#she's funny she's sweet we have hundreds of shared interests

[greppelheks]

Alsoooo I have a huge crush on my coworker! Since... today!

[sgiandubh]

Onlies at large

Sometimes (often, even), I can't sleep. And when I can't sleep, I get easily bored, if not focused on something. And there was nothing of particular import on Netflix or Amazon Prime, yesterday night. Aaand, as I don't have access to my bookshelves back home, I went looking for a light something to read myself to the Land of Nod.

I am, since forever, a solid reader of non-fiction. Memoirs, diaries are a special interest, too. So I just wanted to see if there were any nice memoirs of people who went to Scotland in search of a new life/love/whatever, Under The Tuscan Sun -style. Everand/Scribd is a decent starting point for the such, at 2 AM.

There weren't and I wonder why. But as I was browsing around, lo and behold, I found a tiny, self-published memoir by a certain Ninya (not her real name, of course): Scotland with a Stranger (2020).

Great literature it is not. It is naive and the narrative line sounded really, really meh to me: a 43 year old Alabama depressed divorcee finds healing and a renewed purpose for life, while traveling to Scotland with an improbable companion.

So, I skimmed and skimmed and skimmed (FFS, when is she going to PACK, this one?). Then, I found this and no, I am not sorry AT ALL for the length (passages are bolded by me).

Thank you Baby Jesus, she finally made it to her EDI flight:

'(...) I noticed a little emblem on the shirts of many of the women on this flight. It looked like mountains and said Peaker. All the women were laughing and chatting and carrying on like they had known each other forever.

“Is this your first trip to Scotland?” I tried to make small talk with the lady next to me.

“Heavens, no! It’s my sixth.”

“Wow,” I said. “It’s such a big world, but you keep coming back here?”

“Yes, it’s just incredibly beautiful. I never get tired of it. There is no other place as magical on earth.” She smiled wistfully. “I���m actually coming for a gala.”

“A gala?” I parroted back to her. I thought galas were reserved for Barbie movies. In my social circle, no one I knew ever attended a gala.

“Yes! It’s called My Peak Challenge.” She leaned in closer, excited to share. “Have you read the Outlander series?”

“Funny you ask that because I just downloaded the first book.” It seemed like required reading when you went to Scotland. I loved to read and had nothing but time due to my social media fast, so it was sitting unopened on my iPad.

“Well, the character of Jamie is played by Sam Heughan, and he is the founder of My Peak Challenge. It’s not just a club; it’s a movement, and every year they have a gala in Edinburgh. People come from all over the world for this event.”

The germaphobe next to me chimed in. “This is my first year, but he has truly changed my life. I’ve lost twenty-two pounds.” I was impressed, having weighed nearly two hundred myself at one point. Losing sixty of it was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.

“Losing weight is so hard,” I commiserated with her. “How did you do it?”

“The boring way, eating right and exercising.” She laughed, and I laughed with her because I knew too well it was the only way that worked long-term.

She continued on. “My Peak Challenge is a training and nutrition program where we support and challenge each other, but it’s not just that because Sam has raised nearly two million dollars for charities all over the world. He’s just incredible.” She was practically swooning and literally fanning herself. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was hot, or because she was.

That nutrition program must include the Sam Heughan is a God Kool-aid.

“This conference includes a meet and greet and a gala and a special workout that Sam leads. He’s just an amazing human being,” she gushed. She clearly was in love with Sam Heughan.

“I have been chosen to introduce him,” the sweet older lady to my left said. “So, I’ve got the next eight hours to figure out the words to say to introduce the man who has completely changed my life.”

“Yes!” She went on. “It’s an incredible organization. He’s really affecting change on a global level.” (sic!)

Great. I am stuck between two evangelists at a Sam Heughan-is-the-greatest-human-in-the-world presentation.

“We have a Facebook group, and everyone is just so awesome and supportive. It really is a family.”

“And how much does it cost to be in this family?” I asked skeptically.

“It wasn’t much,” she defended, quickly changing the topic. “Nearly every penny is donated to charity. He is changing lives,” she stressed so incredibly seriously I had to cover my mouth to stifle a giggle.

Is this a cult? It sounds like a cult. I am trapped on an airplane for the next eight hours with the Sam Heughan cult.

Luckily for me, headphones exist. It was an overnight flight, which meant I could close my eyes and pretend to sleep, and there were movies to be seen.' (Ninya - Scotland with a Stranger: A Memoir, Chapter Thirteen).

For some reason, I doubt Ninya ever opened that OL first tome, on her IPad or elsewhere. But the point of my post is not to poke fun at SRH, MPC and all the gracious Peakers who read and often comment on this humble blog (@ladyjane-lj, @rosfrank immediately come to mind and I am sure they are not the only ones).

The reason I quoted this passage at almost full length, despite the paltry writing skills and abysmal grammar/spelling on display (Sweet Baby Jesus, please make people see the real difference between affect and effect, thank you and amen) is that we are dealing here with a unique perspective on a sizeable chunk of this fandom. You see, Ninya has no damn agenda to promote, in OL terms. She is not a shipper, but she is not an Anti, either. She couldn't care less if S+C=❤️, or if Tait rhymes with Fate (it rhymes with Bait, if you ask me). She doesn't know anything about OL, its cast, its Best Fans Ever, you and me and her.

And this is precisely why her perspective is so damn interesting. She is a mere passer-by, who failed to be grabbed in by the OTT Only Mommie gushing and who saw possessiveness and objectification disguised as love. She saw the most problematic, hypocrite and unimportant side of this whole experience and this whole fandom. And it's terrible and I am really sorry she did.

Maybe someone else than us reads this. For once, I wish they did, for it is an unadulterated, faraway echo of Real Life and the Real World. Selling that Toy Boi image is WRONG, *** and PR and TPTB. It's counterproductive and a total turnoff to real people who can't be arsed to even look for the Balmaclellan Adonis on Google, just because this fan substack is really, really embarrassing.

Of course, they blindly buy the booze, religiously sign in year after year to just about everything he sells around. Of course they show up every single time and pitch their tents on the rude city pavement in front of God Knows Which liquor store in Whoville, America. But they also show up with baked lasagna, pinch his ass (Madame Tussaud's, anyone?) and geriatrically swoon front row, cackling and giggling and catcalling like they were 12. It's also because of these women that OL lost its fabulous innocence and authenticity and it's because of these women we do have the Global Merry-Go-Round Seasonal Shitshow that keeps all of us (sickly, I am the first to admit it) engaged here.

Finally, this is also why I am closely following all the business side of this ahem, universe. It's the road less traveled by and of course, probably the most rewarding.

Shoot me, the very moment I turn into Neilie. Let it be clearly known beforehand. And no, please do not resuscitate. I'd be too ashamed.

[sam-is-my-safe-word]

Happy Friendiversary Dreamer!!

Do you believe in platonic soulmates. No, get your mind out of fandom for like five mins. I'll be realy quick & we can all get back to the sweet release of fiction. Do you believe in friendship soulmates? Two people who are perfectly made for each other, but not in a romantic way. (Normalise platonic love, people) I didn't. I love my friends dearly. I'd jump in front of a car for them. I keep living for them. But that was it.

Then I was scrolling through ao3 two years ago today & saw a really interesting fic.

(Ignore the last tag, it wasn't there when I found the fic, but since Run It All Over is a podfic now, D added that one lol)

Now normally I'd scroll right on past that. Minimal tags, minimal description. I like to know what porn is contained within lol. But that Brotherly Platonic Handjobs just grabbed me.

The universe aligned that day & brought me & Dreamer together. And I thank the fanfic gods every day for that.

I don't know how to sum up the last 2 years. It's been wild. We quickly outgrew the ao3 comments section, and then exchanged thousands of emails. Seriously, I have the transcripts. THOUSANDS. We're verbose mfs. And then we moved to fb & the convos could happen in real time y'all. Google docs & discord servers, facebook & group chats, hours upon hours spend on voice chats that I wish we'd recorded.

Hundreds of story ideas sparked to life in those places and hundreds more thoughts about life discussed and dissected and investigated.

It's very hard to sum up what the last two years have meant to me. We've weathered a few storms of mental health, helping the other up and being helped in equal measure. She shares my pain & my joy with equal attention. She encourages me to care for myself when I don't think I deserve it. And she thinks I'm funny. Which is like, the best compliment ever really.

Through a series of gentle but persistent prods, she is starting to believe her own self-worth & honestly, what greater joy is there in life than to see a loved one flourish?

There's a theory out there that soulmates are formed because two people's atoms were near each other when the universe formed and are forever drawn back to each other. I like that theory. It's funny, cos physically, me & D could not be further apart on this planet lol. But still our atoms found their creation buddy.

Happy Friendiversary @runawaydr3amerao3. Love you endlessly <3

[petrichoraline]

hiiii <3 what are your all time favorite bls and why? i need to fill up my to-watch list asap

oh, this ask made me ecstatic to the point i considered one of my moots sent it cause they know giving recs makes me happy 😄

what I'd constitute as faves isn't necessarily what i would usually recommend, to moots i mostly suggest shows and movies that i find unique in some way and that have left a good impression on me like i will knock you, kimi no koto dake mite itai, word of honor, fukou kun, the untamed, docchi mo docchi, seven days, itsay, msp, vice versa etcetcetc. it's not necessarily about perfect writing or acting even, it's about the piece of media provoking either lots of thoughts, emotions or both, having at least one unique trait i associate with it and just being enjoyable despite (or because of) its flaws! so that's the type of media i usually enjoy sharing with others.

now, it's infinitely easier for me to give recs based on any other criteria but "my personal faves" is such a subjective category (that im not even sure exists) that i had to cheat a bit - i went off of what couples make me go feral, what emotions the show title evokes and if i've revisited certain scenes. i don't do full rewatches for the most part but i sometimes go back to watch the main couples (the exception being waantul in between us, i know their scenes a hundred times better than winteam's lol) and most of the shows listed here have been revisited at least once 😗

Love Is Science? - NOT a bl, the pair in question are the second couple; i personally went through every episode looking for their scenes and then went through the cut on yt (and rightfully so, quite a few scenes were missing in that); i'm recommending you smth this inconvenient because i love Mark and Ou Wen so much. their personalities (they have personality for daysss), the chemistry (the hanger scene), their love and support for each other make me giddy. they carry their part so well you don't need much else, just watching them interact is enough. going through gifs now i got reminded of just how amazing the development of their relationship is to me. they're a delight and a half, enjoy them flustering each other 💖

To My Star Season 2: Our Untold Stories - now, i'm aware you have to see s1 first but when it comes to who makes me go feral, it's definitely Seojoon and Jiwoo and this happened mostly because of season 2, i didn't care for them much originally. this season explored an aspect of relationships i don't think i've seen explored anywhere else in a way that makes me still get in my feels whenever anything bout the show comes across my dash. it's angsty but so worth it. my boys have intense personal issues and even more intense love for each other, their personalities, way of thinking and chemistry are fascinating to me. the cuteness mixed with the heavier plot, the pacing, the smart writing, it's so nice. side note, binging both seasons at once wouldn't be that big of a challenge timewise in case you don't want a breather in between 😊 (gif from s1 because you can't watch them separately anyways)

Kieta Hatsukoi - a sweet light romcom for the most part, very entertaining, all of the characters are soo loveable, one of my all time fave girls in bl is here and she's everything <3 in regards to manga accuracy, the main events are all there but the order is all switched around yet the story still makes perfect sense! it's funny, it's sweet, Aoki and Ida are such an interesting pair and it's lovely seeing them figure out how to navigate this unexpected relationship

We Best Love: No. 1 For You - it's such a must watch! the passion these two have for each other and the chemistryyy will make you overlook the sheer absurdity of some of the plot; i also loved the 2 season format where the second season feels well planned, it's almost like one whole season cut in half. the emotional journey that Shu Yi and Shi De go on is so (melo)dramatic but also very touching because Sam and Yu act those emotions OUT, it's a pleasure just watching them interact (also Shu Yi is one of the few brats i adore dearly and i think it's not only because of the writing but Yu's incredible portrayal of the character)

Bad Buddy - i wasn't able to appreciate it for its wit because it was basically my first thai bl, i had no idea what expectations it was defying. nevertheless, i fell in love with it because it stands so well on its own! it's very funny, heartbreaking at times (reading analyses and meta on here made me realise how heavy the premise actually is) and insanely romantic (it caters to my idea of romance so well, the pining and protectiveness and flirting and devotion and-); also Pat and Pran have some amazing communication and mutual understanding, their bond is truly endearing and makes my heart ache if i think about it a bit too long

KinnPorsche - when it comes down to it, i am a very basic person. this show is just a ride, you gotta watch it for the pure entertanment value. there's always smth happening, that's for sure 😄of course chemistry, ofc handsome men all over the place yadayada but it'd be just that if not for the insane plotlines and humour, if you just accept that anything goes, you can have a blast with this show (but also hurt beautiful men finding comfort and love in a world of pain and betrayal>>)

Where Your Eyes Linger - though I can't make myself rewatch the heavier scenes, i love this one, the premise, the execution, it's all to my taste, the longing between these two is palpable (side note: i was getting emotional while searching for a gif but a bunch of the results were porn gifs so i was taken out of my feels multiple times lmao)

Utsukushii Kare - I'm way more normal about them now than before but this show truly makes you feel so many things, it's so smart and fantastic. Hira and Kiyoi's journey is beautiful and it embodies what i love seeing from japan's productions. they're just two lovely guys who are perfect for each other and shouldn't be let anywhere near the dating pool ❤️

Semantic Error - man, i love me some enemies to lovers, especially when both leads are Fools™️ for each other. the humour and pacing, the colourful side characters, Jaeyoung's charisma, his determination contrasting Sangwoo's inner battle..and, I know I'm becoming repetitive, the chemistry! there's a reason my guys won awards js

The End of the World with You - this show drove me insane, it's more of a one-time watch imo but i'm saying this because I was very focused on the main couple and they were what kept me watching (plus the suspense of course); it's a heavy heavy premise with the most controversial couple on this list but somehow it felt very light and exciting for the most part. I think their unconventional surroundings account for it, you don't get the typical chaos an apocalyptic show would display, it kind of feels calm even and it allows you to focus on the interpersonal relationships between the characters rather than on the expected terrors. the show fascinated me with the amazing acting and the dynamic between Ritsu and Masumi, I have a special spot for them <33 (no photo cause the limit was reached lol)

because deciding on faves is hard i'll leave this list at 10 shows, consider these just 10 of the many shows that are important to me in some way 💓

hopefully i suggested mostly things you haven't seen yet (though I went quite basic) <3 i need to know what you think of the shows, okay? and in case they don't do it for you (or, even better, they do and you come to trust me lol) feel perfectly welcome to send me some info about what you (don't) enjoy in terms of genre, tropes, episode length, actors etc.etc. and i'll dive into my lists hahah, it's super fun for me 💗

[violetjedisylveon]

Guest Speaker

Blue Guard AU chapter 11

Summary:  Hexside has a special guest speaker. And little kids know too much.

Word count: 4.2k

Warnings: Implication of kidnapping, lost children, Belos exists.

A/N: Been a while since I updated this, huh? I just kinda forgot to update when I finished chapters so now I've got some ready to go soonish.

I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Happy Halloween!

Blue Guard AU Masterpost

________________________________________________________________________________

Luz hopped off Owlbert and waved goodbye to Eda and King.

"See ya after school kid!" Eda shouted down to her as she flew off.

"Bye Eda! Bye King!" Luz waved after them.

She walked up the school steps to where Willow, Gus and Amity were waiting for her.

"Morning Batata!" Amity greeted her with a peck on the cheek.

"Morning." She gave her a kiss back.

"Did you end up fixing Skara's leg?" Luz asked as they walked inside.

"Yep, Amity showed me how to do it and what tools I need, so I'll be able to fix it if it ever breaks on the field. I'm gonna show the rest of the team too." Willow told her.

"That's great." She said.

Willow nodded in agreement.

Everything was going normal.

"Looks like it's going to be a chill day." Luz commented.

I could use one of those. She thought. She was tired from staying up so late, and she didn't want any adventures. A nice, calm, normal day sounded great.

"Well actually, there is something going on today." Gus said.

Luz fixed him with a death stare.

"Continue." She said.

The threatening stare didn't put him off.

"The school is being visited by Carlyne Nazik! Isn't that exciting?!" Gus exclaimed.

Carlyne Nazik! She was there when Philip… she'll know I was there!

"Uh, who is she?" Luz asked.

All she really knew was that Carlyne Nazik was an old demon and involved with Belos's rise, and had some connection to the Clawthorne Clan. Most of it wasn't too positive in her opinion, despite how kind she may have been.

"She's only the coolest being on the Isles! I heard she's almost five hundred! Can you believe that?!" Gus shouted.

Luz glanced at Willow, she was looking at Gus with a sweet smile. A big sibling kind of smile.

"She's a biologist, demonologist, historian, politician, she's a master of magic and old knowledge, she's one of the most important figures on the Boiling Isles. She really is very impressive." Willow explained.

"Huh, sounds like she knows a lot." Luz commented.

"She knows too much." Amity grunted.

"What's the problem?" Luz shot her girlfriend a concerned look.

"She used to come by for prosthetic measurements, she had a custom one, she'd always talk about my dad's past relationships and my parents' school days. She does not have a filter." Amity explained.

"Oh boy." Luz said.

"She's coming today to check out the Hexside students and, I heard she was here to check you out too, Luz! We can share facts about humans! She went to the human realm way back when so I bet she's interested in what's going on there! She's also got this apprentice, I think, they're a rare demon type and I think they are coming too!" Gus said in a high pitched excited voice.

"Me?" Luz stopped in her tracks, oblivious to Gus's excitement.

"It makes sense, she's a biologist, you're a rare species. I heard that she once beat up a hydra because it interfered with her research on a type of flower." Amity said, nudging her a bit.

"This day is gonna be so great! I hope she comes by my class! Bye guys!" Gus squealed as he ran off to his class.

"What's his deal?" Luz asked Willow.

"Gus really looks up to Carlyne, he's always wanted to be just like her, it's part of what kick started his interest in humans, he wanted to bring more information about them." Willow said.

"Oh. That's sweet." Luz said.

"Yeah, I hope she lives up to his expectations." Amity agreed.

"Oh I'm sure she will." Willow nodded.

XXX

Miss Nazik let herself fall off her Palisman to the ground where she absolutely nailed the landing. Argi giggled, her mentor was so funny sometimes.

"Excellent landing Ma'am!" Argi said as she landed next to the towering demon.

