#technical fan fiction

[ecoterrorist-katara]

I kind of love how Zutara has two distinct ship dynamics

dynamic 1: “I will save you from the pirates,” enemies-to-lovers, Zuko is dangerous but sexy, bad boy x good girl, morally grey antihero, Dramione vibes etc

dynamic 2: Zuko is an awkward turtleduck, idiots-to-lovers, pining for your best friend, having each other’s backs, thinking she’s the coolest thing since sliced bread, Percabeth vibes etc

We can argue about which is the correct interpretation until the cows come home, but I love that the possibilities exist in the first place. From s1 to post-series headcanons there are such distinct stages in their relationship, and you can basically pick whichever point that appeals to you and run with it. There’s something for everyone. Yet another reason why they’re the best ship y’all

[fizzlewizard404]

How my feelings about Pink Diamond/Rose Quartz have changed in the 5 years since the SU movie came out

[a-998h]

Welcome to Hell

Hello @bloobewy, I hope you enjoy this!

TW: reader does "die" at some point but doesn't stay dead technically Reader also gets stabbed in the hand

Clicking Keep Reading means you've read and understand the trigger warning.

I missed the bus, great, I say with as much sarcasm as possible. It was hot, and my body was already a natural heater, and school is draining. Lucky me, the house isn't to far from the school, so walking is still an option. To make the walk less unbearable, I put on my favorite playlist.

After 10 minutes of walking, I reach a crosswalk. Pushing the button, I wait for the sign to change. Once the sign goes from hand to person, I step onto the crosswalk. Having already checked left and right, I thought I would be fine.

I didn't hear it... and that damn truck didn't see me either. I didn't hear anything, but I felt everything. The music cut off, and my body was in so much pain. Why, why is everything fading? I can hear sirens, and begging, and people. Blood... I see and smell blood. I try to turn my head, but I can't. I can't move at all.

"What's happening?" I mumble.

Soon, my vision goes black and I hear a voice. It's a woman's voice, full of warmth and authority.

"Your time has come child, we cannot wait to meet you," I hear her say.

The voices of the people becomes more muffled, and the pain starts to go away. The darkness takes over my vision until I can't see anything. I don't feel the pain, or roughness of the road. I feel nothing at all, like I'm floating. There is nothing in my view but inky darkness, so... This must be how I die. This isn't an isekai, so I'm not gonna go to a fantasy world, I'm just going to die.

I was so bad, fighting, yelling, and being a jerk to people who want to help me. Now, dad is gonna lost his only when they didn't even make it to adulthood.

"I'm sorry dad... I'm so sorry," I say in my head.

It's not fair, first mom abandoned me and dad and now I'm gonna die. Why couldn't I just make it to adulthood? Whatever, I can't change things now. I just wish I had another chance. I see my tears floating in the inky darkness. I don't know why I'm crying, but it feels well deserved right now. As I cry, my eyes closed and I finally feel at peace.

I hear a whistling near my ears, and the feeling of wind? My eyes shot open and I see myself falling. The sky above me is red, and is that a clock tower with an hourglass in it?

it's clear I'm going to crash into the ground of a city, but I have no idea where the fuck I am. Things are in ruins, and I don't seem to be stopping. I scream in fear as I pulpit towards the ground, I just died and I have no idea where the fuck I am!

"Is that a blimp with a ray gun?" I ask myself as I see steampunk blimp of supervillain proportions blast at the ground.

There is a loud smack sound as I hit the ground, and I'm, surprisingly, not in pain. I look myself over, and something is wrong with my hands. They're stained red, not like gloves or splatter, but it's like an ombre.

"Well that's not normal, and where the fuck am I?" I ask myself.

Standing up I rush towards a shop window, and look at my reflection? It has my hair color and style, skin color, eye color, height, but it has a pair of white wings , my hands have the ombre of red, and there is a pair of jagged horns like a four horned ram on my head. I back away from the window and start walking in a random direction.

No one here looks normal, so look like anthropomorphic animals, full animals, of a mix of human and object. Thees people range in size and shape, like normal, but they clearly don't look normal. Walking past the werid people here, a few give me looks that range from confusion, to fear, to cruel. Trying to ignore seems to be my best hope. As I keep walking, I see a bunch of people who look like different types of sharks. They spot me, and I hear them mumbling, before getting close to me.

They introduce themselves and immediately invade my personal space. They keep talking about an extermination, which confuses and worries me. One wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer, to him. Scared, I try to get away but they won't let me. Well, I'm probably doomed. Swinging my head around, I mange to hit the two shark guys near me in the face. Using th distraction, I run for my life as I hear them yelling after me.

Looking for a place to hide, I duck into a crowd in front of a shop window. It's showing a pale skinned blond woman in a pale red suit jacket, wearing a bowtie with yellow eyes. Next to her is a second pale skinned blonde woman with a creepy smile, soulless red eyes, and shoulder pads. Creepy smile lady calls suit lady, Charlotte, to which suit lady corrects it to Charlie. As I watch, something Charlie says catches my attention.

"As princess of Hell," I hear Charlie say.

Hell, holy shit I'm in fucking Hell! I can't pull my eyes away from the screen, but I have a hard time paying attention to what Charlie is saying. She keeps singing about something called, the Happy Hotel, and how it'll be a place to rehab sinners. Sounds crazy to me, but I'm not the princess of Hell. As people laugh at her idea, I feel a bit more hopeful.

"Seems like the safest place here," I mutter to myself.

This Happy Hotel seems cool, but I have no idea where it is. I scan the screen looking for an address but I can't find one. Annoyed I do my best to avoid people. Looking up at the red sky, I see the clock tower and a large hill with a building on top. I figured the building on the hill is the Happy Hotel. I hear noises from the TV, but I dont care at this point. I just want a safe place to be, but this is Hell so safe isn't really an option. Walking towards the hill some crazy looking dog frankstein's monster woman grabs me.

"Hand over your wallet!" She demands.

I have no wallet to speak of, so I tell her I can't. I'm so close to a safe haven and now I'm being mugged, this day gets worse by the hour. She keeps demanding my non existent wallet, and I keep telling her I don't fucking have a wallet to give her! She starts foaming at the mouth, and I see her brandish a knife. Backing away, I pray she doesn't do anything. But, they go unanswered as she stabs me in the hand before stomping away.

I walk the rest of the way, my shirt covered in blood as I use my shirt to try and stop the bleeding. Reaching the hotel, the sign says Hazbin Hotel but I could care less what it's called. Knocking on the door, I'm greeted with a grayish-lavender skinned lady wearing a bright red hair bow We stare at each other for a bit.

"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel, my name is Vaggie and you are?" She asks.

"Y/N, my name is Y/N," I tell her.

I swear I see an unknown emotion flashing across her face. She opens the door wider, and I walk in and sit on the couch.

She looks at my hand and offers to bandage it up. I thank her and she tells me it's not a problem. Once she's done, I hear an excited squeal. Turning towards the noise I see Charlie, minus her jacket, looking at me with a smile. She introduces herself and asks If I'm going to stay at the hotel. I nod and say that was my plan. Her smile grows as she asks me my name and how old I am since I looked young. When I tell her I'm a teenager, her smile drops. She looks at me, then kneels down to hug me. I tell her it's ok, and she seems to get slightly better. Grabbing my uninjured hand she points to the other demons and tells me their names.

"Over there is Angel Dust, he's another guest," she says, pointing to a fluffy spider demon.

Said demon looks at me, waves and tries to flirt. Charlie scolds him and says to not flirt with me as I'm a child. He looks at me and laughs, complimenting me for, "a good fucking joke." I tell him it's not a joke and he asks how a kid ended up in Hell. I say I was hit by a truck, and that seems to satisfy him.

"Oh, and this is our bartender Husk!" Charlie exclaims as she gestures to a cat demon in suspenders and a top hat.

I wave to him and he just gives me and unamused look as he drinks from what's probably a bottle of some kind of alcohol. Charlie then gestures to a short red haired woman in an equally red poodle skirt running after a roach with a comically large sewing needle.

"That's our housekeeper Niffty," Charlie says.

I just watch Niffty try to stab the roach, not wanting to end up stabbed agian because I interrupted the werid housekeeper. I turn my head and see a tall man dressed all in red, he has deer ears and a staff the looks like an old fashioned mircophone. I nervously wave to him, and he walks over. Charlie gestures to him and say he's Alastor, the hotel's facilities manager. He gives off an aura of authority and power that sacred me. He holds his hand out, silently askign for a handshake, I follow the silent order.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, my dear. This run down hotel will surely feel more like home with your youthful energy," Alastor says, his voice sounding like it's coming from a radio.

Charlie looks back at me, still with a warm smile on her face, and grabs my shoulders. She promises me that I'll love it at the hotel, and that I'll get to Heaven in no time. I shrug and nervously say thank you, this makes her smile more, if it's even possible. Holding my hands she looks me straight in the eyes. Something feels deranged about her, but I don't know how to place it. All I know is, I'm stuck in Hell with it's princess and her friends. But, I could be worse off than here.

"You're going to love it here! Welcome to Hell, Y/N!" Charlie joyously says.

[spirk-trek]

First Time #56 | IM Mueller, 2003

[storyofmychoices]

Safe.

I am so in love with this art of Mal and Daenarya by the always lovely @wisejazz. Look at how peaceful they are! Look at how relaxed they look! They're both safe... finally! sdjkfl I love this for them!

I had hoped to write a fic to go with it but I haven't been in the headspace for that and I wanted to share before ending the @choicesmonthlychallenge Flower theme so here is the art and I still hope to write a drabble when I feel up to it!

