#orginal story

[theartofsimpatry]

TW NON-CON

female reader x female yandere

Imagine being kidnapped by your seemingly shy classmate. She was quiet and shy but when she has you bound and gagged, she turns into a different person.

“You know, I’ve always liked you, Y/N~.” She’d say as she licks the shell of your ear. “F-fuck!” You’d moan as her fingers were in your panties, her fingers delicately rubbing circles around your clit. She’d keep going until you’re nice and wet. “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.” She reassured as her fingers plunged into you, she was getting wet too now. Seeing the apple of her eye, her obsession in front of her now and you were completely at her mercy.

You were spread eagle on the bed, your beautiful body now completely nude and open for her. Her pussy was practically dripping from what she was about to do. She lined up her strap on’s plastic dildo to your exposed pussy.

“J-just pretend like this is your boyfriend’s cock~” She’d purr out and insert the dildo inch by inch into you. Her dildo was thick, it was spreading your pussy out much more than what your boyfriend has ever done.

After a few experimental thrusts, she’d start exhaustingly slamming her hips into yours as all you could do was hold onto the restraints and moan that border-lined on screaming. She was too good at this, it’s like she knew your body inside-out. In the darkness of your blindfold, all you could feel was the soft bed sheets under you, her dildo pounding your poor pussy, the restraints gripping your ankles and wrists and her cold hands grabbing your nipples. It was too much, it was all too much. You felt your abdomen muscles clenching, and a very familiar feeling. After one especially deep thrust, you felt the bed sheets under you getting soaked, you couldn’t believe you squirted from this.

“Haa- I knew- *pant* you’d love this! That *pant* you’d love me!” This revelation was too exciting for her and she ended up stalling her thrusts. She collapsed on top of you, her dildo still inside of you. She lazily rubbed and shallowly humped against the harness to finally cum herself. She panted in your ear, her tits squishing against yours. “You don’t need your boyfriend anymore, you have me now~.” And kissed your forehead.

[tentaclemilkprincess]

Can I request Eldritch horror purring while making love to their partner?

First time in the woods with your. purring eldritch horror bf

(Art by Diana Franco)

((( 18+)))

You were used to nonchalant guys—boys who your friends promised had crushes on you, only for them to not even look your way.

Even when you fantasised, mind clouded by hot, passionate visions—being taken doggy style by your professor or pressed into a wall by some mysterious man on the street—there always lay a veil of disinterest It was as if they didn’t care to see your face, hear your moans, or listen to what your pretty lips gasped open, jaw slack, eyes rolling to the depths of your mind.

But not with him, not with it.

Its oversized figure towered over you like an ancient god—body all bones, wet flesh clinging to the beast’s core, and eyes that bore beyond your soul. For all its size, it was surprisingly… gentle. When its fingers traced down from your waist to your inner thighs, there was a strange feeling of misplaced reverence, like you were the idol it had chosen to bow before. Even each individual tendril (growing from the roots of its mind and covering its face as if it must be done, like an act of love and protection) carefully stroked you through your soaked panties, with each touch feeling like worship. You could almost taste its impatience—its scorching need and endless desire—and feel the thrum beneath its storm-colored skin.

“What a masochist,” you thought, before relenting and whispering encouragement to the unknowable entity you loved.

It gently flapped its wings in excitement, disturbing the natural fauna around you—you’d forgotten your surroundings (a clearing in the woods), unable to know and uncaring if it was due to your preoccupied mind or some side effect of venom your boyfriend secreted.

It tried to be quiet, to be human and contained, because isn’t that what it means to be human? To wear a tie that chokes you for the sake of normality. But it couldn't help it. As it forced its big, pulsing member into your wet, warm depths for the first time, how could you expect it to stay silent?

You felt it before you heard it—even though the beast was trying to be slow, to not take you too hard. Yet it changed your internal landscape with the never-ending feeling of its long, thick cock filling you, making it impossible to holdhold onto any semblance of reality. A low vibration rattled against you, rippling across your skin and deep into your core. Laying on your back, the vibrations pulsed against your taut, red nipples-blushing with need and desire -and against your dripping pussy.

It felt like love, each thrust carrying the weight of its symphony of devotion. Every deep, intense motion filled you more completely, tearing away every barrier between you and it until only raw need remained, stripped of all pretense.

You felt like a god, like a creature like an untamed animal. Here, now being fucked hard and rough against the earth to the softening sound of your boyfriends gentle purring - it felt like love.

[lilacxquartz]

your body is my temple (and i will worship you);

incubus male oc x human fem!reader

w.c: 2.1k

summary: you and midnight take it to the next level and satisfy a mutual curiosity.

themes: smut, demon x human, porn with plot, size difference, one shot, reader insert, oc/ original character, biting, first person pov

~~~

Slowly but surely, it has been getting easier with having Midnight around. I became used to his presence over time, no matter how unsettling he seemed to be.

As it turned out, demons weren’t too different from humans after all.

At least not by that much.

For the most part, he tried to approach me in a way that he thought to be human in nature. That was my interpretation at least. He tried minimise my fear by getting to know me personally, taking interest in what I like as a means to find a common ground so that we could both get along.

This was going well. Or as well as it possibly could have been given the circumstances because who truly expects an incubus to show up in their life, just like that? Still, just for him alone, I fitted my apartment with blackout curtains so that he could move around comfortably as he pleased.

Slowly, I became used to his presence and before long, we were finally comfortable with one another.

Which led Midnight to want more than what we already had.

(Considering that he was an incubus, I was mostly just surprised that he didn’t bring it up sooner.)

Just as I finished up on my dinner, he followed me back to the bedroom with a certain sort of glint in his eye.

Personally, I wanted to get some more reading done but I could already tell that Midnight had more than just relaxation in mind.

“How interesting,” he observed as his pointed fingers trailed along my flesh, “I don’t have to kiss you for you to stop feeling afraid anymore.”

I nodded, thinking that he had a point. Usually, I would shudder at his touch because Midnight, regardless of how gentle he acted, was still a demon—a monster—there was nothing calming about him at all.

With a featherlight touch, he brushed his fingers down to my chin, pointing my jaw up at him, murmuring on and off in a slur, “You are so… intoxicating… when you’re not afraid.”

Midnight then leaned over me, making my back land flat against my mattress. His body hovered over mine as he dipped his face down with breath like ashen fire, smoking against my skin; daring me to reciprocate.

“I can’t resist, at least not forever,” he admitted, pressing his body right up against mine. The shadows that enveloped his body in void-like fire didn’t do much to his excitement as I could feel it, pushing up right against me with want and even need.

Sinking somehow even further into the mattress, I retracted myself with a cautious tone behind my words, “But, you’re not a forceful incubus …are you?”

Midnight froze in his pursuit, retracting ever so slightly as he lifted his lips off of mine. His blank eyes screwing shut as though he pushed any dark thought back into the murky depths of his mind.

(The part that he didn’t dare let surface, for your own sake.)

“I’m not,” he soothed.

I exhaled a deep breath and tried to get up from bed, but he still kept me locked in; caging my frame with his arms as his palms sank into the mattress.

“But it’s just… certain things,” he began, his voice almost growling as he spoke, “from the way that you breathe to the way your skin goosebumps when it brushes against mine, I’m starting to understand fate a little better, is all,” he paused before continuing, “don’t you feel at least… a little bit similar?”

Admittedly, I did feel something. I just wasn’t sure what. I harboured some sort of curiosity given that he was an incubus and at times, my mind explored such a possibility. To experience something more intense, perhaps even dangerous; the very thing that his kind was known for.

As my mind internally conflicted with itself, he tried to comfort me even if he didn’t let me go, “It’s not your fault, I know. It’s not even personal; humans were designed to fear the unknown.”

“It’s just…” I trailed off as I truly began to consider it. I wasn’t against it, that wasn’t the issue. It was the logistical side of things that threw me off; his height and therefore his potential size was an issue.

He tilted his head off to the side, giving me a moment to think.

“It’s just,” I continued from where I left off, “wouldn’t it hurt if we were to…?”

Midnight eased into a slowly relaxing smile, the glimpse of sharp teeth playing into his expression. Slowly, his body relaxed as he began to understand exactly why I felt so on the fence about things, “I’d work you into it, of course, but also, incubi and even succubi have evolved with human anatomy in mind. It can hurt, but it won’t kill you.”

My eyes flickered off to the ceiling, avoiding his gaze. Despite him lacking irises, I somehow always knew when he was making eye contact with me.

“Let me help you ease into it,” he offered, sweeping his hands around my body; his touch so rough yet so gentle at the same time as worshipping my very own skin.

His hands then moved down as he worked me into it, my eyes widening as his protruding claws grazed against my inner thigh. Black pointed nails spearing from his greyed fingertips.

Pausing, Midnight retracted his hand and balled it into a fist to reel in the claws and assume the length of normal fingernails.

“…My mistake,” he murmured, almost seeming embarrassed.

“W-weird…” I whispered in response, my voice dripping with fascination.

He didn’t reply however, choosing to push the with the task in mind instead. Peeling my sweat shorts down, he dipped his index finger into my sex before retracting it ever so slightly.

“I’ll work you into it,” he promised as he continued to stare at me, as though searching for a certain type of reaction, “I won’t hurt you… too much.”

My thighs squeezed involuntarily as he slid his digit back and forth while his thumb rubbed circles over my clit, lulling me into a gradually relaxed state. It took a couple of minutes at best, but soon enough I was flushed, my cheeks burning with anticipation as he leaned in over me.

Pulling his hand away from me, he moved ever so slightly back to rest both hands against my hips before brushing down to meet parallel with my knees. Curiously, he tented up my legs with a steady grip, hovering his body over mine, positioning the tip of his cock right against my entrance.

Noticing my unease, Midnight continued to take things slowly with as much reassurance as possible, “Relax with me.”

I tried to nod, feeling him ease slowly into my core, wincing as he gradually filled me out completely. I writhed just a little bit underneath his slowly flattening body, his length completely enveloped by my walls in all directions as he finally moved in as far deep as he could possibly go.

Midnight released a low guttural moan in a satisfied tone, seeming pleased as he took a hot minute to fully appreciate the sensation.

“Feeling okay?” he asked as he checked in.

“K-kinda,” I replied in a slightly strained tone.

With a tight nod, he pushed himself back ever so slightly to take the pressure off of you just a little bit, “We’ll go as slow as we need to, then.”

“O-okay,” I murmured in response, feeling him slowly retract his hips and then steadily push back inside.

His movements felt almost calculated as he rolled his hips against mine. With each thrust, no matter how gentle; my breath fluttered upon his impact, my eyes close to watering from the building intensity.

My whines turned into cries as I adjusted to his size, my legs widening as I struggled to take him in. My back arching as a means to accommodate him. As a means of seeking comfort, my fingers desperately clawed at the sheets, grabbing heaped bunches of linen as my toes curled on queue.

It was gradual, but he picked up the pace over time as it became easier for him to both move inside of me as well as my body finally starting to relax, somehow. In a way, I was actually extremely turned on and my heat, so slick and glistening wet, gave away just how I truly felt. My body softened at his touch, allowing him to adopt a quicker pace.

I gasped again as he positioned himself closer over me, continuing to keep me confined within his arms. His arms relaxed over the bed, keeping himself comfortably propped up against his elbows while his head dipped over mine, his lips so desperate to connect with my own.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck in an attempt to pull him closer, seeking comfort within his touch which he then leaned into, taking up the pace a notch in response; so feverishly keen.

Midnight grunted as he now pounded into me, rutting his hips at an almost feral pace as I whined in slight protest. To counter my complaints, he finally kissed me to ease the discomfort, spilling whatever magic he held onto inside, slowly tranquilising—numbing the soreness, soothing the unrelenting pain inflicted by his touch.

“Still doing good?” he whispered into my lips, despite not slowing down at all.

“I-I’m good,” I confirmed, just barely hearing him over the heavy breathing and the sound of slapping skin, “I’m good, I’m good…”

Midnight smiled as he revealed his razor sharp teeth that reflected in the spilling moonlight, planting his lips right against my own as his tongue couldn’t help but invade and explore, taking the lead within my mouth as I just barely wrestled it back. Getting too ahead of himself, he couldn’t help but pluck a taste either, sinking his teeth into my lips.

However, upon feeling my body protest to such a sudden and sharp pain, he reeled himself back ever so slightly, offering only a half apologetic whisper, “Sorry ‘bout that.”

His breathing grew gradually heavier as he struggled to retain his composure; his body shaking as I struggled to maintain a secure hold around him. His hips almost trembled—quaked rather as his pace became rougher, his groans morphed into growls as he truly lost himself in my body. I could feel as he subtly accelerated and as his teeth grazed on occasion over my shoulder, grazing against such soft tissue in comparison to his hardened skin. He wasn’t truly apologetic, but he did mutter out hasty apologies whenever I squirmed in heated protest.

I held on either way, feeling as his claws spilled from his fingertips—piercing the bed in a lapse of dwindling control. His body almost vibrated as he purred in deep satisfaction, continuing to slam his monstrous length into my cunt.

“Almost,” he promised as he fucked himself into me, “almost, almost—!”

With a steady push that followed after his words, I could feel as his cock throbbed and twitched inside of me, releasing a surge of warmth within my walls in an almost demanding release. I gasped as he slammed himself inside a final time, painfully emptying himself into me with such pressure and overflowing passion that it couldn’t help but spill onto the bedding as he slowly pulled himself out of my spent body.

I shook ever so slightly as my legs quivered, feeling as Midnight soothed me with another kiss before completely rolling off of me, “To numb the pain.”

I nodded as I did my best to recover, panting as I did so, recollecting my breath while my body glistened with sweat. It took a while, but slowly my body relaxed a second time; my legs squeezing shut once more as my hips wound down.

“Don’t worry about the mess,” Midnight said, “I’ll be your bed for tonight.”

I didn’t protest too much, if at all as I felt him pull my body over his own. He was surprisingly comfortable and perfectly warm; the shadows that wisped from his body tickled against my skin in a gentle warmth, providing a soothing effect to lessen the remaining tension that I still held onto.

Feeling my eyelids droop shut, I couldn’t stay awake for a second longer anymore and drifted off to what seemed to be a much needed sleep.

All the while thinking that perhaps that giving into Midnight was the light I needed, because maybe, just maybe, fate wasn’t wrong in bonding me with him after all.

