#since ben and reader are romantically involved

[lewmagoo]

yes i’m writing a long form ben mears x reader fic and yes i am giving susan a better backstory because i don’t like the way stephen or gary handled her in their own respective portrayals 😌

[chronicbeans]

Romantic Lucifer x Overly Kind and Sweet Sinner Reader Headcanons

I love him so much OMG. I wanted to play around with this dynamic to lol. Basically the exact opposite of the type of sinner he's probably used to seeing.

TW: Mentions of depression and anxiety, angst and fluff, mentions of past relationships

• Chances are, you're very much a dreamer. Any type of dream, too, not just the desire to strike change in the world around you. Be it daydreams, goals, hopes, or anything along those lines, you're probably a dreamer. Those characteristics in a person are what catches his attention. He used to be that type of person, before everything changed once he was cast out. Although he doesn't necessarily like dreaming, anymore, he can appreciate it when others do it. Now, most of his own dreams are just concerned worries for his daughter's safety, longings to fix his relationship with her, and creating the worst case scenarios for his life. It's pretty obvious why he doesn't like to dwell on his own dreams...

• Your dreams, however, are rather interesting to him. Especially since you are a sinner and were not born into Hell. He doesn't necessarily look at sinners very highly, however, you are pretty different. You aren't a bad person, or at least not as bad as the rest of the sinners he's met. And the things you dream of? They're amazing. It's not that they're something he's never heard of, either. It's just that he's never heard of them from a sinner, before, or anyone else in Hell.

• As odd as it sounds, your dreams, even if they're just stories you've dreamed up or a hope to better yourself in some small way, give him a little glimmer of hope. He lost all hope over the years of him being in Hell, in large part due to seeing the worst in humanity... The sinners. So, despite him feeling different towards you, don't expect him to actually like you. You also shouldn't expect him to actually feel very hopeful just by you being so different. It's more like a little piece of coal that's gotten a bit hot, but hasn't sparked or ben set alight, yet. He barely even notices it's there.

• What you should expect, however, is for him to spend more time around you. He wants to see you fail to change his mind, or live up to the tiny hope that you're different and can live up to fulfill your dreams. He wants to see you slip up and show that you're not really this kind person you show yourself to be, and then be able to go on his way proudly, knowing that his depressive views on sinners are right. He doesn't even have the intention of using it to prove to Charlie, his daughter, that sinners are irredeemable. He just wants to snuff out what little hope he has before it can stand up and hurt him in the long run.

• That's not the case, however. Not at all. Instead, you just keep being kind. You check into his daughter's hotel to try to better yourself. This results in him spending far more time at the Hazbin Hotel, since now you're there, as well as causing him to spend more time with Charlie. He watches you genuinely try to get better, give Charlie pep talks to lift her up when she's down, and even try to get along with Niffty. It's a truly strange sight to behold for him... A sinner who is so kind and relaxed. He's truly wondering why you are in Hell, at this point.

• Though, the breaking point is when he overhears a conversation between you and Charlie. One that involved how you heard about the Hazbin Hotel, how you met Lucifer, and why you decided to try to see if the hotel could help you. Shockingly, you list off the fact that you wanted to see if you visiting the hotel could bring Lucifer over to visit, since you had noticed how he seemed to hang around you, and you wanted to see if it could help him and Charlie spend more time together as a reason for you going to the hotel. That, alongside the generic reasons of wanting to better yourself, needing a roof over your head, and wanting to possibly see if you could go to Heaven.

• In that moment, he tenses up, looks over towards your direction for a brief moment, then pretends like he didn't hear a thing. He doesn't know how to respond to such a thing. It's so overwhelmingly... selfless of you to even think of the fact that you coming to the hotel would also have the chance of helping Charlie and himself. That, and he's also embarrassed of the fact that you noticed him showing up a bit more often in your life, despite you two still being acquaintances. Then again, thinking it through, it should've been obvious. Not only is he royalty, he is the Lucifer. Everybody has probably heard about him, or the whole story about the Garden of Eden. So, the snake and apple themes of his outfit do help people who do not know what he looks like be able to identify that it's him. He was that famous snake. He is Lucifer.

• That's when he finally decides to let himself hope. Not necessarily for himself, for any other demon, for the sinners as a whole... Not even for you to better yourself and reach your dreams. No. He's just going to let himself hope that this you that you portray yourself as is the real you. This likeable person you seem to be may be real. So, he decides to officially consider you a friend. He lets himself loosen up, crack a few jokes, show you his duck collection... Or at least a few of them. It would be difficult to bring his entire collection to the hotel.

• Throughout it all, your kind self stays the same. There are times you seem to be angry, frustrated, or saddened, of course. However, that kindness always shows through, as well as your dreams and hopes. You ramble about those two topics, even acknowledging that while Lucifer may not believe in you, you do and that's all you need. Not only that, but you even show interest in the things he talks about. You point out your favorite rubber ducks in his collection, you listen to him as he plays music, you crack your own jokes in response to his. You even try to fill him in on a few of Charlie's interests to help him understand her better.

• Slowly, overtime, he begins to feel very conflicted... He can tell that he's beginning to feel more romantic emotions towards you. Yes, Lilith has been missing for several years, now. They're practically, if not, already separated. He's unsure of whether or not she's even going to return, much less if she'd be the same person she fell for. He mostly just worries about how Charlie would feel if she found out. Sure, their relationship isn't the best, still, but it's getting better. He doesn't want to accidentally mess it up by having moved on to someone else. Sure, Lilith hasn't talked to either of them in a long time, but he wouldn't be surprised if Charlie still love, cares for, and looks up to her mother. Nor would he be upset. Lilith was an amazing woman, after all...

• However... Lucifer knows all too well, by now, that simply not confronting the problem won't make it go away. He's ran away from many of his problems, or just hid from them, and it hasn't helped him. So, he takes the leap to ask if you are currently looking for a relationship. He silently crosses his fingers, hoping that it's a yes, maybe, you're open to one but not searching... anything but a no...

• And it's a yes! You can practically see him looking relieved as you do so. You can already guess at this point what his next question is going to be, so you decide to pop it yourself, asking if he wants to go on a date sometime. He practically looks like he's about to have a heart attack, having not expected or planned for you to ask him first, nodding happily with a shocked expression. However, he feels the need to wait until he sees how Charlie feels about everything before planning and scheduling it all out.

• However, once you do end up going on your date, it's not what you expected from a ruler of Hell. It's not bad, though. If anything, it's better! You were slightly scared he'd feel the need to be overly stuffy and formal to impress you. Instead, he brought you to his place to have some homemade dinner. It's just you, him, a rubber duck, and some nice food. Yes, he brought a rubber duck with him to the table. It's his security duck. It's so unapologetically him and that's what you love about him. His personality. The moment he placed that duck into the dinner table and said what it was for, all your worries were washed away.

• Your relationship is filled with a mixture of your own interests and his combining in fun and quirky ways, as well as more soft and emotional moments. You love to listen to his jokes and music, he loves to engage in whatever interests you have, and he comes up with amazing ways to mix the two of your interests to make the relationship feel more special. Do you love to write or make art, like paintings, pottery, or drawings? He'll write music based on your works, be it the stories you create or the emotions your art conveys. Do you like to collect something as a hobby? He likes to collect his rubber ducks, so you both can spend time chatting together about each other's collections, or even set them up in cute positions and take photos of them together! Is it gardening you like? Maybe you can try growing an apple tree, then you two can try making caramel apples with them!

• With all those cute moments, though, do come the downsides... Though, you never let them stop you. He has his moments where his fears, anxieties, and sadness do take over. He's scared of losing you, be it you breaking it off with him of, worse yet, Heaven taking you away. He's scared of you seeing any flaws in him. He's scared that you might be upset that, even if he knows he was ready to move on from Lilith, he does still miss her. After all, a relationship may end quickly, but feelings can linger for decades... However, he's worried you might not understand that. Time and time again, however, you still find new ways to shock and lift him up, again. Be it you letting your actions speak for themselves, you talking to him, or you simply listening to him vent about it. It's gotten to the point where you can look at him, and just tell when he's not alright, which you are pretty proud of.

• Usually, when he's upset, you can find him talking to his ducks about it. That, or playing music... usually to his ducks. If you couldn't tell, his ducks are a huge form of comfort for him. They can't judge him, they can't talk back in anyway that makes him upset, and they can't leave him. Plus, he's so used to talking to them when he's alone, that it's just second nature to do so.

• He has a lot of fears and insecurities. Though, he has two major ones. One is that you're going to hate him for still missing Lilith, sometimes. As mentioned earlier, a relationship doesn't just fizzle out quickly, usually. She just left, one day, and he's pretty much stuck dealing with his emotions for her for as long as they last, at this point not even sure if she'll come back to talk to her daughter, much less him. Just because he still misses her, though, doesn't mean he doesn't love you... He's terrified that you might not understand that, though. He's usually reassured, though, by you showing an understanding of his situation and the fact that he does truly care and love for you...

• However... the other fear he has is that Heaven might take you away. Be it an extermination killing you, or what he personally sees as worse, you being redeemed and going to Heaven, or Heaven taking you for some other reason. Sure, you'd be dead if you got killed during an extermination, but at least he'd have the chance to protect you from it. You being redeemed or being taken to Heaven for whatever reason, though? That's never really happened, before. It may or may not be possible, but if it is, he doesn't know what to expect? What if God, himself, comes down to take you to Heaven? He's fought Him, once, and failed miserably. He can't protect you from that, and if you go to Heaven, who knows if he'd see you again? It'd be like Lilith going missing all over, again, but worse because he knows where you are and that he can't join you. You're so kind and sweet that Lucifer can't even use the thought of you being irredeemable to calm himself... Sometimes, actually, he even wonders if God put you in Hell on accident.

• Oftentimes when you hear him talk about this, you try to think of some sort of reply. You are trying to better yourself, yes. You did go to the Hazbin Hotel to try to be redeemed, even if you did leave it to stay with Lucifer. You are also more than aware that you're drastically different from all the other sinners. The only real reply you can think of is that you wouldn't want to leave him, so why would God try to take you away when you care about Lucifer more than Him? You aren't necessarily sure just how much it helps, but it is something, which you hope is better than nothing.

[daydreamtofiction]

The Feature XIX // Benedict Cumberbatch x Reader

Series Overview | Previous Part | Next Part

Chapter Summary: (Female Reader) Apparently I don't know how to write summaries for this story anymore lmao. Anyway, Quinn and Ben are back, woo.

Chapter Word Count: 3.3K

Chapter Warnings: Morally-grey reader, strong language, adult and sexual themes. Readers must be 18+

A/N: Welcome back my dudes 😛 Here's a lil chappy chap to get us all back into the swing of things. I know it's been a lifetime since this story went on hiatus, so please feel free to go to the series overview for the entire contents page if you need a little refresher. Thank you to everyone still here and supporting me & this story. 🤍

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The media always made dating a celebrity seem so appealing; the red carpets and designer gowns, romantic getaways in private jets and secret rendezvous' shrouded in luxury and mystique. But you were failing to see the glamour in hauling your overnight bag on a train to Kent in the middle of a rainstorm. Sitting in a cramped carriage that smelled of stale coffee and wet dog, surrounded by screaming toddlers and men with the inability to keep their legs together. 

You stared out of the window as the countryside passed in a blur of greens and greys, wondering when exactly the sparkle of being involved with an A-list actor would reveal itself. Would you find it in the dodgy train station sandwiches or the spotty phone signal? In the pockets of your rain-sodden parka or the man asking for spare change as he roamed the aisle? 

 You hadn't seen Ben in weeks since he'd began filming a new movie. And though he'd only been an hour outside of London the whole time, the long hours and his demanding schedule meant that he might as well have been on the other side of the world. You'd talked when you could; brief texts and quick calls that barely skimmed the surface of what you both really wanted to say. So when he invited you to visit him on location, you'd taken little persuading. Though boarding a busy train to Kent wasn't exactly akin to jetting off to some secluded beach resort. 

The train rolled to a stop at the station. You waited as the carriage emptied, passengers practically climbing over one another to get off, a new person blocking your way every time you attempted to slip out from your seat. When you finally saw an opening, you muscled your way into the aisle and reached for your bag in the overhead luggage rack. But it was caught on something, refusing to budge, even as you hung from the handle with your entire body weight like a child dangling from a monkey bar. You looked up at the extremely tall man waiting to get off behind you, glaring at him as he watched on impatiently without ever offering you a hand.

You finally got it free, hoisting it over your shoulder and stepping off the train onto a bleak platform; cracked pavement, a single lamppost flickering against the dusky sky, and an inexplicably large puddle that stretched across the entire exit. You tried to hop over it, but it was too wide, rainwater flooding your trainers and soaking the ankles of your jeans. 

"Fabulous," you muttered sarcastically to yourself. 

The rain hadn't yielded. If anything, it seemed to grow heavier as you stood beneath the shelter of the station, looking down at your phone and trying to make sense of the directions Ben sent you earlier.

Take a left out of the station, follow the main road and look for signs to The Mocketts. It's not too far.

Easy enough, you thought. Or at least it would have been if your feet weren't squelching in your shoes, if the main road didn't turn into a complex maze of winding lanes and hedgerows that all looked the same in the bad weather and diminishing daylight. You pulled up your hood, though it was an entirely futile act; the rain already bleeding through your coat, your hair clinging to your face as you squinted up at the faded road signs, none of which seemed to match the directions Ben had given you. 

As you trudged down the narrow, muddy road, you wondered why you'd agreed to this at all; why you hadn't just told him to make the drive back to London to visit you, why going to him seemed like such a good idea when all it had gotten you was a runny nose, ruined shoes and a spot on the missing persons' register when you inevitably disappeared down a ditch somewhere. 

Your phone buzzed in your pocket. You took it out, wiping the rain away from the screen to read the message. 

Are you close?  It read. 

Depends, you replied with wet, numb fingers. If by 'close' you mean standing in the middle of nowhere with no clue where I am then yes, I'm very close.

The phone began to ring a few seconds later. 

"Why didn't you call a cab?" he asked. 

"Because you said it wasn't far so I assumed I could walk," you replied, sniffing and wiping away the rain dripping off the end of your nose. "Now I'm so lost I wouldn't even know where to ask a cab to pick me up." 

"Right, just... stay where you are. I'll come and find you." 

You looked around, trying to find some kind of landmark. But all you saw were puddles, hedges and a single cow in a distant field. "I refuse to die in fucking Kent, Ben."

He chuckled down the phone, the sound providing you a slight comfort. "Did you make any turns off the main road?" 

"I don't think so." 

"Okay, don't move, I'll be as quick as I can." 

You stood on the side of the road for what felt like an eternity, teeth chattering, body tensing against the cold. Whenever a car would zoom past, you would hold your breath for a moment, letting it out again in a deflated sigh when it carried on past you. 

Eventually, a set of bright headlights appeared around the bend, a big 4x4 splashing through puddles with its huge tyres as it rolled to a stop beside you. The passenger window lowered, revealing Ben's concerned face peering out at you. 

"Get in!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the white noise of the storm. 

You yanked open the door and climbed in, soiling the pristine interior in mud and rain as you heaved your bag over your shoulder into the back seat. Ben leaned over to kiss you, but you were too busy peeling off your coat to respond, the warm air blowing from the grates in the dashboard onto your freezing skin. 

He watched you battle with the wet fabric, a blend of amusement and pity on his face. "Rough journey?" he asked, unable to hold back a smirk.

You glared at him as you finally freed yourself from the coat and threw it into the back with your bag, waiting for him to make a joke about your appearance, your lack of navigation skills. But instead he simply reached out, gently stroking the hair out of your face. 

"I'm sorry," he said. "I should've just come and picked you up from the station." 

You sighed, sinking back into the heated leather seat. "It's fine. I shouldn't have thought I could walk it." 

He smiled, tilting his head slightly to look at you. 

"What?" you asked. 

"Nothing. Just... Hi."

"Hi," you replied softly, finally allowing a smile of your own. 

He leaned in again, and this time you accepted his kiss; the warmth of his lips a stark contrast to the dreary, miserable day you'd endured. 

He was staying in a cottage on a stretch of vast, green farmland, and you couldn't help but frown as the Jeep rolled over the uneven ground towards it; more mud, wonderful. You looked around as he drove, searching for the set; the studio, trailers, cameras, crew. But there was nothing besides fields and trees, barns and cottages. 

"I'm not staying on the set," he said with a laugh, as though he'd read your mind. 

"Just thought it'd all be a bit less... rural," you replied with a shrug. 

"I like the privacy. Plus, we're only filming about ten minutes that way. You can come with me tomorrow if you'd like, I'll give you a little tour." 

He parked up and you climbed out, grimacing at the smell of manure and damp earth, wondering why he couldn't have taken a job somewhere like Fiji or The Seychelles instead. He grabbed your bag and coat from the back seat, ushering you out of the rain towards to the cottage. When he let you inside, you breathed a sigh of relief, the dry, warm house like a safe haven.

He put your things down near the door and switched on a light, turning to look down at you with his hands on his hips. You'd somehow failed to properly take in his appearance until now, as though the chaos and discomfort of your journey had clouded your perception. 

"Nice pornstache," you teased, reaching up and running a finger over the hair adorning his top lip.

He rolled his eyes. "Thanks. No, that's great, cheers." 

You giggled as he walked away from you. "What? I like you with facial hair." 

He gave a cynical hum, making his way towards the stairs. 

"Where are you going?" you asked. 

"To run you a bath." 

"Oh, you don't have to do that." 

He turned to look at you, his eyes slowly trailing you from head to toe.

You looked down at yourself, at the clothes sticking to your body like a second skin and trainers caked in mud, the puddle that had formed on the wooden floor beneath you. "Okay, fair enough." 

He breathed a soft laugh. "Come on." 

"Will you get in it with me?" you asked as he climbed a few steps.

He turned, looking down at you with a smirk. "Nice try." 

You huffed, bending down to take off your shoes and socks and leaving them by the door before following him upstairs. 

The cottage was bigger than it seemed from the outside, yet still cozy, with thick carpets and charming olde worlde features. You walked towards the sound of running water, a steamy warmth and clean, soapy aroma. You pushed the bathroom door open to find him leaning over a deep, clawfoot tub, pouring bubblebath into the stream as it flowed from the tap. And for the first time all day, you felt your muscles relax. 

He glanced up at you as you began to undress, letting your jeans fall to the floor and peeling your top over your head. His eyes lingered on your body, his gaze darkening as you unclipped your bra to reveal your breasts, hooked your thumbs into the elastic of your underwear and slid it down over your hips. It was satisfying to know that his desire still existed; that while he was staying strong in his refusal to go further than a kiss, the hunger remained. 

You stood naked in the doorway, watching as he rose to his full height and cleared his throat.

"I'll leave a towel out for you," he said. 

"You sure you don't want to join me?" you replied. 

He inhaled a deep breath, letting it out slowly with a slight smile. "I'm sure." 

