#tatiana in a bathing suit

[mote-historie]

1907 Ernest-Louis Lessieux, Tatiana in a bathing suit on a beach in Oléron, Autochrome glass plate.

The Autochrome Lumière was an early color photography process patented in 1903 by the Lumière brothers in France and first marketed in 1907 the year these photographs were taken. (x) 

[bey0nd-1he-stars]

Impossible love - Nikolai Lantsov

Masterlist

Part 2

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x reader, Vasily Lantsov x reader

Wordcount: 1467

Warnings: implied smut, implied sexual assault, crying, heartbreaking ending (sorry not sorry)

Summary: You're getting married to Vasily, but your heart belongs to Nikolai. Based on this request:

The chapel was filled with people from all over the world. Councilmen from Kerch, the royal family of both Novy Zem and Shu han, the Suli princesses and almost every one of the dukes of Ravka and their families, a few Fjerdan delegates, they all occupied the benches in the chapel. The king’s advisors, the Grisha from the little palace and the royal family occupied the front rows. Vasily and you stood at the altar, he was wearing an elegant white suit, medals pinned to the front of his jacket and his dark curls slicked back. Your white wedding dress complimented you well and your hair was put together and decorated with silk bands in the light blue color that represented the Lantsov family. 

You finished your vows with a shaky voice. Your eyes wanted to wander the room, to find anything to look at that wasn’t Vasily, or Saints forbid, Nikolai. You knew that if your eyes found his hazel ones you’d never get the words out. You gave a short nod when the last word was uttered and the apparat declared your marriage sealed. Vasily was smiling like a maniac and he hastily grabbed your waist, pulling you against him and pressing a messy kiss to your lips. The action caught you by surprise and you gasped for air in the middle of the kiss. With a low voice so no one would hear him over the applause, Vasily growled against your lips, “kiss me back, you fool.” 

Not wanting to mess something up, you carefully wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was your wedding, for saints sake, you should be happy. You should be crying tears of happiness and kissing your now husband like there was no tomorrow. But all you could think about was how it was all so wrong. This reception felt wrong, the dress felt wrong, the ring on your finger felt wrong, the kiss felt wrong. When you opened your eyes and got once again reminded who was standing in front of you, your heart broke. With a subtle glance to the side, you found Nikolai’s gaze telling you that he felt the exact same. 

The gardens had been decorated and rows and rows of tables and elegant chairs had been placed out for the guests. A table for the royal family stood in the front. Servants ran around placing out different dishes and drinks for the guests. King Alexander and Queen Tatiana sat to Vasily’s right, you to his left and to your left sat Nikolai. The closeness of him made your heart pound and break at the same time. Vasily’s hand grasped yours then he placed your intertwined ones on top of the table. A gift table stood at the far end of the table. It was covered in presents, each and every one of them reminding you that you’d actually married Vasily. A political move, all show, but Vasily still seemed to find pleasure in it. After all, he loved to take things his brother loved out of his reach, and you were the grandest price he’d ever get to take, the one thing that would break Nikolai’s heart for real. 

The feast for you and Vasily lasted the whole day. The summer nights brought late sunsets and the world bathed in the sun’s last beams right now. Your feet hurt from walking in heels the whole day and the dress was heavy on your shoulders. When the feast was over and you all started to make your way inside the grand palace to get some well earned rest. You feared for the night to come, knowing you probably wouldn’t get much sleep. Vasily had other plans, and even though he hadn’t voiced them to you, you knew what he wanted. 

Nikolai took your hand and pulled you aside from the crowd, hiding away behind the bushes and trees. He glanced around to see if anyone was in sight, and when he saw that no one had followed you, he quickly wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close to his chest and pressing you into him. The warmth from his body radiated off of him and spread to yours. You let yourself fall into him, taking the comfort he offered. If it was the feelings inside of you or the tiredness of today’s events that did it, you didn’t know, but you burst down in tears the second Nikolai pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. Your makeup got ruined and it would probably stain his clothes, but neither of you cared. Nikolai gently pulled away to look you in the eyes. 

“It’ll be okay. Whatever happens, I’ll be by your side,” he promised with a soft voice and another kiss to your temple. You pulled away from his embrace and whipped your tears away, shaking your head in protest. 

“No, you won't. I’ll be stuck beside Vasily and you’ll just be out of reach, watching.”

Nikolai’s heart broke and shattered at your words. You both knew it was true, but not until today had it seemed like it would actually happen. Not until today did he believe that you would ever belong to anyone else than him. But you both needed to stay hopeful. Maybe one day, it would solve itself and you would once again be by Nikolai’s side. The thought was in your prayers every night and day. 

“You’ll survive this,” he said gently, taking your hands in his again, needing to have you close, if just for a few mere seconds until you’d have to return to the palace, to Vasily. The thought made him sick to the stomach of what his brother might do to you on your wedding night. “We’ll survive this,” he vowed and closed his eyes, trying his hardest to prevent the tears from falling from his eyes. You just stood there, watching as Nikolai’s hope slowly faded from his heart. You both knew that what you two had wasn’t possible anymore, and nothing had ever broken your heart more. The love of your life was standing in front of you, your hands in his, his beautiful hazel eyes filled with tears and his heart breaking into pieces. You both knew that there was nothing that could save you now, and the knowledge only made it hurt more. You drew a shaky breath and gave his hands a gentle squeeze before uttering the words that you’d dreaded since the day you were informed that you’d be married off to Vasily. 

“I’m married to your brother,” your voice cracked and you drew a hasty, uneven breath. Your tears and breath were stuck in your throat and your hands shook. “I can’t be yours anymore and I never will be.” Nikolai let go of your hands and turned around, not bearing to look at you anymore. Your beautiful wedding dress and a white veil in your hair. A grand wedding ring on your finger. Nikolai had dreamt many times about the day you’d get married, and that day was here. It had passed and it left you both with broken hearts. You watched as Nikolai carefully sat down on the ground, his knees giving out under him. You knew that if you stayed any longer you would never be able to walk away but you couldn’t bring yourself to move. Carefully you placed a hand on Nikolai’s shoulder, and he broke down. He gasped for breath, his face buried in his hands and his whole body shook under your hand. His blond hair was messy now and the suit he was wearing had gotten small stains all over. But he was beautiful. He was perfect. He was a prince. He was perfectly beautiful Nikolai, but he wasn’t yours. You drew a shaky breath, breaking your own heart in the process, then you let your broken voice carry out the words, your last words, before you knew you had to go. 

“I don’t wanna go,” you whispered, your voice not strong enough to speak any louder. “I don’t wanna go, but I love you too much to stay.” With that you slowly let your hand fall from his shoulder, resting your fingertips on the silk fabric for as long as you could. When your hand returned to your side, you gasped for breath, not believing that you’d let him go. 

“Go,” Nikolai rasped out,”leave. Please,” he begged in a desperate whisper. You nodded, even though he couldn’t see you. He heard as your steps carried you away towards a night that would leave you bruised and broken. He looked up and watched the moment the sun slipped beneath the horizon, and the only thing he could think of was that it was way too beautiful.

Part 2

Part 2 has a happy ending, I promise

[nohallowroadsau]

I was wondering if some of the trankil have any reactions to certain colours?

Say like my profile which is orange would remind them of the virus.

Or say blue/cyan for the shields?

Maybe even pink and purple for the gems that shoot lasers in the mine.

Just wondering cause I thought of their reaction to food colored jelly.

Wow it has been a... very long time since I've updated the blog. But hey, I'll go ahead with this. Warning, it does get a bit gross considering we are talking sickness and infections:

It's worth noting that most of the trankil died in the Abyss. Like, a solid 99% of them. Most would not see much of any color up until their resurrection, and thus wouldn't have those sorts of associations tacked onto colors. And the few vessel corpses we see in canon outside of the Abyss are in the Ancient Basin, Greenpath, and Deepnest. I don't think any of them (besides Ghost) ever made it to Crystal Peak.

Comet died in the Abyss, buried under the remains of their siblings, so all colors are kind of new to them. They never encountered the infection, so no adverse reaction to orange (though it's not their favorite color, not by a long shot).

Bunny... doesn't like orange. Just about the only color besides dull blue that they'd seen prior to arriving in Vinyl City was that unholy bright orange, and it was quickly followed by a violent end, so as you can imagine, they're not a fan of it. Not, like, war flashbacks, but definitely uncomfortable. Living with the Sayu team, though, they quickly gain a fondness for pastel and other soft colors, particularly pinks and purples.

Thorn isn't a huge fan of the color orange, given personal experience with the Infection, but being adopted family with Yinu (whose second favorite color is orange) is kinda nudging their associations of the color away from sickness and more towards her. The color by itself wouldn't set them off, basically. Thorn does like autumnal colors, though; it's a change of pace from the dull, dead colors of their homeland, but not overwhelmingly bright or saturated.

Scotty's kind of ambivalent to the color orange, in all honesty. They associate the Infection more with sounds and smells than colors, especially since the new world they live in is full of many similar colors but not that many similar sounds or smells. That being said, orange is not their favorite; they like neon colors, like their bros.

Riley has a bit of a mild panic reaction to the sight of red fabric, just the same as how they react to being sneaked up on. Beyond that, colors don't really trigger a stress response. Despite dying in Greenpath, they still like the color green a fair bit, though they have taken up a more varied interest upon being introduced to the wacky and wonderful world of paints. Their favorite colors change on the hour.

Sterling... is not a fan of orange. Being the epicenter of the Infection for god knows how long gave them a strong aversion to it. No they don't want your orange juice cocktail, Tatiana. They also tend to get kind of stressed in bright, monochromatic spaces. For different reasons. Something a little dark and cozy is more to their tastes; I imagine they'd rather like the subtle colors of a suit shop or old-fashioned library.

Ghost doesn't quite have a trauma response to any particular color. They defeated the Infection, they beat the Pale King's gauntlet, they bathed the world in darkness... Simply the presence of a certain color wouldn't set them off or anything. Though, they probably wouldn't find anything orange to be appetizing, even if it was very obviously not pus. Bright blue, pink, etc. sure, but not orange.

[smytherines]

I have a few thoughts, not sure how coherent they'll be though

So in A1P1 we've got Owen in warm tones and red, and Curt in cool tones and blue. That's pretty self-explanatory.

We've got the neutral suits, representing Curt on the job again- alone.

I think the purple might not just represent Curt and Owen (although that's the logical conclusion and heavily implied) but maybe it's just Curt having a genuine connection with another human being? Someone else knowing who (what) he is. The only people we know for certain know that Curt is gay are Owen and Tatiana- so maybe it's meant to represent him trusting someone else enough to share that secret with?

