#made rai adaptation of it ��

[pookapufferfish]

Bread experiment time

[bullmotif]

the urge to ignore your assigned summer readings in favour of starting yet another Dostoevsky book that will ruin your life

[bernard-the-rabbit]

Not art related but!

I'm finishing I Miserabili (1964) and it's one of the first times i'm feeling very fratelli d'italia l'Italia s'è desta.

[todropscience]

YES, SHARKS MAKE SOUNDS, AND WE'VE JUST HEARD ONE

Yes, that sound you’re hearing, a sharp, rapid click, is actually made by a shark. For the first time ever, scientists have recorded sharks producing sounds, challenging the long-held belief that these ocean predators are completely silent. The surprising discovery came during routine behavioural experiments in New Zealand, when researchers noticed that Spotted Estuary Smooth-Hound Mustelus lenticulatus, emitted loud, distinctive clicks when handled underwater. These sounds, likely defensive or stress-related, were consistent across multiple individuals and even reached volumes comparable to a shotgun blast.

- Spotted Estuary Smooth-Hound at Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Luca Davenport-Thomas

The researchers believe the noise may come from the sharks snapping their flat, plate-like teeth, a trait adapted for crushing crabs and other hard-shelled prey. Though the exact mechanism remains unconfirmed, and it’s still unclear whether these clicks are intentional or simply a reflex, the finding opens new questions about acoustic behaviour in sharks. Similar clicking has been observed in rays and mantas, hinting that this might not be such a rare trait after all. So yes, that’s the sound a shark makes, and it might just be their version of “back off.”

Reference: Nieder et al., 2025. Evidence of active sound production by a shark R. Soc. Open Sci.

[dcxdpdabbles]

I've seen a lot of Danny being Ellie's dad but where is the Pariah Dark adopts this sassy ghost child that beat him in a duel and is now prince because why not adopt the overpowered child. Which leads to the JL fighting Danny for whatever reason and when he calls for help he calls his new dad and oh shit is that the Ghost King

Danny was with Sam and Tucker in the Ghost Zone when three seven-man squads of ghost knights found him. They had found an empty island near the portal that they had made into a makeshift training ground so he could safely practice his powers.

The most recent fights had shown him that he was only winning because of his quick thinking and adaptability that tricked his enemies, but he needed to get better if he ever wanted to prevent an incident like the ones at Axion labs from ever happening again.

He couldn't afford to create another arch-nemesis. Plus his good luck and clever mind could only get him so far if his body couldn't keep up.

He was in the middle of shooting the rays from the various drones Tucker set up when the knights landed on his island. Their metal clacking with each step they took, marching away from their skeleton winged horses.

At once, Danny flew between the ground, feeling more than seeing his friends scrambling for their weapons as he raised his fists.

"Who are you?" He demanded, watching the other squads surround them. Tucker and Sam spun around, each pressing up against his back in a makeshift triangle.

The hum of their ghost guns echoed through the air as the knights continued their marching until they had formed a circle around the three.

I don't like this. Danny thought felt his own ecto-ray heating up in his palms. They look oddly familiar. Where have I seen those armors?

The knights all, simultaneously, dropped to one knee, surprising the three teenagers. They bowed their heads, and even the winged horses followed suit,

"Prince Phantom." The one right in front of Danny said, "We have come as your formal escort to your Father's keep. He demands your presence."

"My Dad?" Danny repeats, voiced, laced with doubt. , "My Dad sent ghosts to escort me home? Do I look stupid to you?"

"It is not your sire, Jack Fenton, I speak of," The Knight explains, voice still respectful even when staring at the ground. Danny can't see his eyes or any of the other knights, as they are hidden in the shadows of their helmets. "I speak of the Ghost King, Pariah Dark, who has chosen you are his Heir. You are summoned to complete the adoption process."

"Yeah, that's going to be a no from me." Danny deadpans, even if his insides have turned to ice. Pariah Dark was resealed, Danny personally made sure of that, so why was this guy speaking as if he was back?

"Apologies, my Prince, but you do not have a choice," declares the other, and almost as if that was a cue of some kind, the other knights rise from their knees. They descend on the trio faster than Danny was expecting.

He ducks and waves as three different fists fly to his face, reaching down to aim an uppercut at the one on his right. It lands with a clack and a sting in his knuckles as the helmets odd shape as some protection to the chin

Shaking out his hand, Danny is not prepared for the kick to his side that sends him flying.

He lands in a heap but is quick to get back to his feet as rope is lassoed around one of his wrists. He gapes at it as another knight, quickly throws on to his other arms and suddenly he's being tugged in two different directions.

Summoning his ice, Danny has it travel down the ropes towards the knights, who drop it just as the ice would have encased their hands. Freed, Danny, leaps back as a flying kick paces mere inches from his face and has to quickly raise his hands to block an ecto-ray to the chest.

"Do not harm the Prince!" The leader barks "Capture the humans, he will go willingly if we have hostages!"

Danny swings his head towards Sam and Tucker, who have been forced up against a wall, shooting desperately at the advancing knights. Their shots are being knocked away by flowing swords, and it was obvious their movements were slowing down.

Despite the many fights they have helped in a fight, neither Sam or Tucker could outlast a ghost. Their stamina was superior, and sadly, it seemed these particular ghosts also had training under their belts.

"No!" Danny moved to help but just as he turned his eyes away from the Knight Leader, a bubble of ectoplasm exploded in his face.

"I told you not to harm the Prince!" Someone roars over the sound of ringing in his ears. Hands fell on all his limbs holding him down, even if he weakly tried to shake them off. Everything is spinning, though, and his vision is blurring in and out of focus. He sees Sam fall to the ground with Tucker screaming something he can't make out before Danny is left up and dragged away.

There is a weight around his wrists and ankles, indicating he's been tied up, but Danny can barely keep his head from bobbing to the side. He had no energy to attempt to break his bonds.

He knew no more as he was thrown into a carriage, the block dots in his vision taking over completely.

Three years later, Danny is overlooking the development of a ghost colony in a far-off corner of King Pariah's empire. This colony was made entirely of former slaves whom Danny fought his adoptive father tooth and nail to free.

Pariah moods were odd. He controlled everything Danny did, but he also wanted Danny to take his own stances on how the empire should be run. The Ghost King's control had expanded to nearly all corners of the Ghost Zone, breaking and tearing apart any resistance they found.

War had broken out as ghosts from various tribes and kingdoms fought desperately to keep their freedom. Pariah saw no challenge in their attempts, crushing anyone that stood in his way.

His aim was to once again rule all over the dead, and later, once every ghost bowed to his whim, invade the living world again but this time there would be no Halfa child to stop him.

Said Halfa that was now heir of the tyrant. Everyone knew about the kidnapped Prince, as his tale was told in resistance meetings both in pity and in rage.

Prince Phantom's iconic white hair and green eyes were just as widely known as his golden collar was. It was created by King Pariah, to keep the prince in the area by an invisible fence he set up. Should Prince Phantom attempt to fly or walk out of those areas, the collar would turn into flaming chains, yanking the prince back. It wouldn't burn him, thankfully, but it would drag him roughly.

It didn't help that the collar stopped Prince Phantom from accessing his powers. It was almost like he was a full human, except he was trapped in his ghost form and in the Ghost Zone, which meant his options were far more limited than normal.

He was more of a royal hostage than an actual heir.

Even out here, while overlooking reports and listening to testimonies, Prince Phantom could not leave the tower of the newest colony. At all times there was two guards that followed him and limited his movements too.

Despite his position, the Prince did everything he could to protect the people, tales of him jumping to a servant's defense against his father, advocating for the abolishment of slavery, and even offering to serve any punishment for any ghost child. The people loved their prince, and all wanted to one day see him free as well.

Rumors had it that the leaders of the main resistance were two humans who were desperately trying to free Prince Phantom, but since everyone in the rebellion's army's identity remained secret, no one knew how true those rumors were.

Danny unrolls a scroll, sighing at the numbers. "If nothing is done about the harvest, the people will starve come winter. We need to start rationing. Take whatever you need from my own supplies before we start applying it to the people."

"My Prince, we couldn't possibly ask that of you. Already, you granted us freedom and a home. ," Started the mayor of the colony, only to stop at the sight of a large magical circle forming around the prince. Danny's eyes widened as well, feeling his collar start to glow as whatever it is attempt to yank him away.

He feels it start to crack as the magic overpowers the collar's settings. Hope flares in his heart as his guards leap to their feet. Before they can so much as come near him, the mayor throws himself at them with a roar. "Run, my Prince! I shall buy you time!"

Danny is swallowed by light before he can respond, the collar left behind to clatter against the floor. He is flung through a portal made of multiple colors, so bright and blinding he has to close his eyes and hold his hands in front of his face. He lands with a startled yelp, but his hands fling to his neck.

When all he feels is flesh, tears burn his eyes sight as he sobs. He's free. He's finally free.

"Well, this isn't what I was expecting when I offered a piece of my soul" An accented voice hums, drawing attention to a group of oddly dressed strangers. A man in a trench coat lights a cigar, the glow casting his face in a dim light as he stares down at Danny with a detached appraisal glint in his eyes. "Tell me, why did my spell bring me a child when I asked for a champion to overthrow the Ghost King?"

Danny's ice core starts to slowly freeze the room over, his breath visible as his eyes harden. "It brought me here because I am going to kill my father."

"Prince Phantom" Trench coat man identifies with some relief. "A pleasure to finally meet you. This is the Justice League and they like to lend a hand in your parricide."

[fairlyabookie]

the things you do that got them head over heels

Ace - teasing him back

Ace had a knack for teasing you, even if his little banter would be light-hearted in nature, he wasn’t shy about using a little incident into a sassy remark. To him, the bickering you exchange meant that he found someone worth his while, who can match his wavelength so to speak.

You’d get flustered with his quips, a little smirk tugging at your lips as if to mask your indignant state. He’d declare himself a victor in the chaos, basking in the glory of your demise.

Unfortunately for him, you knew him well - well enough to ascertain his weaknesses. In due time, you say a smart quip, one that left him incredulous. He short circuits, rendered speechless until a second passes, his mind locked into getting you back - but he has nothing, save for a profound heat rushing up his cheeks.

“What the hell, man?” He says with a light chuckle, his smile betraying his astonishment. For a cheeky guy like him, you found his reaction priceless, your laughter delayed for a beat or two.

Sebek - your focused expression

The both of you study together in the quiet library, the faint rustling of turning pages and scribbling pens on paper filling the silence. His watchful eyes peer on your profile, your posture and expression serene in the guise of studying.

Unaware of his gaze, your mind was elsewhere, intent on memorizing acronyms for a quiz you needed to make the perfect score for, dates of historical events that you might forget, and incantations for spells that could probably save your life. Troubled as you were, your lips curl to a pout as you take note of the subjects you had to study for.

Sebek found this particular side of you amusing - adorable he can admit - but charming as you had to voice out your woes about the difficult subjects that suddenly crowded your study schedule. How your features scrunched up to one of intense concentration tugged his heartstrings.

“What?” Your question breaks the impenetrable silence of the library, a curious look listing your features. Sebek shakes his head, already adapting nonchalance. “It’s nothing.” You perk an eyebrow, your gaze lingering onto your classmate for a beat longer before returning to a page full of notes.

Epel - the way you do your routine

Makeup routine was vital to a Pomefiore resident’s daily tasks for discipline and perfection; a flawless skincare routine followed by a makeup routine that screamed a meticulousness befitting of the dorm’s ideals. You had fit the dorm to the T, waking up every morning to do your skincare routine and makeup routine, achieving praise from your dormmates.

Although Epel was initially annoyed by this tedious routine, he managed to tolerate everything from just one person: you. There was something seamless about you lathering toner all over your features, your gaze fixated on the vanity before you as you pinpoint any imperfection from your routine. It was like honing a muscle, your movements rehearsed as you reached out to a bottle of moisturizer from your cabinet.

The unhurried yet intentional fluidity made your routine so painless, so fruitful, so.. Who was he kidding? Even with his cherubic looks, he could easily use 3 products instead of 10. As he begins his routine, he engraves your intense expression in mind - your hands applying every cream and serum in sight for flawless skin.

“You need help, Epel?” You give pause, droplets of water dripping from your palms, your cheeks white from cleanser. “Sorry, spaced out-” Epel hastily replies, averting his gaze elsewhere that was not your vanity. He sneaks another glance at you, your face a glistening sheen from the cleanser’s work. An impulsive thought intrudes his conscience, one that ignited his spirit to do better.

Jack - stretching

There was nothing a short jog could do to start the morning. Rays of sunlight streak across the horizon in swathes of orange and yellow, his eye catches on your side profile, silhouetted by the morning light. Basking in the sunlight, you take a moment to stretch your muscles, the cotton fabric of your shirt lifting just a smidge to reveal a slither of your figure.

Jack tried his best not to steal a glance; besides, this was an innocent maneuver after a while of exercise, of course, you’d take a moment to stretch. Yet, his eyes flicker back to your figure, watching you work out the knots and muscles with grace.

There was something about the morning hour and the minutes after exercising; the way your hair would cling onto your forehead, your flushed cheeks, and the exhilarated smile gracing your lips, the morning sun illuminating your physique in a flattering light. A prick of heat rushes up to his cheeks, his tail wagging back and forth.

“Jack, your tail is wagging!” You let out a chuckle, a hand itching forward to ruffle his head. Betrayed by the appendage, he quickly grabs it, his eyes aligning with yours. “It didn’t,” He mutters sheepishly. You regard the comment with a perked eyebrow. “Well then, I’m feeling a little energetic, let’s say we do one more lap before class?” Jack couldn’t agree more, preparing his stance for another moment of exercise.

Deuce - fixing up your hair

There was something particular in how you’d fix up your hair in a matter of seconds, whether it was a quick ruffle or brushing your locks. He’d catch himself lose his breath when you pause to adjust your locks, your fingers brushing them back to an angle, a sigh escaping your lips.

He couldn’t keep his eyes off you, watching your fingers tussle your locks effortlessly, a bit of the skyline catching on your silhouette oh-so-beautifully. For a moment, he could fathom his cheeks heat up; he shouldn’t be looking at you. A second longer and you would’ve caught him staring.

He hears the world stop, his heart rate accelerating as he catches a glimpse of you shifting your hair to one that you favored. His throat runs dry, a gulp not enough to quench his parched throat from the sight of you. Any second longer, his demeanor would be thrown off completely. The young man attempts to quell his heart, just enough to recover himself.

“Hey Deuce, let’s get going.” You call to him, your voice anchoring him back to reality. “R-r-right.” Your classmate clears his throat, a feeble attempt at normalcy. He steps ahead of you, hoping to mask the blush coloring his cheeks.

author's note: happy white day, everyone! i got inspired by this little post I had read from my little hyperfixation and lo and behold! Hope you enjoyed, and please feel free to like!

[andvys]

The edges of your soul (I haven't seen yet) ⭐︎ chapter one

⭐︎ Welcome and Goodbye

Warnings: hurt/no comfort, angst, mentions of death, gore, post apocalypse, mentions of being drugged, mentions of SA (not actually happening here), allusions to sex trafficking, dark themes, mean!Steve, grumpy!Steve, grumpy x sunshine

Pairing: Steve Harrington x fem!reader

Summary: Steve can't stand your presence, won't accept his friends' pleading to let you stay with them, nothing will change his mind, he wants you gone... he really does.

Word count: 7.5k

Author's note: first chapter ya'll, I know there isn't much action yet but trust me when I say it's gonna get wild in here. @hellfire--cult is my assistant as always, so don't forget about her, she proofreads AND she writes with me (don't listen to her)

⭐︎ series masterlist

⭐︎ prologue

☀︎

It’s not the nightmares that wake you from your sleep this morning, it’s not the lingering fear and the anxiety this world has brought upon you, it’s the silence, the ray of sunlight peeking through the curtains that Nancy had closed last night. The mattress is soft beneath you, the covers are warm, your hair is sprawled over the pillow under your head, smelling of shampoo, floral and sweet, a luxury in this world, to smell nice, to be clean, to wake up in safety, fully rested, you can’t remember the last time you woke up like this, you can’t remember ever waking up like this since the world has ended, and every day you find yourself missing your small apartment you left abandoned in New York. You wonder what happened to it, if it was one of the buildings that burned down after the big cities were bombed, when the government, the military still thought that the end of the world could be stopped, that the monsters could be stopped. 

You don’t look back a lot, there is no point to it, to grieve something that will never come back again but a part of you feels sad for the girl you were before the evil had spread, before you had to adapt to the ugliness this world has brought, before you had to accept that the real monsters weren’t the creatures. 

A sinking feeling takes over when you register the voices downstairs, loud and angry, filled with rage and hatred – hatred for you, for no reason at all. 

The lump in your throat grows, bigger and bigger each passing second. 

He doesn’t want you here, and it didn’t change overnight. 

You swallow harshly, and throw the covers off yourself, your feet hit the cold ground when you stand up. You look around the room, Nancy’s room, that she kindly let you stay in. You find the clothes she picked out for you, probably in one of the abandoned houses. You reach for the pants, a pair of denim jeans, you grab your belt and your thigh holster, surprised that it’s still on the desk where you had left it last night, a part of you expected Steve to take it from you and only give it back when you are by the gates and ready to leave this place, like he wants you to. 

It felt nice to be around people again, people your age, ones who didn’t turn you away or had ill intentions for you. Eddie and Nancy were sweet and welcoming, they provided food and a place to stay, they made conversation, the way people used to do before all this. 

It makes you sick, knowing you have to leave today, by yourself, to know that you won’t get a good night’s sleep again, to know that you won’t wake up so peacefully tomorrow morning – if there will be one for you. 

You throw the black shirt on, before you lean down towards the different pairs and sizes of shoes she had left here for you. They are different from your converse, which have too many holes in them already, the sole is wearing off. They used to be your favorite pair but it’s time to abandon them now too, you pick a pair of combat boots this time and tie the laces tightly. 

You stop by the bathroom first, to wash your face and brush your teeth, you drown out the angry voices that belong to Steve and Nancy, you know they are fighting because of you. She wants you to stay, he wants you to leave, he doesn’t care to hide his distaste. 

You stare at your reflection in the mirror, taking in the sight of yourself. You haven’t changed much, you think. Your hair got longer, you lost weight but that isn’t a surprise to you, you have gone days without food or even water, too many nights you struggled to fall asleep because of the hunger and the emptiness in your stomach.

A sigh escapes you, a sad one, you know what is waiting for you downstairs. 

“Steve, she is all alone, we can’t just let her go like that!” You hear Nancy say when you slowly make your way towards the staircase. 

“You know we have a supply limit. We rationed water and food for three people only, and now we would have to do it for one more?” Steve scoffs, and from what you have seen of him yesterday, you can imagine the look on his face and how he is crossing his arms over his chest, stubbornly. 

“No one else would take her in! Everyone left in Hawkins are old people who can’t even fend for themselves properly–”

“She didn’t ask to stay,” Steve interrupts, not allowing her to finish her sentence. “Besides, I give two shits about her, Nance.”

His words shouldn’t sting the way they do, he is nothing but a stranger, his harsh words shouldn’t even touch you… and yet they do. 

“What is wrong with you? You weren’t like this at all!” Nancy’s voice seems shocked, taken aback by the words that just left his mouth. 

You hear his scoff, his humorless chuckle, “oh really? I thought you weren’t like this either! Before you would have threatened a stranger with a gun to their head, and now you let some random girl just use our things and let her stay!?” 

“She seems nice, Steve!” 

A part of you wants to run down the stairs and break apart the fight, you never planned on staying, you never wanted this to happen, all you wanted was shelter for the night and a new map, you never meant for this to happen. 

You stand frozen in place, holding onto the railing of the stairs. 