~~~

more original works • and if fanfics are your thing 🖤

[wniemocy]

Main wips of late febuary/start of march

Watch me break my neck, while doing too many things at once

[live-laugh-love-lupone]

Divinely Beautiful - Mama! Lilia & Daughter -

Tags: Fluff. Lots of cute adorable fluff.

Word Count: 1.7k

A03

A/N: Hi Everyone! This is the first chapter to what I hope will be a multi chapter fic! The topic came up of Mama Lilia in a discord I'm in, and so we bounced a few ideas off each other. None of those ideas actually made it into *this* chapter however, they will appear most likely next chapter. Also also, the song at the end of the chapter is NOT my own creation. It is "The Ballad Of Lucy Gray Baird", with a couple of words changed to make it more, Lilia. Enjoy!

“You, my sweet child, will be known as Astrid. For its meaning is exactly what you are and will always mean to me - divinely beautiful -." Lilia places a kiss on her newborn's forehead, wiping her brow after the efforts of labour. “Welcome to the world, Mama is so excited to finally see you….” end flashback

“Use your Yellow, Mama! Please? You always look so pretty when you use it….”

Lilia shifted against the tree she was sitting against, a smile forming on her face as she pondered her daughter's request. “Pretty, huh? Alright, watch this!” She says, with just a hint of pride and glee slipping out. Lilia raises her slender hands, starting to flex and curl her fingers with a practiced grace. A small glow of yellow appears, reaching out slowly. A tendril floats to a nearby flower, lightly picking it. Lilia shifts her hands closer to the young girl, tucking the flower behind her ear.

Astrid giggles softly, feeling the flower nestle into her hair. “Which one did you pick for me this time Mama?” Astrid lightly takes it out and examines it. “You tell me child, what do you think it is?” Lilia questions, as she’s been teaching her some very basic plant knowledge.

“Hmmmm, a Bluebell?” Astrid looked at Lilia in wonderment. “Indeed, smart girl.” A proud smile growing on Lilia’s face.

“And what, my flower, do we use bluebells for?” “Well, didn’t you say once they could help heal a cough?” “Not just any cough, Whooping Cough. Which you have been lucky enough to avoid so far.” “Right, Whooping Cough…..” “You’ll learn my dear, one of these days it’ll just come to you like that!” Lilia says smiling, her fingers snapping on “that!”. “Mama? How do you remember all these things so well?” Astrid asks, slipping the flower back into her hair. “Mama has had centuries of practice, lots of time to learn and remember many things.” Lilia says, leaning her head against the tree, closing her eyes. “You’ll get there, my dear. Just keep asking questions okay?” Astrid stands up, brushing her dress off, before moving over to Lilia and settling on her lap. Lilia peeks one eye open, “What do you need, sweet girl?” “Just you, Mama.”

For a couple of hours, they remain close. Listening to the trees whisper breezes and feeling the warm sun cast through the leaves. Lilia shifts, sitting up, holding Astrid against her. Kissing the top of her head she mutters, “Alright my flower, it's time to keep moving. We need to find supper.” Astrid stands, stretching. Reaching her arms up, she asks “How far do we need to walk today Mama?” “Not too far my dear, Mama knows of a village nearby.”

Lilia had been getting by by walking to villages and doing tarot readings. Present, past, future. Or, as she said in her mystical way, “Things that were, things that are, and things that have not yet come to pass.” Part of tarot reading is entertaining you see, drawing the querent in. She had the strong ability to divine meanings from her cards, but she often found it more worthwhile to draw the person in.

Lilia helped Astrid pack her things away into her pack, helped shrug the strap over her head. Picking up her own satchel, she tied her cloak around her shoulders. “Off we go!” She whispers, smiling, taking her daughter's hand. They walked for a few miles. With the sun starting to turn the sky golden, they reach the outskirts of the village. Finding the small tavern, Lilia ducks inside, motioning for Astrid to go sit on a bench near the fireplace.

“Go sit little one, Mama will come find you soon.” “Can't I watch Mama?” “Not now my flower, maybe when you're older.” Lilia ruffles Astrids hair before gently pushing her towards the bench. Untying her cloak and laying it over her bag, she sits at a table near the center of the room. Pulling out her cards, she begins shuffling with an eased practice.

Cutting the deck once, she begins to fan them out on the table. She lets her hand travel over the half moon shape, pausing over a card and selecting it. Flipping it over, she frowns slightly. “Hmm, not the card I was hoping for.” She comments, before sliding the cards back into a stack and beginning again. She catches the attention of a few onlookers, a couple of them take a few steps closer.

“Interested in a reading?” She questions, letting the cards flutter into a freshly shuffled stack. Glancing up at the 2 people, she notices they're both young girls. One of them nods, looking hesitant. “Please.” She states, motioning to the chair across from her.

“Are we looking to things that were, things that are, or things that have not yet come to pass?”

The girl glanced at Lilia, not quite sure what she's saying. “Um, ahead, please.”

“Very well.” Shuffling the deck once more for good measure, Lilia cuts the deck once and selects 3 cards from the top of the stack.

Flipping over the cards, she glances them over. Eyes slightly widening at seeing the last one, she glances up. “Are you taking interest in a new hobby?” The girl smiles slightly, “As a matter of fact, yes.”

