#so i just have to take care of that first in case it’s not’’

[biteyoubiteme]

Can I get Felix nsfw fic about breeding kink👀

lost luggage

felix x fem!reader

synopsis: the one where you lost your birth control pills.

warnings: 🔞!!! hand job mention, fingering mention, breeding kink, talk of birth control, creampie, no protection, prob forgot some sorry

wc: 1.6k

an: this is not the best im so sorry but I love this pic of felix so so much and I hope you like it <33 thank you so much for requesting! not proofread sorry :p

[m.list] [1kevent m.list]

You had lost your suitcase. Or the airline had misplaced the luggage and claimed to get it to you in the next forty-eight hours. Apologizing for the inconvenience and sending you on your way. It hadn't been too big a deal, Felix talking you down from the anger bubbling up inside you, not necessarily at the airline but at yourself for thinking this would never happen to you. And then yes at the airline and their stupid bad timing and even worse customer service. 

But Felix was there, hand on your shoulder, heady voice in your ear, whispering about taking you out to grab the essentials, to not worry about this one setback. He didn't even care about showing up late to the party you two had been flown out for in the first place. “We will be here all week, being an hour or two late won’t hurt anyone,” 

He was right, everyone had been sympathetic to your situation, cursing the baggage claim gods just as passionately as you had. But it wasn't until the third day of your trip that you remembered one of the key things left in your toiletries bag. The little foil and plastic case of your birth control pills, hastily added into the bag because it was always right there on the edge of the sink next to your toothbrush, taken in the morning consistently enough that you never really forget about it. Not until it was one of the last things on your mind when trying to remember exactly what you needed to buy to replace the lost items for the time being. 

You would have forgotten entirely if it hadn't been for your reflex to reach out for the pill case the second you have finished washing your face. “Shit,” you scrambled to think up the last time you had sex, save the lazy hand jobs the two of you had exchanged in bed that first night. Felix's fingers buried deep inside you as the two of you made out, his soft moans trapped against your lips with each drag of your hand on him. 

Felix hummed a question from the hotel's bed, still lying back against the headboard scrolling on his phone. “What is it?” 

“My birth control was in the checked bag,” you sighed, over the whole thing, if you thought about the bag too much it would just put you right back to the mindset you had right at that airport help desk. “It's fine, calm, cool, collected thoughts just like you said,” you tried to mimic his sweet soothing voice, letting the syllables relax in your mouth to make them true. “If we have sex we will just be careful and when I get the bag back I will make sure to always listen to my gut and put essentials into the carry on,” 

The conversation had been over and done with, forgotten by you as you got ready to go out but not forgotten by Felix. The first thing that came to his mind was the same thought as you, when was the last time you had sex, did you two happen to slip up? Then his mind tripped down a road of questions he never found himself exploring; would it be so bad if you two had slipped up? What if neither of you cared? What if he did get you pregnant? 

Never had his body reacted so fast to an idea, blood rushing down to his cock until it was aching and dripping precum at a rate he hadn't ever experienced. It wasn't as if he had never thought about having kids with you, no this was different, the risk of it right now. Just thinking about how close the two of you had been without realizing it, how only the night before if he had pushed into you, fucked you until you were dumb on his cock, spilling inside you only to do it all over again, you'd be claimed in a way he never would have thought about until this very second. 

He wanted that; to watch you dripping with his cum, claimed as his in a way no other man had ever had you, ready to do it over and over again until you were stuffed so full you couldn't even think about anything else but him and him alone. He was shifting in his seat, trying and failing to adjust himself in his sweatpants, his bulge slung across his thigh, noticeable enough for when you came out of the bathroom again needing the zipper of your dress done up. You chuckled,“Just hearing me say sex gets you hard now?” 

Your hands were on the front of your dress, holding it up and in place, pushing up your boobs just the right amount to draw his eyes in. If you got pregnant they would get bigger, maybe even double in size, and it's all that he can see as he pulls you down on the bed. 

The breath is knocked out of you, his hips fitting right between yours pressing his clothed cock right against you, grinding as he kisses down your neck, leaving a sloppy trail of them right down to your cleavage. Pulling down your dress just enough to free your tits from the fabric, his moan deep in the back of his throat as he takes in your peaked nipples. “Look at how pretty,” he always lets his voice drag out, running low enough to get your panties soaked. “Are you going to be a good girl for me?” 

He's looking at you from under his lashes, drawing you in with every little word. You would be anything he wanted you to be if it got him to look at you like that, every little freckle on display under his heated lazy gaze. Your chin barely moves to nod yes and he's got his hands under your dress, tearing your panties away. He wanted you in a way he's never felt before, the walls of his reserve packed up tight now crumbling down at the sight of your glistening cunt. 

Felix doesn’t falter in his movements tugging himself free from his sweatpants, jerking his wrist over his veiny shaft, circling his fingers over his tip collecting all his precum. You're spilled out on the sheets, dress pushed into a belt around your center, your knees falling open for him just enough so that when he pulls you to the edge of the bed you can wrap them around him. Your hips jerk at the sensation of him dragging his cock through your folds, getting himself as lubed up on your wetness as he can before he pushes in. 

The sound of his moan rumbled through his body, no time to let you adjust to the size of him before he's plumbing into you. Your hands shoot out for his wrists, his fingers denting into your hips to keep you in place. “Oh fuck- you always take my cock so well baby-” Every drag of his cock against your gummy walls is pure bliss, your mind fogging up with each sweet word he shares. “Sucking me in and begging me to fill you,” 

It's then that you realize you forgot a condom, not that either of you had one handy, not when you relied so heavily on your pills. “You have to- you'll have to-” but as much as you want to say the words they get stuck right on the edge of a whimper, pull out, right on the edge of your tongue. But its all tamped down when he adds, “ill have to fill you up, pump you full of my cum- fuck- push it back in and do it again,” 

Felix had never brought this up before, not even when he was desperately begging you to finish with him, buried deep in you needing to hear you cry for him. This was different, panting as he went on and on, “Everyone will know you're mine, all plump and perfect with my baby,” he lets one of his hands press down into your pelvis, slapping skin sticky in the air, knees weak from the feeling. “I'm going to cum right here, you feel that?” he digs the heel of his palm in, the tip of his cock pressed right where he wants it, tucked against your cervix hitting it until you're a shaking mess below him. “You'regoing to be so full of me, don't you want that? Tell me you want my baby,” 

“Felix,” you're gasping, scratching at the sheets trying and failing to find purchase on something to keep you grounded because, with each snap of his hips against yours, you're losing it, scrambling to find sanity. 

“Tell me, fuck- oh fuck- please, tell me,” he's begging thumb moving down to press on your swollen clit, circling the bud until your back is lifting off the mattress. He has a direct pull on your body, tugging your orgasm out of you. 

“I want it- please I want your baby,” you're almost in tears before the tidal wave crashes over you, your whole body tensing up before collapsing into bliss. Felix's hot cum spurts out in thick streams coating your walls and pushing out with each continuous stroke of his cock inside you. He slows just enough to let you keep squeezing him, his hands sliding up your thighs to keep them in place around him. 

Leaning down to pepper you with kisses he inadvertently pushes into you deeper, your whimper so sweet neck to his ear,“we can stay like this for a while before we go another round,” 

“A-another?” 

He drags his hips, grinding down against your sensitive clit, “I want to make sure I fill you enough to have that baby,” 

taglist 🏷: @kissmekissykissme @seungfl0wer @lunesdesire @chasingthatjjunie @possum-playground @ch4nn13luv want to be added to the taglist? check out my rules to see how to join! want to be taken off the taglist? send an ask!

[k-tarotz]

PAC - 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒔

Hello our lovelies we hope you are doing well! Since Christmas is around the corner, this year I will do a pac focused on the good things only! Therefore I thought about doing green flags only, related to your future spouse - and since there are a few people here who aren't into marriage it's completely fine to read this for your next partner / your special person! This is a timeless reading so feel free to read it whenever. Please keep in mind that tarot and intuition isn't anything written in stone though! Now let's get into it.

PAC masterlist Ko-fi Paid readings

𝓟𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓮

First of all what comes through for you pile one is that your future spouse will be someone grounded and they deeply value shared memories with you. Your future spouse will remember a lot things about you, your favorite snacks, the veggies you dislike, and small none important things like the characters you hate or like in a show. They will help you cherish the smaller things in life also. Also even though they have a phone with good camera, they might own a literal camera or camcorder. For some of you that could be a Polaroid camera, for others it could be something like Canon or as mentioned one that's similar like in the picture. Your future spouse is likely artistic in some way! They enjoy self expression and to be creative, always seeking beauty in the world. Will definitely share pictures with you, either of things that remind them of you or of nature pictures that they took. They are very kind, for some of you they might have an innocent touch to themselves.

𝓟𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝔀𝓸

Alright pile two for you what immediately comes through is that your future spouse will be a great listener, they will make you feel heard and understood. This person won't be good at comforting with words, instead they comforting with actions; hugging you, holding you, rubbing your back gently and as already mentioned listening to you without interrupting you or making it about themselves. Their love language is definitely skinship and quality time. Your future spouse is very into music, they are the type to make a whole music Playlist just for you. They value deep conversations and are calm and peace oriented, isn't a drama person. For most of you this person will actually choose personality over looks, for the few others - even of they prioritize other things like looks, they will also only stay for personality, they might have higher standards because of their family or career not naturally in that case. Oh they are also the type of person to listen to songs depending on their mood, unless it's a song they just find catchy. They might be a hopeless romantic or just genuinely a bit cheesy. Your future spouse will give you compliments on multiple different things, not just your outfits, because they are attentive.

𝓟𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓮

Pile three for you, your future spouse is someone who is fond of animals and/or little kids and for most of you they already have/had at least one (like either has/had an animal or for some of you has a child / has a very young family member that they help taking care of at times) that means that your future spouse is someone responsible and dependable. Like you can ask them for something and you know they will actually do it and not just say so. They will make you feel cherished and safe. Might be a bit overprotective of you, although nothing crazy or toxic just actually cares deeply about you. You will be their number 1. This person is very loyal and committed, they will love you with all their heart. For some of you this person has big goals in life, yet is grounded and reasonable. For the others, especially if you are a bit younger in general, this person will be a bit of a goof ball? at times like isn't too future oriented yet and is very playful and a bit awkward at time in a cute way you know, of course still very dependable and reliable! Your future spouse seems like a very empathic person with a gentle loving heart.

Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed my little pac! Please like and repost this to support our blog, thank you ♡ if you would like to support us by buying a reading from us or making a small donation through our ko-fiit would mean the world to us! <3

- Hun

[visbacktatto]

pampering vi after a long day at work

summary: fluff, kissing, bathing together, no smut, sfw, just taking care of vi. i wrote thinking about fem!reader but it's pretty much gender neutral. enjoy!

you were a little worried about vi.

she called you to say she'd be home a little later than planned, things weren't going as it should at work and she'd need at least an hour to be done and back home to you.

her voice sounded so tired, so stressed, so done with it all. you know her, know every little vibration of her tone and exactly what they mean by instinct, result of the time you've spent together, of how many moons your relationship has seen. you instantly knew she needed some love today.

you were home already, it was just another regular day at the bakery you work at, you weren't too tired. so you thought, why not give your caring girlfriend a good care for herself? and that was the start of the plan.

the first thing you did was set up a bath for her, filling it up and dropping a cherry blossom bath bomb that would leave the water a light tone of pink, adding a few drops of essential and carrier oils, lighting up two candles to make the atmosphere and then you remember that flowers she gave you were still very much alive and you took two of them to remove the petals and put it in the bath too.

you also placed a wooden bath tray to put two faces masks, some strawberries, chocolate and two glasses of wine in case you're feeling like it when you both take the bath. this was looking pretty, your mind was both focused on the task and anxiously waiting for vi to be home already.

the second step of your plan was to cook dinner for the two of you, that shouldn't be hard, making food for just two would be a piece of cake. and it was, it just took a little longer then you thought so, just some minutes before everything was ready you heard the sound of your girlfriend's keys unlocking the front door and her voice, tired but ever so lovely, saying, “darling, i'm home”

“welcome home, love, i'm cooking” you told her from the kitchen, and it wasn't long before you could feel two strong arms hugging your waist, pulling you close, brushing her nose on your neck.

“smells really good.” vi murmured, kissing the side of your neck, “i missed you” she said with no ceremonies, she always missed you more when the day was tough, praying for the moment she would be back to you.

“missed you too, baby” you turn to smile at her, cradling her face to kiss her lips gently, a proper way of saying your welcomes, “would you mind setting the table for us, love? i'm almost done with the food, less than five minutes”

vi gave one last kiss to your cheek before heading to the table, placing the plates and everything the way she knows you'd do, mimicking the little details of the way you organize things, results of a long time sharing a home with you.

you dined and talked about work, vi explained exactly what and why went wrong today but she tried to not overload you with it, you also talked about what you've done at the bakery today, talking about a specific birthday cake order that was just so cute and probably tasted heavenly.

then, when you were done with the eating, you brought your plan to the table.

you were both standing, just done washing the dishes when you took vi's hand and said, “i have a surprise for you” and she let out a “oh?” and a smile, following you as you tug her upstairs into your shared bedroom.

before opening the door you covered her eyes with your hands, with that she chuckled, “oh you're very serious with the surprise factor, hm?” she teased.

“very much so” you murmured, carefully leading her to the bathroom and putting down your hands once you reached the few steps before the bathtub.

the moment she saw the carefully set bathtub she gasped, turning around to face you, “cupcake, oh my god! you're so sweet, you didn't need to do all that” she hugged you so tight, splaying kisses on your cheeks and your lips.

“yes i did, i know you had a long day. you're always taking care of me, let me return the favor for once, okay?” you answered, playing with the short hair at her nape.

“you're too good for me...” vi murmured, cupping your face, a look of endless love on her eyes, “but you'll bathe with me, right? you need some relaxing too”.

“i will, but again, it's supposed to be me taking care of you, you have to let me do so” you stated again, knowing how your girlfriend could be when it comes to letting someone else do the work for her.

“okay, okay, sweetheart, i swear i'll let you take care of me” she agreed with a smile, “but can i undress you?” while she asked her hands were already at the edge of your shirt, caressing the skin under.

“as much as i'd love it, today is all about you, so don't bother” you dismissed, gentle, moving your own hands to unbutton her shirt, pulling her close also to lightly kissing her neck to get her to not complain about your insistence.

and it worked, her eyes closed and her head tilted, “you're very persuasive when you want to, sweetie” she murmured with a light teasing undertone, her hands now busy holding your hips.

you discarded her clothes, slowly getting her naked and ready to go into the bathtub, you lead her, holding her hand and helping her settle down even if she clearly didn't need any help.

only then did you discard your own clothes and get inside too, “baby i want your back facing me, okay? so i can wash you” she quickly obeyed, turning and closing her eyes, leaning towards you, her back resting on your chest.

you kiss her shoulder, your hands going up her arms to massage the tension out of her shoulder blades, laying kisses down there that made vi sigh softly, before you reached for the soap to start washing her back. “you're so tense, love... hope i'll make you feel better”

“you always do” vi nearly whispered, “always. ever since i first laid eyes on you” then she finally noticed the tray, dipping one strawberry in the chocolate to give you a bite before eating the other half of it “you really went all out today”

you chuckled, “you deserve it” you continued washing her back, stopping to massage the flesh a bit before splaying water. then you moved to washing her hair, what elicited a delighted sound from her lips as your fingers caressed the pinkheaded scalp.

you tugged her to your lap, sitting her body on your thighs instead of just between them, what caused vi to reflexively relax against you, and you hugged her waist. “just letting the shampoo get into your hair a little bit” you murmur against her skin, kissing her neck, “have some wine, hm?”

vi took the two glasses, filling just one for both of you, as always, she would take a first sip and offer one to you, bringing it to your lips, and after you took your sip, she kissed you.

vi couldn't help it, she straddled your hips and tugged you closer, her hands finding your nape and your cheek, passing the taste of the wine around your tongues.

when the kiss broke, you chuckled, “you can never just sit down and let me pamper you, can you?”

“i'm feeling very pampered right now, kissing my sweetheart” vi retorted, pecking your lips again, and again.

you smiled, getting your hands back to work to rinse the shampoo from her hair, “fancy hair mask?” you asked and she nodded, so you applied it on her hair too while she was too busy kissing your neck.

“permission to mark?” vi half-joked, she started to ask after one day she was particularly eager and left a few hickeys on your neck that earned you curious looks and actual questions from your customers on the bakery.

“go on” you chuckled, and she was very gentle about it, the marks wouldn't last this time, the feeling of her lips sucking and her tongue soothing the skin right after so good you nearly got distracted.

eventually, you finished the routine with the hair mask and hair conditioner, and now the two of you were just resting, face masks on both of you and vi once again resting between your thighs, her back to your chest while you caressed her waist.

“i could sleep like that” vi murmured, and you knew it was true, you could feel her breathing getting slower, her body a little heavier.

so you just smiled and whispered “i know... want to go to bed, love?” and she hummed in agreement, you took the face masks off your faces, knowing vi wouldn't want to sleep with it.

and so, the two of you were back in your bedroom, both wearing robes and all clean, smelling like the scented candles you lit. you were rummaging through your, still on your task of doing everything for your girlfriend tonight, choosing the pajamas for both of you.

“too much if i dress you?” you asked, and vi did chuckle at the question but she nodded, still letting a teasing “you're babying me, cupcake” slip from her lips while you did dress her up, only for you to baby her even more, sitting her down on the edge of the bed to brush her hair.

and when you were done and ready to tuck yourselves in you held vi, her head resting on your shoulder, her leg thrown between yours, your hand caressing her scalp as you whispered sweet nothings to her.

“i love you so damn much” she murmured, “want every night for the rest of our lives to be this peaceful... this ours... just you and me until infinity” she always got so romantic when she was sleepy.

“so you just want to be pampered?” you teased, kissing the top of her head, adjusting the sheets to cover you two better.

“no, i want to pamper you too... you deserve every little good thing in the world, i swear” she murmured, her voice all sleepy and genuine.

“mhm... you are the only good thing i need in my life, actually. now sleep, love.” you whispered, caressing her cheek, coaxing her into giving into sleep.

and for the millionth time you realized: that's the love of your life right there. sleeping beside you, holding you, loving you. and you loved her too. that was magical enough.

[luviisabella]

University AU fluff & 18+ ⭐️

NSFW Shoto Todoroki

—

- he likes to rub the back of your hand to signal he’s needy, he still uses his words but usually does this when you two are out with friends and he wants to leave just to have you to himself

- some say he isn’t vocal but I think he enjoys learning about you so he’s not at all afraid to ask questions

“Like this ?”

“Does this feel good ?”

“You’re really vocal, this must feel good”

- but it’s such a soothing voice, he’s somewhat talking you through it, he just wants to learn what turns his girlfriend on

- when he eats you out he loves to rub his thumb gently across your thigh as if to soothe you

- he’s also very strong, please don’t worry about squishing his head between your thighs. the first time you do it he’s actually really turned on

- if you sit on his lap his hands immediately fall at your hips, he’ll place his thumbs in your belt loops and slowly move you forward

- doesn’t realize he has a hair pulling interest until he’s eating you out and you involuntarily tug at his scalp, the sensation causing the tent in his pants to grow

- not the biggest fan of doggy, he actually loves seeing your face and the expressions you make sometimes you’ll hear him tell you how ‘pretty you look’

- he’s so gentle with you, when you’re in missionary he’ll ask if it’s okay to move before doing so but really he’s holding back so much

- he’s not huge on words when talking you through it but he’s still vocal, low groans, sometimes whines if he’s really pent up or into it

- he can have rough sex, usually when he’s irritated or he’s pent up

- he’ll have you with one leg over his shoulder and gripping your thigh while relentlessly fucking you just to let off some steam

- speaking of he does use his quirk in bed, when he feels like you’re not vocal enough he’ll circle your clit with his thumb while freezing his fingertip just to hear you whine

- lots and I mean lots of heavy breathing, he doesn’t hold back

SFW Shoto Todoroki

—

- loves coffee dates

- he actually gets a bit grumpy/sassy when you don’t opt to hold his hand

“Sho, what’s the matter ?”

“Nothing… just cold”

And you can’t help but fight back a laugh knowing he’s being a big baby about you not being close to him or holding his hand. He can warm himself up he just wants you to do it for him.

- loves to give you kisses on your cheek, back of your hand, palm of your hand

- always greets you so differently from the others, more of a “I’ve been waiting for you” greeting and you can usually see a small smile from him not fully but enough to know he cares for you

- when you’re in large crowds he always holds your hand and never lets go. his demeanor wards off everyone around you so you never really worry about a guy making a move

- in the case a guy does he silently comes over and places his chin on the top of your head or will hover over you till the guy takes the hint, usually doesn’t have to say much

- loves doing skin care with you, always has questions

“So lemon will brighten my dark circles ?”

