#playchoices fanfiction

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Starlit night

Wake the Dead 

Art by the wonderful @lilyoffandoms

Pairing: Troy Hassan x Eva Archer (f!mc)  

Rating: Teen (fluff) 

@choicesjanuary2024 prompt: Aurora (day 8)

Word count: 1,187 

Summary:  Several years before the events in Wake the Dead, Troy surprises Eva with a late-night outing within the confines of the Tower. 

A/N: In this story Eva is 17, in her last year at school. Troy is about 2 years older and just recently started working at the supply depot. 

Eva tosses and turns around on her lumpy mattress, sleep elusive. She had gotten expelled. Again. Gotten into a fight with her sister over it. Again.  

“Eva, for crying out loud, it’s the second time this month! You have got to be more careful. You know how things are here.” 

“But Brynn, I don’t get why we can’t even talk about how things were, before. Maybe if we knew more, we could make this place a bit better for everyone.” 

Brynn sighs “I know you mean well, lil sis, but the leaders of the Tower are clear about the rules, whether we agree with them or not. And trust me, we don’t want to get kicked out into the wilderness.” 

She sighs, trying to will herself to sleep. Maybe she should hold her tongue more, but it infuriates her that the Tower leaders only care about teaching them the basics for survival – any form of critical thinking frowned upon, worse, punished. 

Toc. Toc.  

A knock on the door shakes her from her reverie. She opens a crack to find a grinning Troy. 

“What the hell, Troy? It’s the middle of the night!” She whispers, glancing back to make sure Brynn hasn’t stirred. 

“You don’t say! Come on, I have something to show you. You’re gonna like it.” He winks. 

“I’m in enough trouble as it is. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” 

“Afraid not, it’s kind of a middle of the night thing.” He grins wider. “And, we’ve gotta go now if we don’t want to get caught. So, what’dya say, Archer, up for a little adventure?” 

She frowns at him, but her curiosity is piqued.  

“Wait a sec.” 

She shuts the door on his pleased face and quickly pulls on a sweater, sweatpants and boots. She grabs a flashlight and sneaks out into the dark hallway, glancing one last time at Brynn’s sleeping form.  

She’s so gonna kill me. 

As soon as she shuts the door, Troy takes her hand, leading them down several service hallways then up a series of rickety fire exit stairs. They duck into the shadows a few times to avoid patrolling guards. 

“So where exactly are you taking me?” She whispers as they continue to climb ever higher. 

“It’s a surprise.” 

“Troy.”  

“We’re almost there!” He winks. 

Sure enough, a few minutes later he stops them in front of a steel door high up one of the Tower’s outer walls. He pulls out a key from his pocket and unlocks, pushing it open with a flourish. 

They enter a small room stacked with dusty cases filled with weapons, munitions and other military equipment. At the far end, a small balcony overlooks the forest surrounding the Tower.

“Troy, what is this place?” 

“An ammunitions depot. They have a bunch of these scattered around the tower to defend against drones. And in case of security breaches from inside the tower, I wager… Only Blackstock’s most loyal have access keys.” 

“Look at you, the ultimate insider!” Eva smirks at her friend, punching him lightly on the shoulder. 

“Nah, I just know people who know people. The surprise is over here. Come, take a look.” Troy leads her towards the exposed balcony. 

She gasps as she takes in the scene.  

The balcony is perched high above the ground, providing a bird’s eye view of the hills and valleys surrounding the Tower.  

She looks out at the snow-covered mountains and valleys. Millions of twinkling stars lighting the night.  

Her breath catches as she notices bright shimmering lights in hues of green, blue and purple, dancing across the sky. 

“It’s beautiful.” She whispers, stunned. 

“Yeah. They call them northern lights. I read about them in some magazine. I was telling Sam and the guys about them, and she told me she’d seen these strange lights while out patrolling the past few nights. Convinced her to lend me the key to this place. It’s pretty amazing, I never thought we’d see them so far south.” 

“Isn’t Sam that brunette guard you’ve been flirting with?” Eva smirks, teasing. “You charmed her into lending you the keys?” 

“What can I say, I’m irresistible.” Troy grins, puffing out his chest.  

“If you say so, Hassan.” She smirks.

Eva looks out at the magical scenery, captivated. The aurora dance in the skies in an ethereal, pulsating rhythm, reflected on the white blanket of snow covering the fields and mountains.  

She shivers a little as a cold gust buffets their small balcony. Troy pulls out a blanket from his bag. He sits down on the ledge and beckons her over, wrapping them both snuggly.  

“You came prepared.” 

He shrugs “Figured it’d get cold out here.” 

They sit in companionable silence for a while, in awe at the delicate dancing ribbons of light. Relishing in the peace and quiet of the outside world. 

“One day, Troy, I’m going to see all this from outside the Tower. There’s got to be something better out there for us...” 

“I’m quite alright right here, thank you very much.” 

“For someone who spends an inordinate amount of time reading up on old world curio, you’re not even a little interested in seeing and experiencing it for yourself?” 

“Oh, believe me, I am. If it weren’t for the flesh eating freaks I’d be long gone… but let’s face it, I’m too good looking to die.” He flashes her one of his trademark grins. 

She chuckles, a twinkle in her eyes. 

“So, speaking of good looks, why d’ya invite little old me when you could be making out with the lovely Sam?” Eva asks him teasingly. 

“First of all, I don’t need any magical dancing lights to up my game with the ladies.”  

She scoffs.  

“Second, I heard you got expelled. I swear Blackstock’s goons are becoming unbearable. And it’s not just the school. It's harder and harder to get my hands on contraband, they’re really cracking down on everyone.” He sighs. “Anyway, I just figured you could use a friend and some cheering up.” 

“Thanks Troy, this is just about the nicest thing someone’s done for me.”  

She kisses him on the cheek before laying her head on his shoulder, gazing out to the skies once more. 

Troy hopes the darkness hides his blush.  

He wraps an arm around Eva, pulling her closer as they both take in the mesmerizing display. 

Maybe one day he’ll be brave enough to tell her how he feels. 

But tonight, he’s content he was able to brighten her night a little. 

[rosesnink]

The Penitent and the Lamb

Author's Notes

Surprise, @gaiuskamilah ! I'm your Secret Pal! I think it's either destiny or Dani's @choicesfandomappreciation 's matchmaking genius that has brought us together in this exchange, which is my fave exchange! I've enjoyed your content, meta and outwordly art for a while, and I am more than glad to have written this delicious puece of Niaerin! Your content is always so unique and intricate, with an incredible attention to detail and every relationship you write is soo rich in complexity, it's simply a treat to come into your blog! I hope this little piece makes justice to your vision and that you enjoy a major toxic yuri fic made specifically for you <3. Love, Noe

English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos/grammar mistakes

This piece is rated +18, if you're a minor I'd advise you to not interact with this piece. Trigger warnings will be placed and tagged accordingly

If you like my Blades content, feel free to check out my masterlist and to ask for a place in the taglist!

This is my first time writing smut, so please bear with me lsjehdiebvudulkw

The F!Aerin sprite credit goes to the insanely talented @zhoras-bitch who was kind enough to let me borrow her edit for this ❤

Summary: Nia and Aerinae's journey has been no short of trouble and complex, but they keep coming back to the other like a moth to a flame, even if it kills them

Word Count: 4.9k

Category: Fantasy, dark romance, LGBTQA+

Pairing: Nia Ellarious x Aerinae Valleros (F!Aerin)

TW: Smut, themes of violence, kidnapping, strong language and religious themes such as religious trauma, guilt, among others. Reader's discretion is advised

Book: Blades of Light and Shadow Trilogy

Nia barely remembers her parents. She remembers that her mother smelled of cinnamon, that she loved to pick flowers for her hair and had auburn hair, flowing down till her waist, with beautiful emerald green eyes and a penchant for books. Her father, however, was a shy and quiet man, with brown skin and pensive brown eyes, always looking for a brilliant idea for his job. Then, she remembers the robed people in the temple, how they talked to her parents. How she remembers showing magical affinity. Saying goodbye. Hearing her mother cry out “Oh, my, oh my girl! Don’t take her from me! She is my girl! My firstborn child! Please!” She’d never see her again.

And when she asked Scholar Vash about her, he told her she had died from an illness, and that her father followed shortly after. Then, before Brienne, before Aerinae ruined her, she remembers small but meaningful flashbacks.

In one of the classes with her fellow acolytes, her professor told them “To give in to the sins of flesh is to sin, and to sin is to be led astray from the temple. You have all one mission, one thing to worship: the Light. It is all you have, all you need. People will come and go. Kings and lords will die, but all that matters is the Light.”

Or when they eventually grew up into teenagers full of questions… and questionable acts. One of their professors was furiously whipping two girls, their backs bare as they screamed “Foolish girls! How dare you turn back from the Light?! How many times have we told you the consequences of—of sinful fornication! Priests and priestesses are above the needs of the flesh! You two are banned for the Temple.” They were never seen again. Nia still wonders if they made it out of the Temple’s reach… or if Solerne found them, and took care of them.

Vash placed a hand on a seventeen-year-old Nia “You are progressing more than the year. You are very powerful, my child. More than we have seen in decades. And one day, you will do something great, and the Temple will reward you with its greatest gift: immortality.” “Immortality?” “Not that kind. The kind that your name will be written all over the history books, songs and legends. Many great priests and priestesses will come and go after you are gone, but only the name Nia Ellarious will remain.”

Or her worst memory, one of the last with Vash… when Brienne came into her life. Vash talked to her while Brienne and her brother teased one another “Nia, my child, don’t you think I haven’t seen the way that… adventurer looks at you… and your responses.” “Scholar Vash?” “She is an unusual beauty, but remember that a priestess like you is above the needs of the flesh. Let her look, but not touch. Your body belongs to the Light, not some mercenary.” “…Understood, Scholar Vash.”

That had been her life. Books, classes, training, and then the pilgrimage. But now, she was on a quest. A quest that led her to meet a beautiful and sweet princess, Aerinae. She saw how she and Brienne were talking, and a pang of jealousy came over her. Jealousy… or guilt? Priestesses were above the needs of the flesh. Then why did she want them both? She shook her head, and when Brienne went ahead to talk to Tyril, she didn’t miss a beat on talking to Aerinae on the pond. This time, she allowed herself to truly take her in: light skin, striking brown eyes, an elegant, long neck, a red dress decorated with a delicate tiara of the Valleros dynasty, with fine bone structure and plump, tempting lips, but most of all, a maddeningly enticing essence of rosewater and cherry blossoms. Taking a deep breath, she gave the quieter princess a smile “She is just lovely, isn’t she?”

The princess fidgeted with her hand, which was made of long, elegant fingers, which looked smooth, even though the middle one had a small bump. Of writing and reading so much, no doubt. The idea of the princess in her nightgown reading with her hair down—which now was in an elaborate, braided updo—was tempting, and Nia had to swallow such desires. Your body belongs to the Light.

“She is… different. You, however… are the odd one out.”

Nia blushed and mumbled “Everyone seems to know everything, and I…”

Aerinae gave her a gentle smile “I know what it’s like. To not truly belong. When you are the only daughter of a king, that weight… is unbearable. My brother is the strongest, the most handsome, the fittest… and a man. No matter what I do, or how well I prove myself, all I can think is… all they see is my gender. They do not see—Never mind. I’ve… accepted my fate,” she sounded now angry, resentful, but mostly… lonely. Lonely and scared. “They’ll marry me to some lord as old as time to ensure their house’s loyalty, and all I’ll do is be confined in a small, cold room, giving birth to heir after heir. It’s… all I’ve been trained to do. The life I am meant to.”

“That is… Gods, that’s cruel. Surely your father—,”

“Sees me as a liability. I am nearing my prime age for marriage. Not one lord seems to be interested in me, all they see is… the bloody crown and my royal womb. It’s… humiliating. Degrading, even.”

Nia took her hands in hers and squeezed them “I am sorry. Perhaps I could talk with the High Priest? Surely they’ll let you come to the priesthood. You wouldn’t be the first princess to join our ranks.” She beamed “We’d be sisters, you and I. Wouldn’t you like that?”

Aerinae flinched and yanked off her hands, breathing suddenly heavily “It is too late. The plan to… to marry me to someone is set into motion.”

“Aerinae—,”

“My brother is calling me.”

Before she could say anything, she was gone.

She had done it, Aerinae thought. As she dragged Nia through the halls of the castle, she thought she’d feel fulfilled. She had killed her brother, her kin, who often mocked that women couldn’t trounce men. They were too weak, too meek, too stupid to hold a sword. All they were good for was pleasing their husbands and raise their children. Nothing more. It had been… incredible. Watching him gawk at her like an idiot when she ran him through. He had died at her hands. The hands of the woman he mocked, tore down and often even abused in many levels. Slapping her. Dragging her by the hair. Daring his friends to tell her that he liked her. Went as far as to send one drunken man to her chambers when she was changing, him saying that she’d do anything for a sack of three silver coins. She had been terrified that night, and all she could hear was her brother’s boisterous laughter. But now it had been his turn to be scared, and he had died scared.

Then why don’t I feel like my purpose has been met?

Brienne’s gaze full of horror haunted her yet again. For a moment, she thought that she wanted her still. But no. Her heart was too set into the Light. She did not see what she saw, she was far too sheltered in her little village, with a loving brother and father. They were not kin. Dr. Kerrigan was an old medic, Kade was a human, and Brienne an orc. If they shared next to no blood bounds, who come it was so damn easy for them to love one another? Why not her? Why. Not. Her?!

No matter, she thought. She had the Dreadlord and the court. They were her family now. A little odd, but far stranger things had been seen.

“Aerinae… please… what of the kiss we shared? Of the feelings exchanged?”

Aerinae flinched. As Brienne disappeared, Nia had found the princess’ chambers, and the two had kissed for the first time… in ever.

“…I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

Aerinae observed her, trying to ignore the pain of the stone in her chest “And what of Brienne? You two seemed cozy.”

“Not more than you.”

There was no jealousy, or possessiveness. Just a thrill that shouldn’t be there.

“I do not mind sharing. The Temple taught us to be generous.” She saw Nia flush under that statement. Aerinae chuckled.

“If kings and princesses can have two or more mistresses at once, why not princesses?”

Nia bit her lip “Is… that what I am, Aerinae? A mere mistress?”

She shook her head and tentatively reached for her, stroking her cheek “No. That is the problem. You are… so much more. It is maddening, how drawn I am to you. To you both.”

Then, she remembered the many romance books she read at night under her pillow, a small candle lighting it. Then prince kissed the woman, and their tongues danced. But instead, their noses bumped, and both women winced and chuckled.

“Let me, Your Highness…”

They kissed. For the first time, she felt… alive. It felt right. Her hands went to her hair, smelling cinnamon and Light. Tomorrow, she’d be her lamb. Today, she was her paramour, kissing her at everybody’s backs, not caring if anyone else could watch her. The betrayal would be a tomorrow issue. Tonight, she wanted to see what made a priestess of the light feel like a sinner repenting in a church after a passionate night.

“Do I mean so little to you?”

“You don’t… but it’s too late.”

Nia went back to screaming and thrashing.

When Nia sacrificed herself, she knew she’d die. As she closed her eyes and Brienne let out a blood-curling scream, she could see and feel two things; the last memories of her life, from looking at Brienne for the first time, to Aerinae, to Brienne again as her heartbeats stopped. Then, a flick of Shadow and Light inside her, pulling her back to life.

Then, it was all a blissful blur. Capturing Aerinae, being awarded, and finally being in Brienne’s arms, and my, that was a bigger delight than any other delicacy in the world. It felt like they were two little hermits in their own abandoned church, worshipping one another as their mouths and hands entangled between them, the balcony being a testifier of the moans and writhes, Nia’s name sounding like the most sacred of prayers as her tongue moves against her, their hips rocking and her hands trembling of bliss, such celestial bliss, she felt like reaching the sky. She felt like a goddess, Nifara perhaps, and Brienne was her most loyal and beloved subject, on her knees, beautiful and her body full of her love and desire. And Nia, while clueless of what to do, nevertheless followed her instincts. Her primal instincts.

Months ago, she would’ve been afraid of being whipped like those two girls, but now she did not care. She was a heroine in her own right, and all she wanted was to make the confident Brienne squirm and moan her name with abandon and devotion. Many said that fornication led to corruption, but she had never felt more alive or holier than now. She was now on her knees, watching the most beautiful woman she had ever seen against the balcony, her incredibly striking body naked and wanting for her, her legs spread out, her knees trembling as her legs drove her inside of her as humanly possible, her head lolled back as she begged for more. It reminded her of her prayers. Full of incantation, reverence, devotion and need. For it to be real. To exist. To do something about it. The Gods may be real or not, but Brienne was real. She was real, she existed, and she was panting and moaning her name, something unheard of Nia a few months ago, she though, as she devoured her like she was her last meal before dying. And my, she has never had a sweeter and more delectable meal.

But it all crumbled down when, a few days later, Brienne was taken of her for a whole year, and her coming back would change forever the world as she knew it.

It had happened after Brienne was gone. It had been a terrible day, and on top of it, she had found a corset of Aerinae’s lost in a dressing room. It all came crumbling back. And then… Shadow.

