#or she does it but pulls a ruby and comes back as herself

[bestworstcase]

question: do you think Salem's immortality having an end condition is true? that is, when she was made immortal, it was so that she would 'understand the balance of life and death.' some people are treating it like a typical fairy tale virtue curse- i.e, she will die when she fulfills the condition of "understanding the balance of life and death." i personally believe that it's bullshit. she's just going to be alive, forever, and that's that. your interpretation of things seems to lend itself to this conclusion, cuz I'm pretty sure you've said something about how the gods made her immortal in a way they couldn't take back. as always, sending this just to hear your thoughts! (p.s - do you think she's capable of Ascension? I think she might be, but whether she would do it or not is another question entirely)

yeah i don’t think it’s really a curse in the typical sense. light threw her into the fountain of creation, she drowned, the water’s power revived her and bound to her forever. and then he got sanctimonious about how she needed to learn a lesson.

these two things are connected emotionally but not, i think, mechanically; if light ever intended to make her mortal again i’m certain that the end condition he has in mind was “salem learns her lesson and comes to him to grovel for forgiveness so he can judge whether she deserves to finally die.” look at the way he sets up the ultimatum for humankind! light very much sees himself as an adjudicator. he wants his judgment to be sought and obeyed.

likewise i don’t think “as long as this world turns, you shall walk its face” is a literally true statement (in the sense that salem cannot leave remnant)—first because if this were a truly literal curse then she wouldn’t be able to fly, and second because the verbiage is repeated later when light says that humankind will rise to “walk [the world’s] face” once more, so narratively this is tying salem to the resurrection of humanity itself and tying the ultimatum to salem because it’s ultimately about punishing her continued defiance. “as long as this world turns, you shall walk its face” is a poetic description meant to emphasize the weight of “you cannot die.”

it’s “you will outlive this planet and there is nothing you can do to escape that fate.”

and yeah i have major doubts that the brothers can take it back. like i said, it’s not a curse per se—the fountain of life and creation transformed her just as the pool of grimm did—and the god of light does it to her in a fit of pique. the god of darkness vaporizes her along with everyone else in the end and she just reconstitutes. at this point the god of light is either inventing whole new levels of sunk cost fallacy (it has been MILLIONS OF YEARS and she’s sworn to her defiance!) or he just can’t remove this thorn from his side.

pre-v9 my only real reservation about this line of thinking was that i’m quite sure that part of the narrative resolution will involve salem becoming mortal again, and if not the brothers then…? but as v9 delivered a cosmic force of change deeper and older than the brothers, the brothers being unable to undo it no longer poses a mechanical problem whatsoever.

which is to say that yes, i think if salem found the tree she would be just as capable of ascension as anyone else, and the more salient question is if she would choose to change and how.

as long as the ultimatum is in place, salem has a pressing reason to STAY IMMORTAL, because her immortality is what prevents ozma from immanentizing the eschaton (in which the best case scenario for her realistically is “everybody else is dead and the gods leave again”) and being immortal is the best—really, the only—weapon she has against the brothers. ozma projects his own suicidality onto her; whether salem actually IS suicidal is an open question.

though tbh i think, given the option of ascending, the real dilemma for salem would turn on her isolation and exile rather than her immortality. i’ve touched on this before but one of the main reasons i think she isn’t going to (and shouldn’t) be ‘purified’ as part of her villain -> hero arc is it’s been established pretty overtly that being grimm isn’t what made her evil, rejection and isolation made her desperate enough to embrace being the evil witch in the wilderness. so she needs to be treated like a person before she can be good, and if she has to be ‘purified’ before she can be treated like a person then it means her humanity is contingent on her looking a certain way.

(there’s uhm. a reason the story keeps using the grimm as a symbol for faunus persecution!)

and salem is old enough—and undoubtedly experienced enough persecution when she lived on the fringes of civilization—to grasp that as long as she looks grimm, people are going to see her as a grimm no matter what she does, and if she wants to be treated like a person she’s going to have to bend over backwards to prove her humanity and even that might not be enough. ozma—OZMA, who knew her and loved her before any of this nightmare began, who came back for her and chose to be with her and had children with her—even ozma would not see her as a person; he lied to her and manipulated her throughout their entire marriage and has since decided to pin the blame for all the evils in the world solely on her. is it any wonder that she’s given up?

but, like, the tree could fix that. the tree could take that away. she could be only human again. wouldn’t that be so much easier? to look like a person so she can be treated like one.

only that also really, really sucks for her, because if the only way to get even the possibility of being treated like a person is to ascend, then salem—who she is now, what she is now—fundamentally never had a chance at all and the best she can hope for is that the essence of her will find a new form that other people will judge to be deserving of kindness.

like this is what sets salem (& to an only slightly lesser extent, cinder) apart from most of the villainous cast; to a certain extent her monstrosity is socially enforced by the way other people perceive her, reinforced by thousands of years of ozma’s shadow campaign against her very existence. it’s not that she won’t change—it’s that she can’t change. she can’t make people believe that she’s a person. she can’t make them listen to her. she can’t make anyone care about her. and when she tried she was manipulated into serving the god who did this to her.

it’s blake’s “you could just be a human, or just a cat” trial with the volume dialed up to eleven. it’s “maybe you could be accepted as a person if you shed who you are now to become someone else.” is that an idea salem would ever accept? that she needs to sacrifice who she is in order to mold herself into something other people wouldn’t hate and fear on sight?

(and is that really an idea the tree, universally and unconditionally kind as it is, would let her accept?)

[uncookedfeeler]

Cok's adventure I 🐙

Giselle

Tags : 3k3, Idol Giselle, story, a bit of Smut, creature kink,

Part 2

Seoul, May 28, 2024,

The night sky was clear, sparkling with countless stars, when a streak of light pierced the silence. Like a cosmic firework, a small spaceship looped and whirled before diving toward Earth. Unknown to the city's inhabitants, a small piece of space was about to collide with their urban lives.

.

.

.

"Thank you for your hard work," the Aespa girls say out of breath as they bow to the staffs in front of them. The girls have just finished their last performance of the day and are leaving the stage through the back. The sound of heels echoes in the hallway as they make their way back to their lounge, followed by their managers.

As soon as they enter the room, the girls collapse on the black sofa at the back of the room, between the various makeup stations, and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

"You've done a great job, that's all for today. Get dressed for departure in 30 minutes," says the manager. But determined to enjoy the sofa for a few more minutes, the girls drag their feet, except for Giselle who, in a rush of motivation, grabs her bags and heads for the dressing room.

The cabin is spacious and can accommodate several people. There is a large mirror on the wall. Giselle puts her bags on the nearby table and takes off her black boots, which lower her a few inches and allow her two beautiful feet to breathe. Although she loves this kind of footwear, she's very happy with the feeling of walking barefoot on the cold floor. A pair of white mittens follows, as does her necklace. All that's left is her black T-shirt showing off her two buddies, and a pink, white, and black military skirt, all tied together with pretty white and silver leather straps.

Giselle spreads the straps over her shoulders and finally lets them fall, still tied to her skirt. She is finally free from the torment of pleasure that is the constant rubbing of the straps against her sensitive nipples. She unzips the front of her skirt. There's a metallic sound on the floor and a cold sensation in her thighs. She grabs the bottom of her T-shirt and pulls it up, rubbing the underside of her breasts as they begin to jiggle.

She looks at herself in the mirror, her body now in sports underwear, her skirt still at foot level, and immediately notices the presence of someone behind her, a pretty Korean woman, still exhausted from her day, stands behind her and their eyes meet. The two women exchange a smirk.

"Karina-unni, you scared me!! Are you here to enjoy the show? you've come at the perfect time," says Giselle, not at all worried about her member's presence in the cabin.

Karina leans against the wall behind her and looks at Giselle “well, I see you still like to make a spectacle of yourself, Mr. Mirror is lucky to have such a slut for himself” she knows that Giselle loves this kind of situation and never hesitates to tease her when she can.

Giselle turns and faces Karina, whose back and ass are now visible in the mirror's reflection. Although she's used to seeing the other members in revealing outfits in her dorm, Karina finds herself staring at the perfectly round bottom of the woman in front of her. The image of a juicy peach comes to Karina's mind. Giselle realizes her effect on the leader and decides to finish her off immediately. The woman picks up her gray panties and bends over to pull them down. As she takes her time pulling them down, Giselle reveals more and more of herself, and Karina's eyes widen as she sees a round, ruby shape pressed into Giselle's butt.

“Meet my friend,” says Giselle with a big smile, Karina is now all red, she didn't expect Giselle to be wearing an anal plug at all during their working days. “You're such a slut, hurry up and change, the others are coming.” Karina replies. "What's the rush, you're the one who came unannounced, look how my ass is taking it so well," she jiggles her ass against the mirror, "imagine if it was a fake mirror and someone was watching us now," Karina struggles to answer and gets ready to leave when all of a sudden, the manager knocks on the door and tells the girls to hurry up.

The show is over, Giselle changes out of her underwear and into a stylish yet casual outfit, a simple oversized sweater, jeans and a cap to hide her face. She steps out of the cabin and comes face to face with Winter and Ningning, who are surprised to see Karina with a flushed face. They enter the cabin while Giselle lies down on the sofa by herself.

As she leaves the building with the 3 other girls, Giselle asks her manager if she can make a detour to the mall. Giselle had always been in the good graces of her managers, the image of a nice, calm girl was just a facade for her darker impulses. her manager has no reason to refuse and goes ahead with the girls, Giselle is now alone. The adrenaline of the performance is still pumping through her veins and the night has covered the city in soft shadows, tonight she wants to escape the often overwhelming life of a kpop idol, if only for a little while.

Giselle adjusts the straps of her bag as she walks toward the mall. She hums a tune, her mind bubbling with excitement for the shopping trip ahead. It wasn't just any trip, she had been looking forward to this day ever since she had placed an order online two weeks ago. Today, she finally gets to pick up her secret package.

Even though it's dark, once inside, the artificial light could make anyone forget what time it is,

The first store she visits is a popular streetwear boutique. The racks are full of trendy pieces, and as she looks through the clothes, she feels a wave of inspiration wash over her. Fashion has always been a passion, and today she wants to explore it freely, without stylists or choreographers to guide her choices. Just her, a piece of music playing in her ears. She stops at a cafe to get something to drink on her adventure between floors. Though trivial to many, she had learned to enjoy the small pleasures of a simple outing in contrast to her celebrity life.

But there was one store she was eager to visit, an intriguing little boutique tucked away in a corner of the mall. Giselle could feel the excitement building inside her as she made her way there. She stood at the door.

With a quick glance around to make sure her cap and glasses are firmly in place, she pushes through the shop's door. A soft bell announces her arrival, and the dim interior, lit by colorful neon lights, immediately envelops her in a captivating atmosphere. The walls are lined with everything from cheeky novelties to sophisticated items, and Giselle couldn't help but smile.

As she browses, her own lust begins to kick in and the feel of the toy she's hiding in her hole warms her body. Giselle rarely went out without her best friend deep inside her pleasure hole, leaving only the ruby-colored head peeking out from her plump butt. She squeezes as she feels the cold rod stirring the insides of her ass, yet she is mesmerized by an array of colorful products, each one more playful and daring than the last. She picks up a set of anal beads, a mischievous grin creeping across her face as she imagines the looks of surprise on her members' faces when she decides to give them away as a prank.

"Maybe I'll get the sexy cat outfit for Karina,” she thought to herself, giselle gazes at the black and white costume, the top barely covering the body, with only a band of fur covering the nipples. The bottom, on the other hand, is a transparent black strip with fur on the hips, the front is open with drawings of a cat's mustache on the opening.

and last but not least a 4 ball butt plug.

“Karina tries so hard to hide it but we all know her sex drive is insatiable, at night her moans of self pleasure can be heard all over the dorm, I even saw some red bite marks on her nipples, she must love her own milk”, she chuckles to herself as she continues to explore, letting her imagination run wild.

"I can't believe it, what's it doing here?" she exclaimed, spotting a cute-looking brown teddy bear on a shelf and approaching the object to take it in her hand. The sensation of softness reminded her of the time she'd caught Winter rubbing her wet pussy with one of her animal toys, the moans she'd let out in a low, lustful tone before exploding and staining her stuffed slave, her eyes full of pleasure. 

She says to herself “This girl doesn't know when to stop, she takes this poor bear with her everywhere, whether in the company, in the green rooms or even at fan meetings. Just imagine her rubbing her dirty and wet hole while talking to her fans, you can be sure she will never let him go thirsty.” 

She notices a small remote control attached to the back, “a vibrating bear, no less” ; she already imagines her little rascal happy for her next birthday.

Now that she had discovered potential gifts for her two Korean members, she couldn't leave Ningning to her own hands, the problem being that she wasn't very open about her sexuality.

"Mhh... What about Ning?" Giselle wonders, knowing that Ningning likes to be treated like a princess. More than once, she's led our staff by the fingertips to get her to do what she wants. Then she remembers a scene when they were training for her comeback: Ningning had got into the habit of spanking her members during their performance, and whenever she got her hands close to their asses, she couldn't help but stick her hand there.

Her face when she delicately slapped Winter's ass during their choegraphy is hard to forget.

She moves on to another section and the atmosphere here is quite different from the others: black leather outfits, eye masks and, in the middle of it all, an assortment of bondage whips with the word "SM" engraved on them, she smiles before saying in a low voice, "After all, a princess has to educate her servants when they deserve to be punished but even though she's the youngest, behind her soft character is a little girl who looks forward to give pleasure.”

After picking out a few items - some for herself, some as gifts, she approaches the counter where a cheerful cashier welcomes her.

"Miss, did you find everything you were looking for?" the cashier asked with a playful smile in his eyes.

"More than I expected!" Giselle replied, her cheeks blushing with a mixture of amusement and excitement.

"I also got a notification that my package is ready for pickup," she adds, unable to hide the lust in her voice. 

"Absolutely! I just need to see your ID and the confirmation code from your notification," he said, tapping his tablet screen. Giselle digs through her bag, hesitating for a moment as she pulls out her ID. She could feel her heart pounding, anxious for her package to be in her hands.

Suddenly, as the cashier turns to go to the back of the store, a huge noise is heard throughout the building, shaking Giselle's legs and sending her into a panic. Giselle freezes, a cocktail of fear and confusion coursing through her body as she instinctively runs to the front of the store, with the cashier right behind her.

Now standing outside the store, Giselle hears over the loudspeakers all over the mall:

"There has been an accident on the 5th floor. Please evacuate. Security will escort you to a safe area. Giselle makes sure her clothes are straightened and walks over to the security guard stationed by the elevators.