“Yes sho, but you actually don’t have any cause you’re beautiful”

“….”

“I think you’re beautiful too”

- he’s too cute

- when it’s cold his nose and cheeks get pink and he’s always breathing out cold air but it’s cute, the way he does it

- loves to bring you random treats whenever he’s out and never lets you pay for anything

- loves to just take a nap with you, usually you on top of him, like a weighted stuffed animal, it’s comforting for him

- if you do nap like this his hands are ln your waist as if he’s protecting you

- sometimes comes home and says nothing, just lays beside you and buries his face into your neck, he just needs your energy

- sometimes also sleeps with his face buried in your side and his hands wrapped around your waist

- compliments you and it’s cute

“That dress looks beautiful on you”

“You’re pretty”

“That was cute”

- DOES get embarrassed with compliments sometimes so when you do something cute or attractive he’ll turn the other way and cover his mouth with his hand to try and hide the way his face turns a little red

- will also mutter about how it was cute and how you nearly sent him into cardiac arrest

- overall, really loves you

[cheust]

Was taking a quick scroll before I had to head out the door and saw a chapter put up, plus someone saying that Alfred hit Reader, with you comparing him to the mother from "My sister's keeper".

I imagine, once we get close to Damian, that any time Damian is in the same room as us and Alfred, we get between them.

It's subtle, at first. With distance, but a stance open only towards Damian, despite facing in such a way that Reader could have Pennyworth in their peripherals. Then it's standing slightly more forward, in front of Damian. Then, Reader is pinching a piece of his shirt near his shoulder, while practically having their chin on his head.

Alfred gets disappointed/miffed at something Damian did and Reader perks up like a dog stalking prey. Faces Alfred head on, eyes boring into him. Has Damian firmly behind their shoulder.

And Damian finally breaks, alone with the butler and curiosity much to strong.

"Why does Reader fear you so much?"

"They... fear me?" Alfred seems puzzled.

"They act like a fighting dog protecting their pup from the abuser. They act like they fear you will hit me if they leave me alone with you. So," Damian leans forwards with his chin resting on the back of his hand, "What did you do?"

When Damian gets told what happened, he looks both betrayed and disgusted.

"Why? Why did you do it? You have never laid a hand on any of us. Except Reader. Is it because they only have boxing as a fighting skill? Did you think they were weaker than all of us, and that somehow gave you the right? Or is it because they were an unwanted child that my father neglected? Would you have done that to me, if I was weaker or Grayson didn't care about me? Does anyone else know?"

Delicious as always Duck, thank you for giving me this in my inbox, truly makes my day seeing so much thought and creative effort put into my silly ideas. I hope my little blurb here makes you happy!

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

Something Damian has always noticed about you was how watchful you were, he's noticed this since the first time he stepped foot into the manor and met you. Especially around Alfred.

How you'd watch him specifically when alfred was around, like a hawk on a power line, watching and waiting. He never understood what you were waiting for.

When you two got close is when the signs started to show themselves, the hints that always elluded him started to show. How you always were just polite to Alfred, referring to him as 'Mr. Pennyworth' with little to no warmth, that was unlike you. You always had this warmth about you when you talked to others, he's seen it especially with people who have known you for a long time.

Alfred has known you the longest.. where's your warmth?

Then the guarding began.

He hated it at first, why were you being so careful to protect him? He is no a child sibling!! He is an Al Ghul, a Robin and a Wayne!! Why did you flinch when he said he’s a Wayne? He doesn’t need to be coddled! But you persisted.

You kept him close, with trained eyes on Alfred. Especially when Damian got sick or injured. That’s when you’d come out of your hiding and send Alfred away, saying that you can take care of him. That there’s no need for his type of care while guarding the bed that your little brother laid in, helpless. Please don’t leave him…

He didn’t miss how your fist carefully curled, how you kept a blunt object close by, just in case.

It was always just in case.

But of what? What were you so distrustful of?

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

One day while you were out and it was just Damian and Alfred, he couldn’t help himself. He had to know.

“Alfred… why does [name] act… so distrustful around you?” Damian knew immediately it was for a good reason the moment Alfred stiffened slightly. A secret he has not been told.

“.. it is a complicated reason. I made a mistake in anger that they have not forgiven me for.. and I don’t blame them, Damian. I should not have done what I did around that time, but I did… you aren’t old enough to know, but when you are we will tell you, alright?” Alfred smiled at him, being gentle.

Damian hated it when people kept secrets from him.

“Okay Alfred.”

Damian will find out. The bat computer can tell him secrets that the people of the manor won’t.

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Love without lust

Emperor Caracalla x wife!reader

warning : smutish, erection problem, hurt/comfort, kissing, cuddling

Summary : After the festival lots of food and drink was passed around, coins were handed out and bets were placed. Above all, it was also the rhinoceros that had been prepared, Caracalla brushed himself with the special powder...but in the hours afterwards he had to realize lamentably that once again he could not pursue his love and lust even if he wanted to.

info : OMG I knew I had to write this idea after reading the script, but he can't have anything nice without suffering. Have fun reading ;)

masterlist

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

A leader had to be strong and successful, he had to be a strategist and always two steps ahead of everyone else, but he also had to be windy who could wrap everyone around his finger just to strike at the right moment.

There were also attributes of kindness and yielding in order not to be rejected in negotiations, as a ruler it was always a fine line between being right and being condemned.

But there were attributes that at least Geta somehow managed to get right, who at least somehow tried to lead Rome for a few years, trying to implement all the knowledge his father had taught him and it all worked somehow, that was the main thing.

Everything worked except his brother Caracalla was not what he was supposed to be from the beginning, too bad, too jittery, not perfect and with his progressing madness it got worse and worse.

He loved his wife, his brother and Dundus, but above all it was his lucid moments that hurt him when he saw what he had done, what he had failed to do, that only hurt him more.

As much as his wife's encouraging words reassured him, if he could just take her hand and enjoy it he felt less bad, ,,My amusement is to see your joy” he had once told her when he had presented a trick with Dundus and her smile had enchanted him.

It had warmed his heart and made his stomach tingle with love and lust, something they would perform in the bedchamber...wouldn't he provide there too.

At first they were hardly noticeable, but they both had a duty to fulfill, an inheritance to be made, and even if the love was there, the emperor's body seemed to belong less and less to him.

As often as he sought out his beloved to make love to her, to make her happy in the light of torches, the more often it was his body that could not and he lay in her arms, ,,It will work out one day,” she tried to comfort him and stroked the blond hair on his head.

Even if their unhappiness boiled over from time to time, an empire like Rome's needs heirs, at least one, and when Geta died Caracalla would not be able to rule alone, not in his condition.

It was an open fact that was told behind closed doors...but this was not to be the case today. A big party was thrown when the new gladiators had fought and the arena fight in particular had pleased many of the elite and especially the emperors, ,,A ravishing celebration my dear” came from the empress's lips as she sat on the couch next to her husband.

Caracalla's broad grin reflected his excitement, there was the best food, gold hung everywhere and the exoticism only seemed to increase, ,,It's to everyone's liking!” she heard Geta say louder and cheers could be heard as her brother-in-law gave her a quick friendly glance.

Before the marriage it had always been Geta who had taken care of his brother, now he had found a helping hand in her and a compassion that meant a lot to him, returning the look she placed her hand on that of her husband.

Blue eyes that glanced hastily from the audience to her became calm for a moment, ,,You like it? Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked more quietly, almost unsure that he couldn't give her everything.

She nodded and leaned in to give him a quick kiss, feeling him cling to her, his answer coming from the woman who meant so much more to him than all of Rome could. So much more than a wife, a mother, a daughter, an aunt, someone to play with, to love, to desire. She was his heart.

The festival progressed and at some point both emperors joined the company themselves, which she did, some merchants had brought the latest fabrics and toys, both things that she and Caracalla both liked, which is why she left her husband's side for a moment.

A moment of which she was unaware of what he was doing, or rather what he hoped to gain from it, when only minutes later all the nobles gathered again in the main hall to attend the gladiatorial fight, during which she held Caracalla's hand to stem the tide of his euphoria.

The fight, the blood, the excitement, all of these things were something he liked more than ever since his illness. He knew that it somehow did him good, but it could also be insidious, which is why she always kept an eye on her darling.

But even when the fight was exciting, the crowd was cheering and even Geta the gladiator was applauding, Caracalla seemed more interested in enjoying himself than in swapping stories, so she left him and only said a few words of appreciation to the “poet” before she was the first to leave to put an end to the last hour of noise, wine and debauchery.

She used this time to occupy herself with embroidery, read books about fertility and tried to find a solution to her husband's problem with the doctors, which was more difficult than she had assumed.

From old writings that were hardly lesbian, to alternative remedies that were more deadly than helpful for her, to the idea that she should sleep with Geta, which was out of the question for her and them.

She knew how hard it was to run an empire and be there for the family at the same time, but she wanted to help if she gave birth to an heir, but it was Caracala's "fault" that it didn't work, because where there was no seed, there could be no child.

Hours that slowly brought the day to an end, she spoke once more with Geta who wanted to consult with the Senate the next morning, Caracalla disappeared into his room and did not take part in the meal - not unusual but disappointing.

The three of them were always calm, not too mad but not too sad either, he was kept happy by her and his brother and now alone, ,,He will find himself...believe me he always does” Geta tried to cheer her up before brother-in-law and sister-in-law wished each other goodnight and disappeared into their respective bedrooms as the moon slowly rose over Rome.

Her own toga already removed and her servants sent away, she wrapped herself in her evening cloak and lay down on the bed, her eyes on the text on the parchment as the crackling of fire from the torches could be heard...until she heard footsteps and only moments later the door to her chamber was pulled open.

,,Caracallas! Is everything all right?” she asked, unsure if anything had happened, which is why he came in so exuberantly, almost jittery, more excited than usual as he let the doors fall shut behind him and ignored her question, heading straight for her bed and leaping towards her.

Hands taking away her parchments and a broad smile that took her by surprise as he engaged her in a hasty kiss, his hands trying to open her robe trembling with overwhelm and her own fingers barely able to stop him.

,,Alive! My love I feel more ready than ever” he finally answered as he broke away from her, a brief moment between them as he looked at her, his blue eyes dilated and she saw the white sweater still lightly on his nose.

What had he taken? The question popped into her head, but when she felt his lips on her neck, nibbling and biting, she knew that whatever it was might lead to a result that pleased them both.

Her hands loosened his own clothes as best they could, he caressed her body, taking in every spot that wasn't covered, and she fell back into the pillows as she enjoyed his touch again.

Her fingers stroked through his blond hair, ,,Such a beautiful boy," she praised him and saw the bright pink waves between the smudged make-up, heard his groan and kissed him once more as he ran his hands over her breasts, massaging them lightly and kissing the warm skin further to her center and she hoped in her increasingly lust-filled mind that it would work.

The love between them had felt this good for a long time and she was almost as excited as she had been on their first night of marriage when he pushed her robe off her thighs and her body was almost completely exposed.

She closed her eyes as she could almost feel him...but when she heard the sudden rustle of fabric and a intake of air, she opened her eyes, slightly confused.

The lust that had just taken hold of him was mixed with panic and fear, blue eyes clouded with tears as he looked down at himself and looked like he was going to cry, ,,Don't...not again...I'm sorry” he couldn't quite form the sentence, he moved away from her avoiding her gaze as she slowly brought clarity back into her own head and straightened her robe.

Carefully crawling over to him, she placed her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace and feeling the tremors as he cried, as tears dripped and makeup smudged, ,,It's okay, I'm not disappointed you know that...it will work out one day,” she assured him as she caught a glimpse of his body.

What was initially a lust, an arousal was now a soft one again despite the drug he must have taken from the party, but Caracalla shook his head and held on to her tightly, only slowly catching her as his words simply turned back into tears.

,,You are an emperor, Caracallas you are my husband, my sweet sweet boy do you understand?” she asked as she took one of his hands to stroke him slowly over the head.

The empress voice cracked slightly as she saw him so hurt again, it hurt to see him like this when he was so full of joy, so full of confidence that he could finally give her a child...that he could finally be a better father of his own and she could finally be a mother who cared for a real child and not him.

Her kisses on his head continued to judge him all around and she slowly let him go, ,,Yes-Yes I understand...I thought it would work, just once more it didn't have to work...our love could have accomplished so much” he slowly let out and repositioned himself.

His head shot to hers in prayer and his blue eyes looked up at the painted ceiling showing the heroics and gods she held out one hand for him to hold onto and her other continued to stroke his head like a mother would, like his mother had done.

She held him there while the torches burned around them and she gradually felt his peace, ,,Our love will reach so much” she assured him saw blue eyes look at her and his smile became confident, he believed her and two hearts beat the same again that night as fear and sorrow were submerged in soft loving kisses and they had a night of safety and above all true love.

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

@cottoncandiescupcakes , @k-yurieee , @somepallings , @abundance-of-fic-reblogs , @artandmusicdubs , @eddie-munsons-mommy , @duck-duck-goose2 , @userchai , @the-a-word-2214 , @sweeteststing , @qardasngan

[itsthecline]

WHERE’D ALL THE TIME GO?

CHAPTER TWO

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ with your first day jitters faded away , you’re finally able to have fun comfortably. more than a few people help with that.

word count 5.6k

warnings profanity , underage drinking , marijuana , sexual innuendos , sarah meddling

RAFE INSISTED on carrying the drinks to the lake. you had tried arguing that you were perfectly capable of carrying one of the cases , especially when his hands were plenty full. but no , he wouldn’t let you. “can’t have the wife exerting herself,” he’d said with a cheeky smile.

“or we could put them on the golf cart and drive that out there?” you suggested , rolling your eyes as you forcefully took one of the cases and doing as you said. rafe chuckled and followed suite. “c’mon , ray. i’m driving this time.” you hopped behind the wheel , starting the cart up before waiting for him to settle in. “you just gotta tell me where to go.”

“a’right , wifey. let’s get these kids their drinks,” rafe nodded , gesturing for you to start driving.

the drive to the lake was cool , wind whipping at your face as rafe told you which way to go. soon enough , you were parking. you could hear the chatter from the others , the music that was playing through a speaker. the song choice alone told you that taylor had somehow convinced whoever was in charge to let her take aux.

you reached to the back of the cart and grabbed one of the cases of beer , leaving your cider and seltzers for rafe. a chill ran through you , causing goosebumps to form on your arms. rafe noticed the shiver and set down the drinks.

“here,” he spoke softly , shrugging off his flannel. he walked to you and wrapped it over your shoulders. you smiled up at him , free hand coming up to pinch the seams so it didn’t slip.

“gentlemanly or just wanting to show off your arms?” you questioned , watching them flex when he grabbed the drinks again.

“who’s flirty now? i didn’t say anything ‘bout my arms,” rafe called you out , leading the way through the trees.

you rolled your eyes , not caring that rafe could see it more clearly now that the bonfire glowing ahead illuminated your features. “you didn’t need to. your shirt being a size too small said everything it needed,” you laughed , picking up your pace and leaving him behind. upon reaching the group of leaders , you raised the beer in the air. “more beer!” you called out.

a few cheers rang out as you set the case down on a table that had been set up. there were drinks and cups laid out already , and a keg sat on the ground next to the table.

“my dear roomie!” sarah’s voice rang out next to you. her arms were open as she came in for a hug , red solo cup in one hand. “i thought you were never coming! i misssed you!” okay , so she was drunk already.

“hey , sare bear,” you smiled , hugging her back, “i went on the beer run with rafe that you were supposed to go on,” you explained , poking her cheek lovingly despite poking fun at her.

she looked over , seeing rafe setting more drinks on the table. “i see you two got close then?” she wondered , grabbing at the flannel you still held on your shoulders.

“oh , yeah,” you chuckled , almost wanted to peel it off your body at the mention of it. your cheeks grew red as you explained, “got chilly , so rafe offered it to me.”

“y/n!” another voice rushing at you. taylor grabbed you by the shoulders. “i just made out with hot guy that’s friends with your hot guy that isn’t your hot guy!”

“is everyone here but me drunk?” you asked , looking between your blonde friends. you tore the flannel off of your shoulders— your cardigan was fine , and walked to the drinks table. “here’s this back,” you spoke up , holding the material out to rafe. he looked up at you.

taylor and sarah drunkenly watched you and rafe , saw how he pushed the flannel back to your chest , saw how you insisted he take it back , saw how finally , rafe took it and threw it around your shoulders before clasping a few buttons in front.

“you’re still shivering,” rafe commented , dusting off your shoulders, “keep it for the night.”

“i’m sure all your little summer flings will keep you warm anyway , why not?” you joked , pretending to get extra cozy in his flannel, “i’ll see you around , ray.”

with that , you grabbed one of your ciders and started walking away.

“hey , hey!” rafe grabbed your arm , prompting you to turn and face him.

“yes?” you blinked up at him , big eyes doing nothing to help rafe’s tightened chest.

“why don’t you kick it with me for a little longer , hm? i’ll properly introduce you to the guys. we can play pong,” he suggested , nodding over to a couple of guys that were setting up the beer pong table.

your eyes followed , landing on them. you hummed , letting on that you were torn on the subject. “sure. introduce to me to your friends,” you smiled.

rafe let you lead the trek over to his friends. “guys!” he announced your presence , standing behind you with his hands on your shoulders, “this is y/n. she’s a newbie , and we like her.”

the two boys looked up and waved. “hey,” you waved back , looking to rafe for a second. he smiled down at you and nodded.

“that’s topper,” he pointed to a blonde— epitome of surfer dude and frat boy, “and that’s kelce.” a dark skinned boy , looks like he frequents the country club. they’re kooks , which you knew beforehand , but seeing it was a very different thing than hearing about it.

“nice to meet you guys,” you awkwardly spoke. you felt uncomfortable— not in a bad way , but it almost felt like rafe was presenting you to his friends. the way he stood right behind you , hands on your body. “beer pong?” you pointed to the cups , offering to play and help set up.

“perfect timing,” kelce nodded , shifting some cups around on his side of the table, “you can play with our boy here.”

“c’mon,” rafe squeezed your shoulders , moving to the empty side and helping set the cups in place.

IT WASN’T your fault jj was staring at you , watching you play beer pong with kooks , of all people. it wasn’t your fault he was watching you high five and hug rafe every few turns when you landed a ball in the cup. it wasn’t your fault , but he blamed you. he blamed you for how captivating you were in the few times you’d spoken.

“staring at the new girl?” john b whistled , walking up to his friend.

jj looked at john b blankly. “nah , man,” he brushed it off , taking a swig of his beer, “just didn’t know sarah’s roommate was gonna be a kook.”

“what about my roommate?” sarah asked , bringing the conversation that was just between john b and jj to the whole group with her bratty tone.

“y/n! where is she? i wanna hangout with her!” kie commented , standing up from the chair she was previously drinking in.

“is y/n done hanging out with your brother , sarah?” taylor whined , still perched on her own lawn chair.

“nah , she’s still playing pong with him,” john b laughed , patting jj’s back, “sarah , why don’t you go get her? or you, taylor?” his eyes diverted to jj a couple of times , trying to get his point across.

the group wanted to hang out with you , feeling they hadn’t seen you as much as they had seen taylor. it’s not that they didn’t like taylor , but hearing about you so much from her and hardly seeing you besides dinner was a drag.

sarah rolled her eyes , passing her boyfriend the cup in her hand before storming over to you and rafe. she struggled a little to move at the pace she wanted to due to the sand , but when she reached her destination , she stood tall. “y/n/n , can you come hang out with me instead of my loser brother?”

you and rafe both looked to the blonde , pausing the game as it was your turn. “um—“ you didn’t know what to say. surprisingly , you were having a good time with the guys , especially rafe. on the other hand , you hadn’t seen taylor in a bit , and it would be nice to get to know sarah’s friends more.

“don’t worry about it,” rafe spoke up , looking to you, “go hang out with ‘em. i kept you away long enough.” he rubbed your back encouragingly and nodded towards the pogues.

“we’ll finish the game sometime?” you asked , lazy smile coming on to your lips— actually , it was there the entire time. ever since the drive back from the liquor store.

rafe smiled back and nodded , silently agreeing to hanging out again. there was no way on earth he was passing that opportunity up. hell would have to freeze over. twice.

a whistle came from the side , getting you to look and see sarah waiting very impatiently. “hello? forget about me?” she asked , yanking you into a hug and guiding you to her friends, “hanging out with my brother? when jj’s been staring at you all night?”

immediately , you tensed up under her arm. “sarah , i love you , but please—“

“just hang out with him! smoke a j or something and get to know him!” sarah bargained , shaking you lightly, “c’mon! he been buggin’ us bout you.”

your embarrassment started to show , with help of the drinks , on your cheeks. “okay , okay , okay. fine! if you’ll stop buggin’ me about it , then okay. i will,” you agreed , laughing when sarah started tickling you in her own excitement. what a happy , giggly drunk.

