#so i am NOT going to add heat damage on top of that!!! so i will NOT use a straightener/blow dryer outside of

[pr]

curly girl truthers: u have to take care of ur curls n cultivate them n love them for them to blossom 🥰🥰🥰

me, actively trying to destroy my curls, but they continue to plague me: well how the fuck do i NOT do that

[vibratingskull]

Since the requests are open...

May I ask Thurfian x Freader x Thrawn. I am not gonna add anything too spicy in my fic,(except some juicy hints) but I wish to see how far this scenario can go.

Do your best ...or worst.

Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe! MY TWO MEN TOGETHER!!!!!!!!! It is simple and short cause it's the first time I write this dynamic, but it was really fun 😈😈

Thrawn x F!reader x Thurfian

Tags: Period, fluff, wholesome, just two idiots (affectionate) being in love with you

You groan, gritting your teeth. You are so uncomfortable! 

Your tummy hurts and you cannot breathe correctly, feeling a weight on your back crushing you against a hard mass that is definitely not your mattress! 

You sniff and open your eyes full of sleep and immediately understand why: Thrawn had somehow seized you in his sleep and pulled you fully on top of him, and Thurfian is on top of you like a pile a cats, sleeping soundly. 

Your tummy ache, however, remains a mystery.  

You try to move a bit but their four arms keep you locked in their embrace. You blow one of Thurfian’s long strands of hair out of your face, trying to see the chrono on the bedside table. 

3 am. 

Thurfian’s day starts in one hour and you feel guilty to wake him up now as he needs a restful sleep to rule and lead the Mitths and Ascendancy, but you really need to alleviate that crushing pressure on your stomach. 

“Thurfian? Ch’acico? I need to move...” You try to wake him up gently. 

For sole response, you hear a growl and feel his embrace tightening around your waist. 

“Please, I don’t feel well, I need to go to the bathroom...” You insist in a whisper to not wake up Thrawn as well. 

This time he sighs and you feel him roll to the side, removing himself from you and relieving the pressure at last! But the pain remains in your stomach. You groan and rise from Thrawn’s sleeping form, gently removing his grip from you... 

Resulting in him opening his shining red eyes in a flash, fully alert. 

Wonderful, now everyone is awake... 

“Sorry...” You wince, “Go back to sleep.” 

“What is wrong, Ch’acah?” Thrawn investigates, his large hand cupping your cheek tenderly. 

“Just a tummy ache. It will pass, sleep Ch’acah.” 

“It is your period, euhn Vutucni.” Thurfian casually drops, sitting on the edge of the bed as he stretches his spine. 

“How do you know?” You frown incredulously at him. 

He turns to you, tapping the tip of his nose with his finger and a raised eyebrow. Under you, Thrawn raises his upper chest to dive his nose in the crook of your neck to get a whiff. 

“Indeed.” He judges. 

You exhale a sound midway between a sigh and a groan. Your period is here, wonderful! How you missed them! 

You leave the bed, shaking your head, and head to the bathroom to check the damage with lights. Indeed you feel that unpleasant dampness between your legs as you walk in.  

Well... Those panties and shorts are ruined now, that is for sure!  

“Fricking... Frost!” You grumble, curled on the toilets as your periods rearrange your guts. 

You loved those shorts! 

Thurfian enters the bathroom uninvited with an empty glass and heads to the pharmacy cabinet to take out a painkiller. He fills the glass at the sink and turns to you, handing you the pill and the glass with a silent order in his regal eyes. 

“Thank you...” You try to smile at him but your period twists your organs making you wince unelegantly. 

“Take it. Thrawn is in the kitchens heating up a hot water bottle.” He explains sternly. 

You nod, placing the pill on your tongue and taking a large sip of water. You are infinitely thankful that humans and Chiss are near species, allowing you to eat the same foods and take the same medicines and painkillers. 

Thurfian takes back the glass that he lets on the sink, preferring to focus on you. You curl up, feeling a cold sweat rolling at your temples and fatigue seizing you. You let your head fall into your hands as your elbows rest on your knees, praying for the pain to go away quickly. 

Thurfian silently kneels before you, his hand coming to caress your cheek in silent compassion. 

“I am sorry... This is not glamorous, not worthy of a Patriarch’s eyes!” You tiredly joke. 

“Do not apologize for that, vutucni. Do you need anything?”  

His voice is cold and stern as always, but you can see worry and concern in his beautiful rubies. 

“My period underwears are in this cabinet.” You point. 

He retrieves a period panties that he hands you and pulls on your soiled shorts and panties without a fuss. He stands up and puts them in the sink, while you pass the panties on. 

“I need to wash them now.” You sigh, exhausted. 

“Do not bother. Thrawn will handle it.” Thurfian decides before leaving the bathroom. 

You flush and wash your hands and go to retrieve new pajama shorts. As you exit the room you see Thurfian inspecting the sheets and Thrawn returning with a big hot water bottle and a little box in his hand. 

“You have some work in the bathroom, Thrawn.” Thurfian doesn’t even bother turning to him as he orders him around, as usual. 

Thrawn glances at the bathroom door before giving you the hot water bottle that you immediately press on your lower tummy with relief. He opens the lid of the little box with ‘for emergencies’ written on it, to reveal small pieces of chocolate. You cannot help but gasp; they all look so delicious! 

“I figured it was an emergency.” He explains softly. 

You pick one and bite into it with childish delight. You moan as you savor the treat. 

“Thank you, Ch’acah.” You say with your mouth full, on the verge of tears. 

He tightly smiles and gently kisses your forehead before going to clean the bloodbath in the bathroom. 

You finish the treat, hearing the sounds of water in the bathroom, when you feel Thurfian circling your shoulders with his arm, pressing you against his warmer body. 

“Come back to bed, Vutucni. You know the first day is always the worst for you.” 

You obey and follow him, laying back under the covers, the bottle against your sensitive stomach and Thurfian spooning you against your back. You sigh, finally starting to relax as the tension in your muscles slowly dissolves, feeling Thurfian’s hand gently caressing the top of your head as he buries his nose in your hair, purring like a lazy big cat.  You feel his lips kissing your neck gently as he pulls you tighter towards his taller body, shielding you from the rest of the world. 

You sigh under his caress, reveling in his gentle attention, appreciating this rare moment when he allows himself to be softer for your sake. 

And a little bit of his own... 

After long minutes Thrawn reappears, wiping his hand with a towel. He remains at the door, observing you and Thurfian snuggling together, tilting his head at the sight. He disposes of the towel and reenters the bed careful not to move your body too much. 

“Did you properly wash her clothes?” Thurfian harshly demands before Thrawn gets too comfortable. 

“I saved them.” Thrawn simply retorts, unbothered. 

You internally roll your eyes. Those two need to chill out around each other... 

Thrawn smiles at you and presses his forehead against yours, caressing your cheek fondly. 

“Thank you.” You whisper to them both. 

“You are welcome, Ch’acah.” Thrawn responds in the same tone while Thurfian kisses your shoulder loudly. 

“Tell me if you need the bottle reheated.” Thrawn takes your hand in his and intertwines your fingers together. 

“Okay...” You nod, feeling slumber taking you again. 

You curl up around the bottle and feel Thurfian’s and Thrawn’s body following, wrapping themself around you in a warm hug. 

You feel so at peace in the arms of your two husbands, at your rightful place. 

Soon, two purrings resonate in the bedroom, as your two men try to get their fill of you without bothering you. 

You yawn, letting love take you to sleep, at last... 

----

Ch'acah - Love

euhn vutucni - little dove

Ch'acico - Beloved

@bluechiss @justanothersadperson93 @thrawnspetgoose @Thrawnalani @twilekchiss @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @obbicrystaleo @elise2174 @davesrightshoe @Holylonelyponyeatingmacaroni 

[toms-cherry-trees]

Hello Mars!! Congratulations for your 1.5K followers celebration 🎉 I hope you get many many more! 🤗 and more stories!

To celebrate can I request a blurb with this gif?

(Fluff) I love a rare Tommy Shelby smile 😊 😉 ♥️

Congrats once more!! *hype* also could you add me to your Tommy tag list? xx

Tommy smiles are so rare we ought to cherish them 🥺🥺

Also I will add you to the tag list! Thanks for the request darling!

Mars 1.5K Celebration

Laugh || Tommy Shelby x Reader

Warnings: Hunting, some war PTSD, because fluff with me is never 100% fluff

Raucous laughter booms through the stillness of the forest, mixing in with the cacophony made by the lurking animals who are surely hiding not so far from you, all of them driven off by the heat and light of your bonfire. In the background you hear the gentle gurgle of a nearby stream from where you obtained water for the mint tea now warming your hands and your belly. You are swathed in an old woollen blanket of dark green hues, already frayed and thinned out by time. Tommy sits across from you on a log, cigarette hanging from his lips as he entertains you with stories of his childhood, enacting the best parts for you with dramatic motions of his hands. 

“And how much did you pay John to eat a pound of raw onions?” You inquire once more, half of the story having been lost between your laughs.

“Not enough for the stomach ache he got. His breath reeked for days” Tommy’s laugh is such a rare occurrence you have forgotten how beautiful it is. Deep and throaty, shaking his shoulders and pulling his lips into a grin. His eyes shine brighter and his features soften, jaw no longer clenched tight and brow relaxed. The only thing that remains of the old Tommy, the only part of himself not tainted and poisoned is his laugh. And you cherish every little instance you get to hear it.

When Tommy said you two were going out to camp, you thought he had lost his mind. Sure, camping out had been a big part of your youth but now, both in your 30s, three children and a lot of responsibilities under your wing, the idea seemed derisory. Yet you didn’t regret one bit coming out with him into the forest, still safely within the lands surrounding Arrow House. You knew if you had allowed, he would have taken you out on the road to God knows where, but you felt safer close to the house and your kids.

“What do you think the other MPs would say if they saw you, mighty Tommy Shelby OBE, with mud up to your knees and gathering twigs to light a fire?”

Tommy flicks his cigarette stub into the fire and comes to sit next to you, his strong arm circling your shoulders “I am sure my fellow MPs would be very appreciative of my extensive efforts to understand better the lives of the common people”

“Because surely the common people of South Birmingham sleep in vardos under the stars and hunt rabbits for supper” A teasing smile tugs at your lips, leaning your head back on his shoulder so you can observe his features. His cheeks are flushed from cold, despite the warmth of your body and the flames, and his breath comes out in faint puffs of mist. You press your tin mug into his hands, noticing the way he stretches his stiffened fingers. Silence has befallen you, and for long minutes you two dwell on the moment, the embrace, and the so welcomed break of the routine. 

“It’s been ten years” He whispers quietly, swirling the drink in his hand before taking a sip

“I know” Is the only reply that you can muster, instinctively scooting closer to his frame until your head is tucked under his jaw, his hand laced with yours and you tracing circles on the back with your thumb. He inhales deeply the scent of your hair, chin perched on top of your hair. Physically he is hugging you, but his brain is in a far away land. 

Ten years. A whole decade. The anniversary of the day he returned home from France, beaten and bruised and underfed and scared, even if he would never admit it. Even if your affection and devotion had nursed the physical damage, some wounds could never be treated nor healed, and remained gaping and bleeding in a place only he could reach. A place that only belonged to him, and of which you were only allowed frightful glimpses every time his demeanour broke into fits of unbridled rage, or when he would awake you in the dead of the night, fingers clinging to your nightgown and feverish kisses to your skin because they are there, the Germans are coming, the shovels are on the wall and you are the only anchor he has to steady himself against the storm brewing inside his brain. 

“Sometimes I wonder if-”

“No. Don’t wonder. It is all in the past and it no longer matters” You are quick to interrupt him, knowing where his thoughts are heading. Never before you thought you would hear terms such as shell shock or survivor’s guilt, but once you learned about them, they made perfect sense. When things got dark, Tommy pondered over the what ifs of life. What if he had not returned, and instead another boy had made it home; a boy who did not put his family in danger, a boy who protected his loved ones and did good to others, instead of carrying guns up his sleeve and knives in his heart. Tommy always said boy instead of man; another of his tactics of self-flagellation, derived from all the fresh-faced kids who boarded the train with him, and how little of them made the journey back.

You know you have to pull him out of his trance before he sinks too deep into his black waves, and you can only think of one way how. Your fingers slowly trace patterns above his heart, sliding down in progressively wider circles until you find that ticklish spot between his ribs and dig deep, forcing a startled laughter from his lips. All of a sudden Tommy is on the ground, your weight pinning his legs as you continue your assault, thumbs digging under his ribcage and stealing the breath from his lungs in forced waves of laughter, all of while he struggles to smack your hands away, his body writhing under your and staining his shirt with green from the grass. After several tortuous minutes he manages to grab your wrists in his grasp and pulls both of your hands to a halt, drawing in heavy breaths as the joyous sounds slowly fade away. 

“You are terrible sometimes” He growls, pulling you close by the wrists so your body topples over his, keeping your arms pinned between your bodies as his arms circle your waist. His heartbeat remains frantic and his cheeks are as red as ripe apples. 

“And yet you decided to marry me” Your lips hover inches above his, both of you sporting relaxed smiles. His eyes seem brighter than ever, almost innocent. You see through the vines encircling his soul the traces of the young lad he used to be, peeking out through gentle moments like this. 

“Terrible decision on my behalf”

“Terrible indeed” You mock, a soft laugh escaping you as you wiggle free from his grasp enough to accommodate yourself so you are straddling his abdomen, knees on either side of him. His hands naturally rest on the curve of your hip to keep you steady, features brimming with adoration for the wife that keeps him grounded and steady. Without you he would be like a boat without moorings, drifting into the abysm. 

You lean in for a kiss tantalisingly slow, while Tommy lifts his torso to meet you halfway. Right before your lips touch, your fingers are back on his ribs, stealing laughs from his throat and flutters from his heart. 

[absolutebl]

10 Great Slow Burn BLs

I was asked about great chemistry, slow burn, with lots of pining and yearning, and an HEA (of course). For slow burn there will be less high heat due to the style of narrative, so I am going with actor chemistry, as well as emotional and mental resonance, not necessarily physical chemistry. (Something like Bed Friends could be argued is high heat slow burn... which would be what? A rolling boil?)

Honestly, slow burn is pretty relative, so I'm going with romance pacing puts the kiss and togetherness at the back 1/3 (if not the very last episode). Rather than at the "normal" 2/3.

1. Light On Me (Korea 2021 Viki)

Korea does an elegant pastiche of traditional live action yaoi but all filming is cleverly deployed to bolster one of the most riveting love triangles ever put on screen… and I don’t like love triangles. The high school angst is strong with this one and it's certainly slow burn and there is some EPIC yearning drawn out over a longer than usual KBL. Full review.

2. My School President (Thai 2023 YouTube)

GMMTV gave us a classic high school set Thai BL with tropes like messy boys singing their feelings that made this one Love Sick for the modern age with all the gentle sweetness and pining ache, but none of the dated damaging tropes or issues. Yes, we’ve seen it all before, but I still ADORE this. And there is a lot to be said for the classics being executed perfectly. Who let my BL be this wholesome and funny? Possibly too slow burn for some, we wait many eps for that pay out, and Tin's pining is NOT quiet, but it defined dorky and earnest.

3. Old Fashion Cupcake (Japan 2022 Viki)

It's hard to call such a short show slow burn, but it is. There are many episodes spent watching Togawa just HUNGER for Nozue and try to court him by feeding. This is about a younger man with a long cherished crush on his boss (ten years older and going through a mid life crisis) who decides to save and seduce said boss with pancakes. It’s wholesome, comforting, sexy, and a very necessary narrative about still having hope, interests, and openness to affection at any age. It’s a stunningly filmed late-in-life coming of age/queerness story packaged in a subtle critique of expectations around masculinity, love, and loneliness… and it’s beautiful. Full review.

4. My Ride (Thai 2022 Gaga)

Thai BL grew up with this pulp (the first ever to make my end of year top 10). It’s a truly lovely and special little show featuring the extremely rare pairing of sunshine/sunshine (AKA a cinnamon roll couple) plus mature explorations of relationships using one of the softest, sweetest and most innocent friends to lovers vehicles. Kindly, overworked doctor meets broken-hearted motorcycle taxi driver in an “other side of the tracks” slow burn romance. Even though we see them meet, we also see one of them fall in love, step back, and PINE for olympic gold. With honest queer rep that adds to, but doesn’t impede, the story, and genuine conversation about the nature of class, wealth, and classism, not to mention communication, honesty, and respect for boundaries, you can’t go wrong with this show. Full review.

5. Cherry Magic (Japan 2020 fan sub)

AKA 30 Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard AKA 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii AKA Cheri Maho

The sweetest fluffiest magical realism BL, packaged as a pinning office romance, very low heat (practically chaste) but the cutest. It’s truly great. Don't expect kisses tho.

6. Wish You: Your Melody in My Heart (Korea 2020 Viki)

Set in the music industry featuring a talented singer and the pianist who falls in love with him (and his music), subtle and achingly adorable. High production, low heat, short run, very tame, and Korea, so all the pretty. Slow burn and lots of pining.

7. About Youth (Taiwan 2022 Gaga)

A truly lovely little coming of age high school BL with a classic YA low drama but high angst and an earnest depth. I didn’t even mind the singing, and that’s saying a lot. A weak seme/uke dynamic but tons of BL tropes (both rare in a high school setting but common for Taiwan) makes this one feel both sweet and colored by an almost real world authenticity and grit. Full review here.

8. The Tasty Florida (Korea 2021 Viki)

Another one where it's hard to describe as slow burn because it's so short, but there is certainly that feel and it's def got the pining. Not really a love triangle featuring the prettiest men ever to be grouped together outside of K-pop, honestly the visuals are ridiculous, there’s a story, it has to do with food, whatever, they so pretty.

9. See You After Quarantine? (Taiwan 2021 Viki)

This under appreciated gem is Taiwan’s answer to Gameboys and is just as charming and adorable yet still as quintessentially Taiwanese as one might hope. It features a Japanese love interest and the cutest most confused disaster gay. Slow burn because the two have almost no actual screen time together and yet manage some truly amazing chemistry. How does Taiwan do it?

10. Restart After Come Back Home (Japan 2020 Gaga)

AKA Risutato wa tadaima no ato de

Atmospheric study in rural Japan meets complex family dynamics built on a romance framework of city boy meets country boy, grumpy/sunshine. It’s beautiful and icy sweet. Slow moving in places but ultimately worth the patience, low heat, low angst, and stunning. Full review here.

Others?

A Tale of a Thousand Stars

Step By Step

Our Dining Table

Where Your Eyes Linger

Choco Milk Shake

Love Class

DNA Says Love You

My Only 12%

Dear Doctor I’m Coming for Soul

2nd part of the question:

Who does it best? Shows, actors, countries?

COUNTRIES

I have said it before and I will say it again, no one does thirst like Japan. I think however, Korea is also very good at pining and yearning. So for "countries" those would be my top picks. But most BL producers have some examples, it's just that Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines tend to pay out the yearning more quickly (see something like 2 Moons Ambassador for an example of this kind of pacing).

Japan and Korea will make you wait for it. For Thailand you usually have to rely on the high school stuff. 21 Days Theory and Love Sick are both also slow burn.

ACTORS (characters)

I do have a post about great piners, several in fact.

(from @crowie ask)

These top 10 picks are based on my personal definition of slow burn and pining, yours may differ.

Post updated June 2023 and only contains BL that has completed its run. Not responsible for epic pining or fab slow burn BL that comes after that date.

Please feel free to comment or repost with additions! Share the love... slow though it may be.

(source)

[bakingtherapy]

Breakfast with Cordelia #34 Grape Pie

Sul Sul, gerbits. Today we are going to be making something that I have never made before. A grape pie. 

I have heard about them, and apparently, they were invented in the Finger Lakes region of New York. So, when we had a bunch of grapes in the fridge I challenged myself to make a grape pie. 

I learned from the various pies I had done in the past, that I needed to start earlier rather than later. And so I am starting my pie at 11:30 in the morning. 

The first thing that we need to do is create the pie crust. The reason why you want to start the pie crust first is that the longer it is in the freezer, the flakier it is. Or you can buy a ready-made pie crust, whatever you like.

For this recipe, we are going to be making a normal pie crust. To do this add the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in your shortening with a pastry blender or a fork. Add your ice water 1 tablespoon at a time. Gather your dough into a ball, on a lightly floured surface you are going to shape your dough into a more refined ball. 

For this recipe, you are going to need two pie crusts. So to do that you are going to equally cut your dough in half. Wrapping both crusts individually with plastic wrap and place them in the freezer until you need them. 

For the pie, the first thing that we are going to do is process the seeded grapes. 

To that, you are going to pluck the grapes from the stems, measuring the quantity of desired cups for the recipe. However, in my case, I measured out 6 cups of grapes. However, when processed it reduced down to 3 cups. Make sure to keep that in mind. 

Rinse your grapes and wash your hands. 