"Because I've really missed you." You crossed the small bathroom, taking his wrists in your hands and sliding them around your waist. 

"I've missed you too." 

You reached up, weaving your fingers into the back of his hair and pressing your lips to his neck. "Don't you want to show me how much you've missed me?" 

"Quinn..." he warned, a soft growl in his voice. 

"What harm would it do?" You raised up onto your toes, moving your kisses to his jaw, his mouth. "To just do it... Once?" 

He was losing his resolve, you could feel it in the firmness of his grasp, how his fingers pressed into your skin as he began to return your kisses between heavy breaths. 

"It doesn't have to be purely... physical," you pressed, keeping your voice soft and enticing. "It can be slow, tender, intimate-"

"Quinn," he finally whispered against your lips. "Stop it." 

You huffed, letting go of him and dropping down off your tiptoes. "Fine."

You turned and walked back out onto the landing without bothering to redress, making your way towards the stairs.  

"Where are you going?" he called out to you.

"To get my vibrator out of my bag," you called back, hearing his quiet chuckle echo from the bathroom. 

You had never felt better; washed hair and warm, dry clothes, the musky scent of earth replaced by the clean, masculine scent of Ben's body wash. Your limbs buzzed from the wine you'd been sipping as you stood at the stove in the kitchen, stirring a pot of pasta and listening to music from a small speaker on the counter. 

The night sky was black as ink, the quiet countryside making the world outside seem nonexistent, as though the small cottage was the only place left on earth. And you were sure you wouldn't have minded if it was. Ben came up behind you, snaking his hand around your stomach to hold you close as he pressed a kiss to the back of your neck. You smiled, feeling your skin tingle beneath his lips, a slight tickle from his moustache. 

He picked up the bottle of wine from the counter beside you and topped up your glass. 

You glanced at him from the corner of your eye. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"

"A little bit." 

You exhaled a soft laugh, picking it up and taking a sip. 

"I'm really glad you could come down," he said, filling his own glass and sitting at the dining table behind you. "It's been weird not talking to you every day."

"I know, I'm great." 

He chuckled. "You are." 

You turned around, leaning back against the counter, glass in hand. "Did you ever think after our first meeting you'd be saying that about me?" 

"After our first meeting? I knew I’d be saying something about you, though I assumed it would be to a lawyer."

Your lip curled with a smirk as you sipped your wine. "Now look at us, making dinner together in a little cottage in the countryside. Not a lawyer in sight." 

"Exactly. See, the no sex thing is working." 

"Oh, you think that's why we're getting along so well?" You raised an eyebrow, your smirk spreading.

He leaned back in his chair, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, it certainly hasn’t hurt. We’ve actually gotten to know each other. I mean, look at you - no knives in hand, no threats of bodily harm..." 

"Mm. I wouldn't completely credit the abstinence. Maybe I'm just too tired from all this non-sexual bonding to argue with you." 

"Or maybe you just enjoy my company." 

You paused, biting your lip as you looked down at him, before turning to save the pot from bubbling over on the stove. 

"Why's it so hard for you to just admit I was right about taking it slow?" he asked.

"I got a train to Kent for you. I think it's already quite clear." 

He laughed, and you listened as the legs of his chair scraped the floor, his footsteps approaching as you drained the pasta over the sink. 

"You've really never done this before, have you," he said. "Dating, courting." 

"Courting?" you scoffed. "Okay, granddad." 

He slid his arms around your waist, pressing his chest against your back as he spoke slow, quiet, his voice deep and intimate. "Just imagine, Quinn. All the waiting; the frustration, anticipation. Imagine how... incredible it's going to be when we finally do it." 

You felt a shiver run down your spine, desire bubbling deep in your stomach. He pressed his lips to the side of your head, the heat of his body making you melt against him. 

"I know I seem cruel," he continued. "Turning you down, making you feel like I don't want you. But trust me, I do. And I've been thinking about it a lot, how good it's going to feel." 

You inhaled through your nose in an attempt to compose yourself, to quell the growing ache between your legs. You continued what you were doing, tipping the steaming pasta into an empty pot. 

"I want to take my time with you," he murmured. "Reacquaint myself with every inch of your body." 

You felt his arms tighten around you, his hands gripping you more firmly. 

"When I finally touch you, really touch you, it's going to be slow, intense; I want to make sure you feel every brush of my fingertips, every kiss, every..." He trailed off, but you knew the picture he was painting. His voice like a dark, seductive promise, pouring his intentions directly into your ear. "I want to watch your face as I make you fall apart beneath me. Hear the sounds you make as I push you to the edge and pull you back, just so I can do it all over again."

Your legs felt weak, and you were grateful for his arms around you, holding you steady. It was impossible not to get lost in his words, in the way your stomach coiled, your core throbbing with need.

 "And when we finally come together," he continued, his lips brushing against your earlobe. "I'm certain I will never be able to keep my hands off you again." 

You let out a shaky breath, your voice barely a whisper. "You’re really not making it easy to be patient, you know."

He exhaled a laugh. "I just thought you might like to know I'm not finding this easy either. But there's reason behind it." 

"I know," you replied with a sigh, turning in his arms to face him. "I know I've been giving you a hard time about it but it's only because you're right - I don't date, I don't... court." 

"You don't court?" he teased.

"No, old man, I don't court." You laughed. "I've never wanted to. So I always just... skip to the physical stuff, ignore the rest." 

He stroked a stray lock of hair out of your face, tucking it behind your ear. "But you're not ignoring it with me. Look, you're here, you're trying."

"Mm. I suppose I just never liked someone enough to make dinner and drink wine with them before. Never cared enough to nearly die in the Kent countryside for them." 

He gave a deep laugh in his throat. "You didn't nearly die." 

"We'll agree to disagree." 

He smiled, tilting your chin up with his fingers and kissing you softly. "I guess I should consider myself lucky then," he said. "That you're here, even though it’s not your usual thing.”

“I don’t know if it’s luck, Ben. Maybe it’s just... you.”

His eyes crinkled, the corners of his mouth curving into a gentle smile. “I’ll take that.”

You both stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s embrace, the flames licking in your core now dwindling to a comfortable smoulder. 

“You know,” he said after a moment. “We could make this our thing.”

"Make what our thing?" You raised an eyebrow. 

"This." He gestured to the space around you. "Every time I’m on location, you can brave the wilderness-"

“And risk my life,” you interjected.

"And risk your life,” he agreed with a grin. “Just to come cook dinner and drink wine with me. It’ll be like a... tradition." 

You tilted your head, pretending to think about it, before giving him a slow, teasing smile. “Throw in a few tropical countries and I might consider it." 

“I'll see what I can do." 

He kissed you again, deeper this time, pressing you gently against the edge of the sink before pulling back, resting his forehead on yours for a brief moment. You stood there as you watched him finish off the dinner, taking in the comfortable sight of him moving around the kitchen in domestic ease. He hummed to himself contently as he chopped and stirred, stopping every now and then to take a sip from his glass, twirling utensils between his fingers. 

It was strange, how this easy, unremarkable moment was something you’d never quite known before. How you'd never taken heed of the quiet, subtler parts of another person. Yet here, in the warmth of the kitchen, surrounded by the clatter of pots and the aroma of garlic and basil, you felt a kind of intimacy you hadn’t expected to find.

It wasn’t the grand gestures or passionate moments you'd come to crave, but rather the simple act of sharing space, of being present together. The quiet companionship that came with just being in his company. It was a different kind of closeness; genuine, chaste, something you hadn’t even realised you’d been missing.

*Reader Tag List: @blondekel77 @evelynrosestuff @bakerstreethound @annesthaeticc @aephereal @sharp-cheekbones-locked @sherlux @veryladyqueen @graciebear47 @allurenia @jamerlynn @cottagecore-cat @aysamuka @thegardenerofeden @cumbercatchmebaby @inspirationalandrandom @turkisherlockian @swds @weepingdreamerpanda @elzabethann @childofgod215 @briecantopme @lovecleastrange @jaspearl31 @paola-carter @greatburger @azu21 @xourownsidee @hunterofshadows04 @asgardianprincess1050 @teddycrimson @sherlocksgirl91 @oliveoilthoughts @hai-kbai @shjl15 @bloodyxsaint @charleighsblog @stephenstrangeaddictions @omgstarks @sleutherclaw @bisciwri @theevilsupreme @druggedbyfiction @gwoods123 @classickook @coffee-d0t @strangeobsessed @januarycolor @strangeions @lonadane @downtownshabby @diabaroxa @stllbrln @thealleydog @cakesandtom @irisbutterfly @coffeebeing @lexlexigogh @mun7on @svntnpldis @lilyroseluthor @belan-the-dilf-hunter @blxckdragonfly

Reader Tag List (cont.): @detective-sherlocked @xdelulu @nicoletk @filmlock @bensherstrange @midnightramyeoncravings @coldnique @dearwatson @scailedandisolated @aphroditesdilemma @bergararyans @txylorrvelasco @classicrebound @hthrevr @happybunnyclumsyduck @c00letha @j3mj3rrica

[hard--headed--woman]

This woman's name, or more like her pseudo, is

Lisa Ben !

(yes, it's the anagram of the word lesbian)

Lisa Ben, real name Edythe Eyde, was born in 1921 and died in 2015. She was an American editor, fantasy author, fanzine contributor and songwriter. She created the world's first known lesbian publication, Vice Versa.

In high school, she fell in love with a girl for the first time. When this girl left her, the young Edythe, devastated, spoke about it to her mother, and her reaction was so violent that she decided to never again talk about her personal and romantic life with her parents.

After attending university for two years, and after saving for three years, she left her parents and moved, first to Palo Alto and then to Los Angeles in 1945.

By this time, she was already well known to science fiction fans for her involvement in fandom since 1941, with her numerous publications (cartoons, reviews) mainly under the pseudonym Tigrina (although we also know her real name) in various fanzines.

In 1946, she began frequenting lesbian bars, and although she was never caught by the police during one of their many raids, she was questioned several times by them.

She began publishing Vice Versa in 1947 to widen her social circle.

"I was lonely and I wanted to be able to meet other people like me. I couldn't just walk down the street and say: "I'm looking for lesbian friends". Vice Versa gave me a way to reach out to other gay girls - a way to get to know other girls ... when I had something to give away and was trying to convince girls to write for my magazine, I no longer had trouble finding new people."

While working as a secretary for RKO Pictures, she typed each issue of the magazine twice with five carbon copies, making a total of 12 copies of each issue (a technique that had been used for science fiction fanzines, of which she had extensive experience). She initially sent three copies to friends and distributed the rest by hand, in particular at the If Club, one of the first lesbian bars in Los Angeles and encouraged her readers to pass on their copies to friends rather than throwing them away. She estimates that dozens of people read each copy. Although careful to avoid anything that might be considered 'dirty' or risqué, she stopped sending copies after a friend told her she could be arrested for sending obscene material through the post. Publications dealing with homosexuality were automatically considered obscene under the Comstock Act until 1958.

Edythe Eyde published nine issues of Vice Versa, from June 1947 to February 1948. She stopped publishing it after the sale of RKO, forcing her to change jobs. Her new assignment left her with no free time at work to type the magazine. She had also achieved her goal of increasing her circle of friends, and wanted to spend more time enjoying her new life rather than writing about it. Despite the magazine's short run, she is credited with "setting the agenda that dominated lesbian and gay journalism for fifty years introducing many of the features that would define the myriad publications that would follow.""

In the 1950s, Edythe Eyde began writing for The Ladder, the first nationally distributed lesbian magazine. The Ladder was published by Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first lesbian group, of which she was a member. It was while writing for The Ladder that she began using the pseudonym Lisa Ben, an anagram of lesbian, when her first choice, Ima Spinster, was rejected. The Ladder has also reprinted content from Vice Versa.

Edythe Eyde rekindled her interest in music and began writing and performing parodies based on popular songs in a local gay club called The Flamingo. For example, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter became I'm gonna sit right down and write my butch a letter. She was inspired to write her songs by a determination to create gay entertainment that was neither profane nor degrading to homosexuals, particularly after being put off by the jokes and self-deprecating songs made by performers in gay clubs. The Daughters of Bilitis released a single by Eyde, signed Lisa Ben, after fundraising. The record featured her own composition, Cruisin' Down the Boulevard with a lesbian version of Frankie and Johnny on the other side. Her music has been used in several documentary films.

At the age of 36, Edythe Eyde entered into her first and only long-term relationship, which lasted three years, until her partner gambled away all her money. Since then, she decided not to pursue another serious relationship.

She appeared in the 1984 documentary Before Stonewall, discussing her life and work and performing several of her parody songs. She continued to work in various secretarial positions until her retirement. She was honoured in 1997 as a founder of the Los Angeles LGBT community. In 2010, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association inducted Edythe Eyde into its Hall of Fame.

She died on 22 December 2015 at the age of 94.

She left behind her a huge legacy and had a big importance for the gay culture and the gay community. For example, the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Journalists' Lisa Ben Award for Reporting is "designed to honor a journalist whose work stands out for its insight and impact through interesting features about LGBTQ people, the LGBTQ community or LGBTQ issues."

Her work for the lesbian community was very important and will never be forgotten.

Hope you enjoyed it and see you tomorrow !

[sonicasura]

Spirit Contracts

I figured I write this ever since I wrote the Ben Drowned Reader Insert, Song of Hearts. This is a set of headcanons associated with a contract involving spirits. Ben will be the example I use here.

Anyone is capable of forming a contract with ghosts. This can be done in various ways such as devil deals, bound through ritual or the rarest spiritual resonation. Depending on the method, a spirit's strength and moral alignment can shift drastically.

Devil deals revolve around the concept of grudges, revenge, greed alongside other sins like wrath and gluttony. These are usually temporary as the spirit breaks the contract after granting their assistance, the contractor dies or they're exorcised. A Devil Deal will corrupt a spirit further and run the risk of making them volatile.

Ritual bounds are a mutual or forced contract that binds a spirit to a person. Memories, thoughts and powers are shared between them but the contractor will always the most strength. A forced ritual bound tends to be unstable as a spirit will fight to free themselves or takeover their partner. The contractor's morals tend to leak into a bound ghost and vice versa.

Spiritual Resonation is the rarest most powerful of all contracts. These occur when a strong bond, whether it be familial/platonic/romantic, is formed between a spirit and an individual. It tends to happen on random once their connection is powerful enough.

Signs of spiritual resonation is the contractor experiencing the ghost realm and the spirit becoming corporeal in the mortal realm. This continues to occur for a week or two until it stabilizes. It can be sped along through mediums such as heartfelt gifts to mutual protectiveness.

Spiritual Resonation can affect a spirit more than devil deals and bounding rituals. These changes can range from mental, minor personality to even physical appearances. It happens due to the spirit resonating with the very core of their contractor.

Children spirits become capable of mimicking whatever age their contractor currently is or has been. If the bond is familial then they'll take in characteristics until they bear some resemblance to each other. EX: Adult grants both teenage and adult forms. Blood related birthmarks can be mimicked.

Contracted ghosts can manifest unique forms known as Insignia. The name stems from how they reflect a spirit's core aspects such as death or their contractor's spirit. Latter usually happens in bounding rituals and spiritual resonation.

An Insignia's appearance and abilities change on what aspects they represent. If the aspect is death by drowning, then it's aqueous with traits mimicking water fauna or the element itself. Spirits attached to media like games can manifest more Insignia form.

Insignia that reflect the contractor manifest as animalistic, elemental or representation of dreams/desires/personality. Those prone to rage create forms that excel in destruction. Animalistic relate to the contractor inner beast, something which can be affected by their beliefs or religion. Dreams/desire reflect what they want in some aspect like wings if it involves flying or the sky.

Contractors can be affected by their bond with spirits. The intensity depends on the contract in question. Devil deals has the least since it only grants the spirit's power while spiritual resonation can be massive it the bond is very strong.

Spiritual resonation often leads to the contractor gaining abilities similar to their contracted spirit. This usually relates to how the ghost died and their manifestation than just basic abilities. If the bond is powerful enough, then the contractor will be able to perform a Union, a temporary fusion with their contracted spirit.

The bond may permanently alter the appearance especially when a Union is involved. Changes often reflect the ghost's appearance, their hostile shifts(form they take when enraged) to even how they died. It mostly affects the eyes, teeth, hair and hands. Any other changes are rare.

Contracting with spirits is a very serious affair as the costs are high. Failed contracts can lead to death, bounding rituals could eviscerate both individuals and spiritual resonation may result in permanent Union upon death. Supernatural affairs will always have a cost at some point.

That's all I have for now. Until next time folks, I'll see you later!

[weirdsht]

Uphold - LotCF & Regressor! Reader

a/n: idk what came over me but when i got my senses back a whole day has passed and I've written 12 pages

Warnings: might be ooc, male reader, use of prince for reader (like how in some they call the duke's children prince/princess yeah like that), there's romantic feelings involved but it wasn't that touched upon, i might've messed up the timelines, novel spoilers (but i think they were quite vague), if you hate soft characters then reader is not for you, bit of angst, death, Alberu and Cale focused

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

If there's something missing in the warnings let me know so I can add it

Any form of interaction toward the post is appreciated <333

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‘It hurts’

Red. All you can see was red.

Was it your blood? Was it someone else's? You have no idea.

Dying. You know you're dying.

This war has been going on for too long. Too many have been lost. Your family, friends, acquaintances. Almost all of them are gone.

Except for one

Cale Henituse

He's the only one left in your life, and you’re the only one left in his.

And now you’re dying. About to leave him.

‘Ah till the end I haven’t said my feelings’ 

Maybe it was for the best. You aren’t quite sure yourself. All your brain can register is the stinging pain in your chest along with the pounding that just keeps on getting worse.

Red. Everything was red. Still, you can make out the silver armor with a bit of red hair sticking out.

You try to weakly reach out your hand towards the blurry figure you know too well. Not sure whether you’re reaching the right place. In spite of that, you still reach out, hoping to at least feel his warmth for the last time.

“...I …I’m so rry”

Tears were probably flowing out from your eyes. You weren’t quite sure from all the blood on you but it felt like you were crying. 

‘I’m sorry for leaving you alone’

‘I’m sorry for not telling you my true feelings’

‘I’m sorry for even harboring this feelings’

’Just for everything, I’m sorry’ 

Sadly you don’t have the energy to even speak those words. 

Aside from that, you believe you have no other regrets. You tried your best with the war. Try your best to uphold your family name. Protect the country, the world. 

“Don’t, don’t talk. Save your energy help will come soon. Your crown prince hyung is on his way”

Were there tears flowing down from his face? You weren’t sure. At this point even your hearing was fuzzy. 

It was too late to be saved and both of you knew that.

“D on’t le ave, plea se. Just ..just stay w ith me till the en d”

“Okay okay, I’m here I won’t leave you. Your other hyung is nearby too, just hang on.”

Frail, bloody hands gripped strong, shaky ones. For the last moments of your life, you just want to be at peace and spend time with your childhood friends. Something you haven’t gotten the chance to do ever since the war started. You think the times you’ve seen your crown prince hyung’s face can be counted on one hand.

