#request 1728

[lostdrarryfics]

Hi I hope you can help with this and sorry in advance I have very little detail, I think Draco is living among muggles and Harry comes across him and is suspicioushe is upto something(when is not, lol). They go to cinemas and there is a beggar outside and Draco is very generous with him they kind of become friends, later somehow Draco stops contacting Harry I think and Harry goes to that beggar and he praises Draco.

We believe you’re looking for The Bucket List by GallaPlacidia, which has been deleted. You can find an archive of Galla’s works here.

[takenbypeter]

hiii! can i request a chalamet!wonka x fem!reader where they’re childhood best friends and have grown up on the ship together and get stuck at scrubbit’s together?? and willy is super upset he got them into this mess and they’re stuck in own room (with one bed 🤭🤟) and fluff and confessions happen

Share This Moment With Me

Willy Wonka x reader

Words: 1728

You couldn’t believe this.

5 years together on the ocean and even then you had your own cabin, but of course, at this small inn where you’ve been trapped the only room they claimed available was a single.

Now you didn’t blame the boy for spending all the sovereigns, you didn’t blame the boy for even finding this place, and to be fair you signed the contract without reading correctly either, so partially it was your fault as well, but what’s done was done and it couldn’t be changed. You were gradually coming to terms with that.

Willy not so much.

There he was pacing back and forth as you sat in the chair, your chin in your hand watching the man practically unravel in front of you.

“Sit down,” you breathed slightly annoyed at his trance, but he ignored and kept his pace. He walked back and forth muttering to himself with his hand raised and a fingernail between his teeth.

You had to do something, you couldn’t let him drive himself insane, or rather you insane. Blurting a “Willy!” You advance to the poor boy and placing your hands on both sides of his shoulders you push down, seating him on the mattress behind that barely looked clean. “Sit down, take a breather. What’s done is done,” you instruct calmly.

He peers up at you, his big brown eyes wide, “how are you so calm right now?”

You remove your hands from him, a tranquil tone present in your voice, “I’m not, but one of us has to keep it together.”

He threw his head in his hands, shaking it disappointedly, “I can’t believe I got us into this mess.”

“Hey, hey, you’re not the only one I could’ve taken a closer look at the contract.”

“I promised you a better life and look where it’s got us stuck.”

You pressed your lips thin at his pessimistic words. Giving up? This was unlike him, you didn’t like it. “It’s alright. Everything will be fine,” you said and he just sat there unmovable. “This isn’t like you,” you said, shocked at how dull your friend appeared.

“What happened to your positivity?”

Without answering your query he stands abruptly and heads for the door, “I’m going to ask again if they have two rooms.”

“Willy, even if they had one they’re not going to give it to us, that’s clear.”

He stopped hand frozen on the door handle because honestly you were right, just from that one experience with Mrs.Scrubbit and Mr. Bleacher, it was obvious they cared not a lick about comfortability that’s for sure.

“Come on, it’s late, let’s just get some rest. We’ll figure it out in the morning.”

At your mention of rest you noticed his expression contort a little, it was quick but it was an expression you couldn’t quite name.

“You take the bed, I’ll find comfort on the floor,” you offer but he quickly denied it. “Are you kidding? You take the bed, I'll take the floor.”

“If you take the floor I’ll just join you on the floor.”

“Fine, then let’s both just take the bed.”

“Fine.”

Willy pulls up the blankets that cover the bed, first the heavy one then the light one. You grab the light one while he climbs in and you push the heavy one more to his side.

Shutting off the light you climb in next and throw the light blanket over your body. Laying with your back to the boy and his to yours, you realize just how small the bed actually is.

Trying to ignore the knowledge of his body practically touching yours you pull your blanket tighter, instead focusing on how cold the night was.

That obviously was no help because now your body was just cold, you tried your best to conceal the feeling but no matter how hard you thought you couldn’t stop your body from shivering.

No doubt noticing your shivers, you feel a weight land over you, and you pull the heavy quilt over you and up to your chin.

Five minutes go by.

Fifteen minutes go by.

Twenty minutes go by and you’re still awake and alert.

You knew it wasn’t the cold keeping you up, in fact you were warm now, very warm. Now of course the quilt was keeping you warm but that didn’t explain the warmth you were beginning to feel in your cheeks, no that was caused but the knowledge of Willy Wonka’s body mere centimeters from yours.

You’ve known the boy since you were practically a child, it’s safe to say you’ve had your fair share of a crush on the boy. However, it was always one that would come and go and you’d like to think you had control over your feelings. However it was hard, when you were in such a situation like this.

You wait a few more minutes, but then you feel his body move no doubt turning around as you hear and feel the creak of the bed frame. “Can’t sleep?” You ask.

“No, can you?” You hear from behind and you turn, making your own creaking noises as you shift to face him. “No.”

You lay across from each other, face to face, staring as the light from the moon peeks through the window illuminating his facial features just enough for you to see.

You’re looking into his brown eyes while he does the same to you. You gaze over his features, his curls, his eyes, his nose, his lips, back to his eyes.

“Are you thinking about this whole mess again?” You finally ask.

“No.”

“Then what are you thinking about?”

He was silent, his eyes remaining on you.

“Willy, you’ve gotten into plenty of trouble before, what’s going on?” You ask, genuinely concerned for the boy and his thoughts. It was not healthy to be thinking so negatively.

“Yeah, but It’s easy to be optimistic and positive when it’s just me I have to take care of, but now I’ve roped you into this mess and who knows what will happen?” You lay in silence because he was right, who knows what will happen? “I asked you to come with me, I’m supposed to keep you safe. I just don’t want to be the reason someone I care so deeply about gets hurt.”

That was a lot to take in, he wants to keep you safe? He cares about you deeply?

“How am I supposed to imagine the future if I can’t even keep you safe in the present? “

“The future?”

He must’ve revealed something carelessly because in the next moment you could make out how his eyebrows knitted together and he sat up, “I have to get up,” he says and you sit up as well allowing him to scooch out from the bed and walk around, pacing as he did before.

“You picture us in the future together?”

“Well yeah, of course, I can’t imagine my future without you.”

The warmth that was only in your cheeks, spread, now affecting your whole face.

“Good, cause I can’t imagine a future without you,” you repeat, causing his nervous paces to slow.

“You do?” He asks, appearing to be in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“What do you picture our future like?”

You shrug suddenly growing shy, “what do you picture our future like?”

It seemed like this back and forth would never end.

“Okay, I can’t do this anymore,” he waves his arms around like a lunatic, “I have something to say,” he announces as if you hadn’t been listening. But just to show how in tune you were, you pushed against the bed positioning yourself closer to the edge to show you were paying close attention.

He froze, looking at you for a moment before beginning to pace again. “Just say it!” You urged tired of waiting for an answer.

He interlocks his hands together, tapping his pointer finger against his knuckles, “alright, I’m going to say something, and I don’t want this to ruin anything, because I value our friendship so much.”

You could practically see where this was going, he was just taking too long to get there.

“I mean we’ve been friends for so long, I wouldn’t want to do anything to cause damage to that,” unable to take the suspense any longer you do you both a favor and utter, “I like you.”

His mouth closes, quiet, while you contort your face into an embarrassed expression. It was hard to make Willy speechless but it seemed like you’ve just about done it. “I don’t just like you, I have feelings for you…” still, silence. “…romantic ones,” you add hoping that would knock him out of his apparent coma.

But it didn’t.

“Ahem,” you cough out, eyes now averted from his as you wonder if you’ve misread the whole situation. It can’t be, right?

You don't have too much time to think of it, because luckily he finds his words, “I like you too.” You finally peer back at him and he sits beside you on the bed. “I mean I have romantic feelings for you.”

A smile sneaked onto your face, but his still remains upset, “but now you’re stuck here with me, and it’s my fault.” Reaching over, you take his hand, “Willy, I’ve told you over and over again, it’s alright. Plus there’s no one I’d rather get stuck with than you.”

He let out a single laugh, “that sounds ridiculous.”

“Yeah well I happen to know of a chocolatier who loves ridiculous things, oh wait that’s you…” you say laughing at your own words, and of course your laugh causes him to laugh.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“So I guess you love me,” you meant it to be jokingly and lighthearted but you said it without thinking. You expected him to brush it off but apparently he was giving it much thought as he looked at you earnestly.

“I guess I do.”

This time, Willy didn’t hesitate. He tilted forward until his mouth met yours. It was a long awaited and lingering kiss between you two. One that left butterflies in your stomach as he smiled against your lips keeping his forehead pressed against yours.

“Oh I’m definitely going to have a hard time going to sleep now,” you joked while he laughed again, reattaching his lips to yours.

[ryuzakemo128]

Am I The Asshole?

Pairing: Poly141 x reader/ you & Johnny 'Soap' Mactavish x reader/ you & Johnny 'Soap' MacTavish x Crow

Words: 1728

CW: Angst, relationship ending, two year relationship, Cheating, affair, (female reader), emotional cheating (johnny with crow after discovering yours), Johnny runs away from home, swearing, Johnny's ex-girlfriend appears.

Credit for Dividers: @cafekitsune + @strangergraphics

Note: Crow in this is the oc form of the reader insert version.

Note 2: Link to the snippet version here.

Tags: @persephone-kore-law

Summary: If looks could kill, Price sworn he would be dead already. And Johnny wouldn’t feel any remorse over it either. Fuck with him once shame on him, fuck with him twice shame on you.

“Johnny come back! It’s not what it looks like, I promise!” you screamed for him to walk back in. But he didn’t stop. Not for you. Not for his ‘friends’ either. 