So purple is the color that represents partnership- romantic or otherwise.

Then it gets interesting, because realistically its probably just that its actor Curt Mega's actual real life coat and it looks cool so they used it. BUT it gains some beautiful symbolism if you subscribe to the belief that within the show, that coat used to be Owen's. That either Curt stole it when Owen was alive (a cute couple thing), or somehow got it after he died (saaad).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the first time we see the red and black jacket at Mrs. Mega's house after the Gala? After he screws up pretty massively and is still injured from DMA's gunshot and sits on the floor covering himself up with the jacket? Like maybe he kept the jacket at the safehouse, and he gets it out because having this thing that was Owen's makes him feel comforted and secure? He's literally covering himself with it.

But interestingly, he has the jacket and is not wearing it yet. Maybe he just can't bring himself to do that until he finally opens up to Tatiana about Owen? Until he trusts someone enough to reveal his secret to them?

Maybe then he is finally able to wear Owen's jacket without breaking down in tears. Just being able to remember him and keep Owen with him without it derailing his whole life. You get to keep the red vs blue symbolism then, because Curt is still wearing a blue t-shirt, he just has Owen's red coat over him like armor he's wearing into battle.

There's also this, which I find very interesting.

Curt is framed in the panel that is glowing purple. Owen is in a ghostly pale blue light. Maybe that represents that Curt is thinking about their relationship, their partnership. He's still in that headspace. He's mourning what he and Owen used to be. All the most heartbreaking Curt faces happen with that framing of him back-lit by purple.

But Owen? Owen is bathed in very pale blue, ghostly blue. Blue is Curt's color. As much as I'm always looking for Owen symbolism, this color choice is all about Curt's character. He's thinking about their relationship, but Owen as an actual person is still a ghost to him. A ghost from his past.

You can even fold Tatiana's last appearance into this. She still has the purple shirt, but it's obscured by a large orange coat (that looks cool as hell). It feels like Curt wants to ask her to stay and work with him, but she's going off to be with her family. They'll always be close, but she isn't going to physically be with him for awhile.

Honestly, if you subscribe to the Owen's coat theory everything works in terms of color symbolism

i need someone to explain to me the colour symbolism of spies are forever before i go insane. because WHY does the show start off w curt being assigned cool tones (mostly blue) and owen assigned warm tones (mostly red/brown)

(owen is in red light wearing a brown (warm tone) top and curt is in blue light wearing a white jacket and dark blue (cool tones) turtleneck) and then after owen's "death" curt is in mostly monochrome on his mission where he insists that he is a CAPABLE AGENT and can DO THIS ALONE, ACTUALLY

but then after his talk with tatiana he walks around in both red and blue????

(the jacket, which is the flashier part of the outfit has red accents but also the shirt underneath is light blue??) BUT DURING ONE STEP AHEAD HE'S ASSIGNED RED AND OWEN ASSIGNED BLUE???

(red boat for curt, blue boat for owen) BUT AFTER THE STAIRCASE SCENE HE'S BACK TO COOLER TONES

(the dress shirt underneath the blazer is slightly blue/purple and UNDER that you can see the blue shirt from before sticking out. also idk it just gives cooler vibes to me)

AND ALSO, WHY ARE TATI AND HALLUCINATION OWEN ARE BOTH ASSIGNED PURPLE. WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN

(thats a gorgeous image of hallucination owen i know)

WAS THIS ON PURPOSE? AM I READING TOO MUCH INTO THINGS AND MOST OF THESE ARE RANDOM COLOUR CHOICES??? DID MARY KATE JUST LOOK REALLY GOOD IN PURPLE??? SOMEBODY PLEASE DECIPHER THIS FOR ME BEFORE I ACTUALLY LOSE MY MIND

[thran-duils]

Lost in Zero Gravity (P.4)

Title: Lost In Zero Gravity (Part Four) Summary:  Fem!Reader x Mob Boss!Tony Stark x Mob Boss!Steve Rogers.  Reader is a call girl who runs high end parties. She catches the attention of Tony Stark who invites her back to his room with his friend. She might have performed too well because she becomes their new favorite play toy and they don’t like to share. Words: 2,944 Warnings (for the fic in entirety): Smut, prostitution, infidelity, angst, domestic violence, stalking, possessive behavior Author’s Note: If you don’t like the tags on this fic, just a warning to stop reading because it’s taking the turn that was mentioned all up in the tags

Part Three || Part Five || Masterpost (mobile) || Fanfic masterpost

It had barely been a week and a half and Steve was already calling you. They’d sent you flowers twice and sent Tatiana a check to give to you. But apparently giving you the time you thought you needed was not on their docket.

You answered happily though, “Hey.”

“Hey, how are you feeling?”

“Far better than the last time you saw me. I can guarantee that. But I still don’t look my best.”

“That’s perfectly okay, Y/N. Understandable that you aren’t completely healed up yet,” Steve said. “But, we were hoping you would be up to a small trip.”

“O-oh,” you stammered. “I, uh, I mean should I? I don’t know if I should be getting rough.”

Steve laughed at that and assured you, “I can be gentle if that’s what you’re worried about. But, really. It’s actually important that you come with.”

You bit your bottom lip, contemplating. “I actually haven’t left the brothel since… you know.”

He hummed in acknowledgment. “Mhm, well, it’s secluded. It’s my beach house. Don’t gotta worry about anyone but us and some guards. And we can pick you up directly from your place.”

A beach house? God, that did sound nice. You cleared your throat, trying to joke, “Wives? I don’t need my nose broken again.”

“No. They are going on a small trip themselves separately. We are going on a crabbing trip as far as they know.”

“But what are you really doing then? And why is it important that I come?”

Teasingly, Steve told you, “It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

“Me and surprises really aren’t—”

“Come on, sweetheart,” Steve cut in. “You need to get out of that place. Get some fresh air. There���s a jet tub and a hot tub. You can stay in it as long as you want.” He added and you could hear the smirk in his tone, “As long as you let us get the look we want, that is. Stipulation.”

“Pervert,” you joked, smiling despite yourself.

“It’ll be worth it. Trust me.”

Sighing, you weighed your thoughts. “When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” you asked surprised. It was Tuesday.

“Yeah, we are ready to go and I’m assuming you don’t have any plans?”

“No.”

“Perfect. We will swing by to pick you up at 4.”

“In the afternoon I hope.”

Steve chuckled, “Yes, the afternoon, dove. So, be ready. You know how punctual Tony is.”

“Don’t want to start the trip off on a bad foot,” you agreed.

“Exactly.”

You blurted, “Hey… can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

Carefully choosing your words, you asked, “Did you… were you able to find him?” Steve was silent on the other end of the line. You furrowed your brow and asked, “Steve? Are you still—"

“Yeah, I’m here. And yes,” Steve answered. “We sure did.”

“And…” you prodded, trailing off, your curiosity getting the better of you.

“We’ll come get you at 4pm tomorrow, dove. You should get your things packed,” he said, completely sidestepping your question. “I liked that blue one piece you bought when we were out that one time. The cut out one with great cleavage.”

“Okay, I’ll pack that one. How long are we staying?”

“A few days. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I gotta go though, dove.”

“Okay,” you repeated. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

When you hung up, you stared down at your phone. Why hadn’t he answered your question? You turned around after a few moments, placing your phone down on your bed. You got onto the floor and reached to grab your travel suitcase out from underneath the bed.

<><><>

Coming down the stairs after you dropped your bag off in the master bedroom and taking a very long bath in the jet tub, you slowed your steps. You were taking in the view, looking out the windows that stretched at least ten feet at the first landing on the stairs. The water was lapping at the rocks outside, the sun just starting to set. It was calming.

“How was it?” Steve asked, coming into view.

“Amazing,” you told him, smiling. “You didn’t come up for your view though. How can I keep up my side of the bargain if you don’t meet me halfway?”

Steve smirked, “Cheeky. Still.”

You noticed he was still dressed nicely and you asked, “Do you want me to go change?” You had thrown on the suit he asked you to bring and a coverup over it.

“Absolutely not. You look fine.” Steve held his hand out for you and you took it. He was quiet, looking at you.

You got uncomfortable and asked, “What’s up?”

Steve looked over your shoulder and you followed his gaze seeing Tony walk in from outside. The two of them seemed to communicate without speaking and you repeated,

“What’s up?”

Steve’s attention was back on you and he asked, “So, you remember how you asked about Jared?”

“Um. Yes?”

“If you had the opportunity, would you want to see him before he died?” Your mouth fell open slightly, unable to find your voice, completely caught off guard. Steve stepped closer, and said, “I know how it feels to see someone who wronged you know they’re about to die.”

“He’s still alive?” you blurted.

“He’s here.”

You stammered, “E-excuse me? Here?” Your heart was beginning to pound.

“Don’t worry, he can’t get out,” Tony said quickly, holding up his hand to you. He saw you were threatening to unravel and he came closer. He explained gently, “And even if he could, he’s pretty dehydrated and he’s definitely starving, so he’s not going to be moving too fast anyway. Plus, you’ve got us here now and we won’t let anything happen to you?”

“What…” you said, trying to grasp what was going on.

Steve explained, “Found him a few days ago and kept him alive after we gave him a good beating. Wanted to give you the opportunity to watch it happen if you wanted to. You don’t have to. Just wanted you to have that chance.”

You were suspended in shock. You thought you were coming here to relax, get fucked a couple of times. And then just head back home. It dawned on you that second that this was the surprise that Steve must have been alluding to on the phone when you agreed to come here. Not the surprise you were expecting; not even in the realm of possibility.

Did you want that? Did you want to see him die? You swallowed sharply, flooded with the memories of all the times he had beat you, cheated on you. You hated to admit some part of you would like to actually watch him suffer. You could never do it yourself, not on your own. And now you had this golden opportunity to have it happen in a way that he would know it was because of you that it was happening.

“Y/N?”

You were taking a long time to answer.

“I…” you started to say, looking in between them. You exhaled slowly and admitted, “Yeah. Yeah.”

“You’re sure?” Tony asked. You nodded and he nodded in return. “Good. I think you should. Give you some closure.”

That seemed a little sadistic but you let them led you towards the door. They walked you out onto the dock that was lit by small lamps. The sunset was beautiful on the water, the waves glowing with the colors. It was a stark contrast to what you were walking out here to do, such a dark deed. There were a few men standing at the end of the dock and you made to stay closer to Tony, keeping an eye on them as you approached.

When you came to a stop, your eyes circled around the group. You immediately got worried, thinking the worst.