“She ain’t going to replace Barb if that’s what you think.” 

Silence follows after, no words are spoken, nothing, just silence, for a minute or two. 

You know he’s hit a nerve, you know he aimed for the kill with that. It fills you with guilt, knowing that this is only about you, that your presence prompted him to throw something at her that he knew would hurt her. 

“You’re bringing Barb into this!? Are you seriously bringing back what happened to Barb?!” Nancy’s voice of disbelief rings in your ears. 

“I am not bringing anything back, all I’m saying is she is not a pet, or a doll to keep you both fucking company!” 

“She is a person!” 

“She is a nuisance!” 

You suck in a sharp breath, that one stung. You know you aren’t welcome here, you aren’t – weren’t welcome anywhere, it never really hurt to be turned away, so you won’t let it hurt now either. 

You start making your way down the stairs, slowly and quietly. You ignore the beating of your heart as you step into the hallway and make your way into the dining room to get to the kitchen where the silence is suddenly deafening. You step where they can’t see you and you take in the sight of both of them as they stand across from one another, he is leaning against the kitchen island, glaring at the girl that welcomed you with nothing but kindness. Her arms are crossed, her eyes are burning with anger and disbelief, but mostly with disappointment. 

“Wow Steve, you sure sound like your dad there.” 

You watch and wait for his reaction, you see the way he tenses up, the way he furrows his eyebrows and frowns at her, he huffs loudly and drops his arms to his sides, shaking his head at her. 

“See? She comes along and we fight, when we never fucking did this whole year!”

“How could there be any time to fight when we spent it grieving–”

Before she can say anymore, and reveal something that they might not want you to know about, you clear your throat and step into the kitchen, making them both snap their heads towards you. 

“You guys don’t have to fight because of me, I’m not staying here, that was never my intention. I was passing through, like I told you yesterday,” you tell him, looking at him only for a second, not wanting to look any longer and see the false pity. “I appreciate what you have done for me, Nancy. You and Eddie, you have done more for me than I could have asked for, but I’ll be on my way now, and out of your hair,” you mumble the last part to the man before you, who is avoiding your eyes now, choosing to look at the hardwood floor instead. 

“Good, got your map?” Steve asks, not caring about saying anything else to you. 

Nancy scoffs at him, clenching her fists, she shakes her head. She can’t believe what she is hearing, what he is saying, the hatred in his eyes he holds for someone he doesn’t even know, how he is ready to turn someone away and send them to their death, because this is what is waiting for you behind these walls. 

You nod your head and eye him slowly, his jaw is clenched, his eyes filled with something you can’t fully read, you see the disbelief in her whole expression – he hasn’t always been like this, the shock in her voice proved it, you wonder what happened to him, you wonder what made him so… cruel. 

“Yeah, I’m gonna go now–”

“What’s happening here?” Eddie’s voice interrupts you, he stops beside you, wiping motor oil off his hands with a dark blue bandana, he scans your faces, notices the tension in the room, right away. One look at Nancy and the deep frown and he knows what is happening. 

You can’t even open your mouth to answer his question before Steve beats you to it. 

“She was just leaving,” he glares at his friend, warning him with his eyes not to try anything, but Eddie isn’t like Nancy, he won’t fight, he won’t argue, he simply won’t listen to him. “Got the map, right?” He asks again. 

“You know what,” Eddie starts, already grinning at his friend. “I lost my last copy. And requesting one in the community takes a long while, which I already took care of. Callaway is preparing one but you know… gotta scavenge to find a good updated one and that ass is a fucking sloth.” 

Steve pushes himself off the counter, furrowing his brows, he purses his lips as he shakes his head in confusion, “what– are you lying?” 

“Absolutely not,” Eddie shakes his head, already stepping closer to you and wrapping his arm around your shoulder, not letting you go anywhere. “So, no. Sweetheart here can’t leave without a map. The only copy is the one for when we leave–”

Steve sighs again, probably for the tenth time this morning. 

“We’re not leaving.” 

“--And we’re not giving our personal map away so… until there is a spare one, she has to stay.” 

Your cheeks heat up when Steve glances at you, the hazel in his eyes darkens, the frown on his face deepens. You feel weird beneath his gaze, you don’t like this, you don’t like staying somewhere you’re not wanted but Eddie is persistent, Nancy is too, and you don’t want to be by yourself again, not yet. You can’t look into his eyes any longer though, or at his face, so you look down instead. 

Steve knows not to argue with Eddie, it’s no use, not with him, the look on his face tells him that Eddie is ready to bite his face off if he even dares to utter another word about you leaving. He still doesn’t hide his distaste for you, and he scoffs at his friends, looking between Nancy and Eddie, he shakes his head in disappointment, “you know, this is exactly what will get you both killed,” he grumbles before he storms past you and out of the house. 

Eddie murmurs words under his breath as he shakes his head, before he turns to you, noticing the frown on your face, the uncertainty. 

“Come on, you are helping me with something today.”

You finally look up again, glancing at him first, at the kind smile directed at you, the warmth in his eyes so different from the coldness in Steve’s. Nancy offers you a small smile too but the tears in her eyes aren’t hard to miss, the sadness in her features, the disappointment – maybe you should have left when he told you to. 

“I– um, I can find a map somewhere else, I’ll go–”

“No.” Nancy shakes her head, “you’re staying, that’s final.” 

“He doesn’t want me here,” you speak, your voice barely above a whisper. 

“I want you here,” she argues, shrugging her shoulders. 

“So do I.” Eddie nudges your shoulder, still smiling just as softly as before. “You’re staying until he– we’re ready to leave, we’ll go together when the time is right.” 

You don’t understand why they want you here so badly, why they even care as much as they do, you understand him more, better. 

You welcome their company with open arms though, appreciating it more than anything. You have been on your own for too long, you hated every minute of it, no matter how normal it became to you, you hated it, you don’t want it anymore. 

Eddie doesn’t wait for you to say yes – he won’t let you leave anyways, even if you insisted. 

“So… have you ever gone fishing?” Eddie asks you, beginning to lead you away when he hears Nancy’s soft sniffle, knowing she won’t want comfort or sympathy from him or you. There is only one she would want it from, but that one is long gone, so the only thing he or anyone can do is give her the space that she needs in moments like these. 

He shuts the door behind him.

-

The wind is soft against your skin, warm and pleasant, the sun shines down on you, bright and golden rays hitting the lake and the grass surrounding you, it doesn't feel like fall yet. There is a boat by the shore, slightly moving every time the waves slosh against it. 

Eddie is humming beside you, enjoying the warm day, the silence. It’s easy to forget what’s out there when you take in your peaceful surroundings and breathe in the fresh air. You remember the rotten smell in the first few months before winter came, you remember the dead birds on the ground, the apples that fell from the trees, infested by maggots, it was disgusting and you constantly had to wear a mask as to not gag after every breath you took of this rotten world. 

You feel sad every time you think of how you will never smell flowers again or grass after the rain, how you will never see a field of sunflowers again, even when a part of you always hoped that the one behind your house was somehow spared by this world – it would have to be a miracle and miracles are something rare nowadays. 

You wonder what this place looked like before, if any flowers grew surrounding the field in front of the lake, if it was filled with people in the summer, if any teenagers have snuck down here to throw bonfire parties, to jump into the water in the middle of the night, to share a first kiss, to come here to be alone, to cry, to enjoy the silence, to enjoy the view. 

Places that were once filled with people, are now abandoned, haunted with the sound of what once was, of something that will never be again. It’s not only the world that has changed, people have too. 

“Do you wanna try?” Eddie asks, pulling you out of your thoughts. 

“Hm?” You tilt your head to the side, furrowing your brows at the curly haired man before you. 

He chuckles, noticing the confused frown on your face, the lost look in your eyes. You were distracted, far away from here. 

“I know I’m handsome, didn’t think you’d be so distracted by my beauty,” he smirks and rolls his shoulders. 

You can’t hold back the giggle that falls from your lips, the playfully arrogant look on his face, the plastered smirk. You have only known him for a couple of hours, yet you can already tell that this man loves to tease people.

“I was actually distracted by my surroundings, I was wondering what this place looked like before… you know.” 

Eddie nods, his smiling fading a bit, he looks down at the rod in his hand, “it was nice, I mean it still is, considering everything,” he pauses, pointing at the big willow tree that was somehow left untouched by this new world. “Flowers used to grow right here though, lots of ‘em. Bet you would’ve loved that.” 

A smile grazes your face, you nod at him, “I know I would, there used to be this big field of sunflowers behind my parents’ house, it was beautiful. I got lost in it as a child though… once or twice.” 

Eddie chuckles at that, “or thrice?” 

You squint your eyes and smile sheepishly at him, making him chuckle again, “that’s cute.” 

You nudge his shoulder with your own, “you think me getting lost is cute?” 

“Hey, you’ve come a long way since then, look at you, traveling through the country without getting lost,” he teases, nudging you back. 

“Who says I didn’t get lost a few times? I might’ve taken one too many wrong routes and got off the path.” 

“Oh no, sweets,” Eddie shakes his head at you, “I think you’ve taken the right ones, they lead you right here and now you’re with us, you’re on the right path.” 

Eddie can see the bit of confusion in your eyes, like you don’t understand him, just like you don’t understand Nancy, he knows there must be reasons for that, he can’t even imagine them though. 

You look away from his warm eyes, to his arms, to the tattoos and the scars that linger on his skin, his hand is holding the rod tightly, his fingers are adorned with rings, you can tell that they are a part of him, just like the tattoos, every single one of them has a meaning. You look back into his eyes – Eddie is still a stranger to you but there is a certain energy around him, you can’t help but feel safe with him. 

“You are really kind, Eddie. You and Nancy, I appreciate that a lot.” 

The tone in your voice is sad, he can tell that much, he can see it too when you cast your eyes on the ground. 

“Hey, I think we could use some kindness in this world, don’t you think?” He smiles softly. 

Your lips curl upwards, you nod slowly, though you stay quiet for another second or two. 

“Steve doesn’t seem to share that opinion with you…” You murmur quietly, a little scared to touch that topic but still curious. You heard what Nancy had said to him, it left you wondering all day. “He is not very kind, and he doesn’t want me here.”

“He’ll come around,” Eddie says, shrugging. “Besides, we’re not staying either, as soon as the RV is done, we’re leaving, together.” 

Nancy had told you about it, about the community, a safe haven, somewhere far away, on the shores of California. Her family is there, her mother and her siblings, Mike and Holly, and other survivors who were led away from here by a man named Hopper. For months they hadn’t heard from them, didn’t know if they had made it there or not. Steve was positive that they had died just like everyone else did – but then, a few weeks ago, the radio station in their living room had finally given a signal, after months and months of waiting, it finally came to life, and through came the voice of Dustin Henderson, Mike’s friend. 

Eddie had started fixing the RV right after. He didn’t want to waste more time staying in Hawkins, in the small gated residential that is now only filled with a few old people who refuse to leave their homes behind, they will die here and they’re okay with that. Eddie and Nancy aren’t. 

“Nancy told me Nevada is your destination?” Eddie asks, continuing after you nod. “It’s on our way, we’ll go there together.” 

You like the sound of that, you like the thought of not having to continue your travels by yourself, because it gets quite lonely, sometimes unsettling. 

You want to go home, to your family, to your parents and your brother. You know that there is a great chance that they have left, that they have found some place else to stay but the last time you have spoken to them, when you were still able to call, when you were still in your apartment in New York, they were set on staying at the house. Your dad said that it was safe to stay, that gates and fences were built around the town, around the neighbourhood, nothing could come through. 

“I’d like that.” You wish you could smile, you wish you could believe it, but you know that Steve doesn’t want to leave and you can’t imagine Eddie and Nancy leaving without him. “Steve doesn’t want to leave though… why is that?”

At that, Eddie falls quiet for a moment, his back hunches, his lips curl into a frown, sadness flashes in his features. 

“He uh,” he pauses to take a deep breath, “he doesn’t want to leave his best friend, Robin.” 

When he looks up at you, he notices how you get lost in your thoughts for a moment, millions of questions flash before you, questions you want to ask but won’t, out of respect. You open your mouth a few times, though no words come out.

There is this feeling inside of you, that heavy yet hollow feeling that takes home in your chest that tells you everything you need to know, it’s a feeling you have mistaken for anxiety before, when you didn’t know yet what it actually was. 

“...Why isn’t Robin going too?”

Eddie hesitates, turning to look at the lake, he takes a few deep breaths, blinks as he stares ahead. 

“She uh, she wants to stay here.”

“Oh.” 

Eddie tries to smile, though it seems forced. 

“But you don’t want to, and neither does Nancy,” you point out, knowing that she can’t wait to get out of here. 

Eddie shakes his head, pressing his lips together as he breathes in, “no, I wanna be with my friends and my uncle.” 

“He’s in the community too?” 

Now he smiles genuinely, “yeah, he is there. Bet he is on a boat all day, catching fish for everyone. That’s something he always dreamed of actually, living by the ocean, going on boat tours, he never got the chance to before, when he wasn’t struggling with money, he was taking care of me… I can’t believe the world had to end for him to live a better life.” 

You smile sadly, you can see that his uncle means a lot to him, you can tell that he misses him strongly. 

“Yeah, well… life is weird, most people don’t fit into this world, most people are guided by fear and hatred now but… some have it the other way around, I suppose, as crazy as that sounds.”

Eddie nods at that, a soft chuckle falls from his lips as he looks back at the water, “honestly, this still feels like a fever dream.”

It did to you too, it felt like a dream you desperately wanted to wake up from, a nightmare like none you have ever experienced before. You don’t even remember what it was that made you realize that your old life was over, that nothing would go back to the way it was, that this was your life now and for always – perhaps it was the evilness that had awoken in most people you have encountered, or maybe it was the gruesome ways you watched people getting killed, or maybe it was the loneliness and the lack of life on the streets. 

You doubt that Eddie had changed much, you feel like he had always been this way, kind and openhearted. 

You wonder about Steve though, you have heard what Nancy said to him. 

“What uh, what about Steve? Was he always like this?”

“You mean was he always an asshole?” Eddie asks, chuckling. 

Your face flushes at that, and you quickly shake your head. 

“No, I-I mean–”

“Come on, sweetheart,” Eddie tilts his head, eyes flashing with amusement, “he is kind of an asshole but to answer your question, no, he wasn’t always like this, he was always protective but now it’s more than that, he’s… everything is a threat to him now, everything he doesn’t know is danger.”

“So… I’m a threat to him?” 

Eddie chuckles again, he shakes his head. 

“I don’t think you could look like one even if you tried. He is just wary, he’ll come around though.” 

You huff at his words, frowning a little, you’re well aware that people think you’re an easy target. Your experiences from the past, ones that happened not too long ago even, are proof of that. 

“Well, even if he saw me as a threat or anyone else for that matter, I wouldn’t blame him.”

Eddie furrows his brows, “this world, the monsters are the real enemy.”

You once thought so too, back when you were still naive, still untouched by this world. 

“There are worse things than monsters out there, Eddie.” 

There’s no smile on your face now, no softness in your eyes, the tone in your voice is serious. A chill runs down his spine, something about the way you said it, worries him. He wants to ask, he wants to know what you are talking about, though a part of him already knows the answer to that. 

“I–” Before he can utter another word, he watches the way your eyes widen as you touch his shoulder without forcing your eyes away from the lake. 

“You got one! I think you got one!” You point at the line that keeps jerking forward. 

“Oh!” Eddie jumps up, lifting the rod back up in the air, he starts pulling the fish up. His tongue pokes out between his teeth, a look of concentration taking over his face now. 

“You got it, you got it!” You clap your hands excitedly, making him chuckle beside you as you jump on the grass. 

“Alright,” Eddie murmurs, not even struggling against the strength that keeps pulling at the rod, “get the net for me, please.”

You bend down and reach for the net that he threw down earlier. You pick it up, and follow him to the shore. 

“You’re next, sweetheart,” Eddie grins at you, “gonna let you catch the second fish.” 

-

“That’s one big fucking fish! Good job, Eds!” Nancy exclaims with joy as she serves the big plate in the middle of the table. 

Steve looks up at Eddie to see if he is smiling proudly, instead he sees him scowling. 

“It… wasn’t me.” 

Steve and Nancy slowly turn their heads to you, to see you wiggling in your seat, excitedly. 

“I caught the mackerels,” Eddie grumbles as he reaches for the freshly baked bread, “she caught that one.”

Steve hides his surprise well, though he still looks at you as he sips on his whiskey before he reaches for the bowl of cooked potatoes. 

“Wait, you fish?” Nancy asks as she sits down beside you. 

You shake your head, smiling at your new friend, “nope! But I’m strong and I learn fast!” 

You ignore Steve’s sighs and his incoherent words that he grumbles under his breath. You look at him from the side though, catching him glaring at you. 

“I can tell!” Nancy chuckles as she turns to Eddie, “you’ve got some competition.” 

“I fucking know, Nance,” Eddie mumbles, pretending to be mad, like he didn’t cheer when you caught that fish. He turns to Steve, who not only fills his own plate but also Eddie’s and then Nancy’s. 

It’s a sweet gesture, one that shows you that he isn’t as heartless as he pretends to be. 

“Thanks man,” Eddie grins, to which Steve doesn’t even smile or look at him, he turns to you though, looking into your eyes intensely – no smile, no kindness, nothing. It’s hard to look past his cold behaviour, to take him in fully, he is so robotic and rude, even when he isn’t speaking to you, he is mean, you can’t see anything else but that. You don’t expect him to put dinner on your plate like he does for his friends, you are not welcome here in his eyes but you also don’t expect him to hand you the bowl. 

You reach for it, taking it from his hands, he immediately withdraws when your fingers touch his, like you are venom. 

“I can take you to the greenhouse tomorrow!” Nancy smiles as she picks up her fork, stabbing it into the steamed carrots. “I’ll show you our crops, we’ve got a lot of carrots growing, right now!” 

Steve glares at her, he wants you gone by the morning, he’s made it loud and clear when he came back earlier while you were out fishing with Eddie. 

Nancy ignores him, Eddie does too, he is too busy taking apart the fish on his plate. But you, you can’t unsee the disapproving look on his face, it makes you squirm in your seat, it takes away your appetite too. 

“I’m still surprised by how much food you have–”

“It isn’t much,” Steve interrupts you as he takes a bite of his food, his eyes practically pierce through your soul, making you cower. He acts like you will take away everything. 

Nancy’s angry eyes do little, she even kicks him under the table but he ignores her. 

“It’s much for someone who had nothing for months. Besides, I didn’t think that vegetables and fruit could still grow, there’s a lot of rotten land out there.” 

There is no regret or guilt in his eyes, he can tell that you hadn’t had much to eat, that yesterday’s dinner and all the food on the table tonight, is a real feast for you. 

“I’m sure there are other places out there that have more food, you’ll find your way there.” 

Eddie sighs loudly beside him, shaking his head, though to keep the peace at this table, he bites his tongue. 

Nancy leans back in her chair, she clenches her jaw, not hiding the anger she has got directed at him. 

“Yeah… I’m sure I will,” You murmur quietly before you pick up your fork and start eating, forcing the food down that you were excited for. 

He looks down at you, not blinking, not moving. You chew your food slowly unlike the night before. You tuck your hair behind your ear and pull the sleeve of your sweater over your free hand. There are dark circles under your eyes, like you haven’t slept in days – and you probably haven’t until last night, even that wasn’t enough to catch up on all that you have lost. You probably haven’t had a warm meal in weeks, maybe months. You probably haven’t felt safe since the day the world has ended. But he can’t care, he shouldn’t, it will only make things complicated, it will only do damage. 

“We will,” Nancy exclaims. 

“What?” Steve asks, forcing his gaze away from you. 

