#she later realized it was a convenient way to always have herbs on hand in case she needs to help someone :)

[pinestripe37]

Whistlefam family portrait!

Whistlebreeze's family portrait! <3

One of my favorite warrior cats families- I imagine them to be really close and loving and supportive. <3

[morimakesfanart]

Sindria's Prophet #16

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

[AO3]

~POV Sinbad~ Mori wasn't just a Prophet, she had immense knowledge of her own that was going to make Sindria untouchable. Sinbad was going to achieve his dream much sooner than he had ever imagined. Mori was special; intelligent, clever, capable, and she could read the waves of Fate. Was there any other woman as attractive? The unknown craving that had plagued him for the past week was placated. Delicious wine, beautiful women, delicious food -none of his normal pleasures had fulfilled whatever that feeling was, but for some reason this moment with the his Beautiful Prophet was. "And now you're *my* kind and generous King Sinbad, ... Right?" Mori's bashful confidence was always endearing, but hearing her call him 'my King' in person made something snap in him. They were in a corner and Mori is small; he could easily block view of her in case any of the magicians turned around. He wouldn't even have to lean that far to get a taste of her. "DO EITHER OF YOU Have an ounce of self awareness??” Ja'far popped the bubble that had formed around the two.

King Sinbad froze. Everyone in the room was watching them. Sinbad stood up straight. He shouldn't exactly continue his plans with an audience. He removed his hand from the window and crossed his arms. Yam was practically shaking the magician next to her. "I wasn't the only one to see it this time!” An older magician with a beard laughed and said something like 'to be young.' Another said something a long the lines of "So it's like that then." Ja'far was still grumbling about his King's behavior -he should know better by now, he promised he wouldn't, etc. but 1. Sinbad didn't do anything wrong, and 2. he said he knew what he was doing -he knew how to handle flirting with Mori; he never said anything about not flirting with her. "And you, Lady Prophet," Ja'far changed targets. 'Oh?' Sinbad didn't expect Mori to be reprimanded for his flirting -although, she did flirt back. Ja'far continued, "You said that you knew about Sin's habits so wouldn't fall for him or-" "AAAAAH" Yamuraiha yelled over the other General as she crossed the room as fast as she could, and clapped a hand over his mouth. She turned to the King and Prophet with wide eyes and a forced smile. "Your Majesty! Mori! Would you like to see the spell again with our new changes?!" She didn't let go of Ja'far. The group of magicians started supporting her suggestion with "Let us show you," "I'm sure we've got it this time," and reciting the changes to the formula. They were clearly trying to stop Ja'far from discouraging Mori. Sinbad had no idea why they suddenly decided to become his wingmen, but it was convenient for him since he planed to do more than flirt with her later. Mori walked up to the Generals, although she only addressed Yamuriaha. "Yes, please! Even if it's not perfect I'd like to see your progress!" She spoke with the same forced enthusiasm as Yam. Sinbad only got a glimpse before Mori's back was to him, but her face was definitely a brighter red than it had been a moment ago. She was getting better at flirting with him, but she couldn't hold her composure for long. The King laughed as the head magician practically body checked Ja'far out of her way and left him out of the group before they preformed the newly revised spell. This time it produced a mostly clear stone. It wasn't a high quality diamond, but they had done it. They would have to be careful with this though since it could lower the market value of whatever they make. As they figured out the specifics for every substance they needed, Sindria could become fully self sufficient -they would still deal in trade so as to not completely leave the rest of the world behind. It was amazing. His magicians were amazing for being able to figure this out in such a short time, and his Prophet was just as -if not even more- amazing for knowing all of this and being able to explain it to them. When the excitement around the magic spell died down they finally showed him the microscope. It was a prototype so they had to be gentle with it. Two pieces of glass with water squished between them were slid under and when Sinbad looked through the lenses he saw the strange small creatures that Mori had written about. Seeing them forced him to accept that what Mori wrote about 'germs' had to be true too -and those were even smaller than these things. Looking at those things squirming around and knowing they were everywhere made his skin crawl. The King stopped looking through the device. "They really are real." "Yup." Mori responded plainly. "And now that you all know and have proof. There's going to have to be a lot of changes. The way illnesses are handled is obvious, but there's going to have to be a lot more changes to how food and housing and things are handle to better maintain sanitary environments. I know a bunch of sanitation procedures so I can help there too." Ja'far was rubbing his temples. "This is going to be a logistical nightmare. Do you realize that we are going to have to fix all those things and get all Sindrians to understand without having it affect our production or

trade??" "It's not like we're doing this alone." Mori tried to comfort him. "We'll figure something out." The conversation moved to this new problem. His Beautiful Prophet really was something else. She had solutions to problems they didn't even know they had. Mori had a habit of using her hands whenever she talked -even more when she was excited. She was cute and deserved to know, but she was in the middle of helping his people so he would hold his tongue and just watch her. If Sinbad was honest, he had stopped listening to the conversation a while ago and was just looking for an opportunity to finally ask Mori -and Yam of course- if they would join him for dinner so he could get all of his Generals more aquatinted with her. Someone mentioned a specific scroll in one of the libraries. Before the whole group could drag Mori out of the room, King Sinbad raised a hand and got everyone's attention. "I know there's a lot to do, but I have some things to discuss with my Beautiful Prophet as well." Mori looked back at him. "What is it?” It seemed that nickname wasn't as affective as before -hopefully it was just the timing. "Is it something we can talk about here?” "I was thinking we could talk over dinner," Sinbad paused to see how she would respond to the implications. Mori's eyes widened and her shoulders tensed, and best of all that blush came back. "With all of my Generals, of course." Mori blushed harder realizing he was messing with her. Yam looked disappointed at first -his Generals cared way to much about him finding a wife- but then she looked content with being a part of the plan. "You might have met them, and know them from reading Fate but they still don't know you yet." He finished. Yam spoke first. "This is a great idea. Pisti was just telling me that she wanted to get to know Mori." Mori regained her composer. "I'd like to get to know everyone personally too, so I'm find with this." It was a roundabout way of saying 'yes.' Her blush was gone but she was still embarrassed. With that settled, Ja'far let Yam and Mori know when dinner would be ready. It was a little earlier than he normally ate but this would give them more time to mingle before they'd be completely out of sunlight. "Well then," the King turned to his Prophet, "since we have some time beforehand-" "OH no you don't!" Ja'far cut in. "You've already had a long enough break *and* you plan on ending early today? The least you can do is work your butt off until then." --- ~POV Mori~ The King was pushed out of the room by his right hand man. I had a mix of relief and longing watching him go. "You'll see his Majesty again soon." Yam had a sweet smile on her face, but I knew better than to trust it. All eyes were on me and they were no longer the eyes of academics; they were hungry for gossip. I was not ready to explain why shipping us was a bad idea. "So about that scroll you mentioned earlier..." I completely shifted conversation back to the eventual rebuilding effort and luckily one of them obliged me.

I was lead to one of the libraries and handed a few scrolls on the construction used in the country. I had read a little on ancient construction methods out of interest and some on modern methods since my uncle worked in the industry. I had a little bit of experience with construction when I worked at a community theater, but it wouldn't be anything the people here wouldn't know. That paired with these documents showing how magic was used in the process made what little I did know completely useless. 'Can't know everything I guess.' I turned my head up towards the ceiling. I wasn't sure how much time I had left and I decided to use it soaking up the ambience of the library. The smell of paper, the maze-esc layouts, the quiet feeling; it's like a gentle space separate from the rest of the world. The libraries of the Black Libra Tower also had huge windows to let in a ton of natural lighting. I was really going to enjoy working in this place. --- Yam and I ended up lost in conversation, so someone ended up being sent to bring us to the dinner. When we finally arrived and opened the doors to the dining hall my nose was filled with the smell of herbs and delicious food. This was my first meal that wasn't paired with bitter medicine. I might have been procrastinating subconsciously to avoid the medicine I was no longer taking. Everyone was already there chatting. The long table was covered with food, but I couldn't make out any of it from the door. King Sinbad was sitting at the head of the table at the other end of the room with a goblet in his hand. Yamuraiha started in ahead of me and called into the room. "I'm sorry we're so late! We were talking about magical proofs and," she rambled in her explanation. I heard a few comments of congrats for getting better and said "Thanks" reflexively more than consciously. As I got closer, I ignored the Generals at the table to look at the spread. There were a few different types of fish, meat of some kind, a bunch of vegetables, and bread. It brought tears to my eyes; It was so beautiful. The Imuchukk laughed at my obvious interest in the food. "What are you waiting for? There plenty for everyone." He was sitting closest to the door. I didn't look away from the food when I answered. "I'm small with a small stomach so I'm going to need to pace myself to be able to eat a little of everything. If I save the best for last like I normally do then I might not even get to eat it." That garnered laughs and comments. I ignored them; I was too busy weighing my options. As the guest of honor I was placed at the opposite end of the table from King Sinbad. Thank goodness, because I didn't think I could handle being super close to him all evening. Even with the direct line of sight, I had distance to protect me. Yam sat on the other side of Hina from me. Pisti was on my other side. Sharrkan was across from Yam. Spartos was between Yam and Ja'far. Drakon was across from Ja'far. And Masrur was between Drakon and Sharrkan.

I picked up my plate to get food. "Alright. I've decided to just grab my favorites. If I have room later then so be it!" I was used to being watched while I eat so their stares didn't bother me. I covered my plate in all of the types of fish and some vegetables. "I take it you like fish?" Sinbad asked while I was taking some of the fish that was on his end of the table. "It's my favorite!" I answered excitedly. I could tell as I placed the grilled fish on my plate that it was going to be heavenly. It was already flaking and letting the smell reach me faster. I couldn't wait to get back to my seat and took a bite of the fish. It melted in my mouth. I let out a squeak of approval as I grabbed another bite. After a moment Sinbad asked me another question. "What do you think of greasy foods?" It felt pointed. "I'll eat it if it's the only option, but I'm not a fan." The Generals made some comments that amounted to, "They have the same taste." I was too busy enjoying my food to think about what they were saying. Pisti asked me her own pointed question as I sat down. "Do you like alcohol?" They were comparing me to Sinbad. I suddenly remembered the Official Character Encyclopedia. According to it, Sinbad's favorite food was fish, his least favorite was greasy, and his favorite snacks were the types that paired well with alcohol. "I'm not a big drinker, but it's not like I dislike alcohol. I'm just allergic to sulfites." "Huh?" The group asked in unison. Time to explain one of my allergies again. "Sulfites are a very useful preservative so it was also added to a lot of foods back home including alcohol. All grape wines produce sulfites naturally. When I ingest about 2 shots of a drink that contains sulfites I will struggle to breathe for about an hour." As soon as the words were out of my mouth, the goblet of wine I didn't realize was in front of me was grabbed by Hinahoho. They all looked panicked at each other like they had just dodged a bullet. In an attempt to relieve the tension, Sinbad asked Yam to catch everyone up on the meeting from earlier. Yam started ranting about the progress we had made with the alchemy magic. While they focused on reclaiming the mood, I focused on the delicious food. I tried a root vegetable on my plate. It was a little earthy with a subtle sweetness. The seasoning added to the sweet, but also had a little spice similar to cracked pepper. It had been streamed so it wasn't crunchy. I was asked to repeated what I told Sin and Ja'far earlier about the tech of home, Their questions had me explain more about my world and many of the things I had done: volunteer work to get scholarships, marketing for some networking organizations and some other companies, an assistant and teacher in out of school programs for 6 years while also working at a theater to pay for my own education. I only mentioned some of the places I had traveled to. I didn't even get to the things I did as hobbies or in working toward my dream of being a full time writer&artist. "I'm surprised by how much you say you've done." Drakon commented. I had heard similar before when talking about my past. "Is it really that shocking? Considering my age, I think it makes sense for me to have done a bit." It's more shocking that I was doing all that while getting so sick from my chronic illnesses that I would be fully bedridden and need a machine to breathe at least once a year until I turned 15. But I had also ate up inspiration porn as a child as a motivation to not let my body hold me back if I could. "Aren't we around the same age?" Yam asked me in response. I laughed. "Do I look 23 to you?" I've been mistaken for much younger than I actually was for as long as I could remember. It 1st became a problem when I turned 18 and got told I was clearly 12 with a fake ID when trying to buy an M rate game (Devil May Cry btw). "You're not?” ”Nope.” I rested my elbows on the table, interlocked my fingers, and I placed my chin on top with a smile, "But I'm curious how old you all think I am now." At 25 I was mistaken for a 14

year old. At least, a few months back someone thought I was legal (they guessed 19). Most realized I had to be older the more they talked to me, but their impressions never fully dissipated. As frustrating as it was, I found amusement in times like this by turning my age into a guessing game. Sharkkan had the face of someone fearing they had hit on someone too young. "You are at least 20, right?” They all suddenly looked worried. "I'm definitely older than 20." I answered. Pisti laughed. She was also short with a baby face; she knew my struggle. "Maybe she's older than Ja'far!” Of course she would make the closest guess. "There's no way she's older than me." Ja'far scoffed. "I am older than 25 though.” I could have teased him but I held my tongue since he already seemed annoyed with me. "How old are you then?” Hina asked. "I'm 29.” I smiled at everyone's surprise. I might only have surface levels similarities to Sinbad, but when you're a simp for a fictional character does that really matter? "I was born on April 7th so I should only be 5 days younger than King Sinbad since he was born on the 2nd. However, I don't know if there's a time dilation between my world and this one. The day we met was Oct 3rd for me back home. It wasn't the same date here, was it?" Sinbad is 29, Ja'far is 25, and Masrur is 20 during the Balbadd arc; their 2nd set of ages are 30, 26, and 21 respectfully. Ja'far's birthday is Aug 30th and Masrur's is Dec 27. Those 2nd ages listed can't be for right after the 6 month time skip because no matter how you calculate it the shortest distance between those 3 birthdays is 8 months. I was really interested in how the current arbiter of this world was going to figure this out. "It was Oct 3rd here too." "Oh. Well, that's convenient," was what I said while my thoughts were cursing the arbiter. 'That lazy son of a bitch synced the worlds so they wouldn't have to deal with a time dilation. I can feel it. Hold on... I arrived on Oct 3rd; the coup was 4 days later on the 7th. 6 months later would mean Sinbad arrives back in Sindria on my birthday. Did some 'real me' somewhere plan a b-day present for myself in some self-indulgent fanfiction??' ((Yes. Yes, I did UwU & I plan on making Mori panic then too.)) King Sinbad had that smile on his face that told me he was ready to flirt. "I didn't realize we were so close in age." No colors got in my way when he talked. That was good. I was desensitized again, and wouldn't have to deal with unnecessary distractions. I couldn't tease Ja'far, but I could tease his Majesty. "I know, right? It's amazing what the difference of 5 days can do for one's complexion." Sinbad froze and his expression went blank. Something that was probably wine sprayed across the table as Sharkkan had a spit take before erupting into laughter with Hinahoho and Pisti. "Oh my" Yam murmured with a hand over her mouth. Drakon , Spartos, and Ja'far stared at me in disbelief. Sinbad still wasn't responding... Maybe teasing him about his age was a bad idea. So far, unless it was something important I flirted with Sinbad since that was the best way to get on his good side; hearing something like this from me must have hurt a bit extra. I had been so wrapped up in my thoughts that I forgot just how sensitive he was about his age. I ended up flailing my hands from nerves, and to get his attention. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that when I know how self conscious you are." He flinched. "I don't know if this will make you feel any better, but you won't look any older than you do now 5 years from now..." "I uh.. Is that so?" Sinbad asked as he started to regain himself. "It is. You'll be just as-” "If you're willing to talk about the future, does that mean you are finally ready to explain about those calamities you mentioned in Balbadd?" Ja'far cut in with a fierce look. He had been waiting for any mention of the future to bring this up. The King spoke with a gentle but stern tone. "I don't know if this is the time for that conversation. This is Mori's first meal with

everyone after all." "I'm fine. I made a promise and I intend to keep it. As long as everyone else is willing to talk seriously for a few mins, I don't see the problem." I had been avoiding this conversation for long enough. There were things I still planned to keep secret, but I couldn't avoid having this conversation forever. And besides, I could feel in the waves that Ja'far wasn't going to let this night end unless I explained some of it. ((I have the next 3 chapters written but it's going to take me a bit to draw all of illustrations & comics. Also, good luck to all the students reading this. I know classes are starting up again. Be safe out there.))

[castlevania-afterdark-imagines]

Fem s/o soft-doms Isaac (pt. 2)

Click here for pt1!

It was going to happen. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but Isaac was certain of the fact he was going to kill Godbrand. 

After he had patiently waited for so long, his beloved was going to give him exactly what she'd promised. She, already bare before him, hadn't even managed to remove his outer layers before that neanderthal had kicked open the door. He was blathering on about Isaac's presence being needed and he figured this was the place to check since the forge was empty. Isaac didn't know if the vampire had seen anything before the forgemaster managed to bolt to the door and slam it shut, to the very satisfying thud of the old oak colliding with the vampire's face. 

He was ready to go out and stake the bastard right then, but a twittering of laughter behind him brought his eyes back. She was covering her mouth, giggling. Of course she would find this entertaining. Her thighs were still damp from her release. Isaac however, felt as though his insides were being clenched tight between two gears. 

To his mild horror she stood and started to assemble her underclothes back onto her body. He didn't realize his palms were still pressing against the door until she glanced up and smiled, giving the gentle order of, "Stay there for a moment.” After taking inventory of his stance, he immediately felt a wave of revulsion. The position reminded him of darker times, cruel punishments, cold hands. But he did not have to think on it longer than a few breaths before she appeared, slipped under his arms to put herself between him and the door. Her hands went to hold his face and he sighed, relief flooding his veins.

"Beloved-"

She shushed him, standing on her toes to kiss both corners of his mouth. "It's alright. Go take care of whatever it is, and I'll wait here for you."

He snorted in frustration but nodded. Yes, if they were going to have any peace this night he'd have to go see what exactly was so important to warrant the intrusion. And make it very clear that no one else was going to want to demand his attention again, unless they wanted a blade in their gut. 

"Maybe I'll go find some wine, while I wait," she offered, slipping back out under his other arm, trailing her fingers across his torso as she went. "We could have dinner here, just the two of us. What do you think?"

Isaac chuckled, looking at his palms still placed on the wood. Funny, he did not mind this position so much when he could still feel the heat from her palms on his cheeks. He straightened his back, looking over his shoulder at her. "That sounds perfect."

- - - - -

It had been a trivial matter, because of course it would be. Hector was already doing a fine job of wrangling in the bickering between the generals, it was the addition of a partially blinded gaibon coming through a third story window that made things exciting. Isaac left the calming of the beast to Hector, while he made quick work of silencing the vampires back to their rooms until their Lord Dracula returned to settle the current debate. Hector made to thank the other forgemaster but one sharp look was enough to tell him that gratitudes could be given later. However, that didn’t ease the knowing smirk from his face, giving a quick perk of his eyebrows before turning to guide the struggling creature to his quarters.

Isaac didn’t mind Hector knowing of his affairs, not the details perhaps but it had been at his suggestion that he could both juggle his obligations to the war while entertaining the company of the woman he was so suddenly smitten by. Also, Isaac was in no place to snipe at Hector for that knowing look when he’d already caught him hilted between his lady’s legs in a previously unoccupied corridor. 

Twice.

But he would have time to check in with Hector later. Right now, his focus was rapidly narrowing to finding the fastest route back to her chambers and a hopefully occupied bed. He left the great hall in a flourish, ignoring the dirty looks from the vampire guards. His heels clicked on the stone and announced his advancement down the halls, though he could barely hear it over the rushing of blood in his ears. It was only by the gracing of his robes that he’d managed to conceal his arousal upon entering the hall earlier, and while the tension had subsided quite a bit he could still feel the press of her hands on his cheeks, the brush of her slipper against his crotch. Would he be jumped upon his return? Or would she taunt him further over his supper? 

As he tried to quell the onslaught of mental noise he glanced upon one of the many potted urns that decorated this particular wing of the castle. It was one of the few wings with windows left uncovered, a convenient deterrent to any vampires who might otherwise wander this way, but it also made for a convenient way to grow medicinal herbs in an ever moving structure. His eyes glimpsed a patch of aconite, fully in bloom, their purple color almost blended into the dark stonework behind them. His lips pursed into a small smirk. It might be a bit off color for him, but this whole evening was… experimental. He crossed to the flowers, flicking his knife from it’s casing, and cut three stalks long enough to be held in one of the water decanters he kept in his chamber. She had done a thorough job of courting him this week, he could return the favor.

When he finally arrived at the door he noted a slight gap, the latch carefully balanced to be only a breath from falling open. He took a moment to lament that this likely meant he was not going to find her strewn naked on her bed, they were more careful than that, but he all the same took the grace to rap softly on the door. 

