#lunargrapejuice

[gojipink]

goji 💕🩷💕🩷💕🩷🩷💕🩷💕 what is your go to boba order?🩷

my love, hi!!!!! ❤️❤️ i always always always get passion fruit green tea with boba n lychee jelly (n i cut the sweetness by half bc the boba n jelly make it sweeter!)

[whats-her-quirk]

hi june💕 i just wanted to share this erwin art i came across on twitter because good god fjdkdkdkd i thought you might like it🤭💕

link

im gonna go reread regulars now & cry over him lmaoo

that outfit on him is INDECENT please

the trousers. CEO Erwin my beloved... I might cry too ily

[pearlywritings]

Remarkable comparisons

synopsis: you just never seize to surprise him - your words make his heart flutter as you find the new ways to admire the parts of him.

prompt: 20

requested by: my dearest @lunargrapejuice

pairing: Diluc, Kaveh, Neuvillette x fem!reader

tw: fluff, established relationship, Diluc has thick eyebrows (because I love Rae's (@bobaboob) design of him), tiny mention of injury in Kaveh's

word count: 2.3k+ words in total

a/n: check my Token of appreciation writing event!

Diluc

“Congratulations, Kaeya,” you smile, saluting the Cavalry Captain with your drink. “Maybe this is a sign and you should really start dating someone.”

“One letter with a confession is all it took you to give me this piece of advice? Why, I am very honored to receive one,” the man teases, cheek supported by a hand and the fingers of the other drumming against the bar counter as he’s waiting for his own treat for tonight. “Not to mention, you getting together with Diluc in the past didn’t really solve the exactly same problem, am I correct?”

There is a grumbling sound coming from the bartender’s throat, and you snicker, knowing that the redhead is certainly rolling his eyes.

“Careful, Kaeya, or you might get your drink dumped into the sink.”

“Surely my brother wouldn’t do something like that to me,” your friend decides to pay your words no mind, turning to look at your husband instead, “right, ‘luc?”

“Oh, I actually might.”

“Ouch, you wound me.”

Diluc gives him a half-hearted glare, and you shake your head, too used to their quarrels over nothing. Tuning out their voices, you close your eyes and try to relax, enjoying your favorite beverage - always courtesy of your beloved - and humming the melody the bard is singing further into the room. The evening can be called unwinding, and if it continues to be so, it won’t be a hard task to wait Diluc’s shift to be over, to help him close the tavern and make your way home.

“Hey, hey, Y/n,” but of course Kaeya has to disturb your just established peace and quiet, and when you open your eyes again, there is already a full glass in his left hand. Looks like the tavern owner was convinced not to throw it away as he threatened to do.

“What is it, Alberich?”

“You decided to hurt me too,” he gasps painfully, clutching his chest and mimicking the face of a kicked puppy. “My favorite sister-in-law is bullying me with my last name.”

“I am your only sister-in-law. I get the privilege.”

It doesn’t escape you how Diluc snorts at your answer. Kaeya only grimaces.

“We’ll come back to it later. Now I am more curious, how did you handle all those love letters my brother received? I don’t believe you’ve ever told me.”

“I probably didn’t,” you agree, putting your empty glass down, only for it to end up in the redhead’s hands a minute later. “But that was fun.”

“...fun?”

“Yeah, fun. Ever since Diluc started courting me and I returned his affections, he’d come to me with every letter - sometimes with a whole pile of them - and we would sit down and read them together.”

The star-shaped pupil darts to the unfazed man and meets with the gaze of crimson eyes - it is as if he knew that his brother would question his reaction.

“I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea,” he states while pouring you another drink. “Just throwing or burning the letters without any prior explanation could leave some trace behind and cause misunderstanding, so I decided to tell her of the very first one I got when in a relationship with her. She found it so entertaining that ever since she demanded to read every single one of those.”

“You can call it my own research on the creativity of his suitors’ compliments,” you grin, thanking your lover for the new drink, leaning up to plant a kiss to his cheek. “I’ve counted around 120 comparisons of his eyes or hair to anything related to fire, a little bit more than 60 saying of his wisdom and owlishness, something like 46 cases of titling him a ‘prince’... But there were original ones too - ‘locks like waterfall of Fontaine’, ‘the dark master of my dreams’, ‘the perfect father for my children’”, Kaeya chokes, while you simply shrug your shoulders. “Yeah… I have a whole list somewhere actually. I can show you later, just remind me the next time you visit the winery.”

“You are the menace, my dear. Diluc, I can’t believe that after all those…fluttering words you were blushing over that compliment your now wife gave you about your eyebrows!”

“I mean,” Diluc clears his throat, furrowing the aforementioned brows, “They’ve just grown back after that accident with my vision…”

“And I jumped on him, kissing all over those beautiful thick bushy lines atop his mesmerizing eyes. I really missed them,” you sigh dreamily and the Cavalry Captain isn’t sure if you are serious or exasperated.