“I’m here, your other hyung is here. I’ve also called a healer.”

You didn’t manage to catch his next words clearly. But you can understand that it’s him apologizing that he can’t use the star of healing on you. You’re aware that it’s no one’s fault. He used the star of healing earlier and it wasn’t a waste so that’s good with you.

Black spots fill your sight and your hearing becomes more fuzzy. Your grip on Cale’s hands was getting weaker and weaker.

“Hyu ng …Alberu hyung. Ple ase ta ke care of the king dom.”

‘I’m sorry I can’t continue to take care of it with you.’

You know you’re time was almost up

You have a lot of regrets but you know it’s no use mulling over them now

But still. Before you pass, maybe you can say it softly. 

Before you rest eternally

Before you depart forever

“I ..I love you”

‘So much that leaving you hurts more than dying’

Not sure how you managed to say those three words coherently. You were glad to be able to convey your feelings at the last moment.

With that, the black spots have fully dominated your sight and the world seemed so quiet and peaceful.

‘I died…’

‘I’m sure I died’

Waking up with a slight jolt you see yourself inside your room. Specifically, you’re inside your room at the Henituse state.

“Is something the matter young master?”

Ron was standing by your bedside with a tray of tea and your favourite sweets. He looked like a concerned old man. But you know better after finding out his an assassin.

“... oh.. Um Ron, what’s the date?”

Confusion and dread filled your entire being. Sure you have a room at the Henituse territory as you seem to practically live there, but you haven’t been at this place since the war broke out. That and you were sure Ron left the Henituse family a few years ago.

“...The 29th day of the 3rd month in the 781st year of the felix calendar. Is there a problem, young master? You seem to be sweating.”

If it was Cale it could be passed as him being drunk. That wasn’t the case with you though. You were always the rational one between the two of you. The one reeling the problematic young master and preventing him from doing great damage. So of course, if you’re the one asking people are bound to be concerned.

“I.. I had a nightmare. Please get me something refreshing to drink. Ah, but leave the tea.”

Being the ever-attentive butler Ron is, he already has a towel ready and wipes the bullets of sweat that have gathered in your wake after getting your permission. He also already told someone to prepare your bath and get a drink from the kitchen.

You just let everything happen in a daze. You weren’t sure what happened or what was going on as the servants helped you bathe. But you were sure that time turned back.

It turned back a day before Cale met the soon-to-be renowned swordsman, Choi Han.

The ever-capable servant Ron observed as the other servants attended to you. It has been almost an hour since you woke up but you still seem to be out of it. He was sure that nothing happened yesterday as he personally watched his two puppy young masters.

For some reason though, two cute puppies are suddenly acting strange.

Well, it might really just be a nightmare but Ron was still suspicious. 

“Young master Cale will be dining with everyone for breakfast. Shall you do the same?”

“Huh? Oh? Cale at the breakfast table? Sure I’ll go too”

“I shall make preparations then.”

The old man was still concerned yet he still followed orders and started preparing so the duke’s son could join breakfast.

‘Something’s weird’

‘That’s not Cale’

Yes, it’s Cale but at the same time, it’s not. As if someone took over his body. No one else seemed to notice it so you kept quiet.

As you ponder on how that could be possible you remembered something.

“Young master, I don’t have much left in this world so I have to tell you something.”

“Auntie Jour please don’t say that. Cale will be sad.”

“I know, that’s why I need you to take care of him when I’m gone. Both of your souls are special, that’s why you have to remember that even if one day you wake up and Cale doesn’t seem to be our Cale you still should take care of that Cale.”

“But if it’s not our Cale then why should I help him?”

“Because it’s probably our Cale’s plan. I know I may sound odd to you right now, but I believe that you’re a bright child. Everything will make sense in due time.”

Not long after that, the news of Jour’s death reached your ears. It was also the start of your best friend acting like trash after the count brought home a new family. 

You know that every action Cale takes has a meaning behind it. Years of knowing each other and having each other’s back solidified the trust the two of you have.

And that trust is exactly what you’ll believe in. Trust and the late Countess Jour’s words.

Lost in your thoughts, you didn’t notice a forehead coming in contact with yours.

“You seem to be sick, you should’ve stayed in bed.”

“I didn’t know.. I’ll do better next time”

Excusing yourself from the dining room, you tried to make your exit and go back to your room. Your legs seem to have other plans as not even 5 steps in it gave up on you. 

Thankfully, Cale has quick reflexes and managed to catch you in time.

‘Stupid weak body, stupid regressing thingy’

Embarrassed, you wanted for the ground to swallow you whole. You didn’t even know this guy and you already showed your stupid side within the first hour of meeting him!

“You know your body was weak, why did you even bother?”

“Ehehe I’m sorry hyung.”

“Haizz, just make sure to rest. We’ll inform the duchy about your condition.”

Giving him a toothy grin, you got out of his embrace as a maid came to help you go back to your room. No matter how shameful that incident is on your end, you got to know that the new Cale seems to know quite a bit about this world. But it’s not enough as his etiquette is lacking. You would probably need to help him with that.

Your Cale might be trash but you know he still has class.

Unfortunately, your plans were put off as you were in and out of consciousness. Regressing seems to take a lot of toll on your already weak body. Well, for you this is better than war.

Even though you were mostly in charge of tactics, there were still times you had to go out to the battlefield yourself as your forces were too little compared to the White Star’s forces.

‘-10/10 wouldn’t recommend it. I especially hated how I always get a fever after a month of fighting.’

You get chills just by thinking about it. Ron, the one Cale assigned to take care of sick you, seems to have misunderstood and thought that your cold is getting worse. 

“Oh no, the young master seems to be shivering. Get a new blanket while I change the basin water. Also, ask Beacrox to prepare soup for him to eat.”

Contrarily, you actually felt hot. Not that you’re in any condition to talk so you just let them do your thing as you lost your consciousness for the nth time.

Thus you spent a few days like that. By the time you got better to the point where you can play again, Cale seemed to have a new companion.

“...This poor dongsaeng got sick for a few days and you already found someone to replace him huh?”

Surprisingly there wasn’t a scar on your friend's ‘beloved face’ as he calls it, even after meeting Choi Han. Instead, the man you know as the youngest swordmaster seems to be following Cale like a stray kitten waiting to be adopted. 

Meanwhile, Cale Henituse didn’t even hide his I'm-done-with-everything expression as you circled Choi Han. The count’s eldest son just sighed at the two of you, not even giving you a proper response as he opted to drink tea instead.

“Hey, you! Why are you slouching huh? Sit up straight and hold your cup properly! Wipe that stain on the corner of your lip too. I know you can feel it. Aish this hyung, how many times do I have to nag you about your manners! You didn’t even offer me tea like how a true gentleman is supposed to do! You may be trash but I won’t let you devolve into a full-on barbarian and forget your manners!”

Needless to say, the part that implies you always nag about these things are lie. Original Cale didn’t need to be reminded of any of these things as he was naturally refined. Not the same can be said about the man in front of you though so you can only make up the excuse of nagging to try and teach him.

Luckily, even though Cale showed you an annoyed expression he still did as you said. His willingness to absorb every word you say makes you think that this will be easy. Even though he was muttering about how your choice of words wasn’t formal in the slightest bit.

“NO I DON’T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE HUHU THIS ISN’T EASY AT ALL, TAKE ME BACK! I SAID TAKE ME BACK”

“Young master please don’t push yourself too much. Our young master Cale will worry if you get sick again.”

“No.. just give me a few more minutes to finalize this. Cale and the others are working with no rest. I have to do the same and catch up.”

Many things happened while you were with this new Cale. The past that you knew was completely rewritten by him and everything was going well thanks to that.

You also did your best to help subtly. He doesn’t know that you regressed nor does he know that you know he's a transmigrator so you can’t just present yourself and tell him you also know what happens in the future. Additionally, his knowledge about ancient powers and races seems to exceed your own.

Still, that didn’t stop you from giving him hints about things he didn’t seem to know and guiding him. Especially when it comes to formality and people that your Cale knew personally. 

Fortunately, those formalities aren’t needed that much any more since you’re currently in the middle of war and not only did the Henituse household become a duchy. Their eldest son, Cale Henituse, also formally became the crown prince’s sworn brother.

Throughout all this, you have been balancing your responsibilities as the youngest son of your duchy and helping Cale and his group out. Sure it was taxing and no one, not even yourself, knew how you managed to do all that work but it was very rewarding. As time passes you slowly understand why the original Cale left this world in this new Cale’s hands. 

‘Thankfully I didn't develop feelings for him. Once was enough. Two times is cringe'

One of your worries when you first regressed was the fact that you might develop feelings for Cale since he and your Cale act so much alike. As time passes though, you only seem to see him as a dependable but always annoyed older brother figure. Sure you miss the Cale that you know and you know to yourself that you still love him.

But it’s because of that love that you respect and understand his decision. It’s because of that love that you willingly helped this new person Cale left without hesitation and with no expectations of payment except for the betterment of the world.

Additionally, the people Cale gathered are good too. Everyone’s friendly and is willing to help you to the best of their abilities. So all is well and good.

“Ron told me you wouldn’t budge so I came to get you myself.”

Sharp, reddish-brown eyes came into view as his hands took away the document containing your messy writing. His tone was nonchalant as usual but concern within those irises can be seen clearly.

“I’m sorry hyung. I got carried away with making plans for the next attack. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

You cupped his face as if hoping your touch would make him forget just how you neglect yourself.

At first, Cale was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of skinship you have to offer. Sure he has read it on Birth of a Hero back at Earth but experiencing it was different. 

Cale Henituse’s closest friend who is 3 years younger than him and the same age as his brother, Bassen Henituse. The kid is always sticking close to him. No matter how dangerous the situation is or how busy the young man seems to be. But even if you’re younger than him, he didn’t feel like he was babysitting you at all.

‘Well, the book did say that the two of them stood on equal grounding despite him being younger and despite Cale being the son of a count and him being the son of a duke.’ 

That doesn’t mean that the prince didn’t act his age. Poor young master Cale is always the subject of the man’s pranks. He is also very touchy. Holding hands or simply grabbing the edge of his clothes when they go out. Clinging close to him at every formal gathering like balls and banquets. Whining and getting jealous whenever he sees Alberu pay more attention to Cale or Cale pays more attention to Alberu.

“I have no other friends aside from you two, and you guys didn’t even become friends for that long! I was friends with the two of you first so have to pay more attention to me and not leave me out!”

You would say whenever Alberu deliberately ignores you just to see your cute cheeks puff up in jealousy. Despite your pure and childish antics, there were times when Cale was amazed at your abilities. To the point of almost suspecting you.

Sure he has read about how smart and hands-on you are at everything. But that can’t explain the times that your deduction of the enemies' moves is as scarily accurate as it was on one. Also for someone who was raised with a diamond spoon, you seem to know a lot about wars, especially strategizing for one. As if you have experience in doing that sort of stuff.

“...Are you still angry? I said I was sorry. I’ll take care of myself better. Please don’t tattle on Alberu hyung.”

“I wasn’t even thinking about it but thanks for the idea. I have a meeting with him after dinner. I'm sure he’ll be happy to hear from you.”

“No! Hyung! I said I was sorry, please! He’ll make me stay with aunt Tasha again, hyuk!”

Desperately grabbing at the redhead eating steak, you tried your best to beg him to change his mind. Regardless of the big possibility of getting scolded by Alberu, and most likely your family as he will for sure tell them, you still can’t help but laugh. During your first life when the war broke out there were little to no mundane moments like this as everyone was always on edge.

‘It’ll be nice if things stay like this forever’ 

Perhaps you jinxed yourself when you softly spoke to yourself about your hopes and dreams of maintaining the relationship you currently have with your hyungs and Choi Han. Because it seems as if that won’t be possible since the universe was never on your side.

Clammy hands fidgeted and tried to find a pen and paper it could scribble on. The three men and the one baby dragon in the room know that that’s your nervous reaction. Even if it wasn't, anxiety was audibly written on your face.

“Don’t be nervous, we just want to clear some things up with you.”

Hands scribbling on the pen and paper Choi Han gave you with all of your attention focused on them. You wanted to retaliate that opening the conversation by mentioning the original Cale didn’t help with your uneasiness. But you didn’t think you were in the position to talk so you settled on scribbling more, unintentionally letting some of your inner thoughts out on the poor paper.

“Instructor is right, we aren’t angry, okay? It’s just that Cale said that the God of Death told him something that we need to confirm with you.”

Alberu tried to speak as softly as he could. He knew that you weren’t great with confrontation since the two of you were kids. You always tried to have someone who can speak up for you in case you have the tendency to clam up when questioned. But that isn’t possible right now. You’re the only one who can confirm the god’s words and answer their questions.

“That imbecile god told me and I quote 

[If you have more questions about White Star and his forces it’ll be best to ask that young duke kid with you. Oh and take care of him or else the Kim Rok Soo now will have both of our heads]

That heavily implies multiple things. I’m sure I don’t need to explain each one to you, you’re a smart kid.”

It felt as though you’ve been caught red-handed. Cale was right he didn’t need to explain further for you already know what the god was talking about. 

Scared as you were, that didn’t stop you from explaining your situation to them. From Cale’s mother’s words to you regressing and confirming that Cale isn’t Cale through the few and rare books about regressors and transmigrators.

Furthermore for the first time since time was turned back, you finally confined just how hard your first life was. How hard it was to experience dying. The pain in your abdomen that you swear you can still feel sometimes. How you still caress the spot where you were brutally stabbed by Sayeru, the bear tribe king. For the first time in a long while you were completely vulnerable. All the tears and pain that have been holding themselves back finally let themselves out as you hug Raon as if he were a stuffed toy.

“Human, the little prince fell asleep.”

Red, swollen eyes with cheeks marred with dried tears, your sleeping face resembles a poor child. Despite your arms being loose now, the black dragon didn’t make a move to get out of your hold. On the contrary, he tightens his hug as an offering to comfort you in your sleep.

“Dongsaeng, please continue taking care of him. We all know that he is a smart but fragile child. Even if he knows you aren’t the original Cale Henituse he definitely looked up to you like you're his older brother.”

“Haaa… Who do you think took care of that kid for the past two years since he got permission to tag along with me.”

Their conversation ended when Choi Han picked up the sleeping figure along with the dragon who refused to let go so he could place them in a proper bed. Before the three of them left to further talk about business Cale and Alberu didn’t forget to advise their people to not let the man work until further notice.

“So that’s what you look like? Is that how my hyung looks too? Wow hyung you’re quite the looker yourself!”

The people inside the cintamani, especially Kim Rok Soo, were speechless as you gushed about them upon seeing them the first time.

“Yes yes now shut up and focus on your work. If you don’t finish filling those documents on time the duke said he’ll personally come to take you home.”

“Rok Soo hyung, are you seeing how your other self treats me? His so mean”

“He sounds right though, you have to finish the work unless you want to suffer the consequences.”

“Rok Soo will be Rok Soo”

Pouting, you went over your desk with Raon to finish the work assigned to you. Your family has been lenient on you with the paperwork as of late. They know just how hard the work you're doing with the crown prince and the young commander’s group. But they didn’t want you to forget how to handle territory affairs so they still assign you a bit of paperwork here and there.

You know that they’re doing it out of concern for you. You even understand where they’re coming from. Still, that doesn’t stop you from whining and kicking whenever you see your personal assistant enter the room with paperwork from the duchy.

In no time paperwork was ceased, your aide who used to hold a pen went back to holding a sword.

“My prince, I’m a knight first and foremost, therefore your safety is my priority. Playing assistant was just like a part-time ”

Those were the words of comfort your kneeling knight told you while preparing for the Puzzle City war. 

The whole thing was like the roller coaster on earth Rok Soo told you about. One moment things were looking good for your group, then the next moment someone on your side will become heavily injured. You tried to go to the front lines too but your gravely injured commander, Cale who’s suffering from his plate being broken for the second time, stopped you. Even though he didn’t manage to get his intentions out, you fully understood his unspoken words.

Raon is most likely the one who’s going to take over his work. The dragon is capable, great and mighty as he calls himself, but he is also used to being on the front lines. That’s where you step in so that Raon can keep a clear head and keep the flow of communication smooth running. You have to be there as the second brain and back him up. 

Like that, your side held out while Cale was recovering.

Events that happen after seem like a fever dream to you. Your hyungs and just everyone in your group seemed to be more unhinged than usual. Well, they have been more unhinged since your Alberu hyung got his hands on a gun. 

But thanks to those unhinged plans and crazy actions, everyone got past the hurdles that came their way. No matter how hard the Sealed God and White Star’s forces tried, you always outsmart them.

“Don’t. Don’t speak... Just let me have this moment.”

You speak against the sturdy chest of your hyung who now goes by the name Kim Rok Soo. Partly it was because you were too embarrassed at the thought he’d bring up your confession. At the same time you really just want to have a few moments of silence and embrace the hyung you haven’t seen for so long.

“Yes yes I won’t speak”

“You’re still speakingggg”

His laugh vibrated in his chest making you, the one holding onto him, feel ticklish. He might look different, sound different but you know that he's still your best friend. Your first and last love in both lives.

No matter how annoyed you are with the God of Death and his shenanigans, you’re glad that he gave you this chance. The chance to see your best friend again, even if it was possibly for the last time.

Silently, you listened as the two men spoke to each other. As you listened you were also enlightened as to what happened. How Cale and Rok Soo exchanged positions. The deal made with God of Death. Why Cale- you guess he goes by Rok Soo now, chose to go and live on earth.

“It’s time to go back.”

Hellos always ended with goodbyes, and this meeting was no different. You wished you could spend more time here. There are still a lot of things you want to say. Stories you want to share. But that’s selfish and you know it.

“Hopefully we can maybe meet in our next lives. Then perhaps we can straighten things out between us then.”

Rok Soo whispered softly as he kissed your forehead goodbye. Too stunned to speak, you could only hold your forehead while running back to Cale red-faced. 

“That explains why you were so willing to go with his plans even when he left without an explanation.”

“Shut up! Shut up! It’s not like that!”

[intimidating-fettuccine]

BEN - Longing 

I hope you all read and enjoy this, because I think it’s my favorite piece of writing.

Just something I got the urge to write since I’m soft for our boy.

Summary: You mentioned it in passing one day; that you liked when guys could play piano, for a few different reasons, one being your hope to one day have a romantic moment, one where you could rest upon someone as they played relaxingly elegant melodies on a piano. Who would’ve thought that BEN’s longing for you would lead him to learn to play the piano?

