#mischief at the oliviers

[personinthepalace]

Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer at the Olivier Awards 2024

[justallmyfantasies]

she’s just like candy

she’s so sweet.

contains: dad!alex, smut (unprotected piv, fingering) that’s about it sorry lolll

word count: 4.8k

MINORS DONT INTERACT!

you’d been with him for a while, met his family, even his daughter. she was lovely, a spitting image of her him. her brown eyes, brown hair and smile. it was the cutest thing you’d ever seen. you didn’t think you’d be that fond of children but here you were, playing dolls with her in his house and going through halloween costumes with her.

alex watched from the doorframe, you didn’t know he was there. he snuck up to you, making you scream into laughter, the little girl joining in.

“jesus christ, did you have to sneak up on me like that?” you scolded but your voice soft. the little girl giggled once more, her hair bouncing as she jumped up and down.

olivia looked up at alex, her smile beaming at him. “daddy, look! we picked this costume!” her voice was sweet. she stood up and posed, showing off her outfit. she twirled around and smiled.

alex kneeled down to her level, pulling her into a big hug. “you look great, poppet.” he ruffled her hair, making her squirm in his arms, protesting for him to stop messing her hair up. he giggled in response. you looked at them both, a big smile growing on your face.

as olivia continued to squirm and protest, alex only seemed to laugh more, clearly enjoying the playful banter between them. watching them together reminded you of how lucky you were to have found someone who was not only a great partner but also an amazing father.

olivia finally managed to wriggle out of his grip, her hair a messy tangle after his ruffling. she pouted up at him, but there was a twinkle in her eye that showed she was secretly amused. she ran over to you. “can you fix my hair please. daddy messed it up.” she looked at alex and pouted which made him laugh.

you smiled at her and beckoned her over. “of course, sweetheart.” you sat down and gestured for her to sit down in front of you. olivia sat down on the floor in front of you and you started to brush through her hair, trying to tame the messy tangles.

as you combed through her hair, olivia started to chatter away, telling you about school and her friends and all the things she was excited about for halloween. you listened patiently, smiling at her stories and making small talk in between.

alex stood nearby, leaning against the wall with a soft smile on his face as he watched the two of you interact. he could see the bond growing between you and his daughter, and it made his heart swell with happiness.

you finished sorting out her hair and gave it a final brush, making sure it was perfectly neat and neat again. olivia got up and ran over to the mirror to check her reflection, a look of absolute joy on her face.

"thanks!" she exclaimed and ran over to you to give you a big hug.

you hugged her back, feeling a lump form in your throat. being around olivia made you feel like a part of something bigger, something more meaningful. you looked up and saw alex still smiling, a proud look in his eyes.

olivia skipped back over to alex, tugging at his sleeve. "daddy, can we watch a movie?" she asked with pleading eyes. alex chuckled and picked her up, hoisting her up onto his hip.

“i thought you wanted to go trick or treating?" he asked, bouncing her up and down playfully.

olivia's eyes widened with excitement, suddenly remembering the reason why you guys were looking at costumes. "oh yeah!" she exclaimed, her legs kicking as she squirmed in his arms. "can we go? please, please, please!"

alex looked over at you, a grin on his face. “what do you think? up for a night of trick or treating?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

you shrugged, not knowing if you should or shouldn’t. you didn’t want to ruin their time as dad and daughter but you also wanted to join in. “do you want me to come?” you asked.

alex’s expression softened at your answer. “of course we want you to come, love.” he said, his voice gentle. olivia nodded enthusiastically, her eyes wide.

you couldn’t help but smile at their excitement. “alright, then. count me in.” you said, getting up from the couch and joining them.

“yes!” olivia exclaimed, pumping her fist into the air. alex chuckled and put her down. “go get your shoes on, poppet.” he said, giving her hair one last messy ruffle before she dashed out of the room.

as olivia rushed off to get ready, alex turned to you, a soft smile on his face. he reached out and took your hand, giving it a light squeeze. “thank you for this.”

you returned his smile, feeling a warmth spread through you at his words. “no need to thank me. i’m happy to spend time with you both.” your eyes met, and in that moment, you felt an undeniable connection between the three of you, one that was growing stronger with each passing day.

olivia came back into the room, her shoes on and her excitement levels off the charts. “i’m ready!” she exclaimed, jumping up and down again. alex laughed and ruffled her hair once more, clearly loving how energetic she was.

you chuckled, loving her enthusiasm. "okay, i think we're all set then." you said, grabbing your jacket from the coat rack.

as you all headed out the door, olivia skipped ahead, her costume rustling softly as she moved. she looked back over her shoulder at the two of you, her smile lighting up her face. alex put his hand on your lower back, guiding you outside.

the three of you spent half of the evening knocking on doors, screaming trick or treat and enjoying each others company. before you knew it, olivia’s pace was starting to slow down meaning she was tired and past her bedtime.

after a few more houses, you all decided to go back to the house. opening the door and being greeted by the coldness of the house. goosebumps hitting your skin. alex spent five minutes trying to convince olivia to go to sleep, after she while she gave up her fight and let alex take her to bed.

you stayed in the living room, waiting for alex to come back downstairs. you sat on the couch, the evening's events swirling around in your head. you were lost in thought, when you heard alex's footsteps echoing down the stairs.

he walked into the room, looking a little exhausted. he sat down next to you with a sigh. "she's finally asleep." he said, running a hand through his hair. "always a struggle getting her to fall asleep."

you chuckled, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. you knew all too well how stubborn kids could be when it came to bedtime. "well, she has a lot of energy. it's no wonder it takes her a while to settle down."

alex nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "you're telling me. i love her to bits, but sometimes i just wish she wasn’t so hyper.”

you laughed, imagining how chaotic it must be trying to get her to focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. "i can only imagine. i don’t know how you handle it on a daily basis."

alex rolled his eyes playfully. "i have no idea how i do it either, but it’s all worth it when i see her smile." he leaned back into the couch, stretching is arms above his head.

you smiled at his words. hearing him talk about his daughter always melted your heart. "you're a great dad, you know that?" you said, nudging his shoulder with yours.

alex looked at you, a soft smile on his face. "thanks, love. i try my best. she’s everything to me." he paused for a moment, his expression turning contemplative. "you’re good with her too, you know. she really looks up to you."

you blushed slightly at his words, not used to being praised for your interactions with olivia. "you really think so?" you asked, feeling a little self-conscious.

alex nodded emphatically. “i know so. she always asks about the next time she’ll get to see you. she practically lights up when she knows you’re coming over. it’s adorable.”

your heart swelled at his words. it was one thing to have a good relationship with alex, but it was something else entirely to know that his daughter also liked having you around. “i can’t believe she enjoys my presence that much.” you mused.

alex chuckled, shaking his head. “why is it so hard to believe? i enjoy your presence too, you know.” he reached out and took your hand in his, intertwining his fingers with yours.

you felt a familiar flutter in your chest as he held your hand. no matter how many times he touched you, it always sent a shiver down your spine. "i know you do." you said, your voice soft. "but it's still weird to think that she likes me as much as you do."