[Mal Volari x Daenarya Blades 1 + Beyond] [Mal’s Orphanage]

[Mal Volari x Daenarya Blades 2 AU]

[missriyochuchi]

Get to know your ancient Roman armor, ladies! Those aren’t bracelets, they’re vambraces. That’s not a headband, that’s a laurel wreath or laurel crown; it’s where we got the phrase, “resting on one’s laurels,” from because they’re a symbol of military victory. Let’s do armor kink right, writers!

[bluestarjay]

Atsuhina for the soul guys ong

Atsumu stares at Hinata at nationals, after thinking he was nothing but a scrub, but realizing how incredible he is as he flies in a match.

He's mesmerized by the way Shoyo's hair floats around him, how the color is highlighted by the fluorescent lights. He sees how shoyo fights. He falls in love almost instantly. He doesn't realize it, but everybody teases him about it later, saying he's in love with shoyo and that they all saw him staring. He plays it off by saying he's just a good player, that he just has an eye for potential. But Osamu notices it's the same way he's looked at Aran the past few years. Osamu notices that he talks about hinata the same way he talks about Aran, even though he's an underclassman.

They play against Karasuno, and he's even more mesmerized by how hinata moves. On impulse, he says he'll set to him one day, and he sees how Shoyo's face lights up, how his eyes shine even despite how tired he is. Hinata doesn't stop thinking about atsumu through the next few games he plays. He doesn't stop thinking about him for the next 5 years. He thinks about the fact that atsumu sees him for him, not kageyama. He's used to people wanting to play against him, not alongside him. He's used to being nothing more than kageyama's sidekick, in the same way atsumu is used to being nothing more than osamu's sidekick.

Hinata notices that atsumu has been staring at him, and Tanaka and Nishinoya insist that it's because he's interested in him. They insist that atsumu has a crush on hinata, but he tells them, "Guys like atsumu miya don't want guys like me." And walks off. But he never needed to change himself. He never needed to get taller or stronger or buffer for atsumu to love him. He loved him all along. When hinata falls during the Kamomedai match, he's sent to the local hospital. Atsumu worries and asks the karasuno team what kinds of things hinata likes and throws together a little bag of things to make him feel better, the same way Kita does when they get sick. The bag includes a box of his favorite candy. Hinata is insecure and thinking that this is a very elaborate way of bullying and asks if he meant to say that he would set for him one day, to which atsumu tells him that he didn't mean to *say* it, but it was true. They talk for a bit, and they trade numbers. They talk between then and the time they see each other next, and during hinata's many lows in his high school volleyball career, he starts to see atsumu as an angel, a sign from God that he couldn't quit, because *atsumu miya needed to set for him*. Atsumu miya liked him, and went out of his to visit him and give him his favorite candy when he was in the hospital; there was no way he could give up the chance to see him again.

Atsumu waits 5 years for hinata, and he never strayed from his mind. He was hopelessly in love with him. When hinata comes back from Brazil? It's a whole other level. Atsumu thought shoyo was beautiful in high school, but this was entirely different. He doesn't know how to act when shoyo relentlessly flirts with him, when he winks at him when he says goodbye after celebrating a win at the bar, when he leans on atsumu on the bus, pressed against him despite the several inches of room still on the seat. And then they kiss for the first time, and both of them forget that they've ever felt less-than in their lives. They forget that they're viewed as "the other one" in their respective pairings (kageyama and hinata, Osamu and atsumu). Hinata forgets that he thought that nobody would ever love him with the way he looked; with the way he was so energetic and odd. He forgets the girl who called him ugly and said she'd rather die than actually go out with him. He forgets the boys who made fun of him for playing with the girls' team. He forgets ever being told that he was worthless, that he would amount to nothing. Atsumu forgets that Osamu quit volleyball, that after 23 years of being directly by each other's side, they wouldn't continue to dominate the court together. He forgets that as much as he had loved Aran, Aran would never love him back the same way. He forgets that he was the mean twin or the worse twin; that people would never like him as much as they liked Osamu. He forgets that he thought he'd die alone.

Shoyo would propose at the Olympics, and they'd get married in Brazil and die still as in love as they were when they'd first kissed.

[atwistedandbrokentale]

From a king to a slave

When the king of Rosas got trapped in his own staff, a mask flashed for a split second. This mask would soon become his face, as he fell from a king to a slave. But how did he become this way? How did he fall into Queen Grimhilde’s service? And how does a young innocent princess fall into this? This story seeks to answer these questions.

WARNING! This story has slavery. It’s not with a black or white man. It’s a hispanic man. Granted that’s just a headcanon but still. Naturally there will be graphic depictions of abuse. There’s yelling, chains, maybe self harm (?) and even a scene of the slave owner choking the slave to assert dominance. If any of this is uncomfortable to you, please scroll past. With that said, please enjoy this story!

Magnifico sat inside his crystal. Was it still a crystal? The space inside had gotten larger. A wall had been made. He had forgotten how long it had been since it formed. There was no way to keep track of time anymore. He couldn’t see the sun anymore.

There was one good thing that came out of this. It was reflective. He could see himself once again. And he still looked great. He had his icey blue eyes, his smooth skin, his gray hair. Magnifico could look at reflection for ages.

Suddenly a voice spoke.

“Slave in the magic mirror, come from the farthest space.”

Magnifico angrily looked around. Who was that talking? And who does she think she is? Talking to him like that? He’s still a king, goddamn it!

“Through wind and darkness, I summon thee”

Suddenly, through the wall, streams of green light reached out to him. They forcefully grabbed his hand and neck, becoming a collar and shackles. Magnifico angrily tried to grab at them but it was useless.

“Speak! Let me see thy face.”

The chains started to yank him around. Magnifico tried to resist, pulling against their force. But the chains were too strong. Whatever magic was this, it seemed stronger than his.

The chains eventually managed to pull him to the wall. He started to faze through it. He flinched as a bright light started to shine. Was this it? Was he dying? It felt painless yet was just as terrifying.

“So the stories were true.”

Magnifico opened his eyes. He was still wearing the green chains. He could see the world again. His crystal wasn’t in the dungeon anymore. Instead it was in a different room with the most gorgeous looking woman staring at him.

The woman seemed fairly young. She had dark brown curls flow down her shoulders. She had cold piercing green eyes. Her face was sharp and smooth. She had a large crown resting on her head. She was so beautiful.

“What is this? Why am I in chains? Who are you?” Magnifico fiercely demanded. He couldn’t move around so much. The chains kept him bound. The woman crept up closer to him. “I am Queen Grimhilde. And I own you now.” She said coldly.

“I heard of you and your kingdom. But I didn’t expect it to be true.” Magnifico furiously glared at her. “What are you talking about?! I am the king of Rosas! I’m a legend all over the world! You don’t own me!”

“The kingdom of Rosas fell 100 years ago.” Queen Grimhilde simply replied.

Magnifico stopped. His kingdom, fallen? He couldn’t believe it. He knew he was the crystal for a long time but he never thought it would be this long. Everything he built up, everything he did, was destroyed, lost to time.

“I knew this would happen. I knew if I wasn’t in power, they would fall! All because of that girl! She did this! She did this to me!” Magnifico growled. Queen Grimhilde did not answer. “Well, that doesn’t matter now. You belong to me now.”

“I heard you were a powerful sorcerer once. That you could cast a spell to know the truth about anything.” Queen Grimhilde said. “I’m still powerful.” Magnifico angrily declared, ignoring who was clearly in power now.

Queen Grimhilde smiled. “Good. You will cast the spell and answer who is the fairest in all the land.” Magnifico looked at her confused and angry. “That’s what you want to know?! I don’t have to listen to you! I’m a king!” “And now you are my slave.” Queen Grimhilde simply said.

“I am not a slave!!” Magnifico yelled at her. His dark magic flowed around him, his eyes burning with green intensity. He would not be helpless. Not again. The queen's eyes narrowed with silent fury. “You forget your place.”

Queen Grimhilde's hand glowed green as she clutched it into a fist. The chain around Magnifico’s neck started to tighten. Queen Grimhilde is trying to choke him. He attempted to grab the collar but his efforts were useless. It started to hurt. A lot. But he didn’t dare scream. He won’t.

“You are in my chains, you reside in my mirror.”

Magnífico desperately tried to keep his pride. He is not a slave, he is not someone’s prisoner. He won’t give in. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction even as his throat started to burn.

“You are my property. You do as I say. Do you understand?”

Magnífico can’t give in. He can’t, he can’t, he just can’t. Tears started to burn out of his eyes. The world started to black out. Is he dying? Or worse, will he still live through this pain? Is giving a simple answer worth this much suffering?

“Ok! Ok! I’ll do it! I’ll do it! Just stop!”

And just like that, the collar became loose again. Magnífico gasped loudly. He took heavy breaths, not wanting his air to escape again. A few tear drops dropped to the floor. He was crying. Magnifico couldn’t believe it.

“I knew you’d come around.” Queen Grimhilde said. She didn’t care about his suffering. Heck she even enjoyed it, a small smile shown underneath. “Now, magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of all?”

Magnífico growled at her. He hated her. He wanted to get rid of her. But he couldn’t handle her strangling him again. Was he really going to bend to someone who isn’t worthy to stand in his presence?

Magnífico sighed. This was so degrading. But what else can he do? He was trapped here by her. He reluctantly casted the spell in his head. “As I now stand, tell me who is the fairest in the land?” He thought as green magic streamed around himself.