"Thank you, Silver. Open the case and let's get this over with." She instructed.

Argi opened the case she'd brought along with them and pulled out the sleeve. It was an easy, practiced routine at this point.

"Arm." She said.

Miss Nazik extended her arm, Argi fit the sleeve onto the nub and pulled it up right. She got the prosthetic attachment on and finally, placed the abomination-oracle powered prosthetic into place. It buzzed as it connected with Nazik and whirled into life. Nazik groaned and flexed the false wrist.

"I'll never get used to it." She grumbled.

Miss Nazik's prosthetic was a rather bare bones design. It had the base skeletal structure, and nothing else, Nazik didn't cover the wires and innards with anything. She always said it was because she was above tricking herself.

"I guess we can go in now." Argi said.

Nazik's dead eye flicked over to her and she squinted. In an instant, Nutmeg scurried into position to act as Miss Nazik's eye. The Palisman curled into a circle, eyes in the middle, in a sort of monical look. The eyes glowed as a sign of the connection being made.

"Thank you Nutmeg." Carlyne gently patted her Palisman.

"Let's go in." She instructed.

Argi nodded and followed closely behind her mentor to the front steps.

The Hexside Principal, Hieronymus Bump, was waiting at the front doors to greet them. His eyes landed on her, they didn't linger very long, she tended to have that effect. The aging witch turned to Miss Nazik.

"Ah, the esteemed Carlyne Nazik, may I welcome you to Hexside School of Magic and Demonics." The principal made a sweeping gesture as the doors opened.

Nazik shot him an unimpressed look.

"You should know not to bother with a flashy show for me, Hieronymus." She scolded lightly.

"What can I say, it's fun." Mister Bump shrugged.

Nazik gave a soft sigh and bent down to be at eye level with the witch.

"You do have a way of making a witch feel quite small, Carly." Mister Bump commented.

"It's good to see you too, old man." Nazik rolled her eyes affectionately.

"Yes, it's been too long." Bump agreed.

Argi watched the interaction, wanting to be invisible for this more private moment between friends, but Nazik said no invisibility on this mission, and she wasn't about to disobey orders so soon.

She felt eyes on her and made eye contact with the principal.

"I see you've brought your, apprentice, with you." Bump observed.

Argi narrowed her eyes, she didn't like how he said that.

"I need to show her the job somehow, she'll be shadowing me and checking out your school on her own a bit." Nazik explained calmly.

"I see." Bump said, clearly examining her.

Argi instinctively moved her hand towards her sword, readied herself for attack. Nazik shot her a hard stare, she wasn't really mad is what it said.

"You've clearly taught her the warrior part of your job." Bump said.

"Yes, she is quick to assume ill intent, it's understandable, given Belos's assignments for her, but I assure she won't really be a problem outside of a little mischief." Nazik nudged her arm, Argi lowered her hand.

"My apologies, Mister Bump." She apologized.

He nodded, though his eyes were still on her sword.

"Maybe you should leave that." He suggested.

"That's a good idea." Nazik agreed.

Argi groaned and put the sword in her spacial pocket, she shot her mentor a 'happy now?' look, most of the effect being lost due to her helmet.

"Now that's settled, shall we begin?" Nazik prompted.

"Yes, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, our first stop is the kindergartners and younger classes, they are very excited to see you, Carly." Bump said, leading them in.

"I always enjoy the children." Nazik agreed.

XXX

Argi felt increasingly uncomfortable as more children stared at her. The kindergartners had been absolutely enthralled by Nazik's presence and most hadn't even noticed her, her hope had been that none would.

However, a select group of children had their sights on her and her alone. They kept looking at her, edging closer to see what she would do, then running back to their friends and excitedly squealing to them. It was odd. She wasn't doing anything.

One child in particular was giving her a lot of attention. The kid was sitting very close to her, kept edging closer. Something was off about them, the way they were staring made Argi feel very uncomfortable.

She had noted that the child was one of the older younger class students, and some sort of demon hybrid. They had features that didn't quite match.

They possessed two pairs of horns, that it looked like they often clashed in their growth patterns, but the dominant set was a lot like her own. They had a prominent nose, it was big and round, but it also had a feline quality to it.

They had wide eyes, with whites that were tinted green, something about the gaze was familiar. They also had wings, mostly like a bat's in structure, but the membrane was clear and insect-like, and they had a single long, thin tail that twitched slightly at the tip.

The child smiled and revealed a prominent pair of fangs… that grew… Palisde fangs… It was clear as day what the child was trying to say.

Argi stared at the child in shock. She didn't know how to respond to that. What was the purpose anyway?

The child got up and walked over to her, Argi was extremely thankful for her helmet.

"Need something?" She prompted.

The child narrowed their eyes, eyes that were shaped like hers.

"Your horns are small." The child said.

"Excuse me?" Argi asked.

"Your horns are too small, they should be bigger and curved, they look like mine." They elaborated.

Argi took that to mean her horns looked like a young child's. Belos hadn't ever wanted her to grow them past a certain point. The child was grinning up at her.

"You are one of us." This time they spoke in Palis, the language she had known all her life but rarely spoke in.

Argi pretended not to understand what the kid had just said.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" She asked.

"You know what I said. You are one of us. A child of Titans." They said.

Argi glared at them.

"If you are a lost child, you should come home. We are still looking

"I think you're a little confused kid, I've got a home already, and I don't know you." Argi gave the kid a gentle shove away from her.

"You are the one who is confused. It is not your fault, since you do not know. Your false home is built on lies. I can smell them. They are as rotten as he is. And while it is true that you do not know me, I know of you. We are told of all lost children in the hopes we will be able to help find them. we are good at finding, but you were hidden better it seems." They smiled, wide and fanged, at her.

"Alright, just who do you think I am if I am one of those lost children you keep speaking of?" Argi shot off.

She felt a little foolish for being so mad at a child. They giggled.

"You are the one who was lost in an attempt to help someone suffering great pain. You are the lost child, with eyes the color of the boiling blood from which we were first made, and the color of our gifts, perception and longevity."

"And what color is that?" Argi asked.

"You have our silver and gold in your eyes. silver is perception, gold is longevity. You have eyes of silver and gold within pools of blood blue. You have the eyes of our first. The eyes of The Protectors. I know you, lost child. I know you." They spoke with such certainty but there was no way this child had seen her face, much less her eyes. Someone must've told them.

"How in the Blue Moon did you know that?! Who told you?!" The Palis felt strangely natural on her tongue.

She hadn't spoken it in years, Belos hated it when she did as a child. He said it was a tongue of wild magic, and that the Titan would be angry with her for speaking it. She figured she would've forgotten it after so many years, yet out it came, spoken almost as naturally as the child in front of her. The kid smiled.

"So you do retain some knowledge of our culture. It is good to know you can still speak, instead of only understand. He could not take that from you." They said.

"Who are you?" She asked cautiously.

Nobody was paying any attention to them, and they were in a secluded area. If anyone did see it would be assumed as an odd demon child being drawn towards a fellow odd demon.

"I am Vesper. One of my mothers is Palisde, the other is a vampire. You know my mother's friend. They are looking forwards to meeting you again. They have told me much about you. I was excited to learn that The Turtle was coming here, because you would be with her, and I could talk to you. You are missed, lost child."

Missed. No one missed her, someone would've come if they had truly missed her, Vesper didn't know anything.

"If I was so missed, why didn't anyone come looking for me until now? If they wanted me, why wait until now to claim me? What was stopping them from getting me back? I doubt they care as much as you think, Vesper." She scoffed.

Vesper gave her a sad look and took her hand, squeezing it in between her small fingers.

"Please do not mistake their inability for us not caring. We have always wanted you, we want all lost ones to be found, and when we found you, there was nothing we could do. He would not give you up. And we were unable to approach him. I wish it had been different, you are a good sister." She spoke somberly.

"I hope you get to come home soon, I'd like to show you around. You can bring your tree sibling too. I think they would like to learn from us too." Vesper added sweetly.

That made her feel a bit better, she really couldn't be mad at a kid.

"Tree sibling? What do you mean? I don't have a tree sibling." She said.

Vesper gave a mischievous smile, their tail wagged around.

"I am not supposed to tell you, but I think you will find out soon. The Elders say stone hearts hum the most beautiful songs instead of beat. I do not think he knows yet either." Vesper told her.

"I have to go, I am leaving early today. It was nice to meet you and see you in person. Cin wishes you well with your upcoming change." Vesper gave her a hug around her legs and then ran off, waving at her.

Argi gave a small wave back, knowing she likely wouldn't sleep tonight either. She had too much information to process.

Her ears flicked as Miss Nazik approached her.

"Did you make a friend, Silver?" She asked.

"Yes, I think I did." Argi said.

"I didn't think you still knew Palis."

She hadn't switched back! Argi jolted and stared at her mentor's smug face in shock.

"How-"

"Silver, I'm old, granted, I'm not not Palisde old, but old for most, I've learned a few languages. And don't believe everything your uncle says, he's full of shit sometimes." Miss Nazik said.

"Really?" Argi asked.

"You know from experience that he doesn't always have the best ideas." She reminded.

Argi glanced at the floor, she was right. Belos made mistakes, more than she felt was right to admit.

"Now come along, I've heard there's an illusion student who is very excited for this, we shouldn't keep them waiting much longer." Nazik said, leading her towards the aforementioned class.

XXX

The welcoming display in the Illusion classroom was certainly impressive.

The school's top Illusion student had put it all together and done most of the organization work by himself. He'd wanted it to be perfect.

Argi wasn't surprised to see Augustus, Gus, Porter as the secret mastermind responsible for the grand display. She knew he was a big fan of Miss Nazik.

She didn't want to ruin the moment, so she slightly broke Nazik's request. She cloaked herself to match the wall, since she was camouflaging and mimicking, she wasn't technically invisible. Miss Nazik would probably find it funny.

She stayed hidden for most of Nazik's visit to this class, until she went to the teacher to ask for the student who had cast the welcoming illusion.

Gus Porter nervously approached her towering form, and she knelt down to be at eye level with the twelve year old. 

"This was quite the impressive display." Nazik congratulated him.

His face lit up from the praise.

"I hear you are quite good at illusions, I talked to one of your classmates, he seems to think very highly of you. He told me all about a very impressive stunt you pulled at some old graveyard. And here I was thinking Steve just lost his map." Nazik told him.

Gus's face fell, excitement replaced by anxiety.

"You know where it is?" He whispered.

"Course I do, I helped make some of those statues. Several of them were my friends, you know." She gave him a reassuring pat and he relaxed.

"I also hear you have a passion for human knowledge, is that correct?" She prompted.

"Yes ma'am, I mean, yes Miss!" Gus said enthusiastically.

"Nazik is just fine, witchling." Nazik chuckled.

"Gus is quite the illusionist, ma'am, some of his other teachers say he could take the Coven Head's place before graduating." The teacher informed Nazik.

"Well he's certainly a lot more pleasant than Gray, and easier to work with." Nazik paused and cupped a hand over her mouth.

"Between you and me, Gray is an arrogant, pretentious, asshole and a pain up the ass to work with." She whispered to the boy.

Gus almost laughed, then covered his mouth.

"It's fine, everyone but Gray knows it." Nazik told him.

Argi stayed put in her place against the wall as Nazik continued talking with Gus. It shifted in topic from illusions to humans, and then while she spoke with other students.

She decided to wait just outside the class, so there was less a chance of someone running into her disguised form. She heard Nazik's farewell to the students, and pulled out her map to find the quickest route to their next destination. Nazik reached the door, and gave her a side eye.

She was stopped before she could say anything. It was Gus.

"Excuse me, Miss Nazik, but I heard you had an apprentice and that they would be here, but I didn't see anyone, I was wondering if something happened to them." Gus explained himself quickly.

Nazik glanced at her, she was hidden just out of Gus's sight.

"It seems my apprentice might have gotten a little overwhelmed in your classroom, and she decided to disappear." Nazik said.

She reached out and lightly dragged Argi in front of her. Gus's face fell with shock when he saw and recognized her.

"You?! You are Carlyne Nazik's apprentice?" Gus exclaimed.

Argi wanted to crawl into a hole and die, she nodded instead.

"Oh, did you make a friend on some mission?" Nazik prompted her.

"Well, you know the incident with the other Guard yesterday? He was one of the ones who got… mixed up in it." She admitted.

"Mixed up? The Golden Guard tried to force me into a coven!" Gus exclaimed.

"He did? Why would he do that? I left instructions not to get any new recruits." Nazik said with a frown.

"Eh, something with Darius and- look I don't really know. I don't ask questions, I just go with him." Argi stated.

Nazik released her, and spoke to Gus again. He hadn't been expecting her, that was certain. At least the younger boy's idea of her mentor had lived up to expectations.

"Come, we've got other classes to visit, it was a pleasure to meet you, Gus." Nazik said, waving goodbye to him.

Argi trailed behind her mentor, she could feel Gus's eyes burning into her back.

"I am sorry, about what happened, I was trying to talk him out of it. Not that it makes any difference." She said without looking back.

She wasn't expecting any response.

"Thanks. I'll tell my friends." That really caught her off guard.

She turned, there was no malice in Gus's innocent smile. He waved and went back to his class.

These Hexside kids are weird.

XXX

The next class was a general class, so there were lots of students from different tracks in it. All eyes were on her mentor when she walked in, everyone knew who was visiting them.

Argi was starting to wish Miss Nazik had let her be invisible for this mission, she didn't like the looks she was getting from the students. She took her place behind Nazik and leaned against the wall. She willed herself to be neutral when she saw some of the Emerald Entrails here. It was the mixed track witch and the bard, Viney and Skara if she remembered correctly.

Stars, please don't let them recognize me.

She remembered her conversation over penstagram with Skara last night, and her cheeks burned from the wave of embarrassment she felt. I hope no one noticed that.

She saw movement, and to her dismay, she had been noticed. Skara was waving to her. She gave a very awkward little wave back. The witch smiled and returned to her conversation with her friend.

Her natural curiosity got the better of her and she found herself listening in on the conversation.

"I dunno Viney, I just… after yesterday when she saved me, hell she let me be on a team with her, even after all I helped Boscha do to her, I guess it was a bit of a wake up call, you know?" Skara was saying.

"And last night, I was talking with someone about it all, and now I realize just how much of a shitty person I've been. I'm surprised I even have any friends left from hanging with Boscha." Skara admitted.

Argi's ears burned. She had talked with Skara, she had just been looking for a distraction. She hadn't meant to make Skara feel bad, even if it was apparently good? she was honestly so confused.

"Who were you talking with?" Viney asked.

Skara cocked her head towards Argi, Argi really wished she was allowed to be invisible.

"Oh? I didn't think she was much of a talker." Viney mused.

Argi could see that smirk from across the Boiling Isles.

"Me neither, but she is. And she's a good listener. She's got surprisingly solid advice for someone raised like her." Skara said.

Did they know she could hear them? They had to know. There's no way they'd be saying anything like this otherwise. They were trying to distract her with their confusing words and make her job even harder!

Or maybe they were just being honest with each other. They had no reason to care if she heard them or not.

"How about you come with me for lunch? I'm eating with Willow and her friends, it'll be an Emerald Entrails lunch!" Viney suggested.

Skara smiled, then glanced over at another student, who was sitting alone in the back of the class with their hood up, her smile faltered.

"Thanks for the offer, but I've got some things to take care of." She said.

Skara got up and went to the lone student, who looked very nervous with her there.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Skara asked.

The student grunted and shrugged. Skara sat with them and offered them something. They looked startled, and took it carefully. Skara said something to them Argi didn't catch, the student almost smiled, and nodded.

Argi didn't know what any of that meant, but it looked like a good thing.

She waited for the rest of Miss Nazik's meet and greet, she had a final school wide presentation at the end of the day, and had said something about wanting to talk with a certain student about something privately.

Argi could check out the school on her own when Miss Nazik did that.

Maybe I'll go check out Hunter's new friends.

________________________________________________________________________________

Vesper is a new oc, and a cute little vampire/Palisde demigirl.

Boiling Isles Vampire lore!

There are two types of vampires, a more witch like vampire, so your typical vampire but with some small horns and more bat like ears than witch ears, and the more beast like vampire, which are still bipedal but have a lot more features of the bat creature both types of vampires can turn into, such as harrier bodies, bat like eyes and noses, and big bat wings and a tail. 

They are very closely related species, the more witch-like have just barely diverged from the beast-like. Vampire is used interchangeably for both of them.

Neither type of vampire burns in sunlight, they are nocturnal and prefer to avoid the bright thing in the sky cause "ouch too much light in my eyes I'm leaving".

Vesper's mom is the beast-like, and Skara's O'pa is a witch-like Vampire. Yeah Dhampir Skara is a thing here, also in my other toh AU. I just think Dhampir/Half Vampire Skara is cool. Also amputee Skara happens in both. Cause I said so.

That was fun, I love world building.

I hope you all have a good day, whatever that is for you!

Happy Halloween!

VJS Out!

[titanicfreija]

"We just gonna do the radio chat thing?"

"True free time is hard to find for both of us, and I suspect you and your Ghost would prefer freedom to release any destructive impulses, to which you seem prone."

"She's gonna make me blush."

"Freija! It's good to hear from you, Empress."

"If it's social, you can tune me out, I'm fine with that."

"Do you wish to avoid answering further questions?"

"I'm not clever enough to lie like that."

"Hmph! I have only a few. Some are personal."

"Yeah?"

~

"What do you know about Ghosts?"

".... They're... Little metal drone.... People that used to be parts of the Traveler? Not much. They look for us and Raise us when they find the right one."

"What do you remember of your previous life?"

"I've had a couple nightmares that included memories from it, but nothing else."

"What is your first memory?"

"Sunny flying around my head at super speed making this funny burbling sound."

"I forgot I did that..."

"Hmph! How many deaths?"

"... Do you actually... I don't understand, do you want me to guess? Sunny might know. I couldn't even.... Just.... "

"A rough estimate will suffice. It will be an interesting equation to hear."

"I'm gonna... Eh ... Mm .... Can I just round to five thousand?"

"..."

"Did the connection die?"

"No, she does this, it's okay. Just wait."

"...You are four years old..."

"Yeah....?"

"Your years are short."

"Do you think my math is off or are you just not okay with the part where I die ten times a day on average? That is an average, sometimes I can go a whole week without dying, but there's crucible, where just playing around sees a good fifty or sixty in an afternoon. Getting Sunny her shell was maybe three hundred in three days, that's enough for six a week for a year all by itself."

