#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.

[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.

[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

[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. (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: 40K 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 @shewillreadyou @txemrn @twinkleallnight @peonierose

This goes without saying but MAJOR SHOUTOUT AND THANK YOU TO @shewillreadyou! I swear! She always helps me untangle the tangled mess that is known as my brain when it comes to writing and story ideas. I love you girl! 😘

Listen this chapter has 8 different ideas and story plots that I had all dumped into one chapter. Hence why it is so damn long. I just kept writing until I knew it was done. This will be a four-part chapter. This is part one.

Chapter 7.) One Last Goodbye. Part 1.

Shanelle was sitting at her desk going over her business model for Rys International with a fine tooth comb, when her phone started to vibrate. When she looked at who was calling her on FaceTime she rolled her eyes. It was her best friend's twin brother Cassian, who just happened to be her childhood ex-boyfriend.

“Hello?” 

“What the hell is wrong with you Shanelle?” he asked. 

“Excuse me?”

“When were you going to tell me Nina was in rehab?!”

Shanelle looked around like she was hearing things. 

“First of all, who the fuck are you talking to like that? Second, I didn't tell you because it wasn't my story to tell.”

“I had a right to know!” he snapped at her. 

“Cass. You got one more time to raise your voice at me before I make you a distant memory.”

Cassian backed down.

“When did this all happen?” he asked. 

“The night she came home,” Shanelle replied.

Cass shook his head. 

“Well, that explains why you walked right past me and didn't say anything that night at the hospital.”

“Your memory must be slipping. Because I stopped talking to you long before she came home. Why the hell would I have talked to you that night?” Shanelle asked. 

“Because I'm her brother Princess,” he replied.

“That's Queen you dick!” she hissed. 

“You should've told me, Shanelle.”

“Okay, I'm gonna say this again. No, I shouldn't have.”

“I'm her brother. I should've been kept in the loop.”

“Exactly. You’re her brother. Not your father. Although you constantly like to act like your dad.”

Shanelle watched him roll his eyes.

“How did she even get to rehab?” he asked.

“Not that I owe you an explanation but, remember when she moved in with me when I worked in D.C. for a few months?” 

“Yeah, what about it?” he asked.

“That was the cover story we came up with to put your parents at ease. The truth is she wasn't staying with me, at least not the whole time. She was an hour away at an inpatient rehab facility in Virginia. And before you go flying off the rails, I called and checked on her every day. And she was allowed to come to my place on weekend passes. I made sure to keep up with the staff treating her. And when she got clean and felt strong enough, she went back to New York, and moved in with Chut and continued at an outpatient rehab facility.” 

“And you didn't think I needed to know any of this?” he asked Shanelle.

“Nope. Not in the least. My priority was her and her well-being not you and your need to know. Besides, the last thing she needed at that time was you and your constant condescendence.” she replied.

“That is not fair and you know it Shanelle.”

“Yeah well, neither is life, Cass. But hey! We all gotta deal with it somehow.” 

“Whatever.”

“Yeah. So are we done here?” she asked. 

“No. I'm not letting you off the hook that easily,” he replied.

Shanelle groaned. 

“Last time I checked, I don't answer to you. Hell, I don't answer anyone for that matter.”

“You could've told my parents. Hell, you could've told Chut or my brother. But you decided to keep your mouth shut. You decided to keep her family in the dark.”

“Yeah, I did. Because I had to, she begged me to keep quiet. It was the only way she would ever agree to go to rehab. So I swore to her that night that I would take it to my grave. Only she and I would know. She needed help, Cass. And I did what I had to do to get her that help. And if it bothers you that I didn't tell you or anyone else, then it's just gonna have to bother you. Because I will never apologize for helping her and not telling you about it.” 

“You have a really misconstrued view of what loyalty means Shanelle.”

“First of all, go fuck yourself. Second, hello pot. My name is kettle. You wouldn't happen to be calling me black, would you?”

“I would've told you if the roles were reversed, Shanelle.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes. 

“A.) you’re lying through your teeth. Which means  B.) you wouldn't have said a damn thing to me.” 

“I'm not lying.”

Shanelle pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I know I've said this to you before Cass, but I'll go ahead and say it again for old time's sake: you are a terrible fucking liar. You have a Tell, you idiot. And it's quite literally the easiest thing in the world to spot.” 

She watched him cut his eyes at her.

“How did you even find this rehab place in Virginia?” he asked.

“The Cordonian Consulate hosted an event for a D.C. charity that provided rehab services to veterans. So I called the director of the charity and he put me in touch with the rehab facility and the rest is ancient history. Or it should be.” she replied.

“So you got her in for free?” he asked.

“Nope. I had to pay for it.”

“How were you able to do that?” he asked.

“I did what I always did. I signed my father’s signature on a check,” she replied.

“You committed check fraud?! What is wrong with you?!” he asked.

“Oh, I'm sorry. Are you complaining? You? Mr. ‘Hey Nelle. Listen um I don't mean to ask this but I'm a little short this month, do you think you can help me out a little bit?’ Are we really having THAT conversation?” 

Cassian kept his mouth shut.

“Oh, well would you look at that? Sweet silence!”

Cass let out a frustrated sigh.

“How much was the check?” he asked. 

Shanelle shrugged.

“$9,800.00 for six months inpatient,” she replied. 

“Does your father know you forged his name on a check that big?” 

“No, he doesn't. At least he doesn't know about it to my knowledge. But my husband knows about it.” 

“Oh so you can tell him but you couldn't tell me?!” he asked.

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“No, I didn't tell him. There was a 7-day hold put on the check because it was way over the international limit of $5,000.00.” she replied.

“Meaning what?” he asked. 

“Meaning that since it was written from my dad’s Cordonian Account, it had to be cleared by The Royal Treasury. And at that time, Marquise was the head of the Treasury so he was the one who had to clear it.” she replied.

Cass scoffed.

“So he busted you?” he asked. 

“Yeah. He figured out that my dad didn't write the check, so he called and asked why I wrote a check that big. All I told him was it was an emergency and that I needed the check cleared immediately. He cleared it and warned me never to write a check that big without telling him first. Otherwise, I would've had to get approval from either his father or my uncle at the time. And he knew that I would rather have a root canal from Edward Scissorhands without any Novocaine than face either one of them.” she replied. 

Cass shook his head.

“You're lucky I don't have my badge anymore.”

“Oh bitch, please! Even if you had that stupid ass badge you still wouldn't have been able to do shit about it.”

“I could've busted you for check fraud Shanelle.”

“First off, you God awful twat, you were a low-level marshal! You couldn't bust anybody. Second, Diplomatic Immunity exists for a reason. Third, even if you were somehow able to bust me for it, you'd then have to turn around and explain every single check that I ever wrote for you, because of course there is a record of each check.”

She watched a muscle in his jaw tick.

“So in conclusion, I'm gonna need you to get off your self-righteous high horse. Because you are no hero. You love to act like one because you have a severely fucked up hero complex that isn't satisfied unless you’re riding in on your white horse to save the day, but you sir are no hero. Far fucking from it.”

“You always did know how to cover your tracks.” he sneered. 

“I know you mean that to be an insult Cass, but I'm choosing to take it as a compliment. Because you’re right, I do know how to cover my tracks. That's why I'm a lot better at playing the game called life than you are.” 

She watched as Cass rolled his eyes.

“Now, are we done?” she asked.

“I should be even more pissed at you than I actually am.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“My dear Cassian. Allow me to say this so that it is crystal clear: I don't give a flying fuck about you being pissed at me. I did what I had to do and I would do it again.”

“That's the problem. But I am thankful that you were there for Nina. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that.”

Shanelle scoffed. 

“Classic Cassian Keane ladies and gentlemen. You are STILL the same pigheaded, impulsive, arrogant idiot that you have always been. You never change.”

Cass shook his head.

“Could be worse. You could've called me a son of a bitch.”

“Nope. Calling you a son of a bitch is an insult to your mother. I'd rather just call you a piece of shit.”

Cass sighed.

“Thank you, Shanelle. I don’t understand why she didn't lean on family. But at least she had you to turn to. And whether you believe me or not, that means a lot to me.”

Shanelle scoffed. 

“You're right. I don't believe you. Not for a second. Because knowing you, you don't mean it. But you’re welcome all the same. She would've done the same thing for me.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Good. Now get ya sorry ass off my phone.” 

“Bye Princess.”

With that Shanelle hung up the phone with a groan, just as her husband walked into her office.

“Uh oh. I know that look on your face. What happened?” he asked her.

“You will not believe who just called me,” she replied.

Marquise started to guess.

