#otp: those were the words i always wanted to hear

[avicebro]

for the @nasuversekinkmeme prompt:

With the knowledge that Mikiya is the Ryougi family accountant now, please some boss/employee role play between Shiki/Mikiya

original prompt link here

[oliviaischillin1204]

tickletober day 10- "spidering"

word count: 799

i know no one here knows this series at all and that's ok JDHFDJSK i just love these losers and they're one of my oldest otps from one of my oldest fandoms. CW for pretty crude language, somewhat graphic sex talk (but there is no smut at all), and a couple that insults each other a lot jdhsjshd

"Stop pouting."

"I'm not pouting."

"Yes, you are."

"I'm not."

"Yeah, you are! I can hear it."

That did it; Grif waited patiently as Simmons flipped over in bed to pout at him. "Alright, I'm pouting. This is disgusting."

"It's just an old mattress, Simmons. We've slept in the desert before, on nothing but a bunch of sand, and you're getting pissy over an old mattress?"

Simmons' face went from pouting to incredulously pissed, and he flipped back the blanket they were sleeping under. "There's a fucking blood stain on it!"

Grif leaned up a bit to look at the mattress. "Nah, that's not blood. It's marinara sauce."

"You don't know that! You're just gaslighting me."

"I'm not gaslighting you. I don't even know what that means."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't. You sound crazy."

"You--" Simmons cut himself off, his pout returning with a furious energy. "Don't make fun of me." He flopped back onto the mattress, facing away from Grif. The move might've had a bigger impact if he and Grif weren't spooning in the aforementioned mattress right now.

"Look, I'm sorry I made you stop cleaning and come to bed," Grif tried. "But in my defense, you always make passive aggressive comments about me not helping you clean, so really it was self defense."

"That excuse is trash," Simmons grumbled, shuffling with displeasure under the blanket. "It's bad enough we're living in this old ass base, but whoever last lived here were obviously trash people."

"Obviously."

"I mean--" Simmons waved a hand. "There's weird stains everywhere, and the floors are disgusting with mud, and there's spiderwebs in every nook and cranny--"

"Those aren't spiderwebs," Grif interrupted. "They're just cobwebs."

"How do you know?"

"Uh, 'cause I didn't see any fucking spiders?"

Simmons scowled; Grif knew he wanted to disagree but had no evidence. Still, he said, "Well, there's probably bugs all over this place anyway. Roaches and ants and fucked up alien beetles--"

"Shhh!" Grif said, wrapping his hand around Simmon's mouth despite his boyfriend's protests. "Don't let Donut hear you say that. He'll try to sleep with us again." Bow chicka bow wow.

That was enough to make Simmons go quiet, but he still yanked at Grif's hand for several seconds before pulling it away from his mouth.

"Gross," he muttered, but Grif could hear a poorly-hidden smile in his voice.

"Why didn't you just lick my hand?" Grif asked idly.

"Because I don't know where it's been."

"Wrapped around your dick, usually."

"Then I obviously don't want that in my mouth, dumbass!"

"Well, you've had my dick in your mouth before. And my dick has been in your ass before. So therefore--"

Grif couldn't continue talking before a pillow whapped him in the face. He spluttered.

"Rude!"

He could feel Simmons' shoulders shaking with laughter. "Don't be disgusting, and I won't have to be rude."

Grif narrowed his eyes at the back of Simmons' head. "Oh, really?"

"Yep."

"Hey Simmons, I think you were right." He could feel his boyfriend's confusion mixed with suspicion, but he didn't give Simmons a chance to respond before he repositioned his hand right above his stomach. "There are spiders in here."

And with that, Grif unleashed a flurry of scribbles against Simmons' tummy.

"Shit--!" Simmons burst, throwing his head back and narrowly missing breaking Grif's nose. His hands launched to clamp onto Grif's wrist, but their size different made it laughably easy for Grif to keep on spidering all over the soft skin. "You motherffffff--"

"Can't hear you," Grif said, letting his blunt nails trace delicate patterns across Simmons' skin. Luckily they were both laying on their left sides, meaning that the half of Simmons' body that was robotic was pressed against the mattress, leaving his ticklish human skin open and available for tickles. Grif's nail found a seam between skin and metal, and spent a few seconds scratching along it. Simmons choked.

"Stopstopstopstopstopstop--" he begged, helplessly yanking at Grif's wrist while his panicked laughter fell from his lips. Grif switched from his tummy to his ribs, scraping his nails along the delicate bones that jutted out from his torso.

At this, Simmons gave up on trying to pull Grif's hand away and instead tried to cover up his skin

"Grihihif..." Simmons whined. Even in the dark, Grif knew his skin was turning as red as his hair. His quiet giggles fell from his lips without any hesitation.

"What's wrong? You were right." Grif leaned closer and let his warm breath drift across Simmons' neck. "We've got spiders~"

Simmons couldn't respond anymore. The electric tingles running through his body seemed to have shut his brain off, and he couldn't do anything but squirm and wiggle as Grif teased him with gentle, spidering tickles anywhere he could reach.

[khoicesbyk]

The Royal Romance.

Forevermore.

A/N: this is the next chapter in the journey of my OTP. Follow along for the fun.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 8,500 words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or DM me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @tessa-liam

TW: Murder and violence! READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED! THIS IS YOUR ONLY WARNING!

Chapter 12.) Somber.

A few days after hearing of King Elgin’s unfortunate passing, Marquise found himself sitting in his office holding a drink in his right hand while staring at the recording device he used when King Elgin visited. It never dawned on him that someone who was like a father to him would be gone. Not again. Not since George passed away. 

But here he sat alone in his office deep in his thoughts. He has always known that it is extremely dangerous for a Monarch to show any type of emotion. Yet, he found himself mournful and sad. Elgin was like a father to him. Always encouraging him and oftentimes challenging him. It felt like a small piece of his heart had died when he heard the news. As he stared at the recording device, he wondered why he didn't notice that something was off about His former Majesty. 

Marquise pondered these thoughts further as he watched the single ice cube swirl in the harsh waves of Van Nevarkis in his class. He pressed play and replayed the conversation. Whether it was to hear Elgin’s voice one last time or not, he hadn't decided. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the knock at his office door. 

It was Margo. 

“My King? Are you alright?” she asked as she entered his office. 

“Huh? Yes. I'm alright. What are you doing here?” he replied as he switched off the recording device. 

She sat down at his desk. 

“I was with Her Majesty and the children when she said you were here in your office.” 

Marquise nodded. 

“What brings you here mama?” Marquise asked. 

“I wanted to check on you. I know you’re taking Elgin’s death hard. Even though you're trying to hide how you feel.” she replied, “So how are you doing? How are you feeling?”

Marquise shook his head. 

“Thank you, mama. I am…indescribable.”

“It's okay to grieve, my love. You know this don't you?”

“I know. I just wish I knew he was dying. I would've done more or done as much as I could had I known.” 

Margo reached out and took his hand in hers. 

“My love, while I know why you wish you could have saved him, I'm sure that he was at peace in his final moments. He wanted to see you one last time. He wanted to see you as the King you are. I'm sure he didn't want you to feel sorry for or pity him. That was not the King Elgin we both knew.”

Marquise sighed. 

“I know.”

“Have you spoken to Naya since the news broke?” Margo asked. 

“Yes, I have. I'm scheduled to go visit with her tomorrow,” he replied. 

“How do you feel about that?” 

“It will be awkward, that's for sure. But I have no intention of upsetting her.”

“What about her cousin? Have you spoken to her or her father?”

“Nope. I don���t even know if they've spoken to Naya.”

“I'm sure they've tried. Especially Dante.”

“Yeah, but I doubt she's spoken to Dante. She still holds the same grudge against him that her father did.”

Margo nodded. 

“Does she know about Tariq?”

“Yes. I told her when I spoke to her. She wants to meet with him. And I've arranged that for her. I'm sure she wants to give him a very big piece of her mind.” 

“Do you think she'll ever forgive him?”

“I don’t know for sure but if I had to hazard a guess I’d say no. But stranger things have happened.” 

“This is true. Well, would you like me to accompany you tomorrow when you visit with Naya?” Margo asked. 

“I would like that very much,” he replied. 

“I look forward to accompanying you tomorrow, my King.”

Marquise smiled softly at her. Later that night he found himself in the company of his very pregnant wife.

“I would go with you to visit Naya but I feel like I'm the last person she wants to see right now.”

“I know. That's why I’m glad Mama will be going with me. It'll be good for her to get out and get some fresh air.”

“This is true. Have you spoken to Naya?”

“Yes. She knows I'll be there tomorrow. I have Elgin’s will. It'll be read tomorrow.”

“What about the recording? What are you going to do with it?” Shanelle asked. 

“I have a separate one from the original. I'll give that one to her. So she could hear his voice one last time. I'll release the original after his funeral. I also received a package for his granddaughter.”

“What do you mean?” she asked. 

“It's a bear with his voice recorded on it,” he replied. 

“Like Build A Bear? That’s beautiful. I'm sure she’ll love it.”

“I am too.”

The next day, Marquise and Margo were on their way to visit Naya at her home. As they rode along, Marquiss was quietly lost in his thoughts. 

“Are you alright?” Margo asked. 

“Yes, I’m alright. I think reality is finally starting to set in,” he replied. 

“I know this will be somewhat difficult for you but I am here if you need me.”

Marquise squeezed her hand gently. 

“Thank you, Madam. I'll be okay. Just one second at a time.”

When they arrived at the spacious estate they were greeted by Elgin’s most loyal staff. Many were happy to see that the King, his entourage, and the Monarchy hadn't forgotten about them. They were led to a sunroom where Naya was looking out a window. 

“My Princess, His Majesty is here to see you.” her lead staff Tarlov had announced. When Naya turned around to see Marquise, she smiled softly at him. 

“Your Majesty, his esteemed guests, please be welcomed in my father’s…in my home,” she said softly, “You didn't have to come all this way, Your Majesty. This could've waited for later.” 

“You don't need to stand on formality Naya.”

Naya nodded slowly before taking a seat across from him. When she saw Margo she smiled. 

“Hello, Margo. I'm surprised you’re here.”

“I wanted to be here. For you, for Tarlov, and the staff. You all still have friends and family at the palace.”

“Thank you, Margo. My father would've appreciated you being here.”

Margo nodded. 

“I will always miss my favorite lurching liquor cabinet.”

Naya chuckled.

“Again I thank you for being here. I take it Her Majesty won't be joining?” Naya asks. 

“No, she won't. She sends her love and condolences but she thought it best that she stay with our children today.”

“It's for the best. I'm sure I'll see her at the funeral.”

Marquise cleared his throat. 

“I know that I probably shouldn't ask you this but how are you doing Naya?” he asked. 

“I’m numb. I don’t know what or even how to feel. Papa was really all I had left. I have my daughter of course but other than that Papa was it. And now he's gone. I knew he was dying but I didn't think it would be now.” she replied as her voice hitched. 

He handed her a handkerchief and she nodded respectfully as she took it. 

“Thank you. I've been trying for days to hold it together for my daughter’s sake but every time I look at her I see him. She has his smile. She has my mother’s eyes. I can't help but hope that they are together again and happy.” 

“Again I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a good man and someone I always considered a friend and a mentor. That is why I am honoring tradition and planning his funeral. So that you won't have to worry or trouble yourself.”

“Thank you, Marquise. I wouldn't even know where or even how to begin planning one for him.”

“I also have his will with me. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to read it.”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

Marquise cleared his throat as pulled out King Elgin’s will. 

“It goes as follows, I, King Elgin Elios Laurent, do hereby bequeath all my earthly possessions to my daughter, Princess Naya Elaine Laurent, and my granddaughter Duchess Bernadette Elaine Laurent II. My treasury will be released into the custody of my daughter, with all but a small portion being set aside for my granddaughter for when she turns 16. If my daughter can not fulfill her duties, then all my possessions will go solely to my granddaughter. I also hereby leave my loyal staff a stipend to pay out for the remainder of their service to my family. My palace will be given to my granddaughter when she becomes of age to attend court and my other homes will be given to my daughter. These are my final recorded wishes.” Marquise read aloud. “Now because of his debt, my father froze most of your father’s assets. But here and now, they will be unfrozen and disbursed to you and your daughter following the instructions of King Elgin’s will.” 

Naya took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

“Thank you. I didn't think he could leave us anything.”

“You're welcome. There are just a few more things I want to share with you if you'll allow me to.”

“Yes of course.”

Marquise took a recording device out of his coat pocket. 

“Your father came to see me right before he died. And he had me record this conversation.”

Marquise played the conversation. Naya nodded slowly while holding back tears. 

“He had told me that he was going to see you but he never said why. And now I know. He wanted you to have his support in case…” Naya trailed off. 

“Yes, he did. And I would not ask this if I didn't think it was important. But given that your father had pledged his support to the crown and not your cousin, do you share his pledge?” he asked softly. 

Naya cleared her throat and then nodded. 

“I do. I share his pledge. To honor my father’s final wish, you and Her Majesty have my full support in this challenge.” she replied. 

“Thank you, Princess. I do appreciate your support more than you know.”

Naya smiled softly. 

“There are a few things we do need to discuss. The first being a package I received for your daughter,” he said as he handed her the gift box.

“What is it?” she asked. 

“Open it,” he replied. 

She opened the box and was stunned to see a teddy bear inside. 

“Where did you get this?” she asks. 

“It was delivered to my office two days ago with instructions that I be kind enough to bring it to you. Again it's for your daughter.”

Naya held the bear close and when she squeezed it lightly, a voice began to speak. It was Elgin.

“To my little sun and stars. Grandpa loves you from the crown of your head to the end of your nose. From the pads of your fingers to your twinkly toes.”

Naya was speechless. 

“Princess are you alright?” he asks. 

“Yes. I-I-I didn't know he had done this. He really loved her.” Naya replied. 

“Just as he loved you.”

Naya looked at him with tears in her eyes. 

“Why would you be so kind to me after everything?” she asked. 

“Despite everything, there is still a small part of me that will always care about you. No matter how much I try to hide it or wish it away. You just lost your father Naya. It would be incredibly cruel of me if I didn't show you compassion.”

“I honestly didn't think you'd ever want to be in the same room with me.”

“I don't hate you. I never have and I never will. I can't.”

“Does your wife know this?” 

“Yes, she knows. She knows how I feel about you.”

Naya nodded. 

“That's something at least.”

“Have you spoken to your uncle?” 

“No. He and Makenna and their family have gone on this campaign about how close they were and that they will be making a statement about his passing soon.” she said with disgust, “To think there was a part of me that thought Kenna was nothing like Dante. I was wrong. She's just as bad. They both know damn well that my father wanted nothing to do with Dante. But they're trying to use my father’s death to their advantage.” 

Marquise nodded.  

“Now we do have to discuss your conviction.”

Naya nodded. 

“Okay.”

“Now your current conviction will be vacated but you will be resentenced. Unfortunately, I can't overlook the death of an innocent man. But I do know that the Ethiopian Government has declined to press further charges against you.”

“I understand.”

“Now I will address your conviction after your father’s funeral. And I will make sure that you meet with Tariq.”

“I don’t know that I want to meet with him. But at the same time, I know that I have to. He's been alive this whole time. He set me up. I begged him or his brother or whatever for a divorce. And he or they kept saying no. Kept telling me no. I begged. I swear I begged.”

“I know.”

“I want him to see my face. I want him to hear my anger.”

“One step at a time Naya.”

Naya nodded. Just then Naya’s daughter came into the sunroom followed by one of the guards. 

“Mama!”

“Hi, sweetie. Come say hello to the King.”

The little girl climbed into her mother’s lap and smiled at Marquise.

“Hi!”

“Hello, Duchess! My what a beautiful little girl you are.” 

She noticed the bear next to her mother.

“Mama bear?” she asked, pointing to the bear.

“Yes, sweetie. This is for you. His Majesty brought it to you. It's from Grandpa.” Naya replied as she handed her the bear, “Here. Squeeze here.”

The little girl giggled as she heard her grandfather's voice. 

“Grandpa Angel,” she said happily. 

She hugged the bear tightly and looked at Marquise.

“Can you say thank you?” 

“Thank you.”

Marquise bowed to her. 

“You're very welcome Duchess.”

Just then a man Marquise recognized entered the room. 

“Oh! I'm so sorry Princess. I didn't know that you were hosting. I didn't mean to interrupt.” he said to Naya before bowing to Marquise, “Your Majesty! It is a pleasure to see you.” 

“Lord Benton. It is good to see you as well.”

“Dada!” the little girl said before hopping down from her mom’s lap and running to his arms.

“Hello, my sweet girl. Have you been a good girl today?” he asked her. She nodded enthusiastically, “Good. Come let's go get a snack so your mother can finish hosting.”

Marquise watched as Lord Benton carried Naya’s daughter to the kitchen. 

“Dada?” he asks. 

Naya chuckled sheepishly. 

“Yes. Trevor and I became close when I was living on the Gemmoran border. He's been in her life since I gave birth to her. My father loved him. He's the only father she's ever known. And he's in love with her. He's so amazing with her.” she replied. 

“His father was part of King Edward’s court, correct?” he asked. 

“Yes. His father Duke Timothy was part of his court but they had a falling out before Edward lost his kingdom.” Naya replied.

Marquise noticed the look on her face. 

“What is it Naya?” he asks. 

“Trevor asked me to marry him but I can't marry him because of the deal I accepted. I am the property of the Monarchy. I am forbidden to marry anyone. But I want to marry him.” Naya replied. 

Marquise nodded. 

“Do you love him?” he asked. 

“Yes. I do. I didn't think I would but I do. He's so gentle. And he loves me and my daughter. I can't imagine what my life would be like without him.” she replied. 

“Then my wife and I won't stand in your way. While the deal you signed can not be reversed, I will allow you to go ahead and marry him if you love him.”

“You mean it?” Naya asked hopefully. 

“Yes. I will speak with Her Majesty but yes go get married. Secure your daughter’s future. And when you are married you will have the option to change her last name to his if that is what you choose to do.”

Naya sighed in relief. 

“Thank you so much.”

“Speaking of your daughter, does Edward know about her?” he asked. 

“Yes. But he wants nothing to do with either of us. I reached out multiple times while I was pregnant but he's done nothing but shun us. Even my father tried to reach out but Genevieve all but bit his head off and threatened him. So I never reached out again. As I said, Trevor is the only father Bernadette knows. I don't have it in me to tell her the painful truth.” she replied.

Marquise nodded. 

“I understand.” 

Naya cleared her throat. 

“I don’t know if I have the right to ask you this but at my father’s funeral, will you walk in with me?” she asked. 

“It would be my honor to walk in with you,” he replied.  

“Thank you. I appreciate you and Margo coming to see me. But I think it's time that I retire for the day. Thank you again for everything.” 

She took a chance and hugged him. 

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that.”

He placed a small kiss on the top of her head. 

“Don’t worry about it. Go be with your daughter. I will see you in a few days.”

Naya nodded before she went to be with her family and His Majesty and those with him left. Once His Majesty and Margo arrived back at the palace, they were greeted by his wife and children. 

“Daddy!” The twins said as they ran up to him. 

“There’s my boys. Were you both good while I was gone?” He asked them. They both nodded. 

“Did you have a good visit with Princess Naya, Daddy?” Khari asked. 

“I did. I gave her the bear her father ordered for her daughter.” He replied. 

“I hope she liked it. It was very pretty.”

“I think she did.”

Marquise looked at his wife who smiled softly.

“Come on you three. Daddy probably needs a little bit of rest.” She said as she herded their children. 

Later that night Shanelle joined her husband with a cup of tea while he nursed a whiskey neat.

“How are you feeling?” She asked him. 

“I’m processing…everything.” He replied. 

“Are you sure you’re ready?”

“I don’t know that I have a choice not to be.”

Shanelle nodded. 

“How is Naya doing?” 

“As good as can be expected. I found out that she's engaged.”

“Really?”

“Mmmhmm. You don't know her fiance Lord Trevor Benton. He works in the Prime Minister’s Office, but his father Duke Timothy was a member of Edward’s court back in the day.”

“Maybe my dad might know his father.”

“Probably. According to Naya, they've been close since she gave birth and he asked her to marry him but she couldn't because of the deal she made to become property of the Monarchy. At least not at first.” 

“What do you mean?”

“I told her that we wouldn't stand in her way and that she is free to marry him if she chooses to.” 

Shanelle nodded.

“Good. Because despite our very complicated history, I don't wish her any harm. If he makes her happy then I won't stop her from being happy. As far as the deal is concerned, while it will always be active I don't see the need to impose it. Naya has gone through enough. She just wants to live in peace and have a family. I won't compound what she's going through by forcing her to comply with the deal. If she's happy with him then I want that for her.”

“According to her, he is. And he's the only father her daughter knows.”

“He is? What about Edward?”

Marquise shook his head. 

“According to Naya she tried to reach out but he never responded and when her father tried to, Genevieve threatened him. I don’t know if he knows about her daughter. Then again I don't think Naya wants him to know.” 

“I’ll speak with Edwin. That innocent little girl is part of our family and subsequently so is her mother. As weird as it is for me to admit that.”

“What is your plan?” he asked. 

Shanelle took a thoughtful sip of her tea. 

“You are to write and enact the following order, I want her and her mother placed under the Monarchy’s protection. Because I don't trust Edward or Genevieve to not try to come after her or Naya. By the time she is old enough to come to court, she will be in the same social season as the boys. By then Edward will hopefully be dead.” she replied. 

Marquise nodded. 

“It will be written and signed in the morning, my Queen.”

“Good. Now when is Elgin’s funeral?”

“In two days.”

“Are you ready?” 

Marquise nodded before taking a sip of his drink. 

“I have no choice not to be.” 

“I'll ask Daddy if he’ll go with us.”

“Okay.”

On the day of King Elgin’s funeral, there was a somber feeling in the air for His Majesty as he got ready. Once he was ready, he, Shanelle, and her father left for St. Angelina Basilica. When they arrived, they met with Naya, her daughter, and Lord Trevor.  

“Your Majesties, Your Highness. Good morning. Thank you for joining us today.” he said in greeting. 

“Thank you, milord.” Shanelle replied before smiling softly at Naya, “Good morning Princess.”

“Good…morning Your Majesty. Thank you for coming today. Thank you for sending me flowers and for the tea set for my daughter yesterday. They were beautiful.”

“You're welcome. The tea set was our children’s idea. They thought that your daughter would like it. Well, more so our daughter did. I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know your father well but I do know that he was a good man, a good King, a good father, and a good grandfather.”

Naya smiled at her as her daughter yawned and then smiled sleepily.

“Hello, sweetheart. You are very pretty.” Shanelle said to the smiling little girl.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your kindness means a lot to me.” 

“How are you feeling?” Shanelle asked. 

Naya paused before answering. 

“I am trying to hold it together. But I don't know if I can. I don't know how to do this.” she replied. 

That's when Shanelle wrapped her in a soft hug. That caused Naya to break down into tears in her arms. 

“I know you’re hurt and you’re heartbroken. But I promise you it will be alright.”

Naya pulled back and took a shaky breath. 

“Why would you be so kind to me after everything I've put you through?” Naya asked. 

“Because you've been through enough. This is your chance to start fresh. To have a new life. Filled with love. You have a daughter now. It's no longer just about you. It's about her. And I know you'll do everything for her. In the same way, I will do anything for my children. So now take that chance and go be happy.” Shanelle replied. 

Naya nodded gratefully. 

“I owe you the biggest apology. I will never be able to say I’m sorry enough to you. I was spiteful, evil, bitter, and extremely jealous of you. And you did nothing to deserve any of it from me. So for that, I wholeheartedly apologize for my behavior, Your Majesty.” 

“Consider it water under the bridge now.”

Naya cleared her throat. 

“I don’t know if His Majesty told you but I share my father’s pledged support to you and him in this challenge.”

Shanelle nodded. 

“Thank you, Princess. And I have something for you.” Shanelle as she nodded beyond Naya’s shoulder. 

When Naya turned around Edwin and the rest of his siblings were walking up. 

“What is all of this?” Naya asks. 

Edwin cleared his throat. 

