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astra-ravana · 16 days

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Basic Incense and Their Uses

Types of Incense:

• Sandalwood: Protection, healing, purification, pleasing the spirits, consecration

• Cherry: Attracts and stimulates love, new beginnings

• Vanilla: Luck, love, happiness, stimulates memory

• Jasmine: Luck; especially in love, peace, intuition, moon magick

• Coconut: Purification and protection, fertility, love and chastity

• Frankincense: Spirituality, protection, love, prosperity, growth, confidence, an offering to the gods

• Cinnamon: Wealth/money, prosperity, success, focus, amplifies any ritual or spell, third eye

• Myrrh: Protection, exorcism, consecration, purification, peace, meditation, spirituality, offering to the gods

• Patchouli: Money, abundance, attraction, passion, romance, lust

• Rose: Love, self love, safety, calm, healing, purification, connection to maternal ancestors

• Strawberry: Passion, love, luck, friendship, romance, opens/connects root and sacral chakras, goddess offering

• Dragon's Blood: Increases personal power, manifestation, attraction, sensuality, love, favored by many entities as an offering

• Sage: Cleansing, banishing, protection, clearing the air, nullifying negativity, promoting a more peaceful environment, longevity

• Lavender: Psychic abilities, divination, dream magick, protection, purification, beauty, intuition, peace, calming

• Nag Champa: Amplifies a ritual, great for meditation

• Clove: Protection (especially for children), love, money, purification, exorcism, shielding/warding

• Juniper: Exorcism, protection, healing, love

• Allspice: Attracts luck and money, provides extra physical energy

• Copal: Protection, cleansing, purification, connection, spirituality, ideal for cleansing crystals and stones

• Bay: Good luck, manifestation, success, purification, protection, healing, sharpens psychic abilities

• Rosemary: Protection, exorcism, purification, promotes sleep, restores and/or mantains youth, draws love, increases intellect

• Thyme: Health, vitality, healing, cleansing

• Pine: Money, strength, patience, shielding, purification, offer to nature spirits/deities

• Fern: Burn indoors to drive out malevolent spirits, burn outdoors to bring rain

• Benzoin: Purification, prosperity, amplifies mental abilities

• Arabic Gum: Purification and protection of the home

• Blueberry: Keeps unwanted influences away

• Passionflower: Peace, anxiety soothing, promotes sleep, friendship, joy, openness

• Mullein: Courage, protection, health, divination, offering to the dead

• Rowan: Psychic ability, self reflection, healing, protection, power, spirits more likely to obey demands/requests

• Star Anise: Psychic power, manifestation, luck

• Mugwort: Strength, psychic power, spirit communication, protection, astral travel, dream work, visions/premonitions

• Rue: Healing, mental health, comfort, exorcism, love, bonding

• Saffron: Health, wealth, happiness, success, wind raising, manifestation, lust, strength, third eye

• Palo Santo: Clears stagnant/negative energy

• Eucalyptus: Healing, cleansing, physical health, clears tense energy, invigorating, empowerment

• Wormwood: Magick, astral travel, spirit work, dream work, divination, third eye, protection from magick, curses and unwelcome energies, spiritual love, opens spiritual doorways, return to sender

• Lotus: Inner peace and outer harmony, third eye, meditation ascension, recovery, offering to Lilith

• Chamomile: Love, peace, comfort, stress reduction, luck in gambling

• Amber: Manifestation, good luck, success, love, romance, patience, protection, balance, sensuality, pain relief

• Damiana: Sensuality, sexuality, astral travel, love/sex magick, baneful witchcraft, attraction, drawing spells, shadow work, healing trauma, speaking your truth

• Skull Cap: Balance, calm, recovery, anchor to bring consciousness back to the body after astral projection

• Albizzia: Opens you up to oneness, attunes the heart, brings happiness

• Lemongrass: Calming, balance, love, depression relief

• Ginger: Strength, power, prosperity, relationship success

• Oregano: Joy, travel, creativity, love, hand fasting

• Cardamom: Love, lust, charm, mental clarity

• Sweet Grass: Removes malevolent energies, draws prosperity

• Marshmallow: Spirit pulling, protection, cleansing, stimulates psychic power, self-understanding, nurturing, healing, fertility, love, sexuality