—--

On the floor directly above Giselle, an unprecedented event had just occurred: the crash of an unidentified object that tore through the sky and dived into the mall.

The crash site is unrecognizable as the impact sends shards of concrete and metal flying, startling the people inside the building, the crowd flees in fear, alarms starts screaming and the security officers rush to the scene. The hole in the roof reveals the full shadow of the moon, while the lights on the fifth floor no longer work and the cool night air fills the room. In this cloud of dust and darkness now lies the wreckage of your ship.

Your spaceship, a jewel of technology, is now smashed to pieces, the front window shattered on the ground, the rear landing gear cut off at the top and reduced to rubble.

The security personnel who hurry to the upper floors, wondering if some unexplained phenomenon has taken place. And then, from the smoking site, emerge the creature that will forever change Giselle’s life.

This is you, Cok, an alien octopus of vivid hues and shimmering red. Your body is a testament to the miracles of evolution; soft yet tough skin adorned with luminescent patterns that shifted as it moved; two black eyes capable of piercing the night with a single glance; cerebral faculties adapted to survival in any hostile environment; all these gifts of nature contained within such a small frame body. Your eight long tentacles glided effortlessly, taking in the new surroundings as curiosity flickered through his mind like electric sparks.

As you slowly become aware of your surroundings, the vibrations on the ground caused by the running guards, coupled with the deafening sounds of the alarm, awaken your survival instincts and you take advantage of the smoke to flee out of the impact zone and quickly crawl through the debris. Within the chaos, you were able to sneak into a shop whose door had been left open and take refuge in the room's emerging darkness.

—--

At the same time, the guards finally arrive at the crash site. Upon seeing the extent of the damage, they discover that the ground is littered with debris and that there is still dust in the air. It gradually dissipates, revealing the ruins of your ship.

Cautiously approaching, they finally get a good look at the structure responsible for the chaos. Confused at first by its shape, they don't think at first they're looking at a ship from somewhere else. Limited by their human knowledge, it is logical for them to think of a drone accident, deliberate or not.

The arrival of the police and emergency services helped to stabilize the situation. Fortunately, there were no fatalities and only a few injuries, mostly from the shock of the impact or debris from the surrounding area.

1 hour later,

A loudspeaker announces that the mall is closing immediately and that everyone should leave; the facility's security is now in question and there's no telling if there will be another incident.

Giselle has now returned to the first floor. She sits on the floor next to the cashier. Still shaken by what happened and tired, she is forced to go home without her package.

As she stands up, a jolt of electricity shoots through her body as she feels her toy sink deeper and deeper into her tight but wide open hole. She has the feeling that her toy is sticking to the very bottom, the idea of rubbing her fingers against its folds comes to her mind, and she also feels the formation of a small stain in her panties as they rub against her slit. A rush of libido hits her and every step becomes an agony. She's close to climax, but resists as she heads for the exit.

As she walks away and starts to call her manager, the cashier catches up with her and asks:

"Madam, do you still want to pick up your package, it won't take long".

This was the nail in the coffin, the desire was too much in her body and she could not refuse.

"Sure, I'll follow you," she said, her cheeks flushed now, her eyes full of lust, and her breath coming in short gasps.

—--

You've been hiding in the dark for a while. When the alarm goes off, you're greeted by a silence that doesn't displease you. Now you begin to explore your surroundings, even though everything around you is completely unfamiliar. Your tentacles aren't just there to move you; they're also powerful sensors, each with its own brain.

Crossing the room, you find yourself in the back room, devoid of light. You scan your surroundings. You identify metal structures, objects of all sizes and sensations. You are then attracted by a current of air coming from the ground. You crawl towards it and enter the passageway, probably damaged by the crash.

The passage is narrow even for you, and you continue toward the source of this air until you reach a dead end. You're immediately startled by the emptiness under your tentacles and feel yourself falling into the vertical vent. You barely catch yourself on the first ledge and slide to safety.

You realize that taking the downward path would be a mistake to avoid, and that the only solution is to continue blind in the ducts. After crawling about 5 meters, you hear a conversation in the distance and hesitate to continue in that direction. Finally, curiosity gets the better of you.

"Oh, this can't be! Look at this mess!" the cashier vent, accompanied by Giselle, who just arrived in front of the store.

The store, though one floor below the accident, had seen its merchandise knocked to the ground; some of it is still there. The once magical atmosphere was now just a pile of junk.

"Just a moment while I clear the way, ma'am," the cashier announces.

You arrive in what appears to be the back of a store. The environment is similar to the one you touched earlier. A faint beam of light from the shop crosses the room. You examine your surroundings again until you encounter something that paralyzes you for a moment.

Through your tentacles and round eyes, you recognize what appears to be one of your own kind. You make contact with this red creature with eight tentacles and two beautiful black eyes. But something isn't right. You don't feel any reaction from it, and the sensation of touch is unfamiliar, almost as if it were fabricated. Unable to discern the truth, a strange feeling arises in your body. This creature looks like you, but seems so different from you.

At this point, you're certain that the two people in the other room are dangerous. The bodies of your fellow creatures lying on the floor next to you are proof that your kind is not welcome on this planet. In panic, you hear footsteps coming towards you, and you hide in this narrow object. The sensation is pleasant, you feel as if you're being enveloped.

“Madam, the tablet is broken. You'll have to enter the code on the deliveryman's website. I'll pick up your package.”

“Thank you,” Giselle shouted across the room.

Hidden in this container, you still perceive the glimmer of light, the envelope of your hiding place gives you a feeling of security and comfort you have never experienced before on this planet, until the moment when total darkness drowns you, you feel tremors around you, the air becomes thin, but you don't need it anyway...

You hear the loud shout of a human announcing something in a language unknown to you. “Miss, i’ve found your package” 

You realize you're being moved, trapped in your box, you panic, wondering how you managed to find yourself so easily, knowing in advance that a direct confrontation is hopeless, you have no fighting skills, especially not against creatures much bigger and heavier than you, You're sure you've been captured and will suffer the same fate as your fallen compatriot.

"Here madam, I took the liberty of resealing the package, it must have been knocked over by the explosion, in case of damage, I apologize even more, now we have to hurry and leave," says the cashier.

Giselle, who finally has her precious package, leaves the mall before calling her manager to take her back to her dorm. It's been a busy day, but Cok's adventure is just beginning.

______________________________________________________________

First of all, thanks for reading, I've never written a fic before, but it's something I really wanted to try :) Think of this as an introduction chapter. I know the themes might not be to everyone's taste, but please look forward to the next ones.🐙

[mulligans-tavern]

https://www.tumblr.com/doomed-to-wanda/747617028751474688?source=share

Inspiration above

TW death, grief

---

Five Funerals

They lose Fig first.

Comes with the territory when you're an archdevil - somebody's always looking to take your spot. "Don't worry about it," she says, opening a Planeshift to the recording studio. "It's just the usual rebellious fiends. Icythorz and Bolhondrus and the rest. I'll be back before you know it." She looks resplendent in black leather, the Unfaithable Bass slung across her back, riding the fiery Daymare surrounded in jagged red shards.

Adaine knows before everyone else, but can't believe the vision to be true until she learns that Ayda is gone, too. She scratched every memory of Fig out of her notes before starting over - it was too much pain to bear. The five of them know how it feels.

---5---

It's a few years before they take another hit. Another mission to the Mountains of Chaos, another world-ending calamity to be stopped because Who Else Is Going To Save The World? A small misstep, a miscalculation (six where there should be five, they're only five now) and suddenly the routine becomes deadly.

Riz takes the fall. "It's easier this way," he says, in his last moments. "I'll still see you." And he does. Agent Gukgak Jr., now, with some extra responsibility. But he still comes by. Sometimes. Every so often. Often enough.

---4---

Kristen is next. Only one thing could bring down the most gifted cleric of the age - sacrificing herself for her friends. Third time's the charm when it comes to death, it turns out.

Gorgug is the most hopeful that she'll come back, that she'll find a way again, like in the Nightmare Forest. But Adaine knows this is the end. Even Arthur Aguefort agrees. He quotes Alanis Morissette at her funeral. The followers of Cassandra pull out all the stops.

Adaine, Fabian, and Gorgug have their own ceremony at Ashgrove, next to the Gukgak family plot. It's quiet. Bucky cries into Ragh's shoulder. Aelwyn, Jawbone, and Gertie collect flowers. Tracker stays for a few minutes to say goodbye.

---3---

They quit adventuring after Kristen's funeral. And they don't lose anyone else for a long time. Riz still visits, every few years. They talk about the good old days, how silly it was that Baron was so terrifying when at the end of the day it was an honest conversation that finally did him in. There's rumours that Kristen has ascended to goddesshood herself - Adaine doesn't buy it. She's not the type to be revered.

They come out of retirement for the only reason they would - to bring back one of their own. They finally found Fig's soul, trapped in a ruby in the darkest levels of the Abyss. They can't ask anyone to come with them - it's too dangerous, it's too personal. It's missions like this that kill people.

And when it's all over, when Adaine carries Fabian's burnt, unconscious body back to Morded Manor, they have another funeral to plan.

Gorbag and Roz have already passed, and Wilma and Digby are too old to make preparations, so it falls to Jawbone to organize it. He knows they don't want a lot of fanfare. It's at Ashgrove again, just Adaine and Fabian and the Thistlesprings, and Aelwyn and Ragh. Sandra-Lynn is back in Solace - she sends Adaine a heartfelt text saying she appreciates the invitation, but she can't bring herself to come.

Riz doesn't show for the ceremony - he's desperately scouring the heavenly realms, trying to make sure Gorgug ended up somewhere he wasn't afraid of. Orcish heaven doesn't have him, he reports, and neither does Cassandra.

If he's trapped in the Abyss with Fig, at least they have each other.

---2---

Adaine sees Fabian's death the night of Gorgug's funeral. She needs to prepare, she tells herself. She knows it's going to be hard. She needs all the time she can get, and she needs to know which goodbye will be their last.

They grow old together. Not romantically, although some speculate. Fabian becomes a multiclass advisor at the Aguefort Adventuring Academy. Adaine works in Bastion City as an archivist, with occasional trips to Fallinel for Oracle services. They go for vacations sometimes, but never for too long. The memories find them no matter where they go. Sometimes Adaine wishes she could be Ayda, scrape off the old wounds and start fresh. Arthur talks about her sometimes. She's never had the same spark as that one lifetime, he says.

Adaine watches the wrinkles grow beside Fabian's eye, watches his hair turn grey, watches the Future of Dance become its Mentor. He trades his Battlesheet for a cane-sword, then a regular cane. He takes to wearing the Gregorian necktie to classes, no matter how much it clashes with his outfit. They both wonder how many of their own teachers lost party members.

Adaine holds Fabian's wrinkled hand on his deathbed, in his old room at Seacaster Manor. He grins, flashes the same perfect teeth as on the first day of Freshman Year. "Bet you didn't see this one coming, did you?"

"I did," she whispers, tears streaming down her young elven face. "I knew it would end like this. But I always hoped it would last forever."

They're the last words he hears.

It's not the first funeral Adaine organizes. All the Bad Kids held one for Buddy Dawn, back in high school. She and Fabian worked together on the services for Jawbone, Ragh, and Chungledown Bim - who finally caught up to Fabian in both of their old ages. It is the first funeral she has to organize alone.

Some of Fabian's students attend. Arthur Aguefort gives a short speech, and a few students hear the story of Kalvaxus' return for the first time. Adaine sits with Aelwyn in the front row, a few seats down from Hallariel. Gilear records the service to show Telemaine later. Riz is somewhere deep undercover - he maybe hasn't even heard yet.

She always knew she'd be the last. She didn't expect it to hurt so much.

---1---

Adaine stumbles through a few years before she finds herself again. They pass so fast without a mortal lifespan to hold up against them. She drifts between Fallinel and Bastion City for the most part, with occasional return trips to Elmville. Aelwyn always has a place for her to stay. Seacaster Manor was turned into a dormitory for Aguefort students who needed a place to study, or sleep, or stay away from home for a while. Tracker converted Morded Manor into a temple/bed-and-breakfast for worshipers of Galicaea. Strongtower Luxury Apartments was demolished soon after Fabian started teaching at Aguefort. It seems like everything is different now.

Adaine visits Leviathan once, on a whim. The Compass Points hasn't changed a bit. On a chance meeting in the stacks, Ayda looks at her with a spark of familiarity.

"Adaine Abernant?"

"Yes... you remember me?"

Ayda shakes her head. "There are mentions of you in my journals. I leave journals for when I regenerate-"

"I know. I remember."

Ayda looks intrigued. "I wrote that you were a great wizard, and a good friend. I hear from other sources that you are the Elven Oracle. Perhaps you can shed some light on why the pages around yours are torn to shreds or redacted to the point of unreadability?"

Adaine places a gentle hand on Ayda's shoulder. "I don't know if you'd want that. You lost someone you cared about, so much that you thought it was better to forget her than to bear the pain of losing her."

Ayda considers this. "Is it better to forget?" she asks. "Would you give up the memories of those you lost, in order to keep a logical mind?"

"No. Not for anything."

"Then we should talk."

Adaine smiles. "I'd like that."

---2---

*end

Thanks for reading all the way through! I wrote most of this at 2am and the conclusion the next morning. Please take a reblog to share with your friends or drop a like to let me know you enjoyed - or hated - the story!

Ask me anything about it, please, I love discussing these kinds of theories!!!

[tamayakii]

Mare's Milk & Cider

warnings: drinking(reader has no specific age), story takes place in "second of his name" during Aegon's II celebrations, canon events basically. pairings: Otto Hightower x reader(can be seen as platonic/romantic), hotd x reader notes: thank you Aaliah, @genshinluvr, she helped me out with the ending!!! Let me know if you'd like to be in a tag list for this fic :) this fic is also paired up with this drawing i made!

“Then it lies with you, to make him see it.” Hobert advised, stepping closer to his younger brother, “Lord Hand” It did not go under Otto’s nose of what his brother was suggesting, reminding him of his own title.

His eyes never leave Hoberts as he considers his brothers' words, “and speaking of growing,” Otto follows Hoberts's moving gaze to the Princess, Angel of The Red Keep, adorned in a headdress with a long silk veil, dragons and stars embroidered in. Face decorated in Velaryon pearls, neck and fingers embellished with the finest green rubies, jades and agate the Hightowers could find.

“The fine lady y/n has grown to be a wondrous young woman, hasn’t she?” Hobert eyes do not hold simple admiration for a young girl grown, they hold more, and they contain something that Otto wants to snuff out with his bare hands.