“This is your new family,” he replied. 

“I don't understand Edwin.”

“Let me explain. I know my father wants nothing to do with you and your very beautiful daughter. And I am extremely sorry and embarrassed by that. You deserve to have a family’s love and so does Bernadette. And after discussing it with my siblings, here we are. Your daughter is one of us. And the one thing the Miller clan always does, is we always take care of our own. If you'll have us.” 

Naya was speechless. 

“But why Edwin? Why would you all rally behind me?”

Edwin smiled softly before taking her hand in his. 

“I know our marriage was doomed from the start but I do wish you all the happiness in the world. Trevor is an amazing man and will take very good care of you and your daughter. I do not doubt that. All we’re asking is for a chance to care for our little sister. To show her that she is loved and protected.”

Naya smiled tearily at Edwin. 

“You're right we were doomed but we tried to make it work even after it all fell apart. Because of your kindness, I do accept your offer. Thank you all for caring for me and my daughter. Thank you for including us in your family.”

Naya turned back to Shanelle. 

“And thank you, Shanelle. I know you had something to do with this.”

Shanelle shrugged innocently.

“I know I don’t have the right to ask this of you Shanelle, but one of my father’s favorite songs was Ava Maria. And I wanted to know if you’d do me the honor of singing it today.”

“I’d be honored to sing today.”

Naya nodded appreciatively.

“I was wrong about you. I can only hope you can one day forgive me.” 

“Of course, I can. Today is about new beginnings. So take this new beginning. I’ll see you all inside.” Shanelle said to Naya before she and her father made their way inside the cathedral. Once inside Shanelle and Damien ran straight into Lady Makenna and her family. 

“Take a deep breath.” her father whispered to her, “this is for the Princess, not them.”

“I know Daddy.” 

Lady Makenna raised an eyebrow at Shanelle.

“Why are you here?” She asked Shanelle. 

“I’m here because I am the Queen Of Cordonia. And tradition dictates that I be here. I am here in support of Princess Naya in her time of mourning. Not that I need to explain myself to you.” Shanelle replied. 

Makenna rolled her eyes. 

“Oh please! You don’t even like my cousin. So why are you here?”

“I’ve already told you.”

“So where is your husband? Cowering in a corner?” Lady Makenna asks. 

Shanelle set her jaw after feeling her father gently give her arm a squeeze.

“Her Highness asked him to walk in with her. So he’s with her waiting for King Elgin’s casket to arrive.” Shanelle replied. 

Just then Edwin and his siblings walked in. 

“Why are they here?” Makenna asks. 

“They’re here for their sister and her mother,” Shanelle replied. 

“Naya’s daughter is not their sister!” Makenna hissed. 

“You know what? I’m not about to do this with you. Not today. I am not about to let you turn your cousin’s day of mourning into a circus in your favor.” Shanelle said to her as she and her father tried to make their leave. 

“I’m trying to turn this into a circus?! The whole world knows you can't even stand my cousin! My family and I are actually here to support her. You’re just here to save face!” Makenna hissed at her, “If you expect any of us to believe that you, of all the people in this kingdom, actually care about Naya, think again!”

That’s when Shanelle lost her patience. 

“Lady Makenna will you please shut the fuck up?!”

“Excuse me?! How dare you talk to me like that!” 

“You heard me loud and clear. Today is not about you! It’s certainly not about your father! It is about that poor innocent woman outside who is barely holding it together as we speak! She just lost her father! And rather than just let her mourn, you want to turn this day into a media circus for your cause! Today is not about you! It’s not about your father and his very fractured relationship with King Elgin. It’s about Naya! I would think that you, her cousin, would at least have remembered that!” 

Makenna looked at Shanelle indignantly. Prince Dante cleared his throat before addressing Damien. 

“It’s good to see you, Damien. I’m surprised you’re here.”

“I did grow up with Bernie. She was a dear friend and classmate. I owe it to her to be here for her daughter.”

“You didn't know my brother all that well did you?” Dante asked. 

“Not as well as I should have. But I did know that he was a good husband to Bernie and a great father to his daughter.”

“Yes, he was. He was a good King.” 

“I believe you. While I don’t remember much of your brother’s reign as King, I do however remember your father Elios and his reign as King.”

Dante raised an eyebrow at Damien. 

“My father was no different than King Dominic. The same as I am no different than you.”

“This is true our fathers were no different. But you and I are night and day.”

“How is that? Both of our older brothers became King. While we remain as Princes.” Dante asked. 

“While our brothers did indeed become the Kings, the difference between us is that I didn’t cost my brother his kingdom,” Damien replied. 

Shanelle quietly snickered. 

“If you’ll excuse us. It’s time we took our seats. Be well, everyone.” Damien said to the group, before leading Shanelle to their seats. 

As they took their seats, the organist began to play the funeral march. The doors opened to King Elgin’s casket being carried in by pallbearers with Naya walking behind it holding her sleeping daughter. Walking behind her was Lord Trevor on her right and Marquise on her left. Shanelle joined the group just as the casket was placed at the altar. The casket was draped in the Cordonian National Flag featuring the Royal Crest. 

The funeral got underway. With many celebrating the life and legacy of His former Majesty. Many were impressed with Shanelle’s singing of Ava Maria. Though there were tears, there were also laughs. Many recalled Elgin’s wicked sense of humor, his love for his family, his affinity for chess, a good debate, ballroom dancing, and good liquor. 

When it came time for the eulogy, His Majesty stepped to the altar and took a deep breath before looking out onto the gathered crowd. 

“I will try to keep this as short as possible. I began writing this eulogy the day I heard the news of His Majesty’s passing. To be honest, I never thought I would ever have to give a eulogy to one of the last Great Kings Of Cordonia but I find myself here in this very somber moment. Elgin was a good friend and a steady mentor to me. He always encouraged me to be a better King than my predecessors before me. He challenged me when he thought I was not doing good enough or hard enough. He celebrated with me whenever I accomplished a goal. He was a man of faith. Always believing in God. He was a man of great conviction. Even after losing his kingdom, his conviction remained strong. He was a dedicated servant of his people. Always remaining headstrong. He was a family man. He treasured his wife. He adored his daughter. And would give the world to his granddaughter if he had the power to do so. That is a man to admire. A man to respect. A man to aspire to be. I will always remember His Majesty fondly. I will always keep in mind the wisdom he imparted to me. I will always cherish the friendship we shared.”

Marquise looked at Naya and smiled softly. 

“To his beautiful daughter, you and I have quite the history together. But just know that I send you and your daughter all my love. Your father was indeed a very formidable man. But to those he loved, he was a gentle giant. And I hope you both know how much he loved you. How much he would do any and everything for you. Just to see those beautiful smiles. Naya, you mentioned a few days ago when we spoke that you hoped your parents were reunited, I hope that as well. I know how much he loved and missed your mother. And I hope you know that His Majesty King Elgin Elios Laurent will always be known as The Last Great King Of Cordonia.” 

When he stepped off the altar he was greeted by a hug from Naya. 

“Thank you for everything. I don’t know why you've chosen to be so kind to me but I appreciate it,” she whispered to him. 

“I don't hate you. I never will. And if you ever need me I will always be here.” he whispered back. 

As His Majesty took his seat, Prince Dante stood up and walked up to his brother’s casket fighting back tears. After whispering a prayer and resting a hand on the top of the casket he turned to face the crowd. 

“If you all will indulge me for just a moment. I promise not to take too long,” he said to the crowd before looking at Naya, who refused to make eye contact with him, “To my niece, I know that you…that you hate me. And even I can admit that you have every right to as did your father but I want you to know that I still love you. As I always loved him. I made a terrible mistake. I made a bet that cost our family dearly. And I have regretted that mistake every day since. I will always regret how my selfish ways cost me my relationship with Elgin. I will live with that shame for the rest of my life. As many have said today, my brother was a good man. And a great King. And the day you were born, was the greatest day of his life. His greatest accomplishment was being a King we all could be proud of. And I was proud. I have always been proud of him. And if I could take back what I did, God knows I would. I never would have made that idiotic bet. I never would have done anything to cost him everything. And I can only pray that you'll forgive me.”

Naya took a deep breath before walking to where her uncle was standing. After a brief moment of looking at her father’s casket, she turned to Dante who had his arms open to her. And instead of hugging him, she slapped him. Stunning everyone in the room. 

“You think one little pathetic pity-filled speech is going to erase all you've done?! All that you cost my father?! All you've cost our family?! You decide now is the time to make amends?! YOU HAVE HAD YEARS TO MAKE AMENDS AND YOU ACTIVELY CHOSE NOT TO! For days you and your family have done nothing but use my father's death as a political stunt to make Makenna and her husband look better!” 

Naya was shaking with rage with Trevor standing behind her. 

“Do you even know why he hated you? I bet you don't even remember now. He hated you because when he begged you to tell him the truth about the bet you lost, you chose your own self-centered cowardice and lied to him! It took King Constantine telling him what you had done for you to finally confess. He hated you because when he begged you for help to fight to keep our kingdom and family fortune, you turned your back on him! You took what little treasury Constantine let you keep and abandoned my father. He hated you because when he reached out because he needed a kidney all he asked was for you to get tested. That's it. That's all he asked. And what did you do? You and the no-good golddigger you married decided you and your family couldn't be bothered! That's why he hated you. He hated you because when he needed you most when he still needed his brother…when he needed you, someone he still considered his family…you were nowhere to be found!”

Naya took a shaky breath. 

“One of the last things my father did before he died was have an audience with His Majesty. And in that audience, he pledged his support to The Crown and Their Majesties in Makenna’s challenge for the crown. And here today, I honor my father’s final wish and pledge the same support to Their Majesties. I will stand with The Crown. I stand at His Majesty’s side. So when this challenge is all said and done, I will sit back and watch as you lose…again!” she hissed at him. 

Shanelle glanced back to see the paparazzi snapping photos and whispering fiercely before she whispered to her husband. 

“Wow! And here I thought her always being pissed at me was bad.”

“Her father never forgave him and now we all know neither will she,” he whispered back. 

When Marquise looked over at Lady Makenna, he gave her a smug smirk and wink. Everyone followed Naya and her family out of the church to the waiting hearse then left for the family mausoleum. After a small repast, The Royal Couple was back at home after an eventful day.

“Well, today was quite a day,” Shanelle said to her husband. 

“Indeed. I haven't seen Naya that angry in years. And I've literally known her my entire life.”

“Does she really hate him?” Shanelle asks. 

“Hate is a pretty strong word. I don't know if she truly hates him. I know her father did. I think she's angry and she's hurt and she lashed out at him because much like Elgin she blames him for the fall of her father’s kingdom.” Marquise replied. 

Shanelle nodded. 

“She looked exhausted when we left.”

“I'm sure she was. And with the press covering the funeral, I'm sure she just wanted the day to be over.”

Shanelle scoffed. 

“Y’know Lady Makenna accused us of attending King Elgin’s funeral to save face. But after the way Naya ripped into her uncle, I have a feeling they'll be the ones doing damage control.” 

“Damage control will have to wait until after the inquiry.” 

“You still want to go through with it?” Shanelle asked. 

“Oh yes. They requested it and we've put it off long enough. So get ready. The inquiry is on Monday.” Marquise replied.  

“I will set my calendar.” 

That following Monday morning, Their Majesties made their way down to the dungeons. When they got there, they were led to a small conference room and were greeted by Lord and Lady Gallagher and the head of the dungeons, Viscount Hammond Durand. 

“Good morning Your Majesties. It is good to see both,” he said in greeting. 

“Good morning to you Viscount Durand. It is good to be here this morning.” Marquise replied. 

“Indeed. And now that you and Her Majesty are here, we can begin the inquiry into the death of one Anton Severus. So everyone please be seated.” Viscount Durand announced, “Now everyone has been given a copy of Mr. Severus’s autopsy as well as copies of the photos taken by guards after his body was discovered. Listed on the autopsy report is the confirmed time of body discovery, an official cause of death, and the recorded time of death.”

“Thank you, Viscount,” Marquise replied. 

As the inquiry carried on, many of the guards were questioned about their whereabouts and whether any of them had any grudges against Anton. Then came time to speak to the inmates. Many were interviewed and many said they kept their distance from Anton. Many spoke about how uncomfortable they were with Anton’s incessant rants against the Monarchy and how he wanted it to fall and many were annoyed about how much he constantly worried about his aunt and her health. But all inmates interviewed admitted they had nothing to do with Anton’s death. After a small lunch break, it was down to the last two inmate interviews. 

“Is it over yet?” Shanelle whispered to her husband. 

“It will be as soon as we interview the last two inmates.” He replied. 

“Who?” She asked. 

As soon as Shanelle asked him, Lucretia Nevrakis and Claudius Castiglione were led into the room. 

“You have got to be kidding me.” Shanelle hissed under her breath. 

Marquise raised an eyebrow. 

“I am looking forward to this,” Marquise replied to his wife. 

“Good afternoon to you both. Please be seated so we can proceed.” Viscount Durand said to Lucretia and Claudius. After they were seated the questioning began. 

“Well well well…I see she's pregnant again. Well, felicitations to you both. Hopefully, this baby will end you two once and for all.” Lucretia said to the couple. 

Shanelle remained silent while Marquise cocked his head to the side. 

“How long do we have to be here?” Claudius asked. 

“Until all our questions are answered,” Marquise replied. 

“Oh really? What if we have nothing to say?” Lucretia asks. 

“You may not but I’m sure your fellow cellmate does,” Marquise replied. 

“You're right. I do. All these years later I still hate you both! I want you both dead!” Claudius seethed. “This kingdom deserves new leadership and that new leadership is Lord and Lady Gallagher. I support their campaign for the throne.” 

“And what about you Lucretia? Do you share that sentiment?” Marquise asked.

“Of course. Ruining you is my life’s mission.” Lucretia replied. 

“Thank you Lucretia and thank you, Claudius. We appreciate your support.” Lord Gallagher said to them, “Your continued loyalty to The Sons Of Earth is commendable.”

Marquise tapped his chin. 

“Claudius, tell me about your relationship with Anton?” Marquise asked. 

“Not that it's any of your business but we were brothers in arms. We believe that the Monarchy is corrupt and should be abolished and your family should be cast out of Cordonia or better yet killed entirely! Including your children!” Claudius sneered in response. 

Marquise shrugged. 

“Do you have a question, Your Majesty?” Lady Gallagher asked Marquise. 

“I do indeed. Tell me Claudius, how long were you and Anton lovers?” Marquise asked. 

That question stunned the room. Claudius just stared at Marquise. 

“Are you not going to answer?” Marquise asks. 

“How did you?” Claudius replied. 

“No need to feign shock, Cladius. I've known for years that you two were lovers. While you both did your best to hide it.” Marquise replied.

“You don't know what you’re talking about!” Claudius spat at Marquise. 

“You forget Claudius, I am the King. And as said King, there isn't anything you or anyone in this kingdom can hide from me. Because I always find out. One way or another. Now I could be a better King and share what I learn with my wife but given her current state of pregnancy, I feel it best not to burden her with so much stress. But I digress, I also know your intimate relationship is why you hated Anton’s aunt so much. Because he began to care about someone and something who wasn't you or your cause.”

“Wow! Oh my God!” Shanelle whispered. 

“Cat got your tongue, my good man?” Marquise asked Claudius who sat quietly fuming, “Now that I have your attention, perhaps you and Lucretia would like to tell us about the meeting you two had with Lady Gallagher’s father the day before their ill-fated Welcome Ball.” 

Lucretia blinked at him. 

“I-I-I don’t know what you're talking about,” Lucretia said hastily.

“Neither do I!” Claudius agreed. 

“Oh no? You see the guards alerted me a few weeks ago that you both had requested two separate yet odd doctor appointments in Dalevandon. So imagine my surprise when neither of you were at said doctor's appointments you requested but instead, you were meeting with Prince Dante at one of my favorite bakeries in the area.” 

“What are you talking about Marquise?” Lady Makenna asks. 

Marquise reached into his pocket and pulled out a small recording device before opening the folder in front of him revealing several photos. He pressed the play button, playing a recorded 45-minute conversation between Prince Dante, Claudius, and Lucretia.

“That is what I’m talking about, Makenna. Because you see that conversation can easily be a charge of treason for your father.” Marquise replied, before turning his attention to Claudius and Lucretia, “So why would you two lie about needing to go see doctors? And remember lying to me is never the correct answer.”

Claudius and Lucretia looked at each other before Lucretia spoke. 

“His Highness was gracious enough to inform us that when his daughter and son-in-law win, not only will our sentences be commuted but I will be named the new Head of House Nevrakis and the new leader of Lythikos, and Claudius here would be free to resurrect The Sons Of Earth. Preferably in Her Majesty’s old palace.” 

“And when I resurrect The Sons Of Earth, I’ll take your children and use them as my slaves!” Claudius hissed. 

Marquise nodded while Shanelle silently fumed. 

“Commuted sentences and political favors. Those are very lofty dreams for your father to sell, Kenna.” Marquise said to Lady Makenna, “Very lofty dreams indeed. And quite treasonous I might add. Especially for you Claudius. To say you'd turn my children into your slaves. You must really believe that my wife and I will lose.”

“Yes, I do. And when you lose, I'll be the one to kill you before I kill her!” Claudius hissed while pointing at Shanelle, “And just because I will be able to, I'll even be the one to deflower that precious little princess of yours before I sell her out to the highest bidder!”

“And what a marvelous day that will be,” Lucretia added. 

“I've heard enough,” Shanelle said to her husband. 

Marquise cleared his throat. 

“Well, there went my attempt to change your minds. I just have one more question, do either of you know that there are signed death warrants with your names on them?” Marquise asked. 

Lucretia and Claudius looked at each other. 

“Yes, we know about them. You signed them after we were convicted and sentenced.” Lucretia replied. 

“You remember how they work don't you?” Marquise asked. 

“Yes. A signed death warrant is only active as long as the Monarch who issued it is alive. But once you lose they'll be null and void.” Lucretia replied. 

“And we’ll be free!” Claudius spoke up. 

“Well, that's one part of it,” Marquise said as he stood up and helped Shanelle to her feet.

“What are you talking about Marquise?” Lord Gallagher asks. 

The Royal Couple stopped at the door. 

“First of all, it’s Your Majesty. Not that you need to be reminded of that. And if you must know, I'm talking about the death warrants. While Lucretia is right, the death warrants are only active as long as I am alive.” Marquise replied. 

“Which won't be for very much longer.” Lucretia sneered. 

“She failed to mention the one caveat about them.” Marquise quipped. 

“What caveat?” Lady Makenna asked. 

With a slight nod from the King, two guards stepped up, one plunged their sword into the chest of Claudius and the other used theirs to slit Lucretia’s throat. Killing them both. 

“She failed to mention that a death warrant is not only active as long as I’m alive but it can be carried out at any point per the Monarch’s discretion. Even now.” Marquise replied, “And now Lucretia gets to be the first woman executed on Cordonian soil in over 300 years.” 

“My God! You are barbaric!” Lord Gallagher yelled at Marquise. 

Marquise menacingly loomed over Lord Gallagher.

“Correction: I am the King, who's slowly losing his patience with the two of you.” Marquise sneered before turning back to his wife, “Now I do believe this inquiry into Anton Severus’s death is over.”

“You're doing nothing but proving that we’re right!” Lady Makenna sneered at him. 

That's when Marquise’s phone buzzed.

“What’s this?” Marquise asked as he read the headline, “Prince Dante Laurent arrested for treason. My my! How unfortunate.”

“Treason?! You can't do that!” Lady Makenna exclaimed. 

“I guess we’ll see won't we, my Lady? Now have a day you both deserve.” Marquise said to her. 

With that, Their Majesties walked out of the conference room. Once outside Shanelle let a breath she’s been holding in. 

“Are you alright?” Marquise asked her. 

“Yes, I'm fine, or at least I will be. All thanks to the anti-nausea medication I took,” Shanelle replied. 

“I’m sorry you had to see all that.”

“I didn't. I closed my eyes. But I’m not sorry about it. I'm glad they're both dead. Especially after what that son of a bitch said about our children. Especially Khari.”

“I should've had them executed years ago but I saw no point until now.”

“I understand. We had better things to do. Now I do have a question, when did you leak the evidence to the CBC?” Shanelle asked.

“I didn't. Naya did. She received it on the day of Elgin’s funeral and she sent copies of what she received to the press and to my office.” Marquise replied. 

“Wow! So she sold him out.”

“Actually her father did. He was the one having his brother tailed. So I guess you can consider this as his one final fuck you to Dante.” 

Shanelle nodded. 

“So what happens now?” Shanelle asks. 

“Since the arrest warrant for treason was issued for Dante, he will be held until I figure out what to do with him,” Marquise replied. 

“Can you really do that?” Shanelle asked as they started to walk down the hall to the elevator. 

“Of course. I have evidence of treason. I can have Prince Dante held for the duration of this challenge if I choose to do so.” he replied.

Shanelle nodded before she glanced back down the hall. 

“Then I say you should keep him locked up until all of this foolishness with his daughter and son-in-law is finally over. Oh! And while you’re at it, have him under a strict no-visitors policy. Outside of his legal counsel. That should make Lady Makenna squirm enough.” 

Marquise chuckled before he kissed the back of her left hand as they entered the elevator. 

“By your command, my Queen.”

Once inside the elevator, Marquise’s phone buzzed again. This time with a link. 

“What is it?” Shanelle asked.

When Marquise opened the link, it opened to a press conference. 

“Hello everyone. My name is Lord Tariq Sauvageon. And I am here today to tell the world that not only am I alive but I am also here to tell my story to the world.”

Shanelle exhaled slowly. 

“Well, this oughta be good.” Shanelle said to her husband. 

“Indeed.”

“What do you think he's gonna say?” she asked. 

“Whatever it is he's about to say, it better be good enough to save him and his family’s all but ruined reputation,” Marquise replied. 

[shinakazami1]

Pssst pssst ..Nisha is unbreakable..but do try 💜

OMG HI HI HELLO JWUZNRNZHDHSH OH GOSH I HOPE I'LL DO THE GIRL JUSTICE since I only know canon and hadn't played as her so I hope my experience with her in BL2 and what I know from Pre sequel, some content and wiki will be enough

How I feel about this character

I might die on this hill but a lot of female characters in Borderlands franchise are well written. Or at least, are enjoyable.

Nisha is such a great character. She's chill, she seems to just go with the flow of any situation, and she also seems driven by her own pleasure. No wonder she ended up with Jack, they both understand that. And I think she sees him, as the fun giver and a pathetic man does resemble to me a bit Nisha and Timothy relation. Here, however - it's the first one today I can describe as an actually working relation.

Morality in Borderlands universe always has been skewed. She killed a puppy just cause. She is very proud of being Jack's gf. And he respects her.

Her abusive upbringing caused her to need to cope with... Not caring. Just letting things go but also, build her strengths. Reflexes, looks, the way she talks, it all shows how much he had to fight through her life. And as always in this universe - it turned her to some degree into a lovable asshole.

I feel it's no coincidence she killed Brick's dog, after she had to do so with hers. I wonder how much goes in her head. If she even questions anything, or decided it was not worth a long time ago.

All the people I ship romantically with this character

J-Jack,, (describes more in the answer above)

My non-romantic OTP for this character

I want more canon interactions between her and Timothy or other doppelgangers. I need it.

My unpopular opinion about this character

Too little screen time. I need to know more about her. *sobs*

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

Her and Jack's phone call. I want to hear how they talked behind the doors. I feel those were intimate talks. Not just sexually.

I think they both shared themselves in ways no-one else knew, even without words.

[seigephoenix]

for dadwc: Max Amell x Morrigan + "I hate the Deep Roads." "You're the one who dragged us here." "Doesn't make what I said any less true."

-inquisimer

I love these two so much. For @dadrunkwriting Max and Morrigan are my OTP from Origins. Serena Tabris was my second and Elaina was my third. I'm weak for the sassy goth girls. And apparently so is Max.

Content Warning: some sad mentions of Circle life but otherwise just some flirting going on. Awkward flirting.