• Orris: Love, protection, divination, spirit work, intuition

• Storax: Courage, healing, moon magick, meditation, divination, encourages restful sleep, offering to Hekate

Incense Smoke Divination:

Smoke direction- Up/down:

• Up: Positive spiritual journey

• Down: Challenges, deviation from the path

Smoke direction- Right/left:

• Right: Desires will be fulfilled

• Left: Blocks and turbulent energy

Smoke direction- Towards/away:

• Towards: Reciprocal affection

• Away: Neglect or indifference

Smoke forms a circle:

• Clear circle: Strong vibes, manifestation is near

• Hazey circle: Weak vibes, uncertain manifestation

Smoke forms a Ladder:

• Multiple steps: Elevated spiritual path

• One step: Need to enhance spirituality

Spiral shape:

• Clear spiral: Big, new change

• No distinct shape: Chaos, uncertainty

Smoke splits in two:

• Important life decisions

• Trust your instincts

Many broken corners:

• Confusion, need clarity

Infinity symbol:

• Very auspicious omen

Thick and dense smoke:

• Negative energy

• Change is needed

Abrupt lighting and smoke:

• Smooth/even flame: Clear path

• Choppy flame: Hurdles on path

#withcraft #magick #witch #satanic witch #lefthandpath #dark #witchcraft #eclectic witch #Incense #divination

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seraphdreams · 1 year

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DON'T FORGET ME | BAJI KEISUKE.

⋆˙⟡♡ synopis. going to a concert with your best friend certainly has its perks. and so does hooking up with one of the bandmates.

⋆˙⟡♡ contains. bimbo!reader, rockstar!baji, unprotected sex, pet names, asphyxiation, creampie, semi-public sex, baji being sleazy + eighteen plus, mdni.

⋆˙⟡♡ word count. 3.3k.

“Thanks for coming to tonight’s show! Here’s one more song before we head out!”

You’d never been much of a fan of underground rock music, and quite frankly, you still weren’t. Something about obnoxiously loud vocals backed up with random electric guitar riffs just never settle right within your spirit. In fact, you almost forgot the real reason you stood just yards away from one of the biggest up and coming rock bands.

For one thing, the air was incredulously too suffocating. Bodies upon bodies virtually sewn together despite the spacious arena that held them, and the stage lights abnormally dim—Only a few saffron-hued luminescences casted upon the four males that appeared on the platform. You hardly saw the members in the far back on their guitars but of what you could make out, one had white hair decorated with a small black streak and tan skin that glimmered under the hot lights while the other, with a dark neck tattoo and bold eyes, drank from his half-full water bottle.

Mostly by the front and center of the stage, occupied the drummer and the person who was just speaking out from the mic mere seconds ago.

“That’s my fucking brother!” Your best friend and little sister of the main vocalist, Airi shouted. She was but the replication of her brother; large, emerald orbs dazzled with long dark brown eyelashes and heaps of wavy blonde hair that fell downward to her lower back. Her outfit choice of leather pants donned with a matching corset top left none of her figure to the imagination, an ode to her love of the genre.

Wherever Airi went, you followed, and when she proposed the idea of seeing her brother and his bandmates perform, you couldn’t pass up the opportunity—Not to mention the free front row tickets he offered.

It was clear Chifuyu heard his sister from the crowd, looking down at the two of you with an illustrious smile and gesturing a two finger salute. He inched back with the microphone taut in the grip of his left hand and sent off a cue to the rest of his bandmates. Music followed hastily after and he began to sing.

Throughout the whole show, your eyes remained locked onto the raven-haired drummer. You marveled at each and every ministration he made, how his demeanor seemed to switch with each passing song and how the sweat accumulated on his perfectly toned body. In your head, you could’ve cursed Airi for not telling you about him beforehand, he’s totally your type.

