#relationships ground us to this mortal realm

[dearmyloveleys]

can’t believe mxtx looked at wangxian and thought hmm what can I do to make their dynamic sadder:

*pulls out a couple who is both their parallel and foil, dressed in the same black and white, with the same moral ideals, but born in places withdrawn from jianghu politics. they also split on bad terms, with one of the two later manipulated into a murderer and dying from their own grief and mental turmoil, while the other half can only watch

imagine seeing a visual representation of what could have been, and seeing it die in front of you

[written-in-flowers]

Her Tamer: Demon!Yunho x Fem!Reader

Pairing: Demon!Yunho x Fem!Reader | side pairings: Yunho x OFC, Yunho x Mingi, demonline x Reader

Genre: Smut, angst, slight fluff | AU: demon au

Word Count: 12k

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

Summary: Following the death of his father, Yunho ponders over Hell's obvious unfair class system. When you make numerous attempts to get him in bed, he decides to try correcting your bratty behavior.

Tags: poly relationship, established relationship, bisexual sex, mentions of death/loss, mentions of illness, general angst, class separation, rough sex, brat taming, choking, spanking, pussy slapping, degradation, cuckquean, light bondage, oral sex (f. receiving), nipple play, breast play, exhibitionism, pet names (slut, bitch, whore, good girl, baby), facial, cum swallowing, panty sex, "just the tip", edging. Yunho simping over his actual woc!gf, Yunho generally being pissed at rich people because we should eat them.

Previously on Pretty Lady

Pretty Lady Masterlist

****

He never hated a sunrise before. The orange-yellow rays gradually pushed the night back up into the sky, breaking through and over the trees in the distance. The front courtyard remained dimly lit, though in a few hours its splendor would be in full light. Yunho used to hike up the mountains back home to bask in its warmth. The hot air would blow in from the molten lake where natural gold endlessly churned. His kin would come out from the main grounds, carrying metal poles and large vats to collect gold nuggets that washed up onto the lake overnight. They’d be turned into coins to be put in circulation. Yunho didn’t work at the mint, but he’d sit and watch them work until it was time to go. 

Like today. He stared away from the window to the uniform hanging on his closet door. Black and white, he wore the uniform every single day since he arrived at The Black Keep. Every morning, before sunrise, he’d bathe and fix up his appearance before pulling on the uniform. He’d go down to the kitchen where he’d snag a quick breakfast, then set about scheduling everyone's duties for the day. By the time anyone else arrived, he’d already have the chore chart finished, and be ready to get to work. Yet, today he could not bring himself to do it. 

“Yunho?” Mingi’s deep voice came from somewhere behind him. “Is everything okay? You weren’t in the kitchen.”

“Sorry. Overslept.”

“Overslept? You? Impossible.”

Yunho hardly slept at all, to be honest. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

“Hey,” a hand touched his shoulder, the warmth radiating through his thin nightshirt, “I know it’s been a rough few days for you, but at least it’s over now. Your dad’s at rest. He's not suffering anymore.” 

Yunho didn’t want to talk about it. He stared down at the letter on his desk. The creases in the paper became more pronounced from him constantly folding and unfolding it, but the ink was bolder than ever. 

‘My dear Yunho, 

I’m afraid this is my last letter to you. As you know, the holy pestilence I caught in the mortal realm has finally taken its course. The doctors tried all kinds of treatments and methods, but no amount of magic will undo what that priest had done. Don’t worry about me, my boy. Your Pop has lived a good life here in the old mountains. I may not have been a rich demon, but I lived as well as we could. 

I love you, Yunho. You are my greatest achievement, my greatest treasure, and my greatest love. Everything I have done was to try giving you a better life. I wanted you to have the things I never did, and I like to think in small ways I accomplished that. You left our home and went on to be more than I ever imagined for you. You got out, son, and that alone makes me proud. 

Please, do not mourn me, Yunho. Celebrate me. Go buy the good stuff and enjoy a few drinks. Buy a rare hunk of meat, cook it in some fancy elegant sauce, and eat it. Hell, go to one of the nicer brothels and splurge on the high price girls. Buy that girl of yours something pretty. Buy everything and anything you want. Bet money on winning horses or hounds. Don’t mope or cry about me. I didn’t get to live, so I want you to do it for me. 

Love forever, 

Pop.’ 

He received the news of his father’s death shortly after the letter's arrival. A messenger came to give him his father’s belongings, which wasn't much, but now sat in a box in the closet. He planned on selling the house to someone or perhaps renting it for some extra cash. His father wouldn’t have wanted him to hang on to the past. Sadly, the past kept wanting to hang onto him. 

Yunho has been working for most of his life to keep himself and his father fed. Despite his father's title of ‘Lord’, the family fortune had been squandered centuries before Yunho had been born. The only treasures left to them were their old decrepit mansion and a few family heirlooms. After years of scrubbing floors and cleaning clothes, he had the opportunity to work in a lord's household as a footman. From then he became a serving man, a butler, assistant, and finally a household manager. He moved from house to house serving the elite who looked down on his family. When he came into Seonghwa’s employ, his father couldn't have been happier. 

“Hey, my boy is going to work for the son of Asmodeus! Ain't that something?”  

He’d made good money. Very good money, and most of it went back home to his father. Unfortunately, his father's gambling problem took hold of him, causing him to own more money than he's worth. From what his cousins told him, a lord offered him a job possessing souls in the mortal world. Yunho wished he'd been told beforehand; he could have talked him out of it. Possessions aren’t easy, and only the well trained can perform them successfully. He told Yunho it was good money: fifty gold for every soul brought down. Yunho said his father was too old; he'd be going to his “nap” soon. His father argued that he still had it in him and to not worry. Things had been going okay, from what he’d told Yunho, until a priest got in the way. 

He doesn’t know what kind of magic the priest used, but it’d landed his father in the hospital. The doctors told Yunho that holy magic is deadly to their kind, just like holy weapons, and it would kill his father. He liked to think that he’d at least get paid for the gig. He didn’t. The lord who sent him never planned on paying him, but instead passing off his father’s hard work as his own. Yunho would have killed him were he not high born. 

“You should get ready,” Mingi said. “The Masters haven’t woken up yet, so you still have time. That big ball thing starts tonight, so they said they want to get to the hamlet early to get settled in for the weekend.”

Yunho groaned at the realization. Today was the first day of Prince Asmodeus's private ball. The Passionate Heart Ball was simply another excuse for the nobility of Hell to get together and indulge in all sorts of debauchery. Servants are not allowed to attend on a guest level, but do accompany their masters to serve. Seonghwa normally let Yunho stay behind to manage the keep, and he'd take someone else, but this time he insisted Yunho join them. He claimed the house didn’t feel right without Yunho there. His father would say that having a lord's trust comes in handy in the long run, but Yunho did not see how. Leaving the window, Yunho went to a wash basin by the mirror. He splashed cool water onto his face to soothe the heat rising inside him. 

“It wasn’t as if he was a young demon, Yunho,” Mingi said, watching him change out of his nightshirt. “Your father was four-hundred centuries old and close to taking his Big Nap; he wasn’t exactly a spring chicken. He shouldn’t have gotten mixed up with possessions at his age.” 

“Don’t blame my father for falling victim to the greed of high borns.” 

“I’m not,” he said, “But I am saying that your dad’s in a better place, somewhere, maybe. I don’t know where we will go when we die.”

“Neither do I,” and that scared him. 

Picking up his uniform shirt first, Yunho thought about when he first heard what happened. He had been wrapped up in Mingi’s arms, enjoying his warmth and closeness after a long day, when Linette came into his room. Anxious, the young demon told him he had a phone call. It was his father. Yunho remembered how frail he sounded; his deep voice croaking and weak from his drained powers. He’d assured Yunho he’d be alright; that with some medicine, rest, and proper care, he’d be back on his feet in no time. The doctor Yunho spoke to disagreed. 

‘The magic stayed in him too long. He should have come straight to us after the exorcism, but he went home instead. We don’t know how long he has, but we’ll do our best to save him.” 

Yunho never felt so helpless before. Seonghwa gave him leave to be with his father without question, but that had been the worst part. Seeing his father, a strong demon of greed, so sickly and frail tore his heart in two. He’d thought to ask the lord who gave him the job for assistance of some kind, but he didn’t even answer Yunho’s calls. When he visited him personally, he was rejected with laughter. It was the least he could have done. It was another example of how the rich exploited and abused the poor without a care in the world. 

He checked himself out in a nearby mirror. His uniform fit him like a glove, since he’d paid to personally have sets tailored. Tailored clothes were an unheard of luxury back home. The clothes normal people wore either came from secondhand shops or were made from cheap fabric. Looking over the small corner dresser, a ring caught his eye. His father's opal and silver ring sat on the top, and his heart dropped. His most expensive possession, it had been passed down from Jeong to Jeong for hundreds of years. It was the last symbol of their status. Yunho slipped it onto his ring finger, fondly recalling the first time he ever saw it. 

“This has been in our family since before Lucifer. I would never give this up. Not for all the gold in the world.”

“Don't you look good,” said Mingi, likely trying to lighten his mood. 

Were he not plagued by his own thoughts, Yunho might have playfully flirted back. Not today. Not when the world felt so lifeless and grey. He may have not been the best parent, but Yunho did not hate his father. They had ups and downs as all families do, yet hate never crossed his mind once. Not even when his father gambled away his money on hounds and horses. He couldn't envision himself hating his father. Mingi’s arms went around his waist, and he rested his head on his shoulder. Yunho felt a lump swell in his throat, threatening to burn his eyes with tears. 

“He was a good man,” he whispered. “A good man who they took advantage of.” 

“I know,” he said softly, kissing the crook of his neck. “We should eat,” Mingi said, idly playing with his dangling earring, “Maybe a bit of-”

“-Did you know he was a jester before he was forced into Possessions?” Yunho said bitterly, tears glazing his eyes. “He was a jester for Lord Authos, this demon in the mountains. The man used to make a complete fool of my father, forcing him to perform tricks and jokes for the entertainment of others. I remember once seeing them throw rotten food at him in a game.” Yunho recalled the memory so vividly, it might have happened yesterday. “They thought it’d be funny,” he said, hate in his voice, “To see who could get the most hits. My father…” the resentment burned deep inside him, “He had to stay attached to a wheel and take the humiliation because those high born scum-”

“-Easy, love, easy,” Mingi soothed him softly, rubbing his arms and nuzzling his neck. “Not all high borns are like that. Our masters wouldn’t do anything like that-”

“-Yes, they’ve done worse,” he said. “Before YN came, they used to feed servants to the beast in the greenhouse. Hongjoong carries around a fucking whip to remind us who is in charge, and that he could whack us whenever he damn well pleases-”

“-He doesn’t do that anymore-”

“-I don’t care,” he spat, hands curling into fists. “Let’s not forget the demons who get thrown into the arena to die for the entertainment of the rich. They have to fight for their lives just to get back to freedom.”

“They were criminals, Yunho-”

“-Then why not punish them as criminals should be punished? Why is a man who stole a loaf of bread forced to fight his way to freedom? Did these bastards ever stop to wonder why he stole that bread?” 

“Yunho, please, calm down,” Mingi said again, still comfortingly. 

“And her,” the word came in a hiss through his teeth, “That woman treats us like playthings.”

“That isn’t true, Yunho,” he said a bit more firmly. Yunho forgot; he is your bodyguard and very fond of you. 

“Oh no? The woman is constantly flaunting and flashing her body at me, hoping I’ll give into my weakness again and fuck her brains out,” he said, remembering the last time he indulged you. He’d wanted it, of course, but after his father’s death, a high born woman is the last person he wishes to pleasure. “I’m surprised she isn’t pregnant with all the times she’s ridden cock.”

“Yunho, that’s enough,” Mingi said, moving away from him. “I know you’re angry and grieving, but don’t you dare start on her. She’s been nothing but kind to you. Okay, so she gets a bit horny, but who here doesn’t get like that? We’re all incubi and succubi, if you’ve forgotten. It’s in our nature to be that way. I recall you not saying ‘no’ whenever she managed to get you in bed, or were you pretending to make her happy?” 

“Of course not. I won’t deny I enjoyed every second, but…we are nothing to them,” he said, keeping the thickness from his voice. “We’re toys for their amusement. We can be disposed of, dismissed on a whim, and punished for the smallest infraction, and nothing would be done about it. Nobody would raise a hand or speak a word. We might not wear collars, but we’ll always be slaves to them.” 

It was true. His father proved that over and over throughout his childhood. When Authos saw his father’s potential in the coin factory, he brought him into his household as the jester. Yunho remembered every punishment he witnessed whenever his father did not perform well. Seonghwa and his brothers might not engage in the same amusements, but they never spoke against it either. They went to the arena, enjoying the benefits of their station. They did not protest when they witnessed poor treatment in front of them. If they did, it was said with annoyance or boredom. 

“Let’s get something to eat, huh? Otherwise, we’ll be starving when we get there.” 

“I don't think I can.”

“Just try.”

Yunho supposed he could. The pair left the servant's quarters for the kitchen, which was starting to come to life. Other servants walked around in their uniforms, preparing for The Masters and Mistress to wake up for their usual routine. He saw Cook and Linette already arguing across the island counter, and the footmen fighting about who gets to drive the Masters to the hamlet. The laundress stood near the scullery, scolding a maid so harshly the girl might burst into tears. Yunho did not have it in him to intervene in any of these spats. He walked by Cook and Linette to a cupboard pantry, where he normally fixed his own breakfast, but couldn't find the desire to eat. 

“-Master Seonghwa asked for a special breakfast,” Cook's rough voice reached from behind him, “And that's what I'm making. She's going to just have to swallow it.”

“Lady YN doesn't want the prefixed breakfast. She wants her own.”

“Master Seonghwa is the Duke, so his orders trump over hers,” he retorted. “Yunho,” he called him, “Come here and tell this Imp-”

“-Imp?!”

“-That I ain't taking special orders today. Master Seonghwa has requested a pre-fixed menu, and that's what I'm following.”

Yunho sighed deeply, pinched the space between his eyes before finally turning around. “What does Lady YN want?” he asked Linette. 

“French toast with strawberries, hashbrowns and eggs,” she answered. “She doesn't want to eat what Master Seonghwa has picked.”

“Too fucking bad,” hissed Cook. “She can't get her way all the time. There's rules in this keep, last time I checked!”

“Cookie, enough,” Yunho said, patting his shoulder. “Linette, Cook is right. Master Seonghwa asked for a specific type of breakfast, and Cook has already gone about preparing it.”

“She's not going to-”

“-I'm sorry, but Cook is starting to fix everything,” Yunho said, trying to keep himself calm. Why did you have to complicate everything? Why couldn't high born people make everyone's lives easier and take what they’re given? The rest of them have to. “She will have to eat whatever-”

“-She's the Mistress of this-”

“-Tough shit,” he nearly snapped. “Master Seonghwa is the Master, A Duke of Lust, and an Heir to Asmodeus’s throne. His word is law around here. Even with the title she holds now, she's going to have to come to heel once in a while. If she has an issue with that, she can take it up with one of the Masters.” 

Takenaback by his response, Linette did not speak at first. “She said-”

“-I don't care,” he cut her off again. “That's my final word on the subject. Franny!” He called the laundress, “Keep shouting at that girl, and I will give you something to cry about! They are just sheets! They can be washed again!” He turned to the four footmen near the back door, “Edgar, you are driving Master Seonghwa, Hongjoong and San. Mingi will be driving Mistress YN. Daniel will valet for the Masters, and Joseph will valet for The Mistress. If I hear any more bickering, everyone is getting a whipping from me personally!” He looked to the room at large, “It is six o'clock in the morning, how can you all have the energy for this nonsense? Am I running a house staff or a nursery?!” 

He left the kitchen without another word. Yunho began wishing he had not left his room. He squeezed his eyes tight, his instincts carrying him to Seonghwa’s bed chamber, as he pictured his father’s last moments. He’d told Yunho to go home. He said he didn’t want him to see him this way. His aunt and cousins stayed behind to watch over him for Yunho, and called him regularly now that they had a phone. He pictured his father, broad and strong, laying brittle and pale in his bed. His usual warmth, Yunho remembered, slowly turned cold and stiff as time passed. It sapped life from him slowly. That lump came back to his throat and he forced it down. 

He couldn’t help thinking of the lord, Lord Authos, who was part of Prince Mammon’s court. Clearly wanting to gain favor with the Prince, he offered the possession job to low income workers who wanted to earn some extra money. Authos could easily have done it himself, but he felt himself too above such work. All nobles did. It’s why they didn’t do their own housekeeping or cooking. 

He walked into Seonghwa’s apartment, and already sensed a shift in the air. Yunho moved to the bedroom doors where he heard your soft moans. Of course. When are you not throwing yourself at the nearest person? It was likely with some kisses and teasing, you'll get your own breakfast and disrupt everyone else's routines. You didn't care. Why should you? An inconvenience to one is not an inconvenience to a lord or lady.  

He stopped himself. You weren't to blame for his father's death. You didn't even know. He hadn't told anyone aside from Mingi, Seonghwa and Linette. Mingi was right. You might be a bit overzealous with your desires, but you never forced yourself on him even with your new abilities. You’ve always treated him with respect and compassion. You’re certainly different from other ladies he’d served, and he shouldn’t take his anger out on you or any of his masters. 

But, a part of him simply could not help it. 

Yunho decided to tidy the room instead. He had no desire to interrupt and possibly be drawn into the act. He only wanted to push away the thought of his father lying helpless in a hospital bed. When he heard your final climax, he stopped fluffing pillows and knocked on the door. 

“Enter,” Seonghwa panted from behind the door. 

As expected, both you and Seonghwa laid tangled in one another. Fully nude, neither of you bothered covering yourselves when he entered. Not that he expected that. His eyes scanned over your body, taking in your shape and size from afar. The usual urge to fondle and kiss you came to him, but he’d learned long ago how to control those impulses. If he stopped to indulge every time he felt a trickle of arousal, he’d get no work done. He didn’t have all the time in the world like some people did. 

“Good Morning, my lord, my lady,” Yunho bowed. 

“Morning, Yunho,” you smiled at him. “Ooh, I like the ring. It’s new.” 

“I thought I’d try accessorizing today,” he half-lied. 

“It looks good. Is that a real opal?”

“It is.” 

“Greed demons only wear real gems,” said Seonghwa. “You’ll never catch one dead in imitation stuff.”

“What did Cook say about my breakfast, by the way?” you asked, sitting up and stretching. “I sent Linette to ask him about it.”

“What breakfast?” Seonghwa asked before Yunho could respond. “I already sent him a menu for today.”

“I saw it,” you said, “But I’ve been craving french toast with strawberries and powdered sugar lately and thought it was a good day to have them.”

“I’m sorry, my lady, but Cook only prepared the ingredients and supplies for Master Seonghwa’s fixed menu,” Yunho said. “He doesn’t have all the ingredients to make anything off that menu.”

“Well, can’t he just get it? The market isn’t that far. He can send someone to get the stuff, and he can make it.” 

‘Or you can stop being a brat and eat what you’re given.’ He thought sourly. 

“He doesn’t have anyone to spare,” Yunho answered honestly. 

You left Seonghwa’s side to kneel in front of him. In the morning light, your divinity glowed. He swept over your naked breasts, following a trail to your center where you kept yourself trimmed. Having just had Seonghwa, he spotted a distinct wetness on your inner thighs. When he met your eyes again, you gave him that typical flirtatious smirk of yours. A high born woman was the last person he saw himself pleasing today. No doubt you’d now use your seductive powers to get what you want from him. 

“But, surely with all your influence around here,” you said, reaching for his hand, “You could just talk to him for me? You’re one of the only people he actually listens to.”

“Because we respect the chain of command,” he replied, “Which is what we’re doing here. Master Seonghwa made an order, and we’re only following it.”

“I’m the Mistress around here. I think I have a bit more power than I used to, right?” You massaged his hand delicately, giving him a small pout. “I shouldn’t have to beg a servant to get what I want.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress,” he slipped his hand from your grasp, “But unless Master Seonghwa changes his mind, then there’s nothing we could really do for the situation.”

“But Yunho,” you brought him close, your naked body against his clothed one, “Aren’t I your goddess?”

He knew you’d use that line. The image of you taking advantage of him crossed his mind. You’d undress him, kissing down to his crotch where you’d eagerly suck him. If he couldn’t enjoy Linette’s lovely body or Mingi’s soft lips, he’d at least get yours. It’s not as if you’d say ‘no’. Everyone in the keep knew you could go for much longer and didn’t mind multiple lovers. But, he thought of the work he had to do downstairs. 

“You are,” he said, though it wasn’t your face that came to mind these days, “But goddess or not-”  

“-Kitten,” Seonghwa cut you off, “How about you start a bath for us? I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Or Yunho can do it with me,” you suggested, “Like he’s supposed to.” 

“YN,” his voice came more firmly, “Go, please.” 

You gave a short huff of contempt, but then slipped from the bed. 

Yunho busied himself tying back the curtains behind him when Seonghwa spoke. “It’s not her fault.”

“You spoil that girl,” he said, roughly tugging on the golden chords. “She might be a lady, but there’s a hierarchy around here, and you’re in charge. Not her.”

Seonghwa chuckled, “Try telling her that.”

“I’ve never understood the point of having a set routine if it is constantly broken,” he said. “She never eats when or what everyone else does. She never dresses accordingly. She never-”

“-Yunho, she isn’t to blame,” Seonghwa said harshly. “As you said, she’s a Lady of Eden-”

‘A whore of Eden, more like.’ 

“-And you’ll respect her.” 

‘Why? She doesn’t respect herself.’

He stopped himself again. 

“I’m sorry about your father, Yunho, but he entered into that agreement. He knew the risks before he went up there.”

“The man didn’t even pay him,” Yunho seethed. “He risks his life going up there to collect souls, and the bastard doesn’t pay him. He laughed. He fucking laughed.” His voice cracked, thinking of the highborn lord's wheezy laughter. “I asked him to pay up, and he laughed.” 

“Authos is a demon of greed.” 

“He knew my father could not disobey his orders, and took advantage of that for his own gain.” 

“Again: are you really that surprised?”

“It doesn’t make me any less angry.” 

“I know it doesn't, but lashing out at others is not going to heal anything. It’ll only fuel your anger more.”

“Good. Somebody should be angry.” 

“Carry on with your duties, Yunho,” he said with a sigh. “I want everyone on the road by nine o’clock. The hamlet is far, and it’ll take forever to get there. See that Cook makes YN’s breakfast, please.” 

“Yes, my lord.”

He bowed and left the room. Seonghwa didn’t understand. He has never had to answer to anyone, not even his lecherous, indifferent father. If Yunho’s father had refused the task, he would’ve been whipped or worse, and then forced to go. Authos knew his father needed the money. He knew about his father’s gambling debts; he knew about the loan sharks that constantly dogged him, and how deep in the hole he’d gotten. Yunho’s salary combined with his did not make the cut. None of them understood that. Right as he walked out of Seonghwa’s apartment, a high voice called out to him from nearby. 

“Yunho,” Master Hongjoong stood by his open door, tying his black robe around his waist. Cherry red hair slightly tousled from sleep, he still had the bleary eyed look of having woken up. “Yunho, make sure Cook brings out the riesling for breakfast. Seonghwa prepared a light breakfast, from what he told me.”

Wine for breakfast? “Of course, my lord. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Thanks,” he beamed, then escaped back into his room. 

It wasn’t long before the third master of the house appeared. A towel draped over his shoulders, sweat matting his black hair, Master San grinned at him happily. “Yunho, glad I ran into you,” he said, dabbing his forehead. A morning run. How nice to have such leisure time. His father would be getting ready to amuse the lords right now. “Can you make sure that Cook makes my eggs over medium? Over-easy is too runny for me.”

“I’ll let him know right away, my lord,” he bowed. 

“Thank you, Yunho.” 

At least he gets a ‘thank you’. He never received that from other lords or ladies. Yunho knew, as he walked back to the kitchen, that he was incredibly lucky. If he worked for any other lord, he’d be whipped on the spot for his attitude. Seonghwa might sympathize after his childhood in the slums, but he was still part of the upper class. The nobility. The people who made other peoples’ lives miserable simply because they could. One would think that kind of treatment would be given to sinners and mortals, not their fellow demons. 

“Cook,” he approached the demon by the stoves, flipping bacon on a flat-top grill, “Master Seonghwa has approved of Mistress YN’s breakfast order.”

“What?!” he growled at once, cutting up the bacon with his spatula, “You’re toying with me, boy.”

“I’m afraid not. You’ll have to send someone to get the ingredients for it.”

“I don’t have enough hands,” he gestured to the four cooks around him. “The market is an hour away from here. Tell him I can’t.”

“I’ll send one of the servants, then. Master Seonghwa is the Master of the House. He gets what he wants.”

“Hmpfh, they all get what they want,” he grumbled. “Back in my day, the women did what the men told them or else got a black eye. He lets that little nympho-”

“-Cookie,” Yunho said sternly, “Don’t get riled up again or you’ll irritate your hip.” From what he knew, Cook sustained his lifelong injury from holy magic centuries ago. It never healed right. 

He took the chopped bacon off the grill, “Alright, alright. What did she want again?”

It won’t heal his wounds, but it could be fun to see their faces. “She said french toast with blueberries and cream.” He then added, “And don’t shoot the messenger, but Master Hongjoong asked for chardonnay with his breakfast wine and Master San wants his eggs over easy.” 