Okay, now we have to start with the long process of de-skinning the grapes. With some of your favorite music on in the background, get comfortable. Have two “bowls” in front of you. One is going to be a saucepan, and the other is going to be a mixing bowl. 

You are going to slip the skins from the grapes over the saucepan, these are the guts. It is going to look green and seedy.  

Drop the empty skins into the other bowl. This is going to take a while, so feel free to listen to some music or an audiobook. Whatever, like. 

Once you have done all the seeds, you are going to start to cook the grape guts, stirring them often, simmering them until the pulp breaks down and the seeds come out. 

I used a wire strainer and a spoon. This took a while to do, but I poured the pulp and the grape juice and the seeds into the strainer and removed the seeds. The recipe states that you should use a food mill. At this point, I don’t own a food mill so I used a wire strainer and a spoon. But, I made sure to strain it more than once. Just so nobody chomped down on a grape seed. Ow!

Once you have gotten the seeds out of the guts. You are going to reunite the skins with the pulp and juice. And stir it until combined. This will be a gorgeous shade of purple. 

Now the grapes are ready to be in the pie. 

You are going to preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 

Return the grape pulp and the skins to the saucepan, and bring them to a boil. Then you are going to turn off the heat. 

Stir in your sugar, salt, nutmeg or cinnamon, and lemon juice. Make sure to taste your grapes beforehand. If you feel that they are on the sour side, you may want to add a little bit more sugar. 

In a small mixing bowl measure out your cornstarch. Ladle a small amount of the grape mixture into this bowl. You are dissolving the corn starch, once it is dissolved completely add the cornstarch mixture to the grape mixture in the saucepan. 

Now you are going to roll out both of your pie crusts. Fill with the grape mixture. Again look at the color of this, it is a stunning deep purple that would be hard to duplicate. 

Place your top crust over the grape. Remember to breathe you do this. Because whenever I place a top crust on my pies, I usually hold my breath because I am afraid of damaging the fruit mixture inside. Brush the top of the pie with egg whites and sprinkle a little bit of sugar on top. 

Bake the pie for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on it, if the pie crust starts to brown too fast, line some aluminum foil over the edges. I did not need to do this because I place the pie on the lowest level of the oven. 

Let it cool on the counter for a few minutes, and then place it in the fridge to get the best results. 

This was a pie that I have heard of so many times, but I have not ever had it. I was really happy when I was able to make it. 

I am glad that I started making this pie earlier because I ended up being done with it at almost 4 pm. Make sure to know your body and know how long you are going to be in the kitchen.

I hope you all like this recipe. Feel free to like and subscribe for more recipes like this in the future. Vadish, Dag Dag!

Show the original author some 💖💖💖 The Opulent Opossum

Show the original pie crust, author, some  💖💖💖 Betty Crocker

Printable version of this recipe: on the blog

Printable version of this pie crust recipe: on the blog

Feel free to support me on:

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[bug-ghouls-corner]

You know what?

Ghoul dick (and other) thoughts

An add on- I full on headcanon gender fluid/ shapeshifting ghouls, and I'm going into both biological and aesthetic functions

this is all I can think to jot down currently, but I am so so so happy to talk about demon dick

An add on (again)- commonly ghouls glamour away their unique ghoul features, but some are unable to be hidden. (This is why you may be able to spot some in my artwork).

ADDITIONALLY- I will talk about heats and such, so something which I find important to say is that a ghoul can be influenced into a sort of pseudo-heat through the neck. a common area of scent glands. it's used by ghouls who want to spend their heats together, but run on a different cycle.

FIRE GHOULS

Ghouls are predominantly polyamorous, so the need to ensure that the gene pool is minimised to two ghouls isn't a bit issue. Their heat cycles are around once a month and aren't a large event like other ghouls, usually being a surprisingly civil coupling with ghouls communicating their needs well throughout.

So Fire ghoul penises are fairly similar to male ones, except that the common mushroom-head is instead just pointed. One common and unique factor are cartilage ridges that trail on the top of the penis, no-one has a clue what it does but again-- no-one is complaining.

The ridges are also observed on female genitalia as ridges covering the clitoral hood and around the entrance to the vagina, it's assumed that the ridges were first on the female anatomy and translated into the male as a form of protection against harsh actions and unwanted mates.

EARTH GHOULS

Earth ghouls are unique in terms of ghouls, as they tend to have single mates to create kits but still maintain multiple partners. Their heat cycles are commonly in colder, winter months, but also occasionally melt into spring. It's built that way so as for the carrying ghoul to gestate through hibernation and have lots of food accessible to the kit during summer and spring.

Like fire ghouls- their genitalia appear similar to human, with the recognisable mushroom-head. But the penis' carry a knot, and the vagina's seem to lack the clitoral hood as the nerves of the clitoris is instead under a cushion of tissue instead. It doesn't seem that sensation has been lost through this cushioning, but is instead another protective measure against possible damage.

WATER GHOULS

Water ghouls are funky creatures.

Their heats are 4 times a year, with a heavy affect on them. They get territorial and dominant in their actions, commonly brooding in places people tend to avoid as water Ghouls tend to act violently against people they perceive a threat against.

tentacle penis The anatomy is unique in the manner that they have a prehensile appendage for insertion, but also have the ability to be penetrated at the same time. All I can say, is that I personally like to think that water ghouls are like snails and slugs in the manner that they are a hermaphroditic species, and that coupling commonly leads to both ghouls getting pregnant through a heat.

AIR GHOULS

honestly i haven't thought that much about air ghouls

i think that their heat cycles are sort of like earth ghouls, but instead experience it during late summer to autumn. where eggs can be fertilised and brooded enough to hatch in warmer months.

I like to think that air ghouls have something like a cloaca/ ovipositor. the ovipositor doesn't need the excess skin that is commonly seen on external genitalia, because it is an internal genitalia that exits the body to lay a brood and that's around it.

Air ghoul genitalia commonly looks like an external female vulva complete with clitoral hood on both male and female anatomies, with males having a slightly larger clitoris/nerve bundle and a larger pubic bone which gives off the recognisable "bulge".

QUINTESSENCE GHOULS

i think we can all agree Quints have two dicks/clits.

in my interpretation, The one on the bottom (the penis' and clitoris' are stacked vertically) tends to be the most sensitive of sorts, which is why it is sort of hidden under the other- it is comparatively smaller but has far more nerve endings. it's theorised that the bottom one is commonly used for pleasure, while the top ones are used for breeding, because specifically the top penis is the only one with a knot.

their heat cycles aren't specified to environmental factors like the other ghouls, but instead focussed on biological factors. they can sync up in terms of heats, but commonly have different times than the rest of their pack. Quint ghouls are the most common to use the neck-bite tactic to share a heat.

MULTI GHOULS

Multi ghouls are usually a mix of their different elements, having cycles similar to their elemental makeup. Swiss- for example has a heat cycle very common to a quintessence heat, and prefers to take hormone medications to help maintain a routine and consistency. Other ghouls like Dewdrop however have a very complicated heat cycle, with a mix of fire and water heats it commonly causes an irregular cycle with painful symptoms (such as abdominal pains and flashes of temperature), Dewdrop doesn't like taking medication like Swiss however- and prefers to use more physical treatments than a medicine.

it's also fairly common for ghouls who are on the ace spectrum to also choose to entirely remove their heats- usually through the hormonal treatments that Swiss takes. like human birth control, there are multiple methods of medicating, such as an oral pill or an insert which goes into the arm (similar to an Implanon).

[natrasharomanova]

You fell from a CLIFF??

🚨 lore incoming 🚨

in september of 2022 my province was hit with a hurricane that caused a lot of damage and coastal erosion. my aunt and uncle live on the coast (nice lil house on a cliff overlooking the ocean) and my brother and i decided to go visit the week after the hurricane. since they live in a very rural area their power hadn't been restored yet and since they're on a pump they had no electricity OR running water (this detail is important for later).

bro and i decided to go for a walk down to the beach. normally it's fairly easy to scramble down the cliffside to the beach (there's a fairly safe path and we are both experienced rock climbers) so he went down ahead and i told him i'd meet him down there. so i'm on my way to the path and on the very edge of the cliff and have completely forgotten about how much coastal erosion hurricanes cause when the ground disappears from under my feet and i tumble a solid 10 meters down the cliff (if you've ever seen a cartoon character bouncing and rolling down the side of a cliff i imagine that's exactly what it looked like) before landing headfirst on a large boulder.

upon getting up i realized that my head was wet and that i must have landed in water. i was also in a moderate amount of pain and decided to cancel my beach walk. so i scramble BACK up the cliff that i've just fallen down and am on my way back to the house when someone comes out of a neighbouring house to ask me "are you ok? i just heard a scream." to which i replied "oh that's weird, i didn't hear anyone scream, it must have been a bird." guy THEN takes a good look at me and is like "you need to go to the hospital immediately" and i'm like ???? because yes i did just fall off a cliff but also i'm FINE (sidenote, shock is an extremely powerful and also very scary thing).

guy, upon realizing that i will be no help at all, goes to get my aunt who predictably freaks the fuck out upon seeing me because i'm absolutely covered in blood and being very normal about it. guy is like "we should take her to the hospital" and my aunt is like "we need to disinfect the open gash on her head immediately" and my brother, who has finally come back from the beach to be the voice of reason is like "hang on, before any of you do anything she's going to want pictures of this" (picture is provided under the cut because there is a LOT of blood and i don't want anyone to have to see that without being properly warned and prepared for it).

so anyways after my brother documents the moment everyone decides that they should get rid of all the blood to see exactly how bad the wound is before deciding how emergently i need to go to the hospital (a reminder that we're in a very rural area quite far from a trauma center). so everyone is debating the best way to get all the blood off my head so the wound can be inspected but you'll remember that the house is on a pump and there's no running water because the power is still out from the hurricane. so this band of absolute fucking morons decide that the most logical solution is to put a towel over my mouth and nose and then just dump buckets of seawater on my head to clean it off. after visually inspecting the wound there is a heated debate among everyone about whether it warrants a trip to the ER but all these people are engineers and i'm the only one with any medical experience but i'm far too concussed and in shock to add any value to the conversation. they eventually decide to bandage it and observe me overnight and since my brother and i were planning to go back into the city the next day he would just take me straight to the hospital.

BUT they have literally no medical supplies except these massive bandages that are literally the size of my head. so these fuckers take REGULAR TAPE and just use it to tape my head shut and then for good measure they slap a massive bandage on top of it. this whole time i'm mostly distressed about the fact that there's a shitton of blood in my hair and i can't shower because there isn't any running water and they're all like "you just shook hands with death and ran away and your only concern is the blood in your hair????" but idk what to tell you guys i was in shock and highkey not thinking logically.

it's important to note that before these events transpired i had been hoping to run a 160 km race two weeks later (that's 100 miles if you're a savage). so the next day i go to the hospital and tell the doctor "i'm supposed to run a marathon in two weeks" specifically not telling the doctor that i'm actually planning to run the distance of four back to back marathons. doctor says "you can run the marathon as long as your skull isn't fractured" (cue my brother and i doing surprised pikachu faces because neither of us even considered the possibility of my skull being fractured) and then for good measure the doctor is like "you're very lucky to be alive by the way" and sends me for an emergency CT.

after the CT my brother and i decide to go to a bar (again i cannot overstate the degree to which i was unable to think logically) and everyone at the bar is naturally curious about the girl with her head taped shut so i told the story a bunch of times and everyone who heard the story bought me a drink so now i'm in a bar with a concussion and absolutely plastered and i don't think i should have to tell any of you why that's a terrible idea.

SO tl;dr fell off cliff, almost died, got my head taped back together, ran 160 km two weeks later after finding out my skull wasn't fractured

and finally PLEASE do not look at the picture under the cut unless you're comfortable seeing blood don't say i didn't warn you 🫡

[adhdmommanl]

Do you ever feel like you are just going through life in a robotic manner? Like you have no purpose other than to feed your child or pet, make sure their needs are met, go to work, pay bills, sleep and repeat?

I’m stuck. I feel lost. I feel lost in a world full of trying to figure out how to stay sober and not use drugs. I am struggling to not feel sad all the time. I am struggling to want to get off my ass and go to the gym even though I am disgusted by my body. I am struggling to feel like I have worth, that i add value to anyone’s day. That I leave a mark on anyone’s world. I am struggling to love myself. I am struggling to not be overstimulated at all times and agitated by the tiniest of things.

I am desperate for some type of connection, some type of spark. Some type of something to ignite the flame that’s inside of me deep deep deep DEEP down, smouldering away and is likely just small flickers of heat.. there’s hope, but it’s barely there.

How the fuck do I escape this? How do I help myself? I got a diagnosis. I am taking my medications as prescribed. I am going to work, although not showing up at 100% performance, I show up. I try to show up with a smile on my face, with a positive attitude, with a welcoming aura… but it’s just not enough. My daughter is happy, I believe. She is so smart and loves helping. She has fantastic manners, she is flourishing.

So why do I feel like I am never enough, in any area of my life. With work, theres never enough drive for me to dig in and get customers in front of me so I can be a top performer, so there’s never enough money. So the bills pile up, the groceries go un bought, clothes gets worn out well past it’s due date, gym memberships go unused because the anxiety I get from working all day and barely surviving let alone having anything to show for it, becomes crippling.

There’s never enough time for my to take care of myself. Which in turn, makes me miserable. Which makes me continue to hate myself and to feel like I’m spiralling out of control.

My relationship is toxic at times, we are both our own worst enemies, but I truly feel as though he is my soul mate. He is my best friend. He is my other half. But has there been too Much damage done on both sides for it to ever be repairable? Is love enough to truly overcome the obstacles? I find myself searching for him in my darkest moments. I don’t know where I would be without him.

I am struggling to want to be around my family and loved ones who drink and party, because to them, I’m a loser. “What do you mean you’re not drinking? What’s wrong with you?” … “There’s something wrong with her, she’s not herself.”… “why don’t you just come sit at the table with us, you don’t have to drink” … “don’t be such a sook, grow up by”

All of this, because I have chosen to give up alcohol. Because I choose to not drink, my family views me as having something wrong with me. I am less than because I do not want to become belligerent and obnoxious and confrontational. Because I am choosing to attempt to live a healthier life style, I am wrong, I am broken.

What they are failing to understand is that I am suffering. And not in silence. I have made it VERY clear to my loved ones that I am suffering. I have made it very clear that I need help and support. But yet my

Phone doesn’t ring, the text messages don’t come in, my door doesn’t get knocked on.

So I continue every day with the support system I have. My beautiful and amazing daughter who is my only will to live…. A boyfriend who I adore but my family doesn’t approve of, and two friends who are going through their own struggles and barely holding it together. I know I’m supposed to trust in my higher power, but I am struggling right now to find one.

How the fuck do I fix myself?

Signing off,

An emotionally drained robot mom.

[smallestapplin]

Snake brainrot be for real BUT AM LOVING IT- in fact am even soft for it- so may we get a drabble for this?

What if- it was closing in on their heats and naga Ingo and naga Emmet get into a little hissy fit n have a mini taunty battle with each other before the hormones kick in and clingy bois take what they want *wink wonk*

Feel free to add spice, spicy noodles be best noodles >:3

GOD I LOVE HYBRID AU’S, thank you for giving me an excuse.

🔞18+🔞

Asks are open!

🔞18+ MDNI🔞

-

-

-

You twin lovers get along almost all year round. Usually between December and April are the only parts that you need to try and keep them calm or separate them before any damage can be done.

It helps that you aren’t a snake hybrid like them or else or pheromones would cause nothing but trouble for them.

Being a human mate to the two large hybrids was helpful for times like these.

You don’t even know what happened.

You and Ingo cuddled comfortably, you sat on top of his coils while his arms were wrapped around you.

You knew their season was close but you didn’t think it was this close.

Emmet slithered into the den since it was his turn to get food for the upcoming season.

Usually when he’d see this and get jealous and whine about how deprived he is of love and affection and Ingo would place you between the two of them so Emmet could cuddle you as well.

This time was different.

Emmet saw you cuddling his brother and instantly started puffing up and hissing.

Normally Ingo isn’t one for conflict, but his hormones are in overdrive. In a matter of seconds you were placed behind Ingo as the twins sized each other up.

The den was quiet accept for a few harsh hisses from the two.

You had to do this carefully, they would never hurt you but if you make or say the wrong thing one might lunge for the each.

“You’re too passive to protect them! You’d never protect them like this.” And of course Emmet starts off strong.

“And what would you know? You attack anything that moves like a hatchling, when will you learn not everything is a threat and doesn’t require your bullshit?”

Yeah you’re going to have to step in.

The keep slowly getting closer. Their snake half was getting in a strike position, you had to be quick.

Light on your feet you get right in between them causing them to stop.

“Both of you please knock it off, I’m both of your mate’s, am I not?”

You watch both of them cautiously. But they only look at you and then to each other in a silent agreement before they move quickly.

In an instant you’re sandwiched between them, face against Emmet’s chest and back against Ingo’s.

You have no space to move, effectively trapped. Emmet’s hands come up and cup your cheeks making you tilt your head up at him.

“You’re always such a sweet mate, you know just what to say!”

You giggle when he leans down and rubs his nose against yours.

“Of course I do, I love you both very much.”

Emmet’s grin widens, his face flushed completely red.

You feel Ingo’s hands rest on your hips. Tilting your head back to try and see him, he leans over and kisses the top of your head.

“What a loving mate.”

You squeak when they press against you harder. Eyes widening when you feel the cocks rubbing against you.

The sounds of your clothes being torn off you echo in the den.

“I hate the feeling of your clothes, you feel so much better without them.”

Emmet leans down shoving his tongue into your mouth, with tongues swirling around each other his hands slide from your cheeks to your chest.

A moan muffled by the heated kiss when Emmet pinches your nipples. With the teasing pleasure you squirm and subsequently grind against Ingo.

The older twin’s grip on your hips tightens. He shifts just so dual dicks rub against your entrance.

You feel Ingo lean dow once more , this time burying his teeth into your shoulder.

Drool starts leaking from the intense kiss. Ingo doesn’t help with all his love bites and grinding, your senses are being overwhelmed.

You pull away from Emmet’s lips. Panting before moaning out when the two timed a grind and a punch perfectly.

“Such cute sounds! I can’t wait to hear more!”

“W-wait I can’t take both of you!”

That made them pause. Sure you’ve never taken both of them at the same time, between the two of them that’s four dicks.

“I wanna fuck them!” Emmet yelled like he was calling dibs.

“Absolutely no! Last season you snuck off with them, that means it’s my turn.” Ingo snarled back.

“That doesn’t mean anything!”

“Last season was suppose to be my turn with them, that means you had two cycles in a row with them, it’s MY turn.”

Emmet whined and pouted. He knew his brother was right but he is still mad about it.

With his grip still on you Ingo moves back letting you slip down until you are bent over, only being held up by the two.

Your eyes widen as you’re face to face with Emmet drooling tips. Looking up you meet his gaze.

“Take as much as you can darling.”

He gently caresses your head.

“Remember to relax.” Was all you heard from Ingo when he starts to push one in.

Then the other. He must be pent up, Ingo usually only puts one in so the other can rub against your sex.

“I-Ingo! Fuck! S-so much.” You cry out at the burn of the stretch.

Ingo goes slow until his hips are flush with your backside.

You rest your cheek on Emmet’s hip right next to his twitching cocks. Trying to catch your breath before you pleasure him.

“Ooh darling! You’re face is so lewd, I wish I could take a picture of it.” Emmet purrs. He always loves teasing you.

“Are you ready, dear?” The stoic twin’s voice sounds strained like he is holding back.

“Yeah, yeah I’m good, lemme just.” You lick a stripe up one of Emmet’s shafts before putting the longest one in your mouth.

Once the signal is given you knew you weren’t leaving for a while.

Despite the arguing earlier the two worked in tandem, you were never left empty.

Your throat and hole being constantly filled by the hormone driven hybrids. The ends of the tails thrashing around. Their voices echoing in the den.

“Mm! Darling, you’re sucking me so well, Ah such a good little mate.” Emmet laughs softly as tears cloud your vision.

Ingo’s tapered cocks keep slamming against your sweet spot. With two abusing it it’s becoming harder to think.

“Dear! Are you trying t-to-fuuuck! Milk me?”

Ingo sounds wrecked. You keep clenching around him, he knows he already has you stuffed but you feel like you’re trying to keep him in.

Emmet lifts you off his cock and shoves the neglected one in its place.

Your moans and whines vibrate against him so nicely, Emmet can’t help the moans he is letting out, tears pricking his eyes at all the pleasure.

Ingo isn’t fairing any better, the older snake hybrid nearing his limit. His eyes never leaving where he connects with you.

You can hardly feel his drool dripping onto your back.

Your eyes are rolled up, you can’t think, the feelings and smells are all too much.

“Quit squirming.” They both growl out, but you couldn’t.

Ingo doesn’t stop but emmet pulls you off him once more to hear your excuse.

“There! Right there! Oh god-oh fuck, please! A-almost- cumming! Ah!”