He ignored your pleas to go back because he finally knew what kind of person you are now. You were never his to begin with. He was just a placeholder so you could find something ‘better’ than him. He went back to his apartment to think about what else to do. 

His first thought was to move back to Scotland. None of those assholes deserved anything he brought to the table. Though now he just doubts he brought anything to that table at all now. 

Johnny didn’t know where he was going. But he had to go away from all of them. He didn’t want to see any of them. Ever again if he had anything to do with it. The longer he spends away from you. The better it would be.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses because at the end of the day it’s all it is. Excuses, upon excuses. I hope you’re happy with yourself.” 

Johnny didn’t know where he was going. But he had to go away from all of them. He didn’t want to see any of them. Ever again if he had anything to do with it. The longer he spent time away from you. The better it would be.

A mantra to keep himself from spinning out of control. His hands gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

You saw his tinder profile go back up. Your heart dropped to your stomach, hoping it wasn't him. Your heart begged for it not to be him. 

It was confirmed to be him when the bio read, ‘Just need a home to go back to. I want to feel loved by you and nobody else’. The same line he texted you on your second date with the guy. Your hands trembled so much, you dropped your phone in shock. 

In Johnny's defence, he didn't know you knew his friends already. “I want a transfer out of task force 141.” He told Captain Price. It wasn't a request. It was a demand. He was demanding a transfer. 

Price looked up at Johnny’s face, he could feel the anger he had for him, Simon and Kyle radiating from Johnny. He didn't know Johnny could be so pointed, so harsh, so willing to leave them for some other team. The form slammed down onto his desk, waiting for his signature so he can finally cut off all ties.

If looks could kill, Price sworn he would be dead already. And Johnny wouldn’t feel any remorse over it either. Fuck with him once shame on him, fuck with him twice shame on you.

Johnny wasn't dumb like you would have loved to call him behind his back. Demolitions, explosives, that doesn't scream dumb ass like you told everyone around you. Laughing at him behind his back like he wouldn't have caught you in the act with his team members. 

As he left their house. The one you slipped off to every night?

He punched John Price over and over until he had to be dragged off. Which didn't stop him from punching Simon, the guy who pulled him off. Who knew such a short guy could hold so much anger? 

Who knew someone like him can hold onto so much spite inside his soul? 

Do you really know who you dated, or did you pretend to care to get what you want from him?

So you can ‘replace’ him with someone else?

Do you really understand what kind of mess you made? Or do you enjoy ruining his sanity so much it borderlines upon sadism?

Whichever it is. Johnny had enough of it. Enough of all of your lies. 

You tried talking to him the next morning. But all you get is his cold shoulder, a cold “Good morning.” and the front door slamming shut as he decided to have breakfast with an ‘old friend’ of his. 

You got suspicious. You didn’t know Johnny had friends who were his longer than any of the men inside of task force 141. 

When you saw him with his ex-girlfriend, his ‘old friend’, what did you expect would happen? Did you really think he would crawl back to you on his hands and knees like some kind of dog? No. 

He has more self-respect than that. Far more than you have ever given him. 

Now that you see him crying into the shoulder of his ex-girlfriend. Her arms wrapped firmly around him as his sobs racked through his body. 

Crow, his ex-girlfriend who he broke-up with because things weren't working out between them. They decided it was better to remain friends afterwards. He never told you because you never asked. 

And because you never asked about her. You are about to lose your boyfriend for good. 

In hindsight, you should have asked if had dated anyone prior to you. Too late now, isn't it? You got what you wanted from him, and now he's gone. You pushed him so far, he snapped. What kind of person does that to someone who wants to be with you? 

Perhaps he didn't see it at first. Perhaps he only thought you were fussy about what kind of treatment you preferred to get from him. 

So you listened in to their conversation, you couldn't help yourself, Part of you wanted to know. Wanted to know more of this mystery woman he used to date, long before you came along.

“Sometimes you don't really know a person as much as you think.” She mused, her voice, rich and deep. Not quite deep as Simon's. But deep enough to feel like it scratched something deep in the back of your skull. 

“I wish she would have just broken up with me. I don't know if I can go back there. I don't think I want to see her.” Johnny's breath hitches, swallowing down another sob building up again. 

“Yeah. I get it. My last boyfriend did the same. Bunch of absolute bullshit.” she agreed. 

“Wait. The fucker cheated on you?!” Johnny was now outraged.

“Yeah. Coincidence? Probably. But he’s out of here and I don’t care.” she mused. “Do you want to come over with your stuff? Maybe we can get you back to Scotland if you decide to move back there.”

“Yeah. I’ll get my stuff together and call you when I’m ready for you to come over.” Johnny settled. Settled for his ex because facing you felt too much like groundhog day. 

All these rules you forced him to follow. While you were gallivanting off with his friends. He felt like he lost two years of his life. 

And he didn’t know who to blame. Him or you. Someone was at fault. But he didn’t know who. 

He felt like the rest of his team would choose your side. They couldn’t be trusted now. 

He didn't want to touch you, you would brush your hand against his, or his thigh, and he would flinch at your touch, pulling away from you completely. 

He would hurry off to the bathroom and call his ex-girlfriend again. 

“She's touching me more now. But I don't like it anymore. I mean, I used to. But now I don't. What the hell am I supposed to do?” 

“Break up with her.”

You swallowed hard when you heard her answer. Short. Straight to point. It didn't leave room to budge or for doubt to creep in. 

“I can't break up with her with no place to stay afterwards. Everything is in her name. I forgot how much control I gave her. I don't think I'll be able to get out of this break up alive, let alone sane.” Johnny groaned, thinking about the next steps he wanted to take. 

“That’s it. I’m coming over to get you.” she said. “Get your shit ready at the front door, and we’ll leave once she sneaks off again.”

Crow pulled up in her Ford F-450 Super Duty, something Johnny felt rather intimidating because she could easily run someone over with that beast. That was the kind of woman she was. Tough as nails,, ready for anything and everything. She was the kind of person who would stand by your side no matter how weird things got.

Johnny was also intimated by it because of how it looked. It wasn't just that it was a big truck. It was the way she drove it. Like she owned the fucking road. Her head held high, her eyes sharp, and her mouth set in a firm line.

But right now it was a comforting sight. He knew he shouldn't feel guilty about his choice. But what else could he do? All his anger is dried up, and now he's just exhausted.

Crow put classical music on as they pulled out of the drive way to head to her home in Coventry. In the state where she used to live with him. The place where he could just exist without having to pretend to be someone else. Someone you liked to see more of because it meant you paid some form of attention to him.

Running away from his problems like his mother said he would. What else could he do? What more could he give? 

He didn’t know what to do. So he turned to his ex-girlfriend like a drowning sailor yelling for help in the open seas. Where were you? Possibly in one of their beds. He didn’t care to know more than that. 

He reactivated his tinder profile and put his notifications on ‘DO Not Disturb’. Likewise, he didn’t want to hear anything from them or you. 

When you came back into your apartment, all of his things were gone, and he was nowhere to be found. You looked all over the apartment. You couldn’t find him. It was like he removed every single part of himself from your life. Just like you wanted, right?

You’re finally getting what you want from him. 

But why do you feel so empty?

Could it be the guilt finally filling your soul until there isn’t much left?

Should you chase after him, or should you let him go?

What should you do?

Credit for the dividers: @cafekitsune + @strangergraphics

[dirksawesomesprites]

can ii request panel 1728 of vast error w laiivan and nepeta,, , ii thiink theyd be really cute furrends :33

probably my favourite panel edit so far

[scotianostra]

On August 29th1930 the population of St Kilda were evacuated from the island.

There is a common misconception that they were forced to leave their homes but after struggling to make ends meet and a dwindling population making matters worse they asked to be evacuated, the population fell from 73 in 1920 to 37 in 1928, the loss of four men to influenza in 1926 hit the islanders hard. Another fact that many don't know is that St Kilda is actually the name of the archipelago, the main island of Hirta is where they loved but there are three more islands, Dùn, Soay and Boreray.

Dùn is nearly a mile long. Its name simply means "fort" in Scottish Gaelic but the fort itself has been lost - old maps show it on Gob an Dùin, which is at the seaward end. The small island is home to the largest colony of fulmars in Britain. Dùn was at one point joined to Hirta by a natural arch, a romantic tale says it was struck by a galleon fleeing the defeat of the Spanish Armada but the general consensus is it was simply swept away by one of the many fierce storms which batter the islands every winter.

Soay is the westernmost point of land in Scotland, and also the westernmost point in the British Isles, excluding Rockall. The name is from Old Norse Seyðoy, meaning "Island of Sheep". It is unlikely that this island ever had permanent habitation. Men from Hirta would stay for a few days while gathering wool. There are two sea stacks, Stac Biorach and Stac Shoaigh between Hirta and Soay.

Boreray has the Cleitean MacPhàidein, a "cleit village" of three small bothies used on a regular basis during fowling expeditions from Hirta. Boreray is recognisable for the stacks Stac an Armin, Stac Lee that are close to it, a remarkable story about Stac an Armin, on the far left in picture two is that three men and eight boys from Hirta were marooned here from about 15 August 1727 until 13 May 1728. As luck would have it, Hirta suffered a smallpox outbreak while the eleven were on the stack, and thus the islanders were unable to man a boat and retrieve them until the next year.

Hirta is the largest island at just over 2 miles long, it was populated from prehistoric times until this day in 1930 when the 36 inhabitants were removed to Morvern on the Scottish mainland at their own request. I will leave you with this description of the day.....