“Hm, I can see that. Well, stick with it. You've pulled The Magician, meaning whatever hobby it might be, you have a strong drive and passion to achieve success with it. You've also pulled Strength, meaning you have both physical and emotional strength and stamina. Even throughout hard situations or decisions, you're able to keep your wits about you and perceive which choice to make.”

The girl leans in, “And the last one?”

Lilia hesitates, as if afraid to speak the name. “The last one you've pulled is, Death. Now!” She quickly continues, trying to stop the obvious fear that the word has set into the girl's heart. “Pulling Death does not mean you should fear the worst. Death often speaks of a renewal, a chance to start fresh. Old ways dying or moving aside to make way for new emotions and feelings, sometimes resulting in a new you.”

Although still alarmed, she seems slightly relieved to hear this. “I, I suppose that makes sense. Thank you, um…” An awkward silence falls and she realizes that she was drawn in for a reading but never asked for Lilias name. “Madame Calderu, dear, no problem.” The girl reached into her pocket and pulled out a few coins, placing them in a stack on the table. “We should get on, my mother will want me home for supper.” “Of course, perhaps we'll meet again soon.” Lilia smiles as she gathers the cards, putting them back in her bag.

Lilia stands, turning around to look for Astrid. She finds her, watching as Astrid is softly talking to and petting a cat she found. “Always finds an animal to spend time with”... Walking towards her, she crouches down beside the pair. “And who do we have here?”. “Hi Mama! This is Celeste”. “Celeste, huh? Very cute, my girl.” Lilia gives a few soft pets and scratches to the black cat, who was very earnestly soaking up all the attention. After a couple minutes of this, Lilia pulls back. “Should we go get dinner?” “Okay, Mama!” Astrid hops off the bench. “Bye Celeste!” She whispers quickly, gathering her bag and taking Lilia’s hand. Lilia holds on a little tighter, weaving and leading her daughter through the tables and to the bar. Ordering and paying for their supper, Lilia leads her to a smaller table to occupy.

Talking between bites, Astrid asks how the reading went. “Did she like her cards?” “Yes my flower, I think she did” “But you pulled Death again, Mama.” “I- child how do you know that?” “Because you felt scared again.” Lilia smiles, “I'm alright baby, don't worry about Mama.” Finishing their meal, they both put their bags back on and head off. Walking a little out of the village, Lilia finds a suitable clearing to settle down for the night. Spreading out a couple blankets, she settles Astrid down against her. “Mama? Can we go back and see Celeste again tomorrow?” “Yes my flower, I think we can”. Typically Lilia would want to keep moving to another village. But this one felt different, there were no hostile looks or comments thrown her way tonight. She's grown used to the feeling of being ignored or almost bullied out of villages. This was different, this was almost, nice. Relaxing into Lilias embrace, Astrid mumbles sleepily. “Mama, can you sing your song?” Placing a kiss on Astrids head, she replies softly, “Of course my baby.”

When I was a babe I fell down in the holler

When I was a girl I fell into your arms

We fell on hard times and we lost our bright color

You went to the dogs and I lived by my charms

I danced for my dinner, spread kisses like honey

You stole and you gambled, and I said you should

Then one day you left, saying I was no good

Well, all right, I'm bad, but then, you're no prize either

All right, I'm bad, but then, that's nothing new

You say you won't love me, I won't love you neither

Just let me remind you what I am to you

'Cause I am the one who looks out when you're falling

I am the one who knows how you were brave

And I am the one who heard what you said sleeping

I'll take that and more when I go to my grave

It's sooner than later that I'm six feet under

It's sooner than later that you'll be alone

So who will you turn to tomorrow, I wonder?

For when the bell rings, flower, you're on your own

I am the one who you let see you weeping

I know the soul that you struggled to save

Too bad I'm the bet that you lost in the trial

Now what will you do when I go to my grave…

[spookyteeth]

my uhhhhh alien guys but as their spotify cover pictures for their playlists

feel free to ask questions about them uhhhhhh okay bye

[anomal-studios]

ITS: Book cover

Summary: 16 year old Elíseo Ortega struggles to get by after a horrible accident shook his entire world at the age of 11.

One night, he awakens in the middle of the night to a glowing light. That leads him to “home”, where he is greeted by a doll-like creature who claims to have been friends with his late mother, a story teller and toy maker.

Everything goes great until Eliseo stumbles a dark secret about this so called “friend”.

[mr-laveau]

A good portion of NeXus would not have been possible without the hard work of the VAs who helped me out as guest speakers last year! I look forward to keep working on NeXus and to working with more people going forward if I can!

Some real love out to @penncilkid, @silverspoonva, @bansheeaudios for ebing the real MVPs and bossing it in two roles within this series!

A special hand to @frenchiefitzhere for killing it as Hezekiah so well and to Cardlin for playing Emil!

Props to HatHolderVA, JacobRareVA and Jim Black especially for dipping their toes in for their respective audios!

Conan Santo and Zachary Keale by the hardworking @escapedaudios and @the-raelia-archives

[ceceswithnopizza]

On purpose

Synopsis~Things happen for a reason, of our own will or because of the will of others

Minors beware of your own media consumption

Previous part next part

During collage when he played football and I was a cheerleader we had our first kiss together, which obviously turned into somthing more and more and more. We couldn’t really put our fingers on what we were whenever I’d want to label it he’d start treating me like a regular friend as if we didn’t know what each other tasted like, the sweet spots everywhere you’d have one.

Everything was rocky but smooth but it all came to ahead when Joe really went after his dream of declaring for the draft, we lived together and sometimes I wouldn’t see him for days at a time and he saw no issue always brushing me off as “needing me to be understanding” which started fights because after a while their was no understanding when we didn’t even talk. What was there to understand? Trying to talk about the distance only made things worse, arguments started to get more hostile and loud before he just plain out called me jealous because I didn’t have a purpose in life.

It hurt beyond anything I had experienced before, maybe it was just young love as my momma called it but even now as a grown woman thinking about it makes my eyes well up with tears. After that we broke up as soon as our lease was up and we both moved on we’d never had intertwined circles of friends so it was easy, I focused on school for a major I didn’t want to go into I fell into a deep depression all lone.

I would rot in my apartment or throw myself into working in a wear house that paid that bills, not really having a purpose I’d just float on about my life graduating becoming a kindergarten school teacher before I realized that wasn’t a life. How empty I was is plain embarrassing to admit for a twenty five year old before I finally found it.

I had a way with words and a mouth that could go faster than a gazelle running away from a lion so I became a lawyer specializing in the high profile financial stuff kinda like suits but real and with less malpractice. Going about my fabulous day reading over the news like I do for any morning before a knock sounded on my office doors.

My boss Mrs. Angel Greene strutting in with her red bottoms clacking with her.

“Good morning, I have something I personally want you to handle. Be you!” She said flashing a natural smile before leaving. Picking up the folder I saw a name at the headed contact section and my head started to spin.

Joe

-

This is just somthing I might start writing if you guys like it enough. Thank you for reading comments, likes and really any love is appreciated.

[jigglypuff323]

Brrraaaawp ..... Urrrrrrrrrrrrrp...... prrrrrrrrrrft.......pfffffffffffft

"You did this to me..... Look how huge I'm now, I can barely move, I can even feel myself growing fatter by the minutes. Ugh I'm soooo stuffed my guy feels tight and I can't control my gas. You made me such a slob. How much do I weigh huh? My body feels like lead now and I jiggle like a water bed nghhhh mmmmmph"

You silenced me with with huge slice of your special recipe, cakes made with lard and weight gain powder while my eyes roll back in pleasure

[okminer07]

Colossal Clash Pt 1

TW: Violence, Gore

The echoes of the crowd cheering could still be heard after she closed the door to the dressing room. Luna let her head fall and rest upon the door before releasing a shaky breath and smiling to herself. Once again she had done it, and they loved it, they loved her.   

She pushed away from the door and stumbled over to the worn couch to her left, collapsing onto it. Bringing a hand to her damp forehead, she let out a weak laugh, gazing up at the maroon ceiling. Now all that was left was a couple performances tomorrow, much less than usual though due to the event. That was at least one pro that came along with it.    

She closed her eyes, sighing. Mr. Hawkson would come around in about an hour, most likely along with Madame Mircal, giving her a rundown of all her performances today. She frowned, her five o'clock show had been her worst, she had forgotten that turn as always, why the hell could she not get that down!? Her hand had also slipped off the bar for a second during her mount. There also was no forgetting the 9 o’clock performance, she had forgotten to bow and wave to the crowd! How many times had Mr. Hawkson told her to bow and wave after every performance!? At least a hundred.  

She cupped her hands over her face, and here she was congratulating herself a moment before. Though….. She didn’t want to think about that now. All she wanted to do was rest for a bit, just for a bit. Just….. for….. a little……. bit…………..  

“Luuunnna” cooed a voice from the void. She tried to ignore it. 

“Luna, wake up”   

She groaned, shifting away from the voice.  

“Wake up!”  

She gasped, eyes flying open while she sat bolt upright. The messy dressing room came back into focus, though this time she wasn’t alone. At her side were two familiar faces. Calliope and Dolly. Calliope had her signature hair and makeup done, her afro dyed bright pink and blue with random clips atop it, obnoxiously bright eyeshadow and blush, and bright pink lipstick. Dolly though had completely wiped her face clean and her hair fell messily down her shoulders. 

Calliope grinned “Bout time you woke. We’ve been looking for you all over.”  

Luna’s stomach dropped, “Am I late? Am I supposed to be-”  

“Nah, you’re good. Just got done with my final show” she rolled her eyes, “You should have heard what some of those douchebags were yelling after me.”  

Dolly scoffed before adopting a slimy and deeper voice, “Give us some of your candy sugar! I’d like to find out what flavor you are! I’ve got a lollipop for yah!”   

Calliope laughed, slapping Luna on the back, “Anyways, we’ve got a surprise for you.” 

She smiled “You know I don’t like surprises”   

“Exactly why I love them.”  