"..."

"I don't get it, what's wrong?"

"Most people only die once, and most of them are scared to."

"Oh, right."

"....You no longer remember this fear."

"Technically, the one you're talking about, I never had to lose. I am scared to die, it's just that I don't consider death... I mean.... I can't say it different. I don't think of those deaths as death. Death to me is Final Death. Dark zones, Hive rot and Relic damage. My life is Sunny. It's really hard to talk, I've never had to answer questions like this."

"Why can't you ever be that sweet on purpose?"

"You do not give much thought to your nature of being."

"Not really. Just... Kinda am. Do wonder why, sometimes."

"Do the Ghosts appreciate being taken for granted?"

"Probably varies by Ghost. I... Do I take you for granted?"

"You take the resurrection for granted, but I've made sure that it was something you could never doubt, and you trust me, so I take great pride in the fact. You do not take your Light for granted."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, oh?"

"You've wondered what it would be like to have your Light cut off in just the last few months, and that's not an unusual question for you. You marveled at the Lightless after the nightmare. You even say that you couldn't live without it and you have never taken your fire for granted--you are always mindful and grateful and miss it when you try anything else."

"Is that what that means?"

"Yes, my dearest Titan."

"Hmph! What does being a Titan mean to you?"

"Uh? It means I make walls. And hammers."

"You were not incorrect when you called her simple."

"I know you mean that as a bad thing, but I'm just fine with being simple. If you ask right, most people say that's a real Titanic thing to be."

"You are proud to be a Titan?"

"I'll call it pride, yeah. Happy to be one, wouldn't be anything else if I had the option. Feel a sense of kinship with other Titans. Enjoy my role, holding the walls, drawing fire away from my teammates. Felt a sense of loss when I found out the Sunbreakers fell to the Red Legion."

"Is this a shared sentiment, this pride, between the three... Types?"

"I know a real specific Warlock where that's not true, but I have yet to meet a Hunter that isn't proud to be one. They all smile or smirk or grin or whatever when they say it, even the Exos."

"Hmph! Do you feel your Ghost has any influence on who you are when you awaken?"

"Nah, not by itself, but we learn everything from them, so we pick up stuff. We are who we are, though."

"And your... Type?"

"Class. Nah. Sunny had a thing where she didn't tell me what I was so I could do my own thing with my Light. She thought I'd make something up."

"You did. It's just that the thing you made up was already standard, which means you literally taught yourself a standard Titan Light spell on your first day of life."

"Shut up!"

"Why are you embarrassed?"

"Cos! You make it sound like something! It's my barricade!"

"You taught yourself how to do it. I'm proud of you."

"Not in front of the empress. You know what I mean."

"Do Ghosts regularly boast on behalf of their Guardians?"

"We boast about our Guardians on our own behalves. I still like showing off my shell."

"They bit-- complain, too, commiserate. Got little dens and nooks and a couple of full on clubhouse things like bigass cabinets, they go hide and talk shiiii..... Complain about how much we piss 'em off. Clouds of 'em when there's Tower events, like we can't hear them."

"...."

"You heard them, too!"

".... I did."

"You're laughing, aren't you."

"The complaints ranged from amusing to horrifying, and I found most humorous."

"Yeah? Sunny's big gripe is how inconvenient it is when I die in the middle of everything."

"I imagine this is because you should not be 'in the middle of everything.'"

"That's what I keep saying!"

"I'm between cover! Usually!"

"Or the barricade fell or you thought you'd be covered when you died...."

"See?"

"Are most Guardians aware of these... Gripes?"

"Depends. Sunny doesn't keep 'em secret and she's hoping one day I'll quit it, whatever it is. Rex is a jerk. Ghost doesn't really speak much."

"Hmph."

"I dunno what's going on with that one, it's weird even for a Ghost."

"Mm. I have a final, potentially invasive question. Either may answer, and both may refuse."

"Okay....?"

"In what ways can affection between Ghost and Guardian be expressed?"

"...."

"... Invasive is a word for that."

"You need not answer. I am merely curious."

"She's been listening to us bicker this whole time, I can see why it's a question."

"Don't tell her..."

"She doesn't even mean from you to me, she's making sure you're getting something out of this deal that isn't a shithead Guardian."

"Hmph!"

"See? I make things for her. A neat table thing, a shelf and a few stands, a collection of shells on a pretty nice display."

"Don't let her downplay the table, she designed it herself, ordered it to specs, then built it. It's.... Actually kind of silly, but it's for drawing. I told her I used to before I found her, and she made me the table to facilitate when we're at home. I didn't even ask for it, she found the idea and surprised me one day after work."

"...."

"Okay, look, I'm actually not stupid. I can bounce grenades 'cos I'm good at geometry, which also means I can build stuff. I sound stupid and I have a hard time with conversations sometimes."

"..."

"Isn't she the sweetest?"

"What? Why?"

"...."

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything!"

"What's going on?"

"The answer she got surpassed expectations, if she even had any. She probably thought we wouldn't tell her."

"Seriously? Like didn't expect an answer cos we didn't have one or because we'd get shy?"

"Probably a combination of both, and I'm not sure what she actually regards as affection, she's not human after all, so making things for someone else might be a really big deal to her."

"That's dumb. I kiss her, sometimes. Usually on the top shell flap. And she likes to be held in my hand or perched on nooks in my armor."

"...That answer, I expected."

"See? I get it. I really do want to do as much for her as she does for me, but it's a really high bar and I'm still flesh and blood, Lightbearer or not."

"Hmph! This may not be our final interview."

"You make it sound like a threat."

"...Perhaps."

"You're taking advantage of the informality, too aren't you?"

"Did you not say you were 'bad at conversations'?"

"It took me the whole time to figure it out when Sunny told me before we left that the informality was why I could get away with being me at you. I didn't think you'd be counting on that."

"Indeed. You told me much more than I could comfortably ask of any other contact in the Vanguard, and Valus Forge is not so forthcoming in answers to questions unrelated to warfare or philosophy. I appreciate the candor and the... Refreshing absence of protocol."

"She means that in a good way. Thank you, Empress! Did you want to catch up later?"

"Soon. I will reach out."

~

Hard Questions

New Angle

Honest

Radio Chat <-

Scripted Questions

Battlefield

Fear

Enlightening

More like Interrogation

(In)humanity

Underlying

Ghost Affection

[smiletimeisrunningout]

Emma cooed a little, imagining young Ben - the acne was new information - and found it so adorable - she'd have kissed him. She just knew, that if awkward, cute Ben had recited poetry for her, and of course if he had been interested and had approved of her warrior ways in her teen years, she'd have kissed him, gangly and all. "Poor young you. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and find all my younger friends, including little Ben, and tell them just how great they will be, and that things will be fine... kisses and all," she chuckled, "Funny thing, I always liked sweet boys. Even when I was younger and found them yucky as a whole. I wouldn't have found that description cute, as long as you weren't challenging me to fight you or mocking me for being too boyish. Which, granted, may have happened seeing as I was in fact very boyish and violent. But had you been the boy who likes books and wants to teach? Oh yes, I would have liked that."

The surprise on her face was obviously, following the all too genuine happiness that she felt at the thought that he found her disarming. Oh, that was all new, and definitely worth being impaled for. "I always keep everything you tell me secret unless I know for a fact that Caleb already knows. But something like this? He'd give you hell for it. Hey, I'd give August hell too." But he had told her, even if he couldn't tell Caleb, and it warmed her heart.

"Oh, but there is a big difference between sitting down to read six-hundred pages and hearing someone I care about tell me what got him so excited or so unhappy about it," she pointed out amusedly, "I don't need to share the passion, I just need you to have enough for the both of us. Case in point..." she gestured at him, her smile widening. And he looked so pleased by the idea that she already knew she could have listened to him go on about his studies for hours, if only because it made her so happy that he'd let her into his world.

"Yes! Which means I must be careful, so I can heal as fast as possible!" she agreed with enthusiasm, suddenly finding more acceptable to rest in bed if it led to such a surprising and lovely outcome. She knew he'd look different to her out of camp and she wanted to see it, wanted to know more, to spend some time alone - which was, naturally, a perfectly alright thing to feel for a friend, she told herself. She was such an easily excited person, there was no reason to worry. "As soon as I'm alright you'll tell me when. And how. Because I'm assuming you don't want people to know, so maybe we can meet somewhere. But it's too soon to know now, you'll tell me," she waved that off, radiating happiness, "The important thing is: talking. And eating. And maybe we can have a walk."

Benjamin spluttered at her conjecture, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his mien. "It wasn't as though we were flippant about the whole thing," he said. "I just...I assumed nobody would ever want to, so I leapt at her suggestion. At that age, I was long-limbed and awkward, and had the worst acne known to man -- or at least, known to any man I'd ever seen -- so the idea of being forever undesirable wasn't so farfetched."

Shyly, he drummed his fingertips against the handle of his saber, a low scoff catching in his throat. "I sincerely doubt I'd ever hold anything against you, Swan," he replied. "You're wholly disarming...almost impossible to hate. Unless, of course, you decide to tell Caleb about my little dalliance. He and Abe...they don't actually know." And for good reason.

Darting his eyes in between the ground and Emma's face, a soft smile curled at the corner of Benjamin's mouth. "I still find you shocking," he corrected. "You speak far too freely about such things...though I suppose now, you've coaxed me into doing much the same."

She turned around, and he watched her eyes shimmer with unparalleled delight. It surprised him to hear how excited she was to learn about his life. In turn, a certain warmth settled within his chest, low-burning and akin to a candleflame.

"Of course," Benjamin agreed. "Although I'm a little surprised you want to learn about my favorite books, I'll never reject the chance to speak of them. Many of my favorites...well..." He trailed off with an impish smile. "I suppose I'll tell you all about them someday soon. There's no need to ruin the alleged excitement."

In truth, Benjamin rather liked the thought of going off somewhere for a few hours to have a normal, mundane conversation, and pretend to be a normal, mundane man not thoroughly entrenched in the dregs of war. It was a rarity, a dream almost, and straightening his stance, he promised, "I'll come for you soon then. Just send for me once you're feeling up to it, and I'll try and break free from my duties."

[bookish-whore]

Mine

Azriel x Reader

Words: 3.2k

Warnings: SMUT, Possessive Male Behavior, Foreplay, Shadow Restraints, Oral (fem receiving), Wing Play, Classic P-in-V, Do Not Interact With This Post If You’re Under 18.

A/N: I have been reading a lot of smut recently and this ask had me INSPIRED Please enjoy a possessive Az moment (also I’m still relatively new to writing smut so please be nice, but constructive criticism is always welcome). As always, my requests are open! <3

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

You were walking hand in hand through the streets of Velaris, enjoying the company of the notorious Spymaster of the Night Court as you made your way home to the House of Wind. You were surprised when Azriel asked you to dinner, the two of you normally only spoke during training sessions or when in the company of your shared friend group. You hadn’t even realized he was interested in you, or anyone for that matter, romantically. You weren’t even sure why you had agreed to dinner, except maybe you were curious to know more about the broody male who you had a crush on since beginning your Valkyrie training. You had to admit it was a good time he was so easy to talk to and was surprisingly funny.

As the house, well more like mausoleum, came into view he politely asked for permission before pulling you close to winnow you inside. He placed his hands around your waist, and in turn you put your arms around his neck. Much like you would if you were preparing to dance and you felt the familiar pulling sensation in your stomach as you appeared in the foyer.

“Thanks for tonight Az, I had a great time” you said in almost a whisper still trapped in the embrace of the male, you had to crane your neck for your gaze to meet his. Gods he was tall, you thought to yourself. You flashed him a sweet smile before lowering your head back down and moving to step away from him.

His hands tightened around your waist “I had a good time too” he said bringing his hand to your jaw, using his thumb and forefinger to bring your gaze to meet his. You noticed a glimmer of something in his eyes, you couldn’t quite place the emotion as he brought his mouth to yours in a passionate kiss, you brought your hands to his head, allowing your fingers to thread through his hair. He let out a throaty groan at the contact and pulled you closer your body molding against his. the kiss became more intense, from this new position you could feel his arousal through his pants, hard against you sending a rush of wetness between your legs at the thought of what he could do to you in the bedroom. Someone cleared their throat interrupting your moment, you turned to find Cassian standing in the doorway his arms crossed and an amused smirk on his face. Your cheeks immediately reddened in embarrassment.

“Rhys needs us right away for a mission” Cassian said “but I mean I am more than happy to tell him you’re a little preoccupied at the moment”

“You’re a bastard you know that” the spymaster said, turning away to readjust himself in his pants “Let me change and we can go” he said annoyance seeping into his tone.

“Thanks again Az” you said winking at him before slipping out of the room and up the stairs to your bedroom. The hushed voices of the two males echoing behind you.

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

“And that’s all that happened” I said looking at Gwyn, Nesta, and Emerie who had asked to hear all about my date with Azriel a few nights ago.

“Do you think he’ll ask you out again?” Gwyn asked

“Of course he will! I mean he was obviously interested in our girl” Emerie said with a suggestive tone.

“Well, we know Az is interested in a lot of girls these days” Nesta chimes in

“What do you mean Nes?” I asked

“Well first there was that necklace business with Gwyn, you remember that right Gwyn?” Nesta asked looking at the redheaded female, she nodded solemnly “Not to mention the hundreds of years he spent pining after Mor. And then there was his tryst with Elain, which I thought was still going on” Nesta said making eye contact with me. “I’m not trying to be a bitch, or discredit his feelings for you y/n, I just want you to be careful”

“I appreciate that Nes” I said “I’ll be careful”

The door to the roof opened interrupting our conversation as Azriel and Cassian walked into the training area.

“All right ladies let’s get this going” Cassian’s voice boomed as we began our training session.

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

It was hours later when you finally made your way downstairs, deciding to just raid the kitchen for water and snacks rather than joining the group for dinner in the dining room. You kept thinking over Nesta’s words earlier and just needed time to process the idea that Az wasn’t interested in you the way you were in him.

You felt pathetic, like this schoolgirl crush you had on the shadowsinger was suddenly out of control. Since your date, you had been imagining all these scenarios with him, picturing that you two could really be happy together that you could have a future. When in reality, Nesta was probably right, he was just looking for a hook-up. Something without obligations or commitments and you had been the most willing female. You were so lost in your thoughts you didn’t notice you weren’t alone in the kitchen until a pair of hands made their way around your waist pulling you against a hard chest. You knew from his scent, night chilled mist and cedar, that it was Azriel.

“Hello you” he said pressing a kiss to your shoulder

“Hey Az” you replied, you couldn’t help but lean into his touch. It was like your body’s reaction to him was out of your control.

“We should pick up from where we left off the other night” he said nipping at my earlobe

“We shouldn’t Az” you reply

“Give me one reason why not” the male said, trailing small open-mouthed kisses up my neck.

“Because I don’t just want to be another conquest for you”

He froze, withdrawing his hands from me.

“You can’t even deny it can you” I said turning and pushing him away before quickly moving to leave the room. he grabbed my wrist before I could take a step.

“A conquest? Do you think that little of me y/n” he said softly

“Look Az, I had a great time the other night, but I was kidding myself if I thought it was anything more than a ruse to get me into bed with you.”

“Trust me dove, if I wanted to simply get into bed with you, I wouldn’t need to take you to dinner first” the male said “and you’re kidding yourself if you think you can dismiss me that quickly” he continued taking a step towards me. I took a step back, realizing that I was up against a wall with nowhere to go.

“Because…” he begins, now standing directly in front of me.

“You” he says grabbing both of my hands in one of his and pinning them above my head against the wall.

“Are” he says trailing his other hand slowly up my body, until it rests around my neck, his thumb against my cheek rubbing a small circle there. I look into his eyes and find them darkened by lust.

“Mine” he said between gritted teeth. Finally bringing his mouth to meet mine in a possessive kiss. I opened my mouth to him allowing him better access. All doubts suddenly leaving my mind as he released my hands from the wall, bringing them both to my backside, cupping the flesh there and giving my ass a squeeze. I immediately took the opportunity to jump into him, wrapping my legs around his waist as he pushed us harder against the wall.

I couldn’t help the moan that escaped my mouth as his hard length pressed into me, the fabric of my leathers paired with the friction of his arousal sending a rush of heat to my core.

He suddenly pulled away from the kiss, bringing his forehead to rest against mine his breathing heavy and uneven “Say you want this too” he practically pleaded.

“What if I say I don’t” I tease softly, arching my back into him desperately needing more. “Will you find another willing female to get you off?” I ask.

“I don’t want another female” he says between gritted teeth “I just want you”

“Then I’m yours Az” I say, my voice thick with emotion. He doesn’t waste any time and immediately winnows us to his bedroom. Before I know it, my back is pressed into his mattress, his muscled body resting over mine as he brings his mouth to mine in a much gentler kiss. “I’m going to take my time with you” he says, kissing his way down my neck. “I have waited so long to taste you, and I am going to savor every moment y/n” he says his voice gruff as he slides to the edge of the mattress pulling me with him until my knees rest on the side of the bed.

I slowly sit up, resting my weight on my elbows as I watch the spymaster of the night court delicately unlace my boots and slide them off me. He then moves to the buckles of my thigh sheaths where I keep my daggers and slowly removes them, pressing soft kisses to each thigh as he does so. His eyes meet mine, as he begins placing soft kisses all the way up my body.

His hands come to rest on either side of my head as his lips meet mine in another kiss. with him distracted, I take the opportunity to flip him over, so he is now lying on his back, his wings splayed out beneath him as I straddle him. He brings his hands to rest on my waist and I grind into him. He lets out a groan at the sensation, using his hands to guide my waist as I continue rocking back and forth on his clothed length. While on top of him, continuing my pace, I begin to unbuckle and unfasten the top of my leathers, slowly undressing myself while grinding on top of him. Azriel’s eyes follow my every movement, his eyes hungrily taking in every inch of skin I reveal to him.

Once I am left in just my bra, and my leather pants, he sits up holding me in his lap as his hands weave into my hair pulling my head back allowing him access to my neck, where he begins kissing and sucking, leaving a trail of love bites down the column of my neck. His hands wrap around my back, unbuttoning my bra and pulling it off, leaving me topless before him. I suddenly feel very exposed and move my hands to cover my breasts, Azriel notices this and grabs both my wrists placing them around his neck.

“Don’t you dare hide from me” he says placing a kiss to my collarbone “I want to see all of you” he says placing kisses along my chest “I want to worship all of you” he says kissing my breast, pulling my nipple into his mouth, and biting gently. The sensation makes me moan into him. “You are mine” he reminds me bringing his other hand to cup my other breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers as he continues alternating his attention between both of my breasts.

