like that, I’m not going to get to come inside you the way I want to.” he said and his grin was of pure male satisfaction as he fisted his cock. 

“Well, that’s not fair.” she said, watching his hand movement then met his gaze with a raised brow. “You stared your fill. What if I want to look…and lick too?”

Iris bit back her own grin as she watched Eris close his eyes and take a deep breath, his hardened cock twitching as he squeezed it. “Can I touch you?” she asked quietly and her husband let out a pained growl.

“You never have to ask.” he said, meeting her gaze again, the fire in it spreading gooseflesh across her skin. “I’d crumble if you didn’t.”

He was standing before her, his jaw clenched, trying indeed, not to crumble and Iris bit back a smile. She moved closer to him and bit her lip as she carefully replaced his hand, wrapping her own around his erected cock and Eris swore, twitching beneath her touch. She had no idea what she was doing but she’d read enough books, and heard enough whispered scandals that she had a general idea. She could be an apt student. She would be the best student.

“Will you show me how you like it?” she whispered as she glanced at him from beneath her lashes and squeezed his shaft then stroked it firmly. “I want to make you feel good.”

His nostrils flared and his eyes darkened at the sight of her before him. “I will show you everything,” he said tightly and Iris preened in delight as he rocked into her hand. “Everything we’ve ever done in my perverted dreams of you, I will show you.”

She couldn’t help her arousal spiking at the feeling of him in her hand, at his dirty promises. Her breasts felt heavy and she could sense wetness gathering between her legs once more as she squeezed him harder. “Do you want my mouth on you?” she asked and feeling brave from his low groan, she leaned in to kiss the tip of his cock. “Or do you want me to keep going with my hand?”

Eris swore again then grabbed her jaw in his hand firmly, pulling her up to kiss her fiercely. Iris returned his kiss with fervor, her hand still gripping his cock, pumping him slowly and she let her thumb brush his pre-cum over the tip.

“I’m going to come by your hand and then come in that pretty, pretty mouth of yours soon enough.” he said hungrily against her lips. “I’m going to cover you in come, little gazelle, but first, I need to be buried inside you. I want that cunt of yours clamped around my cock milking me for all I’m worth, yes?”

“Yes.” she breathed and gave his cock another firm squeeze. “I want you to give me everything. Come undone inside me.”

He growled as he kissed her fiercely again, thrusting into her hand once more. “How do you want me?” he asked. 

Iris licked her lips, his question unleashing image after image of all the ways she could have him. All the ways she wanted him to have her. “We have three weeks to make the most of everything until we know what comes after.” she began and Eris swore as she stroked his cock more firmly. “And in these three weeks, I will want you in every way you can think of.” she continued and his low groan had more wetness gathering between Iris’s legs until she finally released him, slowly backing onto the bed. “But for tonight… I want you as you promised me. All over me, as my husband. As my mate. As what’s mine.” Without breaking eye contact, she leaned back on her elbows and slowly spread her knees for him. “So come here and make me yours.”

Eris didn’t need to be told twice. He had his body covering hers in an instant, kissing every inch of exposed skin on his way until he reached her mouth and again, kissed her hungrily, claiming so thoroughly as always. Iris arched into his touch and moaned softly against his mouth, a small needy sound that had her husband smiling against her lips. 

He broke their kiss as he carefully laid her back and settled himself between her legs. 

“I like hearing these kinds of noises from you.” he said and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

“I like that you get these noises out of me.” she replied and Eris nipped at her lips again with a small smile, a hand sliding to her core once again and he began stroking his fingers into her arousal. Another breathy moan slipped from her lips and Iris let her own hand slide between them to his cock, gripping it tightly.

The two locked eyes and matched the pace of each other’s strokes, the scent of their desire had taken over the room. It was a moment suspended in time. 

“Have I told you lately,” he began quietly, bucking into her hand as Iris rolled her hips against his fingers. “That you’ve become very tolerable, wife?”

Iris choked out a laugh and squeezed him tightly in her hand, earning her a deep groan. “And have I told you lately,” she began softly. “That you’ve become very tolerable too, husband?”

He chuckled and finally moved his hand from her arousal, wrapping a hand over the one fisting him, and didn’t remove his eyes from hers as he slowly stroked the tip of his cock up and down her slit, teasing her clit as they went.

Eris raised a brow, asking his question without saying a word, his gaze filled with emotions Iris couldn’t help but flush deeply at. 

But she nodded all the same, shifting her free hand to lay her palm open for him. His eyes flickered to her hand then back to her eyes and for someone who had considered sex a transaction, a mindless release — a clash of bodies and nothing more, the small act of her open palm was enough to unravel him completely. 

Eris slid his hand into hers and Iris intertwined their fingers. 

And without waiting another moment, Eris removed his hand to let Iris stroke him once more before guiding him to her entrance. 

A mutual groan of pleasure echoed through the room as Eris carefully eased into her and the world stilled once more around them. Their every breath and their every thought seemed to sync up to this moment. 

Inch by inch, Eris moved slowly, watching her every expression and pausing whenever she tensed, leaning in to kiss the corner of her mouth and her jaw, especially as her breaths began to turn shallow. 

Iris only gripped his hand tightly as he eased out to the tip then gave one final thrust, sliding into her to the hilt and Iris gasped, her body tensing beneath his. “Oh.”

Eris sucked in a breath, holding himself as still as possible as overwhelming pleasure washed over him. This was it — this moment where everything else no longer mattered except taking care of her, where they were finally one. 

He leaned in to kiss his wife and pressed his body further into hers, letting her adjust to him. “Are you alright?”

It took Iris a moment before she could answer, letting out a breath at the sensation of being filled by him. It overpowered every other thought as Eris stretched her, his cock twitching inside her. She hadn’t felt any pain, only slight discomfort, pressure that was slowly easing, and as it eased, she felt the pleasure start to build. 

“Yes.” she finally whispered against his lips, carefully rolling her hips. “I — I feel good.”

Gingerly, he rocked into her, and the sensation of his cock deep inside her and how tightly her walls clamped around him threatened to kill him. He couldn’t help but thrust a little harder and Iris’s whimper of pleasure spurred his movements.

“And you feel so fucken good, wife.” he murmured and slowly pulled out again to the tip before thrusting hard once more and Iris’s eyes rolled back with a stuttered breath. “I told you — you would be a perfect fit.” 

Iris couldn’t do much more but whimper softly as Eris did it again, rolling his hips with each careful thrust, and soon, she had started to roll her hips up more confidently to match his movement. 

“That’s right.” he praised, and the pace of his thrusts slowly began to quicken. “You know exactly what you want, baby. Keep moving those beautiful hips for me.” “Oh, fuck.” She breathed and leaned up to kiss him deeply, her tongue teasing his before pulling back. “I want you. Make me feel good.”

Eris chased her lips once more, growling as he kissed her. “I need to keep moving, Iris.” he said tightly and slipped his hand from hers to spread her thighs further for him as her body started to relax, adjusting to his size. He rolled his hips into her, the movement slow and deep as he added. “I need to go harder. Tell me if it’s too much.” 

Iris didn’t take her eyes off his face, watching and feeling how he took his time with her. She squeezed her walls around his cock and grinned when his head fell forward with a groan. 

Iris kissed his shoulder gently then his cheek. “Go a little harder, mate. I can handle it.” she whispered and Eris’s eyes snapped to hers, his heart leaping at the words before he kissed her fiercely, diving into bliss.

No more words were said as Eris’s pace quickened, his thrusts in line with the sounds of Iris’s breathy moans. His eyes stayed glued to her beautiful face as it lit up in ecstasy and he would allow his pace to quicken, his thrusts to indeed go harder until her brows furrowed and he’d ease up, rolling his hips at a more leisurely pace until the sigh of pleasure would slip from her lips again before quickening once more.

An avalanche was building inside him as Eris Vanserra made love to his wife, claiming her as his. Iris fell into the bliss of the motions, her body taking the pleasure he gave her, trying to match his pace and giving him pleasure of her own. She felt her orgasm building and she couldn’t help tightening around his cock again, loving the way he filled her up, his grunts of satisfaction only making it more erotic for her. The way his hands possessively held her, tracing her body before sinking into her thighs again had her on fire; his touch igniting her body, an incandescent glow to their joining. They were a perfect fit, their bodies made for each other. 

“Eris —” she whined, her grip tightening on his arm as his hips quickened. “I need —”

“I know what you need, wife.” he murmured, his fingers digging into her inner thighs as he was rutting into her, his thrusts quickening then slowing down before quickening again, his hips rolling with the movement. His eyes were on her beautiful breasts bouncing before him and he couldn’t help leaning in to take one in his mouth for a soft bite as he thrust hard, grinning at the way Iris cried out. “I know exactly what you need. I’ve got you, little gazelle.” 

His mouth switched to the other breast for a quick taste before he adjusted himself to rest over her, lifting her thighs to give himself a better angle, and Iris’s breathless whimper only encouraged the movement. 

“Almost — I’m almost —” she begged, melting into his movements. “Oh, fuck.”

“Touch yourself, wife.” he demanded knowing he would not last much longer. He needed her to come. He needed them to come close together. “Play with that pretty cunt while I fuck you and come for me.”

Iris immediately obeyed, her fingers sliding to her swollen clit, her hand moving in pace with his quick thrusts, to the roll of his hips snapping against hers. 

“Good girl. You’re doing so well for me.” he praised again and Iris flushed deeply at the words, her breaths quickening. “You’re going to come for me and then I’m going to spill myself inside you because you’re mine.” His voice was guttural and his mouth descended on her exposed neck, biting. Iris bit her lip through the pleasure mixed with a hint of pain at his harshened thrusts, his pace turning frantic. “Mine.”

“And you’re mine.” she breathed and with the next thrust timed to the exact movement of her hand rubbing her clit, Iris’s body arched as she fell over the edge.

At the sound of her breathless moan of pleasure, Eris finally came with a deep groan, burying his head into the crook of her neck. He came so hard and with such force, that his vision momentarily blurred. He’d been holding on for this moment for so long that Eris couldn’t stop the rolling of his hips as he panted heavily, his come still spilling out of him as his thrusts began to slow, emptying himself inside her. Iris lay beneath him, breathing heavily, her fingers tangling in his hair and she couldn’t stop the rolling of her hips either, her silken walls still clenching around him.

It took him a moment to finally come to a stop and Eris pulled out of her slowly, the wet sound obscene as it filled the room. He nearly came again at the sight of her sex covered in him, at the way she pulsed beneath his gaze. His heart raced as he took in her flushed face, the marking of his hands on her body — his bite mark on her throat. 

This would be a sight he could never see himself getting tired of. 

They sat in silence for a few moments, letting their breathing fall into its natural rhythm and just watching each other. For all their worries and feelings, and for all their words said, everything about this moment was exactly how it was supposed to be.

Eris and Iris, as one; the mating bond seemed to pulse between them, the gold thread taut.

He watched his wife for a moment, a finger brushing her cheek as she closed her eyes against his touch and Eris had to use every ounce of will he had to force himself move. 

He had to take care of her. She trusted him and he would always take care of her. 

He returned with a damp washcloth kept warm from his magic and as gently as Eris Vanserra could be, began cleaning her up. Iris shifted at his touch and the slight wince on her face had his expression fall. “Did I hurt you?” he asked quietly.

Iris could already feel the sense of panic bubbling inside him, so she shook her head with a small smile and requested, “Come here.”

Without hesitation, Eris gingerly lay his body over hers, the washcloth slipping from his hand and she cupped his face, kissing him softly. Eris buried his hands in her hair, groaning against her lips and that sense of delight flared in him again as she wrapped her legs around him.

He didn’t think about his release still mostly all over her even as he unintentionally bucked his hips into hers; his cock already half erect just by pressing against her.

“You did not hurt me.” she said calmly. “I liked it.” 

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” he said and nearly purred when she ran her fingers through his hair. “My husbandly duties have been performed well.”

Iris snorted and rolled her eyes. “Cauldron forbid you to go a few minutes without complimenting yourself.” 

“You have to give credit where it’s due, wife.” he asked with a smirk. “I will gladly show you again if necessary.”

Iris let out a soft laugh that had Eris’s heart skip a beat and he couldn’t help leaning in and placing a hot kiss on her mouth. 

“You have always been so eager.” she teased against his lips and Eris made a noise of agreement as he pulled back to watch her, his fingers sliding into the loose strands of her hair. 

It fell silent between them once more, both basking in the closeness and soft touching, happy to just be.

To be at peace. To be present at this moment. Where that invisible string wrapped itself around them. 

“You know…” Iris began after a moment, and color bloomed on her cheeks as she trailed a hand down his arm and then met his gaze. “This means we’ve finally consummated our marriage.”

“About time, I daresay.”

“I am now truly your wife.” 

Eris’s brow quirked. “You were truly my wife the moment we said those vows in front of everyone at our wedding.” He said dryly. “There was never a single moment where I thought otherwise.”

Iris hummed, her lips twitching at his expression. “Well, can’t say the same now, can I?” she teased then laughed as his expression flattened. 

“If you don’t take that back right this instance —”

“What are you going to do?” she challenged and Eris’s mouth slowly curled into a smirk. 

“I’m going to fuck you and that pretty mouth of yours until you’re so incoherent, the only words you can say are husband,” He said and leaned in to kiss one corner of her mouth. “Mate.” He continued, kissing the other corner of her lips. “And my name.” he finally whispered against her lips.

Iris’s pulse quickened and she squeezed her legs around him, his promise igniting her arousal once more. “Oh, then I’m most certainly not taking it back.” she said. “How else will I find out if the rumors are true?”

Eris lifted a brow and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “And what rumors might that be?”

Iris’s lips twitched as she answered, “That Autumn Court males have fire in their blood—,” she said then added in a low voice. “And they fuck like it too.”

Her husband blinked then a wicked grin slowly spread across his face. “Oh?”

“And now that we’ve consummated our marriage once…” she continued, carefully rolling her hips against his and smiling when he sucked in a breath. She whispered, “I think you should show me.”

[dreamwritesimagines]

Garden of Secrets [35] - Verbena Flower

A.N: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and support my loves, it made my whole week, you’re amazing!❤ I hope you’ll like this chapter as well, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think, thank you! ❤

Summary: One can find a home in their chosen family.

Warnings: Regency era society and social rules, some gender specific language and terms, mentions of trauma and violence.

Word Count: 3200

Series Masterlist

You weren’t half as restless as you thought you would be, considering the recent events. If it were the beginning of the season, you would have been horrified at the idea of your parents being back but now?

You felt strangely safe, which was rather unexpected.

“Y/N!” Teddy rushed into the drawing room, almost breathless with excitement. “I have a surprise for you, and Benedict helped!”

You tilted your head, putting your book to the side and sat up straighter in the sofa.

“A surprise?” you asked, already smiling. “Is that why you two didn’t let me go in the studio?”

“Yes!” Teddy said, still holding something behind his back as Benedict appeared by the doorstep.

“Did you plan this?” you asked and he shook his head, grinning slightly.

“Completely Teddy’s idea.”

“Guess what it is!” Teddy insisted while Benedict leaned sideways to the door and you turned to Teddy.

“Hmm,” you pretended to think. “It’s a…is it a drawing?”

Teddy shook his head fervently, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Benedict will teach me how to draw but not yet!” he said, obviously pleased that you couldn’t guess it right. He giggled, then held up the small sculpture figure.

“Here!” he said, “It’s for you!”

“Oh my goodness!” you gasped, taking it from him and stealing a look at Benedict. “This is absolutely wonderful Teddy! A figure of a huma—cactus!” you corrected yourself mid-sentence when Benedict shook his head and mouthed it without Teddy seeing him.

“A cactus yes!” Teddy exclaimed, “Do you like it?”

“I love it,” you said with a huge smile. “Thank you so much Teddy! I will keep it forever.”

“I’m going to make them for uncle and auntie as well!” Teddy said and ran out of the drawing room, wheezing past Benedict. You suppressed a laugh, then looked down at the small sculpture again.

“Where are the needles?”

“He said putting those on it would make it a classic cactus and that he didn’t want that,” he said as he walked inside to fling himself on the armchair. “It’s a different cactus, he says.”

“Artists…” you muttered to yourself, shaking your head slightly and took a deep breath. “Hey, Benedict?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” you said. “For you know, spending time with Teddy.”

“He’s family,” Benedict stated, making you smile. “You don’t have to thank me at all.”

“It’s just that—he looks up to you so much,” you said. “No one else really taught him anything about art.”

He gave you a grin. “I’m telling you, he will be a very successful sculptor.”

“I just hope he will be happy, that’s all,” you said and bit down on your lip. “How’s your hand by the way?”

“Oh it feels much better,” Benedict said, curling his fingers as if checking for the pain and you cleared your throat.

“But should you even be painting or sculpting?” you asked him. “I think you should be resting your hand, no?”

“It’s fine, I promise,” he assured you. “Hey, you do know he can stay with us as long as he wants, don’t you?”

Your head shot up. “Hm?”

“Teddy,” he said. “You’re worried because he’s staying with your aunt and uncle and you think your father and mother might show up there again.”

You pulled your brows together.

“Can you read my mind or something?”

“Or something,” he said with a smile. “Seriously though. He already has a room here, it’s his house too.”

You pulled your brows together in deep in thought before you shook your head slightly.

“I should probably see how it’s going to go before taking those precautions,” you said. “I don’t want him to get all confused and such and even though I want him close, uncle and aunt have been doing a great job so…”

Benedict nodded. “Whenever you want.”

“But I was thinking,” you said. “Perhaps I should tell your mother about some of it.”

Benedict tilted his head.

“You don’t have to.”

“No I won’t—obviously I won’t tell her about the details, just that…just that my parents are here and we don’t have the best relationship,” you said. “Knowing my parents, they’ll try to meet your family and I honestly don’t want that.”

“Do you want me there with you?”

“I was thinking you could inform Anthony actually?” you asked and hissed in a breath. “Because you know, he and I don’t exactly have the friendliest relationship.”

“Hasn’t escaped my notice, surprising as it may,” Benedict pointed out, making you giggle. “He already asked me what happened to my hand.”

“And?”

“I told him I had an accident with a palette knife.”

“But your palette knives aren’t exactly sharp?”

“You say that like Anthony knows what a palette knife is,” Benedict said, making you bite down on your lip to contain your laughter. “It has the word knife in it, so he didn’t exactly question what happened.”

A giggle escaped from your lips.

“That’s smart of you,” you said and tilted your head. “I suppose you’re not merely looks after all.”

He shot you that lopsided grin that always managed to make your heart skip a beat.

“Well—”

“Benedict!” Teddy’s voice carried into the room, cutting Benedict off. “Can you come and check if these ones look good please?”

Benedict chuckled and got up from the armchair as you cleared your throat.

“Sorry about that,” you said. “I can—”

“To repeat, he’s family,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss on your head. “Let me know when we’re leaving hm?”