Emmet can’t help but just stare at your face while you cum, all he can hear and see is you. The way your mouth drops open to cry out, drool and some of his precum dripping down your chin, face flushed, and eyes glazed over.

You look like fucked our perfection.

Emmet fists one of his cocks while you wail out in sensitivity, cumming with your face and sounds. His cum getting all over your chest and face.

Ingo wasn’t far behind you. A few more thrusts and he was cumming deep inside you, giving a few more lazy thrusts to pump himself deeper.

“Mmm our sweet mate, you must be so tired.” Ingo coos softly. Hands gently massaging where he holds your hips.

“I believe they need a break and a trip to the springs.”

Emmet whines “come on just one more round?”

“You say that.” Was all Ingo said. The sass in his voice was obvious as he picks you up.

Careful as to not hurt you. Once in his hold he keeps one arm to stabilize you and the other to caress your cheek.

“You did so well, you deserve a nice reward, do the springs sound nice?”

You lean into his touch and nods.

“See Emmet? Next stop the springs.”

Emmet huffs but understands.

Their cycles are nasty. Best to keep clean, rested, and sane before you get it full force.

[erinnightwalker]

Bootleg wood finish, for those who are interested.

Basic ingredients are wax and oil. If you want it food safe, go for beeswax and coconut oil. If that doesn't matter, any scrap wax will do, plus oil of your choice. The harder the wax the harder the finish- candles in jars generally have a high oil content already, so may not provide a good base for applications that need to not weep oil. I like pillars, tapers, or floating candles for the firmness of the wax. I mostly stick to coconut oil because I have it and because olive oil is a bit whiffy for me when I don't want it to be. I also think that it makes a firmer finish, but to each their own.

Color and scent are up to you. If reusing candle wax, keep in mind that the color will be a translucent suggestion instead of a bold statement. If coloring with crayola shavings, have scrap wood handy to test your result. Be gentle, too much crayon can make the mix behave weird. Essential and fragrance oils can be added if desired. Final product on the wood will not be super aromatic so keep that in mind. IF YOU ADD CRAYONS AND SCENTED OILS IT IS NO LONGER FOOD SAFE. FOODSAFE FORMULA IS BEESWAX (foodgrade) AND A FOOD OIL ONLY. IF YOU POISON YOURSELF WITH THIS I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FFS.

Melt chosen ingredients. I have a wax warmer with a silicone insert that makes this really goddamn easy, and I do recommend it for safety sake. A microwave can work, or stove top if you're ballsy. Were I planning a larger batch, I'd go for a crockpot (the little dipper size) if only for the warming feature. The wax melter is nice so I don't waste ingredients prototyping. Once melted, mix thoroughly. Apply hot to raw wood to be finished. I used napkins, but a sacrificial paintbrush is another option. It will cool on application. I use a hair dryer to encourage penetration, and another napkin to mop up any excess that the wood won't absorb. I like the hair dryer over a warm oven because less fire hazard, but to each their own.

Proportions of wax to oil vary. My current batch was about 2 tealight's worth of wax from a damaged floating candle, a heaping teaspoon of coconut oil, and A Lot of essential oils. At room temperature it sets hard and excess was carefully poured into silicone molds (discount candy molds from Walmart scratch-and-dent) for future use. The final finish is not oily or sticky, with perhaps a hint of waxy texture on rougher wood where it pooled just a bit. Finish is not waterproof but is water resistant. Darkened the wood slightly and enhanced grain but did not tint (it was a white candle). It has not stained or made an oil bloom on the paper beneath it yet. Reapplication is simple and so far does not look patchy. It will wear over time and handling.

Notes: this is a hot method of application and needs the heat source to help with the absorbing. If you want to draw, woodburn, paint, or otherwise decorate do that first. It fills the pores of the wood so getting paint to stick is a trick if you use this first.

Make it witchy: seethe materia in the oil and wax to infuse (strain it out with a coffee filter before application). Choose essential oils that you prefer. Use spell oils for the oil portion. Add mica powders (very fine, eyeshadow does some cool shit) to create shimmer. Add powdered herbs to the melted mix (and I mean actually powdered, otherwise it will fall off). Use remnants of spell candles as the wax portion to continue the working.

*******

It also works to waterproof leather boots. You can use straight beeswax and a hairdryer for that though, and the waterproofing will outlast the damn tread.

Ask questions if you want!

[itisannak]

Snowstorm (Calum Hood Smut) (The Storm Series)

Summary: After the dream she had during the storm, (Y/N) becomes distant, which Calum finds strange. (Smut/ Penetrative Sex / Public Sex / Creampie / Oral; Female Receiving / Woman on Top / Unprotected Sex) This is an NSFW story. If you feel uncomfortable reading stuff like this one, please, scroll through my stories to find something you might like. (Request) (Words: 17.1k) Rainstorm (Part 1)  / My Masterlist / My Ko-fi 

The storm is long gone, the heavy rain giving place to mellow, warm weather. The electricity was back on 2 days after the blackout, once the heavy rain calmed down. There were minimal damages in our house, most of them fixed on the day after the weather subdued. Everything seems to be back to normal; everything but me. I am still freaking over the fucked up dream. It was so vivid, so real, I could swear it happened in real life. It has been a month since that night, and I still struggle with having a normal conversation with Calum. There are so many things I need to consider, so many things to decipher from this dream. I have never thought of Calum as more than a roommate and friend, but since that night I keep doubting myself. As hard as it is to tell apart what really happened that night and what occurred in my dream, I know for sure that Calum spent the night with me in the living room because I was scared, which would be unfair on my side to say it was not sweet and kind of him. But that admission complicates things for me, it complicates making sense of that dream. I cannot tell if that dream occurred because he was kind to me or because there were pre-existing feelings that I have for my roommate. And the worst of all is that the mental picture of Calum fucking me is now imprinted in my brain. Every time I find myself alone, the image of Calum pinning me down and pounding on me until I hit my most earth-shattering orgasm pops in my head. But it doesn't end there. Calum has the bad habit of walking around the house shirtless; rightfully so, I must add, it is his house after all. However, that doesn't stop my mind from diving in the gutter every time Calum works around the house with just a pair of basketball shorts, doing all the chores that usually make him glisten with sweat. By far, the thing he does that makes my stomach churn lately is when he uses knives. I have to remove myself from the kitchen every time he chops up things for meal prep, or else I become flustered and end up having to press my thighs together to stop heat from spreading on my core. I don't even bother refusing he has the most perfect hands I have ever seen.

"Earth to (Y/N)... Are you listening to what I am saying?" Calum snaps his fingers before my face, trying to get me out of my thoughts. I have been stirring my spoon in my coffee for the duration of my reflection, completely blocking out whatever Calum has been trying to say. "Sorry. I drifted off. What were you saying?" I ask him, dropping the spoon in the sink. I lean my back against the counter, taking a sip of the -now lukewarm,- coffee. "I said that I am taking Duke to the vet today. Should I pick you from work? We need to go grocery shopping." "Do you have a grocery list?" I ask, leaving my mug aside. "Yeah. You can tell me to add any items you need." "Send me the list. I will go grocery shopping later, after lunch with my friend." I reply, picking my phone from the counter to leave for work. "Are you sure? It is no biggie picking you up." He asks me and I brush it off. "It's fine. I can go. See you tonight." I reply, my hands shaking as I gather my stuff. "Oh, about tonight... Luke and I are meeting for drinks. Sierra will be there too. Would you like to come?" He suggests. It is not unusual for him to invite me to hang out with his friends since we all get along pretty well, but the thought of spending a night out with him in the state that I am in is dreadful. "Uh, raincheck? I have this project that I need to work on..." I mumble an excuse, hoping he bites into it. "Oh, ok. Good luck with that." He smiles softly. "Tell the guys I said hi." I say, rushing off the kitchen.

"You seem tense..." Sophia, my friend since college says, standing up to hug me as I reach her table. Our bimonthly dinner hangout happens to be at a very posh restaurant this time, so I cannot scold her for her rudeness. "Always with a good word hanging from your lips." I scoff, taking my seat. "Well, I cannot ignore that, can I? What's up? What's bugging you, sugarplum?" She asks, using my pet name since childhood. I pick up my menu card, scanning it to avoid eye contact. "Oh, you know. Just work." I reply. "Bull." She says confidently, lowering my menu. "I know it is not a work thing, so spill." She looks at me with a look of complete disbelief. That's what you get when your best friend is a therapist, and a good one I might add. "I cannot hide from you, can I?" I sigh and she shakes her head. "I'll tell you when the food is here." I reply, trying to see the silver lining in this; maybe talking about it to a professional will help me figure it all out. Sophia is very quick to place her order, in contrast to me, who took my sweet, sweet time, postponing the inevitable moment of having to open up about my fucked up dream. "Spill it." Sophia says once the waiter walks away. "You know my roommate, Calum?" I ask and she hums. "The hot rockstar, yes." "I had the weirdest dream about him." "Interesting. Go on." She prompts, leaning closer to listen to me. "During that fucking storm that caused the blackout I was too scared to sleep in my bed, so I hanged out in the living room. He came downstairs and saw me. And he stayed with me. All night. He played guitar for me until I fell asleep." "That was the dream? That is not as weird as you think it is..." She comments. "That was what happened in real life. Now comes the dream. That night I dreamt that we had sex. Like, really good sex. And then he was an asshole to me. And I found out I was pregnant. I never told him, and I moved out, gave birth, raised the baby by myself. Until we stumbled upon him again. He was an asshole at first, but then he became a great father. And we had Christmas together at a lodge, and we had sex again after he admitted his feelings for me. And the sex was amazing again... And then I woke up and he said exactly the same thing he said in the beginning of my dream. Am I tripping? I know I am, but am I tripping?" I explain, but her expression remains neutral, which makes me furrow my brows at her. "Any comments, feedback? Something, anything... I am losing my mind here..." I plead and she shrugs. "Go get some..." She tilts her head to the side as I stare at her in shock. "Do you talk in such vulgarity to your clients?" I ask. "Are you my patient? Cause if so, my fee is 125$ per session." She replies and I gasp. "You are fucking expensive." "Fine. Free advice since you asked. You really stressed how good sex with him was in your dream. That says something." She replies, raising her hands in defeat. "No, I did not." I protest. "Yeah, you did. 'We had sex... Like really good sex.' The fact you fixated on that throughout your narration is the key to everything. You clearly have some sexual attraction to him." "But the rest of it has to be my logic, screaming at me to not act upon that attraction." "How does the dream end?" She asks me, making me look at my hands. "We have sex again." I sigh. "This is not as weird as you think it is. Intimacy brings attraction. And you spend a lot of time with him." "It's just creepy to straight up ask him to have sex with me. And I am sure this, whatever it is that I am feeling, is not reciprocated. So I will settle for this being just a dream. A stupid dream." I state and he hums. "Fine. But just so you know, I have a month-long waitlist for new clients, and I take half my fee upon booking." "Oh, hush. I know you can't treat me. I am your friend." "Touché."

I unload the groceries onto the island, organizing them by where they should be put away. "Hey." Calum greets, walking into the kitchen. "Oh. Hi. I thought you left for drinks with Luke and Sierra." "I am about to. Need help with that?" He asks, pointing at the produce. "No, I am good. Have fun tonight." "Thanks. Uh, we will talk about the album release party tonight. Do you mind if I offer to throw it this time?" He asks me and I shake my head at him. "Not at all. I am sure you will have an amazing album release party." I comment. "(Y/N), we will have to co-host it. We live together." He chuckles. "Oh, well... Fine then. I still don't mind." I smile at him, opening the door to the pantry. "Great. Good luck with your project tonight. We will talk about the party tomorrow. He cheers, walking towards the front door.

Hosting a party with Calum at this time is certainly not on my list of preferred activities, but it is fair for him to want to open his house for guests. After all, it is his house, I am just paying rent. Maybe having a specific goal for the next couple of weeks will help me get my head straight.

Nope, it does not. Watching Calum bumble with excitement over the details of the party only made me melt for him more. The day of the party came sooner than I would like it to, having to do all that was needed for the party in such a short period of time. The house is full and thumping with music, talk, and giggles, and like the true buzzkiller I am, I am looking for a way out of the party and away from the attendees. So, equipped with a bottle of the overpriced champagne Calum purchased for the party, I make my way through the guests, and find my way to the passage for the rooftop. It is calm in here, a little chilly but I can handle it. There is no better place to be when I need an out than here, in the open air, seeing the starry sky that is clad in a dark cloak and covered with sparkly stars. I decide to pop the champagne now. There is no reason to sit and wait around, it will only turn warm, and then it will suck. Since I am all alone in here, I did not bother bringing a glass for my drink, so I get a generous swig straight from the bottle. I fix the long, tulle skirt of my dress, before leaning back and looking at the sky. I wish I knew by now what my true feelings are for Calum. I wish that I would have it all cleared out and structured in my mind, but this proved to be more complicated than any other matter I had to face lately. Maybe figuring it out should be part of my to-do list of the month. "There you are... I have been looking everywhere for you." I hear Calum's familiar voice coming from the entrance of the rooftop, right as I was taking one more sip from my bottle. "Here I am. Why? Were you looking?" I ask him as he approaches me. I can see he is holding a bottle of champagne as well, only he had the decency of bringing glasses along. "I didn't see you at all throughout the party. We just took a toast for the new album, and you were missing, so I thought I should come find you and have our own toast." He replies, taking a seat by me, but keeping a respectful distance. "I swear, I just got up here." "(Y/N), did I do anything wrong?" He asks me as my cocky chuckle fades. "Apart from buying this subpar and overpriced champagne, no." I try to keep it light, as a way to avoid becoming too honest with him. "(Y/N), I am serious. Since the storm, you have been distant. I'd say you are avoiding me. And now I am pretty sure. It is a big day for me and I wanted you there for the party, and you were nowhere. What is going on? Did I do something wrong?" He makes sure to be specific, leaving me zero room to wiggle my way out of admitting. "Calum, this is not the case. You've done nothing wrong." I assure him, hoping he stops looking further into it. But Calum is not as naive as he might come off, so of course, he presses me more about it. "It feels like I have. You are avoiding me, we do not spend any time together, you are always off and away when I talk to you. I don't know what I did, but I would like to find out so I can fix it, so I can fix us." "You did nothing wrong, Cal. It's me. I am the issue." I admit, covering my face in my hands. "Is it because you figured out I like you? Because I can take rejection, but you just have to stop avoiding me, please." He sounds frustrated. I feel my heart stop and sink to my stomach, my head snapping towards him to study him. "What did you just say?" I ask him. His eyebrows furrow slightly, and his face changes as he realizes what he just said. "I thought you figured out during the storm that I like you, and that was the reason you were behaving like that." He explains, shrugging his shoulders at me a little awkwardly. "Calum, you like me." I state, feeling the rush of excitement go through my body. God, this is such a high school crush thing to do. "Why are you so surprised? I have been always dropping hints." "You are horrible at hints." I scoff, laughing softly at him. "Maybe you are bad at picking them." He defends himself. "We are both horrible at hints." I move closer, tilting his chin up with the tip of my fingers. "We will have to learn to live with that." He mumbles, his eyes darting to my lips. I nod my head, silently giving him permission to close the gap and kiss me.

He seems to be reading my mind, because within the next second, his fingers are grazing my face softly, and his lips are on mine. I waste no time, parting my lips for him, only a faint moan escaping as his tongue traces mine. I am not sure if the chills on my skin are from the kiss or from the coldness, but I am willing to bet that his lips dancing on mine has the bigger impact. And then come the fireworks. Figuratively speaking, of course, fireworks go off in my mind as Calum brings me closer to his body, making me shudder at the sensation of his strong chest against my body. I giggle at the cliche of the moment, pulling away for a breath. Calum's hand still rests on my cheek which by now is warm and red. "Holy fuck... That was better than any expectation." He whispers, stroking his thumb over my cheek. "Way better..." I manage to say softly, still flustered over the fact he has just kissed me. "You are cold." He points out, running his hands down my arms to warm me up. "It's fine." I mutter but he doesn't seem to believe me. "No, it's not. Come on, let's get in." He suggests and I groan. "I don't want to go back in this party, with all these people. I want to stay alone, with you." I protest. Calum holds his hand out, offering to help me up. "I promise we will find a place to be just us. Come on. It won't be fun if you get pneumonia at our party." "I've heard you make a wonderful nurse." I reply, earning a laugh from him as he sits back down next to me. "My rates are pretty high." He comments, bringing an arm around my shoulders to warm me up, to the best of his abilities. I turn my head, bringing my fingers to touch his cheek softly. Calum is way bolder than I am, so he closes the gap between us, by bringing his lips on mine. It is unexpected, how much I love his lips on mine. I don't realize that I begin leaning back, not until my back touches the tiles. Calum hovers above me, kneeling between my thighs. My long skirt has now hiked up, exposing my calves and a bit of my thighs. Calum's hands cup my face, his fingers tracing circles on my cheeks. "I want you." I mumble, drunk at the sensation of his lips on my skin now that they have moved to my neck. "What?" Calum asks me, still grazing his teeth over my collarbone. "I want you." I repeat, placing my hands on his head and making him look at me in the eyes. "Now? Here?" He asks me and I nod. "Please..." I mutter and he groans. "Not exactly how I had in mind the first time I would take you." "You had in mind how the first time you would take me would be?" I ask and he hums. "I always thought it would be a Sunday morning, in the kitchen. You always look so hot cooking breakfast." He replies, moving his hands to undo his pants. "You never told me that..." I mumble teasingly. "I haven't told you many things." He replies. It is pretty dark so I cannot see every detail of his face, but I can hear the smirk on his voice. "And I bet you haven't told me many things too." He replies, fixing my skirt so now my legs are fully exposed, along with my core. Calum brings his hand to move my underwear aside, taking a second to touch my core softly. "Fuck me... You are wet." He mumbles, mesmerized as I react to his touch. He touches me delicately, with the softest touch I have ever been touched. I whimper softly, moving my hips a little to get more of his touch. "Jesus..." Calum groans, moving his hand away. I protest the loss of contact, but shortly, I feel him line up to my entrance. He runs his tip along my slit, gathering wetness before he slips his tip inside me. Almost automatically, I begin pulsing, more and more the deeper he gets inside me. "Shit..." Calum curses, lowering himself to kiss me. I take his kiss with pleasure, needing something to muffle me as he thrusts in. He is thick and long, and I stretch around him as he guides his cock deeper. "You have the tightest pussy I have ever felt around my cock. Fuck..." He groans, biting onto my bottom lip. I wrap my leg around his waist, in a way hooking him closer to my body. Calum seems to understand that I want more of him, and he bucks his hips away, taking his cock almost out of me, only his tip staying between my entrance, before he slams his hips on mine. I whimper and jolt, my head falling back and for a second focusing only at the starry sky. "Deeper... Please." I mutter, pulling him closer with my leg. Calum chuckles, bringing his lips just below my jaw. He finds my sweetspot easily, sucking a hickey on it as soon as my lips release a moan. "Calum." I whisper. His name rolls off my tongue naturally, like I am meant to moan his name like that, with him inside me. Calum rocks his hips on mine, his shaft going deeper and deeper inside me, until his tips grazes my spot and I yelp in surprise. "Again." I plead, looking at Calum with wide eyes. "Like that?" He asks me, with a devilish cheer in his voice. His hips sink on my body with a throaty groan which sounds like music to my ears. I didn't think I would get to hear the real deal coming from his lips, I didn't think that we would ever get to do this, no matter how much I wanted it. "Calum..." It falls like a little prayer from my lips. I am not even sure why I call his name, or what I am asking for from him. Calum grips on my thigh, keeping my leg close to his body, before he leans in to kiss me. And suddenly that kiss seems like it is all that I needed, like it was what I secretly trying to ask for when I moaned his name, seconds ago. My stomach feels tighter than it ever has, surely from the excitement of the moment. I want to sink in it, get every detail and force myself to never forget this, this moment when I finally fulfilled my biggest fantasy. "I can't believe we are doing this..." He mumbles against my lips, parting for a short breath. I can't either, I am not going to lie. Of all the times I have pictured it, of all the times I have dreamt it, it was never like that, never on the rooftop, never with the thrill of being caught, seen, heard...I am not convinced that the chills covering my skin are entirely due to the cool breeze; he feels so good inside me that my body seems to be on overdrive. "I want you so fucking bad." It slips my lips. It probably sounds so stupid, I understand that. But I feel as if I am going to die from the ache I feel inside me. I need him, all of him. I need him to keep doing that. I need him to fuck me with the lights on, so I can see every little detail of him as we connect with each other. "All yours..." He replies, gripping onto my jaw to make me look at him. He presses his forehead on mine, causing me to feel his hot, short breath on me. "Promise you will he here in the morning..." I whimper, looking at him in the eye and touching his cheek softly. "I will be waiting for you in the kitchen, with some fresh breakfast." He chuckles, slamming his hips on mine.