It happened as fast as she came. She roared and turned the corset to dust, before realising what she had done and looked at herself in the mirror. The panicked scream was so loud, it woke a few guards. Explaining it had been awkward to say the least.

She now had Shadow in her. The Shadow imposed by the Dreadlord. By Aerinae.

And she knew nothing of how to rid of it.

“What do you mean, it’s gone?!” Nia cried, and flinched on how high-pitched her voice sounded.

“We don’t know, Priestess. We woke up, the room was covered in smoke, and all we could see was the princess bare and shadowless.”

She looked at the guards “Has she been clothed and fed?”

“Of course! She is still a princess, after all. The king hopes for redemption on her part, perhaps by marriage.”

She gritted her teeth. Whoever the king hoped to marry her to, she hated him already “…Good. That is all. Goodnight.”

As the group argued over the recluse princess joining the party, Nia couldn’t help but observe her, seeing if she had any trace of Shadow in her. Nada. Zilch. Like it was never there.

But it was. Once. And she’d get the truth from her.

“Aerinae… how?”

“How what? How do I look this devastatingly good for a fallen princess?”

Nia thought of screaming at her, but instead took a deep breath “How did you get rid of the Shadow? Is it… possible?”

The princess shuffled in her feet “It is possible. But… it takes a lot of energy. It is a painful and arduous process.”

She was about to ask the question when Mal called ahead. She sighed. She would revisit this later.

Sealing the first rift had taken a great effort, and stumbling upon the party for Brienne had been just what the group needed: to let loose, to breathe and be able to convince themselves that the worst was over. Brienne was back, and they were reunited with their usual business, even if it was a perilous one.

Watching Brienne and Aerinae go elsewhere together made her understand that everything was changing, again, and that she was far behind. She could notice Tyril staring at her too, but who wouldn’t? She overheard many drunks comment that everyone looked at Brienne because of her height and the massive bulge of her breasts, but that was not it. It was the radiance she exuded, her incredible charisma and the presence she commanded, inspiring and admiring, drawing everyone to her. And of course Aerinae and Tyril were drawn to her. What fool wouldn’t?

However, her being the last person she went to… it meant everything. No matter how many people, it was her bed she ended up in. But she had felt guilty of seeing Aerinae as Brienne left to see Tyril.

“Aerinae—,”

“I know you have questions. But… it is a lovely day. The sun is out, people are dancing and drinking. Just… let us be two women in the temple where everything seemed to start, a fallen princess and… and the most beautiful woman she’s ever seen.”

“Wouldn’t that be Brienne?”

Aerinae stroked her hair “Brienne is as pretty as the sea: feminine, raw, strong, fluid and wise. You, Nia, are the Light made woman: pure, holy, full of calm and… home. You are… a lifeline everybody holds on. Something I’ve desired but couldn’t have. But…”

“But?”

“The Dreadlord’s gone. My brother’s gone. My Shadow is gone. All I have left is my desire to sink to my knees and make up for what I did to you. To us.”

Nia reddened, not in embarrassment, but something more “You… want it to give it a go? Despite everything?”

“Yes.” She said in a raw, desperate, wanting tone.

A silent agreement came between them: no more talk. Let their buried feelings come back to life. Soon, their mouths collided again, and Nia expertly undid her top, revealing her breasts, and cornered Aerinae against the altar, panting and swallowing “That… was unexpected.” Nia smiled knowingly.

“I’ve changed much since the wide-eyed priestess you met at the lake. I intend to leave you in bed for the rest of the night.” She had surprised herself at saying that. It was most unbecoming of a priestess, but the feeling she had been feeling since the Dreadlord, a certain daring feeling seeping into her system made her bolder, much bolder than ever.

“I am yours to take, Nia.” She whimpered as Nia traced her exposed curves.

She was about to when Nia felt it. Her Shadow coming back to her, her mind betraying her: she was about to make love to someone who made a fool of herself, kidnapped her, made her lover kill her and then left her to deal with the consequences. Then, the noise of unwanted company came, and all Nia could do was leave, wanting nothing more than to rid herself of that angry voice in her head since the Dreadlord had taken over her.

Aerinae called her, but she kept running.

That night, Aerinae left. And they were all off to Zaradun, where everything they had planned fell apart.

Seeing Brienne, all battered and bruised, powerless against Valax did it. All she could think was: get your filthy fingers off my Brienne.

And she did. By binding them together, Brienne wouldn’t harm her, and she’d be safe from her and her claws. But she would be lying if she didn’t want to crush Valax into smithereens every time she and Brienne came close.

The final rift was in Whitetower, and chances that she’d see Aerinae were very high. And she did. She wanted to jump and smack her for… everything, but she contained herself. Defeating the Ash Empress, nay, the Mother of Grey was more important.

And they did. And, for once, Nia was herself: strong, powerful, fearless and at last herself.

The days that followed, Nia wanted to process it all. And adapt to her new self, fused with both Shadow and Light magic. True Magic.

The Realms were now bound together, and everything felt different. It felt… right. Aerinae went over with the goblins often, only visiting others. Visiting Brienne. They both loved her, and Brienne loved them. At least, she knew for sure she loved her. Aerinae? That was her business. She had apologized to her for everything, and every time, she had accepted her apology, but didn’t quite feel ready to actually forgive her. Not yet.

However, it was quite thrilling, watching her being protective and grovelling over her over and over. She was still a penitent, but Nia was no longer a lamb. She was now a lioness who had come back from the dead and was ready for anything the world threw at her.

And then, the world threw her the most agonizing death by the Winged Warrior, conventionally leaving Brienne for last. Aerinae and Nia had tried to protect her, but all they could do was watch in horror as Brienne was left to die last.

The journey towards the City of No Faces was gruelling, and as The End tried to find a reasoning on why they were killed, Nia went to a small building to pray, or just breathe. She’d decide on the way.

Then, as she was about to cross the threshold, she noticed Aerinae had followed her, reluctant about it. Nia sighed, telling her that she was welcome there as well. They sat, and Nia noticed that there was a massive statue of what looked like Nifara. Nifara, who had been cruel, who had separated the realms and probably compelled the temple to its corruption and everything else.

“Look, Nia, I… am not ready to share how I got rid of my shadow, although you wear it with grace. It’s… hard for me, to talk about. I will, someday, but… I want to let you know, had it all led to this…”

“It is too late, Aerinae. We are dead, there is no turning back, and you cannot fix what is no more.”

Aerinae sighed and bit her lip “You didn’t deserve that, Nia. I… felt dirty, back when I… dragged you there. To the altar. A voice in my head told me to stop, to not go there, to turn back and return you to Brienne.”

“Did you know?” She finally asked, after a year and months of asking herself every night “That I was the one the Dreadlord was seeking all along? Was all of… that to lure me?”

“No! Gods, no. Not even then I’d be so heartless, Nia. It was all real. The kisses, the desire, the longing… it was real. It is real.

“I… want to believe you.”

She confidently cupped her face in her hands “Let me show you.” And she kissed her. But not like before. There were no secrets, no reluctance, no guilt. This was Aerinae, and she was kissing her with her true self. With her cheekiness, sarcasm, and that penance she only showed her. Everyone else got a sardonic, spoiled and impassive princess, but Nia had something not even Brienne could have: a penitent, remorseful and apologetic woman who’d do anything for her forgiveness. She was a penitent sinner who had come to her temple to earn her forgiveness, and for once, she was not the sacrificial lamb, but the goddess who had all the power to tell her exactly how to earn her forgiveness.

She pulled her back, and observed the face she blindly trusted and was betrayed and possessed by, and anger alongside desire came through her “Disrobe yourself.” Her voice was commanding, and Nia observed how she did as she was told with big, begging brown eyes that asked her for mercy. She wouldn’t give it easily. For once, she’d have to work for it. Her chemise fell, and could observe her body. It was nothing like Brienne, fluffy and full of curves and meaty and emerald. Aerinae was paler, her brown hair cascading down till her knees, and trembling with cold and desire. “Undress me.” She did it without any sarcastic remark, and tried to kiss her, but Nia stopped her “No kissing. Not unless I tell you to.” She loved having Brienne under her, but this was not Brienne. This was Aerinae, who had taken her human autonomy from her, and would make her see how it felt.

“On your knees.”

Aerinae made a pleading sound as she sank to her knees, and looked up from her eyelashes to Nia, wanting to have her. “Beg.”

“I want you, Nia.”

“You can do better than that, Aerinae. Beg.”

“Please, Nia, please, let me have you…”

“Will you do everything I say?” She asked as she placed a finger inside her mouth.

“Yes…”

“Everything?” She asked as she inserted a second finger.

“Everything.” She moaned, and deep down, Nia smirked to herself.

She then went towards the altar, and Aerinae tried to walk with her, but Nia pushed her down “I don’t recall telling you to get up.”

“…Where has this Nia been?” Aerinae asked, surprised yet delighted to see a new side of the priestess.

Nia simply smiled and sat on the altar, spreading her legs like Brienne did back then, and beckoned Aerinae, who gladly crawled to her, desperate. To have her. To prove how sorry she was. To show that she was a changed woman. And tonight, she’d be the final judge of that.

“May I?” She asked as her face neared her centre.

“You may.”

Aerinae kissed her calves sensually, her hands gripping her thighs, and slowly went to her outer thighs, building tension. Nia’s hands went to her hair and gripped it, giving it a firm tug, and Aerinae threw back her head, a whimper of pain and pleasure rumbling through the deserted temple. She kissed her lips, and Nia threw her head back, moans and whimpers of pleasure taking over her. The lamb everyone mocked was dead, and she was now a goddess, and had her most devout worshipper on her knees, doing the most intimate and sacred ritual to earn back her favour after falling from grace for the highest heresy.

Finding her throbbing pearl, and Nia let out a loud moan, working on her wonderfully, and when Nia saw that she tried to pleasure herself as well, she meowed “No. Not yet. You’ll get it when I say so.”

Aerinae nodded dutifully and went back to eat her like there wasn’t a tomorrow, kissing and licking and gobbling it like a child with sweets, not caring of the mess they were making, moaning with pleasure and abandon, shamelessly rocking her hips against her head, revelling in the desperate feeling of being forgiven, but never giving it to her. It was the best feeling, finally getting to get a say on what to do instead of thinking ‘What would the Temple say?’ But she had drifted from that kind of Temple a long time ago. ‘Fuck the Temple’. She now wanted to fuck her anger out on Aerinae, and she would. Gods be damned if it was sinful.

And my, whoever taught Aerinae, they had done a good job, for she soon reached her peak and cried out loudly, trembling as her eyes rolled out, seeing white. After taking a few deep breaths, she jumped out of the temple and threw Aerinae fully to the floor, Nia straddling her. Then, Aerinae asked “Does Brienne now? About us?”

“I don’t think so.”

Then, instead of asking, she just said “You love her. I love her. And she loves us. What if she discovers us and we break her heart?”

“Or perhaps she’ll join us. Now quiet. It’s hard to make you scream if you’re talking.”

With one hand, she placed her hands above her head, and with the other, she teased the sensitive flesh “You took me for a fool,” she finally said after so fucking long as her fingers stroked her “you betrayed me and threw me to the wolves like a lamb for them to kill me and watched like a fucking coward.” Both desire and anger were boiling out of her as Aerinae panted and whimpered at her merciless strokes, thrusting into her with a strength that seemed to elate her.

“And I, ah, regret every minute of it.” She panted, rocking against her fingers, her eyes always on her “If I could turn back, I… I would.”

“Prove it.”

She met her halfway, kissing her, almost devouring each other with more than mere passion. Resentment. Grief. Anger. Penance. The desire to start anew.

Then, finally having earned her mercy, let her hands go. Her best one went to her pearl again, and the other cupped her breasts, pinching and grabbing shamelessly, and Nia arched back at the feeling, both their moans echoing the whole chamber. Nia lolled her head back at the door, and saw an incredulous Brienne at the threshold. But they didn’t stop. That enticed them even more. The woman they both loved, finally seeing the truth. She could swear that she saw desire and intrigue in her eyes before leaving, and Nia only wished to continue, their throe of passion more scalding than ever, a much-needed boost that made it by far the most sensual and riveting performance in their short and inexperienced life. Crying out and Aerinae soon following, they both fell to the floor, panting, catching their breath.

“Does… does that mean… that you… forgive me?”

She took a deep, steady breath “No… but… you are… on a good path.”

“And… Brienne?”

“Later. I… wish… a few more minutes.”

After a few more minutes, they both went back to where Brienne was, probably trying to make sense of it. They both sat at each side of her, and Brienne finally looked at them.

“When did this happen?” She wasn’t angry or jealous. Simply wanted to know how, when.

“Back at the lake,” Aerinae answered “and then… it just spiralled from there.”

Nia took her hand “I still love you, Brienne. But Aerinae and I… we are bound together as well.”

Brienne nodded, then took a deep breath “Do you love each other?”

“…We crave each other. The one we love is you.”

She was about to say something when Mal’s voice ringed out and Brienne got up.

“Well, I also am involved to the one who kidnapped me and tortured me once. I am the last person that should judge. As long as there are no more lies or deceit… you have my blessing.”

And then, she left.

They looked at each other, and held their gazes. No longer the princess and the poor lamb. The penitent and the lamb turned legend.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

BOLAS Fics & Art of the Week Sep 10-16, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+

MAL VOLARI x F!HUMAN!MC

Her Legacy ✒️ | @storyofmychoices

The Quest for Daenarya ✒️| @storyofmychoices

Raya and Mal 🎨| @erixafleur

TYRIL STARFURY x F!ELF!MC

As Promised ✒️ | @secret-fungi

Moonlight Boy ✒️ | @secret-fungi

Tired Soul, Rest Your Weary Bones ✒️| @secret-fungi

TYRIL STARFURY x F!HUMAN!MC

Alive Again ✒️ | @agattthaa

The Lover's Caress ✒️ | @lawrencebarkley

Not Pretty, Beautiful ✒️| @agattthaa

The Perfect Vision From Your Dreams 🎨| @lampyri

MULTIPLE PAIRINGS

Here for You ✒️ | Mal Volari x F!HUMAN!MC, Aerin Valleros x F!MC - @a-cloud-for-dreams

Main CFWC Fic/Art of the Week List

Open Heart Fic/Art of the Week List

[ladylamrian]

Welcome to the World of Night

Nightbound is a visual story from the @playchoices App created by Pixelberry Studios. The characters and places are owned by Pixelberry except of those which I created myself to give the story a special touch.

Main Character: "Female" (not going to appear). It also can be canoned as a Male Main Character too, but then the plot with the hunting outfit wouldn't make sense.

Characters: Garrus, Krom, Ivy, Luc, ... and more

Summary: A child gets plunged into the World of Night after a tragic incident.

Mystery ● Angst ● Drama ● Friendship

Word counting: 4.9K words (Whooopsie)

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Angst, Death, Language, Blood

Taglist: @choicesficwriterscreations ; @peonierose ; @secretaryunpaid ; @lilyoffandoms ; @lawrencebarkley ; @blackcatkita ; @infactnoimmasitinthemiddle ; @jdstar88 ; @mxdanni ; @tessa-liam ; @hopelessromantic1352

Reblogs/feedback/reactions appreciated !!! <3

Who knew that after a tragic event, the death of a child's parents would turn the world for Elijah Ryder upside down.

As an old, gray-haired man with a beard entered a bar, called the Graveyard Shift. He was carrying a young child over his shoulder who couldn't stop crying. Two familiar faces inside the building greeted him as he entered... but, they weren't ordinary people.

"Elijah, what happened and who's...?", a very young fae paid his attention to the old man and the sad child.

"It's not good to bring a child into a bar.", Krom, the stone troll added.

Elijah Ryder was a nighthunter who lived alone and often visited the Graveyard Shift for a drink, but this time it was something else. He had a tiny companion, a young toddler, about 5 years old who's been crying for a long time.

"Shhh, stop crying. It's alright, you're safe now. Calm down, child."

"Mom!! Dad!!", it cried. Tears covered his face, his sobs getting louder and everyone around him getting now restless.

"Garrus, my child, do you have anything from the fae realm to make this child calm down?", the old man asked who took a seat as he tried to calm the little boy down.

"I am not sure if we should...", Garrus couldn't even finish his sentence as suddenly Krom took the boy from Elijah away and placed it on his lap. His heavy arms wrapped around the toddler as he calmly whispered to calm it down.

"Hey, hey, brave boys don't cry. If you continue crying, you're going to make me sad too.", the stone troll got emotional, wrapped his heavy arms carefully around him and pulled him closer for a hug.

Several minutes passed until the little boy calmed himself down, but still couldn't hold back his tears. Elijah already filled Garrus and Krom in about what happened to the child. The boy and his parents were having a picnic for his mom's birthday. There, his parents were attacked by a mysterious monster. His mother even shoved him towards the bush and told him to run, but when he saw them being killed, he screamed and caught the monster's attention. But before the monster could do anything to him, Elijah Ryder came to the rescue. He picked up the boy and ran, the monster howling behind them. Elijah covered the eyes of the child from the sight of his parents' bodies as he passed. He sang quietly to it, all the way out of the bayou, and let the young boy cry all over him...

"Yes, and that's what happened."

"Oh dear, this is terrible. I wish..."

