#requests temporarily paused for this challenge

[bananabeebenson]

Kinktober 2023

I will be posting my upcoming 2023 Kinktober list. I will be posting them to AO3 and will be linking them. I already have the list planned out, so I won't take requests for them at this moment, but after the challenge my requests will be full force ready.

I hope you all enjoy, I'm looking forward to posting these and writing about these. They will be unedited, posted as I wrote them so I can crank them all out, and because I have to prep for NaNoWrimo.

1 King - Pegging 2 Bellamy - Titfuck 3 Akainu - Hate Sex 4 Obito - Teratophilia 5 Tobirama - Sweat 6 Diavolo - Chastity 7 Solas - Waxplay 8 Erwin - Breeding 9 Fatgum - Lactation 10 Levi - Fucking Machine 11 Lucifer - Petplay 12 Loid - Somnophilia 13 Cu Alter - Menophilia 14 Doflamingo - Cloning 15 & 16 Tobirama/Madara - Temp Play and Double Pen One Hole 17 & 18 Levi/Erwin - Threesome and Spanking 19 & 20 Kylo Ren- Uniform and Mind Control 21 & 22 Giovanni - Panties/Lingerie and Bondage 23 & 24 X Drake - Collaring and Sex Toys 25 & 26 Hux - Pregnancy and Masturbation 27 & 28 Katakuri - Double Pen Two Holes and Cock Bulge 29 & 30 Miguel - Breathplay and Overstim

31: Surprise Free Day

[fr0stf4ll]

Forge of Starlight - Part 3

paring; Azriel x reader

summary; In the heart of Velaris, a skilled blacksmith's quiet life is turned upside down when unexpected bonds begin to form with the enigmatic Spymaster of the Night Court. As she navigates the challenges of her craft and the complexities of newfound relationships, she discovers that love and loyalty may be the strongest forces of all in a world where darkness often lingers just beyond the light.

word count ; 4.6k

warning; blood, vomit °°3

notes; hello hello everyone, here is the part 3 a bit earlier this time ! Please take into account the warnings it's nothing to big but I rather mention them before. Otherwise don't hesitate to comment (I'm down to see if you guys have some theories for the next parts :)) ) or ask to be on the tag list ;)) See you soon, bisous bisoussss

here is the link for part 2 or part 4

---

The morning sun had barely risen over Velaris when you began preparing for your trip to the Winter Court. The crisp air carried a hint of frost, a promise of the cold that awaited you in Kallias’s domain. Your latest commission was an intricate and challenging one—a weapon requested personally by the High Lord of the Winter Court. The order was for a ceremonial glaive, crafted with a blade of shimmering, icy blue steel that seemed to capture the essence of winter itself. The hilt was designed to resemble the ancient trees of the Court, with delicate, frost-like etchings that trailed along its length, meeting a pommel embedded with a crystal that glittered like freshly fallen snow.

You admired the weapon one last time as you packed it carefully in a protective case. The glaive was a masterpiece, a blend of artistry and power that you were proud to deliver personally. But as you were finalizing your preparations, Alex approached you, his expression a mix of determination and concern.

“Nana, I think I should stay in Velaris,” Alex began, his tone firm despite the lingering traces of the boyish enthusiasm he usually carried. “The shop needs someone here, and I can handle things while you’re gone.”

You paused, turning to face him fully. “Alex, it’s not just about the shop. Leaving you on your own in Velaris for a week, it’s not safe.”

Alex crossed his arms, his brows furrowed in a way that reminded you of your younger self. “But Nana, you’re the one who taught me how to take care of myself. And besides, business is going great! We can't afford to close the shop for a week, maybe even longer. I can just tell customers that we’re temporarily closed for new orders, but that we are still selling regular weapons.”

You sighed, considering his words. “It’s not just about the money, Alex. It’s about making sure everything stays secure. The shop, our work, you—it’s all important.”

Alex stepped closer, his eyes pleading. “And that’s exactly why I should stay. I know how much this place means to you, to us. I’ll make sure nothing happens, I promise. Stellan can stay with me for protection, and you know he’s more than capable of keeping any trouble away.”

You glanced at Stellan, who was lounging nearby, his dark eyes watching the conversation with quiet understanding. The direwolf had been your protector for years, and you knew that with him by Alex’s side, there was little to fear.

“But Alex, you’re still young. I can’t help but worry,” you said softly, your concern evident in your voice.

Alex’s expression softened, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I know, Nana. But you’ve trained me well. I can handle the shop, and Stellan will keep me safe. Besides, I’ll just be here in Velaris—it’s not like I’m going anywhere dangerous. You’ll be back before I know it, and everything will be just fine.”

You hesitated, the protective instinct within you clashing with the knowledge that Alex was more capable than you sometimes gave him credit for. The truth was, he was right. Business was good enough that closing the orders for a week wouldn’t be a disaster, and with Stellan at his side, the risks were minimal.

Finally, you sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement. “Alright, Alex. You can stay, but promise me you’ll be careful. No taking on new orders, just handle any clients who come by and tell them we’re temporarily closed for them. And if anything happens—anything at all—you send word to me immediately.”

A grin spread across Alex’s face, a mix of relief and excitement. “I promise, Nana. I won’t let you down.”

You smiled, ruffling his hair affectionately. “I know you won’t, Alex. Just remember, Stellan’s there to protect you, but don’t take any unnecessary risks. I’ll be back before you know it.”

As you finalized your preparations, you brought Stellan downstairs, where he immediately positioned himself near Alex, his massive frame a comforting presence. “Keep an eye on him, Stellan,” you said softly, rubbing the direwolf’s head. Stellan’s eyes met yours, and you felt reassured by the silent understanding between you.

With everything settled, you turned to Alex once more. “I’ll leave early tomorrow. You know where the emergency contacts are, and if anything comes up, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Alex nodded, his expression serious now that the plan was set. “I’ve got it covered, Nana. Just focus on your trip and getting that amazing glaive to Kallias.”

You smiled, feeling a mixture of pride and a hint of anxiety as you realized how much Alex had grown. “Thank you, Alex. I’ll bring you back something from the Winter Court.”

Night had fallen over Velaris, and the familiar routine of winding down the day had set in. You were seated in your bed, sketchbook open on your lap as you meticulously worked on the designs for your next project. The soft light of the moon filtered through the curtains, mingling with the warm glow of the candles, creating a peaceful ambiance. Alex was fast asleep beside you, his breathing slow and even, the day’s events having worn him out.

Stellan, ever vigilant, lay at the foot of the bed, his eyes half-closed but his senses still sharp. As you sketched, you felt a deep sense of contentment, the tranquility of the moment wrapping around you like a comforting blanket. But that peace was suddenly shattered.

Within seconds, the atmosphere in the room changed. The air felt thicker, charged with something ominous that set your nerves on edge. Stellan’s ears shot up, his body tensing as a low growl rumbled from deep within his chest. The hairs on the back of your neck stood on end, and you felt a chill run down your spine.

Before you could react, a dark shadow coalesced in the corner of the room, and Azriel, the shadow singer, materialized before you. His face was grim, his usual calm demeanor replaced with urgency. "We need you," he said, his voice clipped and direct, wasting no time on pleasantries.

Without another word, he reached for your arm, his grip firm but not harsh. The world around you blurred as shadows enveloped you both, and in the blink of an eye, you were no longer in your apartment.

You arrived at the House of Wind, the sudden change in surroundings leaving you momentarily disoriented. The grand, familiar architecture did nothing to ease the confusion swirling in your mind. Azriel was already moving, his expression dark and unyielding as he led you down a corridor.

"Azriel, what’s going on?" you demanded, struggling to keep up with him. The urgency in his movements only heightened your anxiety. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I don’t have time to explain," he replied, his voice tight with controlled emotion. "You’ll understand when you see it."

That statement did nothing to calm your nerves, but you followed him without further question, your heart pounding in your chest. The path he led you down seemed endless, the tension in the air growing thicker with each step. Finally, he pushed open a heavy door and ushered you inside.

The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of herbs and something far less pleasant—blood. Your eyes immediately landed on Rhysand, who stood near the bed with a look of barely-contained worry. Madja, the healer, was at his side, her face set in grim determination. But it was the sight of Cassian that made your breath catch in your throat.

He was lying on the bed, his usually powerful and imposing figure reduced to a broken and battered state. His wings, once magnificent and strong, were shattered—twisted at unnatural angles, with blood staining the once-proud feathers. The sight was enough to bring a sharp gasp to your lips, your hand instinctively covering your mouth.

Madja’s eyes met yours, and in that moment, you understood why Azriel had brought you here. There was no hesitation in her voice as she spoke. "Y/N, we need your power. You’re the only one who can heal him."

Your heart raced, fear and uncertainty clawing at your insides. You had never used your abilities on something this severe before, and the mere thought of it sent a wave of doubt crashing over you. But as you looked at Cassian, writhing in pain and clinging to consciousness, you knew there was no other choice.

Steeling yourself, you stepped forward and surveyed the state of his wings. The damage was extensive, and you knew that to heal them properly, you needed to use your power to its full potential—a process that required something very specific.

You turned to Azriel, your gaze falling on the blade at his side. "Truth-Teller," you said, nodding toward the dagger.

Azriel hesitated for a moment but then handed you the blade without question, his eyes dark with concern. Taking a deep breath, you positioned yourself over Cassian, holding your arm above his wings. With a swift motion, you made a shallow cut along your forearm, letting your blood drip onto the mangled wings below.

Azriel's eyes widened as blue flames flickered to life where your blood touched, spreading over Cassian’s wings. "Y/N, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

You glanced at him, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Don’t worry. The fire doesn’t burn—it heals."

As the flames grew, their warmth enveloping Cassian’s broken wings, you focused all of your energy on mending the shattered bones and torn flesh. The process was intense, your body straining under the effort as the flames worked their magic, knitting together what had been broken.

But as the flames did their work, a frown creased your brow. Something wasn’t right. You could feel it—a lingering darkness that wasn’t being touched by your fire. Once the wings were fully healed, you stepped back, still frowning as you scanned Cassian’s body for the source of the disturbance.

"Rhysand, Azriel," you said, your voice tense, "help me turn him over."

They moved quickly, carefully shifting Cassian onto his back. You placed one hand on his face and the other over his heart, closing your eyes as you focused on the strange, dark presence that clung to him.

Madja watched you closely, her expression filled with concern. "Y/N, what’s going on? What do you feel?"

Your eyes snapped open, and without answering her, you leaned down, your instincts guiding you as you pressed your lips to Cassian’s mouth. The taste was bitter, acrid, and wrong. You inhaled sharply, feeling the dark presence surge up, and with a gag, you spit out a thick, black liquid.

But it wasn’t over. You reached into Cassian’s mouth, your fingers searching, feeling for the source of the darkness. Your hand closed around something cold and solid, and with a grimace of effort, you began to pull. 

A long, snake-like spirit, dark and twisted, slithered from Cassian’s throat, its form writhing in your grasp. It fought against you, but you held firm, your determination outweighing the horror of what you were doing.

"Hold him straight!" you commanded, urgency in your voice.

Rhysand and Azriel quickly moved to hold Cassian upright, their faces etched with shock and concern. As they did, Cassian began to vomit, thick black liquid spewing from his mouth and covering you as you knelt in front of him. You didn’t flinch, your focus entirely on the cursed spirit in your hand.

With a final, forceful pull, you yanked the spirit free from Cassian’s body. It writhed in your grip, hissing and snapping, but it was powerless outside of its host. You held it aloft, the dark entity thrashing violently as you turned to the others.

Rhysand, covered in a mixture of concern and gratitude, stared at you, his voice calm but firm. “I think we all need some explanations, Y/N."

Breathing heavily, your body and clothes drenched in Cassian’s vomit and the remnants of the cursed spirit, you nodded wearily. "I’ll explain everything," you said, glancing down at yourself with a hint of exasperation. "But first... I need a shower. I’m still covered in Cassian’s… well, everything.”

—— 

Rhysand led you through the winding halls of the House of Wind, his pace measured and deliberate. The tension from the night’s events lingered in the air, a heavy reminder of the seriousness of the situation. He stopped in front of a door and pushed it open, revealing a room that was both elegant and functional, with the understated luxury typical of Velaris.

The room was furnished with deep, rich fabrics, the bed draped in dark, sumptuous linens. A fireplace crackled softly in the corner, casting flickering shadows across the walls. A balcony at the far end of the room offered a breathtaking view of Velaris, the city’s lights twinkling like stars against the backdrop of the night sky. Beyond, the Sidra River glimmered in the moonlight, its gentle flow a calming presence.

Rhysand gestured toward an adjoining door. “The bath is through there. Take your time, Y/N. We’ll talk when you’re ready.”

You nodded, your body aching with exhaustion and your mind still spinning from the events that had just transpired. As you entered the bathroom, you were greeted by the sight of a grand, sunken bath made of smooth marble. The water was already drawn, steaming gently and scented with soothing herbs that filled the air with a calming aroma.

You sank into the bath, letting the warmth seep into your bones, washing away the grime and tension. The soft light of candles flickered around you, the scent of lavender and eucalyptus soothing your frazzled nerves. As you soaked, you allowed your thoughts to drift back to that night long ago when everything had changed.

You had been just a child, wandering through the woods late at night. The night was alive with shooting stars, bright streaks of light cutting across the dark sky. You’d been entranced, watching the stars fall when you stumbled upon a glowing entity lying in a small crater, its form otherworldly and beautiful. It was like a scene from a dream, the world around you shimmering with magic.

The creature had been weak, its light flickering like a dying flame. It had reached out to you, a small, scared girl, asking for your help in a voice that echoed in your mind rather than your ears. You hadn’t understood the full weight of the decision at the time, but you had agreed to help it, to take it into yourself, binding its essence to yours. From that night forward, you were never the same.

After your bath, you stepped out and found a set of clothes laid out for you—fitting for Velaris, yet with a touch of practicality that matched your own preferences. A tailored tunic of deep indigo, embroidered with subtle patterns, paired with fitted leather pants that allowed for ease of movement. A sturdy yet elegant belt completed the outfit, cinching at your waist with a silver clasp. It was both comfortable and suited for someone who needed to be ready for anything.

Once dressed, you stepped out onto the balcony for a moment, letting the cool night air brush against your face. The view from the House of Wind was nothing short of spectacular, the city of Velaris spread out beneath you like a sparkling jewel. For a brief moment, you allowed yourself to breathe in the peace of the night, to let the beauty of Velaris ground you before you had to face the others.

When you returned to the main room, Rhysand was seated near the fireplace, his expression thoughtful but unreadable. Azriel stood off to the side, half-hidden in the shadows, his gaze flickering toward you as you entered. He didn’t sit but remained in the shadows, a silent sentinel. There was something different in the way he looked at you now—something intense, as if he were seeing you in a new light.

You moved toward them, your steps measured as you took a seat across from Rhysand. The silence between you all was thick, heavy with the weight of unspoken questions and the lingering shock of what had just occurred.

“How’s Cassian?” you asked, breaking the silence, your voice quieter than usual.