Morning washes over me, finding me in Calum's bed, snuggling to his pillow in lieu of him. Post the rooftop adventures, we managed to sneak in here and fell asleep pretty straight away. I guess emotional exposition does take a lot out of someone. With Calum out of the bed already, I decide to get up as well. I am wearing just his shirt, which seems typical and cliche, expected of a romcom girlfriend after a night with her partner, but it was warm and comfortable, and I remember Calum mumbling that he liked it on me. I walk my way through the hall and down the stairs, expecting to find a mess from last night's party. Instead, the house is sparkly clean and everything is neatly tidied up, almost as if last night never happened. Oh God, I hope I didn't just dream the whole thing again. Calum is in the kitchen, wearing a soft, baby blue t-shirt. "Good morning." I say hesitantly. I am almost certain that last night happened, I am sure that Calum and I slept together, spent the whole night together. But I am not confident on how much I should trust my brain. "Good morning, sunshine. I didn't expect you up so early. Slept well?" Calum asks, stirring the wooden spoon in the pan that's on the stove. "Like a birdie... Cal, last night we...?" I begin asking, but his chuckle interrupts me. "You need a reminder?" He asks me and I sigh in relief. "It wasn't a dream, was it?" I ask, moving closer to him. He pulls me closer by my waist, making my lower back meet the edge of the counter. He steps before me, making my breath hitch to the back of my throat. "It was dreamy. But very much real." He replies, stroking a strand of hair behind my ear. I feel a little calmer, now that I know it was real, that I did not dream of us again. "Seems like I might need a refreshment of memory..." I bite the inside of my cheek, looking up at Calum. "I might be the man for the job." He whispers softly. "I think I have a fever. Can you check?" I ask him, tucking my bottom lip between my teeth. "Let's see. I told you we should have gotten inside, but someone insisted on staying on the rooftop." He scolds me, bringing his hand on my forehead. "Pretend all you want you didn't like it on the rooftop." "I did not say that, did I? Your head is not too warm. But I know a better place to look for your temperature." He tilts my head back, stretching my neck. His lips move to my neck, pecking softly and causing a moan to escape my lips. I love his lips on my skin, and his hands on my waist, and his body on mine... God, this is heavenly. "You are blushing." He comments, stroking his thumb over my cheek. "Tell me, doctor... Am I sick?" I ask him as his lips migrate lower, finding the bare skin that picks from the shirt I am wearing. "You will be fine if you follow doctor's orders. But something tells me you are not so good at following orders, are you sunshine?" He asks me, undoing the little buttons that hold the garment together. "Wanna try me?" I ask him and he hums, helping me up on the counter. "Let's see how much of a good girl you are... Spread your legs for me." He orders as I lay my back on the counter. "What happens if I don't?" I ask him, cocking an eyebrow at him. "Well, you will, sort of, regret it." He gingerly runs his hand down my leg, his tongue peeking softly from his lips. "Regret it how?" I ask him, eager to push a little on my limits. "I have been told I am really good with my mouth. You don't want to miss out, do you?" "How good?" "Spread your legs and find out." He teases and I feel my stomach tighten, just at the thought of him eating me out.

I spread my legs for him, watching him as he smirks and pulls my panties down. "Such a pretty cunt... I didn't have a chance to take it in last night." He strokes his fingers over my sex, brushing the tip of his thumb over my lips slowly. I feel chills run down my spine, excitement pooling in the pit of my stomach as I sense that the moment I will feel his lips dancing on my core is near. "And would you look at that... A beautiful little clit. Bet it feels good when I do that." He circles his thumb over my clit, pressing on it slightly. My core fires up, wetness almost dripping from my entrance as I pulse around nothing. "Calum, I am begging you." I plead, looking at him as he toys with me. The sun hits his figure just right, showering him with all that light, making him look like someone out of a dream. God, do I have it bad for him... "Oh, it does feel good. You love it when I touch you there, don't you, sweetheart?" He asks me, using a twisted tone, almost as if it is mocked innocence. Before I could even speak a word, he fixes my feet up on his shoulders, pulling me closer to him to bury his face between my thighs. His tongue curls as it laps up from my entrance to my clit in the most salvational way. My eyes roll back in pleasure as his lips explore my core, looking up to see my reactions. I am not sure how I look right now; I put good money on looking like an absolute mess. "Fuck, Calum." I groan as his lips wrap around my clit, sucking hungrily. I can feel him smirk against my sex, satisfied by his achievement. I did not think I could be more wrapped around his little finger, but he seems to have some aces up his sleeve. He slips two fingers inside me, curling them upwards towards my cervix as he pounds them fast inside me. No matter how hard I try, I cannot keep my body steady and on the counter. I arch my back and buck my hips in the air, humping my sex onto his face. That earns a chuckle from Calum, who constantly feeds this fire, moving his fingers faster inside me and suckling on my clit hungrily, eager to watch me break completely underneath him. "Oh, you are so good with your tongue." I praise, my voice coming from my throat as a cry. My toes curl as his fingers brush my spot just right. My chest is heavy, and I can barely draw a breath, my brain feeling fuzzy from the euphoria. "Cal..." My hand reaches down, tangling inside his messy curls. I pull on his hair and that somehow soothes the tension I am feeling inside. I don't know exactly what I need from him, but I just need something, I might need all of him. I can feel myself going insane, losing all control if I have any left right now. "Calum, I..." I begin, but my whole body shudders as he releases my clit and starts flicking his tongue over it slowly. He keeps eye contact with me, his eyes crinkling on the sides. I just can't believe this is real life, I can't believe this is happening to me, right now, for real. "Something's burning..." I mumble, noticing the scorched essence filling the kitchen. "Calum, something's on fire." I say louder, sitting up as he removes himself from between my thighs.

He rushes to the pan, pulling it off the stove and throwing it in the sink, turning the faucet on. "Shit." He curses loudly. I hop off the counter, fixing the shirt to cover up a bit. "All ok?" I ask, standing aside. "I think I burned the whole pan. There goes brunch..." He groans, throwing his head back. "It is small damage. I am going to open the windows to air the smell out." I say awkwardly, heading for the glass door. "And then go get dressed. We are going out for lunch." He announces, checking if there is any damage on the stove. "Out?" I ask and he hums. "We have to eat, right? And the house needs to air out." He replies, looking at me with a smile.

The Italian restaurant is oddly quiet and nearly private as if it was shut down for just Calum and me. Calum carefully inspects the menu, while I fidget with my phone. "I am thinking of a large Margherita. You good with that?" He asks me and I hum, not really interested in whatever we are going to eat. "Are you ok, (Y/N)?" He asks, leaving the menu aside and reaching for my hand. "Yeah, yeah... I was just... I don't know. You seemed a little tense back home." I reply, biting the tip of my tongue as I expect his response. "I... Last night I promised you breakfast. And I woke up early, cleaned the house..." "You cleaned the house?" I ask, gasping in surprise. "Yeah, I mean... It was a mess after the party and I wanted it to be perfect this morning." He explains. "Why?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. "I wanted our first morning to be perfect..." He admits. I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting the smile that wants to erupt on my face, but my heart is doing somersaults in my chest. "This wouldn't be our first morning... I mean, we have been roommates for nearly 2 years now. We have had plenty of mornings." I point out. Calum looks at his hands, shrugging his shoulders as if it is not a big deal what he is about to say. "It was our first morning as lovers." It just sounds so innocent and romantic; the way he phrases it is almost comical, but I am mesmerized by the sound of that. "Lovers..." I sigh, enamored by the way it feels coming out of my lips. "I know, it is stupid..." He brushes it off. "It is not. It is actually so considerate." I assure him and he huffs. "Anyway. I wanted us to have a nice breakfast, but you were still asleep and I didn't want to wake you up. I opted for brunch. So I started making pancakes, and I hoped I would be done before you were up, so I could bring you food in bed, and all that sappy, movie shit. But you came into the kitchen in just my shirt and I lost it. I was distracted by how gorgeous you were, and I started thinking of last night... And then I almost burned our house down. It was stupid of me, and it ruined our morning." He groans. I smirk at him, standing up and moving to the spot next to him. "I don't recall a ruined morning. If anything, it was better than breakfast in bed." I admit, tilting his head to make him look at me. "I didn't even let you finish..." He mumbles and I shrug. "I sort of always wanted to try edging. And the first attempt was amazing." I reply and he clears his throat. He leans in to whisper in my ear, his hot breath on my skin having a scandalizing effect. "I promise to make it up, sunshine." He leaves a kiss on my sweetspot. I have to blink fast to keep myself from falling into the rabbit hole of thinking about ways he will keep his word. "Are you ready to order?" The waiter asks, practically forcing me to pull myself together. "Yes, we are. We are getting a large Margherita, right sunshine?" He asks, his sweet voice dripping like honey. "Yes, of course. Can we get a rocket salad as well?" I ask and the waiter notes it down. "Anything to drink?" "Just a coke for me." Calum replies. "A grapefruit soda for me, please." I add and the waiter nods. "Coming right up." He replies before leaving our table. "You will love food in here. It is the best pizza in California if you ask me." Calum states, bringing my plate and utensils before me from the other side of the table. "Do you bring everyone you sleep with here?" I ask, making him cock an eyebrow at me. "No, only the ones I live with." He replies and I chuckle. "I deserved that..." I admit, biting my lip.

"Well, hello there." Calum cheers, walking behind me as I do my makeup to leave for work. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Up already?" I ask and he hums. "Oh, I am up..." He mumbles, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pressing his front on my ass. "You are such a fuckboy..." I state, turning my head sideways to plant a kiss on his jaw. "Can I be blamed? You look so hot in the mornings..." He brings his lips to the curve of my neck, exploring the part with soft kisses. "You think I look hot at all times." I point out and he hums. "It's because you do. Am I really in the wrong for thinking my girlfriend's hot?" He knows a little too well what the phrase 'my girlfriend' does to me, and he is using it to tear down my inhibitions. "It's not gonna work, Hood." I shake the chills off and go back to applying a coat of mascara. "It worked all the previous times." He insists, letting his hands wander down my stomach and hips. "I have to get ready for work." "They will be fine without you for 5 minutes." He presses his morning glory on my ass harder. I pulse around nothing, his lips and hands having an effect on me. "5 minutes?" "Fine... 30." He corrects himself. His hand slips inside my panties, his fingers parting my lips and targeting my clit. I hum in pleasure, resting my head back against his shoulder. "If I get fired because of you..." I threaten and he chuckles. "The 5sos PR team is always looking for new members. That, or I will be your sugar daddy... I'll finally have the pass to spoil you the way I want to." He replies, rubbing my clit in circles. "Do I strike you as the sugar baby type?" I ask and he bites my sweetspot. "I could change that..." He replies confidently. I buck my hips onto his hand, pressing my sex more of his fingers. "For someone who was complaining about being late for work, you sure are needy." He whispers, using his free hand to lower my underwear. "Lean over the sink, princess. Let me push my cock inside you..." He removes his hand from my underwear, grabbing onto my hips as I lean over the sink, taking my position. He frees his cock swiftly, tapping the tip on my slit before he thrusts inside me slowly. He hooks a hand around my torso, bringing me up and gluing his chest on my back. "Look at us, baby... Look at us. We look so good together." He whispers in my ear, thrusting upwards. My hands go on his forearm, nails digging in his skin. He hisses at the pain, but he loves it a little too much. His thrusts are fast and deep, each one preying a gasp from my lips. I lean my head back on his shoulder again, resting there as my lips curl into a smile. "Kiss me..." I demand in a breathless phrase. His hand moves for one second from my hips, gasping my jaw and turning my head more until his lips are on mine. It is a sloppy, hungry kiss, his tongue sliding against mine as his cock thrusts inside me. He glues his hips on my ass, making me whimper at the sudden stop of his thrusts. I stand on my tiptoes, gyrating my hips on him, his cock fully inside me now. It is still a shudder-causing sensation, his cock throbbing inside me as I pulse around him. "That's my good girl. Look at you taking my cock. You are so good at this, princess..." He praises me. His hand that was resting on my stomach a second ago, moves further down, his middle and ring finger finding my clit and teasing it slowly. His other hand migrates from my jaw to my neck, wrapping around my throat and squeezing softly. My eyes widen and I look at our reflection in the mirror, finding smiling triumphantly at me, in an almost sadistic way. "You look so fucking good like that, sunshine. We look so good, don't you agree?" He asks, making me whimper. I will burst if he doesn't start fucking me again. I need him to scratch that itch deep inside me. "Please." I utter. I already feel my eyes tear up from the tension, I will definitely be too late for work, I need to put myself together. "Oh, the princess has manners, doesn't she? She is a good girl..." He slams his hips on my ass, making me yelp. His fingers work faster on my clit as he finds his rhythm again, pounding inside me with nearly no mercy. I can do nothing more than let go completely and just moan, enjoying the way he is taking over me. "Jesus... Oh God, please. Cal, please. I need to cum." I cry out, everything becoming blurry as my body starts feeling that it has taken enough. "Using His name in vain... I can't believe your filth... And all my friends think you are a good, vanilla girl. What would they think of you if they heard you talk like the little slut you are?" He asks, digging his teeth into my neck. That sends me over my edge, I come undone around him, whimpering and shutting my eyes close tightly. I ride my brain-numbing high, taking in the overstimulation as he keeps fucking me and toying with my clit. "You are going to take my cum, aren't you, sweetheart? And you are going to pull your panties up and walk around all day with my cum dripping from your tight little cunt." He groans by my ear, the order clear; no matter how much I protest the risk of a UTI now, he is on a high and won't listen to a word, not until he has calmed. Calum cums inside me, hissing as he fills me up. He keeps his hips on mine, not moving an inch, making me feel every pulse of his cock inside me. "Still wanna head in for work?" He asks, kissing the side of my face. "Mhm... Just after I make myself presentable again." I reply and he groans, wrapping his arms around me. "Don't you wanna stay in here, with my cock inside you, in bed with me?" He asks and I giggle as he nuzzles his nose on my neck. "More than anything. But I have to leave for work, or else I won't afford the rent, and the homeowner will kick me out." I tease him. "I think the owner fancies you." "Does he?" "Just a little bit..." He pecks on my temple. "I'll keep that in mind. But I really have to leave." "If you stay you will be able to see me working out in the backyard." "Very hot, and a little too tempting, but I will watch it on video. Your trainer always posts you and the internet has a meltdown." "You have a front seat on the live show and you are declining? That is a bit offensive." He holds his hand before his chest, looking at me with his mouth agape. "I will make it up to you, I promise. But please, I have to go. And you have to get ready for your workout, and then for the studio... So, move your ass." I roll my eyes at him and he mimicks me, in almost mockery. "You think you can boss me around?" He asks and I hum. "I know I can." I say cockily. He arches an eyebrow, pulling his cock out of me, before he slaps my ass, making me jolt. "We'll see about that." He says sternly. "You should come over to the studio after work." He suggests, leaving a kiss on my temple before walking towards the shower. "Aren't you scared your friends are going to find out about us?" I ask, leaning against the bathroom counter. "You are so fucking funny... SNL is looking for a comedian, send a tape." He scoffs and I hum. "You did not answer my question, though." I point out. "They know about us, obviously." He replies. "They don't seem like they do." I state, folding my arms before my chest. "What would you like them to do to prove it?" He asks, taking me aback. "I...I... I don't know, to be honest." I reply, causing a smirk of satisfaction to him. "That's what I thought. Anyway, drop by the studio when you are done from work." "And what happens if I don't?" I ask, shrugging my shoulders. "You are my ride home. Ashton's picking me up today for the studio. Carpooling and shit. So if you don't pick me up, I will have to sleep in the studio tonight." He explains. "It doesn't sound all that bad, to be honest. Maybe I will finally have the covers all to myself." I smirk and Calum sighs. "Can you for once not be a pain in the ass?" He asks and I shake my head at him. "You like that about me." I sass and he sighs, stripping off his clothes. I stay as I am for a second, gawking at him as he hops in the shower. I need to put sending a gift to his trainer on my to-do list; Calum's back is just fucking magnificent.

My high heels click on the marble floor of the studio's hall, my little ruffle dress flowing along me as I nearly skip towards the booth area. It has been such a lovely day this far; it might have to do with the announcement of the business trip to New York, or with the fact, my day started the best way possible. Either way, I am beaming with happiness. I enter the room quietly, not wanting to distract anyone from their work. Ashton waves at me, inviting me to take a seat on the couch he is sitting at. "Hi, Ash. How are you?" I ask the man, in a hushed voice. The sound technician will not be too happy if I distract him with my voice. "I am fine, a bit spent. How are you? I did not expect to see you here today." He states, turning to face me fully, resting his elbow on the couch's back, then his head on his palm. "Calum said he needed a ride home since you were carpooling today." I reply and he hums. "He still has a couple of hours in there. We are recording his basslines today. It might take until late at night." He replies. I roll my eyes, realizing that Calum invited me over just so he wouldn't have to drive home at night. "It was his idea to carpool, wasn't it?" I ask and Ashton chuckles. "I fucking hate him..." I groan, earning a laugh from him. "Yeah, yeah. I am glad you are in love with each other." He comments and I look at him with a furrow. "You know?" "Of course. We could all tell there was something up when we saw him after you got together. It was one of the times he could not keep his mouth shut." Ashton explains. "I thought we were still a secret." "He doesn't go around telling everyone about his business. We are just... His friends. And we were all ec-fucking-static you two finally got together. We knew you would be great as a couple." Ashton replies. It does bring a smile to my face to know that his friends are happy about us. "I am happy, you know. I thought he was hiding me, even from you." I admit and Ashton's hums. "He doesn't shut up about you." He nudges me. My eyes instinctively fall onto the glass separating us from the booth, watching Calum as he carefully, but so effortlessly plays his chords on the bass.

"We are heading out for a light dinner. Are you coming?" Luke asks me as the guys gather their stuff. Calum is still in the booth, recording his part of the song. "I think I am staying. But thank you." I smile at him, making him nod. "Do you want us to bring you anything?" He asks and I shake my head. "I am fine. Have fun." I wave back at Michael, who despite his hunger is polite enough to wave at me on his way out. Calum looks at me through the glass with a soft, boyish smile. He holds his hand up, asking for 5' from the sound engineer, who turns to look at me. "I am going for dinner with the rest. I'll be back in 30'." The man announces, pressing a couple of buttons on the console, before standing up. Calum takes his headphones off, leaving the bass carefully on its stand before he walks out of the booth and approaches me. "Hello, gorgeous." He plops on the couch, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Hi there. You sound very good in that booth, bub." I say softly, leaning my head on his chest. "Do I? Well, thank you very much. I am playing for a very special person today." He replies, lifting my legs to rest across his lap. "I wonder who that person is." I chuckle, settling my hand on his chest. "The engineer. Definitely the engineer." He jokes, earning a soft punch on the chest. "You smell like sunshine, you know that?" He asks me, nuzzling his nose on my hair. "How does sunshine smell?" I ask, curious to hear his response. "Warm, vanilla, a little spicy." He replies. "I see." I yawn, bunching up the soft material of his hoodie in my palm. "Are you tired?" He asks and I hum. "I am sleepy." "Only babies use the word sleepy." "I am baby." I kid and Calum hums. "I should have figured. Come on, baby. Let's nap." He kisses the top of my head, wrapping his arms around my waist and stroking my hair softly, soothing me until my eyelids get heavy. "You smell like home." I mumble, half asleep, taking a whiff of his cologne.

(Calum's POV) And just like that, she is off. She is breathing slowly, her arms tight around my body, hugging me close as she falls asleep. I cannot stop stroking her hair, pecking the top of her pretty head, and just starring at her as she falls deeper and deeper into sleep. She makes my heart ache at how beautiful she is. All the months I had to admire her from afar have only made it more apparent now. She was gorgeous back then. Even more gorgeous now that I get to hold her in my arms. I have to hold my breath to not wake her up; she looks so calm and fragile now, one rushed move and I will ruin everything. I don't know how I will be able to go back into the booth once everyone is back from dinner. All I want is to let her sleep on my chest, with my arms around her and her legs on top my lap.

Sooner than I hoped they would be, the guys, along with the producer walk in, laughing about something. I motion for them to be quiet, pointing at (Y/N) who is thankfully still asleep. "You know we will have to make noise to record, right?" John asks and I nod. "I know. But I hope it will be white noise for her." I slowly try to move away without waking her up. First her arms, then her legs, and finally her head, all rest against the plush couch. I take off my hoodie, placing it over her chest and arms, covering her so she is warm and comfortable. "Someone's a little whipped..." Ashton jokes playfully. "Just a decent boyfriend." I reply, fixing my t-shirt. "Oh, he used the b-word..." Michael teases. "Jesus, are you 5?" I ask, walking into the booth.