“i love you ; i love you. you’re not gonna regret it! he’s great , and funny , and dorky , and totally has a crush on you , so go have fun!” sarah rushed out , shoving you in a specific direction. you looked up , catching yourself in the air before you plummeted into the sand.

“jesus,” you grumbled , taking off to where sarah directed you.

you could see jj on the dock of the lake , a small glow sparkling every few seconds. he was lighting a joint. you smiled , glad you officially knew someone that smoked.

“hey , blondie,” you wolf whistled , sandals hitting the wood.

jj jumped a little , looking up and back to see your smiling face. “hey , y/n/n,” he smiled back gently.

“windy as shit,” you commented , sitting down next to him and letting your feet hit the water, “here , let me cover it.”

you brought your hands up around the end of the joint , blocking the wind from blowing the flame out , and jj was able to successfully light it. “my good luck charm,” he chuckled , inhaling the smoke before blowing it out and up. his hand moved in front of you , letting your fingers grab the roll from him.

“not a party guy?” you questioned , and it was valid considering you found him by himself.

“not a kook guy,” he corrected you simply , watching the way you inhaled entirely , slowly blowing the smoke back out before passing the joint to him.

“oh really?” you mused , pulling back to look at him, “because i heard you were quite the troublemaker yourself , mr. maybank,” you poked at him , remembering how rafe said he got arrested for sinking topper’s boat.

“let me guess , rafe ‘kook king’ cameron told ya that?” jj replied with a roll of his eyes.

“was he lying?” you doubled down.

“no,” jj chuckled, “we all get into shit sometimes. i just happen to do it more… frequently,” he passed the joint back to you.

“what’d topper do for you to sink his boat?” you asked , making it clear what you know so far. you take a hit as you watch jj wince , almost like the memory actually hurt him. “you don’t have to say nothing if you don’t want,” you reassured him.

“nah , nah,” he shook his head, “uh— i think we were like sixteen / seventeen? and topper and rafe beat the shit outta pope with a golf club,” jj recalled , taking the joint back for his own relief, “and it’s all eye—“

“for an eye,” you finished , and it’s like you could feel everything. the wind on your face , the warmth holding in your fingers from the joint , the flannel on your shoulders. everything about you felt wrong after you heard what rafe had done. as casually as you could , you slipped out of the flannel , letting it sit on the rotting wood beneath you.

“i know you’ve probably heard about the whole rivalry and shit , but for the pogues? it’s personal. it’s not just because we’re mad they’re rich , and we aren’t. they’re shit people , and usually, during summer camp , it’s all left behind , but this year feels different,” jj tried his best to explain it , but he still felt like his words fell short.

“no , i get it,” you promised him, “probably feels different this year because i’m here though,” you joked , fanning yourself off dramatically.

“oh , yeah , for sure,” jj agreed , agreeing with you silently that the topic should be changed, “prettiest girl at camp jessamine since i don’t know how long.”

your cheeks burned again at the compliment. you needed to invest in a full coverage foundation if this was how your summer was going to pan out.

you and jj sat on the dock for a while longer. you wanted to finish the joint , and you wanted to get to know jj more.

sure , you had fun with rafe earlier , but sarah and taylor rooting for jj fueled your curiosity. he was your type , and he was funny , and nice , so you didn’t see the harm in hanging out with him for the rest of the night.

but soon enough , the joint became a filter , and jj sighed. “looks like that’s our que,” he huffed , throwing the filter into the lake.

“hey!” you cursed , pushing his arm a little bit before readjusting and reaching to the water’s surface to pluck the filter out from it, “one earth. gotta give a fuck now,” you reminded him , standing up with the roach in your hand.

“god , you’d love kie,” jj shook his head , but a smile was still present— dimples and all.

“most people would,” you agreed, “but most people also believe littering isn’t cute.”

“oh , so if i didn’t flick the roach into the water , you’d say i was cute?” jj asked , nudging you with his shoulder after he stood up as well, “just wanna check.”

“yeah,” you nodded, “i guess you could say that.”

“let’s go tell everyone we’re running away to vegas to elope then,” he joked , grabbing your hand and pretending to run away. you laughed with him , rolling your eyes playfully.

“i don’t know ; camp hasn’t even started yet. what about the kids?” you played along.

“well , i’m gonna let you in on a camp j secret right now , okay?” you blinked for him to go on, “it’s not really summer camp unless you leave here with a boo. it’s tradition , so really , you’re just being proactive if you elope with me now.”

you let your head fall back , letting out a laugh that jj was sure he could listen to every day for the rest of his life. “okay , okay. let’s pump the brakes a little.” jj chuckled and nodded , sighing a soft okay before tugging you to head back but you stood still.

“change your mind?” he asked , letting go of your hand. he didn’t want to ; he just became obnoxiously aware that he was still holding it. he didn’t want to freak you out. maybe he was freaking out. one of those highs.

you paused , mind taking note of the flannel that was clasped in your hands. “no , let’s go,” you replied , starting to walk back to the group.

the rest of your night was filled with hanging out with the pogues. you got to know them a lot more , now that you were in a more relaxed environment. throughout the night , you kept peeking over at rafe , catching him already staring at you. he never shied away from it , sending you a wink or wave or smile each time. you would blush each time before returning back to the conversation with your newfound friends. soon enough , you all started hearing the birds chirp , the morning chill taking over the night’s humidity. that’s when everyone started packing up , calling it a night.

THE KIDS were arriving today , and even though you knew you’d be a great leader , your stomach was still in knots. what if the girls hated you? you and sarah had finished prepping everything early in the morning , so you still had a bit before the campers actually started checking in.

“i’m gonna go chill for a little bit before heading to admin,” you nudged sarah , nodding to the door.

“okay , do you want me to come with you?” she offered , setting down her phone.

you shook your head , opening the screen door. “don’t worry about it. i’ll be back soon,” you smiled , and sarah just nodded , letting you go off on your own.

you didn’t know where your feet were taking you until you reached the dock. you were only there for the first time a handful of hours ago , but it felt comfortable. the way the lake glistened in ripples as the sun beat down on the surface , the nature’s quiet chirping.

it wasn’t exactly nerves , you didn’t think , but an excitement you needed to reign in. that’s what you tried to tell yourself , but there were so many worries filling your brain about camp officially starting. and though you didn’t hope taylor was feeling as shitty as you were , you hoped she did , so someone could understand.

“hey,” a familiar voice called out , causing you to jolt and turn around, “sarah said you were clearing your head. want some company?”

your concentrated frown turned into a toothy smile when jj sat down next to you , baseball cap covering his unruly blonde hair. “be my guest,” you nodded , looking back out at the lake.

“feelin’ okay?” he asked , leaning back on his hands , closing his eyes as the sun cascaded down on the two of you. you appreciated that he wasn’t staring at you. if he was , you were sure he’d be able to tell just how much your stomach was churning.

“mhm,” you managed to hum, “just nervous the girls won’t like me,” you admittedly whispered.

jj chuckled a little bit , but you knew it was condescending. “y/n , there’s nothing to not like about you,” he assured you , peeping one eye open to look at you already looking at him. you hid your smile , blush coming to your cheeks and looking away once again. “besides , their , like , twelve. if they don’t like you , just do something twelve year old girls like,” jj shrugged , smiling at your rosy cheeks but glancing elsewhere just like you.

“i know,” you sighed , leaning back on your owns hands, “but i’m new? you know , so i guess it’s more of a ‘they don’t like me but love sarah because they know her already’ thing.”

jj nodded , humming low. “well , the boys will love you , so if your group starts showing signs of mutiny , you’re welcome to join my cabin,” he joked , getting a laugh out of you.

“okay , okay. if there truly is a mutiny of teenage girls in my cabin , i’ll let you know to make some room for me over with you,” you agreed , still chuckling along with the blonde. you hadn’t noticed until your laughter died down , but you weren’t as nerve wracked over their arrivals anymore. “thanks,” you muttered to him , not needing to explain exactly for what.

“not a problem,” jj shrugged it off, “i get nervous every year too , and i get the same shit heads , so i can’t imagine how you’re feeling.”

you nodded , chewing at the inside of your cheek. “i think i’ll be fine now,” you decided, “especially with my backup plan.”

“it doesn’t have to be a backup plan,” jj smirked, “could just be a plan,” he nudged you with his elbow , chuckling a little bit.

NOT LONG after you and jj left the lake’s dock , you and sarah headed to the administrative building to prepare for the kids’ arrivals. you had your own table with her for your cabin. there were name tags , tshirts , itineraries , and some camp goodies.

jj had managed to calm you down earlier , so as you were sitting in wait , you were filled with excitement rather nerves. your worries had turned from what if they hate me? to hopes of truly bonding with the girls.

“marsha said the busses will be getting here soon,” sarah announced , plopping in the plastic chair next to you, “it’ll be crazy for the first hour or so , but you’ll be fine.” and almost like he reassurance triggered the squeal of a bus’ brakes. “oh , they’re here!”

“and you said they’ll be pointed into our direction?” you asked again , not wanting to be in the wrong place.

“yes! y/n , it’ll be great,” sarah smiled , nudging you with her shoulder as she grabbed the list of girls’ names.

soon enough , kids and chatter filled the administration building. it was an organized chaos , marsha and a couple of other leaders trying to send kids in the proper direction to the right tables.

and with waiting a few more minutes , the first girl arrived to the table. her arms were full , carrying her sleeping bag and a pillow along with a duffle bag and a suitcase. “is this the table for cabin six?”

“yes , it is! hi!” sarah chirped , sitting up straighter when the girl approached, “what’s your name?”

“amber,” she simply spoke , not entirely matching sarah’s happy tone.

you grabbed the things the girl would need to start camp and slid them into a bag. “okay , amber. well , i’m your camp leader this summer. my name’s y/n,” you greeted her , helping slip the bag’s loop on her finger.

“and i’m sarah. i’m the other leader in your cabin,” she added in , checking off the girl’s name.

amber nodded , pursed lips as she looked around. “where’s the cabin?” she asked.

“just head down that path , and you’ll see them,” sarah answered , pointing out the window for amber to see, “you can get unpacked , and we’ll all be over soon!”

checking in the rest of you and sarah’s kids went by fairly quickly and fairly painless. you had sent all of the girls to the cabin , letting them meet each other without the authoritative presence of you and sarah. the pogues and taylor came up to your table , gathering around before needing to head their own ways.

“well , i’m just saying to watch your kids’ backs whenever mine get out on that kickball field. i’m not playing this year,” jj warned you all , kicking his feet up on your table as he took claim of a chair.

you hummed , pretending to think deeply before looking at the blonde boy. “do you enjoy seeing kids lose? is that what it is?”

“no! i just enjoy seeing my kids win,” jj smiled back at you with a roll of his eyes.

you were about to start packing up when you heard a newly familiar voice call out to you. “wifey! c’mere!” you looked in the direction where the voice came from and see rafe waving you over with topper and kelce.

“i’ll catch you guys later?” you spoke to the group , taking note of their grimaces. they all gave you neutral responses before you walked away.

“fuckin’ wifey?” jj scoffed , hitting sarah’s arm.

taylor scowled too , adding, “she was just asking me to cockblock.”

“what’s up , hubby?” you smiled at rafe when you got to him.

he didn’t hesitate to drape an arm over your shoulders when he could. “we were thinking…. since we’re most likely going to have the same weekends off , that you should kick it with us saturday,” rafe suggested , gesturing between the four of you.

“it’d be nice to switch up pong teams too. see you kick rafe’s ass instead,” topper shrugged with a laugh.

you glanced over your shoulder , seeing your other friends head to the cabins. “uh— yeah. i’ll check with sarah to make sure she didn’t have any plans for us , but until then yeah,” you agreed with a smile. sarah hadn’t really brought any specific plans for the weekend up yet , so you didn’t see why you couldn’t make your own.

“perfect!” rafe cheered, “told you guys she’s fun,” he added , pointing at his two friends.

“don’t boast about me too much,” you advised, “i’m gonna get to the cabin. catch ya later!”

“well , we can all go down together. we were just waiting up on you,” kelce offered , dangling the golf cart keys in the air. all three boys looked at you expectantly.

you roll your eyes with a laugh. “it’s like you guys are obsessed with me,” you joked , walking to the door and dragging rafe with you.

kelce and topper took the front seats while you and rafe sat in the back. the drive was short , not leaving much room to talk , but the boys continued to blab about half-plans for the summer until the cart pulled in front of your cabin.

“thanks for the ride , boys. i’ll see you all at the meeting,” you spoke up , hopping off the cart and waving at your new friends.

rafe was quick to stumble after you. “so uh , you really wanna hang with us this weekend?” he asked , getting you to stop walking up the steps. it left you at eye level , and you could see the insecurity in his blue irises.

“i’ll see you at the camp meeting , hubby,” you smiled at him, “take a chill pill,” you added , pressing a chaste kiss and two soft pats to his cheek. you turned around , not drawing too much attention to rafe’s reddening cheeks before opening the door to the cabin.

you knew the girls were in there. you just didn’t expect them all to be standing in front of the door , peering through the windows when you came inside. when the door shut , they all scrambled to look as casual as possible.

“hey…” you smiled at them cautiously. as soon as you broke the ice , they all started chattering.

“oh my god , are you dating rafe?”

“is rafe your boyfriend?”

“no way you and rafe are a thing!”

“i’m so jealous! i’m in love with rafe!”

“he’s the hottest counselor!”

you laughed at being bombarded by teenage chaos , making your way through the girls and cabin to set your bag down on your bed and seeing sarah waiting for you. “they’re nosey,” you chuckled , relaxing when she laughed with you.

“okay , girls!” sarah called out , hoisting herself out of bed and clapped, “enough with the interrogation!”

they all awe’d and boo’d , but quickly quieted down when you eyed them suspiciously. “you can ask me about it later , guys. first , we gotta start with all of the camp jargon,” you assured them , taking a seat on the floor and crossing your legs. sarah followed your moves and settled down next to you. the girls all took seats on their bunk beds or the floor as well , waiting for you to start.

“so,” sarah began, “i know this half of the room are my kids , and the other is y/n’s , but for the entire summer , we are in charge of you. that means making sure you’re safe and taken care of and having fun , so all of you need to listen to us,” she explained , using a soft teacher-esque voice.

you nodded along , listening to sarah before adding, “and we won’t mind being bothered by you asking us questions or wanting to hang out. we’re here to make sure you guys enjoy your summer , so i’d like to have an open door policy.”

“that starts with respect , ladies,” sarah continued, “you respect us , we will respect you. the moment that’s gone , we’ll all start having a lot less fun , so let’s just make sure we’re kind to each other , okay?” the girls hummed their agreements.

you began listing off the camp jessamine guidelines , prefacing it all with “i know we know how to act , but i have to read it,” before speed reading the list of rules. “with those being said , sarah and i have our own rules for cabin six that we want to give to you as well.”

“right , so our first rule is very simple. no illegal activities,” sarah stated with a plain look on her face, “it’s non-negotiable for the camp , but i was a camper here once , and i know how it works. it just won’t happen with you guys. the minute i get any wind of you or any other campers messing around with things they aren’t supposed to have , its game over,” she explained to them , a more serious note on the conversation, “we understand?”

a slew of yeses came from the girls , and you continued. “next thing is i don’t want any drama in this cabin. whatever crap you guys brought from home needs to be left outside , and whatever crap you may get into at camp will be dealt with right away,” you announced, “you’re all smart , young women. let’s act like it.”

you and sarah continued talking to the girls for an hour or so , moving from your house rules to lighter topics like what everyone wants to do this summer and such. eventually , the sun was starting to cook the cabin , so you opened the front door.

you swung it open to see rafe standing there. “oh!” you gasped , not expecting to see anyone behind the door let alone him. “what’s up?”

rafe peeked behind you , seeing the group of teenage girls staring up at him , trying their best not to say anything. he wiggled his fingers at them , a cocky smile resting on his lips as they all burst into giggles. you held back a laugh of your own and pushed rafe back a bit so you could step outside.

“you left your phone on the cart,” rafe explained , holding your phone up in front of you as you gasped.

“oh , my god!” you laughed , taking it from him, “i didn’t even realize. thanks , ray.”

“ah , just my good deed for the month,” he shrugged , leaning against the porch railing, “how’s it going in there?” he asked , giving a nod to the cabin where you both knew the girls were riled up again.

“it’s going pretty well. we’re all still mingling right now. probably going to split up before the meeting and dinner,” you answered with a smile, “how are your boys? they gonna cause any problems with my girls?”

rafe shook his head with a smile , tongue poking at his cheek. “nah , i’ll keep ‘em in check for ya , honey,” he assured you , glancing over at his cabin. a few of the boys were out front , but you could hear the ones inside easier.

“tommy , i’ll kill you!” one of them shouted , causing you to suppress another laugh.

“go handle business , rafe,” you nudged him, “and stop coming up with reasons to talk to me.”

“stop leaving your stuff laying around!” rafe quipped back , walking backward to his cabin with a smile, “oh and you should get a password on that thing. random guys might put their numbers in it,” he added , smile turning into a smirk.

you returned the smile with one of your own and a sweet wave before going back inside. “okay , ask me whatever you want,” you said , preparing yourself for the girls to ask questions this time.

“so are you two dating?” noah , one of your girls , asked , eyes bigger than saucers, “he’s dreamy. you should date him!” she added.

“no,” you shook your head, “we’re not dating. we’re just friends.” sarah caught your eye , giving you an annoyed smile and roll of her eyes. as much as she wanted you to get with jj for her own personal benefit , she liked seeing you smile the way you were right now , and rafe was the cause of it. she’d let it slide for a little bit.

“well , you know everyone leaves camp with a boyfriend or girlfriend , right? is rafe gonna ask you to be his girlfriend?” another girl spoke up. daisy , one of yours , raised her hand when she asked her question , but didn’t bother to be called on.

you hummed with a thoughtful nod. “yeah , i did hear that rumor , but i don’t know if rafe’s gonna ask me that. we just met , and there’s a whole summer ahead of us,” you replied. it’s like you were telling a story. you didn’t expect anything from rafe at all , but it was fun to give the teenagers content for their crushes on him.

“would you say yes if he did?” noah continued.

“not right now,” you shook your head.

amber finally spoke up , clearing her throat. “have you met jj yet? he’s cute too!”

“okay , amber! coming in hot!” you laughed , getting her to blush and shy away, “but uh— yeah. , i’ve met jj too. he’s friends with john b , sarah’s boyfriend,” you answered , trying to pass the heat off to your roommate. like poorly trained puppies , all of their heads turned to sarah now , starting to interrogate her.

you sat back quietly , smiling at the scene unfolding. and in that moment , you had no idea why you were so freaked out in the first place. you’d have to thank jj later for calming you down.

a/n omfg THREE WEEKS later i’m so sorry i love u all for being patient with me<3

taglist @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @viennafantasies @cnnamongrl @embersfae @enchantingexile @urbrunettebombshell @wearemadeofstardust0 @psychicnatural @ecstqzy @ssqra @st4rkeyl0ver @shincidios @xoxo-ada @lmaolmaos @lilyhyperfixates @courta13 @rrosiitas @wasiasproject

[babyangelsky]

My Favorite QL Kisses of 2024 💖✨

Welcome to Babyangelsky's 2024 Wrap Up! To commemorate my second year of watching QL dramas, and my first year of actually talking on my blog, I've compiled a series of lists to celebrate all the QL things I loved this year!

Please feel free to take my categories and make lists of your own and tag me in them if you do!

💜 All the lists can be found here! 💜

From horny kisses to sweet kisses, lip kisses to hand kisses, and everything in between, these were my favorites of the year. A few couples feature twice but that doesn't mean I love the others any less, it just means I couldn't decide between two.

♡ Rak x Mut Blinding Blue Jellyfish Light of Love Kiss (Love Sea)

Fort and Peat are such good on-screen kissers that I could've honestly chosen any other kiss from this show and it would've been amazing but! Blinding light of love kisses are my favorite kisses so it had to be this one.

♡ God x Diew Pilot Kiss (Monster Next Door)

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I WISH THIS KISS HAD MADE IT INTO THE SHOW. THIS KISS SINGLE-HANDEDLY CONVINCED ME TO EVEN WATCH THE SHOW IN FIRST PLACE.

Pilot kiss you will always be famous.

♡ Jack x Joke First Kiss (Jack & Joker)

Now THAT is how you resolve the tension. Sometimes the slow burn is really a slow fuse and at the end you get a very hungry, very horny explosion. Thank you, YinWar.

♡ Gi Seop x Jin Woo Under the Bed Kiss (Boys Be Brave!)

There's just something about this scene that really made it stick with me. It means everything to me that Jin Woo was the one to kiss first after he spent so much time and energy trying to run away from his feelings. I always love when I can see the exact moment someone gives in.