“Come in, Isaac.” He huffed a laugh, pushing open the door and carefully hiding the blossoms behind his back. “How did you know it was me?” he teased, gazing up to find her perched on the edge of her armchair in a brilliant burgundy robe, a small table of assorted meats and breads nearby along with a very elegant bottle of what he presumed to be wine. “I could have been a starved beast, prowling for his next victim.”

“Beasts do not knock,” she quipped back, standing and tightening the sash around her middle. “Especially when they are approaching their 'victims'.” She let him close the door and lock it, smiling at him fondly until he began to cross the floor towards her. Then she picked up on his carefully hidden arm and bit her lip to hold back a laugh, halting his progress with a held up palm. “What have you got?”

Isaac simply shrugged, giving her a beat to roll her eyes and cross her arms in an entirely over dramatic display of popped hip and tossed hair. Then he broke, chuckling at her and holding out the flowers. Immediately she clapped her hands to her chest, cooing in approval before reaching to carefully take them from his outstretched palm. “Perhaps it is a bit unusual to bring gifts so late in our courtship, but I thought you would approve nonetheless.” He felt his chest puff a bit in pride as she made a show of smelling them, canting her head in mock shyness behind the blooms. What caught him off guard was when she then stepped right up to him, pulled his face down by the back of his neck, and positively stole any remaining thoughts from his mind with her lips on his own. 

Much like earlier she was slow but deliberate, purring her contentment across their mixed breaths and using her grip on him to guide his position to her liking. Just when he remembered how to make use of his arms and made to touch her waist it was over and she was flitting away to put the flowers in a spare glass with water. “They’re lovely Isaac, thank you.” 

His hands flexed for a moment in the empty air before he shook his head, it seemed the game was still on then. “Much as you are, beloved. I apologise for leaving you to wait for so long.” With a small flick of her wrist she didn't pay mind to his apology, just settled the blooms into the glass. He wasn't quite sure if it was on purpose,  but he felt the embers in his gut spark back to life as he admired the way the thin fabric clung to her frame. The drapes clinging to her hips in particular…

"Yes, Isaac?" Her purr snapped his eyes back to her face. Oh yes, she was doing this on purpose now. Both of her hands placed delicately on the table in front of her, rump pressed back just enough to exaggerate the pose.

"Do I not have your permission to admire such a pristine display?" He smirked, glowing under the tittering of giggles that fell from her lips. 

"You do. But," she paused, lengthening her spine and stretching her arms over her head, the sleeves falling back to reveal the soft skin of her forearms while the waterfall of fabric from her waist down fell away to hide her form again. "You also have permission to ask for more."

That word again. Empty in specifics, and yet it sent a thrill through him. "I always want more when it comes to you. It seems nothing in this world can satisfy me as long as you are present." She smirked over her shoulder at him, lowering her arms and trailing her fingers over the fringe of the robe that was slowly parting across her collarbones. When her hands stopped again she hummed, raising her eyebrow at him. Isaac remembered to breathe, but was still unsure of how to play this game. He flipped through the mental pages of the evening. Right, he was supposed to be asking for things. And praying it would be in her interest to provide them. "May I see more of you?"

She grinned, tugging carefully to loosen the collar of the robe around her neck. Isaac wet his lips absently as she carefully drew the fabric down over one shoulder. She gave it an exaggerated roll accompanied with a toss of her hair and he found himself spiraling even faster into admiration for her jovial antics. She never let him dwell, never made things too serious. Always a game, never an obligation. He laughed when she turned and shimmied her shoulders, the tops of her breasts bouncing out from behind the fabric without fully revealing themselves. The mirth left him grinning and he ran a hand over his face, closing his eyes to steal against the borderline ludacris (lewdacris) display. "Please, beloved, you have tempted me for weeks already. You know I desire you, mind, body, and soul. Will you ask me to be so deliberate with my words even now, in the state that I am?"

"And what state is that?" Her voice was much closer than anticipated, and his eyes opened to see her standing before him. At the present angle he could look directly down the part of her robe, over her chest, which he did before meeting her sparkling gaze.

"Hungry."

She quirked an eyebrow, gesturing at the tray of food nearby with an open palm. He puffed a breath of annoyance through his nose, the air ruffling the delicate fabric catching on her nipples.

"You know what I hunger for."

"I do," she purred, hands dropping to her waist and loosening the sash to let the robe fall open. The forgemaster felt his heart jump to his eyes, she was completely bare beneath and the faintest waft of her perfume graced him upon the reveal. "I will do my best to satisfy you Isaac, you have done everything I asked. I did not think it was possible for you to leave me so…" She hummed softly, stretching up on her toes to wrap her arms around his shoulders. Carefully she pressed against him, he could feel her warmth through his layers and groaned when she placed a small kiss on his earlobe. "Enthralled."

Isaac groaned through pursed lips, fighting to keep his arms pinned at his sides even as she laved kisses down his neck, purring and cooing her satisfaction as she felt him harden against her thighs. He prayed to every nameless god that she wouldn't bring him to climax this way, he had not waited this long to ruin his pants and his pride over provocative writhing. Finally she took mercy on him. "Carry me to the bed, Isaac."

"Nothing would give me greater pleasure," he growled, barely finishing his sentence before her hands were on his face and directing him into another breath stealing kiss. She ground her body against his and his hands remembered their purpose in life, grabbing greedily at her ass and lifting her into his arms. She moaned into his mouth, gasping breaths escaping between their lips as he crossed the floor to her bed. Once he set her down he meant to push her down, but she resisted and remained sitting up as she broke their kiss with a careful drag of teeth across his lower lip.

"Will you perform this last task for me?" she asked softly, running her fingers down his cheeks to follow the collar of his tunic. 

"Yes," he hissed immediately, not caring what it was going to be. He would wrangle the sun out of the sky if it would allow him into her bed at this moment. 

She scooted back to sit at the headboard propping herself up among the pillows. Deliberately she spread her legs as she let the robe fall from her shoulders, pooling around her hips like an oasis of silk. Isaac felt himself quiver as he watched her trace one hand down her sternum, over her belly, pausing just as her index finger brushed her lips. He heard her shudder a breath free hand jumping up to her mouth. She moaned softly, dragging her fingers over the already wet folds, but not yet parting them.

"Undress," she murmured, the phrase forcing his eyes up from the display she was putting on for him. It took another moment for the command to parse, his hands balancing on the edge of the bed, his breathing already laborious. When it finally caught fire he immediately straightened up, grabbing at the hem of his outer layers before he heard a small tutting from her. “S-slowly,” she ordered, pausing in her ministrations. Isaac pursed his lips, taking a slow inhale while he forced his body to still. As he stopped she slowly started pleasuring herself again, reclining back among the pillows and splaying her legs wide for him to watch. He felt a thrill tremor through his torso as he started again to remove his clothing at an agonizing pace. When she didn’t stop he tried just a little faster, only to lament when he watched her pause again. Though admittedly, she did not look thrilled about stopping either. “You enjoy this,” he mused softly, returning to the horrible pace that made the pull of cloth on his skin feel like grains of sand. She chuckled a little, rolling her shoulders and moaning softly as she carefully pressed a finger inside herself. “As do you,” she cooed back, breath hitching a little as she fought to keep composure. Isaac felt himself laugh, but he was more focused on trying to get his tunic over his head fast enough to not miss a simple movement of hers but slow enough that she wouldn’t stop again. She seemed to give him mercy when he tossed it off over his head and froze again, letting a beat hang in the air before his hands went to his trousers. 

The game continued for what felt like ages, with her sometimes stopping just to see if he was still paying attention. By the time he was blissfully naked she had nearly worked herself flat on the bed, writhing and panting softly as she worked herself over. The blood was rushing in his ears and he nearly broke composure. Surely she wouldn’t object if the game could be considered completed, if he could hilt himself inside her as fast as his mortal body would allow. But something kept him rooted, the pleasant buzzing in his skull as he watched her, eyes half lidded as she held his gaze. Spellbound he waited, cock very proudly displaying his interest until she finally removed her hand from herself, fingers glistening and he heard himself groan softly. Finally she smirked and gestured lazily with the slick digits for him to approach. “Are you ready for your reward, my love?”

“Yes,” he hissed, crawling onto the bed, all other words faded from his mind. Her legs parted further to allow him to kneel between them and he took her raised hand between both of his. Her scent reached him and he sighed blissfully, bending his head to kiss her knuckles but pausing to catch her eyes. She gave a little nod and he continued, pressing careful kisses from her knuckles down to her carefully groomed fingernails. It took a present mind to not lick his lips as her juices stained them, but then when he’d reached the end of each finger he caved, sucking the tips of her index and middle fingers and pressing his tongue to the soft skin. He heard her moan, felt her legs shake against his thighs and continued. Any other evening he might be bothered by how depraved he might look, cleaning her fingers like a dog might try to remove the sinew from a bone, but each fluttering of her breath kept him enraptured with his task. 

Too soon she pulled her hand away, which he regretfully released, but he couldn’t dwell long on the disappointment when she sat up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Take me, Isaac, you’ve earned it.” 

Any other night Isaac knew he would have behaved one hair short of a feral beast and leapt at the opportunity, but something kept him tethered, laboriously slow. At her words he moaned, pressing his face into her neck, lowering the two of them down to the strewn pillows, wrapping one arm around her middle while the other reached between their grinding bodies to position himself. He was acutely aware of the kisses she left on his brow, the whimpering cry she tried to stifle by his ear when he pressed in, but every other modicum of thought was preoccupied with her warmth and the burning trails it left on his skin. When he was fully buried inside her he gasped, legs flexing and back tensing with the effort it took to not climax immediately. Everything bled away into the press of skin on skin, her neck finding its way between his teeth, their arms wrapped around each other like leather bindings. Nothing but friction, heat, and the satisfaction he felt in his core with each thrust that made her cry his name. When he quickly reached his breaking point he could barely speak, only a fumbling of “please” and “I can’t” spilled from his lips. By some cosmic grace she only replied with a flurry of “yes” and “hurry”. He was sure his heart stopped when he came, body trembling and hands gripping her body like he might shatter without a frame to hold onto. The squeeze of her legs around his hips and shaking of her body beneath him told him everything, her satisfaction, her release, his purpose.

When his mind finally pieced back together he was vaguely aware they had simply collapsed, he was still inside her, and she was running her fingers down his spine. When he made to move, grunting as his arms refused to obey orders, she shushed him, squeezing a little around his shaft which made him quiver. “Not yet,” she purred.

He chuckled, testing his motor functions in his legs by flexing his muscles and curling his toes. “At least let me adjust so that I am no longer crushing you.” He heard her hum in contemplation, clearly unconvinced that was a better option than the current position she was in, which forced a laugh from him. He scooted his arm underneath her mid back lower, giving the top of her butt a light pinch. She yelped, lightly slapping his back with her hands before shimmying to roll him off her. The cool shock of air to his dick from the sudden withdrawal made him shiver, but he continued to chortle as she fussed and rubbed the spot he’d pinched. He laid back and tugged an edge of the duvet over his lower half, still pleasurably pliant as he relaxed among the pillows. When she settled again, curling up against his chest he positioned his arm behind her head to use as a pillow, the two of them murmuring in pleasure at the warmth of the other’s skin. “Was that alright?” she asked softly, tracing patterns over his chest with her index finger. “I hope you were not frustrated with me.” Isaac rolled his eyes, nudging his hip against her. “I was frustrated, but that does not mean it was an unpleasant experience.” He felt her tilt her head on his chest to look at him, but he was still enjoying the blissfully limp sensation pulsing through his body. “It was nice to not think, to not have to contemplate my next move. I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I did.” He felt her purr of satisfaction on his chest and bent his arm to wrap better around her shoulders, brush his fingertips along her arm.

“Soooo, tomorrow?” He sighed, using his free arm to reach up and grab a pillow. She sensed the attack before he could drop it on her face and rolled away, eyes lit up with playful energy. Isaac smirked at her, rolling onto his side and propping his head up on his fist. “Tomorrow, beloved, I repay you for your incessant teasing.” She bit her lip at that, sitting back on her heels and cocking her head to the tone of ‘Is that so?’. “Oh yes, I think I will render you boneless by the time I’m through with you. It is only fair.” 

In his mind it was a promise, even if that meant locking every vampire in their coffin the next night to guarantee it came to fruition. -Mod Soviet

[vulturhythm]

1/2 I have an angsty idea (BTW, this is Tristan and Iseult anon - I'm so flattered you wanted to give me a nickname! If you still want to, Skyleen is good since that's what I've been using on AO3). Anyway, my idea isn't too unique from what you've already posted because what you do you do so well and I like it so much). It revolves around Jaskier being horribly sick/poisoned and Geralt desperately trying to find a cure - maybe it's something specific, like a near-extinct herb or the heart of

... heart of the beast that originally poisoned him, but in any case it's really hard to get and Geralt has to go on a lot of dangerous journeys in search of it. Meaning he has leave Jaskier behind (it's a conveniently prolonged illness). And he keeps failing. He keeps going out on any tips, even the most unlikely, brutalizing himself for a few days/weeks trying to kill monsters/please mages/bribe kings/capture demons or whatever he thinks he needs to do, but he always comes home empty handed...

... and Jaskier's always sicker, weaker, worse when he comes back. He'll spend a few days with him, caring for him, loving him, pleading with him to stay strong, before preparing to head out again. And eventually Jaskier realizes nothing is going to work. Even if Geralt did find something, the illness has progressed so far it wouldn't do any good. So he asks Geralt to stop. Stop hunting, stop risking his own life, stop leaving and just stay with him until the end. And Geralt can't.

Can't give up, can't face losing Jaskier, can't accept (what he sees as) Jaskier losing faith in him. So he goes out again, and again. Eventually, the disease and despair break at Jaskier until he clings, begs Geralt not to leave him, and Geralt does anyway, using his greater strength to remove Jaskier's hands from his arms, clothes, hair, Jaskier's cries echoing worse than any curses from Blaviken. On the last trip, he finds the cure. Having lost his horse to some calamity, he *runs* back...

... to Jaskier, full tilt, past even a witcher's stamina and returns to wherever they've been holed up incoherent with exhaustion and fear. Is he too late? What do you think? (Also, thank you for writing such lovely angst! I think it's the best way to get the love out).

thank you so, so much for sending me this beautifully tragic idea! i do hope this is up to your standards.

- - - - -

i won’t let you die

sorceresses are wretched things.

this is an opinion geralt has formed over a fucking century of enduring their treachery and their torment and their taunting, all the times he’s fallen into bed with one be damned. those times were fucking meaningless when compared to the love he found in jaskier.

meaningless, worthless, pointless - and now, looking back, he fucking hates himself for them.

he hates himself, for it was a sorceress whose rage when denied geralt’s aid in the coup of a crumbling kingdom was unmatched - whose rage led her to curse the bard at geralt’s side, merely fucking standing there, not even doing a damn thing.

he wasn’t doing a goddamn thing.

geralt is snarling, spitting, cursing, demanding an explanation, a cure -

the sorceress drops dead, an arrow through her skull, shot from the ramparts of the castle ahead, and, well.

geralt knows when he isn’t welcome.

he pulls jaskier away, runs from the city square, pulls his bard along through the seething, screaming, rioting crowd.

-

at first, geralt thinks the curse was maybe just as simple as the little rash that pops up on jaskier’s skin within they hour, as they walk away and leave the kingdom behind.

(it will be decimated by week’s end.)

he learns quickly he is wrong when jaskier doubles over and vomits on the trail.

there’s blood amongst the bile.

geralt’s heart seizes.

-

he pushes roach hard, hard, hard to the next town over, one where the healer and the mage are one and the same.

“it’s a disease,” the man tells them, and there’s sympathy in his eyes and something sort of like relief in jaskier’s, but - “and it’s one that can’t be cured.”

geralt knows he can never forget the fear that crossed jaskier’s face.

worse, later, is the resignation.

“geralt - “

“i know. i won’t let you die.”

-

he goes to yennefer next, even though to see her face is to grimace inside.

it’s been a week, and the rash has spread, and jaskier complains of stomach pains daily, even when he hasn’t eaten, even hours before he vomits blood.

yennefer takes one look at geralt before her gaze slides to the bard at his side, and she sighs, and motions them inside.

they learn nothing more.

“incurable,” she says, and if geralt didn’t know full well her loathing of jaskier, he would think she sounded... apologetic. “he’s got two years at best, likely less.”

“there has to be something -“

“geralt. i can’t do a thing.”

-

“geralt, surely someone will know... a - a different sorceress, a mage...”

“i won’t let you die.”

-

they go to another mage next, one tucked away in the depths of a town from which geralt has long since been banned.

it’s here that, finally, they get something - a name, a cause.

“it’s eating away at him,” says the old mage, “from the inside out. it’s an ancient thing - dark magic, as dark as i’ve seen. they say... well.”

“what?” geralt snarls, his grip on jaskier’s arm only tightening when his bard sways closer against his side.

“dragon heart, they say. little more than theory, but - “

and just like that, geralt is out the door, jaskier close behind.

-

“you can’t go after a dragon alone - “

“i won’t let you die.”

-

jaskier is weaker.

the rash has become boils here and there, on the backs of his hands and arms and shoulders, and he can no longer play the lute without pain.

as much as it tears geralt apart to leave him behind, he does.

he leaves jaskier at home in corvo bianco, begs their nearest neighbors to drop in, keep him well...

swears to come back alive.

-

“promise me you’ll come back if it’s a false lead - “

“i won’t let you die.”

-

he slays the dragon, a fierce red thing far up north, slices out its heart and carries it back to blaviken tied to roach’s haunches.

the old mage is waiting, ancient tomes and tablets and scrolls open on every surface, herbs and plants and monster pieces on top of and among it all.

“if this is right,” says the mage, “it’ll be violet at the end, but, well,” he amends, as he checks a scroll, “translating these have been next to impossible,” he admits, as he slices off a section of the heart, “and it might not - “

the broiling mixture in the cauldron turns a horrid, bloody red when the heart is dropped inside.

geralt feels nothing but dread.

-

“geralt, you can’t possibly kill enough dryads in time -“

“i won’t let you die.”

-

the second time he leaves from corvo bianco, he leaves jaskier in pain.

the boils are becoming lesions, and the bloody bile is a daily occurrence, and his singing voice is all but gone.

geralt sets off for the forests, and, well...

he slays fifteen of the forest nymphs, and he feels guilt biting at the back of his throat each time he shaves bark from the dead dryads’ trees, but jaskier’s red and bleeding skin is at the forefront of his mind.

the potion goes gray this time, deep and dull and dreadful, and geralt wants to scream.

-

jaskier is coughing now.

geralt stays home for a week, mourns the loss of jaskier’s warmth in his arms, for his bard cannot bear the touch of another’s on his sore and blistering and bleeding skin.

it pains him to see, and yet...

he cannot rest.

he leaves at week’s end, the edges of the world on his mind.

-

“geralt, please, just stay - “

“i won’t let you die.”

-

twenty tongues of elven warriors.

geralt sees the hatred, the betrayal, the disgust in filavandrel’s eyes as he slaughters those that remain.

he sees it tenfold when he slays the elven king where he stands.

he sees it in the surface of the river when he crouches down to wash his skin free of blood, reflected in his own eyes when he does his best to clean his own wounds.

he sees it in the washed-out green the cauldron’s contents turn.

he sees it in jaskier’s eyes when he returns home, tells him of the fall of the elves... tells him of the new scars upon his back.

-

“please, my wolf, stay behind this time...”

“i won’t let you die.”

-

fang of demon.

five new claw marks across his jaw.

jaskier cannot stand without doubling over in the worst fit of blood-splattering coughing geralt has ever witnessed.

the potion is black.

-

“geralt, it’s okay - “

“i won’t let you die.”

-

flesh of the one cursed before first breath.

a night in a crypt, a broken wrist, a gash on the flank.

jaskier’s eyes are bloodshot and his voice is frail. he cannot walk alone.

the potion is teal.

-

“geralt, please, if you love me - “

“i won’t let you die.”

-

eye of the beast upon the highest throne.

a king slain, a kingdom out for his blood, an arrowhead through the shoulder and a ribcage of splintered bone.

jaskier is bedridden.

the potion is gold.

-

“geralt, my love, *please,* i beg of you - “

“i won’t let you die.”

fang of the lycanthrope.

scar across the chest.

white.

-

“the cure doesn’t exist, geralt, stay home - “

“i won’t let you die.”

sting of the manticore.

wounded in the side.

bronze.

-

“it won’t ever work, my love, please let me die in your arms - “

“i won’t let you die.”

vessel of the djinn.

broken, battered, bruised.

charcoal.

-

at the end of the fifteenth month, geralt leaves his beloved behind for the last time.

he leaves jaskier coughing, choking, begging, grabbing for his arms, his hands, anything to keep him close -

grabbing for him despite the wounds geralt and the healers have done their best to keep bound -

begging for him despite the way his voice is all but gone -

sobbing for him despite the way he can barely even breathe -

but geralt draws away, shakes his head, whispers one last time, “i won’t let you die.”

he can hear his bard’s sobs well beyond the walls of their home.