Nervously, you asked, “Where is he?”

Tony pointed down at the dock and you furrowed your brow in confusion. “Guys gotta be freezing in this water.”

“O-oh.”

Tony walked over towards the side of the dock where you saw there was a ladder. He began climbing down it and Steve gave you a little nudge. You walked over to the edge hesitantly and looked over. There was another lower dock there, a speedboat next to it. That made sense, this dock was pretty high. They definitely were not going to kill you, you tried to reassure yourself.

You forced yourself to climb down after Tony, his hands coming up to steady you as you got within his reach. You settled down next to him as soon as you saw they were telling the truth.

Jared was tied up to one of the pillars holding up the dock, his body half submerged into the water. He looked absolutely awful, close to death. His face was swollen, bruised. They had not lied about the beating either.

He seemed to recognize you and his eyes narrowed. Something kicked up in him and he shouted against the gag, hate in his eyes. You could not tear your eyes away from him.

“I personally love the sight,” Tony said, standing close. He lit up his cigar and took a long drag, his eyes raking over Jared.

Steve had climbed down now and was standing close as well.

You were still in shock seeing Jared yell at you, struggle against the binding. Tony was right, the water must be freezing.

Something came over you.

“Fuck me,” you said, not taking your eyes off of him.

“Pardon?” Tony asked, choking on his smoke a bit.

“Fuck me,” you repeated. Tony was staring at you, his finger running across his lip. You shrugged and added, “I want another man fucking me where his stupid ass can see it. Right before he dies. I want that to be one of the last thing he remembers. He hated the thought of another man touching me.”

“Shit,” Steve breathed, laughing lightly.

Your adrenaline was rushing now. “That’s what I want. I don’t want to actually see him die. I don’t think I could handle that but… I want this.”

There were a few moments of silence and you finally tore your eyes away from Jared to look at the two of them standing behind you.

“I won’t say no to that,” Steve said finally, grinning devilishly. “I’ll do the honors.”

You stared into Jared’s eyes, knowing you would never have to look at him again after this. You would never have to worry about him ever again because of Steve and Tony.

<><><>

The lobster you were chewing was decadent, too good to exist. You were buzzed now, having to take a couple shots after Steve got done plowing you and then you walked away, without a care, knowing damn well that someone was going to be murdered behind you. The shots had hit quickly on your empty stomach and luckily dinner had been delivered shortly after you had taken the shots. The three of you were sitting at a table on their dock, the table lit by tall lamps.

“You said you were coming back from a job?” Steve asked, before taking a bite of his steak. You eyed him confused and he chewed, swallowing. “That night.”

Revisiting this again. You did not want to think about it anymore tonight but considering the favor they had done, you pushed your uncomfortableness aside and nodded. “Yeah. Some Wall Street guy. Definitely a frat boy who never had to work a real job in his life. He had every drug imaginable ready to just offer up. Obviously I did not partake.”

You picked up your champagne, taking a swig before taking another bite of your lobster.

“No more of that,” Tony said flatly.

Eyes narrowed, you asked, “Frat boys or Wall Street? Cause I really don’t always get to choose.” Another bite. It was so delicious. You had to ask what restaurant it was from.

“Nobody.”

You stopped chewing. Your eyes moved between the two of them, sitting there looking stoic. “What?”

They both exchanged a look and you felt your stomach starting to tighten. There was something wrong; something bad was about to happen.

Steve answered this time, “Nobody else. Nobody but us.”

You almost asked if they were joking but you remembered Tatiana’s words about owing them. And the looks on their faces told you they were in no way joking around. You placed your fork down, straightening up. They were watching you with an uneasy intensity, gauging your reaction.

Giving a light, nervous laugh, you told them, “Uh, I mean… I kind of have other regulars.”

“Why would you feel the need to continue with other regulars?”

“T-t-to keep my options open?”

“That’s… insulting,” Tony chuckled, his smile not reaching his eyes though, turning his head to stare off into the water.

You felt cold, a tightness in your stomach. Insulting him was the last thing you wanted to do.

“What is this? What are we talking about?”

Steve shrugged, “I’m not sure what’s not clear about this, Y/N. You will work for us and us only. You get an actual apartment. Move out of the brothel. So it’s not as suspicious that we are visiting you. Then we will be able to visit you whenever we want and we won’t have to worry about an incident like this happening again. Or worry about you leaving.”

You could not believe what you were hearing. They could not be serious about this. To just upend your life to just be at their beck and call. And to prevent you from leaving if you wanted to? This situation was spiraling way too quickly.

“I don’t want to live by myself,” you argued.

“It won’t be some run-down building, Y/N,” Tony sighed, annoyance lacing his tone as he looked back at you. “You’ll have a doorman. And security.”

“So, you want me to just… depend on the two of you for income and for my housing? Nothing else?” you asked them, flabbergasted.

“That’s what you’re worried about?”

“What rational person wouldn’t be worried about that? I haven’t had the greatest track record with partners as you have seen yourself.”

Steve cocked his head, his eyes narrowing. You closed your mouth, knowing immediately you had said something out of pocket. “I don’t like what you’re insinuating about me. About us. Have we not been good to you?”

“I-I.. that’s not what I meant—”

“You think I’m going to hit you?” Steve asked harshly.

“No—” you stammered, your heart pounding in your chest. He looked irritated all to hell.

Tony held up his hand and Steve closed his mouth, still glowering at you across the table. You averted your gaze to Tony as he spoke.

“You’ll be perfectly fine wherever we set you down.”

Your voice was small, “I can’t even choose?”

“I would like somewhere in our jurisdiction for one. And then the doorman stipulation.” He saw you had shook your head ever so slightly, a reaction more than anything. Tony leaned across the table, staring directly into your eyes. It took everything in you to not look away and to not show fear. You felt like you were probably failing miserably at that. “I don’t think you understand fully what’s going on here, sweetheart, and that concerns me. You won’t have to trick anymore. No more uncertainty of who is taking you home. No more late-night walks. A steady income, your own place. Protection too furthermore; you’ll have at least one guard at all times. Why would you not want that?”

Logically. You would want this. You should want this. You begged them to screw you over your abusive ex hours ago. Practically egged them on to commit murder with acting the way you had. Everything he was saying was positive. But it was ignoring the fact that it sounded like you were going to be owned, your movements dictated by the two of them.

You licked your lips and offered weakly, “It’s not smart of me.”

“Why?”

“My line of business isn’t exactly about exclusivity.”

“Well, I guess you’re leaving that line of business then,” Tony said coolly.

There was not a choice here. You were being told.

You needed to get away from the table, away from their heated stares. You were swimming in anxiety. Standing up from the table abruptly, the chair squeaking, you took off. You did not know where to, you had nowhere to go. You just knew you wanted – needed – to be by yourself, to gather your thoughts.

By the sound of the heavy footfalls following you down the boardwalk, it did not seem you were going to be granted that. You broke into a run, knowing it was futile. There was no way you could outrun a super soldier. Steve caught you without any trouble whatsoever and pushed you up against the wall of the beach house.

“I don’t want to!” you exclaimed.

“It’s either here, secluded, under guard or in your new apartment under guard.”

Tears watered up in your eyes and you choked out, “You can’t do this.”