Warnings: Extreme amounts of fluff so sugary you’ll get cavities, BEN being head over heels for the reader, just something soft to soothe the soul because sometimes you just need something sweet, today’s reader is a bit mischievous and sweet, and ALSO equally head over heels for BEN, also this involves classical music because I’m a classical music fan so you can all suffer

Songs mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E6b3swbnWg&ab_channel=andrearomano , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2deXwf4drE&ab_channel=andrearomano

His fingers were soft along the polished keys of the piano, the melody he was playing no longer what it was originally meant to be, now just an ever changing tune as his fingers danced across the keys. It was almost laughable, the reason why he had been teaching himself piano, the reason why he had even asked Slender to give him lessons.

You had mentioned it to Jane a while ago in passing; that you loved it when guys could play the piano, because playing it really well could be something difficult, because you loved the sound of the piano, and because you'd always wanted one of those romantic moments where you could snuggle up against someone as they played relaxingly elegant rhythms on a grand piano.

Who would've thought BEN's longing for you would have driven him to learn how to play the piano? With his lack of sleep in general and his stubborn drive to improve, over the last few months, he had gotten quite skilled at the instrument. He had learned the keys of the piano as well as he knew the backs of his hands, and he could even play several melodies with his eyes closed, such as the one he was currently playing. The one that had lured you into the music room.

"You're awfully good at that." Your voice was soft, and it sent a jolt through BEN, one that had him jumping, his fingers slamming into the keys, causing you to laugh and apologize.

"I didn't mean to scare you... I just, I wanted to listen and compliment you is all." Your smile was honest, and it caused BEN to swallow thickly.

"Would... Would you like to join me?" He gestured to the space next to him on the large piano bench, and something seemed to shine in your eyes as you nodded, walking over him to and delicately sitting next to him.

"That was Chopin, wasn't it?" You mused excitedly, the smile on your face growing, your eyes shining in delight.

"Yes, it was... Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, it's become one of my favorites." Your eyes seemed to glow even brighter at this, and you eagerly leaned closer to him.

"Really? It's one of my favorites too! It's so simple, yet beautiful... I've always admired it. I've found that if I just close my eyes and listen to it, I can lose myself in it... Like I'm floating on a cloud, or drifting into a different world." You spoke quickly and excitedly, but as you locked eyes with BEN, him staring at you widely, you began to grow a bit flustered, but before you could apologize, he spoke up.

"I think so too! It was really easy to learn, but it's just so fun to play. I find myself losing myself in the sound of it whenever I play it, which is probably why I didn't notice you coming in." His cheeks were red and his voice trailed off at the end, but his eyes were calling you in, as though the two of you were the only ones aware of this secret, aware of the pull of Chopin's melodies. You both smiled, laughing softly, turning your eyes to the keys again as BEN began to replay the song for you.

"I'm... A bit shocked. I never knew you would like classical." You spoke softly, scooting just a bit closer to him as you glanced down at your lap, playing with your hands.

"I never knew I would like it either... Although, I suppose classical sounds a bit better on piano than me trying to play all of my favorite game openings." He chuckled, and as you dared a glance at him the soft smile on his face took your breath away.

The two of you sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to BEN play out the song, and when it had come to an end, both of you hesitated, not wanting the moment to be over, wanting to continue living in this moment.

"Are you familiar with Debussy?" You spoke softly, afraid speaking too loud would shatter the moment between the two of you.

"A little... I've heard a few of his pieces, but I can only play Claire De Lune..." You smiled at that, and BEN seemed to get where you were going with this, and soon his fingers had resumed movement yet again, dancing out the melody of the aforementioned piece.

The piece was much faster, much louder than the previous one, and yet neither of you minded, just lost in the moment, enjoying your company and the beautiful melody of the piano. After a few moments, you took a deep breath, closing the gap between you and BEN so that your legs were almost touching, and you gazed at him again.

"May I?" You nodded your head to his shoulder, and he sucked in a breath, his cheeks and ears quickly tinting red, but he nodded, turning his eyes back to the keys before him.

You softly snuggled up to him, resting your head on his shoulder as he continued to play the rest of the song. You could feel his skin growing warm, and you were sure that he could feel yours growing warm as well. The two of you melted away again. Suddenly, you weren't two people sitting on a piano bench, you were two people drifting across the sky, gazing up at the stars together, dancing along the moon, your bodies moving in sweet unison, twirling amongst the atmosphere. The moment was fragile, as though even a soft puff of air would shatter it, something so small and delicate, but to the two of you, it seemed to mean everything, something so important between you.

The two of you had never felt so close to each other, and it seemed that this situation had made the two of you realize something; that the two of you never wanted to drift apart, that you always wanted to be connected in this way. The song was meant to end a while ago, but BEN continued to play it again, starting over, wanting to prolong the closeness the two of you shared. As the song neared its end for a second time, you pulled away from him slowly, and the two of you locked eyes. As the melody drifted off and BEN's fingers came to a stop, both of you leaned forward, pressing your lips together in a tender kiss. The kiss itself was soft, but the emotions flowing through it were anything but, and as you pulled away it felt as though everything in the world made sense.

"Can I kiss you again?" The question was hardly a whisper, so soft it seemed as though you might not have even heard it, but the breath of air coming from his lips and landing on yours proved to you that he had in fact said it. You nodded softly and fluttered your eyes shut, the two of you leaning in, kissing each other yet again.

You didn't know how long the two of you kissed, it could have been two minutes or two hours, all that you knew was that it made sense and that you didn't want it to end. When the two of you finally separated at last when you locked eyes the two of you let out a shy stream of giggles, facing the piano again as you returned your head to his shoulder.

No words were needed between the two of you, basking in the feelings the two of you shared between you. You sat there, both of you with your eyes closed for what felt like an eternity, relishing in the present the two of you shared. It had been a few moments like that, before a sound drifted out amongst the room that had the two of you laughing softly again, a smile stretching across your face as you pushed yourself closer against him.

Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2.

[geminil0vr]

𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 !

the masterlist -> part two

summary ✰ your relationship with your boyfriend, ben, has been a little (a lot) rocky from the start. back from a session of him not even trying to help you finish, you run into pansy in your dorm room, and it's safe to say she has some suspicions.

tags ✰ @partr1dge <3

wc ✰ 1.7k

content ✰ fake moaning, toxic relationship, a little smut, sexual themes galore, cumming (not just yet for our dear reader), (constant) mentions of shitty sex experiences, lying, endless cursing, reader is h word, getting dressed, mentions of homework (this one should be classified as a warning), snooping/stealing

a/n ✰ this is pretty much just a short intro, some backstory and all that !! i hope you like it. and be careful, past the read more it pretty much goes directly into some smut/sexual themes. okay, happy reading :))

with a few final thrusts, your boyfriend comes inside you, quickly pulling out and rolling next to you on the bed. you laid there, as usual, fake moaning, pushing back onto him. and he went quick, not doing anything to make you feel good, and pulling out before you've even come (though, when the only thing he does is piston in and out of you like a personal fleshlight, that's unlikely to happen). this is how all your sex happens, usually.

ben turns to smile at you, cupping your cheek in the palm of his hand. "did you cum?"

ha, did you fuck. he's not even done foreplay. "yeah! like, twice. didn't you notice?"

you've found that the only way to entertain yourself is by making even more outlandish statements each time you fuck. well, he fucks you. well — no, it isn't really fucking. he actually has the nerve to ask why you make him use lubrication every time... perhaps it's because he refuses to eat you out, or even play with your clit for more than fifteen seconds, or finger you to prepare you. in the early days, he tried, and you repeatedly went to tell him what you liked. and, not enjoying being told what to do, he did it how he wanted, and now consistently leaves you in a confused state of 'how can i be so horny when he did the bare minimum?'. ben calls it domination. you call it ignorance.

another way you've found to entertain yourself, is by making sex a performance. see, when you first started off, you were a virgin, and although well-educated on sex and the things you might like, you didn't feel inclined to fake anything. now, you've been with ben for around six months, but in your first one he put up this façade of a romantic, so you had gone and fallen (tripped, stumbled, collapsed, grazed your fucking knee) for him. you'd fallen for roses, and dates, and... well, that was it. your standards were pretty low back then — christ, you were sixteen! and when you two finally did anything, two months into the relationship (despite his relentless begging), the glass window was shattered.

ben is selfish. once you sucked his dick, and let him fuck you (the definition of fuck is still on thin ice, really), the romance came around less often. you thought it was just a typical couple thing. you mean, your past relationships lasted about a month or two. you thought this was the average.

until your friends, well, they got boyfriends and girlfriends, and now they're always grinning, and they have little spats that are easily resolved with communication, and they're in love. and the way they speak about sex, merlin, it's like a fantasy out of some erotica book. 'he did this', 'she did that', 'it felt so good', 'it's like they know exactly what i want'. so when your friends turned to you about your sex life, you put all your walls up, and you told them some phoney story about how he's your best lay (... your one lay) and how he's so bloody good at taking care of you.

you still feel bad for lying to them. but it's been four months, now. you don't want to go back, not that they would be mad at you, but you're almost embarrassed about how long you've stayed. you know they'll make you break up with him, considering what an arse he is in and out of the bedroom, and you're scared to get into drama, and you're scared he'll be upset, and you're scared that a little part of you still clings onto your old, false perception of him, so you stay. you know it isn't healthy. but you stay.

and you make sex the greatest show of your life, you arch your back, you moan, you gasp, you refrain from telling him that when he cups your breast it feels like nothing, you curl your toes, you remain submissive. in bed, you're a porn star of a very vanilla, one-man show. and you give yourself a five-star fucking rating. of course, you only started this when you realised he would never listen to you. ben just reckons he's got really good in bed all of a sudden.

"you alright?" ben is already in his trousers, buttoning up his school shirt. you're still in only your bra on the bed. 'course, no aftercare.

"yeah, sorry, dazed off." hurrying to get dressed, you kiss him on the cheek (he doesn't like kissing on the lips once he's come in your mouth) and rush to your dorm, tie hanging underneath your collar. class is in forty minutes. when you two started, you were five minutes into a free hour.

the slytherin common room is moderately empty, most people being in class already or making use of their free hour, and when you drag your shoes all the way to your dorm room, you definitely don't expect to see pansy parkinson flipping through a magazine on top of her emerald duvet.

see, you've known pansy since first year. she isn't much involved in the slytherin girl group, but she gets along quite well with everyone, sometimes participating in sleepovers if she feels like it, and always cracking clever and bitter jokes. pansy's a nice girl, though relatively bitchy with the gryffindors, and you quite like her, and she quite likes you. it's a mutual agreement, you say 'hello' in the mornings, and she'll ask you for a quill from time to time, and you'll hand it to her, and when you two are drunk out of your minds you do challenges to see who can drink the most, in your dorm room, as all your other friends giggle and watch on. it's a good, solid, friendship, albeit not super close.

and just as you would feel with any friend, your dishevelled appearance (undone tie, messy hair from your 'performance', untucked shirt) immediately embarrasses you as you stand in the doorway.

"oh. hi, pansy." you give a tight smile, shutting the door behind you and going to do your tie, before giving up because, well, you're shite at doing ties, and tossing it on your bed. "what're you still doing here?"

she's not stopped eyeing you since you came in. "gee, lovely to see you too, y/n. and, couldn't be bothered to socialise. draco's being a dick." she looks over your appearance critically, raising a sharp brow. "had fun? good lay?"

"y—es. 'course." you swallow, diverting your attention to your school bag, attempting to disguise the fact that you certainly did not have fun. nor a good lay; couldn't be more the opposite, actually. well, you were lying down?

she pauses, clenching her jaw before tossing the magazine to the side and narrowing her eyes, one leg crossed over the other, arms crossed over her chest. head tilted. lips parted. "you okay, there?"

taking a deep breath, you kick your shoes off and turn around with a gentle smile, passing a comb through your hair. "yeah, why?"

"just, you look more like you've been dragged through a bush than been fucked." her face is completely blank, and your cheeks grow hot from her crude vocabulary, but nonetheless you chuckle. looking down, you notice that one of your thigh high socks is rolled to your mid-calf. thank god the hallways from the ravenclaw tower to the dungeons, and your common room, were pretty much empty when you walked through.

you roll it back up and begin tucking in your shirt. referencing to your sock, you grin. "stylistic change. and yeah. ben, well, he's quite the animal in bed." more like a tortoise. not because of speed, but have you seen how they mate?

"hmm." she hums, tucking a strand of short black hair behind her ear, and nodding before picking back up her drama magazine to look over different pages as you quietly put your clean clothes away. a comfortable silence settles in the room while you take the time to get out your homework, sitting on your bed and correcting a few of your grammar mistakes. it's a long while before pansy speaks again, not looking up from the pages. "gilderoy lockhart still hasn't got back his memory."

"awful shame," you smirk, finishing up your work and putting it away before bounding over to her four-poster bed. sitting down, you fold one leg under the other that remains firmly planted on the carpet. your eyes gloss over the painfully colourful magazine with wizard celebrities plastered all over it, "tell me, why do you read such trashy things?"

"found it in daphne's drawer." she shrugs, rifling through some more pages.

"you went through daphne's drawer?"

"was bored. 's not really interesting in there." pansy deadpans, "doesn't even have any sex toys." then she grins cheekily, pearly whites on display. you suck at your teeth and shake your head in amusement, chuckling and getting up.

"dickhead. put it back before she notices!" you exclaim.

"alright, then." she rolls her eyes playfully, and bounces up, smoothing out her short, school skirt and slipping the magazine back into daphne greengrass' bedside table.

with only ten minutes to get to your transfiguration class, you start to clean up your appearance, leaving just the top button of your shirt undone and attempting to do your tie. pansy slips on her high-top converse (mcgonagall will have her head for that), doing the laces and glancing over at you every few seconds as your fingers fumble with your dark green tie. how many years at hogwarts, and you still can't do it right? you squint in the mirror hung up on the wall, once more wrapping the thicker part of the tie around the thinner part, tucking it under, making a loop, tucking the — wait, how did it go again?

"here, let me do it, since you're so bloody incapable." pansy storms over, exasperated from watching you fail, grabbing you by your shoulders to twist you around and taking matters into her own hands. she does it expertly, because of course, she's a pureblood, and purebloods just have to be bloody good at everything. tightening it up just a little, she folds down your collar and smooths her fingers over your shirt, before coming up behind you and getting up on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around your shoulders and make sure the tie is well situated. you hold in a breath as her fingers brush against your neck — really, that dumbarse boyfriend of yours leaving you high and dry makes everything get you worked up.

finally, pansy works some of her fingers through your hair, smoothing out the messy strands framing your face and placing her hands firmly on your shoulders. "perfect." and she's gone, grabbing her bag and swinging out the room before you can even utter a 'thank you'.

[jadelotusflower]

It’s Cold in that Fridge: The Case of Nakari Kelen

Since The Case of Mara Jade has been doing the rounds again, I’ve finally gone back to this post that has been sitting in my drafts for literally years. So let’s honour this absolute badass who deserved better:

Once upon a time, the Star Wars universe was but six films (and a tv series) in the story of the Skywalker family. But beyond George Lucas’ story was an absolute boatload of books, comics, games, and other materials that made up the Expanded Universe. When Disney purchased Lucasfilm and the rights to the Star Wars saga, everything in this universe was decanonised and deemed “Legends” - some aspects of this universe were retained or re-purposed, others sit in Disney’s figurative vault and will likely never see the light of day (and seeing how the ST turned out, maybe that’s for the best).

But this transition between Legends canon and Disney canon was not so simple, because the nature of publishing meant that there were novels approved during the time of Legends canon that would be released in the time of Disney canon. In particular, there had been the planned trilogy “Empire and Rebellion”, set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, with each novel from the perspective of one of The Big Three.  

Razor’s Edge (Leia) and Honor Among Thieves (Han) were released prior to the Great Canon Split of 2014.  But while the Luke-centric novel had been planned, it was not due to be released until well after the Split. So Heir to the Jedi (so called as an homage to the Legends progenitor Heir to the Empire) became one of the first books of the Disney canon.

What does this background have to do with Nakari Kelen?  Perhaps nothing, but I do wonder how the writing process was affected by the shift from Legends to Disney - was the novel a relic of the old EU with any reference the LFL storygroup didn’t like excised during editing, or was it a trendsetter for the new EU, a Sign of Things to Come?  

The most salient point being, of course, that Nakari Kelen - like so many love interests before her - was not allowed to go along her merry way at the conclusion of the novel, but was shoved into the fridge.

If there was one constant of the Legends EU, it was that Luke Skywalker’s love interests couldn’t catch a break. Mara Jade naturally lasted the longest relationship-wise, with almost twenty years of marriage to Luke before some bright spark decided she had to go (as per the aforementioned case study). But before Mara there was Jem, Shira Brie, and Gaeriel Captison (who came close to escaping the curse), and in the Legacy of the Force series they brought back sole survivors Akanah and Callista, only to kill them off for good too (and rather brutally, if I may add).

So perhaps when Kevin Hearne began writing HttJ within the confines of the Legends continuity, he was merely sticking to the status quo, or perhaps once subsumed by Disney they needed to make sure Luke's slate was clean (so to speak).  And I can’t put all the blame on Hearne since I don’t know whether it was his idea, or LFL mandated - but regardless it was a poor decision.

The root cause of fridging, imo, is limited imagination.  How best to cause your male protagonist pain if not kill off someone they love, or at least have strong feelings for? The answer is of course, easily. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Luke Skywalker of HttJ is fresh from his victory in ANH, a lieutenant in the Rebellion: young, not dumb, and full of...

Nakari Kalen is an absolute Queen a civilian volunteer and crack-shot sniper who loans her ship Desert Jewel to the Alliance. Luke is immediately attracted to her, they bond over a mutual love of fast ships and leaving behind desert home planets, and engage in the inexpert flirting of two nineteen year olds while also risking their lives several times over.

I want to make it clear: I actually really like this book. It's a breezy read, almost serialised as The Early Adventures of Luke Skywalker, and is ofttimes genuinely funny. And credit where it’s due to Hearne, many of of the supporting roles in the novel are female. Other than Nakari, there's Soonta, the Rodian who gives Luke her uncle’s lightsaber, Sakhet the Kupohan spy, and the Givin cryptographer/math genius Drusil Bephorin. In a genre where male characters are often the default for these kind of roles, it was nice to see, but makes the regressive fridging of Nakari even more egregious.

Luke and Nakari make a good team fighting brain-sucking monsters and Imperials, but more importantly they have fun together - she encourages him to work on his Force skills, and he successfully moves objects with his mind for the first time (leading to Nakari adorably dub him "a little noddle scooter"). It's a very sweet, if brief, relationship, and a respite from the danger of the mission. They spend the night together (leaving the reader to decide exactly what happened behind closed doors), and share a kiss before splitting up to try and escape bounty hunters. No prizes for guessing what happens to Nakari immediately after she received the Skywalker Kiss of Death.

I assume there were two motivating factors for why Hearne and/or LFL couldn't let Nakari live:

1. If she survived, fans would wonder why she doesn't appear in ESB/subsequent material.

I recall this bandied about on forums back at the time of the book's release, and to that I say - so what? Fans are always going to wonder, and try to paper over the gaps in canon, to make up their own headcanons to explain any any perceived inconsistencies. It's certainly no reason to kill someone off.