“It… it was the first time I'd heard them described that way. Or mentioned at all,” Almost unconsciously your husband reaches to move the fluffy fringe to the side. You can’t help but raise your hand and smooth the thumb over his eyebrow. Archons, your man is handsome.

“It was the first time I used such words too. I tried to be romantic. And creative. Creatively romantic.”

“I guess it worked…” Kaeya mumbles averting his eyes from the display unfurling before him. Maybe staying single wasn’t so bad.

Kaveh

“My love, you should be more careful with them, you know?” Softly caressing the bandaged knuckles with your thumb, you scoot even closer to your sulking husband. Your shoulder is immediately occupied with his golden-copper head, cheek flush to your bare skin and you can only assume that he is staring at the lock of your hands.

“Of course I know,” he sighs, turning his palm up and gently grabbing your fingers to draw the back of your hand to his lips. “My hands are basically the source of my income. But accidents happen at the construction site. It’s just that this time I am the one who ended up hurt. Thank the Dendro Archon no one else was affected.”

You want to scold him for being so dismissive of his own health, you want to scold him for not treating the injury well enough right away and jumping back into work again, you want to scold him for diminishing the role of his hands - his own role - to a simple instrument of making mora.

But you almost instantly push those thoughts away - after all, Kaveh knows all these things very well, and you are not about to ruin his mood even more.

“I hope they’ll heal soon,” you offer instead, turning your head and kissing the top of his. “Your hands are very important!”

“They are?” The blonde finally looks at you and there is an unmasked interest in them. “You mean, more than for drawing blueprints?”

“So much more! No other hand can hold mine. No other fingers can push a strand off of my face when the wind is too playful. No other palm is as perfect as yours to plant kisses upon. No wrists can compare to the work of art that yours are - also perfect for kisses.”

“I don’t know, birdie,” you are so beautiful in your pretense of playful hesitation, gleaming eyes averted and lips pursed. “What if this emotion doesn’t suit me so well?”

“But my muse,” the corners of his lips tug in a smile, akin to a shy morning sun, “all these things and so much more I can still do even with my hands bandaged.”

“I know, Kaveh, I know. But, there is something else, and, quite honestly, I might get shy if I say that outloud.”

“Oh?” Yes, that Kaveh-like lilt is back in his enchanting voice, and now he is sitting with a straighter back, half-turning to face you, but keeping your hands together on your knee. “Now I really want to know.” 

“Come on, tell me~” And he is pushing his forehead against yours, gently butting, eyes full of determination staring in yours. “I wanna know what else my sweet loving wife thinks of my hands~ Or I might just attack you with kisses!”

“Wait, I joked-” and you erupt in giggles, when the architect surges forward to shower your smiling face with pecks big and small.

“...and what if I want it?”

“Then you shall receive.”

“Alright, alright! I surrender! I see your hands as the creators of our future home!”

The attacks abruptly stop. The pretty pink padparadscha eyes blink a few times, mind processing the words of your sacred confession. And while he is at it, you decide to elaborate.

“I adore the place we are currently renting. But I hope that one day we’ll build our own house - based off your blueprints, based off your vision of our home, cozy and full of light. So,” you reach your free hand to take his second one to lovingly hold them in your grasp, “for me your hands are also the creators of our future home, if you ever wish to share my idea.”

“I… Wow, Y/n, you caught me off guard,” the gaze full of wonder falls to his hands, currently wrapped in white bandages and looking imperfect in his own eyes. “It… it's the first time I've heard them described that way.”

“It's the first time I used such words too, my dear husband.”

You want to protest when his palms slide out of yours, but as they cup your cheeks and draw your lips to his - you eagerly close the distance, putting your hands on top of his.

Something tells you that Kaveh very much shares your idea.

Neuvillette

Your lover’s shrewdness has always been a well-known fact, an unprovable wrong at that. But even he at times could get stuck on a tangled case, especially in a moment of lacking some crucial details - though the public is never aware of it, because when the Iudex of Fontaine takes his rightful place in the courtroom there is no doubt that he knows more than enough to start the trial.

Only you and the melusines have ever witnessed him in a state of stalling as he is analyzing the information he has again and again until the missing piece is discovered. Today is exactly one of these days. No trials are scheduled for the day, so Neuvillette can dedicate his full attention to looking over the cases he will be taking care of tomorrow. Admittedly he never feels annoyed or discouraged when his thoughts reach a deadend, but having you in the same room always brings him comfort even though it was unnecessary in the first place.

You came earlier in the afternoon and brought him lunch, knowing that he’d barricade himself in the office till the late hours of the evening, and decided to stay, promising to handle any issue his subordinates could end up visiting his office with. The man has his full trust in you and your abilities to take care of the administrative part of his job - you’ve spent many decades by his side and involved in his field of work and possessed much empathy towards humans.

Same empathy you hold for him. It’s clear to you, as his beloved, his mate, that your partner needs a break. It’s been some hours since lunch and the desk in front of him has been getting crammed with more and more thick folios. If Neuvillette was a mek, there would be gears turning into his head intensively.

Oh!

Suddenly an idea pops into your head.