Once he is satisfied, he allows me to lean back so he can remove his own top, making quick work of the leather material with all its buckles and zippers leaving us both in just our training pants. His thick cock straining through the material. He teases me by thrusting upwards, the friction between our bodies making me crave more attention, my center practically throbbing at the thought of him.

He flips us back over with ease, bringing his hands to the top of my pants where they close and begins slowly untying the knot there, I lift my hips slightly so he can pull the material down. Leaving me in only my panties under him. he takes a step back admiring me splayed out on the bed and removes his own pants and undershorts, his thick cock springing free. I make a move to go to him, to taste him on my tongue but his shadows quickly restrain me, resting around my wrists and pinning me to the bed. The same with my ankles, and another few come to rest on my knees preparing to hold my legs wide for him. He hooks his fingers into the band of my panties slowly removing them so he can see all of me, my center glistening in the soft light of his bedroom. He wastes no time before sliding a finger into me, his eyes fixated on my face, my mouth open in a silent ‘o’ as he adds another, slowly pumping in and out, my wetness filling the room with sinful sounds.  

“You feel so- fucking- good” he says “Can’t wait to feel you around my cock”

He brings his mouth to me, bringing my clit into his mouth, gently sucking on it while he continues pumping into me with his fingers. He brings one hand up to cup my breast rubbing my nipple between his fingers as his shadows hold me in place. This is the best kind of torture. I feel my release quickly building like a rubber band tightening low in my stomach. I writhe against the restraints, my breathing uneven as I moan his name over and over. His pace doesn’t falter, and his fingers suddenly curl inside me, hitting the perfect spot and my release barrels through me, my walls contracting as he continues playing with my clit. I come with a loud moan.

“I- I need you Az” I manage to say between breaths, needing desperately to feel him inside me.

He brings his mouth to mine, I can still taste myself on him as he continues to finger me, his thumb taking the place of his tongue rubbing small circles on my sensitive bundle of nerves as his fingers pump into me. His shadows loosen on my wrists allowing me to thread my fingers through his hair, deepening the kiss. Azriel suddenly pulls away from me withdrawing his fingers from me, and I can’t help but whine at the loss of sensation. He brings them to his mouth sucking them off, “I knew you would taste magnificent, little dove” he says, he knew exactly what he was doing gods damn him.

He brings a hand to grasp his shaft and begins to tease me by rubbing his cock through my folds, coating it in my wetness before lining himself up with my entrance.

“Say it again” he demands

I let out whine, before registering the words he wants to hear. “I-I’m yours Az” I say

“That’s right” he says “you’re mine, and this pussy? This is mine” he growls as he pushes into me, my walls stretching to accommodate his massive size. I guess Nesta was right about the correlation between Wingspan and dick size. We both moan when he finally bottoms out inside me.

He gives me a moment to adjust, bringing his forehead to rest against mine. One hand holding my waist while the other supports his weight by my head. After a moment, I arch my back, urging him to move. He wastes no time slowly pulling out as far as he can before ramming back into me. The slow pace allowing me to feel every vein, ridge, and inch of his cock. From his position, his wings drape over us and I remember what Nesta, and Feyre had said about the sensitivity of Illyrian wings and bring my nail to stroke the membranous skin. When I do, Azriel lets out a moan, his hips bucking involuntarily at the sensation. “Fuck y/n-” he chokes out “You keep doing that and I won’t last long” I smile at him as he sets a brutal pace, the wet sounds of sin paired with flesh slapping fill the room.

Azriel suddenly pulls out of me, flipping me onto my stomach, and I arch my back instinctively as my hands move to brace myself in front of me as he slides back into me in one quick motion. He sets a slower pace the new position hitting a deeper place in me. I feel his hands on my hips, his fingers pressing into me in a way that I know will leave marks tomorrow, a semi-permanent reminder of this time together. He continues to exert his control as his hands force me to match each of his thrusts. The sensation is overwhelming, and I bring my head down to rest on the mattress, the material muffling my moans of pleasure.

His thrusts begin to become erratic as he slid one hand between us to bring his thumb to circle my clit needing to drag another orgasm out of me before his own.

“I- I’m gonna” I try to say as my release builds quickly

“I know dove, give it to me” he grunts circling my clit faster as my walls tighten once again, as another release overtakes me. The sensation sending Azriel into his own. He came with a loud moan his wings flaring behind him. After a moment, he slowly pulled out of me, the combination of both our releases slowly seeping out of me as I lay there completely exhausted my legs still shaking from my last orgasm.

He takes a deep breath before rising from the mattress, making his way to the bathroom. I hear the sound of running water as he emerges with a damp towel. He makes his way back over to the bed

“What are you-” I hiss as he brings the rag to my overstimulated core, gently cleaning me up. Once he’s satisfied, he gently scoops me into his arms carrying me into the bathroom with him.

“Let me take care of you” he says before placing me on the edge of the large tub. The tub was huge, it was large enough to easily accommodate two people, one of which being an Illyrian with room to spare. I placed a kiss against his lips and lowered myself into the hot water. I practically moaned at the feeling, the water relaxing my overworked muscles. I felt a shift in the water as Azriel entered the tub behind me. His arms wrapping around my middle pulling me so my back came to rest against his chest. I leaned into his embrace, enjoying this time with him.

A moment of silence passed between us.

After a few moments I decide to turn around and face him in the tub, this is as good a place as any for a conversation about what to do now.

As if sensing my impending line of questioning Azriel’s lips curl into a rare smile “So, when can I take you out again” he says

A smile blooms on my own face as I reply “Whenever you wish Shadowsinger, I’m all yours”

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Thank you for reading!

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[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

I’ve never done my own fic rec post before but I’m feeling inspired seeing more and more people do this. Also, I’m so slow and usually weeks behind what everyone else is reading but I’ve read some new stuff recently so let’s go!

We Still Bloom Complete, 18k, Rated T by @artsyunderstudy

I am a sucker for Hanahaki fics (the angst! The pain! The perceived unrequited love! The ticking clock!) and this one does not disappoint. Set within those awful doubting weeks of WS/AWTWB and sprinkled with plenty of past memories and present action, this author really lets you sit with that sorrow and uncertainty. Plus FANTASTIC art! What more could you want?

The Beautiful Game WIP, currently 8k, Rated T by @fatalfangirl

This fic is composed of anecdotes of Simon and Baz playing football over the years but football is merely a lens to view the progression of their relationship. It’s canon compliant and fits so seamlessly with the events surrounding it. The WS chapter, for example, packs a punch in a few hundred words. It will have you sobbing, squealing, sighing and laughing as the chapters take you through the best (and worst) of their relationship. But through it all they have football. Need I say more?

This Is Your Place, Complete, 19k, Rated M by @cutestkilla This fic was written for @carryonprompts fest (along with the two above!) and answered the question: how would things have differed if Baz came back to his room after the Open sesame incident to find Simon, tits out, bloody and without his cross? This author took the prompt in a a sexy but also tender and angsty direction. A lovely get together written by a very talented writer.

Speaking of, I’m gonna jump back to @cutestkilla’s first fic because she just posted this great meta about what informed her version of the Humdrum from canon, which got me thinking about how What’s Left is still one of my favorite fics of all time so if you haven’t read this fic about what if Simon really died in the White Chapel and the Humdrum (Sid, my beloved) was left, how might he and Baz take on the Mage? It’s so creative, funny, sweet and heartfelt and (despite the way the premise sounds) will leave you fulfilled in a way you never knew you needed to be.

Ready or Not WIP, currently 5k, Rated E by @bookish-bogwitch

Another Carry On Prompts Fest fic that I am OBSESSED with. It’s a Watford era magickal mishap (my fave, it should be a proper tag!) in which Simon accidentally spells Baz to spontaneously orgasm without warning several times a day. This story is both hilarious and so sexy and the end of chapter 1 leaves us with a delightful twist. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Stress Management WIP currently 22k, rated M by @whogaveyoupermission

Normal AU, later in life get together in which social worker!Simon tried to manage his stress by attending a barre class taught by none other than his former classmate Baz. This fic is so sweet and sexy you will be screeching for them to get together by the end of the first chapter. And yet this author is building their mutual pining so, so well. Bonus content includes Baz in all sorts of sexy barre instructor outfits that you won’t want to miss!

Phew! If your like me, and have a to be read list a mile long and you don’t know what to start with, do yourself a favor and check out any of these gems that sound interesting. I promise, they will not disappoint! Thank you for the tags today @martsonmars @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @cutestkilla @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @larkral @bookish-bogwitch @nightimedreamersworld @whogaveyoupermission @johnwgrey @confused-bi-queer @artsyunderstudy @palimpsessed @moodandmist @creepyspice @ivelovedhimthroughworse y’all are working on some fantastic stuff!

Tagging a few more people in case you want to spread the word on these awesome fics or share some words (or recs!) of your own @whatevertheweather @captain-aralias @takitalks @toonysart @messofthejess @ionlydrinkhotwater @aristocratic-otter @prettylightsbigcity @castawaypitch @yeonjunenby @erzbethluna @hushed-chorus @stardustasincocaine @frjsti @toonysart @forabeatofadrum @raenestee @yellobb @bazzybelle @gekkoinapeartree @ic3-que3n @tea-brigade

Also, if you’ve read this far and want to check out chapter 4 of Depth of Reason, it’s out now, with more lovely art by @toonysart

[sinner-as-saint]

‘Till We Bleed Out - 2.

Vampire!bucky x reader AU

Part 2 of this series. 

Run-through: Your car breaks down on a deserted road on a rainy night. You have no other option but to seek shelter from the nearest house you could find; the mansion, which happened to be the talk of the town for its mysteriousness along with its equally mysterious owner, Mr. Barnes. The universe can be tricky sometimes but the fact that you found yourself at that mansion’s doorstep at that time was no simple coincidence. That one night changes everything forever - quite literally. True love, past lives and creatures from folklore; turns out it’s all real. 

Themes throughout the series: vampire!bucky, fluff, smut, angst 

You woke up realizing that you had surprisingly fallen soundly asleep last night, after the strange dream about the handsome man; who was kind enough to let you take shelter from the storm in his home. 

Speaking of the storm, you got out of bed and walked over to the window, pulling the curtain aside. You noticed that the weather was even worse than last night. Heavy rain, and nonstop thunder. Although, it seemed like a very cozy day to just stay inside. You sigh with a soft smile on, perhaps you’d get to know more about Bucky today. 

You turned back around and noticed something you hadn’t last night. Roses on the nightstand, as red as blood and just as hauntingly beautiful. Your smile grew; there was something enchanting about red roses. A bunch of it looked like the embodiment of poetry and there was no other way you could explain it. 

You approached the flowers and inhaled their fresh scent. Oh how you loved them! How come you didn’t notice they were on the nightstand? Anyways, you walked into the bathroom and brushed, showered and were about to change into another pair of sweatpants when you noticed more clothes in the closets. A sundress caught your eye and you decided to wear it. It fit you perfectly. You twirled in front of the mirror, checking yourself out when Wanda walked into the room. 

“I see you’re up, Miss.” she smiled at you. And you noticed she had the same look in her eyes, like Bucky did. That of sadness, or helplessness. But you tried ignoring it. 

“Good morning.” You gave her your best smile and noticed how she took in your appearance. 

“You look lovely. Anyways, I came to let you know that breakfast is ready. Mr. Barnes is waiting for you downstairs in the dining room. Come down whenever you’re ready.”  

Wanda left and the brief mention of Bucky brought back the memories of last night’s dream. It was definitely weird that you had such an explicit dream about him, but the weirdest thing was that you were not feeling the slightest bit guilty about it. 

You took a deep breath and stepped out of the room. You made your way downstairs, leisurely. Taking in more of the décor and the paintings on the wall. These must have cost a fortune, you thought. 

You found Bucky in the dining room, sitting at one of the ends of the large table. You had to admit, even the furniture in this house seemed pricey. Bucky set the newspaper down upon seeing you. He let his eyes roam your frame quickly and his smile broadened. “You look lovely,” he commented. 

You smiled, just a little shy and whispered a ‘thank you’. As you took a seat on his left, he spoke again. “The storm intensified. Looks like you’re not going home today.” he said with a genuine smile. You began to oppose naturally but he insisted. “You’ll be safe here.” 

You agreed. You picked a few food items from the large trays and took a few bites while Bucky got back to his newspaper. The silence was comfortable, the two of you seemed perfectly alright with sharing the space without feeling the need to fill the void with any conversation. It felt like this was part of your routine almost. 

You sipped on coffee and discreetly lifted your eyes to look at Bucky. He munched on a piece of fruit while focusing on some article in the papers. His body language made him look like an older man; eating while reading his newspaper. But his face didn’t look a day over 35. The contrast made you giggle and that caught his attention. 

He turned to face you with a raised eyebrow. “Something funny, miss?” he sounded like he was teasing you, politely. 

You shook your head and set your cup down, and upon doing so you noticed the red roses in a vase in front of you, again. The sudden urge to ask a question took over you, “Your wife, did she like red roses?” 

“They were her favorite.” He seemed unfazed by your sudden curiosity. 

“What was she like?” you asked again and the smitten smile on his face gave away how much he loved her. Love like this was rare, and you felt just a little envious of the late woman. She was so lucky, you hoped she knew. 

“Like the answer to all my prayers. Beautiful. Every little thing about her was so, so beautiful. She was kind, smart and funny, and fierce. She made me a better man. She was delightful.” You noticed he looked you right in the eyes as he spoke. His answer gave away that he worshipped that woman. 

“I hope she knew how much you love her.” 

He gave you that soft smile again. “I made sure to remind her every single day.” 

-

You never knew rainy days could be so lovely. After breakfast Bucky offered to show you his library because of course he owned one. And you had the time of your life just walking around and running your fingers over some of your favorite books. 

You noticed red roses on the coffee table as well, by the couches in his study room/library. While reaching for a copy of Pride and Prejudice, your hand brushed with his and your whole body felt like it was electrified. You pulled away sheepishly, but he held it up to you and you took it with a smile, admiring the front cover. 

“Your favorite?” he asked. 

You nodded, excitedly. He let out a little laugh. “You can have this one. I have plenty of other copies.” 

You smiled so big your cheeks hurt. “Thank you, Buck.” you were so excited that you walked past him, hungry to explore the other side of his library - without realizing what you just called him. 

Meanwhile Bucky was both surprised and elated. Buck… no one called him that except for-

“What’s in there?” he heard your voice and turned around immediately. You were pointing at the partially hidden door at the end of the room. “That’s where you hide all your secrets?” you teased, using the same tone he did this morning. 

He laughed and nodded. “Yes, you caught me.” 

You two shared a laugh and then he insisted that you should see the piano room. You agreed and just as everything else in the house, the grand room was equally as breathtaking. White couches, brown pillows, plants, full of light even with the stormy weather and a large balcony adjoined to it. Perfect. 

“It’s beautiful,” you said as you admired the room. You could hear the heavy rain hitting the window panes, it was comforting. You noticed the well-maintained piano right by the door which led to the balcony, “Do you play?” you asked and he gave you a dramatic look which gave away that you had just bruised his ego. 

“Miss Y/N, how dare you question my skills?” He answered with a smile on, then proceeded to play the most melodic tune you had ever heard. You weren’t much of a musical person, but you knew a melancholic tune when you heard one. It was, as most things in this house, hauntingly beautiful. Even the music carried a sense of nostalgia, and homesickness. 

You closed your eyes for a moment, getting lost in the music which filled the room effortlessly. Familiar, very familiar. Then it hit you - this was the same song being played at that ball in your dream. You opened your eyes immediately, baffled at the weird coincidences taking place lately. 

You found yourself gravitating towards the bench, and eventually you sat beside Bucky. He looked at you for a brief moment, then resumed playing somewhat of a softer tune. You smiled at him and suddenly it all felt like a déjà-vu. Like you’ve lived this exact moment a hundred times before. Sitting next to him, your elbows brushing, him looking at you lovingly, yet with sad eyes. His cologne, the slight gray in his eyes, the weather - it felt like a forgotten dream was coming back to you. 

You had to find something to say otherwise you felt like you were about to lose your mind. “You said you worked all day everyday. So is today your day off?” you tried to lighten the mood. 

He let out a little laugh. “Like I said, I rarely get visitors. I’m just making the most out of your company.” 

He was drop dead gorgeous, and he could make your heart race with just a few simple words. A dangerous combination really. 

He kept playing as you walked around the room, taking in every little detail. This was the only room in the house which had white roses in the vase, instead of dark red ones. Well, the white ones matched the interior better here. Your gaze fell upon something interesting next. 

“Vinyl records?” that seemed to catch his undivided attention as he stopped playing and turned to you. 

“Oh yes. It was one of my… old hobbies.” He answered. 

You giggled. “You say old hobbies like you are over a hundred years old.” 

He chuckled and got up from the bench. He walked over to where the records were kept, picked one out and carefully placed it down on the record player. A soothing tune filled the room again. Much lighter and happier than the piano earlier. A stark contrast to the gloomy weather but it still, somehow, fit perfectly. 

Bucky extended his arm out in front of you, out of nowhere. “Dance with me.” 

You didn’t hesitate for a single and took his hand immediately. Bucky held you close; his hand at your waist pressing your body to his gently. His other hand held yours delicately. Your arm placed over his shoulder as you stared into his deep, piercing eyes. And just like that, you two swayed slowly to the sweet, slow music. Effortlessly, gracefully and without any awkwardness or hesitation. Almost like you’ve danced a thousand times before. 

You giggled as he twirled you around and pulled you closer almost immediately. And when you looked back up into his eyes, it felt like a déjà-vu again. Only this time, you knew where you had experienced something similar to this - in your dream last night. The ballroom, the gown, the way you danced. Just like this. 

Your body tensed up and you weren’t blinking, Bucky caught the change in your behavior. “Don’t think about it.” he murmured. 

“About what?” you used a much softer tone as well. You and him were so close you could whisper and you were sure he would hear you perfectly. 

“Whatever it is you’re thinking about.” He spoke as he swayed you gently. “You’re here, with me. I don’t want you to think about anything else.” It sounded more like a plea than a request. There was something else he was trying to say; inexplicable, hidden in between the lines. Somehow you caught it. 

You nodded. “I’m here.” You spoke without paying much attention to what you were saying or doing. “With you.” All that mattered in the world right now was that you were in his embrace. His ocean blue eyes were the only thing you could make sense of. 

