#queen charlotte watch party at my friend's place

[rosehearrt]

he's laughing at me bc i let threads build up and now i gotta WRITE REPLIES FHDRGJYUEJF it's gonna b a busy weekend,,, hopefully i will have the time, BUT IT'LL HAPPEN I PROMISE

[more-than-a-princess]

@cantillat asked: ❝ Your cooking is surprisingly adequate. I haven't eaten something so good in quite a while. ❞ Van Helsing had to admit. Despite her perchance to get on his nerves at times, Sonia wasn't disagreeable like Impey and her cooking was indeed enjoyable so credit where it was due.

Unprompted IC asks - Accepting from mutuals!

Sitting on one side of the table in the Servants Hall, Sonia stared at Mr. Van Helsing, flabbergasted. Her expression matched her current appearance: an apron and matching cap had been arranged over her pale blue day dress and elegant, braided updo. Now, specks of sauce, flour, and who knew what else adorned both the apron and cap, as well as the sleeves of her dress and her face. Across her, her bodyguard and the closest thing she had to a friend in London (who wasn't in her direct employ), regarded her in-between bites of the dinner she'd prepared and...complimented her efforts.

It hadn't been a situation she'd expected, that any of them had expected really. The Marquis Renfield and his sister had been called away to the country for an important series of meetings at their estate up north, but did not wish to bore their royal guest with the lack of entertainment. Thus, they'd insisted she stay in their London townhouse with Delly and Van for company. Sonia, however, had looked at it simply as an opportunity: to not be chaperoned from dinner to party to ball every evening, and to give the kitchen staff the night off in an attempt to cook her own meal for once. And for Mr. Van Helsing, who had some level of interest show through his usual look of displeasure. Still, she'd enlisted her lady's maid's help in acquiring the necessary ingredients from the market, and using an old and battered cookery book, she'd gotten to work on what was supposed to be a beef and mutton soup popular with Queen Victoria herself and a pigeon pie.

Neither, to her dismay, had turned out edible in the least: the beef had somehow become too tough, the lamb not cooked enough, and the vegetables still crunchy in her lumpy excuse for soup. And the pie consisted of dough that simply wouldn't stick together, with solid lumps of unmixed flour and greasy melted butter, to cover the wine-soaked pigeon meat, the meat itself still raw in places (though to her credit, she'd been smart enough to ask for the bones removed before purchasing the poultry). A single spoonful of each dish had been enough for Sonia's eyes to widen, her face going pale with nausea at the unappetizing, if not illness-inducing, taste as she pushed her own bowl and plate closer to the center of the table. "I apologize for this, maybe there's still some leftover sandwiches from lunch somewhere," She'd suggested, referring to the picnic lunch the Marquis's cook had arranged for her the day prior, when she'd suggested a picnic in the park to be an excellent idea and had given both the vampire king and his guard little choice but to accompany her. It at least would make for a better meal than the last of the bottle of wine she'd used for cooking, paired with as many shortbread biscuits as she could stomach from the glass jar in her bedroom.

Except, he didn't seem to want sandwiches. He wasn't revolted by the muck that barely passed for food: instead, Sonia watched, mouth agape in the most unladylike fashion...as Abraham van Helsing ate his fill of both dishes. "Th-thank you?" She stammered, cheeks turning from a sickly green to flushed red, unsure of what the polite protocol was. She knew it was awful and he wasn't the type to spare her feelings no matter the situation, thus Sonia could only assume his words were sincere. "My stomach doesn't seem to agree with it, however...the heavy English cooking. I'm afraid if I attempt to eat another bite, I may be violently ill. Therefore, perhaps you might enjoy my portion while I check on the Apple Charlotte for dessert?"

The apple charlotte that had been prepared with slightly stale bread, apples that had been mashed with cores, skin and all, and had utilized salt instead of sugar, but apple charlotte nevertheless. She'd needed to make the cream sauce to drizzle atop it, and thus hadn't bothered putting the milk back in the icebox for the past two hours for that purpose.

[talesfromawannabejournalist]

@things-arent-what-they-seem66

Dear Lilith,

Some time has passed since your departure. Things have changed around here, for one thing Dad has found himself a new queen believe it or not, and if you could actually believe it, the new queen and my new step mother happens to be the former head exorcist as well as your former husband. What’s even more shocking is that he is ten times the leader than you could ever dream of being. He treats all his subjects the same, including the Hellborn, especially the lower class such as imps and Hell hounds. He also doesn’t command the sinners do his bidding nor rule them up for his own benefit. That’s right I found out about what happened. Not only that but what truly happened in Eden, you truly are sick in the head aren’t you my dear old “mother”. For so long I spent hating someone I thought was a monster but was in reality a victim of your lies and actions. To think once I held you in such a high regard. But the good news is that we are rectifying what has happened and rewriting the book of Hell. That also means making Hell into a better place for not only our family but the sinners as well. Business at my hotel is booming with people who genuinely wish to do better, even if some don’t want to ascend their are some who want to make up for what they’ve done in their lives. And Adam has been there helping me along with my girlfriend and dad the whole step of the way. Of course you don’t care about that do you? Just like you’ve never gave two shits about me! As long as I ascended the throne one day you would’ve been satisfied. Well in that case then, over this past year I have seen him for who he truly is and he has been more loving to me than you ever were. He has helped me and comforted me when I needed it. You never did ONCE in my childhood. To think there was a time I wanted you back as my mother again. Now, I don’t even want you to look at me again let alone acknowledge you as my mother. What I’m trying to say is simple, I hate you and never wish to speak nor see you again

Sincerely,

Charlotte Morningstar

Charlie sighed she looked at the letter, once again. Though Dr. Levi suggested burning it she simply couldn’t get rid of it. She didn’t know why, she just…couldn’t. A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts and she looked to see Adam standing there with a smile

Adam: Vaggie said you’d be up here, it’s almost time to cut the cake so hurry your behind up.

Charlie rolls her eyes and grabs what she came up for

Charlie: I’m coming mom I just needed to get Mal’s gift

She made her way over to her mother who gently put an arm around her shoulders as they walked away.

Charlie: is it weird to think that Mal is already a year old?

Adam: yeah, we’ve been so busy with well EVERYTHING I guess the year just slipped by.

They made their way downstairs where the birthday boy in question was sitting in his high chair with a party hat on with all of their closest family and friends here to celebrate. The moment the little boy saw his big sister and mama he squealed

Mal: Mama! Cha Cha!

The two giggled and went over with Charlie placing a kiss on her brother’s forehead. Charlie: Happy Birthday Mallum, I love you

Mal reciprocated by grabbing a hold of her face and placing a sloppy kiss right back. Right then Lucifer came out with a huge chocolate birthday cake with one large candle to which was lit up. As the lights dimmed Charlie went to her girlfriend’s side and held her close as they all sang happy birthday to her brother. Once Mal managed to blow out his candle everyone got a slice. Charlie watched in endearment and amusement as her brother shoveled cake down his throat and managed to have it all over his face. To which her father and mother gave him both a kiss on the cheek. She sighed whistfully and thought to herself

“I love my family”

The end 💗

Green Eyed Monster

@things-arent-what-they-seem66

@beef-brisket

(this is the au that I was taking about in an ask with things a couple weeks ago)

Charlie was sitting anxiously as screams filled her ears as she waited with her family for her baby sibling to finally be born. Her knee kept bouncing up and down as she would occasionally glance down the hallway to the room where her father and Adam were being held. His screaming filled the entire hospital, no scratch that his screams probably echoed all across the sloth ring where they were. When she said her family, she meant the family that could cross rings. All her aunts and uncles, the sins, were here and of course Vaggie was by her side as she rarely leaves it.

They were all excited over the new heir of Hell finally making an entrance. Her Aunt Bee and Uncle Ozzie were currently trying to make small talk over the screaming along with other random noises in a busy hospital. her uncles Leviathan, Mammon, and Satan were playing cards. Her Aunt Bel was with her medical team in Adam's room doing her best to deliver the baby safely. Obviously, the sin of pride was right by Adam's side comforting and holding his hand as his new child was being brought into their world.

New child

Charlie slightly grimaced at the thought.

Charlie internally: more like sudden child, their announcement literally came right after the honeymoon

Suddenly the screams came to a stop. Her whole family, including herself, went completely silent. After a few moments the screams of an infant were replaced and cheers erupted from the sins. Charlie only winced at the screaming coming from her aunt and uncles, as well as that baby.

Charlie internally: That thing sure does have a pair of lungs

Aunt Bel came out to the lobby, her scrubs having some blood on them. Her dad was not far behind, wearing similar scrubs to his sister. He had a ginormous smile on his face which had grown bigger when his eyes landed on his now eldest.

Lucifer: Char Char! You want to meet your new little brother?

Lucifer took Charlie and they headed into the delivery room where Adam laid on the bed looking absolutely exhausted with sweat pouring down his head. Yet he still had the sweetest and gentlest of smiles on his face as he stared down at the creature in his arms. Her father pushed her forward slightly and she was standing by Adam. Adam slightly looked up to her and spoke in a raspy voice, throat no doubt

Adam: Hey Girly there’s someone your father and I want you to meet

He lowered the blanket where a stark white face that was slightly scrunching up. The newborns eyes were closed

Adam: Charlie this is Mallum your new baby brother

Lucifer: well little lady, what do you think of this little man?

Charlie took a good hard thought about it as she stared down at Mallum and all she could feel was deep resentment

[sumsebien]

by design pt. 3// Prince Friedrich

series masterlist

summary: friedrich and y/n’s arrival in prussia! ft. frederica ;))

word count: 4.7k

warnings: none

a/n: apologies for the long wait darlings. here she is though. and she is a long one. also a side note for those who love symbolism as much as i do 💐 ;) also, my banabaer @milkbaer this one is for u baby. thank you for all of your help!!!

a german lesson: Gänschen means goose🦆 (that’s a duck but we can pretend) and schloss means palace/chateau/mansion

The massive railway station stood proudly as the gateway to Potsdam, located right where the forest met the city. Three archways made of worn bricks welcomed old friends and strangers alike. There was something in the slightly tinted mossy green that offered you an odd sense of home. Like you had been here before.

Friedrich stood next to you near the exit. You had had breakfast together, then got ready separately before meeting each other again here.

“I had a lot of memories with this train station,” Friedrich said as the train finally passed the great archway.

You didn’t realize that you had been holding your breath the entire time, waiting for the wheels to come to full stop. You had been storing information from Lea and Ilse about Friedrich’s mother all morning. Anything that might help you strike up a decent conversation with her from her favorite flowers (gardenias) to her pets (a schnauzer named Fifi). Since then, you had been a little preoccupied by your own imaginations of her as a mother.

From the way Friedrich talked about her, your first guess was that they were extremely like-minded. Aside from that, there was the fact that she was a Queen to consider. She obviously must be extremely elegant and poised. Even her dog sounded posh-Fifi the Schnauzer...

You were still listening to Friedrich though, just not closely. “Really?” you asked, your eyes following the platform numbers as they passed by.

He nodded proudly. “I ran here from the Palace and caught the train to Berlin for a boxing match.”

You laughed, now entirely engaged in imagining little Friedrich fleeing from his guards. “And how old were you?”

“Thirteen. I skipped a dancing lesson.”

“Shame. You could have become a ballerina and outdone my stunts at your Christmas party.”

“Who’s to say that I did not? There are still many shocking things that you don’t know.” His plan to distract you from your own nerves had worked wonderfully well. You two continued to discuss his boxing match up until you were escorted out of the station.

There, you were greeted by a great spectacle of carriages and a horse parade. Everywhere you looked there were men in uniforms. They were on horses, in open top carriages, on the streets, all waiting for you and Friedrich.

Back in London, your family frequently had two to three carriages to accompany you to social functions. It was already considered excessive for the ton. You would have laughed at the idea of this. Or to be honest, wouldn’t have even been able to imagine having an entire parade to accompany you a couple of blocks down the street.

And of course, you could not forget the icing on the cake-the largest carriage you had ever seen. The one you saw in France could not compare and certainly not the one in England. This one was completely enveloped in gold from top to toe-or rather from roof to wheels. On the top of the roof, there were golden cherubs holding up an olive branch and flowers.

It was a harsh reminder that Friedrich, someone who you had grown to identify as your friend over the last several hours, was also the firstborn son of the King, heir apparent to the throne. And you were his wife. Whatever agreement you had made with each other in private was not valid in the public eye. Here, you were a Princess. The Princess.

As Friedrich watched you marvel in the magnificence of the royal parade, he turned to Heinrich with a last minute decision. Well last minute for his father and valet but not for him. Friedrich had wanted to visit his mother for ages.

“I’m heading to my mother’s. We’ll catch up with the staff afterwards and meet you at the Berlin Palace.”

All of this was not on the schedule his father had drawn out and Friedrich was well-aware. He had even cancelled the state train that Friedrich specifically ordered to Potsdam just to make sure he would not take you here first. But Friedrich was not one to lose.

At the same time, however, he knew that his valet was absolutely terrified of his father, as did most people. Soon enough, when his father found out that his son was not on the train to Berlin and was nowhere near the Royal Palace, he would definitely not be happy.

“But your Highness, we really must get going now or we won’t reach Berlin by noon.”

“If he asks, just blame it on me. I’ll be in and out in one hour.”

Heinrich didn’t say anything after that, just nodded. For that, Friedrich was thankful, he did not want to ruin this magical moment for you. It was not going to be this magical for long.

As Heinrich left with your staff, Friedrich turned back to you. “Y/N?”

“I-Is this for us?”

The look on your face made him laugh. Your jaws were grazing the floors, your eyes slowly sweeping across the scene then glanced at him and back to the carriages again.

“I believe it is,” he smiled, offering you his arm.

…

The entire ride back to the Palace was essentially just for you to fathom the welcome wagon.

You could barely string a sentence together, nodding along as Friedrich picked out places that he mentioned in his stories last night, especially enthusiastic about the candy shop he was never allowed to go in.

Potsdam was charming. You could certainly imagine a very fulfilling and peaceful existence here where it wasn't hectic like London but not entirely placid like the countryside.

Just when you thought you could not be more impressed, you arrived at Sanssouci Park.

When Ilse briefly mentioned it, you had expected a park. Like Hyde Park or Regent’s Park or the little garden behind your house that your parents insisted was a park. Whatever you had imagined, however, could not hold a candle to what it was in reality.

“Welcome to Sanssouci Park,” Friedrich said casually, casting a brief look out the windows while your eyes were completely glued to the towering gates opening up for your parade to pass through.

The name was not meant to refer to a park. It was definitely not a park. It was a bloody forest. As you entered the road lined with dense trees, the temperature dropped slightly with the shade, effectively cooling you both from the outside in.

“This is what you call a park? Whatever do you two think of Hyde Park then? A child’s sandbox?”

Before he could answer, your attention was quickly captured by a glimpse of something magnificent as the carriage passed a gap between the tree trunks. You pointed towards the dash of yellow you’d seen. “Is that where your mother lives?”

Friedrich followed your gaze and promptly nodded. “That’s Sanssouci Schloss. Here is the back of it.” Just on cue, the carriage rounded the corner and headed towards the back of the Palace.

Your jaws were officially off now as your eyes feasted on the very picture of splendor.

From personal observations, people usually spent a great deal of time and fortune on making the fronts of their homes as extravagant as possible. It was all in the face, as they said. But not here. Here, even the rear side was grand.

There was a huge water fountain in the middle of the yard, the blue sky printed on the surface. Naturally, your eyes followed straight ahead, past the window behind Friedrich’s head towards the most elaborate set of marble stairs you’d ever seen. On either side were tall walls of hedges and rose bushes that covered the hillside.

“Can we walk up those steps?”

Friedrich turned to look at the steps and then back at you again.

It was not a steep hill. More of a gentle slope but exactly because of that, the steps were long and the landings were wide. Anyone in breeches would find it challenging enough as it was. But you were in a gown, in the sweltering July heat and you were volunteering to walk. “You can. People usually go straight to the entrance though. Are you certain you’d want to walk? It is a long way.”

You nodded, brushing off his concerns. All you cared about was the sight.

Per your request, the carriage stopped right before the grand stairs to Sanssouci Palace. You and Friedrich got out of the carriage.

From where you stood, you had to crane your neck up slightly to be able to see the Palace up the top. The strip of yellow you’d seen from afar turned out to be much more intricate than you’d expected. Beautiful white windows lined the yellow walls, right in the center was an oval shaped room with a cyan dome on top, perfectly aligned with the stairs. Even though it only had one story, its width certainly made up for its height, stretching across the hill.

As you walked ahead, Friedrich decided to stall a little bit. Memories of endless summer days spent on these lawns came flooding back.

He had missed this.

The last time he was here was the summer before he left for England. It was actually here that his aunt Charlotte came to visit with an invitation to Cambridge-the day that changed his life.

And now he was here with you. Someone he had dreaded to marry a mere few days before. Now a dear friend to him.

Straight in front of him, you were marching up the steps with admirable determination, your hands holding onto your skirt, lifting it off the ground. With sun on your skin and wind in your hair, you laughed and told him to hurry up. For that split second, he wished he was not just your friend. Though he discarded that thought as quickly as it came, it stayed stuck in the back of his mind as he matched your pace.

“These are a lot of steps,” you remarked after the first flight of stairs was behind you. There were at least five more ahead. The excessively wide spaces between each step did not help with the general morale either.

“I did warn you,” he chuckled. “It was too exhausting a trip that Marie Antoinette rode a horse up these steps after her stroll in the garden.”

You paused for a moment.

Friedrich thought you were imagining the French queen trotting up the steps with her stallion. But as it turned out, he was wrong.

“Did he invite her over during one of the military clashes between Prussia and France?”

To say that Friedrich did not expect that was an understatement. You had told him you read but he never asked for the specifics on what exactly you were interested in. At that moment, he simply thought you’d be interested in a made-up tale to forget about the stairs. He did not think for a moment you’d be interested in foreign conflicts enough to know the feud between Prussia and France. He knew he certainly wasn’t as a student.

“You can’t fool me. I know,” you said, laughing at the shock on his face.

Pleasantly impressed, he remarked, “Full of surprises I see.”

“You’ll see that in this friendship,” you motioned between yourselves, “you’re not the only one who can shock.”

He gave you a nod, lowering his eyes and watched his steps before he murmured to himself. “Friendship, yes.” He reminded himself of how grateful he was to be your friend. And that maybe pining over you for the rest of his life was better than having you hate him.

If there was one thing for certain, it was that you two would not repeat his parents’ mistakes.

“Darling!”

The voice caused Friedrich’s eyes to snap upwards, slightly alarmed as they weren’t expected on this side of the Palace. Everyone was supposed to be at the front.

The first thing he saw was that you had stopped as well, only standing two steps above him. And then, on the top flight, he saw his mother, waving at him. She wasn’t supposed to greet them outside. At the same time though, he wouldn’t expect her to wait that long for anything anyways.

He waved back with a laugh. She hadn’t changed one bit since the last time he saw her nearly a year ago. A straw sunhat on top of her head, a basket of flower and gardening tools in her hand.

“I-is that-“

Friedrich nodded. “Yes, that’s her. That’s my Mama.”

The nervous jitters came back to you. You knew how much his mother meant to him. She was the true hero of his childhood and you were just excited to meet her. However, you also knew that in no way was this arrangement made by her. And no matter how friendly you were with Friedrich, as his mother, she would not easily trust you.