Putting away the reports Sedene delivered half an hour ago, you quietly rise from your spot on the plush sofa. The carpet muffles your steps as you move closer to the desk and round it, stopping right by the chair, putting your hand on its back. Your lover doesn’t even lift his head, too used to your presence, never questioning your actions. You admire the parts of him that are in your sight - his long, silky hair, thrown over the left armrest - a habit he developed, too tired to sit onto his own locks; then there is some of the skin of his neck is opened, transforming into the sharp jawline which you suddenly have desire to kiss; the broad shoulders that look even wider because of his coat and you put your free hand on his elbow, bending down.

And then there is his ear - pointy and delicate, it becomes the center of your plan.

Neuvillette’s whole frame shudders when you hum against the shell of it and then press the side of your head to his. It takes a moment to realize that it’s your ears that are touching and you lean into him even further, finally breaking his focus, eliciting a confused sigh out of him.

“Beloved? What’s wrong?”

“Mmm, absolutely nothing, darling,” you hum again, yet do not move anywhere from your spot. “It’s just your thoughts were running so fast in your head that I thought I was hearing the crashing of the waves.”

“...pardon me?” Now the confusion is in his voice too and you draw your face away to look at him with a glint of amusement in your visage.

“Well, you know, they say ‘a shell of an ear’. And if you press your ear to a seashell you’ll hear the sounds of a distant ocean. Come to think of it,” your finger touches the pointy edge and travels the length of it, sending another shiver - this time a pleasant one - down the man’s spine, “your ears look like the prettiest shells.”

When your digit stops its ministration it’s his own gloved hand that reaches up to touch the place you’ve just been tracing.

“It… it's the first time I've heard them described that way,” his voice is soft, inhuman eyes closing as a tender smile graces his lips.

“Well… It's the first time I used such words too, my love. I am glad the comparison is to your taste.”

“It is indeed,” the chair is pushed away and in a moment your lover is standing, fondly looking at you and offering his hand. “How do you feel about a walk at the shore?”

“Wow, if complimenting you will always result in taking a break from work I should start making more of those,” you can’t help but tease, eagerly taking his hand though. “I feel positively about it. Let’s go.”

[pwettyaura]

found a super adorable picrew for the (almost) halloween season! feel free to join in and be a little witchy~ stress free tags: @lunargrapejuice @cloudwisp @inkykeiji @rinhaler 🤍

[jiarkives]

julia’s favorites ! (iv)

♡ - fluff ; ♤ - angst ; ♕ - nsfw ; ☆ - series

jujutsu kaisen

☆ snapshot - gojo satoru

↳ @stsgluver-archive

♡♤ sincerity - geto suguru, gojo satoru (poly!)

↳ @justauthoring

♕ the best teacher - nanami kento

↳ @nanaslutt

♤♡ heaven’s fury - gojo satoru

↳ @chuluoyi

♕ drabble - gojo satoru

↳ @makismei

~

criminal minds

♕ spencer’s favourite meal - spencer reid

↳ @slightlypossessed

♡ aaron finds you putting jack to bed - aaron hotchner

♡ the bau team meets spencer’s secret girlfriend - spencer reid

↳ @claypgeons

♡ drabble - spencer reid

↳ @inkdrinkerworld

♡ mrs doctor reid - spencer reid

♡♤ “i don’t know anything about dinosaurs” - spencer reid

↳ @vivwritesfics

♡♤ safe - spencer reid

↳ @rynbutt

♡♤ cross my heart - spencer reid

↳ @januaryembrs

♡♤ bulletproof bonds - aaron hotchner

♤♡ through the years - aaron hotchner

♤♡ calming storms - aaron hotchner

↳ @thewulf

♡ the parentals - aaron hotchner ft. bau team

↳ @ssahotchnerr

♡ drabble - spencer reid

♡ drabble - aaron hotchner

↳ @luveline

♤ i need to be excused - aaron hotchner

↳ @ynscrazylife

♡ your relationship with hotch and the influence on his son, jack - aaron hotchner

↳ @ginkgo-phyta

♤ alive and breathing - spencer reid

↳ @zvdvdlvr

~

marvel

♤♡ the script - peter parker

↳ @waitimcomingtoo

♡♤ medusa - avengers

↳ @arlana-likes-to-write

~

marauders

♡♤ our baby has four feet? - regulus black, remus lupin (poly!)

♡ animagus!reader - james potter, remus lupin, sirius black (poly!)

♡ introducing their first child to the marauders - sirius black

♡ sirius’ arch nemesis - james potter, remus lupin, sirius black (poly!)

♡ what’s one more? - sirius black ft. marauders

♡♤ the winner takes it all (i) - james potter, remus lupin, sirius black (poly!)

♡♤ the loser has to fall (ii) - james potter, remus lupin, sirius black (poly!)

↳ @ellecdc

♡ uncle padfoot’s motorcycle - remus lupin ft. sirius black

↳ @empress-simps

♡ begin again - james potter

↳ @pretty-little-mind33

♤ the one with the blouse (i) - remus lupin, sirius black (poly!)