Rhysand’s expression remained neutral, his violet eyes sharp and assessing. “Madja is with him. He’s stable, thanks to you. His wings will heal in time, and the curse… whatever it was, is gone.”

You nodded, relief mixing with the residual tension in your chest. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Rhysand’s gaze didn’t waver as he continued, his tone calm but probing. “Madja told us about the healing flames, but what you did tonight—extracting that curse—it’s something we didn’t expect. We need to know, Y/N. How is it possible?”

You took a deep breath, the memories of your past stirring once more. You could feel Azriel’s eyes on you, a strange, unreadable intensity in his gaze that only added to the tension in the room. But you pushed it aside, focusing on the question at hand.

“We all make mistakes,” you began, your voice steady, though the weight of the words pressed heavily on you. “When I was young, I made a contract with a creature that fell from the sky. It wasn’t like anything I’d ever seen before—an entity of pure power, beautiful and terrifying.”

Rhysand leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable as he listened. “A contract?”

You nodded, your gaze distant as you recalled that night in the woods. “I was just a little girl, alone and afraid. I was out in the woods, mesmerized by the falling stars when I stumbled upon this creature. It was weak, dying, and it asked for my help. It needed a host—someone to share its power with, in exchange for life. I didn’t understand what I was agreeing to, but I said yes. I took its essence into me, and from that moment on, it became a part of me.”

Azriel’s eyes narrowed slightly, though he remained silent, his posture tense. There was something almost protective in the way he watched you, though he kept his distance, as if struggling with his own thoughts.

Rhysand’s gaze remained steady, assessing you as you spoke. “And that’s how you gained your abilities.”

“Yes,” you confirmed. “The creature’s power is vast, but it’s also dangerous. I’ve had to learn to control it, to keep it from consuming me. The blue flames you saw—they’re just one aspect of it. But tonight, with Cassian… I could feel the curse inside him, a darkness that my flames alone couldn’t touch. I had to draw it out, to confront it directly.”

“And the curse?” Rhysand asked, his tone careful.

“It was tied to something much darker,” you explained. “The creature’s power allowed me to see it, to pull it out before it could do more harm. It was a risk, but I couldn’t just leave it there.”

Azriel shifted slightly, his gaze softening as he listened. There was a tension in his posture, as if he were grappling with something internally, but he remained silent, letting Rhysand lead the conversation.

Rhysand exchanged a glance with Azriel before turning back to you. “You’ve been carrying this burden alone for a long time.”

You nodded, the weight of your confession settling over you. “I didn’t want to involve anyone else. It’s my responsibility, my mistake.”

Rhysand’s expression softened just slightly, though his voice remained firm. “You’re part of this court now, Y/N. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Azriel’s gaze met yours across the room, and for a brief moment, something unspoken passed between you—a connection that felt both new and ancient, as if something had shifted irreversibly between you two.

As you finished recounting your story, the room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of everything hanging in the air. You sighed softly, rubbing your temples as the exhaustion from the night caught up with you. Finally, you stood, a sense of duty pulling you back to the reality of your responsibilities.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done,” you began, glancing between Rhysand and Azriel. “But I need to get back home. Tomorrow, I’m supposed to leave for the Winter Court to deliver Kallias’s order.”

At your words, Azriel’s expression immediately shifted. His brows furrowed, and he took a step forward, his posture rigid with concern. “That’s not possible. You can’t go alone—it’s too dangerous.”

You met his gaze, a flicker of frustration sparking within you. “Azriel, I’ve been traveling alone for hundreds of years. I’ve crossed continents, faced dangers you can’t imagine. I know how to take care of myself.”

Azriel’s frown deepened, his eyes darkening with a mix of worry and something more. “Things have changed. After what happened tonight, we can’t take any chances. The roads to the Winter Court aren’t safe, especially not for someone like you.”

You took a step closer to him, squaring your shoulders, determined not to be underestimated. “I’ve handled myself just fine, Azriel. I appreciate your concern, but I’m not some fragile thing that needs protecting. I’ve faced worse than bandits or creatures in the wild. I can deal with it.”

Azriel opened his mouth to argue further, his wings flaring slightly in his agitation, but Rhysand raised a hand, cutting him off. “Azriel, calm down,” Rhysand said, his tone soothing yet firm. He then turned to you, his expression more measured. “We know you can handle yourself, Y/N, and we trust your judgment. But just promise us you’ll be careful.”

You nodded, appreciating their concern but determined to maintain your independence. “I will. I’ve been traveling for centuries, and I know how to handle whatever comes my way. I’ll be back next week, and we can talk more then.”

Rhysand offered you a small, understanding smile. “We’ll look forward to it. There’s much more to discuss, and we’ll be here when you return.”

Azriel, still tense, stepped closer, his gaze intense but still filled with worry. “I’ll fly you back to your place,” he said, his tone steady but leaving no room for argument. “It’s late, and you should rest before your journey.”

You hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. “Alright. Thank you, Azriel.”

Before you could step out into the cool night air, Azriel shrugged off his jacket—a soft, dark leather that still carried the warmth of his body—and draped it over your shoulders. The jacket was far too big for you, the sleeves hanging well past your hands, but the warmth and the gesture itself made your heart skip a beat.

“It’s cold out,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper in the quiet of the night. His eyes lingered on you for a moment longer before he added, “And the wind can be biting when we’re flying.”

You pulled the jacket tighter around yourself, the scent of leather and something distinctly Azriel surrounding you. “Thank you,” you murmured, genuinely touched by the small act of kindness.

With his jacket securely around you, Azriel stepped closer, wrapping an arm around your waist to lift you effortlessly as his wings unfurled. The warmth of the jacket and his presence eased the chill of the night, and as he took off into the sky, the cold wind seemed to matter less.

Flying with Azriel, wrapped in his jacket, you felt a strange comfort. The world around you blurred momentarily as the ground fell away, and then the night opened up before you—a vast expanse of stars and the twinkling lights of Velaris below. The city was breathtaking from this height, the Sidra River winding through it like a ribbon of silver, reflecting the moonlight in shimmering patterns. The rooftops of the city glowed softly, the night alive with a quiet, serene beauty that took your breath away. Everything became a blur of twinkling lights and darkened streets, and for a moment, it was just the two of you, soaring through the night sky, sharing a silence that felt more like an understanding than anything else.

The cool wind whipped through your hair as Azriel flew, his strong wings cutting through the air with practiced ease. Despite the speed, his flight was smooth, each powerful beat of his wings propelling you forward with a steady, unerring grace. You found yourself momentarily entranced by the view, the way the world seemed so peaceful from up here, so distant from the chaos and dangers you had faced below.

Azriel’s grip on you was firm but gentle, his warmth a comforting presence in the cold night air. You could feel the tension in his body, the silent worry that still lingered despite your reassurances. It was as if every beat of his wings was fueled by an unspoken need to keep you safe, to ensure you returned to Velaris unharmed.

The flight was over too quickly, and before you knew it, you were descending toward your apartment. Azriel landed lightly, setting you down with care. The ground felt solid beneath your feet again, but you couldn’t shake the lingering sensation of being cradled by the night sky.

“Thank you,” you said quietly, offering him a small smile. “I’ll be fine, Azriel. I’ll be back next week, and we’ll talk then.”

He nodded slowly, his expression softening just slightly. “I’ll be waiting. Just… be careful, Y/N.”

“I always am,” you replied, giving him a reassuring look before turning to head inside.

As you thanked him one last time and made your way inside, you couldn’t help but feel the weight of the jacket—a comforting reminder of the connection that had silently grown between you two.

As you quietly made your way up the stairs to your apartment, the door creaked open to reveal Alex waiting for you in the living room, his arms crossed and a comically exaggerated look of suspicion on his face. Stellan was by his side, watching you with calm, knowing eyes, but Alex’s expression was what really caught your attention.

“What is going on, young lady?” Alex began, his voice mock-serious. “A guy intrudes our place, you run off with him without a word, and then you come back hours later with different clothes, a MEN’s jacket, and then he flies you home? Hmm, hmm, hmm…”

You couldn’t help but burst into laughter at his over-the-top delivery, the tension from the night finally breaking as you took in his antics. “Alex, I promise, it’s not what it looks like!”

He raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with a smirk. “Oh, really? Because it sure sounds like something out of those romance stories people talk about. Are you sure you’re not hiding something from me?”

Still chuckling, you shook your head, stepping further into the apartment. “I was helping a friend, that’s all. And the clothes were a necessity after… well, let’s just say the night got messy.”

Alex’s grin widened, clearly enjoying every bit of this. “And the flying home part?”

You sighed, though your smile remained. “That was just Azriel being… protective. And practical.”

“Uh-huh,” Alex nodded sagely, as if he had it all figured out. “Sure, sure. Just Azriel being ‘protective.’”

You reached out to ruffle his hair, playfully messing it up. “Enough, you little troublemaker. It’s late, and we both need to get some rest. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

Alex laughed, batting your hand away but finally relenting. “Alright, alright. But you’re not off the hook, Nana. I’m keeping an eye on you.”

You gave him a mock salute. “Duly noted, Captain.”

As you headed to your room, Stellan trailing behind you, you couldn’t help but smile at Alex’s antics. Despite the seriousness of the night, his playful teasing was exactly what you needed to lighten the mood.

And as you finally settled into bed, the weight of the day easing off your shoulders, you knew that no matter what challenges the Winter Court or the future might bring, you were ready to face them—with Alex’s humorous observations always keeping you grounded.

tag list: @annamariereads16 @hanatsuki-hime @elsie-bells @shizukestar @rose-girls-world @brit-broskis-cole-fanfic @faridathefairy @elsie-bells

don't hesitate to comment if you want to be added to the tag list ;)))

[fayes-fics]

A Blessing

Pairing: Benedict Bridgerton x fem!reader, Modern AU

Summary: Turns out the father of your favourite pupil, could end up being your favourite adult

Warnings: none really… this is flirtation and fluff. Developing relationship.

Word count: 2.1k

Authors Note: This is a request fill for Anon (ask HERE) about a meet-cute between single dad Benedict and teacher reader. This is also dedicated to my lovely mutual @bridgertontess on the occasion of her birthday this weekend. Happy birthday my dear! Thank you for choosing the name of Benedict’s daughter in this fic. Many thanks to wonderful @colettebronte for giving this a read through, the title and for her generosity in creating the lovely artwork above. Enjoy! <3

You sigh as you fiddle with your nameplate, awaiting the start of Parents Evening. It’s always a night you dread - having to be polite to the parents of nightmare kids. There are a few pupils you simply adore, but somehow, those parents seem to linger less than those you struggle to find nice things to say about.

One of your favourites - yes, you know you’re not supposed to have them, but you do - is little Georgia Bridgerton. She is cute as a button with blue eyes and chestnut curls, but mostly, it’s her sweet temperament and intelligence you admire. You hope her parents turn up. You are intrigued to meet whoever created this little blessing, although you have only heard her talk of her Dad.

About an hour in, you have talked to six sets of parents of mostly middling pupils. You are just sneaking a look at your phone when someone flops into the chair opposite, and you hasten to drop it back in your bag.

When you look up, your lungs feel tight. Quite the most beautiful man has taken a seat, and you are temporarily dumbstruck as you glance at his name sticker. In the ‘hello my name is’ box, he has written Ben in large looping black letters. The ‘my child’s name is’ box has been left blank.

“I’m sorry, Ben,” you stutter, slightly distracted by his hazy eyes. “I don’t see your child’s name on your tag; who are you here for?” you ask.

He glances down at his navy shirt. “Ah shit, sorry.” Then he immediately winces. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to swear.”

“It’s fine,” you bat a hand. “The kids aren’t here tonight. You should hear me when they aren’t within earshot,” you jest, attempting to break the ice, even as you feel your face prickling hot at just the sight of him.

He laughs heartily, his face creasing up in quite the most handsome way, and you squeeze your legs together reflexively, hidden under the table. Good lord, he’s beautiful.

“I’m Georgia’s dad,” he explains as he stops laughing.

“Oh, my star pupil!” you gush, then have to stop. “Shit, I’m not supposed to say that,” you confess, eyes darting around the buzzing gymnasium to all the other parents and teachers, but no one seems to have heard.

“Or swear…” he adds for you, with a wink.

Oh fuck. You could be in trouble here.

You briefly dip your head, cheeks heated, until he starts talking again. “But it’s wonderful she’s doing so well. She talks about you a lot, to be honest. Always saying Mrs y/l/n is her favourite teacher,” he smiles. 

“I am her only teacher,” you remind drolly, even as you can’t hide how pleased that makes you. “Should we wait for another parent before we dig in…?” you ask, gesturing to the empty chair to his left.

His face clouds slightly, and you worry you have made a faux pas. “Oh, she, uh, won’t be making it tonight,” he says quietly.

“Gosh, I’m sorry that was rude of me to presume,” you cringe.

“No, no, don’t worry,” he placates kindly. “Georgia’s mother left me when she was just a toddler. But six months ago, she cut off all contact and moved abroad. It’s been…” he pauses to sigh and roughly rubs his eyebrow,  “…a tough adjustment, to be honest, mostly for Georgia. It’s been challenging trying to explain gently but honestly to a six-year-old that, in essence, her mother wants nothing to do with her.”

“I’m so very sorry,” you murmur, and part of you itches to reach out and give his hand a sympathetic squeeze as he picks his cuticles, probably unconsciously. “I can’t imagine why anyone would abandon her; she is quite the sweetest little child imaginable.” 

You know it’s unprofessional to say so, but you want to comfort him human to human. And for some reason, you feel completely at ease being open and honest with him. His eyes flick up from his hands, and they are so soulful you once again feel tongue-tied.

“Thank you,” he demures. 

“She talks about you a lot, too, in class. My dad did this; my dad did that. She looks up to you so much. You must be an excellent single parent,” you reassure, then lean forward over the table. “Umm, please don’t let anyone know I said any of this; it’s very unprofessional.”

His face morphs into a look of surprise, and then a lopsided smile tugs at the right corner of his mouth as he mirrors your stance, leaning in. “Your secret is safe with me,” he chuckles as you feel your blood run warm. “But it will cost you….” he adds teasingly.

Your eyes dart to his uncertain. “W-what?” You stumble, genuinely concerned for the first time about your job.

He leans back in the chair, assuming a very relaxed stance, that crooked smile growing more prominent. “Yes. The price is your apple crumble recipe. Georgia brought some home; she said you had made it for the class to commemorate the school centennial. And it was quite the best dessert we have ever eaten.”

You exhale the breath you were holding, relieved and can’t help the giggle that bubbles up. “Deal,” you agree.

This is quite the most casual and flirtatious you have ever been with a parent, and you suddenly become cognisant of it. Sitting up straighter and clearing your throat, you shift gear a little, discussing the details of his daughter’s progress. He listens intently, nods, and asks questions at appropriate moments.

“Usually, I would conclude with suggested things you can do at home to assist your child,” you wrap up, “but, to be honest, for Georgia, I have no suggestions. She is just a delight and could not do any better. Just keep doing as you are; she will go far in this world.”