You quickly masked your nervousness with a gentle smile. It was the safest route after all. Better look like a smiley fool than a grumpy idiot. You thought.

The Queen began to walk down the steps briskly, meeting you halfway up the last flight of stairs. Immediately, she threw her arms around Friedrich, pulling him into a bear hug. “There you are, you Gänschen! You’ve kept your mother waiting long enough!” She said, messing up his hair and only letting go of him once he was shaking with laughter.

When he and your maids said she was very carefree in private, you did not expect her to be this carefree. A lady was not supposed to be out in the sun like this, no less a queen. She was also much more beautiful than you could ever imagine, with her honey blonde curls tumbling down her back in waves and her big blue eyes which were now on you.

“Apologies, Mama,” he stepped back, allowing you to take a step forward. “This is Y/N, my wife. And Y/N, this is my Mama.”

“It is such an honor to meet you, your Majesty,” you said, bending your knees into a curtsy, praying you wouldn’t stumble backwards and ruin the first impression.

You had an overwhelming want for her to like you. And you felt like this first meeting was of paramount importance in deciding that. If it did not go well, she would never see you as anything more than a girl her son was forced to marry. And that was terrifying even in the case where Friedrich remained a good friend.

You were not wrong. Frederica did not expect much from a match made by Louis, a man who clearly did not know his own son or even cared to try. Assuming he did know his son, it would not even be of any matter at all. The only thing he had ever cared about was grooming an heir. This arrangement, no doubt, served that.

But Frederica could not ignore the large smile on her son’s face as he ascended the steps with this young lady.

That? That was not by design.

Frederica shook her head and offered you her hand to help you stand up straight. “I prefer Frederica. At least when we are not in court.”

She gave you a cheeky wink and plucked a gardenia from her basket, tucking it by your ear. “Come on now! I am sure it has been a long trip for the both of you. Let us have some tea before you go.”

...

Frederica led the both of you into the Palace through the doors into the oval room. Inside it was just as spectacular as its exterior. Tall columns held up the painted dome where a chandelier was hung. The three arched windows looking out to the gardens were pushed open by three footmen, allowing sunlight and fresh air to gush into the space, lightening up the entire room.

“Please have a seat, dears,” Frederica said, gesturing to the rounded table in the middle of the room.

You were still too in awe to be able to settle down calmly in your seat but obeyed her anyways. Beside you, Friedrich was glancing around the room, like he was in search of something.

“Is Fifi not here?” he asked as a butler approached the table with a cake stand.

Just on cue, Fifi-his mother’s Schnauzer, shot through the doors. You nearly gasped out of sheer excitement when you saw the ball of salt and pepper fur fly into the room like an arrow. You had always shared a fondness for dogs. Yet you never had one. The only dogs you had were your father’s hunting hounds and he made sure you remained far away from them.

“Speak of the devil...” Friedrich turned to you, “this is Fifi, hated by most but very loved by my mother. Mostly because she smells like fish.”

He kept his eyes on the dog as she strolled around, heading in your direction and getting alarmingly close. “Fifi!” he said, shooing her off. The dog didn’t care, just kept on going forward.

“Oh, it’s quite alright! I love dogs,” you said, fighting the urge to pet Fifi who was quietly sniffing at the hem of your skirt.

Frederica was absolutely surprised when she saw her Schnauzer so quiet. Her dog was not friendly with strangers. By this time there should have been an accident.

The delayed accident happened right after that. Fifi bit down on your dress, tugging at it playfully.

More surprising, however, you didn’t seem scared of the feisty little old thing either. You just laughed.

“Fifi! Leave the poor girl alone!” Frederica said, tapping her shoes against the floor.

Friedrich quickly leaned forward and picked her up. Being lifted off the ground, she released your skirt and focused on wiggling out of Friedrich’s grasps instead. When she eventually succeeded, Fifi headed back to you, circling your feet, her tail wagging.

Friedrich clicked his tongue, about to bend over again to shoo Fifi off. Not that she would care. But the dog plopped down between your chair and his mother’s, out of Friedrich’s reach.

She looked up at you with big eyes, begging for a pet, which you were happy to provide. You reached down and scratched her ears. It was all rather brave, if he must admit.

“I know it is hard to believe but she seems fond of you,” Frederica mused, seeing Fifi transform into a whole other dog under your touch. She was not usually this sweet.

Friedrich scoffed. “The devil almost ripped her skirt off,” he gestured to the hem of your dress, and glared at Fifi.

“It’s fine, honestly. I think it was a compliment if anything,” you said with a smile.

He sighed. “Don’t defend the perpetrator! She has a terrible temperament. And you know it,” he turned to his mother.

“Fifi does. as much as I love her,” Frederica nodded. Fifi’s ears perked up at the mention of her name, blinking at her owner. “But you seem like a very experienced animal whisperer.”

“No, actually. I never had one.”

“Well, that’s a shame. You’re great with Fifi. And if you can handle her, you can handle any dog.”

“Any dog is better than Fifi,” Friedrich said under his breath. Nevertheless, he was glad to see the two of you bond. Even if it was over Fifi the Ferocious.

On the bright side, at least she wasn’t coming back with them to Berlin. It was the only thing Friedrich and his father had ever had in common-a dislike for the Schnauzer.

...

Heinrich was being escorted into the Palace towards the audience room. A place he would much prefer not to go to on his own. He had arrived for over an hour and still you two were nowhere to be found and it was only for so long he could hide the train of carriages. Eventually, one of the butlers alerted the King of his presence and he was immediately requested inside.

Heinrich had suspected that you would arrive slightly late. He just didn’t think it could be this late. He had no idea what he was supposed to say. One misstep and off with his head.

When the doors to the room were swung open, the King was throwing a fit. His deafening yell rang across the room and bounced against the tall walls. It certainly did not help with the nerves.

“WHERE IS MY HORSE?” he demanded, rising up from the throne. From where he stood, he towered over the poor footman. “I am late for hunting!”

“Your Majesty, you cancelled today’s hunt.”

“And why on earth would I do that?”

Heinrich kept quiet, remaining invisible as he approached the throne behind the butler. He was not about to be caught in the middle of a crossfire during one of the King’s fits.

The footman blinked. Heinrich could see the man debating whether or not to answer, lest it was a rhetorical question.

“B-because the Prince is back from England, sir?”

“Oh,” the King said. His voice quieter than before and sat back down again. The crease between his Majesty’s eyebrows disappeared, his expressions softening slightly. Then he turned to the footman with a quizzical look. “And where is the Prince?”

The footman turned around and met Heinrich’s eyes. And then the King followed his gaze. So much for not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

“I-“ Heinrich began, his mind drawing a blank.

If he were to tell the truth, Friedrich and you would no doubt be in trouble. However, if he didn’t tell the truth, he’d be in trouble and so would you two. And if he just said he didn’t know, he’d be on the first ship to an island far far away.

“Well?” The King barked.

“I’ll go get them, your Majesty!”

“Don’t just stand there. Hurry along then! Before I chop all of your heads off.”

Heinrich had never walked so fast out of a room his entire life. His heart was pounding as it began to dawn on him that he had just lied to the King. Well, it was not exactly a lie. He was going to get them. They just weren’t here yet. Unfortunately, none of that mattered. There was no reasoning with such a powerful man. All he could do was hope that he would still be alive to see another day.

Just when all of his luck appeared to have run out, he heard the distinct sound of hooves against cobble and rushed outside.

Friedrich helped you out of the carriage, still engaged in the never-ending tales of Fifi the Ferocious. You were laughing when you caught sight of the magnificent Royal Palace-Berliner Schloss. It was much boxier than Sanssouci Schloss with towering walls that casted a great shadow over the front lawn.

Household staff lined the steps on either side, straightening up as Heinrich dashed past them. Some had their heads turned, the younger ones especially, their curious eyes on you, trying to catch a glimpse of the new Princess. The more seasoned staff near the top stayed perfectly still, resisting the urge to look anywhere other than straight ahead.

“Your Highnesses!” He said, bowing so quickly you were worried his head might snap off. “Your presences are requested. Immediately!”

...

Through the doors you could faintly hear your titles being announced. Your palms were clammy so you hid it behind you, focusing on what you might say in a couple of moments.

Friedrich was not nervous, of course.

He was the one who planned the detour in the first place. And while you had enjoyed the time with Frederica very much, perhaps a little too much, it had delayed your schedule by well over a couple of hours. It meant that you made the King of Prussia, your father-in-law wait.

The only person more nervous than you was probably Heinrich. Every time you caught a glimpse of his face, he seemed more haggard than the last. You were not certain whether he was really sick or just worried.

"My father will say things. Things that are aimed to test you. Do not mind any of it," Friedrich said quietly.

"Something tells me I should take that as a suggestion. One look at Heinrich and I know what I am in for."

Friedrich sneaked a glance at his valet and gave you a small smile. "Heinrich has always been that way. Worries a little too much."

"Maybe that is for good reason-"

The trumpets sounded, prompting you to straighten up, smooth your dress and put on a smile. In the corner of your eyes, you could see Friedrich cracking up. Had it not been for the fact that you were being presented right then, you would have given him a slipper to the chest. He was still smiling up until you had to walk through the doors.

Then, his demeanor shifted completely. You did not dare to make eye contact with the King. All you saw was brief glimpses of a man, wearing a red cloak on the throne. But Friedrich, he was looking straight down the room, challenging his father.

From the stories he had told you, you knew that Friedrich had a rough relationship with his father. Once he got a chance to break away, he vowed he would allow his father to have full control of his life again. And from the suffocating tension in the air, you knew his father would not make it easy.

“The Prince and Princess of Prussia, your Majesty,” a footman announced.

"Your Majesty," you said, giving the King a curtsy.

"Welcome, welcome. I hope the journey was not too rough for you.”

You smiled and nodded. Not a bad start.

However, it was a completely different story when you saw Friedrich’s face. He raised his eyebrows, clearly unconvinced by his father’s concern. "You do, father? Wasn’t it on your orders that the state train never arrived?”

“Now, now, Friedrich. That was none of my doing.” The King turned to you with a small smile. “I must say, you are much prettier than I expected, my lady.”

He had made such an effort to emphasize the last two words that even if you weren’t listening, you still would have caught them. The King was smirking on his throne, his icy eyes sending chills down your back.

“I believe it’s your Highness, father.”

This row was your fault. You could tell.

“No, I don’t think it is. You didn’t get married.”

“We did.”

“That did not count.”

“How? Because you weren’t invited?”

“I see all of your manners have gone out the door since you stepped foot out of this country.”

Friedrich wanted to scoff. It was always going to be about England. If they were going to have this conversation, he was going to do it properly. But not in front of you.

He turned to Heinrich. “Take the Princess to see the chambers.”

You didn’t want to leave. You were responsible for this in one way or another. You should be here to take the blame. But Friedrich shook his head like he knew what you were about to say. “Come with Heinrich. I’ll meet you later.”

“No need for that. Lady Brandt, your chief lady-in-waiting, will take you for a tour. Bernadine?”

You remembered Lea and Ilse mentioning her as well. However, at that time, she didn’t have a name or a face for you to attach her to just yet. You just knew that she was going to be in charge of all of your affairs like Heinrich was doing for Friedrich. Now she had a name and a face.

At the mention of her name, she nodded and stepped forward from the line of staff on your right. She was dressed in a blood red dress, a strand of pearls wrapped around her long neck. She came towards you, giving you an impressive curtsy, tipping her head forward slowly yet keeping her hat perfectly still on her dark raven hair.

When she looked up, you were finally able to see her striking hollow eyes, tall cheekbones and an ever so slightly upturned corner of her lips. She looked awfully familiar. Like a much younger version of your mother actually. And she was just as terrifying.

“Come with me, your Highness.”

taglist: @awesomebooklover17 @oopsiedoopsie23 @milkbaer @vampirestookmydoubts @5hundreddaysofsummer @km-98 @mikeys-thighs @lunas1x1 @albeeox @darkestbeforethedawn16 @defffcc @sarcasm-n-insomnia @urie-bowie-mercury @babydidoy @cvpidsletters @mmmh-i-cant-help-myself @fanaticalfantasist @xoxomandoo @littlered00 @heartofrosecoloredglasses @truly-insatiable @thingfromlove @tearsrichochets

let me know if you’d like to be tagged

[niksixx]

Plus One

We’re on part 4 already!!! I’m soooo excited for this part. I plan on throwing a few curveballs and cliffhangers in the remaining parts of this mini fic, and I can’t wait for your reactions! 

Note: This fic takes place over the course of a few months!! Just keep that in mind while reading!

A/N: Please leave comments telling me what you think🖤

*Picture is NOT mine. Found on Google. Credit to the owner.*  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Pia’s POV*

I look in the mirror, completely unsatisfied yet again with my outfit of choice. Ten years out of high school and I find myself still caring about what my old classmates will think of me. I sigh before pulling off the simple blue dress and toss it on my bed dejectedly.

It takes me another fifteen minutes to find a better outfit and soon I’m staring back at myself adorned in heeled boots, black pants, and a skimmery gold long sleeve shirt.

I give myself a half smile just as the bell rings. I make sure to grab my purse, filled with lipgloss and a generous amount of breath mints, before heading down the steps.

My heart squeezes in my chest. In leather pants and a black button up shirt, Nikki grins happily. I’m well aware of his eyes examining the length of my body, and I don’t try to hide that I’m doing the same thing to him.

“When’s the last time you were this dolled up?” He asks, pressing the softest kiss to my cheek. There’s no one watching. He doesn’t have to appear affectionate. So why does he?

I snicker back at him before locking the door behind me. “It’s not like I’ve had anywhere to go. Now come on, we’re going to be late.”

~~~

Every inch of the school is decorated in navy blue and maroon streamers. Balloons are tied to chairs, littered on the gymnasium floor, and floating to the ceiling. Teachers stand by the entryway while old friends mingle about. I spot my friends laughing at a circular table in the back of the gym, and my hand slides into Nikki’s before pulling him in that direction.

“You made it,” Vince remarks, giving us a nod. “We didn’t think you were coming.”

“We wanted to make an entrance,” Nikki answers with a lighthearted laugh, giving my hand a squeeze. “Fashionably late and all that jazz.”

I walk around the table, exchanging hugs and quick pecks on the cheek, making sure to even press a tiny kiss to Vivian’s growing stomach. It’s good to see everyone together again. Sure, we’re all used to seeing each other on the weekends, but life has caught up to many of us, making it difficult to keep to our regularly scheduled adventures.

“So, you and Nikki,” Charlotte whispers, only for the girls to hear. My lips quirk up in a smile. “It’s about time you got your happy ending.”

“Let’s not jump ahead,” Viv interjects, stuffing a brownie into her mouth. No one says anything about the six other brownies piled onto her plate. How ironic it’d be if baby Alice May ended up hating chocolate. “They just started dating a month ago. But, I am mad I had to find out from Amanda,” Viv pouts before sinking her teeth into another treat. “How’s he been treating you?”

“Like a queen I hope,” Amanda chimes in, swirling the straw in her drink.

I see how happy they are for me, and I have to push away the nagging thought that screams it’s not real. No matter how much I want it to be real, and no matter how well Nikki treats me, that thought is ever-present in my brain.

“He’s amazing,” I say breathlessly, sneaking a quick peek at Nikki. He laughs at something Tommy says, eyes crinkling in delight. His smile is wide and genuine. “He’s unlike any man I’ve ever been with.”

Charlotte shakes me happily. “How many dates have you been on?”

“A few. We went out to dinner one night, a museum another. We stay in sometimes too. Order pizza, watch movies, play games. He even cooked for me last night. Being with him is an adventure I never want to end.”

~~~

*Nikki’s POV*

From the gymnasium bleachers, I watch with a grin as Pia and Charlotte dance with a few classmates. My eyes stay glued on Pia. The more she smiles and laughs, the more I can feel a dopey grin widening across my face.

I can feel my chest tighten as I watch her. It’s a feeling I’ve been having for a few days now whenever I’m around her and I can’t quite place what it is. From the dance floor her eyes find mine and she winks subtly, and the tightness is present once more. I balance my elbow on my knee, cheek in my palm, and sigh.

“You’ve got a little drool right there buddy,” Tommy pokes the corner of my mouth and I swat his hand away, frowning.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Tommy rolls his eyes, crossing his ankles and leaning back on a higher bleacher. “How long are you supposed to keep up this act?”

I’m well aware of the extra emphasis placed on act. “Only a few more months. After her work party and cousin’s wedding, I am a free, single man again.”

“Uh huh,” Tommy tuts, his eyebrow raised in question. “So there’s absolutely no chance that this fake relationship turns into something real.”

I straighten my shoulders, shooting Tommy a warning look. He’s treading in deep water. “Don’t start. I don’t see her that way. Never have.”

Tommy was never one to listen. He takes a swig of water, brows raised as if to challenge me. “But you’re starting to.”

“Enough,” The word comes out harsh through gritted teeth. I ball my fists tightly, lowering my voice. “Be careful with your next words, man. I’m serious.”

Tommy chuckles, shaking his head. It’s a game to him. My reactions are his entertainment. “You won’t do shit and you know it. Seriously, man, what gives? I can see it on your face. You’re falling for her, aren’t you?”

I’m about to open my mouth but commotion on the dance floor stops me. I turn, scrunching my brows as Pia and Charlotte dart over to where Tommy and I are sitting.

“What’s going on?” Tommy asks, looking frantically between the girls.