“I said, we will find a place like that out there, in fact we will find our way to California together, she is coming with us as soon as the RV is ready.” Nancy says with a loud and determined tone, not caring to go soft on him anymore. 

Steve slams his fork down, making you flinch. He stands up, nearly causing his chair to fall over. He grabs his gear that he threw on the coffee table earlier. 

“Where are you going?” Nancy frowns, also getting up. 

“To Robin. I can’t believe you two are still going on about this,” he scoffs, taking one last look at you before he storms out of the house, slamming the door behind him. 

You sit quietly, looking down at your plate, no longer feeling the hunger in your stomach. 

Nancy sighs loudly, she looks up at the ceiling, her jaw still clenched. She sits down again, and picks her fork back up. 

You lift your head and glance at Eddie, “is Robin…”

“The best friend who doesn’t want to leave the community, yeah.” He glances at Nancy, for only a split second, before he looks down again and continues eating. 

Nancy clears her throat before she looks at you, she knows you’re curious about her, about why she isn’t here, why she isn’t coming too. 

“Her parents are really strict, they don’t allow her to leave Hawkins,” she explains, hesitating for a moment, “and… Steve doesn’t want to leave without her, so…”

“Oh,” you nod in understanding, squinting your eyes as you look at his empty space. He is so angry, so hateful towards everything and everyone. “Is he… are they like in love or something?” 

Eddie laughs at that, shaking his head, “mmm… no… trust me, birdie’s type is more… people like you.” 

Nancy looks down with a smile and flushed cheeks. 

You tilt your head to the side, “oh… you mean non grumpy?” 

They both chuckle in amusement, the questioning and innocent look in your eyes is funny to them both. 

It takes you a moment to realize why they are so amused by your question, and you grow flustered once you understand. 

“...Oh!” 

That still doesn’t answer your question about him. 

“Now eat up, sweets,” Eddie says, gesturing to your nearly untouched plate, “forget that grumpy asshole.” 

Nancy looks down with wide eyes, taking a deep breath as she starts eating again too, “kinda hard to when he acts like this.” 

Yeah, it is hard to forget that man and his glaring eyes, the cold shoulder and the mean comments that are meant to drive you away as fast as possible. You know he is probably counting down the hours until you’re gone and he doesn’t have to see you anymore. 

Tomorrow you will be alone again, all by yourself, with no one to talk to, with no one to laugh with. You will be back on the road and you will turn around after nearly every step that you will take, you won’t have a warm dinner and a hot shower, you won’t have that feeling of safety, you won’t sleep again, you will spend another winter fighting for your life -- if you even make it that far.

So, you try, you try to forget him, you try to enjoy this moment with Eddie and Nancy, you try for as long as you can, even when it gets late and Nancy excuses herself to take a shower while you and Eddie clean the kitchen together. 

A comfortable silence settles between you both, you wipe down the counter while he washes the dishes. You can tell that he is thinking hard about something, you noticed that he always frowns really strongly when he gets lost in his own head. 

You grab a fresh towel and lean against the counter beside him, reaching for one of the washed plates, and you start drying it. 

“Can I ask you something?” He finally breaks the silence, and you know you’re about to find out what went on in his head. 

“Sure.” 

“Earlier you said that there are worse things than monsters out there,” he pauses and puts the sponge down, putting the washed cutlery on the counter for you to dry, he wipes his hands with the towel that was thrown over his shoulder and he crosses his arms over his chest when he turns his whole body to face you. “What’d you mean by that?”

A quiet ‘oh’ falls from your lips. You don’t answer his question right away, taking your time to finish drying the plates. Eddie doesn’t push you, waiting for you to be ready, and when you are, you turn to face him, as well. 

“I meant people.” 

He only raises his eyebrows at you. 

“People are bad, Eddie. You can’t even imagine what it’s like out there,” you sigh, not hiding the fear in your eyes. “People will do anything to survive, they will take anything they want, anyone they want…” 

His brown eyes that were previously filled with confusion and curiosity are blank for a moment, his eyebrows stay furrowed until your words fully dawn on him and his features pull into a look of shock, understanding. 

“Oh,” he whispers softly as his arms fall to his sides. 

“There are no rules out there, anyone can get away with anything. I’ve seen people kill others for cans of food, for ammo or water. I’ve come across people who didn’t take me in so kindly, all I got was stale bread and a cell to sleep in for the night and those weren’t even the worst ones.” 

Eddie frowns, he doesn’t open his mouth to speak, not knowing what to say yet. 

“I’ve heard rumors… of young girls and boys being sold, traded for weapons and other things. I didn’t want to believe it.” 

His face pales at your words, he shakes his head slowly, disbelief is written all over his face. 

You swallow the growing lump in your throat, take a deep breath, you try to ignore the chills that run down your spine still from that night. 

“A few days ago, maybe a week… I was looking for food at a gas station when a sick person snuck up on me, nearly ripped a hole into my head when it grabbed at my hair. I fell onto broken glass,” you pause to show him the wound on your shoulder, “that fucker nearly got me, I couldn’t reach my gun fast enough, I thought I was done for… Someone saved me, a man.”

Eddie swallows, bracing himself for what he is about to hear. 

“Scared me more than that sick person, honestly. I didn’t trust him, but he helped me, got me alcohol and bandages for my wound, and offered me water and food. He told me that he lived in a nearby community, that his wife and his kids were there too. I was naive. I was tired and desperate for shelter, I fell for it and I almost paid for my stupidity.” You pause, feeling your heart race from just telling the story. “I had a bad feeling but I still got into his car, and it only took two minutes for him to pull out a syringe. I knew right then and there what I had gotten myself into.” 

“Jesus,” Eddie whispers, eyeing you worriedly. 

“I fought, I-I don’t know how I got myself out of that one but I did.” 

You try not to think of the way you had almost lost that fight, how his hands grabbed at you, how scared you felt, how you thought that your heart was gonna jump out of your throat, how he nearly stabbed that needle into your neck if you hadn’t managed to kick your heel into his groin, buying you that time that you needed to get out of there and jump out of the moving car. 

“I ran into the woods, I didn’t want to get back into that town and risk him coming back for me… with more men. I was lost for days, at one point I thought that I wouldn’t find my way back out of those woods but I did, I made it out and I got here. Steve was the first person, the first man I stumbled into after that. I-I was a little scared… but he looked harmless compared to the one before, and even if he wasn’t, I would’ve taken him over anyone else.” You admit, looking down at your hands. 

Eddie is stunned, he doesn’t know what to say after all of this. He is shocked and horrified. He knew that people were cruel, even before all of this, but he never thought that they would turn into this. He looks down at you, sadly, he is glad that worse didn’t happen but what you went through was bad enough. 

“People are like that…?”

You nod, “yeah… it’s rough out there… when you’re alone.”

Eddie didn’t want you to leave before but now? He would fight Steve to make you stay. 

He places his hand on your shoulder, squeezing softly, he looks into your eyes, giving you a promising look, “you’re not alone anymore, alright? You’ve got us–”

“But Steve–”

“It doesn’t matter what he said, he wouldn’t let you out there either if he knew about this. He is not that cruel, I promise. You’re with us now and you ain’t leaving without us.” 

Eddie makes a promise, and you can tell by the look in his eyes that he won’t break it. 

“Okay,” you whisper, smiling softly at him before you turn away and pick up your task again. 

Eddie keeps looking at you though, with a smile that slowly fades and eyes that flash with sadness. He has only known you for one day but he couldn’t help but grow protective of you already, just the way he felt when he was still in high school and he took in all the lost sheep who were looking for shelter from all those hungry wolves. 

He won’t let you out there on your own, he won’t let Steve throw you out to the wolves who have gotten even hungrier. 

Eddie had dealt with so much guilt when he was dragged into this world two years ago. He had no chance of saving her, but he can save you. He knows you will die if you go out there alone, with or without a map. You can’t depend on your luck alone. It got you this far, but how much more is there for you to use?

And as he chats away with you again, to distract you and himself from the sudden fear of what else they might encounter once they leave the community, you two don’t hear the creak of the stairs as someone goes to their room after spending the last minutes perched on the kitchen’s doorway.

Someone whose eyebrows were furrowed in the middle with worry, with guilt. He didn’t know it was that bad out there. He didn’t know the monsters weren’t the only ones killing, and from what you told Eddie, the bite of a demobat seemed a far better outcome than being taken away by some random people for them to do, god knows what with you.

Steve’s heart was torn as he went into his room, sighing as he dropped his bag to the floor. He felt his stomach twisting with emotions, with nerves, with feelings that he couldn’t quite figure out at the moment. It was all too dangerous, everything was. But maybe now that Eddie knew how dangerous moving around was, the idea of leaving was no longer brought up to him.

And you… He wants to strangle you.

-

Your feet drag you down the stairs, rubbing your eye lazily as you try to wipe the sleep away from you. You kept thinking of the conversation with Eddie, and you wondered how in the world were you going to be in the same place as someone who just didn’t want you breathing their same oxygen. There was no way you could possibly stay a long time with someone like that. 

The smell of coffee filled your nostrils, something you just couldn’t believe you were smelling yet. Something you never thought you would smell ever again. Nancy must be awake, and you couldn’t wait to ask her what you could help with today, but the moment you crossed the kitchen’s doorway, you were surprised to see brown brushed hair, a broad back facing you, wearing a plain white t-shirt and some black sweatpants. 

Steve turned around, his eyes clashing with yours for just one second before placing a cup on the counter, filled with coffee.

“We have milk, but we save it. I can only offer black coffee and some sugar.” You were not expecting him to hand you coffee. You were not expecting a good morning from him at all, and for you, this gesture was his way of saying it.

“I– It’s okay…” Your hands grabbed onto the cup and then poured six spoonfuls of sugar, making Steve wince at the sight.

“God, just like Munson–” You heard him scoff as he turned away from you and your eyes looked at his broad back as you watched him pour coffee into his own cup. You immediately brought the cup to your lips as he turned to face you again.

“T–Thank you.” His jaw clenched for a second, taking a sip of his coffee at the same time you did. Silence filled the room and you could feel just how awkward everything was. What were you supposed to say now? Should you be the one to tell him you might be staying? That Eddie is not letting you leave? Your mouth opened only for his voice to interrupt you.

“If you are planning on staying here, you’ll have to do chores and tasks like we all do.” 

“Huh?” Your eyes widened as you looked at him. He was looking at his coffee as if it were the most interesting thing in the world before his sharp gaze turned to you.

“We shift our tasks daily. We don’t do the same thing everyday. Patrolling is a two men job–”

“You were alone that day–”

“Eddie had an emergency and it was time I had to go home anyways. There’s fishing, cooking, cleaning, gardening, patroling.” You were blinking absentmindedly at him as he kept talking and you couldn’t believe he was letting you stay. With conditions, but he was letting you fucking stay.

“Wait, are you serious?” Your voice was small as you asked the questions, “I can stay?”

“Who’s staying?” Nancy walked in, her hair a matter mess on her head, which made Steve scoff in disapproval, only for her to shrug at him as she went to get a cup from the cupboard.

“She is staying.” Nancy almost dropped the cup as she heard Steve’s words, her eyes widening as she looked at him and then back at you. “And you better not make me fucking regret this.”

His eyes were locked with yours and for some reason he felt a shiver running down his spine. Something that was telling him ‘you did the right thing’. He better have. Whatever just told him he made the right decision, better not fuck him over. Nancy turned to jump in excitement your way, smiling as she started to tell you what tasks you could take on, while you stared between her and him, not understanding what was going on yet.

Maybe he can convince you to stay, and maybe that is the key to making Eddie and Nancy stay. To forget the idea of leaving Hawkins. He can’t leave Robin. He doesn’t understand how Eddie and Nancy can easily leave her behind. He just hopes you don’t do the exact opposite.

God, he really does hope he did the right thing.

☀︎

taglist: @prettyboyeddiemunson @thesickestqrmydcll @tvserie-s-world @crispystarfishhottub @sophal22 @definitionwanderlust @talkativecarnation @mysticalwoolenfroglegs @ariesandwolves @mortqlprojections

[madewithsilk]

ʟᴀᴢʏ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢꜱ ᴡ/ ᴠɪ

— ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ; ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴡ/ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢɪʀʟꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢꜱ ꜱᴏᴏᴛʜᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴊᴜᴠᴇɴᴀᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄᴇ

— ᴄᴡ; ɪᴍᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴇx ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀᴀᴅ (?) ᴠᴀʟᴜᴇꜱ

The sunlight was seeping in the window at 6:30, creating rays of light upon the sheets you and Vi slept under. Morning birds began to awake, singing nearly inaudible hymns. Vi was a light sleeper, often woken up by anything. It was a defense mechanism she adapted very young. Her eyes fluttered open and she stirred awake, sight landing on you peacefully sleeping. She ensured you were taken care of and didn't have to worry about being awake at a sign of danger, you slept like baby, especially with Vi.

Vi's hand was tracing circles of your hip bone, lightly and tenderly, sighing softly. A few minutes of static silence passed before Vi shuffled out of bed, only in her boxers. She let you to sleep in the room, tucking the blanket once again and kissing your forehead. The kitchen was tidy, everything where it belonged, because of you. The acts of services you were constantly gifting Vi de-stressed her, having once less thing to worry about on her days off.

Vi thought of you as nothing short of a blessing. A perfectly sweet girl, who makes her meals and takes care of all her domestic needs. Vi decided to return that favor today, taking of the pans and turning the heat of the stove on. She ran a hand through her messy hair as she waited for the butter to melt. She got to work, eggs, bacon, coffee, the basics that she knew how to make. She heard the bedroom door open, shifting on her feet and turning her head. You were messily walking towards her, a slight limp from yesterday. You only had panties and Vi's shirt on, getting closer and letting out groggy mumbles.

Vi chuckled, turning the heat down to go wrap her arms around your frame, kissing down your jeweled neck, the stack of pretty necklaces all chosen by Vi. You bestowed kisses on Vi's chest, humming against her heartbeat. "Can make breakfast, Vi." You whisper, unaware of the meal she was cooking behind her. "Nah, can take care of that, 'kay?" Your wide eyes landed on her prideful expression, rubbing your eyelids and giggling before fully returning the embrace. "So sweet.." She whispered, stroking your hair with care.

You messily walk over to the counter, bouncing and plopping on it to watch Vi cook both of you food. Her tits moved with her, all the marks you left on them visible. They were dark purple against her pale skin, a small whine leaving your lips. Vi had served the plates, letting the coffee brew. Her frame stood between your legs, caressing them up and down. "Do you work tomorrow?" You asked gently, playing around with her hair. Her strands tangled in your hands, small giggles leaving your mouth. "Unfortunately I do, dollface." You whine, audible complaints falling off your lips. Your eyebrows were furrowed into a sad face, bottom lip poured outwards.

"How about you run some errands f'me till I get home?" She offers, knowing how happy you get with the chance to please her. You nod with anticipation, wrapping your arms around her neck and hoisting yourself up on her. Her hands perched under your thighs, holding your against her. "Let me get the coffee, baby," She spoke, softly placing you down on the couch before going back to pour two cups. The breakfast was quaint, toast on both of your plates with everything else Vi made.

She sat besides you, tangling her limbs with yours as you ate together. "Vi, why don't you ask the sheriff for more days off? You work so much!" She hums, finishing chewing before replying. "Gotta' take care of both cities, baby, you understand right?" You huff gently, resting your head on her shoulder. You wanted to argue, but you understood why she cared so much about Zaun and Piltover. "Y'act so spoiled, gotta' realize some people don't get to stay home like you, huh?" Vi's words had you pouting, a petulant expression painted on your features. "S' your fault if I'm spoiled." You state with a scrunched up nose. She tuts in your ear, placing your plate on the coffee table infront of the couch. "I never said it was a bad thing. Gonna do everything to keep y' pampered."

Your smile widened, planting messy kisses all over her face. Her eyes shut, brows lifted. "Hey Vi?" You whispered, straddling her hips with her body flush against yours. She bummed in response, eyes shut. You were a solace on the free time she had, the space she had to cool down and become whole again. "Can you braid my hair like your sisters? S' so cute," Vi's eyes open, staring up at you through her lashes. "Powder?" She aske, thumb drawing shapes on your body. Your head nods, soon registering the solemn look on her face, smile falling from yours. “What did I say wrong?” You whimper, trying to please her, get her back to smiling.

“Nothing baby, turn around, ‘kay?” A smile spreads on your complexion again, shifting and moving your hair to face her. She huffed softly, parting your hair into separate braids and beginning. You hum, eyes closing at the nice feeling of her hands steering through your hair, crossing strands over the other. Your hair wasn’t as long as Jinx’s, yet it looked darling on you. Vi kissed your head, bringing the two braids to the front. “Thanks Vi,” You pecked her lips briefly, hands on her chest.

Vi thinks she could stay here forever.

[hexlenx]

Could you do more of Sergei? Or an alphabet? Plsss

A/N: absolutely! But the alphabet might take a while since I'm thinking of more headcannons for that. I'll do both fluff and nsfw alphabets for that since there isn't really a specific kind of alphabet so I hope you don't mind the slight delay!

PLANT LIFE — sergei kravinoff

note: I do not own sergei kravinoff or Aaron Taylor-Johnson even though I wish I could but only in my dreams, the only thing I own here is the plot which is very much random.

warning!: none 'cuz we fluffy today, pookie<3

__________________

Sergei never thought of having a life outside of violence when he grew up only knowing it. His family wasn't really the best and it was one of the reasons why he split off with them but alas, old habits die hard.

But then there was you. A ball of sunshine that barged into his life like when the sunlight rayed through his windows in his bedroom. You were a sudden gift that he didn't know he could have. All the teachings he learned from his life suddenly went out of the window the moment you flashed him a smile.

So here he was, in a grey t-shirt and black slacks leaning against the metal pole holding up the small tent you both fixed up for some of the plants you bought in the city. He was watching you tend to the vegetables you both started to grow in the last few months, courtesy of you convincing him that this would make your daily lives easier than just shopping for some food in the supermarket.

See, while you both live in deep in the woods. That doesn't mean that you both weren't able to adapt to the society, no. You both agreed that you can continue in this medieval life as well as in the modern society in harmony. While Sergei might not admit it, it did make it easier.

It was hot outside meaning it was time for you to water the plants before the sun dried it up. Standing up from your spot you walked towards the faucet on the wall of the back of the cabin. Your lover installed it in the moment he saw you struggling to get water from inside the kitchen to water your plants. You were grateful and gave him tons of kisses as thanks which made him swat you away gently. This caused you to giggle since you knew he was not used to affection, he only ever showed it to you and it made you fall in love with him more.

Filling up the tub full of water you began to carry the heavy object with your hands but it proved to be difficult as it was too heavy for you. Seeing this, Sergei shook his head in amusement as he continued to watch you. He really liked seeing you suffer from the smallest things.

Sighing, he began to make his way towards you before grabbing the tub from your hands and carrying it instead.

"You're weak." He mocked but there was no heat in it. You pouted before slapping his arm, not like it did any damage anyway.

"Well, sorry for being a woman I guess." You retorted in feign annoyance before making your way towards the farm with him following you.

This happened everytime you both spend time together. Bickering like an old married couple, tending to the plants behind your cabin, spending it walking around the forest, drinking coffee in the living room by the fireplace, spending heated nights together. It was peaceful and everything you both needed.

Never would have Sergei thought that having you in his life would bring this much peace in him. To the outside world, he was cruel, vicious, cold-hearted, and insane but to you he was a kind, warm, thoughtful and a very tentative lover. He was everything that you wanted and you were everything that he wanted as well.

Your laughter echoed behind the cabin as Sergei tackled you with his whole body being wet from the tub that you purposely pushed towards him. The water from his body soaking you up as well as his hands roamed around your waist. This tickled you as your waist was pretty sensitive and he knew that.