Luna sighed, “Alright, what is it?”  

Calliope turned to Dolly, “May I present to you, the experience of a lifetime, bam!” She pulled her hands out from behind her back and held them up. She was clutching three slips of paper. 

Luna gave her a confused look, “What are those?”  

“Tickets to tonight’s match!”  

Calliope snatched them up, “And what a match-up it is!” she shoved the ticket right in front of Luna’s eyes.  

Colossal Clash! 

The Earthquaker vs Thunderbringer  

Luna read the tickets before shoving them away, “Yeah, no thanks.”  

Dolly pouted, “Oh come on. You know how much convincing it took to get these? Hawkson isn’t one to give away free things very often.”  

“Plus! Plus,” Calliope tapped a line on the ticket with one of her sharp bright pink nails, “These are front-row seats! Closest to the arena.”  

She sighed, “Why do you guys even want to go?”  

“Why is it you don’t want to go?”   

Luna fell silent. She looked down at her bare feet, still a bit red and beaten from today’s shows. 

A smug smirk crept onto Calliope’s face, “You’re not scared are you?”  

She glared up at her, “Of course not! What’s there to be afraid of?”  

“Then come with us. It will be fun!”  

“But I’d planned to practice for tomorrow’s-”  

“You don’t need to practice.” groaned Calliope, “Tomorrow’s shows have been canceled.”  

Luna’s eyes widened, “What?”  

“Yeah, Hawkson told me after I’d gotten the tickets from him. Guess he’s starting to go soft,” said Dolly.  

She stared back down at her feet. On the one hand, it would be nice to take a break. On the other hand… Did she really need a break? Or deserve one?  

“Please Luna” they both begged.  

With an exasperated sigh, she threw up her arms and stood, “Fine.”  

Both squealed with delight, “Yes! This is gonna be awesome!”    

They hung out in the dressing room for a quarter of an hour longer, changing into more comfortable clothes so they wouldn’t be stuck walking around in their show outfits. Calliope wiped off most of her makeup while Luna didn’t go anywhere near a makeup wipe. That was until Dolly reminded her there were no shows tomorrow.  

With all traces of their stage selves erased, they headed towards the arena. It wasn’t too far away from the theaters, and it was even faster with access to the underground work tunnels. Calliope and Dolly dashed down the halls, dragging Luna along with them. Everyone else in the tunnels also seemed to be in a rush. The three of them nearly bulldozed a poor teenage boy who was struggling with a stack of boxes. She caught a glimpse of the packaging and rolled her eyes. Dark blue t-shirts with lightning streaks and words reading Thunderbringer! Bring it on! 

As they got closer, she saw more and more merchandise being carted around, shirts, mugs, hats, you name it.   

“Just up here,” called Dolly, leading them up a long flight of stairs. After what felt like an uphill eternity, they came to a door and burst through it. Luna’s airs were instantly assaulted with the sound of hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. She followed her friends forward, the walls around the sloping downward until they gave way to reveal the arena.  

She had seen it from afar, but being actually in it… it was something else. Rows and rows of chairs surrounded her on every side, every one of them filled. A good quarter of the crowd were all dressed in blue, some of which were holding up banners and signs with the name phrase from earlier: Thunderbringer! Bring it on! Facing the blue crowd was a crowd a tad smaller all dressed in shades of brown. The signs they were holding often read the phrase, The Earthquaker! Ready to rumble! 

“Come on! Our seats are over here.” Dolly led further into the arena, passing by rows of chairs that were slowly getting lower and lower as well as closer to a guard rail up ahead, “Here we are.” She gestured to three open seats at the end of a row and right up against the railing.  

Luna jumped slightly when Calliope patted her on the back, “What did we tell you, best seats in the house.”  

While her friends sat down, she walked over to the railing and peered over it. Her eyes widened. Below was a massive circular sand pit, maybe some sixty or fifty meters beneath them and three hundred meters wide. On both the left and right sides, massive archways nearly as tall as the walls themselves were carved out into the stands and led into darkness.  

She backed away from the edge and into her seat, her leg bouncing. Judging by the crowd, they would be starting any minute now.   

As if on queue, the lights began to dim, and loud, hype music began to play, “Oooh, this is it.” whispered Dolly. Luna hid her eye roll.  

A bright spotlight illuminated the very center of the arena. The ground around it opened up and up rose a cylinder podium, on top a man in a maroon suit and microphone in hand. It kept rising until it was at about the same height, where it stopped and a huge grin spread across the man’s face.  

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Colossal Clash!”  

The crowd cheered and applauded.  

“Tonight's match is one we’ve all been waiting for and whose fighters need no introduction, yet here I am!”  

The crowd all laughed.  

“So let’s get it started!” The crowd cheered once more, “On one side, you’ll know he’s coming when you look up expecting storm clouds as your bones rattle, standing at 53 meters tall and packing a punch strong enough to make Zeus tremble, Thunderbringer!”  

The ground began to tremble beneath them. Luna gripped her seat as the tremors got stronger and stronger, a massive shadow creeping out from the arch that seemed to keep growing larger and larger.   

Out of the darkness, a form emerged, so immense it seemed impossible that it was shaped like a man. Another spotlight flicked on and illuminated him, Thunderbringer.  

She couldn’t help but gape. Never before had she seen a colossus this close up before, and there was nothing that could have prepared for it. He was enormous, so tall that the top of his head wasn’t much lower than the walls. He was built like a tank, his biceps bulging as he flexed them for the crowd who all cheered. All he had on was a pair of black shorts to show off his thick torso that had to be made out of yards of fabric and even then looked quite snug.   

A huge grin adorned his face as he spun around to look at the entire crowd, “Who's ready to watch me win this?!” he bellowed. His thunderous voice rang in her ears, so much so that the crowd's cheers seemed to pale in comparison.  

Thunderbringer pumped his fist into the air, gaining another round of applause.  

“On the other side, the only thing more destructive than an earthquake is him, standing 51 meters tall and ready to rock your world, The Earthquaker!”   

The crowd exploded once more as the ground shook again and another colossus entered the arena, The Earthquaker. Just as muscular, he definitely matched his namesake. His skin was darker and the shade of dust and instead of having stormy jet-black hair like his opponent, he sported dusty-blonde locks. He stormed into the arena, arms crossed and a smug look on his face as he stood silently basking in the applause.   

The spotlights illuminating the figures in the arena merged together and began to grow until the enter ring was lit up, “Are you ready?!” yelled the announcer. The crowd screamed their approval. The platform he stood upon lowered back down until he and it disappeared back under the arena.    

Both fighters stood on opposite sides of the arena, staring each other down. A huge screen above the arena lit up, displaying the length of the first round: 25 minutes. 25 minutes to inflict as much damage as possible. The round time then shrunk away and was replaced by a countdown that began to tick down.  

The clock hit zero and a buzzard blared.  

In an instant, the two colossuses charged at one another, shaking every seat in the arena with their footfalls. The Earthquaker dove at Thunderbringer’s legs only for him to pivot and wrap his arms around the other’s torso. Earthquaker was slammed down onto the ground, the whole arena gasping as the impact shook them all to their core. Thunderbringer went in for a punch to the gut but instead had his own kicked in, sending him stumbling back, enough time for the Earthquaker to get back onto his feet. 

Luna looked away as the two bashed their heads together, her stomach squirming. There had been two reasons why she hadn’t wanted to come and had never gone to a match before. For one, Calliope had guessed right, she was a tad scared. But who wouldn’t be?! Who wouldn’t feel at least a little unnerved by the ground jerking around with every movement of theirs? Who wouldn’t be put off by the fact that they were so close to creatures that seemed to dwarf their very existence? Who wouldn’t not be thrilled to be reminded of just how little power they had? Thousands of adoring fans it seemed.  

She crossed her arms and slumped in her seat, scowling as the two began to try and land blows on one another. Then there was the second reason why she didn’t want to go. It was a reminder of what she, Calliope, Dolly, and all the other performers were up against. The number of people that show up for these matches and the amount of business it brings in for Mr. Hawkson was something she felt compelled to match. Why was it that this is what brought people to this place? Why couldn’t it be her? Her dancing? Her singing? Her performances?  

It wasn’t like those two had trained for years to get where they were. No, all they were doing was reaping the benefit of what they were born with naturally. Why were people so enthralled by watching the likes of these roughhousing with each other and not by the practice, the perfection, the passion she brought to the stage?   

“Enjoying the show ladies?”  

Luna broke out of her spiral and looked up. She was shocked to find Mr. Hawkson standing before her. He was a portly man, with greying hair that he put way too much hair gel and spray in to make it look nice. Calliope often compared him to a penguin with an Elvis wig on. 

“What are you doing here? We’re trying to watch the match,” said Dolly, leaning out of her seat to send a cold look up at the man.  

He chuckled, “I’m very sorry to interrupt. I just need to speak with Ms. Lunaloris for one moment. Do you mind?” 

Luna shrugged her shoulders, “Sure.” she got up only to immediately be knocked back into her seat as the two colossus threw each other to the ground.  

Mr. Hawkson grabbed her arm, giving it a pat, “Sorry my dear.” he laughed, before leading her away from the crowd and down in between the stands where they had entered from.  

“What is it?”  

He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and turned her back to the match, “Luna, I’m sure you know you're one of my best dancers, hell, one of my best employees. More people should be aware of your talent. Not just those who buy tickets to your shows.”  

She smiled uncomfortably at all the praise but wanted him to continue on.   

“That’s why I’ve come to ask you to do the honors of performing the halftime show for this match.”  

Luna turned to look him in the eye, “Really?”  

“Yes really!”  

“I… I didn’t even know there were halftime shows for stuff like this.”  

Mr. Hawkson shrugged, “Well, not usually, but I think our patrons deserve some quality entertainment while they wait for the second round. That’s where you come in.” he dug into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, “Madam Mircal and I have already prepared a routine. It’s nothing to fret over. Just some stage directions.” 