You bobbed your head along to the melody that flowed within your ears and it was evident to Airi that you were enjoying the show you formally told her you “probably wouldn’t enjoy.”

She leaned over to sonorously whisper-yell in your ear. “Having fun?” The expiration of her words practically fell to flat ears had you not seen her in your peripheral view. In all honesty, you were more-so focused on the aggression that sexy drummer displayed while he played. How did he not break the drumset? Surely, he was strong enough to do so.

“Huh?” You peered over at her, vacant eyes meeting her jaded ones. She gave you her signature allknowing look and turned back to face the band.

Soon enough, the music stopped and the venue was filled with its final cheers. The stage went ominously tenebrous and the rest of the audience filed out of the stadium, except for you and Airi.

“Wanna go chill backstage?” Airi proposed. She pointed her thumb in the direction of a hallway filled with staff. “Are we even allowed to?” you started. “The place is packed with security.”

Airi mirthfully elbowed you, that sly smile on her perfectly made-up face. “I’m family, they’ll understand.”

One thing you couldn’t knock about your best friend was her adventurousness. Truthfully, you were just as bad as her, yet a bit more wary of getting in trouble—Especially if the law was involved, but you liked fun. And this was definitely what you needed. “Show me the way then, Little Matsuno.”

And with that, the both of you had set foot on your way to heading backstage.

Which undoubtedly felt like the case until you found yourself stranded among other concertgoers and personnel that you lost sight of your friend. She couldn’t have gotten far so where the hell was she? You continued your search by calling her phone, walking in any direction to pick up the slightest amount of signal.

“Hey.”

The bellow of a deep voice stopped you dead in your tracks and you sheepishly looked up with silent hopes that you hadn’t gotten in it with the wrong person. Much to your dismay (Or maybe it was a blessing), the man you’d been eyeing all night stood tall above you. Long, wavy noir tresses sat at his wide shoulders to match his black tank top that was slightly rolled up at the hem, showing off his midriff and that delicious v-line. His toned and ink littered arms folded across his chest while an undistinguishable expression etched over his features.

“Uh, hi.” You blinked a few times in dubiousness at the circumstance you so gracefully landed yourself in. Proximal distance to his figure led you to tread backward a few steps until you were at a comfortable enough range to take him in fully.

He looked so fucking mean, thick eyebrows pursed together, and sharp, amber eyes narrowed upon your figure.

“What do ya think you’re doin’?”

You had half a mind to drop to your knees and show him what was on your mind, yet you remained to keep yourself where you stood, for his sake of course.

His eyes bored holes into your frame. Whereas you couldn’t keep up with his unwavering eye contact, he managed to take note of every little quirk about you. “Um.. I was looking for my friend.” Your throat felt dry as you began to speak. “She said I could come backstage—Her name’s Airi Matsuno, Chifuyu’s sister.” The words got quieter as you spewed them out. You weren’t sure if it was your nerves or the intimidation, he’s so much taller up close.

“Eh? Fuyu’s lil’ sis?” He looked behind him to one of his bandmates, that same one as before with the blond streaks and neck tattoo. It seemed as though every member had genes blessed by the deities up above. “Tora, does Fuyu have a sister?”

The man you come to realize as “Tora” affirms your claim, adding that he had just seen Airi and Chifuyu leave the venue.

“Damn it, Ai.” You thought to yourself as if she’d actually given one day to not be herself.

The drummer turns back to look at you, this time unfolding his arms and standing somewhat widely. His thick dark brows remained quirked in a perplexed manner. He leans down to meet your gaze, hands hidden in his pockets as he concludes. “Some friend you got there. She left ya all alone.”

“She does that sometimes.” You reply.

He straightened up back to his full height, his expression softening, and a slight crack of a smile on his lips. “Guess i’ll keep ya company ‘til she comes back.”

Any other day, your humility would’ve been disregarded to the back of your mind. In all actuality, you were discourteous and loved attention, yet the feeling of a celebrity seemingly stooping low enough for some lost, 20-something year old groupie in disguise, kept your modesty in perfect condition.