“Your father?” 

“Nope.”

“Your cousin?”

“I would never be that lucky.”

“Okay then who called?” he asked.

“Good old Cassian Keane,” she replied.

Marquise rolled his eyes. 

“Why did he call you? Also, why does he still have your number?” he asked.

“A.) It was a FaceTime call. B.) it was about Nina,” she replied.

“What about her? Is she okay?” he asked as he sat on the edge of her desk.

“She's fine. Do you remember the check I wrote from my dad’s account a few years ago for almost $10,000.00?” she asked.

“Yeah. What about it?” He replied.

“I wrote that check so she could get into rehab without anyone knowing.”

Marquise nodded.

“That's what you meant by it was an emergency.”

“Yeah.”

“So how did he find out about it?” he asked.

“Nina’s personal page on Instagram went dark a few days ago. And nobody could find her. So Cass and Lo hopped on a plane to New York and when they got to Nina’s they found Fentanyl in her bathroom.” she replied.

Marquise exhaled slowly.

“Damn.”

“It wasn't hers.”

“Then who's was it?” he asked.

“It was Sam’s.”

Marquise choked on a laugh.

“Wait! Are you telling me that Sam Dalton is using?” he asked.

“No. At least I hope not. It apparently belonged to his dead wife. And he carries it as a reminder to not be neglectful and be present in someone's life.” she replies.

“So, what does any of that have to do with you?” he asked.

“The boys got the girls and me together to talk about it and I let it slip that she had gone to rehab.” she replied with a sigh, “I can't believe I didn't trust her enough to know she would never go back. She probably hates me right now.”

That's when Marquise stood up and then pulled her to her feet and into his arms.

“Stop that. She doesn't hate you.”

“You don't understand, I promised her that no one would ever find out. Not even you. And I panicked and blurted it out to our entire family.”

“My love, that just proves why you’re her best friend. You kept this a secret from even me, your husband, for a reason. Just so you could protect Nina. You shouldn't feel guilty about that.” 

“You sure?” she asked.

“Positive,” he replied before softly kissing her forehead. 

“Then why do I feel so horrible?” she asked.

“Because I know you. I know how your emotions work. You feel like you betrayed her but I promise you that you didn't. She's not gonna love you any less because you told everyone. My love, you helped save her life. She can never hate you for that.” he replied. 

Shanelle smiled softly.

“I don’t know why I'm so in my head about this.”

“Because that idiot called, riled you up, and it upset you that's why. You swore to your best friend who needed help at one of the most difficult times of her life that you wouldn't say anything. And no matter how upset your ex is, even he can't hold that against you.” 

“How much do you wanna bet that he will?” she asked. 

“If he does then I will deal with him,” he replied. 

“Ever the Knight, my King.”

He chuckled low.

“For you? Always my Queen.” 

Just then there was a knock on her office door from an attendant carrying a large box. 

“Pardon me, Your Majesties. But this came for the Queen, and I was instructed by Mrs. Geaneaux to deliver it to you.” the attendant said as he set the box down. 

“Thank you very much,” Shanelle replied with a smile.

“You're very Welcome, my Queen.” the attendant replied before he walked out. 

Marquise looked at the box with an eyebrow raised. 

“Now what could this be?” he asked as he reached for the box.

“Quit being nosy! It's addressed to me. Not you, Your Majesty.” Shanelle replied as she swatted his hand away.

“First of all, ow! That was uncalled for! Secondly, it's in my palace.”

“Our palace sir.” Shanelle corrected him.

Marquise shook his head with a smirk.

“Okay fine. It's our palace. Now, what's in the box?”

“What do you care?” she asked. 

“Call it curiosity killing my cat,” he replied. 

Shanelle rolled her eyes good-naturedly as she read the shipping label on the box.

“Ahh. This must be one of the boxes I had when I moved back to Boston. The shipping label is covering what it says is inside it.”

“What's in it?” he asks.

“Nosy ass!” she replied.

“Very. Now let's open this box.”

Shanelle took a letter opener out of her desk and opened the box. In it were several old photos, old birthday cards, her old diary, her high school yearbooks, and one item she had completely forgotten she had packed. 

“Why do you have a jacket in this box?” Marquise asks as he peered inside.

“It's not mine,” she replied as she glanced at it.

“Okay, then whose jacket is it?” 

“This is Cass’s letter jacket that he got our senior year.” 

“Why do you still have his old letter jacket and why does it smell like mothballs?” he asks. 

“Because he left it at my parent's house and never came to get it before I moved. I must've packed it out of habit.”

Shanelle saw the look on her husband's face and raised an eyebrow at him. 

“You're not jealous are you, Your Majesty?” she asked teasingly.

“Hardly,” he replied. 

“Liar.”

Marquise gave her a side-eye.

“I'm not lying.” 

“Marquise, the same way I know when Cass is lying is the same way I know when you’re lying. You two dumbasses wear your jealousy, annoyance, and anger on your sleeves.”

Marquise had a disgusted look on his face. 

“Did you just compare me to your ex?” he asked. 

Shanelle shrugged with a smirk.

“I can not believe that you just compared me to him.”

“Not my fault you and him are two sides of the same idiot coin.”

“I don't have to stand here and take this slander from you! I'm a King dammit!”

“You forget how easily I can read people. Especially the two of you.”

“You dare insult your King?!” he asked in mocking disgust.

Shanelle winked at her husband.

“Yes, I dare to insult my King,” she replied with a smirk that matched his.

“That's it! I'm leaving! I will not just stand around and be insulted like this!”

Shanelle shook her head with a smile.

“See you later babe.”

“I'll see you later, my love.”

With a quick yet sweet kiss, Marquise was out the door. Leaving Shanelle to reminisce about her past life. Before she had kids, King, and a kingdom to call home.

As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, life was as simple as it gets for Shanelle. Her dad worked at the United Nations as Ambassador of Cordonia and her mother was a 5th-grade teacher at the time. She had her best friends Nina and Chutney. The three amigos. They were always together. Always running every classroom they were in together. Especially her mother’s 5th-grade class. Try as Shantel might, she couldn't separate the girls. 

And then there was Cassian. He was her childhood sweetheart and she was his. They had been together for as long as she had known him and his twin sister. When her grandfather died, Cass was there. When she needed him, he was always there. Whether or not he liked getting bossed around by her was another story. Like the one time, they went to the movies.

“How much farther?” he asked her over his shoulder.

“Just a few more steps. Stop complaining,” she replied.

“My arms are getting tired, Princess.”

“Well, that's what you get for having pseudo-chivalry.”

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“It means you don't want me to carry anything because according to you, the guy in the relationship never lets the girl in the relationship carry anything, just for you to turn around and constantly complain about having to always carry everything,” she replied

“Okay, if I drop all this stuff because my arms fell off.”

“Cass, if you drop damn near 28 dollars worth of popcorn, candy, chili cheese dogs, drinks, and those nasty ass Coney corn dogs that you love so much, that I paid for, I will kick your ass from here to kingdom come.” 

Cass grumbled under his breath but kept walking down the steps to their seats. 

“Stop and turn to the right,” she said to him.

He stopped and turned to the right. 

“Keep walking…and stop,” she instructed.

He walked 5 steps and then stopped.

“Now you can sit down.”

“Finally,” he said as he sat down slowly.

“Exactly. Now if you'd be so kind as to hand me my food.”

She took her chili cheese dogs, a box of M&M's, her drink, and a small popcorn and sat down. Cass looked over.

“Greedy ass.” 

Shanelle set her drink down.

“You get three loaded corn dogs, two boxes of Peanut M&M's, one box of plain M&M's, a large Coke, and two boxes of Reese's Pieces on top of the large popcorn with extra butter and salt. But I'm the greedy one?” she asked.

“Yes. That’s way too many calories.” He replied.

“Hotshot, you’re literally eating your way to clogged arteries and type 2 diabetes. Also, you forget I have track practice after we leave here. So unlike you, I will burn these calories off.” 

“Still too many calories, Princess.”

Just as Shanelle started to speak up the previews started. 

“Saved by the previews,” Cass said triumphantly.

Shanelle rolled her eyes and went back to eating her food. Only to feel his arm around her shoulders. She laid her head on his shoulder.

“Wanna bite?” she asked him, holding up the chili cheese dog in her hand. 

“Nah. I'm good. Thank you. By the way, what time is your track meet next Saturday?” he replied.

“1:00 PM. But I have to be there at 10:00 AM. Coach Howard’s orders.”

Cass scoffed.

“I still don't like her.”

Shanelle snickered.