He clutches his chest, patently proud of his little girl, but you find yourself fixated on the crisscross of raised veins mapping the back of his large hand. Your traitorous brain chooses this moment to give you a vivid flash of that hand grabbing your flesh, making you squeak in your throat and a shiver run down your spine involuntarily, goosebumps breaking out over your arms. 

“Are you alright?”

“Sorry, must be a draught from somewhere,” you fib, tugging at your cardigan sleeve. “Old school buildings and all,” you titter nervously.

He nods in understanding, but his eyes linger slightly longer than necessary on your body.

“Why are you a Mrs if you wear no wedding ring?” he blurts, then looks mortified. “God, I’m sorry, that is really none of my business,” he admits, blushing endearingly.

Your heart leaps into your throat at the idea he checked, but you maintain composure by waving a dismissive hand. “No, don’t worry, it's fine. I’m, umm, actually a widow,” you confess, seeing his eyes soften with sympathy. “Oh, it was a few years ago now,” you preempt the platitudes, “and I never took his last name for work, but I did change to Mrs at the school’s suggestion. I keep thinking I will change back to Ms one of these days, but all my pupils know me as Mrs you know,” you shrug with a nonplussed look.

He chuckles understandingly. “I’m sorry that happened,” he offers more soberly, and you nod.

“And I’m sorry for what happened to you and Georgia. She is doing remarkably, considering.”

Your time together is naturally wrapping up, but you are reluctant to voice it, and he seems in no hurry to move.

“At the risk of sounding completely inappropriate,” he hedges with a very beguilingly almost sheepish mien, “may I have your phone number?”

Your heart pounds, and you resist the temptation to squeal like a teenager or even show it on your face.

“Certainly,” you respond brightly. “I am always available to parents to discuss anything to do with their child’s education,” you try to justify as you scribble your number on a new page of your notepad.

“And what if I don’t want to discuss my child?” He asks quietly, his tone turning smoother, “may I still text you?” 

You almost rip the paper straight through as you try to detach it from the metal spirals. You are certain your face is giving you away now, feeling flushed from your toes to your eyes.

“Yes,” you whisper, nervously glancing to meet his eyes for a brief second that feels blistering as you fold the paper and push it over the table towards him.

His fingertips brush yours as he takes the paper, and your body riots at that simple touch. 

“Thank you,” he says sotto voce. “I look forward to connecting more,” he adds as he stands. You try your best not to ogle his body in his fitted dark wash jeans as he tucks the note in his pocket, but it’s at eye height now. And you try to ignore how his shirt hangs off his broad shoulders when you look up, but mostly, you fail.

You stand too, feeling awkward, and hold out your hand to shake, as you do with every parent.

He looks briefly bemused, then takes your hand in his. It’s warm, the skin soft except for some callouses where he holds a pen or maybe a paintbrush, and the size engulfs yours. You never want to let go. Fireworks explode behind your ribs as his eyes dance even under the harsh gym lights.

“It was wonderful to meet you, Mr Bridgerton,” you parrot your usual parting line at him, but somehow, it feels weighted with additional meaning. 

“Likewise, Ms y/l/n,” he replies pointedly, not using the Mrs, as his thumb swipes distractingly over the back of your hand, not letting go. “And please call me Ben,” he requests duskily, finally stepping away, his fingers gradually slipping from yours.

You just nod, almost unable to speak, not trusting your tongue at this moment. You try not to watch Benedict walk away towards the exit, but again, you fail miserably. 

Less than thirty seconds later, your phone buzzes in your bag. It’s a number you don’t recognise.

BB: I’ll need that apple crumble recipe for tomorrow if you don’t mind. I have a big family lunch on Saturday and have been roped into bringing dessert.

You giggle, your fingers fly over the screen, composing a response in your lap, even as the next parents pull up to take a seat. 

Y/N: Okay… but good luck. Most of the secret is in the prep…

BB: Hmm, then a demo might be best. Fancy being a culinary teacher tomorrow after work?

Your heart flutters hard, and you must mumble an apology to the waiting parents as you can’t resist firing off a flirty response.

Y/N: But what if I don’t want to give away my trade secrets just yet? 😉

BB: Fair. Then my family will have to settle for Tesco’s finest cake instead…

Y/N: I can’t in all good conscience let that happen. OK, you have a deal. 7pm tmrw?

BB: 👍😁

You spend the rest of the Parents' Evening floating on a little cloud. You even smile through the meeting with Damien’s parents, who couldn’t be more aptly named. 

The next evening, when his front door sweeps open, Benedict and Georgia are wearing matching pinstripe aprons, faces so eager. They look so adorable you crack a smile from ear to ear. 

“Where’s your apron, Mrs y/l/n?” Georgia pipes up.

You smile, then reach into your shoulder bag and pull out your trusty apron with a flourish.

She breaks into giggles and does a happy little dance as Benedict gestures for you to come in with an exaggerated bow.

By the time you leave, hours later, they have a delicious apple crumble for their family lunch the following day, and Georgia is sleeping soundly. You have an apron dusted in flour, a tingle on your lips from his wondrous kisses and a lightness in your being that fizzes like champagne.

The following day, he texts that the apple crumble was such a success his mother demanded the recipe on the spot. Then, a few seconds later, another message asking you to drop by. You practically trip in the rush to get out the door.

When his front door sweeps open this time, he’s alone and dressed handsomely in a white shirt with those jeans. You are powerless to do anything but push up onto your tiptoes and kiss him immediately. And when he whispers hotly in your ear that Georgia is staying with her cousins for the night, you almost melt right into his doorstep.

It turns out Georgia was not the only blessing you got from the Bridgerton family.

Benedict taglist: @makaylan @foreverlonginguniverse @iboopedyournose @colettebronte @aintnuthinbutahounddog @severewobblerlightdragon @margofiore @writergirl-2001 @heeyyyou @enichole445 @enchantedbytomandhenry @ambitionspassionscoffee @chaoticcalzoneranchsports @nikaprincessofkattegat @baebee35 @crowleysqueenofhell @bridgertontess @fiction-is-life @lilacbeesworld @angels17324 @broooookiecrisp @queen-of-the-misfit-toys @eleanor-bradstreet @divaanya @musicismyoxygen84 @benedictspaintbrush @miindfucked @sorryallonsy @lilithseve @cayt0123 @hottytoddyhistory @truly-dionysus @fictionalmenloversblog @zinzysstuff @malpalgalz @panhoeofmanyfandoms @kinokomoonshine @causeimissu @delehosies @Mlovesbridgerton @m-rae23 @last-sheep @kmc1989 @desert-fern @starkeylover @corpseoftrees-queen @jeanfreau @magical-spit @bunnyweasley23

[acewritesfics]

There's a lot of making up to do | Tommy Shelby

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Reader

Request: No

Warnings: Mentions of suicide, a minor side character being a drunk. Former friends to lovers. As usual italics are flashbacks.

Word Count: 2,990

Tommy Shelby Masterlist | Main Masterlist

"This girl should be out on a farm, with lots of grass and space to run," Y/N says as she runs a brush through the mare her father was keeping at his scrap metal yard. "All the noise and ruckus has her anxious and scared." 

"She's here temporarily," Charlie tells her as Curly starts cleaning the mares shoes and hooves. "Tommy's still looking for a home for her." 

"I see that hasn't changed," she chuckles.  

“What hasn’t changed?” Y/N hears from behind her.  

She pauses her grooming of the horse and turns towards the person who just spoke. “Speak of the devil and he shall appear,” she says with a small smirk on her face. “Good to see you again, Tom.” 

“Y/N Strong,” a smile also appears on his face. He hadn’t seen his childhood friend in 7, almost 8, years. As soon as there were talks of war, Y/N had left for London to go become a nurse. “It’s been a long time.” 

“It has,” she agrees, “and it’s also Y/N L/N now.” 

“You’re married?” He asks unsure how he felt about it. Y/N didn’t know it but she was the one who got away. The first girl he loved, and the only person he’s loved unconditionally. He thought he had moved past all the feelings he had for her. She was out of sight out of mind except when he over heard his “Uncle” Charlie mention her when someone asked how his daughter was doing. But seeing her here in Birmingham, in Small Heath, those feelings were flooding back. 

“Not anymore,” she tells him, turning back to the horse, her smile disappearing. “You know, you really ought to find her a home, out in the countryside, away from all this noise and chaos.” 

“How long are you back for?” He asks ignoring what she just said about the horse. 

“I have cottage on the outskirts of town,” she tells him.  

“Will you be at the Garrison tonight?” He asks, sounding slightly hopeful. 

“I might be,” she tells him. “Dads invited me out for a drink. He told me it’s under new ownership.” She adds smirking slightly letting him know she’s heard about him buying the pub.  

“I’ll see you tonight, then,” he smiles as he starts to leave. 

“I said I might be there,” she reminds him. 

He turns to face her once again, walking back over to her, this time standing so close, she could smell his cologne mixed with the scent of cigarettes. “You’re never able to stay away.” 

“I was the one who moved away, wasn’t I?” She challenges him but knows she’s last as she realises her words hold nothing. 

“But you’ve moved back,” he points out, his smile still on his lips. “Now why is that?” 

“If you think it’s because of you, think again, Thomas Shelby,” she says before tip-toeing to place a kiss on his cheek. “It was good to see you again,” she goes back to brushing the mare who has seemed to calm down a little. 

- 

Later that night, Y/N walks into the Garrison and is surprised to see how much it has changed. Tommy has really tidied the place up. For her it doesn’t seem as cozy as it use to be. But it’s still nice.  

She quickly spots her dad and Curly sitting at a table off to the side and starts making her way towards them. But she only gets a couple of feet when she’s stopped by someone. 

“We’ll look who it is, looking even more beautiful than she did when she left us.” 

A large smile makes its way onto her face as she turns to greet Polly. “And look at you, as stunning as always, Aunt Polly.” 

Polly pulls her in for a tight hug. Y/N’s mother walked out on her and her father not long after her 2nd birthday with no explanation for her absence and just a note saying goodbye. She was just gone. Charlie always told Y/N when she was older that her mother wasn’t ready to become one when she was born, she couldn’t bond with Y/N and aside from feeding Y/N, Charlie mostly cared for her.  

Until Polly and the Shelby siblings mother stepped up. In the way that her father had become Arthur Jr, Tommy, John, Ada and Finn’s uncle, their mother and Aunt became her Aunts who were like a mother to her. Y/N couldn’t be more grateful for the two woman who helped raise her. Her heart broke almost as much as the Shelby's did when Mrs. Shelby passed. 

"Tommy told me you were back," she smiles, letting her go. "How long have you been back?" 

"A few days," she tells her. "I wanted to unpack and get settled in before I made my presence known again. Dad was the only one I told about me returning."  

"Were you hoping to surprise us or is there a reason you didn't want to tell us?" she asks feeling a little offended that Charlie was the only one she told. 

"Surprise!" Y/N cheers, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "Did you really think there was a reason I wouldn't tell you about me coming home?"  

"And I haven't heard from you in a while. I wasn't sure," Polly admits, voicing her worries.  

"I'm sorry I haven't written or called in a while," Y/N apologises for her lack of communication. "I had a lot going on." 

"I understand," Polly smiles reassuringly. "You can tell me all about it over a cup of tea tomorrow."  

"Sounds wonderful," her smile falters a little. The only people who knew about her husband was her dad and Tommy but they didn't know the full extent of what happened. 

Polly hugs her once more before making her way back to the gentleman who she was occupying her time with. Y/N continues to make her way over to her father.  

An hour goes by before Y/N sees Tommy walking through the door and towards the bar. She politely leaves the table and makes her way over to Tommy before he can disappear into the snug beside the bar where she knows him and his brother go for privacy. 

"Tommy, can I speak with you, please?" she asks as she reaches him. 

"Is everything all right?" he asks her as he gets the bottle of whiskey that he ordered.  

"Is there anything I can get you, Y/N?" Harry asks before she can answer Tommy. 

"No thank you, Harry, I'm good for now," she smiles politely at the bartender and former owner and turns back to Tommy. "Everything is fine. I have a suggestion for that horse of yours." 

"I'm looking for a more suitable space for her," he tells her, trying to assure her the horse will be okay. 

"What's her name?" she asks.  

"Rosebud," he tells her. 

A look of shock makes its way onto her face when she hears the name of the horse.  

“Rosebud?” she asks, wanting to make sure that’s what she heard him say. 

“She looks like her, doesn’t she?” He replies.  

Y/N’s taken back to when they were about 13-years-old. She’d drawn a horse that looked very similar to the horse Tommy now owns, claiming that she’ll one day own a horse that looked just like that. Tommy laughed at her thinking she’d never find a horse that looked exactly like her drawing. 

As soon as he saw his horse grazing in a paddock on one of his drives out of Birmingham, he thought he was hallucinating. The mare was a remarkable resemblance to the one Y/N had drawn when they were younger. Once he realised he wasn’t hallucinating, he hatched a plan to convince the owner to sell her to him. It didn’t take much convincing for the owner to hand her over to him.  

“She does,” she agrees now that she’s reminded of the drawing she drew. Letting out a laugh of disbelief, she shakes her head. “How did you even remember that silly drawing?” 

“I remember a lot of things,” he tells her simply as those brilliant icy blue eyes of his bore into her. “And it wasn’t a silly drawing. You were so sure that horse you drew existed somewhere out there.”  

“She was always in my dreams,” she smiles. “That’s how I knew she was real,” she continues before laughing and gently hitting his shoulder before grasping it. “And now the boy who didn’t believe me has her. What a coincidence,” she chuckles and let’s go of him. “This is wonderful.” 

“What did you need to talk about?” Tommy asks, an amused look on his face.  

“Oh right,” her amusement falters slightly as she remembers that she needed to speak with him. “It’s actually about the horse… Rosebud. I may have somewhere you can keep her. It’s away from all the noise and smoke. She’ll have plenty of room to run and graze. There’s also a small barn that could be turned into a shelter for her.” 

“Where is it?” He asks. 

“Not far out of town. I can meet you there tomorrow, show you it. The owners already given permission for you to use it,” she tells him, adding the last part to reassure him everything has already been set up.  

“How does 9AM sound?” He asks. “Not too early for you?”  

“Not at all,” she agrees to the time and tells him the address. “I have to get back to my dad. I’ll see you at 9.” 

Tommy nods and watches her go back over to Charlie and Curly. 

- 

Y/N checks the clock in the entry way seeing that it is 8:57AM. Tommy would be arriving any minute and the sun had yet to shine through the cloudy skies. The smell and the feeling in the air let her know it was going to rain soon and she wanted to show Tommy where Rosebuds potential new home could be. After a minute passes she decides to stand outside and wait for her childhood friend.  

As she waits for Tommy her mind goes back to the last time she was with him.  

It was the night before she was meant to leave for London. She’d said goodbye to everyone except Tommy who had suddenly disappeared.  

After scouring all the places he could be, she found him sitting on her bed after she returned home feeling defeated that she couldn't find him. Seeing him sitting there she feels relieved but also angry as she glares at him.  

"Where the hell have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you?" she scolds him, letting her anger win. 

"You have no right being angry with me," he glares back at her as he stands up. "You're the one who's leaving, after all."  