Suddenly the kid pulled away from Krom, ran towards the Graveyard Shift's door until Elijah caught him to prevent the child's escape.

"Stop, you're not goin' anywhere. It's too dangerous as a child alone in such a big city."

"And Mom and Dad? I want to go to Mom and Dad. I want them back."

"They're gone, my boy. Forever."

"Don't you have other family members you know? They can help you.", Krom asked.

"No, I don't. I am alone."

"You won't and you don't have to be scared anymore because I will adopt you, take care of you now. You don't deserve to live alone in this horrible world. Tomorrow morning, I will take care of the adoption papers."

"Sir, you can't be serious? It's such a huge responsibility and..."

"I know, Garrus.", Elijah looked at him in a serious expression and then turned his attention to the boy again. He went to his knees, placed his hand on the child's shoulder and smiled warmly.

"Now, tell me... What's your name, my boy?"

"Nik.", he sniffed and wiped his tears away.

"What a great name for a such strong boy, Nik. Damn, you have nice hair and cool clothes you're wearing... Wow!", he praised the boy who gave a shy smile back at him.

"May I present myself? I'm Garrus. You are now my little, cute brother, so welcome to the family. And may I present Krom, we both just met a few days ago."

"Yes, I'm Krom. And no need to be afraid, Elijah and Garrus are my friends and will take good of you."

"Yes, fear not. Oh,... Elijah, I still have an apartment upstairs left empty... Well, except for that nighthunter outfit which was left upstairs. Do you want to take it for yourself and the child? I'm afraid that living in a house in the woods could scare Nik.", Garrus recommends.

Suddenly Elijah's calm face turned into a thundery look filled with anger. He took a step towards, grabbed Nik and pulled him closer into his protective embrace, away from Garrus.

"Garrus, my child, you're recommending me to rent the apartment she lived in?! Her apartment? Haven't you forgotten the way she betrayed me??!!"

"Elijah, she doesn't live in New Orleans anymore. She's gone and took most of her things with her... well, except for her hunting outfit with the red leather jacket. The one you gifted her..."

"No, I don't want to know anything about this. I don't want to rent the apartment where she stayed and I never will."

"Who's she?", small Nik asked the angry man.

But instead of giving an answer, Elijah went on his knees to come face to face with the boy. Looking deep into the innocent eyes, the man told him. With clenched jaws and in an angry tone which made the little one shiver.

"No one, she's no one. And Nik, one thing you should know. Never, never, never, trust anyone."

"What? Why?"

"I will show you. I will teach you why and then you will understand, my boy."

And with that, Elijah grabbed his wrist and led him outside of the building without looking back at Garrus and Krom. Only Nik turned his head back to meet the eyes of his newly made friends again before leaving the Graveyard Shift. The small boy wondered what would happen next in his life.

Elijah dragged the little toddler into a souvenir shop near the French Quarter, not far away from the Graveyard Shift. Colorful masks and costumes greeted them, as they entered. A very old woman bent over and waited behind the counter.

"Elijah, good to see you.", she answered and coughed.

"You're getting old, let someone else handle this shop."

"You're old too and you still hunt. And tell me, who's this tiny and weak companion of yours?", she laughed loudly and scared the child. It quickly hid behind Elijah and looked away from the old, scary lady.

But before the man could answer, another child appeared from behind the counter rushing towards the shop doors. The shouting of the old woman stopped him.

"Luc, come back! Where do you think you're headin'?! Stay in the shop and help me. Have you already finished the potion I told you to create for a customer?"

"Non, momie. Can I do it later? I want to head outside."

"Pourqoui?"

"To play with pretty girl."

Luc's mother got angry and pulled him back without even touching him. The tiny Nik couldn't believe his eyes and hugged Elijah's legs even tighter. She used magic which made little Luc fly across the room, back to her. It looked like being pulled by a real magnet.

"You will not meet pretty girl, she's dangerous and not even pretty."

"I think she's pretty, momie. And friendly."

"Go and play with Brie instead!"

"No, not Brie. Brie is sometimes mean and thinks she's a better witch child than me. I want to play with the pretty girl, she never made fun of me. She's so friendly and pretty."

"You won't meet her, son. She's a Reimonenq and Tonya's child. She can kill you by just touching you with her bare hands", she explained to Luc which made him sad while Nik, the other child brought by Elijah listened carefully and got even more frightened. Monsters, magic shop, potions, killing hands,... What in the world had he gotten into?

"I wanna go home...", Nik whispered who couldn't stop his tears and pulled on Elijah's clothes.

"I'll take you, little fella.", he answered to him and turned his attention back towards the old lady and Luc.

"Okay, you bitchy witch, I'm waitin'. Fresh holy light arrows, please. And a charm too.", he asked her and already placed the total amount of money on the counter in front of her.

She collected the money while Luc excitedly began gathering the needed items. Proudly he handed over the right arrows in the right amount. He was sure good in mathematics. Then the tiny boy turned around, climbed on a stool and reached for the other item which Elijah ordered too. It was a brown necklace with a silver ring hung on, a magical charm. Luc gave it to Elijah who smiled warmly at him.

"Good work, little Luc-ster! You were so quick, I bet you can take better care of the shop than your old mother. But she's right, you better stay away from the Reimonenqs'. And study hard your magic.", he gave him advice, patted on his shoulder and left the shop with Nik.

Outside he offered Nik to wear the pendant he just bought. After the young child wore it, his eyes began to glow and sparkle lightly. He closed them and then, after a few seconds, he finally opened them.

"What was that?", he carefully rubbed his innocent little eyes and blinked a few times.

Now everything looked much clearer to him when he found out that the walking humans on the streets of the city weren't all ordinary humans. No, some of them weren't human at all. Strange figures crossed by, ones he had never met before or only knew from fairytales and other stories.

"Nik, welcome to the World of Night. Now you'll see the true forms and identities of all beings who used to hide it with the help of a spell. You need to know that there's more than what it seems. You cannot trust anyone blindly in this cruel world. I promise to take care of you, make you understand, and teach you everything you need to survive and live in our world."

Several months have passed since that tragic incident, where a little boy lost his parents. Elijah Ryder became officially Nik's adoptive father. Now his name was officially Nik Ryder, Elijah Ryder's child. The old man took good care of the little boy and made sure to keep him happy and no longer mourn or cry over his dead parents. Father and son quickly became good friends.

They spend much time together in nature and Elijah taught him a lot about nature, animals, plants and even hunting so that Nik can protect himself when he's alone. One night the man even left the child alone in the graveyard, when both of them were hunting down a dangerous creature. Nik was left alone, so that he could learn not to blindly trust anyone, and that he should handle things on his own too. That lesson frightened Nik the most, but he understood that and what's best for him.

"Dad! Daaad!!", the little boy screamed and rushed to their little house in the woods, searching for his adoptive father. It was early morning when Nik decided to go for a walk alone into the woods but ended up discovering something frightening.

As he finally arrived home to quickly get his adoptive father, Elijah outside the house, he was greeted by an unfamiliar woman who's car was parked infront of their little house with a driver sitting inside it. The woman wore a light blouse and a short, black skirt which made her look like a real businesswoman. Earrings were hidden behind her black, shoulder-length hair. Her fair skin was shining in the sunlight and her heart-shaped face was covered with makeup. Elijah was there too and was having a heated argument with her.

"I absolutely do not care, I only came here back to collect a few things of mine which I left behind. Immediately let me inside the house, Elijah.", she demanded and took a step forward. A snake appeared out of her left sleeve which nastily hissed at Elijah. It was her pet snake, named Slitter.

"Ahh, a snake!!", Nik got frightened and took a few steps backwards.

"Don't worry, child. My little Slitter won't hurt anyone, he's not poisonous. Slitter just... doesn't like it if I get treated unfairly, right Elijah?", she said with a meaningful tone.

"I gave all your belongings to Garrus, so go to him. Besides, I won't let a traitor like you inside my house, Jacqueline."

"I'm no traitor. How dare you insult me like this?! I will make sure that..."

"Hey, stop!! Don't talk to my dad like this!!", the child angrily intervened.

"Son, let us adults talk."

"Elijah, did you call him your son? You have a child?", the woman surprisingly asked. For a short moment, she just silently stared at the child before coming out of her thoughts and facing the man in front of her again.

"You know what, Elijah? I don't want my things back anymore. You, me and Tonya are no longer a team and no longer The Guardians of the Night anymore. Have you understood? And neither will there be a next generation who will protect the worlds. I am happy with my new life. You can burn my hunting licence if you'd like, because leaving New Orleans and the nighthunters was the best thing that ever happened to me. Tonya was right, I should have done it earlier.", she confessed while Elijah only kept glaring at her with clenched teeth.

"If y'a done now, then I suggest y'a to leave."

"Well, gladly. Was nice to meet you... not. Such an unwelcoming and grumpy man you still are. I'll be going then, can't let my company, my caring boyfriend and my dearest child wait.", she curled her cherry-red lips, turned away from him and headed towards her car.

Elijah stood still and kept looking until she finally left. The old man's silence was worrying the little boy, so Nik stepped closer to give him a soft hug and tried to make eye contact. And when the eye contact finally happened, Nik was greeted back with a smile on his father's face. He gently ruffled the hair of the child which made it giggle.

"Don't worry, kid. Annoying people come and go in life, don't lose heart. By the way, where were ya' before?"

Quickly Nik's smile faded away and sadness was written all over his face.

"Dad, the... the wolves. The werewolves did something terrible.", he whispered and led his adoptive father deeper into the woods. The boy was looking around to remember and then pointed at a lonely tree. Marks of claws were carved onto it, werewolf claws. Blood, flesh, feathers, and some pieces of one or two birds were scattered on the ground which made the boy shed tears.

"Dad, they killed two innocent animals."

"The werewolves killed a falcon. No, two falcons.", the man analyzed. "But Nik, that's the way of life and the cycle of mother nature. Predators have to hunt to survive."

"And we nighthunters hunt monsters to save humans. Isn't that something else, Dad? And what will happen to the baby falcon?", he sniffed and pointed above to a bird's nest where a tiny chick was sitting waiting to be fed by the adult birds. Carefully Elijah reached for the young, helpless bird and held it in his palms.

"Squeak. Squeak. Squeak."

"Poor baby bird lost its parents like I did, Dad. We can't let it live outside alone without food and care. Can we keep it?", Nik requested and stared with his sad eyes to Elijah.

"Nik, it's a wild animal that lives free outside in nature. We can't keep it forever or treat it as a pet.", he explained which broke Nik's hope. But then he said more.

"How about we take good care of it for now till it gets older, and then we'll let the bird free? It's currently very young and could need help, or else it could easily become another prey."

"Yes, that's a good idea. I will take care of little birdy, I promise.", Nik excitedly said and began happily jumping up and down. Carefully Elijah handed the tiny bird to his son, who softly carried it in his palms and kissed it. "You're not alone now, birdy. Like I have Elijah, you have me now."

From that day on, little Nik took care of its very first pet which became a close friend of his. The boy named the falcon "Arrow", because he believes that one day it'll accompany him on his hunts and be flying fast like a shooting holy light arrow in the sky.

About 15 years later...

It's evening, and the young fae served drinks to his fellow customers, including his two best friends, Krom and Ivy. The bar wasn't very crowded tonight, but he was still busy.

"Mmmh, the Seasalt Slurry you make is definitely my favorite now. Thanks, Garrus.", Ivy praised him and enjoyed the magical drink.

But Garrus didn't answer, he went from table to table, picking orders and served his magical drinks to everyone inside his bar which was called The Graveyard Shift.

"So that's the famous Graveyard Shift...", a young teenager talked to himself as he entered the building. He began walking slowly towards the bar counter while his silvery-gray eyes shifted around, not to overlook any important detail. Garrus quickly rushed to the counter to take his order.

"Welcome to the Graveyard Shift, how may I help you?"

"What do we have here, a fae? No wonder that the drinks are famous for the Graveyard Shift.", he answered and smiled at him.

"Don't worry, I'm telling you that our friend Garrus won't disappoint you. Oh, I... by the way... You do look so young. Very young actually.", Krom noticed.   To his defense, Nik showed the three of them his identity card and hunting license before putting them back in his pockets.

"Really, me and young? Thanks for the nice compliment. But don't worry, I'm over 18. Just reached my 20s if that happened to concern you, troll guy. Hmm, do you happen to serve a drink called Snake Tequila?"

"What's that? It sounds scary.", Krom answered.

"A drink I just discovered while I was on an undercover mission in Arizona to save a pegasi herd. The Blight Brothers challenged me to drink it, so I had to. It was the only way to impress them and to get inside their gang. I didn't like it at first, but later I got used to the taste of the drink. Not bad actually."

"Oh, I heard of that drink. It's not one of own my recipes, but I could make one if you like. I personally wouldn't drink it, dear.", Garrus laughed and began to create it in the backroom where the correct ingredients were safely stored. In the meantime, the man took a seat next to Krom and Ivy. He began to analyze them.

Krom was a stone troll with tiny fangs, who wore a regular red shirt. His skin was made of stone, but his heart was gentle and warm. Ivy was a so-called "zombie girl" who had long purple and pink ombre hair with bangs. She had red glowing eyes and gray skin and wore a short black Victorian goth-style blouse and black leather trousers.

As she discovered being watched, she didn't look away like Krom did. No, Ivy was a strong woman who wasn't afraid and stared back at him with her deep red eyes. He wore a gray shirt, black pants underneath, and a long brown leather jacket with a brown necklace with a silver ring hanging on it.

"Hmm, you're the hunter with the Cajun accent who sometimes visits my library, right?"

"Correctly said, creaturelogist. Nice to meet you outside the library too sometimes. It's been a while."

"Yeah, it's been a while. Besides, how could I forget the young hunter who never forgets my payment?", Ivy giggled.

"He's a nighthunter? But isn't he too young for...", Krom asked out of interest.

"A person has to be ready for anything.", he answered in a sad tone.

"Well, whatever, that's Krom. He might look like a dangerous and mean stone-troll but in real, he's such a fluffy and friendly teddy bear person. And the fae who makes your drink right now, that's Garrus. Both are my friends.", Ivy informed which washed away the sadness, written on the man's face.

"I see that you're scaring my customers again, Ivy", Garrus joked as he quickly appeared from the backroom and placed the ordered drink in front of the man on the counter. "Here you go!"

"Ewww, what is that?!!!! Eww, a dead snake?!! Is the snake even real?", Ivy felt disgusted and so did Krom, but he stayed silent.

"Now enjoy this drink, I guess. By the way, I have never seen you before... First time in the Graveyard Shift here?"

"Yeah, I guess so.", he answered a took a sip of the drink. Ivy and Krom were shocked as they saw him drinking the greenly colored liquid with something long swimming inside.

"Not bad.", he praised Garrus and his mixology skills. A sly smile on his face.

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh, don't call me sir. Nik, just Nik is fine. My name's Nik Ryder.", he introduced himself and shook hands with the fae.

"I am Garrus and it's a pleasure to meet you, you're always welcome in the Graveyard Shift, Nik. It's also such a coincidence... You have the same surname as a hunter friend of ours, right Krom-darling?", he mentioned and Krom nodded for approval.

A soft pink washed over his stony cheeks after Garrus called him darling. Ivy noticed and began to understand that Krom had a secret crush on Garrus, so she silently grinned by herself.

"Your hunter friend? The only hunter who shared the same surname as mine, was my dad, Elijah.", Nik sadly confessed and looked away.

"Waaait, you're Elijah Ryder's son?!! The Elijah Ryder?!! But how and when did this happen? I mean... he's not someone who had a great relationship with women and...?"

"Wooaah, woah, slow down... The hell, no, I'm not his real son. He adopted me, but he's still my dad.", Nik angrily intervened before anything wrong came out of Krom's innocent mouth. "Don't you all dare to say anything wrong about my dad, guys. Not only the troll, I'm warning everyone here in this room."

"I apologize on behalf of Krom, very sorry. But I remember that we have met before too.", Garrus answered.

"Nah, I don't think so. Been livin' in the woods with my dad for years and haven't seen a lot of New Orleans. It's my first time here in the Graveyard Shift, so..."

"No, we really met before. Garrus, I remember now too. Nik, you were a small toddler, that's why you don't remember. Elijah told us that he saved you from a monster that attacked your parents.", Krom added which made Nik finally realize that they were telling the truth. He did meet Garrus and Krom before. It's not the first time he visited the Graveyard Shift, he was here too before. Just about 15 years ago.

"Hmmm... Maybe, I'm not sure. Sorry, I don't remember.", Nik answered after thinking hard, but he didn't remember. He was too young, but he knew that they weren't lying. He believed them.

"Awww, such a sweet reunion with our little baby brother after many years. You got so big and strong, darling.", Garrus got excited and softly pinched Nik's cheek while Krom gave him a strong and welcoming hug.

"Ouch."

"Yes, we love you too. Now tell us where grumpy, old Elijah is? Haven't seen him for so long, right?"

"He... he..."

His beautiful eyes sparkled with tears and he hid his face behind his palms. Silent sobs appeared. Krom gently patted his back and the three of them shared sad glances to each other. After a few seconds, he calmed himself down on his own, wiped his tears away, and apologized embarrassingly to them.