“That's only because she said you have chicken legs. And she wasn't wrong.”

“Who's side are you on?” he asked. 

“Mine,” she replied. 

Cass rolled his eyes with a smile.

They were together all through middle and high school. Made plans to be together forever. Even though he had objections to always being bossed around by her. After graduating, each went off to different colleges. It was a long-distance relationship but they vowed to make it work. And it did work until it didn't. 

They went from texting and checking in with each other every day. To once a day, to once a week, to sparingly, to complete radio silence throughout her freshman and sophomore years. And Shanelle couldn't figure out why. No matter how many times she texted or called, he never answered. So she decided to drive to see him at school. She had to know why he wouldn't talk to her. 

After texting his then-classmate Robin, she hopped into her Jeep and drove 5 hours from Boston to Philadelphia to see him. When she pulled into the dorm parking lot, she met Robin outside.

“Hey, babe. Are you sure you’re okay?” Robin asked Shanelle.

“I will be once I talk to him. Have you seen him?” Shanelle replied.

Robin scoffed. 

“Not lately. The knucklehead has been avoiding me.”

Shanelle shook her head. 

“Probably because of me.”

“If that's true, I am gonna beat him within an inch of his life.”

Shanelle scoffed. 

“You get whatever part of him that I don't beat, break, batter, or bruise.” 

Robin nodded.

“He always said that you have a scary right hook.”

“And if he doesn't answer the door, you'll get a front-row seat to what happens.”

They walked into the coed dorm. When they got outside his dorm, Shanelle started to wonder if this was the right thing to do.

“Rob, can I ask you something?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Robin replied.

“Am I tripping? Should I even be here?” she asked.

“No, you’re not tripping and yes you should be here. You have tried to contact him every which way. And he's just been silent. At the very least he could explain why he's been silent. He owes you that.”

Shanelle closed her eyes and nodded.

“You're right. Thank you. That's why I like you. Well, that and the fact that since I'm not here to get on his ass, someone has to.”

“Thank you. And to think your man was scared for us to meet. And now he hates it that we met.”

Shanelle snickered.

“That's because we became friends and his worst nightmare.”

Just as Shanelle went to knock on the door, it swung open revealing a shocked and shirtless Cassian. 

“What are you doing here Shanelle?” He asks. 

“I came here looking for you. You haven't been answering the phone and apparently, you've been avoiding Robin. What is going on?” she replied.

“You shouldn't be here, Shanelle,” he said to her. 

She turned to Robin. 

“Give us a minute?” she asked.

“Sure. I gotta get ready for my next class anyway.” Robin replied. 

“Okay. I'll text you later.” 

Robin smiled at Shanelle before walking down the hall to her dorm. Shanelle watched her disappear around a corner before turning back to Cass.

“Go home, Princess. Now.”

“Not until you talk to me.”

“I can't.”

“The hell you mean you can't?!” she asks him.

“Look, you just gotta go,” he replied.

“I'm not going anywhere.”

“This is not the time for you to be stubborn!”

Shanelle scoffed. 

“Pot meet kettle.”

“Shanelle please, just go. It's over. There's nothing left.”

“Cass, what are you talking about?” she asked.

“Us, Shanelle. There is no more us,” he replied.

“No. You're not serious.”

“Yeah. I'm serious. It's over between us. Go home.”

Shanelle was stunned. 

“What is happening?” she asked.

“I have to do this. I have to let you go. So go. It's over. There is no more us.” he replies.

“Cass, why are you doing this?” she asks.

“I can't tell you,” he replied.

“What the hell do you mean?” she asks.

“I can't tell you and I'm not going to tell you. So go home!” he growled. 

Shanelle took a step back from him. She couldn't believe what was happening. It was over.

“Wow. Okay then. I guess that's it. I got the answer to the question I had.” 

“I'm sorry, Shanelle. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that.”

“No. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that all I wanted was to get some kind of an answer. I'm sorry that the only place I was ever going to get that answer was from you. I'm sorry that I drove 5 fucking hours for those very answers. I'm sorry that I came all the way here with the hope that if I could've just talked to you and gotten to the bottom of the problem then maybe we could've fixed whatever the issue was between us. I'm sorry that I came all the way here for nothing.”

Shanelle closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

“Look Princess, I'm sorry.”

“You know. I always knew you were a lot of things, Cass. But never in my life did I think that you, of all the people in this world, would be a coward.”

“That's not fair Shanelle.”

“Oh! So you wanna talk about what's fair and what isn't?! Okay fine. Let's talk about it, shall we? So it's fair for you to break up with me without at least giving me the common courtesy and decency of telling me why, right? But it's not fair for me to call you a coward? Did I get that right?”

Cass just shook his head. 

“Alright then. I guess I got what I came here for and now I can go.” Shanelle said to him with tears in her eyes.

“Shanelle, you can't drive back to Boston like this.”

She scoffed.

“Why the hell do you care, Cass? It's over between us, remember?” she said to him before walking out of the dorm. 

Shanelle got in her Jeep and peeled out of the dorm parking lot without a second glance back. She got to a stoplight before tears blurred her vision and she couldn't see clearly enough to drive. So she pulled over into a grocery store parking lot, killed the engine, and broke down into tears. It was over. And there was no going back. There was no more pleading for answers. The only thing she could do was pick up the pieces of her broken heart, move on, and move forward. 

Two weeks later after her abrupt breakup, Shanelle started taking classes at a local MMA gym. It was a way for her to channel her anger, learn self-defense, and ease her heartbreak. She spent the next two years, which was also the remainder of her college years going to that gym. She would be in the gym 3 times a week. But little did she know, she was being watched. 

Every day she was at the gym, she would notice three guys always watching her. But she put it out of her mind. What she didn’t know was those three random guys were actually guards the Prince had assigned to follow her and keep tabs on her whereabouts. Within a few days, the guards had her routine down to a science. They knew when she was on campus, where she went for coffee and for lunch, how she trained at the gym, and things like that. Whatever the Prince wanted to know about her, his guards found out. 

He had the guards set up a secret feed at the gym through its shoddy security system so he could watch her train in the gym. He was impressed with how good she was. He knew he would one day want to spar with her, so he began to study her fighting style with his lead guard Alex. 

“She's good Marquise,” Alex said to him. 

“Indeed. That's why we're practicing. I want her to be great. Not just good.”

“From what I've noticed, she's become a master at the chokehold and the armbar. Are you sure you'd want to spar with her?” Alex asked. 

“Yes. By practicing I can learn how to counter her.” Marquise replied.

“Won't that just piss her off even more?” Alex asked.

“That's the point, Alex. The angrier she is, the more adrenaline. She's a fighter who's highly competitive and hates to lose. Now shall we get started?” Marquise asks. 

“Sure. Although she and I are in different weight classes.” Alex replied.

“You'll be alright. This isn't the first time that I've tossed your sorry ass around like a rag doll and it won't be the last time that I've tossed your sorry ass around like a rag doll.”

The two smirked at each other before they began to train. Within 3 weeks, Marquise had her fighting style down and knew how to counter every move in her move set. All while she was none the wiser. 

Meanwhile, Shanelle had another problem that had nothing to do with the Prince but everything to do with her best friend Nina, who had been kidnapped by her abusive ex. It had been 3 months since anyone had heard from Nina, but it didn't take long for her family and friends to realize why. Nina’s ex Slater had kidnapped her and had no plans of ever letting her see the light of day until Nina escaped and was able to make it home. 

Shanelle had come home for Memorial Day weekend and was asleep when her phone started going off. It was Chutney.

“Helluh?” Shanelle answered half asleep.

“Wake up Nelle!” Chutney shouted. Causing Shanelle to bolt straight up in bed.

“What the hell Chut?” Shanelle asked, trying to get her bearings before turning on the bedside light in her room. “Why are you calling at…2 in the morning?”

“It's Nina,” Chutney replied. 

Hearing Nina’s name sent a chill down Shanelle’s spine and she began to fear the worst.

“What about her Chut?” Shanelle asked.

“She's alive! I'm with her now.” Chutney replied. 

“What?! What do you mean she's alive?!” Shanelle asked.

“She showed up at the hospital and they called me,” Chutney answered.

“What hospital?” Shanelle asks.

“Mercy Hospital.” 

Shanelle looked at the time on her phone and made a decision.

“Chut I'm on my way. Do NOT let her leave! Do you hear me?!”

“Yes, I hear you. Just hurry.” 

Shanelle threw on some clothes, grabbed her keys, and nearly broke the sound barrier trying to get to the hospital. She had just gotten into the hospital lobby when she saw Chutney. 