The answer didn’t so much pop in his head as it seemed to click into place. As if he always knew it and was simply remembering. “Queen Grimhilde is the fairest in all of Germany.” Of course she was. She was so beautiful on the outside.

“You’re the fairest of them all.” Magnifico said, bitterness dripping from his voice. He gave Queen Grimhilde a furious glare, his eyes glowing green. Queen Grimhilde smiled satisfied. “But of course I am.” She flipped her hair back with pride.

“That will be all, slave. You can go now and we’ll do this tomorrow.” Magnífico looked up with confusion. “Wait, tomorrow?” Queen Grimhilde grinned rather darkly. “Of course, I need to know if anyone dares threaten my place.” Queen Grimhilde replied.

Queen Grimhilde's hands glowed once more. And the chains pulled on Magnífico, yanking him away. “Wait! Wait! You can’t do this to me!” The bright light of the sun started to fade away. He tried to reach out for it, only for the overwhelming darkness to come back. And Magnífico was alone again.

He can’t believe it. He’s trapped here. He’s weak. He’s enslaved. But he’s still a king, kingdom or not. He will find a way to escape. He has the chance now. Magnífico banged on the wall with anger. “Just you wait, Grimhilde! I’ll escape from this prison and then I’ll destroy you! I’ll take my power back! I swear!”

But Magnifico would never fulfill that promise.

Instead Queen Grimhilde kept him in her mirror for years. Day after day she would summon him and ask who is the fairest of all. And day after day it was always Queen Grimhilde. It was always her. Yet she was never satisfied.

Magnifico still tried to defy Queen Grimhilde’s will any way he can. But he couldn’t do much, Queen Grimhilde had a good hold on him. But he still had his voice. He tried to get creative and put all his answers in rhyme. It’s small but it’s something.

“You keep me as a slave on demand, and yet you are the fairest in the land.” He spoke one day. “I didn’t give you permission to speak in rhyme.” Magnifico couldn’t believe this. Queen Grimhilde may keep him in chains but she will never own him.

“You don’t get to decide how I speak.” Magnífico told her, his eyes glowing green. Queen Grimhilde gave a slight smile. “Well at least it’s entertaining enough. Ok, you’re allowed to speak like this.” And from then on he spoke only in rhyme.

Whenever he wasn’t summoned, Magnifico stayed behind the wall. It was much worse than when he was just in his crystal. It was one thing to be trapped in a small dark room, with just you and your thoughts. Isolated in cold dark nothingness for hours on end.

It’s another to be “granted” a few moments of sunlight. To be “given” a glimpse of the world for only a few seconds. Even if it was just a simple room. Even if it was just to be used. Only for it to all be taken away from you and thrown back in the nothingness once more.

This enraged Magnifico. He would vent his frustration by punching the wall for hours on end. The chain around his hand would “protect” him. He wished it didn’t. The wall would be as smooth as ever but he didn’t care. He just wanted to do something. Anything to vent his anger.

After a few months, Magnifico got bored of needless fighting and just sat there, just like he used to. There was one difference. He could see his reflection now. And he hated it. Overuse of dark magic can have an effect on a sorcerer’s body. And it showed on Magnifico.

He would see the chains keeping him trapped. His skin becoming more green like the magic he was bonded to. His royal robes reduced to simple rags. Cracks forming around his eyes. His eyes glossy and reflective. Like a mirror. He started to hate his reflection.

Magnifico would often cry after being summoned. He’d never been so devastated since.. that day. He swore he would never be as helpless and weak as he was back then. But now look at him. Used as a tool for a queen so much powerful than him. How pathetic.

Queen Grimhilde insisted on Magnifico using the truth spell every time, even when he tried to tell her of her deceiving beauty. She needed to know it was true. She needed to know nobody would come close to her. That she was the fairest of them all.

One day this truth spell proved helpful. 7 years after his enslavement, a new name clicked into place. “Famed is your elegance, but I see another with far more pleasantness.” Amelia Beaumont was her name and she was the fairest of all. For now.

This was the only time Queen Grimhilde ever got visibly angry. There was a reason she demanded this information. She framed Amelia for treason and had her burned at the stake publicly. So all could watch her beauty melt.

Her dark and radiant skin burned and melted, showing her cooked flesh. Her lovely curls shriveled away. She screamed and cried until her angelic voice gargled into faded moans. A corpse cannot be the fairest.

Queen Grimhilde did not tell him this yet Magnifico knew of it anyway. Magnifico knew a lot of things outside of his mirror. He knew everything. It seemed to be a side effect of the truth spell. But he didn’t need to activate the spell anymore. It was a part of him now. It was him.

Magnifico was much more powerful than he ever thought he could be. But he didn’t care anymore. He stopped caring about anything. He just.. stopped feeling. A side effect of magic overuse, he knew. His voice became more monotone. Dull and flat. But he didn’t care.

All that mattered was serving the queen.

One day Queen Grimhilde married a wealthy king. Not for love but for the power that came with bringing two kingdoms together. This new king brought a young princess. Only 7 years old. Cheerful and bright. She had skin pale as snow, bright red lips and hair dark as ebony.

Her name was Snow White.

As the new family adjusted, Queen Grimhilde had only one rule. “Don’t go into my private room. It’s where I go to rest.” She told this to Snow who wanted to listen. She wanted to be good. But one day against her better self, Snow went inside. She saw a beautiful mirror with herself staring back.

Suddenly flames burst from beyond the glass. Snow backed away from the mirror. A green mask came into focus. He looked like the tragic mask she saw once. He spoke with a deep stoic voice. “What wouldst thou know, my princess?”

Snow started to creeped up to the mirror, nervous. She didn’t expect a person to be in her new step mom’s mirror. “What do you mean?” “Anything you command I will do. Know I only give answers true.” The mask replied.

Snow heard as a future Queen she would have to command her subjects but there was something about this that made her uneasy. “I don't want to command you to do anything.” The mask showed no emotion but seemed a little surprised by this. “No?”

“I want you to decide what to do.” Snow told the mask. The mask seemed to think to himself. “A story to you I’ll tell. About a kingdom long ago fell.” Snow loved fairy tales. She sat and eagerly looked at him starry eyed.

In a flash of fire and smoke, the mask disappeared. Shadows formed in the glass. They looked like puppets. Reflections of the past. Snow could still hear the mask’s deep voice as he started his tale.

“Once upon a time, a young boy lived in a peaceful village. Until thieves came and started to pillage.”

“The boy saw his home destroyed. Ever since, in his heart, there was a void.”

“The boy became a man who wanted to make it right. A kingdom he built as a beacon for the light.”

“A lovely woman soon stole his heart. She was so graceful and kind, they would never part”

“Amaya was her name. She was a beautiful, wonderful dame.”

“The king grew powerful over the years. He gave a promise to the farthest ears.”

“The king would grant his subjects deepest desires. But this exchange came with wires.”

“The wishes he kept close, they would never part. The king hoped they would fix the hole in his heart.”

“He sought out an apprentice to teach. A young girl came into his reach.”

“The girl was kind with little pride. She knew the stars were there to guide.”

“The girl saw her family’s dreams tucked away. She pleaded for them to see the day.”

“The king told her the wishes, he would spare. And the girl was left in despair.”

“To the stars, she cried out to. And down to earth, a star flew.”

“The star was a bright beacon. And the king feared his rule would weaken.”

“The girl and the star teamed up to get the wishes back. Their friends were let in and they made a pack.”

“The king did not like losing control. To dark magic, he sold his soul.”

“The girl had her grandfather’s wish, pure and noble. But a friend made her actions vocal.”

“In the king’s hand, her mother’s hope was crushed. That power made his magic much more rushed.”

“The girl sent her family away. The king granted a wish and led her friend astray.”

“A chase ensued, with magic flying through the sky. But the king she fought was just a disguise.”

“The girl was far too late, the wishes were cornered. And the star’s magic was conquered.”

“The king held the power of the night. He desired to snuff out any hopeful light.”

“The king had gone mad, he didn’t care about his horns. What was once a soft rose was cut to the thorns.”

“Still the girl had hope, wishing good will win. Soon the captured subjects joined in.”

“A hopeful song of wishes overtook the air. Their starlight shone everywhere.”

“And the star had won, free from the staff. The king was trapped inside with a flash.”

“The girl was given a gift for her bravery. Her own wand to guide wishes worthy.”

“The wonderful queen took over the throne. Her natural heart she had shown.”

“For 100 years, the kingdom of Rosas thrived. But the king had survived.”

“He is stuck in his own glass to this day. Kept in a room, he is on display.”

“So we’ve arrived at the end of the tale. The lesson; follow starlight in order to prevail.”

Snow clapped her hand in joy. “What a pretty story!” She said. “But it was really sad. The king didn’t feel all that evil.” The mask narrowed his eyes. “No?” Snow shook her head. “Some wishes are dangerous. He was right about that.”

“You are quite insightful for a child. Some dreams are wild. That is true. But to crush them all just won’t do.”

Snow understood what the mask was saying. No one person should be in charge of deciding what wishes to grant. “But the girl became a fairy godmother at the end. Like the king. Does that really make her better than him?”

“If the girl could not help them, they could try themselves. Their wishes are not kept on shelves.”

Snow understood the lesson much clearer now. “That was a wonderful story..” “You may address me as M. It can stand for Mirror.” Snow smiled. “M. That’s a lovely name.” M said nothing but he really liked this little princess. She was much better than-

“What are you doing here?” Queen Grimhilde had found her out. Snow stood up fast. “I was just-.” She looked at the mirror. M was gone. Snow looked back at her new mom. “I wasn't doing anything-.” “I told you to not come into my private room. And what have you done to my mirror?”