“I can’t do this?” Steve said, a flash of cruelty in his eyes and an amused smirk on his lips. He leaned in closer and said more quietly, “Dove, we run this city and you are a part of this city. Our favorite part actually and we are securing our favorite part for ourselves.” He stepped closer, glaring down his nose at you. You felt smothered against the wall by his imposing presence. “And that’s whether our favorite part likes it or not. Because we already own it because she owes us.”

~~~

Forever tags: @coconutqueen21

Fic tags: @icant-hangout-imdrumming, @oceaniamaddness, @multifandom-superlover, @imsonick, @holl2712 

[erigold13261]

What do the No Straight Roads cast think about a water festival in Vinyl City?

So I thought a water festival was just like, an event where people have water fights, and I was sorta right when looking up what it was. If my research is right then it's a new year event celebration where the water is seen as a cleansing ritual but also a fun way to beat the heat.

If that's the case then honestly a lot of the NSR cast would love that, especially the younger ones such as Sayu's crew and Yinu. Mama would also be a big fan of the event.

Eve would make sure not to wear any makeup, but she would also participate. Probably purposely targeting May and Zuke for fun. B2J are definitely participating and trying to get as many people wet as possible. They might even be keeping score over how many dry people they can splash.

I'm not entire sure of Tatiana's stance on water, because, sure she is related to fire, but I don't think she would mind being splashed with water. I don't think she would go swimming at all since I feel like her rock body would be too dense to comfortably swim.

DJSS would actually try to avoid the event. I feel like he wouldn't like to get their clothes wet and they don't like wearing a bathing suite in public. He probably wouldn't mind dumping a whole bucket of water on people he doesn't like though.

Neon J and 1010 are mostly water resistant, not water proof. Their more important parts are water proof, but prolonged water exposure can actually do harm to them. I like to think that they were water proof in the war, but upgrading to more mobile and pretty bodies had to sacrifice the water proof-ness. But anyway! Neon and most of 1010 would love to participate in a water festival! They would probably be wearing some kind of 1010 or Sayu brand raincoat and boots to help protect them from too much water getting on them.

However, Purl-hew is the only person I can see out of the NSR cast that would absolutely refuse to participate at all. For me, they do not like getting wet at all. The way water feels on their skin and makes their hair feel is really upsetting for them. West will spend some time with Purl while they sit the event out, but would later go and have fun splashing people with water, checking in with Purl every so often. Purl basically becomes the designated watcher of phones and other electronics/valuables for the group. Probably sitting down and hanging out with DJSS.

[imagine-loki]

Hiding in Plain Sight

TITLE: Hiding in Plain Sight CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Five AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE:

Imagine coming from a line of nobility or royalty and being in an arranged marriage with Loki in an attempt to strengthen your kingdom / alliance with Asgard. You’re not entirely on board with the idea but figured that the best you could do was to get to know your fiancé.

You form an agreement with Frigga for you to pose as Loki’s personal servant for a few months so you can get to know who Loki really is – beyond the veil of his responsibility to the Asgardian throne, behind all the masks he wears when facing the public, to really know who Loki is behind closed doors as you slowly fall for each other.

How long will you keep up the ruse with the God of Lies?

RATING: General Audience

Raven could feel her heart pounding in her ears as Thor looked at her. He glanced at Loki for a moment who seemed to be studying him, curious as to why he was reacting as he was. “Looks like your soon-to-be wife isn’t the only Light Elf you need to get used to seeing.” Thor scoffed. “Like I was saying, I will deal with my situation when it comes to pass, you deal with yours now as it does.” “Get stuffed.” Loki snarled moving to the side to allow Raven passed him which she did in case Thor would say anything. “And don’t go sniffing around my maid. I don’t know why you seem so interested as you never thought them overly interesting as a race but you can cease such thoughts now.”

“I never even considered such but now that you mention it, she is quite pretty, don’t you think?” 

Loki’s response to his brother was to slam the door with his seidr into his face. He walked through the room and to the bathroom where he had watched Raven go out of the side of his eye after she had entered his rooms. “Branna, I...what in the realms are you doing?”

“Cleaning a wound I obtained when you threw an Aesir war prince onto me.”

“In my defence, I did not know you were there.” Loki winced on seeing the deep cut on her forearm. “I apologise but how is it so deep?” he walked over to one of the cabinets and got out a salve he used on occasion. “It was a smooth floor.” “The floor is gold plated, so yes, that was smooth. The armour plating on the behemoth of an Aesir you threw onto me was not.”

Loki grimaced. “I guess I owe you another apology then?”

“I’ll put it on your tab.” 

Loki paused and looked at her startled, surprised to see a playful smirk on her face that caused him to chuckle. “You have a sense of humour?” “Most elves do. You’d know that if you stopped assuming our demeanours based on some unfounded preconceived notion.”

“Your vernacular exceeds that of most women of court.”

“It is expected on Alfheim that you are able to converse with your employer on a multitude of subjects so you must be well learned and you must be able to hold a decent conversation with them. Allspeak is also required in case they have guests from the other realms, it’s common practise really.” Every word she spoke was the truth by Ljósáfar standard. 

“That’s a wise decision. Intelligent servants are not overly common here, ones you can converse with are even less so.”

“‘Pay peanuts and you get monkeys’ as the saying goes.” She cleaned the wound and applied the salve. “That looks better. Hopefully, if I ever marry, he won’t think me mutilated by it.”

Loki scoffed slightly. “He would want to have peculiar standards as to what is mutilated. But that statement on the monkeys?” “I spoke to a Vanir before who spent time on Midgard, it is a saying there. It translates to ‘if you pay badly, only the least qualified will apply’. Alfheim pays well and expects a lot for the money paid.”

“If it is so great, why come here? You stated to my mother you are homesick. You clearly are not overly pleased with your position, so why come?”

“My father wished for me to experience life elsewhere so I ended up here. My choice was made for me so I am making the best of it. It just so happened that my being in a certain place at a certain time meant I was chosen to cover for Tatiana. I guess the Allmother felt a maid with Ljósláfar training would suit you best in her stead.” Raven suggested. “Either that or she is trying to teach you humility before you break a young princess’s confidence or heart.”

“Her heart?” Loki thought that an odd thing to say. “She does not know me to have her heart broken by me?” “We can break a person’s heart without it being from love, you know?” Raven scoffed but Loki looked at her bewildered by such words. “She could come here thinking that she has the potential not even for the love of her life but of a life with happiness nonetheless. A husband that could converse with her at length about politics or even a man with hobbies similar to her own who she could find contentment with. Were she to come and see nothing short of contempt, then that would be acknowledging she could never even have that much. So many arranged marriages turn to caring but what I experienced here today, perhaps your mother wished to straighten out your behaviour in advance, the only issue being I am the one forced to endure it.”

Loki remained stoically in place for a moment thinking of what she said. “Could she have?” “Could she what?”

“My mother?”

“I cannot tell, she never told me anything only that I was to temporarily replace your other maid. No timeframe, no other information.”

“And the Princess, would she really…?” Raven cocked her head. “Earlier, you stated that she would wish to know if I had someone because she…”

“If you think that you alone have the right to other partners, then that is ridiculous.”

“But if she was to have another’s child as my wife…?”

“Well, good thing you’re not scheduled to become king.” Raven retorted before walking out of the bathing room and into the front area of Loki’s rooms and continued her earlier duties that she had abandoned in her anger. 

“That is unacceptable.” Loki followed after her. 

“So is having a mistress in this era.” Raven challenged. 

“You are very angry about a subject that does not concern you personally.” Loki folded his arms and watched her carefully. 

“I cannot stomach double standards.”

“You’re very opinionated for a woman of your position. I can’t see how many in a position of employment would see it as acceptable.”

“Do you find it acceptable?” “I find silent women unsettling. Your gender is as varied in personality as us men meaning there is no reason a woman should be forced to be silent when we commend men for speaking freely.” Loki stated. “I find my mother to be more intelligent than any man, I would be a hypocrite and a fool to think her the only possible intelligent woman.”

“My father always told me I should be more coy and quiet. That my attitude and sarcasm would get me in trouble.”

“That was solid advice.”

“But I cannot remain silent when I see injustice. I would rather be whipped and caned in a stock for speaking out than live in luxury for remaining silent.”

“That is a bold statement.” Loki could not help but be impressed by her conviction. “But if you believe so greatly in such, why did you not reveal the truth to my mother?”

“I don’t know, if I am honest. I ask myself the same thing.”

“Well, thank you all the same.” 

“It remains to be seen if that is a good idea.” She turned away from him and started to do more chores. In truth, having a moment to look at him and study features, Raven was startled at just how handsome he was. Aesir men tended to be burly and stocky but he was elegant and lithe. She had, of course, seen him on her arrival to the room but being in close proximity to him and studying him, she could not deny that he was incredibly attractive, distractingly so. 

She forced herself to concentrate on the work and not the arrogant yet handsome prince. For the rest of the evening, she did everything she needed to do for him. More than once she found herself confused as to what something in front of her was. It was not always easy but she was able to do what needed doing without looking as though she had no idea of what she was doing. Loki was busy dealing with different matters both in and out of his rooms. With him gone for the evening, Raven took her leave and went back to her rooms as quickly as she could muster through the labyrinth of servants stairs that hid in the walls of the great golden palace. On occasion, she saw another servant or maid who nodded in salute as they went about their own business and even once came across two youths of higher families hiding in an alcove kissing which caused her to smile and shake her head, remembering when she was that age and also her first kiss. It was a far more innocent time in her life when she knew nothing of the complexed world of politics that included arranged political marriages. It was in the corridor of rooms that housed royal servants that she realised that there was a maid donning a red belt standing outside her door. “Hello?” 

The maid turned to look at her with a polite smile on her face at seeing the Light Elf behind her. “Oh, thank goodness. I didn’t want to come back without you.”

“Come back?” Raven looked at the maid in concern. 

“Prince Thor asked that I retrieve you and bring you to his rooms to speak for a few moments,” The maid explained. 

“I…” Raven became worried but also knew that to refuse would arouse suspicion. “Can I just change my shoes, these ones are killing me?”

The maid looked down and grimace. “I hated wearing them. Definitely change. Prince Thor said he didn’t care if I came barefoot so long as I was comfortable when he saw me with them one day and bleeding blisters. He won’t mind.” 

Raven smiled at hearing the Aesir Crowned Prince had a heart. Odin was known to be a stickler for tradition but it was clear, some traditions were not overly comfortable for those having to adhere to them so for Thor to allow his maid to wear what appeared to be Midgardian sports shoes instead told her that he had some heart. “One moment.”

She rushed into the room and groaned. She knew what was to come, or at least, the general aspect of what was to come so she prepared herself. When she changed her shows to light comfortable ones, she walked out to meet the maid again who walked her to Thor’s rooms. Raven was frightened that they would walk through the hallway and be spotted by Loki who she knew would be less than pleased to see her going to Thor’s room but instead, when the maid, who remained silent and nameless throughout opened the door at the top of the stairwell, it led directly to Thor’s living area. Slightly startled, Raven looked around curiously. 