“Oh, you don’t have to-“

Your words were quickly cut off by his cold demeanor as he opened one of the doors in the narrow hallway beside him. “But I wanna. /Ven aqui/.“ Eyes looked into yours like daggers and you couldn’t quite tell if he were vexed at your facade or if he were just blessed with bedroom eyes.

You followed him into what seemed to be his greenroom. It’s complete with a set of drums on one side near the corner and a half opened window, and a leather couch in the middle, not to mention the rack of clothes on the other edge.

“Didn’t catch your name, though. You are?” He questioned, sitting at the drumset in front of you. You made yourself comfortable on the plush couch, pulling the hem of your pink bodycon down in hopes you don’t reveal too much.

“I’m Y/N. And you are?”

He raises an eyebrow then follows it with a hearty laugh. “You came to my show ‘nd ya don’t even know my name?” You felt heat rise to your cheeks in embarrassment, but he was right. You didn’t know any of the members aside from the obvious, Chifuyu.

“My friend dragged me here, I just go wherever she goes.” You retort, a cordial grin on your face. He adjusts his sitting position and spreads his legs slightly.

It’s coming. The urge to suck dick.

“Yeah? Name’s Baji. You can call me Keisuke though.”

He pulled the pair of drumsticks from his back pocket and quietly tapped away. “You’re cute.” Dexterously, he twirled one of the sticks between his fingers where you noticed his black lacquered nails paired with the skull-esque designs of the rings that adorned said digits. “You like a college student or something?” Heat spread across your cheeks at the comment. A band member calling you cute was not something you thought you’d experience tonight, but there’s lots you haven’t experienced yet.

“Mhm. It’s a lot though, I'm thinking of dropping out.” More calm your voice was, and he picked up on your energy, sending a stern glance your way.

“Nah, don’t do that.” The melodic tapping from the drumsticks halt. “Ya seem like a smart girl, don’t be like me.”

Curiosity overtakes you, causing you to press forward. “And what are you like, Keisuke?” His name tasted saccharine falling off your tongue and filling your ears with the sweetest music. Keisuke, Keisuke, Keisuke.

“Dropped out at 14, ran around with a few gangs, and now ‘m doing music.” His words register in his mind before he continues. “But ‘m makin’ good money now, maybe you should live like me a little.”

A giggle resonated within the room and he felt his heart swell at the cute laughter. He wasn’t quite sure what urged your joy but he returned it with a smile of his own. You truly do have the prettiest face. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Ya know..” His words slipped off his tongue like honey and in turn you gave him the most of your attention, curious eyes locked on his dismal bronze ones. “I got this beat I can’t get out my head. Can I get your opinion?” His expression was glazed over in calculation with a slight pat to his thigh that you seemingly picked up. Instinctively, your body moved on its own and replied to his silent call. As you nestled into his lap, you only hoped that this had been what he was asking for. “Mhm.” Your response was curt and barely escaped under the pressure of your breath.

Your back was pressed against his chest and your core was slotted over his thigh, a relatively intimate position despite the need for cordial relations. He started up on the drums, stirring up the common one-two, one-two beat that emphasized its focus on the round bass drum that sat at the bottom of the set. It was as if with each press to the drum pedal the muscle of his thigh dangerously tensed beneath your heat, eliciting surges of delirium and pleasure straight to the very source. It’s clear he knew what he was doing from the onsight of your glossy lips parting and the faintest decibel of a gasp leaving your lips.

“Y’like it?” Deep voice ghosted over your ear as he leaned in precariously close. “Y’sure it won’t sound better like this?”

The beat he originally created morphed into one of a sonorous, heavier tone. Your body vaguely rocked over his, your tits bouncing from the nefarious rising and falling of his leg in the sweetest, yet most sinister tandem with his flexing thighs.

And all restraint vanished from within you as you diligently rutted your hips. You felt embarrassed. Like a needy nuisance needed to be taken care of, yet again, your humility sat idly by and pride dwindled from your very being.

“That—That sounds nice.” Your reply was breathy and if you thought enough of this through, your little plan of passing your insatiability off as adjusting your position would’ve worked on him. But it didn’t.