Snow had a guilty look on her face. “I was just playing. You didn’t tell me your mirror had a person inside.” Queen Grimhilde stopped dead in her tracks. She knew? “What did you say?” Snow didn’t hear the anger in her voice. She told her everything.

“Your mirror had a person inside. And he told me a story. About wishes and stars. He was really nice.” Queen Grimhilde was bubbling rage but she didn’t dare show it. She kept her queenly demeanor. “You misunderstand. It’s not a person. It’s a slave. It’s not supposed to tell stories.”

Now that was a word Snow had never heard before. But she could tell it was bad. There was a pit in her stomach when she heard it. She didn’t know it’s to be used and treated as less than a person. As less than nothing. “B-but he wanted to-.”

“It’s a mirror. A tool. It can’t want anything.” Queen Grimhilde was letting her anger show. Snow started to cry a little. She didn’t mean to make her new mom angry. She was too young to understand but having a slave does not deserve her of any kindness.

Snow tried to plead with her new mom. “You don’t understand. He deserves-!” “I decide what it deserves!” Queen Grimhilde suddenly snapped. Snow started to cry. She didn’t mean for this to happen. Queen Grimhilde didn’t care about Snow but her crying was annoying to her.

Queen Grimhilde grabbed Snow’s wrist. “Stop this crying at once.” “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Snow cried. “Clean this mess up at once! That’s the least you can do for this transgression!” And Queen Grimhilde let her go. She walked out of the room. Snow was left there alone, crying.

M came back. Snow tried to apologize to him. “I’m sorry, M. I didn’t mean to-.” “Oh, little one, do not bemoan. The queen doesn’t care for anyone but her own.” Snow’s cries were much weaker now. She somberly grabbed a broom and started sweeping.

M saw this before. The queen using people as she pleased. He felt something. It wasn’t quite sadness but it tugged at his heart. “I see and know all that goes on. I have another story if you’re drawn.” Snow somberly smiled. “I’d like that.”

And from then on, a lovely friendship was formed. The queen would make Snow a maid and force her to clean most of the castle. Of course, the queen would make her clean her private room. That would be the brightest part of her day.

M would tell Snow stories from long ago. Stories of brave knights and kind princesses. It helped Snow keep her head up and always look for the bright side of things. And Snow always treated M with kindness and respect.

Snow did not know who M was before he was trapped. M preferred it that way. She was far too innocent to know what he’s done. And a part of him knew that if she knew the monster he used to be, then she wouldn’t want to be friends anymore.

And he couldn’t stand being alone again.

Of course, Queen Grimhilde would use M for her daily ego boost. Many girls would shine brighter than her. And one by one, they were all extinguished. It was easy when they were simple peasant girls. No one would miss them.

As Snow grew up, she became beautifuler every day. Queen Grimhilde did not like this and attempted to hide her beauty with rags. But her kind heart would always shine through. On her 14th birthday, Queen Grimhilde asked once more, who is the fairest of all. And the answer clicked for M.

“Snow White is the fairest of all.”

[blackbutler-sideblog]

Y’all…I just found out that AO3 has been hacked by a bunch of alt-right losers and that’s why it’s not working right now 💀 Out of all the things to do you decide to waste your time hacking a fanfic site? That’s embarrassing.

[emotionally-charged-arson]

Dr. Hans Jürgen Kürsch, former Associate Professor (Celestial Cartography and Interstellar Astrophysics) and Head of the Department of Astronomy at Alphan Central University

6” x 8”, alcohol markers and fineliners. For @ay-miphae ‘s character chain. 💫

[seasononesam]

when people hate 10x05 fan fiction it's like...god forbid women write and produce a full length supernatural musical

[frankencanon]

You know what I love?

I love when a fic author takes a side character and turns them into a Secret Badass.

And they'll do it in such a way that it's still somehow at least mostly canon-compliant by having said character act behind the scenes and hide their true skills...for whatever reason.

And the best parts are the reveal scenes where the other characters finally realize how much they've been underestimating them this whole time...!

"Secretly a Badass" is seriously one of my absolute favorite tropes of all time.

[suzy-queued]

Supernatural week for A.U.gust.

Chapter 23: Taste Read chapter 23 here | Start from the beginning | Prompt list

@gallavichthings

[hadrians-wall95]

Today, something a little different! Because Votann aren't. Good. In 10e, and Games Workshop are kinda lame anyway. A game of One Page Rules! The Reach Industrial Conglomerate (RIC) has deployed the Hekaton Fortress Noble-6 to extract resources that happen to be in the middle of a City on Harvest World Marwick. The Sanguine Knights dispatch a Calvary Detachment to Shoo them off:

The Sanguine Melta ATVs are the most immediate threat to Noble-6, thus it trundles forward, immediately destroying one.

The other one gets a chance to respond, and takes off 3 of Noble-6's *18* hit points. I love One Page Rules. The Lone Champion, the Hammer Chief, goes to claim the objective. He will sit. there all game. With his 4 inch move. But he did his job. The Khal of the RIC and his Veteran 10-man squad drop out the right door of the fortress, to set up against a bike advacne.

The right Flank has more issues. The Techmarine can heal basically anything in my opponents list, and the Baal Predator puts out. So many shots. The RIC bikes duck behind the bridge, waiting for the right moment to take the crossroads objective. (One page Rules has no victory points. It's battlefront rules. You own it until an opponent steps on it. If you both have minis within the outer hazard circle, it's contested. Shaken units can't hold objectives. This is going to become. *Very* important)

This quickly turns into a battle of the bridge. Whoever holds it will end up taking this battle.

Both tanks trundle onto the bridge. It groans in protest. The Death Company Bikers are shot down by the Magma Guns on the RIC. (Splasers, Baby!). The Baals Machine Guns Whirr, it's Hunter-Killer Missle Sings .. and yet it all plinks off Noble-6's Hull (I would not roll below a 5. That thing could've easily taken down the Hekaton. And each of his characters has fusion pistols. There's no *strength* in One Page Rules. Just a roll to hit a roll to defend. He was throwing a lot of AP 1 and 2, which work like tenth.).

Finally, the battle for the crossroads begins. The bikers move in, and are able to fight the RIC off point with Morale Checks and Charges. The Rich had left too little, and the biker squad in full (the machine gun bikes are separate activations). Was too late to respond. Although they, too, would quickly break (a 4+ is brutal for this. Morale fucking matters in this game). It's looking like an RIC Loss..

Untill the last moment. The other Trike was able to capture the now unattended objective 4. A tank charge from the Baal Predator Induces a failed moral check on the Hekaton, meaning that this day ends in a draw. As the sun sets and artillery roars, both sides are ordered to fall back... This isnt over though....

(overall I had a lot of fun, my opponent seemed to as well. This was a learning game, so I'm sure we both made mistakes rules wise (even with a single sheet) and tactical. Today, we told a tale of combined arms versus bikes. I think next time it may be more Iron Vs Iron....)

[eldritch-something-or-other]

Sissy redesign !! i support womens rights but more importantly i support womens wrongs

[astarionsdarlingjade]

Ruin

Chap. 1

word count- 8k+

Astarion/Named Fem! Dark Urge

The gif isn't really relevant but I didn't want to not put anything. I'll probably change it later when I get the photo mod figured out.

This takes place ten years before the events of the game.

The lights and sounds of the tavern bombarded her senses as she walked through the wooden creaking doors. The place was packed with patrons of all sorts; humans, dwarves, and even some elves, and all of them were drunk out of their minds. A few heads turned as she made her way towards the bar, but most of the patrons were too absorbed in their drinks or their own conversations to notice her. She was used to it, though. 

It was best for when she needed to find her targets. Taking a seat at the bar she kept the hood of her cloak low so as not to be seen. The Blushing Mermaid was certainly busier tonight, filled to the brim with sailors fresh from a long haul and dock workers ready to drink their pay.

She would need to pick at least one tonight to sate her father's prayers. Her eyes landed on a tiefling woman, who sat in the far corner of the tavern. Her golden irises were framed by black, and her navy skin glinted under the candlelight. Away from the bustling of the sailors, she sat nursing one drink that seemed to have been sat there for hours. 

Their eyes met, and she quickly sent her a small coquettish smile before setting her own drink down. She moved to leave her stool, but before she could, a smooth and velvety voice reached her ears.

"Hello, beautiful."

Forcing herself to stop her movements, she turned to look at who exactly had the gall to approach a Bhaalspawn. Even if it wasn't obvious. Looking over her shoulder revealed a pale elf, his eyes a deep shade of red, framed by silver locks. Not too unusual, but there was something rather unnerving about how they seemed to glow so vibrantly.

She sighed inwardly, hoping that he would quickly leave her be, so that she might focus on the tiefling woman. He must have taken her sighing for a sign because he smiled and took the stool beside her.

"I've not seen you here before. What brings you to a place like this?"

His smile was a bit too practiced, she noticed. He also made sure that his lips were sealed tight. Strange.

What a pretty corpse he'd make-

She bit back a snarky response and forced a polite smile instead, "Just passing through."

Please leave, Lord Bhaal must have a sufficient sacrifice before midnight, and I refuse to displease him. She prayed silently.

But he didn't, instead, he regaled her with many a line about the beauty of her hair, and her eyes. All the while she had to bite back her temper and pray to her father for him to simply leave her be.

After what seemed like hours, she finally spoke again. "Do you wish to buy me a drink, or simply sit beside me?"

Her question seemed to startle him, but his composure returned, and he grinned at her.