"well, you’d better believe it." alex replied, giving your hand a gentle squeeze. "olivia has a good eye for people, and she can tell when someone is genuine. and you, my love, are nothing but genuine."

you felt a blush creeping up your cheeks again, feeling a little overwhelmed by his compliment. "you really have a way with words, you know that?" you teased, trying to lighten the mood.

alex grinned, enjoying the effect he had on you. "what can i say? i know how to flatter the ladies." he leaned in a little closer, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "or at least, i know how to flatter you."

you couldn’t help but laugh, feeling both flustered and happy at the same time. "careful, alex. too many compliments and you’ll start inflating my ego."

"i wouldn't mind if your ego went up a bit." alex replied, his tone playful. "you deserve to feel good about yourself." he reached up with his free hand, gently tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

you felt your heart skip a beat as his fingers grazed against your skin. alex was always so gentle with you, like you were something fragile and precious. "you’re being sweet again." you accused, a small smile playing on your lips.

alex chuckled, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "you bring out the sweetness in me." he replied, his fingers now tracing a path down the side of your neck.

you shivered slightly at his touch, feeling a heat spread throughout your body. it was like every time he touched you, it sent a current of electricity through your veins. "you're making it hard to focus on anything but you." you said, your voice a little hoarse.

alex’s grin widened, knowing full well the effect he had on you. "oh really?" he leaned in closer, his eyes locking onto yours.

"really." you breathed, your pulse quickening. alex was so close you could feel the heat radiating from his skin. it was as if he had a gravitational pull that lured you in, making it impossible to resist him.

"i see." alex’s voice was low and sultry, his breath warm against your ear, his hand now resting on your thigh. “you’re pretty, you know that?”

you felt a shiver run down your spine as his hand rested on your leg. “you’ve mentioned that before.” you replied, managing to keep your voice steady. alex’s proximity was making it hard to think straight.

"well, i’ll keep reminding you until you believe it." alex said, his fingers tracing lazy circles on your skin. he chuckled softly, his breath tickling your ear. "i don’t think you realize how beautiful you are."

you couldn’t help but blush at his words, feeling both embarrassed and pleased by his compliments. “i think you’re exaggerating a bit.” you mumbled, looking down at your lap.

alex gently grasped your chin, tilting your head up to meet his gaze. "i’m not exaggerating," he said, his tone firm but gentle. "i mean every word.” he paused for a moment, his eyes searching your face. "i should really stop before you get a big head."

you let out another small laugh, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. "don't worry, my ego is still in check." you replied jokingly, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the butterflies in your stomach.

"good." alex said, his thumb tracing the line of your jaw. he leaned in even closer, his lips now hovering just inches from yours. "I wouldn’t want you getting too full of yourself."

you couldn't help but hold your breath as his lips got closer to yours, your heart fluttering in your chest. "i think i can manage." you breathed, your voice barely above a whisper.

"i’ll hold you to that." alex murmured, his gaze dropping to your lips. his thumb traced the contour of your bottom lips, sending a jolt of electricity down your spine.

you were about to say something witty in response, when alex closed the distance between you, his lips claiming yours in a deep, passionate kiss. all rational thought left your mind as he kissed you, your body melting against his.

alex wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer to him as he continued to kiss you. his tongue darting out to meet yours, his grip soft. his scent was intoxicating, a mix of musk and cologne that sent your senses into overdrive.

you let yourself get lost in the moment, your hands burying themselves in his hair as you returned his kiss with equal fervor. the world around you faded away, leaving only the two of you in this intimate bubble.

alex pulled away from the kiss, but only to trail his lips down your neck, leaving a trail of fiery kisses in their wake. he gently nipped at the sensitive skin, making you gasp and cling onto him tighter.

"alex..." you whispered, your voice thick with desire. his stubble grazed your skin, sending shivers down your spine. he chuckled softly against your neck, leaving a trail of love bites along your skin.

alex's hands were roaming freely over your body, his touch leaving a trail of fire in their path. he pulled you onto his lap, his hands coming to rest on your hips, holding you tightly against him.

you straddled his hips, your body fitting perfectly against his as you looked down at him. his eyes were darkened with desire, his mouth slightly parted as he gazed up at you. "you drive me crazy, you know that?" he whispered, his hands tightening their grip on your waist.

you smiled down at him, feeling a rush of power at the effect you had on him. "i could say the same for you." you replied, leaning down and tracing a path along his jawline with your lips.

alex let out a soft groan, his head tilting back to give you better access to his neck. your fingers found their way under his shirt, tracing the muscles of his chest and stomach. his skin was hot against your touch, his body responding to you in a way that made your head spin.

your lips continued their journey down his neck, feeling his pulse quicken under your touch. you could feel him growing harder beneath you, his body responding to your every move. your hands roamed over his chest, tracing patterns over his skin as you nibbled on his earlobe.

"god, you're killing me." alex breathed, his hands gripping your hips with a near-bruising force. he pulled your face back up to his, his lips crashing into yours in a sloppy, desperate kiss.

you matched the intensity of his kiss, your tongue tangling with his as your body pressed flush against his. you could feel the heat radiating from him, the desperate need in his touch as his hands ran over your back.

alex suddenly shifted, picking you up and carrying you up the stairs to his bedroom. shutting the door behind him with his foot, careful to not wake the child sleeping in the room opposite.

he laid you down on the bed, his body following soon after. he propped himself up on his forearms, hovering above you. his breath hitched as he looked down at you, a mixture of desire and awe in his eyes.