"So... sorry, I didn't mean to. Sorry, it just happened. I... I need to be strong. Sorry, it's just... he's dead. My dad, Elijah died just a few years ago when I was 17. He's no longer in our world, he left. He's gone. I lost my dad, the only person I had in this damn world left. I don't want to talk about this topic now.", he looked away and began to analyze the building.

"Nik, we're sorry. We didn't..."

"It's okay, I'm... I'm fine. Need to move on with life."

"Is he the reason you became a nighthunter too at such a young age?", Krom carefully asked.

"Yes, to honor him and everything he ever has done for me. I lost my parents and him to the claws of supernatural monsters. That ugly and horrible side of this world ruined my entire life. I... I could have turned evil, I could have destroyed that part of the world with all its supernatural beings, but I can't. My birthparents taught me to respect, and love nature with its living beings while Elijah taught me to understand, learn, and protect the world from evil. Later, I learned that not everything in this world is horrible. Guys, I even met a friendly werewolf guy, and you know how mean they can be and what kind of bastards these creatures are. I hate werewolves. I hate werewolves as much as vampires. But, he's different. Mister Lowell is so different from the other wolves. I think he also has two sons. Whatever. The main thing is that in the World of Night, there still is the World of Light with its many beautiful and fantastic creatures. Fae, pegasi, dragons, hippogriffs, and more. And what kind of person am I who decides another's fate? So my only mission will be from now on to save the human world and the supernatural world from evil. To protect children, families, and each being because I don't want anyone to suffer as much as I did.", Nik explained which made Garrus, Krom, and Ivy a bit emotional too.

"Oh, Nik..."

"Hey, it's okay. I'm fine. Now let's change the topic, okay? Hmm, do you happen to have a free apartment for rent? I've been searching for one. I just wanted to move closer into the city and... and... Elijah's house in the woods... I can't face it, old memories with him and... I... I miss him. I miss him very much.", he confessed. Garrus gently squeezed his shoulder for support.

"No fear, my mortal friend, I happen to have an empty apartment upstairs left for you in good condition and fair price. Well, there is one hunting outfit left upstairs. The person who lived there before must have forgotten it."

"Or abandoned it on purpouse.", Ivy giggled.

"Okaaay, well, I want to see it. If the apartment is good for me, then I will take it. One outfit won't stop me, okay.", he answered and followed Garrus, the owner of the building upstairs.

A few minutes later the two of them returned and joined Ivy and Krom who were ready to hear Nik's decision.

"I... I think I'm taking it. It's a deal."

"Hear, hear, my fellow friends, may I announce Sir Nik Ryder as the new renter of the apartment, our new neighbor and friend.", Garrus triumphantly introduced which embarrassed Nik. Krom and Ivy enjoyed and both clapped as Garrus elegantly bowed at the end.

"Are you royalty or what, Garrus?", Nik smirked.

"Hihihi, I think this was fun. Welcome to the Graveyard Shift!!!", Ivy excitedly squeaked.

"Merci, merci, mademoiselle Ivy. Nice bar here.", a happy voice greeted them. It was Luc who just entered the bar and appeared to the group with some arrows to deliver to Nik.

"I didn't welcome you, Luc. I welcomed... Oh, whatever, forget it. Long time not seen actually."

"Oui, I hope you're doing fantastique. Nik, here are the arrows you wanted.", he said and handed them to him.

"Thanks, Luc, I'll pay the money tomorrow morning. I promise."

"No problem, I trust you. Hey, have you heard about that new huntress in town? She's a real hottie and her wild magenta-colored hair... just wow.", Luc whispered to Nik who raised an eyebrow.

"Better hunter than me? Well, every new hunter colleague who will help us to defeat the evil guys is heartily welcome. But I hunt alone, like always. Hmmm, by the way, you kinda seem happy about her."

"I think Luc's always like that when he's meeting good-looking people, especially women. Am I right?", Ivy giggled.

"Mademoiselle Ivy, what do you mean with always? I haven't met a lot of women in my life. The only women I know are my mother, Bri, the other witches Ivy, and no other. And I feel attracted towards women and men equally.", he explained.

"Oh Luc, I was just kidding. Don't feel attacked like that. Join us for a drink! Welcome to the Graveyard Shift too.", she laughed and lightly punched his shoulder which made him laugh too.

[clansayeed]

The Evening ― a Bound by Destiny drabble

⥼ Summary ⥽

While Nadya is busy making friends among the Ball's other human guests, Adrian and Kamilah retreat to the vampire-exclusive La Soiree. It is there that Adrian meets a pair of vampires with which to spend the evening... and finds himself caught up in the scintillating air of their natural mystery.

note: This piece takes place during Bound by Destiny, during the events of Chapter 10: The Cellar. It is not necessary to read to understand Book 1 or the Oblivion Bound series, but it does provide a fun insight into both Adrian and the original characters Valdas and Isseya.

word count: 4,175 rating: mature content warnings: language, blood drinking, vaguely-described sexual situations find out more: HERE

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

[READ IT ON AO3]

By the third time Kamilah sweeps her gaze across the room he’s had enough.

“You don’t need to babysit me all night. Do you think I’m going to up and retreat the moment you turn your back?”

The look she gives him isn’t entirely unwarranted; a simple arched brow and the kind of breath that shifts her bosom at the top of her corset but serves only to be seen and understood.

For as long as he’s known her, Adrian has been fascinated with Kamilah’s skill of speaking columns without so much as an utterance. Maybe it comes with age. More likely it’s just something uniquely Kamilah.

“Give yourself a tad more credit Adrian.” She curls a single finger in the air; summoning a serving boy from out of his line of sight and plucks her choice of dark amber liquor from his offered assortment. “‘Retreat’ is not a word in your lexicon.”

The same silver tray is offered to Adrian. He declines, and the servant flits away.

“You know what I mean.”

Kamilah savors her drink for a long moment. “Perhaps I did, once. Now, however, I find myself in need of a translator where you are concerned.”

And… well, isn’t that entirely not what he was expecting. “What’s that about?”

“It is about the changes I’ve seen in you over the last few months. I’ve yet to determine whether or not to be concerned.”

“A chan—” But before he can even get the full question out, Kamilah cuts him off.

“Do not play the fool to me. Never to me.”

Eyes sharp as the daggers she collects so avidly; plum-tinted lips curled into a frown usually reserved for literally anyone else. All of her discontent plain to see despite the heady fog of incense that curls around the foyer and its guests.

But it’s not exactly difficult for Adrian to figure out the source of her ire. The unspoken name that’s kept her on her toes.

Only Adrian wouldn’t dare do anything but call Nadya a profoundly positive influence on his life. Not even just his—Kamilah’s, too. How long has it been since he’s heard even the whisper of amusement curled into the corners of her mouth? Or seen a kindness as simple as slipping Nadya her Clan symbol so she wouldn’t have to brave the train ride without them at her side?

One of his great personal tragedies of the last century was being forced into the role of silent witness to the hardening of Kamilah Sayeed’s heart. And yet she sits here in front of him and implies he’s the only one changed by the strange yet welcome break in immortal tedium ignited by their wondrous new human friend.

Alas, Adrian isn’t the least bit surprised.

He’s young (compared to her, anyway), but not stupid.

Before Adrian can speak a word in his own defense a familiar and throaty laugh catches the pair’s attention. It has Adrian looking beyond her shoulder while Kamilah twists lithely to join him in watching Lester’s entrance to the evening’s events.

To no one’s surprise their fellow Council member has arrived with a beautiful woman gracing each arm. Mortal, given the flush in their cheeks — and no doubt a disturbingly small fraction of his presumed age. He postures; he always does. Loud bellowing guffaws and over-exaggerated reunions with old friends he will need plenty of liquor to recall the names of.

By the time he’s made his way across the foyer there’s an entire Castellanos entourage on his heels. And as quickly as they gathered… they all vanish together too. Gone behind one of several doorways draped in maroon velvet.

Attentions turning back to one another, the looks Adrian and Kamilah exchange make his heart feel a little bit lighter. Even when they aren’t eye-to-eye on one thing, they will always be on the same team.

“Well we know which salon to steer clear of.” Adrian muses.

“I would venture caution even to those which share a wall with his den of debauchery.”

That, however, brings up the unspoken discussion neither of them have wanted to set in motion. The one where they discuss their own and each others’ participation in the soiree’s intended purpose.

Kamilah is certainly dressed for it. And Adrian isn’t even the only one around them wearing a simple suit — sometimes what is not revealed is just as tantalizing as what is, after all.

So he sighs, accepts defeat, and politely stops the closest server for his pick of red wines on offer. “I’ll stay—salut,” his raised glass meets hers between them, “but I’ve got too much on my mind to even think about… joining in.”

Knowing it’s the best she’s going to get out of him, Kamilah accepts this and begins to unwind herself from the supple leather sofa.

“One of these days you might want to try not shouldering the world’s every burden.”

“One of these days.”

“And when such a day comes, I might just die from shock.”

“Just don’t resent me for being your demise.”

With a bemused little smile Kamilah bends down to bestow chaste kisses to his cheeks. It’s enough to give Adrian a strange yet fleeting sense of relief. “I cannot make any promises about not holding it against you,” she teases. “But in all seriousness— do try to find something to keep you entertained tonight. You might even find yourself enjoying what opportunity comes along. It does so only once a decade, if you recall.”

Then Kamilah takes her leave. Adrian watches her go for lack of anything better to do… though the sight of her greeting an unfamiliar woman with a coy smile and friendly kisses isn’t exactly easy on him. He’s glad she’s giving into the opportunity to let loose even a little bit — but knowing what Adrian does about Nadya and her feelings towards Kamilah…

Well, he’s frustrated. Torn between two loyalties. But that’s nothing new.

La Soiree is still in its early hours. Eventually the foyer, still bustling with the last wave of attendees under the impression fashionably late has modern relevance, will be no more than an echoing chamber. And Adrian still doesn’t know if he plans on being one of the scant few left behind.

Wistfully his thoughts drift—unsurprisingly—to Nadya and the Cellar party happening below. Maybe he could pop in. Could check and just make sure she’s acclimating and finding friends and doing well. But would the attendants even let him in…?

The other end of the long couch sighs. Drawing Adrian’s attention to the man helping himself in taking up Kamilah’s place.

He gives the stranger a polite nod out of sheer courtesy — already readying himself to stand and take his leave.

“Surely there is enough room to share?”

Adrian blinks, startled. Looking back at the man but unsure of what to say.

“Yes, you,” the stranger offers a small chuckle and a sweeping hand to all of the empty cushions around them. “There’s no need to leave. In fact, I invite the pleasure of your company.”

The pleasure of his company? Words no doubt carefully-chosen here… of all places.

“Unless…” The man shrugs one shoulder before looking up at Adrian through obviously lowered lashes. “You have a prior engagement, of course.”

Something about the unspoken implication rubs Adrian the wrong way; and makes him debate staying solely to prove the man wrong. There’s a touch of the sinner in the glint of the stranger’s honeyed eyes and the almost predatory way he watches Adrian while sipping his drink.

Apparently… he’s doing this. Adrian sits back down… and tries to reassure himself of the feeling that he may not have really had a choice in the matter. Of course he did.

… Right?

The other vampire doesn’t bother hiding the victory lacing his smile. “Forgive me, where are my manners…”

He extends a dark hand… and the moment Adrian reciprocates the other takes it as unspoken permission to snatch up the empty cushion between them.

“You will call me Valdas.”

Oh will he? “Adrian, Adrian Raines.”

Only Valdas doesn’t relinquish his grip so easily. Leaving Adrian watching with growing confusion and unease as he turns over their joined hands with a tender curiosity.

“Ease the tension in your jaw. It isn’t good for such a handsome face to always look so displeased with the world.”

Reluctantly, Adrian does. “I don’t think I look… displeased,” and brushing the barely-concealed compliment aside… “May I have my hand back, Valdas?”

Apparently not. Well-trimmed nails brush along the inside of his upturned wrist. They linger in the same way winter just won’t let the city go in February. The barest touch dragging along the lines of Adrian’s palm in a way only a lover’s should.

Valdas hums as if pleased. “The trained eye can always tell who among us are survivors of the days of old. Indulge me this, Adrian Raines — I would put you at two, three centuries walking?”

“Pardon?”

“You are pardoned. I’m asking for your age, young man.” Which is a strange endearment to hear from someone who looks pretty close to him in physical age at the very least. Adrian can almost imagine a bit of a baby face hiding under that thick and well-trimmed beard.

While asking someone’s age isn’t any taboo among their kind—especially those gathered at La Soiree—Adrian can’t help but feel a little bit uncomfortable; sharing his age with a man he’s only just met. It’s a clear indicator at the very least that he’s not from around New York or the surrounding states. If he was he’d know Adrian by sight. And age has always been an important measure of decorum — among the Council anyway. It’s why the likes of the Baron will always hesitate before crossing Kamilah; or even Adrian himself for that matter.

Kamilah had even explained to him once the importance of age in the old European vampire culture. How it dictated everything from eye contact to forms of address to even whether you could speak to someone at all.

If Adrian’s placing this Valdas’ accent even remotely geographically close… these could be dangerous waters ahead.

Subtly, Adrian tries to coax his hand free. “Is it that important?”

He fails. Earning instead the stroke of a roughly calloused thumb over the top of his palm. “My curiosity has you uncomfortable,” Valdas answers; a statement that leaves Adrian slightly taken aback.

“Well, no, I —”

The other vampire’s grasp tightens suddenly. It’s minuscule, but definitely noteworthy.

“I do not ask the same thing twice.”

That Adrian doesn’t have a hard time believing. At this rate it’s just easier to answer and get it over with. “I’ve never had a reason to count the years off,” he coolly lies, but still offers, “somewhere over the head of two hundred and fifty, though.”

His acquiescence is met favorably; an almost proud curve added to Valdas’ smile while he nods.

“Yes. I thought so.”

“How could you tell?”

Valdas seems glad Adrian asks. He gestures with a sweep of his thumb over calluses so old Adrian often forgets they’re there; no more important or defining unto him than the scar on his foot from the angry end of a horseshoe nail in his youth, or the chip on his bottom tooth he had been forced to wait for modern dentistry to finally get corrected.

Judging by the way Valdas looks at them, too, their permanence is kind of the whole point.

“The evidence is here, do you see? So many of us lucky enough to have survived have telltale marks such as these. Marks from a farmer’s labor or a blacksmith’s skill. Yours, Adrian, are a tad more distinct though. I would recognize another soldier’s hands anywhere.”

There was once a time when Adrian would have recoiled at the assumption. It didn’t matter if it was true or not. But Gaius has been gone for so long, now. Titles like Soldier, like Bloodqueen, have faded into nothing more than words; as mundane as their current occupations of CEO and Council Member.

“You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes, huh.”

Valdas again shrugs a single shoulder. Then he turns his own hand up and into Adrian’s cupped palm to reveal his own similarly rough hewn skin.

“Deduction has its uses to be sure. But I’ve found experience to be a far more adept means of investigation.”

At least Adrian can take his hand back, now.

“Well I guess my eye isn’t as trained. I hope you’re not waiting for me to guess your age.”

“Why would I, when the time it would take you to do so even close to accurately could be spent in far more amicable ways?”

In the time it takes Adrian to realize his intended insult, Valdas throws his arm over the back of the couch and allows himself to sink further into the pliant leather for comfort.

Well, Adrian thinks, there are worse ways to spend the evening.

He could be in the same room as Lester.

“I take it you are local to the area?”

Adrian nods. “Well—Manhattan, yes.”

“I mean to say that this is not your first of these events.” Valdas gestures broadly to the foyer around them; growing more empty with every passing minute. The intricate and semi-sexual dance of small talk and choosing partners seems to be nearly over.

Ah. “Oh, no then,” he answers. “What about you?” Since it’s highly unlikely his companion is here for someone’s Debut.

“‘Tis our first on this continent. Though the Balls of old hosted by the young Lord Lafayette weren’t so specific in nature back then — they never were.”

There’s… quite a bit to unpack there in a simple statement; and Adrian doesn’t really know where to begin. Maybe that’s a good thing—famous last thoughts—when Valdas reaches forward and cards a surprisingly gentle touch through his hair.

Adrian should be leaning away.

Why isn’t he leaning away?

Because apparently once again Kamilah is proven right — only this time she isn’t even here to reap the spoils of her victory. And because maybe it has been a while since Adrian has… indulged himself with the company of another. It’s not as though Valdas isn’t an attractive man; that’s not it at all. He just isn’t the first person Adrian would have picked out in a room full of equally eligible vampires ranging from casually friendly to just plain horny.

So where does that leave them?

It leaves Adrian speechless; a wordless yet not entirely unwilling participant to the way the other vampire takes slow and purposeful advances. It’s not like Valdas is trying to lure him in falsely with a ruse. They both know exactly what’s going on, what each movement and action mean, and what they could very well build up to.

And Valdas is surprisingly patient as he waits to see if his affections will be reciprocated… or politely refused.

Adrian Raines is a polite man by nature. However he doesn’t refuse.

The rough pad of Valdas’ thumb swipes over Adrian’s bottom lip slowly and with care. Pressing down with the barest of pressure; just enough to feel the tip of his nail on his front tooth.

There’s a point to this brief hesitation. Now would be the time to tell him to stop, if that’s the plan.