You felt it then. The warmth, despite his cold hands. The sparks flying around, despite the dark and gloomy weather outside. He started leaning in and you met him halfway. 

His hand moved up to gently cup your face. His lips brushed against yours briefly as he paused and waited to see if you would pull away. Seeing you didn’t, he pressed his lips to yours. You shivered at how delicately he caressed your cheek with his thumb. Kissing him felt natural. Like a habit. His lips were soft and familiar. He tightened his grip around your waist, pulling you closer. 

Your hands instinctively slid into his hair, he moaned under his breath as you tugged on it gently.  Bucky tilted his head to the side and deepened the kiss, nibbling on your lips and gently stroking your lower lip with his tongue. You felt giddy and warm. And safe. 

He pulled away just a second before Wanda stepped into the room. “Dinner’s ready.” 

Bucky told her you two would be downstairs in a minute and you caught that look on her face. A look of pure joy and satisfaction. You didn’t understand why. 

When Wanda left, you faced Bucky again, now just a little nervous. “I.. I didn’t-,” 

He silenced you by gently holding your chin in between his fingers. “Shh sweetheart.” His gaze spoke volumes; he was perfectly alright with this kiss. “We should go downstairs.” 

Dinner was perfect. Lovely conversation, lovely wine, the same stormy weather outside but inside Bucky’s home; all was well. He told you that you were more than welcome to use his library if you wished to do some light reading before bed. You agreed. 

You grabbed a book and curled up on one of the couches and he did the same, sitting right across you. You found yourself re-reading the same sentence over and over again because you couldn’t focus. Not when you could physically feel his eyes on you. You even caught him staring a few times and giggled whenever he seemed flustered after being caught. 

There was ease between you two. And the next two hours went by comfortably. 

“It’s late, I should go to bed.” You spoke as you stood up. He did as well, and when you looked into his eyes you began wishing that this storm outside lasts forever. 

“Goodnight, sweetheart.” He whispered, leaning in and kissing you at the side of your mouth. 

“Goodnight.” 

-

You tossed and turned in bed. Somehow, falling asleep was a little harder today because you couldn’t help but think about how it felt when Bucky kissed you earlier. The sound of the harsh storm echoed inside the house, but it was still comforting. 

The loud roar of the thunder was the last thing you heard before drifting off to sleep; dreaming again, this time of red roses, blue eyes, balconies and paintings… 

Arms wrapped around you from behind, embracing you in a tight hug. “Do you like it, my love?” the silky smooth voice asked. You looked down and you smiled at the sight of the wedding band on his finger. 

“I love it.” You looked up at the frame hung on the wall. It was a painting of you and your husband, delivered to you that morning itself. “We’ll keep it here forever.” 

You heard a soft chuckle, then felt a pair of lips kissing your neck softly. “Even longer.” 

You turned around and came face to face with Bucky, with slightly longer hair, tied in a low, neat ponytail. Behind him was a very familiar door. You leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. “We should get going, else we’ll be late.” 

The surroundings faded, and you were now inside a dimly lit ballroom. The grand chandelier was mesmerizing, but not more than your husband’s eyes. He was gorgeous, your man; even with half his face covered by the masquerade mask he was still perfectly able to take your breath away. 

He smirked, as though able to read your thoughts. He leaned in, and the rest of your surroundings was suddenly a blur. “Do you wish for us to go somewhere more private, sweetheart?” He whispered in your ear. 

You bit your lip and nodded, only then realizing that you were wearing a mask as well. Bucky smiled, tugging on your hand and dragging you along to wherever it is he was taking you. 

The room around you morphed again and you found yourself running up a staircase with Bucky, giggling and holding onto each other for dear life until you finally made it to the top. You found yourself on a balcony. 

“Where are we?” you asked. 

Bucky stepped closer, pushing you gently against the balustrade. “Home.” He leaned in and kissed you. His mouth moved against yours gently, passionately. His hands were on either side of your waist as he pressed you further into him. Your hands instinctively went to his neck as you gently pulled him closer.

As you closed your eyes and cherished his touch, an image of the painting from earlier flashed in front of your eyes. But you forgot it just as quickly as it came because Bucky’s touch took over all your senses. His hand slipped under your dress, and went right to your wet core. 

You giggled into the kiss as his knuckles brushed faintly against your core and you moaned at his touch. He cupped you in between the legs and the palm of his hand pressed against your throbbing clit. His mere touch was driving you insane. His lips left yours and he kissed his way to your neck; sharp teeth nipping at your skin. At the feel of it, your own canines sharpened out of nowhere. 

Surprisingly, it didn’t feel like it was the first time that it happened. You seemed comfortable with the sudden change. 

Bucky kissed all the spots which made you weak in the knees; he knew your body by heart it seemed. While he kissed your skin, his fingers moved slightly against your dripping core. You moaned, tugging on his hair just a little. 

“Be quiet for me, sweetheart.” he mumbled against your skin as he slipped two fingers past your folds. He curled his fingers inside you immediately, and stroked your walls gently. You moved your hips against his hand as you chased your orgasm. His thumb rubbed your swollen clit furiously as you bit your lip to keep you from moaning. 

“Buck…” you were breathless, each nerve ending on fire as pleasure washed over you. 

“Shh sweetheart,” he quickened his actions and slipped his fingers in and out of you incessantly until he felt your walls clench around him. “Cum for me,” he whispered. You moaned, biting your lower lip as you came all over his hand. 

Once you recovered, he pulled your dress up, making it bunch around your waist as he stepped in between your legs again; kissing you like his life depended on it. He undid his pants and hoisted you up his own body. You wrapped your legs around his waist quickly for better balance and he leaned the two of you against the balustrade once again. 

You felt his hard cock pressing against your skin as he kissed you hungrily. His hand dipped in between the two of you and he guided the tip of his erected cock over to your dripping entrance. The brief friction caused you to moan into his mouth. 

“Be quiet for me, yes?” he spoke against your lips, almost as breathless as you were. You nodded frantically. And with that, he pushed himself inside you quickly. You felt all of him once he was completely buried in you. His cock twitched inside you and you bit your lip to prevent a moan from escaping your lips.

He held your hips, and your hands gripped his shoulders desperately as you tried to keep your voice down. You pushed your face into the crook of his neck, nibbling on his skin with your sharp fangs as he rocked in and out of you. You moaned quietly against his skin as his throbbing cock sped up into you. He pounded into you relentlessly, earning more and more moans and gasps out of you. 

He growled when he felt you clench around him. “Bucky…” you moaned and he immediately placed his lips on yours to stop you from making more noise. He loved how you lost control under his touch. He loved the sound of his name leaving your lips. 

“Shh, sweetheart. Quiet,” he mumbled against your lips as he felt your walls milking him perfectly. “We can’t get caught fucking in our own balcony while we were supposed to be hosting a party downstairs.” He ended with a chuckle. 

You whined. “Well if you weren’t so insatiable,” you teased. He scoffed, holding you at the curve of your ass, hands under your dress as he occasionally squeezed your butt cheeks, making you giggle and moan at the same time. 

“Says the one who lures me in like a seductress every moment of every day,” he sassed back. He slammed into you relentlessly while you tried your hardest to not to scream out loud. You felt a pressure building between your hips, and it seemed like he felt it as well because he dipped his head into the crook of your neck and swore under his breath as he sped up again. 

Your thoughts became cloudy, and all that you could focus on in that moment was the force of his thrust. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head as you found yourself unable to form proper thoughts. Your clit rubbed against his pelvic bone each time he filled you up.

Your body moved along with his like a rag doll as you could no longer keep up with his thrust. Soon, you felt the warmth taking over. And a familiar tingle went down your spine as your walls clenched around him. You gushed out all over his cock with a loud moan… 

 You woke up gasping, shocked that you had dreamt such explicit dreams two nights in a row now. You looked around and realized that it was still night time. You could still replay the dream in your head like a vivid memory. You closed your eyes and took deep breaths. 

The painting. 

The painting seemed so real, so detailed. You wondered if- 

Wait, that door you dreamt of. You’ve seen it before, haven’t you? Large, dark wood with beautifully detailed carvings on it, golden doorknob… 

You gasped again. It was the door in the library. Your heart raced. Could it be… ? 

You didn’t think twice before getting out of bed, grabbing the robe Wanda had left you earlier you stepped out of the room. Your breaths got shallower and shallower as you reached the library. 

It could very well be just a weird dream, right? You jumped at the sound of the thunder, and realized that you were already inside the library. You stared at the door. This was the exact one you dreamt of. 

Fuck it. You walked towards it, blocking out any thoughts which told you to turn back around and get back in bed. You twisted the doorknob and it was unlocked. You pushed the door open, stepping inside you found a secret room. About the same size of the library, or maybe slightly more spacious. 

It looked like a more modern and luxurious version of a drawing room. With the usual, couches, carpets and… and paintings. For a moment you almost didn’t want to find it. You didn’t want to find that painting of you and Bucky; which you had just dreamt of because if or when you do, what then? 

You looked around, the light from the two chandeliers illuminating the room just right. There were regular paintings one would find in an expensive mansion like this one; views of countryside, mountains, rivers. There were some paintings of people you couldn’t recognize but you knew, deep inside, that they seemed familiar. 

You almost let out a sigh of relief when you didn’t find the painting from your dream. 

Almost. 

But then you saw it. The largest frame in the room. Right above the golden fireplace, mounted on the wall perfectly straight and right in the center of the room. 

It was the painting you dreamt of. The one of you and Bucky. 

“What the hell?” you whispered as you approached the fireplace, craning your head up to look at the oddly familiar painting. 

You two seemed so happy. You were in a rose gold gown, and Bucky was well-dressed in navy blue. A lovely moment in time, captured in a beautiful painting. You weren’t quite sure what to think as you looked at yourself in the painting. 

Your eyes instinctively trailed down to the bottom on the frame. And in cursive black painted were written the words which gave you goosebumps: ‘Mr. & Mrs. Barnes. 1872.��� 

“What the hell?” you repeated. 

This time you heard a voice speak up, from behind you. “You should be in bed, sweetheart.” He said softly. 

You turned around and found Bucky leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed and a look on his face which you couldn’t quite decipher. You turned to look back at the painting, and then back at him again. He hadn’t aged since 1872 it seemed. 

Your heart raced again. 

It couldn’t be… could it? 

[bucky-at-bedtime]

Stucky Fic Recs

So basically I went through all of my ao3 bookmarks and collated a list of some of my favourites (I couldn't fit all of them on this list, so if anyone shows interest there might be a part two).

Please read tags and descriptions of the works before reading, some of them are pretty dark or extremely horny so just make sure you check that the fic is for you!!

Please please please send me your favourite fics in return! I am always happy to hear fic recs, headcanons and any other ideas/comments you all have!

Without any further ado, here are a few of my favourite Stucky fics:

‘Not Easily Conquered’ series by dropdeaddream, WhatAreFear

Rating: M, Words: 117,692

https://archiveofourown.org/series/115516

“I told you, you heard me: I told you never to follow me into Hell. Now I’m not vain enough to think that’s why you’re out here now — if there’s any person in what’s left of this God forsaken planet who’s part of a bigger picture, it’d be you. But I’ll keep saying it until it sticks. You got nothing to prove. I’m not worth much, I damn well know that, but I’ll ask you anyway: Stay for me. If you leave me alone in this world I’ll turn into something terrible. I’ll turn into the nasty creature that’s growing inside me. This war, it’ll swallow me whole”

[To me, this fic is like the classic Stucky 101 fanfic – if you're a Stucky fan and you haven't read this, I highly recommend it. The authors explore the Steve/Bucky relationship in such an interesting, tragic, emotive way and I cry every time I read it. I couldn't praise this work enough.]

‘Ain’t No Grave’ series by spitandvinegar

Rating: M-E, Words: 131,789

https://archiveofourown.org/series/426577

"Yeah, he never calls me by my name," Steve says. "It's always champ, ace, hotshot, that kinda thing."

"Man, that is flirting," Sam says. "That nicknames thing, he is flirting with you. He's just working his way up to calling you baby or something."

Steve goes redder than a damn coke can. Sam pumps his fist. "Yes, I am so right, I am wise as hell. He did, didn't he?"

"He called me sweetheart," Steve says grimly, "because he's a drug addict with brain damage."

"Or because he looooooves you," Sam says. Captain America throws a cookie at his head. Sam eats it, because he deserves a treat for being so damn wise.”

[I'm currently re-reading this fic and absolutely loving it. The way spitandvinegar writes Bucky's road towards recovery and Steve's entire characterisation – it's all just so good. It's another one that covers some pretty dark themes, so make sure you're checkin those tags!]

'Einherjar' by thecommodore_squid

Rating: M, Words: 71297

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7157024/chapters/16249814

But Steve was fine.

Sure, he hadn’t seen Bucky in months, and sometimes he was at the punching bag so long that his skin started to peel off to expose the bones of his fingers, and sometimes he couldn’t find the energy to drag himself out of bed, and sometimes he went weeks without sleeping, and sometimes he thought about throwing himself head-first off the nearest tall structure, but he was fine.

He was absolutely, perfectly, one-hundred percent, fucking fine.

AKA In which Steve learns how to deal with his shit, and Bucky learns how to stop leaving.

[basically the definition of a recovery fic, I absolutely adore it. This is tragic and amazing and makes me cry and smile. It’s got a bunch of fantastic cameos and It really just ticks so many of my boxes.]

‘Like real People do’ by 2bestfriends

Rating: E, Words: 67,775

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19887376/chapters/47103217

“"Ask me what?" demands Bucky. "I didn't hear a question."

Steve licks his lips. "Will you stay with me? Will you come back home, Buck?"

"Home," repeats Bucky in a small voice, and then he's crying for real.”

[Basically soft lumberjack!steve and lonely twink!bucky being horny and in love. This is a comfort fic for that’s really just about my favourite boys falling in love.]

‘This City Bleeds it’s Aching Heart’ by anonymous

Rating: E, Words: 34,537

https://archiveofourown.org/works/835829/chapters/1591736

“The one where Steve and Bucky pose as a happily married couple while on a mission for SHIELD, to catch an international arms dealer hiding in a suburban neighbourhood.”

[The plot in this one is just a good time and i think it’s just a really fun take on the fake relationship trope. Also some really great characterisation.]

‘Home is Wherever I’m With You’ by cydonic

Rating: E, Words: 88,570

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18868081/chapters/44783077

“Bucky kisses Steve and Emma goodbye before they leave for school, which is why – partway down the road – Amelia turns to him and asks, “why are you and Daddy kissing?”

Which is definitely a conversation Bucky’s been expecting since Steve just did it, but it still takes him by surprise. Again, he thinks he should wait for Steve, but Amelia’s not the sort of kid to let anything rest. Plus, Bucky’s taking her to school where she will undoubtedly share the story with anyone who’ll listen.

He also stops to think that Steve’s asked him to stay, which means Bucky must be trusted with their happiness and well-being, at least in some small capacity.

Bucky clears his throat and searches for some explanation that will help Amelia make sense of this sudden turn of events. “Because we love each other,” is all he comes up with.”

[Bear with me, this is a House Flipper!Bucky Au. And dad!Steve. I just love a found family trope I’m not gonna lie to you. Another comfort fic that warms my lil heart.]

‘Lucky Seven’ by BetteNoire (WeAreWolves)

Rating: E, Words: 94,364

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7033105/chapters/16002481

“Back from where--?” James says, the sentence ending in a distinctly undignified squawk as Steve sweeps him up in his arms, bridal-style, and starts carrying him upstairs.

James tenses momentarily then relaxes into Steve's arms and throws back his head and starts laughing. The laughter peals out of him, his body shaking, his amusement occasionally broken by little gasps of pain.

“What's so funny?” Steve frowns.

“You are,” James says, still giggling. “You're ridiculous, Steve Rogers.”

“Behave. Or I will drop you,” Steve growls.

[The shrunkyclunks modern AU of my dreams featuring Mechanic!Bucky and cap!Steve and some really beautiful writing.]

'Dishonor On Your Cow' by mandarou

Rating: E, Words: 111695

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10659162/chapters/23589582

“Sergeant Barnes?”

“Oh, hell no, don’t call him that, man,” Sam warned.

“Captain Fuck Off!” Barnes shouted over him. “Fight me!”

Steve didn’t know whether to laugh or just slink away. He managed to combine the two by pacing two steps and snorting instead. Like a bull.

“I’m gonna need you to calm your ass, Barnes,” Sam said as he went limp again, obstructing Barnes’s struggling under him. “This is so undignified. That is Captain goddamn America.”

“Captain goddamn America!” Barnes repeated, louder. And angrier.

Steve cleared his throat again. “I’ve been looking for you,” he told Barnes.

“I hope you brought lube this time!” Barnes shouted.

[I’m not gonna lie it took me a minute to get into this one but by the end I was crying with them, laughing with them, and just really in my feels. Some very insane things happen so here’s a few of my favourite tags: ‘Seargent Barnes is done with your Shit Steve’, ‘blatant disrespect of a man’s motorcycle’, ‘Steve you ding dong’ and ‘PR nightmares in the form of Supersoldiers’.]

Propietary Information by Notlucy

Rating: E, Words: 85141

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11964402/chapters/27054777

“Okay, so Bucky Barnes has a crush on Steve Rogers. The guy's gorgeous, talented and, oh yeah, the Chief Design Officer of the biggest tech company in the world. In other words: he's so far out of Bucky's league that he might as well be in a different stratosphere.”

[We were never gonna get through this list without a Sugar Daddy!AU (I have a weakness). This one is… saucy and sexy and sweet and uh pretty kinky so read the tags and all. I’ve read it a few times, and I love the way the author has written Steve in this one, he just makes my heart go '!!!']

‘Roots Have Grown’ by AustinB

Rating: M, Words: 17280

https://archiveofourown.org/works/6912451/chapters/15767941

“Bucky is a mildly agoraphobic veteran with funds to spare, who becomes enamored with the cute blonde guy in his building.

So when Steve mentions needing a roommate to cut down on rent costs, Bucky decides it would be a good idea to volunteer.”

[Another weakness of mine is Roommate AUs, and this one is phenomenal. I tend to go for post serum!Steve stories more often, but this is a pre-serum Steve that I just adore.]

‘The Cold Never Bothered me Anyway’ by icoulddothisallday

Rating: E, Words:75562

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11728869/chapters/26425530

“Bucky Barnes has spent his whole life in a state of mild hypothermia. Steve Rogers has spent the last 70 years in the ice. The two things aren’t related until, suddenly, they are. Shrunkyclunks soulmate AU (AKA the awkward bb au).”