"i want you." he said, his voice hoarse with need. he leaned down and captured your lips in another kiss, his hands already working on removing your shirt.

you arched your back, aiding him in his quest to undress you. your heart was pounding in your chest as his hands roamed over your bare skin, leaving a trail of fire in their path.

alex pulled back, admiring your exposed body for a moment before he began to slowly remove his own shirt. you watched with bated breath as each inch of his torso was revealed, the sight making your mouth go dry.

he tossed the shirt aside before leaning back over you, his body pressing against yours. you could feel his hardness against your thigh and it made you shiver with anticipation. he captured your lips in another deep kiss, his tongue delving into your mouth as his hands continued their exploration of your body.

you wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him closer. your fingers dug into his back, feeling the muscles flexing beneath your touch. alex groaned into the kiss, his hips grinding against yours, his need for you growing more urgent.

he broke the kiss, his mouth trailing down your neck once more. his teeth nipped at the sensitive skin, making you gasp and arch your back. his hands were everywhere, touching and squeezing all the right spots, leaving you feeling like a bundle of nerves on fire.

alex made his way down your body, his lips and tongue worshiping every inch of your skin. his hands continued to roam, caressing and massaging your body. you were a trembling mess, your mind clouded with pleasure, your body surrendering completely to his touch.

he reached the hem of your pants, his fingers toying with the waistband. he looked up at you, his eyes dark and questioning, asking for permission. you nodded, unable to form words, feeling a rush of anticipation.

alex wasted no time, his fingers quickly unbuttoning your pants and sliding them down your legs, discarding them on the floor. he ran his hands back up your legs, his touch soft as he caressed your thighs.

he settled between your legs, his fingers tracing the edge of your panties, the thin fabric separating his touch from your most intimate parts. you whimpered, your hips arching towards him, trying to find some relief from the growing tension inside you.

alex chuckled, his breath warm against your skin. "so impatient." he murmured, his fingers now delving beneath the fabric, slowly exploring the sensitive flesh underneath. you sucked in a breath, your hand coming up to muffle the moan that escaped your lips.

alex continued his torturous teasing, his fingers dancing along the edges of where you desperately wanted him. his lips returned to your neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses as he slowly unraveled you.

you were a writhing mess under his touch, your body begging for something. you could feel the pleasure building, a coiled tension gathering in your core. you clung onto him, your nails digging into his back as you tried to muffle you moans.

alex finally took mercy on you, his fingers finally moving your panties to the side and attaching his fingers to where you needed them most. you gasped, your body arching off the bed as his touch ignited a fire inside you. his mouth found yours, capturing your moans greedily.

his fingers started moving, his touch bringing you closer and closer to the edge. you were a trembling mess, your body responding to his every touch. his tongue tangled with yours, your moans getting lost in his mouth.

alex changed the angle of his hand slightly, his fingers hitting a spot that made you see stars. you gasped, your body tensing as the pleasure shot through you like electricity. you broke away from the kiss, your head falling back onto the pillow as you gasped for air.

"alex, i-" you started to say, but the words were cut off by another moan as he curled his fingers in just the right way. your thoughts were scattered, your mind reeling as the pleasure built and built, growing stronger and stronger.

"shh, i know." alex murmured, his fingers continuing their relentless pace. "let go." he commanded, his mouth now trailing kisses down your neck once more.

his words pushed you over the edge, and you let go, your body shuddering as the waves of pleasure crashed over you. you cried out, your hands grasping at the sheets, your mind filled with nothing but white-hot ecstasy.

alex slowed his movements, helping you ride out the aftershocks of your climax. he kissed your neck, your shoulders, mumbling soft words of praise into your skin.

you laid there, panting and trembling, your body slowly coming back down to earth. alex's hands continued to move over your skin, caressing and soothing your hypersensitive body.

he moved back up, hovering above you once more. he was a mess himself, his hair tousled and his eyes dark and intense. he lowered his forehead to yours, his breath mingling with yours as he tried to regain his own composure.

you were still catching your breath when you felt him pressing against you, signaling his need. you looked up at him, his eyes searching yours, asking a silent question. you nodded, your body already responding to his touch.

alex groaned, his eyes closing briefly as he felt your response. he reached between you, fumbling with his own pants for a moment before he was finally free. he looked down at you, his eyes filled with need.

he captured your lips in a deep, passionate kiss as he settled between your thighs. you felt him pressing against your entrance, the feeling making you gasp into the kiss. he slowly pushed inside you, drawing out an unrestrained moan from you.

he let out a low growl, his body shuddering as he slowly filled you. you wrapped your legs around his waist, trying to pull him closer, deeper. your hands dug into his back, your nails leaving imprints on his skin.

alex pulled back a bit, needing a moment to collect himself. he looked down at you, his eyes burning with desire. he reached out and pushed a strand of hair away from your face, his touch surprisingly gentle given the intensity of the moment.

"you okay?" he asked, his voice rough. you nodded, feeling the last remnants of trepidation draining from you, leaving only a deep, primal need. you wanted him, all of him.

"good." alex said, his voice a low rumble. he began to move then, slowly at first, his hips rolling against yours. you threw your head back, a gasp escaping you as he filled you in a way that made you feel complete.

he set a slow, steady pace, each movement calculated and precise. his mouth found your neck, his teeth scraping against your skin, his lips leaving hot, open-mouthed kisses in their path.

you moved with him, your body instinctively matching his rhythm. your fingers dug into his hair and shoulders, needing something to hold onto as the pleasure coiled deep within you once again.

alex's movements grew more urgent, his thrusts getting harder and faster. he was losing his control, his body taking over. he let out a soft string of curses, his mouth now nipping at your earlobe.

you were close again, the building pleasure threatening to overwhelm you. you tightened your legs around his waist, trying to pull him deeper, wanting him to fill you completely. alex groaned at the change in angle, his breath ragged and uneven.

"i'm not gonna last much longer." he confessed, his voice hoarse. "i need you to-" he started to say, but was cut off by a low moan as he hit that spot inside you that made you see stars.

"alex-" you managed to gasp out, your voice trembling. "i'm close. so close." you weren't even sure if your words were coherent, but he seemed to understand, as his hand slid down between your bodies and found that sensitive bundle of nerves. his thumb started making small circles on you, the added stimulation almost too much. you shuddered, your body coiling tight as you neared the edge.

"let go for me." alex breathed, his words a broken gasp as he continued to move inside you. "let go, i got you."

his words broke the dam, and you came undone, your body shuddering against his as the pleasure tore through you. you cried out, your nails digging into his skin, your mind wiped clean of any thought save for the overwhelming ecstasy coursing through you.

alex followed after you, his thrusts becoming erratic and uneven as he found his own release. he let out a guttural moan, burying his face in the crook of your neck as he came. his body pressed against you, his weight pinning you to the bed as you both rode out the after shudders of pleasure. both of you were panting, your bodies slick with sweat. alex slowly lifted his head, his eyes hazy and satisfied as he looked down at you.

a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, his expression tender. he reached up and pushed some damp hair away from your forehead, his touch gentle and affectionate. "you're amazing." he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "absolutely amazing.

you smiled up at him, feeling a wave of affection wash over you. you reached out and traced your fingers along his jawline, feeling the stubble scratching softly against your skin. "you're not so bad yourself." you teased, your voice still breathless.

alex chuckled, the sound sending a ripple of happiness through you. he rolled off of you, collapsing onto the bed beside you. he pulled you closer, wrapping his arms around you and holding you tightly against his chest.

you snuggled closer, relishing in the feeling of being cocooned in his arms. you could hear the steady beat of his heart, the soft rise and fall of his chest. you placed your hand over his heart, feeling the steady rhythm against your palm.

alex pressed a kiss to the top of your head, his hand drawing lazy circles on your back. you both laid there, silently basking in each other's presence. the room was filled with a comfortable silence, the only sound the soft breathing of the other.

after a few moments, alex spoke, breaking the silence. "i could get used to this," he said, his voice still rough from exertion. "having you in my bed, in my arms."

you felt a flutter in your chest at his words, a warmth spreading through you. you looked up at him, seeing the soft smile on his face. "i could get used to it too," you confessed, your voice a whisper.

alex's smile grew, his eyes crinkling at the corners. he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, his touch tender. "move in with me." he said, his voice softer than you had ever heard it before.

your heart skipped a beat, his words taking you completely by surprise. you pulled back slightly, looking up at him with wide eyes. "what?" you asked, your voice trembling slightly.