♤♡ the one with the blouse (ii) - remus lupin, sirius black (poly!)

↳ @super-clearlysaltybouquet

~

genshin impact

♤♡ scenarios - neuvillette, wriothesley, zhongli ft. pregnant!reader

♤♡ when you sleep on the couch after an argument - alhaitham

♡ lady ragnvindr and klee’s day out - diluc ragnvindr

↳ @lunargrapejuice

♡ mischievous streak - neuvillette ft. wriothesley

↳ @chastiefoul

~

call of duty

♤ the price of protection - john price

♤♡ lassie - john ‘soap’ mactavish

↳ @thewulf

~

top gun: maverick

♡♤ lost and found - jake ‘hangman’ seresin

♡ bumblebee - bradley ‘rooster’ bradshaw

↳ @thewulf

~

shameless

♤ black and blue - lip gallagher

↳ @jesswriteswrongs

~

twilight

♡ forever yours - paul lahote

↳ @thewulf

♕ divider — @bunnysrph

[lyranova]

Hiya guys, so I found this picrew and thought it was really cute and @kalolasfantasyworld recommended I make it a tag game so, why not 😆? I decided to make YuNeva and Zerilliam with it, so HERE is the link and I hope you all have fun~!

Tagging: @thoughtfullyrainynightmare @loosesodamarble @koneko-pi @funky-sea-cryptid @lunargrapejuice @vilandel and anyone else that wants to play!

[jemoneii]

Commission I did of @lunargrapejuice🌺✨, thank uu so much dear, you are always so sweet and such a treat to talk to 💕💕~

[gojipink]

happy valentine’s day goji my love 🩷 your ask to gray had me curious - what are you wearing tonight for alhaitham?🤭🩷 or any of your other faves hehe

happy valentine’s day luna!!! hehehehe i had so much fun window shopping all the pretty lingerie sets!!

i’m a huge huge huge sucker for sets that are embroidered n have a lot of detail on them! for alhaitham, i picked a super pretty sheer floral embroidered set! too pretty on me to take it off he’d leave it all on while fucking me a little rougher than usual, enamored with the way i look all dolled n dressed just for him (ෆ ͒•∘̬��� ͒)◞

couldn’t help myself n had to add a set i would get for kaeya too! a pretty little number that leaves kaeya speechless and makes him cease all teasing comments. he would also want to leave it on! unable to tear his eyes away as he fucks me so deep n slow making sure to pour every ounce of love into each fluid thrust, praises n compliments spilling from his lips endlessly ( ∩ˇωˇ∩)♡

[ruumirmir]

─┉─¡! • !¡─┉─

Ooh Lover Boy

A senior branch manager of Snezhnaya’s Northland bank. As a fatuus, he is formally well-known as the Venator Dux, who mans the Snezhnayan Order of Gold and Exchange founded by the Ninth Harbinger. He hunts in pursuit of the Tsar's vision, but his loyalties are far removed from her.

To put it simply, this masterpost is dedicated to the one male reader request that gradually spiraled into his own story. Down below I've listed every instance on his lore in the chronological order of posting. ੈ♡˳ Pantalone x M!reader [Return home] - lunargrapejuice ੈ♡˳ Pantalone x M!reader [Return home] - eluxcastar ੈ♡˳ Pantalone x M!reader [Unhappily] ੈ♡˳ Pantalone ft. sexy suits ੈ♡˳ Lore crafting for a Pantalone x m!reader ੈ♡˳ Employee of the Month ੈ♡˳ Through the years; From the end to his beginning (coming soon) ੈ♡˳ A series of voicelines from Pantalone's darling, to you, Traveller of a thousand stars

ੈ♡˳ There's a new Venator Dux in Town

ੈ♡˳ First Blood ♡ Annotated notes for 'First Blood' ♡ Short comic for 'First Blood'

ੈ♡˳ Incorrect Memes and Quotes

[lyneira]

-> "Your sweet boyfriend, Diluc, who just can't say no to you, also secretly enjoys buying you skimpy outfits to fuck you in"

SMUT - MINORS DNI

diluc x fem!reader / cw: cunnilingus, penetration

lyneira's (18+) mini event: Your Sweet Boyfriend!

@lunargrapejuice 's result:

Even with his stoic demeanor, Diluc spoils you rotten. Whatever you ask for, he'll get it. Heck, if you didn't even ask for anything, he'll get you something nonetheless. From jewelry, precious gems, rare books, to beautiful flowers, he loves seeing the look of surprise and joy on your face when he gifts you anything. He has a generous and loving heart for you, so it's very hard for him to seriously say no to your wishes.

He often leaves presents in your room, also leaving little heartfelt notes beside them,

"These flowers reminded me of you. Just as they are a symbol of a pure devotion and loyalty, let it be a symbol of my devotion and loyalty to you" －Diluc

As much as he enjoys gifting you things, he won't shy away from getting you something for himself too.