The sultry, damp sensation he felt on his blackened denim pants told him otherwise. Baji chuckled to no one in particular, the sharp canines on display while he smirked mirthfully to himself. He’s had his fair share of girls practically throwing themselves at him, and still, you were the most fun to play with.

The flexing and relaxing of his muscles didn’t let up, as with your ruthless humping. You held tightly to his knees with the pressure only gradually increasing when you felt yourself crumbling in his hold.

On the verge of your awaiting orgasm, Baji’s lips press against the shell of your studded ear.

“I saw you starin’ in the crowd tonight—Couldn’t keep my eyes off that tiny lil’ dress you’re wearing.” He moved one hand from the drumset to snake over the front of your garment, calloused hands kneading at your soft and pert breasts. The movement was one of full dexterity. Your nipples ached as he pinched and rolled them between his fingers.

“Knew you weren’t wearin’ a bra.” his lips against your ear trailed down to your neck which caused the helplessly rutting of your core over his thigh, strikingly close to orgasm. You had managed to keep your whimpers low but due to proximity, you left nothing to be unheard. A harsh tug of your nipples pulled you from the hazed out state you were entranced in.

“Gotta tell Tora I won our little bet.”

False lashes fluttered with every move the both of you made. Your voice was soft as you responded, “You’re just so fucking fine, Couldn’t help myself.”

He was used to the attention. He’s a 6’0 rockstar with a checkered past — Any girl would fall for that cliche shtick, yet something within him wanted to toy with your naivety. Would you really believe anything he said?

“I don’t get much attention from fans, but you? You’re special.”

It was that moment that sent you over the edge, a lewd cry followed by your body convulsing, pretty face screwed up in pleasure, letting Baji know your release had hit you, and fucking hard at that.

“Oh ho? That did it for ya, huh?” He watched in awe at the sopping mess of his pants while allowing you to ride out your high completely before those same strong hands bunched your dress up at the hip.

You rested against his back for a while as stray pants waned themselves from your lips.

“Ya poor thing, I ain’t even get to finish my drummin.’” his hands left your tits as he rasped out the words and settled on turning you around to face him on his lap. “Sorry..” you meekly responded. An airy chuckle sounded itself from him as he whips out his throbbing hard length.

It should be illegal to be as thick as a fucking Coke can, yet there he was — The tip flushed a deep mauve, and pretty pearlescent beads of precum streaming down his cock and over the few veins that seemed to run along the shaft. The prettiest dick you’ve ever seen, and you stared in awe until the deep clearing of his throat caught your attention.

Pumping it shallowly, he pushed those cute fucking pink lace panties to the side, revealing your glistening and sticky folds to him. He prodded the tip at your hole, bullying your core that left you aching for his touch.

“Ride it for me, muñequita.”

With no hesitation, you sank yourself down onto his cock, carefully taking him in.

“Fuck—” The low whimper is sounded from you as you began to bounce yourself on his lap. He felt impossible to take and with your hands rested over his shoulders paired with his arms at your waist, slowly pushing you further down, you didn’t think you could take it. “That’s it, baby. Ride it like it’s yours.” He cooed, letting his head fall back as you got him off.

You bit at your plush bottom lip to elicit any moans from flying which reigned ineffective when you picked up pace and rolled your hips, allowing his cock to drag against that spongey spot within your walls that had your resolve weakening.

Obscenities and the reverberation of skin on skin bounced against the walls of his green room. You were tighter than any girl he’d ever been in and much cuter too.

Once you were able to fall into a comfortable rhythm of bouncing on his cock he hastily began to work toward his own release having grown tired of your saunterous riding.

He lifted you up off his length and turned you around so that you were bent over his drumset. “I know you were trying your best,” he followed up his words with a quick slap to your ass before aligning his cock with your slit once more, “But i’m gonna need better than that.”

Baji noticed the way you faltered once he built up his own pace, with more fervor than the previous. You almost fell forward with the trajectory of the thrusts and to his chagrin, your moans amplified.