"The morning of the evacuation promised a perfect day. The sun rose out of a calm and sparkling sea and warmed the impassive cliffs of Oiseval. The sky was hopelessly blue and the sight of Hirta, green and pleasant as the island of so many careless dreams, made parting all the more difficult. Observing tradition the islanders left an open Bible and a small pile of oats in each house, locked all the doors and at 7 am boarded the Harebell. Although exhausted by the strain and hard work of the last few days, they were reported to have stayed cheerful throughout the operation. But as the long antler of Dun fell back onto the horizon and the familiar outline of the island grew faint, the severing of an ancient tie became a reality and the St Kildans gave way to tears."

[alyssas-chocolate-history-blog]

How Chocolate Changed Latin America

Seal of the Real Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas, Auñamendi Basque Encyclopedia

Latin America’s Colonial Era came to shape the land in multiple forms.  Through the colonial era, landscapes shifted to a more European lifestyle and slowly suppressed and eliminated Native ways of life.  Although this is a consistent pattern in European colonialism, Europeans also shaped their ways according to the available resources, including cacao.  Although it was not the main cash crop in Latin America,[1] is a clear example of how Latin America shaped its colonies due to their love and demand for chocolate.

During European colonialism, Latin America was the world’s hot spot for cacao. European demand for cacao doubled as a result of an increase in cacao consumption in the 17th century,[2] resulting in the expansion of the cacao-growing business. However, the land available for cultivation was competitive and limited. This was primarily due to the specific region where cacao could be grown. Since the adequate lands for cacao production were only twenty degrees north or south of the equator,[3] Europeans quickly tried to dominate areas on the Latin American Map that corresponded to the abundance of cacao. Countries that had high numbers of cacao consumption also engaged in competition for control over areas adequate for cacao production, especially in the Caribbean.[4] Although this competition ended with Spain’s treaties with Portugal, The Netherlands, the UK, and France,[5] the desire for cacao-adequate land proves European demand for cacao, as well as the value and potential of the cacao trade. 

Europe’s desire for cacao meant increased expansion and protection. To expand the cacao industry, the Spanish occupied uninhabited lands and expropriated lands already occupied by natives.[6] Mercantilism fueled the desire for cacao-productive land, and the desire for multiple exports and minimal imports led to the expansion of cacao production. One example of this expansion is the Venezuelan town of Caracas.  Before the creation Of the Caracas Company, Spain obtained cacao through Amsterdam or from the New World.[7] Before 1607, agricultural production in Caracas was regular yet minimal. [8] Although cacao was native to the land,[9] cacao quickly became the lead-producing crop in Caracas before 1650.[10]  Due to cacao producers engaging in contraband with the Dutch and British colonies in nearby islands.[11] Since early in the eighteenth century, the king received reports describing contraband activities with the Dutch. Cacao Trade with the Dutch was claimed to be illegal, which was the root of a massive loss of revenue for the Spanish Crown.[12]  This led King Phillip to grant a charter to the Real Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas in 1728, which suppressed illicit trade and granted monopoly rights over all aspects of the cacao industry in Venezuela.[13]  Although this was a practical move for the Spanish, this proves that Latin American colonies were shaped according to the demands of Europeans.  The Spanish demand for cacao drastically changed the economic landscape of Venezuela and made it dependent on European demand alone. 

Spain’s dominance over cacao-abundant areas influenced their production increase and how they produced it. The first system that the Spanish established was the encomienda system, a series of labor grants and tributes given to Spanish elites.[14] These tributes were requested in the form of cacao.[15] However, this quickly shifted into a hacienda system, which focused more on the quantity of land.[16] These systems initially relied on the natives in the area for labor; However, due to a decline in the native population and the high demand for labor, Latin America adopted slave labor.[17]  Although it was seen as a solution to replenish a labor force that was constantly declining,[18] it was also one of the most brutal systems ever to exist.  Unlike other forms of slavery adopted by civilizations like the Maya, European slavery included the loss of rights and forced labor.[19] Many of the deaths that occurred during the transatlantic slave trade were the result of the sea journey, also called the Middle Passage.  This passage is responsible for the deaths of an estimated 2.5 million captives.[20]  The brutality of the slave trade, as well as the vicious treatment of enslaved people on plantations, shows the desperation Europe had for cacao, to the point that they put millions of lives under the chains of slavery.

Although many historians claim that Europe came to “gentrify” Europe, many of the changes made in the Latin American landscape came from the demand for items native to Latin America.  Although cacao was only one of the factors in Latin America’s reconstruction, it is prominent enough in history to be used as a lens through which one can view the changes it underwent. The scattering of European colonies across the Americas and the establishment of economic and labor systems were all a result of European love for chocolate and chocolate consumption.  In essence, Europe’s fondness for cacao irrevocably altered the socio-economic fabric of Latin America. It caused the intertwining of the fates of continents in a complex dance of desire, exploitation, and greed that continues to echo through time.

[1] Patricia Juarez-Dappe, “Cacao in Colonial Times: Production,” YouTube, August 30, 2020, 10:13, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7JcLNm94cI.

[2] Ibid, 28:02.

[3] Patricia Juarez-Dappe, “Cacao Origins,” YouTube, August 21, 2020, 7:22, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3NoKpG2PtU.

[4] Patricia Juarez-Dappe, “Cacao in Colonial Times: Production,” YouTube, August 30, 2020, 24:16, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7JcLNm94cI.

[5] Ibid, 25:05.

[6] Ibid, 6:50.

[7] Eugenio Pinero, “The Cacao Economy of the Eighteenth-Century Province of Caracas and the Spanish Cacao Market,” The Hispanic American Historical Review 68, no. 1 (February 1988): 77, https://doi.org/10.2307/2516221.

[8] Robert J. Ferry, “Encomienda, African Slavery, and Agriculture in Seventeenth-Century Caracas,” The Hispanic American Historical Review 61, no. 4 (November 1981): 609, https://doi.org/10.2307/2514606.

[9] Ibid, 611.

[10]Ibid.

[11] Patricia Juarez-Dappe, “Cacao in Colonial Times: Production,” YouTube, August 30, 2020, 17:12, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7JcLNm94cI.

[12] Eugenio Pinero, “The Cacao Economy of the Eighteenth-Century Province of Caracas and the Spanish Cacao Market,” The Hispanic American Historical Review 68, no. 1 (February 1988): 77, https://doi.org/10.2307/2516221.

[13] Patricia Juarez-Dappe, “Cacao in Colonial Times: Production,” YouTube, August 30, 2020, 19:05, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7JcLNm94cI.

[14] Ibid, 4:06

[15]Ibid, 27:43.

[16]Ibid, 6:29.

[17] Ibid, 9:43.

[18] Ibid, 11:19.

[19] Ibid, 10:54.

[20] Ibid, 13:50.

[northemoonduringthenight]

But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the guests, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests present there, he ordered that her request be granted. He had John beheaded in the prison.

Mt. 14:6-9

Artwork: Ubaldo Gandolfi (Italian, 1728-1781) The Execution of Saint John the Baptist (ca. 1770)

[deshpandeisha]

Exploring Dendrobium Candidum: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Benefits and Uses

Increased prevalence of venous disorders, rising demand for dendrobium candicum extracts in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and new product approvals are the main drivers of market revenue growth. Some important factors influencing market revenue growth include large investments in Research & Development (R&D) efforts and growing consumer awareness of health issues. The orchid species dendrobium is very well-liked throughout Southeast Asia. The delicate and fragrant blooms of this plant, which are often white or cream in colour, are what is causing people to value it more and more. Professionals in the horticulture sector are also growing dendrobium candicum on a huge scale due to significant investments in greenhouses. Also, this plant is simple to maintain and is easily multiplied through stem cuttings or bulb division. This is a significant benefit that encourages widespread end-user acceptance.

The Global Dendrobium Candicum Market added by Emergen Research offers a comprehensive analysis of the recent advancements in the Dendrobium Candicum industry and trends driving the growth of the market. It is an investigative study covering analysis of market drivers, restraints, challenges, threats, and growth prospects in the global Dendrobium Candicum market. The global Dendrobium Candicum market report is a methodical research of the Dendrobium Candicum market done by extensive primary and secondary research. The fundamental purpose of the Dendrobium Candicum market report is to offer an accurate and strategic analysis of the Dendrobium Candicum business sphere.

Get Download Pdf Sample Copy of this Report@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/1728

Competitive Terrain:

The global Dendrobium Candicum industry is highly consolidated owing to the presence of renowned companies operating across several international and local segments of the market. These players dominate the industry in terms of their strong geographical reach and a large number of production facilities. The companies are intensely competitive against one another and excel in their individual technological capabilities, as well as product development, innovation, and product pricing strategies.

The leading market contenders listed in the report are:

Ball Horticultural Company, Flamingo Group International, Mashrita Nature Cloud, Harvest Flowers, Dummen Orange, Oserian Flowers Limited, Syngenta, Peregrine, Thompson & Morgan, Costa Farms, LLC.

Key market aspects studied in the report:

Market Scope: The report explains the scope of various commercial possibilities in the global Dendrobium Candicum market over the upcoming years. The estimated revenue build-up over the forecast years has been included in the report. The report analyzes the key market segments and sub-segments and provides deep insights into the market to assist readers with the formulation of lucrative strategies for business expansion.

Competitive Outlook: The leading companies operating in the Dendrobium Candicum market have been enumerated in this report. This section of the report lays emphasis on the geographical reach and production facilities of these companies. To get ahead of their rivals, the leading players are focusing more on offering products at competitive prices, according to our analysts.