"move in with me," alex repeated, his eyes searching yours. "i want to wake up every morning with you in my bed. i want to come home from work and find you waiting for me. i want you to be the one to keep olivia company when im not here."

your mind was spinning, your thoughts a jumbled mess. move in with him? it was a big step, a huge commitment. but the thought of waking up beside him every day, sharing your life with him, it was incredibly tempting.

"alex, i-" you started to say, not sure how to form your thoughts into words.

but alex cut you off, his hand coming up to cup your cheek. "you don't have to decide right now," he said, his eyes filled with understanding. "take your time. just...think about it, okay? promise me you'll think about it."

you looked at him, his expression earnest, his eyes pleading. you could see the vulnerability behind his tough exterior. he was laying his heart on the line, asking you to consider a future together. how could you say no to that?

a/n: hi, happy halloween. sorry i haven’t posted in a while, i haven’t been in a writing mood and life’s been so crazy. hopefully i’ll be back into a regular routine of posting soon. love u all 🖤

[bookshelvesandtealeaves]

❤️🤍💚 FLATLAY FRIDAY 💚🤍❤️

QOTD: What’s a red, white and/or green book you love?

[instagram]

Books pictured:

Column 1:

❤️ Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

🤍 One For My Enemy by Olivie Blake

💚 Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto

Column 2:

🤍 One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus

💚 Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

❤️ This Winter by Alice Oseman

🤍 Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

💚 Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

Column 3:

💚 Heartsong by TJ Klune

❤️ Heartstopper Vol. 3 by Alice Oseman

💚 Graceless by Ruby Landers

🤍 Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff

Column 4:

❤️ The Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

💚 You’re A Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky

🤍 Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

💚 Ex-Mas by Kate Brian

❤️ A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Column 5:

❤️ Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

🤍 The Killing Code by Ellie Marney

❤️ Ravensong by TJ Klune

🤍 Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff

Column 6:

💚 The Christmas Swap by Talia Samuels

🤍 Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

[shakespearenews]

Some of the stories Gambon told may not be exactly true. An incorrigible prankster on stage, he was an inveterate fibber, especially when a reporter’s ears were flapping. Did he actually affront Laurence Olivier in his Old Vic audition by doing one of the star’s famous speeches from Richard III and then slicing his hand open on a pillar? Maybe. Did he fire a water pistol at his fellow actors? Seems so. Did he really lose his temper at an underpopulated matinee of Uncle Vanya, after spotting a front-row punter unashamedly working on an oil painting of co-star Greta Scacchi? And did he then hoist up a samovar brimming with water, lumber to the front of the stage and hurl it at him, drenching both painter and canvas? We can but hope.

...

Tears erupted mid-speech in Skylight; in both Uncle Vanya and Tales from Hollywood, he suddenly collapsed, felled like a tree in a lightning storm. Gambon carried a pebble in his pocket throughout his performances of Lear, he told Gussow, because its solid touch grounded him. Vocally and physically he was a magnified presence – yet somehow, in tales of grief and fury and sheer bewilderment at life’s cruel games, he made that presence feel life-sized.

[acotars]