I don't know how, but she managed to stay asleep for the remaining 2 hours of recording, despite the noise. I lean over her, pressing my lips on her forehead to wake her up softly. "Come on, sunshine. We are heading home." I whisper, running my thumb over the back of her hand. There is a fit of hushed giggles coming from my friends, who are picking up their scattered stuff, but I pay them no mind; I used to giggle at them too, it is their payback. (Y/N) hums sleepily, raxing her body as she opens her eyes, smiling at me. "We are leaving?" She asks, picking the hoodie off her. "We are. Where are your keys?" I ask her, helping her put the hoodie on. "In my purse. You are driving?" She asks and I nod. "I can't let you drive when you are half asleep." I reply, picking up her purse. "I am fine." "Mhm, yeah. You are obviously exhausted. It's fine, I'll drive." I assure her, patting my pockets to make sure I have everything on me. "People will think I have you whipped." She comments, stretching her arms over her head to wake herself up. Her dress rises up her thighs for a few seconds, revealing more of her legs. Jesus, that woman... She is not even trying to look sexy. "We both know who whips who." I state, making her roll her eyes at me. "Why do you have to be so cringe?" She asks, walking ahead. I shut the door on my way out, turning off the lights.

"I'll cook something quick." I announce as we enter our house. "Or we can order something..." She suggests. "Oh, come on. We haven't had something homecooked in so long. We always order in or eat out." I protest, heading straight to the kitchen. "If I remember correctly, one of the last times you cooked for us, you almost burned down the house." She says with a cocked eyebrow, folding her arms before her chest. "Who's fault was it that I got distracted?" I ask her, opening the fridge. "Not my fault you get distracted so easily." She holds her hands up, tilting her head to the side. "You showed up in the kitchen wearing just my shirt." I mumble and she hums. "It's not like I was naked. Anyway, I am taking Dukey upstairs for some cuddles." She pats her lap and the dog speeds to her. I shake my head at the traitor, moving my hand dismissively. "I'll call you when food's ready." I shout as she rushes upstairs with Duke in her arms.

"Food's ready." I cheer, knocking on the door of our bedroom. There is no response, so I open the door and find (Y/N) laying in bed, tucked under the duvet, with Duke sleeping in her arms. I sigh, taking a moment to let the image sink in. I leave the room, for just a split moment to head to the kitchen and put the pasta in the fridge, saving the food for tomorrow. I jog upstairs, reaching the room and getting rid of my clothes. I slip under the duvet, wrapping my arms around her and pressing my lips on her neck. She still smells like sunshine.

(Y/N's POV) I watch as the coffee drips inside the coffeepot, filling the house with the sweet smell of coffee. I grab two mugs, pouring a bit of sugar in both of them before slicing a bit of lemon cake and placing it on a plate. Calum has been up for a little while now, having his morning routine in a rush; he is needed in the studio earlier this morning for some reason. So I offered to make him a quick coffee, in hopes we will manage to talk a bit. I pour the coffee and fix everything on a tray, before walking upstairs to find him in his room getting dressed. "Coffee's ready." I announce, placing the tray on the drawer chest. Calum turns to look at me and smiles, leaving aside his t-shirt before he could slip in it. "I don't think I've seen a hotter barista make my coffee." He states, picking up his mug. "You're almost ready to leave?" I ask, pointing at his clothes on the foot of his bed. "Mm... What about you? Maybe I can drop you off today." He offers but I shake my head at him. "I am heading in later today. My supervisor gave me half a day off." "How so?" He asks, knitting his eyebrows together. "We are leaving for a business trip next week, to New York. And I have to prep for the trip and the meeting. So I am staying here this morning to bullet point our presentation for the events and start packing, I guess. I'll head in after lunch to have a one-on-one with her." I explain. "New York? Wow, when did you find about the trip?" He asks me, picking a bit of cake. "Yesterday, hence the day-off. I would tell you at dinner last night, but I fell asleep." I explain and he hums. "It sounds like a big deal. Congratulations." "It is. If I manage to sell them, I will handle the PR for all their events in California. It will be a huge boost, career-wise, and money-wise." "How long will you be gone?" He asks me. "4 days. 3 nights in New York, we leave Tuesday morning, and we will be back by Friday." Calum looks at his hands, staying neutral as I speak. "You don't seem that excited about me..." I point out and he shakes his head in denial. "It's not that... Obviously, I am happy about you, you deserve it. It's just... It is the first time we will be apart since we got together. I don't know, it is stupid, and selfish." He groans. I reach for his free hand, taking it in mine. "It is just 4 days. You'll see, you'll like finally having all your bed to yourself. Plus, New York is just 3 hours ahead. We will be able to FaceTime every night. See it as practice for when you leave for tour... We will finally find out how creative we can be." I bite the inside of my cheek, looking at him as he sighs. "For a moment I forgot about tour..." He throws his head back. "We have plenty of time ahead of us until your next tour. You'll get tired of seeing my face every day by then." I tease him. "I don't know. Your face is pretty interesting to look at. I don't think I'll get tired of it any time soon." He replies, leaving a kiss on the tip of my nose. "You are as sweet as sugar, Hood." I can feel a flush crawling up my neck to my face.

Staying up until 1 in the morning to manage to have a talk with Calum is definitely rewarding. Seeing his face after a long day away from him is rejuvenating; in vain the fact that I look more like a zombie than myself in the morning. "Two more nights away from you." He comments, fixing the phone on the pillow for the right angle. "Tonight, plus one. I'll be back before you know it." I smile, twisting a strand of hair behind my ear. "I hope you are not heading in to work on Friday..." He comments. "You miss me that much?" I ask in a whisper. Even though I am alone in my room and there is no one to hear me, my boss is just a couple of rooms down the hall. Plus, pretending that getting caught is impending makes this a whole lot naughtier. "You have no clue how much I miss you. The bed smells like you. The whole house smells like you." He sighs. "I sprayed it with my perfume before I left." I tease, making him roll his eyes at me. "You are so fucking obnoxious sometimes. I don't even know why I am still dating you." He groans, running a hand down his face. "Because you like me. A lot." I pick up my phone, fixing the device, and flipping the camera to show him my laying body in the dimmed lighting. "Jesus... You wear that to bed?" He asks, his eyes going wide at the sight of my short, satin nightgown. I hum, raising the hem of my gown to reveal more of my thighs. "Who are you wearing it for?" There is no jealousy in his voice, not a single cast of doubt. He knows I only wore that for him. My tongue itches for me to say a random name, tease him a little bit more, but I am way too submissive to his confident tone to do that. "You. For your eyes only." The hem of the gown has now reached my hips, freeing the waistband of my lace undies for him to see. He releases a moan of approval, his eyes glued to his screen as he expects me to reveal more. "I don't know about California, but here in New York, it is so fucking hot..." I say lowly, bringing my free hand to lower the straps of my gown. "California's boiling. He replies, flipping his camera too and showing me his bare figure, only covered partially by his briefs, which are soon lowered, freeing his cock for the lenses. Even that far away, he has a mesmerizing effect on me. My hand reaches up to cup my breast, fingers sprawled on the flesh before pinching the nipple and prying a moan from my lips. "Shit, sunshine. You are going to touch yourself for me?" He asks me, hissing as I release my nipple, showing him the rough, pointy bud. "Don't you want me to, daddy?" I ask, rolling my hips in the air. "Jesus fucking Christ... You are a Siren, you know that? You will drive me to my inevitable doom..." He groans, wrapping his hand around his cock. "You will love every minute of it, I promise you that." I say with a smirk, sliding my hand down between my thighs.

"Hi, is Dr. Lown available?" I ask the receptionist at Sophia's office. The girl looks at me empathetically, my upset deeming me what Sophia defines as 'in crisis'. "Dr. Lown only accepts patients upon appointment. Would you like to book the next available slot?" She asks, clicking her mouse to open -what I assume is- the appointment spreadsheet. "I am her best friend, (Y/N) (Y/L/N), not a patient. Is she available to talk?" I ask again, gathering my courage. "Her current appointment ends in 20 minutes. I can ask her if she can accept you." She replies, smiling at me. I nod and head to the waiting room, picking up one of the Psychology Today magazines that rest on the plexiglass-topped coffee table.

It was like a never-ending suffering waiting for Sophia to come out of her office after her appointment and look at me with a puzzled look. She hooks her finger in the air, inviting me to follow her inside the room. "What are you doing here? Were we supposed to meet for lunch today?" She asks me, gesturing me to sit in the plush armchair. "No. It is sort of an emergency." I state, refusing the seat. She knits her eyebrows as I pace the room, biting the nail of my thumb to calm myself down. "Ok, what is going on? You seem in distress." She points out, sitting up straight on her seat. "Remember that dream? The one I had with Calum, during the storm? The one you said was my subconscious telling me I have feelings for him?" I ask and she hums. "Of course. How could I forget the reason you got together with Calum?" She asks. "Remember you said I needed to hook up with him?" I ask and she nods, narrowing her eyes at me in confusion. "Can you escalate, please? Where is this going? Is it like a memory test?" She asks. "In my dream, after we hooked up, I got pregnant. Guess who's fucking period is late in real life..." I ask, finally taking the seat. "No... No fucking way." She gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. Too many fucking synchronicities in the dream to ignore them now. "Yes fucking way. I am NEVER late. Never." I freak out, resting my elbows on my thighs and supporting my head in my palms. "Weren't you careful?" She asks me. "There was no reason to. Or so we thought. Both of us are clean and we thought if... I don't know what the fuck we thought, Soph... God, I am so fucking stupid." I groan. "Hey, hey. You are not stupid. A bit careless, yes. But not stupid. Have you told Calum?" She asks, kneeling down before me and taking my hand in hers. "Are you kidding me? We are at such a great place right now. I don't want to ruin it." "Why would you ruin it?" "Do you remember what happened in my dream?" "A dream is not reality, sweetheart. It is just a dream, a manifestation of desires and fears. And your relationship with Calum is nothing like it was in your dream." "Still, too many fucking similarities between my dream world and reality to ignore them. I am not telling him." "Which is exactly what you did in your dream. What happens if you are pregnant? You are going to keep it a secret from him? Move away and raise it by yourself?" She asks, pointing out how ridiculous I sound. "How can I tell him?" I sigh and she hums. "I don't know. But you have to. You need support and he is the only one who can support you. And you need to do a test, to see if you are panicking for nothing. You might not be pregnant and all of this is in vain." She says softly, but sternly, in a maternal, nurturing manner. "You are right. You are right." I sniffle. I have not realized that I have been crying until now that my cheeks feel wet and cold. "I hate to do this to you right now. But you have to scram. My next session starts in 5'." She looks at her watch, looking with a tight, apologetic smile. "Right." "Do you want me to call you a cab? You can't drive in this state." She offers and I shake my head at her. "No, I'll be fine. But thank you. And thank you for squeezing me in. I know you have a hectic schedule." "Sweetheart, I will always squeeze you in. Why don't you sit in the waiting room, have some water and calm down before you leave?" She suggests and I nod. "Thank you. I'll call you for an update." I assure her, standing up.

After Sophia's office, I only made a stop at a drugstore to buy a pregnancy test, and then drove straight home. Boosting myself up throughout the drive, I walked in, ready to talk about it with Calum. But my knees become weak as I see Calum, prepping the kitchen's island for dinner. I gulp thickly, looking at him like a deer in the lights of an oncoming truck. I am frozen in place, split between rushing upstairs and looking myself in my room for eternity, or walking to the kitchen and going through with my plan. Despite the 2 obvious choices, I cannot bring my body to do either. "Hi, sunshine. How was your day?" Calum makes the choice for me, practically forcing me to walk into the kitchen. Still, I can decide to play it off as if nothing is going on, or speak up and put an end to this torture I have been inflicting upon myself. "Fine. How was yours?" I ask, leaving my purse on a stool before the island. "As it normally is. Bit of recording, a bit of writing. Come take a seat. I brought food from that vegan restaurant we like." He smiles at me, gesturing at the setup. "It is lovely, thank you." I walk to the sink, washing my hands carefully to stall time before I join Calum for dinner. "You look a little pale, sunshine. Have you eaten anything all day?" He asks me, handing me the plate of veggie dumplings. "Yeah, yeah." I assure him, quickly picking a dumpling with my fork before messily placing it on my plate. I fixate on it, eyes never leaving the steam-cooked dough as I poke it around with the end of my fork. "(Y/N), is everything ok? You seem very off. You have been off for a little while, actually." Calum says softly, reaching for my hand across the table. "I am fine. It is just work that has been stressing me out." I lie, not daring to look him in the eye. "Are you sure it is just that? We have barely seen each other in the past week." He rubs his thumb over my hand. I pull my hand away, finally looking at him in the eye. "Sunshine, you are tearing up. What's going on?" He sounds worried, rushedly leaving his seat to come closer and comfort me. "I am late." I manage to let slip while I am still in position to talk. "Late for? Did you miss a deadline?" He asks, totally in his own, clueless little world. "My period is late. I might be pregnant." My voice breaks, the admission to him, the father of my potential baby, finally making it feel all too real. Calum takes a step back, looking at me for a second before he engulfs me. "Oh, sunshine. How long?" He asks me, sounding too unbothered for my liking. Am I the only person in my life freaking out over this? "10 days." I admit. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asks, stroking my back soothingly. "You won't get it." I groan and Calum pulls away. "Try me. I am pretty good at understanding." He states, holding my hands in his. I hesitate, fearing he will mock me for my stupid superstition. "During that storm, I had this dream. I saw we hooked up and it was great, but then you became an asshole to me. You ignored me, brought other women over, fucked them loudly just to spite me. I got pregnant with your baby and I tried to tell you but you were an asshole and I decided to leave and keep the baby a secret. I gave birth and we stumbled upon each other. Once more you were awful, but then you became a great father. We ended up hooking up again at the end of the dream. And when I woke up that morning, you told me the exact same thing you told me at the beginning of my dream." I admit, looking at him for a reaction. I bite my lip, starring a little impatiently as his face morphs into an expression I have never seen him take. "You didn't tell me you were late because you thought I would be an asshole?" He asks. He sounds disappointed, a little betrayed. "You have to understand, it was so creepy. We are nearly doing what went on in my dream." "Wait... You were distant after the storm... Because of the dream?" He asks, not believing his realization. "Calum, I was confused and creeped out." "You thought of me so little? You thought I would treat you like that? Do you even fucking know me, even a bit?" He asks me, taking a step away from me. "Calum, I am..." "Save it. I need some fucking time." He holds his hand up, stopping me from talking more, before he walks towards the door, leaving me all alone in the house, on the edge of falling apart.

I tried calling his phone after he was gone, convince him to come home and just have a conversation, but he has left it in the kitchen, resting by the sink. At 6 in the morning, after a sleepless night and a marathon of Keeping up with the Kardashians to numb my brain off, Calum is still gone, and I have no clue where he might be. Worse thing worse is that he also left his car in the driveway, so a million things might have happened to him. He might have been hit by a careless driver, or lost, or stuck somewhere with no way of communicating with me or anyone to rescue him. Jesus, I really do think of the worst at all times. By 9 in the morning I have decided to call work and let them know I won't be going in the office today, citing that I am feeling under the weather. I am really in no position to work when half my heart is off with him. And as it turned out it was the best choice. At 10:30 in the morning, and while I am on my 4th cup of coffee, Calum walks from the front door. To say I sighed in relief would be an understatement. He notices me in the kitchen, walking silently towards me, but heading for the coffee pot before taking a seat across from me. "Can we talk?" I ask him after I let him have the first sip of coffee. "Aren't you heading in for work?" He asks me and I shake my head at him. "I couldn't go to work without knowing if you were ok or not. I tried calling you last night but you left your phone here." I reply, pointing at the device that rests on the island. "I left in a rush." He says, focusing on his mug. "I am not pregnant." I state, looking at my hands. Calum sighs, running a hand down his face. "Did you take a test?" He asks and I shake my head at him. "I got my period at around 3 in the morning. I guess it was a scare. Sophia would call it a self-fulfilling prophecy." I try to joke and lighten the mood. All Calum does is nod his head and look at his mug. "I understand you are upset, and I know it doesn't do much, but I am sorry." I can sense what is coming; the tension is thick and there is a coldness in the room. "Aren't you going to ask me where I was? Who I was with?" He asks me, still not looking at me. "I know you would not hurt me nor betray me by sleeping around. All I care about is that you are safe, and you are back home." It would be a big fucking lie if I said I did not think about Calum cheating on me, but deep inside I know he would never. "I was at Ashton's. I needed a bit of a breather to put my thoughts together. When I left last night, I was determined to ask you to take a break." He admits. My heart shutters and I feel my stomach tighten to the point of all of its contents threatening to spill out. "I understand." I manage to say, feeling my throat collapsing. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I have ruinned everything. "I spent the night at Ashton's, I went to bed at his place, and I was all alone in bed... I dreamt of my life without you. And I fucking hated it. It was miserable and dull. I don't want a life without you. I love you, (Y/N). Fuck, I love you to the point of tearing up just at the thought of how much I love you." He admits. I gasp in shock, feeling my eyes tear up. It is our first I love you... It is the first time he opens up about this. Up until now, I was fine with just knowing that he likes me, that he has feelings for me. But now he loves me, and I don't know how I will settle for anything less, ever again. "I love you to the point of insanity. I was so scared of losing you." I admit, standing up from my stool and walking up to him, falling into his arms. My face is buried deep in his chest, arms wrapped around him as tightly as I can. I don't want to let him go, ever. He plants a kiss on top of my head as I take a whiff of his scent. He smells like Calum, he smells like home.

"A fucking snowstorm... In California... I have seen everything." Calum groans, lighting up the candles that are placed on the coffee table. I laugh, wrapping my arms around his waist and leaning my head on his back. "It will be our first snowy Christmas. Come on, don't be a grump..." I place a kiss below his shoulder blade. "Oh, we will see who will be the grumpy one after 3 days of no electricity..." He mumbles and I chuckle. "I was fine last time. And at least we are more prepared this time than the last one." I state, making him turn around to look at me. "Last time huh? 2 years ago... Seems like a life time away." He sighs, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "Will be 3 years this March... And in May, it will be our 3rd anniversary." I remind him. It is still so strange that we have reached this part of our relationship. "Time really does fly." He comments. "Says the man who turns 30 on January... How does it feel that you are becoming a grandpa?" I ask and he rolls his eyes playfully. "You are 1 year younger than me. Careful now..." He warns me. "Yes, but I look like I am 20. I still get carded for liquor." I tilt my head to the side, cocking an eyebrow. "I am pretty sure the cashier just wanted to know your name." He narrows his eyes. "Is that a hint of jealousy?" I ask, tapping his nose. "It's just... What's mine is mine. I don't like it when they hit on my girl." He rests his hands on either side of my face, making me hum. "But like... They don't see a ring on my fingers... So..." I point out. He knows I am teasing. "Maybe a trail of hickeys down your jaw and neck will convince them you are taken." He smirks, leaning down to kiss me. "You are such a 15-year old sometimes. Hickeys? Really, grandpa?" I look for his reaction, but my comment only makes him scoff. "I can't believe I am turning 30." He cringes, shaking his head as I giggle. "30's sexy. It's definitely going to be sexy on you." I assure him, resting my hands on his shoulders. "You only say that because I am not wrinkley and gray yet." "First of all, your skin is going to be fine. And second, gray looks good on you. Remember the silver hair? Oof, that was a treat. You definitely will look too sexy with a bit of salt and pepper." I run my fingers over the side of his head, touching the part where the first grays usually show up. "Plus, 30 is not the age you turn wrinkley and gray. We have at least a decade more to start worrying about it. You are still a dashing rockstar, making everyone stare at you with their jaws hitting the floor." I state, watching him as he sits up straighter now. "The house is snowproofed to the best of our ability. What about I open a bottle of wine for us and we snuggle on the couch?" He asks, earning a fake-gasp from him. "Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Hood?" I ask him back and he hums. "Not my immediate goal, but was hoping to get there." He presses his lips on my forehead. "I'll bring a blanket from upstairs." I smile, patting his chest softly.

"This didn't happen in your dream, did it?" Calum asks, fixing the blanket better on us as we cuddle against each other for extra warmth. "You are never going to let this live down, are you?" I ask, bringing my hand to cover my face. "Never. Our dream child would be what? 2 now?" He asks. He has been awfully cool about the dream, turning it into our inside joke. "She would be turning 2 now. You wouldn't even have met her yet." "Still? Damn..." "Will you ever stop teasing me about it?" I ask and he shakes his head. "The day I stop teasing you about it, is the day you need to start worrying about our relationship." He pecks my temple, swirling his wine in his glass. "Well, in that case, I'll drink to never having to worry about our relationship." I cling my glass against his before I take a sip from it. Calum sighs and stares at me with a soft smirk, moving a strand of hair behind my ear. He continues to stare silently, as if he is studying my face anew. "What is it?" I ask, making him shrug. "I am just... Admiring. Can't believe you've been mine for 2 and a half years." He sighs happily, stroking his thumb over my cheek. "I know... You have to thank your lucky star." He laughs at my remark. "I do, every day. You make even the worst situations absolutely magical. Like today... We are stuck home on Christmas Eve, and you made the best of it, with the candles, the mention of snowy Christmas." "You added the wine and the cuddles." I mention and he hums. "We make a great team afterall." He adds and I nod. "We do. We make the best team, I might say." I chuckle, turning my head enough to press my lips on his. He touches my face carefully as if he is afraid I am going to turn to dust. He is still as gentle as he was at first, treating me like fine china. It is comforting, being loved by him. "Cal..." I moan against his lips, moving closer to him. "What is it, sunshine?" He asks, running his thumb over my lips. "I'm a bit cold." I state, moving to straddle his lap. "Want me to bring you an extra blanket?" He asks me and I shake my head at him. "There are better ways to warm up, aren't there?" I ask him, cradling his face and capturing his lips with mine.