"You're the one who encouraged me to go," she shouts back at him. Confusion adding to her frustration. "What was it that you said? You'll be the best nurse this country ever has? You were made to be a nurse, because you're always looking after others? London will be lucky to have you?"  

"Well I've changed my mind," the 21-year old Tommy, backtracks on his words. "Maybe London won't be lucky to have you and you'll make a terrible nurse." 

"Get out," she yells at him, throwing her hand towards her bedroom door and pointing to it. 

"No," he says stubbornly standing his ground.  

"Leave, before I decide I never want to see your face again." 

Tommy sits back on her bed, further proving that he wasn't going anywhere.  

"What is it that you want, Thomas?" she asks, giving into the young man's stubbornness after a few moments go by. 

"I want you," he declares. "Because I am in love with you." 

Y/N is stunned. Her heart is beating out of her chest and there is a lump in her throat preventing her from saying anything. 

"I've been in love with you for so long," he continues.  

"Why now, Tommy?" she says exasperated, feeling tears build up in her eyes. She can't remember the moment she fell in love with her best friend but she knows it was a long time ago.  

"Because I don't want you to go," he stands up and moves in front of her.  

She refuses to look at him, knowing as soon as she meets those beautiful blue eyes of his she'll give into him. "I have to," she sighs resting her head on his chest. "I start nursing school in two days. I can't back out now. It's too late." 

"I know," he says as his arms wrap tightly around her. "Tell me you love me too and give me tonight. Then we can go from there." 

Lifting her head from his chest, she pulls him in for a kiss. 

That night she had gotten little sleep wanting to spend every minute she could with him. Tommy stayed with her until she got in her car to drive to London.  

Once she settled in London, Tommy went to see her on the weekends he wasn't busy with the illegal betting den his father started. They wrote letters every week, reminding each other how much they loved them and missed them. There was a few weekends that Tommy was with her when he talked about moving to London to be with her. He even got as far as packing his trunks with all his belongings but then his dad had disappeared on one of his benders, leaving him and Arthur Jr to pick up the pieces. They were both frustrated and disappointed but aside from that things were going well between them. 

Until the war happened a year later.  

They had both been shipped off to France, Tommy to fight and Y/N to tend to the wounded. Letters became less frequent as the war went on. The letters eventually stopped under the war ended and Y/N sent a letter to Polly to make sure everyone made it out. Tommy was the one to reply to her, telling her he loved her but nothing was the same anymore. That was the last letter she received from him despite her having written to him multiple times. 

Y/N's pulled from her thoughts when Tommy's car pulls up outside the front gate. She waves to him as he gets out and closes the door behind him. Opening the little gate, he walks closer to her. 

"Did you say to meet here so I can pick you up?" he asks her, dressed in nice suit, his peaky cap on his head and a cigarette hanging from his lips as he buttons up the jacket. 

"No, this is the place I told you about," she informs him and takes his hand.  

He allows her to lead her through her small cottage and into the backyard. At the edge of the backyard was another little gate that lead to a paddock and a small barn structure that could indeed be converted into shelter for Rosebud. 

They reach the small barn just as it starts pouring with rain. The heavy rain showed that the barn had a few leaks that could easily be fixed. 

"So, what do you think?" Y/N asks, letting go of his hand and moving to face him.  

"You were right about it being enough room for her and being away from the noise and smoke," he says pleased with the space. "How much do you want for me keeping her here?"  

"I don't want any money, Tom," she replies. "You pay for her feed and upkeep and she can stay here free." 

"What about the barn?" he asks.  

"You can pay for the conversion, if you must." 

"Anything else?" 

"You can let me ride her and let me groom her but you must clean out her stall. She is your horse after all." 

"Fair enough," he agrees and looks at her. She looks back at him before looking away and like she there was more that she wanted to say. "Whatever it is, you can tell me." 

Y/N looks at one of the leaks as though she's inspecting it but the leak is the last thing on her mind as she ponders whether it would be a good idea to bring up the past or not. 

"Why did you never write back?" she asks, unable to stop herself from asking.  

"The man who came back from France wasn't the same one you fell in love with and he wasn't the man you deserved," he answers, his eyes never leaving her. "From when we were kids, I was always told that you were too good for me." 

"And it took a war for you to listen to those people?" she asks now looking at him. "When have you ever listened to other people's opinions?" 

"It's not just their opinions, Y/N," he goes on to explain. "It's what I've done, who I have become. I'm a bad man who's done bad things." 

"We've all done bad things, Tom," she tells him. 

"I never stopped loving you," he tells her. "Seeing you yesterday reminded me that I still do." 

"It's too late," she tells him, thinking about all the time she could have had with Tommy but because of his decision she spent it with a man who was drunk more than sober and eventually took his own life. Was she in love with this man? No, because she never stopped loving the man standing in front of her right now.  

"No it's not," he says moving closer to her. She makes no move to stop him as he takes her face in his hands and tilts it up, making her look at him. "Tell me you still love me too." 

"I never stopped loving you too," she admits out loud. "There's a lot of making up to do." 

"Then let's start right now," he says and pulls her in for a kiss. 

[marshalforgotten]

@cosmicxblossoms continued from {x}

The fight was something eyes witnessed on accident, as she was merely traveling across nations via In-between. The thought of leaving it be crossed her mind, as what right did she have to intrude upon another's territory? Those thoughts were changed however, once soul sight beheld this so-called "Bone King"; seeing his wretched state of the spirit.

She may know very little of the individual personally, but watching one's own kind be reduced to such a deplorable condition felt unnerving if not downright insulting. No, she would not stand for this. Thus did concealed primate inform Maya that she would be out of town for an indefinite amount of time. Keeping up her human appearance happened to be important, but this felt more so.

MK's words temporarily gave her pause, making a frown appear on countenance. She supposed him taking notice eventually would be inevitable, but changing tactics did present challenges at times.

"...And so does the pot call the kettle black," she muttered, before promptly turning to face him with a faux grin and hands akimbo to sides. "Requesting help, from a thief? You and that famous warrior truly are in a real pickle, huh? I suppose I can help, since you asked so nicely." Strangely enough, hidden baboon felt that this would be needed, so she endeavored to drain plenty of medical herbs dry beforehand.

[allgoodnamesrgoneee]

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to update you all on something important regarding my request schedule. Due to the overwhelming response I've received, I am temporarily pausing the acceptance of new requests for the next couple of weeks, and potentially even longer. The reason for this is that I currently have a staggering 51 requests waiting. While I am incredibly grateful for the enthusiastic engagement, it has become clear that managing and responding to everyone is quite challenging.

As many of you are aware, I am a nursing student, and as such, my time is significantly constrained. Although I’ve had a bit more flexibility this past month thanks to a break, the reality is that school is about to start in a month, and my academic responsibilities will demand more of my attention. Consequently, I anticipate that once the school year begins, my ability to upload content will be limited, likely to once a week or as my schedule permits.

I truly wish I could dedicate myself to writing full-time and engage with all of your requests more regularly. Unfortunately, the demands of my studies make this impossible for now. I hope you can understand. 🥺

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to being able to engage with your requests in the near future.

With that being said I will try to post as much as I can before school starts. I will also be giving 24 hours to submit any last-minute requests😉

Have a good day/night😊

Love, Bianca🌻

[autistickremylecroux]

Could I pls request a zora x reader eenmeies two loves :d

zor/reder work at ocena bliz and both try 2 bet teh othe with boutny, butt 1 da read gets rlly inryed,zora rlly worry and confesion

(sossy for spelign itz lik 3 amnr)

Bounty battle-Zora x gn!reader

Hi! Sorry for the week wait, my school has caught up to me quite badly. And dont worry about the spelling. I really enjoyed writing this ! it was a lot of fun

WC:1559

Warnings:Blood, surgery, mentions of needles.

“Howdy [name]~” you cursed internally, turning your head to glare at the women behind you. The same face which matched the top bounty. 110,000. Hardly even above yours. Zora laughed at your glare, a loud sharp chuckle. “Not too happy I see? shame you just can’t seem to—“ she stepped forward, getting a bit closer into your personal space, her voice dropping to mock condescension “—keep up” she pulled back, twirling her pistols, before firing a bullet which grazed past your ear.

You forced back an annoyed scowl, she always knew how to get on your nerves. And you were sure she was doing it on purpose to annoy you. To mess up your ‘game’. You forced yourself to sigh, before smirking. “Oh i can keep up, not too sure you’ll be able to though.” You watched as she paused, turning around and raising an eyebrow.

“challenge accepted.” She whistled, before disappearing off into the surrounding woods. Leaving you standing there, you turned back to the board. Staring at your poster , which had a bullet in line with your forehead. Your scowl returned, and you ripped the poster off of the wall and put it in your pocket. Before taking a marker out and reaching up to Zora’s poster.

[timeskip]

You walked past the same bounty board, turning to look at it. Your bounty was now at 120,000. Zora’s hadn’t changed. It was a bit of a disappointing jump after your latest job. It had been risky. Although, after the 100,000 mark it was noticeably more difficult to climb the ranks. You were willing to take the risk. You couldn’t let Zora out perform you.

You snatched the posters down, taking Zora’s as a motivation of sorts. You know , to motivate you to do better. Not any other reasons. You were planning to hand them to Zora as a taunt. Not because you knew Zora liked to keep and collect them as ‘achievements’. You continued back to your base, planning out more ways to ‘annoy’ Zora. You knew exactly what to do. There was a Banzai blaster base nearby, and you had one hell of a heist planned.

[timeskip]

leaves and twigs crushed under your feet, your limbs were heavy and you were losing blood. But you needed to keep going. You needed to reach them, the heist had gone horribly. Some of the Vice Presidents or whatever had been there, and you hadn’t expected them to be there. And by the time you had realised, you had been shot, it didn't do much but it had caused you to slip, falling backwards out of the window. It wasn’t a big fall, since it was only a first ground window. But the glass had hit your side rather seriously, and it had started bleeding.

You trudged through the forest, before you spotted a familiar figure, you couldn’t make it all out as your vision had begun to blur, you focused on getting one foot in front of the other. You managed to push yourself through the brambles, being closer to the figure you knew was Zora.

You watched as she temporarily stopped threatening the other one, all you could tell was they looked like a yellow blob. Probably a Banzai Blaster, but you couldn't tell as your vision got worse. The last thing you could see was Zora, suddenly start running towards you, yelling out something you couldn't make out. Before you promptly faceplanted into the forest floor.

Zora cursed, scooping your unconscious body into her arms, she turned to the Banzai Blaster she was trying to get. Before starting to run towards the nearest Bliss Ocean outpost. Leaving the Blaster confused on the floor.

She stopped after a bit,realising you were losing too much blood, temporarily setting you down and ripping off part of her beloved poncho— if it was to keep you alive it was worth it. And tied it around your waist tightly, desperately cursing under her breath as the adrenaline kept her going. She picked you up, and dashed off again. “you better stay above snakes [name] “

She eventually made it to the base, bursting open the door with her foot, everyone there instinctively shuffled out of the way, Zora when angry was something. And when it had to do with you? Twice as much. Everyone seemed to know except you how much she liked you, mostly due to some things she admitted while drunk. Or because of the glares she sent anyone trying to flirt with you.

At this point, even Naven had taken notice of it. Which said a lot. As sweet as he was, he could be a bit oblivious at times.

None of this mattered, as you were almost dying. Blood gushing from your arms, legs and waist, some was coming from your head too, which left your hair damp and sticky. She shook the thoughts from her head as she ran into the medical bay, practically yelling at the nurse. “OI! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE—“ she yelled,setting you down at the bed.

The healer rushed over, they were one of the few people in the organisation who had an epithet, mostly because it was useful having someone with a healing epithet. They started examining you, clearly worried. “what happened?” they said, grabbing some damp cloths to start applying it to the wounds.

“i dont fucking know i wasnt there for fuck sakes” she snapped, pacing back and forth. Before stopping and looking at you, “are they going to be okay?” she whispered , her voice becoming a lot quieter. Almost scared. Which was a first.

“yes but they’ll need emergency surgery— if you could wait outside it would be good” they said, tensing as they hoped Zora wouldn’t flip out. Seemingly their prayers were answered. As she silently left and slammed the door behind her.

Zora paced around for the next six hours outside the medical bay. She didn’t get anything to eat or drink,just waited and waited. When she heard the door open, she snapped her head around. “[name] will wake up in about an hour,they’ll need to rest for a bit”

Zora sighs in relief, practically pushing the medic out of the way to get into the room. She sat beside you,your arms, legs and waist were covered in bandages and yet you looked peaceful. There were needles in your arm, most likely giving you some nutrients to makeup for the lost blood.

She stayed silent for about half an hour, before softly grabbing your hand. There was so much she wanted to tell you, whether it was to yell and cry about how reckless you had been. Once she figured out what had happened of course. But she also wanted to wait and tell you everything would be ok.

As the clock ticked on, she started speaking. “you better wake up you coot” she snapped, while subconsciously rubbing the back of your hand. “I'll kill ya if ya dont” she adds, watching as you shuffled around but stayed asleep.

You felt yourself come to your senses,but you didn’t want to get up, you heard the voice. But kept silent, you knew who it was. But she was acting differently than usual. And you wanted to hear what she would say.

“you’re a right idiot. “ you heard her say, her accent making her clip some of the vowel sounds out slightly. “ya got y’rself hurt just to one up me” she laughed, and you wanted to bottle the sound and get drunk on it every night. But you still kept quiet. You wanted to see what she’d say.

“i’m not sure why I even bother to love ya.” your heart felt like it stopped as you heard her say those words, and you visibly tensed. Which she noticed clearly. “…” she stared at you, and you could feel her gaze even if you couldn’t see. “ [name] ?” you opened your eyes slowly, turning your head to look at her, your vision still wasn’t the best. And the light was bright enough to give you a headache “How long have you been listening” she continued, her tone dark as she seemed to be rather annoyed.

“a bit” you admit, humming. It was silent for a second, as both of you tried to think of what to say. You chuckled as you noticed her looking away. It was surprising to see the all cocky and confident Zora flustered and embarrassed. “it’s nice to know you love me” you added, mostly because your inhibition was reduced from the painkillers. “i mean, i thought it was a one…way thing” you added,your words slightly slurred as you started to close your eyes again. Falling back asleep.

People noticed Zora spending more time in the medical bay in the upcoming days. They also noticed she seemed happier than usual, and slightly less murdery. And they knew it had to do with you.

[philadelphia-hq]

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).”

LUCA RICCI

Age: 38 Gender and pronouns: Male, He/Him Occupation: Food & Beverage Director @ Ricci’s Neighborhood: Midtown Village

BIOGRAPHY

tw: cheating

Unconventional. It’s how it’s always been with the ways of Luca Ricci. Born in the passenger side of his dad's new sports car, unable to wait another three blocks. Skipping school most days of senior year to skate and explore the city, yet somehow graduating top five in his class. Luca at heart is a nonconformist. One who thrives off pushing the edge and challenging the narrative and norms of society. It’s no surprise considering he didn’t once question the divorce between his parents. Luca was stuffing his face with macaroni and cheese next to his baby brother when his mom laid a kiss on his head. She murmured the words that she loved him and that she would see him soon. Thinking nothing of the sort, he paid her no mind, but two minutes later, she had a suitcase and left their home never to return again. Commitment, no longer applied. Actions and decisions were made and there was nothing to question from here on out.