“It’s Viv,” Pia answers, waiting a moment to catch her breath. “Her water just broke.”

~~~

In Vivian’s arms, the tiny pink bundle squirms away. There’s a smile on each one of my friend’s faces, Mick especially, as he strokes the top of his daughter’s head.

“She is so beautiful,” Amanda gasps, tears filling her eyes at the sight of her godchild. Even Tommy’s eyes are bright with unshed tears as he gazes at his new goddaughter, only a few hours old. “We’re so proud of you, Viv.”

Beside me, Pia squeezes my hand. I look down, smirking at the tears that are falling from her eyes, and instinctively brush them away. When I turn forward, I’m greeted with Vivian’s eyes narrowed, holding me captive. No one else seems to notice, and I squirm under her intense gaze.

“Now I hope you know I love you all, but this new momma is hungry and tired,” Viv chuckles, rubbing her growling stomach. Mick is the first one out of the room, no doubt sprinting to the cafeteria to find something semi edible for his wife to eat. Everyone nods in understanding. We begin to file out into the hallway, but Vivan’s voice stops me.

“Nikki,” I turn around, again met with Vivian’s hard gaze. “Close the door. Stay here.”

I freeze. Her voice is anything but welcoming. My fingers twitch as I close the door to the room, taking a hesitant step toward her.

“I thought you wanted to rest,” I say dumbly, stuffing my hands into my pockets. It was never easy to tell what Vivian was thinking, but her face always gave away how she felt.

“I do, but we need to talk first,” Viv’s voice is low and even. She sucks in a breath, exhales, and glares. “Why are you doing this to my best friend?” She shakes her head. “A fake relationship? Really?”

I frown, the realization dawning on me. Mick had told Vivian. “What are you getting at, Viv? Pia asked me to be her fake boyfriend. I’m not doing anything to her.”

It’s a scary sight, Vivian chuckling darkly. “Wow. You really are oblivious, huh?” When I don’t answer, Vivian continues, voice softening. “You really expect me to believe that you don’t know Pia is in love with you?”

I blink. “What?”

Viv rolls her eyes exasperatedly. “Pia is in love with you, Nikki. Somehow, everyone else can see that except you.”

Hate is a strong word and I don’t use it very often. But at this moment, I hate Vivian. I hate the way she’s looking at me. I hate the way I feel so small under her scrutiny. But most of all, I hate the way she’s acting as if I’m in the wrong.

“She doesn’t love me,” I respond with a laugh. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Vivian laughs quietly, repositioning Alice in her arms. “Of course you don’t think so. You never pay attention. I do, and I have over the years. You don’t see the way she watches you when you talk, so fascinated by anything you have to say. You don’t see the way she laughs when you tell a stupid joke. And by the way, she’s the only one who’s ever laughing. You don’t see the way her cheeks flare up when you compliment her and she tries to hide it by looking away. You never, ever saw the devastation in her eyes when you chose each one of us over her. That’s your problem, Nikki. You don’t see.”

My pulse races and suddenly I’m warm all over. The ground beneath me begins to sway, and my fingers lock around the back of the single wooden chair beside the hospital bed. I lower myself down, rubbing the tension from my temples, trying to understand.

Vivian’s hand on my shoulder is light. I’m tempted to push it away, but I know she means well. “This relationship...this fake relationship, is going to end up with one of you hurt. And it’s not going to be you.”

“Why does everyone think something is going to go wrong? First Mick and Tommy, and now you,” I pull the chair closer, gripping Vivian’s hard. She flinches, but says nothing. “You said my problem is that I don’t see. Then help me, Viv. Help me see. If Pia loves me like you say she does, then why did she ask me to be her fake boyfriend and not her real boyfriend, huh? I’m clearly not good enough to be her real boyfriend, right?”

Viv sighs, thumb brushing over my knuckles. “She asked you because she trusts you. And this fake relationship gives her the chance to experience a real relationship with you, one that you never gave her because you were too busy using me, Charlotte, and Amanda to occupy your time. You want to know a secret? You just told me why you never gave Pia the chance. Because in your mind, you don’t think you’re good enough for her. And for someone that puts on the front that he doesn’t want a relationship with her, you certainly are going to lengths to prove this one is real.”

“I know I’m not good enough,” I spit back. “I just...I just know it. I can act the part and put on a show, but that’s all this is. It’s a goddamn show.”

I can see the blood rushing to Vivian’s cheeks. “You stubborn jackass, you know that’s not true. You only have to play the part in public. And believe me, you’ve done one hell of a job with that, so explain to me why you’re still dating her in private? Movie nights? Game nights? Homemade dinners? Explain that to me.”

For the tenth time that night, I’m speechless. Why was I still dating her in private?

“So what do you suggest then?” I ask seriously after a long, silent moment. “That we just call it off completely? Because I can do that right now.”

Viv shakes her head, eyes wide. “If you have no intentions of making this a real relationship, then you need to stop acting like it is behind closed doors. No more movie nights. No more game nights, homemade dinners, none of that. Because the more you do that, the more she’s going to fall in love with you, only for you to rip her heart out in the end.”

[snoopysfriendwoodstock]

book recs based off of taylor swift songs!

so, we all want taylor to share her reading recs with us but she still hasn’t! so instead, here are book recommendations based on taylor swift songs! these recommendations are based on both the content of the songs, the vibe of the songs, and the themes present!

goodreads pages for each book are linked for more about them!

A Place in this World - coming of age novels

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (YA novel told in verse)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (classic)

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi (YA realistic fiction)

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth  (YA realistic fiction / tw: conversion therapy, religious abuse, homophobia)

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (children’s/middle grade poetry)

The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf (adult realistic fiction / tw: islamophobia, racist hate crime)

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (classic)

there are a lot here, so the rest are under a read more!

ME! - memoirs and autobiographies that are one of a kind

Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden (tw: substance abuse)

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (tw: abuse)

Little Weirds by Jenny Slate

Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer by Chely Wright

Know My Name by Chanel Miller (tw: sexual assault)

Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber

My Soul Looks Back by Jessica B. Harris

The Lucky One - novels about the perils of fame 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Tara Jenkins Reid (adult historical fiction)

Daisy Jones and the Six by Tara Jenkins Reid (adult historical fiction / tw: substance abuse)

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert (adult historical fiction)

Fame Adjacent by Sarah Skilton (adult contemporary)

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon (nonfiction/memoir)

Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills (YA romance)

Fake Plastic Girl by Zara Lisbon (YA mystery)

It’s Nice to Have a Friend - novels about perceived friends with who turn out to be lovers OR who spend the novel with homoerotic tension

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (YA historical fiction)

Emma by Jane Austen (classic)

Dare Me by Megan Abbott (YA/adult thriller)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (YA realistic fiction)

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden (YA romance)

Only The Young - novels about young people making major change/experiencing societal upheaval

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (YA realistic fiction / tw: police brutality, murder, racism)

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine (middle grade/YA historical fiction)

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (middle grade historical fiction/fantasy / tw: police brutality against a black child, depiction of emmett till)

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith (YA dystopian)

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (YA dystopian / tw: depiction of genocide against native americans)

The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness (YA science fiction)

The Best Day - songs about mother/daughter relationships (both meaningful and difficult)

Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel (adult graphic novel)

Restless by William Boyd (adult spy novel)

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (adult realistic fiction)

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick (middle grade contemporary)

Love Story - a reimagining of a classic story

Pride by Ibi Zoboi (YA contemporary / reimagining of Pride and Prejudice)

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (YA science fiction / reimagining of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White)

Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalauddin (adult contemporary / reimagining of Pride and Prejudice)

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (adult contemporary / reimagining of Antigone, tw: islamophobia, depiction of torture)

You Need to Calm Down - these are just a variety of books strictly abt LGBT characters not just a gay side character <3

Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins (YA romance)

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (YA romance)

Charity & Sylvia by Rachel Hope Cleves (nonfiction)

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater (YA nonfiction / tw: transphobia, transphobic hate crime, misgendering)

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren (YA contemporary)

Treacherous - a love that teeters between labels for too long as neither can resist the pull of the other

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (YA science fiction)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (classic)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (classic)

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi (YA romance)

Don’t Blame Me - an all-encompassing, maddening love

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (classic)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (classic)

The Way I Loved You - love stories about people who are always attracted to the more dangerous option, even when they’re safe where they are

Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee (YA romance)

Playing With Matches by Hannah Orenstein (adult romance)

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick (YA romance)

Heartless by Marissa Meyer (YA fantasy / retelling of Alice in Wonderland from the Queen of Heart’s perspective)

The Awakening by Kate Chopin (classic)

Speak Now - weddings/wedding related activities gone wrong!

Save the Date by Morgan Matson (YA romance)

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (adult romance)

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (adult thriller)

Look What You Made Me Do - women getting their revenge, whether it’s justified or not

Sadie by Courtney Summers (YA thriller / tw: physical and sexual abuse, pedophilia, murder, substance abuse)

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (adult thriller / tw: sexual/physical abuse, murder, suicide mentions)

Find Her by Lisa Gardner (adult thriller / tw: physical abuse, kidnapping, rape, murder, graphic depictions of violence)

I’m Only Me When I’m With You - books with a strong focus on platonic relationships, how they grow and change

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (classic)

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (adult thriller / tw: physical abuse)

This One Summer by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki (YA graphic novel)

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson (YA mystery)

Sula by Toni Morrison (classic / tw: racism, rape mention, physical abuse, sexism)

A Separate Peace by John Knowles (classic)

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (adult contemporary / tw: racism)

Haunted - novels about feelings of loss combined with supernatural elements

Beloved by Toni Morrison (classic / tw: depictions of slavery, rape, sexual abuse, physical assault, racism, racist language)

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (adult mystery)

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand (YA fantasy/horror)

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (middle grade fantasy illustrated novel)

You Belong With Me - young adult novels with a LOT of pining

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (YA romance)

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson (YA romance)

First & Then by Emma Mills (YA romance)

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (YA romance)

Begin Again - novels about people getting another chance at love

Beach Read by Emily Henry (adult romance)

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (adult romance)

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson (YA romance)

Persuasion by Jane Austen (classic)

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver (adult romance)

Enchanted -  love at first sight OR meet cutes!

Meet Cute by Various Authors (collection of YA short stories)

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (YA romance)

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (YA romance)

What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera (YA romance)

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (YA romance)

Lovely War by Julie Berry (YA historical fiction / tw: racism)

Long Live - fighting monsters, both literal and figurative 

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (YA fantasy / tw: sexual abuse)

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney (YA fantasy / reimagining of Alice in Wonderland)

When You See Me by Lisa Gardner (adult thriller / tw: sexual abuse, physical abuse, rape, murder, kidnapping)

[lyranova]

A Bright Future

Hi guys~! So here’s the ‘surprise’ OC interaction! Its with @eme-eleff ‘s OC Hikari 💗! Now this is a little different from my others because this takes place in a possible future for Neva 😉 hehe! So I hope i portrayed Hikari correctly and I hope you guys like it 🥺! Also some of this was inspiried by @crazyclownthanos ‘s series White Clover (i forgot to add this oops!)

Word Count: 1,385

Warnings: None

—————

Neva was tired, between getting in real late the previous night and then having to wake up early that morning had exhausted her. She and her husband had flown in from the Spade Kingdom to attend the new Wizard Kings inauguration. Although she knew her husband had greatly wanted to become the Wizard King himself, he had an obligation to the Spade Kingdom and couldn’t just leave them high and dry without a king. But as soon as he watched his best friend and practically brother become the wizard king, they both knew he had made the right decision.

Afterwards there had been a small party to celebrate the occasion. Most of the magic knights and their families were in attendance, and as the King and Queen of the Spade kingdom she and her husband were expected to make the rounds and shake hands. You know, diplomatic stuff. Neva had to admit this was one thing she did not like about being Queen, having people suck up to her and pretend to like her just to either get something out of her or to get close to her husband. ‘I’m a little too tired to be dealing with all of this.’ She thought with a sigh as another noble came up to them.

“ I think I’m going to go sit for a while. If you need me I’ll be right over there.” She told him as she gently squeezed his hand and walked over to a few chairs that were tucked away in the corner, she sat down with a small sigh of relief. ‘Finally. Some peace, maybe I’ll even take a small nap.’ She thought as she closed her eyes. When she heard someone clear their throat Neva’s eyes instantly snapped open and she looked over to her right and saw a young girl, with dark hair, in a dark blue dress. She looked awfully familiar and Neva frowned as she racked her brain trying to think.

“ If you want to sleep you’re probably better off going upstairs. It won’t really look good if a bunch of nobles catch the Queen of the Spade Kingdom asleep in the corner.” The young girl said as she crossed one leg over the other, she appeared to be somewhat bored. Neva let out a bashful laugh as a small blush appeared on her face.

“ You’re right I should be more careful next time.” She said before finally deciding to ask. “ Have we met before? You look familiar.”

“ Ah, you’ve probably met my parents, your Majesty. My name’s Hikari Sukehiro.” The young girl introduced herself with a polite smile, Neva’s eyes widened, that's why she knew the girl! She had met her parents on numerous occasions, and had met the young girl a couple of times herself.

“ Yes I have. They’re amazing mages and even better Captains. You’re the perfect combination of them both.” She complimented with a warm smile before adding. “ Also, you don’t have to use honorifics. You can just call me Neva, and before you argue, I insist.” She noticed Hikari blush before nodding.

“ Thank you, your maj-i mean Neva. That's one of the highest compliments I could ever receive.” Hikari said before they both went silent for a moment, the sound of people chatting and glasses clinking together filled the silence. Neva looked over at Hikari and noticed she had the same look on her face that Neva had many times when she was younger; she was bored and wanted to be somewhere else.

“ You know,” Neva started with a small smirk. “ I don’t think anyone would notice if you decided to sneak out and go hang out with friends or something.” She added and saw a smile tug at Hikari’s lips.

“ My dad would notice. He sees everything, and I really don’t want to make him mad when he’s in such a good mood.” Hikari said with a small laugh as they both looked over and noticed Yami Sukehiro speaking to the new Wizard King, his former pupil, Asta. You could tell, even with his normal scowl in place, that Yami was proud of what Asta had achieved. His wife Charlotte stood next to him, a graceful smile on her face as she watched her husband tell stories about how Asta was when he was younger.

“ Yeah you’re probably right. But I’d at least try and cover for you if you did decide to sneak out.” Neva told her and Hikari gave a small laugh.

“ I really appreciate the offer Neva. But I must decline for now.” She told her before looking back at Neva. “ I’ll probably have to go check on my little sister soon anyway, she’s getting over a cold and my parents and I felt it was best if she stayed home.” She added.

“ I would have to agree, if any of these nobles got sick they’d for sure try to blame it on her.” Neva agreed with a nod before watching a couple of children run past them, giggling as they did. Neva’s warm smile returned at the sight, it was nice to see children be so happy and carefree.

“ Do you have any children Neva?” Hikari asked her suddenly, Neva was taken slightly aback by the question but she quickly recovered and turned toward the young girl.

“ W-Well I-.” Before Neva could answer, a voice cut her off.

“ Hikari! Come check this out!” A young girl shouted, waving Hikari over. She sighed before standing up.

“ I’m sorry your majesty. My friend seemed to forget her manners today.” She said with a bashful laugh before giving Neva a slight bow. “ I’m sorry but I have to go.” Neva waved her apology away.

“ It’s alright. Go, have fun with your friends. It was nice seeing you again and talking with you Hikari.” Neva said as she herself stood up, Hikari nodded before she began to walk away. Then, the young girl suddenly stopped and turned to look back at Neva.

“ May I ask you a question?” Hikari asked somewhat shyly. Neva nodded before Hikari continued. “ Do you think I could become the Wizard Queen? I mean, I know I’m strong and can do anything if I work hard enough and push past my limits...but…” She trailed off as she scratched the back of her neck nervously.

“ You want an unbiased opinion.” Neva guessed before Hikari nodded.

“ Yeah, and I mean, who better to ask than the first female captain of the Golden Dawn.” Hikari said, causing Neva to blush a bit. “ I’ve already asked my mother and my current captain and they gave me their opinions. So I wanted to have another.”

Neva nodded, knowing the girl would probably have asked numerous other people before asking her for her opinion. Neva contemplated what to tell her for a moment, before a smirk came across her face.

“ I honestly think you can. If your goal is to become the Wizard Queen, then I don’t see why anything or anyone could stop you from achieving said goal. You’re strong, you probably have tons of support from your friends and family, so I don’t see why not.” Neva shrugged. “ You’ll be an amazing Wizard Queen one day. I’m sure of it.” She added as her smirk turned into a smile, Hikari blushed and bowed again.

“ Thank you, Neva. That really helped me.” Hikari waved before running over to her friends. Neva was glad she was able to help out the young girl, even if it was only a little bit. She turned slightly as she felt a familiar presence walk over to stand beside her before taking her hand in his.

“ What was that all about?” Yuno asked her as he watched Hikari talk with her friends. Neva shook her head before giving his hand a squeeze.

“ Nothing. She just wanted some advice, plus she kept me company while the nobles held you hostage.” She joked causing Yuno to chuckle.

“ I’m glad she was able to do that. Do you want to go congratulate Asta?” He asked, Neva nodded and the couple walked over toward their old friend to congratulate him.

———-

I hope this was good and you guys like it 🥺! I apologize if I didn’t portray Hikari correctly or if this wasn’t that good! But I hope you guys enjoyed this and if not I apologize and will do better next time 💕! I hope you guys have a good day💗~!

[nextwarden]

Webtoons are good for the soul PART II - ECLECTIC BOOGALOO

A continuation of this.

Sea Salt and Sand by neggut [ongoing]