I feel him sigh in our kiss, his hands moving to my hips. He presses his body on mine more, leaving no space between us. Without breaking from our kiss, he takes my glass and places it on the end table by the couch, making sure we won't spill and stain the couch. I help him place his hands under my knitwear, getting his fingers on my bare torso. He tickles them upwards, earning soft giggles. "You know what they say about ticklish people?" He asks me with a soft smirk. "What do they say about ticklish people?" I ask back. "They are extremely fucking jealous." He comments, finding the sensitive spot above my ribcage. "I am not jealous." I protest but he hums sarcastically. "And pigs do fly..." He mumbles, lifting the top off my body. "Look at that... You are covered in goosebumps." He states, running the tip of his finger on a pattern over my breasts. "It's pretty chilly in here..." I try to lie, but of course, he does not bite into it. "Sure... You look so beautiful in that light, in just your bra and jeans, sunshine. What do I have to do to get you to only wear that outfit from now on?" He asks, toying with the straps of my bra. "Not the most comfortable outfit, you must know." I point out and he shrugs. "I can make it comfortable." He reaches behind my back, masterly undoing my bra with one hand. "Much more comfortable, isn't it?" He asks. "You want me in that outfit just to take it off?" I ask and he nods, leaning back against the couch. "That's the plan." He replies, reaching to pull the bra down. He cups my breast, squeezing it softly in his hand before it travels down my stomach. "I think you'll have to take that off yourself." He whispers as his palm rests on top of the button of my jeans. "All the hard work done by poor little me." I sigh, moving to get off his lap.

The blanket slips from the couch as I stand before him, unbuttoning my jeans and pushing them down my legs. I am left in my panties only; my thumbs hook into the waistband of my underwear, teasing Calum a little before I turn my back to him, giving him a full view of the cute pair of bottoms. Calum whistles and I turn to look at him with a grin, finding him fully rested against the couch, eyeing me as he enjoys the little show. "Take a picture, it will last longer." I say, kneeling down before him. My palms lay flat on top of his thighs as I look up to him. He reaches down, stroking hair slowly before he grabs onto my chin. "What are you doing, sunshine?" He asks, passing his thumb over my lips. I pucker my lips against his finger, smiling innocently at him. I undo his pants, lowering them down his legs before tossing them aside. "Getting you ready." I reply, standing up and pushing my hips out a little before I take off my panties. I straddle his lap again, lowering my hands to take off his sweater. "It's a shame to keep all that hard work hidden from the world." I mumble, running my hands down his chiseled chest, taking extra time to pass a finger over the tattoo above his stomach. "I have a jealous girlfriend, who doesn't like showing the world what's for her eyes only." He states and I shake my head at him. "I am not that jealous. And I like to flaunt a little bit. The world can look, but cannot touch." I comment, bringing my hands to the waistband of his brief boxers. I slip the tip of my finger under the band, tracing over the part of the skin it touches, watching intensely as he throws his head back in anticipation. "You are a tease, you know that?" He asks, as my fingers wrap around his cock. "I have been told... By you specifically, more times than I can count." I reply, stroking him slowly. He is pulsing in my hand, which makes my heart beat faster. Oh, he wants me. "No need for that. Just let me slip inside you." He is breathing harshly through his nose, gripping onto my wrist to halt me. "Not yet." I shake my head, raising my hips in the air before I bring his cock out. I line it up along my slit, bucking my hips against it. It feels weirdly good, the stiffness of his cock, the throbbing, it is the best stimulator. "I... Fucking hell... Sunshine, please." He pleads as I roll my hips up and down his length, letting it get sopping with my wetness. "Please what, daddy?" I ask and he groans. "Get me inside you, please. I need to feel your pretty cunt wrap around me." He knows I lose my mind at the word cunt. It is my weakness; it is sounds degrading enough to wire me up without the actual disrespect.

As if he pushed a button, I find myself automatically succumbing to him. I raise my hips enough to line him up to my entrance, before slowly sinking down on his length. It is a relief, after all that teasing I am responsible for putting us through, having him all inside me. "Sunshine... Fuck." He groans, bringing his hands to my lower back. "I love it when you call me sunshine." I moan, bucking my hips on top of his, keeping his cock inside me, the head touching the spot I need him to. "I can tell. You shiver every time, sunshine." He chuckles, looking up to me. We smile at each other before I lean in and press my lips against his, pulling him into a kiss. His forearm holds onto my waist, squishing our bodies together. My clit brushes against the skin of his stomach, sending a shiver down my spine, making me jolt in place. I whimper, throwing my head back as repeat the movement, only forcing more weight onto my hips this time, to feed the need inside me. "Oh, you like that, sunshine? He asks, voice groggy. I moan in response, grinding on him to replicate the sensation. "I can't even tell you how good you look right about now..." He growls lowly, resting his free hand on my thigh. "Yeah? How good?" I ask. It is a struggle to talk as I bounce on him, but I have to put my attention on something else but the way he pulses inside me, or I will cum around him at this second. "You, riding my cock, with your tits bouncing in the rhythm, and the dim candle light, and the snowing background... You look like something out of a French movie." He strokes my thigh softly, making me turn my head around to look at the large window across from our couch. "The curtains are not shut?" I ask, panicking over the possibility of being seen by neighbors. "Sunshine, who's gonna see us over the hedge?" He asks, his hand traveling up to my face to bring me in for one more kiss. His tongue slips over my lips, prying my mouth open tenderly. I moan in the kiss, feeling a warm rush crawl up from my stomach to my face. I mewl as his tip brushes my spot just right, shivering in his embrace. I hide my face in his neck, moving slower, but with more force, focusing only on the way we are breathing. My lips find the sweetspot that connects his neck to his collar, and after running it over with my tongue, I let my teeth dig in the soft spot. "Look at my good girl... You take my cock so well." Calum whispers, his voice scandalizing low. "You feel so good inside me..." I cry out, already pulsing around his cock. I just need a couple of seconds to get there, my whole body is on fire. "You are going to cum around my cock, sunshine? Are you going to make me feel you become tighter around me?" He asks, hissing. His head is resting back, his Addam's apple becoming more prominent the closer he gets. "Please..." I beg. I am not even sure why I am begging him at this point. "You should cum, sunshine. I bet your stomach hurts from being too tight." He licks his lips, closing his eyes and sinking in the sound of skin on skin, and my short breaths. Rocking my hips back and forth while keeping his whole length inside me, I brace myself for my high. It is a mind-numbing, chill-raising experience. My toes curl, and my fingers dig into his arms as I let go and cum around him. Barely able to moan his name through my high, my voice is muffled by my whimpers. Calum curses under his breath, his hands grasping onto my hips and lowering me on his cock, while his hips buck up fast. I hold onto him tightly, shaking as the stimulus continues. "I can't... Please have mercy... Please." I whisper, everything becoming more intense. "Just. A. Second... Sunshine." He says through gritted teeth, and with that he cums inside me.

With Calum's cock still inside me, I nestle on his chest, resting my head on his pec as he takes my hand in his. His heart is still pounding fast, but his breathing has somewhat become less labored. "I don't wanna pull out." He mumbles, pecking the top of my head. "You will eventually. It's pretty cold." I joke, looking up at him. "No, it is so warm inside you. I don't think I am ever going to pull out." He reaches for the blanket we have abandoned aside, bringing it to cover us both. His hand goes to my back, tracing patterns down my spine and making me shudder at the sensation. "We have plenty of time during this snowstorm for you to be inside me." I sigh happily, thinking of the next 3- at least,- days we are going to spend without outside world distractions. "When did I start needing you so much?" He asks me softly, his voice sounding a little dazed. "I am not sure. But I assume it was around the time I started needing you too." I plant a kiss on his chest, bringing my hand to rest on his right pec. "It feels as if my world begins and ends with you. Like without you, it is impossible for me to breathe." He states. As much as they make me blush, I cherish his little confessions of love, holding them in my heart and replaying them over and over again. "I love you." I admit, even though it is not new to him. I nearly repeat it every day since we first professed it to each other. I know my words are not as complex as his, but my heart is screaming at me to remind him one more. "I love you, sunshine." He kisses the top of my head again, letting his fingers stroke the locks that hang on my back.

(3rd Person's POV) In an unforeseen turn of events, Sophia found herself waiting almost impatiently for Calum's birthday party. She always thought Calum was a cool guy, a nice guy, fitting for her best friend, and after the events of the past weeks, even more so now. Knowing her friend as much as she did, she knew her curiosity about the turn of the night's events would only be satisfied the next morning, when (Y/N) would call her to tell her the news. But Sophia knew; she knew more than each of the respected parties knew.

It all started 4 days after the New Year. Sophia, as usual, showed up to her practice and acquired the list of her appointments. She did not expect her 11 A.M appointment to be Calum, the Calum Hood her best friend had been dating for 3 years nearly. Of course she would have to refer him to a colleague, since there was a friendship between them, but decided not to call and cancel his appointment. Calum showed up on time, walking in with a smile to his face. He didn't exactly look like someone who came to a therapist for the intake session. "Calum, hi. Take a seat." Sophia offered, sitting on her armchair. Calum nodded and sat across from her, relaxing back on the plush seat. "So, what brings you here today?" Sophia asked. She would, after his response, give him a referral to someone else. "I came to ask you something." Calum said, making Sophia knit her eyebrows together. "Is everything ok?" She asked back and he nodded. "Yeah, yeah... Everything is fine. I came here to ask you something about (Y/N). I was hoping you could help me a bit." "Sure. Is she alright?" "Yes, she is fine. This has to stay between us. I know I can trust you." "Ok, this is sort of scary." Sophia admitted, but she was curious to hear what he wanted from her. "I am planning on proposing to (Y/N) on my birthday. I know she doesn't want me to get a blessing from her father, because that would be too old-fashioned, but your opinion matters to her. And I need your blessing to go through with this." Calum let out, waiting for her reaction. Sophia could only blink for a few seconds, emotions overwhelming her. Her best friend was going to marry her dream guy, she was beyond excited for this. "I mean... With all my heart you have my blessings. Calum, this is great. Thank you for letting me be part of this." Sophia felt her eyes brim with tears. "Of course. You are her best friend, she sees you as family. And I also need your opinion on something." Calum admitted, pulling out of the pockets of his leather jacket 3 velvet ring boxes. "I can't pick, no matter how hard I try. I bought all 3 for her, they are hers. I just need to know which one I should use for the proposal." Calum carefully opened the 3 boxes, setting them on the coffee table between the 2 friends. Sophia leaned in, examining the jewelry closely. (Y/N) and Sophia had very different tastes, so she tried to see it from her friend's perspective. "The pear cut one. This is the one." Sophia picked up the turquoise-stone ring and handed it to Calum. "I was thinking of that one too." Calum smiled. He wanted (Y/N)'s ring to be unique and not boring. He wanted her to smile every time she would look at her fingers. "They are all so beautiful, Calum. I am sure whichever you pick, she will love it." Sophia smiled, excited just at the thought of her friend telling her about the proposal after it would happen. Now she only had to keep her mouth shut and not spoil everything.

Which was extra hard after the news (Y/N) shared with her on their bi-monthly lunch date. (Y/N) was already waiting at the restaurant, the first stop of their evening together. She had asked Sophia for help picking an outfit for Calum's party and promised to buy her lunch for her help. Sophia panicked at first, thinking the little secret would slip from her mouth the moment she would see her friend. Nevertheless, she went ahead and joined her friend for lunch. (Y/N) smiled as her friend sat down, leaving the menu on the table. "Long time no see, stranger." She cheered and Sophia smirked. "You were busy fucking your boyfriend during the snowstorm. I thought you would be tired after that. How is he, by the way?" She asked, taking the menu in hand. "Freaking out a bit about the Dirty 30, but other than that, he is fine." (Y/N) giggled, picking up her glass of water. "It is a big milestone." Sophia admitted and (Y/N) shrugged. "I am too young to empathize." (Y/N) cocked and took a sip. "Everything ready for the party?" Sophia asked, settling down on what she wanted for lunch. "Yep. I only have to pick my outfit and I am ready for it." "Gift?" Sophia asked. "Hm... I really did struggle with that a bit... But he is so cute, I am giving him a baby for his birthday." (Y/N) stated, waiting for her best friend's reaction. Sophia's eyes went wide; her best friend was having a baby, with the love of her life, who was proposing to her. "Oh my God... You are pregnant!" Sophia cheered, reaching for (Y/N)'s hand. "I am. I will be one month far on Calum's birthday. I found out totally randomly. I was supposed to get my period two weeks ago, I didn't and I took a test. I went to my doctor last week." (Y/N) explained, smiling brightly. "Wait... You got pregnant during the storm." Sophia gasped and (Y/N) nodded. "I know." "Aren't you freaking out about that dream?" She asked and (Y/N) shook her head. "Calum has proven he is nothing like dream Calum. I think he will be happy about the pregnancy." "I am sure he will be, honey. Congratulations." Sophia moved to hug her friend, biting her tongue so she wouldn't tell her Calum's plan.

It was such an achievement for Sophia, making it to the party without kissing and telling any of the secrets she knew. And now, seeing Calum take (Y/N) away from the crowd to somewhere more privately, she beamed with happiness. She only wished she could see it happen before her eyes, but she would have to settle for next morning's narration by her best friend.

(Y/N's POV) With my hand in his, Calum guides me to the rooftop of our house, ditching the party for his own birthday. Having already blown his candles, and just a few minutes away from the day change, Calum seems like he wants to take a breather from the crowd. Without asking, he took his coat along, sure I will be cold in the night breeze. He is quiet as he places it over my shoulders, resting his hands in the pockets of the coat. "How does 30 feel like?" I ask him, breaking the silence. "It is... Strange. I feel the same." He replies and I hum. "It is just a number." I chuckle. I am at the edge of my seat, waiting for the moment I will give him his gift. "It is nice out here. It is quiet, we can see the night sky and all its stars. It is the perfect spot." Calum says, taking a look of the view. "The perfect spot for what?" I ask him, cocking an eyebrow at him. He chuckles, taking his hands out of the pockets. "For this." He replies, getting down on one knee, holding a velvet ring box open. "Oh my God." I gasp, bringing my hands to my mouth. "I need you in my life. I need you to be mine, forever. I love you to the point of existence seeming impossible without you. Please, marry me, sunshine." He smiles at me, waiting for my response. "Calum, before I answer, there is something I need to tell you." I say in a rushed tone. "What is it? Is it the ring, because I have bought 3 and you..." "I am pregnant." I interrupt him, blurting it out. "You are not fucking with me, are you?" He asks, freezing as he stares at me. "One month far. Probably happened during the storm..." I am the one interrupted now, by Calum sweeping me up and spinning me around. "We are going to have a baby. We are having a baby... Sunshine, that's the best gift." He cheers, squeezing me in his arms. "Cal, dizzy..." I call, feeling everything spinning. "Oh, shit, sorry." He lets me on my feet, holding me by the shoulders for support. "We are having a baby." He says again, smiling from ear to ear. "We are having a baby. And we are getting married if the proposal is still valid..." I point out and he laughs, picking the ring out of the box. "Are there really 3 rings?" I ask, looking at the turquoise stone on my finger. "Mm. And they are all yours, sunshine." He presses his lips on my forehead, before resting his hand against my belly. We are going to have a baby, and this is not a dream, no matter how dreamy it feels.

My Masterlist /  Rainstorm / My Ko-Fi

taglist: @suchalonelysunflower​ @bittersweetb4by​​ @itsmeempar​​

[madamedevien]

Infernal Heat

Hey! It’s been a while - I really miss you guys.  Anyway, I know that a lot of you were keeping up to date with my Mammon x GN! Reader fic...while I’m updating it regularly on my AO3, I thought that I’d post the chapters that I’ve got here as well. I’m planning for it to be a 4 chapter fic, but let’s see how that goes! Warnings in tags (both here and AO3) - monster fucking comes into play much more come Chapter 3 and 4. The biggest thanks to @mawwart for their inspiration and @popcherrypop for reading over what I had all those months ago and actually helping me find direction. I’ve got a bigger/cheesier spiel on AO3, but anyway. Fingers crossed that the ‘Keep Reading’ line shows up here...

Chapter 1: Embers

The Great Mammon had woken up in a mood. He'd felt this creeping up for days now and he wished that it would just come and go already. It was hella distracting to have a constant tug of warmth and want in your gut, y'know? And it was annoying to feel the incessant need to primp and to add to the nest of pillows, blankets, sentimental and decorative items that now overtook most of his bed. But he was due a heat cycle. Annoyingly, he felt that it was probably going to settle in properly on that particular day and he'd been wrangled into going shopping by you. And for whatever reason he'd agreed. Not because he had a crush on you or anything. Damn, he couldn't even remember what you two were meant to be shopping for, that's how addled his mind was. Mammon really just wanted to stay put and perfect his nest. Maybe show it off to you. Although he wasn't sure if you'd appreciate the fact that he'd stolen a few items of yours while on laundry duty to tuck into said nest. Or that he wanted to maybe do something kind of nasty to a piece of your clothing. If not you. 

But would you want to? To see his nest? To lay in it, lay with him, to mate with him? He wanted you to. So very, very badly. He didn’t feel like he deserved you but, oh, to say that he wanted you was a vast understatement. Fuck. 

He groaned and threw one of his tanned arms over his eyes. The silveret realised that he was going to have to partially dislodge his beautiful nest to pull out Goldie (he couldn't go shopping without her - the very thought was offensive!) and that he was going to have to get rid of his raging boner before he faced you. 

So into a cold shower he trudged, loudly cursing the whole time.

---

Longest shopping trip in fucking history. 

It seemed like you were in need of freakin' everything imaginable. He wasn't to know that you were actually just taking your time because it'd been a while since the two of you had some time to yourselves. The demon had been acting strangely around you the past few days, although he was completely oblivious to just how weird it’d been for you.

And today, the Avatar of Greed just wasn't engaging. Questions went unanswered, as if he hadn't heard even when clearly looking at you, no boasting or sulking occurred, no bets or harebrained schemes hatched...he didn't even take you up on your offer of Hell Sauce Noodles! The demon was completely disinterested in all of this - the only thing he was interested in was you. He was also trying very very hard not to let his thoughts slip into anything inappropriate. Which was probably the single most difficult thing he’d had to do in all of his many years. Mammon wanted to take your hand and lace your fingers together; to shamelessly nuzzle your cheek in front of everyone on Silent Avenue. The thought made his heart swell. Better yet, if you were mated, he could kiss you in front of the whole crowd before publicly mounting you and-

Damn, it was hard to keep lewd thoughts at bay. He could feel his cheeks burning and looked away when your concerned expression turned to him. 

On the trek home (finally!), he fell into a lazy pace behind you and Mammon couldn’t help it as you walked together. His cerulean gaze raked over the beautiful curve in your neck - the space was perfect. In his mind, he could see how perfectly his head would fit and how the mark he could leave there would only accentuate the beauty of your skin. It’d be a gorgeous brand that would loudly proclaim to all, ‘I am mated to THE Great Mammon, the Avatar of Greed and Second of the Seven; don’t you dare even think to touch me’. The very notion only caused the flush of heat over his skin to worsen and his breath to hitch; he wanted to tear into his flesh to relieve himself of the insufferable and fiery itch.

The same thoughts washed over his brain again and again like some cruel tide, even once you'd passed through the doors of the House of Lamentation.

It took only a scant moment. He didn’t even think. The silver haired demon was aware that he was losing his mind due to his damned biology, but he didn’t realise that he was so far gone that he would do something so stupid. It was only your screech that alerted him to the fact that he had pulled you tight to his chest, that he was actually in the process of sinking sharp fangs into your supple skin. The sudden realisation made him tear off of you in surprise. 