“We’re lost…  Again.”  Zevran informed the group after they passed the same stalagmite for the fifth time.  Max wanted to groan in frustration.  Alistair, Zevran, and Morrigan were the ones who accompanied him into the Deep Roads, they’d left Oghren behind at their camp for this portion of the Deep Roads.  Max honestly couldn’t stomach hearing him bitching about Branka again.

“Are we sure these maps are accurate?” Alistair asked as he looked over Zevran’s shoulder at them.  Max held the light at the end of his staff for them to study the damned paper.  He hated the Deep Roads, but not because of the cramped quarters or the darkspawn.  Max hated the Deep Roads because he had a deplorable sense of direction.  He would get lost in the Circle, why did he think he stood a chance against the spans of underground highway the dwarves built?

“I hate the Deep Roads,” Max groaned as Zevran and Alistair told them to stay put while they went to see if a tunnel would pan out to be an exit for them.  Morrigan stood next to him as he complained.

“Are you not the one who dragged us down here?”  He turned to look at her and huffed in annoyance.  She merely watched him with that steady glare that never failed to make his blood run hot.  She did it on purpose too, he just knew it.  He glared before turning back towards the tunnel Zevran and Alistair disappeared down.

“Doesn’t make what I said any less true.  If we didn’t need to find Branka and this stupid Anvil, we wouldn’t be down here.”  Max crossed his arms and leaned his head to the side.

“Poor thing.  Scared of the dark, are you?” Morrigan teased as he sent her an exasperated look.

“I can handle the dark.  I practically grew up in the Circle after all, the children’s wing wasn’t the most well supplied area of the damned place.” Morrigan looked surprised at his admittance.  Granted, he didn’t share much of his life at the Circle with any of them, only Alistair would have some inkling about what Circle life was like.  “It’s the going in bleeding circles I can’t stand.”

“Well, perhaps one with more directional sense should lead.”  Max waved his hand as if to say go ahead.  “I do not need to be sassed.”

“I don’t recall saying a word,” he retorted and she merely regarded him carefully.

“You did not need to.  You are quite easy to read, did you know that?  You wear your thoughts on your face.  Tis why you always lose when Zevran or Leliana ask you to place that card game they love.”  Max grabbed his cheeks in stunned silence.  “Has no one told you?  Of course not, how else would they win those sovereigns off of you.  I told you because I know what you’re thinking when I’m looking at you.”  Max felt the flush rising up in his cheeks and turned his head before she could see.  “You do have an adorable blush.”  With that she heard the other two approaching, leaving Max standing there his mouth agape at her words.

[thewarriorspecial]

It's All Good

*Archive Edition* Previously only linked to AO3, full work now available under the cut.

Read on AO3

Rating: Explicit | Guy Gardner/Kyle Rayner

Additional Tags: Friends With Benefits, Booty Calls, Spanking, Aftercare, Aromantic Guy

Kyle badly wants to indulge a kink he's shy about. Guy's an old friend and he doesn't get tied up in strings. Guy's just the right guy to take care of Kyle.

(I couldn't sleep because I'm having surgery in the morning and I'm freaked out so enjoy some coping via otp! Cotping? Is that good? Did I do a funny? Gonna try to sleep again. Hope this is good!)

“I mean, I don’t…I don’t do this very often.” Kyle says into the phone, palm pressed to his forehead like he can somehow keep the embarrassment he feels from waterfalling out. He can’t believe he’s hitting up his best friend for a booty call. This is some kind of new low.

“You don’t have to justify anything with me, kid,” Guy’s voice crackles through the speaker.

Kid. Kyle loves and hates how that makes him feel all at once.

“We’ll still be cool, right? Like, nothings gonna change between us?”

“I dunno, you might fall in love with me,” Guy laughs.

“You know what I mean,” Kyle hisses and Guy can feel the kid rolling his eyes.

“I know. I do. We’re good.” Silence from the other end. Just Kyle’s shaky breathing. “So.” Guy’s voice rumbles, low and hot, “Tell me what you like.”

“I don’t know. I just—“ Kyle sighs.

“There’s no one here but us. You know I’ll be good to you. I won’t tell anybody shit. Just talk to me, honey.”

“I know. I know I—I trust you.”

“Good, good.”

“Well, something I like is, um. It’s—I don’t get to very often. I mean, I don’t really bring it up. I get enough shit, you know?”

“Go ahead.”

“I just…it’s just…This is hard, you know!”

“So am I.” The rustle of clothes that accompanies Kyle’s shy laugh tells Guy the kid is covering his eyes. Judging by the subtle creak in the background, he’s flailing all over his bed—probably threw one of his arms over his face. A real pretty picture. “Buddy, if you don’t tell me soon I’m gonna start guessing and I’m definitely gettin’ started without you.”

Kyle’s laugh is far away and muffled this time. He pulled the phone away from his covered face as he was wracked with involuntary, embarrassed giggling. His breath is faster and louder when he puts the receiver to his ear again. “Really?” He breathes.

“Oh really. Very, actually. I’m proud’a myself for keeping my hands to myself all those years you lived with me.”

“Yeah?” It’s so soft Guy barely hears it.

Of course the twelve on the other end of the line is fretting about being a six. Typical. “You’re hot. Period. I’ve always wanted to play with you.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?!” Kyle’s voice gets embarrassingly high and he thinks his eyes might bug out of his head. 

“I was sure you were straight.”

“I mean, I am. I love women. I still date women.”

“So do I.” Comes the easy, breezy reply.

The sigh that rushes out of Kyle’s nose is both amused and relieved; Guy remembers the sound. “That’s what I like about you Guy. You get it.”

“You just like me for my big, huge, throbbin' brain.” That earns Guy a real, full laugh. “Definitely not objectifyin’ my bangin’ bod.” Kyle laughs again and Guy can hear him get up and start pacing his apartment. Good. A mobile Kyle is a happy Kyle. “So come on, tell your bestie what you like in the sack.”

“Well, it’s—“ Kyle starts and the sound of a glass hitting countertop and liquid pouring interrupts his words for a moment. Kyle takes an audible chug of what Guy assumes is liquor and heaves another sigh. “I want you to spank me,” he blurts out.

“No problem.”

“Thats—really?”

“Really. Bring that tight little ass over here and drink some real hooch with your friend.”

——

Kyle’s distinct knock of shave-and-a-haircut raps through the living room and Guy jumps up at the sound. He opens the door and is treated to the sight of Kyle leaning in the doorway. He forgets sometimes that Kyle’s actually a little taller and he takes a moment to admire the way his tight, lean body fills the doorframe. 

Kyle’s really done up for this little booty call. He’s got on one of Guy’s favorite outfits—the Nine Inch Nails t-shirt under the leather jacket and the way, way too tight jeans. Fuck. Kyle is hot.

“You gonna invite me in or were you planning on doing this in the hallway?”

Guy steps aside as he says, “Hey, If you’re into being watched I’ll call a few friends.”

Kyle’s confident stride stutters as he’s struck through with a surge of lust at the thought. He whips around to say something snarky but nothing comes out. His pretty mouth works for a moment and his heart shaped face flushes.

“That good, huh?”

When Kyle smiles, he smiles with his whole body. The smile that starts in his eyes spreads to his full lips, tips his head back, relaxes his shoulders and causes him to rock his weight from heel to heel. It’s the way these little details about his best friend warm Guy heart that makes him think, this must be something like what love feels for romantic people. He can’t imagine, even for a second, cuffing his expressive friend in any kind of captivity. Kyle needs to love and be loved to flourish. If anybody ever put his fire out Guy’s gonna put their fuckin eyes out.

“So?” Kyle asks as he rocks back and forth, nervous yet excited, “How do you wanna do this?”

“Lets talk about it,” Guy nods to the kitchen island where two glasses and a bottle of expensive liquor are already waiting. Kyle leans on the counter and spins his glass with his finger.

“Well, like I was kinda saying before, I really don’t do this a lot.”

“Hook-ups or kinky stuff?” Guy asks as he pours his drink and playfully stills Kyle’s glass to fill it as well.

“The—well. Both.”

“That’s cool. No judgin’ from me. You know that.”

Kyle hangs his head and pushes his thick hair out of his face. It bounces right back into place. “I feel so uncool.”

“Well,” Guy teases loudly with a shrug, “You’re still hot. So.” He dramatically protects his glass as he turns away from Kyle’s play-punch. “Alright, alright, so tell me this. What’s allowed and what’s not allowed?”

“Okay. Um, I don’t want to actually—” Kyle waves his hands in a vague way. Guy raises an eyebrow and sips his drink, waiting for Kyle to elaborate. Kyle laughs and continues, “I don’t want to actually, well, fuck.”

“Cool.” Guy sets his glass down and leans both arms on the counter, unconsciously mirroring Kyle’s position. 

“And um, I don’t know if I want to get fully naked. But maybe? Maybe just a little at a time.”

“That’s cool, too.”

“Okay,” Kyle’s smile is slow and shy when he looks up. “So, I kind of picture it like, I don’t know. We warm up somehow—drinks is nice by the way—“ Guy simply responds by raising his glass with a smug smile, “and then I wanna lay across your lap and then, you know.”

“And then what?” Guy’s lopsided grin grows even wider.

“You know! Thats—I want you to spank me.” Kyle’s words rush out in a hushed tone.

“I fuckin love hearing you say that.”

Kyle stands up straight, downs what’s in his glass in one go. He walks the length of the kitchen island, putting himself into Guy’s space. His eyes dart back and forth between Guy’s, not sure where he wants to look. His lip press together and he swallows. He looks down at Guy’s wide chest, lays a hand on the thin material of Guy’s tank top—feels the heat radiating through. He looks back up again with his big, brown eyes, “I want you to spank me.” And this time his voice is strong and clear.

Guy makes a sound somewhere between a purr and a chuckle, “Is kissin’ allowed?” He asks in a soft rumble.

“Oh yeah,” Kyle’s head is already tilting, his eyes already sliding closed. 

This close, Kyle’s smells intoxicating. The mint and vetiver cologne he’s wearing blends with the sun-warmed leather jacket and the liquor on his breath. 

Guy tilts his chin up to meet Kyle’s lips with his own. He winds his thick fingers in Kyle’s silky hair and pulls him close. There are so many things he wants to do to his pretty ex-roomate and  there’s entirely too little time in a day, in a lifetime. He pushes Kyle against the counter, pushes himself between Kyle’s legs and Kyle lets himself be moved. 

Kyle sinks into Guy’s broad frame and drapes his arms over the redhead’s shoulders. He opens his mouth, licking against Guy’s lips. But Guy ducks his head and starts sucking a bruise into the elegant curve of Kyle’s neck. Kyle digs his fingers into Guy’s shoulders. He drags his nails up and down Guy’s scalp, twisting the short hair between his knuckles and making Guy growl.

Guy drags his teeth over the mark he made before he decides to bite down. Kyle groans and grinds their hips together. He drapes his weight over Guy like he’s trying to decide if he wants to just climb him. 

“Let’s take this to the bedroom,” Kyle gasps.

Guy smashes his lips roughly against Kyle’s ear and growls, “You don’t want me to bend you over right here? Right in front of the kitchen window?” When Kyle shivers Guy chuckles darkly. He runs his hands greedily over Kyle’s shivering waist, down and down until he has two hands full of Kyle’s perfect ass. “Kidding, kidding,” he says softly as he starts to lift Kyle up. 

“Hey!” Kyle’s indignant squeak dissolves into a giggle, “What are you doing?”

“I’m draggin’ ya to my cave to do nasty things to ya.” Guy carries Kyle effortlessly to the bedroom and drops him onto the plush, king size bed. He drops himself onto the edge of the bed and pats his lap. 

Kyle runs his hand through his hair again and he bites his lip. 

“C’mere,” Guy beckons Kyle with a finger.

Kyle sits up on his knees, a mischievous look in his eyes. He runs his hands up and down the the front of the jacket. He locks eyes with Guy again and slowly works the jacket off of his shoulders and lets it fall to the floor. Keeping his gaze steady, he slowly crawls across the bed and lays himself carefully over Guy’s knees. 

“There you go,” Guy hums as he runs his hands up and down Kyle’s back. “This good?”

“Yeah,” Kyle sighs heavily, wriggling in Guy’s lap. He can’t decide where he wants to rest his hands.

“This okay?” Guy asks, running his hand over the generous swell of Kyle’s jean-clad cheeks. 

“Yes,” Kyle’s voice tightens and he grips the sheet with one hand and Guy’s pant leg with the other.

“Ready?”

“Oh yeah.”

Guy lays the first smack with easy pressure, enjoying the way Kyle jumps and a soft little “Ah!” Escapes his mouth. So he does it again. Kyle’s head drops and his body writhes. He’s audibly trying to stifle his sounds. Guy keeps a steady rhythm with his beginning strikes. “You like this?”

“Yeah.”

“Say it.”

“What?” Kyle looks over his shoulder, glassy eyed and genuinely confused.

“Say it for me. Tell me you like it.”

“Oh! I love it. Guy, this is so good. Please don’t stop.”

The lust that claws and churns inside of Guy brings his hand down a little harder than he meant but that hit brings a desperate sound out of Kyle that Guy knows he’ll never forget. So he does it again. 

Kyle writhes more, but he’s not trying to get away. He’s rubbing himself against Guy’s thighs. “God,” he moans, “Guy, please, please. Harder.”

“Can I,” Guy asks, tugging at the back of Kyle’s jeans. 

“Yeah, yes, yes,” Kyle chants as he helps Guy push his pants down around his thighs, leaving him in just his boxers. “Ah, fuck!” He shouts as the next strike lands. “Yeah! Fuck yeah!”

Kyle’s lost his ability to hold any sounds in and Guy’s lost between Kyle’s moans and the fleshy slaps echoing off of the bedroom walls. 

“St—still okay?” Guy manages to ask through clenched teeth. He thinks he might get off before Kyle does.

“Yes! Please! Oh, God!” Kyle’s hips keep their steady roll. His back arches and his knuckles go white. “Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop.”

Guy’s palm and shoulder burn but he couldn’t stop now if the whole world was burning. He can see the muscles in Kyle’s ass clench as he drives his hips down. His entire back clenches up and all the air in his body is punched out in one delicious groan. Guy lays one last, good smack on that perky ass and digs his fingers into the abused flesh. Kyle’s groan drags out into a high, delirious sound. His arms give out and he collapses in Guy’s lap.

“Good?” Guy asks as he softly pets Kyle from the crown of his head to his tailbone like a cat.

“Yeah,” Kyle’s voice is muffled where his face is pressed into Guy’s calf.

“C’mere,” Guy chuckles, gently lifting Kyle under his armpits and urging him onto the bed. “Come lay down. Take a minute.”

Kyle struggles into place, hissing when he tries to pull his jeans up. His skin is on fire. 

“Wait here a sec.” Guy disappears into the bathroom and for a moment, Kyle feels frighteningly lonely. Guy reappears with a wet washcloth in his hand. He nudges Kyle onto his stomach and tugs the back of his underwear, “Can I?” Kyle nods weakly in response. Guy lays the cool towel over Kyle’s angry, red skin. Kyle jumps but sighs and quickly relaxes again. 

“Thank you,” Kyle whispers.

“No problem.”

“What about you?”

“Relax. If you want to, we can go another round,” Guy pushes Kyle’s sweaty bangs out of his face.

“I’d like that,” Kyle’s voice is raspy and his eyes shine with excitement. 

“Yeah? What other kinks you got, kid?”

Kyle groans and bites his lip, “That.”

“What?”

“I like when you call me kid.”

“I like where this is goin’.”

They smile at each other and Kyle’s breathing slows down. Guy folds an arm behind his head and stares at the ceiling, a content smile on his face. As Kyle’s body relaxes and the adrenaline fades he feels weirdly bad. Empty. He shifts uncomfortably, letting the towel slide off. He starts to pull his boxers and jeans back up.

“You good?”

“Yeah,” Kyle says dismissively but the light in his eyes is gone. He’s pressing his lips together and he’s very still.

“You sure?”

“Yeah Im—I don’t know. I just feel,” he struggles, hands rolling through the air as he tries to describe how he feels.

“Vulnerable?”

“Yeah. Actually,” Kyle looks at Guy finally, openly relieved. “I don’t know why. That was awesome.”

“It’s normal. C’mere,” Guy stretches his arm towards Kyle, inviting him to come close. Tentatively, Kyle scoots closer. He watches Guy’s face as he lays his head down on his friend’s shoulder.

“This okay?” Kyle asks. Guy smiles and nods as he wraps his big arm around Kyle. He lets his hand rest on Kyle’s hip. Already, Kyle is feeling warm and less lonely. He lets his arm drape over Guy’s belly. “We’re still cool?”

“Course! I love sex, kid. And I still care about’cha. We’re still friends. Relax. It’s all good.”

“It’s all good,” Kyle echoes. He wants to tell Guy he loves him but he doesn’t want to make it weird. He means it platonically and the longer he listens to Guy’s heartbeat the less lonely he feels and the more sure he is of his place in Guy’s life. 

It’s all good.

[fenicenera83]

I see today we're talking about Danny. Eh that's what I call him :) So I decided to do something for him. And Marius. I can say that I never thought of writing something like this about it, as my OTP has always been different. But I realized that now that I'm not so interested in ships anymore, that I was being unfair in not giving them time and thoughts. I'm glad I was how to say? Waken up? Yes, well, I understand now the importance that one has for the other. And it is immense and unique. And I like it, very much, I admire this relationship deeply. (More under the moodboard!)

I like to think that at the time Danny was most affected by this 'madness' Marius was always looking for a way to reach him. So a little for exhausted a little for fun, Marius began to hum close to he. Softly and gently, perhaps even as he looked at him create those small towns, old and sad, nostalgic melodies. And then so one evening while intent on doing something, humming, Marius's voice was joined by that by Danny. Even if he didn't let go of what he was doing and didn't look up, it was a connection. They had joined each other, and I certainly think Marius was happy about it, that maybe he started hoping that Danny would be okay someday. And in fact my silly mind thinks maybe it went from humming to playing an old acoustic guitar, along with the words, we know how the music heals and helps people with similar issues as Danny. Hearing it live from a known voice I think is more intense and lovable of a radio or record. And who knows? Maybe healing Danny asked Marius to teach him and they enjoyed strumming that guitar together. Slowly at first with Marius's big hands guiding Danny's. Then more chaotic and cheerful, in the end what's wrong with a little joy?

Well then I think Danny, the moment he started to come back to being he himself suffered from severe anxiety. Derived from being afraid of lose all the journey done up to that moment. Fear for itself but also for Marius, to lose himself again, or to lose him again, perhaps right in the moment in which he began to understand more about his feelings about him. I think it was tough for him overcome these moments, especially if he was also trying to understand or to give a place to the feelings he felt growing in him for Marius. Certainly, after so long together that's something Marius would have noticed, but didn't wanting to let go of hope, i'm sure he's always been there at offer a word, or a gesture, anything to give Danny courage.

Then I could say that maybe Danny's wounds were in the body but at this point just in spirit. Surely you can't take a gauze and bandage one soul. But in the end that's what Marius did. He found the way. Then love came and both were overwhelmed. But of course, what more fills me with sweetness, is that Marius hasn't just been there, ha walked with Danny all the way with him. He took every step with him, and when he saw that he lingered he supported him, when he saw that he did not he made it, he waited for him, when he saw that he didn't know what to do, he welcomed him in a hug. He wasn't just an observer, he walked all that healing path, and he started healing himself too.

Mh then let's see… Well I also think that Danny had an extreme need of contact. Closeness, at first, then becoming more aware of hugs, caresses and kisses. It's something that has always intrigued and excited me to think about to how he came to make Marius understand how he felt about him and how he has made him fall in love. Maybe Danny just has the sweetness that Marius always has wanted in a companion. Or maybe it just became good at some point Love. I don't know, but it's touching.

Two more things and quick! Notes and photography, I think both of these things have been reported to Danny by Marius at some point. To give him one back different purpose, because they are things that he loved to do, because so he can again try to understand each other through words and through images. And he can show them to Marius, so that together maybe they created a lot of memories enclosed in those big photo albums, with torn pages of notes and words from blocks.

I'm a silly old bones let me cry ....

[wifiwuxians]

quick aside for my moment of befuddlement because ive always misunderstood the idiom "like a house on fire" LOL. i always thought it was a passive aggressive way of saying "dude, we would destroy each other lets not talk" so when i first read that I was like ??? context??? doesnt match??? did they misunderstand the idiom? DID I? then i googled it and you're right lol its a nice thing. (tho now i wanna put that in a fic bc i think that would be a delightful misunderstanding for characters to have). IM SO GLAD I MADE UR FUNK SLIGHTLY LESS FUNKY THO. you're great and you're super sweet ;w; if i had more self-confidence, i would definitely jump at the opportunity to befriend. maybe when i get more gutsy

BACK TO THE SONG LAN HATE THO. im sorry, im still in shock. just HOW. also..... how is my interpretation of them not the common one??? again, i stay so strictly to my lane i didnt know other lanes existed and i definitely dont want to hear about it bc i think song lan hate would hurt my heart. it already hurts my heart sometimes when i see xue yang hate and XUE YANG DESERVES IT. literally i despair at media literacy sometimes. i absolutely cannot understand how anyone consumed the same content as we did and decided to be mean to song lan.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY A FAVORITE ARTIST, DUDE. have you fucking SEEN your stuff?!? like, are you as blind as xiao xingchen? (my sweetie, may he forever regain his sight). your art is GORGEOUS. absolutely worthy of being a fav artist and i am sure im not the only one. for starters, your pieces always have a depth to them that sets them in a scene so freaking beautifully EVEN WHEN THERES NO BG or even in your more simplified styles. when you come out with a "silly phone doodle of xue yang", i see the freaking SKILL needed to make THAT adorable lil gremlin as just a 'silly doodle'. like BRO, youre so skilled that i think youve lost depth of how good an artist you really are. i wish i was smarter with art words so i could tell you in color theory exactly why your colors are so beautiful but im dumb and all i know is "color pretty" BUT SINCE I CAN PORTRAY STUFF WITH WORDS SOMETIMES i'll try to just express how your colors alone can evoke emotion and tell a story, how you use the contrast to make your art pop off the page, the way that the colors caress a scene and show so much more inside. its beautiful, your art is beautiful, i can look at a piece for such a long time and still find interesting details that make me smile. oki i'll stop beng weird now but like NEVER DOUBT YOU'RE FREAKING SKILL BRO. (shit i didnt even get to how your animations just break my brain oeuihgo i love)

lolololol dw abt telling me about the cannibalisms piece, i look Specifically disrespectfully at that one. not big into cannibalism but damn dude, there is a Mood to that piece and frankly, something that messed up sort of suits them on their worst days euorhgioeurh i like me a fluff au or a fix-it fic but damn those two can get Dark.