Report Objective: The primary objective of this report is to provide the manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and buyers engaged in this sector with access to a deeper and improved understanding of the global Dendrobium Candicum market.

Emergen Research is Offering Limited Time Discount (Grab a Copy at Discounted Price Now)@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-discount/1728

Market Segmentations of the Dendrobium Candicum Market

This market is segmented based on Types, Applications, and Regions. The growth of each segment provides accurate forecasts related to production and sales by Types and Applications, in terms of volume and value for the period between 2022 and 2030. This analysis can help readers looking to expand their business by targeting emerging and niche markets. Market share data is given on both global and regional levels. Regions covered in the report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Research analysts assess the market positions of the leading competitors and provide competitive analysis for each company. For this study, this report segments the global Dendrobium Candicum market on the basis of product, application, and region:

Segments Covered in this report are:

Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2032)

Electuary

Capsule

Tablet

Others

Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2032)

Ornamental Purposes

Health Supplements

Others

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019–2032)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

France

UK

Italy

Spain

Benelux

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Rest of APAC

Latin America

Brazil

Rest of LATAM

Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

South Africa

Turkey

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + Infographics@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/dendrobium-candicum-market

Major Geographies Analyzed in the Report:

North America (U.S., Canada)

Europe (U.K., Italy, Germany, France, Rest of EU)

Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Rest of APAC)

Latin America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Rest of MEA)

ToC of the report:

Chapter 1: Market overview and scope

Chapter 2: Market outlook

Chapter 3: Impact analysis of COVID-19 pandemic

Chapter 4: Competitive Landscape

Chapter 5: Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Limitations

Chapter 6: Key manufacturers of the industry

Chapter 7: Regional analysis

Chapter 8: Market segmentation based on type applications

Chapter 9: Current and Future Trends

Request Customization as per your specific requirement@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-for-customization/1728

About Us:

Emergen Research is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target, and analyse consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries, and help clients make smarter business decisions. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across multiple industries, including Healthcare, Touch Points, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware of the latest trends existent in the market. Emergen Research has a strong base of experienced analysts from varied areas of expertise. Our industry experience and ability to develop a concrete solution to any research problems provides our clients with the ability to secure an edge over their respective competitors.

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[businessindustry]

Ballast Water Treatment Systems Market Report, By Type, News 2024-2032 | Reports and Insights

The Reports and Insights, a leading market research company, has recently releases report titled “Ballast Water Treatment Systems Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2024-2032.” The study provides a detailed analysis of the industry, including the global Ballast Water Treatment Systems Market Forecast share, size, trends, and growth. The report also includes competitor and regional analysis and highlights the latest advancements in the market.

Report Highlights:

How big is the Ballast Water Treatment Systems Market?

The ballast water treatment systems market size reached US$ 6.2 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, Reports and Insights expects the market to reach US$ 12.1 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during 2024-2032.

What are Ballast Water Treatment Systems?

Ballast Water Treatment Systems are utilized on ships to manage ballast water, which is taken on board to stabilize the vessel's balance. This water frequently contains diverse organisms that can be detrimental to marine ecosystems if discharged in a different location. The systems are designed to eliminate or neutralize these organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and invasive species, before the water is discharged back into the sea. This process aids in preventing the spread of harmful species and diseases, thereby reducing environmental and economic risks.

Request for a sample copy with detail analysis: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/sample-request/1728

What are the growth prospects and trends in the Ballast Water Treatment Systems industry?

The ballast water treatment systems market growth is driven by various factors. The market for ballast water treatment systems is growing significantly, primarily due to strict regulations aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species through ballast water discharge. These systems are crucial for ensuring ships comply with international standards, leading to increased demand for ballast water treatment solutions. Market expansion is also driven by the rise in maritime trade activities and a heightened awareness of environmental conservation. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as the emergence of more efficient and cost-effective treatment systems, are further propelling market growth. Hence, all these factors contribute to ballast water treatment systems market growth.

What is included in market segmentation?

The report has segmented the market into the following categories:

By Type:

Chemical Treatment Systems

Physical Disinfection Systems

Mechanical Systems

By Technology:

Ultraviolet (UV) Treatment

Electro-Chlorination

Advanced Oxidation

Filtration

By Capacity:

Less than 1500 m3/h

1500 m3/h - 5000 m3/h

More than 5000 m3/h

By Vessel Type:

Container Ships

Bulk Carriers

Tankers

Ro-Ro Ships

Others

By Application:

Retrofit

New-build

By End-Use:

Shipping Companies

Offshore Rigs

Military Vessel

Segmentation By Region:

North America:

United States

Canada

Asia Pacific:

China

India

Japan

Australia & New Zealand

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Rest of Asia Pacific

Europe:

Germany

The U.K.

France

Spain

Italy

Russia

Poland

BENELUX (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg)

NORDIC (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark)

Rest of Europe

Latin America:

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

Rest of Latin America

The Middle East & Africa:

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

South Africa

Egypt

Israel

Rest of MEA (Middle East & Africa)

Who are the key players operating in the industry?

The report covers the major market players including:

Alfa Laval

Wärtsilä

Evoqua Water Technologies

BIO-UV Group

Trojan Marinex

Optimarin

Panasia

Hyde Marine

De Nora Water Technologies

Xylem Inc.

View Full Report: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/report/Ballast Water Treatment Systems-market

If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

About Us:

Reports and Insights consistently mееt international benchmarks in the market research industry and maintain a kееn focus on providing only the highest quality of reports and analysis outlooks across markets, industries, domains, sectors, and verticals. We have bееn catering to varying market nееds and do not compromise on quality and research efforts in our objective to deliver only the very best to our clients globally.

Our offerings include comprehensive market intelligence in the form of research reports, production cost reports, feasibility studies, and consulting services. Our team, which includes experienced researchers and analysts from various industries, is dedicated to providing high-quality data and insights to our clientele, ranging from small and medium businesses to Fortune 1000 corporations.

Contact Us:

Reports and Insights Business Research Pvt. Ltd. 1820 Avenue M, Brooklyn, NY, 11230, United States Contact No: +1-(347)-748-1518 Email: sales@reportsandinsights.com Website: https://www.reportsandinsights.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/report-and-insights/ Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/ReportsandInsi1

[halalfoodcouncilusa]

Apply Halal Food Certification & Training | CALL NOW - 📱 (410) 548 - 1728

The applicant will submit an application requesting certification of products for Halal consideration. The approval process begins when the completed application is received by Halal Food Council USA.

[lelocksmithservices]

Things to Keep in Mind before Hiring Locksmith Services San Francisco

If you have a car door lock issue, you should select a reliable, nearby Locksmith Services San Francisco that can offer the required solutions. Selecting the apt company is essential for any lock kind of lock maintenance, repair, or emergency lockout situation. A professional Locksmith San Francisco is a security issue for your residence or place of work. Make sure they are competent, and skilled, and provide top-notch service. Of course, you want to pay the worker fairly.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of unskilled locksmiths out there that frequently deceive people. So, how can you search for a perfect locksmith? Here are a few things you must remember before hiring a Locksmith Services San Francisco.

Make a list of the locksmith services you require in San Francisco

Identifying the locksmith service you require should be your first step. When hiring Locksmith Services San Francisco, you should confirm that they can handle the necessary assistance. Typical requests include:

● The installation of mechanical or electronic locks at buildings both residential and commercial,

● changing the locks or rekeying them,

● Replacing locks, creating duplicate keys,

● replacing key fobs and electronic access cards,

● setting up, upgrading, and maintaining high-security business locks and doors

● fixing a keyless, biometric, or access control system's components,

● Answering emergency calls in the event of unintentional lockouts or damaged locks.

Seek those who can deliver the service.

Next, find a list of nearby locksmiths by performing an online search or consulting a local directory. Identify the services each supplier provides and reduce your options to a few in your area. To find out which businesses offer particular locksmith services you require, contact them or check their websites. Some Locksmith Services San Francisco only handles residential, business, or emergency calls.

If the service you need does not require isn’t immediate, we suggest finding out which locksmith companies in San Francisco can schedule someone to come at a time that works for you.

Find Out Which Locksmith Services Are Included.

Your homeowner's insurance, business insurance policy or membership in an automotive organization can pay for lock installation, repair, or lockout services. They might have a list of healthcare professionals who offer members a discount if they aren't insured.

Verify that the business you choose is protected by any insurance you may have or any memberships you may have in organizations like L.E Locksmith Services. To be eligible for full coverage, pre-authorization is occasionally required. To learn the important actions, contact your membership club or insurance provider.

Request a price estimate for the services.

Following that, you should ascertain the cost of the service. Make sure the locksmith's written quotation reflects any memberships you may have that provide coverage or savings. Ensure to verify that all applicable fees and charges are included in the quotation. Don't forget to request a written copy of the requested quotes.

To Conclude

Always go for a professional locksmith, whether it is for a Car Key Replacement San Francisco or a regular update.