“…Alright,” you said and watched him walk out of the drawing room. You stared at the door where he disappeared for a couple of seconds, his pleasant scent still in your lungs and pressed a hand over your chest to at least soothe your fast heartbeat that had got crazy the minute he kissed you. You slid a little on the sofa, then threw your shoulders back and grabbed your book, trying your hardest to focus.

                                           *

When you got to the Bridgerton House, Benedict dragged Anthony and Colin outside, leaving you to talk to Lady Bridgerton comfortably. Lady Bridgerton had always been incredibly nice to you before or after your wedding to Benedict, and though you hadn’t gone out of your way to spend a lot of time with her, you hoped she knew how much you respected her.  

Besides, it was likely that she assumed you and Benedict were still in your honeymoon phase so she didn’t mind.

“I’m so glad you came for tea Y/N!” she said. “Eloise will be sorry to have missed you, she went to visit Penelope.”

“It’s alright Lady Bridgerton,” you said. “I was actually hoping to talk to you alone.”

She gasped, a look of surprise appearing on his face. “Oh my goodness, I hope this is not about what was on Lady Whistledown yesterday!”

“It’s—sorry, what?” you asked, suddenly distracted. “What was that?”

She blinked a couple of times.

“Oh I assumed…” she trailed off. “I assumed this was what brought this on.”

“I don’t read Whistledown,” you said. “Neither does Ben—what was on it?”

“Just some unfounded rumors,” she said, waving a hand in the air. “Nothing important.”

“Can I see?” you asked and she motioned at the paper on the small coffee table.

“Third paragraph,” she said helpfully, and your eyes skimmed the lines.

Speaking of newly married couples, we sure hope that our favorite artist Mr. Bridgerton’s love for his wife is not turning out to be an infatuation like many assumed it was. He seemed like he had a lot to talk about with Lady Margery Sutton the other day at the park, and as it was noticed by a lot of members of the ton at the park, the two seemed like they were having quite fun while Mrs. Bridgerton preferred the companionship of Miss Harlowe, soon to be Viscountess Bridgerton. We trust that it was just a friendly conversation between two ladies rather than Mrs. Bridgerton finding herself in the same position that Miss Harlowe once did if the rumors were true; being heartbroken by the same man.

“What the…” you trailed off and shook your head fervently, frowning at the paper before raising your glances from it. “This is not true. Everything is fine between me and Benedict, and Margery is a friend, that’s all.”

“Of course,” Lady Bridgerton said. “Benedict is in love with you, everyone knows that.”

You held up the paper, trying to ignore that uncomfortable sinking in your stomach. “Not everyone.”

“Don’t mind Lady Whistledown,” she said. “She has her whole attention on Anthony and Lottie nowadays, these rumors will go away before you know it.”

You tried to shake off the image of Margery and Benedict together, then cleared your throat.

“I am so happy for Anthony and Lottie by the way,” you said. “I can’t wait for the wedding.”

“Neither can I,” she said with a bright smile. “I’m just glad they’re finally together, after years.”

“They’ll be very happy together.”

 “What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked and you took a deep breath, running a hand over your face.

“Lady Bridgerton, um…” you let out a nervous laugh. “I’m not quite sure how to explain this situation actually but I thought you should know before anyone else, and Benedict kindly agreed—”

“Oh my God!” she gasped, covering her mouth. “Y/N, you’re with child!”

“Wh—no!” you exclaimed, your eyes widening as you shook your head. “I’m not! It’s not like that Lady Bridgerton, I assure you.”

“Oh,” she lowered her hands. “My apologies.”

Your face felt like it was on fire as you fixed the silky skirts of your gown.

“So I’m sure you noticed that my parents weren’t at the wedding breakfast or the engagement or anything,” you started. “And I know I said it was because the road would be too difficult for them from the countryside to here but it wasn’t the actual truth. They weren’t here because I didn’t invite them to any of it.”

She pulled her brows together in confusion.

“Why not?”

“My parents and I…” you trailed off, nibbling on your lip. “We don’t have the best relationship.”

She stayed quiet, waiting for you to continue.

“While I was growing up, they—” you paused for a moment. “They’re not like you or my aunt and uncle, they weren’t the nicest while me and Josie were growing up. That’s actually why my uncle took us in, me and Teddy.”

She pressed her lips together.

“I’m telling you this because they’re in town actually,” you forced yourself to say. “They might approach you or Anthony or—I don’t know. I’m not certain, but I wanted you to know, just in case.”

She reached out to hold your hand in hers, offering you an assuring smile.

“Does Benedict know?”

“Oh yes,” you said, nodding your head. “He has known for a while now about…my home life growing up. And he also knows that they’re in town, he’s telling Anthony as we speak.”

“And are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” you said almost automatically. “Sure.”

“Y/N.”

“It’s just that they’re not…” you thought for a second. “I don’t want them to put you or your family in a situation you do not want to, Lady Bridgerton, and I will do my best to make sure—”

“Y/N, you are family,” she said and you bit down on your lip.

“You don’t have to say that just because Benedict and I are married.”

“Sweetheart,” she said, squeezing your hand in a loving manner. “You became family the moment Benedict fell in love with you.”

You could feel the burning in your eyes and a teary laugh escaped from your lips.

“Might not have been his best decision.”

“I disagree,” she said. “It makes me so happy to see you two in love and happy, and please know that you are a member of our family. We will always love you and protect you, no matter what.”

Your throat tightened as you tried to blink back the tears.

“Thank you,” you rasped out. “It…it means more than you know.”

“Of course,” she said and patted your hand. “By the way, does this have something to do with Benedict’s hand being bandaged?”

You raised your brows, then shook your head.

“Uh no,” you said. “A palette knife accident, that’s all.”

                                       *

After having tea with Lady Bridgerton, you decided to go to the pastry shop and sit down alone with your book for an hour or two before going back home. Your parents being back still managed to make you feel rather tense especially after talking about it with someone else, so you ordered some coffee and a slice of cake and opened your book, desperate to get away from your thoughts.

Yet, you wouldn’t be so lucky.

It hadn’t even been a couple of minutes since the shop owner brought you your tea and cake that you heard the chair opposite to yours being pulled, the noise making you look up and as soon as you did, your heart dropped to your stomach.

She looked exactly like you remembered her. Her clothes were different, probably thanks to the money your uncle kept sending them every month, but other than that, it felt as if it could’ve been yesterday since you had last seen her. Your jaw clenched and you dug your fingernails into your palm before gritting your teeth, rolling your shoulders back to sit up straighter.

“Hello mother,” you forced yourself to say and she clutched at her chest, shaking her head as if she was overtaken by emotions.

“Y/N,” she said. “Oh my dearest daughter…”

A scoff escaped from your lips at that and you leaned backwards in your seat as soon as she took a step towards you.

“Do not,” you growled and she paused for a moment, then sat down on the chair.

“Look at you,” she said, her eyes darting over your face before lowering to your dress. “You are a young woman of the ton now. A proper lady.”

You arched a brow. “What are you doing here?”

“Well I had to see you of course!” she said. “My little Y/N, an actual member of the ton now… I cannot believe it, I’m so proud of you.”

“Don’t be, you had nothing to do with it,” you pointed out and she heaved a sigh.

“Let’s not start that, shall we?” she said, making you raise your brows. “At least wait a while until you start being so bitter.”

“So bitter?” you repeated, letting out a dry laugh. “Jesus Christ.”

“How is Teddy?”

Your eyes narrowed into a glare and she let out a breath.

“There it is, that glare,” she said. “Some things do not change at all. You were like this when you were little as well, just sitting there and judging people, glaring at us as if you were better than us.”

“I mean that’s not very difficult,” you pointed out. “It’s not as if you’re setting the bar high to be honest.”

“Y/N, for old times’ sake,” she said. “Let’s catch up first before you attack me.”

“Oh sure,” you said, “What old times are we talking about by the way? The time father threatened to kick Josie out of the house, or when he slammed my head to the wall and you stood there doing nothing?”

She shook her head fervently. “That’s not how I remember it.”

You clenched your teeth, swallowing the lump in your throat.

“I forgot you did that,” you muttered more to yourself and she cleared her throat.

“How is your husband?”

“My husband broke your husband’s nose a couple of nights ago,” you said. “Did you not see? Or has that prick not come home still, drinking himself to oblivion somewhere?”

“I’m sure that fight has an explanation.”

“Father disrespected me,” you stated. “That’s the explanation.”

“He may have lost his temper, some old habits die hard but,” she said, “he’s a changed man, Y/N.”

You tilted your head. “Of course,” you said. “I’m sure he is. He is a changed man after his fifth drink, then after eighth he becomes who he is again.”

“Well you and your sister didn’t help,” she said through her teeth. “What with Josie always badmouthing him and you always glaring. You both were always up to something, showing him disrespect, of course you needed a firm hand—”

“And you did nothing.”

“He’s my husband.”

“We were your children, mother!” you snapped and shook your head. “Actually you know what? None of that matters now.”

“You’re married now too,” she said. “So what if I let him discipline you? You have a husband now, you know how—”

“Benedict would rather die than raise a hand to me,” your voice came out as a growl. “Don’t ever disrespect him by trying to lump him together with your husband.”

She heaved a sigh.

“Naïve as always,” she said. “And so very sensitive.”

You could feel the anger boiling at your throat but you pressed your lips together.

“You know,” you trailed off, running your fingertip over the fork on the table. “In my nightmares I’m back home with you two. I suppose it’s because my mind cannot conjure up anything more horrifying than that, but then I wake up and I realize that I never will be back in that hell. It’s quite relieving, really.”

She held your gaze for a couple of seconds, then tsk tsked.

“All this grudge is not good for you, Y/N,” she said. “Especially concerning your family. I’m worried about you.”

You gawked at her, a calmness washing over you as you let the words sink in, then took a deep breath and closed your book, smiling at her.

“Oh don’t worry about me, mother,” you said, pride clear in your voice. “Honestly. Because after this little, unpleasant conversation, I’ll get in my carriage and go home to my husband who happens to be the most handsome and talented and amazing man in the ton—scratch that, in the world— and who, if I may add, is completely in love with me. And while we’re eating dinner in our huge mansion that uncle gifted us as a wedding gift and then going to the next ball or social outing only to be surrounded by the people I actually care about, I won’t be worried about you. I won’t be thinking about you at all.”

She looked almost frozen by the impact of your words and you reached into your reticule to take out a couple of coins, then put them on the table and got up from your chair, putting your palms on the table to lean in slightly so that she could hear you.

“I already have a family,” you said, your voice nearly a hiss. “And you and your husband are of no use to me or my real family. Go back to the hellhole you crawled out of, and leave us all alone.”

With that, you walked out of the pastry shop, a proud smile curling your lips as you approached the carriage waiting for you by the street.

“Where to, ma’am?”

“Home please,” you said as you got in the carriage without sparing a glance back to the pastry shop window. “Thank you.” 

Chapter 36

[deathbxnny]

https://youtu.be/XY1KtMXfMJ0?si=O0FoYVb-5McFKiCn

Here’s for context/power thingy

May I please request headcannons for Jing Yuan, Yanqing, and Welt with an S/o who has an instant death ability like Takatou? They never direct it at their allies (the boys listed), but I can imagine no one wanting to fight someone who can insta kill anything.

I've actually never seen this anime before, so it was definitely an interesting and funny watch, lol. I also really love the ability the character has, so thank you for sharing, Anon, and I hope you'll like this!!<33

Content: Reader essentially insta kills a bunch of people with their mind, kinda unserious, established relationships, sfw

Reader has no set pronouns!!

((Not proofread))

》WELT YANG

Welt often claimed that he had seen most of what life had to offer, mainly due to all he had been through. And for a while, he completely believed that... until he met you, that is. You weren't shy about showcasing your rather invincible ability, mainly as a safety precaution for him.

He felt concerned at first yet, but over time, he saw himself growing appreciative of it, despite how grimm it was. You got him and the rest of the crew out of many difficult situations with ease, even if it meant many casualties that he supposed he could turn a blind eye on for your sake.

He finds it understandable that you have barely enemies to speak of, too, to say the least. Whether the fools or the Stellaron hunters alike, no one bothered crossing you, and for that, he was grateful because it just meant less of a headache for him to deal with.

》YANQING

Yanqing finds your ability cool. Maybe a bit too cool for his own good. So much so that even the general eventually began to wonder if he understood the seriousness of your ability at all. Not that the boy seemed to care. Especially when he begs you to showcase it in battle. (You have to explain why it is not a good idea to use it in training, though, since he won't get it-)

With that said, he practically boasts about having you as an s/o to anyone who has ears. He finds you amazing, so much so that he'll get distracted during fights just to watch you casually blink and kill a bunch of enemies without even moving a muscle! If you weren't his lover, he'd perhaps nearly be jealous...

He also finds it a little funny that you have virtually no enemies or at least none that would attempt to fight you head on. It's not surprising, ofcourse, but that just makes his pride over you grow even more... maybe Jing Yuan was right in being slightly concerned.

》JING YUAN

He is amused by your ability, yet doesn't think much of it. It's not that he doesn't care, he just finds it rather adorable if anything, considering how powerful he himself is. And perhaps he didn't take it as seriously as he should have at first... until he actually first saw it in action, which made him also respect it more.

Jing Yuan enjoys fighting at your side, or rather let you "fight" for him, when he has too much on his plate already. He is thankful for your ability in situations like those, as it means he doesn't have to worry about grand threats sticking around for longer than they should.

The biggest thing he is grateful for regarding your ability ultimately would be that he didn't have to worry about your well-being all too much. Being the s/o of the general would usually get the normal person in extreme trouble... yet since no one is crazy enough to really cross you after your reputation spreads far and wide, that fear has been calmed, whilst the man can rest knowing you'll be fine even without him around.

I'm sorry if these were a little short!! I did my best with what I saw regarding the ability in the video. Also, I'm sorry for the long wait. Life sucks as usual, lol. Either way, thank you again for the request, and I hope you liked this!!<33

[ahhhwomen]

Copycat OG

Pairing: Dark!Wanda Maximoff x Dark!Reader, Wanda Maximoff x Fem Reader

A/N: I have never written smut before, I had at least five mental breakdowns trying to get this done. This is not what anyone would think of when they think of Ghostface Wanda, this entire thing is like a fever dream to me. This went so far away from the franchise it's crazy. I am sorry in advance.

Disclaimer: English is not my first language. All mistakes are my own.

Warnings: Ghostface, 2 Ghostface?, implied murder, knife play, humiliation, degradation, smut, so much smut, Mistress kink, Halloween, dub-con, Dom!Reader, Sub!Wanda, Wanda is a total bottom in this entire thing Minors DNI 18+

Summary: Halloween is around the corner, all you want is a calm night home alone… though it seems the universe can never give you a break. Or; Your phone rings with a mysterious number on the night of Halloween. What’s your favorite scary movie?

Word Count: 6448

You have always taken a liking to Halloween, but even you have to admit this year was turning out to be too much.

Between the excessive amount of Halloween activities and decorations that have taken over your small hometown and the new wanna-be Ghostface, it was starting to get to you.

Since the October month started, bodies have been turning up left and right, all with the same knife lacerations from the iconic Ghostface's choice of weapon. Or, a copy of it, anyway. You don’t have to be a genius to know it's a mere copycat, the real Ghostface only kills on the night of Halloween, not the entire month. Plus, whoever this copycat is, they are sloppy and attention-seeking. The real Ghostface has been killing for over five years at this point, and they have still not been found. This copycat will probably be busted before Halloween even takes place.

Still, you would be lying if you said it didn’t concern you a bit, at least with the real Ghostface you knew when to expect havoc and you could take precautions to keep the ones you love safe. A copycat was not as easy.

You keep caution close to your heart as you continue your way to Wanda's house, you and Wanda have a tradition to watch all of your favorite horrors the night before Halloween since you would both be busy, trick or treating and partying the night of.

Or, she would be busy trick or treating and partying the night of, while you stayed at home worrying about her, with your doors double locked and the porch lights off. Though you like Halloween, you preferred to stay home and comfortable, rather than to fit into a tight outfit and worry if too much or too little of your ass is showing.  

You ring the doorbell on Wanda's ridiculously decorated door and wait while you think over what snacks you should buy for yourself before all the partying starts tomorrow.

It's Mrs. Maximoff that opens. “Hey Sweetie, Wanda is just in her room, go right ahead.”

She lets you in with a warm and welcoming smile and a pat on your shoulder. You thank her and climb up the stairs of their expensive house. You like Mrs. Maximoff, ever since you were little you have been best friends with Wanda. When Wanda and her mom realized you were often alone as a child since your parents were divorced and your father wanted nothing to do with you, while your mom always worked to avoid you, they took you in and quickly became your pseudo-family.

You will always look up to Mrs. and Mr. Maximoff for their help and welcoming presence, but it was different with Wanda. Her parents treated you as their daughter and you felt immensely grateful and happy to be a part of it, but Wanda has never been like a sister to you. Even when you were kids she was always so much more to you, though as much as it breaks your heart, you can never tell her that.

Wanda was way out of your league, she was smart, funny, popular, and astronomically beautiful. She was perfect, and you? Well, you were less than, to say the least.

You shake your thoughts off as you enter Wanda's bedroom to find her changing.

You roll your eyes. “I know you could hear me walking up and yet you still chose the last second possible to put your clothes on.” Wanda laughs as she pulls the hem of her t-shirt down.

“Well, I gotta give my little pervert a show, don’t I?” Wanda smiles with mirth and you return it. “Pretty sure you are the pervert in this accession.” You laugh with a shrug.

It's now Wanda's turn to roll her eyes as she lays down, signaling for you to do the same. “Potato potahto,” you smile as she laughs to herself at her stupidity. You missed her, you hung out just the day before, but you missed her on a deeper level, it has been like this for a while so you just push it down as you stare up at her ceiling.

Her ceiling is filled with posters and drawings of Ghostface. Actually, her entire room is filled with it, ever since that night five years ago tomorrow, Wanda has had a deep obsession with the Ghostface killer. And unhealthy obsession, you think to yourself as you see a new replica of the Ghostface mask on Wanda's desk. You look over at Wanda with disapproval at the new addition. Wanda pretends not to see you.

You lean up on your elbows before voicing said disapproval. “Wands, we talked about this.” She too pushes herself up onto her elbows and slaps your arm gently. “It's not that bad,” she gives you her best puppy dog eyes, but you don’t budge.

“It's wrong that’s what it is, you can't simp over a real killer Wanda. It's not right” Wanda huffs. “You are just jealous I am giving someone else attention.” You know she doesn't mean it like that, but it stings when she puts it so bluntly. There is a hint of truth in what she says, but you ignore it. “I am not jealous, you are just sick.” You say it in a lighthearted manner, but you can tell Wanda does not appreciate the call out.

“No, what is sick is what that dickhead would have done had Ghostface not killed him that night.” You stay silent, you have to agree with her on that part. You just nod, but make sure to add a “Still.”