[I think this is the only soulmate AU in my bookmarks? I would totally be down to read more though! This one is really fun and really enjoy Bucky’s characterisation here!]

'War, Children' by Nonymos

Rating: E, Words: 106615

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5373050/chapters/12409394

“After Bucky was released from the hospital, it only took him a couple of weeks to give up on himself. Difficult to believe in any kind of future when the simple act of staying alive was almost too big an effort.

Out the frosted window, across the street, there was a tiny homeless guy burrowing under an awning.”

[An interesting exploration of Bucky’s PTSD with a trans!Steve which was a cool take on his character too!]

'The Company You Keep' by orbingarrow

Rating: G, Words: 51191

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3468605/chapters/7613072

“Hurt, hungry, and on the run, the Winter Soldier doesn’t have a lot of safe options to go to for help. Figuring that any friend of Captain Steve Rogers is unlikely to be HYDRA, Bucky takes a chance and reaches out to the first Avenger he can find.

It works out better than anyone could have expected. Eventually.”

[hurt/comfort, recovering Bucky, protective Steve, found family and domestic avengers, need I say more? I absolutely loved this one]

[godliveblogs]

Teddy Bear Vs. Counting Sheep!

Epithet Erased Episode 2

Giovanni counters Sylvie’s cheap shot! And now he plots on how best to best his opponent in the ring!

Wow, Giovanni’s friendship rank levels up quickly! Normally it takes three/fourths the Hero’s Journey for your party members to unlock their secret move.

... How does filling up your LIMIT meter relate to Soup!?

Honestly Molly, at this point I’m just letting people do whatever they want with their powers.

Just built different I guess?

Y’anno... if Molly Dumbed down his attacks, he could use one of his dummies (sorry, valued minions) to build up his critical so he could constantly dish out souped up attacks and is that pun why he can do that?

WAIT I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY YOU ALREADY HAD A CRITICAL SAVED UP! also that counter in the top right is adorable.

All right, I don’t know if I shared this thought before but I think I have a theory about SiIvagunner here. His Epithet is probably something like Sleep—or more abstract like Dream—as all of his attacks have just been that, however he very clearly becomes a Minotaur in the opening. Now we know magical artifacts are a thing and Sylvester is interested in them, so what if him transforming into a bull-man is in actuality the effect of a curse or something with nothing to do with his Epithet? And while I’m this far out here I have an addendum to this theory. Sylvester’s real form is the Minotaur! Where he is cursed to turn into a child! It fits with him being a psychologist despite looking Molly’s age, him throwing a tantrum when people call him a child, and feels like a JelloApocalypse kinda twist. And now that I said it watch as it’s proven wrong later...

PLease no! not the spicy jambalaya soup!

Wait, Giovanni can actually use the Adds to increase his critical counter! Though, that’s a weak grenade if it only hit two of them...

Sorry Gio, but I think there’s not much Molly can do here. Her Epithet, while pretty powerful, doesn’t have any direct offensive ability against multiple enemies, also she’s twelve.

Quick! The sewing needles! Go for their beady sheep eyes!

Why are you giving the child a gun

Molly’s anxiety levels must be going through the roof right now.

This entire scene is equal parts chaotic and hilarious.

Good lord they are going to smother you with their fluffiness.

Everyone, do it with me once again, *Clear’s throat* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH—

Just wait until they get a taste for blood!

Maybe they see you as one of their own, Molly? What with the fuzzy hoodie and fluffy hair.

Dear sweet jumping jelly beans THEY CRAVE HUMAN FLESH!

Quick! Get that combo going or else we’ll be nothing but bones!

...I know I said to get the combo, but I thought it would be more than just a crit on one enemy... Molly, maybe you can AOE Dumb all the sheep? Don’t worry about hitting Giovanni, he can’t possibly be meaningfully affected by it.

Just need to hit them one thousand and three hundred more times then!

Un-Summon them? It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for ‘Dumb’ to do that, right?

Molly, sheep are supposed to put you to sleep, not the other way ‘round! Wait a second, how could an Epithet like Sleep summon sheep? I know the connection sheep have with going to sleep but at what point does it become too far of a reach for the domain of your Epithet? ...Y’anno, I’m just going to go back to ‘let people do whatever they want with their powers‘, it’s at least more funny that way.

Yeah, same! She just quietly obliterated that sheep like it was nothing! It was honestly a little frightening...

Molly, please don’t phrase it that way, it makes it sound like you could do that to anything and I can’t emotionally accept that.

Oh okay, good. Gave me a bit of a scare there. Question though, how did you know you could do that? Is it a feeling that all Inscribed get from their Epithets or something?

Nice, didn’t know I get that answered so quick. I guess some Epithets are more suited for summoning stuff too, and also Molly’s sister has an Epithet too! Honestly a lot to unpack in the last few sentences.

ALRIGHT NEVERMIND, EXISTENTIAL DREAD BACK AT FULL FORCE!

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

Love Cuts Deep

Chapter 14- New World Order

Summary: With the world back to it’s usual business, and the Avenger’s base on a long road to recovery. You and Bucky begin a new chapter in Brooklyn, New York City.

Warning: just fluff really, and some spicy talk maybe a little suggestive themes if you will

Masterlist

It’s been about three months since the events leading up to the dusting of Thanos’ whole army and the death of that giant purple bastard. Ninety-one days since Tony Starks funeral, and 2184 hours since your entire world changed for the better.

Although you’d be a sore liar if you said you didn’t miss your old life with everyone at the Avengers Facility. Even with such a dramatic new change to your life now, you miss Natasha, you miss your late night talks with Steve, and maybe you even miss that little shithead raccoon. But there has been an emerging inner peace with what you gained that just about outweighs your heavy losses.

Someone who’s brought you unconditional love and understanding in your blooming state, someone who’s helped to draw your grief and anguish out of your vessel and transform it into something golden and pure. Your sweet Bucky. If someone last year was to claim at this time you’d be living in an apartment in New York with the love of your life. Well, you’d probably have swiftly made them regret it.

But now, things are better, not one hundred percent fantastic and awesome. But so much better then yourself an entire year ago could ever have even imagined. And that’s good enough for you.

Staring intently down at your little houseplant, you gently spray it with a spray bottle before standing back to admire your caretaking skills. Not too bad. Not too bad at all. Face shifting to that of a stern army general, you get down real close to the leaves so that your face is mere inches from the soaked plant, “I hope you drink this up okay? Bucky thinks I’m gonna kill you and I’m not losing that bet to him. No sir, so don’t you die on me.” The tiny fern keeps silent for obvious reasons at your little pep talk, it’s green leaves protruding beautifully outward as you set the spray bottle onto the countertop.

“He’s gonna owe me fifty dollars if you last till October, and I don’t even care about the money. I just want bragging rights.” You whisper before standing up and wandering over to the living room window.

The city lights are glowing vibrantly in the nights atmosphere, cars and people alike traveling down below your apartment building, oblivious to the whereabouts of two Avengers a couple stories above their very heads. Two ex-assissins. Both products of Hydra. Damn you’ve got a loaded history.

“Y/N! Are you coming!” There’s a long pause of silence from your bedroom that causes you to open your mouth to answer, but before you’re able to say anything in reply, Bucky yells out, “Also I can’t find my white t-shirt, do you know where it is?! Actually never mind I’m going shirtless!”

You let out a humored snort before swiftly turning on your heel and walking down the hallway until you finally reach your bedroom door, “You know we have neighbors right?”

Bucky sends you a shy smile as he disappears into the bathroom for something, “I’m sure this place has thick walls.” He says while flipping up the ceramic toilet seat.

“Uh huh.” You mutter unconvinced, deciding to search his drawers for a spare sleeping shirt.

Noticing your snooping, Bucky finishes up before flushing the toilet and wandering out the door until he’s practically leaning against your shoulder, “Don’t you have clothes?” Questions Bucky with a small chuckle as you throw him a look.

“I need ones to sleep in.” You casually protest as he slowly nods, clearly not getting your admittedly vague point.

“Don’t you have one to sleep in?”

Picking out a grey shirt of his, you shut the dresser before taking off yours, “All my shit got destroyed when Thanos blew up the base. So I’m limited with the stuff I did buy.” He watches as you unintentionally flash him before pulling on his sleep shirt, “And I’m not exactly eager to be out and about right now. I’m still getting used to the new amount of people on this planet. Also I don’t like shopping......or people.”

Bucky nods in understanding as he follows you to the bed, though he can’t quit suppress his chuckles, “Okay fine.”

Throwing the blanket back, you raise a brow at him for that humored yet blunt remark, “Did you not want me to take this one?” You ask, speaking like you’re talking to a little puppy just to tease him more.

Rolling his beautiful blues, Bucky gets into bed as you do the same, “No. Its fine, I don’t actually care.”

Chuckling, you move to sit next to him as he lays on his back, “Good. Cause you’re shirtless and I think I like you better that way. Means I can tickle you easier.”

“Don’t you dare tickle me Y/N or I will lock you out of the bathroom again I swear.” Warns Bucky as he quickly pulls the blanket over his muscular body while you start laughing at him.

“I wasn’t gonna do that. No....definitely not.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Huh well, guess you won’t be able to cuddle me then if you don’t trust me...” Throwing the blanket off of him, Bucky quickly engulfs you into his strong arms as you squeak with surprise, pulling you down so that he can be the big spoon for tonight.

“Now you’re trapped.” Mumbles Bucky against your shoulder as his chest pushes at your back when he laughs. He thinks he’s so funny.

Holding his arm that’s pressed against your body, you gently pat it as he hums in content, “Buck, I’m thoroughly enjoying this actually so just keep your arm there, even if it falls asleep you’re not allowed to move it sucker. That’s the rules.”

“Well maybe I like those rules. Sucker.” Chuckles Bucky as you bite your lip to keep from laughing. “Now go to sleep, it’s been a long week.”

“Fine.” You mumble into the darkness as a yawn hits you right after. Soon your breaths become steady and calm as you both lay there for another thirty minutes. You are tired, it’s just, something keeps you awake that just can’t be satisfied if you keep going on like this.

“Hey.” You whisper, he gives a low hum in reply, “Buck, I forgot to tell you I have a cat.”

Opening an eye, he gently squeezes your stomach, “You have a cat? Y/N what....how...uh, where is this cat?

“I gave her to Morgan. So I guess she’s technically not mine anymore, I don’t know. Just felt like telling you that.”

“Thanks for sharing.”

“Anytime.”

The both of you go as silent as ghosts before erupting into a fit of giggles, he buries his face into your hair as his sweet laughter bounces off the walls of your room. Though soon enough does the both of your giggles die down to nothing more then the calming sounds of your breathing.

Your mind dwells with a growing fatigue though your body seems to want something else then slumber, sucking in a soft breath, you hum in thought before whispering, “Bucky.” Just to spark his curiosity.

“Yeah.”

“Uh,” Maybe you shouldn’t be asking this and just let him sleep, “how tired are you?” You ask him anyways.

He pauses for a moment before slowly answering with a mumbled, “Tired.”

You hum in acknowledgment, voice low as you answer him, “oh okay.” Immediately sparking his interest.

“Why?” Asks Bucky, intrigued with your slightly disappointed response.

“Nothing, you said you’re tired so we can sleep.”

Bucky’s head rises off of the pillow as he leans over you to try and look at your face, “Well now I wanna know so tell me.” States Bucky in curiosity before catching himself, eyes softer now, “Please.”

Sighing, you purse your lips together, knowing he’s still leaned against your shoulder but deciding to spill anyways as you half-sheepishly whisper, “I’m kinda horny.”

“Kinda?” Chuckles Bucky in an almost teasing manner as you snort.

“Listen you little shithead, I know we did it the other day but I haven’t had sex in five goddamn years give me a break for being a bit horny despite my sleepiness.” You sass, “I’m just, I’ve been feeling a lot of things since you’ve come back. And I yunno, didn’t wanna come off too strong at first so...uh...yeah.”

Bucky hums in thought, “Right, right....yeah.”

Maybe he is too tired? You let out a little huff of slight embarrassment before turning your head to face him better, “It’s just how I’m feeling right now but if you’re too tired that’s really fine with me okay Buc...oh uh...mhmm...” Your worries lost to the wind as his fingers begin slipping underneath your shirt, plush lips pressing feather light kisses against your neck to shut you up from your restless mind. His digits graze over your hardened nibble before Bucky pulls your body flush to his, stubbled chin pressed against your shoulder as he plants a tiny kiss there.

You smile into the darkness when his kisses trail up from from your shoulder to your neck and finally your cheek, he slowly turns you onto your back as his lips plant butterfly kisses all over your face as you begin chuckling at how undeniably adorable he’s being right now. Mhmm hmm you could get used to this.

His arms slip from out of your sleep shirt, soon trapping you to the bed as he hovers over your heavenly vessel, granting you with a plethora of lovely kisses all over your heated skin like he’s exploring you for the first time all over again. Your hands instinctively trail through his shortened dark locks while he draws your legs apart with his muscular torso, doing everything to further spark your growing excitment.

Tonight will indeed be wonderful.

——

Waking up from out of a decently pleasant slumber, you suck in a deep breath to awaken the senses for the day, hands feeling around the rumpled up sheets for your snuggle buddy only to find nothing but an empty bedside. He’s gotten unbelievably good at sneaking out of bed it’s honestly one of the most impressive things he can do.

Your eyes scan the semi-closed window shades to reveal a glowing darkness, it’s only 5:00am, and you know exactly where he’s gone off to even after keeping him up for half the night. Instantly you’ve slipped out of bed, not bothering to turn on the lights as you quietly wander down the hallway until you reach the living room.

Past the small kitchen, and to the left of the single lounge chair, there he is. Snoozing like a meaty log of pure muscle and Vibranium as he lays on a thin blanket flush against the hardware floor. Another blanket covering his lower half as he shifts a bit in his sleep, he’s restless. Your eyes soften at your lover, he’s been doing this recently since Steve left and the world sucked Bucky back into reality. You’ve had plenty of time to adjust of course, but for Bucky, he’s had three months since you two parted from the comfort of Wakanda to live in America as part-time Avengers.

Technically he’s only free from the government and jail time for that matter because he was pardoned by the president and thus was forced to agree upon attending mandated therapy for everything the Winter Soldier did in the past. While you on the other hand were pardoned for war crimes and your involvement with the terrorist organization Hydra because of your status as an Avenger.

Also you’re technically only still allowed to live in the United States because you live with Bucky, who is conveniently from America, so you get a free pass as long as you two plan on residing under the same roof. So it works out for you.

Suddenly his labored breaths quicken and a second later he jolts awake, now drawing himself into a seated position as little beads of sweat shine in the light of the glowing television screen that shows some unimportant sports game.

His chest rises and falls before his blue eyes blink back the vivid fuzziness of his latest nightmare, gaze slowly shifting over to you once he realizes another body is near him. When his irises catch you in the full glow of the tv, he immediately lowers his head in slight embarrassment.

“Did I wake you up again?” Mutters Bucky, almost sounding like he’s mad at himself for letting you find him like this once more.

Shaking your head, you swiftly move to seat yourself at his level before leaning your back against the lounge chair, “You never wake me up Bucky, I think I have a sixth sense for you or something cause when you leave I just know.” You chuckle lightly as he shifts himself closer to you, “Also I miss you next to me.”

His head presses against the corner of the chair as he leans down to leave a light kiss on your shoulder, “I’m sorry. I just.....I don’t want to startle you when I’m having a nightmare and wake up, well, like that.”

Turning to face him, you reach a comforting hand up to gently run it through his shortened dark hair, “You can’t scare me off that easily Barnes. I could probably be classified as the monster under your bed if we’re talking about scary things at night.”

He reveals the ghost of a smile while leaning into your touch, “I know Y/N, it’s just not fair that I do this more then I should. You shouldn’t have to wake up all alone after living like that for five fucking years....I shouldn’t be doing this.”

“oh James..” You whisper while scooting closer so that your bent knees are against his own, hand now snaked down so that you can intertwine your hands with his, “...it’s not your fault the nightmares are coming back. And as much as I miss having you near me, sometimes we all need our space when things get internally rough. I get it, believe me. But don’t ever feel sorry okay? You have nothing to say sorry for, at least not to me alright?”

Bucky nods, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze while he shows the flash of a smile, “Okay.” Whispers Bucky, eyes falling down to your intertwined fingers before he finds your gaze once more, “Let’s go to bed, the sun will be up soon and I have a therapy session today.”

“Therapy is good for you Bucky.”

He rolls his eyes as you laugh at his annoyed expression, “You are my therapy.” Protests your lover before standing and pulling you up with him.

Hugging his torso affectionately, you smirk up at him, “Wrong answer James.” Holding back a genuine grin, he simply leans down to press his lips against yours. Doing his best to shut you up from further mentioning his required therapy sessions that he absolutely loathes to attend. 

——

Hands stuffed deep within your jacket pockets, you wander in step with Bucky who brushes his right arm against yours every couple of steps on the cement sidewalk of Brooklyn. You patiently waited the full forty-five minute session for him, knowing all too well that the second he walked out of there and saw your beautiful face. He’d be significantly less grumpy then before, just as you’d suspected.

Turning your head to face him, he keeps looking straight ahead though he’s aware enough to know you’re about to say something about the session, “You didn’t mention the nightmares did you.” Bucky huffs, annoyed at getting so easily caught by your observant intellect about him. You can read him like a book.

“No.” A blunt answer, he knows there’s no point in lying. “She thinks I need to call more people. Be more social or something.....it’s stupid.” He grumbles to himself though your ears catch it all the same.

You hum in agreement, “Well it wouldn’t kill you to call Sam, I know he tries to text you sometimes...”

“Does he text you?”

“Yeah.” You reply before playfully nudging his arm, “And unlike you, I answer. He’s just a concerned friend, which is nice, you need those kind of people.”

“I don’t need anyone but you Y/N. I’m good, really.”

Rolling your eyes, you snort as he throws you a half offended look, “Babe, I love you. But it’s admittedly a good thing to have other friends other then me. I know this from experience as we both know, so, give him a call sometime okay? For me.”

“Ugh, fine.” He begrudgingly mutters, “But only for you, that’s it.” Smiling brightly at him, you’re about to add something else when the sounds of your friend Yori rings loud in the bustle of the city as he argues with his annoyance of a neighbor, Unique. Something about trash and putting it in the wrong bin.