“Where is she, Chut?” Shanelle asks.

“Down the hall. ER room 7. I was able to get her to get some sleep.”

Shanelle nodded.

“Go call your uncle. Tell him she's here and that she's alive.”

“Okay.”

Shanelle hugged Chutney who was shaking.

“It's okay babe. She's home. That's all that matters.”

“I know. I just…she's so scared Nelle.”

“I believe it. As I said, go call your uncle. I'm gonna go talk to her.”

Chutney nodded before going to call Nina’s dad. Shanelle walked down the hall as fast as she could until she got to Nina’s room. When she got there, her heart seized. Nina was alive and asleep at the moment. Shanelle was relieved, terrified, and angry. All at the same time. 

“Nina?” Shanelle asked gently, rousing her from her sleep. Nina slowly woke up and looked sleepily at Shanelle.

“Nelle?” she asked.

“I'm here baby. I'm right here.” Shanelle replied while gently squeezing her hand.

Nina bursts into tears before she threw her arms around Shanelle. 

“I am so happy to see you, baby.”

“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

Shanelle hugged her tighter.

“Don't you dare apologize. This wasn't your fault. This is that monster’s fault.”

Nina buried her face into Shanelle’s shoulder and cried. 

“I messed up.”

“No one is mad at you Nina. Certainly not me. I just wanted you home and safe.”

Shanelle rocked her best friend as she cried. 

“I trusted him. And he…”

“Shhh! Baby. You don't have to tell me.”

Nina looked at Shanelle before rolling up her sleeve. Revealing needle marks much to Shanelle’s horror.

“Oh my God.”

“The hospital gave me Narcan.”

Shanelle nodded slowly.

“Do you think you can answer a question for me?” she asked Nina.

Nina nodded.

“Are you going through withdrawals?” she asked her.

Rather than answer Nina just clung to Shanelle.

“My God. I'm so sorry.”

“I said no. I tried to stop him. But he forced me. I tried–”

“Shhh! It's okay babe. You do not need to tell me anything more if you're not ready. Okay?”

Nina nodded. 

“But you need help. You need to get into rehab.”

“No. Shanelle no.”

“Listen to me. The Narcan the hospital gave you will only last for so long. I don't want to see you like this.”

“I can't afford rehab, Nelle. I can't.”

“You won't have to. I'll pay for it.”

“What?! No. I won't let you.”

Shanelle smiled at Nina with tears in her eyes.

“Try and stop me. I will do whatever I have to in order to get you the help you need.”

“You would?” Nina asks.

“Absofuckinglutely!” Shanelle replies.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes. Whatever the costs are, I will pay for them. I don’t care.” Shanelle replied. 

“Okay. I'll go. But you can't tell anyone. Please.”

“I swear to you. I won't tell a soul. It'll be our secret.”

Nina nodded tearily.

“Thank you.”

“It's what best friends are for. We stick together through thick and thin. I got your back. You got mine. Remember?”

Nina nodded just as Chutney returned.

“Nina, your parents and your brothers are here.” Chutney said to the girls. 

“And that's my cue,” Shanelle said.

“You're leaving?” Nina asks.

“Yeah. I don't want to be around your brother right now.” Shanelle replied. 

“Okay.”

Shanelle hugged Nina tightly.

“But I promise. I will come to check on you later. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

Shanelle stood up and dried her eyes.

“You call me whenever you need me, alright?”

Nina smiled at her. 

“I love you, Princess.”

“I love you too baby. I'll see you soon.”

Shanelle hugged Chutney just as Nina's family showed up. 

“Thank you for calling me,” she whispered to Chutney.

“Of course. We're the three amigos, remember? We always look out for each other.” 

Shanelle walked down the hall walking past Cassian without so much as a second glance. Within a few days, Shanelle had Nina with her in D.C. and they were getting her settled into the rehab facility.

“Now you have my number, right?” Shanelle asked Nina.

“Yes, mom. I have your number.”

Shanelle snickered. 

“If I want to deal with your sarcasm, I'll call your brother.”

The two laughed. 

“I'll call you if I need anything.”

“Okay. I'm an hour away. Well, 30-45 minutes if I don't do the speed limit.”

Nina snorted before shaking her head.

“Get some rest, love.”

“Will do.”

A week after getting Nina settled, Shanelle was sitting on her couch flipping channels, when she got a surprise late-night FaceTime call from the Prince himself. 

“Hello?”

“Well hello, Princess.”

“Good Evening Your Majesty.”

“It's Your Highness, love,” he replied, correcting her. 

“Your Highness, what can I do for you?” she asks.

“I'll get right to it. Have you spoken to your father?” he asked.

“No. Not today anyway. Why?” she replied.

“Well because of a curious thing. Did you know he wrote a check for nearly $10,000.00?” he asks.

“No. I had no clue,” she replied.

“Are you sure, Princess?” he asks.

“Your Highness, why would I know anything about the checks he writes?” she replied.

“Because you see the thing is, he didn't write a check for nearly $10,000.00. And neither did your mother.”

Shanelle went quiet. She was busted. 

“Princess, why are you writing checks in your father's name?” he asks. 

She cursed under her breath.

“I had to. It was an emergency,” she replied. 

“A $10,000.00 emergency?” he asks.

“Yes. How did you figure out he didn't write the check?” she replied.

“I'm glad you asked. It was quite easy actually, had he written it, he would've never gone over the international limit of $5,000.00. It's not his style. Not without alerting the Royal Treasury. But you on the other hand.”

Shanelle groaned.

“Also there's a hold on the check until it gets cleared by the Treasury.”

“What do you mean there's a hold on the check?” she asked.

“Every time a check is written over the allotted amount, a 7-day hold is placed on said check. It's standard procedure,” he replies.

“Would it be too much to ask for you to go ahead and clear the check?” she asked.

“It must be important to you,” he replied.

“It is. I need it cleared immediately. Please.”

The look on his face was unreadable and when he switched his camera off, Shanelle started to panic.

“Done.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes, Princess. It's been cleared,” he replies.

She let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Marquise.”

“You're welcome. Now I want you to listen to me and listen closely. Don't you ever write a check for that big of an amount without telling me first.”

“Why? What's the big deal?” she asked.

“The big deal is if I hadn't caught it and cleared the check you wrote in time, bad case it would've had to go to my father or worse case it would've gone to your uncle for clearance,” he replied. 

The thought of having to deal with either one of them made Shanelle shudder.

“Exactly. So next time, if there is one, you are to let me know the minute you write the check. Do you understand?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied quietly.

“Listen, I'm not trying to scare you or reprimand you. I just know that my father and your uncle would've instantly rejected the check.”

Shanelle nodded.

“Again, thank you.”

“Of course. It is a curious thing though. What's so important that you had to write a check that big?” he asks.

“I can't tell you,” she replied.

“Must be serious.”

“The check didn't say?” she asked.

“No. It just shows me the check number, the amount written, and the routing numbers of the Treasury and the bank requesting that the hold be lifted.” 

Shanelle internally sighed in relief.

“In other news, you look beautiful.”

“I look homeless.” 

Marquise groaned. 

“Just take the damn compliment, Princess.”

She broke out in a small smile.

“There's that pretty smile. Much better. That's what I like to see.”

“I've never seen you be all business-like. It's kinda hot.”

“Of course, you like it. You like it when someone else takes control. That way you can be as reckless as you want to be.”

Shanelle tried and failed to hide the blush on her cheeks.

“How was your day?” he asked.

“Long and arduous. How was yours?” she replied.

“Boring. Budgets, Cordonian tax laws and guidelines, and more budgets.” 

“Oh, you poor thing. Are you at your Duchy?” she asked.

“No. I'm in my office at the palace,” he replied.

She grimaced.

“You sound thrilled.”

“Oh yeah. Positively enthralled.”

Shanelle snorted.

“Are you off the clock?” she asked.

“I've been off the clock for three hours now. I just had a few loose ends to tie up,” he replied.

“I didn't mean to keep you up so late.”

He waved her off. 

“You weren't.”

“So you say.”

He smirked at her.

“I'm actually on my way to bed now that business is done. It's a shame you won't be there when I get there.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“Oh my God! You're not even subtle.”

“I don't have the time or luxury to be.”

Shanelle shook her head.

“I know I'm going to regret this but hypothetically speaking, what would you do if I was there?” she asked.

Marquise cocked his head to the side with a smirk.

“Curious are you?” he replies.

“Morbidly.”

Marquise put a finger to his lips with a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Let's see. Well for starters you wouldn't be wearing any clothes.”

“You pig!” she hissed.

“I'll be Wilbur if you be Charlotte.”