"I can, but only if you promise me one thing."

Her patience was running thin. The clock was so close to ticking midnight.

Her eyes fell back to the far end of the room, the tiefling woman was gone, her drink still sat on the table, nearly full as it had been before.

Gods damnit-

"Give me the pleasure of your company for the night. And I'll buy you any drink you desire."

She nearly spat in shock. So that was what he getting at? He wanted to... take her to bed? 

His tone was laced with seduction as he continued, "And when morning comes, you can have your way with me. But first, let me have mine with you."

She could practically hear her father's screams of rage as the clock struck 11.

Lord Bhaal demanded blood. Demanded a sacrifice-

"Very well," she acquiesced, swallowing back thoughts of how he would look covered in blood. His own, of course.

She would have to make this quick, she was already late.

"Come," She said, taking his hand as she led him through the creaking doors. "I am at your disposal."

"For now," she added, her voice low.

The streets of Baldur's Gate were deadly silent for once, the only noise came from the taverns and the docks, and even then the sounds were distant, muffled by the buildings. She had led the elf through the alleys, weaving and darting through them, until they found a quiet spot near the harbor, where a single ship was docked.

"What's this?" he asked, an edge to his voice.

She turned and looked at him, and gave him a seductive smirk. "We're alone, and the streets are quiet."

It didn't take him long to understand her meaning. He wasted no time, and before she could get another word out, his mouth was upon hers.  The kiss was heated and messy, and he grabbed her waist and pushed her against the wall of a nearby building.

She pulled away and smiled. "Impatient, are we?"

"Only because I know what I want." He said, returning her smile.

"And what do you want, hmm?" she asked, still a bit breathless from the kiss.

He smirked and moved his hands down to her hips. "You. Now."

She laughed. "So forward! You haven't even given me your name," she said, with a tone of faux offense.

"I could say the same to you, darling," he retorted.

"Rhea," She said, whispering it softly.

He repeated it, rolling the name on his tongue.

"Such a pretty name, for such a pretty thing," He purred, pulling her closer.

She pulled back, her lips ghosting over his ear. His breath hitched. Her tongue darted out and traced the shell of his ear, before she nibbled on his earlobe. He let out a small, choked moan, before he felt her hand press against his bulge.

"And yours," she asked quietly, her hand moving slowly over his bulge. 

Even without the clock, she could tell it was just past midnight. Surely, skipping one night of sacrifice wouldn't be too harmful. If anything, Orin would more than make up for her share.

"Astarion, darling," He breathed, his lips ghosting against hers.

"A lovely name," she replied, rolling it on her tongue as she closed the distance. This kiss was much softer, and gentler than the first. It was tender and warm.

It felt nice. She let herself get lost in the moment. In his touch. His hands were cool, and it was almost easy, to forget her lost sacrifice. To forget who she was. Almost.

She pulled away, her breathing heavy, and her heart racing. Astarion looked at her, his eyes wide, and his lips slightly parted. It was hard to tell under the dim streetlights, but there seemed to be no color to his pallid face. She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off with another kiss. It was hungry, and it burned through her like wildfire. Intoxicating.

"Oh, darling. I am going to enjoy making you scream," he said breathlessly. 

"Is that a promise?" She asked coyly, tasting the salt from the sea on her tongue as she spoke.

"Indeed it is, " he murmured. 

She laughed dryly. "We'll see."

He pushed her forward, her back hitting the wall. He was on her in a second, his mouth attacking hers, and his hands roaming her body. She groaned, her hands tangling themselves in his hair. He chuckled and grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head. He began to trail kisses down her neck, nipping and sucking on the skin as he went. She gasped, arching her back, trying to get closer to him. His other hand snaked up her thigh and under her dress, slowly dragging his nails across her skin. She moaned, rutting her hips into him.

"Gods, you're so eager." He pressed his body against hers, pinning her to the wall, and his knee found its way between her legs, forcing a whine from her lips as she ground her hips against his knee. Surprisingly desperate for friction. 

"Astarion..."

"That's it, darling. Moan my name. Let the whole city hear you."

He was surprisingly careful not to bite into her flesh, his teeth grazing just enough for heat to pool in her stomach. She gasped, her eyes fluttering shut. She could feel her arousal building, her body aching for more. For him.

He grinned, and pulled away, his hand leaving her wrist. She groaned at the loss of contact, and he silenced her with a kiss. His hands unclipped her cloak and let it slide to the ground before pushing her dress up and past her hips. Astarion broke the kiss and looked down at her, his eyes on fire. Cool air hit her heated core, and she shivered. 

"My, my, darling," He cooed. "How wet you are for me. Are you always this ready, or am I just special?"

"You talk too much," she growled, pulling him down into another kiss.

Her hand slid between them, and she rubbed her palm against him, drawing a low moan from his plush lips.

He pushed her hand away and pulled her dress up. She frowned and her brow furrowed, as he stepped back.  He knelt, and she swallowed thickly, anticipation coiling in her stomach. She leaned back against the wall, her hands gripping the rough bricks for support. He began trailing kisses up her thighs, and her breath hitched. His hand caressed her thighs, and he ran his tongue along her inner thigh. She let out a gasp, and she could feel him smirking against her skin.

"So sensitive." He ran his tongue ran closer to her heat, and she shivered.

" Astarion ... "

"Tell me what you want, darling."

"Touch me, please," She gasped, her nails digging into the bricks.

He paused his movements, seemingly lost in thought before he spoke again.

"Mm. Beg for me," he said, his eyes not meeting her gaze. Distant-

She gritted her teeth. "No."

He paused and looked up at her, his crimson eyes a blaze. "Beg, or I'll leave you like this."

She threw him a glare. Her, beg? For some-

His cool breath fanned over her cunt, making her stomach flutter, and her face hot. 

"Fine," she gritted through her teeth.

"Please."

"Please what, darling?" he cooed. 

"Please, I want you to fuck me. Right now."

He smirked. "Good girl."

He dropped to his knees and buried his face between her thighs. She felt his lips on her, and she threw her head back, moaning loudly. His tongue was warm, as he licked a line from her opening to her clit, circling her entrance.

"Oh, yes. Fuck, yes," she moaned, her fingers tangling themselves in his silver hair.

He moaned, his tongue lapping at her folds. Her hips bucked as her toes curled in her boots. Laughing, he began to tease her, his tongue flicking at her clit, his fingers slid into her hot cunt.

"Please, please, please," She pleaded, her voice desperate. 

A far cry from her usual disposition. Not even he could get this much of a response from her. 

He moaned, the sound vibrating through her, his fingers curled inside her, and his tongue teased her clit.

She was a mess, her body trembling, her eyes screwed shut, her breaths coming in gasps and short bursts. He smirked, and began to thrust his fingers in and out of her faster, his tongue swirling around her clit.

"More. Please, fuck. Please, please," she begged, her voice breaking.

He obliged, adding a third finger, and pumping them in and out of her. She could feel herself nearing the edge, her body shuddering, her thighs quivering. She was barely able to keep upright, the brick of the wall rough against her hands.

"Hells," She moaned, her hands fisting his hair. He hummed as he sucked on her clit, his fingers steadily working her to her climax.

"Oh, fuck, fuck!" She screamed, her body tensing as her orgasm washed over her, her vision white.

He licked her through her orgasm, his fingers still thrusting inside her all the while. She gasped, her body shuddering, her eyes clenched shut. He pulled away, and licked his lips, his eyes shining with amusement and his chin glistened with her juices.

"Now, love. Tell me, how was that?"

She stared at him, her eyes wide. It certainly didn't compare to her usual feelings, but-

He stood and leaned in, kissing her. Probably thinking her speechless.

"That good, hm? Well, it's a good thing we have the entire night to ourselves." Before she could answer, his mouth was on hers, his tongue slipping past her lips, and his hand gripping her thigh.

She could taste herself on his lips, making her whimper, her hands fisted the front of his shirt. Her hands reached for his belt, quickly undoing it before the sound of drunken shouts and slurred speech interrupted her.

Astarion pulled away, looking over towards the docks. A group of sailors were walking away from the taverns, their voices loud and their steps clumsy.

"Shit," She cursed. It would probably be best to return-

"Perhaps we should finish this  somewhere else." Astarion's voice pulled her back to reality. "Somewhere, with a bit more privacy?"

She smirked and nodded. "That would be wise." She looked up at him, her eyes narrowing. "Though I rather think you're enjoying this."

He smiled and shrugged. "Can you blame me?"

She shook her head. "I suppose not."

He looked at her, his smile faltering. "Shall we?" he said as he offered an arm. 

She paused and bit her lip before linking her arm in his. "We shall."

The door to her temporary home was quickly unlocked, and she ushered him inside.

He looked around, his eyes taking in the small room. "How quaint," He remarked, his eyes scanning the walls before they landed on the bed, the sheets and pillows still messy from when she woke.

"I prefer not to stand out," she said her voice brusque as she latched the door behind him.

He chuckled and turned back to her. "Fair."

His hand went to her waist, pulling her closer. Astarion leaned in and kissed her, his tongue slipping into her mouth. She moaned into the kiss, her hands tangling themselves in his hair, pulling him even closer. He hummed, his other hand moving to her hip. She gasped as he lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist as if by instinct. He carried her to the bed and laid her down, his mouth never leaving hers.

She broke the kiss, her hands tugging at his shirt. "Off," She demanded.

She ran her hands over his chest, her eyes trailing over his body. "Very," She murmured.

