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hgfictionwriter · 3 days ago

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First Impressions: Part two

Jessie Fleming x Reader

Summary: Okay, so maybe Jessie isn't as shallow or one-dimensional as you thought. You decided to give her a chance, but first impressions and long-standing reputations can be hard to simply forget about. Can you let your insecurities go and can she prove that she's serious about you?

Warnings: Smut. Edging. Cunnilingus. Fingering. Language.

A/N: Part two! The rehabilitation of Player Jessie lol. It's a bit long, but there is smut, I swear.

“Hey Beautiful. How’s your day going?”

You glanced up from your phone and bit back a smile. You idly glanced around the library, clearing your throat before resettling on your phone and typing out a reply.

“Texting me when you’re on the road? You must be bored.”

“Day’s going well. Just at the library right now.”

“What? Without me?! I feel betrayed jk”

“I’m not bored. Just missing my study buddy turned…girlfriend?”

Your posture straightened and your eyes narrowed as you read her message.

“Is that your way of asking me to be your girlfriend?”

"Yeah?"

"Lol why the question mark! You're either asking me out or you're not."

"I am."

"Wow."

"What?! What was wrong with that? Lol. I thought it was smooth."

"Your inexperience is showing, Fleming."

“Well that’s a first.”

You rolled your eyes. When you glanced back down you saw she was typing.

“You said you didn’t want casual. And we've had some great dates. And I don't want to seem too over-confident, but I think I've coaxed you along from tolerating me to perhaps even enjoying my company. Periodically lol. So, I’m just following through.”

You bit your lip and your cheeks ached from holding back a full blown smile. Your head buzzed as you reread her message.

If there was a theme in your dynamic, it was that you had to give a hard time. Even in this situation.

"Enjoying your company? Let's not get carried away, now. I mean, just because we text all day, have hot make-out sessions, say sweet, romantic things to each other and it took us an hour and a half to say 'goodnight' yesterday, doesn't mean anything. So presumptuous of you."

"Ugh. You're right. I've misread the signs. My bad."

"But seriously - you haven't answered. And I'm actually getting nervous. Come on, Y/L/N. You'll either be my girlfriend or you won't 😛"

You smirked. You appreciated how easily you two bantered and this was no exception.

A few weeks had passed since that night in the hallway. Things escalated quickly, honestly. Suddenly there was this emotional intimacy that was rapidly evolving between you two and it just felt so natural. And Jessie, despite everything you would've originally expected, had been sweet, authentic, and steady.

The opportunity to step away and stop yourself from catching feelings was long over. Dangerous territory? You were in the thick of it. If you were going to turn back, now was the time.

"Yes. I'll be your girlfriend."

"That just 1000% made my day. My week. Month. More!"

You rubbed your face in elated disbelief and typed out a reply.

"Well. If you keep it up, my feelings for you might progress from tolerating, to enjoying to...who knows."

"Shit. I honest to God want to turn around and come back. And I never want to miss camps."

"I seriously miss you."

Giddy. You felt fucking giddy and you couldn't believe it.

"I miss you too. Which is fucking crazy since I saw you less than 24 hours ago."

"Tell me about it lol."

"I'll be here when you get back."

“Better be lol. And until then. Don’t let some other nerdy athlete charm you.”

You audibly laughed, cutting it short as it sounded through the quiet space.

“Yeah. And you keep your little fan club at bay while you’re away, okay?”

“Easy. I’ll text you after we're done for the day, okay? Happy studying!”

You couldn’t believe what was going on. It was so unexpected that you still had to remind yourself of the events that took place to get here. It was the only way to reconcile the fact that you were sitting here texting with Jessie Fleming. Flirting with Jessie Fleming. Dating Jessie Fleming. Someone who was Bad News; the type to break your heart and leave you longing.

Yet, someone who you - maybe - had all wrong.

Someone you, in fact, very much, were swooning over.

-------

You were reading the slide on screen and listening to the professor when suddenly Jessie nudged you with her elbow.

She had her eyes trained forward but shifted her laptop, angling it towards you. A smirk began to tug at the corner of her mouth and she gave you a brief, cursory glance. You looked down at her screen to see she'd selected some text in her notes.

"You look amazing. Stop distracting me."

You nearly blew a raspberry, managing to suppress it into a vague scoff. You rolled your eyes as you faced forward once more, but felt a blush burning on your cheeks. You glanced back at her to see her smiling widely at you now. She returned her attention to her laptop and typed out a new sentence.

"You know you're beautiful. You don't need to be shy about it."

You shook your head affectionately and typed out a reply before turning your screen slightly towards her. Your posture stiffened as she placed a hand on the edge of your seat to lean in to read.

"You're out of control. And who's distracting who here, huh? lol"

She retracted her hand to start typing and you missed it immediately. When she was done typing you leaned over, placing a hand directly on her thigh as you read the message.

"You are distracting me. You = distracting and gorgeous."

You silently snickered with another shake of your head.

"Omfg. You're ridiculous."

She glanced down at your hand purposefully.

"Especially now."

You gave her a look somewhere between chiding and teasing. She shot you another smirk and typed further.

"Don't get me wrong. I like it."

"Care to go on a little adventure with me after class?"

You weren't going to say 'no'. She knew it. You knew it. And sure enough, after class she led you by the hand to another building across campus until you were in an abandoned stairwell. You assumed you were going to continue on elsewhere, but learned otherwise when she gently pushed you against the wall with a charming smile and a slow kiss.

You giggled into the kiss as you wrapped your arms around the back of her shoulders.

"You take me to the nicest places," you teased.

"Both our roommates are in, so privacy is a tough commodity to come by," she replied with a chuckle as she began to kiss her way down your neck. It took every effort not to gasp. "You look gorgeous all the time, but I especially love when you wear your hair up. I couldn't stop staring at your neck - all I could think about was kissing it."

Goosebumps erupted across your skin as her warm breath caressed you, her lips explored and you could feel just the slightest, teasing touch of her tongue on your neck.

While the emotional barriers you'd tried to put up had proven entirely fruitless and ineffective, you'd done a much better job of withholding physical boundaries.

Given your concerns going into this relationship, you'd told yourself that you wanted to very strongly establish an emotional foundation with Jessie before being physically intimate. So even though you would've probably already slept with someone by this point, and Jessie most certainly would've too, you'd never allowed the two of you to go further than a heavy and hot make-out session.

You wanted her to work for it. To earn it. And to your surprise, she didn't seem deterred in the least. She'd been respectful and patient. Well, mostly patient. You knew she was raring to go, but any time you pumped the brakes she backed off.

Your hands were running through her hair and you two were - consciously or not - rocking your hips against one another's as she kissed and lightly sucked on your neck and her hands began to inch under your top. Your core was throbbing with need already.

"What if someone comes by?" You managed to say, eyes falling shut at the sensations she was sending through your body.

"No one ever comes here. Don't worry," she responded easily.

Your eyes fluttered opened, a frown slowly forming across your forehead. The lightness and excitement that had been coursing through your veins a moment before was immediately replaced with a heavy pit in your stomach.

You pulled back, slowly dropping your hands away from her head to her waist and pushing gently. She extended her neck, working to keep her lips in contact with your neck before eventually relenting with a confused look and allowing herself to be pushed back.

"I should probably go," you said, tone admittedly a bit flat as you failed to hold eye contact with her while you smoothed out your clothes.

"Wh-huh?" She asked, blatantly puzzled by your change in demeanor. "What's wrong?"

You shook your head subtly and began to walk away. You were deeply tempted to not reply at all or to just deflect, but instead you replied with, "Look. I'm not going to be just some other girl you fuck in a stairwell between classes, okay?"

You had your back to her and were pushing the door open so you missed whatever physical reaction she had, but her perturbed, "Are you serious right now?" rang loud in your ears.

You continued to walk outside, her footsteps close behind you and you turned around folding your arms against yourself.

"Yeah. I am," you told her almost wearily. You could see the frustration on her face and she laughed in disbelief.

"What," you challenged. "Are you going to tell me you haven't brought other girls here? Made out with them there? Fucked them even?"

Despite her irritation, she averted her gaze, scoffing lightly and eventually offering an exaggerated shrug.

"And if I did?"

You shook your head, turning away slightly with a huff. She gave an empty laugh.

"Would you rather I lie? 'No, baby, you're the only one ever!'" She finished mockingly.

"What the fuck, Jess," you retorted, voice rising slightly as you narrowed your eyes at her. "You don't need to be an asshole about it." Your face felt hot with anger, but suddenly it shifted and you knew if you weren't careful you were going to start crying. "I just don't want to be treated the same as all the others." You scowled, pushing back further emotion, "If what you say is true and things are different with me."

She exhaled heavily, dropping her gaze and stretching out her fingers and opening her palms as a way to calm herself. She took a breath and lifted her head to meet your eyes once more, still speaking tersely, but calmer than you'd been.

"That's why I'm frustrated," she said. "You are very different and I feel very different about you. For you. And I do treat you differently! Do you think I was texting those girls all day? Telling them I miss them. Planning dates. Telling them all my hopes and fears; asking them about theirs? Bringing them to hang out with my friends? And I sure as shit didn't ask them to be my girlfriend."

A wave of guilt rushed over you. Okay, maybe you were still making a sweeping generalization, but you still felt the way you did.

"I'm sorry," you relented slightly, but went on. "I see what you're saying. And I'm trying. But I still can't help it sometimes. I-I don't know. I know you're not who I originally thought you were. But I guess a part of me is still scared. I," you paused, words getting caught in your throat, "I really like you, Jess. And - moments like this make me terrified that I'm just going to get left behind like one of your other girls."

Jessie sighed quietly, dropping her gaze once more as she kicked distractedly at the sidewalk. When she looked back up her eyes were sad, but you could still see the warmth behind them.

"I don't know what to do," she said helplessly. "I can't change the past. I want you to feel confident in us. In me. But I can't undo anything from before. I'm trying to be clear and direct about how important you are to me. I really like you too, and I just wish I knew how to get you to trust me."

You exhaled, your own frustration at your feelings seeping in. "It's not that I don't trust you. I mean, I guess that's hard to believe, but that's really not what's going on," you insisted. "And I understand that you can't change anything from the past. And you shouldn't have to. That's just something I need to get over. It's really just...I don't want to be the same as the other girls."

She watched you quietly as she contemplated. She took a couple of steps towards you, closing the gap and tentatively taking your hands in hers.

"I promise you you're not. And I understand that my reputation has made trust a bit more difficult. But, I really, really need you to know that this - and you - are special to me." She nodded as she continued. "You're right - I probably shouldn't have brought you to the same spot I brought other girls. Especially given," she looked away briefly, "what I'd do with them there. I can see now that was not the wisest. I really wasn't thinking that way - I just wanted to be alone with you and knew we could be there."

You sighed softly and removed your hands from hers to wrap them around her back, pulling her into a hug. She squeezed you tightly and kissed the side of your head.

"Thank you. I know you didn't mean anything negative. I just...I got in my head. But, yeah, if you can try to be more mindful of things like that, I'll work on not reacting so impulsively."

"Deal," she chuckled. She pulled back enough for you to see the way she cocked an eyebrow at you playfully. You weren't sure where she was going with this, but you were grateful for the sudden levity and the forgiveness it implied. "And for the record, it's not just all sunshine and rainbows on my end either, you know." She smirked at you and continued.

"Despite my bravado, there's a certain level of insecurity that comes with having the history I do and now meeting this incredible woman and wanting something serious and long-term with her. A no-strings-attached lifestyle is easy breezy - you don't get invested and you don't get hurt. But with you? I don't want to disappoint you. And you can definitely hurt me. I'm not used to that."

You searched her face as she finished speaking and warmth radiated throughout your chest. You kissed her and another wave of affection rushed through you as she squeezed you securely against her.

"I didn't mean to disrespect you at all. I'm really sorry," she said quietly as your kiss ended and she tucked her head against yours.

You pulled back to look at her. Her dark eyes were soft and shimmering and you laid a single kiss on her lips.

"Come with me," you said as you took her by the hand and led her back to the stairwell. You bit back a laugh at the curious smirk on her face as she allowed you to maneuver her against the wall. You smiled as her eyes slowly fell shut as you leaned in to kiss her.

"Guess this means you aren't too mad at me?" She muttered jokingly into the kiss. A crooked grin crossed your lips as you gently grasped her chin and had her meet your gaze.

"You're forgiven," you said with teasing benevolence before arching an eyebrow. "But don't push your luck." She chuckled and shook her head with a smile.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

You grinned as you engaged her a deep, slow kiss, this time your hands sneaking under her shirt and splaying out across her abs. A spark of satisfaction flared and you had to hold back a fuller smile as you felt her breath hitch and the faintest moan escaped her throat.

"I like you so much," you whispered as you began to trail kisses down her neck, noting the way her fingers dug into your waist.

"I like you a lot too," she said with a breathy laugh. You fought back a grin as you pressed your thigh between hers and ground up into her.

"Oh shit," she said, still breathless, another laugh in awe. You got the impression the tables weren't typically turned on her like this. You continued, your hand now toying with the button on her pants. She let out another soft moan. "Fuck, you're getting me so hot."

You smiled smugly as you nipped at her neck.

"Good," you said simply as you pulled back entirely, breaking off all contact and loving how her hands stretched out to follow you and only falling away as you stepped out of reach.

You saw the tiniest, cutest frown form across her forehead as her eyes fluttered open in confusion.

"Call me later?" You asked sweetly with a flirtatious shrug, already turning on your heel and heading for the door.

"Wait, what?" She called after you, her confusion evident in her voice.

You stepped through the door, but turned back to give her an innocent smile. She stared after you like a lost puppy. "We're even now. Call me later, baby."

She belatedly opened her mouth to speak, but you simply blew her a kiss and let the door fall shut.

And call you she did. In fact, when you woke up the next morning you had a text from her in the middle of the night.

"I can't even sleep because I'm still thinking about the stairwell. Nobody's ever made me feel like this. I feel like I'm drunk on you lol. I know that's stupid. But. I can't stop thinking about you."

-----------

You slung your bag over your shoulder and scrolled through your phone as you began to exit your class. You walked head down into the masses of students until someone brushed against your arm and fell into step with you.

"How was class?"

You frowned, puzzled momentarily until your brain caught up and a smile crossed your face at who it was.

"Well hello," you greeted as you gently pushed your shoulder into her, jostling her.

"Hey baby," she greeted with a winning smile as she held out a coffee for you.

"Now this is service," you teased as you took it.

"Only the best for my girl," she said with a wink.

"Is your class cancelled or something?" You asked, knowing her next class was in an entirely different building across campus.