Since then, Luca evolved and grew with his expanding family, with a new stepmom and three sisters in tow. The house was rowdy, but it was always filled with the utmost love, support, and adventure. Being the oldest of the bunch, Luca did his best to be a role model where appropriate, but he was definitely a wild card. Defiant is the word that summarizes Luca's teenage years. It was a daily pleasure for him, testing the patience of his father. The animosity between the two brewed so much that the week after graduation, Luca left. A packed duffle bag, a scribbled note taped to the kitchen fridge, and a one way train ticket to Portland, Maine was his plan. An escape to where his mother was in hopes that he could be his own person without someone breathing down his neck. Yet, when arrived his mother had moved on with her life. Luca had only seen each other twelve weeks out of the year, for she was successful and thriving. After six months had gone by, Luca returned back to Philadelphia, relieved to be welcomed with open arms again by his family and friends again.

Since then, he temporarily did the normative, per his father’s request. Luca went to Penn State, where he studied business, before landing a job at a marketing agency. One owned by one of the  regulars of the family’s restaurant. The job was boring and Luca couldn't resist counting down the hours he had left every time he clocked in. The only bonus was having an affair with the bosses’ wife instead of working on his assigned ad campaigns. The apple certainly did not fall far from the tree. Caught red-handed in his bosses' vacation home, Luca was blacklisted from the agency and fellow partners. Fortunately for him, a friend of his started this sports app venture in Boulder, Colorado requesting his dear roommate join him on the adventure. Soon thereafter, the Rossi would become the director of marketing and sales for ten years. In that timeframe, the days were filled with global travel and beautiful women. Daily enjoying the high-life of his successes.

Only three years ago did he relocate back to Philadelphia. The app got bought out by a bigger fish and with enough money to last him a lifetime, Luca figured it would be in his best interest to settle down back home. A conversation with his grandmother brought him back to the family restaurant. A place where he used to bus tables after the school day while flirting with guests for some extra tips. With his extensive portfolio and unique ways of generating profits, Luca has been working for the backend of the business. Returning home has been better than he thought. His dad and step-mom, his annoying siblings. At this point in his life, surrounding himself with friends and family is right for this season. There may not be the views of snowscape mountains from his rooftop, but Luca can always appreciate the city that shaped him into the man he is today.

LUCA RICCI has the face claim of RYAN GOSLING and is played by MISSA.

[theroadgoes-ever-on-and-on]

Found and Lost Again | Part 1

Prompt: [ wall ] your muse pinning mine against a wall. Crossover verse: The Sentinel

  A storm had been brewing over the Northern Dúnedain for months now. All of them from Sentinels to Guides and even those without any extra abilities could feel it. No one could settle fully, always on guard and waiting for something to finally break. The least settled of them all was their temporarily in charge Commander. 

  Despite what people thought, Hal didn’t have a bond with her friend and leader. She only tended to give Aragorn slight nudges when he started to fixate on something. It was how they had always worked and that wouldn’t change until the younger man found his Guide. 

  Hal had been deemed BROKEN with too many sharp edges, borderline wild nature and being emotionally distant. She was not a Guide that any Sentinel actually wanted permanently in their mind. Which didn’t bother her in the least, although it irritated her kin. 

“Where’s the Commander?” 

  The mission had been a complete success and they could go home now. But something felt wrong. Really really wrong. “She was going to check something out along with Ryton and Raidon. Something’s not right though.”

  “Exactly. Where’s Hal?!” Saeradan was a Sentinel with 4 senses. He was weaker than their currently missing Chieftain but he also knew the gender-fluid woman far too well as both a Guide and one of his closest friends. For her to suddenly take a detour in their mission didn’t bode well. 

  Neither did the sudden deep snarl that could have only come from one source: A captured Sentinel. It didn’t take long for Saeradan and Dirael to backtrack and follow the path that the three Rangers had taken earlier. The same path that the snarl had come from. Moments later, Raidon and Ryton appeared at the end of the tunnel. But there was no sign of Hal. 

  Raidon heard the familiar footsteps and put a hand up to stop them, not wanting anything else to go wrong. “Good news: we’ve found Strider.” He shared a concerned glance with Ryton, who was keeping a eye on the scenario ahead. 

“And the bad news?” 

  “He only recognises Hal at the moment and doesn’t like us being so close to him. Hence why we’re stood back here.” 