He growled, fangs flashed for the briefest moment. “Any other special requests while you’re here, Jeong?”

“No. Everything else stays as is.”

He gruffed, then went back to the grill. Yunho walked to the coffee station where the servants prepared their own drinks. He mused over how his father loved coffee, and what a luxury it was to the lower classes. One might think greed demons draped themselves in precious metals and gems, wore fine designer clothes and drove flashy cars. The ignorant thought they drank fine wines and ate rare and exotic dishes. It might be true of the wealthy, but not the poor. Not like him and his father, who had nothing. Yunho worked hard to get the things he had now, while people like Seonghwa and his brothers simply received it. Stirring fine sugar into the rich, dark drink, he recalled what his father once told him. 

‘Enjoy the finer things slowly, Son. We don’t get them very often.’ 

He’d said this when he caught Yunho greedily shoving chocolate in his mouth. Another rarity. Yunho normally lets his resentment float away in the air, but not today. 

****

The feast disgusted him. Standing by the kitchen door, he watched maids take plates of food upstairs. Chilled fruits, fresh baked goods, steaming breakfast potatoes, sausages and bacon, and various types of jams and spreads went by him on silver platters. Fresh squeezed orange juice, cold milk, and hot coffee were carried up in carafes. Seonghwa, San and Hongjoong would be eating a special kind of frittata with zucchini and fresh herbs, accompanied with rations of bacon and crusty bread. His father usually ate a hunk of bread or a bowl of cornmeal mush with mint tea. Hardly the food of kings. 

Or dukes. 

“The wine Master Hongjoong requested, sir,” a servant said to Yunho, showing the bottle for his inspection. 

“Perfect,” he grinned. “Thank you, Diana.” 

Yunho typically then worked with the housekeeping staff to tidy up the apartments, but instead, he went upstairs behind the maids. He wanted to see it with his own eyes. He saw the masters and mistress sitting at their dining table, a table decorated in a fine cloth and real silver candlesticks with fresh flowers. This dining room was larger than the poor mountain shacks back home. He watched the servants put down the trays around the table, then the magic began. 

“Um, Yunho,” you said first, staring down at your plate, “I’d asked for strawberries and sugar. This is, like, the opposite.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” 

In front of you was a stack of fluffy slices of french toast with cream and jam in between, topped with blueberries. He knew people who’d be more than grateful to have such a sweet, filling breakfast. Yet, you pouted over the slight change. 

“I’m sorry, my lady,” he said. “Cook must’ve misheard me. He’s been distracted lately. His hip must be bothering him again.”

“Then Cook must be really off, because I asked for my eggs over medium,” said San, who examined his eggs. “Didn’t you tell him about it, Yunho?”

“I did, of course, sir.”

“He also got the riesling and chardonnay confused,” said Hongjoong, who sipped the drink from a wine glass with a silver stem. Real silver, not painted wood. “But, no big deal. It’s still just as good.” 

Your disappointment healed something inside him. “I guess this is okay,” you said, cutting into it and taking a bite. “It’s amazing either way. Like, Cook is a genius.”

“The man’s been around since before Lucifer’s fall. He worked for Beelzebub before our dad hired him. It's why he gets away with everything.” 

“Tell Cook thanks,” you told Yunho, “And that I hope his hip gets better. He’s a mean ol’ grouch, but he’s our mean ol’ grouch.” 

You took a big bite of the french toast, cream ending up on the sides of your mouth. Seeing the mess brought images of the last time you put him in your mouth. It’d been sloppy and rough, involving him choking you with it. He had indulged you because you’d kissed him beforehand. You’d learned how to control the dosage of your kisses, knowing light pecks only lasted an hour while deep kisses kept one going all day. Yunho did see the downsides even if other people did not: it was physically taxing and draining. He didn’t have the time for that. 

Not with you, anyway. 

“Will you be requiring anything else, my lords?” he asked the family at large. 

“No, thank you, Yunho,” Seonghwa answered, picking up the newspaper he’d been handed. “You may finish packing up.”

He left the staff to clean up after breakfast service, and started preparing for departure to the meadows. While the family went off to enjoy their day, everyone else kept working. His father never had a day off. Jesters are meant to be “on” every day from sunup to sun down. He only stopped when his masters went to sleep; the same fate his son shared now. The only difference was Yunho got Sundays off. 

Such was the life of the lowborn. 

“On a scale of one to ten,” Mingi said when he approached the carriage outside, “How disappointed are you that your little plan backfired?”

Yunho sighed, “About a three. In the end, it was childish and petty. Deep down, I shouldn’t be blaming them for what another demon lord did.” 

“You're lucky Master Seonghwa can’t read your mind. You'd be in trouble for sure.” He then said, “How about you, me and Linette get a drink tonight when they've gone to sleep? Asmodeus has the best bartenders who can sneak us the good stuff.”

“Alright.”

Everyone got into their places when the front doors opened and the four masters came out. Seeing them in their tailored clothes and expensive jewelry, smelling of fine perfumes, his resentment for the higher classes grew. He watched Hongjoong and San slide into your carriage while Seonghwa rode alone. What sort of change had you demanded now? He didn’t care. He’d be riding with Linette and some of the staff. At least, that was what he thought. 

“Yunho,” you called to him sweetly, “Come ride with me.”

He noticed the short sundress you'd thrown on, and couldn't look away. The deep V neck line plunged between your breasts, making them more noticeable to him. The last time he touched them came to mind, your hard nipples being teased by his tongue. Linette had been there, stroking him while you both shoved your tits in his face. 

“Oh, I'm already riding with-”

“-And now you can ride with me,” he saw the glimmer of flirtation in your eyes. “I know you got my order wrong on purpose,” you said with a sly smile. “You can make it up to me in the car.”

“He's already riding with me,” Seonghwa poked out his head from his carriage window. 

“But Seonghwa-”

“-He is my butler. He rides with me.”

You huffed, and walked off. Yunho couldn't ignore the pang of disappointment. He watched your dress swish along the backs of your thighs. If he couldn't have Linette and her sweet lips, he could at least have enjoyed yours instead. 

“Yunho, come along now.”

Unable to refuse, Yunho climbed inside the carriage. He'd been looking forward to riding with the others. There are so few chances for down time in their line of work, and he wanted to take advantage of it. He hadn't spent much time with Linette, and he would've liked to be with her. Seonghwa pulled out a deck of cards as the carriage began rolling. Yunho’s lip curled slightly knowing how this ride would end. 

“She can be incorrigible,” he said, expertly shuffling the deck. “I suppose the railing I gave her wasn't enough.”

“She is part succubus, sir.”

“We're both incubi, Yunho, and we can control it just fine.”

“She might still be trying to control that part of herself. It's hard to learn that when everyone enables her.”

“We enable her, hm?”

“Yes, my lord. If she is accustomed to getting what she wants, then she'll  see no reason to control her urges.”

“Is that why you're always rejecting her?”

“I reject her because not all of us have the time in the world. We have work to do.” 

“But when you have no work and are stuck in a carriage with her for a long trip?” he suggested, a knowing glint in his eyes. “She loves big ones, and you're…considerable.”

“Well, if that were the case, I wouldn't mind indulging her.” He'll admit, the idea of you half naked, moaning and bouncing in his lap sounded nice. Though, Linette sounded so much better. “She's…”

“A horny nymph that knows exactly what to do to lure you into her bed,” Seonghwa finished amusedly. 

“Yes.”

“You should have seen her when you left,” he said. “She whined that she wanted you to join. I explained to her what has been going on with you, and she stopped after that.” Seonghwa eyed the ring on Yunho's finger. “That is a nice ring though. Where did you get it?”

“Family heirloom,” he answered. Glad to have a topic aside from you, he grabbed at it. “It came with my father’s things. It belonged to one of my ancestors; I don't know which one. It was the most expensive thing he owned.”

“It must’ve been hard for him,” he began dealing out cards. “Greed demons love money and gold.”

“But not all of us have it,” he said, picking up his hand as it came. “I sent him money every payday to keep him at least comfortable, and he gambled a good chunk of it away. He was drowning in his debts, and always needed money.” 

“What about your mother? You never talk about her.”

Yunho’s heart ripped another hole. “She was killed by an angel,” he said. “She was a demon of wrath.”

“I thought you were pureblooded.”

Yunho shook his head, “They told me they met in the inner city at a gambling den. She was a guard; my father was a jester.” 

“Well, that explains your strength ability,” he huffed, putting a card back and picking up another, “Can that be the reason you leave my Kitten so sore when you’re done with her?” he smirked. “She tells me you become a different person when you’re hard.”

“I suppose. Her kisses only make it worse.”

“Ha, that they do,” he snorted. “She knows the power she holds and isn't afraid to use it now. It’s how she gets her way.”

“That and that she has you wrapped around her fingers, sir. I never knew a Son of Asmodeus to cave to his submissive’s charms so easily.” 

Seonghwa smirked, “She’s very persuasive, as you well know. You oblige her.”

“She’s my mistress. I have to cater to her every whim.” 

“Then, you can cater to her at the party. I'd like you to come with us,” he said next. He hissed when Yunho showed his winning hand, and took back all the cards. He started shuffling again as he said, “My father's butlers are fine, but they don't know us the way you do.”

“I'm not going to be a toy,” Yunho said sternly. 

“You won’t be,” he assured him. “You’ll be there to serve, not to entertain.”

“Both are the same thing to that crowd.” 

“Not with me. Now,” he started dealing the cards again, “Let’s put in bets this time. It makes things more interesting.” 

By the time they reached Asmodeus’s territory, Seonghwa lost a ring, a watch and most of his money. 

“Maybe I shouldn’t play against someone who can block me from their mind,” Seonghwa said, chuckling at his misfortune. It must be nice when one doesn’t have to worry about going broke. 

The sun shone high above the flowery meadows that stretched for miles, smelling of wildflowers and fresh air. It made for a romantic, tranquil sight as they drove through the dirt road. He imagined the flowers might carry some sort of alluring enchantment to draw people closer to his massive mansion in the countryside. They would be travelling to the countryside home reserved for the three masters. A hamlet set on the side of a large lake, there were two distinct areas: the main house, and the servant’s house. Yunho couldn’t help noticing the much larger main house could easily fit more people, while the servant house was smaller. 

Clearly, the royal ego needed the extra room. 

“I forgot how gorgeous this place is,” Seonghwa softly grinned. “When was the last time we were here, Yunho?”

“Four years ago, my lord.” 

The ride from the keep gave him a chance to cool down, so now his exhaustion finally hit him. But, there was work to be done. His own belongings would have to wait until the family was settled in. Immediately, Yunho began directing the footmen on where the masters’ luggage belonged. Seonghwa took the bedroom that overlooked the gardens; Hongjoong preferred the lakeside view, and San favored the room facing the meadow. Since it’s meant to house guests, you took up the room beside Seonghwa. No doubt he will discreetly tell you about the hidden door connecting the two bedrooms. Yunho unfortunately knew about the servant pathways behind the walls. To avoid disturbing the family and their guests, servants used these paths to get from one part of the house to the other without being seen. Cook told him the ones back in the keep were used for that before Seonghwa took over. 

He spent the afternoon preparing the different bedrooms, and then went to the kitchen for lunch service. He’d been inspecting the produce for bruises or rot when Linette appeared in the kitchen.

“Don’t you dare come to me with any special requests, girl,” Cook warned from the large walk-in cooler. “The menus are already set.” 

“She just wants a snack tray for lunch,” Linette said. “Green grapes, sliced ham and turkey, those little cheese cubes, and some crackers. Don’t say you don’t have them, because you do. She put it on her list.” 

“What’s wrong with what I am serving?” he asked, affronted. “It’s going to be a masterpiece. How could she want a silly snack tray instead?” 

“She isn’t that hungry after the breakfast she had,” she shrugged. “Can’t you just do it? She’s our mistress, and we have to go along with her wishes.” 

“Damned woman,” he grumbled, grabbing his apron and going back into the walk-in. “All the work we have to do and now I have…never in my years have I…should’ve stayed with Beezelbub…” 

Yunho felt her eyes fall on him, and he ignored her gaze. He pictured those big brown eyes surveying him from afar, likely trying to read his mood. If anyone other than Mingi stirred something inside him, it was Linette. 

“Yunho?” she walked over to him, “How are you?” 

“I’m well.”

She came around the counter to stand next to him. Yunho sometimes forgot how beautiful Linette really was. Enchanting and charming, the natural light highlighted her golden dark brown skin, and gave her curls a shine. She’d worn it back in a high slicked up ponytail, letting the curls fall freely at the end.  He gazed over her full lips, recalling their sweetness from the lip balm she wore, and thought of kissing them. He thought of holding her smaller frame in his large one, drowning his senses in her. Everything in his heart weighed him down, and he longed for a quiet moment with her. 

“No, really,” she said. “How are you feeling? I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to you since your father passed.” 

“I said I’m well.”

“Yunho,” she drew closer to him, “Please, don't shut me out.”

Yunho paused, feeling her warm hands on his arm. “It’s a lot,” he admitted, putting the apples in a bowl. He swallowed back the lump again. “I’d rather not get into it right now.” 

“Okay,” she nodded. “We can talk later tonight then? Mingi wants to get drinks from the bar. The three of us could drink together and catch up.” 

A smile broke his stone face, cheeks getting warm. “Catch up, hm?”

“You can call it that, if you want,” she smirked. “I personally call it a bit of stress-relief,” she said in his ear, lips brushing the outer edge. “Your girl has been extra good lately. Shouldn't I get a little reward for that-”

“-Don’t,” he cut her off, “Or you might get it sooner than you intended.” 

She smiled, “Is that a promise?” 

He finally turned to see her. She no longer wore the black and white uniform of the rest of the staff. Hers was a light lavender that ended around her thighs. The first three buttons remained unopened, and from the right angle he saw her ample cleavage. When he really looked, he noticed a golden chain just beneath her collar. His heart warmed knowing that she wore the ring even under her clothes. Golden with the words “my beloved” engraved inside, it had been his mother’s wedding ring. She wore it in a necklace since it might get lost with the type of work she did. Yunho didn’t mind. Her simply wearing it made him happy. 

“Will you be entertaining tonight?” he asked, unable to control the slight possessiveness he felt over her sometimes. 

“Mistress YN said I could if I wanted,” she said. “There will be a lot of good looking lords and ladies there, but I don't want any of them.” She paused, “Will you be going or staying here?”

“Master Seonghwa wishes for me to go,” he replied. “On a serving basis only, not entertainment.”

“Shame,” she pouted, “I thought we could sneak away once they all start drinking and have our own party somewhere.” She glanced at Cook, who had his back turned, and leaned in closer, “I miss you in my bed. Mingi comes to me still, but I miss having you. It’s not the same.” 

“I haven’t been in the mood.”

“Even for me and Mingi?”

“Yes. I haven’t…felt up to it, that’s all. It isn’t you,” he added when he saw her frown. “You are the most beautiful woman I know, it’s that…”

“You’re still upset,” she finished for him. “I understand. It’s why I haven’t bothered you, but after I saw you explode in the kitchen,” she smiled bashfully and looked away, “I’ve been kind of turned on.” 

“What?”

“I’ve never seen you break like that before,” she said. She looked back up at him, “It was sexy. You’re usually so cool and calm even when you’re angry. Seeing you be so open turned me on a bit.” 

“If your mistress keeps pushing my buttons, you might see more of it.” 

“Maybe I can push them too?” 

She moved to press against him, but then a ringing bell caught their attention. Yunho saw the bell in Seonghwa's bedroom ringing, and wondered what he could possibly need now. 

“Later?” He turned to Linette. 

“Later,” she said, “If our mistress doesn't swipe you from me first.”

She tiptoed to kiss his cheek, then walked back over to Cook. Yunho put off his work to go to Seonghwa’s bedroom. Standing outside the door, he heard voices rising. 

“-I told you not to bring that thing with you! I specifically said it! I said ‘Kitten, bring whatever you like except that beast’!’”

“Oh, leave her alone! She's not hurting anyone.”

Yunho knew right away what Seonghwa referred to: Minnie, the miniature version of Octavius you'd created. The untrained plant slunk around your bedroom, being treated more like a dog than a plant. It hissed and growled at everyone except you. She bit and nearly strangled one of the footmen. She liked tearing up furniture, leaving her slimy trails everywhere, and eating everything in sight. Seonghwa warned you to keep her under control and properly train her. From what Linette said, it was not going well. Yunho didn't think you'd bring her with you. 

“She tore up my couch cushions, YN, and nearly killed one of the footmen,” he replied firmly. “I can't believe you brought her when I said not to.”

“I can bring her wherever I want,” you argued. “She's my baby.”

“She's a menace,” he retorted. “Look, she's eating my boots!”

“Minnie, no! Bad girl!”

Yunho heard a low growl be soothed into a soft purr. “She doesn't know any better,” you said. “She's only a baby.”

“A baby who needs proper training.”

“I have been training her. She's a work in progress.”

“I don't want her here. I told you to leave her at home.”

“I'm not a slave anymore. I don't have to listen to you if I don't want to,” you'd remarked. You sounded like a child. Yunho told him it was a mistake to let you keep it. “It's too late to send her back. I'll keep her in my room, I promise.”

“Fine,” he said defeatedly. “Just get her out of here before she eats the rest of my stuff.”

Opening the door, you stood slightly startled to find him there. In your arms was the bulbous green and purple plant with its thin vines acting like arms. No eyes, Minnie used the long tendrils to feel her way around. Yunho once told Linette he didn't see the beast lasting long. Either it wilts away and dies, gets lost or finally hits the masters’ last nerves.

“Yunho,” you said, taking in his presence, “Can you see if Cook has any spare meat for Minnie? She's hungry.”

“Yes, my lady.” The damn thing was always hungry. 

“Awesome, thanks! You can just bring it to my room.”

You beamed appreciatively and walked away. Yunho entered the apartment to find Seonghwa flopping down into a chair. He immediately went to work fixing a drink for his master, who took it gratefully. 

“I can't believe she brought that thing with her,” he groaned. “Now it's going to destroy the house.”

“I'll ask Jongho to keep a close eye on it, my lord.”

“I specifically asked her not to,” he continued, taking a drink. “She never listens.”

“Perhaps you should start reigning her in more,” he suggested. “You are the Master of this household. Not her. She should at the very least listen to what you have to say.”

“Are you saying I should spank her more often, Yunho?” he leered. “Or would you like to do it yourself?”

“If you wish to pass the job onto me, then I will do it, my lord.” The thought of you across his lap, weeping and whimpering as he spanked you hard crossed his mind. “She could use one.” 

He imagined you, so high and mighty, kicking your feet and wriggling as his spanking grew harsher. You'd get wet, no doubt, seeping from both holes as your arousal grew. Unlike his masters, he wouldn't give you the pleasure you needed until you earned it. A proper lesson isn't learned if there's a reward at the end. 

“It'd be a delicious sight, huh?” he asked. 

“She's…” 

“Been teasing you all morning. I've noticed. You're the hardest one for her to get into bed. I imagine it bugs her.”

“I have work to do. Was there something you needed from me, my lord?”

“Yes,” he said, drinking from his glass, “Can you make sure lunch is served in the garden? It's gorgeous outside and I'd like to enjoy the view.”

That was all? He called him away from Linette for that? “Yes, sir.” 

He bowed and went back towards the kitchen to relay the order. With everyone busy working on lunch service, Yunho went into the walk-in for strips of beef for the plant. He thought of giving the order to Linette or Jongho, but they were busy attending to your room. He put a few slices on a silver platter.

“I know you aren’t taking my Grade A, prime beef up to the beast, boy,” Cook said as he chopped onions. “That's dinner.”

“I only took a small portion,” Yunho said. 

“Why can’t you just find a hellcat or a bird and use that?”

“I’m sure it’ll find one eventually. Cook,” he sighed defeatedly, “I don’t like this any more than you. We must make do with what we have on hand.”

“Hmpf.” Despite his reaction, Cook knew he was right. “Back in my day,” Cook gruffed, pushing the onion aside, “Ladies had hellcats and hounds, not plants that eat everything in sight.”

“Oh, that’s not true and you know it,” Yunho chuckled, walking past him. “Mistress Minyoung once had a two-headed snake that kept strangling everyone, remember?”

This lightened the old demon’s mood somewhat, and Yunho went back upstairs. 

Entering your room, he should have known what he'd really be walking into: you half naked on the chaise couch by the window. You'd stripped off your dress to reveal the hot pink lingerie underneath, showing off the body he drooled over. 

“Ah, you brought Minnie's food,” you smiled, strategically laying on your front, hugging a pillow so he saw your whole figure. “Minnie, baby! Lunch!”

Minnie slunk from a leafy bed in the corner towards Yunho. She hissed, baring sharp fangs and waving her tentacles, and went for his ankles. Yunho nearly kicked her before tossing the food away. When she went towards it, he scowled before turning back to you. His eyes lingered on your chest again. He already knew of their softness and sensitivity. He loved flicking his tongue on them to hear you whine his name. Yunho could not help worshipping you every time he indulged. The only woman whose body beat yours was Linette, whom he adored. 

“Thank you, Yunho,” you said, making a point to grind as if getting into a comfortable angle. “You're always so helpful.”

“It's my job, my lady. If that is all, I have work.”

“You work too much,” you said, “That's not good. All work and no play?” 

“Not all of us have the luxury of getting to play all day,” he said as calmly as possible. Why did you all insist on wasting his time? “If you need nothing else-”

“-Not even a few minutes for your Mistress?” You pouted as you rolled onto your back, spreading your legs. He could see your shaved cunt through the flimsy underwear. “For your goddess?” you teased, giggling at his rosy cheeks.

He stepped forwards, walking to where you sat, “That depends…” Yunho suddenly wrapped his hand around your throat, keeping you in place on the couch, “Do you deserve it?” 

“Yunho…”

“Because sluts like you should work for what they want,” he said, his other hand going down your body to your center. Long fingers danced up and down your slit, prodding through the fine fabric keeping you apart. “If the masters won’t do it, I’ll gladly take up the task for them.”

“Yunho,” you said, surprised but not displeased, “What's gotten into you?”

He bent down to you, then said in a low voice, “You. You have been teasing me all day,” he traced lazy circles over your center which caused you to wriggle under him. “You've been flashing those tits of yours at me. You've been suggestive and forward. I bet if I'd ridden with you, I would've been the one getting a ride.” He gave your sex a light tap, sneering at your reaction. “Pathetic little slut,” he said, tapping it again, “Sex is all you think about, isn't it? Hm?”

“Yes,” you murmured, breath getting heavier as your arousal built up. 

“Well, so do I,” another smack, “And you don't see me dropping my pants every two minutes to get off. Some of us don't have the privilege of such free time.” He slapped your pussy once more, harsher than the last. “We have to work. We have things to do,” he gave another slap, “You should be more aware of that.”

“Yunho,” you whined, “Stop. It hurts.” 

If it truly did hurt, you would've forced him off you with your vines or sic your pet on him. Yunho knew you did want it. You'd been wanting it all morning. 

“It's supposed to hurt,” he said, rubbing your stinging center soothingly. “It's a punishment. I mean a real one, not what Master Hongjoong does. You're not going to get any dick from me. Only good sluts get my dick in them.”

“But I'm your-”

“-Right now, you're a bratty bitch who needs to learn her lesson,” he smacked your pussy again. 

He then roughly rolled you over onto your front, and lifted your ass into the air. Your soft giggle and surprised yelp told him you wanted this. If he truly sensed you didn’t, he would stop. Even if he resented your social class, he’d never hurt you on purpose. 

His large hand holding your wrists behind your back, he began landing hard spanks to your buttocks. Your cries sent blood pumping to his cock. They were the pathetic, childish whines that spankings produced; you wriggled around in every spank, but did not do much to escape him. Yunho grew harder seeing your cheeks move to the quick, hard hits. The feeling of his fingers hitting it felt good. The movement gave him that power he desperately wanted over you. He knew you'd be positively wet when he finished, begging to be touched at the very least. He wouldn't give into you.

“I'm not your boyfriends,” he said. “I won't fuck you just because you want it. You have to earn that with me.” 

The room became louder with the sounds of your painful cries and his hand meeting your ass. Touching it with the back of his hand, he felt the tender heat coming off them. Hongjoong always kept his spankings short nowadays, honestly holding back more than he did with regular maids. Yunho wasn't like that. Everyone received the same punishment the same way. He smacked your ass and the backs of your thighs a bit longer before stopping. 

He slackened his grip and gazed over you. He saw you laying there breathless, and eyeing his bulge. You must think you’ll be getting him now, but he’d love to deny you that. Not even Linette received a single inch when she misbehaved with him. 

“Have you learned your lesson?” he asked, hand smoothing over your tender ass. 

“I’m telling Seonghwa,” you cried, sniffling softly. 

“I asked you a question: have you learned your lesson?”

“I’m your mistress. You’re supposed to do what I say.”

Yunho shrugged, “Clearly not.” 

His hand fell down faster, swatting each cheek until you were wriggling away from him. Whenever you drew too far up the couch, he dragged you back down. Seeing your wet panties, he pushed your legs apart and started slapping it again. This caused you to jump, quaking from the lighter smacks he put to it. 

“Now?” he asked, rubbing your swollen sex and feeling it throb on his finger tips. 

“It’s not fair,” you sobbed into the cushions. 

“It sounds more than fair to me,” he replied, “Maybe I should do it in a way that you’d understand.”