You were both now covered in dirt from your playfulness. Pausing to take a breather, you both then started to get lost in each other's eyes. Taking in each other's appearances even with how long you've been seeing each other, it still felt like it was the first time.

You beamed at him as you cupped his face into your hands making him smile slightly but it seemed to make you smile even more brightly than before if it was even possible. Just seeing his smile made you feel accomplished. You knew how much of a hard guy he is and seeing him melt because of you made you feel warm inside. The way he just gazes at you like you're the most important thing in the world, his touches making you feel like a masterpiece that should be cared for and the gifts he gives you made you feel like you were worth it.

It made your heart flutter everytime.

"We might need to water them now before it dries up even more from the sun." You said as you continued to examine his entire being and vice versa.

"I'm not the one who threw the water to the other, love." Sergei retorted as you giggled making him sigh quietly in content from hearing you laugh.

"You insulted me!"

"I only speak the truth."

"Blasphemy!" You gasped out dramatically as you hit him in the chest but he only smirked in amusement as it did no damage.

"But seriously, though—" you spoke out before getting cut off.

"The plants can handle being dry for a day but you, darling, do not."

[thewittyphantom]

I love the comments on this video about how card game-focused Yu-Gi-Oh’s worldbuilding became over time.

“Ironically, despite Kaiba's attempt to redefine Kaiba Corp as a game company instead of arms manufacturing, he turned Duel Monsters into the world's weapon.”

“Can we take a moment to appreciate how customer friendly Kaiba's products are though? In the finale of GX Jaden dueled Yugi, who was wielding a duel disk that was roughly 10 years behind his own model and they were still compatible”

“This video doesn't even mention the time in GX where Kaiba fired trading cards into space that were designed by children so they could be bombarded by space rays and gain superpowers. The more you follow this series the more you realize that it's also the story where a supervillain successfully reshapes the world in his image, died beloved, successful, unrepentant, and accomplished all his goals,  except for the only one that really mattered: beating someone in a card game.”

“Kaiba didn't just change an entire city's way of doing things, or even the entire world for that matter. He literally changed how villains try to conquer the world. He's so influential that villains are still playing his game.”

“Something else that is both hilarious and terrifying in 5Ds: the cops play Duel Monsters to catch lawbreakers. In fact, the rules of Duel Monsters are so immutable to the law and order of Neo Domino City that the bikes called Duel Runners are able to remotely hacked by the police to force a duel, and losing that duel shuts down your bike. The rules of Duel Monsters sit above the police in terms of hierarchy, since if they could hack Duel Runners to force a duel, they could probably just shut down your bike remotely. I like to imagine Kaiba is sitting on his capitalist throne saying "If a criminal can beat you in a duel, then what authority do you have to catch them", and just forces the police to adapt to his survival-of-the-duelist world that he made.“

“Without card games, people like dartz would be invincible“

[comesatimecomesashadow]

white flag *ೃ༄

pairing *ೃ༄ uchiha madara x wife reader

cw *ೃ༄ reader is married to him + they have children together, angst (a bit), pining, mentions of blood.

fic type *ೃ༄ one-shot, part ii to 'le ciel'.

summary *ೃ༄ a continuation of the story of how your relationship with him came to be.

note *ೃ༄ my writing skills are rusty (its been a while) but this is a christmas special since some of you requested a part two.

masterlist *ೃ༄

   “My dream.. Is for you to be at peace.”  

   The sun began to set, it bathed the two of you in its soft golden rays as it hid behind the mountains. The fluff of the clouds graced the skies as the wind swept around Madara and you, as if to wrap you up together. Madara always looked calmer when he was with you. 

   Then again, he supposed it was because he had always been comfortable with you, ever since the two of you were barely fledgelings in the forest. 

   “For me to be at peace?” Madara looked away from you and to the thriving village being built before him.. And you. His eyes searched for something but you weren’t quite sure what. 

   “You’re always fighting, even now that the village is being built — You’re still fighting.” you noted. He glanced at you, who were at his side. He remembered his last altercation with your brother, how you sat at his side ready to heal him once your brother called for it. You were always so considerate of him, it was a quality he used to deem a weakness back when he viewed your clan as his enemy. Now that the two of your clans stood on the same side.. He quite liked that about you. 

   “Is that so? What makes you say that?” Madara inquired, leaning back on his palms while he sat beside you on the cliff. Of course, he knew he had been dealing with a lot due to the Uchiha growing more distant from him despite him being their clan’s leader. He and his clan had different views and he wasn’t quite sure how to take it. 

   And as if to shed a light on the problems he kept to himself, you spoke again. “I’ve heard things among the Uchiha..”  

   He turned to you, his expression placid. Madara sighed, “So you know they do not trust me.” 

   “I know that you’re doing what you think is best for the clan..” Your voice was one of understanding. There was a softness to it that Madara wasn’t used to. He wasn’t a man of many words and he hated when people hesitated to say what they wanted. He was more accustomed to the yelling and the fighting — maybe that’s why he felt he was incompatible with the peace that had settled between the Uchiha and the Senju. “But the times are changing- Our people are changing. It's hard to adjust after centuries of fighting, but I know that you have the strength to adapt.” 

   He gazed up at you as you stood from your sitting position, you looked determined from the way your sights were set on the village below. Then, you looked down to him, who was still sitting down. “I won’t let your efforts go to waste. So.. you can’t let them either.” 

   “Are you asking me or is that an order?” He stood up and smirked, he spoke with a playful edge to his question. 

   You smiled up at him, “In my life, I have never asked for anything. Not once. So, I trust that you’ll take into consideration what I am asking of you.” His black eyes met yours and for the first time in years, you saw a glimmer of warmth in them. He scoffed and walked past you. Your eyes lingered on him as you watched him walk away, only to stop for a moment. 

   “..I’ll consider it.” 

—

   After that conversation on the cliffside with Madara, your brothers started the talk on politics. Hashirama wanted Madara to be named Hokage over the village, but with his image and his past, Tobirama was opposed to it.Things were busier than ever following the end of the war and it stressed you out, sure, but you weren’t going to let Tobirama run the Uchiha name through the mud, not when the both of your clans had made the decision to come together and be at peace. 

   “It’s not a wise decision to outright make him Hokage just because you want to, brother.” Tobirama sat on the table and looked over some documents. “The village people don’t trust him. I don’t trust him.” 

   Your arms were crossed. You weren’t pleased with the way Tobirama was talking about them — or him. You never were. ‘There’s always room for improvement. We can’t just assume he’s a danger based on the fact that you don’t trust him, brother.” You weren’t for nor against Madara becoming Konhagakure’s leader. If he had the leadership skills and was able to handle the job, you didn’t mind it one way or the other. 

   Tobirama sighed, “I’m just trying to say that it would be a better idea to let the people choose.” 

   Standing up, you decided that that was the best course of action. “It would, That way it’s fair to everyone. If that’s all, I’ll be taking my leave.” Hashirama nodded and bid you goodnight while Tobirama stayed behind with your older brother. Before you left, you turned to smile at them. “-and don’t stay here too late. If we’re trying to establish a government, we need to be well-rested.” 

   Hashirama chuckled, “We will. There’s no need to worry.” So with one last glance, you walked out of the office and headed out. 

   You looked around the streets and saw the dim light of shops being built still and a few campsites around the area. It was a work in progress, sure. But it was yours. It was Hashirama’s. It was Madara’s. For the future of the Uchiha, the Senju, the clans that had joined you and the other clans to come. As you walked around, you picked up the scent of freshly cut wood, water and.. Noodles? As you turned the corner, the smell of noodles and broth led you to a small restaurant where some of the other business began to open up. 

   The kana on the curtains read : ‘Ichiraku’ and you discerned that the aroma was coming from there. So without a moment's hesitation, you parted the curtains and looked around the quaint eatery. The cushioning on the stool was comfortable and the counters were clean — The businessman was clearly doing well for himself from the looks of it. 

   “Ah! Welcome, welcome! You’re ______ Senju- Hashirama’s sister, right? It’s an honor to see you!” said the young cook. You smiled at the warm welcome, it had dawned on you that people would probably regard you highly, especially since you had helped end the century-long war. 

   “Please, don’t mind me..!” You straightened up a bit, “The food here smells amazing, are you still open? I understand it’s quite late.” 

   The young cook waved you off, “Ah, Don’t mind that! Just for you, I have room for one more order, or two.” He chuckled a little and got to work on the noodles. “What would you like to order?” You looked up to the menu and saw various dishes that seemed way too good to eat. You couldn't decide for the life of you, so you told the young cook to give you the first dish he had ever made. 

   As you waited for your noodles to be served, you heard the ruffling of fabric. When you glanced back, you were surprised to see Madara standing there. He blinked. You blinked. 

   “What are-”

   “What are you-” ..

   “You first,” You chuckled. 

   He smiled a little while taking a seat next to you. “I heard your voice and well, It’s late so I was wondering what you were doing here.” 

   You nodded in understanding. You opened your mouth to respond but before you could, the young cook placed an appetizing bowl of noodles in front of you. “Here you go! Enjoy them and tell me what you think.” 

   “Will do.” You offered a smile before bringing the bowl closer and taking some chopsticks from the cup. “Anyway, I was just looking around the shops n’ found this place. The noodles smell good so I thought: ‘why not?’” 

   Madara rested his chin on his palm while he looked at you. You seemed so eager to have a bite and wondered for a moment what your expression would look like once you tasted the noodles. You raised your chopsticks and wasted no time in taking the first bite. Just as he expected, a bewildered expression graced your features not long after you took a bite. 

   You noted his gaze on you from the corner of your eye mid-bite. Thinking it weird for him to have his sights so ..set on you, you offered a bite to him. “Do you.. Want some?” 

   “Huh-? Oh, no it’s fine, i’m fine.” He stammered. 

   You smiled awkwardly, finding it humorous for a man like him to be stuttering. “You sure? You keep looking at my food…” 

   “I was looking at you.” he deadpanned. 

   “Oh?-” 

   “-cause you looked dumb.” He said, “Like a kid, getting happy over a mere bowl of noodles.. Stupid..” he muttered that last part under his breath. 

   You, knowing him like the back of your hand, saw his weak defense. There was clearly something more to the way he was looking at you, but you left it alone. You didn’t want to push him. 

   About an hour later, you were caught up talking the night away with Madara. You’d finished your bowl of noodles about thirty minutes ago, but just speaking and catching up with him after years of not knowing anything about him left you curious. The two of you laughed over the differences between clans, the awkwardness of residing next to one another and finally, the present and near future. 

   “And how are they reacting? Better I hope..?” 

   He reluctantly nodded, “Something like that. I think if I continue this overtime, I’ll gain their trust back.” 

   A warm smile found its way onto your lips upon hearing the news. “I think you will, all we need is time.” You looked up at the moon. It was smack dab in the middle of the sky, evidence that it was way past the time you usually slept at. But for some odd reason, you didn’t feel tired. Walking with him through the dirt roads was therapeutic for you in a way. “I wish my brother understood that..” you sighed. 

   “Hashirama?” 

   You shook your head, “The other one.” 

   Madara sighed heavily, “Ah, Tobirama.. I believe he hates me, he thinks I'm a threat, correct?” 

   You nodded, “Yeah.. To put it bluntly, I think he’s still caught up in the old ways.. Though I can’t blame him. But still.. I think you’d be a great Hokage, given the chance.” 

   “Hokage? Me?” Madara chuckled. “Is that what the three of you are trying to decide?” 

   “We need to establish our leader but I don’t want it to be the three of us deciding that. Tobirama thinks the people should choose — and frankly I agree with him.” You continued walking the dirt roads with him. Amidst these hectic days, the times when you got to see Madara or just speak with him were the times you cherished more. 

   Around him, you didn’t have to be a political leader or uphold public appearance. WIth him, you could just be. 

   As the two of you wandered around, white particles around the two of you began to fall. The beginnings of winter, it seemed. “Do you like the snow?” Madara asked you. His demeanor notably softened after your time spent at the restaurant. 

   “I do, actually. I never got to enjoy it much, though.” You reached out a hand to the snowing sky. It was the end of the month, soon it’d be the start of a new year. 

   “Why not?” 

   “Bloodstains.” you said simply. “There was always bloodstains.” 

   Madara didn’t respond. He just watched as you collected particles of snow on your hands, watching them melt due to the warmth you emitted. You always had a habit of leaving him speechless. “Not this year,” he said. He spoke with such certainty that you grew curious of his thoughts. Did he have faith in this village? Did he think it would work in the long-run? 

   “You sound so sure of yourself.” You spoke, with a slight smile as you watched the snow turn into tiny water droplets on your palm.  

   He turned to face you, you were compelled to gaze at him in the same way. 

   “If there’s one thing you’ve taught me, it’s to have.. Hope.” The word felt foreign on his tongue, but he couldn’t think of a better one. It was true, after all. Since the two of you were kids, you’d always had an inextinguishable hope. One that nobody, not even him in his most regrettable moments, could put out. 

   “I..” You didn’t know what to say to that. You were proud, of course, but .. It was odd to hear him so optimistic. “Really?” 

   He nodded, a smile gracing his lips as he looked down at you. “I used to think it was trivial, that it was just some flimsy thought to make yourself better.. I saw how the village only kept thriving, how more and more clans kept joining us and..” The warmth in his eyes was unlike you’d ever seen before. “I realized you and Hashirama were right. We were still able to achieve the peace between clans that we’d always dreamed of, thanks to the two of you.” 

   “And you.” you nudged him playfully. “You were the one who accepted Hashirama’s offer, so it’s thanks to you too.” 

   Madara never thought a smile could look as pretty as yours, it was something that remained unchanging. 

   Even after choosing to marry him years after the establishment of Konoha and even after giving him three children of his own — your smile remained the light in his life. Madara would never forget how happy you looked when you first got to enjoy the snow in the forest, or the countless dates at Ichiraku that you dragged him to simply because it was the first meal the two of you had eaten together. 

   Now, the two of you were older.. And parents at that. But that only made his love for you increase evermore. He never would have imagined himself to be your husband or the father that you made him, but he wouldn’t exchange it for anything else. You had made his dreams possible and he only hoped that he had made yours possible as well. 

   As he gazed down at your sleeping form on the day after his birthday, Christmas day, he could only smile and place a chaste kiss on your forehead. To his surprise, you smiled at his gesture, which only served to give you away. “Awake are we?” 

   You nodded and adjusted your position to lay your head in his lap. “I have been, for a while now actually. I was wondering when you were gonna notice.” Your voice had a playful lilt to it. He had grown accustomed to it by now. 

   He chuckled at your words. “Oh I noticed alright. I’ve been up longer than you have.” 

   You smiled playfully and sat up to look at him better. “Liar.” 

   “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

   You poked his cheek before getting up to head to the closet. Unbeknownst to your husband, you had made a little present for him and hid it in the closet so he wouldn’t find it. He lifted a brow when he watched you come back and offered a small box to him, wrapped in red gift-wrap and tied with a black ribbon. “What’s the occasion?” 

   Now it was your turn to laugh. “It’s Christmas, did you forget?” 

   “Oh.” He accepted your gift and looked at the carefully wrapped box. “No, I didn’t.” 

   “Alright well, open it!” You sat in front of him, eager to see his reaction. “It may not be the best, but I tried to make it myself instead of just buying it.” 

   “..?” He carefully lifted the top part of the box and was surprised to see a hair accessory- A handmade hair tie to be exact. “You made this yourself?” He lifted it up to inspect it. The tie was made up of red threads, it felt soft in his hand so he guessed silk. It had accents of black along the ends of it as well. 

   You nodded, “I did. I wanted it to be a little more special.” 

   Your thoughtfulness brought a smile to his face. “Do you want to tie it on for me?” With a nod, you made your way to his side and began braiding a bit of his spikey black hair. “A braid?”

   “Mhm, I like how they look on you.” 

   A familiar warmth set in his heart as you watched you carefully braid through his hair. Sometimes, he thought you loved his hair more than him but you always denied it saying that you loved his hair because of him (and that he’d better not cut it off ever because he’d be six feet under before he ever thought of doing such a thing.) 

   A comfortable silence had settled in between the two of you before Madara broke it. 

   “Has your dream come true?” 

   You weaved the strands of hair meticulously. “My dream? About the village?” 

   He shook his head a little, careful not to disturb your work. “The other one.” 

   It took you some time to find what dream he was talking about, until the memory flashed in your mind. “The one I told you about back on the cliff?” 

   Madara nodded, “Has it come true?” As you tied the braid together using the handmade hair tie you’d made for him, you reached out to cup his cheek.

    “Yeah. More than true, I’d wager.”

tagged *ೃ༄

@valerayne @emneedshelp

[vonlycsnn]

♢ — STRIFE AND GENTLENESS

~ MYDEIMOS X GENDER NEUTRAL READER.

synopsis : after a long battle against the black tide, you, a chimera caretaker, gets an unexpected reunion from the kremnoan prince himself; Mydei. however, it seems that your chimeras suddenly became scared of him.

content : fluff , established relationship , mydei calls you angel , soft kisses , might be ooc.

a/n : well well well...

Whispers breezed across the halls, cheers and praises echoed through the rooms as he strode confidently towards Hero's bath. But deep down, the prince was nervous. You clouded his mind the second he stepped foot on Okhema; it was strange knowing how prior to all of this, he never once thought about you. Well, at least that's what he wants himself to believe.

He missed you badly. Missed the way you smiled, missed your voice, missed your presence beside him. It was painful, despite all of the actual pain he had to go through when fighting off the black tide.

But still, he walked with determination. Occasionally giving citizens a small wave to let them know that he's aware of their praises.

Mydei took a deep breath before ascending up to Hero's bath, where unsurprisingly no one was there. He knew, he knew that his fellow Chrysos Heirs were all busy with their own duties at the moment, and he saw that as an advantage to get some alone time with you.

He walked; all the while, he quietly talked to himself. As if trying to rehearse his words to you. He groaned in frustration, shaking his head as he continued to walk towards the Garden of Life.

He initially walked slowly, giving himself extra time to mentally prepare. But the closer he got to you, the faster he walked, and it eventually became a full-blown sprint.

Mydei couldn't help it; he was too excited to see you again. To see your eyes light up, your handsome face, and that breathtaking smile of yours—he wanted to experience it all again.

Sun rays suddenly attacked his face as he reached the garden. His eyes squinted, adjusting to the light outside. Once his eyes adapted to the daylight, he looked around. And there you were. Sitting down on the grass floor as chimeras surrounded you like clingy cats.

Your back was turned against him, making it hard for Mydei to even look at your face at this distance. He took a deep and long breath before slowly making his way towards you.

As he came closer to you, he could hear you singing a gentle lullaby to the chimeras. Your voice instantly sent a wave of warmth into Mydei's body.

Mydei must've stepped on a tree branch because his lover abruptly stopped their lullaby and turned around slowly. You were expecting a civilian to ask about the chimeras, but of course, that wouldn't be the case as you laid your eyes on the Kremnoan prince, the demigod of strife, and the lover you thought you wouldn't see again.

You froze, eyes lighting up immediately as you tried to come up with words to say. "...Mydei?" You asked, making sure that none of this was a dream.

Mydei, amused by how clueless you were when it came to news, merely chuckled at your reaction and crossed his arms. Trying to keep himself from doing anything befitting.

"It seems you still haven't heard the news." Mydei huffed. "Haven't changed from your old habits, have you?"

You laughed at his comment. Mydei's gaze softened upon hearing your laugh; he couldn't remember the last time he saw you smile and heard your laughter. And it made his heart swell with love.

Looking down at the chimera sleeping peacefully on your lap, you carefully lifted it up and placed it back down on the soft grass floor. Mydei watched as you stood up and walked closer to him.