"No, but my last one got out early. Thought I'd surprise you with a coffee," she said, obviously very pleased with herself.

"You're the sweetest," you said as you leaned over mid-step to kiss her cheek. She smiled.

"Don't tell anyone."

You rolled your eyes fondly. "Yeah, everyone thinks you're such a jerk."

"You did," she quipped.

"I didn't think you were a jerk," you responded haughtily. "Just a thoughtless womanizer," you chuckled.

"Oh, well thank you for clarifying," she replied dryly with an eye roll of her own as she laced her fingers with yours. "Well now that you know I'm not a total deviant, want to come out for drinks tonight? Mia's back so we're all getting together."

"Sure," you responded lightly as you gave her hand a squeeze.

"Okay, great," she said before leaning over and kissing your cheek before stepping away, walking backwards towards another hall. "See you tonight." She gave you another wink. "Don't miss me too much until then."

That evening you were in a crowded dorm room, solo cup in hand, the bass of some song underlining conversations throughout the space. Mia stood across from you.

"Glad I got a chance to chat with you more. I knew I had to get to know you better because you have got our girl swooning," she teased with a smirk.

"Oh my gosh, not at all," you dismissed though you averted your gaze and felt a blush coming on. Mia laughed heartily and cocked an eyebrow.

"No, no. I've never seen Jess like this before. She used to make fun of other girls for being all lovesick, but now she's even worse than them. Though don't tell her that," she laughed, "she thinks she's being all nonchalant and cool about it."

Your head buzzed with excitement over Mia's words. The extra validation cemented your growing confidence in how significant this connection really was to Jessie. You couldn't help but direct your gaze away from Mia in search of the girl in question. You caught her eye across the room and flashed a smile with a quick wink. You watched as she excused herself from her conversation and began to weave through the crowd.

"Hey, you good?" She asked quietly as she approached, laying a hand on your arm as she kissed your temple. You gave her a quiet smile, holding her gaze.

"Yeah, I'm good."

You didn't think you held her eye contact that long, but your attention and Jessie's was drawn towards Mia as she laughed. She shook her head in amusement.

"Okay, later lovebirds," she deadpanned as she held up her drink in a 'cheers' and walked away.

"I trust Mia was treating you well?" Jessie asked as her eyes followed Mia momentarily while chuckling.

"Of course," you replied with a cheeky grin. "She took great care of me."

"Hopefully not too great," she teased. Your jaw dropped, scandalized though you laughed.

"You're not serious. You. Jessie Fleming. Get jealous?" You asked, eyes bright with amusement as you felt a fluttering in your stomach.

Jessie made a face and laughed, though you could easily see the way her cheeks grew flush. She eventually shrugged.

"Hey, what can I say? I know my teammates are awesome and you're an incredible girl, you can have your pick."

You rolled your eyes. "You're being silly," you said as you gave her an affectionate smile. She held up her hands with charming smirk.

"Just saying. I'm not taking what we have for granted. You don't have to pick me."

You 'tsked' her, arms folded. "Well. I do," you replied, shoulder back and head held high. "So you can relax."

Jessie leaned in, placing a hand on your waist as she kissed your cheek. Her breath tickled your skin. "Well, consider me beyond pleased."

You held her gaze again. Suddenly, there were too many people around. You were overwhelmed with a need to be close to her. Alone with her.

"How's your night going?" You asked, spurring a curious frown from her.

"Fine? Good?" She answered with a soft laugh. "Yours?"

You shrugged lightly. "Nice." You cocked your head as you glanced away purposefully. "Could be better."

"Oh?" She asked. "How so?

You reached out and smoothed out the shoulder of her shirt before playing with the collar.

"It's just starting to feel a little crowded in here," you said with flippant lament. You sighed quietly, but in exaggeration as she processed your words. She cracked a smile.

"Yeah? Is that so?" She asked, chin tilting up slightly as she studied you. She glanced towards the door. "I mean, we could always go."

"Oh I wouldn't want to force you to leave," you relayed sweetly and she gave you a wicked grin.

"Yeah, you're really forcing my hand here," she said flatly. You looked her up and down with a smirk of your own.

"I can find some other things for your hand to do."

Her eyes grew wide for a moment and her mouth fell open at your brazen comment. She eventually closed her mouth, now giving you a less than subtle once over.

"It's not nice to tease," she warned.

"Who's teasing?" You asked innocently while locking eyes with her.

She puffed her cheeks out in an exhale, gaze flitting across the room with an appreciative shake of her head that left you holding back a smug smile. She reached out to lace her fingers with yours, her thumb teasing the palm of your hand.

"Well, are you going to let me take you home or what?" She whispered. You raised both eyebrows at her and clicked your tongue.

"I believe you'll be coming home with me," you retorted playfully. "If anyone's going to be burdened with the walk of shame, it's going to be you." You shrugged. "This time anyway."

She laughed, loud enough that it even attracted the attention of couple of people in adjacent conversations. She sniffed with a residual chuckle and nodded. "Sure. I'll shoulder that responsibility."

On the walk to your building she asked if you should stop at her room to grab, any, you know, supplies. You didn't break your pace at all and simply responded with, "No. I want you now."

She grinned like a Cheshire cat, placing a hand on the small of your back and increased her strides, pulling you along too. "Well then let's not waste any more time."

You'd texted your roommate on the way back and was grateful to see she'd vacated the premises by the time you stepped inside. You'd given her space many times, so it was her turn to return the favour.

You'd barely closed the door when a lighthearted yelp escaped your throat as Jessie spun you around and lifted you off the ground, pressing your back against the door. Her lips immediately latched onto your neck as your arms and legs wrapped around her.

"Fuck, you have no idea how much I've wanted you," she breathed into your neck as she nipped and sucked at the skin there harder than she'd ever done before and it immediately had your core pulsing.

Something between a gasp and a moan left your mouth as you ran one hand through her hair, pressing her mouth further against your neck and she moaned into you while digging her fingers harder into the underside of your thighs.

Both of you were too hungry to take your time, so it wasn't long before she carried you to the bed, lips still locked as she laid you down.

Your hands were under her shirt and she chuckled as she sat up and took it off, tossing it carelessly to the floor.

"Now you," she said with a lustful grin as her hands wandered below your shirt and pushed it upwards. You arched your back off the bed and she reached around to help support you while she peeled your shirt off with her other hand. She was still discarding the garment when she leaned down to begin laying teasing kisses down your chest to your bra. Her hand was on the clasp of your bra and you chuckled as she unclasped it with ease, drawing the straps down off of your shoulders with her teeth.

"Fuck, you're gorgeous," she said in awe as she sat back again to take in your half-naked image in the dim of the room.

A small cry left your lips as she dipped her head back down and drew one of your nipples into her mouth, her teeth grazing as she released it before latching on again and swirling her tongue around the hardened nipple. You set both hands on the back of her head, fingers partially digging into her scalp in appreciation as she attentively explored you.

She switched nipples and her hand caressed up the outside of your thigh and grabbed your ass through your jeans, kneading firmly and hungrily as she moaned into your breast.

You grasped her other hand and guided it between your bodies, your own hand undoing the button of your jeans.

“You’re sure?” She asked, pausing despite your invitation. You rolled your hips up into her waiting hand and continued to guide her.

She took over, unzipping and pushing her hand down towards your core. Her fingers pressed firmly across your folds through the fabric of your underwear. Your jaw fell as her fingers indirectly grazed your clit.

She moaned. "I can already feel how wet you are," she said in wonder and her tone assured you she was more than pleased by this.

She pushed your panties aside, her fingers caressing through your slick folds for the first time and you immediately groaned in pleasure and rolled your hips up into her eager hand.

"You feel so fucking amazing already," she said, head lolling to the side momentarily before she began kissing her way down your torso. You tried not to whine as she removed her hand long enough to remove your jeans.

"You're going to get sick of me telling you how gorgeous you are," she said as she nipped at your underwear, tugging them down teasingly with her teeth. She hooked her fingers into the band but you stopped her temporarily.

"I want your clothes off, too," you told her in a way that left no room for debate. She snickered before pushing herself up off of you and shimmying off her clothes.

"Anything for you," she joked as she returned her attention to you, her lips laying fleeting kisses along the crease between your thighs and core. You heard her chuckle as your legs grew restless, rubbing against the sheets. She reached up and rubbed teasing circles around your nub through your panties.

"Please," you said simply.

"Please what?" She asked innocently and you could hear the smile in her voice before her tongue made contact with your skin, eliciting a gasp out of you.

You writhed beneath her. Even though this was brand new territory for you two, you felt safe expressing yourself.

"I need you," you answered, trusting that it would be well received and not feeling embarrassed or self-conscious in your saying so.

You heard a satisfied grunt from her and you drew your legs back eager to help her remove your panties. You bit your lower lip at the tender kiss she planted on your hip bone.

She began to kiss her way down your mound and although you really just wanted her to fuck you, to feel her fingers inside of you, you figured you'd waited this long, might as well let her set the pace.

Her lips brushed along your folds as she settled herself between your legs and that was enough to send a pulse through your core, but you absolutely throbbed as her fingers dug into the tops of your thighs and she pulled herself closer with an eager moan.

You were honestly contemplating begging her to not tease you any longer when her tongue began to trail up and down between your folds, your back bucking off the bed at the sudden sensations coursing through you.

You heard a muffled laugh from between your legs but before you could protest she began lapping up juices that were surely dripping from your core. Despite your intentions your back arched once more and you gripped the sheets tightly in her hands.

"Don't worry, baby," she said, "I'll take good care of you."

You fleetingly considered scolding her for her bravado, but she flicked her tongue upwards and over your clit before latching onto it with her mouth and sucking in a rhythm that urged your hips to roll up into her face further.

You could feel her smiling into you and she was entirely undeterred by your bucking and moving, confidently and easily keeping her mouth centered on you wherever your body took you.

She sucked, licked, and nipped at you in such a skilled way you'd never experienced before. You'd thought you'd had good sex before; evidently you were wrong.

To top it off, the way she moaned and chased you up the bed with a blatant hunger made you feel wanted and desired in a way you'd never felt before either. The way she devoured you, muffled moans sending pleasurable vibrations through your core, head rocking into you and lapping at you as though you were the most delicious thing she'd had made you feel like she'd never wanted anything more.

And when she reached out and laced her fingers of one hand with yours? Your heart melted.

It was blissful in so many ways.

You hadn't even realized she'd removed her other hand from your thigh when you felt her tease your entrance with a finger. A shuddering moan fell from your lips as she gently dipped a digit inside. You threw your head back into the mattress, back arching all over again as she began slipping a second finger inside, stretching you out deliciously as she continued to flick her tongue across your clit.

Her fingers felt just as good inside of you as you'd imagined and before you knew it she was curling her fingers up against your g-spot. You let out a low moan and your hips began rocking against her with greater fervour. She gave your hand a squeeze and you just held on for dear life, clutching her hand as if it was the only anchor holding you here. You reached down with your free hand and gripped her hair, pulling another pleased noise from her.

The pressure building between your core reached a tipping point. You don't even know how many strokes she'd taken - not many at all - when your cries and whimpers got caught in your throat, mouth drawn into a silent 'o' as your hips began to jerk against her as the tension deep inside of you burst. Your sounds eventually caught up with you as several seconds later you finally mustered a cry as you were already well soaking her face.

She stayed with you the whole time, continuing to help you ride out your orgasm and slowing her motions as you gradually came down.

As you fell back into the bed, your limbs and entire body felt so heavy. It's not like you two had been at it for all that long, but you felt so spent. Even as she began to tenderly kiss her way up your body, you couldn't muster up the energy to caress or hold her. You couldn't even open your eyes.

"You are so incredibly beautiful," she whispered into your ear as she settled herself against you and wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close.

You still couldn't make a noise or embrace her, you simply let her pull you against her.

"You're incredible. And that was so amazing. I-," she paused. "You're so sexy. All of that is going to be engrained in my mind for a long, long time."

You let your head fall to the side and against hers. She chuckled and kissed your forehead and you became aware of how she was gently thumbing your shoulder as she held you.

"Fuck," you eventually said. You heard her hold back a laugh and you finally opened your eyes to look at her. Her eyes were bright and shimmering as she looked down at you. A lazy, crooked smile crossed your lips as you reached up and pushed her face away playfully. "You are way too pleased with yourself right now," you laughed.

"I'm not!" She protested though she laughed. "I'm just- I'm really happy," she eventually said.

"Yeah?" You chuckled as you pulled her closer and she gladly obliged. You tucked your head under her chin. "Well that makes two of us," you laughed and she kissed the top of your head. You sighed contentedly. "Well now I know what all the fuss is about."

Your eyes opened as you felt her stiffen slightly. She shifted, clearing her throat quietly.

"Hey," was all she said, probably meant to be teasing or warning, but sounding sad instead.

You pulled back to look at her. It was true, the bright, warm smile she'd worn was now faint as she looked back at you. You kissed her softly.

"I'm sorry. I thought it was a funny joke. Not appropriate," you said.

"I just want it to be about us," she said quietly as her gaze fell as she drew small, distracted designs on your collarbone with her finger.

"I know," you agreed in the same tone as you placed a hand on hers and caressed the back of it with your thumb. She kissed your cheek. "Me too. I just - you're good. Extraordinarily good. And, well, the fact fleeting crosses my mind that, you know, how do you get so good? Well, practice makes perfect. So..."

Jessie huffed inaudibly, but you felt the air tickle your skin.

"I know we talked about this," you rushed on. "And I'm not upset. Honestly." You chuckled, hoping to lighten things. "I mean, I'm reaping the benefits here." She cracked a faint smirk, but not exactly what you hoped to see. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"It's okay," she relented as she kissed your cheek once more with a soft sigh. "Just as long as you know you're the only one I want."

You nodded, but she must not have been convinced because she carried on.

"Because, if it was anyone else, I would've been down the stairs and out of the building by now. And," she punctuated, "-not that I should say anything- but, I typically don't get undressed. I'm not looking for intimacy or anything like that. But, I want that with you."

You held a hand up to her cheek and ran your thumb softly against her cheekbone.

"And? Do you have that with me?"

She nodded, leaning her head into your palm.

"Yeah. And it's," she trailed off, her gaze falling briefly as she smirked at herself. She looked up at you again. "It's really great."

You held her gaze and inhaled. Your head was swimming with all sorts of thoughts and feelings. A particular set of words sat on the tip of your tongue. She must've noticed.

"What?" She asked with a tender smile. You considered dismissing it, but instead you just gave a gentle shake of your head.

"I'm falling very hard for you, Jessie Fleming."

Her eyes lit up and you watched as she searched yours. In this moment, this woman who was all charm and confidence looked exceedingly vulnerable.