♡ Yuan x Qian Morning After Kisses (Unknown)

Quite possibly one of my favorite morning after scenes ever. Tender and sleepy and soft and filled with the relief of finally having something you've wanted your entire life but never believed you could have.

♡ Korn x Tonkla Reunion Kiss (4 Minutes)

Did I spend the entire show wanting Tonkla to kill Korn? Absolutely, and I still wish he had but you know what? Tonkla wanted Korn and I want Tonkla to get everything he wants in this life. Also it was just a really damn good kiss.

♡ Vivi x Mook Couch Kiss (Love Sea)

Vivi could neither communicate her feelings effectively nor follow her own excellent advice but what she could do was kiss the breath out of Mook and do it very well.

♡ Haruki x Jin Playground Kiss (Our Youth)

It's not just that this is the first time we could see Jin actively kiss Haruki back, and with the blinding light of love illuminating them no less. It's also that Jin finally allowed himself to voice his genuine desires and be selfish and allowed himself to give in to the moment.

♡ Moo x Kang Boyfriend Proposal Kiss (Only Boo!)

MY ADORABLE BOYS ARE FINALLY BOYFRIENDS FOR GOOD!They're living their dreams, they're in love, and they're letting the whole world know it, together.

♡ Anin x Pin "It's Still Noon" Kiss (The Loyal Pin)

After so many years of yearning, there was not a force on this earth that could've stopped Anin from making time with her girl at every opportunity. Who cares if it's noon, they're in their house and food shouldn't be the only thing that gets eaten in that dining room.

♡ Kyousuke x Isumi Confession Cheek Kiss (Sugar Dog Life)

Listen. Sometimes, when you are in love with someone who is very sweet and oblivious, a simple confession isn't enough. You need to hit them over the head with your feelings, or kiss them as the case may be, to help them along and realize their own.

♡ Yak x Dee Over the Shoulder Kiss (Wandee Goodday)

It's just such a pretty kiss. They both are, but that cheek kiss hits especially good with that blissed out look on Dee's face. My love of blinding light of love kisses might have some serious competition from pink light kisses.

♡ Jane x Ryan Tippy Toes Kiss (The Trainee)

Their first kiss, which took place just moments before, was perfectly lovely. I enjoyed it a lot. BUT THIS SECOND KISS? THIS LITTLE PECK WHICH RYAN ASKED FOR BY SIMPLY STANDING UP ON HIS TIPPY TOES? SUBLIME. PEAK ROMANCE.

♡ Meiji x Freya Lipstick Kiss (Deep Night: The Two of Us)

The correct way to apply lipstick. The only way to apply lipstick actually.

♡ Do Hoe x Ju Yeong Snack Time Cheek Kisses (Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo)

This? This was what we deserved. We deserved the achingly sweet domesticity of Ju Yeong bringing Do Hoe snacks while he studied and kissing his cheek every time. We deserved to see them in matching fuzzy teddy bear couple pajamas.

IT'S WHAT WE DESERVED!

♡ Phee x Non Pink Kiss (Dead Friend Forever)

I was thrilled for this kiss by mere virtue of finally getting to see Ta and Barcode kiss, but the expression on Non's face? The pink lighting? Phenomenal.

We really could've had it all. Rolling in the deep. 🥲

♡ Takashi x Hiro Claiming Kiss (Love is Better the Second Time Around)

A hickey may be the result, but every hickey begins life as a kiss. And this kiss was a symbol of Hiro's desire to feel like Takashi was really his, to not feel like an outsider in Takashi's life, and to be someone Takashi could share everything with.

♡ Huaien x Xiaobao Blinding Light of Love Kiss (Meet You at the Blossom)

Sometimes a good kiss is more than just a good kiss, which this was. Sometimes it's about what the kiss means to the people watching it. Sometimes it's about the fact that it exists and that people get to watch it at all.

♡ San x Vee Forehead Kiss (Century of Love)

This kiss was such a gentle, loving reassurance that Vee would take the lead and take care of San during their first time being intimate together.

♡ Myung Ha x Yeo Woon First Kiss (Love for Love's Sake)

So incredibly visually pleasing and also: "You're my first everything". My heart. My entire heart and soul. Has anything ever been as earnest as those words and this kiss?

♡ Ming x Joe Face Sniff Kisses (My Stand-In)

This is exactly the sort of tenderness Joe always deserved from the man he loved. Even though it took a thousand agonizing years for Ming to get his shit together and give it to him, better late than never. Plus, I always love when we get sniff kisses.

♡ Sun x Junior First Kiss (Caged Again)

What an absolutely perfect, absolutely lovely first kiss between two absolutely darling boys who are figuring out what it means to be in love with each other. I adored it.

♡ Yuan x Qian Dinner Date Kiss (Unknown)

It's the wine splashing that really makes this for me. Yuan waited years for this date and for the opportunity to yank the man he loved across a dinner table to kiss him. And I just love how he looks down at Qian's hand before he does it.

♡ Do Hoe x Ju Yeong Christmas Present Kiss (Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo)

It's Christmas and Do Hoe is smiling and kissing his boyfriend and everything is peaceful and romantic and horny and good.

♡ Jack x Joke We're About to Fucking Die Kiss (Jack & Joker)

There's a bomb around Joke's neck and bitch ass Alice is out here being Jigsaw, but damn if that's gonna keep Jack from staying by his boyfriend's side. If they're going down, they're going down together, making out in front of god and everyone.

♡ Anin x Pin Party Kiss (The Loyal Pin)

This kiss from the trailer was the one I was most excited to see and it didn't disappoint. It's pretty! It's horny! Anin is wine tipsy! Pin is jealous because other women were hitting on her girl all night! Perfection.

♡ Shan x Ob-aun Blindfold Kiss (Battle of the Writers)

Tutor and Yim kiss so pretty and this show spent its entire runtime reminding us of that fact. I could've chosen any of their kisses, which is true of many pairings on this list, but this one is particularly pretty. And you can see Yim's shoulder moles, which is a fun little treat just for me.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Stars Align 3

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as age gap, manipulation, power imbalance, dubcon/noncon and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Steve Rogers was one of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Era. For years, his disappearance from the spotlight has been a mystery, that is until he walks right into your life. (Old Hollywood AU/1960s AU)

Characters: silverfox!Steve Rogers, reader is named ‘Satyr’ for clarity

Note: A longer chapter for yall.

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me <3

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Asking for more or putting ‘part 2?’ is not feedback.

Love you all. You are appreciated and your are worthy. Treat yourself with care. 💖

Satyr 

You keep your foot from fully touching the ground. It’s cold and grimy in some spots. Your caution gives your gait an uneven affectation. 

The men lead you through the city, your inner compass spinning as your eyes skitter all around. You nearly collide with Sam as he turns and opens a door. A bell above rings and he waves you inside. Your toe hits the lip of the step and Steve catches your arm swiftly, keeping you from toppling forward. 

You thank him as he squeezes then lets go, retracting his hand as if branded by the touch. You smile over your shoulder as you enter the din of the restaurant. It’s mostly empty and the lighting is low. A juke box glows against the wall near the end of the bar and several tables are set out across the dining room. 

“Gene,” Sam calls out, “where’s that bar boy? He up for making a dollar?” 

“Oliver,” the man behind the counter calls over his shoulder as he wipes the surface. “Get on out here.” 

A skinny adolescent shuffles out from the door behind the large man. Sam strides up as he reaches into his jacket. You linger close to Steve as your eyes wander around. The man on a stool at the end of the bar glances at your shoeless foot. You wiggle your toes as the famed dancer beside you steps closer, almost protectively so. 

“Honey, what’s your shoe size?” Sam says as he unfolds several bills. 

You give your size and he repeats it to the kid, holding out the bills. “Go, get her some nice shoes. Something with polish,” he demands. “Get back her fast enough, and I’ll add a few extra, huh?” 

“Thanks, Mr. Wilson,” the kid, Oliver perks up. “I’m on it.” 

Sam chuckles and turns back to you and Steve. He tilts his head and a light nudge directs you away from the bar. Sam claims the table in the corner, placing his hat beside him as Steve pulls out a chair and waits for you to sit before he does the same. 

You still can’t believe any of this is real. You smile and subtly pinch your arm. Wake up. 

“Right, so, while we wait for your shoes,” Sam begins and signals over at the bar, “let’s get to business. First lesson, move fast or go nowhere.” 

“Sam,” Steve crosses his arms atop the table and leans on them. 

“By all means, you do the talking,” Sam pulls out his cigarette case and Steve tuts. He puts it away without taking one out and huffs. “I’m merely an agent. I get paid whether it’s me or you.” 

You glance over at Steve shyly and flutter your lashes. You can barely look at him. It’s just so absurd. It’s him! The star of Red Stripes and Called To Duty. Despite the years, he is just as brilliant off-screen as on-screen. 

“We got a script, we got backing, we want to do a film,” Steve begins.

“I’m sure it’s no secret that musicals aren’t exactly in demand anymore. Ginger’s more into dramas now, and a bit above what we’re looking for.” Sam intones as another man approaches; this one slender and as tall as a lamp post. He flips the mugs on the saucers in front of you and pours coffee in each. “Bad timing but there’s a vision.” 

“It’s not over.” Steve insists. 

“Sure fooled me and everyone else,” Sam counters. 

You peek between them with a wordless gape, struggling to keep up. 

“Alright, let’s give the money back to Stark,” Steve retorts. 

“Calm down, I’m teasing,” Sam lifts his mug and blows the steam away. Steve hooks his fingers through the handle of his but doesn’t drink. You don’t really drink coffee. “Look, as much as my man wants to make the offer right now, our producer requires things done in an orderly manner. Now, we’ve seen you dance, we heard you sing. We can clean that up, but we’ll need to do a reading and screen test--” 

“Screen test?” You echo. “Are you... are you asking me to audition? For a movie?” 

Sam chuckles and Steve drags his fingertip around the brim of his cup. Then he lifts his hand and examines the lines of it, curling his fingers, then stretching them again. He opens his palm and rubs it with his other. It’s a nervous gesture you wouldn’t expect of someone like him. 

“Well, I never even been on stage until today,” you giggle. “That’s... that’s-- is this a joke? One of those big city funnies?” 

Sam snorts and shakes his head. Steve shifts beside you. “I don’t got the time to waste on jokes.” 

“Forgive him. He’s a bit grim,” Sam says. “Look, we’re looking at a revival. It’s more than a movie. We’re bringing the golden era back.” 

“Oh, oh,” you swing your legs beneath the chair. “And you want me? But—I mean, I got a call back tomorrow morning.” 

“As a backup dancer, honey. We’re offering you the starring role, so long as you look just as good on a camera,” Sam explains. 

“I know, I know, sir. Thank you, I’m mighty grateful for that. I just—I don’t know if I should believe it. My ma always said I got lost in the clouds.” You flick your thumb nervously against your other hand. 

“That’s good. That’s what we need. Actresses these days don’t wanna put in that work. They want a stand-in to do all that with some fancy camera work.” Sam argues. 

“Come to the studio. Just for a dance. See how it feels,” Steve suggests. 

Sam gives him a look you can’t decipher, “forgive him. He’s the creative type. He’s all about the emotion, that’s why I’m here. And to be honest, I don’t know if I can handle sitting through a hundred auditions with this one.” 

Steve growls in warning. 

“Well, I... I suppose I could try. Nothing wrong with that. I mean, I came all the way here just for the audition today.” You shrug. 

“Came all the way to New York? From where?” Steve asks. 

“Ah, way out in the country. My only audience was Mr. Shawnessy’s cows.” 

Sam laughs again. He sure finds everything amusing. 

The tall man reappears and lays out paper menus. You sit back and thank him. When he goes you look down and try not to show your reaction to the prices. It’s not very expensive for most, but for you, you don’t have a penny to spare. The coffee you have no interest in will be enough of a gouge. 

“Mm, starving,” Sam leans forward to brows the menu, “how about you?” 

“Just thirsty. Think I might just have some water,” you smile without another look at the paper. 

“The Monte Cristo is great,” Steve offers. “Dancing always gave me an appetite.” 

“No, really, I’m--” 

Grrgghghhghg. Your stomach roars in direct contrast to your insistence. You cringe and sheepishly look down. You push your shoulders up. 

“Really, I had a roll with butter on the bus. I’m fine.” 

“My treat,” Sam proclaims. “You don’t think we’re gentlemen? We don’t let a lady pay for her own plate.” 

“No, please, you can’t,” you exclaim and clap your hands. “Really, it’s fine.” 

“You keep saying that but your stomach sounds like a thunderstorm,” Sam scoffs. 

“I’ll eat at the station. I don’t wanna spend your money.” 

“First time I heard a woman say so,” Sam chortles and ignores you a he signals again. 

“Station? Thought you had a call back,” Steve remarks flatly. 

“Well, er, yeah, I was gonna stay there since... since I didn’t expect--” 

“Sleeping at the station? No way. Not the next co-star of Steve Rogers,” Sam snips as the tall man once more approaches, “Winston, monte cristos for the table. Side of fries with each, and some of your chocolate cake. Betsy always made the best slices.” 

“Thank you,” you put your hands to your cheeks and lean on your elbows. “Promise, I’m really not pathetic.” 

“We all start somewhere,” Steve assures you. “I was hemming dresses and building sets when I started. Just a skinny kid hiding behind the curtains.” 

“He likes to say so,” Sam harrumphs. “But look at him now.” 

You smile as your cheeks burn and you chew your lip. Your stomach rolls over again as the smell of coffee makes you nauseous. You can’t wait to call your ma and tell her all about it. 

Steve 

Steve walks beside her, trying not to stare, even as his eyes move on their own to spy her from the corners. She walks with a limp as she tries not press her sole to the cold pavement. He battles with the urge to pick her up and keep her off the dirty street. That feels too much. 

Sam stops in front of Gene's and opens the door. She stops short as Steve does the same, nearly squashing her between their bodies. She turns at the tinkle of the bell and takes the other man's wordless invitation inside. She trips over the threshold and without a thought, he grabs her arm to keep her upright. 

The touch wraps his hand in fire. Her warmth seeps into him and it's like he's been electrified. He squeezes as the flames flick up over his face and he lets her go as she turns to smile over her shoulder. Another scalding lash across his chest. 

He's afraid of how just a flash of her eyes can make him want to tap his toes. He shouldn't feel that way. He barely knows her. He doesn't know her.  

He lowers his hand to his hand an wiggles his fingers. He's impressed. He was quick. He might still have it after all. His reactions are there, but what about the rhythm. 

"Gene," Sam calls to the owner, "where's the bar boy? He up for making a dollar?" 

The man calls for his son as he drags a cloth over the bar. 

Steve doesn't hear his next words as Satyr stays close to him. He can tell she's anxious. He would be too. He can tell she isn't from around here. Mostly, because he is. This place is in his veins, even if he tried to drain it out. 

Steve looks down at it then notices another glancing in her direction. He moves closer. She speaks and he winces. The kid takes the money as he thanks Sam and rushes out to find some shoes for her naked foot.  

Sam turns and Satyr remains, hypnotised by the scene before her. Steve gently taps her arm and she follows them to a table. He's sure to remember the lessons his mother taught him all those years ago and pulls out her chair. She sits and he does the same, his grip lingering on the back of her chair for just a moment. 

She looks dreamy as she runs her hand up one sleeve. She pinches herself but he doesn't mention it. He needs to stop staring. 

"Right, so, while we wait for your shoes, let's get to business. First lesson, move fast or go nowhere," Sam chirps and lifts his hand towards the bar. 

"Sam," Steve crosses his arms and puts them on the table. 

"By all means, you do the talking." Sam takes out his silver cigarette case but just as quickly puts it back as Steve clears his throat. "I'm merely an agent. I get paid whether it's me or you." 

She looks over at Steve and he tries not to flinch. She's shy, starstruck. He usually hates that but it makes him feel fuzzy when she tries not to stare. 

He steadies himself before he speaks, "we got a script. We got backing, we want to do a film." 

“I’m sure it’s no secret that musicals aren’t exactly in demand anymore. Ginger’s more into dramas now, and a bit above what we’re looking for." Sam adds as Winston comes to pour the coffee. “Bad timing but there’s a vision.”  

"It's not over," Steve asserts. 

"Sure fooled me and everyone else." 

Steve sneers at Sam's smart mouth, "Alright, let's give the money back to Stark." 

“Calm down, I’m teasing,” rasies his cup. Steve loops his finger through the handle of his as he tries not to fidget. There's a lot riding on this, that's it. That's why he can't sit still.  

Sam continues, “Look, as much as my man wants to make the offer right now, our producer requires things done in an orderly manner. Now, we’ve seen you dance, we heard you sing. We can clean that up, but we’ll need to do a reading and screen test--”  

"Screen test?" She utters. "Are you... are you asking me to audition? For a movie?" 

She makes it sound glamourous again. She makes Steve excited. His dread fades away with her hopeful tones. He remembers when he was once like her, but he knows better than to believe that feeling. He wants to save her from the same disappointment. Maybe he found her so he could do just that. 

Sam laughs as Steve circles the rim of his mug, his hand still tingling. He peels his hand away and opens it, looking at the lines and the markings of his age. He balls his fist then splays his fingers wide. He can't shake the tickle under his skin. The same hand he caught her with... 

"Well I never been on stage until today," she confesses and trills with laughter. “That’s... that’s-- is this a joke? One of those big city funnies?”  

Sam snorts and shakes his head. Steve doesn't want to laugh at her. "I don't got the time to waste on jokes, he assures. 

"Forgive him. He's a bit grim. Look, we're looking at a revival. It's more than a movie," Sam expounds, "we're bringing the golden era back." 

"Oh, oh," she hums in her seat. "And you want me? But-- I mean, I got a call back tomorrow morning." 

“As a backup dancer, honey. We’re offering you the starring role, so long as you look just as good on a camera,” Sam coaxes.  It's a good thing he's talking because Steve might just get on his knees. 

“I know, I know, sir. Thank you, I’m mighty grateful for that. I just—I don’t know if I should believe it. My ma always said I got lost in the clouds.” She screws her thumb into her hand as she speaks. 

“That’s good. That’s what we need. Actresses these days don’t wanna put in that work. They want a stand-in to do all that with some fancy camera work.” Sam insists. 

“Come to the studio. Just for a dance. See how it feels,” Steve offers. He needs her to try. Just one dance, he knows it will work. 

Sam narrows his eyes in Steve's direction before he pipes up again, “forgive him. He’s the creative type. He’s all about the emotion, that’s why I’m here. And to be honest, I don’t know if I can handle sitting through a hundred auditions with this one.”  

Steve sighs. 

“Well, I... I suppose I could try. Nothing wrong with that. I mean, I came all the way here just for the audition today.” She bounces her shoulders giddily. 

“Came all the way to New York? From where?” Steve wonder aloud.  

“Ah, way out in the country. My only audience was Mr. Shawnessy’s cows.” She chimes. 

Sam laughs once more. Satyr squirms and Winston returns with menus. She thanks the waiter and gives a quick peek to the menu. Her jaw firms and she looks up evasively. She hasn't even reached for the coffee. 

“Mm, starving, how about you?” Steve drawls. 

“Just thirsty. Think I might just have some water,” she smiles. 

“The Monte Cristo is great,” Steve suggests. “Dancing always gave me an appetite.”  

“No, really, I’m--” she begins. 

Grrgghghhghg. Her stomach undergirds her protest. She shrinks down in embarrassment. Steve's heart twinges. He's been there. 

“Really, I had a roll with butter on the bus. I’m fine.” She says. 

“My treat. You don’t think we’re gentlemen? We don’t let a lady pay for her own plate.” Sam offers before Steve can. 

“No, please, you can’t,” she claps and clasps her hands tightly. “Really, it’s fine.”  

“You keep saying that but your stomach sounds like a thunderstorm,” Sam teases. 

“I’ll eat at the station. I don’t wanna spend your money.” She argues. 

“First time I heard a woman say so,” Sam snorts and gestures to the bar.  

“Station? Thought you had a call back,” Steve intones. 

“Well, er, yeah, I was gonna stay there since... since I didn’t expect--” She refuses to look at him. 

“Sleeping at the station? No way. Not the next co-star of Steve Rogers,” Sam turns to search the diner, “Winston, monte cristos for the table. Side of fries with each, and some of your chocolate cake. Betsy always made the best slices.”  

“Thank you,” she cups her face as if trying to hide. “Promise, I’m really not pathetic.”  

“We all start somewhere,” Steve drawls, tempted to lean in, to touch her again. Don't. Old man, you are getting carried away. “I was hemming dresses and building sets when I started. Just a skinny kid hiding behind the curtains.”  

“He likes to say so,” Sam huffs. “But look at him now.”  

She smiles and Steve's caution catches alight. He doesn't care if he's being stupid. She is perfect. She is his fate. 

[bonbonly]

Oh I didn’t cook anything! Just laid out the ingredients you gave me the recipe for! It’s all you bon!!