In the autumn holidays 3 months ago, Brynn and Bailey shared a kiss. When Bailey left, Brynn tried to forget all about her and continue living an unremarkable life, only for Bailey to suddenly transfer to her school! What follows is a coming of age story full of pining, misunderstandings and confusion as Brynn and Bailey question the true nature of their relationship. 

It’s cute and a bit angsty but not too much. The art style often feels incomplete or rushed but in a good way, its flaws give character to the characters and the story. One of my all time favourites.

Apathy meets labrador/10

Dragonbourne by Gummy Shark [ongoing]

After a troubled past, Sir Ross Edmund Avery is somewhat content to lead a mundane existence, alone in his house. However, when he stumbles upon a child in the woods on Solstice Night who is anything but mundane, his simple life will be turned upside down.

A scar(r)ed man adopts a feral child, hijinks ensue. Once again, the art style is endearing, full of curves and long lines. Haven’t checked on that one in a while but the first twenty chapters were very promising.

Found family/10

The Last Human by Zack Jordan [ongoing]

She's the galaxy's worst nightmare: a Human. Fortunately, she's the last one. Now her adoptive (alien) mother is realizing that raising a young Human is no easy task.

Basically the badass and child duo trope but the truth may surprise you. Fun, cute, very wholesome, and surprisingly emotionnaly philosophical at times. Spidermom is best mom.

Recommend/10

Vampire Husband by Scragony [ongoing]

The life of Charles the Vampire an Cheryl the human after years of marriage.

What if tragic romance between human and vampire but they had their “happy-ever-after”? This is after. It’s funny and cute.

Relationship goals/10

Blood Stain by sigeel [ongoing]

A story about courage, growing up and finding friendships in most unlikely places... spiced with some MAD SCIENCE! 

Haven’t quite wrapped my head around this one yet, but it’s fun and drawn by sigeel (a.k.a. Linda Sejic) so of course it’s beautiful. Enjoyed it a lot, will have to keep reading.

Bloody merry/10

Punderworld by sigeel [ongoing - on hiatus]

Hades' and Persephone's love-struck misadventures.

Another take on Hades and Persephone’s love story. Once again, sigeel, so of course I love the art.

Bumbling idiots/10

The Queen and the Woodborn by Shiniez [ongoing]

Far away behind seven hills and seven forests, seven fields and seven rivers, there lived a Queen... welcome to the queen and the woodborn. a fairy tale romance for the mature readers about the unseen Queen and the Goddess in the woods. a tale of the two forgotten by the world around them who will make the world remember their names. expect gods and monsters and a romance for the ages.

Not many chapters yet but very long ones to compensate. This one is by Shiniez (a.k.a. Stjepan Sejic) so, once again, love the art. The story, the character designs and concepts, and the pace are all amazing.

Very wow/10

P.E.T.S. by Gyxks [ongoing]

Just when Tasha was about to start a new life, she was abducted by aliens. Fortunately, she and other humans were rescued by an interstellar general named Tourmaline. She soon discovered that her body was unfit to return home without endangering life on earth. Join her on her journey traversing this new world and these new feelings for an alien general. 

POV: You’re living your best life as a young adult, at the shopping mall at 2am in your pyjamas, when suddenly death aliens rain pain all around and you’re abducted only to be saved by tall buff alien commander lady. Romance ensues. Maybe, it’s slow burn but quite enjoyable to read.

Blush/10

Scoob and Shag by Misterie Krew [ongoing]

Scoob and his best pal Shag are up to their usual hi-jinks, but everything is not as it seems in their latest adventure. 

No relations to any character whatsoever. None. None at all. Also no relations to any kind of sense at all either. Can’t quite explain that one except that it’s genius. Just read it.

Is that a gun?/10

Bewitched by peachyytown [ongoing]

The witch who keeps "kidnapping" the princess is actually her girlfriend and they're just going on dates.

Short but cute alternative take on all that witch/monster/princess shenanigans. In the same vein as Our days in Lumain. Also the art is very nice.

Meetcute/10

When the Pink Trees Bear Fruit by neggut [completed]

A sweet love blooms between two women on an orchard in 1973.

A short story, five chapters only, but play devastatingly well with one’s heart. In the same vein as It Stems From Love by Soya S. Holm. neggut ist sehr gut.

Tears/10

Rooftops & Roommates by Zaanart [ongoing]

Jeb is an architecture major at university, rooming with his best friend Todd. There's just one problem... Jeb’s secretly a gargoyle! Between studying, partying, and a bad ghost problem, will Jeb be able to keep his true identity a secret?

Jeb is sweet, Jeb is fresh, but Jeb is decidedly not very good at keeping a secret. It’s funny, slice-of-life, roommate college shenanigans at its finest. With a magical twist.

Ship/10

Everything is Fine by Mike Birchall [ongoing]

Sam and Maggie are a normal couple, in a normal house, in a normal neighborhood. There is nothing strange about their heads, their neighbors or their sweet little dog. Everything is Fine.

I haven’t actually started this one yet, but the premise is very very very interesting. Perhaps not for thos who are faint of heart? Deceptively cute. Or is it?

It’s fine/10

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Lian Martin [ongoing]

What happens when your entire life is ruled by a prophecy – your future foretold by people you’ve never met, who died long before you were born.  Such is the story of two young sea creatures.  One believed to be a guiding light for his people, a Beacon who will lead them to a bright, prosperous future.  The other is a teenage prince for who’s destiny is to KILL the Beacon so that HIS own people might thrive.  When both reject the course set for them, it leads to a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself – and a romance that nobody could have predicted.

It’s fish. It’s gay. It’s under da sea and ya gotta kiss the boy. I haven’t read it all yet but enough to vouch for it and to have some vested interest in the universe and its lore.

Enemies to lovers/10

Demon Highschool by Kiiyoko [ongoing]

After a compromise it was agreed that criminals would attend a "demons highschool" where they would work as slaves for demons And while it was all in good favor, things take a very dark and twisted turn at said, highschool.

There’s something, some kind of twist, about the MC which I haven’t gotten to yet, and which I am very interested to discover. I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one as of now, mostly curious I’d say.

Pet/10

Hooky by Miriam Bonastre Tur [completed]

Dani and Dorian have missed the bus of the school of magic. Now, they must find someone who teach them how to be a great and good witches... Or maybe not.​ 

This one is a strange one about witchery and family. Surprisingly deep and serious at times, very enjoyable. Unfinished on Webtoon but a good start to get into the story.

Siblings/10

Loving Reaper by Jenny Jinya [ongoing]

Animals struggle. Pets and Wildlife alike. The reaper cares for their stories and helps them with the crossover. Short stories about the "Loving Reaper" to raise awareness and collect funds. Breaking hearts for a good cause.

Beautiful bittersweet stories about animals, pets, life and death and love.

Tissues/10

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by StarBite, CRC Payne, Kielamel Siba, Lan Ma, C.M. Cameron, and Camille Cruz [ongoing]

Batman needs a break. But with new vigilante Duke Thomas moving into Wayne Manor and an endless supply of adopted, fostered, and biological superhero children to manage, Bruce Wayne is going to have his hands full. Being a father can't be harder than being Batman, right? 

What if Bat-family but happy? Official comic, barely started, very fun.

Wholesome/10

The First Night With the Duke by MSG, Taeva, from an original work by Hwang DoTol [ongoing]

A handsome, selfish noble falls for a beautiful, kind commoner -- at least, that’s how the story’s supposed to go. When an average college student wakes up as Ripley, an extra in her favorite romance novel, she resolves to enjoy the luxuries of her character’s status while watching the novel's plot unfold from the sidelines. However, her plans are soon derailed when she finds herself in bed with no other than Duke Zeronis, the novel’s hero! Dodging the villainess’ schemes, the Duke’s advances, and her own feelings, can Ripley keep the story on track and survive beyond the first night? 

Haven’t read that one but a very dear (and respectable) friend (*cough*  @berigolote​  *cough*) of mine keeps pestering me to give it a try. So here it is, try it.

Do it before me and you get a cookie/10

HEART Anthology by Marvin.W, caw-chan and many other artists. [ongoing]

Featuring stories from the 2020 Short Story Contest!  From wholesome stories to tearjerkers, are you ready to catch these feelings?

A collection of beautiful stories on the shorter side, all about the many kinds of love in life, the many beauties of it, and the pains that make it worth living.

Tears that warm the heart/10

In My Heart by Redfield42 [ongong]

Sasaki Mari is a typical delinquent troublemaker whose only goal is to get a boyfriend, but due to her reputation as bully and low grades, all the boys reject her. Then she decides to change her style, and asks for help from the student with the best grades in the class.

It starts off light and fund and progressively seems to delve a little bit more into the seriousness of life. Not a tragedy, however, and very much worth a read still.

I think I have a trope I like/10

My awkward princess by LazyArts [ongoing]

This love story is about a girl named Luna charlotte, and the student council president Alice Evelyn. Luna is a delinquent whom often gets in trouble, as Luna reaches the end of the line she almost gets expelled, now luna has to become a model student with the help of Alice. Will Luna be expelled or will she succeed, read to find out.

Along the lines of Not So Shoujo Love Story, In My Heart, and Susuhara is a Demon. Delinquent/Good Student meetcute, romantinc hijincks ensue.

Seduction/10

RAINBOW! by Rue & Sunny Gloom [ongoing]

This is the story of a girl named Boo. She has pink hair and a vivid imagination and she is about to discover a side of herself that she never considered before. 

Okay, so yes, this one is also also a delinquent meets cute nice girl, but - BUT! - there’s an element of story telling that I love about it: the way we see Boo’s anxiety incorporated visually into the story. Just for that it is one of my favourite recent discoveries!

Protecc/10

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

Okay, that’s all for part II. Hope you enjoy those as much as I do. Thanks for your attention, sorry for the length and, please, do keep on reading, they all deserve it! As do you.

PART I

[snarkwrites]

-- masterlist -- archived, 2020

[18+ advised ] This is going to be long af. I’m going to do my best to put everything - all my writing on this blog, in one goddamn place, but I make no promises, so forgive me in advance. Below the cut is everything I’ve written and posted, for every single fandom I’ve written for so far. If [mature] or [suggestive] is present in the title/post, 18+ only. If you’re looin for y/n here, you won’t really  find it. I prefer to use oc’s in writing most of the time because it’s easier for me.

** the titles in bold and not linked I either haven’t written or I’ve lost the link for. jsyk. I do that so that when/if I get around to writing something, it’s already got a place. It’s weird, I’m weird.**

If you want to be on the taglist for my writing, you can find that [here]. If you want to know what I write / how often I write and stuff like that, my faq/about post is [here]

--𝔸𝕞𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕟 ℍ𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪

[ 1984 ]

 xavier plympton - cherry popped | spring | mature.

--ℂ𝕊𝕀

[ Miami ]

eric delko - tba | fall/winter | mature.

tim speedle - perfect | spring | mature.

[ Vegas ]

greg sanders - tba | fall/winter | mature.

-- 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕧𝕖𝕝 ℂ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕔 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖

[ Avengers ]

bucky barnes - slippery when wet | winter | mature.

captain america - choke me | winter | suggestive.

pietro maximoff - faster, baby | spring | mature.

[ Guardians Of The Galaxy ] 

starlord - eat me | spring | mature.

[ Venom ]

eddie brock - milf isn’t a bad word | spring | mature.

-- ℝ𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕕𝕒𝕝𝕖

archie andrews - tba | summer/fall | mature.

jughead jones - tba | summer/fall | mature.

reggie mantle - yours  | summer | mature.

sweet pea - selfish | summer | mature.

--𝕊𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕆𝕗 𝔸𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕪

juice ortiz - needed me | spring | mature.

--𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤

billy hargrove - tba | summer/fall | mature.

jonathan byers - surrender | summer | mature.

steve harrington - wet | summer | mature.

steve harrington - disaster | summer | mature.

--𝕊𝕦𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕝

dean winchester - tba | summer/fall | mature.

kevin tran - tba | fall / winter | suggestive.

sam winchester - tba | summer/fall | mature.

-- 𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥

embry call - tba | summer/fall | mature.

jacob black - found you | spring | mature.

paul lahote - tba | summer/fall | mature.

-- 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕒𝕪 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕃𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤

matt saracen, remember you young by thomas rhett | angst & fluff / reunion

-- 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤

jonathan byers, i think i love you | fluff. two best friends admitting their feelings for each other. an au take on my oc pairing with Steve Harrington, so an au of an au oops rip.

steve harrington, blindsided | fluff and awkward cute first kisses,ftw.

-- 𝟙𝟚 ℝ𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝟛: 𝕃𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟

jon shaw - galentines / be my valentine - ex lovers, drinking tw, intense fluff.

-- 𝔸𝕞𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕟 ��𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪

[ Apocalypse ]

michael langdon - moon dance - a witch and her dance under the moon captivates Michael Langdon. sexual tension, ftw.

-- 𝔸𝕣𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖

[ Legends Of Tomorrow ]

ray palmer - back where you came from - time travel, mutual crushes

ray palmer - bachlorette party gone wrong or right - flirty first meeting at a bachelor party

ray palmer - villainesses want heroes - a good guy with a bad girl? more likely than you think. 

-- ℂ𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕔𝕜

 dennis zalewski - photo booth montage - angst / hurt comfort, major character death & mourning, ghosts.

the kid / henry deaver - you were different - alternate universe personas reunite, intense makeout ensues.

--𝔻ℂ ℂ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕔

[ Suicide Squad ] 

captain boomerang - expecting someone taller - first date / blind date.

-- 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕒𝕪 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕃𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤

 landry clarke - if i only had a brain | someday my prince will come - tutor turned friend turned crush. kissing and stuff.

tim riggins - wedding bell blues | so this is love - a wedding brings two people closer and the end result is Riggins, settling down.

tim riggins - voice like honey - tim flirting with a new girl in Dillon? the chances are more likely than you think.

-- 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕧𝕖𝕝 ℂ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕔

[ Avengers ] 

bucky barnes - girls,girls,girls - bucky’s omega likes to dance. and to offer herself up as bait. bucky doesn’t like this... intense heated conversation ensues.

captain america - no selfies in the bathroom please? - oh, nothing but Steve Rogers and an OC flirting over the phone. Innuendo towards the end if you squint.

[ Punisher]

 frank castle - patient of the week - patching up Frank isn’t the only thing she longs to do. A kiss is shared.

-- 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤

lip gallagher - wedding crasher | the nanny and the professor - lip and his girl and their ups and downs. They go from him crashing her wedding drunk to the two having a night of domestic bliss.. and a kid. mildly suggestive the second part is.

-- 𝕊𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕆𝕗 𝔸𝕟𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕪

juice ortiz - crow flies | rough rider | treat you as good as my leather - snippets from the relationship between juice and my OC, Hazel Teller.

juice ortiz - glass houses | throwing stones - more from relationship between Juice Ortiz and Hazel Teller, tbh. 

-- 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤

billy hargrove - let the days go by - flashbacks to a first meeting as an OC mourns Billy’s supposed death post S3.

jonathan byers - should’ve been a better shot - Tommy H’s girlfriend (not Carol, an oc) is getting more than a little sick of being Tommy’s property. Kissing Jonathan Byers seems like a good way to end that and to let jonathan know that she likes him a lot. Fluff/humor, warnings of Tommy H being his usual asshole douchenozzle self.

steve harrington - glass houses | throwing stones, this is set in the now main au timeline I have for Steve Harrington and my original character Charlotte Granger.

-- 𝕊𝕦𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕝

crowley - the witching hour - just a father/daughter heart to heart with Poppy. family bonding ftw. [ goes with pop goes my heart tangentially]

dean winchester - pop goes my heart - poppy gets under his skin in all the wrong ways AND all the right ones. 

dean winchester - gingerbread family - the boys find themselves waking up to Christmas as a totally normal family. How will they react to the things they find themselves able to do at last?

sam winchester - heaven knows - his guardian angel only wanted to protect him. now she’s been banished to earth and she’s mortal. and they wind up flirting / getting closer.

sam winchester - candy apple kisses | gingerbread family - sam never forgot about her. maybe that’s why as a result of a wish he and dean may or may not have both made, he wakes up to find himself married to her.

-- 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕒𝕝𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕕

[ The following ones are all part of this huuuuge everchanging universe/storyline that I have with BOTH men, for my OC Evie. In some, she’s with Daryl, in others, Shane. They’re all wildly canon divergent and all over the place, lmao.]

daryl dixon - watch the world burn [married au] | a vision from a sugarplum fairy | garden by the sea  - a series of alternate takes / twists and moments between my OC Evie Grimes and Daryl Dixon.

shane walsh - scream queen [reunited lovers au] | sweet morning rose | you and your high horse - a series of alternate takes/twists and moments between my OC Evie Grimes and Shane Walsh.

-- 𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥

jacob black, one day more, angst | 

-- ℂ𝕣𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕤

derek morgan x -being roommates with | 

-- 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕧𝕖𝕝 ℂ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕔 𝕌𝕟𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖

sam wilson / falcon x - dating falcon | 

CSI MIAMI;

tim speedle [ d m y ] | [ b o u ] | [ c e k ] | j w x | l f | 

STAR WARS;

kylo ren [ k l r ] | 

CSI: Las Vegas;

t r o u b l e | greg sanders x Sidle!Sibling OFC, Belle | genres : suspense/action, romance / fluff, hurt comfort, angst, slow burn | chapters : [ one | two | three pt1| three pt2 | four | five | soundtrack: here | warnings: slow burn, attempted murder tw, murder mentions / crime mentions tw, eventual smut/sexual content tw, [ discontinued to be rewritten ]

CSI:Miami;

m i n e | tim speedle x former lover!OFC, Sylvie | genres : suspense/action, romance/fluff, hurt comfort, angst, slow burn | chapters : [ one two pt 1 two pt 2 three three pt 2 ] | soundtrack: here | warnings: slow burn, crime / stalker tw, other themes and eventual smut/sexual content tw, [discontinued to be rewritten]

Riverdale;

gangsta | sweetpea x Andrews!SiblingOFC, Alyssa | genres: teen angst - drama, suspense, hurt comfort, romance, slow burn | chapters: one - two - three - four - five - six - seven - eight - nine - ten- eleven - twelve - thirteen - fourteen - | soundtrack: here | warnings: fighting / swearing, sexual tension, awkward situations & eventual smut.. your typical high school overdramatic bs. Bit of an au because I only plan to loosely follow the series. | [ discontinued to be rewritten ]

Sons Of Anarchy;

home | juice ortiz x Teller!OFC, Hazelynn | genres: action / suspense, hurt/comfort, angst, slow burn, romance, smut | chapters: one - two - three - | soundtrack: here | warnings: slow burn, heavy sexual tension, violence and other adult themes, alcohol / drugs / illegal activities, sex worker ofc tw, sexual content eventually | [ being rewritten to be reposted soonish ]

Stranger Things;

upside down | steve harrington x OFC, Jenny | genres: teen angst - drama, suspense, hurt comfort, friendship, fluff, action, | chapters: one - two - three - four - five - six - seven - | soundtrack: here | warnings: fighting / swearing, sexual tension, awkward situations & eventual smut... your typical high school drama + science fiction-y type misadventures,lmaoo. | [discontinued to be rewritten]

[gamergirl929]

Mrs. Charlotte Flair (Charlotte Flair x Reader)

Anonymous Request: Can you write something like Charlotte and reader wedding day and night like smut and fluffy.

Lots of floof, lots of smoot. 

Fic disappeared from the fucking tags, had to repost. 

As to be expected, you were incredibly nervous, but who wouldn’t be on their wedding day?

A wolf whistle makes you jump and you turn around, grinning when you see Sasha and Becky standing side by side, the two dressed to the nines, both wearing dazzling smiles.  

“Look at youuuu!” Sasha claps as she moves towards you, her hands settling on your broad shoulders as she runs her hands down the front of your jacket.  

Becky grins.  

“Looks like I’ll need ta show ya how ta tie a tie.” She smirks as she moves towards you and you pout.  

“I didn’t do it right?” You huff, just as the door is shutting and Bayley snickers.  

“Nope.”  