L.E Locksmith Services - San Francisco CA 1728 Union st ste 102, San Francisco CA 94123 (415) 802-1774

[sheetmusiclibrarypdf]

La Marche des rois - Chant trad. provençale repris par Bizet dans L'Arlésienne (partition,sheet music)

La Marche des rois - Chant trad. provençale repris x Bizet dans L'Arlésienne (partition,sheet music) Easy Piano Solo arr.

https://youtu.be/KsDBOdWDRwQ

The March of the Kings or The March of the Three Kings or, in Provençal, La Marcho di Rèi is a popular Christmas carol of Provençal origin celebrating Epiphany and the Three Kings. Its revival by Georges Bizet for his Arlésienne popularized the theme. The precise origins of both the tune and the lyrics are uncertain and debated. The words are regularly attributed to Joseph-François Domergue (1691-1728), priest-dean of Aramon, in the Gard, from 1724 to 1728, whose name appears on the first manuscript copy dated 1742 and kept at the library of Avignon. The text is published in the Compendium of Provençal and Francois Spiritual Songs engraved by Sieur Hue published in 1759. Subsequently, the work was included in the various editions of the Provençal Christmas collection by the poet and composer of the 17th century Nicolas Saboly (1614-1675) to which it has often — and erroneously — been attributedNote. According to the 1742 document, the song uses the air of a Marche de Turenne1. This mention corresponds to the established practice of noëlistes consisting in placing their texts on “known” French songs spread by the printing press. One hypothesis is that this Marche de Turenne would be a military march dating back to the 17th century, in honor of the victories of Marshal de Turenne, which some authors wanted to attribute to Lully, although no document corroborates this attribution. An Avignon tradition rather dates the Marche de Turenne back to the 15th century, at the time of King René (1409-1480) while certain authors from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century leaned towards a reference to Raymond de Turenne (1352 -1413), known as Le Fléau de Provence, grandnephew of Pope Clement VI and nephew of Pope Gregory XI. In the 21st century, several American researchers postulate that the March of the Kings has a medieval origin dating back to the 13th century; it could then be one of the oldest Christmas carols listed with Veni redemptor gentium, and perhaps the first entirely composed in the vernacular language, and not in Latin. According to research carried out by the scholar Stéphen d'Arve at the end of the 19th century, the only known score is that of Étienne-Paul Charbonnier (1793-1872), organist at the cathedral of Aix-en-Provence , who — perhaps taking it from the chain of its predecessors — had reconstructed it from memory, modifying its orchestration as new instruments were introduced. Henri Maréchal, an inspector of the Conservatoires de France who did research at the request of Frédéric Mistral, thought, for his part, that 'La Marcha dei Rèis' must have been composed by the Abbé Domergue himself. Covers and adaptations The March of the Kings is one of the themes of the overture to L'Arlésienne (1872), incidental music composed by Georges Bizet for a drama on a Provençal subject by Alphonse Daudet. According to the musicologist Joseph Clamon, Bizet was able to find the melody of this march in a book published in 1864. After the failure of the drama, Bizet drew from incidental music a suite for orchestra (Suite no 1) which met with immediate success. In 1879, four years after the composer's death, his friend Ernest Guiraud produced a second suite (Suite no 2) in which the March of the Kings is taken up in canon in the last part of the revised work. Certain passages are also found in Edmond Audran's operetta Gillette de Narbonne, created in 188219. The words of a song 'M'sieu d'Turenne', which can be sung to the tune of the March of the Kings, are due to Léon Durocher (1862-1918). The March of the Kings has become a traditional French song and one of the most common Christmas carols in the repertoire of French-speaking choirs. It has had several covers by performers such as Tino Rossi, Les Quatre Barbus, Marie Michèle Desrosiers or, in English, Robert Merrill. The piece has been adapted many times, notably by the organist Pierre Cochereau through an improvised toccata in 1973 for the Suite à la Française on popular themes. Read the full article

[all-alone-he-turns-to-stone]

One Mistake

Billy Butcher Masterlist

Summary: Homelander got you. According to him, Butcher made one mistake, and it was to fall in love with you. He thinks you’re his weakness. But it’s actually the opposite, he makes you stronger. Jokes on Homelander, he’s the one that made a mistake by bringing you here...

Pairing: Billy Butcher x F!Reader

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 1728

Warning: Violence, sequestration, blood, mouth bleeding, fight, humiliation, fluff, soft!Butcher, you’ll feel satisfied reading this

A/n: This fic was requested and I had so much fun with it! (you’ll see why!!)

“Butcher made a mistake. One, single mistake.”

The room was cold. The open window behind you was letting the night breeze enter right on your bare skin, causing strong shivers to fill your skin with goosebumps. You knew why he made you undress down to your undergarments before tying you to the chair, and it wasn’t to freeze you to death.

Humiliation.

Homelander loved to humiliate people, make them feel like utter shit. Because his whole life was spent trying to please the public. Trying to make everyone love him. But instead, disappointment and humiliation were leaving a trail of shame behind him, wherever he went.

So of course, he wanted to humiliate you to feel superior.

“I can’t believe he didn’t learn his lesson with… Hm, what’s her name again… His whole revenge is because we fucked and I got her pregnant. Becky?”

“Becca,” you spat. The name of the person Butcher lost. That scar he dragged with him that would never heal. You had a similar scar and knew how much it hurt. All those nights dreaming about them, only to wake up with the other side of the bed empty and cold. “Her name was Becca.”

Homelander opened his mouth in an O, his brows raised as he nodded. “Right. I thought he would learn not to have another person in his life after her.”

You scoffed, not at all impressed by the hero. You stopped being scared ever since you lost your husband. Ever since you met Butcher. By his side, you felt powerful, like nothing could hurt you.

He was the first man you allowed to love since your husband.

One moment, Homelander was pacing in front of you, his cape moving fluidly behind him, a look of disappointment in his face. The next, his despicable figure was inches away from you, one of his gloved hands around your throat. “Because I love to snatch them away from him.”

The smile of a maniac stretched your lips, your eyes wide as you sent your forehead right in his face. Pain exploded in your head as it collided with his, but you ignored the throbbing, the smile still living on your lips.

Confused, Homelander stepped back, touching his face to be sure there was nothing. Then, his blue, icy eyes laid on you and he frowned. “Why did you do that?” He shook his head. “I’m invincible, you only bruised your face. Are you fucking stupid?”

“I’ll tell you something,” you spat on the floor, some blood mixed in your saliva. A grin stretched your lips as you knew what it meant. “This whole thing… When you saw me with Butcher the other day, kissing, me telling him how scared I was of you. That night you knew I would walk home alone.” You tilted your head to the side, blood now running down your chin.

“What?” Homelander asked, not so amused anymore. His gaze was resting on your chin, not understanding how headbutting him could make you bleed so much from the mouth.

You leaned towards him, your teeth red as your smile widened. “It was all planned. Do you think we were on that street at the same time as you by accident? Do you think that phone call I had, when I said I had to walk alone the next day… Loud enough for anyone nearby to hear… Do you think it was a coincidence?”

Homelander shook his head, his lid spasming in confusion. Nervosity filled his face. “It’s…”

“I wanted you to kidnap me, actually. See, that was your only mistake…” The rope that was bounding you to the chair snapped as you moved your arms. You stood up, now free of your restraints. Your eyes burned as they lit up red and lasers shot from them, hitting Homelander right in the chest. It was so violent, his body was pushed back strong enough to create a hole in the wall. You walked to where he was, still on the floor, his costume fuming where the laser hit him. Confused, he didn’t even think of getting up, he just stayed there and stared at you. “Your mistake was to think I was the poor little girl that fell in love with the wrong guy. Your mistake,” you stood above Homelander and crouched to grab him by the collar and lifted him off the ground, “was to think me headbutting you was to hurt you. See, I was made in a laboratory, just like you,” you threw him as far as your new strength allowed you, creating another hole in the wall from the impact. “I was created as a… contingency plan, if you prefer!” You shouted to be sure he heard you. 

Homelander was back on his feet and already flying towards you, his eyes red with anger. “Who the fuck are you!” He shot lasers at you, but you only used your own laser to counterattack. It hurt and you felt more blood pouring in your mouth. 

He was very strong.

Feeling you were about to fall under his attacks, your body feeling weaker by the minute, you flew towards him and kicked him hard in the groin. Homelander fell to the floor once more, holding his family jewels, his face deformed in pain.

“All I needed to do was touch you… Skin on skin… But with that stupid costume, it’s almost impsosible to have skin to skin contact with you. It was either I hit your face or let you rape me. And I didn’t feel like being disappointed by the small thing you call a dick,” you mocked, waiting for him to get up again.

“Shut the fuck up! It’s impossible!” Homelander shouted, throwing furniture at you. You avoided them without any problem. “I am unique! I can’t be copied!!”

“You’re a knock off,” You spat again on the floor. “Stan Edgar created me with your DNA, just in case you get too much to handle. But then, it turned out… I wasn’t special, so he threw me away. See, we have that in common! Except, after that I lived on my own,” you shrugged. “I got married. I was happy. And then, one day, Supes broke into my house. They were wasted, drunk and high as fuck. My husband tried to stop them and well, they started beating him up. I hit one trying to save him, that’s when it started. I copied his power,” you smiled, knowing full well Homelander didn’t care about your sad story. 

“I don’t care! I’m gonna fucking kill you either way!” He yelled, his eyes red again, ready to go for another round. You didn’t know if you could handle more of his lasers, yes, you could copy his powers, but your body wasn’t as used as him. Copying powers always left a bitter taste on your tongue, and he had the strongest super powers you ever had to copy.

He had his powers ever since he was a baby. You got them 3 minutes ago.

“I know,” you smiled as, around your wrist, your watch beeped. “But I didn’t share my story for you to pity me… It was to buy some time.”

The red in his eyes was extinct the moment he understood. It wasn’t like you didn’t tell him, after all… That whole thing was a set up. 