It is in fact possible for two young people to have a romance that just fizzles, or doesn’t work out for whatever reason - it should not require great maneuvering or explanation. If Nakari doesn’t show up in the next book in the timeline, what about it? The reader is smart enough to assume she and Luke broke up, decided to just remain friends, whatever. But it seems that the only way for a female character to exit stage left is for her to die, which is bullshit.

And actually, there's no reason why she couldn't have shown up again. ESB and RoTJ cover a month and a few days, respectively, of Luke's life - just because there was no mention of Nakari doesn't mean she didn't exist at that time, whether or not she and Luke were an item. She could have made an appearance in a subsequent novel, or Rebels, or the comics - she could have become a recurring character, showing up when the Rebellion needed her, or - heaven forbid - even have her own comic/book/show! Her existence in Star Wars canon didn't need to begin and end with Luke Skywalker, merely to service his plotline and backstory and abandoning the richness of her own.

No, the only reason Nakari had to die was to facilitate this:

It was a blow to the gut, realizing what that sudden absence meant. I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, but I had felt Nakari's life snuffed out through the Force, and into that void where she had shone anger rushed in - anger, and a cold sense of raw power and invincibility...I took a step to join in the hunt but stopped, breathing heavily, unaccountably sweating even though I felt so cold inside and the power of the Force roiled within me... I shook with emotion and power, and none of it felt the way the Force had before...I saw what kind of space it was , a black hole that would always be hungry no matter how much I fed it. I might never feel warm again if I didn't get myself under control.

Luke feels the dark side and is tempted by the boost of power it offers him, but immediately identifies it as dangerous and unnatural. I can understand why Hearne wanted to include this - it is a book of firsts after all: Luke's first solo mission, his first time using telekenisis, and ending with story with his first experience of the dark side makes sense. But it wasn't necessary, which leads to:

2. How to push Luke to touch the dark side without killing someone he has romantic feelings for?

Also, obviously, shite of the bull (or nerf, if you prefer). Even if this brush with the dark side was absolutely necessary for the novel's climax, there's any number of ways it could be achieved. At this point, Luke is fresh from losing important people in his life - Owen and Beru, Ben, and Biggs - lumping another death on top of that a narrative trick for Luke to react not only to losing Nakari, but the others as well. But it's cheap, the first card in the deck, and why not show a bit of imagination? Luke is young and inexperienced enough at this point that any number of things could be the catalyst - the whole book he's struggling with his growing powers, why not try and reach too far in the firefight with the bounty hunters, his anger and frustration with himself in not doing enough trigger the dark side temptation? It would work thematically and doesn't involve a fridging that ultimately has very little payoff.

Because Nakari is killed less than ten pages from the end of the book - afterwards Luke grieves, but ultimately chooses to honour her memory and be grateful for what he learned with her, recommitting to becoming a Jedi. It's all very surface level, and once again a female character's death facilitates a male character's development. Was it so imperative that Luke lost someone he cared about as part of this story? Sure, this was a time of galactic civil war, and it's far from unrealistic that these stories have a high body count, but who to make collateral damage remains an authorial choice, and in this case Nakari Kelen was (a) a female character of color, (b) a love interest of the protagonist - not just of this book, but the entire Original Trilogy.

I don't know to what extent (if any) race had to play in the decision. I'm sure there was a segment of the fandom absolutely livid that Luke Skywalker kissed (and maybe had sex with) a black woman. Was her death LFL hedging its bets, or demonstrative of the general lack of attention/respect they show their characters of colour?

In any case this was a chance to stand out from the old EU and it's fridge full of Luke's dead girlfriends, but instead they chose to introduce and kill off Nakari for the sole purpose of Luke's manpain and character development, and that's gross.

And then there's this:

A grisly yet reliable fact about custom bounty hunter ships is that you can always count on them to have body bags stashed somewhere for the easy transport of their kills. They often have built-in refrigerated storage, too.

NAKARI IS KILLED AND LITERALLY STORED IN THE FUCKING FRIDGE I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS READING.

I really hope this was unintentional on Hearne's part, because yikes. He was halfway there, this book was full of interesting female characters who had agency - Drusil in particular was a delight with her super math and inability to understand human interaction. Nakari was full of life and fun - capable but relatable, showing a different side of the Rebellion and those that suffered under the Empire's rule. Fridging her in her first appearance is considerably more vile, because it reduces her to a footnote of Luke's story, a plot device to Help Him Grow, rather than a springboard to tell more of her own story.

Because Nakari was a compelling character ripe for spinoff potential. I would absolutely have read or watched her continued adventures, juggling missions for her father's Biolabs company and trying to aid the Rebellion, shooting her slug rifle and cracking wise, maybe even finding a way to amplify her mother's song Vader's Many Prosthetic Parts to really stick it to the Empire, or try and free the political prisoners on Kessel.

The old EU was made great by allies and enemies of Our Heroes showing up again to help or hinder them, and/or branching out into their own material. We fell in love with them, and followed their stories even as they diverged from the main saga, eager to read more about their lives.

Nakari Kelen never got that chance. In many ways, she exemplified what Disney Star Wars was to become: an exercise in wasted potential.

[traincat]

I know that everyone is pretty sure that the FF movie will mean that Johnny will now never be officialy let out of the closet but personally I feel like since the FF are so unpopular and ppl have been bugging Marvel and Disney for an actual canon & 'important' gay character that they may just? Use him? I'm absolutely losing it and its not going to happen (and if it does, good god, its going to be handled so badly) but imagine. Tho as long as they dont bring lyja in im ill count the movie as Ok

So I am going to go Full Conspiracy Theorist out here for a minute because when I and a couple others I personally know have been kind of saying “Johnny’s never coming out now” it refers to a very specific recent incident that we were kind of side eyeing for Possible Movie Interference even before this announcement. Saying up front that I don’t know that this is true, and even if Someone Did Change The Script it’s just as likely to be comic editorial pulling the plug than Kevin Feige coming down from on high to stuff Johnny back in the closet like he’s the Plant Man and it’s the ‘60s:

And then they never let him out of there again. (Strange Tales #121)

So here’s the deal: we know that there are several creators involved with Marvel who hold the belief that Johnny Storm is not the bastion of heterosexuality he’s very often been pushed as. Marjorie Liu (and most likely Daniel Way but we only have Marjorie Liu’s word on this last time I checked) intentionally wrote the relationship between him and Daken in Dark Wolverine as sexual. When I reviewed Marvels Snapshot: Fantastic Four for Women Write About Comics I received some very nice commentary from the creators and a retweet from Kurt Busiek, who is in charge of the Snapshot collection -- and I spend the majority of that review pretty openly talking about the subtext of Johnny’s sexuality and the history that has. So like, this is out there, it goes beyond fandom circles. People know, and you can tell, because a lot of the time multiple creators don’t spend decades making jokes about a character being gay if they don’t kind of think that character is gay. (I am looking at you, John Byrne.) But anyway, fast forward. It’s 2018 and the Fantastic Four are back on the shelves after their Film Rights Mandated Banishment (that Jonathan Hickman leaked as being a Real Thing and not another conspiracy theory). And while I have some significant problems with the 2018 run so far, I have to say, that first issue starts off strong, not in the least because it also featured the return of Wyatt Wingfoot, Johnny’s best friend and former roommate. Turned current roommate again, since apparently they were living together. They were also touching a lot.

Like a lot lot. Love a boyfriend leash. (Fantastic Four v6 #1) And like, look, longtime Johnny readers can tell you all about his long relationship with Wyatt Wingfoot and the subtext you can read into it, but a lot of casual readers noticed this too. People were talking about it. It was noticed. It was pretty obviously paralleled against Ben and Alicia, who were getting engaged at the same time.

Fast forward a couple of issues, all of which Wyatt sticks around for -- he was pretty obviously living with the Fantastic Four after their return for a couple of issues there -- to Ben’s bachelor party, where he and Johnny have this particular conversation:

“When you know -- and you’ll know -- take that leap. Don’t wait fer stronger shielding. Be brave, Johnny Storm.” (FF v6 #5) There’s a lot to unpack here in general, but the “be brave, Johnny Storm” sentiment continually sticks out to me, along with how ungendered this speech is -- not when you meet the right woman, blah blah blah. It’s not a big jump to imagine this as leading out to a coming out narrative, and that’s before we factor in this solicit for Fantastic Four #7:

“Plus a strange new development in the life of the Human Torch.” If you’ve read the issue, however, you know literally nothing of note happens to Johnny in it, let alone anything you could consider a new development, strange or not. It seems pretty clear, if you pull the clues, that there was originally some kind of plot involving Johnny -- and likely his romantic future -- in the original plans but then at some point that plot got pulled and likely replaced by the current Sky soulmate plot that has literally left Johnny shackled by heterosexuality. So it’s clear that at some point in early 2019 something shifted and this Johnny plot got pulled, for whatever reason. And I have no proof beyond all this circumstantial evidence that they were lining up anything that was actually going to concretely within the actual Fantastic Four book address his sexuality, but I think given the circumstantial evidence it is a valid theory. I don’t know if I specifically believe that the reasoning behind whatever this plot getting pulled was MCU interference, but it’s likely that the Fantastic Four project was seriously in development by that point to be able to announce it now, and if, by whatever chance, my “Johnny was going to come out” theory was true, we also know that the MCU has a serious problem with actually handling queer representation within their universe -- see Tessa Thompson’s bisexual Valkyrie scene getting cut, the entire Gay Joe Russo incident. They’re, what, 20+ movies in now and there are no actual queer main characters, right? I know Eternals is apparently changing that, but Eternals is not out yet, and also has significantly less name recognition than Fantastic Four. It’s not a great record, and while I would like to think that maybe that could change either with the Fantastic Four or by the time a Fantastic Four movie rolls out, I just don’t have that kind of faith. But if I’m wrong I’ll totally donate double the cost of the ticket and large popcorn to a charity that actually deserves it.

So there’s my conspiracy theory! Some people do this with celebrities, I do it with Johnny Storm. It’s probably equally unrewarding either way.

[illfoandillfie]

Promise

Pairing: Aromantic!Fem!Reader x Ben Hardy

Warnings: Implied smut and some Feelings talk but honestly it’s pretty tame.

Words: 1,413

A/N: It’s Aggressively Arospec Week! So, as promised, I’m going to be posting a few blurbs/short one shots and things during the coming week to celebrate, all of them taking place within my Platonically verse. All of the posts will be tagged as “platonically event” in case you want to find them later (or block the tag)

This first one is inspired by a song - Promise by The Novel Ideas. I think it was probably written with a more romantic relationship in mind but theres a few lyrics in there that I choose to interpret as queerplatonic, and that especially reminded me of Ben and Reader in Platonically.

Ben’s house was a comforting place. You’d always felt comfortable there, since you’d first become friends with Ben, but especially after you got together. It was bigger than your place for one, an actual house and not a rundown flat you had to share to afford, though it was still fairly small. Its yard was almost non-existent but there was a scrap out the back that caught the sun in the afternoons. More than once you and however many friends had huddled there on wintery afternoons to warm up or else sprawled out in as few layers as you could get away with hoping the mercury wouldn’t rise much higher. So, after a day mostly spent indoors, huddled at your computers, you and Ben decided it might be nice to take a picnic rug out into the sunshine to relax before you had to worry about dinner. Of course, when Ben suggested the idea he chose to use the phrase, “boost our vitamin D levels” and you thought he was insinuating something else entirely.   “Well if that’s really what you want,” he laughed, pretending to reach for the waistband of his joggers.

Instead you stuck to his original idea, grabbing a fuzzy orange blanket from his wardrobe and laying it out over the patchy grass, throwing a couple of pillows down on top so your heads at least would be comfortable. For a while you just sort of did your own things near each other. Ben was preparing for a new movie so took the opportunity to read over the information he had and sections of the script, occasionally muttering to himself or highlighting something important (nearly always almost dropping his phone onto his face). And you happily stretched out beside him, relishing the warmth of the sun as you played games on your phone and scrolled through Tumblr. But, the lower in the sky the sun got, the closer together you moved until the sky was tinted with pink and you were laying perpendicular to each other, your head resting on his stomach. With a sigh, Ben set aside his phone and looked up at the wispy clouds moving across the sky. You knew what he was thinking about though he stayed quiet. “How long before you go?” “We start shooting in two weeks but I fly out a little before that just so I can get settled and meet everyone and there’s time to do any prep stuff before filming actually begins.” He paused but realised he hadn’t really answered you, “twelve days,” “Thats ages away,” you said with a soft laugh though you both knew the time would go by quickly. It wouldn’t be the first time you waved Ben off at the airport, but it would be the first time since you’d decided to be queerplatonic partners. Something about it made you a little sad, knowing you wouldn’t have your best friend by your side for the few months it took to film the movie, but it wasn’t the end of the world and you were excited on his behalf too.   Ben sighed again, less audibly than before but you could feel it in the way his stomach and chest moved so you rolled over to face him, propping yourself up on your elbow, studying the pensive expression he wore and determining he needed cheering up.   “I expect you to bring me back a present,” He smiled, his eyes drifting from the sky down to you as he let his head turn to the side, “I’ll keep that in mind,” “And I don’t mean something crappy like sweets or whatever junk you usually bring me. That was fine before but there has to be some sort of perk since I’m your partner now. I mean, everyone thinks I’m your girlfriend so you really have no choice here, you have to bring me something good.” The smile slowly spread until Ben was laughing, “Okay, something good it is then.” You giggled along with him, ignoring the patch of hard dirt under your elbow until you couldn’t any longer and instead rolled onto your back so you could lie beside him and let him wrap you up in his arms. And for a little while that was enough. It was close to being too warm, hot as you were from laying in the sun, but you didn’t mind, content in the knowledge that Ben was happy too.

Slowly his grip loosened until it was just his palm rubbing gently over your stomach and side, his thoughts back where they’d been before, “If I’d known I wouldn’t have auditioned for the movie,” “What?” “If I’d known things between us would work. At the time I kinda figured it was a good excuse in case asking you out ruined shit. I could just lay low for a few weeks and then dip, give you some space. But now it kinda feels like a mistake.” “Are you kidding? It’s a great roll, Ben, and you’re going to be amazing in it.” “Yeah I know, and I am excited about it,” “I’d hope so since it means you get to go to Greece,” He gave another soft chuckle at that, “Yeah that’s definitely part of my excitement. And it will be fun. But things are really good with you. Like really good. And I don’t want to ruin that by leaving.” You understood where he was coming from but still felt he was being a bit ridiculous, “You better not be getting romantically sentimental on me. It’s not like we live in the Regency period and have to rely on letters in the post or whatever. And besides, we’re not romantically involved so it’s a bit stupid for you to get all depressed about going.” You gave him a poke in the ribs for good measure.   “I promise I’m not,” there was an audible lift in his voice, “I just feel very protective of you. I don’t want you to be sad.” “Uhhhh, I’m going to be house sitting for you so there’s no chance of me being sad. I’ll have this place to myself and I am definitely going to enjoy it. Playing music as loud as I want, eating my way through your stash of chocolate, playing all your video games whenever I want. Able to be loud when I masturbate. No need to worry about accidentally waking up a roommate or walking in on her giving her boyfriend a bj. Fucking paradise really.” Ben snorted at the last bit and squeezed you tight again before kissing your temple, “Okay, sad isn’t a problem then. But I also don’t want you to realise I’m not necessary.” It was your turn to snort though it was less about amusement and more about how daft Ben sounded, “But you aren’t necessary.” “Way to make a guy feel special Y/N,” “No it’s a good thing. Like, being aro, I know I don’t need a relationship of any kind and, honestly, I’d be happy being single. I was happy being single for a long time. I have no desire for a relationship. But I want to be with you anyway. It doesn’t matter that I don’t feel a particular way for you. I just like you so much and think you’re such a good friend and we have so much fun that I’m happy with you. And I don’t want to stop being with you. You being in Greece isn’t going to change that.” “Guess I never thought of it like that. Kinda sweet actually.” “Plus, y’know, we’re pretty great at sex, right?” “Oh definitely great at it.”

It was much darker by then, the sun hanging low in the sky, but you barely noticed as Ben’s lips met yours, soft and comforting at first though neither of you seemed to want to be the one to stop the kiss. So neither of you did stop it. Instead you both shifted around to make it easier, eventually settling with his knee between your legs, giving you something to rock against as his arms loosened and his hands slid down to cup your arse. You knew you would miss him while he was away. He was your best friend so of course you would. But you weren’t worried. And you hoped you could at least distract Ben from whatever worries he had about it, if not cure them entirely.   “It’s getting dark Benny, you wanna move this inside? Think I’m a little low on Vitamin D.”

[albertasunrise]

No More - Chapter 8

Summary: Frankie has been your best friend since you were in the 2nd grade. You were each other’s first’s, he, your first love and as you’d both gotten older you always somehow fell into bed together after one too many drinks with the boys. You don’t know how much longer you can keep this up but fate has other plans for you both and events are set in motion to decide for you.

Warnings: Angst, Blood and Injury, Unprotected Sex, 18+

Pairings: Frankie/ Reader

~

You were both numb when the police arrived, just holding each other's hands as the two officers ask you questions that neither of you has the strength to answer. Will decides to take it upon himself to answer what he can, knowing you'll pitch in when you can.

‘What relationship is this Brad Williams to them both?’ Asks the female officer as she takes a sip of the coffee Ben made her.

‘He’s my Ex.’ You suddenly pipe up, Brad’s name bringing you crashing back to reality.

‘And why would he want to kidnap your baby?’

‘We broke up a week ago.’ You explain ‘Just before I went away on my work trip. He uh… He was very controlling. Wanted to know what I was doing all the time and who I was speaking to. He seems to Think Francisco stole me away. He is Emma's father but we aren't romantically involved.’

‘Well, Miss. We have checked his house and he’s not there.’ The male officer starts ‘Do you know where he might have gone to?’

‘No.’ You answer as you start to shake ‘He moved back here just before we got together. I don’t think he has many connections here.’

‘Right well. If you think of anything or hear anything that can help us then please call.’ He says as he passes you both a card with a number on it ‘We will do everything we can to bring your daughter back to you.’

You can only nod as you look at Frankie, his eyes staring at the card on the table as tears roll down his cheeks. Your heart is breaking for him, you knew he is tearing himself apart inside. He probably thinks you hated him but you couldn’t. You can’t blame him for this. You hadn’t told them about you and Brad breaking up. You’d wanted to avoid the inevitable told you so’s that the boys would throw at you. The officers leave but you can’t bring yourself to move, you need something to ground you as you feel yourself losing control.

‘Do you want us to go or?...’ Will trails off as he places a comforting hand on your shoulder.

‘No please stay.’ You plead, knowing that Frankie needs them just as much as you do.

‘Okay.’ Will replies, giving you a small nod ‘You two should try and get some sleep.’

You nod and look at Frankie, squeezing his hand as you lay your head on his shoulder ‘Can I stay here tonight.’