books read in 2023

january

sweep in peace by ilona andrews

one fell sweep by ilona andrews

a court of mist and fury by sarah j. maas

sweep of the blade by ilona andrews

sweep with me by ilona andrews

my best friend’s exorcism by grady hendrix

kiss her once for me by alison cochrun

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by taylor jenkins reid

i’m glad my mom died by jennette mccurdy

love and other words by christina lauren

sweep of the heart by ilona andrews

the only living girl on earth by charles yu

witches get stuff done by molly harper

you had me at hola by alexis daria

her vigilante by lillian lark

inconvenient daughter by lauren j. sharkey

anon pls. by deuxmoi

you are eating an orange. you are naked. by sheung-king

legends & lattes by travis baldree

bad vibes only (and other things i bring to the table) by nora mcinerny

signs of cupidity by raven kennedy

bonds of cupidity by raven kennedy

crimes of cupidity by raven kennedy

read: 23

february

exciting times by naoise dolan

sweethand by n.g. peltier

you made a fool of death with your beauty by akwaeke emezi

something wilder by christina lauren

highly suspicious and unfairly cute by talia hibbert

you deserve each other by sarah hogle

this is how you lose the time war by amal el-mohtar and max goldstone

would you rather by allison ashley

read: 8

march

meet me in the margins by melissa ferguson

king of battle and blood by scarlett st. clair

the exotic by hampton sides

river of shadows by karina halle

alone with you in the ether by olivie blake

lovelight farms by b.k. borison

the soulmate equation by christina lauren

before i let go by kennedy ryan

haunting adeline by h.d. carlson

the lies i tell by julie clark

one jump at a time by nathan chen

our wives under the sea by julia armfield

all systems red (the murderbot diaries #1) by martha wells

before the coffee gets cold by toshikazu kawaguchi

read: 14

april

funny you should ask by elissa sussman

make a scene by mimi grace

sweeter than chocolate by lizzie shane

the kiss quotient by helen hoang

my favorite half-night stand by christina lauren

romantic comedy by curtis sittenfeld

icebreaker by a.l. graziadei

the wedding proposal by john swansiger

circling back to you by julie tieu

by the book by amanda sellet

a lady’s guide to mischief and mayhem by manda collins

love in the time of serial killers by alicia thompson

if the shoe fits by julie murphy

whispers of you by catherine cowles

the kiss curse by erin sterling

by the book by jasmine guillory

honey & spice by bolu babalola

one night on the island by josie silver

the bodyguard by katherine center

the reunion by kayla olson

the neighbor favor by kristina forest

crooked kingdom by leigh bardugo

do i know you? by emily wibberley & austin siegemund-broka

just my type by falon ballard

delilah green doesn’t care by ashley herring blake

happy place by emily henry

dating dr. dil by nisha sharma

icebreaker by hannah grace

count your lucky stars by alexandria bellefleur

stone cold fox by rachel koller croft 

fake it till you bake it by jamie wesley

read: 31

may

the dead romantics

motherthing by ainslie hogarth

the woman in the library by sulari gentill

artificial condition (the murderbot diaries #2) by martha wells

the last word by taylor adams

you shouldn’t have come here by jeneva rose

read: 6

june

fourth wing (the empyrean #1) by rebecca yarros

the very secret society of irregular witches by sangu mandanna

love, theoretically by ali hazelwood

read: 3

july

the traitor queen (the bridge kingdom #2) by danielle l. jensen

the beast by katee robert

baldur's gate: descent into avernus by by james introcaso et. al

forget me not by julie soto

the wishing game by meg shaffer

read: 5

august

the true love experiment by christina lauren

pachinko by min jin lee

almond by sohn won-pyung, translated by joosun lee

hook, line, and sinker by tessa bailey

read: 4

september

hey, u up? (for a serious relationship): how to turn your booty call into your emergency contact by emily axford & brian murphy

everyone knows your mother is a witch by rivka galchen

fangs by sarah andersen

a room with a view by e.m. forster

juniper bean resorts to murder by gracie ruth mitchell

one's company by ashley hutson

the mysterious affair at styles by agatha christie

solita: a gothic romance by vivien rainn

you, again by kate goldbeck

the undertaking of hart and mercy by megan bannen

my roommate is a vampire by jenna levine

the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde

the vampires of el norte by isabel cañas

her body and other parties by carmen maria machado

evil eye by etaf rum

the seven year slip by ashley poston

read: 17

october

keeper of enchanted rooms by charlie n. holmberg

the serpent and the wings of night by carissa broadbent

shy by max porter

down comes the night by allison saft

the unfortunate side effects of heartbreak and magic by breanne randall

the hurricane wars by thea guanzon

read: 6

november

a witch's guide to fake dating a demon by sarah hawley

the wake-up call by beth o'leary

when in rome by sarah adams

the view was exhausting by mikaella clements and onjuli datta

hello stranger by katherine center

practice makes perfect by sarah adams

do your worst by rosie danan

read: 7

december

bookshops & bonedust by travis baldree

the fake mate by lana ferguson

read: 2

final count: 127/100

[islahvnt]

Secretly you love this, do you even wanna' go free? Let me in the ring, I'll show you what that big word means

mentions: Yvonne, Ayaz, Vidal, Henry and Olivier tw: gore, violence, murder

The lights had never bothered her. If anything, they made it all the easier to slip in and out of the crowd of people that ventured into the open mouth of the Venue, and more specifically the Rutherfords. A cesspool of the cities most oblivious mingling without a thought about the demons they congregated with. If Hell offered an everglade of euphoria for the worst creatures the city held; the Venue would be the welcoming party. The leather skirt she wore clung tight to a lithe form. A snake among them, sidling up alongside the unsuspecting offering a glimpse of sweat and honey beneath the white lace of her crop top; leaving little to the imagination as she lured them beyond the lobby of a Rutherford hellscape and beyond. Without question, she teed up dealers with those willing to pay, and poured every elixir known to man that might otherwise inebriate those only looking for a night they’ll never remember.

Gather information; carve out a safe place for lips eager to spill all. She was little more than a pretty face to them; harmless. Good for a fuck, just a taste; all while she wove the design of their own demise between manicured fingertips.

As easily as she managed, there was no doubting the dire need to lash out that had simmered away since her initial release. Bound and muzzled by her mentors, Isla listened to Henry and Vidal because she wanted to. And subconsciously, in a grab for their approval. Their respect. It’s one of the few things she’s deigned to desire since the cold night two of the Rutherford's enforcers arrived at her fathers store to deliver the consequence of a failed payment. It was a fire that never dimmed, and one that Isla would prove was catching, even if it killed her. Even if she was just a pretty face.

A hand, as silken as the smoothes porcelain surface found its way beneath her skirt, squeezing the curve of her behind with a certain fervor that made her teeth grit. Pause. Her features soften as she glances across her shoulder at him, the glint of mischief in the sparkle of her eye that only becomes all the brighter as her manicured brow peaks “Where you going, baby?” She reads his lips over the reverberating thrum of drum and bass that called the club home. The blonde turns, instantly pressing her body into his, just to speak into the shell of his ear as she lifts the expensive bottle she was taking to a booth of loyalists. “To do my job. Someone around here has to make sure you’re all having a good night,” there’s something sickly sweet to the curvature of her voice, a flicker of venom that nobody ever saw coming. Yvonne Rutherford. The name had swelled an unspeakable cloud above them that they were entirely unaware of. A passing mention that perhaps nobody else would have thought to pick up, and yet Isla had. Perhaps the awful accent, or the pompous way in which they dressed, as loud as their voices - begging everyone close enough to believe they were something worth watching made them believe that there was too much to see, for anyone to truly be listening. Maybe they knew that their worth truly only extended to their looks; and not every moronic fucking thought that came to the front of their barely mature mind. She never missed a beat though. “How are you meant to make sure we’re having fun if you’re not here with us?” It doesn’t really land with her, though the fact that he and his friends are quickly jabbing each other with elbows makes it clear to her the kind of people they were. “You’re too pretty to be working like this..” he grinned and pulled her closer, pressing a finger beneath her chin to lift her gaze, “- I’d take care of you.” She could have gagged, openly, feeling her skin crawl in the same way that it always did. 

Gather information. Fuck that. 

White teeth scour her lesser lip, and doe hues flicked between them, and back to the bar. Beneath her heels, the sticky substance seeks to glue her to the spot and the tang of desire rears its ugly head as she sets the bottle on the table and offers a dazzling smile, “How about you take care of this for now..” The blonde drawls out, the briefest touch of fingertips across his leg, just a taste, “And then you take care of me later.” Hues linger just long enough for it to sink in, beneath his foolish demure of importance, “Both of you… take care of me later.” It’s all she says, plucking the phone from the table in front of him, to dial her own number before she tucks it safely into the pocket on the inside of his suit jacket. “I’ll call you when I finish,” —----------------

There are options. There are always options. But Isla had never been one to weigh them up equally. And the taste of being the only one to know only served to fill her drunk with the spark of desire that she felt beneath her bones once again. Proving herself was one thing, though she’d hoped that the things she wanted didn’t make her seem desperate to impress. Simply put, Isla Hunt knew what she was good at. And chaos tangled itself so tightly around her fingertips, it was impossible to ignore. “I’ll be out in five x.”