He leaned in, his mouth attacking her neck. She gasped, her back arching into him, and her hands gripping his shoulders. He chuckled and continued his assault on her neck, nipping and sucking at the skin. Her hips bucked, her eyes rolling back into her skull. His hands slid down her sides, grabbing her ass and pulling her closer. "Please," She breathed.

He smirked and ground his hips against hers. "Please what, my dear?"

She moaned, her eyes fluttering shut. "I need you," She pleaded.

He chuckled and moved his mouth lower, his teeth grazing her collarbone. "Where?"

"Everywhere," She breathed.

She whimpered, her hips bucking, her back arching. "Astarion. Please. Fuck. Touch me."

He hummed and pulled away, his hand sliding up her dress. His fingers found her clit and began to rub it.

He smirked at her, watching her fall apart under his touch. "Like this, darling?"

"Gods yes," she hissed, her eyes squeezed shut. "Like that."

He moaned, his fingers circling her clit, his tongue running along her throat. She shuddered, her hips bucking up.

"Please. Please. Please," She pleaded, her voice already hoarse.

"So needy," He slid a finger inside her, his thumb continuing to circle her clit.

She gasped, her legs spreading wider, her body trembling as the cool air hit her.

He continued, his finger sliding in and out of her cunt, his thumb teasing and circling her clit. She writhed beneath him, her body aching for more.

He added a second finger, his thumb pressing against her clit. "Do you want me to fuck you?" he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

She whimpered, her eyes screwing shut. "Yes."

He grinned and quickened his pace, his fingers pumping in and out of her. Her hips rocked, that familiar heat pooling in her stomach again. She moaned, her back arching, while her thighs quivered. He curled his fingers, his thumb brushing against her clit. Her hips bucked once more, her back arching into his hand before all pressure vanished.

Her eyes opened, and she looked up at him, her pupils blown wide, her face flushed. "Why did you stop?" she wined, her voice an octave higher than its usual tone.

He laughed, and moved his hand, his fingers running up her thigh. "I want to taste you."

He leaned in, trailing kisses along her collarbone. She gasped, her body tensing, her eyes screwing shut as the kisses trailed down her neck, his hand slowly making its way down her stomach.

"You want me, don't you, darling? Want to feel me inside you, filling you, stretching you?" He nipped at her collarbone again, his fingers rubbing circles on her hip.

It was maddening, the feel of his fingers along her burning skin, his open-mouthed kisses were bruising, surely to leave a purple mark in the morning. 

"Please," She breathed, her eyes opening.

The word came so easily now, something she had never had to even utter before. A word that was many others last to her. 

"You beg so beautifully. It would be rude not to grant your request." He pushed her dress up and over her head, and tossed it to the side as his eyes roamed her exposed body.

She shivered as the cool air hit her skin. He smirked and leaned in, his lips ghosting over her nipple before he instead opted to kiss her again, his tongue slipping into her mouth, his fingers dancing over her hip. She moaned loudly, not bothering to cover her mouth this time, her hands were too busy fisting the sheets. He broke the kiss, his lips moving to her neck, trailing slowly down to her breasts.

"Please, Astarion," She breathed his name again, like a prayer. 

He laughed, his hand sliding down her stomach, his fingers teasing her clit. She writhed against his hand, her body needed more.

"I could get used to hearing that," He purred, his fingers pushing into her.

And she could listen to his voice all-day-

"Oh, fuck."

He moaned, kissing her shoulder, his hand still moving, his fingers pumping in and out of her faster and faster. She shuddered, and her hands clenched the sheets tighter. She writhed beneath him, her eyes screwed shut, her breath ragged.

"Fuck, Astarion."

He laughed and continued to pump his fingers into her, while his mouth found her breast, his tongue circling her nipple, his teeth scraped against it. 

"Gods." she moaned, her hands now around his neck, pulling him closer, her fingers tangling in his hair.

A familiar coil started to tighten as his fingers fucked her faster.

"I could do this all day. Watching you fall apart beneath me. Hearing you moan, feeling you writhe, seeing your body shake," he murmured into her skin as his lips moved from her breast and trailed up her chest, neck, and jaw before his mouth finally met hers, his tongue pushing between her lips.

Her nails dug into his shoulders as she broke it, her voice slurring, "Please. I need you. 'Need you to fill me. Make me yours."

He groaned before pulling away from her, his fingers sliding out of her. He forced them into her mouth, making her taste herself.  She sucked on them, licking them clean as he watched her, his eyes hooded, his lips parted.

He hummed and pulled his fingers from her mouth, his hand going to his breeches. Astarion undid his pants, freeing his cock. The sight of his cock made her bite her lip, her stomach twisted, and a shiver of excitement ran through her.

"Mmm, I do enjoy the way you look at me, darling." He positioned himself at her entrance, his fingers digging into her thighs as he pulled her closer.

"You're so beautiful, Astarion. So perfect," She cooed, as her hands trailed down his chest. She pushed him back onto the bed and she straddled his hips, her nails dragging across his skin, leaving faint pink marks in their wake. Surprise crossed his face, as if he hadn't expected it.

But he recovered quickly. "Oh, am I?" His smirk returned, though there was something else there too—something she couldn't quite grasp.

His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. His voice was husky and his words were breathy, "Do tell me, what about me is so perfect?"

She hummed, as she trailed a finger up his neck and jaw. She cupped his cheek and leaned in close, their lips almost touching, but not quite. Her other hand trailed down his body to wrap around his cock, pumping him slowly. He was already hard for her. "So, so many things." Her tongue darted out and licked his bottom lip before she took it between her teeth and bit down.

"I'm sure, darling, but please do be a dear and enlighten me," He rasped.

She grinned wickedly. "I think it would be better to show you."  He leaned his head back, allowing her access to him. 

She kissed and sucked at the skin, leaving red marks that would certainly be gone by morning. Her lips trailed down to his collarbone, her teeth scraping his skin. She felt him shudder, his body trembling as his grip tightened. She pulled away, a satisfied smirk playing across her lips.

"You're trembling," She said, her voice teasing.

He swallowed, his eyes meeting hers. "You've been such a tease," His voice was hoarse.

"Am I?"

She leaned in, her lips ghosting over his neck, her teeth grazing his earlobe. "Well, maybe I should tease you some more."

He groaned, his hips thrusting up, as his cock brushed her stomach.

She pulled away, her hands gripped his shoulders, and her legs pinned him down.

"Or," she whispered, her voice dropping an octave, "Maybe I should ride your cock." She moved her hips, her heat grinding against his length. He let out a gasp, his hands grabbing her ass, pulling her closer.

He moaned her name, his face buried in the crook of her neck, his breath hot on her skin.

She smiled, her lips ghosting his jaw, her hands fisting his silver locks, pulling him closer before she pulled away again, her hands gripping his shoulders, her nails digging into the skin. She lifted herself off of him, forcing a whine from his plush lips, his cock brushed against her folds before she paused and sat back, a wicked grin playing across her lips.

"Hm ," she hummed, her eyes half-lidded as she watched his chest heave.

"Say 'please," she said.

"What?" His voice cracked, his eyes widening.

"You heard me." She ran her nails down his chest, a sharp cry escaping his throat. "Beg me."

He swallowed, his mouth going dry. His cock twitched, and precum smeared against her inner thigh. He sat up quickly, his fingers tangling in her hair, his lips crashing into hers. He kissed her hungrily, his tongue swiping across her lips. She gasped and allowed him entry, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Please," He muttered, his voice breaking while his hands gripped the sheets. 

She forced a smile when he averted his gaze, her hand wrapping around his cock, giving it a few slow strokes. He threw his head back, his body arching off the bed.

"Fuck," He breathed, his eyes fluttering closed, his jaw slack.

She smiled and wrapped her hand around his cock, her thumb stroking the head.

She shifted, her knees bracketing his hips, before her lips trailed down his chest, her tongue tracing patterns along his skin as she moved down. He groaned, his body trembling, his eyes screwed shut. "Look at me," She ordered, her voice dropping an octave.

He nodded, his eyes fluttering open, and his gaze met hers.

"You're so beautiful." She pressed her lips to his chest, and her tongue flicked against his nipple, eliciting a moan from him. She pulled away, and licked her lips, her hands stroking his length, her thumb tracing the vein, her hand gripping the base, her nails digging into the sensitive skin, causing him to shudder and moan.

She smirked and moved her mouth down his stomach, her lips kissing and sucking his skin. He bucked his hips, his cock brushing her cheek.

He breathed her name, his voice ragged.

She looked up at him, and smiled, her tongue flicking over his tip. "So desperate," she murmured as she gripped the base of his cock, her hand sliding down his length. His face contorted, unreadable as he struggled to form words.

Her tongue swirled around his head before her lips closed around him. He groaned, his hands tangling in her hair, pushing her head down further.

His breath hitched as she sucked his cock, and her hand cupped his balls. He moaned again, his grip on her hair tightening as his hips thrust up against her face. She hummed, her mouth taking more of him, her nails digging into his thighs. He let out a whimper, his eyes screwing shut, his hips rocking upward.

She pulled away, her tongue dragging along his length. "Don't close your eyes."

He nodded slowly, his eyes fluttering open, his gaze meeting hers. She moved her mouth further down his cock, her teeth grazing his skin. He shuddered, his body trembling. His hands wove into her hair tighter, his cock sliding deeper until he hit the back of her throat. His hips thrust up to meet her mouth. He sped up, the only sounds in the room were the sound of her sucking his cock and his moans.

She gagged, her nails digging crescents into his skin as his hips stilled and his cock twitched, his hot cum filling her mouth.