"That's not funny to joke about," she eventually said with a forced smirk and a single, faint laugh.

"Who says I'm joking?" You asked with a soft laugh.

Realization settled in her and she shifted so she was slightly more on top of you.

"Don't joke," she repeated. You held her gaze, laughing quietly again.

"I'm not."

She rolled you fully onto your back again so she was on top of you. Her knee nudged your legs apart and it any other reality you would've been embarrassed at how your core immediately throbbed.

She looked down at you, eyes different than any way you'd seen them before. Darker somehow. But it didn't scare you. It made you want her more.

"You're everything I wanted," she said. "And I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that first day in class." She subtly began to rock against you and your hands began to wander along her back.

"Everybody told me what this was supposed to feel like, but it just never clicked for me before. At all. But," she took a short, stuttered breath as she continued to grind against you and her hand began to travel down your torso. "You have me. You're on my mind all the time. Any time I'm away from you, I'm just reliving past conversations and moment or dreaming up new ones."

She shook her head in mild disbelief. "I've never felt this way," she said as her hand settled between your legs. You were certain there was no way she couldn't feel the heat radiating off of you. And somehow, with every declaration from her you grew wetter and wetter.

"Me neither," you told her. She smiled and ran two fingers through your folds to then tease your entrance - immediately confirming how wet you were - her eyes lit up and her smile turned into a grin.

"You are so gorgeous. And so fucking amazing," she told you in reverie.

Your exhale was unsteady as your center throbbed in want. "Jess," you said; panted even. "I need you."

A sharp gasp escaped you as she slowly sunk two fingers inside of you. Your fingers dug into her skin at how amazing it felt to be filled up by her again. When you opened your eyes once more she was still watching you intently.

"You feel so fucking good," she said, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Mm," she glanced down, slowly drawing her fingers out until they rest at your entrance before pushing in again more swiftly. "So fucking tight."

"Jesus Christ," you said as your hands came to her arms and you clutched them while your head rolled back into the pillow.

"I want you cumming all over my fingers," she told you with quiet assuredness. "Not just tonight. Any and every fucking night you'll let me," she said as she tucked her head down and began to kiss your neck, drawing a shuddering whimper out of you.

"Oh Jess," you moaned as your hips ground into her waiting hand. A shiver ran through you as she breathed against your neck and nipped at you.

"My name sounds so good coming out of your mouth," she praised.

If you had any kind of witty quip, it was immediately extinguished as she began to pump fully and steadily in and out of your hot, wet tunnel. A heady moan worked its way up your throat as she curled her fingers inside of you like earlier, each stroke sending a pulse through you.

You wrapped your legs around her and she began to thrust into you, using her hips to push her fingers deeper and harder into you.

"You look so good underneath me. You're so beautiful," she said as she continued to fuck you and it wasn't long until you could feel your wetness dripping down you and onto the sheets.

You were never overly vocal in bed, especially given the dorm situation and neighbours. But the way her thumb teased your clit and the way her fingers filled you with each stroke, your voice resounded off of the walls of your dorm.

Soon you could feel your core tightening much as it did earlier. You clenched around her fingers as she panted above you. You didn't need to tell her you were close; she fucked you steadily, carrying you over the threshold. Your whole body stiffened, fingers digging sharply into her skin as she groaned in response as you began to convulse around her fingers.

"God, you are so gorgeous cumming in my arms like this," she declared as she continued to pump in and out of you, slowing only when you began to grow slack in her embrace.

"Holy fuck," you eventually panted. She was laying slow, tender kisses along your shoulder as she waited you out.

"Your roommate's not coming back tonight, is she?" She asked.

"No," you said and she cracked a salacious grin.

"Good."

-------

The next morning you awoke. You inadvertently groaned as you shifted. Your body was exhausted. The memories of last night flooded your mind and you glanced over only to see the space next to you unoccupied.

You sat up immediately and your eyes scanned the room for any evidence of Jessie. Her shoes were gone, her clothes. You sat up further as your heart began to thump loudly in your chest and confusion settled over you.

You shook your head with a frown. No. This didn't make sense. Not after everything.

You reached over to grab your phone. As you did, you spied a sticky note on your bedside table.

"I'm a morning person. What can I say! I'm getting us coffee and croissants. I'll be back soon. - J"

The lump in your throat immediately subsided and you released a breath you hadn't known you were holding. You opened your phone to see a text from her as well.

"Just in case you missed the note. I'm getting coffee and croissants. Be back soon, Beautiful."

You laid back on the bed, pulling the sheets up with you and letting out another sigh as your body relaxed once more.

Okay. This made much more sense. It wasn't all a lie.

A short while later you heard the door handle turn and the door was tentatively pushed open a crack. You found yourself smiling immediately as she tip-toed in, her straightening and smiling fully when she saw you were awake.

"Good morning," she greeted as she approached with said coffee and baked goods in hand.

"You're lucky, Fleming," you teased as you rolled onto your side as she set everything down. "I was about to lose it until I saw your note."

Jessie gave you a teasing look as she sat down on the edge of the bed. She spoke, unbothered, "Waking up next to a beautiful woman who I think is amazing? Yeah, I am lucky."

You chuckled as she kissed your forehead. "Well, I didn't get that luxury. Just a cold and lonely bed," you teased.

"I get antsy once I'm up. I didn't want to wake you," she explained. You pulled her in for a kiss.

"Fine. I forgive you."

Jessie smiled, returning your kiss. "Thank you. And, mmm, morning breath."

"Oh my God," you gasped, mortified as you swatted at her, only causing her to laugh. She leaned back in, pushing you down onto the bed with a kiss.

"Hey, I don't mind. I want you, morning breath and all," she chuckled.

"You better," you grumbled good-naturedly as she continued to kiss you. Her hand began to wander and you knew very well what she'd find.

"Mm, and it seems like you want me, too," she grinned. You chuckled, but rolled your hips into her hand.

"Coffee's not the only way to wake me up."

#jessie fleming #jessie fleming x reader #woso imagine #woso x reader #canwnt x reader #woso smut

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bambii1i · 2 days ago

Text

Hesitation

Authors note: ending is kinda shit and cliffhanger i dunno if I’ll make a part two or just let it be lol

Warnings: angst, man-whore moves, jealousy, pettiness, slight mentions of; alcohol, weed, sex

Summary: ‘what are we?’ That specific question.

Safety net, or whatever that was called. That was you. Every time he gets bored hooking up with someone new, he goes back to treating you like his girlfriend before ignoring you again for two weeks, more or less. You guys have been friends, close friends for a while before the safety net thing, so you didn’t mind. You’ve always liked him a little, he didn’t have to know that you enjoyed that one week where in he’d shower you with affection.

Until you got fed up with it, how he ignored you just right after. You did have sex with him from time to time, just whenever he felt like it, he just avoided you during the ‘hook-up week’. Last night, you were at some party in figure eight, wearing the short black dress with hints of glitter and silver. Rafe eyed you all night, kept you close to him, his arm wrapped around your shoulder. You walked around proudly, giving smiles to whoever Rafe was talking to.

Of course you knew after the party was over, you two would have an after party in his car on the way home. The ride home was not awkward as you two were talking about going to the beach, your friends, his friends while the music was blasted on the radio, windows down. Once he parked his car, Rafe quickly opened his door, speed walking towards the passenger door and opening it for you. After an exchange of thanks and a minute making out he brought you to your door with a kiss goodnight.

The next day you planned to go to the beach together, along with Kelce, Topper, Chloe, and Ruthie. With your bikini, tote bag, sunscreen, and sunglasses already prepared on your table you were quick to change. You waited for the notification that they were downstairs, waiting for you in the car. The little ding was loud and you were running downstairs. Tilting your head as you stood there outside of your door, staring at the car that contained three people; Rafe, Kelce, and some other girl.

You took a deep breath, closing your eyes and closing the door behind you, making sure it was locked. You walked towards the car, staring at the bleach blonde girl on the passenger seat beside Rafe. “Yo, get in the car already!” Kelce said while groaning on the back seat. Snapping out of it you opened the car door and sat beside Kelce, placing your bag on the middle. “Did you guys bring drinks?” You asked, staring at Rafe, waiting for his response.

“You really think we’d forget that shit?!” Kelce answered, you turned your eye towards Kelce, a firm look. “Well you were a dumbass once that forgot the fucking joint—can’t blame me for thinking—“ you were cut off by Kelce “—yeah, yeah. How have you not gotten over that shit.” Once the car stared to move you sighed. You felt irritated seeing the blonde girl on the passenger seat. Staring at Rafe’s reflection through the rear view mirror.

You were pissed at Rafe, even more pissed at yourself for feeling so jealous even though you know about that stupid thing that Rafe has with you. It didn’t even last a week this time, it was 4 days. Rafe stole a glance at you through the rear view mirror while you were looking out the window, hearing Kelce’s chatter and the laugh of ms. Blondie upfront.

In no time you were at the beach. You sat cross-legged on the sand, fingers idly tracing different patterns into the grains. Every time you take a breath you could smell the air that was thick with the scents of saltwater and sunscreen, which also carried a cool breeze that moved your hair around, hitting your face from time to time. You couldn’t help but keep thinking about Rafe, this happened plenty of times already, but why is this one bugging you so much.

You looked around you trying to find ms. Blondie, spotting her lounging a few steps away from you on her own pink beach towel, scrolling through her phone while her sunglasses were positioned on her nose, the sun hitting her causing her to glisten. Rafe was right beside her, a bottle of alcohol on his hand while the other right on her bare back.

Chloe runs over to you, clearly wet from swimming around the beach with Kelce, Topper, and a few other people that arrived a little later. “Live a little won’t you? Why are ya just there? Swim with us!” She said, chuckling while grabbing the bottle beside you, quickly opening it and taking a sip and giggling. “I’ll catch up! Just left something in the car,” you hummed before receiving a nod from Chloe and watching as she runs back to the beach.

Once you saw her back in the water with the others, you lazily reached over the edge of the beach towel you sat at, your fingers brushing over the car keys beside the empty bottle of beer. You sighed heavily, shaking the loose grains of sand off your hand before grabbing the keys. You sat up, slowly standing up while you dusted your palms against your thighs, brushing off all the sand that was clinging onto your skin.

Each step you took on the sand left a little mark and a stinging feeling from the heat of the warm sand. Rafe on the other hand, glanced behind seeing how you stood up, walking towards the path leading to the parked car.

Ahead was the car, once you reached there, your fingers grazed the door handle. Using her other hand pressing the button with a soft click, the lock released and you opened the door. Reaching across the backseat for her tote bag. “Are you pissed at me or what?” You froze a bit shook with the sudden voice behind you. “Fuck!” you exclaimed, almost folding over the car, dropping the keys on the car floor. “Jesus fuck Rafe!” She added before straightening her posture and holding onto the seat.

“Are you pissed at me?” Rafe asked with a firm voice, staring at you bent over the car seat before quickly fixing yourself up. “What? Why would I be?” Her brows furrowed, as she was confused.

A little scoff left his lips, crossing his arms on his chest, his eye firmly staring at you. “‘Cause you’re ignoring me.” He replied.

“I’m not ignoring you. And I’m not mad at you either, okay?” Her voice was calm but firm, with a slight trace of annoyance before bending over once more to reach for her tote bag. Grabbing it from the edge of the backseat and standing upright.

“Good.” He stepped backwards from the car, giving you a bit of space, the gravel crunching beneath him. “Because for a second, ‘thought I did somethin’.”

“You didn’t,” you said, clutching on your tote bag, glancing down and opening it to check for her AirPods.

His brow lifted, skepticism flicked on his expression. “You sure?”

A scoff left your own lips, looking up from her tote bag and staring at him. “Why do you even care Rafe?” You asked, raising your brows and giving him a little irritated smile. “Well ‘cause you’re fuckin’ ignoring me.” He was quick to reply while staring at you.

Another irritated scoff left your lips. “Do you expect me to be all over you after you fucked me last night while you’re with some other girl right now? Want me to talk about how you were making me scream and making the car shake in front of miss blondie?”

He was slightly taken a back by how upfront you were with your words, his lips parting while raising his brows, noticing your jealousy, taking note of it as his lips curled. “Rafe I’m tired of your shit, you literally fuckin’ ignore me right after.. I’m just— fed up okay!” You exclaimed before taking a deep breath. Staring at him, nibbling your lips out of habit. “I know it’s what we have but I’m fed up with your bullshit. Be straight with me okay?” You took a little pause, closing your eyes for a second before staring into his. “It’s either we’re friends or something.”

“It isn’t that easy.” He hesitated.

“Your hesitation tells me otherwise.” You replied.

#drew starkey #obx #obx imagine #rafe fanfiction #obx x reader #obx fanfiction #rafe obx #outer banks #outerbanks rafe #rafe outer banks #rafe cameron #rafe x you #rafe fic #rafe x reader #outerbanks

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illustrationist-of-the-stars · 2 days ago

Note

Do you think that twst characters worry about Yuu!Aventurine because of his luck?

Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

Like, have you seen the guy?

But for real tho, he'd absolutely try to weaponize his luck or just use it as like a whim to win games or somehow get himself into dangerous situations that specifically try to harm him or make him lose but in the end would just get out of it unscathed somehow.

While physically he'd be fine, mentally and emotionally? Yeah, that's a whole other story...

A lot of the other guys will be quick to catch onto his self-destructive behaviour and his constant brushing off of their concern or downplaying it that they don't have to worry since he'll always be the victor in the end but it just worries and frustrates them even more.

The most overprotective out of all them would most likely be Grim, Adeuce duo, Jack Howl, the Tweels, Ortho Shroud and Riddle Rosehearts suprisingly.

Grim's a given tbh, I don't think I need to elaborate how he he'd react to that sort of behaviour. Like sure, maybe a bit of enabling at first since he didn't care as much or is oblivious back then because it brought in tons of money and money equals more tuna cans, right? Yeah, well. Little guy's gonna have a rude awakening once he realizes what it took for all those tuna cans lmao

For the Adeuce duo and Jack Howl, it's mostly being constantly of proximity with eachother that makes them aware of Yuu!Aventurine's behaviour and they try their hardest to stop it or get him away from getting noticed by less savoury eyes like: Ace and Deuce beating up any mobs from just instigating fights/duels with him, Jack using the excuse from the Headmaster to be his constant bodyguard and being the voice of reason of him to stop a few gambles that risk to much, etc etc

For the Tweels, while Jade is in it for the entertaing and surprise factor that comes with Yuu!Aventurine going into all types of situations and games and getting to be the winner in all of them, he'd certainly wouldn't want his one source of good entertainment to get eaten by the sharks aroud here so he'd discreetly steer him away from such situations that he isn't certain should be good for a fellow Rainbow Fish like him.