‘What?’ He finally looks at you, shock filtering through the pain ‘Yeah… Yeah of course you can.’

‘Come on.’ You say softly as you get to your feet, pulling him with you ‘Let’s try and get some rest.’

He doesn’t say anything, just follows you numbly to the stairs and takes each step one at a time. He doesn’t understand why you aren't screaming at him. Why aren’t you screaming at him? He’d handed over your baby to your deranged ex and let him leave. You should be screaming. Stopping outside of your bedroom you look at him with red-rimmed eyes, lip trembling as you pluck up the courage to speak.

‘Can you stay with me tonight?’ You pause, noting the confusion that sweeps across his face ‘I don’t want to be alone.’

He simply nods, letting you lead him inside to the room he’d given to you. You pull out one of the oversized sleep shirts you'd left and start to undress, not caring if Frankie watches you. He doesn’t. He just undresses himself and slips under the covers before proceeding to stare at the ceiling, listening out for his daughter's cries. You slip in beside him and take his hand in yours, stroking the top of it with your thumb.

‘Why don’t you hate me?’ He asks but he doesn't look at you.

‘Why would I hate you?’

‘I let him take her. I let him take her despite having a bad feeling about it.’ He takes a shaky breath and scrubs his hand over his face, wiping away his fresh tears.

‘Frankie I don’t hate you. I didn’t tell you that Brad and I had broken up. How were you to know I hadn’t sent him?’ You place your free hand on his cheek and turn his face to look at you ‘Frankie this isn’t your fault.’

You look at each other for a while, the light from the moon casting a soft light across his features and you feel something forming in your stomach. Before you even have time to think about it you're crushing your lips against his, your fingers lacing through his hair and pulling him closer. Then he’s pulling away and you’re whining from the loss of contact.

‘Lazo… What are you doing?’

‘I need you, Frankie.’ You plead, your hands grabbing his waist and pulling him flush against you ‘Please I need to feel something good to take my mind off of all of this. Just for a little while.’

‘Lazo-‘

‘Please Frankie.’ You beg, your eyes locked with his as you brush your lips over his.

Then he’s kissing you again, devouring you like a man starved and you moan in his mouth as you both start to fumble to remove each other’s underwear. There’s no foreplay, no sweet words, just need. Raw and primal and you moan as he sheaths himself inside you, growling against your neck as he thrusts, hard and deep, inside of you. You’d missed this. The feel of him around you, inside you, kissing you like you’re the one thing that keeps him alive. For a while the only sounds that can be heard are skin against skin and your combined moans of pleasure, so you bite down on his shoulder to try and muffle yours. The boys don't need to know about this. His hand snakes between you and he starts to rub circles around your clit, bringing you to your climax in a fit of moans and kisses, he follows right behind you. It’s quick, messy... but passionate and exactly what you needed. You fall asleep in each other's arms and allow yourselves a little rest before returning to your nightmare.

~

It’s been a week and you’ve not heard anything from the police. Frankie’s been struggling with it all but the two of you have stayed together, comforted each other and today you have finally managed to get him out of the house. You’d run out of food and thought that going to the supermarket would be a good distraction for an hour or so. Browsing the different isles you pick up different meals and toss them in the trolly, glancing at Frankie who still sports that far away look. You jump when you hear someone call your name, turning around to see Brad’s mother stood across from you.

‘Mrs Williams, how are you?’ You ask, your heart thundering in your chest and you latch onto Frankie’s hand.

‘I’m okay dear.’ She says ‘When did you get back from your trip? Brad said that you weren’t back for another few days.’

‘You’ve seen him?’

‘Of course dear.’ She chuckles ‘He’s staying with me. Wanted me to help with the baby. She’s beautiful my dear. How could her father walk out on her like that.’

‘Mrs William’s Brad kidnapped Emma from her father.’ You state, your voice is shaking now ‘This is her father Francisco. Brad turned up at his house last week and told him that I’d asked him to collect her but I hadn’t. Please, I beg you. We just want our baby girl back.’

‘No… No, my Bradley wouldn’t do that.’ She replies shaking her head ‘You’re trying to set him up.’

‘We’re not.’ You say as you raise your hands in front of you ‘We don’t want Brad to get into trouble but he’s kidnapped our baby girl. Please help us get her back.’

‘He told me you cheated on him.’ She growls, pointing an accusing finger at you ‘You’re a liar. You both are.’

She starts to scream, drawing attention to everyone around you and you feel Frankie tense beside you. His breathing quickening and his eyes growing wide, you need to get him out of here. Grabbing his wrist you abandon your cart and drag him outside before pulling him into a hug, desperate to calm him down.

‘Breathe with me, Frank. Come on it's okay.’

He calms to your touch and you drag him to the car, pulling out the number in the glove compartment and dialling it into your phone.

~

‘He was cleared out by the time we got there.’ States the officer as he gives you a grim smile ‘We have forensics sweeping the house. Hopefully, they’ll be able to find some sort of clue as to where he’s gone.'

You can’t stop the strangled cry that escapes you as you collapse into Frankie’s arms, shaking as you lose control of your emotions. He holds you as you sob, thanking the officers as they turn and leave before returning his attention to you. He loses track of time as he holds you, planting kisses on the crown of your head as he tries to console you.

‘He can’t hide forever Lazo.’

‘I need to hold her.’ You sob ‘I need to tell her how much I love her.’

‘So do I.’ He says softly as he cradles your head against his chest ‘So do I.’

~

Emma’s been missing for six weeks now. Six weeks you and Frankie have been in hell, waiting for some sort of respite. You manage to get a little work done but your employer has been extremely supportive of your situation and has continued to pay you despite you not being able to work very much. Your mind wonders how much she’s grown. Whether he’s feeding her properly, caring for her the way she should be. You’d been feeling sick the last few days now. The stress becoming too much to bear and you find yourself confined to the couch as Frankie fusses over you. He’s desperate to find a distraction, something to take his mind off the thought’s running through his head.

‘Do you need anything?’ He asks as he perches himself on the arm of the couch.

‘No, I’m fine thank you.’ You say weakly, the thought of any food or drink making your stomach roll.

‘Do you think you’re coming down with something?’ He asks as he places the back of his hand on your brow.

‘No. I think it’s just the stress.’

‘Should I call a doctor just in case?’

‘No Frankie I’m fine.’ You reply as you push yourself to your feet only to waver and fall into his arms.

‘Right, that’s it. I’m taking you to the doctors.’ He states as he grabs his keys and helps you to your feet.

You don’t argue, you feel terrible so instead, you clutch onto him as he helps you to his truck, thanking him as he helps you climb inside. The drive to the clinic is a quiet one. You feel selfish for being ill when your baby is still missing. You can’t understand how a man can just vanish. Especially with a 7-month-old in tow. As you park up you feel your stomach turn again, the dizziness making you nauseous. Frankie helps you out of the truck and walks you inside, sitting you down on one of the waiting room chairs before speaking to the man at the desk. He finishes his conversation with them and they hand him a ticket which he takes with a nod, returning to your side and pulling you into a sideways hug.

‘He said there shouldn’t be a long wait. Slow day today.’

You nod and close your eyes, taking comfort in Frankie’s arm wrapped around you and his head resting on top of yours. You must have dozed off as after what feels like no time at all your name is being called and you’re being led to an examination room. Frankie stays behind, knowing that the doctor might want to ask you some personal questions. He waits patiently for you to emerge, his leg shaking nervously as he watches the minutes tick away on the obnoxiously loud clock hanging on the wall across from him. He’s struggling to keep himself together, to stop his mind from drifting to worst-case scenarios about what could be wrong with you. He can’t bear the idea of losing you too but his mind throws the situation into the mix and he chews on his lip in an attempt to fight back the tears. You step out a little while later with an expression that’s hard to read and Frankie can’t help but panic more.

‘So?’

‘They’re running some tests. Should get the results in a few days but he doesn’t seem concerned. Told me to take it easy.’

That wasn’t a complete lie, the doctor had told you to take it easy but that wasn’t all he’d told you. You’d decided though as you left that you’d hold off until the results came through, no need to worry Frankie. He nodded at your response and helped you back to the car, making sure to drive carefully so you didn’t feel nauseous again. He ran you a bath and cooked you your favourite meal, fussing over you again in a desperate attempt to keep himself sane. He doesn’t stop in the days that follow either and you can’t bring yourself to stop him. He needs something to distract him and you’re struggling to do anything for yourself. All in all, you’re helping each other in some way or another.

‘Anything, in particular, you want to watch?’ He asks as he flicks through the channels.

‘Whatever you want.’ You reply as you rub your temples, the starts of a migraine coming.

Your phone buzzes on the arm of the couch and you feel your stomach sink as you look at the number that pops up. It's your results. You open the message and stare at it for some time, feeling your heart start to race and your breath coming in short sharp gasps.

‘Lazo, what is it?’ Asks Frankie, noticing your sudden change in demeanour ‘Is it your results?’

You don’t say anything. You just continue to stare at your phone screen as you re-read the result over and over as if reading it one more time would change the outcome.

Pregnant :-  5 - 6 weeks.

You start to sob uncontrollably and Frankie’s stomach drops, reaching out to comfort you only for you to flinch away.

‘What’s going on? You’re scaring me.’

You can’t say the words so instead, you just hand him the phone and watch his face as he reads what it says. It’s his. He's the last person you’d slept with but you couldn’t think how. How was this possible? How could your birth control fail twice? Frankie says nothing, just does what you did and stares at the words on your screen for a considerable amount of time.

‘H-how?’ He finally asks and you only sob in response ‘Hey! Hey, it's okay come on.’ He says as he pulls you into his arms.

‘This is wrong.’ You cry ‘We can’t have a baby when Emma’s still out there. We can’t replace her.’

‘Hey, we aren’t replacing her!’ He says, cupping your face and turning it to face him ‘We don’t have to make and decisions now okay? But don't look at this as us replacing her. We're going to get her back and, if you want to keep it, she'll be the best big sister there is.'

~

Another month passes and still no news. You were both desperately losing hope that you’d ever get your daughter back but the new baby had given you something to cling to. You were already starting to show a little, a small swell forming that Frankie rested his hand on as you looked at the sonogram pictures from today’s scan. You'd decided to share the news on Facebook. Some good news to take a bit of the sting away and you'd been inundated with congratulatory messages which had brought small genuine smiles to both your faces. You still couldn’t believe you were having another baby with Frankie, a man that you still weren’t romantically involved with. This was another baby from another moment of weakness and yet it had brought you both closer together. You felt like this could be the start of something for you both. The thing that finally heals those wounds and secures the love you both share.

Knock knock knock.

You’re dragged from your daydream by someone knocking at the front door. Pushing yourself to your feet you tell Frankie you’ll get it and pad across the room to answer it. You never expect who you see. Brad is stood there, your daughter in her pram at his side and she instantly starts to scream and cry when she sees you, her hands grabbing at you as she weeps.

‘Frankie.’ You yell, hands shaking as your eyes flit between your baby and her captor.

Frankie’s at your side in a heartbeat, his eyes growing wide as he locks eyes on his daughter. He then looks at Brad, his blood boiling in his veins as he studies the man. He looks dishevelled, tired, likely from being on the run for over two months.

‘Brad, give me Emma.’ You ask, desperately trying to keep your voice calm.

‘That baby should be mine.’ He growls as he points at your small bump ‘I worked so hard. Swapping your pills with placebos. That baby should be mine… Not his.’

‘Hijo de puta.’ Spits Frankie but you stop him before he can take a step forward.

‘Brad please give us Emma. Then we can talk yeah?’

He nods and you surge forward, scooping Emma up into your arms and sobbing. Her clothes are too small and her hair is long and dishevelled but she looks well fed and cared for, something you are grateful for.

‘You stole her away from me.’ He growls as he steps towards Frankie, jabbing a finger in his chest ‘That should be my baby growing inside of her. I bet you couldn’t wait to get her in bed as soon as she left me.’

‘Brad-‘

Frankie didn't get a chance to finish this sentence as Brad's fist collided with his temple, knocking him to the ground in a daze. He tries to get up only for Brad to rain down kick after kick to his stomach and ribs.

‘FRANKIE.’ You scream, watching helplessly as your ex beats the father of your children ‘HELP PLEASE... SOMEONE.’ You beg upon realising you’ve left your phone inside.

Your screams grab several neighbours attention and soon you have several men ripping Brad off of Frankie as their wives try to keep you and Emma calm. You sob as you watch a few of them pin Brad to the ground as the others tend to Frankie and a sense of Deja Vu washes over you when you see him laying there bloody and bruised. You don’t register your legs carrying you towards him, you don't realise till you’re on your knees, at his side, sobbing with Emma screaming in your arms. Frankie’s a mess but he’s breathing. His left eye swollen shut and his teeth are painted red with the blood that coats his mouth.

‘An ambulance is on its way along with the police.’ States one of the men at your side, a guy you recognise from your walks with Emma.

‘Thank you.’ You say, nodding as you look back down at Frankie, his brown eyes cracked open.

‘Let me see her.’ He whispers, tears carving paths in the dried blood on his face.

You turn Emma in your arms and she immediately stops crying, her tiny arm reaching out to touch her fathers face. Her bottom lip trembles as she looks at him but she doesn't cry, she just keeps her hand where it is as if to comfort him and he smiles back at her.

‘You’re home baby girl.’ He says quietly ‘We’re never going to let you go again.’

You smile at the interaction between your daughter and Frankie, your heart finally feeling full for the first time since she’d been taken. You let your spare hand rest on your small bump and allow yourself to relax, to imagine what the future is going to bring. That disappears when he starts to gasp, eyes bulging as he tries to suck in a breath and that's when Emma starts screaming.

~

Chapter 9

[beyscape]

The Intern - 4

Andy Barber x Reader

Summary: Being Andy’s intern meant you got to spend more time by his side more than anyone. This was fine, however, until feelings got in the way and made things complicated

Warnings: swearing, age gap relationship, implied sex, technically cheating

Word Count: 3754

A/N Contains spoilers from episodes 1-6! 9 Crimes by Damien Rice kept coming up in my shuffled playlist when I was writing this, thought that was interesting,,

Ch.1   Ch.2   Ch.3   Ch.4   Ch.5

  The room was quiet. The only sounds were coming from the man laying beside you, and even those were rare. You watched the dark blue shade of the sky grow lighter as the sun rose slowly, not daring to move out of the fear of disturbing your lover beside you. You knew how hard it was for him to get a good night’s sleep. You felt his fingers twitch slightly from where they lay on your waist.

  The sneaking around was proving to be harder than you both had thought. Well, you hadn’t really thought about the technicalities of this whole thing, but still. Ever since that night you had first shared such an intimate moment in the hotel, both you and Andy had decided it was too hard of a task to keep away. That meant, almost every night since then, Andy found a way to sneak out of his bed and into yours. He came when everyone was fast asleep, when there was nothing but the moon and the stars to hold witness, and left with the first rays of sun. You knew it was all borrowed time, only a couple of hours bliss, and it was coming to an end already as the sun blinked lazily. Andy’s slow and steady breathing was warm on your shoulder, you felt a small kiss placed right under your shoulder blade.

  You shifted from where you lay, now facing him. His hand remained on your waist, holding you close. His blue eyes were still halfway closed, eyelids heavy with sleep. The tips of your fingers traced his cheek gently, Andy smiled at the touch. He was slowly getting used to the affection he once forgot the feeling of, it kept him grounded. Sane. In a time when everything felt so out of control and so wrong, he was glad to have found his anchor. His safe haven. He pulled you closer.

“Andy,” you whispered, your eyes searching his face, savoring every last detail like you did every morning.

“I know.” He sighed, well knowing he had little time before having to leave the warm bed and go back to his equally cold house.

In the next twenty minutes he was up and dressed, and disappeared into the beginning day after kissing you one last time. It was never easy; your heart would ache and protest every time you had to go back to merely being ex-colleagues. Your only consultation was knowing you would be able to throw yourself into his arms when the night fell.

You slept for what felt like only five minutes after Andy left, and would have slept more had it not been for the shrill ringing of your handphone form the night stand. You blindly reached an arm out, refusing to open your eyes, and brought the phone to your ear.

“Neal? Yeah I was sleeping,” you shot up, fully awake as Neal gave you the news, “Alright I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

You pulled on your clothes and grabbed your stuff with a practiced speed, well aware that you had no moment to waste if you were to make it to work with minimal scolding. You also had a pit stop to make before that. Soon enough you were in front of the bright red door of the Barber house, trying to gather up the courage to knock. You had been in the house before, when you helped Andy with carrying some files, but that was before getting romantically involved.

“Y/N?” someone called, sounding out of breath, you looked up and met the person you were trying to avoid. Well, not really trying as you stood right in front of her house, but you were hoping she would be on her jog. Laurie, much to your dismay, returned from her jog in that same moment.

“Laurie, hi!” you stammered, somehow managing to smile. You tried not to look at the wedding ring on her hand, or think about how her husband was in your bed just a couple of hours ago.

“It’s been a while,” she weakly smiled at you and you didn’t blame the woman, “is Andy not home?”

“Oh, I haven’t knocked yet. I was afraid I’d wake you guys up.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. “I have something I need to talk to him about.”

“Is it about Jacob’s case?” Laurie’s eyes widened.

You bit your lip. “I don’t know yet, that’s why I need to talk to Andy first.” Laurie nodded, and ushered you in.

“Andy,” she called, “we have a guest.” Laurie turned to you; expression grim as she tried to give you another smile. “I’ll be upstairs, I need a shower.”

“Who came at this hour—” Andy appeared on the stairs, and stopped. “Y/N.” His gaze flickered between you and Laurie. You swallowed.

“Well, I’ll leave you guys to it.” Laurie left, barely even looking at Andy. A breath you didn’t know you were holding escaped your lips. Andy lead you to the kitchen wordlessly.

“What are you doing here?” He finally asked, satisfied with the distance. Relief washed over you as you noted the tone of his question, he wasn’t angry. Instead, he seemed almost concerned.

“I’m sorry for coming like this, I wasn’t sure what you’d say.” Your words were barely above a whisper. He immediately shook his head.

“I know you wouldn’t without a good reason.” His gaze looked over you.

“We have Ben’s phone. Neal just called me, and I have to go to the courthouse as soon as I can. He’s probably gonna try and keep it hushed, so I figured you should know.” You breathed out; chest heavy. Andy’s eyebrows raised, thinking.

“Thank you so much for telling me,” he muttered, looking over his shoulder before his fingers grazed yours slightly, not daring to do more.

“Just, wait for like a day, alright? It’ll look suspicious if you go and request to see the evidence so soon. He can’t know it was me.”

“I know, baby girl,” he said quietly, “I’ll give the tall bastard a day to gloat before coming in with Joanne.” Jacob barreled in just then, coming to a halt upon seeing you. He didn’t say anything if he noticed the way you and Andy jumped back when he came in.

“Y/N, hi.” He greeted you with a small smile, “are you staying for breakfast?”