"So it really is you, Dei." You exclaimed, a look of relief plastered on your face. Mydei smiled softly before speaking to you once more.

"Did you think I was all in your head?" Mydei joked. He placed an armored hand on your cheek, letting you feel that he's real and that he's here with you. "See? I'm real."

You smiled, leaning into his touch. Rough but gentle, just like old times. Even you can't remember the last time you felt his touch. You missed this, he missed this, and both of you missed all of it.

Suddenly, the two of you heard multiple little yawns from behind. You looked over your shoulder to see that the chimeras are waking up from their slumber. You chuckled before looking back at Mydei.

"They had a long and eventful day today. So I had to put them to sleep." You explained. You turned around towards the now awake chimeras and crouched down, giving each one of them gentle head pats.

You looked over your shoulder, looking directly at the prince. "Join me. It's been a long time since they've seen you, but...I'm sure it's fine." You reassured him.

Mydei nodded before walking towards the group of chimeras. However, right when he was about to crouch down, a doozy chimera looked up at him, confused at first, but its expression quickly turned into a terrified one as it ran towards his lover's lap. Squirming and whimpering in fear.

Mydei stopped in confusion while you were stunned over how bizarre the chimera acted. Soon after, the other chimeras acted the same way, albeit differently. Some chimeras quickly hid behind you or joined the other chimera in your lap; some circled around you and growled at Mydei as if trying to protect you from nothing at all, while the rest were still sound asleep.

You blinked, looking up at Mydei in equal confusion. The prince rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to understand what's happening. "...Did I do anything wrong?" He asked. You shook your head gently. "No, I don't think so."

Mydei frowned; he stepped back a little to hopefully calm down the chimeras. "I suppose it's been so long since they last saw me that they don't recognize me at all anymore."

You frowned as well, "Perhaps..." After a few seconds of awkward silence, you gently took one of the scared chimeras and slowly stood up.

After you and Mydei were at a certain distance, you slowly held the chimera towards your lover. The prince was obviously taken aback by what you were doing, but you merely smiled. "Here, let this one know that you're not a threat to any of them." You reassured him.

Mydei raised a brow. "And how exactly can I do that?" He asked.

"Just give it a pat on the head. Slowly." You instructed. You lifted the chimera closer to him; the chimera quickly squirmed against your hands, but you were strong enough to not let go until Mydei did what you told him to.

Mydei looked down at the fearful chimera, taking a deep breath before slowly raising a hand towards it. He flinched as he heard it cry as a protest, but he eventually managed to lay his hands on the creature's head. Slowly and gently, he stroked its fur.

After a few seconds, the chimera calmed down. It slowly melted into the prince's touch and purred happily, much to the relief of both of you.

The other chimeras carefully watched as Mydei proved to them that he wasn't an enemy of theirs. Shortly after, they circled around you and Mydei happily. You laughed softly, "See? It worked."

Mydei couldn't help but smile as well. He watched as the chimeras purred around him, silently asking him for attention too. He lifted up a few more chimeras before looking back at you. "You really are a lifesaver, angel."

Before you could say anything, Mydei closed the distance between you and him. He leaned down towards your face and planted a soft, lingering kiss on your forehead. A blush quickly crept onto your face, and you laughed shyly.

"Mydei!" You yelped. You held on to his shoulders as he continued to pamper you with short but loving kisses.

You managed to grasp his face amidst his assault; you can clearly see the amused smirk on his devastatingly handsome face. Mydei chuckled, "Too much?"

You shook your head, leaning closer to his face. Your face was now merely inches away from his. "Not at all."

With that, you kissed him. Pouring all of your feelings into it. Mydei kissed you back with equal favor before hesitantly breaking it and pressed his forehead against yours, sighing contently.

"I missed you." He declared. Your smile widened as you gently slid your hands down towards his arms. "I missed you too, Mydei."

For a moment, the two of you stayed like that. Simply enjoying each other's company up close. Until you hesitantly broke the peaceful silence.

"Are you...free during Parting Hour?" You asked the prince. Mydei smiled gently, already aware as to why you asked that.

"Of course. We can talk more in my chambers if you'd like." He replied.

You chuckled before wrapping your arms around his muscular body. "I'd love to."

[mbari-blog]

This octopus is a sucker for jellies 🐙✨️

The seven-armed octopus, Haliphron atlanticus, has only been observed by MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles three times in more than three decades. In this species, the male keeps the hectocotylized arm hidden so it appears to be missing, thus the common name.

During a sighting in 2016, the octopus was observed holding the bell of an egg-yolk jellyfish (Phacellophora camschatica) in its arms. The octopus had apparently eaten most of the tissue that would have been hanging down from the bell, but the ring of jellyfish tentacles was intact. It looked as though Haliphron had not only made a meal of the jelly but was hanging onto it, perhaps for defense or for help in catching prey. Haliphron is a member of the family Argonautidae, and now four genera in the family have been observed having some kind of relationship with salps or jellyfish—living on, in, or with the jelly.

We are still learning about the diverse communities that live in the deep sea, and especially what the animals that thrive in these habitats eat. Interestingly, many large animals that we know more about, like whales, manta rays, and ocean sunfish, eat small or gelatinous plankton—drifting prey that are easier to catch than fast-swimming fishes. This large octopus is another example of this amazing adaptation to life in the open ocean: live slow, grow big.

[mrmeowski]

Hello~ I just read ur work "Can I" and aughhhh im falling in love with my biases more XD If it alright, could i make 2 requests and you can choose either one or both of em? the characters are fr dan heng, aventurine, dr ratio, jiaoqiu, jing yuan and ae!sunday 1. Them with a s/o who is sensitive to the cold but they refuse to complain to him thinking it may bother them. like how'd they

2. Them with a s/o who wants to exchange bites of food or sweets with them (they have one food and the boi has another that they wanna try basically so they askin fr a nibble). Tempted to see the fluffy behaviours or maybe teasing ones whichever u assume And just in case, I apologise if its too much wrk XP

.🍮♠💙

˚✧𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞✧˚

Synopsis: You’ve always caught colds quicker than others, and even when you’re uncomfortable, you struggle to speak up, prioritizing others over yourself. But what happens when you meet someone who makes your well-being theirt utmost priority?

CW: Coughing blood [Jing Yuan], injured soldiers [Jiaoqiu], slight character backstory spoilers [Aventurine, Jiaoqiu], slight suggestive

A/N: Hey Anon!! I'm really glad you liked my work and I'll be making both of your requests becuase they look sooo fun to make☺️ And since I'm dried up of HSR ideas

Word Count: 6.5k

Characters: 🧡༻✧ Aventurine [1.4k] 💜༻✧ Dan Heng [872] 🧡༻✧ Dr. Ratio [827] 💜༻✧ Jiaoqiu [985] 🧡༻✧ Jing Yuan [1.1k] 💜༻✧ Sunday [1.4k]

⋇⊰AVENTURINE⊱⋇

Sigonia-IV was a harsh world, its sun scorching during the day and its nights plunging into a cold that felt as though it could freeze your very bones. The people here learned to adapt, to survive under the relentless heat by day and the bitter chill by night.

But for you, the balance was difficult, especially during the cold nights when your body felt as if it were being shredded by the freezing temperatures. You could barely get any sleep, constantly waking in discomfort, wrapped in whatever rags you could find to keep yourself warm.

Your friend, Kakavasha was always the one to notice when you’d start wearing down, never letting you hide it for too long.

"Man, [Name]... you look awful." He pinched your cheek one morning as you rubbed your eyes, groaning as you tried to shake off the exhaustion.

"Shut up," you hissed, swatting his hand away.

You rolled your eyes, feeling the weight of the bags under them. You'd been running on fumes for days, the sleepless nights piling up on you.

His laughter following you as you walked through the dusty streets.

“You know, [Name]... we should skip the labor for the day. Your birthday’s coming up, riiight?”

You yawned and rubbed your eyes again, trying to ignore how tired you really were.

“...You know we can’t,” you muttered, not bothering to look at him.

You knew how it would go. The labor was constant here. There was no such thing as a break unless you could afford it—and you couldn’t. Not on Sigonia-IV.

"Augh, come on, look at you!" He nudged your shoulder with his elbow, forcing you to look at him. His grin was cheeky, a playful glint in his eyes. "You look like a corpse! Just.. one day. I know a spot!"

His persistence made you sigh in defeat. You’d been too exhausted to argue, and deep down, you knew he wasn’t going to let you say no.

“Fine,” you said, giving in with a resigned shrug. "But only this time." His eyes sparkled with excitement, and before you could brace yourself, he’d grabbed your arm, pulling you along as he charged forward.

“Wait—” you stammered, struggling to match his pace as you stumbled over the uneven ground, nearly tripping on rocks and loose debris. “V-Vasha, hold up!” But he either didn’t hear you or chose to ignore your plea, his laughter ringing out as he weaved through the sparse crowd.

Soon, the noise and remnants of the town faded, and you found yourself surrounded by open, barren land. The sun blazed overhead, intense enough that you had to pull your hood up to shield yourself from its harsh rays, but heseemed unfazed by the heat, charging ahead with an energy that felt endless.

“Are we close?” You panted, but he only grinned, slowing down just enough to keep the mystery alive.

You trailed him along a path winding up the side of a rocky slope. The terrain was uneven but soon you found yourself climbing higher until the view stretched out into something unexpected.

You were speechless, mouth slightly open as you gazed at the sight before you.

The endless expanse of desert and mountains glowed under the skies painted in a deep hues of red, purple, and a soft, golden orange that radiated from the sun. Feathery clouds streaked across the sky in hues of crimson and violet, blending into an almost surreal canvas.

"It's… beautiful," you whispered, transfixed by the stunning view, your eyes locked on the horizon.

“I know.” He murmured softly, but his gaze wasn’t on the horizon—it was on you, taking in the awe in your expression, the way your eyes reflected the colors of the sky. “It’s truly beautiful... Come on, no time for sightseeing! We're still not there," He called out, his hand suddenly grasping yours, giving it a gentle tug to bring you closer.

“Wait… this isn’t the spot?”

“It’s... a part of it, but the real gem is just ahead." He moved ahead, his hand still holding yours as he led you toward a cave entrance, hidden behind a curtain of beads.

The beads shimmered in the dying light of the day, the sound of them clinking lightly against one another as he pushed them aside, revealing the interior of the cave.

You gasped, stepping inside. The walls were lined with old trinkets—fragments of forgotten times, relics from some long-past era.

The flickering remnants of a campfire sat cold in the center, and around it were pillows and blankets, their fabric faded and worn.

“Do you like it?” His voice carrying a hint of nervousness as he watched you take in the small cave.

“Yes! So, you found all of this?” You reached out, tracing a finger over one of the metal pieces scattered about, fascinated by each strange object.

He grinned, looking pleased.

“Yeah! There are tons of these out here, though I couldn’t tell you where half of them came from,” he laughed, watching you examine one in particular with intrigue. Recognizing it, he moved closer. “Wait—give me that one for a second. I wanna show you something cool.”

From the on, the two of you spent hours talking, laughing, and experimenting with each trinket. But eventually, the light began to fade.

The sky outside the cave transformed into rich shades of red and purple as the sun dipped low, casting shadows across the cave walls. You blinked, realizing how late it had gotten.

“The sun’s going down…” you murmured, a hint of worry creeping into your voice. “I-I don’t think we’ll be able to get back in time.” He only gave you a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“That’s fine,” he said, squatting down to gather some rocks. “I’ve spent the night here plenty of times. I’ll get a fire going. We’ll be warm.” You tried to smile, but the idea of spending a night in this cold made you tense.

For him, it might be comfortable enough, but for you…

The fire crackled softly, you asked him about his favorite piece, his eyes lighting up as he shared the memories.

Eventually, as the sun dimmed and the stories faded, the chill in the air grew sharper, but you tried not to let it show. You faked a smile as he settled down across from you, rolling onto his side with a yawn.

"Goodnight, [Name]..." he murmured, half-asleep already.

“Goodnight, Vasha,” you replied, burrowing into your thin blanket and tucking your legs into your hoodie.

As soon as his eyes were closed, your smile faded. You could feel the cold seeping into your bones, making you shiver despite your best efforts.

No matter how tightly you wrapped yourself, the fire offered little relief, and your fingers and toes started to go numb. Glancing over, you noticed that even he seemed affected; he shifted occasionally, his face scrunched up as he tried to stay warm in his sleep.

A thought flickered through your mind—perhaps you could just inch closer to him, share a little warmth. But then again, he was sound asleep now, his chest rising and falling steadily. You didn’t want to disturb him.

Instead, you pulled off your own thin blanket and quietly moved over to him, draping it around his shoulders. For a moment, you watched as he unconsciously snuggled into the extra warmth, a slight smile softening. You hoped it would help him rest a little better.

With your blanket now gone, you returned to the fire, trying to warm your hands over the low flames.

The chill was so intense that your entire body trembled, and you pulled your legs tighter to your chest. It was then that you heard a low, sleepy voice break the silence.

"[Name]...?" His voice heavy with sleep. "You're still awake?"

You froze, trying not to let on how miserable you felt. His gaze narrowing as he took in your shivering form. He noticed then, your thin blanket draped over him instead of you, and his expression shifted from confusion to concern.

He sat up slowly, his gaze lingering on your hunched figure for a moment before he crawled toward you without saying a word. He closed the distance, his brows furrowed.

Without warning, he pressed his side against yours, wrapping one of the blankets around both of you. You felt the warmth of his body as he pulled you close, his arm sliding around your shoulders to hold you firmly against him.

"Why didn’t you say anything, huh?" He murmured,

"I… I didn’t want to wake you," you admitted, cheeks flushing at his closeness.

He huffed softly, almost amused, as if the very idea was ridiculous.

"I’d rather be woken up than see you trying to freeze yourself like this. Giving up your only blanket like a self-sacrificing hero..." he teased, nudging his head on the crook of your neck.

"Guess you’re lucky I’m here to take over that role."

⋇⊰DAN HENG⊱⋇

Man, it sure is chilly here. You despised the cold—it crept into your bones, made your fingers stiff and your thoughts sluggish. Yet, somehow, you found yourself sitting in Dan Heng’s room, enduring what felt like the iciest atmosphere on the Astral Express.

How did this happen? Well, you had volunteered to help him with his research on a particular planet and its people. It had seemed like a good idea at the time—spending time with him, delving into his meticulous work, maybe even impressing him a little with your insights.

But you hadn’t considered one key detail: He liked his room cold, arctic even. And now, with the cooler set to its lowest possible temperature, you were fighting the urge to shiver.

You glanced at him, sitting calmly at his desk, completely unaffected by the temperature. He had always been composed, almost detached in his demeanor.

Asking him to turn down the cooler felt... intrusive, like you’d be disrupting his sense of balance. This was his space, after all, and you didn’t want to make him uncomfortable in his own room.

“Hey, [Name], take a look at this." His calm voice pulled you from your thoughts.

He turned slightly, his teal gaze meeting yours, the faint glow of his device reflecting in his eyes. You pushed yourself up from where you were sitting.

Every step was a fight to suppress the shiver running through your body, your fingers numb despite being stuffed in your pockets.

“What is it?” Keeping your voice steady as you moved closer to him.

He gestured toward the display, a map of a distant planet spinning in holographic detail. “This planet—Denvalis-IV—caught my attention. Its climate is… unique.”

You leaned in to get a better look, but instead of focusing, your mind was drawn to the faint warmth radiating from his form. It was subtle, like a beacon against the icy atmosphere of his room.

For a moment, you let yourself indulge, thinking maybe, just maybe, you could edge a little closer without him noticing—

“[Name], are you even listening?”

The sharp question jolted you from your reverie, your eyes darting back to the screen.

“O-Of course!” You said quickly, trying to play it cool.

He raised an eyebrow, unconvinced, but he didn’t push.

“Hmph...” He turned his attention back to the screen. “What did you learn of this place?"

"Let me show you.” With a few tap, images of its habbitants displayed on the screen. "The inhabitants—look at them." You pointly but the moment you relieazed your hand was shaking you instantly put it down. "They’re… incredible."

The projection showed a group of Denvalis-IV's residents—tall, sinewy figures with thick, layered exoskeletons that shimmered faintly, almost like armor.

"Despite the violent storms, extreme temperatures further amplified by the Stellaron, they've been able to adapt," you continued. "And it’s not just physical. Look at these structures—they’ve developed entire cities that are mobile, designed to migrate with the weather patterns."

“It’s fascinating,” he murmured, leaning closer to study the images. “They’ve managed to build entire civilizations in this planet... even after the Stellaron erupted." His gaze flicked to you, something unreadable in his expression. “You’re knowledgeable,” he said, his voice soft. “And you’re also…”

You froze, sensing his next words before he spoke them.

“…cold.”

He then raised his hand, his fingers brushing lightly against your cheek. The warmth of his touch made you involuntarily lean toward him, seeking it like a moth to a flame.

His warmth was comforting, but it also amplified how much the freezing temperature of the room had bitten into you. Eyes softened slightly as he observed you.

“Your cheeks are puff..." He glance down, noticing your tembling hands, "and you’re shivering.” His lips pressed into a thin line, and with a sigh, he turned away to adjust the cooler.

The hum of the air system shifted, and the temperature in the room began to rise.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He asked, his back still to you.

You tried to shrug it off, shoving your hands into your pockets to conceal their shaking.

“You’re… quite observant.”

He turned back to you, his gaze piercing yet patient.

“Deflecting the question won’t help you," he said, his tone soft but firm.

You hesitated but finally, you admitted, "Well, I just… I-It’s your room. I didn’t want to bother you. I figured you like the cold, so—”

“So, you prioritize others’ comfort above your own?” He interrupted, stepping closer.

The sudden proximity made your breath hitch. He was so close now, his quiet intensity pulling all your focus. His warm breath brushed against your chilled skin, and for a moment, all you could do was stare.

He tilted his head slightly, observing you as though trying to read the thoughts you weren’t voicing. “Hmm...” he murmured, his voice lower now, almost teasing.

His arm moved, slow but deliberate, slipping around your waist and pulling you closer to him. Your pulse quickened as the heat of his body cut through the lingering chill in the room.

His expression remained composed, but the faint blush dusting his pale cheeks didn’t escape your notice.

“...I do enjoy being this close to you. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

⋇⊰DR. RATIO⊱⋇

The library was your sanctuary, a place where the air hummed softly with silence, inviting you to dive into your work. Today, it beckoned like a far-off paradise, you'd love to go there if the winter wind isn't creeping through the walls, chilling you to the bone.

Bundled up in your thickest jacket, you made a quick hot cocoa in the small kitchenette, hoping it’d warm you just enough to keep working. Your dormmate, Ratio Veritas, was engrossed in a dense-looking tome, his gaze fixed in a way that made him look almost statuesque, detached from the cold entirely.

You sighed, slipping back into your room, hoping to hide your shivering mess from him. You knew he disliked interruptions, and you didn’t want to hear him complain about you 'ruining his concentration' with your uncontrollable shivers.

You sat at your desk, fingers trembling as you flipped open your books, each word on the page starting to blur. But you refused to tell him and do something that can help.

It's no use anyway, he'd only huff, make some pointed comment about your lack of preparation, or worse, pretend to ignore you altogether. Besides, you didn’t want to burden him, especially when he was absorbed in his work.

Time passed, or so it felt. Your focus drifted, every fiber of your being caught in an cold-induced fatigue. You thought about getting up, maybe crawling under the covers of your bed, but as you pushed yourself to stand, the world swirled and faded into black.

When your eyes opened, you realized you were no longer at your room but on someone’s lap. Warmth wrapped around you, unfamiliar and yet... oddly comforting.

A gentle hand brushed through your hair, moving rhythmically, soothing you back to wakefulness. Blinking, you looked up, eyes trailing from a complicated book cover down to his familiar profile

“Veritas...?” You murmured, still disoriented.