As for Floyd tho, well- he'd absolutely squeeze or manhandle the guy if he isn't cooperating with him like he's supposed to, or maybe like, vaguely threaten his autonomy because he surely doesn't need it when he can't run when he needs too lol

Ortho Shroud would just use facts and logic to reason his way to get Yuu!Aventurine to atleast give up a gamble or just take time for himself to just relax for awhile.

Riddle Rosehearts would also absolutely use his authority as dorm leader to get Yuu!Aventurine to stay over at the Heartslabyul dorm and relinquish his autonomy for a few days because he CLEARLY doesn't know how to live properly and it's in his best interest to teach him the ways to care one's own self correctly and no, he has no say in this- it's final. (Dude's not even part of Heartslabyul tf-)

(I also think Leona would also may or may not threaten turning Ramshackle into sand if he doesn't stop running himself ragged soon...)

So yeah, all in all- it would be a constant worry since it's sort part of Yuu!Aventurine's surface identity and he isn't willing to be vulnerable enough with some of them most of the time so they'd just decide to just discreetly protect him from danger caused by outside factors or by his own ruinous making, rip.

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moonlitstoriess · 3 days ago

Text

The Shadows in the Sunlight- A Helion Series

Summary: Helion, the High Lord of the Day Court, is known for his charm, power, and control over light. However, when a mysterious female from a forgotten, shadowy court—a court thought to be destroyed long ago-emerges, everything he thought he knew is challenged.

See masterlist

Series masterlist

Warnings: slight mentions of trauma, yeah, that's all lol

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale silver glow over the land as Marielle and Kael made their way through the dense woods, the rustling of leaves the only sound accompanying them. They had been walking for hours now, the border between the Day and Summer courts in sight, yet still feeling far beyond their reach. Each step felt like it took them further from their shattered past, but closer to the uncertainty of their future. The weight of their decisions sat heavily on Marielle’s chest.

"Great," Kael muttered, breaking the silence. "Another glowing wall of magic. How charming."

Marielle’s eyes tracked the shimmering barrier that stretched far in either direction, a faint pulsing light that seemed to push against the darkness surrounding them. It was a protective shield—strong, impenetrable, and no doubt backed by Summer’s most loyal troops. She'd learned all too well that no border was simply a line in the sand. These courts didn’t welcome wanderers.

"We’re not going to get through this without a plan," she said, her voice low, more to herself than to him.

Kael snorted, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "A plan, huh? And what would that be? Knock on the door and ask nicely if we can come in? Maybe they'll offer us a drink and a bed for the night while we wait for Helion’s troops to catch up with us."

Her gaze flicked over to him. "You think they don’t already know we’re here?" she shot back, her voice sharp but calm. "Helion has eyes everywhere, Kael. He’s probably already searching for me, and we don’t even have a proper lead. Neither of us could get anything solid from Day—"

"Yeah, and you want us to just waltz into Summer and ask if anyone saw anything? Brilliant plan," Kael interrupted, his voice tinged with bitterness. "We’re running around like headless chickens, trying to find some breadcrumb that’s been buried under a thousand years of lies."

She didn’t flinch at his outburst. He was frustrated, and so was she. But her frustration was a different kind of beast—quiet, cold, buried deep within her, where she kept it hidden from the world. It was the same frustration that drove her to stay a step ahead, to plan for everything, even when the uncertainty of their situation threatened to consume her.

But then there was Kael. His anger was raw, immediate, unfiltered. It had always been that way between them. Maybe that’s why they were still here, together. Or maybe it was because there was no one else left to trust.

"I’m not saying it’s a perfect plan," Marielle said, her voice steady, trying to find a foothold in the uncertainty. "But Summer is our only lead right now. There’s nothing left in Day. We have no way of knowing what happened to our court, who exactly was behind it. But—" she hesitated, glancing at him. "I think Azriel could be our answer."

Kael’s eyes snapped to her, suspicion flashing across his features. "Azriel? The shadowsinger who serves Night? What the hell does he have to do with this? I thought he was just some shadowy idiot who likes lurking around. Why would he know anything about us?"

Marielle clenched her fists. How long has he even been hiding around to already have so much information on everyone from this world?She could feel her own mistrust growing, like a slow, simmering burn beneath her skin. She had seen what Azriel was capable of—how his shadows rippled and flowed in ways that mirrored the powers she and her court had once wielded. The connection between them couldn’t be a coincidence.

"Because," she said softly, "Azriel’s the only one with powers close to ours. He has shadows, Kael. And you don’t think there’s a connection between that and what happened to us? To our court?"

Kael’s jaw tightened, his gaze growing distant. He wasn’t looking at her anymore—he was looking past her, at something only he could see. "Maybe," he muttered. "But he's too tied to the Night Court, too loyal to Rhysand. The bastard might as well be part of their scheme."

Marielle didn’t flinch. "You really think Rhysand would be involved in what happened to us?" she asked, her voice a little sharper.

Kael exhaled sharply, his shoulders stiffening. "Fine. So now we trust someone with powers like ours but tied to the enemy--because trust me Marielle, everyone in this new world is an enemy of ours--even if we’re not sure where his loyalties lie. You want to run into the Night Court and start asking questions? I’m sure that’ll end well."

Marielle’s chest tightened, but she kept her face impassive. "I'm not trusting him," she said coldly, her gaze hardening. "I just know he’s the only lead we’ve got. And if we’re going into Summer, we need to be ready to keep our eyes open for anything."

"Right," Kael muttered, staring into the darkened distance. "Keep our eyes open, while we walk into the heart of enemy territory with no plan at all." His voice was tinged with frustration.

Marielle sighed, rubbing her forehead as the weight of their situation pressed in on her. Every step, every decision felt like it led to a dead end. She couldn’t trust Kael, but she couldn’t exactly do this alone, either. Not anymore.

"What else do we have, Kael?" she asked quietly, feeling the tension that had been building for days finally crack open. "We can’t stay hidden forever. We don’t even know who’s behind this. We’ve been running in circles."

He didn’t answer at first, and for a long moment, they stood there in the cool night air, the border to Summer Court looming like a wall between them and their next move.

Finally, Kael spoke, his voice quieter now, with a hint of something softer that he rarely allowed to slip through. "We rest for the night. We plan our next move. And if we're going to Summer, we make damn sure we stay undetected."

Marielle gave a sharp nod, her eyes narrowing at the barrier ahead. She didn't trust him, not fully. But she had no other choice. They were running out of options, and their past would never let them go.

"Agreed," she said, her voice firm once more. "We don’t move until we have a way through. We can’t afford mistakes."

As they set up camp beneath the canopy of trees, the weight of the coming journey settled on them both. They would head into Summer, try to find answers. But even more than that, Marielle had to find the truth about Azriel, about the shadows that connected them all. And she would do it without letting anyone, not even Kael, know her plans.

Because some things, some truths, were too dangerous to trust anyone with—especially the one person she could never truly trust again.

The following day brought no clarity.

Helion sat behind his desk in the dimly lit study of his palace, the parchment still in his grasp. It was no longer burning in his mind, but the words were still etched there, pressing against him like an invisible weight. The Court of Shadows is ash, but the sun’s betrayal lit the flame.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration pooling in the pit of his stomach. His advisors had come and gone, giving their reports on trivial matters that barely registered in his mind. His gaze was locked on the letter, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

Azriel had arrived not long after the messenger had left—his presence silent as always, but the weight of his own thoughts clear in his dark eyes. He didn’t need to say it aloud for Helion to understand: Azriel was as confused as he was. The Court of Shadows was no more, and the mention of the sun… it gnawed at them both.

"Any new leads?" Helion had asked, his voice low as Azriel lingered in the doorway of his study.

Azriel had shaken his head, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. "Nothing. This came too late. No one knows anything about it. And the Court of Shadows—" He broke off, his voice laced with doubt. "The Court of Shadows was a myth. It should have been gone centuries ago."

Helion had wanted to snap, to let the mounting tension in his chest explode, but he knew better. Azriel was right to be cautious. The Court of Shadows’ destruction had always been a whispered tale, one too fantastical for most to believe, and now… this. Someone was toying with them. Someone knew more than they were letting on.

“I want a full report from every spy network in Prythian,” Helion had said. “And I want to know where this message originated from. Was it meant for me?”

“Understood,” Azriel had replied, his wings slightly tensed behind him as if ready for flight.

Now, hours later, Helion was left alone with the parchment, the silence in the room pressing against him. The study had once been a sanctuary—his private space where he could clear his mind and plan for the future—but now it felt like a prison. Each time his gaze landed on the letter, a sense of urgency gripped him.

The door opened without a sound, and a familiar voice broke through his reverie.

“Helion,” Azriel’s voice was low but steady, a stark contrast to the chaos roiling within Helion’s chest.

Helion didn’t look up at first, letting the silence stretch between them for a moment. “Did you learn anything?”

Azriel moved into the room, his presence settling next to Helion like a shadow, as if the darkness followed him wherever he went. “Nothing substantial. But we’re still trying to piece together the timeline of the Court of Shadows' fall. I’ve sent some of my more trusted spies to the border of Summer and Day Court. If that female is involved, if she’s been in hiding all this time… we might be able to pick up her trail. It’s the best lead we have.”

Helion’s hand clenched around the parchment, his thoughts swirling around her. Her trail—that was a phrase he couldn’t ignore. He had to find her, even if it meant playing a game he wasn’t sure he was prepared for.

“Summer,” Helion murmured. “You think she’s there?” He hadn’t voiced the thought aloud before, but now that it was out, it felt more like a reality than an assumption. If she was hiding, and if she’d been in contact with someone in the shadows, the Summer Court was a logical place to retreat. It bordered Day Court. It wasn’t hostile. It was a safe haven, and Helion had been too preoccupied to consider it.

Azriel didn’t respond immediately, as if he too was weighing the possibility. Finally, he spoke, voice measured. “It’s possible. She has no reason to be at odds with them. But if she’s been running, we can’t risk drawing attention to her. If we go in too heavily, too fast… we’ll scare her off.”

Helion’s jaw tightened. "So, what? We tiptoe around, hoping we don’t make a mistake?" His voice rose in frustration, the weight of his own desperation creeping through.

Azriel met his gaze, eyes cold but understanding. “We wait, we observe. We do this right. We find her, but we don’t make enemies out of everyone else in the process.”

Helion exhaled slowly, trying to regain some semblance of control. Azriel was right, of course. He had always been the voice of reason, no wonder Rhys always keeps him by his side. It was just… Helion wanted to find her. Now. The unknown that surrounded her, her connection to his past, the mysteries of her court’s destruction—it was all too much to ignore.

Azriel’s wings shifted, his presence darkening the space around them. “The Court of Shadows,” he repeated, as if testing the words. "If it’s truly gone… then why would someone send you this? And who would even know it existed?”

“You’re sure you’re not missing something?” Helion asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Azriel met his gaze without hesitation. “There’s nothing to miss. No one knows anything about the Court of Shadows. But…” He trailed off, as if uncertain how to proceed.

Helion could see Azriel was withholding something, though whether it was intentional or not, he couldn’t say. “But what?”

Azriel looked away for a moment, his dark eyes flickering with a thought he wasn’t ready to voice. "But I sense something else—there’s something off about this entire situation. The message, the shadows surrounding her, the timing… it feels like something bigger is coming. Something none of us can fully understand yet."

Helion let out a slow breath, the weight of Azriel's words settling into his bones. He wanted to dismiss it, to push the feeling of unease down deep where it couldn’t trouble him, but he knew Azriel wasn’t the type to speak in riddles unless he had reason to.

Helion stood up abruptly, crossing the room toward the window, where the pale sunlight filtered through the curtains. He stared at the horizon for a long moment, lost in his thoughts. “I want you to dig deeper,” he said, voice low and commanding. “I want to know who wrote this message, who knew about the Court of Shadows, and how they knew it was gone. We’re not just dealing with a petty message. Someone's toying with us.”

Azriel’s gaze sharpened, but he didn’t question the order. “Understood. I’ll make sure the network stays on alert. And if we find anything… anything at all, you’ll be the second to know after Rhysand.”

Helion nodded curtly, his mind already elsewhere. He couldn’t sit idly by. The unknowns were closing in, and he would find answers before they could bury him.

But even as Azriel left, Helion remained by the window, his thoughts tangled in the shadows of the past. That female, the one with the cloak of darkness, would come to him again. He would make sure of it. And when he did, he wouldn’t let her slip away this time.

Marielle huddled in the shadows of the dense woods, the faint glow of the moon barely making its way through the thick canopy above. Her body was sore, her movements stiff from hours of walking, but she couldn’t afford to let her guard down. The Summer Court’s border loomed in the distance, and she knew that once they crossed it, things would become far more dangerous.

Kael sat across from her, a half-eaten ration in his hand, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. His shadow wrapped around him like a protective cloak, and Marielle’s did the same, hiding them both from prying eyes.

“So,” Kael muttered, his voice gruff, “We’re really going to just march into Summer Court without even knowing what the hell’s waiting for us?”

Marielle gave him a pointed look. “You don’t have a better plan.”

Kael grumbled under his breath, but he couldn’t argue with that. He had been pushing to get her to sit down long enough for him to check her wounds, though she had protested at first. But, even she couldn’t deny that after all the running and hiding, she needed it.

Kael finished his bite, chewing slowly, his voice a little softer now. “I still think it’s a bad idea to trust anyone here. Especially Summer. They’re not known for being friendly to anyone outside their court.”

“No one is,” Marielle replied dryly, taking a small bite from her own ration. “And we’re in no position to be picky.”

They sat in a companionable silence for a moment, the weight of their situation pressing down on them again. Kael’s shadow flickered restlessly, as if mirroring his irritation. He had never liked the modern world, or the courts that came with it. His sense of nostalgia for their old ways always surfaced when things were uncertain.

“I hate how... polished everything is these days,” Kael muttered, his voice thick with disdain. “Back in the day, everything had a purpose. Nothing was all... gleaming marble and perfect lawns.”

“Like that’s what matters right now,” Marielle snorted. “The Summer Court could be a fucking garden of roses, and we’d still be getting into trouble.”

“Right,” Kael said, rolling his eyes. “But it wasn’t all this... well, modern, before. People actually knew how to fight back then.”

Marielle smirked. “You sound like an old man.”

“I am an old man. And if you didn’t keep getting us into trouble, I wouldn’t have to be out here looking for answers in the first place.” Kael shot her a pointed look.

Her lips curled into a sly grin. “I’m just getting us closer to the truth. It’s not my fault you don’t have the patience for it.”