  The younger Dúnedain nodded, knowing what his former teacher was silently saying. It didn’t come as a surprise that Hal was the only one who Aragorn was letting near. But on the other hand, they couldn’t stay here for much longer. “Hal? Place is empty but we don’t know how long for.” 

~~~~ 

  Following her instinct and finding Aragorn had been one thing. Getting his Sentinel to calm enough for the man’s normal levelheadedness to take over, was a completely different challenge in itself. First thing first though: getting him to back off a bit so she could actually move away from the wall. “Understood. Ryton, could you and the others make sure that the way we came in is still clear, please?” 

  There was a definitely lengthy pause at her request. Normally Ryton would follow it without many questions but this was not a normal day. Nor was it a standard situation since their leader wasn’t.. entirely in his right state of mind. So it didn’t surprise her that none of them wanted to leave her alone with Aragorn like this. 

“Commander…” 

  “Please? Raidon will still be here but Strider isn’t calming-,“ The low continuous growl was making THAT rather clear and she rested a light hand on the man’s chest to push him back slightly, “and we need to get out of here soon.” 

  It took another few minutes and some quiet reassurance from Raidon, before they were left alone. The effect was immediate as tension drained from Aragorn’s taller frame. Now, and only now, did he finally heed her silent request to move back a bit so she could move. 

 “Hal…” 

   “Yes, Rai-,” It took longer than Hal would have liked to realise that Raidon hadn’t said anything. Dark orbs automatically refocused on the only person who could have spoken in a such rough sounding voice. “Aragorn..” She studied him for a moment, letting his Sentinel take comfort in the familiar sharpness of her mind. 

  Then she exhaled slowly and straightened. “I hate to push you but we need to go. I can shield you until we reach Rivendell or I can knock you out if you don’t think you’ll manage the journey.” They hadn’t planned to head for Rivendell but that plan had altered the minute Aragorn had been found. 

  Darkened storm blue eyes scanned his friend and second in command silently. For most people, Hal looked fine but the younger man knew differently. It was far too easy to spot the weariness and hidden pain that she was carrying- and he didn’t like it. But there wasn’t anything he could do right then. “Shielding but only if you can.” He chose carefully, giving her a sharp glance. 

“I’ll be fine.” 

  The Dúnedain Chieftain relaxed slightly when he felt the familiar sharp edges of her mind shielding him from a sense overload. But his concern grew as he followed his kin out silently, letting Hal remain in charge. Given how bad he actually felt, Aragorn opted to ride on Star with Hal. It also meant she wouldn’t have to work as hard to shield him. 

  Hal sped on ahead when Aragorn finally lost his fight with consciousness, quickly followed by Raidon as protection. The others stopped in Tornhad, a hidden Ranger community in the wilds near Rivendell and rested there. It was on the third day of waiting when they returned without Aragorn. 

  Saeradan only needed a glance and he was pulling the dark haired woman into his arms, already knowing what was wrong. “Come on, you need sleep and food.” ‘And a distraction.’ But he didn’t say that last part aloud and took her to where they was temporarily staying. 

  Raidon stepped in before anyone could ask questions, especially the Sentinels amongst the group. “Strider will be fine. They currently have Lady Arwen shielding him until he’s able to repair them himself.” He wouldn’t have said anything else, had it not been for Ryton’s stare. “Neither myself nor Lord Elrond think that he’ll react well when he wakes up.” 

“Why?” A simple question with a seemingly simple answer. But it was a answer they all expected yet no one wanted to hear. 

   “Because Hal’s his. Aragorn is like a dark swirling constantly moving tempest and strong as she is, Lady Arwen would have got snuffed out like a light, had she done what Hal did earlier. We’ve been asked to stay put in case our help is necessary.” 

  “But the only one among us strong enough to even attempt helping would be Hal. And Aragorn won’t let her go a second time if that happens. Not if it means losing her altogether.” Ryton realised quickly, noticing the looks of worry. “So we just wait here and hope that he accepts Lady Arwen’s help.” 

“Fuck.” 

  Waiting was not unknown to the Rangers of the North but this was a different sort of waiting. And the result would not be known for another day.

[xboxlr]

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s memo to employees regarding legal victory vs. FTC

Today a US District Court judge issued a decision denying the Federal Trade Commission’s request for a preliminary injunction, which would have temporarily blocked our acquisition of Activision Blizzard from closing in the United States. We’re grateful that, upon a review of the evidence and witness testimony, the Court rejected the FTC’s claims that our acquisition would harm consumers. The evidence showed the deal is good for the industry and that the FTC’s claims about console switching, multi-game subscription services, and the cloud do not reflect the realities of the gaming market.

After today’s decision, we are turning our focus to the UK. As you may be aware, a few months ago, the UK Competition and Markets Authority recommended that the deal be prohibited. We disagree with the CMA’s concerns and have challenged its decision on appeal. At the same time, however, we are considering how the transaction might be modified to address the CMA’s concerns in a way that is acceptable to the CMA. In order to prioritize work on potential options, Microsoft and Activision have agreed with the CMA that pausing the appeal now would be in the public interest, and both we and the CMA have made a joint submission to the Competition Appeal Tribunal to this effect.

From the beginning, the Gaming Leadership Team and I have believed that this acquisition will meaningfully benefit players and the gaming industry. Since we announced our intent, our actions have demonstrated our commitment to bringing more games to more people on more devices. This includes numerous signed agreements to make Activision Blizzard’s games, Xbox first party games and Game Pass all available to more players than they are today. I’m proud of our efforts to expand player access and choice throughout the process. This deal has already been cleared to move forward in 38 countries, and we will continue to work toward timely resolution in other jurisdictions.

Thank you to everyone who has devoted their time and dedication in support of our acquisition. We embarked on this deal with a clear vision for meeting players where they are, and with today’s decision by the Court, we take an important step forward in bringing this vision to life.

Phil

Credit: The Verge

[yandere-caesar]

I really liked the yandere jotakak one,if its fine to you then can i request them but they chop of all of there s/o's limbs and they take advantage of that by having hardcore sex?

Sure!

I would rather be anywhere else

Pairing: yandere!Jotaro x gender neutral!reader x yandere!Kakyoin

Description: Even without the ability to walk, you still aren't willing to give up everything just yet.

Warnings: Amputation, heavy gore, poly, unhealthy relationships, abuse, yandere themes. (I did not get to the noncon part of this and I am sorry)

DISCLAIMER: This is my first time writing at length about a character who can’t walk and I am not physically disabled. If anyone who is disabled is reading this and I got anything wrong please feel free to send in an ask and correct me.

It's been a while since you were tricked into being the prisoner of your once loving boyfriends. You've sort of fallen into a routine at this point, as much as you hate to admit it.

While they refuse to get you anything that would help you move around more easily, they are willing to carry you wherever you need to go. You suppose it’s better than just being stuck on the bed. Jotaro usually carries you to the kitchen table in the morning so that you can eat and whichever one of them is supposed to stay home that day usually helps you the rest of the time.

You hate every second of it. Sometimes you can almost forget what they did to you until you look down. When you do, it takes everything in you not to stop crying again. No amount of distraction with movies and videogames can fix this, but they can at least temporarily keep you sane enough to not be punished.

Kakyoin doesn’t seem to even act like there’s anything wrong. He keeps talking to you, touching you, and trying to hang out with you like this is just another night you are spending at their house. A night that goes on forever without ending. Maybe that was what he really wanted the whole time.

Jotaro doesn’t say it, but you can tell that he regrets what he did. He can’t seem to look you in the eye on the days that you feel the worst. He’s always been too observant to delude himself into thinking that you can be happy like this. So he’ll just sit with you in silence, without doing or saying anything. The most he’ll do is try to pull you into an embrace and when he does, it’s a little too tight. Like he’s worried you’ll fall apart. It would be enough to make you pity him if he had done almost anything else.

The one good thing is that they haven’t punished you harshly for a while. The most that they did after the incident was take away your videogames for a day. And while it was agonizing to have to deal with your own thoughts and terrors without their aid, there had been nothing extreme.

Today was luckily not one of the days they had taken them away and you were sitting on the sofa during one of the few times that they left you alone. While it was rare, sometimes if Jotaro was the one staying home with you he would leave you for a few minutes to go do his own thing. You weren’t sure if he was just working from home on these days or if it was the guilt weighing him down, but either way you appreciated the break.

Your stand manifested next to you, watching you click the next set of commands for the RPG you were using to distract yourself. You hadn’t dared to bring it out ever since that day. You weren’t sure if they would be above using it against you at this point and you didn’t want to find out. They still didn’t know much about it and you wanted to keep it that way.

You pause the game, letting out a sigh. It wasn’t doing enough for you. You had already beaten this one five times on other playthroughs. While you could try to challenge yourself and do different builds, you were starting to get bored and it was starting to feel really hollow.

You look down at where your legs were, trying to keep your hands from shaking as you grip the controller. It wasn’t fair. You had been so close to leaving. So close to getting away from them and being safe. If you had been just a little quicker with your plan, then this nightmare never would have happened. Was anyone even looking for you? You weren’t sure. After all, you weren’t that close with anyone before they took you.

Your stand subconsciously puts a hand on you, probably in an attempt to sooth you and keep you from breaking down again. Being part of you, it could sense when you were in distress. While it wasn’t much, you did appreciate the slight comfort from someone that wasn’t your captors.

You can feel it lifting you off the sofa and pulling you into a hug. You lean into the gesture, trying to hold back more of your tears. You weren’t sure how long Jotaro would be gone and you didn’t want him to walk in and see you like this.

Right before you heard the footsteps coming and sent your stand away, a thought occurred to you. Your stand was able to levitate. Your stand didn’t need to actually use it’s legs at all.

You were pulled out of your thoughts as Jotaro came back into the room. You unpause the game and start playing it again, trying to pretend that he isn’t there. It would be easier for both of you if you did.

He lets out a sigh and sits down next to you, muttering a “Good grief” under his breath.

“Listen y/n, I don’t know why you had the game paused before I came in, but whatever you’re planning, stop it. It isn’t going to work. I don’t want to have to hurt you again.”

You stare at the screen, not making eye contact with him or even bothering to look away from it.

“Then why did you do it the first time?”

You’re met with silence for a few moments before he speaks again.

“We were going easy on you. You should see the crap Kakyoin has planned if you run again. I don’t like it, but I already made him compromise.”

“And how exactly am I going to run like this?” You pat your thigh to get your point across. “You ruined my life Jotaro. Both of you. You were the only people I trusted and you took everything from me.”

He reaches over to try to put a hand on your shoulder, but you slap it away. “Just leave me alone...I’m tired of having to pretend I’m not miserable.”

That seems to be enough to make him go quiet. There’s a moment of heavy silence before he mutters something and leaves the room again. You could tell from the look he gave you that you actually hurt him. Maybe he really was trying to help you in his own twisted way, but that didn’t change any of this.

You go back to playing the game in case Jotaro’s guilt wore off and he decided to come back in, but in the back of your mind you started to think. The window had bars on it now, but you could always pick the lock on the front door again.

You glance back at it. There were so many locks and you were being imprisoned by a man who could literally stop time. If Jotaro noticed you were gone it was over since you could never hope to outrun him, but on the other hand he was the more lieutenant of the two and the worst thing he would probably do would be yelling or taking away your games. You didn’t like the sound of whatever Kakyoin had told him.

Weighing the options you have, you decide that it’s now or never.

Your stand manifests again and you pull out your bobby pin. You were glad that they hadn’t found it yet. Taking your legs may have made it harder for you to leave, but it also meant that they let their guard down around you.

Your stand scoops you up and floats over to the exit. You start slowly getting to work, undoing each and every lock methodically. You were trying to go as quickly as you could, but you had to make sure it was lined up correctly. Every moment was agonizing and you could feel your chest tighten with every movement you made. Would he notice you were escaping?

As the final lock unlatches though, you let out a quiet sigh of relief. All you had to do was walk out now. You weren’t worried about Kakyoin coming home early today, so you should be fine this time.

You slowly turn the knob and push the door open, letting your stand carry you outside. You smile as you breath in the air again. How long had it been again...?

Your stand carries you back down the familiar path to your old place and you enter it, a warm feeling easing into you. You missed it. Your missed your stuff, the things you had on your wall, sleeping in your own bed.

But you couldn’t stay here. This was probably the first place they would look once they figured out you were gone. You were just here to grab your money, pack your bags, and say goodbye to it one last time. You really would miss this place. This was the first real home you had ever had.

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

It wasn’t easy fleeing from them. You always had to be two steps ahead of them at all times and think of places they wouldn’t look for you. Sometimes this meant sleeping in run down hotels. Other times it meant parking your car a good distance away from you and camping out in the woods.

One of the first things you had done after you were a good distance away was get a good wheelchair and trade your car for one that was more accessible. While you could use your stand for some things to make up for your condition, you couldn’t use it for everything and non stand users had already panicked and given you weird looks when they saw you floating before.

As you sat at a restaurant and picked at the stack of pancakes in front of you, you start thinking about what you are going to do long term. School was out of the question at this point. You no doubt had failed all of your classes by now and going back would just put you at risk. It’s not like you could get Jotaro and Kakyoin arrested or kicked out. You didn’t have any evidence and no one would trust your word over their word since they were the only people that really knew you.

Maybe if you were lucky you could get some kind of job. Rent a place with a room mate. It wasn’t following your dreams and it certainly wasn’t the life you wanted to live at all, but it would mean safety and survival. Safety and survival would always win out as much as you hated it. They pretty much stole your life from you, but this was better than going back.

Anyway, there were pancakes today. And you were starving. You had to skip a meal yesterday, so you were looking forward to this.

You didn’t let down your guard though. You were constantly looking around to make sure that you couldn’t make out any familiar faces. Satisfied that you were mostly alone, you let yourself enjoy the pancakes, digging into them with your fork as quickly as possible.

“Looks like somebody is in a hurry.”

The voice behind you almost makes you spit out your food. You would recognize the sickeningly sweet tone that he always had around you anywhere. Your stand moves to pick you up, as you mutter out an apology under your breath before leaving some money on the table and starting to move to the exit. You could hear footsteps behind you and you could just barely make out the green of Kakyoin’s stand out of the corner of your eye, creeping along the floor as it chased after you. No one else would be able to see it. No one would even know you were in danger as you flew past them even if they were giving you looks.

As you got to the door, a looming figure stepped in front of it to block your path to safety. You curse yourself. You should have known he wouldn’t be alone. Of course he wouldn’t. You look back to see nothing but writhing green everywhere. It was over. You had lost.

You feel a hand on your shoulder as Jotaro glares down at you. Kakyoin comes up behind you with a terrifyingly gleeful look on his face.

“I’m so glad we found you again y/n. We missed you so much. Finish your pancakes. You’ll need your energy for later.”

You did not like the sound of that.

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

You tried to eat as slowly as possible, looking around to make sure there wasn’t anything you missed. That there wasn’t some backdoor you hadn’t seen that you could still make a dash for. But no, it didn’t seem like there was. And even if there had been one, would didn’t have a chance at outrunning Jotaro.

[bangtanintotheroom]

For the Champagne babies, what if YN was a dom as well? How would that first time have gone?

I'm pretty sure Hobi would have had his hands full 😬

Apples and Peaches

• Pairing: Rich!Hoseok x (F)Reader

• Genre: Non-Idol!AU, Rich!AU, Smut, Humor, Friends to FWB

• Rating: 18+

• Words: 1.3k

• Summary: You accepted Hoseok’s offer on the plane, but little did he know, you had your own tricks hiding up your sleeve.

• Warnings/themes: dom!Hoseok, dom!Y/N, spanking, dirty talk, power dynamics, power play, oral (m. receiving), use of safe words, deep throating, spit, p*ssy slapping (with c*ck), unprotected sex (wrap your willies!), Hobi and his damn leg cramps

• Notes: The demon has yet another request but for Champagne bbies! The thought of Y/N actually surprising Hobi with how dom she can be also makes me giggle. I’m sure he’d be appreciative of his girl, nonetheless 😁

• Taglist: @parkdatjimin @jimilter @joontied @highly-functioning-mitochondria @swweetnightt @sunshinerainbowsbts @minttangerines @miscelunaaa @sugalaritae @herecomesjoon @sopeorsoaporsoup @cris1984love @kookiecrumb @codeinebelle @ssaboala

“Shit, baby, your ass is starting to look so good now. Almost makes me wish I marked it up sooner.”

“Why haven’t you?”

Hoseok’s hand paused in mid-air at your inquisition.

“Excuse me, darling?”

“I said, why haven’t you? All this time we’ve been around each other and you’ve never made a move.”

Your friend did not expect that to come out of your mouth, his deep brown eyes widening.

“Oh…well, I never got the courage to—”

Wait a minute. Why he was having a conversation with you about that? You were throwing him off his game, dammit.

“That’s none of your business, Y/N. I didn’t say you could question me, did I?”

He saw your head shaking side to side.

“You didn’t, sir, but—” You pushed your bottom back further before wiggling it. “You might have to hit a little harder to get me to shut up.”

This was not how he was expecting this to go. You had started off somewhat submissive but it seemed like you were just hiding the fire temporarily.

Nope, he couldn’t let his control slip.

A hand dug into the flesh of your cheek.

“Alright, brat. You want me to stop holding back? Fine. I’m only stopping if you say ‘apple’, understood?”

“Yes Hoseok.”

With that, Hoseok removed said hand and readied his strike, hovering in the air for a few seconds before swinging down.

“Fuck! Yes, just like that!”

The man behind you jumped at the loud swear that rang out from your mouth. With the first expletive, he thought he had gone too far, but the words that followed let him know that it wasn’t the case at all. And there was no room for mistake with what you said next.

“Sir, do it again, please—”

…fuck, his cock was so close to busting through his fly.

His spanking remained steady, even though the skin of your ass kept reddening and his hand started aching. Fearful he’d get carpal tunnel if he kept going, Hoseok paused. As soon as an indignant cry left you, he reached down and grabbed your shoulders, spinning you around before planting his mouth onto yours with need. But even there you didn’t shy away, opening your mouth to let your tongue dart out and pry his own lips apart.

A growl catching in his throat, Hoseok pulled away, coming face to face with your lidded eyes that showed annoyance at being interrupted.

“What do you think you’re doing, Y/N?”

“I was letting you spank me but you so rudely stopped.”