So when he leaves an elegant, yet bold and risque piece of clothing as a gift for you on the bed, writing,

"Wear this for me at dinner tonight" －Diluc

on the note beside it, you do so. And just as you've always worn a look of surprise and joy when seeing what he's gifted you, so did he also wear the same expression when you walked into the dining room in your seductive outfit.

Indeed, he was excited for dinner to begin because food wasn't the only thing he'd be eating 😏

In fact, he'd skip the food and go straight to eating you 🤭

With the tent in his pants, he could not wait any longer to take you. So he'd bring you on the table, pinning you down as he devoured your lips, then kissing you ferociously down your neck, ripping the fabric of your clothing open to show some love to your breasts, and then continuing down until he's reached your heat. There, he would finally get to enjoy his favorite meal.

He would eat you out like a man who's been starved for days. He would never fail to suck and lick your cunt so desperately each time, circling his tongue around your clit and sucking the bud to create that lovely knot in your stomach, then licking long stripes up your folds, before finally diving his tongue into your warmth.

From there, he'd let his tongue rub along your walls, exploring your insides, trying to find that spongy spot that'll get you creaming all over his mouth. When he finally finds it, he'll attack that spot relentlessly until you release at last and he'll drink every single drop you pour into his mouth. The sucking noises and squelching that would come from his mouth was a clear indication of how exactly thirsty Diluc was for you.

And he wouldn't stop there. He'd flip you over, pull out his cock, align it to your wet entrance and easily slide himself in. He would be in such bliss, pumping in and out of your deliciously wet pussy that he'd finally allow his mouth to run and confess the thoughts he had been keeping to himself from the moment he saw you walk in.

- "You look so pretty in this...do you know how hard you made me when I saw you wearing it?"

- "You love it when I spoil you, don't you? So c'mon, spoil me too and let me hear you moan for me..."

By the end of "dinnertime", he had already made a mess of your clothes and his own, stained with both of your essences. This is no problem at all though. It just means that he'll get you another skimpy outfit for you to wear, hehe ;)

© 2023 lyneira. PLEASE DO NOT COPY, PLAGIARIZE, OR REPOST MY WRITING ONTO OTHER PLATFORMS

[kaelily]

i've been seeing a lot of people do this trend so i wanted to make a tag game out of it !! anyone who isn't tagged can feel free to join too <33

tags along with the original template is utc:

tagging with no pressure: @knanamii @simplyxsinned @monocaelia @cy-inky @k-zu @ilyuu @kazuuaki @kaeyas-beloved @taokives @chaoffee @catgirlforkaeya @aimynx @ineshapanda @snobwaffles @arkhammaid @byizoyas @tartaglia-apologist @pen-observing @stcrfeesh @aibloomie @wannshang @cosmi1k @kazusplug @zhxngii @ainescribe @gloomybow1 @alhaith4ms @x-zho @torntoblivion @atheliasnotebook @lillikasa @moraxsthrone @ibitekaeya @tokkishouse @luxxid @lunargrapejuice @watatsumiis @mixed-kester @lyneira @meimeimeirin @radishsoups @yaesnovels @iwantdottoresobad @vistarnovels @leftdestiny-posts @sharkssharka @catgirlforkaeya @celestewritestoomuch @jellypastries @lovesick-boo + anyone who wants to join!! (i apologize if i forgot to tag anyone, it wasn't intentional. please lmk if you don't want to be tagged in games anymore)

these don't have to be accurate btw, especially the birthdays. you can put the characters you're closest to !! emotes are from @/genshinresource and also this template doesn't belong to me.

[anantaru]

Get attacked!! ✨🌈SEND THIS TO OTHER BLOGGERS YOU THINK ARE WONDERFUL. KEEP THE GAME GOING🌈✨

this is so sweet, thank you so much 🩷 i will just tag a bunch of my lovely moots 👼🏼 @silkjade @tteokdoroki @trashfox @syscardinal @nxuvillette @neuvistar @megistusdiary @screampied @maimochies @h-8chi @q1ngqve @qqiup @lunargrapejuice @baeshijima @bunicate 🌸

[hanighul]

💥 Flash commission for @lunargrapejuice 💥

[peachsayshi]

Hiiii peachy can pls recommend me some good fics u have read ? What type of works do u like to read? For me I love some delicious angst I’d love to recommend u some but if I remember correctly u mentioned that u don’t like them so :(

Hi, sweet anon! yes, yes! the thing is, I'm just particular about angst, and I don't mind reading it but I don't like it when it's hurt/no comfort. my sad girl brain can't take too much of it lol but here are some other recs which I loved which is more my kind of angst level

"too much" by @lunargrapejuice - this piece is so, so good and I actually teared up reading it. I love some good hurt/comfort with nanami and I feel like the writing and characterization was spot on!