Becky starts fiddling with your tie and you take a deep breath.  

“How is she doing?” You whisper and Sasha grins.  

“Nervous.”  

You nod, sighing, exhaling loudly.  

“Yeah... Who isn’t?”  

Becky finishes tying your tie, the woman cupping your cheeks.  

“Yer gonna be just fine, yer marryin da woman of yer dreams today.”  

You nod, your eyes widening when you see Ric making his way into the room, the older man smiling.  

As if he can’t help himself he lets out a loud WOOO, that makes you and the rest of the 4 horsewomen in the room laugh.  

“Lookin sharp kid. Lookin sharp.”  

Ric straightens your tie and you grin, your eyes locking with his.  

“If there’s anyone in the world I’d want to marry my daughter, it’s you. You treat her like a princess, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her.”  

You grin, wrapping your arms around him.  

“And she’s all I ever wanted.”  

                                                        ***

You rub your hands together, swallowing hard as your eyes dart around the beautiful ocean before you.  

Charlotte had wanted more than anything to get married by the ocean, the wedding venue on the Queen’s radar since you’d asked her to marry you.  

Thankfully, they had a sudden opening, and you swooped in, saving the date for you and Charlotte’s wedding at the beautiful sea side venue.  

You remembered how she squealed excitedly when you told her you’d gotten the venue of her dreams, the woman peppering your face with kisses.  

You’re pulled out of your trance when a familiar tune starts to play, the song Charlotte had been gushing about for as long as you can remember.  

You’re certain your heart stops beating in your chest, your eyes wide when you see the woman in white making her way towards you, green orbs shining with tears as Ric holds her arm, walking her down the aisle to give her away to you.  

The women's green orbs lock with your Y/E/C orbs and it’s then you realize you’re crying, tears running down your cheeks as you watch the woman you love make her way towards you, tears running down her own cheeks at the sight of you.  

You let out a shuddering breath when Ric holds the woman’s hand out to you, his own old eyes teary as he watches you ever so gently take her hand, her fingers curling around yours.  

“I know you’ll treat her right.” He whispers, nodding as he gives you and Charlotte a kiss on the cheek before he takes his seat, smiling proudly.  

You can’t take your eyes off of Charlotte, gently helping her up the small steps to the altar, where the priest is waiting.  

You bite your bottom lip, heart skipping a beat when you really look at her, REALLY look at her.  

Charlotte smiles, cheeks flushing as your eyes dart around her face, your eyes shining as you stare into her green orbs, a look she knows all too well.  

She remembered the first time you looked at her that way, as if you could see through her green orbs and into her soul.  

Charlotte cups your cheek and you inhale sharply, pulled out of your trance.  

“There you are.”  

You grin, covering Charlotte’s hand on your cheek, with your own.  

“You look stunning.”  You whisper, turning your head to kiss the middle of her palm, the blonde giggling.  

Your eyes widen before you clear your throat turning towards the priest, Charlotte following suit, the man giving you both a smile.  

“Remember you had an audience?” He teases, the crowd laughing and you chuckle.  

“It’s a little hard to pay attention to anything other than her.” You whisper and he grins, the woman across from you blushing. She runs her fingertips down your jawline as her hand slips from your cheek.  

“I could say the same about you.” She winks and your cheeks flush.  

You briefly note the priest must have started the ceremony, his voice muffled to your ears at you stare at the woman before you, your eyes darting around her face.  

Charlotte beams, taking your hands and giving them a squeeze.  

“Now would be the time for the happy couple to share their vows.” The priest smiles and you give Charlotte a nod.  

The blonde takes a deep breath, clearing her throat.  

“Y/N, you mean everything to me, I knew the second I met you that there was something between us, even if we were feuding on screen.” Charlotte shrugs, earning some laughter from the wrestlers, old and new in the audience.  

Charlotte shakes her head.  

“I felt drawn to you in a way I’ve never felt drawn to anyone else, I knew I wanted to get to know you, and getting to know you showed me you we’re caring and loving, smart and funny.” Charlotte cups your cheek, grinning when you lean into her touch.  

“Romantic and absolutely adorable.”  

You turn, whispering into her palm.  

“Stopppppp...” You blush, the blonde giggling and your shyness.  

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you Y/N, it would be a dream come true and I can’t wait to see where the dream takes us.”  

You kiss the middle of her palm, once, twice, a third time, before nuzzling into it.

“I love you Charlotte.” You whisper and she beams.  

“I love you too.”  

You take a deep breath, turning towards her.  

“I’m not going to lie... When we first met, I was terrified of you.” You snort, the woman’s eyes widening as a grin stretches across her face.  

“I mean, you were Charlotte FLAIR, you were untouchable, and when you approached ME, of all people, I couldn’t believe it.”  

You sigh, a loving smile stretching across your face.  

“You made it so easy to fall in love with you, I couldn’t help myself and finally getting the courage to ask you out was the best decision I ever made in my life because it brought me here and there’s nowhere else, and no one else I’d rather be with.”  

Charlotte’s heart flutters in her chest as you gaze in her green orbs, with nothing but love.  

“I think we’re ready to precede.” The priest smiles, clearing his throat.  

“Do you, Charlotte, take Y/N as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Charlotte takes your hands, giving them a squeeze.  

“I do.” She whispers and you grin.  

“Do you, Y/N, take Charlotte, as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

You bring Charlotte’s hand to your lips, kissing her ring finger.  

“I do.”  

“Today, these two women have expressed their love through the commitment and promises they’ve made. It is with those in mind I pronounce you wife and wife.”

The audience starts to cheer, silencing when the priest holds a hand up.  

“Today, you are no longer simply partners, or best friends, but wife and wife.”

The crowd again cheers as you and Charlotte stare into one another’s eyes, sparkling with love.  

“You have kissed a thousand times, maybe more, but today, this kiss is a promise, the feeling new.”  

He claps his hands together.  

“You may kiss the bride.”  

You lean in, Charlotte closing the gap between the two of you as she throws her arms around your neck, pulling you in for a breath-taking kiss.  

The crowd cheers, clapping and whistling as you pull back, the two of you again surging in for a kiss.  

“I love you.” You whisper and Charlotte grins.  

“I love you too.”  

“We’re married.” You chuckle and Charlotte giggles, leaning her forehead against yours.  

“Yeah, we’re married!” She squeals as she tackles you, her arms wrapped tightly around you and you grin.  

“Now, time to party.”  

                                                        ***

The grin on your face is megawatt, your wife now in a smaller dress than she was before, a dress that as she and the rest of the 4 horsewomen have decided would be easier to dance in.  

“If I could ask the happy couple to come to the dance floor for the first dance.”  

You move to your feet, everyone clapping as you hold a hand out to Charlotte, the blonde grinning as she takes your hand.

“Let’s see how those dance lessons went.” She giggles and you roll your eyes.  

“I didn’t take dance lessons.” You murmur the blonde giggling as she slips her arms around your neck, leaning your forehead against yours as you gently place your hands on her waist.  

The song starts and the two of you start to sway, Charlotte’s forehead resting against yours.  

“I can’t believe we’re married...” You whisper and Charlotte grins.  

“Already thinking of divorce?” She asks and you shake your head.  

“Never.”  

The two of you go silent, staring into one another's eyes as you dance. She leans in, pressing a tender kiss to your lips.  

“If I’m being honest...” Charlotte whispers, smiling when you press another kiss to her lips.  

“Is this when you tell me something crazy about you? You know, after you’ve stole my heart and got a ring on your finger?” You tease and she rolls her eyes, brushing her nose against yours.  

“No...”  

Charlotte moves to rest her chin on your shoulder, turning to whisper in your ear.

“If I’m being honest, I’m ready for this to be over so I can get you back to the hotel.” She whispers and you grin, turning to face her, with an arched brow.  

“Well now I’M ready for this to be over so we can get to the hotel.”  

                                                        ***

Charlotte giggles as you back her into the room, kicking your hotel room’s door shut behind you. You pepper her cheeks and neck with kisses, the woman giggling when you hit a particular spot on her neck that you know is ticklish.  

The blonde wiggles in your hold as you nibble on the spot, the woman giggling wildly.  

“Y/N!” She laughs as you dig your fingers into her sides, the woman laughing even harder.  

Charlotte kicks her heels off, unbuttoning your dress shirt and shoving it off of you, gazing at you hungrily.  

She cups your cheeks, her thumbs gently running along your cheek bones.  

“I can’t believe you’re mine.” She whispers and you smirk, slowly easing the dress down and over her hips, leaving her in nothing but her bra and panties.  

“And I can’t believe you’re mine.”  

Charlotte smirks, leaning in to rest her forehead against yours.  

“Show me what you do with what’s yours.”  

You grin, lifting the woman in the air, her long legs wrapping around you as you carry her to the bed.  

“Oh, I will.”  

You place your wife gently on the bed, crawling on top of her, your lips pressing lovingly against hers.  

The kisses between you are sweet, your heart hammering in your chest as the two of you kiss, Charlotte rolling you over on your back, deepening the kiss.  

The blonde hovers over you, grinning as she stares into your darkened orbs.  

“You’re my wife.” She whispers and you grin, rolling the two of you over, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips.  

“And you’re my wife.”  

Again, you’re kissing, Charlotte’s fingers tangling in the baby hairs at the base of your neck, her fingernails dragging against the sensitive spot, making you grunt into the kiss.  

Charlotte grins.  

“One of my favorite sounds in the world.” She teases, moaning when you duck down, nibbling on her collarbone.  

“And my favorite sound.” You whisper as you press soft kisses to the swell of her breasts, the blonde smiling at your tenderness.  

You slip your arms around her, unhooking her bra, the offending material falling to reveal her bare chest.  

“Mine.” You grin, your eyes locked with hers as you suck her nipple into your mouth, flicking your tongue against it teasingly, the woman’s back arching as you nip at the erect bud, just like she likes.  

Charlotte tangles her fingers in your hair, pulling you against her breast, her flesh pushing its way into your mouth until you release it with a loud pop.  

“Y/N...” She moans and you grin, your eyes locking with hers as you give her other breast equal attention.  

“God, I love you.” She groans and you grin, leaning in to kiss her lips, your tongue slipping into her mouth, the woman’s fingers tangling in your hair as your tongues caress one another.  

“I love you too.”

Suddenly, Charlotte is jerking your bra off, the woman licking her lips as she stares shamelessly at your chest.  

She smirks, repeating the word you said moments ago.  

“Mine.”  

You slip your arms around Charlotte, wrapping your arms around her, along with your legs as Charlotte kisses your breasts softly, her tongue rubbing teasingly against your nipple, your hips rocking against Charlotte’s middle.  

“Yeah.” She purrs, giggling when you shove her backwards, your lips on hers as your line your hips up just right, your leg slipping between hers before you start to rock, the blonde moaning into your mouth.  

She wraps her arms around you, her forehead resting against yours as your hips build a slow rhythm.  

“I love you.” She whispers, moaning when your hips pick up speed.

“I love you too.” You sigh, groaning as your eyes lock, the blonde’s mouth hanging open as she pants heavily.  

She pushes you back, the two of you now sitting up, your knees intertwined as you straddle one another’s thighs.  

Charlotte cups your cheeks, her dark green orbs locking with your Y/E/C orbs, the two of you rocking against one another, eyes never disconnecting.  

Your wife’s lips part, an obscene moan leaving her open mouth and you can’t help but groan, the sound making your clit throb.  

“Harder.” She pants, the two of you now rutting into one another, your eyes still locked.  

You can feel your release coming, heat pooling in your belly and spreading to your entire body, your rhythm sloppy.  

Charlotte wraps her arms around you, inhaling sharply.  

“Fuck Y/N, I’m-

She’s cut off by your own release, a groan erupting from your open mouth, your forehead resting against Charlotte’s as you orgasm, throwing the blonde into her own.  

“Y/N!” She cries and you grin, slowing your rocking to help the woman down from her high.  

Charlotte grins, leaning in to press warm kisses to your lips, the two of you smiling.  

The blonde intertwines her fingers with yours, lips splitting into a grin.  

“I have an idea I want to try, take them off.” She whispers, flicking your boxers and your brows arch.  

“Anything for you my Queen.” You wink and she rolls her eyes, shoving you back on the bed as she wiggles out of her thong and you pull your boxers off.  

“Roll over on your side Casanova.”  

You follow her command, watching with bulging eyes as Charlotte situates herself, but not with her face in front of yours.  

“I already like this.” You grin and Charlotte rolls her eyes, but she can’t help but eye your sex hungrily.  

“I figured you would.”  

You open your mouth to reply, but instead a moan leaves your mouth, the blonde gently kissing your thighs.  

“Cat got your tongue?” She whispers and you smirk, grinning mischievously.  

“No, but something else is about to.”  

Charlotte is the one moaning this time when you dive between her legs, the woman’s hot breath puffing against your throbbing sex.  

You groan against her when her tongue passes through your folds for the first time that night, your body quaking as your tongue works between her legs.  

“Y/N...!” Charlotte cries out as you slip two fingers inside her, slipping out of her hard and fast.  

You groan against the woman’s sex when she slips two fingers inside of you, curling them in just the right way, long fingers dragging against your frontal wall.

“Uhhhhh, yeah just like that.” You moan, the woman mewling when you lash your tongue against the button between her legs, your free hand moving to pull the hood of her clit back, your tongue lashing against the most sensitive part of her.  

You can feel the woman’s walls flutter around your fingers, the woman’s breath hitching against your clit as she works you to your highest peak.  

You abruptly pull back and Charlotte whines, your fingers slipping out of each other.  

“Y/N, I was so-

Charlotte’s green orbs widen when you nudge her legs apart, straddling one of her legs. She cries out when your cores touch, the two of you groaning obscenely, bodies shuddering.  

You throw your head back when your hips start to move, your cores rubbing together deliciously, clits bumping as they brush together.  

“Oh god Y/N, yes...” Charlotte groans as your hips rock wildly, no sense of rhythm at all, the two of you close to achieving your release.  

“Yes. Yes. Yes...” Charlotte moans, mumbling the word over and over again until she’s screaming it, over and over again, your eyes rolling back in your head as the woman cums, coating your sex with her essence, immediately pushing you over the edge.  

“FUCK.” You cry out, rocking harder against her, your hips in no way slowing, wanting to push the woman over the edge again.  

“Y/NNNNN!” She screams, cumming again, moaning obscenely as you reach climax again, groaning loudly as your body quakes.  

“Oh god...” Charlotte gasps, grabbing your waist to still your hips, the two of you panting heavily, your heart slamming in your chest as you try to catch your breath.  

“Get up here and kiss me.” Charlotte pants, pulling you towards her until you’re both side by side, your lips meeting tenderly.  

The two of you playfully kiss, the both of you covered in a thin sheen of sweat as you kiss, giggling against each other’s lips.  

“I love you so much Y/N.” Charlotte whispers and you grin.  

“And I love you Charlotte, so much.”  

You kiss the tip of her nose, the blonde grinning as she nuzzles into your neck.  

“You know we’re not done, right?” You chuckle, the blonde snorting.  

“Oh, I know, why did you think we got the last suite on the floor.” She asks and you snicker.  

“AND bought out the others around us.”  

Charlotte nods, cupping your cheeks.  

“You’re in for a busy night Y/N.” She leans in for a kiss and you smirk.  

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

[gongju-juice]

3. Once Upon a Southern Night

Something Old, Something New

Warnings: Some racial tension. . .also might be some language but I can’t remember tbh

The thing about change is that it’s just that—change. You can change something, twist it, mold it, or turn it into whatever you wish for it to look like, but you cannot ever get rid of its original identity. 

Living in Forks was no short of that. Life was a blessing, and your days were filled with laughter and excitement. Beginning your senior year—Jasper had graduated—but the two of you were dating and closer than you’d ever been. He took you on dates to see the stars and bought you flowers and little trinkets to brighten your day. You read books in his lap and went on double dates with Amelia and her boyfriend, Stuart. 

You knew something was strange about your family—so much so that your mother’s weirdness no longer seemed so personalized. Maybe it was the fact they never ate around you, or maybe it’s the account of their golden eyes. And like your mother (and everyone else, frankly), your boyfriend was so inhumanly cold, like a Roman statue left in an icy museum.

But what did you look like asking such crazy questions? After all, what else could it be but coincidence? As for your mom and Carlisle, they were siblings—it was normal for them to share the same traits. But as for the others—Rosalie and Jasper were twins—and although they were different personality wise, they both had the same pale skin and bronze colored eyes. Maybe the old saying is true: living together with someone really does make you look alike.

One day while your family all hung out at the Cullen house, you received a letter in the mail. It was a bright, shimmering white envelope with fancy lace trimming. You opened it carefully—sure not to cut yourself so as to not to trigger Jasper’s weird paranoia around blood. 

“Oh my god!” you shouted, running into the living room. You looked at your mom. “Ivy and Dale are getting hitched!”

“Wow, Ivy?” she said. “I remember the two of you growing up like it was yesterday. When’s the date?”

“March 5. It’s going to take place on Dale’s parents’ farm. The reception’s going to be in the big barn house!”

You whirled in excitement, only to dizzy yourself into Jasper’s arms when you realized you’d fallen. He brushed a stray curl from your face.

“A wedding?” he said. “I thought Ivy was only seventeen.”

“You can get married in Alabama at sixteen with parental consent. I’m sure the Lauderdales were thrilled to hear of the good news. Dale has been hanging ‘round since we were six.”

You popped back onto the floor. “I’ve gotta find a dress and everything! Oh wait—I should call and see if we’re doing matching dresses or if we’re all gonna be wearing different ones.”

You picked up your phone and raced to the kitchen where you could find some privacy and feel free to freak out some more. She picked up on the third ring.

“Lucille!” you cried, “I can’t believe it’s finally happening! Please send me a picture of the ring ASAP, okay?”

She giggled. “It’s not a big deal, Y/N. We’ve been engaged since we were twelve. It’s just that now we’ve got that ice and permission to prove it.”

The phone buzzed and you looked at the image of the triple diamond ring which had a band of diamonds all around. You recognized that ring. It was Dale’s grandmother’s sacred family heirloom, the one that’s been locked up tight in their security safe. He only let you and her see it once when you were both thirteen and his parents were out in the field.

“I’m so excited for the bachelorette party!” you gushed. “We’re going to have so much fun! We should go to Pensacola and go to one of them spa places and then we can—”

“Y/N,” she said quietly, cutting you off entirely. “You’re not on the bridesmaids list.”

You were quiet, your flailing arms caught in mid air. “I’m not. . .but you said—”

“I’m sorry, girl, but Mama already chose who's going to be in my wedding. There’s 

Charlotte, Mary, Clarabelle, and Lydia. . .the ones I grew up with.”

“But. . .what about me? Didn’t. . .didn’t we grow up together?”

“Yeah, but. . .it’s just not the same, you know? Those people are family. You can still come to the wedding, of course. That’s why I sent the invitation.”

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel hurt. Here was your best friend telling you that you couldn’t be in the wedding. Mrs. Lauderdale. . .you thought she really liked you. Was it because you moved up north?”

“Oh, alright then. I was just—just calling to confirm the date. March 5, right?”

“Yeah, March 5.”

You hung up the phone and sighed at the counter, your head hung down. Just then, Jasper came walking in. He came up behind you and held you in place, his head resting on your shoulder. Suddenly, your mood improved instantly. But that was the thing about Jasper—he was always brightening your day when you felt down. It was part of the reason you adored him.

“You okay?” he whispered. “You know you don’t got to go to that wedding?”

You shook your head. “Of course I do. It’s my best friend’s wedding. How could I miss her big day? Besides. . .how did you even know I was sad?”

He stiffened. “I. . .uh. . .heard the conversation in the hallway.”

“Oh, well I guess that makes sense.”

He held you for a while against the hard granite. 

“Jasper?”

“Yes, darlin’?”

“Will you be my date to the wedding?”

“Absolutely.”