His dark eyes narrowed. “I think you’re forgetting who’s in charge here, sweetheart.”

“Aw, but sir—” You had the nerve to pout at him.

“You’re the one who assumed I’d just lie back and let you do whatever you want with me the whole time. I can hold my own against someone like you, you know.”

Now this was not a turn of events that was expected.

But surprisingly, Hoseok wasn’t turned off. If anything, he felt up for the challenge.

Maybe your idea of dominance was on a different level than his.

His heart-shaped lips quirked in humor.

“Is that so?”

Hoseok wasn’t wrong.

Your idea of dominance was on a different level than his.

You had this man’s bare form laid out on the bed, sheets rumpled as his long fingers dug into them, steady groans and gasps being forced out of his mouth.

All because you had his cock housed deep in your throat and your fingers teasing his balls.

And you would not stop.

But to be fair, Hoseok never said the designated safe word so he only had himself to blame.

Besides, the sight of your spit gathering on his crotch and smearing past your swollen lips was making the torture a little more bearable.

That is, until you started swallowing around him and rolling his balls.

“Holy shit—! Y/N, Y/N, stop, stop, apple, apple—”

You slid off of him within a couple of seconds, making an obscene sound when you let his dick flop back onto his lap, licking up a drop of saliva before it could fall off your chin.

“Mm, what’s wrong, sir? Not having fun?”

Hoseok took a second to react, scowling as he sat up and lunged forward. Now you bit back a smile as he pinned you down to the mattress.

“You little brat, you know what you’re doing to me.”

“Hm? I’m making you feel good, aren’t I?”

A scoff came out as he reached down and grabbed his cock, giving your wet folds a light slap before lining up with your entrance.

“Yeah, too fucking good. I’m letting you get away with too much, sweetheart—”

Hoseok felt a swell of pride at how you bit down harder as he slowly slid inside.

“I need to put you back in your place.”

“Mnh— Then do your worst.”

Tsking at your defiance, the man above you started a tempo that shifted your body up the bed each time he entered. Hoseok was pleased when loud moans steadily left you, figuring that you were fully relinquishing control to him.

That is, until he felt a sudden grip around his cock that made his breath catch.

And again.

And again.

“Fuck— Hey, stop that.”

You feigned confusion, just as you clenched again. “Stop what, Hoseok?”

“Stop— ah— fucking squeezing me, that’s what!”

Your veil of innocence dropped at his clarification, a devious expression shadowing your face.

“Oh? But I’m letting you know that I’m feeling good too. Isn’t that what you want?”

Legs wrapped tight around his waist as you leaned up to purr in his ear.

“To know how good you’re making my pussy feel?”

He didn’t even get a chance to answer as you pulled him in deeper, clamping your muscles down at the same time to rip a cry from his throat.

“Unless you want me to take over? You’re looking a little weak, sir.”

Growling (and managing to mask the groan that almost came out), Hoseok tightened his hold on your wrists before increasing the force of his thrusts.

So what if his legs got a little wobbly before? That didn’t mean he was ready to give up!

But as time passed, a heat began building rapidly deep in his belly, his groin tightening as he pounded into you. And you were still squeezing him…

Fuck, hopefully you didn’t—

“Mm, are you about to come, Hoseok?”

He winced as you called him out in no time, your twinkling eyes on his damp and rosy face.

“N-No…”

You laughed at his flimsy rebuttal, giving his lips a peck.

“You don’t have to lie to me. I’m flattered, honestly. Go on, come for me, Hoseok.”

Before he could protest, you pulled your wrists out of his hold and tugged his body down to lie flush against yours.

“Fill my pussy like you’ve been wanting to do for a while, hm?”

Hoseok’s chances of holding on were eliminated with your stimulating words. Combined with your breasts squished against his chest, he was led to his finish. The tension inside snapped hard, ripping a long groan from his mouth as he buried himself, dick twitching as he spilled his release. You didn’t hesitate to let him know how much you appreciated the gesture, more filth coming from your lips as he rode out his orgasm.

Your friend flopped completely onto you as the last of his tremors coursed through his body. He felt your hands coming up to stroke his damp hair, coos of a job well done entering his ear.

Hoseok couldn’t believe the situation he was in now. He started off holding the reins but then you completely flipped it around on him.

And you weren’t even on top.

His lips quirked as he nuzzled into your neck.

But he couldn’t say that this was an unpleasant surprise.

“Hoseok, you’re not gonna leave me hanging, are you?”

“Hm?”

“I didn’t come yet, you know.”

Oh right.

Making a sound of acknowledgment, Hoseok brought his head up.

“Sorry, Y/N. I’ll gladly help you out but you’ll have to get on top this time.”

Your head tilted. “Oh? How come?”

Hoseok did his best to keep eye contact with you, even as his cheeks reddened and his smile grew with embarrassment.

“I’ve got a serious leg cramp right now.”

©bangtanintotheroom, 2022. Do not repost to other sites or copy without permission.

[sugarybitterness]

moving in - maria hill x reader

request; Hey, can you do “Home stopped being a place when you entered my life.” and “I’m so proud of you.” with Maria Hill? from @alexleftme

word count; 826

warnings; none

a/n; my first maria request and my first attempt at writing maria weehuu🥳 i have a few more maria fics in the works so do look forward to them :] hope y’all enjoy and as always, feedback is appreciated <3

the first time you met maria was when you two were fresh recruits in SHIELD. both of you were arguably the strongest and best of your batch which meant that you clashed a lot. your instructors loved to put you up against each other in everything. which would’ve been fine if you hadn’t started developing feelings.

the first time you realised you were feeling something not so platonic was when you were sparring with her. despite the competitive nature of your friendship, the two of you enjoyed each other’s company. which made the whole falling for each other thing make a lot of sense. you had maria pinned down, waiting for her to tap out before you released your hold. but when you looked down at her, her eyes were glaring right back at you. for a moment you were startled, were maria’s eyes always this.. blue? before you could realise your mistake, your brief distraction allowed your grip to slacken and maria quickly flipped you over. after a couple minutes of struggling against her strong hold, you begrudgingly tapped out. later that night when you laid in bed with maria sleeping soundly a couple of feet away, you forced yourself to think about what happened in training.

you were always too busy for romance, that’s what you told yourself when you entered SHIELD. you didn’t have much family or friends to begin with, you were given up to the foster system at age 6 and were thrown into different foster homes until you were 16 and entered the agency. this was supposed to be your new beginning and you were going to make it count. but as you shifted to your side, gaze falling onto the brunette opposite you, you wondered when she started to feel like your home.

the two years of training passed by quickly and before you knew it, you and maria were getting ready to officially become agents. you were looking through the various paperwork and landed on the housing forms. before you could even register your words, you directed a question to maria who was sitting at her own desk doing her paperwork.

“are we still staying together?” a silence settled over the two of you, maria’s hand pausing once she processed your question.

“do you want to?” was her curious reply, paperwork temporarily forgotten as she turned to look at you. you hummed in response as you turned your attention to your computer, quickly searching up apartments nearby.

“it would be pretty lonely to live alone..” you mumbled quietly as you scrolled through the various listings. maria rolled her eyes slightly, for an agent to be, you could be pretty oblivious. or maybe you were just oblivious when it came to maria, she didn’t know.

“are you asking me to move in with you y/l/n?” maria teased as she opted to walk over to you, gently pulling your chair away from the desk to settle on your lap. as stoic as maria tended to be, you often found yourself at the receiving end of her affections whenever it was just the two of you.

“i mean.. do you want to?” you questioned, hands settling on maria’s hips as you tried to look at anywhere but the brunette in front of you.

“it would be something a lot more.. permanent, it’ll be home.” maria mused, enjoying the way your grip on her hips tighten just a little more. “you want to build a home with me y/l/n?”

“home stopped being a place when you entered my life.” you replied quietly, as you fixed your gaze on the framed picture you had of the two of you on your desk.

“is this you finally confessing your feelings for me?” maria grabbed your chin gently, pushing your gaze to meet hers.

“would that be a problem?” you challenged, eyes flickering down to maria’s lips for a brief second before it locked on her eyes.

“no.. not a problem at all.” maria breathed out before leaning down and capturing your lips in a soft kiss. you gasped softly before your brain caught up with what was happening and soon you were kissing her back. the kiss ended far too quickly for your liking, you opened your eyes and whined slightly at the loss of contact making maria laugh softly.

“i hope that was okay?” maria asked shyly, one of hands moving from the back of your neck to cup your cheek gently.

“it was more than okay. i’m just- you like me too?” your tone was filled with shock and you wondered how you never noticed.

“i do, i’m so proud of you for finally noticing.” maria teased, laughing loudly when you gently smacked her arm in retaliation.

“so i take that as a yes to moving in with me?” you smiled softly at the woman in front of you.

“i wouldn’t have it any other way.” maria responded, her smile mirroring yours.

[remsmoonlight]

— title : candy coated promises

— word count : 2.6k words

— pairing : daryl dixon x reader

— summary : a chance conversation between you and daryl leaves you realising just how much of a sponge daryl’s mind is when he comes back from a run with an unexpected gift.

— warnings : mentions of alcohol, light mentions of deaths of loved ones

“ Daryl x reader. Daryl comes back from a run and has found readers fave chocolate and keeps it hidden all day until they have watch together then surprises them with it and gets a big awkward hug from them, making him blush like a tomato on the outside and feeling happy on the inside. “

            ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   requests are open ! / requested by @phoenixblack89  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

A rugged backpack is slung lazily over the shoulder of Daryl after a successful run , as relaxed as Daryl could find himself those days, the stress and alertness still molded every inch of his body as if they’d been there since day one. Perhaps they have been, he contemplates. After all, growing up, his life had not been a beautiful, tangled mess of fairytales and light, rather it had been the inspiration for nightmares. Still, he doesn’t dwell on that life unless he has to, the world has chosen to live a different life and that does not hold space for past memories.

For him? The past can be a painful reminder of a way of living that has long since been deceased — focusing on what once was is the best way to take away the focus of living in the present.

Only a few days had been spent at the prison, the majority of the time had been spent making it somewhat fit for purpose, despite no life being there to tend to its upkeep. They’d been burning through what little the group had of their stockpile of supplies, preferring to stay inside the barbed wire fences. To enjoy the moment, how little it may be. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d been able to just rest without the need to tread into a dangerous path .. perhaps it had been at the farm? It feels like it has been a lifetime since they’d had somewhere to regroup, to rebuild their strength to its optimum.

Being cooped up with his group, as much as he thought of them as family, he had slowly began to feel suffocated by the prison’s metal gates — even in the apocalypse do they still do their job well, even a day away has given him the much needed space his soul craved to breathe. Respite that had sorely been needed.

Daryl’s mind wanders off to a conversation had a few months prior, something so insignificant to you yet it stuck to his mind like glue.

“ If I knew the world was gonna end and we’d spend the rest of our lives trying not to get eaten by walkers, I’d have stocked up on my favourite things. “

The hunter turns his eyes to you strangely, almost in confusion as it inks itself into his features as he continues to stare at you. You understand why he’s so confused, it had rather come out of the blue since you had been enjoying the company of the other — a language without words that you are fluent in when the other is around.

“ Huh? “

“ Well, “ you begin, your eyes widen momentarily as you shift to face him, your knees complaining silently at the movement. “ Life is difficult as it is, but you know what makes it a little less hard? “

“ Booze? “ he guesses immediately, his shoulders shrugging with little liveliness.

“ Okay — ! You got me there .. technically ? “ you pause, your brows furrowing as if to allow your mind to thoroughly work through that answer. Your mind retreats back to the days where you spent nights where you should have been studying, to parties where the alcohol appeared to flow without a limited supply.  “ But, your favourite things make this nonsense easier. “

“ Same shit. “

“ You’re no fun today. “ You complain hopelessly, a wispy sigh dancing off silently in the summer’s breeze never to be seen again. Again, you shift your position and allow your chin to rest on your knees.

Night shift of being on watch had been left to the two of you, if anything you enjoy taking the night watches. Your heart takes comfort in a certain tranquility the night brings, leaving time for you to gather your thoughts and to reflect on the day and everything it had brought. The empty space the farm brought only adds to the charm.

Many of those watches had been accompanied by Daryl, in the beginning he’d seen you as nothing more than a nuisance who couldn’t keep quiet. Of course, with the movement of time brings change. You’d found a wavelength where there was less and less venom sent your way. Edges that had spent more time bathed in a haunting concoction of hatred and hurt began to dissolve little by little as he spent more time above air, an understanding had been reached.

“ Ain’t much to be laughin; ‘bout now. “

“ Hm, I suppose you’re right. “ You nod to yourself, your eyes scan the endless horizon of the farm, following the eerie trail the moonlight leaves as it grazes the Earth below. “ Still, I would kill for my favourite chocolate bar. I’d stock up on them if I ever get the chance. “

“ Yeah? Wha’s that? “ He questions you lazily, carrying on the conversation while turning to face you momentarily.

You tell him the brand, going into specific detail as you try to replicate the taste on your tongue from nothing, itching for a momentary break in a world painted red with the blood of the living and the dead. It’s a silly belief, yet anything that helps you to build a fog of a perfect illusion for no matter how long is worth it, the human brain can only take so much darkness surrounding it before it takes a hold that feels as if it will never succumb to the light.

“ Keep y’eye out. Y’might get lucky one day. “

“ Luck is a rare thing to have nowadays, Daryl. “ you whisper, more to yourself than the man who sits by your side. A twinge of pain buried deep within the arms of your words, though not hidden enough as Daryl spots it swiftly. “ It’s becoming rarer each day. “

“ Guess y’gotta make y’own luck then. “ He offers lightly, unknown that his mind has already stored the information away.

He’d developed a fondness of you, his original opinion had been turned on its head and he hated to see even the slightest hint of suffering penciled into your features — unspoken, he’d decided, even in this world, you were made to smile. He’d seen the light and joy that you brought to others, it’s only right that you should experience the same. Even over the smaller things, which is why he would promise to himself he would be on the lookout for the very chocolate you have your heart set on experiencing once again.

Heavy thuds punish the gravel beneath him as he treks back to their new home, observing the complete transformation in their expressions. Even after going through a lifetime’s worth of trauma with these people, realising people who are genuinely glad about his presence returning, even happy to have him there, is still something that he’s to get used to. Every time he finds himself faced with this situation, Daryl recognises the uncomfortable prickling sensation that begins in his fingers and inches outwards, under the veil of self preservation. But Daryl knows better. He has been the fool to such emotions before and that has only left him lost in a sea of silent distress, powerless. No longer does he listen to that mischievous voice in the back of his head that gorges greedily on his self sabotage.

Searching for your whereabouts had been the original plan on his mind, but he’s quick to rid that thought from his mind. Unable to bring himself to just be ready for the surprise on your face.. Or lack of. The conversation had been so long ago that he wonders if it had been no more than a passing wish, left forgotten as a passing fancy that holds more weight to him than you.

The day romantically dances with the dusk that slowly rolls the night on, stars shining so bright without the bright glare humanity brought with it.

“ You’re on watch tonight, they’re already up there. “ Rick informs Daryl with a pat on the back, of course, the smirk that paints his mouth so gleefully is hidden in his retreat.

Steps to the peak point of the guard tower felt as if they have shrunk, the distance feels lesser than normal, he notes to himself. Better now than never, he silently remarks. The confectionary lays safely tucked away in his side pocket, he’d have physically clipped his ear himself had he forgotten to bring it, he’s warmly thankful of his memory in this case.

“ Daryl! “

Closing the door with a lone click the noise alerts you to the presence that joins yours in the darkness. It feels like months since you’d laid your eyes on him, when in reality it had been little over a day. But when you spend twenty four hours with people you now call your family, even the hours you do not see them, time flows at a hauntingly slow pace. Had you your way, you would turn those hours into minutes.

“ When did you get back? “ You ask with a beam, your eyes more colourful than ever.

“ A few hours back. Got ‘nough supplies till a group can go out. “ Daryl answers simply, moving to lean against the railing of the guard tower.

“ You know, you could have taken one of us along. “ You offer, hoping the need is left out of your voice.

Uttered only to Maggie, you’d divulged your fear of losing people. The fear of never seeing those you’ve grown close to clouds your senses, the beating of your heart unable to rest until they are in your line of sight — a thought that if you go with them, you can do something constantly swirls in your vision. Of course, you know that won’t always be the case, but it’s all you can think of when your family temporarily misses a few members.

Winter had brought many challenges, and there had been times when you’d see them come back with scrapes and bruises that would leave your heart aching.

“ Nah, needed to do this by myself. “

“ You sick of us already, Dixon? “ There's a coating of humour as you question him, a smile accompanies your word hand in hand to assure him there’s nothing but humour.  “ I’m telling you now, you’re never allowed to be sick of me at least. “

“ You’d be the first person I’d have’ta get out of my hair. “ He answers back with a gruff, his hand reaches up to ruffle your hair slightly.

“ Don’t be so mean. “ You whine, pushing his hand back with a short burst of laughter with a richness that could rival the purest of golden honey.

A silence overtakes the two of you after the rare display of playfulness that you know most would not associate with the rough looking hunter of the group. It’s in these moments you find yourself looking up and feeling your heart full to the brim with an intense amount of gratitude, that he’s comfortable enough around you to allow you to peek into a different side of the man. This is not something you will ever take for granted.

“ You come back with much today? Or did it look like vultures have hit the spots? “

“ Wasn’t too bad. “ Daryl responds, shaking his head as he speaks. “ We got enough for a while, till we can get a group out. “

“ Hopefully we can make a home out of this place, I don’t think I can take any more of this moving about. “ You confide weakly, your nails pick at each other as you remember the time between the farm and the prison.

Daryl agrees with a huff, the winter had been hard on everyone in the group. The more he studies everyone in the group, the more differences he can see between them and those who had been on the farm. No one is the same as the people they were months prior. Daryl argues that is for the better, a certain amount of ruthlessness is now a tool required to breathe for an extra day in this world.

“ Ain’t my idea of home, but beggars can’t be choosers now. “

“ If we weren’t, I’m sure we’d all be in one of those huge mansions now. “ you sigh heavily, yearning for all the comforts you had come accustomed to. They are long gone now.

“ Y’know, I came back with sumn’ for ‘ya. “ Daryl starts, rugged fingertips descend to reach into his pocket, touching the plastic wrapper that protects the sweet treat. “ ‘Don’t know if y’want it though. “