Sensing that this is not the right time, you change the subject by asking what movie to start with.

“Same as always dumbass,” Wanda giggles as she gets up to retrieve her computer. Already set up with Friday the 13th.

The night has dragged on for way too long in your opinion. Kids and teenagers alike running up and down the streets for hours on end sure can piss you off.

You make sure to keep the news on as you scroll through social media, Wanda said she had some family over, so you don’t have to worry about her this year. Which is a relief, you aren’t really in the mood for an extra adventure today anyway, it's been forever since you could just stay home the entire Halloween night.

It's strange, the copycat and the original have not shown their face today. The night is almost over, but only party drama and yelling neighbors have been reported on. The original is one thing, but you were sure the copycat would take advantage of the night. Surely this build-up hasn't been for nothing?

You are almost disappointed.

In the mood for something to do you get around to making dinner, it may be the middle of the night, but like the nocturnal creature you are you don’t care either way. You never had a routine, not until you started hanging out at Wanda’s house, so some habits are hard to shake.

You are just finishing up with the dishes when your phone calls. The newly dried plate clatters as you put it down. You dry your hands with the kitchen towel and make your way over to the couch where your abounded phone lays.

The caller ID is unfamiliar.  

“Hello?”

Your brows furrow when silence hangs in the air. Just as you are about to hang up a deep voice answers.

“Hello, is Ms. y/l/n there?” You are a bit dumbfounded, your mother always insists on people calling her by her first name. You can't even remember the last time you heard someone call her by her last name. It must be a work call then, maybe your mother mixed your numbers up. Something that is even more peculiar, you are not even sure she knows your number.

You right your posture and lean more heavily on your right foot, shifting your weight. Already suspicious, you make sure to answer vaguely and straightforwardly. Whoever they are you aren’t interested in talking much more.

“No, I'm sorry. This is her daughter, I can give you her number if you would like?” You can hear a puff of laughter on the other end. Their tone unsettles you.

“Aa, so you must be y/n. I have heard quite a bit about you.” Now that is not right, your mother barely acknowledges your existence, there is no way she talks about you. You have had family members be surprised, that your mother has a child, when they came over for Christmas once. You were seven at the time.

“Who is this?”

Now fully engaged in this mystery of a conversation you turn off the TV and leave the living room, intending to end this conversation swiftly, after getting some questions answered, and going to bed. It is only 1 a.m., but all the noise has been wearing you thin the entire day.

Again, there is a long silence before they answer.

“I'm your mom's friend.” They don’t add anything beyond that. Now you know they are lying, no one calls your mother by her last name if they are her friends. You are curious as to what they could want, however, so you keep the conversation going.

“Oh, really? What's your name?” You subconsciously cross your left arm over your right while holding the phone tightly to your ear.

“You can call me Mike.”

You blink.

“Mike?”

“Yes.”

You remove the phone from where you were holding it against your ear to just look at it for a moment before answering.

“Mike is the only name you could think of? Really Wanda?” You smirk.

“…”

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” Wanda avoids your question by asking her own.

You bite your lip satisfied with yourself. You lay down on your bed and make yourself comfortable before bothering to reply.

“SpongeBob” Wanda will find that reference hilarious, you were nine when she introduced the show to you. You had nightmares about that damn sponge for weeks, there was just something about him.

That’s why it takes you by surprise when the voice seems angered by your response.

“This is not the time for games!”

You agree, you are far too tired for these mind games so if this is how she wants to play this then fine.

“Fine, how about this? Who is your favorite killer?” You put extra flair of dramatics into your voice while you question her. The dramatized voice paired with trivia questions comes naturally to you after watching all types of trivia game night shows with Wanda throughout the years.

“I asked you first.” Childish.

“No, you asked me what my favorite horror movie is, I answered.” You thought it over, “Oh well I answered a show, but you get what I mean. Now I want you to answer my question.”

There was a tense rustling on the other end and stomping footsteps before it got silent and the answer was a mere whisper. “Ghostface.”

Not very surprising. You smile to yourself as you roll over on your stomach and fiddle with your dove. You wonder what she is up to.

“It's my turn now,” the deep voice darkened, “Why did Ghostface kill that boy five years ago?”

Your body tenses. You don’t like where this is going, so you play dumb. “How am I supposed to know?”

The voice gets louder. “Answer me!”

You feel yourself tighten a little at her tone, what is she getting at? “Look Wanda I don’t know what you want. I don’t know why Ghostface killed Vision.”

All background noise disappears from the call, you can’t even hear breathing. Then, a strained voice, like cat claws on chalkboard, speaks up.

“Wrong answer.”

Before you can reply the phone call ends. You debate with yourself on whether or not to call Wanda, she usually plays some prank now and then, but this was something else.

You don’t have time to think about it before a knock can be heard on your front door. An unpleasant feeling pools in the bottom of your stomach as you try to ignore it. Plenty of children can’t take a hint and come here looking for candy, you rationalize with yourself.

You are just paranoid.

The knocking doesn't stop, however. You puff your chest before getting up and deciding to put an end to this. When you unlock and tear open the door, intending to give a stern talking to whatever kids were up so late, you are stunned at the lack of anyone.

You slam your door closed and lock it. Whoever they were, they were messing with you. Probably just some bored teens from your high school, or Wanda. Either way, if you didn’t react they were sure to get bored.

Suddenly as you are heading back upstairs the pieces of the puzzle take place.

The voice, Ghostface was known for using a voice box and calling their victims with stupid trivia questions. You knew this well, you just didn’t expect it to happen to you.

You are three steps up the stairs when you hear your door unlock.

You snap your head to the sound. There are only three people with the keys to your house, yourself, your mother, and Wanda. You know Wanda likes her fun, but she wouldn’t take it this far.

The handle doesn't move. You wonder if you imagined it all together? No this isn’t right. You scan your surroundings before going back to the door.

Sure enough, both locks were undone.

“Enough!” You hate to admit it, but you were getting nervous.

“Whoever the fuck you are, fuck off!”

You can hear your phone go off in your room, you curse yourself for never taking it with you as you again lock the door. You take a glass from the kitchen, rigging it up on the front door handle. Some kids don’t know when they have taken it too far, so you have to make sure to be one step ahead.

Like always.

You walk deadly silent as you go to get your phone, now that you have finally caught on, you have no doubt of what game will start once you pick up the phone.

You are being hunted.

You slide your thumb over the screen, picking up the call. You keep moving.

“What do you want?”

The voice sounds ruff and excited. “Me? I am just trying to get someone's attention.”

Go figure. The one Halloween you just wanted to spend in peace the damn copycat has to target you.

“Right. The infamous copycat is it? So is it like a kink or..?” You are standing in your kitchen now, if they want to play, you’ll play. You tighten your hands into fits as you anticipate the comeback.

“Cheeky. No, I am just trying to prove a theory.” This bitch.

You can hear heavy breathing on the other end like they are running… Or have just stopped.

You grab the strongest knife in your drawer. Then you put it back.

It’s a risky move you know, but you also know that no one ever thinks of the back door leading into the woods and it's safer for you to run than fight. At least for now.

“And what do I have to do with this theory?” You chew your lip in annoyance as you lean your body weight forward. Ready to bounce any second now.

“You don’t, you are just an easy target.” This absolute fucking bitch.

“What theory is it that you are trying to prove? Trying to test Ghostface's ability to kill or something? There can only be one or whatever?”

“Don’t be jealous, this will be over soon.” They have no idea.

The glass shatters and you run.

You don’t even think about it, you just bok it straight out of the back door and into the thick forest surrounding your home. You can hear them close behind.

The voice box activates. “There is no point in running!”

Truly an amateur, everyone knows running will be your safest bet when you don’t have a weapon. Fighting should always be the last resort when you are inferior to the killer. It's basic movie logic.

You run until you see it. Your safe haven.

The shed.

The shed creaks open and slams shut as you barricade the door. You have been trying to hold it together all night, but now that you stand there surrounded by your darkest secret and seconds away from revealing it to the psycho copycat, you can't help it. You are getting excited.

It's been ages since you got to play, and there is no need to run now. They are about to enter your territory; they will be inferior.

You have just finished getting ready when you hear the door kick in. Just as expected the killer stops as soon as they take in their surroundings.

Got you.

The copycat threads carefully, the shed is unexpected. Unfaired territory, filled with… Filled with Ghostface?

The shed is a rundown abandoned shit box the copycat has never seen anyone use. Yet here it stands, filled to the brim with every crime and murder Ghostface has ever committed. It's written in more detail than what they could ever put together themselves. They have read any and all pieces of information out there, yet they don’t even know half of the scribbled and planned murders that litter the walls and table.

It only takes a moment for it to set in, they just walked into the lion's den.

And you will show no mercy.

The copycat freezes as a voice rings through the still air.

“Don’t look so disappointed. You are getting what you want, aren’t you?”

You stalk your prey. Your infamous knife is strongly gripped in your right hand, as the copycat turns towards you and backs up in fear. Their knife drops to the ground as you trudge forward. God, it's delicious the way you can see them shiver beneath the poorly-made mask. A mask you have most definitely seen before.

They walk straight into your little homemade table and you take the advantage to press your body into theirs. Your masks almost touching.

“Tell me,” you raise your hands to their covered face. Slowly peeling the mask off as you continue. “What theory was it you wanted to prove? Hm?” Just as red hair reveals itself a hand takes hold of your wrist to stop you from going any farther. That’s fine by you, you know they didn’t realize when you deactivated the voice box.

Nagging them on you continue, “Don’t leave me hanging, what do you want to know? I might just answer it before I cut your pretty tongue out.” You hold the knife up to their face before slowly dragging it down the mouth of their mask and leaving it just under their jaw.

Wanda's meek voice responds.

“I- I I didn’t mean too- too-“

You mock her “too- too-?” “Spit it out pretty girl.” You dig the knife in, just a little.

Too lost in the situation, Wanda hasn't caught onto her voice filling the room.

“Why do you keep killing for me?” So, the age-old question is finally voiced out loud.

You smile beneath your mask. You consider lying, but it's Wanda.

“Because I can.”

Truth be told, it started when you saw the football jock Vision put his hands on Wanda five years ago at a random Halloween party. After that night it evolved.

It just feels right to kill for the things you love.

You don’t let Wanda query anymore, taking hold of her mask you rip it off, revealing her tear-stained cheeks and scared eyes. You have to resist digging the knife in harder, yet it still digs minuscule more. Just enough for one drop.

A single drop of blood that slides onto your gloved finger.

That is what gets you.

Wanda lets out a squeak as you push her onto the table. Your knife never leaves her pale skin. You straddle her, using your weight against her to keep her compliant. You lean closer to her, wanting her to look at you like she did the night you killed Vision.

Scared, but aroused.

You get what you wish for when your gloved hand drags the tip of your knife down her body until you are hovering over her covered breasts. With your left hand, you clutch the fabric of her gown, cutting it open with the knife held in your right. Wanda whines as she squirms to get away from you.

You laugh at her pathetic little sounds as you forcefully grab her by the chin. You lift your mask, only enough for your mouth to be seen, and you press your lips against Wanda´s quivering ones. She only resists for a moment, then a delectable moan vibrates against you. You return it when you push your tongue into her sweet, hot, mouth. You swirl your tongue around while your hands rip open her outfit. You can feel her bra-clad breasts heavy in your hands. You let the knife slice the bra like butter.

You have to break the kiss to give full attention to the sinful heaven exposed in front of you. Wanda turns her head away from you as she catches her breath, you let her. The only thought occupying your mind is how you can destroy her so sweetly tonight.

You kept yourself at bay for so long, but there is only so much you can do when she whorishly seeks you out. And in such a rude manner too. She was using you to get to, well you, but she didn’t know that. A punishment needs to be set in place; one you will have no regret enforcing.

You settle your mask back in place as you stand and move away from the poor birdy.

She looks up in confusion and disappointment when you go.

You pick up Wanda’s knife and walk over to an armchair nestled in the corner of your den. Wanda struggles to sit up as her chest heaves with each manual breath, uncertain of what you want, as you study her from your corner.

You point her knife towards the open door. “Close it.”

Unsurprisingly, Wanda hesitates before complying. You tsk in disapproval, Wanda moves just a tiny bit faster at the sound.

After it's properly closed you instruct Wanda to lock it using the plank you point out. This time she does it in a timelier manner. You nod your approval as she takes a timid step towards you.

When Wanda tries removing your mask you take ahold of her wrist and bend it until she yelps in pain. The surge of power and arousal that shoots through you almost makes you lose your calm, but you soldier on.

Your gaze remains unfaced as she sniffles in pain. “You don’t get to touch me.” You say as a matter of fact.

“Why not,” tears gleam in the redhead’s eyes as she whines.

“Because only good girls get to touch their Mistress.” Wanda melts at your words. Her knees buckle and her nipples harden. You put the knives between the cushions of the ruff chair. You will need both of your hands for this.

As she stands there you can't help but admire her. She looks just the way you imagined she would. Her frame is perfection, even with her clothes hanging off her and tear stains gleaming on her flushed cheeks. You want to eat her up. But first, her punishment.

You act unbothered as you command her.

“Kneel.” Wanda’s eyes widen as her desperation dampens her underwear.

There is a dull thud as Wanda’s knees connect with the water-damaged wood planks. Biting the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from singing her praise is needed, but you can’t help it when you automatically pet her hair gently in reward.

You think of all the times you dreamed of holding her like the pet she is. Your palm smoothes her hair down while you mule over how long it's been since you had a good orgasm. When she´s putty beneath you, you grab a fist full of red tresses and roughly pull her closer to your crotch.

Taking the hint Wanda lifts your dark gown and gasps at the lack of underwear. It's cute that she convinced herself you believed the copycat was anyone but her. This punishment has been long in the planning.

You push more intently on her. “Don’t stop now. Be a good whore and mistress may give you a reward.”

You are glad you kept the mask on as you drool looking down at her while she gets to work. She’s so tiny and irrelevant, one calculated squeeze and you can have her begging for her life while she eats you out. The power imbalance is almost enough to make you cum before Wanda can put her talents to use.

When Wanda's hot mouth makes contact with your folds, sucking and teasing you, you have half the mind to tie her down and force her to watch while you fuck yourself with your fingers. However, you can't resist her when she finally sucks your clit into her keen, wet, fuck-hole.

You wonder if she has done this before as it only takes a minute for your eyes to roll into your skull. Jealousy takes hold of you at the thought.

You push the redhead away from yourself, sooner than she can get a word out, you lay her onto her back on the cold floor and straddle her face. Wanda goes to grab your hips, but you force her down. Holding her wrists over her head you instruct her to stay still.

You can’t help but tease her by riding the air just higher than what Wanda's greedy tongue can reach. You drag your body slowly back and forth sensually, making sure to let some breathy moans and groans rile her up.

“I thought I told you to be good.” You tighten the grip around her wrists in warning.

Wanda, who had been slowly trying to lean upward, lowers herself. She is smart enough to act remorseful, you decide to let it go this once. Far more concerned with satisfying your thirst you take your seat right on Wanda’s waiting mouth.

Wanda makes the jealousy easier as she moans loudly into your pussy while pushing her tongue against your hard clit. It's erotic the way Wanda’s hips buck aimlessly while your juices drip down her chin.

The harsh oak makes your knees sting and you can only imagine how Wanda's back must feel. Of course, Wanda is too far gone, she’s moaning and rocking against the air with her eyes closed.

With this small turn of events, your punishment needs an adjustment.

So, you improvise. Originally you were going to make her fuck you until you ran out of cum. However, being on the floor may prove to make that difficult.

The jingle of the whore’s boobs, whilst she tries humping anything she can get between her legs, does give you an idea.

Leaning back you mindlessly search the chair. When your hand connects with the handle of your steel knife you grab on. Keeping it behind your back so as to not let the redhead get a peak. You doubt she can even if she wants to, she’s too deep in your cunt for you to see anything besides her closed eyes and the bead of sweat running down her forehead.

She continues lapping up your wetness like a dog, none the wiser as you debate on wheter or not to hold the knife against her jugular. Reflecting over it, she has been good, so you keep the knife behind you. If only to use it if she misbehaves.

Misbehaving seems to be the last thing on her mind however, she is devouring your pussy like it’s the last meal on earth. When she introduces her nose into the mix, bumping it into your clit while you ride her tongue, white-hot pleasure runs through you. Sounds, you have never heard yourself make, escape before you even think to stop them. Your toes are close to curling and tension tightens in your lower back. Yet you rearrange yourself away from the redhead's hungry mouth, now is not the time.

After Wanda finishes gasping for air that you haven’t allowed her, her eyes fly open at the lack of your taste.

You stand over her. Wanda whines in confusion, but you ignore her in favor of fixing your outfit. Wanda stays in place. All fight left in her evaporated as soon as you touched her. You can’t help but scoff at how easy she is.

She looks like a bitch in heat, panting and twitching as you stand over her with your knife gripped like a phyton.

You tilt your head. The torn rags still holding on by a thread annoy you. “Take your clothes off.”

Wanda's eyes lack any thought as she heeds to your every whim.

She removes the cheap outfit slowly, pushing it off her shoulders and down her waist, over her ass, and past her legs. She removes her ruined bra next, sliding it off each arm and letting it fall into a heap beside her.

You sneer at her disobedience.

“All of it.” You accompany the words with a snap of your fingers.

There is a long silence while the demand sinks into her empty head. Then like lighting, Wanda takes off her soaked underwear.

Wanda trembles as you leisurely walk around her, tapping the knife in a rhythm against your other hand. Completely nude and vulnerable, just how you like her.

You stop in front of Wanda´s open legs. Her body is begging for you to touch her, she is heaving, drooling, desperate. And you have no plan on lessening it.

Ever since you were younger Wanda has always been a particularly touchy person, she needs human touch to function. Without it, she can't do certain things. Like how she refuses to take a walk unless you hold her hand, and how you can see her struggle to get up and shower if you don’t promise cuddles after.

That’s why when you found her little devious plan three months ago you decided the only punishment fit for a sadist like her would be to remove all sense of touch. Deprive her of the one thing she needs to cum, your touch.

You return to your chair. “Touch yourself.”

Wanda swallows thickly as she watches you beneath heavy lids before nodding to herself. You have seen the way Wanda slowly gathers her wetness and spreads it around her libido while her breath turns shallow many times when you silently sneaked into her bedroom, always mindful of what floorboards would give you away. This is different, this time she is doing it for you and only you.

Wanda never breaks eye contact through the black mesh of your mask. It's only when she pinches her clit that her head gets thrown back and a prolonged moan emits from her that she can’t keep her act up. She is close, but if you play your cards right, she won’t be going over.

You dig the knife into the armrest and swirl it back and forth, fiddling like you're bored.

You can sense Wanda studying you from where she sits just a few feet away, but you overlook her.