“Hi Jacob. I was just actually leaving. Had something to discuss with your dad.” You gave him an apologetic smile before turning to Andy. You nodded, not really meeting his eyes. he did the same. You dashed out of the house with a quick goodbye to Jacob, it was too hard to stand there and look at Andy while his son was right next to him and his wife upstairs. You rested your head on the steering wheel for a moment, before driving off to work; you were already late.

 ------------

Andy kept his word and gave you and Neal one day with the phone before telling Joanne what he knew. You were at the courthouse with Neal the next day, looking into some other evidence for another case when you finally left Duffy’s office and saw Andy at the end of the hall. You froze as your eyes met. Yu couldn’t read anything form his expression, he looked like he was marching into war as Joanne said something to him. His gaze flickered to yours just for a split second and you almost saw his determination falter. Almost.

“Mr. Barber has every right to be here, Neal.” Joanne spoke before turning to you, “Y/N.” she gave you a smile.

“Hi Joanne.” You smiled at the older woman.

“Well technically I could argue that he doesn’t since he’s a possible witness in the case but I’m letting it slide.” Neal retorted, a smirk appearing on his face as he took Andy in.

“What a mensch.”

“You’re not going in there with us if that’s what you think was gonna happen.” Andy finally addressed Neal; his voice was hard. You just prayed Neal wouldn’t provoke Andy too much.

“Of course not, I already examined the cellphone. I was up here for something else. We do have other cases, right Y/N?”

“Goodbye Neal. And next time you want to conceal evidence from us, don’t.” Joanne nodded before her and Andy moved on. You were just about to breathe in relief when Neal spoke again.

“Oh, I have been meaning to ask,” his voice called, “how’s your father, Andy?” You didn’t need to see Neal’s face to know he was smirking; you suck in a sharp breath.

Andy turned. “What did you say?” If only looks could kill, Neal would drop dead; your gaze darted between Andy and Neal.

“I asked about your father. How’s he doing? You know, I knew criminal law was a passion of yours but I had no idea it was the family business.” Andy, who was slowly walking back to where you and Neal stood, slammed him to the wall by the collar of his suit. Duffy was already making her way towards you, but you were closer.

“You think this is a joke? Do you?” Andy’s voice trembled with anger as you put a hand on his arm, pulling.

“Andy! Stop.” You managed to push the two men apart with the help of Duffy, your hand lingering on his arm as you stared at Andy’s face, twisted with fury.

“Shit.” He stormed off, you followed without knowing what you were doing. All you knew was, Andy was upset and you wanted to be by him.

“Don’t lecture me about concealing things,” Neal shot from the hall, not done with the baiting, “I will say this, it explains a lot, Andy, about you, about your son.” You cursed as his words were successful in getting a raise out of Andy, he made a move towards him.

“Andy,” you stopped him, your hand on his chest, as everyone moved closer. Ready to break apart a fight.

Andy’s burning eyes calmed as he looked at you. You dropped your hand when you felt the stare of everyone else.

“Fuck,” Andy moved out of your reach, frustrated as he breathed hard.

Neal cleared his throat. “Y/N.” He ordered, snapping your attention back to him. You ran out, dizzy, adrenaline still pumping wildly in your veins. You spared one last worried look at Andy’s figure, noting his balled fists with a troubled heart. However, in the moment you were lost in your feelings for Andy, you missed the strange look Neal gave you.

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

 You immediately knew something was wrong when Andy came over that night, his regular gentle kisses leaving their place for rougher ones. His roaming hands gripped tightly, desperately as the layers between you were thrown away. A part of you wanted to ask, to comfort him, but desire was stronger and was quick to shut your mind to all but Andy’s burning touches.

“I’m just trying to look out for him,” he murmured into your hair later, telling you of the night’s events. Your head lay on his chest, one leg thrown over his, a light blue sheet was draped over the two of you.

Your fingers idly drew shapes on his chest. “He knows, deep down. I’m sure.”

“I hate yelling at him.”

You raised your head, holding yourself up with the support of your elbow. His blue eyes were weary under the pale light of the moon, they fluttered shut as your hand laid on his cheek. He leaned into the touch. You placed a kiss on his temple, right between his brows where the  worry lines seemed to make a home for themselves.

“Andy,” his eyes opened slowly, “I wish I could find a way to end this all. I hate seeing you like this.”

He sighed, but a small smile formed on his lips nonetheless. “You have no idea how much you help me, do you? You are the one thing that keeps me sane these days, baby girl.” You kissed his cheek at that, his beard slightly tickling. His cellphone rang then, earning a groan from Andy.

“Who the fuck calls this late?” he hissed, his expression souring as he saw the word ‘unknown’ flash on the screen. He sat up in the bed, listening intently; you ran a hand over his strong back, trying to surpass a smile. Andy Barber was one handsome man, sometimes you found it hard to believe he really was here, in your bed. He ended the call.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart, but I gotta go.” He stumbled out of bed, his moves fast, almost panicky.

“Is everything alright?” You sat up as well, not wanting him to leave when you already had so little time together.

He pulled on his pants. “Yeah, I think,” his eyes searched for his shirt, “this might be good news, I gotta go talk to this kid.” You threw him the shirt he was looking for.

“Call me later, then.” You sigh, nothing you could do or say would change his mind once it was set.

“I will.” He kissed you once, twice, “go back to sleep.” You nodded. Just like that, he was gone. It took some time for sleep to coax you back into its arms, but when it did, you were still thinking of the warmth of his hands as they explored every inch of your body.

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

Your morning of dealing with Neal and working on the mountain of paperwork was interrupted when Lynn, your boss, called you and Neal to her office. Possible important development, she said, in the case of Ben Rifkin. You shot a confused glance at Neal, who shrugged before following Lynn.

A moment after you were seated detective Duffy strode in, with two people you didn’t recognize in tow. Then came Joanne and Andy, who shot you a quick, apologetic look. He hadn’t called, but you didn’t blame him with everything going on. Your attention turned to the fidgety boy. He started speaking once everyone was seated.

As Matt told his encounter with Patz, Neal grew more annoyed by the word, on the other hand you could see Andy’s hidden hope. This could potentially lead to linking Patz to the crime, getting Jacob off the hook. You tried to not show your own relief. Maybe things would look up for the first time in a while.

Neal tried to dismiss the boy’s story once they left with Duffy, but Lynn wouldn’t let it go so easily. After a moment of consideration, she finally agreed for a search warrant,  much to Neal’s dismay. He scoffed before leaving, your eyes found Andy’s before following Neal out of the room. Your phone buzzed in your pocket.

It was from Andy. “Meet me in the file room 2” the text read. You sat at your desk, eyeing Lynn walk out Joanne and Andy. Joanne smiled at you as she passed, Andy barely looking, he leaned and whispered something to the older woman. She nodded and patted his arm.

You waited for another moment, making sure everyone else was busy with their own works, before grabbing some files from your desk. If anyone tried to ask any questions, this way you hoped to avoid them. With the rhythmical click of your heels, you made your way down the hall, took the stairs, and found the file room 2. You quickly slipped through the door, shutting it behind you.

The room was small, walls lined with shelf after shelf, all of them had boxes filled with old case files. In the middle of the room, Andy stood with his hands on his hips, his back turned to the door. His head snapped to your direction with the sound of the door. He exhaled, seeing that it was you. A soft smile broke on his handsome face, illuminated by the dim yellow light of the room. You tossed the files in your hands on top of a box, running into his open arms. A quite laughter of disbelief escaped him, shaking his chest as your head rested on the crook of his neck.

“Finally,” he spoke after a moment, “there has to be something, right?”

You nodded, “The guy’s shady for sure, there has to be something in the apartment.” You pulled back a little, just enough to see. There was hope twinkling in his eyes, such a beautiful sight, you let out a happy sigh. He leaned in slightly, his gaze fallen on your lips. The door flew open, revealing a tall figure on the doorway.

Neal.

You and Andy flew apart instinctively, your heart pounding in your chest. You looked at Neal in horror, as his eyes drifted between you and Andy. He smirked.

“Well, what do we have here? Mr.-I’m-morally-superior Andy Barber, fucking the intern.” He sneered.

“Neal—”

“Be careful, Neal.” Andy took a step forward, fists clenched, “It’s none of your business.”

“Oh, I think it’s my business alright. Murder suspect, coming from a broken home, you know how it’s gonna look in front of the jury.” He raised an eyebrow, his eyes roaming over you. “I can’t fire you, but you’re off the case of Ben Rifkin. Conflict of interest, when you’re screwing the dad of our prime suspect.” He shrugged, turning to Andy. A cold smirk still playing on his lips. “And here people were feeling bad for your family. Does your wife know you’re running behind her back with a pretty young thing between your arms?”

Andy moved towards the tall man with fire in his eyes, fists drawn back and ready to punch, you stepped in front of him. Beating Neal would only make things worse for everyone. Neal scoffed.

“Listen to your little mistress.” He looked around the room. “Honestly, with the way you two are so carless, I’m surprised this isn’t the talk of the town. I don’t even have to say a word, you’ll probably handle getting caught yourselves.” Neal laughed, a bitter sound to your ears.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut, Neal, or I’ll shut it for you.” Andy spit, his eyes focused on the guy behind you. You kept your hands on his arm, firm. Neal looked at both of you for a second.

“I won’t say anything, for now.” You turned to him then, surprised. Neal continued. “But you both know that I know. And personally, I’m sick of your attitude, Andy. I’d like to see you squirm a little.” He laughed again, placing his hands in his pockets before turning around and leaving.

“Fuck,” Andy breathed, “God dammit.” He kicked one of the shelves, shaking the boxes of files. The shaking of your hands and the swaying of your head kept you in place. You looked at each other with matching expressions.

“We’ll figure it out,” he said after his breathing calmed down a little, “I’ll go there now and talk to him—”

“Andy.” You closed your eyes, steadying yourself before your next words. “It won’t change anything. You know Neal as well as I do. Better, even.” Your mind running a thousand miles per second, you tried. Tried to figure out a way out of this hole you had dug yourselves into, tried to find the right words, tried to breathe… All three proved to be more difficult than you wished for.

“Shit, Andy, what if he’s right?” You opened your eyes to look at him, his frozen face not helping the tears stinging in your eyes. “You’re married for fuck’s sake, and everything with Jake… You’re upset and I, I should have known better.” You choked on your words, barely managing to get them out. It was one thing to be with a married man, that was always looming over you, but if your little affair ended up hurting Jacob’s case… that was a fact you hadn’t considered.

“Baby girl,” And shook his head, not wanting to hear it. He stepped towards you, grabbing your arms. “No. If you’re blaming yourself,” he gulped, his gaze burning into yours, “you can’t. Okay? I wanted this, if anyone’s responsible, it’s me. And, fuck…” he muttered under his breath, “We can’t change anything now.”

“What are we gonna do, Andy?” you whispered, warm tears dripping down your cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumb, pulling you in an embrace.

“I don’t know.” He needed to think, with Neal knowing it was a matter of time. At the best-case scenario, Neal would wait until the trial and use it there. But that meant, you had maybe six weeks before coming clean at least to Laurie and Joanne. Andy cursed. It was way too soon than he hoped for. “We will figure it out.”

His hand rubbed your back mindlessly, soothing your silent crying. Just when he thought things were starting to get somewhat better, it all came crashing down. He didn’t regret what he had with you, no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t feel guilty about it. But, it meant, another mess to try and figure out, it weighed on his shoulders. It was his fault, Andy knew it, his fault for being careless. Maybe he had grown too comfortable in the weeks he had spent with you. He pressed his lips together. It was better to talk to Laurie before the trial. Better she learns from him. You shook between his arms, drifting his attention from his thoughts.

Yes, he had to talk to Laurie soon. It could wait though, for another moment, as he held you in his arms, savoring the feeling. He wished he had more time, to no avail. Andy sighed. “We’ll figure it out, Y/N.” He murmured, placing a kiss on top of your hair. He closed his eyes, praying to whatever was out there to give him enough strength; to figure out a way out of this mess, to protect his son, and to protect this woman who occupied the most hidden, special place in his heart.

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

A/N: oooooh shit’s hitting the fan. My askbox is open for requests, feedback and just to talk about chris evans!

CHRIS EVANS TAGLIST @marvelouspottering​ @kelbabyblue​ @hidden-behind-the-fourth-wall​ @may-machin @little-dark-empress​ @retro-babez​

THE INTERN TAGLIST: @patzammit​

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

Wedding Dresses - What You Wear Getting Married to Each of the Triple Frontier Men

Pairings: Will Miller x Reader, Ben Miller x Reader, Frankie Morales x Reader, Santiago Garcia x Reader, Tom Davis x Reader Rating: T Warnings: Light cursing Notes: Like halfway through writing this I was like ‘hey, I know! Moodboards!’ Which I don’t do often so I’m sorry if they’re...Bad. I also wound up Pinteresting like c r a z y for this so if you want a link to anything I gotchu ;) The actual headcanons also got away from me while I was writing them, so. Whoops.

Will Miller - Romantic Lacy A-Line

You’d both waited for this - for a long time. You knew it wasn’t going to be a big event; just your families and your closest friends. Will was already covered in the wedding wear department - he was going to be wearing his dress uniform, he didn’t even have to worry about a tux. You on the other hand, well. You had a few things to consider. The reception was going to be in his parents’ backyard; you knew it would be decorated with white string lights and mason jars full of flowers. It’d be sweet, romantic. You decided that you wanted your dress to capture that feeling. Going into dress shopping, you weren’t sure about lace - you didn’t want to look like a tablecloth. But the embroidered bodice of the dress had thrown you for a loop - and the lace didn’t blanket the skirt, it was placed expertly throughout. You felt delicate and romantic in it. You opted for a shorter veil; you were sure it would come off after the ceremony, anyway, and you didn’t want to worry about it. You decided to wear the necklace that Will had given you for your last anniversary, and found shoes that complimented the lace detail on the dress. “You find a dress?” Will asked you when you came home from dress shopping. You’d told him that you had. “Do I get a hint?” He’d asked. “I got a mini dress. Barely covers my thighs -- neckline down to my navel. You’re gonna love it, babe,” You’d teased. Will had laughed, swept you into a kiss. “You could wear a burlap sack and I’d love it,” He’d sworn. After your ceremony, as the two of you drove to his parent’s house for the reception, he leaned over, kissing you sweetly at a red light. “For the record,” He murmured, “I think I actually like this better than a burlap sack.” “...But less than a mini dress?” You asked. Ben Miller - Boho Chic Dress - with a surprise two-piece look for the reception

It was going to be a party, you knew that going in. The first thing you and Benny had booked was the frickin’ DJ. You knew going into dress shopping that you’d be looking for something you’d be able to dance in, and something that you’d be comfortable in all night - the two of you were getting married in mid-July; it was going to be hot. Benny had told you, “Look, I don’t care what you wear -- we’ve gotta be able to move, babe. None of that tight-- waddle-walk type dress shit, what’s it called? Penguin?” “Mermaid!” You’d corrected him once you’d managed to stop laughing. The dress that you wound up with wasn’t the ‘traditional’ wedding dress, but you and Benny weren’t a traditional couple. The slit meant an ease of motion while you were walking; the skirt was flowy and wouldn’t be too heavy in the summer heat. You choose gold-heeled boots instead of high-heels, not wanting to worry about tottering down the aisle. You had assumed you were all set when you left the bridal salon. You didn’t find the two-piece look until you went back for your dress fitting. You’d been toying with the idea of a separate reception dress, and you’d spotted the jumpsuit on your way into the salon. Your maid of honor hadn’t even bothered to try to talk you out of it - she knew she’d never win. Benny had loved your dress when he saw it, but when he saw your reception outfit? “... I married the smartest fucking woman-- Holy shit, it has pockets?”

Frankie Morales  - Princess-y Ballgown 

Frankie had thought about his wedding day - a lot. So had you. You just hadn’t realized that the both of you had considered what you would be wearing so much. You had bought a couple of bridal magazines and you kept them around to flip through for inspiration; every once in a while, when you were looking through one, he’d lean over your shoulder and mutter, “That one’s nice.�� Sometimes you’d open a magazine to find a page with a ballgown on it dog-earred. The first couple of times that this happened, you’d figured that you’d done it and just forgotten. The fifth time, though, you’d held it up, showing it to Frankie. “Did you mark this for me, babe?” You asked. He glanced at it, muttered, “Might’ve,” Before slouching down on the couch a little more and turning back to the tv. Hint hint, Future-Mrs. Morales. You were surprised at how strongly he felt about you wearing a ballgown-style wedding dress. You wanted to look hot; he wanted you to look like a princess. To him, you were one. You didn’t think you wanted a ballgown. But, since he’d mentioned it, you decided to try one on when you went shopping. You fell in love with it the second you saw yourself in it. The strapless sweetheart top and a lacy, partially see-through bodice was a little bit sexy; the full, layered, lacy skirt made you feel the way Frankie saw you: like a princess. You got the best of both worlds. Frankie’s mom lent you her veil, giving you your something borrowed; your mother gifted you the necklace she wore on her wedding day, giving you your something old. Your shoes and your dress were your something new, and your flowers were your something blue. Frankie cried when he saw you coming down the aisle. Santiago teased him about it, but he didn’t care. You’d never looked more beautiful. Santiago Garcia - Alluring Mermaid Dress

Santiago did not think he was ever going to get married. You knew that. That was why you hadn’t expected him to be such a Groomzilla. Alright, maybe ‘Groomzilla’ was an exaggeration, but Santiago was kind of...Particular when it came to the things that he wanted - even more particular than you were. 