“Your Highness.” The maid bowed as she spoke causing Raven to focus of the burly blonde figure in front of her across the room. “Loki’s maid, as you requested.”

“Thank you, Hannah.” Thor gave a polite smile to his maid. “You can have the rest of the evening to yourself.”

The maid frowned. “But your nightcap?”

“I am forgoing it for this evening, I don’t plan to be here.”

“Of course, your highness. Have a pleasant evening and thank you.” She bowed again before nodding slightly to Raven and walking to the hidden door to the servants quarters again. 

For a moment after the maid left, Thor and Raven stood looking at one another analytically as though expecting the other to begin speaking first. 

“What is afoot here?” Thor asked. “The last time I saw the Light Elf princess was four hundred years ago on Vanaheim, she was not yet grown into many of her features but they were distinctive, you have them all, but in proportion. Her name is Raven, you are apparently Branna, the Dark Elf version of the name. I know many people think I am somewhat dim but I am anything but.” Thor stood as tall as he could. “What is afoot? Why are you, a princess who I know for a fact is not allowed to so much as sew because you had that argument with your mother in front of your brother and myself going around scrubbing my brother’s rooms when you are to marry him in a short time?”

[archxngxl]

Tatiana rolled her eyes. "You're so cute when you're bossy." The ballerina teased, before turning her attention back to packing. "Hold on, damn it. I need to be sure everything is good." She took about another minute or two, making sure she had her essentials with her and making sure her house was in good condition. She finally closed the suitcase, filled with everything from bathing suits and sundresses. "Okay, I'm ready now." She was excited to see where he was taking her. Tatiana could forget about her little problem now, and she could focus on this gift that Jacob had given her. Tatiana felt like this was a step up for them, she wanted something more with Jacob despite her insecurities. "After you."

♠️ ♠️ ♠️

"you would complain about something." jacob pointed towards her bag, highlighting the heavy packing she was doing. she might not complain about being kidnapped by him, but she would definitely complain about not packing essential things for her. clothes, make-up and the likes. stuff women couldn't live a day without. "you said you wouldn't complain about being whisked away. that implies taken to a secret location. you'll just have to wait and see." jacob lifted his shoulders. "are you done yet? we have a plane waiting for us."

[wolfpawn]

Hiding in Plain Sight, Chapter 5

Story Summary - Imagine coming from a line of nobility or royalty and being in an arranged marriage with Loki in an attempt to strengthen your kingdom / alliance with Asgard. You’re not entirely on board with the idea but figured that the best you could do was to get to know your fiancé. You form an agreement with Frigga for you to pose as Loki’s personal servant for a few months so you can get to know who Loki really is – beyond the veil of his responsibility to the Asgardian throne, behind all the masks he wears when facing the public, to really know who Loki is behind closed doors as you slowly fall for each other. How long will you keep up the ruse with the God of Lies?

Chapter Summary - Loki tries to set things straight with Raven but then Thor is thrown into the mix.

Previous Chapter

Tags - @peppermint-j  @alexakeyloveloki @cateyes315 @laserpente @bravotheroyalfool @teylacarter91 @heavenly1927

@myblissfulparadise - it won’t let me tag you.

Request if you wish to be tagged

Raven could feel her heart pounding in her ears as Thor looked at her. He glanced at Loki for a moment who seemed to be studying him, curious as to why he was reacting as he was. “Looks like your soon-to-be wife isn’t the only Light Elf you need to get used to seeing.” Thor scoffed. “Like I was saying, I will deal with my situation when it comes to pass, you deal with yours now as it does.” “Get stuffed.” Loki snarled moving to the side to allow Raven passed him which she did in case Thor would say anything. “And don’t go sniffing around my maid. I don’t know why you seem so interested as you never thought them overly interesting as a race but you can cease such thoughts now.”

“I never even considered such but now that you mention it, she is quite pretty, don’t you think?” 

Loki’s response to his brother was to slam the door with his seidr into his face. He walked through the room and to the bathroom where he had watched Raven go out of the side of his eye after she had entered his rooms. “Branna, I...what in the realms are you doing?”

“Cleaning a wound I obtained when you threw an Aesir war prince onto me.”

“In my defence, I did not know you were there.” Loki winced on seeing the deep cut on her forearm. “I apologise but how is it so deep?” he walked over to one of the cabinets and got out a salve he used on occasion. “It was a smooth floor.” “The floor is gold plated, so yes, that was smooth. The armour plating on the behemoth of an Aesir you threw onto me was not.”

Loki grimaced. “I guess I owe you another apology then?”

“I’ll put it on your tab.” 

Loki paused and looked at her startled, surprised to see a playful smirk on her face that caused him to chuckle. “You have a sense of humour?” “Most elves do. You’d know that if you stopped assuming our demeanours based on some unfounded preconceived notion.”

“Your vernacular exceeds that of most women of court.”

“It is expected on Alfheim that you are able to converse with your employer on a multitude of subjects so you must be well learned and you must be able to hold a decent conversation with them. Allspeak is also required in case they have guests from the other realms, it’s common practise really.” Every word she spoke was the truth by Ljósáfar standard. 

“That’s a wise decision. Intelligent servants are not overly common here, ones you can converse with are even less so.”

“‘Pay peanuts and you get monkeys’ as the saying goes.” She cleaned the wound and applied the salve. “That looks better. Hopefully, if I ever marry, he won’t think me mutilated by it.”

Loki scoffed slightly. “He would want to have peculiar standards as to what is mutilated. But that statement on the monkeys?” “I spoke to a Vanir before who spent time on Midgard, it is a saying there. It translates to ‘if you pay badly, only the least qualified will apply’. Alfheim pays well and expects a lot for the money paid.”

“If it is so great, why come here? You stated to my mother you are homesick. You clearly are not overly pleased with your position, so why come?”

“My father wished for me to experience life elsewhere so I ended up here. My choice was made for me so I am making the best of it. It just so happened that my being in a certain place at a certain time meant I was chosen to cover for Tatiana. I guess the Allmother felt a maid with Ljósláfar training would suit you best in her stead.” Raven suggested. “Either that or she is trying to teach you humility before you break a young princess’s confidence or heart.”

“Her heart?” Loki thought that an odd thing to say. “She does not know me to have her heart broken by me?” “We can break a person’s heart without it being from love, you know?” Raven scoffed but Loki looked at her bewildered by such words. “She could come here thinking that she has the potential not even for the love of her life but of a life with happiness nonetheless. A husband that could converse with her at length about politics or even a man with hobbies similar to her own who she could find contentment with. Were she to come and see nothing short of contempt, then that would be acknowledging she could never even have that much. So many arranged marriages turn to caring but what I experienced here today, perhaps your mother wished to straighten out your behaviour in advance, the only issue being I am the one forced to endure it.”

Loki remained stoically in place for a moment thinking of what she said. “Could she have?” “Could she what?”

“My mother?”

“I cannot tell, she never told me anything only that I was to temporarily replace your other maid. No timeframe, no other information.”

“And the Princess, would she really…?” Raven cocked her head. “Earlier, you stated that she would wish to know if I had someone because she…”

“If you think that you alone have the right to other partners, then that is ridiculous.”

“But if she was to have another’s child as my wife…?”

“Well, good thing you’re not scheduled to become king.” Raven retorted before walking out of the bathing room and into the front area of Loki’s rooms and continued her earlier duties that she had abandoned in her anger. 

“That is unacceptable.” Loki followed after her. 

“So is having a mistress in this era.” Raven challenged. 

“You are very angry about a subject that does not concern you personally.” Loki folded his arms and watched her carefully. 

“I cannot stomach double standards.”

“You’re very opinionated for a woman of your position. I can’t see how many in a position of employment would see it as acceptable.”

“Do you find it acceptable?” “I find silent women unsettling. Your gender is as varied in personality as us men meaning there is no reason a woman should be forced to be silent when we commend men for speaking freely.” Loki stated. “I find my mother to be more intelligent than any man, I would be a hypocrite and a fool to think her the only possible intelligent woman.”

“My father always told me I should be more coy and quiet. That my attitude and sarcasm would get me in trouble.”

“That was solid advice.”

“But I cannot remain silent when I see injustice. I would rather be whipped and caned in a stock for speaking out than live in luxury for remaining silent.”

“That is a bold statement.” Loki could not help but be impressed by her conviction. “But if you believe so greatly in such, why did you not reveal the truth to my mother?”

“I don’t know, if I am honest. I ask myself the same thing.”

“Well, thank you all the same.” 

“It remains to be seen if that is a good idea.” She turned away from him and started to do more chores. In truth, having a moment to look at him and study features, Raven was startled at just how handsome he was. Aesir men tended to be burly and stocky but he was elegant and lithe. She had, of course, seen him on her arrival to the room but being in close proximity to him and studying him, she could not deny that he was incredibly attractive, distractingly so. 

She forced herself to concentrate on the work and not the arrogant yet handsome prince. For the rest of the evening, she did everything she needed to do for him. More than once she found herself confused as to what something in front of her was. It was not always easy but she was able to do what needed doing without looking as though she had no idea of what she was doing. Loki was busy dealing with different matters both in and out of his rooms. With him gone for the evening, Raven took her leave and went back to her rooms as quickly as she could muster through the labyrinth of servants stairs that hid in the walls of the great golden palace. On occasion, she saw another servant or maid who nodded in salute as they went about their own business and even once came across two youths of higher families hiding in an alcove kissing which caused her to smile and shake her head, remembering when she was that age and also her first kiss. It was a far more innocent time in her life when she knew nothing of the complexed world of politics that included arranged political marriages. It was in the corridor of rooms that housed royal servants that she realised that there was a maid donning a red belt standing outside her door. “Hello?” 

The maid turned to look at her with a polite smile on her face at seeing the Light Elf behind her. “Oh, thank goodness. I didn’t want to come back without you.”

“Come back?” Raven looked at the maid in concern. 

“Prince Thor asked that I retrieve you and bring you to his rooms to speak for a few moments,” The maid explained. 

“I…” Raven became worried but also knew that to refuse would arouse suspicion. “Can I just change my shoes, these ones are killing me?”

The maid looked down and grimace. “I hated wearing them. Definitely change. Prince Thor said he didn’t care if I came barefoot so long as I was comfortable when he saw me with them one day and bleeding blisters. He won’t mind.” 

Raven smiled at hearing the Aesir Crowned Prince had a heart. Odin was known to be a stickler for tradition but it was clear, some traditions were not overly comfortable for those having to adhere to them so for Thor to allow his maid to wear what appeared to be Midgardian sports shoes instead told her that he had some heart. “One moment.”

She rushed into the room and groaned. She knew what was to come, or at least, the general aspect of what was to come so she prepared herself. When she changed her shows to light comfortable ones, she walked out to meet the maid again who walked her to Thor’s rooms. Raven was frightened that they would walk through the hallway and be spotted by Loki who she knew would be less than pleased to see her going to Thor’s room but instead, when the maid, who remained silent and nameless throughout opened the door at the top of the stairwell, it led directly to Thor’s living area. Slightly startled, Raven looked around curiously. 

“Your Highness.” The maid bowed as she spoke causing Raven to focus of the burly blonde figure in front of her across the room. “Loki’s maid, as you requested.”