“She is betrothed?” Hobert asks, looking back at his brother. “A fine woman like that cannot go un-married for long. With her and Rhaenrya combined, I can imagine the king's chambers are filled with betrothal letters.” Otto looks back at the Princess, watching as she plays with her new baby brother, covering her face and pulling her hands away quickly.

“A fine mother she will make as well, Aegon loves her.” The comment almost makes Otto snap, the thought of anyone being her husband or the father to her children makes a fire burst inside him. One Otto cannot explain reasonably, so he stifles it.

“She.. is not betrothed, Brother, I don’t think the King has any interest in marrying her off,” Otto answers, his lips tightening when his brother looks at him with a smirk. A near-knowing one that always made Otto furious since childhood.

“The king, or you?” Hobert quips, smirk widening when Otto’s face scrunches, nostrils flaring and wrinkles deepening. Hobert pats his shoulder as he begins to walk away, satisfied to get under his brother's skin.

No. Lady y/n shall not betrothed. Otto thinks, especially not to the likes of his brother. He watches as she laughs, throwing her head back and hand over her heart. Nothing, nothing could compare to her.

She steps away as the Lannister boy steps in, talking about the stepstones. She treats herself to the glorious spread on the table, picking out ham and grapes, plate barely complete- Otto steps in.

“Please, My Lady, have more” He helps fill her plate, and she shakes her head,

“You’re so sweet, Ser Otto, but i don’t think i can handle it. I am trying to watch my waist.” She responds, in a honey-sweet voice, one that cradles his entire being but her words make him roll his eyes.

“Treat yourself, My lady, we do not wish you to starve on such a good day. Now go ahead; eat before the long journey” Soon Viserys is at her side, like a dragon protecting its kin. All it takes is one look to make Otto step away,

“Come eat.” The king demands, “Fortify yourselves for the journey.” Otto watches her, keeping by her father’s side; Like a lamb to its mother. She looks over her shoulder and smiles at him--

☾

The trip to Kingswood is long and cold. Hand intertwined with Rhaenrya’s as you arrive, the loud crowd applauding for the king and new prince’s arrival but Rhaenrya makes no move to depart from the carriage.

“Rhaenrya?” Whispering as you scooch closer to the princess, “They await to see you” Still unmoving, all she does is blink. “Come.” standing up and pulling her along, “We will go together.” You step out of the carriage, with the princess alongside you.

“The Realms Delight herself; Princess Rhaenrya of Dragonstone! Accompanied by Princess y/n, Angel of The Red Keep!!” You squeeze her hand, looking at her. She looks at you with a somber smile, squeezing your hand back.

The roar of the crowd could blow you back, it will never not be jarring to be reminded of your station. A Princess. Not by blood but by word, and who would tell the king no? Who would dare say to King Viserys that his second daughter, whom his own late lady wife believed she had birthed her, cannot be a princess?

The celebrations are grand, the finest cakes and delights, the meat freshly hunted and prepared before your eyes. At your father's request, you stayed by his side, forcing you to leave Rhaenrya.

The glorious tent is filled with laughter and talk, and the smell of wine and cake fills your nose. Looking over to where the pregnant Queen Alicent sits, you realize she has been staring at you. You offer her a smile and she too offers one back.

Settling back into your chair, crossing your hands on your lap as you look above. Looking into the tiny details of the royal tent, the golden threads woven with black.

“Tired, my dragonling?” Viserys looks at you, reaching his free hand to yours- the other holding a goblet of wine. You reach over and hold his hand, As soon as he questions you, a yawn tries to force its way to your throat.

“The ride was tiring and too long for my tastes but--” you look to your father with a reassuring smile, “I shall be okay, After some food and rest, I'll be okay” he smiles back at you before taking another drink from his goblet.

Soon enough you’re offered your own goblet, filled with mare’s milk and honey. Time passes by slowly, you blink once and your father isn’t by your side anymore, It seems no one has noticed you dozed off. You promise yourself you won’t fall asleep but as you close your eyes and your goblet tips in your weak hand; the promise is broken.

“Is that all I am to you? A prize to be proffer about to the great houses?” Rhaenrya's voice makes you jump out of your short slumber, eyes wide like a deer as you begin to process the situation. As Viserys steps towards Rhaenrya, you push yourself out of your seat, setting your goblet down on the table beside you.

“You’re of age, Rhaenrya,” he points out, “and Jason Lannister is an excellent match,” he adds on. Oh. Oh no. Stepping towards the pair they seem not to notice you, there was no smooth way to stop this bickering. The two argue every day at least ever since Queen Aemma passed and especially since Viserys took Alicent to wife.

“He’s arrogant and self-serious” Rhaenrya argued, You wring your hands together anxiously. Watching the two fight as a bystander was like watching two lions fight, watching them as their family felt like two dragons fighting overhead. All that would follow would be the destruction of varying amounts that was left for you to pick up and fix, being both of their shoulders to lean on.

“Well, I thought you might have that in common” Even Lord Lyonel could feel the suffocating air around the two, taking a third step back. Sending you an apologetic look, the face Rhaenrya has is indescribable. Perhaps she wanted to scream at him, or even shocked that he would say such a thing, or maybe she had been at a loss for words.

Otto stalks closer from the sidelines, watching closely. This catches your eye, you try to breathe; knowing he is here comforts you. For nearly three years now, he has been your aid, your comfort and your closest friend- even despite the large age gap. You realize the tent has now fallen silent, and everyone listening in.

You quickly step to Otto’s side, seeking his silent comfort. You wish you could fix everything, and make everyone happy; even if it left your hands raw and bloody. If you could give your own heart for it; then you’d do it.

“Even I do not exist above tradition and duty, Rhaenrya!!” You cover your ears quickly, eyes wide with fear. Turning your body away from them, you began to feel violently aware of everyone's eyes on your family, some on you but mainly on the spectacle; The King and The Heir fighting on Aegon’s second name day.

When Viserys turns to Otto what he sees makes his flesh burn; You. So very close to Otto but turned away from him- Your father. It makes his blood boil, you should seek comfort from him. Not Ser Otto. You are his daughter. Not Otto’s.

Viserys soon leaves after the news of the white hart, but Otto stays, just for a moment. His gloved hand sitting on your shoulder, a reassuring hold. Your breath is shaky and your chest tight but you still manage to look at him through your eyelashes,

“Breathe, Princess.” He insists, and he maneuvers you towards your seat. Hand traversing to your lower back, “Sit and have some milk.” He gently puts your goblet back in your hand as you seat yourself. Feeble hands grip the handle, eyes drawn to the floor.

Otto tries to find the right words, he has never been a man of comfort. His hand hovers over your dropped head, unbeknownst to you. He sighs and takes his leave, passing his goblet to a maiden.

The day gets longer, Rhaenrya has run off with Criston following behind her. You knew it was against your set rules but you sank into your cups, after whispering to the help to fill your cups with cider but to not tell anyone else.

Your eyelids get heavy again, head tipping back. You love your family, you do. They took you in as a child, they gave you everything even despite the tight rules provided, sometimes… sometimes you wish that you took to a dragon and flew. Flew somewhere, to old Valryia or maybe to the free cities.

Then you’d be free.. but never truly free. Your love ties you down to your loved ones but that is the consequence of loving hard. Looking down into your cup, you swirl your drink. Taking a deep breath you look back to Alicent, she is already looking at you.

You wonder how long she has been staring at you and you tilt your head, she gestures for you to sit next to her. Another sigh leaves your mouth, slowly pushing yourself up.

“oh! princess, here allow me to help!” a maiden comes to your side, you wave her off as you give her the empty goblet. You keep your steps slow so as to not wobble, to others; you looked like you were gliding.

“My Queen.” you address as you sit beside her, Alicent quickly holds your hand closest to her. You are surrounded by the lady wives of many different men along with Larys Strong, the son of Lyonel Strong, the brother of Harwin “Breakbones” Strong.

“This is Viserys’s other daughter, Princess y/n” Remembering to keep your eyes open, you look around with a smile. “Dear y/n, how’s your day? you seem awfully tired.” Alicent asks with concern, one hand on her belly and other on your hand as she leans closer.

“I’m quite fine.” you mumble back, fighting your heavy lids as you nod. “The day is long… but soon we shall dine and turn in for the night.”

The conversations bore you, useless politics, rumors, marriages of lower houses. You wave over another servant with a sigh, already they know what you want. They deliver it, you try to hide the contents from Alicent but she notices.

“Cider?” She whispers tightly, holding the wrist that holds your goblet. Your nose flexes, “You know you cannot handle that.” She states, “a maiden your age shouldn’t even be holding a cup of cider.”

The rest of the ladies converse, and you are unbeknownst to another set of eyes on you. “Please. I will be fine.” you whisper, patting her hand and prying her tiny fingers off.

You take another big swig of your cider, almost finishing it all in one go. Looking over to Larys who has nearly burned holes into your head, nodding at him as a greeting.

“La-Larys.” you slur and he smiles at you, and you return it with a half one. The sudden need for fresh air sits in your lungs, eating you like a snake does a vole. Chugging your drink before shoving it in between the cushions of the seat, you stand up.

“I’m.. gonna go get some fresh air.” You announced, trying to make your way out of the once lovely group of women who now seem like a horde of gossiping vultures.

“Oh!” Lady Redwyne pops, “I heard that the hunters found a fat hog, they should be smoking it just now!”

The thought of watching them gut a pig to smoke makes your stomach turn, “thanks.. Lady Redwyne” You hurry out of the tent, the sun shining upon your skin. The pungent smell of burning meat and spices hits you, quickly turning away and scurrying to the back of the tent- where it was closer to the forest edge.

“ugh…. fuck.” You groan, kicking the dirt below you, the cider sticks to your insides like jam to bread. You ache to be in the comforts of the red keep, painting, or perhaps riding on horseback. You ache for a lot of things. Ache for the motherly hands of Aemma, to feel the embrace of someone you refuse to let yourself say. Perhaps you ache for the unmade.

You stand there, for minutes. Just staring into the bushes and trees, the arrival of the hunting party brings you back. Smoothing down the white lace on your dress, gulping down the fresh forest air; you return to the celebrations.

“Princess?” a feeble voice calls out, you look around and are surprised to see Larys.

“O-oh! Larys.. Larys, you surprised me.” You turn to the man hunched over his walking cane, leaning onto it. “How have you enjoyed my brother's second name day?” you ask, almost swallowing your tongue.

“it has been fine.. not that i can enjoy the most of it.” He moves his twisted foot, something that has dubbed him “The clubfoot” among gossipers. “But to be honest, i think i prefer talking with the maidens.” he adds, “they are far more gentler”

You nod along, eyes flickering over to the hunting party. Dogs held right by handlers, horses snorting and throwing their heads back as their riders dismount.

“But you..” he continues on “seem to be left to your own,” You still and wrong your hands together. Adjusting your stance as you feel yourself leaning, telling yourself to keep yourself together.

“Yes.. but it’s okay, I don't… don’t mind.” You reassure,

“I’m sure the cups of cider helped.” he smirks, knowing, your face flushed. How did he know? noticing your red face he chuckles,

“not to worry, Princess. I shall not tell anyone.” His eyes never leave yours, following your finicky gaze. It makes you uncomfortable, like a child being examined.

“I suppose it’s not-“

“You shall not tell anyone, what?”

you almost jump out of your skin, you turn so quickly that your head may have spun all around. Otto stands tall, chin up. Almost looking down upon Larys,

“Ser Otto” Larys addresses, if Larys was scared, he made no effort to show it. Your heart beats against your chest, “She was telling me a story; about Aegon.” You try to catch up to where Larys was, but he seemed to be a whole book ahead.

“ye… yes!” you stammer over words, “i uh, guess you could say i spoiled him despite Alicent request.” Otto's hard eyes soften when they land on you, it was a siren's song to your intoxicated state.

“The princess should be with the king.” Otto says, he offers you his arm and you reach for it.

“I was keeping the Princess company as she enjoyed the fresh air.” Larys explains, “She felt a bit queasy. I guess the mares' milk may have gone bad.” Otto looks down at your averted gaze, examining your state. Shuffling in your stance, flickering eyelids and subtle swaying.

“I see, I will look into that.” Otto puts his hand over yours, a grip to keep you near- not to comfort. “Come on, Princess.” He tries to walk you back, you step on your own foot as he does so.

“I think the princess would like to enjoy the fresh air longer.” Larys turns slowly, looking dead in Otto's eyes.

“The king has requested her presence” Otto's grip tightens, his nostrils flare. “but you can enjoy the air if you wish. I’m sure you won’t be bothered” Larys watches Otto lead you off into the tent, eyes never leaving you.

Entering the red tent filled with dozens of folk and your father right ahead, your sister is nowhere to be seen. You want to go home, you want to lie in your warm bed with Rhaenrya and wake up to braid each other's hair.

Soon you’re back in your chair, holding Viserys’ hand and Otto to your left. You stare off, taking a deep breath.

You would always be in the jaws of someone bigger, the dragons or the hounds. You’d bare your neck like a lamb, and hope for the dark delicate love.

Entwined in other people’s fate, all you can hope is that the fates bring you peace.

[clearheartsgreyflowerss]

The ring- Arlecchino x fem!reader

Arlecchino often found days long and boring, savoring the moment she got to come home to see you. Of course she would spoil you rotten most days, bringing home flowers, a new hair clip, or something you never thought you would need. Some days she brought home nothing but herself, though that itself was already an amazing gift. Today was different, today's gift was very special

You hadn't even noticed her come in, and it gave you quite the shock when you felt hands wrap around your waist, warm hands that you could recognize anywhere digging into your skin.

"Good evening my darling" her soothing voice rang out against the quiet of your home, a much needed break from the silence that had been haunting you that night. All of the children had managed to be out and about doing things today, so you had stayed home by yourself to get things done, yet the eerie silence has bothered you just about all day.

"Welcome home Arlecchino, how was your day dear?" You turned yourself around to face her, and tucked a small bit of her hair out of the way to better see her eyes.

"Torturous without you there with me." She smiled and let out a small laugh, and then planted a kiss to your forehead. "Though, I think it was worth it, I got you something [name]" she pulled out a small box from the inside pocket of her jacket, and stood back a little as she presented it to you.

To say you were shocked was an understatement. It was a small silver ring, with the most beautiful ruby in the center, a thorn like pattern wrapped around the stone in the center. You looked up at her, and back down at the ring, a big smile across your face, and your eyes holding back tears from the gesture.