Your eyes light up at the possibility of a gift, they rival the stir of the stars in the night sky that illuminate the darkness with their might. They may as well cower from the blinding shine as they witness the colourful wrapper come into your view, the audible crinkle brings out a quiet giggle with the grace of a ballet dancer as it twirls away into the air.

“ This is for me? “ You confirm, your hand hesitantly reaches towards his as if waiting for him to tell you that he is playing a silly joke on you.

Only that doesn’t occur.

“ Yeah.. I remembered a while back y’said that ‘ya wanted one. “ Daryl explains as he hands you the chocolate bar, the other hand reaching back to rake his nails against the back of his neck — almost as a distraction technique. “ Thought y’might’a forgot. “

Your teeth plunge deeply into our bottom lip, attempting to quell the grin that is moments from overtaking your features. Even if he’d been unsuccessful in apprehending the chocolate, even the thought that he remembers such a trivial conversation is enough to send a burst of adoration further than any galaxy reached by the heart of a dying star.

“ Daryl.. “ A whisper is spoken as you begin, turning  your sight upwards to meet the man. “ You didn’t have to. “

“ Wasn’t any trouble. “

“ Thank you. “ Gratitude is expressed, you speak with a warmth in your words as you do. “ I mean it. “

Daryl doesn’t speak, it’s not a case of having nothing to say, but rather what he should say. His actions are not done with the intent of receiving appreciation, he does it because he wants to and in his mind, is what’s right. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, unable to take in the intensity of the affection sent his way.

The attention of the hunter is lifted back into reality as he feels a weight against his, arms tangle themselves behind his back and strands from a headful of hair tickle his nose as he realises you’re currently hugging him. The change is slow as he tentatively relaxes into the action, it’s so faint the two of you barely realise it’s happening until a weight sits lightly on each side of your body. He has never realised until now how much he has needed human contact that comes with no ties until now, a connection that doesn’t hinge on the deal of giving and taking as a nothing more than a cold transaction. A content breath of air slowly tiptoes away into the weak breeze that blows through the prison at a leisurely pace, of course, the air does nothing to suppress the heat that burns the cheeks of the man.

“ ‘S nothin’. “

“ Daryl, even if you came back with nothing, you still had the thought there. “ You stress from your position, your grip tightening on the man. “ You wanna share this with me, or what? “

As the night marches on, you wonder if the chocolate could ever be sweeter than one Daryl Dixon. Though, in your heart, you know that may be a fight easily lost against him.

[cheeriecherry]

hi!! how are you? can you write for baku, deku, & todo where they meet their s/o family for the first time & they’re super scary? they’re all super tall, buff, full of tattoos, loud, aggressive, mean & the fam is super overprotective over s/o & the 3 are just freaking out bc s/o is the opposite? s/o is super sweet, calm, bubbly & short so the last thing they were expecting was this & they’re just freaking out & trying to get on their s/o’s family good side? sorry if that sounds complicated 😭

The more specific the ask, the better! I’ll see what my brain can come up with, I’ve just had couch medicine so

Requests are temporarily closed so I can catch up on them!

BAKUGOU KATSUKI

-Loud boi isn’t gonna let anyone know that he’s intimidated.

-He’s already a little nervous to meet your family for the first time, though he’d never admit it. You were so hesitant to ask him to come over, and at first he thought it was because he was the loud and aggressive one.

-But that Saturday afternoon when he walks up to your house and your dad answers the door, he’s like ‘oh’ and it all clicks into place.

-He loves you a lot, so he wants to make a good impression, but he also never backs down from a challenge. So he and your dad have a stare down in the doorway, until you stroll around the corner and see them.

-You scold your dad and tell him to stop being rude to your boyfriend. Your dad doesn’t say anything, but he sighs and lets Bakugou in.

-The fun doesn’t stop there, though. You tug Bakugou around the house from room to room introducing him to your family, and every single one of them gives him the same cold, mildly threatening stare.

-Ngl your uncle who lives in the basement apartment kinda scares him, but he doesn’t say anything and tries to play it cool. The guy is built like a brick house and covered head to toe in intricate tattoos.

-He doesn’t mention it, but you can tell that your boyfriend is wondering about potential ties you have to the mafia, with a guy like that living in your house. But you assure him it’s just your uncle’s quirk that gives him the art on his skin, and that he’s actually pretty shy about it and doesn’t like going out.

-The last person he meets is your mom. With everyone being so much taller and physically stronger than you, he assumes that your mom is gonna be the person you got your tiny genes from.

-Lol no

-She’s at least six feet tall, and without a doubt the most intimidating person in the house. She’s got the face of an angel and the grace of a butterfly, but behind her smile Bakugou can see the willingness to kill anyone who hurts her baby (you).

-Lunch with the fam is a little awkward at first, until your younger cousin goads Bakugou into a spice eating contest. Then the shouting at the table begins, everyone placing their bets on who they think will win. You’re the only one who bets on your boyfriend, and you get like a hundred collective bucks out of your family members when he wins.

-He’s earned the respect of your cousin, who’s like eight maybe and now deems Bakugou a respectable opponent. Bakugou is torn between yelling and patting the kid on the head, so he probably does both and shouts at the kid to keep practicing so they can try and beat him one day.

-At the end of the visit, your boyfriend is surprisingly calm. You’re walking him home, arm in arm, not really saying much. Though you do tell him that he’s taking your living situation pretty well.

-He’s like wdym? And you explain to him that most of your friends and potential partners are scared of your family and refuse to come over because of them.

-Bakugou just scoffs and is like ‘of course they are, because they’re chicken shits. As if I’d be scared of a bunch of-’ and he pauses because you start laughing, not at him, just about the situation.

-Your family actually really likes him and find him a suitable boyfriend for you. They know you’re strong, but they want someone who can protect you and who’s loyal to you, and they see that in Bakugou. They probably invite him to the next family gathering.

MIDORIYA IZUKU

-A nervous boi

-He wants so badly to make a good impression on your family, to get their approval of your relationship. He knows you’re close with them, so he doesn’t want their potential opinions of him to sway your desire to be with him.

-He dresses casually but tidy, and while he waits at the door he fiddles with his shirt a bit.

-Almost has a heart attack when your sister opens the door and glares down at him with the rage of 1000 suns.

-He does his best to introduce himself formally and be polite, but your sister is making it awfully hard for him to stay focused. She doesn’t say anything to him, so he just continues chattering until he’s off on a tangent and saying way too much.

-And you’re like ‘I feel my boyfriend danger senses tingling’ so you go downstairs and lo and behold. 

-Ofc he’s not in any actual danger, just the danger of making a fool of himself. You set a hand on your sister’s arm, and the moment you do it’s like all the anger in her body dissipates and she turns into a sweet, smiling bean. Then she skips away to go do her homework.

-You pull Midoriya inside and give him a once-over anyways, just to make sure your sister didn’t burn holes in him with her glares. But he assures you he’s alright, and he’s a lot more relaxed now that you’re around.

-Probably says something like ‘I can see why you were so nervous about bringing me to your house, your older sister seems really protective of you’

-and you’re like ‘um,,,,actually she’s my younger sister’ and he’s like ‘wot’ and you’re like ‘also she’s the least scary of everyone’ and he’s like ‘wOT’

-You waste no time parading him from room to room to show him off, all while his soul slowly escapes his body.

-Your parents actually scare him the least, like, of course they’re protective of you, but they have the common courtesy not to exaggerate their scary qualities. They still tower over both you and Midoriya, but they’re mostly civil in terms of interactions.

-Your older brothers scare him a little bit more. They share the basement suite, so you drag your boyfriend downstairs to introduce them all to each other...and interrupt their poker game with their friends.

-All of them have some kind of tattoo visible, nothing Midoriya recognizes as any gang symbol, but he’s still wary. However, he manages to say hello and all the pleasantries, and actually gets a smile out of one of your brothers, who tries to rope him into a game of cards.

-Thankfully you save him with the excuse that you still have more family to show him off to, but he’s left with the promise of ‘later, then’.

-Lastly is your sister, who he’s technically already met. She’s arguably the scariest of everyone. She’s easily almost six feet tall and looks like she could bench press the two of you with ease. You promise him that she’s a literal sweet pea, but when the two of you walk up to her room, Midoriya isn’t so sure.

-She glares at him hard, like she’s judging him about everything and if he doesn’t pass she’ll snap him in half. He has to swallow the lump in his throat, and quickly looks around the room for some kind of thing to ask about that might get her to open up.

-And he sees it. One of the rarer All Might figures from an old merch line, one that he also has, so he’s like ‘do you like All Might’ and it’s like a switch is flipped.

-You breathe a sigh of relief as the two of them start nerding out about their favourite hero, sprouting facts and recalling films and old news videos. When he mentions that All Might teaches at his school, your sister honest to god squeals, and starts asking all kinds of questions about what kind of teacher he is, what he’s learned, what it’s like to be a protogee of such a great hero. He answers everything with glee, all his former fears forgotten.

-When it comes time for dinner, your sister insists that your boyfriend sit next to her, which is apparently a very high honor because one of your brothers sulks off to the other end of the table. (You assure your brother later that it’s just temporary and that your sister just really likes your boyfriend).

-But seeing the two of them interact warms your heart, it’s usually hard for your sister to make friends because she’s so intimidating, so you’re glad they’re getting along. And so does the rest of your family! They see Midoriya’s kindness and hardworking attitude, and they warm up to him pretty quickly.

-It ends up being a really enjoyable night, despite the rocky start. Though sadly yes your boyfriend does eventually get roped into a game of poker, and yes your brother’s cheat, but you cheat too, and you’re all betting in chocolate coins. You share your hoard with him.

TODOROKI SHOUTO

-He goes into it being not nervous, and ends up being Quite nervous once he meets your family.

-When he arrives, you’re thankfully the one to answer the door, so he doesn’t get hassled, so everything seems pretty normal right off the bat. Until your cousin walks through the room and is like ‘???? who’s this pipsqueak???’ and Todoroki is torn between being his usual snarky self and being polite.

-He wats to throw shade right back, but for your sake he wants to make a good impression. You’re used to his manners (or lack thereof) but he doesn’t want your family to think he’s not worthy of you. He really loves you a lot and wants to stay with you.

-So he goes for a formal introduction, even going in for a handshake. It’s kind of funny, because your cousin is like ‘lol what are manners’ but your glare forces him to return the gesture. His hand completely dwarfs your boyfriend’s, and you have to hide a snicker.

-And then the guy awkwardly wanders out of the room.

-You and Todoroki kind of just stand there for a second, and then he’s like ‘is this what you meant when you said your family was intimidating’ and you’re like ‘:3′

-You give him a tour of the house, a nice modest place with traditional aspects. It’s nowhere near as big as his, but he like it that way, it makes the place more homey and warm.

-You introduce him to family members as you come across them; your younger twin nuisances cousins, who are more mischievous than dangerous, your aunt and her wife, who look like they could get away with murder, your brother and his friends, who mostly only glare at Todoroki to try and make him uncomfortable.

-Thankfully he’s used to the stoic and slightly scary expressions, thanks to his dad. He wonders momentarily if you’re safe here, but then he realizes that everyone in the house is especially kind to you, and very affectionate when they think he’s not looking. He doesn’t even bother asking the question.

-Lastly are your parents, who are in the kitchen preparing dinner. They’re a little perturbed that you’re both in the kitchen when they’re working, but they seem to be less purposefully intimidating than everyone else. They’re still a little scary though.

-Then he notices that your parents are making soba. From scratch. Which is particularly difficult to master, so he figures they must be pretty well practiced if they’re so good at it.

-Without thinking, he asks if they’ve made soba before, and soon your parents are sprouting off about their culinary careers and the restaurant they run. You were supposed to take over one day, but you ultimately chose a different path in life, even after they taught you so much.

-Todoroki didn’t even realize you could cook, but now he wants more than anything to try your meals someday, or learn a few things from you and make dinners together.

-It startles him a little that he’s thinking so far ahead in your lives, but honestly if you’ve managed to get him as a boyfriend then you’re likely to have him for your whole life, if you want him.

-He talks a little more with your parents about the food, expressing in his way that he’s looking forward to a dinner that’s had so much hard work go into it. And you can see the little light go on in your parents’ heads, the light that signals they approve of your choice in boyfriend and have started making room in their hearts for him.

-Dinner is nice, pretty peaceful aside from your twin cousins causing their usual trouble, but he’s nonplussed by it. he still wonders how you managed to come out so small in comparison to everyone else, but it doesn’t bother him too much. He can see that you’re loved and well cared for, and a little piece of him hopes that one day he’ll be able to get to know your family even better.

[writingfromkitchenator]

Varric ~ I’m Still Here

1,300 Followers Challenge!

Round 2

Masterlist

Requested by @aw--heck

Words: 1,298

Warnings: Neutral Mage Reader, fluff, mentions of Templars, protective Varric

“Is it really a good idea to be wondering around without Hawke, Y/N?”

You smiled back at Varric, leading the way through Lowtown.  “What’s the matter?  Don’t you trust me?”

Varric chuckled lightly. “Of course I do, but the way things are going, I’d feel much more comfortable with Hawke or even Blondie around.”

“I’m more than capable of handling myself Varric,” You said, continuing to lead the way.  “And besides, I have my trusty dwarf by my side. What more could I ask for?”

“Rivaini?  Daisy?  Broody? I can see why you wouldn’t want Aveline, especially if we’re up to something bad, but even Choir Boy would do.”

“Varric, I asked you, and in all the years I’ve known you, have I ever given you reason not to follow after me?”  You laughed.

“You almost sound like Hawke,” Varric chuckled with you.  “And for both of you I can sadly answer chronologically and from least worse to most worst.”

“I'm sure I should be surprised that you remember them all, but I'm not.”

He snorts.  “I'm surprised you're not questioning who has a higher score.”

“You have a point system going between Hawke and I?” You asked, genuinely surprised.

“Absolutely,” Varric said, rather seriously.  “You both seem to be magnets for shit things happening.  Hawke's in the lead by the way, but not by much.”

You laughed.  “I guess I'll just have to try harder, although, I can't say I'm surprised.”

Varric smiled after you, shaking his head, resigning himself to whatever it was you were leading him to. He always agreed without question, especially for you, and he was starting to wonder if he should start keeping a score card for himself.

Lowtown soon turned to Darktown and Varric found himself getting more uncomfortable with every step, the hairs raising on the back his neck.  “Are you sure you know where you're going Y/N?”

“Yep.”

“And even though we're walking through some of the worst parts of Kirkwall, you're still not going to tell me?”

“Nope.”

Varric grumbles under his breath for a moment.  “Should start calling you Secrets.”

You cast him a grin. “Did I ever tell you about the time I hid the Knight-Commander’s wine?  No one ever knew I did it, and, as far as I know, no one ever found it either.”

“I can't imagine Meredith liked that.” Varric watched after you, watched how comfortable you were, and couldn't quite believe that there were things he still didn't know.

“You should've seen the fit she threw,” You chuckled, turning off into a hallway.  “She lectured all the recruits for hours.  I thought Cullen was going to feint from boredom. I think he was the only one to suspect me.”

“He does that to most mages,” Varric eyed the next hallway as you stopped for a moment.  “Y/N, what are we doing out here exactly?”

“Come on, not much further.” You said and started to walk.

Varric doesn't follow, eyeing the space suspiciously.  It was far too quiet for his liking.

“I know a death hallway when I see one.”  Varric said slowly.  “And this is reeking of it.”

“I'm sure a few people have been caught down here,” You said lightly, unfazed by the fact he hadn't moved.  “But I think I got all the traps when I came through last time, so it should be fine.”

“It should be-Y/N, stop!”  Varric jogged over to you as you paused, an eyebrow raised.  “Honestly, I don't know about getting me killed, you're going to get yourself killed.”

“I don't know,” You said, now following after him as he slowly led the way forward.  “I've usually got you around to keep me alive.  Seems to have worked so far.”

He shoots you a look back, but let's the comment slide, wanting to focus on the path ahead.

It was a slow trip, but Varric felt himself relaxing again with each step, his pace easing.  The minutes ticked by before a familiar smell reached his nose.

“Is that the sea?”  He asked, frowning a little.

You smiled and hurried past him, quickly stepping out a semi hidden side panel.  Varric waits a moment, still a little unsure, before he follows.

A soft glow emanated from your hand as you stood and waited in the middle of the small clearing, completely encircled by wild, overgrown trees and bushes.  The sound and smell of the sea washed over the area, but was currently no where to be seen.  If you weren't paying attention, even the way in and out was well hidden, and Varric could imagine it being very easy to get stuck out here.

His gaze then wandered to your feet, a small picnic set up, making him chuckle and finally fully relax.

“You couldn't just tell me about this?” He asked as he stepped in closer.  “All these dramatics is definitely putting you in the lead.”

You chuckled and sat, lightly a lantern that you had and a couple of candles.  “Where's the fun in just telling you?  Besides, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I just told you.”

Varric shakes his head, smiling and sitting next to you. “You are something else Y/N.”

“Awww, is Secrets not sticking?”

He laughed and took the glass of wine you offered him.  “No, I'm sure I can come up with something better than that.”

The quiet was nice, the sound of the sea soothing, and even as you ate and shared a couple of stories, it wasn't disturbing the soft glow surrounding just the two of you out here alone.

After a while, Varric found himself looking at you, watching you sitting there with your eyes closed, breathing deeply, temporarily free of the weight that normally sat on your shoulders.

“Did I forget something Y/N?”

“Hmmm?”

“Did I forget something?”  Varric asked quietly.  “You wouldn't do all this for no reason, especially at such a great risk.”

You smiled as you looked at him, one that he realised had a note to sobriety to it.  “Well, not really, things have been just rather chaotic for a while.  I wanted to give us a chance to get away from that.”

Varric knew you better though, so he thought back to all the things that you'd been through together, and one memory stood out.

“This is the night we first met, wasn't it?” He asked softly. “When the Templars were hunting you through Lowtown.”

A soft look and nod were his answer, your eyes distant.  “A lot has changed since then.”

“It has,” His hand rests on top of yours, earning your gaze as he smiles.  “But I'm still here, as I promised.”

You returned his smile.  “Thank you Varric.  I guess that's what all this is really for.  Thank you.”

“You don't have to thank me,” Varric gives your hand a gentle squeeze.  “But you're welcome all the same.”

Sighing softly, you rest your forehead against his, the two you sitting like that for a long moment, your eyes closed.

“Will you watch the stars with me?” You whispered.

“I'm not going anywhere.”

The two of you laid down on the blanket, fingers entwined, staring at the scattering of stars above, happily twinkling above you.

“Y/N, how did you find this place?”

“I had a run in with a few Templars a couple of weeks ago. They chased me into Darktown and I took a wrong turn, wound up out here.  It worked, but it took me several hours to find my way back.”

Varric mulls this over for a long moment before he finally sighs and chuckles.  “Yeah, you're way ahead of Hawke now.”

You smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.  “We'll have to let them know tomorrow.”