Tugging off his tie, he bound your wrists together with an intricate knot. “Stay still,” he said, giving your thigh a smack when you shimmied away from him. He withdrew his cock from his pants, feeling it pulsate in his hand, and pressed it to your flimsy underwear. “If you even try to cum, I’m stopping,” he warned, softly groaning at your swollen lips against his tip. “This is for me to enjoy, not you.”

“You’re supposed to do what I say. I want you to fuck me.”

“And you’re supposed to stay still,” he spanked you once more, “Or I leave and give my cock to somebody else.” 

“It’s mine!”

“No, it’s not.” 

He rolled his tip around your clit, tapping it lightly and tracing it. You quaked under him, and he heard your frustration. It didn’t bother him at all. 

“Your masters are going to punish you,” you cried, sobbing when he smacked your ass once more. “Really, really, bad, for what you’re doing to me.”

“Psh, are you kidding me?” he chuckled, enjoying the light feeling of your panties on his cock. “They’d probably stay and watch. You asked for this.”

You kicked your feet, nearly escaping him before he maneuvered you to have your legs together. This folded you in half, him straddling your legs to keep you in place. He continued teasing you through your underwear, wetting his cock in the process. He’ll admit, he was tempted to stick himself inside you, but he knew better. That’d be giving you what you want, and you wouldn’t get that here. Once they were wet enough, Yunho pushed his tip into your hole. They only let him go an inch or so inside, but that was enough to please him. 

“Yunho!” you cried, “Please put it in.”

“Not until you’ve learned your lesson.”

“You have to do it.”

“I don’t have to do anything.” 

When you tried pushing back into him, he stopped. “What did I tell you?” he slapped the side of your thigh. “Huh? What did I say about staying still?”

“Keep going!”

“What did I say, bitch?” he asked more harshly, “Answer me when I speak to you.”

“Seonghwa!” you called out, and that only made him harder. “Yunho’s being-”

“-Your boyfriend isn’t going to help you,” he said. As much as he didn’t want to, he pulled away from you. “If you’re going to keep being bad, you’re not getting anything now.”

“No!”

“I told you what would happen, and you continued to be disobedient. There’s consequences to bad behavior.”

“San! San, help!”

“Keep calling him, nothing’s going to happen.” He got off the couch, “Maybe I should leave you here to think about your behavior. I’ll come back when you’ve understood it better.”

“Hongjoong will punish you for me. You’ll see,” you spat back, still playing with him, “He’ll whip you for doing this to me.”

“You talk too much,” he sighed irritably, grabbing his handkerchief. He roughly stuffed it into your mouth, “You should learn to keep your mouth shut. Good girls speak when they’re spoken to. Now,” he began putting himself back in his pants, “I’ll be back after lunch. We can continue this then.” 

Right as he planned to leave, someone else walked in. Linette, holding your snack tray, stood in slight shock as she spotted you on the couch. She took in your puffy eyes and guessed what might have happened. 

“Yunho,” she said, her eyes wide, “What are you doing?”

“Mistress YN has been a brat. I’m simply correcting that behavior.”

“You could get into real trouble for this. Mistress, are you okay?” She put her tray down and walked over to you, removing the handkerchief. “I promise Yunho isn’t like this really. He normally asks first or knows if you want it. Please, don’t feed him to Minnie or send him to the greenhouse. He’s been going through a lot lately, and-”

“-Linette, it’s okay,” you sniffled, giggling. “Really.”

“It is?” she asked. “I…Um, okay…Well, let me untie you. Your lunch is-Yunho! What are you doing?”

He sometimes loved his strength. Lifting her from the floor, Yunho placed Linette on the coffee table next to the chaise. On her back, he had full access to her body. The arousal she’d likely been feeling all day flared up at the touch of his hands. His dick hardened even more once her tits were in his hands. 

“What are you doing?” she asked again, laughing softly at his eagerness. 

“I’m going to show our mistress what good girls get,” he said, kissing her neck. 

“Yunho!” Linette giggled, but doing nothing to stop him as he tore at the buttons of her dress.

Soon, he saw the white bra covering her soft breasts. He roughly tugged it down to start sucking and licking her dark nipples. The smooth skin slowly tightened at his tongue, which he moved along with slow swirls. Yunho glanced over to see you watching with a frown, biting your lower lip as the sight kept you going. It felt good. For once, a high born wanted something from him and not the other way around. He kissed further down Linette’s body, feeling her soft stomach and thighs to discover her bare sex inches from his face. 

“No panties,” he growled, kissing her inner thighs as he knelt at the other end. “Such a good girl.” 

“I wanted to make it easier for you,” she said, her back arching when he licked at her clit. “I’ve been wanting your dick in me all morning.” 

“So has your mistress,” he kissed the spot of essence coming out of her. “She’s been teasing me since I woke her up today.” He looked over at you, “Good girls don’t tease. Only bratty girls do, isn’t that right, Linnie?” he went back to licking her folds as she answered. 

“Yes, sir,” she moaned, propping up on her elbows to watch him eat her out. 

“I’m telling my boyfriends what you’re doing,” you said, pouting. “Then they’ll tell you that you have to fuck me.”

“That’ll only be after they’ve each had their turn,” he replied, enjoying Linette’s sweet taste. He chuckled when she squirmed at his rapid flicking. He held her in place as he continued, licking her in swift circles. “Linette never gives me sloppy seconds,” he said, “Not even with Mingi. She lets me have the first round, don’t you?” 

“Yes,” she whimpered, biting her lower lip. “I always fuck you first, sir. I love your cock so much. Please, can I have it now? I’ve been a good girl.” 

“You always are.”

He stood up, pushing her legs far apart and plunged into her. Yunho gazed over at you, and saw you become breathless. In your position, you couldn’t do anything to stimulate your pussy. You could only watch and imagine it being you. Yunho lifted Linette’s legs so you saw his thickness stretching her out. It reminded him of the first time he saw you with someone. It had been with San in his apartment, where he took you on the dining table. Yunho knew then he’d do anything to have you wrapped around him, but you’d belonged to his masters, so you were therefore unattainable. 

Then he looked down at Linette. Panting and whining, she played with her breasts while he thrusted. While sex with you was fueled by your kisses and touches, Linette’s was natural and meaningful. He bent down to capture her lips, opening them to brush on her tongue. His arousal burned deep inside him the longer her walls dragged along his length. She felt so good. You felt equally good. Were it not your punishment, the three of you would be on the couch together. 

“I need you,” he whispered to her, kissing her neck and kneading her tits. “So badly.”

She started pushing down to meet his hips. He stayed still as she tightened her pussy and easily milked him. Euphoria pumped through him like a drug. He started pumping Linette faster, relishing in the sounds she made as he angled himself to hit her g-spot repeatedly. 

“Turn me around,” Linette pleaded, legs resting on his shoulders. “I love it when you fuck me from behind. You go so much deeper that way.”

When Linette guided him back inside, he grabbed her full, round cheeks. She cried out at the sharp smack he gave, and she knew what to do. Hands flat on the table, legs spread apart, she stayed still as he continued his steady pace. He turned to see you watching, slightly squirming as your arousal continued. 

“You see, YN,” he said, “This is what good girls get to have.” He made long, slow strokes that made Linette claw at the table, “They get to have every inch of my dick inside them. No teasing. No edging. Just each inch and every drop of cum I can give them. Doesn’t that sound nice?” He chuckled when you nodded, “So, you'll behave from now on?”

You nodded again. He noticed something crawling in the corner of his eye, and he instantly stopped. “That thing is not fucking you,” he said firmly, despite the Linette’s whining. 

Minnie had slunk to your couch, likely smelling your juices, and wanting to feed from you. It had already made its way up one leg to your center, wriggling a tendril at it. You shivered as the creature’s vines tore off your panties with ease. 

“Minnie, no,” you kicked at it, “Bad girl. No feeding.”

Minnie growled, angry at being denied, but persisted. She strapped herself to your thighs, then slithered a tentacle over your cunt. In your compromised state, you couldn’t reach to rip her from you, so Yunho did it. The beast hissed and tried biting his arm, but he tossed it away before it could do anything else. 

“That’s the first good thing you’ve done since I walked in here,” he said, still pumping into Linette. “Maybe you are learning.” 

“See? I can be good too,” you whimpered. “Can I have it now?”

“Not yet,” he said. He looked down at Linette, “Linnie hasn’t finished yet.” He grabbed both her arms to hold behind her, effectively bouncing her on his cock, “Such a sweet girl,” he grunted, mesmerized by the sight of her ass meeting his hips, “A sweet girl with an even sweeter pussy.” 

“And it’s all yours!”

“All mine?”

“Yes!”

“Good. As it should be.” 

“Please, Yunho,” you pleaded, “I promise I’ll be a good girl from now on. I won’t tease you anymore. I’ll give you my pussy only when you ask. I’ll do whatever you want. Just come fuck my tight, wet pussy, please.” 

“But, I have Linette right here,” he said, slamming into her to prove his point. “And her pussy is the best I’ve ever had.” 

“But mine is good too,” you shook your hips for him to see your glistening sex, “Even if it’s just the tip again. I want it so bad.” 

“Stop whining. You’ll get your turn.” He continued pumping into Linette, watching her ass ripple whenever his hips hit hers. “Linnie was good first. So, she gets it first.” 

“Sir, can I cum, please?” she asked through her whimpering.  

“I don’t know, can you?”

She grunted, almost laughing, “May I cum, sir?” she corrected herself. 

“You may.” 

He loved hearing her orgasms. He drowned you out for a moment to savor the loud moans she released. Her warm cum thickly coated his cock, the tightness clenched as it sucked him into her. Yunho held her to him closely, his fingers working her clit until she finished. After a few more pumps, Yunho went back over to you. With your panties in shreds, he had no trouble plunging inside you. He showed no tenderness with you. If you didn’t moan loud enough, he smacked your ass until he heard you cry again. If you whined or pleaded, he stopped. 

“Do you promise to be a good girl from now on?” he asked you, lifting your head from the couch by your hair. 

“Yes,” you sobbed. 

“Yes?” He started being rougher, tightening his grip and pounding faster. 

“Yes, sir! Yes, yes, yes, sir!”

“That’s a good whore,” he smiled, changing his angle when he heard you getting closer. “That’s it. Make me cum,” he forced your head back onto the bed, “Tighten that hole and milk my cock…There you go. See? That’s not hard, right? You can be good when you really try.” 

He kept going, the sensitivity working through his entire length, and he looked over at Linette. She’d remained on the coffee table, on her back with her legs spread. Yunho’s jaw dropped seeing her so exposed, biting her lower lip and teasing her nipples. This offering couldn’t be ignored. Once he felt your orgasm approaching, he pushed deeper. 

“I know you’re not cumming before me,” he growled, slowing his pace. “Good girls don’t cum without permission. I thought Master Hongjoong might’ve taught you that.” 

“I ca-an’t help it,” you cried, “It feels so good.”

“Then you better learn how to help it,” he said, going back to his previous pace. “Because you’re not getting a drop of cum if you do. You want my cum, don’t you? I know you love cum.”

“I do, but…oh my god, fuck, that feels…”

“Don’t do it,” he warned, but not slowing down. “Don’t you dare…”

“Fuck, I’m so close! I can’t stop it! I can’t, I can’t, I can’t-”

Thighs shaking, fingers gripping the tie around your wrists, you couldn’t stop the waves coming over you. Yunho felt your sex tightening, milking him as he pumped in and out of you. His cock became coated in you, the movement making your juices thicker and whiter, and he thought he might cum from seeing it. Yet, he kept himself in check as you finished shuddering. In a few final twitches, you slumped against the back of the chaise and took deep breaths. 

“Yunho,” you breathed when he pulled out, “Cum in me.”

“Good girls don’t get my cum…” 

Linette came over to him when he sat on the edge of the couch. She didn’t need to be told what to do. Mouth on his tip, she sucked and licked while stroking his length with both hands. The twisting motions combined with her lips brought him to climax in seconds. She moaned at the thick streams filling her mouth, slurping and swallowing them greedily. Linette never left a single drop behind. Yunho’s hands curled around the edge of the couch, his knuckles turning white as his body tensed. Her mouth and hands elongated the sensitivity coursing through his shaft and tip; he groaned through his teeth, jaw clenching and hips thrusting up into her. When he finished, he took in how beautiful she looked. 

“Show me,” he said, and grinned when she opened to show her empty mouth. “Good girl.” 

Gently, he untied you and let you uncurl from your position. He took you to the bed where he rubbed your stiff muscles and bottom with a healing salve he kept on hand. As he smoothed the aloe-concentrated paste on you, he muttered sweet praises and soft kisses to soothe you. You gradually fell asleep in his arms after being stuffed by your snack tray. Finally leaving you to rest, Linette cornered him outside the bedroom. 

“I really enjoyed that,” she whispered, arms going around his torso, “I think I like hard Yunho. He makes me a bit scared and extremely horny.” 

“Does he now?” he smirked, holding and kissing her softly. “I’ll keep that in mind.” A thought came to him, “Let’s go to my room. I’m exhausted.”

“What about lunch service?”

“Cook will manage it for me,” he took her hand in his. Going to a large portrait in the corner, he revealed the secret passage behind it. “I just want to be with you right now.” 

Her smile made his heart flutter and he kissed her again. An afternoon wrapped in his favorite person sounded so much nicer than tending to a bunch of high borns. 

They could make do without him. 

****

A/N: Aaaaand it's back! Sort of haha I really like Yunho and Linette, so I hope you guys do too. Feel free to reblog and like <3

[starry-bi-sky]

Blood Blossom lore for the Blood Blossom Au

Blood Blossoms -- otherwise scientifically known as rosa hemato -- are an extinct genus of flower from the rosaceae family that disappeared from the mortal plane in the late 1600s due to over-foraging from settlers during the Witch Trials. Prior to their extinction, they were already a rare breed of rose because of an evolutionary trait resulting in their main source of energy being ambient ectoplasm.

This means that blood blossoms only grow in areas where there are unusual levels of ectoplasm present. Regardless, however, only one or two bushes of blood blossoms can grow, as too many of them results in the ectoplasm being sucked out with no room of replenishing back to its original levels. This kills the blood blossoms in return. So a balance has to be met.

Blood blossoms have a mildly unsettling appearance. Their namesake, "blood blossom", comes from the blood red appearance of their petals, which start out as a vibrant red but steadily grows darker with age similar to blood drying on a page. Their stems, leaves, and thorns are, rather than green, a rich black-purple color. The center where the pistil sits is the typical yellow, however, it takes on the appearance of a yellow eye peering through the petals.

Blood blossoms emit a sweet, fragrant scent that allows them to not only attract bees, but also break down ectoplasm for consumption. See, what it does is that it discharges some of its pollen into the air, which then "latches on" to ecto. As the pollen begins to float down to the ground, the ectoplasm then sinks into the soil for the blood blossom to then draw into its roots. It gives the ectoplasm a physical body to latch onto, which it then uses to consume it.

Despite having a symbiotic relationship with ambient ectoplasm in it's natural habitat, the interactions it has with ghosts is an entirely different story. To ghosts, Blood Blossoms are terrifying, opportunistic parasitoids capable of consuming spirits whole if given the chance. Ghosts give off significantly more ectoplasm and when the blood blossoms sense that, they emit more pollen in order to consume it. Which is where the whole "blood blossoms are natural ghost shields" thing comes from.

Their sweet scents and vibrant colors made them popular upon discovery for perfumes and dyes, and when eaten taste sweet and slightly bitter, almost irony. Which is another reason for their namesake. During the Salem Witch Trials it was theorized that blood blossoms could expel the sins/demons from someone's body when consumed and prevent possession, or when surrounded by the roses, would trap the demons inside it's host body which would then be burned to banish it back to Hell along with the soul of it's host.

Which made them incredibly popular in executions, exorcisms, and Mass.

They could grow anywhere in the world so long as there was an adequate amount of ecto present.

Surprisingly enough, they do not commonly grow in or around gravesites due to a competitor flower nicknamed "rest in peace lilies" which, despite their name, are actually from the asparagaceae family and have more in common with bluebells. They're more modernly known as everlast bells. Ghosts prefer them over blood blossoms because they have a similar effect on ghosts as poppies do on the living where it sends them into a restful slumber. Hence their nickname "rest in peace lilies". The dead loove them.

In the Ghost Zone, their effects on the dead are far more potent than when they grew in the living realm due to the excessive amount of ectoplasm. They also grow much faster, so ghosts treat their appearances on islands similar to how one treats mint or kudzhu after finding it growing in their lawn: with extreme prejudice. And a lot of terror. Ghosts tend to rip them out when the flowers are not in bloom, or burn them when they are.

Their appearances in the Zone aren't much different than what they looked like in the living realm, with only a few mild changes like their thorns being sharper, their petals being more angular, and their eye-like center actually looking more like an eye. It's theorized that the Infinite Realm versions of blood blossoms gained very mild sentience, just enough that it almost feels like their eyes follow you when you pass by them, like a painting. Nobody is willing to test that theory.

To a ghost, getting caught in the hooks of a blood blossom means a slow, agonizing death akin to thousands of needle-sized mouths eating you all at once. The pollen doesn't stop until the ectoplasm is all broken down. Blood blossoms in the Ghost Zone are very much capable of eradicating a ghost entirely, core and all, with no chance of return. No passing go, no reconstruction, just complete oblivion.

Danny, prior to his poisoning, had severe allergic reactions when in physical contact with blood blossom in his human form. Rashes, blistering, hives wherever the blossom had physical contact with, inflammation, you name it. Luckily that hadn't been something he needed to worry about since they're, well, extinct.

[brokebonewritings]

Help Me Remember You

Marc Spector x Fem! Reader

Tags/Warnings: 18+, language, slight gore, angst, hurt/comfort

Summary: You are given a second chance at life after dying. After waking up in the hospital, you find that Marc has no recollection of you or your relationship.

Word Count: 3.5K

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A hand grasps your shoulder, as you stand on the sidewalk close to your flat in London. You couldn’t remember how you got there, but you turn your head to see who it was. A man stood tall next to you with a grim look on his face. With a shaky breath, you follow where his eyes lay. There on the ground, was you. Lifeless. Your eyes staring towards the sky. Towards the moon.

You look back up at the man. “Who are you?”

“Anubis.” He says, giving you his full attention. “I came for you, sweetheart.”

“What about Marc?” You ask, turning back to look at yourself.

“They will learn to live without. They have done it before.”

Before you can respond, he is gone, and you are in a new place. You stand in a gleaming white space, the afterlife you realized. A man stands in front of you just a few yards ahead. You can’t help but feel a sense of comfort radiating from his direction. As you begin to walk towards him, you see the small table and scales set upon it.

“Osiris.” You say softly, and bow your head.

“Yes, child.” He replies, “I am sorry we have to meet like this.”

Nodding, you kneel before the table and he does the same. Osiris reaches out and places a feather on one side of the scales while gesturing for you to place something on the other. You see a knife laying in front of you. Taking a deep breath, you take it and plunge it into your chest. Though there is no blood or pain. Reaching inside, you grab your heart and place it upon the scale.

The room falls silent as the scales tip ever so slightly, the feather barely moving. You hold your breath, waiting for Osiris to make a decision. After what feels like an eternity, he looks up at you with gentle eyes.

“Your heart is light, my child. You have lived a life of love and kindness.” Osiris's words wash over you like a soothing balm, filling you with a sense of peace.

As he stands up, you follow suit, feeling weightless and free. Osiris extends his hand towards you, a warm smile gracing his features.

“Welcome to the afterlife, where your soul will find eternal rest.”

You ever so slightly reach out your hand, before taking it back. “But this wasn’t supposed to happen.”

He chuckles softly, a sound like distant bells floating through the liminal space.

“Destiny is a fickle thing, my child. It weaves and changes, guiding us down paths we never could have foreseen.”

“Please I have to go back, I know there is something I need to finish.” You plead, not realizing tears had begun to fall down your cheeks.

Osiris's expression softens as he observes your distressed state. He places a reassuring hand on your shoulder, his touch bringing a sense of calmness over you.

“I sense a powerful yearning within you, a yearning that transcends even death itself.”

With a gentle smile, he motions towards a shimmering portal that has materialized beside you. “If your heart truly calls for it, the path back to the mortal realm awaits. But remember, the threads of destiny are tangled and mysterious. Be prepared for what lies ahead.”

You take one last look at Osiris, gratitude in your eyes before stepping through the portal. The world around you blurs and shifts, time and space bending to accommodate your return.

As you open your eyes, you find yourself in the hospital. Rightfully so, you had been strangled by a madman. You reach your hand up to feel the brace around your neck.

“Don’t move too much, darling.” You hear an unfamiliar voice before a nurse steps into view.

She has a kind smile on her face as she checks your vitals and adjusts the IV drip by your bedside. You try to speak, but she shushes you softly.

“Your vocal cords are very damaged, dear, you’ve been through quite an ordeal.” She says softly, “but you’re safe now. The police caught the man who attacked you.”

Pointing at her pen, she obliges also handing you a small notepad. You scribble a quick note asking about Marc.

The nurse pauses, a shadow crossing her features before she responds, “I’m sorry, dear. There was no one else found at the scene.”

Your heart sinks at her words, grief welling up inside you. He hadn't known you were attacked. You clutch the pen tighter, before writing his number.

“Would you like me to call him? Is he your emergency contact?”

You nod as best you could, and she nods back. “I'll be back in a moment.”

The nurse steps out of the room, leaving you alone with your thoughts. As you lie in the hospital bed, flashes of memories flood your mind - moments shared with Marc, laughter echoing in your ears, his warm embrace enveloping you on cold nights. 

The beeping of the machines fades into the background as you drift into a haze of longing. Minutes feel like hours until the nurse returns, a somber expression on her face. Your eyes never leave her face, searching for any sign of hope or despair.

“Darling, Was this the right number? The bloke who answered said he didn’t know who you were.”

As the nurse's words sank in, a wave of panic washed over you. How could Marc not know who you were? You had spent countless days and nights together, sharing your deepest thoughts and dreams.

Frantically, you motioned for the nurse to dial the number again, hoping it was just a misunderstanding. You listened intently as the phone rang on the other end, each tone echoing in the silence of the hospital room. Your heart pounded in your chest, the seconds stretching into eternity until finally, a voice answered.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end sounded gruff. It was definitely him.

“Hiya, it’s me again. Listen, dear, she is very sure that this is the correct number.” The nurse tries.

“Fucking christ, I already told you I don’t know who that is. Did this woman get hit in the head or something?”

You wince at the harshness in his voice. He definitely doesn’t remember you. You wave at the nurse, and scribble another name onto the notepad asking her to say it to him.

“She can hear you, you sorry bastard. She just wrote another name on the page, says Jake Lockley.”

There’s silence on the opposite end of the line. After clearing his throat, he asks, “Which hospital is this, I’ll be right there.”

You feel a mix of relief and confusion as Marc agrees to come to the hospital. Maybe there was a mix-up, a misunderstanding that could be cleared up once he saw you. The nurse smiled reassuringly at you before stepping out to wait for Marc's arrival.

Hours pass, each minute feeling like an eternity as you anxiously wait for Marc to arrive. Finally, the door opens and in walks a man, his eyes scanning the room until they land on you. 

“Are you y/n?”

You try to speak, but your damaged vocal cords only allow a hoarse whisper to escape. Tears well up in your eyes as you nod. His expression shift, looking much softer, but still no recognition. Though you immediately know who you’re about to talk to.

Scribbling on the notepad, he slowly walks over and sits in the chair next to your bed. He looks over to see what you wrote.

Steven. Please remember me.

He looks up at you with his doe eyes. “How did you know it was me? How do you know about us.”

Fiancé

“But I don’t know who you are. How could we be engaged if I’ve never met you?”

You hold his gaze, willing him to remember, to see beyond the fog that clouds his memory. With trembling hands, you reach out and touch his face, tracing the lines as if to etch your presence into his very being.

Tears stream down your cheeks as you try to convey years of shared memories and love in a few fleeting moments. You point to the engagement ring on your finger, a symbol of the promises made and the future planned together.

His eyes flicker with a hint of recognition, a spark of something familiar dancing within them. He takes your hand in his, gently running his thumb over the ring as if trying to unlock hidden chambers of remembrance.

“I... I don’t understand,” he stammers, his voice laced with confusion and a tinge of fear. “How can I be engaged to someone I don’t remember?”

You scribble on the notepad again.

I died, I met Anubis and Osiris.

“You met Anubis and Osiris?! How is this possible? How are you here?!”

You smile, this is the Steven you remember. They gave me another chance, but when I came back you didn’t remember me

Something in his eyes flashes, and the hard expression returns. Marc was back, his eyes searching your face for any sort of recognition. Your heart ached at the disbelief and confusion in his eyes.

His hand recoils from yours as if your touch burned him, his features contorted in a mix of fear and disbelief. You watch helplessly as the connection you once shared with him slips further away, like sand sifting through your fingers. The weight of your heartache presses down on you, squeezing the air from your lungs.

“I can’t... I can’t do this.” His voice is barely a whisper, filled with a turmoil you cannot comprehend. He stands abruptly, knocking over the chair in his haste to distance himself from you. “I need to go.”

You reach out to him, the words trapped in your throat as you watch him move towards the door. This man before you, who was once your anchor in the storm, now feels like a stranger walking out of your life.

As he reaches the threshold, he pauses for a fleeting moment, his back still turned to you. “I’m sorry... I don’t know who you are,” he says softly before stepping out. 

The door closes behind Marc, leaving you alone in the silence of the hospital room. The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air, wrapping around you like a shroud of sorrow. Tears continue to stream down your cheeks as you try to process the whirlwind of emotions coursing through you.