Wanda, very much, does not like this newfound disinterest you have in her. She speeds up her fingers, moving them clockwise and pressing down hard. Every time she tries to get your attention by moaning louder or trying to press her foot into your boot you tune her out and move away.

Just as you thought, when the redhead’s orgasm approaches, she struggles. Her moans of pleasure turn into whines of frustration, and you don’t even look at her. You keep your focus on the knife. This is where the real punishment starts, one mistake from you and you know she will have no issue falling over the edge and screaming her pleasure for the entire world to hear. No, you will make her suffer if only a little.

After all the running you have had to do tonight you are making sure she will be left breathless and exhausted before an orgasm is in order.

For ten minutes you distract yourself, for ten minutes Wanda balances painfully on the edge of pleasure.

You only take mercy on her when she taps the floor twice.

Raising your eyes you see Wanda with fresh tear tracks running down her cheeks while her fingers work overtime trying to move faster than you have ever seen them move before. You have to hold back a moan at the sight.

You stand slowly, dragging every movement out. Wanda stares wide-eyed and hopeful as she cries from the pain and pleasure. You make your way between spread legs and crouth down to her eye level. You lift her chin with the tip of your knife, and when she stops her movements, you know you have her attention. Without uttering a word, you remove your mask with your unoccupied hand.

As soon as your face is free of its confinement and Wanda sees you in all your mad beauty since she entered your chosen playing field for the night, a moan so deep and gurtal leaves her dumbfounded. While she is distracted by the new sound she can make you hold eye contact and leave the knife in place, but without looking you reach down and pinch her neglected clit so hard she screams.

She comes so hard she sees stars for minutes after you stroke her through her aftershocks.

When she gets back to herself you are laying on top of her and petting her sides. She doesn't even realize she is crying until you carefully wipe her tears away while praising her. “There you go, baby.”

“It's okay, you did so well.”

“Mistress is very proud of you.”

“Just breathe for me, honey.” “That’s it honey, good job.” You pet her while she gathers herself under you.

She came for a full three minutes before she passed out. As worried as you were in the moment you have to admit you are a little proud of yourself. That is definitely the hardest you have ever seen her cum.

After a while, you can hear her mumble something.

“What’s that baby?”

Wanda, in a surprising turn of events, locks you against her chest and flips you both. You blink up at her as she giggles from your tense reaction.

“Sorry,” you watch her giggle to herself and you know for a fact she is not sorry, “I couldn’t help it, you just look so cute when you are surprised.”

You grin with her but you also grab the knife beside you and lift it to her neck. She quickly stops laughing, but she isn’t scared. Not anymore.

“Behave, don’t forget who´s in charge here.” You fix her with a stern glance.

Wanda deflates a little, but her hands never leave you. She trails her hands up and down your body, groping everything she can. You dig the knife deep enough to where she has to stay still if she wants to keep her vocal cords.

Wanda mewls, “please.”

You roll your eyes at her. “Please what?”

“Please can I touch you, Mistress?”

You smirk, “You are touching me.” The disappointment rolls off of Wanda, but she knows what she needs to do.

Not wanting to actually hurt the redhead you had loosened your pressure without realizing it, Wanda uses that to her advantage. The deviant redhead swiftly moves your hand out of her way to attack your mouth with a round of kisses. She then pushes her tongue in, and swirls it teasingly around yours. You moan into her as she grinds her leg against your covered clit.

You let this go until you need her inside you.

You pull her off you and grab her neck. You tighten until she wheezes then you speak.

“If you ever disobey me like this again I will tie you down with a vibrator and leave you like that for hours. Do you understand me?” The redhead nods as best as she can.

You let go of her neck only to grab her hair again. You stand, dragging her with you. “Sit.” You point at the chair as you let go.

Wanda obediently listens without defiance this time.

“You are lucky,” you tell her as you straddle her thighs. “if I wasn’t in the mood for an orgasm I would have you over my knee now. You grind into her lap as you speak. This time when Wanda goes to grab you, you let her.

Wanda controls your hips as you pound yourself into her lap. She is more than eager to comply when you command her to put a finger in.

You ride her until you can't take it anymore and reach down to draw tight circles over your forgotten clit.

You cum so fast it almost gives you whiplash. Wanda moans with you as clear liquid coats her hand.

You both fall into an exhausted pile of post-orgasm bliss as you settle. Wanda cuddles into you and you lean your chin atop her head. She nuzzles into your neck and sighs with satisfaction.

You are half-dosing when a giggle abrupts from the girl in your arms. You look down at her with a confused tilt to your head. Wanda is already grinning up at you.

“Same time next year?” You laugh at your girlfriend of six years and nod while kissing her sweaty forehead.

“Same time next year.”

(Oh sorry, forgot a tag: Role-play)

[thotsforvillainrights]

Shigaraki smut headcanons? Sorry if you've already done this, I just love crusty boi. (　＾ω＾)

(You're fine, Anon! It's one of those cases where it FEELS like it's been done but probably hasn't lol. I went and checked the new and old masterlist and couldn't find anything. Now's my chance to add it to the collection ^_^)

~Shigaraki Smut Headcanons~

headcanon|scenario|imagine|match-up|drabble

-Really would like to say he's a freak in bed but I don't think he's all that wild...at least not at first. I feel like he has a lot of love to give when he opens himself up for it. There's not really much lust between the two of you at first (not on his end at least). His walls are up really high and for a while he starts to feel really guilty about developing feelings for you. He's not sure if he deserves to have love given to him, or to give love to others. All his life he's been focused on what he hates and not enough on what he could love. When you come along, he's filled with anger at the fact you were able to get to him so easily.

-He can't deny any longer that he has feelings for you. When you try to reciprocate these feelings then it becomes complex. He's not letting you in as easily. He prays at night that you give up on him, that you leave for your own good. At the same time he wants to open himself up to you but he just doesn't know how. When he finally decides to let himself go and feel for once in his life, it becomes likely the most beautiful and simultaneously terrifying experience he's had. When you say you love him, it's invigorating. When you touch him...touch his skin of all people, he feels special. He feels confused all at the same time. Why would you chose him?

-He's scared at first to talk about you, to feel pride out loud. he's scared he'll somehow jinx things and that he'll wind up hurting or even worse is that he'll wind up hurting you instead. It's not just the mental hurt he's worried about either. It's the pysical hurt and the crushing idea that he might slip up and you'll be gone forever. Even with gloves as a precaution, he's still not up to the idea of touching you. Why should he when he doesn't deserve to touch you anyway? A demon with an angel like you? What a cruel and disgusting joke. Don't you know if he were to mess up then you'd be nothing more than a pile of ash and memories? You don't care. You want his touch, his hugs and kisses. And just like always, he's weak to deny you. He gives up and cautiously inches into the next phase of your relationship.

-When the sex finally comes into play, he feels a bit overwhelmed. Understandably you should come to expect him not lasting very long for the first few times. Can you blame him? You're something akin to a sinful pool of gold and he's strong enough to hold back. He's focusing all his energy on making you feel good, keeping a handle on his quirk, and trying not to hurt you all at the same time. Your sex brings fireworks out. His vision gets spotty once before and leave him wondering if he might pass out. He's breathless, his skin damp with sweat and his legs weak...shaking from your activities together. He's quiet but you can still hear him making sound just for you. It's all for you.

-Because he won't focus on his own pleasure, you end up taking the reigns in that department. It takes some time for him to settle down and accept that you actually WANT to make him feel good instead. Of course you do, why wouldn't you want to return the favor? He can't grasp the concept at first. That's okay, he didn't need to think too hard. Just lay back and let you handle it yes?

-His drive doesn't seem to be that high, nor too low. If anything, he's a perfect in-between, matching your pace perfectly. He's moldable like clay for you. He'll fold and bend at your will but he also remains understanding of his own needs and preferences as well. I think maybe later on in the relationship you can see him getting a little rougher in bed. Of course at your request, he learns the ins and outs of it. Shigaraki after gaining a power-up shows a considerable difference in the ways he goes about things but that's a story for a different time.

[lemonflavoreddishsoap]

May I please for headcanons for la squadra with a gn s/o who usually watches their movies and shows in headphones and alone, but it turns out they just watch Barbie. Th reason is that they don't the boys to be embarrassed by them

This request made me laugh when I first read it- has anyone drawn La Squadra asking for tickets to the barbie movie yet? Cuz they should.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

La Squadra with an S/O who secretly watches Barbie

Everytime he asks what you're watching on your laptop, you shut it and won't tell him...suspicious...

Formaggio

Debates peeking at what's on your laptop when you're not around. Of course, he never would, and he has faith that you're doing nothing wrong, but the curiosity bites at him every time it happens.

So, using Little Feet, he sets out to get to the bottom of this. You don't even notice your itty bitty partner climb up onto your shoulder until well after you've gotten comfy and started the movie again. You only take a quick look around to make sure no one's peeking at you before you slip on your headphones and start the video.

Suddenly, you feel something brush you, and then a tap on your shoulder. You frantically shut the computer and shove off your headphones before you're face to face with Formaggio. He's...smiling.

"Barbie and the Three Musketeers, huh? 'ts a good one," he chuckles, giving you a kiss on the head to ease your shocked expression and walking off. He knew it, you weren't up to anything weird, so he ain't gonna make a bit deal out of it.

Illuso

Your worries are well founded, but he won't be oblivious for long. From the second you're looking so secretive about your business, he's raising an eyebrow. But the moment you're deliberately avoiding being near any mirrors?

He just waltzes right up to you and goes "What're you looking at?" If you start shutting your device, he keeps it open. Skimming the title, and seeing the content, he bursts into laughter.

"'A Fashion Fairytale'?? You're hiding a kids movie from me?" He chuckles at the absurdity for a while longer before insisting he watches it with you.

When it comes to any Barbie things you watch after that, it's best to only let Illuso watch with you if you're willing to sit through an hour of snarky remarks and loud laughter.

Prosciutto

How would you manage to hide it from this man? You may be his s/o, but Prosciutto is still ruthless and intimidating, and when you're hiding things from him, he sees no reason to hold his suspicions to himself.

Dude, listen, if you were curled up, watching fucking Princess Charm School and this man is standing over you asking What You Are Doing, how can you imagine a world where you wouldn't tell him?

He gives you a look when you show what you're watching, and, as you'd expect, he doesn't give much of a shit about it, and it doesn't matter to him if you watch it. Just questions why you felt the need to treat it like a big deal.

As you explain that you didn't want to embarrass him, he puts a hand on your cheek and assures you that as long as you don't force him to watch with you your interests would have no effect on his image or pride. He really is rather touched that you wanted to take that precaution, but hiding things from your partner is not the way to go about it!

Pesci

You would have been more open about it, but you've seen what Prosciutto says to Pesci, so you worry that he would feel bad looking at something so...childish.

So you keep your interest to yourself. Pesci doesn't mind you keeping to yourself, but seeing you all cooped up watching something leaves him curious. He wants to know what you're doing but...ohhh would it be his place to be nosy?

Eventually he bites the bullet, carefully approaching you during your Secret Time, tapping you on the shoulder, and asking what you're up to. Oh, when he's asking so politely you can't even care about your worries. you shyly show him A Mermaid Tale playing on the screen and his reaction is...intrigue.

He lets you know he's never seen the movie and asks to watch it with you, and how could you ever say no? Even if it's not exactly his sort of thing, he just likes to spend time with you. After your impromptu movie date, you're sure to not feel shy about watching Barbie around him anymore.

Melone

Here's the thing about your partner. Melone, with how good he is at reading others, is really hard for others to read a lot. So as you sit there trying to focus on A Fairy Secret you keep looking over at the busy man on the other side of the room, clacking away on his own device - you aren't sure whether you should be cautious or not. He doesn't seem to be paying you much mind.

After a minute or so, you aren't checking for him anymore and have settled into the movie. You're just getting sucked in when purple strands of hair cover your vision. One side of your headphones is shifted off of your ear, and you are aware of someones head resting atop of yours.

"A Fairy Secret...not one of my favourites. We can watch better ones afterwards, though." Oh. Okay this is happening now. His puts his arms around your shoulders as you watch through the movie together.

Afterwards, as you search for the next movie to watch, you mention how surprising his reaction was to you. He rolls his eyes, "I think it would be obvious that it would take a lot for me to be grossed out or embarrassed by something you like. Nothing wrong with liking Barbie, I clearly have no issues with it."

okay I limited myself to 4 points each for this one but. the idea just crossed my mind of family movie nights with you, Melone, and Babyface. Probably as part of Babyface's "education"...do with that what you will

Ghiaccio

I do NOT blame you, dude. Like with Illuso, there's a very real fear of him making jabs at you liking something so childish. So you diligently hide your watch sessions from him. But he notices, and he is not happy.

He has no clue what you're up to, but he doesn't like how you're hiding from him, and he makes that known quickly. If you try to keep hiding from him, he'll just get more upset, so it's more worth it to just tell him.

Just gives you a weird look when you tell him what you're watching. If there were real life cartoon sound effects, you'd hear the "blink blink" one. "Why would I get mad over you liking some kids show? That's fucking stupid."

He's blunt, but it is a metaphorical splash of cold water to your face: yes, he thinks barbie is stupid, but you're special to him. He loves you, and trust is more important to him than getting mad over "some kids show".

Risotto

Has faith in you, so after you tell him not to worry about your business the first time, he leaves you alone for the next few instances. Leaves you to your own devices.

But after a few weeks, you haven't gotten any more comfortable doing your "personal business" around him. So he asks again, and again, you're standoffish in your response. Now he's suspicious. He still trusts you, but at this point further investigation is more than warranted.

He snoops onto your laptop while you aren't home, and is...confused to say the least. He confronts you about it afterwards, and upon hearing your explanation it all makes sense to him.

"You didn't want to embarrass me? That's a sweet thing for you to do, but you didn't need to hide this from me. I'm sorry for looking through your laptop, but there was no need for you to be so secretive."

[blackholesun321]

*kicks down the door*

It has been a while, but I have returned with @gizamalblythe to talk Wing au. Tldr, Shanks is having a bad day and he lashed out with his haki against the boys, aka Pippin and Sebastian aka S-Hawk and S-Lion.

Shanks made a promise to never use his haki against his family, his flock. But now he broke it when he lashed out on accident. The guilt is crushing him and Pippin and Sebastian are now scared of Shanks which breaks his heart even more leading to the bad day getting worse than ever.

Hoooo boy, it has been a bit. look at me ignoring all the asks in my inbox lol. School is kicking my ass but it is what it is. (I’m totally not crying internally!)

It’s a lot for them, for everyone. Pipin and Sebastian are new to this, to them, to everything. They’re barely even people with wants, desires, thoughts outside of pleasing these new handlers in their eyes. They weren’t raised like the rest of the kids with how to deal with Shanks or when to avoid him. And Mihawk and Shanks are so busy and stressed and lulled into a place of security because they’ve had this conversation before with their kids; they know the routines and rules. Pipin and Sebastian don’t. And in all the chaos, they forgot to inform them.

That’s on Shanks and Mihawk they are the adults they should have been on top of it but it’s such a known and expected thing that sometimes information slips through the cracks and what’s common place for you might not be for someone knew.

Shanks doesn’t deal with the introduction of new fledglings without warning well. It’s a trigger, a bad one. It happened with Uta, happened with the rest of the kids. Once the episode passes and Hongo ups his doses till the sense of trauma and C-PTSD calms down a bit, things regulate out. Something about the hormones in his brain is all screwed up for fledglings, and especially fledglings deemed flock. And they got a bit of a warning with the new flock for them, so they put precautions into place. He built a nest or rebuilt his old one and pulled Mihawk into it for a day or two for some cuddles—maybe went and kidnapped one of their other kids for a bit, before everything seemed to blow over.

So they relaxed and everything seemed to be ok and Pippin and Seb were integrating into their new life and situation maybe not well but it would take time for all of them. Shanks is still being a bit obsessive but it not towards the kids or hurting himself or others and not escalating into a manic-delusion so progress. But then one of the boys hides. He steals food or clothes or something shiny and freaks the fuck out thinking he’ll be killed or punished and hides away for days.

Shanks is panicking, ok, ok, everything’s ok, but his fledgling is missing and no one can find him and he's actually going to start going crazy if he can’t find him and he’s dead and it’s all Shanks' fault, he’s dead and the other boy, let’s say Seb, refuses to say anything but he needs to, he needs to know! And Benn realizes what's happening too late. Shanks is pulling at his feathers in long strokes, biting his lips until bleeding- but he managing their all managing and he’ll ask Hongo to take Shanks aside later. It's been three days, still no sign, and Seb's clamped up like a vice. And maybe, maybe that wouldn’t have been enough to set him off, maybe except for the fact they are attacked by the WG.

And Shanks loses it. They get their hands on Pippin his babies are gone, where are his babies, and it hasn’t been this bad since Ace almost died. He kills all the marines, rips through the pacifistas sent to apprehend his son, wild and terrified. When he gets to him, Pippin is frozen with fear; he’s going to die. He thinks his handler is displeased with him; he wasn’t strong enough to resist capture but he was so worried about them finding him and hurting him and he’s going to die!

Shanks doesn’t say anything to the contrary, just picks him up under one wing, ignores his conqueror's Haki as it keeps on lashing, obviously scaring the shit out of Pippin, and goes back to his ship. Seb, fearing death but fearing the death of his brother more, told them we’re he had been hiding and watched as the captain lost his shit when it was empty aside from some feathers and blood. And once he feels the pressure in the air, the weight of a king staring daggers of pain, fear, bow, bow, obey, obey, kneel, kneel— he can’t help but start to cry. It’s all his fault and Pippin is going to die and there’s nothing he can do there’s nothing he can do!

Shanks doesn’t say a word, doesn’t stop his Haki, merely picks Seb up in as he thrashes and sobs and holds him to his chest. His baby, his fledgling, not safe, never safe. He’ll make them safe, he’ll make them safe, and then no more dead brothers and mothers and babies, and everyone will be okay.

Mihawk finds them like this a day later, alerted by Benn he needs to get back to the Red Force asap because Shanks has lost his cool and has dragged the kids in with him and no one can break him out of it. This is fucking distressing, not in the least because for the first time ever his kids have been dragged into one of Shanks's bad episodes. Ace got dragged in only once but he was an adult and able to break Shanks out of his spiral like twenty minutes in. But not the kids— never the kids.

It’s not pretty but it could be worse. Shanks has luckily holed up in his room and won’t let the kids leave and won’t let anyone else who goes in leave and almost took Lime-juice's face off when bringing them dinner yesterday full of sedatives. So you know, not fun. Mihawk enters like he always does and finds the kids curled into a ball of black feathers in the middle of their mattress, fast asleep, probably knocked out from all the conquerors Haki they’ve been dealing with. They don’t look physically hurt no blood or bruising a little over groomed but hale and healthy. Shanks leant over them, eyes wide, watching, barely blinking, barely noticing Mihawk enter aside from a shift in his only wing.