"under the burning sun...feelings become visible" by @suget - I loved reading this piece as well, and I am always in awe with how venecia writes geto. a really good balance of fluff and angst to me.

this drabble by @sxttoruu had me in a million little pieces. I just wanted to cuddle gojo and tell him I love him.

this piece by @dearestgojo made me feel like I was actually going through a heartbreak and hurt my feelings unnecessarily sldkfjsldk

using the safeword with toji by @vilsoo is another hurt/comfort piece that I absolutely loved. my heart was so tight reading it and the sweet ending made it all better.

please check out @half-baked-biscuit writing - especially her satosugu stuff for jjk content but she also wrote this amazing piece with aki x himeno (csm) that was so good!

please note that this is just a very small list, and there other amazing talented writers whose works I also loved dearly! if you're interested in what I read, you can find it on my sideblog at @peachinthelibrary or check out my "reading pile📙" tag on my blog <3 xo

[taylersketches]

@lunargrapejuice thank you so much for commissioning me, and being so patient throughout the process 🥺💕

Close up of pose under cut 👇🏽

[aldryrththerainbowheart]

Preserve Your Own Light

Note: for my mutual @lunargrapejuice

Part 1 and Part 2

As everyone settled for another night of rest, Xenthia sat by the fire, body bruised and broken after her last fight. The only sound that accompanied the crackling of the fireplace was the scratching of chalk on the paper.

A little hobby she picked up years ago. Some of Sylvanus's creations are so breathtaking one wishes to preserve them forever, and that's what she did, with pigment and paper. As Xenthia's hand danced on the piece of parchment, her mind ran through the events of the last three days.

She immediately knew something was horribly wrong when Astarion came to her and asked for her help. Xenthia got her answer when he took off his shirt in front of her. He looked so ashamed and nervous, she assumed there was an injury from his previous battles he was hiding from her, but it was much, much worse.

The jawline is a touch slimmer, I have to start again.

Jagged, ugly scars ran all over his back to form runes and symbols of likes she never seen before. When she convinced Astarion to talk to others in the camp about them, Karlach said they're written in infernal. As if having a script written into someone's back wasn't ominous enough.

The nose is straight. Can't forget to shade his laugh lines and those nasal lines too.

Cut to Last Light Inn, Raphael made his unpleasant appearance and the paladin made a deal with him no matter how much she despised the thought. What he demanded in exchange for the information was practically a suicide. Thank the Elder gods for surviving this fight, she was held together by bandages and divine magic. As Shadowheart and Lae'zel dragged her unconscious, bloody, and beaten body to the camp, Xenthia pondered why she agreed to help Astarion in the first place.

The hair curl around his ears and then swipe back, like so...

To get rid of that tortured look on his face. And to alleviate the pain in her chest whenever she remembered the details he shared with her about his imprisonment.

I'm going to tear Cazador to shreds with your bare hands once I meet him.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Xenthia quickly pressed the parchment into her chest in panic, her head whipping at the sound of a familiar voice. Really, it should scare her how easily can Astarion sneak up on her. He sat down on the log she was leaning against, stoking the flames with a stick. They both watched the fire in silence before the orc woman braved an answer.

"I thought I was going to be gone for good." She choked out in pitiful attempt to sound casual.

Astarion looked at her in surprise, "Well, we face death at every corner. Nothing new here," he added with a shrug.

"No, we face danger. Today, there were moments I... that I was... it was so damn close." Xenthia buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed with all the emotions welling up inside her.

Astarion was at loss of what to do. He wasn't really a type others turned to comfort. He made sure to work on his reputation of heartless, cruel scoundrel tirelessly. But he was the one who decided to approach her, sitting all alone in front of the fire. Xenthia was a woman of cloth, she swore an oath to protect and kindle a light whenever she went, and that included him, apparently. Still, Astarion often underestimated how far that dedication went.

To think that this light would ever reach him... he stopped praying for it years ago... and now it found him.

He awkwardly reached out and ran a hand through her hair.

"We all bitten off more than we can chew, but I suppose that's part of the Illythid experience, hm?"

Xenthia leaned into his touch, to the point she rested against his leg and Astarion almost jumped out of his skin. What in the hells is going on...

She braved to voice what was hanging in the air "Cazador is a vile piece of shit and we're going to stop him. I promise."

The vampire let out a snort of laughter, "You think it's possible?"

Xenthia audibly gulped when she said in tremble in her voice "I don't know...but we'll have to try. I...I can't let you fall into the arms of that vile man."

How many prayers he sent to every god in every church of Baldur's Gate for this moment. Only for his pleas to be answered by a paladin whose order had only one member, worshipping a god that has no name. And all he did to receive that protection was to behave like a complete piece of shit that complained, mocked, and snarled at every turn.

Ugh.

Astarion mused, "If that ritual is completed a terrible disaster will befall the world."

Tossing the stick into the fire he added, "Starting with my death, just when I started enjoying my freedom."

He looked down at her, only to find out she had her big brown eyes set on him. Something in his being...moved...he didn't dare to ponder what.

"I need to bring the fight back to him." His jaw set in determination, "And I need your help."

Xenthia gave him the best smile she could muster in her beaten state and gave him one simple nod. Nothing more reassuring at that moment.