“Ugh! You are so fucking irritating.”

The smirk on his face made her thankful she was sitting down.

“Okay fine. So you wouldn't be completely naked. Is that better?” he asked.

“Much. Now continue. Correctly.” she replied.

“To be honest, you'd either already be asleep, laying across the bed flipping channels like you are now, or you'd be out on the balcony with a glass of wine watching the stars.”

“Not bad. And nowhere near as disrespectful as I thought you'd be. Also, I didn't know your room had a balcony.”

“Every room in my wing has a balcony.”

“You have an entire wing?!” she asked.

“Mmmhmm. 12 bedrooms all to myself. At least for now,” he replied.

“And here I am thinking that I'm a spoiled brat.”

“You are a spoiled brat Princess.” he quipped. 

Shanelle shook her head. 

“So let's say I was out on your balcony, what would you be doing?” she asks. 

“Your curiosity must be killing you,” he replied.

“Humor me.”

“Very well. As you may know, I am a servant of the people. But none more than you, my future wife. I would always want you to be comfortable. No matter what. And nothing is more comfortable than a couples’ bubble bath.”

“Oh really?” she asks. 

“Mmmhmm. It would help me forget my day and would give me a reason to put my hands all over you. If you know what I mean.”

Shanelle couldn't help but blush. And he noticed. 

“It's okay to say you like the idea, Princess.”

“Okay fine. So I like the idea. I love bubble baths and as much as I hate to admit it, you are good with your hands.”

“There you go. Now that wasn't so hard, was it?” he asks.

“Get off my phone!” she replied with a smirk.

He smirked.

“Goodnight Shanelle. I'll talk to you soon.”

“Goodnight Marquise.”

When she hung up the phone she couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach. She turned off the TV and went to bed. When her head hit the pillow, she dozed off dreaming she was falling asleep in the Prince’s arms. 

As the months went on, Shanelle watched her best friend flourish and become herself again in rehab then eventually move back home to New York while she stayed in D.C. Shanelle also found herself more and more enamored with the Prince. He would text and call her every day. He would have a dozen roses sent to her office every Friday. He was starting to wear her down. Not that she minded. 

And it showed in one of their nightly FaceTime calls.

“So how did your parents meet?” he asks.

“My mom got a summer internship at the United Nations and would ride the elevator with my dad every day. She worked on the floor below him. And one day he finally mustered up the courage to ask Shantel Fletcher out on a date.” she replies.

“Your father has courage?” he asked.

Shanelle snickered.

“Yes, every here and again he does,” she replies.

“How long did this go on?” he asks.

“Maybe 3 weeks? They would go out for lunch every day until her internship ended and she had to go back to D.C.” she replied.

“And he chased her?” he asks.

“Yup. He transferred his assignment to the Consulate,” she replied.

“Talk about dedication.”

“He was in love. When mom found out she called him and told him to go home but he stayed. And they started dating again and then got married.” 

“He got married and didn't tell his parents?” he asked.

“Yup. They got married at the D.C. magistrate with her parents as witnesses,” she replies.

“When was this?” he asked.

“June 1st, 1986,” she replied. 

“That's a long time to be married to your dad.”

“She loves him. Someone has to.”

“Did you ever meet his parents?” he asks.

“Yes. The first time I ever went to Cordonia was because of them. It's how I was granted my title.” she replies.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yup. I actually met them by accident,” she replies.

“How'd that happen?” he asks.

“My parents had barely been married a year and a half when my mom got pregnant. She was excited while my dad was apprehensive,” she replies.

“Why?” he asked. 

“Because he was sent to America to work for Cordonia, not get married and have a kid,” she replied.

Marquise nodded.

“I met them after the betrothal agreement was signed.”

“How old were you?” he asked.

“I was 10 months old. As I said before, I met them by accident,” she replies.

“How?” he asks.

“My dad had gone to the store for milk and eggs and more baby food. While my mom stayed and worked on her thesis paper,” she replies.

“Where were you?” 

“I was in my room sleeping. It was naptime for me.”

“Where did you all live? Embassy Row?” 

“Nope. We lived here at the apartment where I am now at the Consulate.”

“So what happened?”

“As I said, my dad was gone and it was just me and my mom. It was a pretty typical Saturday. Until there was a knock at the front door. My mom went to open the door and when she did there stood my grandparents.”

“Awkward…” 

“Very. According to my mom, they stared at her and she stared back at them until my grandfather asked her who she was. That's when it clicked that mommy was staring at her in-laws.”

“Yikes!”

“Oh, it gets better. So when my mom realized who they were, she said ‘you must be Damien’s parents’.”

“Wait! She addressed the former Iron King of South Cordonia like a common parent?” Marquise asked with a cackle.

“Yup. And that's when my grandfather said,  ‘young lady my name is King Dominic Miller. And this is my wife Queen Angelique. And we're here to see our son Prince Damien. Thank you’, according to her.”

“Well did she let them in or make them stand there?”

“I'm getting to that! Of course, she let them in. She had to move some of her papers and books out of the way first before they could sit down. And about 10 minutes after my grandparents arrived, my dad showed up carrying grocery bags. Much to his mother’s horror.”

“Oh. My. God!”

“You see, the former King and Queen didn't inform their youngest son they were coming. Based on a suggestion made by their eldest son.”

“Your uncle didn't tell them about you and your mom?” he asks.

“Nope. He thought it best they find out about us on their own,” she replies.

“So he set your father up?” he asked.

“Yup. They wanted to surprise him and boy did he get a surprise. And so did they,” she replies.

“Wow!”

“Just wait. I'm just getting to the good part. When my dad walked in, my mom looked at him and was like ‘when were you gonna tell me your parents were coming?’ to which my poor dumb daddy goes ‘I couldn't tell you because I had no idea they were coming.’”

Marquise cackled. 

“So after my dad set the groceries down, my grandfather asked him who this common woman was, meaning my mom, and why was she there. And just as my mom got ready to respond, guess who woke up from their nap and was very fussy.”

“Uh oh!”

“Yeah. So my mom disappeared into my room and when she reemerged, she had me on her hip. My grandparents were stunned.”

Marquise stared at her.

“That's when my dad took me from my mom and turned to his parents and said ‘Father, mother, this is Shantel. My wife of two years. And this beautiful little girl is Shanelle. Our daughter. Your granddaughter.’ and as I said, his parents were stunned.” 

“You know your grandfather had a reputation for being everything but quiet right?” he asks.

“That's what I've heard about him,” she replied.

“So what else happened?”

“After several minutes of my dad’s parents being in shock, his mother finally spoke up and asked if she could hold me. And he placed me in her arms. Which was a miracle, because when I was a baby, I didn't like being held by anyone except my parents and my grandma Venita. Apparently, my grandmother had this diamond brooch on her jacket lapel that I kept reaching for, and she took it off and gave it to me to hold. And that was the first time I had ever smiled at her.” 

“Wow.”

“Apparently, I looked over at my grandfather and crawled into his lap and was giggling and waving my grandmother's brooch around. And according to my dad, that was the moment I melted my grandfather's heart.”

“Wow!”

Shanelle shrugged.

“I am their oldest grandchild after all. Anyways, after watching me play in my grandfather's arms, my grandmother asked my dad why he didn't tell them about me and my mom sooner.”

“What did he say?” 

“He was honest. He said he just knew that if he showed up with my mom and me, they would reject his new family and disown him. And he couldn't take the risk of losing his family. Besides, he didn't want me to grow up in the palace. He wanted me to have as normal of a life as possible.” 

Marquise nodded.

“So your dad does have a backbone?”

Shanelle snickered.

“I mean it's flimsy but yes, he has one.”

“What did your grandfather say to all that?” he asks.

“He was furious with my dad. According to my mom, he said he still should have been told that he had a granddaughter. And he was hurt and disappointed that my dad would think that they'd disown him. Because at that time, I was the oldest living child in the family, that meant that I would be the new heir to the throne.” 

“You?” he asked.

“Yup. Me. Because you have to remember, Edward was not married and had no children. Which meant that if he died after taking the throne, South Cordonia would be without a Monarch. But because my dad had me…” she trailed off.

Marquise nodded.

“South Cordonia would have their Monarch.”

“Bingo! But that's not why he didn't tell them.”

“Why didn't he say anything?” he asked.

“He was afraid that something called a Coventus Nobilis would be called?”

Marquise whistled low.

“Yikes! No wonder he was afraid.”

“But why? What is a Coventus Nobilis?” she asks.

Marquise sighed.