Mihawk sees the red in the white of his eyes, the dark bruises beginning to form in the skin under, and wonders if Shanks slept at all in the day and a half it took Mihawk to get here. Mihawk is deemed safe as he gets closer, cooing softly in the back of his throat, a hand gently coming around Shanks' head. He barely moves or even stirs as Mihawk's other hand slips the syringe into the muscle of his neck and presses the plunger down. It takes only a second for the sedative to take effect and for Shanks to collapse from dehydration and lack of sleep into Mihawk's arms.

He settles him carefully into his nest, wrapped around their fledglings, and takes a moment to make a mental note to have a talk with the kids about disappearing  without telling an adult. Mihawk’s sure Shanks, once he’s back to himself, will fall over himself in apology for using Conquerors on the kids, and most likely this will be a mess of epic misunderstandings. They’ll probably be back to square one with the fledglings, but what has happened happened, and there’s nothing they can do about it now except damage control and hope for the best.

[meatsex]

hi im sorry if this is weird to ask and you definately dont have to answer, but how did you start transitioning? im sure its different outside the us, but i guess i mean like more how did you get the "courage" to ig? im just now in my early 20s and i want to start before its "too late", but im just worried abt so much shit surrouding it (family, my job, school, etc) and it stops me everytime i get close to trying to

im sorry, idk i just remeber seein your top surgery pics a while back and thought abt asking for a bit cause im kinda alone in this. its okay if you dont respond, ik this might be like a hard subject

hello, this isnt a weird question at all, especially if you find yourself in a situation where you feel alone about this matter.

before i begin, obviously none of the things i say are a guide or should be taken as exact reference, they are just my experience, precautions i took and things i realized/explored; this will also be LONG

i began transitioning around 2016 (i was 19-20 iirc), this is when i began to reconsider my gender and how i saw myself, i wasnt sure about my stance on myself so i used the label genderfluid as that was what felt right atm, i wasnt sure if i really wanted to be a guy or just felt like it every so often; back then i only confided this information to my then boyfriend

i began using a different name online, tried different clothing and also got my hair cut way short for the first time, basically tried and experienced, i was also used to crossplaying often (cosplaying male characters)

in 2018 i was fully set with the idea i wanted to be a man, id fully take on the role of one online and i had already told other friends i trusted about this

i stopped using the label of genderfluid by this time as well, i also tried binding a bit but it was complicated for me so it wasnt long lived but definitely helped in settling the idea of what i wanted

in 2020-2021 i came out to my parents, i tested the waters *a lot* first, i brought up topics like having transgender friends or similar too see how they would react, luckily they both did positively. after this i felt confident in telling everyone else irl

in 2022 i got my legal name change (the process in Argentina is basically a re-enacment of your birth certification with your preferred name and gender, i dont know if this is different or the same elsewhere), and in 2023 i got top surgery, the overall healing process was around 6 months, i did require aid for things like getting up from bed and eating

i was freshly 26 for my surgery by 2023, what im trying to say is for some people its something that could take a lot of time while others might find instantly this is their correct way to feel and be, but its also never too late or never too early and its also okay to change your mind and go back on how you felt, utimately its your decision to take

truthfully you will have to think and consider hard in which areas and with which people you feel safe sharing your gender, some people might not be open to the idea and depending on the circumstances it might not be worth the risk (like at a job or school) unless you have a backup plan to fall onto if it comes to a worst case scenario; i hid these things from my family for a lot of time (especially my internet-disconnected, right-leaning dad)

i think "closet" transitioning or just taking small steps that can be subtle to others is a good idea if you are still unsure about your situation and/or environment, in the sense of exploring ideas, terms, feelings, and with things like trying on different clothes or changing the way you present yourself in a smaller scale (like friends you trust or online presence)

i think its also important i was an adult by this time, therefore (as stupid as this sounds because it is) i had more credibility in the eyes of others to my emotions and how i felt, but this is something that depends and varies with the environment you are in and the people that surround you

ultimately it truly never is late or early, its okay if you try it and change your mind, no one is going to punish you for it and no one is entitled to how you feel about yourself other than you; i hope this helped in any way and if not feel free to ask again about more specific ideas or topics regarding this

[riderofthemist]

It is okay if I vent a little about my Covid experience so far?

Some years ago, I was getting worried that I was becoming too anti-social, mostly sitting at home, rarely meeting with the few friends I have, not participating in any local gatherings or other in-person social events. And I have never been in any romantic relationship, despite wanting it very much. Chatting with people online is one thing, but I keep reading about how important it is to have real-life, in-person friends too. So I decided that I was finally going to do something about it. I was going to join local hobby groups that interested me, I was going to visit conventions, maybe I would even try going out to concerts and clubs, and actively pursuing dating. There's a part of me that's always pushing against these things, trying to come up with excuses for staying home instead. But I was determined to ignore those excuses, to make a genuine effort to become more social.

Then the pandemic began. And suddenly, my anti-social aspect had the perfect excuse, that I couldn't argue against. So I thought "damn, well, I guess I can wait, this will probably be over in a few months, or maybe a year?"

But it's not over, is it? It's never going to be over.

And by now, I'm getting desperate. I feel like I have to take *some* risks if I'm not going to end up completely isolated, if I don't want to just sit at my computer, reading social media, going to bed and fall asleep while worrying about dying alone.

At the back of my mind, I'm thinking that even if I'm vaccinated, and I wear a mask, and I'm constantly staying on high alert, counting how many people are in a room, always staying at a distance, always washing my hands, never eating or drinking until I'm completely alone... It's not enough. Nor precaution other than staying home by myself is 100% safe. Especially not when I'm the only person who is wearing a mask (and I'm definitely too socialy anxious to ask anyone else to wear one). As far as I know, there are no "mask blocs" or other serious efforts to create Covid-safe social gatherings where I live, and I don't feel like I have the time, energy or skills to do it myself.

So now, whenever I happen to be in place with any number of other people (even if it's just me and one other person, even if I'm wearing a mask), there's a buzzing feeling at the back of my skull, a mixture of fear and shame. "I'm going be infected, or I'm going to infect other people." "Since you can have Covid without any symptoms, I have to assume that I and everyone else are infected at all times." "I should have just stayed at home, this isn't worth it."

(Also, I should probably try to stop reading people posting angry rants about how the world is full of ableist, eugenicist plague rats who are responsible for the deaths of millions, etc. etc. I know that they're just expressing totally legitimate anger and frustration, possibly engaging in a bit of hyperbole, and that I shouldn't take it personally... But I can't deny that it's probably affecting me on a subconscious level, contributing to the miserable feeling I get whenever I go outside, masked or not.)

Hi, it is okay. ^^ Let me tell you something : when you are around people, you are the safest person they could be around. You are doing your part. It is a big part, and an efficient part. If they catch Covid, it won't be your fault. I don't know if you expect an answer to it or just wanted to vent so I'll give one and if you don't care you can just skip it. ^^ I understand what you're going through very much as I currently go through the same thing. If there isn't a network of Covid Conscious people around you, maybe you can do your own thing. When you see someone wearing a mask you can get in touch with them. If talking to them directly is too hard (which I understand) you can give them a note and... run away, waiting for them to contact you. They probably are as eager as you to meet Covid conscious people. There is something else I love, it's associations that gather old people. But it's kind of a special type of socialization. However, most of the time they wear a mask or are happy that you wear one.

As for the "buzzing feeling at the back of your skull"... I wear headphones most of the time to silence them. Or I try to think about it that way : I can't be a 100% safe about anything but it's okay. I'm doing all I can to protect myself from Covid, so I just need to relax. It is working, I need to trust my safety measures. Yes, people around me are not wearing a mask, but I do, and until then, I've never caught Covid so it is working. Be safe.

[nerdinsandals]

Hi I just need to vent a lil bit because I'm kinda frustrated with my health at the moment shdkfj

I'm not like, sick or anything, or at least I don't think I am. I'm just feeling physically and mentally exhausted to the point that I can barely keep my eyes open sometimes, or maybe I manage to do one (1) task and that's enough to knock me out for the day and maybe even the next day sometimes if I do more than one thing that requires the smallest amount of effort. It's not like I was full of energy before because my battery is always at like 60%, but I don't think I've felt this weak in a long time, and this has been going on for months already. Some days are better than others, but I never feel like I'm at my normal.

At first I thought it was just the result of all the accumulated exhaustion I wasn't allowing myself to feel while preparing for my librarian exam (which took place in late January), but like I said it's been months already and I feel like the exhaustion should've been gone by now? But then I remembered that I was sick with a high fever a couple weeks before said exam, because a relative thought it was a great idea to come to visit with clear flu-like symptoms and no mask (and they didn't cover their mouth when coughing, either), so of course I caught whatever they had. I rarely catch viruses, but I still get vaccinated and take as many precautions as I can because, when I do, I usually have to deal with the nastier side-effects, unlike other people who recover just fine.

Since I was isolating anyway because I was in full hermit mode studying for my exam, I didn't think about taking a COVID test, but now I'm starting to think that maybe what that relative had was in fact COVID and what I'm experiencing is post-viral fatigue? It's the only thing that makes sense with the information I have, since iirc it can last for months… I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done to make it better so idk if I should bother my doctor again (healthcare is currently very overworked and understaffed here, and especially in the summer), but if I keep feeling this way after the summer I guess an appointment won't hurt. 😅

My librarian exam fortunately went well despite already feeling the exhaustion (which at that point I chalked up to the stress of preparing for the exam for like a year), and I don't know the final results just yet because they're taking an embarrassingly long time to publish them, but I have to wonder if I would've done better had I not fallen sick. I needed to do exceptionally well to secure the position and unfortunately, while like I said, I did well (like an 80 out of 100), I didn't do "secure the position by getting in the top 10 out of thousands" well. ;; There's always next time I guess. But right now I just want to be able to draw and do things I enjoy without getting tired!

So yeah, I thought I'd be able to get at least a couple pieces done for Conway Day this year, but with only a bit over a couple weeks left I haven't been able to even finish *one* because I don't want to push myself and make it worse. I hope I can at least finish one of them, since I should be able to make a couple posts out of it! And of course I know this should be the least of my worries, but I just really like celebrating Conway Day and it frustrates me that I can't have my usual stash of new art to provide haha

Anyway, thanks for reading and take care of yourselves! And tell your relatives to wear a mask if they want to visit you and they know they're sick (or maybe don't visit at all?) 😑

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

A Tale of Two Dragons

2/6 - The Forest Witch

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<- Previous Chapter | Ao3 | Next Chapter -> |

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Remus is desperate, but sometimes desperation wins.

TWs: TW for a character getting drugged/drugged food, one innuendo (remus-esque)

----

Drugging Roman's food was worryingly easy.

It helped that Roman often tended to forget that he had a brother at all, as did most of the kingdom, so it was easy to slip around unnoticed.

Everything was going well until Remus stood before his brother’s knocked out form in his bedroom and realised that he had no clue how the hell he was supposed to get Roman out of his room, let alone through the forest to the witch.

In the end, he decided that standing here thinking was wasting his time completely. So, Remus quickly bundled Roman up in a sheet. He wasn’t strong enough to carry him, especially not all the way to the forest. Remus frowned as he realised he’d have to drag his brother all the way down the stairs to the little cart he’d put there - the tiny bit of forethought he’d had in this plan. He was worried Roman would be badly injured by the time he was able to get him to the cart. He’d also neglected to get a horse, so he had to pick up the shafts of the small cart himself, pulling the cart along with his brother stuffed in the back. Remus felt a little vindictive, he’d been able to beat Roman.

He didn’t know how smart that made him, with the witch’s help, but he’d managed to best his brother for once. Just that thought alone had Remus almost skipping through the forest back towards the witch’s house.

“Oh Witch!” Remus called, drawing out the word as he arrived at the little house. He dropped the cart without a care and ran up to knock a tune against the door. The witch opened it a few minutes later, a dark frown on his face until he saw Remus and the cart.

“Wow,” He said, humming in disbelief as he eyed the cart and then Remus, “You actually did it? I’m surprised.”

“You- you didn’t think I would?” Remus asked, enthusiasm dampened - even the witch didn’t believe in him. The witch in question shrugged uncaringly as they moved past Remus to unwrap the sheet around Roman to look at him.

“No,” he said, “I thought the Dragon Prince was smarter than that.”

Remus sighed and shook his head, “Apparently not.”

The witch just hummed and went out to the wheelbarrow, lifting Roman’s prone form easily - Remus wasn’t jealous at all - and bringing him inside. Remus watched as his brother was placed on a chair, his arms bound separately to either side of the chair with glowing chains the witch seemed to have set up specifically. His tail and feet were bound as well to the chair legs while Remus watched and finally a gag was placed in his mouth and a blindfold over his eyes.

“Taking precautions eh?” Remus said, resisting the urge to lean against the door frame, “Or are ya tying him up for something else?”

The witch gave him a disgusted look, but otherwise didn’t comment. He yanked a few hairs from Roman’s head and moved back to the cauldron in the back of the room.

“I’ll be able to sort your potion in a few hours, if you want to hang around,” The witch said, “Outside, not in here, if you need something to do you can make yourself useful and gather some herbs for me.”

“Right-” Remus said, frowning, he didn’t know what different herbs looked like - though he should probably stay on the witch’s good side, “You got a list for that?”

Wordlessly, the witch made a gesture with his hand and a book slammed into Remus’ chest. He caught it and flicked through the pages - pictures and uses of herbs, right.

“Anything from in there, keep yourself busy for a few hours.” He said, waving Remus off.

—-

A few hours later, Remus returned to the palace with potions in his bag and a grin on his face.

The witch had warned him that he’d only be getting Roman’s physical appearance, not his powers or his memories. Each potion would last a few days, as it wore off he’d slowly get his own features back. He’d been given two potions, and a third one to increase his strength. That was the best the witch could do, apparently.

Remus went to sleep that night with excitement bubbling in his heart. He’d drink them in the morning, get Roman’s schedule, and then he would be set. He’d finally get to know what being loved felt like.

—-

When Roman woke up, everything was dark. His head hurt like all hell, he was sat uncomfortably - had he fallen asleep at his desk again? Working late was really a habit he should get out of… only, when he opened his eyes he found it still dark, with his powers he should still be able to see even if it was pitch dark, but he could feel cloth against his eyelashes. Was he blindfolded? Was this Patton and Janus playing some kind of prank on him again?

Trying to move his hands to take off the blindfold only made him realise that those were bound too, as were his tail and feet… he tried to say something, only to realise that he was gagged too - had he been kidnapped? What the hell was happening right now?

He made a muffled sound, panicked. Drawing in a deep breath through his nose resulted in a strong smell of herbs and incense. He could smell woodsmoke underneath that, and the mildew-y smell of the forest in the morning… Was he outside? But he wasn’t cold, he definitely wasn’t in the castle anymore, that was for sure.

“Morning, Princey,” Said a teasing voice, deep and vaguely alluring. Roman might’ve been attracted to it if it weren’t for the fact that he was fairly certain this person had kidnapped him, “Did you sleep well?”

Roman tried to answer, but all he managed was a muffled frustrated noise through the cloth in his mouth. The stranger snickered, “Ah, sorry, I forgot.”

He was approached, he could feel the strangers presence even without his eyes. His aura was surprisingly light, kind of warm, once again drawing him in until Roman shook away the thoughts. The gag was carefully removed from his mouth and Roman felt the urge to bite at the hands with his sharp, draconic teeth.

“Where am I?” Roman asked the moment he could speak again, “Did you kidnap me?”

“Mm no,” He said, “I wouldn’t be capable of such a thing, I merely traded for you.”

“Then who the hell did?” Roman asked, shocked - too shocked that he had been traded for like an item.

“Your miserable desperate brother,” He said. Roman felt his stomach drop - the food Remus had brought him last night.. He’d known it was suspicious! He’d known but he’d eaten it anyway because he didn’t want to upset Remus when he’d made an effort for once to spend time with him - he’d wanted to give his brother the benefit of the doubt, now look where he was?

“What…” He swallowed around the lump in his throat, “What did you give Remus in return?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” The witch cackled. Roman sighed and resigned himself - his magic wouldn’t work with whatever these chains were made of - he felt cut off here. There was nothing he could do. All he had to satiate his panic was the crown still atop his head.

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Oct 28

A Tale of Two Dragons

1/6 - The Reject Prince

Roman was everything a prince should be and more.

He was beautiful, he was powerful, he was loved by all in their kingdom. Even the earth bent to his will.

Remus was nothing but a distorted mirror of his brother.

At least maybe that could work in his favour for once.

Not that anything ever really did.

Warnings: Negative self talk/image, thoughts and discussions about kidnapping/murder

Pairings: endgame anaroceit, pre-established Roceit, platonic LMP

Word Count: 1174

Notes:

Inspired by This Post by @fangirltothefullest (absolutely brilliant art, have a look :3) though of course I've added my own fantasy royalty twist xP. (Sorry for the tag if you don't want it lol I just want to give credit where it's due :3)

A fic that's been in the works for a little while!! I have a few chapters already written which is fun! Hopefully you'll enjoy! :3

I'll be posting this every Monday (hopefully)

Roman was everything a prince should be and more.

He was beautiful, he was powerful, he was loved by all in their kingdom. Even the earth bent to his will.

Roman’s hoard of gold was something any other dragon would be envious of, his friends were lovely and loved him in return, they treated him well and never once made him feel like he wasn’t enough. In return Roman protected them all. Gifts and beautiful things were bestowed to everyone he cared about, the kingdom was happy with their Prince - the most powerful being they’ve seen since the beginning of the royal lineage, with both goddess and dragon ancestry. Roman was truly perfect, in every sense of the word.

With his power he had enchanted a set of jewellery to give a piece to each of the people he cared most about. He himself wore a crown of course. Janus, his spymaster and a magical refugee from a neighbouring hostile kingdom - had earrings. Logan, his advisor, had a bracelet and Patton, the palace chef, had a necklace.

The jewellery was enchanted to warn Roman when its wearer was in danger, so he could rush to the aid of the people he loved whenever they needed him.

Remus, of course, hadn’t gotten a thing.

It wasn’t necessarily Roman’s fault. Roman was more powerful, more beautiful, more loved, brighter and bolder in every way. Remus - his brother who’d inherited none of the same power - faded into the background. Sometimes even he wondered if he still existed. Remus didn’t think Roman loved him, but he wouldn’t blame Roman for that, Remus was difficult and weak, he was shorter and plainer and lacked all the magic Roman had. All he’d gotten were golden eyes and short stubby dragon wings that had never grown in fully. He couldn’t even fly.

Remus sighed as he watched Roman laugh with his friends, all of them sitting together having a picnic Patton had put together next to the fountains in the palace gardens. Remus hadn’t been invited, all he could do was watch from the balcony in his room and sigh, wishing he could be in his brother’s place for just one day.