“Are you gonna micro-manage my dress, too?” You’d been teasing him when you’d asked that. He didn’t even look away from the email he was sending to the caterer. “If that’s a serious question then yeah, I have some thoughts,” He’d said. It had definitely not been a serious question, but you did want to see what he had in mind. Santiago had sent the email off, then tugged you into his lap and pulled up a folder on his laptop labeled ‘Wedding Ideas’ (which you'd had no idea he had - but it really shouldn’t have surprised you; Santiago was a planner, through and through). The dresses he’d looked at were sexy, bordering on skimpy. “You know my family will faint if they see me in that,” You’d told him after he’d clicked on one dress that was entirely see-through, save for some expertly placed lace, “That looks more like lingerie than a wedding dress-- what kind of underwear am I even supposed to wear with that?” “Who says you have to wear any?” Santiago countered. The pictures that he’d shown you had been fresh in your mind when you’d gone shopping for dresses. You’d had ideas of what you’d wanted to wear, and you wanted to find a happy medium between your preferences and his. In this dress, you did. It had a sexy-ish top, and a form-fitting silhouette that showed off your body. Santiago broke out into the widest grin when he saw you walking down the aisle. He broke into a wider one when you pinched his shoulder during your first dance, after he whispered to you, “So where did we net out on the underwear situation?” Tom Davis - Classic A-Line V-Neck

Tom wasn’t against getting married again, obviously, but he didn’t want to make it a massive deal. He already did the big wedding thing once. You knew that he was a little trepidatious about the process. He told you while you’re planning that he was fine, but he was a little more tense than usual in the months leading up to it. You did your best to involve him in the planning without overwhelming him with it, and when you asked him what kind of dress he'd like to see you in, he was surprised. He wasn’t involved in that process last time. He asked you to let him think about it, and you agreed. You found out after the fact, of course, that Tom, in typical Tom fashion, had been incredibly thorough: did research on different silhouettes, wedding trends over the last five years -- he even took undergarment types into consideration. But when he’d come back to you, he’d simply said that he wanted you to wear whatever you’d be happiest in; it was your day. You’d frowned, cupped his cheeks, and said, “Sweetheart, it’s ours.” He’d nearly cried. Tess was with you when you’d found the dress. The two of you got along well, and you’d been involving her in the wedding planning where you could. Your maid of honor hadn’t been able to get the day off of work, and you hadn’t wanted to go alone. You’d tried on a few dresses, with varied silhouettes and fabrics. You were hesitant to try on something that seemed a little more plain on the hanger, but this satin A-line ivory dress had caught your eye. Tess had helped you accessorize, and suggested a belt that had given the look just the right amount of bling. “Do you think your dad will like it?” You’d asked uncertainly. Tess had met your eyes on the mirror. “Do you love it?” She’d asked. You’d nodded, and she’d smiled and said, “Then so will he.”

[smutty-ki113r]

Hiya! I saw your blog and was interested in asking for a romantic matchup! You can involve nsfw if you would like.

My name is Ronan, my nickname is Ro, my most used pronouns are she/her/he/him. My sexuality is demi-sexual meaning I don’t get sexual attractions to people unless I have formed a strong emotional connection with said person. My zodiac is Scorpio (that’s pretty much all I know about that lmao) also my personality is ISTP-T

Starting with my mental trash I have a VERY low self esteem. I never liked the way I look and probably never will. I suffer from chronic depression that’s pretty much taken over my life. I have a very hard time with social cues and can come off as an asshole most of the time and I’m extremely blunt. People tend to think I’m cute since I’m fairly small; I’m a 5’3 Nordic female with thicker thighs. I am absolutely OBSESSED with The Legend of Zelda franchise, it’s been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m pretty musical; I play bass, drums, and sing. I also voice act so that’s really fun. Not gonna lie I say I have a huge ego but really I just hate everyone. Having depression I mostly lock myself in my room and work on my art.

How I look: I have black/brown hair in a boy cut. I have big round hazel eyes, my face is round with slightly chubby cheeks and freckles. I want to get my lip pierced but sadly have not gotten to that yet.. My fashion sense is kinda everywhere but I typically go for the cottage core aesthetic. I love muted nature ish colors, I think they look so pretty. I love to go on long walks and sit alone at my local park. I find being alone outside very calming. When I’m not outside or in my room I’m mostly playing video games with my friends and kicking their ass. Believe it or not I used to do boxing but now I just lift weights and workout some. I have a long history of physical illnesses that really render my body kinda useless so I always try to strengthen myself up however I can. I spent most of my childhood in the hospital due to these illnesses. I have been homeschooled my whole school years but I taught myself German, Japanese, and computer science. I actually have a job around it. I’m terrible at explaining my feelings and asking for help so telling people I love them is a huge chore for me. A lot of the time you can find me alone singing to myself with my eyes closed daydreaming.

I love to read. My friends say I’m really boring but whatever. OH I’ve always wanted to be a DJ. I know its a really weird dream but it just looks so cool. Nobody ever expects the sick quiet girl to want to be a DJ. Speaking of shy I’m a huge introvert if you couldn’t figure that out already. I’m extremely shy, don’t talk to me I’ll run away or you’ll be enveloped in my Zelda talk. I have amazingly crazy music taste (according to my mom) I listen to mostly heavy metal and Corpse Husband.

NSFW: Huge HUGE brat. You want me to do something? Yeah fuck you. I’m a huge sub you can pretty much do anything to me. I have a big daddy kink like please let me call you daddy UGH. Also praise but degrade me at the same time? Please thanks. I’m also a pillow princess. Um um ddlg yes thanks.

I match you with…..💖BEN_DROWNED💖

NSFW bellow~

OK OK I KNOW I KNOW, DON’T @ me for picking Benny boy for you Ro. I just think it’s the right fit. Let me start off with the whole depression thing, BEN relates to locking himself in his room and hyperfixating on something. At least you’ll have a gaming buddy to get you through it. Plus, he’s a very competitive guy. Get him to not cheat and you will have fun for hours. Not to mention you sound a bit like Jeff in the way that you can come off as rude. BEN and Jeff are pretty good friends, so you’ll make a wonderful partner for BEN.

Voice acting? BEN will love that, he’ll try to get you to do different characters from his video games or even anime characters. He loves your chubby cheeks, likes to squish them and make them puckered and then give you kisses. It’s quite adorable. Zelda talk? Yeah you don’t need to worry about him running off about that.

BEN will be obsessed with the cottage core, probably likes those little white flowy dresses. Maybe one day wear those elf ears and surprise him, I think he’d think it’s cute. You should definetly do his makeup, put that holographic glitter on his cheeks and some hair clips in his hair- maybe a skirt if he feels up to it.

BEN is very understanding about your illnesses, in fact he would be super impressed that you even lift weights. And is so so supportive about you wanting to be a DJ. He gets excited and calls over Jeff to show him. He’s not very shy about saying I love you, maybe the first time but after it’s constant affection.

For the smut! He can get rough sometimes, loves the daddy kink. He’s the type to soak all that up like a sponge. Praises you for taking his cock so well but will call you pathetic for making those noises. Probably wants you to wrap your thighs around his head and suck your clit for hours, he likes to feel you cum.

Ok Ok I hope you enjoyed that! I love how you have a big ego and then- low self esteem, sounds like me. I literally hate myself so much and then… holy shit I’m the hottest person alive. I know what depression is like, those thoughts just wrap around your throat and choke the life out of you, and it’s not even fast. It’s every day just heavier and heavier, dragging you down and making you feel horrible. I mostly lock myself in my room too, but writing helps me through it. I love love love your hair, boy cuts are so cool. And get that lip piercing! IT WOULD LOOK AWESOME. I love that you’re talented in music, I wish I was musically inclined. Scorpios are so cool, like I said, my best friend is one and so I LOVE YOU GUYS.

I am so incredibly proud of you, homeschool and then the illness stuff must be so hard but you are so strong for going through it. You don’t deserve it but sometimes life works that way. It’s ok to be shy and introverted. For the record, I think you would make an awesome DJ. DO it, I believe in you, so should you. I mean we all have our passions, work hard enough and I promise you’ll get there. I used to write a lot about my feelings and nobody ever read it, but I continued and look where I am now! Im so proud of myself for having this account, and you for being ALIVE. Thats all you need to do, you don’t need to be cool, or popular or skinny to be an amazing person.

Ro, I swear you are an awesome person. I can clearly see it, and I promise one day you’ll look in the mirror and think the same. If your friends say you’re boring they aren’t your friends. They sort of suck because reading is so cool. Without readers I couldn’t be a writer now could I? I believe in you. I know you can do it. Lifting weights is so badass I couldn’t even- I can barely do 5 pound weights man. Ya know I believe that the people who go through the most pain and sadness are the ones who will be the happiest in the end. The universe has to give us back what we lost, there is balance in everything and pain is only temporary. Everything is temporary. So I promise it’ll be ok man, and hey, you’re valid. I see you ro, and I know that you’ll make great places someday.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Robin and Gale Hood; Ben Hardy x reader Chap. 6

*Author’s note*

*Hums my favorite love song* I can’t tell you HOW MUCH I LOVED WRITING THIS CHAPTER. So I hope you all watch the videos I have set up in order to get into the MOOOOD :) The first song is literally in this author’s note so I hope you all enjoy it cause yes I took inspiration from the song and scene itself. So I’ll stop and let you all get to reading, there’s just 2 more chapters I’ve got left for you all to read till you’re on hiatus so enjoy the FLUFFINESS MY LOVIES.

Chapter 6,

Love is reformed

Taglist:

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@waddles03​

@psychosupernatural​

@ixchel-9275​

@simonedk​

@wormzteef​

@queen-paladin​

@queensdivas​

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​

@queendeakyy​

@geek-and-proud​

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Well that could’ve turned out better, but like I’m telling you my darlings this is how it all happened.  But now we’re gonna take things down a notch and finally see our four lovers reunite with each other.  And I think first and foremost we should start off with Gale and James.  Fingering the harp in a romantic tune I sighed deeply.

Yes my darlings, love is in the air tonight and for James and Gale, they’re finally gonna put the past behind and rekindle the spark they once had.  If not then I’ll fix them myself, especially that Gale.  I love her but god that girl is soooo dense!

Whew sorry darlings don’t mean to ramble.  Let’s get back to our story.

As the sun began to set and give the sky that romantic sunset color, James and Gale soon arrived at the top of the waterfall that led to the entrance of Sherwood forest.  The two of them making small talk with each other and every now and then brushing up against one another.

They stopped and that’s when Gale looked down and she warned him.

“Now this gets a little tricky cause of the moss along the rocks but we can do it.”

“Why not just jump over the waterfall?” James asked.  Gale chuckled and said.

“Yeah that’s funny.” She continued chuckling till she turned to James and saw that he wasn’t laughing along. “You’re being serious?”

“Yeah why not?”

“James. Th—that’s crazy even for me. Besides we don’t even know how deep that pond goes so we don’t even try it.”

“Now where is that sense of adventure Gale that I used to know?”

“I still got it. I just know when to use my common sense.”

“Well you know there’s only one way to stop me.” He then began to disrobe himself of his shirt and pants.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What are you doing?”

“Well father will kill me if he returns and found out that I got his clothes all wet. This was his favorite robes back when he was my age and he passed them to me on my 18th birthday so……”

“But do you have to undress in front of me?” Gale gawked out.

“C’mon this isn’t the first time you caught me with no shirt on. Remember back on our second anniversary? When you snuck into my room only to find I had just gotten back from the bath.”

“Yes, yes I remember. And believe me, most embarrassing moment of my life. Little John still won’t let me live it down.” But of course Gale couldn’t help but take a quick peak and saw that James had really built himself up since she last saw him.

“So are you coming or not?”

“I choose life thank you very much.”

“Suit yourself.” James took a several steps back before running and jumped off the cliff.  The wind blew his hair over his head and he did a perfect dive straight into the water. At the top of the waterfall, Gale knelt down and shook her head.

“Just as I feared. He’s become a showoff just like my brother. He always did stuff like this just to impress the ladies, and when he met Marian yeesh. Okay James you made your point!” but James didn’t resurface.

A seed of worry started to plant in her mind as she cried out.

“James? JAMES!!” carefully she scaled down the rocks as best as she could without falling over.  When she finally reached the ground, she jumped over a few of the boulders and knelt down trying to see if she could spot James. “James this isn’t funny anymore!”

Now she was starting to get scared.  As she frantically looked around the water hoping to spot him, a trail of bubbles started to stalk towards her.  When she spotted the bubbles, she was confused but she about had a heart attack when James suddenly popped out, grinned seductively at her while grabbing her and pulled her into the water with him.

She breached back up with a gasp and quickly pulled herself back onto solid ground panting and shivering.

James pulled himself up kneeling down beside her laughing cheekily.

“That wasn’t funny!!”

“It was pretty funny. You should’ve seen your face!” he laughed. Gale looked up at, his long blonde hair practically sticking to his face.

“So what you think you’re a Nokk now?”

“Possibly. I did lead you to the water after all. And you always fall for my charm.” He said with a cheeky wink.

“Well then my fine Nokk of the Sherwood creek,” Gale started off seductively as she leaned towards him. “Shall we take the time for a romantic swim?” James softly growled out a moan as he said.

“So long as you’re there.” Gale brushed her hand across his broad shoulders and collarbone before going up and stroking along his face.

To James’ surprise though, Gale’s hand splayed across his face as she pushed him back into the water before taking off running.  He came back up spurting out water as he proclaimed.

“DIRTY TRICK GALE!!” She heard the creek water splash around as James got out of there and he soon took off running after her.

The two of them ran through the open fields of the forest forcing the quails out of their hiding places in the tall meadow grass. As she came around a tree, Gale soon felt two strong arms trap her against a broad chest.

She shrieked and tried to free herself but James’ grip was too strong for her to break free.  But then James lost his footing and soon the two of them were sent rolling down the grassy hill before finally landing on the ground, Gale on top of James.

Their laughter singing through the air in almost a perfect love melody and as it slowly died down, James looked up at his love and raised his head up and gave her a hidden kiss.  You know—the hidden kiss that lays there at the corner of your mouth till the right lips that match it, find it again.

Gale’s eyes widened and she looked down at James. His hair wildly spread out like a golden halo and his piercing green eyes staring straight into her very soul showed nothing but pure love.

Her heart raced so fast in her chest that she felt like her heart was just gonna burst out of her body.  She felt the familiar shivers go up her spine and she tried to look away but James gently cupped her chin so that she had no choice but to look at him.

The hint of a smile twitched at the corner of her lips before she finally succumb to love’s embrace and she lovingly smiled down at the man she had given her heart and soul to.

James lifted his upper body and adjusted the two of them so that their bodies were pressed close to one another.  Gale’s hands stroked down James’ bare arms while their forehead pressed against one another’s.

Each breath they exhaled out intertwined together for the first time in so many years in a loving dance.  Till finally their lips met and James’ hand moved from her chin to side of her face bringing her closer to him.

Gale wrapped her arms around James’ shoulders, brushing her fingers through his newly long hair.  God she had missed stroking her fingers through his hair.  She even thought that with it longer, it had gotten softer than when he kept it short.

His free arm wrapped around Gale’s waist bringing her tighter against his bare chest.  Their kiss slowly getting deeper but not to the point where it was a kiss of lust.

The kiss they shared was of longing, reunion, love, and trust.  Once they separated for air, they embraced each other and she whispered into his ear.

“I’m sorry James. I should never have said what I said I-I was angry and I-I didn’t mean for you to be at fault…..” she sobbed.

“Shhh. I know my love, I know. It was my fault for not telling you in the first place of what getting involved with me would be like.”

“Can you ever forgive me?” James wiped a tear from her eye and said as he stared at her with pure love.

“There’s nothing to forgive my love.” He embraced his love once more.

Not another word was spoke between the two of them.  For their embrace and kisses were enough words to be said to the other.

Sniffles and cries. OHHH THEY FINALLY DID IT!!! And it was sooo beautiful!! Oh my darlings you cannot imagine what I am feeling right now!

So just go and see what Robin and Marian are doing I—I need a moment…….

PLAY VIDEO

Nighttime.  The full moon had now taken its place in the night sky and as the fireflies flew around the forest, Robin and Maid Marian were taking a romantic nightly stroll in the woods walking hand in hand.

Robin helped her down a small steep hill before the two of them continued onward.  They soon came to the river and as the two of them stood beside a small, thin tree, Robin came in front of her (never once letting her hand go) and tilted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes.

“How beautiful you are.” He whispered like he was saying a prayer.

“And how handsome you’ve become.” She said with a warm smile. “Oh Robin, all these years I thought that you had……” she trailed off and looked down sadly.

“Had I what, my darling?” he took her chin back between his index finger and thumb.

“That you had forgotten about me.”

“Marian my love, forgetting you is the most impossible thing I could ever do. Ever since the day you left, you’ve always been on my mind. Every star I looked up at the sky, I saw your eyes. Every sunray I saw, I thought of your hair. You were always around me even when I couldn’t physically see you.”

“As were you Robin. Every night in my dreams I saw you and could feel you but—it wasn’t the same.” Robin took her hand and stroked the back of it with his thumb.

“Marian my love,” he started off. “I’ve—I’ve only thought about this a million times, but I never thought if it was the right thing to say. As you know my name is not on the side of the law, and I never wanted to involve you in it, especially now with Prince John and the Sheriff going crazy but I……I cannot ignore my heart any longer.”

He got down on one knee and held out a pink water lily ring that he had fashioned (just like the first flower ring he made for her all those years ago).

“Will you marry me?” Marian smiled and said.

“Oh darling I thought you’d never ask me.” Robin smiled and lovingly slid the lily ring onto her left ring finger this time.  Right as he slid the ring onto her finger, a firefly came down on the water lily and blinked it’s light, almost as if it were acting out the shimmer of a diamond.

Robin stood up and gently cupped Marian’s face in his hands and the two of them lovingly kissed each other.

“But are you sure this is what you want? It could get dangerous.”

“Yes Robin. Even if I have to throw away my title and my name, I’m willing to do anything if it means I get to remain at your side forever till the end of our days.”

“Then I swear to the All mighty God above that I will do everything in my power to protect you from harm.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second my love.” Marian stroked down the side of his face and the two of them remained in each other’s touch for a moment longer.

Soon they came to the entrance of Sherwood forest.  Robin led her through the waterfall and when they arrived at the camp, they saw sitting together James (who was once again dressed) and Gale wrapped in each other’s arms.

“Well we were wondering when you two kids would get here.” James said like a father scolding his child for being out late at night.  Robin and Marian bashfully looked down.

“And what of you two? I assume from the way you both are snuggled up against one another that you’ve rekindled your relationship?” Robin said after clearing his throat.  Gale softly giggled and lay her head on James’ shoulder while he wrapped his arm further around her shoulders.  Bringing her close and kissed the top of her head.

“Yes. We’ve left the past behind us and are now focused on the future ahead.” James said.  Robin and Marian walked up to their younger sibling and cousin and each of them hugged the other.

Robin and James did a brotherly hug with each other and Robin once again warned him.

“I let you get off the last time, but if you break her heart again, I’ll……”

“Shoot me right between the eyes. I never forgot Robin. I promise this time I won’t leave her.” Maid Marian and Gale embraced each other, happy to finally be sisters again, that’s when Gale looked down at Marian’s left ring finger.

“Wait, are you…..are you!?” Marian’s bell like giggle rang through the air as she nodded.

“He just did it not too long ago.”

“Oh my god I finally get to have my dream sister!” Gale cheered as she embraced Marian who gladly embraced her back.

“And when can I expect to have you as my cousin in law hmm?” she teased.

“Who knows, we—haven’t really discussed the matter of marriage. I mean we just finally buried our horrible past.” Marian nodded softly understanding.

“Let’s make a pact. When we do get married, we become the other’s Maid of honor.” Gale nodded and the two women shook on it.

“I think in light of this occasion a toast is called for.” James said.  Robin then walked over and grabbed a bottle of wine as well as four mugs.  He filled up the mugs halfway with wine and the four of them held their mugs in the air.

“To rekindled love, and to new unions.” Robin said.

“To rekindled love, and to new unions.” Gale, James and Marian said as they raised their mugs in cheers before taking a sip of the wine.

“SURPRISE!!!” a voice suddenly called out.