There was this... warmth in her smile, it was too much for him to bear. Astarion got up hurriedly, dragging her along with him.

"Now of you go, you're practically falling asleep in your feet. Can't have you dying on me now if you are to become a successful meat shield."

That earned him a laugh. Xenthia made it slowly to her tent with Astarion practically holding her uptight. He nudged her to her bedroll, throwing several furs on her despite her protests.

"Hush. Yurgir and his lackeys truly did number on you, best you get some rest."

She conked out almost immediately, but he stayed sitting next to her sleeping form a minute longer. As if her sleeping face would reveal an answer for all those thoughts and emotions swirling in his head.

"Why are you so good to me?" He spoke into the night, a genuine question hanging in the air.

Something moved in the corner of his eye. He caught a sight of a piece of paper next to Xenthia's bedroll. He snatched the paper from the ground with curiosity, expecting some sort of interesting information or perhaps a powerful runes. Instead, he found a drawn portrait of rather handsome, elven man.

Who was that? He hasn't looked like anyone he encountered on their journey.

The high cheekbones, aquiline nose, and noble features...

That's me.

Astarion let out a strangled sound, something between laugh and sob as he committed to memory a face he hadn't seen in two centuries.

He traced the lines on the paper with his finger, leaving a small smudge in there. It seems she made plenty of revisions as she drew him. Must've taken time with it, too. Committing every inch of his visage to memory. There were several pieces of paper filled with individual parts of his face, particularly his eyes and his mouth.

Astarion looked at Xenthia's sleeping face. There were so many things he wished to say, wanted to ask, but now's not the time. He will make sure that you the extension of his feelings.

And this time he'll do it right.

The opportunity presented itself after they visited the Moonrise Towers.

Xenthia...she could have easily told him to bite Araj. To force himself through it no matter how he felt about it. But she didn't, which made Astarion realize he never stopped thinking like a slave.

Her intentions and thoughts still muddled his mind. She's not a target, not an enemy, not a lover. Then...what is she to him?

She's a madwoman with a death wish and a heart of gold, for one. An outcast amongst humans and orcs alike. A savage brute cleaving through enemies like a beast who talks about beautiful sunsets and cute puppies and makes flower crowns. Xenthia was so ready to risk her life for him, or anyone in their party. No seduction or manipulation required. She laughed like a dying moat, sang like a harpy, and danced like...well like an orc, but that never kept her from singing, dancing, and laughing to the fullest. The orc half-caste kept her emotions in the open without ever holding them back to the point that made Astarion uncomfortable.

She...she is incredible...and Astarion is bewitched. Like a damn fool, but there's no going back. He's already far too gone to push down all these...feelings. And maybe, just maybe, he doesn't want to hold back anymore.

After all, his lifestyle changed. It's only natural for his love life to take a new form as well.

That's how he found himself stumbling through Underdark, which was surprisingly glowy, to the one who made his long-dead heart beat again.

He found Xenthia near some strange glowing river, you have your back turned to him, crouched near the riverbank. Astarion couldn't fight the urge to sneak up on her. Blame it on the predator in him. Once he was close enough he bent down and gently blew on her green pointy ear. Before he knew it, he was on the ground with his arm twisted behind his back.

"Shit! Astarion...I...I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you!"

"It's alright darling, I should know better than to sneak up on holy knight. Nothing goes past you, does it?" he chuckled.

Accept his affection for her...maddening that.

The orc woman laughed, "Was getting suplexed the only thing you came here for, or...?"

Astarion cleared his throat. "Ah, no no. I...ahem...wanted to thank you."

She gave him a confused look. "What for?"

He almost busted out in hysterical laughter. Of course, Xenthia would treat her endless kindness as a matter of fact.

"For what you've said!" he pressed on, "While I was in front of that insufferable drow."

She still seemed to not get his point. Astarion sighed, it seemed that he'll have to spell it out for her.

"I spent nearly two centuries using my body to lure pretty things back for my master. It never mattered how I felt about it! You could've asked me to do the same. But you didn't, and I'm grateful for that."

The confusion melted into a pity. She stepped closer to him and grasped his shoulders. He gave an involuntary twitch. This was hell, he hated this, but he had to tell her everything to explain himself fully.

"I could never ask you to do something you don't want to, Astarion Never!" Xenthia's voice was filled with so much emotion it made him squeamish.

"It's a novel concept, I admit." he chuckled to alleviate the tension. It didn't help that the girl still tenderly held him by the shoulders, so close he could practically taste her. He gently shook her off and stepped back, his body howling at the loss of warmth.

"And a little intimidating, too. It would be so easy to bite her. Just another disgusting moment to push myself through. This was the sole purpose of my existence after all - seducing anything with a pulse. Today's events made me realize I never stopped acting like someone's possession." Astarion gesticulated wildly with his hands, words tumbling out of him like water from a broken dam. After years of putting on a facade, of carefully schooling your words, gestures, and tone, it was exhilarating to finally be true to someone.