He could kill him - but Roman was some kind of dragon cross demigod, it would take a lot of effort and power that Remus didn’t have, and what good would that do anyway? Remus.. Well, he couldn’t say he loved his brother, but everyone else did, killing him would be cruel.

Kidnapping him was another option, but again Remus would gain nothing… maybe if he looked more like his supposed twin he could take his place, but…

An idea popped into his head and Remus fully sat up with the force of it. It was a great idea, one with the potential to get exactly what he wanted. All he had to do was convince the hermit witch who lived out in the forest to give him what he wanted. He’d pay any price, it didn’t matter to him, maybe he’d finally get to know what it felt like to be loved. The witch could make them care about him, he could make the whole kingdom care about him. The witch could make Remus powerful or strong or beautiful and then he could do it. Yes, it was the perfect plan! He’d get their respect somehow, no matter the cost.

—-

“No.” The witch said sharply, before attempting to slam the door in his face. Remus stuck his foot between the door and the frame, wincing at how hard the door was slammed but otherwise not wavering.

“Pleeeease?” Remus said, “Please please? I’ll do literally anything, any cost whatever - I just - I want them all to notice me! I wanna know what it’s like to be my brother y’know?”

The witch stopped for a moment, taking in Remus and his desperation, before finally letting out a heavy sigh.

“Fine, but don’t touch anything, and if you don’t want what I’m offering I’m gonna cast a memory spell on you to make you forget you were here, is that agreeable?” The witch said, tone almost bored.

“Yeah sure fine whatever, what do I need to do?” Remus said, hurriedly following the witch into his house.

The interior was just about as dark and gloomy as the witch himself. The house was covered in spider webs, the room they stood in was dimly lit and cluttered enough that Remus had trouble picking a place to stand. Everything was black or purple aside from some of the clearly magical items littered around shelves and sitting on top of cabinets in bowls or pots. At the back of the room was a bigger open fireplace than anything they had at the palace, probably because it was made to hold a large cauldron. The witch himself was pretty similarly decorated, clad in black and purple and a cloak covered in spiderwebs, his hair was long and black too though curlier and highlighted with purple (this guy must be dedicated to his colour scheme).

The witch looked almost the same age as him - unexpected when most stories depicted the witch as an old woman, but whatever. He was currently mumbling something as he picked through a large bookshelf.

“So,” Remus said, standing there awkwardly and trying not to touch anything, “You got a name?”

“Not for you,” the witch huffed, “You’re Remus, the reject prince.”

Remus winced, but nodded, “Yeah - that’s me, so uh - what’ve you got for me then?”

“Well -” the witch said, mumbling something else as he pulled a book from the shelves, “The easiest way to get what you want, would, I believe, be to become your brother.”

“I- what?” Remus asked.

“I told you you could go if you don’t like it,” The witch shrugged.

“No no- that’s not- elaborate? Please?” Remus said holding up his hands, the witch groaned.

"You kidnap your brother, bring him here, I make you a potion that turns you into him, hurray you have the life you want and I have access to the Prince, we both win as long as you can keep up the charade, sound good?" The witch asked, flicking boredly through the book he was holding, Remus' eyes widened.

"What do you mean - access to him?" Remus asked, frowning, "I don't wanna hurt him."

"Right -" the witch huffed, like he really didn't want to be explaining at all, "Well - I need his DNA to make the potion, and I need to be able to get more of that when it runs out, besides, you can't have him hanging around if you're pretending to be him, right?"

"…Right," Remus nodded, frowning, "You're right, so what do I do?"

"Give him this,' Virgil said, going over to another shelf before pulling out and offering Remus a little bag of herbs, "Sprinkle it on his food or something, he'll be asleep in minutes, then bring him out here and I'll do the rest."

Remus hesitated, before reaching to take the bag, "Okay - I'll do it."

----

@imhere-imqueer-ilikedeer (you asked to be tagged when I posted this one specifically :3)

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti @scalesfeathersnfur @oatmealdaydreams @littlerat2 @goldnskyart (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

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[androgynousblackbox]

How To Lose A Lucifer in 10 Days. 13 [Appleradio, Radioapple]

Step 13: Kiss him

As Lucifer finished off sending the text he wanted, he saw Alastor conjuring up a suit for himself. The red suit he wore on the regular back on their world. Where there wasn't any other demon dressing the same.

"Seriously, babe?" asked, snapping his own white suit into existance over himself. "You are just going to get confused with the other Alastor."

"I am already willing to be with my real face here, isn't that enough already?" replied with a snear.

Lucifer sighed, coming up to him.

"I know it's the one you are most comfortable with, but if we go out in public when we search the stone, do you really want people to think you are just copying him?"

"He could change too. Show a little bit of hospitality wouldn't harm him."

"Are you going to be the one to convince him of that?"

"I could" said Alastor with a grin and Lucifer realized his mistake, narrowing his eyes.

"No, you are not. Look, it's just easier for everyone if you just dress differently while we are here. You can still choose red if you want. You are going to look hot regardless with anything, we know that" tried with a half smile that Alastor side eyed before releasing a sigh, snapping his own fingers.

The suit immediately changed into a primary black one with red details, making his dark grey skin to stand out even more.

"Ah, there, see? Now that is a handsome demon" said Lucifer, floating lightly on the air to kiss his cheek and Alastor rolled his eyes.

"Regardless, that one doesn't need to accompany you into getting that stone now with me here" said, straigthen up as he conjured up his staff. "He is only after his own purposes, which is fine, but I won't let it interfere with our own."

"I told you, I don't mind dividing the stone so he can get his own wish. He was willing to work with me to get it, babe. He even listened to me. Clearly he actually needs that thing, but him being you, won't tell me what it is."

"Dear, I find it very hard to be interested on what that other lesser version of me wants or not" sighed Alastor with a shrugg. "I could just kill him altogether and done, we won't have to worry about his little secret anymore."

"Babe, no" said Lucifer, tired, but Alastor turned to him, glaring him.

"Why do you care? You have me here now. Who needs that imitation anyway?"

Lucifer's shoulder fell, rubbing his temple. He should have known that a conversation like this one was coming.

"Because he is you" said, reaching to him to take his hand and accept it as progress when Alastor didn't immediately pulled away. "You can say that it's not you all you want, I know he isn't, but he is an Alastor and I can't see him needing help and do nothing. He was about to die from an angelic wound he was telling no one about, babe. This is important for him and it won't impede us go home, so what is the harm?" When Alastor buffed, not entirely convinced, he tried again. "Are you telling me that you wouldn't try it if that other Lucifer needed the help?"

"That is very different" said Alastor, taking his hand back, not too abruptly, to put it again on top of his cane. "For one, there is very little that the king of hell could need that he can't get. But also I know you would never wish harm on anyone on a whim "The eyes of Alastor soften up at saying that. "I can't say the same about that other one. What if he wishes for your crown or to hurt you?"

"I don't really get the vibe that is something like that, Al."

Alastor stared at him with an unimpressed look.

"Oh, well. As long you have a "vibe" about it, I guess that is alright then. Let's throw precaution out of the window altogether, why don't we?" he said with a fake perky voice, sitting on the chair in front of the desk as he crossed his legs in a metaphorical arm crossed. "I still haven't been given one good reason why I can't just kill him. He is not Charlie's father in this reality or anyone's parent. He won't be that missed."

"Babe, come on" Lucifer walked up to him. Alastor didn't turn when he put a hand on his back. "Al, he is the friend of Charlie. He is important enough for her to still give him an entire radio tower on the hotel. We can't just come from another dimension, take that away from her and go. Besides, he hasn't actually done anything yet to harm anyone. Inside the hotel" clarified quickly when Alastor threw him a skeptical sideye. Lucifer supported his elbow on the back of the chair. "Look, worst case escenario, if I am wrong, he is the one teleported to some other place where his wish came true. Where he can be king, god or whatever he wants. Meanwhile we will be back to our home, so it won't be our problem anymore."

"Still feels like a waste of time and too risky."

Before Lucifer could reply to him, a soft knock was heard on the door and the ears of Alastor perked up at the voice of Charlie.

"Papa? I got your text that you wanted to see me. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, sweetie, everything is fine" Lucifer put a hand on Alastor's shoulder and the radio demon nodded, standing up. Lucifer smiled up to him and walked to the door, not opening yet. "Just wanted to give you the heads up before anyone else because this is kinda important. So you know how I told you I have this connection to my Alastor because of the pregnancy?"

"Yeah? Oh, did he tell you something useful through that?" Charlie's hopeful tone made Lucifer wince for a moment.

"Not really" said, opening up slightly to look at her. "He… actually came. Himself" added, opening it full to get Alastor in full display of Charlie. "That is my Alastor. Charlie, Alastor, my husband."

"What. Oh" Charlie stared at the radio demon, entering on the room as Lucifer made himself to a side. "You look… different. I mean, hi!" said, offering her hand with a nervous smile. "Nice to meet you."

Alastor looked at her extended hand and then back at her, tilting his head to a side. No doubt taking account of all the things that were missing from their daughter on this version of her, but also the undeniable similarities. Charlie swallowed up and retracted her hand after a moment, brushing her hair.

"I-I guess you are upset. Because of the wish thing. Which is totally valid and completely understandable, don't get me wrong" added when Alastor took a step towards her and she shrinked "I am really so, so, so sorry that I got you all into this mess, especially on your condition, I mean, I can't even imagine going through something so horrible and I feel so bad about it, but I hope you know I would have never, ever, even touched that stone if I had know it was going to do any of this and I will do everything I can to rectify it so you two can get back to your lovely… home" finished, opening her eyes when she felt Alastor petting the crown of her head.

She looked up, blinking at the action, and he stopped the motion. He cleared his throat first, straighten up as he returned his hand to fix his suit.

"I am… less than joyful about our current predicament" said Alastor, pointingly ignoring the smirk of Lucifer behind Charlie. "But it seems you have learned your lesson, young lady. Better not repeat it again."

"Ah" Charlie threw a glance to Lucifer, who lifted two thumbs up for her and then back to this new Alastor. "A-absolutely. Sir. Al. Mister? I am sorry, I don't really know how to call you. This is going to get confusing with another Alastor."

"In our reality he is dad for you" said Lucifer casually.

"You don't have to call me that" clarified Alastor. "Just Al is fine. Our daughter also calls me that when we are out in public so I don't mind."

"So… just to check, you are not mad at me?"

"I was" admitted Alastor, looking at Lucifer. He returned to Charlie when Lucifer smiled at him. "Now I am better. All I want is for us to return home."

"Right. Yes, of course, I understand" Charlie let out a sigh, notoriously more relaxed, amd smiled at him with a new determination. "Al. I am going to do everything in my power to help you two get back, I promise."

Alastor nodded. He believed her, honestly. A promise coming from Charlie never came lightly, not when she had that exact same expression on her face. Stitches or no stitches, that haven't changed.

"You are both more than welcome to stay on the hotel until everything is sorted out, too. But uh… maybe not really here?" said, looking at Lucifer. "This is still the room of my dad so…"

"We can move, duckling. Don't worry about it" said Lucifer, patting her back. Alastor's ears twitched at the familiar nickname, more so when he could see that Charlie didn't had any especial reaction to it. "It was just nostalgia more than anything why I came here, but I can leave the place for the guy."

"Thank you" Charlie said before returning to Alastor. "Wait, if you come from there, can you tell me how is my dad? Is he okay? I know that he was helping you out on your side."

"Yes" Alastor's smile grew a little. "He misses you very much, dear, and he wished nothing more than to return to you. I am sure he will do everything in his power to ensure that happens. Last time we spoke I believe that he was making some research into how to get the last stone from the Wrath Ring with the help of Satan. Who knows? He may have it soon."

"I hope so. I really miss him. No offense" said Charlie almost jokingly to Lucifer, who smiled.

"None taken, duckling. I miss my own Charlie too. But hey!" added, putting an arm around Alastor's waist. "I have a piece of home with me now so that is something!"

"Yeah, speaking about that… Not to say I am not glad that you found each other, because that is great, but I still don't really understand how this happened?"

"Magic!" perked up Lucifer before Alastor could respond. "We both really, really wished to be together and so Al appeared here thank to our connection! So we can both take care of our baby! Isn't that great?"

It wasn't entirely a lie either. Magic have been involved, they just weren't sure as to how exactly and it was just easier to go with that story than to explain everything else or theorize about it.

"It was a surprise for us too" said Alastor with a sigh. "We didn't plan for this to happen. If we could have controlled it, we both wouldn't be here."

"Oh" Charlie looked at the both of them for a moment, as if surprised at the vision, before regaining her train of thought. "Yeah, that makes total sense! Good, I am so glad for you two! That answers that question then. I guess my next one would be…" Charlie saw at Alastor, making gestures as if she wasn't sure of how to phrase it. "I hope this doesn't come off as rude or anything like that, I don't mean to, but uhm…"

"Why do I look different than your Alastor?" finished the demon, searching for Lucifer's eyes. When the king made a half uncomfortable shrug in response, he arched an eyebrow. "She doesn't know" It was more a declaration than a question, but there was still a question there. Why she didn't know?, for example.

"Okay, in my defense" said Lucifer, rising a finger. "Maybe things are different here and even if they aren't, how is anyone supposed to know? It's not like they are going to tell them any more than they told me. And in the second place, I kinda had my head occupied with other stuff all this month and maybe it slipped my mind a bit. As in completely slipped up and then I didn't know how to bring it up at all."

Charlie frowned, absolutely lost as to what they were talking about. Alastor rubbed his brow.

"Fine. I will do it then" He took a breath and made a gesture towards the only chair in the room. "It's best if you sit down, dear. You will want to in order to hear this."

"You went to heaven?!" said Charlie, jumping out of the chair five minutes later when Alastor gave her the quickest rundown as to what happened to him. She waited for the confirmation coming from him and when Alastor just nodded, she gasped so quickly and suddenly she even coughed. "That is… I can't believe it! Redemption is real! I knew that Heaven was wrong all this time, I knew it! Hell forever my ass!" said, starting to laugh as she walked a bit, not really paying attention to them now. "This is amazing news! I have to tell everyone."

"Honey, no, wait" said Lucifer, appearing in front of Charlie as she went to the door. "Yes, you were right, and we are both very proud of you, but if you go out to try to tell everyone, people are going to want proof and a sure way to know how it happened. We don't have either in our side."

"What do you mean?" Charlie blinked, surprised, and made a gesture towards Alastor. "He is the proof that it can happen!"

"Alright, so, what are you going to do with that?" asked Lucifer. "You tell people that a demon who killed thousands before died in the middle of a battle before he could be accepted into Heaven. As in actually died. What do you think people are going to do with that information?" Charlie frowned, unsure of how to respond to that. Lucifer pursed his lips before continueing: "Furthermore, he is here and not in Heaven, so not really a success story that is going to sway a lot of people. People are going to think that is a scam somehow just for that."

"Wait, that is a good point" Charlied turned to Alastor now. "Why are you here?"

"I never wanted to be in Heaven in the first place, Charlie" Alastor gripped his cane as he kept his voice steady, trying not to spill at once all the bitterness those memories contained. "I hated every second they forced me to stay up there. To me, that was true hell. I left the first chance that I had and I never looked back. Your father… Lucifer" corrected, shaking his head "is right, dear. I am the last demon in hell you want as your spokeperson."

The eyes of Charlie opened up. She didn't doubted the words of Alastor, that was clear on her face, but didn't know how to process that information.

"Sweetie" tried Lucifer gently, reaching out to hold her hand, patting the back of it with the other. "Our Charlie went through the exact same thing. She believes in the redemption of all souls exactly as you do. But after what happened to Al, she doesn't concentrate in that anymore. If someone was trying and succeeded in getting to Heaven, great, but if it doesn't that is okay too. As long people are actually trying to be better, that is all that really matters. Not if they get into Heaven or not. I am sorry that I didn't tell you before, but it was a lot to take in" added when Charlie looked down, biting her lip, deep in thought. "Sweetie?"

"Did they really…" Charlie directed her attention to Alastor again. "Did they really retained you there?"

Alastor nodded.

"I asked them thousands of times to let me go back to hell, little fawn" Let it slip before he groaned, making a gesture as if to erase the mistake from the air. It was her voice and that expression she was making that confused him for a second. "They wouldn't listen."

Charlie winced as if those same words had already been used against her. She sighed deeply.

"I… I am really sorry. For what happened to you" She then turned to Lucifer and squeezed his hand back before letting go. "I need to think about this."

"Of course, duckling" Lucifer offered up a understanding smile.

"This is kinda of a lot" admitted Charlie with a half hearted chuckled.

Lucifer nodded. Discovering not only that another version of her hotelier was right there, but also that all her dreams had already come true and yet it didn't really changed anything in the big scheme of things was going to be a lot for any person.

"I know, sweetie. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. I would rather know than not" said Charlie, burshing her hair behind her ear. "Thank you both for telling me."

"Of course, dear."

Charlie took a huge deep inside and let it out. She closed her eyes for a second as she put her thuoghts in order.

"First things first" said, looking at Alastor. "How do we go about this? I mean, you being here. Do you want me to tell the others or…?

"I believe the best approach is a direct one" said Alastor with a growing grin. "There is no need to make it more complicated than it is. I am just Lucifer's husband that came to join him in order to take care of our growing child, as he said. Nothing more simple than that."

"Mmm" Charlie nodded her head before she saw at Lucifer, wanting a second opinion.

"I mean, he is not wrong" said Lucifer with a shrug. "We could just go right now and meet them to explain ourselves."

"Right" Charlie nodded her head again and cringed. "Oh, Alastor is not going to like this" commented as if for herself, but it was clearly noticeable for the both of them.

"Oh, is that so?" Alastor perked up, appearing next to her to the point that Charlie jumped back instinctively. Lucifer put a hand on her back as if to catch her and frowned at him, which went completely ignored. "That is so unfortunate. All the more reason to not want to delay the inevitable, isn't that right? If I am going to be staying here, as you so generously have offered, Charlie dear, then I best get familiarized with all the residents here again as fast as possible. Just to get it out of the way. Don't you agree, my dearest?"

Lucifer sighed, already knowing that Alastor was not planning to make anything easier for anyone. When did he ever?

"Let's just get this over with" said, going to take the hand of Alastor, whose smirk didn't gave him any reassurance. "After you, sweetie" said to Charlie, who took another deep breath.

"Yes, absolutely" The princess walked to the door and opened up. Before she came out she looked back for a second and her face seemed to soften. "Just so you know, Al. I don't mind if you want to call me little fawn again. It's a cute nickname. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I will understand."

Alastor blinked, taken aback.

"I will consider it, dear" said after a while and Charlie smiled, before she went back to the hallway.

Alastor was having a good day. Not all his days were good, even after it seemed that his new tiny cook was there to stay with each failure to get a good stone, but a considerable amount of them were. The fact that when he came first in the morning to the kitchen and Lucifer wasn't already making breakfast, probably while singing to himself, registered as a tolerable annoyance at the most. Maybe he had just stayed in bed again and would reunite with them later to prepare something quick or just make it appear. Lately that was becoming a more common ocurrence.