My otps are often rarepairs ;A; i never do it on purpose, im normally jumping headfirst into a more popular ship but then i just See the potential in two other lil guys and im like.... holdup, wait is no one else seeing those two??? AM I THE ONLY ONE WITNESSING THIS? (yes, yes i am). And the hyperfixation begins and its just me alone at a bar with no bartenders so i make my own food. but im a weird lil guy so my cocktails are always strange and im alone at the bar lol. tbh songxue is one of my LESS rarepair rarepairs. like... theres actually fics that i didnt write for them LOL. (there was one fandom where there were 40 fics for a ship and i wrote all 40. i am a sad and lonely lil loser lol)

(scuse me one of my fav artists said they think i'd write my otp well, i can die happy oaierhgoeirh i actually do write ff for songxue but hahaha im still just a silly anon but its rlly good to know that the person i think characterizes them best in the fandom (that ive seen) thinks i would do a good job with them aoeghuihr thankyou for the high praise, i guarantee i dont deserve it)

(sometimes i've wondered if the reason you draw/write them so well is bc you dont ship them? weird take but like, shippers have shipping goggles right? we see what we wanna see a lot of the time. but since you just think they'd be neat standing next to each other (much agree), you actually put thought into their characterizations and personality instead of just "this is how they'd F*CK" or smth similar. and bc the personalities and stuff mean way more to me than sexy stuff (thats the whole reason i ship them! their personalities!) the fact that even your crack stuff has such a good basis in who they are as people makes your content just so good. whereas sometimes i see content by shippers (no disrespect meant, everyone ships in their own way), its very actively ooc, usually for a kink fill, and im just... but what abt their personalities? what abt the whole reason i think they'd be good together if given the chance?! WHAT ABOUT THEM? and then u come around drawing them like that and i just wish more people portrayed them the way you do. this isnt meant as like an anti-smut thing, i like smut, its just that sometimes pwp is just two strangers who happen to have the character names of my blorbos and literally nothing else in common and theyre my BLORBOS. more power to people who like that stuff, i will stay in my lane and bother this poor lovely person who doesnt even like the ship but is kind enough to see their potential to be pals cuz damn im in it for the emotions)

heh heh yeah it means we'd get along well but i like that interpretation too and think it would make a great story!! here's to you becoming more gutsy! (though again you're very free to use an alt or something!)

genuinely why i don't go looking lmao... song lan fans are so fucking strong to have to deal with the shit people have said BUT nowadays the climate seems to be a lot better :D i see lots of thirst for him at least KFHKDJ and my appreciation post of him has 800 notes so that's hopeful at least! but same i don't get it at all (though honestly i will say a lot of character hate stems from shipping. legit.) but yeah regarding xy hate for me it's gotta be for the "right" reasons LMAO

LJHLFHFD ALL THE COMPLIMENTS MY BRAIN CANT TAKE EM!!!! genuinely!!! THANK YOU!!!! i do often tell myself 'your stuff doesn't have to be perfect it just has to spark joy' to feel better about not rendering a piece to hell and back and mostly taking the lazy route, though this year i really wanna branch out and try more! but all of this has shot me in the heart... emotion to me is the most important part of art, and one of my favorite responses to get is laughter, and you don't need a 4K HD piece for that haha BUT LISTEN YOURE NOT WEIRD EVERY ARTIST I KNOW WOULD KILL TO HEAR THIS im gonna frame it. but after ive printed and eaten another copy like wow you think i set the scene ;_; will cry (agsjdhf sorry i really do read everything im just. PROCESSING!!!)

ahaha yeah for sure! i do love me some cannibalism (i am the cannibal friend) but absolutely that was just intended as a very dark place. song lan has Had it (the premise was xy thinking hey, he likes me, let me remove the nails i am sure everything will be fineOHNOOO)

oh dude i have chronic rarepair disease. most of what i ship is stuff i've come up with myself so any content is me + 2 souls maximum who i have managed to drag with me and make content KSGKFJ (case in point, xuechao) i just have this compulsion to do what nobody else has done

(you do deserve it! and dont go looking i wanna keep being the one who portrays them best :p)

and hey maybe because YES!!!! my work almost exclusively stems from personality oh my god thank you for acknowledging that i think that is the highest praise of all... how their personalities gel together is SUPER important for me, shipping or otherwise!! i'm telling you you and i would get along really well since we agree on the fundamentals i think! like yeah there's nothing wrong with some good old self indulgence but ooc takes me out of stuff a fair bit, and trust me i feel like most people would think MY stuff is ooc! but the thing about the strangers with blorbo names made me laugh so hard lhKDHJAfhsg i am so guilty of that in the past, i've read my old stuff and i'm just like damn. i just projected onto these dudes. NO MORE (it is bound to still happen privately but hey, ultimately, write what you want to read)

song lan and xue yang, in the 'if given the chance' realm, have exactly my favorite type of duo dynamism which is why i cannot stop drawing them lol like some funky spin on boke/tsukkomi... generally speaking ">:D -_-" is visually my favorite thing to draw haha and again! i wanna say it's not an all-out global dislike, i just a) understand most people are NOT coming at it from where i am so it doesn't interest me/makes me sad, and B) understand WHY people wouldn't be into it. because wow. um. ouch. that sure is some shit

i am gonna take a moment to plug an author i think you might really enjoy, pomegranites on ao3 (@pometogo on here!) ! i can't speak for Every flavor in there being to your tastes but there are definitely a fair few fics that made me bonkers, namely not easily let go, written for song lan love week :D

[shadowsong26fic]

How Do I Love Thee

Author: shadowsong26

Rating: PG-13

‘Verse: Lux

Characters: Lux, Mariko

Warnings: War/violence/the fire and its fallout.

Notes: Written for the Year of the OTP event. May prompt: flower language. Just little bits and pieces about their feelings/relationship, based (mostly) on a symbolic meaning of each flower. For a couple of them, I used something slightly different (i.e., the physical effect when used as medicine) instead. Not in chronological order; some of these are from their first relationship on the CSP station, and some are from after their reunion.

(I am also going to do this for Star Wars, BSG, and two of my other original ‘verses, if you’re interested in checking those out! One ship per canon. The fanfic ones will be posted to AO3 probably a day or two after they’re on tumblr. Master list of all fills can be found here.)

1. daisy

Lux knows she is not an innocent, of course, and she has never claimed to be; as for her sense of loyalty, well, it depends on how one defines the term, but Mariko--she’s known for some time that, whatever happens, whatever else se might be, her loyalty to her beloved Human is set in stone.

2. narcissus

What Mariko has learned about hope is that it’s only a hairs breadth away from doom and--melodramatic as it sounds, it’s oddly appropriate in her case--damnation; but she would never say that hope--that love--isn’t worth that risk.

3. rose

Sometimes, Mariko isn’t sure what name to give her feelings for her angel--love, of course, but there are so many different kinds and while some obviously don’t fit, there are thousands and thousands of shades of meaning in that one little word that do.

4. violet

Lux is an angel, and angels aren’t men or women the way Humans often are; but Mariko loves women, and Lux is more than pleased to be enough of a woman for her.

5. apple blossom

There is an inherent fragility to Mariko--not just the scars; it was present before she broke and pulled herself together--but the temporary nature of a Human life shines through her, beautiful and brief, and there are times--many times--when Lux can’t stand the thought of how quickly all of this will end.

6. goldenrod

Mariko has always had at least a bit of a sense of adventure, enough to take her across galaxies into places most people barely dreamed of--and enough to let her meet, and love, and follow Lux.

7. mimosa

Kindness is such an odd thing to contemplate; it’s impossible to forget how things ended the first time, and Lux’s war drives her to do many things that even the most optimistic couldn’t call kind, but there are moments between them, little flashes of care like rays of sunlight, that shine through, for Mariko, even on their darkest days.

8. larkspur

They don’t say the words often--not because it’s not something they need or want to hear, but because, by the time they’re there again, by the time Mariko is ready, there are so many other ways they can make their feelings known.

9. lily

They never discussed the possibility of children.

10. baby's breath

Starting over is such a painful thing--they both know that, so when Mariko joins Lux on her ship and they leave Red Sky together, both of them know to move slowly, carefully, to avoid crushing whatever potential they might now have.

11. coneflower

Lux would have thought she’d hate the feeling of any other being’s hands on the scars Michaela left when her wings were broken--but Mariko’s touch, soft and light and gentle, brings her almost a sense of peace.

12. gardenia

Lux has always promised to protect her, but as they find their way back to each other, Mariko sometimes lies awake at night, next to her beloved angel, and wonders how the hell she’s going to protect her.

13. peony

Lux wants nothing but the good fortune and joy for her Mariko; if that means walking away, she will learn to live with the loss somehow.

14. phlox

Despite all the differences between them, something undefinable just fits between them; lining up the rough edges of their hearts into perhaps not something seamless, but certainly something whole.

15. lilac

Mariko has always been somewhere between agnostic and atheist, and now she walks with literal angels--but is it really spiritual, is it really faith if everything about Lux and Gabriel and Simon and all of it is so very tangibly real?

16. safflower

For all the pain and fear and grief and guilt, there also is so much joy, just in looking across the cockpit of their ship and seeing her smile.

17. sweet pea

The first night they spend together is a new experience for both of them, but--God, is it a good one.

18. tuberose

There’s always been a bit of danger in Mariko’s attraction to Lux--emotional danger, in that interspecies relationships so rarely end well, and the power and myth and power of myth, though that comes later.

19. tulip

It may not be enough to save them, or protect them, or guide them through the war to come, but Mariko and Lux truly, deeply love each other, and that matters.

20. chrysanthemum

There are turning points, and crossroads, because that’s life; only once, after the fire when the horror and the pain and the regret were overwhelming, have they chosen to turn away from one another.

21. bluebell

Lux knows that this second war may well end with her death, but the Holy One has said that some things last beyond death, and she likes to think that her love for her Mariko might be one of those things.

22. foxglove

For weeks before either of them actually says anything, Mariko’s heart races whenever Lux is close; angel’s hearts are built a little differently, but metaphorically, if nothing else, the same is true for Lux.

23. snapdragon

Lux has lied when necessary--it’s in her nature to do what is necessary; it takes a grace and strength she hardly knew she had to tell Mariko the entire truth.

24. orchid

Mariko might sometimes feel small and awkward next to the preternatural grace and elegance of her lover, but when Lux looks down at her, she only sees her light.

25. freesia

Trust is hard, after everything Lux has lived through over the eons, after everything Mariko suffered when it ended the first time; but the Holy One knows they never stop trying.

[araglas1989]

@fangirleaconmigo oh I'm Happy to hear that your sister is well and found a cool new Job and can move out 🥰🥰🥰 Moving is always so messy 😨 and after the long time she was with you I can imagine it's hard to let her go but also happy ❤️

I'm sure your fans are okay with the delay though, they know how life happens but I 'm so Happy you got into writing it again. Do you know how many chapters Til the end of Posada Remix?

I think you also had a Gladiator Au as a wip (though only teased Not published) I'm still very exited about even though I'm Not in the witcher fandom right now 🤔

Can't wait for your fix it of the MCD though 😅😨💗

It's funny my new years resulotion was/is getting Back to writing again. though it was at the beginning "write 100words a day" not necessarily fanfics but in General and like 3 -4 weeks i actually managed that but sadly i couldnt keep that Up 😢 (though when i wrote it often were more than 100 words anyways) also I startet to write with Hand again instead on the PC I even bought an extra A5 folder for it.

I started writing a fic for my otp from lookism (and I did get quite far) but it's again a long fic. I always start those even though I don't really have the steam to pull them through... Anyways I degress. I started that long fic for the otp and now instead of continue that I wrote that oneshot about a completely other ships🤭 its more a PWP story but it seems like in my revising it Starts to get more Plot 😅

Aaaaand i forgot where I was going with telling you all of that 🙈 it's just.. one of the characters If this one Shot is canonly somewhat insane (many characters are though) but the way He is drawn that guy is just insanely erotic too (pun intended) at least for me he is 😅 it's one of those characters you never ever want to meet in real live but ugh...🍆💦🙈

Ugh why is writing so hard? My friend betad the Story I wrote. (The one I told you about) Now I'm rewriting it. Not because she made so many Suggestions (she mostly stayed with correcting grammar and writing since she lived 13 years in scotland) but because it's the way I made it Back in the day when I wrote regulary and had a lovely beta reader. It's partly easier to reread and then rewrite it instead to

instead of revising it in the text.

But ugh it's hard 🙈 I did only rewrite a small part right now but that part now has double the wordcount it Had before 🥰😅

Anyways Hope it's okay to ramble to you about my writing Progress 👉👈

How is yours going?

Hi friend! UGH WRITING, RIGHT? YES it is ALWAYS ok to ramble to me. I don't consider it rambling actually, it is our PHILOSOPHICAL OBSERVATIONS about writing. XD

For me, I'm writing away. But I don't think I'll get the Posada Remix posted on time this week (I have tried to post on thursdays). My sister is moving out so it's a madhouse.

Oh and I wrote a few more chapters for the MCD fic I accidentally wrote and need to finish for my own mental health.

But the good thing is, my sister has a fancy new job and is moving out. So good for her. But it'll be a mess around here for a few days.

[the-iceni-bitch]

Lover, I’m Glazed

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x fem!reader (OTP)

Words: ~760

Summary: Ransom’s in a mood. Lucky you 😏

Warnings: explicit language, explicit sexual content (fingering, f receiving oral sex, semi-public sex), our two favorite idiots in love, maybe hints at something I’ll be writing for them later in the year? SMUT!!!! 18+ ONLY!!!

A/N: Thank you @sparkledfirecracker for sending me the below pic and putting me in some kind of mood about my sweater hoe and that devilish tongue of his. Managed to just drabble this but I could write these two forever.

He was giving you that look. The one he always gave you when you were out with his family and he was over their stupid conversation.

Today, it wasn’t even that bad. They were just trying to decide what trip the whole brood was going to take after Thanksgiving, but if he had to hear Richard and Walt shout at each other one more time about the merits of Bali versus St. Bart’s, his eyes might get stuck rolled back in his head.

But you were the best fucking distraction, standing there in your little sundress and chatting with Marta to avoid his asshole relatives who had scoffed at the idea of you coming on one of their bi-annual family vacations. Like he would ever go on one of those god-awful things if you weren’t there.

You heard his throat clear from across the patio and turned towards him, sighing when you got a look at his tongue running over his plush bottom lip before he sucked it between his teeth. Marta gave you a look when you set your beer down and started to follow him towards the porch, but you just shrugged at her small laugh before sauntering away and ignoring the annoyed whispers you heard coming from Linda.

As soon as you rounded the corner he was pulling you into his chest, his lips soft but insistent against yours while he pressed you against the side of the house. He started rucking your skirt up around your waist as he kissed his way down your throat and sinking to his knees,

Neither of you said anything when he gripped your knee and hooked it over his shoulder once he hit the floor, trailing his lips and tongue along the inside of your thigh while he kept his eyes fixed on yours. He growled a little at the fact you were wearing panties, but then he was shoving them aside and burying his face in your core with a low moan.

You purred when he slipped his tongue out to taste you, his fingers pulling your folds apart and humming appreciatively at the sight of your throbbing cunt before leaning forward and shoving his tongue inside you. The feel of him fucking you with the thick muscle had you biting your lip to hold in your moans, rolling your hips against his face and digging your fingers into his hair as he brushed his nose over your clit.

He slid two fingers into you and curled them against your soft walls, swirling his tongue around them inside you and making you feel faint with pleasure. Your knees almost buckled when he slowly pulled his tongue out of you, dragging it over your swollen clit and grunting when he felt your pussy flutter around his fingers as slick ran down his hand.

Ransom started flicking his tongue over your clit and you couldn’t hold back the thin whine that escaped from your throat, his fingers stroking your sweet spot while he did his best to draw one out of you. When he started suckling at your swollen bud you let out a soft cry, your back arching almost painfully as your release soaked the lower half of his face and he let out a deep groan.

“God, you feel better now, baby?” You ran your fingers through his hair as he pressed a final, wet kiss to your pussy before pulling your panties back into place and rising to his feet.

“Of course, that perfect cunt of yours is something else.” He bit his lip and growled when you grabbed his hand and sucked his fingers into your mouth, swirling your tongue around them until you had cleaned off all your slick and released him with a wet pop. “Can’t we just do what we did last year and spend this fucking vacation watching Harlan’s dogs and fucking all over his house?”

“Aww, you mean you don’t want to get stuck at some luxury resort with your family in a tropical paradise?” You pulled his face to yours and peppered his face with kisses while he snorted at you.

“Sorry, but I don’t really want to spend our first anniversary surrounded by those idiots.” He sighed when you gave him a mock pout before sucking on his neck. “Fine, but only if Harlan agrees to get us our own luxury villa. I wanna fuck you next to the ocean while the sun sets. Just imagine how good your pussy’ll look stuffed full of my cum in that light.”

[geminixevans-stan]

Queen of Brooklyn

Sequel to Liar Liar

Pairing: Mafia!Steve x Black Reader

Words: 3.7k

Summary: Things have changed over a year. New beginnings and even old animosity plague one of the most important nights of celebration

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI, explicit language, explicit sexual content, smut, spanking, unprotected sex (cover yourselves!), daddy kink, creampie, a tinge of violence.

A/N: Congratulations to everyone who picked Liar Liar to have a part 2! Since everyone is loving Mafia!Steve and Pippi I decided to make them into an OTP! You will be seeing more stories of them and I can’t wait for everyone to see them. Like, comment, & reblog! I can’t wait to see the feedback from everyone ♥ Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Who knew that you would meet the love of your life over a lie? That’s exactly how you met Steven Grant Rogers -- feared mob boss of Brooklyn. But you only call him ‘Daddy’. Staring at your reflection in the mirror, you twirled around in what will be the dress you walk down the aisle in. In the short span of a year, the love you shared with this man was unlike any other and he couldn’t see anybody else being his wife but you.

The party is going on and Steve can’t keep his hands off of you, sneaking kisses every now and then as you two dance the night away. Of course, Bella is here but unbeknownst to her, her father is about to propose to you.

He grabs everyone’s attention letting the staff distribute champagne to everyone, holding you close to him. The room quiets down and he starts, “The light of my life has always been my bambina Bella. So beautiful isn’t she?” everyone claps and Bella’s cheeks turning a light shade of pink, “Then she brought my pippi, the absolute love of my life. Couldn’t be happier. Which is why I would be a damn fool to not grace her with my last name,” you and Bella both look at him.

Steve put his drink down and gets on one knee, looking up at you as the tears roll down your face, “Since your pretty eyes met me at those doors, all my dreams came true pippi. Dammit, you keep this man on his toes and make my heart swell more than you know. You’ve already made me the happiest man alive and now I want to make you the queen of my Empire. Marry me my pippi?”

Of course, you say yes and the crowd goes wild!. Bella on the other is not the least bit ecstatic, but she puts on a brave face and claps anyway.

That night replays in your head over and over again. To think that you were set to be married to someone that everyone feared. But he never made you feel that way. He never raised his voice with ill intent and if he would make you cry, he would spend the whole day making it up to you. He was perfect in every way possible, no matter what he did for a living.

Your hands glide down the bodice of your gown, playing with the intricate flowers hand-stitched at the fabric. Tears prickle the corners of your eyes, hearing a sniffle in the room. But it didn’t belong to you. Turning around you are met with two pairs of wet eyes staring at you. Your mother and future mother-in-law decided to tag along and you couldn’t have been happier to have them.

Giving them a beaming smile, you twirled once more looking over at them, “I’m guessing this is the one huh?”

Steve’s mother pulled out her handkerchief blowing her nose loudly, “Just beautiful. A perfect bride for my little polpetto (meatball in Italian),” you couldn’t lie and say that her approval didn’t matter. She was going to be a part of your life and you wanted to make sure that you and her had a good bond. It was easy for her to love you and she was pleased the minute she saw you.

Rightfully so, Steve was the same way with your mom. Before even buying your ring, he snuck away and visited her to ask for your hand. She has always been old-fashioned and having him be the gentleman that he is, she couldn’t do anything but give her blessing. Your mom couldn’t get over just how beautiful you looked and the glow that you had was all that she ever wanted for you.

“You look beautiful baby. A complete queen right before my eyes,” both mothers started to bawl, and dammit you could not mess up your makeup. Stepping off the mini stage you wrapped your arms around them, pecking each one of their cheeks. You were really on cloud nine and there wasn’t anything that could stop it. Besides, the engagement party was tonight and you were going to get lost in your fiance all night.

Night had fallen and you sat at your vanity putting on the finishing touches of your makeup. A very naked Steve walks around the room and goes into the closet out the corner of your eye. He steps out holding a suit bag as you stop your movements. Your eyes roam over every muscle, biting your lip. You still didn’t know how you got so lucky. Never let him hear you say that because he’ll always say that it’s the other way around.

Clenching your thighs together you watch as he buttons his dress shirt, buttoning the bottom before placing his slacks on. He even makes getting dressed look sexy. You must have been staring for too long because you could hear him let out a small chuckle, “You staring again pippi,” flashing a smirk as you snap your eyes back up to him. Rising from the seat, you walk over to him, heels clicking on the tiled floor.

Finishing tying the silk tie around his neck, you push the collar down covering the material. You wrap your fingers around the tie, bringing him down to you. His eyes pierce into yours, bringing your lips up to his, pecking the pair and the corners, “I can’t admire what’s mine daddy?” you question, hearing a low growl from him. He wraps a hand around your waist pulling him flush to him.

“You can do whatever you like pippi, I’m. All. Yours,” pecking your lips with each word. You wrap your arms around his neck, pressing your lips to his for a brief second before letting go.

Turning around you show him the undone zipper, not even having to say anything as he pulls the zipper up securely. He places his lips to the skin of your neck, sucking softly at your sweet spot, “Daddy,” you whine as a smile comes across your face. He brings you closer, pressing his hardness against humming in response, “We gotta get downstairs,” giggling as he doesn’t stop.

He brings his lips to the shell of your ear, nipping at the delicate flesh, “Everything I need is right here baby. Let’s keep em waiting,” you let out an amused huff taking his arms from around your waist.

Sliding your hand down to his undone pants, you cup his semi-hard cock, his breath hitching in the process, “No, daddy. I’ll give you everything later,” gripping the zipper between your fingers as you drag it up, buttoning his slacks in one movement. He groaned, laying his forehead against yours, putting a quick peck to your nose.

He gathered his suit jacket, placing it on as he adjusted his cufflinks, “What pippi wants, pippi gets,” he grinned over at you. The same always went for him. You always wanted to make that man as happy as he made you.

Everyone showed up to the party that was the talk of Brooklyn. From political leaders to some people who were connections of Steve. Bella and her clique were also in attendance but to say they were thrilled would be an overstatement. They stayed in their designated spot, shooting glares at you from time to time. But you could have cared less.

This party was about Steve and you and it’s been over a year. You would think she would be over her father being in love with you. So many people came up to you both, giving their congratulations, and every time, Steve couldn’t help but gush over you. Talks of “Look at her. The most beautiful girl in the world” or “Meet the lady that brings me to my knees,” you couldn’t help but blush the entire night.

Over the year, you had gotten acquainted with Steve’s friends, mainly Bucky and Sam. They were like the big brothers you never had and you each had your own bond. Bucky was the first to be seen as he gave you the biggest bear hug ever, “Congratulations doll. Finally, someone got this dumbass to settle down,” Steve looked over smirking at his friend’s jab. You couldn’t help but admire the friendship that they had. “To the end of the line” was their motto and it rang true all the time.

Sam was the second to appear, bringing you your favorite drink in hand, “Figured you would need it with this guy over here,” you burst out laughing as Steve smacked him upside the head.

They embraced as you sipped your drink, chuckling at the three men who turned into straight teenagers, “I treat her very well dipshit. Ain’t that right pippi?”

“The snoring is borderline abuse but yes daddy you treat me like a queen,” the corners of your lips rising as you took another sip.

Steve clutched his chest in feigned hurt, “The snoring is a lie pippi. I tire you out so much that you don’t ev-,” he cut his statement short seeing his mother come up to the group. He cleared his throat going over to her, “Ciao madre,” he says as he gives her a big hug as she reciprocates the same. Believe it or not, this man was a complete mama’s boy and it showed.

She gave her greetings, hugging both Sam and Bucky before giving her favorite girl, you, a loving hug as well, “Precious girl, you look so beautiful. Who knew my polpetto had such good taste.”

“Mamma! I always have good taste! Whad’ya mean?”

“Exhibit A, Bella’s mother,” both Sam and Bucky let out a loud breath, gripping the back of their necks as they turned around. Steve put his head down because his mother was right. You choked on your champagne stifling a giggle.

Steve put his hands up in defeat, “You got me there mamma. Besides I was young and drunk. Can’t fault me for that.” You shook your head at him cause what the hell were you going to do with this man.

The party was coming to an end and not many people were there. You and Steve danced in the middle of the empty dancefloor, just staring into each other’s eyes, and Bella and her friends weren’t too far. You could just feel the heat of their stares on your back but all that mattered was the man in front of you. That was until he got an important phone call. He pecked your lips, “Gonna take this really quick pippi, then you have me for the rest of the night.”

You understood and you let him go as you went over to grab another drink. Sipping on your champagne, you swayed to the music before you heard a group of heels walking in your direction. You only heard only one voice grabbing your attention.

“I guess you think you’re the queen of Brooklyn don’t ya,” said a harsh slurred voice. Turning around, you met with a very drunk Riley.