Bucky soon comes to the rescue and quickly puts an end to the argument before Yori decides to throw hands and gets himself in trouble. The stubborn old man gives up on his yelling and soon Bucky is able to convince him to get lunch with the two of you.

To the sushi place you go.

“Nobody made it past 90 this week.” Says Yori sadly as you lean against Bucky’s shoulder to catch a glimpse of the newspaper that he’s holding in one hand while you use your chopsticks to stuff a chunk of sushi in your mouth.

“So young. Such a shame.” Mutters Bucky with a shake of his head while he takes another bite of his meal.

“You guys didn’t order the usual, huh? Feeling a little adventurous?” Smiles Leah as you take a sip of your water, she loves when you three come in during her shift. Honestly she’s heard a lot of your complaining over the last couple weeks, though it’s usually just about some city annoyance since you don’t want to scare her off with all the real shit you’ve dealt with. You’re trying to make friends after all.

You acknowledge her with a raise of your drink before setting it on the glass counter, “Oh yeah, I like to live a little on the wild side..” You add with a laugh, “..unfortunately I tend to drag them along with me.”

Yori nods, “I enjoy the adventure.” Before pointing to Bucky, “It’s him right here who is scared of getting his feet wet.”

Leah laughs at the adorably confused face of Bucky as he sends the old man a look while you snicker in amusement. “Yori.” Warns Bucky without an once of aggression while you give his shoulder a gentle squeeze of affection.

“What?” Protests Yori, “I am right and you know it. Y/N am I not right?”

“Oh, you’re definitely not wrong.” Bucky pouts as you give his stumbled cheek a light peck, eyes set back onto your delicious sushi as he pretends to be annoyed by you and and Yori’s teasing.

The three of you continue to chomp down on your weekly lunch days meal at the usual sushi spot for another minute longer. Yori’s eyes suddenly sparking with a thought that you know he’s absolutely not going to keep to himself.

“You know what?” Whispers Yori as he leans in closer to Bucky, quit obviously pointing a finger towards you though you simply ignore them as he continues, “You better treat your woman well okay? She’s a good one...Ah I have a perfect idea. You go on a date, like dancing or....or, bingo.” Suggests the old man as your smile grows.

Bucky’s brows furrow as he whispers back, “We’re already dating.”

Yori nods, “You misunderstand my point, you must keep the flame going always okay? Very important, very important. When was the last time you gave her flowers huh? Went to the park? Whooed her..”

“I bought her a plant.” Says Bucky defensively as he side eyes you, “I, I whoo her.”

The old man smiles, “Good, good. That’s how you keep them around for a long time. Don’t forget that, I know what I’m talking about.”

“I’m sure you do.” Mumbles Bucky as you suppress the urge to laugh at their adorable conversation about how to treat a significant other right. That significant other being you.

——

Seated crisscrossed on the wooden floor of yours and Bucky’s shared apartment, a single thin blanket underneath you, your eyes squint suspiciously at Bucky like you don’t believe a single thing he’s saying. He’s seated on a pillow across the small coffee table, raising a dark brow at you while he holds back a growing smirk.

Your eyes soon shift down to the board before slowly trailing over his forced stoic face, “Well, Mr. Barnes....you’re a strong captain I’ll admit. But I am a skilled sea traveler of my own. E7.” His blue irises flicker down to his board, expression shifting ever so slightly in irritation, you got him.

Biting his lip, his hands move from behind the plastic board of the game that you can’t see, “How about that.” States Bucky with a genuinely impressed nod, “You sunk my battleship.”

Instantly your hands ball into fists, “Yessss.” You whisper joyously as your eyes squint in happiness for your first ever win against the literal master of Battleship. “Ha ha sucker! I won! I fucking won!” You shout with passion as he leans back on one arm to watch you jump up into a theatrical victory dance. God he loves you so much. You dangerous little goofball.

Swinging your arm dramatically in a circle, you shake your hips before winding down your dramatics to wander on over to Bucky who’s still seated on the floor, shimmering blues never leaving yours. Smirking victoriously, you crouch down to meet his humored gaze, “I think I deserve a prize.....and by prize I mean you get me those gummy worm things from the corner store. I deserve it after all.”

He tilts his head, the corners of his mouth rising as his eyes flicker to your lips for a brief moment, “Do you now?” He smiles lovingly though a sudden mischief sparkles in his eyes.

“Yes. This was the first time I ever won so I definitely deserve some type of reward for my efforts.” You state justly, eyes narrowing as you add, “Or I will battle you, and I’m not talking about the game.”

Bucky tilts his head up, an alluring smile playing at his plush pink lips while his eyes flicker to your mouth once again, oh he is certainly not going to get you naked in an attempt at swaying your mind from those gummies. You’re an ex-assassin who deserves some damn gummies every once in awhile. And his ass is gonna get you them, it’s only fair after all.

“Y/N.” Coos Bucky in that sultry voice of his, metal hand reaching up to touch your beautiful face, but as his fingers come within an inch of your precious skin. You shoot a hand up to clasp against his in an iron grip, blue eyes immediately going big when you tuck and roll. Taking his whole body with you.

In the swift aftermath, you’re able to skillfully pin him to the ground with relative ease. Both your hands pressed firmly against his naked wrists as you lean your face mere inches from his own, “I warned you, didn’t I?” You tease playfully as he breaks out into an inviting grin.

“I have something else in mind that you’ll absolutely love.” Assures Bucky with a telling expression that does nothing to hide the lust that flashes through them.

“In that case, pin me to the floor. And I’m all yours for the evening.” You whisper slyly as he practically shivers underneath your touch, “But if I win, you gotta travel two blocks for those delicious bitches. Khorosho, lyubov' moya?” You add in your native tongue of Russian, translating to “okay, my love” before pressing your forehead against his, eyeing him up like a bull ready to fight.

Bucky lets out a little sigh, something between annoyance and pleasure, “Fine. But you’re going dow...” Your lips crash against his in a hot second of passion before you quickly pull away, letting go of his wrists as you move to stand in a defensive position nearby.

Slowly blinking, he lets out a little huff before pulling himself to his full height, eyes trailing over you as he raises a brow, “Now that wasn’t fair.”

You casually shrug, “What wasn’t fair? We made a deal Barnes.”

Bucky rolls his eyes at your teasing, “You know what I...okay, okay. We’re really doing this?”

You shrug at his adorable expression, “You either have to walk 2 blocks in the dark for my treat, or a night of undeniably fantastic sex is within your reach. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy it, it’s the principle of the thing here. So, I’m going to fight you James Buchanan Barnes.” Oh and you used his full name too, Bucky knows without a doubt, it’s on.

He reveals a little smirk at that, “Guess I don’t have much of a choice. Hmm alright hot stuff let’s do this.” Muses your lover as he draws his hands up into fists, ever so slowly approaching you like a wary predator to their opposing rival. Not so sure if this is going to be a fight he can win or not, well, it sure won’t be an easy one.

When he’s within arms reach, you swiftly duck under his swift jab to your right arm, shooting a leg out to push him away from you while your body twists around to meet him. “Cheap shot.” Mumbles Bucky, calculated gaze studying your every movement as you slowly wander closer to him.

Looking as innocent as ever, “I want some gummy worms, I’ll break you little man.” Accent dripping with every word, further arousing Bucky though he tries to play it off with a laugh and a shake of his head.

Soon the two of you engage in a swiftly heated battle of hand to hand combat showing your admittedly intense skills of what only a former assassin could display so fluidly. Your two bodies moving like seasoned dancers across the hardwood flooring of your apartment, though you’re surprisingly able to keep relatively quiet as he blocks your fists. Can’t disturb those pesky neighbors.

Bucky shifts left just as you narrowly scrape your right elbow against his shoulder with a high jab from your elbows desperate upper cut, you slide on the hardwood under the false presumption that he’s out of reach when his flesh arm swings out to catch you in your stomach with a loud hollow thud. Ouch!

Instantly your throat emits a strange squeak as you feel the air knocked out of your precious lungs, clearly you had not anticipated this turn of events and neither does Bucky who immediately looks like he just accidentally stepped on a puppies little paw. “Y/N!” Worries Bucky with wide eyes as you keep hunched over, trying to suck in some needed oxygen.

Pulling some air into your lungs, you pretend to hobble over to the couch like a beaten down boxer, “Mm hmgood, yep.” You rasp out, resting your upper half on the couch as Bucky quickly approaches your side. But before he’s able to lay a comforting hand onto your shoulder, you swing a decorative pillow right at his head.

The puffy fabric knocks him onto his ass, earning a surprised grunt in the process as you tower above him, smirking like a trickster goddess over a poor lost and lonely traveler. Bucky rubs his reddened cheek, brows furrowed as he whines, “Y/N.” Like a little child who just got something taken from them by another kid.

Smirking a satisfied grin, you kneel down to meet his level, raising up a hand to gently draw his chin upwards to face you better, “That hurt you dickhead.” You muse as Bucky pouts, “ Y/N, I didn’t mean too..”

“I know.” You chuckle, “Now make it better.” You slyly add with a suggestive implication in your tone that causes Bucky to raise a brow. Letting go of his stubbled chin, you seat yourself onto the floor, facing Bucky as he reaches his metal hand out to pull you in closer to him.

Just about shoulder to shoulder with him, he gently presses his Vibranium hand to your cheek before pulling your face closer to his, soon the two of you lock lips with one another as his other hand snakes around to pull you onto him.

Ever so gently do you follow him to the floor as he continues to passionately make out with you like there’s no tomorrow. Metal and flesh hand feeling you up from your breasts to your bum as you straddle your man, hands trailing through his shortened hair while he fully enjoys this new positioning and turn of events.

Bucky presses wet kisses all around your cheeks and lips while he begins nonchalantly unbuttoning your pants, clearly hoping this will continue further and that all thoughts of those delicious gummy worms are out the door. You won’t lie to yourself though, caging Bucky’s thick torso underneath your opened legs is an admittedly pleasant experience to say the least.

So when he snakes his hands up under your shirt and starts messaging your breasts through the fabric of your bra, your mind begins thinking of some other things a bit more important then some simple treat from the local corner store. He knows just how to turn his favorite lover into a pile of puddy with nothing more then his mouth and fingers. This little shithead isn’t even inside you yet, you’re not even naked for goodness sakes!

But alas, a bet is a bet, and you don’t like to lose. Smirking into the kiss, and holding back a moan as Bucky’s digits squeeze your soft breasts, you tug on his hair before pulling away from his pleasantly inviting lips. Earning a palpable pout of confusion from your man, who’s noticeably grown hard against your bum.

“Y/N?”

“Bucky.” You tease back, imitating his voice once again as he throws you a puzzled look, “Don’t give me that shit Barnes I know what you’re trying to do.”

“And what am I trying to do?” Sasses Bucky as he rests his hands onto either side of your hips.

You raise a brow down at him, “These shenanigans.”

Bucky smiles, head falling back onto the floor as he laughs, “That’s not, no I’m not doing any shenanigans I swear....I just, maybe I just want to show my girl how much I love her.” Replies Bucky, though you stay unconvinced.

“We had a deal remember?”

“Yeah well, none of us won so..”

“Oh really?” You challenge, “Then why are you on your back and I’m right here as the victorious one? Who by the way has earned her gummy worms fair and square James Buchanan Barnes.”

Bucky groans, “oh come on Y/N....I can’t go now. Have some pity on me please?”

“And why not?”

He gently gives your hips an affectionate squeeze, “Because, my beautiful she-wolf who I love so very much and cherish every day of my life forever and alw..”

“Get to the point I want those damn gummies.” You threaten with a stern look though he knows you don’t truly mean it of course, but he has successfully annoyed you. “What is the problem this time?”

Bucky throws you a sheepish grin as he takes one of your hands in his, “Because I’m hard.” Sincere and straight to the point.

Pursing your lips together in amused irritation, you remove his hand from your hip, “Well, you did that to yourself babe I can’t help how amazing I am just existing. Really get over yourself.” You playfully tease before standing above him as his eyes never once leave your beautiful face, “Those gummies aren’t going to buy themselves.”

Bucky sighs dramatically shaking his head as he whispers, “You’re a monster of the greatest evil.” Smiling like a lovestruck idiot despite his neutrally spoken words.

You chuckle, stepping over him to pick up a pillow, “That’s me. Now don’t give me a reason to show you my claws.”

He quickly rises to his full height, another fallen pillow in hand as he tries to hide his hardened member behind it like some shitty magic act, “I’m just, I’m gonna hold this pillow for you. Not important why.”

“Uh huh.” You muse as he watches you clean up Battleship, putting all the pieces away and into the particular box before shoving it underneath the couch. When you go to fold the furniture's decorative blanket, a knock is heard at the door.

“Not it.” Mutters Bucky as you throw him an annoyed glance, already aware of who this is by their familiar scent. You walk over to the door and open it as Bucky hides in the background, pillow still covering his tented crotch.

“Hello Mrs. Brego you need help with your windows again?” You speak in Italian to your neighbor from down the hall. The old woman smiles before giving you a little shake of her head indicating a no.

“No dear, just telling you there’s cops downstairs for that guy from Chicago I think, so if you plan on going out. I wouldn’t choose tonight, the whole lobby is filled with people I think he might have been into drugs.” Warns the sweet old woman as you slowly nod, knowing all to well that Bucky most certainly heard everything.

Faking a smile, you shrug, “Wasn’t planning on going out tonight anyways. Well, thanks again. See you when I see you.” She smiles brightly before turning to walk down the hallway and into her own apartment, you watch until she shuts her door just to make sure nothing bad happens on your time.

Feeling comfortable that’s she’s fine, you shut and lock the door, pursing your lips as you turn around to face a smirking Bucky. He’s still holding the pillow against his junk, but he looks incredibly full of himself standing there with that stupidly handsome face of his. Those eyes. That smile. His body......no, focus.

Bucky goes to open his mouth but before he can say something sarcastic you throw a hand up to stop him, “Not a word.” You deadpan before turning to walk down the hallway, stopping yourself to glance over your shoulder, “Give me five minutes and then you can come to bed. But you better be naked or else.”

Bucky snorts as you practically swagger down the short hallway and into your shared bedroom. Closing the door as you prepare yourself for a late night of adventuring each others bodies.

Oh tonight will be something indeed.

-

Tagged: @diegos-butt  @minigranger @bibliophilewednesday @holyhumorliteraturelight @lilacs-lavender @a-girl-who-loves-disney @starkssnarks @vikingqueen28 @bizarrebibitch @atomicpersonacheesecake @jmstz @staygoldsquatchling02 @marvelbros-oneshots @shawnartmendes @mischiefmanaged71 @jckie94 @iamasimpingh0e @mjaudrey​   @thescarlettvvitch

[delacyrose224]

A Sky Full of Stars

-Pairing: Dad!Jin x Mom!Reader

-Premise: Your daughter asks for a bedtime story, and Jin tells the story of how the two of you met...as a fairy tale.

-Genre: This is just straight up domestic fluff, y'all. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

-Word Count: 2.2k

-Warnings/tags: SFW, tooth-rotting fluff, reader is pregnant

-Author's Note: This is based on A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay...this type of domestic fluff is not usually my thing, but @hyungieyoongi is an enabler and too many ideas took hold that I needed to get out of my brain. Who even am I, writing a dad fic? Hope you enjoy!

“Lemonade, it’s time for bed!” Jin singsongs down the hallway. You smile to yourself in the kitchen as you hear the pitter-patter of tiny socked feet echo across the living room. You turn to see your five year old daughter, hiding behind the curtains, her toes peeking out and wiggling in excitement as she hears her dad coming down the hallway behind her.

“Now where can my daughter have gotten off to?” Jin stands in the middle of the living room, seemingly perplexed. He begins to look behind furniture, lifting couch cushions to call into the dust and crumbs that have fallen by the wayside, as if the five year old would suddenly appear. You hear her giggles again when he opens the coat closet.

Jin turns to you instead of towards the noise. “Excuse me, pretty lady...have you seen a small girl about this high-”, he motions just above his knee, “-dark brown hair, answers to the name of Lemonade?” He grins at you, just as the girl in question bursts out from hiding, flinging her arms around her dad’s knees in a giant hug. He quickly scoops her up in his arms amongst a flurry of giggles from both you and her.

“Daddy, that’s not my name!” She laughs, smacking Jin’s chest with her small hand.

“What’s not your name?” He responds, pretending to be clueless.

“Lemonade...it’s Adelaide, Daddy.” She rolls her eyes at him.

Jin chuckles. “Well, you could’ve fooled me...I thought you were named Lemonade because you’re so sweet.” He smacks his lips against her cheek in a wet kiss and puts her back down on the ground.

“Can you tell me a story before bed, please?” She tugs on the hem of his shirt as politely as she can manage, though you can tell by the look in her eyes she’s desperate for your husband to say yes.

“Since you asked so nicely, I’d be happy to...Adelaide.” She grins widely and runs off to go brush her teeth and change into her pjs.

As she leaves the room, you turn back to the dishes you were cleaning from dinner. It’s not long before you feel Jin’s hands on your waist as he peers over you at the dishes you’re working on, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Hi, you.” he mumbles into the crook of your neck, rubbing his hands soothingly up and down your sides.

“Hi yourself, handsome.” You smile as you twist your head to give him a peck on the cheek.

“You need any help? I’m sure you’ve been on your feet all day...I’m happy to give you a massage later after Lemonade goes to bed.”

You let out a small laugh at his nickname for your daughter.

“I would love that...but when are you gonna stop calling Adelaide that?” You shake your head.

“Oh, never...it’s too funny, and you know she secretly loves it. You do too, I think.” You look up to see him smirking at you.

“You know, whenever we have another kid, I’m going to give it the weirdest nickname ever, no matter what you name them!” You threaten, turning around to face him once you set the last cup out to dry. Jin raises an eyebrow at you.

“...whenever? I think it’s a little too late for that one, love.” You can see a mix of mirth and warmth in his eyes as his hands slide from your waist over your stomach, which in the last week or so has started to show signs of a bump, much earlier than in your pregnancy with Adelaide.

“You know what I mean, Seokjin!” You glare at him, even as you bring your hands over his.

“You can call them Tteokbokki for all I care, I still get to name them. Both, if my hunch is right and you’re having twins,” he caresses your stomach as he leans forward and kisses your forehead softly.

Before you can reply, Adelaide is shouting for Jin from her bedroom, impatiently awaiting her bedtime story.

“You coming to storytime, Mama?” He asks, clearly hoping you’ll say yes.

“I’ll be there in a minute, just let me go change into something more comfy,” you reply, heading for your bedroom as Jin smiles as your retreating figure.