On another thought, Christmas at the Sainz mansion is quite the magical time! Since it doesn’t snow that often in Madrid, they take the whole bunch to their other mansion up in the mountainous regions, so you bet there’s gonna be a lot of skiing, fireplace bonding and cozy sweaters involved. On the flip side though, the Sainz family is nothing but warm and welcoming. They spend every Christmas and new year together as a family, because that’s what’s the most important for them! And don’t feel awkward about the whole deal, Carlos’ friends had spent a couple christmases with them as well, so there’s always an extra seat and plate at the dinner table just in case.

And Mr. and Mrs. Sainz are beyond smitten with the art student, how could they not be? They are quite idealist people themselves, raised their children to be the same way also. It was only a matter of time for Mrs. Sainz to offer her a sponsorship for the upcoming high society exhibitions in Spain.

And don’t get me started on his sisters! Oh, they would be such matchmakers, thinking they’d tease and get a reaction out of Carlos first, only to be baffled by his nonchalant reaction, shrugging his shoulders at the dinner table before turning to look at his little “friend” with hearts in his eyes. If they weren’t surrounded by their parents, they would be making fun of him so bad.

Over the time, as days go by with every moment filled with an activity, poor girl finds herself (unfortunately) breaking her own rules and being drawn to him more and more. Let’s hope she is good at avoiding mistletoes!

- 🦦

i got myself an actual anon omg!!! 🦦 anon, i hope you stay blessed forever for this 🙏

i have this thought that during the dinner, reader was shifting in her seat uncomfortably and Mrs. Sainz looks over and asks if she’s alright. Poor reader, she’s stuffed with carlos’s cum to the brink, her poor pussy lips only leak his gift to her through her panties. but she obviously couldn’t say that! she shakes her her and says she isn’t feeling well, and the entire family breaks down worrying over her. mrs. sainz insists she stays for a whole week, accompanying them and carlos’s sisters are more than eager to share their room with her and their clothes. carlos, in the meantime, takes a bite of his food with a knowing smirk.

the whole family loves her to death. skiing trips, cozy sweaters like you said anon but lets not forget to include christmas movies and that mistletoe you mentioned! It was probably his sisters’ idea to hang the mistletoe in the kitchen where he was making breakfast and our lovely reader was just trying to get some napkins after spilling paint onto her hands. mrs. sainz had given her a few contacts to some high end gallery that would happen at the end of the month, and artstudent!reader is once again back on her grind. she stops to see the mistletoe, and frowns, turning her back on carlos, but to her surprise, he does the same and doesn’t even acknowledge her! she should be happy right? but she couldnt stop thinking about it, those stolen glances during the skiing trips, the way he snuggled against her when they were watching movies together. she even overheard his parents talking about how carlos pulled a few strings to get her that exhibition! she probably stands there pouting to herself as she wipes her hands, and seeing no action, carlos’s sisters leave the kitchen completely annoyed. as soon as they leave, carlos walks to stand behind her, gently nibbling her ear,

“how are you feeling, do you like my house?” theres a gentleness in his voice, that nearly makes her question if she’s dreaming or not. a small shrug of her shoulders as him giggling, “you’re still stubborn as ever, mi vida,” and his nose dives just below her ear, nuzzling fondly.

"thanks, i guess, for the art exhibition," she'd try her hardest to sound like she didn't care, but she couldn't stop the way her heart fluttered around her chest, refusing to quiet down. carlos's lips curve into a large smile, and he'd lower her to her knees before glancing around to make sure his sisters didn't walk back in.

"show me how thankful you are," he'd smirk. now tell me why artstudent!reader is unbuckling his belt as fast as she can? was she actually that down bad for him secretly? who knew, surely not her. she's sucking his cock like she was made just for that, and when he throws his head back, praise flowing out of his mouth, she smiles against him, she's living off of this. she's got his cock deep in her throat, palming his balls as he's cooing about how good her throat feels, how she's perfect, "oh, princesa, eres toda mia, eres tan perfecta" after he drowns her mouth with his cum, he'll pull her to her feet, his thumb brushing the last bits of his essence into her mouth as she sucks his thumb with wide eyes. a small chuckle rumbles in his chest, and he peppers her face with kisses. she'll probably glance up at the mistletoe, still in a rush from what just happened and with a teasing smile, he'll pull her into an actual kiss, not minding his own taste on his mouth for once.

so as the holiday break draws to a close, artstudent!reader has learned a LOT. for one, the sainz's family adores her to death, and will always text her about new exhibitions and artists to introduce her to. she's starting to attend social events, meeting rich people and being commissioned on the basis which will definitely help pay for college. carlos's sisters basically treat her like their best mate, always on phone calls with her and giggling about some drama that happened at their own university.

and as for carlos.

hehe, im sure our lovely reader thinks the whole charade was just for carlos to get in her pants and she whole heartedly believes that (even though she hates it beyond compare). she ignores him once she gets back to campus, once again on the study hard mindset that she always has. and then one day, she's out painting another banner for another football game but instead of a ball tipping paint onto her banner.

"ok, which idiot-" she pauses when she looks up to see carlos crouching next to her with a smile on his lips,

"the things i have to do to get your attention," he muses, and all she can do is blush madly, unable to stop herself from grinning insanely.

needless to say, carlos and her end up being permanently banned from the art closet. though, her teacher did make the exception saying she was only allowed there if she took a friend from her class with her. as for carlos, he'd have to come up with better places on campus to have sex with her. maybe, he'd invite her back home once more for a permanent stay.

[kurishiri]

12 ┊ Jude’s main story

꒰ ִ ֺ ⊹ @ notice ⊹ ֺ ִ ꒱ this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— a legendary, iconic chapter in jude’s main story. trust me, you don’t need to know a lick of what happens before or after to understand this chapter. (yes, it's a filler chapter. iykyk.)

— cw: some angst. but it's mostly fluff! some silly crown antics, heh.

—— Library ——

Victor: Have you fallen for Jude?

Kate: Wha— ah…um…

Victor: Ahaha, I find it quite endearing how you’re like an open book in your expressions and actions.

V: Well then, mind if I ask what’s gotten you so motivated to study?

(I guess I really can’t evade someone as sharp as Victor, can I,)

(when I tell him I want to borrow books related to international trade and economics so suddenly.)

I gave up on the notion of hiding it, instead looking directly up at Victor.

Kate: In some cases, knowledge can become a weapon. An art of protection, if you will.

K: So first and foremost, it’s for myself. But also, I was thinking how I wanted to become someone Jude can rely on,

K: and someone he can lean on, whether he is going through happy times or sad. And him liking me would just be an added bonus and all…

That was the answer to the strange way my heart [1] had been acting these past few days.

Kate: That said, I do feel he’d brush me off, saying it’s an unnecessary burden.

Victor: But in some cases, that ‘unnecessary burden’ may be what binds a person to life too, is what I think.

V: For it’s neither knives nor poison that kills a person — it’s solitude.

Albeit just for a moment, I felt those jewel-like eyes cloud over…

Kate: …Victor, have you ever felt loneliness before?

Victor: Hardly. I’ve long forgotten such feelings.

Saying so, Victor flashed me a bright smile, as though to coax me at ease.

—— Neutral POV ——

—— Dining room ——

Jude: Ha, what’s with this.

Jude had just returned from work, and seeing a sleeping Kate there bent over the table in the dining room, his face scrunched up, when…

Victor: If it isn’t Jude, welcome back. I just brought in a blanket for Kate.

V: She had been studying the entire time, you see, and it seems she’s a bit worn out now——

V: Whoopsie, I fear anything past that’s a secret between Kate and me.

Jude: N’ that’s fine by me. Just take care o’ the costs by the end o’ month.

Victor: Gladly. Then I leave this in your hands.

Jude: The hell?

Victor pushed the blanket at Jude with a smile before leaving,

and Jude looked down at Kate, soundly in the world of dreams…

Jude: …Tch.

Putting the blanket over Kate in a nonchalant gesture, he tried to leave when something caught onto the hem of his clothes then.

Jude: …What are ya, a tot?

He looked on at Kate, who held onto the hem of Jude’s clothes as she slept, a fed-up smile in his eyes.

Then, he saw the mountain of books scattered across the table.

Jude: ………

Kate had been burying her nose in studies… for his own sake.

Jude let out a sigh, and then took a seat next to Kate, whose hands were still grasping the hem of his clothes.

Jude: ………Ya really are a hopeless case, aren’t’cha.

—— Kate’s POV ——

I had started learning about things I hadn’t known before on topics such as international trade and economics.

That said, sometimes the contents written in the books were difficult——

—— Basement laboratory ——

Roger: Since the Navigation Acts [2] were abolished, ships from other countries were permitted entry,

R: and from there, the competition of which ship could arrive at London the quickest became more cutthroat.

Kate: So that’s how tea races came to be, right?

Alfons: How deeply profound it would be, were we to think the tea on this table originated from the victors of those very races, indeed.

Roger was equipped with an abundance of knowledge, so I went to him for help, but…

At some point, that evolved to everyone in the back, enjoying tea.

Alfons: This graceful, mellow fragrance is quite a far cry from the constant smell of gunpowder and blood.

A: I daresay, have we not been wallowing too much in the front of life as of late?

Liam: Ah, I’ve been thinking about that too. We haven’t done a single thing for the season, so it’s a little lonely, maybe.

Roger: Hey guys. Mind quitting with the chit chat?

Just as Roger said this, seemingly annoyed, the door to the research laboratory opened with so much vigor, it could have broken down.

Victor: Did I just hear that my dear boys are not enjoying life? Now what a grave situation we have on our hands!

Roger: Hey, you, don’t just come in outta the blue like that.

Victor: But never to fear, as Victor presents! A very out-of-season fireworks party is in the works, yippee!

V: I consulted with William beforehand about using his private beach already. Goodness me, how capable I must be!

(Fireworks, huh...)

It was indeed a bit out of season, to be sure, but everyone was bored enough to agree to the proposition.

Victor: And so, with that, I have a small favor to ask of you, Kate.

(A favor? What is it, I wonder?)

—— Jude’s office ——

It turned out said ‘favor’ was——

Jude: If ya lot wanna go that bad then just go off on your own.

Kate: But I won’t like it if you’re not coming with!

It was to drag Jude to the fireworks party.

Or, more accurately, it was to ‘drag both Jude and Ellis,’

but Ellis, seeming delighted, affirmed immediately that he would go, which would just leave dragging Jude along.

Ellis: I also won’t like it if you’re not coming.

Jude: How many times are ya gonna say that. It’s hella annoyin’.

(I thought he would say that, so now that it’s come to this——)

Kate: Jude.

Jude: What.

Kate: Lulipia [3] has proposed giving their new product exclusively to Raven Co.

K: But, the condition was that Ellis and I took charge of it.

I had recently learned about the art of negotiation in a book, and when I utilized that, Jude raised a brow in irritation.

Jude: Ha, lookatcha, tryna negotiate with me. Ya got some guts, huh.

J: Fine then.

Kate: Wait— really...?

Jude: When it comes to costs n’ expenses, I got somethin’ to gain outta this. End o’ discussion.

Kate: Then... w-we did it!!

Ellis: You did well, Kate.

(Sure, it was a bit of a low play, but that doesn’t change the fact Jude is coming along!)

—— Beach (night) ——

The fireworks launched to the sky lit up the shore.

Kate: Wow...!

Elbert: ...It’s pretty, isn’t it.

It was a bit out of season, but that seemed to become irrelevant with how beautiful the fireworks burst in the night sky.

Victor: Bravooo! The fireworks may fade in an instant, but the memories will stay for an eternity more in my heart.

Cheering as fireworks were launched one after another, we also had colorful fireworks at the shore.

Liam: Kaaate! Over here, over here!

Harrison: Here, this is yours.

Kate: Thanks!

I tried lighting the stick for a firework, when Alfons thought of something, a complacent smile on his face.

Alfons: Ahha, I’ve just thought of something good.

A: The one whose firework lasts the longest will be able to give a single order to the rest of us. Does that sound appealing?

Roger: Oh, sounds interesting.

Kate: But I feel like there’s something fishy too...

Ellis: Come to think of it, Al was looking really carefully at the fireworks just now.

Kate: Wha— don’t tell me you already tampered with the fireworks, Alfons!

Alfons: ...Just what are you going on about?

William: Haha, it seems our little robin has gotten a solid grasp on all the Crown members.

In the end, with Alfons’ schemes ousted, there was no such match, and we lit up the fireworks in order.

(Hm? What about Jude...)

I saw him a little ways away, and I brought Jude’s firework, running to him.

[1] Give him a launcher firework.

[2] Give him a handheld firework. (+4 / +4)

[3] Give him a firecracker.

Kate: Here, Jude, your firework.

I held out the handheld firework I had lit out to him, when...

Jude: .........

Jude took it wordlessly, pointing the crackling flower my way.

Kate: Hey, wai— don’t go pointing that at people with that nonchalant look!

Harrison: Damn... what a brute, that guy.

Roger: But looks like Jude’s having his own fun too.

Everyone’s faces were illuminated by the beautiful fireworks, like an illusion.

And, all of a sudden, the depths of my heart squeezed.

(At some point, I had become a part of their circle.)

To think I had once feared the ones in this very circle, too.

Jude: What’s with ya, grinnin’ ear to ear like that.

Kate: Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about how much fun I’m having...

Jude: What a happy-go-lucky princess ya must be——

As though to interrupt Jude’s words, exceptionally large fireworks were launched to the sky.

The sight of the large flowers that blossomed in the night sky took everyone’s breaths away.

William: It was Victor’s idea.

Victor: A biiig surprise!

Harrison: You guys really don’t hold back, do you. ...Well, it’s pretty, I’ll give it that.

Kate: It really is.

Seeing everyone’s smiles, lit up by the fireworks, my chest started to feel unbearably hot...

Liam: I’ll definitely make this next play a success!!

Liam suddenly shouted.

Roger: Haha, are we declaring our resolutions now? I like that.

R: I will gather data from Cursed ones all around the world!!

Kate: Oh, then me too—

(So that I can stand together with Jude at the same place, and see the same world as him...)

(And so that I can become a person Jude can rely on...)

Kate: I will grow more and more!!

Jude: What’s with that dim resolution?

Ellis: I will grow more and more tall!

Jude: Bloody hell, don’t go growin’ even more.

Kate: Are you not going to shout out your resolution, Jude?

Jude: What are ya, a birdbrain?

With those words, Jude stared up at the fireworks that rose up to the Prussian blue sky before fading away.

And as for me... I discreetly looked at his profile as he did so.

(...Jude’s face looks very colorful.)

It was almost like he himself was a firework.

Fierce and intense, dangerous if I went too close... and yet also, for an unfathomable reason, unable to keep myself from looking away.

But, at the same time, perhaps because I had been looking at him this entire time, I felt a certain sense of unease from within me.

(Just like there is no firework that can light up for eternity, there are times I feel like Jude will up and disappear...)

It was like his very profile would fade out just like that, saying not a word to anyone and leaving not a memento behind...

And, so that he wouldn’t go off anywhere else, I gripped the hem of his clothes.

Kate: Jude, I want ice cream.

Jude: What?

Ellis: Me too.

Alfons: And me three. Well then, someone can be our dear dogsbody——to go and buy some.

Jude: Can’t help it then, I’ll go n’ buy ‘em.

Alfons: Dear me, I do insist, let me be the one.

William: Then I will go.

(Wait, what? Huh? The way this is going... does this mean I have to say it too!?)

Kate: Ah, then I’ll go and buy them!

Jude: Then off ya go.

(Wait, what?)

Seeing the grin play on the corner of his lips, I realized then that I had been completely wheedled.

Kate: ——That was in such bad taste...!

Jude: Hah—

J: Ya really are easy to trick, aren’t’cha, princess.

Kate: ...!

Seeing Jude’s smile, my heart throbbed — to the point it hurt, and to the point it became unbearable — and it wouldn’t stop.

(I probably am not much of anything in Jude’s eyes...)

(But, if I can at least become an occasional source of Jude’s smiles, then that would be fine with me too.)

Beneath the sky where beads of light shimmered and swirled, I made a wish... that this fun time would last, even if it was for a moment longer.

But, alas, such times did not last long.

ko-fi ☕️ ┊ comms 🤍

NOTES:

[1] In Japanese, there are two words for heart: [心] (kokoro) and [心臓] (shinzō), the former referring to a more ‘conceptual’ or intangible version of the heart that  sort of drives emotions or empathy (the pathos, if you will); and the latter being the physical organ. Here, Kate uses [心臓] (shinzō).

[2] The Navigation Acts (1651, 1660) were acts of Parliament, based on earlier precedents, intended to promote the self-sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreasing dependence on foreign imported goods. The laws also regulated England's fisheries and restricted foreign, including Scottish and Irish, participation in its colonial trade.

[3] To clarify, Lulipia, which could be translated into a different spelling — the original Japanese word they used was [ルリピア] (ruripia), is a company, not a person.

[cobaltperun]

Eternal Flame (18) - Puppy Love

Jenna Ortega x Female Reader

Summary: For her it’s a passion, for you it’s an accident. And as she continues shining brighter and brighter with each role you are left mesmerized, drawn to her flame and cherishing every time she lets herself be vulnerable with you.

Spotify playlist

Masterlist / First Part / Previous part

Word Count: 6.1k

-How can I, oh, how can I ever tell them? This is not a puppy love-

You often heard that you don't know what you have until it's gone, and while that was true you were also now firmly believing that you didn't know what you were missing up until getting that. And the thing you were missing up until now was a dog, because quite frankly, you haven't gotten out of bed this easily and quickly prior to getting a dog. Because a puppy did not care if you felt like lying around a bit more, or just didn’t feel like getting up right away. Raiju wanted attention, he wanted food, he wanted to go outside, and so you would provide him with all of that because you only had him for a couple of days, but you would already die for him. That was how adorable he was, with his soft tail and adorable ears, and big dark eyes, and everything else!

You glanced to the side, where Jenna was still sleeping. You had her to thank for this, and damn, you were thankful. Even if you were now putting on a raincoat because it was raining and you and Raiju would have to go outside. You stepped out of the bedroom, greeted by an energetic puppy, and the rain and cold no longer bothered you, you went down the stairs with Raiju in your hands because he was still too small for this many stairs with a large smile on your face. “Did you sleep well, hm, buddy? You did? Good boy!” you scratched him behind his ears and he just nuzzled against you.

When the two of you were done you went back upstairs, lightly brushed Raiju with a towel in case umbrella didn’t protect him enough and he ran off back to his bed while you went to wash your hands. You were happy to go outside with Raiju, but you were still very eager to go back to warm bed and sleep for at least another hour or two. So, you went back to the bedroom and slipped into the warm bed next to Jenna. “Good, you're back,” Jenna mumbled sleepily and snuggled up to you.

“I've been gone for like fifteen minutes,” you chuckled, relaxing into her touch and sighing in content at the warmth of her hug.

“Seventeen, actually, I checked,” Jenna complained playfully.

Apparently the love of your life and Raiju definitely shared one trait. Both were needy. “So needy,” you rolled your eyes, even if you couldn’t get the smile off your face.

Jenna nuzzled into the crook of your neck. “Guilty as charged,” she admitted sleepily and you could only look at her, taking in her beauty. You knew this was all partly a joke, because while you and Jenna both were quite eager to be together it wasn’t like you couldn’t function without one another. You just loved each other quite a bit.

Though you did spend quite a lot of time together, and that gave you the knowledge most didn’t have. You could easily recognize patterns in the way Jenna was behaving. You could tell she was worried about something just by the way she was holding onto your shoulder, resting her head on the opposite one and if that wasn’t enough, she looked lost in her thoughts. All of that usually meant she was overthinking something. “What's on your mind, Love?” you asked softly, though you had a rough idea.

And she proved you right. “We'll be going to my parents tomorrow. I'm worried,” to be honest, that was not exactly something you were eager to do either. It had to be done, sure, but it didn't make it any more exciting or something you were looking forward to.

“We'll be fine, we'll figure it out when we get there,” you said and that's what you were honestly thinking. There was no point in worrying about it now or imagining their reactions. And there especially was no point in going through dozens of different scenarios that likely wouldn't even happen because as hard as you tried there really was no way to anticipate exactly how her parents would react.

Not even Jenna had the right answer, sure, she had the vague idea that they would not be happy at all, and that they would be against the relationship, but other than that there was no telling how they would or would not react. “Yeah, I guess that's our only option,” Jenna agreed and pulled away from you, raising herself up so she could look you in the eyes. You could see the worry in her eyes, the anxious anticipation that would bother her until she saw her parents. And all you could hope to do was ease her worries with your presence. “Y/N, no matter what happens tomorrow, or what they say I am staying with you. I decided they either have to accept we are together or accept that I'm not going to sacrifice my happiness because they don't agree with who makes me happy,” the conviction in her voice was clear.