Instead, Adrian asks— “Which party would you be referring to, exactly? The Ball, or La Soiree?”

The answer to Adrian’s question lies not in words, but in the way Valdas moves his hand to hold the other’s chin with thumb and forefinger; in the way Adrian follows by allowing his head to cant to the side, welcoming a warm exhale of breath on his neck.

Valdas’ lips tease just shy of a kiss. There’s the tickle of his facial hair that Adrian hasn’t felt in—phew—at least two decades, maybe more? Sensations both familiar in theory and new in specific experience. All that and the air of hunger that hangs over them, sultry and sweet.

Adrian’s half-lidded eyes briefly sweep the room around them in a daze; looking but not really seeing anything from beyond this moment the men have sealed themselves in. Why would he even bother — when there’s still so much to be taken in from the awakening his body is undergoing?

That strong grip winds its way into Adrian’s coiffed hair — clutching at soft strands and digging into his scalp. Like the hand’s owner was born in the tumultuous storm straddling pleasure and pain and has never left it.

“May I?”

Two words given breath and life wet against Adrian’s throat. He isn’t given the chance to answer… but he doesn’t need to when blunted teeth suddenly give way to something sharper.

The lightest twitch is all it takes for Valdas’ fangs to pierce Adrian’s flesh. It’s a carnal act as much as it is a relief; eliminating the need to navigate the murky waters of speech any further.

They sit together, each man’s existence honed in on the other, for what feels like an eternity. The soiree, the Ball itself; everything could continue to move and flow around them and Adrian is quite sure he would be none the wiser.

Yet every time he reaches out to offer some kind of physical reciprocation, Valdas declines. Whether it’s seeking out his cheeks or hair, trying to skirt touches to his neck or shoulders… even when Adrian tries to switch subtle tactics and goes for the buttons of Valdas’ dress shirt with certainty—the other man pushes his hands back in a silent command to simply enjoy. To allow himself to be enjoyed.

The next attempt becomes his last. Rejection joined this time by punishment of Adrian’s hands held bound in his own lap. He really doesn’t have a choice after that.

Somewhere in the din of it all the hairs on the back of Adrian’s arms prickle with gooseflesh. It’s enough to drag him into awareness beyond the heated coil burning in his belly and back to the world that—somehow, like a fever dream—exists outside of Valdas’ extremely talented mouth.

They are being watched.

They are being enjoyed.

One of the staff tries to offer the woman an hors d’oeuvre; just doing her job, being polite. But even from across the room Adrian can see the tension rippling underneath supple olive skin; can sense it in the shift of her lithe body under the dim lighting of the chandelier, and in the way the sheer veils that cover just enough of her skin glide effortlessly along her body and curves.

She is dark black hair in ringlets around sharp cheekbones and a sharper jawline. One eye the color of a tree in morning light and the other an ivy-toned green; both pupils blown wide and black and seemingly endless. And her smile… oh how her fangs catch pearlescent in the light.

He has absolutely no idea who she is.

That doesn’t stop her from staring at them with eyes giving new definition to the word desire.

But the attention starts to unnerve Adrian slightly. Enough to make him twitch and move under Valdas’ continued bloodstained attentions — though his body isn’t sure where to go.

Judging by the tightening grip on his hair… nowhere.

But even through whatever lusting frenzy has him so enamored, Valdas doesn’t ignore the chance of ambiance. Rather than pull back entirely he simply shifts; coyly tucking his face into Adrian’s fluttering pulse in order to cast a subtle glance at what exactly has his new treat ready to flee.

“Ah, yes,” he croons, a familiarity in his tone that catches Adrian off guard, “she can be rather… intense at first. But I assure you darling, she means no harm. Well… none that will go unrewarded anyway.”

Blinking through the haze of Valdas is harder than Adrian expected it to be. “You… know her?” He asks.

Only the second the words pass his lips he no longer needs them. Only then does he remember Valdas’ earlier choice of words—

“…our first time…”

—and it all makes sense.

“She’s your… partner.”

Valdas chuckles lowly; lets his rumbling voice thickened with arousal burrow itself a home beneath Adrian’s skin.

“To call her such a plain term is almost an insult — not that you could have known. If my beloved is merely my partner, then this—here, you and I—is nothing more than a business-like chat.”

Which they both know is an understatement. Point proven when Valdas finally releases his wrists, reaching between their entwined bodies to palm the evidence of Adrian’s enjoyment of even the little they’ve done so far. Finding him full and aching; eager for release against the tight fabric of his suit slacks.

“I can’t recall business ever putting me… here.” Hard, confused; the itch of the role of prey tingling the base of his spine in a way it hadn’t since Adrian was Turned.

And all-too-quickly due to that woman’s unwavering stare.

Valdas wrenches Adrian’s focus back from across the room with a squeeze. Watching and relishing every expression flickering across Adrian’s face with rapt obsession. “I’m gladdened to know you aren’t opposed to Isseya’s voyeurism.”

Any protests that might have been are thus no longer. They die on the tip of Adrian’s tongue; swallowed down so quickly he almost chokes on them in exchange for the moan Valdas pulls from him when he skillfully destroys Adrian’s button fly without a care.

His head falls back against the back of the chaise, his world sent off-kilter, everything distorted at the edges of his sight.

Only to be brought back by the slow and purposeful approach of the tigress called Isseya.

Deceitfully delicate hands fall on his shoulders. The whisper of a soft thumb stroking the juncture where Adrian’s neck meets his shoulder that quickly grows heavy. Effortlessly she is holding him down — pinned and prone.

Isseya leans over him then — fully aware of how her supple breasts follow the curve of her spine to lean just within reach of his parted lips. But the kiss she captures Valdas with becomes a form of distraction all its own.

Humans invented monogamy because to them life was fleeting. Vampires have a very different mindset—and rightly so. There are dozens of ways two (or more) of their kind can define the relationships they have between one another and all together; probably even more than Adrian knows.

But as he watches their tongues tangle soft and exploratory, two of Valdas’ fingers tucking under Isseya’s chin and the control held in such a simple touch… Adrian quickly learns, and understands.

Calling her partner really was a kind of insult. It belittles them and what they are together; what they have. What they let wash over Adrian in building desperation and raising volume wet and eager and only continuing to grow.

What would it be like to kiss someone like that, Adrian finds himself wondering. It’s not an answer, but as if under a compulsion he watches himself lend Valdas a hand by hooking his finger into the rope belt hanging low on Isseya’s hips — like that could somehow hold her there.

The couple press their foreheads together briefly before parting in a silent reckoning. Isseya’s gaze trails lazily back to Adrian like he’s an afterthought.

Oh, yes. You exist.

“You always find me the prettiest presents, My Beloved One.” Her voice rings like chimes on a twilight breeze.

With a chuckle and a nod, Valdas resumes his earlier pursuit — fingers dipping steadily below Adrian’s bespoke waistline to take his arousal in hand. “Who said he was yours?”

“I did.”

“I rather like him for mine own.”

“Cruel, lover.”

Adrian wants to interject; though at the moment his brain is likely to say something stupid about not belonging to anyone, about being his own man. But it’s difficult to think when he’s… like this.

“Strong jaw, good cheekbones… You know I love the cheekbones.” Yet even the bare minimum of a compliment feels, coming from her, like worshipful praise.

His stare is glassy, and he looks up at Isseya with acceptance as well as desire. Another minute more and Adrian worries he might find it impossible to deny them both of anything. Especially the inevitable.

Maybe that’s the whole point.

“Does he suit your vision of the evening, my love?” Valdas asks, words breathed like worship into Isseya’s slender neck. The vampiress hums at the affection and question both, sweeping Adrian up in another of her all-consuming gazes.

“I’d have to taste of him, first.”

Rather than give her an answer, Valdas simply turns to Adrian with a single eyebrow raised.

The unspoken question hangs loudly between them all.

Well? The choice is his.

Well…

Adrian watches his hand cup the back of Isseya’s neck, pulling her in for a kiss.

There are worse ways to spend the evening.

[i-put-the-sin-in-sinclaire]

A gift for the lovely @princess-geek and her Desire and Decorum fan fiction Unspoken Desires ✨

I saw someone reblog one of my old posts that was dedicated to this amazing series and it inspired me to make another version of the original moodboard ^_^ it features @princess-geek’s face claims for her MC Beatrice and Ernest- Jenna Coleman and James Norton! 😊

[choicesfanaf]

Looking After You

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Arundhati Kulkarni)

Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Arundhati Kulkarni

Word Count: 706 words

Rating: General

Summary: Ethan looks after a sick Arundhati.

Category: Fluff

Tagging: @choicesficwriterscreations, @openheartfanfics

Perma: @jamespotterthefirst, @quixoticdreamer16

Ethan x Arundhati: @rookiemartin

"Such a pleasant day. Spring is quite beautiful. If I get done early, I'll spend some time in the garden with Ethan," Aru thought as she walked towards her office for a meeting with the diagnostic team.

When she reached her office, she felt her throat itch and a bit sore. Fortunately, she had a few lozenges in her bag, and she popped one in her mouth before the meeting, not thinking much of it.

The following morning, at 3:00 am, Aru woke up with a blocked nose, headache, and cough.

Ethan, a light sleeper, also woke up when he heard Aru groan while trying her best to get some rest but failing, as was evident by her constant turning.

He took a minute to realise what was happening and made a cup of tea to soothe her.

"Ethan, could you please sleep in the guest room? Or let me go there? I don't want to get you infected because of me," Aru said while sipping some warm tea. 

"No, honey. I'm not going to do that. I want to look after you, okay? I know how you are and that you won't look after yourself. So, let me take care of you", he replied while rummaging in their medicine kit for a Tylenol. Aru eagerly took the pill from Ethan when he found it, hoping to get some relief.

The next day, she woke up quite later than usual and panicked that she would get late for work. Just when she started to rush to get ready, Ethan chimed in, "Aru, I have requested a holiday for both of us cause you are sick and I don't want others to get infected, especially your patients. I'll stay at home for today to take care of you, my love."

"That’s very sweet of you, Ethan, but I will be fine in a day or two, I don't want you to ignore your work."

"I'm not ignoring my work by looking after you, Aru. In fact, I'm doing both."

"Okay, love, thanks a lot for taking care of me."

A while later, Aru sat down with her blanket in front of the TV while Ethan made her favourite tomato soup and watched her comfort movies, Welcome and Om Shanti Om.

After finishing her delicious soup, she went to gargle with warm salt water and a quick bath under instructions from Ethan while he made her favourite comfort food.

When she came back, Ethan gave her a cup of kadha, whose recipe he had procured from her mom on a visit.

Ethan then checked her temperature because he found her hands and forehead cold.

He realised she had a fever, so he got her some Tylenol and asked her to rest until lunch.

She protested, saying, "It's just a little fever, I'm fine. There's no need for medicine. Let my body fight it out."

"Aru, my love, you have a fever. I want you to get better as soon as possible, which won't happen if you don't take your medicine," he said.

"Okay....if you get well soon, we'll go out to eat some chaat," Ethan continued when he got no response from Aru.

"E, are you trying to bribe me? Because this is new stuff. I have only seen you do this to little kids when they don't listen."

"Well, I have to find a way for you to ingest your meds."

"You know it's nothing major, right? I'll be fine in a few hours even without the pill."

"I know that, honey. But I can't bear to see you like this, even if it is a minor thing."

"Ethan! This is nothing to worry about, and the doctor in you knows that."

"I know that very well, my darling."

"Then why are you worrying?"

"Because I hate to see you like this, in pain! I love you, Aru, and this is too much for me to bear."

On hearing this, she could barely contain his happiness and moved to kiss him, but she suddenly moved away.

"Ethan, I don't want to infect you."

"Sorry, Aru, I understand," he said, as planted a soft and assuring kiss on her forehead, "come on, let's eat Rajma Chawal."

[xxrainbow-princessxx]

Does Distance Make The Heart Grow Fonder? - Oneshot Isabella x Mafia!Leo (Rules of Engagement/The Royal Romance AU) - Part 4

Read Part 1: Here

Read Part 2: Here

Read Part 3: Here

Summary: Isabella and Leo’s Kingdoms both were overthrown by the Via Imperii. The Crown Princess along with her family were exiled whilst the Cordonian Royal Family went underground, fighting to reclaim their throne and hold over the Cordonian People through other means.

TW: Cursing, Implied Violence, Violence, Implied 🍋

Tagging: @lorirwritesfanfic @drakewalkerfantasy @rainbowsinthestorm @lorircreates @beyondsimsreality @kimmiedoo5 @mom2000aggie @kingliam2019 @secretaryunpaid @rafasgirl23415 @twinkleallnight

“What do you mean you can’t fucking tell me?” Leo seethed as he spoke to the Doctor’s receptionist who reminded him that only Isabella could get the results. “I’m sorry sir but it is not possible for me to provide that information as you are not the children’s legal guardian. We have tried to call Ms. Sánchez this morning on a few occasions but there’s been no answer to the number provided…” Leo began to see red, for something so important, why the hell was she not answering.

Immediately he began to question what game was she playing with him? Was she planning to withhold the information to keep him in a compromising position? Leo tried to call her himself but again, straight to voicemail which pissed him off even more. Swearing under his breath about how he was going to tear that goddamn medical Center apart, he grabbed his keys furiously before driving off towards the Capital. He knew it was a day that Isabella was at the University but patience was not one of Leo’s strongpoints. He revved the engine of his Aston Martin as his jaw clenched. “Fucking traffic!” he slammed his hands onto the steering wheel, his foot riding the clutch constantly as he shifted gears, darting and weaving his way between the cars destined to go North towards the heart of the Cordonian Kingdom.

Stomping around the corridors as he marched his way to Isabella’s office. Leo stuffed his hands into his pockets, keeping his head low to distract from any sort of suspicion. Opening the door, he heard Isabella’s voice stop mid sentence as his sea green eyes glared at the student who turned to understand why his professor stopped discussing his assignment. “You…” Leo snapped as he gestured behind him, “Get out!” holding the door open as the panicked student rummaged to get his things. As soon as his body has passed the door frame. Leo shut the door, his nostril twitching, “Do you not have a phone or something?” he barked at the petite brunette who looked puzzled, “What the fuck Leo?” She began to sigh, “Of course I do…” The sandy haired Crime Lord sucked in his cheeks before snapping back towards her, “Then when I call you… fucking answer!” Isabella rose to her feet, pushing out her chair as she picked up papers that sat on her desk. Instead of walking towards Leo, she walked towards the filing cabinet. “Leo…” she spoke calmly as she flicked through the alphabetical list, “I don’t have my personal phone switched on during 1:1 discussion time with students… they’ve paid a lot of money to be here so they deserve 100% of my attention… if there’s an emergency, then the office number is called…”

Walking past him again to her desk, Leo grunted under his breath as she ignored him again to take her seat. Her soft caramel curls cascaded down her back as she pulled on the hem of her black pinstripe pencil dress before taking her seat again, “Is there something I can do for you before my next student arrives?” She aggravated him so much that Leo clenched his teeth, his jaw muscle rippled as he held himself back. He swallowed hard before he could find the words, “The results are ready, so we are going to…” Isabella nodded, “Yes, I am aware… I do check my messages Leo but I have appointments until 2:30pm…” the Laurentian beauty began to smile, “Either you are welcome to sit there for the next three hours and wait…” emphasising the word, “patiently… or I will call you when I am ready. It’s your choice…” The former Crown Prince didn’t respond other than to slam the door behind him causing the glass panel in the door to shake behind him. Again, Leo found himself grumbling as he roamed the corridors before slipping into an empty office space checking there was no one around or camera. He looked around, the room felt cold; looked like no one had been around for days. Taking out his hip flask he kept filled with rubbing alcohol, he poured the contents around the pile of papers and the carpet of the room. He began to evilly smirk as he held the zippo lighter he had in his hand against the wet materials to set them alight.

The agonising sound of the fire alarm interrupted Isabella’s next appointment half an hour later. She had closed her eyes before breathing in deeply as she tried to push down her annoyance. With pursed lips, she along with all the rest of the faculty and students who were in that section of the university had to evacuate. Immediately the petite brunette as she entered the quad gardens saw Leo standing back, lighting a cigarette. Marching over to him, it took all of Isabella’s power not to want to slap him there and then. “What are you playing at?” She seethed, “Are you that much of a fucking child that you set off fire alarms to get my attention?” Leo simply shrugged with a callous smile, “You hurt my feelings kitten… so I made myself feel better…” Isabella could only shake her head, rolling her eyes to the point she could feel the strain. He was infuriating. Before she could answer, an announcement went out over a loudspeaker to confirm that all classes in the University’s southern corridor were cancelled to do a health and safety assessment. “You’re free now…” Leo grunted looking around to ensure no one spotted them, “Get in the fucking car…”

Isabella’s dark chocolate brown eyes rolled to the right as Leo sped down the highway, “You do realise kidnapping someone because you want something done when you want it done screams that you’re an asshole?” Leo kept his gaze to the road, his grip on the steering wheel again tightened at the insinuation, “Well Princess…” he jeered, “I’ve never claimed I’m not an asshole… this is a means to an end…” he snapped, “Then you can go back to whatever the hell you want…” The petite brunette sucked in her cheeks as she firmly spoke again, “You don’t scare me… so your threats don’t matter…” Leo chuckled loudly in the car. With a smirk he replied back to her, “No matter the result kitten…” he turned his gaze towards her, tilting her chin to force her meet his. Leo’s green eyes flashed with a cold darkness that Isabella didn’t expect, “You should be fucking scared…” Pulling herself away from him, Isabella sat scornfully quiet in the car until they pulled up to the doctors office. Isabella walked in with Leo towering over the petite brunette. She smiled warmly at the terrified assistant who Leo kept glaring at. “We’re here to collect some results for the Sánchez children, the doctor confirmed they were ready to collect this morning…” Isabella calmly spoke as the assistant fumbled through the information they had before shakily handing Isabella the envelope and a letter to sign, “Thank you…” the former Crown Princess cooed as she pushed the signed document across the desk.