-

twenty nine days.

wyvern, harpy, dwarf, virgin, cockatrice, gryphon, chimera, basilisk, leshen...

vampire, succubus, drowner, kikimora, barghest...

the monsters blur together after so long - after so much of his blood spilled.

geralt is growing weak, growing tired -

growing slow.

and then, one day -

one day, he stumbles as he walks back into the mage’s tower, stumbles and catches himself on the edge of the cauldron, and -

and his blood, the blood that’s fucking covering from melitele only knows how many fucking cuts and gashes and scrapes and gouges -

his blood drips from his palm, from his wrist, from his fingertips, and it falls into the cauldron -

and the concoction of herbs and roots and flowers and bones and brains and heartstrings and feathers and stones and blood, it -

it turns deep, vibrant violet, and -

and geralt goes still.

-

he’s never pushed roach as hard as he does that day, the next day, the next...

it’s the third day when a group of highwaymen cross his path, when they fire at him from the hillside, when a crossbow bolt strikes roach through the sockets of her eyes, and -

and geralt tears them all down without an instant of hesitation, and he pauses to mourn the loss of his cherished companion, but -

but jaskier is waiting, and -

and geralt runs.

his legs ache and his lungs burn and his ribs feel as though they may shatter again from the strain, and he is bleeding, and he is dying, but -

but jaskier is waiting, and -

and he loses track of the days and of how many times he trips and falls and of how many times he drops to his knees and then to the ground -

and still he runs.

-

i can’t let him die.

-

geralt feels as though he may collapse by the time he stumbles against the doors of corvo bianco, but still he moves,

still he pushes on,

pushes the door open and almost falls inside, and -

and he cannot breathe, and his vision is hazy, and he knows that he’s gone too far, but -

but jaskier is waiting, and -

and he steps through the doors of the room they’ve shared for so many long and perfect years, and -

and he reaches into his pocket for the vial of antidote, and -

and he looks up, and he goes still.

the vial falls to the floor.

geralt lurches the few steps to the edge of the bed, drops to his knees, reaches out to touch the back of a cold, cold hand, closed tight about a scrap of parchment he can’t bring himself to acknowledge.

he lowers his edge to the mattress, and he breathes in, and he breathes out, and...

and at last, the witcher is still.

-

geralt,

my beloved, i have kept alive as long as i can. i have spent my life at your side, and there isn’t a day of it that i would have changed.

my only regret is that i did not die in your arms.

i love you.

live well.

[amenomiko]

Those Sweet Moments

Nobunaga - Before You Go for the Day

He put on his haori, adjusting it before giving a glance at his wife who is currently lulling their baby to sleep.

"I will be off for the council now."

"Alright, Anata." She beamed a smile. Her usual, adorable smile.

He showed her the smile he only gave to her before pecking on her forehead and caress his baby's cheek fondly.

"Anata..! Wait, wait."

"Hm?"

She tuck the baby on its bed, and rush to her husband to brush on the collar of his haori, and onto his hakama. "I will see you soon, Honey."

He do the same on her hair locks, brushing around it lovingly. "And I will see you." He pull her gently by the neck and kissed her, charging some energy for the day.

Later that day.. "Anata, Hideyoshi will be furious if you are late again."

"...Let him wait." He said and then proceed to kiss her for the 5th time.

Hideyoshi - There's a Dust in My Eye

It was when they are at the market to accompany her with her fabric shopping.

New stock just came in and the moment the shop owner unbox it, some dusts puffed in the air and she cough from it.

Her husband quickly pull her out from the shop, covering her face with his sleeve.

He cupped her cheeks, leaning down to check on his wife. She was still coughing from the dust.

"Here," She pat and rub her back in circles.

"Ow, ow.." He rubbed her eyes.

"Anata-" He immediately pull her to his chest, "Come here, let me have a look." He brush her hair away, blowing softly on her eye. "How was it?"

"Much better. Thank you, Anata."

He peck her nose. "Most welcome, My Love."

Masamune - When She Dry His Hair

Before she could ask, he answered it first.

"It was raining cats and dogs when Shogetsu fell into the pond. Ahahahha~~"

She shakes her head, laughing to her husband. There's no any other day that he won't be reckless so she couldn't do anything about it.

She had helped him with washing his hair, even though he insist he can do it so she can tend to their son.

Yet, she still pull him to sit down in front of her so she can proceed with hair drying. She wrapped a towel all over his head and he let her do what she wanted.

In the midst of it, he took a glance at her wife's face. She is still beautiful even after giving birth for their 4th child, and he would always find himself falling in love, again and again.

She paused as he suddenly grab her by the hand, "Hey, beautiful. May I have the honor to kiss you?"

"..Has fever attacked you already? Permission is never needed when is about kissing your wife throughout our marriage life." She giggled as they shared a kiss.

Ieyasu - Let Me Just Carry You

MC had to go back and forth on that one particular day with her husband, in order to search for the herbs that is suitable for fever, which supply has stopped for a while due to the demands in other towns.

Finally the search has ended, thanks to a barbarian who found MC very beautiful and gave her a huge amount of so called herbs for free.

It nearly ended up into a fight (jealous husband is jealous) because that old man kissed MC's hand.

"We need to get back to the castle as soon as possible to disinfect that filthy germs." He scoffed, and only get a soft giggle from his wife.

"Ah."

She hissed and froze in her tracks.

"What's wrong?" He look down.

Well. Shit. He is too busy searching for the herbs but forgot about his wife's well being. She had followed him here and there until there's a blister around her toe.

"Hya..! Anata- this is embarassing >////<!"

"Stop moving around. Just let me carry you already."

"Who wouldn't be when you are carrying me as if we just got married--" A.k.a bridal style.

"That's fine. So it shows who you belong to."

"Oh, you.." She giggled again as he nuzzle on her nose with pouty lips of his.

Mitsunari - Be careful of that Puddle

"Looks like the rain has stopped."

"Ah, that's a good news. Finally we can bring her to see Neko-san at Ieyasu's Castle." She beamed at her husband who had been cooing over their daughter.

"Yes..! I can't wait..! Because my little princess here has been sad ever since Neko-san is injured right?" Mitsunari beamed to his youngest daughter, pecking her forehead while he's at it.

And so they go, he insisted to carry their daughter on his back, walking side by side with his wife, holding hands like a pair of new lovers.

She was smiling at both of her husband and her daughter, unaware that there's a puddle near to the entrance of Ieyasu's castle.

"Watch out, MC..!"

He automatically carried her away from the puddle. "You will dirty your yukata..!"

"Awww Anata.. am I not heavy for you to carry like this?"

"You are as light as feather, MC." He nuzzle his cheek with hers, laughing with each other.

Meanwhile, Ieyasu who has been watching from the gates be like "Get those things away from my castle. ..Except the baby girl."

Mitsuhide - Tricky

Summer has come to Azuchi that month. The heat is overwhelming, until it gave heat stroke to people.

But then wormhole had appeared. MC decided to bring her family for a vacation in the future.

They had arrived, and they stayed at an inn in Kyoto. Next to the souvenir shop had a small convenient store. Their kids run around happily, and their eldest son volunteer to babysit the younger ones, telling his mother to rest.

"Ooh? They put tea in a bottle? How amusing." Her husband said as he study the packaging. "Would you like to buy one? That is quite famous in my time." He chuckled to his wife. "Famous it might be, you know how I can't taste if it is sweet or not."

"Hehehe. But we still need some water. Even though the heat here is not the same as in the past, we must keep dehydrated right?"

"Of course." He twist the cap open. "Here."

"It's okay, Anata. You drink it first."

He nod, yet he shut it tight and it took her attention. "Anata, why-"

Her eyes followed the moment he drop the bottle from his hand and before she could catch it--

He pulled her by the hand to his chest and kissed her deeply. She gasped as she pulled away, hitting his chest from embarassment. "Mou..! You and your tricks >/////<!"

He chuckled, lifting her chin again to give another kiss.

As for their children, including the younger ones, could only shake their head to their father. "We want mother to rest and there he goes (-ω-；).."

Kenshin - Feed Me

Everything is annoying that day.

Shingen and his non-stop blabbering about women.

Sasuke escaped his attempt to attack.

Yukimura helped with his escape.

His eldest son refuse to train with him.

His daughter said "I'm busy Father, I have a tea ceremony with the girls. Besides, swords fighting can be done other time."

"Other time? What if you need to protect yourself? What if-"

"No more "What If's" alright? See you later, Father~"

So basically he was sulky. Pouty. Salty. Soury. MC had noticed this and she had gone to the kitchen in advance. "....MC." There he is. As predicted.

"Hello Honey~" She wave her hand, calling for him to enter the kitchen as she pull out a jar of sweet plums. "Perfect timing. Here..!"

He is still pouting. So she tap his chin softly. "Anata? Open your mouth, I will feed you."

"....Hn." He crossed his arms. "I will eat it if.. You feed me with YOUR lips." She blinked, and a smile curved on her lips. "Alright~" She put the plum halfway in her lips, lifting her chin with a closed eyes.

He snake his hand into the back of her hair, pulling her to kiss, as well as to eat the plum together with her, which it took a few minutes. "..It's delicious." He smirked. "....MC. Let's make another one."

"Hm? Feeding you?"

Ample silence.

She gets it. "...Ah.."

Shingen - She Belongs to Me

Both of them took a short trip in the future. The moment they arrived, they blend in with the other citizens, well, by changing into casual clothes obviously.

MC wore a soft pink floral lace dress, knee length, and a Fedora. He wore a denim, almost similar like the ones he wore when he went to the future for the first time.

His wife is gorgeous and beautiful. Not only to him but for the others as well, he realized those eyes around them just couldn't budge even when she is looking at him and only him.

She may think Shingen calling him as Goddess is just mere way of calling someone he loves, but to him, it's a real deal. She is his Goddess and always will be. For infinity.

One of the passerby take a video of them, and MC were nervous about it. She whispered to him that that person is an editor for fashion magazine; she ever come across him during her job interview.

He hummed at it and took the opportunity to call upon her. "Hm?" That same moment..

He took her hand, kissing on it and carry her to his chest, then gave a wink to the guy. "I'm sorry. My wife is for me and not for your entertainment."

"Awww Anata~" She kiss him on his nose, hugging him around his neck.

Few weeks after that, their picture is all over in a magazine with the biggest headline of "Perfectly Dressed and Loving Couple of the Year".

Yukimura - Just Kiss Me Already

His shoulder drooped as he walk along the way to his bed chamber, "Just how long I could reach for the room.." He mumbled under his breath.

Things has been busy lately. He wanted his wife more than ever. He wanted to hug her, kiss her, cuddle with her. He only want her. No food, no drink, no sleep. Well he might need a sleep for a bit.

But he is lacking from his wife's attention. He wanted to have his daily argument with her, he wanted to tease her. Yet every time he is done with the duties for the day-- he only came back to sleep. Or maybe passed out at the war council hall.

Today, FINALLY today..! He get to spend time with his wife. *gasp* There she is..!

"M-MC..!"

*BAM!*

He bumped onto the wall instead (too tired to notice it was there).

That night he got no hug, no kiss, no cuddle, only to face with a swollen forehead. "Nnn.. MC.."

"Yes, Honey?" She dab a cold cloth on his wound with a giggle. "..Kiss me.."

"..I guess it must be the concussion effect." She nodded, "..For my husband to ask for a kiss.. Hmm.." She nodded again.

"Stupid..! Just kiss me already..! I'm so tired I can't even-- mmn..!"

She pulled away with a grin. "Much better?"

"...More. That's not enough-- mmn-"

She poke his nose. "More?"

"..Hnn." He take her by the back of her neck.

"More." And they shared a very deep kiss that night.

Sasuke - Pampered by You and Only You

As a Ninja, he had to be alert all the time.

Except..

When his wife is in his company. He would let himself relax around her. She is the love of his life afterall, nothing can change the fact.

His cool composure would break in front of her and all his demand (yes, demand) of getting her attention and affection will be shown clearly when they are alone.

Right now, he is cleaning his kunai, with his wife wrapping a bandage around the wound on his wrist. "Honey, could you move here a bit? I wanted to wrap it around here." So he did. He watched from the moment she started a new bandage until it is finished. He had been admiring his wife.

So beautiful, so elegant... Cute too.

His face eminates "Ahhh I love you MC. I love you, I adore you, I love you." all over. MC realizes this but since she is used to it, she let him do what he wanted to do--the years of marriage has make her think that it's just a daily thing that will happen so she won't be embarassed anymore.

And..

"MC-"

She kissed his nose before he could say anything. He nod, adjust his glasses, "A kiss on nose, check."

Chu. "On cheeks, done."

Chu. "On forehead, done."

Chu. "On the jaw, done."

"Oops- hehehehe." She giggled as he pushed her down onto the mat. "A kiss on the lips?" She asked. "...A kiss on the lips."

"Mmmn.." Both of them embrace each other tightly as he rest his forehead on hers. "...3rd member for ninja squad?"

She smiled softly. "Why not?"

"...Gosh. I love you." He peck all over her face and neck after that.

[jflashandclash]

Tales From Mount Othrys

Ajax: Magical Daycare III

 It was like drinking Melon-flavored Pop Rocks. In summary, ten out of ten: Pax would drink mysterious liquids from witches again.

         What was better: when Axel went to swat Pax’s head, his hand barely touched Pax’s twisted black locks. As Pax had hoped, something spooky was happening. The world was getting HUGE. So was his clothing. The flannel shirt collapsed from his waist. Although Axel always towered over Pax, his older brother looked like a giant now.

         “Is there tree nut in that?!” Axel had asked before he realized how small his brother had gotten.

         Alabaster withdrew a mini flip notebook from a vest pocket and clicked out a pen. “An allergy? Noted. Tree nuts are the least troublesome ingredient you’ll find in here.”

         By then, Axel panicked for another reason.

         Or, Pax assumed it was because Pax, himself, was now at Axel’s ankle height. His oversized band shirt had settled in a nice, warm blanket around him. He felt very warm in general and enjoyed the sensation of burrowing. When he glanced around, Pax was elated how easily he could focus on subtle movement around the room: the way Alabaster flicked his pen back and forth, the way Lou Ellen held her hands over her mouth to repress a giggle, the slightest twitch of Mercedes’ lips, and the way the vein in Axel’s forehead pulsed as he demanded Alabaster fix his brother.

         Pax reached out to pat Axel’s foot and assure him that he was honored to have been miniaturized in the name of magic. His paw didn’t reach far enough.

         Paw?

         If Pax could have grinned, he would have. His facial muscles didn’t react. What did react were his short, clawed paws. His body felt different. He tried to glance down and bopped his face into the floor. After shaking his snout, he glanced to the side to find a furry, long, almost-serpentine body.

         And, the best thing ever.

         He. Had. A. Tail.

         Pax jumped. The end of his body reflexively straightened and his short, black-tipped tail followed. Pax turned, sprinting after his tail, and curled in on himself to grab it.

         This new body was way more flexible than his boring human one.

         “You turned him into a ferret!” Axel panicked.

         “Actually, I believe that’s a weasel,” Mercedes said, watching Pax roll on the floor and bat at his tail.

         “It is,” Alabaster said. He frowned, crossed his arms, and gave his sister a chastising scowl. “It was supposed to be a polecat.”

         The girl sheepishly shrugged. “At least it’s the right family.”

         “Genus,” Alabaster corrected absently. As though that was the part upsetting Axel, he apologized, “Sorry, she’s still learning her classifications.”

         “I don’t care about—what is in this stuff?!” Axel demanded. He took a threatening step closer to the witches, shoving his vial at them, the one Alabaster had poured from his science beaker.

         “Yours is a new brew of tea,” Alabaster said, staring thoughtfully to where Pax tried biting through Axel’s boot. Alabaster swallowed. “I think.”

         Axel looked about ready to start throwing punches.          

         To prove that would be an unnecessary show of aggression towards the two coolest people Pax now knew (and because the black cat had noticed his movement and was doing an excited cat-butt-shuffle with a hunter’s pair of dilated eyes), Pax darted at the girl’s lab coat. He stood on his hind paws, rising much taller than he’d anticipated. As he had hoped, his claws effortlessly dug into her canvas material. Easier than he ever could as a human, he clamored up the front of her jacket.

         The girl giggled in delight when Pax sat on her shoulder and snuggled into her black locks. That was not the typical reaction he got when he snuggled against people he didn’t know. Pax wondered, passively, what else he could get away with in weasel form. She smelled richly of cooking herbs and sandalwood. Her brother’s scent was even stronger, almost overpowering, as Alabaster reached to rub between Pax’s ears.

         Pax’s heart thudded in his little chest as those beautiful, emerald eyes leveled with the girl’s shoulder. “Huh, her heterochromia remained,” Alabaster said, tilting up Pax’s snout with a bent index finger. Pax was pleased to hear his clothing had confused at least one person today. “There must be some sort of magical interference.”

“Maybe mixed magic in her ancestry or maybe a previous curse?” the girl suggested. The idea seemed to excite her.

“She’s remarkably calm. Has your sister been turned into a weasel before?” Alabaster’s questions were more to himself than Axel.

         Axel’s rage melted at Alabaster’s question about mixed magic. Although Pax was preoccupied staring at Alabaster’s emerald eyes, Pax could guess that his brother had paled.

         Without waiting for a response, Alabaster glanced at Mercedes. “Where do they come from?”

         “Jack,” Mercedes answered. “Their names are Pax One and Pax Two.”

         “That’s awfully convenient for records—wait—Jack doesn’t care about new comers,” Alabaster muttered. His eyes focused on Mercedes like he only now registered her as a living thing. “And who are you?”

         “Someone who is about to be late for morning prayer. Is there a meditation room aboard this ship?” she asked.

         Alabaster’s eyes flicked from her shawl back to her eyes. “There is for people who have names. Unless you’d like to be Pax Three.”

         Pax liked listening to the two of them talk. It was quick and dangerous like dangling a stringed mouse in front of a jaguar.

         “Mercedes,” she answered, struggling to keep her lip from twitching.

         “Like the Count of Monte Cristo,” Alabaster said thoughtfully. “A beautiful name.”

         Mercedes opened her mouth. Pax had to wonder if she thought Alabaster was going to make the “Benz” comment and had a witty retort. Instead, she smiled.

         Pax wanted to be able to make everyone in the room smile like that. He had a feeling Alabaster and Mercedes didn’t often enough, similar to how Axel didn’t smile often enough. Maybe he and the green-eyed, giggly girl needed to start conspiring.

         “There is a chapel on the top floor of the ship, two floors above the deck. You will pass Luke setting up his sword training. He will be in a foul mood this morning,” Alabaster said it like it had nothing to do with him. With Pax’s enhanced eyesight, he noticed the slightest quiver in Alabaster’s hands.

He flipped a page on his little notebook and wrote something. Once done, he tore off the page and handed it to her. “Lou Ellen and I take advantage of the sunlight in the chapel for a small garden. You will find instructions here that say you are to help tend to my sick herbal ingredients five times a day. You will find that not everyone aboard the ship is comfortable with the idea of genuflecting before deities other than the titans. If they do, show them this slip of paper. There are clean towels rolled beside the garden lot that we use for tending. They are not ideal, I know, but can be used if you need.”

         Mercedes stared at Alabaster for a moment. Pax didn’t understand most of what Alabaster said. As far as he could tell, he’d just given her a lot more work.

         Carefully, Mercedes took the paper from Alabaster’s hands, folded it, and slipped it inside her pocket. “Thank you,” she said. Her voice shook a little. She cleared her throat. “I am quite capable of teaching people tolerance if need be. I’ll set Axel’s sister’s clothing in the corner so Pax can get changed whenever she morphs back.”

         Although the motion was fast and subtle, Mercedes winked at Pax. If weasels could grin, Pax would have. At least someone appreciated his game.

         Alabaster blushed at the mention of a “girl” being naked around him. Pax liked his blush. With how pale the boy was, it made his face look like a tomato. He waved Mercedes off.

         Axel sighed, seeming much calmer after observing the conversation.

         She gathered Pax’s things, set them in a corner behind an ingredient shelf, faired Pax One and Pax Two well, and left the room for to wash for morning prayer. Pax would have to ask her what religion she was later. They didn’t have to wash before going to mass—well, unless they got into a fight. Pax’s eldest brother, Kouta, liked to smash people’s faces into the dirt and sit on their backs to get the point across.

         Axel nodded after Mercedes. “That was good of you to do that for her.”

         Lou Ellen giggled. She shoved Alabaster’s shoulder. “Look at you doing something nice for someone. Has your opinion on the All Powerful God changed?”

         Alabaster snorted. “Praying is wasteful when your god is too cowardly to show his face directly. However, I am not one to tell people how to waste their time if false security comforts them.”