“Thank you, Hannah.” Thor gave a polite smile to his maid. “You can have the rest of the evening to yourself.”

The maid frowned. “But your nightcap?”

“I am forgoing it for this evening, I don’t plan to be here.”

“Of course, your highness. Have a pleasant evening and thank you.” She bowed again before nodding slightly to Raven and walking to the hidden door to the servants quarters again. 

For a moment after the maid left, Thor and Raven stood looking at one another analytically as though expecting the other to begin speaking first. 

“What is afoot here?” Thor asked. “The last time I saw the Light Elf princess was four hundred years ago on Vanaheim, she was not yet grown into many of her features but they were distinctive, you have them all, but in proportion. Her name is Raven, you are apparently Branna, the Dark Elf version of the name. I know many people think I am somewhat dim but I am anything but.” Thor stood as tall as he could. “What is afoot? Why are you, a princess who I know for a fact is not allowed to so much as sew because you had that argument with your mother in front of your brother and myself going around scrubbing my brother’s rooms when you are to marry him in a short time?”

[lupusrcx]

cassian + rowan

It was hunting day. Clear, crisp blue skies thanks to the impending autumn weather made for conditions that were perfect for tracking, the very first breath he’d drawn in upon waking up that morning had been proof of that alone. It had taken him an absolute age to become assimilated to the Winter Court and its climate---snow all year round with varying degrees of intensity depending on what season it was, he had hardly been able to tell daybreak from twilight when he’d first arrived so many years ago. Now, though, his nose had adjusted, and it was days like today that made him grateful for his lupine lineage. Tatiana was busy all morning, with princess lessons that she’d fuss and fret her entire way through until she finally managed to flutter her eyelashes convincingly enough to allow her instructors to call for an early lunch, but until then, Cassian would be where he truly felt the most at home in her court---deep within the woods.

It would have been impossible to hide his Wild Hunt ancestry from Viktor Valentina and so he hadn’t tried, he made a case for himself as a former pack member looking to start anew and it was thanks to his strength, skills, and sworn loyalty that he had been chosen for the highly-coveted position of bodyguard to the Winter Court’s young princess. It had been several decades now, that he’d walked the fine line between protector and spy, maintaining a careful balance between his loyalty to the Wild Hunt and the family he’d managed to find in the Valentinas, and every day he felt that balance begin to shift precariously. Still, he was bound by more than just his duty now, both Viktor and Tatiana trusted him explicitly, and to betray that trust?

It was as unthinkable as breaking his bond with the Wild Hunt.

He wouldn’t think about that right now though. Not when the skies were clear and the air smelled fresh and bright and clean with a new layer of fallen snow. The wolf in him was never fully gone, just tucked away beneath the surface and constantly itching to get out, and with the full moon approaching it was even more restless than usual. In full hunting gear---merely to keep up appearances of course, as he’d soon be shedding every single one of the bothersome garments on the forest floor as soon as he was out of sight---he stepped out of the castle and made his way towards the thick tangle of woods right at the edge of the courtyard. It was snowing of course, but just a little bit---tiny flurries and flakes drifting slowly from the early-morning sky.

With a crossbow that he wouldn’t use strapped to his back, he trudged along in the snow, towards the ice sculpture lined pathway that led away from the castle, it was only then that he realized he wasn’t nearly as alone as he’d previously assumed. There were the guards of course, in their thick furry armor with griffins at their sides, but there was also ... a figure, walking up the castle pathway, and a familiar one at that. Tall, willowy, and far too warm-blooded for the Winter Court, with a head full of lush corkscrew curls that he’d once spent entire hours combing his fingers through in the bath, relishing in their silky softness, and ... “Your Grace.” He had to pass her to get to the woods, it was with a stiff incline of his head that he nodded towards her, seemingly at a standstill between the castle entrance and the path leading to the forest.

High Lady. It suited her, but he knew her first and foremost as Rowan. His ... former mate, and this was the first time they’d been forced into more of an interaction than the brief glimpses they’d seen of one another during court-based events that had required both of their presences. She was as beautiful as always of course, no amount of time could have changed that. If anything, she was even lovelier, he felt the weight of it tighten his chest and rise up into his throat. Was she cold? She had to be. The Winter Court’s climate was a far cry from what she was used to in Day Court, and before then, in the Widowed Oak. “No fancy entourage to keep you company?” he asked, with a nod of his head towards the space behind her where there’d usually be a series of guards and escorts, it would have been easier, he thought, if they’d been there. Easier to walk past her without saying a single word. “I’m surprised. You’re a far ways away from home, sparrow.”

@theartofruling​

[sidekickjoey]

Curt vibe check?

*nods* Curt vibe check.

a song that reminds me of them: He gives off Go The Distance vibes, but also I’m A Mess by Ed Sheeran. Definitely. 

what they smell like: Something light and airy, but it’s masked by aftershave and whatever alcohol he’s had lately. Either that or that Mahogany Teakwood scent from Bath & Body Works. Don’t question why lol

an otp: As I said with Owen, I ever answer this question for him with anything other than Curtwen, PLEASE yell at me

a notp: I struggle to see him with others besides Owen djfkdhjsd 

favorite platonic/familial relationships: I LOVE LOVE LOVE that he has Tatiana. I really do. I want them to keep in touch even as she puts her past behind her. Also I like him and Barb? Yeah their friendship is far from perfect, but their dynamic is sweet and I like that Curt post-staircase is really trying to be a little more nice to her. @ live & let spy: please give these two a happy friendship. 

a headcanon that is popular in the fandom but that i disagree with: Again, no idea if this is popular per se, but I’ve seen Curt be portrayed a lot as always needing to be saved by Owen, and I think that isn’t always the case? Maybe there is a majority, I don’t know, but Curt is a badass spy. Owen says he’s always one step ahead, but there most definitely are times that Owen needs saving and Curt comes to the rescue, and there are many times where Curt can save himself. OH ALSO: I’m not immune to this in the fanfic realm, but a lot of people go under the idea that Curt was the first to fall for Owen. We don’t know who was first to fall in love, but you know what? I think we need more ‘Owen falling first’ for Curt (no pun intended) fics out there. It’s plausible. We need to accept it more widespread folks!!!

the position they sleep in: Like I’ve seen many people say, this boy most definitely sprawls the heck out on the bed when left to his own devices. Face down, arms and legs just taking up whatever he has. And he probably snores, but that’s beside the point. When with Owen though, the boy loves cuddles. He loves resting on Owen’s chest. He loves watching him sleep. However best he can do that, he does it and sleeps soundly because of it.

a crossover au i’d love to see them in: I want my Disney Prince or Glee AU, but if we’re adding another, give me Curtwen in some historical drama. Versailles. The Tudors. Anything like that. I need it.

my favorite outfit they’ve ever worn: Listen Curt has never looked better than in this white suit, try and change my mind, you won’t

Send me more y’all

[lunarxdaydream]

♜+ ( Zachary to Tatiana )

intimacy meme || not accepting

♜ for my muse to kiss an area where yours is insecure

     Fingertips are tender in their caress. Feather-like kisses made by calloused hands that spent fighting to protect and serve. The same hands that were stained in blood under the name of her family. His courage, just as his love, has no bounds. Within his eyes that could make any enemy before him tremble, they now give cause for her to melt. The way flames cast their orange and golden tones across his features. The way shadows dance across his skin. Even the mere scent of rose from their shared bath is intoxicating. 

     “... Zachary ...”, she whispers for what must have been the fifth time. A familiar tingle elevating her senses; warm goosebumps crossing her flesh. Digits curl within his hair as gentle petals set a kiss to her scar. A permanent mark set forth by steel by the very hand of a sister she once held on their darkest of nights. It is a reminder she despised to see. And by the gods, she is grateful that cloth can easily cover its existence along her hip. None would know of it. At least ... not beyond the perpetrator of it ... and her most beloved, who never failed to remind her of the beauty he found in her. 

     His lips linger. His breath a warm brush that sets her soul on fire with every exhale he made. If only time could stop ... if only they could remain like this for the rest of their days: lost in their embrace with not a single being to interrupt them. “... My love ...” Her hold falls from his hair. Arm extending at the elbow to brush her fingers across his back to admire the muscles of endless dedication to his work. To tenderly adore the evidence of his own injuries; a silent acceptance of all that he is and more. 

     “... Kiss me ...” A hand sets to his cheek to tilt his gaze up. Her frame barely covered by loose silk that now rested in a slight mess against her. A single strap falling from her shoulder only for the other to soon follow suit when she sat up. Locks are free to fall; tendrils that are tucked away to maintain a free sight of her one and only. “... Show me of all the ways you have missed me ...” Because deep down, she has longed for him. Mourned his presence in the long weeks since they have been apart. 

|| @vacuitas ||

[kittcns124]

♡ ; @dvrkprinces!!

Tatiana was absolutely terrified. In less than a week’s time, she had been cruelly snatched away from the only home that she had ever known in Lazarevo, Russia, yanked up and off of the sidewalk and thrown into the back of a dark and unmarked vehicle before she could so much as cry out for help. Then, in a matter of days, she was transported out of her country and into one that she had never even visited before - Amsterdam, the very place that her family had been so desperately struggling to keep her out of so that she could avoid being registered as an omega. Nobody told her where they were taking her or why - nobody listened to her desperate pleas and promises not to tell anybody what had been done to her just so long as she could be taken back home to her mama, her popochka, and her two older brothers. Instead, they forced a collar around her tiny neck, one attached to a remote control that they would use to painfully shock her every time she did something they didn’t like or failed to move quickly enough, and so by the time that they had finally reached their destination, Tatiana was both exhausted and thoroughly traumatized. Gone were her five meals a day with tiny Tatia snacks in-between; they had fed her nothing but bits of fruit and sips of water in the nearly week-long cross-country journey, and being kept shackled and collared in the trunk of a car meant that she had gotten nearly no sleep at all. 

The final drink that her captors gave her was too sweet and almost syrupy, but they made her swallow every last drop nevertheless, and it was hours later that she finally awoke, and in completely different surroundings. Gone were the filthy, tattered remains of her clothing that she had been forced to wear for days on end, and the same could be said for the pain-inducing collar and the shackles that had been too big on her delicate, bird-bone wrists as well. No...she was naked from head to toe, and - in a warm, sudsy bath that just so happened to be filled to the brim with bubbles? Tatiana squeaked in shock, squirming around anxiously as she realized that - not only was she naked and seated in a deep, claw-footed tub, but she was also...being bathed, by a striking girl not too much older than herself. “Shh! It’s okay! Don’t cry!” The other blonde’s voice came out fervent and hushed as she soothingly rubbed a soapy loofah onto one of Tatiana’s round little shoulders, and the younger girl could do little more than let out a fretful sounding cry as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. “Everything’s going to be just fine, I promise. I’m Baby, and I’m going to get you nice and clean, okay? And then I’ll get you something to eat.” Too tired and afraid to fight for even a moment longer, Tatiana could do little more than nod timidly, shakily lowering herself into the hot, luxuriously-scented water and allowing Baby to finish bathing her from head to toe - her bouncy blonde curls included.