Isabella handed Leo the envelope before they had left the doctors office as she raised her brows, “Can’t accuse me of switching anything now can you?” but Leo didn’t speak, other than tapping the corner of the envelope against his hand. “Are you not going to open it?” Isabella questioned but Leo curtly replied, “Not here…” Isabella checked her watch quickly with hesitation, “Well we have an hour and a half before they need picked up from school…” Leo hadn’t thought of that. He took a moment before he reached for his phone sending Sofie a message to go pick the girls up with Drake as guard. “Sofie can do it… we have to talk…” Isabella nodded in agreement as they both returned to the car. The tension between them both was palpable, neither one wanting to interrupt each others thought processes. Leo’s mind wandered to the envelope, he knew deep down what the results were, he knew deep down looking at them both they were his; hell he would have just accepted her telling him but legally for him to protect them, he had to have it in writing as Liam had constantly reminded him. The Crime Lord also needed to have proof so his enemies couldn’t use the ambiguity of their parentage to their advantage and selfishly, he could then finally have his name proudly on their birth certificates.

Leo drove south, back towards Valtoria but instead of heading to his compound, he drove higher up into the mountains away from the rest of the world, leaving only him and her. “Why are we here?” Isabella raised her brow in question as Leo finally braked at the top of the top of the Valtorian Valley overlooking the lake. Leo took the envelope from his pocket, his eyes looking down towards the unopened letter in his hands before quietly passing it to the exiled Crown Princess, “You open it…” he grunted, keeping his gaze forward. Isabella delicately opened the envelope, holding up the two separate pages side by side. “We’ll wouldn’t you know…” the Laurentian beauty began to smile smugly, “Full marks…” before handing them to the sandy haired Cordonian who sat beside her. Leo took a moment to take it in. There was no longer any doubt as he slowly began to take things in, “You never did anything by halves did you?” he mumbled before folding the pieces of paper back up into three and putting them into his coat pocket. Leo licked his bottom lip before resting his head against the headrest, looking upwards, “Fuck…” he ran his tattooed hands down his face as he laughed, “So where does this leave us? To think we were planning a wedding once; now we’re practically strangers with kids…” Isabella giggled in agreement with a smile, “That’s true… however…” the Laurentian beauty turned to her former love. Leo found himself getting lost in her dark chocolate brown eyes like he had done for so many years, giving him optimism and finally some hope.

Isabella’s tone changed from jovial to more serious, “We will need to work out a co-parenting schedule… We’re due to go back to New York in a couple of weeks… So it’s important we do things right…” reaching out, Leo took one of the petite brunette’s soft, delicate hands into his own, “I agree, but first there’s something we need to do…” Isabella swore she could see a soft blush on his cheeks but didn’t want to interrupt, “Have dinner with me Bella… I know I am many things…” the former Crown Prince sighed, “…but I don’t want you to think I’m a complete monster, I’ve never wanted that…” Isabella slowly squeezed his hand gently, “That’s fine… we can do dinner as long as we’re back in time for the girls to go to bed… I’ll need to find a babysitter…” Leo chuckled to himself, feeling his heart almost skip a beat when she agreed, “Don’t worry beautiful… I have enough people who work for me to have that arranged… they should come up to the main house for the night. There’s a cinema room. I’m sure they can find something to watch…” Isabella nodded, “That would be nice for them, thank you… I do have one request that only the staff you truly trust are there, they’re not ready to meet your girlfriend before they’ve met you…” Leo didn’t hesitate in agreeing, “Only my most personal staff will be around, plus Liam and Drake will be there to keep an eye on things… If you want privacy, I can have someone pick you up and I can meet you there…”

Leo found it strange that Isabella referred to him as having a girlfriend but he didn’t question it; they had more important things to discuss. “Ok…” Isabella nodded, it was nice that for once recently they weren’t arguing over something. It felt almost normal. “Probably should head back…” Leo sighed having checked the time, “I’ve got a few things I need to take care of beforehand…” He drove back towards the cottage that Isabella and the twins were staying in. The quietness of the drive was no longer tense, if anything it was as if a weight finally arose from his shoulders. “I’ll have someone pick you up at 7pm…” The sandy haired Cordonian mumbled as Isabella reached for the passenger door. The corners of her mouth slowly curled upwards as she placed one foot onto the ground, turning to face Leo once more, “…For the record…” she began to smile, “I’ve never thought you a monster… I’ll see you later…” As promised, Leo organised his most trusted staff and Liam to be there when the kids arrived and they all had been briefed to ensure no one else was allowed in the property; it was to be like Fort Knox or someone would have to answer to him when he returned as Drake escorted the petite brunette toward the Castelsarreillan duchy.

Dressed in a black midi camisole dress, and coat to save her from the cold Cordonian February night, Isabella was directed through the back entrance towards a private room. Greeted by a kind waiter, her chair was pulled out for her. “Please sit…” he gestured towards the chair, “Your guest will be here momentarily… would you like some champagne, your guest has already chosen the wine for the evening…” Isabella smiled warmly towards him, “I will wait, thank you…” she cooed, not wanting to take advantage of Leo’s hospitality. The former Crown Prince finally arrived fifteen minutes later flanked by two guards. Leo’s dominance and authority almost suffocated the room. No one stepped out of line until he dismissed them. “You haven’t ordered?” He began to frown as he noticed the empty plate, his glare then directed to the nervous waiter. “No… no…” Isabella stood to her feet, reaching out to Leo’s arm, holding it gently, “I asked to wait until you arrived…I am sorry…” she turned to the waiter with a warm, forgiving smile, “Just some crossed wires…” Leo swallowed hard, the word sorry didn’t exist in his vocabulary. “Fine…” his glare never left the waiter as he ran off to prep the kitchen for the pre-ordered food that Leo requested.

They talked; reminiscing about the good times, the bad times and the could have been times. “I would have been there in a heartbeat if I had known…” Leo sighed heavily as his heavily tattooed hand reached across the table to hold hers, “Believe me kitten… if I could have changed the outcome of all of this I would have…” Isabella lowered her head, placing her other hand over Leo’s, “I know…” she calmly stroked his skin with her thumb, “But we must think of the future, not live in the past…” All Leo could do was chuckle bashfully, “You’re always the voice of reason aren’t you…” before he reached into his blazer jacket pocket, removing a little red box and pushing it across to her. Isabella looked confused, it seemed familiar but she wasn’t sure. Slowly she opened the red leather bound box. Her hand crossing her mouth in shock. “Leo…” her eyes darted up towards him, “This is your mother’s ring… no… you were to keep this…” but the Crime Lord simply shook his head, “It was yours, it’s always going to be yours… you’re the mother of my children; no matter what happens - you should have it…” the Laurentian beauty stared at the emerald cut diamond ring, “This is too much Leo…” she sighed, “You should keep this if you plan to marry…” Leo took the ring out of the box, taking Isabella’s left hand before sliding the ring onto her finger. “The only person I ever wanted to marry left me two weeks before we could tell anyone we were to be engaged, that ring was only meant for one person and that’s you…”

The former Crown Prince laughed as the colour drained from Isabella’s face, “I’m not fucking forcing you to marry me if that’s what you’re worried about!” Isabella raised her champagne flute to her lips, taking a sip to calm her nerves, “I wouldn’t have thought your girlfriend would have appreciated that…” she giggled. “What girlfriend?” Leo raised his brow, wondering what she meant. “When you came to visit, you referred to someone as babe… apologies if I assumed incorrectly…” Leo began to smirk as he took a drink from the crystal tumbler in his hand, “That…” he began to laugh, “That isn’t a problem, I don’t have a partner… she’s just a distraction…” the petite brunette nodded her head not wanting to press any further. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know or not. Her eyes lit up once again as dessert arrived, “Laurentian chocolate cake…” the exiled Crown Princess grinned smelling the mixture of cocoa, cinnamon and honey. “I can’t remember the last time we had this…” but Leo did, he remembered he was served it the day he asked her father could he marry her. Reluctantly Felipe said yes after much persuasion but it always reminded him of better times. “Glad you like it…”

Drake returned to the compound only to find Leo’s ‘distraction’ banging on the front door of the mansion. “Hey…” he shouted, “What the fuck are you doing?!” much to her annoyance. “What do you think I’m doing?!” She angrily spat back, “He stood me up and I want to know why?!” Drake simply shook his head, “Business came up, he had to switch his phone off. Probably lost track of time…” pouting her lips, she folded her arms, “Well let me in and I will wait for him when he gets back…” but Drake brushed past her with a chuckle, “No can do… no one in or out until the big guy gets back… you can wait out there if you want but you put one foot over this threshold - you’ll soon regret not listening to me…” Her blue eyes narrowed angrily towards the Texan, “Fuck you Drake!” she screamed as he slammed the door behind him. She did wait and her anger began to bubble over. Her eyes widened as she saw Leo get out of his car and open the door for Isabella. He extended his hand out toward her before escorting her into his home. “What the fuck?!” she seethed, reaching for her phone taking pictures of the pair together linked arm and arm. “Fucking asshole won’t make me look like an idiot and get away with it!” Unknown to her, Isabella and Leo walked in to find the two girls cuddled up beside Sofie and Liam. “I’m sorry…” Isabella quietly laughed, “They’re dead to the world when they sleep… Leo could you?” gesturing to the two sleeping kids. Leo looked down at her quite shocked but jumped at the opportunity to help, “Can you help me carry them to their room?” With ease, Leo picked up each twin without hesitation; both of them still sleeping as they nuzzled into his neck. His heart was full as he placed them down gently onto the King Sized bed. Isabella smiled as she held onto the door, waiting for him to leave. She kissed Leo’s cheek gently and whispered “Thank you for tonight” to him before closing the door over for the evening. Both of them went to sleep content but not ready for the following morning announcements.

[choicesjanuarychallenge]

Week 4 Masterlist

Fanfiction

Dance It Better - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

Return To Dagger Mountain - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Tension - @jerzwriter (Wake The Dead)

Time Together - @alj4890 (Red Carpet Diaries) (Light NSFW / Mature)

_

Fanfart

A Snowy Kiss - @storyofmychoices (Open Heart)

Family Affair - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Tension - @jerzwriter (Wake The Dead)

Together is the best place to be - @theartoflovingthomashunt (Red Carpet Diaries)

_

Edits & Text Fics

Animal Farm - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

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Thank you to everyone for participating this week. If you don’t see your submission, please DM me.

The Choices January Challenge ends on Jan 31 but late submissions will be accepted until Feb 4.

Check out all the January prompts.

Remember, you don’t have to participate daily or in order. Feel free to use the prompts as and when you get inspired. Check out the guidelines.

ALL CHOICES FANDOMS ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE.

All submissions will be reblogged as received and included in a weekly masterlist. Tumblr tags can be unreliable at times. If your submission isn’t reblogged within 24 hours, contact @liaromancewriter.

[ladylamrian-reblogs]

Loved the bickering couple and Nik admiring "his woman". I'm swooning already 😍😍 The cute morning they have, waking up together naked, showering together,... I'm in love. Nik Ryder knows how to treat his woman. And I definitely see him as a night owl. Working at night and sleeping/resting during the day while she's the other way around. A girl filled with energy. I really enjoyed how you connected the original Nightbound ending with your story. She'll finally train her magic powers with sweet Thalissa. Yippie!!! Nik, my boyfriend and future husband are so supportive. By the way, I wonder what the Fate is plotting now after finding out that Nik figured everything out. He's soooo intelligent. Nobody would have thought that the Fate was behind all this. My clever Nik. He & She are bounded. Lovers are bounded... but with the Fate. And *gasps* Jacqueline??! 😱 Leah's mom!!! So excited to see what will happen next in your upcoming series: Fresh Prey to find out more about Jacqueline.

Anything (Chapter 6, Final Chapter) - Nik Ryder x f!MC

Summary: After surviving an attempt on her life, she discovers there are worse fates than dying. And they’re all ice cold.

Warnings for this chapter: implied (off-screen) N*FW, discussions of trauma and therapy, a short tid bit at the end involving animal violence/death, and plenty of fluff and other domestic stuff

Links to previous chapters: one // two // three // four // five

One year later…

Nothing.

Nothing.

‘Everything.’ Leah thought fondly as she sleepily stared at the man sleeping next to her. Thin rays of golden light trailed through the spaces between the blinds of the window facing the bed, making the man in question flutter his eyes open. She smiled brightly and moved closer until she was snuggled close to him, and he lazily wrapped an arm around her.

Weiterlesen

[rosesnink]

Orc Encounters a Girl

Author's Notes

Last month, I started to talk to a beloved moot whom I've bonded over many things, and while talking decided to write a little something of her iconic MC Raya Parnassus. That's right, I'm talking about the equally iconic @erixadraws !! Getting to know you has been a treat, and I look forward talking to you more and gush about TFOA !! Hope you love this as much as I've loved writing them <3

English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos or grammar mistakes

If we're moots/friends and you think our Blades MCs could get along, hmu!

If you want to read more of my Blades writings, check out my masterlist!

Likes are nice, but reblogs keeps a post alive!!

Summary: Brienne walks on the beach at night and meets a beautiful woman whom with she has more in common than one may guess

Word Count: 1.0k

Category: Female friendship, girls bonding, platonic ship

Rating: G-Rated

Book: Blades of Light and Shadow

Brienne, being an orc, had always heard legends of the great orc warriors that dominated the seas and were one with the elements of mother earth. Seeing the sea, a great part of her heritage, made her heartbeat go up, a sense of home and belonging that she hadn’t quite felt before.

The moment the group had gone to sleep, Brienne, still with her ivory nightgown on and her hair down, her onyx locks now messy and the funny tingle of the nightly wind on her bulging arms drove her all the way to the sea, to the beach to be exact. Taking off her shoes, she let her fingers dip into the sand, and she sighed, the feeling washing over her like the water licking the sand. Taking a few more steps towards the sea, she inhaled the salty essence, washing over her nostrils and hugging her soul, the mere presence of the sea calming her thoughts.

Then, she felt something bump into her. Brienne reached towards the thing, or more like the person, and caught her by the armpits, steadying her. She looked down, and saw a beautiful human of a remarkable beauty. She had black skin, dark hair and a regular outfit that she saw often in her village.

“Are you alright, miss?”

“Yes,” she had a sweet timbre, and smelled really nice “thank you. I’d hate to go back to the tavern all soggy.”

“I’m pretty sure you would’ve looked lovely nevertheless.” Brienne winked.

The woman smiled “I’m flattered, but I’m afraid my fancies aren’t very… female.”

Brienne chuckled “Understood. Still, I wanted to compliment you. The flirting is just a nice bonus.”

The smaller woman reached out her palm “Raya.”

The orc shook the soft hand that was offered “Brienne.”

They dropped their hands as they walked beside the moving water “What brings you here, Brienne?”

Brienne played with her wood ring “I’m searching for a loved one. He… he went missing.”

Raya looked at her as if she understood the feeling “I’m honestly here for the same reason. It is my first time here, away from home.”

“And where is home, Raya?”

Raya smiled fondly “Riverbend.”

Brienne chuckled “I’m from there too! How come have I not seen you? I don’t think I would’ve missed you.”

Raya teased “Something tells me you’d be harder to miss.”

“Because I’m a big, scary orc?” Brienne teased.

Raya pretended to look at her “Hmm, you look pretty harmless to me.”

“Maybe I’d lure you to my cave and eat you…”

Both women held each other’s gazes for a moment before bursting out laughing, the reflect of the moonlight shining on them both.

“But seriously, how did you end up on Riverbend? I thought all orcs lived in Flotilla, or at least near the sea.”

Brienne shrugged “Ah, well, I suppose my case is rare. All I have from my mother is her old dress and a ruby ring that I wear on special occasions.”

Raya squeezed her arm in compassion “I never knew my mother either. I was raised alongside a foster brother and a grumpy old farmer. What I learned, I learned it from the library and my brother.”

Brienne chuckled fondly “My brother is such a chatterbox. Always coming up with stories and grand tales. It’s… calming. He’s the reason I love reading and the arts. Somehow, he makes it beautiful. Growing up, people told me about those gigantic, ugly orcs that pillaged villages and harmed its citizens, and how lords from Whitetower came into the villages to search for slaves. I felt ugly, and out of place. Until my dear brother told me about this beautiful she-orc that seduced a high-ranking elf, giving him the pleasure no other of his species could achieve, and how she was courted by everyone. The next morning, my foster father brought me a special product for my face and a secret of his late wife that kept her hair silky, even in her illness, and the game changed. I realised that not all of us are pillaging villains or can only be slaves, and that whether orc, elf or human, we all have beauty and a purpose of our own.”