You clutch the notepad to your chest, feeling the indentations of the words you had written in haste. Memories of your life together with Marc flash before your eyes, each one a painful reminder of what once was. The engagement ring on your finger glints in the dim light, a symbol of a future that now seems uncertain.

As you lie there, staring at the blank walls of the hospital room, a sense of numbness settles over you. The sounds of the machines humming fade into the background as you slip into a state of disconnected solitude. The world outside continues to spin, indifferent to the ache that gnaws at your heart.

Hours turn into days as you remain in the hospital, your voice slowly coming back to you. Janice, your nurse, had quickly become a good friend. Helping you contact your landlord, and trying to get Marc to come back. Each time getting the hard no.

"Y/n, I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you," Janice said softly, placing a comforting hand on yours. "But you're not alone. We'll figure this out together."

You managed a weak smile, grateful for Janice's support during this tumultuous time. Despite the ache in your heart, a sliver of hope bloomed within you at her words.

After almost a month in the hospital, you were released. You got to go back to your life. Not entirely, but for the most part.

As you stepped out of the hospital, the sunlight felt harsh against your skin, like a stark contrast to the dim confines you had grown accustomed to. 

Everything looked different, even the familiar streets seemed alien as you navigate your way back home. The weight of Marc's absence pressed down on you, a constant ache in your chest that refused to dissipate.

Your home was almost the same as it was before the incident. A bit cleaner, since Janice stopped by to collect your post, and check on the flat. Despite Janice's unwavering support and encouragement, there were moments when the loneliness threatened to consume you. 

The silence of your apartment echoed with memories of laughter and whispered promises, now replaced by a deafening void that seemed impossible to fill.

One evening as you sat by the window watching the stars, you see a figure on the rooftop of the building across from yours.

The figure was familiar, a silhouette etched in your memory like a ghost from the past. Despite the distance and the darkness shrouding their features, you knew without a doubt who it was. Marc. He stood there, his form outlined by the faint glow of the moon, his gaze fixed on your window.

A surge of emotions welled up inside you, and you know he saw you notice him. Your heart pounded in your chest, as you got up and moved to lay in your bed.

The sight of Marc on the rooftop stirred a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within you, pulling at the threads of hope and heartache that had woven themselves into the fabric of your being. His sudden appearance after weeks of absence sent a surge of questions racing through your mind, each one vying for attention in the chaos of your thoughts.

As you lay in bed, unable to tear your gaze away from the figure on the rooftop, a sense of longing welled up inside you. Could this be a chance to bridge the chasm that had formed between you and Marc? Or was it simply a cruel twist of fate, dangling the possibility of reconciliation before you only to snatch it away once more?

The weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air, a silent plea for understanding and forgiveness that lingered between you like an invisible thread.

The figure remained on the rooftop, unmoving yet a silent presence that seemed to bridge the gap between your past and present. You lay there, caught in a limbo of emotions that threatened to unravel the fragile threads holding you together.

Eventually, a soft knock at your door broke the stillness of the night, startling you from your reverie. With hesitant steps, you made your way to the door, heart pounding in anticipation of who may be on the other side. As you turned the doorknob, you were met with a familiar silhouette backlit by the soft glow of the hallway lights.

Marc stood before you, uncertainty etched across his features as he searched your eyes for a sign of acceptance. Before any words could be spoken, you found yourself enveloped in his embrace, the warmth of his touch seeping into your bones like a soothing balm.

Tears welled up in your eyes as weeks of pent-up emotions threatened to spill over the edge. You didn’t know what was happening, but you needed this.

As you stood in the doorway, locked in an embrace that felt both foreign and achingly familiar, a sense of hope bloomed within you. The raw vulnerability in Marc’s touch mirrored your own, a shared language of unspoken apologies and forgiveness that transcended the barriers of time and memory.

In that moment, as the world outside faded into insignificance, all that mattered was the connection between two souls reaching out for each other across the expanse of uncertainty.

The embrace with Marc felt like a lifeline, a beacon of light cutting through the darkness that had clouded your heart for so long. As you clung to him, the walls you had built around your emotions began to crumble, giving way to the flood of feelings you had buried deep within.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry,” Marc’s voice trembled with emotion, his words a whispered confession that hung in the air between you.

You pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze as tears streamed down your cheeks. “I don’t understand…” Your voice is still hoarse.

"I was lost, Y/n. Lost in a storm of confusion and fear that clouded my judgment," Marc's voice cracked with emotion, his hands trembling slightly as he reached out to cup your face. “But I saw him. He told me everything.”

“Saw who? Marc, please. You remember me?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t, but please let me.”

The sincerity in Marc's eyes tugged at your heartstrings, a flicker of hope igniting within you despite the lingering doubts. His vulnerability laid bare before you, an unspoken plea for a second chance that resonated with the deepest corners of your soul.

With a shaky breath, you reached out to touch Marc's trembling hand, a silent gesture of understanding and acceptance. “Was it Osiris?”

He nodded, “We went searching for him. Khonshu, the old bastard, actually helped me.”

Osiris? The name reverberated in your mind, sending a shiver down your spine. Memories long buried stirred within you, whispers of a past that seemed almost surreal. And yet, here was Marc, standing before you, his eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions.

You’re brought back to reality for a moment, and realize you’re in the open where your nosey neighbor is probably spying on you. “Do you want to come in?” You ask Marc, and he nods.

Closing the door behind him, you lead him to the living room and sit next to him on the couch. “I just don’t understand why you came back. You know I was actually beginning to accept you not coming back.”

"I know I've caused you pain, Y/n. And for that, I will never forgive myself." His voice wavered with emotion as he continued, each word heavy with the weight of his confession. "But meeting Osiris...it made me realize I fucked up.”

You studied Marc's face, searching for any hint of deceit or manipulation, but all you found was raw honesty etched in his expression. A part of you wanted to push him away, to guard your heart against the possibility of hurt once more. But another part yearned for the closure and healing that only forgiveness could bring.

“I can't erase the past or the pain I've caused. But when Osiris showed me the truth... I couldn't stay away. Everything leads straight back to you.” You see a stray tear run down his cheek and he explains himself. “I know I don’t remember you. We all don’t remember you, but we want to.”

Your mouth felt dry as you listened to him speak. As you gazed into Marc's tear-filled eyes, a surge of compassion welled up inside you. You feel his hand take a hold of yours. His hand trembles in yours, but the touch grounds you in the present moment.

“I don’t know what to say,” you whisper.

“Don’t say anything, just…” He sighs before continuing. “Help me, Help us remember you.”

As you sat there on the couch, silence enveloping you both like a protective cocoon, you felt a sense of calm settle over you. Closing your eyes for a moment, you took a deep breath and when you opened them you saw him still sitting there. No trick of the mind or anything.

You nod, tears welling up in your eyes. A flicker of relief passes across Marc's features, gratitude shining in his eyes. Without another word, he reaches out and pulls you into a tight embrace, holding you close as if afraid that you might disappear if he lets go.

In that moment, as you find solace in each other's arms, a sense of unity washes over you. The past may be shrouded in shadows and uncertainty, but the present holds the promise of rediscovery and redemption.

“Let me kiss you.” he whispers softly.

You hesitate for a moment, “but you hardly know me.”

“y/n, I know I’ll remember you. Let me kiss you.”

Uncertainty begins to swirl within you like a tempest. However, his eyes ignite a flame of trust in your heart. Leaning forward, you meet his lips in a tentative kiss, a gentle exploration of emotions that have been suppressed.

In that fleeting moment of connection, you feel a glimmer of recognition as if a door to the past has been cracked open, allowing fragments of forgotten moments to seep through.

As the kiss deepens, a sense of familiarity washes over you, intertwining your souls in a dance as old as time itself. The weight of unspoken apologies and unshed tears melts away in the heat of this newfound intimacy, leaving behind a raw vulnerability that binds you together in shared longing and hope.

When you finally pull away, breathless and trembling, Marc's gaze meets yours with a mixture of yearning and uncertainty, as if seeking validation in the depths of your eyes. For a moment, the world around you fades into insignificance, leaving only the echo of his touch lingering on your lips.

“I will remember you,” he whispers, his voice barely above a breath, “I promise.”

With a silent nod, you offer him a small smile. “I know you will. I’ll help you.”

join my taglist!

Taglist: @guacam011y

[weepingtalecowboy]

Fanfic prompt: Considering that there are quite some Vio tries bringing shadow back from the dead fictions

And in all those Vio is pretty much ready to straight up execute someone to bring shadow back (not to forget dark magic and it’s dangers)

If he ends up in the past maybe the day shadow offered him to join he would probably do whatever possible to find a way to keep shadow alive while constantly crossing new moral lines

That nobody has ever thought existed

He could do it the best by joining Vaati and then reading the shadiest books known to mankind (because Vaati definitely has a library)

His relationship with shadow is something else entirely because he quickly noticed how unstable shadow already was (those insane mood swings can not be just coincidence there has to be something else considering that he is link's darkest part)

So he first looks for a way to make shadow's mind more stable because as long as the mirror is there shadow will be fine

A few murders later shadow is fine and he starts working on finding a way for shadow not to die immediately (in case they do need to break the mirror

And also teaching shadow how to read (because there is no way shadow can canonically read anything longer then a word)

And hanging out at the fire temple

When the others find him he doesn’t even try to act like a villain because he sees no reason (he isn’t a mole this time )why he has to stay till shadow won’t die

And also because he is extremely unhinged already and doesn’t even notice that

The other colors don’t see him on a throne and anything they straight up see Vio mumbling to himself the most disturbing books lying around

Drawing runes onto the ground

With several injuries (because you always have to sacrifice something for dark magic )

And crazy written on his face

And Vio just seems so happy to see them while showing how he can use possession to keep Shadow in the mortal realm (and enough warcrime needing spells for it to)

So they kind of uncomfortably ask him just what he thinks he is doing and then regret it immediately when he tells them exactly what he’s been doing (it’s nothing good and frankly they now will have nightmares)

Which somehow makes it even more unsettling then it is already

Is shadow not flipping out and sitting in a corner trying to read

Because how crazy does a person have to be to out crazy their evil counterpart

[cream0fwheat1998]

Captured

Thanks to @livingdeadgirly for giving me the idea.

(Yandere!BihanxreaderxYandere!Tomas)

It's long. Sorry.

I have built on this idea to my own liking/ to fit the idea I have so this is MY interpretation of the idea. Please be aware that I have never played any Mortal Kombat games just watched movies & lore videos.

After the events of MK1 (2023)

Summary: Tomas and the woman he's trained have grown closer over the past few years. However a threat from the Lin Kuei (minimal use of Y/N) puts their relationship on hold as his darling is abducted by them during an attack.

WARNINGS: Dark/yandere/noncon/violence/forced relationship.

-You were a young woman residing in a rural village within Earthrealm

-You enjoyed your schooling because your family was privileged enough to afford you an education but you weren't wealthy either

-You favorite pastime was reading/learning about the other realms however your priority was mapping out Earthrealm first since you lived there

-You attempted to educate young children in your village by reading to them in your spare time and teaching them about the beauty and dangers that co-exist within the multiple realms

-A danger that you only had heard whispers of became a reality late summer when these assassins sporting Blue and Black garments stormed your village in search of those who supported the Shirai Ryu

-Houses were cased in ice, schools and hospitals demolished

-It was a picture right out of a book about the Netherrealm. Grey/green clouds, sharp winds and endless screams of innocents being slaughtered

-In the midst of chaos, you'd been hit by a dagger as cold as a winter storm and fell to the ground

-With the little strength you had, you crawled your way to cover

-The heat of your skin had bullet sized sweat drops running down your body, the amount of blood you felt leave you put your mortality in a sharp perspective and you assumed you wouldn't make it

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

-The next 3 years were something of a miracle

-You were saved by soldiers from the Shirai Ryu scouring the land for survivors and hours after the attack, your lifeforce was hanging by a thread but you were still alive

-You spent your time learning their discipline, their training and forming the strength to become a fight

-Fighter in loose terms of course, you weren't good

- you refused to take part in the same carnage and devastation you were put through, you held your own fire back

-But you remained optimistic much to the chagrin of the more serious members when your academic skills aided them to victory

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

-Another unforeseen occurrence has recently distracted you

-The handsome, grey-eyed and soft silver, short-haired warrior Smoke was your instructor

-The way he and his brother lead their clan in unison reminded you of the family and friends you'd loved and lost over the years

-You were told by Kuai Liang that Smoke had saved you from death and carried you to safety

-Over the few years, you felt some sense of debt to him and he clearly did not see it that way himself, your persistence to prove something to him added to his ego

-His dedication to train you started from a sense of duty but overtime he couldn't help but think if he saved you for himself rather than the Lin Kuei

-You were an attractive woman and he attempted not to stray from his purpose of serving his master (Kuai Liang)

-Yet you looked up to him in a way that made him feel special; he was second and his days under Bi-han he was third if anything at all

-But you went to him first, you called his name first when you had an issue

-Tomas couldn't help but feel like he was more of a man because of you, a pretty girl, coming to him for help

-Using the moral guide of the Lin kuei and the Shirai Ryu, he knew being humble was the key, however....

-The way you looked at him when he was giving instructions, the shy smile you gave him in the morning or in passing

-Especially, the way you'd let him adjust your form during training

-Deep down he knew he wasn't entitled to you but the prestige of being the second in command in the Shirai Ryu had been manifesting in his head

-Tomas knew he wanted his legacy to continue but the years of Bi-han's abuse had convinced him he wasn't good enough

-He felt ashamed when his thoughts of pinning you down and having his way with you occurred during training

-His fantasy was you admitting that you werent good enough to fight but that you could be useful in otherways

-He'd pin you down on the nearest surface, well first you'd suck him off THEN he'd force you down and probably spank you and when he was hard from hearing your cries, he'd force himself inside you

-His deepest desire is you submitting as a thank you for saving your life several years ago

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

-But all the changed when the Lin Kuei attacked......

-Kuai Liang and his wife Harumi commanded their assassins into position, somehow that Lin Kuei had infiltrated their land

-Tomas immediately found you and demanded you hide inside the compound but you insisted you fight with your group

-The defiant attitude had Tomas growling, this was the first time he'd be forceful with you beyond training

-"I'm not asking. I'm telling you to HIDE or there will be punishment." Tomas said, no room for argument

-Once Tomas was out of sight, you ran to an opposite area of the compound, determined to prove you can fight for Tomas just as he has fought for you

-You'd met with the most intense scene you'd ever witness. Kuai Liang and a large man in a Lin Kuei uniform facing off using their powers

-After blow to blow, the man using sharp, ice daggers subdued Scorpion and chuckled at his brothers downfall

-You gasped, never witnessing Scorpion lose to an opponent causing the large man with the gravely deep voice to glance at you

-His eye brows furrowed and he go into a fighting stance and you knew you'd be no match for this warrior

-You attempted a fighting stance yourself, but you slipped causing the Lin Kuei-man to laugh at you

-He was about to strike when smoke appeared out of nowhere and Tomas angrily appeared

-Tomas and the man he called Bi-han shouted at each other until fists were exchanged

-In a spur of the moment decision, you ran in-between Tomas and Bi-han and a force unknown to you knocked you to the ground and everything went dark

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

-A throbbing headache hit you as you came through, your blurry eyes trying to focus on the comfortable surroundings

-You were on a bed and a heavy chain was on your ankle

-While yanking on the chain with all the strength you could muster, the door swung open to a man who took up all of the door frame

-It was bi-han wearing a mask, his outfit still stained with the blood of the fallen members if Shirai Ryu

-Immediately you remember Tomas, your heart races as you look at all the dried blood

-"Those fools are still alive, they are lucky we held back. Somewhat." Bi-han says, crossing his arms

-You ask why are you here, tugging on the chain as Bi-han steps forward

-"What are you to them?" He asks.

-You explained that Tomas and Kaui Liang saved you from dying and allowed you to train within the Shirai Ryu

-Bi-han raised a skeptic brow, eyeing your muscles (or lack thereof) indicating his disbelief

-"Whose Concubine are you?" Kuai Liangs?" He suggested, slowly removing his mask and tossing it aside

-You stopped pulling while the heat when to your face. How dare he think that's your purpose with them AND that one of the most honorable men you've met would behave in such a manner. Kuai Liang would never betray Harumi in that way and the slander of him made your blood boil

-Without a response, Bi-han went on "So you belong to Tomas then?" He didn't smile, waiting for an answer

-You reaffirmed that you trained with them, scared but not backing down

-Bi-han stepped closer you, confirming that he commanded dominance at all times

-"You may not think you belong to him but does he know that?" Bi-han crouched down to your eye-level, his icy breath hitting your face

-For the first time, you make direct eye contact which seemingly surprises him for second before his eyes darken again

-"You want to be his? He is weak and why my brother tolerates his incompetence in their new era shocks me." Bi-han says, clutching his fists.

-"Unlike you, Tomas is a good man who fights to protect the innocent not glory." In a surge of confidence, you try to push away Bi-han but he catches your wrists.

-"Is that so? Well then maybe I should show you how much of a bad man I am."

-Bi-Han quickly removes his garments and moves to get rid of yours. You thrash around, limited by the chains so Bi-han easily covers your entire body with his much larger one.

-He caresses your skin in a gentle contradiction to being pinned down with force. You attempt to push him off of you to no success. He smiles, knowing your resistance is useless.

-"Did Tomas ever touch you like this?" Bi-Han asked while thumbing your nipples and fondling your breast.

-You mewl at the brand new sensation of being felt so intimately and for a second Bi-Hans eye went soft at the sight beneath him

-The gentleness didn't last when Bi-Han realized that you and Tomas had never been intimate; you had never been intimate and that made Bi-Han delighted. This would be one of his many flawless victories over the Shirai Ryu.

-"I'll have to open you up a little." Bi-han reached a long, thick finger down to your intimate area and began playing your lips. His finger ran down your slit slowly; he wanted you to feel and remember him. You'd end this day as claimed territory of the Lin Kuei. It didn't matter what you wanted.

-Your brain had stopped. Your reasonability drowned out by the fast pace of your beating heart.

-His attention back on your face and without warning, shoved one finger inside you. He began jerking it in and out; he made sure to hit every spot he could. He grew harder thinking about the idea that you'd be able to feel him hours after this night.

-With every thrust, your hand that was wrapped around Bi-Hans arm squeezed his bicep. Something about you responding to his assault by holding on to him harder caused him to spur.

-You felt yourself getting closer to what you knew to be the climax of your enjoyment; a coil of warmth began and you clutched on Bi-Han for dear life.

-Bi-Han quickened the pace seeing your reaction. You squirmed and let out a loud moan at your release.

-You slowly sat up as Bi-Han closed in on you. Catching your breath, you asked him to please not do anything more with tears pricking in your eyes.

-He had no intention of stopping; he was belated to have you bending to you will, underneath him. Now it was your turn to give him his prize.

-He pulled up right to his erect penis and looked down on you expectantly.

-You shook your head, turning away until he grabbed the back of your head and forced your open mouth down on him.

-"Do as your new grandmaster commands." He said in a low voice.

-You swirled your tongue around, unsure of how to do what he wanted you to do. You dragged your tongue up and down his shaft, targeting the vein. You blushed because you had the thoughts about Tomas in the past but knew they weren't appropriate.

-Bi-Han started bobbing your head up and down on his cock, using both his hands.

-This is the only time he'd allow himself to be sloppy. His moans and sighs filling the room.

-Abruptly, he shoved you down and once again his large body was completely covering yours.

-"No more resistance? Good girl." He adjusted himself to be at your entrance before grabbing your face and smashing his lips on yours.

-There was no adjustment period. He shoved himself inside you and began to thrust. He held you down with super strength while peppering kisses on your neck and chest.

-Bi-Han sped up his movement and kissed you again. "Kiss me back" he growled.

-You obliged; just wanting the nightmare to be over.

-His tongue danced for dominance in your mouth and of course he won. He smiled into the kiss.

-He began growling as his thrust became sloppy. He gripped your hips with intense force and released his seed deep within you; not moving until every single drop was inside you.

-"You are officially property of the Lin Kuei. You will be under my particular command and I suggest you keep your mouth shut and do what I say. I can give you alot.....if you earn it."

[domnamewoman]

You know I've always wonder if the characters meet with a teen reader (platonic relationship) who can control elements. They found her by accident and saw her like catching fish using her water bending.

(sorry if I disturbing you. Please do tell me anything if I broke a rule or something because I'm trying my best to find your rule book)

PS love your Mortal Kombat :3

Title: Little Elements

Summary: You are a teen Elemental who is just trying to survive and find your mom after a mysterious sorcerer abducts her and banishes you to Earthrealm. One day while you are trying to catch dinner, you are ambushed by random men who believe you are the one terrorizing Earthrealm.

Warnings: Teen!GN!Reader, Canon-Typical Violence

Word Count: 1,479

Masterlist

Requests Are Open

What are you going to do? You can survive on your own, sure, but for how long? Who can you even ask for help? You don’t know anyone in this realm and from what you’ve been told, most Earthrealmers don’t even know about Outworld and its inhabitants. How can they help you find your way back, let alone your mom?

Your mom… right.

That bastard! As soon as you find him, he’s dead! You’ll make him pay for what he did to you and your mother. You’ll make him regret underestimating you and reducing your mother to nothing more than a puppet. When you find him you’ll… you’ll…

How will you find him though? You don’t even know his name. Thanks to him you are stranded in Earthrealm. You let out a frustrated sigh. You aren’t powerful enough to open a portable to get back to Outworld. Is there anyone here who is? How can you find them?

You angrily kick a rock and watch it tumble into the river in front of you as a wave of helplessness washes over you. You shake your head to clear it and take a calming breath. You’re no good to your mom if you’re frazzled and drained.

You’ll figure out a plan later, for now, you’ll focus on getting something to eat so you don’t starve to death before you can.

You stand at the bank of the river and let the sounds of nature calm you. The rushing of water downstream. The chirping of the birds’ morning song. The rustling of the wind passing through leaves. It’s almost enough to fool you into believing you are out for a recreational trek through the woods and not stranded all alone.

Raising your hands, you search for the ball of energy stored at the center of your chest and feel it unravel. It begins to spread across your chest, down your arms, and rest in your palms. You move your hands from left to right and watch as the river’s water swirls up into the air.

You parse through the water using your water bending to search for fish and wash them ashore. You are able to find three smallmouth basses and decide they are enough sustenance for today. You bend down to collect them when you feel the air suddenly become charged around you.

Whipping around, your eyes land on four men standing at the tree line. One of them shoots out his hand and a bolt of lightning comes flying toward you. You narrowly manage to dive out of the way and the bolt zaps the spot you were just in.

You feel heat erupt from your chest and plunge down your arms as flames engulf your hands.

“Who are you!?” You question as you take a defensive stance.

“Earthrealm’s Protectors.” The one wearing a razor-rimmed hat declares.

Before you have a chance to process this, another bolt of lightning is making its way to you. Unfortunately, this time you are unable to move out of the way fast enough and fall to the ground as your body shakes in pain.

After the shock subsides, you roll onto your hands and knees. Your breath is nothing but gasps as you try to get air into your lungs. How dare these people attack you unprovoked! Earthrealm’s Protectors? You aren’t doing anything harmful! All you are trying to do is get something to eat. What is their deal? It doesn't matter, you will return the favor of attacking first and asking questions later.

Resting both palms flat against the ground, you force energy through them and the ground begins to violently shake. The men are thrown off balance and it is just the distraction you need to execute an attack.

Throwing your hands out in quick succession, you send several fireballs hurling toward them. You watch as the four men jump around in an effort to dodge the onslaught.

“Now that wasn’t very nice, Hotshot.” One of them says while removing his sunglasses.

Your eyes roll as you scoff. “You’re one to talk. I can still feel the aftershocks from Sir Zaps-a-lot over there.”

“Sir Zaps-a-lot?” Asks the one wearing a… blindfold? Strange.

“Yes! He electrocuted me for no reason!”

“You appear to be no older than 14. Why are you here terrorizing Earthrealm?” Sir Zaps-a-lot asks.

You let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m 15, thank you very much. Also, how is fishing terrorizing anyone!? I was just trying to get something to eat and you attacked me completely unprovoked!”

“Unprovoked? You have been going around causing earthquakes, fires, floods, and tornados in highly populated areas. You have killed innocent Earthrealmers and destroyed many people’s homes and livelihoods! Yet you claim you are innocent?” Razorhead bellows.

“How… I-I can’t do that!”

“Um… listen, Hotshot. We just watched you fish without a fishing rod. Not to mention the fireballs and mini earthquake you used on us. You definitely can do that.” Explains Sunglasses.

“Exactly! Mini earthquake. I can’t make one powerful enough to destroy people’s homes like you’ve said.”

The men stare at you and from their expressions you can tell they don’t believe you.

“Seriously, it wasn’t me!”

“There are not too many others who possess powers like you here.” Mr. See-no-evil states.

How are your powers uncommon? Stupid powerless Earthrealmers!

“Whatever, that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m not strong enough to create earthquakes, floods, or tornados on a scale large enough to destroy homes. I’m still in training!”

“Training by who?” Sir Zaps-a-lot inquires.

“By my mo-”

Why didn’t you think of this sooner? You know someone who is powerful enough to cause damage on a scale these men speak of. Someone who is currently under the hypnosis of a deranged sorcerer. You have to find her!

“Where did these attacks take place?” You ask as you take a step forward.

“Wait a minute Hotshot, who is your trainer?”