He handed her the slip of paper. She unfolded it and skimmed its contents, “What song would-”  

“Whatever you’d like. Preferably one you're well versed on since this is so last notice.”  

“I… I don’t know what to say.” she breathed.  

Mr. Hawkson clapped her on the back, “Then save those pipes for the performance. Now, you’ll have to miss watching the rest of this match I’m sorry to say to prepare.” 

She smiled, “That’s fine by me. Just tell me what to do.”  

“That’s my girl. Now, down in room E6, just down those stairs and through the labeled door, I have one of the makeup artists waiting for you along with a couple of costume choices. There will also be one of the technicians, tell him the music you’ll need and he’ll hook you up with it. Get all that done and then wait at the door for the announcer to introduce the performance. The instructions will tell you the rest. Get to it!”  

She quickly nodded before turning on her heel and ran away from the arena and down the flight of stairs.  

Reading through her directions as she went, she stumbled into room E6. Just like he had said, Nicole was there, one of the artists she was well acquainted with.  

“I take it you agreed.” she said, pulling up two chairs and opening up her briefcase worth of makeup, “Sit down and let’s get started.” Luna did as she was told, pulling off her hoodie and sitting down in the chair opposite Nicole. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she couldn’t get rid of the butterflies in her stomach.  

“Now.” continued Nicole, pulling out the foundation, “Mr. Hawkson suggested we do a look with one of the fighter’s colors or a combination of the two. How does that sound?”  

She frowned and thought for a moment. No, I’m not letting them be attached to this, “I think I would rather have one of my usual looks.”   

Nicole smiled, “That’s what I thought you’d say.  I’ll work with the time we have.”   

Twenty minutes later or so Luna was smiling back at her reflection. Her lips were a shiny purple and her eyelids twinkled the same color. Nicole had sprinkled in some blush and some random flecks of sparkle. That girl was a wizard.  

“Thank you, this looks perfect!” exclaimed Luna. She got up and hurried over to the costume rack where about half a dozen outfits hung.  

After flying through them, she pulled out the off-the-shoulder, form-fitting, and sparkling one she had worn for one of her earlier routines. Nicole turned her back to pack away her supplies while Luna slipped it on.  

“Do you think you could help me with the back?”  

Nicole hurried over and promptly began doing up the back of the costume, making it snug yet breathable. Luna thanked her again before snatching up a pair of sparkling heels and running out the door.  

She stumbled back up the stairs while also trying to slip the shoes on. Once she reached the doors to the arena, she stopped to breathe. Even from here, she could feel the vibrations caused by the colossus as they continued to brawl.   

The minutes ticked by. Her heart hammered in her chest and her stomach tied into knots and bows.  

Finally, the buzzard sounded, signaling the end of the first match. The crowd cheered and applauded until the announcer's voice rang out through the speakers, “What a smackdown! And to think there’s still two rounds left! Now, tonight we have a special treat for all of you.” A stagehand snuck up behind her and hastily slipped a microphone into her hand. 

Luna took a deep breath, time to show them what real talent looks like.  

“So please welcome… the mystifying Ms that is… Lunaloris!”  

The doors in front of her opened automatically and the crowd burst into cheers. She strutted into the arena and stopped right out of view of the spectators. The lights flicked off, shrouding the stadium in darkness. 

She walked out further and posed under a purple-tinted spotlight that illuminated right as the music started. Walking forward in time with the beat, she opened her mouth and began to sing. Lights began to flash, making the crowd look like a starry galaxy. The crowd oooed and awed before starting to cheer.  

Luna smiled as she continued on. Reaching the railing where a gap was now revealed and behind it was a flight of stairs. She made her way down them, striking poses and pulling off a few moves like kicking her leg up and a couple spins.  

The spotlight guided her when she reached the actual arena. She strutted around it, addressing and hyping up the crowd as she made a spiraling path into the center. Right as she reached the bridge of the song, the platform from before rose up from the ground and began to rise while rotating with her atop it.   

She kept her eyes up and away from the ground as she continued to sing her heart out. This is what talent looked like. This is what talent sounded like. This is what talent was.  

The song ended and the platform began to swivel back to the ground. The arena erupted with the sounds of applause, louder than Luna had ever heard before. She gasped for air before smiling and waving at the crowd, beaming as she tried to express how their cheers made her feel.  

“Thank you! Thank you all so much!” she said into the microphone. The crowd responded with another round of applause and cheers.  

She closed her eyes and let the feeling sink in. Letting the cheers raise her spirits high and make her heart soar. This is what she lived for.   

Suddenly, the ground gave a violent jerk. Luna stumbled and fell to the ground. She went to get up only for the ground to jerk again, the grains of sand bouncing with her. The audience all gasped in unison. 

Wha…. What the hell? She lifted her head and whipped it around to look behind her. Her heart nearly stopped.  

Thunderbringer and the Earthquaker had tumbled back into the arena and were looking at each other with pure loathing.  

“You son of a bitch!” boomed the Earthquaker as he ran at Thunderbringer with his arms looking poised to strangle him.    

Thunderbringer seized his arms and began to try and break them, “I’m fucking winning this!” 

The two began to stumble towards her and their rumbling footsteps snapped her out of her shock. She got to her feet and began to book it for the stairs. The ground trembled and rocked beneath her, constantly causing her to lose her footing in the unstable sand and stubble or fall. 

She glanced over her shoulder and gasped as a boat-sized foot slammed feet away from her. The impact sent sand showering down upon her. She covered her head and continued to blindly run away. When she looked up, the massive form of the Earthquaker was soaring over top of her before it collided with the ground.   

Luna stumbled back to her feet just as the Earthquaker was doing the same and charging at his opponent, his legs soaring overhead with each stride and knocking her back off her feet. Thunderbringer dodged his attack and ran to the other side of the arena.   

Seeing it as a waste of precious time to attempt to stand, she began to crawl away, her trembling arms slipping upon the sand. She spotted movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see Thunderbringer charging forward, and she was directly in his path.  

There was no time to crawl away, he was on top of her in seconds. Luna watched in stunned horror, helplessly trying to drag herself away as his monstrous hovered overhead before rapidly descending down.  

The world went still. Went silent. Her vision was blurred and all she could see was darkness. Then, a scream rang out, several actually. It brought her back and the moment it did, she wished it hadn’t.  

Pain. Pain unlike anything she had ever felt exploded in her lower half, quickly spreading all throughout her. She began to hyperventilate, clenched her muscles, anything to stop it! Her hands patted around the area where it was coming from and clutched at it, causing her to wince as another wave of agony washed over her. She began to whimper and tremble as it continued with no mercy.   

A world away she heard muffled voices. One of which sounded familiar.  

“Let me through! God dammit I said let me through! That’s my sister!”   

Liam?  

The ground trembled beneath her and her brother’s face came into view. His face was glistening with sweat and all the color and drain from him.  

“Luna, Luna can you hear me?!”  

Her eyes began to water as she stared back up at him, “M-make…. Make it stop, please” 

“I-I I will, I promise I….” he dug his hand under her and propped up her head, “Somebody call an ambulance!”  

From her new vantage point, she looked down at her lower half. Her stomach dropped. Where her right leg had been was now flattened, bloody flesh. Tears trickled down the sides of her face and she gasped for breath as she wept.  

“H-help…. Help… please.” She raised a trembling hand and blindly reached for her brother. He took her hand and squeezed it.   

“It’s… it’s going to be… be okay,” he murmured, clutching her hand to his chest.   

A shiver ran down her. She felt cold. Her hand went limp in her brother’s hand. She stared upwards, eyes rolling up into her head as everything faded away. 

This has been brewing in the back of my mind for a while now. Let me know if you want to see more of this story cause I do have more in mind for this.

[thepenultimateword]

Love Thy Enemy Part 6

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five

For all Callista's talk of winning Vorrin over, it was surprising that she returned to ignoring his existence. Pins and Switch even informed him that his designated visit to her chambers had been canceled for the week. Usually, Vorrin would've been thrilled, but considering the circumstances... How was he supposed to gain the empress's trust if they didn't see each other?

"Is she busy again?" Vorrin asked as he took a bite of strawberry scone. He kept his tone bland and stared with what he hoped looked like disinterest at the wall.

"I hear she's taking a trip to the border cities," Pins mumbled, sewing needle held between his lips as he turned the half-finished embroidery in his hands. "Probably takes a lot of prep work."

Vorrin had felt rather guilty about his outburst the other day, and remembering Switch's comment about waste, he'd asked the manservants if it was possible to repair the torn shirt. The short answer was no. Nothing could get the shirt exactly back to its original state. The longer answer, with more cloth and designs to hide the stitches, the outfit could be salvaged. So here the pair were, with more work thrust upon them, though Vorrin couldn't say he wasn't grateful for the company.

Vorrin set down the scone, turning full attention to the manservant. "The border cities? Why?"

"I only caught pieces from the soldiers while fetching your dinner the other night, but I think an emissary from Avarose is meeting her there."

"An emissary?"

"She has been out of the country for almost a year now. Maybe she needs an update from Prince Suthand on the state of the kingdom?"

"An update can be sent in a letter."

"You know more about politics than us," Switch said, stacking up some of the empty breakfast plates. "Why do you think she's going?"

Vorrin pondered it a moment. Callista was calculated, and she knew her hold on Totholan was tentative. She wouldn't leave the capital unless she thought it was absolutely necessary.

Perhaps she wanted to check on the strength of the border troops. But she could outsource that to a general couldn't she?" And then there was the emissary. That would be political. But why would she need a representative from her own kingdom? And why didn't they meet her here instead of the other way around?

"I don't understand anything she does," Vorrin said finally, picking back up his scone. He only managed to nibble it a little further before asking, "When will she return?"

Switch raised a brow. "You're certainly eager to see the empress again."

"I wouldn't say eager. Simply...interested."