She moaned as she swallowed. Astarion groaned, his eyes fluttering shut, his body shuddering as he pulled away, a smile on her lips as she swallowed thickly. She moved her mouth further down his length, her tongue dragging along his skin, licking up all the remnants of his release, her tongue flicked over his slit, his hips jerking up one last time.

He pulled her head away from his cock, his fingers still in her hair, his cock still hard.

She let out a soft laugh and he released her hair. Her mouth trailed up his stomach, her teeth grazing his nipple.

"Gods," He breathed.

She hummed in agreement, her teeth biting down as her fingers pinched his other nipple, his back arched off the mattress, and a soft moan escaped his lips.

His hands were tugging at her hair again, and he pulled her head back. 

"Astarion," She breathed.

"I want you," She whispered, her head falling onto his chest.

"Mmm," He purred, his hands gripping her hips, his cock sliding against her slick folds.

She whimpered, her hips pressing down, trying to get him inside.

His hands pulled her down, his cock pushing into her. She let out a moan, her body shuddering. His hips thrust up, his hands guiding her. Her breath was coming in ragged gasps as her hips met his. She was so close, she could feel herself about to fall apart again, her walls tightening around his cock. He groaned, his hands sliding up her sides, his fingertips brushing her nipples. 

She didn't think she could last much longer, her vision was beginning to blur, and there were dark splotches in the corners. She was on her back in an instant, his mouth kissing down her throat, his teeth grazing her skin, his hands running up and down her sides. She shivered, her body arching into his touch, her legs wrapping around his waist. Her ankles hooked together, and her heels dug into his ass, pulling him closer.

Astarion growled and thrust his cock into her roughly, his hips snapping against hers. She gasped, her vision going white. He gripped her hips, his nails digging into her skin. She moaned, her head falling back, as her hands gripped the sheets.

"Faster," she whined.

He smirked and pulled out fully before thrusting back in. He set a punishing pace, fucking her hard and fast, his hips slamming against hers.

"Fuck, Astarion." She cried out, her eyes rolling back, her body quivering.

In response, he moaned her name and fucked her harder.

"Good girl," he said, his voice still hoarse.

She whimpered, her hands further tangling themselves in the sheets, as her eyes on him. 

"You're so good, darling. Such a good girl," he praised, his hand reaching between them and started to rub her clit.

His praise, his words, his touch- She could feel herself teetering on the edge yet again, her mind clouding over.

"So close- Come for me."

She swore she could see stars as she came, her eyes squeezed shut.

"Good girl," he said one last time before she felt his cock pulse, his warm release spilling into her.

"Fuck."

"That's it, darling. Take it all."

She whimpered, her hands grasping his shoulders, pulling him closer so that their chests were touching. 

He grunted, his eyes screwed shut, his lips pressed to her temple. She whined as her arms moved to wrap around his neck. He chuckled, his hand moving to her neck, squeezing lightly.

"Oh, fuck," She breathed.

"There we go," he cooed. "I'm going to let you catch your breath, then I'm going to fuck you again."

Morning light filtered in through the curtains, forcing her eyes to open. She stretched her legs out, the silk sheets brushing her skin as she did so. Her brow furrowed, her head tilting. Where the fuck am I? The night came back to her in waves: the tavern, the missed sacrifice, and finally the man with the pretty eyes and charming smile.

"Fuck." She hissed, her face growing hot.

Looking down she saw her dress was gone, she was completely bare save for the blanket covering her. Her cunt was sore, and the stickiness between her legs was a dead giveaway of what she had done the previous night. She looked around the room, noting the clothes scattered about.

Her dress and corset lay across the back of a chair, his shirt on the floor by the foot of the bed, his pants near the door. Both of their pairs of shoes tossed haphazardly across the wooden floor.

The memories came flooding back to her. How his hands roamed her body, how he'd praised her, how she'd screamed his name when she came again and again.

Astarion.

Something shifted behind her. She froze, not daring to look back. She could feel a chest pressed to her back, his breath cool on her neck. His arm was draped across her side, his hand resting on her stomach.

She tried to shift out from under his grip, but he merely tightened his arm and pulled her closer. His breathing was even, a sure sign he was asleep. Well- not asleep, but sill. She let out a shaky breath and settled back into the mattress, his arm still holding her close.

A soft, barely there smile found its way to her lips as her eyes fluttered closed.

"Fuck."

She turned to face him, his hair was a mess, and a silver curl fell just above his brow. She quickly pushed it away from his face, careful not to wake him. Her eyes ran over his visage, his lips were slightly parted revealing the tips of his canines. 

They were certainly shaper than she had expected, it was a miracle they hadn't pierced her flesh.

She shifted closer to him and wrapped an arm around him, her fingers lightly tracing his bare back.

Her face twisted as she felt ridges under her fingertips. Furrowing her brows, she moved her hand back to the spot and pressed her fingers down. She felt him stiffen, his breath hitching. She withdrew her hand as if burnt.

She didn't need to look to know what they were. Somehow, she hadn't registered the scars crisscrossing his back. She supposed she had been too busy the night before. She placed her lips against his shoulder, and wondered where exactly they had come from. 

He was still resting when she dressed and picked up a quill.

"You seem to be in a good mood, My Lady."

The Butler's voice was like nails on glass as she came to a stop. He was the second person to mention it. The first was some follower in the temple, who quickly scurried away after she sent them a glare. She hadn't realized that it was that obvious.

"Oh?" She looked at him and forced a smile, trying to hide her mounting irritation.

"Yes. I haven't seen you look so... cheerful in so very long, I suppose there was a significant sacrifice made in the name of Lord Bhaal?" he said as they exited the temple.

Her nose crinkled in disgust at the smell of the sewers. It was something she thought you'd gotten used to, but it always managed to get worse. "You could say that," she answered, not giving him any other information.

"Very good, My Lady. Your Lord Father will be most pleased."

"I'm sure he will."

No one needed to know that she had neglected her duties in favor of having her brains fucked out by a strange man. Her Lord Father certainly didn't need to know that. The thought of her father brought a frown to her face. He had already been displeased with her for some time now.

"I have a meeting with Gortash, I won't return to the temple for some time," she said, her voice neutral as she pulled her hood down and over her eyes. 

Sceleritas gave a quick bow before disappearing into a cloud of red mist.

Gortash's dark circles were worse, a stressed smile on his chapped lips. "My friend," he cut himself off his eyes narrowing as he quickly approached, his eyes darting around.

"You seem to be in a good mood." His tone was light, but his eyes were cautious.

"I had an...interesting night." She said cooly. 

She tried not to think about her night with Astarion, tried not to remember the feel of his hands and mouth. How he had her pressed against the wall. She shifted on her feet.

Gortash raised a brow. "Is that so?"

"I can tell. You seem-" He paused, closing his next words carefully, "happier than when we last spoke." He paused and sniffled, a frown settling on his features as his eyes zoned in on something.

"You've been with someone." His nostrils flared, his eyes searching her face.

She gave him a smirk, a brow raising. " How did you know?"

She felt his eyes move over her body, her face flushed - her neck. There was no doubt in her mind that he could see the dark purple bruises blooming on her skin. Damn. She'd thought that the neckline of her dress would cover the marks left behind. 

"I'm just glad that it was... pleasant for you," he replied, his tone lighter.

Her brows furrowed, his eyes meeting hers. "You're worried," she tilted her head and took a step closer, their noses almost touching, "Why?" 

He shook his head, and turned away. If she had a better look she might have said his expression was one of- jealousy?

Was he jealous? Her smirk widened as she crossed her arms behind her back and followed him through the room. Sunlight highlighted the piles and stacks of books that were littered throughout. 

Books on... "Ilithids?" She questioned, picking up a dusty time, the title nearly faded against the purple background.

He nodded before turning to face her again, "I've been digging for more research on our project," he gestured for her to sit.

She opted to remain standing. The book dropped to the floor with a dull thud, sending up a cloud of dust. Ilthids.

"I plan to involve the research done when it comes to taking Baldur's Gate of course," his eyes were frantic now, rimmed in red from a lack of sleep.

Her eyes stayed on his lips as they moved but no sound reached her ears. She hadn't visited Gortash in months. He was now Bane's Chosen, so she had heard.

The circles under his eyes were worsening, and it seemed he had lost weight. Rhea wasn't one to worry when it came to others' problems, but- she did have a rather close relationship with the man. One he clearly held dearly if the look in his eyes earlier said anything at all. 

Her eyes flitted across the room in confusion. She had yet to see the Tiefling girl he had recently taken into service. She always managed to derail their conversations, into hours long chats about everything and nothing all at once.

Gortash's hand cupped her face, and when their eyes met she noticed how concerned he seemed.

"Is it your Father, again?"

She placed her hand on top of his own before closing her eyes and humming in content. 

Lord Bhaal was certainly displeased with her, after last night. No sacrifice, and she couldn't keep that damned pale elf off of her mind.  And not in her usual, 'I wonder what his insides would look like twisted around him,' or 'I wonder what his blood would taste of.'

What was his name again? It had slipped her mind-

Gortash's lips were surprisingly soft against her own. His hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer. She could feel the heat of his body radiating from under his robes, and a shiver ran down her spine as her eyes fluttered closed. She was the one who pulled away. Her eyes met his own.

"Where's the Tiefling?" She asked, trying to ignore how tightly he gripped her.

A blush spread across his face, a frown settling on his lips. "I had to- dismiss her."

"I thought you liked her?" She cocked her head.

"I did."

"Did?"

"Not anymore," he shook his head, "she had her uses but, not enough to keep her around."