The club had emptied out and the lingering echo of all that went on within the four walls continued to ricochet as each lights dimmed out, as each of those she worked with said goodnight and left. The early hours always gave Isla the time she needed to herself - it suited her to be the last to leave, very few others were willing to deal with what could be waiting beyond the doors. But this time, Isla knew. The back door closes behind her, a heavy steel door upon rusting hinges and she perches upon the landing just long enough to light a cigarette. The cherry tip in the dark an ominous glow when one considered the horrors that lurked in the dark. Luckily, tonight, she intended to be that horror. The car pulls up. The darkened SUV worth more than everything she owns, and she cursed it to hell as her heels click against the steps and the doors of the vehicle swing open to reveal the two french soldiers. Unassuming, and stupid. They jeer. One waves a clear bag of white powder and the blonde feels a sting of disappointment at the notion of it. Inebriated, she didn’t hate.. But if they were high, it certainly took an ounce of fun out of it. The irony wasn’t entirely lost on her. The barely gone cigarette is crushed beneath the toe of her shoe as she slows to a stop, pressing a shoulder into the car and it’s clear enough that they’ve only got one thing on their mind. The press of damp lips meet her shoulder as the taller of the two draws an arm around her waist - the giggle that she elicits is hollow, but they don’t know that. Somewhere in the mess of powder, lips, teeth and the bottle of vodka she’d palmed off to them earlier, the cool leather of the backseat settles against her skin. It’s a wonder the two can barely see, though she supposes they’re built like bulls and couldn’t think for a second that they’d made a single wrong move in their attempt to run a very, very stupid play by the eyes and ears of the Rutherford organization. A rough hand curls in against the inside of her thigh, and she buries fingertips into the mess of blonde hair upon what she thinks might be the younger of the two before she speaks. A heavy breath, one among many to fog the windows just that little bit more. 

“Hey.. hey,” there’s velvet in the husk of her voice, as she thinks about how many times she’ll have to scrub her skin raw, and yet she continues, reaching for the bottle with one hand as she shifts just enough for the brute with blue eyes to draw her into his lap, the cramped backseat nothing that he clearly hasn’t maneuvered before. She draws the bottle to her lips, careful enough that the clear liquid slips through the gap without her ever really touching the rim of the bottle. Isla leans in, a hand pressed to his chest as she looks between the two. The tilt of her head portraying the same beautiful woman she’d become accustomed to being seen as, “How do you know Yvonne Rutherford’s address?”

Silence.

Something in her eyes changes. A flicker in the warmth of the fire burning. Once one of muted desire, turned to a raging inferno as realization dawned on them.

“It’ll be easy. She’s like an outlier of the family.. Nobody is paying her any fucking attention right now and I’ve been staking the place for weeks now.” “You’re insane.” Pause. “Wait till the boy’s find out we kidnapped and put Yvonne Rutherford six fucking feet under.”

The bottle she held already cracked; a detail she’d noted hours before and intended to get rid of before conversation had crept in like a little voice in her head, met the back of the center console with a deft shatter of glass, and everything within the confines of the car exploded. Isla’s hand still curled around the neck of the bottle as she drove the jagged edge into his gut, once... twice.... in the same breath that a hand curls around her neck and drags her to the other side of the backseat.

Her head connects with the window, tinnitus rupturing within her head as everything spins and she searches in the dark for clarity. It doesn’t matter where it is. All she knows is anger - anger and pure hatred. The air in her lungs rushing out as a fist buries itself somewhere in the pit of her stomach. Like hell - the blonde knew who she was, what she was; and among the monsters that reigned above her, Isla Hunt wasn’t one to be underestimated. She’d lost the bottle, and it rolled away beneath one of the chairs; but she didn’t need it. The shard she now gripped as she doubled over cut deeply into the palm of her hand, her own blood the same sacrifice she’d make over and over for the Rutherfords after they picked her up and gave her something to wield. They’d lost enough. Stars splinter her vision, and she feels the skin at her brow split, blood slipping to stain usually piercing eyes with a certain horror that she’d fight to see through. Instinctively, her hand flies up to protect her face and instead collides with a target she hadn’t been aiming for. Glass slices through flesh and she knows it’s a scar he’ll either wear for the rest of his life, or one that will never get a chance to heal. His scream ripples through the air and she knows it pierces the night beyond the cars cabin. “You fucking bitch, my eye..” His eye indeed. It hangs limp from his socket and the gnarly open wound a crevice of flesh and blood that she knows belongs to her now. Isla heaves a breath as he slows, perhaps conceding some kind of defeat. The other, slumped in his seat growing paler by the minute hadn’t served an ounce of fight since she carved open his gut. 

She feels a moment of relief slither into the tension in her back, but disappointment soon follows. All that bravado for fuck all. The blonde spits, a mix of blood and saliva and wipes at her mouth, crimson highlighting the white of her teeth even more than usual. “Fucking pigs.” It’s muttered beneath her breath, stained blonde hair catching against the drivers side headrest as she leans back to catch another breath; a mistake that she deeply regrets as she her side lights up, white hot with pain and the sound of a bullet fires off.  It’s deafening and whatever ringing she might have heard in her ears before hand was nothing compared to this. The hole the bullet had carved through the roof of the car only inches from the side of her head; a near miss. Unlike the shard of glass now broken off just beneath her ribs. The blonde gasps and finds she can’t draw a big enough breath, and where defeat might have come swiftly, it only surged her anger to boil over. “And here I was, considering leaving you alive to play messenger boy.” But with one heavy swing, the already bloodied glass buried itself in his neck. The blonde slumps back in his seat, and she watches quietly, as he drowns in his own blood and meets whatever devil hell sent for him. “The Rutherford’s send their fucking regards.”

—------------------ It’s with great effort that Isla pulls herself over the center console and into the front seat. She digs through the glove box, quick to snatch up the phone that definitely doesn’t belong to her - knocking an array of photographs to the floor in the process, only to dial her own number long enough to find her purse. Tucked away beneath the passenger seat, blood smears the leather, dark until it dries and becomes a piece of the upholstery, and true to the women’s ability to multitask, she flips over the photographs as she digs it free.

“I need your help. Venue. x.” 

She texts, hues flickering over each snapshot of Yvonne coming and going from her home in London. She doesn’t care what the time is; Isla knows Ayaz will be there.

And while she waits, she flips the vanity mirror down, drawing the edge of a shaky pinky finger around the edge of her lip, her opposing thumb pressing down on the trigger of her lighter, watching as it caught light in the dark of her resurgence. She would always be more than just a pretty face, but a pretty face didn’t hurt.

[kururu418]

Working on one chapter now, and going to add the Swanhilda chapters to the main story after! So thought I may as well put up a poll to decide what's next after that!

Art by @harchibudytgorichi

[voidnerd]

TTRPG Questionnaire

Taken from @kiikiibee

GENERAL

Name: Berith Valentis

Alias(es): None, although he generally doesn't use his family name. Called "Beri" by his boyfriend, although anyone else using that would get stabbed.