You rolled your eyes giving her a small smile, “Riley… Thanks for coming. You look… nice.” Scanning her outfit, she indeed did not look nice. But with friends like her’s they would have never told her.

She took another sip of her drink, spitting daggers at you, “Oh don’t play nice with me fake bitch. We all know that you’re only here for the money,” none of this bothered you at the slightest but the poor girl had some deep animosity for you.

You laughed lightly, straightening up a bit. By this time, Sam and Bucky were on both sides of a distracted Steve as they watched the situation unfold. Taking another sip of your drink you found humor in the lies, “Just say I’m here for everything that you wished you had. Let’s be real sweetie, every single one of your friends wants my fiance. Keyword: my. Bold of you to think he would want any one of you,” chuckling as her eyes grew big.

Steve was just finishing with his call but still distracted, he saw Riley by you and knew it couldn’t have been anything nice. But he didn’t worry, his pippi would be fine.

Riley gave a very frustrated yell before throwing her drink in your face, completely dousing the front of your dress. Honestly, you were madder that she fucked your dress up. You slowly brought your fingers to the dangling earrings, pulling each off one by one.

Sam, still watching, slapped Steve on the arm “Dude, Bella’s little friend just threw a drink on your fiance,” Steve looked over and saw the liquid dripping from your dress. Sam blurted, “She’s taking her earrings off Steve go over there.”

Steve was clueless at that, “Sam what the fuck does that mean?” He questioned looking over at you. He was ready to go over there but part of him wanted to see what you would do.

Sam scoffed over at steve in annoyance, “When a black woman takes her earrings off, nothing is pretty after th-” whatever he wanted to say after that was cut off.

Stepping back a bit, you backhanded Bella, making her stumble. She looked at you stunned and charged you, causing another blow to her face, wrapping your hands around her neck. At that point, everyone was rushing over to you two. Bucky grabbed Riley trying to snatch her from your grasp, “Let her go doll! It’s not worth it!” You didn’t care, the only color you saw was red and you weren’t gonna stop.

Steve ripped your hands from her throat, turning you around to him, “Daddy!! No! Let me go!” you screamed, beating at his chest. He knew you were beyond resolve and picked you up placing you over his shoulder. Holding you in place as your fists hit against his back as your legs kick violently, He looked over to Sam and Bucky, “Get her the fuck outta here!” He looks over at Bella, shouting, “She comes over here again and I won’t hold her back next time!”

He didn’t wait for a response as he walked in the house with you and stomping up the stairs still trying to keep your wiggling body still. Steve was the farthest at being mad at you. He couldn’t be more proud and the bulge straining at his slacks was the evidence. He never saw you that mad let alone put your hands on anyone. But what he saw gave him an instant hard-on and he had to be buried inside you.

The door to the bedroom opened and shut with a swift kick, putting you down to press your front to the door. His chest heaving up and down, yanking the back of your dress up. He gripped the swell of your hips bring you back to his, feeling the hardness poking at the softness of your cheeks. He gathered your curls in hand carefully jerking you back to press his lips to yours. You melted against his lips as he massaged the swell of your ass before laying two smacks on each cheek. Gasping into his mouth you pressed your hands flat to the door, bringing your hips against his, grinding up and down his hard cock.

He released from your lips, pulling your hair a little tighter. His voice as low as a whisper against your lips, “See what you do to daddy pippi?” pulling at your bottom lip with his teeth as he matched your movements on his cock, “Making me so proud pretty baby,” his praise making your heart swell and your core to heat up.

You panted out, lips quivering under his, “You’re not mad daddy?” Feeling his lips cover yours again, letting him slip his tongue over yours. His fingers play with the thin string nestle between your ass, popping it effortlessly.

He looks down at your pussy already dripping biting back a satisfied groan, “Does it feel like I’m mad sweetheart?” he questions, gripping your hips to slot himself in between your legs.

His hand ducks down loosening his buckle and undoing his slacks. The sounds sending shocks straight up your spine. You bite down on your lip, licking at the plump flesh. Steve released his cock from his briefs, slapping the tip to your clit, a string of your wetness coating his thick tip, “Daddy asked a question pippi” gripping your hair tighter.

You let out a sharp breath shaking your head at him, “No daddy!” letting out a moan as he thrust into you before you could finish. He kept one hand in your hair and one on your hips as he knocked all the wind out of you, slamming his hips against your naked bottom. The angle you were in cause him to hit your g-spot at an eye-rolling pace. Digging your nails in the wooden surface, your eyes glossing over as you tried not to explode.

He could feel the clench and flutter of your walls, smacking your ass and dropping his hand to your throat, “What is it pippi? Need to cum already?” you nod up and down, only squeaks coming from your throat. Your vision going white with the way he fucked you without abandon, “Go on princess. Cum all you fucking want,” widening his stance and leaning back a little to draw completely out and slam back into you again.

The tingles ran up your spine, holding on to the only surface in front of you as you began to gush out your release. Your juices coating the floor and soaking the expensive fabric of his pants, “Oooh she liked that didn’t she baby?” he released the grip on your neck, letting your screams fill the room.

“Yes! Yes daddy I liked it!” he pressed your face up against the door, slapping your ass and gripping the flesh after

“Didn’t ask if you liked it,” pulling his cock from you as he flipped you around and picking you up. He pushed his pants all the down, fisting his cock in his hands and pushing back into your velvety walls, “ I asked if my pussy liked it,” he says while yanking the front of your dress down.

Pulling the cups of your bra down he attaches his lips hungrily to your nipples, alternating between each, raking his teeth over the peaks. Releasing them he trails his lips to your neck leaving marks on your sweet spots, snapping into you as your filthy sounds fill the room, “Ye-Yes daddy!” lowering your head to nip at his ear, “Treat her so good… the best daddy”, he hummed in approval, pulling you from the door and over to the bed.

Setting you down he snatches your dress off, taking off his clothes quickly. You watch his body in full form, mouth-watering at the sight. You would never get tired of looking at him naked. You parted your thighs, dipping your fingers between your wet folds, watching him crawl over to you, “That’s it pippi take care of her for me,” looking over as he fists his length, running his tongue over his lips.

He rolls on his back look over at you, pumping his hard cock as he lets out a low groan, “Sit on daddy’s cock baby. Fucking use me,” you didn’t need to be told twice. Straddling his lap you moved his hand out of the way wrapping your fingers around his thickness. Lifting just high enough, you sank down on him as your juices coated every inch.

He hissed at you wrapped around him, placing his hands under his head as he watches you above him. You place your hands flat on his chest, rising up and down as you take every single inch over and over, “So big daddy…” you whimper, throwing your head back as you lose yourself in the feeling.

Your body jerks feeling his large hands grip your ass his glare piercing through you, “You can take it pippi. Take what belongs to you,” he grunts loudly. You pushed his hands from your hips making him put them back under his head. You slide your heels off, planting your feet to the bed. His eyes dart up to you and he knew he wasn’t going to last long.

You bounce your hips up and down, skin slapping against his. The most pornographic sounds slip from Steve’s mouth as you work him over, rolling your hips making him cry out in pleasure, “That’s its’ my pippi ride daddy’s dick. Just like that oh fuck!” letting out a sharp gasp as you rocked back and forth.

Clenching your fluttering walls around his cock, you look down at him, “But I thought it was.. Shit!.. I thought it was mine daddy?” mocking him as you bounced faster and faster, your cream coating his cock with every stroke.

Steve lifts his hips not being able to contain himself, wrapping his arms around your waist, “It is pippi. Fuck! All. Yours!” He brings you down to his chest snapping his hips up viciously as you come around him at the fourth stroke. You dig your nails in his chest, chasing your release, soaking his cock and sheets under him.

Your teeth sink into his chest, still gushing on his length, his hips stuttering as he begins to chase his own, “Daddy fuck! It’s so good. Fill me up, please? Give me what I want daddy,” you whine as you swirl circles with your tongue at the crook of his neck, causing him to fucking lose it.

“Pippi shit! You want daddy to fill you up hm? Keep you full and round with my babies?” he lets out an earth-shattering growl as he paints your insides rope after rope of white heat in your fluttering walls, gripping your hair as he crashes his lips to yours. The kiss is sloppy, your tongues tangling with each as you both come down from your highs.

Each trying to catch your breath as your collapse to his chest, Steve bringing his hand up your back and drawing circles on your skin. You lean up lazily, placing a soft kiss to his lips, “What… was that daddy?” You bounce a little as a chuckle shook in his chest a small smirk laced on his lips.

“You almost killed that girl pippi. I’ve never been more turned on in my life,” pressing his lips to yours, “That’s my fucking girl. A Brooklyn Queen through and through.” you felt content at his praise, laying your head to his chest.

Sure the party ended with a bang but all that matter was that Steve was proud of you..

[polarisjisung]

the heart wants what it wants

you've always assured winwin, but there's one thing you'll never be able to assure him of, after all, the heart wants what it wants

genre: hurt, unrequited love, angst kinda

winwin knows he should think twice before commiting to the word love, but when you knock all common sense and logic out of him, that doesn't seem so easy anymore

perhaps he knows that there's a few too many messed up things about him wanting to date you, like the fact that you're his best friends sister, or the fact that you're his other best friend's ex but the fact that you're already in a happy, healthy and committed relationship seems to top the list, and its the only reason he has to think twice before wanting to pour his heart out to you in his current drunken state

he's not sure when he'd say he found himself wanting to commit to the l-word with you, maybe that time you'd given up the last slice of your birthday cake, at your birthday party, to a poor little girl on the side of the street, without having tasted any of your favourite pistachio and vanilla chiffon cake or maybe even the time you'd pulled an all nighter taking the coffee stain out of your aunts wedding dress despite having your finals the next day or maybe through those day to day experiences where you wouldn't hesitate to put others before yourself

all he knows is that now, even with jung jaehyuns broad arms wrapped around your torso so posessively, he wouldn't hesitate to say that he loves you

its common practise between your group of friends to drop the word love like it means nothing more than an affection between siblings, but to winwin, love you could never suffice, not if the single letter I didn't come before it, with a bright smile from you and burning hot cheeks the shade of ripe peaches, just like when you'd look jaehyun in the eyes, and let the words fall from your lips

winwin knew he was asking for too much, but as you'd liked to say, the heart wants what it wants, and his heart wanted you

as a friend, especially one jaehyun cherished a little more so than others, winwin couldn't help but feel guilty

but even more so, he couldn't help the way his teeth would grind against each other every time he caught jaehyun gazing at you just as longingly as he would, or the way his fists would ball up when jaehyun would call you by the sickeningly sweet nickname he had for you peaches

while your names for jaehyun were on the less creative side, winwin knows he'd still kill for the opportunity to be called your love just like you referred to jung jaehyun

you and jaehyun had always been a popular pair since your elementary school days, from being prom King and Queen, having teachers chatting about how the two of you just complimented each other perfectly over a cup of coffee and even being stopped on the street far too many times than winwin would like to admit, being told you were the cutest couple

everyone who'd ever known the two of you always had something to say about you being a power couple which was exactly why when jaehyun finally asked you to be his girlfriend during the last basketball game of the season, the two of you had become everyone's OTP

and it was no reassurance to winwin, the way you'd practically look at jaehyun with heart eyes

perhaps it was the way he was a little more observant about anything remotely related to you, or just a coincidence, but winwin hadn't failed to notice the way your large eyes would light up at the sight of your boyfriend, how the dullest of your day's could become bright again just at the sound of his bassy voice or the way you'd drop everything as you'd hear jaehyuns footsteps approaching, to jump into his arms and give him a kiss on the cheek

if only winwin could express the extent of his pains when it came to observing the two of you as a couple, he wouldn't know where to start

but one thing he was certain of, the cherry on top would always be the way jaehyun would talk about just how in love with you he was

the way he'd talk about everything winwin would notice about you so openly, and with every opportunity to point out a missed detail in your habits, winwin would bite back his tongue in a desperate attempt to keep his liking towards you as hidden as possible

he wasn't sure it was all that hidden in the way he'd look at you, or how his voice would soften when speaking to you, or how his eyes would light up, and so much more, just the thought of you was enough to brighten his days

but the thought of never being able to call you his, was one that never failed to do the opposite

it was the sad truth, a truth you always reminded him of, because as you'd always liked to say, the heart wants what it wants, your heart wanted jaehyun and winwin's would never stop wanting you

[moongoddessmox]

Darlin' (Lee Bodecker x Reader) MoxMas Day 14

Warning: 18+, fluff, smut, oral (f receiving), p in v, unprotected sex, m/f orgasm, pet names: darling, doll, baby, mentions of domestic abuse, some violence, gunshot wounds (unrelated to the abuse),

Word Count: 8,523

Pairing: soft!Lee x Reader

Summary: You move to Knockemstiff to make a clean break from an abusive relationship. Working as a nurse, the sheriff takes interest in you and you slowly begin to fall for him. When he suffers a gunshot, you tend to him and your bond only grows.

Prompt: Christmas Eve has your otp trapped in an elevator until late, both hungry and cold and now asleep together on the floor with bags of shopping discarded across from them.

A/N: Alright, this is long as hell and idk if it just drags on or not, but I really loved the idea of Lee being infatuated with you so here's that. I also briefly made this a MoxMas prompt to fill in my list lmao, but that isn't really the main focus. Also, in this world Lee isn't corrupt or a hoe lmao. As always, crossposted on mox-writes for notifications. Feedback is greatly appreciated! <3

Masterlist | Mox-Writes | MoxMas Masterlist

Prompt List 2

"Mornin' darling'," Sheriff Lee Bodecker greeted you as he walked into the small rural hospital where you worked. You were new in town, coming in from one small town to another and taking up a vacancy there as a nurse. You weren't so sure it could be called a hospital, it was the size of a clinic and didn't see as many patients as a hospital did, most folks around there couldn't afford major surgeries so the most action the place saw was a few broken arms.

You offered him a weak smile, he came by every day just to talk to you, hoping one day you'd finally give in to his advances and go out with him. You heard about his reputation around town and didn't want to get into another bad relationship. You moved away from home to escape an abusive relationship that left you in the hospital plenty of times and just wanted a clean break.

"Mornin' Sheriff," you barely glanced at him as you shuffled around some papers, getting together some forms for a patient. Lee leaned on the counter and tapped his hand on it absentmindedly, the other playing with some candy wrappers in his jacket pocket.

"When are you gonna let me take you to dinner, doll?" The southern drawl of his voice was thick and smooth, it ran chills down your spine when he'd call you those little pet names but you always brushed them off. He didn’t bother making small talk before he asked, like I said, he came in every day to talk to you and ask the same thing.

"I already told you, sheriff, I'm busy workin' here and I ain't got time to be running around with you," you gave a small smirk. You didn't think he'd ever give up trying to get you to dinner, probably just so he could get you into bed--or more likely, the back of his cruiser. But he was pretty cute, you'd give him that.

"Oh darlin', you gotta eat sometime," he winked, waiting for a proper answer, his blue eyes watching every move you made. You stacked your papers and clipped them onto a clipboard, holding it in your arms against your chest. You looked up at him, his round cheeks creased with a smile. You sighed, walking around the counter and placing a hand on his shoulder briefly.

"Bye sheriff," you walked away down the hall, skirt swaying from side to side as he watched you disappear, hearing your sweet voice greet your patient before the door closed behind you.

The sheriff’s infatuation with you went on for weeks, hoping that one of those days would finally be the one. You always brushed him off and denied his attempts but he kept coming back to that little hospital, tapping his fingers and chewing on some type of candy, leaning against that little counter as you filled out forms and processed information. It had gotten to the point where everyone knew when he was coming; if you were going to be away with a patient, there’d always be a note written by another nurse waiting for him on the counter. “She’s busy, try again tomorrow”, to which he’d wait as long as he could for you to be finished just so he could see you, though usually you didn’t come back out in time and he had to disgruntledly leave.

You had made a couple friends in town and started to feel like part of the community. Everyone knew everyone and all the town gossip, but you tried to keep to yourself enough that no one found out about your past. You wanted a fresh start and having everyone whisper and bring up your abusive ex wasn’t something you wanted to happen. You tried to break away more and more as time went on, allowing yourself the comfort of having friends and putting effort into town events, but you still did most things alone.

You walked down the beaten sidewalk from the small market, holding a couple cloth shopping bags in each hand. You took in the town, it was small and dingy, dust-covered the sidewalks, and the few little shops were surrounded by trees. Chirp! Chirp! You got startled by the siren of a patrol car pulling up beside you. You paused and looked over, seeing the sheriff sitting in the driver’s seat of a black and white police car, the red light on top spun a few times then came to a stop.

Lee pulled over, leaning over until he was in full view of you. He looked you up and down, a smirk crossing his face into a full-blown smile.

“Afternoon, darlin’,” you raised an eyebrow at him with a small smirk of your own. Gracing him with a coy smile you waited for his millionth attempt to take you out. “So you do leave work sometimes then?” he tipped his head toward your bags, already wondering if you go shopping at the same time every day so he can “bump into you”.

“A girl’s gotta get what she needs, sheriff,”

“Well, a girl as pretty as you shouldn’t have to walk,” he extended his hand toward the passenger door, inviting you to get in. You only shook your head, you had no idea if you’d even make it home without a detour and you didn’t want to find out. Cute as he was, you still didn’t want to trust a man yet, especially not the infamously active sheriff.

“I don’t have to walk, I choose to, thanks though!” you said as you began to walk away, leaving him without a goodbye. You just wanted to get back home and hoped he would move on to the next girl, which you figured was bound to happen. He’d reach a point where you didn’t interest him anymore and he’d find the next young thing to bother, it was best that he got there before he had anything real to do with you.

Lee put the car in drive and slowly inched down the road next to you, still trying to keep a conversation going.

“Ya know, I like a headstrong woman,”

“I bet you do,”

“Now come on, one little dinner with me wouldn’t kill ya, would it?” you rolled your eyes. Not as annoyed as you should have been, you were flattered by the attention he gave you but it was all for naught.

“I actually don’t know about that sheriff, from what I hear, it could be pretty bad,” Lee’s eyebrows furrowed, he wasn’t sure what it was going to take to convince you but he wasn’t going to give up.

“I see you listen to town gossip, most of what you heard probably isn’t true, doll,” he wasn’t lying, most of the town gossip was bred out of jealousy and boredom. He was actually a decent guy given the chance. Sure, he’d screw around a little bit early in his career as sheriff, but it was nothing more than usual and he was actually really caring toward whoever was his girl.

“Oh, and you wouldn’t lie?” you kept a smirk on your face, flicking your gaze toward him every so often.

“Miss Y/N, if there’s one thing to be known about me, it’s that I never lie to a beautiful woman.” you paused for a moment after he spoke. Turning to look at him as he came to a stop, you searched his face for any semblance of a lie but it wasn’t there, he looked like he was being honest. Lee leaned over the seat again to watch your small pause, he wondered what you were thinking, if maybe you were starting to believe him, that’s what he hoped at least. You sighed and kept walking, and being followed.

Lee made chit-chat until you reached the corner where you needed to turn. It was starting to get dark and you were almost home, you didn’t want Lee to find any reason to come inside. As if you had commanded it to happen, he got a radio call about an incident he needed to take care of, so he left with a smooth “see ya tomorrow” and sped off in the opposite direction. You exhaled, glad he was gone, but missing the company.

By now it was Christmas Eve and you had gotten up early to make your final rounds of shopping. Only a couple places were open still, most closing the day before so everyone had time to spend with their families. Such a small town didn’t require everyone to be open, so there was just the market and another little shop. That worked out perfectly for you because you just needed to find a couple more gifts and some Christmas sides.

After your shopping, you went to an engraver in town to pick up an order you had placed. It was the only place in town that had an elevator, most of the shops were rundown and one story, but the engraver had a rickety old lift that helped bring down the large pieces he created. Unbeknownst to the rest of town, you had a pretty bad hip, a condition of your previous relationship. Normally, you would just take the stairs up to the workroom of the engraver, you were only getting a small piece and it didn’t constitute using the elevator. But you had a hard time getting up steps, so you chose to use the elevator.

The building was old and a bit dark, the faint clacks of a hammer on metal echoed through the cement building as blacksmiths worked on tools somewhere. As you boarded the elevator, none other than Lee Bodecker walked into the dingy old building. His round face twisted up into a smile as he saw you standing there, shopping bags in hand and a long peacoat hugging your body. You sighed softly, lips threatening a smile as you clicked the button to take you up.

Lee rushed over and stopped the elevator from closing, he stepped on and smiled at you.

“Ya know, I think it’s fate that I keep running into you, doll,” he leaned over you, one hand on his tactical belt, the other on the wall beside you.

“Or it’s stalking, sheriff,” you joked lightly. You hoped it was a coincidence, he wouldn’t have had any way of knowing where you were anyway, seeing as the gift you were picking up was for him and only you knew about it.

“What are you doing at old Benji’s anyway?”

“Just picking up a gift is all, what are you doing here?” you asked him back, a coy look spreading across your face. Lee licked his bottom lip, his smile never faded as he looked at you.

“Just the same, just a special gift for a special lady,” he winked at you. What a coincidence that you both had gotten gifts from the same place for each other. Unless of course, the “special lady” was one of the other women he was probably pursuing. You rode the elevator all the way up, getting off and greeting Benji while sneakily tucking the gift in your bag. It was rather cheesy, just a glass tankard engraved with ‘Knockemstiff Sheriff’, but you knew he loved to drink and you wanted to get him something for his endless efforts.

You both got back on the elevator and headed down to the main floor. Midway through, the elevator creaked and jammed, getting stuck where you couldn’t get out.

“Fuck,” he murmured under his breath, banging on the console to try and get it to move. The elevator didn’t budge. Lee called out to Benji, hoping he’d hear him and come help but there was too much extra noise in the building. Lee looked at you as if to apologize, though, you didn’t know why, it’s not like he caused the thing to break. You sighed and set your bags down in the corner, sliding down the wall of the elevator until you were sitting beside your things. Lee leaned against the wall and watched you.

“Who knows how long we could be in here, we might as well consider it a date,” Lee chuckled, shooting his eyebrows up at you with a smirk.

“This is a terrible date sheriff,”

“Please, call me Lee,” his eyes softened. The little change in his expression made a new feeling rush over you. It was like you were seeing him, like seeing who he really was, he was soft and caring and just wanted you to care for him too. You looked down, fiddling with your thumbs.

“This is a terrible date, Lee,” he smiled widely at his name falling from your lips. Lee sat down across from you, making conversation like you’d never had. He was actually discussing things, what he does daily as a cop, his past, his life. It was new, usually, you only talked about how much he wanted you, brief greetings in passing, but now he was talking to you.

Hours passed and you were still stuck in the elevator, Lee still making conversation and getting you to open up a little bit. If you were going to be stuck with him, you might as well be civil. Eventually, you started getting tired. Slumping your head over as you failed repeatedly to stay awake, hoping help would come so you could go get into bed. Lee took notice of this and offered his lap for your head, you refused and stayed leaned against the wall, head bobbing and eyes getting heavy.

It wasn’t long before you fell fully asleep, your head pressed against one wall of the elevator and one knee pulled up to your chest. Lee was still awake, listening to the soft sounds of your breathing. You were gorgeous, he admired every little detail about you with a smile. He took off his jacket and put it aside, reaching over to you and laying you gently on the ground next to him with your head on his outstretched arm. He laid his jacket on your body and hoped you were warm enough. It was pretty cold, but he didn’t want to cross any boundaries by cuddling you, so this would suffice.

Another couple of hours passed and Lee had fallen asleep too. You were now pressed against his body, arm slung over his soft chest and one leg pulled on top of his. He hadn’t moved much though, just his free hand laying on your forearm gently. You were shocked awake by the movement of the elevator, sitting up abruptly as you began to shift downward. Lee sat up, groggily coming to his senses about where he was. You looked at him shyly, standing up and gathering your things. Lee didn’t say anything yet, just brushed a hand along the back of his neck, unsure if he made you uncomfortable.

“Thanks,” you handed him back his jacket, offering a warm smile. You thought it was sweet, you hadn’t taken the sheriff as someone who would make sure you were comfortable.