"oh my archons Arlecchino, it's beautiful! You're too kind dear, you didn't need to get me this..." Despite your words of slight protest, she could tell how much you liked it as she slipped the ring on your right middle finger. She held your hand out, as she admired it in your hand. She planted a small kiss on your knuckles just below the ring, and then leaned in close to you, whispering in your ear,

"I'll get you another ring to go with that one soon, that way the children can officially start calling you mother."

A/n: I'm back!!! This was gonna be longer but I wanted to post something sooner rather than later, if this one does well like my other Arlecchino fic I'll make a part 2 :)

Daily click to help those in Palestine

Also I'm still begging for requests I'll write just about anything just please send me requests

[lavender-romancer]

Fools

Part Four

Tommy Shelby x male reader

CW: internalised homophobia, sexual themes

You always felt that you were hiding or running from deep inside of you, this feeling that you weren't like other men around you. When you met Tommy it made sense but how could you explore these feelings?

AN: Tommy is not married to Lizzie and Ruby does not exist

”*°•.˜”*°•. ˜”*°•. ˜”*°••°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜

previous part

You woke up to Tommy sitting at the desk in your hotel room shirtless with his trousers laying unbuttoned on his hips. After stretching you pulled on your briefs and draped on your unbuttoned shirt from the night before before walking over to Tommy. You rested your hands on his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. He leant the side of his head on your hand and sighed.

"I missed you." Tommy whispered and you smiled.

"You should have woken me up." You lent your chin on the top of his head and stroked up and down his bare bicep.

"And miss out on your weird sleep talking? No chance." Tommy smirked and you hit his arm playfully.

"I'll make sure my next lot of sleep talking discusses how I want to kill you." You stood up and sat down on the bed before taking off your shirt. "Come here." You said softly, Tommy turned around and pushed a hand through his hair before walking over to the bed. You lit a cigarette and rose up onto your knees so you were nearly face to face with Tommy. You took a drag of your cigarette and then leant forward and kissed Tommy, blowing the smoke into his mouth. He inhaled and exhaled out of his mouth, continuing to kiss you deeply as he cradled your face. When you drew apart you couldn't help but smirk at the surprised look on Tommy's face.

"I demand you live with me as long as you're in Birmingham so you can do that again." Tommy took hold of your throat and squeezed it slightly causing you to close your eyes. But as soon as he had held it he let go and you looked at him with an offended expression. "Got to leave you wanting more." Tommy smiled and you rolled your eyes.

The two of you left the hotel room a few hours later and headed for Tommy's office to try to complete some actual work. This whole situation seemed genuinely fucking insane. You couldn't touch him but just looking across the back car seat and seeing his angelic face was enough to convince you it had all been a dream. Maybe you didn't need heaven if you could have Tommy. Things began to change around a week later.

Tommy invited you to his office for a business meeting about investment margins and whilst you were excited to see him you both needed to set up a legitimate face between the two businesses. You sat in the chair outside Tommy's office as his secretary called the number to his office but his phone was engaged.

"Shouldn't be too much longer." She smiled at you.

Whilst you tried to rationalize that it would just be a random business phone call you couldn't help your brain running with the idea he had some else. She got up and knocked on Tommy's office door, letting herself in and closing the door behind. They spoke for a few moments before she exited and opened the door for you.

"Who was on the phone cutting into my meeting time?" You asked in a joking tone and Tommy wouldn't meet your eyeline.

"Oh, no one." He replied before changing the subject completely and discussing profit margins and projected earnings.

But you couldn't let it go. Or at least your involuntary thoughts wouldn't let it go. You'd much rather side with your rational thoughts but they rarely won internal arguments.

As you returned home that day, you looked over the investment plans you and Tommy had agreed on but it felt false. Not too long ago you held him in your arms as he cried, now you were back to being partners in business. Every minute all you could think about was the softness of his skin and how his lips felt, you were getting hard just thinking about him. This was… maybe not bad, but it definitely wasn't good. What would you do without someone like him? You needed some time away from the city, away from the noise so you could just think.

The following day you were traveling to the Peak District just outside of Sheffield to stay with your friend May Carleton. You had known one another for a great deal of time and her country manor felt like the perfect escape that you needed to talk about Tommy. Over the whole journey you tried to keep yourself busy, reading the paper, doing the crossword in the Times. Anything to keep your mind straying to the man you were ever so slightly falling for. You forgot if you'd ever wanted anyone else by this point, they were distant memories of a life you no longer wanted. Tommy sometimes felt like an entity that would pass through your life, his beautiful eyes tearing away from you as he decided he wanted someone else.

"It's so wonderful to see you!" May exclaimed as you walked up to the grand doors of the mansion.

"I've missed you dearly." You hugged her closely and she took your hand.

"Leave that all here, it can be taken to your room, I have something to show you." She smiled broadly and pulled you after her.

The two of you walked into the gardens to a little stone alcove that had been built into the side of the building, with ivy and roses growing all the way up. It was surrounded by flowers you'd never seen before.

"Isn't it beautiful, my gardener is positively the best in England, he had sees brought over from the Caribbean, it's some seasonal plant there but he's somehow kept them alive." She crouched down and delicately held her hand underneath the vibrant flower.

"May, your wealth is unmatched." You laughed and she stood up, brushing off her skirt.

"Oh I know. But what am I supposed to do, I have all this land and no one to share it with. Unless you're planning on staying a while?" She prompted.

"If you'll have me I will stay as long as the sun lasts here. I need fresh air so desperately by this point." You sighed and May reached for your hand.

"What beastly man has hurt you this time, my love?" She asked.

"I'll tell you later, now, walk me round these gardens before I do it myself." You linked her arm and she started walking you through the flower garden.

Thomas was sexually frustrated to a point that felt ridiculous. But his shame was beginning to overpower his mind, when you were due to be in a meeting with him, he had called a former female lover and arranged to meet. He usually did this every couple months, with someone he knew or a whore. Tommy had to prove to himself what he was because he never believed it. All he did was follow pleasure, try to center that and forget about the gender of the other person. But it was impossible to not hyperfocus on the fact that he loved having sex with men, with you. But that was unacceptable to him. Regardless of his careless attitude, he couldn't even accept the fact he might be a homosexual let alone live with that fact. Trying to prove his own brain was wrong was generally at the forefront of his mind.

Most of the time he was disgusted by himself, by his urges and his fantasies. The more he thought about it, the more distressed he was. Sitting in his office at home he lay back in his chair, hands clasped on his chest as he looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath. Why was love so hard for him to have? What was so unrelentlessly cruel was that Tommy constantly fought his urges and tried to be the man his father told him to be, but then people like you showed up in his life. Men that he couldn't stop thinking about, men that made him question his moral fiber, his existence on this planet. If anything about his secret life was revealed, everything would be over. His life, his business, his family name. Everything Thomas had worked for decades to achieve would disappear as he started a prison sentence, leaving his family to pick up the pieces left behind him. He couldn't do that to them, he couldn't allow all of this to be corrupted and twisted because of his idiotic choices. Once he settled down with a new wife and more children this could all be put to bed.

As he looked at the ceiling, the wallpaper didn't swirl into images of you anymore. They swirled into an image of darkness and despair which felt like it was surrounding Tommy. This thick, dark mass engulfed his body and he choked on it. Not realising he was sobbing. He put a hand up to his throat and it shook, he felt like he couldn't breath. That the thought of losing you and what this meant to him would make him collapse. His heartbeat was getting quicker and quicker and he couldn't stop it. All he could see in his mind was you not being there, the very absence of you made him panic. His eyes darted around the room for something, anything that could stop the darkness around him.

You were his fucking person. But you just couldn't be, he wouldn't allow it. All he could see now through his tears was how you looked when you spoke to him, your smiles and the way your eyebrows moved when you were confused. The ways that you talked to him, the familiarity that couldn't be bought because the connection was real. Tommy had never cried in front of someone for as long as he could remember but that vulnerability felt so second nature when he was with you.

But both of you knew this couldn't last forever, there was always a glint of sadness in your eyes. Both of you knew this feeling of disappointment, how you were both tired of feeling this way. No matter how much you cared for one another or felt yourself loving one another you would never be able to sleep next to one another, at least not when being walked in on was a possibility. You would always belong to one another in some ways. But as Tommy ran his hands down his face and finally snapped out of the black mist, he realised that it didn't matter.

"So who's this mystery man?" May asked with a smile as you sat down in the drawing room with some tea.

"I can't say. This is my only veto so far, so you can respect it." You smiled and she rolled her eyes.

"Fine. But what is he like?" She probed.

"If you'd ever met him you would never know he was like me, or that he's incredibly vulnerable. It's strange, he trusts me inexplicably." You stared are the table not noticing your smile.

"Someone's smitten." She laughed and you couldn't help but laugh too because she was right.

“You must have a man in your life,” you smiled at her.

“Of sorts. I wouldn't say I quite have him yet but I intend to.” May took a bite of one of the biscuits laid out neatly on the floral china.

“Well you have to tell me more now.” Leaning in, you were prepared to hear about some awful bachelor but, the more she spoke the more the feeling of dread rose in your throat.

She had spoken about this man before. Not by name but you figured it out all the same, he was sleeping with her? Or at the very least showing her affection you wished was only for you. Of course it was only a matter of time, May was wonderful and had the plus of being absolutely stinking rich. How could Tommy resist? When she was seemingly so enthralled with him and he was so enthralled with power. But still, you felt foolish. A slither of your hopeful mind held out that he might only want you, that losing his wife was a good reason to be a bachelor. Why oh why did you do this to yourself?

“Darling?” May put a hand on your knee with concern in her eyes. “I hope I haven't upset you.” She knew your struggles with love and the lack thereof.

“I- I think I've just realised that we're uhm… talking about the same man.” Your eyes clearly displayed your terror as you sat awkwardly with your leg bouncing anxiously.

“Really, are you sure? But he didn't seem… well to put it delicately my dear. He didn't seem like you.” May looked genuinely disheartened with a hint of pity in her eyes. You hated it. Pity was a cancer, once it festered it was almighty difficult to remove it.

“I don't know what to say.” You were shifting uncomfortably, urging yourself to stand and leave but you couldn't quite do it. Realising that it had probably been May who Tommy spoke to on that phone call a few days ago.

“Are you sure?” She asked again and your malicious side considered telling her all the sexual exploits of you and Tommy.

“I am.” You replied sadly.

“I don't believe it. I can't,” she stood up and walked over to the window, her back to you. “We've been together as well.” That gave you a stabbing feeling in your stomach.

“Ah, that complicates things.” It was hard to not sound destroyed by this admission from May.

“Yes, I should say so. God, this is ridiculous.” She rubbed her forehead and sighed.

“Do you love him?” The question scared you more than it should. You didn't love Tommy, you thought you could love him but would you really stand in the way of May's happiness?

“Do you?” She turned, her mouth set in a displeased frown.

“Not yet.” It was a stupid answer but you felt like you were losing any possible advantage you could have had in this conversation.

“But you intend to? A man who will never be honest with himself about his emotions, let alone you?” May took a step in your direction, you hung your head.

“May, I'm used to it. You can call me idiotic but it's not something that concerns me.” The fidgeting got worse and you felt like your whole body was trembling.

“And he knows this, does he? Is he aware of the anguish that you are willing to put yourself through?” She sounded more concerned than angry now and it only made you feel worse. That stabbing feeling felt like it was twisting into your abdomen with irreversible damage.

“We care about one another and that is enough for me.” Eyes growing wet and foggy, you wanted to leave. Hoping to never have this conversation you chose to ignore it was happening.

“I cant- I… this is too much.” She walked past you, heading for the door.

“Do you love him?” You asked in a burst of confidence neither of you expected-you were usually the meek one of the two of you.

“And what difference would that make to this conversation, Darling?” May looked back at you with equally glassy eyes. She was too protective of you to be angry about the right things.

After leaving the room she didn't return, you waited for what felt like a long while before returning to your adopted bedroom in the house and flopping forward onto the bed. What in God's name was going on? It felt like a poorly written snuff piece in a broadsheet you'd tut at for being so idiotic. You had to get back to Birmingham, doubting that May would want to see you again at least for now. Did he know that you both knew each other? He must have known, Tommy not knowing something would be more surprising to you than otherwise.

You left not too long after your conversation with May, it felt a tad juvenile but you were jealous. Not so much that he had been sleeping with someone else at the same time as you, it was the fact that he didn't tell you. You assumed he trusted you after revealing what must be his best kept secret. It wasn't unrealistic for your lover to have a wife or a female companion. Usually for show. But this… was it more than for show? Did he truly care for May? It left you feeling unsettled more than anything. This feeling of attachment was so unfamiliar considering interactions with past lovers had lasted maybe a month or so. It was odd to crave someone's undivided attention.

Peaky blinders taglist:

next part

@queenofkings1212 @severewobblerlightdragon @cl5369 @fairypitou @stressedandbandobessed7771 @shadow-of-wonder @hipsternoionlylikeunicorns @curled-hair-red-lips @lucystivinsky1315

Series taglist:

@denzellovehazelnuts @edgyboi10000

@strnqer @arsoniscommited @flynnr2d2

[lipeg]

Bad Jaune had left Ever Alter. He had barely taken the first step in Remmant. He was old again.

Jaune: I should have killed that girl

Weiss was jumping for joy in her mind.

Yang: Look on the bright side—

Yang's sentence was interrupted as Jaune armor crumbled to dust.

Underneath the armor.

Jaune was wearing a black shirt that seemed to be clinging to his body, showing off his muscle very good work.

His arms were strong and huge, full of scars.

Jaune looked at team RWBY.

Weiss had her mouth open and was drooling as blood spurted from her nose.

Blake's face turned red.

Ruby just blinked.

Yang: You are now Dilf! A, your sword shining

Yang pointed to Jaune's sword that had fallen to the ground.

Jaune turned to see that his weapon was indeed emitting a strong glow.

His eyes widened for an instant.

He grabbed his weapon and said something very low.

Jaune: Calm down

All except Blake, who was confused by what Jaune had said.

His weapon stopped glowing, Jaune sighed.

Jaune stood, holding the weapon in his left hand. He wasn't holding his weapon by the hilt, he was holding it by the sheath.

Because he didn't have the accessory to hold his weapon.

Ruby: What happened to your armor?

Jaune: Ruby, that armor should have been destroyed a long time ago

Ruby: ?

Jaune: That armor was rubbish, I wish I had gotten rid of it long ago and replaced it with a new one.

Yang: So.... Why didn't you do it?

Jaune: I was cursed

Ruby: By whom?

Jaune: A cursed creature that I should have killed at the first opportunity. That thing still laughs! Just remembering it makes me angry

His eyes began to glow for a moment.