Alastor went to make himself his coffee. It was certainly better when he went there and someone else offered him one ready, the ceramic still warmth from the hands that hold it seconds before, but he wanted to drink it now and he could always get served again tomorrow. It was so easy to imagine the smile that would accompany it too, as clear as how he was seeing a clock on the wall while the rest of the residents were coming in.

"Argh, again?" groaned Angel Dust, shuffling his feeth to reach for cereal on the shelf. "I wanted bacon with eggs. Husky, can you make me bacon and eggs?"

"I don't have either, Angel" Husk yawned against his paw and reached the bowl of demonic fruits on the counter for Niffty to grab.

Their little maid took the biggest one from the bunch and ran to the table, taking her seat before she started stabbing it. Then she licked the metal of the knife she was using.

"Ah, fruit juice. What a healthy option, dear" commented Alastor as he sat down, his newspaper already under the arm.

"Niffty, you do know there are boxes with juice on them, right?" asked Husk, lazily scratching his chin as he went for his own coffee.

"When I stab them they make too much of a mess. This is so much cleaner instead" said Niffty with a happy giggle and Alastor nodded, as if that made total sense.

"Let the little one have her angry management therapy, Husky" yawned Angel, grabbing the milk from the fridge just as Vaggie was coming in. "Oh, what is this? Charlie is not coming? We need more milk by the way" added without waiting a response before he moved to the table.

Vaggie sighed as she went to the grocery list sticked to the wall to write the milk. Again scratching out the sinner's flesh that someone kept writing with demented smiling faces drawn around.

"Alastor, stop adding your creepy meals. You are the only one who eats them, you can buy them yourself" said Vaggie, rubbing her eyes. Alastor shrugged with zero intention of stop doing it. "Charlie is with Lucifer. He send her a text early to go see him. It seemed important so hopefully is a new plan or something."

"Because all others have worked so wonderfully until now" let out Alastor with a little too much gusto. He opened up the newspaper with a little chuckle. "I can't wait for the next attempt to fail as well. That is going to be hilarious."

"Alastor, can you please not?" groaned Vaggie as he grabbed a juice box from the fridge. "None of this is relaxing for Charlie. She doesn't need the attitude on top of that."

"Mmm" Angel looked over at Alastor, spoon sticking out of his mouth. "If I didn't know you, Smiley, I would say that you are happy for keeping this short king around. People are going to start to think you like him or something if you aren't careful" The weight of his teasing was almost immediately undermined by a new yawn and slow blinking. "Although his cooking is good, I won't shame you for that."

"It's convenient to have him around for that and for that alone" admitted Alastor with a shrug.

"Is that why Niffty caught you playing checkers yesterday? Because it was convenient?" said Angel, waggling his eyebrows.

Alastor threw a glance to Niffty, who smiled with not a single trace of remorse.

"He knew you were cheating by the way" said, stabbing the fruit so hard that the knife went through to the other side. She lifted the fruit and shook it to get every drop possible before she finished her thought. "He let you play anyway."

Alastor narrowed his eyes to her for a moment before he amplified his smile.

"Just another way to pass the time before the next failure" declared, extending the pages of his daily dosage of tragedies in front of him. "It hardly matters. At the end of the day, all Lucifers are the same anyway."

"No, they are not" Vaggie sat on a chair, her glass full of juice landing hard on the table. "Charlie is still missing her dad. Can both of you don't be assholes about it?"

"The fuck did I do?" protested Angel, mouth full of cereal.

"You know what you do" Vaggie made a face of disgust at him before looking at Alastor. "It's nice that you are getting along better, though. Just putting that out there. Of everything that is going on, at least is good not to worry about another fight breaking out."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, dear" Alastor sipped his coffe without lifting his head.

"Pity that this one is married. At least the other one was divorced already" commented Angel and smirked big when Vaggie clicked her tongue, irritated.

"What did I just say?!"

Angel laughed. But after some more bickering, they concentrated on their own breakfast. Alastor looked over at the clock on the wall. Lucifer should be appearing on the next five minutes if he hoped to make him a decent meal. After those minutes, if he still haven't appeared, he would just go to pick something up with Rosie. With any luck she had more of the bull demon flesh that Lucifer bough the other day. That one was delicious.

Seven minutes later, Alastor finished his coffee and put the empty mug on the side. He was carefully folding the newspaper again when Charlie appeared on the entrance.

"Oh!" said, as if surprised. Alastor raised an eyebrow when her eyes concentrated on him for a second longer before registering everyone else. "You are all still here. Great. That is… fantastic."

"Everything okay, honey?" asked Vaggie, picking up on the tension on her face. "What did Lucifer want?"

"Yeah, yeah, everything good" said, looking to something on the hallway and then sighning. "It's just uh… Ah, fuck it, there is no way to prepare anyone for this. Come in."

Charlie came inside the kitchen. Just behind her walked a particularly smiling Lucifer. At the end of his arm was coming a tall demon with hair as red as blood and intense green eyes. Deer ears on top of his head and a yellow smile.

"Hey, everyone!" said Lucifer, bringing the demon closer by the waist. He looked up with a grin full of mirth, without minding or even noticing the aprehension on Charlie's face. "This is my Alastor, but you all can call him Al! He made me a surprise visit so now he is going to be staying with us until I can get back home!"

The entire table fell in complete silence. The tall grey demon chuckled with a radio noise behind him and conjured up a staff, stomping it on the ground.

"Don't tell me that you all can't recognize the face of your own old pal?" spoke with a radio filter and a smile that should be too big for his face, but wasn't. At the still stunned silence, he chuckled with the sound of static around him. "Perhaps this will make it easier?" proposed, lifting his sleeve slightly to touch his wrist.

Before any of them could see what he touched, his whole skin and face changed to be an exact replica of Alastor's. The table looked at them and then looked at their Alastor. Once again for good measure. Nobody with eyes could deny it.

"Holy shit" said Angel, still comparing the two. The other eyes on his face were open and he still had a hard time believing any of them. "Wait, you are the preggo Alastor then?"

The grey demon squinted his eyes in his direction without losing the smile.

"If you mean to ask if I am with child currently, then yes, I am" answered cheerpily. "4 weeks and a half to be more exact, but who is counting?"

"A very wanted child!" added Lucifer with a giggle, bringing him over to the other side of the table by the hand. "Before anyones asks, Al appeared last night, it wasn't really planned, so now we are both stuck here until we can get back home. It was all thanks to the connection through the pregnancy and I guess a lot of will! Here, babe" offered, moving a chair just for the tall demon who took it.

Alastor looked down a his lap and realized that his claws had been inscrustrated on his own palm, drawing out some blood that he took are to subtly clean with his hankerchief. For some reason it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to form any thought. He could only look in amazement as his exact same face smirked to Lucifer before red claws grabbed the tiny king, putting him on the tall demon's lap.

"Hello" said his same voice from that other demon and Lucifer chuckled, kissing his cheek as casually like one turns the light on every morning.

The tall demon put an arm to hold Lucifer's waist, rubbing his side. Alastor had never been stabbed so strongly in the chest by something that seemed so soft. He haven't really eaten anything yet, why was he feeling sick to his stomach? Had someone poisoned his coffee while he wasn't looking?

"You realize that there are other chairs, right?" teased Lucifer.

Just immediately as he said that, all the seats that were unoccupied around the table, except for one, dissapeared under black holes as they heard the sound of wood breaking coming from the garden.

"What chairs?" asked "Al" innocently. "I only see one for Charlie and you can't take that one, love. You have to let that poor girl to sit too."

Lucifer snorted.

"You realize you are going to repair those chairs later, right?" said, nuzzling against the long neck.

There was again, that radiophonic laughter that came from the chest and jolted the shoulders.

"Am I? That is news to me."

"Yes, you are."

"That doesn't sound like me. Are you sure you aren't confusing me with someone else?"

"No, I am sure" Lucifer kissed his jaw. His eyes had never looked brighter before. "Just send your minions later, lazy ass."

"If my king insist so much" The demon called Al smirked, turning his head slightly to kiss the lips of Lucifer.

Without any shame or reservation, like he had done it thousands, millions of times before. Why was anyone allowing such an indecent display on a communal area? Alastor went to search Charlie, but she seemed to be endeared by the whole display. A tiny smile was pilling a side of her mouth. Her damn bleeding heart was too easily swayed.

"Ooooh" said Angel suddenly. "Okay, now I see it. I was having problem visualizing it before but now I get it. Good for you, short king."

Lucifer blinked with a sudden rush of gold blood all over his face. Good, at least someone had a resemblance of decency still.

"Alastor of another dimension, just what we all needed" sighed Husk, pulling out his flask.

Niffty lifted her hand in the air, waving it until Al noticed her.

"Yes, dear?" asked and Alastor squeezed his teeth together, because that sounded exactly how he talked to Niffty.

"Are you still a bad boy?"

"On my own dimension, I am actually the King Overlord and I get to kill any other overlord I don't like for any reason I want. The most relaxing job I ever had" Al shrugged slightly, as if none of that were a big deal. "Does that answer your question?"

Lucifer nodded his head.

"He is terrible" confirmed, putting an arm around the shoulders of the tall demon.

"Within standards, darling."

"Standards you made up, babe."

"And therefore objectively correct ones. Your point being?"

Lucifer rolled his eyes fondly, accomodating against the chest.

Niffty lifted her hand again, but this time didn't wait to Al to address her directly before asking.

"Did you actually do the nasty to have your baby? Or it was all boring lame magic?"

A sudden noise of a record scratch was heard. Alastor felt almost proud for Niffty for off putting that arrogant demon, if the question too wasn't also the last thing he ever wanted enter into his mind. And now it was there. Rotting him from the inside out. The loud giggles of Angel were not helping.

"Alright, that is enough curiosity for a lifetime" declared Husk, lifting up from his chair and then picking up Niffty under his arm.

"Oh, come on, you can't blame her for trying" said Angel, still chuckling as he turned to Al and Lucifer. "Well?"

A sound of static filled the kitchen, one so loud that had the cristal on the windows shaking. The antler on top of the tall demon enlarged as his body grew. The crack of his neck as he tilted his head slightly, the expanding darkness around him bringing the screams of the dammned with him. Lucifer looked almost ridiculous still sitting on the lap of the monster, the only point of white as the table was consumed in darkness.

To the pornstar's credit, he took the hint rather quickly.

"Okay, that answers that then!" said chirpy, lifting himself from his chair. "Oh, well, look at the time! I am like super late for work now and you know how it is, the boss won't like it if I am late! Nice to meet you, Al!" said, taking a few steps backward before powerwalking out of the kitchen.

The second Angel was gone Al returned to his default form. Lucifer sighed.

"Was that necessary?"

Alastor was sure, would bet his own soul on it if he could, that the tall demon looked at him for one second, a blink and you missed second, before smiling down to the tiny king.

"Yes" said simple, nuzzling the blonde head.

Alastor also wanted to stand up and leave, but he realized that if he did there was no way that his legs wouldn't tremble underneath. Where that demon could no doubt catch it.

"¿Qué carajos…?" let out Vaggie.

She also had to have felt it too. That overwhelming energy that seemed about to swallow the entire room in an instant, making the air heavy and poisoned with dread with every breath.

"He was just being an ass, don't mind it" said Lucifer, making a dismissive gesture and frowning to the demon.

Alastor swallowed up, forcing himself to stand up. He had to leave now. Immediately. He needed time and space to think without his whole body yelling for him to run away too.

"Oh, there you were!" said Al with a cheeky grin, the green eyes now squarely on him. Al tilted his head until it was on top of Lucifer's, his hand coming up to rest on his shoulder. "I guess I appreciate you kept my dear beloved some company while I was gone! Truly, what a great friend you have been, Alastor! My king told me all about it."

"I think you have it the other way around" replied Alastor, looking back to the demon. "It's your so called beloved the one who keep demanding my attention with me barely doing anything for it" He pulled away first, not because of Al, but because the eyes of Lucifer drilling into him with one glance. "If anything, now I am finally relieved."

"Oh, is that so? Good for you, my good man" Al chuckled, his voice becoming soft as he played with the hair on Lucifer's nape. Lucifer relaxed under his fingers, closing his eyes. "Don't let me retain you then. I am sure you have lots of things to take care of, just like we have lots of catch on to do my darling and I. The day of a radio demon is never a boring one, won't I know it!"

Alastor forced himself to laugh without grinding his teeth.

"Indeed it is! With your permission, estimated" said, calling onto his shadows to take him.

--

Alastor was still smirking when Lucifer looked up to him. Charlie and Vaggie had resigned themselves to start their day, leaving the both of them in the kitchen.

"A perfectly civilized interaction, won't you say?" said Alastor, beaming. "Not a single drop of blood was spilled."

"Wow, I am so proud of you" said Lucifer, deeply unimpressed. "You talked to an adult. What an amazing feat."

He huffed.

"That level of sarcasm is unbecoming of you, darling."

Lucifer snorted, kissing his cheek as he stand up. With a few snaps of fingers the chair were not only where they were supposed to be, they were all instantly repaired from the fall they took in the garden.

"I thought I was supposed to do that?" teased Al, reclining against the counter.

"For this one time only" said Lucifer, turning to him. He pulled on the bowtie of his husband until they were almost at eye level. There was no threat in the movement and he could easily free himself if he wanted to. "Just don't do that shit again. Not with the property of Charlie."

"Understood" purred Alastor, reaching forward until he found Lucifer's mouth.

Lucifer kissed him back. For a long instant that was all they needed to, the making out against the counter with the gentle tik tok of a clock on the background. They were on the wrong place, but at least they weren't alone anymore.

"Wait" said Lucifer, pulling back, his hand still staying on the back of Alastor's neck. "Shit, we actually haven't eaten anything. Do you want to go to Cannibal Town and pick whatever you want? My treat. I have gone a couple of times and the Rosie from here is just likes ours."

"Did you went with the other Al?" asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, because you weren't here and I missed the taste" said Lucifer, brushing his hair back. It took Alastor a moment to realize that he was actually brushing it to put on a hairband. Being that the case, he stayed still to let him work. "I have you to blame for that."

Alastor nodded, even though the idea of Lucifer preparing sinner's flesh without him to eat it wasn't at all a pleasant thought. He had been the one to introduce him to that kind of delights, he should be the only one he got to enjoy it with. But he wasn't there and he wasn't going to be the kind to not understand when someone wanted to indulge on such meals.

When he finished with his hair, Lucifer looked upon with admiration.

"Did you liked it?" asked Alastor, arching an eyebrow.

"It's not the same without you" Lucifer frowned. "Did you liked it back at home?"

"I mostly had raws or living ones. Not the same either. I have you to blame for that."

Lucifer smiled, taking his wrist to press on the sigil and undo the illusion spell. He then kissed the portion of skin right above the symbol.

"Do you mind if I go as Alejandro?"

"Not at all."

[flower1622]

Rachel gets shocked for knowing that Percy prefers her than Annabeth. She never thought it could be possible to hear that.

Rachel: I...I...think we should take things slow, you know? We don't want to cause any more damage to your brain.

Percy gets a little sad, but nods understanding his situation.

Percy: Alright. That's okay. But, will you still help me remember about my life?

Rachel: Of course, I will. I would do it even if you didn't ask. That's what friends are for, right?

Rachel smiles at Percy, who gives a little smile to her while he thinks yeah, friends.

Will: Alright, guys! I need to go and attend other patients. Is everything okay? Or do I need to check something more?

Rachel and Will look at Percy, who just shrugs.

Percy: I guess everything is okay. My head is not hurting that much. I feel fine for now.

Will: Great. I'll go to attend others, but you can come here sometimes for me to check you, Percy. Just for precaution, alright?

Percy nods his head. Rachel smiles at him.

Rachel: Don't worry, I'll try to help Percy with anything he needs.

Percy looks at Rachel and feels grateful to have someone like her in his life. He smiles a little bit and stands up. He reaches out his hand for Rachel to accept. She looks a little torn between accepting or rejecting. She looks at Percy and sees him motioning with his eyes to accept, so she accepts and they leave.

Rachel: Won't Annabeth be mad with us holding hands?

Percy: Who?

Rachel: Your girlfriend.

Percy: Oh. But, I can have any kind of friendship and do anything I want. She will just have to deal with it.

[northern-passage]

Genuine thought as a fellow trans dude, I’ve seen a lot of (obviously non-serious) questions on other blogs about characters’ genitals such as “how does it look like?” and similar, and I think we all know & understand that such questions are extremely inappropriate to ask and (I hope) no one would actually go around asking these questions irl. Idk, I think we should treat trans characters just like cis ones, without any special “precautions”, so to normalise them and not make cis people treat them like fragile boxes, a thing which happens to a lot of us irl. Hope this doesn’t come off as an attack or anything lol.

no worries, i didn't take this as an attack at all. i actually agree with you, that's why i mentioned feeling conflicted about it and also mentioned that i've changed my stance on how i felt about handling Noel and Clementine in game and in explicit intimate scenes.

however, for me the problem comes from the fact that people... don't ask these kinds of questions about cis characters? i suppose people do get cheeky "who is the biggest 🤪" asks but i would hardly compare the two. to be a bit crude, no one is going to be asking if a cis character has a dick or not, or "what does it look like". of course it's natural for people to be curious, and i honestly encourage the open discussion and am happy to see trans bodies being talked about more in a positive way, but not everyone is going to be comfortable with it due to the inescapable transphobia online and in the community. sending me that kind of ask is like sending out an invitation for a debate or a discussion that i don't necessarily want to have. i also just don't think people should default to asking a random IF author on tumblr dot com to describe what bottom growth looks like.

and with most of these asks typically coming from someone who is anonymous, i have no way of truly knowing what the tone is, what their intentions are or why this is being asked - is it another trans person? or maybe someone who is just genuinely curious? or, more likely in my experience, is it someone who is going to immediately follow up this message with something transphobic after i answer? do i want to roll the dice and find out?

so while i agree with what you're saying, it's important to consider the context and the reality we live in. the IF community is not kind to trans people or trans characters. and as a trans person, my first priority is protecting myself and my mental health. so what i mean when i say "precautions," is that those precautions are for me, because i've had to deal with transphobic harassment here for years now, and i try to mitigate it as much as i can. it's also for my personal comfort - again, to be blunt, i'm simply just not comfortable discussing a trans character's genitals with anonymous strangers on the internet. it makes me feel vulnerable.

also i do want to say i didn't mean for any of that to come across as a dig at other authors - if you're comfortable answering those kinds of questions, that's really only something you can decide for yourself. like i said, this is just coming from my own experiences in IF and for my own personal comfort - i have previously talked a lot about trans stuff and gender and sexuality here, when i'm feeling up to it, but it is something that is very draining for me and can also be very upsetting.

basically: i do agree that it's important not to other trans characters or treat them any differently than cis characters, but i also think there are ways to do it that don't require me answering invasive questions or questions that i don't feel comfortable with as a real life trans person, you know what i mean?