As promised, Baby had an entire meal brought directly into the suite that the ornate marble bathroom was a part of as soon as she deemed that Tatiana was silky-soft and squeaky-clean, and as the young omega tentatively poked at the platter of fresh fruit, warm bread, and bits of meat and cheese that had been prepared for her, she continued to chatter onto her endlessly the entire time. She seemed - sympathetic, and incredibly kind, but she wasn’t able to tell Tatiana more than where she was (a place called...The Inferno?), nor was she able to reveal what was going to happen to her. “I’m not...sure,” Baby said after a hesitant pause, her golden-blonde brows furrowed together in genuine uncertainty. “You might be dancing with me, I think, in which case, I’ll be able to start training you really soon! It’s not all bad,” she continued gently, with a little squeeze to Tatiana’s still-trembling shoulder. “Promise. I bet all that’s gonna happen tonight is my brother coming to welcome you to the club, and he’s really not awful once you get past all the Italian cologne and general douchebaggery.” Baby’s hazel eyes twinkled with reassuring mirth, but Tatiana couldn’t manage to fathom a smile in return - just a small, pitiful snuffling sound. 

“Did you have enough to eat? I’ll leave the tray on the dresser in case you change your mind,” Baby said, and with a flutter of her pure-white wings, she was standing gracefully and setting the aforementioned platter up onto the mirrored vanity. Then, she went to rifle through the closet - in which Tatiana was able to catch a glimpse of a lot of very sparkly and shiny garments that would have normally caught her eye - and with a pleased little sound, the taller girl retrieved a tiny little slip of an ensemble that she rushed with haste to show Tatiana. “Here! This is perfect,” Baby cooed, and before the younger blonde could protest, she was being gently ushered out of her silky dressing robe and changed into a confection of sheer, baby pink tulle and buttery-soft lace. “Like rose petals floating on top of sweet cream! And - um, lots of room if you need to...you know. Transform into a wolf and all that. Should I have taken you out into the woods for a walk?” Baby winced apologetically again, and it was clear that she was about to say something more, but not before the sound of someone knocking on the heavy wooden door had both her and Tatiana jumping a little in shock - and fear, for the latter. 

“Oh! That’s probably my big brother now,” Baby chirped, and she was scampering towards the door to open it, but not before giving Tatiana’s hand a tiny squeeze in reassurance. “It’ll be fine, okay? I promise nobody’s going to hurt you.” 

[tabloidtoc]

Us, June 29

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks 

Cover: Kelly Clarkson’s $45 million divorce 

Page 4: Who Wore It Best? Lizzy Caplan ✅ vs. Caitriona Balfe, Lily-Rose Depp vs. Kaia Gerber ✅

Page 6: Loose Talk -- Tinashe talking about the Black Lives Matter movement, Lizzo clapping back at body shamers, Cara Delevingne on identifying as pansexual, Alicia Keys on feeling hopeful about racial equality 

Page 8: Contents

Page 10: Hot Pics -- Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez go for a bike ride in L.A., Rob Lowe catches waves on a surfboard 

Page 12: Stars They’re Just Like Us -- Melissa and Joe Gorga work out, Wells Adams rides a bike, Alessandra Ambrosio plays on the beach 

Page 13: Dorit Kemsley takes out the trash, Kerry Washington does yoga, Gavin Rossdale hydrates 

Page 14: Desert Dwellers -- celebs escape to the Wild West -- Amber Heard next to a saguaro cactus, Nina Dobrev in front of the Welcome to Nevada sign, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas in Joshua Tree, Kim Kardashian West and son Saint in Wyoming, Kourtney Kardashian in Utah 

Page 16: Wine Not? Stars drinking wine -- Molly Sims, Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Eva Longoria

Page 18: Juicy Fruit -- stars take a sweet bite out of summer -- Luke Evans enjoys fresh coconut water in Florida, Sofia Richie, Margot Robbie eats watermelon, pregnant Bekah Martinez and a pineapple 

Page 20: Pride Love Lives -- Jane Lynch and Jennifer Cheyne opposites attract 

Page 21: Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita countdown to baby, Justice Smith came out as queer in support of black queer and trans lives and announced he’s dating fellow actor Nicholas Ashe, quarantine is a piece of cake for Lance Bass and husband Michael Turchin 

Page 22: Hot Hollywood -- Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich are attempting new beginnings after calling it quits on their marriage of almost three years

Page 23: Amanda Bynes back on track, Lucky Stars -- these celebs are fortunate to be alive to tell the tales of their near-death experiences -- Sharon Stone, Jared Leto, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Schumer, Liam Hemsworth 

Page 24: Vanderpump Rules cast member Faith Stowers revealed that Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute had wrongfully reported her to the police for a crime she didn’t commit and a week later Bravo fired Stassi and Kristen along with Max Boyens and Brett Capriono who’d been exposed earlier this year for past racist tweets, Lori Loughlin is now panicking about going to jail and she is scared to death of catching Covid-19 as the virus is ravaging the federal prisons in California

Page 25: Good News -- Matt James will be making Bachelor history as its first African-American lead, Ryan Murphy and David Miller are expecting another son this summer, Anthony Markle helped launch the United for Grocery Workers Relief Fund which provides grocery workers in his native New Orleans with a onetime $150 direct credit to put toward their utility bills, George Floyd’s six-year-old daughter received Disney stock currently valued at $115 per share from Barbra Streisand, Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid and more models are auctioning off their designer items with all proceeds going to NHS Charities Together and the NAACP 

Page 26: Cover Story: Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock what went wrong 

Page 30: Hayden Panettiere reborn -- she’s been to hell and back but now the onetime superstar is finally free from her ex and stronger than she’s been in ages 

Page 32: My Healthy Day -- Colbie Caillat 

Page 34: Style -- bathing suits -- Gabrielle Union, Rita Ora, Madelaine Petsch 

Page 36: Beauty -- sunscreen -- Sofia Richie 

Page 40: Us Musts -- Bryce Dallas Howard found the perfect personal project for her feature directorial debut 

Page 42: Rachel Hilson on Love, Victor 

Page 43: Tatiana Maslany on Perry Mason 

Page 48: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me -- Laverne Cox 

[treehouseadventures]

I Think I Love You Better Now

Logan: [I knew all of this was taking a toll on Leah. Everything that was going on with Beezer and Rora, Tati running away. All of it was falling on Leah. And she was starting to pull away from me. I didn’t like it, but I understood it. It was taking everything in her to not run away. The only reason she was there was because she was protecting her family. Beezer was absolutely the person she trusted the most at the Treehouse. And I didn’t blame her. I didn’t hold it against her. I wanted her to have someone that she trusted like that. 

The truth was that there were still a million and one things to learn about my wife. I was fine with learning them. I knew it was going to take some time. One thing that the world had that we didn’t was the time to get to know each other before getting married. We just jumped right into everything. The decision had been the best one. I was never going to deny that. Leah was the right decision for me. She made me want to be a better person.

I’d do just about anything for her. I was doing everything for her. Everything I had said I was never going to do. I was never going to tap into the magic. I was never going to put myself in that predicament. But to save her? To protect her family? I’d throw everything out the window for them. They were a family I had longed to have. It was something my mother had dreamt of me having. There was only so much I could when it came to Leah. I could deny her nothing. And it was the same way for her. It was how I got her to take a breath for the night.

I needed her to not worry about anything. I needed her to be calm and relax. She was stressed out, and it was bringing her to a point she couldn’t go to. She was becoming desperate to get everyone here that could help. She wanted to go find her witch friend. She wanted to go find Tatiana with Rora and Beezer. She wanted to be everywhere. It had taken a lot of pleading with her, but I got her to relent. Tonight needed to be about us. It hadn’t been the two of us since we had come back here.

With Beezer, Doc, and Rora out hunting down Tatiana, I needed to capitalize on the time alone with Leah. I needed to remind her that she couldn’t control everyone’s reactions. She couldn’t fight someone else’s fears when they weren’t willing to face them head on. And she couldn’t correct someone’s fears when they were irrational. I needed to remind her that even though she was a were, she was still human. The people around her were still human. There were fears and feelings that not everyone would understand.

Making sure everything was set on the top floor, I waited dressed in a dark suit with a white button down for my wife. Tonight wasn’t just about getting her to relax. Tonight was also to remind her that I was always going to be right by her. Running a hand down my face, I let my fingers linger on the scar that covered my left cheek. I had suspected the truth behind it was no longer the story I was told. The more I tapped into my magic, the more I could feel it flowing through the scar. It wouldn’t surprise me if I had been scarred as a child and that was part of the reason my mother had run. It was another reason to call her when the entire mess was over. There was no need to bring her out to Louisiana for this fight. It wasn’t hers. She had prepared me, though. I knew my magic, and I knew when to wield it.

But I couldn’t help the nerves that rolled through me, though. I wasn’t entirely sure how Little Wolf was going to react to all of this. I had sent her to the bath to relax while I got dinner ready and switched into a suit. I wanted to pamper her. It was just a matter of her finishing getting ready. And that was what was making me nervous.]

Leah: *I wasn’t sure what was going on when Logan sent me off to the bathroom to relax, but I got the feeling he was up to something. I decided to let it go for the moment. It could have been just me being paranoid. Fuck knows I had enough reason to be paranoid. There was more going on than I was sure I could handle at the moment. 

Beezer needed me. Aurora needed me. They weren’t going to survive this without all the help we could get. I trusted Logan. I needed him. If it wasn’t because of how much I owed Beezer, how much I cared about him, I’d have taken his hand and run away again. I was a runner, but I wasn’t going to run without Logan at my side. Instead, I was going to stay here and fight with him at my side. He didn’t have to do this. He didn’t owe me this. But I knew he intended to do anything he had to do. 

Part of me hated myself for letting him do that. He was breaking promises he’d made to himself long ago about never using his magic again. I traced the scar along my palm with a light finger. The cut had healed almost instantly, but it had left a fine line along my palm. I knew it had left a similar line along his. I wouldn’t have taken back the exchange that had bound the two of us together for anything, but it was absolutely something he didn’t have to do. He didn’t have to do any of this. I loved him for it, but I hated that being with me made it a necessity. 

And then there was Tatiana. She was gone, long gone. Beezer and Rora had gone with Spencer out into the woods to look for her, but I wasn’t certain they even knew where to begin looking. I could have handled it differently if I’d known, but I didn’t have a clue about Tati. She’d always kept to herself since she got here. But I hadn’t known. I didn’t really even know if it would have made a difference. She was terrified of St. Pierre’s, probably rightfully so. Maybe I should have been terrified too. I knew them, better than most. I’d experienced first hand what they were capable of. 

I needed to go find Aimee, to go get some kind of help for Logan if he was bound and determined to do this. She’d arrived here a couple of months before I left for Washington and then Las Vegas without a single clue of what she was capable of. The things she was capable of were coming to her slowly, and she was holed up in an apartment over the bookstore in town working on things as she could. I didn’t know how far she’d gotten in the time I’d been gone. She was working on her own these days. The wards around the Treehouse had held. She’d managed to keep them up and running while I was gone. That had to mean something. Maybe a half trained, inexperienced witch was better than none at all. I had no way of knowing. 

But that would wait for tomorrow. For tonight, my husband had been insistent that I take a break from everything, at least for a few hours. He’d shuffled me off to a hot bath, and I’d soaked until my fingers were prunes before I climbed out of it, stuffing my hair into a messy ponytail near the top of my head before I grabbed my favorite jeans and a worn old Superman t-shirt out of my closet, pulling it over my damp hair and letting it fall down so that one shoulder hung out of the oversized neck. I knew he was nearby; I could feel him in the house, so I decided to go and search for my husband, heading up the staircase at the end of the hall out of instinct. 