After throwing on a pair of sleep shorts with a ratty old hoodie of Jin’s, you head over to Adelaide’s room, where Jin is on his tippy toes, retrieving a book of fairy tales from the top shelf of Adelaide’s bookcase.

“Not that one, Daddy...you’ve read those like a hundred times!” She exasperatedly proclaims, arms crossed.

“Okay-”, he goes on tiptoe again to place the book back on the shelf, “-what kind of story do you want to hear, then?”

“A new one, that’s all!” She smiles as Jin sits down on the bed with her, burrowing under his arm for warmth.

“Hmm...okay, I think I have one you’ll like.” He smiles sideways over at you in the armchair across the room. Where he’s going with this, you’re not sure.

“Once upon a time, in a kingdom not too far from here, there was a beautiful princess. Her parents, the king and queen, wanted to make sure that she was married to a prince that was worthy of her. For you see, not only was she the most beautiful in the land, she was also very smart, and very funny. Not just any prince would do for her.” He looks over at you and smiles fondly. You smile in return, realizing he’s telling your daughter your story-how the two of you ended up together, thinly disguised as a fairy tale.

“One day, a prince from a faraway land arrived on a visit. The king and queen thought he would be an excellent match for their daughter, and so they arranged a meeting between the two of them. The princess got along with the prince, and they became friends quickly. The prince also introduced the princess to his court jester, who traveled alongside him for entertainment. The three soon became inseparable.” Your smile grows bigger the more the story goes on...you realize that the prince is Jungkook, and the jester is your husband.

“However, the princess didn’t show any interest in the prince other than friendship-”

“I think you forgot a part of the story, babe,” you interrupt before he can get much further. Adelaide looks across the room at you in wonder.

“What did he forget, Mama?” she whispers, clearly enthralled with the story. Jin raises his eyebrow at you, interested in what you have to say.

“The prince did ask the princess to go on a date with him, and it was very romantic,” you start. Jin’s eyes go wide, this information new to him. “He prepared a picnic for the two of them, and they went on a stroll through the neighboring town. The prince told the princess of all his foreign travels, and they talked for hours. When the night grew dark, he walked her home and kissed her goodnight.” Jin makes an indignant sound, quickly covering it up with a cough.

“Are you okay, Daddy?” Adelaide’s little hand pats his back as he continues to choke.

“I’m...fine, fine. Where was I in the story? Oh, yes. After this date-”, he makes pointed eye contact with you, letting you know he will be asking about details later, “-the prince was called to go on an important trip far away from the princess. The court jester had to go too, to make sure the prince never became too sad while he was away. The princess was sad that they had to leave, but they promised to come see her when they returned and said they would exchange letters while they were gone.”

“Did they come back? What happened?” Adelaide pipes up, wanting to know what happened next. You begin to speak again, picking up the story from Jin.

“The three kept their promises to each other. They all wrote to each other while they were separated, but a funny thing started to happen...the princess started to realize that she missed the court jester more than the prince. She missed the way he would make her laugh, how he would make fun of her for small, goofy things, and she missed his smile when she managed to make him laugh.”

Jin lets out a breathy laugh at this, the sound sending serotonin through you, and you can’t stop the smile that takes up what feels like your entire face.

“The jester felt the same way. He missed the princess’s laugh, her wit, her...everything.” Jin looks at you with such fondness, your face starts to heat and you have to look away.

“So what happened?! What about the prince?” Your daughter demands, and Jin pulls her in closer.

“When the two returned from their trip, the jester shared with the prince his feelings for the princess. The prince understood, and had begun to notice the jester’s feelings himself. He gave the two his blessing, and the jester and the princess shared their feelings with each other and kissed. They eventually got married, and they lived happily ever after.”

Jin smiles down at his daughter. “How’s that for a bedtime story?” She grins sleepily up at him.

“That was good, Daddy...the princess reminded me of Mama.” Jin leans down to press a kiss to Adelaide’s forehead as he tucks her in.

“Well, your Mama has always been a princess to me,” he smiles over at you as he straightens up and takes your hand as the two of you walk towards the door.

“Night, Mama. Night, Daddy.” Adelaide calls softly from her bed.

“Night, Adelaide.” “Night, Lemonade.”

As you pull the door closed gently, Jin pulls out his phone and begins to FaceTime Jungkook.

“Jin, what-” Before you can finish your sentence, Jungkook appears on the screen.

“Jin hyung, Noona, hi! What’s up?” Jungkook smiles brightly through the screen.

“Did you, or did you not, take my wife out on a date and kiss her?!” Jin whisper yells through the phone, careful not to disturb your daughter.

Jungkook’s face scrunches in confusion. “What? Hyung, she’s your wife, that doesn’t even make sense-”

“Before we started dating, did you take her on a date and kiss her?!” Jin repeats.

Realization dawns on Jungkook’s face, and he starts to laugh. You can’t help it, you join in as well.

“Yeah, we did. It was a nice date, if I remember right, Noona? I made us a picnic and we talked a lot. And yeah, I did kiss her.” Jungkook smirks at the memory.

“And you just neglected to tell me this, all these years? What am I to you, nothing?” Jin is incredulous at Jungkook’s nonchalance.

“It wasn’t that important, hyung. It became very apparent soon after that that she was swooning over you, not me. Can’t see why with all the dad jokes, but to each their own. Speaking of dad jokes, how’s Addie doing?”

You chime in before Jin has a chance to respond. “You can see for yourself, I’m sure she’d be happy to see Uncle Kookie for a sec.” You push Adelaide’s door open again, calling her name softly to see if she’s still awake.

“Yeah, Mama? What is it?” She sits up in bed slowly as you turn on the lamp on her bedside table.

“Someone wants to say hi to you,” you smile as you turn Jin’s phone around to face her.

Adelaide’s face breaks out in a smile when she sees Jungkook, as well as her cheeks turning slightly pink. You’re pretty sure that she might have a tiny little crush on her Uncle Kookie...and who could blame her? You used to think he was cute too, once upon a time-before a certain jester stole your heart.

Speaking of the jester, he has sat himself down in the armchair across the room, a slight pout on his face. As Adelaide hangs up the call with Jungkook, he speaks.

“Aigoo, what have I done to deserve this? The women in my life all love Uncle Kookie more than they love me,” his pout becomes more prominent as he talks.

“No, Daddy!” Adelaide pipes up from the bed. “It’s like in that song you always sing to me and Mama about all the stars...Uncle Kookie’s great, but in all the stars, we see you.”

You both look over at your daughter, recognizing the song she’s referring to as A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay. Jin had begun absentmindedly singing that to her as a baby as a sort of lullaby, and it had stuck. He now sang it almost every day to the two of you in some form or fashion.

“We see you. Forever.” Your daughter adds emphasis, trying to convey how much she loves her father.

Jin walks over to her, the partial darkness hiding the mistiness in his eyes from Adelaide.

“And I see you forever, Lemonade. I love you so much, and your Mama so much, never forget that. Ever.” She laughs and nods in agreement, before burrowing down in her covers again.

You turn off her lamp, and the two of you walk out to the hallway, closing your daughter’s door for the second time that night. You turn to your husband.

“You know, we do see you forever. Me, Lemonade, and Tteokbokki.” You laugh while gazing into his eyes, placing his hands on your bump again.

He leans forward to place a gentle yet firm kiss on your mouth.

“I know.”

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

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[thepeakygurl]

Potions

A/N: I am a bit late with this one, but I hope you like it love!✨

Requested by @harryslouis

Draco x Reader

Prompt: During Potions, Draco can’t help but showing you affection and love, that results in the both of you getting in trouble.

You always liked Potions, you would lie to yourself if you’d say it is for how interesting the subject is. Truth was, it was mostly because your boyfriend would find the most silliest ways to sit next to you. Slytherins can be annoying and overwhelming at times, but ever since you started dating Draco that slightly judgment you had towards them, slowly started to fade. It was particularly cold that morning. You cheeks and nose turned almost as read as a Weasley could possibly be, a silly comparison you made in your head that almost made you burst into a big laugh and professor Snape, as the eagle that he was, quickly turned towards you “Caring to share what is so darned funny, y/s?” His voice as low and toneless as usual, and his glance was as cold.

You shook your head, quickly clearing your voice. Soon after a deep and heavy silence invaded the room, as Snape started his lecture. You were focused on doing a good job, fearing that the professor would pick on you for the incident happened earlier. But you almost screamed from the bottom of your lungs as a pair of arms slowly reached to you, grabbing you by the waist and pulling you closer in a hug. “Shh! It’s just me.” Draco whispered and his voice was enough for your skin to feel an immediate and intense burn all over it.

While you were busy taking notes to get ready to prepare you potion, Draco was bothering the girl sitting next to you into convincing her to swap place with him. She eventually did, nothing could be more annoying than a persistent Malfoy. You hold a smile looking over your shoulder, now almost facing him “We have talked about this. I need to focus.” You scolded him softly, a remark that he answer back with a kiss on your cheek, extremely close to your lips, but he didn’t dare touching them. He knew that would bothered you for the rest of the hour.

“I have no idea what you talking about.” He said smirking at you, before letting you go and started to open his textbook. He knew exactly what you were talking about. For weeks now you had been scolding him about how he behaved in class. Despite everything you thought you knew about him, ever since you started date, he did nothing but surprise you in every single action he did. You never imagined him as the sweet and loving boyfriend that he was, obsessed with holding your hand and placing small little kisses on your cheeks every time he saw you distracted or worse, focus on something important to deliberately distract you. And he honestly couldn’t care less of the people that would look at you two, surprised or disgusted, he was in love so why should he hide it?

That was not however the problem for you. It had nothing to do with the glances or the whispers that would surround you when he was being affectionate. The real problem was him, because every time he did such small but meaningful gestures, you could feel your whole body begging for more and that was neither good or helpful considering the situation. You gave him a blank glance, which he deliberately ignored.

“Malfoy. Do not let me take points from your house.” He said while looking over the two of you, even Snape knew that when you two were sitting together it would result in nothing good. Draco chuckled at Snape’s sentence, knowing he would not do such a thing.

So you proceeded doing your work, desperately trying to ignore the hand that was gently brushing your back. He was doing it on purpose, you knew, but somehow that small hint prohibition was doing something to you. “I swear Malfoy, if we loose points because of you...” you whispered through your teeth.

“You what, sweetheart?” He whispered back, and he took this threat of yours as an invitation to pull you closer to him. He smiled at you, a soft smile that melted you instantly. He gently reached to your cheek caressing it with his knuckles.

“For merlin’s beard Draco! Stop teasing!” You rolled out your eyes at him.

“I’m not trying to tease, I’m trying to love you” he said and now that judgy and annoyed face you had on, turned into a smiley one. “You are hundreds time prettier when you don’t pretend to be pissed at me” he said in a laugh.

“I am not pretending. For your information I can still love you and be pissed at you for getting us in trouble.” You argued, but this time you were the one showing him love, gently brushing his hair with your fingers.

“You got yourself in trouble before I even came over here.” He said “And by the way, what was so funny?”

But you didn’t want to say. Making fun of the Weasley was something he would always do and you didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of you doing the same. Which in your case was just a silly thought, you were actually friend with the Weasleys. “I was just thinking of the time you were turned into a ferret.” You jokingly said.

But Draco did not appreciated it. He winced at you instead. “You. You are the only one that can make fun of that outrageous and unfair episode.” His voice was now a bit gravelly that usual. He proceeded then to press his lips against yours and for a slight and out of judgment moment, you didn’t pull away. Instead, both your hand where now on his shoulder as to trying to hold yourself on him.

He smiled on your lips and he had all the intentions to turned that small kiss into a passionate one. But professor Snape did not want to see such a thing. “That’s enough Malfoy.” He now yelled at him. Draco slowly pulling away from you, with a grin on his face, it took you a good amount of self willingness to pull yourself together, to only then realise that now you were really in trouble. Draco’s plan all along. “20 points from each of your houses.” Snape said again, trying to compose himself and to not yell again.

“But professor! My only fault is to be in love! If anything you should take all the point from y/s, she is the one who doesn’t know how to resist me.” He said without looking at you, holding a laugh.

You took a deep breath as you could hear everyone laughing. “The truth professor is that Malfoy kissed me to hold me from telling you, that he was making outrageous comments towards you. He said you look like his grandmother, if she was ugly.” You said in a calm voice, not looking at him either.

Draco’s eyes were wide open at you know, incredibly proved and surprised.

“You both see me after the lecture for your punishment. And the next time you decide to interrupting my lesson with your indecency, I will take all the points you have” Snape simply said, but it was clear that he was beyond furious.

“Well served y/n...” Draco whispered “We will talk about this tonight.”

[krokodile]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hi7iCxtUvBXv_BmigiUp2-5Qdcj84Unq/view?usp=sharing

Broadway, 3/3/22, the first half of All You Wanna Do is likely fucked up because my phone suddenly became possessed (no idea why the display would not STAY OFF) and not wanting to be a dick I shoved it into my bag until it chilled out.  The rest of it should sound ok though.

Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macasaet, Keirsten Nicole Hodges, Brittney Mack, Samantha Pauly, Anna Uzele.

Not much I can say about Six that hasn’t been said a hundred times before.  Don’t get me wrong, I can discuss literally any aspect of the show for ages; the fact that there’s so much implied depth where we’re left to fill in the gaps means nearly everything has room for interpretation and discourse and I love it.  And, I mean, just at surface level, it’s a fucking good show.  I don’t know how the lighting techs do their jobs without breaking down crying.  The costumes are...god so great, but man I wish they’d let them wear flats.  The heels look great but dancing in those cannot be good for anyone’s spines.  Still think Parr got shafted with a song that’s half filler (and not...good filler?  Like, yeah, the show doesn’t NEED Haus of Holbein for any reason other than the show can’t be THAT SHORT, but it’s so damn much fun, and sometimes that’s the only reason you need.  But goddamn, I Don’t Need Your Love just DRAGS for me.  It’s not BAD, but it feels like it could be two-thirds as long as it is without losing anything.)  

Had mostly the principal cast, which...not complaining, I adore them all, but again, I feel like anything that could be said about them has already been said.  Not that it’ll stop me trying.

Adrianna Hicks just IS Catherine of Aragon.  Every so often there’s a pairing of actor and role that is just so utterly freaking PERFECT, and they caught lightning in a bottle here.  There are other people who are excellent in the role, but I can’t imagine feeling like it BELONGS to anyone else quite like this.  Hoping I get to catch her a few more times (I assume she’ll be leaving for Some Like it Hot, if not before then).  She’s also the one who gets genuine laughs out of me at times despite, you know, my knowing when every damn joke in the show is coming.

Andrea Macasaet had the audience in the palm of her hand from her first “beheaded.”  And I get why.  She is just so fucking funny; her line deliveries are just flawless, her comedic timing impeccable.  I love her take on the character; the killer queen vibe works so well for me.  She’s a conniving little bitch and oh god I LOVE HER SO MUCH.  I do kinda wish she had a song that shows off her voice more, because she’s SUCH a phenomenal singer, but...I also can’t really imagine her playing anyone else.

Keirsten Nicole Hodges was a total unknown to me when I walked in there.  I’m not sure I’d ever even heard her sing before.  I assumed she’d be great because literally everyone in this cast is great, but what I was not expecting was an actually interesting Jane Seymour???  Look, I love the typical take on Jane.  I love the soft-eyed, gentle-mannered Jane who sees strength in herself where others don’t.  I adore her.  But...can we all agree there have been a lot of those?  Keirsten is...not that.  And I love it.  The initial vibe I got from her was beauty pageant queen - oh she will kill you with sweetness, but it’s calculated.  Not FAKE, per se, but she’s invested in winning this thing as much as anyone and she knows this is her best angle.  She went into Heart of Stone not giving much away, and that concerned me a bit, but...yeah she knows what she’s doing and I shouldn’t have doubted that.  You actually get to see and feel the song become less about where she is and what she’s doing as it becomes more and more emotional and heartfelt, until she’s crying so hard I have no idea how the fuck she’s still singing.  The journey made the payoff so much more rewarding - and also I feel like just in general it makes Jane’s outburst later in the show a lot more in-character.  She’s the first Jane I’ve come across who really displays a drive to win.  (And yeah I know the whole show is meta and none of it’s ‘real’ but I’m still a fan of this.)  And her singing is just...gorgeous.  SUCH range, such power.  

Brittney Mack was the crowd favorite of the night; everything she did got a HUGE response, and understandably so.  I have NO IDEA where her energy comes from but she’s just such a joy to watch at all times.  I’m might-as-well-be-married to someone who once said, with only a mild hint of irony, “Anne of Cleves can GET IT,” and...okay I think I have to concur.  I’m always hoping for swing-heavy shows whenever I see anything, but if I only ever saw Britt as Cleves, I’d be delighted.

Samantha Pauly...first of all, I’m gonna get this out of the way, but I worry about her.  I wish she’d take some time off.  Seems like she’s always got a new injury, or a flareup of an old one, and this show is BRUTAL.  That said...beyond thrilled I got to see her, because if I haaaaaad to pick a favorite of the main six, it’d be her.  I love absolutely everything about her.  She’s an absolute star.  Such presence, such versatility, she does EVERYTHING flawlessly.  It’s a little ridiculous honestly.  I’ve noticed she no longer snaps on the KHoward ‘mask’ as soon as her song is over and remains visibly troubled for a bit longer.  Works either way, just something I noticed, idk.  She’s also the most present of the bunch; she reacts to EVERYTHING.  I’ve noticed she and Britt tend to share a lot of looks and whispers, and I wonder if that’s just the blocking, they just especially vibe, or they’re nodding to the fact that their characters were likely friendly in their past lives.  I assume the first, but it’s interesting to think about anyway.

Anna Uzele was the person I was most hoping to see,; she was the one person besides Abby Mueller I was familiar with before Six, and I was so excited when I saw she was part of the cast.  Her voice is just SO gorgeous.  I always feel like I Don’t Need Your Love doesn’t show her off as much as her voice deserves, but I love her Parr with all my heart.  She’s so heartfelt and plays her just the tiniest bit awkward, and I just...damn I’m gonna miss her.

Going back on Monday...yeah, went home and immediately got tickets to go again in a few days.  I was that impressed.  Best new show I’ve seen in a few years (not counting the last two, obviously).  Literally everything about it works.  And I love that it’s just so damn much FUN.  Nice to be reminded that media doesn’t need to be Deeply Serious to be genuinely great.  I forget sometimes.