"Well, she hasn't left yet," Pins said. "She might still come to say goodbye."

As if Vorrin was worried about not receiving a proper farewell. He was her consort, not her lover. He forced a smile anyway. "Maybe."

Pins smiled brightly back and turned the finished tunic around for him to see. "How's this?"

A spattering of golden stars and a large sun now hid the repaired tear. They glimmered against the white fabric like the celestial bodies they were imitating.

"It’s beautiful,” Vorrin said, “it’s a wonder you were hired as a manservant rather than a tailor’s apprentice.”

Pins flushed appreciatively and lowered his eyes to the ground. “I used to do the repairs to the servants' uniforms, back before I was officially hired. My mum said I had a gift. But…apprenticeships don’t pay in money, just room and board, and my family couldn’t really live on one income so…” His face fell a bit, but as he lifted his head again, it abruptly brightened. “When I was offered this position, it paid twice the amount as a regular manservant, and I still get to do sewing, so better off for me, I say.”

Vorrin fought the frown dragging down the corners of his mouth. He knew what it was like to come from humble beginnings. Living day to day on whatever scraps he could get. Going hungry. Survival topping every other thought or desire. The main reason he'd joined the King's army as a boy was for the pay. Squires received a gold piece every month, and the stipend only grew the longer he stayed alive. Not to mention the free board in the barracks. As he’d risen in the ranks, he’d created a comfortable place for himself. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, he hadn't had any family to rely on him, so he’d only had to worry about himself. He could only imagine the pressure of supporting a family at such a young age.

“Is your mother in Totholan?”

“No, she stayed back home. But I send her half my earnings whenever any of the soldiers travel back to Avarose with the Empress's letters.”

“Which they skim,” Switch muttered.

“It’s fine,” Pins said, forcing one of his bright smiles, “I just think of it as a delivery fee.”

This time Vorrin did frown. “That is not fine. They recieve their own wages, they don’t need any of yours.” He doubted it was something Empress Callista would allow either. “I’ll speak to the Empress about it.”

Switch audibly choked.

Pins shot to his feet. “Oh, no! You don’t have to— It’s much too small a matter to bring so high as the Empress.”

Yes, Vorrin understood it was unconventional. King Duras would have imprisoned a servant for wasting his time with such a request, that is if he even allowed it to reach the level of audience, and with the state of the kingdom, Empress Callista probably would brush it off too, but…

“If she cares about me, she’ll care about you,” Vorrin said firmly.

“I don’t want her to think I’m complaining or gossiping about the soldiers. Especially not to you."

"Because you don't want to be blamed for my poisonous attitude toward all things Avarosian?"

Pins pressed his lips together, his lack of denial an admittance all its own.

“If it bothers you, I won’t tell her it’s you.”

"I...well..." Pins slowly folded the tunic over his arm and moved gingerly across the room to tuck it away in the wardrobe. "I guess its ok. If it comes up that is. And as long as it doesn't inconvenience her. If she seems put out, tell her to forget it. And don't make it seem too urgent." He cleared his throat and plucked out a new outfit, lithely changing the topic. "How about this?"

It was another set of robes, this one a couple layers, the bottom a silky vibrant gold and the top a poofed, gauzy white that muted the underlying fabric, almost like looking through fogged glass. Glimmering gold strings hung loosed off the sleeves, ready to hold each one in perfectly puffed sections."

Vorrin grimaced. Where did the empress even get all these clothes from? Had she sent for them as soon as she’d taken him hostage or had she planned for this ending in advance? From what he'd seen Pins and Switch wear, robes were not uncommon for Avarosian men, but the fancy ones in his wardrobe were on another level. Either high-class styles were different, or the empress had some tastes. Maybe a bit of both.

"Well, I was hoping to attend the training grounds today," Vorrin said. "That is if there is a soldier to escort me today."

One of the things he and the empress had agreed upon in their last conversation was that Vorrin should have more freedoms. The training grounds to practice his sparring and more visits into the city were at the top of his requests. Surprisingly, both had been granted, on the condition that he was watched at all times.

"Oh!" Pins put the garment set back and sifted around the wardrobe for something else. "Then this?"

The new outfit was two pieces, a bottom and a top, so that was at least closer to Vorrin's regular style.

The top was a black compressed shirt with the sleeves cut off mid-shoulder and silver-threaded embroidery stretching from the shirt's high throat to the middle of the chest, giving the appearance of a layered necklace. The bottoms...were a skirt. Blue. Long. Plain except for the embroidered hem in matching silver.

"Er...I can't exercise in that," Vorrin said. It was the more diplomatic reply.

"This is a sparring outfit," Pins said. "An expensive one, but still equipped for actual sparring."

"I don't see how I'm supposed to fight in that." Vorrin stepped closer and flicked the hem of the skirt. "It's too long. And constricting. I'm not going to be able to move without tripping, ripping it, or showing everyone everything."

"It's not a skirt if that's what you're worried about," Switch said, setting the stacked dishes on the breakfast tray. The young man was as sharp as ever. He marched up the proffered outfit and grabbed the hem by one side, pulling it up to show the wide trouser legs beneath. "The overskirt is for show. It's split so it doesn't get in the way. Think of it as robes for fighting. Most of the military has switched to more obvious trousers, but most generals still wear this style. I don't know if you've noticed."

Vorrin couldn't say that he had. He didn't really pay attention to what his opponents were wearing in battle, and since becoming Empress Callista's consort, he'd been mostly confined. He assumed he'd seen mostly low-level soldiers since then, but it was also possible he'd missed it, either being in too much of an angry fog to notice or assuming they were robes like any other.

"The outfit's fine," Vorrin said crisply.

"Good!" Pins said. "Then let's get you ready!"

"I'll send for a soldier to escort you," Switch said. A shadow of a grimace crossed his face, but just as quickly it was gone. Replaced by his usual straight expression. "It might take a little while, so I should go now."

"We can go together," Pins offered.

"No, no." Switch drew himself up proudly. "I'm fully capable of finding someone. And it will be more efficient this way."

With a short bow toward Vorrin, he was out the door.

Pins had Vorrin dressed within a half hour. The bottoms were much more comfortable than he'd expected. His hair had taken on a simple style today, tied up into a tail. However, Pins still managed to make the simplicity elegant by using a silver hair ring instead of a regular hair tie.

The bedroom door burst open. Switch stormed in red-faced and hair-mussed, slender hands barely catching the door before its handle could hit the wall.

"I found someone," he said, easing the door shut before sitting hard in one of the dining sets.

"What happened?" Vorrin and Pins said together.

"Nothing. Like I said. It just takes a while to find soldiers who aren't busy."

"Switch, you're shaking," Vorrin said, his voice falling into the firm tone of his old station.

Switch looked down at his trembling hands with a surprised expression.

Switch clenched them. "I'm not scared or anything. I'm just mad."

"What happened?" Vorrin pressed again, this time summoning the authority Switch responded to.

"It's just soldiers being soldiers," the manservant spat. "Being crass and difficult and idiotic as usual. I swear, this is why I dropped out of the military. They're all so stupid. But of course, they can't let it go. I'm a traitor because I didn't fight in the war and even more so because I serve a Totholi consort." Switch's tone grew sharp and sarcastic. "Apparently, it's very unpatriotic of me to be at the beck and call of a Totholi general. Oh, and I think I'm better than them because of my cushy safe job and better pay and face-to-face meetings with the Empress."

At that last part, Switch let out a little gasp and pinned his lips tightly shut.

Another time, Vorrin would have seized that slip-up. He knew that Empress Callista was getting information on his behavior from someone. His manservants had been the most likely suspects, and this confirmed it. However, this was not the time.

"I didn't know you were military," Vorrin said instead.

"Was." Switch looked steadily at the ground a couple feet ahead, clenching his fists harder so the knuckles turned white. Vorrin knew that look. He kept dry anger at the forefront of his emotions, but he was probably fighting off tears. "I only squired for a year. I hate soldiers."

"Is that why you sometimes have a hard time with me?"

Switch flushed a little and a long pause stretched over the room. "Maybe. I don't know. I guess sometimes I see the resemblance. But you're not like them. I know that. Even if you are aggravating." He cleared his throat abruptly. "Sorry."

"Did the oh-so-proper and strict Switch make a joke?" Vorrin said with a mock gasp.

Switch rolled his eyes, but a small smile crept up his face. "Don't tell anyone."

"They're just being jerks because they're jealous," Pins piped in.

Vorrin nodded. "As a once stupid soldier, I have to agree. For men like them, there is a pecking order, and they're worried you're on top. And they hate that, so they're trying to convince you that you're not."

"But I don't want to be a part of their stupid pecking order at all," Switch said.

“Then you need to find the biggest instigator and give them a good punch in the nose.”

“You are a soldier.”

Vorrin shrugged. “It’ll at least show them you’re not going to take their rubbish.”

“But it’s so unrefined…”

“And they are? They’re a bunch of insecure bottom feeders with too much space in their skulls. I’m telling you, the only thing people like that respect is brute force.”

“I’m really beginning to doubt your strategic ability as Totholan’s best general.”

Vorrin chuckled. “Well, I can always punch one for you. I doubt they’re allowed to hit me back.”

Switch let out a long sigh, though it wasn’t entirely exasperated. He scrubbed his tearless face. "I’ll think about it. Pretty sure letting the royal consort get into fights isn’t a much better look. Anyway, the escort is waiting outside when you're ready."

Vorrin stood, stretching his arms over his head. “Time for me to go then. Guess I better show this little guppy who’s really in charge. ”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t worry, Switch. I know how to handle grunts.”

“Seriously don’t.”

Vorrin only grinned, flexing one of his bare arms before sweeping out the door.

As he stepped out into the hall, the soldier leaning against the outside wall stood up straight. He was about what Vorrin had expected: young, a little below average height, and built just enough to have real muscle but still feel uncomfortable in his own skin. Vorrin could see the inexperience in his shifting posture.