Rosalie was the one officially in charge in helping you pick your dress. Alice had a vengeful streak and wanted you to wear a big, white gown that would take all the attention away from Ivy.

“It’s wayyyy too hot in the south for that,” you pleaded, “and I ain’t trying to cause no trouble! It’s her Mama who did it, not Ivy.”

“She should’ve overridden that stupid decision then,” Alice continued, braiding your hair. It was still funny to know that the tiny pixie girl knew how to do a full-set of box braids. “If it was my wedding—”

“But it isn’t your wedding,” Rosalie insisted. “And Ivy isn’t your friend. Now like I was saying, Y/N, this little yellow sundress would look so cute with your skin tone. . .”

They even hooked up Jasper. They got him a nice cornflower blue dress shirt and a cream colored suit. Emmett even put on a whole show of picking his hairstyle, and even though they went through all that progress and hard work, you kindly reminded them that a heat wave was coming the weekend of the wedding and that it was best just to leave his curls the way they were. Jasper did not take kindly to his brother after that.

“Why don’t you come with us?” you asked your mom as she helped you pack the last of your luggage. “It’s gonna be so lonely with just me and Jasper. And besides, I’m sure everybody wants to see you!”

“No, no, I can’t. I’m scheduled for a surgery the day of the wedding. I can’t cancel it either. It’s a cancerous tumor that needs to be removed.”

You sighed, sitting up on your bed. “I can’t believe it’s here. She’s getting married, mom. We’re all going to be adults and pretty soon, if things go to according to plan, me and—” You cut yourself off as the overwhelming thought engulfed you.

“That’s right. You and Jasper will have your own wedding someday. . .speaking of which. . .we need to talk about the future.”

“The future?”

“Yes,” she sat on your bed. “There are some things you need to know before you set your eyes on your own big day. We’ll talk about that all soon, I promise. But as for now, go and enjoy yourself with Jasper. You’ll have him all to yourself. . .”

“Mom!” you shouted. “Jasper—he’s too sweet for that. He’s a real gentleman! It hasn’t even been that long ago since we had our first kiss, and he was scared to even do that!”

She raised her brows. “Hmmm, maybe that’s what he wanted you to think. But guys are never shy when it comes to that subject.”

The next day, your family wished you off at the airport. Jasper bought you first class tickets—a feat you deemed both extravagant and unnecessary—and you slept on his shoulder for most of the way. 

Immediately, touching down in your home state, everything felt so different. It was humid and hot; the type of sticky that makes your hair stick to the back of your neck, and people were so much more cordial then they were back at Forks. Some gave Jasper strange looks as he wound his fingers with yours, but again, nobody was unpleasant.

You would be staying at a hotel about thirty miles out from the country. There were, thankfully, two queen sized beds parallel to one another in the tiny room. But Jasper insisted sleeping in the living room part where a half wall separated the two of you.

On the big day, your boyfriend pulled out an authentic cowboy hat (the likes you’d never seen before), and the two of you headed down Ivy’s long dirt road. 

Fields of cotton and peas lined either side of the road, and for long stretches, there were no houses except the occasional large country home with animals and plots of cultivated land. The ditches teemed with life: jumping frogs, tadpoles, crawfish, and lillies. 

“Gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve been in the country,” he said. “This place isn’t much different from home.”

“Home? In Forks?”

“Rose and I—before we were adopted—used to live in Texas.”

“Really? That explains your accent! I just thought you watched too many western flicks. Oh, but why doesn’t Rosalie have one?”

“Well, she just hides it, I guess.”

You arrived at the house. There was a trail of cars already parked in the grassy yard, and people made their way in their finest Sunday’s best to the row of chairs arranged in front of the big oak tree where the minister stood.

“Y/N!” one of your old childhood friends exclaimed when she saw you. She was dressed in a teal dress, and at her side was some unknown boy you hadn’t met. “It’s so good to see you!” She looked at your boyfriend. “And who’s this?”

“Jasper Hale, ma’am, I’m her date for the evening,” he answered, tipping his hat. The row of women waiting to greet you gushed at his manners, and dare you say, they checked him out so openly. You hugged his bicep tighter.

“Just for the evening or indefinitely?” she cooed.

“Indefinitely.”

You sat down in one of the middle rows, and watched in awe as the wedding processional came down the aisle. Ivy was dressed in a glittery dress and carried the largest bouquet of white roses you’d ever seen. Dale had tears in his eyes as he looked up at his bride. They were so perfect, so in love, it made your insides melt.

After the beautiful ceremony, the party moved the barn. The rafters were draped in lights and white ribbons and flower petals covered the ground. You chose a table nearest to one of the wooden walls and curled into Jasper’s side.

“You look so gorgeous,” he said, tucking a dandelion behind your ear. “You out-shined the bride, and you didn’t even have to wear that ridiculous dress Alice was trying to shove you in.”

“All of my girlfriends keep whispering about you. You’re the real star tonight. The best looking man in both Washington and Alabama.”

Just then, Mrs. Lauderdale approached your table.

“Y/N, how are you honey?” she asked as you hugged her plump form. As the mother of the bride, she was dressed in a simple white dress and rocked a crown of flowers in her hair.

“I’m wonderful. Have you met my boyfriend?” You allowed her to inspect Jasper as he offered a hand.

“My, my. What a fine young man,” she cried. “Who knew you could get such a catch?”

She pulled you off to the side, and although Jasper tried to follow, you insisted he stay behind.

“I hope you aren’t upset about the whole bridesmaid situation,” she said, patting your shoulder. “We wanted a small processional anyway—makes it so we can get to the food faster.”

You shook your head. “‘Course not. It was such a beautiful ceremony. And Ivy—she’s stunning,” you said as you admired her twirling form with her new husband.

“Well anyway, John and the guys want to see you. John?”

Mr. Lauderdale greeted you with a nod. “How’s it going?”

“All good here,” you answered enthusiastically. In all honesty, John and his friends intimidated you with their skeptical expressions and hawk-like eyes. It was obvious the men of the family didn’t like you as much as the girls did—and that was fine. You were here for Ivy, not them.

“You got yourself a white boy?” Vernon, Ivy’s brother, asked. “A Yankee?”

“Actually, Jasper’s a Texan. And yes, he’s white. But it isn’t weird or anything.”

Like he was in on the conversation, he smoothly slid in beside you, his cold hand wrapping around your waist.

“Pleased to meet you,” he said as he addressed the men. “I’m a Houston native, by the way. I was raised on a farm myself—had a chocolate brown mare named Buttercup and a field full of bulls.”

“Ah, really? That makes me even more surprised to see you here.”

“Pardon me?”

Vernon smirked. “Y’all go and enjoy yourselves.”

Jasper pulled you away from the barn with a little more determination than you thought was needed. He hadn’t looked nor spoken until the two of you were completely alone by the fence where the ponies ran.

“Are you okay?” you asked softly. “You seem upset.”

“It’s nothing. I didn’t like the way those boys were talking. Had to get outside and clear my mind.” He pulled you closer to his body, and his cool skin felt good in the heat of the night.

“Holding you like this makes me get so sentimental,” he admitted. “It makes me want to take you to the nearest courtyard and get official. It makes me want to buy you a hundred acres and a big, nice house by a river. It makes me want to give you a bunch of kids to keep us company, so we can grow old together and live happily ever after.”

“I like when you get sentimental,” you breathed.

“But,” he stopped, “that last part might not be able to happen. There’s something you should know about me—about our family before you decide to give your heart away.”

“What do you mean? What could possibly be so earth-shattering that it’d make me stop loving you?”

He ran his thumb over your bottom lip, staring deeply into your eyes. His brows were creased, forehead wrinkled in thought. 

“Y/N, I wanted to wait to tell you, but I can’t stand lies. Most importantly, I don’t like to lie to you.”

“Just say it, baby.”

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. 

It was a tall man, about the same height and build as Jasper, with bright crimson eyes and long dark hair tied back in a ponytail. He stared at you intensely before casting his burning gaze to Jasper.

“It’s been a long time, old friend,” he said darkly before inhaling deeply. “And it’s been even longer, Camille.”

And here the real story begins. Also I like cowboy Jasper playing with ponies maybe I’ll do a drabble on that.

Part One    Part Two   Part Four

[hedgefairy]

Eeeey, we haven't had another episode of Bridgerton recaps in a while! But here we are, it's

Bridgerton, Episode 5

(if you missed the rest, the tag is #Bridgerbore)

Okay, so I dig the whole muddy hem business (short reminder, we were at this duel thing last time, and Daphne was very much a dramatic Regency heroine, throwing herself into the fire and everything), but I'm really not sure about her undies.

Lady B has a hangover, which is hilarious, and Daphne comes in like "I'm engaged", to Dukey, of course, they all annoy me so much. Cue Lady B fanning herself, and then Daphne goes on about how they want to marry NOW, because THE KISS and it would be such a scandal if that ever came out? I don't think society would mind if you stayed engaged for a while longer, I don't think anyone cares, you self-obsessed brat. Mummy thinks they had steaming hot intercourse and that's why they want to marry ASAP, and apparently that's the best hangover cure that there ist. (I'm not a fan, hangover Lady B was more sufferable than the usual version.)

The queen wears bright red gems with pink silk and it does not look fly at all.

The blue dress Daphne's wearing is pretty for once.

Her rival (CRESSIDAAAAA) and her mother smirk at each other in a carriage because they are scheming, and evil, and we can see that because they are dressed flamboyantly and have complex hairstyles. Also, Cress saw D&D kiss and now they can destroy her or something.

Oh poor Freddie Baby, he's just the cutest but he's about to take his leave because Daphne was the only girl he liked, like, ever, because she's such a diamond of the purest water, adieu, sweet prince.

Everybody keeps promenading without coats or spencers and I'm all "noooo", because it just looks so wrong. Someone give Daphne a stole or a cardigan, it's doesn't even seem particularly warm outside. Her hat also sucks (is that a fascinator? I demand bonnets!), but at least it's not the stupid Wendy bow, so I guess that's progress?

Lord B gets slammed in the face with the door by the dressmaker because Opera Girl up and left. See, Lord B, that's because you're a little bitch and she's done with your shit.

Ducktail Colin visits Cousin, and Penny desperately tries to cockblock him. It's somewhat painful to see, but also strangely realistic (I guess that's why it's painful).

Uuuh, we get a kitchen scene in preparation for the wedding! I love it. Also, the servants are annoyed by all of this, just like me. I hereby petition to replace at least 75% of the D&D (hell, make it all Bridgertons) appearances by Regency food porn.

At the dressmaker's workshop Cressida (who I still think is prettier than Daphne) bitches about and Daphne bitches back, why is no-one wearing bonnets?

The next Whistledown issue is out as Freddie takes his final bow just to leave me heartbroken because he genuinely didn't suck. The Queen bitches, what else is new.

The Archbishop says the early wedding is a no-no, and I still suspect that it's a general case of making things more dramatic than they have to be. Oh, turns out it's the Queen who's the spanner in the works because she didn't get enough attention lately.

Back to the Bohemian party! Yay! It's a fucking bacchanal and I love it. French dressmaker lady is there, too, cut to her and Middle Bridgerbro having a heated make-out session. Aaand the host is at least bi – they find out by barging in on him and his lover during what I guess is the quest for an unoccupied bedroom. Threesome time!! (Her stays are more than questionable, though)

Dukey is completely drunk in the gutter because they kicked him out of the pub. I approve. Not sure of what of the above, probably all.

Cousin plots to seduce Ducktail Colin so she can get him into marrying her. Lady F is in, but Penny eavesdrops (heartbrokenly).

Whoooo, it's George III! Him and Charlotte discuss the Regent but sadly George IV still does not feature. Another child (Amelia) is discussed – never mind that the historical George III and Charlotte had no less than fifteen children – but apparently she's dead (the historical Amelia died age 27 and it distressed George greatly, but here it is delivered as if she was just an infant.). Oh, look, George is bonkers and thinks the Queen killed her. Nice one, Netflix, treating his illness like this and then completely glossing over it again.

Daphne, please stop tossing and turning and sighing, get yourself off, it works wonders. But no, instead she goes to her lady's maid and gets a pep talk about how she can still be happy without offspring.

Cut to Dukey waking up in Boxing Bro's place.

People I'd rather have a series about. A non-exhaustive list by me.

Penny and Eloise

Eloise

Benedict & The Bohemians (could also be a good band name)

Prince Freddie

Boxing Bro and his family

Opera Girl & The French Dressmaker

Cressida the Rival Bitch

The Servants

Dukey's exploits at college

Daphne's dress at her audience is so horribly ill-fitting.

How can Dukey be a rake if he doesn't even like flirting? It it pheromones? Do the ladies simply fall over when he walks by? The heck? Someone explain! His appeal to the Queen, however, is really lovely, no shade.

The wedding is LAUGHABLY small. Nobody would ever get through with this. You can't tell me they couldn't fill a small chapel like that, at least with some staff. It is supposed to be "intimate", because you guys are Regency nobility and this will not stand. Good God, Daphne, he's putting a ring on your finger, not his body parts inside of you.

However, the reception is huge. This does not make sense, except from a very American modern standpoint. I'm here for the food porn, though.

At the party Cressida bitches about and Penny (again, desperately) tries to hook up Cousin with anyone but Ducktail Colin. Eloise is still trying to figure out who Gossip Girl really is.

Cousin Wears-Curtains-Again tries to seduce Ducktail Colin in the study, alas, he's too honourable, but wants to marry her nevertheless, but he wants to wait. She can't wait, though, because of the pregnancy thing, oh no!

The Queen is at the reception, too. You can't tell me that the woman who tried to intervene with the getting wed thing as a whole because she didn't get enough attention is okay with being at the reception and not the church? 'scuse me? What is a characterisation, even.

Turns out Lady Danbury (remember, Dukey's awesome fairy godmother) isn't Whistledown, but the Queen is intrigued by Eloise's investigations. Also, Middle Bridgerbro had a threesome with not only the Dressmaker but also his (hopefully bi, because representation, probably gay because cliché) host's wife. Awkward to meet her again on your sister's wedding day.

Daphne gets THE TALK from Lady B, whose boobs are glorious in this scene, but honestly, couldn't you have done that on any other day?

I cannot bear to watch this while I'm eating.

Is Daphne going to wear her hair up now that she's married, at least?

Sappy goodbyes ensue as Dukey and Daphney go off to their honeymoon. Her cloak looks like a bedsheet.

How is this episode not over yet?

Oh no, they'll spend their wedding night at and inn rather than at a palace. Awkward silence ensues on the ride there, but the landscape and the inn are pretty.

Man, that centre part and those bangs look so. Bad.

They have separate bedrooms, which is a bit weird but so is this whole inn business. *shrugs * Daphne paces in hers, Dukey in his, and this writer is reminded of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Drama. Ugh. Communication is key.

Here we go with the make-up sex, though, and here we also go with the soft porn my best friend already warned me ab... no fucking shift! Are these stays laced with satin ribbon?

Oh look, it's Dukey topless again. Daphne's face just annoys me to no end. I'm so sorry because she really can't do anything about it, she was born with it, but it annoys me.

Uh, Dukey butt! I have the sudden urge to burst into "First Penis" from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. They really made a song for every occasion.

Dukey, couldn't you have started with your hands? What is a foreplay? "Hey, girl, remember when I told you to get yourself off? This is basically the same!" *inserts genitals * It's fairly tastefully shot soft porn, though.

I don't think she came. How about oral now?

God, we made it into the second half of this series.

Give me strength.

This concludes Episode 5.

To Be Continued

(maybe with female orgasms?)

[lo-55]

Revel Ch. 6

Factitious First Impressions                     

Tori was as good as her word. That night, when they went for bed, she drew the curtains and he snuffed the lights, leaving the pair of them in pitch and utter darkness. Tori climbed into her part of the bed and Katakuri his. There was space enough for another full grown man in the bed between them, and though she would have welcomed some contact Tori was smart enough to know that Katakuri, in his shyness, might panic.

So she kept her hands to herself and when the morning came she rose without him. She dressed herself in a simple lace robe over her long nightdress and left the room. No one would expect her to be in finery for breakfast.

She shut the door quietly, leaving Katakuri sleeping in their shared room, and made her way down the long hallway. The ancient floor was worn soft and cold under her thin slippers, and sunlight streamed in from skylights above her head. She walked into the Silver Hall with a halo of light floating across her sea-dark hair.

The Silver room was home to three long tables equipped with benches. One was for the staff, who had already had their breakfast, another for the soldier girls, who would eat later, and the third was reserved for the nobility.

For Tori and the other rich, high ranking women she had grown up with.

She was one of the last to arrive. She took her seat amongst the others, already chattering. It was all idle, easy gossip, nothing that would make its way into court or true intrigues. This was a place for eating, not a place for doing business.

Tori piled her plate with fruits, took a bowl for yogurt and a pair of hard boiled eggs. Most of the others were eating pastries. Someone handed her a cappuccino.

Tori joined the idle chatter. She alone did not stop when the door opened once more and Brulee walked in, sticking out like a sore thumb. Her clothes were plain, her face was scarred and her hair was a mess. Tori adored her.

“Everyone,” she spoke, “ I would like to introduce my sister-by-law, the Lady Charlotte Brulee.”

Brulee’s smile was somehow both awkward and unnerving. She took an empty seat, and started piling her plate without saying much to anyone.

“If that’s a Lady, I’m a cat,” Seline muttered, loud enough to be heard by everyone from Selbo to Tori herself. Brulee’s shoulders lifted and drew together and her smile spread wider and tensed.  Tori stood up abruptly. She walked around the table, grabbing a bowl and a pitcher of milk. A strange anger possessed her, pushing her forwards.

She brought it over to set it in front of Seline, pushing her plate away.

“You,” she said as she poured milk into the bowl, “Are Seline Butelli. Your father is a duke, and you are not even a duchess, when you marry your brother with inherit and you will hope for the best . I  , am Victoria di Imperia, crown princess and your future queen. And if I say that my friend is a lady  well .”

She set the pitcher aside and nudged the bowl of milk towards a stunned Seline, “You had best start lapping  kitty .”

Dead silence descended upon the women in the room. Tori had never been so aggressive, so uncivilized.

Yet now she stood, throwing her rank around in defense of a stranger who even Tori barely knew. But she would not tolerate it. She would not.

Satisfied with the mortified and red face Seline, and knowing that some form of retribution would come her way, Tori returned to her seat and continued on like nothing had happened to begin with.

Tori sucked in her stomach while Madelle laced up the back of her dress, pulling it taught. It pushed her tits up and gave her the illusion of not having organs. On top of the underdress and its laces draped a long length of blue as dark as magpie wings across her, falling straight down to the floor. On top of that she dropped a shorter length of imperial purple that fell only to Tori’s upper thighs. The edges were carefully embroidered in patterns, inlaid with fine, miniscule diamonds that shone when she moved like stars in the sky. It clasped at her shoulders with silver fibula adorned with a diamond skull. Rather grim, but befitting her new status.

“Beautiful, as always,” Madelle told her. She pulled her hair and piled it in tight ringlets atop Tori’s head before binding it with a thick ribbon encrusted with constellations.

“Of course,” Tori said absently, looking at herself in the mirror. She was a vision. She was beautiful and beloved by her people. It felt false. More so now than it had in a long, long time.

Tori slipped on her soft silk slippers. The sun was burning in the west, dipping towards the cradle of the sea.

Her mother lullaby came back to her again. She had learned it first in the Green Tongue, the one spoken in the forests.

  Roll forth Ocean mother

  Carry you children far  

  Shine bright moon hung o’er  

  Watch over their tepid flight  

  Bring with you, Great mother  

  The silver crashing mist  

  Protect your sons and daughters  

  Great Oars push to safety  

  The tide shall guard the night

  Lift high sea walls honor  

  Shine under sunstones bright  

  Stand tall, brother-sister  

  Guard each truth and steel  

  Cradle those, earth protector,  

  Crowned in stone from their ordeal

  Senten them moon sister  

  The sorrow of the earth  