         Axel stiffened at those harsh words. Pax wondered if Axel prayed beyond when Chiich or Frasco made them say meal and nighttime prayers or when they went to church. “Would you say that to her face?” Axel snapped. From the sound of Axel’s anger, he did pray.

         “Verbatim, but she’s not the one that mentioned all powerful deities. Lou Ellen did. So I’m saying it to her.” Alabaster didn’t seem to notice Axel’s flexing muscles. He gestured towards the vial in Axel’s hands. “Now, hurry up and test that tea, Pax One—”

         “Axel,” he growled.

         “I don’t know, Al,” Lou Ellen said. Pax clawed at some of her stray hair so he could better see her face. She was blushing at his older brother. Her hand looked enormous when it reached to untangle Pax from her locks. “If his little brother reacted odd due to mixed magic or a curse…”

         “True,” Alabaster said. He shook the thought off. “Lelly, that wouldn’t affect how tea tastes.” He looked annoyed.

         Her laugh was light.

         Alabaster turned back to Axel, tapping his chin with his pen. Those emerald eyes examined Axel with a new interest.

         A sense of foreboding made Pax bristle out his fur. He almost slipped off Lou Ellen’s shoulder and had to dig his claws deeper in the canvas to stay mounted.

         Yea, these were witches, but they would never be able to undo the Mayan sorcery that Axel had worked—they couldn’t undo what Axel did to his face. Frasco taught him how to do it years ago, and Axel had spent years perfecting—

         Neither Pax nor Axel realized what Alabaster was doing until it was too late.

         Alabaster snatched Axel’s illusion off his face like it was a physical mask.

         Axel reared backwards, like he thought Alabaster had wanted to punch him. When the illusion dissolved under the witch’s fingers, Axel took an additional stagger backwards, like he’d been hit.

         “Stop!” Pax tried to shout, but it came out a high-pitched squeal. He reached a paw towards his brother to calm Axel and tell him it was okay. But, his paw only reached out a few inches.

         Axel covered his face with his hands. A low growl emitted from his throat as he backed a step towards the door. Pax knew that look. Axel was scared. Scared and humiliated.

         “Fascinating,” Alabaster said. He flipped the shimmering image of a normal fourteen-year-old boy’s features in his hands. It looked weird and floppy without Axel’s face to rest against. Pax didn’t know it could maintain itself when not obscuring his brother. “You know how to use the Mist. You know how to use the Mist well.”

         “Told you my Mist weakening ward would come in handy,” Lou Ellen said gleefully.

         Alabaster poked at the distinct dents in the mask that represented a pair of brown eyes. They looked like contacts sewn into rubber. “Monsters use the Mist like this all the time, but I would have never thought about using it on a human—”

         “Give. It. Back,” Axel snarled. As best he could while covering his face, he rose to full height and took a step forward.

         Pax needed a distraction and he needed it fast. While his brother was awesome and infallible, Pax wasn’t sure how he’d fair against these two Ravenclaws in a brawl. And he didn’t want to fight with their new friends.

         Like the Greek gods had been listening and generous for once, a distraction was exactly what Pax received.

         He lunged towards his brother. His intention was to prevent a fight. Unfortunately, weasel paws weren’t as good at propelling forward as human paws. He began to fall short by several feet.

         Then, his weasel hind legs slammed into the floor higher than they should have. The fore paws, that he intended to extend between the two parties, reached the full span of both witches. He stood to human height, his butt exposed to the witches and his front to his brother.

         All Pax could think about was how everything felt much colder. Why didn’t humans have fur? Fur seemed like such a great idea. Pax realized, belated, that wasn’t what he should have been focusing on.

  ***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed! Pax *ehem* has a bit of a nudity problem. Matthias recently told him nudist colonies were a thing, and now he won’t stop submitting it in Jack’s suggestion box for Ways to Make Camp Othrys Better.

 Stay tuned next week for the final segment of this short story!

[awakeshedreams]

Promise Me This

Prompt: "fighting against all odds, I know we'll be alright this time"

Summary: Being inlove with the crown Prince wasn't supposed to make your life easier, however when he is just as inlove with you things can get even harder. Although you both wish to live happy with each other, some things are just not meant to be, promises and all. This is a story of a future King of a nation and his undying love for the Queen of his heart.

Pairing: Crown Prince! Jimin X Reader

Genre: Fluff, Smut, Angst. Royal!AU, Medieval!AU.

Wordcount: 3.9K

Warning: Oral (Female receiving), kind of public sex. Shsjsjs😳

A/N: um yeah this is a new story of mine. Sorry for any spelling/grammar errors. Hoping that you guys enjoy it enough for part 2? Let me know please so haha anyways have a nice day 💜💜

.

You groan as you stretch your neck and massage it, an empty basket that had contained dirty laundry prior perched on your hip.

Saying you were tired would be an understatement, everyone was. Every worker in the palace has been working for hours and hours these past week preparing for the welcoming of Walcott Kingdom Royal Family who were a close ally to the much larger Royal Park's.

Not only were your tired beyond words, you were also crestfallen. There was talks of marriage between the eldest son, the future king and Walcott's princess. And any person would be joyful regarding the union that would bring together two nations but you, as much as you’ve tried to, you have failed.

Park Jimin, the future King. He was loved by many, as a king, as a family member, as a person, as a man. But for you, he was your other half and you were his.

It was odd. Not even how the both of you came from two completely different worlds. But how you met too.

Growing up, Jimin spent all his days copped up in the castle, especially during daytime. He was thought to believe that he could die and that his hair would turn black if he walked in the sun although he would later learn that it was a simple lie and tactic to keep the boy sitting the castle walls during the time of war but then he met you.

This was when your mother was still alive and you were sent to the castle gardens to pick some rare herbs to help treat the many wounded.

You were running a little late because you were in a daze, you loved gardens so you couldn’t help but do more than just dutifully pick herbs and leave so quick. You admired the endless floras, you had never been in any of the palace gardens and who knows when you would have the chance to witness such beauty again, so you seized the opportunity to take your time.

Jimin had stumbled across you in there and you were terrified when you turned to face the direction of where the sound of twigs cracking under the pressure of his feet came from.

He had reassures you that he was just a guard. He wore a hood and in the moonlit night, you couldn't make out his face although the peeking shimmering luminous locks that told you perhaps he was not just a guard. He seemed too unique, the aura he exuded light and strong, humble and authoritative at the same time . Still he managed to follow you to the site of the tents with the injured soldiers and residents like a little lost puppy, trailing you from behind. Every time you glanced over your shoulder he would stop abruptly as if caught, twinkly wide eyes looking back at you from under the hood. It was comical and you enjoyed doing it, just to catch him off guard. You were beginning to think he was reacting that way on purpose. There’s no way someone would react as flustered as the first time after over 10 times of sneaky turns. You would later learn that he did in fact pretend to be surprised, he only wanted to listen to the little laughter you would let out as you would shake your head and resume your walk.

He was petrified, angry and sad as he looked at the people with clenched fist and you were confused but you didn’t pay much mind to it then. No-one would like to see people in pain and suffering. He came everyday for 2 weeks and helped as much as he could before he disappeared. You were sad and after anticipating his presence for a while, you told your heart to be still and forget about him.

Until one day he came not a commoner but as a prince in armour into the tents, seeking for only you to treat his injuries. To say you were shocked was an understatement, but still you patched him with your mouth sewed shut as he observed you closely.

You don’t remember much because your feelings were all over the place that night, except that that was the night of your first kiss with him or any man and that that marked the first night of your blossomed love.

You still remember your first secret rendezvous with him. You were terrified and you almost couldn't sleep at that inn that night but with his arms around you, all your worries ceases to exist.

But it’s at moments like this you realise that you are deluded, there's no way someone like you could actually end up with someone like him. You were after all a mere peasant and he was now a crown Prince for goodness sake, not just a Prince. He was 100 steps away from You before but now? Maybe about 300? 1000? You knew the endings of your type of forbidden love stories all too well, and none of them were favourable. One of the queens had all her husbands concubines executed the morning after she married Jimin's ancestors. But still you stayed with him.

Because you believed that Jimin was different. Jimin loved you, and he told you that often. He showed it to you as well. He was a nice person, the way his eyes would glimmer and his cheeks would expand as he talked about a new kingdom under his rule. A kingdom where no-one would have to be ashamed by their upbringing, a kingdom where everyone is equal and no-one had to suffer because of where they came from. A kingdom Jimin wanted to create with you.

You're brought back into the cruel reality when you are grabbed by the arm and pulled into a dark alley.

You’re about to scream and attempt to strike the offender you couldn't see well in the dark in what you assumed would be the face but they grab your wrist.

“Hey, Relax,” he chuckles as he muses you aggressiveness and your eyes go wide as you frantically look around.

“Your Majesty what do you-" you begin to whisper shout but he places a finger over your lips to hush you and you stand down.

“I wanted to see you.” He smiles as he cups your cheek and grazes the heating skin.

“You saw me yesterday, Your majesty.” You furrow your brows recalling having had a small walk with him in the town down below , particularly the rather scandalous kiss he had stolen which had earned him a snack on the chest to which he simply chuckles at while you tried to hide your embarrassed face, afraid to look around and see if anyone had seen however Jimin could be an ass, finding it convenient to intertwine your hands. He was on a mission by his sick fathers order and you had seen him around, sending each other shy glances as you pretend to be interested in the fruits the seller was trying to sell to you and Jimin subconsciously ignores one if the knights explaining something to him.

He had also seen you the day before, right after the announcement of the incoming guests was announced. He had reassured you not to worry and to not listen to what anyone was saying regarding the supposed marriage arrangements between him and the princess as he held your bare body against his in his silk sheets. You had smiled at him, taking in his sweet comforting words. Though your heart still had doubts and worries, so you had held onto him tighter than ever as you fell asleep over his beating heart.

Jimin sighs as he backs away, taking your hand in his before he starts walking and you panic.

“W-where are we going?” you stutter as Jimin leads you down the moon lit empty hallway without a word. You knew this route to be a restricted route and although Jimin has shown you many secret passage ways and what not in the castle when you two made your secret rendezvous, you’ve never once used this way.

“Somewhere.” He grins cheekily as he glances at you over his shoulder and you sigh as you roll your eyes to the heavens and follow him mindlessly.

You observe the back of his head, the way his silver locks glimmer and twinkle under the moon light always amazed you, it was so beautiful. Like his eyes that changed colours often. They were usually a light ashy grey but they could turn pitch black when he was angry or aroused.

You are too busy admiring him to realize you have reached your destination.

“Here,” Jimin chirps as he stops in front of a semi in door garden.

Your jaw drops as your eyes scan through the beauty ahead.

Jimin grins proudly as he places a hand on the small of your back and guides you further into the garden. He knew you would like it.

How could you not? It was everything you loved in this world, all types of flowers were sprawled across the grassy floor and on the concrete fences up to the slightly hazy dome glass high ceiling, and grassy floor, and through that you could see the bright moon perfectly pouring down all it’s light into the otherwise dark room and bringing life to the flowers and plants as they danced with the crisp clean wind. The stars never seemed so bright against the deep night sky.

“Jimin this is beautiful,” you breathe out as you marvel around you once more and Jimin wraps his hand around your waist and pulls you into his side.

“You like it?” he asks and although he already knows the answer, it makes his heart full to see you nod enthusiastically as you eyes glimmer and reflect the stars as you turn to look him in the eye.

“There's a fountain there,” he motions over your shoulder and you quickly turn, running towards the vine decorated fountain you didn’t notice before and leaning over it to look into its clear water.

You see your reflection that glimmers against it’s self, especially because of the coins that littered the floor of it.

You were curious, so you squint as you try to make out the different currencies you recognised to be from many different nations and some you’ve never seen.

You gasp as your hand slips and you almost fall in but Jimin is quick to catch you, firm hand holding your waist and stopping your from dipping in head first into the pool of rusty iron, gold and copper coins.

“Be careful,” Jimin chuckles once he pulls you into his chest, his breathe tickling your ear and you immediately flush, feeling embarrassed and flustered.

“Sorry, I just got so excited.” You croak out and Jimin smiles, hand rubbing up and down your arm to comfort you and melt into his touch.

“It’s okay. I know you would be.” He reassures and you giggle.

“Y/N, do you still have the coin I gave you before ?” Jimin asks and you nod. You always kept it with you. It was something special to you, and you knew it was special for Jimin too. You remember Jimin telling you that it was his mother’s and she didn’t make a wish with it in the Fairies Fountain before she died and gave it to him. Every royal family was entrusted with one. She told she had everything she wished for and so she gave it to him to give it to someone important to him and he had given it to you.

“This fountain, is the fairies fountain. My mother told me about it when I was a child though she never told me the exact location. But I finally found it and I had to show it to you.” He explains and you nod.

“Every wish you make here will come true if you throw this blessed coin in here and make a heartfelt wish. It’s a dangerous thing so the location was kept secret. There are people with evil hearts in this world.” Jimin says and you can tell he’s getting emotional because his hold on your arm tightens.

“Jimin,” you coo as you softly place your hand over his to calm him down.

“Let's make a wish.” He blurts out and you furrow your brows first, but you nod.

You reach for the coin that was always perched in between your breasts as a necklace and flash it at him with a grin, making Jimin chuckle as he reaches for his around his neck for his chain and gets his too.

“You first.” He motions towards the fountain as he steps back a little and gives you space.

You gulp as your mind begins racing, while you fiddle with the coin in your hand. What could you wish for ? Wealth, health, eternal youth, not having to move? You look at Jimin over your shoulder and you lock eyes, he give a you a soft smile which you return before you look back into the water.

You knew what to wish for.

You say your wish in you heart and toss it in before making for way Jimin with a smile as he comes to stand next to you.

Jimin tosses his coin in in less than 30 seconds and you look at him surprised.

“I already knew what I wanted to wish for.” He smirks and you chuckle as you shake your head and sit down at the edge of fountain.

“Remember, you can’t tell anyone your wish, at least until it comes to reality. Or else it will never come through.” He warns softly as he joins you and takes your hand in your lap in his.

You nod and Jimin smiles, abruptly placing a quick peck on your lips.

You stay there stunned, lips slightly tingly as you cheeks get heated.

“I've been wanting to that for so long. I missed you so bad Y/N,” he confesses, voice suddenly a whole baritone lower as your faces are merely a centimetre part, lips brushing as his breathe tickled your face.

“Is that all you’ve been wanting? A quick peck?” you respond with a challenging raised brow while you look into his dark eyes and the corner of Jimin's lips twitches as he places his hands on your waist and pulls you closer to him.

“I’ve been wanting to taste you Y/N, every part of you. I’ve been wanting to touch you, hear you scream my name as I pound into your tight little cunt while you beg me for more.” He breathes, beginning to trail kisses down your neck up to the swell of your breasts that were enhanced by your tight bodice and you shudder under the change in his tone, suddenly so deep and raspy.

“Jimin,” you moan as your hands weave into his silver locks, knees wobbling as his fingers trail down your body and creep into your dress his light touch leaving a trail of fire on your skin the higher he goes.

“What do you want beloved?” He asks as he smirk against you collarbone and begins suckling on your sweet soft and you gasp as his hands rest on your inner thigh, so close to your pulsing core.

“Touch me, please,” you breathe out Jimin pulls away with a serious but blank look that has you pressing you thighs together but Jimin's firm grip on your flesh restricts you as he puts on a scowl and you writhe under his stern eyes.

“Lay down.” He firmly orders and you immediately oblige, leaning back onto the cool concrete and staring at the blinking stars past the open ceiling above.

Jimin slowly raises your dress higher and higher up your thighs and soon enough you flinch as you feel the cold air hit your centre when he slides down your underwear.

You don’t hear any sound of movement from Jimin so you furrow your eyebrows and try to meet down at him but just as soon as you try to, he runs his tongue up your slick slits to collect you juices before he sucks your swollen clit and you arch your back as you buck your hips into his face but Jimin looks up at my with dark stern eyes as he pulls away and holds you down firmly by the hip.

“Please,” you beg and Jimin stares at you for a while before dipping back into your dripping core and sucking up all your juices with a lewd squelching sound and your cheeks flush, thinking about the plants and stars and moon who are the witness to the lewd act by two forbidden lovers. You think about how his ancestors spirits are watching with disapproval and you gasp as he lunges his tongue into you, thumb working to massage your clit roughly, coaxing you to the edge of your sanity.

“Jimin oh my god,” you moan as you hands come down to merge with his locks and you push him further into you as you roll your head back in pleasure.

“Jimin, I'm close,” you pant and as soon as he hears that he pulls away and you whimper.

Jimin hovers above you, connecting your lips into a heated wet kiss and you feel light headed as extreme heat rises to your head at the feeling of tasting your self on him.

Jimin hooks a hand under you thigh and motions you to wrap your thighs around his waist.

You gasp as he lines himself at your entrance say your entrance, his leaking too rubbing against you throbbing cunt.

“Are you ready?” He breathes out as he looks into your eyes for permission and you nod, wrapping your hands around his neck.

Jimin kisses the corner of your eyes before he thrusts into you and you clench around him.

“Fuck Y/N,” he hisses in pleasure as he pulls back before ramming into again.

He continues thrusting into with one hand around your waist to keep you from falling into the water.

“J-jimin, i-" you gasp at every sharp snaps of his hips, angled so well for his tip to bump into your itch that's dying to be brushed by him one more time until you finally come, head rolling back in pleasure as you vision goes white and you go limp under Jimin.

“Y/N, I’m close.” Jimin grunts as you still clench around him while you buck your hips up against him and he rams into you a few more times before he releases into you, warm milky seeds painting your walls as you milk him out completely.

He slumps into your neck as he breathes in short pants, similar to you.

“Y/N,” he suddenly gets up as he looks down at you with wide eyes and you furrow your brows.

“What’s the matter Jimin?” you asks as you smooth down his hair.

“Y/N, I came in you. You know what that means...” he trails off as he carefully watches your expression contort into that of confusion into a small smile. He furrows his brows at you, puzzled.

“I won't get pregnant Jimin, not now at least. I'm on this medicine the court herbalist helped me get.” You chuckle as you cup his cheek and lean up to peck his lips.

Jimin evidently relaxes as he shuts his eyes and sighs in relief.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to carry my children or anything, I just don’t want you to be scared and overwhelmed because of the timing of it happens.” He explains as kisses forehead and pulls you closer into.

“I understand.” You smile into the crook of neck as you look at the stars, your vision as your lids slowly close and you unknowingly fall asleep.

“But promise me this, if anything happens. If you do get pregnant, promise me that you’ll tell me and we'll go through it all together. I’ll take care of you and the little one, I promise.” He says lowly into it neck and you nod languidly.

Jimin pulls away after a while, getting up and fixing his clothes and yours before he carries you into his room.

He sets you on his bed, turning on a candle because he knows you tend to get frightened when you wake up in a dark room in between your sleep.

Jimin sits next to you on the bed,  small smile forming on the curve of his lips as he brushes a piece of hair off your face.

His eyes trail down to your lightly tainted chest, his doing, heaving up and down. He narrows his eyes at the glimmering empty chain trapped in between your breast.

He reaches out to gently to pull it out and tracing it with his thumb.

He gets up and heads to his vanity as a thought pops into his mind , one of the drawers he pulls out a blue velvet case with silver flower decorations and flowers that mimicked stars.

He opens it and takes out the two diamond encrusted silver rings in it, putting one is his own chain before he heads to you and slips the other pair into yours. When he was younger his mother told him that the diamonds on the rings were actually frozen stars, Venus and Jupiter.

“I can't leave this empty can I? There should still be a sign of our promise to each other,” he smiles as he takes your hand in his and places an gentle kiss on your knuckles.

Just then there is a knock on the door and Jimin sighs.

“Come in,” he commands and two guards walk in, bowing before standing up straight.

Jimin quirks a threatening brow when their wide eyes land on your sleeping figure in their kings bed with, a scandalous site.

“Why have you come to bother me at this time of night?” Jimin lowly scold and the guards gulp.

“I-its the king. He wishes for your presence at his death bed as he reads out his final will.” The timid guard stutters and Jimin freezes.

“What do you mean?” Jimin croaks out in disbelief, voice cracking slightly as he feels a lump in his throat.

“The King, is dying.” They say apologetically in unison and Jimin feels his knee give out and his vision blur.

“Take me to him,” Jimin simply lowly says as he tries to suppress his emotions, trying to keep his stinging eyes open.

The guards nod as they lead him to the King's chamber and Jimin looks over his shoulder one last time at you before walking out of his room.

.