“Any time, darlin’,” he smiled back, slipping his jacket back on and offering you a ride back home. This time you took it.

After you napped some more, you got up and started your day. It was Christmas, so you spent the day baking and going around town giving people their gifts. You only had a few stops to make, three friends from work and the sheriff. You saved Lee for last, considering staying with him a bit longer if he was available. You knocked on his door but there was no answer. You were confused because you knew he wasn’t going to work that day and everywhere was closed. You waited a little longer but he never showed, so you decided to just head home. You set his gift on your dining table and went into the kitchen to grab some of the cookies you baked.

The phone rang and you picked it up, setting your plate of treats back down to the counter. The voice on the other end was one of the nurses at the hospital, she spoke softly so as to not alarm you.

“Lee is here,” you thought that was odd, he knew you didn’t work today so there was no reason for him to be there, unless.

“Madge, why is he there?” your voice was a little shaky, worried about what her answer would be.

“Y/N, he got shot in the stomach and arm, Dr. Reynolds is treating him now but I thought you’d want to know,” your heart sank. The thought of losing him hurt your soul, a part of you wanted to go out with him, to finally give in to his sweet charm and hold him. That part became ever so obvious at that moment, you realized just how much you cared for the sheriff and would thoroughly be upset for never taking a chance. You hung up the phone and rushed to the hospital, driving your yellow 1964 Mustang instead of your usual walking method.

You entered the room where Lee was recovering from surgery. He was laid up in bed asleep, bandages around his arm and abdomen. He looked so peaceful, so sweet and innocent. You took off your coat and laid it on the chair, sitting beside his bed, listening to him sleep. His chest slowly rose and fell in his drug-induced slumber. You admired his face, so soft without the stress of waking life, every wrinkle and stress line was relaxed and his cheeks were full and round. You had to admit he was beautiful.

You stayed in that chair for an hour before he woke up, barely able to open his eyes as he looked around the room. You were the only one there besides the other nurse but she only came in once, leaving him to you since you knew what to do. Lee turned his head and saw you sitting beside him, an instant smile sweeping across his face as his eyes barely hung open.

“My darlin’, you’re everywhere I look. You must care ‘bout me unless I’m in heaven right now.” His voice was drawn out and slurred from the drugs but the joy in his voice was present. You smiled and stood up, standing next to his bed and running a couple fingers through his hair.

“You’re alive sheriff-” he cut you off, eyebrows pushing together as he shook his head slightly.

“What did I say about that, doll?”

“Sorry, you’re alive Lee, just banged up pretty bad,” his smile came back then fell away again, starting to feel the wounds in his body. He’d gotten caught between some people robbing one of the stores and ended up on the wrong side of a gun. He’d pull through, but he’d need to take a few weeks to heal up and you knew he probably needed someone to take care of him so he doesn’t overdo it.

“And you came here to see me, aw-shucks baby,”

“Lee, I’m a nurse, it’s in my nature. Plus, this is the most action I’ve seen the entire time I’ve been here, I wasn’t gonna pass up some bullet holes.” You teased, resting your hand on the bed. Lee chuckled then immediately regretted it, the pain in his stomach swelled up and spread through his body. He groaned, face twisting in pain. You frowned. You didn’t like seeing him like this, all vulnerable and hurt, the hurt of no one else visiting also showed on his face and you just wanted to comfort him. You stayed with him until you had to leave, needing to rest before your shift began. He protested heavily but there were other post-Christmas patients that needed tending.

A week passed and Lee was being discharged. You came into his room and he sat on the edge of his bed, trying to get his belt buckled with one hand. You chuckled as you came around him, taking his hand in yours and pulling it away from the belt.

“Let me,” you smiled at him, pulling the belt tight and slipping it through the buckle. Lee swallowed hard as he watched you handle his belt, jaw clenching at the closeness and tease of your fingers at his waistline. He’d often imagined you playing with his belt, delicate fingers unbuckling it and letting it fall open before your hands worked on the button and zipper of his pants. The tension grew as you leaned into him, pushing his body back against the bed as you reached for his jacket. Your nose almost touched his as his eyes flicked between yours and your lips. When you pulled back, Lee exhaled, not realizing he was holding his breath. God, you did things to him. His heart was racing and he was glad to not be hooked up to the monitor anymore. You were fully aware of what you were doing, admittedly you liked to tease him a bit, wanting to allow yourself to fall for him but never being able to commit.

“Come on, I’m taking you home,” you said as you handed him the jacket. His ears perked up and a smile crept back on his face.

“Finally, I’ve been waiting for you to come on by,”

“To rest, Lee.” You rolled your eyes at him. Helping him with his things as he winced all the way to the car. He slid a hand over the top of your Mustang with an approving smile. He hadn’t seen it before, you usually kept it under a tarp at home and walked everywhere. He wasn’t sure why you would hide such a beautiful car but you wanted to strengthen your hip back up after your previous injury to it, that’s why you loved to walk.

When you arrived at his house, you helped him out of the car, sliding the keys from his jacket pocket and letting him inside. Lee sat on the couch with a groan and kicked his feet up on the coffee table. You laid out his prescriptions on the table and told him what they were and when to take them.

“You got any water here?” you asked as you headed to the kitchen.

“A beer will be fine,” you rolled your eyes, checking the fridge for any bottles but only seeing cases of alcohol and barely any food. You searched the cabinets until you found the cups, an assortment of mismatched dishes cluttered the shelves. You grabbed one of the only ones that didn’t have a chip in it, filled it with tap water, and brought it back into the living room, setting it next to the pills.

“No beer, Lee, I mean it. Not while you’re taking these pills. And you need to get some food in here, what do you even eat?”

“I go to the diner, no need keepin’ food here,” he gave you an innocent smile. You tsked and headed for the door.

“Stay there, and don’t get a beer, please?” you looked at him as he threw his hands up.

“Just for you, I won’t, darlin’,” you shook your head and left, heading to the grocery store to pick him up some items.

When you came back, Lee was changed into something more comfortable and was laying on the couch asleep. The radio played music softly in the background and the glass of water on the table was almost empty. You grabbed the old quilt from the back of the couch and laid it over him, bringing his uninjured arm, which hung to the floor, up to lay on the couch. You let him sleep as you unloaded the groceries and prepared him some lunch.

An hour had passed as you stocked his kitchen and made a full meal, including some for leftovers he could just reheat. You removed the alcohol from the fridge and placed it up high, somewhere out of sight so he’d be more likely to just grab something healthy instead. You plated his food and brought it into the living room.

“Lee?” you gently brushed his arm, trying not to startle him awake. He started to stir and you whispered his name again.

“My darlin’,” he didn’t open his eyes but reached up to grab your hand that was on his arm. You melted a little at his touch, he was warm and his rough hand was big on yours. You watched him slowly wake up, eyes fluttering open to see your beautiful face standing over him. “Beautiful as ever.” You couldn’t help but smile. Eventually, he was going to wear you down enough with his praise that you would at least go to dinner with him.

“You need to eat,” you helped him sit up and handed him the plate of chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. Gravy covered everything but the veggies and a new glass of water sat on the table. You brought over one of his TV dinner trays and set it up in front of him.

“I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in ages, you’re too good to me,” he reached over and grabbed your hand again and squeezed it, his eyes full of love. No one had ever really treated him with real respect and kindness, especially after hearing about his scandals, but despite you rejecting him, you still treated him kindly.

“It’s just lunch, Lee, don’t get your hopes up,” you reminded him. You didn’t fully believe that you could resist him though, seeing his stupidly sweet smile every time he looked at you was giving you hope and butterflies. You sat in the armchair next to the couch and ate with him, going over his healing process and what he can and cannot do. He was actually pleasant company, he talked about things he didn’t with other people and he seemed more personable than he did in uniform.

The day had gone by pretty quickly and you had to get back to work. You cleaned up the dishes and told him about his new groceries, demanding that he eat at home instead of trying to drive to the diner. The chuckle he gave you wasn’t convincing you that he’d actually do as you said, but you couldn’t control his every move.

“Alright, Lee, I gotta go now,” you picked up your coat from the back of the armchair and slid into it.

“Aw, darlin’, don’t go, we were having such a good time.” His voice was pleading and sweet, it would’ve gotten you to stay if you didn’t need to be at work. You looked over his face, his blue eyes staring up at you from the couch with his right arm in a sling. He looked sad, the creeping feeling of being alone overtaking his expression and dimming his eyes. You didn’t want to care about him as much as you did, you wished you could just forget about him and go on with your life alone. But here he was, looking forlorn and lost, desperate for you to stay, and you couldn’t help but feel for him.

“I’ll be back, but I gotta work, Lee. Just be good and try to rest.” You walked over to him, pressing a firm kiss to the top of his head. He melted into it, it had been so long since he’d felt any affection, especially one that seemed genuine. When you left, he slumped into the couch, the loneliness creeping back in as he looked around the empty house, already missing your liveliness and presence.

You visited him every day, taking your lunch breaks to eat with him and coming before and after work to make sure he was doing alright. At night, you’d help him clean his wounds and tell him how to properly bathe without irritating the injuries. He had insisted that you give him the sponge bath, stating that it hurt too much for him to do it himself, but you knew better. You’d roll your eyes and catch his smirk, he knew you wouldn’t fall for it but he had to try.

One night he had tried to go back to work too early and split his stitches open. Instead of going back to the hospital, he just asked that you stitch him up on the couch, to save himself the embarrassment of doing too much too early. You did as such, gently cleaning and stitching the wound as he watched you. Your hands were steady, carefully moving the needle between his skin and knotting it in place. You did this until he had a line of stitches along his abdomen.

After that, you had been staying on his couch, worried that he might cause himself more harm. You brought over some blankets and pillows and a small tote of things you needed and made camp in his living room. After the third night, your body was beginning to feel the effects of the lumpy old couch and you were moving around slower. Your back constantly ached and you couldn’t get a good night's sleep. Lee had taken notice of this and insisted that you sleep in his bed. Naturally, you refused, settling yourself back onto the couch and telling him to go to sleep, but he tossed his blanket over his shoulder and came out to the living room.

“You take the bed, I’ll take the couch,” he lightly kicked your leg to get you to move.

“Lee, you literally have bullet holes in your body, I’m not gonna allow you to sleep on the couch,” you didn’t budge. Instead, you laid down, sliding your blanket over your body. “Go to bed, sheriff.”

“No,” he dropped his blanket and tore yours off, “either I sleep here or we both sleep in the bed, doll, your choice.” He was stubborn, refusing to let you be uncomfortable, especially because of him. You looked at him with disbelief, scrambling to pick up your blanket. You stood up with a huff and rolled your eyes, heading to the bedroom. Lee laid his blanket on the couch, not wanting to assume that you would allow him to sleep next to you. You peaked your head from around the corner and watched him struggle with the blanket.

“Lee, get in here.” He turned around trying to force back a smirk. He followed you into the room and tossed the bedding down.

“Just, just stay on your side, okay?” you sighed, creating a small wall between you with the top sheet. Lee just hummed, settling into the bed and watching you get comfortable. You brought your blanket up to your chin and wrapped up in it. It was a cold December night and his heater was broken, the sight of snow gently falling outside the window only made you colder. You shut your eyes, trying to think of warm places as you curled up.

“It’s warmer over here,” Lee said, voice laced with impure intentions. You didn’t move, just sighed as you ignored his advances. “I’m just sayin’, I hate to see my darlin’ all cold when she could be cuddled up over here,”

“Lee, I’m not your darlin’ and I’m fine where I am,” a small shiver went through your body causing him to chuckle.

“Alright, well if you want to be warm, all you gotta do is ask,” he settled into the mattress, pulling his own blanket up and shutting his eyes. You listened to his breathing as you tried to doze off to sleep. It was steady and calm, the air sweeping gently through his nostrils and out his mouth. You tried to tuck yourself as far as you could into your nook but you couldn’t get any warmer. The blanket wasn’t thick enough to shield you from the crisp winter air, so you had no choice but to turn over, considering cuddling up to Lee. You watched him for a moment, seeing if he would open his eyes at the movement on the bed. He laid there peacefully, eyes shut and mouth slightly agape.

When he didn’t stir, you lightly scooted over, moving the top sheet and gently lifting his blanket. You pressed your body against his and fuck was it warm. You rested your head on his shoulder and snuggled into him, bringing your blanket on top of the both of you and melting against his warm skin. Lee didn’t move, he felt your body lay against his and he suppressed a smile, glad that you felt comfortable enough to take solace in his presence. He loved feeling you against him, your cold body chilling his but warming up quickly. He could stay like that forever.

The next morning, you woke up sprawled out on Lee’s chest. His arm was around your back and you laid lazily across him. He was still asleep, pudgy chest rising and falling with each breath. Admittedly, you wanted to nuzzle against him, planting a kiss on his neck until he woke up and wrapped you in his arms. You had opened yourself up to him more and thought maybe you could allow him in. That was until a sharp pain shot from your hip through the length of your leg.

You jolted up, letting out a small screech in pain as you tried to calm it. Lee startled awake, eyes finding you curled up in a fetal position at the edge of the bed.

“Y/N? Are you okay?” his southern drawl was riddled with concern. He forgot about his own pain as he sat up and reached out to you. You couldn’t speak, the pain pulsing through your body like a thunderous storm. Lee laid his hand on your arm, not wanting to break any boundaries but wanting to let you know he was there. His touch calmed you down as you let the pain run its course, finally subsiding to a small burn in your hip. You straightened out, relaxing for a moment before turning toward him. His face was twisted up with worry as he watched you.

“I’m fine, Lee, I just get some pain in my hip now and then,” you said, not wanting to reveal too much. His hand rubbed your arm, a small gesture of comfort.

“That seemed a little more than some pain, darlin’, you know you can tell me anythin’?” His voice was sincere, he wanted to know how he could help and he wanted nothing more than for you to feel comfortable around him. You sighed, reassuring yourself it was okay to let him in and realizing he probably wouldn’t have let it go anyway.

“Well, ya see back in my hometown, I was engaged to this guy, Darryl. He was all charming at first, took me on dates and scenic views, but after we got engaged he started getting violent,” you clenched your jaw, trying not to relive the memories.

“He would get real angry if things weren’t to his liking, which was every day, and he’d take it out on me. One time it got really bad and he ended up breaking my hip. But after so many trips to the doctor already, he wouldn’t let me go get it looked at so I had to set it myself. It’s never really healed properly and that’s why I have pain. I try to walk to strengthen it, but it doesn’t really go away.” You were wiping away tears now, unable to look him in the eye. You felt shame for some reason, maybe you thought he’d think less of you for it, for staying so long, for ‘allowing’ yourself to be put through that, maybe the fact you were engaged would put him off, you weren’t sure but you just felt embarrassed.

Lee had all but broken down. His eyes were so soft as he looked at you, hurt for what you’d been through, hurt for you going through it alone. He wrapped his arms around you, wincing at the pain in one of them but pulling you close to his chest. You were surprised at his reaction, not wanting to believe he could care about you.

“Oh darlin’, I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he kissed your forehead tenderly, melting away your worries, “but you listen here, I ain’t no lowdown dog that would lay a hand on you like that, any man that would do that to a woman ain’t a man at all. You deserve to be treated with respect, you deserve the world, princess.” Lee’s voice was stern but soft, he wasn’t asking you to believe him, he was telling you matter of factly.

You pressed further into him, accepting his embrace like a warm blanket. You stayed in silence for a while as he comforted you, rubbing small circles into your back and secretly plotting ways to get back at your ex until you had to leave.

“Will I see you back in the morning, doll?” he asked as you put on your coat.

“Actually, I was thinking I could take a break tonight and we can go get dinner?” you smirked at him. Lee’s eyes lit up as you finally accepted his dinner proposal. His round cheeks grew with a large smile and he ran his tongue over his bottom lip.

“It’s a date,” he winked, the excitement unable to be hidden on his face. You playfully rolled your eyes at him and headed out the door.

You and Lee were back at his house after dinner, laying on his double bed and cuddled up for warmth. When you told your boss you were taking your break to go to dinner with the sheriff, she gave you the rest of the night off, relieved that you were finally accepting his many, many attempts to take you out. His infatuation with you was the talk of the town and people had begun to make bets about when you’d finally agree. The nights at the hospital were always slow anyway, so they’d survive without you. This gave you time to look all nice for him and spend the night at his place.

Lee was gaining more mobility in his arm and didn’t need the sling anymore. He still couldn’t work but he had mustered up enough strength to take a trip to your hometown and find Darryl. When the sheriff knocked on the door of his trailer, he was ready to grab the gun from its holster and shoot him on the spot, but he didn’t think you’d take too kindly to that type of behavior. A good beating was at least forgivable. So, when Darryl answered the door, Lee only hesitated to confirm his identity before laying a brutal beating onto him. He left him bloody and begging for mercy, promising to never cross paths with you again as he sat in his piss-covered jeans.

Lee couldn’t hide his torn-up knuckles from you but seeing the look on his face when you asked where he got the injury was all the information you needed. You knew he had probably visited Darryl, you weren’t sure if he was still alive or not but honestly, you didn’t really care to know. It did make you feel a whole lot better knowing that Lee cared enough to do something like that for you.

Now that you were laid up in bed with him, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of security. You knew by now that Lee was kind and meant well, and seeing how he acted with you told you that he did care. Another feeling arose that you couldn’t ignore for much longer, and that was one of lust. Seeing how soft he was with you and how much he respected you, made you long for him even more.

Lee was going on about his life and absentmindedly caressed your arm, leaving trails of goosebumps behind. You lifted your head from his broad shoulder to look at him, admiring the roundness of his cheeks and how his hardness melted away when he was with you. You smiled at him, your newfound silence making him pause and glance at your watchful eyes.

“Darlin’?” he pushed his eyebrows together and raised them, the movement of his hand stopped as he waited for your response. You didn’t speak, only giving in to the building tension and leaning over to kiss his soft lips. Lee froze, stunned that you had made the first move, especially after months of chase. But he soon twisted his lips into a smile and kissed you back, his hand sliding from your arm to the back of your head. You closed your eyes and moaned softly into him, your emotions overwhelming you as you let go.

Lee was gentle and passionate, being mindful to not do anything you didn’t want. As much as he wanted you, he wanted you to be in control, to navigate where this went. And you did. You pulled him closer, bringing your hand to the back of his neck and deepening the kiss until his body was pressed against yours. Lee hummed softly against your lips, any pain he felt was absent as his mind was just on you. He brought his hand down to your hip and pulled at the skirt of your dress, shifting it up your thighs for mobility. You allowed him to expose your legs, then tossed one over his waist and straddled him. Lee groaned at the shift of weight against his abdomen wound and you pulled back.

“Sorry, do you want me to move?” you asked, lifting your hips up a bit to relieve the pressure.

“Darlin’, I’ve been waiting months to see you on top of me like this, don’t you go anywhere,” you let out a chuckle as his southern accent filled your ears. You leaned back down and kissed him, trailing your lips from his along his jawline and down his neck, nibbling at the skin. Lee moaned and brought his hands up your dress to your ribs, kneading your soft flesh. You pressed your hips against his growing crotch, teasing him through his sweats. The more you ground against him, the more you felt the pressure of his growth on you.

Your hands slide under his shirt, feeling every inch of his squishy body. You loved how pudgy he was, soft fluff over his strong muscles that was perfect for squeezing and cuddling. You couldn’t believe that you had found someone who seemed to love everything about you. It was intoxicating, despite denying him for so long, you were glad that he never gave up. You found yourself enjoying every little attempt he made to get you here, every passing smile and routine visit to the hospital, just to chat and see you, to see if you were ready to take him up on his offer. He was persistent and you loved that.

Lee sat up, keeping you straddled on his lap as he discarded his shirt, revealing scars and a hairy chest. You bit your lip, running your fingers through the hair before holding his cheeks as you kissed him again. Lee moaned into you, the taste of your lips was better than any drug, he was high on you, and every time your tongue slipped into his mouth he thought he was in heaven. He pulled at your dress, breaking the kiss only to yank it off your body then slammed his face back to yours. You felt electricity rush through your body, an eagerness, and excitement that you could barely contain.

“I want you, Lee, I want you so much,” your voice was breathy and soft, the words spilled from your lips like honey, sweet and slow. He flashed his eyes to yours and you saw the world in them. He gazed at you like you were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, and you were to him.

“Come here, doll,” Lee pulled you against his body, flipping you over and laying your back on the bed with a surprised laugh. The cold air was warm around you, thick with humidity and sexual desire. Lee hooked his fingers in your panties and pulled them down your legs, revealing your dripping core. His jaw clenched at the sight before him, seeing you so wet for him made his heart pound. Lee wrapped his arms around your thighs and held you in place, dipping his face to your slit and placing a tender kiss on it. He looked up at you, admiring your face before he dove into you.

Lee sucked on your clit with such vigor, moaning at the taste of you finally on his tongue. You gripped the sheets as his head bobbed, licking long stripes up your tingling pussy.

“Oh, Lee, that feels so good!” you moaned out, unable to control your breathing as he worked wonders on you. You felt his mouth curl into a smile, tongue never losing pace. Lee pressed further into you, his breathing impacted by your flesh as he sucked on your core. As your moans became more frantic, his pace picked up, tasting every nook and fold of your pussy until you couldn’t control yourself anymore. You cussed out, hands finding his on your thighs and gripping them tightly. Your orgasm rocked through your body in a way that you never felt before. The feeling of his mouth was overwhelming, it was like he was performing magic, swirling and sucking until your legs couldn’t stop shaking and you were gushing into his mouth.

Lee licked up every drop of you, tongue soothing your swollen folds. You were a bit mad at yourself for waiting so long, denying yourself this type of pleasure was soul-crushing, but you were glad to finally be here under his body. Lee sucked on your thighs, biting the soft skin gently before laying kisses in the crease of your hip. He kissed your injured hip so tenderly and lovingly before trailing up your stomach to your breasts. He kneaded one in his hand and sucked on the other, leaving the nipple hard as the cold air graced it. He came up and kissed your lips, engulfing you in such a passionate embrace that could only be compared to the crashing waves of a tsunami, strong and overpowering.

You gripped his back, bringing him closer until you thought you’d meld into one. Lee pressed his crotch against yours, slowly grinding as he moaned against your lips, desperate to feel your walls around him. You pushed at the top of his sweatpants until his hips were bare, he finished your task and took off the pants, returning back to your center. Lee kissed your neck, sucking hard enough that there would definitely be marks in the morning. That would surely be a popular topic of discussion when you went back to work.

Lee lined himself up at your entrance, flicking his eyes to yours before pushing his way in. You gasped at his size, your tight walls gripped his cock as he struggled to push in all the way.

“Is this okay, darlin’?” he whispered into your skin, his lips pressed lightly just under your ear. You nodded, nails digging into his smooth back.

“Yes baby, you’re just so much bigger than I thought,” your voice was shaky, still trying to settle from the intense orgasm he gave you and trying to adjust to his cock. He smirked and hummed against your skin, slowly moving back and forth to loosen you up and get you more comfortable. As your walls began to slick, his thrusts became easier, allowing him to push all the way in until his balls slapped against your body.

“Fuck baby, you feel so good, ya know that?” he growled against you, his hips bucking forward with a few hard movements. You couldn’t speak, only high-pitched moans left your mouth as you felt him fill you up. Lee started going faster, the feeling of your wetness coating him made his eyes roll back. He squeezed them shut, trying to focus on lasting long enough for you to cum again. You were everything he dreamed of, soft and sweet, dripping wet for him and moaning wildly. Your gorgeous body was enough to fill him with uncontrollable lust.

“Oh fuck, Lee, right there, just like that sheriff!” You screamed out as he hit your g-spot. He perked up when you called him sheriff. He’d always wanted you to call him by his name, everyone called him sheriff, but now that you were moaning it? It sent him into a frenzy.

“Oh darlin’,” Lee’s voice was drawn out, your words lingering on his mind and making him well up with pleasure. He kept his pace, not wanting to lose your high. He felt his own orgasm bubbling up in his lower abdomen and he held on as long as he could. With a few more strong thrusts, you were squirting on his cock and drenching his body and bed. The grip of your quivering core made him moan so loudly you thought the neighbors would hear it. He shot his warm load into you, filling you up until it dripped out around his cock.