Only a second later, there was something covering his mouth and toxic gas filling his lungs. Homelander tried to fight, but Kimiko was holding him as best as she could. You joined her, your arms circling around his body, squeezing with all of your strength. M.M was holding the mask on his mouth while Frenchie was a bit behind, another mask in his hands in case the first one wasn’t enough.

Homelander’s scream got lost in the gas mask as it was impossible for him to get it off. His anger was so strong he almost got free a few times, but you held on, only a couple of seconds more…

“Can he fucking fall already?!”

Finally, the gas started working and his body fell limply to the floor. 

You look at the hero laying on the floor. Motionless. Vulnerable.

Fuck, you hated him so much.

“Motherfucker,” you kicked him in the stomach with all of your strength- well, his strength, for that matter. His body jolted a little bit, and you were about to hit him again when a voice stopped you.

“Luv. He can’t hurt you anymore, ye? It’s alright.”

Warmth covered your shoulders as Butcher put his coat around you. You completely forgot you were almost naked. Frenchie put his hand on his eyes the moment you met his gaze and you smiled at the gesture. What a gentleman.

Hughie arrived right after and stopped near the entrance, his head turned away to avoid looking at you. “Wow! You’re almost naked. Okay. Wow. Homelander is down. Awesome. Alright. Mallory is on her way with the cryogenic box. Since it worked with Soldier Boy, it’ll be able to keep Homelander down. At least until they find a way to better get rid of him.”

“Good… Good to know,” you muttered, suddenly feeling weak. It was done. It was over. Homelander was down, they would take care of him like they did with Soldier Boy.

God, it was done.

Relief washed over you, your legs giving out. Strong hands caught you immediately.

“Easy there… Knew taking his power would be too much for y’a,” Butcher tsked, helping you sit down on the floor. He kneeled next to you.

“Yeah… you were right,” you coughed in your hand and smiled. You knew there was blood in your palm but it didn’t matter. “But beating the shit out of him and seeing the fear in his eyes? Fuck, it was so worth it.”

“I know luv. I know.” Butcher stroked your arm softly, his face burying against your neck. “Hope you’ll never need it again.”

You smiled at the gesture of affection. Butcher usually never showed it when there were people around. Showing a softer side of him? Hell no. But he kept his head there and his arms around you, holding you softly against him.

“Awn, you two are so cute eh. I want a hug too. Petit Hughie?”

“No thanks- Oh, you’re going for a hug anyway- Oh, Kimiko too? Alright then.”

Forever taglist: @nitnat6245​ @b3autyfuldisast3r​ @eevvvaa​ @fictional-affairs​ @wickedinspirations​ @awkward-and-indecisive​ @cryptichobbit​

[agent-grey-fics]

Dancing in the refrigerator light | Lip Gallagher x reader

Pairing Lip x reader Requested by @ marvelimagines18 

Hey Lexi I was wondering if you could make this video a prompt for reader and Lip Gallagher it would make my whole week thanks babe❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLnGNVtW/

Warning: none Wordcount: 1728 AN: Thank you for your request honey, I could totally imagine this scenario happening with Lip. I did my best to write something cute but it’s a bit shorter than usual. xoxo Lexi 

It had been a stressful day at the hospital. It all started out fine, you were on a 12-hours shift while one of your close friends was the on-call doctor. You always looked forward to the shifts you could work together. But today was a total shitshow, they had brought in a kid who had seizures every couple of hours and no one seemed to be able to figure out what was going on with him. None of the typical anti-epileptic medication seemed to have an effect on the seizures Cedric, Dr. Moore, had assigned you to watch him closely and ordered you to page him every time the seizures started again, which was a lot. It broke your heart to see the little boy and his family like that. The only good news you got that day was that Dr. Moore had found a drug that controlled his seizures for now. You loved being a paediatrics nurse but a case like this broke your heart, you didn't want to think about the possible brain damage that the boy suffered. ‘Y/n, go home you’re way over your hours and you can’t do anything here.’ Cedric looked at you with compassion as he spoke. He was right. Your shift had started at 6PM the evening before and it was already 8:30. Lip was probably wondering where you were as well. ‘You are sure that I don’t need to do something else before I clock out?’ He shook his head. ‘You already did enough today, now go home to that boyfriend of yours I bet he’s waiting for you.’ A boyish grin found its way to his lips as he spoke and you rolled your eyes at him. The two of you said your goodbyes and you made your way towards the parking lot so you could drive home. It was surprisingly quiet on the road for a Saturday night in Chicago but you didn’t mind. After a day like this you were not sure if you could handle the typical road rage you normally experienced in the city.

‘Honey?’ Twenty minutes later you closed the front door of your apartment behind you and you kicked off your shoes. ‘I’m late I know I’m sorry but there was this kid that they brought in and I just could not leave him any sooner.’ Lip made his way over as he saw the expression on your face, tears welling up in your eyes. You were exhausted. ‘Hey hey, don’t worry about it. Were you able to help the kid?’ ‘In a way, it was rather complicated. The doctors weren’t able to figure out what was going on immediately so it was scary for the parents as well. I’m just glad I’m home.’ A small smile formed on his lips as he held his arms open so you could walk right in. ‘You’re doing amazing things at that hospital y/n, those kids are lucky to have you as their nurse.’ You wrapped your arms around his waist and buried your face in his shoulder. ‘It just gets to me, even after all those years that I’m on the job. It breaks my heart to see them so helpless. Let’s hope that Cedric can figure out what’s wrong with the little boy and that everything will be fine when I return on Saturday.’ Lip softly ran his hand up and down your back to calm your nerves. ‘Did you already eat something?’ You shook your head only now realizing that you were starving, you didn’t eat anything since this morning. ‘Taco Thursday, how sounds that?’ ‘Perfect. Just let me get out of my scrubs first.’ He followed you into the bathroom and you both changed into your pyjamas: grey sweatpants and a band t-shirt for him and an overside t-shirt for you.

Lip pulled you into the kitchen and made you sit on the countertop while he started making dinner. ‘Hey Alexa, put my favourite songs on shuffle.’ ‘Y/n’s favourite songs are playing now.’ Born to Die by Lana Del Rey started playing in the background. You didn’t want the virtual assistant at first, you weren’t that much of a tech nerd but damn that thing came in handy as a sound system. ‘How was your day? Was it busy at the shop?’ A small grin appeared on his lips as he started talking about his day. ‘It was quite calm today actually, me and the boys went for a drink earlier.’ You lifted your eyebrow as he said that he want for a drink. ‘Non-alcoholic drinks of course.’ He reassured you. ‘It was nice actually, Jason and Tammy are expecting by the way.’ Your jaw dropped. ‘No way? That’s nice for them, the baby fever the two of them had was crazy. Glad that it worked out for them.’ The guys from the shop became close friends over time and they became your regular hangout crew. ‘Yeah, you should have seen Jasons’ face as he told us. He was so proud, it was really cute to see him so happy actually.’ Lip had already cut up some bell peppers and onions as he started baking some veggie minced meat. You were grateful that he was cooking because if you were alone you would have ordered takeout or simply not eaten. 

The two of you were at a steady moment in your life actually. You and Lip went all the way back to when he still lived with his siblings on North Wallace. It was an on again off again kind of relationship but in the end, the two of you always found your way back to each other knowing that you had a special connection. He was turning thirty while you just turned twenty-eight and life was great. You both had steady jobs, bought an apartment together and had an amazing friend group. You both loved kids but just for as long as they weren’t yours and you were glad that you were on the same page on that topic. You would give your life for the kids at the hospital but you could leave them and go to your peaceful home. Just perfect. ‘I bet that they will be great parents, we can be the cool aunt and uncle you laughed.’ Lip looked at you with a mischievous look in his eyes. ‘Oh boy, we can cover for them if they sneak around after their curfew and pick them up after parties their parents don’t know about.’ You started laughing. ‘You will have to wait another sixteen years for that mate, we can babysit and buy them cute gifts in the meantime.’ Lip pushed a filled taco shell in your hands. ‘Here, taco’s Gallagher style.’ That just meant that there was nothing more than the veggie minced meat, peppers and onions in the taco but you learned to appreciate it over the years. ‘My favourite style.’ You said before you took a bite of the hot mixture. ‘Thanks, didn’t realize how hungry I was.’ 

The two of you ate in silence, you sitting on the counter while Lip stood next to you. This moment was more than welcome after your busy day. Your peaceful moment got interrupted by Love Is Strange, the song from dirty dancing. It was one of your favourite movies of all time, their love story reminded you of your own relationship. A bad boy meets an innocent girl and they fall in love. Lip bumped against your shoulder while he had a boyish grin on his face and started to hum along with the music. He pretended to play the guitar with his hands in the air and it made you laugh. ‘Oh God, what are you doing?’ It was when the famous part started that he placed his plate down and stood in front of you ‘Sylvia?’ You didn’t answer and just shook your head while laughing as placed your plate on the countertop next to you. ‘How do you call your loverboy?’ He looked at you with a mischievous grind waiting for you to join in while he kept playing the air guitar. ‘Come here lover boy.’ You tried to say in your most serious voice but you failed because Lip made you laugh when he did some air guitar solo. ‘And if he doesn’t answer?’ ‘Oh lover boy?’ You crawled from the countertop and started swaying to the beat of the music. ‘And if he still doesn’t answer?’ ‘Oh I simply say, baby. Oh baby.’ Lip placed his hands on your hips so he could pull you against his body so the two of you could dance to the beat. ‘My sweet baby.’ You softly traced your hands over his chest as you sang the words with a big smile on your face. ‘You’re the one.’ The two of you burst out laughing whiles you were swaying in each other's arms. The two of you pretended to play the guitar pieces on air guitars. ‘Baby, oh baby. My sweet baby.’ He placed a quick kiss on your lips, both having big grins on your face as he did. ‘You’re the one.’  