Keke 😳 tell me how you liked it and if you want a part 2 ! I don't want to shove it down your throats when no-one is interested:") anyways Thanks for reading ~ 💜

[asher-blackwood]

Into The Light chapter 5

The smell of old books, herbs, and citrus oil fills his nose as he wakes. It seams he dozed of in a large leather arm chair made soft and comfortable with age. He yawns and stretches the small through falling off his shoulders. The room he finds himself in is warm, cozy, and familiar to him some how. The walls are lined with book cases but they are all closed and locked. The may trinkets and paintings in the room are all slightly out of focus, and no matter how many times he rubs his eyes this does not change. After a few moments a light chuckle reaches his ears and he is very surprised to find an elderly wizard sitting in the chair across from him. "Hello there William. It's nice to finally be able to meet you."  Bill blinks, this man wasn't there a moment ago and yet it's as though he has always been there. "Who are you ?" He asks in a calm voice that just made the older man smile. " That is both simple and complicated, but I will do my best to answer your question." He nods body tense with anticipation. He's not sure why but for the first time in a long while it feels as though he's moving forward.    

 The air smells sweet like flowers, mint and honey with just a tuck of rain. Draco rubs his eye as he sits up in the large bed he finds himself in. To his left large windows stand open bringing in the lovely smell that woke him. A gentle laugh fills the space like music and he turns toward the sound. To his right is a stunning woman siting on a small cushioned stool working on what looks like embroidery. Feeling his eyes on her she looks up and smiles. "So  you are awake at last." He gives a small nod, trying to remember who this woman is and how he knows her.  The woman at his bedside has a regal air, her long blood red hair is braided back and he could swear it ended in purple just like his. He hears he laugh again and looks in to he silver eye rimmed with long blank lashes. " You must be wondering what is going on are you not?" He looks at his hands, " May I ask a few questions then?"  She smiles and give her ascent. "Who are you, first of all? Second how do you know me, and third where are we?"  She gave him an amused smile, " I'm not sure you would believe me if I told you, but I will do my best."  She sighs now looking sad. The look makes Draco's heart ache, what was going on, he wonders. But before he can ponder it further the woman starts to speak. " Do you believe in reincarnation?" He looks at her not sure how to answer. He hadn't really thought about it be for. " It's alright if you don't know Draco this isn't a test." She smiles and continues, " I ask because there are many with in the magical community who, by either curse or fate, are the reincarnation of someone else. You are one such person." Draco just stairs at the woman in complete disbelief. This sort of thing happens to heroes and such. Not people who spent most of there live lying to themselves. She seam to know what he was thinking as she raps him in a gentle hug. "You are more then you know. I promise this isn't some joke or mistake. I know after everything it's hard but this is real ok." She releases him from the hug, turning her back to put away her needle work so he can wipe his eyes unseen. " Now then to answer your query from before. I have been called many name but the first one was Gwenfar and you were once me and we have been many other till we became you. And no I'm the only one who will talk to you like this."  She motions for Draco to get out of bed and to sit on the stool while pulling out brushes, combs, and other bits and bobs. She begins to brush his long hair as she continues. " Our collective knowledge and power is a part of you and has always been, but this doesn't change who you are now only opens more doors. So don't worry. As your body changes and you come into your full power things will become more clear. You will awaken to you former memories and your magical heritage will grant you many new powers, but there will be drawbacks as well." She begins to braid his hair in a beautiful but every complicated way. Draco takes a breathe and says as calmly as he can, "I know Gwenfar means king maker or rather granter of kingship. If that's true then would you be..." She giggles and it's a joyous sound and nods. "Yes young one once we were called Guinevere  soul bound and queen to Arthur Pendragon High king of all Brittanya. But the really story is not what you think but in time you will remember."  She pause as though listening to some unheard sound. "It seams to be time. Good luck my other self." As her words get softer a light fills the room and Draco Malfoy opens his eyes to his room in France, birds singing into his window.  What a strange dream to have...he thought climbing out of bed. He suddenly stops dead  in front of his dressing mirror and sees his hair still in its beautiful but complicated braid.

 Bill just looks at the old man like he's gone mad. "So you're telling me that I was you, once upon a time."  The old man just smiles sipping his tea. " Yes William that is what I'm telling you." He crosses his arms waiting for his companion to say more. When finally he ask the question that had most been on his mind. " Well then who did I used to be then?" The smile that brakes across the aged wizards face is blinding. "Well William once you where me, as I've said, and I am Merlin. And you will help The King bring a new golden age to our world." He stairs at the smug looking old man, he wants to argue but something in him knows that it's true. So he does what he always does. " What must I do?" Merlin smiles, "You just need to be patient and don't fight the changes. You have always had this power and knowledge in you. But now you will be gaining access to it till eventually it/I will just be apart of you." Bill runs his hands through his hair, "Alright I will do my best." Merlin's voice fades as he say, " I know, good luck my other self." The room fades into nothingness as he wakes to find morning has come.

 Harry sits in a chair by Bills bed nothing anyone tells him makes the boy feel any better. He is convenient that he some how caused Bill's collapse and so he sits waiting to make sure he's ok. The sun has just filled the room with light when Bills sits up stretching. "Bill, are you ok. I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you." Harry looks like he's about to cry when Bill smiles and ruffles his hair. "I'm alright I promise, you didn't do anything. I'm ok." Harry rubs at his eyes smiling, "I'm so glad." Bill grins as Harry runs out to get someone. So It is Harry. These thing always seam to happen to him. He sighs getting up and dressing. By the time the Harry, Remus, and his mother arrive he's cleaned up, dresses and is back in bed.

 The next day most of the occupants of number 12 are out. Bill took the day off because of his collapse yesterday so he, Remus and Sirius are eating a late breakfast when a paper plain comes flying into the room. Sirius grabs it out of the air and reads it. "When need to get up stairs." He says in a gruff, worried voice. When they arrive it's to an extremely frustrated Harry who can't seam to get his glamor to hold.

 "What in Merlin's name is going on with this charm?"  Sirius exclaims after another fifteen minutes of trying to get it to hold to no avail. Another half hour past before finally the three men had to admit defeat. Harry sighs, "I suppose I will just have to speak with Dumbledore as I am then."  The others turn looking at the teen. "What do you mean cub?" Remus' voice held worry but Harry stood tall. " I can't let this go Moony. He lied to me, hid things from me, Merlin and Morgan Dad, it's like I was being raised for slotter." Harry's cheeks are flush, his eyes tearful. The three men hug the fifteen year old. They all realize that, to Harry, Dumbledore betrayed his trust and this boy doesn't trust easily. So in the end they all agree to take him to see the Headmaster.

 The castle seams strange with out it's normal inhabitants bustling about. Their footsteps echoing loudly on the stone floor and still they met no one. As they reach their destination Harry begins thinking of the different candies the Headmaster enjoys. After five minutes of guessing the grumpy old gargoyle finally trudges out of the way at acid pops. Harry made a face, "Yuck! How can he eat those." " Never mind that pup, come on." Sirius says and moves up the winding staircase. When they reach the top muffled voices and groans of pain can be hear through the door. The older men drew their wands and pushing Harry behind them, then open the door.

 The scene that met their eyes was terrible. Dumbledore sits ridged in his chair pain on his face as Snape was doing quick concentrated counter cures work on the Headmaster's extended right hand. Remus moves forward at once and ask if he can help, Sirius goes to get pain potions for when they finish, and Bill stands with a now nervous Harry. Many hours later with Remus's help the cures was stopped, but couldn't be removed. Sirius made Albus drink a pain potion and once it had fully taken affect demanded to know what was going on and what the deal with Snape was. The others agree Harry watching his professor grow more agitated by the moment. " That is enough Black the Headmaster needs his rest and you all are here with out  an appointment or warning. Why should he answer any of you questions?" The tone more then anything made Harry act, Snape sounded just like Percy. Like he was dealing with a child that had done something bad. When in fact the adults has simply been angry to get found out to be manipulative wankers. Pulling on everything he had learned to control his temper and act as the Lord he is, Harry squares his should and says in a loud but calm voice. "That is quite enough. I am here to speak to the Headmaster on personal matter and we have given assistance in a dangers and delicate situation. If  Professor Dumbledore would like we can stay in town and speak with him later. However I can't leave with out the assurances that we will indeed talk."  Harry was blushing now and he new it but he held firm even when Snape spoke up. " And what gives you the right to dictate orders here Potter." Remus steps in as he sees his cub is trying to hold in his temper . " That's Lord Potter-Black, Professor Snape and as such Harry can demand this of the Headmaster if he wishes." Snape paled as he looks between Potter and Dumbledore. "Very well, but you all can stay in the castle no need for town, but for now I need rest," the old man says.  They all excited the office with out another word.

 The next day finds them in Dumbledore office once more, drinking a bit of tea before they begin. " Well Headmaster, it has come to our attention that you may have been keeping things from both Harry and us in regards to information concerning his life or rather his future." Remus says all this calmly while holding Sirius's hand. The other man sat tensely beside his partner trying not to rage at everyone in the room. Harry's watching the older men waiting to see if he will have help or not. Bill is sitting with a bemused smile on his face though no one knows why and Severus is tense with his arms crossed. Dumbledore seams at ease if not a bit stiff. "Well I will not deny that I have done so. But it was only to protect him not harm." Harry leaps to his feet staring at Dumbledore, incensed. The old man was taking his choices away again. Repeatedly letting him walk into danger with out all the information. He could have died, he could have gotten others hurt. Cedric did die because this man chose what has best on his own. Harry clenches his fist trying to rain in his temper to no avail. " You new, all this time...and.. AND DIDN'T THINK TO TELL ME. I AM NOT A CHILD. THE PEOPLE AROUND ME DIE BECAUSE I'M KEPT IN THE DARK. CEDRIC MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE, HERMIONE AND RON, HELL MOST OF MY FRIENDS AND CLASS MATES MIGHT HAVE HAD A MORE NORMAL TIME AT SCHOOL. SO MANY THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF YOU HAD THOUGHT TO JUST OPEN YOUR MOUTH. BUT NO DUMBLEDORE ALWAYS KNOWS BEST. WELL GUESS WHAT YOU DON'T "ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S BEST." Harry's  voice echos through the room, the force of his magic making the walls shake. But even Snape could tell he was trying to hold on to it, trying not to harm anyone. They all jump when they hear his first sod as Harry finally brakes down. His fathers run to hi side Bill not far behind. The two professors look on in guilt and sorrow. This young boy weeps for the many loses in his life and all the things he can't fix. Dumbledore sighs as tears role down his aged face. He walks around his desk toward the small group, bending down he raps his arms around them all and apologizes over and over.  

  After things have calm down, Harry realizes he may not always like how The Headmaster does things but in a very real way he is family. For him Dumbledore is the crazy grandfather who just love's pulling you into trouble, but always has a reason for it. If he's being honest Harry is grateful to have so many people care about him. Pulling out of the hug and sitting once more Dumbledore explains about the Voldemort prophecy.

  Albus couldn't believe how much young Harry has grown, but he is glad. He's not sure he would have ever been ready to tell the boy of the hardship that awaits him. Now they are all sitting and talking about it and Albus feels more at peace with it all. He still hasn't told him some things but he really doesn't want to add more burdens to already heavily laden  shoulders. Besides Sevres has already promised to take on this particular problem. He sighs as they all talk till finally Remus ask,"So Professor Dumbledore why do you think it has to be Harry that ends him?"  The boy has always been sharp. He thinks with a small chuckle."I believe that Voldemort left a piece of himself behind the night he try to kill young Lord Potter, and that it subsequently latched on to the nearest living thing. That being Harry of course. In doing so gave our young man a connection that would have corrupted many but has not claimed him. I think a small piece of his soul is bound to your scare Harry. I haven't figured out away to safely remove it nor have I come up with a way to destroy Voldemort with out it. I'm so sorry dear boy, I feel as though I have failed you in this regard." The tears role slowly down his face as all the guilt and regrets came back. Not just about Harry but so many times when he thought his choice was the best he could make. Though now looking back on it all there would be so many things he would do differently if he could. Now the boy he had come to care for like his own, looking at him willing to forgive if he only opens up. The old man sighs, And yet there are still things I must keep from him. I hope he can forgive me in the end. Whipping his eyes he looks at them all and smiles.

 Harry sat for what felt like hours listening to his dad and his professor argue like children, while his Father, Headmaster, and surrogate older brother try and calm things down. The problem was half the time they would try drawing the other three into the fight. Harry didn't have to worry about being pulled into the fight mostly because it had a lot to do with him.  That bit kind of tweaked Harry the wrong way. He's sitting right here and they are talking about him like he wasn't there or didn't understand them, like his aunt and uncle used to do. Harry shook himself, Sirius is trying to help and who knows things might change for the better or get a lot worse. Remus seam to know what he was thinks and stood up. " Now really you two this is getting...." He begins but is cut off by Sirius growling, "How do we even know his condition isn't your fault Snivele. We have know idea..." "How dare you," shrieks Professor Snape," I refuse to sit hear and be accused of dark magic when your own godson looks like that!" He says coldly pointing at Harry. This is the moment Dumbledore chooses to shift the conversation. "That is a fair point my boy. You do look rather different, though still like you. Would you mind in lighting this old man as to your situation. I may even be able to help." The teen nods, anything to stop them fighting. So he explains about the blood adoption and how that's seams to have trigger a creature inheritance of some kind but they don't know which one. In his explanation of things he leaves out that stuff at the bank and second prophecy. He's not really feeling up to sharing all of it right now. Then turns to the Headmaster," So what happened to your hand and all that."  Dumbledore laughs and it's a joys sound. " You, my boy, will give this world a turn. Very well then." He pulls out his wand and gives it a small wave, a small box comes to his summons and lands in his good hand. Everyone watches as he opens it up and shows then a chunky old fashioned ring with a cracked black stone in it. On the stone was a strange symbol carved into it's surface. Harry had seen it some where before but couldn't remember where. The boy is pulled from his thoughts when Dumbledore speaks. "This ring was one of the other horcruxes that Voldemort made. It once held a cures but no longer. Now it's just a ring. We can add it to the list of destroyed and work on finding the rest." Dumbledore hands the box to Harry with a smile, " I think you will find this ring belongs to your family Harry or rather it belongs to a small branch of the family you are head of. There for I believe it should go to you." The young man takes it with and odd look on his face but shakes his head and thanks the Headmaster. " Now then my dear boy you are wondering about you blood inheritance, yes. Well if you wish the Bank can perform a blood analysis incantation to tell you the creature and many other impotent things. But if you wish we can also do it here." Harry looks at his dads hungry to know more about what was going on but not sure how much he wants to share. But depending on the creature he may have to tell the Dumbledore anyway so he isn't sure what to do. "Either way is fine but it will get filed with the bank ministry and school regardless. "Remiss says with a sigh." Though not all the information you can learn will be sent to all of these places normally, you are the head of two families so they want to be careful." Harry's mouth runs dry and he suddenly can't speak. If I find out now then the ministry will find out because the information in my records will change. But it will change on my birthday anyways so is it better to be informed or wait it out. He shakes his head, "Alright let do this." Nodding Dumbledore looks to Snape, "If you will give me a hand with this Severus?"  Padfoot jumped in, "Why him? Why not me or Remus?" The Headmaster sighs rubbing his temples. "Because, Sirius, I know Severus has preformed this before and knows what it intails. Can you say the same." Sighing Sirius steps back and let's the potions master get to work.

 The parchment lay on the desk a slight purple shimmer to it . To it's right was a wicked long pin that seems to be made of copper and bone with a black pearl set into the end. The Headmaster directs Harry to pick it up and stab the tip of his ring finger. Harry does as instructed the drops of blood falling on parchment. The parchment shein glitters from purple to green as the blood soaks into the page replaced by thin red letters. The blank sheet fills slowly with every eye on it no one even daring to breathe. At last the parchment stilled and they all move to read it.

Lord Hadrian James Potter-Black                                                                       Son to Lord  James and Lady Lilly Potter                                                          Blood adopted son of Lord Sirius Black and Master Remus Lupin                       Heir to the House of Potter                                                                                     Heir to the House of Peverell                                                                            Heir to the House of Pendragon                                                                          Heir/Head, by blood adoption, of the House of Black                                              4th Prince by blood of the Unseelie Court                                                             Blood heir to the Pendragon Throne by family and soul                                         Soul Bonded to the Heir of the Cornwall line                                                           Blood alliances from the ancient and Noble wizarding families of Britannia, ancient and noble families of the seelie and unseelie courts of Britannia, and finally the ancient and noble families of the knights of the round table.                   By right of fealty those ancient houses without heirs or who have broken their oaths, all properties and  holdings immediately fall back to Then Pendragon heir by the ancient  Blood oaths signed.

  Everyone one in the room sat in stunned silence. For Harry's part he looks like he's going to scream. Fate just hates me. He thinks,banging his head on the desk repeatedly.  What ever power out there that thought fucking with my life was a good idea... Well they can jog off, blood wankers. Harry kept his head down he knew there must be talking going on around him but in that moment he didn't care. Half the stuff on the stupid parchment made no since and the rest just hurt his head. Well my other self if you hadn't hit our head on the desk so many times it wouldn't hurt now.  Harry's head shot up from the desk looking around. You won't find me out there, the voice says calmly. The others are now looking at him with confusion and concern. Now young one just calm down, the older male voice spoke again. You, your..., Harry stumbles over his thoughts trying not to panic. Yes young Hadrian, I'm Arthur your former self. Then the poor over stressed teen then drops into a dead faint.

  Remus sat next to Harry in the hospital wing Sirius next to him. Their boy had passed out hours ago but Poppy says he'll be fine. Sirius himself only fell asleep an hour ago, but Remus just couldn't manage it. Sirius was so worried and none of them knew what to do about that stupid paper. So Bill, with Dumbledore's promission went to the library to find everything he could and bring it up. For Snape's part he told the Headmaster he may have some books that could help and left to retrieve them. Though he's not come back, as far as Remus knew. Poppy comes in to check on Harry and helps move Sirius to an empty bed telling the former professor to get some sleep.

 The next morning Harry still hasn't woken up, leaving the adults to worry. "We need to have as much information for him as we can get. You know what he's like. He'll want to know everything he can." Snape makes an exasperated huffing noise and Sirius glares," What? Do you have something you want to add?" Snape just glairs at him, " At this point I'm not even sure we are talking about the same boy. Potter has always been a lazy no account in my classes and..." Remus cut him off with a growl,"That is because you bully him and any student not in your house Snape and don't even try to denying it. I've seen you at it." Moony stairs daggers at Snape but Bill slams a book on  the table."That is quite enough out of all of you." He says looking at Sirius who was about to jump into the fight. "Harry needs us to be our best and you lot are acting like children. So either you clear the air right now or get out because I've work to do." He then takes his seat and begins writing again. The other look down sheepishly as the Headmaster walks in. "I see that Mr. Weasley's famous temper has shown its self."  Three of the men look up at the chuckling Headmaster as he makes his way to the table.

 Harry felt warm sunlight on his face. The wind sends a cool breeze across his skin as he begins to stir. He sits up slowly the smell of fresh cut grass and summer heat filling his nose. "How are you feeling?" A familiar voice says to his right. Blinking he looks around for the speaker.  He realizes three things very quickly, one he some how got out side, two these aren't the school grounds, and three there is a man sitting next to him. Harry immediately leaps into action moving back and reaching for his wand. Then to his horror he realizes it's not there. "What have you done with my wand ?" He shouts at the man still sitting on the ground. "And where am I ?" The man just chuckles bringing a glare to Harry's face. But now that he's looking at the man he has to admit he looks good. Honey blond hair hanging in loose curls down his back, broad shoulders and well built from what he could tell. Though the clothes were a bit old fashioned, his tunic hung loosely around him but the pants and boots, that seam to be made of dragon hide, are well fitted hugging his hips and legs well. Harry shook him self, Know is not the time, he thought. The man just smiles, " I'm not going to hurt you Hadrian please sit, we need to talk."

 Mean while Bill has finally gotten the others to behave with the help of Dumbledore. At this point they have a good number of books for Harry to ready, but he's not sure what will really be useful. He knows that Harry will need the magical law and history books. No one can really get a good understanding about it from Bins. He has to read the books on the Fey no question there. What Bill is dreading bringing up to the others are the record they will have to get from the Ministry. He knows Fudge will do all he can to not only make it hard but as damning and public as he can. They all know Harry will hate that. Everything does seams to happen to him. Bills sighs rubbing his eyes. At least know  he could put his capacity for obscure knowledge to use. Just as he was about to settle in to take notes a dove patronus come swooping in. " Harry is awake !" It cries before vanishing  they all hurry back to the hospital wing, even Snape.

 Harry sat up feeling dazed, had that really just happened? Well he does feel a lot better then he has in a long while. Even with all the craziness his mind is calm and the creeping doubts are quiet. For the first time in his live everything feels like it's going to really be okay. Then the door swings open with a bang as his Dads and Proffers come rushing in. Madam Pomphrey  comes bustling out of her office in the same a moment to poke and prod her patient. The normalcy of it all make Harry Laugh out loud and the sound is bright and warm. His parents hug him, Dumbledore smiles, Snape huffs, and for a moment everything seams okay.