After you were cleaned up, you were cuddled up next to Lee, fingers lightly playing with his chest hair. You felt safe in his arms, not worried about your past or his, just wanting to stay with him like that forever. Forever ended when you remembered that you hadn’t even given him his Christmas present. You sat up in bed and rushed off to the living room without a word. Lee was puzzled, wondering where you were going until you came back with a wrapped box.

“I never did give you this,” you smiled as you handed him the box. He chuckled and accepted it, sitting up to lean against the headboard. You watched him open the gift and his eyes softened.

“I know it ain’t much, but I thought you’d enjoy it. Maybe once you’re off your meds you can actually put it to use,” you explained, shyly rubbing the back of your neck. Lee marveled at it before setting it on the nightstand and leaning over to kiss you.

“It’s perfect darlin’,” when he pulled away, he reached into the drawer of the nightstand and pulled out a long black jewelry box. He handed it to you and you looked at it surprised. When you opened the box, inside was a silver chain with the word “darling” encrusted with tiny jewels. You audibly gasped as your eyes welled up with tears.

“Lee, this is too much, I can’t accept this,” you shut the box and handed it back to him. He refused to take it back, pushing it toward you with a sweet smirk.

“You’re my darlin’, nothing is too much for you,” he gently grazed your cheek with his thumb before bringing you into a passionate embrace.

[emma-ofnormandy]

the witcher and vikings: valhalla crossover that no one asked for and is solely for my inner need to jam two of my otps together and feed a need for found family with an assist of outside friends. have no idea where i am going with this but needed to get some of it out . hopefully those with this also very niche desire enjoy.

“Let them in.”

Tension crept its way along Emma’s shoulders as the heavy door scraped against the uneven flagstone and Agnar’s footfalls echoed down the empty corridor to do her husband’s bidding.

This single move, should it be found out, would put the kingdom at odds with The Brotherhood and their aligned kingdoms. With the fear of an attack from Nilfgaard always at the forefront of their mind, the pool of allies London could draw from was drying up with every passing day. Emma could not help but feel as if they would soon find themselves in the same situation that brought down Cintra.

But the option of turning the new arrivals away, before hearing what they were after, left a sour taste in her mouth.

Emma peered through the lead glass in an attempt to see the newcomers in the stable yard below, but the overcast night and it’s treat of looming snow did not do her any favors. She could make out nothing more than dark shapes and a faint glow from a lone torch kept by the gate.

“Do you think this is wise,” she voiced as she turned from the window to watch her husband, his gaze locked on the maps laid out before him.

“Not particularly.” Canute shifted a grouping of Nilfgaardian soldiers north before he met her steely look. “Would you prefer I turn them away?”

Emma didn’t bother to entertain his question; they both were of the same opinion and he knew it. They rarely played by the rules of the continent and diverging farther off the accepted path of the other kingdoms would come as a surprise to very few.

“When word gets out, and it will, we will be a target for The Brotherhood.”

Her husband came around the table, the lines in his brow deep as he settled himself against the long wood. It was obvious that the weight of unrest on the content wore heavy on him and opening his doors to three wanted people was a risk he did not take lightly. Emma knew he was well aware of the danger they were setting themselves up for, but she could not help herself from reminding him.

“They do not need a reason to make us a target. We were on their list long before tonight.”

Canute’s easy dismissal of the threat the mages posed was not as easily accepted by her.

“They should not be underestimated.”

Since the union of their kingdoms and the expansion of Canute’s control over the northern territories, the Brotherhood had pushed for a permanent mage appointment and the king had continually denied them. Emma knew her husband had no patience for the political meddling The Brotherhood was keen on and the only way to keep their influence out was to bar them from his court.

It was a decision that had not been well received and now, allowing their most wanted criminals to step foot into the castle, would be like rubbing salt in a fresh wound.

“The Brotherhood is the least of my concern,” Canute muttered, his gray gaze glancing back at the map in a moment of unease.

Emma peered behind him to the clay markers strewn about the parchment. It did not take her long to deduce where his worries sat.

“Nilfgaard.”

Canute nodded. “Ehmyr is a man with means beyond any others and he will not stop.”

The idea sent a chill down Emma’s spine. The contacts she had scattered throughout the content had warned them of Nilfgaard’s advancement and their ruthless ways, but none had been able to tell her what it was they were searching for.

It has been determined that the rogue kingdom's advancement was not for land or control; it sought something else, something with a value unknown and Emma knew, if given the chance, they would destroy everything she and Canute had built if the White Flame thought what he sought was within their boundaries.

“It is still a mystery as to what he is after,” she lamented.

Canute reached an arm toward her, drawing her closer when she took his hand. “A matter of time, my dear.” His lips lingered against her knuckles. “I will not allow him to best us. We will figure out what he is searching for.”

Before Emma could respond, the doors of the great hall scraped once more against the floor and Agnar reappeared, the visitors, red faced from the cold, shuffling close behind him. All three of the newcomers scanned the emptiness of the great hall anxiously, their eyes darting from wall to wall in search of others before settling on the front of the room.

They seemed relieved to find no one other than the King and Queen in attendance, but silence lingered. Each watched the others with unease, and when Emma moved to withdraw her hand from her husband’s, Canute simply gripped tighter as he rose to his full height and led her towards the main doors.

“Geralt of Rivia, it has been a long time.”

The white haired witcher waited a moment, his golden gaze jumping between the King and Emma before a small, devilish smile broke across his features. “Too long, Canute.”

A smile, one Emma rarely saw her husband share, spread beneath Canute’s dark beard as he quickly embraced the witcher. The friendship the two men shared was formed years before Emma and Canute had been married, but she knew it was one that her husband held close.

“You remember my wife,” Canute said as he stepped away from Geralt and gestured in the direction of her stoic form.

“Queen Emma,” Geralt dipped his head respectfully.

Emma gave a discreet nod of acknowledgment. “Wonderful to see you again, Geralt.”

She had met the witcher a handful of times, under less dire circumstances, and she had come to form a fondness for the white haired man. He had proven to be an asset to the kingdom on occasion and, despite his at times gruff demeanor, she found him to be a much needed reprieve from the normal manners of court.

The companions he brought with him, however, she did not have the luxury of familiarity and were a cause for anxiety.

Her attention towards the two females was noted by their guest. “This is Yennefer of Vengerberg and-” he hesitated, trying to decide how to introduce the young girl, “Ciri.”

The name of the girl sent Emma’s mind into a whirl of memories. Though she had not been to Cintra in recent years, it did not take long for Emma to recognize the child as Calanthe’s granddaughter. Ciri had been just small when Emma had been there last, on a diplomatic visit with her first husband and not much more than a teenager herself, and even though the girl did not have the queen’s coloring, there was no denying that she was her mother’s daughter.

The confirmation of who she was renewed the concerns that Emma had.

As for the dark haired sorceress, she and Emma exchanged a look of mutual distrust. Emma had a right to be weary of someone who was sought by some of the continent’s most notorious and powerful mages and Yennefer would be a fool not to be suspicious of nobility who’s ties and connections were unknown to her. It did not escape Emma’s notice, however, that the bounty poster that had been circulating throughout the continent did not do Yennefer justice and she could not help but wonder if the information she’d gathered concerning her skills was as accurate as she has been led to believe. A woman of her supposed power would be an asset to the brotherhood, not a hindrance, and she couldn’t help but find herself curious as to what Yennefer did to find herself on the wrong side of them.

It was the king who finally broke the tense silence. “What has brought you here, Geralt?”

“We are in need of a place to stay for a few days before we move on.”

Canute chuckled. “You’ve put in considerable travel for the warmth of a bed for a man who, if I remember correctly, preferred the comforts of the ground than that of a stuffy court.”

The King was a smart man, a strategic one, and despite his friendship with the witcher, Emma knew he would not risk the safety of the kingdom without knowing the full details of the trio’s predicament. She watched as Geralt and Yennefer shared a glance, as if in silent discussion regarding how much was safe to share. It was obvious to Emma that one did not agree with the other, and the way Yennefer frowned, her beautiful eyes filled with irritation aimed in the direction her companion, led her to believe the mage had lost the argument. 

“We had intended to stay at Kaer Morhen for the winter but were faced with a sudden change of plans and had to move.”

“It must be something of considerable importance if it drive a witcher from the safety of his fort,” Canute countered.

Geralt hesitated for a moment before continuing. “How familiar are you with the stories of the wild hunt?”

“Geralt,” Yennefer warned.

Canute and Emma shared a glance. The Wild Hunt was widely talked about amongst the villages, their ghost like appearance in the sky based on bits of truth embellished with centuries folk lore and rumor. It was a story parents told to misbehaving children, soldiers talked about around a fire as they waited for battle, and one that few paid serious attention to. Though few were known to outright deny the Wild Hunt’s existence, elven warriors from another world, riding through the sky in search of slaves to bring back with them was a tall tale that, while it invoked fear in the hearts of the young and entertained the minds of the unoccupied, would be hard for most to take to heart unless they were to see it with their own eyes.

What came to the rescue of the witcher and his party was, unlike most nobility of the continent, both Emma and her husband understood the possible threat these spectral creatures posed. In a world like theirs where monsters of all forms caused havoc and war between human and elves was constant, dismissing the idea that there were other worldly entities that could do additional damage seemed like a fool’s errand.

“What is it that they are after,” Emma asked.

It was Ciri who spoke, surprising everyone. “Me.”

A pang of sympathy shot through Emma as she looked at the young girl. To be so young and be witness to immense personal devastation, then also to have to carry the weight of such a bounty would break even the strongest of adolescence. She appeared unfazed by the admission, almost determined to best them, in fact. A strength like her’s, one that seemed rooted in her being and able to withstand was a trait that would suit her well in the coming years. Emma wondered, though, where such strength came from? No one would question if it was Queen Calanthe that planted the seed within her granddaughter, but was it solely from her memory that Ciri remained steadfast in that way? Or perhaps it was the influence of the two that stood on either side of her that kept the seed of determination watered.  

“Is that all that you are running from?”

Canute’s deep baritone pulled Emma from her thoughts.

“It would seem you already know the answer to that,” Yennefer countered.

Yennefer’s boldness amused Emma. It was rare for someone other than herself to speak so candidly with the king. The woman showed considerable fortitude, even open annoyance, in front of a man who has been known to behead those in his company he found less than agreeable. With every passing exchange, the queen found it difficult to not at least approve of the woman, if not outright like her.

“The kingdom has an extensive intelligence network,” Geralt informed the sorceress.

“All the credit goes to my wife,” Canute added.

A wry smile broke through Emma’s normally composed facade. She had worked, painstakingly, for years to build and expand her connections throughout the continent. It was one of her best achievements to date, in her opinion, despite the risk to herself and those in her employ. Without it, London would not have become the power that it was.

Yennefer’s direct gaze focused solely on the queen.  “Then you are aware that I am considered an enemy of The Brotherhood.”

“I am.” Emma felt a wave of respect for the woman in front of her. Yennefer admitted her bounty to all present, knowing full well that it could result in an ousting from the castle and for that, she owed the sorceress recognition for that. “But the bounty on your head, and the one on the girl’s, is not enough to deny you a place to stay.”

Emma did not miss the way Canute’s mouth lifted with amusement at the women’s discourse. 

“There is a bounty on Ciri?” Geralt interrupted. A look of concern clouded his usually unphased demeanor.

Yennefer looked equally distressed by the news. While she appeared to have little concern for her own wellbeing and status amongst the mages of the continent, it was easy for Emma to see the sorceress was not as flippant with the girl’s.

“Your time at Kaer Morhen has kept you from a considerable amount of intelligence over the last few weeks,” Canute admitted. “But that will be rectified in due time. For now, my men will show you to your rooms. I imagine you are in need of a hot meal and a bath, at the least.”

“Your generousness is appreciated,” Ciri said.

Both Geralt and Yennefer seemed reluctant to leave, but Ciri tugged on their sleeves and dragged them in the direction of the door.

Emma softened and she offered the girls a small smile as the group left to follow Agnar out. The trio’s presence in the castle opened the kingdom to a multitude of danger that neither she nor Canute could begin to truly comprehend. Even with all that they knew so far, the unknown of who else or what else was after Ciri presented a danger that would remain unrevealed until it was at the front gate. Despite the unease and risk, Emma could not help but feel drawn to their plight. Though she did not know the history between the three, something she hoped to learn more about in the coming day, something instinctual told her that she was standing on the right side of history in the decision to help them.

It wasn’t until she was sure the trio was out of ear shot that she spoke, though her words were free of the feelings she’d felt as she watched the party leave. “We are now not only the enemy of The Brotherhood and Nilfgaard, but also of elven warriors from another world.”

Canute drew her into his embrace, the comfort of his warmth a balm to Emma’s increasing anxieties.

“There is a first time for everything, I suppose,” he murmured and Emma could not help but chuckle despite it all.

[khoicesbyk]

The Royal Romance.

Love Everlasting.

A/N: I had a different name and plot for this fic over a year ago. But after being in the RP community for more than a year, I've decided to write the current Royal Life of my favorite OTP.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 7,250 words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or dm me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

Every so often the chapters will be or include flashbacks. This is just the first flashback.

Tag List: @twinkleallnight @txemrn @choicesficwriterscreations

How It's Going vs How It Started.

Once again it was The Queen vs The Princess. And Marquise had to decide which side he was on. The Royal Family was hosting a dinner and Khari and Shanelle were fighting over The Princess saying she wasn't going.

“No!”

“Excuse me?”

“I said no!”

Shanelle looked around like she was hearing things.

“Did you just tell me no?”

“You have ears right?”

“Little girl…I think you're forgetting who I am and who you are.”

“I know who I am. I'm you. Only better.”

“Of all the times for you to be a 4-year-old brat…”

“From what Grammy and Pop Pop say you were an even bigger brat than I am.”

Marquise choked on his water when Khari stomped her right foot challenging her mother. A trait she most definitely got from her.

“Marquise if you don't get your daughter!”

The King let out a deep sigh.

“Princess. Come here.”

Khari looked at her father before walking over to him and climbing into his lap.

“Now I understand that you don't want to go to the ball, but you know you have to.”

“But!”

He put a gentle finger to her lips.

“You know you can't be by yourself.”

“But King ElI smells funny. And Princess Octavia is always mean to me.” she pouted.

He hated to see his daughter pout.

“Believe me, your mother and I don't like being around them either. Especially Queen Vanda.”

“I forgot about her," Khari muttered.

“I haven't.” Shanelle quipped.

“Do you remember what happened the last time they were here?”

“Queen Vanda ruined one of mommy’s favorite dresses when she spilled her drink on it?”

“Mmmhmm. And do you remember what your mother did?”

Khari started to giggle.

“Mommy accidentally dropped her dessert on her?”

Marquise snickered before leaning in conspiratorially.

“Between you and me, that wasn't really an accident.”

“She had it coming…” Shanelle said nonchalantly.

“Mommy!”

“What? She did! You know how much I loved that dress.”

“But why do we have to host them, Daddy?”

Marquise thought for a second.

“Well, you know the Nintendo Switch you have?”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Well, the kingdom of Gemmora is a major supply hub for Nintendo. A lot of the computer chips that they produce go into many of the Nintendo gaming systems.”

“I didn't know that.”

“Daddy has known that for years.”

“So King Eli doesn't want one to be open here?”

“He doesn't want one to open anywhere else outside of Japan and Gemmora.”

“Well, that's not fair.”

“I know.”

“Is that why we're hosting them?”

“Yes, my angel. This dinner we're hosting is in hopes to get King Eli to open up to the idea of Nintendo opening a manufacturing plant here.”

“And if we have a plant here, that means I can get a new Switch for my birthday and Christmas right Daddy?”

Shanelle snorted.

“When did I say that?”

“You haven't…yet.”

“Anyway, now you know why it's important that we host this ball. Even though none of us want to.”

“But why do it at all?”

“Well, because sometimes as Monarchs we have to do certain things that we might not necessarily like or agree with. Hosting this dinner might not benefit us per se. But it will benefit our people.”

“Does that include my friends?”

“Yes. Including your friends.”

Marquise thought for a second.

“Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. If you go get dressed, and we all survive this dinner, we'll have a bedtime snack of your choice. How about that?”

Khari put on a thoughtful look that melted the King’s heart.

“Okay, Daddy. I'll go get ready.”

“That's my girl. But first, you owe your mother an apology for your behavior.”

Khari nodded before looking at her mother.

“I'm sorry Mommy. Do you forgive me?”

“Apology accepted. Now go get dressed.”

Khari kissed her father on the cheek before she got down to hug her mother then ran off to go get ready.

“I don’t know how you do it but you do it.”

Marquise snickered.

“Tactical negotiations my Queen. They're not just for dealing with hostile nations and kingdoms you know.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes with a smirk.

“As for you my gorgeous wife” he asks as he wraps his arms around her, “how are you feeling?”

“So far I'm alright. No early pregnancy symptoms yet.”

“Good. Very good.” he said before he kissed her. “So let us go get dressed as well. It's bad decorum for the hosts to be late.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

That's how it’s going. Let's look at how it started between The King and Queen.

Their engagement caused quite the stir. The Crown Prince Of Cordonia is marrying The Princess From Brooklyn. Sounds like a fairytale right? But you know what they say? All that glitters ain’t gold. Their engagement was a cover for an arranged marriage between their fathers. It happened when Shanelle was only 6 months old and Marquise was 2 years old. Their betrothal was made in effort to unify a struggling Cordonia as one. And as much as Shanelle didn’t want it to happen, she couldn’t stop it. And neither could he.

His dream was to be Cordonia’s Prime Minister. But when he found out about Shanelle and their betrothal he had to shift his thinking. Being Prime Minister was out. If he was to marry her, he had to be King. His new dream almost didn't happen thanks to her not wanting to have anything to do with him. He met her for the first time when he made an unexpected trip to visit her at home in New York. He was standing in her living room.

“Hello, Princess. How are you?”

“So you’re the one I'm stuck with?”

When he turned around and they made eye contact the sparks flew between them.

“If by that you mean your future husband, then yes I'm the one you’re stuck with.”

Shanelle stood there in the doorway annoyed by him.

“Great. I got matched with a fucking comedian.”

He shrugged.

“Call me ComicView.”

“Yeah, no.”

Something about her fire intrigued him.

“Well, aren't you fiery?”

“Don't get too close, you might get burned.”

“Oh, I assure you I can handle the heat.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“Why are you here?”

He walked closer to her and she had to control her racing heart rate.

“I've heard so much about the Princess of Brooklyn that I had to see for myself. No one told me how beautiful you would be in person.”

When he got closer, she couldn't resist the temptation to look him up and down. Especially after he kissed the back of her left hand.

“Wrong hand. For a royal, you would think you'd know which hand to kiss. Left hand means a woman is married. And the right hand means she's available. You kissed my left hand, which is the wrong one.”

“No, I definitely had the right one.”

“I'm single.” she hissed.

He smirked as he pinned her between his body and the door frame. The look in his eyes made her body hot.

“Not anymore.” he said as he tilted her chin up so she looked up at him, “As of today, you belong to me.”

“I am not your property!”

“You're right. You’re not my property. You’re much better than that.” he said before leaning in to whisper in her ear, “Shanelle…you are My Queen.”

The next night Shanelle couldn't wait to get together with her best friends The Fab Babes for a Friday girl’s night and Chinese at her place.

“Alright! We have food from Szechuan Palace, we have an endless supply of wine, we have my dad's new flat screen, and we have movies!” she said as she laid out the food.

“We should start with–” Nina said before Shanelle cut her off.

“WE ARE NOT WATCHING JURASSIC PARK!”

“You’re such a hater!”

“Bitch I will throw off the top of the Empire State Building! Don't fuck with me!”

“Okay break it up you two. Can we get back to eating now?” Chutney asked.

“Yeah yeah. Besides, I got news for y'all.”

Shanelle gave the girls a rundown of meeting the Prince the day before.

“HE DID WHAT?!” Chutney shouted.

“Yup. Walked right into my momma’s house and demanded to see me.” Shanelle replied.

“Bitch you lying!” Robin told her.

“Nope. He stood in the middle of her living room floor and said he was not leaving.”

“Holy shit!” Dee quipped.

“Where were you?” Robin asked.

“Knowing her she was probably sleeping,” Nina answered.

Shanelle sucked her teeth at Nina before throwing a fortune cookie at her.

“You know she's right, Nelle.” Bronwyn said.

“Shouldn't you be operating on a puppy or something?”

“Wait! Is he here?” Aly asked.

The girls looked towards the hallway and Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“No, he's not here. He's at the Cordonian Embassy, Something about not telling his dad he was coming to town.”

“So what does he look like Nelle?” Bron asks.

Shanelle groaned.

“Here we go…”

“He's short, isn't he?” Chut asks.

“Is he ugly?” Rob asks.

“Maybe he has a voice that sounds like Michael Jackson’s!” Aly says.

“Nina, what do you think?” Dee asks.

“She laid eyes on him and fell in love. What else?” Nina deadpanned.

“I did not!”

“Okay fine. You didn't fall in love with him the minute you saw him. But you do want him to fuck your brains out. Is that better?”

“Ooh!” the girls say in unison before looking at Shanelle who stabs at her food.

“Ugh! I need a new set of friends. Y’all suck.”

“Love you!” the girls say.

“So is Nina right?” Dee asks.

“…not exactly," Shanelle mutters into her food.

“Not exactly? What's that supposed to mean?” Chut asks.

“It means she's been dickamitized.” Bron says.

Shanelle glared daggers at her.

“Scuse me?! You have no room to talk about ANYBODY being dickamitized. Because if Lo walked through that door right fucking now, there’d be a puddle at your damn feet.” Shanelle snapped back at her.

“I–“

“Shut it Lenny Williams!”

“Be nice Nelle. It’s not every day that you crush on your patient.” Rob teased.

Bron groans.

“Rob…not you too.”

“Never mind the fact that said patient is your friend’s baby brother…” Shanelle adds.

“Okay damn I get it!”

“So what is he like?” Aly asks.

“Bossy as hell.” Shanelle replied.

“What?!” the girls said in feigned shock.

“Imagine that. The Princess met someone bossier than her.” Nina teased.

The girls cackled collectively.

“Shut up before I have you hoes thrown outta here.” Shanelle hissed.

“You love us too much to do that.” Nina says.

“I have my limits. Thank you very much.”

“Except for when it comes to a certain Crown Prince of Cordonia.” Dee quipped.

“I will call Zig!”

“That's not a threat. Also, please call him. I wouldn't mind seeing him.” Rob adds.

“Justice for Dino! He deserves better!”

A fit of cackling broke out amongst the girls.

“You never did answer the question Nelle.” Chut says.

“What question?”

“What does he look like?” The girls ask in unison.

“Stop yelling at me!” Shanelle replies.

“Don’t want us to yell at you, answer the question.” Nina says.

“Ugh! Fine!”

Shanelle pulls out her phone and pulls up a picture of the Prince. The girls look impressed.

“Not bad Princess.”

“Are those real diamonds he’s wearing?”

“I wonder if he owns a dungeon.”

“He looks official.”

“So serious.”

“He doesn’t look so bad.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“Y’all done?”

The girls cut their eyes at Shanelle.

“Well, now y’all heifers know what he looks like.”

“So what's the problem, Nelle?” Dee asks.

“The problem is I have to marry a man I barely even know,” Shanelle replies.

“You don't have to marry him, Shanelle,” Nina says to her best friend.

“My dear sweet Keane Klown, have you not met my father?” Shanelle asks.

“Why are you still calling me that after all these years?”

“Because your last name is Keane and you, your two goofy ass brothers and your cousin are all a bunch of clowns. That's why.”

Nina rolled her eyes.

“He wouldn't actually make you go through with it, would he?” Aly asks.

“According to the treaty he signed, he has to and if he doesn't, his brother and the Prince’s father can force me to. So once again, I don't have a choice.”

Hearing the dejection in her voice, Bron and Rob wrap Shanelle in a hug.

“Maybe it won't be so bad?” Chut asks.

“I can only pray it won't be," Shanelle replies.