Gender: Male

Age: 20

Place of birth: Vasterland

Spoken languages: Common, Infernal, bits of Chalgasi

Sexual orientation: Gay

Occupation: Wannabe criminal mastermind

Class: Sorcelock (Shadow Magic/Hexblade)

Ancestry: Tiefling. His mother is a high elf and his father is a tiefling. Despite infernal heritage being quite rare where they live, there's a high rate of it on his father's side of the family.

APPEARANCE

Eye color: Gold irises with black sclera

Hair color: Black, although it gets slightly transparent towards the end and acts like smokey flames.

Height: 5′10"

Scars: None

Burns: None

Build: More muscular than you might expect a spellcaster to be, although it's almost completely for show.

FAVOURITE

Color: Red, gold

Hair color: He doesn't care.

Eye color: Again, doesn't really care or think about it much. Although gold is nice.

Music genre: I don't think he has experience with a broad range of musical genres, but he'd prefer the sort of music you'd hear in the city streets or a bar.

Entertainment: Berith loves a good party, although he'd always prefer something in a tavern as opposed to a stuffy noble ball. He also enjoys anywhere he can stir up general mischief.

Pastime: Crime, scheming, fencing training, strategy games

Food: Anything spicy, although he does have a secret sweet tooth

Drink: Mead, red wine

Books: Gross. (He secretly has lots of books on game theory and strategy, but he won't admit it.)

HAVE THEY

Passed university: Nope, that's (kind of) a work in progress.

Had sex: Yes

Had sex in public: Yes

Kissed a man: Yes

Kissed a woman: Once, just to see if he was into it. He was not.

Gotten tattoos: Not yet.

Gotten piercings: He has several piercings in both ears and his tail.

Had a broken heart: Nope.

Been in love: Hmm...

Stayed up for more than 24 hours: Probably.

ARE THEY

A cuddler: No

A kisser: Berith was never big into PDA in the past, but recently he's come to appreciate it a little more... So yes.

A smoker: He will out of boredom or socially, but it's not a habit.

Scared easily: Berith isn't scared of anything, for better or worse.

Jealous easily: YUP.

Trustworthy: NOPE.

Dominant: Yes. Berith has a very commanding personality and that goes for pretty much all areas of his life.

Submissive: No.

Single: Nope, he's currently courting an aasimar noble named Olivier.

RANDOM QUESTIONS

Have they harmed themselves: No

Wanted to kill someone: Oh yeah, lots of people.

Actually killed someone: Yes

Ridden a horse: Probably like... Once? And it probably went poorly.

Have/had a job: Does being a delinquent count as a job? If so, then yes.

Have any fears: Nope

FAMILY

Berith has an older twin sister named Cailith. They're pretty much complete opposites and don't get along at all. Their parents are a Duke and Duchess in Vasterland, with their mother's branch of the family distantly related to the King.

TAG

I'll tag @solveliss but anyone else can swipe it too! I might do this for my blood hunter eventually also.

[doamarierose-honoka]

LONDON -- Michael Gambon, the Irish actor who played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, has died at 82.

"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," a statement from his family said. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82. We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love."

Born in Dublin on Oct. 19, 1940, Gambon made both his film and stage debuts in 1962 and 1965 productions, respectively, of William Shakespeare's "Othello." He was among the first ensemble of actors to join the Royal National Theatre in London, alongside the likes of Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith and Michael Redgrave, to name a few. In 1998, he received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth.

He would go on to star in films like 2001's "Gosford Park" and 2010's "The King's Speech," both of which earned him Screen Actors Guild Awards for best cast in a motion picture.

Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, beginning with the third "Harry Potter" film following the death of Richard Harris in 2002. Harris played Dumbledore for the first two films and Gambon played him for the remaining six in the series.

On the small screen, Gambon won four British Academy Television Awards for best actor. He won for "The Singing Detective" in 1987, "Wives and Daughters" in 2000, "Longitude" in 2001 and "Perfect Strangers" in 2002. He also earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for "Path to War" in 2002 and for "Emma" in 2010.

Gambon was a much-lauded stage actor and received three Olivier Awards, often considered the British equivalent of the Tony Awards, during his career out of 13 nominations. He won trophies for "A Chorus of Disapproval" in 1985, "A View from the Bridge" in 1987 and for "Man of the Moment" in 1990.

He would go on to make his Broadway debut in 1997 in "Skylight," for which he earned a Tony nomination.

Gambon's "Harry Potter" co-star Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the film series, took to social media to pay tribute to the late actor.

"So sad to hear about Michael," Grint wrote in an Instagram post. "He brought so much warmth and mischief to every day on set. He captivated me as a kid and became a personal role model of mine for finding the fun and eccentricities in life. Sending all my love to his family, Rupert."

Gambon is survived by his longtime wife Anne and their son Fergus.

[audiodrama]

Hell or High Rollers

[atlanticcanada]

Two Shippagan, N.B., men arrested, one charged, following home invasion

Two men from Shippagan, N.B., have been arrested, and one has been charged, following a home invasion in the community earlier this week.

Members of the Lamèque and Caraquet RCMP detachments responded to a report of a home invasion at a home on 8th Street around 5:40 p.m. Monday.

Police say two men broke into the home and assaulted two people inside.

One of the men was allegedly armed with a weapon.

Police say the men then fled the scene before they arrived on scene.

One of the victims was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The two suspects were arrested a short time later.

A 65-year-old man was later released and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

Marc-Olivier Mallet, 30, appeared in Bathurst provincial court Thursday and was charged with:

two counts of breaking and entering a dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence

two counts of mischief under $5,000

two counts of uttering threats

possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to return to court on March 13.

Police say their investigation is ongoing. 

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/gnNputR

[andthentherewereaton]

Did I write a 1600 word H. Shields fic that absolutely no one on Earth asked for.? Yes.

[lisam-arie]

tom hiddleston at his finest

[ source: @tomhiddleslove ]

[mrofontaine]

Olivier's gaze softened as he watched Elaina settle in beside him. Her presence had a way of grounding him, reminding him that despite the chaos that often surrounded them, there were still these moments of respite where he could be himself. It was a part of why Olivier had always felt most comfortable in her presence. He chuckled at the remark, a familiar glint of mischief dancing in his ocean eyes.

"Lost in it, huh?" He mused, taking a sip of his drink before leaning back in his chair. "Maybe I like being lost now and then. Keeps life interesting, don't you think?" A nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he remembered the time when his infatuation with Lisette had consumed his thoughts, although he shrugged it off as best as he could, even as that weight grew heavier. "Oh, believe me, I remember," he voice, however, cooled for just a moment. A distant look in his eye as he relived that pain for just a moment. "Seems like a lifetime ago now."