“My mother.” You began to pace. “About a week ago, some crazy sorcerer came to our house. I-I think my mom knew him? I had seen him talking to her before. Anyway, the day he showed up at our house he was acting all crazy. T-Then he did some weird magic hypno stuff and put my mom under some sort of spell. She would only listen to him no matter what I did. She was basically his puppet. He opened a portal and forced me to Earthrealm so I wouldn’t get in the way of his plans. I bet he’s using her to do all of the stuff you said. That bastard!”

“Okay, okay, calm down. You said your mother was taken by the sorcerer?” Mr. See-no-evil walks forward, stopping a few feet away from you.

“Yes! I know you have a blindfold on, but do you also have earplugs?”

“There is no need to get testy.”

“Can it, Razorhead!”

“Pfft… Razorhead.” Sunglasses chuckles under his breath.

“My name is Kung Lao, and that is not the attitude one should have when asking for help.”

“Asking for help? Who needs your help?”

“You do. How do you intend to find your mother? Are you going to take on the sorcerer by yourself? My name is Raiden, by the way.”

Dang it, they’re right!

“Fine, I’m sorry. You’re right, there’s no way I can beat him by myself. What am I going to do?” You drop your head in defeat.

Sunglasses walks up to you and throws his arm around your shoulder. “Don’t worry your pretty little head. We won’t leave you to face him all alone. We fight for the weak. That’s what Earthrealm’s Protectors are all about.”

“I’m not weak,” You grumble, resisting the urge to elbow him in the side.

“What he means is, we will help you find your mom and take down this insidious sorcerer.” Kung Lao promises.

“We will take you to Wu Shi and inform our leader Liu Kang of your situation,” Raiden adds.

“But we don’t have time for that. We have to find my mom.” You are starting to get impatient now that you know there is a possibility your mother is here in Earthrealm.

“We will, but we need to make a plan. Plus you have been out here in the woods by yourself for a while. You look like you could use some rest… and some food.” Mr. See-no-evil pointedly nods toward the three fish on the ground you caught earlier.

Just then your stomach decides to remind you just how empty it is.

“Alright, I guess.” You begrudgingly agree.

Wait a minute.

“How do you know there are fish on the ground, aren’t you blindfolded!?”

Everyone starts laughing and you feel as though you’ve been left out of some inside joke.

Mr. See-no-evil starts walking backward toward the tree line. “Come on, I will tell you on the way.”

Should this be a series? Also, we aren't even going to talk about the nicknames... I tried 🤷🏾‍♀️

[ethereal-cleanse]

Gemini New Moon PAC Spread

Hey Guys! This one is pretty long, but I felt inspired to do it as I would one of my paid readings because I felt really connected with this moon today and I hope you guys find that at least one of these messages resonates with you! Now, let's get started★

Pile 1

Focus: 5 of pentacles (The Hierophant) After this new moon, those in pile 1 need to focus on balance. In our capitalistic society, money and resources are the key to our day-to-day survival, but what about your inner world? Your ties to the things outside of our mortal realm? Your growth will be found in the coexistence of the logical and mystical sides of life.

New Beginnings: The Emperor (Page of Swords) As new moons usher in new beginnings, you will gain more discipline, stability, and focus with a wave of curiosity, inspiration, and chattiness! If you’ve been wanting to be more assertive, this will come easily to you now.

How to Communicate: *The Gate (Justice) As we communicate during this time, remember to be pragmatic and speak the way you’d like to be spoken to. "You can attract more bees with honey than vinegar", and it’s important to remind yourself that it isn’t always what you say, it’s how you say it.

Strengths: The Devil (10 of Cups) In following this path, you must find strength in both the light and the dark. We all have wounds to heal and temptations that call to us, and while we must actively work to heal them, we cannot ignore the beautiful and joyous parts of life. Remain self-aware and honest with yourself, but don’t deprive yourself of embracing and showing appreciation for what and who you have. 

Release: 8 of cups (The Fool) To gain something new, we must also let go, and this lunar cycle says to walk away from people, habits, and thoughts that no longer serve you. It may be scary to leave what’s familiar, but the Fool says to jump into this newness bravely. What you will get now is far better than what you had before.  

Theme: Luck is on your side (New moon in Sagittarius) If you’ve been having a low spell, life is about to have an energetic restart! Take this time to be adventurous and connect with others, especially by sharing your ideas.

Manifestation: Know you are loved (New moon in Libra) “Love makes my world go round” Love, whether platonic or romantic, will start pouring in at this time. New relationship cycles (friendship, professional, and even romantic) as well as new opportunities will be available to you now.

Angel Guidance: #39 Perseverance (Joy Guide) “Don’t give up” Do not fret if things have taken longer than you thought, as your guides are urging you to keep going. Though this is a tougher process, take this time to learn as you go and keep your eye on the prize because your hard work will come to fruition. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pile 2

Focus: Temperance (7 of Swords) For group 2, this lunar cycle wants you to stay calm and balanced (both mentally and emotionally) as you go after what you want while also being aware of potential deception. Someone or something might be subtly getting in your way either personally or professionally, but don’t allow this to shake you! A challenge will not take you off your path, because what is for you cannot be taken.

New Beginnings: The Hermit (inverted 6 of cups) As you move towards this, your new beginning may start with you taking more time to be alone and to reflect. If you have been carrying pain from the past or have felt unable to move forward, this will be your moment to finally, truly let go and focus on your future! You see the light now, and it’s starting from within.

How to Communicate: Knight of Pentacles (The Lovers) Because this could potentially be an emotional time, when communicating, you must try to ground your passion and dreams with practical considerations that others can more easily understand and picture along with you. This will help you feel more understood and can take your ideas from the imagination to the real world.  

Strengths: The Chariot (7 of Pentacles) A strength you can lean on currently is you self-discipline, ambition, and focus as well as your ability to plan and manifest! Your combination of patience and action makes you an unstoppable force and your success is inevitable. 

Release: 4 of Pentacles (9 of cups) Finally, to embrace all that’s coming to you, you must release your need for control and anything that has been weighing you down. By embracing optimism and your right to prosperity, abundance will come to you in droves. Theme: Nothing Will Come of This (Void of Course Moon) “I trust in my highest good” If you’ve been worried about or hoping for something, that thing isn’t in the Universe’s plan for you. While this might be a positive or negative for some of you, this is your chance to pivot towards something in true alignment.

Manifestation: Take Inspired Action (Full moon in Virgo) “I forgive myself for everything, I am doing my best” In line with the Knight of Pentacles and The Lovers, the seeds of your manifestations must be watered with action. Be proactive and intentional as you move forward to make your dreams a reality.

Angel Guidance: #26 Balance (Teacher Guide)

“Give fairly and with unconditional love, and all will turn out well” Take this time to click in with your relationships. Are you taking too much on from those in your life? Are you communicating your needs or waiting for others to guess and feel hurt? Do others feel like they aren’t getting enough from you? Our relationships need to be an equal space of give and take, and so this time calls to regain that balance.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pile 3

Focus: 2 of wands (10 of pentacles) For those in group 3, your intentions should be centered on your goals, as they will lead you to prosperity, growth, and abundance! This is a time when you can feel confident in taking calculated risks for them as well, as there is financial stability and a solid foundation beneath you. If you’ve been torn about which path to take, this is your sign to choose the path your heart can’t let go of.   

New Beginnings: The Tower (The High Priestess) As you go towards this new beginning, you will experience a significant transformation, one that might feel like a complete upheaval of everything you’ve known and built up until now. While this may sound scary, you will feel that something needs to change, and it’s important to trust your intuition and ability to face it head-on. 

How to Communicate: 8 of pentacles (10 of wands) Because this will be an intense time for you, please communicate your needs to those around you. You may need more support and assistance, those that care will want to rally around and lift you up as you trudge along.

Strengths:6 of swords (5 of wands) A strength you can embrace right now is the freedom to let go. The feelings from your past don’t have to remain in this present time. The choice to embrace peace and release resentment, hurt, and negativity is empowering, and this new beginning deserves a you who wants to be renewed. 

Release: King of Cups (inverted Knight of Cups) To fully move forward, replace moodiness with a balance between your mind and heart. Things can hurt, but they don’t have to consume you. “Logic” isn’t more valid than healthy emotional expression. Bring your emotional and realistic sides together and watch how your viewpoint evolves. 

Theme: Surrender to the Divine (Full Moon) “I am getting the answers I need” Life is coming to a head, a climax, and it is important to keep a cool head as it unfolds. The odds are in you favor, but it is important to tune into yourself and your feelings to see what they are trying to tell you. Trust in your intuition and your guides.

Manifestation: See the bigger picture (Full Moon in Sagittarius) “I know that I am blessed and I love my life within that knowing” In this time, you have to find a balance and acceptance of where you are vs where you want to be. Learn and research as you head towards this new path, and if conflict appears, learn what needs to be said instead of saying too much. Be the bigger and more patient person at this time.

Angel Guidance: #44 Limitation (Nature Guide) “Listen and learn from others, they make it easier for you” As this is a new path, shed your perchance for pride, as it is of no use to you. Find those who are more knowledgeable and versed than you, ask questions, watch, and learn. You can go so much further with far less struggle when you are open to being unsure. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pile 4

Focus: 3 of Swords (Knight of swords) If you are recovering from heartbreak or dealing with heavy emotions like loneliness or depression, this lunar cycle is calling for you to pick yourself up and make big changes! Seize the day, put yourself back out there, open up, and be honest about how you feel, or simply be brave and do one thing that scares you. This low point isn't meant for you and it’s time to crawl towards the light. 

New Beginnings: The Magician (Ace of Pentacles) Your new beginning is realizing that you are the key to the life you desire. The Magician manifests and takes action while the ace of pentacles brews financial abundance and material gains. If you start taking actions now, no matter how small, that align with the things you’ve been wishing for, this is a time that will foster personal, material, or financial success. Dream big and go for it! All you have to do is take the first step. 

How to Communicate: Queen of Swords (King of Pentacles) When communicating, it’s important to be logical, direct, and clear-headed. As we express ourselves, try to balance your emotions and logic so that you can be heard while you express your true feelings. Hold your head high and be honest, even if it’s frightening. So much strength comes from speaking our truth. 

Strengths: 9 of pentacles (the Empress) A strength you should connect with (no matter your gender) is your divine feminine energy. Tapping into this aspect of ourselves allows us to connect with the earth and the divine, promoting self-understanding and our access to manifestation. The 9 of pentacles signals abundance and by combining these two, you can create a beautiful life and find a state of contentment.  

Release: The Star (9 of swords) To embrace all that is coming to you, lay down your fear, anxiety, and depression, and allow yourself to hope and dream. The life you want isn’t a silly pipe dream. You have access to pleasure and joy just like anyone else, and you must release the belief that you are worth anything less. 

Theme: A Win-Win Outcome is Forecast (Full moon in Libra) “Let go of that which is falling away…” A relationship in your life is changing, whether deepening or coming to a close. It is important to remember that some things are for a reason while others are for a season, and no matter which way it’s headed, allow it to run its intended course. No matter what happens, it’s for your highest good no matter how it feels.

Manifestation: Go Deeper (New moon in Scorpio) “Life goes in cycles and my life is now regenerating” You’re stepping back into your power after something that cut deep, and it’s time to go into it fully. Dig deep into what happened and see the whole picture. Experience things fully right now instead of accepting the surface level.

Angel Guidance: #36 Abundance (Joy Guide) “Fill your heart with gratitude and appreciation for the good things in life right now. More blessed abundance is on the way” The universe is showering you with gifts and blessings that are going unnoticed by you, and so your guides are now bringing them to your attention. Each morning, ask for something good to happen and write down what showed up at the end of the day. The universe gives back what you put out, and gratitude begets even more love and blessings!  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- And that is the end of this Pick-A-Card Reading. Thank you so much if you took the time to participate, comment in the notes what pile you pick, and please check out my shop or if you're feeling generous, you can support me on my ko-fi as well. Until next time, be sweet to yourselves!

[7-wonders]

reader has a strong personality, but sometimes she feels unsure of herself, her personality, her looks. in one of these days, feeling her bad mood, Dream reassures her, telling how much he admires and loves her, the way she's beautiful in every way, etc.

Jealousy, Jealousy

Morpheus/Dream of the Endless x GN!Reader

It started with Calliope.

To be clear, you absolutely supported Morpheus both coming to his ex-wife's aid and reconciling with her after their disastrous end (though the details were vague, you knew it had something to do with the son they shared, the one that Morpheus still couldn't bring himself to talk about). What had happened to Calliope at the hands of mortal men was absolutely horrific. If you had it your way, you'd hunt them both down and serve up a bit of vigilante justice. Morpheus forbade you from doing so, on the grounds that he had also been told no when wanting to do the exact same thing.

When Morpheus finally decided that it was time for the two to actually talk, you had met the Muse on your way out of the Dreaming to give them some space. After spending maybe three minutes with her, it was easy to reach the conclusion: Calliope is wonderful.

Not only is she stunning on the outside, but she has a kindness within that refused to be stamped out by her captors. She's so nice that, coming from anybody else, it would seem insincere. On Calliope, though, it's effortlessly natural. She seems like she's actually interested in talking to you, and not just playing nice because of societal conventions and you being Morpheus's current lover.

You trust Morpheus implicitly, but, considering how easy it was to see how Morpheus could have fallen head over heels in love with Calliope, you felt just a tinge of reluctance at leaving the two to resolve their issues. It was okay to be a little jealous, you reasoned with yourself; after all, everyone has that one ex that seems like "the one that got away." You're okay, and secure in who you are and your relationship.

Until Queen Titania came waltzing into the Dreaming.

The entire realm was in a tizzy over the sudden request from the Court of Faerie to send a delegation so that matters "concerning the two respective realms" could be discussed. According to Merv, Titania was going to again extend an offer of marriage to Morpheus. While this was quite the shock to you, a sympathetic Lucienne explained the regularity of such a proposal when you hid out in the library to escape all the excitement of the impending visit.

"Isn't she married, though?" you asked, shoving a dreamer's book harshly into its appointed spot. If you were going to be taking up space, you had figured that the least you could do was help out with some shelving.

"Queen Titania and King Oberon have...what you would call an open relationship, I suppose," Lucienne said. "If anything, their relationship is never as strong as it is when both parties have paramours to entertain them."

"Hm." The laws and customs of other realms were something you had yet to get used to, and you assumed that it would remain that way. "But why is she so fixated on Morpheus? I mean, obviously he's insanely powerful, but surely there's other eligible rulers?"

Lucienne's lips quirked at your subtle dig towards Titania. "There are, but she has never truly been capable of moving past the dalliance that she and His Lordship had."

"A 'dalliance?" Your voice came out high-pitched, the shock of what you learned making you forget how to talk.

When it was merely lighthearted gossip, Merv had shown you a portrait of the Faerie queen in a book detailing the various realms and those that rule them. She had blue-tinged skin and flowing black hair, and though her features were incredibly dainty, there was a strength carried in her regal posture that screamed that she was not to be trifled with. Though she looked nothing like Calliope, she was just as beautiful. Now, you hated that stupid picture, because she was probably twice as pretty when face-to-face with her.

Lucienne realized the error of what she said only after you reacted, and suddenly found herself interested in checking off something on the parchment she was holding.

"It really was nothing more than just that: a simple dalliance," she attempted to reassure. "They only carried on with the affair for a couple of decades, if that."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better? I'm only a couple of decades old!" Breathing through the panic that had risen in your throat, you held your hands out in a placating gesture (who you were placating besides yourself, you're not sure) and nodded. "Okay. Okay! So, who ended things between them?"

"Lord Morpheus. He was entirely unimpressed with Queen Titania, and he remains so. Honestly, I believe that the only reason he agreed to the fling in the first place was because of boredom." Lucienne took your hands in hers. "You have nothing to worry about, I promise."

"I know!" You hoped that she couldn't tell how blatantly you were lying. "Um, I think I'm waking up. I'll see you after the Faerie delegation visit."

Since fae were masters of deception on their best days, and you were painfully human, it was safer for you not to be in the Dreaming proper during their stay. Thus, the next time you went to bed and each subsequent night until the delegation left, you would be back in your own dreamscape like every other normal dreamer. Probably for the best, considering how you were currently feeling.

When Lucienne let go of your hands, you used your handy dandy skill of being conscious of your dreaming to wake yourself up. Back in your bedroom, you laid against the mattress and stared up at the ceiling, feeling as the green monster of jealousy began to eat at you.

Honestly, how could you not be jealous? You had just found out that your boyfriend—who, by the way, is an all-powerful, eldritch ruler of dreams and nightmares—has had relationships with a literal goddess and the queen of Faerie. And those are only the two that you knew about! Considering said boyfriend is also probably billions of years old, you weren't sure that you want to know about the others.

If they're anything like Calliope and Titania, then they're surely perfect beings of unfathomable legend. You could see them now, the long line of gorgeous hearts left broken by Morpheus. All of them well-suited to be the partner of the Dreamlord, yet none of them able to pass his test.

That did not bode well for you, neither perfect nor of unfathomable legend, neither ethereal nor regal. You're simply you: loud and outspoken and a little bit clumsy and painfully, utterly human. Normally, such a thing wouldn't bother you. If anybody had an issue with you, then that was their problem, not yours. But what happens when you have an issue with yourself?

You've never deluded yourself into thinking that you were equal to Morpheus in any way. In your relationship, yes, you're on equal ground with him. As just the two of you? You're leagues below him, which, again, has historically not bothered you. It was just a fact of life, until you encountered one ex and heard all of the buzz surrounding another and learned that there are others who would very much be equal to Morpheus.

The jealousy and inadequacy that you're feeling creates a burning pit in your chest that threatens to swallow you up. You needed to do something in an attempt to try and take your mind off of the invasive, all-consuming thoughts, which is how you find yourself sitting on a large blanket spread out underneath a tree in the park and angrily biting into grapes so that Matthew—keeping you company since he was banned from the Faerie visit on account of his cheeky insubordination and how that may look to guests—can eat the other half. Unfortunately, Matthew's doing more avoiding being hit by the grapes of your wrath than actually eating said grapes.

After the fourth grape you've tossed at him with far more force than necessary, Matthew squawks indignantly and puffs out his chest. "Jeez, you don't have to throw them at me!"

"Sorry," you mutter.

"It's okay. I mean, I like grapes just as much as the next guy, but dodging them does not make for a fun eating experience."

You don't laugh, not even a pity laugh if you didn't find it funny, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Matthew hops onto your lap and looks up at you. If anybody can tell that you're not a hundred percent, it's Matthew, whose emotional intelligence is far more keen than one would expect.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Matthew asks.

You shrug. "Just...thinking."

"About what?"

There's no point in lying, especially to Matthew. "About how cool and pretty my boyfriend's exes are."

"Oh no, Killala?"

You look at him in bewilderment, not expecting to hear a name that's not at all the two that you've been stewing over. "Who the fuck is Killala?"

"Nobody, don't worry about that," he hurries to cover his tracks. "You were obviously talking about..."

"Calliope and Titania." You throw a little bit more venom into the latter's name, but in your opinion, it's deserved. She really needs to learn how to take 'no' for an answer.

Matthew shakes his head and affectionately nips the bottom of your shirt. Despite your foul mood, you appreciate the gesture. "Aw, there's nothing to worry about with either of them!"

"Really? I shouldn't be worried about the goddess and the fae queen?" The sarcasm comes out pretty thickly, and you close your eyes and breathe through your nose to try and tamp down the flames of anger licking at your tongue.

"Calliope and Dream have so much baggage between them. Seriously, I'm not going to get into it, because it's not my place to do so, but trust me when I say that their relationship completely ran its course. And Titania? Dream can't stand her!"

"Yeah, but what if one day he and Calliope decide to put the baggage aside and try again? Or what if Titania's proposal makes sense for the realm?"

"That would never happen. They're his exes for a reason."

You sigh and scritch at Matthew's little head. "His exes are goddesses and fae and queens and who knows what other ethereal type of classification! And I'm just me."

"And 'just you' are quite remarkable." You don't have to turn around to see who's speaking, because their voice is as familiar to you as your own.

"Morpheus," you greet, choosing to focus your attention on Matthew. "Finish your business with Faerie?"

"Yes. It went about as expected, which is to say, it was a train wreck."

You can't help the smile that twitches your lips upwards at the use of such casual slang. Morpheus takes a seat next to you on the blanket, but you still refuse to look at him in a stubborn attempt to hold onto what little pride you have left after spilling your heart and being overheard by the very person you were most afraid of hurting with these feelings.

"The Faerie court has departed for their own realm, Matthew. You are free to return to the Dreaming."

"Awesome! I actually think Eve has a couple of tasks for me, so I think I'm gonna head out." Matthew says this like it's his own idea and not Morpheus's. He hops up onto your shoulder, nipping lightly at your ear in farewell. "Good luck," Matthew whispers to you before flying up into the air and back to the Dreaming.

You and Morpheus are left alone together, a prospect that normally thrills you. Now though, you're simply thinking that you've never heard silence quite so loud. Is he mad at you, or is he simply unsure of what to say? You're not sure you want to know the answer, but this stalemate can't go on any longer.

Hesitantly, you ask, "How much of that did you hear?"

"Enough to know that you feel that you are inadequate compared to my previous relationships." Morpheus gently grabs your chin with his cool fingers and turns your gaze to meet his. "Which, I must add, is completely and unequivocally false."

"Sorry. You, uh, caught me at a pretty self-conscious moment."

He shakes his head. "Do not apologize for how you feel. I simply ask that you might explain why it is you feel this way."

"How could I not feel this way, Morpheus?"

He looks at you with a blank stare that says that he really doesn't understand why you feel this way. It's kind of frustrating, honestly. Not only do you have to have stupid human feelings, but they make no sense to your partner.

"Are you really going to make me repeat what I told Matthew?" you ask. "Your exes are all far more evenly matched to you than I am. They're goddesses and fae queens and other beings who I've probably never even heard of because my human mind couldn't fathom such power."

"And you do not believe that you possess such power?"

"Uh, no." It's pretty obvious that you don't (you'd know if you did, with how many hours you spent staring at household items and willing them to levitate after watching Matilda for the first time).

"You do not know the power that you hold over me, a power which I am glad to let you have. It is far more dangerous than what any previous lover of mine has wielded, for I do not believe I have ever loved someone as wholly as I love you. I am passionate, and have often been told that I am 'too much.' Yet, my realm and my function always came first, and would be placed above all else.

"For you, though? I would give you any thing you wished for if you only were to ask. I would pluck the stars from the sky and string them onto a necklace to decorate your neck. I would raise armies to defend you from the most minor of slights. I would create entire worlds for you, and destroy them thusly if that was what you wished. I even believe that I would abandon my function if you requested it of me."

You gasp at the sheer weight of Morpheus's words, knowing the solemnity of them. "I would never ask you to do that."

"I know. But you needed to know the lengths that I would go to in order to make you happy. That is how much I love you."

"I'm hardly consort material. I laugh too hard at stupid videos and I try really hard to garden but usually end up killing my plants and I get shy around new people."

Out of the examples you listed, only the last could potentially transfer over to any consort activities you would be expected to do. But you're already feeling vulnerable, so you're just laying it all on the line today.

Next to you, Morpheus smiles besottedly and shakes his head at your antics. Instead of calling you out on it, he simply picks up one of your hands and kisses the back of it before enclosing it between both of his hands.

"None of those are disadvantages to you or your personality. I want you, my starlight," he says earnestly. "And do you know why that is?"

You shake your head.

"Because you are exceptional. You are wonderfully kind to everyone, person and creature and dream and nightmare. You are incandescently beautiful in a way that makes me keenly aware of the fact that I don't need to breathe, because I suddenly feel as though I need to catch my breath when I see you. You make me feel alive for the first time in a long, long time. You make me want to be better, to create something better."

God, you're going to start crying. Any doubts that you may have had about yourself and Morpheus are simply gone, with just a few words uttered. That's just what Morpheus does, though: he always knows just what you need to hear.

The only reason you keep the tears at bay is through sheer force, and even then a couple slip past your waterline and fall down your face. Morpheus looks a little bewildered at the sight, but you shake your head.

"These are happy tears, don't worry," you assure him. "I'm just...so happy, and I love you so much."

Morpheus's gaze turns soft, and he kisses you sweetly before laying his forehead against yours. "And I love you. Never doubt that, for my love for you comes as naturally as your breathing, and it is as endless as I am."

"Y'know, you're quite the romantic, Morpheus." You can't resist kissing him again, not when his lips are literally an inch away from yours.

"Only for you."

Morpheus smiles against your lips before begrudgingly pulling away so that he can stand up, and you stand with him.

"Shall we return to the Dreaming, my witty, beautiful love?" He dips his lips to your ear before whispering, "I'd quite like to see just how in your element you look when sitting on my throne."

Saying yes is one of the easiest things you've ever done.

[justabrowncoatedwench]

So I'm not done lol I wanna rant about how all the god shit in BG3 is connected! Spoilers under the cut...

To preface: all dates are listed in DR, or Dale Reckoning, which is the most commonly used dating of years in Forgotten Realms lore, established with 1 at the signing of the Dale's Compact, creating peace between the elves of Cormanthyr and the human+ civilizations of the Dalelands (notable to current discussions, as Elminster Aumar is equally well known as the Sage of Shadowdale, one such dale in the Dalelands).