“Good morning, Royal Consort,” the soldier said offering a short bow. Obviously, his feelings on a Totholi consort were much different when face-to-face with him. “My name is Raoden. I’ll be escorting you.”

“Yeah, I’m not remembering that,” Vorrin said, stepping past the man without a second glance and starting toward the training ground. “How about I call you Button?”

“Well, er…”

“Perfect. Come on."

The soldier scrambled after him, needing to use his full stride to keep pace at Vorrin's side. As they reached the end of the hall, he angled toward the right, the direction to the main entrance of the arena.

Vorrin turned left.

"Um, I think the training grounds are--"

"I know how to get there," Vorrin said.

He strode the full length of the hall, turning left and then left again. He barely glanced at the other soldiers and servants they passed along the way, only stopping when he reached a worn, narrow door the same grey as the stone around it.

"Royal Consort--"

Vorrin was already pushing inside.

"Hello, boys!"

The whole room scrambled to their feet. A couple of men fell off their beds. One hit his head on the bunk above him as he rushed to stand.

“So this is where you all go to slack off.”

One of the soldiers without his shirt or shoes squirmed. “We’re off duty, your…Royal Consort…sir.”

“Of course. Don't mind me.” He mosied down the aisle, looking idly around with each step, gaze skimming past the soldiers enough that they dropped their heads to avoid eye contact. “I just wanted a look at my old quarters before Button here escorts me to the armory. Well, close enough. These were the squire quarters. You're all full-fledged soldiers, aren't you?"

"Er...most of us," Button interceded from behind. When Vorrin glanced back at him, the man stood by the entrance, looking desperate to lead Vorrin back out. "Military rankings work differently in Avarose. Um...should we perhaps..."

"Really? That's interesting." Vorrin sat himself down on one of the now-empty bunks. He crossed his ankle over his knee and leaned back on one hand. "How is it done in Avarose?"

Button looked around the room, but no one else spoke up. "Royal Consort Vorrin, I really think..."

Vorrin raised his brows. "Yes?"

"Uh...well, in Totholan there are three titled ranks, right? Page, squire, and knight? Though of course some knights can reach the higher rank of Knight General or the highest rank, like yourself, Grand Master."

Vorrin shook his head. "King Duras was the Grand Master. I'm just a general."

Button blinked and glanced toward his comrades and back. "Respectfully, sir...that wasn't what we were told in our briefing. That's why the Empress specifically--" He abruptly cut off and cleared his throat. "My point was Totholi military is more simplistic."

One of the soldiers snickered but stopped before Vorrin could identify who it was.

"Whereas Avarosian military is sort of...complicated."

Vorrin leaned his chin into his hand. "Oh?"

"There are ranks within ranks. Sort of like your knights, but with much more variety." He lifted one end of the wide scarlet sash wrapped around his middle. Looking at the colors may help. The lowest rank is yellow. Children in training wear the palest shade and it deepens as they move up. Green is the next rank, usually utilized as messengers or apprentices to higher-ranked soldiers. Blue is reserved for military medics. Red is for ordained soldiers, again the palest shades are always reserved for those with the least experience. Generals wear black. The sovereign wears white. But only on the battlefield.

Vorrin closed his eyes a moment, tentatively summoning a memory. He could still picture that day perfectly. Empress Callista standing over him, half of her hair escaped from its braid, the long tails of her "white" sash whipping in the wind. In reality, it had only been white in small patches; the majority of it was dyed red with blood. The point of her blade pressed carefully into his throat. He'd swallowed. She'd grinned.

Vorrin's eyes shot back open. He pushed himself back to his feet, shoving the memory's emotions deep down and instead surveying the soldiers once again.

"It seems every one of you carries a red sash. I'm surprised."

"Sir?"

"It took thirty minutes for my manservant to acquire one of you. You do realize that a request from my servants is a request from me?"

Button bowed his head. "Yes, Royal Consort."

"Tell me, how long did you spend arguing, drawing straws, and over me instead of doing your duty."

Button sank so far between his shoulders he resembled a turtle. "Too long, Royal Consort."

A part of Vorrin wanted to punish them further for Switch's sake. But Button had admitted his fault without excuse. Vorrin had to give the man credit for that. Many of the men looked equally chastened. No need to press further when a reprimand was being received.

"I suggest being a little quicker next time," he finished.

"Yes, Royal--"

"You're not in charge of us, Tolothi," another soldier interrupted. The man was all wiry muscle and unruly hair. Vorrin noted that his sash was vermillion whereas many of the other's were crimson.

Vorrin stalked up to the man, gazing down at him from under half-lowered lids. "Am I not?"

"You're a pet."

"Argin," one of the crimson soldiers hissed warningly.

"A dog may be pampered and protected," Argin continued, meeting Vorrin's eyes. " but that doesn't make it less a dog. And a dog holds no authority no matter who it belongs to."

Vorrin only smiled. "You sleep in a bunk bed. I sleep beside the Empress. Maybe I am a dog, but between the two of us, I wonder who has more authority. I suppose if you're really concerned I could ask the Empress what she thinks."

Argin paled a fraction and clenched his teeth hard enough to crack. He ducked away from Vorrin's gaze. "Aren't you supposed to be practicing sparring or something?"

"You're right. Thank you, Kitty."

The man flushed equal parts embarrassment and anger.

"Come along, Raoden."

Button looked a little shocked at the usage of his real name, but he quickly fell in step, following Vorrin through the door at the back of the room into another room of bunks, this one empty. The Knights' old quarters. They passed rows and rows of beds before exiting another door into the armory.

Unlike the barracks, this room had been completely reorganized. Probably so it could hold all the weapons that the Avarosian army had brought with them.

Vorrin ran his hand down the row of spears lined along the wall. "Any limits on which weapons I'm allowed to use?"

"I don't think Empress Callista established a rule." Button looked around the room nervously. "Maybe nothing too sharp?"

Vorrin tsked. "Do you have so little faith in yourself that I need a handicap?"

"When it comes to you, sir, yes."

"Really? You don't think you could stop me if I was armed? A little concerned for the person who is supposed to keep me from escaping.

Button swallowed. "I don't know, sir. But I know it took the Empress to defeat you, and I couldn't win against the Empress." He gathered himself taller. "However, Royal Consort, I don't think you plan on running. Even if I fell, there are at least a hundred guards between here and the end of the palace grounds. They would catch you immediately."

Button's tone begged Vorrin not to try anything. He almost seemed to be trying to convince himself as much as Vorrin. He was right though. Vorrin suspected that having a watch was more about preventing him from stealing weapons than stopping an escape attempt.

"I'll stick with the quarterstaff then," Vorrin said, plucking the long wooden pole off the wall. "I only want to practice some movements today anyway."

Button nodded, relieved, and they exited the armory into the training grounds. A light breeze wafted the smell of the dusty earth, and the musty hay of the training dummies to his nose. Vorrin closed his eyes, breathing in the familiar scents. It had been a long time.

The quarterstaff felt a little strange in his hands. Though his hands instinctively gripped the right places, the weapon no longer fit the same against his too-smooth palms.

Vorrin spun the staff a couple times before trying a stab. He stumbled a little and gritted his teeth. He'd overextended.

His immediate reaction was a surge of rage, but he exhaled the emotion slowly. This is fine. Just go back to the basics.

He fell into a defensive stance. Block, parry, stab. Block, parry, stab. He moved slowly, perfecting each movement as he went. After about four times, he picked up speed, throwing in a few dodging movements and thrusting out the pole in low and high attacks.

Button yawned from the sidelines.

Vorrin half-wanted to ask the guard to spar with him, but he doubted that was allowed. Maybe he should asked for two guards next time, one to spar with and another to watch him. Better yet, maybe he could begin bargaining for the release of his soldiers. Not at all at once, but one or two at a time. He missed their familiar company. Not to mention, he’d need them if this uprising was going to work.

Having enough of the repetitive movements, Vorrin imagined an invisible enemy before him. He’d done this all the time as a boy when the other pages refused to be his sparring partner. Having Captain Kenric for a mentor had remedied that, but he’d still found solace in solo sparring once in a while.

He lowered into a defensive stance, holding the quarterstaff diagonal from his body. He circled slowly, searching for weak spots, knowing his enemy was doing the same. Abruptly, he thrust the staff forward. The enemy dodged, swinging back at him violently. He barely stepped back in time, throwing the staff sideways to block the blow. He gritted his teeth and widened his stance further against the imaginary weight. He shoved forward hard, knocking the figment backward. He stalked forward, raising his elbows in preparation for the finishing jab. He thrust the weapon forward, and...

A very visible, very real sword collided with the end of his staff.

Vorrin inhaled sharply, retreating back a couple steps and instinctively throwing out his quarterstaff in front of him. It took a couple moments for him to make sense of the red-and-gold-clad figure in front of him.

Empress Callista glanced at the weapon then casually back to his face with a widening grin. She slid her sword back into its sheath. “Hello, dear."

Vorrin exhaled slowly, doing his best to hide the tension ebbing from his muscles. He'd felt like a hair-trigger ready to fire. "What are you doing here?"

"What, I can't visit my consort? you weren't in your quarters; I was told I could find you here." Her eyes roved back to the weapon. "It's been a while since I've seen you in action. Serious as ever I see."

Vorrin furrowed his brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Some people spar for fun, you know. But you have that same look you have in battle. Fighting isn't a game to you, is it?"

Where did she get off acting like she knew anything about him?

"I spar for fun," he said a little sharper than intended. "But there's nothing fun about swinging a stick around by yourself. Besides, if I'm going to regain all my skills, I can't afford to be lax."

Empress Callista let out a little amused breath. "Well then, we'll need to spar together sometime."

Vorrin's face warmed. "I wasn't implying that I wanted--"

"I like the outfit," she interrupted. "Very classic."