“D-Deep! ‘S so deep!” You cried wantonly. You felt your guts get turned inside out with his vigor. A scoff was heard from him in response, the inked up hands that rested at your hips now filing up your body and hooking at your elbows, holding you back flush against him as he continued to hit harder within your walls.

You felt unsteady when his right hand trailed up to your neck and gripped at your jaw before his index and middle finger slipped past your lips into your mouth. The metal of the rings tasted metallic and felt cold against your tongue, those being the least of your concerns when you felt your high from previously coil right up within you once more.

Without warning, you were hit with your release that left you limp in his hold, his fingers retracting from your mouth and messily running down your fat bottom lip where he also smeared a mix of saliva and cherry oil gloss down your chin.

Just momentarily from the sight of how pretty you looked, convulsing and crumbling because of his doing, he followed suit and filled your insides in thick, hot spurts of his cum, drops dripping down your thigh when he continued to rut inside you, emptying himself of his need.

It took you both a while to settle down, his lips hungrily taking in your neck down to your shoulder.

“Was that deep enough for ya?” He rasped and haziness filled your system when you pant to respond. “I-“

Just before you could respond, there’s a knock at the door and a familiar voice accompanied.

“Y/N! You in here? I’m ready to leave!”

It’s Airi, loud and clear after her awaited reappearance.

“Shit.” Baji cursed under his breath. He pulled you off of him and bent you over slightly, fetching a thick black marker from the table beside him and holding the cap between his teeth.

The uncomfortable sensation of the felt tip on your ass trailing down to your thigh lasted mere seconds as you tried to make out the shapes you couldn’t see. “Here’s my number. Don’t forget me.”

He stood you up properly and fixed your skirt, sending you off with a pat to your ass.

“I’ll see you again, Keisuke?”

“Damn right you will.”

tags - @meena-in-a-nutshell @imkumichan @messofavs @aotdump @saaraunicorn @cloudnitee @saffronity @aasouthteranoswife @kageyama-i-want-tobiors @anahryal @withlovetengen @zuuki @keooooothings @bunnyyamor @koucaine @bluerskiees @ready2readagain @sarnghoe

+ a great big thanks to my moot ! @lovelysho thank you so much for beta reading my love !

– all rights reserved © seraphdreams 2023. do not repost, change, copy, republish, read, translate, or recommend my work on tumblr or any other platforms without prior permission. feedback is widely appreciated!

3K notes · View notes

cordeliawhohung · 3 months

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the prowl - single dad! Price x teacher! stripper! Reader (fem) taglist

[3] snake skin

You wilt in John’s presence.

Cell walls decompose within the stem holding you tall, flesh crumbling at the absence of support until you’re curled up and shriveled. It saps the air from your lungs and you’re left gasping, an unfortunate specimen underneath his tired, blue gaze. Broiling chagrin bubbles up in your chest, suffocating you until the words you were going to speak melt in your mouth — quick, like cotton candy, but not nearly as sweet.

Thick fingers dance around the rim of a chilled glass as John sizes you up. He’s quick. Flickering glances that refuse to linger on any one place for too long except for your face. He drinks you up — your fluttering lashes, lips nervously pressing together, smoothing lipstick over the delicate skin — and he hums like it’s tastier than the bourbon in his cup. He lifts it up, hand smothering it as he tips back the dregs into his mouth where he holds it on his tongue, savoring the flavor before he swallows. His eyes never leave you.

The clink of his cup against the side table spurs you into action. Saffron is on autopilot, sauntering up to him with the sharp clack of heels all while Miss Lolly tears herself to shreds in your mind. This is wrong, she screams. He is your student's father, and you are going to lose your job. Turn back, get someone else to dance, you shouldn’t be doing this, this is wrong.

“Saffron?”

John’s voice is rougher than you’re used to. Gruff with gravel, a subtle fry that rumbles in his throat — it’s hot. He’s hot, and the gravity of the situation refuses to settle in. It only gets worse as you turn, flaunting your ass for a short moment before you plop right between his legs. Purposeful hands brush against his knees before you reach up to move your synthetic blue hair to one side, eyes peeking over your shoulder at him elfinly as you do.