So Shadowheart's arc highlights the tug of war between Shar and Selune, but Shar and Selune are ALSO the progenitors of a lot of the other deities INCLUDING the OG Mystryl, born when Selune tore a part of her essence & threw it at Shar during their initial war post-sun creation, wounding them both & casting Shar into the void for a while. Mystryl was that piece of magic torn from Selune and having grabbed up a piece of Shar's as well when she hit, a blending of light and dark.

Mystryl then much later gave her life to save the world during Karsus's Folly in -339 DR. That's how Karsus fucked up magic so bad and so permanently. He almost DESTROYED the Weave, because Mystryl - and in future, Mystra - IS the Weave! And she died - thus also killing him, as she was inside him at the time - to preserve the Weave when he tried to steal some measure of her power!

*And Gale knew this*, knew much of it anyway. How could he not, with his own research that led him to the Orb? And his relationship with Mystra? And friendship with Elminster?

Anywho, Mystryl took time to reincarnate herself using a young peasant girl as her vessel, she then chose to go by the name Mystra instead of Mystryl. Once in this vessel she regained control of the Weave, bringing magic back to Toril (the planet Faerun, a continent, is on), which had been chaotic & largely depowered. After Karsus, she became much more strict/ Lawful in her decrees around magic, banning mortals from using any magic above 9th level spells (Karsus's Folly involved at least one 10th or 11th 12th level spell iirc).

Later, during the period known as the Time of Troubles, which began when Bane & Myrkul (two of the Dead Three) tried to steal the Tablets of Fate from Ao (the Overgod that most mortals don't even know exists). Ao then locked the deities into the Material Plane, forcing them to walk among their followers on Toril. Mystra at one point defied Ao's order, attempting to return to the heavens, and was killed by Helm, who had been tasked by Ao with protecting the gates and ensuring none of the gods disobeyed him. (Good job, Mystra.)

Also during the Time of Troubles the Dead Three got their name in truth, as Myrkul, Bane, and Bhaal were killed (as were several other gods, some of whom Ao chose to resurrect as they perished while fulfilling the obligations of their portfolios, like Torm). The Time of Troubles is also when Bhaal was seeding his Bhaalspawn - including Sarevok Anchev - in the world (the results of which gave us Baldur's Gates 1 and 2).

Anyway, as previously established, Mystra IS the Weave, so killing her fucked magic up again, unleashing the Spellplague (hello 4e D&D and your reduced pantheon & reduced magic). Ao selected several mortals to either ascend into vacated portfolios or rewarded mortals for killing gods who needed killing; Cyric was a mortal who killed Bane, while helping to retrieve the Tablets of Fate for Ao, for example of one such occurrence, who fwiw was the adventuring companion of two other mortals chosen for godhood, Kelemvor and Midnight. Kelemvor took on a portfolio of the dead, and Midnight was who Ao picked to take on Mystra's role and she chose to take on Mystra's name as well. This happened in 1358 DR, and when the Tablets were returned to Ao, he ground them to powder so they'd never be at risk again. This however fucked up the natural laws of Realmspace, which began to unravel, beginning the Era of Upheaval. The Era of Upheavel lasted from its beginning in 1358 DR (BG1 takes place in 1368 & BG2 takes place shortly after) through the Second Sundering (though most mortals only know of it as the Sundering, since the First Sundering happened even before Karsus's Folly by millenia, in -17,600 DR, in the time of elves) which took from about 1482 through 1487 DR. (The Second Sundering and its associated tie in novel series - very good! - brings us from 4e into 5e D&D, in ttrpg terms.) Baldur's Gate 3 takes place in 1492 DR, starting in the equivalent earth month to August, late August specifically.

Considering that Midnight took on the mantle of Mystra in 1358, I'm pretty sure Gale has only dealt with *her*, while Elminster has served Mystra - including being her lover and raising 3 of her 7 daughters - for 1300 years by BG3, which would include both previous incarnations of Mystryl/Mystra.

So in summary, the gods are all Like That, even the ones who used to be mortals (and I'm pretty sure Gale doesn't know his Mystra used to be a mortal, or that any other gods were either, based on dialogue after you get the Tome of Karsus in Act 3).

All the delicious BG3 god machinations are connected and have been for centuries if not eons. The Dead Three like to cause problems on purpose, Shar and Selune are sisters & also kind of contentiously divorced parents who can't play nice & use the kids to fight. Even the Lathander stuff at the gith creche is kind of connected, since the kick off of the big war between Shar & Selune was the creation of the sun to give their first child, Chauntea, the og earth/nature deity, warmth. Lathander (& Amaunator, rip) is the deity of the dawn/sun, among other things, and Silvanus (hello deity of the Druids in Act 1 & Halsin) is the wild nature counterpart to Chauntea's now largely agricultural portfolio. Chauntea has been known to have romantic connections with Lathander, as well. Zariel too - hello Wyll & Karlach's storylines - is connected, because before her fall into Avernus where she became an Archdevil in service to Asmodeus, she USED to be a solar (most powerful type of angel/celestial) in the service of Lathander.

If you've gotten this far, thank you for listening to my lore dump lol. I hope it enriches your experience of BG3 & the Forgotten Realms!

Post-Script: if you're left wondering how the unraveling of the laws of Realmspace got fixed, the Second Sundering began when Ao decided to recreate the Tablets of Fate to fix what he'd broken vis a vis the chaos of the Realmspace.

Additional fun fact: of the 3 of Mystra's 7 total daughters that Elminster raised, Storm Silverhand - renowned High Harper of the Dalelands - was one, and often also traveled with him as an adventuring companion as an adult through the centuries. Another is Laeral Silverhand, current Open Lord of Waterdeep, that big ol' city Gale is from that's right up the coast from Baldur's Gate.

[santoschristos]

The Unveiling of Realities

1. Interdimensional Travel:

- We are on the cusp of a greater innerstanding of interdimensional travel.

Just as waves advance into the ocean of existence and recede into the invisible, our consciousness will increasingly navigate between the physical and the metaphysical realms.

This will allow us to access knowledge and experiences beyond our current comprehension.

2. Immortality Realised:

- The concept of immortality will be redefined. It’s not about living forever in a physical body but recognizing that we are already immortal beings. This profound truth has been concealed, but as we awaken, we will innerstand that our essence transcends time and space.

3. Spirit World Integration:

- The veil between the spirit world and our reality is thinning.

Many have already allowed spirits to weave their way into the mortal realm.

This integration will become more pronounced, and those with heightened intuition will witness and interact with these entities, gaining wisdom and guidance.

4. Intuitional and Spiritual Realms:

- As we develop our casual bodies and quicken our ego’s vision, we will see things as they truly are. In the spiritual world, the divine and human will unify, fulfilling the divine purpose.

This will lead to a profound sense of oneness and enlightenment.

5. Spiritual Manna:

- Higher realms of spirit life are preparing to pour down spiritual manna upon us.

This nourishment will be available as soon as we open up the conditions that render it possible.

The obstructions lie not in the spirit world but within our own mortal limitations.

6. Future Selves and Destiny:

- Our future selves are actively reshaping our destiny.

We are balancing precariously between multiple possible realities, each influenced by our actions. This slipstream into our future offers hope and the potential for a brighter existence.

7. Veil and Shadow:

- The veil between the higher and lower realms, created from the Pythagorean Monochord, signifies the separation of matter and spirit.

As we innerstand and transcend this veil, we will see the shadow of matter for what it is—a projection that can be molded and transformed.

8. Outer Darkness:

- There exists a point of no return, where souls that do not align with the divine purpose will be cast into the outermost parts of the Outer Darkness.

This signifies a purification process, ensuring that only those in harmony with the higher vibrations continue to evolve.

Implementation for the Journey Ahead

1. Expand Consciousness:

- Engage in practices that expand your consciousness, such as meditation, astral projection, grounding, chi gong ! , healthy eating, clean water, and lucid dreaming.

These will help you navigate between realms and access higher knowledge.

2. Embrace Immortality:

- Reflect on the concept of immortality beyond the physical.

innerstand that your essence is eternal and that you are part of a larger, timeless existence.

3. Connect with Spirit Guides:

- Develop a relationship with your spirit guides through rituals, offerings, and communication.

They are here to assist you in your journey and provide insights from the unseen realms.

4. Develop Intuition:

- Strengthen your intuition through practices like scrying, or working with crystals.

This will help you perceive the subtle energies and messages from the spiritual world.

--The Collective Spiritual Consciousness

Corey Foggo

art: Inter-Dimensional Gate

Diego Andrade

[justmeinadaze]

Head Filled With Demons Part 4 (Steddie X You)

A/N: I am very aware that that picture of Jamie Campbell Bower is from Mortal Instruments or whatever but that picture is how I imagine Henry in my head in human form lol

Warnings: Demon Steddie X Human Fem Reader, ANGST, there are two murders in here, Chrissys is touched on again and Reader claims her second victim. She does see the demons in their full demon form and Steve does have to protect her (what he does to the person is vaguely touched on and blood is mentioned), in a vision she does see how the mayor is corrupt and he mentioned being blackmailed, Henry is Henry, purposely saying things verbally to hurt all three of them. Feelings of grief are brought up with the loss of her father and the boys tell her more about one of their other summoners that didn't end well.

SMUT, more details on the boys and how their relationship started, Reader takes over more here with them than vice versa. FLUFF, they love her <3 and she loves them.

Word Count: 7087

The three of you hit the ground with exceptional force as you wince in pain. 

“Fuck. Y/N? Honey are you ok?”, Steve asks as he crawls over to you and helps you to your feet. 

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“She’s fine, Steven. Get off her back.”, Henry mocks as he jumps down from a nearby tree. You quickly help Eddie to his feet who in turn promptly moves you behind him. “A little bird told me once you two always enjoyed these woods. Funny how you can recreate a memory but it’s never quite exact is it?”

“Geez, are you just going muse all day or get to the fucking point?”

“Oh, Edward. Someone’s lost a lot of his patience over the years.”, Henry tsks. “To be fair, you’re lucky I even brought you two because my offer is for the lady.”

“Whatever your up to trust me, she’s not interested.”

“Trust you.”, he cackles. “That’s hilarious. After everything I’ve witnessed, I’m surprised she hasn’t killed people faster just to get rid of you two.”

“What are you talking about?”, you ask confidently as you try to hide how afraid you really are. Something about this particular demon didn’t feel right and you just wanted to get away from him as soon as possible.

He gestures with his head down a path, motioning for you to follow. 

“Y/N, no.”

“Don’t worry, Steven. You guys can come to but don’t interrupt.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he begins his slow stroll as you follow. “As I’m sure you picked up from them, I am a prince. Besides the fact that I was going to marry Chrissy, they aren’t very fond of me because my people and their people used to fight constantly.”

“That war?”

“Yes, very good. I see they are opening up to you somewhat.”, Henry grins. “Mine and my princess’s father, the kings, believed they were superior beings. Fucking ridiculous. Even more ridiculous was the thought that me marrying Chris would somehow resolve that.”

Eddie growls behind you before you hear Steve whisper something to him. 

“Stop that.” The demon beside you pauses as he turns to look at you as you continue. “Stop trying to hurt him. The princess has nothing to do with why you’re here.”

A wicked grin stretches along as his face as he turns to the boys. 

“I see why you like her. Fine, fair enough. After she died, everything in our realm fell apart and became an all-out battle of who is better. Pathetic. I immediately left to expand my horizons and met someone with…let’s just say similar interests.” Henry winks as he continues walking. “Like these two, I get to kill people.”

He chuckles again. “Never mind. I guess not exactly like them. I don’t live in relative exile and I can come and go as I please. I also get to kill the person with my own hands.” You cringe as his eyes roll back in pleasure at the thought. 

“So what do you need me for?”

“Ah, very perceptive, little one.”

“Don’t. Call. Me. That.”

When the demon turns to face you again, he doesn’t even try to hide the red anger in his eyes. 

“You control that tone with me. I am royalty and I am above you.”

“Maybe in your realm but not here.”, you scowl into his glowing eyes. 

Both your protectors rush forward, but Henry raises his hand, lifting them off the ground slightly and restraining them out of the way. 

“I saw you in your pathetic store the day you found their stone. You slinked back home to your poor sick father, painting on this happy face for everyone you passed especially him so he wouldn’t know how broken you were. You like to pretend that being a good person in the long run will make you happy but I assure you, Y/N, it won’t. I’ve seen you with them, Edward and Steven. I’ve seen you change after your first killing and after fucking them. I heard you in that school say you wanted to help them.”

He takes a step closer to you till his face is just above yours. “Being a good person, does nothing but get you hurt and used. Chrissy was a good little girl and look what happened. Her father basically sold her to mine to end a petty squabble they started and then she died! I’m asking you to do this killing for me because I think it will really help you see the world for what it is while helping you get your next victim in the process.”

“No thanks. I’ll pass.”

That evil grin blinds you again as he waves his hand and tosses your demons to the ground. 

“You know, I thought you might say that but Y/N, unlike them, I’ve never lied to you.”

“Neither have they.”

Henry’s lips pout out sarcastically as he nods. “Hm. Hey, does this house look familiar to you?”

When you gazed where he was pointing, you noticed the home from your second night with Eddie and Steve. Here it wasn’t run down but looked more put together. 

“Ah, yeah, they’ve shown you an illusion of it before.” He opened the door and you followed him. Everything was completely different within it from the last time. The furniture was neatly where it belonged and the frames on the walls actually had photos within them. Your fingers grazed pictures of the boys in their human form but you imagined wherever these pictures really resided it had their regular demon appearance within. 

“Y/N, WAIT!”

Henry’s eyes never left you as he flicked his hand in the air and the front door slammed shut. There were images of them with that boy Dustin they had shown you making funny faces into the frame. Next to that was a picture of Eddie with an older man pulling him in for a hug, the demon himself with a wide smile you had never seen on him before. Beside that a photo of Steve and a young lady he had never mentioned making serious looking faces as they point their swords towards the lens.

“I don’t understand.”

“This is the house they stay in. Well, not THE house but… I don’t know why they didn’t show it to you this way. Then again, the way I hear it, they both have a tendency to fuck it up from time to time.”

“How would you know that?”

“Would you like to see?”

“But they said—”

“Now that was true. They can’t show you what it’s like where they’ve been but I’m much stronger than they could ever be.”

You glance towards the door where both demons were trying to get in. 

“Okay.”

Henry beamed as he snapped his fingers and you felt your body being thrust backwards into their memory. Looking around you realized the home was in complete disarray again. Everything was flipped over or shattered and you swore you could feel the heavy energy in the air. Steve’s loud voice caught your attention down the hall and you quickly got up to go find him. He was pacing in his bedroom, fuming while Eddie leaned against the wall with his arms folded as he watched. 

“Don’t do that! Don’t fucking stand there and look at me like I’m fucking crazy!”

“I don’t know how else you want me to look, Steven, and to be fair you are acting crazy.”

“Well, what does it fucking matter, right?” He reaches behind him and throws a glass object against the floor. Snapping his fingers, it reappears and he throws it again. “I could burn this place to the ground and it will still come back like new.” The demon repeats his actions instead choosing to throw the object towards his friend. 

Eddie growled low in his throat as he glared across the way. 

“Don’t do that again.”

“Or what?” Steve threw grabbed the item again and hurled it towards him. 

In the blink of an eye, he was on him, tossing him to the ground as Eddie held him down. “You’re not the only one struggling, Steven! You think this is easy for me?! I fucking hate it here but it’s all we have! At least… at least we got to stop running. At least here we’re both safe. You’re safe.” The demon released his wrists but Steve didn’t move them as Eddie tenderly touched his face.

“Please…I need you to stay with me, ok? I can’t lose you. I already lost everything else.” 

Steve’s hand wrapped around his neck as he tugged his lips to his. Eddie abruptly pulled back but only for a moment as his eyes looked over his friend’s face before he leaned down to kiss him with much more passion. 

A loud bang brings you back to reality as the door falls in and both red eyed demons come barreling through. 

“I can see their memories just as clearly as I can see yours. I can see everything they do and everything they don’t.”

“I-I don’t care about this. They didn’t have to be honest about this house. It’s theirs…its…”

Henry sighs aggressively as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “You two really found a winner here. I wonder what her father would say if he ever met you two.”

“He did.”

“What?”, the evil demon gasped. “Oh wow. Well, I’m glad he got to but I’m sorry for the circumstance. It’s never fun to have someone you love meet new people the day before they die.”

“It’s not like they would have known.”

“Of course, they would have. It’s happened to people who have summoned them multiple times.” Your eyes widened as you and Henry turn to look at the boys who are now calmer but still reflecting an emotion of fear.  “You mean you didn’t tell her?”

Eddie moves first, placing himself in front of you and reaching for your hands. “Y/N, listen to me—”

“Is that true? Did you know?”

“It-it’s more complicated than that.”

“Answer me.”

“Yes.”, Steve responded for him as your gaze shifted to the floor. “That part is true. Y/N, we knew how much you loved him. We didn’t want to hurt you. I meant what I said. If there’s something we could have done to save him, I promise you we would have.”

When your eyes met theirs again, they knew that if yours could glow they would be. The anger that radiated from you was intense as you pulled your hands from the demon’s grasp before turning to Henry. 

“Who are you supposed to kill?”

He flicks his fingers and an image appears between them. “A mayoral candidate named Larry Kline. I’m assuming you’ve heard of him?”

“Yeah, I know who he is. Do you have a timetable like they do?”

“No but you do so I wouldn’t dilly dally.”

You aggressively grab the photo from his hand. “Send me back.”

“As you wish. I’ll check in on you again in a few days. Who knows, maybe we can become a pretty badass team.”

As you scowl at him, he snaps his fingers and you’re suddenly back in your store. 

###########

As you walk the streets of Hawkins, Eddie and Steve continue to try and speak but you ignore them as if they aren’t even there. 

“Y/N, please, just hear us out.”

“Henry isn’t someone you can trust. You have no idea what he was like back home.”

“This isn’t smart, honey. Killing someone with so many eyes on them could get you arrested or worse.”

When you finally make it to town hall, you slow down to take in your surroundings. The front door looked like it would be easy to access since people including tour groups were coming and going. There was a level of security but not much. Larry Kline was one of those cocky types who would absolutely believe no one had the audacity to even try and kill him. 

“Y/N, please…”, Eddie begged. He reached out to touch your arm with his fingers and you promptly elbowed him in the chest. 

“Don’t touch me.”, you hissed. 

“You have every reason to be upset—”

“Upset! I—“, you cut yourself off as you moved away from the people near you to a secluded area behind the buildings. “I’m furious. I trusted you. What more are you hiding from me?”

“What would it have done, Y/N? You couldn’t save him.”

“I could have tried, Steve. I could have gotten to him to a hospital or—”

“That wouldn’t have worked. If they can see us, they are too far gone… that just means its their time. So what would you rather we have done? Tell you so you can spend your last 24hrs with him panicking or making him dinner, talking with your new friends, and reminiscing about the past?” Eddie sighed trying to control his temper. “We used to tell them…the people that summoned us. It NEVER ended well.”

“Miss?” You abruptly turned around coming face to face with a handsome gentleman in a black suit. “I’m sorry but you can’t be back here.”

“Oh, um, I apologize. I just needed a moment.”

“Is…is everything alright?”

“Yeah, I’m ok. I just lost my father recently and—”

“I’m so sorry. I know how that goes. Part of the reason I got this job protecting Mr. Kline. It got me out of my house and it always has me on my toes.” The man pushes up on his tiptoes as he chuckles making you smile. “Yeah, bad joke. I get tongue tied around beautiful woman. I’m Noah.”

“Y/N.” When you reach out to shake his hand, you hear loud, angry growling behind you. 

“Would it be too forward if I ask you out for a drink tomorrow night?”

“No, not at all.”

“Cool. Uh, yeah. This is my number. Call me later and we’ll set up a time.”, he grins as he hands you his business card. “I should, um, get back to work. Oh! Yeah, um, you have to…”

“I’ll leave. I swear.”

His smile grows as he stumbles over his feet before catching his balance and jogging away from you. 

“What a fucking idiot.”, Eddie fumes.

“’Noah Strong.’”, you read from the card he gave you. “Definitely fits the name.”

“Are you fucking him or killing him?”

“Depends, Steven. Is there something I should know?”

“You know what, honey. We’ll let you figure that out this time. Isn’t that how you humans do it? Just fuck someone and move on? No specifics, no details…just in an out.”

“Hm, you two not giving me all the information. Sounds about right.”

****

Their eyes continue to stare through you as you sit on the couch trying to watch tv.

“Can you two stop looking at me?”

“Can you listen to us?”, Eddie begs. 

“There’s nothing you need to say. I’m going to kill the mayor, maybe Noah and get you both out of my life.”

They were positive if you were actually looking their way, you’d be able to see how much your words cut through them like a knife. They had both been to war, stabbed, hit, and almost killed numerous times but nothing had ever hurt them as bad as the thought of you not wanting them around. 

Without notifying you, Steve snapped his fingers and your living room disappeared as an old 1800s style home appeared in front of your eyes. 

“Marcus, please. Let me take you to the doctor.” A young lady begged a boy who was playing with a toddler in the corner. 

“Elizabeth, why? I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me!”, the man laughs as he gestures towards the demons behind her. “Guys, tell my sister to relax.”’

The girl turns to them with tears in her eyes. “Make him go.”

“We can’t do that and even if we could… we told you…it won’t help.”, Eddie sighs.

The images blurred until you found yourself in the middle of a town that was now on fire. 

Elizabeth cackled as buildings around her collapsed. “Lizzy, what did you do?”, Steve asked under his breath, eyes wide as he looked around.

“Does it matter, Stevie, baby? I got three and then some. It doesn’t fucking matter. Without Marcus here what’s the point?”

They watched as someone came up behind her and knocked her out as they began to disappear back to the exile they called home.

You aggressively shot up as the images disappeared from your mind, glaring at them as you rose and headed for your bedroom. 

“That was just the first time that happened. We learned pretty fucking quickly that human minds are fucking fragile especially when it comes to death. After we told her why Marcus could see us, she begged him to go to a doctor, thinking he was sick or something along those lines. The next day, he had a sudden aneurysm. The day after she snapped and set her village on fire.”

“It got worse as time went on and we didn’t want to be responsible for any unneeded deaths. We aren’t Henry.”, Eddie scowled.

“I think you just hate him because he was going to marry your princess.”

“I’m glad you think so little of me.”, he sneered. 

“I could say the exact fucking same! Did you really think I’d be like those other people? That I’d go fucking crazy and hurt more people than I had to?”

“You almost did.” Your own voice suddenly echoes through your brain. 

“My world is gone. Why should I help all these fucking assholes especially the assholes in this stupid, greedy fucking town! Fuck them! Let them suffer.”

“Yeah, Steve. That’s grief. Everyone fucking feels it. I’m…I’m still feeling it but now twice as much because… fuck it, it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does. Say it.”, Eddie urges. 

“Leave me alone. I’m going to bed.” 

Unlike previous nights, tonight they didn’t lay beside you. You heard the whoosh of them disappear and for the first time in almost two weeks, you were all alone. The silence killed you as you cried yourself to sleep.

#############

“Thank you for meeting me. You look extremely beautiful.”

“Aw, thank you.”, you grin as you spin 360 so you can display your dress. 

“What’s with the suit jacket and jeans? Couldn’t bother putting on the entire outfit properly?”, Steve snickered as both demons trailed behind you guys as you enter the bar. 

“Let me grab us something here. I’ll be right back.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re actually into this guy.”, Eddie whines. 

“What do you care? You’ll be gone soon anyway.”, you murmur under your breath as you pretend to look out the window. 

“Oh, little girl is so sassy tonight, Steven.”

Noah comes back with some beverages and you both continue to talk about trivial things that usually come along with a first date. To add a thorn in your side, your demons placed themselves on either side of him, glaring and grimacing as he spoke. 

“So do you enjoy protecting the mayor? I imagine it’s a little scary.”

“I mean it’s alright. He can be a bit of an asshole but hey he pays me.” When he laughs at his own joke something in Steve’s eyes glimmers angrily through them. It wasn’t jealousy. They had been displaying that emotion through most of the evening. Something about what Noah said bothered him. 

“Does it pay well? I mean, not as much as the secret service I’m sure but…”

“Um, yeah, its pretty lucrative. It helps me get my nice apartment and meet pretty girls who hide behind buildings talking to themselves.”

“Oh, you heard that?”, you smile to yourself. “My, uh, my father just passed away so sometimes…I talk out loud to him. He always wanted to see the inside of town hall.”

“I’m sorry about your father.”

You shrug as you twirl the straw in your drink between your fingers. “Sometimes…I wish I had known he was going to go…there are some things I would have said…” As you looked up to meet his eyes, you ended up staring into two others who looked back at you with sympathy and shame. “Doesn’t matter.”, you softly smile in his direction. 

“I can give you tour of town hall if you’d like. Like the in-depth cut tour. We just have to go back to my apartment to get my access badge.”

“Y/N, do not go anywhere with this man.”, Eddie commanded in one of his more serious tones. 

“Ok.”

“Yeah? Cool!”

“Honey, seriously. Tell him no.”, Steve pleads.

Noah takes your hand and leads you to his car. 

****

“Do something Steven!”, Eddie hisses as Noah guides you up his stairs. 

“I can’t. She’s not technically in danger.”

“Are you fucking kidding me!?”

“So this is my place.”, Noah grins as he widens his arms. 

“It’s nice.” You try to sound enthused but your demons heated whispers were distracting you. 

“Say you have to go to the bathroom. “, Steve commands, huffing when you hesitate. “Now, Y/N!”