I’m not certain why I was so surprised to find him waiting there in a suit. I suddenly felt very underdressed as I glanced down at the clothes I’d pulled on after my bath- Handsome, do I need to go downstairs and change for something? -holding my arms out to show him the baggy shirt and jeans I’d grabbed for what I thought was going to be a comfy night at home with my husband. I didn’t know what he had planned, but it made me grin just to know that he even wanted to plan anything. 

We’d run away together without a lot of chance to get to know one another. It made for a lot of interesting surprises over the time we’d been together. He was learning about me. I was learning about him. It was fascinating. I’d never really waited around to learn that much about anyone, at least not since the first time I’d run. And I certainly hadn’t waited around for anyone to learn that much about me. Yeah, I’d had friends. But friends were different than this. There were things I wanted that I wouldn’t have told any of them, but him… I’d have trusted him with any of it. And now since he and I had tied ourselves together, at least for the remainder of this life, I trusted him to not run away screaming when he found out, even when the things I liked or wanted were stupid, even when the things I was could be scary, even when the family I’d built here was in turmoil and needed me as much as they did right now. 

That was intimidating for a lot of people. It wasn’t that my family came first. They were important to me though. A family of wolves and witches and shifters and humans could scare off even the bravest people, but here he was with that crooked grin I loved, in a suit I’d never seen before, waiting with some kind of surprise that I’m pretty sure was meant to get my mind off of everything that was going on. I wanted to run my fingers along the line of his scar. As much as he hated it, I loved it. It made him, him. I was part of the man I was quickly learning I couldn’t live without. 

I couldn’t resist the urge to stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek, just over the cool skin of the marks there before I relaxed back down into standing on the floor.-Seriously, baby. Just tell me, and I’ll go back downstairs and change.  

Logan: [I could only roll my eyes as she told me she could change. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want her to be anyone than she was right now. This was the woman I had fallen head over heels in love with. The woman that just wanted to spend time with me in an oversized shirt that hung off her shoulders and a pair of jeans. It was everything I loved about her. She was comfortable enough with me to let me see this side of her.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I quickly opened the playlist I had made for tonight. A bunch of songs that made me think about my girl when we were both busy doing other things. We were never far from each other, but I tended to upkeep the wards on my own. And she dealt with the wolves on her own. But we always caught each other’s eyes. I always let my gaze fall on her when I could. I wanted her to know that I was always thinking about her.

As Lego House started to play, I pulled my wife to my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck. The movements were slow, but natural. I could move with this woman pressed up against me with no other thought than her. It was something I enjoyed. I didn’t have to communicate with her when we danced. It didn’t happen much, but when it did, we were together. It was the time for us to just connect and remember that nothing could pull us apart. Nothing could ruin us. As long as I had her in my arms, it was always going to work out.] You’re perfect the way you are. You could be in a burlap sack, and I would think you were beautiful. I just want you with me. Right here, right now. Nothing else on your mind.

Leah: *I saw that trademark eye roll as soon as it hit, and I just decided to go with it. Who was I to judge if my husband wanted to dance with me in a pair of jeans and the oldest t-shirt in the word while he wore a suit and played Ed Sheehan off his phone? I could only laugh softly as he crushed me into his chest, letting his movements guide my own in time with the music, my arms snaking up to circle around his neck and let my fingers run up through his hair. 

I'm sure if anyone had a walked in on the two of us right now they wouldn't have known what to think. My husband dressed to the nines, me looking like I fell out of bed and put on a pair of jeans wrapped around each other dancing to the music that was streaming from his phone. 

It was the perfect song. The lyrics fit us, and it wasn't the first time I'd thought so. I couldn't help humming along as I let him move me along with him to the tune, my much smaller frame almost completely wrapped in his, making it clear why he always called me Little Wolf. 

Whatever he had planned for tonight was apparently succeeding. All the things I had left to worry about were there, they weren't going to go away, but they were pushed to the back of my mind while I got a chance to focus on him- Alright, Handsome. I'm all yours, t-shirt, wet hair and all, every inch of me. 

Logan: : [There was a lot to say to the woman in my arms. But this was everything. This was all I needed from her. I needed her to stay here. With my lips against the top of her head, I whispered the words softly.] I’d marry you every day, Beautiful Girl. You are the one thing that has ever felt right. And I didn’t think I’d find that before getting to Vegas.

[My past wasn’t exactly something we had talked about. And I didn’t exactly see the reason for it. But the feelings were honest. Before Leah, I wouldn’t have wanted anything like what I have. I was fine with shutting myself off from any feelings of romance. I was content with not touching the magic. I was absolutely okay with pretending the magic wasn’t a part of me.

But I didn’t know what it was about this woman that drew me to her. But the truth was that she was mine, and I was just as much hers. There was nothing I wanted more than to make her happy. There was something about her smile. It made every inch of her relax. Her eyes brightened. She was even more beautiful when she was truly happy. The times when she didn’t have a care in the world were the best. It made me miss travelling with her. She didn’t have to worry about anything. She could just do what she wanted to do.

It was why I wanted to do this for her tonight. I wanted to bring a slice of our early days back to us. I wanted her to remember why it was okay to relax and be happy.] I know you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. I know you feel like you have to protect everyone. But tonight is about reminding the two of us why we’re together. What it was that originally brought us together. And letting you know that I love you and want to protect you. Above all else, you are my priority, Leah Pruit. You are the only thing that matters to me.

Leah: *I let out a long slow breath, feeling myself melt into my husband’s arms, my own slipping around his waist even more tightly. It had been far too long since just the two of us had spent time together without the worries and concerns of what was going on here at the Treehouse had gotten between us. It made me miss the time we’d had when it was just the two of us sometimes. 

When all of this was over, I fully intended to return my focus back to him. He deserved that, and more. He was doing things he didn’t have to do for people he owed nothing to all on my behalf. There wasn’t a doubt left in my mind that he’d do anything for me, even if I never ever felt like I deserved it. I was never going to feel like I deserved it, but I wanted it. I wanted him more than anything else, even when I was terrified to be happy.

I could only pull him in closer, standing up on my tip toes to press another kiss against his lips before I answered him*

I never, not in a million years, thought I’d be here. Never thought I’d end up being Mrs. anyone. I didn’t see you coming, but it was the best plot twist I ever had. I don’t deserve you, not for a moment, but I’m far too selfish to let you go. 

*I shook my head and laughed softly. I was serious, but I was terrible at showing it. He knew that though. He knew me well enough to know I laughed when I was uncertain of myself. The only thing I was certain of was him*

Logan: [I could only smile against my wife’s lips as she told me her truth. And that was exactly what it was. Her truth. She was a lone wolf in her eyes. She didn’t see herself forming a pack. And she certainly never saw herself leaning against anyone when she needed help. But it was her evolution. 

It had taken Mal saving her for Leah to start the process of forming a pack. And even then, it was a mash up of people who had nowhere else to go. And it wasn’t just wolves. I wasn’t sure if it was something that my girl noticed. She took in anyone that needed a home. Wolves, witches, or whatever the hell I was. Leading her to the table, I pulled the chair out to let her sit. 

It was only a heartbeat later that I was placing her favorite meal in front of her. Steak, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. The thought of my girl being Southern at heart crossed my mind more often than a few times. But it was something I loved about her. I also knew that if I left it up to her, she would have burned down the treehouse making this. But again, it was a night of me treating her. I wanted to give her everything she wanted even if she didn’t know it.

As her mouth opened, I raised a brow before taking my seat with my plate in front of me] Don’t ask questions. I have my sources. And I can feel you craving it. That’s why you’re getting your favorite dinner.

Leah: *I didn’t know how he’d found out, if he’d asked someone or done god only knows what to figure out my favorite meal. It wasn’t that he’d never asked. I would have gladly told him if it had come up. I just saved it for special occasions, when the cravings for the whole thing got to be too much for me to bear. I had this secret belief it was actually my wolf’s favorite meal. I probably wasn’t too far off. I knew the full moon was close, and I wasn’t about to argue with something that satiated the appetite for the time being. 

All I could do was shake my head and close my mouth before going for the fork. I was learning better than to argue with him on something like this. It wasn’t something I was going to do for myself, even if I’d been a capable cook, so I wasn’t going to begrudge him doing it for me. This wasn’t something I’d grown up with, but it had been the first real meal I’d had after I ran away from home. The first thing I ate when I finally had the feeling that I was free from the things that had kept me chained down as a teenager. It was always going to have a soft spot in my heart.*

I’m not going to ask any questions, Handsome. Not this time anyway. We can figure out something else to argue about later. *laughing softly as I brought the first forkful of food to my lips and took a bite before settling back into my chair with a soft groan* I don’t even want to know what you did to make it taste this good either. I’m afraid to ask. 

*just sitting back and enjoying a meal with my husband was something I hadn’t done in a long time, and never really like this, where the two of us knew everything. Since the beginning I’d felt like there was so much I was hiding from the man I intended to spend the rest of my life with. He was the one and only person I’d have ever done this for. I knew that from the moment I agreed to it, though I hadn’t known what kind of compulsion had taken hold of me when I’d gone along with it all. Someone who didn’t know me would have thought I’d lost my mind when I married a man I’d only spent less than an hour next to at a table in a Vegas casino, but anyone who knew what imprinting was like would have made the same decision in a moment. All I’d known was that I was his from the first moment I heard his voice. 

There was something freeing in having all our cards out on the table and knowing exactly what hand each of us had been dealt. We’d both had our secrets, both had things we thought were going to send the other packing as soon as they found out. We were also both extraordinarily wrong. We needed each other more than we’d even known at that first meeting. That much was becoming crystal clear. It was almost like fate had held all this in store for the two of us since the beginning and everything that happened to us along the way had just been to prepare the two of us for what was coming.*

#IThinkILoveYouBetterNow

[navisyachts]

Another fantastic day onboard @bilginyacht superyacht Tatiana. Tatiana’s 1,680 GT 80-meter steel displacement hull and aluminum superstructure has a beam just over 12 meters and a draft of 3.5 meters. She is fitted with an environmentally-aware exhaust system providing 100% clean air emissions meeting the most current IMO Tier III standards. Two 2,560 kW engines power Tatiana to a top speed of 19 knots. At a cruising speed of 11 knots, Tatiana can go on a 5,000 nautical mile adventure. Tatiana easily hosts a dozen guests in eight staterooms, each with en suite bath. Appointments are luxurious without pretension, instead embellishing the yacht’s focus on comfort and natural light. #summer #summer2018 #summermemories #summergirl #summersolstice #oceancity #summerlife #summeriscoming☀️ #summermadness #summerfun☀️ #oceane #summertreat #summerisnotover #summersoon #summerbbq #summerfashion2020 #picoftheday #surfrider #bigwaves #waters #yachtstyle #waterresources #zainfotoprodukpekalongan #watercourse #telegramdan https://www.instagram.com/p/CMrs_dJLhlh/?igshid=zng2vqr0jlp7