Weiss: What was the curse

Jaune calmed down.

Jaune: I could never take off my armor. If my armor was destroyed, I would die instantly. Also, the armor would lose its resistance with every hit I took

Blake: But your armor is still quite good

Jaune: It's because of my aura

RWBY: What?

Jaune: It is serious? I was in that place for years, do you think I had no training?

RWBY:.... 😶

Jaune: I spent most of my youth training to improve my fighting skills. This allowed me to develop my skills and to evolve my Semblante

Yang: Then why were you so easy to defeat?

Jaune: Curses also diminish my skills a little

Weiss: Wait a minute. You said your armor didn't break because of your aura right?

Jaune: Yeah

Weiss: But that should be impossible. And who was this creature that cursed you, and why did he or she do it?

Jaune: Why didn't I sleep with her

...

...

Yang: She was sexy?

Blake: YANG!

Yang: There must be a reason he doesn't want to have sex

Weiss: Let's get back to the main topic. Who is this woman

Jaune: None of you know her, her name is not found in any fairy tale

Ruby: So who is she, where did you find her

Jaune: She called herself Merlin. I found her while exploring the underground of that place

Weiss: Does that place have a underground?

Jaune: Yes, I would say or I could say that the underground is better than the surface. I had a good time down there and discovered and learned some really interesting things there.

Yang: Come on, does it really matter if she was sexy or not?

Blake: YANG!

Yang: THAT!?

Jaune: *sigh* Yes, Yang, she was sexy

Yang: So why didn't you sleep with her?

Jaune: Why didn't I want

Yang: You are a shame

Jaune: Have you ever looked in the mirror?

Yang: It is clear! I am wonderful, there is no one like me

Jaune started laughing.

Yang: I told the funny guy

Jaune: Yes, in that one I saw the most beautiful women there are

Yang: I doubt

Jaune pulled his scroll out of his pocket.

Jaune: So see

Team RWBY was impressed.

Blake looked at Yang.

Yang looked at Blake.

The two of them were nothing compared to this woman.

Jaune put his scroll in his pocket.

Jaune: Let's go before we get caught in a sandstorm

Ruby and Yang were crying in their uncle's arms.

Weiss was reunited with her family.

Jaune...

Ren:...

Nora:...

Ren:...

Nora:...

Ren:...

Nora:...

Ren:...

Nora:...

Jaune: You're not going to say anything?

Nora: What do you want us to say!?

Ren: Nora is right, we…�� We don't expect you like this

Jaune: Like this?

Nora: You look taller!

Jaune: I'm still 180

Nora: You've become a wall of muscles!

Jaune: I'm not even that muscular

Nora: That beard and that ponytail and... That's Pyrrha's

Nora pointed to the piece of cloth in his hair.

Jaune: * Sigh * Yes, that's what was left of her, I couldn't save the rest. I went through hell on earth

Nora and Ren looked at their former leader and saw a man breaking.

Nora: Jaune, can I take a picture of you?

Jaune: Can

When Jaune crossed his arms, Nora ran very quickly and lifted his shirt.

Jaune had a well-defined six-pack and a few scars, but there was one that stood out.

Four horizontal claw marks on the abdomen.

Nora took the photo very quickly before Jaune could do anything.

Jaune looked at Ren.

Ren raised his shoulders and then lowered them because he didn't understand anything.

Jaune: Nora who did you send this photo to?

With a smile on her face, Nora showed her scroll.

His eyes widened a little.

Saphron Cotta-Arc

Single mothers of Atlas

[artisplatters]

Into the Rubi-Verse

I really like all the TADC AUs I've been seeing so I wanted to imagine what my OC Rubi would look like in them all. This has been a project in the works for at least a month now ^v^"

For reference, this is what Rubi originally looks like

And for good measure, here's Canon?Rubi's relations with the other canon cast (chart made by @p1nkiep4rasites)

Now lets hop into the multiverse!~

Boxer!Rubi is a tank with a brain and two left feet, so no matter how hard her hits are and how solid their plan is, it usually all comes crumbling down because of a trip

Differentiating features from "canon": outfit, bigger paws that mimic boxer gloves, heart tattoo on hip, can fight

The Amazing Digital Fight Club is by @burrotello

Skater!Rubi is the other graffiti artist in town, alongside Zooble, and usually only participates in the skate derby when it runs out of paint or the battery to their DS is dead. She rides a windsurfer (also known as street sailing; its basically a skateboard with a sail)

Differentiating features from "canon": outfit, tooth gap, star stickers, can skateboard

The Amazing Digital Skate Park is by @g00bergoo

Lab!Rubi is a guardian fallen angel, banished from heaven when it became too attached to the human it was meant to protect. The final straw was when it almost showed itself as a last-ditch effort to save it's human from the cultist trap she was being lead to.

It was held back by other angels before it could though, and it had to watch as she was killed. That was the first time an angel cried in almost 100 years.

Sent to earth, it wandered for a long while before finding the Incredulously Experimental Monster Lab and decided to stay there while it continues to look for her spirit. She feels so close, it'll be any day now when it finds her...

Differentiating features from "canon": Cube head is now multi-colored tesseracts, three eyes, outfit, wings, rings, and other things

The monster lab AU is by @etanow

Carnival!Rubi is a gentler AI originally coded for a younger audience who couldn't yet play the main Carnival, who was later added to the main game by popular demand.

Her "neckpiece" is a bow-tie on her collar, since she has no neck to tie anything around. Attempting to pull it off gives a choking sensation, as if being strangled, and can eventually lead to passing out.

By the time Caine appears in the Carnival, she's been keeping herself locked in her room, barring entry to everyone, including Gangle whom she used to be good friends with (and maybe more..?). There should've been no way for Caine to get in, but he does, and is met with a sorry sight [maybe he uses some coding magic idk-]

Differentiating features from "canon": outfit, is an A.I.

The Amazing Digital Carnival is by @sm-baby

Slasher!Rubi used to be a famous horror game streamer/GameTuber, before her sudden disappearance.... and now, she's stuck in a virtual slasher hell with no escape in sight.

At least in between the daily hunts she can find solace in people who are like her, for once... ironically less lonely than her life before...

Differentiating features from "canon": outfit, was a famous gamer

The Amazing Digital Slasher is by @justwantswafflefries

[wanderingsoul6261]

When the Parents aren't Home

Gif credit to davinaclaires

James Beaufort x Ruby Bell

Warning: 18+ DO NOT INTERACT. SUGGESTIVE/SEXUAL MATERIAL

Attempt at soft!Dom James Beaufort x Ruby Bell. Not a whole lot of smut, but there is a small amount. Sorry if it's not exactly what was wanted by the Anon who had requested it.

Ruby sat on James’ bed, surprised that she was even here to begin with. Being in the Beauforts manor was never something she expected, but alas, here she was, in James' room in the very same manor. 

Her eyes trailed around the room, hearing the flushing of the toilet as James finished in the bathroom. Ruby took in the desk on one side of the room. Papers and some books littered it, with a lamp and some pencils and pens in a holder. James was a tidy person, much tidier than Ruby had first expected. There weren't a lot of decorations in his room, and that much, Ruby had expected. Some plants littered the window sills. He had a bookshelf with a few books on them with some picture frames of him and his family sitting on it. 

Ruby stood up, taking a few small steps over to the bookshelf. Her eyes moved over the titles of books for a few brief seconds. Fingers traced over the spine of the books, letting out a small sigh as her eyes drifted up to the pictures. Most of them were of him and his sister, but a few showed his parents as well. 

Ruby was so focused on the photos that she didn't notice James behind her. His hands came up to settle on her waist, causing her to jump. 

“Sorry.” His voice was quiet, and his lips attached to her neck. Ruby tilted her neck to give him better access, her eyes falling closed, the pictures now forgotten. 

“You're forgiven.” She breathed out. Ruby let herself fall back into him, his arms coming around yo wrap fully around her waist. 

James bit her shoulder softly, pressed a soothing kiss to it and nestled his face into her neck. 

“You should strip your clothes.” He whispered. Ruby pulled away slightly to look into his face. He peeked up at her from underneath his eyelashes, but it didn't change the look in his eyes. James wasn't asking. He was demanding. 

Ruby swallowed, before doing as he asked. She slowly started to undress, making it a show for him. Starting with the button up, she slowly undid each button, staring directly at James as she did so, taking in his actions and attitude. He didn’t attempt to touch himself or her as she let the button up fall. 

“Leave the bra.” He added, almost too quickly, just as her hands came up behind it to touch it. “I want to be the one.” She listened, her hands instead falling to her pants, ridding her body of said apparel. 

James sucked in a breath as he stared at her, taking in her appearance. He has seen her in such a way before, but he acts as if it's his first every time he does. 

“Gorgeous.” The word fell from his lips as he undressed himself, before meeting her in just his boxers. His lips attached to her collar bone, pressing lazy kisses as his arms came up around her back, easily unhooking her bra. He let it fall, his hands coming and grabbing her breasts. James kissed her skin and touched where he could for a few moments, before he dropped to his knees. He looked up at her, his hands gently tracing up and down her thigh before he grabbed her panties, his fingers looping in them and pulling them down and allowing her to step out of them. 

“On the bed.” James nodded towards it. Ruby watched as he stood up, a small smirk playing at her lips as she did as was asked. She crawled onto the bed, turning and laying on her back and locked eyes once more with James. His eyes watched her every move, biting his lip as his eyes drifted over her naked form, before finally meeting her gaze. 

He stalked towards the bed, climbing onto it and moving so that he hovered over Ruby. 

“Hey.” He spoke softly, a smile on his face.

“Hey.” Ruby matched his smile, before pulling him down to kiss him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down closer to her. He laid his weight on her, his hands coming up to cup her cheeks. 

James loved her. His life depended on her, and if he could hold her in this moment forever, he would. 

His lips moved down her jaw and along her neck, kissing softly. James had grabbed her hands holding them up and above her head, leaving hickies on her shoulder, and pressed kisses to the places where the bruises would form. 

He looked up at her as he moved down her body, pressing kisses between her breasts and down her stomach. James went slow, drawing out the teasing, and by the impatient look In Ruby's eyes, he knew he was successful. He smirked, enjoying the moment. 

“Having fun?” She asked. If it was possible, his smirk only grew larger. 

“Maybe.” Ruby let out a huff, letting her head fall back against the bed in irritation. James watched her for a few seconds before his fingers moved down and started playing with her clit. He continued to press kisses to her navel. 

Ruby let out a gasp, her hands moving down to tangle in his hair. He moved her hands off of him. 

“No touching.” He stopped his own touching as he looked up at her, just in time to see another impatient look from Ruby. Oh, he was loving this. He flashed her a grin, showing teeth, before allowing his fingers to move again and moved his lips further down. He finally let his fingers slip inside of her, starting with slow thrusts as his thumb continued to rub against her clit. Ruby let out a few quiet whines, her hands fisting the sheets as she struggled not to tangle her fingers once again in James’ hair. He looked up at her, watching her as she writhed just at the small touches he was giving her. James picked up the pace, quickening the movements of his fingers, glancing down and watching as his fingers disappeared in and out of her. Her arousal coated his fingers and he let out a low groan, getting even more turned on at the sight of it. 

James pressed a kiss above right where she wanted him most, before finally dipping down and letting his tongue meet her clit, He flicked his tongue against it a few times testing the waters and how she reacted. She gasped sharply, sucking in her breath before letting it out very shakily. Then her breathing picked up. James continued the movements of his fingers and tongue, continuing to watch as she further became unraveled beneath him. He enjoyed the sight of it all, even allowing himself some relief as he grinded into the bed, letting out his own moans as he ceased the movements of his tongue, pressing a kiss to her thigh briefly. The movements of his fingers stopped briefly as he pleasured himself against the bed, before he finally stopped his own movements and continued to pleasure her. 

It only took a little bit longer of thrusting his fingers and flicking and sucking her clit with his tongue and mouth before her breathing grew heavier, and then she let go. Ruby let out whines and whimpers as her body shook, her back arching against the bed as James worked her through her orgasm. He took in the sight, marveling as he watched her unravel, until her body stilled and she laid there, breathing heavily and had finally turned her head towards him, a small but satisfied smile on her face. 

“Oh, we aren’t done yet, sweetheart.” 

James crawled back and hovered over her and grinded his hardened arousal into her. His hands moved down, pressing the tip of his cock to her pussy. He leaned over to whisper into her ear. “You’ve been a good girl. But continue to be one, and I’ll treat you like a queen.” 

—-

James let Ruby lean back against him, the warm water flowing down their bodies. His hands wandered her body, massaging her thighs, shoulders, and waist. His lips trailed gently across her shoulders. 

She let out a quiet sigh. 

“Your parents will be back tomorrow afternoon?” She asked. He nodded into her shoulder. 

“Yea. Me and Percy will take you home in the morning. I’ll be home before they do.” James answered. He reached over and grabbed the shampoo. It was men's shampoo, but it was all he had. He could easily put some in there for her and explain it was Lydia’s if it was ever found, but that too would also be weird, and he didn’t want to say it was Elaine’s. It would be a lie and feeding his parents lies that he might have liked her, when he did not. 

James let the shampoo sit in his palm for a few seconds, before he finally lathered it into her hair, massaging her scalp. She let her head fall back, enjoying the touch. Not that she didn’t enjoy the way he touched her not too long ago, but this was also nice. Ruby let out a sigh of content. 

As the two stood beneath the water, they took their turns washing each other. He washed her body, being gentle and massaging her body some more, before he had finally let her take over. 

She had then taken her turn to wash his hair, lathering his hair with shampoo just as he had done it to her. While washing his body for him, although he had insisted on doing it himself, she had been a bit teasing herself. She had looked him in the eyes while closing him too close to a certain spot. 

James had almost wanted to take her again right then and there but had kept himself together. After all, Ruby’s intentions were to rile him up. Tease him, in payment for the foreplay he did on her. However, he still gave her a warning look, as she gazed at him with a smirk present on her face. 

Now, the two were back in his bed. Ruby was laying against his chest and James had both arms wrapped around her. She slept, while he laid there, wide awake, thinking about nothing and everything at the same time. Her. His family. The family business. Such things that would not allow them to be together. But in this moment, as she laid in his arms, he refused to think of those, because in this moment, he had her, and he wanted to focus on her. James pressed a kiss to her forehead, before finally settling down to sleep. 