Her brows furrowed, the gears in her brain moving slowly as she took his answer in. "You had a lot of uses for her. What changed?"

He let out a deep sigh and sat down.

"She got boring."

"Boring," she echoed, not quite understanding.

"Yes." He answered.

"I think she was quite the opposite," she said stalely.  She didn't bother to pry further.

"I don't understand," he said,  as he looked up at her, his hands wringing in his lap. 

"Don't understand what?"

She scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she met his gaze. A subject change, how typical. At least as of late. She couldn't recall him being this wishy-washy before.

"Who were you with?" He asked, his eyes narrowed.

She shook her head and laughed, the question taking her by surprise. He had never really shown much interest in who she was with. Although, lately he had been acting a bit more... desperate.

"You don't get a say in my affairs, Gortash."

His eyes softened as he leaned forward. "You do  know I care about you, right?"

She shrugged and moved closer, her knees hitting the armrest of his chair. "You do have a strange way of showing it." She moved so she was straddling him, her hands gripping the back of his chair. His own went to her waist.

"How else am I supposed to show it?"

"By letting me go."

His eyes flashed. "You know I can't do that. I don't want to do that."

She let out a chuckle. "Of course not. How foolish of me." Her fingers tangled in his hair as she leaned closer. "Why would you?"

His breath tickled her ear, his grip on her hips tightening. "You're mine."

Her nose twitched, and her eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

"You know it is," he breathed, his lips pressing against her neck.

"If I'm yours, then why do you keep asking me who I've been with?" She whispered, tilting her head to the side.

"You can fuck whoever you want, as long as you come back to me."

"How possessive of you," she breathed, her lips pressing against his jaw, his chin, his nose.

"I've missed you, Rhea." His lips captured her own.

"I know," she hummed, her nails digging into his scalp, "and I you."

She lied effortlessly. There had been a time when her feelings were mutual. But that time had long passed. His hands slid over her skin, his movements slow.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" His breath was hot on her skin.

"Hmm," she hummed in agreement.

"How long has it been?" he asked in between kisses.

"Too long," she breathed, her head falling back as his lips moved lower.

The door slammed open.

"I'm sorry to interrupt-"

"Then don't." Gortash's head turned, his eyes meeting the interrupter.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." He gestured to Rhea and took a step past the threshold. 

He was an older gentleman, with graying hair and a permanent frown on his face. Gold horn-rimmed glasses were hanging precariously from his nose.

"What's wrong now?" her voice clipped, annoyed. 

"We have a slight... problem."

"Well spit it out, then."

"You know," the man trailed off, a sinister smile on his face.

She let out a groan and stood, her hand reaching for the dagger strapped to her side. She almost wretched. Orin. The man's face contorted and his body cracked to reveal the Changeling. Her putrid stench filled the room, her long blonde braid matted with blood and... what looked like viscera.

"Dear sister, I've missed you." The words were sickly sweet and sent a shiver down her spine.

"I can't say the same, Orin." Rhea's voice was monotone as her eyes met the Changeling's glossy ones.

Orin ignored the comment, her eyes narrowing as she picked her nails with her blade. "Father's been upset, all in a tizzy if you will," her tone was bored, her eyes meeting Rhea's.

"Oh, really? I hadn't noticed," she deadpanned.

Orin's eyes narrowed and she stood, her body towering over Rhea's. "Watch the tone." She spat the words, her teeth gritting.

"Or what, Orin? You'll tell daddy on me? You'll tattle that I didn't give the proper sacrifice? That I didn't come home on time?" She took a step closer, a wicked grin spreading across her lips.

"Father isn't happy." Orin's lip curled.

"Let him come, I'm sure he'll love the welcome party."

"You think you're clever, don't you, dear sister." Orin's hand was cold against her neck.

"I'm not the one that needs to prove myself," Rhea whispered, her hand sliding between their bodies. Her dagger pressed into Orin's stomach. "If you threaten me again, I'll make sure there's no coming back for you."

Orin scoffed, "I, will be Lord Bhaal's Chosen. Only I am his favorite, the only one truly he cares for."

"Keep telling yourself that, dear sister," Rhea's tone was light, but her grip on her blade held fast. She pushed the blade harder against her stomach.

"Just a little more," Orin whispered, her voice taunting.

Orin's hand wrapped around her wrist.

Gortash cleared his throat, and both women turned to face him. He was clearly uncomfortable with the... situation. "I'm sorry, to interrupt."

His eyes stayed on Orin's blade, the tip was pressed against Rhea's throat, and small droplets of blood were dripping from her skin.

"But, we were in the middle of something." His tone was curt.

"And?" Orin raised a brow.

"We'd like you to leave." His lips formed a tight, thin line.

Orin's jaw was tense as her hand dropped to her side limply. "Fine."

She looked down at her blade and smiled. "You made me bleed," she wiped the blood from her waist.

"Goodbye, sister. I'll see you again soon." Her tone was a warning.

"I'm sure." Her tone was dismissive.

"Until then," Orin smiled as she left.

Rhea let out a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging.

"I forgot how exhausting she was."

Gortash was silent, his hand running down her back.

"Is it always like that?"

"Oh, yes." Her tone was sarcastic, her eyes fluttering closed as she sheathed her blade.

"I have no doubt Lord Bhaal will choose you as his Chosen," he assured her.

"I'm not too sure of that myself, these days." She opened her eyes, and her head turned away.

"Why? Did something happen?"

"Nothing of importance," she shrugged.

He nodded and sat down.

"Would you like to continue where we left off?" His tone was hopeful, his hand motioning towards the space next to him.

She sighed and moved closer. "It's going to cost you."

His hand was warm against her waist, her head dropping to his shoulder.

"Anything." He breathed the word, his tone desperate.

She smiled a genuine one this time and leaned closer. "Tell me how the research is going."

He sighed and shook his head. "Fine, have it your way."

The sun was low in the sky, the clouds painted a dark pink. The streets were busy, and she could already hear the sounds of music playing from the taverns. Her feet dragged along the cobblestones, her eyes scanning the crowd. She wondered if he was still there if he was still in her bed. 

He wasn't. His boots were gone, the clothes that were thrown over her desk were gone, and his scent lingered in the air. She wasn't surprised, but she was disappointed. She moved towards her desk and sat down. An envelope was on her desk. It was a plain white, her name scrawled on the front. It was in his handwriting.

"Astarion" she whispered, his name was a sigh that slipped from her lips as she opened the note. The note was short but sweet. She placed the note back on her desk and smiled.

Astarion.

What a lovely name.

Her eyes snapped open. No- 

She admonished herself. She had been too distracted as of late. She rubbed her temples, a headache forming. It had only been a day and yet she could still feel her father's anger, his frustration. Bloodlust- Her mind had drifted again and she hadn't sensed the presence. She was getting soft, and careless.

It was frightening. She had only been in Baldur's Gate for less than a year. Before that, it had been at Moonrise, and before that- 

Her head throbbed, and her temples felt like they were going to burst.

She woke covered in blood, the sky dark. The only light came from the stars and the moon, their silvery glow lighting up the sky. The air smelled of death and the stench of it was so strong it was nauseating. Her entire body ached, and she had to force herself to stand.

A body lay to her left, unrecognizable, entrails pooling on top of a familiar ritual circle.  The air was heavy with the smell of iron. She tried to remember what had happened, but it was a blur. Her legs felt weak and shaky, and she could hardly stand, let alone walk.

She needed to find water, to wash the blood away. Her hands were caked in it, her fingernails stained red. The stench was starting to make her feel ill, and she felt dizzy. She stumbled towards the streetlights, the lights illuminated the cobblestone streets.

The city was quiet, aside from the distant sounds of taverns. As she walked she quickened her pace. Her steps echoed off the walls and the stone streets.

She was alone, and the emptiness of the streets was suffocating. She kept walking, the cobblestones beneath her feet turned to wood, and she slammed her front door behind her, the sound echoing throughout the empty house.

She took a deep breath.

She needed to clean up and rest.

And then-

The water was freezing, and her body ached, the cold a sharp pain against her skin. She shivered, the chill seeping into her bones, her hair wet and tangled. She sat there for a while, staring at her hands. They were covered in dirt and grime, and she could still see the dried blood under her nails.

She washed her hands until her skin was raw, and even then, she couldn't get rid of the feeling. It wasn't just the blood. There was something else. Something was wrong. She stood in the tub and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were different, the pupils blown, the color a shade darker than her normal lavender.

She could still feel her heart beating, but she knew it wasn't the same. Her stomach lurched and she rushed to the toilet, emptying the contents of her stomach into the porcelain bowl. Her throat burned, and the taste of bile was acidic on her tongue. She didn't know how long she stayed there, her knees pulled to her chest.

The water sticking to her skin had long gone cold, and her body was shaking, her skin gooseflesh.

She should be used to this, waking up in strange places- covered in gore- 

But sometimes it still managed to take her by surprise. Like tonight. Her eyes darted to the door. It was locked, and the curtains were drawn. No one would disturb her. Hopefully. She thought of the first time Sceleritas had appeared, right before she-

She cut herself off- she needed to sleep, to get the smell of iron and blood out of her mind. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she couldn't keep them open. The room was dark, and the shadows danced along the walls, the only light coming from the moon, its pale light filtering in through the window.

She could feel the cold air against her skin, and the weight of the covers against her body. The smell of lavender filled her nose. Her limbs were heavy as her body sank into the soft mattress.

Notes~

Hi! Thank you so much for reading this! I have the next few chapters outlined, I'm just working on actually putting everything together. This is also on my AO3 under the same username