“Yes sir,” you chime. False lashes flutter before you playfully look away, voice low and teasing. Saffron lacks the gentle preppiness Miss Lolly has, and you pray that change coupled with your disguise is enough to throw him off your trail.

He chuckles, and it’s just as rough as his voice is. It pierces right through you, skin prickling, hairs standing up on end as you shift, hips swaying. “Haven’t been called that for a long time, darling.”

“What would you like me to call you?” you ask, hands pushing at the straps of your glorified bra. They fall down your shoulders, fluttering like autumn leaves, and you feel the support in your breasts fall with them.

“John is fine,” he replies.

“Long day, John?” Gentle hands reach behind your back, elbows contorting with the movement as you reach for the band of your bra. You thumb over the clasp teasingly. “Why don’t you relax for me?”

Warm fingers brush against your skin, but instead of melting you, they freeze you. Muscles tense, movements cease, your breath hitches — it’s not uncommon for men to touch you during private sessions. The Florists allow light touching as long as it’s nothing sexual, but this feels different. It’s soft and gentle, and quietly trails along your skin as the strap of your bra is slowly brought back over your shoulder.

Bemused, you glance back at John as he does the same to the other side, eyes tracing every inch of skin he touches before settling back on you. Your hands drop anxiously as he fixes a stray strand of your wig. Is your skin peeling? Mask cracking and crumbling into dusk? Can he see past the caked on foundation, sharp contour, and false glitter of your makeup? Does he see the hint of that sweet school teacher his daughter learns from, and not the dancer he’s paid good money for?

Just as you’re convinced he has you figured out, his hands leave your skin as his arms sprawl out along the back of the couch. He’s huge, takes up most of the space on the sofa, attempting to dwarf you. His head tilts to the side in invitation.

“Sit with me.”

It isn’t the strangest request you’ve gotten for a private session. Plenty of men have had you sit next to them as they pour out their heart and traumas for an hour, leaving you half dazed. While you don’t mind it, something feels odd doing it for John. As far as he’s aware, you’re a stranger. Just some stripper he’ll pay to listen to his woes. But you’re not. You know him; know his daughter. This feels like entrapment; like you’re some garden spider attempting to lure him in.

Too late to back out now.

Following his lead, you slip out from between his legs in favor of the cushion next to him. Knees tucked against the side of his thigh, the arm that lines the back of the couch falls against your shoulder, hand brushing against your arm as he forces you to settle against his chest. There’s a spicy aroma about him that cancels out the daintiness of your perfume — something warm and rugged, with a hint of tobacco. It’s almost enough to cleanse you of the anxiety coursing through your veins.

“Talk to me,” he says once you’re settled.

“What about?” you ask.

“Anything you like.”

You pause, mind rolling through conversation possibilities. Keep it simple. Appropriate. You remind yourself how bad this situation can get if you slip up, if John realizes who you truly are, play it cool…

“You smell nice,” you say.

Of course Saffron has to open her goddamn mouth.

Boisterous mirth ripples through John’s chest, and it’s warm and inviting against the side of your face. It’s enough to get a smile of your own to pull at your lips.

“I told you to talk, not to take the piss outta me, darling,” he says, quelling his laughter.

“I’m serious,” you say, refusing to back down. “Most men come here sweating buckets, reeking of alcohol and god knows what else. It’s a pleasant and welcomed surprise.”

“Glad I could satisfy,” he hums.

It’s strangely easy talking to John. It’s as natural as breathing as you talk and answer well meaning questions. Nothing ever strays out of your comfort zone. Never any questions about your personal life or who you are, no hints that would ever set him on the track of your true identity. The buzzing in the back of your skull quiets — that trembling fear antagonized by your raging obtundation. It’s still there, just barely, lurking underneath your skin, but you ignore it as you continue to play the part.

John enjoys himself as you speak, chasing your orphean voice down with swift swigs of bourbon. Every now and then his hips shift, legs knocking against yours, arm drawing you closer as you both sink into the couch. He’s warm, soft clothes against your bare skin, and you find that you rather like falling into the gravity of him. Eventually, it’ll crush you. You know it will. For now, you don’t mind skirting the edges before the event horizon rips you to shreds.