Tori hummed softly. She knew there were more verses, but Dolce had never shared the full song with her. She told her that the sorrow of the earth was too sad for a child, but when she grew up she would sing it to her.

She never got the chance.

After Gemma was born, Dolce got sick. A post partum depression, she stopped sleeping, didn’t eat as much as she used to, and she was left open to infection.

It had been common, in the first days of Imperia as its own nation, shortly after the Novara civil war eight hundred years ago. A disease that swept through the vulnerable, cultivated by dying on the battlefield it was given free reign, passed through blood and sweat and tears. Or perhaps the air, no one had known and still no one did. It killed within twenty four hours.

The dark spots appeared, and the children were taken away. Dolce was quanteened, and she died. Followed by five servants, all four her handmaidens, and three doctors that tried to help her. They were blessed than the disease had stopped there, and hadn’t destroyed the entire city. Blessed, people said, but Tori and Lucien had lost their mother and Gemma had never even gotten to see her.

Now, Tori was a grown woman, married already, and Dolce would never see it. Would never know the woman that she had grown to be. Beautiful, and the daughter-by-law of an empress. One day, as the eldest child, she would be queen.

Dolce would not see that either.

Lapa finished with her hair, spreading a silver net encrusted in diamonds across it while Varinia lay her lips on. At last, she was ready.

Tori turned to the door.

“Let’s get this party started,” she joked lightly. Madelle, dressed in fine sapphire, skirts, nodded her assent swiftly. Lapa and Varinia took their places beside her. Aelia and Daria were hidden in the walls, in identical dresses to switch places with her if need be.

The gaggle of girls walked out of the room and into the hall. Katakuri had been shooed away some time ago, to dress himself properly. If he showed up in anything other than leather, Tori would be privately amazed.

They turned down the hallway and descended the stairs, meeting up with Brulee as they reached the bottom. She was flanked by the rest of Tori’s handmaidens, who had dressed her up in fine a lavender gown the color of her hair that draped across her long body well, bordered in pale blue. They had painted her lips and sculpted her face, tamed her hair and braided it into a crown adorned with blue roses.

Tori offered Brulee, who was closer to her size but still taller by a good head, her arm. Brulee took it, looking at her with a new light and together the pair walked into the atrium. Long vines dripped down from the ceiling, covered in wisteria, bougainvillea, and honeysuckle. The impluvium was filled with false lilies that held candles in the center and glowed faintly as they floated.

Tori took Brulee to the edge of the water and sat with her while her handmaidens scattered. they had their own duties to attend to.

Tori could see her sister, dressed in her uniform, standing off near the door with her captains. Her brother was talking to a judge near the spread table of fruits, cheeses, and wine. Nothing that Tori couldn't eat, but with Katakuri expected to be in attendance she couldn't either way.

Unfortunate, but she’d eaten before hand. Tori was no fool.

She chatted idly with Brulee until the attention in the room moved to the staircase once more. She turned with the rest of the room to find Katakuri standing at the top. He was wearing an actual shirt that fit him well, dark and bordered in red to match his scarf. His pants were still leather and his boots were spiked, but he was missing the knee pads.

Tori stood and glided towards the stairs. A silence fell across the room, or perhaps she simply wasn’t paying attention. His eyes were on her, and for the first time in a long time she felt a longing pressing against her ribs.

For someone so large he walked with a shocking amount of grace. He descended the marble staircase and when Tori offered him her hand he took it in his. A smile pulled at her lips, threatening the false one layered over top with silver glitter.

Katakuri kept his eyes on her and she her eyes on him as she guided him to his sister. He sat, crossing his legs, and Tori stood at his side, tucking her arm in his.

The band started playing soft strings, a low hum that build beneath her bones. Tori let herself stand close to Katakuri, for once taller than him, but true to her word, she didn’t try to sneak a peek. His arm was strong and warm beneath her hand and she felt that heat in her ribs once more.

While they sat, she talked, pointing out courtesans, officials, and visitors scattered around the room.

“That one,” she said, gesturing to a man in the corner that dressed in what appeared to be plain street clothes, no more than a tunic and leggings “is Orso Orseolo. He is a long trusted friend of my brother, sister and I but he won’t take any lands we offer and so he’s not a real nobleman at all. He says titles give him hives,” she smiled like she was sharing a conspiracy, “because he’s not got a title or lands but still has our backing and speaks with our voice, the rest of the court is terrified of him.”

She moved on. “The woman in the green dress is Arcielda Severan. She has quite the scandal about her divorcing Pietro, the one with the red boots and the frown lines. Still, she’s a good person, reliable and loyal to a fault. Once stabbed Chealsea Pruili with a fork and proposed Oblivion for her and hers when she tried to imply that disfigured babies shouldn’t be kept. Chealsea is the one in the brown gown with the bear bracelet.“

“How do you keep track of all of these people?” Brulee asked her, peering up at Tori with her same eerie smile.

Tori shrugged. “It’s not very hard. I just do.”

She was surprised when Katakuri’s low voice reached her.

“You said that flowers mean things. Do those?” he looked towards the flowers that dripped down the walls in long lines of white, purple, and pink. Tori felt her heart lighten at the interest Katakuri paid, and perhaps a bit at the attention in general.

“Bougainvillea, the pink ones, are for ‘peace and free trade’. We have ambassadors from the other Novara islands here. The Honeysuckle is for affection, fraternal and devoted. Wisteria, the purple, is for love, sensuality, support, sensitivity, bliss and tenderness. They’re for us.”

She felt his pulse under her fingers. Felt his shoulders draw together.

She drew a slow circle across a silver scar that crossed his arm, soothing.

“What’s oblivion?” Brulee asked next. Tori’s eyes darted again to Arcielda, speaking quietly to Alton Izard.

“Oblivion is the greatest disgrace for an Imperian,” she told them quietly. “It’s to have your entire existence erased. From the hearts of men and the Hall of Records. Your name will never be spoken again and you will be lost to the sands of time. Made into nothing and no body.”

Tori’s voice grew soft as silk and quiet as the grave. She was well aware of the attention that the two foreigners were paying her, rapt in her words.

Arcielda broke away from Alton and came over to them as the music picked up. She took Brulee’s hand and tugged her to her feet, sweeping her away to dance. Tori was left with Katakuri, who didn’t seem the type to waltz.

Brûlée was about as graceful as a colt, new and ungainly on its long, long legs. Bit Arcielda didn’t seem to mind. Her son wasn’t present, still just a child, and in any case he hated crowds.

Without really thinking about it Tori traced the strong lines of Katakuri’s arm. She kept talking him, telling him about the people around them. Where they came from. The positions they held. Their influence. Their temperments, histories, old grudges and new ones.

“Some of them are like me,” she told him. “Charlotte Victoria di Imperia. The ‘di’ is just a place holder. It means ‘of’. If they have that in their name, they are as old as the island. If their family name is all their claim, they’re newer blood. There aren’t many ‘di’s left to us. It’s been too long. Mostly, it’s my family.”

His voice was low and deep beside her when he spoke.

“Your family is very small.”

Tori smiled. Small, showing now teeth. A grin was threatening a rude. “Yours is very large. And new, isn’t it?”

“Mama is the first,” he confirmed, but Tori already knew that. She hummed softly, her voice a quiet melody. The band picked a quicker tune and she watched Arcielda lead Brulee through a clumsy spin across the floor. Arcielda was a sweet woman, and a complete lesbian.

“And you are the second. Third?”

“Second son, third child.”

“That must be a lot of presure,” Tori mused. Katakuri shot her a look.

“You’re a  princess .”

Tori smiled again, almost wide enough to split her false lips. “But I don’t have to work for that. My whole life has been presented on a silver plate. I don’t need to choose anything to get my future.”

Katakuri’s head tilted ever so slightly. Once more Tori found she couldn’t read the look in his eyes. She wanted, suddenly, impulsively, to steal him away. Drag him out into the gardens and sit him in the grass and unravel his scarf so she could  see .

But Tori was more well behaved than that. She let herself lean against his shoulder instead. Arcielda dipped Brulee low, until her hair almost touched the floor before pulling her back to her feet. Katakuri never looked away from them.

“You’re very protective of her,” Tori commented idly. He stiffened minutely under her fingers. Tori repressed a wince of guilt. That was right. Brulee’s scar.

“She’s my sister,” he said simply. Tori didn’t respond. Her own relationship with Gemma was much less… good. Gemma was a fighter, a general, hungry for power and stubborn. She was vicious and able. Tori was none of those things. She wanted no power, she fought for nothing. She was no vicious, so long as she could help it. She had been an honors student, she had competed in S.T.E.M., she had won academic decathlons almost single handed.

She wanted none of those victories again. She had no ambition. She coudln’t. Ambitious people drew too much attention, had too many expectations placed upon her and here-

No one expected her to be anything but pretty here.

“She told me what you did this morning.”

Tori looked at him, brows pinching minutely. She’d almost forgotten what she’d done. “Oh. Seline? She’s never been a kind person…”

“You didn’t have to stick up for her,” Katakuri said. There was a note of suspicion in his voice that pained Tori.

“You forget,” she said quietly. “She is my sister now too.”

She patted his arm and released him, the magic broken, to go find Orso. Her friend caught her hand when she appeared at his side and kissed each cheek. Familiar, kind, with a hint of concern in his soft brown eyes. He talked to her about nothing. Court gossips, hail storms, his sister. The pair of them walked to find others that Tori had grown up with, just as painted and false as she was.

There were three genuine people in the room. She was not one of them.

[ask-edd]

do you have a favorite song?

((You’ve activated my special interest, I shall now talk about music for way too fucking long

Under the cut cause it’s gonna be long))

So I mentioned here some favorite songs, but since it’s just about 4am and I have nothing better to do, I’ll expand on that list

In no particular order from my fav bands

Fav Sonata Arctica songs 

- Shy - San Sebastian - Wolf & Raven - Kingdom for a Heart - FullMoon - Replica

Fav Autoheart songs (I love literally all of them but I”m not gonna put their entire discography here so here’s some recommendations for if you wanna get into the band yourself)

- Lent - Stalker’s Tango - My Hallelujah - Control - The Sailor Song - Robbing Banks - Anniversary - Agoraphobia - Heartbreaker - Moscow - Foolishly Wrong - Murky Waters

Fav Ghost songs

- I’m a Marionette - Witch Image - Mary on a Cross - Dance Macabre - Kiss the Go-Goat - Rats - Year Zero - Monstrance Clock - Cirice - Square Hammer - He Is

Fav Streetlight Manifesto songs

- Keasbey Nights - One Foot on the Gas, One Foot in the Grave - A Better Place, a Better Time - Everything Went Numb - Point/Counterpoint - We Will Fall Together - Would You Be Impressed?

Fav Red Vox songs

- From the Stars - In the Garden - Job in the City - Back to School - We Had a Little Talk - There She Goes - Atom Bomb

Fav TWRP songs

- The No Pants Dance - Phantom Racer - Life Party - Starlight Brigade - Tactile Sensation - Rock n Roll Best Friends - Body Image - Atomic Karate - The Hit

Fav NSP songs (and covers)

- I Don’t Know What We’re Talking About - Nights on Broadway - Glory of Love - Heart Boner - Orgy for One - First Date - Cool Patrol - Danny Don’t You Know - Three Minutes of Ecstasy  - Pour Some Sugar on Me - In Your Eyes - Don’t Lose My Number - The Decision - Everybody Shut Up (I Have an Erection) - Peppermint Creams - Subdivisions - Rock With You - Road Trip

Fav Richie Branson songs (for those who watch Camp Camp, this is the guy who does all the outro songs from season 2 onwards)

- Not Myself - I, for one, Welcome Our Robot Overlords - Bon Bon Voyage - Underpaid and Overqualified - Outro Outro - Keeper of the Flame - Cult of Personality

Fav Jeff Williams (RWBY) songs

- All that Matters - Lionize - Forever Fall - Bad Luck Charm - All Our Days - Let’s Just Live - Home - Cold - This LIfe is Mine - Like Morning Follows Night - RWBY vs FNKI - Not Fall in Love with You - Red Like Roses Part 1 and 2 - Boop - Shine - This Will Be the Day

Fav Reel Big Fish songs

- Beer - Sell Out - Nothing But a Good Time - Brown Eyed Girl - Everyone Else is an Asshole - Take On Me - Life Sucks... Let’s Dance! - Another FU Song

Fav Living Tombstone songs/remixes

- Drunk - My Ordinary Life - Don’t Tattle on Me - No Mercy  - Epoch - It’s Raining Men - Squid Melody Blue - Dog of Wisdom Remix Blue - Die in a Fire - It’s Been So Long - Five Nights at Freddy’s 1 Song - The Road to El Dorado Remix - Fun Dead Theme - Collecting Cookies - Hampire - Pinkie’s Brew - Good Girl - Mine Turtle - Tom’s Dog - Smile Song - Discord - September 

Fav ABBA songs

- Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - Voulez-Vous - SOS - Money Money - Super Trouper - Mamma Mia - Take a Chance on Me - Dancing Queen - Knowing Me, Knowing You

Fav Mystery Skulls songs

- Heaven - When I’m With You - The Future - Every Note - Soul on Fire - Freaking Out - Money - Paralyzed - Hellbent - Forever - Magic - Ghost - Losing My Mind

Fav Glass Animals songs

- Toes - Black Mambo - Season 2 Episode 3 - Youth - Gooey - The Other Side of Paradise - Pork Soda - Your Love (Deja Vu)

Fav Saint Motel Songs

- You Can Be You - Move - Van Horn - My Type - Sweet Talk

Fav The Hoosiers songs

- Killer - Goodbye Mr A - Up to No Good - Worried About Ray - A Sadness Runs Through Him

Weird meme-y mashups and bits from Youtube

- Text to Speech by Louie Zong - Korn - Coming Undone But It’s Pony By Ginuwine by William Maranci - U Got That | JJBA Requiem Version (Giorno’s Theme Remix) by Reii-kun - Plastic JoJo - Sono Chi No Future Funk (plastic love+JJBA) by Seventh Sage - Aaron Grooves - Jazzy Note Blocks (Animation vs. Minecraft) by GuckTube YT - Kanye West but make it Disney by John Fassold - Sober Black Horse - KT Tunstall vs Evanescence (Mashup) by oneboredjeu Mashup - Scanty & Kneesocks’ Absolute Territory, This WIll Be the Fighting Gold, Lone Friends on the Wild Side, and CARAMELLGASSIN’ by Triple-Q

rq special mention to a few AMVs everyone should see - Anime’s Got Talent - Edited with JazzsVids & ReplayStudios by AmvLuna  - Speedwagon Slamjam (AWA Pro 2015 Best Action) - JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure AMV by irriadin - Hero AMV (Ultimate Cartoon Tribute) by Writermist - Spirit Never Dies Anime AMV by Rajiv Andrade 

And then some random favs

- 12 Feet Deep by The Front Bottoms - Set On You (Life in Toronto) by Billy’s Bones) - Naked and Love the Way You Move by Slightly Left of Centre - She’s So High by Tal Bachman - Dangerous by LEFT BOY - I Don’t Wanna Be in Love by Good Charlotte - Wild Side by ALI - In the End, Crawling, Papercut, Numb, Breaking the Habit, New Divide, and What I’ve Done by Linkin Park - Picture Frames and Everything Falls Apart by rei brown - Romeo and Juliet, Sex in the City, Peach Scone, and Creve Coeur 1 by Hobo Johnson - Kangaroo Court by Capital Cities - Campfire Light by Tequila & The Sunrise Gang - Cola Song by INNA - Here Comes the Hotstepper (Remix) by Baby & Me - Bruises by Fox Stevenson - Shut up and Dance by WALK THE MOON - Applejack, Feed Me with Your Heart, Lullaby for a Princess, and The Moon Rises by Ponyphonic - Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer - So Good by Bratz - Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey - Amhran Na Farraige by Lisa Hannigan - A Moment of Silence by Dan P - Rockefeller Street (New Nightcore) by Getter Jaani - Broken Record, 15 Reading Homestuck on the Internet, and Chamomile by atlas - Thumbnail by Louie Zong - Baby Hotline by Jack Stauber - Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms (and the cover by Hit the Lights) - Spirit Never Die by Masterplan - Magnum Bullets by Night Runner - Tonight by Vague003 (and the original Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler) - Hoodie by Hey Violet - Worst in Me by Unlike Pluto - A Night to Forget and Too Tired to Run by Cain’s Offering - Private Eye by Alkaline Trio - Karma and I’m Ready by AJR - Sorry Haha I Fell Asleep, Passing Papers, and Putting a Spin on Never Ever Getting Rid of Me by Egg - Cannibal by Tally Hall - interlude IV (Showtime) by Zach Callison - Scarborough Fair by Super Guitar Bros - Misery Business by Skatune Network - The Less I Know the Better by Tame Impala - Relatively by Faded Paper Figures - Schizophrenia, Under My Skin, and Victoria by Jukebox the Ghost

[jovialyouthmusic]

Girls’ Night Out

A multiple AU piece of fun featuring my female LIs

The boys have a plan - how will it work out? The girls are determined ot enjoy themselves...

Word Count 2180

A/N A little non con and near nudity.. not suitable for under 18s

5 Having a Ball

Lucy’s Drake settled back into the leather upholstery and reached out for his cut glass tumbler. He inhaled the scent of whisky, closing his eyes.

‘Speyside malt, no more than ten years’ he murmured, and Brad chuckled

‘You’re learning fast, grasshopper, it’s seven years old’

‘Well’ Lake replied ‘Now I’m in a threeway marriage with Lucy and the King of Cordonia, I get to actually buy the whiskey I want instead of having to sneak into your study and steal it’

‘You’re getting soft’ scoffed Chake ‘Though who am I to judge – I’m married to the Queen of Cordonia’

‘There certainly are more malts available than in my time’ John admitted. The four men lounged in high backed leather chairs in the smoking lounge of his old Regency club. It was not entirely authentic, as he’d allowed the range of whiskies served to include those from the time line of his guests – and conceded that smoking inside was probably not a good idea. He had only frequented the club for a short while, visiting when his father had fallen ill, and using it rather more often once he had started courting Elizabeth Dalgleish. The food there was a little more refined than the cook at his town house could manage, and it was a good place to rub shoulders with those who might give him advice on how to run his estate now that his father had left him sole heir.

The only one not relaxed by their surroundings was Bastien. He realised he was being unreasonable, worrying about how the women were faring in the club, but old habits die hard. He had tailed Leo into many dingy clubs and bars in the past, and he’d seen the kind of trouble that bubbled up unexpectedly, even in the better ones.

‘Chill, Bas’ Lake said ‘have a whiskey, they’ll be fine. I’m more worried about any men who try to tangle with them.’ Bastien slumped out of his usual upright posture.

‘It goes against my training’ he said ‘I want to be there looking out to stop trouble before it escalates’

‘Les won’t let anything happen, trust me’ Brad said soothingly ‘You know she hates conflict’

‘But this isn’t totally under her control’ he countered ‘We’re behind the screen’ Chake cleared his throat

‘Actually’ he said ‘I have the perfect idea as to how we could keep an eye on them’

-----

‘Strippers?’ Lizzy said, puzzled. Lucy doubled over laughing.

‘Oh you’re such an innocent’ she chortled. Sophia, who earlier on in the evening had been the voice of reason, sniggered and hiccupped. That left Charlotte to look out for their friend

‘Darling, a stripper is someone who takes off their clothes for entertainment’ she explained patiently. Lizzy frowned as she sipped her drink.

‘But why?’ she asked.

‘Well’ started Lucy ‘Because it’s fucking hot’ Lizzy didn’t dare ask what she meant and was wondering when she could call an end to the evening and be reunited with John.

‘Just watch’ Charlotte said, and leaned back in her seat. They had a table by the edge of a low stage, and were on their second round of drinks. Lizzy had continued with the drink Lucy had selected for her, as it reminded her somewhat of her mother’s tea parties amongst all the strange sights and sounds. She didn’t feel too drunk, though the room swam a bit when she went to visit the ladies’ restroom. The music here wasn’t too loud, and there was some sort of performance about to start. Lizzy jumped as a loud voice, seeming to come from nowhere, boomed out.

‘Ladies, hold on to your panties – Shanghai brings to you tonight, for one night only, the Cordonian Doppelgangers! Ladies, any resemblance to any person you might recognise is totally intentional. Let’s hear it for our manly hunks!’  Music blared out, and four men suddenly appeared with a flourish from the wings at the rear of the stage. They had their backs to the audience and swayed in time to the music that started up. To be more precise, they swung their hips in a way that made Lizzy feel rather hot. They wore jackets and trousers made of some sort of shiny black material, and had strange flat caps that she didn’t recognise.

‘Ladies, we understand tonight we have a party with us who are celebrating one lovely lady’s last night of freedom. Stand up Lizzy, show us your face – and your brave companions too’ Lucy leaned across to Elizabeth and hissed.

‘It’s okay Lizzy, we’ve got your back. Stand up and give everyone a wave – we all will’ Her legs trembled as she rose, Charlotte taking her arm reassuringly, and all four of them were applauded and cheered by the rest of the audience before they sat again. Lizzy’s heart pounded and her cheeks burned. As the music continued, one by one the men turned to face the audience, bringing their hats to cover their groins, and the voice continued

‘Ladies, let’s meet our performers - let’s hear a big welcome for – SNAKE! He’s got a python in his pants and he’s not afraid to show it’ Lizzy gasped as the first man took his hat away from his groin with a flourish as he swivelled his hips to the music. The whole room erupted, with women whooping, hollering and whistling, and Charlotte gasped in astonishment.