“You get the chance to be an actual future Queen. And we get the chance to say that we're best friends with one.” Dee says.

“No no. You girls will just be regular friends with a future Queen. While I am the best friend of a future Queen.” Nina corrects her.

Shanelle cackled while the rest of the girls groaned.

“Put that ego away Nina, you gonna hurt someone!” Chut tells her cousin.

“Oh, you’re so jealous!”

“I still don't know how I wound up knowing and getting stuck with you two clowns but here we are.” Shanelle piped up.

The girls dissolved into laughter. This is what Shanelle needed.

“I don’t know where I'd be without you girls.”

“We love you!” the girls say in unison.

“Oh shut the fuck up! Y'all don't love me! You hoes just love that I feed you.”

“There's a difference?” Dee asks.

This caused the girls to laugh. The girls spend the rest of the night giggling, gossiping, and enjoying each other's company.

The next night Shanelle was sitting on her bed in her robe finishing up the newest Press Release for her father's office when there was a knock at her door.

“It's open," she called out without looking up from her laptop.

The Prince walks in.

“My my. Don't you look official? And drop-dead gorgeous. Is that robe new?”

Shanelle rolled her eyes before glancing up.

“How the fuck did you get in here?”

The Prince sat down next to her on her bed. Letting his eyes slowly trace her body.

“Well, that's rude. Is that any way to speak to your husband?” he asks.

Shanelle closed her laptop and then looked down at her left hand.

“Gee…that's funny, Your Highness. I don't see a ring on my finger.”

He tilted her chin up.

“Always look at me when you speak to me, Shanelle.”

She pulled away from him.

“I'm not one of your subjects. I don't have to do a goddamn thing you say.”

He smirked at her before tucking a few stray hairs behind her left ear.

“Of course not beautiful. You’re so much more than that. You will always be more than that.”

“What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were staying at the Embassy.”

“I was. Hell, I was about to have you sent for.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Just what I said, I was going to have you sent for. Instead, your father insisted that I stay here with you while your mother is in Martha’s Vineyard for a teacher's retreat and conference and he takes care of official business in Cordonia. He assured me that you were quite the hostess Princess," he replied nonchalantly.

“Yup. I am not marrying you. I don’t care what that treaty says.” she hissed.

“There it is. There's that fire. That sweet venom from a beautiful and vicious viper. It's all I've thought about since I met you the other day.”

“Careful, Your Highness. I bite.”

“Bite me all you like, Princess.”

“Ugh! You're infuriating!”

He covered her left hand with his. His touch was warm and electric.

“Infuriating or enticing?” he asks her.

“You have nothing that I want.”

He smirked before leaning in to whisper.

“The goosebumps on your skin say otherwise.”

She just glared at him.

“Your silence is all I need to know.”

“Your Highness…get out of my room.” she hissed at him.

“Marquise.”

“What?”

“My name is Marquise, love.”

“Why do I care what your name is?”

“Because it's about time you learned it.”

“Again, why do I care?”

He stood up then pulled her to her feet.

“Because you'll be screaming it. That's why.”

She scoffed.

“So that's the game we're playing?”

He cocked his head to the side.

“It's okay to say that you like it, Princess.”

“You don't know shit about me.”

“That's where you’re wrong. I know more about you than you think.”

“Like what?”

“I know about the butterfly and stars tattoo on the back of your left shoulder, the Scorpion tattoo on the back of your right shoulder, and the dragon tramp stamp that you got just to piss your father off. I know your favorite color is purple. I know you’re terrified of heights, flying, snakes, and spiders. I know you have a temper. I know you took pole dancing lessons and your legs are…quite flexible. I know you've made a name for yourself on the kink scene when you went to school in Boston and when you worked in D.C. As a matter of fact you are one of the D.C. Headhunter's finest trainees. Rowan says hi by the way. I know you’re ticklish and hate to be tickled. I know you are a classically trained ballet dancer and choral singer. I know you believe strongly in education and healthcare. Did I miss anything?”

He brought the wrist of her left hand to his lips and grazed it softly with his teeth before kissing it.

“I would be a terrible husband if I didn't know anything about you.”

She couldn't believe it, she was stuck.

“Cat got your tongue love?”

That snapped her out of whatever trance she was in.

“That's called stalking, Your Highness.”

She watched his eyelid twitch.

“Something wrong…Marquise?”

“Nope.”

She arched an eyebrow at him.

“Liar. I saw your eyelid twitch.”

He shrugged.

“Fine. I'm not one who likes to repeat himself.”

“Is that supposed to scare me, Your Highness?”

“Never love. Contrary to what you think about me, I'm not here to scare you. I'm here to elevate you.”

“Elevate me to what?”

Rather than answer her, he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a Cartier ring box.

“My Wife. What else?”

Shanelle just stared at the ring box in his hand.

“Princess?”

Shanelle blinked herself back to reality.

“I'm sorry. But are you…?”

She watched him get down on one knee.

“Yes, I am. So Shanelle Miller…will you marry me?”

Suddenly, the room felt small and it was hard for Shanelle to breathe.

“You're not serious.”

“Dead serious. Being King is my goal and you are the key to attaining that goal.”

“Why would I help you?”

He stood up and brought her face close to his.

“Because you believe in helping others. You are your mother's child. Service is what drives you. I can give you that, plus whatever else you want.”

“Whatever I want?”

“I don't have a stutter, Princess. Nor do I stammer.”

“Fine then. Convince me.”

“Convince you?”

“Yes. If you want me to go along with all of this, then you have to convince me. Because so far I'm not impressed nor am I convinced you'd be the King that Cordonia needs.”

A slow smile spread across his face.

“You know there is something else I just remembered about you.”

“What is that?” Shanelle asks.

“I know that you only like the movie Dirty Dancing for one scene. And it has nothing to do with putting Baby in a corner or having the time of your life.”

“So you have been stalking me?”

He shrugged.

“You say stalking, I say doing my due diligence and research.”

“Yeah whatever. There’s a reason why you mentioned it.”

“You’re correct. I did mention it for a reason.”

“Okay fine I’ll bite. Why did you mention it?”

“You’re smart. That’s good. I want you to dance with me.”

“Dance with you?”

“That’s what I said.”

“No. I don’t want to do that.”

The Prince arched an eyebrow at her.

“Did you just tell me no?”

“I sure did. And since you’re a Prince, you have to convince me to dance with you.”

“Very well.”

He instantly changed his posture and then held his hand out.

“May I have this dance Princess?”

“Seriously?”

“Answer the question Shanelle.”

She looked at him before putting her laptop on her nightstand and slipping her hand in his.

“See? Now that wasn't so hard was it, love?”

“Go fuck yourself.” she hissed.

“Don't worry, you'll be doing that soon enough.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. What are we dancing to?”

“Cry To Me by Solomon Burke.”

“You want to dance to that?”

“Yes. After all, it's from your favorite scene in Dirty Dancing. Now, do you know the Cordonian Waltz?”

“You want to do the Cordonian Waltz to Cry To Me?”

“Humor me.”

Shanelle shook her head.

“Are you ready?”

“Can we just get this over with?”

“Aren't you charming?”

They soon began a simple box that turned into an awkward Cordonian Waltz around her room.

“You’re very stiff, Princess.”

“Gee I wonder why.”

He let out an aggravated sigh before pausing the song.

“Stopping so soon, Your Highness?”

“Yes. I prefer my dance partners to be alive, not statues.”

“Then go dance with one of my guards.”

“My guards, Princess.” he corrected her.

“No, they're MY guards. They answer to me.”

“No, they answer to me. Yours were sent with your parents. Why do you think you’ve been able to get any work done without someone knocking on your door to pester you?”

She stared at him like he had lost his mind.

“You sent my guards away?”

“No, I sent them on assignment with your parents while they're in Martha's Vineyard. They're good but I prefer my own personal guards to your father's.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I believe we've been over this, love. I'm your husband.”

“And I believe that I told you we aren't getting married.”

She watched his eyelid twitch again before he regained his composure.

“You need to loosen up, Princess.”

“And you need to go back to Cordonia or whatever the hell it is that you came from.”

“The only way I go back is with you going with me.”

“Then I guess we're at a stalemate…Your Highness.”

She felt his left hand tighten slightly on the small of her back. Sending a delicious shiver running down her spine.

“Okay how about this, I lead and you follow?”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“You aren't known for giving up so why should I?”

“…fine. But only one dance!”

“That's all I'm asking for, Princess.”

She let out a breath then squared her shoulders.

“Okay, Your Highness. Lead off.”

He pressed play and off they went. Waltzing around her room.

“You’re still stiff Shanelle. Relax your shoulders a bit.”

Even though she didn't want to, she relaxed her shoulders.

“Good. The more relaxed you are, the better your steps will be.”

“I know how to do the Cordonian Waltz, thank you very much.”

“I can't tell. You normally dance so gracefully. Which is why I can't understand why you’re choosing to dance like a blundering rhino.”

“I am not!”

“Prove it.”

He smirked when she sucked her teeth.

“Get ready.”

She barely looked up at him before he dipped her low.

“You missed your cue.”

“I didn't miss my cue. That wasn't my cue to begin with.”

He leaned in his warm breath ghosting over her right ear.

“I lead and you follow, remember?”

“Yeah yeah.”

“So if I say you missed your cue then you missed your cue. So let's try this again.”

“…fine.”

They reset and started dancing again. She was ready, only he didn't dip her this time. He spun her out and then back into his arms again. Her back was to his chest, her left hand was in his, his right hand rested on top of her right hip, and his chin rested on her right shoulder with his left cheek against her right cheek. Something about being this close to him felt intimate. She tried and failed not to get lost in the feeling. They stayed in that position until he spun her out and back again.

“I don't remember any of that being part of the Cordonian Waltz.”

“I lead. You follow. Why is that so hard for you to comprehend?”

“Someone could say you have an ulterior motive for this dance.”

“So what if I do?”

Before she could answer, he dipped her again this time she remembered the cue.

“Very good. You managed not to miss your cue.”

The more they danced together, the more comfortable she started to feel around him.

“Well, this is an improvement.”

“What is?”

“When we started I was so sure that you would've punched me by now.”

“Who said that still won't happen?”

“Such a violent woman.”

“Viper, remember?”

“Touché.”

When he looked at her she had a puzzled look on her face.

“What is it?”

“Aren't you hot in that jacket?”

“Concerned for me? I'm touched.”

“I'm sorry I even bothered to ask.”

“To answer your question, no I'm not. I've gotten used to wearing it during dances like this.”

She shrugged.

“It just looks so stuffy and I feel like I'm suffocating just looking at it.”

“If it'll make you feel better I'll take it off.”

“Please do. I'm sweating just looking at it. And while you’re at it, have some A/C built into that thing.”

Marquise rolled his eyes before tossing his jacket onto her bed. She got a good look at how his shirt fit the muscles of his arms.

“Better?”

“Yes actually. You don't look like that much of a dick anymore.”

He gave her a tight smile.

“Your charm precedes you.”

“Glad you like it, Your Highness.”

“Shall we reset?”

“Sure, just one question.”

“What is it?”

“How long are we gonna keep doing this?”

“As long as it takes.”

Shanelle groaned.

“The sooner you accept that we are meant to be together, the sooner we can stop.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes before they started again. As they danced, she caught the scent of his cologne.

“That's a nice cologne you’re wearing.”

“I don’t know which is more shocking, the fact you noticed that I'm wearing cologne or the fact I just got a genuine compliment out of you.”

“Note to self: keep your mouth shut from now on.”

He chuckled low.

“Thank you, Princess. It's a custom scent from my mother's favorite perfume shop in Paris.”

“I've never been to Paris. I've always wanted to go.”

“It's beautiful. Especially at night from atop the Eiffel Tower.”

“Of course you've been there.”

“No need to be jealous, love. I'll take you one day.”

“That's a dangerous promise to make.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Because I might be tempted to make you take me.”

“Whenever you're ready, Princess,” he whispered in her ear.

He had her right where he wanted her and she knew it. Their movements soon became more intense and a lot more sensual.

“I don't remember the scene in the movie being like this.”

“Like what?”

“So intimate.”

“It wasn't. The scene in the movie was actually pretty tame in my opinion. Then again, I'm not Patrick Swayze and you aren't Jennifer Grey and I still have my shirt on so, there's that.”

She snorted.

“Point taken.”

He spun her out away from him then back again close to the doorframe.

“You can admit it now.”

“What?”

“That this wasn't as bad as you thought it would be," he whispered.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that bloomed on her face.

“Fine. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But you’re still a jackass.”

“You just couldn't resist the dig could you?”

She shook her head no as she watched him softly kiss the inside of her right wrist.

“You don't give up do you, Your Highness?”

“Never. If I want it, then nothing on this earth will stop me from making it mine.”

That's when he took the chance and kissed her. It was a slow kiss that quickly heated up when he backed her up against the doorframe. With his left arm keeping her steady and pressed tightly against him, he locked her door with his right. Hearing the door lock caused her to break the kiss.

“Did you just lock my door?”

“I don't want nor do I need an audience for what I'm about to do.”

“Okay I'll bite, what are you about to do?”

“You.”

Before she could respond, he slid his right hand into her hair so he could bring her lips to his. The force of the kiss made her want more. She began to crave him in any way she could get him. When their kiss broke both were breathless.

“Don't be so shocked, Princess.”

“I'm not shocked by the kiss. I'm shocked it took you so long. I figured you would've done that 20 minutes ago.”

“A gentleman always waits on a lady.”

“You're a gentleman huh? And here I thought you were a Prince.”

He snorted.

“Smartass.”

She shrugged innocently.

“Better to be a smartass than it is to be a dumb one.”

“Oh you’re good.”

“Except for when I'm bad.”

“Well, let's see how bad you can be.”

With a low growl, he captured her bottom lip between his teeth and slid his tongue into her mouth. They stumbled from the doorway back to her bed. Desperately grabbing at each other like they couldn't get close enough. Hastily taking each other's clothes off. Not wanting anything much less the fabric to stand in the way.

“You are so damn beautiful.”

“You’re not so bad looking yourself for a pompous stuck-up brat.”

He snickered.

“You are impossible, you know that right?”

“You get what your daddy bargained for.”

“You can stop doing that.”

“Stop doing what?”

“Downplaying yourself. You aren't a bargain. You are the rarest diamond on God's Green Earth. And you’re all mine.”

“What part of I'm not your property did you not understand?”

“You know what I meant, Princess.”

“Yeah yeah. Less talking. More of whatever we were doing before.”

He smirks before pinning her wrists above her head with his left hand.

“Do you trust me?”

“I guess so.”

“That's not an answer, Shanelle.”

“Yes, I trust you.”

“Good. Don't move until I tell you to and always keep your eyes on me. Understood?”

“Yes.”

He hooked his right hand behind her neck and brought her lips to his. He kissed her slowly, wanting to slowly savor the taste of her mouth. Teasing her tongue with his. As they kissed he slowly dragged his left hand along the left side of her body, leaving goosebumps along her skin. He went from kissing her to nicking the base of her neck with his teeth. He felt her body shift slightly under him, causing him to press her wrists into the pillows in a warning. He trailed featherlight kisses from her sternum to the spot between her breasts. He listened to her breathing quicken as he paid special attention to each of her breasts. Her chest rose and fell every time his mouth made contact with her skin.

“Please…” she breathed out.

She watched him put a finger to his lips.

“Soon.”

His method was complete madness to her, but she loved it just the same. He was slow, methodical, and attentive to the softest most sensitive spots in her midsection. She shivered as he dragged his tongue along her stomach. Her moans were soft and impatient, she wanted more but had to wait for him. She started to close her eyes and lose herself in the sensation, but he couldn't have that. Not yet.

“Eyes on me, Shanelle.”

“I can't wait much longer,” she whined.

“Very well, I guess you have been patient enough, love.”

He kissed his way down the inside of her right thigh while massaging the inside of her left thigh. The heat between her legs radiated as he got closer to her center. She loved feeling his lips on her thighs. He took his left thumb and rubbed her throbbing clit. When she shivered and her eyes closed, he spread her legs wide and went for it. She gasped when his tongue made contact with her clit.

“HOLY SHIT!” she shrieked.

She bit her bottom lip as she watched him feast on her. He was relentless as he ate her out. He nearly swallowed her clit before dipping his tongue inside her warm entrance. She didn’t want him to stop or move. He was a beast at making sure she was thoroughly satisfied. He snaked his left hand up her stomach to keep her still. Shanelle had nowhere to go. She was at his mercy. Her strangled moans, shrieks and other sounds she made only intensified his hunger for her.

He switched from tasting her entrance to nursing her clit, which made her toes curl. He alternated between swirling his tongue around her clit and nearly sucking her soul out of it. With his right hand, he slipped two fingers into her and finger fucked her. The stimulation caused her to scream while white knuckling her bed sheets.

“JUST LIKE THAT! THAT’S IT! MAKE ME CUM!” She screamed.

Her body, especially her legs began shaking as she struggled to hang on. She was close and he knew it. He plunged his tongue inside her and rubbed her clit with his thumb and sent her over the edge into sweet oblivion. Her eyes rolled back, her legs spasmed and her jaw went slack as she let out a silent scream and flooded his mouth with her juices. When he let her go, she was gasping for air and trembling.

“Well…that was delightful. Shall we go again Princess?”

“You…are…a…fucking…demon!” she sneered at him while trying to catch her breath.

“Happy to be of service.”

He kissed her again, savoring the feeling and taste of her mouth on his. She felt his hands grip her highs tightly. He kneaded circles with his thumbs on the soft skin. He slowly moved his right hand further between her legs. She shivered when his fingers ran along her wet folds.

“Tell me Princess…how bad do you want it?” He whispered in her ear.

“I crave it!”

“The things I am going to fucking do to you!” He hissed.

As he said that, he grabbed the condom from his pocket, then used his body to pin her down before he lined himself up with her entrance. He circled the tip around it before sliding inside her. She moaned softly when she felt him sink inside her. He started out slow. Giving her time to adjust to him.

“Goddamn, you are so wet!” He hissed.

He braced himself with one hand on her hip and the other on the headboard as he started to really move against her. Hearing her moan was all the motivation and permission he needed. Once Marquise found his rhythm it was on from there. It didn't take long for her bedroom to soon dissolve into their combined moans, groans, and the sounds their bodies made as they fucked.

“That’s it! Take it! Take this dick!” He growled as pounded her.

“Make me cum! Give me more! Give it to me!" She begged as he fucked her harder.

“That's it! Beg for it! I want to hear you beg me to fuck you!" he replied before tightening the grip he had on her hip.

She felt amazing around him. The way she took him deep drove him crazy. He wanted her that bad and the more he gave it to her, the more she wanted him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and dug her nails into his back.

“That's it, Princess. Show me that you want it!” he hissed in her ear.

Her moans were filled with lust and desperation. She wanted him to make her forget where she was at that moment. All she wanted was to feel him deep inside her.

“Marquise! I need it! I need you! Don't hold back! Give it to me! Give me all of you!” She begged.

“Say it! Say you want it! Tell me that you want me to fuck you!” he growled.

“I want it! I want you! Please don't stop! Fuck me!”

Hearing her unravel was pushing him closer towards the edge. He gathered her up in his arms as he rolled into his back. He wanted her on top. He wanted to see her face as she fell apart. He made sure he had his hands full of her ass. It was almost like he couldn't get enough of her.

“Who knew the Princess was such a whore?”

“Fuck you!” she hissed.

“That's what we're doing love.” he said with a grin. She rolled her eyes with a smirk.

“You have no idea the kind of power you have over a man like me, do you?”

“Nope. At least not until all this started but I’m starting to really enjoy it.”

“You should. You have the power to bring the world to its knees, Shanelle. All you have to do is unlock it and don't look back.”

“You talk too much.”

“You did tell me to convince you.”

“This is you convincing me?”

“I mean you are in my arms completely naked, Princess. But to answer your question, no. This is not me convincing you.” he said before bringing their lips together for a hungry and rough kiss. “This is…”

He trailed off as shifted his position slightly and then brought her down hard onto him. He filled her up completely, stealing her voice.

“You feel so fucking good! Just the way I want you to be! So goddamn tight! So wet! Take it! Take me!” He said to her.

He loved watching her lose control as he took her. She was his and he was determined to make sure she knew it.

“Look at me Shanelle!” he demanded as he forced her to look at him, “I want you to know that you belong to me! Do you hear me? Your body and your heart belong to me! Do you understand? You! Are! MINE!” He growled.

He would pull her off of him just to slam her back down. Driving her insane. His lust and need for her were insatiable. He couldn't be close enough to her. He loved feeling her claw his chest as she rode him. Her moans, gasps, mewls, and any other sound she made drove his hunger for her higher. Every stroke sent her orgasm soaring higher. She was discovering that she loved this side of him. It was raw, pure and dominant. He took control and filled the void in her life that she had desperately tried to fill. When he hit her G-Spot she damn near lost her mind.

“YES! FUCK YES! RIGHT THERE! RIGHT! FUCKING! THERE! TAKE ME! MAKE ME YOURS!” She screamed as she continued to shred his sweat soaked chest with her nails. She was teetering on her edge and soon he would be at his as well.

“That's it! Scream my name! Let it drip from those pretty lips!”

He pulled out of her leaving just the tip in, because he wanted to see her face.

“No! No! No!” She cried out in protest.

“Look at me, Shanelle.”

“Please don’t do this! Not now! Not when I’m so close!” She whined.

“LOOK! AT! ME!” He demanded.

When she looked into his eyes, all she saw was lust and power.

“I want you to look at me as you cum all over me. I want to see the desperation on your face and the wanton need in those beautiful eyes. Do you hear me? Do not break eye contact!”

He kissed her deeply and passionately, before he brought her down on his dick one last time then lost himself inside her. He watched her arch her back and felt her nails dig into his chest drawing blood as she screamed and flooded his dick. Their combined orgasms all but sealed the night for them. As they came down from the beautiful delirium he cradled her close to his chest. Stroking her back he asked her a simple question.

“Convinced yet?”

She didn’t have the strength to answer him and just pinched him.

“Ow!”

She smiled softly before drifting off to sleep in his arms.

The next morning when Shanelle woke up and looked around her room as she tried to piece last night together. It wasn’t until she looked over and saw him laying next to her that it hit her.

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! I didn't! I didn't! I! Didn't!”

“You did,” Marquise said with a yawn and stretch, “good morning gorgeous. Last night was fun.”

“I did not sleep with you.”

He arched an eyebrow as he sat up.

“The scratches you left on my chest and my back say otherwise.”

Shanelle wanted to die at the moment.

“Oh! And you were stone cold sober so no use in saying you were drunk to deny what we did last night.”

“What the hell was I thinking?!”

Marquise rolled his eyes.

“You can stop being so damn overdramatic now.”

“Get out of my room!” she hissed.

“I'm not leaving our room.”

“This is MY room! You are in the guest room down the hall.”

That's when he grabbed her chin and looked her dead in the eye.

“My wife is in this room and so am I. So once again, I'm not leaving OUR room.”

“I am NOT your wife!”

Marquise ran a frustrated hand down his face.

“Just when I thought we were making progress.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness.”

“You know I would hate for you to learn the phrase 'what's yours is mine’ the hard way.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Never love. But you’re gonna have to accept the fact that we are stuck together. Whether we want to be or not. So you might as well get used to it.”

Shanelle scoffed.

“Unfuckingbelievable.”

“And now that we have that settled, breakfast is in 45 so go get in the shower.”

“What makes you think you can order me around?!”

“Don't you ever forget your station, Princess! You are beautiful. Very beautiful and one of the smartest women I have ever met. But your station and its rank are STILL WELL BELOW mine. And your consequence is also your father’s consequence. Never forget that.”

Shanelle seethed.

“So what I say goes. Do I make myself clear?”

“Go to hell!” she hissed.

“Don't make me repeat myself, Shanelle.”

Shanelle let out an explosive breath.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good girl. Now go get in the shower. I'll see you in a few.”

He watched her throw on her robe then stomp off to her ensuite. He laid back down when he heard the water turn on. He was so close to his goal, nothing was going to stand in his way. Not even her stubbornness to admit that this is what she truly wants.