“Hey, um, Noah may I use your bathroom?”

“Yeah, of course, it’s down the hall.”

As soon as you close the door, they appear behind you and Eddie snaps his fingers. Visions of Noah with the Mayor at Hawkins dump fill your mind.

“I hate how easy this has become.”

“Should it, sir?”, Noah asks. 

“Look, I told the girl blackmailing me is a bad idea. She insisted so…”, he shrugs as he sighs. “They always insist. They think I’m going to leave my wife and fall for them.”

“Don’t all women, sir?”, he chuckles.

“I like you, kid. Quick, pull that lever and I’ll buy you a round.”, he pats his back as he heads towards his car. 

Noah yanks the lever on a machine that begins crunching, disposing, and erasing Mayor Kline’s infidelity.

“Jesus Christ!”

“Shhhh… you need to leave now.”

“But I can kill him and get his pass for the mayor’s office—”

Steve’s hands grip your cheeks as he pushes you back against the wall. “Y/N, no. He is too strong for you. His job is literally to take bullets for someone. I’m not asking anymore. LEAVE!”

“What are you going to do about it? Why do you care so much? As soon as I do this and what Henry wants, I’ll save the world. Just like everyone else you’ve done this with.”

“This isn’t the same as the others.”

“Why?!”

“BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU!” His thumbs caress your skin as his eyes look longingly into yours. “Because we love you. We…we weren’t lying about that.” You shifted your gaze towards Eddie who nodded in agreement. 

“Y/N? Everything alright in there?”, Noah asked as he knocked on the door. 

Heavily sighing, you opened the door and pushed past him towards the living room. “Actually, I’m not feeling so well. I’m going to head home.”

Without any kind of warning, he roughly grabbed your upper arm. “You were fine a moment ago.”

“Yeah, well, must be the alcohol. I don’t really drink like that anymore. I’ll call you, ok?”

You tried to pull out of his grasp but he just gripped you tighter as a slow smooth chuckle left his lips. “All you women are the same. Just a fucking tease. What about me, huh? After everything I’ve done for you tonight?!”

“Let me go, Noah.”

“No. I think you’re just fine and you want it just as bad as I do.”

Pulling your arm back as far as you could you smacked him and he shouted in surprise as he dropped you to the ground. As quick as you could, you tried to get to your feet but he was faster, holding you down as you tried to fight him. 

A strong tug on his collar startled him as he was thrown to the wall behind him. 

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Hey there. I’m Steven but my friends call me Steve. I’m in charge of keeping that beautiful young lady safe.”

“I-I-I wasn’t going to do anything. I swear.”

The demon clicks his tongue as he shakes his head. “See, that’s not true, is it? Because if it were, you wouldn’t be able to see me.”

Slowly you stood up, backing into Eddie who turned you to face him. “I want you to keep your eyes on me, ok?” As soon as you nodded, the energy in the room changed as you heard loud growls and Noah’s screams. Your head started to turn but his big palms held you in place. “No, princess. Don’t look. Just keep looking at me.”

After what feels like eternity, everything quiets down and the demon releases his hold allowing you to see the destruction behind you. The furniture was all over the place and ripped to shreds. Blood smeared the floor as Noah laid near Steve’s feet with wide eyes. The demon’s back was to you but you could see his shoulders rise and fall as he panted. 

His bat that you had seen numerous times in visions and on the stone itself appeared in his hand as he extended it towards you. 

“Finish him, Y/N. Get your kill.”

His head was turned away from you but is voice was incredibly deep. 

“Steve…” His only response was to push the handle towards you again and this time you took it from him. Standing over Noah, you raised the bat in the air and closed your eyes as you swung down. 

###########

As you walked home, you allowed the night air to calm your racing mind as you palmed Noah’s ID badge in your hand. It took a lot longer due to you taking the backstreets so you weren’t seen but when the front door shut, you finally felt like you were able to take a breath. 

Silently, you removed your clothes and tossed them in the waste bin before Eddie snapped his fingers, setting the fabric ablaze. 

“I’ve never let anyone touch my weapon before let alone use it.” Steve turned on the shower and guided you under the hot water. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say it turned me on.”, he chuckles but stops when he notices you turn towards the wall. 

Closing the curtain on them, you cleaned your body as they listened to you cry.

“Sweetheart, you did really well tonight. One more and it will all be over.”

Once you were clean, you stepped out and allowed them to attach a towel around your body. Both their heads shot up, as Steve snapped his fingers and you were suddenly wearing your pjs. 

A sinister laugh in your living room caught you attention and you pushed past your protectors to see Henry sitting on your couch.

“That was amazing.”, he claps as his tone drips with condescension. “And very clever, Y/N. Now you can utilize that idiot’s badge to do the task I gave you.”

 “No.”

Henry’s laugh tapers off as his eye’s scowl up at you. “I’m sorry?”

“No. I’m declining your offer.” You throw the badge on his lap as he snickers again before standing. 

“I’m not someone you say no to. Chrissy learned that the hard way.” 

When he snapped his fingers, the three of you were thrust backwards, crashing into another memory. 

“Chris?”, Eddie starts to step forward but Steve hastily grabs his arm as you guys watch Chrissy start to gather some of her things. 

“Going somewhere?”

“Shit. Geez, Henry, you scared me.”, she nervously giggled.

“I scared you? I feel like I should be the one who’s scared. Where are you going, my love?”

She cringes at his term of endearment. “I’m, uh, getting things ready for after the wedding.”

The demon laughs in his throat as he reaches out to gently touch her cheek. “It’s so cute…how you think I don’t know…”

“Know?”

“Mhmm. About you and Edward. You two could have been happy here. I don’t care. It’s not like I wouldn’t be fucking other demons either.” Chrissy growls at him utilizing the opportunity to pull the knife Eddie gave her just in case. 

“Just let me go, Henry. Please.”

“Now what I do care about is you thinking you could disappear just like that. What would people say about their new king if they found out his queen ran off with a fucking peasant.”

“Y-you and I both know you don’t even want to be king.”

“Eh, you’re not wrong.” Henry charges forward, turning Chrissy’s wrist and stabs her with the knife in her hand. “Win-win for me, I guess. Plus, I get the added benefit of watching them torture the man you love for all eternity.”

Her eyes widen as she falls to the floor. 

As the vision of Henry circles around the room hiding her bags, Eddie kneels by her side, reaching out to comfort her in any way but his fingers fall through the image.

“Chris! Come on! We need to go now, babe.”

Henry disappears as past Eddie enters the room.

As the images vanish, both your demons growl angrily.

“All of this is your fault?”, Steve snarls, his voice that deep demon tone.

“To be fair, I didn’t actually want to kill her. That was just an added bonus.”, he chuckles. With red, glowing eyes, Eddie ran forward but Henry lifted them both in the air with a quick hand motion. “If you have to be angry with someone, it should be her father who thought our marriage would in any way end the hatred our people have for each other. I told my father no multiple times but then I got curious. I followed her around, watching her hide her relationship with you. She really was happy with you, Edward.”

“Why did you agree to it then?” His head swiftly turned to you at your question. “Once you found out they were together why didn’t you leave her alone?”

“It’s in his nature. Demons like him cause pain everywhere they go for no reason.”, Steve shouted as he and Eddie continued to try to wiggle out of his hold. 

“Because creatures like you and her need to understand that we are above you! I thought maybe I could show her that, teach her, so we could dominate the realm together. But I knew that night she was weak… I want to save you from that, Y/N. You’re different. DON’T let them make you weak.”

When he turned to face you again, his face was met with the nails of Steve’s bat and both your demons suddenly dropped to the floor. 

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m a lot stronger than you three think.”

Henry growled, raising his hand to toss you against the wall. Half of his mask was gone but you tried to keep your composure as he came up to you till his nose was against yours. 

“Rethink my offer, Y/N. There are worse things than death and I can do them all.”

He snapped his fingers and just like that he was gone again.

Dropping the weapon, you ran to their side. Eddie was still on his knees, his face in the carpet as he covered his head with his hands. 

“Ed. Talk to me, man.”, Steve pleaded as he reached out to touch his back. 

“NO! No one touch me!”, he roared as you both fell back. 

“Edward…” You reached out to try and run your fingers through his hair but his hand shot out gripping your wrist. You wince at the feel of his demon skin against yours. “I’m…I’m not afraid of you, Edward. I’m so sorry.”

Steve snapped his fingers and all of the sudden you guys were back in the home near the forest. It was dark and falling apart again, seemingly abandoned once more. 

“Why can’t you make it look like he did?”

“Because…Henry showed you how it actually looks but this is how we see it. Some bullshit tiny house that’s bland as hell and constantly falling apart because we are constantly tearing it up. Like he said…it looks different in a memory.”

Like a lion on the hunt, Eddie bolted towards the bedroom on all fours and crashed into something hard.

“Stay here.”, Steve instructed as he headed that way. “Edward, calm down. Y/N is here—”

You gasped as a dark blur tackled the demon and he disappeared from the hallway into the adjacent room. Running to make sure he was ok, your eyes widened as you saw a winged creature with horns holding Steve against the wall with his claws around his neck.

The bat didn’t come with you so you reached for an object on the dresser and threw it his way. Eddie’s brown curls bounced as he turned to look at you. You still saw parts of the metalhead within him but he had completely changed. Unable to control his appearance, he was now showing you who he really was. As he charged towards you, another winged creature slid in front of you. 

“Steven?”

They wrestled each other crashing into everything in the house. You panicked unsure of what to do until your back bumped into Eddie’s guitar hanging on the wall. Yanking it down, you slung it over your shoulder and began to play the only song you had managed to learn from a friend back in school. 

“And I'm gonna keep on lovin' you 'Cause it's the only thing I wanna do I don't wanna sleep I just wanna keep on lovin' you.”

They both fell apart onto their backs as the calm flowed through them. 

“You did good out there.”, Steve grinned as he handed Eddie a beer. 

“Thank you. I almost died but that’s half the fun, right?”

“Huh, no.”, he laughed. “We’re not all tough, meathead types. We don’t live for an ‘honorable death’. Some of us just do what we have to do.”

“Yeah, I can understand that.”

“You know, you didn’t have to take your father’s place…”

“I know…”, the demon looks down at his drink. “But if it wasn’t me then it would have to be my uncle and he’s the only family I have left.”

Steve nodded before patting his new friend’s shoulder. “Well, I got your back.”

“And I meant every word I said When I said that I love you I meant that I love you forever.”

Steve is curled up on Eddie’s bare chest as his fingers play with his hair. 

“Ugh.”

“Yeah…someone found our stone. It’s about time.”, Eddie sighs as they both crawl out of bed and shuffle towards the front door. “Oh wow. This one is gorgeous.”

Steve glances out the window and sees you in an elevator staring into their gem. “She is. Is it just me or does she seem sad?”

“Most of them do. Now all we have to do is wait.” The demon reaches for him, pulling him into a hug. “Everything is going to be ok, sweetheart, alright? We do this and then it’s just you and me again.”

Steve nods as he brings his lips to his.

When you stop playing, you hope it was enough to bring them back to you. 

“Steve. Eddie. Are you two ok?”

They had calmed down enough that their appearances were back as their brown eyes starred at the ceiling. Abruptly, Steve rolled on top of him and passionately kissed him as his palms cupped his face.  

“I’m sorry. I’m…I’m sorry…I didn’t hurt you…did I?”, Eddie asked between kisses, breathing a heavy sigh of relief as the demon shook his head. 

You tapped their shoulder and after turning to look at you, you gestured around the room. It had changed before your eyes but they were too busy with each other to notice. There was sunshine streaming in from the window and everything was now clean in its proper place.

“How…we didn’t…”

“You said it’s memory, right? What were you thinking about right now?”

They glanced at each other before turning back to you. “How we want to make love to you but not in the destruction.”

“You deserve better than that.”, Eddie agreed as he softly smiled. “Y/N, we are so sorry about your dad. We wanted to say something but—”

Your lips cut him off as you crashed them to his own. Steve lifted you like you weighed nothing and placed you down the bed as both demons ran their mouths along your neck. You moaned as they worked together to remove your clothing and slide their fingers between your legs; Eddie thrusting two fingers inside you as the other demon rubbed circles into your clit. 

Their mouths were like heaven as they slid down your body to suck on each breast and flick their tongues along your nipples. While Eddie’s lips trailed back upward, Steve’s went lower, kissing your skin along the way before wrapping his lips around your clit. 

“Fuck.”, you whimpered as your fingers tangled in his hair. 

“We know you’re strong, Y/N.” You glanced at the demon above you in confusion. “You said you stronger then the three of us thought you were. We know you are. It’s one of the many reasons we love you.”

Pumping his fingers faster inside of you, your eyes rolled shut as you came, Steve drinking in every bit of you he could and kissing his way back up your side. 

Pushing Eddie onto his back you straddle his waist as you kiss his lips and his palms reach up to roam your body, startling him when your hands grab his wrists and pin them back. 

“Let me take care of you.” 

His eyes scanned your face finally nodding as his palms slide further up to grip the headboard. Both of you moan as you guide his cock into your entrance, taking him slow at first as you feel every inch gradually push through. 

Eddie’s jaw went slack as you began to ride him, your forehead leaning gently on his. 

“Fuck, princess. Jus-just like that. God, you feel so fucking good.”

Coyly, you smile as your hand wraps around his throat. “No, Edward. Don’t say his name…say mine.”

His eyes opened to meet yours as you ground your hips harder against him. The sound that left his lips wasn’t a growl of anger but almost a purr of pleasure. 

“Your pussy feels amazing, Y/N. The way your warm, dripping cunt tightens around me and takes my cock is like a fucking drug, baby.” As he speaks you bounce on him faster as your nails run down his chest. “That’s it, Y/N. Fucking take what’s yours. We…we belong to you.”

Your body shakes as you cum making him grunt at the feeling underneath you. As you collapse on top of him, his arms wrap around you as you whisper in his ear. “I love you, Edward.”

Eddie takes over, thrusting his hips hard into yours as he chases his own climax. 

“I love you to, Y/N. Fuck.”

With a couple more rough pumps, he pants as his release warms your insides. You two tenderly kiss for moment before detaching so you can crawl onto Steve’s lap whose cock had gotten unbearably hard after watching you both. 

“You’re so beautiful, Y/N.” As your legs wrap around his waist, he lifts you in his arms and places you flat against the mattress. His hands tightly grip your sides as he slides his cock into your core. “Fuck me. He’s right, honey. We’re yours. I love you, baby.”

“Mmm…I-I love you to, Steven.” Rolling your hips to meet his, you moaned loudly as your palms gripped his wrists. “Y-your safe with me.” 

His motions slowed and you took the opportunity to guide him into a sitting position as you circled your arms around his neck, taking over as you grind on his length. Steve’s hair falls back away from his face as you crane his neck so you can see him. 

“Look at me, Steven.” His honey-colored eyes meet yours and you promptly shake your head. “I said look at me, STEVEN.” A heavy mewl left his beautiful lips before he blinked and you were now staring at his red orbs. “I can protect you to. I-I can take care of you—mmm—of both of you.”

Your forehead falls on his as you cling to him, moving your hips hard till he feels you shuddering against him as you cum. Steve soon follows, guiding your motions till you feel him fill you up.

As your head hits the pillow, the room darkens and you find yourself back in your bedroom with them on either side of you, hands running along your skin.

“Is there anything else you’ve hidden from me?”

“No.”, Eddie answers with no hesitation. 

“Now that you know the truth, is there anything you can do to clear your name and go home.”

“No one would believe us. Come back home after so long and blame a prince��� Plus, there’s no point.”, Steve sighs as he gestures towards the stone. “Can’t go home anyway.”

“Where did you say you found it again?”

Both their heads turn to stare at you. “No.”

“I just want to help.”

“No.”, Eddie repeats. “You can’t help us.”

“Maybe, I can talk to the person that put you in there. Find out if there’s a way to set you free.”

“We’ve tried that already, Y/N. Trust me.”, Steve lightly huffed. “She can’t be reasoned with or trusted.”

“I still want to try.” The metal headed demon growled and you sat up as you glared at him. “I’m not letting go that easy. You two may have given up but I haven’t!” You crawl over them and reach for a long shirt but as you head for the living room, they both appear in front of you. 

“We haven’t given up, honey. We’ve just played this game before. We know how it ends.”

“Well, Steve, maybe the game changed! Have you ever dealt with Henry before here in this realm? Has anyone ever wielded your weapons? H-have you ever fallen in love with any of the other people who summoned you?!” The tears began to flow before you could stop them. “I know I can do this. I know I can help you.”

Eddie stepped forward, reaching out with his thumb to dry your eyes. 

“Please…”, you beg. “I can’t lose you two.”

#############

@tlclick73 @iaminlovewithdilfs @tiannamortis @steeldaisies

@goodhappyfriday @paleidiot @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes

@strangerthings64 @howlingcon @hellfire—cult

[itskindofidontknow]

What dreams know about love?

Dream of The Endless/Morpheus x Love!OFC

Summary: The Queen of Love has grown used to the absence of her husband, the Dream King. After banning her from the Dreaming, they only saw each other when Morpheus summoned her for social or marital duties. He would go decades without calling for her, enamorated by a variety of mistresses. It broke Love's heart. Not that her husband cared. However, after being imprisioned for a century, The Dream King wants to regain his Queen's love. She doesn't believe him, not after centuries of neglect. The question is: Can dreams repair a broken heart?

Tag: Established relationship, arranged marriage, regency romance, eventual happy ending, angst, morpheus is a dick prepare to hate, love is eoster from west germanic mythology, typos are to be expected

A/N: First time bringing my work here. I posted this on my A03 it has multiple chapters, that I'll probably post it here, if you guys like. I am heavily inspired in Pride and Prejudice, Bridgertons, Marriage Story, Scenes from a Marriage, and every primetime drama of rich white people that has a stepford smiler broken bird with an impecable taste in clothes. Comments, questions are all welcome!

"He is back" A shiver runs through the silk-like skin of the Queen of Love, as her ladies and lords in waiting stare at her. It's been years since her lord husband summoned her. But she could never forget his calling.

The sacred vow they shared make it impossible to ignore or forget. A mortal silence takes over the music room where a few seconds ago, you could hear young maidens from all the different realms , daughters from different gods, suns and stars in flower crowns laughing, while dancing to the elegant harp concerto, young lords trying to find words to finish sonnets, the older ones sitting in comfortable chairs around their Queen, keeping pleasant and polite conversations or moving lazily their handfans, more from habit than from heat. Since the climate is always perfect adequate at the Garden of Lovers. The light atmosphere changed the minute Lady Love mentioned her husband. The whole court felt the cold wind whoosing through the white curtains and the sudden change of the pink and orange skies to a blue grayish color. They knew it would rain later.

As it did, since their Queen got married to before the king of dreams vanished.

"I must make haste. Alone." She announces while her maidens got up. They exchange worried looks hesitating before bowing and staying still. She knows her husband well enough to know he is not going to be in his best mood. And her maidens do not deserve to deal with him. He never was in the best mood with Love. 'Oh no, only his lovers get to see that' The Queen bitterly thought exiting the music room, almost running through the salmon marble floors that decorate the whole palace.

"My Lady". She heard Elijah running to reach her. Elijah was her most trustworthy cupid, her husband once called him ‘The Queen's Lucienne’ "My Lady Eostre, if I may speak freely, you don't have to…" She raises a hand, stopping him before he could finish and most likely commit treason. Love knew exactly what he was going to say. How she had grounds to ignore his calling, to never come to his aid ever again. After the abuse and disrespect of over a milennium. She knew it. She thought of it for years. But no matter what she thought, they were still husband and wife, king and queen, and although marriage may not be of any importance to her husband, to Love it was the most sacred institution

" Yes, I have. I must. He is still my lord husband as I am his lady wife, we made a sacred vow" The Queen looked sternly to her cupid, warning him " My good cupid, be careful, Dream is still your king, and one could take your words for treason" It was well-known that it is not wise to commit treason against an Endless, and to even suggest that a Endless' wife shouldn't come to his request was a dangerous territory. He lowered his head in respect "Apologies my Queen. It is a joyful occasion if our King is back." A mechanic polite answer. She nods in agreement, even if his face was heavy with worry for Eostre and not at all showing any joy in Morpheus return.

The lovefolk was not fond of the Dream King. They saw how their Queen's spirit got crushed with a loveless marriage over the centuries. How careless, and neglectful her husband was. Everytime Love would come back from the Dreaming, the entire Garden flooded with rain, mirroring the Queen 's tears, as she would lock herself in the bedroom and cry for days. She could never tell which was worse: Her husband ignoring her, without even a single kind word or a glance or when he impatiently acknowledged her, treating her as she was a burden to bear, a constant annoyance he needed to deal with.

The Queen of Love, however, believed in love, she believed that if she just tried hard enough, Morpheus would see her devotion, and they could actually have a happy fulfilling marriage. Love, better than anyone else, knew that most arranged marriages were a disaster. However as anthropomorphic manifestations of love and dreams, they weren't so different.

Mortals either dreamed of love or loved to dream for as long as they were created. Their marriage made sense. They even inspired the same mortal in two different occasions. He inspired a play called Midsummer Night's Dream, and she inspired Romeo and Juliet. They could be happy. She strongly believed in it.

How naive she was.

Dream didn't agree with their union from the beginning. A trick from his dear sibling, Desire, that became a political marriage. When Dream realize his sibling’s trap, it was already too late. Lady Love was infatuated by the love letters she received from her fiance (who, she later discovered, never wrote her any letter. Desire did. Misleading Love to elope). A few mischievous squemes made their union impossible not to happen.

As a Queen, Eoster tried for years everything a good monarch could: She tried to learn everything about the Dreaming, followed Lucienne around, asking for help to understand the dreamfolk, the laws of the Dreaming. Everything in her power to best fulfill her duties and help her husband with the burdens of a realm. She learnt how to love the dreamfolk, to care for them, to even bring peace of mind to distressed nightmares, to explain and defend her husband's harsh ways, to ease heavy hearts. It was easy for the dreamfolk to adore and become devoted to The Queen of Love.

As a wife, Love was by Morpheus' side at every official event and Endless reunion. She wanted to be more than just a lady wife, she wanted to be his partner. So eager to be a part of his life, although he didn't seem interested to be a part of hers.

Never even bothering to visit the Garden of Lovers, his wife's realm. Even with the king neglect and coldness, the Queen kept loyal and faithful. Dream could scan her sleep and never find any sinnful thought about a secret lover. She never wished for anyone besides him. Even with plenty of opportunities and suitors, her doves bringing letters of poems and sonnets from devoted mortals to sun-gods, praising her beauty, eager for her kisses, suffering from her loyalty, even then, Love never took a lover or indulged in immoral activities.

Eoster was ever obedient and submissive. An Endless outranked her, so due to her status. and to tradition, she never spoke out of turn or raised her voice. She always abide by his commands and attended to his every need. Even in private, she was dutiful. Never denying her husband, opening her legs to welcome him, whenever and wherever he saw fit. She would let him rip off beautiful long nightgowns, designed especially for nuptials, gladly taking him for as long as he wanted. Most times, she didn't take great pleasure in it. and Morpheus always seemed to be performing a duty. He didn't whisper sweet nothings, was gentle or cared for her after.

That was the first piece of her heart to be broken by her husband. To realize she was nothing but a quick-release for him. Only useful to scratch an itch he happened to have. As a goddess of love, purity, marriage and fertility, she knew how intimacy between lovers could be of burning passion, beautiful, caring, a true lovers' dance. How cruel her husband was to deny her, of all entities, even this pleasure. But he did. And the worst part was that Love knew he didn't even know he was causing pain, he just didn't care enough.

Another thing she didn't expect was that they almost never shared his bed for the night. Most of the times, after fulfilling the Dream King's needs in bed. She would be dismissed to her private chambers. ‘Like a common whore’ she often thought. If Morpheus ever thought of her, embarrassed, half-naked, wrapped in sheets, tip toeing crossing the corridor to her room, he never said anything. Love would especially be ashamed when bumping into Lucienne. The librarian always offered a respectful bow, looking over her glasses. Professionalism wouldn't let her say a thing, but the Queen could see the pity in the librarian's eyes, as Lucienne could see the Queen’s cheeks wet of tears.

As she savoryly remembers the nights of being used and discarded, she squeezes Elijah hand in reassurance "My sweet love child, worry not. I'll be back before you know it".

And just like that, the Queen of Love returned to her husband.

[zapreportsblog]

omg I love it. I can see them having an outside wedding. Green themed wedding where Alice, Roselie and Bella are part of the bridal party. Seth is defiantly the ring bearer and walks the little girl down the aisle.

Twilight

Garrett x Lahote reader

The reader is the older sister of Paul. She wears all black and loves Halloween. She is the complete opposite of Paul where she does not hate the Cullens. She understands that they are grown ass people whose lives were taken from them, and they had no choice in the matter especially since it was beyond their control. She is best friends with Rosalie. She was once engaged but the wedding broke off because she caught her fiancé sleeping with her best friend. Later on, Garrett asks the reader on a date. They run into the ex and her former best friend who tries to persuade her to rekindle the relationship, but the reader stands her ground and goes off both of them.

Feel free to add anything else

❝the past needs to stay in the past❞

✭ pairing : garrett x reader

✭ fandom : twilight

✭ summary : Garrett finds himself becoming curious with the older lahote sibling

✭ twilight masterlist

In the small, tight-knit community of La Push, (Y/N) Lahote was known as the enigmatic older sister of Paul Lahote, one of the fiery Quileute wolf shifters. While her brother and his pack held deep-seated animosity toward the Cullens, (Y/N) was a striking contrast. She was the town's resident witch, a practitioner of the ancient arts of Wicca, and she had a perspective on the Cullens that set her apart.