He glanced down, face as unamused as always.

“Ah. You’re finally awake.” His voice held its usual cold tone, but his hand didn’t stop its careful stroking through your hair.

It felt far gentler than his gaze would ever imply.

“W-What happened?” Stammering, trying to shift, but he placed a hand on your shoulder to keep you still.

“You passed out,” he replied, his voice a low mutter as he went back to his book.

Your eyes widened. You... passed out? Now that he mentioned it, you could feel a faint throbbing in your head and a dull ache in your abdomen from the fall. Heat crept into your cheeks, embarrassed and unsure.

You hadn’t meant to make a scene, and you hadn’t meant for him to get involved.

“I’m… I-I’m sorry." The words rolled out your tounge before you even realized it.

He raised a brow, tilting his book slightly to inspect you as though you were an anomaly in need of explanation.

“Has the fall scrambled your brain?” He asked, his tone dry, even a bit amused. “What could you possibly be sorry for?” He closed his book completely, leaning in a bit, scrutinizing you with a detached but focused intensity. “Hmm... perhaps there’s an internal bleeding and affected your speech?” He mused.

Your cheeks flushed as you averted your gaze.

“No, no… It’s just… you were busy, and I didn’t want to bother you, so—”

“So, you chose to hide that your suffering?” He chuckled, a sound both mocking and strangely warm. “I would never undermine the value of academic focus, but you’ve taken it to the extreme. This involves you life, not just a mere distraction.” Leaning back, he reopened his book, though his eyes lingered on you, assessing. “In any case, I can study while you… stay here,” he murmured, almost to himself.

“What?” You shifted slightly, instinctively finding a more comfortable position, only to feel the firmness of his thigh tense under your head.

His fingers paused, but only for a moment, before he resumed the gentle circles on your scalp, thumb tracing patterns.

“I said, get some rest,” he replied, a slight edge in his voice, though the warmth in his touch betrayed any irritation.

For a man with such cutting words and an aloof demeanor, his touch was remarkably gentle, grounding you in a way that no words ever could explain.

Minutes passed in silence, the stillness of the room broken only by the faint rustle of the pages. Then, almost reluctantly, he bit back his pride and spoke, his voice softer, quieter.

“Hey... [Name],” he murmured, feeling you hum in response, shifting slightly in his lap. A shiver ran through him, though he quickly masked it.

Hidden behind his book, his cheeks flushed red, and he brought the book up to his face, hoping it concealed his expression.

“If... if you ever need anything or… if you want help with something,” he continued, voice barely a whisper. He swallowed, speaking through his own restraint. “Just… tell me, alright?”

⋇⊰JIAOQIU⊱⋇

You looked up at the artificial skies of Xianzhou Yaoqing, watching as what could only be described as raindrops fell from the simulated heavens. Though the rain was artificial, the chill it carried was all too real.

You shivered as the cold breeze brushed against your skin, and instinctively, you pulled your coat tighter, wishing it would do more to ward off the biting wind. The camp had just won a major battle, but the aftermath was far from over. The injured were many, and every hand was needed.

You couldn’t afford to slack off now, not when the medics were busy patching up soldiers and treating the wounded. The chill in the air was nothing compared to the urgency of the situation.

You swallowed your discomfort and turned toward the tents where the injured were being treated, your footsteps quickening as you walked deeper into the makeshift infirmary.

And then, you saw him—Jiaoqiu, focused as always, sitting beside a bed where a man lay, his hands deftly bandaging the soldier’s wounds.

The moment he heard your footsteps, his ears twitched, and he looked up, flashing you that signature, bright smile. His tail wagged, the motion almost too endearing.

"[Name]!" His voice was cheery, but there was a slight hesitation in it as his eyes lingered on your flushed cheeks. "You’re looking a little… flushed. Are you alright?"

You quickly masked your discomfort with a smile, trying to sound nonchalant despite the cold creeping into your bones. No, you couldn’t tell him. Not now, not when everyone needed all the help they could get.

"I'm fine," you said, though your voice lacked conviction. "Just.. a little tired. I-I’ll get going—there are still a lot of hands needed." You flashed him a quick smile, trying to appear unaffected. "See you later during your break."

With that, you hastily walked away, eager to get to work. What you didn’t notice was the way his eyes followed you.

Your movements had become sluggish as the day wore on. Your fingers were a bit stiff, the chill in your bones seeping into every part of your body, and you found yourself sniffling more than you cared to admit.

No, you couldn't—You couldn't let the Foxian or anyone see you like this. You were the one who was supposed to take care of the injured, not the other way around! You couldn't afford to show weakness.

"Dr. [Name]...?" A voice interrupted your thoughts. You blinked, looking down at the soldier in front of you. His face was pale, his breath shallow. "A-Are you alright?"

"Yes, of course," you answered too quickly, trying to brush off the unease you felt creeping up on you.

In reality, it was hard to focus on your work when you felt like your body was betraying you. Before you could go back to your task, you heard that voice again. It was familiar, and now, it sent a shiver down your spine—not from the cold, but from the sudden concern you knew it carried.

"As a medical student, I expect you to care of yourself, [Name]." His tone was lighter than usual, but you could still detect the hint of worry in it.

You turned to see him standing there, arms crossed, his smile gone, replaced by a frown.

"Ah, but I’m fine," you protested weakly, chuckling to dismiss the concern.

But when he closed the distance between you, his hand gently rested against your forehead, and the warmth from his touch made your heart skip a beat.

He hummed softly, the sound both soothing and commanding. "You have a cold, [Name]. It’s better to rest than push yourself." His voice was firm yet caring, and it made it impossible for you to argue.

"But—"

"No buts," he interrupted, his tone soft but resolute. Before you could react, he slipped his arms around your waist, effortlessly pulling you toward him. "Let's get you some rest, hm?" His smile returned, and it was warm and gentle, a stark contrast to his usual playful teasing.

You could feel your resolve crumbling as he drew you closer to his side. It felt like he was enjoying this a bit too much, if the sly smile playing on his lips as he led you away wasn't obvious enough.

"I could do it myself, Jiaoqiu! You need to go treat the soldiers!" You sighed in defeat, but you knew deep down that resistance was futile.

The moment he set his mind to something, you knew you’d lose.

"I’m on my break," he simply said, as if that explanation was enough to make you stop worrying. "I have nothing to do." Just as you were about to shoot another complaint, he raised his hand, signaling to one of the nearby medics.

"Need a hand over here!" He called out, his voice calm and commanding, directing the medic to help with the soldier you’d been treating earlier.

Turning back to you, he flashed you an innocent smile. "See? No need to worry about anything!" Every part of him practically pressed against you.

His arm was firmly wrapped around your waist, holding you close, and you could feel the soft, comforting weight of his tail winding gently around your leg.

Sure, it was a bit of a struggle to walk with him so near, but the heat from his body made it easy to ignore the chill that had settled deep within you.

You could feel the vibration of his chest as he chuckled, a soft sound that filled the air. His gaze lowered to meet yours, your eyes neatly closed and mouth slightly parted as though you were feeling heaven.

"I suppose I'm your medicine?" He mused, his finger tracing down the curve of your cheek with a gentle touch. He paused, his grin widening as he leaned closer. "Not that I mind... I could be all the warmth you'd ever need."

⋇⊰JING YUAN⊱⋇

You stared out from the fleet, watching as the snow-covered planet loomed into view, a world blanketed in endless ice. Even from behind the glass, you could feel a chill settling into your bones.

How did you end up here? Well, it had all started with a single slip of the tongue—admitting, without much thought, that you'd never once seen snow.

He’d looked at you curiously, his golden gaze sharp but gentle.

"Never seen snow?" He asked, surprised, his usual calm demeanor giving way to a hint of wonder.

You’d shrugged, brushing it off, mentioning briefly that your mother had never let you go anywhere with winter’s bite, then tried to change the subject.

But Jing Yuan had clearly taken it to heart. The General, in his subtle, thoughtful way, had decided he’d remedy that, and when the opportunity came—a mission to a world wrapped in eternal winter—he’d practically dragged you along.

Seeing his excitement, you hadn’t the heart to tell him the truth, that your mother hadn’t been overprotective without reason. She had known, as you did, that you were sensitive to the cold. But how could you ruin the General’s rare, genuine smile?

The doors slid open, and a harsh gust of icy wind hit you instantly, slicing through even the thick jacket he had insisted you wear.

You braced yourself, steeling against the cold. It wasn’t too bad—yet. Surely, you could hold out for a little while, right? Just enough to take in this strange, pristine winter world he’d wanted to show you.

"Isn't it magnificent?" He raised his gloved hand, catching a snowflake as it fluttered down.

He watched it melt into his palm, an almost childlike wonder on his face. The sight shook you from your thoughts, and, for the first time, you really looked around. Winter, in your mind, had always seemed bland—just a blur of whites and grays, cold and endless.

But standing here now, you could see the glistening world laid out before you. Snow blanketed the landscape, softening every angle, making everything look divine, untouched, as though you’d set foot into a world beyond reality.

You stepped out, your foot sinking deep into the snow. A sharp gasp escaped you at the sudden cold, and you whipped around, catching him chuckling behind you.

Embarrassment flared in your cheeks, warming them a bit as you muttered, “It’s not funny…” You turned your gaze back to the vast, shimmering landscape, hoping he wouldn’t notice the blush creeping up your cheeks. “But… it is beautiful.” You took a few more steps, each one slightly awkward as your feet sank into the soft, powdery snow.

The crunch underfoot was strangely satisfying, each step sending a tiny thrill through you. Just as you were getting used to it, you felt something hit your back with a soft, cold thud. Whirling around, you found the General standing there, a mischievous grin plastered on his face, a snowball in hand.

“A general, starting snowball fights?” You said, raising a brow, trying to keep a straight face.

He shrugged with a smirk, as if throwing snowballs were a part of some important tactical training.

“Come now, did you think I’d let you enjoy this in peace?”

You bent down to gather some snow, forming a snowball of your own.

“In that case, General." Smiling as you took aim, “Prepare for battle!” The snowball left your hand, hurtling toward him, but he dodged it effortlessly, flashing you a playful smirk as he prepared to throw his next one.

And so began a wild, impromptu snowball fight between you and the general, each of you laughing and teasing as snow flew back and forth. In the thrill of the moment, the biting cold around you seemed distant, almost... forgotten. But there was a dangerous oversight.

You had underestimated winter’s toll on you. Between handfuls of icy snow and the chilled wind cutting across your exposed face, your body quickly began to feel the effects. Reality crashed down on you suddenly; your knees wobbled, then buckled, sending you crumpling to the ground.

“[Name]? [Name]!” His voice broke through the haze, distant and muffled, as you felt yourself slipping.

Everything grew fuzzy and dim, until all you could see was the stark white ground tinged with an alarming splash of red. He knelt before you, his voice laced with a rare edge of worry.

“[Name]?” He called again, urgency straining his usually steady tone.

His strong hands tilted your face up, but you barely registered it as the void overtook your vision.

In what felt like seconds—or perhaps hours—you blinked your eyes open, squinting against the dim light. There was a gentle weight on you, the tickle of soft hair brushing against your neck.

Groggily, you let out a faint groan, your hand sluggishly rising to push away what felt like a very heavy, unyielding presence on top of you. Whoever it was clearly had no sense of their own weight.

A low rumble vibrated against your chest as if this someone was grumbling, “Awake, are we?” His usual calmness was there, but you could hear a faint tremor of relief as he lifted his head to meet your gaze. His face softened, though his brow remained furrowed with concern. “You worried me back there.”

He lifted his head to meet your eyes, his face softening, though his brow remained knitted with concern.

“I’m sorry…” The apology left you in a near-whisper, and he made a quiet, thoughtful hum as he continued observing your features with that intense, almost unrelenting gaze.

“Perhaps this is why you’ve never seen snow?” His voice laced with a gentle tease touched by a genuine worry. “The medics said you got cold so quickly… your fingertips were already turning purple, you know. It wasn’t something to brush off.” You swallowed, cheeks warming, not quite able to meet his eyes.

“Y-Yeah... I’ve always been sensitive quite to the cold,” you admitted.

His hand rose to your cheek, his thumb brushing gently along your skin, warm against the lingering cold.

“But you did enjoy it, right?” He murmured.

Caught off guard, you hesitated, the warmth of his touch melting away the lingering chill that had clung to you since you’d first stepped onto the snowy planet.

You gave a small, reluctant nod.

“Of course I did..."

He chuckled, the sound low and soothing, “Good." his hand lingering on your cheek for a moment longer before slipping down to rest on your shoulder, pulling you closer.

“Then perhaps next time, you’ll tell me if you’re cold, hm? I'd never forgive myself if I hurt you with my actions...”

⋇⊰SUNDAY⊱⋇

The halls and rooms of the Astral Express felt colder than usual. You couldn't quite pinpoint why. Maybe you were coming down with something, or maybe it was the emptiness of the train itself.

Most of the crew was out on a mission, leaving only you, the ever-adorable conductor Pom-Pom, and the Halovian from Penacony, the newest addition to the crew.

You still weren’t sure how to feel about Sunday after everything that happened on Penacony. His calm demeanor and polite words seemed genuine enough, but there was still a sliver of doubt lingering in the back of your mind. Yet, as time passed, part of you wanted to believe his sincerity.

Sniffling softly, you tapped your fingers on the table, waiting for the coffee maker to finish brewing. The silence of the Express was unnerving. You’d grown accustomed to the lively presence of the Trailblazer and March 7th, always filling the place with their laughter and chatter. Now, the quiet was heavy.

A faint sound—the flip of a page—caught your attention. You glanced over, your eyes landing on him, seated on a nearby sofa. He was engrossed in a book, his wings tucked neatly behind him. Those small, puffy wings at the side of his head caught your eye.

Halovians had three pairs of wings, you'd heard. How warm did they feel? You couldn’t help but wonder, and the thought of running your fingers through those feathers danced at the edge of your mind. Would they be soft? Would they radiate warmth? And where are his other two?

You shook your head slightly. That would be way too forward, especially since you barely knew him. It was a silly thought anyway, but the cold made your mind wander.

You tore your gaze from his wings, only to meet his calm, steady eyes watching you intently. For a moment, you froze, unsure if it was from the lingering cold or simply the intensity of his gaze.

“[Name]?”

Blinking, you scrambled to regain your composure, attempting to smile as you buried your shaking hands deeper into your pockets.

“Wha… What is it?” you asked sheepishly.

“Your coffee’s finished.” He tilted his head ever so slightly, watching you with that unflinching gaze.

Your breath caught, feeling embarrassed under his stare. You must have looked like a wierdo.

“A-Ah! Right… thank you.” You tried to play it off, reaching quickly for the mug’s handle.

But your fingers, numb from the cold, barely managed to grip it before the weight slipped from your grasp. Everything happened in a blur.

The mug began to tilt, and in a desperate attempt, you reached with your other hand to catch it, only to feel the sharp sting of its hot surface searing your palm. With a reflexive jerk, you dropped it, the mug shattering against the floor.

"Shit..." You muttered under your breath, frustration bubbling over as you crouched to survey the damage.

From the distance, a high-pitched screech shattered the silence. “[Name]!” Pom-Pom’s unmistakable voice rang through the room, their little paws on their cheeks in cartoonish shock. “What have you done??”

You turned to face the adorable conductor, their tiny body practically vibrating with indignation. “Hmph! Clean your mess this instant!” They declared, paws now firmly planted on their hips.

You swore smoke is puffing out of their ears from frustration.

“I-I’m sorry, Pom-Pom! I’ll clean it up right away!” You stammered, scurrying off to fetch a dustpan and broom.

The air felt even colder when you returned, and as you knelt to sweep up the broken shards, you couldn’t help but notice how your hands trembled uncontrollably, each movement sending shivers through your already frozen body. Your teeth chattered despite your attempts to keep them still.

Focused on the mess before you, you didn’t realize someone was standing behind you until you bumped into them. Startled, you flinched and spun around, nearly dropping the broom in your hands. There, mere centimeters away, stood he, his piercing gaze fixed on you.

“May I assist you?” The Halovian tilted his head ever so slightly. “You appear to be shaking like a deer.”

“I’m fine,” you replied quickly, perhaps a little too quickly, as you gripped the broom tighter in your trembling hands.

His brows knitted together, frowning.

“You’re clearly not fine. Your hands are trembling, and you’ve been shivering since earlier.” He crouched down to your level, his expression still composed but his gaze is a lot softer now.

“I said I’m fine,” you insisted, your tone firmer this time as you swept up a pile of shards, though your movements were clumsy and uneven.

His frown deepened, his golden eyes narrowing as they took in your trembling form.

"Enough." Before you could react, his gloved hands gently but firmly taking the dustpan and broom from your grasp.

You opened your mouth to protest, but the pointed look he shot you silenced you immediately.

"Get some rest, [Name]." His tone was calm yet commanding, leaving no room for argument. "If you'd like, I can brew you another coffee."

You stared at him, dumbfounded. The former head of the Oak Family, was kneeling on the floor to clean up a mess you had made? The thought alone was mortifying. More than that, you'd interrupted his reading—something you had tried so hard to avoid.

“I’m sorry...” You murmured, your voice barely audible as you quickly turned away and scurried down the hallway.

Once inside your room, you collapsed onto the bed with a sigh. The heater was on, but the cold seemed to seep through every crack and crevice, wrapping itself around you like an unwelcome guest. You tugged a blanket over your shoulders, but it did little to stop the shivers.

Moments later, a soft knock echoed through the door.

"May I come in?" His voice was smooth and quiet, like honey drizzling over a frozen lake.

You hesitated, clutching the blanket tighter.

"Y-Yeah." The door slid open, and he stepped inside, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand.

His elegant composure hadn’t faltered even for a bit. He set the cup down on the small table by your bedside before sitting beside you.

“Are you alright?” He asked, his golden gaze sweeping over you with a hint of concern.

“I’m fine,” you lied, averting your eyes. “Just... a little chilly, that’s all.”

He reached for the coffee and handed it to you, his fingers brushing yours briefly. The warmth of the mug felt like a lifeline in your frozen grip.

“Drink,” he said simply, leaning back against the headboard.

You looked at him then at the steaming mug before taking a cautious sip, the heat spreading through your chest and chasing away some of the cold.

You didn’t notice him moving until you felt the weight of his coat drape over your shoulders.

“Sunday—”

“Shhh..." He instantly hushed you down.

As the coat fell more snugly around you, you caught sight of something dark behind him. Two faintly shimmering pairs of wings stretched just beyond his back, their colors deeper and more shadowed than the smaller set behind his ears. They shifted slightly before folding back.

Your eyes lingered on them longer than you intended, and his lips quirked into the faintest smirk.

“Curious?” He asked, his voice teasing yet calm.

You felt heat rise to your cheeks. “I wasn’t staring—”

“Oh? Then my eyes must be mistaken becuase you were,” he said, cutting you off again, though there was no malice in his tone.

“Oh? Then my eyes must be deceiving me, because you were,” he chuckled softly, a sound rich and melodic, like the first note of a forgotten song. "It’s fine, my dear," he murmured, though his voice faltered just slightly.

His gaze shifted momentarily, and for the briefest of moments, a shadow of vulnerability flickered across his features. His wings, darker and more imposing than usual, twitched faintly behind him, betraying his uneasiness.

But you paid no mind to his hesitation, far too enveloped in the unexpected warmth of his coat and presence. The heavy fabric wrapped around you like a cocoon, shielding you from the bitter cold that had clung to you all day.

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable but instead soothing, like the calm after a storm. It was he who broke the serenity.

His voice low and steady as he spoke, “Next time, [Name], don’t shy away from me.”