‘Oh my goodness’ she exclaimed  ‘it’s my Drake! I mean  - it’s not, is it?’

‘Second’ the voice continued ‘It’s GLAD – and no, that’s not a flashlight in his pocket – he’s just really glad to see you’ Lucy bounced up and down in her seat as the dancer prowled to the edge of the stage and leered down at her.

‘Ohhhh this is too good’ she crowed ‘He’s the absolute spit of Brad’

‘Thirdly – some lucky lady will be getting the attention of SEBASTIEN! He’s a stallion and he’s not shy’ Sophia shrieked with glee.

‘Fucking hell, Bas would NEVER do this’ she shouted. ‘Come here lover boy, I’m your gal’ Lizzy gaped at the spectacle, and trembled to see the final dancer turn around as Sophia’s object of affection stalked disdainfully to the edge of the stage and turned his back at the last moment to make a thrusting movement with his hips. She breathed a sigh of relief when it turned out to be the ‘other’ Drake, and not her John. She was sure she would die of embarrassment if he appeared.

‘Last but not least Ladies’ the voice went on ‘Let’s hear a warm welcome for BRAKE – he’s sure to break a few hearts – and he also tells me he’ll do his best to break you’

‘Oh my fucking god’ screamed Lucy ‘Take me boys, I’m all yours!’ She surged to her feet and climbed up on to the stage, grabbing hold of ‘Glad’ and turning her back to him, beckoning ‘Brake’ and pulling him to her so she was sandwiched between them. The music throbbed with a steady bass, and Lucy started to undulate and writhe between the two men.

They played along, focussing their attention on her, and to Lizzy’s astonished gaze, got hold of the neck of their outfits and pulled – and in one smooth movement the seams parted and they threw the garments to the side. The other two men stayed at the back of the stage, gyrating and bobbing in time to the beat as Lizzy goggled at her friend and her two companions. They were almost naked, wearing only their leather boots, hats, bow ties, and a strange pouchlike garment covering their manhood, held on by what seemed the flimsiest of thread.

As Lucy danced, the Drake lookalike suddenly flipped into a handstand in front of her, spreading his legs wide. He bounced up and down on his hands – he effectively jumped on his palms as he gyrated in a full circle in front of her, legs opening and closing as he went. She whistled and cheered with the rest of the audience until he arced his spine right over until his booted feet touched the floor and he sprang to his feet again, facing Lucy. Brad took his turn, facing her and stretching out his arms either side of her, shaking his torso and dropping to his heels before shimmying up again. Lucy swung her hips and gyrated too, hollering in appreciation as he repeated his move.

The music changed, and Lucy’s two partners grabbed a hold of her in a chair lift and took her back to her seat. ‘Snake’ came forward, dropping to the floor of the stage on hands and feet, making his way forward somewhat like a caterpillar, Lizzy observed, only more sinuous and powerful. He reached the edge of the stage and leapt off to stand in front of Charlotte, hand behind his head and his pelvis rotating before he leant forward to take a hold of her and throw her over his shoulder. He carried her to the stage screaming and protesting in embarrassment. ‘Sebastien’ had meanwhile been doing a little routine with the other two men, and went to place a chair centre stage. Lizzy wasn’t sure where to look.

Charlotte was placed carefully in the chair, and she sat, hand to mouth and wide eyed, mesmerised by her captor as he circled her, taking a hold of the back of the chair and dipping so his backside almost touched the ground. When he came back around to the front of the chair he faced her and ripped off his garment. She shrieked as he advanced on her, stepping so he was effectively astride her without touching. Again he gyrated his hips and leaned forward, hands either side of her to undulate his torso close but without making contact. She shrieked in embarrassment, turning her head to the side and laughing nervously.

Lucy whooped and hollered, and Sophia laughed and shouted encouragement, but with an eye on the fourth man. Lizzy’s mind was working overtime as to what might be in store for her before Charlotte’s turn came to an end and she was picked up bodily again and placed back in her chair.

Sebastien strode to the centre of the stage and moved forward slowly, stomping his feet and making thrusting gestures with his hips, eyes firmly fixed on Sophia. He made a little gesture with his head, lifting his chin and holding out his hand to invite her up on stage with him. Mesmerised, she got to her feet, eyes locked with his as he stood and waited for her. She reached him and they circled, never taking their eyes off each other until he pounced, seizing her and carefully laying her on her back on the stage. He stood over her with his boots either side of her hips, gyrating and gazing down at her.  At last her resolve broke and she shrieked, hands flying to her mouth, drawing her knees up.

He stripped his garment off, waving it in a circle above his head before throwing it to the side. The other three men continued to dance at the rear of the stage, stomping and bobbing to the heavy beat that throbbed in Lizzy’s chest. She was light headed as she watched Sebastien drop to the stage, hands either side of Sophia’s shoulders and feet either side of hers, holding himself inches away from her prone body, forcing her to lower her knees so she lay flat. She shrieked again as he brought his face close to hers, only a sliver of air between them. Lizzy put her hand to her face and peered through her fingers, apprehension growing. She could almost feel the heat between Sophia and Sebastien as he teased and tortured her, never touching, but making it plain what he wished he could do to her, his pelvis making thrusting movements that Lizzy didn’t quite understand. At last he stood and held out his hand to pull her up, throwing her effortlessly over his shoulder and taking her back to her seat. The music swelled and he went back centre stage to join the other three men.

They swung into a choreographed routine together, each taking centre stage to show off moves that made her feel hot all over again. They were clearly competing to see who could elicit the most noise from the audience. The music went on as they twirled and stomped, bobbed, writhed and thrust until they were all sheened with sweat. Suddenly the music dropped, and the voice came again.

‘Ladies, we have one more performer before it’s all over. Lizzy, please rise for the final member of our upstanding troupe…’ Lizzy gasped as the other women pulled her to her feet. From the rear of the stage strode John – her John, dressed not as the others, but in his naval uniform, buttons and boots gleaming in the bright lights, cocked hat held under his arm.

She saw nothing more as she grew light headed and fainted clean away.

[labyrinth-runner]

There Was A Boy

The Greatest Thing, Chapter One

Read the rest here

Estelle Devereux stood in the hall, waiting for her turn to be announced. Queen Charlotte's Ball was something she'd dreamed about since she was a girl. This would be the night she'd be introduced to society. However, lately she felt as though she was a prized animal on her way to be sold to the highest bidder. She bit her lip, bouncing on her toes slightly. A hand came out to squeeze hers and she looked at the owner affectionately.

"It's alright to be nervous, Elle," her best friend, Annalise, told her. "But, remember that it's just a party."

They heard the heralds sound the trumpet, signaling the arrival of Queen Victoria on the opposite side of the doors.

"A very elaborate party," Estelle replied sardonically.

Annalise nudged her with her elbow and she cracked a smile.

"That's more like it, Elle. Besides, who knows who might be on the other side of that door," Annalise grinned.

"Queen Victoria," Estelle smirked.

"Besides the Queen," Annalise said with a roll of her eyes. "You might meet the one. Or, at the very least, some entertaining people that may become your friend."

"I wish I had your outlook on things, Anna," Estelle said wistfully. Ever since her mother died, her father had been urging her that she'd have to make a good match. She never quite understood why. After all, her parents had married for love. Why couldn't she? She shook herself from her reverie as the doors opened. Gently, she smoothed over the fabric of her green dress. She smiled softly at the gown her mother had designed before she died, specifically for her debut. To see it come to fruition made her happy. Her heart clenched at the thought that if only her mother could see her now, with her frilly sleeves and floral pattern beaded into the fabric. She supposed she looked beautiful. The line of ladies started to move and one-by-one they were introduced to the queen next to the cake.

"Your majesty," Estelle said with a deep curtsy to the queen.

"Devereux..." the queen murmured. "Tell us, are you of any relation to a Margaret?"

Estelle respectfully looked down. "Yes, your majesty. She was my mother."

"We are sorry for your loss," the Queen said with a small smile, lifting her hand so that Estelle would straighten herself out. "Your mother made quite the impression during her social season. We look forward to watching your experience."

The Queen nodded at Estelle, letting her know she was dismissed, and the line continued on. Estelle made her way into the crowd of partygoers. She scanned the room for the familiar flash of pink dress that was Annalise. With a smile, she made her way over, but she stopped in her tracks when she noticed who her friend was with. Christian. Her face broke out in a smile as she tried to get there as quickly as possible without making a fool of herself.

"Elle, there you are!" Annalise beamed when she turned to her friend. "How did your introduction go?"

Her words could have fallen on deaf ears as she watched Estelle and Christian regard each other. However, Annalise, ever the trooper, kept going.

"My introduction went fairly well. I figured I'd get a glass of something to drink and wait for you. While you were occupied, I met Mr. Thompson," Annalise explained. "Mr. Thompson, this is my friend-"

"Ellie," Christian beamed at her.

"Oh, you two know each other," Annalise remarked.

Estelle's eyes never left Christian as she responded. "We were friends a long time ago. It's been ages since we've seen each other," she murmured.

Christian smiled softly at her, taking her hand and gently kissing it. "'Were' friends? Darling, I thought we still are."

Estelle flushed scarlet, tucking a stray curl behind her ear as she avoided his gaze. "I suppose we've both changed quite a bit since we last spoke. We're proper strangers now."

Gently, he dropped her hand when it was no longer proper to hold it. Already, she missed the contact.

"Perhaps a dance is in order to get reacquainted," Annalise suggested.

Estelle's eyes flicked over to her friend. What was she playing at? Annalise just winked at her.

"May I have this dance, Ms. Devereux?" Christian asked, holding his hand out to her.

Part of her felt like taking his hand would imply giving him more than a dance, but she didn't care. She placed her hand in his. "You may, Mr. Thompson."

Christian led her to the middle of the ballroom. He bowed, she curtsied, and then they started to dance. Estelle felt like she was soaring above the crowd, or at least like they were the only two people in the room. A wistful smile came over his face as they twirled around the room to the waltz currently being played by the band.

"Is something amusing you, Mr. Thompson?" Estelle asked with a tilt of her head.

He looked down at her, blue eyes sparkling at whatever he was thinking. "I'm simply reminiscing. Do you remember all the times we used to dance?"

Estelle chuckled, drawing looks from surrounding couples who were dancing. "I don't believe you could call what we used to do dancing. We lacked rhythm and form. It wasn't anywhere near as elegant as this."

"No, but it was decidedly more fun," he replied with a lopsided grin.

The song came to an end and they regrettably parted ways as another man asked Estelle to dance. The other gentleman twirled her around, but it just wasn't the same. Her eyes caught Christian's over the man's shoulder as they passed by and he smiled. When the song ended, she made her way off the dance floor and out into the garden before anyone else could ask her to dance. The air was cool, but refreshing on her heated skin. She hadn't expected to see Christian at this ball. Although, she shouldn't have been too surprised. The Thompsons were a respectable family. Respectable enough to have an estate that was next to theirs in the country. Or at least... next to what used to be their estate in the country. Estelle leaned forward to smell a rose, closing her eyes to truly enjoy it.

"You always did like to stop and smell the roses," a voice said from behind her.

She smiled, keeping her eyes closed as she straightened. "Flowers grow to be enjoyed. Certainly, they are beautiful, Mr. Thompson, but surely we should appreciate more than just their beauty? Especially when they have other lovely qualities to offer."

She turned to regard him, carefully taking him in. He'd grown so much since they'd parted, but yet so much about him was the same. He was taller, more handsome, but he still had that same spark in his eyes. A spark she hoped he'd never let die. She gestured to the rose, encouraging him to smell it's fragrance.

"Do you feel like a flower?" he asked thoughtfully as he came over and bent at the waist to inhale. The sweetest smile crossed his face as he straightened.

"Is a woman not a flower?" she asked in response. "If one looked at the ball room like a bird in a tree looks over a garden, would they not see the same sight? Women in colorful dresses, putting on their best airs and making themselves colorful enough to be wanted in order to attract the bees of men."

His brow furrowed at her words. "You speak like a poet. Darling, what's wrong with attracting a bee?"

She smiled knowingly, wagging a pointed finger at him like she used to when they were children and she needed to teach him a lesson. "Bees pollinate flowers. They spread the pollen 'round and round. Bees have the ability to seek out other flowers when theirs start to wither and die. Bees don't have to tend to the flower as it dies on the vine," she gently reached out to hold a dying rose, smiling sadly at it. "No one wants the flower when its not at its best, for they don't truly love the flower. If they did... they'd know that the flower still had so much more to give, even after it looses its beauty."

He smiled at her as he softly asked, "And if someone cherished the flower in all forms?"

"Because they respected the flower or merely because they saw the usefulness of the flower?" she countered as she released the flower to regard him. She didn't quite realize it, but she was holding her breath as she awaited his answer.

"Perhaps they respect the flower, missing it terribly when it doesn't grow back every year. Still, as they're in the garden, they think of the flower and how the garden isn't quite the same without it," he replied.

"You missed me?" she asked breathlessly.

"Are we no longer discussing flowers?" he chuckled.

"Were we ever discussing flowers?" she countered with a raised brow.

"I have missed you," Christian replied. "When you didn't come back the following summer and someone else moved into the manor..."

"Father sold it when mother started to get sick. He said that moving around so often would be bad for her health," Estelle replied.

"I am so deeply sorry about your mother," he said, taking her hand. "Maggie was an incredible woman. Just like you."

"Thank you," Estelle blushed as he ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "You know, I never stopped thinking about you after we left. I regretted not being able to say goodbye."

"It wasn't a goodbye," Christian murmured. "I don't think there's a goodbye in the cards for us until we're old and gray."

She shook her head slightly at him, but a smile graced her face. "Mr. Thompson, you have grown."

"As have you," he smiled as they started to walk down a garden path.

"How many seasons have you been here for?" she asked curiously.

"Three, darling. They get harder and harder as the time goes on," he chuckled.

"Harder how?" she asked, brow furrowing.

"Perhaps 'harder' wasn't the correct term," he said thoughtfully. "Stifling. Yes, they get more stifling. Although, I guess that is high society as a whole."

"Oh? Enlighten me, Mr. Thompson, what exactly is so stifling about the London season?" Estelle asked in amusement, humoring him as they came to rest in front of a fountain in the garden. Gently, she sat on the edge, ever the captive audience.

"Well, darling, they put so much emphasis on the wrong things," he told her.

"Such as?"

"Well... Titles, wealth, outward beauty," he replied, eyes alight as he caught onto a train of thought, ready to ride it wherever it may lead. "It's all about making an advantageous match. Very rarely is it about love. It's about what you can do for that person to help them get a leg up in society, not about what you could be for that person, or what you can build together."

She tilted her head thoughtfully as she considered his words. "Survival of the fittest at its finest."

"Darwin, Ellie?"

She shrugged. "I may have been spending the past six years learning how to manage a household for a husband, but that doesn't mean I stopped educating myself on the world when I could."

He smiled. Yes, he may have changed, but she hadn't. He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up slightly. "Do you know what the problem is with society?"

"I'm sure there are many answers to that, but I'm interested to hear yours," she grinned.

"Everyone is too comfortable. They seek comfort in material things. Those things may make them physically comfortable, but those things don't soothe the soul," he replied enthusiastically. "None of those things matter in the end, and none of them are required to be truly happy. You can... you can have all the money in the world to buy all the prestige and material comforts you wanted and still be unhappy. What really matters... what's really important are things like freedom, beauty, truth, and love."

It clicked in her mind why he was still here after three years. If he talked like this with anyone else, they would be scared to match with him. He threatened their livelihoods, believing in intangible things. Things that could be felt, but had no monetary value. Although, she'd heard of these ideas before, albeit briefly.

"You're speaking like a Bohemian," she finally said. It wasn't an accusation, nor was it an insult. She was merely stating a fact.

A wistful look crossed his face. "Yes, I suppose I am."

She gently took his hand, dropping formality. Society was in the ball room. Out here they were just two friends getting reacquainted. "Christian, why haven't you found someone?"

His face fell a bit as he looked to the ground, dejected. "I..." he sighed. "I suppose I'm still waiting for love. I know that's not necessary for a society marriage, but it's something I don't want to compromise on." He shook his head at the silliness of it.

"It's not wrong to want love," she said gently. "Especially when you'll be tied to that person for the rest of your lives."

"Whenever I start talking about these things, slowly people begin to shut me out," he said softly, "They think I'm foolhardy. In a way, I suppose they're right. There are real ramifications to running a house hold with someone. Should either person commit a crime, they are held responsible. But, if someone breaks your heart? If you trust someone enough to let them in, to see all your flaws and hopes, and they betray that trust... nothing happens to them. You're left with the pieces, but they're none the wiser. Only a fool would want to fall in love."

Estelle reached out to tip his chin up. His eyes flicked up to hers as she responded. "If 'love's reason's without reason,' then only a fool could fall in love," she said with a smile.

"Shakespeare," he smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. His hand lingered a bit longer than it should have.

Estelle cleared her throat. "I suppose we should return to the ball."

He nodded, standing to offer her his hand. Gingerly, she took it to stand. She smoothed out her dress and straightened her back.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding his arm out for her.

Tilting her chin up at him, she smiled. "We shall."

They returned to the ball room to enjoy what was left of the festivities, together. After a few more hours of dancing and interacting with society, Annalise appeared at Estelle's elbow.

"Elle, our carriage has arrived to take us home," Annalise informed her.

Elle nodded. "Very well."

Christian raised a brow at her. "May I call on you at home?"

"I would like that," she smiled. "Good night, Mr. Thompson."

"Have a safe trip home, Ms. Devereux," he smiled before nodding respectfully.

Estelle hooked her arm through Annalise's and walked out with her to the carriage. She looked out at the palace wistfully as the carriage pulled away.

"Well, that was certainly a fun night," Annalise beamed.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Anna," she grinned. "Did you meet the one?"

Annalise shrugged. "I met a few gentlemen of great renown. I'm sure my parents would be proud if they chose to court me. I really just wanted to enjoy myself tonight and make friends."

Estelle smirked and shook her head at her friend.

"Now, you on the other hand," Annalise said pointedly. "Seem to have already found a match."

"What are you talking about?" Estelle asked in confusion.

"Mr. Thompson. The two of you seem quite smitten with one another," she teased.

"We're simply old friends catching up," she replied halfheartedly.

"Yes, well, you know what they say about houses, don't you?"

Estelle's nose scrunched up as she turned to face her friend, "No, Anna, what do they say about houses?"

"They require a strong foundation in order to withstand the test of time."

Estelle blushed as she looked out the window. Perhaps she and Christian could be something more. They were quite similar, and they had been good friends as children. Perhaps... perhaps Annalise was onto something. She couldn't deny that Christian was handsome. Not to mention, she enjoyed listening to him wax on about the Bohemian ideals. In a way, she did agree with most- if not all- the things he said. His family was of good social and financial standing, so her father would approve. He had also asked to call on her, so maybe he wanted to see if something could blossom for them. Although, friends also called on each other as well. She sighed softly. Only time would tell.