“Patience?” Kael shot back. “You mean for all the ‘mystery’ and ‘secrets’ that you love so much? I swear, the amount of drama you create over a single question—”

Marielle raised a brow. “What, you prefer things simpler? No grand plans, no endless layers of deceit and intrigue? Just... walk in, say ‘hello’ to everyone, and hope they hand over our court’s fate?”

Kael took another bite of his food and muttered, “Yeah, maybe. But at least I’d know what was happening.”

“Fine. When we find a way through that glowing barrier, we can ask Summer what happened to our court,” Marielle said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kael rolled his eyes. “We’re not getting through that barrier without making a scene.”

“I know,” Marielle agreed, though she didn't sound particularly worried. “But we'll find a way. We always do.”

Another stretch of silence passed, and Kael sighed heavily. “Alright, alright. I know you're right. I just... this place, this whole world, it’s not like it used to be. I miss when things were simpler.”

“Yeah, simpler,” Marielle said dryly. “When people just used their claws instead of their heads.”

Kael chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. “You remember when you tried to slice off my ear because I snuck up on you that one time? You were so damn determined to take me out, I couldn’t stop laughing.”

Marielle stared at him, her lips curving slightly. “I don’t know what you're talking about. You’re imagining things.”

“Oh no, I remember,” Kael said with a grin, his eyes lighting up in amusement. “You were like a rabid dog. Had to be dragged off me.”

“Didn’t happen.” Marielle was fighting a grin, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Uh huh. Sure. You didn’t end up with half a bloody ear after that little stunt?”

Marielle huffed, shaking her head. “You were an idiot for sneaking up on me, though. And it wasn’t half a bloody ear. You were exaggerating.”

Kael laughed quietly to himself. “Gods, those were the days. When things actually meant something. When we had everything.”

She paused, the soft chuckle fading from her lips as her gaze shifted to the ground. He hadn’t meant to make it sound so... sad.

The moment stretched, the warmth of the fire flickering between them. Kael’s voice dropped into a more nostalgic tone. “I still think of those days sometimes. Before everything... burned.”

Marielle was quiet for a long moment, her gaze drifting to the dark horizon, her thoughts swirling. The weight of everything they'd lost—everything they'd fought for, was still fresh in her mind.

“You’re right,” she said softly, her voice a little sharper than she intended. “It was all different. It was better. And we didn’t deserve any of it. But it’s gone now. There’s nothing left.”

Kael didn’t say anything for a long time, his expression distant. He was probably lost in a memory he would never share.

Finally, with a sigh, Kael stood up, shaking the heaviness from his shoulders. “It’s late. We should sleep. We need to be up early tomorrow.”

Marielle looked up at him, blinking the melancholy from her eyes. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.”

Kael didn’t wait for a response, moving to stretch out on the ground beneath them, his shadow swirling around him like a blanket.

Marielle sighed, glancing at the shadows that enveloped them both. A part of her didn’t want to sleep. Didn’t want to think about what tomorrow would bring. But she had no choice.

So, she settled herself next to him, the coolness of the night surrounding them, and tried to ignore the questions that plagued her thoughts.

And as the night grew still, she drifted off into uneasy slumber, her mind a tangle of the past, the present, and the uncertain future ahead.

The world was a blur of glowing moonlight and soft winds as Marielle stood in the middle of a meadow, her feet brushing over cool grass. Her heart felt lighter here, free from the weight of their endless journey. Around her, the world was still—peaceful. Her mother’s laughter rang through the air, warm and full of life, like it was a melody that had never known sorrow.

Granny Moon, standing near the edge of the clearing, looked at her with those wise, knowing eyes. The moon’s light danced across her silver hair, casting an ethereal glow that made Marielle’s chest ache with a kind of longing she couldn’t explain.

“Come here, my moon,” Granny Moon’s voice drifted, soft and gentle, just as it had always been.

Her mother was beside her now, beaming, arms open, the warmth of her presence like a blanket that wrapped around Marielle. She was laughing, her voice sweet as she reached for her daughter.

“I’ve missed you, Marielle,” her mother said, her tone bright and loving. “Come, join us. Everything is as it should be.”

Marielle felt a warmth flood her chest as she moved toward them. This moment—this was everything she had once dreamed of. The sky above them was clear, no clouds to obscure the stars. Everything felt right. Safe.

But then, there was a shift.

The light flickered, a dimness spreading over the clearing like the sudden shadow of an oncoming storm. Marielle blinked, confusion stirring within her. Her mother’s smile faltered. Granny Moon’s face grew tight with unease.

The air grew heavier, colder, the gentle breeze turning into harsh gusts that rattled the trees. Marielle’s heart skipped a beat, unease creeping into her bones. The bright sky began to twist, the color draining from it, leaving an eerie, ashen tone in its wake.

“What’s happening?” Marielle whispered, but the words were lost to the howling wind that rose around them.

Her mother reached out, but her face was now twisted in fear. The serene laughter turned into a frantic cry. The ground beneath their feet trembled, a deep rumble like the world itself was breaking apart. Marielle’s breath caught in her throat.

“No… no,” she gasped, her hand reaching out to her mother.

Before she could take another step, a shadow swept over the clearing, large and dark, as if something monstrous was descending upon them. The once peaceful meadow became a battleground, the land splitting open. The wind tore through the trees, the branches snapping like fragile twigs.

Her mother’s cry was cut short as she was dragged to the ground. Marielle screamed, her voice swallowed by the chaos, but she couldn’t move. Something invisible held her back, pulling her away, holding her in place. Her feet were rooted to the earth as she watched in horror.

Granny Moon stood frozen, her eyes wide with terror. But before Marielle could reach her, the shadows closed in, dragging her grandmother away, her voice fading into the growing darkness.

“Granny!” Marielle cried, her chest aching with the weight of helplessness.

Then, the air grew cold—too cold. Ice crept into her veins as the shadows grew, devouring everything in their path. The ground beneath her cracked open, and she fell—no longer standing in the meadow, but sinking, falling deeper into the abyss.

She gasped for breath, her lungs burning, her chest tightening. The sky above her was swallowed by darkness, and then, there was nothing but the crushing weight of water, dragging her under, pulling her deeper, drowning her. She struggled, kicking, flailing, but the water pressed in, cold and unforgiving, wrapping around her like chains.

Her throat burned as she screamed, but no sound came. The shadows closed in on her, swallowing her whole, until her body went limp, her lungs filling with water. The cold seeped into her bones, the world around her blurring. Her vision faded, the last thing she saw her mother’s face—pale, lifeless, as she was pulled under by the darkness.

“NO!” Marielle gasped, thrashing, but it was too late. The water claimed her.

And then… nothing.

The dream was gone.

Marielle woke with a jolt, her heart pounding in her chest, her breath ragged as if she had just run a marathon. The memories of her home, her mother, and Granny Moon came rushing back, flooding her mind with a brutal clarity. She could still feel the coldness of the water, the weight of the shadows, their cold fingers dragging her down. Her throat was tight, her chest heaving.

But the world around her was different now. It was night, the silence broken only by the distant sounds of the wind. The reality of their situation—of the endless running, the chaos, the fear—came crashing down on her.

She gripped the fabric of her cloak, trying to steady herself, but the memories lingered, sharp and painful, the trauma of that day never truly fading.

Marielle’s thoughts were razor-sharp, her mind still buzzing from the remnants of the nightmare she’d endured, but she pushed it away for now. By the time Kael woke up, she was already planning their route—something simple, yet complicated enough to keep them hidden and moving forward.

Kael groaned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. “You really didn’t sleep much, did you?”

She didn’t answer, just rolled up the map with deliberate care, her movements quick and precise.

“Not a word?” Kael asked again, quirking an eyebrow at her terse silence.

“Just shut up and follow my lead,” she muttered, her tone still sharp.

He shook his head, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “What happened to the Marielle I knew? The one who loved to stir up trouble for fun?” He paused, looking at her closely. “You’re different now.”

“Don’t start,” she snapped, eyes flashing. “Let’s go.”

Kael didn’t press it any further, following her in silence as they moved through the dense trees, the air thick with tension. She wasn’t about to explain herself to him—not now, not after everything that had happened.

As they neared the Day Court’s borders, the temperature began to rise, the daylight growing more intense. The area was heavily guarded—soldiers stationed along the high stone walls, their watchful eyes scanning the perimeter. This wasn’t just about crossing a border; it was about survival.

“We’re going through the Day Court first, huh?” Kael murmured under his breath, more to himself than her.

“Unless you have a better idea,” Marielle said, not bothering to look at him.

He muttered something unintelligible, clearly displeased with the plan. “Do you really think they won’t recognize you? Helion’s got eyes everywhere.”

“We’ll be fine,” she said, her voice strained but firm. “We just need to keep our heads down. You’ve seen the way the patrols are moving—they’re too focused on the Summer Court’s borders. We can slip through unnoticed.”

Kael shot her a sidelong glance. “That’s your plan? Just wander through their defenses like it’s nothing?”

“Simple. Get through, blend in, and get out.”

“You’re insane. It’s too risky.”

“Sometimes, the risk is all we’ve got.”

Kael opened his mouth to argue, but they both froze as a troop of Day Court soldiers came into view. Marielle immediately took the lead, striding confidently toward the checkpoint, both of their shadows concealed by their powers, hoping they wouldn’t look too closely.

One of the soldiers, a tall male with golden armor and sharp eyes, stepped forward and held up his hand, signaling them to stop. His gaze lingered on Marielle for a fraction too long, a sharpness in his expression making her feel exposed.

“What business do you have in the Day Court?” he asked, voice rough but authoritative.

“We’re just passing through,” Marielle replied smoothly, her voice calm, betraying none of the tension that coiled in her stomach. “Heading to the Summer Court.”

The soldier’s eyes flickered briefly to Kael before returning to her, a scrutinizing gaze that almost made her skin crawl. “You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“We’re travelers,” Kael added quickly, stepping up beside her. “Just a bit of a detour.”

The soldier’s gaze narrowed, clearly unconvinced. He turned his head, signaling to his companion for a moment. Marielle's heart pounded in her chest as she held her breath, aware of how easily this could go wrong.

“So, you’re not on some secret mission for another court then?” the soldier asked, his voice sharper now, suspicion creeping in.

Marielle’s eyes flicked toward Kael, warning him with a sharp glance to hold his tongue. She stepped forward, just enough to make herself more imposing. “No, we’re not. Why would we?” she said with a coolness that she hoped masked her growing unease.

Another guard, this one a woman, approached, her eyes scanning the two of them carefully. Marielle’s gaze remained steady, though her thoughts raced.

The soldier who had initially spoken finally gave a reluctant nod, his posture softening slightly. “Fine. You may pass,” he said with a stiff tone, but his eyes were still wary. “Just make sure you’re not causing any trouble.”

Marielle gave a slight nod of her own, and she could almost feel Kael’s silent frustration beside her. As they moved forward, the shimmering barrier of light around the Day Court’s borders parted, and they passed through without another word.

Kael didn’t say anything right away, but his irritation was clear. “That was too close,” he muttered.

Marielle didn’t answer, her eyes scanning the open space beyond the border, already mentally preparing for the next obstacle.

As they continued through the border area, the landscape around them began to change. The lush, golden, shimmering of the Day Court gave way to the more structured and disciplined environment of the Summer Court’s edges. Marielle’s senses sharpened instinctively, aware of the difference in the air. The tension was palpable, and her unease grew with each step.

“They’re slacking off,” Kael muttered under his breath, glancing back toward the checkpoint they’d just passed. “That guard didn’t seem to care much.”

Marielle glanced over her shoulder, but the checkpoint was already fading from view. “It’s not that they didn’t care,” she said quietly, her voice careful. “The Day Court has a loose policy near the border here. They don’t check as thoroughly at the far end because they expect travelers to pass through quickly and without trouble. This is the border closest to the Summer Court—there’s less concern about outsiders, especially during the late afternoon.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “So they’re not as worried when the shift is almost over, huh?”

She nodded, her gaze still ahead. “Exactly. The guards here aren’t as tightly controlled as the ones at the Summer Court’s borders. They’re tired, a little more lenient. They don’t want to deal with the stress of constant questioning at the end of their shift.”

He scoffed. “Great. So, what, they’re not paying attention because they’re bored?”

“Not bored,” Marielle corrected, her tone sharper. “More like they’re conditioned to assume no one’s going to pull anything this close to the Summer Court. It’s almost like they’ve relaxed their vigilance. But once we get closer to the Summer Court’s actual entry, that’ll change. They won’t be so easygoing there.”

“So, what’s your plan if we get stopped again?” Kael asked, his voice a bit more serious now. “You think we can just talk our way past the Summer Court guards like we did with the Day Court?”

Marielle bit her lip, weighing her options. She knew Kael was right—things wouldn’t be so simple at the Summer Court. The closer they got to its borders, the more scrutiny they’d face, and that was something they couldn’t afford.

“We won’t be passing through the Summer Court unnoticed,” she said, her voice resolute. “But we don’t need to stay long. We just need to blend in, keep our heads down, and make our way through without drawing attention.”

Kael didn’t seem convinced. “You sure about that? It’s a pretty damn big risk.”

“I don’t have a choice,” she said quietly, her words final. “Neither of us do.”

Their conversation trailed off as they continued moving, their footsteps light but purposeful. The light from the fading afternoon sun slanted across the road, casting long shadows that made everything feel more distant. It wasn’t until they reached the first of the Summer Court guards that the true weight of the situation began to settle in.

As they approached the checkpoint at the Summer Court’s border, the air felt different. The guards here were alert, standing tall in their gleaming armor, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. This was no idle post. The Summer Court’s soldiers took their borders seriously, and Marielle could feel their eyes scanning them from all directions, ready to pounce on any sign of weakness.

She took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she stepped forward. Kael mirrored her, his expression still tense but determined. As they approached the checkpoint, another soldier stepped forward, scrutinizing them both carefully.

“State your business,” the guard barked, his voice cutting through the air as he stepped forward, blocking their path.

Kael shot her a warning look, lips curling in a half-smile, but his eyes were serious. “Let’s see how simple this plan really is.”

Marielle clenched her fists, but her voice remained steady as she spoke, keeping her tone calm but forceful. “We’re just travelers passing through. Heading to the Summer Court.”

The soldier's gaze never wavered from her face, studying her closely, as if trying to find something, anything, that would give her away. His eyes flickered between her and Kael, a moment of silent scrutiny that felt like an eternity. Marielle could feel the weight of his gaze like a physical pressure. He was searching for an excuse to stop them, to turn them back, and there was something in his posture—something in the way his eyes narrowed—that suggested he wasn’t fully convinced by their story.