Sweet Bites» [WIP] Request» Masterlist»

[luluthespectator]

A new era

The galactic council has decided for the first time to put more than two different species in the same spaceship.

Many debated on what to put, how many, why. It went on for months. Then the council settled on three species, just above the maximum. They chose one individual of each so that if things turned sour, the casualties would be minimal. They chose the individual of each species carefully for the crew to be balanced.

A Kerox for its strategy and strength. They are a proud people, and not for nothing. They always had an advantage in wars thanks to their cleverness and ferocity. The council secretly hoped it would become the leader to preserve the truce with its species.

A Primavix for its natural scientific and medical abilities, as well as their extended knowledge of the world. The council wanted its inherent strength to be able to outbalance the Kerox if it turned too arrogant and obviously knew that the crew needed a medic.

A human for its adaptability. They would hope that it would become the link to tie the other two together and that it would learn fast in times of need. They chose one that could pilot and repair a ship, one that knew how to fight to not get taken down by the Kerox.

All those three species could breathe the same air and lived in groups. They could all be bipedal which would help with cohesion. They were generally all willing to find solutions to their problems when they arose. 

On paper, it was perfect. But the council knew, reality was quite different. Their main concern was the Kerox. It was allowed on this mission to “make it feel special”, it had a great influence on its other members. They hoped this would keep the truce holding.

——

It was the day, the day where the Three Pillars of a new era would meet. The streets of the Capital were bustling with agitation. In each sector, anticipation could be felt from everywhere. In their own ways, everyone was impatient to see the beginning of a new era.

There was one clear path to the new vessel waiting for its inhabitants. The aliens sat on both sides, each stayed in their people’s designated spot. Everyone was here. They knew who was supposed to come, but they wanted to see, to smell, to listen, to feel them even if only from afar.

Then, they came.

First, there was the Kerox. Everyone knew about him, he was Scozar, The Scorching Sun. He was recognisable by his golden spear with sunny patterns on it.

He slithered his way on the path, his four powerful and muscular limbs propelling him forward. His grey scales took a tinted emerald hue under the powerful rays of moonlight. To the species that used infrared visions, he was cold, barely visible.

He stopped as naturally as he would jump and got on his two bottom legs. He stood tall and proud with his spear held high in a hand, his claws on the other one were usable. His sharp gaze passed on the crowd, like he was choosing which one he was going to eat.

The crowd fell silent. A low grumble could be felt through their bodies. His golden eyes were glowing with satisfaction. He was preparing something, wasn’t he?

That’s when the blue indigo feathers on his head, spine all the way to the tip of his tail, rose up. A few species backed down. He was even taller that way. There were black dots on each of his feathers. It was unnerving to have the feeling of being watched by so many eyes.

When seeing the reaction of the crowd, he somehow stood even taller with his head even higher. His teeth could be seen from there, his sharp, sharp teeth, as sharp as his gaze, as sharp as his claws. It made some species dizzy and terrified. He seemed to bask in the fear of others. 

The aliens wondered if the galactic council was right to let a Kerox participate in such an important mission. Most of the species knew the galactic council had no choice but to put a Kerox there, they were too proud not to let them participate in such an event. They were afraid it would fail.

The Kerox went on the podium, naturally, taking the middle spot.

Then the Primavix came, one of the Ancient Ones, they saw the dawn of the intergalactic alliance. 

They also made their entry on four legs. This time, it was slower, easier to track, like time had made its way through their body. Their tail balanced as they walked, at the end of it there was an appendage to grab objects.

They had a white cloth on them. It has lived for many years as well. Under the tattered gown, their black exoskeleton blended on their bones. They were thin, some species wondered how something this slim could survive without collapsing from starvation.

They rose up on their bottom legs. Instead of being arched on themselves, they had a straight posture. They put their two hands together in front of them. They raised their head, but instead of looking more aggressive, they radiated with sacred wisdom. 

Their head was a mouth with a giant sphere on the top, the rays reverberated on it. A carapace shielded the back of its head. With their smooth black skin and their rugged white robe, they looked like a statue, the statue of an ancient god.

They walked elegantly towards the podium and stayed on their two bottom legs still in the same position. 

The aliens were already more confident in the success of the council’s leap in the unknown. With a Primavix, a creature older than the council itself, the Pillars will have all the knowledge they need.

Finally the Human came. She too, was known by the people. She was Maena, The Ghost, captain of corsairs well known for their help for the galactic council.

She arrived on two legs. Her black coat on her shoulders floated behind her. It was held together by a yellow chain. She was bright to those with infrared vision. She advanced solemnly, with her arms behind her back. The crowd shifted, she had something that the other two didn’t have. 

She stopped near the crowd. Her two brown eyes seemingly stopped on each one of the species watching every detail. Her expression was one of calm devoid of aggression, like an apex predator with no worries for their survival. Some species went silent again.

Then, her expression cracked. She showed her teeth, a gesture well known as a smile. She waved her hand at the crowd, a friendly movement. She now radiated with confidence and serenity, a quiet strength. The crowd relaxed, some even tried to mimic her.

The mask of danger was replaced, she was now a good friend. A friend to the galaxy, to the aliens present here and to the two other Pillars. Seemingly satisfied, she moved again and got on the podium.

She was small, smaller than the two other Pillars, smaller than the average human even. The crowd murmured, what could she do if the Kerox wanted her dead? But she was a human, and a human who knew how to fight. 

Everyone had mixed feelings about the crew in front of them. They stood in the emerald light of the moon, side by side, they looked strong. But each one of them was so different, this strength could as well shatter them from the inside. 

And they were only three, that wasn’t enough for an entire crew. The ship was small. Big enough for all of them, yes. But so small in comparison to the others. It was like the council wanted to spare the least resources they could, like they themselves didn’t believe in the “new era”.

But everyone cheered. They cheered to not anger the Kerox, they cheered in honour of the ancient Primavix, they cheered because the Human seemed to like it.

Continuation Rough beginning

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[buckets-and-trees]

Huffily Ever After: A CindereLloyd Story [8/8]

Chapter Eight - Departure Day

Characters/Pairings: Lloyd Hansen x curvy Millennial Female!Reader Word Count: 6.7k Summary: The morning after... decisions need to be made now that things have changed for you both personally and professionally before you leave Paris.

SERIES Content/Warnings: modern Cinderella adaptation, unknown identities, enemies to lovers, toxic coworkers CHAPTER SPECIFIC: explicit smut: kissing, riding and grinding, nipple play, unprotected vaginal penetration, creampie; praise; use of endearments: princess, Cinderella; coarse language

Author Note: Thank you @vonalyn for helping me over some final decisions with this!

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You woke up to a knock on your door and groaned, not wanting to leave the warmth surrounding you, a cocoon of soft sheets and firm muscle. 

The brush of warm lips and a mustache tickled your neck. “Stay here, princess,” Lloyd murmured in your ear. Then he rolled out of beed and slipped on one of the hotel robes from the closet before answering the door. 

Warm rays of morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, gently ushering in the morning. You heard Lloyd’s groggy voice conversing with whoever was at the door, followed by the clinking of dishes as Lloyd rolled in a room service cart.

You smiled, stretching languidly beneath the sheets, relishing their softness against your bare skin. You relished the pleasant ache in your muscles, a delicious reminder of the night's passionate activities. Your body was sore in all the right places, a testament to Lloyd's thorough and relentless attention.

Lloyd's skilled hands had explored every inch of your body, his lips leaving trails of fire across your skin. You remembered the way he had taken you in every position imaginable, his stamina seemingly endless, and the exquisite fullness he subjected you to as he moved inside you again and again. 

His powerful presence had extended in every way into bed with you last night. The room had been filled with the sounds of your shared pleasure, punctuated by Lloyd's husky commands and praise.

“Up and at ‘em, sunshine,” Lloyd said, taking covers off the various dishes after planting the cart next to the small table in the corner of the room. 

The delicious smells of breakfast were inviting, so you slipped out of bed with only minimal regret and padded to the closet to grab the other robe. 

There was coffee, tea, orange juice, two plates with eggs benedict, and a tray laden with bacon, pastries, and fresh fruit. Lloyd was already adding bacon and fruit to his plate, and so you followed suit, grabbing the morning delights you wanted as well. You pulled out one of the chairs at the table, but Lloyd tutted at you. 

“Oh, no, we’re having breakfast in bed, princess.”

You raised an eyebrow at Lloyd, but couldn't help the smile tugging at your lips. "Breakfast in bed? How decadent." 

Lloyd smirked, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "After last night, I think we've earned a little decadence, don't you?" 

Heat rose to your cheeks as you remembered more of the moments you'd shared. Lloyd's grin widened, clearly enjoying your reaction. He gestured towards the bed with a nod. 

"After you."

You climbed back onto the plush mattress and settled against the headboard. Lloyd followed, carefully balancing both plates as he joined you, his thigh pressed warmly against yours, then handed you your plate. 

For a few moments, you both ate in comfortable silence, savoring the delicious food. The eggs benedict was perfectly cooked, the hollandaise sauce rich and creamy. You stole glances at Lloyd, still somewhat in disbelief at the turn of events that had led to this situation.

Despite everything that had gone on this week and the things that had happened between you two, there was something oddly comfortable about being with him like this - sharing breakfast in bed without a care in the world. 

And compared to your life only the afternoon before, you almost didn’t have a care in the world. 

Lloyd finished off another slice of bacon, then broke the silence. 

“With your wicked stepmother of a boss defeated, your glass slipper of a necklace returned, and the ball of a conference over, how are you feeling, Cinderella?”

You laughed softly at Lloyd's whimsical summary of the past few days. "Well, when you put it that way, it does sound like a fairytale, doesn't it?" you replied, taking a sip of your coffee. "Though I'm not sure how well the Cinderella story holds up when the prince is the one breaking into hotel rooms."

Lloyd's mustache twitched with amusement. "I prefer to think of myself as more of a dashing rogue than a prince."

You rolled your eyes playfully. "That tracks."

You took another sip of your coffee, considering the question more seriously. "Honestly? I'm feeling optimistic. Excited. Maybe a little overwhelmed."

Lloyd nodded, his blue eyes studying you intently. "All understandable reactions to having your entire professional life upended in the span of twenty-four hours."

"And my personal life," you added, giving him a pointed look. 

A slow smirk spread across Lloyd's face. "Ah yes, can't forget that rather significant development." 

You rolled your eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at your lips. "So modest." 

"Modesty has never been one of my virtues, princess," Lloyd retorted, setting his empty plate aside. 

You chuckled, finishing the last bite of your breakfast. "I'm aware."

Lloyd took your plate and set it aside with his own before turning back to you, his expression growing more serious. "So, what is next for you? I assume you're going to accept the promotion at Nexus?"

You nodded, a flutter of excitement in your stomach as you thought about your future. 

Lloyd's eyes lit up with approval. "Good choice. Maggie's brilliant, but a start up can’t offer you as much as that Nexus offer, and it outpaces the formal offer Claude will be giving you this morning, too.”

You frowned. “Hang on, did you read the Nexus offer while you were here before I got back last night?”

“You took longer than I thought you would.”

“You brought your own book!” you protested, gesturing across the room.

Lloyd shrugged, completely unbothered. “Which I read after seeing the perfectly good literature lying around here.”

You shook your head in disbelief, but couldn't muster any real anger. Lloyd's audacity was part of what made him so intriguing, after all. 

"You're unbelievable," you said. 

Lloyd's lips quirked into a smirk. "I prefer to think of myself as opportunistic." 

You rolled your eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at your lips. "So, Mr. Opportunistic, what's next for you? Back to your father's company?" 

His expression turned thoughtful. "Of course. No rest for the wicked, and there are always new projects to explore."

You raised an eyebrow, studying him. "What would you do if you could start over again, do anything in the world?”

For a moment, he was silent, and you could almost see the gears turning in his mind. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, not his usual smirk, but something more playful.

"If I could start over, really do anything," he mused, "I'd join the CIA."

You blinked in surprise, not expecting that answer. “What?”

His blue eyes sparkled impishly as he continued, painting a vivid picture. "I'd be the agent they'd call for the impossible missions. Infiltrating shadowy criminal organizations, outwitting foreign intelligence agencies, maybe even preventing a nuclear crisis or two."

“I’m being serious, Lloyd!”

"Think about it," he continued. "The intrigue, the high-stakes missions, the power to shape global events from the shadows. It's like playing chess on a global scale, but with real consequences. The adrenaline rush of covert operations, the satisfaction of outmaneuvering rogue agents.”

His enthusiasm was infectious, but you remained silent and fought the urge to engage and encourage this trailing off from what you really wanted to talk about. 

Lloyd sighed, reading your expression for what it was. 

“Fine. Real answer? I didn’t do anything else because I didn’t want to,” he explained. “I like this shit. I grew up seeing what it could be, what it could do. I knew it would suck balls to join my father’s company, but it would be as bad or worse trying to climb up through other companies that would see Hansen Global as a rival - either they’d never trust me or they’d try to use me. I chose the game I knew I could eventually win, even though it’s a long game.”

You nodded slowly, processing Lloyd's words. His answer was candid, and you found yourself appreciating his honesty, feeling like this version of Lloyd was more true to the Lloyd of the masquerade. 

"It doesn’t look like it’s been an easy path,” you observed, “but you've made it work for you."

You could see now that his insistence on total anonymity at Versailles had been because he knew it would be the only time he could be present and not be seen and judged as Lloyd Hansen, son of the founder of Hansen Global Digital Industries.

Lloyd's expression softened slightly. "It hasn't been without its challenges. But I've always believed in playing to my strengths." 

You couldn't help but smile. "And your strengths just happen to include corporate espionage and seducing unsuspecting conference attendees?" 

Lloyd's signature smirk returned. "Among other things. Though I wouldn't say you were entirely unsuspecting, princess. You gave as good as you got." 

Heat rose to your cheeks at the memory. "Fair point," you conceded. 

"Speaking of what's next," he said, shifting closer, his voice low and husky, "I was thinking we could explore some of those other strengths of mine."

Your breath caught in your throat as Lloyd's free hand traced a path up your thigh, pushing aside the fabric of your robe. "Oh?" you managed, trying to keep your voice steady. "And what strengths might those be?" 

Lloyd's smirk widened as he leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear. "Why don't I show you?" 

In one fluid motion, he pulled you onto his lap, your legs straddling his hips. He pushed your robe open, exposing your skin to the cool air of the room and Lloyd's hungry gaze.

Your breath hitched as Lloyd's warm hands roamed over your newly exposed skin. His touch was electric, igniting sparks of desire everywhere his fingers grazed. You shivered, partly from the cool air and partly from anticipation. 

"Cold, princess?" Lloyd murmured, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. Without waiting for an answer, he pulled you flush against his chest, enveloping you in his warmth. 

You gasped softly as your bare skin met the soft fabric of his robe, your nipples hardening at the friction. Lloyd's hands slid down to cup your ass, kneading the flesh appreciatively. 

"You know," he said, his voice a low rumble that you could feel vibrating through his chest, "I've been thinking about this all morning. About how perfectly your body responds to me."

To emphasize his point, he rolled his hips upwards, the hard length of him pressing against your core. You couldn't suppress the soft moan that escaped your lips.

"Lloyd," you breathed, your hands moving to his shoulders for balance.

His blue eyes darkened with desire as he watched your reaction. "That's it. Let me hear you."

You writhed against him, desperate for more friction. Lloyd's hand gripped your hip, guiding your movements as you ground against him.

He captured your lips in a searing kiss, his tongue demanding entrance. You yielded willingly, melting into him as the kiss deepened. 

Your fingers tangled in Lloyd's hair as the kiss intensified, passion building between you. His hands roamed your body possessively, leaving trails of heat in their wake. You could feel his hard cock beneath you, your own arousal mounting in response. 

Lloyd broke the kiss, trailing his lips along your jaw and down your neck. "Tell me what you want," he murmured against your skin. 

"You," you gasped as he nipped at your pulse point. "I want you, Lloyd." 

He chuckled darkly. "You have me. But how do you want me?" 

His hands slid up to cup your breasts, thumbs brushing over your nipples. You arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping your lips. 

"I want..." you started, then hesitated, feeling a flush creep up your cheeks. 

Lloyd pulled back slightly, his intense gaze meeting yours. "Don't be shy now, princess. Tell me exactly what you want."

His commanding tone sent a shiver down your spine. You took a deep breath, gathering your courage.

"I want you inside me," you said, your voice low and husky with desire. "I want to fuck me raw from behind."

Lloyd's eyes darkened further, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "That can certainly be arranged." 

Lloyd flipped you onto your stomach, then pulled your hips up so you were on your hands and knees. You gasped at the sudden change in position, excitement coursing through your veins.

"Like this, princess?" Lloyd's voice was low and rough with desire as his hands caressed your back, sliding down to anchor your hips firmly. 

"Yes," you breathed, arching your back and pressing yourself against him invitingly. 

You felt the bed shift as Lloyd positioned himself behind you. His hands spread your thighs wider, and you shivered as you felt the tip of his cock brushing against your entrance. Lloyd chuckled, clearly enjoying your desperation.

"Remember," Lloyd growled, "you asked for this." 

Without further warning, he thrust into you fully, filling you in one smooth motion. You moaned at the delicious stretch, your fingers curling into the sheets.

Lloyd's hands gripped your hips tightly as he began to move, setting a relentless pace. Each powerful thrust drove you forward, the headboard creaking in protest. You gasped and moaned, overwhelmed by the intense sensations. 

"That's it," Lloyd growled, his voice husky with desire. "Take it all." 

He angled his hips, hitting the money spot deep inside you. Your arms trembled, struggling to support your weight as Lloyd pounded into you mercilessly. 

"Fuck, Lloyd!" you cried out, your voice muffled by the pillow. 

Lloyd's hand tangled in your hair, pulling your head back. "Let me hear you, princess. I want whoever’s in the next room to know who's making you feel this good."

Lloyd's hand snaked around to rub circles on your clit, and you cried out at the added stimulation. "That's it," he praised, “love how your tight cunt squeezes me, craves my cock.”

Your body tensed as pleasure built within you, Lloyd's relentless pace and skilled fingers driving you rapidly towards the edge. 

"Lloyd, I'm close," you whined, your fingers grasping at the sheets tightly.

"Not yet," Lloyd growled, his hand leaving your clit to grip your hip once more. "You come when I say you can come." 

You whimpered at the loss of stimulation, but the commanding tone of Lloyd's voice sent another surge of arousal through you. His thrusts became even more forceful, the sound of skin slapping against skin echoing in the room. 

"God, you're intoxicating," Lloyd growled, his breath hot against your ear as he leaned over you. "Can't get enough of you."

His words sent another thrill through you, and you struggled to hold back your impending orgasm. You rolled your hips more insistently, drawing a low groan from him.

"Then don't stop," you breathed, your voice husky with desire.

Lloyd's grip on your hips tightened, his thrusts becoming even more powerful. "Careful what you wish for, princess," he said, his voice rough with desire.

He maintained his punishing pace, each thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure through your body. You could feel yourself teetering on the edge, desperate for release but holding back, waiting for Lloyd's permission.

"Please," you whimpered.

Lloyd's hand snaked around to your front again, his fingers finding your clit. He pinched the sensitive bundle of nerves, causing you to cry out.

"That's it," he purred, his breath hot against your ear. "Let me hear how much you want it."

Your moans grew louder, more desperate as Lloyd continued his assault on your senses, rubbing tight little circles over your clit. 

"Lloyd, please," you gasped, your body trembling with the effort of holding back your release. "I need to come. Please let me come." 

You felt Lloyd's chest rumble against your back as he chuckled darkly. "Since you asked so nicely..." His fingers increased their pressure on your clit as he ordered, "Come for me, princess. Now." 