 Severus Snape sits in his office strumming his fingers on his desk. It wasn't possible was it. Had the boy been faking his lack of understanding, was his attitude towards the Potions Master part of a mask. He shook his head. If someone had asked me even a week ago he would have said no, that the boy was just like his father. All arrogance and bluster. But the boy he had glimpsed, when he was unaware of him, was all together different . Running his hands through his hair he makes his choice. He gets to his feet and makes his way to the hospital wing. Stealing his resolve Severus opens the door quietly the sound of voice reaching his ears. " Do you understand This part Harry?" The Professor stops listening. " No I get that bit Bill but what I'm more concerned about is this. Some of these ingredients we use all the time in class."   He hears a heavey sigh, "There is know way Snape will change the recipe just for me." Severus hears movement then the oldest Weasley boy speaks. "I'm sure The headmaster..." "No!" The potter boy brakes in, " I don't need him fighting battles for me. I'm sure I can  find the right substitutions for them and even if i don't Snape will be happier if I fail.  And anyway as long as I score well on my OWLS it's fine."  Another sigh and more movement tells him someone is about to come around the corner. He doesn't hear the last of what is said but runs in to the Weasley boy out side the hospital wing. They nod as he walks inside and Bill leaves.

Harry sits on the hospital bed surrounded by books notes and crumpled bits of paper. His hair looks like he's run his hand through it many times and he has a quill behind his ear. The boy has ink stains on his fingers, muttering something about having to change how many times to stir his cauldron counter clockwise. The old Potions Master was so forcefully reminded of Lilly in that moment he doesn't know if he should laugh or cry. But he must have made some kind of noise as the boy looks up. The look of shock on his face says more then anything he had not exacted to see Snape. Severus sighs, " Mr. Potter , would you mind closing your mouth. We have things to discuss."

The two sit in a tense silence as the house elf sets up tea and bows out of the room. Taking his cup Severus glances at the boy on the hospital bed next to him. Then much to the older man's surprise he speaks first. " What is it that you wanted to talk about Professor?" Snape puts his cup down, with out taking a sip. "To be frank Mr. Potter I believe you and I need to clear the air and... and hopefully start over. I know that you have been hiding your true nature as I have, but I don't think that would be in your best  interests. I also believe that if even half of what was on that parchment was true then you will need all the help you can get." Harry nods listening to every world. " With the Headmaster's health as it is we can not afford to keep hating each other. So I want to get to know who you are and not who your father was. That beginning said  I will first like to apologies for my behavior."  The teen looks at him in disbelief but nods. " The I'm sorry too, and if we are going to do this then can we use memories. Harder to lye that way." The Professor look taken aback at first but then gives him a cunning smile. " Very well Mr. Potter as you wish." After asking the Headmaster to use the pensive the two spend hours watching and talking about the things they see. Though neither of them show the other everything they do share enough. " Though we can't change our behavior to mush in public...." Harry holds up his hand, " I understand Professor." And with that Harry goes back to the hospital wing leave Snape smiling quietly behind him.

 Bill sits in the only quiet room left in the house as teenagers run around trying to find all their things for school. He chuckles a bit taking a sip of tea.A few days ago if you had told him things would feel this normal again he wouldn't have believed you. Now it is the last day before the young ones all depart for school and he can't help feel both wistful and nervous. The reason for the nerves was obvious, there had been a fight. With all the chaos going on Harry hadn't really kept Ron, Hermione or anyone, but those who had been with him, in the loop. Now with glamour refusing to work, Harry had to tell them. Needless to say it wasn't fun and Bill knew for a fact he left stuff out. Though personally  he thought Harry had been right to do so. Ron would get jealous, Mione would worry about things they couldn't change and his mother was already haveing kittens about what he had sad. But after a couple of days it all got sorted and every one calmed down.

   Harry seams at easy about it all at last  though Bill, more then most, knows how good he is at hiding what is going on in his head. Regardless his sibling and Hermione seam determand to help. He can only hope that all the work Harry is putting in the help of his friends will get him through the year with out to much trouble. But this is Harry and trouble always seam to find him. That is one of the big reasons Bill told him they need to find a Lawyer for him. Harry had agreed so he plans to ask at the Bank if they have any on retainer for clients. If not there are a few wizarding law firms in Britain they can look at. Since Harry is an adult in the eyes of the law they are able to get around a lot of trouble they would have had other wise. He is hopeful they will find someone good enough to help deal with Fudge. Who is as predicted is making things difficult. Right know he is trying to pressure the Profit into righting stories about Lord Potter-Black's mixed blood. So far the bank's reminder to the paper about how much of it Harry owns has kept them at bay. Though it will only work for so long. As soon as Witch Weekly catches wind of it or one of the other rags, the Profit will be able to print what they have. If we have a Lawyer step in to check it before it goes to print we can at least tell more of the truth. He sighs, the records still have to be gotten from the Ministry and the Bank for Harry to go through and half a dozen other things. He's only fifteen, but there is much harder things waiting for him in the future. Bill gets up and heads down stairs to join everyone for dinner on lats time before the school year begins.

 The smell of warm grass and rain fill his nose as he starts to stir. Then the sound of wind through trees and a waterfall sing through the air as sunlight warms his face. Sitting up slowly with a long stretch and a yawn Hadrian finds himself in a clearing deep in the forest. The waterfall and small lake are as blue as the sky and the summer sun feel great on his face. He looks around feeling relaxed for the first time in a long while when he hears foot steps drawing nearer. Suddenly he feels a pair of hands over his eyes and he smiles. "I thought you might not becoming ," he says reaching up to pull the new comer around and into his arms. " I wouldn't miss seeing you." His companion say in a rich alto voice. The two begin laughing together as they sit cuddle on the grass. Hadrian tries to hold on to the features of his companion but they slip away like a fog. "Are you going to tell me who you are this time?" He feels them smile on the skin of his neck. "Only if you are going to tell me the same."  Hadrian sighs, they had figured out weeks ago that what ever magic that is at play here wouldn't let they reveal  who they are. At least id won't right now. "I can think of other things we can do to pass the time." His companion says with a purr. Hadrian flips them stair at the few features the magic has unveiled. The person below him has pale golden hair bleeding into a rich sunset array of colors. Their eyes are like pools of silver and moon light with long lashes like black lace. He feels sure he would drown in them if he looks to long. Then he leans in and captures the ever shifting lips in a siring kiss. The kiss deepens as his partner mouth opens to him. When they at last come up for air they are both laughing breathlessly. " I'm heading back to school in the morning. What about you?" The other nods, "Yes, I will be going back as well. Who knows we might even go to the same one." Hadrian nods smiling at the thought. "It would be nice to finally see you in the waking world."  He hugs them tightly feeling there arms rap around him. "It's time my dear." He shakes his head kissing them again. "I don't want to leave you!" He sighs sadly, " We'll see each other soon but for now fair well." Harry sits up in bed shaking tears threatening to spill from his eyes as weeks of dreams come back to him. Weeks of getting to know the wonderful person he had to leave behind again. Something deep inside him aches with loneliness as he climes out of bed heading to the wash room. The phoenix soul mark moves over his heart trying to comfort him. But he has no time, before long the rest of the house it moving and he makes his way down stairs.

The drive to the station is lively with every one in the back of Remus's station wagon. Bill sat if front while Remus drives and the twins, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and himself were sitting in the expanded back seat. The traffic moves along at a descent pace but it takes almost fifteen minutes to find a parking spot. Now, with trolleys  loaded the group heads in to Kings Cross with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley waiting for them. Making their way through the crowds Harry could swear he felt someone watching him, shrugging it off he goes through the barrier with the others.

 Harry steps out onto the platform and is greeted by the flash of cameras. The nose of the is overwhelming as he realizes that there are reporters everywhere. Once they spot Harry however it's like a feeding frenzy. Questions are shouted at him left and right as they try making their way across to the train. Lupin pulls Harry behind him as one report tries to grab the young lord. "GRRRRRRRR, don't touch my son." Moony's eyes going amber for a moment as he grawls at the man. "This isn't working Dad," Bill says to Mr. Weasley. "We need  to call the Aurors."  Arthur nods sending off a patronus, moving himself to shield Harry and the others. As the adults move Harry and his friends towards the train he is able to pick out some of what the reporters are shouting. "Can you tell us about your new look Lord Potter?"  "Is it true you're the Lord to more then one House?" "Is it true you're claiming the return of he who must not be named?" " What about the reports that you are unstable?" At this last query a loud boom thunders through the platform. Kingsley Shakelbolt a well dress dark skinned wizard looks around ordering the group of six Aurors with him to round up the press. Next to him stands a tan woman with chocolate brown hair and fitted black business robes. Her sharp light brown eyes watching the crowd till the fall on him. Whispering something to Kingsley she walks over to their group. "Hello  Young Lord and greetings from Mythrin and Wilks Magical Law firm. The Bank has informed us that you wish to retain our services as your family has done for generation. I am Ms. Tamrin, and am here as your lawyer, if you like." Harry looks at Remus who nods. Harry turns back to her, "Thank you for coming is there anything you can do here?" He gestures towards the press and the chaos they're causing. She gives a wicked grin, "Oh yes Lord Potter there most certainly is."  

As Harry and the others board the train Auror Shakelbolt and Ms. Tamrin deal with the press. He has never been so glad for the adults in his life. They all hug their families goodbye and watch as other students clime on to the train and for a moment Harry swears he smells warm grass and rain.    

[johnboothus]

We Asked 15 Brewers: What Are You Drinking in Dry January?

It might still feel like 2020 in some ways — OK, a lot of ways — but 2021 has indeed arrived, and for many people the dawn of a new year means setting resolutions for a cleaner, healthier life. The most temperate (and trendy) goal is Dry January, the widely popular month-long practice of abstaining from alcohol.

There’s a good chance someone you know (it could even be you) is pledging sobriety for the first 31 days of 2021. According to the London-based nonprofit that started the now-global challenge through a campaign to combat unhealthy drinking in 2013, more than 6 million people said they would become teetotalers this month, up from 3.9 million last year. The dramatic increase is not at all surprising, as data suggests alcohol consumption has risen sharply during the coronavirus pandemic.

Interestingly, the burgeoning segment of nonalcoholic beverages also continues to thrive amid today’s duress and uncertainty. In the first six months of the pandemic, sales of non-alcoholic beer increased by almost 40 percent, according to Nielsen, pointing to the legitimacy in the growing momentum of the sober-curious movement.

Depending on who you ask, having a Dry January this year could be extremely difficult, pretty easy, or somewhere between. Whatever you’re doing, we’re not here to judge. But we wondered: Are brewers participating? Here’s what we learned after asking 15.

Keep reading for details about all the recommended drinks!

“I definitely cut back after the holidays, and totally support Dry January, if it’s truly healthy for the person doing it. Me, I’m mostly alternating between low fills of our IPA and pils on the weekend. And for weeknight dinners I’m having an ice-cold Heineken 0.0, straight from the bottle. It is, by far, the most beer-like nonalcoholic beer I’ve tried, and it’s exactly what I want in the occasion: crisp, cold lager.” —Kyle Kohlmorgen, Founder and Head Brewer, Wellspent Brewing Company, St. Louis

“Scottish Blend tea. I’m not joking.” —Keir Hamilton, Brewer, Alewife Brewing Company, Sunnyside, N.Y.

“Local businesses, from breweries and bottle shops to bars and restaurants, are struggling right now, so I’m supporting them anyway I can. In lieu of Dry January I’ll be continuing to purchase beer from some of my favorite small businesses and I encourage everyone else to do the same. I’ll be saving the sobriety for more stable times and drinking saisons like Väsen’s Mierka until then.” —Brian Mandeville, Head Brewer, Fine Creek Brewing Company, Powhatan, Va.

”I have to be honest: I’m usually the first to tell trend-followers to get bent. But considering last year made me want to dive into a pool of strong Mai Tai, I decided to give Dry January a Mai-try. As with any vice, you give one and grab another. So I started drinking the glorious solution of my people, imported Mexican Coke. Why? Because it’s tasty as hell.“ —Javi Gonzalez, Brewer, Pacific Plate Brewing Company, Monrovia, Calif.

“I was planning on doing it, actually for the first time, and then an insurrection mounted against the Capitol and I realized it just wasn’t the right time for that.” —Candace Holmes, Brewer, Bearded Iris Brewing, Nashville

“My wife and I are both doing it, partly because she tested positive for Covid on Saturday and I a few days later, after first showing negative. Crazy. So we’ve been quarantining with a lot of La Croix.“ —Todd DiMatteo, Co-owner and Brewer, Good Word Brewing & Public House, Duluth, Ga.

“I’ve been drinking lots of water and coffee this month. We’ve also been experimenting with dry-hopping nonalcoholic seltzers with and without fruit purees, so I’m fortunate to enjoy those during and after my shifts.” —Eric Berg, Packaging, The Bronx Brewery, Bronx, N.Y.

“I really appreciate Dry January and any attempt to be a bit more mindful about sobriety and what we consume. This year obviously is a bit different, but in the past it’s been cool to see people drinking nonalcoholic options in social settings, proving even us awkward introverts don’t always need to be half buzzed to have a good time out. At the brewery we’ve been experimenting with these awesome little drinks we call Soft Seltzers. They’re fermented with a mixed culture we’ve cultivated, less than 0.5 percent ABV, bone dry, have some cool funky and refreshing herb and fruit flavors, and that seltzer-like carb and drinkability. I find most kombuchas and other fermented sodas either too sweet or too aggressively sour and gross. The Soft Seltzers are much more ethereal and delicious. Lately I’ve been crushing bottles of one with ginger and holy basil out of some clear bottles that, after a bit of time in the sun, gets a saison-ish, funky skunk character. They make me so happy.” —Gerard Olson, Owner, Forest & Main Brewing Company, Ambler, Pa.

“Whiskey and Diet Coke. I’m doing a beer-only Dry January because your boy gained that Covid-30 (pounds, that is) and it’s time to see my toes again.” —Tyler Smith, Founder, Kitsune Brewing Company, Phoenix,

“Despite brewing beer for a living, I don’t drink much, so the idea of participating in Dry January never even occurs to me.” —Jacob Mitchell, Head Brewer, Craft Brewing Company, Lake Elsinore, Calif.

“Local breweries need all the help they can get this winter, so I won’t go dry and instead wiIl pick up beers from our friends in our Gowanus neighborhood. For one, pretty excited to grab Antithesis, Wild East’s new West Coast-style IPA.” —Alex Biedermann, Brewer, Strong Rope Brewery, Brooklyn

“With all that’s gone on this past year, Dry January isn’t really in the cards for me. At work, my coworkers and I basically drink whatever lager is close to finished at the time. As soon as that’s packaged, we move on to the next one, and so on and so forth. I think it probably has something to do with the exclusivity of it. And maybe the convenience. Anyway, it feels like our little secret. And when I get home I’m usually drinking gin or Scotch. The weekends I save for a special bottle of whatever mixed-fermentation ale I can get my hands on.” —Savannah Roberts, Brewer, Triple Crossing Beer (Fulton), Richmond, Va.

“Lagunitas’ Hop Water is actually pretty fantastic. But these days it’s a shit-ton of seltzer, pretty much. Maybe mix in some lime and bitters if I’m feeling fancy.” —Bob Oso, Brewer, Austin Beerworks, Austin, Texas

“I think a major problem I, and maybe others, have is that I associate beer with fun and good feelings. And so I start to reach for a beer because of the way I’m hoping it makes me feel versus just enjoying the way it tastes. This month, I’ve been getting into trying different hot teas and creating a cozy, enjoyable atmosphere to retrain my brain into realizing I don’t need alcohol to have a good time.” —Jillian Farrell, Brewer, Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery, Flagstaff, Ariz.

“With a lot of breweries struggling from the pandemic, I’ll have some beers this month. It’s to support the local industry via buying and drinking beers from my peers, and because I enjoy drinking some every now and then. Maybe I’ll just do a double-DRY-hopped January, instead.” —Linus De Paoli, Owner and Brewer, Kitzingen Brewery, Wyoming, Mich.

The article We Asked 15 Brewers: What Are You Drinking in Dry January? appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/15-best-dry-january-beverages-brewers/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/we-asked-15-brewers-what-are-you-drinking-in-dry-january

[lukeysgirl]

Relentless | Calum Hood Series Pt.2

                                                  Part T W O 

Request: Being the cousin of Ashton Irwin was exciting, especially when invited to their tour to hang out with his best friends. You found yourself becoming fond of Calum Hood, who finds you annoying from your constant appearance. But what would happen if you stopped giving him that attention?

Word Count: 3k+

A/N: Hope you guys enjoy this part as well! let me know what you all think and lets try to get each part to 100 notes, yeah? if they reach 100 notes, I’ll write another part. if they don’t, it’ll just be delayed. xx

Parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty. [DONE]  

                                                   I M A G I N E

LONDON, 20:00 P.M.

Night had finally arrived, and you were quickly settled in. The boys had shown you to your room, which they boasted it to be the largest room of the suite. You removed your day clothes and slipped on some black leggings and a baggy, white t-shirt. You were residing on one of the large couches with Michael while Luke and Ashton were playing ping pong nearby. 

“Man, I never thought I’d see the day where I’d say this but,” Michael began, holding his clutched fist at his mouth as he looked distantly at the flat screen. The TV was on and playing a Domino’s pizza commercial. “I don’t want pizza for dinner tonight.” 

“What?” Luke said, straitening his back and looking over at the bleached-haired boy. The ping pong Ashton shot passed Luke and fell to the ground, bouncing a few times until it finally decided to roll itself into oblivion. 

“Michael Gordon Clifford does not want pizza?” Ashton exclaims, putting his paddle down as he joined us on another couch. “Jesus, I think I just heard the Statue of Liberty crack a bit.” 

“Shut up,” Michael yawned, waving Ashton off as Luke sat on the seat across from Ashton. Everyone then heard a loud grumble that came from Michael’s stomach, having you all laugh except for Michael. “Stooop, I’m actually really hungry right now.” 

“I can cook if you want?” You suggested in a mumble, having all 3 pairs of eyes instantly dart at you. Michael quickly wrapped his arm around your shoulder and pulled you closer to him. You felt your head residing at the crook of his neck as he pressed his lips on your head. 

“You know how to cook?” Michael whispered, the other boys watching attentively with wide eyes. You nod, having the boys jump from their seats and dash into the kitchen. You fell slightly to the side from the lack of Michael, sitting back up once more and turning to see the boys in the kitchen. 

There, Ashton was taking out pots and pans from the top cabinets that you, unfortunately, couldn’t reach with ease. While he did that, Luke grabbed the suite phone and began requesting a list of food. Your eyes shifted to Michael, who disappeared into the hallway where the rooms and stairs resided. A few moments later, the bleached head came back with white garments. 

“Uh, Mikey?” You asked, pondering as to what was in his hand. But he quickly rushed in front of you and dropped them on your lap. Sifting through them, you uncovered a chef shirt and a chef hat. “You have got to be kidding me...”

“I am as serious as one can get about food, Y/N,” Michael hummed, insistent on the outfit as you sighed. Standing up on your two feet, you reluctantly put on the outfit. Michael took the chef hat from your hands and firmly placed it on your head. The sudden closeness was surreal, but nonetheless insignificant as it was just Michael. “You look like the perfect sous-chef, Y/N!”

“I’m the one cooking though,” you comment, rolling your eyes as Michael placed his index finger on his chin. Luke and Ashton chuckled at his supposed ‘trace of thought.’

“Yeah,” Luke agreed as he hung up the phone and shoved his hands in his pockets. He was fishing for something as he shook his head. “Ya dumbass.” Michael shoots him two middle fingers before he on the couch you were previously sat on and laid down. 

“Okay so... what do you guys want?” You asked, wiping your hands on your thighs before joining Lashton in the kitchen. Ashton and Michael became stuck in thought as Luke leaned against the wall by the front door. 

“I’m in the mood for hamburgers, honestly,” Ashton admits sheepishly, shrugging a bit as you all turned to Michael. 

“D’you know how to make sushi, Y/N?” Michael asked eagerly, his mouth practically watering over the Japanese cuisine. Before you could say anything, Luke interjected. 

“I sorta already ordered stuff for some pasta though...” Luke says awkwardly. You all turned to him and laughed a bit, seeing how pale Luke became as though he made a mistake. You reassure Luke by patting his arm. 

“It’s fine, I can make some pasta,” you hummed, arranging the pots conveniently for your prep. “You got bread as well, yes?” Luke nods, having you smile as you begin to fill a pot with water. “Mm, then leave it all to me! You guys can go watch TV or something.”

“Oi, Michael!” Ashton called out as he moved around the counter and left to the living room. “Let me spank you in a game of pool, yeah?”

“Oh, you’re definitely on!” Michael accepted the challenge, bouncing up from the couch and dashing over to the pool table that was next to the ping pong table. As they did, you began washing your hands. Luke walked over to you and bent down a little so his lips were just a few inches from your ear. 

“Calum’s favorite is Italian,” Luke informed you, smiling deviously as your heart began to race. “I ordered all the ingredients on purpose so you could try and win him over. Maybe he’ll be less of an ass once he tries your spaghetti?”