“It's an old and antiquated law that dates back to when the 7 Great Houses Of Cordonia were the ruling body of all Cordonia,” he replied.

“What does that mean?” 

“A Coventus Nobilis is a vote of no confidence.”

“No confidence in what?”

“If the safety and upbringing of a Royal heir is ever called into question by a Head Of House, a Coventus Nobilis can be convened to address the matter. And a vote of no confidence must be unanimously approved.”

“You're not making any sense.”

“Had a vote of no confidence been reached, your parents would've been stripped of custody of you.”

“WHAT?!”

“As I said, it's an old and antiquated law. It hasn't been called upon since at least the 1600s.”

“Can it be changed?” she asked.

“Nope. All Monarchs are forbidden from ever touching the law. That's what your father was really afraid of. And that's probably why he agreed to the betrothal agreement. It protected you in case your grandfather had the law called upon as King and tried to have you taken away from your parents.” he replied. 

“He wouldn't have done that.”

“Shanelle, your grandfather was notoriously known as the Iron King. I'll let you figure out the rest.”

Shanelle exhaled slowly.

“Well, that explains why my grandfather extended his retirement by at least a year.”

“I remember that. Kinda.”

“Yeah, he extended it so I could have my coronation when I was 18 months old. That was the first time I had ever traveled to Cordonia. And it was on Easter Sunday so I had on my Easter Sunday dress with bows, barrettes, and those white shoes with frilly white socks. And because I was granted a title, my mom was too.”

“I'm sure. Your grandfather had to grant her a title. She was the Mother Of The Heir at the time.”

“But all I cared about that day was eating my first ever sugarcake. It was my grandmother's favorite too. That's why I love it so much. It came from her favorite bakery in Gianko.”

“I know that bakery. They make amazing Paninis.”

“Of course, you know it. You live there.”

Marquise smirked.

“I don’t remember much about it but, one of the last things my grandparents did with me before they died was they commissioned two portraits. An official Royal portrait of me with my parents and a portrait of me with the two of them.”

“Really?” he asks.

“Yup. Daddy is actually in Cordonia now. He always goes back for a month to lay flowers at his parent's graves. That and to bring me back a box of sugarcakes. Anyway, according to my dad, he hasn't seen those portraits in years. He thinks Edward may have gotten rid of them after their parents died.” she replies.

“Nah. He didn't. I can assure you of that.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because it's illegal to do so. Instead, he would've had to turn them over to the Cordonian Hall Of Archives.”

“Oh.”

Marquise noticed she was biting her lower lip.

“Shanelle?” 

She let her bottom lip slip from in between her teeth.

“Huh?”

“You're biting your lip.”

“So?”

Marquise shook his head with a smirk.

“You only do that when you're scared to ask a question.”

She went quiet.

“Is there something that you want?” he asks.

She nodded her head yes.

“What is it, Princess? What do you want?” 

“Will you look in the Archives for the portraits?” she asked.

“I mean of course I can. But why would I do that when it serves me no purpose?” he replies.

“You're gonna make me explain why I want you to look aren't you?” she asked.

“Naturally,” he replies. 

Shanelle whined.

“My dad’s birthday is coming up and I want to be able to give him something special when he comes home. Also, I would love to have something to remember my grandparents by.”

“Very good. So you can be taught, I see.”

“Don't make me regret asking.”

“You won't. I'll put the call in to have them retrieved and sent to you before he leaves here. Shall I have them gift-wrapped as well?”

Shanelle snickered.

“I know you’re being funny but yes, I would like it if you could have them wrapped.”

“Consider it done.”

She smiled before hiding a yawn.

“Sorry about that.”

“Don't be. You should go get some sleep. I'll talk to you soon.”

“Goodnight Your Highness.”

“Goodnight my future wife,” he replied with a smirk.

Shanelle rolled her eyes before ending the call. 

Sure enough, the portraits arrived a few weeks later gift-wrapped and in pristine condition. They arrived two days before she moved back home to New York just in time for her father's birthday. When she moved back in with her parents she had the portraits stored in the attic. 

Being home felt good and weird at the same time. She had her job working for her dad's office at the United Nations. She had her friends who were happy to have her home for more girls' nights and gossip. She even had endless other suitors that were interested in her. Each suitor was wealthy, connected, and powerful. But none of them were as wealthy, connected, or powerful as the Prince. 

Also, most of them were boring, stuck up, narcissistic, stuffy, and stiff. They were perfect for someone that didn't want anything out of life. Not her. She wasn't trying to be some diplomat’s smiling trophy. And at the end of the day, that's what she would be with those other men. So she skipped them and stuck with the one man that wouldn't turn her into the black version of a Stepford Wife. The Prince. 

You have reached the end of part 1! Stay tuned for the next part!

[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.

[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.

[alj4890]

I got an ask we know Riley gets kidnapped by Anton but what if Anton was in love with her and he didn’t wanna kill her but makes her his. What if Olivia killed Claudus for shooting drake.

I love the way you think, Nonny! I actually would have eaten this up with a spoon if that had happened in canon. To be honest, I really liked Justin in book 2. If he had been a new love interest, I would have done a play through just to see what happens if Riley chose him 🤦🏻 Of course then we find out he is behind all the bombings and such so...oops, LOL. When I first saw your request, I made an aesthetic with just Justin/Anton and Riley in mind. I completely forgot to add a definite OTP of mine, Drake and Olivia, to it. Smh. The story though will definitely include them along with Riley and Justin. I am so tempted to turn this into a series 🙊

@gkittylove99 @krsnlove @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @ofpixelsandscribbles @twinkleallnight @lodberg  @amandablink @neotericthemis  @mm2305 @sfb123 @iufilms

Masterlist

True Intentions

It had happened when he had not been paying attention. It shouldn't have happened at all. He had one goal. One mission. Nothing had ever come to mean more to him than that. Nothing. No one.

Until Riley.

He knew he shouldn't have spent so much time with her. He shouldn't have helped Maxwell in picking the right dresses for her. He shouldn't have stuck around to see her come out of dressing rooms, an excited smile upon her face, as she twirled around for them to give their opinions.

It had taken all his will power to keep from telling her what he truly thought. Riley's beauty was simply stunning, not because of her outer loveliness, but more that he saw her inner beauty shining through each trial she faced. Her strength amazed him. Her wit brought a smile to his face. Her kindness touched his heart.

It made him begin to long for things he shouldn't. They shouldn't be a part of any dream or plan he had.

And yet...she was beginning to crop up in his thoughts. In his dreams.

In his plans.

He winced as he tried to get comfortable.

His plans hadn't exactly gone as he had hoped. In fact, he should have talked to his men and explained that Riley was not to be a target.

Thank God for Drake. If he hadn't jumped in front of her, she would have been taken from me.

His lips twisted in another painful grimace.

"Are you in pain?"

Justin looked up and tried to smile. "Just a little."

His nurse shook her head. "I told you to buzz before it got too bad." She gently checked his wound.

"I don't want to be a bother." He mumbled.

"You aren't." She patted his hand. "You aren't any trouble at all." Her nose wrinkled. "We had a few nobles cause unnecessary problems when the attack happened."

"Really?"

She rolled her eyes. "Some were knocked down during the chaos and demanded they be admitted."

He chuckled softly. "Sounds like something they would do."

"It's a shame that good people like you were seriously hurt while those spoiled nobles try and take all the attention." She readjusted his covers after administering some more pain medication in his IV. "I don't know why King Liam is so hellbent on bringing them back to court."

"What do you mean?" Justin tried to fight the effects of the pain medicine. "What's he doing?"

"He and Lady Riley are going on some type of tour to some of the major houses to personally invite them to their wedding."

His brow furrowed.

A unity tour. That would work on these small minded individuals. It was a smart move. The public were already Team Riam. Once the royal couple convinced the most powerful houses to come to their wedding, all the other minor lords and ladies would follow suit.

"Well played, Liam." Justin's eyes drooped closed. "Well played."

**************

He couldn't believe that they not only convinced Madeleine's entire family, but also somehow got all of Portavira on their side.

"What's the plan?" Claudius asked.

"We need something big to remind everyone that we aren't a one trick pony." Justin told him.

He looked out the window. Leaves were beginning to change with the first hints of autumn in the air.

A hint of a smile appeared as a plan began to form.

"It would be a shame if Cordonia's apple orchard had a bad year, wouldn't it?" He eyed his second in command.

Claudius chuckled. "It really would."

******************

Justin watched as every channel showed the devastation of the orchard near Applewood. He couldn't help but smile over Riley making the people love her even more for her righteous anger. Her promises to bring those responsible to justice along with making the orchard bigger than before made him nearly burst with pride.