---

taglist: @honethatty12 @lifeonawhim @ashamedtobewhitemanswhore27 @maryvibess @wheredidmyeyesgo @imasimptoowth @avada-kedavra-bitch-187 @sillyfreakfanparty

[sammyluvr]

lick it better — ruby ꒦꒷ kinktober day ten ; blood play

cw : gn!reader, smut, softdom!reader, slightly bratty ruby, mentions of switch reader and ruby, minor injuries/cuts, blood play (decently tame; reader licks ruby's small cuts + gives her a few more), knife play, teasing, pet names (sweet girl, baby), let's pretend that demons need to sleep and get tired, 1.2K words. MDNI !!! 18+ ONLY.

she’s pretending she isn’t, but ruby’s tired when she enters your room. her soft, pretty skin is littered with cuts and a few bruises here and there, probably in a fight with some damn hunters. her legs are sore, you can tell, but you’re sure that those sons of bitches are in far worse of a state than her. that’s your girl.

she sits when you pat the spot next to you on the bed, and you know it won’t take long to get her to break her silly tough girl facade. no matter how many times you’ve had her laying in your arms, she still likes to act more hardened around you than she has to. but you’ll get her to soften up without too much of a fight tonight.

“c’mon,” you urge her, motioning her to get all the way over the mattress with a light jerk of your head. “did they hurt you, sweet girl? let me see.”

ruby rolls her eyes a little, but she obliges and swings her legs up, letting her back settle onto the pillow. you roll a little closer, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. you slip your hands under her shirt, running your palms over her skin for a moment before tugging the garment up and off. she lets you and you hold back a small smile. you’ve already got her.

you run your hands over her, soothing and gentle as you examine the red marks on her soft skin. none of the cuts are too bad, but a few are still bleeding a little. your mouth waters. you lean over more, kissing her collarbone and wrapping your hands around to unclasp her bra. when it falls to the floor, there’s a quiet clink as a small metal piece hits the wood. 

one hand kneads the soft flesh of her breast and your mouth wanders down to kiss at the top of the other. she lets out a quiet sigh and grabs the back of your head. she doesn’t make an effort to be gentle.

“eat me out,” she demands, tone bossy; she sounds so sure of herself. you flick your eyes up to her face, and she looks down at you with a small smirk on her lips.

“you’re funny,” you mumble, dipping your head back down and taking her peaked nipple into your mouth. you swirl your tongue around it and suck with intent. she holds back a low groan, but you hear it anyway.

she gives your hair a tug. “hey. c’mon, listen to me. now.” on other nights you’d oblige. other nights you wouldn’t be able to get away with anything else. but tonight it feels like it’s all just false bravado. ruby just wants to be made to feel good without having to do anything herself.

you leave a good glob of saliva on her tit when you pull away, wanting her to see it well. “i’ll use my tongue on you,” you promise, and yet you don’t sound compromising. “but you know what i want.

without leaving any time for her to reply or once again demand for you to listen to her like a good plaything, how she might call you if you let her, you grab both of her wrists and pin them to the pillows. then your tongue swipes over the gorgeous cut on her shoulder and when you moan softly, she does too.

“let me kiss you better,” you rumble quietly into her skin. “i’ll make you feel good, just let me.” you take her silence as a way to not compromise her pride, but still a submission to you.

you don’t really do much kissing. when it comes to her blood, there’s a whole lot more licking and sucking. the tang of her blood fills your mouth; it’s strong and metally and smells like iron when you push your nose close enough and inhale deeply. and you swear that demon blood is sweeter.

ruby just melts into the pillows, still grasping at your hair, but letting herself relax. she knows you’ll make her feel good. you already are. she’s addicted to your lips latching over her broken skin, your tongue pushing in just a little, and the way you moan at the taste. it stings a little sometimes, but it stings good. and when you’re sort of sweet and gentle about it like you are now—sometimes you’re not—it’s almost soothing. almost like you really are kissing it better. more like licking it better, though. all of it makes her moan soft and sweet, and it encourages you to just keep going and going.

but there’s really not all that much to work with. she’s barely bleeding at this point and it’s not enough.

when you part from her to grab the knife she abandoned on the bedside table, you turn back to see her looking at you with the prettiest expression you could imagine. she fails to hide the sleepiness in her eyes, but she looks at you with this look of teasing affection.

“you’re my little bloodfreak,” she murmurs. you give her a little grin, teeth stained red.

“and it turns you on like nothing else,” you counter, matching her smirk. “c’mon baby. you gonna let me have some more?” she goes to roll her eyes again, but her breath catches when you press the stark cold metal to the skin of her lower belly. her muscles twitch. she’s always so sensitive there. you look at her expectantly, waiting for an answer this time. 

“yeah,” she breathes out.

“good girl,” you mumble, dragging the tip of the knife down to the hem of her pants and watching the way her muscles ripple involuntarily. her thighs squeeze together a little. “let’s get these off first.” you set the knife down on her stomach, a sign to keep still and a way to keep the cool feeling over her skin.. you unbutton her dark grey jeans and pull them down. when she lifts her hips for you, she keeps the knife in place with a hand, just like you’d want, then fingers softly at the intricate handle when she settles back down. but she doesn’t grab it because she knows she’s not allowed right now.

you leave her in her panties, so you can get her worked up while sucking at her sweet blood without really touching her yet. plus, you think it’s a great idea to cut the fabric off her body with her own knife just to hear her bitch and moan about you ruining another pair for her panties.

teasingly, you feel at the wet spot on her underwear. “told you it turns you on,” you murmur. “you’re so wet already.” if she let herself, she’d probably pout. instead, she gives a little scowl, which you find just as endearing, likely more.

and again, you don’t let her retaliate, grabbing the blade from where it rests and dragging a thin, shallow cut across the length of her very lower belly. she moans softly and you soak up the sound of it in tandem with the sight of blood blooming over her skin. you give a little press right above it with the heel of your palm and a bit dribbles down, staining her simple grey panties.

then you set the knife aside, for now, cup her pulsing cunt to make her louder and lap at her blood like it’s your last meal.

TAGLIST

⟢ SPN; general (all supernatural fics, including nsfw so your age must be 18+ and visible on your blog) : @toadspondofwhimsy ; @mxltifxnd0m ; @bloodysammy ; @angelicjackles ; @ohsc ; @chevroletdean ; @prentissluvr .

⟢ kinktober : @this-is-me19 ; @ponygyatt ; @tranquilitybasegrunge ; @anu-piyakya97 ; @yeyrpp2 ; @maeve-24 ; @i-luvsang .

send an ask / dm to be added !

[theesirenteller]

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫

【Description】

Set in season four of Good Girls; Epiphany Martinez is a freshman in college, heavily into the party scene. she lives her life on the edge with Molly under her tongue. when her co-worker, Annie puts her onto a new dealer attraction blooms, and the lines between business & pleasure blur.

════ ⋆♱⛧⋆ ════

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 ♦ 𝓔𝔂𝓮𝓼 𝓞𝓯 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝔂 ♦ Masterlist

"Mierda" Epiphany groaned as she pulled her face back from the drool-drenched pillow. The blaring of her alarm stopped as she crashed her fist against it. 3 p.m. it read. "Fuck!" she quickly shot out of her mountain of covers and rushed to the bathroom. The process of freshening up and getting herself decent for auditions felt like a blur. She hadn't even gotten a proper breakfast; just stale nachos and salsa. One minute she was in her shared bathroom and the next she was rushing into Sweet P's gentlemen's club which was located eight blocks from her apartment.

"Well if it isn't my fave party animal, my main squeeze." Annie Boland greeted as she approached the hungover college student, "You look like shit, dude." 

"Oh I feel like shit too, trust me." Epiphany replied after she caught her breath. "Sorry I'm lat-"

"Auditions are over." 

Epiphany was cut off by an uppity voice that she wasn't familiar with. Which caused her to turn her attention towards it. The college freshmen came face to face with a heavy busted red-haired woman who looked to be in her mid-forties. Her aesthetic screamed Stepford wife. Maybe it was her cardigan or her layered sidebang hairstyle. whatever it was, she just screamed suburbia.

"Aw Beth come on, let her audition," Annie replied with a groan.

"No." Beth said quickly before looking at Epiphany up and down, "Sorry, we've already picked our set of girls."

Epiphany scoffed with a roll of her eyes before she snickered "Oh you mean Gene's ol girls? Good luck with that." Her attention shifted over to Annie once again, "See you around Annie." and with that turned on her heel.

"And you think you can do better, kid?" How old are you? another voice called out causing epiphany to look over her shoulder.

"She's from Vegas, of course, She can do better, Ruby!" Annie vouched. 

She hadn't known Epiphany very long, only two months to be exact but Annie had made great friends with the college student. The two clicked instantly after meeting and chit-chatting at the mini-mart. The two bonded over liking balsamic vinegar and onions over their french fries.  

The hefty-set umber-skinned woman sighed before she turned her attention to the strawberry blonde, "Let her audition Beth. The more women that can bring in profits the better." 

Beth pursed her lips as she sucked in a scowl. She looked between Ruby and Annie for a few moments before shifting her attention over to Epiphany. "How old are you?" 

A look of amusement flashed across Epiphany's face as she watched the women in front of her, "I'm twenty-two." she replied before asking, "Have any of you got any dancing experience? Ever worked in show business or the strip club before."

"No, of course not!" Beth snapped, "What does that have to do with anything?" she proceeded to ask.

Epiphany took a few steps forward as she shrugged her shoulders," It means you aren't qualified to be hosting auditions. And I doubt you even enjoy going to strip clubs to watch the performances."

"I have," Annie spoke up with a grin as she raised her hand. "Have you guys ever seen a pair of boobies covered in glitter bounce? looks like two light bulbs from heaven." 

Epiphany eyed Annie and shook her head as she bit back laughter. " A glorious sight ain't it?" she goofed. her expression turned serious as she then turned her attention back towards Annie's busty sister. "How about I just perform opening night and if you magically don't like it, I'll leave." she propositioned.

"That's not a bad idea Beth. I'm tired and need to get home and start on dinner." Ruby spoke up. The mother of two already had a bias towards strip clubs and sitting in one for the last two hours made her skin crawl.

Beth's lips formed into a straight line as she scrunched her nose and closed her eyes. Her fists balled up at her sides as she rumbled out an exaggerated groan. "Fine!", the moment she opened her eyes and shot Epiphany a slight glare. "Be there an hour before and not a minute later." The college student paid the strawberry-haired woman no mind and instead smiled when Annie cheered and clapped. "Woohoo! Yes!" Annie cheered before high-fiving Epiphany with both hands. 'We're totally gonna celebrate after…I say Chick-fil-A"

♡𓆪𓆩♡𓆪𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪𓆩♡𓆪☆♡𓆪𓆩♡⊹˚.♡

Opening night came quicker than Beth and the girls would've hoped. Beth had been betting on Rio not showing up but unfortunately for her…he did. He and Mick had arrived just a few moments after the club got packed with eager men who were ready to spend their money. The mother of two did her best to ignore him as she sipped on her strawberry margarita. Her shoulders relaxed as the vodka settled her down. Friskily she adjusted her the cleavage of her v-neck blouse lower than its proper fit before her green eyes settled over to where he sat. Her breath hitched when their eyes met. He had been already looking at her when she turned to look at him. Rio was the type of man to cause shivers to run across her skin. Her palms grew sweaty and the valley between her thighs grew even more moist. She couldn't help but shift in her seat.

Meanwhile, Epiphany had arrived late with rollers in her hair while dressed in a fluffy pink 'Playboy Bunny' robe as she rushed into the club through the back door. Speed walking to the locker room, her fuschia-pink kitten heels clicked loudly behind her. Bags under her eyes from cramming in back-to-back study sessions after a long night to early morning house party hopping. The girl was beaten but that was nothing that her favorite concealer couldn't fix. Once she'd removed her robe and carried her Prada cosmetic bag to the lined vanity in the dressing room; Epiphany worked quickly in the mirror to apply shimmery fuschia and gold eyeshadow.. She then sprayed her thick thighs and perky breasts with glittery golden bronzer. A bubbly voice quickly caught her attention causing Epiphany to look up into the mirror. A topless brunette smiled widely at her. "Hey, what's up?" Epiphany greeted her.

"Hi! I'm Krystal." She grinned, "You must be the new girl Annie's been talking about. Definitely Gorg, you're totally giving Selma Hayak vibes from that vamp movie. Beth didn't think you'd show. She and Annie wouldn't stop fussing over it, total bummer."

The woman was an endless chatterbox and Epiphany wasn't able to get a word in. So, instead, she focused on undoing her rollerset and teasing out her curls until she achieved her desired look. As she switched her kitten heels for stilettos the beat of her introductory song started to play and Epiphany sashayed her way onto the stage. The place was packed with men. 

Their lust-filled eyes fueled her ego. The coke-bottle-shaped Latina swayed her hips and arched her back to wiggle her ass to the crowd. With a swift motion Epiphany wrapped her right leg around the pole as she grabbed onto her breasts. She swirled down along the pole as if she were licking along a lollipop. and as the beat of the music sped up her negligee tugged off. The roaring of the crowd and the rain of money arose as she fondled her breasts and rocked her hips against the pole. Her bra dropped the moment the beat did. Epiphany worked her body around the pole like a snake. Slow and sultry. Her plump ass in the air generously jiggled towards the crowd like jelly freshly spread on toast. The hibiscus scent of her hair flowed throughout the air as she flipped her bombshell curls around.

"Jesus, she's pretty vulgar huh?" Beth grimaces to Annie and Ruby.

'Dude she's hot." Annie sighed with dreamy eyes.

When Epiphany flipped her head back and eyed the crowd she was met with dark brown eyes. To put it plainly, The man seated at the back table was devilishly handsome. She could feel his eyes on her. Fuck he was hot. His type of hot stood out in any crowd. A heavy hitter. Epiphany wasn't like most girls growing up who fawned over pop stars and Disney stars. No. She yearned for men like Tony Montana. Her life changed the day she saw Scarface at the tender age of twelve. Men with power, drugs, and the promise of a diamond-studded lifestyle were what fueled her. She yearned to spread her legs like butterfly wings for him.

Curving the corner of her lips, Epiphany sent him a sultry smirk. Swirling around the pole she stood on her right leg as she slowly rose her right in the air. Empathizing the curve of her hips she buckled forward with her hand gliding down her sweaty, glitter-glistening skin. Her gaze locked into his as she slipped her hand into her shimmery lavender g-string. A teasing peak at her waxed kitty kat as she rolled and shook her hips. The way the eagle-neck-tatted gangster bit his lip as he watched her made her pussy wet as she toyed with her strings. She yearned to spread her butterfly wings for him.