“Th-thank you so much, Luke,” you mumbled softly, turning to Luke and giving him a big smile. He smiles back before joining Mashton in their game of pool. You were happy to cook for the boys, and with Luke’s insight, you were especially ecstatic to make some for Calum. 

It made you blush to even think about the Maori boy. Especially when he already requested for you to stay out of his way right when he met you. It was really embarrassing, but you were blown away by how he’s grown. Facial hair, big biceps, tattoos... Calum has changed big time and you weren’t sure if you were ready for it. 

But you’re certainly willing to know what he’s like now. 

Knock knock! The door of the suite sounded, with a man yelling “your order is here!” Luke rushed over to the door, grabbing all the bags from the 50 something year old man and placing them on the counter before you. You began to unpack the bags as Luke paid them. You watched from your peripheral vision the few hundred dollar bills Luke offered. 

“Jesus, you guys make lots now, huh?” You pondered, impressed by how much money those boys were making from their passion. Luke nodded, blushing a bit before telling you how he doesn’t like boasting about his money. “Mm, I understand. I’ll be cooking now!” You exclaimed as you began taking out the fresh tomatoes and basil from the bag. 

“Finally!” You chirped quietly, turning off the stove all the way. Grabbing your baking gloves, you carry the pot of spaghetti and place it carefully on the counter. Steam danced from the pot, with the lovely scent of fresh herbs and garlic produced from it. Wiping your forehead, you remove the gloves and go search for plates. 

“You need help, Y/N?” Ashton called out, having you yell a weak ‘yes’ as your cousin came to your rescue. He joins your side, opening the top cabinets to reveal the glass plates stacked nicely in it. “Mm, for the 5 of us.” As he took them down, you turned off the oven and got your gloves back on. You removed the garlic bread from the oven and place it cautiously on the counter by the pot. 

“Holy shit, that smells amazing,” Michael exclaims, rushing into the kitchen while Luke slowly trotted behind him. Eyeing the entire thing with his green eyes, he began licking his lips with desire. “Holy fuck, I want to eat it so bad.” 

“Can someone get Calum down here please?” You asked quietly, blushing as Michael began for the hallway. But Luke quickly placed his hand on Michael’s chest, halting him for a moment. 

“Wait for it,” Luke says, fanning the pot with his hand to allow the steam to travel around the suite. In just a few minutes, you all heard footsteps go down the stairs. Your heart stopped when you saw Calum stood at the hallway, staring at all of you with an expressionless face. 

“Is that pasta I smell?” Calum asked gently, having you all nod as he walked closer. He was changed into more comfortable clothing as he was wearing some grey sweats and a navy blue t-shirt. He then stopped, eyed you up and down and snorted a bit. “You look like an idiot.”

“Woah hey!” Ashton began, getting in front of you as he scowled at Calum. “Don’t say that to Y/N, alright? She’s not only my cousin, but she’s also our honorary guest so don’t be a dick to her.” You slowly began to remove the chef hat from your head. 

“Yeah!” Michael joined in. “Especially when she was the one who--” before he could say anything, Luke shoved him gently and crinkled his nose. 

“How about we just eat already, yeah?” Luke suggested. You nod, flushing as you nervously began to prepare everybody’s plate. It went in the order of Ashton, Michael, Luke, and then Calum. After the first 3 got their plates full of spaghetti and garlic bread, you nervously began to load Calum’s plate. It was evident that you were shaking because you didn’t want to mess anything up. 

“Can you hurry up?” Calum rushed, having your heart speed up as you placed 2 pieces of bread next to his spaghetti. You placed a spoon in the spaghetti, having Calum blink twice. He always ate his spaghetti with a spoon, not a fork. It was the little things that you recalled that made you realize how genuine your crush over Calum was as you guys were kids. 

“H-here,” you stuttered, offering the plate as Calum snatched it from you. You flinched, watching as Calum turned around and began walking to the hallway. As he did, you looked over at the cups that Luke helped get down as well and gulped. “Wait, Calum, don’t you want a drink as--” but before you knew it, you heard a door slam. 

The boys looked over at you with sorrow, knowing how hard you try to not upset Calum. It has only been 7 hours and it would seem that Calum despises you. You looked down to the ground distantly, unsure as to how to react. Before you knew it, Michael ended up in the kitchen with you and began serving your plate. 

“Oh, Michael, you don’t have to--”

“Mm, I want to,” Michael mumbled, putting pasta on your plate delicately before putting two pieces of bread beside it. He then grabbed a fork and placed it in the pasta before handing it to you. “Come eat with us.” Nodding, you joined the other boys in the living room as they were watching a bit of Looney Toons. 

“Don’t feel so beat up about it, okay Y/N?” Ashton said softly as he slurped a noodle into his mouth. “I don’t really get why he’s so crabby with you, but it’s probably just him feeling nostalgic or something.” 

“It’s been years since he’s seen you,” Luke adds as he takes a loud bite of his bread. You nod, appreciating the boys in giving you sympathy. You began to eat, smiling that your food was actually quite tasty. 

“Forget him, Y/N. This pasta is literally to fucking die for!” Michael exclaims, his voice muffled from his mouth from of pasta. You giggled as the other boys nodded in agreement. 

“It really is fantastic, Y/N,” Ashton says, smiling at you as he began twisting some spaghetti in his fork. They then exchanged looks, making you confused and slightly nervous. Were they exchanging some sort of Morse code or what? Before you knew it, they all looked at you and smiled. 

“Thank you, Y/N!” They said at the same time, having you blush from how sweet they were being with you. 

“It’s honestly no problem you guys,” you admit as you all continued to eat the dinner. When you all finished, you decided that it was the perfect time to make you and the boys some lemonade. You squeezed all the lemons, added a fair lot of sugar, and stirred slowly. Finishing it, you pour it into the glass cups and tell the boys to come and get theirs. You then grabbed one of the remaining two and began for the hallway.

“You going to bed, Y/N?” Michael asked, his voice holding a hint of sadness. You shook your head, holding the cup gently. 

“I’m giving some to Calum,” you inform, escaping into the hallway to go up the stairs to Calum’s room. Your feet treaded on the red carpet as you stood in front of Calum’s door. Letting out a shaky sigh, you knock on the door and wait for a response. 

“What?” Calum called out, having you flinch from his sudden voice. You gulped, sighing once more before responding to him. 

“I made some lemonade, if you’d like,” you said sheepishly. “I’ll leave it on this table here if you want it.” Gently placing the cup down, you fled from Calum’s door and joined the boys again in the living room. 

“Did he take it?” Luke whispered, having you shrug before joining Michael on the long couch again. You noticed all the dirty, but clean, plates ornate on the coffee table as everyone was too lazy to bring them back to the kitchen. 

“I left it on the table outside,” you inform, criss-crossing your legs as you slouched a bit. “I wonder why he’s so unhappy that I’m here.” 

“Nah, I doubt he’s unhappy,” Ashton says as he picks at his teeth. “Like I said, it’s probably nostalgia plus all the pressure for getting this next album released.”

“Yeah, Calum writes most of the songs, remember?” Michael asks, nudging you softly as you nod. You recalled how Calum and his song book were practically inseparable. It was always in his bag, surely, but he always had it everywhere he went. He always claimed that he’d ‘never know where you’d get inspiration from.’

“He was always very passionate about his music like you guys are,” you say, thinking fondly about skinny, lanky Calum and his active dream to pursue music. 

“He was, though, salty about having to convert from guitar to bass because Luke and I already played guitar,” Michael says, laughing loudly as Ashton and Luke joined him. “Holy shit, it was like he changed from one religion to another like they were polar opposites. It was fucking hilarious.”

“Though,” Luke began as he began playing with his nail. “Now Calum is better than us, still, at guitar and bass. So I mean, who really wins here?”

“That’s so true, oh my gosh!” You laughed, having the boys join you before a long yawn escaped your lips. “Alright, I’m gonna go hit the hay and get some sleep.”

“What if the hay hits you back?” Ashton asks, acting as though it was a completely philosophical question. 

“I’m already one with the hay,” you comment as you began for your room. 

“But you get to hit it!” Michael yells. 

“It deserved to be punished,” you joke, having Michael crack up as you escaped into your bedroom. You took the time to wash your face, moisturize and do a bit of stretching before dropping dead on your King sized bed. Slowly, but surely, you entered into a deep and gentle slumber. 

8:27 A.M.

“Ashton, can you attend to the eggs for me real quick?” You asked your cousin. Getting a nod, you hand him the stirring spoon before going into the living room to fix it up. You straighten the pillows and flattened the waves of the leather created by you and the boys last night. Grabbing all the dirty dishes that the boys obviously didn’t take to the sink, you place it in the sink and allow the water to run on it. 

“Is that bacon I smell?” Michael asks, his voice raspy and his eyes squinted as he stood at the doorway of the hallway. You giggled, ruffling a bit of his hair before going to Luke’s room to get him awake. 

“Good morning, Michael!” You called out from the stairs as you went up to Luke’s room to get him up as well. 

“Good morning, Luke! Breakfast is almost ready!” You called to him, hearing a loud thump! proceed. Before you knew it, the door was opened and you were introduced to a tired and messy-haired Luke. “Jesus, your hair is definitely not done naturally, is it?”

“My hair has its own separate net worth,” Luke croaks, having you giggle before getting a whiff of his bad breath. 

“Yuck, go brush your teeth and then some downstairs,” you demanded, watching Luke pout a bit as he slouched. You gently reached up to give his cheeks a few light slaps to get him away. “Just go so you can eat and then get ready for your busy day. 

“Where are you off to?” Luke asked innocently. 

“Waking up Calum, of course,” you said, humming a bit as you jogged up the stairs. You swore you saw a smirk on Luke’s face as you made it to the third floor. Going to Calum’s door, you stopped to look at the table outside of his door. Your heart even began to flutter a bit at the sight. 

Calum’s completely clean plate with the now empty glass that previously held lemonade. 

He... enjoyed my food. You silently cheer yourself on before swooping the dishes into your hands. They smelled of bathroom soap, having you giggle from Calum’s use of his items. You used your more free hand and knocked on the door gently. 

“Morning, Calum,” you called softly. “There’s breakfast downstairs if you’d like. No rush, okay?” Finishing your words, you giddily rush down the stairs and present the clean dishes in your arms to all the boys. They all smiled at you, knowing how content you were as you took over kitchen duty and began serving the plates. 

But all you can think about is Calum’s lip print on the cup of lemonade you served him. 

please do tell me if you liked this part or not please! > ASK. Thank you so much, ah <3 

[spirits-and-scales]

The Source of Fear (sneak peak -Chapter 29, pt. 1)

-322 years ago, October 1691-

           The sky was gray, and the air cold with snow in the dead of winter. Every tree was bare save for the firs and pines and the scent of chimney fire seemed to bite the landscape more than frost. Within county limits the townsfolk were still hauling in shipments of lumber and other goods for the following work day. However, two and a half miles within the woods outside the county line was a small property consisting of a two-story log house, a closed barn, and a narrow tool shed. A pile of firewood was stacked against the porch and the ax was wedged in a stump a short distance away. The dark and rustic color of the assorted buildings allowed them to blend in well with their surroundings as the clearing remained fairly quiet.

           A wagon sat on the pathway between the house and the barn, the horse already put away in the stables while two of four boys finished bringing in the last of the supplies from town. The youngest raced up the steps with a bag of flour while the oldest did his best avoid being bumped into. If the box of jars he carried got broken there would be no telling how much trouble they would both get into.

           He quickly ordered his little brother to settle down just as the front door swung open and they were met by the second youngest who had some kind of serious expression on his face. “Ma says she an’ Trendall need more help with makin’ the blankets an’ things while Pa gets supper ready,” he stated as he took the flour and started toward the kitchen. “Says next month’s trade has to be early.”

           That elicited a surprised and equally confused look from the oldest boy. “Early again?” But there was no response from his brother who hurried to the kitchen to continue lending their father a hand. Then almost immediately their youngest sibling ran into the main room shouting an excited greeting and eagerness to help their mother Arilda who replied sweetly with a grateful smile in her tone before calling out.

           “Slayton, meine lieber, when you have put those away please come.” Her natively German accent carried warmly through the hall as he closed the door behind him, and all on its own seemed to bite back the cold air that just blew inside. In fact, her energy was always warm and bright. That’s what kept this house feeling like home despite its distance from the conveniences and social relations of the village.

           “Yes, mother,” he answered, taking the box of jars to the pantry beyond the kitchen walkway. He overheard his father Calder giving instructions for the stew he started preparing not long ago in simple German while their mother worked. His accent wasn’t perfect, but his pronunciation was flawless. ‘Und nächstes das Rindfleisch,’ he said. A short pause later and after the muffled sound of a splash in the boiling pot of water indicating the meat was added, he listed two more things. ‘Dann die Karotten, und die Äpfel.’ Another series of splashes. But next there was an abrupt rise in his voice. ‘Nein, Osmond! Noch keine Würze,’ he corrected, keeping the boy from getting ahead of himself and adding seasoning too early.

           “Sorry, Pa,” Osmond said sounding barely dejected.

Calder roughly tapped the counter with the wooden spoon. “Ah-ah,” he scolded, but not too gruffly. “You are forgiven but say again. In German this time.”

           A bit of disgruntled struggle came from trying to pronounce the correct words but Osmond managed to say them correctly. “Entschuldigung, Vater...” he said obediently. With an approving nod from Calder they both continued with their task.

           Perhaps it seemed odd that they were having a German-speaking lesson in the middle of cooking, but Slayton remembered similar lessons all these years growing up. Their parents had agreed long ago it was only proper the four boys learn it. Seeing as their mother was the granddaughter of a German settler she often spoke her native language around the house. Calder -as much as he loved and respected her- encouraged it, as well as expected their sons to do the same until they could speak fluently when necessary or desired.

           Of course, Slayton’s ability to speak German was much more advanced than Osmond’s, and so was Trendall’s. The only one of the four who wasn’t being taught much of the other language yet was Spencer, the youngest. He was only eight and was plenty busy with his basic studies in school. Like Osmond he probably wouldn’t start learning more of the family language until he was ten. Or nine years old at the earliest.

           When he returned to the main room Slayton took note of Trendall working one loom while their mother worked on the other. She was currently teaching Spencer how to weave the blanket threads as he sat in her lap, and he was learning fairly quickly. Although, while she attempted to hide it there was a slight edge to her tone that gave away how tired she was from so many sleepless nights to keep up with the trade agreement. That being said he figured it wouldn’t be wise to crowd and add to her exhaustion, so he went to lend Trendall a hand instead, and as he did so Slayton repeated the question he had on his mind- save for wording it differently. “Why does the trade have to be early again?” he asked cautiously. “Aren’t they also trading with the townsfolk?”

           “Ja, very often,” Arilda answered. “But many of our friends are getting sick as well as others. Between tribes they say the white men are to blame.”

           Slayton’s gray eyes narrowed for a moment then widened in disturbed realization as he looked back at his mother. “You mean…the trades are being poisoned deliberately?”

           She simply nodded with a grave look in her eyes, though before she could say anything else Trendall spoke up beside him without taking his eyes off the loom. As quick and expertly as he worked there was an audible rhythm from the creaking of the wooden frame to the subtle noise of the thread itself. It was clear he didn’t necessarily need help at all. “Ma and I heard from one of the messengers who came by today that the clothing and blankets among other things have been laced with disease. The only ones not getting sick are whoever uses items from our house. Everything else has to be burned.” His voice lowered, and he wore a sour expression. “The tribe we know plans to cease trading with the townsfolk altogether because they’re so untrustworthy. Not that it will save anyone who is sick from dying this winter…” he added.

         A wave of silence swept through the house when Arilda froze. “Trendall, sei leiser…” she warned slowly in a hushed tone. “Auch in diesem Wald weiß man nie, wer zuhört...“

        The rhythm of Trendall’s blanket weaving came to a slow stop. For a long moment all that could be heard was the subtle bubbling from the stew pot in the kitchen and the slight wind from the storm rolling in. In the meantime Slayton thought over her warning and implied meaning.

        She wasn’t wrong. Their father had caught people sneaking around the woods on their property before, and it wasn’t uncommon during most of the year. Perhaps it was due to the fact their mother’s family was from a foreign country, and to most those who grew up in the Thirteen Colonies -or any English settlement for that matter- that was somehow suspicious and disturbing. Especially when they didn’t always go to church gatherings due to constantly having to work to make a living. Not to mention their family in particular did have something of an unusual secret, kept only amongst the two oldest boys and adults. Hidden somewhere in the house was Arilda’s grimoire, a book passed down through her family for generations until it inevitably rested in her hands. She only went to it for emergencies of course. Healing the sick or wounded when natural mixes of medicine or herbs failed. It was genuinely good and helpful, but not one of the townsfolk would see it that way. To them anything remotely akin to magic, good or bad, was ‘satanic’ and therefore against the law. It was ridiculous honestly but it was impossible to change the thinking of people so set in their ways they refuse all else.

         Of course, even though he had never been allowed to open the book himself Slayton was sure it could do things other than healing. But nonetheless. On top of that already being a huge risk, the Indians cutting ties would give the villagers all the more reason to be nosey and apprehensive. So he agreed they couldn’t afford to have such word get out and spread in gossip. Even in this forest…you never know who is listening, he repeated to himself. Be quieter…

        Based by the look of Trendall’s face he seemed to be thinking the same thing and resigned his bitterness. “Sorry, mother…” was all he said, then waited for her nod of forgiveness before slowly going back to work.

As if his own sense of bitterness cued him in, Osmond appeared in the walkway with his hands on his hips and a frustrated scowl. “How come HE gets to say it normal?” he objected before Calder stepped up behind him. And he immediately tried to sink into his own shoulders as he expected to be in trouble.

         The tall and bulky man’s shadow loomed over him like a warning of its own, and while his flat expression was unamused his tone was an attempt to stay his temper with understanding that the instance did seem a bit unfair. “Your brother knows his German lessons. You do not and have only just started recently,” he scolded lowly before giving his son a hard knock on the top of the head with the wooden spoon’s edge. Only enough to get his point across and give off an audible pop rather than actually hurt. “Do not be disrespectful.”

         Osmond only flinched slightly, groaning with annoyed defeat as he held his head with both hands. He didn’t like admitting when he was wrong but he could still accept it at least. “It is alright, mein lieber,” Arilda reassured him with a chuckle and a smile. “You will learn just as much soon enough.” Feeling his wife had things under control, Calder returned to the kitchen after telling all his sons to help their mother and behave.

        At least the tension had settled. Although with Slayton…something still didn’t sit quite right.

        For now he mentally shrugged. Maybe it was just something in the air. Hopefully…

[panic-in-tarir]

One year in review

That’s it! The OH IT’S BEEN ONE YEAR post is here!

The closer my first anniversary was, the more excited I got, and the more thoughts I gathered for one “summary” post. Now that it’s time, suddenly, bam, all of them gone. :’> *wipes sweat*

Recently I had someone asking about my progression and how I managed to get there (???? where? derp). Well, I guess, I could just start telling about my first deeds in GW2, and then see if I can add something.

This might or might not be relevant, but I come from Wakfu, a colorful 2D game with turn-based combat. It’s cool visually, but also has terrible management issues, lack of developer care, one of the worst customer supports ever, list goes on.. I played it since 2012, and year by year, only grew angry, disappointed and hurt. That was like an abusive relationship I couldn’t get out of. I refused to try different genre and engine games. Finally, @aketan​ / @flame-squad​ / Rika got me lowkey interested in GW2 (she was commenting expressively while playing, and I peeked over her shoulder), I decided to try it. And stayed. Migrating to a real-time 3D game wasn’t easy! Yet, it was my lifesaver decision. GW2 has everything that I wish was there in Wakfu. It took me several months, if not a year, to get fully “healed”, to recover from the bad game and start believing that good games exist. When I had to contact GW2 support, I was touched to tears.. Everything and everyone is so nice here.

That wall of text was a foreword! Or explanation why I’m so excited and grateful about every aspect of GW2.

I started without putting too much thought into the char creation, as a result, now I have yet another main whose name is literally foreign language swearing or pun. GG me. After having been completely lost and confused by the controls (I LITERALLY ran backwards and yelled), after having a short but comprehensive lesson from bff, I started derping around on my own. I think I was only guided until lvl 5 or so, then my buddy let me do whatever I want. I come from a sandbox-wannabe game so it didn’t take me forever to get comfortable and set my first goals. Of course, I had a shit ton of questions, which I didn’t hesitate to spam Rika with. It’s cool to have someone ready to explain you the basics and patiently show you things. :D My several first days, or even weeks, were intense. I didn’t rush levels, but was eager to see the world. It was so amazing to me that I was spending 8-10 hours a day, running around, completing maps. I started in Metrica but quickly wandered away to Caledon (”oh! a portal?!”), where I spent a handful of time then.