Beel had been the first to burst through a doorway and into the corridor. The redhead stopped dead in his tracks and stared wide-eyed at the two of you; you with your hand clamped over the section of your neck that had been bitten, and Mammon an arm’s length away from with a look of abject horror painted over his handsome features. Stupid Mammon, indeed. The next to burst in was Lucifer, who looked ready for a proper melee. The sound that had come from you had genuinely startled the older brother, not that he’d admit that if asked. As his garnet gaze took in the scene before him, his mouth twisted unpleasantly. “Mammon…” Lucifer’s voice was dangerously low. Mammon shook his head urgently in response, “Nonono, Luci, it didn’t - I mean, yeah, it is what it looks like an’ I didn’t mean ta, but it...it’s not deep enough. Y’know?” The second brother sounded desperate. Mammon anxiously twisted his rings around his tanned fingers and had to fight back the tears that threatened the edges of his vision. He could have hurt you. “Oh, I think you’ll find that it’s more than deep enough.” Lucifer stalked toward you and put his hand on top of the one you were using to cover your wound. “Let me see how much damage the fool inflicted on you”. Mammon could see the frown that pulled at your mouth as you revealed the bite mark to his brother. No proper damage - the indents might linger, but no blood had been drawn; no skin had been broken. 

“It was more from the surprise than pain, Lucifer. I just wasn’t expecting someone to bite me, you know? That’s the kind of thing that I’d expect more from a very hungry Beel.” Your attempt to lighten the mood only made the Avatar of Pride’s expression sour further - but Beel muttered a small, “Fair”. Lucifer sounded positively glacial when he spoke again. “Beelzebub, please take our brother to his room." The Avatar of Gluttony nodded solemnly, gently taking the second eldest’s shoulder. Mammon stared miserably at the floor, guilt clearly written on his flushed face although he couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He didn’t trust himself to. Not after such a stupid stunt. As the other two made their way up the stairs, Lucifer pinched the bridge of his nose. 

This wouldn’t be pleasant.

--

It was no surprise to Mammon that Lucifer texted him shortly after the whole ordeal. He was just thankful that Lucifer hadn’t decided to come up to his room and literally tear into him after biting you. Of all the people to bite in the entire Devildom, it just had to be you didn’t it? Lucifer: Mammon. I have strictly instructed the household that you are not to be disturbed until I have given the all clear. You will stay in your room and I will bring you provisions at regular intervals. If you need anything, you will let me know. Are we clear? Mammon: Yes. Lucifer: Good. He waited, hopeful that Lucifer would provide an update on you. After an eon of waiting (which was actually all of seven minutes) he decided to ask. Mammon: Are they okay?

Lucifer: They are. And they will continue to be so long as you stay in your room and do not venture out. Ensure that you lock your door and remember to take your pheromone blockers as well or the whole house will reek of your mating scent. What were brothers for, if not a good motivational speech? --- Chapter 2: Flames Even with Lucifer’s reminder, Mammon had forgotten to take the pheromone blockers and to lock the door. He’d been far too distracted; worrying about your state of health, whether he’d damaged your relationship beyond repair, still trying to keep the lewd thoughts at bay, his instincts fretting over the piece of nest that had been dismantled earlier… It was a lot to be preoccupied with, okay? Without the pheromone blockers, the corridor outside of Mammon’s room was thick with the sweet perfume of a demonic male in heat. It was rich and cloying, the kind of scent that would cling to one’s clothes much to the annoyance of the other residents (Asmodeus excluded).  Mammon, however, didn’t care. He was too busy now attempting to cool the heat in the pit of his stomach and to regain some clarity of mind. An attempt at sleep had been made once his nest had been repaired and Goldie tucked into her rightful place, the lights turned down low and his clothes discarded to some far corner so that he could crawl into the nest in a comfortable state...but how could he sleep when obscene images of you kept popping into his head?  At first, he had tried to keep some semblance of his mind. The demon didn’t like to lose control during his heats. If he could keep his mind, he would keep to his more humanoid forms - and that was what he wanted. Because if you did, by chance, happen upon him...well. He didn’t want to scare you. Before he allowed himself to spiral into the anxiety of your imagined reaction, he reached for his ridiculously large bottle of lube. If he was going to dwell on the thought of anything, it was going to be how good he knew you’d feel… --- Mammon wouldn’t have been able to say how much time had passed. He had brought himself to orgasm more times than he could count - but it only seemed to just take off the edge. A demon’s heat was never an easy thing, but why was this time around so damn difficult?  Satan would have been able to answer that with ease, the smug bastard; if a demon chooses a mate they will, naturally, be most inclined to couple with said mate for optimal breeding. To not couple with a chosen mate could make a heat worse - but to withhold coupling at all? Well, it would be a foolish endeavour.  The Avatar of Greed hadn’t realised just how he was slipping ; wings and horns had appeared without him even registering and his fangs had dropped to a predatory length (which he only noticed when he had apparently attempted to put a mating mark on a pillow covered in one of your stolen shirts that he’d been desperately rutting against, much to his embarrassment).  His breathing was rough. Mammon was equal parts exhausted and invigorated. He wanted nothing more than to let his knees fall out from under him so that sleep would hopefully take him - he wanted to stalk down the hall and into your room and fuck you senseless. And if Lucifer found out? Well, Mammon would love to see him try to pry you from his arms.  The very thought made him snarl, his grip on his cock tightening. It was enraging to even think that his brother would dare, a thought that had him so preoccupied that he didn’t hear the door click open.  His blue eyes slipped over to you and the wet sound of him furiously fucking his fist stopped abruptly. It was impossible to tell which one of you was redder. This was not what he had been expecting. “Uh-” A rasp of your name interrupted you. “Didn’t Lucifer tell you not to come?” He watched as you nodded dumbly, “Yes”. Heavy breath was the only noise to pass between you several beats. The demon in front of you was wondering whether this was fate; you weren’t running, you looked interested and, fuck, you smelled so good. You smelled aroused and it made him growl; “C’mere then”. The way that you slammed the door and scampered toward him practically had him preening in pleasure. Just as eager, Mammon scrambled over to meet you, flustered yet excited, and hauled you up close to him. He bumped your foreheads together. From here it was easy to see how incredibly blown his pupils were, to feel how desperately ragged his breathing was. You were dangerously close. “Now, see here, I'm gonna give ya one chance to go. ‘Cause if I kiss ya, I’m not gonna be able to stop. I won’t be able to let ya go. You’ll be stuck with me for the whole fuckin’ ride, ya hear?” Holy shit, his voice was so strained. “Then kiss me, you dummy.” No repeat was necessary. Mammon threaded his fingers into your hair, hesitating for only the briefest moment before pressing his lips to yours. When you responded in kind his fervour, his deep rooted greed, quickly followed. He’d wanted to kiss you from day one and not a moment had gone by since  without him imagining it. This felt so incredibly right. But he couldn’t ignore the heat curling in his gut. He needed you, wanted you. And as far as he could tell, despite the dark whispers in the back of his mind saying otherwise, you seemed to feel the same.The way that you returned his greedy kisses, how your fingers had twisted sharply in his hair, how you didn’t seem to mind the messy clicking of his elongated fangs against your blunt teeth as he tried to figure out how best to navigate your mouth in this form - how could he deny that he was wanted?  Mammon's only regret when looking back on this evening with you would be not savouring your body laid bare for him for the first time. His mind was too heat-addled to appreciate it; he was unable to slowly peel off your layers and to have the sentiment returned in kind as he had previously fantasised about. In his mind’s eye, he had a whole big romantic gesture planned if you had decided to sleep with him. Previously, he had imagined how he would make love to you and treasure every moment of it...but alas… Your clothes were quickly stripped from you, sharp fangs nipping at new skin as it was exposed. There was no delicate treatment here and he paid no heed to the sound of torn material. When he next plundered your mouth, it was far smoother than the first time - he was a fast learner, after all.  The only complaint that he had about kissing you was that it muffled those beautiful noises of yours. When he broke the seal of your mouths it was to gently toss you back toward the top of the bed, deeper into his nest and into the comfort of a ridiculous amount of pillows - to properly secure you into his nest. To see you like that felt...good. It felt right. It was clear that was exactly where you belonged. The very image had him growling in satisfaction as he took the opportunity to crawl over your body, his fingers gripping at the meat of your thighs and hips as if ensuring that you were truly there with him. Thankfully, his nails had not yet turned into talons or they would have pierced through you with ease at the way that he handled your flesh.  Mammon had to take a deep breath when he looked at you this time. He needed to make sure that he didn’t hurt you while doing this - it was the last thing in the world that he wanted. It was unusual for the Avatar of Greed to put the needs of others before his own...but you weren’t just some ‘other’. You were you. His very own treasure, his very own mate. Reluctantly, a hand left your body to fish for something buried within the nest. “You’re fuckin’ gorgeous,” He coated his fingers generously in lube, desperate to ensure that he would cause as little pain as possible, “Just fuckin’ perfect”. Two fingers slipped into you as Mammon spoke, his tone low and hoarse. Never had he imagined just how difficult it would be to hold himself back like this, nor could he have been prepared for just how much desire he felt in that moment. The sensation of your hot core wrapped around his fingers had him shamelessly rutting against your thigh, a poor attempt at taking the edge off of his lust.  A human really had no business wrecking him like this. His heat cycles were normally pretty boring - desperate rutting for a day or two and then back to normal life. You had no right to set his skin aflame like this, no right to have him feel like he could cum just from the noise you made once he had three fingers fucking into your heat. The way his blood was rushing in his ears was deafening...and he wanted more. It didn’t take too long for it all to get too much. Even all of the dark hickies that he had furiously littered your neck, chest and shoulders with weren’t enough to distract him from the wet sound of his fingers preparing you or the stunning sounds he managed to pull from you when he got the angle of his hand just right.  Mammon would never admit it, but he kind of missed his target. The point of removing his hand from you had been to slip himself right in. Instead, as he kissed you he rolled his slick cock against your sex...which, to be fair, had felt better than your thigh. And if the sound that you’d made in response was anything to go by, you thought so too.  He liked that noise. A lot. So he rolled his hips against you again, groaning in response to you. Ever eager to please, the greedy demon found a rhythm that you both seemed to enjoy in the interim. “Ya like that, huh?” Mammon wasn’t sure where the cockiness in his tone was coming from when internally he felt so nervous. It was those very nerves that quickly had his hand moving to guide his cock to your entrance and thrusting into you before you could retort. Mammon didn’t realise it would silence both of you.  By no means was he a virgin. The Great Mammon would have it known that he was a proper Casanova type, thank you very much. He just didn’t realise how different it would feel coupling with someone that he truly and deeply loved. The heat causing that deep need to breed the closest thing with a pulse didn’t help things, of course.  It was...incredible, for lack of a better word. Divine. Mammon choked on an Infernal curse once seated completely in you and had to literally bite his tongue to keep an anchor on his self-control.  All of that hard earned control was thrown out the window when his name passed your lips.  There was no hesitation in how his hips pistoned, fucking into you relentlessly. His hands manoeuvred to cradle the back of your knees and he pushed your legs back to allow him more access to your body, his fingers gripping hard enough to bruise. The noises that left him were snaps and snarls of Infernal praise, not that he realised. The only thought on Mammon’s mind was his primal objective of breeding you until neither of you could move ; it didn’t matter whether you could actually fall pregnant or not. No logic or worry clouded his mind with these thoughts. All he could focus on was filling you with his seed until he couldn’t any more, the thought of your stomach tender and round because of his affections toward his mate... Mammon’s first orgasm came with an embarrassing quickness. When he spilled inside of you, his teeth sinking into the tender flesh of your chest, he was quickly filled with a relief and warmth that he hadn’t felt in ages. For the first time since his heat had set in, there was true clarity in his mind. While his natural instincts weren’t completely quelled, it was enough for him to actually think with something other than his adamantly pulsing dick. His relief quickly fell to mortification, the shadows of which were clear on his features when he pulled back to look at you. His cheeks were tinted red both from exertion and embarrassment ; he hadn’t paid enough attention to get you to climax. He was quick to stutter out your name, mouth tripping on the words that were trying to get out of his mouth as his sluggishly content brain tried to supply words just beyond reach. “What, isn’t The Great Mammon going to make me cum?” Your sass fanned the flames in his loins. A playful snarl was made in response, “Oh sweetheart. I’m going to make you cum so fuckin’ hard you black out. You won’t be able to feel your legs by the time I’m done with you”. And so The Great Mammon set to work. --- Mammon hummed contentedly as you lazily played with the hair at the nape of his neck hours later. This was perfection. Strong fingers stroked your thighs as he enjoyed the sensation of you wrapped around his hips, the pleasure of you sat on his lap while cuddled up together in your nest. The demon toyed with the thought of pushing his hips up just to make you gasp from the overstimulation, but decided against it. Although he was loath to admit it, you needed rest - because Mammon had been good to his word, ensuring that you both had more than your fair share of orgasms.  But this was good. The fire in his gut had died down to crackling embers, although he knew it would flare up again soon - but you would be there to help ease him through it. And you even seemed to like helping him out. What was the phrase… ‘mutually beneficial’? Somethin’ like that. His eyes fluttered open when he heard your chuckle. He couldn’t help but wonder if you knew how freakin’ stunning you were when you smiled like that. “What?” When your eyes met his, he was pouting frowning. The laugh that you let out only made his brow furrow more, “I said what. What’s got ya laughin’ like that, huh? You should be out like a freakin’ light by now”. It wasn’t until you replied that he realised how obvious it was, “I didn’t know that demons could purr”. Mammon squawked loudly and attempted to divert your attention - he sounded like a damn motor! It wasn’t fair! He wasn’t even able to control the way he was going off… It was embarrassing. “Well, yeah, y’know, sometimes. We’re incredible ‘n mysterious creatures us demons, y’know! Demons are capable of things that your human mind couldn’t even comprehend! Anyway, ’s not like ’s all the time or anythin’ like that…” He tried to occupy himself and forget about the heat radiating from his face by playing with your hair - but he could feel you smiling against the crook of his neck. “Yeah?” “Yeah.” The incredible and mysterious demon sounded more like a petulant child (well, a purring and petulant child). “So, when do you normally purr?” “I dunno. When we’re happy, I guess?” “Does that mean I haven’t made you happy before?” The way that he spluttered was definitely worth teasing him. “Who said that ya haven’t made me happy?! ‘N besides, this is different!” Even Mammon couldn’t deny that he was now pouting, but he tried to focus on the feeling of your fingers running along his shoulders. It was nice; soothing, even. Until he felt a sharp tug on the back of his neck.  “Ouch! You gotta be more gentle than that!” The look of surprise on your face made him want to curl in on himself. “Mammon - are those feathers?” “Phffft,” The greedy demon rolled his eyes and tried to deflect your query, “Shaddap. You dunno what you’re talking ‘bout”.  When your mouth opened again, he did take the opportunity to thrust sharply into you. At the gasp, he lurched forward with a passionate kiss. Simply to shut you up, of course. No hidden agenda. His pleased purring melted into a deep rumbling, the fire in his belly stoking itself back to life. It was impossible for him not to roll you over to allow him to bask in more of your shared passion. The laughter that ensued, laughter that he was sure was aimed at him, only made his heart swell as much as his cock.

[el-oh-her]

Dear Texas, some advice from Wisconsin

I lived in a shitty trailer for most of my life in Wisconsin, so I know some of the issues you’re going through. I’m also a skinny bitch who cannot retain heat for very long. Here is some advice to help you out a little bit. It’s not a lot, but if it saves a life it saves a life. 

Please, please spread this around for the texans. We’re all in this together. 

Get some rolled up blankets and pillows and put them in front of ALL  the cracks of windows and doors. Windows and doors--especially yours- are not weather tight. This can help slow the heat escaping 

If you don’t have pillows or blankets to spare, but you’ve got some pants (jeans are good) or sweaters or literally any clothes you’re willing to sacrafice,  then cut the jeans and stuff the jean with the excess fabric, and tie the ends off. with strips of fabric or tape or whatever you have. 

If you have rooms that don’t touch outer walls, that is the room you should focus on. Everyone in the house should be in that room as much as possible. 

It might be weird, and COVID makes this a risk but if you gotta do it you gotta do it. Sleep in the same room--have the kids share a bed if there are some kids. Your body heat will get captured under blankets and if it’s too cold this is something you can do to naturally produce some heat. Again, it’s a risk because of COVID but do what you got to do to live. 

Buy heavy curtains if you can afford them, use blankets or large sweaters or whatever you have if you can’t, and hang them in front of windows and the doors. It’ll help keep the heat in. 

The fridge should be opened only when asbolutely necessary. Yell at your kids and your roomates. They’ll get mad at you now, but it’s a small thing that can help. 

Buy some water jugs (we used milk jugs because we had a lot of them) and when your water turns on, fill as many as you can. When your water shuts off, that’s the water you can use to flush the toiilet. My family had to do this all the time. 1 gallon of water is 2 bathroom flushes. Keep these milk jugs in your warmest rooms. 

Hot air rises, cold air sinks. Get the beds off the floor. I don’t care if your bed stand is made of layers of books. The further you’re from the floor, the better you’ll be--even if it’s a little bit. Sleep in the bunk beds if you have them. 

Your carbon dioxide that you exhale can be a natural heater. Sleep with your head under the blanket, or hang out completley under a blanket and after a while it will warm up. Probably don’t do this when you’re sharing the blanket because of COVID, but do what you gotta do to stay warm. 

LAYERS. Wear them. Under shirt under your regular shirt which is covered by a jacket or a sweater. Wear Leggings underneath your pants. Boys, either invest in some women’s leggings or use your pajama pants. Fuck, wear a skirt on top of it if you’re too cold. Fuck your gender roles, this is about being warm not being pretty. 

SOCKS. GLOVES. Wear them, even if you’re in the house. It costs a lot of heat to keep them warm, so if you’re cold and you can’t get warm, get some socks and some gloves on and it will help. I promise. 

Fuzzy / thick socks are popular up here, double your socks to get this same effect. 

When you’re outside, walk like you’re trying to get away from a murder scene. Walk like you have a test in 5 minutes and you might just miss it. You will warm up within 5 minutes of walking, and you’ll produce some sweat. It’s uncomfy for sure, but it’ll produce some heat. I have taken off my coat in terribly cold weather because I walked way too fast and got way too hot. Again, a little thing. 

Candles. Get them. Check your goodwills or thrift shops if the retailres are out of it. They don’t produce a lot of heat, but they do produce something. 

How to get the ice off your car. Turn your car ON and let your car heat up. I can only assume your car has a defroster setting but if it doesn’t, the engine at least should produce some heat, which is by the windshield so it will help just a little bit. 

WORST case scenario if you don’t have a scrapper is salt. Salt will help break down the ice. 

If you’re gonna try and DIY a scaprer use PLASTIC materials not METAL materials. Metal will fuck up your wind shield, I am pretty sure. Order a scraper from Amazon. 

BUY a SHOVEL. If you can’t get a snow shovel because of the demand of them, buy a BUCKET. Get something that can hold snow to move it.  

If there is no road salt or table salt to use to get rid of ice, use SAND. Sand is used around here when there’s no salt. It’s not as great and your cars will look gross, but get a car wash when the snow melts. 

YOUR CAR KIT: When you’re stranded in your car in the snow you should have all of the following: A shovel, a snow scraper, a warm set of clothes, an extra coat, a couple of blankets, a pillow (optional) and a first aid kid if you’ve got it. 

The cold drains your battery in your car faster. If you can afford it, take your car out for drives even if you’re not going anywhere. Take the whole fucking family in the drive, it’s a small enclosed space and you all can warm up for a little bit. 

WHERE you place your heaters to warm up your pipes is just as important as just putting heaters on your pipes. To make sure they don’t burst, make sure those heaters are in places where it is producing heat around as many pipes as possibe. My family also put a heater underneath the sink in the kitchen. 

Drip your sinks. Moving water is much harder to freeze becuse of the laws of motion and science and shit. letting your facusts drip will help prolong the life of your pipes before they burst. 

If your pipes burst stay calm. DON”T FUCKING FILM IT. Call to get your water shut off. I don’t know what to do with burst pipes, someone else probably knows. You need to get it shut off as soon as possible because if that water freezes, it’s going to produce more cold and it’s going to damage your house. 

Food. Everyone is probably raiding the snack asiles because they’re foods that don’t need food or heat in order to make. I get it. Instead I suggest making large meals when you have power and stick it in the fridge, but stuff that won’t be too gross eaten cold. Spagetti, pizza, potatoe salad, etc. Salads if there’s salad stuff around. Granola and yoghurt make parfaits and are a good thing to fill your stomach. 

There is probably more but I can’t think of any right now. A lot of this are all little things but everything adds up eventually. Minus the power outages, what you’re going through was my winter every year for almost 10 years--so I have nothing but sympathy for you. My pipes have frozen and burst and all the worst things.

Please, even if you’re not from Texas, even if you ain’t in america, pass thing along. Get the word out. We’re in this together. 

[prttylittlediary]

Tips for healthier and stronger hair

Recently I’ve decided to dye my hair jet black with two grey streaks (bride of Frankenstein style) and I’ve managed to maintain it in a pretty healthy state. This guide contains less about a staple routine and more has things to consider when dealing with the way to care for hair in general. For reference, I do all of these things and my hair type is 3b and reaches to the top of my breast after my most recent trim.