The song ended and the two of you were standing in the middle of your kitchen with your arms around each other with big smiles on your faces. “O Children” from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds started  to fill the room before any of you said a word and Lip pulled you in closer and softly started swaying the both of you to the rhythm of the song. ‘Forgive us now for what we've done, It started out as a bit of fun.’ Lip murmured the words against your hair as the two of you were dancing. It was a sad song but you loved the way it was composed, it made you feel things even if you didn’t understand what the singer had written it about. ‘Thank you, I needed this.’ It was only a soft mumble but loud enough so he could hear you. ‘I love you y/n.’ A small smile spread across your lips as he looked down at you. You reached up so you could gently press your lips against his. ‘I love you Lip.’ You buried your head against his shoulder and sniffed his familiar scent. This was what home felt like. 

[rockthingsbymeg]

Cupcake

Pairing: Slash | Saul Hudson x Fem!Reader

Summary: Small, domestic moment with Slash

Info/TW:  Based on Slash's birthday post for Meegan where he calls her cupcake; Fluff and brief smut [fingering and handjob]; 1728 words

AN: I have requests to get to, and longer stories I still want to work on, but I couldn't help myself from writing this silly one-shot. Opportunity was too good to pass up. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Y/N fiddled with her home keys outside the door to her dingy apartment, the weight of the day pulling down her eyelids and slowing down even the most common tasks. Her shoulders were stiff and she reeked of booze and sweat from the bar she worked at all day, and all she wanted was to get inside, take a shower and let the water wash away her soreness.

Truth to be told, what she really wanted was her boyfriend to cuddle with her on a couch with a movie in the background, but she knew it was very unlikely he was home. He tended to be out with his band, partying, and whenever she could she would join, but tonight was definitely not one of those times.

As the door finally unlocked and allowed her in, Y/N sighed in relief as she stepped inside, muffling out the slightest bit of the busy L.A. traffic.

When she closed the door behind herself, however, Y/N stopped in her tracks, the sight of an unopened pizza box on her counter waiting for her, and the sound of her speakers, although as low as it possibly could, playing an old Aerosmith record.

A smile instantly overtook her tired face as she quickly hung her coat in the small rack, took off her sneakers, and made her way to her bedroom, gently pushing the ajar door fully open and stepping in.

"I thought you'd be out with the guys." She said with a wide smile clear in her voice, kneeling on the bed and crawling all the way up to her boyfriend's lap, who had a magazine serving as a base for a paper he was drawing on.

Slash was quick to drop the sketch aside to warmly welcome his girlfriend, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a quick kiss at the base of her neck, before switching to a longer, passionate one on her lips.

He pulled away after a bit, smiling back at her as he stroked her lower back with open palms. "Didn't feel like going out. I wanted to be with you."

Y/N's heart swelled and melted all at once inside her chest at his words and soft tone, reaching her hands to the base of his scalp and carding them through his hair, letting her nails scrape him gently as she leaned in for another kiss.

"Come shower with me? I wanna get the smell of sweat and booze off of me." She offered, leaning back as she broke the kiss and stared into Slash's dark eyes.

Slash nodded rather than answering with words, and wrapped his arms tight around her waist, sliding to the edge of the bed and lifting her up with him. Y/N was quick to help and wrapped her legs around his waist, her fingers still gently scraping and rubbing his scalp.

Slash was quick and careful to get her to the small bathroom they shared, setting her down on the sink counter and turning away to get the water warming up.

Y/N managed to take off her shirt before Slash's arms were around her again and he was kissing her, hands now further up on her back, doing a quick work of her bra and dropping it to the floor.

He pulled her to the edge of the sink, keeping their bodies as close as he could, loving the way her skin felt against his just as much as she did. Slash let his mouth leave hers and travel down her neck, settling for the sensitive spot at the crook of her neck, kissing and gently sucking on it.

Y/N allowed herself to relax and lean her head back, although her hands stayed busy as they undid the laces on Slash's leather pants, pulling them down as the knots loosened, and letting her hands stroke the unusually soft skin of his hips.

As steam began clouding the bathroom around them, Y/N slid herself off the counter, feeling Slash's hands immediately take the lead and undo her jeans. He kneeled down as he pulled them off, kissing his way down her body, dark eyes glistening from under his wild curls.

Her underwear followed suit, and despite what Y/N originally thought, Slash didn't hold her back any longer, guiding her under the shower's hot stream of water, following closely after his own pants were off.

He pulled the curtain behind himself as Y/N reached for the shampoo, dropping some on her hands and taking them to her head.

She felt Slash lean over her and reach for the soap bar, lathering up his hands before he began rubbing them across her body, gently massaging her muscles and helping her relax more quickly.

She didn't pay it much mind at first, as it was not the first time they did this, but when she felt Slash's hand come to a stop on the sensitive bundle of nerves between her legs, she couldn't help the smirk on her lips, feeling his hot breath mingling with hers in what she knew was a smirk as well.

"You really were keeping things too innocent." Y/N teased, not resisting the urge to gently rub her hips back and forth, making his finger drag through her folds.

Slash placed his free hand on her hip, rubbing his thumb in circles. "I don't know what you're talking about." He teased back, dropping a kiss to her lips and playfully nibbling her lower lip.

"Sure you don't." Y/N said as she let the water meet her hair again, washing away the shampoo as Slash's hand continued working.

She opened her eyes as the water ran down her hair, looking into Slash's. He eyed her hungrily, yet lovingly, and she could never get enough of that look, one he gave her so often when they were together.

His fingers were relentless but didn't lose the softness which they had touched her with so far. He was rubbing long, slow circles on her clit, feeling her arousal slowly mixing with the water running down their bodies.

Y/N eventually let her eyes slip closed again, letting her head tilt back and losing herself in the rough, calloused fingers pleasuring her. She brought her arms up and around his neck, bringing their bodies closer and giving herself more stability, leaning her weight on Slash's body and feeling his pace pick up.

His name slipped past her lips, drawn out and heavy with pleasure as it reached his ears, and Slash used the moment her body went compliant under his touch to push her up against the shower wall, capturing her mouth to swallow the gasp from the cold wall meeting her back.

She offered no resistance as he touched and moved her as he pleased, simply letting herself savor his touch. Her own hand came into play as well, moving down to wrap around his hardened dick and slowly stroking it up and down, her grip just tight enough the way he liked it.

As Slash pulled away from the kiss and was about to pull her back on his arms so he could keep her pressed against the shower wall, a loud grumble resonated in the bathroom, straight from her belly.

Y/N's head tilted down to stare at her own stomach in surprise and betrayal, while Slash couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "How about we carry this out after dinner? Got you your favorite pizza and it might still be a bit warm."

Despite how amazing Slash's hands on her were feeling, Y/N couldn't deny how good pizza sounded. Especially not with her stomach growling like that.

"I think that may be a good call." She chuckled as well, giving him one last kiss.

Y/N moved back under the water stream and made sure all soap was out of her body, while Slash quickly washed as well and did the same.

Y/N grabbed herself a towel and wrapped it around her body, stepping out of the shower and doing quick work of drying off. She wrapped another towel around her hair, a smaller one, and sat on the counter as Slash turned off the water and dried himself off as well.

Once he was finished, Y/N put her hand on his and led him to the kitchen, where they took the pizza box before moving to the living room.

Slash turned on MTV as they prepared to eat, Y/N already grabbing a slice and laying back, while he did the same and laid with his back to her, head resting on her chest, so he could easily peer up at her.

Y/N groaned at the first bite, her stomach once again rumbling. "This shit's so good..."

Slash chuckled at her visible delight and began eating his own slice, his left hand resting on her thigh, sliding through the skin that the towel failed to hide.

Y/N's free hand rested on his wild curls, nails scratching the top of his head softly as they relaxed together.

They ate the rest of the pizza in silence, entertained by the cuddles and whatever MTV was playing.

As Y/N finished the last slice, she gently prompted Slash to turn to her, offering him a soft peck on the lips. "Thanks for this, baby."

Slash smiled warmly down at her, his hands still caressing her legs gently. "You're welcome, cupcake."

The nickname took Y/N by surprise, and she couldn't help the chuckle that slipped off her lips. "Cupcake?"

Slash's face took less than a second to start turning red, his eyes turning away from hers and one of his hands moving to the hem of her towel, fidgeting with a loose string. "Well- it's just-"

Y/N gently shushed him off with a kiss, not wanting him to feel bad for the nickname. "I like it, baby, don't worry." She assured him with a soft stroke to the cheek. "Just took me by surprise, it's all."

Slash leaned up to hide his face on the crook of her neck, his cheeks still warm with embarrassment, but calmer and no longer doubting his words. "I'm glad..." Was all he said before his lips met her skin, tender but once again hungry, inhaling the smell of her freshly showered skin.

Y/N leaned her head back, relaxing in her safe heaven, thanking her lucky stars once more for putting Slash in her life.