[middleearthpixie]

Promise Me ~ Chapter Thirteen

Summary: Friends since childhood, Gabriella has long held back her feelings where Boromir is concerned, as she did not want to risk losing his friendship if he didn't feel the same. But, then he is summoned to Rivendell, and the night before he is to leave, he stuns Gabriella by confessing his feelings for her as well. 

But, war is coming and he cannot put off what he knows must be done. All Gabriella can do is wait for him and pray for his safe return. 

Fandom: The Lord of the Rings (AU, Boromir lives)

Pairing: Boromir x ofc Gabriella

Warnings: none 

Rating: T

Word Count: 4k

Tag List: @sotwk @heilith @fizzyxcustard @evenstaredits @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms @emmyspov @finnofamerica @lathalea @ass-deep-in-demons @quiall321 @mistofstars @justfollowtheroad @guardianofrivendell @glassgulls @doctorwhump

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here.

When Ioreth finally finished, Boromir let out a gusty sigh of relief. The throbbing slowly faded into memory, the sharp sting hot on its heels and when she passed him a towel, he did not hesitate to swipe the sweat from his forehead. “Do I need worry about this again?”

She shook her head. “I do not think so, no. We will keep an eye on it, same as I’ve been doing.”

“I’d rather not have these stitches opened again if we can avoid it.”

“Take care then, and hopefully, we won’t.” She passed him his tunic. “So, I understand you and the tavern keeper’s daughter have become quite close.”

He paused, half into the shirt as he said, “I beg your pardon?”

“Do you think I did not know?” 

He pulled it completely over his head and emerged to find her offering up a knowing look. “Know what? Gabby and I have been friends since we were children.”

“You are children no longer, though.”

“Ioreth,” he held her stare easily, “just say whatever it is you are thinking.”

“My lord, are you being careful?”

“Careful?”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you take me for a fool, Boromir? Think me so old that I know not what happens between men and women when they are no longer children?” 

“I think this line of questioning is silly.”

“I know she spent at least one night with you and someone told me they’d seen you leaving her family’s tavern this morning. So, I ask again, are you being careful?”

He sighed softly, lacing his tunic as he shook his head. “No, actually. I’ve not been careful with her at all.”

“Boromir.” 

At one time, the note of disappointment in her voice would have had his defenses up, his hackles raised. But this time, he bit back a grin as a hint of color appeared along her sharp cheekbones. “What?”

“You are not a boy any longer. Surely you know—”

“Trust me, I am well aware of what the consequences could be. And they do not trouble me.”

“Would they trouble her, though?”

“I don't know. She’s voiced no concerns to me.” The sting in his chest faded completely, thankfully.

“Would she be comfortable doing so?”

“I think so, yes. She and I have known long enough where I think she would be more than comfortable with asking me to make certain I took precautions.”

“You should speak with her about it. To be sure.”

He sighed, sinking back into his chair. “I do not think I would be upset, if she were to become pregnant, Ioreth.”

“Ah, but how does she feel?”

He offered up a sheepish smile. “Don’t all women want babies?”

She did not smile back. “No, they don’t. And do not be a man who sees women only as mothers, for you will be selling her short if she has no desire to have children. You may be in for a rude awakening, should you desire them while she does not. Remember, she has been running her parents’ tavern on her own for some time now, and has done so smoothly. She may not wish to give that up.”

“But, that was before. Now that peace should be returning, so will those who sought refuge elsewhere.”

“You don't know that. Many may choose not to return.” Ioreth’s iron gray brows pulled low. “Talk to her. Make certain you both want the same things. And do so before you think to take her to bed again.”

He sighed softly, raking a hand through his hair. “Of course.”

“She is a lovely girl, you know. And I believe your father would have approved of your match with her.” Ioreth’s hand came to rest on his shoulder, her touch almost maternal. “When you first returned, she wouldn’t leave your bedside for any longer than was absolutely necessary and she drove me and my staff mad with all of her questions and her insistence on being kept updated with your progress.” Ioreth offered up one of her rare smiles. “I do believe she loves you, Boromir.”

He smiled then and nodded slowly. “I do not deserve her, Ioreth. It is a mystery to me why a woman like her would care for me at all.”

“Nonsense. You are a good man, Boromir. Do not sell yourself short, either.”

The truth lingered at the tip of his tongue but he held back. He’d known Ioreth since he was a boy and he trusted her as if she was family, but even so, this was not something he was at all proud of doing. 

“I’ll make sure to speak with Gabby,” he said as he rose. “And I will keep an eye on my wounds.”

“And you will come to me to let me keep an eye on them as well,” she told him sternly.

He moved the door, where he nodded. “Of course.” 

When no further lecture was forthcoming, Boromir left the Houses of Healing and made his way down to his apartment, his thoughts far weightier than he’d expected them to be. 

In truth, he’d given very little thought to being careful where Gabby was concerned. It wouldn’t be long before they were married and no one would think twice, should a child arrive less than nine months after. After all, they would hardly be the first couple expecting when they took their vows. 

Still, he had to admit, he’d not given any serious thought to whether or not Gabby might want children to begin with. They’d never discussed it. He’d told her he wanted to have children with her, but aside from commenting that she’d never heard him mention such things, she gave no opinion on the matter either way. So, he simply assumed that if she became pregnant, she would bear the baby.

But what if she had no desire to have children at all?

And did he want children?

He paused, his hand hovering over the handle of his apartment door. Yes. He did.

Or did he?

The truth was, despite what he’d told Gabby, he’d not given it more than a passing thought for himself, either. He’d always assumed his would be a bachelor life. A dalliance here and there, perhaps, but he hadn’t met any women he wished to build a life with, so children were no more than a fleeting thought when he’d see someone else with their offspring. 

The door opened without a sound, the silence that greeted him as loud as thunder, and yet softer than his own thoughts. 

The more he thought about it, the more he realized, yes, he’d like to have children with Gabby. They would be older than most of the new parents in Minas Tirith, but truth be told, the thought of having a child with her was one that made him smile. He rather liked the idea of a little one bursting into their room far earlier than should be allowed, liked the idea of a little one who looked to snuggle with them. Rather liked the idea of passing his own knowledge on to his son or his daughter. He recalled the dream he’d had, the one of him teaching his son how to weld a sword while a pregnant Gabby watched and encouraged them both, recalled how it felt to lift that boy in his arms and hold him close.

It reminded him of how Denethor had been in the days before Boromir’s mother, Findullas died. Patient. Kind. Loving. That all died when Findullas did. Boromir had been ten when that happened and from that point on, gone was the loving, smiling, adoring father he and Faramir had known. In his place was left a scowling angry man who saw his older son as everything a boy should be while his younger son was, in his eyes, a disappointment. Faramir was a dreamer, always eager to sit at Gandalf’s knee and listen raptly to the wizard’s tales and legends. Although he trained as a soldier alongside Boromir, Faramir did not have what their father saw as the killer instinct. He was gentle, with children, animals, anything he saw as weaker than him and in need of protection. And to Denethor, his was not how a man presented himself. 

Perhaps he’d always felt that way toward Faramir and Findullas made certain her youngest never knew the truth. All Boromir knew was that as the years passed and Denethor made no secret of his comparison of his sons, made no secret of the fact that Boromir was far and wide the favored son, and Faramir was the disappointment. 

Faramir knew it as well and when he realized his brother had figured it out, Boromir stepped up, made certain Faramir knew someone loved him. They’d been close ever since and there was no one in all of Middle Earth Boromir trusted more than Faramir.

Except for Gabby. 

From the time they were young, the three of them forged a bond unlike any other. Each understood the other’s place in their lives. Gabby would never come between him and Faramir, and Faramir would never come between him and Gabby. Not even when the time came they each  had families of their own.

A son of his own. A daughter of his own. At one time, he’d thought of them in passing only. But now… now he’d been given a second chance at so many things. 

He sank onto the sofa with a low sigh. He’d given no thought to whether or not Gabby might want to have any babies, but simply assumed she would be overjoyed at the thought.

But what if she was less than thrilled? 

He sat back, letting his head come to rest against the cushion. His eyes closed as a heaviness sank into his heart. At first, he thought it was because he had no way of knowing whether or not Gabby would want to have children. But as his eyes stung and his throat tightened, he realized that it wasn't that at all.

The realization that he was now the steward. That he was now the head of his very small family. 

That Denethor was truly gone. 

The sun was low in the sky as he made his way down the wide cobbled street that wound down through the city. He’d spent the remainder of the afternoon making the final arrangements for Denethor’s funeral, which would be a week from then, and then he went to check on Faramir once more and now, he was just around the corner from Gabby’s tavern. The street lights flickered, the lamplighter still in sight as he moved from lamppost to lamppost.

The door opened, a raucous laughter spilled out, and he smiled as he heard Gabby growl, “Watch yourself, Seward. Do that again, and you’ll be minus a hand.” 

He moved faster toward the door, and as he stepped into the pub, it was to find it fairly crowded and choked with smoke already. The door closed behind him, rendering him blind for a few minutes as his eyes adjusted. When they did, his gaze was drawn toward the rear of the taproom, where Gabby stood behind the bar. It was almost like seeing her for the first time, with her hair pulled up and away from her face to spill down her back in a fall of shimmering pale gold. She smiled at someone at the bar and the sight of it made Boromir forget how to breathe for a moment. 

Then she caught sight of him and her smile changed, becoming a bit more sly in a way that had his heart skipping a beat as well. How had he gotten so lucky, to win her hand? 

He wove his way through the people to step up to the bar, where Gabby smiled as she said, “What can I get for you, sir?”

A wink accompanied her words as she picked up a tankard to fill as he said, “What do you recommend?”

“Everything.” She passed him the tankard with another wink. “Are you all right?”

He accepted the tankard and nodded. “We’ll talk later.”

Her forehead furrowed. “Boromir?”

“Everything is fine, all things considered. It’s simply this isn’t the place for it.”

“Are you certain?”

“I am.” He lifted the thanked for a long swallowed. The, he lowered it to add. “It was simply a very long day. So, what time will you be finished here?”

“We close at midnight.” 

He looked about. “And you are alone?”

“I cannot afford to hire any help just yet. But,” she leaned an elbow on the bar’s clean, but somewhat scuffed top, “if the war is just about over, hopefully it won’t be long before I’m able to bring at least one on board.”

“Will you be safe here?”

“I’ve known most of these people almost as long as I’ve known you.”

“Yes, but you had your father if any one of them thought to take liberties.”

“I will be fine.”

“I can leave you my sword.”

That earned him an eye roll. “I’ll be fine.”

“Boromir, how are you doing?”

He turned to the man on his left. “Cadell, how do you fare?”

“I’ve had better, but I’ve had worse. Now, you’re not thinking of taking liberties with our Miss Gabby, are you?”

“Cadell,” Gabby said, her voice low with warning, “I assure you, it’s quite all right.”

“I intend to take no liberties,” Boromir replied evenly, looking over at the older man. He vaguely recognized him. “You work in the stables, do you not?”

“I do, aye. And what interest do you have in Gabby?” Cadelle folded his arms over his chest. “Keep in mind, I watch over her in her parents’ stead.”

“Down, Cadell,” Gabby told him without a hint of amusing, “for I need no watching over. And—”

“My interest?” Boromir broke in softly. “I plan to marry her. That’s my interest.”

He took a bit of satisfaction in the look of surprise on Cadell’s lined faced. The older man leaned back, one elbow on the bar. “Marry her, eh? And how do you feel about this, Gabby?”

“Cadell,” Gabby shot him a look, “you are not my keeper, no matter what my father might have told you.”

“He told me to watch out for the steward’s son,” Cadell replied without hesitation. “For he knew why you came around so often. He had a feeling you—”

“Cadell.” The warning in Gabby’s voice deepened. “Enough.”

“No,” Boromir smiled at her, then turned back to Cadell, “let him finish. I’m curious as to what he was told.”

“Well, I’m not and I have customers to take care of.” Gabby looked from him to Cadell and back. “So, if you two wish to brawl like two bears, please go outside and do so.”

With that, she took herself off, moving down to the far end of the bar, where as light as anything, she said, “Welcome! What might I get for you?”

Boromir watched her for a moment, then turned back to find Cadell glaring at him. “So, tell me,” he said, lifting his tankard once more, “what did her father tell you about me?”

“He warned me, is what he did. Said to watch for you. That you’d be sniffing around his daughter and that I should put a stop to that. He knew.”

“He knew what?”

“Why you’d be sniffing around her. And she’s not that sort of girl, you know.”

An image of Gabby astride him, naked and perfectly at ease with him flashed through his mind. Oh, she was absolutely that sort of woman and he was ever so thankful for it.

But, he would never gossip about her in that manner, so he just said, “And what sort of girl is that, my friend? And take care, for I am no longer the steward’s son, but the steward himself and she is no longer Agnar’s daughter, but my intended.”

“Your intended. Is that so?”

“Aye, ask her if you don’t believe me. So, now, what sort of girl does that make her?”

A hint of color swept into the man’s ruddy cheeks. “Agnar asked me to keep an eye on her while she was here alone and he was concerned that you might… take liberties with her.”

“Did he not approve of my friendship with Gabby? He gave no indication of that with me.”

“Of course not. You were the steward’s son. He wouldn’t dare take exception to your friendship. And I believe he would be happy to hear of you betrothal as well. It was simply he was afraid you—or your brother—would think her beneath you and therefore see her as yours for the taking.”

“I would gut a man who would think to treat her that way and I include my brother in that,” Boromir told him, lifting his tankard to his lips once more. Then, lowering it, he added, “You can be certain to tell Agnar that his daughter is in good hands.”

“I am not at all certain he wishes to think of her in any man’s hands,” Cadell replied with a grin. “But, she could certainly fare far worse than with the steward himself.”

Boromir relaxed then. Agnar should only know the thoughts that went through his mind any time his gaze alit on Gabby. Of course, not all of them were lust-filled, but he had the feeling that only a single lustful thought would earn him an enemy in Gabby’s father, so when the time came Agnar and Gabby’s mother returned, it would be best to keep anything even remotely lusty to himself.

Still, her parents weren’t here yet, so, when she glanced down their way, Boromir winked and offered up a slow smile that he knew she understood when he saw the hint of color rise along her right cheekbone.

Cadell signaled to Gabby, who came down to them. “Are the two of you finished arguing?”

“Arguing, my dear girl? We did no such thing,” Cadell said with a booming laugh. “I was but making certain our lord’s intentions toward you were nothing but honorable.”

“His might be,” Gabby replied with a smile. “But, as for me? I only want to get him into bed.”

Boromir bit back a laugh at the look of utter shock on Cadell’s lined face and the collective gasp of everything at the bar and within earshot. 

“I—er—that is you—“ Cadell stammered, his ruddy cheeks ruddier still. “I think I should keep that to myself.”

“Why? I’m certain that would trouble them no more than anyone worrying about my purity, which is what you seem to be doing on their behalf.”

“It is not the same for ladies and you know that, Gabby.”

“Only because men have determined it to not be the same.” She rolled her eyes, then shot him a pointed look. “And I assure you, my value as a person does not decrease because I might have known a man who was not my husband just as his—” she jabbed a finger in Boromir’s direction—“value does not increase based on the number of women he might have known who were not his wife.”

Although he had no reason to feel as if Gabby’s words were aimed at him, Boromir nonetheless felt decidedly upbraided as well. She’d known about his prior relationships, and for the most part, what went on in them, and never gave any indication that it bothered her in any way.

But then again, neither one of them had acknowledged how they truly felt about one another at that time, either. And if he was truly honest with himself, he’d rather not think about any man who might have come before him.

He winced. Poor choice of words, idiot.

“We both know that isn’t true, Gabriella,” Cadell replied, his expression growing stern. 

“Again, that is only because of men. You all like to think you have something magical, of utmost power between your legs and it is not nearly as magical or powerful as you seem to think. Now, if you’re done?”

“I was going to buy the steward a round,” Cadell replied, rapping his knuckles against the bar, “but I think it would be best if I took my leave now. Good evening, Gabriella.”

With that, he turned to Boromir. “Good luck, Steward. You will have your hands full with her, you know. I hope you are prepared for that.”

“I think I’ll muddle through just fine.”

Cadell bobbed his head, but said no more as he took himself off and Boromir turned to find Gabby glaring at him now. “What did I do?”

“You agree with him, don’t you?”

“Agree with him about what?”

“About my worth being linked to whether or not I’m a virgin?”

He coughed, painfully aware of the other patrons around them. “This really is not the place for such talk, do you think?”

“I knew it.”

“Wait, I never said—” The words died on his lips as she marched off once more and this time came around the bar to go out onto the taproom floor. He waited for her to return, but when she did, she was far too busy for him to pull her aside and clear the air. In fact, she grew so busy that he eventually found himself behind the bar, taking and filling orders for her and it wasn’t until well after midnight before she was locking the door to slump against it. 

Drawing her wrist across her forehead, she breathed, “Has everyone returned to this city? We haven’t been this busy since before the city evacuated.”

He leaned an elbow on the bar. “People are beginning to return, now that word has gone beyond our borders. I can only imagine what it will be like, should Frodo be successful. But, as of earlier, the Eye still watches.”

She sighed softly, still leaning against the door. “Is that how you’ll know? It’ll go dark?”

“I hope so.” He met her gaze. “Gabby, you know I do not agree with Cadell, don’t you? About your worth—or the worth of any woman—being tied to her virginity or lack thereof.”

“Is that so?”

“You should know it is.”

“Because you’d have not asked for my hand if you did see it as he does?”

It was best to head this off before it blew up in their faces. They were both tired, and words had a way of becoming far angrier when uttered through lips that were both exhausted and irritated.

That in mind, he drew in a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and dove into the deep end head first.

“It matters not to me that you’ve known others before me,” he said softly. “I care only that they do not compare to me, that they fall short, whereas I do not.”

It was a risk, and for a moment, he thought perhaps he’d made a mistake in taking it when she just stared at him for a long moment. But then, her scowl softened and she smiled. “Would you think otherwise?”

Relief rippled through him as he came around the bar and crossed over to her. “As long as I have wiped the memory of any of them from your mind, that is all that matters to me.”

She draped her arms about his neck, meeting his gaze as she murmured, “Wiped the memory of who?”

“Exactly.” He slid his arms about her waist to tug her flush against him. 

“And what about you, Boromir? I know you’ve known other women before me, so…”

“What women? I can recall no one but you in my bed, Gabby.” He let his thumbs brush lightly along her back. “And to be honest, I’d much rather we go back to my apartments so I might find you there again.”

“People will talk.”

“Let them.” He bent to her and caught her lips in a slow, teasing kiss. 

When he pulled back, she whispered, “I have to finish closing up.”

He grinned. “I’ll help.”