His gaze lingered too long on her, and Marielle’s heart began to race. She wasn’t afraid of being caught, but she could feel the tension thickening around them. A bead of sweat slid down her neck, though she didn’t move a muscle.

Kael shifted beside her, his posture loose but ready. He could feel it too—the pressure in the air, the sense that one wrong move would tip everything off. Marielle felt his presence like a shadow at her back, his stillness almost as tense as hers.

Then, just as she thought the guard would press for more, his eyes moved from her face to the elaborate dark cloak she wore. It was a simple thing, trimmed with gold thread, nothing particularly special—except that it wasn’t the usual style worn by travelers passing through the Summer Court. The guard’s gaze flicked up and down the fabric, his fingers twitching at his side as if ready to pull out a weapon, ready to challenge them.

“Where did you get this?” the guard asked, his tone cool but firm. He didn’t seem convinced yet, but his suspicion was clear. The cloak wasn’t typical of anyone crossing from the Day Court. It was too well-made, too… elegant.

Marielle’s mind raced, but she didn’t show it on her face. She took a breath, keeping her movements controlled. This was the moment they could slip up. One wrong word, one wrong move, and they’d be exposed.

“We’re from a different place,” she said, her voice smooth, giving nothing away. “We didn’t expect to be stopped at all.”

The soldier’s eyes narrowed even further, his suspicion still lingering. He stepped closer, his gaze flicking to Kael. “And you?” He sounded almost bored, but there was a sharp edge to his voice. “What’s your story?”

Kael, as usual, was the calm one. He gave a lazy shrug, putting his hands in his pockets with a casual air. “We’re just traveling together. Moving on to the Summer Court. Nothing special.”

The guard didn’t seem fully satisfied with this answer. Marielle could tell he wasn’t ready to let them pass so easily. But she held his gaze, unflinching. Slowly, she reached up and adjusted the cloak over her shoulder, subtly shifting it to reveal a piece of jewelry hidden underneath. A simple necklace—silver, but enough to catch the sunlight just right.

It wasn’t much. But it was enough.

She saw the guard’s eyes flick to the necklace, then back to her face. His expression shifted, just slightly—recognition, or perhaps just the realization that he was dealing with someone who had connections higher than he could question. His stance softened, though his gaze still held an edge.

“You're lucky, move along,” he said, though the words were less forceful than before, his suspicion starting to fade. The soldier looked at them one last time, almost as if searching for something in their faces. But finally, with a nod of approval, he stepped aside.

Marielle didn’t wait another second. Without missing a beat, she moved forward, her footsteps steady and deliberate. Kael followed, not sparing a glance back, though she could hear him muttering under his breath.

“Lucky?” Kael hissed, his voice laced with disbelief. “That was the most suspicious thing I’ve ever seen. What was that necklace supposed to do?”

Marielle didn’t answer him. Instead, she focused on the glowing barrier ahead—the shimmering barrier that protected the Summer Court, keeping out those who weren’t welcome. They were close now, the magic of it humming in the air, like a pulse that sent a shiver down her spine. A protective shield that allowed only those deemed worthy—or those who had found a way through—to enter.

She could feel the energy of the barrier pressing against her skin, as if testing her. The soldier stepped forward again, raising his hand to the glowing barrier, his fingers brushing lightly against the shimmering surface.

With a soft hum, the barrier rippled and then parted in front of them, the magical energy bending around them like liquid, creating a path forward.

“Go on,” the soldier said, his voice quieter now, his tone almost resigned. The protective magic that had once been an obstacle now opened up for them, like a gate unlocking.

Marielle stepped through the barrier without hesitation, the magic wrapping around her like a second skin. She could hear Kael’s low mutter of exasperation behind her as he followed, and for a moment, her lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile.

Once they were past the barrier, the tension in her shoulders eased just slightly. But she didn’t let herself relax entirely. The Summer Court was dangerous in its own way, and they weren’t out of the woods yet.

Kael caught up with her quickly, his voice a quiet growl as he fell into step beside her. “That was risky, Marielle. You didn’t have to make it that complicated.”

Her eyes flicked to him, her face hardening again. “You just follow my lead, Kael. I’m not here to babysit you.”

Kael grinned, despite himself. “Sure thing, Princess. Whatever you say.”

The banter between them felt familiar, like the tension that had been simmering under the surface had finally been broken. But even as they exchanged a few quiet words, Marielle’s mind raced. The real danger was still ahead of them, and they had to stay alert.

The Summer Court was full of unknowns—just as much as the Day Court was—and Marielle wasn’t about to let her guard down, not yet.

Helion stood at the edge of the balcony, the wind from the east catching in his hair as he looked out over the sprawling grounds of his estate. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch on forever. The quiet hum of the estate was soothing, but Helion couldn’t shake the tightness in his chest.

He’d just been through every corner of the estate, hoping for a sign of the mysterious figure who had been plaguing his thoughts, but all that remained was the lingering feeling that she was always just out of reach.

A low sound broke his focus. The rustling of footsteps, quiet but purposeful. Helion didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

Rhysand stepped into the open, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his coat. His eyes gleamed with the intensity of someone who was always thinking, always calculating. “I’ve been told you’d been searching the grounds like a madman. I’m starting to think you’re expecting her to show up here.”

Helion’s mouth twitched into a half-smile, though his eyes were still fixed on the horizon. “I’m trying to figure out where she’s gone.”

Rhysand tilted his head, his gaze turning more serious. “Azriel’s been speaking to me—mentally. She’s no longer in Day Court. His shadows couldn’t find her.”

Helion’s gaze flickered to Rhysand then back to the fading sun. He sighed, his frustration palpable. “I had a feeling. She’s hiding well, and we knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Her shadows are on another level.”

Rhysand’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as though something deeper was gnawing at him. He crossed his arms, taking in the surrounding garden before speaking again. “There’s more.”

Helion turned to face him, his interest piqued. "What now?"

Rhysand’s tone lowered, the air around him growing thicker as he shared his next words. “Azriel spoke to me again. This time, it’s worse. Not only is she missing, but he believes she’s not alone. His shadows detected a scent—a trace, almost undetectable, but it’s there. She’s with someone.”

Helion’s heart skipped a beat. He took a step forward, his pulse quickening. “So, we’ve been chasing shadows... but there’s someone else involved? Someone who can mask themselves even from Azriel?”

Rhysand nodded, his expression grim. “Exactly. Whoever this--this being is, they’re a ghost. And that makes her far more dangerous than we thought. This isn’t just a game of hide and seek anymore. They’re working together—and it’s no coincidence she’s stayed hidden for so long.”

Helion’s gaze shifted back to the horizon, his mind racing with the implications. “We need to find them. Whoever she’s with, whatever their plan is, we cannot let them slip through our fingers again.”

Rhysand’s voice softened but was firm, his eyes still focused on the garden’s edge. “You’re right, but we need to move carefully. Azriel’s already missed them. If we rush in without thinking, they could slip away again. We need to know more about this other person, about how they’ve managed to remain hidden.”

Helion’s lips pressed into a hard line as he considered Rhysand’s words. “Then we do this by our terms. We need information, but I’m not sitting back for long. She’s out there, and I intend to bring her into the light.”

Rhysand studied him for a long moment, the tension in the air thickening. “Then we’ll do it your way. But we’ll make sure every step is calculated. No mistakes this time.”

Helion nodded, his mind already racing through the possibilities. But he would find her. Whoever she was with, whatever game they were playing—it was time for the hunt to begin in earnest.

And he would not lose again.

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Taglist: @bravo-delta-eccho @rcarbo1 @cassie-at-college-blog

#helion fanfic #acotar #acotar x reader #acotar x oc #helion acotar #day court #helion x reader #helion x oc #azriel #azriel acotar #acotar angst #helion angst #helion imagine #acotar fics #acotar fanfic

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tiktaaliker · 3 months ago

Text

so. heres another one

this one took me like. probably >40 tries over the course of 4 days to get all the way through without tripping over anything too badly hence my little celebration at the end there lol

bit of backstory/context here: blackboxwarrior is my Ultimate Vocal Stim. its long and its complicated and i have a fucking AWFUL stutter so it takes some serious work to get all of it out which makes it perfect for me. you might notice that i start out relatively slow but by the end im going EXTREMELY fast. thats because this is what i also call a "momentum" song for me because there are a LOT of points where i cant help it but to speed up so if i dont start out slow it turns into vocal soup. which is typically ok for singing it under my breath but does NOT work for a recording. i also had all the vereses completely memorized but i had to reference the lyrics for the monologue- i think i have it memorized now tho because of how many attempts this took haha

#howling #howling for real #i dont even give a shit about how my voice actually sounds here im just glad i managed to actually make it through all the way #with only a few minor hiccups #here's a few of the lines that managed to trip me up the most often:#'fight-or-flight revelation shame the black box warrior' was usually the first tripping point when i had started too fast #'finest fibers flesh and fiberglass and flowers' sucked because i kept saying 'fesh'#'and they waited for his vital signs to lie and let a flatline cry' was a big issue for a while.#sooo many takes ended there because i couldnt get the word 'vital' out properly #a few takes ended at 'palpatations set the beat' because i said 'veat'#or i would immediately afterwords trip over 'vagus nerve'#after a while i just sort of gave up on the 'christ-concoiusness' so i just committed to dropping the r in christ. i just cant do it #the monologue in general was a HUGE take-killer #but the biggest culprits were 'outer center' / 'clapping caskets' / 'gideon bugler pineal glands' / 'projector eyes'#'nerves to steal nerves of steel from under bacchus' bloody nose' / 'namibian himbas'#'my subjective report of your objective conjecture wether this proprietary blend of expertise and seasoning' was fucking AWFULLLLLL #but honestly??? the biggest killer?????? the word 'because'.#i cannot COUNT the amount of times a perfectly good take was slaughtered because i couldnt say the word 'because' lol #i think 'animus' tripped me up once #and i fucked up 'never did think you better than this' cuz i originally thought the line was 'while you may think youre better than this'#so yeah no. this one took a while to get right lol

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babychosen · 11 days ago

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save a horse (ride a cowboy)

8pm, Friday. Red dress. Booth near the end of the bar, by the dart board.

She forgot how demanding the text felt, but it had only encouraged her to want to show up even more.

#owo? what's this? baby cho back with a fic?#I'VE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME #just... hidden #yeah the image is just that photo okay f u guys (affectionate)#my fanfic masterlist has been updated with this fic plus one other that i previously did not claim.. should you be interested in That #wow okay so this one is a doozy. lots of tags below so fair warning #it took me quite a while from just having the idea for this to actually putting pen to paper (finger to keyboard?)#thank you poppyfamily for seeing my original vision for this fic #biggest shoutout goes to wrench (two-wrenches). who will also be getting the most real estate in these tags #i started this fic with no intention of a) writing it to completion or b) letting anyone edit it if i did finish it #but wrench. wrench!!! loml wrench #if you peep the end note on the fic you'll see my praise but like. she was there when i sent her my embarrassing first draft which was shit #and then she whipped my ass into shape and fixed my terrible syntax and flow issues #all i'm really saying here is that sometimes it just takes the right editor to make you comfortable with your work #AND give you the confidence to continue writing. and i just think that's beautiful #thanks for reading lol #amangela #smosh rpf #my fics #amanda lehan canto #angela giarratana #smosh

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todayisafridaynight · 5 months ago

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NO YOU’RE SO RIGHT ABOUT THE MAJIMA STUFF THOUGH. GOD. God forbid you speak poorly about the fandom silly guy etc etc. I rt’d one post about someone being annoyed abt majima getting an insane amount of merch (especially compared to other characters- even other PLAYABLE characters) and suddenly my TL is filled with ppl taking it as a personal attack….. like?? Settle down???

My one fear is that instead of Mine content we’re just gonna get Majima Saga 2 for yk3 and rgg will call it a day. WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY ABOUT THE GUY !!! GENUINELY!!!

at this rate we’re going to have a complete record of Majima’s life from birth until modern day bc you knowww they’re never gonna let the cash cow die or retire. + god I lowkey need the 3jimas to break up Now so saejima and daigo can stand on their own again (w/out being overshadowed by Majima)…. Saejima especially… I miss the days when he felt like a character………

(I may have a lot to say on the topic) (he’s a fun character but at this rate I’m getting so sick of the fandom around him)

gen is kinda funny how when there's the Monthly Critique Of Majima post on twitter the rggtwt part of the tl is flooded with majima fans being upset. its like clockwork really LOL

as for saejima, i do miss him being solo... like he's funny with majima at times, but as wack as Y4 was i still really liked his coliseum scene, and his prison adventures in Y5 were a real treat too..