And those words meant so many things all at once, you understood how attached Jenna was to her family, how much she loved them, how much they meant to her. So, for her to pick you over them was something you never thought would be possible, regardless of how much she loved you. Yet here she was, telling you exactly that. And it made you wonder just how happy you actually made her if this was something that she believed was an acceptable trade. “We'll find a way for you to keep both your family and me, I promise you,” it was a promise made without any way of assuring you could keep it. You didn't even know how much effect you would even have the conversation, you just knew that you had to do something to make sure Jenna didn't lose anything in order to have this relationship. “I'll make them understand I will never hurt you,” you said while slowly caressing her cheek, wiping a tear that was threatening to fall.

And though her eyes were watery Jenna smiled brightly. “I believe you,” and that was the trust you would never betray, no matter how difficult things would get you will do your damn best to never make Jenna take those words back.

~X~

You and Jenna were just eating breakfast when your front door barged open and Raiju scrambled from his bed to the dining room and hid behind your leg, and if Jenna wasn't startled by the person barging in she would have found the puppy’s reaction extremely adorable. “There, there, it's just Barbara,” you bent down and picked Raiju up as you stood up and make your way outside the dining room. “Don't scare my dog, Barb!” you exclaimed, petting him lightly to calm him down and then perhaps the most hilarious scene of the past few days happened.

Barbara stood there, a box of chocolates in her hands, her jaw dropped, eyes focusing on the small German shepherd puppy as he just went and hid his tiny little head in the crook of your neck. “You got a dog? What did I miss?!” Barbara exclaimed and sure enough she was extremely kind and didn't show up once until today, and you were extremely adamant on surprising her so you didn't tell her a single word about getting Raiju. And here she was, expecting only to see you and Jenna in the apartment, and instead of that she got to see a dog as well. “You did not just hide this from me! You were supposed to only get a girlfriend, not to already start a family, I mean I know there’s that stereotype that lesbians move fast, but isn’t this too fast?!” she exclaimed, still under shock as she approached you and Raiju.

Jenna snickered, though she had a blush on her face. You were basically skipping the ‘dating’ phase, considering the nature of your jobs you already talked things through and you were basically going to live together. Spend some time in Denver, some in LA, but most importantly, you’d be together. She got up and joined the three of you as well, and then Barbara looked at her and pointed at you. “I expected this from Y/N, but you, Jenna? After all we've been through? You went and hid this adorable, fluffy, furball from me?” she sounded genuinely betrayed as she slowly reached out and pet the back of Raiju’s head. “I'm so sorry, sweetheart I wouldn't have barged in like that if I knew you were here as well,” she cooed at the dog.

“He'll forgive you. Unfortunately,” you teased making Barbara glare at you.

“Of course he will. He is so cute, just look at him, so soft and fluffy and small!” and so Barbara finally met Raju. “Seriously how did it come to this? You've never mentioned wanting a dog?” she asked and you just pointed at Jenna. Barbara looked between you and Jenna and then she nodded, patting Jenna on the shoulder. “Yeah you are not only good for her, you are incredible for her.”

Jenna blushed at that, considering just how incredible you were toward her she was glad she could have a positive impact on your life in some way. And this coming from your best friend made it matter even more. “Jenna is the best thing that ever happened to me,” you said pulling Jenna to your side and she leaned into your hug making sure she didn't make Raiju feel trapped, but she still hugged you back. She placed her palm on the side of your neck and Raiju went and licked it. Jenna smiled, the puppy was definitely more attached to you, but she could tell he liked her too, a lot.

“OK, yeah I am interrupting the happy family,” Barbara raised her hands in surrender “I'll see the two of you in when you become less tooth-rotting sweet, like a year from now I hope,” and she even made a show of turning around and starting to leave and you just rolled your eyes and called her back in.

As for Jenna, she truly loved this feeling, the idea that she was accepted by your people. That she could feel comfortable around them without having to worry about putting on some mask or fear of being judged or anything that might make her feel like she was just the girlfriend. Yet, at the same time it hurt her that aside from Enrique most of the people she loved the most wouldn't be as open to giving you the same treatment she was getting right now. And she truly wished those worries were for nothing but given how things ended the last time you were at her parents’ place she wasn't exactly optimistic. It would take a long time for her parents and maybe even some of her siblings to be fine with having you around. Her best bets were Aliyah and Markus, but other than that, she feared that you would never quite experience this acceptance from her family.

She feared that, by the time they learn to trust you, this lack of acceptance will probably become a habit, a form of a learned behavior, and it would be difficult to unlearn it, especially for her parents. So, Jenna hoped that her love could make up for it somehow.

~X~

You parked in front of Jenna’s parents’ house, and just for a moment memories of the last time you were here flooded your mind. The words of her father, the gun pointed at you, his punches, the argument you got in, the rage on his face. But more than anything the look on Jenna’s face when she came out, or how her mother calling her made her back away from you. It flooded your mind, a nasty, toxic voice telling you to be ready for the worst. You silenced it, trusting Jenna, but the fact that it existed disturbed you. You thought you were over it. You thought you had it under control, yet here you were, realizing that you were very much affected by it now that you got reminded of it.

And so, you reached up, clasping your fingers around the ring Jenna gave you. It wouldn’t end like that this time, Jenna promised you, and you trusted her. The hint of fear still lingered, though, because you understood just how difficult it would be for her to make that decision and you feared that if she had to make that decision that somewhere down the line there would be hints of resentment left. That one day she might regret making that choice and all of a sudden you were reminded that while you were adamant about changing and getting better, that the process wasn't as quick as you hoped it would be.

You so desperately wanted to put all that you learned into practice, to lead with vulnerability, and be open about what you felt with Jenna and your loved ones. Yet now, faced with something like this, you found yourself slipping back into the habit of hiding what you felt. You could have excused yourself, said it was because Jenna herself was already too worried, and she had so much on her mind already, and that she didn't need your worries as well, but you knew that was more of an excuse than anything else.

Jenna taking your hand, the same one that was wrapped around her ring startled you, and your eyes met. “I know, I'm scared too,” she said and it was like her words broke those walls that were trying to once again build themselves up around your feelings. She broke right through the shield you were unconsciously trying to put in front of your heart.

“I keep thinking about the last time I was here,” you said, not quite directly telling her what was on your mind, but somehow that was all Jenna needed to know.

She cupped your cheek. “I just got you back, there’s no way I'll let you go again,” she looked you in the eyes, sure of her words yet still worried. And raiju, who was in her lap, seemed to sense the sudden shift in your behavior and mood and snuggled against Jenna, bringing a smile to her face despite the circumstances.

“You did what you had to do,” you said understanding her decision back then. You understood just how difficult it must have been for her to even entertain the possibility that she would have to choose between you and her family again.

Jenna’s smile turned bitter. “I had this idea that family should never disagree about something that important,” Jenna explained, even though everything about your body language told her she didn't need to. “I wanted so desperately to reach out to you, to see you again and talk to you. Yet I let you go, because I didn't want anyone to know that I disagreed with my family. The moment we were back inside I got angry at them. I cried, demanding explanations and then I,” she paused again swallowing the lump in her throat and struggling to find the right words. “I went to the airport after you,” your eyes widened at that.

You had no idea about it, Jenna never told you, and this was the first time you were hearing about it. You wondered if things would have been different if you only went back to Denver. Maybe Jenna would have caught up to you. Thinking about it more, you figure you would have had to go to Italy in a few days anyway, so it probably wouldn’t do much. “You were already gone and then I spent weeks feeling awful. I felt lonely and I wasn't happy, and I don't want to go through that again,” she leaned in tentatively as if giving you a chance to back away if you didn't feel like kissing her.

You gave her a soft smile before closing that gap between you, and gently kissing her lips. “Whatever happens, we're in this together,” Jenna promised, leaning her forehead against yours, and you trusted her, and so you nodded and took a deep breath, ready to reveal what's been going on for the past week to her parents.

Jenna lowered Raiju to the ground and you took the leash. To calm your nerves, you marveled at how quickly and easily Raiju get used to the harness. You had the suitcases in the trunk, but you didn't pull them out, not knowing how things would go. And so, hand in hand, you and Jenna walked up the driveway and Jenna took several deep breaths as she reached the front door and rang the bell. You could hear some commotion in the house, her parents probably didn't expect her to ring the doorbell, instead expecting her to just come in. This was her home after all.

Edward opened the door and a large smile spread on his face as he eagerly stepped outside to hug his daughter, and only then did he notice you and he stopped, completely taken aback by your presence. “What is- Jenna what is going on here? What's she doing here?!” then his eyes fell on Jenna's right hand tightly clutching your left one. “Jenna explain this!” he demanded, taking a step back and you could see Jenna's heart breaking at that.

“Dad, please, I'm home,” her voice cracked and the commotion got Natalie’s attention as well and she came into the hall, confused. That is until she saw you. “Jenna, why is she here?” not even a heartwarming greeting, just immediate anger and confusion.

“We told you, Jenna, you can't see her again!” Edward added, grabbing onto the door as if he was going to slam it right in front of you.

“This was a mistake,” tears fell down Jenna's face and you clenched your jaw as Raiju barked at Edward.

“It was. She's no good for you,” Edward spoke, disappointed in Jenna. He only saw red, only felt rage, and he turned to look at you, fury etched onto his face. In his mind this was your fault, you did this. He was angry at you for turning his daughter against them, taking advantage of her and who knows what else crossed his mind.

But Jenna shook her head. “No, I meant coming here. I should have known you wouldn’t understand. Mom, please?” Jenna tried again, she tried her best, but parents weren't listening to a word she was saying.

Edward went to slam the door in front of your faces, and you had enough, stopping the door before he could close it. Jenna flinched at the sound of the doors hitting your forearm. “The fuck are you doing, man?” you demanded, pushing the door back so you could look him in the eyes.

“You are only going to hurt her, and she won't listen to us,” Edward growled at you, now more furious than before that you even went and denied him the right to slam the doors closed.

“So, this is your solution, is it? To make her feel like she can't go back to you? Is that how you're going to keep her safe from me?! If I'm the monster that's going to hurt Jenna, why are you taking the one safe place she can go back to away from her?!” you shouted and he stopped pushing the doors, much to your and Jenna’s surprise. “If you are so sure I'm going to hurt her, keep an eye on me don't fucking leave her to deal with that alone,” you pleaded and finally the doors opened again.

“Come on in,” Natalie sighed, and you could see she was crying now, and Edward reluctantly accepted her decision.

And yet Jenna tightly hugged you from behind and both her parents noticed the hurt in her voice as she softly kept saying ‘thank you’ again and again. You gently pulled her hands back enough to turn around and hold her, letting her cry in your arms, and you could feel the tension in her shoulders disappearing as she clutched the back of your shirt.

“It’ll be fine,” you whispered softly, running your fingers through her hair to sooth her.

“Are you OK?” Jenna asked, one of her hands moving from your back to your forearm, and she traced the part of it that collided with the doors with her fingers.

“You know I'm tougher than that,” you tried to joke a bit, and it worked, she huffed, amused despite the circumstances. And you were fine, really, as hard as the hit was, you took worse and kept going.

Jenna nodded and began pulling away from you slowly, but she didn’t let go of your hand as she led you inside. The last time you came in here you came in laughing wet from the rain and happy, now you came in with Jenna barely stopping herself from crying more, in dry, almost hot weather, especially for this part of the year. And you came into the living room to see the same people that were there back then, only this time the surprise wasn't caused by the way Jenna was acting around you, it was caused by your presence alone, and you could see Aliyah and Markus being baffled by both seeing you there with a puppy and Jenna's crying.

Luckily, instead of asking questions, her siblings went and hugged Jenna tightly. They haven't seen her in over a month and anything concerning you could wait. Markus hugged her first, and then gave you a nod as a greeting. Aliyah spent a bit more time on the greeting, especially with Jenna. She hugged her sister close and tight, and then even got her cheeky teasing smile on her face back. “Finally got the girl, huh?” she winked at you which was a surprisingly positive reaction all things considered, but perhaps not all of her family was against this relationship.

“Aliyah, don't encourage this,” Edward chastised his youngest daughter, causing Aliyah to roll her eyes as she surprisingly pointed at Raiju.

“Just be glad their first step was a puppy. Imagine if Jenna was away from home for eight months, instead of one, maybe she would have come back here pregnant. Look at it from that side, it’ll be easier to accept this,” Aliyah just blurted out.

You felt like your brain short-circuited at that, and Jenna’s fingers cramped around your hand. “Aliyah!” Jenna cried out in embarrassment and fearfully glanced at Edward, who looked like he was about to have a stroke at just that thought alone and Natalie wasn't doing much better.

Yeah, this was not what you wanted to happen. The last thing both you and Jenna needed was for Aliyah to tease you with something that would make her parents even more hostile toward you.

“Let's just sit down before a gun gets pointed at Y/N again,” Markus suggested and that was the smartest idea you could have heard right now, because as sure as you were that Edward wouldn't go through with it, you really weren't keen on having the gun pointed at you again!

So, you sat down, with Raiju lying on your lap and Jenna sitting right next to you while her family surrounded you on both sides.

With a heavy sigh Natalie broke the silence. “The filming wasn't delayed, was it?” she guessed and Jenna shrugged sheepishly.

“No, it wrapped on time. I just went to Denver,” she explained, glancing at you and smiling slightly.

“You spent a week with her?” Edward shouted and Natalie took his hand, trying to keep him calm. “Don’t you understand how dangerous that could have been?! The last time you saw this woman I threatened to kill her, and I hit her! How did you think it was safe to go and spend a week in Denver?!” should have thought of that before he did all of those things, yet here you were. “Please tell me you were in a hotel or something,” her dad demanded and Jenna blushed but not out of embarrassment but rather of anger.

She pointed at herself. “Dad, look at me! Do I look hurt to you?” she then went and pointed at you. “How can't you see that she loves me? Even after everything that happened she's here, wanting nothing but to fix things, not for you guys, but for me! So I don't have to pick between you and her! Why won't you give me that? Why do you have to make me choose? Why do you want me to be unhappy?” her last words, her cries of pain, raw and desperate, broke some barrier in her parents and the rage seemed to slowly dissipate, replaced by remorse and regret.

“She could hurt you, that's all we fear,” Natalie tried to explain herself and her husband.

Jenna sighed heavily, dropping her head. “You don't know Y/N, you haven't even given her a chance,” she looked at her parents once more. “Please, I know I'm not making a mistake,” she pleaded, hoping she could reach them. “Y/N quit fighting and even if she didn’t, I have never felt this unconditionally loved before,” you honestly felt like crying at the words Jenna spoke.

How much those words meant to you, how much she herself meant to you, words could never describe that. Natalie looked you right in the eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly changed your mind, as if searching for different words to say what was on her mind. And then she asked the question. “Can we trust that you won't hurt her?”

You met her eyes and knowing full well how uncertain about all of this they were you still answered with absolute confidence. “You can. I will never hurt Jenna, or let her be hurt by anyone,” and you would stay true to those words for the rest of your life.

An awkward silence filled the room. No one really had anything to say, to add or to ask. For a moment everyone was just taking the strange situation in, understanding that you weren't in their house as Jenna's friend, but that's her lover. Not even Aliyah found it in her to tease the two of you.

Eventually, Edward got up and looked at you. “I'm not going to apologize for what I did,” he said.

“Dad,” Jenna cried out, but then deflated, giving up on trying to reason with him.

You on the other hand understood he was trying to keep his child safe from something, or rather someone he believed was dangerous. You really couldn't blame him for that. “I don't need you to, and I won't apologize for being with Jenna.”

He nodded. “I don't need you to. As long as you keep your promise not to hurt her,” he still left, probably to cool off, and the rest of the evening remained somewhat awkward. Still, you supposed there were a lot worse ways this could have ended. It was a small step but it was a step in the right direction toward reconciliation and that was all you and Jenna could have hoped for. Just one small step worth fixing it all, and Jenna leaned her head on your shoulder, turning slightly to kiss it and then, plucking up the courage, she just kissing you on the lips, her soft and quick kiss sealing the deal.

~X~

A few weeks later you and Jenna found yourself in Jenna's apartment in LA, mostly due to you having an audition in a few days. For the most part the two of you spent your days in Denver, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the part of the town you were living in, and it was tiny bit less likely for Jenna to be recognized there, since no one quite expected her to be in Denver. But you spent about a week in Jenna's apartment when you came to talk to her parents.

You ended up not staying there, and instead just had long drives twice to get to their house. Jenna wasn’t quite eager to make things even more awkward. Aliyah and Markus did spend two days with the two of you during that week, though.

Right now, Jenna was lying on the sofa, reading a book and you came over with the script you were supposed to prepare and a bowl of fruit. “Here you go, Love,” you set the bowl closer to Jenna and grab a pear from the bowl and looked around to spot Raiju. Since the apartment was still fairly new to him, Raiju was still sniffing and exploring everything around him, especially since, while it hasn’t been long for you and Jenna, it was long for Raiju.

Jenna looked away from her book and smiled, placing her feet on your lap. “What's the script about?” she asked and raised her book again, much to your surprise.

“Haven’t read it yet, so I can't really tell you much, but apparently Tim Burton is involved in it. I’m still on the fence though. It's a TV show and I'm not sure I want to attach myself to something that will keep us separate for six months, or hell even more than that,” Jenna snorted when you said that and you looked at her, confused. “What's wrong, Jen?”

“No, no, it’s nothing! I just got surprised that Tim Burton is involved! That's all, I promise. If you like it go for it,” she assured you, but you wished her face wasn't hidden by the book, because something told you she wasn't exactly honest with you. You couldn't tell though, because you couldn't see her lips or her eyes.

“OK, sure,” so you went and began reading the part you were given, getting to know the character that was… a lightning beast… “Raiju?!” you exclaimed, and Jenna burst out laughing as the four-month-old puppy perked up and ran over to you, expecting playtime or treats. You looked at those beautiful dark eyes looking at you with so much expectation in them and you figured you did kind of call him, so you got up and went to get him a treat. “Here you go buddy,” you smiled and then began walking around the sofa. “Now then, Jen,” you approached the other side of the sofa and crouched down so your head was right next to her own.

“Yes?” she asked through laughs.

“Are you having fun?” you whispered in her ear.

“I am, actually,” she replied and you kissed her cheek.

“So, when were you going to tell me that you were going to work with Tim Burton?” you asked her, and she just shrugged.

“I wanted to see the look on your face, and it was marvelous,” oh, she was having so much fun right now.

“You had me completely fooled,” you shook your head and then got up, getting back to the script. “I guess I should make an extra effort to get this roll.”

~X~

So, the time passed. You got the part on Wednesday, playing the lightning beast that quite quickly got attached to Jenna's character, the titular Wednesday Addams. Yet, what you were really happy about was the fact that Jenna got the role, because as worried about it as she was, you could tell this meant a lot to her. After all, Wednesday would finally be played by a Latina actress.

And as time passed, so came May and it was time for both of you to go back to work after almost two months of a very happy relationship. You actually got to the hotel last night and you just woke up, finding it rather strange that Jenna wasn't next to you, and then you realized you were in New Jersey instead of in Denver or LA.

You sat up and took your phone, opening the messages with Jenna and sending a simple voice message. “Good morning, Jen, I love you,” you kept your promise, she would hear those words from you every single day no matter what and you saw that she read the message, or rather listened to it damn near immediately.

Ten seconds later you got the reply, another voice message, this time from Jenna. You played it and heard her saying: “I love you too,” neither one of you had much time to text, let alone get a call in, because you had your first day and she had to get to her set quickly as well. You went and fed Raiju, and then just got on with your day, getting ready and leaving with Raiju always by your side. There were some big names attached to the movie, such as Elizabeth Olsen, Emilia Clarke and Andrew Garfield, and while you were a bit nervous, you figured you could handle this. Besides you had Raiju with you and Jenna cheering you on from the other side of the country

~X~

The month of filming passed almost like a blur, though the subject of the movie, American Carnage, felt a bit too close to home for Jenna herself, but she was done filming and was back home for two days now. And you were done as well, so, she was eager for you to get back home today.

Seeing as filming Wednesday would take eight months the two of you decided to take a break until September, and she was looking forward to spending her free time with you once again. Jenna smiled as her doors unlocked and she got up, rushing to meet you in the middle of her hall. Raiju, hilariously, ran right in, bouncing around and running, clearly having zoomies as he almost looked like he was zapping around. And even though he looked like a puppy blur Jenna could tell he got quite a bit bigger over the past month. He was six months old, after all. It still took her by surprise.

Speaking of excitement, you came in and Jenna ran into your arms. “I missed you so much!” she  jumped into your arms and you lifted her up off the ground, and what else was she supposed to do but wrap her arms and legs around you and kiss you deeply. She missed kissing you so much, she missed holding you like this, she missed the feeling of your arms around her, and she definitely missed seeing her ring dangling from your necklace just the way it was right now.