"Astarion. I'm very sorry for everything that happened and I truly am grateful that you're telling me all of this. But...where are you going with this?"

He took a pause to avoid the pained look she was giving him and to collect the strength to keep looking her in the eyes once he admitted the full length of his shame.

"You see...I had a plan..."

As Astarion kept on talking he saw Xenthia's expression shift from incredulousness to hurt to anger, and for a moment he thought confessing to her might not be as great an idea as he thought. He continued, explaining his instinctual urge to seduce to secure safety, which later bloomed into genuine feelings.

"You're incredible. You deserve something real. I want us to be something real."

Xenthia struggled to find a proper response. She didn't know whether to be angry at Astarion for basically admitting that he was using her, angry at herself for falling for it and there was this ever-present pestering sympathy and pity that gnawed at her for all the reasons he had for deceiving her.

"How...how am I supposed to even react to that?!" The orc woman turned to Astarion but he gave her no answer.

"All this time...I knew you were a bit of a bastard but I assumed at least the attraction was genuine...You're telling me all this time you played me like a fiddle?!?" Her voice kept increasing in volume but she didn't care. The frustration welled up inside her like a fireball.

"But that's the point! I am attracted to you!" Astarion urged desperately. "Look at you for goodness sake." He gestured to her form with a hopeless smile.

Xenthia ground her teeth together, "Are you mocking me?"

He frowned, "Gods, you're so stubborn. Why is it so hard to believe that someone might find you attractive?"

"Because I listened from day one how hideous I am! My teeth, my skin, my body was under reminder of how grotesque everyone found me, including YOU!" The last part was finished with a genuine shout. It made her head swivel in the direction of the camp, afraid that their argument might reach their companion's ears.

Astarion spread his arms like a martyr. "I know! I was an arse! I was so blinded by my own pain that I ignored and even revered in pain I inflicted on others. I don't blame you for being angry at me! As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you sent me to hell right then and there." He dropped his arms, shoulders sagging. "Perhaps we would both be better for it. Gods know you could do much better than me." Thankfully, this made some of her anger dissipate.

"The fact that it does mean something to me is the problem. And before you say it, no, I'm not bemoaning my fate of falling for a half-orc, I just...don't know what I am."

He stepped closer to her, testing the waters.

"Intimacy...being close to someone was used as performance. Even though whatever we have between us is different than any other relationships I had, it still feels...dirty." He suppressed all these memories of past conquests and prowlings in the night, selling his body like a common whore. Why, why can't he just forget.

"I don't know how to be close to someone, no matter how much I want to."

He looked up at Xenthia and, fuck, with so much longing and pain and vulnerability it rendered her weak.

"Argh! You...dammit...stop it! Stop giving me that wet, stray, kitten look!"

She raised her arms as if wanting to strangle him and Astarion instinctively winced. To his infinite surprise, a pair of burly arms enveloped him in a warm, tight embrace.

It took Astarion a moment to process that she was not smashing him over the head with a rock. Another moment that you've seen to forgive him as he slowly, awkwardly wrapped his arms around her.

She was so, so warm, and firm, and for a second there he felt like if she hadn't held him so tightly, he might've crumbled. This was the most honest and open he was in the centuries and it left him quite weak. He felt as she shifted her arms to wrap them even more securely around him, one hand clutching his hip, the other pressing to his shoulder. Xenthia buried her face in his hair and nuzzled it. When Astarion realized she won't be letting go of him anytime soon, he pressed his face into her chest and inhaled her scent.

"Maybe what you really need is a friend, not a lover," Xenthia whispered into his hair.

Astarion's eyes snap open. She keeps surprising him tonight. Could that truly satisfy him? Astarion was once more unsure whether her interest in him was platonic or romantic. But does it really matter? Isn't it enough that she's willing to stay by his side? He pulled away to look at her, mouth opening and closing to formulate an answer.

"I...I'd like that." He winced internally at the voice crack. He spoke so softly Xenthia had to lean in closer. It made his knees weaken, who knew a man who spent decades luring people with his body could be so easily flustered.

She rubbed small circles into his back as she spoke. "I don't mind taking it slow, it's more of my style, honestly." Orc woman chuckled, the sound ruffling his hair. And just to mess with him she added, "We'll cuddle and hold hands and kiss all sweet like teenagers."

Astarion laughed, "That almost sounds like a challenge." The thought of participating only in the most innocent displays of affection with someone who is more delectable each day felt truly amusing.

"I've had an endless parade of lovers, but friend..." He took a pause, actually sifting through his memories to discern if there was someone in his past like her. "I can't think of a single one."

He finally stepped away. Xenthia's touch was too distracting and he wanted to get his feelings across. Astarion takes her hand, green, calloused, and much bigger than his, and holds it between his own hands like a precious crystal ornament.

"...until you."

He looked at her with so much naked adoration it made her feel like she could choke on it. Despite her previous outburst, Xenthia could not suppress her true feelings no matter how much she tried to be angry at him.

The infamous charmer claimed another victim. One could only hope he won't shatter the heart in his grasp this time.