#snap chats #like you say one mild comment about majima in passing and then you have mates acting as if you burned their crops #like .. its never this serious .. also i think people have the right to be a littttttle miffed that other charas barely get anything #its starting to change with the plushies and saejima/akiyama figures so thats great but. still a way to go LOL #its just esp Lol inducing because kiryu and ichi are protagonists so it makes sense for them to get stuff #but majima is quite literally a side character that wasnt meant to have this much popularity #the concept of a chara becoming popular by accident isnt bad thats not the thing- its even cool when that happens #its just sometimes you just see people act really entitled to stuff for that character while every other chara is ignored #and then the same people acting surprised when others go 'actually ive had a bit enough of this guy'#honestly if they did another majima segment for a hypothetical yk3 id laugh. like id be a bit annoyed but id mostly laugh #cause truly what else is there. he's like a comic book character we just gotta keep making situations for him til hes 90 #idk. just so funny majima's been given a sort of 'weird' protagonist status #and i say weird because he IS a protagonist but just compared to how he actually functions throughout y1-y6. lol. lmao even #like youre right in that majima's a fun character but he really is better in just small doses imo #or. at least i need people to relax on the idea of a 'majima gaiden' or making him any more prominent in the games than he is now #anyway i cant be bitter posting my dad is being funny as hell. he got us bracelets and he was like #'in our family you and i are the only ones who like these. makes us cool' and i was like 'yeah dad we're so cool'#and this old man is just 'we're so cool ☺️' LIKE PL E A S E THE EMOJI TOOK ME OUT. i love my dad. all bitterness is gone from my heart #anyways bye if rgg gives majima a saga in yk3 im gonna livestream playing that and only that #not even yk3 just the majima part 😭😭😭😭

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autumnrory · 3 months ago

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i've been going into the liam tag from time to time the last year where both his fans and people who hated him were Weird about him well before there were any allegations so i would get curious, i don't even remember what started it (maybe it was merely looking for photos that update accounts wouldn't post), but i normally try to avoid going into anything but edit tags for people i enjoy bc there are so many nonsense takes

and of course happening to go through today before the news broke bc i wanted to see what was being said about the abuse as i've only gotten bits on twitter and of course there were many posts rightfully calling it out and all but there's that weird mentality which i was getting a lot more of from twitter but some on here where they're like??? celebrating it and girlboss-ing and i'm just like. okay it's great that you're believing a victim but you're making light of it by talking about it like it's just another stan thing, i have seen that time and time again when this kind of stuff comes out and if people already thought that person was annoying or whatever they're just like "oh yes! i knew it! their career is ruined haha!" and it's like. you clearly don't actually care about the horrible things this person has done and just want to brag that you somehow ~knew~ a stranger's vibes were off and it's so beyond gross like you could use that energy to support a person's victims and instead you'll just try to prove you stan the right people and never the wrong ones or whatever

#and then there were. weird ones #some apparent larrie who didn't seem to like either louis or harry #literally the post that popped up was talking about louis knowing he can't stand on his own bc he can't sing like #has he not very much proven he can stand on his own #he's not as famous post 1d as say harry but i doubt he wants to be lol even harry doesn't want to be #he stays off social media and just gets papped sometimes like both clearly thrive on stage just in different ways ya know #so that was just unnecessary and a block #and then someone else not defending liam or anything but talking about how they're probably all horrible to women #and niall and harry apparently cheating on gfs (never heard anything about that not that i think harry's relationships have been real #and it took me a while to realize when talking about niall having songs written about him they probs meant hailee but #idec what those songs are and if they reference cheating so whatever i think i'm out of the loop on rumors and stuff #where i used to always know what was going on with 1d like i wouldn't have even known about liam if not for the fyp on twitter #bc truly i just don't follow people who post about their personal lives anymore not a choice or anything just that the og 1d blogs are gone #but i was like okay even if any of THAT is true why on earth would you put that on par with abuse. why.#cheating is sooooooooo fucking shitty and i truly hate it but like not the same???#oh and saying niall is a bad person for taking a selfie with him even though none of us know what he knew esp at that point like #most of this seemed to be coming out right after the concert like come on #there's just sooooooo much all around of people pretending they know these people personally #both to defend and criticize and it's just like please i love 1d so much i always will #but man like believe victims always but also don't blindly believe every other random rumor you hear #or that you know exactly what's going on behind the scenes bc you don't and you never will #oh and ofc someone wondering about his other exes like tbf we don't know how much addiction and whatnot came into play #so yeah it might not all be recent developments but are you really gonna ask about danielle who as an adult dated 17 year old liam

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darlinimamess · 1 year ago

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thinking about how i was only in the hospital for a week bc i hated the staff so much i forgot to hate myself

#miles thots #tw suicide #actually what happened was i told the story of my coming out and expressed my anger at my mom for taking so long to be okay with my transne #in a group session and the nurse was so quick to defend my mom even saying she sounded like a good mom even after i told her it was the #biggest reason i wanted to die #and she was all ‘i’m sure she just didn’t understand’ even though i said i’d sent her videos and links to articles and offered to explain #myself if she still didn’t get it #this nurse made me feel so incredibly invalidated. i left group early and my roommate came to check on me (he’s also trans so he got it)#i was actually still actively suicidal when they released me but i hid it so well bc i couldn’t stand to be in there any longer #my friends saved me more than that place did. they let me crash on their couches until i was ready to talk to my mom #also- in case anyone actually read this: my mom is wonderful and i love her and we have a very strong relationship now.#it took a lot of work to get here though and it doesn’t change how i view what she did or how she made me feel in the past #but we have talked about all of it and i’ve forgiven her. she’s now my biggest supporter and i love her to the ends of the earth #so this story isn’t me talking bad ab my mom- just the situation and the response i received #oh yeah also they violated hippa and i didn’t realize it for about a year and while they had no right-#i also don’t care enough to do anything ab it anymore lol #tw transphobia #< almost forgot that one

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unproduciblesmackdown · 2 years ago

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in the power of Noticing Things The Xth Time Around the instrumentals-imitative "doot. doot. doot. dooWAH" vocals that kick in during the second verse of centerfold? superlative

#i've heard the song a fair number of times & always enjoyed it a lot. high energy & fun; a little goofy in great ways in subj & sonic style #it is extremely correct to work w/imitative vocalizations in your music no matter what. put in more. More #(and the Vocal [doot] being on the backbeat as opposed to the Instrumental [doot]....superlative!]#and did i Mention that [verse into chorus] synth line...the drumming underneath it...#even the faux Live Performance psychout ending. a song about a Specific Ass Situation thank fucking god. deserved to chart like that.#also anytime i say Dad Rock i use it fairly neutrally lol. i'm a fan plenty of songs that would qualify; to be more specific #lmao love the instances of [no matter how many ties i hear it i cannot distinguish this sequence into phonemes in a way that corresponds to #words (or words that fit into the context in any comprehensible way)] i.e. went ''okay time to look up lyrics b/c i will always be going:#flowers What about her dress??'' & the line is apparently ''while i was thinking about her dress'' lol love when the revelations of #mishearing are funny like Ah right....and claims it's ''slipped me notes'' rather than ''slipping notes'' but doesn't change too much #being like [i cannot decipher these lyrics] is generally a more fun casual version of ''especial tendency to struggle w/audio processing''#versus like not knowing what tf someone's said in this part in a movie or smthing no matter how many times you hear it #or of course the most A Problem: not being able to parse what's being Spoken in some in-person situation #might be an occasion you can't get anything repeated; might be an occasion where for some reason/s a repeat doesn't even help....#also forever the Idiosyncratic Origin Stories behind [genuine friendships formed when you are autistic] e.g. like yeah one of my good #elementary school friendships? was one where we did parallel play; maybe never or very rarely actually Spoke; our Distracting Each Other #was punished with more of a singular intensity than i ever saw Anyone's ''distracting each other'' interactions....#took years of being at the same job (part time; so not like monday thru friday 9 to 5 Always being there at the same time anyways)#for me & a coworker to start talking & become work friends; then regular friends #their name was angel; so the menace i became when we had such a dad rock station on & these alignments occurred #though i would be engaging in singing along to things in general lol so

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fuzzyunicorn · 6 days ago

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Lil Satanists… surrender or be put to the sword

#lol @ the fact this took u lil wackodoodles almost 300 million years & it’s all being undone in a matter of seconds 😭😂#it’s just like I said it would happen u dumbass cunts you spent so much painstaking effort to build this elaborate house of cards just for #it to be completely blown the fuck over w a single Divine Fart 😭😂#yeah u all said oh we’ll see abt that!! 😡 & yes the fuck u did c abt that😭😂 everything I say become true #always! no if and or buts! ik the mortals don’t wanna hear this but I wish this war could keep going on it’s been so fuckin’ lackluster &#boring my head off! tormenting u lil fuckers isn’t so fun anymore since ur all so terrrifed of me no one is willing 2 attract my gaze :(#awh pooie! no fun for me! I love it when u lil goat fuckers try n stick it to me 😭😂 no one is willing to throw anything in my general #direction let alone directly at me! now that’s truly offensive!!!!! I’m calling the PC police!!!!!! 😭😂 I’m on the phone RIGHT now w them!#no but srsly lil Satanists ur only options r 2 surrender or die screaming :) now which will it besie poo???#this war has been so 🥱 which greatly irritates me so u’ll all b punished! punished! 4 such a dull war campaign that lasted 300 million #years which was a total fucking snoozefest (hehe I genocided a lot of u each night in my sleep!!!!) but anyway how this war concludes 4 u #lil Satanists is up 2 u if u live or die. srsly u have free will still cause free will isn’t a concept in Hell those on the torture racks #can’t choose with their own free will they’ve had enough they’ve learned their lesson & will use their free will to get off the rack &#walk out of Hell that’s not how it works bookies so use while u still can!#it makes zero difference to use Divine Beings which route u choose just know lil Satanists those 2 truly r ur only options all loopholes #have been long cinched off so take ur pick of the two 🤷‍♀️

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zoologica42 · 7 months ago

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Temperate Lake Dashboard Simulator

🐦‍⬛2xcrested_cormorant Follow Going to try and eat this weird fish

♻️🐦‍⬛2xcrested_cormorant Follow wilmdlife hopital

🐸rana-bufo Follow No one can ever truly understand what BULL4rog's music means to me 😭 this song in particular argrgrgrgrgrg the way he puffs out his vocal sack asdfghjk

BULL4rog: listen here on spotify ♻️🐸rana-bufo Follow I think I huave chytrid

🐟ilikeeatingminnowsFollow I just migrated here from finstagram please be nice

🐠powerbottomfeeder Follow

I have HAD IT with this lake, it’s the third day in a row we’ve had nitrates above 8 ppm and uug the algae, my allergies I can’t do this

♻️🐟carpy-diem Follow

Lol we regularly get nitrates up to 20 ppm in my lake ♻️🦞crawdaddy Follow uhhh you shouldn't be bragging about that, it's really unsafe ♻️🐟carpy-diem Follow suck it you little oligotrophic bitch

🐢snappturt Follow Dear Tumblr, am I the Basshole for the way I catch minnows? I was chatting with some of the guys I bask with and they said the way I catch minnows is problematic; What I do is I sit on the bottom of the lake, I hide myself in the mud and I open my mouth. My tongue looks a lot like a little worm so I wiggle it around- and because of that, minnows swim over and check it out. Once they get close enough, then I bite down and eat them. Some of my rockmates have told me that this is manipulative and toxic behavior- but they also eat minnows...I don't know guys...

🦆tree hole-nester-acorn-eater Follow

is it just me, or is this super homoerotic???

🐟bigpikexxl Follow liveblogging diving down to the bottom

♻️🐟bigpikexxl Follow dark

♻️🐟bigpikexxl Follow big log

♻️🐟bigpikexxl Follow rock

♻️🐟bigpikexxl Follow kinda cold

♻️🐟bigpikexxl Follow oh hi @deepwatersculpin!!!

♻️🐠deepwatersculpin Follow oh hey @bigpikexxl!!!

never thought i'd seen one of my mutuals irl!!! I didn't even know we lived in the same lake!!!

🐠Shadlad Follow I'm not sorry, and I'm not afraid to say it, if you're an introduced species, go dry yourself out. You're not welcome to eat up all of our resources and live in my ancestral longs and rock crags. These things are for us to relate to and not for you to squander.

♻️🦞crevice-steve Follow

Can't believe this type of fishcourse is still popular on this site, introduced species didn't choose to be introduced and have as much of a right to live as anyone else. Bigotry against introduced species is still bigotry and that's a hill I will dry on. ♻️🐠Shadlad Follow Go ahead, dry yourself out then ;) ♻️🪷nootnootnewt Follow Hey man, I hate invasive species as much as anyone else but please stop telling people to beach themselves for political reasons- yeah that includes inavsives too ♻️🦐typical_scud Follow Did you legit just use the word Invas*ve to describe introduced species? ♻️🦢flatfootswimmer Follow anyone in this thread eat pondweed?

♻️🐟largemouthbASS Follow A colab with my mutual @2xcrested_cormorant after they got released from the wildlife hospital. They haven't been on much since the Fish and Wildlife Service released them in the wrong lake and it took them a while to get back to their colony. We hope this guide will help you avoid accidentally eating/engaging with bait!

#fishblr #fishposting #fake post #dashboard simulator #cw thalassophobia #thalassophobia #ecology #freshwater ecology #wood duck #walleye

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rafesangelita · 1 month ago

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౨ৎ ˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 “jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!” — in which you ride rafe speechless for being on the naughty list..

warnings: roleplay, dirty talk, established relationship, teasing, brief thigh riding, heavy petting, tit fucking, grinding, orgasm denial, rafe cries, slight degradation, unprotected sex, restraints (reader has rafe’s hands tied with a ribbon), overstimulation, multiple orgasms, dacryphilia, slapping, scratching, hair pulling

a/n: lol i feel like i should’ve done kinkmas..

“fuck, fuck, fuck..” rafe was cursing under his breath, your soaked cunt gliding over his cock while it sat on his tummy, your clit dragging up and down the underside of his length. “please, i need to be inside you, baby.” his voice came out weak, like it was taking everything in him not to blow his load right then and there. “naughty boys don’t get what they want.” you moaned, your hips stuttering as you merely used rafe to get yourself off. rafe’s head thudded against the headboard, his jaw slack as he reveled in the feeling of you grinding on him.

“please, i’ll be good, i promise!” he gasped when you raked your nails down his chest. “yeah? you said that last year..” your laugh was nothing short of degrading, your boyfriend feeling utterly helpless as his hands were bound above his head. when the band in your stomach suddenly snapped, you were quick to move off of rafe’s cock and onto his thigh where you started dragging your hips instead. this way, he couldn’t feel the way you desperately clenched around nothing. “ohh, fuck! you’re cumming?” you ignored him, your legs trembling as your orgasm had you whimpering to yourself.

rafe squirmed, his cock aching with need as you rode out your high against his stiff muscles. “this is the only thing you’re good for, you know that?” you looked up at him, his eyes glazed over as his cheeks flushed with color. “yes, i know. i’m only here to make you feel good..” his abs constricted as he watched you get up on shaky legs, anticipation settling in his belly as you put your hair up in a ponytail. “poor rafe, your cock looks like it’s just begging for attention.” you cooed, seating yourself between his thighs.

leaning down, rafe shuddered when you took him in your hand. “i shouldn’t let you be inside me at all.. but if you’re good for me i might just let you.” sitting him between your tits, you looked up at him as you stroked him, your tongue lapping at his tip every time he emerged from the valley of your breasts. “holy fuckkk,” he hissed, “oh, it feels so good.” you taunted his whines, your tits glistening with his slick. “i’m not gonna— shit, i’m not gonna last.” he shook his head, eyebrows knitting together as his face morphed into one of full blown pleasure.

upon hearing this, you sped up your pace until he was crying out, almost completely falling off the edge before you stopped all movements, heavy tears running down his cheeks as this was the third orgasm you denied him tonight. seeing him cry out of frustration turned you on beyond belief, each tear a testament to how bad you had him wrapped around your pretty little finger. swinging a leg over his hips, you straddled him once again before pulling a handful of his hair. “look down, handsome, i want you to watch the way you fill me up..”

rafe’s hair was still threaded between your fingers when you sunk down unto him, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as your heat wrapped around him. letting go of his hair, rafe hissed when you softly ran your hands down his torso, your nails digging into his skin while you sat still on top of his lap. “please do something..” it was torture being inside of you without being able to fuck you senseless. so bad, he wanted to at least have his hands on your hips, the globes of your ass looking so enticing.