She had grown into her role more so than he had ever imagined. Gone was the timid young waitress from New York who uttered no comment when reporters surrounded her. She was a confident woman now who could think on her feet.

Justin thought she was more attractive than the first time he had seen her floundering in front of the cameras, in desperate need of a hero. It hadn't been a bother to rush to her side then and put his arm around her. Her wide eyes had lifted to his and he had nearly melted from her beauty.

He still couldn't believe that she forgave Liam for choosing another over her. Granted Madeleine impressed him with how she could manipulate reporters into spinning a story to her advantage, but Riley was so many things that the cold countess was not. She deserved better than what she got.

And he planned on giving it to her.

*****************

A week after the orchard burning, he turned to see the one rarely far from his thoughts.

"Justin!" Riley rushed over to engulf him in a hug.

"How's my favorite media darling?" He asked.

She leaned back and gave him that smile that was brighter than flash bulbs. "Much better now that I know you're recovering." She playfully glanced about before whispering, "Save me from Madeleine!"

He laughed as he hugged her once more. "I don't know. I've seen her work and can't find fault with it."

Riley pouted. She linked her arm with his as they walked down the hospital hallway. "I prefer your guidance to hers." Her nose wrinkled. "It's weird being told how to act by Liam's former fiancée. I know there wasn't anything between them, but still."

Justin patted her hand. "Tell you what. If Madeleine is unable to do her job or you decide to fire her, then I will gladly step back into my old position." He dug around in his pocket for the earpiece she had used during Liam's engagement tour.

Her smile reappeared. "Old faithful."

"I'm always Just-in-time." He teased.

*****************

It had been too close. He hadn't expected Riley to go anywhere near Constantine. And there she was, by Liam's side, graciously accepting some necklace from the old man who had destroyed her initial happily ever after.

His heart had nearly stopped as he watched rubble fall around them. Riley had frozen in fear over Liam's safety. It was a nightmare come to life as pieces of the wall and ceiling began to collapse.

At least one good thing had come from this: one king was dead.

It sadly wasn't the king he needed to die.

Justin began to plan how he would comfort Riley once Liam was gone. He wouldn't have to tell her it was he, himself, who orchestrated his death. But he would make certain to enjoy the benefits of it.

His eyes narrowed over another slight problem he had.

He was going to have to kill his own wife too.

******************

Lythikos...

It had been almost too easy. Madeleine was already in need of a distraction after hearing Liam gush over how excited he was to marry Riley in a few weeks. Once she requested a fruity cocktail, he knew then that the poison could go undetected taste wise.

The bartender left to go replenish the champagne. Madeleine's irritation over having to wait on a refill was drawing attention.

"Here." He grinned at her. "Allow me to make you another."

Her eyes widened. "Aren't you that press secretary that helped Riley?"

"I am." He began to mix a strong cocktail for her while adding the poison, all right under her nose. "And I must say you are the best I've ever seen."

Madeleine's irritation disappeared over the compliment. "I am, aren't I?"

"Riley's lucky to have someone so knowledgeable in ways of both the court and public like you." He added.

"Yes, she is." Madeleine muttered. "I'll do anything for my country, even if it is a thankless job."

"You should be recognized for your sacrifice." Justin handed her the deadly drink.

"Yes, I should." She took a gulp.

"How is it?" He asked.

"It's the only good thing here." A tipsy grin appeared on her face when she saw Riley. She grasped Justin's hand and pulled him in her wake. "Let's go say, hi."

"Boooooo!" Madeleine giggled when Riley turned around. "It's the ghosts of press secretary past and present."

"The what now?" Riley lips trembled with suppressed laughter as she looked up at Justin for clarification.

"I'm the ghost of press secretary past." He winked at her.

"OoooOooo!" Madeleine swayed where she stood.

"Whoa, there." Riley tried to steady her. "You okay?"

"She's had a little too much." Justin mimed drinking.

"It's a party!" Madeleine slurred. "It's in the worst place ever but it's a party and I'm going to...going to..."

"Enjoy it?" Riley offered.

"Extractly!" Madeleine's brow wrinkled over that not being the right word. "Expactly?"

"Exactly." Justin corrected.

"That."

The crowd quieted around them when Olivia took the stage to offer a final toast of the evening to Liam and Riley's wedding.

"Woo!" Madeleine cheered.

Riley and Justin tried to shush her.

Her giddy smile fell as her rosy cheeks drained of color. "Somefing's not..."

"Madeleine?" Riley lost her grip on her when she swayed violently to the right. "What's--"

Madeleine hit a table, causing the plates to clatter and the vase of blood red roses to fall over.

"I hate this place." She collapsed on the floor.

"Madeleine!" Riley dropped to her knees and tried to bring her to. "Liam! Mara! Come quick!"

Justin stepped back as the two came to see what was wrong. He watched as Olivia made her way through the crowd to find out what the all the fuss was about.

"What's wrong with her?" Riley asked.

"She's been poisoned." Mara whispered.

*******************

Justin loved seeing the delighted surprise once more on Riley's face when he said he would take over Madeleine's duties for the rest of the tour. It would have been a perfect moment if Liam had not been standing there. He was ashamed to think of his nearly giving himself away when he panicked at the sight of Olivia walking in behind him.

He wished Lucretia would quit trying to push Olivia into going into the family vault. She had a sick sense of humor in wanting her niece to discover she was already married. For some reason, she did not approve of the way her niece depended on her friends for support.

Justin knew the power friends could have. Had he not been trained by his own parents' friends, he wouldn't be the worthy man next in line to the throne. His comradery with his own men inspired their loyalty and willingness to die to make him king.

He needed to distance himself from Lucretia the moment they got out of Lythikos.

****************

She was supposed to come alone! Why did she bring Riley? I can't kill her. I need her. I deserve to have a choice in the one I want ruling by my side. The people already adore her, much more so than they admire Olivia. I was supposed to become free of this marriage. Once she and Liam are dead, I'll be able to be king and have--

"Justin?" Riley's eyes were clouded with confusion as she looked first at a picture of him dressed in a royal uniform. "What is this?"

"I'm sorry, Riley." His voice cracked on her name.

Justin reached in his pocket and pulled out a revolver.

Lucretia cackled with glee as she told her niece the truth about her marriage.

Justin stood there silently as the woman he loved shook her head in denial.

She's so incredibly sweet to doubt a friend could be the bad guy. I hate that I can't pull her away from all this and simply explain why I should be the ruler of Cordonia. I deserve it. I worked for it. My entire life was made for me to take the crown. She would be able to understand that. Look how far she's come in her own life. Who could imagine a waitress from some dive bar in America would come to be the next queen of a small European nation?

"Do it already!" Lucretia hissed. "Shoot her!"

He couldn't do it. Even as he held the gun steady, pointed directly at the woman he loved's heart, he couldn't shoot Riley.

"Get away from her!" Liam ordered.

Justin spun around to see the king and guards filling up the narrow passageway.

"I thought you said this was secure." Justin snapped at Lucretia.

"It was." She held her hands up in surrender.

Justin watched as she stepped forward, pretending to stumble.

His eyes widened as once again his love was trapped within a collapsing room.

He managed to see her safely end up in Liam's arms before escaping through a hidden passage.

He left Lucretia to the guards. She had served her purpose and was sadly of no use to him any longer. Now he could plan what he truly wanted to happen.

*******************

Liam and Riley's wedding day...

"I don't care who you kill. Olivia and Riley are to be taken alive." Justin told the small team of men he was sending in. "If you have to wound them to get them here, make certain Riley's is non life threatening.

He ignored the questioning look Claudius sent his way.

"Bring them both to our stronghold." His eyes narrowed. "Do not fail me."

****************

Later that night...

"Good work." Justin straightened his jacket. He wanted to look his best when he saw Riley again.

Claudius smirked at him. "Just think of all the men we would still have if you had let me go alone."

Justin chuckled. "True, but at least we are free of our weakest links." He smoothed his hair back. "Now take me to our guests."

***************

"I know the real Justin is somewhere in there." Riley leaned as far forward as her bindings allowed. "You helped me gain the love of the people. You know that if you kill me, the people will not readily accept you as king."

He couldn't help but smile. "I know and that is why I don't intend to hurt you."

"Then why kidnap us?" Olivia demanded.

He turned toward her. "If I'm to be king, then I have to take the necessary steps to claim the throne." He motioned for Claudius to come in.

"You're the one who shot Drake!" Olivia shouted, struggling against the ropes biting into her tender skin. "You'll regret that."

"And you tried to kill me!" Riley added, narrowing her eyes.