“Well, it was in my wardrobe.”

Empress Callista gasped in mock offense. “Are you suggesting that I gave you those clothes just because I wanted to see them on you?”

“Is that not true?”

“Well, maybe.” She winked, her smile landing somewhere firmly between flirtatious and wicked. However, the sly curve quickly straightened into a more serious expression. “I didn’t know what you looked like until the first time we faced each other in battle. I had no idea what would suit you, so we brought lots.”

“You didn’t think we had clothes here?” Vorrin said.

“Dressing you in our styles was intentional."

"And now?"

"It still is. But your comfort is also important, so we'll find a compromise."

Vorrin let the butt of the quarterstaff rest against the ground. He leaned into it like a walking stick. "Dressing me like an Avarosian isn't going to win over the people. They're just going to be mad that I'm betraying our culture."

"Maybe. But it does show them who you belong to." Her gaze darkened. "And it's not just for your people. Mine need reminders too."

Vorrin's insides went cold. Empress Callista was so confident, so domineering in every action and word, he'd never considered that her people might have as many disagreements with this plan as he did. He was safe...wasn't he?"

"Anyway, darling," she said, shattering the frozen feeling encasing him, "as much as I love our little tiffs, I came to wish you farewell. I'm heading to the border this afternoon."

Vorrin remembered what Pins had said about the Empress saying goodbye. He sincerely hoped that neither manservant had shared his interest in her departure. "You don't need to do that. My servants would have told me."

"Ah. Of course." She cleared her throat and gathered herself up a little straighter. "It's a two-week trip--5 days to the border and another 5 back. I would have felt strange saying nothing at all."

Vorrin didn't quite know how to respond, so he stayed silent.

The empress cleared her throat again. Wait a minute. Did she actually feel awkward right now?

“Is there anything you need before I go?” she said

"I need your soldiers to stop terrorizing my manservants."

The empress's forehead furrowed. Not confusion, or doubt. More...disciplinary. The look of a parent when they're told their child has been caught teaching curse words.

"Explain."

"Pins gets his wages partially stolen whenever he sends money back home to his mother. And Switch gets harassed when he makes requests on my behalf. It has to do with serving a Totholi, which, I would like to remind them, is literally his job."

Empress Callista raised her brows. "Switch and Pins?"

"That's what I call them."

She didn't push it further.

Vorrin continued on. "They're in positions of power and servants to the Empire. They're abusing those positions for personal gain. If it were my men they'd be cleaning everyone's armor for the next week. Or be working directly with me until they wised up."

Vorrin caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Perhaps his voice had risen too loud because Button shifted uncomfortably from his post at the arena's edge. His eyes flicked their way, briefly connecting with Vorrin's. The young man's shoulders leaped a little, and he hastily averted his gaze to the empty space ahead of him.

The young man had been properly chastened earlier, but Vorrin wanted him to bring this information back to the others.

"They can't be allowed to act this way, can they?" he said, letting his anger raise his voice even louder.

"No," the empress said firmly. "Their behavior is unacceptable. Unfortunately, I don't have control of every action the people in my employ make. However, I will be alerting my generals and captains of the issue. They should provide some correction. Let me know if it continues."

Vorrin nodded. Despite the many things that bothered him about the empress, the one thing he could count on was that she was fair. King Duras had allowed, even encouraged, a toxic dynamic in his army. One where power and physical strength reigned as dictators. It had taken a long while for Vorrin to clean up once he became Knight General, so he couldn't help but appreciate the empress's standards.

She tipped her head to catch his gaze. "I assure you, Vorrin. The trust I have in my army is critical to me. I allow error, and I allow redemption, but those I deem untrustworthy have no place with me.

"I know. Thank you." The words came out before Vorrin knew what he was saying. To his surprise, he actually meant them.

"Anyway," he said, diverting the attention from his last words. "Why are you going to the border?"

Empress Callista smiled thinly. "There's confidential information I don't want to be written in a letter. At least not one that passes many hands. Not only that, but I'm going to be surveying the area for construction."

"Construction?"

"For the new capital. With the kingdoms merging, I can't stay here. Avarose would be outraged. But I can't return as if nothing happened either, or I risk losing my foothold. We need a neutralized city equally distant between both locations."

"Idosa won't be the capital anymore?" Vorrin didn't know why he hadn't thought about that sooner. Technically, Idosa had ceased being the capital the moment Empress Callista won the war. Yet, everything remained so much the same, the castle, the stationing of the guard, the mannerisms of the city... He'd never imagined this type of reform.

"Don't act so sullen. This will be a massive change for all of us. Streles has been the Avarosian capital for centuries. I'm anticipating a heated argument with every noble and advisor I have over the next few months."

"And me?"

It wasn't a very articulate question, but the empress seemed to understand.

"You'll come with me, of course. Not only to the new capital but to Avarose as well. The new city will take time to build, so we may travel back and forth for some time."

"I could stay here." That was something consorts did, right? Have their own homes? At least, King Duras had gifted his mistresses residences within and without the city. Then again, many of them were not official consorts. Still, it wasn't as if Callista needed him outside Idosa. If she gave him this place, he could fix it. It wouldn't be exactly as it was, but it could be close.

Even as he tried to convince himself of nobler intentions, the truth gnawed at him. He was scared. Outside of battle and expeditions for the King, he'd never lived anywhere else. He'd grown up here. He'd become something here.

Empress Callista shook her head, a little sympathy peeking through her steady expression. "You're my token. A representation of our countries' union. You'll always be with me."

Always?

Vorrin's lungs suddenly felt tight. Like he'd been shoved into a space--a cage--too tight for his body.

The empress's hands found his face, stroking his cheekbones with her thumbs. "It's alright, love. I will take care of you."

As if that was what worried him. Like he was a child who needed consoling about moving away from his friends. As if this was just about him and not everyone in Idosa--no Tothalan! And him a helpless bird with clipped wings.

No. No, don't think about that.

He released a shuddering breath.

He could stop this. None of this had to happen if he completed his mission. Calm. Calm. He just had to endure a while.

Vorrin stepped back out of her reach and looked down at her gold-button travel boots.

"Good luck, on your journey."

Empress Callista's hands dropped to her side, but she stepped forward, regaining the ground between them. "If you need anything, if you have any trouble, send for me. I'll return."

"Ah, so you expect trouble," Vorrin joked, not quite able to summon the humor into his smile.

She gently took his chin, raising his face to her eyes before withdrawing again. Her eyes appeared almost molten in the sunlight.

"I will be back before you know it."

Vorrin wasn't sure if that was meant as a comfort or a warning, maybe both. It made him feel strange.

He took two long steps back this time, properly distancing himself.

"Well, goodbye then. Bring me back something nice." With that, he turned his back on her, striding back to Button. "I'd like to go back to my room now."

Vorrin allowed the soldier to lead him through the proper exit this time. As they left, he felt the empress's eyes following him.

He did not look back.

Taglist:

@whatiswhump, @aprilraine, @ilovescarletwitch, @conniedensazation, @feedthebirds, @bloodinkandashes

[pretty-purple-pages]

𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓮, 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽'𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭

synopsis: grayson davenport hawthorne is sick. luckily his beloved girlfriend is there to help him.

pairing: grayson x reader (implied f!)

content (genre and warnings): reader's gender is not specified but 'girlfriend' is used once, fluff 100% fluff, banter, sickfic, grayson folds for reader, just grayson getting the love he deserves

word count: 0.5 k

"Gray?", you called out sleepily, half awake, but fully aware of the warm, shirtless body beside you. Grayson's hand was firmly wrapped around your waist, pulling your back even closer to his chest, if that was possible.

"You feel hot", you continued, propping on your elbows to look at his face properly. His normally perfect hair was dishevelled, but he still managed to look perfect. The kind of perfection which gave you butterflies.

"I know you find me hot, darling, but it isn't a reason to break our peaceful slumber in the middle of the night, is it?", Grayson answered, half annoyed, half amused, his voice even deeper than usual. He opened his eyes to look at you properly, running his hand through his hair.

"Not like that!", you gasped, as your cheeks burned red. "I'm saying, I think you have a fever."

"What?", your boyfriend asked with pure confusion painted all over his face. He looked absolutely adorable; it was an extremely rare sight.

"A Hawthorne doesn't get sick", he scoffed, as if you had told a dad joke. He was now fully awake and fully annoyed.

"Being a Hawthorne doesn't mean you're immune to diseases", you countered, exasperated, which was justified due to his utterly ridiculous statement. "Unless your sadistic psychopathic grandpa altered your genes to make you immune. Wouldn't be surprising, actually."

Grayson threw you a look and you rolled your eyes. You put your palm flat on his forehead and flinched back.

"You're burning!", you said, concerned, lines etching on your forehead. You stood up and rummaged through the bed-side table, and retrieved a thermometer with a victorious smile.

"Here", you tossed it to him. "Take your temperature, I'll be right back with some medicine."

You quickly ran and brought the paracetamol with a glass of water. He protested, but swallowed it once you glared at him. Yes, the all feared Grayson Hawthorne folded at your one glance.

"Now rest up", you ordered, getting into bed beside him, sitting up against the headboard. He took your hand and patted his head. You sighed, moving his head onto your lap, running your fingers through his hair, just how he liked it.

"Who would think that Grayson Davenport Hawthorne cannot sleep without his girlfriend playing with his hair", you giggled and he blushed from embarrassment. Oh, how you wanted to snap a picture right there and then, and then trade it with Jameson or Xander for some "Hawthorne gossip".

"Oh shut it", he mumbled as he snuggled closer to you, drifting asleep.

©reyna-obsessed | Not to be reposted, translated or copied on any platform

tags: @reminiscentreader @shuhuaspookie @loife1m @that-multi-fandom-hijabi @moondust-on-the-hijabi

[renstepk]

were meant to be.

but not yet.

[intistone]

dropping my gay idiots who commit crimes here for a bit