He punctuated the command with a pinch to your clit and it sent you careening over the edge. Your orgasm crashed over you with a breathtaking intensity, your inner walls clenching hard around Lloyd's cock. You cried out his name, your vision going white as the sensation overwhelmed you.

Lloyd groaned, his thrusts becoming erratic as your climax triggered his own. "Fuck, yes," he snarled, burying himself deep inside you as he came, his cock pulsing as he filled you with his release before collapsing over you, pushing you down flat beneath him. 

For a moment, you both remained frozen, panting heavily as the aftershocks of your intense orgasms rippled through your bodies. Lloyd's weight pressed you into the mattress, his breath hot against your neck. Slowly, he eased out of you, eliciting a soft whimper at the loss.

Lloyd rolled onto his side, then pulled you into him so your were pressed chest to chest. His arm draped over your waist, holding you close as you both caught your breath. 

"Well," Lloyd murmured, his voice husky and satisfied, "I'd say that was another successful demonstration of my strengths, wouldn't you?"

You couldn't help but laugh, the sound slightly breathless. "Mmm, I don't know. I might need a few more demonstrations before I can make a proper assessment." 

He laughed, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief and something deeper. "Next time we're sleeping in my bed," he declared, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your skin. "A Queen is too small."

You raised an eyebrow, your heart skipping a beat at his words. "Next time?"

Lloyd arched an eyebrow in return, his expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. "I'm not putting a ring on your finger tomorrow," he said, his tone matter-of-fact, "but neither of us are one-night-stand or casual-fling-with-people-we-know types."

You felt a warmth bloom in your chest at his words, a pleased, demure smirk playing on your lips. "No," you agreed softly, "we're not."

Lloyd's gaze softened as he leaned in, capturing your lips in a tender kiss that made your toes curl. When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with an intensity that made your heart stutter. His thumb traced your cheekbone gently.

"I meant what I said last night," Lloyd murmured, his voice low and serious. "I want to see where this goes. You're intriguing. Intelligent. Challenging. I don't want to let you slip away."

Your heart raced at his words, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling in your chest. "I want that too," you admitted softly. "But this won't be easy, Lloyd. Our lives, our careers... there's a lot to consider."

Lloyd's lips quirked into a small smirk. "I’ve never been interested in easy. Boring." His expression grew more serious as he continued, "I know it won't be simple. But I think we’re worth a shot."

You couldn't help but smile, warmth blooming in your chest at his words. "Careful, you might be moving from Prince Charming sarcastic to an actual Prince Charming.”

He grimaced. “Can’t have that.”

You laughed. “No, definitely not.”

His hand settled on your waist, thumbs tracing small circles on your skin, lightly kneading your flesh. "You’re fucking gorgeous," he murmured after another moment, his eyes drinking you in. 

"Gorgeous enough to make you want to stay in bed all day?" you teased, trailing your fingers along his jawline.

Lloyd's eyes darkened with desire. "Temptress," he growled, pulling you closer. "I'd love nothing more than to keep you here, naked and wanting, all day long." 

His lips found yours in a fierce kiss that had your heart immediately racing again. You melted into him, savoring the taste of him, the feeling of his firm body pressed against yours. His tongue danced with yours, igniting sparks of desire that threatened to consume you both.

When you finally broke apart, breathless, you couldn't help but smile. "So why don't we?" you asked, your voice husky with want. 

Lloyd groaned, resting his forehead against yours. "Because, Cinderella, as much as I'd love to spend the day exploring every inch of your delectable body, we both have responsibilities to attend to."

You pouted playfully, trailing your fingers down his chest. "Responsibilities are overrated." 

Lloyd chuckled, catching your wandering hand and bringing it to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on your knuckles before fixing you with a stern look. "You have a new job offer to formally accept, and I have a number of Hansen Global board members to attend to before they leave the city."

You sighed, knowing he was right. "I guess we have rejoin the real world at some point."

Lloyd's expression softened, a hint of vulnerability flickering in his blue eyes. "This isn't an ending, princess. It's a beginning." 

Your heart was falling too quickly for this man, and maybe you wanted to let yourself fall for once. 

“Now, up with you before you turn into a pumpkin.”

Maggie stirred her latte, the foam swirling into intricate patterns. Her eyes, sharp and inquisitive as ever, fixed on you with keen interest. "So," she began, a hint of anticipation in her voice, "which region did you accept for Nexus?"

You took a sip of your own coffee, savoring the rich flavor before answering. "Southeast Asia," you replied, unable to keep the excitement from your voice.

"Good for you," she said with a genuine smile. "That's a challenging market, but I know you'll excel there. You clearly got off to a good start with Zhongxin."

"Thank you, Maggie," you said, warmth spreading through you at her praise. "I'm really excited about the opportunity. I can’t help but feel like I might not have been quite so ready to tackle this without getting to reconnect with you and have your guidance and support throughout this conference." 

You paused, stirring your coffee thoughtfully. "I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about the challenges. But I'm also eager to dive into a role like this in such a dynamic market. There's so much potential for growth and innovation in Southeast Asia." 

Maggie nodded approvingly. "That's the right attitude. Embrace the challenges – they're what will help you grow." 

You took another sip of your coffee, then leaned forward, curiosity piquing. "So, I have to ask… What about you and Claude?"

Maggie's eyes lit up. "He’s such an old friend but… seeing him here, both of us single now, it’s been a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I was ready for.”

“Does that mean…?” You leaned in closer, grinning. 

She laughed. “Oh, I’m not tying myself down. He’s aware I’m only looking for a ‘long-term, long-distance, low-commitment, casual’ boyfriend.”

Maggie's expression softened, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her eyes. "You know, Paul was my first love," she said, her voice taking on a wistful quality as she spoke of her late husband. "We met in college, and it was like something out of a romantic comedy. He was the charming, slightly awkward engineering student, and I was the plucky and ambitious business major. We just clicked."

She paused, tracing the rim of her coffee cup with her finger. "He was the only man I'd ever been with, romantically or otherwise. We grew into adults together, built our careers and our lives side by side.”

You nodded, understanding the weight of her words. Maggie had always been a force of nature, and this more personal side of her was rarely seen.

"When Paul passed," she continued, her voice softening, "it was like the world had tilted on its axis. Everything I knew, everything I had planned for our future, it all vanished. For the longest time, I couldn't imagine a world without him in it." 

Maggie's eyes grew distant, lost in memory. "But time has a way of healing wounds, even the deepest ones. I kept on living life a day at a time. And when that kept happening, and I kept on having more days and more new pages to add to my book of life, I started to realize that maybe, just maybe, there was room in my heart not only for something new, but perhaps someone new, too."

She took a sip of her latte, a small smile playing on her lips. "Claude is a different kind of love. He understands loss in a way that not many people do. He's patient, kind, and he makes me laugh in a way I haven't in so long. There's no pressure, no expectations. We're just two people getting to the true second halves of our lives. And I’m not ready to jump into anything yet-”

“‘Long-term, long-distance, low-commitment, casual?’” you repeated the Barbie term.

“Exactly. But I do think he could be the last love of my life. When we’re both ready.”

You couldn't help but smile at Maggie's words, touched by her vulnerability and openness. "I'm really happy for you, Maggie. You deserve to find joy again." 

Maggie's eyes crinkled with warmth. "Thank you, dear. Now, enough about my love life. What about you and Lloyd Hansen?"

"I-” 

You felt heat rise to your cheeks, caught off guard by her direct question. “How did you know?"

Maggie chuckled. "The way you two were looking at each other the other night at the gala? Plus, I saw him leaving your room this morning."

You laughed, then shook your head. "It's complicated," you admitted, fidgeting with your coffee cup.

Maggie raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Is it though?”

You took a deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts. "He's not what I expected. At all."

"I've heard rumors about Lloyd,” Maggie started. 

You steeled yourself, sure you’d heard the very same - even discussed them with Gus the first morning of the conference. 

Maggie leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "Not the rumors you're expecting," she continued. "Claude has known Lloyd for years, so I questioned him, and he shared some interesting insights." 

Your curiosity piqued, you leaned forward, eager to hear more. 

"According to Claude, Lloyd has worked twice as hard as anyone around him to prove that he's more than his father's last name. He's ruthless in his work ethic, often the first one in the office and the last to leave. He doesn't try to suck up or make friends with his colleagues, but he knows how to get things done." 

Maggie paused, clearly taking the moment to draw out a little more suspense in her relay of information, her eyes twinkling with a mix of admiration and amusement. "Apparently, Lloyd can always charm a client when it matters. He has a knack for making good deals and building solid relationships.”

You nodded, processing Maggie's words. They didn’t contradict some of the other things you’d heard, but they were a different view, one that seemed more reflective of the man you’d gotten to know this week - the masked version as well as the rougher unmasked man. He was no perfect prince, but certainly more than people thought he was. 

"That sounds... accurate," you admitted. "He's complex. Challenging. And there's more to him than meets the eye."

Maggie smiled knowingly. "You care for him."

"I think I do," you confessed. "It's new and unexpected, but there's something there."

Maggie reached across the table, patting your hand gently. "Love often is. Just be careful. Don't rush into anything, but don't let fear hold you back either. Life's too short for that."

You couldn't help but smile at her advice. "Thanks, Maggie. For everything."

Maggie reached across the table, giving your hand a gentle squeeze. "Anytime, dear.” Then she stood. “Now, I’m off to catch a train with Claude. He says I have to spend a weekend with him in Normandy, and who am I to argue with him?”

You grinned, watching Maggie gather her things. "Have the best time in Normandy. You deserve it." 

As Maggie turned to leave, she paused, her expression growing serious. "One more thing," she said, her voice low. "Whatever happens with Lloyd, don't lose sight of yourself. You're a brilliant woman with a bright future ahead of you. Don't let anyone, no matter how charming, derail your ambitions." 

You nodded, touched by her concern. "I won't, Maggie. I promise." 

“And now that we’ve reconnected, don’t forget that I’m only ever a call, email, or text away.”

Your heart swelled and you nodded again. “Give Claude my best.”

With a final smile and a wave, Maggie was gone, leaving you alone with your thoughts and your cooling coffee. 

You sat there for a while, mulling over everything that had happened in the past week. The conference, the drama with your former boss, the unexpected connection with Lloyd... it all felt unreal.

And yet, it was your life. 

As you made your way through the hotel lobby, lost in thought about the whirlwind week you'd had, you nearly collided with a tall, distinguished-looking man in an impeccably tailored suit.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" you exclaimed, stepping back quickly.

The man steadied you with a firm hand on your arm, his steel-gray eyes appraising you with keen interest. "No harm done," he said, his voice deep and resonant. “I was hoping I’d run into you again, though perhaps not quite so literally.”

"Mr. Hansen!" you exclaimed, recognizing Lloyd's father. Your heart raced as you recalled your interactions at the gala.

Robert Hansen's lips curved into a small smile. "Please, I told you to call me Robert. I heard about Zhongxin - unfortunately your loss is our gain, but I think there's opportunity for you with Hansen Global, too. There's an offer I believe Claude delivered to you?"

You nodded, trying to maintain your composure. "Yes, he did. It was a very generous offer."

“But for some reason, not generous enough? Claude said you declined.”

You took a deep breath, choosing your words carefully. "It was a wonderful opportunity, Mr. Hansen - Robert. But I've decided to accept a new position with Nexus Technologies. It aligns more closely with my career goals at this time."

Robert's eyebrows raised slightly. "Nexus is certainly making waves in the industry." He paused, studying you intently. "I have to admit, I'm a bit disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing what you could bring to Hansen Global. But I do respect your loyalty - it’s a trait I value highly."

You blinked. 

Then, deciding to seize the opportunity, you asked, “Do you?” 

Robert frowned. “Pardon?”

"Do you really value loyalty?" you asked, your curiosity piqued. "I'm asking because your words don’t correlate with your treatment of your son the other night.”

A flicker of surprise and intrigue crossed Robert’s face. "You're quite bold, aren't you?" he said, his tone a mixture of amusement and wariness.

You took a deep breath, steeling yourself. "At the gala, I couldn't help but notice the way you spoke about Lloyd. It seemed dismissive. Almost cruel. If loyalty is truly a trait you value, shouldn't that extend to your own son?"

Robert's jaw tightened, but you pressed on, your voice calm and steady. "Lloyd has worked tirelessly for Hansen Global. He's known for his dedication, his work ethic, and his ability to close deals. Yet, from what I observed, you seemed quick to dismiss his value and question his competence."

You paused, meeting Robert's steely gaze. "I understand that family dynamics can be complex, especially in a business setting. But he chose to forge his career at Hansen, knowing it would be an uphill battle, because he wanted to be part of one of the best companies in the public relations industry despite the criticism he knew he would get from people thinking he’s only there because of his last name.”

Robert's expression remained impassive for a long moment as he considered your words. Then, to your surprise, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 

"You're not wrong," he said, his voice low. "My relationship with Lloyd is complex. But I like your candor. It's refreshing to meet someone who isn't afraid to speak their mind, especially to the CEO of a global corporation."

He paused, his eyes searching yours. "You remind me a bit of Lloyd's mother. She never hesitated to call me out when she thought I was being unfair or shortsighted."

You blinked, caught off guard by the personal turn in the conversation. "Thank you, I think?" 

Robert chuckled, a warm sound that seemed at odds with his imposing presence. "It's a compliment, I assure you. Celia was a force to be reckoned with, a match well-suited for me.”

He fixed you with an intense gaze. "You seem to have formed quite an opinion of my son.”

You felt a flutter of nervousness in your stomach, unsure of where this conversation was heading. "I've gotten to know Lloyd over the course of this conference. He's intelligent, driven, and far more complex than people give him credit for."

Robert's eyes narrowed slightly, a calculating look crossing his face. "And what exactly is the nature of your relationship with my son?" 

You hesitated, unsure how to respond. The truth was, you weren't entirely certain yourself. Your connection with Lloyd was still new, undefined, and complicated by your professional lives. 

"We've become... friends," you said carefully. 

Robert raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced by your answer. He opened his mouth to speak again, but before he could, a familiar voice cut through the tension. 

"There you are, princess. I've been looking for you." 

Lloyd strode towards you, his presence immediately commanding attention. He was impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. His blue eyes were sharp and alert, taking in the situation.

His timing was too perfect, and so you couldn't help but wonder how much of the conversation with his father he had overheard.

"Lloyd," Robert acknowledged, his tone neutral. "I was just having an interesting chat with your... friend here." 

Lloyd's eyes flickered between you and his father. "You mean my girlfriend," he said, his voice carefully controlled. He moved to stand beside you, his arm slipping around your waist.

You felt a solid warmth spread through you at the gesture, not needing it, but grateful for his presence all the same. 

"Yes," Robert replied, his steely gaze now fixed on his son. "She was just explaining to me why she chose Nexus over Hansen Global. Quite passionately, I might add." 

Lloyd's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Was she now? I'm sure that was an enlightening conversation." 

Robert's gaze shifted between the two of you, his expression unreadable. "Indeed it was. She has strong opinions about loyalty and family dynamics."

You felt Lloyd's hand tense slightly on your waist, but his voice remained steady. "She's not wrong," he said, echoing his father's earlier words. "And I appreciate her willingness to speak her mind." 

Robert nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Lloyd's face. "As do I. It's a valuable trait in both business and personal relationships." 

An awkward silence fell between the three of you, the tension palpable. You glanced between father and son, noting the similarities in their strong jawlines and piercing gazes. 

Finally, Robert broke the silence. "Lloyd," he began, his tone softening slightly, "you certainly don't need her to advocate for you, but she did anyway. She's fierce and holds her ground. I like her even more than before." His eyes flickered to you, a hint of approval in his gaze. "You have my blessing."

Lloyd's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his hand tightening reflexively on your waist. "Your blessing?" he repeated, a note of disbelief in his voice. “I don’t need your blessing.”

Robert nodded, a wry smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "And yet you have it!”

Lloyd's jaw tightened, his posture stiffening slightly. "Well, that's unexpected," he said, his tone carefully neutral. You could sense a mix of emotions simmering beneath the surface.

Robert smirked. "Life is full of surprises, son. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a flight to catch." He turned to you, inclining his head slightly. "It was a pleasure speaking with you once more. I imagine our paths will cross again soon."

With that, Robert strode away, leaving you and Lloyd standing in stunned silence. You watched as Lloyd's father disappeared into the bustling lobby, his commanding presence parting the crowd effortlessly. 

Lloyd remained quiet, his arm still around your waist. The bustling lobby faded somewhat as you stood there, acutely aware of the tension radiating from him. His jaw was clenched and his eyes distant as he stared after his father's retreating form. You could practically see the gears turning in his head, and you wondered if the last five minutes had altered things in a way you hadn’t anticipated.

Had you overstepped? Was Lloyd upset that you'd spoken to his father about him? You'd only known Lloyd for a short time, after all. 

The doubt crept in, insidious and persistent, rooting so quickly in the pit of your stomach. 

And yet you know you wouldn’t have said anything different to Robert.

Short time or not, the connection the two of you had forged the first night at Versailles had set a unique foundation, made more interesting and intricate as you’d circled each other as rivals, shared your moments together the night of the gala, flirted and butted heads yesterday morning, before culminating in the intimacy of both the sex and the conversations last night and this morning. 

Finally, unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, you broke the silence. "Lloyd?" you ventured hesitantly, your voice barely above a whisper. "Are you okay?"

He remained quiet for a moment longer, his gaze still fixed on the spot where his father had disappeared. 

Just as you were about to apologize, to try and salvage what you feared you might have broken, Lloyd turned to face you. 

And then he kissed you forcefully, lips crashing into yours, passionate and urgent. His arms circled around you. You melted into him, your hands clutching at his chest as you returned the kiss with equal fervor.

When you finally broke apart, both breathless, Lloyd rested his forehead against yours for a few seconds right there in the middle of the hotel lobby. His blue eyes were intense, and they locked into your soul. 

"You," he said, his voice low and husky, "are incredible."

You blinked, surprised by his reaction. "I... what?" 

"You took my father to task, unprovoked. For me. Without even knowing I was there."

“Wait, how much did you hear?”

“Nearly every word,” Lloyd chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. “I was sitting just over there waiting for you and Maggie to be done. I was interested in seeing what my father would say to you, but then you’re the one who put on a show.”

“It wasn’t a show,” you argued.

"No, bad word choice. It very clearly wasn't any kind of performance. You were genuine, passionate, and fearless." Lloyd's eyes shone with admiration. "Do you have any idea how rare that is? To have someone defend me like that, especially to my father? Try almost never."

You felt heat creep up your neck. "I only said what I thought."

Lloyd shook his head, a hint of wonder in his expression. "You're something else, princess."

"Well, I'm not most people," you replied, a small smile playing on your lips. 

"No," Lloyd agreed, his voice soft. "You certainly aren't." 

You bit your lip. “I should go.”

“To the airport?”

You nodded. 

“You could stay,” he said, “fly back with me.”

Your heart stuttered.

You wanted to.

It was nearly the same invitation he’d made to you that first night when you’d left just before midnight at Versailles. 

“One more night,” he pressed. 

“Only one more night?”

“Here, yeah. Then so many more when we get back to New York. You know, the ever after part of happily ever after to wrap up the whole Cinderella thing.”

You laughed. “You’ve got a deal, Prince Charming.”

He rolled his eyes, but pulled you in to seal it with a kiss. 

Y'ALL! THIS IS IT! WE MADE IT TO THE END! Can you believe it?

Your comments on every chapter honestly sustained me and made this infinitely more fun to write! I knew it was an unconventional choice to cast Lloyd as our Prince Charming here, but - as I've said in a few responses - that's part of what made it so irresistible and fun for me and my muse.

A year ago I wouldn't have thought I'd be writing so much Lloyd... definitely not a 50k fic! Because... that's where we landed with this! 🤣 50.5k in total.

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