"That was a mistake." Justin quickly said. "You were never to be harmed."

"Then why all the attempts?" She asked. "Why do you persist in--"

"You weren't supposed to be here, Riley." He knelt down in front of her. "You should have stayed in New York until the time was right"

Her eyebrows drew together. "What are you talking about.

Justin asked Claudius to remain with Olivia while he took Riley somewhere private.

"If you think for one second that I will remain with this man while you take her away go do only God knows what," Olivia's chair creaked at her straining to break free, "then you don't know what a Nevarkis is truly made of!"

Justine rolled his eyes over her rant as he untied Riley from her chair. He kept her ankles and wrists bound together. He swept her into his arms and carried her out.

Olivia's shouts were silenced by the sound of a hard slap.

Riley struggled in Justin's arms. "What did he do to her? OLIVIA?!" Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Justin, please don't--"

"Nothing's happened to her." He took her into a surprisingly clean, yet drab, sitting room.

Riley was dropped on a chaise lounge. She eyed the door then Justin.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He repeated. He gently cupped her cheek, fingers brushing along her jaw line. "I love you too much to ever harm you."

Riley stilled. She looked up at him. "You what?"

He knelt before her. "I'm in love with you. It didn't hit me until you told me you had accepted Liam's proposal on the train. I didn't plan it, but I refuse to hide my feelings any longer." He smiled at her. "You've proven yourself as the rightful Queen of Cordonia. Once Liam and Olivia are dead, you and I can rule this country as we see fit. We'll--"

Riley shook her head. "Justin," she believed he was deranged and knew she had to handle this carefully, "I'm flattered. Really I am. I mean, we both know I would never have gotten this far without you."

His smile grew at her realizing she owed him for her meteoric rise within the court.

"But if you kill Liam and Olivia, the people will not feel any love or loyalty for you." She tilted her head as she studied him. "Surely you see the problem with this plan."

"People respect power." He explained. "They respect someone who fights for what is rightfully his. Since my birth, I have been meant for something greater. My parents, Olivia's family, even my soldiers realized that I alone am worthy to rule over this country." He focused once more upon her. "And I've seen that you are the one to do so by my side."

Riley shook her head. "Justin, I am honored," her voice cracked on that lie, "to have your love but I can't accept it." Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm in love with Liam."

"Riley, he didn't choose you." Justin argued. "He left you on your own to fight against nobles, the press, even his own father. You deserve so much more than being an afterthought."

Tears slipped down her cheeks once more. "That wasn't what he did. He was trying to protect me. And I--"

He leaned down and kissed her.

She froze at the touch, refusing to participate.

"Once Liam's gone, you will see the truth." Justin promised.

"I won't." Her eyes narrowed. "As long as I live, I'll hate you with everything within me for taking him from me."

"You don't have it in you." He shook his head in amusement. "You've forgiven everyone. Olivia, Penelope, Madeleine, even Constantine. You never hold a grudge."

"You'll be my first." Riley vowed. "Liam is the love of my life. If you ruin my chance to finally be with him, I will never forgive you. As long as there is breath in my body, I will find a way to destroy you."

"You are amazing." He murmured, knowing she was speaking from her heart. He couldn't wait for that devotion to be for himself.

"Anton?"

The two turned to see Claudius in the doorway. "Liam should be here any moment."

Justin nodded and told him he would meet him and the rest of the men downstairs.

He lifted Riley in his arms and placed her back in the cell with Olivia.

His wife had the bruised imprint of Claudius's hand on her alabaster cheek. Blood had dried on her bottom lip. No tears had fallen from the force of the hit. Her left eye was bloodshot as she glared up at him.

"Liv?" Riley choked out. "Are you--"

"I'm fine." Her harsh answer echoed in the chamber. "It will take more than some two bit thug to hurt me." Her eyes did a quick scan to make certain Riley wasn't hurt.

"If you will excuse me, I have to go prepare for Liam's last night on earth." He retied Riley to her chair.

She threw her head back with all her might to connect with his face.

His glasses broke from the force of her strike. Blood poured out his nose as he stumbled away from her.

"Don't ever," his voice dropped to a hiss, "do that again, my love." He gripped her chin and jerked her face up toward his. "You will learn how to behave soon enough."

He slammed the cell door and left them alone.

"Did he hurt you?" Olivia whispered.

"No." Riley bit her bottom lip. "Not yet."

*****************

"Where is my wife?" Liam demanded.

Justin couldn't help but be impressed. The young king was standing before him, completely outnumbered, yet didn't show the slightest flicker of fear.

He asked the one question that he himself would have asked if Riley was taken from him.

"She is well." Justin replied. "Which is something I can't promise about your own well being."

"I want to see her." Liam bit out. "Now!"

Justin's chuckle was interrupted by a hastily whispered message from Claudius. His head jerked around to search the dim hallway as if doing so would reveal the missing prisoners.

How had they escaped?

"You don't get to make demands here." He snapped at Liam.

"Let Riley and Olivia go." Liam ordered. "And I will take their place." His eyes narrowed. "I know it is a temporary one."

Justin couldn't help but smile. The man was indeed brave to trade his life for Riley and Olivia's.

"No!" Riley screamed out from the stairs.

Chaos broke out as she led the charge to attack the Sons of the Earth. Justin watched as she ran over to protect Liam's back.

The couple were doing their utmost to protect the other from harm.

Their friends were taking his well trained soldiers out one by one. It was embarrassing to see how pitiful his men fought.

Olivia moved into his line of sight. Fury blazed across her delicate features.

"I'm impressed." He told her, unsheathing his sword. "I should have searched you myself."

"Trust me." Olivia circled him. "It will be the last mistake you'll ever make!"

She lunged at him. He easily parried her attack. "I think you've forgotten that it was your parents who gave me the same training you had."

"I think you talk too much!" She twirled about, bringing her daggers up to stop his sword from meeting her shoulder. He grunted from her heel piercing his leg as she pushed off to break his hold.

They continued to try and deliver punishing blows to the other. She was desperate to kill the man who was after her friends and country. He was anxious to be free of their marriage.

He noticed from the corner of his eye Claudius and Drake fighting. His second in command stunned the commoner with an uppercut to his jaw, causing Drake to stumble back into a wall.

Olivia heard the scuffle and followed Justin's line of sight. Her face paled at Claudius moving towards Drake to end him once and for all.

With a flick of her wrists she not only slashed Justin but threw her other dagger at Claudius. It struck true along the side of his neck, cutting into his jugular. He let out a garbled scream as he fell to the floor.

Justin hissed at the deep gash she had made along his ribcage.

Seeing that it was a lost battle, he hopped the banister and began to rush upstairs. He would have to go into hiding once more before orchestrating another attack.

"This ends now!" Riley yelled out at him.

He spun around to see both her and Liam rushing toward him. He raised his sword, determined to put an end to the man who stood between him and the throne. He hesitated when Riley jumped in front of her husband.

"You're not taking him from me!" She raised her battle ax. "Every time you try, I will stop you."

Does Liam know how lucky he is? She waited on him to choose her. Twice! And now she stands here, ready to defend him to the death. How could any man not fall in love with Riley?

His refusal to fight her was his downfall. He was pushed over the banister by the royal couple. While his breath was knocked out, Maxwell and Hana bound his hands together behind his back.

He looked about at his fallen and captured comrades. His attention was drawn toward Olivia and Drake. The pair were covered in blood and bruises, yet they were leaning against each other. Drake had his arm around her while softly speaking. Whatever was said caused Olivia to press even closer to his side. Her arms slipped around his waist. Her eyes were closed tight as she allowed him to hold her.

Justin had suspected something more between the pair. It looked like his coup for the throne had accomplished something for them.

Bastien and the rest of the King's Guards rushed in. After talking to the king and new queen, he collected Justin and hauled him outside.

On the way, Justin met Riley's eyes.

There were so many things he wanted to explain to her. He believed she would have been on board with his plans for the kingdom. Once he had killed Liam and Olivia, he would be the benevolent king the country needed. Gone would be the purpose for pompous nobles. He would have established a council of Cordonia's citizens from all walks of life to advise him. People would be rewarded and honored for their service instead of simply being born to the right parents.

And she would have been his queen, guiding and protecting all she deemed worthy.

"Riley, I..."

"You will never ever hurt those I love again." She hissed.

"Take him away." Liam ordered, keeping his arms locked around his wife. "He will be dealt with in the morning."

Justin knew then that it was pointless to try and explain. She would never give him a chance after all that had occurred.

For the first time in his life, he realized that his intentions didn't matter to the one he loved most.