He signaled the bartender for another martini for Elaina before turning his attention back to her. "You've got something planned, huh?" he said, curiosity piqued. "Well, you know I'm always up for adventure. Just give me the details when you're ready." He paused, taking in the music and the swaying figures on the stage. "Is this gonna' land me in hot water, or should I prepare for the best night of my life?" He asked over the rim of his glass, smiling.

"You know there's appreciating and then there's being lost in it." Elaina sat down, placing her drink on the table and the bag to the side. There'd been a few things in the week she worked on, and thankfully, things were moving forward, so she felt like she deserved at least half the night off. "Wow, not tonight?" She teased. "Well, look at you. Is this you growing up or what? It's funny to think, a year ago you were freakishly obsessed with Lisette. Do you even remember?"

It felt like a year could change so many things. Not that it hadn't before, but the last year really took the cake. London was hardly making it easy to settle into things. "Get me another martini, please." The woman ordered as she leaned back and cast her eyes towards the stage. The girls really did dance beautifully. "A side note before we get too drunk - I'm going to need you for something I have planned."

[burnsopale]

Look at the cute!

[aquietwritingcorner]

March Mildness Day 12: Stargazing       Word Count:     Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl Rating: K/G   Characters: Olivier Mira Armstrong   Warning:     Summary: The stars are brilliant at Fort Briggs. Olivier has always thought so. Buccaneer likes looking at them too. Its even better when they’re looking at them together   Notes:     AO3 || ff.net

_________________________________

Stargazing

Olivier tipped her head up, breathing out, her breath forming a little cloud that obscured her vision for only a moment. The top of the fort was frigid at best in the height of winter. It was beyond that now. Yet Olivier still stood out here, staring up at the stars in the sky. Tonight the sky wasn’t alight with the auroras, but it was alight with stars.

The stars here were more brilliant than anywhere else she had ever seen. They were clear, bright, and bold. The only times she had seen them bolder was when the fort went into a blackout and then there was no light, except for what came from the sky. It was breathtaking to look at them, to see all the things that she could never see from home as a child. Even from the cottage here in the north she hadn’t been able to see the stars like this. It stirred up feelings of awe that she couldn’t quite put a name to.

“Stargazing again, sir?”

The voice broke through her awareness, although it wasn’t harsh. It was soft, respectful. She hadn’t heard him come up, which was a lapse on her part, but at the same time, he was one of two people here that she had allowed her subconscious to allow close.

“I am,” she said back to Buccaneer.

“It’s hard to get tired of, isn’t it?” he said, and she felt more than saw him settle down next to her, closer to her than she’d allow most.

She didn’t mind him being close on the outcropping of the fort, sitting next to her as they both looked up at the stars. She could feel his heat, which made her suddenly realize just how cold it was out here on the top of Briggs in the middle of the night. She shivered slightly but didn’t acknowledge it.

“I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of it,” she said.

Buccaneer shifted around. “Here, sir, I almost forgot. I brought you something.”

This time she did glance his way, and blinked in surprise when he draped a thick, heavy blanket around her shoulders. It was warm, and it smelled like him.

“Thought you might be cold. This should help,” he said with a grin.

It was extremely thoughtful, showed just how well he knew her, and he was one of the few that would have been bold enough to do this. It made her heart feel just a bit warmer, knowing that he had thought of her enough to even consider bringing her this blanket.

Not that she would ever tell him that.

“Idiot,” she said instead. “All it’s doing now is cutting me off from the heat you brought.”

Buccaneer blinked at her for a moment, then grinned again. “There is a solution to that, sir, if I may.”

She nodded her consent, and Buccaneer sat about retrieving the blanket, unfolding it and then moving closer to her. He draped the blanket around both of them.

“I think this is an acceptable solution, sir,” he said, and there was the tease of mischief in his voice and in the sparkle in his eye.

Olivier looked from him back to the sky. “Only if you plan to stay,” she said.

“I do,” he said. “You’re not the only one who likes to stargaze.”

For a few moments they were quiet. The wind was surprisingly still tonight, and the patrols gave them their space. It was a pristine, clear night, the kind where idle conversation almost felt sacrilegious.

“Tell me, Ward,” she spoke, her voice low, soft, and calling Buccaneer by his first name. “When you look at the stars, what do you see?”

Buccaneer was quiet for a moment, then he spoke, shifting a bit closer to her, their typical formality dropped. “I see stories,” he said.

“Stories?” she questioned.

He nodded. “The people who’ve lived in these mountains long before either Amestris or Drachma got here, they used the stars to tell stories.”

“So, you mean like constellations,” Olivier said.

Buccaneer shook his head. “No, not exactly.” He shifted closer to her, putting an arm around her to pull her closer, and lowering his head to where they were even. She allowed it. “Do you see that star there? That’s my favorite. Its where the story of The Maiden starts. She starts out there, with her sisters around her. But then,” he swung his hand around, to another start with a similar brilliance about it. “She’s there, alone. As you watch the seasons progress, more and more of her story comes out. At one point she’s surrounded by dimmer stars, people who aren’t worthy of her. She goes through many trials, even becoming dim herself. In the second to last part of her story, she’s surrounded by many stars, having found her place. And in the last of it, she’s right next to one other star, equally as bright. He starts out his story as The Boy. But there, at the end, right before they meet, they are The Victorious Maiden and the Man of Victory. They come together at the end, finding their true love in one another, and together they are the Victorious. It’s said if a child is born under them at that point of the story, then that child will be blessed with great prosperity in all they do. After that, there’s a period where neither of them are in the sky, and then their story starts all over again.”

He swept his arm across the sky. “They all have stories like that.” He brought it down and readjusted the blanket around them. “What do you see when you look at the stars, Olivier?”

She was quiet for a long moment. “…I see constellations, but I also see them as landmarks, their stories more static and just an afterthought. I see a navigational tool, and discoveries that my ancestors made. Its all very clinical.” She glanced at him. “I think I prefer your stories.”

Buccaneer looked down at her, a tamed smile on his face. “I do to,” he said. “You know… The Maiden’s story has always reminded me of you.”

“Oh?” Olivier said. Their faces were close, but she hadn’t pulled away.

He reached out a hand, carefully and respectfully picking up the ends of her hair. “Yes,” he said. “Would you like me to tell you about her?”

Olivier stared at him, and then turned, leaning up against him. “I would,” she said. “And I would like to hear other stories as well.”

Buccaneer dropped her hair, and turned back towards the sky, but he kept his arm around her, keeping her warm against his bulk. Olivier didn’t pull away. Instead, the two sat there, under the thick blanket, for the new few hours as they told the stories of the stars above them.