“I have to admit, it’s strange being the one doing the talking,” you finally concede. You’re certain John’s allotted time is about up, but you haven’t cared enough to keep track of the clock ticking away on the wall. “Usually, I’m forced to do the listening.”

“Must hear some interesting things,” he prompts.

“Very,” you confirm with a nod. “I once had a man drone on and on about this terrible predicament he found himself in. His heart was torn between two women. It wasn’t until the end of his session that he decided to reveal one of the women he was mulling over was his wife of eight years, and mother to his two children.”

“Fuckin’ hell,” John mutters, and it sounds wrong on his lips. Surely the same man who treats his daughter with such love and kindness as you saw earlier today would ever curse so flippantly?

Then again, surely he would never go to his local strip club, either.

“You’re not married, are you John?” you then ask.

It’s a facetious question; one you already know the answer to. You’ve gone through Amelia’s file that the school keeps, the one with parental contact information, list of allergens, and things of that sort. John Price is the only name listed on there. The emergency contact should he not be reached is her grandmother. Amelia never speaks of her mother.

“No ma’am.” His response is quiet; a little teasing, but there’s something dejected about it. It pulls at your heart, and you can feel the strings tense and struggle underneath the weight. “Never married.”

“Never?” you repeat, trying to hide the bewilderment in your tone. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Why’s that?”

You shouldn’t answer. You can taste your demise on your tongue just at the very thought of it, but you do anyway. It spills from your lips freely because this isn’t Miss Lolly speaking. This is someone stupid. Someone too tired to know better.

“You’re a handsome man, and judging by your clothes, you’ve got a good job, too. Unlike the degenerates who usually frequent this place, you’re kind…”

Abrupt laughter interrupts you, but it’s different from the jovial tone that soaked it before. Something sour taints it, and you feel how it seeps into your bones with an uneasy twinge.

“Your flattery is precious, but I’ve got dirty hands, sweetheart.”

You’re not sure what he means by that. Dirty hands. Perhaps he has a few skeletons in his closet he’d rather not open up to you. Something that causes him to seek the comfort of a stripper and booze. Either way, no words come to mind in response to him, and he doesn’t say anything either. You sit in silence with the vague sound of music attempting to bleed through the door, and the surprisingly steady beat of his heart against the side of your cheek.

“John?” His name hardly rolls off of your tongue, something quiet and meek, fighting through the fatigue that throbs in the heels of your feet. “Can I ask why you paid for my services tonight?”

You don’t know why you ask. Maybe it’s some subconscious effort into truly seeing if he recognizes you or not. His last window of opportunity. A way to goad him into telling you if you’ll still have your job by Monday or not. Instead, the pad of his thumb runs along your arm, rubbing tiny circles into you, savoring the soft, petal-like delicacy of your skin as his chest expands with a breath before deflating with a sigh.

“I wanted the company more than services,” he admits, “and out of everyone up on that stage tonight, you looked like you needed a break.”

Silence envelops the two of you like an old friend. John’s thumb continues, gently caressing you with a softness you haven’t received in ages. A trembling smile flits across your lips, and you pray that he can’t feel the shockwaves echo through your body and into his. Soon, that smile turns into a grin accompanied by a strained chuckle. You recall his self depreciation; how he said his hands are dirty, how he doesn’t see himself worthy of love, and the irony of it all hits you just as you respond:

“How kind of you.”

John laughs, and it’s that same mirth that you heard from him earlier; sweet and warm. Maybe this time he believes you. The clock continues to tick by. Dusk is a faint memory, one your body so desperately clings to as you’re reminded of the exhaustion that permanently soils your soul. You remember how inappropriate your situation is. In this moment, you are a liar; a trickster, a snake who should shed her skin before it’s too late. You don’t. Instead, you close your eyes and allow John to hold you for a moment longer.

Penance can come later.

#john price x reader #captain price x reader #price x reader #the prowl #f!reader

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