With her jet-black attire and an affinity for all things Halloween, (Y/N) was a constant source of fascination and intrigue for the residents of La Push. She was a solitary figure who found solace in the mystical and the unknown, and she wore her unique interests like a badge of honor.

It was a chilly evening as (Y/N) sat in her dimly lit room, surrounded by flickering candles and ancient tomes of magic. Her knowledge of the arcane arts was vast, and she used her abilities not for dark purposes, but to connect with the world around her in a way that few could understand.

Unlike her brother Paul and his pack, (Y/N) harbored no ill will toward the Cullens. She saw them not as monsters but as individuals whose lives had been irrevocably altered by circumstances beyond their control. She understood that their existence was a result of a fate they had no say in, a fate that had taken away their humanity.

As (Y/N) delved deeper into her studies of Wicca, she often contemplated the complexity of the supernatural world that surrounded her. She believed that magic and mysticism were not confined to one realm or another but existed in a delicate balance that spanned both the mortal and immortal worlds.

One chilly October night, as the veil between the living and the dead felt especially thin, (Y/N) found herself drawn to the forest surrounding La Push. The moon cast an eerie glow on the landscape, and the whispers of the trees seemed to beckon her deeper into the woods.

Unbeknownst to her, her brother Paul and his pack were on patrol, vigilant for any signs of the Cullens. They had detected a scent near the forest, and their instincts had led them toward the same clearing where (Y/N) now stood.

As (Y/N) raised her arms to the moon, calling upon the ancient energies of Wicca, she sensed the presence of the wolves nearby. The tension in the air was palpable, but she held no fear. Instead, she continued her ritual, her incantations blending seamlessly with the rustling of leaves and the distant howling of wolves.

Paul, his wolf form concealed by the darkness, watched in astonishment as his sister practiced her craft. He had always been protective of her, but this was a side of (Y/N) he had rarely seen. He couldn't deny the power and beauty of her magic, and for a brief moment, his animosity toward the Cullens faded into the background.

As (Y/N) completed her ritual and the mystical energies ebbed away, she turned toward the hidden wolves, her eyes locking onto Paul's. There was a moment of understanding between them, a shared acknowledgement of the mysteries that surrounded their lives.

One evening, (y/n) decides to go and pay her friend a visit. Gathering her things she sought out the familiar path to the Cullens house, and upon arriving (Y/N) knocked on the door another friend of hers, Alice answered the door.

“I was just about to head out but Rosalie is inside waiting for you.” Alice says.

(Y/n) made her way into the house but not before thanking Alice. The familiar blonde haired Cullen greeted her and the two woman took their places on the couch.

As they chatted about recent events, Rosalie couldn't shake the question that had been nagging at her for a while. She leaned in slightly, her golden eyes filled with curiosity.

"Hey, (Y/N)," Rosalie began, her tone gentle, "I've been wondering... Why haven't you ever dated anyone?"

(Y/N) sighed softly, her gaze momentarily shifting to the large window overlooking the lush Cullen estate. She had known this conversation might come up eventually, and she decided it was time to share her story with her best friend.

"Well," she began, her voice carrying the weight of past pain, "there was a time when I was engaged to be married."

Rosalie's perfectly arched eyebrows lifted in surprise. "You were engaged? Why didn't you ever mention it before?"

(Y/N) nodded slowly, her expression distant as she recollected the painful memories. "It's not something I talk about often. The engagement... didn't end well."

As she spoke, (Y/N) recounted the story of her past love and betrayal. She had been deeply in love with her fiancé, fully believing that they were destined to share their lives together. But then, the devastating truth had come to light - he had betrayed her, sleeping with her closest friend.

The betrayal had left (Y/N) emotionally shattered, and she had withdrawn from the world of dating ever since, unable to trust anyone with her heart again.

Listening intently, Rosalie's face softened with empathy. She had her own share of heartbreak and pain in her immortal life, and she knew the depth of the wounds that betrayal could inflict.

"I'm so sorry, (Y/N)," Rosalie said, her voice filled with sympathy. "No one should have to endure something like that."

(Y/N) managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Rose. It's been a long journey, but I've focused on healing and being there for my friends."

Rosalie nodded in understanding. "You're incredibly strong, (Y/N). I'm glad you have friends who care about you. And just remember, when you're ready, love can find its way back into your life. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

As the afternoon sun bathed the room in a warm glow, (Y/N) and Rosalie continued to share stories, laughter, and the enduring bond of their friendship. (Y/N) knew that she had a friend who genuinely cared about her well-being, and that was a treasure she would always hold dear.

One sunny afternoon, as (Y/N) and Rosalie were enjoying each other's company in the elegant Cullen living room, the front door swung open to reveal Garrett, the adventurous nomad vampire. His arrival was met with a warm welcome from Rosalie, who had always been fond of her fellow wanderer.

Garrett's eyes quickly fell on (Y/N), and he couldn't help but be captivated by her presence. She exuded an air of mystery and confidence that piqued his curiosity. He decided that he wanted to get to know her better.

As the afternoon turned into evening, Garrett found himself subtly observing (Y/N). He joined in on the conversation, sharing stories and laughter with the two friends. Yet, his eyes frequently wandered to (Y/N), his curiosity about her growing stronger with each passing moment.

Rosalie, ever perceptive, noticed Garrett's interest in her friend. She decided to take a break from their conversation, leaving Garrett and (Y/N) alone in the room. She winked at (Y/N) playfully before making her exit, knowing that her friend could use a little nudge in the right direction.

With a sly smile, Garrett seized the opportunity. "So, (Y/N)," he began, his voice carrying a hint of flirtation, "I can't help but wonder why such a captivating woman like yourself is single. Care to enlighten me?"

(Y/N) raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, you're curious about me, are you?"

Garrett grinned, his charming demeanor shining through. "Indeed, I am. And I must say, I find your mysterious aura quite intriguing."

(Y/N) feigned nonchalance, suppressing a smile. "Well, Garrett, I'm not one to reveal all my secrets so easily."

Undeterred, Garrett leaned closer, his golden eyes locked onto (Y/N)'s. "How about this, then? Would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner tomorrow night? I promise to be on my best behavior."

(Y/N) hesitated for a moment, enjoying the playful dance of flirtation. She knew that Garrett was genuinely interested, and his charm was hard to resist.

After a brief pause, she finally relented with a grin. "Dinner tomorrow night sounds lovely, Garrett."

Garrett's smile widened, his excitement evident. "Excellent. I'll make sure to pick a place worthy of your company."

As the evening continued, (Y/N) and Garrett shared stories and laughter, their connection deepening with each passing moment. Rosalie watched from a distance, satisfied that her matchmaking had worked its magic.

In the Cullen home, surrounded by friends and the promise of a new beginning, (Y/N) and Garrett's budding romance began to unfold, a testament to the enduring power of connection and the thrill of the unknown.

The night of the dinner arrived, and Garrett and (Y/N) found themselves at a charming restaurant in a nearby town. The atmosphere was intimate, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambiance over their table.

As they enjoyed their meal and engaged in animated conversation, Garrett couldn't help but be captivated by (Y/N)'s presence. He found himself drawn to her intellect, her wit, and the strength that she exuded.

However, their pleasant evening took an unexpected turn when (Y/N)'s ex-fiancé, Ryan, and her former best friend, Jessica, walked into the same restaurant. The sight of them sent a pang of discomfort through (Y/N)'s heart, but she steeled herself, determined to stand her ground.

Ryan approached their table, a hopeful smile on his face. "Hey, (Y/N), long time no see. How have you been?"

Jessica chimed in, her voice laced with false sweetness. "We've missed you, (Y/N). We were hoping we could catch up."

(Y/N) took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Garrett's reassuring gaze. She knew that this moment had the potential to be challenging, but she was no longer willing to let her past dictate her choices.

"Ryan, Jessica," she began, her voice steady, "I've moved on with my life, and I've found someone who respects and values me for who I am. This is Garrett, and we're on a date."

Garrett nodded in greeting, his demeanor polite but firm. "Nice to meet you both."

Ryan's expression shifted from hopefulness to frustration, and Jessica's smile faltered. They had expected a different reaction from (Y/N).

Ryan tried to reason with her. "But (Y/N), we had something special. Can't we at least talk about it?"

(Y/N) shook her head, her resolve unwavering. "Ryan, what we had was destroyed by betrayal. I won't go back to a relationship that's built on lies and deceit."

Jessica's eyes welled up with tears as she tried to plead her case. "I'm so sorry, (Y/N). I made a mistake. Can't we be friends again?"

(Y/N) looked at Jessica with a mixture of sadness and disappointment. "You were supposed to be my best friend, Jessica. Friends don't betray each other like you did."

Garrett placed a reassuring hand on (Y/N)'s, offering his unwavering support. "We appreciate your concern, but (Y/N) and I are focused on our future together."

With that, (Y/N) and Garrett turned their attention back to each other, leaving Ryan and Jessica to contemplate their actions. The past had shaped (Y/N)'s resilience, and she was determined to move forward with someone who valued and cherished her for who she truly was.

As (Y/N) and Garrett continued their evening at the restaurant, the lingering encounter with her ex-fiancé and former best friend weighed on her mind. She couldn't help but be curious about Garrett's earlier statement when he said they were "focused on their future together."

With a thoughtful expression, (Y/N) turned her attention back to Garrett. "Garrett, earlier you mentioned that we're focused on our future together. What did you mean by that?"

Garrett met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of sincerity and determination. "I meant exactly that, (Y/N). I see something special between us, something worth pursuing."

(Y/N)'s heart skipped a beat, and a smile played at the corners of her lips. "You do?"

Garrett nodded, his enthusiasm evident. "Absolutely. You're an incredible person, (Y/N), with a strength and resilience that I admire. I want to be a part of your future, to build something meaningful together."

(Y/N) felt a warmth spread through her as she listened to Garrett's words. His sincerity touched her deeply, and she realized that she felt the same way. "I feel the same, Garrett. I want to see where this journey takes us."

Their connection deepened as they continued their conversation, each sharing their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future. The encounter with (Y/N)'s ex and former friend had served as a reminder of the strength of their bond and the importance of moving forward together.

As they enjoyed the rest of their dinner, (Y/N) and Garrett felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future they were now building together, one filled with trust, support, and the promise of new beginnings.

[zavbees]

The Jury of Nine Headcannons

The Jury of Nine was formed to be the judgment of Lady Irene when she walked this plane. She could not go anywhere without people forcing her hand to give them time. In order to protect the one he was sworn to guard, Xavier got a group of people with magical abilities to band together. This group passed judgement on those who wished to approach her, allowing only those who were pure of heart and free of corruption.

Irene disappeared from the mortal realm as tensions between her and the other Divine Warriors began growing, but the Jury of Nine stayed in prominence within O'khasis. This began the rise in importance of the Church of the Faith of Lady Irene within the city. The group took only the best guards in the city, and they were regarded with high status, just below the royal family.

As time passed, O'khasis began growing more and more powerful and corrupt. As the city expanded, relatives of current Jurors were allowed to become one of the Nine, replacing their family member once they aged out. This, as well as the royal lineage being just that, a lineage, created a new form of elite within the city.

The Jury and the Modern City

Within O'khasis, the three areas of importance are the Royal Family, the Jury of Nine, and the Church of the Faith of Lady Irene. The faces of each area are treated as almost celebrities within the city: the standing royalty, the current jurors, and the High Priest.

The Jury often are the first to hear about potential hazards to the city, as they take great interest in the state of the guards. They are also usually the first line of defense for the city, sent out to deal with foreign threats, and, at the Kings approval, maintain treaties with outside forces.

The amount each Juror, also called Knight, involves themselves with the people of O'khasis is up to them. Some make frequent patrols around the city in order to boost the moral of the civilians and keep an eye on the ground. Others see patrols as the duty of the guards, choosing instead to stay within the Capital. Regardless, whenever a Juror is seen outside the Capital, it is often viewed as a big deal.

As time has passed, the divine context of the Jury has been lost, instead just being an elite sect of the guard.

Requirements of the Jury

The Jury of Nine has specific criteria for people to be allowed in. Firstly, the youngest a member can be is 18, with the oldest being 35. If a Juror makes it to 35, they are given a farewell celebration throughout the city.

When going through the initial stages of becoming a Juror, the person chosen must cut all ties with the outside world for the first few months, only being around the rest of the Jury or those important in the city. This means, often, they are kept within the Capital until they fully transition. This period is used to train them, both mentally and physically. This is also when they are given the magical abilities often possessed by the Jury of Nine.

That being said, Jurors can still have families outside of this period; once they are fully trained, they are free to make personal relationships as they see fit. Many do not, but there are some who do.

In order to replenish the Jury as members die and/or age out, there are two methods used to find replacements. Either the top performing guards within the age bracket are picked by the First Knight, or Jurors can specifically claim an heir to inherit their title and place within the Jury. The first category is the most common, as the Jury tend to be slightly removed from the rest of the City. However, the second way is still used.

If a Juror is to claim an heir, the person chosen must be within the age range, be trained as if they were to be a guard, and be a family member of the Juror claiming them. Heirs tend to be the children of Jurors, being raised to take their parents place. This can apply to siblings or cousins as well. This method makes it so bloodlines can keep the title the Juror had, essentially giving importance to that bloodline as a whole and making them minor celebrities within the city (ex: Golden Heart being passed down from generation to generation). That was not the intended purpose of the claiming of heirs, but that is how the city progressed. Inherited titles often don't change, but each Juror has the choice to change it if they wish.

If a Juror proves to be difficult, untrustworthy, or a traitor, the First Knight can choose to force them out of the Jury. Depending on the situation, the Juror could be treated as if they aged out with no further consequences, or exiled, or sentenced to death.

If a Juror is forced out or ages out, the magical abilities they were granted during their training period get essentially taken from them by the First Knight. If aged out, this is seen as a bittersweet event, usually with a citywide celebration. If forced out, it is a private affair, with public only find out about the Juror being removed once someone new replaces them.

Titles in the Jury of Nine

There are, as the name suggests, nine Jurors at a time. If one leaves, another one is sworn in. Each member is given a title: (number) Knight, (first name), the (title of choice). Often the title of choice is tied to either their weapon or their character, such as the Venom Blade or the Silver Death.

If an heir is sworn into the Jury, it is looked down upon to change the title, as it is seen as disrespectful against the previous Juror and their legacy.

Roles in the Jury

The First Knight is the one in charge of the Jury; they become first either by appointment of the King, or the Second moves up once the current First is removed for whatever reason.

The Second Knight is the second in command. Often, this means that while the First is holding an audience with the King, the Second is keeping tabs on the rest of the Jury.

The Third Knight, Fourth Knight, and Fifth Knight often are lumped together as veterans within the Jury, as the only way to get into those positions is to be there long enough to move from Ninth to where they are, meaning they worked their way through the ranks. It is rare for four members of the Jury to be removed at once, so it tends to be difficult for newer Jurors to find their way within these slots. They are often called the Upper Four.

The Sixth Knight, Seventh Knight, and Eight Knight are often seen as the newbies. They don't usually have as much say, yet tend to be more personable with the public. They are usually the ones who are seen patrolling in order to gain the favor of the civilians of O'khasis. They, including the Ninth, are referred to as the Lower Four.

The Ninth Knight is seen as the hardest rank to endure, as it is the one with the most to prove. Often, even if they are out of their training period, the Ninth Knight is secluded from personal relationships, since they tend to be treated as the errand boy of the Jury. They are the ones who initiate the official meetings of the Jury, they are the ones who keep the logs, they are the ones sent to deliver messages.

Current Jurors

The First Knight, Zane Ro'Meave, The White Chalice

The standing prince has managed to surpass many within the citys history, being the youngest to take the role of First Knight as well as High Priest. As of the start of the story, Zane has been the First Knight for a year. The High Priest being the First Knight is not unheard of, but Zane changed what people thought were possible once the heir to the throne gained control of the church and Jury. He is a studious and serious man, and often keeps to the Capital and out of the public eye. At least, the First Knight keeps out of the public eye. The Prince is a different story.

The Second Knight, Ivan Maddock, The Venom Blade

The Second Knight has been in the Jury for a few years, watching people come and go. The warlock is not seen often, but when he is, he makes an entrance. He is probably the most whispered about Juror around the city for being mysterious and devilish, which he often plays into. Not much is known about the man, only that he is not from O'khasis and is usually seen at the right hand of Zane, regardless of who the young Ro'Meave is appearing as.

The Third Knight, Jeffory Laurent, The Golden Heart

Jeffory is by far the most personable in the Upper Four. He is constantly seen throughout the city helping in local events or just shopping. He always takes the time needed to help those he can. A smile is always present on his face.

The Fourth Knight, Janus Othniel, The Silver Death

The Fourth, Janus, is the oldest current Knight on the Jury. He also has been there the longest. Despite this, he refuses to move above the position of Fourth, purely because of his title being the Silver Death. He is seen as the most physically intimidating of the nine, often being the muscle. Within the city, he is said to be the loose cannon, the one most likely to get into a bar fight. Despite that, he is honored throughout O'khasis.

The Fifth Knight, Katelyn Ralston, The Fire Fist

The Fifth Knight is often viewed as the level headed one in the Upper Four. She is the straight laced logical one within the band of heart, mystery, and ego. She is sometimes seen outside the Capital as either a bodyguard or with the Third Knight. Whenever she is seen, she is blunt but relatively pleasant.

The Sixth Knight, Zero Rivera, The Bronze Dagger

Zero was chosen to be the Sixth Knight despite him being relatively unremarkable within the Guard. It is rumored he was chosen by the First and Second because of his knack for following orders. He is a monotonous man, emotions never seeming to phase him. He is, by far, the most disliked Juror, purely for the fact that he tends to weird people out with his lack of emotions. He is the only one in the Lower Four to almost never be seen out of the Capital, only ever out with another Juror.

The Seventh Knight, Ruby Hightower, The Crimson Hammer

Ruby, the Seventh, is often viewed as the Fire Fist of the Lower Four. She brings the fire of Janus but the logicality of Katelyn, allowing her to be seen as the glue of the relatively reserved batch of the current Lower Four. She makes patrols around the city, usually being seen helping the poorer side of the city.

The Eighth Knight, Lilian Sterling, The Silver Scythe

The second newest Knight is thought to be the visual of the Lower Four. The people see her as spunky, usually with an attitude but with the looks for people to excuse it. She is the second favored within the Lower Four by the public. She is often seen at events to participate and host.

The Ninth Knight, Clas Lynn, The Iron Shield

The current Ninth Knight is by far the most popular Juror in the Lower Four. He is almost always seen around the city, making sure he gains the peoples trust with his charming smile and friendly disposition. Clas was a hot topic when he first was sworn in, as he was the son of Ivy the Venom Scythe yet chose to change the title he inherited. However, the people have mostly forgotten this.

Thanks for reading!

That's basically it for now! I may do more regarding them, but for rn this is the majority of how the Jury works in my head. If anyone has questions or anything, I will happily answer!

[the-ayakashi-in-me]

If Spring is here, can Winter be far behind?

Summary:

"I may not be chosen by God. But I have been chosen by fate."

The disappearance of Crown Prince Satoru Gojo, all but leaves the Empire in disarray. With no one else fit to inherit the throne, Princess Shiyori Gojo must now take on the challenge of finding her brother and being the Emperor chosen by fate.

Starring: SatoSugu, Nanami x OC, Naoya x OC and practically everyone from JJK.

Genre: ANGST, isekai au, drama, fluff (eventually), and whatever genre you use to feed your delusions.

Warnings: JJK is a warning on its own, toxic relationships, violence, a little gore, probable eventual smut, MANGA SPOILERS, established relationship, ANGST, mental illness, characters might be a little OOC. (Lemme know if I've missed anything)

A/N: Some world-building before getting to the main plot. Hope this makes sense.

 Series Masterlist:

Gloom

Doom

“Today we gather to celebrate the rise of our Empire’s next sentinel.”

High Priest Gagkuganji addressed the conglomeration of nobles who either scoffed or sighed. Every noble Lord and Lady gathered jumped at the opportunity to pass their judgment on this outrageous situation.

“The Empire is as good as dead.”

“I’ve begun to look for asylum outside.”

“His Majesty has gone senile.”

However, the issue that resounded the most was, “How could the founding clans let this happen?”

Many monarchs ago, the land that is now celebrated as the Akutami Empire, was fraught with war and disease. Sorcerers reigned supreme. With each sorcerer stronger than the next, the common people suffered lifetimes of misery. Back then sorcery was all about conquer or be conquered. One such sorcerer whose name has been wiped out from the annals of history, conquered not only the land of Akutami but also a small region adjacent to it. Today that small region goes by the name of the Gege Kingdom. 

Amidst all the chaos arose, one particular entity, who was none other than Goddess Utahime herself. Though, at that time she was merely mortal. However, her actions were nothing short of divine. Through her kindness, she paved the way for peace. Through her sacrifice, she paved the way for hope. And through her acts of service, she showed the world what sorcery was really about. She protected the weak and supported the promising.

 “Sorcery is not a blade, but the backbone for humanity.” With her conviction unfaltering, she singlehandedly vanquished, the devil-incarnate and sealed him away for eons to come. Finally, dawn broke on that unending night. But the people could not even cheer. How could they? For their beloved divinity stood their fading. Utahime had used every last ounce of her strength that her mortal body could offer. 

“Why do you weep so?” her voice held a hint of mischief, even in her final moments. Often, the conduct of divinity is beyond that of mortal reasoning. “What you consider as sacrifice, is but an old habit of mine. And old habits die hard, I’m afraid.” by now she was just a mirage of what she used to be.

“My Lady, please use the life left in us and sustain yourself. It is far too early for you to leave this realm.” 

“Yes, My Lady! We beg of you!”

“Do with our lives as you see fit.”

For a moment her smile faltered, then she heaved a heavy sigh. “Prostating yourselves to hide your tears. I must say, that is quite clever. As expected of you three.” The ones in question only seemed to fist the dirt harder and hole their heads further into the ground, while yes, silently mourning the loss of their illustrious mentor.

“My beloved Gojo, I trust you to pass on my discipline.”

“I-it shall be d-done My Lady.”

“My cherished Zen’in, I entrust you with my wisdom.”

“Y-yes My L-lady!”

“And my treasured Kamo, I have faith you will do justice with my grace.”

“A-as you w-wish My Lady!”

The distraught trio dared not look up still. Who could bear to watch the object of their devotion fade out of existence itself? Not them. But they could tell that she was not for long, with the distant calling of her voice. 

“Fret not. How far could I possibly go from those close to my heart?” and with a final, mischievous chuckle the revered Utahime departed for the next realm. 

Later, it was unanimously decided that Gojo would rise as the Emperor, for he was the one to serve the hallowed Utahime, the longest, while Zen’in and Kamo would serve as his Dukes. With Gojo at the head, and Zen’in and Kamo as the wings, the Akutami Empire soared from the ashes.

It was customary for a monarch to pay their respects to Utahime at their Coronation. Hence, it always ensued at the Temple, in the presence of all the Empire’s nobles. Utahime was a deity of conviction, she preached the power held within words. The words spoken out loud are said to strengthen their resolve and reinforce their faith. With time, this was called The Emperor’s Vow. 

Today, Princess Shiyori, was to become the new Emperor. She stood in front of a displeased crowd, wearing a refitted dress and jewels that once belonged to her mother. It was customary for the new Emperor to be dressed in gold, along with all the medals of valour they had achieved in life. 

However, Shiyori was the first woman to become Emperor, and through sheer ill-fate, at that. She had no medals or laurels to speak of. All she had was her mother’s gowns and jewels. “People will be dissatisfied no matter the circumstances. I’d rather put these to some good use,” she explained to the royal tailor when she refused to have a new dress made.

And she was right, they whispered behind her back. They whispered in front of her. They whispered as she walked down the aisle, towards the altar. They all eagerly whispered, yet none seemed to have the backbone to say it out loud. As she walked her somber expression turned into something far more dangerous. Once she reached the altar, she faced the crowd one final time. “I may not be chosen by God. But, I have been chosen by fate.” indifference dripped from her voice.

High Priest Gakuganji quickly concealed the smug smile that had crept up on him. He took a breath, “Let us commence the Coronation. Princess you may take the vow.” Princess Shiyori turned around and knelt before the altar. She lowered her head before Utahime and silently asked her to watch over her brother, wherever he was. She vowed to step up and become the Emperor her people needed, just as long as Satoru would come back home. 

“In times of joy, in times of war,

The vile and wicked, beware my roar.

To protect our empire, as before,

By my hand, justice shall be restored.”

She was met with deafening silence. She expected it, but it still hurt more than she thought it would. A vow unacknowledged is as good as an empty promise. A vow can only exist between two or more people. If no one in this chapel spoke up to acknowledge the vow, Shiyori would be unable to ascend the throne. And that would only cause more problems. She clutched her mother’s golden silk gown, her knuckles turning white. Was there truly no one who had even a little faith in her”

“Such is as our Saviour Utahime foretold!”

Three very distinct voices resounded within the chapel. Shiyori let out a shaky breath. “With the vow acknowledged in Our Lady Utahime’s presence, this marks the inception of Emperor Shiyori Gojo. Long live the King!” with that High Priest Gakuganji placed the ornate crown on Shiyori’s head.   

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