Goals: keep scalp with minimum toxins, strength hair, maintain length, prevent breakage, grow hair, maximize shine, and lower frizz levels

❥pre-poo with avocado mask

Make a mask that consists of avocado and an oil of your choice then apply it to your hair evenly. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse throughly with a moisturizing shampoo. This mask helps build strength and returns moisture into your hair no matter how damaged it is. I’ve personally been using it since I was four years old and it leaves me with little frizz and a lot of shine.

❥rosemary/herbal blenfld for scalp

Rosemary contains antibacterial properties that not only cleanse the scalp but remedies any dry issues as well. It’s gives off a nice shine as well as increases circulation for growth promotion. Here is a scalp rinse that deals primarily with scalp issues.

You can use rosemary powder and make tea out of it and apply to the scalp and leave it for 10-15 minutes

You can also do what I do and boil rosemary, rose, amla, and peppermint until a tea is made. Leave it to cool and there should be a dark color that’s tinted red that you will apply and leave for 10-15 minutes.

❥Detox scalp wity clay

To remove toxins from scalp once every month make a clay mask that consists of either Dead Sea clay or Rose clay.

Dead Sea clay gently exfoliates, soothes, and removes dirt and oils that can clog up the scalp

Rose clay improves skin cell regeneration through the use of silica, balance sebum and oil production, and improves circulation to provide more nourishment for the scalp

To make either ask take as much powder as needed and mix with 3 teaspoons of avocado oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, and add coconut milk or hot water and mix until it turns into a paste/creamy texture. Apply/ massage on scalp and leave for 20-30 minutes before throughly rinsing.

❥Exfoliate scalp

Scalp is skin much like the skin on your face, so exfoliating will smooth it out more and heal the scalp cells. Personally I like to use the Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub.

❥protect ends

Tuck your ends away at night every night to stop ends from getting damaged from friction. This can be done by braiding hair, wearing a bonnet or scarf, or doing a loose updo. To protect ends during the day refrain from rubbing your hands against them constantly if possible and avoid leaning your head on anything as well.

❥consistent style

Go to hair styles can prevent over manipulation that can cause breakage down the line. Consistent styling also can refer to the consistency of a hair routine as well (ex. Wash day same day every week, same products, etc….). I’m going to use my hair as an example since I’m pretty consistent with the way I treat it. At night I will roll my hair and secure with pins so I can achieve different looks once I wake up . Since I dance I either have my hair in a slick bun, but on a regular basis I do whatever will make me feel prettier in the moment.

Here is my hair inspo

❥Detox ends

Product build up is prominent in stands of hair so it’s best to occasionally cleanse these strands for a clean base. This will prevent too much build up weighing hair down and making it look dull. A good cleanse is also a good base for any wash day or blowout !

❥Use heat when hair is damp not soaking

Instead of adding unnecessary heat while your hair is soaking wet try diffusing or blow drying once it’s damp but not dry.

❥roller sets

I’m a bit biased about this, but I am a firm believer that if done properly roller sets can help maintain length. It’s the secret all the women in my mother country use to achieve such long and thick hair. Make sure you go to either a reputable salon with a hairstylist who is willing to genuinely treat your hair well and will ensure growth or you have basic knowledge on rollers to not damage your hair.

❥Invest in silk/satin

Silk and satin are the least abrasive material to have on your hair due to the lack of harsh friction is causes. Invest in scrunchies, pillow cases, bonnets, and scarves with these material if you notice that any of these factors are causing your hair to be dry or frizzy.

❥invest in products for your hair

Not all hair is the same and not all products are the same. Pick out shampoos, conditioners, and whatever else you use in your routine to satisfy what you hair needs in the moment. Forget price tag, read the ingredient list and if that list suits you go ahead and experiment. There’s so much false information about how certain ingredients will damage your hair so research should be done about certain ones. Literally only satisfy what you need and RUN with it and try your best not to have a collection that you always switch up but haven’t touched a few. It’s better to have staple products that you know will do right by you instead of a few temporary trends.

❥Trim when you see split ends after 2 weeks

Over trimming is just as bad as not trimming enough when trying to grow hair. If you THINK you see split ends make SURE they’re actually split ends and not dry ends. Observe them for a week or two and if it’s actual split ends only slice off the split part. You don’t need to follow the 6 week trim plan if your ends do not grow in six weeks, it’s counterproductive and you will see a lapse in growth.

❥Balance protein:moisture ratio

Your hair needs moisture and it also needs protein but don’t let these beauty influencers fool you into thinking you need 10 different products for both these needs. LISTEN to what your hair needs and apply as needed.

Hair with too much moisture can become soft or mushy due to the overload of hydration. Curl pattern also may become looser and curls may not snap back once pulled on. Use strong protein treatments for 1-3 weeks until hair elasticity improves as well as texture.

Hair with too much protein will feel brittle and appear dry with little to no body to it. To fix this issue a good cleanse should be done to rid of excess protein as well as deep conditioning to rebalance hair.

I hope all of these tips could help someone out in their hair journey. Hair is a source of confidence for many girls and it’s best to learn how to nourish it for maximum results. Good luck and live a lovely life❥

[angel-thoughts-dump]

ranking top 10 jokes on the Angel pilot

10- "breath mint?" angel still pretending to be drunk, to the vampire he is about to fight in the alley That first bit of the scene where Angel is going to fight those guys but he pushes the drunk act as far as he can... it was just funny to me, not only bc of the drunk act itself, but also because he didn’t have to take it that far! so to me he was having fun acting, because he is like a repressed drama kid. And also, why go so close to this guys mouth? lol he could have gotten close anyway, there was literally no reason, like wearing the Hawaiian shirt just to pretend for less than a minute he was a lost tourist. He just liked doing it. No other explanation.

9- "Mr I was alive for 200 years and never developed an investment portfolio" I just like when they roast him, I think if they did it more often it would fix him. Also Cordy might be the only character that can be funny when she actually means to.

8- Doyle trying to run away, coming back, and trying to  bring down the fence with the car but just damaging the car a little subversion of the classic scenes where the fences do go down. It IS funny, adds suspense to the actions going on inside, and it serves to tell a lot about the character, so three for one!

7- Angel jumping into the wrong car instead of his, in the middle of chasing the bad guys I... I have mixed feelings about this because in the heat of the moment it works so well, like using the high of the chasing scene for the funny break, also the subversion or whatever, but then I thought for two minutes and went “HEY aren’t vampires supposed to have supper smell? he should have smelled that wasn’t his car!”

6- "You kind of remind me of her. You know... cuz of the hair " Angel pretending to be drunk talking about buffy to a bald black man  I think the whiplash from the classic detective noir voice-off of the introduction, to this, does a lot of the job, but still, it works. They knew anyone watching would know about buffy being exactly the opposite image already. And you can even see it as a little jab at : this show is going to be completely different from what you expect from before, from buffy. So its a good first joke of the show.

5- "I can do what ever I want"  "really? can you fly?"  *kicks him out of the top of the building. Bursts into flames in the sun*   "guess not" I mean its soo cheesy when you see it written but like, this whole show is cheesy, and to me that's part of the fun, something that makes me laugh. And in character it also makes me laugh because: *fondly rolls eyes* “look at that!  Angel again couldn’t pass the opportunity to be dramatic...”    But in scene it does work a little better because of the dramatic shots, the cool effects, plus the satisfaction of finally seeing the vampire murderer being stopped. Also, then you got the next one:

4- "What happened to Russel?"  "he went into the light" YEAH ok, its so simple, but the poker face of Angel in the middle of his brooding session makes it more funny, like in character he didn’t even think about making the joke, he just said a common phrase that means a person died, not even thinking about the double meaning, so Doyle also doesn’t acknowledge it as a joke.

3-  "he is going to kill everyone you care about" "there is no one left I care about"  *cut to Cordy meditating in her tiny apartment saying  : " I am somebody, I matter" I love smart cuts jokes. In the moment it just anticipates Cordelia is going to be the next vampire victim, but then you realize it anticipates how Cordelia is going to become someone important in the story and that matters a lot to Angel too.

2- Cordelia releasing this guy is a vampire >> defending her ability to identify vampires when questioned >> realizing said vampire is going to kill her>> saying she was just kidding The acting from both of them is very good, like the subtle denial of the vampire going “emm what? who? when? what?” and then changing into the menacing look, and Cordelia pointing the finger and UHG this is kind of unfair bc more than a joke its the entire scene that's really funny. And the comedy here also comes with the subversion of the helpless innocent victim trope, even if its just for that moment, because the protag is still Angel and he had to save her *rolls eyes* the fact that she can go “Hey I know what you are! I know about this stuff! I already went through worse!” its nice.

1- " It's about reachin' out to people. Showin' them that there's love and hope still left in this world." old lady living in the street: "hey, spare some change?"- "Get a job you lazy sow!"  shocking but sublime, perfect delivery, probably the funniest thing is how non of them acknowledges this and they continue talking about their own thing. It sets the mood for the story: this people might be trying to do some good but they are still kind of assholes with lot of issues and poor self awareness, so welcome to this shit-show. Enjoy

[fruitcoops]

Hi, I love your blog so much! I recently got ankle lateral ligament reconstruction done, and as an athlete, it sucks so bad. I watched my basketball team play yesterday, and it felt really horrible to watch them lose by one point in overtime when I know I would have made a difference if I were on the court... I know you have lots of asks and prompts, but if you have the time and want to, could you possibly hurt me more than I’m already hurting with some angsty ankle injury stuff😩 like maybe Cap watching the Lions lose without him.

Thank you for all the awesome fics you write! Your blog is amazing!

Anon, this ask really struck a chord with me and I wanted to do it justice as best I could--going through a sports injury like that is the worst feeling in the world, and watching your teammates play without you just adds salt to the wound. Sending all the love and healing vibes your way, okay? Please keep me updated on how you're feeling if you feel comfortable <3

Combined with an ask for pre-Coops and Sirius' photo of Remus! SW credit goes to @lumosinlove

TW for canonical injury and mentioned scars (Remus)

Sirius felt a nudge at his arm and his irritation flared, but he did not take his eyes off the game. “Fucking hell,” he muttered as James missed yet another blatant pass. There’s three.

The next nudge was more insistent.

“What?” he snapped, sparing half a glance to his left and feeling his stomach swoop.

Remus raised his eyebrows and held the mouthguard out further. “Either put this in or unclench your jaw.”

You’re not my mother, Sirius almost snarked back, just to be even more of an asshole. He was cold from being at the rink without his gear, severely pissed off by the general bullshit happening on the ice, and the itch in the boot locked around his stupid fucked-up ankle was slowly driving him mad.

Remus offered the mouthguard again, and Sirius’ temper cooled by a few degrees at the soft encouragement on his face. Pretty, his brain supplied. He swallowed hard around his sudden dry mouth and shoved the plastic between his teeth, beating back the unruly emotions with a mental baseball bat. Nope. Not tonight. Focus on being angry.

Logan got distracted, and Finn paid the price as an enforcer slammed him against the boards; he bounced back immediately, but Sirius ground the mouthguard so hard it squeaked. “Tabarnak—”

“Come with me for a sec,” Remus said, raising his voice just enough to be heard over the angry shouts of Lions fans.

Sirius shook his head. What he wouldn’t give to be in the heart of the fight, letting off some of the steam that had been building with no outlet for weeks. “Game’s not over.”

Remus pressed his lips together, but said nothing; Sirius’ throat constricted as he looked at the scoreboard. There may have been three full minutes left on the clock, but the Lions had already lost—unless they pulled a miracle out of their asses, this game would be a stain on their record. Or if they just let me play.

Sirius sighed through his nose. The urge had been growing stronger the longer he stayed cooped up and restless, banging at the walls of his brain and bringing headache after headache.

“Cap.” The hand on the back of his bicep was surprisingly gentle and he closed his eyes as Remus gave him a light tug. “Come on. We can at least be productive instead of sitting here and stewing.”

He smells nice. How does he always smell so nice? Sirius stood and followed Remus down the tunnel, not even bothering to force smiles for the people pounding on the glass partitions. Don’t focus on the game.

Focus on his shoulders, something close to his heart suggested. You like his shoulders.

He scrunched his nose up at the thought—if he dwelled on the smooth, strong curve of Remus’ upper back for any longer, he would start remembering the one time he saw them bare, covered in sweat with scars that shone like moonlight and—

“Are you okay?” Remus asked, snapping him back to reality. Sirius jumped and concern flickered over the golden planes of his face. “You’re twitchy tonight.”

“Just…” He made a vague, aborted motion toward the ice before continuing toward the PT room, though he did not miss the worried look Remus shot him. Fantastic, now I look like a dick and an idiot.

“What’s going on, Sirius?” The door clicked closed behind them and Remus leaned against it with his arms crossed loosely as Sirius limped over to the table and sat down, pulling the mouthguard out. He stared at the floor and the hunk of plastic—don’t think about how nice his voice sounds around your name. Don’t.

He shook his head; through the door, the sounds of the game were faint. “They’re better than this.”

“Yep.”

“They’re all going to be angry tomorrow, which makes them sloppy.”

“Probably.”

“Coach will be upset.”

“No question.”

“It’s the Badgers.”

Remus made a face. “I know, right?”

“They’re a good team, but—” He tightened his jaw again and looked away.

“But we’re better,” Remus finished for him.

“Yeah.” Silence fell between them for a few moments, though it wasn’t uncomfortable. Being quiet around Remus was never uncomfortable, and Sirius was pathetically grateful for every scrap of it he could get. “I—the game would be different if I was out there.”

“Would it?”

“It would.” He had been going over every mistake for two and a half hours, placing himself in like a chess piece to stop the missed passes, fumbled pucks, and thoughtless plays. “They need me with them.”

The paper crinkled as Remus sat down next to him, and every one of Sirius’ senses went on high alert. “They need to you get better,” he said simply, those caramel-apple eyes making Sirius’ knees go weak. “Have you been doing your exercises?”

“Of course,” he scoffed.

“Good.” There was no defensiveness or indignation in Remus’ voice—guilt snapped, a firecracker behind his teeth.

“Sorry.”

Remus smiled wryly. “When you’re around injured hockey players all day long, you get used to a little bit of bitchiness.”

“I’m not bitchy!” Sirius spluttered. The poorly-concealed amusement on Remus’ face made mortification heat his cheeks. “I’m not!”

“Uh-huh.” The note of smug disbelief should not have been as attractive as it was. “Alright, lay down.”

Sirius swore he heard a few crackling noises as his brain short-circuited. “Quoi?”

“I’m not kneeling on freezing linoleum to check out your ankle, Cinderella,” Remus snorted. “Now get a wiggle on.”

“You have the strangest sayings,” he said as he laid back and stretched his leg out, bewildered and yet somehow relieved.

“And you—” Remus pulled the top buckle free. “—have no appreciation for the great American north.”

“I can take it off,” Sirius mumbled, feeling redness rise once again.

He cocked an eyebrow. “The boot? I might not be a muscle-bound athlete, but I’m pretty sure I can manage a couple strips of Velcro.”

“No, it’s—doesn’t touching people’s feet freak you out? Like, the sweat and everything?”

“If it did, I’d have to find another profession, because I’m damp all the time from you fuckers and you all seem to have a habit of breaking things below the knee. Bend.”

Sirius complied, drawing his knee toward his chest. His bare foot looked weird in the bright lights, pale and still swollen, but Remus was as golden as ever. You can watch from afar, he conceded when the cute little furrow appeared on Remus’ forehead while he felt around the bone. Just for a little while. “Your hands are warm,” he said before he could stop himself.

Remus glanced up, and his small smile caused a flood of butterflies in Sirius’ stomach. “Thanks. They’re usually pretty cold, so I’m glad I’m not accidentally giving you foot hypothermia.”

“Is that real?”

“No,” Remus laughed. Sirius wished he could keep that sound forever. “How’s that feel?”

“Uh, fine.” He blinked a couple times to come back to himself as Remus put light pressure on the sole of his foot. “Still fine.”

“You’re a lot more flexible than before. Things are healing well.”

A loud buzzer went off outside—Sirius closed his eyes as disappointment and frustration fired up once more. The crowd wasn’t cheering. The windows weren’t shaking. He didn’t even want to look at the TV to check the score. I should be out there, he thought for the umpteenth time. I’m letting them down.

“I’m sorry,” Remus said quietly as he worked through a few more exercises.

“Not your fault.”

“It’s not yours, either.”

Sirius wanted to believe him. “I’m the captain.”

“And you’re being responsible by doing this with me so you can heal faster.” People rushed past the door outside, but the PT room remained peaceful. Sirius stared at the plain ceiling and wished for a miracle. “They miss you.”

“Y’know, that’s not exactly making me feel better.”

“Sorry.” They lapsed back into silence. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“Cool.”

Sirius chewed the inside of his lip for a solid two minutes, following Remus’ simple instructions without looking at him. He should have been out there with them, ankle be damned. It was basically healed anyway; they were just tying up loose ends, and maybe Remus needed to be a little less careful. “Is this really necessary?”

“I’m gonna give you five seconds to ask a different question.”

“I’m just saying, it feels fine and—”

“Time’s up.” Remus let go of his foot and Sirius only spared a moment to mourn the loss of his comforting touch before he caught the stormy, mulish stubbornness that took the place of Remus’ concentration. “Sit.”

“I am.”

He narrowed his eyes, and Sirius dragged himself upright with a huff. Arguing with Remus Lupin was about as useful as arguing with a brick wall, and that was coming from someone who won the ‘Most Stubborn’ superlative at their last end-of-year party. “First of all, ankles are annoying and the soft tissue will still be damaged even if the bone is healed. Second, it’s my job to fix you up so your boys stop whining to me about healing you faster. And third, I’m not giving up on you.”

Sirius paused for a long moment. “What?”

“I’m not giving up,” Remus repeated. His jaw set and he made direct eye contact. “I would love nothing more than to kick Snape in the kneecaps and let you go out there as soon as you can stand on your own, but that’s not what I’m here for. I’m here to make sure you’re ready to kick ass and take names no matter what that little shit was trying to do. So don’t you dare sit there and try to chicken out at the finish line, because I know you want this even more than I do.”

In his chest, Sirius heart was hammering like he had just run five miles. I’m not giving up on you. Sirius had never wanted to kiss him more. “Thank you.”

Remus softened with a slow breath. “We’re in this together, Sirius. You and me.”

“I know.”

“Then let’s get to work. Next time you play the Badgers, make ‘em regret this game.”

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

Sirius walked back toward the locker room feeling rather nauseous. The whole team leaked their bad moods into the air—Arthur had barely looked at them before sending them home with a quiet “we’ll talk more tomorrow”, the equivalent of an arrow through Sirius’ heart. I need a pick-me-up, he thought as the rest of the guys trooped out in a melancholy raincloud. He fist-bumped each of them, per tradition, but their responses were weak at best.

Ice cream sounded good. Maybe a milkshake. Oh, who was he kidding, he needed a solid hug and something other than ice to look at. Not for the first time, he contemplated getting a dog, just so the house wouldn’t be empty and dark when he returned.

Laughter rang out ahead and Sirius inhaled sharply, letting the sound roll over him. “I’m not kidding!” Moody chuckled.

“Bullshit,” Remus countered, still snickering. “There is no way—”

“I’ve been around here longer than you’ve been alive, kid.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” Remus groaned, though Sirius could hear the smile in his voice even from around the corner. “You only bring it up every goddamn day.”

“Brat.”

Sirius entered the room just in time to see Remus playfully knock the side of his foot against Moody’s; both were grinning. “Isn’t it past your bedtime, old man?”

Moody nodded to him. “Night, twelve.”

“A demain,” Sirius called, offering a slight smile as his eyes lingered on Remus. He was leaning back against the wall with stick tape in his hands—his hands, which never failed to make Sirius throw caution to the wind—and raised it in farewell. “See you, Loops. Thanks again.”

“No problem, Cap.”

He grabbed his duffel off the floor and slid his keys, wallet, and phone into his pockets as Moody and Remus resumed their conversation. He wondered how long they usually stuck around, and if they would oppose him staying—he wouldn’t interrupt, but being around people who weren’t going through the five stages of grief already felt nice.

An idea struck as Remus’ laugh raised goosebumps on his arms once again. With a careful glance over his shoulder, he slipped his phone out and snapped a picture before hurrying off toward his car. His breaths were shallow; that was such a creepy move, and surely one of them noticed—

No voices chased him. Nobody gave him strange looks. He waited until he was safely in the front seat of the car before unlocking his phone, and all the air in his lungs left in a rush.

The photo was perfect. It caught the lopsided tilt to Remus’ mouth, his slender-but-strong fingers, his long legs, the scrunch of his nose mid-laugh. Everything Sirius never let himself look at for long. He didn’t have much space left among the collection of paper memories on his dresser, but maybe if he put it in the back where nobody would see it unless they knew where to look…

He turned the car on. Later. He would print it out and deal with the taut rubber-band-ball of feelings later. Until then, he could settle for the imprint of Remus’ warmth taking away the pain in his ankle and the determination on his face as he promised to bring Sirius back from the personal hell he was living in. You and me, he had said, and Sirius wanted nothing more than to believe it.