Raya took her hand and gave her a soft smile “Thank you for sharing that with me, Brienne. And to me, you’re really beautiful. I haven’t met many orcs, but you have this beauty that just draws light into any room. Those bullies were just jealous, and I’m glad that you didn’t listen to them.”

Brienne looked away, touched by the sincerity and sweetness of the woman beside her. As they walked in a comfortable silence, feeling the sand between their toes and the soft breeze of the night.

As the path came closer to the city, Raya turned around and asked her “What tavern are you staying in?”

“The Nagoni’s Ruby. Why?”

“That’s me too. I’ll walk you.”

As they walked, Brienne realised that she may not see Raya again. Rummaging through her pockets, until she found it. As they got to the door that separated the beds, Brienne took Raya’s hand and placed the token inside her hand. Raya looked at it: an elephant with a rose. Raya quirked her eyebrows, asking what it was “I love to do art with mud, and this is one of the first things I did. It seemed fit to give it to you.”

Raya smiled, and tiptoed to kiss Brienne’s cheek with a grateful smile “Thank you, dear Brienne. I shall always treasure it.”

Both women embraced and squeezed each other’s arms before going upstairs in different directions, wondering when they’d see each other again.

As Brienne walked to her bedroom, she caught a glimpse of Nia praying. She softly knocked and Nia looked up “Why are you up?”

“Couldn’t sleep. You?”

“I might’ve made a friend.”

Nia smiled softly “Tell me about them.”

“Her name is Raya, and she looks like one of those princesses who thought they were beggars in the books I’ve read…”

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Open Heart Fics & Art of the Week Sep 10-16, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🌺 = Hispanic Heritage Month

BRYCE LAHELA x F!MC

Summers Kiss ✒️ | @peonierose

ETHAN RAMSEY x F!MC

Battles of the Past ✒️| @zealouscanonindeer

Dangerous Games ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer

Drunken Nights ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer

I'm Almost Home ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer

Rediscovering Joy ✒️Ⓜ️ | @coffeeheartaddict2

What Could Have Been? ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer

OPEN HEART M!MC

Jensen Through the Years 🎨🌺 | @mydemonsdrivealimo

SIENNA TRINH x M!OC

Fairytales 📱| @liaromancewriter

TOBIAS CARRICK, ETHAN RAMSEY

High Seas (2/2) ✒️ | @jerzwriter

TOBIAS CARRICK x F!MC

What Might Have Been ✒️| @alj4890

Main CFWC Fic/Art of the Week List

BOLAS Fic/Art of the Week List

[clansayeed]

WIP Wednesday ft. Bound by Destiny II, part 2 ― Chapter 11: [Untitled]

WORD COUNT: 174 RATING: Teen+ (this series is rated MATURE for graphic violence and adult content) FEAT: A Mystery Guest CONTENT WARNINGS: language, potential spoilers for book 5

NOTE: Small, and ominous, but hopefully better than the nothing you've had for over a year now~

*Bound by Destiny II and the rest of the Oblivion Bound series is an ongoing reimagining project of the Bloodbound series and spin-off Nightbound. Check out the first 4 books in the Oblivion Bound series, linked below!

⥼ ABOUT OBLIVION BOUND ⥽ | ⥼ FIC MASTERLIST ⥽

Wallachia, October 1462

“TEPES!”

It is, by all accounts, a sturdy and well-maintained stronghold. With a multitude of vantage points for keen-eyed archers and terrain that requires training to learn; to master. It tests the mettle of the Voivode’s men even still. All the more advantage when untested feet scramble on a battlefield that fights them as fiercely as their enemies will.

But the key to a stronghold worth taking for one’s own is something more than strategy. Something far more subtle. Something that cannot be falsified or replicated.

A conqueror’s stronghold must be old. It must stand against time itself and emerge the victor; even across the battlefield of symbolism.

There is nothing symbolic about the very real, very physical manifestation of time’s arrogant wrath where his voice echoes cavernous through the castle’s old stone walls.

Old though they may be, he is always older.

“TEPES! You vile, pompous, hubristic pile of filth! I demand you show your simpering weaselly face before I tear your walls down stone by crumbling stone!”

[choicesfanaf]

Always & Forever

For Choices February Challenge 2023: Day 4 (Harmony) and To Be or Not to Be Event: (Prompts Forever and Miss You for To Be)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Arundhati Kulkarni)

Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Arundhati Kulkarni, Sahil Kulkarni (m!OC)

Minor Characters: Dilip Kulkarni (m!OC), Nandita Kulkarni(f!OC), Radhika Deshpande (f!OC) and Nikhil Bapat (m!OC)

Word Count: 2580 words

Rating: General

Summary: Ethan and Arundhati attend the wedding of their acquaintances and get some time to themselves.

Category: Fluff

Tagging: @choices-february2023, @choicesmonthlychallenge, @choicesficwriterscreations, @lovealexhunt

Perma: @quixoticdreamer16, @jamespotterthefirst

Ethan x Arundhati: @rookiemartin

A/N: Song used in the fic is

A/N 2:

Translations provided-

Beta-Child

2. Ho, aai- Yes, mom

3. Tumhi sagle kashe aahat?- How are you all?

4. Aamhi ekdum majet- We are having fun

5. Tumhala kasa kalala-How did you know?

6. Ethan ne sagitla aamhala-Ethan told us

7. Radhika, mi tula barya peki olakhte- Radhila, I know you very well

8. jau de tyana-Let them be

9. aata tujhya lagnachi tayari karayla pahije, didi- Now we should prepare for your wedding, sister

10. Kay ugach kahi boltos. Amchya lagnala ajun khup vel aahe-

11. Apan baghu- We shall see

12. Aata ghari jauya. Parva flight aahe amchya doghancha- Let's go home now, we have a flight to catch the day after tomorrow.

In late January, Arundhati and her family were invited to attend her distant relative, Radhika's wedding in Mumbai in March. Their grandmothers were close friends, so Aru and Sahil spent a lot of time with Radhika during their holidays when they were young.

They kept in touch even when Aru and her family moved to Boston and basically were like cousins. Naturally, she called them at her wedding, wanting them to participate in her happiness.

Radhika's fiance, Nikhil, knew Ethan since their work in the Amazon and had bonded well with him and became his good friend, who was still in contact with Ethan. As a result, Nikhil invited him to his wedding.

"Ethan, I wanted to let you know that I won't be able to come into the hospital for the first week of March. I have to go to Mumbai to attend my relative Radhika's wedding", Aru told him. 

"That's fine, but make sure to submit an application. Just so I can note it down officially so that no one reprimands you later."

"Got it. I will mail you the application in a day or two."

"Great. By the way, you know Nikhil, right? He's also getting married in Mumbai during the first week of March."

"That's great, maybe we could go together if it is around Radhika's wedding. Who is he getting married to?"

"His fiancee," Ethan looked at the e-invite on his phone before continuing, "Radhika Deshpande, who is a statistician."

"Wait, what?" questioned a shell-shocked Aru.

"Aru, what's wrong?" Ethan asked when he saw her too stunned to speak.

"Aru, come sit down and have some water. Whatever it is, we will face it together," Ethan said while helping her sit down and bringing her a glass of water.

"Thanks. Can I see the e-invite, please?" She asked, after managing to recover her speech.

"Sure, here you go", he said, handing her the phone but not understanding why.

Aru quickly took out her phone to compare the e-invites.

To her surprise, the e-invite she received was the same one that Ethan had gotten. She spent enough time staring at the phones in her hands that Ethan got worried.

"What's wrong, Aru? Can you tell me what's going on in your mind?"

"Ethan, I think we have been invited to the same wedding."

"What do you mean?"

"Here, look at these two invites, and tell me if there is anything different about them", she said, handing him the devices.

Ethan treated the images like a diagnostic case and inspected every pixel of them for any difference.

After about 15 minutes of peering at the screen, he grunted.

"So, my conclusion was right," Aru responded.

"Yeah. We are going to the same events", Ethan sighed. 

"Ethan, you haven't told Nikhil about us, have you?"

"No, not at all."

"No matter what, we can't reveal our relationship to them", Aru mentioned.

"Why not, love?"

"Because everyone who knows Radhika and Nikhil will be present there. I don't want to be judged for dating you and neither do I want anyone to judge you or make snide comments about us."

"Okay, I do get your point now", Ethan nodded.

"So, just for a week, we will have to pretend that we aren't dating. I'll go there with my family and you by yourself. 

"Yeah, okay. We don't have any other option, do we? It's a shame because I would have loved to introduce you as my girlfriend."

Before Aru could reply, her phone started ringing and displayed Sahil's call.

"Hi Kiddo, how did you get reminded of me suddenly?"

"Did you get Radhika's invitation?"

"Yes, I did. But there is a huge issue, bud."

"What is it?" Sahil asked, not knowing what would be coming next.

"Radhika's fiance is a good friend of Ethan's."

"And they don't know you both are dating."

"Exactly. I don't want to give anyone a chance to gossip about us."

"Yeah, I get it. Some people can be downright nasty and disgusting. But are you sure that Ethan's friend is marrying our relative, Radhika? Because both Radhika and Nikhil are extremely popular names."

"Yes, Sahil. I compared the invites we both received. We both have been invited to the same wedding."

"Well, if that's the case, you both will have to stay at different places."

"Why should we do that?" asked Ethan.

"Because there is a huge chance that Nikhil will invite you to stay near him, and if you refuse, it will look weird. Also, Radhika and her relatives might visit us and question about you", Sahil explained.

"Shit, we didn't think about this."

"You are completely right. We can't show that we are together. Only then they will buy the lie."

"Didi, we have been asked to attend all the pre-wedding and post-wedding events. Has Ethan been asked as well?"

"Yup, all the events," responded Ethan.

"Well then, it is settled. We'll stay away from each other for a week."

"Let's see how long that lasts," teased Sahil.

Aru was interrupted by her pager.

"Sahil, I gotta go. There is a 911 call I have to attend to. Talk to ya later, bud."

Aru and Ethan didn't realise how quickly the time flew. They were on their way to Mumbai with her family. Ethan was sitting a few rows behind them so that they could leave separately, just in case Radhika or Nikhil came to escort them to their places.

Before they parted ways, Ethan and Aru promised they would stay somewhat around the other. "During all the events, stay in my line of vision, don't stray away."

"Yes, ma'am. Understood," he said, with a huge grin on his face.

"I love you, babe. See you later. Message me when you get time."

"Of course, love. Don't need to tell me twice. Love you too, sweetheart."

The wedding took place smoothly, and the couple had a great time, enjoying all the rituals they had to perform. 

Meanwhile, Ethan and Aru enjoyed themselves even though they were apart for a long time.

After the wedding, the married couple hosted a reception event which had a DJ playing some hit Hindi, Marathi and English songs. Meanwhile. Aru and Sahil were having some snacks in a corner.

"Didi, you should go dance with Ethan."

"Sahil, no one here knows about us."

"Didi, look around you. Everyone is enjoying themselves. Go and have some fun with Ethan."

"Are you sure? What if someone sees us?"

"They will not, I can fully assure you that."

 A few minutes later, Ethan and Aru met in a dark part of the room.

"Why did you call me here, darling? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to dance with you."

"Are you sure, love?"

"Yes, Ethan. Please? We haven't seen each other in a week."

"Alright, then. Anything to make you happy."

At that moment, the DJ started playing a song that made Aru swoon because it was perfect for them, and they started dancing.

Dekha hazaron dafaa aapko, phir bekarari kaisi hai

I've seen you a thousand times, then why this restlessness.

Even though Aru's eyes were fixed on Ethan's, her mind was elsewhere.

She was busy thinking about how her life had changed for the better ever since she met him. She had transformed into a completely new person ever since she met him.

Sambhale sambhal ta nahi yeh dil, kuch aap me baat aisi hai

I'm not able to control my heart, there's something special about you.

She never knew when she fell head over heels for him despite everything. She felt they were destined to be together, no matter what happened.

Lekar ijazat ab aapse, saanse ye aati jaati hai

Now after taking your permission, my breaths come and go.

She couldn't imagine how her life would have been without Ethan. He constantly pushed her to be better and supported her always.

Dhunde se nahi milte hai hum, bas aap hi aap baaki hai

When I search for myself, I can’t find myself, as it's only you who remain.

He had a way of making her feel better just by being near her, which she always appreciated and enjoyed, especially when she had bad days.

Pal bhar na duuri sahe aapse, betabiyaan ye kuch aur hai

Even for a moment, I can't bear your separation, this eagerness is something different.

He made her feel like everything was possible and made her life more colourful and wonderful by just being in it.

Hum duur hoke bhi paas hai, nazdikiyan ye kuch aur hai

Even being far, we're close to each other, this closeness is something different.

Aru was very sure about her feelings for Ethan since the day she took care of little Ethan. So much so that she was ready to take the risk to be with him, circumstances be damned. 

Dekha hazaron dafaa aapko, phir bekarari kaisi hai

I've seen you a thousand times, then why this restlessness.

Everything seemed beautiful when she was with him. Aru missed him all the time when he wasn't next to her.

Sambhale sambhal ta nahi yeh dil, kuch pyaar me baat aisi hai

I'm not able to control my heart, there's something special about our love.

Aru felt she could trust and rely on Ethan to be there through thick and thin. She knew he would support her through all her worries.

Aagosh me hai jo aapke, aisa sukoon aur paaye kahan

Now that I am in your arms, where shall I find such peace.

Being with him made her feel safe and protected. He made her feel warm and contented. She remembered once telling him that he was her true home.

Aankhen hame yeh raas aa gayi, ab hum yahan se jaaye kahan

I'm hooked on your eyes, now where should I go leaving this place.

Ever since they had started dating, her joy knew no bounds. She felt like she was on cloud nine all the time. She started finding happiness in everything around her, something she thought was impossible before.

Dekha hazaron dafaa aapko, phir bekarari kaisi hai

I've seen you a thousand times, then why this restlessness.

Every new day with Ethan was like an exciting adventure that she wanted to participate in, and she didn't know what to expect.

Sambhale sambhal ta nahi yeh dil, kuch pyaar me baat aisi hai

I'm not able to control my heart, there's something special about our love.

She knew they would be together, always and forever, ready to face whatever life would throw their way.

Aru was pulled out of her thoughts by her phone vibrating and ringing frantically, which was quite noticeable in the quiet area.

"Beta, where are you? Nikhil and Radhika have started making their rounds to meet everyone."

"Aai, I'm with Ethan."

 "Come and join us quickly before they notice your absence."

"Ho, aai."

Ethan slipped out of the dark into the light after bidding goodbye to Arundhati but she felt like she had plunged into darkness. She couldn't even get a few minutes with her beloved without someone troubling them.

Meanwhile, the married couple joined Ethan to have a chat.

"Hey, Ethan, my friend! How are you? I hope you enjoyed all the events today."

"Yes, I enjoyed it to my heart's content, Nikhil. It was fun learning about new traditions that you follow."

"That's great. I bet Arundhati had already taught them to you."

"What.. what are you talking about?"

"We know you are with Aru. We saw you dancing with her just a few moments ago", Radhika said monotonously.

"How...how did you know it was us?"

At this, both Nikhil and Radhika burst into a fit of laughter.

"Look at his scared face, Radhika. Relax, my dear friend. We figured it out from the looks you have been giving each other all week. And the fact that whenever she had her phone out, your phone would start pinging. Also, you came up to take your photograph with Aru's family. It didn't take me long to figure that you are more than colleagues."

"As for the dance, doctor, I saw you go to a random spot and then Aru joined you exactly 2 minutes later. I think it's pretty obvious, right?" remarked Radhika.

"Yeah, you are right. We tried to be secretive the entire week, but you can't hide from everyone."

"Yeah, you definitely can't hide it from everyone. Well, I hope you are happy and content with Aru, and so is she. She's like a sister to us, and so we want what's best for her, Ethan", said Nikhil.

"I understand. You don't need to worry about Aru. I promise I'll take good care of her."

"Now, we are going to meet Aru to tell her the same thing."

"Let me know how she reacts, please. I can already imagine how much fun you both had. Also, do make sure to ask her in front of her family. They know about us, so you will have triple the fun."

"Sounds good. Talk to you later, Ethan!" saying so, the newly married couple made their way to Aru's family.

"Hi, everyone. Tumhi sagle kashe aahat?"

"Aamhi ekdum majet, enjoying all of your events", Sahil replied.

"Mmhm. I'm sure Ethan must have enjoyed it as well right, Aru?"

"I...I don't know what you are talking about," stammered Aru. 

Meanwhile, the Kulkarni family looked as if they had seen a ghost. 

"Tumhala kasa kalala?"

"Ethan ne sagitla aamhala."

"Nahi..you both must have scared him in the same way. Radhika, mi tula barya peki olakhte."

"Ho...."

"You are absolutely correct, Aru. These pulled the same thing on me."

"Ethan!" Aru exclaimed as she walked towards him.

"Beta, don't scream so loudly..."

"Sorry, aai! I just got excited."

"How did you get this excited even though you met almost...", Radhika said as she checked the time, "ten minutes ago?"