“are you going to be good?” rafe nodded frantically, his chest rising and falling as he desperately muttered a ‘yes, i’ll be so good for you!’ you don’t know what possessed you to do it, but without a second thought, you slapped rafe across the cheek, the action stunning him for a moment before a hint of a smile played on his lips. the fucker liked it? oh, he was in for it now. leaning forward, rafe attempted to get one of your tits in his mouth before you smacked him away, sinking down on him once again. he shivered, gazing up at you as you started rocking on top of him.

the globes of your ass smacked his thighs, his eyes watching you mesmerized. you felt too good whenever you rode him like this, your clit hitting his pubic bone everytime you slammed back down. you were so wet, the sound reverberating in the empty space of your shared bedroom. “wanna touch you..” he groaned when you started bouncing on him faster, the familiar tension starting to coil in his abdomen. “aww, well that’s just too bad.” you leaned down, pressing a kiss to his lips. “m’gonna cum, baby, please i need it!” he all but whined, eyes screwing shut as you threw him over the edge of pure euphoria.

he came harder than he ever had in his life, the force of his climax hitting him like a truck. rafe was writhing beneath you, pathetic noises leaving his lips as he painted your insides white. “o-oh my fucking— nghhh, god!” he was in full on hysterics, tears falling down the corners of his eyes as you didn’t make any attempt to slow your movements. “baby— slow down, please, please, please..” he hissed, overstimulation kicking in. you smiled at him briefly, feeling your second orgasm of the night lick your tummy as it was just in arm’s reach.

eyebrows knitting together in pure unadulterated bliss, you cried out, leaning down and pressing kisses to rafe’s chest as you came, your velvety walls sucking him in as you clenched around the welcomed intrusion that was his cock. how rafe hadn’t ascended into the after life yet? he didn’t know. surely he was in heaven already, his vision fuzzy as he blinked, dazed and extremely fucked-out. rafe helplessly kissed the crown of your head, your attention flittering up to his restrained hands. once you weren’t trembling in the aftershocks of your orgasm, you reached up, untying the knot that rafe’s wrists were currently binded in.

his arms were like jelly when they fell, a sigh of relief escaping his lips as you gently ran your fingers through his hair. “if that’s the ‘punishment’ for being naughty, i think i might just act up all year—” you laid down next to him, allowing him to pull you close before you interrupted him. “don’t even think about it.”

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neriyon · 4 months ago

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Hawu'li has 2 older brothers (Hawu'a & Hawu'to), 5 older sisters (mostly unnamed) and 2 younger sisters (also unnamed), because I really wanted to stick with the miqo lore of males being kinda rare even in bigger families.

With Hawu'a he's kinda... not that close but not really fighting or anything either? Hawu'a's a nice enough guy, but a lot older and, as is customary, left home when Hawu'li was still very young so they never really bonded that well.

Hawu'to he is a lot closer with! Hawu'li used to follow him around a lot when Hawu'to still lived home, always asking his big bro to read him books and stuff haha. They had some quarrels as kids ofc, mostly whenever Hawu'li tried to mediate things between his older brothers (Hawu'a and Hawu'to do NOT get along), and kinda lost contact after Hawu'to moved to study in Old Sharlayan. With Endwalker MSQ events they met again after years and are currently kinda getting to know each other again, with Hawu'li agreeing to help him out with N'jinh by taking him along with him to Tural.

With his older sisters relationships vary a bit, but most are somewhat friendly with Hawu'li. The 3 older ones who chose to stay home with their mother he doesn't have that much contact with outside occasional letters, but are mostly friendly when Hawu'li does show up to visit. And the 2 that have left their home to start their own lives are a lot closer to Hawu'li, writing regularily, and whenever he's home in Lavender Beds, stop by to visit.

The 2 younger ones are pretty close to him too - teen Hawu'li was kinda the appointed babysitter of the family, since he was mainly in the way during hunting trips. Hawu'li used to pamper them a lot haha, making stuff like hair accessories or little outfits for toys for them whenever they asked. They are the ones that most wait for his visits home these days, often curious to hear of his travels.

9/17/24

Does your wol(oc) have any siblings? What is the relationship like?

#“wao actual text on reblog not just tags? who are you and what have you done to neri?”#yeah uh i ran out of space lol #there's also his 3948873348 cousins #(his 2 aunts live right next to them and all their kids were raised pretty collectively)#“why do his older brother's hate eachother?” well you see their mom is kinda ass #she clearly favored hawu'a over her other two sons #bc he's a “good strong man” (very good at hunting and stuff)#and hawu'to took offense for being always compared to hawu'a #and somehow it grew into this quarrel between the two of them #where hawu'a tries to defend their mom (who was always nice to him)#and hawu'to gets even more pissed for him sideing with her #so he starts calling hawu'a stupid and stuff #and hawu'a gets MORE angry since he's always felt bit jealous that his little bro is so smart #oh right hawu'li also has some nieces and nephews!#one of the sisters back at home has kids #and at least one of the ones that left has them too #she often asks hawu'li to babysit them when he happends to be home haha #oh right and i should mention: his family doesn't really know he's wol lol #to them hawu'li is just kinda. wandering around as a common adventurer #i think after ew stuff they slowly realize who he really is #hawu'to at least but like some of his sisters probably too #anyway #fun fact: while i have never really thought too much about what his siblings look like #there's this (sadly suncat) npc you can get in your house that vaguely reminds me of hawu'li (bc of his hairstyle)#and ever since we got him we've joked that it's one of his brothers haha #so now i kinda think of him whenever i think of hawu'to #(it's the male miqo'te journeyman salvager)#answered wolqotd #purple catboy

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nikkento-writes · 6 months ago

Text

Babysitter - Part 1

Pairing: dad!Toji x babysitter!reader

Rating: Explicit – MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Word Count: ~1.7k

cw: age gap (reader is 21, Toji is in his 30s), language, cheating, smut – PIV sex (doggy style), breeding kink, daddy kink

Summary: You're hired to babysit little Megumi for the summer, but you end up taking care of his father, Toji, as well.

Author’s Notes: This is repost from my old blog! I initially got this as a request and it became my first Toji fic ever, and certainly not my last lol. I'm posting this again because I actually wrote a Part 2, check it out! Thanks for reading! Divider credit to @/fic-dumpster.

You stand in front of a quaint house, checking your watch for the time. It’s been almost ten minutes now since you knocked, no answer. You gave the number from the listing a call, still nothing. Rolling your eyes, you take a seat on the steps leading to the door, waiting.

It’s the summer before you head back to university for your senior year. In an attempt to make some extra cash, you took a job as a babysitter through local ads in the paper. The first two clients were completely normal; this one is already leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

Fifteen minutes have passed. You try once more, pounding on the door with your fist as loud as you can. Heel turned, ready to leave, it suddenly swings open, revealing a muscular man with black hair, glaring at you. “What the fuck do you want?”

You step back, startled by his intimidating presence. Stuttering, you answer, “I’m the babysitter.”

He continues to stare at you, eyes following your body up and down, studying it. “Babysitter?”

Before you can explain any further, you hear a car rolling into the driveway. A woman in professional attire steps out quickly. “I’m so sorry I’m late!” She rushes towards you, holding her hand out to shake yours. “We spoke on the phone. I got stuck in traffic, I’m so sorry.”

You smile at her. “It’s okay.”

She faces the man, expression switching from cheery to dreary in an instant. “Toji, where is Megumi?”

He scratches his head. “Huh?”

“Megumi. Our child.”

He sighs. “Right. Uh, I’ll go get him.”

While he’s gone, the woman pulls you aside, speaking in a hushed voice. “That’s Toji, my husband and Megumi’s father. Unfortunately, he’s a complete deadbeat. That’s why I want to hire you. I started my new job and I need someone to take care of Megumi while I’m gone during the day.”

She swallows hard, blinking to fight off oncoming tears. “I have no one. I’ve been shunned by my family, my husband doesn’t give a shit about ours, and I’m all alone trying to give Megumi a good life. I know this is a lot to ask, but I’m desperate. This is just until I can save enough money to hire a full-time nanny.”

She grips onto your wrist with both her hands, begging for help. Truthfully, it’s a lot to unravel, more drama than you anticipated. But the anguish in her eyes tugs at your heartstrings. Plus, knowing it’s temporary doesn’t make it seem so difficult. How bad can it be? “Okay. I’ll do it.”

Relief washes over her. “Oh thank god. Thank you. Thank you. Let’s go inside and I can give you a tour.” She leads you through the entrance, removing her shoes as you follow her. “Oh, and one more thing.”

“Sure.”

“Toji is home most of the day, but he’s always couped up in his room, doing god knows what. Just leave a meal or two outside his door twice a day. That should be enough.”

“Huh?!”

She glances at you with a nervous smile on her face. “Yeah. I told you, he’s good for nothing.”

You don’t respond while you maneuver through the house, barely paying attention while she shows you around. It almost sounds like you’ll be babysitting two children…

~~~

The first two weeks of your new job go by smoothly. Megumi is an adorable baby; he’s almost two-years-old with hair as black as his father’s. While he never really smiles, he doesn’t cry either, expression usually stern, unless he needs a diaper change. He’s self-sufficient, always immersed by his own toys until it’s time to eat. Overall, he’s easy.

Toji, on the other hand, is another story.

You follow his wife’s instructions, leaving two meals outside his door, breakfast and lunch. And this asshole has the audacity to critique it! The bread wasn’t toasted enough. The eggs were too runny. There wasn’t enough seasoning on the meat. All this criticism while each plate is licked clean, not a crumb to spot. He’s never even uttered a simple thank you.

But what he lacks in social skills or personality, he makes up for in his physique. In between meals, he works out in the living room lifting weights, doing push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups at the frame of the door. It lasts for over an hour, and by the end of it, he’s shirtless, dripping with sweat. You’ve done everything in your power to avoid staring but it doesn’t prevent your mind from conjuring all types of lewd thoughts about him. You’re ashamed to admit that he is physically attractive, only because everything else about him is utter trash. Still, it doesn’t hurt to look, right?

On the third week, there’s a shift in energy between you two. When he isn’t working out or going out to meet with his sketchy friends, he’s usually couped up in his bedroom, ignoring you and Megumi. This morning, he actually joins you in the kitchen. You stare blankly at him, stunned by his sudden appearance. Megumi is unfazed by his father as he tries to pull your wrist towards him to get a spoonful of mushed up peas.

When he catches you, Toji glares. “What?”

“Um, nothing. Just surprised to see you here.” You clear your throat, focusing back on the baby.

He rolls his eyes. “This is my house. I can do whatever I want.”

“Yes, of course. Sir.”

For some reason, this triggers him. He stands up abruptly, stepping to you, leaning his face towards yours. The scar on the corner of his lip twitches when he gives you a wicked grin. “That’s right. I’m in charge here.”

You flinch from him, scared, maybe even slightly aroused. He’s intense, that’s for sure. But part of you finds it exhilarating to be in his presence.

Megumi whines for more food, to which Toji grabs the utensil from your hands to start feeding him. “Damn kid, he’s hungry all the fucking time.”

You sit up in your seat, regaining your composure. “You shouldn’t curse in front of children.”

He faces you, chuckling. “Curse? Seriously? What are you, five?”

You cross your arms, answering, “I’m twenty-one.”

“Interesting.” There’s that naughty smirk again, as if he’s thinking something obscene in that twisted head of his. And while you should be turned off, you’re not. You squeeze your legs together, pussy throbbing between your thighs. And of course, he notices this. He must, because he leans forward, lips grazing your ear, whispering, “Come by my room whenever Megumi is taking his nap. That’s an order.”

~~~

This is bad. Very, very bad.

You're supposed to be better than this. Clearly, you aren’t, because you’re currently getting railed by your employer’s husband while his child sleeps peacefully in the next room.

“Fuck, this pussy is tight,” he groans, pumping his thick cock in and out of you. You’re bent over the edge of the bed, his hips smacking against your ass as he thrusts into you. He’s got a tight grip on your hips, nails digging into your flesh, pounding away at your greedy pussy, absolutely drenched with arousal and lube. Your face is sticky with perspiration, pillow soaked with sweat and drool. It’s a fucking mess, but it doesn’t matter, because all you can think about is Toji fucking you until you’re seeing stars. Until your head is empty and nothing but his fat cock is occupying your thoughts.

“God, you’re squeezing me so fucking hard, princess. You gonna come again?”

You nod erratically, reaching your fingers to your clit. He smacks it away, doing it himself, his thumb flicking against your swollen bud. “Fucking come on my cock then. Make it nice and creamy for me, got it?”

His cock is buried deep inside you, hitting your sweet spot over and over until you unravel, gushing around him once more. You’ve lost count on how many orgasms you’ve had in this short amount of time.

After your climax, he doesn’t pull out, fucking you even rougher. Your body is pliant around him, yielding to his every touch like putty. You’ve lost control of yourself, completely enraptured in the intense pleasure he surrounds you with.

He leans forward, chest pressed to your back, lips brushed to your ear. “I’m gonna knock you up. Give Megumi a little brother or sister. Would you like that?” He’s crazy. Completely unhinged. Absolutely fucking psycho.

“Fuck yes, I want that,” you moan. “Give it to me, daddy. Breed me.”

And apparently, so are you.

“Oh fuck yeah, take my fucking cum then,” he growls. The bed creaks violently below you, his backshots brutal and frantic now, cock desperate for release. “I’m gonna get you fucking pregnant. Make you mine.”

He shoots his hot load inside you, stuffing you full of his cum. He doesn’t stop until he’s fucked it deeper into your pussy, watching with that sexy look on his face as his creamy cum leaks out of your slit.

Lifting you up to lay comfortably on the bed, he rolls beside you, kissing you sloppily until Megumi’s whimpers blare through the baby monitor, indicating that he’s awake. Toji laughs, smacking your ass as you crawl over him to return to your real job.

~~~

You spend the remainder of your summer employed at the Fushiguro household until you have to go back to school. You and Toji continue to fuck each other silly every day that you’re working.

The day before you leave for college, you say your goodbyes to the family. Megumi’s mom, who remains blissfully unaware of your sins, hugs you tightly. “Thank you so much for all your help. I’ve finally saved enough money to afford a full-time nanny, so we’ll be fine.”

“It was my pleasure. I had a lot of fun. With Megumi,” you clarify, avoiding Toji’s gaze as he watches from the kitchen.

“Seriously. You’re a good person. I hope you know that.” She smiles, truly grateful. “And thank you for taking care of my good for nothing husband too.”

As the guilt of this dirty, filthy secret eats away at you, Toji stares at you from across the room, smirking.

#toji fushiguro #toji x reader #toji smut #toji x you #toji fushiguro smut #toji fushiguro x reader #jjk smut #jujutsu kaisen smut

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