————————————————–

Thank you so much for reading. Likes, reblogs, comments and any kind of way you show me you liked this are endlessly appreciated💛

Requests remained closed. <3

I don’t remember who wanted to be in my taglist, but if you were/want to be, lemme know💛

[otomes-and-tears]

Hi!!! I hope you're doing well!!! If it's alright with you, do you mind writing a one shot with Nevra's reaction where it turns out that Guardienne had been pregnant with his kid the whole time they were in the crystal? Like either she just found out and went to tell him because she felt it was only right, or he finds out by overhearing her talking to Ewe about being too scared to tell Nev? I saw a post a long while back where someone was like "could you imagine if Erika had been pregnant with Nevra, Ezarel, or Valkyon's kid while they were in the crystal" and my heart just broke 😔. Especially since Nevra and Erika have this whole "I literally feel like I took a nap, wdym u moved on" vs "i slept around to try and move on for the past 7 years but you're alive and now I'm in emotional shambles (but I love you still)" issue 😭

♦ an unsung melody (is mine for safekeeping) ♦

► tags/warnings: pregnancy, past character death.

► words: 1728

► a/n: Anon, I want you to know that the second I got this request, I screenshotted it and sent it to my friends because I was so excited to write about it.

We ended up brainstorming together, so this was particularly fun to write. I’m SO GLAD someone asked me to write smth about it. I just… Have THOUGHTS about this and the concept is so interesting to me I just… I needed to write it.

Before we get started, I do have a couple of disclaimers here:

First, while I did some research about pregnancy I have never been pregnant nor am I a doctor. Keep in mind that this is fanfiction and we’re talking about a half-aengel half-human hybrid who got stuck inside a magical crystal for seven years and didn’t age a day except for her hair getting longer and her vampire partner who kind of looks like Zuko.

So, if you’re looking for realistic representations of anything pregnancy then… You’re in the wrong place, buddy.

Second, This story takes place after the events of chapter 6 of A new era. Episodes 7 and 8 aren't canon in this universe.

And thirdly, this is going to be a multi-parter!

That's all the warnings i have to give out, i believe. I hope you enjoy it!

► Masterlist

I.

Erika’s life has been a mess lately.

That might as well be an understatement of the century. Between fighting murderous dragons to being trapped in a Crystal for seven years, there is a point in time where she started getting desensitized to all the weird things that happened in her life.

She could read familiar’s thoughts? That’s fine.

She was connected to Leiftan and was able to feel his emotions? Weirder things have happened.

The barrier between Earth and Eldarya was disappearing and the two worlds were quickly becoming one? This one was admittedly hard to swallow, but she didn’t find herself too surprised at the notion.

But then again, even with all the chaos, drama and strangeness that she seemed to attract, none of it prepared her for that moment:

‘‘You’re pregnant.’’

Ewelein said, bluntly. Erika was taken aback for a second, trying to process the words that came out of the nurse’s mouth and what it would mean to her.

She felt a weird sort of detachment from the announcement. It’s not like it was something she suspected, nor it was something she even thought possible at all. When she came to the infirmary after the Genkaku mission, all she expected from her obligatory check-up was a remark about how she didn’t come back hurt for once and to be congratulated by the return of her powers. Maybe be chided for not having enough iron in her system. But pregnancy? That was the last thing she ever expected to hear.

‘‘Excuse me, what?’’ Erika stared back at the nurse, eyes widening in horror. ‘‘How is that even possible? I know it’s annoying to mention it at this point, but you are aware that I was in a coma for seven years, right? I’ve only been awake for… What? Two months at this point? I’m not even used to having a body again. I haven’t been sleeping around much.’’

‘‘That’s why I asked for another blood sample. I thought it might’ve been an error, but all results came out positive. You are pregnant.’’

Ewelein held out the exams and mechanically explained how the exam worked. Erika wasn’t able to properly focus on her words, but she had the faint impression that Ewelein was doing it more for herself than for Erika’s sake, anyway.

‘‘There’s no way around it. Haven’t you been feeling symptoms? anything at all?’’

Erika thought about it well.

She hadn’t had her period since she woke up, but like a lot of other weird things she had been feeling lately, Erika chalked it up to being trapped inside of the Crystal for so long.

She didn’t have any use for her legs inside of the crystal, so she had to get used to walking again. She didn’t have to eat, so it took a while before she got used to the feeling of hunger and the sensation of eating.

Her body was in stasis, so when she regained function and started, you know, living again she figured that it would take some time before her reproductive organs started working like normal again. They were not a priority, after all, not when she was under the assumption that she wasn’t carrying a child.

The nausea she started feeling recently? She rationalised it as being the result of seasickness and grief.

After the initial shock and denial at Edgard’s sudden and brutal death, Erika felt as if she had experienced the whole spectre of human emotions in the span of a single, painfully long day.

By the end of the boat journey, she was exhausted. Both physically, due to the strain that the overuse of her powers caused and psychological, due to the emotional rollercoaster she was put through.

A little nausea was to be expected, right?

It only now hit her that she went through quite a couple of fights while carrying a child, was hit and overused her powers. The fact that they were still alive astounded her.

‘‘You haven’t answered my question.’’

‘‘So, when two people like each other very much, they—’’

‘‘I know where babies come from, clearly. I just mean, how is that possible when the last time I’ve been with someone was so long ago?’’

‘‘We did discuss what might’ve happened to your body when you were trapped, didn’t we? I think that your pregnancy confirms that your body was in a state of stasis during the whole time you were there. The second you got out, all the normal functions went back to what they used to be the second you made the sacrifice… But… that’s just a hypothesis. We can’t really erase the possibility of this being--’’

‘‘The Crystal?’’

The thought horrified her.

If having to deal with this being thrown in her face wasn’t bad enough, there was the possibility of it not being the result of a passionate goodbye between lovers, but the result of the Crystal meddling with her life, again.

It seemed strange, even for her already unbelievable circumstances, but considering everything that she went through, she couldn’t exactly discard that theory.

Ewelein, who was bound by duty and still kept herself professional despite the absurdity of the situation, ran through all the options that Erika had at her disposal at the moment.

She was kind and gentle when explaining to Erika what to expect from her pregnancy, and held her hand during the entire explanation, as a way to show comfort. She offered to bring to her a book on the subject, and deliver it to her bedroom discreetly, which was promptly accepted, and assured her that she wouldn’t tell anyone, not even Huang Hua until Erika had calmed down and made her decision.

As a friend, she suggested that it might be a good idea for Erika to contact the father (and even offered to do it on her behalf if necessary) which was declined.

As much as Erika was dreading the conversation that they would have, she knew that she needed to tell Nevra herself.

But how could she even begin to explain what happened to him when only recently he started warming up to her again?

Nevra would never be cruel enough to completely abandon them, and Erika just knew that he would be doting and kind to their child, as he was with all those within his care. But, at the same time, she was afraid of being faced with rejection. It’s not like she could demand a relationship after so long, and forcing it on him using their child as an excuse just seemed downright evil.

She couldn’t sacrifice his freedom like this.

That’s why, in a moment of pure desperation, Erika chose to ignore her plight and avoid him as much as she possibly could.

It tore her up inside, but what else was she supposed to do?

Yeah, she could sense all the disappointed looks that Ewelein shot her, but true to her word, she didn’t say a word. Not when she delivered the book to Erika’s room that night, not a week later when Erika visited the infirmary after being accidentally cut by Mathieu’s sword during fighting lessons and not two weeks later when they went to the beach on Ewelein’s day off.

She diligently scheduled Erika’s next visit, and Erika knew that she couldn’t exactly pretend like nothing was happening anymore.

‘‘At least you have been eating well.’’

Ewelein read through her exam results. Nodding in approval. While she hadn’t said anything directly, she had sent Karuto a detailed list of foods that Erika should consume and avoid, and increased her portions. Eating has been difficult since she woke up, as she couldn’t even stomach certain foods without feeling sick, but it got easier after they were able to narrow down her menu to things that she could tolerate.

The downside is that now Erika was sure that Karuto knew, or at least suspected that something was up. He never said anything, though, which Erika was incredibly grateful for.

‘‘But you know that stress isn’t good for you, right? I mean, in general.’’

‘‘Ewelein, sweetheart, when have I not been stressed?’’

She smiled, though the attempt at a joke wasn’t well-received.

‘‘I’m serious. If you intend on keeping this baby you need to start taking care of yourself. That means sleeping normal hours, eating well, not getting in danger and not getting stressed out.’’

As much as she wanted to argue, she knew perfectly well that Ewelein was right and that she was trying to look out for her, and that’s exactly why it was so frustrating.

It was easy to ask Erika to sleep normal hours or to not be stressed, but every single time Erika closed her eyes she found herself thinking about how Edgard’s throat had been slit. About his blood tinting the snow red.

She found herself wondering if that could be her, in the near future.

Would she be lucky enough to come back, if she were to die again? If she did, would her baby come back too?

She found herself longing for Nevra and his comforting words, then remembering how quick he was to act coldly towards her when she awoke.

He was being nice now, but would he revert back to his coldness once she told him about their child? Would he hate her? Would he send her away? Would he call her a liar? Would he—

She was hyperventilating.

She felt someone gently, but firmly, hold her hand and lead them away from her hair. She noticed, distantly, pain on her scalp.

She must’ve been pulling on it again.

Ewelein told her to take deep breaths, so she did until she calmed herself enough to fully get back to the present time.

She had been spacing out a lot more than she used to, but it probably wasn’t another pregnancy symptom.

Erika stayed in the infirmary for way longer than she expected to once she left for her check-up. Ewelein apologises for pushing her and gives advice, but Erika couldn’t for the life of her remember what it was.

The only thing in her mind was the sudden, concrete realisation that there would be no escaping from her fate:

She would have to tell him, no matter how much it terrified her.

If not for herself, for the sake of her child.