"Radhe, jau de tyana. Almost every couple is like that in their honeymoon phase."

"Aru, why didn't you tell me about Ethan?"

"As if you told me about you and Nikhil? At first, I thought you were set up by your parents."

"No, that's not how it was. It was quite a difficult task to convince our parents about each other. If I tell everyone here that we were together for five years before getting hitched, they'll go crazy, start gossiping and bashing us."

"Yeah, I know. We didn't reveal our relationship for the same reason", replied Aru.

"Well, I hope we hear your wedding bells next", Nikhil mentioned to Aru and Ethan.

"Well...," Aru said as she blushed.

"Ho, aata tujhya lagnachi tayari karayla pahije, didi."

"Sahil! Kay ugach kahi boltos. Amchya lagnala ajun khup vel aahe."

"Ho, ho. Apan baghu."

"Aata ghari jauya, kiddo. Parva flight aahe amchya doghancha."

"Aru.. were you dodging questions on our wedding?" asked Ethan.

"Yeah. You figured it out pretty quickly. But they were joking around."

"Don't sweat it, love. I know that was nothing serious and in good fun. As for our impending wedding, we can discuss that later. For now, I want to spend all my time with you. I've missed you dearly this last week. We are going out on a date tomorrow, so start preparing."

"Ethan, I have missed you a lot and don't want to leave your side until we get to work. I love you, honey."

"I love you too, Arundhati", he said as they walked towards her dad's rented car.

[liaromancewriter]

Favorite Ex

Premise: Ethan runs into an old flame, and it brings some much-needed closure for both of them.

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Angst. Words: 1,570

A/N: Submission for @choicesmonthlychallengenov2024 prompt day 26: "regret" and @choicesprompts Angstgiving prompt "what could have been"

Ethan Ramsey needed a drink.

The annual National Medical Symposium in Miami, with its focus on cutting-edge medical advancements, had been interesting enough. Still, the obsequious flattery that went hand in hand with his increasingly rare visits to medical conferences got on his nerves. He couldn’t care less about what others wanted from him, but after all these years, he knew how to play the game.

Naveen would joke that with age, he’d gained maturity and wisdom. His wife would just snort and proceed to tease him about getting soft until he took her to bed just to prove her wrong.

She pushed him out of his comfort zone. And for her, he was willing to embrace the unknown.

A few years ago, he hadn’t been so… flexible. He reflected absently, walking into the busy hotel bar and scanning the room for an empty seat.

Or as willing to admit that he needed someone to come home to. Someone who understood him and filled the empty holes in his heart. He couldn’t deny it anymore, not even to himself.

Seeing a patron settle his tab and leave, he rushed to grab the padded bar stool. His shoulders dropped at the thought of sipping smooth whiskey while decompressing by exchanging sexy texts with his wife.

Should’ve insisted she accompany me, Ethan thought wearily, raking one hand through his hair.

He placed his phone on the bar, smiling as he often did at the sight of their wedding picture on the screen. He traced one finger down her laughing face, the photo a reminder of the moment she'd insisted he smile—really smile—for once.

He wondered when he’d become such a sap. Maybe she was right, and he was getting soft in his forties.

“What’ll be, sir?” The bartender asked hurriedly.

“Whiskey, neat.”

Ethan froze at the familiar voice behind him. He hadn’t heard it in years, but he’d know it in a dark room with his eyes closed.

Surprise had him swiveling on the stool to face her. Sparkling green eyes met shocked blue ones.

The years fell away as if no time had passed since that fateful night at Donahue’s when she’d correctly guessed his drink order on her first day as an intern at Boston’s Edenbrook Hospital.

“And don’t be stingy,” Dr. Cassie Valentine said, a smile tugging at her lips. “Judging by the look of him, it’s been a three-finger kind of day.”

“Hello, Dr. Ramsey.”

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat, refusing to come. He inclined his head in greeting instead, a poor acknowledgment of the woman who’d been the first to breach through his walls.

The one who’d made him break all his rules and not give a damn about the consequences.

His mind flooded with memories. The quiet intimacy of watching the snow fall outside as they cuddled after making love. The warmth of holding hands on their way to Derry’s for coffee and a stolen moment of peace. The thrill of sneaking glances across the diagnostic team’s office despite their resolve to keep things strictly professional at work.

If it hadn’t been for his temporary but all-consuming love affair with Cassie, would he have even given Joanna a chance?

Ethan hoped the answer was yes. He loved his wife, and it would be an incredible disservice to what they meant to each other for him to believe otherwise.

“Still a man of few words, I see,” Cassie teased as she slid into the empty seat beside him, resting her chin lightly on her hand.

“You know me well,” he said gruffly, swallowing the lump that had lodged in his throat.

“I thought I did,” Cassie cooly inclined her head, but the laughter in her eyes betrayed her. “I still can’t believe you’re here. Remember when we attended this conference when I was an intern?” She giggled. “You hated every minute of it and weren’t exactly shy about saying so.”

Ethan hunched his shoulders. “I wasn’t that bad.”

He had a very different memory of that time. It had nothing to do with the symposium and everything to do with a moonlit balcony and his morals drowning in the heady scent of her perfume.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, you were!”

The bartender returned with his drink, setting the lone glass in front of Ethan. The man looked questioningly at Cassie, but she shook her head.

“Not in the mood?” Ethan asked as he lifted his glass.

“Can’t,” she said, placing one hand on her belly.

Ethan stilled, a mix of complicated emotions he didn’t dare examine too closely surging through him.

Whenever he thought of Cassie, which wasn’t as often now as it had been in those early years, he still saw the resident who worked side by side with him during the day and slept in his bed at night.

The one he’d fallen in love with but could never confess the words to because there was a timer on their relationship. When her residency ended, she’d move on, ready to conquer the medical world with her amazing diagnostics instincts. And he’d be left behind. Again.

So, he’d held back and let the words fade into the ether.

It had been for the best, Ethan reasoned. Her eventual departure hadn’t lessened the hurt, but it had been cleaner.

He hadn’t been looking for love again, but one day, he bumped into a red-haired chef at the farmer’s market, and his life tilted on its axis. Literally, in this case, since he found himself falling to the ground and grabbing her on his way down.

So, he burned his dreams of what couldn’t be and allowed himself to believe in a new and permanent love.

In the last few years, he’d heard of Cassie’s accomplishments; her groundbreaking research, the accolades that followed. The diagnostic medical community was small, after all. He’d felt pride at seeing her star rise, convincing himself that was all it was. Just pride. Nothing more.

Until now.

“Congratulations,” he said softly, the word heavier than it should have been.

He forced a smile, willing himself to ignore the ache that stirred, a reminder of what could never be. He had made peace with it. Or so he thought. Yet here she was, and peace felt like a lie.

“Thanks,” Cassie said with a wistful smile. “I’m still in my first trimester, so we’re keeping it on the DL.”

She tilted her head, her gaze dropping briefly to the wedding ring on his left hand. “You’re married?”

“Yes. Two years next month.”

A silence fell between them—heavy, unfamiliar, and uncomfortably awkward. The rowdy laughter of a group of physicians erupted nearby, breaking through the tension like an unwelcome intrusion.

Cassie glanced toward the noise, her lips twitching into a faint, distracted smile before her gaze returned to him.

Ethan fought to keep his gaze steady, trying and failing to ignore the curve of her lips or the way her stylish blonde hair framed her timeless features. He remembered its softness against his skin as she nestled against him before drifting off to sleep, their hands still touching when they woke the next morning.

Joanna wasn’t into cuddling. She was often too tired after a long night at the restaurant and preferred sleeping on her side, her back to him.

Until this moment, Ethan had forgotten he enjoyed the intimacy of a lover wrapped around him. Cassie had once called him a world-class snuggler, and he’d cherished the title as if he’d won a Nobel Prize.

They had been happy. So, why couldn’t they make it work?

“Are you happy?” she asked eerily, picking up on his ambivalence.

He wanted to say yes. He was happy. Hadn’t he been reflecting on just how much a mere ten minutes ago? So, why was he hesitating?

Shame spiraled through him. He adored Joanna, and he loved their life together.

And yet, a part of him still wondered about the road not taken. Maybe it was time he stopped.

He drew in a long breath. “What happened to us?”

Cassie slid him a guarded look. Her fingers curled and uncurled in her lap.

Ethan didn’t think she’d respond and opened his mouth to take the words back.

“You never asked me to stay.”

He sat back, poleaxed.

“We went from gold rush to cold touch,” Cassie said, sadness clouding her features. “As my residency was ending, I could feel you slowly pulling away from me. And still, I waited for any word from you, something to give me hope that we had a future together.”

Ethan could hardly move, let alone speak at the confession.

“You were my best nights and my worst. I cried myself for weeks after, and then I let us go.”

Cassie slid off the stool and smoothed down her dress. “I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve wanted to say these words to you for the longest time but never had the courage.”

Her eyes softened as she took a step back. “You will always be my favorite ex. Goodbye, Ethan.”

And then she was gone, her scent lingering until that, too, was an ephemeral memory.

“And you will always be mine,” he uttered silently, reaching for the phone and the one he had chosen to be his forevermore.

He and Cassie were finally where they belonged. In the past.

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

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @jerzwriter @justyourusualash

@lady-calypso @kyra75 @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect

@queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @snoopdogcone @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

@thosehallowedhalls

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @youlookappropriate

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Oh this was so much fun to read! What a brilliant idea!! I swear your writing is so original - I'm still in awe with the invented bands from a little while back 🤩

What she wanted was enough food to hibernate on. She wanted to ride so many rollercoasters that her head still spun when she went to bed. She wanted her hands so burdened with the weight of stuffed prizes that she got kicked out. Again. 

Yes please! I am seriously craving a visit to an amusement park. I love Rin's absolute enjoyment!!

Her legs hurt from the wait. The stop had only one, stone bench. It was uncomfortable to sit on, uncomfortable to lay on, and uncomfortable to look at. There wasn’t even a covering in case of rain or snow. Rin hated it.  

Seriously I sympathize with bus stop benches. They are horrible. And in winter (where I live) they become so freezing its painful. Your butt freezes to them and you're stuck and uncomfortable. And cold. So very cold.

The visual with the dahlias - i adored this! And Rin' mounting excitement, oh you could just feel it in the writing!! Thanks for sharing!!

Starting Route

Title: Starting Route MC: Rin Book: The Freshman (The Sophomore) Word Count: 1409 Summary: Rin goes to her favorite amusement park. That's it. Really. Look, don't read too deep. (actually please do I would love that) taglist: @choicesmonthlychallenge image: pulled off a stock photo site ✔

There were many pros of waking up earlier than her roommate. One of them was the lack of stares as she placed her packer and put her binder on. The other was the quiet silence that didn’t remind her that an all black ensemble would be dangerous once the sun peaked. 

Eh. At least she was bringing a water bottle. 

It was also black. 

But she’d wisely left the steel-tipped boots on the shoe rack. She didn’t adore the possibility of getting stopped at security for who knows long and asked to change them anyway. In addition to the fact that walking around with steel on her feet during a sunny day seemed less and less like an appealing decision Rin wanted to make. 

Comfort, confidence, and style was the goal of her dressing up. Today Rin needed to look her best, feel her best, and do her best. Minor inconveniences like hot toes or security couldn’t slow her down. Not today. Rin wouldn’t let them. 

What she wanted was enough food to hibernate on. She wanted to ride so many rollercoasters that her head still spun when she went to bed. She wanted her hands so burdened with the weight of stuffed prizes that she got kicked out. Again. 

None of that would come true if Rin didn’t meet her clothing goals. Comfort to keep her happy as she bulleted through ride after ride; Confidence to ignore the judging eyes inspecting her; and Style to pull admiring eyes towards her.  

Quickly tugging on a deep black over her longsleeved fishnets, Rin stood back to admire her work. Black shirt over white fishnets with just the smallest hints of her binder peeking past, even her packer was secured in place looking natural in the dark-gray patterned combat pants. Stuffing her wallet into one of her many pant pockets, Rin was ready to go. 

All of which was done without questions bugging her about where she was going, why she was dressed so dark, why she wore a packer, why she wore a binder. All those whys wouldn’t weigh her down today. A simple blessing in return for waking at a horrid hour. 

Rin would do anything to keep today in the right after all. 

Head east on Valedictorian Drive towards Graduate Avenue. 

Usually, she was intensely aware of the stares she drew as she strode down the street. They were impossible not to notice. Clinging to her steps, coating her with layers of punishment for simply daring to exist. She was used to quiet whispers following her silence. People always talked when given any reason and simply being in public as herself was enough reason for some. With skill, she’d readily ignored all these things. 

But on amusement park days, the stares were barely a tingle on her skin as she flounced down the street, excitement pumping each step. The whispers died long before they reached her brain drowned the pure, undiluted, energetic buzz that’d replaced her thoughts.  

Amusement park days were special. They were heaven sent. They were solaces. They were salvation to this stone angel. Amusement park days were for Rin and Rin alone. To revel in mischief or drown in toe-curling adrenaline or stuff herself silly with foods sweeter than ambrosia. 

They existed outside the bounds of time. A day spent at an amusement park wwas a day never spent. In an amusement park, reality bent as Rin wanted it to. This stone angel could feel heaven at the height of a rollercoaster. Right before rushing straight to hell. 

In the simplest words: Amusement park days were holy days. 

That heavenly paradise was the one place Rin was allowed to indulge herself. The one place she had complete and total control of what she did, when she did it, and why she did things. The rush of adrenaline and the lure of food was secondary to the pump of power each ride bestowed her.

Wait at stop #26008 

Her legs hurt from the wait. The stop had only one, stone bench. It was uncomfortable to sit on, uncomfortable to lay on, and uncomfortable to look at. There wasn’t even a covering in case of rain or snow. Rin hated it.  

Today, she down right despised it. Pacing hadn’t passed enough time. There weren’t any interesting posters to read. The only sensation was the foggy warmth of early morning against her skin. 

The sun had already risen, but elements of the sunrise still lingered. Clouds lazily drifted overhead, trailing behind each other in a sad game of chase. Pink streaks lazily decorated the morning scene and the few trees around seemed silhouette-like in this enchanting fog. 

Rin stood still. Admiring the warm air in her lungs, the clammy feel against her skin, the blood thrumming in her veins. For a moment she could picture the scene. The soft colors and harsh strokes a nimble painter’s fingers would use. The soft words an author would have her say. 

For a moment, Rin was beside herself, staring at an artwork made for another’s eyes. 

HONK 

The moment broke as Line 63 opened its doors in front of her. 

Board Red Route Line 63. 

Cold air drifted across her exposed skin. The bus was relatively empty. The few people riding had the immense displeasure of having early morning jobs. Soft snores drifted through the bus, coating the air with a sleepy patience. 

And yet, Rin’s leg defied the atmosphere of the bus. It bounced with unbridled impatience. Her fingers tapped on her thigh, each tap-tap-tap delivering another shot of energy into her system. Her eyes darted from person to person eager to find some distraction. There wasn’t much to be seen. Not here, not now. Not at all 

Every so often, she mouthed the familiar words as the bus announced each stop. 

Each stop was further away than the last. Each stop she passed made her leg bounce faster and her fingers tap harder. 

Quickly, familiar colors caught her eye. Just outside the window, dahlias began to emerge from the fields. Flower by flower, their colors slowly painted the landscape. This, by far, the hardest part of the trip: knowing she was so so close and yet still infinitely far. 

Once she spotted the first beautifully whirling dahlia, more were soon spotted. And this amusement park, in particular, was drowned with them. 

For as close as she was, she was still many minutes away. With her eyes trained on the field, her fingers returned to tapping. Her leg kept bouncing, and her mouth kept wording the passing stops. 

One by one, familiar landmarks whizzed past her. The bus’s crowd thinned. Nobody rode this far out. Nobody for Rin. And only for this amusement park. 

After about 106 minutes (26 stops) disembark on Warf Way @ Forest Road. 

The air was damp with the smell of dahlias. Yellows, reds, oranges, and even blacks dotted the fields as far as Rin could see. Disboarding the bus, Rin stood still letting the overwhelming presence wash over her. It was familiar, it was peaceful. 

Just as familiar was the wide, worn path straight down the middle of the field cutting flower from flower and stopping straight at those gates. 

They were old gates. They creaked and groaned at the slightest windy touch and the once-shiny red paint had peeled off revealing the black material underneath. Yet, just beyond those gates was exactly what she’d been looking for. 

Like a sailor, she sped towards her siren call briefly pausing to admire the grand, large words that read: Harlod Hen’s Amusement Park. 

The cashier barely looked up at her, “Back already?” 

Despite herself, Rin had to grin. There was no need to dodge. He’d already seen her laugh and shriek and scream on every ride here. Twice. 

Digging into her wallet she brandished her season pass, “Of fucking course. Gimme a full all-day access band.” 

He was already reaching for the tell-tale red and purple band even as he recited the price, though they both knew Rin already knew it by heart. She couldn’t help the grin that split her mouth apart as she secured the band on her wrist. 

This day would be good. Because amusement park days were good. Because Rin had done everything in her power to make it good. Because it was always good. Because Rin was good. Because Rin deserved this slice of fun and more. 

You have arrived at your destination.