Epiphany had blown him a kiss directly before twirling off stage as their eyes met once more. His cocky grin made her heart flutter with glee. "Omg that was fucking awesome girl!" Krystal squealed as soon as Epiphany had gotten into the dressing room. "Can you show me how to do that butt jiggle thingy you do? Looks wild." 

Snickering, Epiphany nodded as she went to retrieve a water bottle from the mini fridge,"Yeah sure". she replied breathlessly before quenching her thirst. The two women exchanged numbers before they'd gone back to occupying themselves. Epiphany freshened up in the bathroom with her feminine products before she had changed into a mini wine-red babydoll dress. 

She reapplied her lip gloss as she made her way outside to the bar. The dancer barely made it to one of the stools before being engulfed into a tight hug by Annie,``Dude that was epic! you gotta show me some of the moves to work on Kevin." The youngest boland sibling took a seat on the bar stools beside Epiphany.

"Ew Annie, not the homeless dude."Epiphany grimaced, "Maybe we can teach him those moves so he can get on the pole and earn some cash."

"You know that'd actually be pretty hot?" Annie agreed with a laugh before she ordered a beer.

Her eyes skimmed around the crowded area until her attention narrowed in on the handsome gangster conversing with Beth. Fires of desire flamed her eyes, matching the fire in between her thighs, "Who's that?" she asked with a soft nudge to Annie's shoulder. Beth's sister followed Epiphany's gaze, her nose slightly scrunching. 

"Oh that's Rio." Annie proceeds to take a sip of her beer, "Or as i say gang friend. Well…my gang  friend. Beth's kinda dating him now,,.unofficially."

"Yeah right." Epiphany snickered before taking a sip from her Corona, "She's way out his league." her chocolate brown eyes ranked his slim frame. He looked so delicious in black. She  wanted to just run her tongue across his neck tattoo.

"Hey. What happened to feminism? dude? Us girls have to stitch together." Annie frowned, "That isn't nice, Beth's a total milf."

Epiphany let out a melodic sinister laugh as she flipped her curls over her shoulder, "Feminism is a fucking joke Annie, No offense to your sister. But no one hates women more than other women. It's like in our DNA to be territorial and competitive." she took another sip of her beer before proceeding,"He's simply too divine for me not to indulge in." sighing dreamily she looked at Rio once more.

Annie kept quiet at first before her eyes widened, "You're gonna seriously get at him?"

"And swallow him whole." Epiphany winked before slipping out of her seat.

Making her way through the crowd she could feel eyes on her as she briefly passed by both RIo and Beth. The sound of the music and chit chatter died down as she walked down the hall that led to the dressing rooms. Her clicky footsteps were masked by heavy footsteps.

"Hey superstar…that was some performance." His voice was smokey despite his arrogantly teasing tone. Deep, aged like fine whiskey. His touch was warm despite his fingers only brushing at her wrist. Which caused her to turn around to face him. The two eyed one another like two lions who'd caught their prey. Under the blue lights the mutual feeling of raw-primal desire made the air grow thick. Hotter. 

"Well I had a captivating audience to motivate me." Epiphany replied as she looked up at him. Breathing in his scent as he got closer; she couldn't but breathe him in. He smelt of a deep and rich musky aroma like cuban tobacco yet also sweet. Like vanilla. A milky vanilla similar to that was soft and comforting. Similar to the scent of coconut milk put through a milk frother

"Oh yeah I bet you did." he let out a rasped chuckle as his eyes flickered from her eyes down to her body. "What's your name?"

"Epiphany."

"Your mama gave you a beautiful name, Epiphany." The way her name rolled off his tongue like smooth butter made her want to come undone.

"Not much else." The light in her eyes dimmed for a split second before she smiled at him, "What's yours? Bet I could guess."

"Be my guest." he nodded.

"Rio." His name sensually purred off her lips.

"I see you've been asking about me then." Rio let out a deeply rumbling laugh as he edged closer to her. Her chest pressed against a few inches above his waist.

"Nah I'm just psychic." Epiphany teased.

The two shared a chuckle before he licked his blush-pink lips. "So, you need a ride?"

"On top of you or in your car?" Her challenging yet teasing banter caused Rio's left brow to rise. And nothing was more alluring than his laughter she was convinced.

"Both."

No other words were uttered nor needed to be said after that. Ephipany allowed herself to be whisked away by him. The pair left the back entrance and got into his Benz truck. A night of their bodies saying everything words weren't good enough to say was in store.

♡𓆪𓆩♡𓆪𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪𓆩♡𓆪☆♡𓆪𓆩♡⊹˚.♡

@darqchilddaydreamz @danzer8705

[anthurak]

Okay so Salem steamrolling into Vale, as we find out in the Volume 9 Epilogue, honestly makes PERFECT sense both in-universe and narratively.

See, going back to Volumes 4 and 5, we know that Salem hasn’t been able to actually FIND the Beacon Vault yet. So assuming that’s still the case, it honestly makes perfect sense that after getting the Lamp and Staff, Salem would set up shop in Vale in order to deal with locating the Vault herself. As to why she’s going after the Crown in Vale and not the Sword in Vacuo?

Simple; she KNOWS where that vault is, plus she’s already got Tyrian, Mercury and her two latest patsies the Asturias siblings handling that. Plus I imagine Salem’s gotten a bit annoyed at the lack of progress at Beacon, so she’s decided to handle locating the Vault herself. Not to mention that unlike with Vacuo, Salem already has the key to the Fall Maiden Vault (Cinder), so once she locates the vault, she can just swipe up the Crown of Choice no problem.

And from a narrative perspective, Salem now being in Vale nicely streamlines and ties together multiple story threads for the final battle against her: Now Team RWBY and co. can do a ‘triumphant return to Vale’, ‘retaking Beacon’ AND a final showdown with Salem all at once!

Now for a bit of fun theorizing on what’s actually gone down at Vale and the status of the Crown of the Choice:

First off, I don’t actually think that Ruby’s and Yang’s home and adoptive father have been overrun by Grimm. Let’s not forget that Patch is an ISLAND off the coast. And that Salem coming to Vale was almost certainly less about totally subjugating/destroying the kingdom and more about finally getting to the Vault under Beacon. Meaning that Salem is likely satisfied with simply securing the city and probably doesn’t care about a random island off the coast.

Which in turn nicely makes Patch, Ruby’s and Yang’s home, very important going forward. Both as a last remnant (pun intended) of resistance against Salem in Vale, as well as a natural beachhead for when it’s time for our heroines to finally take the fight to Salem.

In fact, this could neatly explain why Taiyang isn’t in Vacuo: He’s still on Patch helping to organize evacuation/resistance efforts, and more importantly to provide Raven a portal-anchor to the island. Heck, this could even mean that Team RWBY might be taking a trip to Patch during Volume 10 via Raven. Particularly if there needs to be a STRQ family meeting…

Then we have the status of the Crown of Choice, and for that I think we have to go back to a little line from Ozpin back in Volume 5: He mentions to Ruby that the Crown is safe, and curiously does NOT seem all that worried even with Salem’s Grimm infesting and presumably strip-mining Beacon and the Fall Maiden herself currently in her employ.

As I have brought up a few times in the past, I’m pretty sure at this point that the Crown of Choice ISN’T actually under Beacon, and may not even be in a Vault. Instead, Oz pulled a fast one and squirreled the crown away in a place much more inconspicuous.

Which in turn, by law of narrative foreshadowing, means that the Crown is almost definitely squirreled away on Patch. Effectively hidden right under Salem’s nose at this point. (I won’t say it’s been in Tai’s basement this whole time, but you never know…)

And by the way, this would also nicely set up our heroines to secure the Crown in the leadup to the final battle against Salem. They get the Sword of Destruction during their time in Vacuo, and then pick up the Crown of Choice when they arrive on Patch in preparation to retake Vale and Beacon.

[frost-queen]

Black rose in a sea of red (Reader x Jerry Baynard)

Requested by: @alicethewriterandfangirl , Forever tag:@missmelodramatic, @merlin-dahlia, @alex--awesome--22, @elllie-does-the-posts, @floatlosers, @merlieve, @queen-of-books, @glimmering-darling-dolly@denkisclown, @wildieflower, @meyocoko, @bubblybrianna, @justanothercoco@subjecta13-thefangirl, @m-rae23, @harleyquinnswifeyfrfr, @swampthing07, @melsunshine, @panhoeofmanyfandoms, @venomsvl, @the-uncoordinated-house-cat, @rosecentury,  @imagines-by-her,  @evilcr0ne, @vviolynn

Summary: TW! Selfharm! You are upset of how your friends have such amazing lives while yours is terrible. Coming from a bad home, your coping behavior is self harm. Struggling with the idea of wanting to end it all, is Jerry there to save you from doing so.

The chattering died away when Miss Stacy settled everyone down. Specifically Anne who was proclaiming her opinion as loud as she could. Almost standing on the table to declare her words. Diana was tugging at her dress to pull her to sit. – “Miss Cuthbert if you please.” – Miss Stacy said giving her a stern glare. Anne chuckled settling down. Ruby was still whispering to Tillie. With one look of Miss Stacy pressed Ruby her lips together with force. Billy snorting across the classroom at how silly she looked.

Miss Stacy cleared her throat letting his chuckle die. When finally the peace had settled clasped Miss Stacy her hands together. – “I hope you all brought your assignments that I handed out last week.” – she started. Anne who was always eager already set her basket on the table, ready to show it to Miss Stacy. Miss Stacy smiled politely ushering her to wait. – “You may all set it on the table if you please.” – she continued giving the signal.

Everyone ducked down to reach in their baskets to set their work of art on the table. You felt uneasy taking out your artwork. Glancing to the side you saw Charlie’s piece of art. Billy and Paul laughing loud. – “Is that an aardvark?” – Billy joked laughing his ass off. Charlie groaned. – “No! It’s a dog.” – he mumbled setting his hand under his chin, pushing his artwork closer to his chest. Gilbert turned around in his seat looking at Billy’s work.

“Is that a self-portrait?” – he said snarky. Billy mimicked a childish laugh, annoyed by his words. – “Well yeah yours…” – Billy got a bit up to look at Gilbert’s work. Gilbert moved aside on purpose for him to see. – “Well yours… yours…” – Billy said trying to find an insult. Gilbert was smiling beyond himself when Billy couldn’t find something bad to say about it. – “I thought so.” – he said turning back around silencing Billy.

Paul laughed loud at how Gilbert had left Billy speechless. Across back by the girls was Anne proudly showing her masterpiece to everyone. – “Did you do this stitching?” – Diana asked pointing at it. Anne shook her head. – “No, Marilla helped me.” – she then pointed at some paint work. – “This is Matthew’s work, and this weird thing was added by Jerry.” – she finished pointing at a wobbly thing at the top. Diana held her art up. – “My mother helped as well. She painted the flowers.” – she commented.

Ruby got up waving her hand in between them for attention. – “My mother helped too! She did this, this, and this.” – she said pointing at several things in different angles. – “What did you do?” – Tillie replied as it appeared Ruby’s mother did everything herself. – “I did this.” – Ruby answered annoyed pointing at her name written in the corner. Diana rolled her eyes at how silly she was.

Seeing their work you rather wanted to crush it or throw it out of the window. Compared to their, yours seemed like it was made by a child. Also hearing them speak so lovingly about how their parents helped out felt like a punch in your gut. It was something you could only dream off, having a loving mother. Your mother didn’t help in your project. You dared ask her one time. That didn’t end well.

You got yelled at for ruining her moment and annoying her with silliness. Looking at your art again of paper mâché you noticed the dent of where your father had stepped on it. On purpose or accident. It didn’t really much as it had ruined it much. Seeing your friends talk so godly about their parents made you want to cry, pull your hair out and scream your lungs out. Ruby and Tillie turned around to you.

“Let me see yours Y/n.” – Ruby spoke as Diana and Anne looked over them. You pulled it closer to your chest, shaking your head. – “It’s…it’s terrible.” – insisting on it. – “Come show us Y/n.” – Tillie said pulling at your hand. You really didn’t want to show her, finding it unworthy. Ruby helped her to pull your hand away. Tillie then snatched it from you. – “Hey!” – you called out catching the attention of some boys across and Miss Stacy who waited to see where this was going.

Tillie held it up before her looking at it with a questioning brow. – “Did your mother help out?” – Ruby asked probably not meaning anything with it. She was always this innocent and naïve, yet it struck a nerve with you. – “No!” – you called out snatching the art from Tillie back. You then it on the ground setting your foot hard on it. Everyone gasped loud at your little act. – “Y/n!” – Miss Stacy called out concerned. You let your fingers brush automatically over your inner arm, knowing of the scars lingering there.

“Brute.” – one of Billy’s friends called out. Miss Stacy shushing him immediately. Miss Stacy approached you, kneeling gently down to pick up your crushed work of art. – “We can still mend this.” – she said with a warm smile. You shook your head. – “It is broken!” – you answered. Just like yourself. Turning your face away from her, you felt ashamed.

Ashamed and unworthy. Truly wondering what the exact point of you was. Not one of them here knowing a darn thing about your family. They had no idea with their wonderous lives, living like princesses. While you crawled through the gutter with no way out. Consistently surrounded by darkness. The only way out of the sinking was the carving. The marks on your inner arms that helped you coped with it.

Miss Stacy reached up to take your hand. The second she had your hand, you pulled it away. Needing to escape you took a run for it. – “Y/n.” – Miss Stacy called out as some jumped up. Gilbert being one of them. He wanted to run after you as Miss Stacy held him back by his shoulder. – “Let us give her a moment in solitude.” – Miss Stacy said sensing you didn’t want any company at this moment. – “But…” – Gilbert started seeing Miss Stacy shake her head.

He sighed deep, slouching his shoulders. He returned to his seat. Miss Stacy set your artwork on her desk, seeing how sloppy it was once your foot had tackled it. You ran frantically into the woods away from the school. Unable to cope with it. The sugary of your friends biting like sour in your flesh. Their life was something you could never achieve. Not with the home situation you have now.

A mother and father who barely looked at you. A brother who tackled you whenever he pleased. All the workload put on you. Treated like dirt by your own family. Never once said an ‘I love you’ or ‘thank you.’ Maybe this was just how things were meant to be. Unloved. Panting loud you kept running coming into different parts of the woods.

Jerry was whistling loud, carrying a sack over his shoulder. He had come back from the market, making his way back to Green Gables. Something caught his sudden attention as he noticed it was you. – “Y/n!” – Jerry shouted happily waving your way. He frowned when you didn’t seem to see him. Simply running past. Jerry lowered his sack questionable. Why weren’t you at school? Why were you running away? Was everything alright?