With such a desire to discover and observe, and after having seen the title you’re awarded for 100% world map completion, I set it as my first ultimate goal. I approached it rather seriously, and had an incredibly fun time, at least until I had only Orr left undiscovered. x’D As a squishy (and slow, and dumb) ele, I was frightened and a bit discouraged by the amount of, well, deaths here. If I recall correctly, I still wore yellows at that time, although I was 80. Rika helped me and accompanied me for a bit. Orr was tough and I legit cried out of anger and frustration when I was alone, but that was the only unpleasant moment in entire year, and only because I wasn’t good at the game yet.

In the meantime, I was leveling my first alt, human engi. Do you actually remember that f2p accounts only allow 2 chars? Later, after buying HoT, I finally got loose.

They say, you always remember the place where you finished your first world map. For me, and oddly enough, for Rika, it was Field of Ruins. We reached the last POI at the same time, and, boy, did it feel great. My first big accomplishment. It dropped like.. Like a norn fart in a moot (c) Jory \o/ I still use the title btw, “been there, done that”. \o/

Then, there was a relatively dull period before buying HoT. I focused on doing my personal story, maxing out my alt and getting into crafting. The latter quickly became addictive to me. It’s so smooth, fun and exciting in GW2. Artificer was my first discipline, and after getting the hang of it, I breezed through 100-500 in a single day’s course.

That’s what the progression of my first 4-5 months looked like! I still was f2p, did only open world content and had one person to play with. I’m my own boss so it’s up to me to decide if I want to spend 30 minutes or 8 hours ingame.

HoT was a blessing in every aspect possible! I never regretted buying it, never regretted taking my time and not buying it earlier though - I needed that f2p scrub time to learn the basics, and to appreciate all the convenience and QoL improvements that come with HoT.

That’s where the real game starts, if I could say that. Core Tyria is by all means amazing, but you can go only this far if your account has those market and mail restrictions.. I used to enjoy playing market in Wakfu (while it was still alive) and I was excited to try it in GW2. When I bought the expansion and got my account fully functional, I got some skins and dyes ahead of all, then proceeded with crafting since I was really addicted to it and excited to max all the disciplines as my medium priority goal.

GW2 is encouraging altoholism! So I found myself leveling a third character (tried revenant and didn’t notice how I got her to level 20-ish and it was too late to delete), then fourth, fifth, then more char slots.. You see my weakness. I quickly realized the perks of having alts: storage, gathering, alternative personal stories, so on. When you’re an altoholic, plus you have yet to finish gearing up your main, plus you can barely hold yourself from leveling another crafting discipline.. RIP GOLD. I never had more than 30-100g at that time period.

Since market and wealth are one of my biggest passions ingame, I learned ways to earn me some coins, one by one. It’s not that hard if you’re a patient gatherer like me. Just run around, chop trees, collect ore and herbs.. I enjoy it so much, maybe it’s grind for someone, but I find it relaxing. Also it brings you gold. \o/ I found a few niche crafts that I could keep making and selling, then got familiar with market flipping, still not doing it like “big daddies” do, I might be too inefficient and lazy at it. But still, I found my own stable sources of income. Not gonna lie, the game just seems to like me and spoils occasionally. I don’t wanna brag, but there was like 4 precursor drops for me, 2 from mystic toilet, 2 practically dropped from the sky. I might be a little luckier than the average player. But that’s well deserved given how much suffering I had in Wakfu. :’D

When we talk about luck, we can’t avoid mentioning gambling. I learned about mystic toilet quite early, but never was a slave to it. Tarrktun has a bit more power over me, but I’ve never lost too much, only gained little by little. Black Lion Keys are the most evil gambling aspect if you ask me, I’ve spent quite a bit of money on those, though sometimes got nice things in exchange. Either gold to gems or gems for real money, I don’t mind spending it on Anet since they very, very well deserve it.

Given my passion, patience and luck, you must think I should be filthy rich by now.. Hah. :’DD Sadly, I’m just as good at spending as I’m at earning! I blew a lot of money on my own “needs” and “wants” and “why not”s, I keep investing into long term sales, I also often buy gifts for my buddies, mostly Rika. Money comes, money goes. GW2efficiency says my account is worth 14k gold currently. Not a bad progress for a year, I suppose.

So.. My biggest interests and playstyle are gold wars, fashion wars, altoholism.. I became quite a lore geek, completed PS, LS2, available LS3 episodes & most of current events, most of HoT? I should finish it but I procrastinate for some reason.

My current achievement number is 7610, mastery rank is 129 iirc. I’m not a casual derp anymore, but still too afraid to fail in front of strangers so I don’t really do dungeons or fractals. I mean I DO, when my bff literally holds my hand and goes there with me, then 3 strangers vs two of us is tad bit less scary. My combat skill, my reflexes and reactions are rather pathetic, even if I got significantly better after HoT and LS3 maps. I must train more, so recently I made a tanky character to practice, I hope to get good enough to clear story mode dungeons and low level fractals alone. Maybe I’m being too hard at myself, but combat skill has practically the biggest influence in this game, so I must git gud, at least acceptable, so I don’t feel ashamed to play with other people and don’t let them down. :’D

I’m a pve trash. Tried WvW and don’t mind coming here again, but not too much. PvP is a big no-no. Just.. Not my thing. Never. Not with my current skill and mindset (people = stress).

I’ve still got a mind-boggling amount of things to do. Personal goals, mere achievements, secrets and mysteries I’m yet to uncover, lore things to read. Maybe I’ll play GW1 one day, if there’s ever a discount sale. \;w;/ I’m super curious about every tiny bit of lore, also want some skins that are exclusive to GW1. That pleasant, sweet feeling that there’s so much interesting things ahead. I will take my time and never grind anything to frustration, for example, I’ve been working on my first leg, Sunrise, on and off and I’ll wait several months more, until I get all the clovers from the monthly chest. I don’t sweat it and just enjoy the game however I see it. Feelsgoodman.

I hope I managed to answer that person’s question, how did I get where I’m currently? Just took my time, learned my own pace and enjoyed every minute I spent online. Love the game, and it will love you back. \o/

[agilenano]

Agilenano - News: 20 Of My MOST Favorite Things {January 2020}

Can I tell you a secret?

Ive been planning and looking forward to todays post for MONTHS!

After almost 7 years of sharing my favorite things on the blog each month, I went back through ALL my previous Favorite Things posts and hand-selected 20 of my MOST favorite things to share with you for the start of 2020!

These are the cream of the crop. The products I use daily (even 7 years and 3 more children later). They are products I recommend regularly on the blog and in real life. They are my most favorite and worth every penny (in my opinion!)

Im also using a new format this month one that I hope will make the post more readable and more easily shoppable. Simply click the button link under each description to be taken directly to the sales page on Amazon (or whatever website the product is available through).

And if youre interested in reading my original review of each product, Ive included that too. Just click the dated link directly under each picture.

Ex: Originally shared in September of 2016.

DISCLOSURE:None of these products are sponsored; however, some of the links below are affiliate links which means that at no cost to you, I may get a smallcommission. Please know thatI use these products dailyin my own home and life. Readmy full disclosure policyfor more information.

Also, check out myAmazon Marketfor all my favorite things.

I wont make you wait any longer

Here are 20 of my MOST favorite things!

(In no particular order.)

1

USA Pan Bakeware

Originally shared in April of 2019.

The USA Pans are so fantastic, I recommend them for any kitchen and any cooking style. They are 100% completely non-stick, super heavy-duty, and cook very evenly. Plus, they are made in the USA!

I have the 8" loaf pans, the mini loaf pans, the XL sheet pans, and cookie sheets -- and I'm always looking to grow my collection as I use them all on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis.

I honestly cant say enough good things about this brand!

NOTE: Here's how I prep, store, and reheat all my roasted veggies.

Shop USAPan Bakeware on Amazon

2

Wet Brush Hair Brush

Originally shared in April of 2015.

Many years ago, after mentioning Nora's extreme sensitivity to having her hair brushed, many of you recommended the Wet Brush... I am forever grateful!

Literally, the very first time I used the brush on Noras hair, she was a completely different person. She didnt whine, complain, and cry ouch the ENTIRE time I brushed. Instead, she just sat there and even made the comment this brush doesnt hurt my head!

We now have 3 Wet Brushes (one in each bathroom) and 2 Mini Wet Brushes for traveling.

They are, hands-down, the best hair brush I've tried -- perfect for children and adults, straight or curly hair, thin or thick hair, wet or dry hair.

NOTE: Here's a link to my homemade hair detangling spray, and here's a post about my favorite hair styles for little girls.

Shop Wet Brushes on Amazon

3

Velvet "Huggable Hangers"

Originally shared in October of 2013.

Our family uses velvet hangers exclusively for all our closets (we use heavy-duty plastic hangers in the mudroom).

I have adult size hangers for our closet, kid size hangers for the older 3, and I even found baby size hangers for the nursery.

They are so slim and they really "hold on to" the clothing so well.

We have had a handful break over the years -- but that's a byproduct of 4 children who like to pick their own clothing out!

I've always recommended velvet hangers for all my organizing clients, and I will continue to use them in my own home.

NOTE: Here's a link to all my posts about clothes clutter!

Shop velvet hangers on Amazon.

4

The 5 Love Languages Book

Originally shared in February of 2018.

I first read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman when I was in college, after Dave and I got engaged. He read it too, and we quickly realized we have very opposite love languages!

Since then, I've reread this book many times.

I think both Dave and my love languages have morphed and changed a bit (Im totally acts of service now, and I used to be more gifts) but I cant tell you how valuable it has been for us to not only learn the other persons love language, but also realize that we both have very different love languages.

I think it saved us lots of frustration in the early years of our marriage and even still today.

I highly recommend this book to all dating, engaged, and married couples, as well as any of the other books in the growing "5 Love Languages" collection.

NOTE: Here's how I make more time for reading (even with a very busy home and family!) And here's one of my simplests "secrets" for a happy marriage.

Buy This Book on Amazon

5

Gecko-Loc Shower Hooks

Originally shared in July of 2017.

Several years ago, I replaced all our suction shower hooks with Gecko-Lock Super Suction Stainless Steel Double Hook, and we LOVE them!

They are so easy to install and VERY strong. Plus, the stainless steel looks so much nicer with our Chrome shower fixtures than the plastic hooks I previously used.

We've never had any issues with them losing suction or falling down and if/when I want to move them, I just unscrew the knob and the hook immediately comes off the shower wall with no pulling or tugging on my part.

NOTE: Get the recipe for my homemade shower cleaner (it's one of the most popular posts on my site!)

Buy These Hooks on Amazon

6

got 2b Hair Products

Originally shared in October of 2016.

Dave and I both use the got 2b hair products every day (for years and years)... and we have no intentions of switching to anything different.

He uses the got 2b Styling Glue.

I use the got 2b Spiking Wax and the Glued Blasting Freeze Spray.

They hold amazingly well all day long, they wash out easily each night, and they are extremely frugal compared to salon products!

NOTE: here's a video tutorial of how I style my short hair!

Shop Got 2B Items on Amazon

7

Topseat Child's Toilet Seat

Originally shared in January of 2018.

I'm certainly not an expert when it comes to potty training. However, I have found some really great tools to help simplify the process a bit!

The Topseat toilet seat has been a life-saver for our busy bathrooms these past several years. It's such a simple, convenient way to always have a child's toilet seat available when needed -- and out of the way when not needed.

It's much cleaner than removable potty seats, and it looks a lot nicer in our bathrooms too!

NOTE: Here's a before/after look at the kids' bathroom upstairs.

Learn more about these seats.

8

3 Citrus Face & Eye Cream

Originally shared in March of 2013.

This was in the very first Favorite Things post I shared way back when... and I still use this exact same product every single night after I get out of the shower.

I've been using the 3 Citrus Face & Eye Cream from Prairieland Herbs since 2010, and I just LOVE it!

We also use their Ultimate Healing Wand for all minor cuts, burns, bites, rashes, etc. It's the best and works SO well.

Their all-natural products are all hand made in small batches by a mother-daughter team, and I just love supporting their work through my purchases.

NOTE: They have offered an exclusive discount to my readers!! Get 20% off your entire order from their Etsy Shop with the code PAMPER (now through 2/29/20)

Visit Prairiland Herb's Shop

9

Vera Bradley Crossbody Wristlet

Originally shared in September of 2018.

I've used a Vera Bradley Wristlet as my main "purse" for probably close to 10 years now, and although I'm not one to be brand loyal, I REALLY love these wristlets (and I researched several other brands).

They can be pricey, but considering I'm only on my 2nd one in 10 years, they are worth it for me.

I love that my phone fits inside (along with everything else I need to carry around) and that there's a clip for my keys. Plus, I can wear it as a wristlet OR a cross-body bag depending on which strap I use.

It looks like my polka-dot fabric isn't available on Amazon right now, but there are TONS of other really fun (or simple) fabrics to choose from.

NOTE: Here's how I use this wristlet in conjunction with our diaper bag.

Shop VB Wristlets on Amazon

10

Presto Electric Griddle

Originally shared in July of 2018.

I use our electric griddle almost daily... and this one is HUGE! I can easily make 12 pancakes or 9 grilled cheese sandwiches at one time!

I love that this specific griddle is a square (not a longer rectangle) so it fits in my kitchen cabinets better.

I've taken this griddle on many family vacations, and even thought about trying to smuggle it in my suitcase when we fly! It's probably my most-used small appliance.

NOTE: These are our favorite whole grain oat pancakes... and these sourdough pancakes are the perfect use for leftover sourdough starter.

Buy This Griddle on Amazon

11

Big and Easy Colouring Books

Originally shared in November of 2018.

After years of coloring with little children, these Big and Easy Coloring books are still my most favorite (and my kids' favorite).

Even the older kids love coloring the extra-big, simple pictures!

We've given SO many of these as gifts, and oftentimes, the parents text or email me to ask where we found such a nice coloring book!

NOTE: Here are 10 of my favorite NON-MESSY crafts for toddlers and young children.

Shop Big and Easy on Amazon

12

Nutrimill Artiste Mixer

Originally shared in December of 2019.

The Nutrimill is the one and only mixer I use for everything from homemade whipped cream and butter to whole grain bread dough -- and anything in between.

Its so powerful and has a huge mixing capacity, but its much more compact and lighter-weight than KitchenAid Mixers so its easier to store and lift and carry around my kitchen.

NOTE: Here's my recipe for 100% whole grain bread dough, and my recipe for monster cookies (a HUGE batch that I've never been able to mix in anything other than my Nutrimill!)

Learn more about the Nutrimill

13

Britax B-Agile Single Stroller

Originally shared in May of 2018.

After almost a decade of pushing babies and toddlers around in various strollers, bike trailers, etc. my most favorite single stroller is the Britax B-Agile.

This is the stroller I use most often for the last 2-3 years as it's very light-weight and SO easy to push around.

The wheels glide everywhere and turn on a dime. Its technically considered a jogging stroller, but you know I dont jog! I just really do like having 1 wheel in the front as its easier to push.

We are nearing the end of our need for strollers -- but I have a feeling I'll keep this one around for a few years in case we have baby visitors who need to be pushed around.

NOTE: Read about all our favorite strollers and bike trailers, learn how to clean strollers and bike trailers, and see how we organize all our kids' gear in the garage.

Learn more about this stroller

14

Preen Weed Preventer

Originally shared in July of 2016.

If I could onlypick one product to use in my garden all year long, Preen would be it.

Year after year, Preen continues to save me hours upon hours of pulling weeds because it STOPS the weed seeds from germinating, which means there arent many weeds to pull!

I apply Preen to all my planting beds 4 times every season:

1. Mid-March, right after the weather starts to warm up.

2. Early May, after we spread mulch

3. Mid to late July

4. Late October, to hopefully prevent weed growth in early spring.

In May and July, I use the Preen + Fertilizer, and then I use the regular Preen in October. The added Fertilizer is great for perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees, and even in vegetable gardens.

The only caution is that you do NOT want to spread Preen in your veggie garden until all the seeds have germinated as Preen PREVENTS seeds from germinating.

NOTE: Here are a few more of my favorite weed-fighting tools (pictured above). And here's a post about our sort-of crazy way to prevent weeds in our vegetable garden (since we don't always use Preen around our veggies).

Shop Preen Products on Amazon

15

MAM Baby Products

Originally shared in June of 2016.

I first got hooked onall the amazing MAM productsway back when I FINALLY got my almost-2 year old, Nora, to drink water from a MAM sippy cup. She previously refused all sippy cups, bottles, water bottles, etc. so it was a BIG deal!

Since then, we've used the MAM brand of bottles, pacifiers, teathers, and sippy cups exclusively for our babies and toddlers.

I also still use the MAM bottle cleaning brush to clean all our water bottles and other long, skinny kitchen items. That thing is the best!

We give MAM goodies to all our friends and family members who have new babies!

NOTE: Here are several more of our favorite "Kids' Kitchen Gear" items -- as well as how I store and organize them all in our kitchen and pantry.

Shop MAM Products on Amazon

16

OLUKAI Footwear

Originally shared in July of 2018.

As many of you know, I buy the vast majority of all our family's clothing from local thrift stores for pennies on the dollar.

And I rarely ever spend anywhere close to "full price" on anything.

However, one thing I'm willing to pay a bit more for is good quality footwear (especially since I've had lower back problems for the majority of my adult life).

The OLUKAI line of women's footwear is one of my favorites -- I live in their flip flops in the summer and their slippers in the winter (slippers pictured above).

Their shoes are SO supportive, so comfortable, and actually pretty stylish too! I've had mine for years and they still look brand new!

Shop OLUKAI Footwear on Amazon

17

BABYBJRN Bouncer

Originally shared in June of 2013.

This bouncy seat is one of my most-used baby items EVER! I used it daily for all 4 babies -- and honestly, Clara still uses it now (at 27 months).

It is THE BEST bouncy seat around... the only downside is the price tag.

Thankfully, I was able to find my Baby Bjorn used on Craigslist before Nora was born... and it has served us well for over 8 years now. This bouncer is one of the very few baby things I plan to keep for whenever babies visit our house (and if I'm willing to hang onto something we don't necessarily NEED, you know I really really love it!)

I love that the fabric easily comes off to wash, and that it folds completely flat for storage. I love that it doesn't require batteries or installation or assembly. And of course, the fact that even small infants can easily bounce themselves in this chair is just the icing on the cake!

Start looking for a used one, or splurge on this amazing bouncer for yourself (or a new parent in your life). You will not regret it!

NOTE: Here's a list of things I'm SO glad I had for my babies... and another list of things I wish I had found/purchased sooner.

Research these bouncers here.

18

Glad Press'n Seal Wrap

Originally shared in July of 2013.

If youve ever been frustrated with plastic wrap that doesnt stick or sticks too much you definitely need to make the switch to thePress'n Seal wrap.

I use this every day in many different ways obviously to cover food dishes and plates, but also to line my paint trays, wrap paint brushes, and many other random things all over our house.

This wrap sticks amazingly well with just a little bit of firm pressure and (at least in my experience) it can be used over and over again without getting ruined or getting jumbled up into a sticky balled mess (can you tell I absolutely hate traditional plastic wrap?)

NOTE: here are 10 clever uses for Press'n Seal Wrap.

Buy Press'n Seal on Amazon

19

Originally shared in January of 2018.

I've been using a Personal Planner for 7-8 years now (Dave uses them too) and it's still my favorite.

I love that there are so many customizable features and the fact that it always seems to function perfectly for my schedule, my family, and my life.

Since I remember best when I write things down, my planner is an invaluable tool to help me simplify and better organize my life!

There might come a day when I switch to a digital system, but for now, you will always find a Personal Planner sitting on my desk!

All my Personal Planner Posts

20

Wsthof Knives

Originally shared in July of 2019.

I am not a professional chef, nor do I aspire to be one but having GOOD knives to use in my kitchen has made a huge difference for me over the years.

Ive slowly switched almost all my knives (and kitchen scissors) over to the Wsthof brand, and I can honestly say Ive never once been disappointed. They are super sharp, they feel amazing in my hand, and they cut, slice, and chop better than any other knife Ive used.

Heres a short list of the 3 knives I would recommend starting your collection with (all pictured above):

1. Micro-Serrated 4.5-inch Utility Knife

2. 6-inch Serrated Utility Chopper Knife

3. 10-inch Classic Bread Knife

I use these 3 knives EVERY single day usually washing them in between meals as I use them SO regularly!

Shop Wsthof Knives on Amazon

One runner-up item was my braided rugs but I cant find them on the website anymore, so I didnt include them in my list.

Whew you made it!

I hope you find at least one item on my list youd like to try.

Also, SO many of you tell me these posts are some of your favorite posts is that still true?Im trying to decide if these posts are something I should continue writing each month or not your opinion is very helpful!

As always, check out my previous months favorite things and let me know if youve tried any over the years!

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The post 20 Of My MOST Favorite Things {January 2020} appeared first on Andrea Dekker.

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