In a way she almost missed you more than she missed you when you were separated with no contact, because back then you were still friends, as loosely as that world could fit you, but now you were a couple. You were a part of her everyday life in ways a friend could never be, and she missed that over the past month. Only this time it was without the depressing longing within her. She longed for you, sure, but she knew there was no issue to be solved, you both just had to do your jobs, and sooner or later you would be back together. And you were back together, you held her with the same kind of longing in your touch that Jenna had, you held and kissed her with the passion and intensity of someone who didn't hold the love of her life for a month.

“I missed you too,” you said, smiling softly when you separated for a moment before kissing her again. And then you looked down as Raiju calmed down a bit and rubbed against your leg. “OK, OK, I'll let the two of you get some cuddles in as well, greedy little puppy,” you said, laughing as you set her down and Jenna knelt, making Raiju jump into her arms, almost unable to contain himself.

Jenna looked up at you as you joined her, and all she could see was absolute devotion and love in your eyes, and it made her feel warm and happy. “I love you,” she whispered, feeling the need to as often as possible tell you those words.

And you smiled, leaning your head on her shoulder and hugging her with one arm while petting Raiju’s back with the other. “I love you too,” you said and kissed her once more.

Taglist: @lilbitdepressed27 @freakshow2501 @osnapitzmel1 @belatrixdragon @ijustlovemaths

@niqmandu @justspance @mirage018 @godamnityess

Masterlist / First Part / Previous part

A/N: And that's the last chapter of the year. Roughly half a million words, in one year, damn... Anyway, I'll use this opportunity to also tell you that the requests are now open, in case anyone missed the announcement. The post with details is pinned.

[wingedshadowfan]

some thoughts about the caitvi breakup scene

i saw ppl pointing out what looks like a tear running down caitlyn's nose after her and vi's fight w/ sevika and jinx (when she finally stops hitting the wall w/ her rifle and puts her forehead to it) and it could've been just sweat, but here's why i think it wasn't:

it's bcuz vi took the choice away from her.

we all know caitlyn's parents had been keeping her in a golden birdcage since she'd been a child. we see this symbolically in her conversation with jayce when he gets kicked out from the academy after the explosion - he's outside in the rain, but she's within the gates of the kiramman estate, under an umbrella, protected, hidden. she tells him her parents don't allow her to talk to him anymore but she doesn't care. they're friends.

we know cassandra didn't approve of caitlyn's choice to become an enforcer (we assume caitlyn had to fight for it and her family tried to stop her). even after, her mother kept meddling and made sure caitlyn would always get safer tasks - out of harm's way and where she'd never be able to prove herself or do any actual good. her own coworkers made fun of her for being a kiramman and only "playing dress up" as an enforcer - a job she decided she wanted and had been working towards since she was a child, in order to help and protect people. she'd had to fight (not for the first time) to be placed on a case, in a real guard position, to be taken seriously.

caitlyn's choice and her agency - things she's barely been given in her own life, because of her parents, her name and how sheltered she'd grown up - she'd always had to fight for. she'd had to fight to be able to choose, she's had to fight to defend her choices, and she's had to fight to prove herself over and over again.

then for the first time in her life, she didn't have to fight because vi (perhaps being swallowed by her own guilt for everything jinx had done to caitlyn) gave caitlyn the ability to choose what happens to jinx.

and caitlyn chose. vi agreed with her choice.

take the shot.

then vi took the choice away from her in the last possible moment, physically stopping her from shooting. (now, we can talk abt what that means to someone who's never been the stronger opponent in any physical altercation they've been a part of so far, but i won't)

this is the real reason caitlyn completely disassociates shuts down, not to mention the adrenaline after almost dying again. she goes all out hitting the wall, lets out a single tear, refuses to look vi in the eyes and tells her, "i thought you were different but you're not"

she's yet another person who denies caitlyn the ability to make a choice in her life.

it's her blood in your veins.

vi's loyalties lie with the blood of someone who'd worked for silco in oppressing the undercity, lured and blown up caitlyn's coworkers, tried to kill caitlyn (and vi) multiple times, kidnapped her from her fucking bathroom, dressed her up against her will, kept her hostage for a full day in which she with almost 100% certainty tortured her, kept her as the only person gagged throughout the tea party, asked vi to kill her, then blew her mother up and (allegedly) attacked her memorial. talk abt taking someone's freedom of choice away.

then why are you the one acting like her?

vi - not fully without reason - compares caitlyn to her worst fucking nightmare. a psychotic killer who's caused so much fear and trauma to caitlyn, that she admitted jinx's smile is all she sees when she closes her eyes, up there w/ her own mother's lifeless eyes?? and yeah, vi has a point - caitlyn had indeed grown more violent and aggressive in her desparate pursuit for revenge. that doesn't mean it hurts caitlyn any less, especially when she'd been trying so hard to do the right thing (sending a squad to catch jinx, not a full armed invasion, only her and vi having hextech, clearing the streets first), and vi knows this: she just automatically did what she does best - aimed for where it hurts the most. i think she even realizes she's overstepped but before she can do anything about it, caitlyn bites back reflexively and hits her with her rifle. there, in the place of the wound she once took care of herself.

the perfect storm.

the only question i have left is why everyone in this fandom keeps acting like caitlyn is the only one who hurt someone and vi is the only one who got hurt in that scene.

[rwrbficrecs]

ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn’t have fallen in love with) by @everwitch-magiks (book-verse)

@dot524: Such a fun little punk band AU. There’s a meet-cute, some mild angst, and emotional music scenes with bonding. Plus, great cameos of June, Nora, and Alex’s family. I enjoyed the pacing, dialogue, and character development of this AU and its feel-good ending, and it was fun to see them as punk rockers!

Still Sitting in the Corner I Haunt by BrokenChair, mister_nic (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic is a high school AU and Groundhog Day combined! Henry is characterized so well in this fic, and each part of this 5+1 has both obvious and subtle differences that combine to make the perfect fic!

The Tea Shop on Verbena Street by @stutteringpeach (book-verse)

@suseagull04: If every fic was this good, I would never get any work done, because it was really hard to put this fic down! The mystery aspect of it is crafted so well, and to top it all off, this is the best slowburn I've read in awhile. Definitely a fic you don't want to miss out on!

Pretty Competent by @noahreids (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Single Dad Alex and hockey captain Henry Fox meet for the first time at Alex’s daughter’s tryouts – and yeah, they take it slow. But honestly, Alex flirts like crazy, Henry’s texting game is on fire, and to top it all off, Alex’s daughter is totally smitten with Henry. My heart does somersaults just thinking about this super sweet and super sexy fic.

The stranger you recognise by @clottedcreamfudge (book-verse)

@suseagull04: Usually I think the sequel is never as good as the original, but that's absolutely not the case with this fic! The version of our faves that we know and love from The Tea Shop on Verbena Street return, and CCF has so much respect and love for these characters that it's impossible to tell that the sequel isn't written by the original author, only with their permission. Add to that the fact that this fic adds tropes that make perfect sense in this verse, and you've got yet another fic that's worthy of becoming a classic. I'll definitely be reading this fic again soon!

Hit (My Love) Out of the Park by bleedingballroomfloor (book-verse)

@suseagull04: Rivals to lovers at its finest! I love the way this fic comes full circle and that it's so fun- the author's love for the sport definitely shows!

the full spectrum of human emotion by @firenati0n (book-verse)

@suseagull04: if you're a fan of movie AUs, you definitely need to read this one! Roop took all the best parts of The Proposal and gave them a RWRB twist! Arthur feels, ALLLLL the proposal feels, just enough nods to the movie to make fans like me happy without writing it word for word, our boys being so oblivious but so soft at the same time, so much heart that it's practically bursting at the seams with it... I can't say it enough, this fic is absolutely AMAZING, a must read!

Flirting for Dummies by @smblmn (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic is the perfect combination of holiday fluff, our boys being oblivious and Henry and June being besties! The perfect read to get anyone into the holiday spirit!

I must tell you what you will not ask by @lizzie-bennetdarcy (book-verse)

@suseagull04: combine a college roommates AU with oblivious firstprince (especially Alex, as always) and holiday feels and you have an incredibly soft fic that I'll likely find myself reading again and again, especially during the holiday season!

Careful Cooking by @iboatedhere (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Alex and Henry first met at culinary school, where they were inseparable—how did they end up parting ways?! Years later, they cross paths again under unexpected circumstances … It’s a lovers-to-exes-to-lovers story, with quite a bit of angst. Beautifully written, the tension builds perfectly, and the ending is just as lovely.

Pumped by @myheartalivewrites (book-verse)

@na-dineee: Firstprince goes Climbing AU! Set in London, Alex and Henry meet at their favorite hobby: climbing. After a rocky start, the game is on. Everything about this fic is perfect: the vibes, the banter, the sparks, the pacing, the pining—such a classic and one of my all-time favorites!

Got a will to win and a Cheshire grin by @kiwiana-writes (book-verse)

@suseagull04: This fic is so unique and fun! It captures a year in Alex and Henry's lives as Santa's elves and what that job entails, and the twists and turns all lead to such a satisfying conclusion!

check out our past Monthly Faves here ❤️

[yumecel]

But that is how the guilty speak 💙

yandere!neuvillette / f!reader | 6.1k words

summary: how does neuvillette go about getting your attention? by trapping you in a kafkaesque nightmare.

reader specifics: female, she/her woman terms whatever

tags: neuvillette SUFFERS, a little angsty, pining, ooc neuvillette for the purposes of yandere, oral, he’s a gentleman all the same

a/n: so this is basically a yandere version of “the trial” by franz kafka. happy birthday neuvillette!! happy neuvillette day!

tws: yandere, stalking, dubcon, manipulation

i promise i’m 18+, i promise i read the warnings, i promise i’m okay with seeing dark content, i know one thousand curses will karmically descend on me should i lie [yes⬇️] [no↩️]

——💙——

“Chief Justice Neuvillette would like to see you today.”

For the first time in days, you let out a sigh of relief. You barely feel like you’ve been given any room to breathe ever since you woke up to the Gardes outside your door, Gardemeks in tow, arresting you for a crime… that they had not yet revealed the nature of.

You’d been detained- first within your home, then at the Palais Mermonia, being taken care of to the highest standard both times. You didn’t have to cook- meals were delivered to you in a timely fashion. Come a certain point following lunch, a hot drink and small selection of cakes would be delivered. Afternoon tea. You were being given afternoon tea as a prisoner of the law.

Were all detainments this luxurious? you had wondered, opening your daily copy of The Steambird a few days in. When you had started your stay at the Palais Mermonia, it had felt like an all-inclusive resort. Which was a shame, since it really would have been more comforting had anyone actually explained to you what was going on. You’d tried to pry this answer from the Gardes many times, but were met with indifference. Did someone slander you? Did you sleepwalk your way into criminal activity? Day by day, the firm grasp you had on innocence started to waver. It never completely slipped- no, the deep confusion presided above all else- but there were moments of wondering what could have gone so, so wrong to warrant this. You had counted all your sins, listed all your inadequacies, and failed to come to any reasonable conclusion. Within the eyes of the Gardes, you were completely at the mercy of a higher authority.

Now, after three weeks of detainment, you’d finally meet that higher authority. The only authority that now mattered to you. Well aware that most meet Chief Justice Neuvillette within the context of court, you desperately hoped these circumstances meant that nothing serious had occurred. Your most recent theory involved being in witness protection, and perhaps he’d explain-

“Come on. He’s waiting.”

Shaking out of your racing thoughts, perhaps a little maddened by the persistent loneliness and alienation, you obediently followed the Gardes. When you finally entered the room, he stood up from his desk to greet you.

“(Y/N). Come, have a seat. I have prepared tea. I trust this beverage choice is acceptable?”

You nodded, sitting down on one of the sofas where a teacup sat on the table before it.

Neuvillette had sat down opposite you, a small chalice in front of him. Midday wine?

“You can have water instead, if desired.” He said, raising the chalice before taking a sip. So it was just water?

“No, no. This is lovely. Thank you, Chief Justice Neuvillette.”

“Neuvillette is fine.”

“I see. In that case, thank you Neuvillette.”

He nods. You nod. You can’t stand staring into his eyes anymore. You pick up your teacup with a soft clank against the saucer and look down into it after taking a small sip. You hope you didn’t accidentally slurp it too loud. The room is chillingly silent, so quiet that you can hear your blood pumping. He sets his chalice down on the table. You wonder if you should speak. You decide against it.

“How are you?” Neuvillette says suddenly, almost as if remembering he even intended to ask.

“Oh, I… well, I’m fine, but I am very confused.” You respond, a small laugh following. It does little to alleviate the tension.

“I see. That is understandable, given your circumstances.” The tone isn’t cold, but it isn’t warm. It is simply spoken gently, like a hesitant hand making its way onto your shoulder.

He pauses. You nod, still looking away from him. Desperate for him to explain without seeming too concerned with your state of affairs, you meet his eyes again and are thankful when he takes this as a cue to continue speaking.

“Speaking of which, your circumstances have been difficult to navigate indeed. It is a case I have been personally reviewing since the start of your detainment. My deepest apologies for the confusion.”

Sensing sincerity in his voice, you decide to tentatively prod a little. “May I please know more about the case itself?”

He takes in a breath before continuing, gaze dropping to the floor briefly. “It is so mountainous that I am unsure where to begin. I can, however, tell you that you must be protected in order to not disturb the crime scene or convene with any third parties.”

You try to still your hands as you reach for your teacup, hardly satiated by his answer. Ruling out neither being a suspect or being a witness, it was so vague and meaningless he may as well have not answered you at all.

“I see… I think. Are you unable to divulge any details about the case to me? I- I’m sorry to be rude, it’s just, these three weeks-“ You begin, trailing off at his palm steadily raising. You silence yourself before taking another sip of the tea, willing your eyes to meet his once again as you sit back.

“There is no need for apologies. It is I who should be apologising to you. Many things about the case are strictly confidential. Guilt or innocence do not matter at this stage. Only the necessity of the actions taken.”

Your body slumps in defeat as your mouth asks the question you’ve been dreading. “Will I need to be detained any longer?”

“Yes. Indefinitely, I’m afraid.”

Fists clenching and unclenching in your lap. A sharp intake of your breath. Eyes begin to water. A desperate attempt to hide the tears is made by slouching forward, staring intently at the ground.

“It’s just that I haven’t been permitted to see my family or friends all this time, they’re probably worried about me…”

Neuvillette rises from his seat and comes quickly to your side, placing a hand on your back. You jolt, but Neuvillette does not falter. As it rubs in small circles, strangely comforting, strangely- strangely warm- he says, “Please, do not fret. It may be slightly inconvenient, but there is an alternate arrangement that would give you more freedom, should you desire it.”

Of course you desire it, of course, whatever price, you’d be willing to pay it to make this extended stay in purgatory any less isolating.

“What is it?” You sniffle.

Neuvillette remains silent for almost too long. You swear his hand presses just a little firmer on your back, almost to prevent you from sitting back up.

“An arrest via supervision. My supervision, to be precise. So long as you are by my side, any danger- whether towards you or from you- is suitably negated. Unfortunately, this does mean that you must accompany me to various trials and affairs. Would you find this satisfactory?”

Actually, it almost sounded too good to be true. You found your body relaxing. The Iudex would be looking after you, offering you a privileged view of the inner workings of his life- a topic of much discussion in Fontaine. You’d continue to eat well, you could likely communicate with others freely-

“Yes,” you say, unable to stop yourself. “I just want to be able to see my loved ones again.”

His hand finally leaves your body, leaving a residual warmth. “Very well. You may make the necessary arrangements to see these people after completing the paperwork. And… it is best if you tell them you have taken on new work at the Palais Mermonia in the meantime.”

“Of course,” you say, finally drinking the rest of your tea. “Thank you, Neuvillette.”

When he sits down at his desk, there is an almost imperceptible smile on his face. Is this the unselfish joy of helping the common folk?

“The pleasure is all mine.”

——💙——

Being permanently by Neuvillette’s side could almost be considered pleasant. There is the confinement, the unwarranted surveillance, but there are plenty of amenities alongside those.

He is not much a conversationalist, but he will speak to make your experience more bearable. Your meals come at regular intervals, and there is no shortage of things to do around the Palais Mermonia. Most days. There is, unavoidably, occasional boredom, quelled by walks outside and the arrival of new books and trinkets. He takes you to all of Furina’s plays that you can possibly attend, which you rather appreciate. Backstage, she once brings up that she’s happy Neuvillette now has a personal assistant to lighten his workload. Neuvillette does not disagree, and you nod. Beyond the remnants of her previous facade, Furina is kind and thoughtful, but you often wonder if your presence provides a comfortable buffer between her and Neuvillette. Often she talks only to you as Neuvillette stands there, watching in silence. It does make you wonder though, how despite being the ex-archon of Fontaine, even she is not privy to your situation.

Well, Furina may not be an official anymore, so perhaps there is really no need to know that you are technically Neuvillette’s prisoner rather than his assistant. Still, an accumulation of small things surrounding your circumstances grows, serving to both frighten and puzzle you.

The first is something you can never quite grow desensitised to, and it’s that… come nighttime, Neuvillette seems intent on checking if you are in bed, as if you were a child.

“I must apologise for reminding you, but it is standard practice in many prisons to ensure inmates are actually going to sleep at night.” He had told you one evening, when you tried to present your dismay as jokingly as possible. You personally feel him coming into your room (his guest room) to ensure you are adequately “tucked in” is not comparable, but you refrain from saying this.

You are also not allowed an alarm clock, so he wakes you up as part of his morning routine. The first face you see upon waking, the last face you see before sleeping.

There is also the fact that having constant access to the man in charge of your detainment should be useful in terms of information, but he doesn’t let on to anything at all.

You’re very careful not to upset Neuvillette. You are aware that your situation is a privilege, that the ease of being able to see people outside of him- simply telling him when you will be gone, where you’re going, and when you’ll be back- is a pretty good deal when compared to everyone you know finding out you’re under arrest and having to fill out paperwork to approve any actions.

Still, with every day that passes, your situation grows more nonsensical. There are never any updates on your case, though Neuvillette promises he’ll tell you as soon as he’s able to provide you with information. You continue to be in the presence of the most important authority in the entirety of Fontaine. You feel like you’re freeloading every time you eat, and end up helping Neuvillette with the simplest of tasks in his office to ease this. Your attendance to every trial, witnessing the necessary coldness of Neuvillette’s impartiality, makes the subtle way his face softens upon seeing you all the more obvious. You find yourself imagining him doing everything alone, perhaps with the occasional appearance of Furina, before your detainment. Eating most of his meals alone. Walking out after a particularly challenging trial and talking to only a few Gardes on the way. There is no such person that he approaches and asks, “Shall we depart?”- a formal question that really means Let’s go home. Nobody asks him what he’s thinking about afterwards, and there are no excuses to unwind upon reaching his residence. At the start of your detainment with him, he would comb through files immediately after removing his robes. Now he joins you on the sofa, spring water in hand as he either converses with you or listens to you flick through pages of a novel. And it’s strange to admit, but you’re starting to be able to taste the difference between each nation’s water, a symbol of your proximity to him.

You learn more about him than you thought you’d ever know. The tabloids would pay good money for any of it, but you’ve strangely started to consider him a friend rather than a jailor, and it wouldn’t feel right. Besides, you highly doubt Neuvillette would permit you to exit his supervision just to talk to disreputable reporters. You try your best to make the most of this strange existence, settling into his routine, and becoming part of his life.

One day, a melusine detective skips into his office, files in hand. It’s not one you’re unfamiliar with, having spoken to many of the melusines that enter, leave, and work in the Palais Mermonia.

“Monsieur Neuvillette, we must discuss this case a little further before proceeding.” She explains, brows furrowing, but when she looks up from the case files, you catch her eye.

“Ah, hello Miss (Y/N)! It’s lovely to see you. Monsieur Neuvillette, is Miss (Y/N) allowed to be in the room for this discussion? Or perhaps we should depart? My deepest apologies, Miss (Y/N).”

“I understand if not,” you pipe up, shuffling papers around on a table. “If it’s related to my case, or-“

“You have an active case, Miss (Y/N)?”

You’ve seen melusines forget things many times before, but this one, looks… positively puzzled.

“I… do.” You say tentatively, glancing to Neuvillette.

He looks rather stunned, but it’s only a deduction you could’ve made after weeks of seeing his face and neutral expression.

“Yes, but it has moved past the need for the Marechaussee Phantoms. It is perfectly fine for Miss (Y/N) to stay in the room.”

“Ah, I see! I hope everything resolves quickly, Miss (Y/N).”

“Thank you.” You say quietly.

You start to feel, more overwhelmingly, that there is something deeply wrong.

That night, he approaches your room for his regular checking-in of you. You’re sitting upright in bed, staring into space, thinking of how little you’ve seen of your own home in the past few months, thinking of how much of the world you now consume through a Neuvillette-vetted filter, thinking of how much gratitude you should actually feel about everything- until a gentle knock on the door stirs you.