Feeling a bit worried he picked up his sack again, going after you. Near a shack crashed you down; out of breath. Leaning against the wood you let your head fall back. Still panting till your breathing steadied. Then the thoughts came. Those dark thoughts that always pushed you to the edge. You already know what to do. Reaching in your pocket, you pulled out a sharp object. Then slowly pulling your sleeves up. Scars of old on your flesh.

Those dark thoughts became louder as it made you bring the tip of the sharpness to your wrist. Tears rolled down your cheek as your hand trembled. It would take one impulsive thought for you to bleed. Bleed till your life would slip away. Why shouldn’t you do it? What good was there in this life? There was no one to pull you out so it was easier to just accept it and be rid of this hell.

Gently setting the tip deeper onto your skin, your sight got blurrier from your tears. – “No!” – you suddenly heard startling you so hard, the tip had pressed deeper into your skin. A single drop of blood forming. Jerry rushed over to you, grabbing the sharp thing from your grip, and throwing it as far away from him. – “Don’t you dare!” – he breathed out.

“Don’t you even think about it!” – he said a bit firmer kneeling down in front of you. Grabbing your shoulders, he pulled you close to his chest for a hug. – “Find hope in the hopeless.” – he told you. – “I don’t know what made you do it, but please don’t. I don’t want to lose you… I don’t.” – he embraced you tighter fighting the urge to cry himself. – “Please Y/n…” – he whispered out as you started crying louder.

In the brink of almost doing it was Jerry there to pull you out. – “We’ll figure it out together. I am fighting for you, and I don’t want you to give up.” – wrapping your arms around him, you hugged back. – “Jerry…” – you cried out. Jerry simply held you, no needing an explanation. Just holding you. In that moment where he knew you needed to be seen, heard and loved.

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

Read more of my fics on my Masterlists!  

[bridgyrose]

Yang sighed as she clutched a small necklace with a cross to her chest, listening to the last of a sermon as she stood in the back of the church. It was one of the few things that gave her solace over the last few years. With Ruby missing ever since a training mission at Beacon, her family falling apart, Weiss back in Atlas, and Blake off to try to reconcile with her parents, she didnt have much to turn to beyond huntressing and trying to find other ways to keep herself occupied. And church seemed to keep her mind off things enough to focus on herself. Even if she didnt quite believe in the gods that everyone else did. 

As the sermon she listened to finally ended, Yang made her way out of the small church and walked through the streets of Patch. Her eyes went to the kids playing on the streets, the way everyone seemed to go on in life as if they had no worries beyond the grimm. And yet, the grimm was what she worried about the most. 

She paused as she heard her scroll ring, answering it quietly when she saw Jaune’s name come up. “Jaune? What’s going on?” 

“Ozpin needs us for another mission,” Jaune answered. “Weiss and Blake are going to be there too.” 

“What exactly does he need us for?” 

“He hasnt said, but from the sounds of it, its at least important enough to keep secret until he can brief us. Will you come?” 

“I-I need time to think about it. How much time do I have to decide?” 

“Two days.” 

Yang nodded and sighed. “Alright. I’ll let you know then. I have a few things that I need to get in order first.” 

“You know how to get a hold of me.” 

Yang stared at the scroll screen as the call finished, not sure how she felt about going on a mission that even Ozpin wasnt willing to talk about. Sure, not all the missions she took had all the information on what she’d face, but this felt different. Secretive. And yet, she couldnt think of any reason to stay in Patch. No grave for Ruby to care for, she hadnt visited her father in years, Qrow was too busy taking missions and staying in taverns for her to try to find him, but the thought of seeing Blake again… it made her nervous. All the things she couldnt say after Ruby disappeared, the way she shut down and pulled away from Blake…. 

She quietly clutched her necklace once more and quietly sighed. “Maybe I’ll finally find out what happened to you, Rubes.” 

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hey Blake, long time no see, right?” Yang said quietly to herself as she walked through Beacon. “No, I cant say that, it doesnt sound right.” 

“You could just tell her you’re sorry for not trying to reach out to her.” 

Yang felt her heart stop as she turned around to see Blake behind her, the words stuck in her throat as she tried to speak. A blush crossed her cheeks as she really looked at Blake, seeing the piercings in her ears and the way she looked after months of not seeing her. “B-Blake… I-I-” 

“Its fine,” Blake said as she walked by Yang. “Its all in the past now anyway.” 

“That… doesnt… mean I shouldnt have tried to keep closer.” Yang sighed and followed Blake through the campus and to the tower to get to Ozpin’s office. “I’m… sorry. I really am.” 

“I forgave you long ago for it. Ruby went missing and it hurt us all. I understand why you pulled away, I just wish you could’ve talked to us.” 

Yang stopped and watched Blake continue towards the tower, thinking about what she had said. Searching for Ruby had consumed her to the point that she hadnt realized just how far she’d pulled away from the others until they had graduated. She slowly started walking again and wiped a couple tears out of her eyes. “I’ll make this up to you.” 

Blake shook her head. “Dont worry about, just focus on what Ozpin needs us for.” 

“And any idea what that is?” 

“Ozpin hasnt told me yet.” 

Yang sighed and followed Blake into the tower, slowly making her way to the elevator. She nearly stopped in her tracks as she looked around, everything still looked the same even after these years. 

“Are you coming?” Blake asked as she stopped at the elevator. “You know how slow it is.” 

“Cant I reminisce about our time here?” 

“If that was what you were doing, I’d say yes. But we both know we dont have time for that.” 

“Ozpin wont mind if we’re a little late,” Yang said as she made her way to the elevator as it opened. “I guess I’m surprised that nothing’s changed around here. The campus, the tower… I figured that something would change.” 

“If only everything could stay the same….” 

Yang winced at the words, her hand reaching out towards Blake’s. She stopped before her fingers touched Blake’s, and then she pulled her hand back. As much as she had wanted to reach out to her, to take her hand to comfort her and to tell her that she was here, it wasnt her place to do so. At least, not yet. Not until she could finally make amends for what she’d done. 

She stayed quiet as the elevator made its way up to Ozpin’s office, her foot tapping on the floor impatiently. Finally, she heard the *ding* the elevator made once it reached the office and the doors opened. She stepped out, only to be met by Weiss with a scowl on her face. 

“You’re late,” Weiss said, annoyed. 

“I’m not that late,” Yang said as she moved past Weiss. “Getting to Beacon took a little longer than expected.” 

“You still could’ve tried to be on time.” 

“Give her a break, Weiss,” Blake half growled out. “She’s here now. That counts for something, right?” 

Weiss rolled her eyes and huffed. “Fine.” 

“Glad to see you too,” Yang said quietly as she looked around Ozpin’s office. Jaune, Ren, and Nora were here, but Pyrrha was notably absent, which was strange on its own. She made her way to Jaune, her voice still quiet as she spoke. “Where’s Pyrrha?” she asked. 

“She’s uh… in the hospital,” Jaune answered. “She was attacked on a mission.” 

“And the reason I requested you six for this current mission,” Ozpin said from his desk. 

“What does Pyrrha being in the hospital have to do with us?” Blake asked. 

Ozpin stood up and placed his scroll on his desk for the group to see. “Pyrrha managed to get a picture of her attacker. I will need you all to keep everything we discuss here secret.” 

Yang froze as she saw the picture on Ozpin’s scroll, her heart nearly stopping as she paled like she’d seen a ghost. The picture itself showed Ruby with her scythe, ready to strike at Pyrrha. “You’re… you’re saying Ruby… hurt Pyrrha? That Ruby’s alive?!”

“She is.” Ozpin picked up his scroll and looked around the room. “I know this is a lot to ask you all, but I need you to find her and bring her in-” 

“How long have you known she was alive?!” Yang interrupted him angrily, nearly slamming her hands against his desk. 

Ozpin paused, then looked away from Yang. “About a week ago after she was spotted outside Mistral. We know she’s not working alone and she targeted Pyrrha because of the powers she has.” 

“What powers?” Nora asked. “Sure, she has a semblance that makes her nearly untouchable, but I wouldnt call that a power.” 

“Its because she’s the fall maiden, right” Jaune asked. 

“I didnt expect her to tell you that, but yes,” Ozpin answered as he pulled out his book of fairytales. “And I must ask you all to keep the rest of what we discuss here as secret.  The maidens arent the only fairytale that has more truth than what you’ve been led to believe.”

[temptacioun]

yandere ! katsuki bakugo

pt1?

“Didn’t I tell you that it’s useless?”

She could hear the male click his tongue in annoyance behind her, but she can’t bring herself to care. Her hands are wrapped firmly around the locked doorknob, tugging on it desperately even though she knows she won’t be getting it open ; Katsuki made sure of that. Being the Number #2 hero he knew one or two things about keeping people locked up.

She could hear the heavy thud of his combat boots drawing closer quickly, until his chest pressed against her back, and his fingers curl around her wrist, easily prying her grip off the doorknob.

“Give up already. It’s starting to bore me.” He mumbles into her hair, and she could feel her resolve crumble ; it was always the same. She was tired of fighting, of struggling and arguing when she was getting nowhere with it. She was pulled from the door and dragged back into the bedroom within ten minutes, where he sat on the bed and pulled her into his lap, facing him.

She could feel her hear thumping against her chest, his fingers hot on her skin where they left a burning sensation in their wake ; trailing from her arms over her hip and down to her thighs where they finally seem to find rest. His free hand comes up to cup her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his ruby ones. “You know trying to run away from me does nothing but piss me off, don’t you?”

He raises an eyebrow, staring at her with an intensity that would force her to her knees. So she nods softly, trembling under his touch. “Then why,” His grip tightens painfully, nails digging into the fat of her cheeks. “Are you still so fucking dense, huh?”

She could see it in his eyes ; a burning rage threatening to boil over and devour her whole if she wouldn’t do something soon. She’s desperate, all too familiar with the horrors he called her ‘punishment’ and she desperately wanted to avoid another one of his lessons.

“I– I'm sorry, Katsuki! Please—” She sobs, fat tears rolling down her cheeks instantly with only the mere thought of facing his wrath once more. So she forces against his strong grip, leaning in to press her lips against his over and over and over again in hopes to appease him. He doesn’t stop her, hands dropping down to massage her thighs with his big hands ; hot against her skin, burning with the promise of yet another night she wouldn’t be able to recover from.

[sauron-kraut]

Summary: Thuringwethil and Mairon share a moment together after sharing a kill.

Set after the events in palsy, though one can be read without the other.

Pairing: Mairon x Thuringwethil

Words: 752

Warnings: explicit content, pwp, so much blood, corpse, cannibalism (might not count as such but to be sure)

As always: If you like this little piece, comments on AO3 are appreciated! 🖤

Not beta read!

Find the smut under the cut.

hunger

He is sitting on the stone floor of this chamber on Tol-in-Gaurhoth, cross-legged, in his white nightgown drenched in red, and licks gore from his fingers. Candlelit homeliness, cradled in copper stench. Mairon softly hums an old melody. She is lying on the bed, blissfully warm, bloated with blood that is not hers, eyes only half-open. Bare, for the heat of her skin and her monstrous bliss will not be contained within garments. Thuringwethil regards him. He looks up at her, pausing the beastly cleaning of his elegant hands. A short ache of affection beneath her sternum.

“Is your hunger sated, sweetling?” Mairon smiles. “Have you fed enough?” 

She leans back, props herself up against the slowly cooling body behind her. Red oozes from it into the bedding, painting a sea of ruby, his insides open where they tore into him like starving things.

“No more hunger to sate, no more thirst to slake, Mairon.” Thuringwethil sighs. “And yet, I have come alive at last,” she says and absently strokes the warm skin of her arm with two fingers.

She faintly becomes aware of wetness between her legs. Languorous gluttony has slickened her. Another hunger. 

Thuringwethil feels Mairon’s calm gaze on her, on her neck, her breasts, her blood-filled belly. On his bare knees, he shifts closer, then tilts his copper-haloed head and rests it against her inner thigh, casting his gaze up at her. His soft hair tickles on her skin, and she wants to reach out, touch it, doesn’t.

When he speaks, Thuringwethil intently watches his curved crimson-stained lips move, the glistening pink of his tongue as he overpronounces the words in his typical manner. That golden tongue that sweet-talks him his honeyed ways into the minds of many creatures. Want settles between her thighs, a ravenous, writhing thing.

“I shall pleasure you, if you wish.” One of Mairon’s hands finds her knee, gives a light push, opening her legs a little wider.

“Yes,” she says, merely a languid whisper, and “With your mouth?”

He offers her a toothy smile. “Mmmh, with my mouth.” His lips graze her skin, not quite a kiss. 

Need floods her now. Mairon hooks his arm under Thuringwethil’s knee, pulls her body towards the edge of the bloodied bed, towards him. The movement makes the corpse shift on the sheets. Hot breath on her, then a hotter, wet tongue pressing to her ready aching flesh. Relief draws a sigh from her, and greed tears at her moans. He does this artfully, as he does all, offensive perfection in lust and slaughter alike. It makes Thuringwethil clutch the sheets, roll her hips to better meet his blood-caked mouth. Mairon keens against her.

Her gaze wanders to his arm, which he has casually draped over her leg.

A flick of his tongue to the spot that makes her pant, and Mairon looks up at her through his long lashes, cat-eyes wide, his lips still on her curled into a smile. 

A forlorn sound withers on her teeth.

Mairon briefly draws back and lets spit dribble onto his blood-reddened fingers before pushing one of them inside her, then another, yes, yes, this is good, don’t stop, her fullness makes her spit hollow truths, and at last she twines her fingers in his hair, pushing him down, presses his golden divinity to her, he lets her, her claw-like nails scraping his scalp. Lord, abhorred King of Men. Thuringwethil moans, a strangled sound in her own ear. A rush of power, always fleeting. Her orgasm comes like a blow, swift and harsh, imperative. More wetness softly oozes out of her, and her hips still. Rapture bleeds from her like carnage. She relaxes the grip on Mairon’s hair, tries to catch her breath. 

He withdraws his fingers, holds them up before his face, before closing his slick lips around them. Lust faintly rears up in her again, but she beckons him, and he crawls onto the iron-sticky bed and into her arms. 

Thuringwethil shifts, the body takes up too much space, and Mairon gives it a shove with his elbow. The dead man hits the floor with a thud. His insides spill onto the tiles. They will feed what remains of him to the wolves. Later, it can wait. 

“Come here,” Thuringwethil says quietly, draws Mairon closer, and he rests his leg on hers. She briefly drags her lips over his temple, her fangs, then gives in to fully sated sluggishness, and they slumber amidst butchery.