When you tell him to come in, he wears only his slacks and dress shirt, robe abandoned, and downcast eyes.

“I regret that this is taking so long, (Y/N).”

The rain patters against your window.

You sigh quietly. “… It’s alright. You can’t help it, can you?”

A howl of wind.

“I can’t. I do wish I could.”

Lashes of rain now batter against the glass in quick succession.

“Then there’s no need to apologise.”

He stands in silence, still looking down , and you turn away from him, looking out to the dismal weather. There is such a profound sadness emanating off him that you’d do anything to take his mind off it.

“Hey, is the “hydro dragon, don’t cry” stuff real?”

You expect him to laugh and tell you no.

“Only some of the time . It’s true that I have quite a powerful connection to the waters of Fontaine.”

“What about this time?”

You look back to him, finding that he’s staring blankly ahead and out of the window.

“This time… cannot be helped.”

——💙——

“Thank you. I may just have to take you on as my real assistant when we escape our current circumstances.”

You laugh, trying to hide any sense of unease. The files you had just handed him were merely sorted by date, a task that a child could do. “There’s no need to flatter me. I know you managed perfectly fine before I was around.”

“Did I..?” He mumbles. It’s so unlike him that you do a double take.

“I mean, you sorted everything on your own, right?”

“Most of the time. Perhaps it’s more accurate to assume that I appreciate your company.”

Fighting off the surprise from the sudden compliment, you manage to say, “I appreciate yours too, Neuvillette.”

You’re unable to tell if it’s a lie. He’s more than just company. He’s your entire life, at this point.

But you see the corners of his lips twitch, and the way the sunlight seeps into his office fills the room with warmth. It’s hard not to be touched by a moment like this. It’s harder to refrain from asking about the status of your case. Something inside you, a primal form of fear and unease, steels you in the face of both challenges.

——💙——

Even though Neuvillette may be the Iudex, overseeing all legal proceedings in Fontaine, he seems to hold the nature of your case above you like some metaphysical higher power. Whilst your own autonomy belongs to the court, the Iudex acts based on his principles, and the intangible whisperings of your own proceedings. You are trapped in a state that possesses neither the luxuries of innocence nor the condemnation of guilt. You don’t often dare to proclaim innocence in front of Neuvillette- should you require to, it will be within the Opera Epiclese. In the face of the entire law, defending yourself without any knowledge of what laws have even been broken has an awful pointlessness to it.

You also don’t like bringing your case up because you swear it always rains.

Both you and Neuvillette are aware that every passing day is a test on your patience. It intensified a few weeks ago when he had turned down your request for a trip to Liyue in order to visit a friend.

“There is too much on my schedule for that week. Perhaps the following month, I will have the time to escort you.”

“Why not have someone else escort me? Surely it’s well within your power-“

He drops his pen, standing up, as if to remind you of his authority. “You would be too far away from me. Our agreement clearly states-“

“Our agreement? To protect me? To protect people from me?” You laugh bitterly. “It’s been months of this. Nothing has happened, and from my perspective, nothing has changed behind the scenes. And you’re telling me I can’t have the weekend to visit a friend on her birthday?”

He remains impassive, yet a stress in his voice betrays it. “Anything could happen, (Y/N). I ask you to respect my decision on this, and trust it is within your best interests. I am more than willing to make all the necessary arrangements to send her a gift for the meantime.”

There is nothing else to do but accept defeat. The apologies, the ordering of your favourite foods, the, “I understand you’re upset with me”, and the, “Please know I wouldn’t be doing this without reason”- all serve to put salt in the wound.

With all your free time, it was only natural that you would eventually end up picking up a law book.

You’re allowed to take any book you want so long as you return it to where you found it, but the sudden interest in Fontainian law may be… suspicious. So you slip the heavy law books between novels and case retellings, bringing them to your room where you would be away from his watchful eyes. It takes a while to ascertain the correct volume, but you eventually manage to borrow the one on Fontainian laws of arrest and detainment.

You slot a bookmark about two thirds of the way through the book.

Part Seven: Wrongful Detention.

If he notices, he doesn’t say anything. And he knows you take books often, so one missing volume shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Within the volume, you hoped to find anything that could prove your detainment was unlawful, present this to him, and… hope he agrees?

You could kick up a storm in the Palais Mermonia. Wayward comments about how the Iudex violated the law, that not all citizens of Fontaine are treated impartially. The plan would come into fruition later- for the meantime, you needed to read.

Thumbing through the pages and observing the tiny size of the text, you grimace.

——💙——

“I’m going upstairs to read.”

His gaze follows you from where you hang up your coat to where you shuffle out of your shoes.

This time, there is no, “I see. Enjoy yourself” for you to hum at before leaving the room.

“Have you been particularly immersed in a series as of late? It seems this is now the only activity you do when the workday finishes.”

“Yes,” You respond. “I’m quite into it. I need to see how it ends.”

“I understand. The detective novels of Fontaine can be quite enthralling.” He tells you, with a sense of finality. You were expecting him to ask you what the series was. You were prepared to make something up, but it appears there is no need.

You continue reading the law book, switching it out for a light novel when Neuvillette normally knocks on your door and tells you he’s getting ready to retire for the evening, and if you’d like to join him downstairs for tea. You do, bringing the novel with you so suspicion isn’t aroused.

When you return upstairs, you switch it out once more with the law book, hiding it when Neuvillette arrives to ensure you’re in bed, wait until you hear his own bedroom door close, and then take it out again.

Reading under the dim light of your portable lamp, you must’ve been so engrossed that you hardly noticed him approaching.

“Oh? Pray tell, what has kept you up so late?”

Because suddenly he’s in your doorway, no knocking, and swiftly stepping over to you and your small desk.

“I-“

“Ah, the missing volume. You know, when studying law, it is generally recommended to start from volume one, which I don’t recall you taking.”

Your eyes are frozen to the book in front of you, despite feeling Neuvillette’s imposing presence behind you.

“Part Seven…” He murmurs, a finger tracing the header on the page. He’s completely leaning over you now, and you swear you can feel hot breath tickling the top of your head. “… as I suspected.”

He swiftly closes the book before stepping back from you, telling you to get out of the chair. You’re expecting him to guide you back into bed, tell you he’ll deal with you in the morning, but he doesn’t. With a hand placed on the small of your back, he guides you out of the room, down the hallway, and down the stairs. He motions for you to sit on the sofa before he busies himself in the kitchen with making tea.

When the tea is placed in front of you, you look up. There is no anger in his eyes like you thought there would be. There is only a forlorn expression that portrays deep loneliness.

“I know I owe you an explanation.” He says, sitting down beside you. You can hardly stand to look him, but see his face turned towards you in your peripheral vision.

His arms are wrapped around you before you can stop him, and you’re hauled into his lap in a swift motion, much to your dismay. “Please relax,” he murmurs. “I won’t hurt you.”

And you stop struggling, if only out of fear, the implication that he could hurt you if he desperately wanted to. You feel his face bury itself in the crook of your neck, an intimacy so foreign that your body jolts involuntarily.

“I have failed you greatly,” He mutters into your neck, “Centuries of impartiality, and…”

His arms tighten around you, squeezing you like he’s afraid you’ll slip out and seep through the floorboards.

“One person, one person to myself… all I ask… one person I would not turn my back on for the sake of my principles, I… I am deeply sorry you had to be the unlucky individual, (Y/N).”

There is nowhere for you to run, unable to move, locked in his arms. So instead, you speak.

“From the top, we can fix this,” You whisper, knowing he’s paying earnest attention to every word. “I wouldn’t tell anyone if you let me go.”

And what good would it do anyway?

He inhales sharply, giving you another squeeze. “I cannot do that. But what can I do? Countless nights have been spent lying awake, trying to orchestrate a true, unselfish reason for you to remain by my side,”

You continue listening, not daring to speak a word through his shaking breaths.

“When the desire first arose, I thought it better to hold you between judgement and ambivalence. It went on for too long. I see that now.”

The rain outside is more intense than you’ve ever seen it. A gust of wind seems to rush through his residence, and a door slams. Desperation. It is as if the storm wishes to claw at the doors, to be let in, to wreak havoc.

“Was there ever a case?” You breathe.

“Yes. You were being framed for a theft, but it was such a baseless lie that bringing you to court would have been unnecessary. It was over before you were detained at the Palais Mermonia.”

You clench your fists so tightly that you can feel nails digging into your palms. “Why me?”

He sighs like the whole world is collapsing onto his shoulders.

“There was a certain power in keeping you prisoner. I indulged this idea, of a person that wouldn’t need to be judged, constantly in the throes of the law. Neither innocent nor guilty. I was so lonely, (Y/N). I wanted to be able to share feelings with someone. I originally brought you to the Palais Mermonia to apologise formally but the more I observed… the more I yearned for something I could not otherwise have.”

You let yourself be cradled by him, let him slowly rock you as if you’re the one in emotional turmoil. In truth, you are betrayed- and painfully bitter about it- and perhaps angry at everything, perhaps scared, but Neuvillette is the least composed you have ever seen him. Time enters becomes a trickling sludge as his grip on you loosens just enough to allow movement, and you sip tea that’s already starting to go cold.

“I can’t ask for forgiveness. But please, please stay.”

“I can’t be a prisoner forever.” You admit, hanging your head.

Because in spite of everything, all the wrongs, there is a sense of pity. A hand of yours has been involuntarily plunged deep into his heart, and now that your fingers are wrapped around the glass core, you’re afraid it may shatter. Gently, you will let him down gently, and you will be free.

“You’ve always been more than a prisoner. Promise yourself to me. Marry me. Please, don’t let me rot like this forever. I beg you.”

“M-Marry you?” You sputter.

“I know those proceedings are of great significance to humans, so perhaps for the meantime you could accept engagement. The timing of our mating doesn’t matter.”

You attempt to shuffle off his lap, but he doesn’t loosen his grip. Time for a new strategy.

“Neuvillette… I’m flattered, but you know, I’m very much mortal-“

“An easily solved problem if you choose to become my mate.”

“- well, still-“

“Could you indulge me? Please, could you lend me the honour of experiencing union and understanding, even if merely once?”

His hand slides down to your thigh, not groping, not provocatively slipping upwards, but resting, slightly trembling.

As you manage to swivel around, and stare into his draconic eyes, you find yourself faced with centuries of near-imperceptible pain. His gaze doesn’t waver. You could drown in it.

Swimmers caught in rip currents shouldn’t waste their energy swimming against them. Rather, they should allow the current to take them so they can find a safe route back to shore.

You stop swimming against the current. An act of submission to the natural world. Finally, a whisper, barely recognisable as your own voice, speaks for you.

“Alright.”

And he pulls you beneath the surface, gently laying his lips on yours, slow, sweet, and soft.

——💙——

You follow him upstairs. He had offered to carry you, but you’d declined. You don’t think he takes offence, he only nods, coaxing you up every step like he fears one wrong move will send you fleeing.

He holds the door to his bedroom open for you. “Come in, now. Make yourself comfortable.”

You take a tentative seat on the side of his bed, watching as he unbuttons his shirt- most likely an old one, a few tears clumsily sewn up along a sleeve- and when he approaches you, undoubtedly catching how your eyes rake over his chest, his hands pause at the top of your silken pyjamas.

“May I?”

When you nod, it only takes a split second for his two hands to greedily yank the edges, sending every last button flying across the room. You gasp, nearly raising your arms to cover yourself but are beat by Neuvillette’s large but slender hands suddenly kneading at your breasts. Thumbs carefully circling around the buds, then pinching, squeezing, twisting. His hands find themselves under your arms, forcing you back onto the bed- you swear your body is practically lifted at some point, all of the strength he tends to keep subdued now on full display. Loose strands of his hair tickle your face as he leans down to kiss you, a far cry from the previous one. This is a kiss borne of starvation and avarice. He’s so warm against you, you can smell a light cologne, something resembling scented woods and the sea.

“We should get these off, too.” He says, not waiting for any input before two fingers hook the elastic of your pyjama bottoms and pull down. He guides them off your thighs, letting you wriggle out of them and discard them on the bedroom floor with a weak kick until you lie fully naked beneath him. He clambers off you for a moment, merely observing your form on his bedsheets as he kneels by your side. It’s hard not to admire his beautifully sculpted body, shining in the pale moonlight. His hands guide your legs open as he repositions himself and bows down ever closer to your core, where an embarrassing amount of heat has started to build. He’s between your legs, kissing all the way up your thigh as if it were you that was the deity, sucking and biting harder the closer he comes to your slit. His hand gropes your opposite thigh to balance himself, and his face pauses- so close you feel his breath fanning over your pussy, long enough for you to raise your head and see him staring right at you with draconic pupils blown wide.

“Now, please, allow me to prove my devotion.”

That’s when a finger prods at your entrance, slipping in all too easily, lips locking around your clit and sucking tenderly. Sensing the lack of resistance, another finger joins the first, curling slightly as you jolt upwards. The breath is knocked out of your lungs, something shameful and neglected coiling tighter at your core, growing stronger as his tongue flicks at you and fingers curl.

“Neuvillette!” You gasp. His intensity bears so much contrast to the usually composed man you see in front of you. Now, between your legs, he laps at you like a man possessed.

With two fingers continuing to pump against your clenching walls, his tongue continues to work at your clit, applying pressure in all right places. He’s exploring your body, fingers wavering, changing angles, figuring out what makes you jolt, what makes you whine, and best of all, what prompts you to whisper his name like a prayer. When his pace slows and his fingers are hardly moving inside of you, you beg so sweetly for him- little “Neuvillette”s and “Please, please”s- , and he delivers. You’d never have expected him to tease so much.

It’s really just that he’s doing anything to make you speak for him. Every whimper is an admission of guilt, you do want this, you want him, and it is beyond plausible deniability. That’s why he slows. That’s why he pauses. He needs to hear you say it for him. You deduce this fairly quickly, and embarrassingly, give in to every silent demand.

When his pressure loosens, when the fingers finally slip out, you twitch, crying out his name so he can finish you off.

“Patience, dear. You’ll be taken care of soon.”

He removes himself and you shuffle around on the bed, sitting up briefly, swinging your legs over the edge of the bed and resisting the temptation to finish the job yourself. He takes a handkerchief from his nightstand to wipe himself off, ever the meticulous one, refusing to look away. His gaze pins you in place, prevents a hand from slipping down to your neglected pussy. It’s only in full of view of you that he finally fully strips himself, hardly letting you get an eyeful of his shaft before he’s pushing your chest backwards, eyes full of adoration and slipping his warm hands under your thighs, moving your legs into the air, bent at the knee. His lips press down on yours so fondly as the head of his cock prods against you.

“Lift your head for me, beloved.”

And you obey as reaches over you, tip clumsily bumping against your slit. A pillow is placed beneath your head, feather stuffed, angling you perfectly to stare into his eyes.

He wants you to look at him.

“Perfect.” He breathes, positioning himself to slide into your cunt, a hand ghosting over your own and intertwining fingers.

Neuvillette moves so slowly, almost as if he’e being careful not to break you. You feel every inch of him sink into you, one by one. You close your eyes, fluttering them open every few seconds as he moves leisurely. His own gaze refuses to deviate from you, and a thumb strokes your cheek.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have this forever?” His voice rumbles. “Have each other… forever?”

You open your mouth to respond- that’s not what we agreed to, that’s not-

But he bottoms out, pushing against you, and all you can manage is a wanton moan as you throw your head back.

In the back of your mind, you know Neuvillette is far too scrupulous to allow you to part from him after this. This is all of him, in front of you, and every inch buried inside of you. This is more than a taste of union.

He starts rocking in and out of you at a steady pace, feeling your walls clench around him. You swear you hear a growl rise from his throat, and a hand slowly starts to palm at your clit. You can feel Neuvillette’s every breath shudder through his body, every human constriction forced on his form. You can feel how he tries to control himself and move with grace, but also how his fingers simultaneously start to rub more frantically at you. Every sensation across your body is all him, all Neuvillette, a presence so overwhelming you can barely think of anything else. As you come closer to the edge, you sink into this feeling. No longer caring and with all shame abandoned, you call for him desperately, the only person that can possibly give you what you need.

And he does.

With his cock hammering in and out of you, hitting that spot that makes your toes curl and fists tighten around bedsheets, alongside his fingers rubbing against your most sensitive area, you cum so hard you see stars. You moan out his name one final time, spasming around his length as your eyes roll to the ceiling. Neuvillette continues to indulge himself within you, letting you ride out your orgasm with his persistent thrusts. He quickens, almost bordering on overstimulating you, but eventually pulls out, streaking white across your chest as he leans down and steals one final kiss. Forceful and desperate, he kisses like it’s his last chance to prove his love for you.

Perhaps it is. You feel him mutter something against your lips.

I love you.

Your stomach turns as the reality of the situation comes crashing down.

Trembling slightly and stepping back, the first question from his lips is, “Are you alright?”

It takes a short delay before you force yourself to meet his eyes, now donning an expression of concern. “Mm, yeah, just let me-“

You start to rise but Neuvillette shakes his head. “Please, let me wipe you off first.”

You end up staring blankly at the ceiling as he runs a handkerchief over you, swiping gently at your skin.

“I shall prepare a bath for us. Wait here. Relax.”

That’s the last you remember before he leaves the room. Alone with your thoughts, nothing seems to make sense. You take in all four corners of the ceiling and don’t do much else. It’s as if you’re temporarily suspended in a dreamlike state until Neuvillette reenters the room. He scoops you up from the bed and cradles you against his chest as you make your way to the bathroom. You think he presses a kiss or two against your forehead. You’re not sure. Half your body is cold, half of it is pressed against him, and you shiver in his arms. The floor beneath you moves faster.

That’s how you end up beside him in the bathtub as his hands run across your body. He doesn’t say anything to you, but the tender kisses pressed along your jawline speak for themselves.

Tonight, you will sleep in his bed. Tomorrow, you will wake up entangled in his limbs. You are to be cherished. You are to be taken care of. Nothing will change in the eyes of the public, at least not for now. But he will now have every last part of you.

You wished you had proclaimed your innocence sooner. You wish you had fought him. You could have argued that you are no less guilty than any other citizen of Fontaine, and should be treated as such. At least, if nothing else, you should’ve made a demand for fairness.

But that is how the guilty speak.

——💙——

fin. with love from yumecel. happy birthday neuvillette!! i love you!

[kitchenisking]

December Fic Rec

the ruined surprise by EvanesDust - (Rating: G, Words: 1,500, sterek)

..the one where Derek ruined Stiles's plans of breakfast in bed.

Wrong Number by greenleaf - (Rating: T, Words: 9,833, sterek)

Even wrong numbers can get it right sometimes.

...Or one where Stiles dials the wrong number and keeps forgetting to change it, while Derek ends up going along for the ride and sees Stiles four times before Stiles meets him.

i want to say all those things that would be better unsaid by aeneapsych - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 24,552, sterek)

Derek is a lonely professor who decides to call a phone sex line.

Stiles is a poor grad student who needs to make a living somehow.

"One night stands were never this good. Hell, his previous relationships were never this good. Derek was so screwed, but right now he didn't care."

Through Your Eyes by Sagasimon  - (Rating: Not Rated, Words: 1,850, sterek)

Derek has a bad day and then there's this weird guy chatting him up on the street... He's kinda cute so Derek thinks "Why not?"

Waking Up Alone by justanotherbusyfangirl - (Rating: Mature, Words: 734, sterek)

Derek woke slowly, reaching across the sheets to find - Nothing. He frowned, opening his eyes to look at the empty space in bed next to him. The sheets were still rumpled, a divot in the pillow, but there was no one there. He rolled into the empty space, face planting into the pillow and inhaling deeply. The pillow still smelled like Stiles.

With the City Below by frek, sova  - (Rating: T, Words: 2,062, sterek)

Okay so maybe it's a post case celebration. It's the first case Derek let Stiles take the lead on and he had won and Derek couldn't be more proud. (Suits inspired lawyer AU)

What It Means To Stay by alocalband - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 7,611, sterek)

Derek's kid thinks that this Stiles person at daycare is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Derek eventually has to concede that his daughter may have a point.

The Walls Are Breathing In by secondstar - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 41,879, sterek)

Nothing could go wrong. It was just supposed to be a safe trip to the Nemeton. But this is Beacon Hills and things are rarely that simple. Welcome to the life of Stiles Stilinski. 

Or, that time that Stiles accidentally became a sorcerer against his will.

Is that knot a thing? by lizlybear - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 3,664, sterek)

Stiles is curious about knotting and tries to satisfy that curiosity but Derek interrupts him.

The Descendant by alikatastic - (Rating: T, Words: 1,800, sterek)

Stiles had never much thought of the afterlife. Never putting much stock into it. His mother died when he was a child, filling him with doubt about any god. So, when he died, Stiles honestly expected it to all go black. He didn’t expect to wake up and meet his ancestor or have a second chance.